Kaieteur News

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Pres. Granger must NEWS answer to damning - Opposition Global Witness report Leader says

Friday Edition

AIETEUR

February 07,2020 -Vol. 22 No. 06

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We’re not saying cancel deal - Global with ExxonMobil; just give witness Senior Guyana what it deserves Campaigner p.

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Fowls detained by police; ... after neighbours file sent to DPP row over ownership p.

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Some of the fowls died and these are remaining ones tied to the fence of the # 51 Police Station compound

Guyanese should demand p.

7 politicians publish clear

Ahead of 2020 Elections...

- Industry Expert EU to field Standoff escalates at Rusal ... p.16 50-strong Workers chase Phillips elections observer p. Edghill; defy armed police, mission 3 re-block Berbice River

plan on making oil a blessing Global Witness p.18 report validates

K/News and others’ oil reporting- Jagdeo

Demanding a better deal for Stabroek Block was not priority for Govt. p.

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nal o i t a n r e t - In ays law firm s

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

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Pres. Granger must answer to damning Global Witness report - Opposition Leader T

he Global Witness report is giving new life to criticisms that locals have been leveling for years against the Government of Guyana, for its poor negotiation of the fiscal terms in the Stabroek license Granted to ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, the lopsided nature of the deal has now reached several globally-recognised international publications that had, for the past few years, focused almost entirely on the magnitude and quantity of Guyana's oil and gas discoveries, instead of the nature of the fiscal terms.

The report states that Guyana is set to lose about US$55B due to the “unjustly exploitative” deal, and urges

all parties to renegotiate the deal for the betterment of Guyana.

Despite this matter reaching international proportions, President David Granger has not directly addressed it, though the report was published since l a s t M o n d a y. T h e Department of Public Information has, however, released a statement condemning the Global Witness report.

O p p o s i t i o n L e a d e r, Bharrat Jagdeo, criticised Granger's silence on this and other oil sector developments during his most recent press conference, at his Church Street office yesterday. He referred to an even more recent report, by Clyde and Company, which also speaks

to the nature of negotiations leading up to the signing of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

The report mentions Granger and his 2016 meeting with some ExxonMobil officials to “discuss the terms of the new petroleum agreement.”

The President has seldom spoken directly on developments in the petroleum sector. He has, at times, displayed ignorance about what is going on in the sector.

Up to late 2018, this publication had reported on Jagdeo's criticism of the President for having failed to

read the contract. That was two years after the signing.

It is unclear how much the President's knowledge has evolved on the sector, but Jagdeo is adamant that, as leader of Guyana and of the industry, Granger must take responsibility for the deal that he approved.

Commenting on the President's current disposition in respect to the p e t r o l e u m s e c t o r, t h e Opposition Leader said “He's like Pontius Pilate…

The last time I checked, he's still the President of Guyana.”

Jagdeo said that persons ought to consider that this matter has blown so far out

President David Granger of proportion, with no address from the President.

“Not a word from him about how he sees it. The country doesn't know what he's thinking here.”

Nevertheless, the President has been out and about in the days following the report's publication. Of this Jagdeo asked “Do we have a ceremonial president?”

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo A perusal of the Ministry of the Presidency's Facebook page shows the Head of State attending various events.

From Monday onward, the President attended an award ceremony, accepted Ambassadors' letters of credence, and commissioned a House opening.

Jagdeo said that the public deserves much more from the President.

EU to field 50-strong Elections Observer Mission

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he European Union (EU) y e s t e r d a y launched its first fully-fledged Observer Mission for the upcoming March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and will see about 50 observers from select European States overseeing the process.

Chief Observer of the mission, Urmas Paet, a member of the European Parliament, at a media briefing stated that the presence of the European Union and Elections Observers demonstrates the EU's commitment to the conduct of “inclusive, transparent and credible elections in Guyana.”

According to Paet, the focus of the observation mission will not only be on elections day but until the entire electoral process is completed, including the campaigns, the results'

Chief Observer of the Mission, Urmas Paet tabulation and the resolution of any election-related disputes after voting has finished.

He explained that the core team consists of nine elections experts as well as fourteen long-time election observers who were deployed across the ten regions on February 4.

“Shortly before the elections day, the mission will

be reinforced by 20 short term observers who will observe the voting and tabulation of results.”

The Chief Observer asserted that the mission is independent in their findings and conclusions, and maintained that the EU observers adhere to a strict code of conduct.

“We maintain strict neutrality and impartiality in the course of our work, and do not interfere in the electoral process. However, we do hope that our presence will

have a positive effect on reinforcing confidence in the process.”

Shortly after Election Day on 2 March 2020, the mission will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Georgetown. A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented at a later stage, after the finalization of the electoral process.

Paet stated that the EU attaches great significance to these elections, standing by to

deliver an impartial and objective assessment of the elections.

“As impartial elections observers, we don't care who wins…we care about how they win.” Further, Paet called on stakeholders to see the elections as Guyana's commitment to democracy by conducting credible and inclusive elections.

The EOM head observer mentioned that the mission held meetings with the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs,

Basil Williams; General Secretary of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) Amna Ally; and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Meetings are also scheduled with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings; Chairwoman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (retired) Claudette Singh; and representatives of The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP).

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 07, 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

Terrified of a leader When a political leader stirs the worst fears imaginable, then a country’s citizens are in trouble. The United States, of all places, is faced with such a dire situation currently. Its peoples soon will be in a position to make choices. How will they, the voters, be? What will those choices indicate?

It can be more of the same persons and standards, leading to the same results. Or worse. If, when all is considered, there is contentment with what is put on the table to represent leadership and governance, in the different segments of government, then the decision is easy as automatic.

When it is anything but, then there must be corresponding action that evidences the frustrations, the disappointments, and the unsatisfying state where things have coalesced for quite many. Some of the minds and voices surprise through their stepping forward to register dismay and fears. One in particular has done so in the sharpest manner. He is worth some listening and digesting. As Guyanese ready for their “mother of all elections” they find themselves in the same boat. What will it be? But first, that differing voice must be absorbed.

It was when a leading conservative voice went public to castigate the sitting United States President, as “ignorant and foul-mouthed,” and warned that the nation is in a constitutional crisis. This verbal horsewhip was wielded by one Charles Fried, a constitutional law professor at Harvard University who was solicitor general to President Ronald Reagan. This is a stalwart, who holds things Republican dear, and one who had to have been hard pressed and incensed to an unprecedented degree to lace in so sharply on one of his own.

Mr. Fried mocked and singed the incumbent Chief Executive, who is reported to have articulated to a group of high school students that the US Constitution said that ‘I can do whatever I want, that’s what Article II says.’ Well it doesn’t, any lawyer knows that, any lawyer except maybe [Attorney General] Bill Barr and Mr. Cipollone [White House counsel Pat Cipollone].”

That latest in the game of political and leadership showmanship is what former Solicitor General Fried found unpalatable and unacceptable. He went to the pains to remind his audience that “Our fidelity is to the law, and to the office,” and “Not to a man.” The impeachment outcome spoke differently.

Mr. Fried emphasized that some of his fellow Republicans are “horrified.” “It is the very opposite of the great Republicans, like Ronald Reagan, like Dwight Eisenhower.

Can you imagine Dwight Eisenhower speaking the way this man speaks? Or Lincoln? Or Teddy Roosevelt? This man is ignorant and foul-mouthed.”

Today, world leaders are doing the unheard of in openly mocking the leader of the free world. But one does not have to go that far, for some leading Republicans - Republicans who are as American as apple pie, with none better - could not hold their tongue and disgust in check any longer and have come out swinging for the fences. One leading Republic light, one with storied pedigree, took such a course recently, when he lashed out at the man in 1600 Pennsylvania as “a traitorous president who is betraying his country.”

Those are fighting words, and they came from no less a figure than Ron Reagan, the son of the 1980s Republic darling, Ronald Reagan, whose archconservative legacy lives on through fevered embrace (The Independent, January 18).

The former president’s son was unrelenting when he said that his father, “would have been embarrassed and ashamed that a president of the United States was as incompetent and traitorous as the man occupying the White House now.”

Also, the Republican party itself came under fire from Mr. Reagan’s son, who called it “entirely illegitimate” and “a dying party” and “a bunch of sycophantic traitors mouthing Kremlin propaganda” and condemning itself to the ranks of “a fringe group.” The November elections will prove or disprove those contentions.

Those are broadsides that scorch, and they are not from a Democrat, but from one reared in the bosom of Republicanism, and what it means for America. It does not bode well, when members of the core constituent break ranks and in the loudest, most damnable manner possible.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

Will Small Parties hold Balance?

DEAR EDITOR, Freddie Kissoon claims that findings he saw of polls conducted by the ruling coalition government and PPP reveal that neither of the two larger parties will obtain a majority of seats in parliament regardless of which one wins the Presidency and forms the government. The findings, he says, show the smaller or mini parties winning seats denying the larger parties a majority of seats. Will the small parties hold the balance of power?

In Guyana they are called small parties but in USA, political scientists like me call them minor parties; the larger ones are called major parties. Minor parties have low recognition and are not well known by voters. Thus, they don’t attract much support or funding but they play an important role in holding the other parties accountable. In Guyana,

with its tribalized voting, minor parties get even less support. They depend on racially unaligned voters and/or those who are pissed off with the two major parties and or their leadership. There are significant numbers of those in Guyana totaling some 8% as per recent voter surveys.

If the minor parties get enough voter support or win seats, then for sure they will deny the two major parties a parliamentary majority. That could change the politics of the country forever by holding the balance of power. It could lead to good, responsible governance and enrichment of the population rather than politicians enriching themselves.

The AFC was supposed to be the party that held the balance of power holding both major parties accountable and ending corruption and abuse of office. But it betrayed this

principle by falling for the trappings of office. It has lost support. Now the role of balance of power has to be played by one or more of the seven minor parties in the electoral fray. Can they win at least a top up seat each or enough votes in a geographic area to deny one of the larger parties a seat? People are skeptical of minor parties in light of what AFC did to them.

Tr a c k i n g s u r v e y s I conducted, including an ongoing one, show the minor parties capturing votes but not all of them are attracting enough votes for a seat.

Based on projections, it would require some 6,500 votes or about 1.5% of total votes cast to get a seat. Based on findings of the opinion poll, only four parties show signs of attracting enough votes for a seat. The combined support of the remaining three parties would come close to a seat. It

would have been wise for them to combine their lists to increase the prospect of a seat or more. The other four parties are not even certain of a seat because the election is increasingly becoming racially polarized with voters falling into one camp or the other base on ethnic or party affiliation.

If the minor parties succeed in winning one or more seats, then it is conceivably possible to have a hung parliament and that party holding a balance of power.

The more seats the minor parties win, the greater the prospect of a hung parliament or their holding the balance of power.

Holding a balance of power will force the major parties to co-operate, share power, and tame racism. In addition, it will help to reduce corruption.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Patriotism should never be sold for seats in the peanut gallery DEAR EDITOR, GHK Lall and Moses Nagamootoo seem to be getting their information from the same source, TNN, aka the Taxi News Network; for the ludicrous position that the new petroleum exploration agreement signed by Raphael Trotman for the Government and People of Guyana and by Nigel Hughes on behalf of ExxonMobil, was done expeditiously for fear of Venezuelan invasion is a version of geo-politics that you would expect in a rum shop, not in the hallowed halls of the Prime Ministerial office nor from a reputed ‘ Wa ll S tr ee t f in an cia l analyst’. If there was fearmongering in the Granger administration that was

putting pressure on the President to get the new agreement signed, then the actions of those driving that vehicle (fear) should be closely examined.

Those speaking in defense of the government’s actions seem to be saying the Granger administration was ignorant and afraid but not corrupt. There is the belief that some individuals might have played on the fears and ignorance of Granger and the others to force an agreement that lost the nation USD 55B or more.

I believe that perspective is key in the examination of the new (2016) petroleum exploration agreement referred to as ‘the bridging deed’. Global Witness is a corruption watchdog

organization and the loss of revenue calculation was made with an eye on royalties and profit-sharing.

The lack of ring-fencing provision is equally damning as it allows the operator to commit virtually unlimited funds towards exploration, secure in the knowledge that these would be recovered by Liza1 and subsequent discoveries. The Operator will drill a further thirty-one wells in 2020 as they rush to do as much risk-free exploration before the agreement comes up for renegotiation in November 2020. A total of over USD 12 Billion in additional exploration costs will be recovered from existing wells because of the poor ‘bridging deed’.

The question of motivation for the fearmongering by the small cabal needs no gloss and the old school tie is front and center for those who have eyes to see. It is information I will hold in escrow until circumstances change and real investigations begin; when stocks and shareholdings of ‘the few’ and their family will be examined.

This cabal of cunning and experienced operators continues to play ‘puppet master’ as they place GHK Lall and Moses Nagamootoo in the firing line.

Patriotism should never be sold for seats in the peanut gallery in the grand petrotheater.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

The APNU/AFC Coalition in retrospect DEAR EDITOR, The AFC had been a rapidly growing third force i n G u y a n a ’s p o l i t i c a l landscape since its formation. Born out of the disgruntled ranks of the PPP and APNU- Ramjattan and Trotman and fuelled by an equally disgruntled segment of the population on account of the increasing complacency of the PPP and the continuous failure of the

APNU to inspire the confidence of a majority of the electorate to win an election against the PPP, the AFC quickly became a force to be reckoned with.

