K
Badal joins call NEWS to remove Trotman until investigation completed AIETEUR
p. 15
Thursday Edition February 06, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 05 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
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Oil spill emergency plan for Caribbean Region
p. 8
urgently needed Garbage collectors robbed by gun-toting bandits - TT Minister of Energy
p. 3
Over 30 NGOs Digicel Police remove call for fair seeks to land blockage from oil deal submarine cable Berbice River p. 14
p. 2
p. 23
Man kills drinking buddy, then returns and continues p. 15
drinking with dead man's wife
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 06, 2020
Over 30 NGOs call for fair oil deal - commit to play role in industry development
T
he National Coordinating Coalition Inc. (NCC) with the support of its 30-plus Non Profit Organisations has sought to clarify the grassroots civil society's perspectives on their involvement, and the benefits from Guyana's newly found oil wealth. In a recent press release the Coalition stated, “The National Coordinating Coalition Inc. takes note of the fact that (Global Witness) have indicated in their report, the need for processes that involve meaningful and transparent engagement with civil society.” It added, “NCC and their constituents are taking this opportunity to express intent … as we and Guyana move forward in our 'Oil for Development” agenda for the people of Guyana.” The Civil Organisation further stated, “The Coalition and its members have a long history of bridging the society's ethnic and political divides and of working successfully and collaboratively with governments, past and present, on urgent socio-economic issues regardless of ethnicities, religion and political affiliation of the peoples we serve. “We are cognizant of our limitations due to inadequate resources, and those we serve are equally limited, or have little or no capabilities to voice their concerns…The stakes are high for those most in need and who stand to lose most.” “The NCC has every intention to continue its partnerships with Governments, present and future, private sector, media (continued on page 13)
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Guyana's very orientation is secrecy - First Vice President, TIGI By Kemol King
W
hen it comes t o transparency and public disclosures, Guyana's growth is yet to impress. Its very orientation is secrecy, and continues to see a refusal to create an environment of full disclosure. These and other comments were made by First Vice President of Transparency International Guyana Institute (TIGI), Fred Collins, on a recent edition of the Kaieteur Radio show, Petroleum 101. There, Collins and TIGI Director, Turhan Doerga, discussed the importance of transparency in the oil sector, against the backdrop of a report by the Transparency International's central body that Guyana has improved significantly in its corruption perceptions index. Beside that report's findings, Collins posited his view that Guyana has a lot more to do to foster a culture of transparency. The TIGI Vice President made reference to events since the signing of the 1999
petroleum agreement with ExxonMobil, by the then President Janet Jagan. It took nearly two decades for that agreement to be seen by the public. He explained that since then, Guyana has been accustomed to very low standards from its leadership, and that that leadership has fostered a culture of giving excuses for the secrecy it wants to maintain. But that secrecy has been proven to be unnecessary, Collins told Kaieteur Radio. For instance, he said that calls for the release of the 2016 Stabroek licence, signed by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had initially been met with excuses about the importance of protection for oil companies' proprietary information. “There was nothing like that in the 2016 contract,” Collins said. It was President David Granger who took it upon himself to make the contract public. It turned out that instead of exposing proprietary oil company information, the details of
the contract elicited years of complaints and protest from the public that the deal was not only lopsided and unjustly exploitative, but that some of the concessions Government granted to ExxonMobil and its partners were more than the law allowed, Collins explained. The anti-corruption advocate said he had sensed for a while, that “there was no real reason, no valid reason for that contract not to be disclosed, except it was going to be embarrassing to see what we had agreed to.” In addition, the Bridging Deed which gave renewed life to the expired 1999 agreement, leading to the 2016 agreement, has still not been published by a Government agency. It had to be leaked to the media. A perusal of the Deed by Kaieteur News indicated that there is an 'escrow letter' which remains elusive. Collins also mentioned the several drafts of Guyana's local content p o l i c y, a n d h o w t h e Trinidadian consultant, Anthony Paul, had initially formulated a draft which had stringent provisions to
… country exactly where it was 20 years ago
ensure Guyanese benefit from the petroleum sector. “They discarded that and brought somebody connected to Exxon, who took out all of that.” The Government had eventually replaced Paul with Dr. Michael Warner, a consultant who Kaieteur News has shown had been affiliated with the oil major. In this regard, Collins said that that instance speaks volumes about how the “trajectory of our transparency is downward.” “For some strange reason,” the TIGI Vice President said, “we will not… create an environment of full disclosure unless there is a radical shake-up of the political order because neither the Government or the opposition seems to be anywhere close to delivering to the populace that kind of orientation which we need.” People's Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that he is in favour of full disclosures about Government transactions. However, several large-scale deals signed during his
Garbage Collectors robbed by gun toting bandits
I
t is no secret that thieves also roam in the broad light of day but it is a serious cause for concern when even the garbage collectors are not safe. That was the case yesterday morning when three workers from Puran Brothers were assaulted and relieved of their valuables by two gun toting bandits while tending to their daily tasks. The incident was said to have occurred around 05:30am in Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
According to reports, the crew consisted of five workers plus the driver. While two of the workers were emptying two nearby bins, it was then that the bandits struck. Puran Brothers Chief Executive Officer, Kalesh Puran, explained to Kaieteur News that he got a call from his employees stating that they were robbed and injured and refused to work in the area. “What them guys told me is that the guys stick up the driver then go around the
back and tackle the other two workers who were unloading the trash.” According to him, the men said that the bandits were not masked and carried what appeared to be a pistol. The traumatised men were also assaulted by the bandits during the robbery. “Two of the guys got injured; one got a cut to his head and other was beaten with the gun over his eyes. We had to rush them to the hospital.” The men carted off cell phones, an undisclosed
amount of cash, and the driver's wedding band. According to Puran, not even the men's lunches were spared. The CEO expressed his displeasure and concern for his workers stating that this is not the first time his workers have been robbed but this is the first time, the incidents have resulted in severe injuries. “The guys always run into problems when it comes to certain areas in this town. Imagine you are trying to (continued on page 16)
tenure as President, remain shrouded in secrecy. Doerga told Kaieteur Radio, “One would think that after the secrecy was exposed and taken apart in the press that they would have learned… Guyanese don't sit and just swallow it.” The TIGI Director referred to the commotion over the sale of Guyana's oil. It was a US-based publication, Bloomberg, which revealed that Government had invited a select group of oil companies to handle the trade of Guyana's oil. The Department of Energy had held a hurried press conference shortly after the Bloomberg report, where it gave a limited explanation about the process thus far, except that the companies were chosen based on their track record. When Energy Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe, was asked why the public was not notified of the matter sooner, he said that there are matters the public does not have to be notified about until after they have transpired. He had explained that that matter was one for which the Government decided it would notify the public after the deal was signed. The public later learnt that Royal Dutch Shell was the company chosen by
Government to assist with the trade of its crude. “If you see the atrocities of Shell in other countries,” Doerga said, alluding to the company's sordid reputation. Shell has been implicated in a US$1.1B bribery and corruption scandal for a coveted Nigerian oil block. T h e G u y a n a G o v e r n m e n t ' s considerations for choosing Shell are unclear. “ We a r e b e i n g confronted that Shell now got the contract with some frivolous reason that they have to establish what quality the oil is and what price can be achieved of that, and so forth,” the TIGI Director said. “Them a spit in me face and tell me it's raining,” an old, Creole adage. “It is getting more ridiculous,” Doerga said. He posited that the resource does not belong to one or two private citizens, but that it belongs to all the people of Guyana. And with that, “Everything is supposed to be transparent,” Doerga stated. Government has joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), in a move that suggests that it will commit to internationally accepted principles of transparency in its extractive industries.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Medical malpractice Six years later and there is learning of the horrors endured by a sick patient who eventually succumbed. It could have been any citizen, but usually more the fate of the poor, the unrepresented, the vulnerable. As this publication reported in the article titled, “Shocking details of death of man, 74, only now revealed in Medical Council report of 2014,” there is cause for concern. It betrays reason that this specific case is the only instance where such a terrible failure was allowed to exist in silence, apparent cover-up, and still unaddressed injustice.This is not limited to backwater Guyana, but is present globally, even in watchful societies. It is just that it is believed to be more prevalent here, more papered over, more quickly and efficiently handled, through closing of ranks by medical professionals and institutions. Many citizens have heard the stories, or have been privy to the guts and gore of such medical malpractices, from being insiders (family members) or eyewitnesses (interested parties) to the ineptitude of practitioners, the practiced individual and institutional retreats characterised by information blackouts, and the failure to provide satisfaction for wrongs.It may be no exaggeration to state that some of our medical people are more dangerous than reckless minibus drivers or marauding bandits terrorising. There are good and skilled doctors and nurses, but those qualities fade into oblivion when they seek shelter in distance and vacuums that pretend to know nothing. Their personal and medical ethics are sabotaged and sacrificed for continuity, for the team, for progress and prosperity, when they stay quiet. This is so even when some of them rise to the level of involvement in oversight agencies like medical councils. The evidence is there: in the years and decades of professional (and unlicensed) medical interventions in this country, there are few, if any, reports and cases that make into the public domain about the malpractices that contribute to crippling, impoverishing, and dying. It is either that the practice of medicine in this land is so impeccable that there is nothing negative that could qualify for sanctioning, or here is continuing suffocation of such episodes into nonexistence. There are those amongst us, who have heard, or been observers, of the less seasoned doctors, who do not instill confidence, who make obvious mistakes, but for which nothing happens. There are those troubling reports of wrong medicines, improper surgical procedures, and the actual procedures that were botched. Yet there is this pristine blanket of medical perfection that graces consciousness and country. Clearly, some people, more than a few of them, are getting away with murder, and repeatedly, if not in plain sight, too.It is not unreasonable to suspect that it is the same dirty, shabby story in the knowledgably sleazy attorney field. They make powerful promises, they collect exorbitant sums of money, and they either fail to deliver, or they misrepresent, or they are just not present. It is down the tubes and up the creek for those gullible seekers of legal protections, who fall into their hands. Some of our lawyers play both sides against the middle, some of them sellout to the whole system, some of them buy it (or are bought) with a certain kind of cash: drug lawyers, criminal lawyers, so-called constitutional lawyers.These are the men, who pontificate about the constitution and about governance. In fact, more than a few of these dirty chaps are among our lawmakers in the National Assembly, while there are more of them, who come in this elections season to join the club and share in the action. It is action for which there is no committed and powerful restraining body to facilitate curative steps for serially errant legal practitioners. Like the medicine men, there is protecting, leaving all untouched and everyone intact.Quite rightly, there is plenty talk about clean governance and ethical leadership. But the same must be present in all those watchdog bodies, be they medical, legal, commercial, or otherwise. How many of their own have they disciplined for repeated egregious wrongdoings? Governments must be condemned, but look first at self, start from within.The protective veils of Masonic Lodges must go. Save the citizens, help this society.
If this is not the height of arrogance and disrespect for the Guyanese people, then I don’t what is DEAR EDITOR, “Yet whatever concerns Guyana may have about Venezuela’s border claims, Global Witness believes they do not justify Trotman’s signing of the 2016 Stabroek license on the terms proposed. The deal was the largest in Guyanese history, and Trotman apparently rushed to sign it before the Liza 2 announcement despite soliciting advice from two experts who said he needed more information.” This is from the Global Witness Report. If, Editor, this is not the height of arrogance and disrespect for the Guyanese people on the part of Global Witness, then I don’t what is. This NGO is telling Guyana that whatever concerns we have about the Venezuela claim and its intricacies for the development of our oil and gas industry, should not be a priority over getting the most money we could from Exxon. Global Witness wants/ wanted Guyana to ignore its concerns and just go for the most money it could get. In my view, this singular position taken by Global Witness should discredit anything this organization has to say. It’s like telling your daughter look don’t rush to marry this man who truly loves you and has proven it in his actions over time; look at marrying the other guy next door who has lots of money and ignore his threats of violence and invasion of our home if we don’t sell him our house. I hope our political parties, despite their quest to form the government after March 2, will stand together in debunking this Global Witness nonsense being given such wide publicity.
Editor, allow me the space to debunk this preposterous position (quoted above) advanced by Global Witness, and I do so as someone who has closely followed and participated in numerous events that have analyzed Venezuela’s internal politics, its relations with Guyana, and the geopolitical landscape in relation to Guyana’s oil and gas discoveries. I am also doing so while in possession of some “usually reliable” intelligence gathered from key decision-makers in various places. Global Witness speaks about a rush to sign an agreement. In my view that was necessary. Guyana needed first oil prior to the determination of its case at the International Court of Justice. This was just as necessary as it was necessary for then President Janet Jagan to award Exxon licenses for 600 blocks when the law provided for only 60 to be awarded. It was critical back then to ensure that Guyana had a major US company like Exxon committed to operating in our maritime space claimed by Venezuela, and we had to make it attractive for Exxon to commit to investing in Guyana. I don’t know whether Mrs. Jagan had in her possession at that time any “intelligence” about the possible actions of Venezuela regarding Guyana, but I would assume she did, and was advised to act quickly to ensure an American presence in that maritime area. It is also important to remind Guyanese that in 2015 when Presidents Granger and Maduro met with UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon, Mr. Ban in his statement following the
meeting spoke of developing the resources of the area for the mutual benefit of the two people. What exactly did he mean by that? The oil and gas is in Guyana’s maritime space and therefore the resource of the people of Guyana. This statement could not have been lost on President Granger and his team, and I hope that it was based on the intelligence in its possession that the government rushed to sign an agreement with Exxon. Global Witness and its acolytes are claiming Guyana will lose 55 billion US dollars, but it seems lost on them that we could have lost everything. Editor, your newspaper would have published letters from me in the past about this issue, including one back in 2016 in which I informed that Guyana’s oil was being counted as part of Venezuela’s reserves by some leading Venezuelans in the US at a Council of the Americas forum. The so-called Venezuelan government in exile counts Guyana’s oil and gas as part of the resources of Venezuela it could use to launch an economic recovery program, if and when it gains office. It is being argued by some that then President Burnham did not pursue investment in the oil and gas industry because he could not get a fair deal. As far as I know, that is not true. The technology available at that time for offshore exploration and drilling rendered such activity not feasible, and therefore development of our oil and gas industry was put on hold. At that time, the Venezuelan claim did not “loom too large” in this consideration, since Burnham and then Venezuelan
president Carlos Andres Perez, and by extension Guyana and Venezuela, enjoyed very good if not excellent relations. Another factor that must be taken into account is the geopolitical landscape and the role of oil and gas. 2016 saw the election of Donald Trump as president of the US. While the Guyana government may have signed the agreement with Exxon prior to Trump’s election, there was already a lot of speculation about the Trump/ Putin relationship, much of which has since led to the impeachment of Trump. This is a president who excluded all Americans from an Oval Office meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister. It cannot be lost on anyone that Putin is a dear friend of Maduro and that there is significant Russian involvement in Venezuela today, including in its oil and gas industry. It used to be that nations interacted with one Washington, DC in the past….now it’s two. One cannot predict Washington as easily as in the past. Allow me, Editor, to refer to one recent development, which, though it may look and sound far-fetched, may not be totally unrelated to the issue under discussion here. I hope the geopolitical strategists in Guyana, and more so in government, are analyzing the contemptuous behaviour on the part of this Russian company to determine whether its behaviour is not intended to provoke a situation that would serve as the occasion, and not the cause, for certain adjustments to the political/ diplomatic relationship Russia currently maintains (Continuedon page 6) From page 4
Global Witness - estimates from “La La Land”? DEAR EDITOR, The full Global Witness report has now been published. Does anybody still take seriously the estimate of US$168 billion to Guyana from oil production? Or the extra US$55 billion that Exxon is supposed to give up because Global Witness says Exxon can afford it -ignoring the real world where Exxon answers to its shareholders not Global Witness? If so, please read page 11, where Global Witness says that their estimate of the extra US$55 billion will be “incorrect” if the international community meets the Paris Agreement targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Global Witness concedes that, “It is critical that the Paris
Agreement targets are met.” So, why don’t they estimate on the basis of the Paris Agreement? Here is Global Witness’s excuse: “Global Witness and OpenOil believe that revenue calculations under a scenario where Paris targets are met should be used for illustrative purposes only. This is because, were the price of oil to drop dramatically, the Rystad estimates upon which the OpenOil analysis is based will be wrong.” In other words, if Global Witness includes the ‘critical’ Paris Agreement, then the estimates by Global Witness, Open Oil and Rystad are wrong. When Open Oil and Global Witness take into account
the ‘critical’ Paris Agreement, they drop their estimate of Guyana’s revenue down to $40 billion over 20 years. Even that estimated US$40 billion is speculative, given the way that global energy and financial markets are moving. So, why did Global Witness put out ‘La La Land’ estimates of US$168 billion revenue and an extra US$55 billion?Global Witness’s revised estimate of US$40 billion depends on Global Witness’s stated assumptions that the government will monitor Exxon’s production and costs to see that Guyana gets its share, the government will get a fair market price for Guyana’s oil, Guyana will ‘develop the capacity to fight corruption’, and Exxon will
take sufficient environmental precautions to avoid a BPtype well blowout, which Global Witness put at a cost of US$65 billion. Indeed, but we do not live in an ideal world. Why didn’t Global Witness listen to the many people who have said there are serious legal grounds for questioning this oil deal? Why didn’t they call for respect for the rule of law, instead of for renegotiating a deal of questionable legality? Only the judges, acting on the basis of the evidence and arguments presented in court, can determine the legality or illegality of part of any deal, and their decisions must be respected by everybody. Yours sincerely, Melinda Janki
Thursday February 06, 2020
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This, to my mind, was clearly the backdrop to the negotiations regarding The U.S also withdrew conflictual approach to nego- world and that its peculiar national security concerns, the Joint Comprehensive tiations. the revised PSA with Exxon in 2016 from Plan of Action, known comHere in Guyana many in- particularly at the time of reDEAR EDITOR, It is not surprising that some persons would view the US President Donald Trump playbook as the blueprint for political success, including persons here in Guyana. Trump had campaigned, very successfully, that the American domestic and international situation “was a mess” and that he, alone, could fix it and was rewarded with the Presidency of the United States at the last election. Domestically, he railed against the health-care and immigration systems, in particular, and, internationally,
against trade, security and environmental agreements and threatened to “repeal and replace” them all, and believed he had the power and negotiating ability to do so. In spite of his party controlling both houses of Congress, initially, he failed to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as Obamacare, and he has been unable to construct a wall across the southern border with Mexico, and to have Mexico pay for it. Internationally, he threatened to withdraw and renegotiate almost every major ini-
tiative and agreement entered into by his predecessor, Barack Obama; most notably the Paris Agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, NAFTA, the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The U.S, last year withdrew from the Paris Agreement, which is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance negotiated by 196 states and signed in 2016.
