K
Thursday Edition CJ dismisses NEWS challenge to Minister Trotman's issuance of oil exploration licences p. 3
AIETEUR
February 13, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 06
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
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Guyana's Local Content Policy remains bound by confidentiality provisions p. 12
Pilot survives after crop-dusting plane flips while landing p. 11
The plane that was involved in the incident and the crash scene near the airfield at Burma, Mahaicony yesterday.
Cops smash Belle West burglary gang - 'mastermind' allegedly hired 'junkies' to break into homes p. 11
Petition to liberalise US$75M, 150-room Hotel telecoms sector sent AC Marriott - Trinidadian businessman to 11 political parties for Ogle John Aboud is investor - NICIL p. 19
p. 7
Guyanese expertise to be included in completion of second FPSO - Energy Dept. Head
p. 18
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 13, 2020
Thursday February 13, 2020
Kaieteur News
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CJ dismisses challenge to Minister Trotman's issuance of oil exploration licences
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hief Justice Roxane George has dismissed the legal challenge to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman over the issuance of exploration licenses to subsidiary oil companies to carry out works offshore Guyana. The decision was handed down yesterday at the Georgetown High Court. The case was filed in the Court by local activist Ramon Gaskin. Gaskin, through his legal team, comprising Tr i n i d a d - b a s e d S e n i o r Counsel, Seenath Jairam and environmental Attorney Melinda Janki, applied to have Trotman's actions deemed unlawful and overturned in view of the fact that three oil companies - Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (Esso), Hess Guyana Limited (Hess) and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Ltd (NEXEN) - were issued Petroleum Production Licences (PPL) based on a environmental permit issued to one company alone--Esso. Gaskin's lawyers had contended that in the absence
of the environmental permit issued to Hess and NEXEN in accordance with part IV of the Environmental Permit Act, Trotman was prohibited from granting the PPL to three companies to carry out the LIZA 1 project. The Attorneys urged that the respondent (Trotman)'s powers to issue a PPL was restricted to Esso only, and could not include NEXEN and Hess. It was submitted that the Minister acted illegally, ultra vires, irrationally, arbitrarily, capriciously, erroneously, and i n e x c e s s o f h i s jurisdiction, contrary to sections 14 of the Environmental Permit Act (EPA). More specifically, Gaskin s o u gh t t o b l o c k t h e companies from proceeding with their exploration and production on the grounds that Hess and NEXEN are c o v e r e d b y t h e environmental permits issued to ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited. He reasoned that Hess and
NEXEN will escape liability should there be an incident such as an oil spill that can affect the Caribbean islands. However, Chief Justice George determined that in her view, the PPL was properly issued. In her ruling yesterday, Justice George that found that the issuance of a permit to Esso for the Liza Project satisfied the requirement of the Environmental Permit Act, that a project must not be commenced without first obtaining an environmental permit, and as Esso's permit covered all three Contractor parties - Esso, Hess and CNOOC - the Minister acted properly in the exercise of his discretion to grant the Licence to the three Contractor parties. The Chief Justice essentially agreed with the submissions made by the Attorney-General Basil Williams, SC, SolicitorGeneral Nigel Hawke, and Deputy Solicitor-General D e b o r a h K u m a r, w h o represented Minister Trotman, as well as Edward Luckhoo, SC, who was
Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman Ramon Gaskin associated with Maria Luckhoo for Esso and HESS represented Andrew M.F. Pollard, SC and Nigel Hughes. The respondent, Minister Trotman and added respondents Esso, Hess and CNOOC had submitted that Esso's being issued with an environmental permit was sufficient to satisfy the Environmental Permit Act, as (a) permits are issued for Projects (not persons); and (b) the obligation to obtain
Teen among two brothers held for continues Giftland Mall robbery - hunt for third man
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olice have detained an 18-year-old, a day after arresting his 21-year-old brother for last Monday night's robbery at the GTT booth located inside the Giftland Mall. Both youths reside in the D'Urban Street, Wortmanville area, from which a third man escaped on Tuesda y following a shootout with police. Police had also arrested the mother of the two suspects, but released her y e s t e r d a y. R a n k s h a d reportedly found two .22 rounds in the family's house.
Investigators were up to late yesterday afternoon preparing to place the detained brothers on an identification parade. Police said that the third man, who remains at large, is a suspect in a grenade-throwing incident at a city establishment. An official said that police CCTV security cameras enabled investigators to track the suspects to D'Urban and Haley Streets, after they fled the scene of the robbery on a motorcycle. When the ranks arrived on Tuesday at that location, the 21-year-old
brother and another man were standing together. On seeing them, the alleged accomplice, who had a firearm, fled the scene. Then chaos erupted when the team of police gave chase, unleashing a hail of gunfire behind the fleeing man. He managed to escape. Meanwhile, CCTV footage of the robbery had shown two men calmly walking into the Mall with their faces visible. Seconds later, persons went scattering as one of the two suspects pulled out a gun and demanded that the cashier
hand over the day's sales. Within seconds, the men grabbed the cash and ran out of the mall. No security personnel were around at the time. In a statement, owner of the Giftland Mall, Roy Beepat alleged that the constant denial of his applications for gun licences played a big part in the security officers at the Mall not intervening to apprehend the suspects. Beepat stated that this was the first robbery of this type since the Mall was opened four years ago.
Chief Justice Roxane George an environmental permit (EP) prior to commencing a Project was classified in law as a 'joint and several' obligation, the effect of which was that Esso's obtaining the required permit covered all three of the Contractor parties. “I agree with the submissions on behalf of the respondents that the EP was issued in relation to a project, and that it was not necessary for it be issued to each company which is party to the Petroleum Act (PA) for the execution of the project.” In short, the CJ noted that even though the environmental permit was issued to Esso alone, the PA caters for joint and several ventures, and therefore Esso's permit covered everyone. The Judge noted that Hess and NEXEN as
companies satisfied the requirements to be granted a licence under sections of the Petroleum Act which state that a licence may be granted to two or more persons associated together in any form of joint arrangement. “The PA speaks to Esso, Hess and NEXEN being associated with joint arrangements. Subsection 9 (3) clearly permits a PPL issued in the names of two or more persons and, importantly, for them to be collectively called licensees. As a collective or joint licensee their obligation under the PPL is statutorily joint and several, meaning that each of them or all of them would be liable under the terms of the PPL…,” the Chief Justice added. In view of the circumstances, she dismissed the application and ordered Gaskin to pay costs of $100,000 to the Minister.
Kaieteur News
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Thursday February13, 2020
Kaieteur News
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
A model for the Guyana Police Force
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ecently, the nation received confirmation of the terror that grips this land, through the finality of DNA, which conveyed the fate in the harrowing murder of a key witness. A burnt car and body provided the smoldering clues that something was amiss, things gone wrong. Where to now on this one, which grows colder by the day, and where silence reigns impenetrable? The murder of that witness tells us how far down the crime ladder we have descended. It is not the first one, but a daring one and frightening one. This tilts the scales of justice in a most highly skewed position. In regular circumstances in a regular place with dedicated sleuths pursuing leads, there would be confidence. But, given how this country and its law enforcement machinery has declined, alarmed citizens question whether the perpetrators will ever be brought to justice, and the grieving family get closure. There is uncertainty about this, when the circumstances of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are weighed and found wanting. Who’s who over there? In the corridors of seniority and in the ranks of those on the job on crimestrewn streets? There is reluctance to share this, because it does no justice to the few striving constantly to make a difference. For this pervasive national mindset to be diminished, the men and women of the GPF, at all levels, must demonstrate consistently that they are more of what is genuine and clean. And similarly, the managers who oversee them must be about what serves the best interests of law and order and justice. If not, there is disorder, with one crisis after another. To point the way forward, there is this story that baffled in Connecticut, as carried by the New York Times on January 14th. It is of a suburbanite named Jennifer Dulos, believed to be murdered by her estranged husband. The problem is that occasional rarity in a murder: no body (like the one referenced here). That is a brick wall and showstopper. Yet, the husband has been “charged with killing her.” Listen to the Times: “officials detailed their meticulous investigation. They drew on blood-spatter analysis and DNA evidence to conclude that Ms. Dulos was fatally attacked. Then, using phone records, surveillance footage and interviews, they built their case for Mr. Dulos’s…piecing together his every move.” Painstaking and unrewarding for a long eight months, but all the time adding up, because of the honest efforts of police brass, police juniors, and collaborating prosecutors. When things are added up, men are charged and brought to court. When found guilty, they are put away and made to stay away from society for a long time. But this only happens, is realized more frequently than not, when every shoulder is at the wheel and all hands are on deck in uncontaminated thinking and toiling: in the police tiers, in prosecutorial ranks, in the magistracy. This paper recognizes that we lag in crucial areas: sophistication, tools, and resources. But much could be overcome when the officers entrusted to do an honest job, to move every obstacle, to overcome resisting circumstances, work untiringly and scrupulously and professionally. High performance, at high intensity levels, ensures that criminals pay a price, standards are enhanced, and citizens feel secure. But none of this happens just like that, from wishful thinking, through hoping and believing. Those help, but there must be those values that lift up and drive us forward, through whatever stands in the way. This has to be the way of the GPF, of its peoples, who represent us, who swear that they will serve us and honour us. Those values need no recounting, but let it be sufficient
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.