Whether by choice or intelligent design - in the evolution of the PNC from 1992 to APNU, the party was unable to shed what has been perceived as an inherent penchant to support violence at the end of every election

cycle. This is the reason the party kept failing to make inroads beyond its clan of supporters.

In politics a party that cannot accept the will of the electorate and be good losers, squander their chances in future elections. It is a pivotal lesson the PNC component seems incapable of learning.

Failure of a party to condemn violence by its

supporters is in essence viewed as initiating it. Such actions would only serve to further polarize the nation and alienate possibly would be supporters.

The lack of initiative by the PPP in persevering with a clueless presidential candidate saw the APNU/AFC Coalition achieving a marginal victory in 2015. Has the Coalition (Continued on page 6)

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We really need to change how we think DEAR EDITOR, I tendered my resignation as a member of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and remained quiet.

Unfortunately members of the AFC commenced to attack my person.

Unfortunately there is a belief that once you are part of a political movement you are owned lock stock and barrel. Independence and choice is denied.

We really need to change in how we think. There is

nothing democratic about this way of thinking. I have no allegiance to any other party.

I have fought the Burnham and Hoyte’s regimes even though some of my relatives, by my sister’s marriage, were positioned to advance my career. I opposed the PPP because my conscience could not tolerate the corruption. My principles have forced me to tender my resignation from the AFC. While not exhaustive these are some of the

Can any large distribution company sell without 14% VAT? DEAR EDITOR, As a supermarket owner I have discovered that a new snacks distribution company has opened for business here in January 2020 and is giving me bills without 14% VAT for purchases. I discussed this with some of my friends who own a few supermarkets, including two major supermarkets, and they also confirmed they received their bills without 14% VAT from this distributor.

My question is can any large distribution company sell without 14% VAT in

Guyana? What happens to the profit made on landed cost by the newly opened company? Why is VAT also not paid on this?

It is apparent this is a violation of the laws of Guyana and need urgent answers from the GRA without delay.

Mr. Loric Peters

reasons:1. It failed to hold the government accountable. In the Management Committee, whenever I raised issues to hold the coalition accountable, Khemraj Ramjattan would “jump on my back” he asks me if I wanted to break up the coalition. We recall, “PM position or no coalition” while he told us “It’s what you can do for your country”.

2. Hurried huge increases for themselves while breaching their promises to workers 3. Wasteful spending.

Overseas travels galore.

Travelling First Class. I’m not telling them to travel on a donkey cart or sit on a peera.

4. Failure to establish the development bank to facilitate manufacturing and farming.

5. Very little job creation though it promised a tri-sectoral economy.

6. The Minister of Agriculture was a failure but they defended him.

7. The promise of accountability was breached and Khemraj Ramjattan made it clear that as Ministers there

is collective responsibility and apparently collective defence. When I forced him to accept that the party could hold the government accountable, he agreed. But at the next elections they ensured that the ministers dominated the management committee and so how could it hold government responsible.

8. They promised to withdraw from the coalition if it went astray but they defended almost everything and even jumped to defend only to have the wrong doer apologise for the wrong doings.

9. With regards the removal of mandatory imprisonment for possession of marijuana they lacked the testicular fortitude to insist that the Bill presented by MP Carrington be read in parliament and so mainly our youths were/are being sent to jail.

10. The treatment of sugar workers left a lot to be desired. While the PPP did damage it, sugar was dealt with incompetently and while they knew they

were going to close some factories, they did not make budgetary allocations for severance. This was callous. Also, nothing was done to alleviate the sufferings of the terminated sugar workers. The promise for land to them was breached. They made it a race issue to gain support when in fact 36% of sugar workers are AfroGuyanese. The COI did not say close, it said privatise But even if they were going this way why close the estate before you privatise? In addition the privatization process was inefficient. If you are closing in December why set up the special unit a few months earlier. Why were there no discussion with local businesses that wanted to take over the estates.

11. The new accord gave them five minister positions so they have taken care of themselves. No demand for fulfillment of manifesto promises.

12. With Regards Moses Nagamootoo, among other things I raised with him the issue of air services using the Nand Persaud’s air strip.

He said farmers complained and that it was because of security.

This was nonsensical. The air strip would have brought down the cost of production.

13. Prime Minister Nagamootoo was responsible for the promise made to transform the Constitution.

He failed miserably.

They would ask you to continue your support so they can continue to enjoy the good life. Sorry, but I cannot give that support.

Rajendra Bisessar

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Why must we continue to accept mediocrity?

DEAR EDITOR, Permit me the space to vent our (the students) frustration at the fact that, in 2020, we are still complaining about issues that were budding problems some 10 years ago and beyond.

Humbly, I boast at not making stories up. If I lie, let the record reflect same. The students however will share my sentiments as well. Thank you to those who have submitted their grades for their students.

As I write this letter, I am forc e d t o i n c l u d e a Facebook post from Melly Mel, which has a student complaining about not receiving grades from 2014 and as such, is unable to graduate - even after paying over 1 million dollars for an online course.

Today is the 6th February, 2020 and the students of the University of Guyana, especially those in the Social Sciences Faculty, have not been updated as to what are their standings as it pertains to their grades. Classes have started but persons are unable to ascertain how well or bad they would’ve performed in the previous

semester. Some persons were depending on the grades so as to switch their courses or programmes, which require proof of your standing GPA. Slow grades continue to hamper this process and our academic experience at the University of Guyana. May I also add ‘some students’ for the sake of argument?

I draw your attention Editor, to an email written to the Registrar one day before the first day of class seeking clearance as to when will these grades be published.

The response outlined that based on an academic board meeting held on the 21st January, 2020 “all Deans were urged to expedite the consideration and approval of Grades in respect of the First Semester.” The Registrar even went on to say that, he was persuaded that that will be done. Assuming that he was persuaded after the academic board meeting date, it is now 16 days after that and our grades are outstanding. If we subtract the two Sundays, and I am laughing here, its 14 days after the Registrar was persuaded and those grades are still outstanding. Is he still

persuaded? Taking out Saturdays also, makes it 12 days.

I recall Editor, the previous Vice Chancellor stating that in order to be considered for a raise in salaries, he will ensure that how efficiently lecturers release their grades will also be considered. But of course, this is the problem or one of.

The lecturers will tell that they would’ve already done their part, it was/is the board to which the paper is then taken after the first marking.

And then that board will refer you to the other person in the chain for clearance as to what has happened that cause your grades to not be released on time. By this time, you’re fed up and just want your grades so you pursue it less and you go to your class, waiting on those slow grades release.

These are the attitudes that us, the students, are ‘forced’ to take up as opposed to fighting for our grades. Next year this time, we will revisit this conversation.

I call on our leaders, who at this time, may be of the opinion that making the

University free, as it should be according to the constitution, is our only concern, nay! We are also concern about our welfare in classrooms. We are concern about the lack of experience lecturers for our courses. We are concern about the way in which persons cancel our classes with little to no notification about same. We are concern about turning up to classes in the first week, and some lecturers having the audacity to not show up, even without informing said class. Is the first week of school not a school week?

Let me use this opportunity to state clearly, that as students, we have to take up a more active role in campus activity. Do you think the University is willing to risk being disrupted by protest action because of this? Are you of the opinion that we really hold no true power? Do you really think that the University can risk having a campus-wide protest because of same?

They can’t, but we are going to sit and accept this continued mediocrity?

Why? Jafar Gibbons

The President’s security is important On Sunday February 2, 2020 in Freddie Kissoon used his Kaieteur News column for which he gets paid to write, to accuse the President of being too security conscious.

This coming from someone who has been victimized by Government officials and party operatives prior to 2015 is somewhat surprising. I am certain that Freddie understands that security for Guyana’s Head-of-State, the local diplomatic community and other high-ranking members of the Government and public service workers is serious business. Freddie Kissoon is a social activist and lifetime critic of the establishment, be it this Government or any other Government Guyana had or will have. Freddie is also a

Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

political and social satirist, when he is condemning Guyanese for being backward, nasty and ignorant, he is attacking and criticizing the Government, be it the APNU/AFC Coalition or any Government prior to and after.

Political satire requires one to critique and attack the establishment, which helps to maintain the efficacy of its core message, and in Freddie’s case, he gets paid by Kaieteur News to write columns, most of which attack the Government, notable public figures and tendencies he observes in Guyanese society.

As a hired pen, political and social activist, Mr. Kissoon experienced his fair share of ridicule, public

criticism, threats and acts of violence which were directed toward him for expressing his views. One of the most notable occasions happened when Mr. Jason Abdullah, a member of the PPP, a staff of Freedom House and one of its rogue elements through a bucket of faecal matter in the face of Mr. Kissoon on May 24, 2010. From this time to 2016, Mr. Abdullah was never charged, neither did he face the courts. It wasn’t until December 2011, after the police were allowed to do their work without interference, that Mr. Abdullah was charged and found guilty; Mr. Abdullah also implicated Shawn Hinds and Kwame McCoy. It appears to me, however, that Mr. Kissoon has

forgotten when he fought during the Jagdeo/Ramotar Presidencies who stood with him and who still stand by him, although he continues to use his pen to criticize the Coalition Government on a weekly basis.

On February 2, 2020, Freddie Kissoon wrote his column captioned President Granger behaves as if he owns Guyana. Freddie Kissoon would also do well to recall that in 2017, a plot to assassinate President David A. Granger was unearthed, investigated and foiled.

Freddie would also do well to recall that in April 2015, just one month after the 2015 General and Regional Elections, the GDF was reportedly sold poisoned rice.

(Continued on page 28)

It is not too late to salvage this sad situation DEAR EDITOR, The KN article published on Sunday 2nd February, 2020 titled ‘A maddening bloated Voter ’s List’ is instructive and I believe a comment from the contesting political parties should be forthcoming.

The situation is worrisome and as one who has been close to general elections since the granting of Universal Adult Suffrage, more than six decades ago, it is unacceptable that a Final Voters’ List should represent a percentage of our

population that renders the numbers a total absurdity.

The article ‘A maddening bloated Voter’s List should be read, re-read and digested.

For this and other reasons, I earlier urge that the Observers be represented at each and every Polling Place and not as happened before, seem to focus their attention in certain urban areas.

My attitude to Observers is generally known but their presence and involvement is now complete.

If this be the case, then (Continued on page 28)

The APNU/AFC Coalition...

From page 4 done anything indicative of improving on that margin? I think not. After five years, with all the Constitutional violations, unjust tax regimes, corruption and lack of economic perspective, the electorate worst fears have been confirmed. Some people are of the belief that the Coalition is clueless and only interested in the” good life” for themselves.

The actions of the AFC leaders in the Coalition was shocking to their supporters.

While the public had supplied 14000 signatures in their outcry against the vat on private education in 2017, not a word of solidarity had emanated from any of the AFC leaders.

Not once in the five years had they tried to initiate anything in the form of policy, in the name or ideals of the AFC. In reality they became nothing more than the power drunk cabal that they had associated themselves with.

Nagamootoo gleefully accepted less than he had bargained for through the Herdmanston Accord.

Ramjattan adopted the mentality of a tyrant when he supported the idea that anyone posting anything negative about the government on the internet should be guilty of sedition, and announcing on TV in Berbice after the NCM

that the Coalition have a majority of 4 to 3 in GECOM having previously supported the unilateral appointment of Patterson to chair GECOM by Granger. Whether for personal gain or otherwiseTrotman signed the most atrocious oil contract on the planet for Guyana and Patterson spent millions more on the Airport for less infrastructure than was originally bargained for by the PPP in the Airport contract. Holder went MIA in the Ministry of Agriculture. The list goes on, save for the heroic feat of Charrandass who voted against the Coalition in the NCM. The truth be told, the performance or lack thereof of the AFC leaders in the Coalition has reduced the AFC to an illusion - the support base is gone and justifiably so.

Only the foot soldiers of the AFC remain, and out of shame, having faced the populace in their communities, sought support for the party.

I understand your disappointment, I have been there.

We all had hoped for better. I “urge” you brethren. Do what is right for your conscience and country on March 2nd. Ask the Auditor General, status quo was never this bad!

Rudolph Singh

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Friday February 07, 2020

Guyanese should demand politicians publish clear plan on making oil a blessing - Industry Expert

Ahead of 2020 Elections...

By Kiana Wilburg

A

s Guyanese inch closer to the hold ing of 2020 General and Regional Elections, they should demand that their politicians make public, clearly defined plans that will ensure oil is a blessing and not a curse, says Illicit Financial Flows Expert, Gavin Hayman.

The anti-corruption advocate made these and other comments during an appearance last week on Kaieteur Radio’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You. There, Hayman who holds a Doctorate from the University of Reading said, “Citizens should demand transparency and ask for a clear plan for spending the oil money.

They should ask politicians to say what are the policies and procedures they will put in place to ensure the money is spent in the best interest of Guyana’s long term development, as well as how

Illicit Financial Flows Expert, Gavin Hayman they will save some of this money, and what will it be invested in.”

The industry expert said that by now, Guyanese should have access to clearly written plans from the politi-

cians contesting the elections, and if they do not have access to this, they should demand it.