SOMETHING ISN’T CORRECT DEAR EDITOR, The information from Rystad Energy makes no mathematical sense, or, in other words, it is complete nonsense. In their words (source: Rystad Energy’s website): “ExxonMobil’s discovery of the Liza field in 2015 truly put Guyana on the global energy map,” says Espen Erlingsen, Head of Upstream Research at Rystad Energy. “We predict Guyana’s total oil production to surpass 600,000
barrels per day by the end of the next decade. These volumes could generate total annual revenue of $15 billion from the oil and gas industry. After all costs are paid, around $10 billion of profit could thus be split between the companies and the government.” In the current fiscal regime, the government collects its share through a 2% royalty and a 50% profit oil levy. Rystad Energy estimates that this will give the government
Why were the doctors not named? DEAR EDITOR, I have read with much alarm the death an elderly citizen, Edward Subryan, under questionable circumstances at private hospital in 2014. I must applaud Kaieteur News for picking up on an issue of which there have been many whispers. For years, patients have been complaining of poor service at the hospitals. There have been questions, of course, about procedures and the tests they were being sent to undergo. The shocking revelations in the report, as carried by Kaieteur News, should have galvanized the authorities to act or say something. Perusing the articles, it was worrying to see that the names of the doctors were not carried. The people of Guyana should know the name of the hospital and the two doctors. It is for their own protection. I don’t agree with the newspaper for self-censoring itself like this. The story speaks volumes. The Health Ministry, private hospital and the Medical Council have all to answer. This is highly unacceptable. C. Persaud
60% of the profit from the various projects (government take), while the remaining 40% will go to international E&P companies. If I remember my math from primary school, when you have a total of $15 Billion and a remainder of $10 Billion that is divided by 2, this leaves you with $5 Billion that is yours. 5 Billion as a percentage of $15 Billion is 33.333r%. Plus the 2% of the $15 Billion, which is $0.3 Billion and not a 0.3 which becomes 30%. Thus the total is $5.3 Billion which gives us a total of 35.333r% of the total revenue from the oil & gas industry per the outlined example assumptions provided for Rystad Energy’s calculation. This is a far cry from the 60% that this highly respected industry expert is miscalculating. Obviously the deal that was negotiated for Guyana is far below industry standards. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana (CRG)
monly as the Iran nuclear deal, which was reached in 2015 between the Islamic Republic of Iran, the permanent members of the UN Security Council (USA, UK, Russia, China, France), Germany and the European Union. Trump disparaged trade and economic relations with China and major US allies in North America and Europe, threatened and imposed selective tariffs, and extensive trade wars. He withdrew from the TTP, which was a proposed trade agreement between the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Peru signed in 2016 (but not ratified by the US Congress) leaving the remaining countries to negotiate a new trade agreement which incorporated most of the TPP provisions and which entered into force over a year ago. Negotiations between the US and European Union regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) were halted by President Trump who then initiated a trade conflict with the EU. President Trump has, these past few weeks, however, been able to conclude a new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico called the United States-MexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA) which experts say is not fundamentally different from NAFTA which it has replaced, and is only moderately improved. It can be debated whether Trump’s actions and accomplishments are sufficient proof of his claim to be a superlative negotiator and fixer, and whether his country’s economic, trade and security interests have been enhanced in the medium and long-term by his disruptive and
dividuals, groups and interests (local and foreign) have chastised and condemned government’s negotiating performance and characterized the 2016 revision of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and its partners for the offshore Stabroek Block as “unfairly exploitative”, a horrendous deal for Guyana and potentially corrupt. Only this week, the international corruption watchdog, Global Witness, has reported that Guyana is receiving “only 52% of revenue compared to global averages between 65% and 85%” which accrues to an estimated loss of US$1.3 billion per year or US$55 billion by 2056, and have urged not only, renegotiations and investigations, but that government should “place a hold on new drilling and cancel all other licences and any plans to award new licences”. These suggestions and demands seem extraordinarily extreme and seem oblivious to the fact that Guyana’s situation is not comparable with other countries around the
negotiations in 2016, and long-term economic future could have contributed to its acceptance of arrangements less favourable than other new petroleum producers. The entire world, and all Guyana, is aware of Venezuela’s history of aggression towards Guyana and its claim to the Essequibo region which includes the Stabroek Block offshore. Venezuela had sought to discourage international oil companies from exploring offshore Guyana and, in 2013, its navy had detained an oil exploration vessel operated by Anadarko, and its captain was charged with violating Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Following the early discoveries by Exxon, whose activities Venezuela had protested, it issued a decree claiming the Stabroek Block and more as its national marine protection sphere and extending the control of its navy. This, to my mind, was clearly the backdrop to the negotiations regarding the revised PSA with Exxon in (Continued on page 6)
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Thursday February 06, 2020
The President has had more than adequate time to meaningfully address Chronicle as saying at the sugar workers. This talk was nouncements, it appears to Leonora rally that ignited by Mr. Nagamootoo us at least, that the planned the plight of those displaced workers Coalition’s “…sugar workers would be two years ago, though noth- divestment of the closed es-
DEAR EDITOR, The GAWU has recognised that, in recent days, President David Granger, as he seeks re-election to office, has begun to speak a lot about the sugar industry and his visions for the industry’s future. The President’s seemingly newfound love for the industry around voting time seems suspect, but that is not our problem and it is for him to explain. We recall that the President and his colleagues, during the 2015 election campaign, also made grand promises to the sugar workers and the nation as a whole. In the case of sugar, massive pay hikes were promised to the workers; they and their families were assured that their livelihoods would be maintained, and they were told that they were important pieces of the nation’s economic cogwheel. That, of course, turned out to be a pie
If this is not... From page 4 with Guyana and whether such adjustments may be linked to Russia/Venezuela relations in the context of Guyana’s growing oil discoveries. Further, such analysis may want to look into what might be the Trump position (as distinct from the US administration’s) on any possible Russia-inspired scenario that can have a negative impact on Guyana. Regards Wesley Kirton
in the sky. Those commitments, as they were, seem now, in hindsight, to be vote-getting propaganda. We reach such conclusions when we measure the promises against the realities that ultimately prevailed. Before the Coalition’s first anniversary in office, it began its assault on the sugar industry. By the end of 2015, sugar workers’ pay rates were frozen, an ignominious feature that prevails onto now in 2020. Of course, we saw too in January 2016, the announcement that Wales would be closed by the end of that year. It may be recalled too that the Administration spokespersons had disclosed that the Wales announcement was premature, and it was intent on making known its intentions much later than when it was made. Possibly this was intended to continue its charade of caring for the sugar belt. But the cat was let out of the bag and the Administration was forced to make its intentions known. In 2016, too, the longstanding Annual Production Incentive (API) was ignored as well. In 2017, the bad situation became worse when Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates joined the ranks of Wales and shuttered their operations. In just two years, the Coalition had pushed some 7,000 sugar workers out of work, they put the lives of thousands more into a tailspin, and shattered the optimism of a better tomorrow for many Guyanese. In the years that followed,
the situation has progressively worsened as sugar production is seemingly in a free fall, the capital investment programme has been stymied and workers, managerial and non-managerial alike, are despondent and demotivated. Today, the sugar industry is a shadow of its former self and though it continues to make meaningful contributions to the wider nation, it is treated as a forgotten stepchild not deserving of any attention or even sympathy. In defending such actions, the President, according to February 01, Guyana Chronicle, said “…we had to make a hard decision but we thought hard and long and we said we must protect and preserve the sugar industry”. But where was this seeming studied approach, if we go by Mr. Granger’s sentiments? His now-apparent running mate, Mr. Ramjattan, had bluntly refused even a suggestion to conduct any studied examination of the consequences of closure. The Government was told by the Sugar CoI not to close any estate. Several credible organisations and notable individuals spoke up and out against the Administration’s sugar policy. Of course, too, the workers, their families and their communities practically pleaded with the Government to re-look and re-examine its decision. Yet in spite of this loud chorus and several possible alternatives, the Administration was unmoved and, seemingly, unbothered and shut down the estates. In our view, there is hardly any credence that there was a deep reflection as Mr. Granger propagates. So now in the days leading up to the overdue National and Regional elections, Mr. Granger is quoted by the February 01, Guyana
able to go onto those lands and those who want to farm, will be able to farm, and those who want housing, will get land for housing.” But this is an almost 180-degree U-turn by the President. Mr. Granger, just a few weeks ago, in an interview disclosed that many of the displaced sugar workers were able to secure jobs. PM Nagamootoo also repeated this sentiment recently too, saying that displaced workers had ventured into several other pursuits. Our Union, on both occasions, pointed out that those sentiments are far from reality. Moreover, just a few days ago, some displaced sugar workers at a press engagement rubbished such propaganda. Coincidentally or not, Mr. Granger ’s announcement came on the same day that NICIL-SPU disclosed that a few former workers of Wales had been given lands to pursue different ventures. The January 31, Guyana Chronicle report that Wales’ site supervisor, Mr. Haribhajan Persaud said “…there are far more applications than what is available as there is a mad rush for the lands here”. The fact that so many persons, including former Wales workers, are apparently seeking lands to engage in sustenance activities pours frigidly cold water over talk that those displaced had been able to move on. The major question, at this time, however, is whether there are sufficient lands for all the displaced workers, bearing in mind, it is understood, that substantial lands are being used for the seed paddy venture and large tracts have been leased to certain enterprises. So now all of a sudden, without any prior indication, Mr. Granger says he wants release lands to displaced
ing it seems was done until recently, though it is really less than a drop in the ocean. Nevertheless, the President says if he is re-elected he would establish a State Land Resettlement Commission which would address, among other things, making available lands to sugar workers. In August 2018, Mr. Granger said lands taken out of sugar would fall under the jurisdiction of a State Land Sales Commission. An August 31, 2018, DPI report quoted the President as saying that “…we will make sure that the lands that are being taken out of sugar are placed to the benefit of people of Guyana as a whole.” Of course, after that announcement, we do not recollect ever hearing about that Commission again. Whether the Land Resettlement Commission will ever work is another story, though when one considers what has transpired we cannot be too hopeful. It does seem the President has a thing for commissions though. Just look at the number of Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry he has established. Those commissions ability to influence positive, if any, change is also a matter up for debate. Importantly, giving the displaced workers lands is not the end of the story. More than two years ago, when such talk began, our Union presented to the Government - when we engaged the President and some of his Ministers - a paper regarding our thoughts on the matter. Like in previous experiences, the Government expressed appreciation and that was the end of the story. In our paper, we pointed to several critical elements that required consideration if such a policy would be successful. Given the Administration’s track record, we are doubtful that our paper was ever treated with any seriousness. Given the recent an-
tates may be off the table. Not to say we are suffering from a land deficit, but from all appearances, the Government, we believe, would not be willing to develop unutilized State lands for distribution to sugar workers, among others, though such feats are not impossible. It seems to us that idle sugar lands would be the main target for distribution. This presents another worrying dimension as to who would be able to secure lands. Already we have seen several disclosures regarding sharing out of state lands to officials and apparently Party sympathisers. Whether such reported processes would continue is something that should not be discounted. Already, we have heard that plans are underway regarding the distribution of sugar land holdings along the East Coast of Demerara. The undertaking by the President to give displaced sugar workers land, we believe, has to be considered in the scheme of him and his Government’s previous commitments, pre- and post-elections. Of course, the Administration’s subsequent actions have spoken loudly and clearly, and there is very little incentive to give credence to the newest round of promises. More so, that these commitments come on the eve of elections where the President is seeking to entice voters to give him another chance brings his announcement into even greater suspicion. In our view, the President has had more than adequate time to meaningfully address the plight of those displaced workers. The fact that he has taken this long to make just an announcement speaks volumes and, for us, is a clear indicator of where he really stands on the matter. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
This, to my mind, was... From page 5 2016, and is not indicative of corruption or incompetence, particularly when it is revealed that “Exxon had threatened to stop developing its oil fields, risking the future of Guyana’s new oil sector” without significant risk mitigation. A former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Sam Rayburn, remarked that “any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one” which I take to mean that the ability and predisposition to
criticize is not suggestive, necessarily, of constructive attributes, in spite of overwhelming self-belief. I am aware that this does not find popular acceptance in much of the private media, but I have chosen to bestow my confidence in Dr. Mark Bynoe and the Department of Energy’s stewardship of the petroleum sector and their determination and commitment to secure optimum benefits for all our people. Sincerely Oscar Dolphin
Kaieteur News
Thursday February 06, 2020
PAGE 07
Four-door sluice constructed to provide flood relief
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armers in the Mahaica-MahaiconyAbary area will no longer be plagued by floods. A new four-door sluice is in place at D'Edward, West Coast Berbice. The $393 million project was completed on January 27, last. Engineer Jason Harewood said that the project was launched on May 4, 2018 and was scheduled to be completed within 18 months. The need for the sluice became evident after floods in the MMA caused some of the hundreds of farmers to lose their rice crops, repeatedly. The project involved excavation to sections of the facade drains leading to the
Berbice River. It also involved the widening of the earthen embankment and strengthening some 80 metres of rip-rap on the left bank of the Berbice River. Originally, there was a threedoor sluice, which had all but collapsed, leading to the flow of water from the Berbice River into the farmlands at high tides. This new four-door sluice is located to the north of the old sluice. It is operated by four tentonne winches. The contract cost was $14.7 million and was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services. Harewood said that despite variations to the scope of work, the project was completed below cost. The project is due to be commissioned within a fortnight.
Rose Hall Town man gets 43 years for attempted murder and two other charges
A
man who was said to be a member of a terror gang from Rose Hall town, Corentyne, has been sentenced to a total of 43 years in jail. This gang was creating havoc in the Corentyne, Berbice area back in 2016 Cort Batson, 24, of New
Market Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice was on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall and a mixed jury in the Berbice High Court on three different counts. He was charged with attempted murder, discharging loaded firearm with intent and robbery
under arms. He was found guilty. He was on trial for the attempted murder of Wilfred Manns which occurred at Rose Hall Town. On this charged, he was jailed for 15 years. He is also charged with discharging a loaded firearm with intent and unlawful wounding Samuel
Fernandes, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. He was sentenced to 15 years on that charge. Batson was also charged with armed robbery committed on Vinesha Sheerkissoon called 'Vannie' which was committed Sixth Street, Rose Hall Town on April 30, 2016. The woman
was reportedly robbed of cash and other articles valued $1,269.000. He was sentenced to 13 years on that charge. The sentences will run concurrently. Cort was positively identified since he was known by the victims. Cort when he committed
the offence had similar matters pending in court. He also has a number of other matters in the High Court. The state case was presented by Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial while Attorney-at-law Surihya Sabsook appeared for the accused.