A TOUGH ELECTORAL CONTEST DEAR EDITOR, Barring fraud, which cannot be ruled out as per opinion of voters, this election is among the toughest of electoral contests in Guyana history; it is no walkover for any party and as such none should fool itself that it has a guaranteed victory. And it is also a do or die for the political leadership of both major parties. Both sides predict victory with large majorities that are not practical and that do not conform to findings of objective opinion surveys. Even though both major parties claim they will win, as one expect each to say, there can only be one winner. A tie is not impossible with one or more minor parties making a play for a seat that could upset the plan of the major parties. Many voters, the business community and professionals, in particular, feel that such an outcome
supporters give Granger a resounding vote of approval, enthused or satisfied with his personal performance in office (though the government is very unpopular). Granger is pulling some 93 percent approval from government supporters while his wife, Sandra, is pulling 94%. Emotion swung about as strongly in the other direction among opposition supporters with almost three quarters giving Granger a thumbs down while a majority favours the First Lady. Coalition supporters say they feel more allegiance to Granger rather than with Irfaan or Bharrat Jagdeo or Mark Phillips who are the main faces of the PPP. Government supporters have aligned their loyalties with Granger in much the same way that opposition supporters have aligned their loyalty with Jagdeo and
will be the best result of the country as it would force cooperation among the parties to do what is in the best interest of the country rather than what serves the self-interests of politicians. The findings of objective, non-aligned, polling conducted by his writer show results defined along expected party lines. Both President Granger and his nemesis Irfaan Ali are doing well but only one will be President. They are handily defeating the candidates of the minor parties for the Presidency. The findings of the poll give a window into the hold Granger has on coalition supporters and Irfaan’s hold on opposition supporters. The opposition is determined to unseat the incumbent who is equally determined to retain office. By overwhelming numbers, government
Irfaan. Overall, more voters a p p r o v e o f J a g d e o ’s performance. Opposition supporters, and even some who were on the sidelines, are backing Irfaan saying they prefer him rather than having to be governed by the coalition for five more years. Many say they are disappointed about coalition governance citing racial discrimination, corruption, crime, and job losses, among other reasons. But voters on both sides shower accolades on some government figures like Jaipaul Sharma, George Norton, Joe Harmon, Valerie Garrido Lowe, Amna Ally, Dawn Hastings, Karen Cummings, and Sydney Allicock, among others. Supporters of both sides feel strong about their party’s chance of victory making for a tough electoral contest. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
Exxon Oil Contract Misinterpretations DEAR EDITOR, In regards to Kaieteur News editorial on 9 February. 2020 entitled, “Give us a fair deal or leave,” I was reminded of an old Yiddish proverb, “A halftruth is a whole lie.” The people of Guyana deserve better than this type of onesided reporting.The whole truth is this: The Guyana/Exxon contract is a fair deal for both parties. The Government of Guyana did an admirable job of negotiating the contract. Yes, there is a 2% royalty, but there is also a 50% working interest owned by Guyana. Royalty participates in no costs, whereas working
interest pays its share of costs to explore and develop the project. Exxon treated Guyana as though it were an oil partner (like CNOOC). The great advantage and wonderful difference for Guyana is that Exxon has advanced all of Guyana’s share of the costs, and Exxon would have borne the entire loss if they did not find oil. Exxon only gets to recover the costs it absorbed for Guyana if the project proves successful. Had the drilling failed, Guyana would not have been required to repay any of its costs. Since the drilling has been wildly successful, Exxon will temporarily take
Kudos and warmest congratulations DEAR EDITOR, It is indeed fitting and very deserving the conferral of the Commonwealth Points of Light Award to leading HIV/AIDS advocate, Ms Desiree Edghill.Ms Edghill has led from the front and is one of the leading light and point person in the gargantuan work and task of educating and raising awareness in society of this disease. Because of the work of Ms Edghill and the organization she heads, this once little understood and dreaded disease is now better apprehended and fathomed. Kudos and warmest congratulations. Keep up the good work. Shamshun Mohamed to say that, if they are not there, then there is little to carry us anywhere, but further down. It comes down to the calibre of men and women, who stand between us and the men who come with mayhem in their
part of Guyana’s 50% until Guyana’s share of costs are repaid. After that, the full 50% goes to Guyana. In summary, from dayone, Guyana receives about 14.5% of the project cash flow. Then, after Exxon recovers the cash it advanced to Guyana, Guyana’s cash flow leaps up 37.5% more, for a total of share of 52%. The 2% royalty is important, but it just a small part of the enormous wealth that will flow to Guyana from this fair contract. After 35 years in the oil industry and having negotiated many exploration joint ventures, I believe the current contract between Guyana and Exxon is equitable for both parties. The proposal to demand a flat 10% royalty would be a disaster for Guyana. I am sure that Exxon would be delighted to take back the 50% working interest, with all of its associated costs, and just leave Guyana with a paltry 10% royalty. But the citizens of Guyana would not be pleased by that deal. In closing, I have no association with Exxon or political affiliations in Guyana. I was in
Georgetown a month ago and met with several Government officials. I found all of them to be keen to carry out their responsibilities and well aware of the need to be transparent about Guyana’s new-found wealth.I imagine you simply misunderstood the contract. I assure you that it is fair to Guyana. My best wishes to you and to your country, George O. Mallon P u b l i s h e r ’s N o t e : Kaieteur News has done extensive research showing numerous countries which have less than Guyana but way better terms. Apart from our irrefutable findings, institutions like the International Monetary Fund, Open Oil, Global Witness and several other reputable industry experts have debunked the baseless perception that Guyana got a fair deal. It is disappointing that you would also peddle such illconceived notions. I challenge you to name one country that is blessed with Guyana’s oil riches and made to sign such a onesided contract.
minds. As a family mourns in Guyana over the charred remains of what was once a human being, who in the GPF feels for them? And commit to doing something for them and this society? If we don’t have that, then we have nothing.