To date, both the APNU+AFC administration and the political opposition

have said on various occasions that they intend to spend the oil money on education, infrastructural projects, and developing several industries. However, they are yet to provide detailed, written proposals which include the policies and procedures that will be put in place to ensure that the oil money is spent wisely in all that they do; that the oil revenue turns out to be a blessing.

Like Hayman, institutions such as Chatham House as well as the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI) would have impressed upon Guyana’s leaders, the importance of having a clear vision of their objectives with resources from the petroleum sector.

Both have stressed that this will allow the government to focus their energies and resources on the country’s top priorities.

Specifically, the organizations emphasized that the vi-

sion should be underpinned by an analysis of available resources and capacity, as well as opportunity costs and risks associated with the chosen paths for development.

Chatham House and NRGI have said, too, that a vision for oil should be strategic about choosing priority sectors and lay out in detail, the

role each government institution will play in delivering that vision and over what time period.

They have both noted that good leadership, consistency of purpose and dedication as well as effective implementation, will be crucial to the realization of the nation’s vision for oil.

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Friday February 07, 2020

Demanding a better deal for Slow recovery for lecturer Stabroek Block was not priority for doused with hot oil by wife Govt.

-International law firm says

Devon Thomas

Still on the run: sandy thomas

hirty-eight year-old New Amsterdam Technical Institute lecturer Devon Thomas, who last Thursday was doused with hot oil by his angry wife, is still hospitalised.

When this publication made contact with the burn victim, he explained that he is recovering slowly, but is thankful to be alive

following the harrowing ordeal.

“I hope they find her and lock her up; she is the devil”, he said.

The attacker, his wife Sandy Thomas, is still on the run since the incident, but the victim is hoping that she is not only caught, but is made to face the full penalty for her (Continued on page 9)

T

A report commissioned by Cabinet itself, reportedly in response to the Global Witness report, has found that the negotiation of improved terms for Guyana in the 2016 agreement was not a priority for the Government of Guyana. Those negotiations were led, on the Government’s side, by the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.

Hired in September last to prepare a report on the circumstances surrounding the signing of the 2016 Stabroek license, the British firm Clyde and Co had been provided with the drafts of the 2016 agreement exchanged between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

The currently unreleased report states that Clyde and Co analysed the points of agreement raised by each side. Government did make efforts to propose improved terms, but the report posited that the consortium was not receptive of its proposals.

Yet, Government wanted to get the negotiations over with, in a short period.

Clyde and Co found that the negotiations were limited, taking place over just the course of a month.

While the Government could have approached the situation differently, through extensive negotiations on the agreement’s terms with a view of improving them, the authors of the report wrote “such an approach was not in the forefront of the Government’s mind.”

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

Because of that, the Global Witness report now sees Guyana losing US$55B over the life of the agreement. It has urged a renegotiation.

What the Government prioritised, according to Clyde and Co, was ensuring a continuity of its relationship with the Contractor consortium, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC. As companies originating from two of the world’s most influential countries – China and the US – Government reportedly saw the companies as assets while it defended itself from Venezuela’s claim over two-thirds of its territory.

It also worried that if it took a more aggressive approach, it would risk the oil companies rejecting the revised terms and relinquishing the acreage outside the discovery areas in June 2018.

According to the report, the Government figured that Exxon would remain an operator in Guyana for a very long

time, once exploration of the Stabroek Block turned out to be successful.

Government also reportedly considered that Exxon had already held an interest in the Stabroek Block for almost two decades, and had stayed through the territorial controversies and an oil price crash which occurred in 2014, despite the large investment costs associated with the industry.

On the other hand, Global Witness posited that, though protecting Guyana’s national interest is a fair consideration, it was not a justifiable reason to fast-track negotiations, especially at a time when Guyana could have waited for the details of the second Liza field discovery and strengthened its negotiating position. This is also buttressed by the fact that Government, according to Global Witness, rejected expert advice in multiple instances.

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Friday February 07, 2020

WHAT WAS THERE TO HIDE? In July 2018, Exxon’s Kimberly Brasington told this newspaper that her company was not the least bit worried about Venezuela and the border issue it is involved in with Guyana. The former head of Exxon’s Public Relations Office noted that ExxonMobil has worked for a number of years around the world, and border controversy is not a new issue.

At no time since Exxon has been in Guyana did it express any reservations about the likely impact of the border issue on its operations.

And it is not hard to appreciate why it did not.

Exxon is a multinational corporation. These companies do not make hasty and ill-considered decisions.

They have protocols to follow when investing in other countries. They would have undertaken a political risk analysis and would not have agreed to go ahead, unless they had carefully assessed the threats to their investments.

The government’s traditional excuse, therefore, that signing the deal would have offered protection from Venezuela, is pitiful. The government has consistently stated that it could not release the full agreement because of national security concerns in relation to the border issue with Venezuela. Even Exxon does not believe that. It has never said that it had to press for generous terms because of the extra political risk which it was assuming.

Exxon is not going to be deterred by political risks.

And the reason is that these companies take out political

Slow recovery...

From page 8 actions that have left him with scars for life.

Prior reports had detailed that the couple had been married for four years, but Sandy Thomas had an extramarital affair with her husband’s best friend. Devon Thomas however found out what his wife was doing, and his retaliation was to file for a divorce.

He subsequently asked the woman to leave their home since he no longer wanted her there, but this did not sit well with her, and so she allegedly waited for the opportunity to injure Thomas.

She heated oil in a frying pan while Thomas was taking a bath and waited for him to leave the bathroom. She then splashed the hot oil about his body when he exited. The woman then made good her escape and has since gone into hiding. Thomas, who was in agonizing pain, was subsequently rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

risk insurance, so no matter what Venezuela did, Exxon does not lose. Its investment is covered. Venezuela, therefore, cannot and should not be used for what has to be considered as the steal of the century – the agreement it (Exxon) signed with Guyana.

Exxon is not worried about Venezuela. Not long after Exxon signed the agreement with Guyana, its Chief Executive Officer became the Secretary of State of the United States, the third most powerful position in the US Executive. Venezuela was not going to touch Exxon with such a person as Secretary of State.

Exxon knew all along that Venezuela was no threat. Venezuela is in political and economic turmoil. There are even persons claiming to be President. Venezuela knows that under these conditions,

America is just waiting for an excuse to attack and invade that country. In such a situation, Venezuela was never going to threaten Exxon’s operations in the Stabroek Block.

Exxon knew this.

The excuse that Exxon will act as a bodyguard for Guyana, and therefore this influenced the overtly generous terms of the agreement, is sheer poppycock. It is analogous to a situation in which a man feels threatened and thus hires a security guard to safeguard his home.

The fact that the man feels vulnerable to an attack does not give the security guard the right to walk in the man’s house, eat out his food, drink out all his liquor, and then have his way with all before him.

The government would have the country believe that

because Exxon, in their mind, is helping to deter an attack on Guyana by Venezuela, this gives Exxon the right to walk into our house and to do whatever it wants.

A great many ceremonies are taking place in Guyana these days. The government renovates a building, gives it a name and then has to hold a house-warming ceremony.

These things cost millions of dollars just simply to show that the government is doing what any government does build, repair and undertake projects.

The discovery of oil is the biggest development in the

country’s history. Isn’t it a tad strange that there was no public signing ceremony of the agreement? Why? This should have been an event for speechifying. Yet, strangely, the agreement was not signed in public. It was signed in secret.

And so it has to be asked: why was the agreement kept as a secret? Venezuela? I think not. The more relevant question is: What was there to hide?

Another question has to be asked again: Did Cabinet or the President order the signing of the agreement?

Was the agreement signed

behind the back of the President? These are questions which the highly-professional (sic) media operatives in the country are not prepared to ask.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Global Witness report will assist voters in deciding their choices This columnist is openly saying that in his activism against the Jagdeo and Ramotar presidencies, he can find no corresponding accusations against any PPP minister, the kind of which Global Witness has compiled against Raphael Trotman.

The Global Witness controversy may be a deciding factor in the rejection of the APNU+AFC coalition in the March election.

The Kaieteur News has carried an interview with PPP candidate, Charles Ramson as its lead for last Wednesday edition calling for the removal of Trotman as an election candidate. Robert Badal supports that position, so do I. My analyses lead me in the direction of describing the Exxon deal with the APNU+AFC regime as a national scandal that should cause an incumbent to lose power. You do not have these types of suspicions in a government and the electorate ignores them and returns the same actors to power. The Trotman types of controversies normally result in election defeat.

Added to this should be the debate between Jan Mangal and Carl Greenidge.

Mangal accused Greenidge of

reluctance to disclose information about the Exxon deal.

Greenidge replied and denied the accusation. But even with the denial, people may tend to believe Mangal for obvious reasons – we don’t trust politicians and Mangal is not one but Greenidge is.

As an analyst I would put my bet on the MangalGreenidge exchange and the Global Witness finger-pointing as having an effect on how persons vote. As the days go by, it looks like the APNU+AFC may suffer a one-term nightmare.

Here is one of the reasons why the Trotman thing will topple the coalition. Every instance of ministers kowtowing to Exxon conjures up memories of what Guyana experienced under the PPP. Citizens say to each other, “Oh my God, this was just like under the PPP and it looks worse.” Guyanese have said that consistently since 2015, with the almost surreptitious salary increase for ministers, including the colossal hike in the PM’s salary/pension.

The Mangal/ Greenidge debate and Global Witness’s devastating chastisement of Trotman are the kind of stuff that create anger in citizens, because the key factor at work

is betrayal. Citizens of postcolonial countries have an inherent suspicion that extraordinarily rich companies from the developed world are out to exploit their resources as they did when Europe stood as colonial masters.

Let us quote a redoubtable section of the report on Trotman by Global Witness that speaks to the issue of betrayal. “Global Witness believes the Guyanese government should investigate Trotman’s role in the 2016 Stabroek negotiations. If it is determined that he or others did not represent Guyana well during these negotiations, or there is other evidence of wrongdoing or incompetence, those involved should be held accountable.”

When citizens read those lines during an election campaign, there is bound to be rejection at the ballot station.

Global Witness says Guyana is expected to lose 55 billion American dollars from the horribly poor signing agreement of 2016. The government disputes that, but the fact that this figure is in the public domain is bound to influence voters.

We should not continue to see ministers as the only suspicious actors in the

government’s rendezvous of self-destruction with Exxon.

As the Stabroek News editorial on Monday rightfully asked – where was Granger in all of this? It is difficult if not impossible not to ask questions of Granger in one of the worst government blunders in the history of colonial and post-colonial Guyana.Here is a reflection of mine that no one has touched on. In his almost five-year-old presidency, Granger has hosted only two press conferences. Is it possible that Granger knew the 2016 deal with Exxon was so horrible that it was the decisive factor in him not holding press conferences? Was he afraid that with each press briefing, he would have to field questions on the

2016 infamy? If that is so, he has got away with it.

All the journalistic research into the 2016 depravity centres on Cabinet ministers, and who went to this place and signed that contract, but there is no mention of Granger and his role.

With the Global Witness report into Trotman’s conduct, Granger will have to answer questions. I find Global Witness’s call for government to investigate Trotman’s deportment actually comical.

Global Witness should know it is not writing about some type of democratic polity where accountability is a strong instinct in leaders.

Trotman at the 2016 local government campaign in Bartica told the crowd that

Frederick Kissoon when APNU+AFC won, Granger called him on the phone and said; “this is Nassau Raphael.” Both men are still to tell us what that means.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Dem boys seh...

Soulja Bai silent bout de oil deal Soulja Bai really silent when it come to this report by Global Witness. This watchdog group mek some serious allegations. De only thing de writers ain’t do is to seh de main players like Trotman tek bribe or do something wrong.

But that is like dem old people who does seh dem ain’t calling name but if de cap fit, draw de string. Everything look like if Soulja Bai people rush to sign de deal wid Exxon although de oil block had more oil than a mango tree wid ripe mango.

Dem boys see de report which seh that Trotman seek advice from anodda company and he get de advice but before he coulda read de thing he run and sign. That is why people want Soulja Bai to explain wha happen.

Jagdeo prappa cuss Soulja Bai. Yesterday he seh how de man only deh in office fuh lift up babies and cut ribbon. He want de man to talk bout oil. He seh Soulja Bai should call a press conference. If he don’t know de answers to certain questions he can walk wid

people who know de answers.

He can walk wid a whole team and when certain questions ask he just got to tun to dem to answer. If dem can’t answer then he know that dem ain’t doing dem wuk or somebody paying dem to do something else.

Jagdeo also claim that Soulja Bai got he priority mix up. Some farrin company accuse him of refusing to mek de oil deal wid Stabroek a priority. Dem want to seh that Soulja Bai don’t care bout de oil wealth. And people believe.Dem boys hear nuff talk bout de oil. Dem hear how Trotman get special treatment when he go to sign de deal wid Exxon. He travel first class, he eat all kind of fancy food. Nobody ain’t mention if Exxon give him a skirt pun de side.

Jagdeo reading de Waterfalls paper every day. This was a paper he seh he never even look at. Now he praising de paper. He even calling dem boys to tell dem that he want to give de Waterfalls boss man a big hug and probably a kiss (pun he cheek).

Talk half and open Soulja Bai mouth.

Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 07, 2020

Int’l Court to begin public hearings into Venezuela border claim case next month The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to hear public hearings next month on whether it has jurisdiction to determine on a border claim case involving Guyana and Venezuela.

In the case of the “Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela)”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday disclosed that the Hague court will hold the hearings from Monday 23rd to Friday, March 27th.

“The hearings will give the parties to the case the possibility to address the question of the jurisdiction of the court,” the ministry disclosed.

Guyana will be heard first and will have about three hours to present its arguments on March 23rd.

Legal representatives will then have a go the next day for same time.The second round of oral arguments into the issue of jurisdiction will be held on March 25th with Guyana being afforded 90 minutes.Venezuela will have a chance to close out the arguments the next day.

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

The Court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations.

The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. The court has a two-fold role: first, to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by states- its judgments have binding force and are without appeal for the parties

concerned); and, second, to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and agencies of the system.

“By that case, Guyana is seeking to obtain from the court a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between thenBritish Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

The Ministry last year reminded that Guyana had brought its case to the court following the decision by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, in January 2018, and that the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the International Court of Justice.

“In taking his decision, the Secretary-General was exercising the power vested in him in the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom to decide how the controversy should be settled.”

Venezuela had claimed, in a letter to the Court, that the Secretary-General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and that the court therefore lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate Guyana’s lawsuit.

On this basis, Venezuela had indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings.On November 19, 2018, Guyana submitted its memorial to the court refuting Venezuela’s

The International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands, will be the scene of a showdown next month. arguments and “demonstrating” that the court has jurisdiction.“Under well-established judicial precedent, the court will proceed to decide if it has jurisdiction over Guyana’s claims, irrespective of whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings. If it decides that it has jurisdiction, the court will proceed to rule on the merits of those claims, and decide whether the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the border between the two States should be confirmed.”

The Ministry had pointed out that under the United Nations Charter and the court’s own rules, its final judgments both on jurisdiction and the merits will be legally binding on Guyana

and Venezuela, whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings.

“Nevertheless, Guyana

expresses the hope that Venezuela will participate, to indicate respect for the court and the international rule of

law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the promotion of friendly relations between both states.”

The Government of Guyana had made it clear that it welcomes the prospect of a final and binding decision by the Court that will definitively resolve this longstanding controversy, and allow Guyana and Venezuela to proceed to develop excellent and close relations as neighbouring states.

The case is being closely watched as Guyana has started producing oil.

The border case can last up to five years, Government had said.Venezuela has illegally projected its claims on the border and a major part of the mineral-rich Essequibo to even the waters that ExxonMobil has been developing its oil fields…about 100 miles from Georgetown.The Coalition Government has said that over two decades of talks between the two countries have failed and the matter must be settled once and for all, in the ICJ.

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Friday February 07, 2020

Standoff escalates at Rusal - Workers chase Phillips, Edghill; defy armed police, re-block Berbice River

R

usal workers reblocked the Berbice River on Wednesday night with Kwakwani residents coming out in numbers yesterday to lend support.

Hours later, they chased Prime Ministerial candidate of the People's Progressive Party/Civic, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips, and former Junior Finance

Minister, Juan Edghill, from the 'Waterfront' area.

The ongoing labour situation, which started to escalate Wednesday night, saw armed police yesterday in that Region 10 area, but residents came out refusing to allow police to unblock the river.

There were photos of Rusal workers standing their ground blocking the police

from using boats to remove the barriers.

The blocking of the river over a week ago came after Bauxite Company of Guyana/Rusal sent home workers claiming that it has little fuel left, because it has not been approved for duty free concessions by the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The authority denied that this was so.

A worker clashing with police

Rusal, however, sent home more workers - more than 300 of them - and reportedly said it has withdrawn its expatriates from the country.

For several days now, Rusal has been unable to move out its bauxite from the Kurubuka mine area, to Aroaima, where the barges are waiting to take it to Berbice River mouth area for shipment out of Guyana.

This is because of the barrier.

According to staffers who are holed up at the Kwakwani waterfront area, guarding the barriers, police arrived on Wednesday evening and removed the ropes and containers across the Berbice River. Hours later, residents and workers replaced the barriers.

Yesterday, the police returned, this time heavilyarmed.

“The residents came out and there was some pushing,

but they are standing their ground; nobody is moving,” a representative of the workers told Kaieteur News.

The residents and workers, a number of whom were sent home, refused to leave the area.

In the afternoon, Phillips and Edghill arrived at the waterfront area. They were immediately surrounded with workers telling them to “rollout” (get out).

The two PPP/C officials left. They were reportedly in the Aroaima area earlier on the campaign trail.

This week, the Labour Department said it is investigating the status of local workers' severance at Rusal.

Following the recent termination of some 326 Guyanese workers by the BCGI/Rusal, the government said it continues to meet with its executives to determine the way forward.

PPP/C's PM Candidate, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips, attempted to placate the workers and residents, but in vain

On Wednesday, the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle and Consultant to the Labour Department, Francis Carryl, engaged General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union, Lincoln Lewis, as well as representatives of the Rusal.

According to Ogle, the discussion held at the Minister's office focused primarily on the reemployment of the laid-off workers and whether they were paid their severance among other entitlements.

“We were advised that all outstanding benefits were paid over to the workers,” Ogle revealed to media operatives. He said this includes one month's notice, all severance wages and annual leave.

“They are to submit to us the breakdown so that we can calculate and confirm (continued on page 23)

PPP/C's Juan Edghill being warned to leave the Kwakwani riverfront area yesterday.

Friday February 07, 2020

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Friday February 07, 2020

Global Witness report validates Kaieteur News, others' oil reporting - Jagdeo

L

eader of the P e o p l e ' s Progressive

Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, is of the opinion that the recently

published Global Witness report has validated the oilrelated stories that Kaieteur

News and other publications have been writing in exposing the industry.

During his weekly press briefing yesterday, Jagdeo explained that the contents of the report, which was titled 'Signed Away', were matters of contention that were consistently raised by Guyanese, this publication and others. He added that while the elements of the report were appalling, they were nothing new to the Guyanese.

The Opposition Leader specifically stated that, “What was raised there, had been raised by Guyanese and the newspapers such as Kaieteur News and many others long before Global Witness came up with anything.”

He continued, “It took a foreign group to raise the same things that we were talking about for it to get traction globally.”

Jagdeo's comments follow after the report, which was prepared and released by the non-governmental organization, revealed how

ExxonMobil's “exploitative deal deprived Guyana of up to US$55 billion”.

The report stated that the powerful oil company aggressively negotiated a deal with the country's “inexperienced officials” and left Guyana short of up to US$55 billion, according to an OpenOil analysis.

Only three days after getting its new license, Exxon announced its massive find.

The report further stated that Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, may have disregarded certain crucial pieces of advice. The advice, it opined, could have led to Guyana having a way better deal than the one in place with American oil giant, ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC/NEXEN. The document strongly recommended that Guyana must push Exxon for a fair Stabroek Block deal.

Malpractice lawsuit against Medical Arts, surgeon ongoing

G

eoffrey and Jean Sankies, the siblings of renowned pioneering engineer, Melvyn Sankies have filed a multi-milliondollar lawsuit against Medical Arts of Thomas Street, Georgetown, and well-known surgeon, Dr. Sheik Amir, over the death of their brother who had undergone a surgery at the institution.

The siblings, hereinafter referred to as the Claimants w e r e a p p o i n t e d administrators of their brother's estate, and are seeking damages and pecuniary compensation for injuries their brother sustained while under the care of the medical facility, which resulted in his death almost 10 years ago.

Melvyn Sankies During a brief hearing yesterday before Justice Brassington Reynolds, lawyers for the Claimants, including Senior Counsel Stephen Fraser, made an application for Medical Arts to disclose certain medical (continued on page 22)

Friday February 07, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

Two Guyanese students in Wuhan being assisted

by Chinese govt.

Minister Karen Cummings with Chinese Ambassador, Ciu Jianchun yesterday.

A

mbassador of the P e o p l e ' s Republic of China to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Ciu Jianchun, yesterday met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings to discuss enhancement of bilateral cooperation and the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Hundreds of persons are dead, with several countries blocking direct flights with China, where the virus is said to have spread from.

Several cities in China have been closed off, leaving millions unable to travel.

The virus spread has brought in the World Health Organisation which issued warnings in recent days.

Guyana has stepped up monitoring at its port of entries, requiring even ships now to send advance lists of its crew members. There has officially been no recorded case of the coronavirus.

“The Foreign Minister lauded the Government of

China for the work being done to contain the further spread of the coronavirus.

Guyana hoped to implement a similar model,” Minister Cummings noted.

Ambassador Jianchun then informed Minister Cummings that two Guyanese students in Wuhan were receiving assistance from the Government of China.

Further, they discussed increased people to people interactions at both the government and private sector levels.

“Dr. Cummings also used the opportunity to update the Chinese Ambassador on Guyana's Decade of Development: 2020-2029, specifically as it related to economic growth, infrastructural development, healthcare and education.”

Guyana and China established diplomatic relations on June 27, 1972, and continue to maintain a vibrant programme of cooperation.

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Malpractice lawsuit against Medical Arts, surgeon...

From page 18 records that are pertinent to the case. Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, who is representing the hospital, made no objections. In fact, he said that he will make the records available to his colleague, and as customary, allow him time to peruse them. The matter comes up for another hearing on March 6.

Melvyn Sankies died on August 25, 2011 at the age of 73, hours after he was admitted to the Medical Arts Centre for a hernia operation. His brother and sister are convinced that his death was due to negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of the staff of the medical institution.

They believe that the hospital's mismanagement, to the extent of virtually “throwing Sankies into the jaws of death solely because of negligence and improper treatment given to him while he was a patient during and after surgery� was also responsible for his demise.

A post mortem revealed that Melvyn Sankies, died of hypovolaemic shock (an emergency condition in which severe blood and fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body), as a result of perforation of the femoral artery. The siblings claim this happened after Dr. Amir had performed surgery for hernia.

According to an affidavit in support of the writ, Melvyn Sankies was admitted to the hospital on the morning of August 25, 2011 and was seen by a doctor at 10:00 hours in preparation for the surgery.

The surgery commenced 45 minutes later. Two hours after the surgery, Melvyn Sankies' condition worsened and he began vomiting. He was subsequently transferred to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Georgetown Hospital where he eventually died later that day.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

14 years in jail for Lethem wife killer

Jailed: Peter Juan

H

igh Court Judge Sandil Kissoon yesterday imposed a 14-year jail sentence on 34-year-old Peter Juan, who upon his arraignment pleaded guilty to killing his wife Justina Bernard.

Juan, who was represented by Attorney-atlaw Maxwell McKay, was initially indicted for murder; he however opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, admitting that he unlawfully killed his wife on February 17, 2017.

According to State Prosecutor Nafeeza Baig, Juan and his wife had been imbibing alcohol on the day in question and later left for their home at Central Rupununi on Juan's bicycle.

They got into an argument and Juan dealt the woman several blows to the head.

In his plea to the court, Juan, a father of one, said he was sorry for what he had done and begged for forgiveness. He pleaded with the presiding Judge to give him “another chance.�

Prosecutor Baig asked the court to impose a sentence that would reflect the nature and gravity of the offence. She said that the killing stemmed from a domestic dispute in which

alcohol played a major role.

For his part, Justice Kissoon imposed the custodial sentence and ordered the prison authorities to deduct whatever time Juan spent in pre-trial custody.

The Judge, in arriving at an appropriate sentence, considered the relevant mitigating factors such as Juan's expression of remorse and his early guilty plea.

Keeping along this line, the Judge, among other things, took into consideration that Juan has a young child and the efforts he made to assist his wife after beating her.

As it related to the aggravating factors, the Judge pointed out that too often women are being killed at their hands of their partners.

He added that alcohol consumption cannot serve as a justification for the killing.

The judge said that a 14-year prison term is fitting in all the circumstances of the case, as the objective of sentencing is to rehabilitate persons for their reintegration into society.

In lending a word of advice, Justice Kissoon told Juan that he does not want to see him before the court again and urged him to do right by his child.

Standoff escalates...

From page 16 that the terminal benefits are accurate,� the senior Labour Officer emphasised.

Rusal has been here over a decade, taking over the Aroaima operations before opening the Kurubuka mine area.

Employing more than 300 workers, the company ran afoul of the labour laws, according to the union, by sacking more than 50 employees in 2009. That matter was never resolved.

The blocking of the Berbice River happened last

year for a month, after several workers were also fired for demanding better conditions. Work resumed after two ministers visited the area.

Rusal is under fire for not declaring any profits but continuously shipping out bauxite.

It has reportedly received billions in tax concessions, including on fuel and equipment.

Recently, the Guyana Revenue Authority blocked the company from shipping out its trucks and equipment.

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Friday February 07, 2020

Two in court Fowls detained by police; file sent to DPP over car crash

T

wo men were on We d n e s d a y hauled before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty after they were charged for wounding each other over payment for a crashed car. The defendants, Miguel Wilkinson, 26, and Leon Grumble, 33, both appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, where they each denied being guilty of the wounding charge.

Wilkinson pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that on January 31, 2020, at Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown, with intent to maim disable, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Grumble.

And Grumble denied the charge which stated that on January 31, 2020, at Fort Street, Kingston, he unlawfully and maliciously wounding Wilkinson.