Kaieteur News
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Thursday February 06, 2020
Oil spill emergency plan for Caribbean Region urgently needed -TT Minister of Energy By Kiana Wilburg reporting from Trinidad and Tobago
G
iven the fragility o f t h e environment in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Minister, Franklin Khan, is of the firm view that Guyana and other oil producing nations in the region need to collaborate on an oil spill emergency plan. The Minister made these and other remarks at his country's three-day Energy Conference which concluded yesterday at the Hyatt Hotel. There, the Energy Minister said that urgent attention needs to be given to the development of this plan. Khan specifically stated, “There needs to be sensitivity to the potential
adverse impacts of oil and gas exploration. To date, operators in the region have been responsible in their exploration activities and there have been no major adverse events. “Notwithstanding, in relation to offshore exploration, risk assessment, disaster management planning, and disaster recovery, the region requires a common approach.” The TT official said it is therefore important that the countries involved in offshore oil and gas exploration consider the development of an oil spill regional emergency plan. Khan said that Trinidad has an oil spill agreement with Venezuela while noting that there have also been preliminary discussions between the Ministry of
Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Minister, Franklin Khan Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) and ExxonMobil which operates in several blocks offshore Guyana. The Energy Minister said, “This matter requires
the urgent attention of the Caribbean Governments and the energy companies operating in their marine environment. T&T has had experience in the development of protocols and in the management of oil spills, and is available, to lend its expertise to the other countries.” For the last four years, Guyana has been working to put together an effective National Oil Spill Contingency Plan. Those efforts are being led by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). Head of the CDC, Colonel Kester Craig, had said last year that the document would be ready by the end of 2019. But to date, the CDC is yet to confirm if the plan has received Cabinet's blessings as well as when it would be made public. Furthermore, the oil spill emergency plan as recommended by Minister Franklin would be pertinent to Guyana since its future operations can pose a risk to
the region. The details of this risk were outlined in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that was carried out on the Payara field of the ExxonMobil operated Stabroek Block. The EIA states that an oil spill from the Payara field, the development of which is awaiting Government approval, could affect many of Guyana's neighbours such as Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao; the southern Lesser Antilles; and the Greater Antilles. The EIA in particular notes that an unmitigated oil spill from a loss-of-wellcontrol during the December-May season would take a westnorthwesterly route through the Gulf of Paria and across the southern edge of the Caribbean Sea. Comparatively, strong easterly winds in the December-May season would expose the northern coast of South America and the southern Lesser Antilles to the bulk of shoreline
oiling risk. It was further noted that an equivalent spill during the June–November season would be exposed to lower wind speeds, allowing the surface oil to be transported to the north of Trinidad and Tobago and swept into the Caribbean Sea. The EIA states that the plume would track slightly more to the north, across the central Caribbean Sea and the central and southern portions of the Lesser Antilles, to the Greater Antilles. Significantly, the EIA notes that due to its location at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago is the only island that would have the potential to be affected by the transboundary effects of any unmitigated loss-of-wellcontrol event, regardless of season. It states that the probability of oiling at least a portion of the coast of Trinidad and Tobago and/or its coastal waters is (continued on page 20)
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 09
Inferiority Complex
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any Guyanese suffer from an inferiority complex, particularly when it comes to foreigners. When a local person says something, they are ready to jump at that person's throat and accuse him of all manner of illicit intentions. But when a foreigner makes a pronouncement, it is treated as if it came out of the mouth of the Lord himself. A report issued by Global Witness is creating a commotion. The report basically indicates that the government shortchanged itself in its negotiations with the oil companies. The Report estimates that Guyana may have lost as much as US$55B in revenues as a result of the deal. The report by Global Witness is being treated as a definitive pronouncement on the deal. The fact that Global Witness is a foreign anticorruption watchdog body has lent credibility to the view that Guyana got the rotten end of the stick in its negotiations with Exxon.
But why does anyone in Guyana need to learn this now from Global Witness. Kaieteur News and its publisher, Glenn Lall, have been pointing this out for more than two years. There is a not a day in which Kaieteur News has not exposed the fact that Guyana did not get a fair deal. An opinion poll conducted last year found that more than 80% of the Guyanese agreed that the deal was bad. Yet, very few people were protesting what had been done. The government basically got a free pass. But now that Global Witness has come out with its report, Guyanese are now bemoaning publicly the US$55B which the report said was lost as a result of the terms of the deal. People are holding their heads and bawling that Guyana's wealth has been fritted away. But is this not what this newspaper has been saying all along? Has not this newspaper done some comparisons with what other countries received and
showed that we got the worst oil deal ever? Were the calculations not done to show that for the first few years of oil production, all that the country will receive will amount to two loaves of bread per person per week? Has this newspaper not been calling for a renegotiation of the deal? Has it not pointed out the astronomical pre-contract costs and field developments costs which have to be repaid by taxpayers? Did this newspaper not reveal that Guyana is paying the income taxes of Exxon, under the deal? Has this newspaper not exposed the shortcomings of preparing for first oil, including the last-minute negotiations to find a broker and the absence of local content legislation? And what about the lucrative natural gas which is being flared and thus polluting the environment? Kaieteur News has been saying all of these things, all along. But up comes Global Witness and you would believe that Guyanese were
Dem boys seh...
Bandits ah use gun to rob de dead in de cemetery
L
ong time or as some people does seh, a long time ago, when a man thief, he use to mek sure dat he thief some things of value. Nobody would ketch a thief going into some old house to rob people. When people walking down de road, a thief use to pick he victims. People who had gold rings and chain was targets. People use to know de fake jewellery. Now dem young boys thiefing just fuh de sake of thiefing. One ride a motorbike de odda day and snatch a woman shoulder bag. He deh in hospital because a car slam into him just after he snatch de bag. He foot break in three places and he in de hospital. Anodda one see a window
open. He decide dat he must go in de house like if he put something inside. De lady who live in de house see de hand so she get up and slam down de window pon de hand. Dem boys seh dem ain't sure if was pain or fright but de man faint and fall down right under de window. He lie down right there till de police come. When de police reach, he ketch heself but he was crying and begging dem to tek him to hospital. Now things reach de stage wheh people robbing garbage truck. In dis oil producing country dat people all over de world talking about, people robbing garbage truck. Years ago, East Ruimveldt had a part called Warlock. It was bad.
Over time it get good but de new generation giving de place a bad name again. De garbage truck go in de area to pick up garbage. Some young men tackle de people. Dem thief de phones, de people food and one of de men wedding ring. Now if one of dem garbage collector wife want fuh kill him some thief just get poison. Dem even go so far as to beat up de people who was fetching de garbage bins. Dem boys want to know what next. Petty thieves already robbing old people of dem pension. Dem going into house dat barely got a bed and a kero stove. Talk half and watch how thieves ain't got no pride today.
Rose Hall Town man gets 43 years for attempted murder and two other charges
A
man who was said to be a member of a terror gang from Rose Hall town, Corentyne, has been sentenced to a total of 43 years in jail. This gang was creating havoc in the
Corentyne, Berbice area back in 2016 Cort Batson, 24, of New Market Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice was on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall and a mixed jury in the Berbice
High Court on three different counts. He was charged with attempted murder, discharging loaded firearm with intent and robbery under arms. He was found (continued on page 22)
unaware of about what was taking place with this deal. The government is about to release a report to counter the one which was released by Global Witness. So how is it that the government could have undertaken a review of its deal after signing but did not see the wisdom of doing it before? Oh, I forgot! It was because of Venezuela. Guyanese must undertake their own analyses. They must sift sense from nonsense. He who pays the piper will call the tune and therefore people
have to question the objectivity of any report commissioned by an interested party. They must read both reports and judge for themselves. And then they must decide whether it is worth the while to go into that polling station on March 2 and stain their finger with indelible ink. Psychologists attribute inferiority complex to feelings of insecurity, threats and lack of confidence. Our inferiority complex has to do with the colonial
conditioning. We have been groomed to feel that foreign is better and local in inferior. We have also been led to believe that foreigners have superior skills. After reading the Production- Sharing Agreement with Exxon and the analyses which have been done, perhaps people will feel that we were outfoxed rather than soldout.
Kaieteur News
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Thursday February 06, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Guerrilla warfare intensifies inside the AFC L
ast year in my We d n e s d a y, August 14, 2019 column captioned; “The pathetic nonsense Granger's British advisor uttered,” I wrote that the head of the foreign consulting firm advising the PNC on the election campaign; they met with the AFC executive committee. I t m a d e t w o recommendations to them – do not emphasize Jagdeo's name in the campaign and that “the AFC must expand as much as possible the image of Granger.” It would seem that the APNU+AFC strategists have accepted that direction. Since the APNU+AFC's campaign started, all the banners and flyers that I have
seen, carry the face of Granger. Right outside my home on the Railway Embankment on the lantern post, there is one such banner. All the posts from UG Road to Conversation Tree Road have these large banners. Now I may be wrong but in Georgetown this is what I am seeing. It appears that the AFC high command has decided to fight back. I saw an email exchange on the AFC string in which volcanic terms were used to describe the decision by the PNC to allocate only two speaking engagements for Ramjattan from the 16 scheduled big rallies that will culminate on February 29. The AFC has bought two
minibuses and have sprayed them with AFC emblems. Both sides of the bus and the backdoor have the face of Ramjattan only; Granger's image is not on the bus. These are some of the words on the buses; “Don't stop the Progress,” and “Khemraj Ramjattan, AFC's Prime Ministerial candidate.” I am assuming that these two buses with the visage of Ramjattan is a reaction to the banners carrying Granger's f a c e o n l y. G i v e n t h e reduction of post-election power allocations awarded to the AFC should the coalition win in March, there are rising dissentions in the AFC hierarchy. Many factors explain this. First, the AFC will only get three ministers plus the
portfolio of Prime Minister. Secondly, since there are no specific ministries assigned to APNU or AFC, there will be intense jockeying among AFC bigwigs. Thirdly, the renewed Cummingsburg Accord empowers the president to decide which AFC nominees he will select including the PM. The AFC bigwigs have now positioning themselves to get their individual postvictory benefits, if they win. On Sunday, I received the following email by AFC executive and head of the USA diaspora for the AFC, Ron Alert, a personal friend. He has asked me to quote him. I have reproduced redacted versions of his email and my reply. “Freddie, I share your concerns and have expressed them to Khemraj and other AFC members. I was at a Rally in NY at which David Patterson attended. He as well as Joe Harmon spoke at the rally in Brooklyn NY. All the speakers including Patterson spoke of Granger and his team. What I found
reprehensible from the part of Patterson; he did not mention Khemraj's name not once. Harmon mentioned Khemraj's name and called him (Khemraj) a (redacted) and that was publicly. You can quote me. I gave the vote of thanks at the event and the only kind words spoken of Khemraj were from me. Freddie I know you have your issues with Khemraj but this is the time for us, the people who know him best to stand up for him. This PNC crowd are (sic) lawless and awful characters. I will be in Guyana on the 15th Feb. and I will speak out for your friend and my friend. Ron Here is my reply. “Ron, you are my friend. You cannot be serious. This guy is a consummate (redacted). If I stand up for Khemraj, then I will be a bigger (redacted). Khemraj Ramjattan has to officially announce that he is the PM candidate. He has to tell my country folks what is i n t h e C u m m i n g s b u rg Accord. He has to show me proof that Charran took a bribe or shut his mouth up.
Frederick Kissoon So you say I can quote you. Why if you care so much about Khemraj you do not say publicly that he was called a (redacted).Instead of me quoting you, you can say it yourself publicly. What are you afraid of? I like you as a friend but don't ever ask me to compromise the essence of my character. Ramjattan and the AFC have destroyed my country, a country I live in that you don't. Stay good Ron and let's stay as good friends. Regards always. Freddie. PS - Send me Khemraj's email and I will forward this email to him so he can see what I said about him. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Thursday February 06, 2020
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
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'Extractive Industries' holds first meeting on data collection - For preparation of First Trade in Oil Report
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s a new oil producing country which also is a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Guyana is required to adhere to the requirement in the EITI 2019 Standard which speaks to First Trades in Oil. To t h i s e n d , t h e Department of Energy (DE) and Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) held their first meeting on the collection of data and
information for the preparation of Guyana's first trades in oil report. The meeting which was held on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 saw a discussion on the requirements by all of the key players for the completion of this report. The meeting between GYEITI and DE agreed that the two entities will collaborate and share relevant data and information, legally permissible, to support the ongoing effort to increase transparency and
Over 30 NGOs call for fair oil deal From page 2 channels and donors to address urgent development agendas and take collective action in Guyana. “We intend to continue being key partners to ensure that amidst the distraction and noise of those with plenty, we will push for clarity and truth. We are empowered
through involvement and productive planning and dialogue; to move forward for the betterment of every Guyanese.” NCC urges all stakeholders local and international to work together and get involved in the development of Guyana's oil & gas sector.
accountability in the extractive industries and contribute to improved governance of Guyana's Oil, Gas, Mineral and other Natural Resources. The GYEITI will receive data and information on the oil and gas sector, including on Guyana's first trades in oil from the Department of Energy (DE), the Ministry of Finance, Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC), the Petroleum C o m m i s s i o n , Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana Revenue Authority(GRA), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and other Government agencies which are recipients of revenues from entities operating in the Oil & Gas sector as per EITI requirements. During the meeting, the National Coordinator of the GYEITI, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, gave an overview of Guyana's participation in the initiative. He outlined the progress that has been made. He briefly described aspects of the GYEITI Work
Plan accomplishments during the preparation of Guyana's first ever EITI Report. Dr. Jadoopat provided a status update on the GYEITI MSG- approved 'Action Plan' for the implementation of the recommendations of the country's 1st EITI Report. GYEITI is currently preparing for EITI Validation, gathering data and information for the preparation of the Guyana's 2nd EITI Report, implementing recommendations which emanated from the first Report, designing comprehensive communications strategy and executing a countrywide public awareness campaign to satisfy EITI Requirement 7. Meanwhile, Dr. Mark Bynoe presented an update on the work of the Energy Department, which included a brief outline of the legislative framework for establishment and functioning of the DE and the special inter-institutional relationship for management
of Guyana's emerging and growing oil and gas industry. Dr. Bynoe emphasised the importance of necessary capacity building for the DE and other related sector agencies. The Head of the DE pledged full support to Guyana's transparency initiatives in general and to the GYEITI in particular. The Department of Energy promised to provide GYEITI all the data and information required by the EITI Standard, with full observance of the Laws of Guyana. In addition, Dr. Jadoopat presented Dr. Bynoe with a copy of EITI Standard 2019, EITI Guidance Note 26 – Reporting on First Trades in Oil and a copy of EITI publication 'Transparency in the First Trade', authored by Pietro Poretti, June 2019. Information required for the completion of the First Tr a d e s i n O i l R e p o r t includes name of the seller, name of the buyer, oil quality grade, oil quantity, date of sale, revenues received,
o ff i c i a l s e l l i n g p r i c e , payment date, payment account, type of state-owned oil sold e.g. profit oil, contract number, invoice number, beneficial owners of buyer, and load port, terminal and depot among other details. According to the EITI, “First Trade” speaks of a situation where a state (or a state-owned enterprise) sells from its oil, gas and mining sector, its share of physical resources, usually to commodity trading companies. The terms of such transactions are a matter of public interest and help to create a transparent and open market in which governments, companies and citizens can have confidence.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 06, 2020
Digicel seeks to land submarine cable
Digicel's CEO, Gregory Dean
W
ith mere weeks to go b e f o r e general and regional elections, the continuous delay of opening the telecoms sector is likely to become a hot topic. Digicel Guyana has repeated commitments to land its own sub-sea fiber optic cable to bring faster and cheaper internet, but there is no green-light yet. Speaking on Tuesday as guest of the “Legal Mindâ€? on Kaieteur Radio 99.1 and 99.5FM, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gregory Dean, was emphatic that the landing of such a cable would bring positive impacts to the quality of service to mobile phones. The Irish-owned company is now forced to buy bandwidth from its competitor, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT). This has limited its capacity to compete fairly, Digicel has complained. This is despite new telecoms laws passed in 2016 allowing new companies to enter the market‌the necessary permission has not been granted by Government. Government and GTT, a US-controlled company, are locked in last minute negotiations with no immediate solutions in sight. GTT wants concessions for breaking the monopoly-its agreement allows control of landline and international calls. On the other hand, Government says that GTT owes over US$40M in back taxes. Digicel says it is losing significant opportunities that exist. According to Dean, the 1990 agreement between GTT and the Government of Guyana did not contemplate the internet, which according to legal minds, allows new operators to theoretically land a sub-sea cable. However, no investor would want to take the chance without clarity. That clarity has not been forthcoming from the
Ministry of Public Telecommunications. In the meantime, the CEO said, one player (GTT) is being allowed to steam forward expanding its services unhindered. R e c e n t l y, i t w a s announced that E-networks, a cable television company, landed its own cable. E-networks has made it clear that the cable is to boost its services. The Digicel chief on Tuesday pointed out that there are options for the government, including liberalising the sector and continuing the negotiations. He said that the sector is being held at ransom while work could have been allowed. More capacity, he stressed, would mean more development in the social media, education, health and of course, faster telecommunication. Dean said that it is a fact that internet is being viewed as a basic service, similar to electricity. According to the official, it is a fact that no country has regretted opening the telecoms sectors. Digicel, here for more than dozen years, has boasted of introducing Blackberry services in Guyana back in 2007. With no official figures, Digicel believes that it has more customers than GTT, which it competes with in the mobile market. To b r i n g p r e s s u r e , Digicel is backing a petition which more than 4,000 signatures have been gathered calling for the liberalisation of the sector. There are reportedly a number of companies, which have applied to enter the telecoms market. GTT has been rapped by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the regulator for not doing enough to introduce enough landlines.It has been ordered to correct the situation. In the meantime, its rollout and quality of service from Blaze, its high-speed internet, has been criticised for not moving fast enough.
