Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
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
Guyana of old is gone forever Guyana is not in a very safe neighbourhood any longer. And though it does not help, this is neither in degree nor scale related to anything connected to the increasing hysteria surrounding upcoming national elections. Too many developments are occurring outside of its control, and with some real big people involved, with bigger visions in mind, and building capacity to be the biggest influencers and referees in the region. In sum, the most fearsome heavyweights around, and ones with which not to meddle. There was Guyana going along and minding its own business. It was an endless succession of hazy lazy days of perpetual summer, almost like days at the beach; and with that comes immaturity and irresponsibility, along with a dogged resistance to growing up. That was the long yesterday; today is here and with jarring shocks. What are this country’s main businesses? There was the involuntary export of its intellectual capital; there was the traditional racial discord that was and is found musical to the ears and hearts of the great mass of the populace; there was the climactic warmth of the equatorial sun, followed by the manmade heat brought about by imported, then transshipped addictive commodities; there was a certain kind of economy, a way-station and sanctuary (but now to a lesser extent) for money of a certain kind, and neither of the Laparkan nor Western Union variety to furnish momentary solace. Except for the continuing and intensifying love-hate racial history and culture, now immovable reality, that languid, laidback, and lowdown Guyana of yore is gone. Forever. Whether liked or not, it can be kissed goodbye. At least through a nostalgic smack on both cheeks; though not quite yet a long lingering meeting of lips harmoniously fused. Now there are too many loud-voiced, sharp-eyed, and heavily-muscled newcomers. They are from external regions, with foreign political cultures and foreign objectives. It is an illustrious band of self-proclaimed, selfauthenticated warriors, a gathering of heroes, superheroes, according to them. They range from the surreal to the sinister, and are all beginning to congregate around the Northeastern tip of South America for the believed financial, political, and superpower rewards. They are worth a serious examination. There is the leader who is all about bluster and fluster; he is the epitome of the caustic and erratic, which is trumpeted as incomparable trump cards. The adversary from the East is cold and calculating; a skilled nerveless gambler: equipped with patience, powerful determination, and a panoramic outlook. He is ambitious. Then right here, next to Guyana stands this tempting and weak target, which happens to be a covetous neighbour. The new Guyana, of confirmed wealth and still much more unmeasured promise, is not only in the centre, but attracts its own share of calculations and strategic valuations. Guyanese, who take a wide-lens worldview, should now understand and appreciate much more, the experiences and traumas of Mexico and Cuba. Both of those countries found themselves in a bad place and with the lamentable histories of bad neighbours. They had land and wealth; they had to get the right thinking quickly and humiliatingly; or prepare for the worst. Remember Mexico under Santa Anna? Think of how much territory was lost; and the wealth that went with that loss.Guyanese should identify with those concerns and apprehensions (hopefully, not result). For this race-plagued society is also a mineral-infested one. It is not a feared country, even if it were to be unified; that encourages many wolves, including many local ones, for the imagined feastings.Matters are all about them, and to hell with those who happen to be in the vicinity; or in the middle. It is just the luck of the draw; of disputed cartography; of mineral discovery and strange, ugly money. All of that should bring even less comfort to thinking, watchful Guyanese citizens; the ones who really care about this land and its destiny.
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.
There is unprecedented confidence in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, In my humble opinion, recent events has revealed the international perspective on the safety situation within our country. The recently concluded UN Convention to Combat Desertification at the Arthur Chung Convention Center, the re-classification of Guyana by the US State Department crime and safety report has Guyana listed at ‘Level I’ i.e. exercise normal precautions (Guyana was previously listed at ‘Level 2’ i.e. exercise increased caution) Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Vi, over a dozen US Congressmen’s visit and other similar actions that express the confidence in Guyana by major international actors speak volumes. Guyana’s security status according to the US state website is better than other
countries such as, France, Italy and the UK. Trafficking in Persons Report has placed Guyana at ‘tier I’ from ‘tier 2’ according to a Guyana Times report June 2017 (Guyana Times, a usual critic of the current administration), which only confirms Guyana’s great strides in the realm of crime and policing and the recognition of these gains by members of the international community. The words massacre and pirate attack in Guyana’s waters are no longer a regular fixture in the headlines. Instead, there are innumerable headlines relating to the capture and prosecution of criminals and consecutive crime reports chronicling the decrease in the instances of serious crimes. Tr a n s p a r e n c y i n d e x recently lauded Guyana as one of 20 countries that significantly improved its rating in the fight against
corruption. Guyana has improved within the last seven years from 29-37 points and currently ranks 93 out of 180 countries. So then, the question begs, why is there still a narrative that says crime is out of control or crime is worse than we think? The answer is in the source of the narrative. I would beseech the Guyanese people to consider the source of the depressing lamentations of those who intend to sow and sell fear among us. What is there to gain by belittling the thankless and self-sacrificing work of our security forces who risk their lives to combat a crime situation that is now much better than it was in times past? Truly one life stolen, one attack on a businessman or his family by bandits or one purse snatcher preying on vulnerable women are all one
too many. But let’s not ignore the hard fought gains of the Ministry of Public Security and the reformed Guyana Police Force in dismantling several criminal enterprises. That erased the political mileage of the opposition and columnists who seek to sensationalize their headlines. Instead, fair and objective approach should be adopted when it comes to reporting or pronouncing on the overall crime situation in Guyana as a matter of respect to our men of service. We owe it to ourselves as a matter of pride as a people to open our eyes to the reality of the situation and reject the political and commercial blinders foisted upon us by those whose purpose is purely selfish. The international community sees the truth; it is time Guyana does too. Yours respectfully, Kenny Valladares
The power rests with GECOM DEAR EDITOR, In October 1997, the then Editor-in-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle, Mr. Sharief Khan, interviewed two gentlemen who were integrally involved in the elections of October, 5 1992. These two gentlemen were Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, S.C., and Mr. Miles Fitzpatrick, S.C. They were reflecting on the days leading up to the 1992 elections. It is important to note that the Chairman of the Elections Commission in 1992 was Mr. Rudy Collins and the President of Guyana was Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, S.C. In his reflections, this is what Mr. Miles Fitzpatrick said to Mr. Sharief Khan, “I think that the Commission as a whole didn’t believe that President Hoyte would call the earliest possible date. I think, therefore, that we may have taken a chance in the Chairman notifying him that the list was ready - which it was - but then other preparations for the elections, including printing the list and distributing it to the stations, a lot depended on the computer room (in the elections commission building at Croal Street) and its rate of production, and you had problems”. One gathers from Mr. Fitzpatrick’s response, that the Elections Commission at
the time was not fully prepared for the elections when they informed Mr. Hoyte that they were ready. The result was that Cheddi Jagan became President of Guyana and Mr. Hoyte became the Minority leader. It was elections year again in 1997. The President of Guyana was Mr. Samuel Hinds, and the Minority l e a d e r w a s M r. H u g h Desmond Hoyte. The Chairman of the Elections C o m m i s s i o n w a s M r. Doodnauth Singh, S.C. The Commission at the time faced certain issues that were related to the elections. These included the production and distribution of the voter Identification cards being used for the first time in Guyana. What did the Chairman Mr. Doodnauth Singh do as a result? He asked the President (Mr. Hinds) to hold back on naming Polling Day until a review was done. The individuals who updated Mr. Hinds were the Chairman, Mr. Doodnauth Singh, Dr. Barton Scotland and Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, S.C., the latter two being members of the Commission at the time. The elections were held on the 15th of December, 1997, and the result, Janet Jagan became President. She took the oath of office before an Interim Order for a restraint, granted
by the then Chief Justice Madam Desiree Bernard, was served on her. After the elections, the Ambassador of the Organization of American States (OAS) Mr. Joseph Edmunds declined to pass judgment on the declaration of Mrs. Janet Jagan as President saying, “It is not for me to be satisfied with the decision of the Chairman. (He made it) based on facts before him and on the Constitution and the Law. It is not for us as observers to challenge (it)”. Article 159(1) of the Constitution of Guyana clearly states, “No person shall vote at an election unless he or she is registered as an elector”. It is expected, therefore,
that citizens have the right to demand that their names be placed on the list of electors, once they are of age to vote. The Elections Commission, in this regard, has an obligation to the people of Guyana to ensure that all eligible voters get an opportunity to vote and that the elections are free and fair. This function is given to the Commission under Article 162(a) and (b) of the Constitution of Guyana. While the President has the power to dissolve Parliament and to fix Polling Day and a Nomination Day, the onus is on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to inform the President when it is ready for elections. GECOM has to be satisfied. Lawrence Harris
What’s the case of the intellectual authors DEAR EDITOR Will the intellectual authors of the People’s Progressive Party, who organised and took part in the conspiracy to remove the lawfully elected Coalition Government from office, go unpunished for the Criminal enterprise which strikes at the heart and soul of our democracy? The ring leader of the organised group of criminal conspirators is well known to have a maniacal obsession to regain power by using the unlawful vote of Charrandass Persaud or any other means having tried to do so recently and failed.The police have not yet reported on the investigation they had been carrying out in respect of Charrandass Persaud purchases after he had cast his vote of betrayal in the National Assembly. Lancelot Noel
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Guyana has already been taken back! DEAR EDITOR, A recent campaign rally by the PPP featured in the headlines quoted Bharrat Jagdeo and presidential hopeful lrfaan Ali saying that they will “take our country back”. Take back our country? From whom? No foreign invader has seized our dear land nor was it lost to any domestic tyranny or terror. In fact, it is in the hands of the Guyanese people through a duly democratically elected government at the national, regional and local government level. Something we could not say to be true of the PPP government under the presidency of Mr. Jagdeo. Mr. Jagdeo and his recently selected presidential candidate are at it again with their race baiting for political gains as surely his comments were a reference to the ethnic make-up of the PPP and the larger coalition government partner (PNC/R). Last election campaign Mr. Jagdeo said that if the PPP wasn’t returned to power the GDF will be used to kick down the doors of PPP supporters’ homes and do unspeakable things. None of this ever came to past. Guyanese are more involved in the running of this country than ever before as the press is truly free, freedom of speech is guaranteed (no calypsos bad mouthing government banned) and access to information greatly improved with projects such as the commissioning of radio Aishalton.So to cast aspersions that Guyana is in the hands of anything except Guyanese is a fallacy. Allow me to further dispel the fallacy propagated by the PPP duo with their “take our country back” comment. The current PPP campaign has the slogan “Defend Your Democracy”, which when taken against the history of the PPP as against their coalition opponent, is beyond ironic. Democracy is the velvet glove that hides the iron fist of the autocratic elitist nature of the PPP in its current form. Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali are willing to disenfranchise scores of young people in their thirst for power by their unwillingness to allow houseto-house registration and a proper cleansing of the voters’ list. It is in their power to allow house-to-house registration with two-thirds majority parliamentary support to hold elections after GECOM is fully ready. This is the party that by lip service claims to be champions of the cause for young Guyanese. From 2015 to date, 14 and 15-year-olds would have come of age where they would have been constitutionally guaranteed a democratic right to one vote for the party of their choice. Jagdeo, Irfaan and the PPP would deny that right to young people to
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cast their first ever vote if it means a shot at power and that calls into question their motive for seeking office. The PPP may be the largest mass based political party in Guyana and a wonderful opportunity to prove its commitment to democracy was afforded to the party when it came time to elect and not select a presidential candidate. By modest estimations, PPP has 14,000 registered members of which 13,965 voices were silenced only allowing for 35 to have a say in who represents the party as its presidential candidate. This is not counting out those who by unofficial reports were pressured to withdraw or votes bought by Mr. Jagdeo. So in reality the democratic enfranchisement of 14,000 PPP members was a sacrifice for the will of just one (Mr. Jagdeo). A seat in the national assembly is afforded by about 7000 votes and those who occupy those seats do so on the basis of representative democracy and as a result do not represent themselves but the 7000 votes that put them there. On December 21, 2018 those 7,000 voters had their democratic will subverted with the help of PPP operatives (Peter Ramsaroop and car full of friends) when Charrandass Persaud voted with the opposition. It was a vote that contrary to Mr. Persaud’s claim of one of conscience, is reported to have been procured for US $ 1 million and given who the vote benefits and his company on the said night strongly hints his buyer to be agents of the PPP. Not even the democratic rights guaranteed under the constitution is safe under a Jagdeoled PPP government as he denied the country local government elections so that hand selected interim management committees that were bent to his will, did his biddings. So no, Guyanese will not give back this country to the cabal of Jagdeo or his cohorts. Guyana will not be surrendered back to the hands of a select few friends who monopolized local industries such as the telecommunication to their selfish benefit, the streets and lives of young men will not be sold over again to drug lords to do with as they wish and Guyana will not see ministers and friends create another ‘Prado Ville’. Guyana currently rests safely in the hands of Guyanese benefitting Guyanese! Take back our country? We have already taken it back through free and fair elections overseen by a PPP government and we will keep our country with another free and fair elections whenever it comes. Yours respectfully, Kenny V