Police prosecutor Delon Sullivan highlighted that the defendants are known to each other and that the problem started over payment for a crashed car.

Grumble had crashed

Wilkinson's car and there was an agreement for compensation.

According to the facts of the charge, on the day in question, Grumble was on his motorbike when he rode past Wilkinson's Car Wash.

The court heard that Wilkinson told Grumble that he would 'deal with you when you pass back�. When Grumble passed back, however, he (Grumble) armed himself with a stick which he used to lash Wilkinson several times.

Wilkinson then armed himself with a scissors which he used to stab Grumble to his chest. Grumble was rushed the hospital where he received treatment for his injuries, the matter was reported. An investigation was launched and both Wilkinson and Grumble were later arrested and charged for the offences.

After listening to the facts of the charge, Principal Magistrate McGusty granted Wilkinson bail in the sum of $100,000, and Grumble was placed on $20,000 bail. Both matters were adjourned to February 26.

The remaining fowls (some died) tied to the fence in the Number 51 Police Station compound

I

n a video that went viral on Facebook and has attracted the attention of animal rights activists, several chickens were shown tied to the fence of a police station. The location, which has since been identified as the Number 51 Police Station, has had the livestock tied to the fence since December, with several already withered away.

As bizarre as it sounds, Kaieteur News understands that two parties were in dispute over who owned the chickens but ranks at the 51 Police Station felt as though the matter was too complicated for them to

settle. They reportedly waited weeks then sought advice from other detectives within the division, but then they waited even longer to handle the case. It was only a few days ago that a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on the way forward with the "simple dispute".

While other serious matters, including murders, robberies and fatal accidents take days to receive advice, this particular case has taken weeks, two months to be exact.

A police source stationed within the division said "that is nonsense". He explained, “It was a dispute between

two persons and one party alleged that another steal them, the report was completed and sent for advice". The policeman however was puzzled as to how long the case was taking and pointed out that whoever tied the chickens to the fence "don't have sense".

The source explained that, "In a matter like that a report should have been done in one day and sent for legal advice. The fowls should have been in a pen. There is no pen there, but some arrangements should have made to keep it, and the file should have been dispatched within the shortest time. But more than two months to do

an investigation like that, that's nonsense".

Prime Minister's Representative for the Region, Gobin Harbhajan, was in outrage over the condition of the livestock, and had even expressed sadness that they were being treated in such a manner. An animal lover himself, Harbhajan said that "some of these fowl limping because their foot was tied so tight it's swelling". He questioned why in such a simple dispute a file has to be sent to the DPP to settle it.

He is calling on the authorities to intervene in the matter to save the lives of the livestock.

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

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by armed gunmen who invaded their premises.

A week later, teenager Keeran “Romeo” Jeenarine who lived next door, was arrested.

He was subsequently charged for the murder of the two men.

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Freed: Keeran ‘Romeo’ Jeenarine

Killed: Harricharran ‘Davo’ Samaroo

Killed: Premcharran ‘Tully’ Samaroo after Prosecutor Solomon stated that there were no other witnesses to be called.

The Samaroo brothers were shot multiple times during the course of a robbery at their mother’s residence in Bushlot Village on Old Year’s night.

Back in 2018, after the incident took place, Jeenarine was arrested and charged.

His relatives had stated that he was at a nearby supermarket with a friend of his. Surveillance footage provided to Kaieteur News showed that he was, however, the owner had mentioned that the time on the footage was incorrect because of a glitch in the system. Artiga had withdrawn it and the case proceeded where she made submissions on the caution statement alone.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

GLSC, UG launch diploma in land valuation programme

Some of the attendees at the programme’s launch The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the University of Guyana, (UG)’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES) have teamed up to offer a Diploma in Land Valuation Programme.

The programme was officially launched yesterday at the Education Lecture Theatre of University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus.

According to GLSC‘s Commissioner Trevor Benn, the programme, which is scheduled to last 18 months, will equip professionals and students in the methods of land valuation – an area critical to the nation’s future development and management of its resources.

“In order for us to fulfill the needs of the oil sector, these programmes are essential. It is no secret that Guyana has not been keeping up with international standards on land valuation.

“We have a big need for valuators in Guyana and this programme will enable us to fill that vacuum and equip us with what is needed for us to earn our right share of the nation’s patrimony,” Benn said.

Benn therefore underscored the importance of having a qualified workforce. The Commissioner said he will ensure that every staff member of the Commission receives training.

The GLSC initiative will see twenty-one staff from the Commission as well as staffers from Central Housing and Planning Authority, (CH&PA), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, (GGMC), the Land Registry and the Deeds and Commercial Registry benefitting from the programme.

The Commission is the legally mandated national mapping, surveying and land administration agency of Guyana, and in keeping with this mandate, it is responsible for undertaking valuation of public lands for the purposes of classifying such lands, among other functions.

However, the GLSC has been unable to execute its valuation mandate due to a lack of human capacity and

GLSC‘s Commissioner Trevor Benn addressing the gathering requisite technical skills.

Consequently, discussions were initiated between the University of Guyana and the Commission to develop a sustainable solution to this issue.

In brief remarks, Minister of State, Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams lauded the initiative, calling it a step in the right direction. The Minister emphasised the importance of having staff who are trained.

Last year, for the very first time, the Commission also

collaborated with the University and graduated the first batch of students in the Diploma in Land Administration Programme. The Commission is also currently working with the University of Twente in the Netherlands to have staff trained.

Remarks were also made

by Registrar of the University of Guyana Dr. Nigel Gravesande and Chairman of the Transitional Management Committee, Professor Paloma Mohamed.

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

The President’s security is ....

From page 6 The poisoned rice was discovered at Camp Stephenson.

Our President is correct to treat with the utmost seriousness, his security as well as that of Cabinet members and other highranking Government officials.

Freddie Kissoon has overstepped the usual civility that must accompany political and social activism in a nonoppressive State, and seemed to have forgotten that although we have experienced relative peace in the past 5 years, this does not mean the absence of threats

against the State. Either Freddie forgot about this, he deliberately did not consider and mention it for his column, or he feels the money he gets as a hired pen is more important than the life of President David A. Granger.

Sincerely, Andrew Small

It is not too late to salvage this sad ...

From page 6 my letter dated and published need to be taken seriously by GECOM and the contesting political parties.

As a concerned citizen, dipping your finger in the indelible ink provided by GECOM can literally be a cosmetic or if you prefer futile operation.We have known in certain areas, where the finger is not even really dipped.

Next, what scientific analysis we have to show that the ink supplied is the same throughout the country on Eday.Why House to House

registration was suspended is a great tragedy but that’s another matter and water under the bridge.

These Elections are too important for the nation to use a list that is clearly imperfect.

It is not too late to salvage this sad situation.

As an aside, I note that the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency met with a team from the Carter Centre and he assured them that the Government has made all financial resources to GECOM so that the latter can deliver credible elections.

However, I would have preferred for Mr. Harmon to remind the Carter Centre of the role they played in previous Elections and that he should have extracted from them an undertaking that their scrutiny would be fair and not encumbered by a philosophy, which characterized the Carter Centre of the late 80s and 90s.

I have publicly referred to this apparent philosophy and the Carter Centre operating out of Atlanta is aware of what I am talking about.

Hamilton Green

Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

Collision course for Guyanese man, US President, murdered woman, and New York New York (New York Daily News)- Immigrant groups are standing fast in their support of New York City’s sanctuary laws amid President Trump’s claim Tuesday that the laws led to the rape and murder of a 92-year-old Queens woman.

More than 120 groups signed a letter to Mayor de Blasio supporting the city’s detainer policies and slamming the criticism Trump delivered in his State of the Union speech.

“We are deeply distraught by the Trump administration’s efforts to exploit and politicize the tragic

death of Maria Fuertes,” the letter said.

“The administration’s repeated scapegoating of immigrants has alarmed communities across the country. It is clearly a coordinated attempt to divide communities while the President advances his antiimmigrant, hate-filled agenda.”

The letter’s signers — including the the Immigrant Defense Project, Make the Road New York, Safe Horizon and the Legal Aid Society — support city policy of not complying with U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers that request local law enforcement to turn over certain undocumented immigrants for deportation.

During his State of the Union address, Trump cited the brutal sexual assault and murder Jan. 6 of 92-year-old Queens resident Maria Fuertes.

Reeaz Khan, 21, an undocumented immigrant from Guyana who ICE sought to deport after a Nov. 2019 assault, is accused of sexually abusing and murdering Fuertes as she scavenged for

Killed: Maria Fuertes returnable bottles and cans in Richmond Hill.

Khan’s brother identified him as the suspect after a video of the incident was released by police.

“Just 29 days ago, a criminal alien freed by the sanctuary city of New York was charged with the brutal rape and murder of a 92-yearold woman,” Trump said.

“The killer had been previously arrested for assault, but under New York’s sanctuary policies, he was set free. If the city had honored ICE’s detainer request, his victim would be alive today.”

ICE officials said they targeted Khan for deportation following a Nov. 27 attack on his father with a broken coffee cup, but that they got the cold shoulder from the city because of its sanctuary policies.

Khan was free while awaiting trial in the coffee cup assault when he was busted in Fuerte’s murder.

A week after Fuertes died, ICE field office director for removal operations Thomas Decker slammed the city over its “deadly choice to release a man on an active ICE

Charged: Reeaz Khan

detainer back on the streets, and now he faces new charges, including murder.”

But Decker’s and Trump’s version of the story is incomplete — the NYPD has said it never received a detainer from ICE in the case.

“It’s a common tactic to exploit individual tragedies to attack policies regardless of the public safety data underlying them,” said Peter Markowitz, director of the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic at the Cardozo School of Law. “Thankfully New York City won’t be intimidated,” Markowitz said. “We’re used to Trump’s bluster. We’re used to ICE’s racist and xenophobic rhetoric and we’re unwavering in our support of immigrant communities.”

The city’s policy is not to approve ICE’s detainers or requests for notification from local law enforcement unless someone has been convicted — not just charged — of a serious or violent crime. Khan had only been charged with assault when ICE issued a detainer to the NYPD. “The detainer law helps

protect New Yorkers, including immigrants, by disentangling local policing from mass deportation,” said the immigrant groups’ letter to de Blasio.

Immigrant advocates say the city’s policy on detainers keeps New Yorkers safe by maintaining trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.

“If you have perception that the NYPD is partnering with ICE, that will scare people in immigrant communities from calling police. It makes communities less safe because then abusers are left to be free,” said Evangeline Chan, director of the Immigration Law Project for Safe Horizon.

“Local laws that center due process and trust, like New York’s, have proven to lead to low crime and increased public safety,” said Bitta Mostofi, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Mostofi said that in his speech, Trump showed he “continues to exploit tragic circumstances to intimidate cities and advance a xenophobic agenda.”

Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

Man who allegedly killed vagrants, deemed fit to stand trial Twenty-four-year-old Devon Johnson of Cummings Street, Bourda, Georgetown, who is charged for allegedly killing two vagrants last year on Regent Street, Georgetown, was yesterday deemed fit to undergo two Preliminary Inquiries for the murders.

When the matter was called before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, the police prosecutor informed the court that the psychiatric evaluation was completed and the defendant was deemed fit to stand trial.

Magistrate McLennan then adjourned the matter to February 13, for statements and disclosure.

Johnson made his first court appearance on December 4, 2019, before the Chief Magistrate when the two indictable charges were read to him.

The first charge stated that on November 11, 2019, at Regent Street, Georgetown, he murdered Andrew Benjamin, and the

second charge alleges that on the same date, and at the same location, he murdered Raymond Samaroo.

According to information, on the day in question around 02:30hrs, Benjamin was asleep on the pavement when a male individual, who was armed with a knife, approached him and dealt him several stab wounds about his body before making good his escape.

Benjamin was discovered lying in a pool of blood at the junction of Regent and Light Streets, Georgetown.

Later that day, about 21:30hrs, Samaroo was standing on the pavement by Household Plus when a man approached him, whipped out a knife and dealt him several stabs before making good his escape.

When Johnson, who investigations revealed was the suspect, was arrested, there were reports of him being mentally unsound.

However, based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, the defendant was charged for murder.

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

We’re not saying cancel deal with ExxonMobil; just give Guyana what it deserves - GW Senior Campaigner

By Kiana Wilburg

G

lobal Witness, an international orga nization that has fought against natural resource exploitation, poverty, and corruption since 1993, recently published a report c a l l e d “ S i g n e d Aw a y ” which has added more firewood to the heated debate on whether Guyana got a good deal with ExxonMobil for the oil-rich Stabroek Block.

In summary, Global Witness says its fiscal analysis shows that Guyana left US$55B on the table due to poor negotiations on the part of Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.

The non-governmental organization also believes that ExxonMobil had a role to play as it employed some strong-arm tactics.

Since being released for public consumption, the report has attracted concerns from many about the veracity of the inherent accusations and their real intentions, as well as scathing criticisms from the government.

To set the record straight, Jonathan Gant, Senior Campaigner for Oil, Gas and Mining at Global Witness took part in an interview on Kaieteur Radio’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You yesterday afternoon.

There, Gant explained that the main intention of the report was to determine whether the Guyana-ExxonMobil deal was any good, in Guyana’s best interest, and whether it was what the country de-

served. Gant acknowledged that even before Global Witness started its investigation back in May 2019, there were already concerns about the deal in the local media.