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Man kills drinking buddy, then Badal joins call to remove returns and continues drinking Trotman from post until investigation is completed with dead man's wife
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hings took an unexpected turn when the results of the Post Mortem for Cleon Outar, 29, of Angoy's Avenue were revealed. Outar was found floating in the Republic Canal, near the Region Six Democratic Council, New Amsterdam on January 25, last. Initial reports by this publication had stated that Outar ventured out with his wife and a few friends that night. His wife had told police that they went bar hopping and at the last bar, Outar left with his friends, leaving her behind. She had claimed that she had not seen him until his body was found floating in the canal two days later. However, a post mortem examination conducted on the body by Pathologist Nehaul Singh, revealed that he died from asphyxiation (drowning) compounded with multiple blunt trauma to the body and a fractured skull. His body was identified by his mother
Shantia Outar. Kaieteur News has since been informed that one of Outar's friends who was with him that night is in police custody. He has been identified as Jerry Heralall and has confessed to killing O u t a r o v e r a misunderstanding at the bar. Heralall told police that on the night in question, he was in the company of the deceased, the man's wife and another friend, when an argument erupted because he wanted to drink with his (Outar) wife but he refused. Heralall at that point dealt a cuff to Outar's face causing him to bleed profusely but Outar walked away and washed off the blood from his face. Heralall then said he followed the victim and grabbed a large plank that was nearby and bludgeoned him to the head. He proceeded to deal the victim several blows to his body with the said wood, causing him to collapse to the ground. The suspect said at that
P
Dead: Cleon Outar point, he bagan to kick Outar about the body until he was motionless. He then dragged the victim's body some 200 meters away, dumped his body in the canal and returned to the bar where he continued drinking with Outar's wife and the other friend. The 29-year-old was found dead by passersby in the Canal and an alarm was immediately raised. Details of the events leading up to Outar's death given to police by the dead man's wife, Shamdai Savichar, were not meshing.
residential Candidate of Change Guyana, Robert Badal, has joined the call to have Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, to be removed from the electoral list until an inquiry is completed. Badal's requests follow the shocking details revealed in the Global Witness report titled, 'Signed Away'. The report, which was released on Monday, has sparked a national debate. It states that Minister Trotman may have ignored critical advice that could have saved Guyana US$55 billion, as well as secure better financial terms than those which exist in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block. “There is widespread public outcry that Guyanese interests have been highly comprised in favour of Big Oil Companies.” “The process of investigating corrupt practices must be open and transparent. This would require that Minister
Trotman be removed from public office and a commission of inquiry undertaken as a matter of u rg e n c y, ” B a d a l s a i d yesterday. According to Global Witness, the negotiations and subsequent signing of the ExxonMobil-Guyana deal was done quickly. From evidence it saw, negotiations began April 4 or April 5, 2016 at the Exxon headquarters outside H o u s t o n , Te x a s , w i t h Trotman and other officials from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The international NGO said that the trip was a glamorous affair. The transparency body said, “Trotman flew first class, slept in pricey hotels, ate at Joule – Exxon's exclusive Wolfgang Puck Restaurant – and was chauffeured around in limousines. “Exxon paid for it all. During this trip, it appears that the Minister and his colleagues did not negotiate a new Stabroek license.”
Change Guyana's Presidential Candidate, Robert Badal “Change Guyana is demanding that President Granger immediately remove the Minister from office to facilitate the promised release of information to the public. In addition that he appoints a commission of inquiry to investigate the processes and negotiations leading up to the award of the Stabroek Block oil and gas contract. “If this inquiry is not done immediately, the conclusion could be drawn that there is a cover up,” Badal contented.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 06, 2020
Despite difficult circumstances Banks DIH Berbice Branch record significant profit over previous year
D
espite having one of their m o s t challenging years due to various circumstances, Banks DIH Berbice Branch was still able to make a significant profit. This was told to shareholders when the company held its 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 25th in New Amsterdam at the Berbice Branch Headquarters at Main and Peter D'Aguiar Street, New Amsterdam on Sunday. Speaking in front of a large gathering of shareholders that included Acting Mayor Wainwright Mc Intosh, Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis told shareholders that the company made a profit of $32.917B in 2019 and increase of 7.9% over 2018. Reis noted that the improved results were achieved despite rises in fuel prices toward the end of the year. He said that despite the success, there are many challenges which require prudent management of the Company's financial and human resources. Berbice Branch Manager, Reginald Matthews, said that it has been one of the most challenging years for the Branch in his more than four decades of working with the company. He said the impact of the closure of two sugar estates in East Berbice as major challenge among others. Despite the challenges, the Branch was able to surpass last year's performance. The figures show that the revenue was $2.94 billion, an increase of $29 million over the last financial year. Unit sales were 1.7 million, an increase of 9800 units. The New Amsterdam
Qik Serv restaurant sold $119.8 million compared to almost $115 million, the previous year. Matthews added that the difficulties created an unfavourable local economy in a region where the major economic drivers were under-performing. He stated that Banks DIH Limited has managed to overcome through powerful, astute and visionary leadership. He however cautioned that success does not come easy and will require the support of each and every one. He cautioned, however that “everyone must remain cognisant and alert, bearing in mind that despite the achievements, there must be left no room for complacency”. “He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.'' Matthews and his leadership team that includes Sales Manager, Nandram Basdeo, and others were able to achieved success in the face of intense competition from long existing as well as newly opened entities. Over the past six months, five new restaurants were opened in close proximity to the Qik Serve two on each side and one opposite. Citizens Bank New Amsterdam Branch, which is in its fifth year of operation, increased gross revenue by $5 million, reaching $32 million. “As of September 30, 2019, the total deposits were $669.5 million, an increase of $153 million or 30%. Loans and advances given were $192 million, an increase of $83 million or 26 percent.” Banks DIH Limited owns 51% of Citizen Bank.
Garbage Collectors robbed by gun toting bandits From page 3 work, and keep the city clean and people are robbing you. Those men don't carry heavy cash on them. Just a bit of petty cash and their phones and that's it.” Puran stressed that his workers are refusing to
venture into certain areas to perform their duties. He is calling on the City Council to allocate a Police Constable to accompany the men whenever they are out in the fields to prevent another incident such as this, or worse.
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 17
Trinidad says female traveller sent back; Guyana unaware
H
ealth authorities in Guyana are not aware that Trinidad and Tobago has sent back a female passenger. According to the Trinidad Guardian, a female passenger who arrived at Piarco International Airport from Guyana on Monday night on a journey that originated in Hong Kong was sent back to the port of embarkation. This was confirmed by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram who said the woman “did not have any symptoms or anything that was suspicious but she was returned because of the travel restrictions from China.” He told Guardian Media: “I believe she would have gone through other territories, including Hong Kong, New York and Guyana and then to Trinidad. Based on our travel restrictions for persons leaving China within 14 days of departure, she was returned to the last port of call based on the Cabinet note and the immigration laws. “I don't know what flight she came in from but I only
know of that woman who came in from Guyana and she would have spent some time at our airport waiting on departure back to the port of call.” However, a number of officials, including from the Ministry of Health, said that they could find no records of the woman arriving here. Commenting on the incident during an interview of CNC3's The Morning Brew, Trinidad's Chief Immigration Officer Charmaine Gandhi-Andrews said officials at this country's ports of en try are alert ed right away—via advance passenger information from airlines—when pas sen gers originate from China. However, some persons have more complicated travel itineraries and immigration officials are only able to deduce their origin during the interview and by looking at all their travel documents and passports. “We had one such case yesterday and that passenger was returned to their port of entry,” she said. “They were screened by port health; there was no issue. However, because of the
travel ban, that person was returned to their port of embarkation.” Ghandi-Andrews said citizens and permanent residents of this country cannot be refused entry. However, they will be screened and possibly even quarantined if they have returned from a country of interest for the virus, and pose a potential infection risk. The in ci dent caused some concern among airport workers, including Immigration and customs officers, who are calling for more stringent screening processes, including full-body sanitisation spraying for all arriving passengers as they disembark from the respective aircraft. One airport worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We think that there should be more precautionary measures at the airport... maybe have a system where all passengers are screened and sanitised by full-body spraying before they enter the terminal. The availability of more gloves, face masks and hand sanitisers too.”
In this Feb. 2, 2020 file photo, a worker wearing a protective suit checks the luggage of an evacuee from Wuhan, China, after their evacuation flight landed at an airport in Marseilles, France.
Ghandi-Andrews said 1,000 masks were ordered last week and it is becoming “more imperative that all officers utilise it.” With regards to the screening process, she said an assistant chief and two Grade IV officers have been assigned to the airport to oversee the coronavirus screening process. Dr. Vishwanath Partapsingh, Principal Medical Officer at the Health Ministry, said risk of the novel coronavirus nCoV2019 spreading to T&T is rel-
atively low, compared with other places. However, while there is no need to panic, the country cannot afford to be complacent. Dr. Partapsingh says the screening systems are extremely detailed to determine travellers' possible exposure to nCov-2019, once they are coming from countries of interest. “When you look at the exit screening of those coming out of these ports, it is quite intense. There is a temperature scanning. There is also
the exposure history ascertained: 'Did you travel or go to a market with live animals? Did you have any live animals? Did you come into contact with anyone who displayed any of the symptoms?' That is the base of the screening,” he said. “When you look at the cases in the other countries outside of mainland China, the cases all had a direct exposure history—either travel to or had a direct, close contact with someone who was confirmed with a case.”
Kaieteur News
PAGE 18
Thursday February 06, 2020
GPHC observes World Cancer Day
T
he Oncology Department attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), observed World Cancer Dayon Tuesday. The facility cares for over 100 cancer patients on a daily basis. T h i s d a y i s internationally observed on February 4, each year. This year it was locally observed under the theme “I can and I will.” In observance of the event, hundreds of cancer survivors stepped out in bright colours with the aim of rendering support to each other on the long journey ahead of them. Speaking at the event were Deputy CEO of GPHC, Ms. Elizabeth Gonsalves, Dr. Melissa Dazzell, Dr. Madhu Ray and M e d i c a l C o o r d i n a t o r, Francine Leitch. In her presentation to the cancer survivors, Ms. Dazzell stated that staff at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) takes time out on February 4, each year and observes World Cancer Day so as to alert the Guyanese population about the effects cancer has on the persons diagnosed, and their
family members. “Cancer is everybody's business s i n c e i t ' s responsible for the top three causes of death worldwide, cancer can affect everyone. It has no respect for age, race or status. The first step we must look at when fighting cancer is the preventative aspects.” Dr. Dazzell further stated that in order to prevent or lessen one's chances of being diagnosed with cancer, persons must eat a healthy and balanced diet, exercise, reduce alcohol consumption, quit smoking and last but not least, stop excessive stressing. A c c o r d i n g t o D r. Dazzell, at the GPHC persons are now able to carry out various tests since the Oncology Department is now equipped with a mammography facility and other new and upgraded equipment which allow woman over 40 to get screened. Kaieteur News understands that breast cancer is recognised as the number one cancer in Guyana followed by cervical a n d p r o s t a t e c a n c e r, respectively.
At the GPHC, equipment is available to diagnose all types of cancer. However, most of the medication to treat these cancers can be found overseas. At the Oncology Department, the main focus of the staff is to detect cancer at an early stage because early detection determines one's longevity when diagnosed with any type of cancer. According to Dr. Ray, the two main types of treatment for cancer are Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. In describing the importance of the different types of treatment available for cancer, Dr. Ray stated that Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs as part of a standardised chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherapy may be given with a curative intent, or it may aim to prolong life or to reduce symptoms.
Cancer survivors pay homage to the deceased While, Radiation therapy or radiotherapy, often abbreviated RT, RTx, or XRT, is a therapy using ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to control or kill malignant cells. It is normally delivered by a linear accelerator. Dr. Ray also stated that at
the Oncology Department at some point in their lives all cancer patients will experience radiotherapy. Although it is a painless process, radiotherapy is treated with the energy of six million volts. In her speech, Deputy CEO, Dr Gonsalves, encouraged the cancer
patients to remain positive since it is the positive cells in the body that makes you feel better. At the Oncology Department, patients can access free counseling sessions that help them to cope with the disease. Meditation classes are also available.
, s e l p p o t k c u r T d e r u j n i r e v i r d
A
sand truck driver is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after his truck toppled over in the vicinity of Supply Village, East Bank Demerara. . The incident occurred yesterday around 14:30hrs. The victim who has been identified as a 32-year-old male, of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), suffered injuries to his head, back and left hand. Kaieteur News understands that at the time of the accident, the driver was reportedly going east at a very fast rate, when he made a sharp turn. As a result, the truck leaned to the side and subsequently toppled over. After the accident, the injured man was removed from the vehicle by public-spirited persons and transferred to the city hospital where he remains a patient.
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 19
New book - The Case Couple in custody after reportedly for Electoral Reform beating neighbour to death
T
he launch of the r e c e n t l y published book entitled: 'Electoral System Reform for a Diverse Nation, The Case of Guyana' will be held on Friday. This event will include a presentation by the author, Dr. Desmond Thomas, followed by a question and answer session. It begins at 17:00 hours. The need for reform of Guyana's electoral system has been a recurring theme of recent political commentary in the Guyana media underlining its critical importance as a development priority. Moreover, some political parties in the upcoming general elections have highlighted electoral reform as policy objectives. This book puts the subject front and centre, providing a comprehensive treatment and subjecting the complexities of the issues facing Guyana to an unparalleled level of analysis. It makes the case for electoral reform as the most powerful instrument of political transformation in countries affected by political dysfunction and distress.
Ta p p i n g i n t o t h e experience of other countries and the growing body of research internationally, the book draws attention to the unlimited range of reform options available. It examines the nature and workings of Guyana's system with rigour and depth, exploring its historical foundations and showing its contradictions and inadequacies in relation to national development goals and experience. It addresses the role of diversity and popular powersharing proposals, challenging common perceptions about the effects of ethnic division, and showing that there are responses to the political problems Guyana faces. Ultimately, the book sets out to demonstrate that transformation to a constructive and stable political environment to support development is attainable through wellconceived and executed electoral reform. With the recent oil discoveries raising the stakes on political stability, this book
can provide the necessary impetus for a unified country and needed electoral and constitutional reform. The author is an economist with decades of academic experience and professional service. He has lectured at several universities at home and abroad and held positions as a statistician at the Caribbean Community Secretariat, Acting Economic Advisor to the President of Guyana and Lead Economics Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank. His previous publications have focused mainly on macroeconomic issues but this book reflects a wider interest in themes related to improving social living standards and conditions. The book launch and signing takes place at the National Library (corner of Church and Main Streets, Georgetown) on Friday, February 7 at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A limited supply of paperback copies of the book will be on sale. The book is also available for purchase at Austin's Bookstore on Church Street.
Police chase, nab man who discharged gun in car
A
lert and fit police ranks who were on a stop and search exercise on the Reliance Pubic Road in front of the Reliance Police Station were able to nab a man who had disposed of a bag containing a gun in a car before trying to escape. About 09:00hrs on Tuesday, the police stopped motorcar HC 1343 which was being driven by Rajiv Bhola, 23, of Lot 14 Adelphi Village East Canje Berbice. Inside the vehicle was Roshane Dellon Pellew, 21, of Lot 24 Sheet Anchor Village East Canje Berbice. He was seated in the back passenger seat. As the police were about to search the vehicle, Pellew was seen pulling out a bulky black parcel from his right side pants waist and discarding it under the front passenger seat before he opened the door and making a dash for it. The police retrieved the parcel and gave chase. They caught up with the offender. The black parcel was opened in the presence of Pellew. It contained one .32 revolver along with one Samsung
Cellular Phone and ID card of the offender. He and the driver were arrested and taken to Reliance Police Station
where they remain in custody. The car and the firearm were also lodged. Investigation is continuing.