Thursday February 13, 2020
Ramjattan is shameless, taking credit for rice farmers’ success DEAR EDITOR, Khemraj Ramjattan went into Black Bush Polder and boasted of APNU+AFC’s success in the rice industry. He claimed that under APNU+AFC, Guyana has achieved the two highest ever production in rice in history. He ignored his Leader, David Granger, as President of Guyana, had on more than one occasion, when asked for help by rice farmers, stoutly refused any support to rice farmers, insisting that rice farmers and millers are engaged in a 100% private sector activity. His own AFC colleague, Noel Holder, as Minister of Agriculture, have told rice farmers and millers too many times that the rice industry is a totally private sector responsibility. Both Granger and Holder and several of their colleagues over the last five years rejected call from farmers for help, making the excuse government has no responsibility for rice. How then can Ramjattan dare go into one of the lifelines for the rice industry, Black Bush Polder, and claim rice success for APNU+AFC? This is the same Ramjattan that promised farmers in Black Bush Polder and other parts of Guyana they will get $9,000 per bag of paddy, their production costs will be reduced, there will be better markets, better drainage and irrigation and dams for transport. On everyone of these promises, they have failed miserably. It is reprehensible and shameless to now claim rice farmers’ success as theirs. It is insulting to the farmers. What makes Ramjattan’s boast even more reprehensible is he was speaking in an area that presently is facing catastrophic losses if someone does not help them. The government has been missing in action, even as the Ministry of Agriculture, the NDIA and the REO of Region 6 refuse to act. More than 22,000 acres of paddy are facing total or significant losses in the #52-74 NDC areas because of a severe shortage of irrigation water. Similarly, almost 28,000 acres of paddy in Black Bush Polder are under stress because of limited and rationed irrigation water. Even as Ramjattan was boasting to his fetched-in supporters, a handful of them from outside of Black Bush Polder, he assiduously refused to address these real problems that farmers face. There are five irrigation pumps in Mibikuri and two irrigation pumps at Manaribisi. Both of the Manaribish pumps and three of the Mibikuri pumps are at a standstill because of a lack of fuel. The old arrangement for fuel supply was discontinued by the
REO. Instead of the arrangement to supply fuel by boat, an arrangement that was in place for decades, the REO gave a new contract to a company supplying with a truck. This truck supply fuel that is barely enough to use two pumps on a part-time basis. The consequence is that there is not enough irrigation water to meet the needs of the Black Bush farmers and none to meet the needs for the front land farmers. Compounding the problem is the lack of maintenance of the irrigation canals. The Water Users Association used to clean these and other canals at a cost of about $38M annually. Now contracts are given out for $98M for one cleaning and this is not done with the expected quality. This situation has been ongoing for weeks. Newspaper articles have described the plight of the farmers. APNU+AFC has been MIA, totally missing in action. They have held several public meetings in the area, both along the coast in the $52 to #74 areas and in Black Bush Polder, begging for votes, but never address the farmers’ plight. These are not the only rice farmers facing serious stress with their paddy fields. Just this past week another newspaper highlighted the plight of the Mahaicony rice farmers. The farmers in the Mahaicony area, particularly those north of the highway, are again facing flooding with salt water because of high tides and a breached sea defense. Already the land north of the highway, along the seashore have been lost to farming for the next two years. But the salt water that floods the area also enters the irrigation and drainage canals and encroach into the larger farming areas to the south. Further, just this past week, yet another newspaper highlighted the plight of rice farmers in the Essequibo Islands, like Wakenaam and Leguan. APNU+AFC has reduced spending on drainage and ir-
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rigation in rice areas, reduced maintenance of dams, increased land rental and lease fee payments by between 200 and 400%, eliminated subsidies for chemicals and equipment, introduced VAT on all agricultural supplies, removed all support for quick and timely payment to farmers, lost vital high-priced markets for rice, promoted low-priced markets, reduced value-added markets. This is their legacy. Yet the hard work and resilience of farmers and millers to keep the industry viable has gone unrecognized by APNU+AFC. It is this hard work, with support from the PPP Government that led to a whooping increase in rice production between 2011 and 2015. Rice production increased from about 350,000 tons in 2011 to almost 640,000 tons in 2014. The target for 2015 was 700,000 tons. At the end of the first crop of 2015, under the PPP, Guyana’s rice production exceeded the target for the first crop, which was 340,000 tons and produced 400,000 tons, making the 2015 target of 700,000 a walkover. But, Guyana failed to achieve this target in 2015 and is yet to attain that goal. That is the real story of rice under APNU+AFC. The 700,000 tons which appeared as an easy target by the end of May 2015 has never been achieved. In the meanwhile, the rice production in Region 9 which was achieved under the PPP in 2013 with the emergence of Sante Fe Farms has collapsed. Mr. Ramjattan should be ashamed to take the resilience of the farmers, take their struggles and boast of it as an achievement of his government, especially since they so vigorously distanced themselves from the farmers. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
The youthful of this society have more ups and downs. It is called the rite of passage and a long way to go the rites of life, since time im-
DEAR EDITOR, More and more I hear calls for a youth presence politically, since the numbers are there. I am for all for it, but only after recognition and delivery of the range of what is involved. This comes amidst a backdrop of much scorn and comment about the geriatric army that is the public face of this country. Yet any honest, clinical examination would reveal that the youthful of this society have a long way to go, with many lessons to learn along the journey, before they are going to be able to stand on their feet and contribute to change and actually making a
difference. The first thing is that they have to do is to appreciate the entire universe of what is involved for serving at the national level, and what they have to gather the tools required: the skills and visions; the listening and the learning; the understanding and appreciating. It means absolutely nothing if one is the darling of the social media circuit, or the popular prince of Facebook and tweets and the rest of that narrow, limiting world. The youths have to pay their dues in the usual grueling fashion that occupies many years and many
Littering on the seawall DEAR EDITOR, I write this letter to garner awareness on how to battle this disparaging situation of persons littering along the seawall area. The aesthetic of this naturally beautiful area has been seriously degraded by constant littering. To avoid littering from continuing, stricter measures must be implemented and enforced. I suggest that cameras and patrol officers be dispatched along the seawall area and this can deter persons from disposing of their garbage in that manner. Further, harsher penalties can be implemented to prevent individuals from littering. Until this situation improves due to better habits by citizens, more persons to remove litter can be organised to keep the seawall clean and more bins placed along the area. I hope this letter will help in the awareness of littering in our country and specifically along the seawall area as littering affects the environment. Littering also adds to an economic loss as tourist will not come to a garbage infested city or country. Long live the Garden City. Yours sincerely, Kaden Conway
memorial. From personal experience, I can share that the downs outnumber the pluses. Our youths must prove that they deserve their presence and earn their keep, just like everybody else; they must pay dues through running the race, with no shortcuts. Or else, it is nothing doing and going nowhere in a hurry. All those ridiculed older people had to pass through their own crucibles of testing and personal winnowing to arrive at the places that they now occupy. This is said, while it is admitted that some have overstayed their time. Now the first thing that must be comprehended-a humbling experience, to be sure, for the young multitudes-is that they are owed nothing, and that they must carve their way forward, register their presence with vitality and an absence of the vapidity that presently is second nature to their group. This comes from reading and grasping for strange, alien truths, for the lessons then come, and there is little that remains mysterious and (Continued on page 6)
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Oil revenues could avert the greatest threat in Guyana require preparedness plans in the facing Guyana!tection bold, visionary leadership. event of a disruption. DEAR EDITOR, Even in developed countries, critical infrastructure no longer enjoys protection by the military or the oceans. In the twenty-first century, threats to critical infrastructure occur in various formsindustrial espionage, terrorism, information warfare, insiders, and natural events. On January 28, a powerful earthquake in the Caribbean led the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center to issue a tsunami threat for Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and Jamaica, with waves of up to 3 feet. Would a tsunami with waves of three feet breach the seawall in Guyana?The recent tsunami warning is a ‘wakeup call’ to Guyana that raises timely questions: What critical infrastructure assurances (CIA) exist in Guyana? What is the level of critical infrastructure protection (CIP) in place in Guyana in the event of a natural disaster? Scientists agree that rising sea levels pose a significant threat to infrastructure and cities, especially in low lying areas around the world, including Guyana which is located some 6 feet below sea level at high tide.A seawall defends the Capital city, Georgetown, and much of the coastline. The seawall was built in 1892 and stretched 285 miles long, but is considered fragile infrastructure. Fragility exacerbates the propensity for failure and is evident in the existing seawall along the coast. Most of Guyana’s critical infrastructure in Georgetown, and in the path of a Tsunami or rising sea level, could reach the seawall along the coast. Such a natural disaster in Guyana would result in flooding from Georgetown to Soesdyke on the East Bank Demerara and Mahaica on the East Coast, as well as parts of West Bank Demerara, covering hundreds of square acres.The disaster would disrupt transportation, communications, energy (electric), defense, postal and shipping, public health and healthcare, water and waste, and all government agencies. All of Guyana’s critical infrastructure would be severely damaged if not destroyed, including the Capital, Georgetown. Move the Capital using oil revenues Climate-change scientists warned that rising sea levels are already affecting coastal communities and small islands. Many cities could be ‘eliminated’ by 2050 and Georgetown could ‘disappear’ long before 2050. Disaster preparedness and critical infrastructure pro-
The ability to envision that it is not a matter of “if” but “when” the seawall along Guyana’s northern coast will no longer withstand the forces of nature leading to a massive loss of life and the destruction of critical infrastructure along depths of the coastline is crucial for the nation’s survival. Relocating the Capital to higher ground inland is a sure way of averting impending doom. Brazil and Belize recognized these vulnerabilities and have moved their Capital inland decades ago. Prepare to act now Infrastructure provides the underpinning of the economy. Economic recovery plans require significant upgrades and protection to mitigate disaster. National security and the way of life depend on the reliable functioning of a vast array of assets, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; they include physical and virtual assets such as water, food, transportation, banking and finance, and energy. Infrastructure is an asset or system whose disruption or destruction could negatively affect the performance of the economic and social functions of the state. For businesses to operate effectively and efficiently, it is critical to have assurances and
Critical infrastructure protection Guyana must develop a robust system to defend against threats and vulnerabilities. The U.S provides a solid example. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) established the framework for critical infrastructure protection by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities to ensure resilience.Resilience is the ability to resist absorb and recover or successfully adapt to adversity or disruption as well as prepare for and respond to a crisis, and reconstitute a system. Protecting and ensuring resilience is a shared responsibility between the private and public sectors. Cyber security in critical infrastructure aroused the interest and concern of energy utilities, government agencies, and consumer’s researchinstitutions. Preparing for and defending against external threats is critical for business continuity. It would be prudent to mitigate disaster by using oil revenues today to build a new Capital City, rather than to use sovereign wealth funds in the future to rebuild and reconstitute critical infrastructure and a Capital lost to the sea. Wayne Forde
The Guyanese electorate must take seriously, the sounding of alarm bells DEAR EDITOR, Provided there are no administrative hiccups nor legal snafus along the way, the Guyanese electorate is heading inexorably to the polls on March 2, 2020. Although we are just few weeks away from March, there is a certain significance about that month that is inextricably bound up with the history of elections in Guyana. Drawing attention at this time to past events in March, should not be viewed as a divergence nor a distraction from the current elections campaign. Neither should it serve to weaken our vigilance in respect to holding GECOM accountable. On the contrary, referencing those events at this time, should serve to strengthen our determination to press on all fronts, for free and fair elections.It was on March 6, 1997, President Cheddi Jagan, the progenitor of the struggle for universal adult suffrage and free and fair elections, died at a military hospital in the United Statesof America. Michael Manley, outstanding Caribbean statesman and former Prime Minister of Jamaica died in his homeland on the same date in March.Janet Jagan became the first female Prime Minister of Guyana on March 17, 1997.
