Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 12, 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
A developing airport category As shared by this paper on January 30, Guyana is almost within reach of attaining coveted Category 1 rating in its aviation sector. If and when realised, this would be most commendable and also tangibly meaningful to flying customers for the promises that such an achievement would hold. Category 1 approval would be timely and could do a lot to lift up a sector that has been held to ransom for a long time by regional airline brethren, one of which operated as a virtually unchallenged monopoly for over decades. Should this status be awarded, then paying Guyanese travelers may no longer experience situations of being on the receiving end of disdain, discourtesy, and the discomfiting from airline personnel and practices that leave them feeling like unwanted presences or to push matters to the brink, like inanimate items of cargo. Already there is American Airlines, and on the calendar from as early as next month, Eastern and Jet Blue are poised to ply the tropical route on the Tradewinds. United Airlines and others may join the rush. The skies over Guyana could get crowded quickly. It is hoped that we have seen the last of those under the boardwalk Guyanese hustlers, who (like political parties) climb out of unknown caves and come stealthily forward to promise much and deliver nothing but grief and frustration. If new and more reputable airlines answer the call of the burgeoning and miracle growing Guyanese oil oasis, then CJIA and Timehri and the East Bank Demerara roadway would prove to be inadequate to handle the potential flight traffic that comes to test and exploit the lucrative oil opportunities. Partnerships were hammered out between Delta (once here) and other giants of the industry to build their own terminals at JFK and other places, with the appropriate incentives offered and attractive to both sides at the table of bargaining. The airlines and flyers would proliferate and so, too, must our capacity to absorb the flow that is sure to land in search of this new El Dorado, no longer imagined, but real and brimming with potential for palpable prosperity. It is not too early to start talking of a new airport, in conjunction with the one at Timehri. It may be sensible and practical to appreciate and acknowledge that what we have currently may be unable to handle a thousand more passengers on a daily basis and for years to come. This is tendered, notwithstanding existing spare space and capacity, at the CJIA site. It is not anticipated to be enough. In addition, it would be necessary to diversify the air traffic away from Timehri, rather than consolidate and pack more into that seemingly tight space. This makes sense for safety, convenience, and overall airport ambience. Without a doubt, this would also call for a surrounding supporting infrastructure network of roads and room that are outside of clustered population centers, while still serving them. This is money on a grand scale, but with some vision and initiative, we could embark on engagements that entice others to spend theirs upfront if they want to get a sweet piece of the rich, local action. Category 1 approval could attract the ‘big boys’ of the sky. We say let them come but let them come with the understanding and condition that their wallets are opened and so, too, are their plans to bond with us in true partnership. The hard and harsh lessons of ExxonMobil stand as precedent that must not be repeated. Those who come to capitalise on our newfound wealth, and the opportunities that derive from them, must come prepared to give something to this country. They will be given warm welcome and customary hospitality, but it is a two-way street that has to be navigated carefully and skillfully by both sides. That bitter and empty taste from before (oil agreement) must be a thing of the past. We need and want partners in the aviation sector, and we open our doors to them.
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.
Elections Day procedures… An open letter to all Guyanese and foreign observers DEAR EDITOR, This is an open letter to all Guyanese and foreign observers concerned about the need for free and fair elections and the connected welfare of our nation. Observers not intimately familiar with Guyana’s electoral process may not grasp the disconnection with the Laws of the Land, procedures of GECOM, and the actualities that obtain on Election Day. At the urging of party officials, persons gather outside of polling stations to intimidate voters, and while this is clearly against the law, it often occurs without strong
police response. GECOM staff will often ignore the manual of procedures and not recognize the right of party polling agents to be placed in polling stations; GECOM staff try and (sometimes) succeed in ejecting party polling agents during the counting process; GECOM Presiding Officers will often not allow party polling agents to place seals on envelopes as allowed for by Law. To add to the general confusion, uninformed commentators of the PNC Executive Committee continue to advance rhetoric
devoid of fact; seeking to distract from the very real concerns that need urgent attention. For the information of all concerned parties, here is an overview of what is prescribed in law and recommendations based on a review of the GECOM manual and practical experience as a party agent. We will assume the following; · Police protection is afforded each polling station all day (This is mandatory). · Counting in the polling station is over. · The statement of poll has been filled out by the
GECOM presiding officer and has been signed by all polling agents present. The Statement of Poll (SOP) 1. Two copies of the SOP are placed in envelopes for the Regional Returning Officer (and the Chief Election Officer). 2. Both of these envelopes will be affixed with GECOM and Party seals. 3. A copy of the SOP is given to each of the party polling agents present. 4. All materials are then packed into the clear plastic GECOM Ballot (Continued on page 28)
This misrepresentation is either deliberate or designed to create public mischief DEAR EDITOR, G AW U ’s G e n e r a l Secretary Seepaul Narine is being advised more pressing issues prevented a response earlier to his letter, “Lincoln, indeed these, as you put it, are ...the hard, cold facts” (KN, Jan 29, 2020). The central issue of this discussion on sugar (GuySuCo), including the well-being of the workers and their communities, had to do with the role being played by our political operatives, namely the Government and Opposition. Whereas it was made known it cannot be said the Government did a stellar job in handling the issue, but the role of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo as President and Leader of the Opposition - cannot be ignored, Seepaul seems discomfitted by the reference to the latter. The President and Leader of the Opposition are the nation’s premier political leaders and must be held to account for their performance. It was posited President Jagdeo failed to put systems in place to e n s u r e t h e i n d u s t r y ’s viability, estates were shuttered during his tenure, and money was squandered, as with the US$200-plus million Skeldon Estate factory and European Union (EU) funding for diversification. It was further said the present cries of the sugar workers did not see Jagdeo, as Leader of the Opposition, using his political privilege
and muscle to lay before the nation a plan on moving the industry forward and/or seeking engagement with the government on the workers’ welfare, including the challenges to secure pay increase over the past years. I have argued he has let down the workers, many of whom support the PPP. This is a record Seepaul doesn’t want to honestly discuss, and is seeking to mask by engaging in diversion, semantics and deception. Whereas he feels a political obligation to circle the wagon on the PPP/Jagdeo stewardship, I hold no such obligation. There is no need on my part to try to cover up, deny or exonerate any government or opposition. I am a trade unionist not a political activist or candidate, though my trade union interest may at times address matters of deep political concerns. It is unfortunate his political preference is guiding his response, whilst I acknowledge same. It is one thing to use adjectives in efforts to describe my understanding of issues or to marshall additional or alternative information to refute my contention, but quite another to seek to malign me by engaging in deception. I will not tolerate it. The same nonsense was done in his initial response, where he sought to misrepresent my contention that “It is not being said that the Coalition Government has done a
stellar job in handling the sugar industry” (KN, Jan 12, 2019). Seepaul interpreted that to mean “We [GAWU] had to wonder where or what is this stellar job Mr Lewis speaks about” (KN, Jan 15, 2020). I corrected the misrepresentation, thinking it was an oversight, but it is evident the deception is either deliberate or designed to create public mischief. I won’t doubt it is the latter. I never “question where it is said that the World Bank gave approval for Skeldon.” It was made known the role of the World Bank is to propose/recommend and it is left up to the country to accept. With regards to the bond issue, I am fully aware of the conditions under which it was secured, and contrary to Seepaul’s view, I am not “confused” neither what I said on this matter is “not true.” Had he valued the totality of the article he selectively quoted excerpts from, it would have been hard to ignore where it is stated:“According to the Trust Deed signed on May 24, 2018 between NICIL and the H a n d i n H a n d Tr u s t Corporation Inc., ‘the net proceeds from the issue of the Bonds shall be applied exclusively by the Company towards financing of the G u y a n a S u g a r Corporation’s long-term project and capital expenditure to acquire two co-generation plants, to upgrade existing factories to produce plantation white
sugar, to build storage and packing facilities, as well as to contribute for two years towards general ongoing operational costs’” (GuySuCo receives $7.4B from $30B bond - 4th June 2019). General operational cost - note the two years stipulation - means all factors involved in day-today production. On the issue of wages, the management will be expected where there is an increase, which will become a fixed cost, to make sure a mechanism is put in place to sustain it. The context where Seepaul is arguing the bond be used for wages, is as though the money can just be taken out and go towards this without a plan, which is a stipulated condition for drawing down. He wants the bond which is investors’ money to be run the same way the PPP government managed the EU funding for diversification, which was to do whatever you want with it. It cannot happen so. Lastly, it should be said since my last letter the media reported the sugar unions and GuySuCo management have struck an agreement for wage increase through the acceptable process of c o l l e c t i v e b a rg a i n i n g . Indeed, this is testimony of persistency and proof that nothing is given to workers, they have to struggle to achieve better conditions of work, regardless of which party/group is in office. Lincoln Lewis
Wednesday February 12, 2020
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Is Education in Guyana in the Emergency Room? DEAR EDITOR, Teachers will always represent a significant resource as part of national development in any country and Guyana is no exception. In some ways, public education in Guyana is in the Emergency Room, and in need urgent need of being seen. It is in need of a large dose of competence, compassion and commitment. Over the years there have been many prescriptions ordered, but sadly, only few have been filled. Let us attempt to ascertain the reasons underlying this unstable existence. From the outset there is some perspective that is needed. During my years of attendance at school, I had great respect for my teachers. They imparted knowledge to me in a way that was both firm and fun. I was excited to go to school each and every day. Thanks to Isaac Theophilus Henry from Ithaca, Berbice - Head Teacher of St. Ambrose School. This attitude towards school and teachers were given to me and also my other siblings by our parents. We never heard
them talk negatively about our teachers, and likewise never was any negative conversation about teachers entertained in our home, not even among ourselves. Equally important, was the fact that our parents believed that education led to getting better opportunities. Teachers in our community were held in high regard. They were pillars in our community and we always wanted to please them. They conducted themselves in a certain manner, dressed a certain way, and therefore earned the respect they were given. Teachers back in the day wanted to be teachers. It was not their second or third employment choice. It was their first choice! They went to Training College, and with great intention, trained to become teachers. They had been around enough role models that they could emulate and gain good teaching habits. I eventually became a teacher. My high school, Central High, had great teachers. The men and women there showed what
it meant to be a teacher. I often think about Miss Pollard, Mr. Houston, Mr. Victor, and the influence they had on my life and the lives of others. If you attended St. Ambrose Anglican School, Central High, Bishops’ High, Queen’s College, you have similar stories. The teachers in those schools charted a pathway of success for us, and we simply followed the blueprint. They gave us “book learning”, but they also taught us how to become good people. They talked with us about goals and how to achieve them. Those “back in the day” teachers gave us hope and encouragement each day. Our parents were always on the side of the teacher. Why? Elementary, Watson — Because they trusted them and saw the positive results they were making in our lives. Parents and teachers had the same goal, and that was to make us successful. S a d l y, t h e r e a r e m a n y teachers who carry the title, however they are not worthy of it. They have become teachers for the
Oil revenue loss is much higher DEAR EDITOR, I have reviewed the OpenOil model, along with other available comparative analyses, and am convinced that Guyana’s deal takes us down a similar path as UK’s oil revenue history. The actual size of the loss is much more substantial than what has been stated in the press. It is imperative that the Ministry of Finance and its equivalent representative in the various political parties,
review and complete a thorough independent analysis of the revenue loss due to the different variables of the oil & gas contracts. They should do this as a comparison against the top 10% of revenue-achieving countries in the industry. The results are actually more disappointing than what has been shared. Also, it should be noted that the net present value of the local oil industry is much less and
could go negative if key project risk factors are not covered. The proper exploitation of the gas reserves may bring balance if structured correctly. However, we must stand firm in solidarity, in requesting a return to the negotiating table. Sincerely, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
wrong reason. As a result it shows in their in-class performance. Nomadic teachers come to school thinking about something else and wanting to be somewhere else. Little learning and a lack of caring take place on a regular basis. Interactions with parents are never good, because the blame game is always in play. Teachers blame parents and parents blame teachers. In the meantime, children are suffering e d u c a t i o n a l l y. A t t h e governmental level, if education reform processes are to succeed then teachers’ needs and perspectives should be at the heart of decisionmaking. The challenge of ensuring high morale levels in the teaching force is critical to the achievement of quality education. If those who are stakeholders in shaping the future of the nation are disregarded, it stands to reason that such an attitude will play out elsewhere viz: the classrooms. Our young students are languishing in classes where teachers do not want to be, and this may in part be due to the way in which the government treats teachers. On Monday September 4, 2018, the first day of the new school term, over 4,000 teachers in Guyana went on strike, some taking
to the streets to express their displeasure with the government’s position on salary increases. The strike ended on September 6, with the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) agreeing to send their industrial dispute to arbitration. The growing disrespect for teachers is nothing new; in fact it may appear as if the public regards them in the same level of unimportance as the government, manifested in the number of teachers who are physically assaulted by parents or guardians. In 2012 at the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) third Biennial Conference, two Berbice teachers appeared before the then Minister of Education, to recount stories of being physically assaulted by parents in the classrooms at their respective schools. Surprisingly both teachers were pregnant at the time of the incidents, with one eventually suffering a miscarriage. Last November, a Grade 1 teacher attached to Winfer Gardens Primary School was assaulted by a parent who claimed that the teacher struck her child on multiple occasions. Reports state that the parent, disgusted of the constant complaints by her son, marched into the school compound and accosted the
teacher, resulting in her sustaining injuries to the face, and having to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The encounter took place in full view of other students at the school. No longer can the government allow classrooms and playgrounds to be converted into battle zones, with students and parents being pitted against teachers. Changes to the system and structure are not only essential, but needed immediately. Additionally, concerted efforts should be made to ensure positive representation of teachers and education via media and communication channels. If teachers feel valued for their role as educators and receive professional respect, they then feel capable of carrying out their role effectively with the provision of adequate resources. While the focus and contention may centre on the aggression of the student or parent, many other factors may be equally important to examine or address. Aleuta - The struggle continues. Yvonne Sam
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Wednesday February 12, 2020
The most unpardonable crime ever perpetrated by any government on its people DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese have now come to realize that the APNU/AFC has committed the most unpardonable crime ever perpetrated by any government on its people. It should be labelled the crime of the century and the mother of all corruption. It is the crème de la crème of corruption. It is the Exxon deal which was dictated by Exxon to the Coalition Cabinet, which the Cabinet approved and which the negotiating team took to ‘negotiate’ with the Exxon high profile team at Exxon’s Headquarters in Texas. Is it not criminal that the Cabinet allowed Exxon to dictate the terms of negotiation? It has been years now since the various media have been publishing vast reports backed by credible analyses and evidence bemoaning the ridiculous Exxon deal while the Coalition continued to paint a rosy picture of the numerous benefits that Guyanese will receive. In fact they claimed that it was the PPP/C Government which negotiated a bad contract and they must be commended since they improved on it. More specifically they claimed that the previous