NOW IS THE OPPORTUNE TIME FOR AN ALL-INCLUSIVE NATIONAL FRONT GOVERNMENT DEAR EDITOR, After successive , decades-long, winner-takes-all regimes headed by the PNC , PPP/C and PNCR, it is now the right time for political parties to work together and have an all-inclusive government comprised proportionally of all parties that secure seats in upcoming elections. The practice of winner takes all has failed us for over 60 years. The party that gets a simple majority of votes takes 100 percent of government ministries to the exclusion of another large party that secures close to 50 percent of the votes cast. Many ‘fit and proper’ persons over time become selfish, power-drunk, rapacious politicians who hog all the power and many times abuse it. They have the mentality of ‘this ah we time; you had yours’, which is detrimental to Guyana’s development. Jobs for the ‘boys’ results in misfits, charlatans, square pegs in round holes wielding power. In fact, so power-drunk some politicians are that they only consider, and wish for, power-sharing and constitutional reform when they are in the opposition. As soon as they get in Government, they abandon these noble ideas. The result is that there is massive victimization, discrimination (racial, gender, geographical) and favouritism
(cronyism, nepotism etc.) that cause some people to suffer while others enjoy the good life. This vicious cycle seems indefinite and those who suffer from the resulting collateral damage are always the poor and disconnected. In this 21st century, this practice must stop. With the looming wealth from oil, greedy “wannabees” would do all they can to lure voters. There will be unachievable manifestos and empty promises just to get votes. As soon as they get in office, the phones will not be answered, the vehicle windows will be darkly tinted and the elusiveness will begin, while a chosen few will be facilitated. Now is the right time for our political leaders to come together and negotiate for an inclusive government in which there is shared power, with ministries, departments, boards, commission and all
decision-making bodies reflecting the races, genders and location of our peoples. In addition, there should be equal opportunities in employment, scholarships and participation at all levels of existence. There will always be political patronage and the spoils system due to human nature. However, multi-partisan entities should prevail and merit should be the order of the day. Editor, this does not have to be an elusive dream; it can become a reality if our politicians put our people and country first; if they truly serve instead of lording over people. Sincerely, Karan Chand Region Two Resident
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION IS NOT SAFE DEAR EDITOR, There are certain matters that pop up from time to time in the public domain that people tend to shy away from commenting on. One such issue but which is twofold, is public security and/or national security. Ordinary folk prefer not to go public on such matters either because of fear of reprisals, or simply because commonsense tells them they should keep away from matters involving the long arm of the State Security and law enforcement. Security matters, be they of a public, national or cyber character are not sufficiently discussed in mainstream media save for the occasional editorial and reports on crimes committed or matters before the courts. A case in point is the safety and security of students, teachers and parents at both public and private
schools. It took the recent brutal attack on Mr. Brian O’Toole for this matter to surface, flung in the face of John Public and for the police to act. What seems certain is that the problem was festering for quite some time and like an unhealed sore all that was needed was a prick for purulent to start flowing. But more glaring incidents in rapid succession were the recent bomb scares/ threats at other schools, the University of Guyana and the Office of the Ombudsman. Bomb scares are not unusual to Guyana. They usually occur at times of political tension and when the country is gearing up for elections. It is to be expected that law enforcement, therefore, would have built up the technical and human resource capacity to respond effectively to such threats/attacks. Moreover, given the immi-
nent elections seasons, the GPF and the Ministry of Public Security should have already anticipated a spate of bomb scares and issued ADVISORIES and WARNINGS through the print and electronic media as well as on personal electronic devices with the help of service providers such as GT&T and DIGICEL. While there is nothing consistent with respect to age, ethnicity, place of abode or work of perpetrators. nor is there a pattern as to when, where and why such acts are perpetrated save for public mischief, the intent is to disrupt the peace and good order of a community, or place of work or study in Guyanese society. The point is that it is illegal to do so if and when incontrovertible evidence is produced to prosecute the alleged offender. Apart from the threat to life and limb and to public
A case for industrial hemp DEAR EDITOR, There is a perfect storm on the horizon for the Industrial Hemp Industry as there is significant economic need to strive for job creation and Tax Revenue along with a strong demand for sustainable technologies, low carbon footprint housing, highly nutritious food and effective medicine with no side effects. Industrial Hemp can provide many of these solutions. Now that our economy suffers, isn’t it time to let our farmers take advantage of this unique profitable crop? The Notion of Industrial Hemp as a narcotic is an out-
dated and highly debunked myth. Under our laws, there is no distinction between industrial hemp and marijuana although the Guyana Government in 1971 signed onto and agreed to the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic drugs of 1961 where a very-specific distinction has been made in the control of cannabis. The stipulations ensured the exclusion of cannabis Sativa L Industrial Hemp from all cannabis legislations within member states. Another benefit to consider is the fact that industrial hemp is an environmentally
friendly cash crop. A range of studies has shown its many benefits. Industrial Hemp can strive with minimal if any and all herbicides, fungicides and pesticides. It reinvigorates the soil, and it requires much less water than other crops. Mr. Editor, consider the economic stimulus possible by legalizing the growing of industrial hemp. Guyana is not only running out on a sizable global market, but also limiting the livelihood of farmers, processors and fabrication by continuing to deny common sense in form of costly drug enforcement agendas. Our economy could be revived and unemployed Guyana could benefit from a fresh emerging industry. Mr. President please legalize industrial hemp now for the “Good life” that you promised us. Yours, Thimbi Hendricks Chairman- Georgetown
safety and security, the recent occurrences targeting the University of Guyana, schools and public buildings must be viewed from two other critical dimensions. First, the personal dimension. Electronic communication nowadays is no holy cow. There is absolutely no privacy when communicating online. The view held by many Guyanese that end to end encryption of emails and WhatsApp messages, phone calls and digital files,is mistaken. None of these platforms are secure; contents can be used and seen by others. Data on any mobile phone, laptop or notebook of any user can be hacked by hackers on the ‘Dark Web’ or traded by companies in the electronic communications business. Surveys have revealed that commitments notwithstanding, little or nothing is done by companies to protect the personal data of an unsuspecting user. Personal data of a user can be sold to so-called ‘data brokers’ who in turn sell the data to other companies who would have compiled lists of political leaders and activists, Ministers of Government, Parliamentarians, official office holders, Magistrates and Judges, Diplomats, law enforcement officers, journalists and other persons of interest to them.
The ‘data brokers’ are also in the shady business of tracking data on mobile phones or laptops with a view to selling the data of unsuspecting users to other companies engaged in the business of illegally harvesting personal data. This brings us to the second dimension. In the process of trading personal data room is left for law enforcement and national security agencies to harvest and/or purchase data personal to users from unscrupulous ‘data brokers.’ Experts have provided incontrovertible evidence showing that ‘Facebook likes’ can be used to establish who is the user, their political affiliation, where they live and work as well as their sexual orientation. The harvesting of electronic intelligence can be extremely useful for law enforcement in their fight against money launderers, drug and arms traffickers, traffickers in persons, persons engaged in terrorist acts and persons who use telecommunications networks or a communications service to transmit/ communicate bomb threats to disrupt the peace and good order of society. It is for these reasons users of cell phones, laptops and notebooks or any electronic communications device must first of all be aware that their cell phone, laptop or notebook might be their personal and private property
but the data stored therein is not. In the circumstances, it is critical that users of personal electronic devices must manage the privacy of their texts and conversations, they must be cautious when agreeing to privacy policies pop ups and should not unwittingly consent to systems suspected of collecting their personal data. The three sides of the modern Ecommunications coin can be very tricky and a lack of understanding and awareness of how exposed a user can be could result in effective tracking by law enforcement or hacker much to the detriment of the unsuspecting user. A danger that is growing exponentially in Guyana is fake news and photo shopping being peddled via the Internet on cell phones and laptops. With elections around the corner, the situation can get worse in the heat of the campaigns by political parties and their followers. This will pose a major challenge to law enforcement during elections season. More education and enlightenment about of the dangers inherent in the use of electronic communications devices is urgently needed in Guyana especially since thousands of adults, teenagers and even school children now own and use a cellular phone in their day to day lives. Clement J. Rohee
In support of Sherod Duncan DEAR EDITOR, While carrying out my daily reading of the various local newspapers, I came across an article on February 8, in the Guyana Times page ten (10) captioned, “GM yet to provide receipts for overseas travel”. After reading the article, several points in the body of the story seemed to show that there is a sinister plan at work. Those areas of contention in my view are; Ø The document was leaked (by
whom); Ø Mr. Duncan as GM terminated the services of Mr. Godfrey Wray, Editor and the Finance Controller; Ø Did Mr. Duncan benefit in a personal way or were these payments made in the interest of the organization?Mr. Editor, the article has to be looked at from a position of motive. Why were the findings leaked and did Mr. Duncan get an opportunity to respond to these allegations? From a discussion with a senior personnel at the Guyana Chronicle, the leaking of the document should not come as a surprise since the Finance Controller who was fired by Mr. Duncan is now back on the job and by virtue of his/her designation that person will obviously have access to financial documents that Mr. Duncan will have to respond. As a matter of professional ethics, anyone who was dismissed or terminated should not be on the job until an extensive investigation into the allegations is completed and the findings are discussed with all of the relevant parties involved.
The least management should have done is send all of the parties involved on Administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Only then can management truly make an informed decision as to who was culpable of any wrongdoing. As it relates to the financial expenditure from what is in the press, it would seem that Mr. Duncan may not have followed the procedures but I have to ask about his intent. Was he at the time under the impression that he was acting in the interest of the organization that he was managing? This question is important because I have not seen any evidence in the press, which has suggested that Mr. Duncan embezzled funds for his personal use. In my humble opinion, I believe the Guyana Chronicle Board needs to step in immediately or the relevant subject Minister to ensure Mr. Duncan is treated fairly because the situation that currently exists does not create an environment for fair play. Respectfully Ayodele Roache
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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UG’s financial management questioned by lecturers, staff - calls made for independent audit
President of the UGSSA, Jewel Thomas, during the picketing exercise
T
he financial man agement of the Uni versity of Guyana, (UG) is being brought into question by several lecturers and employees attached to the institution. So dire are the concerns over UG’s spending, that employees staged a picketing exercise in calls for an independent audit of the books. During a picketing exercise on Monday at the Turkeyen Campus, members and executives of University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) told the media of their concerns. “UG is spending monies which are not unaccounted for. The University is paying for accommodation, food and travel of experts, but fails to provide proof of how the monies are expended or whether these persons are actual experts. “We believe that there is some level of misappropriation as it relates to the finances and we want to see some scrutiny. So, instead of wasting monies on lavish dinner parties, talks, lectures, first class flights, and highpriced hotels, we believe that the University could divert some of the funds to address the inhumane conditions, staff and students are subjected to work under,” a staffer attached to the university stated President of the UGSSA, Jewel Thomas told members of the media that the funds could be plugged into an area that is most needed. She
pointed to a need of developing the teaching space. “We need adequate furniture and teaching materials.
Instead, we are seeing expenditure in areas that we don’t consider a priority,” UGSSA President said. She noted too that the call for this audit has stemmed from the inability of the University to provide an increase in teachers’ salaries beyond three and four per cent, because the University “cannot afford it”. “The response came saying that they really don’t have any more money for 2018 [to pay] wages and salaries, but they would sit and negotiate the other things, i.e. the uniform allowances, etc.,” Thomas highlighted. “Why are we going to sit and discuss anything with you if you say you have no money?” We need to have a look at what is going on with the university’s finances.” Meanwhile, the Chief Labour Officer, who manages the Labour Department within the Ministry of Social Protection, convened conciliation proceedings between the administration of the University of Guyana and representatives of the University Unions yesterday. In a statement, the Labour Department noted that the issue addressed an impasse
Guyana being pushed towards ... (From page 3) the first time in this country, play a role in its government. “Such a situation is too frightening to contemplate, and it has to be hoped that even the most battered, bruised and disappointed politicians would want to prevent such
an eventuality.” Ram said that in short, the President and his Ministers “will then push Guyana into its worst constitutional crisis in its history, since even the suspension of the 1953 constitution was made legal by an Order in Council.”
which was recently developed with respect to the 2018 wages and salaries negotiations involving the parties. “The Chief Labour Officer (CLO) initiated the conciliation process after the Unions by a correspondence dated February 9, 2019 notified the University of its intention to “engage in various forms of industrial action during the week beginning Monday, February 11, 2019. The Unions made good on their threat by staging a picketing exercise at the
Turkeyen Campus during the lunch period on Monday, February 11, 2019. Since it was possible that the industrial action was likely to be intensified, the CLO decided to intervene in keeping with provisions of the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01, and in the interest of industrial stability.” During the conciliation meeting the University Administration intimated its willingness to cooperate with the Ministry and facilitate the Conciliation
process. “It is worthy to note that the CLO pointed out that in keeping with standard industrial relations practice, the threats of various industrial actions must be withdrawn as a prerequisite for cordial discussion, and negotiations in good faith. While the Unions did not give a commitment to withdraw the threat, they promised to consult with their members and advise the Ministry of Social Protection in writing on February 13, 2019 (today) on the way forward.”