In this regard, the Senior Campaigner recalled that the local media would have exposed the fact that the contract was hidden for more than a year, that the US$18M signing bonus was shrouded in secrecy, and that there were concerns about possible corruption.

Gant said that the team at Global Witness started collecting evidence and upon examination of same, found that Guyana got a deal that was simply exploitative; hence the recommendation for a renegotiation was made.

Further to this, Gant noted that Open Oil was contracted to do a fiscal analysis, and the results showed that Guyana did leave US$55B on the table.

Gant said that the model used to compute this is free for anyone “to play with” while nothing that it is absolutely credible.

Based in Berlin, Open Oil is considered a leading provider of financial analysis and commercial advice to governments and other public entities around the world.

It also has extensive experience in advising on asset valuation, negotiations, fiscal regimes, auditing revenues and more.

Gant told Kaieteur Radio that with its ‘Signed Away’ report, Global Witness is not saying Guyana should kill its oil deal based on its

Senior Campaigner for Oil, Gas and Mining at Global Witness, Jonathan Gant findings. “ Guyana is not as developed as it wants to be.

(And) we do not have the right, as much as we have talked to many individuals, (to say) don’t take this oil. We are not saying that you should cancel the deal,” Gant said. He stressed however that Global Witness is simply recommending that the people did not get what they deserve.

CORRUPTION When asked to say if the investigations found any evidence of corruption where the deal is concerned, an emphatic “no” was Gant’s response.

He is of the view, however, that this is what makes this the story of the Exxon-

Guyana deal even more compelling and important.

Gant said that Global Witness does not necessarily believe this is a story of corrupt people, but rather, an aggressive company that rushed through a deal, meanwhile, officials who knew that they needed more information, acquired it, ignored it, and then rushed to close the deal just two days before the value of another oil discovery (Liza Two) was going to be made public.

“Why on earth would anybody sign away the country’s biggest asset before knowing the true value of it? That just strikes me as extraordinary,” the Senior Campaigner expressed.

With respect to criticisms that the report is baseless and full of sensationalism, Gant said, “I don’t believe the report is sensationalist. We found evidence and produced it!

We made nothing up. We aren’t allowed to do so, both professionally and legally...I think our evidence shows they (ExxonMobil) were aggressive and the US as partner has an influence (to push for the deal to be renegotiated)...”

As far as the criticism of timing is concerned, Gant said he appreciates that it is election season for Guyana, but there was no sinister motive behind the release of the document at this time.

Gant said, “We wanted to publish as soon as we could, because every day Exxon produces is a day that is going to make it harder for

renegotiation to happen, and the more and more they get entrenched, the lesser the interest will be from the government to change the terms, and the harder the fight from the companies against it will be.”

The Senior Campaigner added, “It is really hard to report on Exxon and big companies.

We have to write to them, give them weeks to respond, and go through a bunch of legal checks.”

Overall, Gant said he stands by the contents of the report, of which he was an instrumental part in putting together, while stating emphatically that there is evidence to support every accusation made.

(To hear a rebroadcast of this 55-minute interview, be sure to tune into Kaieteur Radio on Friday from 1 PM to 2PM and 8PM to 9PM; Saturday from 8AM to 9AM and 8 PM to 9 PM; and on Sunday from 8PM to 9PM. )

PAGE 34

Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

For the first time, a woman will start the Olympic torch relay Athens, Greece (AP) - For the first time, a woman has been chosen to launch the torch relay for the Tokyo Games at the birthplace of the ancient Olympics in Greece. Greece’s Olympic Committee said yesterday it has picked Rio shooting gold medalist Anna Korakaki as the first torchbearer following the flame-lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia on March 12.

The carefullychoreographed ceremony is led by an actress posing as an ancient Greek priestess who

lights the flame using a bowlshaped mirror to focus the heat of the sun’s rays on her torch.

She will then pass it on to Korakaki. The torch relay will course through Greece for a week before the flame is handed over to Tokyo organising officials at a ceremony in Athens.

The last torchbearer in Greece will also be a woman — Greece’s Katerina Stefanidi who won the pole vault at Rio. Greece’s national Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos said Korakaki’s selection was a “historic” moment.

Ramnarine leads Good Success to five-wicket win A fine all-round performance by Vickram Ramnarine guided Good Success to a five-wicket victory over Sans Souci Jaguars when the Wakenaam Cricket Committee/Bel Air Rubis/Trophy Stall T20 competition continued recently.

Ramnarine bagged five for 16 as Sans Souci Jaguars were bowled out for 119 in 18.4 overs, batting first at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground.

Zameer Zaman made 36 with four fours and three sixes

Friday February 07, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If something is bothering you today, Aries, consider talking with your mother or an older person you feel comfortable with.Draw some strength from this valuable resource by visiting or calling.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't fall into the "poor me" trap today. When things repeatedly don't go the way you want, or bad things happen to you, it can be very easy to fall into a victim mentality.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Try to make sure you get some quality time to yourself today, Gemini. Your nature is one that thrives on intense thought, creativity, sexuality, and emotion. Without adequate time alone in a space that’s comfortable for you.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today may be a good day for you to spend some time creating. While you may love sports, you also have an innate artistic streak. The joy of creating something is immeasurable, and the process of producing a finished product can be very enjoyable and therapeutic.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Make some plans to write a letter, send a greeting card, or put together a package for someone far away today, Leo. This can be a lot of fun to do, especially if the person on the receiving end isn't expecting anything from you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It's a good day for you to put some of those creative ideas to work, Virgo. Pull out your favorite craft supplies and have some fun exploring color and design.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Put some music on to get yourself going today, especially if you feel a little lonely. Music often has as strong an effect as conversation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It's a good day to pull out that shopping list, Scorpio.

Your ability to be thrifty and efficient will be strengthened at this time, so why not take advantage of it? Take a few minutes to look through recent flyers or gather coupons before heading out.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Chances are good that you'll be keeping yourself busy today, Sagittarius. The energetic aspects that are occurring can really have you raring to take on chores that need to be done.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Why not take some much deserved rest and relaxation today, Capricorn? After all, even you need to jump out of the rat race once in a while.

If there are some things you really need to care of AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You might get an unexpected visit today. And it's quite likely that it will be someone who really needs some comfort and support.

Whether you have a huge list of things you want to get done or just taking it easy, don't turn your friend away.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you might want to talk over any plans you have or would like to make with those you live with, Pisces.

If you live alone, there isn't much chance that your plans will affect anyone.

while Devon Ramrattan scored 22; Nazeer Mohamed took 2-16 to support Ramnarine.

Good Success responded with 122-5 in 19 overs. Imran Khan struck 43 while Ramnarine made 22; Chandreka Jairam took 2-3.

The semi finals will be contested on Sunday with Sans Souci facing Noitgedacht at 09:30hrs and Good Success playing Maria’s Pleasure at 13:30hrs.

BCB/RHTY&SC/ GBTI Region 6...

From page 37 Manchester High, Corentyne Comprehensive, J. C Chandisingh, Port Mourant, Lower Corentyne, Canje, New Amsterdam, Berbice Educational Institute and Tutorial Academy.

Foster disclosed that the date of birth cutoff date would be the 1st of September, 2001 while all players should be registered students of their respective schools with an attendance rate of 80 %. Captains are required to be at the venue at 09.45hrs for the spinning of the toss.

The BCB head is urging players to take advantage of this tournament and to perform well, so that the BCB Selection Committee can consider them for selection this year. Players the likes of Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Lucas Arthur, Jeremy Sandia, Gourav Ramesh, Kumar Deopersaud, Zeynul Ramsammy, Leon Cecil, Rampertab Ramnauth, Hemendra Gurdyal, Salim Khan, Vittore Latchman, Sanjay Algoo, Avishkar Persaud, Isiah Thorne and Abdul Ramsammy are expected to participate in the tournament.

RHTY&SC Cricket Manager expressed gratitude to GBTI for their continued investment in Berbice cricket and reassured that this 2nd BCB/RHTYSC/GBTI sponsored tournament would be a huge success.

Chairman of the BCB Competition Committee, Leslie Solomon spoke of the importance of cricket at the school level as the county seeks to identify new talent to uphold the rich tradition of the sport.

GBTI’s Port Mourant Branch Manager Mohamad Azim stated that the Bank strongly believes in fulfilling its corporate responsibilities and does so via several avenues including investment in sports, culture and education.

Pride vs Hurricanes West Indies C/Ship match postponed St John’s, Antigua – Due to an overnight break-in at the players pavilion at Warner Park, St. Kitts, the scheduled start of the Leewards Hurricanes vs Barbados Pride match in the fourth round of the West Indies Championship has been delayed by one day. The match will now start today at 10:00hrs (9:00hrs Jamaica Time).

Local hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes and the St. Kitts Cricket Association have confirmed to Cricket West Indies that local police

are investigating the matter and that all necessary steps are being taken to mitigate against such a situation recurring.

The delayed start to this fixture is not expected to have any significant impact on the ongoing series of matches across the region. The other matches ongoing in the fourth round are: Guyana Jaguars vs Jamaica Scorpions at Guyana National Stadium; Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at Windsor Park, Dominica.

Shaw and McCoy...

From page 35 result, Canada will face Costa Rica in the semifinals, while Mexico will meet the United States. It was a hard-fought start between the two teams, and in need of a spark, Canada turned to the international goal scoring record-maker herself, Christine Sinclair, who fired in her 186th national team goal with a rightfooted finish to make it 1-0 Canada in the 26’.

Canada looked to build off that momentum and just seconds before the halftime

whistle, Shelina Zadorsky snuck in a shot in the 45+1’ to double the lead 2-0.

Canada was also getting a strong performance at the other end, as GK Stephanie Labbe made a superb save from a Kiana Palacios shot in the 53’, followed by another key stop on a Daniela Espinosa effort in the 76’.

In the end, the Canadian defense kept Mexico at bay to record their third straight clean sheet victory and a date with the Ticas today.

Friday February 07, 2020

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Kaieteur News

U.S., Mexico hoping to punch ticket to Tokyo - Canada face Costa Rica Carson, California – Both the United States and Mexico will be looking to punch their ticket to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo when they meet in the semifinals of the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship tonight at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The U.S. could not have asked for a better group stage campaign, with three wins in three matches , 1 8 g o a l s scored and no goals allowed. Eight different players have found the back of the net for the reigning FIFA Women’s Wo r l d C u p c h ampions, including Lindsey Horan with five goals and Christen Press with four scores.

Mexico had a strong performance in the group stage as well, posting a 2W1L record thanks in large part to the three goals scored by

Renae Cuellar. Also standing out for El Tricolor is defensive midfielder Rebeca Bernal, who has helped limit Mexico’s opponents to just two goals.

There have been five previous CWOQ meetings between these two sides, including a memorable group stage affair in 2016 when Mexico went toe-to-toe with the U.S. before narrowly falling 1-0.

Canada face Costa Rica A berth in the 2020 Summer Olympics will be on the line when Canada and Costa Rica square off in the semifinals of the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship tonight at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Canada arrive into the encounter in high spirits after an impeccable group stage campaign in which they not only won all three matches,

but outscored opponents 220. Jordyn Huitema and Adriana Leon have been leading the way for the Canadians, with six and four goals, respectively.

Not to be discounted is the record-maker herself, Christine Sinclair, who set the all-time international scoring mark in the 11-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis and now has 186 international goals to her name. Sinclair has four career goals in the CWOQ semifinals, and will be called upon to deliver again against the Ticas.

Costa Rica have enjoyed a strong tournament themselves, with a 2W-1L record. Raquel Rodriguez leads the side in scoring with three goals, while Melissa Herrera has two.

Today’s contest marks the sixth CWOQ meeting between the two nations, with Canada having won all the previous five, including a 3-1 win in the 2016 semifinals.

Gianna Bryant’s basketball jersey retired by school

Gianna Bryant’s basketball coach said she was the ‘heart and soul’ of the school’s team.

BBCsport - Gianna Bryant’s school has retired her number two basketball jersey in a special ceremony.

Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash alongside her father, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, and seven other people on 26 January, was described as the “heart and soul” of Harbor Day School’s basketball team.

During the ceremony, which included emotional speeches from her teachers, fellow students and coaches, it was announced the framed number two jersey with Gianna’s name on the back would be displayed on the wall of the school gym to ‘inspire’ others.

Vanessa Bryant, Gianna’s mum, and Kobe’s wife, shared photos and videos of the event on Instagram, posting moments to followers

throughout the night. “My Gigi. I love you! I miss you.

You’ve taught us all that no act of kindness is ever too small. Mommy is still and will ALWAYS be so proud of you mamacita.”

“She will be the last person to wear the number two for a Seahawks basketball team,” a member of staff at Harbor Day School said during the ceremony.

“We hope when you look at her jersey hanging in our gym, you will remember Gianna and be inspired to work hard and be passionate about whatever your interest is.

“I hope that seeing Gianna’s jersey will inspire you to keep alive Gianna’s unique ability to recognise when a friend is having a difficult day, and share a kind word with them, giving them a hug or a smile, and let them

know that you care, just like Gianna would.

“We love you, Gianna, and you will always be in our hearts.” Yunga Webb, a teacher at the school, said: “[Gianna] was one of the most humble people I’ve ever known, and that says a lot about her character.