Government negotiated a 1% royalty and they increased that to 2%. That’s a 100% improvement they claimed. But what they failed to tell the people is that the contract the PPP/C government signed was a Petroleum Prospecting and Exploration contract which is governed by the Petroleum Act, and moreover, that Contract had already expired when the Coalition signed the Petroleum Production contract, and so they should have negotiated a better deal, since that contract will last for 40 years. Now that the quantified financial loss to Guyana is in the public domain the figure is staggering and astronomical. Over the 40year period Guyanese will lose approximately US$55 billion. This can go upwards when other costs are considered. This study was done by OpenOil and was commissioned by Global Witness, a non-governmental organization. However, Guyanese had already been made aware of the many exploitative clauses in the PSA, for instance, the absence of ‘ring fencing’ which allows Exxon to transfer costs from unsuccessful wells to those that actually are
successful, thus reducing the profits to be split; the lack of oil spill contingency plan which can see Guyana paying billions US dollars compensation (the BP oil spill in the Gulf Mexico cost US65 billion); pre-contract costs of US$960 million and US$3.5 billion more for development costs; US$15 billion in Corporate income taxes and US$5 billion in VAT; the meagre 2% royalty and the paltry US$18 million signature bonus. It is also no secret that we will be having a nightmare to audit the pre-contact and production and other costs, not for want of local expertise, but to guard the ‘deal’. It was disclosed that a UK firm, IHS Market Limited was contracted to do the audit. No cost was given. These audits need to be accurate and reliable, since Exxon can recoup as much as 75% costs leaving us to share 25% of the remaining profits. According to an IMF Report, Guyana will not be receiving profits from ExxonMobil’s Liza Phase 1 project, since costs from one project can be carried over to the next one. Since 2016 there have been 16 major oil discoveries. Will we ever get
These people have certainly gone beyond the boundary DEAR EDITOR, I was in the village of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, over the weekend and heard from more than one resident, that at a PPP/Civic Rally in the said community, speaker after speaker, attacked the Coalition for allegedly mismanaging our country. In the nature of things, that is the right and expectation of political parties during an election campaign. I have no difficulty with such spirited rhetoric, but when the PPP speakers, as they did at Eccles, attempt to diminish the role I played in the social and political development of Guyana, they have certainly gone beyond the boundary. One speaker even went so
far to say that as Former Prime Minister, who on several occasions carried out the duties of President, that person, ought not to be in receipt of a pension. Everywhere in the civilized world, individuals who served at a high level of Government are granted a pension. The danger of such reckless utterances is that our young people, and those who are voting for the first time, may be influenced by such one-sided and unjustified statements made in public. Young voters and those with short memories, listening to what was said at Eccles may ignore the mayhem and madness engineered by the PPP whenever they were in
Government. It is clear that the PPP speakers on the campaign trail have adopted the philosophy of Paul Joseph Goebbels, Adolph Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda during the horrible Nazi regime in Germany, who believed that if you repeat the most absurd and inaccurate of statements, often enough, it will soon be accepted as gospel truth. Today, our greatest challenge is for citizens to withstand the aggressive crusaders who are re-writing history and have become experts on oil and gas, all intended to besmirch the character of our President and the Leadership of the Coalition. Hamilton Green
the costs right? There are also many questionable costs which have been allowed. Since the Global Witness Report, ‘Signed Away’ has been published, the Coalition has been busy trying to do extensive damage control. Now they are saying that getting maximum revenues from Exxon was not the Government’s main aim, yet one minister in August 2019 had admitted that, ‘Guyana could have done SOME things differently! Furthermore, they are still holding on to the Venezuela/ Guyana Border issue as
having influenced the alacrity with which the Contract was signed and the foregone benefits. This has been refuted by the outgoing Public Relations Officer for Exxon, Kimberly Brasington, who gave an assurance that her Company is not in the least worried about Venezuela and the border issue with Guyana, and that Exxon has worked a number of years around the world and border controversy is nothing new. Furthermore, OpenOil made it clear that the ‘world class’ discoveries should have influenced the
negotiations in Guyana’s favour to access a better deal, and both Guyana and Exxon should have benefited from the de-risking, but only Exxon did. The Report has shown that Guyana should have gotten a share of 65-85% which is normal (a study was done with over 100 different countries and included data from the IMF and other studies) but as it is, our share is only 52%. This can be changed if right thinking Guyanese remember this when they vote on March 2nd. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
National Insurance Scheme insistence of registration by all foreign employers DEAR EDITOR, The situation at Kwakwani is not new. It has only deteriorated over the past several years. It is a glaring example of contempt by a foreign employer, not only of its employees, but moreso citizens of a country whose administrations have exhibited chronic decisionmaking weaknesses, albeit without any exhibition of embarrassment. One reason the current confrontation between workers’ union on the one hand, and employer on the other is critical at this particular juncture, is that, apart from exposing the lack of assertiveness and competence of an agency that is appropriately seen to be ‘in labour’, this imbroglio sets an alarming example for the new wave of foreign employers to emulate. In the midst of such embarrassing indecisiveness is the counter-productive intervention of the police force (at a time of political campaigning). What is the message being sent to people, but that they are more than just geographically isolated? How can it not be understood that it is in our governance sovereignty that is being subverted? A decade or more ago there was an internationallyfunded consultancy aimed at
upgrading Guyana’s competitiveness in attracting new companies. The component agencies were GO-Invest, the GRA, the Deeds Registry Authority and, interestingly, the NIS. The objective was to first of all ensure clearance of the incoming investors by GOInvest, who would arrange for examination by the GRA, only after whose approval could the company be legally registered by the Deeds Registry Authority. The project envisioned that this process would be facilitated by a specially designed technological programme that would interconnect these agencies. More imaginatively however, the process included sequential reference to the NIS to inform that management about the prospective employer (and the number of related employees) with whom the former should engage for registration. Unsurprisingly, this creative exercise was never fully implemented. It must be of urgent interest, therefore, how new and particularly foreign employers, are now engaged by, and committed to, honouring their NIS commitments. One is uncertain as to what extent the Office of the Auditor General is involved. Not unrelated, was a
serious attempt by the previous administration to, amongst others, upgrade the registration of employees with the NIS, to the extent that a large committee was established to review and report on strengths and weaknesses of its administration. One effort involved a visit to learn of the management of the counterpart agency in Barbados, which turned out to be a very informative experience. One critical takeaway was the establishment of a computerized system into which both prospective and actual new employee could insert his/her own employment data for NIS benefits purposes. That agency would then proactively follow up with relevant employer to ensure registration. This was done through its legal department, which at the time was manned impressively by as many as five lawyers. All the above is to bring to the attention of all the stakeholders that, apart from the so-called benefits from oil and gas, the health of the nation, including of citizens of Kwakwani, needs to be sustained. Upgrading of the capacity of our National Insurance Scheme is critical in the circumstances. This must also include an assertive legal component. E.B. John
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I submitted my declaration to the Integrity Commission- Harmon Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, has denied that he is not compliant with the declaration of his assets. A report in the stateowned Guyana Chronicle this week named him as one of the public officials who failed to submit declarations for the period July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. The Office of the Integrity Commission in a recent notice in the Official Gazette published 74 names of top ranking Government officials including ministers and heads of departments. According to Harmon’s office, he submitted the declaration on July 26, 2019, mere days after the period would have ended.The Official Gazette itself has not named Harmon, a former Minister of State.The declarations are key to fighting corruption and were supposed to be used a yardstick to determine what
The receipt that the declaration was submitted.
Director-General, Joseph Harmon politicians entered office with as against what assets they acquired at the time of departure.It is mandatory for public figures to submit them or face penalties.For a number of years now, the Integrity Commission has been
Thief dies from beating after botched robbery at Soesdyke shop A 22-year-old thief succumbed yesterday from a brutal beating, which he received on Monday during a botched robbery at a shop at Silver Hill, Soesdyke/Linden. Police identified the dead man as Daniel Jermaine Forde, 22, an ex-soldier from 759 ‘B’ Field Sophia. According to reports, a 36-year-old woman was in her shop around 19:30 hrs when Forde, who was armed with a cutlass, approached and demanded that the shopkeeper hand over her money.The woman raised an alarm and Forde began to chop at the shop’s grillwork to gain access. He also damaged a flat-screen television.Residents responded to the woman’s screams and managed to disarm Forde. They then inflicted a brutal beating on the hapless thief. The injured man was escorted to the Highway Patrol Base before being taken to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital. He succumbed around 01:40 hrs yesterday. His body is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a postmortem.
complaining bitterly that there has been non-compliance from ministers and others.In fact, despite the sanctions, the non-compliance went on.According to the recent notice, among the Members of Parliaments were Ministers Basil Williams; Ronald Bulkan; Dr George Norton; Annette Ferguson; Dr. Karen Cummings; Valerie Adams-
Yearwood; Simona Broomes; and Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland and Clerk, Sherlock Isaacs, were also named. Also included were Emil McGarrell, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities; Lelon Saul, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning
Authority; Director of Compliance of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Derrick Lawrence; Senior Advisor to the President, Robert Corbin; Presidential and Press Liaison
Officer, Mark Archer; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Collette Adams and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Kenneth Joseph.
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Orinduik Block holds 5.1 billion barrels oil-equivalent -Report reveals The Orinduik Block is now estimated to have 5.1 billion barrels of oil-equivalent, according to a recent Competent Persons Report contracted by Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas. The firm, Gustavson Associates LLC, conducted the report, updating the gross prospective resource previously estimated in March 2019 to be four billion barrels of oil-equivalent. Eco’s co-founder and chief operating office, Colin Kinley, said “We are pleased to announce a new and updated CPR for our Orinduik Block offshore Guyana. The understanding of our resources has gained strength and momentum with the discoveries we made in the Ter-
tiary last summer and the recent discovery of light oil in Carapa-1, made on the Kanuku Block to the south of us. This has also been driven by the discoveries of over 8 billion barrels of oil immediately East of us by ExxonMobil.” Eco Atlantic reported that the estimate indicates about 771 million barrels of oilequivalent as its share, representing Eco’s 15 percent working interest in the Orinduik Block. Its joint venture partners on that Block are Tullow Guyana BV, which is the operator with a 60 percent working interest; and Total E&P Guyana BV, with a 25 percent working interest. The 1800square kilometer Block is lo-
Eco Atlantic’s Chief Operating Officer, Colin Kinley cated in shallow water, about 170km offshore Guyana, according to Eco. A small fraction of the estimated 5.1 billion barrels has been unrisked. Two discoveries have been made so far in the Block, Jethro-1 and Joe1. Tullow announced the Jethro-1 find on August 12
Map showing Orinduik Block location and the Joe-1 find on September 16, last year. The Jethro-1 well is estimated to hold 208.3 million barrels of oil-equivalent, while the Joe-1 well is estimated to have 104.4 million oil-equivalent barrels. These have been reported as heavy oil finds, which are more challenging to produce.
Those two finds had formed part of the Block’s tertiary leads, which now amount to an estimated 1.2 billion oil-equivalent barrels. There is probably lighter oil to be found as well. Hickley is quoted as saying “The Cretaceous pathway of lighter weight oils from the source kitchen to the
north, through the Liza Sands [of the Stabroek Block] and through the recent discovery of light oil in Carapa-1 to the south [in the Kanuku Block] confirms our theory and interpretation of transmission of high-quality oil across the Cretaceous sand channels and traps within the Orinduik (Continued on page 16)
Wednesday February 12, 2020
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JUSTICE FOR ALL These days if you are involved in a fatal accident and you are arrested by the police, you should expect a long stay at the police station. You should call your family and ask them to bring blankets and pillows because as sure night follows day, the police, regardless of the facts of the case, are going to hold you overnight. The police do not understand the law. They feel that somehow they must keep you for the specified 72 hours which they are allowed to do under the law. Whether you are a small fry or a big fish,
you have to spend the night on the police bench. In the movie, And Justice for All, starring Al Pacino, there is a memorable scene in which the lead actor is making his opening statement to the jury. Pacino plays the role of Arthur Kirkland who is forced to defend a man whom he dislikes, Judge Henry T. Flemming, who is accused of rape. He makes a brilliant opening statement, which begins as follows: “Your Honour, Mr. Foreman, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my name is Arthur
Kirkland, and I am the defense counsel for the defendant, Judge Henry T. Fleming. Now, that man over there, he’s the prosecuting attorney, and he couldn’t be happier today. “He is a happy man today, because today he’s going after a judge, and if he gets him, if he gets him, he’s going to be a star. He’s going to have his name in this month’s Law Review. Centerfold…Lawyer of the Month. Now, in order to win this case, he needs you, naturally. You’re all he’s got, believe me. So he’s counting on tapping that emotion in you that says
Millions at risk for famine due to locust plague
Millions at risk as locust swarm Somalia East Africa BBC.com The UN has called for international help to fight huge swarms of desert locusts sweeping through east Africa. A spokesman for the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), called for aid to “avert any threats to food security, livelihoods, malnutrition”.Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are all struggling with “unprecedented” and “devastating” swarms of the food-devouring insects, the FAO has said.The agency fears locust numbers could grow 500 times by June. Ethiopia and Somalia have not faced an infestation on this scale for 25 years, while
Kenya has not seen a locust threat this size for 70 years, the FAO said earlier this week. South Sudan and Uganda are also at risk if the swarms continue to grow and spread. How East Africa is battling devastating locust swarms“The speed of the pests’ spread and the size of the infestations are so far beyond the norm that they have stretched the capacities of local and national authorities to the limit,” the FAO said. The only option left was “aerial control” spraying insecticide from aircraft.Countries in East Africa have not faced a locust (Continued on page 29)
DEM BOYS SEH Exxon might drunk and smart Guyana again Everybody talking bout de contract wha Trotman sign. Who can read and write seh dem couldn’t sign a contract like dat because is like if a man signing over he house to a smart man who giving him three plate food. De contract sign after Exxon find plenty oil but didn’t tell Trotman. As soon as he sign, Exxon declare de second find. Dat is wha causing de trouble. People telling de world how Exxon is a big scamp. And dem boys believe. Dem listen to Global Witness who report how Exxon spend money to mek Trotman travel first class, stay at some fancy hotel in Texas and eat all kind of fancy food. Dem boys hear how likker flow like water and de next thing anybody know is dat de contract sign. Now Guyana planning to get a depletion agreement. Dat is an agreement dat gon come into play when de oil run out. De oil company got to plug de well dat was bringing up de oil. If de plugging ain’t do good and oil escape and cause a spill, Guyana mustn’t got to
worry about paying fuh de clean-up. De one thing dem boys now hoping is dat Exxon don’t plan anodda trip fuh de person who got to sign de agreement. People already got dem eye out fuh de Local Content Policy. Dem had two dat Dr. Paul present. Then a British man produce de odda two. Guyana putting out de final one and dem boys hope dat dis one tek into consideration de two dat Dr. Tony Paul write up. Dat got nuff things dat Guyana need fuh local content. At one stage, people start to talk how dis odda man was wukking fuh Exxon. De policy paper coming out dis month. It might come in time fuh Valentine. And while dem boys worrying about oil, a man worrying about how long he can hide. A woman go to he barber shop to cut she hair. De barber start to play some hot blood music. Now he get sentence behind he back fuh showing de woman he front. Talk half and watch how you showing off wha de Man Above give you.