The youthful of this society have... From page 5 elusive; or that should be ignored. Those younger ones, who do the latter, do so at their peril, and to the detriment of their own forward progress. Let this much be said: save for a golden child or two, and some beneficiaries of nepotism and cronyism, and a token handout or two, nobody is going to give the youth movement anything on a platter. Not one gram of salted fish; they are lucky if they could get that much in salt alone. For this is the real globalized world in which we live, and though youths are characteristically impatient and full of vim, as well as themselves, they have to bow before the inevitabilities of enduring time, steep learning curves, and one step forward and, on occasion, a couple backwards. The key is to minimize the reversals to learn from mistakes, of what the territory demands, and what the situation can, or is willing to, accommodate. It is the same way in the professions, the military, the churches, even the criminal ranks. Put in the time and then reap the returns. To put some flesh to the bones of all of this, an example or two is offered for corroboration.
There was this young opposition Turk, who turned out to be a real barbarian; even his own people developed stomach problems with him. First there was gagging of him, then there was enforced tightening of the lips in efforts to prevent saying the wrong things in public and putting foot in mouth again. The admonition was and remains to him and all like him: know your place boy! Mind your manners. More accurately, it was a leadership gag order: hold your peace or lose your space. And that was that, as law man turned oil man, then authoritative man, silenced into early submission. There were others. This is how believed swaggering youthful charisma transforms into enigma first, then stigma next, and frozen magma last. That was the most visible and vibrant of the venturing from the youth movement from the opposition; today, it has come up with a doozy and dud as a proxy president.On the government side, the leader took ill, and all hell broke loose, as the socalled youth set rushed to take over. They had to be beaten back to where they came from with spells and omens, chalk marks that inspired fear, and brooms that
Thursday February 13, 2020
swept clean and exposed the nakedly ambitious. They are now marked: bears watching. Don’t turn back to them; do not give space to maneuver and to pull any fast ones. From the ranks of incoming political neophytes (budding leaders, too) I hear the appalling: some of the issues are relevant but, given the time, they lack the scale and expansiveness of the national. Sure, some troubling area are pointed out, but no traction at this savaging hour. I shake my head at the narrowness, the lack of breadth of vision as to what is demanded and right now.Until the younger set prove itself to be less sharp on the eardrums-and about committed servanthood, a track record that stands, and self-sacrificethen I am prompted to take my spirits in mature blends, including those of the bush pedigree. In other words, the young (political and other) children need time to grow up and get serious. Or as grizzled Guyanese would say: deh yung yet; deh aint reddy yet! March will reveal whether they think and decide for themselves; or they are their parents’ political children. Sincerely, GHK Lall
After winning the elections held on December 15, 1997 with 55.2 per cent of the votes cast, Janet Jagan made history by becoming the first female President of Guyana. The PPP/C won the general and regional elections held on March 19, 2001 with Bharrat Jagdeo as its Presidential candidate. The near coincidence between these dates in March would not go unnoticed. The coming elections will be Guyana’s sixth, being held on the eve of the twenty third anniversary of the death of President Jagan. It was during Dr. Jagan’s tenure as Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the PPP that the electoral reforms of 1992 were ushered in to facilitate the holding of free and fair elections in Guyana for the first time since 1964. The ground-breaking electoral reforms were brokered as a result of the astute and diplomatic prowess of the Carter Center representatives. And the successful realization of external assistance came about as a result of internal pressures brought to bear by mature political leadership demonstrated by the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) in which the PPP played a leading role, supported by a broad array of progressive and democratic forces as well as patriotic captains of industry. Twenty eight years later, the wheel of history has turned a full circle. The first time saw the rescuing of Guyana from tragic economic circumstances. This time around, the country finds itself mired in a constitutional quagmire created by a caretaker government whose mantra seems to be “We shall not be moved.” It is from this backdrop, that the current battle, waged mainly by the PPP/C for free and fair elections, for the restoration of the rule of law and for a national democratic form of governance must be viewed. Twenty two years ago, on March 19, 1998 to be precise, a CARICOM Audit Commission arrived in Guyana to; “Conduct an urgent and independent inquiry into the electoral process and procedures as well as the role of the Elections Commission related to the December 15, National and Regional Elections in Guyana.” The PNC had challenged the elections results in the court.The Chief Justice discharged orders nisi of certiorari and prohibition in respect to a writ aimed at preventing Mrs. Jagan from assuming the Office and carrying out the functions of the Presidency.
The Chief Justice had ruled that “article 177(6) prevents direct scrutiny of a declaration by the Chairman of GECOM but not an inquiry by way of an election petition.” The PNC appealed the decision and subsequently presented a petition contesting the validity of the results of the elections. The court actions were accompanied by street demonstrations and political unrest orchestrated by the PNC between 1997 and 1998. Political intervention by CARICOM, saw the arrival of a CARICOM Goodwill Mission, the signing of the Herdsmanston Accord, the establishment of a CARICOM Audit Commission, Constitutional Reform and an Interparty dialogue process culminating in the signing of the St. Lucia Statement, in that order.In August 1999, Mrs. Janet Jagan resigned as the fourth Executive President of the Republic. The cost of pulling the country back from the brink was high. Mrs Jagan’s tenure in office was reduced from five to three years. The PNC made a big issue of her colour and origin. The crisis had a debilitating effect on her health.Janet Jagan died on March 28, 2009.On the basis of our own experience, whereby elections are known to generate the paradoxical juxtaposition of impossibility and certainty, a repetition of what occurred in 1997 must be avoided at all costs. With the impending March 2, elections, important lessons are to be learnt from the December 1997, March 2001 and the May 2015 elections by all Guyanese and that is they must never give up what they have in their hands for promises that were made but were never fulfilled. With the PPP/C out of office there is deep regret and suffering on a national scale. The Guyanese electorate must therefore take seriously, the sounding of alarm bells, alerting us of a full blown dictatorship that is beckoning should the APNU+AFC be returned to office. The APNU+AFC presidential candidate recently called on his supporters to give his coalition, control of the parliament, the executive, the RDC’s the municipalities and the NDC’s. Control of the judiciary seems to be just a matter of time.We must never repeat the error of taking for granted benefits gained under the previous PPP/C administration less they be swept away forever never to return in the illusive ‘Good life.’ Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
Thursday February 13, 2020
Kaieteur News
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US$75M, 150-room AC Marriott - Trinidadian businessman Hotel for Ogle John Aboud is investor - NICIL T
here will be the turning of the sod this afternoon to start the construction of a US$75M, 150-room hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. The hotel to be named AC Marriott, will take 30 months to complete, with Trinidadian businessman, John Aboud, as the investor. The land would be in the vicinity of where the old headquarters of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), at Ogle is located. It will also reportedly be close to where a bypass road linking the East Bank Demerara will be built. According to an invitation from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, will deliver the keynote address. NICIL is the same stateowned company which built the US$51M, 197-room Marriott Hotel at Kingston. That has been filled to
capacity as a result of the current oil activities in Guyana. The country has been seeking additional quality hotels. AC Marriott is said to be a subsidiary of Marriott International. According to NICIL, it recently signed an agreement with Trinuyana Investments Incorporated of Guyana to develop a “world class, iconic, select service, internationally branded Hotel – AC Marriott Hotel”. NICIL said that the project is already underway with the commencement of geo-technical works. “The construction of the hotel will bring additional rooms to add to the national hotel stock, which will (help) stimulate the local economy through additional employment opportunities and business development.” NICIL said that Trinuyana Investments Incorporated intends to target business travellers to Guyana, especially those linked to Guyana's nascent
oil and gas sector. The new hotel also wants t o t a rg e t E x x o n M o b i l (Guyana) headquarters, which will be situated in proximity to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle. “Trinuyana Investments Incorporated principals are confident that the proposed development will boost the existing architectural and landscape ambience of the Ogle area while providing a sustainable design approach, ensuring that the space remains a unique, iconic, Caribbean-wide destination.” Also set to address the sod-turning will be Chief Executive Officer of NICIL, Colvin Heath-London. According to NICIL, an initial 400-plus jobs will be created during construction, with some 200 permanent ones upon completion. NICIL's Privatization Specialist (Acting) Rachael Henry disclosed that the hotel will be constructed over four floors.