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Miner set alight in row over stolen cocaine
A 60-year-old man is said to be in critical condition after being set alight following a dispute over stolen cocaine. Police identified the victim as Chandi Randolph Moore of Haslington Village, East Coast Demerara. The incident occurred last Sunday at an area in the Marudi Mountains, Region 9. The suspect is said to be from Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. There are reports that the two men had a
prolonged feud over a quantity of cocaine that one individual had accused the other of stealing. Police said that the dispute escalated recently after one man again claimed that he had lost cocaine. It is alleged that the individual set Moore alight as the miner was walking along a trail. Investigators are attempting to travel to the location and have the victim transported to a medical facility.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Dredge owner held in Brazilian shooting death
Police have detained a Bartica dredge owner in connection with the shooting death of a Brazilian at a Kartuni Backdam, Cuyuni shop last Thursday. The miner and the shopkeeper have alleged that the Brazilian had attacked the miner with a cutlass. Police gave the slain man’s name as ‘Tony,’ and said that he was employed with another Bartica miner. Investigators have seized a licenced 9mm Glock pistol with which the victim was shot. Kaieteur News understands that the 27year-old miner alleged that he was at a shop, which is owned by a Brazilian, when another Brazilian entered and began to behave in a disorderly manner. The shopkeeper then warned the man to desist.
It is alleged that after receiving word that a tree had fallen across a trail leading to his camp, the miner decided to sleep at the shop. He had tied his hammock and was preparing to rest when the Brazilian, who had a cutlass, attacked him. The miner allegedly discharged a warning shot, but the Brazilian continued to advance to him. The miner reportedly then discharged three rounds at the Brazilian, fatally injuring him. Police said that the body bore a gunshot to the chest and another to the back. Online photographs showed the victim on the ground and apparently still clutching the cutlass. Police only managed to reach the area on Monday. They are awaiting results of a postmortem.
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
Pride and anger Persons are supposed to have pride in themselves, their achievements, their family, their friends, and most of all in their country. In this regard, pride is a good thing. Sometimes, however, pride can be a bad thing. Being too proud can at times lead to downfall. Not being willing to say sorry; not being willing to deal with an insult from someone we consider to be a lesser being; not being willing to say sorry, not being willing to ignore the ignorant, not being willing to compromise and treat others like human beings, are all symptoms of a pride which can lead to our own downfall. I have seen situations where the powerful go after the weak, simply because their pride was hurt by something said, done, or omitted by the weaker person. I have seen powerful people behave as if they are lords, and demand a level of respect, which, if not forthcoming, results in a vicious campaign of harassment and victimization against the weak. The downfall of many
a great person has been his or her pride.It is pride that sometimes drives people to violence. Each day you pick up the newspaper and you read stories of violence. Each day somebody dies because someone else could not control his or her anger. And the reason that triggered that anger is because someone did something to offend another’s pride. Most days you can pick up the newspaper and read about another unnatural death in our country. The cause was a quarrel between two persons. This quarrel leads to someone feeling that another should not be doing or saying something, leading to anger and eventually to violence and murder.
If only we can learn in this country to suppress our pride, there would be less violence in our country, and particularly in our homes and in our relationship with others. I have always emphasized that sometimes it is best when you are wrong to not react; when you are insulted to not respond, because your response invariably will be based on your feelings of hurt, and it is best to act out of compassion and love rather than anger and hatred. The many incidents of domestic violence in Guyana are not going to abate, unless we deal with the root causes of the violence. One suggestion which has been made is for countrywide anger management classes. But which target audience will these
Cor Corrrection In our February 12, 2019 edition, we incorrectly captioned a headline “ERC says...Several diplomats, foreign officials fail to declare assets”. That headline should have instead read: “OIC says…Several diplomats, foreign officials fail to declare assets”. The OIC being the Office of the Integrity Commission.We sincerely apologise to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) for this slip.
DEM BOYS SEH
De boss man nice but he mouth does betr ay him betra
One thing dem boys don’t like is when people talk dem name. Is not dat dem does get vex. Is just dat dem does feel disrespected because dem believe dat people must seh wha deh pon dem mind to de people dem want to talk about. Dem boys know dat oil crucial to Guyana but dem also know dat Guyana didn’t get de best contract. People complaining how Exxon gon get all de money but dem don’t know Guyanese. Dem boys know Guyanese can thief de word out of somebody mouth. Is just dat dem have a complex fuh foreigner. De oil people come and dem start to talk how Guyana gon get rich. When dem boys check de facts, indeed Guyana gon get a small piece but de taking should be bigger. Yet de same people who cussing de contract pushing to get to benefit from dat same contract. Jagdeo is a smart man. He didn’t talk too much bout de oil contract because he know fuh every dollar Guyana get, he getting at least ten cents. He is a man who got an eye
fuh money. And he don’t buy nutten. Anywhere he go is freeness. He go in a night club and he don’t have to buy nutten. Dat is wha dem boys want to know wha he doing wid all de money dat he got.De Waterfalls boss man got a problem wid Jagdeo. He tell dem boys dat he is a man wid good intentions. When poor people approach him, he does try to help dem. Of course, dem got people who does con him too. But generally, he does try to be nice only dat he mouth does betray him. He does try to ignore people when dem do things dat does get him vex. He does try to walk away but somehow he mouth does spoil everything. Dem boys seh dat is how he and Jagdeo fall out. De mouth get in de way of de friendship. Dem boys stay de same way. Dat is why dem got people who frighten to talk to dem. Exxon don’t talk to dem and now de gold people avoiding dem. Talk half and don’t mek you mouth land you in trouble.
seminars meet? Will they reach down to those households which need it the most, and how will those households be identified? And would training persons in how to deal with anger end the cycle of violence? What needs to be understood is not only how to deal with anger, but more importantly, why one becomes angry. I am sure that if a detailed assessment was done on cases of anger, it will be found that the source of anger has to do with pride. Controlling our pride, learning to understand how to deal with situations which offend our pride, is therefore
critical to understanding why there is so much violence within our society. It is terrible to see how lives are being destroyed in this country, because persons are seeking to get even, rather than find a solution to a problem. Even if that solution entails someone having to give up ground, it is far better than having to assert one’s pride through destructive and violent actions. A good place to begin is the way we speak and relate to others. There is too much verbal abuse taking place in Guyana, particularly in homes. If someone does
something wrong, it is better to allow the passion of the moment to subside before responding.It is also important, before responding, to question our feelings and to ask why it is that we are feeling the way we are feeling. If the answer to that is because our pride was offended, then it is the offended person rather than the offender who has the greater problem.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 13, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
‘National Security’ co-starring Charrandass Persaud Could we liken the plot of the comedy film, National Security, with the national security scenario playing out with Charrandass Persaud? There are elements of similarity. In the hit movie with popular comedian, Martin Lawrence, two investigators on a mission to solve a crime, bungle it with outlandish mistakes. I cannot put Charran as the star. If I do that then the resemblance fades away. Who is the lead actor in the Guyanese version of the film I don’t know. People may want to assign the Police Commissioner, because he announced that the investigation involves national security. Some may say, Khemraj Ramjattan. He informed the nation that he contacted the police after he learnt that
Charran had made inquiries about buying gold. It is surprising that no journalist has taken up the issue with Ramjattan. I know a minister who bought a car for someone last year. I know another minister who bought a motorcycle for someone in Berbice recently. Can those two cases be reported to the police? If a judge inquires about a vehicle from a dealer and we hear about it, should it raise suspicion? My answer is no. But Ramjattan holds the security portfolio, so he may think otherwise. Charran is making a lot of videos, and in one of them he asked what was wrong about inquiring about the purchase of gold? Maybe Ramjattan should answer the question. But let us return to the statement by the Police
Commissioner, of national security. The surface material Guyanese have been given, especially by Moses Nagamootoo (Nagamootoo wrote in November last year that they were planning to pick his bones in Whim, well I heard they have started; more on that in a forthcoming column) is that Charran took a bribe to vote yes. If proven true, would that not be corruption and the charges would be along that line? How does national security come in? Two former presidents are in jail (South Korea and Brazil) and a serving US governor was jailed for taking money for selecting the appointee that would fill Barack Obama’s Illinois senate seat. In all three cases, there were corruption indictments, but nothing said about
national security. In Guyana, there is talk that Charran received money to vote the way he did. From my layman’s perspective, if there is proof of that, then the MP is guilty of a corrupt transaction. If there are national security issues involved, then there is more to the Charrandass Persaud controversy than the surface material that the Guyanese people are familiar with. Governments do not discuss national security matters in public, because they say they are sensitive material. Therefore, I don’t think the Guyanese public will be given more information of this dimension of the Charrandass imbroglio. But I think most Guyanese felt that if Charran took money then it is a case of corruption. The national security statement means there is something beneath the surface material. Of course, I am entitled to my opinion. Of course, it is my right to say if I believe the
Commissioner of Police. I will not pen words to the effects that the Commissioner is wrong, but I will state my opinion. I do not believe national security is involved. There may be. But I do not believe it at the time of writing. I will change my position when the Guyanese people are given the evidence through the action of the police. For the rest of this column, I want to look at the corruption thing through the eyes of a layman, since I am not a police officer nor a lawyer. But I would venture to say that an educated mind does not have to be a security expert or an attorney to understand how police investigations should proceed. Either one of four situations have to be present to determine if Charran received money. One is that Charran has to admit it and accept the consequences. Secondly, the payer has to admit that he gave Charran an inducement for his vote. This
Frederick Kissoon here is not an easy matter to succeed in court. Charran could say he did not receive any money from any payer and that the man is lying. Unless you can confront Charran with the evidence over and above what the payer said, then there is the word of the payer versus Charran’s. The third pathway is a paper trail that reveals that gold or cash moved from hand to hand to hand and ended up in Charran’s pocket and all the players have left documentary evidence. Finally, there is the route of circumstantial evidence. So far, nothing on the state of the investigation.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
Disclosure of tax waivers vital for transparency in extractive industry
Disclosure of tax waivers is an essential part of the transparency process for the extractive sectors, officials attached to United Kingdom (UK)-based consulting firm, Binder Dijker Otte (BDO) said yesterday during a workshop aimed at strengthening Guyana’s data collection and
accountability mechanism. The firm is assisting the Government of Guyana to implement its Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Guided by the belief that a country’s natural resources belong to its citizens, the EITI has established a standard to
promote the open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources. The EITI Standard requires countries to publish timely and accurate information on key aspects of their natural resource management, including how licences are allocated, how
- UK-based consulting firm much tax, royalties and social contributions companies are paying, and where this money ends up in the government at the national and local level. Governments, together
with companies and civil society, work to improve the management of natural resources by implementing the EITI Standard. As such, while addressing issues of data collection and methodology, workshop facilitator and independent administrator of BDO LLP, Rached Maalej noted that oil companies will be asked to authorise the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to release confidential tax information. He noted that the release of tax waiver information is an essential step to compiling Guyana’s first EITI report. Maalej noted that all companies are required to disclose the same information – same rules for all companies. Companies also benefit from an improved and more stable investment climate, in which they can more effectively engage with citizens and civil society. The GRA, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Gold Board, Ministry of Finance, National Insurance Scheme and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as nine oil and gas, and 25 mining companies will be required to submit information. Maleej said that while GRA is legally bound to withhold taxpayer information from third parties, private sector entities can give authorization to share
information on consolidated revenues and expenditures. Like in the UK and other countries, he said government could ask the local companies to grant waivers for the GRA to release their tax information and identities. “For the major players, we can obtain a waiver. We can try to contact them and try to get a no-objection signature.” EITI seeks to strengthen public and corporate governance, promote understanding of natural resource management, and provide data to inform and drive reforms to curb corruption and improve accountability. As such, the Government of Guyana identified the Ministry of Natural Resources as the lead agency responsible for implementing the Guyana-EITI. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman was identified as GYEITI Champion to lead the implementation. To achieve this objective, the Government of Guyana, through Minister Trotman, had invited implementing agencies to draft the EITI Standard and systems which will help with improved tax collection and budgetary planning. Trotman had noted that EITI signals commitment to the transparent and accountable management of the country’s natural resources. He said that a transparent and open government enhances citizens’ trust.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
Deep worry over SOCU’s investigations, cases - Minister Sharma There is unhappiness with the current situation at the police’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) with regards to a number of high profile cases. A number of ex-ministers and former senior government officials under the administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/
Civic have been charged, with scores of other investigations ongoing. The charges all stem from several forensic audits ordered by the Coalition Government in 2015 into the operations of government agencies. Reviewing the reports of the forensic audits was
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma. He would have then handed over a number of those forensic audit reports to the police for further investigations. Hundreds of millions of dollars would have been spent on not only on the forensic audits, but the
subsequent investigations and then prosecutions. Three years later after those audits, SOCU has within weeks lost two of its senior officials who were behind the high profile investigations that saw even the current presidential candidate for the PPP, Irfaan Ali, being slapped with
File Photo: Minister Sharma handing over forensic audit reports to former Top Cop, Seelall Persaud. SOCU’s head, Sydney James looks on. several charges relating to the Pradoville Two transactions. The absence of those two persons now has Minister Sharma worried, and even mystified why Ali was not facing more serious charges, based on the forensic audit report of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). Sharma, who is representing the Justice For All Party as part of the governing coalition, in expressing frustration, took to Facebook this week, to express worry. “Yes, I am very concerned about the investigations being stalled by the absence of two important figures in the work of the Guyana Police Force’s SOCU, as the findings from the Forensic Review/Audits was (sic) very revealing to say the least.” The two officials he is referring to are Forensic Analyst, Sheronie James, and Dr. Sam Sittlington. James resigned a few weeks ago with questions raised about her qualifications. She later issued a statement insisting that her qualifications were never in doubt and that she had made the decision on her own. She was said to be critical to many of the investigations, even testifying in court. James is said to be a British citizen. With regards to Sittlington, he was a critical advisor to SOCU who was let go by the British government after it was discovered that he
had a local investigations company, a conflict to his work. According to Minister Sharma, the absence of the two would impact the investigations. “My friends, I did my part as the Minister with the responsibility for reviewing the Forensic Review/ Forensic Audit Reports for GRDB and others. I had recommended that some of these reports be submitted to the Commissioner of Police, which I did forward to the top COP for further investigation and possibly charges where act of fraud was perpetrated, which includes false s t a t e m e n t s , misrepresentation or deceitful conduct.” He questioned the charges of fraud against Ali noting it was not reflective of the grave nature of the forensic audit findings. “As you know, the former Minister and now PPP/C Presidential Candidate was charged and is presently before the courts but strangely the charges were not in keeping with the more serious breaches as was highlighted in the Forensic Report of CH&PA and I am asking myself why?” The Coalition Government has taken a beating on the investigations and charges and rate of successful convictions. Several ex-ministers and former government officials were questioned, many of them photographed and face splashed in the media.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
Crew member toys with flare, causes fire on cargo boat Princess Sasha K, a cargo boat that traverses from Georgetown to Region One caught fire at the Fertilizer Wharf last night. The fire started around 19:00hrs but was contained by the Guyana Fire Service. However, the interior of the cabin, where the fire started, was destroyed. Only two crewmen were on the boat owned by Ramzanally Khan when the fire started. This newspaper understands that a 21-year-old Essequibo resident started the fire. The man was overheard telling firefighters that he was in the cabin, waiting for the time to arrive to load the boat, when a box containing flares caught his attention. He said, “I see the flare inside the box and I open up the box.” The crew member said that he took out a flare from the box and took off the “cork.” He related that the flare fell out of his hands, to the ground and ignited. “It catch piece sponge.” The crew man said that he attempted to extinguish the fire but eventually needed the assistance of the fire service. Three fire tenders responded to the call. The firefighters were successful in their bid to contain the fire. The boat was supposed to have transported rice and sugar to Region One last night but had to remain docked following the blaze.