“Let’s get somebody in power. Let’s get a judge.” That movie was made more than 40 years ago but that idea that the masses love to see the mighty fall from their thrones is still relevant. Whenever a person of stature is accused of something, the masses derive satisfaction in seeing that person humiliated and disgraced. It compensates for the masses own lack of accomplishment in life to see persons of authority brought down to the ordinary. I have no facts about the accident which took place last Saturday and which involved a member of the cycling fraternity and the former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. And even if I did, it would be improper to make any pronouncement given that that matter is sub judice. There however have been calls for justice. But what does that mean? Does this call originate out of fears that the official will not be subject the law? Or is it a case whereby they simply want the thrill of seeing a “big one” punished – wanting to see the system getting a “big one”? It is not easy being involved in an accident in which someone loses his or her life. The person who is in the
wrong has to live with that guilt for the rest of his or her life. Having to carry that guilt on one’s conscience is worst that a life sentence. I remember an incident, which took place many years ago—a woman who asked to take a toddler to school. The child was placed in the back seat of her car. The woman simply forgot and went straight to work, locking the child in the car. The child died from the heat in the enclosed car. But a part of that woman also died on that day. The act was not deliberate. The woman has to carry that burden on her conscience for the rest of her life. It is a terrible burden to bear. I repeat that I do not know the facts in the present case involving the former Chief of Staff. Nonetheless, I cannot begin to comprehend why the police in such matters have to hold a suspect for days in a police station. The police are supposed to arrest you if they have probable cause to suspect or they feel that you have committed an offence. They can detain you for questioning. But why is it that they have to detain you for hours? It is not as if the facts can be that difficult to determine. And
why would you want to keep someone all those hours without placing that person on bail? That should only happen if you feel that the person is going to pervert the course of justice, is a threat to society or will flee the jurisdiction. None of those conditions, I assume existed. So why keep the former Chief of Staff in the police station for so long? This extended and unnecessary detention happens also to ordinary citizens. It may be the police way of showing that everyone is treated equally. But is it necessary to keep someone overnight after you would have taken his or her statement and exhausted questioning? Justice has to be served but not through unnecessary restraints on an accused’s freedom. (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
Wednesday February 12, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
A litany and concatenation of David Granger’s mistakes I believe the two presidents that were good at humorous repartee were Burnham and Jagdeo. Burnham’s ability in this regard vastly exceeds Jagdeo’s. It had to do with his legal training. When President Granger was asked if the High Court stops house-to-house registration if his government would appeal, this is what he told the reporters, “I’ve said what I’ve said.” My guess is that Burnham with a cynical quirk would have said something funny about the Court of Appeal. Jagdeo with a broad smile
would have said, “Who says we will lose?” I don’t believe Hoyte, Cheddi and Janet Jagan and Ramotar were ever so curt with the press. My opinion is that of all the presidents we have had, Granger was less experienced in political nuances. Guyana is such a complex, esoteric polity that prior exposure of political office is a gold mine. He was opposition leader for four years but whereas Jagdeo was unknown in the leadership of the PPP, he gained valuable experience about what governmental power was like and its complex dimensions because he
was special assistant to Finance Minister, Asgar Ally. He was then junior Finance Minister, then Finance Minister. When he inherited the presidency, he had seven years of experience in the corridors of power. Granger missed serving in Government before he became president and that crucial lack of exposure shows up constantly. It has not been one calendar year from the CCJ decisions on GECOM chairmanship and the no-confidence motion (NCM) yet within that short period Granger made some huge mistakes, two of
which occurred within three days recently. Some of these serious imbroglios include openly declaring to the Guyanese people that he would like the CCJ to explain how he acted unconstitutionally in appointing the GECOM Chairman. Obviously, Granger was telling the nation he didn’t understand the Chairman of the CCJ. The Chairman’s explanation was quite simple. But more importantly, why would the CCJ judges explain their decision because a litigant wants them to. Granger had to know that is not the way any judge in the world will act. That is the litigant’s lawyer’s role. The decision by the CCJ was that Article 161 of the constitution does not allow the president to choose a GECM Chairman on his own because the selection has to be situated within the Carter formula whereby consultation has to occur between the Opposition Leader and the President. Next, President Granger summoned the diplomatic community to inform them that based on what the CCJ chairman said in the ruling on Granger’s unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson, he Granger, can select a group of six names just like the Oppo-
sition Leader and make an appointment from his own list. This was going too far and Granger went that far. It meant that the CCJ had amended the constitution to allow Granger to do that. In the end, he backed down, adhered to Article 161 and chose Jagdeo’s nominee of Claudette Singh. In the second half of last year, Mr. Granger insisted with firmness that he has the constitutional right to name a Prime Minister and he will do just that and will not allow someone else to do his job for him. One day in January this year, speaking to reporters at about 10 AM, he repeated his position. Then the AFC made its move and called Granger’s bluff. By 6PM the same day, Granger told a rally at Hopetown that he chose Ramjattan to be his PM candidate. It was a show of weakness that past PNC presidents would never have succumbed to. Within the last four days, Mr Granger journeyed on two impassible roadways. He reminded the nation that the constitution gives him the right to abrogate the citizenship of a Guyanese by birth if such a citizen has dual nationality.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Frederick Kissoon Why in the midst of national election campaign would he want to utter such a remark that was bound to raise eyebrows? It is not the right thing to say when you are appealing to voters. It has two sordid dimensions. One is that it brings into focus the almost unlimited power of the president that the constitution embodies. Secondly, the statement has an authoritarian ring to it. Stripping a Guyanese of his/her citizenship has to involve a horrible act of treason. Demerara Waves suggested that Granger has Charran in mind to prevent him from voting on March 2. But Charran’s NCM vote was not illegal. The CCJ did not invalidate his vote in the NCM. Secondly, Granger’s statement on marijuana smoking in Linden last Sunday was better left unsaid. That will be the subject of another column. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Wednesday February 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
One held after Giftland Mall robbery
- accomplice escapes following shootout - Giftland boss complains of delay in gun licence Police have detained a prime suspect in Monday night’s robbery at the GTT Booth located inside the Giftland Mall, but they are still hunting from an alleged accomplice who escaped during a shootout in D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, yesterday. The robbery occurred around 9:30pm when the mall was full of customers conducting their business. In custody are a 21-yearold man and his mother, who reside at Lot 1818 D’Urban Street, Wortmanville. Police said that they were taken into custody after two live .22 rounds were found in their home. Investigators have also taken “a number of other persons” in for questioning, said an official. “The pieces are starting to come together.” “We have information that more than two persons were involved,” the official said. A source said that police CCTV security cameras enabled investigators to track the suspects to D’Urban and Haley Streets, after they fled the scene of the robbery on a motorcycle.
The car with the bullet hole in the back, damaged during the chase A police official said that when the ranks arrived at D’Urban and Haley Streets, the 21-year-old that is now in custody and another man were standing together. On seeing them, one of the men, who had a firearm, fled the scene. Then chaos erupted when the team of police gave chase, unleashing a hail of gunfire behind the fleeing suspect. The suspect ran through someone’s yard with the police in hot pursuit. While firing at the suspect, one of the bullets struck a parked motorcar leaving the owner in expense. The owner of the vehicle,
PYY 3515, explained that moments before the rain of bullets, he was heading to wash his car. But fortunately, he received a phone call and abandoned the task. Then what he heard was rapid gunfire. “I heard about like 18 to 20 shots one time. And it was more than one gun too. Seem like rifle and some other small gun ‘cause you hearing shots while the big gun firing off rapidly.” According to the man, it was a team of about seven officers chasing one man. The gun fire had persons scattering for safety, and bullet holes could be seen on
pieces of wood in the yard. The police also managed to damage a piece of pipe on the ground; however, it is unclear whether any bullets hit the suspect. From CCTV footage of the robbery seen by Kaieteur News, the men calmly walked into the Mall with their faces visible. Seconds later, persons went scattering as one of the two suspects pulled out a gun and demanded that the cashier hand over the day’s sales. Within seconds, the men grabbed the cash and ran out of the mall. No security was around at the time. No security with guns The owner of the Giftland Mall, Mr. Roy Beepat, in statement following the robbery lamented that the constant denial of his applications for gun licences played a big part in the security officers at the Mall not intervening to apprehend the suspects. Beepat stated that this was the first robbery of this type since the Mall was opened four years ago. According to him, “The Mall has 46 full-time security
Snap of the CCTV footage showing the two suspects entering the Mall officers on its day shift. Security officers who were present were unable to respond to this due to our application for arming our Head and Deputy Head of Security has been denied by the authorities.” Beepat stressed that their “recommendations for supernumerary accreditation has been stuck in the system for the past few years” and “despite efforts and repeated requests to be able to protect the Mall and patrons from armed attempts such as this,
our pleas have fallen on deaf ears.” However, despite this, Beepat posited that security systems will be doubled to ensure that patrons feel safe and secure when visiting the mall. “The Mall prides itself on its attention to the security concerns, and deeply regrets this incident, which should have been avoided; efforts will be redoubled to ensure that we are maintaining the high standards which we have kept since the Mall has been opened.”
Barber gets four years in absentia after exposing himself to female customer Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty yesterday issued an arrest warrant for 41-year-old Ceon Cantzlaar, a barber of Henry Street, Lamaha Spring, Georgetown. The man was found guilty of exposing his genital to a female customer and of sexual assault. The man, who is charged for showing a female customer his penis and touching her in a sexual way, was released on $75,000 bail for the offences, earlier. He failed to show up in court for the ruling of the matters. The Magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence and as such Cantzlaar was found guilty of the offences. He was sentenced in absentia to two years each for both offences. The sentencing will run concurrently. The matters were held in camera. The defendant had denied the charges when he made his first court appearance. The first charge stated that on
September 24, 2019, at Aubrey Barker Road and Festival City Entrance North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he exposed his penis to a woman. It was also alleged that on the same date and location, he touched the thigh of a woman in a sexual way without her consent. According to reports, on the day of the incident, the victim went to the barber shop where Cantzlaar works to cut her hair. The defendant started playing vulgar music, started dancing and took out his penis and showed the victim while attempting to kiss her and touched her thigh. The victim left the barber shop and the defendant sent her several messages via WhatsApp apologising for exposing himself to her. The matter was later reported and an investigation was carried out. Cantzlaar was subsequently arrested and charged for the offences.
Wednesday February 12, 2020
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Kaieteur News
City Council moves to cancel all leases granted by Royston King The Georgetown Mayor and City Council is set to cancel all leases approved by former Town Clerk Royston King. The announcement was made by City Mayor Ubraj Narine, at Monday‘s Statutory meeting. Mayor Narine said that Council is set to cancel the leases after careful examination of the deals made by King to a number of private individuals and companies. During his tenure at City Hall, the former Town Clerk had been implicated for leasing out several river side and reserves under the Council’s purview. In fact, one of the leases under contention was made to Quick Shipping Inc. for a water front property on Lombard and Sussex Streets. King has reportedly been collecting a yearly rent from the tenants, despite claims that the State holding company– National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)— owns the prop-
erty. The dispute over the ownership came up before a Commission of Inquiry into the Council’s operations. King was eventually dismissed for dereliction of duty as result of that COI. On Monday, the Mayor noted that again the lease had nothing to do with the Council but was made by King in capacity as Town Clerk. “Careful examination of transport and lease to Quick Shipping determined that it has no connection to Council. [King] took it upon himself and leased the property. There are a number of leases here that were made by King, himself and not the Council. We must admit that these leases were never brought before the Council or any committee. It is therefore within the rights of the Council to have all the leases he made cancelled. Further, Narine said that the Quick Shipping lease should not have made by King since the property does
Town Clerk Royston King
Mayor Ubraj Narine
not even belong to the Council. That property by the documentation belongs to the National Industrial Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL). “Quick Shipping would
have leased that property for $625,000 a year that is such a meager sum for a water front property. If this was a Council property, would you lease for this amount of money?” The Mayor noted that the matter was previously
brought up before the Council. “On this note, the matter was brought up on January 4, 2020 and there was an indication that the intention to withdraw the lease. “ He said, however, that given the property is not
owned by the Council, City Hall will withdraw itself from the issue. “It must be noted, though, that any monies garnered by Council as result of the leases will not be refunded,” Narine added.