“Her presence is greatly missed, she elevated the eighth-grade class. She makes us better. She made us better and she makes us better. “She was strong, she was a leader.” Webb added she helps keep Gianna’s memory alive by continuing to call her name on the register.

“We call her name. And when we call her name, I hear 40-plus kids say, ‘here,’ in honour of her. Because she’s always with us. Let’s be better because of her, she was our example.”

Jacqueline Ovalle- Mexico

Jessica McDonald - USA

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Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

“We’re ready to compete at the U-20 Men’s C/ship” After four weeks of training, Head Coach of the National U20 Men’s team Wayne Dover said Guyana is ready to compete at the Concacaf U20 Men’s Championship Qualifiers scheduled for Nicaragua from February 15 – 23, 2020.

Guyana has been drawn in Group A along with St. Vincent and The Grendadines, Montserrat, US Virgin Islands and host, Nicaragua.

“The National U-20 Team has been engaged in intense

preparation for the CONCACAF Men’s U-20 World Cup Qualifiers this month and as such is ready to compete,” said Dover in an invited comment. “Despite the expected competitive nature of the group, I’m optimistic we could qualify out of this group.”

Guyana has had a total of 25 players engaged in weekly sessions at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence, with some joint sessions with the Senior Men’s National Team: “The training has been

good since we started.

There were a couple of sessions that were merged with the senior national team, and Head Coach Márcio Máximo took charge of those sessions with assistance from me and other U-20 staff members. There was a big effort to focus on team organization, how to attack, and how to defend.”

Meanwhile, the final squad will be shortlisted to 20 players and named in the coming days.

The 2020 edition of the

men’s world cup qualifying competition will be disputed in three stages, beginning with the qualifiers. For the qualifiers, the 17 participating teams (ranked from 17-41, according to the Concacaf Under-20 Ranking as of June 2019 were divided into three groups of four teams and one group of five teams.

The groups for the firstround qualifying stage are as follows (listed in the order drawn): Group A: Nicaragua (ranked 20), Guyana (ranked 25), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (ranked 28), Montserrat (ranked 41) and US Virgin Islands, ranked 33rd.

Group B: Dominican Republic (17th), Grenada (24th), Dominica (26th) and Anguilla (36th).

Group C: Curacao (19th), Guadeloupe (22nd), Belize (30th) and Saint Martin (32nd).

Group D: Bermuda (18th),

Puerto Rico (21st), Cayman Islands (27th) and Barbados (31st).

After round-robin play, the top finisher in each of the groups will advance directly to the knockout stage of the competition (third round).

The second round of the competition will also be played in a groups format, between the top ranked 16 participating teams (according to the Concacaf Under-20 Rankingas of June 2019). For this round, the teams have been divided into four groups of four.

The groups for the second-round group stage are as follows (listed in the order drawn): Group E: United States (1st), Costa Rica (5th), Jamaica (12th) and Saint Kitts and Nevis (15th).

Group F: Mexico (2nd), El Salvador (6th), Canada (9th) and Aruba (16th).

Group G: Panama (3rd), Haiti (8th), Trinidad and

- Head Coach Wayne Dover Tobago (10th) and Suriname (14th).

Group H: Honduras (4th), Cuba (7th), Guatemala (11th) and Antigua and Barbuda (13th).

After round robin play, the top three finishers of each group will advance to the knockout stage of the competition. The knockout stage of the competition (round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal and final) will be played in June of 2020, at yet to be announced host country.

The match schedule for Guyana is as follows: MATCH 1: 15th February @ 17:30hrs – Guyana vs Montserrat MATCH 2: 17th February @ 17:30hrs – St. Vincent & The Grenadines vs Guyana MATCH 3: 21st February @ 20:30hrs – US Virgin Islands vs Guyana MATCH 4: 23rd February @ 20:30hrs – Nicaragua vs Guyana

West Indies aiming to end ICC U-19 World Cup with 5th place finish Benoni, South Africa – The West Indies Under-19 are aiming to finish in fifth spot and record their second tournament victory over Australia in the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The two sides will clash in the fifth place play-off at Willowmore Park Main Oval today, 10:00hrs local time (04:00hrs Eastern Caribbean Time/03:00hrs Jamaica Time).

This is the second they will meet in this tournament – earlier West Indies beat the Aussies by three wickets in the opening round match at Diamond Oval in Kimberley.

“We want to finish as high up the rankings as we can to reinforce the positive impact the West Indies team has had on this tournament, the wins against England and Australia showcased the great potential and talent that the squad possesses”, said West Indies Head Coach Graeme West.

“It’s important we finish

the tournament on a high, the side showed great resilience on Saturday to beat the host nation South Africa and set up a second meeting with Australia. This will be another great test for the group and a final opportunity to demonstrate the learning and progression that has taken place in the last two months.”

A victory over Australia will see West Indies finish the tournament with five wins.

Currently only defending champions and finalists India can end the tournament with more victories than five and this is a highly motivating factor for coach West and the young West Indies unit ahead of this final game.

The West Indies only defeat came at the hands of New Zealand in a closefought quarter-final. West Indies have seen several outstanding performances during the tournament. The leading batsman so far is Kevlon Anderson with 162 runs (average 40.50) followed

GIT softball tourney bowls off March 15 The Guyana Islamic Trust Youth Department Inter Jamaat softball competition is set to commence on March 15. Entries will be closed on March 8 and teams can contact Bro. Ahmad on 608 9310 or Bro. Qadir on 6996793 for registration.

The organisation will also be hosting a table tennis competition on March 15 at Guyana Islamic Institute, Zeeburg, trophies would be up for grabs.

by skipper Kimani Melius and left-hander Kirk McKenzie with 142 runs each.

McKenzie’s 99 against New Zealand is the highest individual score so far.

The leading wicket-taker is left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd, who has been a stand out performer with ten wickets at an average of just 12.40 runs per wicket.

Fast bowler Jayden Seales has also been impressive with nine wickets (average 15.22) and has consistently topped speeds of 90 miles per hour.

The leading allrounder is Nyeem Young with 140 runs, including two half-centuries and seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul. He was named Player-of-the-Match on two occasions in the group stage against Australia and England.

During the 2018 tournament West Indies lost the plate championship final to Sri Lanka, finishing in 10th position.

This led to the team being placed in the same group with higher ranked Australia and England for the 2020 edition.

A victory will result in the team finishing fifth instead of sixth with a defeat.

That would place the West Indies in an ideal position to have a favourable group, which will benefit the next crop of Under-19 players in the 2022 tournament being hosted in the West Indies.

Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 37

Mahmudul Hasan Joy 100 powers Bangladesh to maiden World Cup final ESPNcricinfo Mahmudul Hasan Joy ended his run of poor scores with his fourth Youth ODI century to secure Bangladesh’s maiden World Cup final across levels and genders for the Under-19 tournament against India on Sunday.

Joy’s hundred helped Bangladesh chase down 212 with six wickets in hand and nearly six overs to spare, after the bowlers restricted New Zealand to 211 for 8 in Potchefstroom. Joy had a best score of 38* in his last eight innings and the early departure of Bangladesh’s openers yesterday didn’t make things any easier for him.

He still anchored the chase by striking 13 fours in his 127-ball innings of 100 and was assisted by No. 4 Towhid Hridoy, who made a brisk 47-ball 40, and the No. 5 Shahadat Hossain, who stayed unbeaten on 40.

Captain Akbar Ali scored the winning runs with a drive past mid-on in front of a sizeable Bangladesh-supporting crowd that had come from cities near and far.

That Bangladesh chased a total under 250 was courtesy of their all-round bowling performance that continuously pegged New Zealand’s scoring rate. Asked to bat, New Zealand struggled with their tempo and if it wasn’t for Beckham Wheeler-Greenall’s 83-ball 75, they would have finished with a much smaller total, having

been reduced to 142 for 6 at one point.

Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam took 3 for 45, right-arm quick Shamim Hossain ended with 2 for 31 and left-arm orthodox spinner Hasan Murad finished with 2 for 34 under overcast conditions in the morning.

The sun then baked the Senwes Park deck as the chase began, making batting much easier. Joy and Hridoy added 68 for the third wicket to take Bangladesh to 100.

Once Hridoy was stumped off Adithya Ashok, Joy dominated a 101-run stand with Shahadat to take Bangladesh past 200. He reached his hundred by sweeping Jesse Tashkoff for four in the 43rd over but fell on the very next delivery by handing a return catch to the bowler. Only 11 runs were left for Bangladesh then, and Ali finished the chase to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Ali pumped his fist after hitting the winning runs while his team-mates from the dugout ran onto the field with the green-and-red Bangladesh flag to spark the celebrations off. Bangladesh began their choke of New Zealand’s batting right from the first over when Shoriful began the day with a maiden.

The following over from Shamim yielded the wicket of opener Rhys Mariu, who edged a drive to slip. Rakibul Hasan then removed the other opener, Ollie White, who edged a drive to the

wicketkeeper in the 12th over.

While the third-wicket partnership lasted nine overs, New Zealand added only 28 runs in that period, after which Fergus Lellman and Tashkoff fell in quick succession, leaving them at 74 for 4 in the 26th over.

Wheeler-Greenall then turned aggressive after a sedate start to push New Zealand towards a respectable total, but wickets around him forced him to rein his stroke-play on some occasions.

He reached his second fifty of the tournament - by hitting two fours off Murad in the 44th over, and helped New Zealand collect 19 in the last over to stretch the score past 200. Wheeler-Greenall was a class apart on the day.

He scored his 75 runs at a strike rate of 90.36, while the other nine batsmen scored their 122 runs at a strike rate of 56.

“The toss played a big role today,” New Zealand coach Paul Wiseman said after the game. “Bangladesh had a good start with the seamers. The spinners got the ball to grip, and after that, we were always scrambling.

“When we were 75 for 4, we would’ve probably taken 210-220. But obviously fantastic effort from the Bangladesh batsmen. [A] very mature innings by the centurion; he played us with ease. That took the game away from us.” New Zealand now faces Pakistan in the third-place playoff tomorrow.

Shaw and McCoy braces help Jamaica make history Edinburg, Texas – Khadija Shaw and Kayla McCoy each scored a brace to help Jamaica end their 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship on a high note with a 7-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday night at HEB Park in Edinburg, Texas.

For Jamaica, it was a historic night as they earned their first ever CWOQ victory. Shaw’s thumping header in the 38’ got Jamaica going with a 1-0 lead, and two minutes later the lead was doubled, 2-0, with a right-footed finish from Tiffany Cameron.

Havana Solaun increased it to 3-0 in the 51’ when she slipped in a free kick, before Shaw had her second with a right-footed strike for a 4-0 lead in the 57’.

Trudi Carter’s penalty conversion in the 68’ extended the lead to 6-0, followed by McCoy’s first in

Khadija Shaw (left) scored a brace for Jamaica in their 7-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Photo: Concacaf.com). the 70’ to make it 7-0.

Saint Kitts and Nevis GK Quinn Josiah was also providing some highlights, including a stop from a Shaw attempt on goal from pointblank range. McCoy would then complete the evening with the seventh and final goal in the 85’ to seal the three points for the Reggae Girlz.

Canada down Mexico to claim Group B Canada scored twice in the first half to down Mexico 2-0 and earn a first-place finish in Group B of the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship on Tuesday at HEB Park in Edinburg, Texas. With the (Continued on page 32)

Bangladesh U-19 beat New Zealand U-19 by six wickets.

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Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

Investors committed to contributing to sports development A number of investors who are in Guyana to begin rolling out a number of investment projects, have given the assurance that they are committed to sports development as part of their giving back to this country.

This was the disclosure made by President of

Caribbean Marketing Enterprises Inc. (CMEI), Edmond Braithwaite who said that recognising Guyana is an ideal country for foreign investment his team have already examined a number of ways in how they can give back to the country that they will be investing in.

He noted that this formula is what they have used successfully in several other countries.

He revealed that in a meeting with Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan they gave the commitment to aiding in a number of areas with sports and community

development.

He revealed that one of the investors on the team is a passionate tennis player and they have already spoken, noting that the investor is prepared to return later this year to aid with tennis development.

“One of the investors on the team is a major, passionate tennis fanatic and follower and he has already given the commitment that he will return to contribute to tennis in a major way as he wants to contribute significantly in this area.

Braithwaite said to me that he wants to return to see the level and quality of tennis being played here so that he can see how he can assist and contribute in a meaningful way, as he is committed to lifting them to world standards.

Further, he wants to help the players here to reach international stage,” he said.

He continued, “I would like to add that tennis is not the only area that we would be giving back to as we would be investing and contributing to sports development in a meaningful way as we would not be seeking to take from this country only but rather to give back to the community as we see it as an excellent public private partnership, relationship.”

Braithwaite stressed that he would like to see this approach being taken by returning nationals and Guyanese in the Diaspora, stating that while some may not be able to bring investment back home, they can contribute to national development through their skills and talent; reminding

Richard Adler - US Investor that Guyanese at home has raw talent and if they are given an opportunity to be equipped with the right skills and techniques, they can exploit a number of sporting disciplines both regionally and internationally.