A
4 8 - y e a r- o l d East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident succumbed to his injuries yesterday around 08:00hrs at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, after he was reportedly beaten by his neighbours. The victim has been identified as Gopaul Seeram, of 142 Cane Grove, ECD. The incident is said to have occurred on Tuesday about 15:30hrs. The suspects, who are in police custody assisting with investigations, have been identified as 29-year-old Dhanraj Ramkishan, and his wife, 43-year-old Deomattie Salikram. Kaieteur News understands that on the day in question, the woman left her home to go by a relative. However, while at the relative, she called the victim's wife, Shakeela Seeram, via cellular phone to inquire if [Deomattie's] husband was at home. However, Ms. Seeram ended the called without responding. After returning home l a t e r t h e s a m e d a y, Deomattie confronted Seeram and a heated argument ensued between the two. According to sources, as the two women were arguing
Gopaul Seeram between themselves, an argument also ensued between their husbands. This resulted in the Ramkishan cuffing the
victim. After being struck, the victim fell to the ground and it was then that the suspect and his wife armed themselves with two pieces of wood and repeatedly hit the man about his body. The victim was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he later died while receiving medical attention. A post mortem that was done yesterday showed that the man died as a result of shock and haemorrhage. (Anastacya Peters)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 20
Thursday February 06, 2020
Twelve shoppers win big during DSL “Free Groceries” promotion Prize winners along with DSL company officials
O
n Tu e s d a y, January 7, last, Henry Brebner of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, won one year's worth of free groceries. The occasion was the drawing of the DSL Cash & Carry "Free Groceries" Promotion, at the Company's Sheriff Street parking lot. A very delighted Mr. Brebner expressed his excitement at winning the grand prize. He noted that he always shops at DSL Cash and Carry. Eleven other lucky customers also won prizes in the promotion. They
included Mr. Luis Moreno who won three months'
worth of free groceries; five other customers who won
one month's free groceries, and an additional five customers won free cash back on their total invoice for the day. During November and December 2019, customers were given a coupon for every $5,000 spent at the DSL Cash & Carry
Diamond, Ruimveldt and Sheriff Street locations; this made them eligible for the “Free Groceries” Promotion. Mr. Bryan Prittipaul , General Manager of Distribution Services Limited (DSL), congratulated the winners. He noted that DSL Cash &
Carry is always pleased to give back to its customers. He encouraged shoppers to continue to support the DSL brand. There will be several opportunities to win exciting prizes as part of the Company's monthly customer promotions.
Oil spill emergency plan for Caribbean... From page 8 approximately 90 to 100 percent for any of the unmitigated loss-of-wellcontrol event scenarios. With the exception of the Gulf of Venezuela, oil spill modeling indicates a five to 60 percent probability of surface oil reaching the Venezuelan coastal zone, depending on location and season. Further, it was outlined in the report that Venezuela has
numerous marine turtle nesting beaches, mangroves, important bird areas, coral reefs, and shallow coastal lagoons that would be at risk of oiling. As for Trinidad, it was noted that there are numerous fishing areas, which could be impacted by a large spill from a loss-ofwell-control event. Additionally, the EIA notes that the economies of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao
are dependent on tourism to varying degrees but especially so in Bonaire, which is known internationally as a destination for recreational diving. Considering this, the EIA states that an oil spill would have economic effects but the extent of this would depend to a large degree on the scale of the spill and how rapidly they would recover.
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 21
PAGE 22
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
“Bruk Up” appeals 20-year sentence for killing homeless man
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Shawn Harris has mounted an appeal against his conviction and subsequent life sentence with the possibility of parole after serving 20 years for the murder of 42year-old Sunil Singh, who was reportedly homeless. In a Notice of Appeal lodged with the Court of Appeal, 31-year-old Harris, called ‘Bruk Up’, is asking that his conviction and sentence be quashed. On January 16, last, Harris was found guilty by a jury of the February 5, 2017, murder of Singh. Singh, also known as ‘Grey’ was killed while trying to prevent a robbery from happening at the Blue Martini Night Club on Lamaha Street, Georgetown. Reports surrounding the killing indicate that Singh wrestled a bandit and his accomplices to prevent them from carrying out an early morning attack at the nightspot. It was then he was repeatedly stabbed about his body. At the time of the robbery, a police release stated that three men had visited the club after a police patrol went to enforce the 2am curfew. Singh, after observing the men acting suspiciously outside the nightclub, alerted a bartender, who refused the men access to the club by telling them it was closed. An altercation ensued between the bartender and one of the men, who stabbed the bartender to his left arm. Singh intervened and was struck to the head. During the trial, the prosecution led compelling evidence against Harris. The prosecution had relied heavily on CCTV footage obtained from the nightclub. In the footage, according to the prosecution, Harris was seen stabbing Singh. The prosecutors argued that Harris stabbed Singh with the intent to kill or cause him serious bodily harm. To support this, was the evidence of Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh,
Rose Hall Town man gets 43... From page 9 guilty. He was on trial for the attempted murder of Wilfred Manns which occurred at Rose Hall Town. On this charged, he was jailed for 15 years. He is also charged with discharging a loaded firearm with intent and unlawful wounding Samuel Fernandes, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. He was sentenced to 15 years on that charge. Batson was also charged with armed robbery committed on Vinesha Sheerkissoon called 'Vannie' which was committed Sixth Street, Rose
Hall Town on April 30, 2016. The woman was reportedly robbed of cash and other articles valued $1,269.000. He was sentenced to 13 years on that charge. The sentences will run concurrently. Cort was positively identified since he was known by the victims. Cort when he committed the offence had similar matters pending in court. He also has a number of other matters in the High Court. The state case was presented by Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial while Attorney-atlaw Surihya Sabsook appeared for the accused.
JAILED: Shawn Harris
called ‘Bruk Up’ who testified that Sunil Singh was stabbed three times. The doctor gave the cause of death as perforation of the lungs. Police Inspector Prem Narine testified that Harris admitted to stabbing Singh. Inspector Narine told the court that on February 18, 2017, he went to ‘B’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown where he contacted Harris, whom he had known for over a year. According to Inspector Narine, he put a murder allegation to Harris and cautioned him. He said that Harris then replied, “Sir when I reach the station, I gon tell you wha’ happen.” The police witness told the court that he noticed some wounds on Harris, and instead escorted him to the hospital. He said that Harris told him that he came about his injuries after falling down a flight of stairs at the Blue Martini Night Club. The police witness said that the murder accused was taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, where he agreed to give a statement. Inspector Narine explained that Harris told him it was not a robbery, but a fight, after identifying himself on CCTV footage obtained from the nightclub. According to Inspector Narine, Harris told him “Yuh see wha’ I tell yuh? Is dem man attack me at the bar and I attack them.” It was then, Inspector Narine recounted, that Harris said that prior to going to the nightclub, he and his friends were drinking at Seeta’s Bar. Harris, Inspector Narine said, told him that one of the men, ‘Buck Man’, hit him with a baton. As a result, Inspector Narine said, Harris told him they ended up in a fight during which he pulled out a knife and stabbed Singh and ‘Buck Man’. Harris told the police witness that Singh ran out of the nightclub and onto a nearby street. He told detectives that he learnt of Singh’s death the following day.
Thursday February 06, 2020
RUSAL standoff…
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Kaieteur News
Police remove blockage from Berbice River
-Union says move will embolden company to further disregard laws Law enforcement officers have now intervened to remove the blockage placed in the Berbice River at Kwakwani by the sacked RUSAL workers. This move, according to the General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union, Lincoln Lewis, will embolden the Russian controlled bauxite company to continue its blatant disregard of Guyana’s laws. On January 24, last, the company sacked 140 workers citing fuel shortage as the reason. RUSAL claimed that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had refused to grant duty free concessions on importing their fuel. This allegation was quickly refuted by the GRA head, Godfrey Statia, who disclosed that the tax company had granted the concessions. In retaliation, the workers blocked the river, claiming that the sacking were illegal. Days later, the company sent another 146 workers. Rusal then moved to sack
another 320 workers just a few days ago and suspended operations in the Berbice River. This brought the total number of workers to be left jobless to 614; the union and RUSAL at loggerheads on the way forward. It was only on Tuesday that the company heads met with Social Protection Ministers Amna Ally and Keith Scott calling for the river to be unblocked. They got that wish granted but over 600 Guyanese are still left jobless. Yesterday, the union met with the Chief Labour Officer to find common ground to ensure both parties are satisfied. But according to Lincoln Lewis, no solution has been sought. “Whoever made the call for the river to be unblocked, what they did is embolden RUSAL to trample on the rights of workers; that’s all they have done.” “We need to resolve the wage and salary issue first and foremost…Even though the company said it has suspended operations, we are
The barrels used by BCGI/Rusal employees to block the Berbice River
still pursing the issue…This is not the question of us looking forward. We are also looking backward to ensure that all of the workers get the pay they deserve.” Lewis said that the union
US$100 million vanishes at Suriname’s Central Bank PARAMARIBO—Disgust and concern reigned in Suriname throughout the weekend, following revelations on Friday that US $100 million in private citizens’ savings that had been placed in care of the Central Bank of Suriname CBvS, had vanished. The news caused shockwaves but this quickly morphed into loathing when Vice President Ashwin Adhin attempted to restore calm with an explanation that the money had been used to buy potatoes and onions, among other things. The consternation appeared to lead to a stand-off between Government and the manager of a commercial bank. The discrepancy was disclosed on Friday by the Surinamese Bankers Association SBV. Its members, the commercial banks, had been instructed in 2019 to deposit 50 percent of the foreign currency that they were holding as savings for their customers, at CBvS. The association reported in a press release Friday that during meetings with CBvS on January 26, it had noticed that the available foreign currency cash reserves were short the US$100 million. “This is unacceptable and against the directives that CBvS itself had drafted. The banks are upset … that the CBvS misled them for months,
with incorrect and incomplete information by the then Governor [Robert van Trikt – Ed.],” the bankers’ association stated. SBV said that it had demanded assurances that the moneys would be returned; CBvS will in the future also not be able to make transactions without knowledge of SBV. Spin The critical report prompted opposition parties to call for clarity from Government. The VHP party demanded that President Desi Bouterse appear in Parliament to explain why CBvS misled the commercial banks and what he would do so people could retrieve their savings. If he could not, the president and his government should step down. The party accused government of using the US$100 million to pay off part of the barrage of foreign debts it has assumed in recent years. The opposition’s attack ignited the ire of Vice President Adhin, who on Friday simultaneously admitted and tried to defend the controversial use of the cash reserves. Adhin said Government had used the moneys to import potatoes, onions and other basic goods, and for foreign exchange interventions and investments that he did not give details about. He admitted that this had been done
without the knowledge of the commercial banks. He also claimed that government had made certain agreements with the commercial banks about the use of their cash reserves. The Vice President seemed to throw the Central Bank and its recently fired Governor Robert van Trikt under the bus; Van Trikt had spent less than a year on the job when he was discharged over discrepancies and questionable actions he committed. “The Central Bank did not entirely keep their end of the deal. There were agreements on how we would use the money; it was clear that we would use it. The point is that it would be replenished every time we used it.” Adhin charged at the opposition and other critics who, according to him, are spinning the disappearance in their favour. He called them nutheads who used lies and halftruths to mislead the community into believing that government spent or stole their money. “They are only trying to sow confusion. This is fake news.” Coutinho “Absolute nonsense,” reacted Steven Coutinho, manager at the commercial De Surinaamsche Bank (DSB), which is private and (Continued on page 24)
is looking at the retroactive payment but this will be based on the outcome of negotiations with the company. Another meeting is scheduled for Friday between the Chief Labour Officer and RUSAL heads.
The General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union
Private hire taxi driver found guilty of causing death A man who operated a private car as a taxi and fled the scene after the vehicle became involved in an accident has been jailed for nine months. Leibert Thomas, 37, of 79 Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice was on trial before Magistrate Renita Singh in the Whim Magistrate’s Court on a charge of causing death by Dangerous Driving. He was accused of causing the death of Adrian Alexander Downer on April 29, 2018 on the Cromarty Public Road. The prosecution’s case was that around 12:30 pm on the day in questioned, Thomas was driving motorcar PRR 8753 west along
the southern driveway with four other occupants inside reportedly at a fast rate of speed. The road was wet and Thomas reportedly lost control of the vehicle which struck a utility post on the northern parapet and ended in a trench. The driver fled the scene. The other occupants were taken to hospital where they were treated. Downer who was left lying on the parapet was subsequently picked up and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The court found that speeding contributed to the accident. The driver was incapable of having safe and proper control of the car.
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Thursday February 06, 2020
U.S. Senate acquits Trump in historic vote as re-election battle looms WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump was acquitted yesterday in his U.S. Senate impeachment trial, saved by fellow Republicans who rallied to protect him nine months before he asks voters in a deeply divided America to give him a second White House term. The businessman-turnedpolitician, 73, survived only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history - just like the two other impeached presidents - in his turbulent presidency’s darkest chapter. Trump now plunges into an election season that promises to further polarize the country. Trump was acquitted largely along party lines on two articles of impeachment approved by the Democraticled House of Representatives on Dec. 18, with the votes falling far short of the two-thirds majority required in the 100seat Senate to remove him under the U.S. Constitution. The Senate voted 52-48 to acquit him of abuse of power stemming from his request that Ukraine investigate political rival Joe Biden, a contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in
the Nov. 3 election. Republican Senator Mitt Romney joined the Democrats in voting to convict. No Democrat voted to acquit. The Senate then voted 5347 to acquit him of obstruction of Congress by blocking witnesses and documents sought by the House. A conviction on either count would have elevated Vice President Mike Pence, another Republican, into the presidency. Romney joined the rest of the Republican senators in voting to acquit on the obstruction charge. No Democrat voted to acquit.On each of the two charges, the senators voted one by one on the Senate floor with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts presiding. On Twitter after the vote, the president posted a video showing Trump campaign signs for future elections from 2024 onward ending with “Trump 4EVA.” The U.S. Constitution limits a president to two elected four-year terms in office. Trump said he would deliver a public statement at noon today on his acquittal. “President Trump has been totally vindicated and it’s now time to get back to
U.S. President Donald Trump (Reuters photo) the business of the American people,” Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said in a statement. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans engineered a stripped-down trial with no witnesses or new evidence. Democrats called the trial a sham and a cover-up. Trump called the impeachment an attempted coup and a Democratic attempt to annul his 2016 election victory. Throughout the impeachment drama, Trump and his Republican allies kept up their attacks on Biden’s integrity.
It remains to be seen how much political damage that inflicted. In the first of the state-by-state contests to determine the Democratic challenger to Trump, Biden placed a disappointing fourth in Iowa, according to incomplete results from Monday’s voting. Biden has accused Trump of “lies, smears, distortions and name-calling.” ‘APPALLINGABUSE’ Trump faces no serious challengers for his party’s presidential nomination. He is poised to claim the nomination at the party’s convention in August and previewed in his State of the Union address on Tuesday campaign themes such as American renewal, economic vitality and hardline immigration policies. Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, broke with his party to vote to convict Trump on the abuse-of-power charge. Romney called the president’s actions in pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden “grievously wrong” and said Trump was “guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust.” “What he did was not ‘perfect,’” Romney said on the Senate floor, as Trump has described his call with Ukraine’s president that was at the heart of the scandal. “No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security and our fundamental values. Corrupting an election to keep one’s self in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine.”
Romney, a moderate and elder statesman in his party, paused during his speech as he became choked with emotion after mentioning the importance of his religious faith. McConnell, speaking to reporters after the vote, accused Democrats of using the impeachment trial to try to gain an advantage in winning control of the Senate in November, but called the effort “a colossal political mistake.” He also said he was “surprised and disappointed” by Romney’s vote. Asked by a reporter whether it was acceptable for a president to ask a foreign country to investigate a political rival, McConnell declined to answer directly. Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat, said Trump’s acquittal in an unfair trial was worth nothing. “No doubt, the president will boast he received total exoneration. But we know better. We know this wasn’t a trial by any stretch of the definition.” BIGGEST VICTORY YET Democrats expressed concern that an acquittal would further embolden a president who already challenges political norms. They have painted him as threat to U.S. democracy and a demagogue who has acted lawlessly and exhibited a contempt for the powers of Congress and other institutions. They also have voiced concern over Russia interfering in another American election. Trump’s legal team offered a vision of nearly unlimited presidential powers, a view Democrats said placed any president above the law. The acquittal handed Trump his biggest victory yet over his Democratic adversaries in Congress. Democrats vowed to press ahead with investigations - they are fighting in court for access to his financial records - and voiced hope that the facts unearthed during the impeachment process about his conduct would help persuade voters to make him a one-term president.Trump’s job approval ratings have remained fairly consistent throughout
US$100 million vanishes ... From page 23 government-owned. He insisted that the banks have been misled by the Central Bank. “They have played a game with us and stole the people’s money,” he said during a radio interview on Saturday. He said that if government really believed that they had to use the moneys, they would have done so. On Sunday, several hundred bank employees and customers took to DSB headquarters in Paramaribo, where the bank’s Board of Directors
would meet to discuss the developments. The unprecedented monetary drama places strain on President Bouterse’s hopes of winning a third term in the May 2020 general elections. As his National Democratic Party (NDP) is ramping up attempts to compete against other parties, it is important that the controversial President, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the December 1982 murders of 15 of his political rivals, is able to maintain social, political and economic calm.
his presidency and the impeachment process as his core conservative supporters - especially white men, rural Americans, evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics - stick with him. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted on Monday and Tuesday, showed 42% of American adults approved of his performance, while 54% disapproved. That is nearly the same as when the House launched its impeachment inquiry in September, when his approval stood at 43% and disapproval at 53%. The trial formally began on Jan. 16. The Senate voted 51-49 last Friday to defeat the Democrats’ bid to call witnesses such as Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton, with only two Republicans joining them. In the previous presidential impeachment trials, Andrew Johnson was acquitted in 1868 in the aftermath of the American Civil War and Bill Clinton was acquitted in 1999 of charges stemming from a sex scandal. SHADOW OF INVESTIGATION Trump, now seeking a second four-year term, has been under the shadow of some sort of investigation for most of his presidency. The acquittal marked the second time in 10 months that he withstood an existential threat to his presidency. In March 2019, Special Counsel Robert Mueller found insufficient evidence that Trump engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Russia in its interference on his behalf in the 2016 election. Mueller did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice in seeking to impede the investigation but stopped short of concluding the president acted unlawfully. Trump declared full vindication. Last July 25, Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a phone call to “do us a favor” and open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter Biden and into a discredited theory beneficial to Russia that Ukraine colluded with Democrats to meddle in the 2016 election to harm Trump.Hunter Biden had joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was U.S. vice president. Trump accused the Bidens of corruption without offering substantiation. The Bidens denied wrongdoing. Democrats said Trump further abused his power by withholding $391 million in security aid approved by Congress to help Ukraine battle Russia-backed separatists and by dangling a coveted White House meeting as leverage to pressure Zelenskiy to announce the investigations.
Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
Skeletal remains found under log believed to be that of
missing woodcutter
A
lmost two months after he reportedly went missing somewhere in the Kwakwani, Upper Berbice River area, a skeletal remains suspected to be that of the missing woodcutter was found under a fallen tree. The remains believed to be Linton Ashley, 65, of Aroaima, Hururu Mission, Upper Berbice River went missing on December 12, 2019 was found last Saturday around 08:30hrs. Kaieteur News understands that the skeletal remains were recovered a little distance away from a logging camp situated on the UNAMCO Trail in the Upper Berbice Region. According to sources, on the day in question, Ashley who worked as a logger, ventured to a
desolate area all alone to cut logs but failed to return. After waiting for a few hours and realising that the man was not returning, his female employer, Sherry [only name given] lodged a report at the police station the very next day. According to police sources, when the remains were recovered, the man's employer positively identified the clothes that were next to the logger to be his belongings. Next to the skeletal remains were a green and grey hat, a pair of black long boots, black pants and a blue shirt. After being transferred to the city last Monday, the remains are presently at a funeral parlour where it is said to be awaiting DNA testing. A saw was reportedly discovered next to the
Drunk driver released on $1M bail for killing Friendship mother of four
The car involved in the accident
A
lmost four months later, a 64-year-old resident of Eccles, East Bank Demerara was on Tuesday hauled before the court to answer to a causing death by dangerous driving charge. The accused, Desmond Chester, appeared at the Providence Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman and was not required to plead to the indictable charge. The court heard that on Saturday October 5, 2019 on the Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove his motorcar PMM 637 in a manner dangerous to the public resulting in the death of 26-year-old Bonita Sugrim. Chester was also charged with failing to stop after causing an accident and failing to render assistance. Sugrim was struck down in the vicinity of the Friendship Gas Station on October 5, while awaiting transportation. Kaieteur News understands that the mother of four was standing in front of the gas station when motorcar PMM 637
which was speeding south along the said public road, attempted to overtake a vehicle and as a result, struck Sugrim. As a result of the impact, the woman was flung several feet away and then landed on the parapet. Because the driver was speeding, after hitting the woman, the car only came to a halt after it collided with two other vehicles. The car then toppled several times. The driver was also injured and left unconscious. Upon arriving at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, Sugrim was pronounced dead on arrival. However, the driver of the vehicle was transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital to seek medical attention. A breathalyzer test showed that the driver was above the legal limit. Chester was placed on $1M bail for causing death by dangerous driving and $40,000 bail for failing to stop after the accident and failing to render assistance. He is expected to make his next court appearance on February 17, 2020.
remains along with a fallen greenheart log.
It is suspected that the man might have been killed
by the fallen tree. An employee who recently set up
camp in the vicinity made the gruesome discovery.
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Thursday February 06, 2020
Thursday February 06, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Shafiqullah Ghafari trumps South Africa again as Afghanistan finish seventh
Shafiqullah Ghafari picked up four top- and middle-order wickets. (ICC via Getty)
Thursday February 06, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) When was the last time you used a pen and paper, Aries? In this age of computers, the keyboard has all but replaced these wonderful tools.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Put your ambition into action today, Libra. The day's planetary aspects should find you feeling energetic and positive. Make the most of this by taking steps toward your goals.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If there's something crafty or artsy you've had your eye on and would really like to get but can't afford, Taurus, consider making it. Even if you don't consider yourself artistic, you may surprise yourself if you give a project half a chance.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't hesitate when it comes to taking on a project or making plans today, Scorpio. Extra energy will complement your organizational skills, making the perfect combination to handle almost anything.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It's the perfect day to get up and head outside, Gemini. You’ll likely find yourself feeling positive and energetic, and some fresh air, sunshine, and physical activity may be long overdue.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today should go well for you, Sagittarius. Expect to feel a renewed energy and perspective on things, especially those that are work related.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) It won't be surprising if you find yourself getting frustrated with a close friend or partner today who is far less ambitious than you, Cancer.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you may notice that you're feeling very creative and ambitious, Capricorn. You might want to use these strengths to work directly on an artistic project.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) See about using your good relationships with friends and loved ones today to get some group activities going, Leo. Chances are you'll feel pretty good and the idea of socializing will appeal to you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) if you're lacking a regular exercise routine, Virgo, today's a great day to turn that around. Exercise doesn't have to wear you out or hurt.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't be surprised if you wake up feeling super today, Aquarius. Chances are good that you'll feel a renewed physical strength with energy to spare. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The effect from the planetary aspects will bring an end to any lethargy you've been feeling, Pisces. It's an excellent day to get up and head into the open to do something active.
ESPNcricinfo - South Africa’s home Under-19 World Cup ended in defeat, as they went down to Afghanistan by five wickets in the seventh-place playoff in Benoni. South Africa could only put up 154 after opting to bat, as legspinner Shafiqullah Ghafari and leftarm quick Fazal Haque picked up seven wickets between them. Afghanistan’s reply, not always smooth, was led by Test opener Ibrahim Zadran, and they got to their target with just under ten overs to spare. Interestingly, when the two teams had met in the tournament opener too, Ghafari had been the star in Afghanistan’s seven-wicket win, returning 6 for 15 in 9.1 overs. Afghanistan thus made it 2-0 against the home side in the competition, and Ghafari had combined figures of 17.45-30-10 in two games against South Africa.
Medium-pacers Haque and Abdul Rahman sent back openers Levert Manje and Andrew Louw by the end of the sixth over with just 17 runs on the board, and Rahman had a second wicket in the form of captain Bryce Parsons soon after, to leave South Africa in a hole. It got worse for them when Jonathan Bird had to retire hurt after being struck in the elbow by a delivery from Rahman in the tenth over. Bird had looked good, hitting five fours in his 22, off 26 balls at that stage. Luke Beaufort and Tyrese Karelse did fight back for a while, but when they were both sent back by Ghafari, South Africa still had only 80 on the board. The wickets kept falling till No.9 Merrick Brett and No.10 Mondli Khumalo scored some quick runs in a 51-run stand, but both of them were dismissed by Haque in the same over, the 37th of the
innings, forcing Bird to come out for a bit of a late flourish. He didn’t disappoint, hitting Rahman for a six and a four, but then became the last man out when Ghafari had his number. It wasn’t a huge target, but batting hasn’t been Afghanistan’s strongest suit, and they needed Zadran to show them the way. He did, hitting a responsible 73 in 113 balls, with seven fours, to take them to the finish line. He got support up front, with opening partner Sediqullah Atal providing the early impetus in the chase. The two put together 51 for the first wicket in 10.3 overs, and Atal scored 40 of those, in just 38 balls, with four fours and three sixes. There was a bit of a stutter for Afghanistan after that as 51 for no loss became 58 for 3, Odirile Modimokoane picking up two wickets, but Rahman was back at it with the bat this time, and played a good hand of 27 runs in a 86run stand for the fourth wicket with Zadran. There was a little bit to do after that, but Zadran made sure there was no late drama. Scores: Afghanistan Under-19 158 for 5 (Zadran 73*, Atal 40, Modimokoane 2-37) beat South Africa Under-19 154 (Bird 34, Ghafari 4-15, Haque 3-33) by five wickets.
Football gears... From page 28 fun, but to also prepare and practice for competitions that will propel any professional sports aspirations they may have.” President of the GFF, Mr. Wayne Forde in his remarks, said, that the federation has realized that the best return on football investment is in the school environment. He said that when school children are given an opportunity to play sports, they learn to respect rules, play in a team setting, to win, to lose and other life skills to become a productive adults. According to Mr. Forde, although the school environment is centered primarily around academics, mixing with sports will create a wellrounded individual. He said that the Government of Guyana has been an important partner in football development. He said that the football fraternity has been able to acquire the most football real estate as compared to any other time in Guyana’s history and as such will continue to work with the relevant partners to continue developing the sport. Following the handingover ceremony, the students were engaged in friendly matches.
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Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Football gears donated to four schools …to encourage greater participation in the sport Four schools were presented with football gears yesterday at the Ministry of Education’s Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue. The items donated included uniforms and balls to be used by the students as they continue to play the sport at the school level. The schools that received the items were the Charlestown Secondary School, Annandale Secondary School, Mackenzie High School and the Desrey FoxCaesar Secondary School (Waramadong). Present at the handingover ceremony was Minister of Education, Dr. the Hon. Nicolette Henry, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton and President of the Guyana Football Federation, Mr. Wayne Forde, officers of the Unit of Allied Arts, students and teachers. The items were made possible through a partnership with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications. According to Minister
Henry, football provides maximum physical exercise and like any sport it also provides many health benefits for children. “It’s a physically demanding game that offers an opportunity for players to improve their speed, agility, strength, hand-eye coordination and overall cardiovascular endurance”, Minister Henry noted. She said that the Ministry of Education is cognizant that providing academics is merely a percentage of creating the ideal student, but op-
portunities for a healthy lifestyle, morals, values and discipline are extremely important. Minister Henry advised the students present that sports allows them to achieve a healthy lifestyle, emotional development, increased concentration, better memory, enhanced creativity, more effective problem solving and an improved mood which will extend into the classroom. She added that the Government of Guyana is adamant that young people must be
Ministers Henry and Norton posing with the students in their new uniforms.
given the best opportunities to develop their potentials. “The decade of development aims at more than socio-economic improvements but entails holistic development for all Guyanese”, Minister Henry remarked. Meanwhile, Minister Norton noted that while the government is pushing education as its main agenda, the administration has recognized the importance of sports and the benefits of promoting a
society of healthier and better rounded individuals. “Sports is an important economic benefactor, and a crucial vehicle to drive social cohesion and unity among our people,” Minister Norton said. As such, he added that investments in sports are always worthy. Further, he said that it is the government’s intention and his Ministry’s mandate to improve and enhance sports infrastructure
throughout the country. He said, “In addition to our new synthetic tracks being constructed in Berbice and Linden, we have also invested heavily and will continue to invest in the development of sports grounds and playfields in almost every community. We want to ensure that our children and youths have the facilities they need to not only be physically active and have (Continued on page 27)
6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge
Timothy Mc Andrew relishing this Sunday’s challenge Timothy Mc Andrew has been a consistent competitor at these games from its inception and come Sunday at the National Park Tarmac, the Berbice based athlete is backing himself to finish on the podium. Whilst acknowledging that the field would be very competitive one at this the 6th Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware Caribbean Fitness Challenge, Mc Andrew, who has been whipping himself into the best possible shape with the assistance of raining partner Dillon Mahadeo, the reigning champion, is aiming to better his 2nd place finish achieved at the Guyana Fitness Games. ”First I would like to thank God for health and strength and making it possible for me to compete once again. As for training it has been going rough but good so far. A lot of extra hours had to be put in and I’m just trying to avoid any injury.” Like some of his out of town colleagues, not having the correct equipment in Berbice would have posed another challenge in being properly p r e p a r e d . ”It’s tiring sometimes because I have to travel from New Amsterdam, Berbice just to
Minister Henry and Administrator of the Unit for Allied Arts, Ms. Lorraine Barker-King handing-over items to the Desrey Fox-Caesar Secondary School.
Hemraj Kissoon outperforms...
Timothy Mc Andrew in action at 2019 competition. get to play around with some of equipment compliments of Crossfit592 and Kares Crossfit Gyms. The competition came early than usual so I had to adjust my training programme to be fit as possible.I’ll be expecting some fierce competition come the 9th of February as I have competed with a few of the overseas athletes in Trinidad
and Suriname, so I know they’re really fit people and not to be underestimated. Once all goes as planned and I keep ahead of the competition, I should be able to make the podium.” Mc Andrew also informed that he’s never missed any of the local fitness competitions held thus far. (Franklin Wilson)
From page 30 midway switching caddy to Dezo, he shot an incredible back 9, ending with 4 pars so beating the young man. Other performances were great in this Flight as Wayne Chan (71/28), a current 28 handicapper playing in his first tournament in more than 18 months edged out 4th place Imtiaz Subhan (72/19) and Paton George (73/19). Also, all the other 28 handicappers produced commendable scores – Lloyd Fung-aFat (78), Mauro Gamargo (81), Mario Acuna (83) and Hardeo ‘Curry’ Ganpat (88). In the Specialty prizes area, Avinda Kishore easily won the Longest Drive by swinging an accurate 330yard drive to the center of the fairway, while Aasrodeen
Shaw took the Nearest to Pin prize away from Satrohan Tiwari. Receiving the award for Most Improved Golfer was Mauro Gamargo of Schlumberger Guyana, who has only recently started playing golf and has performed incredibly well in a very short time.President Aleem Hussain expressed gratitude to Mr Kissoon and the LGC’s many sponsors,”This weekend was the LGC’s way of expressing our gratitude to our life members for their contributions and I wish to thank Mr. Kissoon who willingly and without being asked, made this weekend a financial success for the club”. He added, “With major partnerships formed with Copa Airlines, Marriott, Sterling Products, Ansa Mcal, Banks DIH,
Demerara Distillers Limited, Assuria General Insurance, New Trend Auto, Nexgen Global Marketing, Bridgestone Tires, Continental Group of Companies, Macorp and so many others, along with the constant support of Dr. George Norton, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the LGC is looking forward to a grand 2020 with more than 50 events scheduled.” He also thanked all the players for their participation and welcomed former president Jerome Khan who before Saturday had been absent for a little while.For more information on upcoming events or how to become a member of the LGC, please visit lusignangolfclub at Facebook or call 220-5660 or 645-0944.
Thursday February 06, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Jaguars and Pride hunt for points intensifies ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – There are three compelling rivalries in the fourth round of matches of the West Indies Championship, which resumes today following a twoweek break. With a mere 0.2 points separating them at the top of the table, long-standing foes Guyana Jaguars and Barbados Pride will face awkward opposition in their hunt for a bag of points to put light between each other. Jaguars, the five-time defending champions and current table leaders, will be on home soil at the Guyana National Stadium, when they face Jamaica Scorpions, a side that have shown a penchant this season for coming from behind to save matches. Second-placed Pride, runners-up to the Jaguars in each of their title-winning seasons, will be on the road at Warner
Park, where they are hosted by a Leeward Islands Hurricanes side that shrugged off a slow start to the season to win in their previous match. And, the return to the Championship of the decorated pair of Andre Fletcher and Denesh Ramdin will further flavour an already fierce contest at Windsor Park between hosts Windward Islands Volcanoes and the visiting Trinidad & Tobago Red Force – two teams in the middle of the table with 0.2 points also separating them. Jaguars vs Scorpions in Providence, Guyana Jaguars returned to the top of the table following their third-round win on home soil over Red Force and Scorpions stumbled to their first defeat against Pride in the previous round, after twice batting from behind to earn draws. But if there was one
team that the Jags would relish playing at this stage to put the pressure on the chasing pack, it would be the Scorpions. The Jaguars have won all but one of the 10 matches the two teams have played in the PCL era of the Championship, including all five matches at the venue for this weekend’s contest. Scorpions can take heart in their eight-wicket victory on home soil in February last year and their seeming “backs-to-thewall” batting this season to give them a bit of hope that they can resist their opponents, but it will be a huge task. Jaguars welcome the return of left-handed allrounder Raymon Reifer to give a boost to their batting and bowling. Scorpions have been weakened from the previous round with the loss of the batting talents of Brandon King and Rovman Powell to
Boxers showing great improvement- says Coach Poole But work needs to done on tactics & technical areas
The boxers and Coach Terrence Poole (left) take a photo after their arrival in Cuba. The quartet of GDF’s Colin Lewis (Captain) and Desmond Amsterdam, Policeman Dennis Thomas and Forgotten Youths Foundation’s (FYF) Keevin Allicock have been in Cuba since last year December for a three-month training stint ahead of the Olympic qualifiers in Argentina from March 26 to April 3. The Boxers were accompanied by Technical Director of the Guyana Boxing Association Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Terrence Poole MS, who served as Manager and Head Coach on the trip. Poole, who returned to Guyana last Friday, was assisted in the Caribbean’s largest Island by Cuban Boxing Coach Francisco Hernandez
Roldan. Yesterday Poole provided an update on the Pugilists’ progress saying he was satisfied with the work done so far.“The training facilitates in Cuba are very good with the Boxers training two times per day,” informed Poole who is Guyana’s first three-star Coach. Coach Poole said the diet of the Boxers was of a very good standard and added the Cuban Coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan was very helpful in all areas. “The Boxers are adapting nicely to the Spanish Culture, while their sparring partners are of very high standard with most of them being Cuban Senior Boxers,” added Poole.