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Wednesday February 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Consumers Affairs recovers $104M for disgruntled shoppers The number of complaints to the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) went up sharply last year with the auto industry dominating. According to the body, its campaign to encourage behaviour change in consumers and suppliers has been bearing fruit. Consumers’ demand their rights and redress along with suppliers’ compliance with the Consumer Affairs and Competition and Fair-Trade Acts. Both the Consumer Affairs and the Competition Policy Units boast of a successful 2019. During 2019, the Commis-
sion disclosed that it received 586 consumer complaints involving $165,847,551. “This amount reflects a 103% increase in the number of complaints and 81% increase in the value of complaints when compared with the previous year 2018.” In fact, CCAC said, complaints against Fly Jamaica accounted for 206 of the 586 complaints, which was about 35% for the year. “Fly Jamaica has since filed for bankruptcy and the cases have been referred to their trustee to be added to their list of creditors. Complaints against Fly Jamaica therefore account for 85% of
the ongoing 242 complaints.” Excluding figures from Fly Jamaica cases, the Consumer Affairs Unit successfully resolved 341 or 90% of the remaining 380 complaints valued at $104,265,518. Three cases or one percent has been referred to the Commission’s Board for hearing. The Commission said that auto and airline industries dominated the list of complaints, whereas the auto industry accounted for the highest value of complaints$75, 794,605. It was also disclosed that CCAC inspected several businesses in Regions Two,
One of the largest numbers of complaints from consumers to the CCAC came from auto industry. Three, Four, Seven and Ten for their compliance with the Consumer Affairs Act. “Of those inspected, 85% were non-compliant. This was mainly attributed to many businesses claiming that they were unaware of the duties of the supplier under the Consumer Affairs Act. These businesses will be re-inspected early this year to ensure that they correct the contraven-
tions.” The Commission also presided over a price fixing case against the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) fining the SAG individual membership $3,843,000 each for breaches under the Competition and Fair-Trading Act. The Competition Policy Unit also conducted a study into the operations of the cost of the JFK, New York to
Georgetown airline route. The report was completed and its findings were published late 2019. The Commission said it will also continue its efforts in 2020 to raise awareness for consumers and suppliers. The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) was established in 2006 and became fully operational in 2010.
Wednesday February 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
GPHC official blames staff shortage for fire at Psychiatric Ward Almost two weeks ago, a section of the Psychiatric Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), was destroyed by a fire that was reportedly started by a mentally ill patient. A senior official working in the department stated that staff shortage is to be blamed for the incident. In a recent interview with this publication, the official stated that at the Psychiatric Ward there is always a need for medical personnel. However, few persons want to start a career in the line of work which is challenging. Kaieteur News under-
stands that as of recent the Board of Directors at the city hospital has implemented retaining and counseling programmes with the aim of assisting medical personnel with ways to cope with the pressure and fatigue they would usually complain about while working in the Psychiatric Ward. The Psychiatric Ward is considered the most challenging unit in which to work. It was noted that staffers working there always have to be constantly on the alert. “At present, I would say that we don’t have enough persons working in this ward, and the little that we have
Orinduik Block holds 5.1... From page 8 Block.”The joint venture partners have now identified 22 prospects on the Orinduik Block including 11 leads in the Upper Cretaceous horizon, with two of the targets in that horizon are identified to have in excess of 725 million oilequivalent barrels. They are the Amaila/Kumaka and IatukD, which have 31.5 percent and 31.2 percent possibility of success, respectively. The cretaceous leads amount to an estimated 3.9 billion barrels of oil-equivalent.A majority of the 22 prospects have a chance of success of over 30 percent. “Significant exploration potential is what brought us into Guyana before the first barrel was discovered by ExxonMobil. The elements are all here. “We know that the geology and the geography support us and we have a great team to fine tune the next drilling targets. We have strong partners in Eco and on the block, so as we define our targets, we are well funded and are considering our options to drill as soon as practically possible,” Kinley said.
cannot look over all of these mentally ill patients that are here. “Almost every week, a mentally ill individual does be admitted into this unit and every patient that is hospitalised in this unit needs constant care and undivided attention,” the official stated. The official further stated that medical personnel sent to work in the Psychiatric Ward, would be all excited at first, however after working for a period of about two weeks, they would request to be transferred to another department. “All I am saying is that they were enough medical personnel working in this department, that fire incident would have never occurred.” According to reports, the fire started on January 29, 2020 around 09:15h in the female holding area of the Psychiatric Ward. Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Brig. George Lewis, explained to the media that the damage would have been detrimental, if it were not for the swift actions of the nurses to quell the flames. According to the CEO, approximately 48 patients were in the holding area, along with other doctors and nurses at the time. They were immediately evacuated and sustained no injuries.
Wednesday February 12, 2020
A sore throat could be an early sign of heart disease - Cardiac Professional reveals With the exception of congenital heart disease, there are some diseases that target the cardiovascular system that can be prevented. Among those that can be easily prevented is rheumatic heart disease which is a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever, said local Cardiac Sonographer, Ramona Chanderballi.This condition, she disclosed, is linked to a bacteria which is known to cause sore-throat like symptoms and develop into severe fever. “A lot of us think that a sore throat is just a sore throat but if it progresses, you can end up with really bad fevers. “You need to see a doctor because you can have rheumatic heart disease later on and this can basically cause the valves to become diseased and... not open properly,” said Chanderballi. Antibiotics can be used to treat this disease. But according to Chanderballi, although the treatment is simple, it is important for it to be prescribed by a doctor. “You need to see your doctor and know which medication to use and don’t just use anything over the counter,” she asserted. Chanderballi also warned against the use of left over medications prescribed for someone else. Another condition that can be prevented, the cardiac professional said, is coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease develops when the major blood vessels that
supply the heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients become damaged or diseased. She disclosed, “if you have a family history, you need a lifestyle change: no tobacco, no alcohol, cut down on salt. High blood pressure is more predominant in women, and in particular persons of African descent. In order to be certain that you do not develop complications from a sore throat, see a doctor. In addition, cut down on salt to manage your blood pressure,” she advised. Chanderballi’s comments were made during Monday’s edition of Kaieteur Radio’s [99.1 FM, 99.5FM] Your Health Matters. During the recent radio programme, she emphasised the important role played by cardiovascular professionals within the local health sector as part of the observance of Cardiovascular Professionals Week, which is currently being observed [Feb. 9 - 15]. The cardiovascular system can be thought of as the transport system of the body. This system has three main components: the heart, the blood vessel and the blood itself. Aside from doctors, cardiovascular professionals whose services can be accessed for free at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation are: cardiac nurses, echo sonographers, cardiac sonographers, Cath Lab Technologists, ECG and Stress test technicians. Cardiovascular diseases have been so daunting that it ranks among the top causes
Cardiac Sonographer, Ramona Chanderballi of death globally. Chanderballi quipped, “Globally, it accounts for 17.9 million deaths. It is a leading cause of death globally, and in Guyana our NCDs is basically the leading cause.” In addition to being a leading cause of death, cardiovascular diseases, Chanderballi said, account for the highest premature cause of death and 82 percent of these occur in low and middle income countries. Given the daunting impact of cardiovascular diseases, Chanderballi said that Guyana during the past few years has been taking proactive measures to combat it. “We have been doing a lot in the past few years to combat cardiovascular diseases,” said Chanderballi, who is a big advocate for healthy choices in this quest. “Healthy choices: drink lots of water, reduce salt intake, if you are smoking try to reduce tobacco use to the point where you can actually stop, reduce alcohol use...you can do yoga, you can walk, you can run; try to stay healthy and if you have a family history of high blood pressure, monitor your blood pressure,” Chanderballi urged.
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Kaieteur News
CARPHA “fully equipped” to cater to Region’s coronavirus testing needs In the event of a Coronavirus [2019-nCoV] outbreak in the Region, the reference medical microbiology laboratory (CMML), at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is ready and fully equipped to test samples of suspected cases of the virus. This is according to a press release disseminated by the local Ministry of Public Health. CARPHA is the single regional public health agency in the Caribbean. It was legally established in July 2011 by an inter-government agreement signed by Caricom Member States and began operation in January 2013. Local health officials have assured that there are no reported cases of the virus here and have even suggested that the likelihood of this happening is low. Added to this, CARPHA
has pointed out that there are no direct commercial flights to the Caribbean from China, and travellers to the Region are screened multiple times prior to their arrival. In light of the fact that the global situation is changing rapidly, the regional laboratory said that it has been monitoring to determine if sustained transmission of the disease occurs outside of China. “The Agency is equipped to investigate and manage communicable diseases. In the event of the suspicion of an outbreak in the Region, Member States have specific protocols to follow in their investigation process which includes sending the samples to CARPHA. “We are prepared to receive and test samples of suspected cases of the 2019nCoV with immediate effect,” said CARPHA Executive Di-
CARPHA Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John rector, Dr. Joy St. John. The reference laboratory is accredited by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) to the international standard for medical laboratories, ISO 15189:2012. Additionally, all laboratory technicians are
certified to handle and transport infectious samples in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidance on Regulations for the Transport of Infectious Substances which was developed with the International
Air Transport Association (IATA). Head of CMML, Dr. Gabriel Gonzalez-Escobar said, “All systems are in place.” He explained that CARPHA does not accept samples directly from the public. “CARPHA will only receive and test samples from the national referral medical laboratories in Member States. Results for all samples tested at the CMML will be sent electronically to the national referral medical laboratories, which will then disseminate to the health care provider.” He further stated that test results for the 2019-nCoV should be provided within 48 hours, but turnaround time is subject to receipt of a sample in a timely manner. Good hygiene practices are important for the preven-
tion of the spread of the novel Coronavirus. While the risk of 2019nCoV to the Region is currently low, CARPHA urges residents and visitors alike to practise basic protective measures against the new coronavirus. The Agency recommends that persons maintain basic hand and respiratory hygiene, and avoid close contact, when possible, with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. In addition, it is recommended that persons frequently clean hands using soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty and when coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue and throw tissue away immediately.
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Kaieteur News
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Fully furnished, luxury 2 bedroom apartments. Long & Self contain rooms for working Short term. Rentals #687-8818/ couple/single person $35,000 666-7028 monthly, Light & water, Lodge. Call: 623-0076, 2 Semi furnished executive style 4 bedroom, 3 bath, home in months security residential neighbourhoodSpacious 2 bedroom upstairs Eccles. Tel#633-8489 for apts unfurnished apartments in Queenstown. Garage parking Lower unfurnished 3 bedroom and water included $120,000/ home in Eccles. Spacious & Parking available $150,000/ month. Call: 669-0698 CAR RENTAL USA $750. Contact Ajai #6297132/ USA# 281-739-6550 2 bedroom fully furnished, airDOLLYSAUTO RENTAL conditioned apt (gated CALL: 225-7126 & 226One bedroom apartment size community, Herstelling 3693 -DOLLYS AUTO 25ft x 22ft for working couple utilities RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ EBD)Parking, or single person $36,000 W W W . D O L L Y included. Call: 699-6891/265- monthly, water included. Call: 7777 SAUTORENTAL.COM 638-8858 LAND FOR SALE Bottom flat apt 2 bedroom with Lot 40 Southern half of private B.R La Grange cultivation, Lot 178 (One Independence St.for info call hundred and seventy-eight) 592 663-1280. Nothern, Rosignol, Zeelugt WANTED W.B.B Tel# 663-1213 Senior Kitchen assistant, Parfaite Harmonie Front $4M, Primary education & $2.5M, $1.6M Herstelling 3rd Experience driver & cashier, Bridge $5M Providence Apply at Hack’s Halaal with VEHICLE FOR SALE $7.5M. Call:666-2326 H/written application 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M Puri cooks, kitchen assistant, (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call Schnoord New Scheme (100ft Apply @ Shanta’s- 225 Camp x 50ft) $3.8M Tel#651-1969/ #649-0956. St New Volkswagen Jetta, going 648-1635 Seamstress. Contact: 691cheap, owner leaving country. LEARN TO DRIVE 1918. Monday to Saturday Tel# 629-2619 N.Outar Driving School, 9am to 4pm 1 Toyota Picnic car, Lady Learn to Drive the right way driven, 7 seats $1.6 Neg. @ Cuffy Square.Affordable One general domestic to work Contact # 615-8499 Package.Call#644-5166/691- in interior, to cook, clean. Accomdation & meals 2561/681-2808. LOST/STOLEN provided. #680-2702 PROPERTY FOR SALE White Toyota 212. PLL4859, Labourers for wood Anyone with information concession $5,000 per day. House and land available at leading to recovery will be Call: 630-1831 compensated. Call: 657-4578/ Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific 676-6312 Maid. Requirements: person Development Inc. 223-6035/ must be living on the East DATING / PEN PAL 604-4909 Bank. Contact# 600-6887 Afro Guyanese interested in FOR SALE/RENT Night receptionist needed at single female, 45-50 yrs for business and adventure 33 Enmore North. the Millenium Manor Hotel come in with Application. travels, text or call # 672-8844 Contact#683-8810 House plan to draw or estimate. Call: 216-0671/6928464. Whatsapp #622-0267
TO LET
LISBON (Reuters) Portugal’s public prosecutor said on Tuesday it had ordered the seizure of Portuguese bank accounts belonging to Isabel dos Santos, who is a suspect in a fraud investigation in Angola. Dos Santos, the daughter of former Angolan president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, was not immediately available for comment. She has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the past weeks. “The public prosecutor’s office requested the seizure of bank accounts (belonging to Isabel dos Santos) as part of a request for international judicial cooperation by the Angolan authorities,” a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office said. Portugal’s central bank declined to comment.Last month, Angola named dos Santos a formal suspect over allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds during her time as chairwoman of state oil company Sonangol.