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The vessel, Princess Sasha K, after the fire was extinguished.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Judge awards businessman $5M over diamonds seized by police
Eight years later… An eight-year quest for some missing diamonds ended on Monday for businessman Ronald Khan after High Court Judge Fidela Corbin-Lincoln awarded him judgment against the State to the tune of $5M for the minerals that were seized by police ranks following a robbery at his mining camp at Ewang Creek sometime in 1994. Additionally, the Judge ordered that the State pay Khan costs of $200,000. In giving reasons for her judgment, the Judge noted that while it was clear Khan suffered personal loss of his property, he produced no evidence to verify the quality of the diamonds, which he claimed were valued some $54M.
The missing diamonds were the subject matter of a civil case filed against the State by Khan who, through his Attorney Nigel Hughes, had requested the return of the wrongfully detained minerals, which according to him, were lodged at the E&F Division of the Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. According to court action filed on January 3, 2011 by Khan, this matter dates back to 1994 when his mining camp was robbed of the aforementioned diamonds worth $54M which were later recovered by ranks of the Guyana Police Force and taken to the Mahdia Police Station. “At the Mahdia Police Station, the plaintiff (Khan) inspected the said diamonds
and verified the quantity and the amount with the officers of the Guyana Police Force. After the diamonds were checked and identified by the plaintiff at the Mahdia Station, officers of the Guyana Police Force thereafter transported the said diamonds to the E and F Division of the Guyana Police Force,” the affidavit outlined. According to the legal document, sometime after Khan requested the return of his diamonds but was told that they were required as exhibits in the criminal trial of the persons charged with the armed robbery committed on the camp.But despite the passage of several years, the legal document stated that the police were unable to con-
clude the prosecution of the alleged defendants, as some had escaped and others subsequently died. It continued, “By a letter dated the 24th day of November 2010, the plaintiff’s attorney wrote to the Commissioner of Police requesting the return of the said diamonds. The Commissioner of Police acknowledged the said letter but failed to return the plaintiff’s property.” According to Justice Corbin-Lincoln, “I therefore find as an undisputed fact by a letter dated 24 November 2010, Mr Khan caused a request to be made to the Commissioner of Police for the return of his alleged diamonds. I am satisfied that Mr Khan made a specific and unconditional demand for the return of the alleged diamonds.” Though the Judge was of the view that police had a lawful basis (provided for under the Constitution of Guyana) for retaining the diamonds having regard to the circumstances of the case, the question arose whether there was a lawful reason for the continued retention of the alleged diamonds. In this regard, Justice Corbin-Lincoln pointed out that the Constitution of Guyana only permits the taking of property for so long only as required for the purposes of examination, investigation or trial, and consequently, does not permit the indefinite retention of property.Giving a breakdown of the evidence before her, the Judge said that Khan made a request for the return of the alleged diamonds some 16 years after the robbery. It was highlighted by the Judge that the robbery suspects were charged during 1994—the same year Khan said his mining camp was robbed. She pointed out that there was no evidence by the State that the alleged diamonds were still required to be retained, and that the State showed no lawful reason for the continued retention of the
Ronald Khan
diamonds, after a request was made for its return. The State had contended that the action filed by Khan was statute-barred, and breached Section Six of the Limitation Act. That section which speaks to action for movable property, salary or goods states, “Every action and suit for any movable property, or upon any contract, bargain, or agreement relating to movable property, or to recover money lent without written acknowledgment or upon any account or book debt, or to recover any salary or the value of any goods sold and delivered, shall be brought within three years next after the cause of action or suit has arisen.”According to the State, since the robbery occurred in 1994, Khan had three years from thereafter to file proceedings. But Justice Corbin-Lincoln held differently. Referencing cases and extracts from law author, John D. Fleming in The Law of Tort, Justice Corbin-Lincoln held, “I find the matter is not barred by statute, as the tort of detinue was established. Having found that there was a detention, a demand, and they have not been returned in a reasonable time of demand, or at all,
and there is no lawful reason for the continued detention of the diamonds, I am satisfied that the tort of detinue be established.”As mentioned before, Khan filed proceedings against the State in January 2011.Furthermore, the Judge said she believed Khan’s evidence when he said that the items were indeed diamonds given his decades of experience in the mining industry. Another basis the Judge cited for believing the items were diamonds, is that the police had to have had some surety it was same before instituting criminal charges.Initially, Khan had asked the court to make an order directing the defendant, who is listed as the Attorney General and/or the Commissioner of Police, to return the diamonds to him. Alternatively, Khan had requested an order directing the Commissioner of Police to pay him the sum of $54,000,000 being the value of the uncut diamonds, wrongfully detained by the Guyana Police Force. He had also sought damages in excess of $100,000 for the wrongful detention, interest, costs and such further or other order as the court may seem just.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Shipping companies slapped with $$$M fines over unfair haulage fees The country’s competition regulator has slapped fines on a number of shipping companies for alleged price fixing. According to the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), it has ruled unanimously against the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) in a price fixing case in a complaint filed against the body by businessman Mahindranauth Jaikarran. Jaikarran is said to be the owner of JD Transport Services. He provides haulage service for containers from terminals operated by the members of the SAG. Jaikarran, in his 2017 complaint to the CCAC, accused the SAG of engaging in anti-competitive behaviour by agreeing to collude to fix rates for the haulage of containers from terminals operated by its membership. The intentions of SAG were to disrupt the natural market flow to its advantage, Jaikaran argued in his complaint. The SAG members involved in the issue included Muneshwers Ltd, Demerara Shipping Ltd, John Fernandes Ltd, Guyana National Industrial Company Inc. and Guyana National Shipping Corporation. The matter was heard by the Commission, chaired by Ronald Burch-Smith, Commissioners Rosalie Roberston, S.C. and Pradeepa Bholanath. Evidence was provided by both the SAG and Jaikarran.
According to the Commission, evidence presented showed that the terminal operators imposed handling fees for the private haulers which is not charged by the SAG members, which gives them “a price advantage vis-à-vis the private hauler, to the extent of the handling fees”. The Commission, in its findings, stated that “we are satisfied that the 15th July decision of the Shipping Association, and adopted by the five terminal operators, was an agreement within the meaning of Section 20 of the Consumer Affairs Act. It distorted a competitive environment among terminals for services provided by them to consumers generally, that is, to the shipping lines and agents, importers of goods and any person or entity which had the option to exercise choice or influence where their goods were shipped.” The commission also said that the private haulers had little choice in this matter, but by imposing the agreed rate on them in a concerted manner, the decision distorted competition and gave the
shipping association an unfair and unlawfully implemented advantage. The Commission also ruled that SAG members with immediate effect must terminate the price fixing agreement which is reflected the SAG’s memorandum of 15 July, 2017. “Each of the five terminal operators is ordered to pay the sum of $3,843,000 within six weeks of the date of the order.” According to the commission, price fixing is a conspiracy between business competitors to set their prices to buy or sell goods or services at a certain price point. “This benefits all businesses or individuals that are on the same side of the market involved in the conspiracy, as the prices are either set high, stabilized, discounted or fixed,” the commission explained. The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) was established in 2006 and became fully operational in 2010. The commission is an agency of the Ministry of Business.
Five of the biggest shipping companies have been fined for price-fixing, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission disclosed yesterday.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Prosecution to reply to no-case submission in PI of teen who “jumped” from car
DEAD: Sasia Adams
CHARGED: Rick Seecharran
Attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin yesterday made a nocase submission in the matter involving Rick Seecharran, who is charged in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Sasia Adams. Seecharran, 21, is currently on trial before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was not required to plead to the charge, which stated that on June 10, 2018, he unlawfully killed 19-year-old Sasia Adams. Adams, formerly of East Street, Georgetown, had been employed at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The charge was recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), after the police forwarded a file to the chambers. Yesterday when the matter was called, the lawyer told the court that the Prosecution failed to prove their case against his client and he should not be called upon to lead a defence in the matter. The lawyer added that there is no evidence that his client committed the offence and as such, the matter should be dismissed. The matter has been adjourned to February 13, when Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers is expected to respond. According to a statement from the police, on the night of June 10, 2018, Adams and her boyfriend were travelling west along Lamaha Street, Georgetown, in a white Toyota 212 motorcar, when she opened the door and leapt from the car, landing on the southern side of the road. The police said that the boyfriend picked up the woman and transported her to the hospital where she died. Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh gave her cause of death as blunt trauma to the head. Based on reports, the police sought several extensions to further detain the boyfriend after there were conflicting reports surrounding the death of the teenager. It was reported that Adams, who was admitted to the hospital in a conscious state, told doctors that she had fallen down at home.
Labourer remanded for simple larceny - released three weeks ago from prison Three weeks after being released from prison for simple larceny, Gopaul Ramjattan found himself behind prison doors again, having been remanded for a similar offence. Ramjattan, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, denied the allegation after it was read to him. The allegation is that on February 9, last, at Church Street, Georgetown, the accused stole from the person of Dianne Etwaroo, articles amounting to $38,280. An unrepresented Ramjattan informed the court that he is a labourer, living in the streets. He mentioned that he was previously charged for stealing. The defendant went on to say that he served a prison sentence of six months and was released only three weeks ago. Police prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to bail being granted to the accused based on the prevalence of the offence; the fact that no fixed place of abode was provided and the fact that the articles stolen were recovered on the person of Ramjattan. The prosecutor stated that Ramjattan was caught by security guards at the location where the incident took place. He was later handed over to the police and the charge against him was made out. Chief Magistrate McLennan then remanded Ramjattan to prison and ordered that he return on March 4, 2019 for his next court hearing.
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Teen who allegedly killed man with bow and arrow charged with manslaughter A 19-year-old who allegedly shot and killed a man with a bow and arrow following an argument, was yesterday charged and remanded to prison for the offence. Ronell Henry, a miner of Koriabo Village, Barima, North West District, was not required to plead to the charge, which stated that on February 5, last, at Koriabo
Village, he killed Orlando Joseph. The unrepresented teen appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on February 5, last, the defendant was in the company of his mother and other siblings imbibing at a
shop. The Prosecutor added that Joseph, who is known to Henry, approached the table where Henry and his mother were sitting, and Henry became annoyed. An argument then ensued between the two, and Henry went away and returned with a bow and arrow, which he used to shoot Joseph to the abdomen.
The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Mabaruma Hospital where he was admitted, but later succumbed to his injuries. Henry fled the scene, but was captured a few days ago. While the Prosecutor made no objections to bail being granted to the defendant, the Chief Magistrate after listening to the facts remanded the teen.