She disclosed that her agency and the CEO of Trinuyana Investment Inc (Guyana and Trinidad), John Aboud held lengthy discussions before arriving at the decision to construct the hotel. Henry said that the hotel will have several amenities. Among them conference, office and some state-of-theart living facilities, which he said would be integrated into the hotel complex. “This is the culmination of negotiations that NICIL had with this company and the result is a major brand name hotel coming to Guyana so that all can benefit from it, as it certainly will boost our tourism and ultimately our country revenues,” Henry said CEO of Trinuyana, John Aboud, according to the statement from NICIL, said that he is excited over the fact that the project will finally be rolled out, stressing that the work of NICIL was significant in ensuring that the hotel
CEO of Trinuyana Investment Inc., John Aboud project becomes a reality. He disclosed that he was very impressed with the manner in which NICIL and their team conducted the discussion, stressing that NICIL sought to secure the best possible deal for Guyana. He disclosed that he was eyeing Guyana for a number of years, but about three years ago felt confident
enough to move ahead with the project. He pointed out that while they don't have major personnel on the ground as yet, he foresees this being a reality in early March, noting that they anticipate construction commencing in a few months. Aboud, who NICIL said heads a major investment company in Trinidad and Tobago, pointed out that he fell in love with the numerous opportunities that exist here. He stated that Guyana is poised significantly to benefit significantly from what he dubbed as its rapidly growing tourism market. “After visiting here a few times and seeing the numerous opportunities that exist, I decided to invest in buying some land, as I see that there is a need for such investment to further propel Guyana's tourism,” Aboud said. He said that the firstclass hotel will cater for both (continued on page 16)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 13, 2020
Sod turned for new Gold Board HQ, Health Ministry lab at Liliendaal
Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence and Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman turn the sod to initiate construction of the two buildings
T
he Ministries of Public Health and N a t u r a l Resources yesterday hosted a ceremonial sod-turning for the new Epidemiology and Entomology Lab and the Guyana Gold Board's (GGB) Head Office Building Site at Liliendaal. The shared space will allow Guyanese, but especially miners, to get screened for malaria when
they go to sell their gold. However most importantly, the lab would be able to carry out research activities, which would see strides in the control and elimination of vector-borne diseases. At yesterday's sod turning, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence said the lab would ensure the rollout of more activities such as mosquito capture and identification, as well as
testing for the resistance to insecticides which are currently used. Minister Lawrence was elated at the kick-start to the initiative, while noting that the current laboratory under the Public Health Ministry is “not a conducive environment�. The cost of construction and equipping of the state of the art laboratory would (continued on page 24)
15 years for man who chopped neighbour to death
A
Williamsburg, Corentyne man has been jailed for 15 years for killing his neighbour. Vejai Rickbarran, 31, admitted to killing Muhamed Assad Abdul , on October 29, 2017 in the aforementioned village. Rickbarran appeared before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall in the Berbice High Court last week and pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Rickbarran was represented by Chandra Sohan, while Seeta Bissondyal appeared for the state. The court heard that the two men knew each other and lived in close proximity. It was related that Rickbarran, without provocation or any reason, went over to his neighbour's
yard and broadsided the man's wife. The woman called on her husband who went to investigate what was happening. During that time, Rickbarran took the cutlass and dealt Abdul a number of chops about his body. Abdul was hospitalised and subsequently died. Defence attorney Sohan made a stirring plea in mitigation. He told the court that his client has a history of mental problems. He said that during the PI his client admitted to the crime, but said that he did not know what he did. He said that his client's actions could be a case of insanity, since he was receiving psychiatric treatment. Sohan also mentioned that his client was involved in a serious accident on a motorbike back in 2005, where the rider
Jailed: Vejai Rickbarran died, he was the pillion rider. He also mentioned that Rickbarran did not waste the court's time. In passing the sentence, Justice Morris-Ramlall stated that she would begin from 30 years. She deducted 10 years for his mental state and related issues, 2 years for mitigating circumstances and another 3 years for time spent.
Thursday February 13, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Love is Free E
-mails are the inthing these days. The only mails I get in my letter box, which is nailed onto my gate, are bills – water, electricity and telephone. This is quite unlike my email inbox, which is filled each day with letters from friends, juicy information from sources - such as the one I got recently about someone trying to bribe a federal officer - and of course, those that are trying to sell me something or the other. Unlike my physical letter box, I do also get a lot of unsolicited mail. Featuring prominently are mails from confidence-tricksters trying to dupe me into revealing personal information by falsely informing me that I had won some lottery. And, of course, there are the frequent letters by impostors who write that they are widows or trusted attorney of some corrupt dictator who has a few million that he wants me to keep for him in return for a percentage of the sum. Of course a request is made for details of my bank book. I am too old and too smart to fall for those cons,
and whenever I see a recipient that I do not recognise, my hand hits the delete key faster than the ticking of a clock. Recently, I have been receiving quite a few mails with touching stories. More often than not, I take an initial read of the first two sentences and then hit the Delete button. As of late, however, I have found myself drawn to these heart-warming stories which are very touching. Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper, seems also drawn to these stories, since he has been sending me quite a few recently. I do not know whether he is becoming sentimental in his old age. I however found one of the stories that he sent me this week extremely inspirational, and I would like today to share it with you my readers, just as how so many of these stories are shared with me. I think the story makes a point of how much of a difference we can make if only we act out of love. I hope that this story will help all who read it to really think hard as to how we can make a big difference by simply changing the angle from
which we approach a situation. Here goes: A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the four pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. “Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.” “Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.” The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?” “Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. “Here, Dolly!” he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with
Dem boys seh...
One newspaper want stop de Mayor siren
O
ld people got a saying about monkey when it ain't got nutten to do. It does use a perfume bottle and everybody know de size of de bottle mouth. De Mayor, who is de most important man in de city, don't get de chance to exercise he power because politics actually dominate. People don't know, but de City Police is de oldest in de country, but dem regular police tek over de city, because de state got de money and de council ain't got. Things reach de stage wheh de government use to tell de city council if it can raise rates and by how much. Now Soulja Bai believe d e c o u n c i l s h o u l d be independent and mek its own decisions. One decision that de council mek is fuh de Mayor to put a siren pun he car. De man use de siren one time and people believe he commit a crime. De Big Market paper
mek it a big news item, dem boys believe it was a dry day and news wasn't around, suh anything else woulda wuk. De paper tek de Mayor to task. Somebody in de paper want to know if he got de power to use de siren. Somebody want to know if he want to upstage de president. Dem didn't realize that de Mayor entitled to de siren in de city, and anybody else can only share de use if de Mayor agree. Dem boys seh is de Mayor who got de power to control de noise nuisance in de city, but since de police got more people and more resources, de council does lef dem to charge. But that don't mean de Mayor can't stop dem. Dem boys remember de time when Jagdeo send a contractor to do some wuk in de city and Hammy arrest de contractor because he was wukking without de permission of de council. So, if de Mayor got
power, why he can't use he siren? Dem boys want him to use it whenever he want and as often as he want. One of Jagdeo Minister did use de siren when he was going into de back dam. Some cows get so frighten that dem run away. To this day de owners can't find dem. And that Minister was only acting fuh de Prime Minister fuh one day. Jagdeo mek Irfaat acting Prime Minister, and that man use de siren to go to buy Chinese food in Vreed-enHoop. He live in Leonora. Talk half and don't stop de Mayor siren.
delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly, another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up. “I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at
the boy's side and said, “Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.” With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir,
I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.” With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. “How much?” asked the little boy. “No charge,” a n s w e r e d t h e f a r m e r, “There's no charge for love.