WANTED Oil company looking to buy residential house lots in Guyana. We pay in USD $. Tel# 617-9930/+305-2972803(whatsapp only) Bar/Beer Garden to rent. Tel# 695-9140 Two Certified cooks needed, speciality african and local dishes urgently. Grandma’s Kitchen. #233-0010/691-5777
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Isabel Dos Santos, daughter of Angola’s former President and Africa’s richest woman Dos Santos has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Angolan authorities froze her assets in the African country in December.A banking source familiar with the case told Reuters that accounts held by dos Santos were seized at Millennium bcp <BCP.LS>, Portugal’s largest listed bank.Millennium bcp declined to comment on Tuesday.Another banking
source said accounts were seized at small Portuguese bank EuroBic, in which the businesswoman until recently held a 42.5% stake. Spanish bank Abanca said on Monday it had agreed to buy 95% of EuroBic shares. Eurobic declined to comment.Dos Santos also sold her controlling stake in Portuguese engineering firm Efacec last month.
Businessman gets fined, suspended sentence for attempting to bribe CANU Businessman, Vibert Marks, 44, of Lot 95 Independence Street, La Grange, and of Lot 16 Hibiscus Park, Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara, was yesterday found guilty of attempting to export gold without a licence and attempting to bribe a CANU rank. Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty fined the defendant $75,000, for attempting to export $7.3M in raw gold on an international flight and fined $50,000 and given a suspended sentence of one year imprisonment for attempting to bribe the officer when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The gold was also surrendered to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).Marks had pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on November 18, 2019 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), he had in his possession a quantity of raw gold amounting to 974.13 grams, which is said to be valued at $7.3M. He allegedly did this without an export licence. On November 18, last, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), he corruptly offered Dominic Smartt $100,000 as a reward for forbearing to investigate the defendant. The fact of the charge stated that on the day in ques-
Vibert Marks tion, the defendant, who is a permanent resident of the United States of America (USA), was an outgoing passenger on a flight at CJIA destined for the USA. It is alleged that while a CANU rank was checking the suitcase of the defendant, he observed a darkish object in it. Upon asking the defendant some questions, Marks stated that he was only carrying 20 ounces of raw gold. However, the checks revealed that it was more than 20 ounces and the defendant reportedly used the opportunity to attempt to bribe the CANU rank. The court was told that the rank refused the bribe and reported the incident to his superiors.
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Man suing GRA for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment By Feona Morrison
R
obbie Outar, a father of one, claims he spent in excess of 61 hours in police custody without food, and not being told why he was arrested. He said he was also denied his right to a legal advisor. All of this, he claims, was done by ranks of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which he is now suing for in excess of $4M for his wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. Via a Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed by his lawyer, Anil Nandlall, at the High Court in Demerara, Outar is also seeking exemplary and aggravated damages, costs and any such or further order the court deems just in the circumstances of his case. In court documents seen by this publication, the father of one, of Lot 102 Annandale Marshon, East Coast Demerara, claims that on December 31, 2019 about 03:00 hrs, while driving home from Corentyne Berbice where he had dropped off a friend, he was approached by five men while the vehicle was parked at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. All of the men, he said,
were in a tinted black Toyota Hilux motor vehicle. He said that the men, who were armed with rifles and who he later learnt were ranks of GRA, pointed their weapons at him and demanded him to exit the car. He said he became fearful of being robbed by the men who were clad in bulletproof vests and complied with their instructions. Outar says he was forced to lie face down as handcuffs were placed on his hands. According to him, one of the men told him that he was under arrest but failed to provide him with any reasoning for their course of action. Outar also said when he asked the men why he was under arrest, one of them whom he knows only be ‘Seaforth’ told him “in the morning you will see the big boss”. The Annandale resident said that he was placed at the back of the Toyota Hilux and escorted to the Mahaicony Police Station. There, he said the handcuffs were removed from his hands and he was placed in a cell. At no time, was he given a reason for his arrest or informed of his right to counsel, Outar claims. The handcuffs were removed from his hands around 08:00hrs that said day after he was removed from the
Attorney-at-Law: Anil Nandlall cell and placed in the Toyota Hilux motor vehicle to be taken to Eccles, East Bank Demerara. According to Outar, while on his way to Eccles, one of the ranks inquired of him if he was familiar with the driver of a yellow motorcar which had driven past the Toyota Hilux. He said that he responded in the negative. Again, he said the ranks searched the vehicle he was driving and in the end found nothing illegal or unlawful. Among other things, Outar added that he was escorted to GRA headquarters situated at Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown.
While there, he stated that he felt embarrassed as while he was making his way to the third floor, over 100 persons stared at the handcuffs on his hands. On December 31, 2019,
around 15:00hrs, he said he was taken to the Vigilance Police Station; he was kept in custody for almost 12 hours without any food. He said that efforts made by him to inquire of the reason for his arrest were met with silence from the ranks. Outar claims the cell he was placed in had other prisoners and was vile. It smelt like urine and faeces. He spent New Year’s of 2020 in the cell and was released the following day on $100,000 bail. He was instructed to report to GRA’s headquarters on January 3. Against this backdrop, Nandlall contends that his client was wrongfully imprisoned for in excess of 61 hours. According to the lawyer, at no time during his client’s detention were fingerprints taken or was he
told of any allegation. In fact, Nandlall points out that his client has not been charged with any offence known to the laws of Guyana. “During the period of his incarceration, the Claimant suffered mental trauma as he was detained without cause and he constantly worried about his young daughter,” Nandlall argues. In light of the foregoing, the lawyer is asking the court to grant the reliefs his client is seeking. Should the court rule in favour of his client’s favour, Nandlall wants all monetary judgments to be awarded pursuant to Section 12 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Chap 6:02, at the rate of six percent per annum from the date of filing to the date of judgment and thereafter at the rate of four percent per annum until fully paid.
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Nine advance to Chutney Monarch finals - Slated for Feb. 22 at Better Hope Ground After a packed programme of 16 thrilling performances, nine persons have advanced to the final leg of the National Chutney Song Competition 2020. The finalists are Pooran Seeraj, Christopher Ramphal, AW Lyrical, Tony Cuttz, Vanita Willie, Bunty Singh, Arjit Singh, Young Bill Rogers and Vicadi Singh. Come February 22, at Better Hope Community Ground, these nine songbirds will compete in a bid to dethrone the competition’s reigning Monarch, Steven Ramphal. It was Ramphal who brought the curtain down on last Friday’s semi-final hosted at the Skeldon Heritage Resort, Corentyne Berbice, Region Six. There, he did a musical tribute to his wife, while giving the audience a hint of what his defending performance will look like.The young father of one also showcased his talents in other genres of music, including Reggae and Soca. Ramphal, also the second place finisher of the 2019 Soca Monarch Competition, is pledging to bring his ‘A’ game to the finals of both the Chutney and Soca stages, because judging by the semifinals of both competitions, the road to the crown is certainly not smooth. The semi-finals of the Chutney competition opened with a ‘warm up’ performance from ‘Roger P’ of the Shakti Strings Band, who dished out a number of engaging Soca pieces that set the tone for an exciting competition. The actual competition commenced with a performance from Chandrapaul Nathoo who delivered a piece called, ‘Guyana Together ’. The performance sought to
promote the unity aspect of the Golden Republic Jubilee theme – ‘Guyana Together; Reflect. Celebrate. Transform.’ After the first performance, the competition took on a rather culinary flare, with Pooran Seeraj’s ‘Dhal and roti’, which tells the humorous tale of how a woman’s delicious roti and dhal got him hooked. Third on the list of competitors was Trinidadian, Ravi Mohabir who belted out a piece called ‘Hari Naam.’ His performance was followed by that of finalist, Chris Ramphal, who rolled his waist to the beats of ‘Dholak Bajay’, which had the audience ‘screwing bulbs’ and beating dholaks (drums). The competition maintained its energetic pace with Bunty Singh’s performance of ‘She want me to be she Raja’, a song seasoned perfectly with a dash of relatable Creolese lyrics that told the story of how the ‘Raja’ refused the advances of “an outside woman”.In the song, a witty Bunty declared that he will not be leaving his wife for a “sweet woman”, since he only likes his wife’s porridge. Next on stage was Ravindra Singh who delivered another up-beat number, this time, telling the story of a wife’s dedication to preserving the Hindu culture of wearing hers indoor to showcase her marital status. Singh’s performance did not earn enough points for entry into the finals, but it did earn him a few new fans. Picking up from Pooran Seeraj’s food-centered performance, was AW Lyrical who took to the stage with a piece that declared his unwavering love for sevencurry; a love that was portrayed so tastefully, that
Young Bill Rogers
it earned him a spot in the finals. The competition took another brief diversion from food as Mona Singh serenaded the audience with her song – ‘My Guyana’. Although she managed to score well in her delivery of the Hindi lyrics, the performance in its entirety was not enough to secure her a spot among the finalists. But, she was not alone; Queen Alisha and her piece, ‘Me nah have no man’ may have had a catchy chorus that stayed with the audience, but her overall performance was not enough to take her closer to the Chutney crown. The same was not the case for Ramesh Brijnauth called ‘Tony Cuttz.’ This wellgroomed newcomer managed to almost instantaneously win the hearts of not only the audience, but the judges as well. He turned up the heat, dishing out another foodinspired piece called, “Neighbour roti”, a witty tale of how he would sneak into the neighbour’s house when her husband leaves for work, to “eat her roti”.
Venita Willie Tony Cuttz
The competition then took a rather sentimental turn with former Chutney Queen, Vanita Willie belting out a dynamic piece called “A Mother’s love”. The song’s inspirational lyrics, according to Willie, were a tribute to all the strong, dedicated women in her life, including her mother. Despite the emotional words, the song was perhaps one of the most up-beat pieces of the evening. Willie’s
captivating dance moves and excellent delivery of Hindi lyrics were perhaps just two of the areas that propelled her to the finals once more. Willie will be joined by the energetic Vicadi Singh, who belted out a piece called ‘Mousie and she Tassa,’ a catchy dance number that had sections of the audience engaged in a dance off. The dance sessions continued when another former Chutney Monarch –
Young Bill Rogers took to the stage with a riveting piece that pays tribute to the Chutney legends of Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad. The delivery of this insightful number earned the former Chutney King a much coveted spot in the finals. Also heading to the finals is Arjit Singh, a memorable performer from the 2019 Chutney competition, singing his new song, (Continued on page 29)
Elections Day procedures… An open letter to all Guyanese... From page 4 boxes, including the unused ballots. 5. At that point, the SOP is affixed to the door of the polling station. SOP Destinations 1. The SOP is now with the GECOM Presiding officer and staff who are provided transport and security by GECOM and the Police force. 2. Party Polling Agents follow the GECOM vehicle (in acknowledged convoy) and ensure the GECOM SOPs are handed over to the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) with the PO and Party Agents seal placed there on intact. 3. Party Agents must be present at all times within the DRO office while the SoPs are there. 4. Party Polling agents hand over responsibility to party Agents at the Office of the DRO and proceed to deliver their SOP copies to Party Representative. Challenges at this stage 1. While Parties urge their polling agents to insist on accompanying the SOP by forcing their way into the GECOM vehicle, this is not practical and ill-advised. Often there is simply no spaceand the police will order the polling agents to find their own transport. 2. The SOPs in GECOM possession need to be accompanied/closely followed to ensure integrity. 3. Polling agents are also tasked with getting their copy of the SOP to their party.
4. Polling agents were not allowed to use their own cars or may not own a vehicle. 5. Polling Agents are often left waiting on transport from command centres. 6. Command centres sometimes wait until all polling stations in a cluster are complete before dispatching group transport. 7. A vehicle/operative needs to be available to ensure that the GECOM SOP is never out of sight. The insertion of Deputy Returning Officers into the process of transmission of SoPs to the Returning Officer; this was/is enabled by an administrative decision of GECOM in contravention of the relevant existing law. If we are to continue with this arrangement, security arrangements need to be tightened for stringency and security of the SoPs. The Deputy (Regional) Returning Officer 1. SOPs are delivered to various Deputy Returning Officers. Challenges 1. The rate of hand-over of SOPs varies by Region and is determined by transportation infrastructure and distance. 2.Counting begins at random times due to the challenge outlined in 1. 3. Party Counting Agents and Observers are often caught unprepared for the count. 4. DROs have conducted counts without all party
agents present. Solution 1. There should be enough time for the Party Counting Agent to hand in their copies of SOPs in possession.The Returning Officer (Regional) 1.There must be an agreed fixed time for the commencement of the counting of the votes by the RO. 2. The RO must, in the p r e s e n c e of the persons entitled to be present, ascertain the total votes cast in favour of eac h list in the dis trict by adding up the votes r e c o r d e d i n f avour of the list in acc ordance with the SOP tabulations (Form 24) 3. Party Counting Agents must be allowed to ascertain the accuracy of the numbers being added up by the RO by referring to their respective copies of the SOPs being dealt with. Party Counting Agents must be in possession of legitimate copies of the relevant SOPs to so do. 4. Having ascertained the total votes cast in the Region for each Political party, by adding up the totals on the tabulation (Form 24) provided by the DROs, and providing there is no request for recount of votes based upon discrepancies or other issues, the RO must publicly declare the votes recorded for each Party. (See Section 95(1) of the Representation of the People Act). 5. The RO’s declaration
cannot be delayed for any reason including want of clearance from the Chief Election Officer (CEO) for him/her to make his/her declaration upon completion of the count. 6. On ascertaining the votes cast in the District for each List of Candidates in accordance with the prescribed procedures (see Section 95 of the Representation of the People Act), the RO shall communicate to the Chief Election Officer, by the quickest available means, the total number of valid votes cast in the District for each List of Candidates. 7. Form 24 is the Statutory Form on which the results for the District must be documented by the RO. This Form, when completed by the RO, can be photographed and sent to the CEO via WhatsApp while an original copy is couriered to the CEO 8. Police escort should accompany the Original Form 24 as it is couriered to the CEO.The Laws that govern our electoral process are written with a view that the Returning Officers are the ones who count and release results. The Chief Election Officer should not interfere with this process, as it is outside of his/her legal remit. All of the procedures outlined above are supported by law; it is my fervent hope that we move towards a lawful electoral process and abandon any interference. Respectfully Robin Singh
Wednesday February 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Members of the Carter Center observers Mission meet Mayor and councillors of New Amsterdam Two members of The Carter Center visited the New Amsterdam Municipality where civil discussions were held with Acting Mayor Wainwright McIntosh, along with Councillors Kirk Fraser and Buster Wright. The visitors, Shelley McThomas of United States of America, and Paolo Maligaya of the Phillipines are Long-Term Observers, International Election Observation Mission. The duo is in Guyana to observe our electoral process in our upcoming National and Regional elections, to be held on March 2, 2020. The Observers will also be in Regions Four, Five, Six
and Eight. Meanwhile training continues for Junior Councillors within the New Amsterdam Municipality. The municipality has selected a number of first form students from Secondary School in New Amsterdam to be a part of a junior of the municipality. The students are being trained by various personnel drawn from a wide cross section of the Community to take up their positions as councilors. Among topics covered so far are Define Local Government, Identify the need for Local Government and, the Functions of Local Govern-
ment. On Tuesday, the students were exposed to their first statutory meeting held by the Mayor and Town Council in the Council’s Chambers. Mayor (ag) Wainwright McIntosh, and the elected Municipal Councillors, met with the Junior Councillors briefly during the commencement of the municipal statutory meeting. The budding councillors were urged by Mr. McIntosh to “dream big, for in so doing, you will be propelled into success”. Organiser, Ms. Okessa Barker updated the Council on future trainings and activities for the Junior Councillors.