“We have talented sportsmen and women however many of them are forced to abort their dreams because of finances and that is where a number of returning nationals and Guyanese in the Diaspora can play an important role as they can provide the required funding and finances so that our youths can achieve their set dreams.

I therefore urge them to not feel that your contribution is insignificant in any way because irrespective of how small it may appear you can still play a critical role in

advancing the development of someone’s career here.

Sports is important to many Guyanese and I would like to see more of our Guyanese living in the Diaspora contributing,” he urged.

The Caribbean Marketing Enterprise Inc. President declared that as a Guyanese who have spent the last 40 odd years of his life out of this country he is determined, committed and dedicated to ensuring that as President of this very powerful investment group that resources would be set aside to aid in sporting development in several communities within Guyana.

He identified Berbice, Linden and West Demerara as some of the initial communities that they would seek to focus upon, while executing their investments.

Trophy Stall Doubles Tournament

Leyland Leacock & Jordan Beaton win Men’s title The annual Trophy Stall Doubles tournament which climaxed on We d n e s d a y e v e n i n g l a s t a t t h e L e Resouvenir Tennis Court, East Coast of Demerara, saw Leyland Leacock/Jordan Beaton beating Sandeep Chand/Andre Lopes in a riveting three-set battle with lasted for almost two hours.

Leacock, one of three Coaches participating in the final, copped his second title after winning the Men’s Over-35 title over the weekend.

His younger partner, Beaton played a well calculated game and hit some powerhouse shots which kept their experienced opponents at bay, especially in the first set.

The match was tied at 2-2 before Leacock/ Beaton secured a break which they consolidated into a 4-2 lead. Chand/Lopes broke serve to come within 4-3 and 40-0 before losing the next 4 points to surrender the game and eventually the set, 6-3.

The second set also proved to be a close encounter, with Lopes/Chand switching up tactics and the pace of the game. The pair forced a third set after securing a break at 44 after which Chand served out the set at love to win 6-4.

The super tiebreak decider was an up and down affair with Chand/Lopes riding the momentum to go ahead 4-1 before the score tied up at 6 all.

Good serving by Leacock and a perfectly placed lob shot by Beaton then allowed the eventual winners to take the title 10-6. The tournament began last Saturday, continued on Sunday and concluded on Wednesday (Sean Devers) Final results are as follows: Men’s Doubles - Winners: Leyland Leacock / Jordan Beaton; Runners-up: Andre Lopes / Sandeep Chand.

Mixed Doubles - Winners: Ronald Murray / Fiona Bushell; Runners-up: Kristian Jeffrey / Nicolette Fernandes.

Men’s 35 Doubles - Winners: Leyland Leacock / Ronald Murray; Runners-up: Andre Lopes / Sandeep Chand.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

PAGE 39

Coach Education Manager Chris Brabazon (left) and Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams with the coaches following the session.

CWI Coach Education Programme seeks to develop world class players

By Zaheer Mohamed With the aim of improving coaching at all levels throughout the Caribbean, so as to produce world class cricketers who will be consistently successful at the international level, Cricket West Indies (CWI) new Coach Education Manager, Chris Brabazon and Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams held their first interactive session with coaches at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, yesterday.

The session was designed to gain feedback from the regional pathway coaches in relation to the challenges they face in executing their duties and to understand how CWI can render assistance to the coaches so they can work

together within the new Coach Education Programme.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport following the session, Brabazon who has worked full time for 15 years with the Western Australian Cricket Association said he was pleased with the programme. He added that the coaches are passionate about the game and they are willing to play their role in helping to develop world class players.

“The session was really good, it comes on the back of the forum we held in Antigua last week for the franchise coaches. I think the level of passion was good, it is great to see that people are so open to sharing what’s working really well and present some of the opportunities that we

can expand on and help them to play a vital role for cricket in the West Indies.

I am satisfied with some of the ideas that were presented. In our effort to produce world class players, everyone is really committed to joining in and play their part. We want to have a really sustainable success for the West Indies team,” he posited.

Brabazon stated that the some of the challenges around the Caribbean may be slightly different, but remains positive that the coaches can work together.

“Generally speaking it is about finding a common ground. What are the big issues and as a national body how we can help it without over promising. This engagement is to find out

from the coaches how we can help them play their role rather than developing a system that may not be applicable for everyone. The feeling that they want to contribute to something bigger is really exciting,” he said.

The new Coach Education Manager stated that he is very lucky to be part of this journey. “To have past players and legends of West Indies cricket being able to share really valuable inserts is going to help me in my role. To have access to these players is really fantastic and I am looking forward to repay the favour being granted to me.”

Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams indicated that he is happy with the turn out: “We have quite a few

GBTI’s Naveta Narain hands over sponsorship BCB’s Leslie Solomon in the presence of others

BCB/RHTY&SC/GBTI Region 6 Inter Sec. Sch. 30-overs Tourney Launched Secondary School students in Region 6 would once again be given the opportunity to showcase they cricketing skills as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Friday last joined hands with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI to launch an Under19 30-overs tournament.

A total of 17 Secondary Schools in Region 6 would be involved in the

tournament. According to a press release, the relationship between RHTY&SC and GBTI has been ongoing for several years but this tournament would be the second with the BCB. Hilbert Foster, BCB President who is also RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO informed that GBTI’s support has played a major role in the development of youth cricket. For the first five years, the GBTI

tournament was played for schools in the Lower Corentyne but was expanded to include schools in Region 6 in 2019.

J. C. Chandisingh Secondary defeated Berbice High School in the 2019 final at the Area H Ground.

The participating schools this year are Line Path, Skeldon High, Tagore Memorial, Black Bush, Central Corentyne, Winifred Gaskin Memorial, (Continued on page 32)

Guyanese coaches who are involved in the coaching pathway and they came here willing to share their experiences, and when we multiply this with the rest of the Caribbean we are hoping to have a strong level of information that we can use to develop a coaching education platform that can be helpful throughout the region. Also, it is leaving with them a message of alignment that we want to have all our regional coaches functioning off the same page.”

Adams noted that there are a number of challenges faced by coaches. “There are challenges that are being faced by coaches throughout the region like facilities and equipment, I have no doubt that as we go around the Caribbean we will encounter a few more, but we have to work together to see how best we can assist in these areas,” the former West Indies Captain pointed out.

“The fact of the matter is to get a message to our top players at the junior level we have to work with our coaches so we have to meet with them at a point where they can function because there is no sense asking for an objective to be met when

people don’t have the tools to meet those objectives. We have taken it very seriously, we have asked for feedback because we want to see where we can help in these areas.”

He added that facilities are a region wide issue for both players and coaches.

“We appreciate that it is a priority because everywhere we go we get some of the same responses. Once we collect this information we have to see what action can be taken going forward and work together with the territorial boards to help in these areas, we cannot ignore it because it is affecting coaches.”

Adams said that it is really exciting to see the coaches have the passion and love for the game and players and the willingness to stick it out to keep improving. “This means we have the raw material which is the main ingredients for success in terms of coaching pathway. We have the potential for creating a climate where we can really develop world class players,” he stated.

The duo will also visit the other territories in the Caribbean for similar engagements.

PAGE 40

Regional Four-day C/Ship

Jermaine Blackwood … top-scored with 81.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 07, 2020

Jamaica fall for 187 despite Blackwood’s 81; Permaul bags 4-34 as Guyana reach 17-0

By Sean Devers A responsible 81 from 28-year-old Jermaine Blackwood and a four wicket haul from 30-year-old leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul highlighted the opening day of the fourth round CWI’s Regional fourday tournament between Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions at Providence yesterday.

Blackwood batted for 203 minutes, faced 185 balls and reached the boundary 10 times in his 81 and added 77 for the fourth wicket with Nkrumah Bonnar who made 29 from 77 balls with five fours.

But only Denis Smith (18) and Derval Green unbeaten on 16, of the other batsmen reached double figures as Jamaica slumped

from 164-4 to 177 all out.

Permaul had 4-34 and was supported Chris Barnwell (2-16) and Nial Smith (250).

Guyana were 17 without loss from eight overs by the close, Chanderpaul Hemraj on 13 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul on four with the five-time defending champs 171 runs away from a first innings lead.

Earlier, Jamaica elected to bat on a track with not much bounce and a less than immaculate outfield and playing before a small gathering in sunny conditions, the left-handed pair of John Campbell and Guyanese Assad Fudadin batted for 32 minutes before Fudadin was bowled for three at 8-1 in the seventh over.

Fudadin got one from 20year-old off-spinner Kevin Sinclair, bowling from round the wicket, that pitched on middle stump, spun a bit and kept low to hit the middle of off-stump. In the next over, without addition to the score, Campbell (5) was LBW to left arm seamer Raymon Reifer, back in the side after missing the last round due to a concussion sustained in the second round in Barbados when he was hit on his helmet while batting.

Blackwood, who played 28 Tests, was off to sedate start and along Paul Palmer carried their team to 47-2 in 120 minutes at Lunch. In the first over after Lunch Palmer was clean bowled by the genuinely quick Smith, who is getting fitter and stronger as his short career progresses. Palmer’s demise

for 15 left Jamaica on 48-3.

Bonner and Blackwood consolidated the position with responsible batting before Blackwood reached his 37th First-Class fifty from 135 balls, 176 minutes with six boundaries. The pair continued to pick the gaps to post the 100 just before Tea and at the break, the team from the land of Wood and Water, were 117-3.

After the break, Bonner edged Barnwell to wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble for the first of his four catches and Jamaica were 124-4 in the 58th over as a partnership which was beginning to look ominous was broken.

Blackwood, in his 97th First-Class game, was bowled by the experienced Permaul at 164-5 to trigger a dramatic collapse as the last six wickets tumbled for 23 runs. Permaul removed Blackwood, Smith (18) and Pete Salmon (0) in the space of a runs to leave the visitors on 165-7.

Barnwell struck twice in quick succession before Permaul trapped last man Patrick Harty (2) LBW wrap up the innings. Today is the second day and play is scheduled to commence at 09:30 hrs.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, sent in by Windward Islands Volcanoes, reached 232 for two at the close on the opening day of their fourth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at Windsor Park.

Scores: Red Force 232 for two (Jason Mohammed 85 not out, Yannick Ottley 84 not out) vs Volcanoes.

Veerasammy Permaul

Friday February 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 41

6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge

Guyana Fitness Games places a high premium on Judges Preparedness – Mc Donald

K

nowledge of the sport and the intricacies of judging are vital for the smooth administering of the event to the extent that the organisers of the Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware Caribbean Fitness Challenge have pulled out all the stops to ensure a flawless run competition on Sunday at the National Park Tarmac.

This sixth edition of the competition would be the biggest to date in every regard, more overseas athletes and the biggest prize monies ever, among other things.

Representative of the Organisng Committee, Jamie McDonald informed that from the onset of the competition six years ago, they have always recognised

the importance of exhaustively training their judges.

“For a crossfit competition to be successful, you judges that are knowledgeable with all of the movements and are able to recognise and take action, all in real time based on the movements that are coming for the various workouts to show up in these competitions. So we knew early on that we had to put a lot of time in to ensuring that the judges were up to date with what is required of them.”

Ty p i c a l l y, G u y a n a Fitness Games would have judges training and meetings six Sunday’s prior to competition and every Sunday thereafter to ensure that they are adequately prepared to perform at the

highest level when it comes to judging the workouts on competition day.

“On top of this, in the past couple of years, we’ve required that our judges go on crossfit.com and write the official judges course which certifies that they are an official crossfit judge and this adds another layer of validity to our whole operation. This certification has to be renewed every year.”

McDonald, himself a certified Crossfit judge and the holder of a Level 1Crossift Certificate which has to be renewed every five years (recently renewed), also informed that judges will know the set up of what movements and workouts are going to be coming.

“They’re not usually fed all of the information

Crossfit Judges during one of their many training sessions. because we still try to keep everything as secret as possible up until competition day.

H o w e v e r, t h e movements that are going to come, we usually would go over these with the judges as well as points of performance so that they know what to expect and know how to call them in real time when they show up.”

Mc Donald also noted that the pool of judges that they have, has been around for a number of years which means they are an experienced bunch.

“So we are very proud of the stable of judges that we’ve been able to accumulate over the years.

It’s not just the training session we do, it’s all of the years of experience of

judging at these competitions that is increasingly making this judges pool we have better every single year.

So that’s why I think for the 6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge, we’re going to have the best set of judges and highest level of judging that we’ve ever had because we just keep getting better every year.”

Mahmudul Hasan Joy of Bangladesh plays a shot. ICC

rt Spo

West Indies aiming to end ICC U-19 World Cup with 5th place finish Aiming to end on a high.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy 100 powers Bangladesh to maiden World Cup final

For the first time, a woman will start the Olympic torch relay

“We’re ready to compete at the U-20 Men’s C/ship” - Head Coach Wayne Dover

Men’s Doubles champions, Leyland Leacock (left) Jordan Beaton.

National U-20 players during one of their training sessions at the GFF Training Facility, Providence, EBD.

BCB/RHTY&SC/GBTI Region 6 Inter Sec. Sch. 30-overs Tourney Launched

Regional Four-day C/Ship

Jamaica fall for 187 despite Blackwood’s 81; Permaul bags 4-34 as Guyana reach 17-0

Trophy Stall Doubles Tournament

Leyland Leacock & Jordan Beaton win Men’s title

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