Kaieteur News
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Thursday February 13, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
I will gladly be a character witness for Gary Best
A
teacher who for d e c a d e s occupied the classroom will always have fond memories of select students. To me, Gary Best is one of those students. I am truly sorry that Gary has found himself in the unhappy position with life that he is now in. In my 26 years of teaching at UG, I can safely
say that for the year Gary was my student, he was the star of the class. The students liked him immensely, and his sense of humour was large. For the semester that Best spent doing philosophy with me, he would be on show in each session. Once he was in the session, there were incredible moments of hilarity.
He enjoyed philosophy greatly and excelled in his grade. His favourite philosophy was Plato. Reading Plato and teaching Plato are two unrelated subjects. Too many nuances of Plato's philosophy are missed when you read him. I think Plato, Marx, Hobbes and Freud are four great thinkers in the history of
civilization whose scholarship is so complex that you can easily miss the outstanding nuances in their thinking. Best was very good at discussing Plato, because I think he latched on to a dimension of Plato's thought that you can easily miss by just one reading of “The Republic.� Plato was a genius. That genius lies in the fact that though he was writing in early times in the evolution of western civilization, he saw certain values that even today, thousands of years after, humans have a difficult time embracing. Two of these are respect for gender differentiation and respect for humans despite class differences. I seldom saw Gary Best after he left UG. There were times we drove past each other and on each occasion, there would be a broad smile on his face when he greeted me. I believe Best is the type of person that would not let his politics shape his attitude to someone from the opposing spectrum. In that context, he
belongs to a species that is rare in this country. When one party is in power, their mandarins are afraid to have more than a moment's chat with a critic. I have been the victim of that sick stupidity all my life. In the governments of Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte, the PNC underlings that you knew closely when at university, would be afraid to hobnob with you, because you are a PNC critic. From President Cheddi Jagan right up to Donald Ramotar, PPP bigwigs would quickly nod when you pass in their direction, but would not stop to say hello, because of the political culture that restrains them. They are just fearful that news would go back that they were seen chatting with an anti-government critic. They were fearful that the insecure leaders at the top of their government would victimize them. There wasn't one president, from Burnham right up to Granger, who would be at ease if their highly-placed state officials are seen preserving a
Frederick Kissoon friendship with an antigovernment critic. Forbes Burnham was a mysterious example in this regard. The parents of Rupert Roopnaraine were very close to Burnham. Each time an intelligence report named Roopnaraine in a treasonable act, Burnham would call Roopnaraine's mother and joke about locking up her son. Burnham also knew that Andaiye was very close to his Foreign Minister Rashleigh Jackson and his wife, and she would be spared. Since I mentioned Gary Best in this context, I should name another person who excellently portrayed an open mind. Geoff Da Silva, head of GO-Invest under Jagdeo, never shunned me. For obvious reasons, he would not discuss politics, but he was open-minded to having conversations with me. I know President Jagdeo was the worst offender in the history of Guyana's presidency in these situations. A party official could lose his/her job if they were seen having a friendship with a critic or dissident, however thin and remote that relationship was under the Jagdeo presidency. Many AFC persons I was close to are currently afraid to be seen with me. One of them specifically said if I'm writing about an incident that occurred on Sheriff Street, do not mention his name, just write that an AFC official was present. This is the kind of morbid political culture that dominated Guyana since the past seventy years. I wish Gary Best the best of health. He is an APNU official, and that is of no concern to me. I wish he wasn't in the predicament he is in. I would willingly be a character reference for him in a court of law. I mourn the loss of Jude Bentley, but I will not deny that I find Gary Best a nice human. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Thursday February 13, 2020
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Guyana's Local Content Policy remains bound by confidentiality provisions By Kiana Wilburg
A
preliminary review of Guyana's Local Content Policy shows that some key recommendations which were made, have been ignored. The draft report which was done by UK Consultant, D r. M i c h a e l Wa r n e r, contained a provision which called for companies' Local Content reports to remain confidential between the Minister of Business and his Ministry. Only a “summary” of those reports submitted would be made public.
During the period of submissions on the said draft, this publication had contended that this confidentiality provision should be removed, since a Minister's interpretation of these reports, along with his or her selective extraction of aggregated data, would not necessarily provide a full and fair opportunity for citizens to make an informed analysis or conclusion of how local content is being achieved, or the lack thereof. In the interest of holding the operator, the regulator and the government accountable, Kaieteur News
recommended that the full reports are made public. Significantly, in the said recommendation it was noted, “In whose interest is it to keep such reports confidential? Is it in the interest of Guyanese or the companies? If it is the latter, then this provision would be in contradiction to the very essence of the title of this document which states, 'Local Content Policy.' No provision in this policy should even have the appearance of straying from the objective.” In spite of the foregoing, the provision for
confidentiality remained in the Local Content Policy. The provision states that “legal constraints” prevent the disclosure of submitted and reported information on local content to parties beyond the Minister. According to the policy, the Minister shall disclose the anticipated contracting and procurement opportunities for Guyanese suppliers in the form of completed tables in an Operator's Local Content Plan. Information would also be pulled from the operator's half-year and endof-year reports.
UK Consultant, Dr. Michael Warner
Trinidadian Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul
The Minister on an annual basis, would also be allowed disclose a “summary” of the operator's Local Content Utilization Report. The policy notes that the operator is expected to include additional commentary on its disclosures such as an e x p l a n a t i o n o f inconsistencies between anticipated levels of local content and actual performance. Further to this, the Local Content Committee alone, would have the authority to view “in confidence” the approved Operators' plans for the sole purpose of carrying out its function of policy oversight. In all other cases, “information submitted to
the Minister in Operator's Local Content Plans and appendices and half-year and end-of-year Local Content Reports, shall remain confidential to the Operator and Ministry.” Of significance is the fact that confidentiality provisions were never included in the first two drafts of the policy that were done by Trinidadian Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul. It was only included after the Department of Energy awarded a $22M contract to complete the policy to Dr. Warner, who Kaieteur News had reported, has ties to ExxonMobil. This newspaper will publish on Sunday, a detailed analysis of the policy.
Thursday February 13, 2020
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Oil tanker 'Cap Philippe' arrives today for one million barrels Oil tanker, Cap Philippe
D
epartment of E n e r g y Director, Dr.
Mark Bynoe, announced yesterday that the Greeceregistered crude oil tanker,
Cap Philippe, which will lift Guyana's first one millionbarrel crude entitlement,
will arrive today. Guyana is expected to have at least five cargoes in 2020.
The vessel will be moored to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, t h e L i z a D e s t i n y, o n Sunday, and the crude transfer will take place next Monday, and Tuesday. Three cargoes of Guyana's oil have been sold to Royal Dutch Shell Plc. The Department of Energy (DE) has also indicated that it will be launching a Request for Proposal (RFP) shortly to recruit a marketing firm on a term basis to assist the Department in selling Guyana's crude entitlement. As it relates to the price Guyana's oil is being sold for, Dr. Bynoe on Monday said he was not inclined to share details on this. He noted, however, that the department and its sister agencies are continuing to
work with the operator, ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, and two other partners, to reach consensus with regards to the Market Price Determination Procedure and Provisional Crude Oil Basket for marketing Guyana's crude as per Article 13 of the Production Sharing Agreement. Dr. Bynoe said, “We are aiming to conclude this process before Guyana lifts her first barrel of crude oil.” The Energy Department Director said that reaching consensus is necessary, as it has implications for entitlement scheduling and liquidation of the cost pool, i.e., costs incurred by the operators during exploration and production activities.
GPHC CEO refutes claims of suspected Coronavirus case at hospital
C
hief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), retired Brigadier George Lewis, is refuting all claims regarding a diagnosed case of Coronavirus at the city hospital. His statement comes after claims and speculation that there was a case of the Coronavirus at the city hospital and that the patient was later transferred to another hospital. In a brief interview with this publication, Mr. Lewis categorically stated that such claims are “nothing but false accusations with intent to raise fear and unnecessary panic in the Guyanese population”. “There is no suspected case of Coronavirus at the Georgetown Hospital or any other hospital across Guyana. That report that is circulating on social medial is false, crazy and without merit,” the CEO of the health facility assured.