Nine advance to Chutney Monarch... From page 28 ‘Sangeet Bhaaje.’ The spicy number took a nationalistic approach by calling for unity and harmony among all Guyanese. The final competitor of the evening was Eze ‘King Solo’ Baird who performed a piece called, ‘Lowtie’. In addition to many of the humorous pieces, the audience was also guaranteed a few hearty laughs with the
presence of Malcom ‘Wickedee’ Ferreira who emceed the programme alongside the glamourous, Ms. Umadevi Bux. At the end of the competition, most of the contestants expressed gratitude to the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, along with the Republic Golden Jubilee Committee for hosting the
competition. All in all, the Semi-Final performances of the Chutney Song Competition sent a crystal clear message that exciting things are slated to happen at the finals, come February 22, at the Better Hope Community Ground, East Coast Demerara.The contestants will be vying for more than $2.7 million in cash, with King/Queen set to walk away with $1.5 million.
Extradited GRDB accountant jailed ... From page 3 Madanlall Ramraj; General Secretary of the Producers Association (RPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj; former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall; former General Manager of the Guyana Oil Company Badrie Persaud and the Deputy Permanent Secretary Finance Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine. From about 2009 to 2015, Guyana, under the administration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, had entered a multi-billion-dollar oil-forrice arrangement where GRDB was clearing out for farmers. However, millions of dollars of those monies were reportedly siphoned off via third-party arrangements including rental of ships and other sweetheart deals for a few millers. In Canada, Ramcharran had first applied for refugee status. After he was turned down in December 2017, he sought a review of his extradition process, but this was
turned down. Ramcharran had reportedly been studying in Canada, when authorities swooped down on him in June 2017 following a request for his extradition. With regards to extraditions, it is not often that Guyana is successful in its
quests from especially North American countries. The extradition of Ramcharran would be seen as a huge plus for authorities here who have been insisting that it is a tool in the fight against crime, particularly of the white-collar variety. (Renay Sambach)
Millions at risk for famine... From page 9 infestation this size in decades The swarms have spread from Yemen across the Red Sea. Heavy rainfall at the end of 2019 created ideal conditions for the food-devouring insects to flourish. And the problem could get worse as the year goes on. Aside from growing numbers in east Africa, locusts have also been breeding in India, Iran and Pakistan, which could turn into swarms in the spring. Locusts can travel up to 150 kilometres (93 miles) in a day. Each adult insect can eat its own weight in food each
day. A swarm the size of Paris could eat the same amount of food as half the population of France in a single day, an FAO fact sheet says. In November, the UN warned about the locust infestation in Ethiopia - saying that the creatures could spread into Ethiopia and Kenya if not dealt with. Some farmers in Ethiopia’s Amhara region lost 100% of their crops.Last month a locust swarm forced a passenger plane off course in Ethiopia. Insects smashed into the engines, windshield and nose, forcing the aircraft to land in Addis Ababa.
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Global Witness spent over two decades Services procured for designs, supervision Bamia/ Amelia’s Ward Primary School exposing corruption in extractive sectors TheofNational Procure- den Highway, some half-a- (REO) at the time, Ms. Marcia from Amelia’s Ward, will Paddy, the new facility will ment and Tender Administra… Its work led to formation of EITI tion Board (NPTAB) yester- mile soon boast a spanking new alleviate the overcrowding The globally respected anti-corruption watchdog, Global Witness, recently released a report titled ‘Signed Away’. That report detailed how a poor negotiation process and questionable behaviour by Government officials led to the inking of a lopsided oil deal with an Exxon-led consortium for operations in Guyana’s lucrative Stabroek Block. A firm consulted by Global Witness is quoted in its report as having calculated that Guyana stands to lose US$55B over 40 years due to unfair fiscal terms. And this is calculated at an oil price of US$65 a barrel. In response, the Government of Guyana issued a statement condemning the work of the transparency advocate as sensationalist, agenda-driven, malicious and extraordinarily speculative. Then, Government referred to the institution’s suggestions as preposterous, and the presented US$55B figure as arbitrary and utterly absurd, despite the fact that a detailed economic model has been published by the firm, OpenOil, to support its conclusions. The Norwegian firm, Rystad, has published its own report, which claims Guyana will get a much higher share. Unlike OpenOil, Rystad’s assumptions and its economic model are not public. Hence, its claims cannot be independently verified. Yet, Government continues to embrace that report. There have also been attempts to cast aspersions on the integrity of Global Witness, by officials like Carl Greenidge who called the non-governmental organization a pack of “jokers”.
This would strike many as absurd, as the anti-corruption body’s reputation precedes it as one that has spent decades fighting corruption, exposing human rights abuses, and helping governments recover significant sums of lost revenue. Its work involves investigations, productions of reports, and executions of several campaigns against abuses. Notably, Global Witness had conceived the Publish What You Pay campaign, which advocates for an open and accountable extractive industry. This led to the establishment of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the world’s first anti-corruption mechanism for the extractive industries.
EITI works toward complete transparency for the movement of trillions of dollars in revenue around the world. Global Witness is a member of the EITI international advisory group and sits on the EITI board. EITI refers to Global Witness and its work, on its ‘EITI history timeline’ page (See link: https://eiti.org/history). Guyana became an EITI member in 2017, so it can learn about and execute principles of transparency for its extractive sectors. Before its ‘Signed Away’ report, Guyanese have known of Global Witnesses’ hand in exposing a bribery corruption scandal, thought to be the world’s largest. Kaieteur News reported that, in 2011, Global Witness exposed Shell’s participation in a vast US$1.1B bribery
scandal for the rights to operate a lucrative Nigerian oil block, OPL 245. Following a lengthy investigation by the NGO, it was able to access documents showing that this money for the rights to exploit the country’s natural resources did not go to benefit the Nigerian people as it should have done, but to the country’s former Energy Minister, Dan Etete.
that obtains at Amelia’s day opened ——-15 bids for primary school. Construction was slated Ward Primary School. four major governmental When completed, the projects at their Ministry of to commence in the latter part Finance office on Main and of 2017; however, procure- two schools will be situment for the design of the ated in the same compound Urquhart Streets. One notable project in- school has only recently be- at Phase 3 Amelia’s Ward, cluded the bid openings for gun. Nonetheless, this devel- which will allow for the enthe design and supervision opment will bring an end to rollment of children residof the construction of the the decades of inconve- ing in Phases 2 and 3. According to the Bamia/Amelia’s Ward Primary nience suffered by both School (Grade B), in Upper teachers and pupils of the engineer’s estimate, the cost Demerara/ Berbice, Region Bamia Primary and Nursery of construction is pegged at $313.9M. Schools. Ten. Below are the companies According to the ReThe small community of Bamia, on the Soesdyke-Lin- gional Executive Officer and their bids. Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region 10 Design and supervision of the construction of the Bamia/Amelia’s Ward Primary School (Grade B), in Upper Demerara/Berbice, Region Ten:
Ministry of Legal Affairs Procurement of civil works
This is just one of the many transformational projects executed by the NGO, well documented on its website (https:// www.globalwitness.org/en/) It won the 2007 Commitment to Development Award, sponsored jointly by the Center for Global Development (CGD) and Foreign Policy magazine, for its exposure of the corrupt exploitation of natural resources and the international trade system, as well as human rights and environmental abuses. At that time, there was particular mention of its first investigation of illegal timber sales by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, which led to the shutdown of that trade in 1995.This, and the NGO’s many other honours and awards demonstrate its immaculate record.
Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Supply of stationery, ink and janitor supplies
Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Printing of Essential Medicine Policy of Guyana, medicine formalay
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RHTYSC, MS Cricket teams and Guyana Beverage Co. launch Mash Children’s Parade
Raymond Govindha (right) Marketing Manager of Busta hands over sponsorship cheque to Club Secretary CEO Hilbert Foster.
Wednesday February 12, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Some rather tedious and boring paperwork you have to handle for your business might be a pain in the neck now, Aries, but it should bring a lot of benefits to you later.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Visitors might come to your home today to discuss business of some kind, Libra, perhaps job related, perhaps about an enterprise you're developing on your own.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Books, lectures, and other sources of information regarding spiritual, metaphysical, or religious matters could have your mind spinning, Taurus.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A rush of excess ambition could cause you to channel a lot of your physical and mental energy into whatever work you're doing right now, Scorpio.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A goal related to business or finance that is very important to you could require you to pay a lot of attention to paperwork today. You're likely to spend most of the day on it since a deadline may be involved. CANCER(June21–July22) The establishment of a new business partnership could require a lot of paperwork today, Cancer. It might be really tedious trying to make sense of all the jargon involved. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Legal documents that concern your business may need to be executed today, Leo. There might be a lot of paper to wade through, not to mention jargon that appears indecipherable. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might consider making an investment of time, energy, and perhaps a little money in a creative project of some kind, Virgo. This could also involve modern technology in some way.You could have several colleagues who want to work with you on this
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) An upcoming visit from someone close may have you working overtime in order to fix up your house, Sagittarius. Therefore, you could be tempted to go crazy buying decorative items. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Working at home might be the answer for you today, Capricorn. You could be physically and mentally worn out from working too hard, but you still have important tasks to complete. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) News you may receive about your place of business or the people you work for might bring up some doubts about your future in this organization, Aquarius. You might feel that you aren't getting anywhere. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) aperwork involving money might seem a bit overwhelming today, and you might ask a friend for advice or assistance. This person probably knows what it's all about.
The cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS on the 23rd of February would take their highly successful Say No/ Say Yes Campaign to a higher level when they host a 500 person children Mash Parade as part of Guyana’s 50th anniversary as a Republic. The teams, Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Metro Females, Poonai Pharmacy Under 13, Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under 21 and Frist Division on Friday last joined hands with the Guyana Beverage Company to host the Parade. Club Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Parade would include seven schools - Rose Hall Town Primary, Belvedere Primary, Cropper Primary, Tain Primary, Port Mourant Primary, Rose Hall Town Nursery and the Lower Corentyne Secondary School. Fifty students from each school would participate in the parade along with the RHTYSC members, parents and well wishers of Guyana’s leading youth and sports
Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap... From page 39 battling with the other players to see who will come out victorious. Matches will run each weekday evening starting from 6:00pm and throughout the day on Saturday before concluding with the finals on Sunday starting from 11:00am. The usual BBQ fundraiser will be held on Sunday February 16.
Berbice Cricket planning to... From page 34 Premier League would be a great success. He also stated, the league would part a great role in the continued revival of the game in the ancient county and would also assist to attract more fans to venues. Performing clubs at the first division levels are encourage to expand their membership and to start preparing a squad for the league. The inclusion of the Berbice River Cricket teams also serves as an inspiration to cricketers in that area. Companies, overseas Guyanese or business owners who are interested in becoming part of the Berbice Premier League (BPL) can contact Angela Haniff on 3332375, Simon Naidu 649-6447, Dr. Cecil Beharry on 624-5707 or Hilbert Foster on 337-4562.
Organisation. The objective of the parade apart from celebrating the 50th anniversary celebration are to promote social cohesion among residents, to promote the Say No message to drugs, crime, suicide, alcohol, tobacco, to promote the Say Yes message to education, life, religion, culture, sports and to encourage children to respect authority. Asst RHTYSC Secretary and CEO, Simon Naidu, who would serve as the Parade Director, stated that the event would start at Belvedere and the proceed to the end of Rose Hall Town before turning back to the compound of the township’s Primary School for a Funday. The Guyana Police Force is expected to provide security, while the parade would be accompanied by a music set and Steelband along the route. Each school received a financial grant from the
organisers and sponsors to assist them to prepare for the parade. The cricket teams would be part of the parade and would display their silver ware and promote the different message via banners and placards. A three-man judge’s panel would select the best school on parade based on size of participation, promotion of messages, choreography and uniformity. Naidu stated the club’s cricketers would use the opportunity to encourage the students in the parade to stay in school and complete their educational background. The club and its cricketers also expressed gratitude to the Management of the Guyana Beverage Company for their continued investment into the club’s activities. Special mention was made of CEO Samuel Arjoon, Marketing Manager Raymond Govindha and Berbice Manager Albert Budhoo for their cooperation in making the parade a reality.