Poole, who is not sure when he will return to Cuba, thanked the Government, the GOA and GBA for making the training stint possible for so many persons in about two decades. When John Douglas competed in the men’s light heavyweight event in the 1996 Summer Olympics, it was the last time a Guyanese Boxer Qualified for the Olympics, while Guyana’s Mike Parris, who won a Bronze Medal in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, remains the only Boxer from the English Speaking Caribbean to win an Olympic Medal.The 2020 Olympics is slated for Tokyo, Japan from July 24 to August 9. (Sean Devers)
the imminent West Indies Tour of Sri Lanka. The Jags are a settled and confident unit that know their strengths and weaknesses, but the Scorpions rebuild continues and they will require their handful of senior players, especially in the batting, to show greater stability to be able to slow down, if not stop, the home team. A number of players stand on the threshold of personal milestones which could be accomplished in the match, if they are selected: Devendra Bishoo (Jaguars) has taken 243 Championship wickets and needs seven more for 250; Jermaine Blackwood (Scorpions) has scored 2,942 Championship runs and needs 58 more for 3,000; Keon Joseph (Jaguars) has taken 90 Championship wickets and needs 10 more for 100; Veerasammy Permaul (Jaguars) has taken 445 Championship wickets and needs five more for 450; and Vishaul Singh (Jaguars) has scored 2,976 Championship runs and needs 24 more for 3,000. Squads: JAGUARS (from): Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Kevin Sinclair, Vishaul Singh and Nial Smith. IN-Reifer; OUT–Ronaldo Alimohamed. SCORPIONS (from): John Campbell (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Assad Fudadin, Derval Green, Patrick Harty Jr, Jamie Merchant, Marquino Mindley, Nicholson Gordon, Paul Palmer Jr, Pete Salmon, Denis Smith and Oraine Williams. IN–Fudadin, Salmon; OUT– Brandon King, Rovman Powell. UMPIRES: Zahid Bassarath (Trinidad & Tobago), Deighton Butler (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) MATCH REFEREE: Colin Stuart RESERVE UMPIRE: Ryan Banwarie Hurricanes vs Pride in Basseterre, St. Kitts After starting the season with a loss, Pride moved to within touching distance of the top of the table, after back-to-back wins over the Jaguars and Scorpions in their two previous matches. Hurricanes got a timely boost of confidence with a comfortable victory over Volcanoes in the third round, after opening with two losses. This could prove to be the clichéd banana peel for the Pride. Though they have
won six of the 10 matches between the two sides in the PCL era, Hurricanes have given proof that they cannot be taken lightly, twice going onto their opponents’ turf and clobbering them. The two sides also return to the venue, where the Hurricanes will have fond memories of narrowly failing to pull off a thrilling heist, when they were set a victory target of 312 in the 2017-18 season and their slow bowling duo of West Indies off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall and Jamaican legspinner Damion Jacobs have made it difficult for opposing batsmen. On a pitch that is typically tailor-made for batting, it should be hard work for the bowlers, but it is an opportunity for the batsmen on both sides to make a big impact. Squads: HURRICANES (from): Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Colin Archibald, Sheno Berridge, Quinton Boatswain, Rahkeem Cornwall, Nino Henry, Montcin Hodge, Damion Jacobs, Amir Jangoo, Jaison Peters, Kieran Powell, Devon Thomas and Terance Warde. IN–Henry, Warde; OUT–Keacy Carty, Alzarri Joseph. PRIDE (from): Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Camarie Boyce, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Shane Dowrich, Dominic Drakes, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Chemar Holder, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Ashley Nurse and Kevin Stoute. IN–Boyce, Drakes; OUT– Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican UMPIRES: Patrick Gustard (Jamaica), Lyndon Rajkumar (Trinidad & Tobago) MATCH REFEREE: Stewart Rawlins RESERVE UMPIRE: Bernard Joseph Volcanoes vs Red Force
Raymon Reifer © CWI Media
in Roseau, Dominica Fletcher, who has played 25 One-day and 42 Twenty20 Internationals for West Indies, has not played in the Championship since he made 13 and five for the Volcanoes against the Jaguars almost three years ago at the Guyana National Stadium. Ramdin, a veteran of 74 Tests, 139 ODIs and 71 T20Is for West Indies, was the Red Force captain last season and led their batting aggregates, but he has not played a match this season. They will replace Sunil Ambris and Darren Bravo, the players that led the respective teams in the previous round. They too, will be missing this weekend because of the imminent West Indies Tour of Sri Lanka, with the captaincy duties falling to Kavem Hodge for Volcanoes and Yannick Ottley for Red Force. Squads: VOLCANOES (from): Kavem Hodge (captain), Alick Athanaze, Roland Cato, Keron Cottoy, Andre Fletcher, Ray Jordan, Shermon Lewis, Desron Maloney, Preston McSween, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Emmanuel Stewart and Josh Thomas. IN–Cato, Fletcher, Shillingford; OUT– Sunil Ambris, Kirk Edwards RED FORCE (from): Yannick Ottley (captain), Yan-nic Cari-ah, Bryan Charles, Joshua da Sil-va, Ter-rance Hinds, Akeal Ho-sein, Kissoondath Magram, Jason Mohammed, Uth-man Muhammad, Denesh Ramdin, Kea-gan Sim-mons, Je-re-my Solozano and Daniel St. Clair. IN–Ramdin, St. Clair; OUT–Dar-ren Bra-vo, Odean Smith UMPIRES: Johnathan Blades (Barbados), Christopher Taylor (Jamaica) MATCH REFEREE: Reon King (Guyana) RESERVE UMPIRE: Ericson Degallerie
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Thursday February 06, 2020
Hemraj Kissoon outperforms all competitors in the LGC Birthday celebration tourney Past Club President Hemraj Kissoon, head of Kissoons Furniture Establishment, wowed the occasion as he emerged as Tournament Champion on Sunday last, a day specially set aside to honour Life-member golfers of the LGC - Maurice and Joe Solomon, Doreen DeCaires, Robert Hanoman, and himself. The day’s activities began with an elegant breakfast prepared and served to the members and players by the LGC President Aleem Hussain, while members of the ExxonMobil team concluded their early morning round. After breakfast, Captain Deo quickly sent off the more than 30 golfers eager to enjoy the tournament and secure a place on the Winners Row. Concluding just around noon and in time for an exotic lunch (Brazilian styled coconut milk chicken with vegetables served over a bed of coconut rice along with fresh
garden salad), the golfers gathered to receive their prizes and listen to remarks by Mr. Kissoon, who was effusive in his praise for the Club President, the Grounds Staff and the Executive Members. “I have been a member of the club for more years than I wish to state and can say that this is the best condition I have seen it in. I can tell you that Mr. Hussain speaks to me regularly and seeks advice and from what I can see happening here and in the overall recognition of the sport, not only does he listen to myself and others, but he quickly gets it done,” posited Mr. Kissoon. He went on to compliment the other Life-Members for their dedication and commitment to the club and expressed his confident expectation that the vision of the Executive for development of the Club would be realized quickly since it could no
From left: Fazil Haniff, Rohan Albert, Avinda Kishore, Mauro Gamargo, Aleem Hussain, Hemraj Kissoon, Aasrodeen Shaw and Maxim Mangra. longer be a dream but now a necessity, especially with the arrival of expatriates who expect international standards. The tournament was played in three Flights, with prizes being awarded to the first and second Best Net scores in each Flight, in addi-
Court says Tennis Australia ‘discriminated’ against her MELBOURNE (Reuters) Margaret Court has criticized Tennis Australia (TA) following her awkward appearance at the Australian Open last week, saying the governing body had “discriminated” against her due to her opposition to gay marriage. Tennis Australia (TA) invited Court, who won a record 24 Grand Slam titles, to Melbourne Park to recognize the 50th anniversary of her 1970 calendar Grand Slam, while saying it disagreed with her “personal views”. In a low-key ceremony at Rod Laver Arena prior to a quarter-final match, Court was handed a replica trophy by 11-times Grand Slam champion Rod Laver following the screening of a short video of her tennis achievements. Court, who attended several days of the tournament along with family members, said she had been treated unfairly because of her views on “gay marriage and all of those areas”, and complained about not being given a microphone at the ceremony. “From the tennis side they’ve pointed the finger at me and tried to discriminate in everything that I’ve done and I think that’s very sad,” the 77-year-old told local broadcaster Nine Network. “I think they think because I’m a preacher, they think I’m going to preach the gospel.”
tion to some Specialty prizes. The results were as follows: In the 0-9 category, Aleem Hussain (73/9) took first place away from former Guyana Open Champion Avinda Kishore (73/4) on the countback. Following were two other former Guyana Open Champs - Mohanlall Dinanauth (76/6) and last weekend’s winner Mike Mangal (77/8). In the 10-18 category Maxim Mangra (68/18) took
1stplace beating former Guyana Open champion Fazil Haniff (69/14) into 2nd. Close on their heels was Club Treasurer Aasrodeen Shaw (70/ 13), followed by a tie between Patanjilee Persaud (71/14) and Club Secretary Rabindranath Persaud (71/16). This was followed by another tie between three golfers - current Guyana Open Ladies champion Christine Sukhram (72/13), Rakesh Harry (72/14), and Satrohan Tiwari (72/14). The hot com-
petition in this Flight saw yet another triple tie with Ayube Subhan (74/14), Lekhnarine Shivraj (74/16), and Mahendra Bhagwandin (74/ 18). But it was the 19-36 category that was the highlight of the day. Marvelous Hemraj (65/93) - the oldest player in the field that day - took top honours away from one of the youngest players in the field, Rohan Albert (67/27), as after (Continued on page 28)
6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge A determined Semonica Duke going for the $500,000 prize on Sunday By Franklin Wilson
Former tennis player Margaret Court attends the match between Spain’s Garbine Muguruza and Sofia Kenin of the U.S. (REUTERS/Hannah Mckay) TA responded by saying that Court had agreed to the ceremony’s arrangements beforehand and that the governing body had extended hospitality, including more than 100 free tickets, to her and her family. “We are very disappointed to hear now of her complaints, none of which were expressed to us during her time at the Australian Open,” TA said in a statement. “Tennis Australia invited Margaret and (husband) Barry Court, along with 16 members of their family, to the two weeks of the Australian Open. “TA covered the cost of flights, accommodation,
breakfasts and executive club access, for the family, along with hospitality at the event, which included more than 100 tickets over the two weeks.” Court also slammed former players Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe for calling for a name-change for the Australian Open’s second showcourt “Margaret Court Arena” at the stadium last week. “I’d never go to another nation, whatever I thought of a person, I would never say, ‘hey, you should take their name off a building or off an arena, or a tennis center,” Court said. “I think that was very, very wrong.”
Genesis Fitness Gym’s Semonica Duke who considers herself as her fiercest rival is set, ready and prepared to be the winner of the female segment when the 6th edition of the Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware Caribbean Fitness Challenge comes off this Sunday at the National Park Tarmac. Considered the most experienced female athlete in the sport, this being her 6th year and 9th CrossFit competition, Duke has been putting in the time at the gym and Sunday will be the perfect platform for her to showcase her hard work over the past months. ”This year has been the most determined year to date for me and my training has become much more compact with longer hours.” Duke, who placed 2nd last year to Suriname’s Ava Zalman who would not be here to defend her title, will fancy her chances of going all the way for the second time around having already ended in the second place on three o c c a s i o n s . Apart from the overseas athletes including the Surinamese who’ll be coming
with the same drive and determination, Duke would be keeping an eye on her local colleague, Delice Adonis who finished in 3rd place last year. Like she has dominated the Guyana Fitness Games Expo held in November, winning the individual and team gold medals for four years, Duke is seeking to transform that consistency to the Crossfit arena. ”My chances of winning are as good as my mental determination as I’m confident in the work that I’ve put in during my training.” Duke believes that the prize monies being offered by Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware is fantastic as both the male and female top five will pocket the same amounts, positing that, “Both work hard in their individual fields.” Prizes are: 1st $500,000, 2nd $400,000, 3rd $300,000, 4th $200,000 and 5th $100,000. Every other athlete will be given a participation award of $15,000. KaresCrossFit and Lotus Hardware would also reward athletes over the age of 30 with a cash reward of $100,000, 2nd $75,000 and 3rd $50,000, for first, second and third. Duke is encouraging the fans and spectators to come
out in their numbers on Sunday: “CrossFit is still a growing sport in Guyana and over the years we’ve been motivating people through these local competitions. I would encourage fans to come out and see what it’s all about; it can be the start of something great for someone, at the same time supporting their local athletes.” There would also be the second edition of the Teen Challenge competition which will see a total of 15 competitors, male and female, under age 17 taking on each other. Prizes would be awarded to the top three in each category of $30,000, $25,000 and $20,000. Tickets for Sunday’s event are on sale at KaresCrossfit in Queenstown, Genesis Fitness Gym on Durban Street, and Fitness Express on Sheriff Street at the cost of $1000 each. Children Under-10 would gain free entry. Partners and sponsors for the event are KaresCrossFit, Lotus Hardware, AnsaMcAl with their I Cool Water and Lucozade brands, MVP Sports, Berkinstock Guyana, Pollo Tropical, Star Party Rentals, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Fitness Express and Genesis Fitness Gym.
Thursday February 06, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Reyad Karim and Kumar Deopersaud lead Albion to Championship honours BCB/ Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 Tournament-2019
Albion shrugged off their disappointment of losing the Busta Champions of Champions 40 overs and Ivan Madray 20/20 finals over the last two weeks to defeat archrivals Rose Hall Town by 42 runs and in the process lift the 2019/BCB Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 Cricket Tournament title. Playing at the Area H Ground infront of a sizeable Thursday crowd, Albion were spearheaded by Reyad Karim’s even 50 and a fine spell of left arm spin from the talented Kumar Deopersaud, who claimed 4 for 16 from seven overs. Play was delayed by half hour due to early morning rain but Albion still decided to bat first in the pressure atmosphere of a finals. Openers Hemendra Gurdyal and Naresh Veersammy added 31 for the first wicket before the former was brilliantly caught by Ricardo Ramdehol at first slip off Jonathan Rampersaud for 16. Veersammy was then bowled by Rampersaud for 12 at 41 for 2 in the 31st overs, but Berbice Under-17 pair of Sarwan Chaitnarine and Karim added 42 for the 3rd
wicket before Guyana Under15 off spinner Matthew Pottaya bowled Sarwan for 33. Karim and national junior cricketer Tameshwar Mohabir then featured in a 34 runs 4th wicket stand with Mohabir hitting 22 Karim, who was dropped five times, top scored with 50 as Albion reached 198 for 8 off their allotted 50 overs. Rampersaud ended with two for 49, Pottaya 2 for 31 from 10 overs, while Ricardo Ramdehol who had been wicketless, conceded just 21 runs from ten impressive overs. Needing to score 199 from 50 overs to retain their 2018 championship title, Rose Hall Town Under-17 team, suffered an early blow when Seiraj Chatterpaul was bowled by Leon Cecil for nought at 7 for 1 in the second over. Ricardo Ramdehol and Jeremy Sandia then added 37 for the second wicket before Ramdehol threw away his wicket for 29, caught off Gourav Ramesh. Mahendra Gopilall and Vikash Subramanir both fell without scoring as the home team felled to 45 for 4. Skipper Jonathan Rampersaud, nurs-
The Winning Albion Under-17 team.
ing an injured wrist and Sandia added 65 for the 5th wicket to restore some hope, but Deopersaud stuck in his second over to have Rampersaud caught at midwicket for 40. Sandia then ran himself for 39 and despite 19 from Jai Tike, Rose Hall Town were bowled out for 156 in 46.5 overs. Deopersaud, who is fourteen years, claimed 4 for
Chinese GP in doubt as Shanghai suspends sports events SHANGHAI (Reuters) Shanghai sports authorities have recommended the suspension of all sporting events in the city due to the coronavirus outbreak, casting further doubt on whether the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix will take place. The fourth grand prix of the season is scheduled for April 19 in Shanghai. The race was expected to be on the agenda at a Formula One Strategy Group meeting on Wednesday amid increasing speculation that it could join the growing list of sports events already postponed or cancelled. The Shanghai Sports General Association called on sports organisers to “strictly abide by the requirement of the Shanghai Sports Bureau to stop organising sports events during the epidemic.” It said, in a statement translated by Reuters, that all sports events should be suspended “until the epidemic is over.” China said another 65 people had died as of Tuesday, the highest daily total yet, taking the overall toll on the mainland to 490, most in
and around the locked-down central city of Wuhan, where the virus emerged late last year. Some Formula One insiders hold out little hope of the race happening. “I’m sure they (Formula One and the FIA) will take the necessary due diligence before making any commitment about either delaying or postponing or cancelling the race,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner ahead of Wednesday’s meeting. “So we have to trust their judgement, their knowledge.” The last Formula One race to be cancelled was the Bahrain Grand Prix of 2011, due to months of social unrest in the Gulf kingdom. This year’s calendar has a record 22 races, leaving little chance of any rescheduling. Russia, whose race is in September but has previously been held in April, has already ruled out a date swap. Formula One sources expected the governing FIA and commercial rights holders Liberty Media to wait for a formal request from the Chinese promoter to postpone or cancel.