Retired Brigadier George Lewis The Ministry of Public Health concurred with Lewis' statement and as promised, the ministry will give a full report on Guyana's preparedness and other matters on Friday. The ministry also stated that it has lodged a complaint, with the Commissioner of Police, on the aforementioned matter.
Thursday February 13, 2020
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Child Welfare Officer's face slashed during attempted robbery
F
orty-one year-old Robeena Zaman will forever carry a mark on her face, reminding her of a terrifying experience in which she was attacked by a knife-wielding bandit. The woman, a Child Care Protection Officer, explained to Kaieteur News that she was making her way to work on Tuesday morning when the incident occurred. Visibly shaken, Zaman related that she woke up for work in high spirits, ready to attack the day ahead. She was out the door at 7:20 and walking out of her street in Albouystown to access transportation. But her plans went awry. “I was just walking out to get a taxi to head to work, and I passed Barr Street and saw this guy sitting at the head of the street combing his hair, and he was playing loud music from a speaker… I didn't pay heed to him; I just proceeded. But like seconds later, I felt a tug on my bag and turned around and it was him.” Zaman stated that she firmly held onto her bag and refused to let go, but this angered the man, who then pulled out a knife. “He held on to the bag and my instinct was not to let go, but to hold on to the bag, but it happened so fast and he kept pulling it, and when he see I wasn't gonna let go, he whip out this Rambo knife
Robeena Zaman was viciously slashed to the face by her attacker from his waist and made a motion to stab me.” The injured woman explained that because of her hijab, the stabbing attempt was initially unsuccessful, but this did not stop the bandit from eventually slashing her across her face. “The knife stick in the hijab when he go to stab me, and he pull it out and started slashing me across my face, and I raised my hand to bar him and got two cuts.” Bleeding profusely from her face, the woman still remained firm and
refused to let go of the bag, and this deterred the suspect who abandoned his quest and fled. According to Zaman, persons were in close proximity and witnessed what had transpired but refused to intervene. However, a passing couple saw her bleeding and rushed her to the hospital, where she received 26 stitches. “This was the first time I was ever attacked, and this will stay with me forever. I have this scar now to remind me every day.”
US$75M, 150-room AC Marriott... An artist's impression of the façade of the AC Marriott Hotel planned for Ogle, East Coast Demerara
From page 7 business and tourism-related visitors. He revealed that the first cost would be to the tune of US$75 million, stressing that another significant amount of money is expected to be pumped into the hotel as they seek to take it to the acceptable international standard. Aboud further revealed that the hotel,
which will contain 150 rooms, is a five-star hotel, noting that the new brand is one that is fresh and is the latest being managed by Marriott. Meanwhile, HeathLondon noted that the people can expect NICIL pursuing a number of opportunities that will yield significant revenues and benefits for the country. He stressed that his team
had engaged Trinuyana and is satisfied that their investment is ideal and most importantly, timely. “We are very pleased with the investment that Mr. Aboud and team would be bringing to Guyana and are very confident that the government and people of Guyana will certainly benefit from this major hotel investment,” Heath-London stressed.
Thursday February 13, 2020
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Guyanese expertise to be included in completion of second FPSO
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he completion of the Liza Unity, the second Floating Production Storage and Operating (FPSO) to operate in the oil-rich Stabroek Block, will see the use of local expertise. This was recently revealed by Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe who has been adamant in ensuring maximum levels of local content in the petroleum industry. The official made this known while providing a progress report on the FPSO construction on Monday. Dr. Bynoe was keen to note that the inclusion of Guyanese in various stages of the Unity's completion was one of the key conditions for the approval of the Liza Phase Two Field Development Plan. Speaking to progress made thus far, Dr. Bynoe noted that the Hull for the Liza Unity is completed and sailed from Shanghai on December 29, 2019. As for the topsides fabrication, Dr. Bynoe said that this is progressing well, with all 19 modules under construction. Development drilling is projected to commence in February 2020 once the conditions of approval are met. Kaieteur News understands that installation vessels are undergoing preparations for start-
Liza Unity
up of the first installation campaign aimed at March 2020. The Liza Phase Two project is expected to produce over 6 million barrels of crude per month. According to documents submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), oil production from the Liza Phase Two Development is expected to last at least 20 years. EEPGL will drill
approximately 35-40 wells offshore to support extraction of the oil from below the sea floor. Each well will be drilled to a depth which is over 5,000 metres (m) below the sea floor. EEPGL will then install some of the oil production facilities on the sea floor at approximately 1500-1900 m (4900-6200 ft) water depth. These subsea facilities include various types of pipes and hardware. The subsea facilities allow the oil from the wells to be gathered and moved to the surface
of the ocean for further processing. Kaieteur News understands that EEPGL will install other oil production facilities on the Liza Unity, which will further process the oil extracted from below the sea floor. The FPSO will have the capacity to produce approximately 190,000 to 220,000 barrels of oil per day. During the early stage of production operations, the FPSO is anticipated to produce an average of approximately 5,700,000 to 6,600,000 barrels of crude oil per
month. At peak, EPA documents note that EEPGL will utilize approximately 1,200 personnel offshore during the stage where the wells are being drilled and the offshore oil production facilities are being installed. Kaieteur News understands that this number will decrease to less than 200 personnel during the production operations phase. A smaller number of personnel will then be utilized at the onshore support facilities.
Thursday February 13, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Petition to liberalise telecoms sector sent to 11 political parties
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petition from more than of 5,400 citizens has been sent to 11 political parties to help up pressure for the liberalisation of the t e l e c o m s s e c t o r. T h e 'LiberalisationNOW' petition, backed by Irishowned Digicel, a mobile service company that has operating in Guyana for over a dozen years, would come with elections a mere three weeks away. For more than a decade now, talk about allowing new companies to enter the telecoms sector has been in the air. The then administration of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) sold its 20 percent shared in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), which came here in the 90s and had the monopoly on landlines and international
calls. In 2016, laws were passed to allow GTT to end the monopoly. However, the telephone company has been asking for concessions and reportedly objecting to a US$40M-plus claim that the Guyana Revenue Authority says is owed to them. For almost four years now, the negotiations have held up the liberalisation process. Digicel has made it clear that Government could continue to negotiate in good faith while allowing new companies to step into the market. In any case, a number of companies that want to get into the market are arguing that GTT's licence and the current laws do not contemplate how internet is to be handled. With regards to the petition, Digicel in a
statement yesterday said that more than 5,400 signatures have been amassed to date. “…the petition was today sent to all eleven political parties contesting the 2nd March national and regional elections. The Change.org petition is the latest effort in the decadeslong battle to end the telecoms monopoly in Guyana and give Guyanese access to the modern communications technologies that they deserve.” Digicel especially has been ramping it up with the US-controlled GTT to bring its own sub-sea cable for data. R e c e n t l y, i t w a s announced that E-Networks has landed a cable with the intentions to utilise it for its Cable Television operations. “With the people of (continued on page 20)
Over 5,400 persons have signed a petition sent to political parties to help put pressure on government to liberalise the telecoms sector by allowing new telephone companies to enter the market
Kaieteur News
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Thursday February 13, 2020
National oil spill contingency plan in operation
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he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has begun the operationalisation of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, with the hosting of a simulation exercise to test Guyana's response capability. The exercise formed part of the lead-up to Operation Tradewinds to be hosted here in June. Operation Tradewinds is conducted in conjunction with partner nations to enhance the collective abilities of defence forces and constabularies to counter transnational organised crime and to perform humanitarian and disaster relief operations. CDC Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig explained to the Department of Public Information that yesterday's Oil Spill Table Top Exercise was one of the steps of the operationalisation of the National Contingency Plan. “Coming out of the exercise, further adjustments will be made to the plan, because you don't quite understand the roles and responsibilities until you test it.” The final draft of
A scene from yesterday's engagement
CDC Director General, Lt. Col. Kester Craig Guyana's National Oil Spill Contingency Plan was completed in November 2019. Lt Col. Craig told participants that the development of the contingency capabilities would be an ongoing process. “The way this exercise will be done is that there are going to be several injects via email, maybe via text messages, WhatsApp and maybe a runner just coming and giving you a message and you will be broken up
into different groups which are outlined in the National Oil Spill Contingency plan.” He explained that there are various sectors outlined in the plan such as finance, health and environmental protection, and emphasised the need for persons to
understand their roles and responsibilities. Representatives from
NASA, the Canadian military, US Coast Guard, and local agencies such as
the EPA and WWF Guyana attended the one-day workshop.