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Wednesday February 12, 2020
Santos FC recognises efforts of players, officials and sponsors at Awards Ceremony - Aiming to become national champs in 3-5 years By Franklin Wilson The year 2019 can be described as a year of resurgence for Santos Football Club (SFC) under the astute leadership of President Ramesh Persaud who took over the helm, in January of last year. In the 55th year as an institution involved in shaping the lives of players on Saturday evening last held an Awards Ceremony to recognise players and officials for their contributions during the year. Also gracing the activity with their presence was GFF President Wayne Forde, General Secretary (Ag.) Rev. Ian Alves, Founding President of SFC Godfrey Wray, President of the Private Sector Commission Capt. Jerry Gouveia and National Coaches, among others. President Forde recalled that, the first club he played with following his relocating from Bartica as a youth to Norton Street was Santos FC. He said it has a rich history of dominating its rivals back in the day. He noted that then, a high premium was placed on academics as many of the players would have gone on to do well for themselves and country. He said that a football club is more than an institution that teaches a young boy or girl to play the game. “The message that I want to leave with you is that we
Coach of the Decade Kavin Pearce (left) receives his award from SFC President, Ramesh Persaud. have a mandate; we have a task to ensure that we do everything in our power to make sure that the education they leave our football institutions with is much more than football. It’s important that they understand the value of discipline, teamwork, self respect, respect for each other, honestly and a solid character that would allow them to resist the countless temptations that they will face during the course of their young lives, much of which we did not have to deal with in our time.” President Persaud in feature remarks informed that ever since its establishment of the club in 1964, it has been a prominent entity in Guyana. “Santos FC has surely played its role in maintaining the public interest and
confidence in the sport in Guyana. Like many institutions, we’ve gone through cycles of success, vibrancy, disputes and dormancy over the years. Despite the many challenges, Santos FC team and brand was kept intact by dedicated members such a s our first president Mr. Godfrey Wray, other founding executive members, Mr. Poulis, Mr. Frank ‘English’ Parris, Earl Paul, Kavin Pearce, Mr. Trevor Burnett, just to name a few.” President Persaud further posited that the club emerged in 2019 from a level of minimum activity to a competitive force to be reckoned with; one where they grew from just being a team to streamlining their activities as a club and institution.
Persaud hit the ground running after being elected and along with his executive committee, commenced the process of rebuilding the brand and institution that would have contributed to the lives of many in Guyana. He noted that from an administrative perspective the club met more often, obtained its TIN certificate, reactivated its bank account, improved its record keeping, and brought major sponsors on board as well as obtain its Club License. From a roster of 29 active players at the beginning of the year, Persaud reported that they ended the year with over 50 active players at the various levels. It was also reported that the following of fans has been revived and is rapidly growing via the SFC facebook page. “Our financial status, we did a lot with very little. We started the year with about $450,000 in the bank, we raised about $850,000 in sponsorship, we won prize monies of about 1.3M during the year and that provided us with only 2.6M for the entire year. Of that, $910,000 was given to the players when they won tournaments. Our policy is 70% for players and 30% for club administration.” He noted that between uses of ground, lights and coaches, SFC expended about 1.5M approximately 75% of their budget.
“We believe that if the coaches are present and we have a facility to play, people will turn up and we’ll have everything else in place thereafter. At the end of the year we ended up with just about $190,000. We wish to thank our main sponsors which are Argos Cement and IPED for their support during the year.” President Persaud stated that resources are not sufficient for them to accomplish all that they would like to, citing that this is a challenge faced by many clubs. “To keep the momentum and the player’s interest in the game, more matches and tournaments needs to be played. The more the teams play, the better the industry of football would be in Guyana and not just the game of football.” Persaud ended his presentation by stating they are aiming to become national champs and move on to compete at the CFU and Concacaf levels. “We will work towards those goals in maybe three to five years. At Santos FC we’ll be working hard to ensure that football is not just seen as a
sport or pastime but is a viable economic sector, creating jobs and providing sustainable income to participants.” The club’s Under-15 team won the Georgetown FA leg of the GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson Memorial tournament and was runnerup for the National competition; played 14 matches for the year, won 13 and lost one, the final. SFC Under-20s won the inaugural GFF-KFC National tournament; was runner-up in the Limacol tournament, exited the Turbo Football tourney in the second round, playing a total of 13 matches, winning 10 and losing three. The senior men’s team competed in the GFF Elite League season-four playoffs and qualified for the first time and ended 6th of the ten competing teams. In the GFF Super 16 KO Cup, Santos ended 3rd. They competed in 15 matches for the year, winning 8 lost 6 and drew one. On the distaff side, SFC resuscitated the women’s team which placed third in the G F F - A L W A Y S Championship Cup 2019; playing eight matches, won three and drew two.
Full list of Awardees Women’s Team Award Player Most Disciplined Player Aaliyah France Most Improved Player Ashanti Corlette Most Promising Player Niaomie Williams Most Valuable Player Aaliyah David Under 15 Male Team Most Disciplined Player Akeem Gittens Most Improved Player Tyler Lyle and Tyrese Lyle Most Promising Player Tyrese Dowridge Most Valuable Player Darron Niles Under 20 Male Team Most Disciplined Player Marcus Wilson Most Improved Player Brandon Solomon and Malcom Miggins Most Promising Player Bevney McGarrel Most Valuable Player Stefhan Reynolds Senior Men’s Team Most Disciplined Player Kevin Dundas Most Improved Player Ryan October Most Promising Player Orin Yarde Most Valuable Player Alex Murray Special Awards Life Time Achievement Godfrey Polis Coach of the Decade Kavin Pearce Community Service The Business School Strategic Partner of the Year Georgetown Football Club Premium Sponsor Argos Cement Company Masters Player of the Year Malcom Dawson President’s Commendation Women’s Team Development Jessica Teasdale Manager Earl Anthony Paul Coach Trevor Burnett General Manager Frank ‘English’ Parris
Wednesday February 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Concacaf U-20 Men’s Qualifiers
Dover hails commendable team training performance as team departs - Benfield is new Assistant Head Coach of the National U20 Men’s team, Wayne Dover, said he is pleased with the overall performance of the team during their preparatory period even as some members of the team departed yesterday for Nicaragua, host of the Concacaf U20 Men’s Qualifiers. The staff and the remaining players will depart tomorrow. The team played four warm up matches; three against the Guyana-based Senior Men’s National Team and one against River Views FC from Region 7. Dover said the objectives of the matches were achieved as the team was exposed to some competitive fixtures: “The performance of the team was commendable in the matches played. We saw the implementation of many areas worked on and also saw areas which needed more attention. After each game, we fixed some of the problems identified. The toughest opponent was definitely the
senior team. They played against us as if it were the final Gold Cup Qualifying game that they need to win. That was the kind of test needed to make a proper assessment of the team.” Meanwhile, Development Coach and National Midfielder Anthony Benfield has been assigned as Assistant Coach following a motorcycle accident injury to Calvin Allen. “Coach Allen, who has initially been named as Assistant Coach has had an unfortunate motorcycle accident, which has incapacitated him and, under the medical practitioner’s advice, has been required to rest. Benfield, who has been with team, is knowledgeable and capable to function in the post he has now been assigned.” A 20-man squad will represent Guyana at the Concacaf U20 Men’s Qualifiers in Nicaragua from February 15 – 23, 2020. Guyana has been placed in
Anthony Benfield Assistant Coach Group A with St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Montserrat, US Virgin Islands and host Nicaragua. Guyana’s match schedule 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
National U-20 defender Nicholai Andrews on the ball during Monday’s final training match against River’s View FC of Bartica.
Yamaha Caribs Rugby Club to hold AGM on February 25 The Yamaha Caribs Rugby Football Club will hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday February 25th at the GNIC Club House on Woolford Avenue starting at 18:00hrs. In accordance with their constitution (Article 8.2) the
AGM must be held no later than February 28th in each year for the approval of the audited or unaudited financial statement of the previous year, approval of the Executive Committee’s report and other items on the agenda on which the
necessary voting will take place. There will also be the elections of office bearers. All financial members are eligible to vote. The current President is Robin Roberts. Members are asked to take note and to get themselves in order and attend the upcoming AGM.
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Wednesday February 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Guyanese Allicock victorious in Cuba Caribbean Bantamweight Boxing Champion Keevin Allicock defeated Victor
Abreu, Middleweight Desmond Amsterdam lost a close points decision to Jorge
Cuellar and light Heavyweight Dennis Thomas’ fight against Lazaro
Fizz was stopped in the second round by his Coach, Cuban Francisco Hernandez Roldan after the Guyanese hurt his hand. Light Welterweight Colin Lewis did not compete in the tournament which was held in Santis Piritus Province of Cuba, as he was battling a bout of influenza. The four boxers are undergoing a three-month training stint in the Spanish Speaking Island as they prepare for the Olympic Qualifiers in Argentina from March 26 to April 3. This trip was made possible by funding from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), the Government of Guyana and Guyana Boxing Association (GBA). Coach Roldan, who worked with GBA in Guyana, said he was pleased with the performance of the Boxers and declared that all of them will be ready for next month’s Olympic Qualifiers. The quartet is scheduled to participate in another tournament in Cuba next week as they continue their work in the largest Island in the Caribbean. The training facilities in Cuba are very good with the Boxers training two times per day, while the diet of the Boxers was of a very good standard informed Coach Roldan, who was very helpful in all areas since taking over
- Boxers will be ready for Olympic Qualifiers says Cuban Coach Roldan
Keevin Allicock (right) in action against Bajan - Ajayl Jones in their Bantamweight bout. (file photo) from National Head Coach and GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole who returned home last week. On his return from Cuba, Poole had informed that the Boxers are adapting nicely to the Spanish Culture, while their sparring partners are of very high standard with most of them being Cuban Senior Boxers. This is the best preparation for any Guyanese pugilist preparing to qualify for an Olympics as the GBA goes all out as they try to provide the best opportunity for Allicock, Amsterdam,
Lewis and Thomas to join Guyana’s Mike Parris who is the only Boxer from the English speaking Caribbean to win an Olympic medal. When John Douglas competed in the men’s light heavyweight event in the 1996 Summer Olympics, it was the last time a Guyanese Boxer Qualified for the Olympics, while Parris won a Bronze Medal in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. The 2020 Olympics is slated for Tokyo, Japan from July 24 to August 9. (Sean Devers)
Berbice Cricket planning to host historic Berbice Premier League in August If everything goes according to plan, the Berbice Cricket Board would be hosting the first ever Berbice Premier League during the month of August. BCB President Hilbert Foster MS, unveiled the ambitions project at the February meeting of the board’s executive committee. The BCB since Foster’s election in February 2018 has been Guyana’s leading cricket board with unmatched activities on and off the cricket filed. The BPL is one of several exciting projects that the BCB would be hosting during the next two years. Foster disclosed that the format for the BPL would be a knockout 20/20 tournament with twelve teams vying for championship honours. The eleven first division teams of Berbice along with a team from the Berbice River SubAssociation would play in the tournament. The eleven first division teams are West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose
Hall Canje, Albion, RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne and Skeldon. The teams would be seeded according to their performances over the last two years. The draw would be done publicly with members of the teams. Each team would consist of thirteen members with the BCB relaxing its rules to allow one player out of the county per side. Each player involved in the BPL would receive a financial stipend per match with the fees increasing as their team advance deeper in the tournament. The BCB would also provide a stipend for a coach per team, while each game would have a winner’s prize. Clubs would have the right to have a Georgetown or Essequibo player, who would also receive a stipend, special prizes would also be shared out for Play of the Day, man of the Match, Fan of the Match and MVP of the tournament. According to Foster,
depending on the overall success of the historic event, all of the twelve teams would also receive a financial developmental grant from the BCB. Funds raised from the tournament would be used to expand the BCB countywide coaching programme, upgrade operations at its office, assist clubs with balls and if possible, great effort would be made to obtain a vehicle for Guyana’s most vibrant cricket board. Foster who would lead the organizing committee, stated that an aggressive drive would be made on fees for players/officials, match prizes, uniforms, balls, umpiring fees, refreshment for player/ officials among others. Matches would be played at the No69 Ground, Albion and Blairmont grounds, while Umpires would drawned from a special pool of Berbician Umpires. The experienced cricket administrator expressed confidence that the Berbice (Continued on page 31)
Wednesday February 12, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna are laid to rest in private family ceremony Daily Mail - Kobe Bean Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna have been laid to rest in a private family service two weeks after their deaths in a helicopter crash. The funeral service was held quietly on Friday at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, California with no photo g r a p h e r s present. Information about the ceremony was revealed in death certificates issued by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, which listed burial as the type of deposition for both Bryant and Gianna. The certificates listed the causes of death as blunt trauma and indicated that they died in a ‘rapid’ manner in the January 26 crash in the hills of Calabasas. The Blast was the first to report the death certificates. Seven others on board the helicopter died in the crash, and on Monday a public memorial service was held for three of them:
baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and daughter Alyssa. Several thousand people poured into the stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday for a public memorial honoring the award-winning coach of Orange C o a s t College baseball, who was known for leading his team to four state titles and helping his young players grow and develop on and off the field. Scores of them were in the stadium, along with members of current local college teams, wearing their jerseys. ‘We have no clue how many teachers, police officers, firefighters, dads and husbands that he helped develop along the way,’ his longtime friend Josh Belovsky told the crowd. ‘Those are the wins that he cherished the most.’ The 56-year-old coach known as ‘Alto’ won more than 700 games during his 27 years coaching the team and was named coach of the year last year by the American Baseball Coaches Association. A public memorial is also scheduled for Bryant
on February 24 at the Staples Center. The date pays tribute to the ‘24’ jersey number that Bryant w o r e s i n c e the 2006-07 season. Bryant’s wife Vanessa said in an Instagram post on Monday that she was both grieving and angry over the loss of her husband and daughter. Vanessa Bryant, 37, has made few public appearances since the crash that killed her husband, daughter and seven others and said in the social media post that she had been ‘reluctant’ to put her feelings into words. ‘My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone,’ she said, using a nickname for her daughter. ‘I can’t process both at the same time. It’s like I’m trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me.’ Vanessa said she felt anger at losing both her husband and daughter and has to remind herself to be s t r o n g f o r t h e c o u p l e ’s three surviving daughters. ‘God I wish they were here and this nightmare