He was instructed to make his next court appearance on February 19 in the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Courts where the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) will be conducted. Just last week, Younge Williams, a miner of Essequibo, was remanded to prison after being charged with the attempted murder of his Continued on page 34
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Ronell Henry
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Kaieteur News
The US is stepping up pressure on Europe to ditch Huawei (CNN Business) Hong Kong - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned European countries on Monday that using technology from Huawei could hurt their relationship with the United States. Speaking in Hungary, the first stop in a fivenation European tour, Pompeo said the United States has an obligation to alert other governments to the risks of building networks with equipment from the Chinese telecommunications giant. “What’s imperative is that we share with them the things we know about the risks that Huawei’s presence in their networks presents,” he said. “Actual risks to their own people, to the loss of privacy protections for their own people, the risk that China will use this data in a way that is not in the best interest of Hungary.” If countries use Huawei equipment, “it makes it more difficult for us to partner alongside them,” Pompeo said. It’s the latest effort by the US government to pressure countries around the world to keep Huawei out of the next generation of wireless networks, known as 5G, because of security concerns. The US campaign against one of China’s leading companies has added to
tensions between the two countries over the future of technology. The Chinese government on Tuesday criticized Pompeo’s remarks, accusing Washington of attempting to “sow discord between China and other countries.” The United States is “unscrupulously fabricating groundless accusations” and cracking down on the development of Chinese companies, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular media briefing. “These actions are unfair and immoral.” The US government has long been suspicious that Beijing could use Huawei equipment for spying but hasn’t provided public evidence to support those concerns. There is particular concern about the security of 5G because it will be used to carry vast amounts of data that can connect robots, autonomous vehicles and other potentially sensitive devices. Huawei, which is also one of the world’s top smartphone makers, has repeatedly denied that its products pose a national security risk. It also maintains that it is a privately owned company with no ties to the Chinese government.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Cannabis smoker finds tiger in abandoned house in Texas (BBC) A person who went into an abandoned house so they could smoke cannabis found a neglected tiger inside. Police in Houston, Texas, said that when the person called to report what they had seen on Monday, they thought the caller was hallucinating. But when they arrived there was indeed a large tiger, locked inside a cramped cage in the garage. A few packages of meat had been kept nearby, but there was otherwise no sign that anyone lived in the house. Officers told local news networks that they will now investigate how it ended up there. They said the “concerned citizen” who first saw the tiger didn’t live in the house, and was just trying to get in so
they could “smoke marijuana”. “We questioned them as to whether they were under the effects of the drugs or [whether] they actually saw a tiger,” Jason Alderete, from Houston Police Department, told ABC-affiliate KTRK. Police also described the cage as “rinky-dink”, according to CBS, and said it had been secured with a screwdriver and a nylon strap. Despite being relatively
calm for a tiger in its situation, it had to be tranquilised so animal rescue officers could get it out of the house safely. It is now being transferred to a sanctuary elsewhere in Texas - although the exact location has not been publicly disclosed. Tigers are native to South and South East Asia, and to the far-east of Russia. They are endangered - the WWF estimates there are fewer than 4,000 left in the wild.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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Contracts signed for 44 projects in Region Five The Administration of Region 5, Mahaica-Berbice has signed contracts for 44 developmental projects in the region. The agreements were inked by the successful bidders and the Regional
Executive Officer (REO), Ovid Morrison in the boardroom of the Regional Development Council (RDC) at Fort Wellington West Coast Berbice, on Sunday. In brief remarks, before the signing, Morrison advised
- % contractors must employ a minimum of 20% from communities the contractors that among other contractual obligations, they are to employ at least 20 per cent of skilled and unskilled labour from within
Hamley Case accredited Ambassador to Estonia Guyana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Frederick Hamley Case was recently accredited NonResident Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia. The High Commissioner handed over his Letters of Credence to President Kersti Kaljulaid. Case is concurrently accredited High Commissioner to the United Kingdom as well as Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland and the Russian Federation. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guyana and Estonia continue to work closely in the area of E-Governance. In 2018, a contract was signed between the National Data Management Authority of Guyana (NDMA) and the E-Governance Academy of Estonia for the facilitation of consultative services. Guyana and Estonia established diplomatic relations on April 19, 1997.
His Excellency, Hamley Case, with Estonia’s President, Kersti Kaljulaid.
the communities in which they will be executing the contracts. “I will not accept a contractor executing a project in a community and then importing his or her entire labour force from outside that community. I am very serious about that. This is part of your contract. We spoke about it before, but now it is written into your contract. You are hereby expected to honour that aspect of your contract,” Morrison advised. He also urged the builders
to ensure that they complete their projects within the specified timeframe, except when confronted with conditions outside of their control. Extensions will not be considered outside of early requests for more time. The contracts relate to the first wave of projects to be executed by the administration for 2019. For public works, this phase includes upgrades to a total of 16 community roads from Blairmont in the east of the region to Perth,
Mahaicony in the west; upgrades in the education sector with respect to schools and their environment; improvements to fences and tarmacs and construction of guard huts; and 8 projects in the health sector - mainly upgrades to primary health care centres. In December 2018, Region 5 was allocated approximately $4B to execute public infrastructure projects and improvements and upgrades within the health care, education and agricultural sector. (DPI)
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
Man remanded on armed robbery charge Shaquille Duncan made an appearance Monday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus to answer a charge of armed robbery, after being detained when he was shot, allegedly during the course of a robbery. Twenty-five year-old Duncan denied the
allegation, which stated that while being in the company of another on February 5, 2019 and armed with a gun, he robbed Steve Munroe called ‘Pablo’ of one gold chain valued at $360,000. An unrepresented Duncan, who resides at 1977 Festival City, went on to say that he works as an office assistant at the Ministry of
Public Security. According to reports, on the day in question, around 16:35hrs, Munroe was at a Super Bet Outlet on Mandela Avenue when two men who were allegedly trailing him, snatched the chain from off of his neck. One of the men was armed with a gun. The defendant and the victim then got into a
scuffle; however, Duncan managed to break free and attempted to escape with his accomplice. During the attempt to escape on a white XR motorcycle, public-spirited persons w h o h a d witnessed the robbery pursued them. Duncan’s accomplice reportedly opened fire at their pursuers, but shot Duncan instead to his left shoulder. The accomplice managed to escape, leaving a wounded Duncan at the scene of the crime. He was detained and later handed over to the police where a report was made. The accused was told of the offence and cautioned. He was placed in custody and the charge was later made out against him. Police prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to bail being granted to Duncan under the grounds of the serious nature of the offence, the punishment it attracts, the prevalence of the offence and the
Shaquille Duncan fact that a firearm was used. Magistrate IsaacsMarcus then upheld the submission made by the
prosecutor and refused bail for the defendant. He was instructed to make his next court appearance on March 4, 2019.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
RDC 10 appeals for marking of Soesdyke/Linden Highway - says undertaking necessary to help reduce accidents A passionate petition has been made by Region 10 Councillor, Charles Sampson, for the immediate marking of the Soesdyke/Linden highway. Sampson’s plea echoes that of the Region’s Regional Democratic Council [RDC], which has intensified its calls to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for the immediate marking of the Soesdyke/Linden highway. But according to Councillor Sampson, it seems like the Public Infrastructure Ministry has forgotten that there needs to be immediate markings on the road. The Councillor said that he has raised the issue on numerous occasions but “it seems as though the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is reluctant in lending assistance.” He posited that with proper road markings and lights along the road, it would aid significantly in reducing a number of road accidents. He said that the people of Region 10, more so the RDC, have over the years been repeating calls for the Ministry to effect these
changes and as such, demanded that his fellow councillors look at taking drastic action with a view of getting the road marking underway. “The highway needs to be marked and have lights. It seems like some big one got to dead before they mark the line because we don’t have markings,” an evident frustrated Councillor Sampson said. He continued, “another thing to do, and do it urgently, when you pass by the high bridge, there is a number of large trees along the highway and I keep saying that those trees can fall and cause serious accidents and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure should heed our calls and do something about this immediately. If you ask any driver that drives the Linden Soesdyke road, they will tell you, that it’s a nightmare.” The councillor said that for too long the Council pleas have fallen on deaf ears and it’s time that the council demand action, as a simple look at the East Bank, East Coast and Berbice roads
would reveal that they are fully lighted and questioned the rationale as to why after all these years the Soesdyke/ Linden road continues to be without marking and lighting. “When you go along the Berbice road, there is lighting and marking as all the way and even if you look at East Coast, they too have lights and markings, so why is it that the Soesdyke/Linden road cannot after all these years have lightings and marking, leaves me wondering. Ask any driver and they will tell you the horror that drivers face along the highway,” Councillor Sampson noted. He further argued that with markings along the road it would help significantly. “Even if somebody is blinding you with their headlights you can still see the white line marking. We raised questions about cleaning the trees that are overlapping on the highway...These are the things that Public Infrastructure needs to pay attention to,” Councillor Sampson declared. Meanwhile, Regional
Councillor Charles Sampson making a point about the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
Chairman Renis Morian, thanked Councillor Sampson for ventilating the issue even as he too supported his sentiments. “Thank you sir, I want to tell you that as of December 2018, I have sent no less than five letters to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. When I sent the list that we would have sent back for the roads, I sent the list reminding that we are requesting marking
and lightings on the road. It is my personal view that there are people in the establishment who are pushing back at development, because I find it impossible to see that since we came into office in 2015, this very observation of marking on the road and lighting are not done,” the Regional Chairman said. He too embraces the firm belief that with markings, a
number of accidents would be reduced. “I believe that with markings it will certainly reduce the accidents, which in most cases result in the loss of lives. Again, I hope that I don’t have to write several [more] letters, so I will write number six letter and I hope that action is taken, as there is need for proper road markings and lights,” Morian stressed.
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FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
SERVICES
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PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
1-620 leyland daf engine and gear box $950,000. Front spring, back spring and back def. Contact 650-0402/6031402
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
Well secured two story bond, space located at Ketley St, Pure German Shepherd pups, Charlestown with light and Riumzeight Gardens WCD. water. Contact #664-0353 #269-0671/688-1656
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Prime Business Spot, opposite Gafoors in Parika. Contact# 650-0402/603-1402
Gardening services: Landscaping, Pruning, Brush cutting, Garden maintenance & up keep #592-688-9596 Canter truck for hire, moving etc Tel#676-0455
EDUCATION Care for elderly/care for children First Aid and CPR programmes: 227-4881/2323878 Support worker/ caregiver programme train to work as in-home caregiver in Canada. #227-4881/232-3878
1 Two bedroom apartment $35,000 at Diamond, E.B.D Tel#613-7478
2 bedroom apt fully furnished in Providence & Diamond. Call: 672-1906, 682-6238/2162299
Paper, Boxed: HP,Staples & Office Depot brand. 81/2 x 11 White paper from $700 per ream. #655-3070
Two bedroom bottom flat in Festival City, Fully grilled, Car parking $80,000 Call: 616-7366
1 Recliner $35,000 1 Queen Size Bed $30,000 Tel#233-2182
Sophia man denies murdering elderly dad WANTED House or land to buy in Annandale H/Scheme, ECD. Contact #609-1040 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Live in female shop assistance and experience waitress with secondary education $20,000 wkly #610-3974 Wanted experience hire car drivers and dispatchers at Ramada Princess Hotel Tel: 616-5419, 265-7076 Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uitvlugt, Tuschen,Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence & Zeelugt. Tel#686-9608 Wanted One (1) Mechanic to work in the interior. must have experience with Cummins engine. Tel#669-3162 Motorbus Drivers. Tel#6113558 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750
CAR RENTAL VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501 Toyota BB newly registered PXX, flare kit, TV, CD, burner, mags etc $2,000,000. Tel# 6137478 One lady driven Juke in immaculate condition, low mileage, asking price $2.6M. Contact#653-0018/666-7748
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM TO LET
1 Totota Rav 4 L VVTI engine, fully loaded, excellent condition, PSS series $2.5M. Call: 618-1395
Commerical Building- Camp St area, commerical spaces available at Enmore Mall ECD. Call Richard# 609-7675/6741705 /233-2614
One Toyota Tacoma 2010 Excellent Condition for sale #673-0852
LEARN TO DRIVE
Nissan Laurel Executive antique car, Nissan Pathfinder 4-door Jeep. Superb condition. Price Neg. Call your price. Tel#660-3415/609-7766
N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561 LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109
HEALTH HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924
Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290
Yamaha 30Hp 9.9 Hp and 8 hp carberator 250 crankshaft, all foreign use. Call: 669-0486
Shermar’s Trucking ServiceTransport to any part of Guyana 24 hours #619-1490/ 699-8490/225-9666 For doctoring erectile dysfunction problems. Asthma burns, hearing & hair loss. Call Bush doc. Tel 231-9348
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uivlugt, Tuschen, Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence, Zeelugt. Tel# 6869608
1 experienced cook to work in a creole retaurant. Tel# 6939999 PROPERTY FOR SALE
VACANCY Professional Mechanic, Machinist, Male cleaner, Apply @ Technical Services, Eccles Industrial Site Female cleaner Office & Home, age 25 to 50. Call: 2332745 Scooter Driver (Business). Call: 223-5282/223-6006. Georgetown applicants preferred. Background checks will be completed. General Domestic, must know to cook & salesperson, Apply Keyfoood McDoom EBD General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank. #614-4358 Vacancy exists for one experienced cook for a restaurant. Call: 231-8737 from Mon-Fri Person to assemble bicycle. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St, Bourda One waitress & cook needed. Apply in person at the Coffee Bean 133 Church Street #2232222 Cashiers, Porters, Cooks. Submit application to Survival Supermarket, 16 Vlissengen Rd & Duncan St, Newtown
Transport property for sale, BB Eccles EBD. Tel# 6160499/616-9490
Robinson Moulder Operator, Logging Truck Driver atleast 3 yrs experience- Eccles Industrial Site EBD. Call Richard #609-7675/674-1705
House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657
Sales Person @ Ark Enterprise/ The Container House. Apply in Person @ 17 Lombard Street, Knowlege of tools vital.