Hosting fees make up a significant proportion of Formula One’s revenues, with some races paying as much as $40 million a year, which could mean a big hit for Liberty if they make the first move. China is seen as a major growth area for the sport, however, and Formula One is keen to keep on good terms with the local organisers. In 2011, Bahrain still paid the hosting fee despite not having a race. The outbreak has affected numerous international sports events in China. Among them was the world indoor athletics championships scheduled to be held in Nanjing on March 13-15, which have been postponed until next year. The all-electric Formula E motor racing series has abandoned plans for a race in Sanya next month. Basketball, badminton and boxing qualifying tournaments for this year’s Tokyo Olympics have also been postponed, rescheduled or moved, while an LPGA Tour golf tournament has been moved to next year.
16, Ramesh 2 for 7 and Cecil 2 for 23. BCB President Hilbert Foster, who was accompanied at the presentation ceremony by several board members including Chairman of the Competition Committee Leslie Solomon and his deputy Neil Rudder, hailed the tournament as a success. Foster expressed gratitude to Ramnaresh Sarwan, the former West Indies Captain for his support of Berbice Cricket and hailed him as a true friend of the Ancient County. The BCB hailed the friendly atmosphere that the final was played in, despite the rivalry between the two clubs. He also disclosed that the 2020 edition would start shortly for players born on or after the 1st of September 2003. Foster urged the players from both teams to become role models for their peers and to judge others by
Mr. Kishore Sarwan hands over winning trophy to Albion Captain Reyad Karim their characters and not the colour of their skins, the colour or their or the texture of their hair. Albion received the winning Sarwan trophy and
$60,000 while the runner up carried home $30,000 and a trophy. Karim was named Man of the Finals by Selector Leslie Solomon and received a cash prize and trophy.
Hero CPL viewership increases by 56% in 2019 to 312million The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) saw another increase in viewership numbers during the 2019 season as the vibrant and exciting T20 league continues to grow in stature and reputation. The total viewership, combining broadcast and digital, was 312million – an increase of 56% from 2018. Viewership for the tournament has increased every season over the event’s seven year history. The tournament, which took place between 4 September and 12 October last year, featured 34 men’s matches and two women’s exhibition games and took place in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago. The tournament was shown on television, with major broadcast deals in a large number of countries, and was also streamed on Facebook and Twitter. This meant that no
matter where you were in the world, you were able to watch The Biggest Party in Sport. This commitment to digital innovation has been key to the success of the tournament and the league will be looking to increase its digital footprint in 2020 with more platforms for fans to enjoy the action. Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of Hero CPL, said: “We are immensely proud of the CPL, and we are delighted to see it get bigger each year. The fact that we are able to release such fantastic viewership figures is a further testament to the way this tournament has grown and become firmly established as one of the world’s premier sporting events. We are already working hard on the 2020 edition of the CPL and we are really looking forward to even more fans tuning in this year.”
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GABBFF 2020 Novices Championships/Mr. Linden Classic Fitness Express and Samuel Hardy are main sponsors The 2020 edition of the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) is set for Saturday February 15th next at the Lichas Hall, Linden with twenty-five athletes (male & female) confirmed to flex muscles. On the night, the Federation will also be staging the Mr. Linden Classic with the deliberate aim of boosting the sport in the Bauxite Mining Town. Corporate support has always been the lifeline for hosting competitions and GABBFF President Keavon Bess has disclosed that long time partner and supporter, Fitness Express and Mr. Samuel Hardy of Linden have been confirmed as the main spon s o r s . B e s s expressed gratitude to Mr. Jamie Mc Donald – Manager/Owner of Fitness Express and Mr. Hardy for coming on board with the Federation to ensure that the two competitions are held s u c c e s s f u l l y . Mc Donald said that Fitness
Mr. Samuel Hardy of Linden (right), hands over sponsorship to GABBFF’s Keavon Bess. Express is continuing its commitment of support the development of local athletes whilst also fulfilling its social responsibility, while Mr.
Hardy said that he was more than excited to be contributing towards events that he sees as empowering the Linden Community.
Two Banks Karate Club students to represent Caribbean Karate Association
Manzoor Ali Duane Peters
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Thursday February 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
wo Guyanese from the Banks DIH Karate club, located at Thirst Park have been selected to represent the Caribbean Karate Federation (CKF) at the World Union Karate Federation (WUKF) Championship in Poland from July 1st – 5th, 2020. In excess of 2000 athletes from approximately forty (40) countries will be participating in the event. The two athletes from Guyana, selected based on their performances are: Manzoor Ali
and Duane Peters who won gold and silver medals, respectively at the Guyana Senior National Karate Championships 2019 in the under 75 kg category. Athletes wishing to represent the Caribbean Karate Federation should contact the following persons: Mr. Tyrone Jeffers (6th Dan) CKF Assistant Head Coach/2nd Vice Presidentckf.uk.tyrone@gmail.com +447951534775 or Mr. Darren Nurse (4th Dan) CKF 1st Vice President 592-600-7300.
Wins for Tuschen Train Station Masjid and LBI B The Muslim Youth Organization of Guyana/Trophy Stall Inter- Jamaat 10 overs Softball Cricket Competition 2019 resumed last Sunday at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands. In bright sunshine after some early morning showers, New Mosque won the toss and decided to take first strike and made 91 for 4 wickets when their overs expired. Openers Amil Ally and Rahim Alli made 25 and 19 respectively. Mohamed Omar picked up two wickets. Tuschen Train Station Masjid in their turn at the crease made light work of their total blasting to 92 without loss in 4.2 overs. Imtiaz Hack made an even 50 and Riaz Khan 42. LBI A and LBI B LBI A won the toss and elected to bat, however, irresponsible shot-selection caused wickets to fall at regular intervals as they managed 93 for the loss of eight wickets. In the second over bowled by Carl Spencer, saw
Imtiaz Hack
Riaz Khan
three wickets falling; Gary Khan 31 and Zaman Ally 14 were the main contributors. Spencer picked up three wickets for 17 and Puran Deokaran two wickets for 16 for LBI B. In reply, LBI B lost Safraz Ally in the first over for one, but Randy Narine who was given a chance at long-off when he was on 19, brought
the game home, finishing off with a six. He made 64 not out and Imran Khan 14 not out. LBI B ended on 94 for three in 8.4 overs. Akram Bacchus were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 14 runs. Diamond New Scheme Masjid failed to turn up as Hague Masjid and LBI B were awarded walkovers.
CWI Coach Education Programme bowls off in Guyana ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) is working to improve coaching at all levels, and new Coach Education Manager Chris Brabazon, has already embarked on a journey across the region to meet and discuss coaching standards and the implementation of fresh ideas with the six territorial boards. Starting on Thursday, Brabazon will be in Guyana, where he will meet with regional pathway coaches to understand how CWI can better support regional coaches and how they can work together within the new Coach Education Programme, and it coincides with the West Indies Championship four-day fixture between defending champions Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions. He articulated what his time with regional coaches will entail. “It’s important that I understand the context in which all the coaches are working, whether it’s at a high school, under-age national team or at a club. I want to know what resources they have around them, what the facilities are like and what are their challenges,” he said. “When we build this system to support them
(coaches) it must be something practical and not just one that looks good on paper. It needs to help them do the role required of them in the larger picture [of building successful West Indies teams]. Following his visit to Guyana, Brabazon will conduct sessions with the other regional franchises to understand the challenges and gather feedback to build into the overall programme. This is geared towards getting all coaches and players working to a long-term plan to ensure consistent coaching from junior to senior level in an effort to produce top-class senior men and women cricketers for the future success of West Indies teams. This was the prevailing message from CWI’s Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams; Senior Men’s Head Coach Phil Simmons; and Brabazon following the West Indies Coaches Forum held last week at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua. “We wanted to bring all franchise coaches from around the region under one roof to start a process of getting everyone to read from the same script,” said Adams. “There is a lot that we want to do that we want to see happen at the highest level, but
for that to happen, all of the supporting cast have to be on the same page. This involves franchise coaches and it will involve coaches at every level of the coaching network as well.” The former West Indies captain elaborated on the important role that Brabazon will play through his work visiting the regional coaches and aiding them to have the skills to help players get to the required level for international cricket. “We have a responsibility in the elite pipeline to teach the game and to teach it the way we want it taught, to the standards we think will give us international quality players down the line. That is a skill and the role of Chris is to help us develop better teachers of the game.” List of coaches present at West Indies coaches’ forum: Andre Coley, Andrew Richardson, David Williams, Derol Thomas, Emmerson Trotman, Esuan Crandon, Fernix Thomas, Floyd Reifer, Ian Tittle, Leon Kuma Rodney, Mervyn Dillon, Nikita Miller, Pedro Collins, Roderick Estwick, Pernell Watley, Ryan Austin, Curtly Ambrose, Steve Liburd, Stuart Williams, Vasbert Drakes, Wilden Cornwall and Winston Benjamin.
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Trophy Stall on board for Mommy’s Corner softball tourney
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rophy Stall has thrown its support behind Mommy’s Corner, a nonprofitable organisation for the staging of their T20 softball competition which is set for Sunday at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. The tournament is being held to help raise funds for three-year old Chayanne Parboo, who is suffering from Leukemia and needs to undergo medical treatment overseas. Leukemia is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. The competition has attracted an entrance fee of $10,000 and involves Regal Masters, Wellman Masters, Floodlights and Fisherman Masters. At a simple ceremony held yesterday at their 241South Road and Bourda Street location, Trophy Stall’s representative Tiana Lovell presented the trophies for the competition to the
organisers Madonna Ghanie and Zamena Khan, both of Mommy’s corner. In an invited comment, Chief Executive Officer of the Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich said he is pleased to be on board for this event. “I am very thankful to the organsiers for choosing us to be part of this venture. I have spoken with the management of the teams and they have all decided to participate in the competition and make a contribution towards the venture.” Madonna Ghanie, one of the founder members of M o m m y ’s C o r n e r h a s expressed gratitude to Trophy Stall for their backing and called on the business community to support a worthy cause. “This event is a fund raiser for three-year old Parboo and all proceeds will be handed over to her family on Monday. After reading the article about Chayanne being sick with cancer, Mommy’s
Corner knew that they need to help in whatever way they
Center Ground Committee, Regal, Mike’s Pharmacy,
Tiana Lovell (center) of Trophy Stall, Madonna Ghanie (right) and Zamena Khan display the trophies. can. And with heartwarming support from Trophy Stall, Better Hope Community
Fisherman and Floodlights cricket teams, not forgetting the mothers from Mommy’s
Corner, the preparation for S u n d a y ’s T 2 0 c r i c k e t competition went into full effect. There will also be a take away lunch and we would like to thank to all parties involved.” Ghanie indicated that Mommy’s Corner is made up of a group of mothers from different geographic in Guyana. “This organisation was founded in 2019 by two of mothers (Ghanie and Khan) who felt that mothers go through all kinds of challenges and need that extra support at times.” “The Corner over the years has held various charitable activities in different communities and we believe that giving back is the first example of showing love to our follow humans,” she posited. Anyone willing to make a contribution can contact Ghanie on 618-5666 or Zamena Khan on 698-5859. Meanwhile, Regal Masters will include Eon
Abel, Unnis Yusuf, Eric Thomas, Mahendra Hardyal, Mahase Chunilall, David Harper, Mohendra Arjune and Laurie Singh. Wellman Masters will look to the likes of Wayne Jones, Mike Singh, Rawl Reid, Sheldon Perch, Troy Lewis, Nandram Samlall, Suresh Persaud and Greg De Franca. Fisherman Masters will depend on Pooran Singh, Jagdesh Persaud, Danny Thomas and Stanley Mohabir, while Ricky Deonarain, Anil Beharry, Ramesh Sunich, Surendra Nauth, Vickey Bharose, Rakesh Arjune, Richard Persaud and Dharam Persaud are expected to turn out for Floodlights. The Trophy Stall balls will be used and the opening fixtures will commence at 09:00hrs. There will also be games for the children. Other sponsors on board a r e ; S h a r k e r s F a m i l y, Starlight Sound System and Ta n v i r N a t h a n S i n g h . (Zaheer Mohamed)
DCB Inter-Association 50 overs U-15 cricket
W/Dem beat E/Bank and GT victorious against E/Coast Mathura’s fifty helps W/Demerara to first win By Sean Devers est Demerara notched up their first win when they beat East Bank by 35 runs at Everest, while defending Champions G e o rg e t o w n r e m a i n e d unbeaten when they defeated East Coast at Lusignan as action in the second round of the DCB Inter-Association 50 overs U-15 cricket tournament continued yesterday. At Everest, Nityanand Mathura who made 54 from 74 balls with eight fours and Wazim Khan who scored 20 with three boundaries, put together 51 for the fifth wicket but only Marsh King (11) and number 10 batsman Nehemiah Singh (12) reached double figures as We s t D e m e r a r a w e r e dismissed for 275 off 44.2 overs with Extras contributing 52. Skipper Dhanesh Persaud had 3-24 with his leg-breaks, while burly offspinner Modesh Kalladeen took 3-26 for East Bank who replied with 140 from overs. Deonarine Dindial top scored with 36 from 68 balls
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with two fours and a six, while Sayad Yasim made 21 from 31 balls with two fours. Persaud also chipped in with 20 from 57 balls as Jerimiah Singh had 2-15 and Sachin Balgobin took 2-13. A small gathering of mostly parents saw West Demerara elect to bat in sunny conditions on a good track and fast outfield but with a strong breeze blowing from Atlantic Ocean, Alex Parag was bowled for a duck as Dindial struck in the first over with just a run on the board. Mathura joined Rezekie Renee and dominated a 36run second wicket stand before Renee (7) was bowled by 12-year-old Persaud, who made his U-15 debut for Demerara last year, to leave the score on 37-2. Sachin Balgobin, who made 34 on Monday against Georgetown, and Mathura, joined forces and the 50 was posted with a wide in the 12th over before Balgobin (5) was run out at 67-3. Persaud then removed Jerimiah Singh (4) at 74-4 before Mathura, who played for the President’s X1 in last
y e a r ’s i n t e r- c o u n t y tournament, found a useful partner in Khan. The 14-year-old Matura drove Dindyal back past his ankle for four to reach his 50 from 59 balls with eight fours to follow-up his 32 on Monday. Khan stroked a free-hit from Dindial for four as the partnership progressed nicely but just when Mathura seemed set for the tournament’s first century, he was brilliantly caught and bowled by talented Persaud at 128-5. With no addition to the score, Kalladeen struck twice in two balls; bowling Khan and Shaid Haniff, as West Demerara, who lost to GT in the first round, slumped to 129-7. Nehemiah Singh hit Mohamed Hossain for four, while Marsh King hammered Yusuf Hack for consecutive boundaries before Hack had the last laugh when he bowled King at 160-9. Kalladeen got rid of Singh who provided Persaud, who dropped three catches, with his second
Deonarine Dindial top scored for East Bank at Everest yesterday in a losing cause. catch to wrap up the innings. East Bank began their chase in positive fashion taking 12 from the first over bowled by 12-year-old pacer Nehemiah Singh but with the score on 14-0 rain stopped play. When the action resumed, Persaud stroked left-arm spinner Robin Seecharran gloriously past cover for his second boundary before he was run out at 34-1.
Nityanand Mathura made an attractive 54 for West Demerara at Everest yesterday. Hack joined Dindial and they brought up the 50 in the 21st over before the confident Dindyal pulled Renee for the only six of the match. Hack (8) hit Renee to point at 62-2, while Jerimiah Singh sent back Kalladeen (1) and Sachin James (1) in the space of a run and it was 66-4. When Nehemiah Singh had Dindyal caught at deep mid-on at 105-5, nobody else
Dhanesh Persaud took 3-24 and made 20 for East Bank at Everest yesterday. offered fight except Sayad Yasim who was run out for 21. The final round is set for Friday with East Bank facing GT at Everest and West Demerara playing East Coast at Lusignan. The Dave West Indian Imports Inter-County tournament will be played at Everest and Bourda on February 16, 18 & 20 with the final fixed for Bourda on February 22.
6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge
A determined Semonica Duke going for the $500,000 prize on Sunday
t r o p S GABBFF 2020 Novices Championships/Mr. Linden Classic
Fitness Express and Samuel Hardy are main sponsors
Semonica Duke putting in the work at the 2019 competition.
GABBFF President Keavon Bess accepts sponsorship from Fitness Express’ Jamie Mc Donald.
Football gears donated Jaguars and ‌to encourage greater Pride hunt for to four participation in the sport points intensifies schools Shafiqullah Ghafari trumps South Africa again as Afghanistan finish seventh DCB Inter-Association 50 overs U-15 cricket
Minister Norton and Mr. Forde handing-over items to the Charlestown Secondary School children.
W/Dem beat E/Bank and GT victorious against E/Coast
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