would be over,’ she said. ‘Praying for all of the victims of this horrible tragedy. Please continue to pray for all.’ The death of Bryant, an 18-time all-star in the National Basketball Association and one of the w o r l d ’s m o s t a d m i r e d sports figures, prompted an
outpouring of shock and grief from fans and fellow athletes around the globe. The retired Los Angeles Lakers forward had been on his way to a youth basketball tournament in which he was coaching and his daughter and two other girls aboard the luxury
chopper were due to compete. Federal investigators have not yet determined a cause for the crash in Calabasas, California, outside Los Angeles, but have said the helicopter was flying in dense fog and that there was no evidence of engine failure.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 12, 2020
Guyana among 17 nations Five players sanctioned after under-19 World Cup final brawl beginning quest to reach Concacaf Men’s U-20 C/ship Miami, Florida – This week, 17 teams will begin their quest to reach this summer’s 2020 Concacaf Men’s Under20 Championship in Honduras with the start of CU20 Championship Qualifying. At stake is not only a spot in the Under-20 Championship, but a place in the Round of 16 of the tournament, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2021 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia. Under-20 Championship Qualifying will see the 17 teams split up between four groups, beginning with Group A in which Nicaragua will host Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat and the U.S. Vi rg i n Islands at the
Nicaragua National Football Stadium in Managua. Nicaragua will look to build off their positive performance from the 2018 edition when they registered wins over Aruba and Saint Martin. Group B sees the Dominican Republic welcoming in Grenada, Dominica and Anguilla to the Complejo Deportivo de Bayaguana in Monte Plata. If the 2018 tournament is any indication, it should be a tight race, as the Dominican Republic posted three wins, while Grenada and Dominica each had two wins in that edition. Emerging Curacao headlines Group C and will face off against Guadeloupe, Belize and Saint Martin at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in
Willemstad, Curacao. Curacao were a victory away from qualifying for the second round of the 2018 edition, while Guadeloupe registered three victories during that tournament. Rounding out the qualifying phase is Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands and Barbados in Group D to be played at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico were very impressive in the 2018 tournament with three wins and will look to take a step forward in 2020 by reaching the knockout stage. Note: 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 Bangladesh players run onto the field after victory © ICC via Getty DUBAI, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Five players have been sanctioned for brawling in the immediate aftermath of Bangladesh’s victory over India in the under-19 World Cup final in South Africa at the weekend, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday. Bangladesh claimed the title for the first time with victory by three wickets over India at Potchefstroom on Sunday but an ugly brawl broke out after Rakibul Hasan hit the winning runs and his team mates ran on to the field to celebrate. Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Rakibul Hasan of Bangladesh and Indians Akash Singh and Ravi Bishnoi were all charged with breaches of the ICC code of conduct and handed international
suspensions of between four and 10 matches. “The match was hard fought ... but the elation and disappointment experienced by some players after the game spilled over into unedifying scenes that have no place in our sport,” said the ICC’s Geoff Allardice. “Respect is at the very heart of the spirit of cricket, and players are expected to show self-discipline, congratulate the opposition on their successes and enjoy the success of their own team.” Indian spinner Bishnoi, who was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17, was handed a further sanction of two demerit points for giving Bangladesh batsman Avishek Das a send-off during the raindisrupted final.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 12, 2020
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RHTYSC, MS and DDL relationship enters 17th year - Company pumps $240,000 into Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate teams
G
uyana’s leading youth and sports O rg a n i s a t i o n , the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS and popular international soft drinks brand, Pepsi on Friday last renewed their long cricket relationship at the Demerara Distillers Ltd Head Office located at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The soft drinks giant has been sponsoring the RHTYSC Under-19 and Intermediate teams since 2004. The sponsorship was renewed at the cost of $240,000 for 2020. R H T Y S C , M S Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed Pepsi and DDL as one of the main reason why the club has been hailed as Guyana’s best and for the reputation of producing positive results on the cricket field. The Pepsi Under-19 team in 2019 won the BCB Under-19 20/20 title, was runner up of the 50 overs
tournament while the Pepsi Intermediate team won the BCB/ Shimron Hetmyer 50 overs tournament. Pepsi came on board as the official sponsor after the Guyana Telephone and Te l e g r a p h C o m p a n y withdraw in 2004. Under the sponsorship, the Under-19 team has won six titles including the first two editions of the BCB/New York Business Group 50 overs tournament, while the Intermediate team has won both tournaments organised by the BCB. Foster noted that the success of the Pepsi team has been the result of sheer hard work, dedication and the financial support of the Demerara Distillers Ltd and Pepsi. The support from Pepsi has enabled the teams to fully concentrate on playing the game on the field, without worrying about the costs attached. Over the years, the team produced national junior players like
Dominic Rikhi, Shailendra Shameer, Arif Chan, Loyden Lewis, Shawn Pereira, Akshay Homraj, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Matthew Pottaya, Assad Fudadin, Abdel Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi and Murphy La Rose among others. Campbelle, Crandon, Anderson, Gajnabi and Grimmond Assad Fudadin all went on the play for the West Indies at different levels. Over the last sixteen years, the Pepsi teams have also hosted hundreds of personal developmental programmes with the main objective of making a positive difference in the lives of youths, elderly and less fortunate. The programmes were hosted under the sub-
Raj Nannan doing well in T&T’s cricket, Foo (54 & 3-25) impresses
G
eorgetown Cricket Club’s (GCC) Left-arm spinner Raj Nannan, who also plays in Canada’s domestic cricket, continues to impress in Trinidad’s local season. In his latest two-day game in Premiership 2 League, the 26-year-old fired his team BFL to an Innings and 31 runs victory in just one day with Nannan taking two six-wickets hauls and made 36 with much improved batting, while Guyana Super50 batsman Jonathon Foo made 54.
Sancho St Juilien were bowled out for 70 as Nannan befuddled the batsmen with 6-28. He got support from Keon Isaac who took 228. When BFL batted, Berbice youth batsman Ranga Lachana top scored with 83, Foo made 54 and Nannan got 36 as BFL reached 228. Sancho St Juilien did a bit better in the second innings; making 117 with Nannan again being the destroyer capturing 6-53 from 17 overs, while Foo, bowling off-spin had 3-25 from nine overs. (Sean Devers)
headings of educational, culture, charity, religions, awards, community among others. National junior cricketer Jonathan Rampersaud and Berbice player Chanderpaul Govindhan would serve as vice-captain respectively. The 2020 Intermediate team would be led by Junior Sinclair. Foster expressed gratitude to DDL and Pepsi for their continued investment into the RHTYSC. He committed the teams to uphold the high standard they have set themselves in the future and to be perfect ambassadors of the Pepsi brand. DDL Marketing Executive Larry Wills congratulated the RHTYSC for been an outstanding representative of the Pepsi
DDL Marketing Executive Larry Wills (right) hands over sponsorship to RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster. brand. DDL, he stated was proud to be associated with the RHT teams as they have
represented the Pepsi brand well on and off the cricket field.
Kaieteur News
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Mohamed re-elected head of GMR&SC - Free entry for fans at Sunday’s meet Rameez Mohamed will serve a third consecutive term as President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) after he defeated challenger Mahendra ‘Raj’ Boodhoo by seven votes when the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Election of Officer Bearers was conducted at the club on Thomas Lands and Albert Street on Monday night. Mohamed Shiraz Roshandin was voted in the new Vice-President after Hansraj Singh opted not to seek re-election. A z i m J a f f a r unanimously retained his position as Secretary; he was on all three slates. Azaad Hassan will continue to function as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. Nirmal Sukhram returned as Treasurer after Chet Singh declined to contest, while Sunil Persaud retained the role of Club Captain by virtue of Mohamed becoming president. Mohamed and
Shairaz Roshandin
Rameez Mohamed
Persaud were the lone names initially listed for that particular post. Additionally, Joel Evans copped 52 votes as opposed to Brian Ten Pow’s two in the race for Technical Advisor; Te n P o w w a s n o t i n attendance. The Committee Members remained the same, namely Paul Jiwanram (37 votes), Motilall Deodass (39 votes), Haniff Mohamed (37 votes), John Bennett (31 votes) and Kamal Seebarran (40 votes). The Returning Officer was Accountant Harry Parmesar and a motion was passed by the new executive
to retain the services of Parmesar Accountants as the club’s auditors. Following the AGM, in an invited comment with the media, Mohamed pledged that this year he plans on taking motor sport to new heights in Guyana and the local fans are sure to be pleased with what’s in store. This Sunday is the first round of the National Race of Champions (NROC) meet and the reelected official revealed that as a token of the GMR&SC’s appreciation for the tremendous support of fans last year, the NROC meet will be free of charge for all supporters.
Wednesday February 12, 2020
Ministry of Education, NSC, GTTA conducts beginners Table Tennis coaching programme
Participants take time out for a photo. The Ministry Of Education in collaboration with the National Sports Commission and the Guyana Table Tennis Association conducted a beginner’s Table Tennis coaching programme. The programme which was for Students in 14 Primary Schools, commenced on Monday January 13th and concluded on Friday January 31 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Home Stretch Avenue. The programme was conducted under the watchful eyes of National table tennis coach Linden Johnson. The programme attracted 125 students from 10 of the 14 schools invited from around Central Georgetown.
Each school was entitled to two sessions at two hours per session. Students were well equipped with the basic skills to take back to their schools, clubs and communities. According to coordinator Johnson, after three weeks, he was pleased with the attendance and dubbed the programme successful. Johnson stated that feedback from teachers were positive and requested a continuation of the programme once or twice a month to keep the game active and to help the student improve on their skill and technique. He stated that a number of the students showed great interest and are expected to
register with the beginners coaching programme which will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 04:00pm to 05:30pm and Saturdays from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. According to Johnson some of the aims of the project are to develop and improve the level of table tennis in schools; help students with the basic skills; help students to be better prepared for tournaments; increase the number of participants involved in table tennis by 50%; identify players for future training and create an integrated coaching programme that incorporate the coach’s education and player ’s development.
Participants go through their paces during the programme.
Ryan Dey is new GRFU President
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he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) held its Annual General Meeting on February 09, 2020, at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, where a new executive body was elected. Ryan Dey went toe to toe with Earl Edghill for the Presidency and was eventually elected. Immediate past President, Peter Green did not seek reelection.
D e y, a f t e r e l e c t i o n thanked Green for the hard work he has done over the
years and committed to elevate the standards of Guyana Rugby.
Below is the list of names that formulates the new body. President Ryan Dey Senior Vice President Joshua Griffith Junior Vice President Kevon David Public Relations Officer – Godfrey Broomes Secretary Terrence Grant Treasurer Quacy Bremner Assistant Secretary Treasurer -Tiffany Spencer Michael Whitehead Committee Member Natasha Andrews Committee Member Sherlock Sam Committee Member Shane Grant-Stuart Committee Member
Wednesday February 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 43
Elcock stable returns with a bang, despite one of its animals suffering a broken leg - Miss Olympic, Perfect Strom, Perfect Dream and Fresh Dancer outstanding
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he Rising Sun Turf Club held a one day horserace meet on S u n d a y i n collaboration with Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall and other entities at Rising Sun, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. The day was marked by a number of outstanding
performances from various animals. Goodwill Boy of the Jagdeo stable took the feature G and lower event, but the day belonged to animals of the Elcock stable. After a sabbatical from the race track the Colin Elcock Delmur Racing stable of East Coast Berbice returned with a bang. This
Connections of Goodwill Boy collect their silverware from Mortimer Stewart of Banks DIH for the animals win in the feature event.
Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash Tournament serves off today The Guyana Squash Association will continue its 2020 calendar with the running off of its second tournament for the year the annual Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash tournament which begins today, Wednesday February 12th, at the Georgetown Club Courts on Camp Street. Thirty five participants will match skills in the two categories, Open for the more seasoned players and Category A for the younger
players. The Open category i n c l u d e s l a s t y e a r ’s Lucozade handicap winner Nicholas Narain, Peter Michael DeGroot, Ashley Khalil, Michael Alphonso, Kirsten Gomes and BCQS Women’s Veterans Over-35 winner Lydia Fraser, while Category A will see some of the up and coming junior players, Shiloh Asregado, Joshua Verwey, Dhiren Persaud and Lajuan Munroe (Continued on page 31)
was by far the outstanding entity on the day as it won two races and a third place and was in a position to take another when misfortune befell one of its animals. The six race event saw Goodwill Boy ridden by Apadhu taking the feature 1400M event and the $400,000 and trophy compliments of Banks DIH Limited. Miss Olympic ran in second with Valentina and Settling Star settling for the other two places. Miss Olympic of the Singh stable with Jamaican jockey Brian Blake in the stirrups returned to win the event for H3 maiden horses and those that hasn’t raced for over a year. With $300,000 available over the 1400M distance, Catch A Glimpse and Not This Time hadn’t much chance. The event for three years old Open Guyana Bred animals saw Perfect Dream ridden by Kellman winning
This young lad of the Elcock stable receives the winning trophy for the Republican victory in the L class maiden event as jockey Paul Delph relishes the moment. the race of perfect horses from Perfect Storm, Justify the Heat and Catholic Boy. The win was worth $300,000 and trophy over 1100M. There was a reversal of positions in the K class race as Perfect Storm with Y. Kissondial blew away Perfect Dream to take the top spot as Fresh Dancer and Prince D followed. The L Class Open event
saw Fresh Dancer of the Elcock Stable with Michael Semple riding outshining the royal animals in this event as it showed them a few moves in winning from Prince D, First Prince and TP 360. There was another win for the Elcock stable with The Republican ridden by Paul Delph winning the L class maiden race from Song Bird, Escape and Osana.
The top Stable award went to the Elcock Stable with two wins and a third with curator Colin Elcock t h e c h a m p i o n t r a i n e r. Jockey Brian Blake was the most outstanding jockey on show. Miss Olympic, Perfect Storm, Perfect Dream all scored a first and a second, while Fresh Dance got a first and third. (Samuel Whyte)
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National U-20 midfielder, Javier George on the attack against River’s View FC in the final warm up match on Monday afternoon last.
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Concacaf U-20 Men’s Qualifiers
Dover hails commendable team training - Benfield is performance as team departs new Assistant Santos FC recognises efforts of players, officials to become national and sponsors at Awards Ceremony - Aimingchamps in 3-5 years P. 32
The SFC 2019 awardees pictured with, among others, PSC Chairman Capt. Jerry Gouveia, GFF President Wayne Forde, SFC President Ramesh Persaud.
Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna are laid to rest in private family ceremony
Guyanese Allicock victorious in Cuba - Boxers will be ready for Olympic Qualifiers says Cuban Coach Roldan
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