Property for sale, 32 James St, Albouystown. #682-8236 Large 3 bedrooms classic house in solid condition- all amenties, huge yard, security. Price negotiable, Versailles WBD. Call: 660-3415/609-7766 6 bedrooms house on transported double-lot, all amentities, private yard/ parking. Located in Georgetown. Call: 6603415,609-7766 DRESSMAKING Learn to Cut & Sew at Enid’s Dressmaking classes. Tel#223-9106 VACANCY Receptionist 24-50 233 South Road, Lacytown #255-0198
Professional hairdresser specialized in streaking, coloring, ombre, cutting, for further information contact# 652-5800 Professional makeup artist must specialize in manicure, pedicure, facials, nails, for further information contact# 652-5800 Bond Clerk needed. Must have Police Clearance. For more info. Call: 223-0090 Sales/Delivery Clerks. Submit application to Survival Supermarket 16 Vlissengen Rd & Duncan St Newtown
MURDERED: Rickford Bourne Kumey Bourne was arraigned yesterday before Justice Navindra Singh and pleaded not guilty to an indictment which alleged that he murdered his elderly father on May 23, 2016. Bourne, also known as Kwame Bourne, and said to be 40, is on trial before a 12member mixed jury at the High Court in Georgetown. According to facts presented, the defendant lashed his father, Rickford Bourne, 72, several times with a metal pipe after coming home intoxicated. The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed. Kumey Bourne is being represented by Attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay. State Counsel Tuanna Harding, Abigail Gibbs and Teriq Mohamed are appearing for the prosecution, which is expected to call a total of 10 witnesses. The trial continues today when Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh will testify as to the cause of death.
Teen who... From page 29 brother. Williams is alleged to have used a bow and arrow to shoot his brother in the chest. The court heard that on January 26, at Upper Mazaruni, with the intent to commit murder, Williams wounded Jamal Williams, his brother. According to information, on the day in question, the defendant, along with his siblings and their mother, were at home consuming alcohol when he became annoyed and threw liquor in his mother’s face. Jamal Williams and another sibling then confronted him and they had a scuffle. The court heard that Younge Williams left the scene and later returned with an arrow-and-bow, and shot his brother in the region of his chest. The court heard the victim is still hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital in a serious condition. Younge Williams was remanded until March 19, when he will appear in the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Wismar Hospital on course to delivering improved services ...but Regional Chairman convince its development is being undermined The maternity and children wards are fully operational at the Wismar Hospital, with the facility being well on its way to better serve the people of Linden and even the wider Region 10. Currently ongoing works at the facility are focused on the male ward, and Region 10 Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, has said that a mini dispensary is currently in the making as well to serve persons during the weekends. Morian mentioned the works underway at the facility during a recent Council meeting at which he was high in praise, stating that the delivery of healthcare services offered at the hospital is poised to be improved. The Regional Chairman recalled that during a recent visit he was accompanied by the Regional Executive Officer [REO], Mr. Orrin Gordon, where they observed the work being done. “However, the challenge that we have is the same we felt when we had Mr. Gordon Gumbs as the CEO [Chief Executive Officer] of the hospital. Every time we improve things at the hospital, they move it and carry it somewhere else, and this is the same challenge,” Morian opined. He continued, “Now we have a matter that we have to bring to the Minister, but I have brought it to the Council, so that the Council can voice its disapproval. Now I think we have three doctors working there and now somebody from Georgetown wants to move them from here and take them to Georgetown. We
are now bringing up our services to par; it hasn’t met what it was before, but we are now trying.”“I will get on to the Minister of [Public] Health today, because this is bad for us. We just spoke about the canopy to get patients for us, because Dr. Steve Mark has truly been working to get patients for us, and the RDC has been spending a lot of money there, and every time we put things somebody moves it, everything you put they move it and carry it somewhere else,” said the Regional Chairman.He expressed his frustration over the situation, disclosing that there are now attempts to move the only xray technician at the hospital. “What is happening to us? That is the lone x-ray technician...what is really happening to us? But we are objecting to it; we will object to it,” Morian insisted. He went on to point out too that a letter was recently received by Dr. [Steve] Mark about the new changes. However, the Regional Chairman expressed anger over a subsequent letter which, he said, was sent by a senior official of the Ministry of Public Health, informing about plans for the doctor to be moved to Lethem. This revelation by the Regional Chairman did not sit well also with the Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, who stressed that moving of the doctor by the Ministry is not the professional thing to do, as the doctor is being paid by Region 10. Morian in expressing his frustration over the matter declared that he will not allow the people of Region 10
to suffer by the actions and/ or inactions of certain strategically placed persons. “Every time we are building up this Region’s health services, somebody is always coming to ‘pick we bones’,” he lamented.“As the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10, we resist, we are against the removing of our doctors from Wismar Hospital. The Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 is working very hard to bring it back to where it was before [but] everytime we say that we coming to par, somebody is pulling something away...we are fed up with this thing occurring over and over,” Morian said. Even as he considered whether deliberate attempts are being made to stall the progress being made in Region 10, the Regional Chairman said that in everything the region is making gains, attempts are being made to reduce them. He reminded those at the meeting that during the era of former Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, equipment was bought to the tune of large sums of money, but was subsequently moved and taken elsewhere. Morian moreover vocalised his belief that this time around the situation will not reoccur, adding that “once he remains the Regional Chairman, no one is going to be moved ‘willy nilly’.” He went on to express the view that developing the region further requires a holistic approach which is crucial, thus all are required to play a meaningful role in contributing positively to the Region’s development.
Regional Chairman, Renis Morian [right], and Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolph.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 13, 2019
One arrested, ganja field razed at Hururu Backdam
Ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Monday during a four-hour eradication operation in the Berbice River, destroyed several fields of cannabis cultivation with plants measuring from a foot to four feet in height. The field was located the Hururu
Backdam, police said. Two camps with kitchen utensils, clothing and groceries were also found and destroyed by fire together with the prohibited plants. Police said that a male logger is in custody assisting with the investigation.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Tender Board opens bids...
Major road rehabilitation to be done in seven regions The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) received 24 bids for major infrastructural works to be done on roads in Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with total bids per contractor amounting to well over $100M. Otherwise, the Ministry of Public Security intends to purchase new ambulances and other
Rehabilitation/Construction of Urban Roads 2019 Regions 1 & 8
resources to ramp up the quality of service provided by the Guyana Fire Service. Ministry of Public Infrastructure Rehabilitation/Construction of Urban Roads, Regions 2, 6 & 10 Lots 1-17
Supply and Delivery of Lot 1 - New Patching Package Unit, Lot 2 - New Tandem Pneumatic Roller
Consultancy Services for Conducting a Feasibility Study and Preparing Detailed Designs for the Construction of a new Bridge at Wismar Procuring Entities 1. Politechnica Ingeneria ed Archittura Societa Cooperativa 2. E & A Consultants Inc. 3. Beston Consulting Limited Rehabilitation of Drainage Network from Ogle to Mocha, Region 4
Rehabilitation/Construction of Urban Roads Regions 7 & 9
Ministry of Public Security Procurement of Tools and Equipment, Lots 1-2 Guyana Fire Service
>>>> Continued on page 39 <<<<
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
Major road rehabilitation to be done in seven regions From page 11 Procurement of Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies, Guyana Fire Service
Procurement of New Minibus Ambulances - Guyana Fire Service
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
England’s World Cup-winning keeper Banks dead at 81
Giant Nationwide flag which is being signed by Gordon Banks for England during Euro 2004. (Action Images Michael Regan file photo)
STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (Reuters) - Gordon Banks, the goalkeeper in England’s 1966 World Cupwinning team, has died at the age of 81, his former club Stoke City said yesterday.Banks won 73 caps for England between 1963 and 1972 and made nearly 200 appearances for Stoke before his playing career was brought to an end in a car crash that cost him his sight in one eye. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have played the game, Banks will probably be best remembered for the diving stop he made to deny Brazil’s Pele at the 1970 World Cup, which later became known as the “save of the century”. “It is with great sadness that
Wednesday February 13, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is a climactic time for you. All your yearly cycles have reached a critical juncture. You may feel as if you're at a point of tremendous victory or terrible failure. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Aggressive people may interfere with your plans today, so don't get too upset if things don't work out the way you want them to. Let this be an exercise in learning how to think and act on your feet. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It's hard to keep your balance when a big rock suddenly falls on one side of the scale. Resolving the matter isn't as hard as you think, because this rock has been dropped there as a gift. CANCER(June21–July22) Like a team of pickpockets in a crowd, a group may have its eyes on you and secretly scheme to take advantage of your innocence. One may work to distract you with something playful and harmless LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Opportunity is the name of the game for you. Don't turn out the lights before you make sure you've explored all your options today. Inspiration may come in a flash of unexpected thought, so make sure you have a pad and pencil handy. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you may be asked to choose between the old and the new, Virgo. It's as if people are protesting in some manner and you're being asked to join in the ranks of those wishing to see change.
.LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your inner strength and courage are tremendous today. You will find that people naturally gravitate toward you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Wear the striped shirt and polka-dot pants today. The more you clash with the outside world the better. You may feel wildly out of place at first, but you will begin to see the beauty and importance SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) If you don't understand something, ask, Sagittarius. If it looks different to you, ask why that is. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You may be shaken to the core today by someone of great personal magnetism, Capricorn. Maybe you feel as if you're being overshadowed because of the grandiose ideas and mountains of information coming from this person. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your internal computer just got upgraded today and your head is buzzing with all kinds of new information. The good news is that you should be able to process all these bytes at lightning speed. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may feel a bit lonely today, Pisces, even if there are people all around you. It may seem like everyone's on a different plane. Maybe you think you have nothing in common with others even those you generally feel closest to.
we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight,” Banks’ family said in a statement posted on Stoke’s official website. “We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him.” Banks played every game in the 1966 World Cup including the 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final at Wembley — the only time England has won the world title. Four years later though, in Mexico, he produced one of the most outstanding saves in the history of the tournament in a group game in which Brazil beat England 1-0. Pele rose to head a cross from the byline by right-winger Jairzinho, thundering the header down towards Banks’ right hand post.The ball appeared to be past Banks, but his agility and strength saw him get down and palm it high and wide to safety. Thirty-eight years later, Pele travelled to Stoke to unveil a statue to Banks and recalled the save.“From the moment I headed it, I was sure it had gone in,” he said. “After I headed the ball, I had already began to jump to celebrate the goal. Then I looked back and I couldn’t believe it hadn’t gone in. I have scored
more than a thousand goals in my life, and the thing people always talk to me about is the one I didn’t score,” he said. Banks recalled the moment modestly as a piece of good fortune. “As soon as I got my hand to it, I thought it was going in the top corner,” he said. “But after I’d landed on the hard floor, I looked up and saw the ball bounce behind the net and that’s when I said: Banksy, you lucky prat.”The Sheffield-born Banks began his career at Chesterfield in 1958 and moved to Leicester City the following year. He won his first England cap in 1963, four years before he joined Stoke. Banks retired in 1973 following the car crash, aged only 33, but four years later he returned to play in the North American Soccer League with Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Peter Shilton, the former England goalkeeper who made a record 125 appearances for his country and like Banks played for Leicester and Stoke, tweeted: “I’m devastated - today I’ve lost my hero our condolences to his family RIP Gordon”. Soon after Banks’ death was announced, football fans and others began taking flowers and scarves to the life-size statue of him outside
the Stoke City stadium. Some touched the statue in reverence, or wiped away tears. Around the city, where Banks is a revered figure and was often seen at charity and football events, flags were lowered at public buildings, and local radio talk-shows were inundated with calls remembering him. For some, it rankled that Banks was never awarded a knighthood.“Even though they never knighted him, he was always a Sir to us, and he always will be,” said Glen Rushton, 67, leaving a wreath at the statue. The German Football Association (DFB) paid tribute to Banks on, saying on Twitter: “A fierce opponent and a good man. Rest in peace, Gordon Banks.”
Ian Gouveia and Patanjilee... From page 46 15, and 16 – 28, handicaps, two other prizes were awarded for Nearest the Pin won by Gavin Todd, and Longest Drive – won by Troy Cadogan. SajRice also donated a 10kg sack of rice to each tournament participant. In the 0 - 15 Flight, winners were: Ian Gouveia (69/15) – 1st; Mike Mangal (70/9) - 2nd and Richard Haniff (70/15) 3rd. The keen competition for this winners’ row saw a tie for 2nd place that was resolved by reviewing the back 9 holes. Hot on their heels were former Captain Patrick Prashad – who has been in the top 3 places for the past 3 tournaments – with a score of 71/9, and tying with him (for 4th place) was Club President Aleem Hussain with 71/10. In the 16 – 28 Flight, things were even hotter, as three persons tied for 1st place. Again, places were resolved by a review of the back 9 scores, giving the 1st three winners as: Patanjilee ‘Pur’ ‘I love that winning feeling’ Persaud (67/17) – 1st; rookie Anand Persaud (67/28) – 2nd; and Satrohan Tewari (67/16) – 3rd. Other close contenders in this Flight were Guillermo Escarraga (68/21) – who won the ANSA Motors tournament of January 19 – tying with Clifford Reis (68/ 25); Hilbert Shields (69/16); Robert Hanoman (70/28) and Lekhnarine Shivraj (71/17). The LGC is encouraging the public to obtain more information on how to become a member, how to learn the basics of golfing free of charge, how to contribute to the Club, or how to use the facilities: please visit the LGC’s Facebook page at lusignangolfclub or call 220-5660.
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
Magnum Mash Cup Futsal
Teams in fierce battle for KO spots tonight A number of teams will be aiming for victories to secure their spots in the knockout round when play in this year’s Magnum Mash Cup Futsal tournament resumes this evening with more action in the preliminary phase, at the National Gymnasium. Ten matches are carded for this evening and among the teams slated to appear are defending champions Bent Street, the red hot ‘Gold is Money’, Buxton Diamond, Leopold Street, Showstoppers, Tiger Bay and Albouystown. The tournament, which has enjoyed tremendous crowd support so far, has provided fans with three nights of exhilarating action and this feature is anticipated to continue as teams battle to reach the
business end of the competition. Among those that have already impressed and are in a good position to make the KO round are Gold is M o n e y, S o p h i a , N o r t h Ruimveldt, Back Circle, Showstoppers, who’ve remained unbeaten in their two engagements to date. Reigning champs Bent Street drew their opening fixture and will no doubt be looking to secure a win against Avocado Ballers to stay in contention for a place in the next phase. Also Leopold Street, Tiger Bay, Broad Street, Future Stars, Island All Stars, Kitty Hustlers and Albouystown will have similar thoughts and ambitions if they are to progress further. It promises to be a
thrilling night of action and the fans are being encouraged to once again show up in masses to witness their respective community teams go head to head against each other. On the other hand, the Organisers, appreciative of the support received so far, will be giving fans two opportunities to win prizes this evening for Valentine’s Day and the February 22 Stag Stage Jouvert. One hundred (100) lucky couples will receive tickets for the Jouvert, while twelve (12) will be given one bottle of Verdi wine to celebrate Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y w i t h a loved one. Among the other sponsors on board are: Trophy Stall, Nigel Financial Services and Insurance
Diamond Secondary, Covent Garden, Camille’s Institute triumph
Members of the respective teams prior to the start of the matches. Diamond Secondary and Covent Garden Secondary registered victories when action in the Forbes Burnham Foundation National Sports Commission, AL Sport and Tour Promotions 28th Annual Easter Term School five-over Windball Cricket Champions Trophy continued recently at the National Gymnasium. In the female category, Soesdyke Secondary after been invited to bat made 820, with Sharon Herman scoring 36 and Keonna Boodram 25. Diamond Secondary
replied with 83-1; Ruth Henry made 34. Defending Region four champions Camille’s Institute for Business and Science Studies went down in their opening game to Covent Garden Secondary. Covent Garden took first strike scored 104-3. Mikhila Agrippa got 35. Camille’s Institute were restricted to 502 in reply. In the male division, Region four defending champions Camille’s Institute off to a winning start defeating Soesdyke Secondary by three runs.
Camille’s after batted first and managed 108 without loss, a record opening stand this year. Alex Arinda struck 53 and John Pillay 38. Soesdyke in response were restricted to 106-3; Kobe Robertson stroked six fours and eight sixes in a top score of 74. Diamond Secondary School posted 107-1. National U15 player Mavindra Dindyal slammed 11 sixes in scoring 81.Ten Times Windball champions Covent Garden Secondary responded with 95 without loss; Alex Leal made 57 and Brian Mohamed 34.
-champs Bent Street under pressure
Play in tonight’s action promises to be entertaining. Brokers. Entrance fee is $500. Meanwhile, the fixtures for tonight are seen below: Mocha vs Gaza Squad Ol Skool Ballers vs Island All-Stars Point Standings Group-A Team GP Kingston 2 Melanie 2 Bent St. 1 Avocado Ballers 1 Group-B Team GP Gold is Money 2 Stabroek Ballers 2 Capital FC 2 California Square 2 Group-C Team GP Sophia 2 Tiger Bay 2 Rhythm Ballers 2 Silver Bullets 2 Group-D Team GP Showstoppers 2 Broad Street 1 Island All-Stars 2 Ol Skool 1 Group-E Team GP Ansa McAl 2 Leopold St. 1 Albouystown 1 Agricola 2 Group-F Team GP Buxton Diamond 1 Hustlers 2 Future Stars 1 Alexander Village 2 Group-G Team GP Back Circle 2 Good-Life 2 N/East La Penitence 2 BV-B 2 Group-H Team GP North Ruimveldt 2 Sparta Boss 2 Gaza Squad 2 Mocha 2
Broad Street vs Showstoppers Back Circle vs Good-Life Buxton Diamond vs Hustlers Gold is Money vs Capital Strikers
Alexander Village vs Future Stars Tiger Bay vs Sophia Bent Street vs Avocado Ballers Leopold Street vs Albouystown
W 1 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 1
D 1 2 1 0
GF 1 0 0 0
GA 0 0 0 1
GD +1 0 0 -1
Pts 4 2 1 0
W 2 1 0 0
L 0 1 1 1
D 0 0 1 1
GF 9 3 0 0
GA 1 2 2 7
GD +8 +1 -2 -7
Pts 6 3 1 1
W 2 1 1 0
L 0 1 1 2
D 0 0 0 0
GF 8 3 2 1
GA 2 1 5 6
GD +6 +2 -3 -5
Pts 6 3 3 0
W 2 0 0 0
L 0 0 1 1
D 0 1 1 0
GF 4 1 3 0
GA 2 1 4 1
GD +2 0 -1 -1
Pts 6 1 1 0
W 1 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 1
D 1 1 1 1
GF 8 1 0 1
GA 2 1 0 7
GD +6 0 0 -6
Pts 4 1 1 1
W 1 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 1
D 0 2 1 1
GF 2 2 1 2
GA 1 2 1 3
GD +1 0 0 -1
Pts 3 2 1 1
W 2 1 1 0
L 0 1 1 2
D 0 0 0 0
GF 4 4 4 0
GA 1 3 5 3
GD +3 +1 -1 -3
Pts 6 3 3 0
W 2 1 0 0
L 0 0 1 2
D 0 1 1 0
GF 3 2 0 0
GA 0 0 2 3
GD +3 +2 -2 -3
Pts 6 4 1 0
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
National Race of Champions
GMRSC looking to regain CMRC overall title from T&T in 2019 President of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC), Rameez Mohamed, has signaled his intent for Guyana to recapture the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) title and to do such; he is hoping to send a large contingent to the first leg of the championships which is tentatively scheduled for Trinidad & Tobago’s Wallerfield Race Way on March 23 and 24. The GMR&SC’s National Race of Champions (NROC), which will be held at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, on March 3rd, will be used to help select the final team that will travel to the twin-island republic for the CMRC’s first leg which is expected to be very competitive. “I can assure you of competitive racing (at the NROC) because a lot of drivers have already signaled their intentions of coming out and they are all fixing their cars with the ultimate aim of competing in Trinidad next month-end. \We will select the top four cars [from the various groups] to represent us at CMRC so the race of
champions so the rivalry will be keen,” Mohamed posited after an invited comment with this publication. It was in 2016 that Guyana was dethroned by current champions Trinidad & Tobago and with little participation in the three away legs in Jamaica, Barbados and T&T, that has been Guyana’s biggest bugbear in getting back the title. Last season, overall, Trinidad & Tobago (1359) retained the country title for cars for a third consecutive year, winning ahead of Barbados (723), Guyana (579), Jamaica (548), Antigua (205), Caribbean American Motorsports (CAMS) (116) and Cayman Islands (32). However, Mohamed seems optimistic the tide can turn in the Guyanese’ favour this year since he expects a bigger travelling team in 2019, “Most of the drivers have confirmed they are racing, especially the group 2. Trinidad scored a lot of points in the lower categories especially due to our low participation but the guys have pledged to tour this year and we are positive we will regain the title.”
Rameez Mohamed – GMRSC President.
The victorious T&T team poses for a photo after receiving their CMRC overall championship trophy, last November at Princess Hotel.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 13, 2019
CNL Preparations – Guyana will be ready
GFF Training Facility surface a great boost for Guyana – Head Coach Johnson By Franklin Wilson With 39 days to go before Guyana and Belize square off in their final round Caribbean Nations League clash here, Golden Jaguars Head Coach, Michael Johnson has once again reminded that it will be a massive day in the history of the sport for all Guyana. The UK based Johnson, who is on a 9-day visit here to oversee preparations of the local based team, met with the media yesterday afternoon at the Guyana Football Federation Training Facility where the players are working out on a weekly basis. Apart from giving an overview on the progress of the players, Johnson was quick to point out the importance of having a facility of quality which enhances
training of the players. “I can already see the advantages of a surface like this, players want to come in, they are in early; they are already honing their skills before we even start.” He said he is here to support and enhance whilst noting that Assistant Coach, Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard has been doing a brilliant job thus far. The preparation programme has now moved into its final stage where the local players are under the radar for a place in the final squad for March 23rd, next. “I would say that a lot of the players are in a good place and they are only going to get fitter and stronger from now on in. I am looking at this group
of players with fresh eyes, everybo d y is in contention; this is why the camp’s here so we can see which players are outperforming the other for a particular place. It’s open for everybody to come and compete, everybody has got an opportunity to put on the shirt come March the 23rd.” Johnson reminded that his job is to ensure that everyone is tuned in to what they should be doing so that 100% effort is the standard, leaving nothing to doubt in the quest for qualification. Game Venue Given the magnitude of the game, the Guyana Football Federation has penned a letter to the Government of Guyana seeking the uses of the Guyana National Stadium,
Providence for the match. Quizzed on how much time would be needed for the players to adjust from the artificial surface to the natural surface, Johnson said that he does not believe much time would be needed, since good players are good players. “What I think, obviously if we can start to say this is where we’re going to play is a great opportunity for all, the federation to start marketing the game and the fans know where the game’s going to be. At the minute it’s obviously up in the air so as soon as we can confirm we can use the stadium which
would be great; obviously there’s more supporters you would like to think can access the stadium, then I think it would be of benefit for not only the team but the nation.” The ramifications of the Belize showdown is well understood by all, Johnson lamented, positing that the opportunities for players would be huge. “We all know that it would do Guyana on the footballing map on the international stage so we understand the ramifications of the game and we would be trying one hundred percent to make sure we deliver. We have to make
sure that mentally we are ready for, not only for the game coming but also the qualification and what that would bring.” Zooming in on the Belize side, Johnson informed that they are a good team that has been together for a number of years and play a 3-5-2 system. “Very, very good in transition, very, very good at defending and breaking at quick speed so got to be ready for it. Analytically, we are preparing for it, now we are making sure we leave no stone unturned and we would be ready for the game.”
Georgetown, East Bank triumph as DCB U-15 Inter Association tourney commences Georgetown’s bowlers Krisna Singh, Riyad Latif and Jodan Campbell dismantled West Demerara, while East Bank Demerara thrashed East Coast Demerara by 10 wickets when the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under 15 Inter Association 50-over tournament commenced recently. West Demerara batted first and were bowled out for 64 off 24.2. Arjune Rampaul was the only batsman to reach double figure with 11. Bowling for Georgetown, Rayed Latif and Krisna Singh were the destructive bowlers, grabbing 3 for 15 and 17 r e s p e c t i v e l y. T h e y g o t valuable support from Dillon Ramsaroop and Avinash Rajkumar who grabbed 2 for 6 and 17 in that order. In reply, Georgetown raced to their winning target, scoring 65 for 1 in 19.4 overs. Opener Jodon Campbell top scored with 27, while Romeo Deonarine made 17 not out. Rezekeil Renee was the lone wicket taker as Georgetown won by 9 wickets. At Lusignan, East Coast won the toss and decided to take first strike, a decision that proved unfavorable, as the East Coast batsmen found it difficult to gather runs and were sent packing for 93 from 38.1 overs. Omari Lallbachan top scored with 35. Ganesh Persaud was the most instrumental bowler grabbing 5 for 18 from 9.1 overs. He gained support
From Left Rayad Latif, Krisna Singh, Jodon Campbell and Romeo Deonarine.
Taddeus Lovell (left) and Mavindra Dindayal. from Joash Charles who took 2 for 12 from five overs. In reply, East Bank grafted their way to victory off 16.2 overs, to finish on 94 without loss. Opening batsmen Mavindra Dindayal and Taddeus Lovell made a humble 41 and 31
respectively. The second round of the DCB 2019 Under 15 Inter Association continues today with East Coast battling with Georgetown at Lusignan ground, and defending champions West Demerara competing with East Bank at Everest ground. All matches starts at 9:00 hours.
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
England beat West Indies by 232 runs in final test (Reuters) - England wrapped up a comprehensive 232-run victory over West Indies in the third test in St Lucia yesterday after home batsman Roston Chase made a century but got little help. Number five Chase scored an unbeaten 102 for his fifth test ton, after England pace bowler James Anderson ripped through the home side’s top order with three quick wickets. Although West Indies had already won the series with victories in the first two tests, England’s win in the finale will provide a pick-meup as they eye a home Ashes series against Australia starting in August. “This week should be a real confidence booster going into a very exciting summer of cricket,” England captain Joe Root said at the victory presentation. Chasing an unlikely target of 485 runs for victory on day four, West Indies made 252 in their second innings. Chase brought up his century with his team already nine wickets down when he cut part-timer spinner Joe Denly for four. He was aided by an entertaining 34 by tailender Alzarri Joseph, who slogged three sixes, but pickings were otherwise slim for the hosts, who crumbled again after scoring only 154 in their first knock. “We still have a lot of improvement to make but lots of positives came out of the series,” said West Indies captain Jason Holder, who was suspended for the match due to his team’s slow over
MYO Inter- Jamaat 15 overs Softball Cricket underway The Muslim Youth Organization of Guyana InterJamaat 15 overs Softball Cricket Competition got underway on Sunday with several matches at MYO ground. Tuschen Train Station Masjid beat La Grange Masjid by eight wickets in the opening game. Winning the toss and batting, La Grange Masjid scored 71 all out in 11 overs. Omar Khan stroked 19 not out while extras contributed 13. Bowling for the Tuschen Train Station Masjid, Captain Anthony Kandar bagged up five wickets including a hat trick while Arshad Aziz had two. Tuschen Train Station Masjid knocked off the runs
Rawle Reid in four overs for the loss of two wickets. Arshad Aziz made 41 not out and Imtiaz Hack 19. Asgar Ali and Shameer Imran picked up one wicket each. Diamond New Scheme Masjid overcame New Mosque by 99 runs. New Mosque won the toss and inserted Diamond New
Scheme who managed 189 for 9. Rawle Reid scored 74, Keisho Ramsarran got 28 not out, while Ameer Khan and Azharuddin Mohamed made 20 apiece with Mohamed being unbeaten. Faizul Nazeem was the pick of the bowlers picking up 4 for 17 runs in his three overs. New Mosque, in reply, found the going tough and ended with 90 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Rohit Samaroo made 27 and Altaf Samaroo made 17. Patrick Khan led the bowling with three wickets while Fareek Indarjali and Keisho Ramsarran picked up two each. The competition continues on Sunday.
rate in the second test. NO ANSWER West Indies’ top order had no answer to Anderson’s movement off the seam, with John Campbell (golden duck), Kraigg Brathwaite (eight) and Darren Bravo (duck), all caught in the slip-gully cordon. Mark Wood, who picked up five wickets in the first innings, continued his outstanding match when he had Shai Hope (14) caught at cover off a leading edge just before lunch. Wood was later named Player of the Match. “He bowled fantastically well, a huge amount of pace,” Root said. “It’s great to see him come back into the side and put in such a strong performance... and now prove how good a player he is.” Anderson finished with 327, while spinner Moeen Ali had 3-99 as England won with more than a day to spare. Denly also did his part,
Chase sealed his fifth Test century shortly before the final wicket fell, to complete England’s 232-run win ©Getty Images delivering an excellent throw from the outfield to run out Shimron Hetmyer for 19. Earlier, Root declared his team’s second innings immediately upon his
dismissal for 122, with the visitors 361 for five. Ben Stokes was unbeaten on 48. England batted for only 5.2 overs, adding a quick 36 runs to their overnight total.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Ian Gouveia and Patanjilee Persaud emerge Champions at SajRice Inaugural Golf tourney
In front row the winners pose with Club Captain, while supporters are in the background and back row. Front row, from left: Satrohan Tewari, Anand Persaud, Mike Mangal, Patanjilee Persaud, Ian Gouveia, Captain Chatterpaul Deo, Gavin Todd and Richard Haniff. On display can also be seen some of the sacks of rice donated by SajRice. The inaugural SajRice tournament of Saturday last was a scorcher to say the least. The competition in both
of the two Flights played was very hot in the winners’ row, but it was veteran Ian Gouveia, who delivered the
Best Net Score of the 0 – 15 Flight, and Patanjilee ‘Pur’ Persaud, who won the Best Net score of the 16 – 28 Flight.
While Carlos Carbo, CEO of SajRice, who hosted the tournament, participated, he did not attempt to dominate the scene as he did on February 2nd in the ‘Speedy’ Ramdial Memorial tournament; instead he allowed his fellow golfers to win his prizes. He expressed much appreciation for the
support of the golfers and heartily congratulated the winners. SajRice Inc - whose vision is “to be the leading manufacturer, exporter and provider of the finest quality extra long grain rice with excellent customer service, and to support … farmers in every possible way” – began
in 2006, under a thirty-five year contract with the Government of Guyana, to operate the MARDS Rice Milling Complex of Burma, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. In addition to prizes for 1st – 3rd Best Net places in each of the two Flights played 0 – (Continued on page 43)
Wednesday February 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition
Brothers United face uphill task to stop the ‘Big Show’ Part of the action in this year’s West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition.
-Massive outpouring anticipated
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he community support has always been there and three-time We s t S i d e c h a m p i o n s Showstoppers have never taken that for granted so what they’ve done is hone their skills perfectly to ensure that success and not disappointment is the reward for such overwhelming support. Undoubtedly the most dominant team in the West Demerara / East Bank Demerara Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition, they will go face to face with Brothers United for the
coveted trophy and $500,000 for the winners this Friday, at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac. Already a very potent force that no team have been able to dethrone for the past three years, the acquisition of national player Trayon Bobb has added more firepower to a frontline that possesses the likes of Stephon Jupiter, Marvin Josiah and Dexroy Adams, all prolific goalscorers. The champs have also shown that they are not afraid of a dogfight and even though opposing teams, so afraid of their goal-scoring
might, employed robust defensive strategies in an attempt to send the game into penalty shootouts, Showstoppers still found a way to penetrate their defence. H o w e v e r, B r o t h e r s United with former national player Andrew Murray Jnr in their lineup are a team with a difference. They love to be on the offensive and this open play style could provide fans with an explosive and exciting finale. Murray Jnr has been the bright spark for the team, but there are other players who could steal the show on the
night. Another massive outpouring of spectators are expected to converge at the venue and the Organisers once again will have giveaways for them. Meanwhile, Up-TopBosses and Ballers Empire
will meet in the third place playoff. Over $1.1million in total prize monies are up for grabs with the winners set to receive $500,000, runner-up $250,000, while third and fourth place finishers will take home $200,000 and
$100,000 respectively along with trophies. Also on board as a major sponsor is Colours Boutique on Robb Street. ESPN and West Side Ballers battle in the Plate Section for $60,000 winnertake-all.
Dhanpaul, Esau lead Independence A to WDCA President’s Cup title A fine all-round performance by Mahendra Dhanpaul and a decent spell from Reaz Esau handed Independence A the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) President’s Cup 50-over title on Sunday last. Dhanpaul struck a fine half century and along with Esau shared six wickets between them as Independence A defeated Mc Gill by 105 runs in the final at Joe Vieira Park. Independence A were asked to bat and posted 158 all out in 30 overs. Dhanpaul struck two fours and three sixes in a top score of 58, while Javon Hector made 34 with two fours and two sixes. Abdool Razack bagged 4-17 and Daniel Basdeo grabbed 4-24. Mc Gill were bowled out for 53 in 18.5 overs in reply. Troy Persaud made 18 with two fours as Reaz Esau captured 3-6 off three overs
The victorious Independence A with their hardware and members of the WDCA. and Dhanpaul 3-16. Independence A received a trophy and $50,000, while Mc Gill took home a trophy and $25,000. Esau was named man-of-the-match.
Man-of-the-match Reaz Esau (right) accepts his prize from Sudesh Persaud.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 13, 2019
Farfan & Mendes/Woodpecker Products hockey leagues underway Abosaide Cadogan tries to find a way through the GBTI GCC defensive wall.
Spartans goalkeeper Jessica Mittelholzer makes a daring stick save.
T
he premier hockey leagues; the Farfan & Mendes Men’s First Division and the Wo o d p e c k e r P r o d u c t s Women’s First Division, got off to an exciting start last weekend at the Saint Stanislaus College ground on Carifesta Avenue. T h e j u n i o r m e n ’s national side, Supernova, scored the opening goal of
the 2019 Farfan & Mendes Men’s First Division League through a penalty corner strike from Samuel Woodroffe against Hikers. However, the defending champions, PEPSI Hikers, sprung to life through prolific national striker Aroydy Branford, who scored a hat-trick of goals in the first half with Andrew Stewart adding another. The second half was littered once
again with goals by Branford, who matched his first half tally of three goals, while teammate and fellow national, Jamarj Assanah scored once as Hikers emerged with an easy 8-1 victory. In another high-scoring match, Bounty GCC annihilated GCC Vintage 14-2. The Bounty boys chalked up 9 unanswered goals by the half mainly
through young Meshach Sargeant who had 4 to his name. Vintage managed two goals late in the second half but not before Bounty GCC had put the game well beyond their reach to finish on 14 – 2. Two second half goals by Shakeem Fausette in the 36th minute and Hilton Chester in the 56th gave Saints their maiden 1st Division victory over Old Fort and perhaps the club’s first ever First Division win in its short history. Old Fort fielded a young s i d e w i t h n e w
developmental players adding to their remaining seniors and fell short of the mark, succumbing by 2-0 to Saints. Te a m s r e t u r n e d o n Sunday where Vintage suffered their second huge loss, this time to Pepsi Hikers, 9-1. Bounty GCC smashed Saints by a similar margin while Old Fort showed an improved performance by drawing with Supernova 1-1. The lone ladies fixture of the weekend pitted favourites GBTI GCC against the Bingo Spartans. While the Spartans showed
some grit and clearly had youthful legs on their side, the GBTI ladies were clearly the stronger of the two sides. Midfielder Madison Fernandes surprisingly put the Spartans ahead through a crafty reverse shot off a penalty corner in the 9th minute which seemed to make the GBTI ladies buckle down to business. GBTI rattled off 5 unanswered goals in cruising to a 5-1 victory. All matches will be contested on the Saint Stanislaus College ground and will run every Saturday and Sunday until May 20th.
GCC striker Meshach Sargeant makes one of his frequent raids on the Saints goal.
GCC striker Kevin Spencer fends off the challenge from Hilton Chester of Saints.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 13, 2019
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Jaguars Karate Association/ISA holds successful Karate Grading Exam and Tourney
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he Jaguars Karate Association held its grading exam and mini tournament on the 9th February, 2019 at the ISA Islamic School. It was deemed a success by Sensei
Cheteram Mortley, who was delighted with the discipline shown by the students as well as their high standard and performance and execution of the martial art of karate.
Windies’ Gabriel charged for language used in England test
Root and Shannon Gabriel shake hands after the match ©Getty Images
(Reuters) - West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel h a s b e e n c h a rg e d f o r language used during the third test against England on Monday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has said. Gabriel’s comment to Joe Root was not audible to television viewers but the England captain reportedly was heard telling the bowler: “There’s nothing wrong with being gay”. Umpires Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena had a word with Gabriel soon afterwards. Root declined to elaborate on the specifics of the verbal altercation, but it took the ICC less than a day to react. “Shannon Gabriel has been charged with a breach
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Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct,” it said in a statement yesterday. “The charge, which was laid by match umpires, will now be dealt with by Match Referee Jeff Crowe. Until the proceedings have concluded, the ICC will not comment further.” Article 2.13 addresses language that is not permissible. It “is intended to cover a Player or Player Support Personnel directing language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature at any Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match,” it reads. England won the final test in St Lucia but West Indies claimed the series 2-1.
The students who took part in the grading exam and tournament along with their Teacher and Sensei Mortley (on the left Miss Melanie Defreitas, on the right Sensei Cheteram).
t r o Sp
England beat West Indies by 232 runs in final test P.
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Roston Chase didn’t give up the chase... ending on an unbeaten hundred ©Getty Images Wood was Man of the Match after his five-wicket haul in the first innings ©Getty Images
Golden Jaguars going through the paces yesterday afternoon at the GFF Training Facility, Providence, East Bank Demerara
CNL Preparations – Guyana will be ready 42P.
GFF Training Facility surface a great boost for Guyana – Head Coach Johnson
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