Rear-ended! This coming together of vehicles occurred yesterday at Vlissengen and North Roads (Guyanese Critic photo)
Petition to liberalise telecoms... From page 19 Guyana declaring themselves tired of poor, unreliable broadband services and remote communities not being able to realise the dream of modern communications in their homes, Guyanese are fed up of limited choice and not having the benefits of true competition. Thanks to a shameful combination of poor choice of services, poor broadband coverage and poor quality services, Guyana has arguably the worst communications services in the Caribbean. And that in
turn is holding the country back from the countless opportunities that access to the digital economy brings,” the statement yesterday said. Digicel insisted that there is still no progress, since the legislation passed three years ago has not been made law. This requires the i s s u a n c e o f a commencement order by the minister. In sending the #LiberalisationNOW petition to the political parties, Gregory Dean, CEO of Digicel Guyana commented: “The people of
Guyana are demanding what they rightfully deserve from our leaders. For too long, they have been denied the ability to participate fully in the global digital economy. Guyanese want and d e s e r v e b e t t e r communications services and our leaders have the power to make this long overdue change happen without further delay.” T h e #LiberalisationNOW petition can be found at https://www.change.org/p/li beralise-guyana-s-telecomsector-now
Thursday February 13, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Thursday February 13, 2020
Teen remanded on armed robbery charge Nineteen-year-old Kevin Williams who is charged for robbery under arms, yesterday appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he was remanded to prison for the offence. Williams admitted to the charge which alleged that on February 9, 2020, at South Road Georgetown, while in the company of others and armed with a knife, he robbed Levi Gomes of one Samsung cellular phone and $2000 cash. Williams told the court that he was on his way to work on his bicycle when he saw
two of his friends robbing and beating a man, so he told then to stop and attempted to help the man, but the police patrol came up and arrested him. He then denied taking any money or cell phone from the virtual complainant. Based on the explanation given by the defendant, a not guilty plea was then entered by the Magistrate. However, police prosecutor Delon Sullivan said that according to the facts of the charge, Williams was the one who was armed with the knife. The prosecutor added that on the day in question, Gomes was walking along
South Road when the defendant and others approached him. Williams then whipped out a knife and demanded that Gomes handed over his valuables.The court heard that Williams and others then relieved Gomes of his cell phone and cash before fleeing. Gomes raised an alarm and a police patrol that was passing chased after Williams who was on a bicycle. Williams was apprehended, arrested and subsequently charged. Magistrate McGusty remanded Williams to prison and the matter was adjourned to March 4.
Man gets two months for damaging car windscreen
T
hirty-seven-year-old Jason Stephens was yesterday sentenced to two months’ imprisonment after he opted to change his plea and admitted to damaging the windscreen of a woman’s car. Stephens was first arraigned before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts when the charge was read to him and he denied. The charge stated that on February 8, 2020, at South Road, Georgetown, Stephens damaged a car windscreen valued $49,999, prop-
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Kaieteur News
erty of a private nature, and belonging to Uana Rodriguez. When Magistrate McGusty asked the defendant where he resides, Stephens told the court “I’m a convict and I live right at this court.” He was then remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to court 11. However, when Stephens appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh, he changed his plea for the offence, and he was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.
Trial of accused in murder of Haslington fisherman ongoing
E
rrol Khan, the man who is accused of hacking fisherman Chetram Bharrat to death, is presently on trial for murder before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a jury at the High Court in Demerara. Khan, 44, has been indicted for murder, simple larceny and felonious wounding. The State is being represented by Abigail Gibbs and Sarah Martin. The murder accused, who is being represented by lawyer Ravindra Mohabir, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. It is alleged that on March 02, 2014 at Haslington, East Coast Demerara, Khan murdered Bharrat. It is further alleged that on the same day at the same location, he wounded Lomattie Ramdat, Bharrat’s reputed wife, with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause her grievous bodily harm. It is also alleged that on the aforesaid date, he broke into the dwelling house of Ramdat and stole $370,000. According to previous reports, on the day in question, Khan stormed into the couple’s home and began chopping Bharrat. Ramdat
Murder accused: Errol Khan
Murdered: Chetram Bharrat
intervened and she too was chopped several times about her body. Ramdat had reported the killing to the police as a bandit attack. She however changed her story. It was reported that the
killing stemmed after a relationship between Khan and Ramdat went bad. Based on previous reports, Khan and Ramdat would usually meet at her home when her husband was away at sea.
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Sod turned for new Gold Board HQ... From page 8 range between $300-$400 million dollars and will carry a staff complement of 50. Furthermore, the twostorey building will also house 11 rooms, one board room and the laboratory. Also, in attendance were Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, GGB Chairman Gabriel Lall and other board members, and GGB General Manager, Eondrene Thompson. Minister Trotman also delivered remarks, and included a brief background of how the twin project evolved. He maintained that the movement of the GGB to a new "home" from which to operate and provide services to Guyanese
is in keeping with the mandate of the sector. He also expressed that he felt a personal sense of satisfaction that his promise to find a permanent abode for the GGB was being realized. Minister Trotman further noted that the GGB remains a strong pillar of the natural resources sector and Guyana, as the revenues collected account for a significant portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Referencing the recently opened GGB office in Port Kaituma, the Minister applauded the Board and the Management of the GGB for continuing to advance its mandate and maintaining its commitment to making services accessible throughout
the country. Speaking on behalf of the GGB, Ms. Thompson said that the event was significant for the Gold Board, because the entity has always shared space since its establishment. She noted her pleasure that the GGB is one-step closer to providing an edifice, which projects the country's wealth. The cost for construction of the GGB's new head office is not yet known, since bids for the project have not been opened. The deadline for those bids, according to the Natural Resources Ministry, is February 20, 2020. The buildings will be located at the site of the health ministry's former Medex building at Liliendaal.
Thursday February 13, 2020
Kaieteur News
Thursday February 13, 2020
Pilot survives after crop-dusting plane flips while landing
The plane that was involved in the incident at Burma, Mahaicony yesterday.
A
pilot conducting crop-dusting for rice farmers in the Mahaicony area, is lucky to be alive, after the aircraft flipped while landing at Burma. In a private hospital up to last evening was 35year-old Captain John Bart. According to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the incident occurred between 2:46pm and 3:07pm. The aircraft, a S2R-T34 Turbine Thrush, bearing registration 8R-AAG, belongs to AG Air Inc., said to be a sister company of Air Services Limited Inc (ASL).
The pilot was attempting to land at the airfield at Mahaica Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS). ASL manages the airfield. “At the time of the incident, the aircraft was conducting aerial work and was being flown by Captain John Bart. The pilot was rescued and transported to a city hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition. Captain Bart was the only person in the aircraft at the time,” GCAA said. The authority said it had commenced investigation and a team will be dispatched
to the airstrip this morning. “Air Traffic Services sent out a NOTAM (a Notice to Airmen) advising of the closure of the MARDS airstrip until further notice. More details will follow as it becomes available.” The Thrush aircraft employs a Satloc Bantam GPS Precision aerial application system which allows pilots to fly and spray in precise patterns using constant-rate flow control, thereby reducing fuel consumption and flying time, and consequently creating lower operating costs for farmers.
Cops smash Belle West allegedly burglary gang - 'mastermind' hired 'junkies' to
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olice have reportedly smashed a Belle West, Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara burglary gang, which allegedly included addicts who provided stolen items to their 'boss' in exchange for drugs. The alleged mastermind, his girlfriend, and a man on the run from a break and enter charge, were among those arrested when police carried out an early morning raid yesterday at the prime suspect's home. Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Simon Mc Bean, confirmed that ranks recovered television sets, gas cylinders and other items from the 38-year-
break into homes old suspect's home. He said that some burglary victims have already identified items that were stolen from their homes. Police also found a few grammes of cocaine and marijuana at the alleged mastermind's property, where the burglary suspect was also held. Reports indicate that the gang has been in operation for over a year. Kaieteur News had previously reported that there appeared to be a high incidence of burglaries and petty crimes in sections of Belle West.
Hung jury in rape trial of bus conductor
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retrial is pending for 37year-old rape accused Dexter McIntosh after his trial ended in a hung jury yesterday. McIntosh had been on trial for the offence before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a 12 person jury at the High Court in Georgetown. According to the indictment presented by State Prosecutors Mandel Moore and Teriq Mohammed, McIntosh engaged in sexual penetration with the
underage girl on January 1, 2015. According to the facts of the case, McIntosh, who the girl knew, as she would travel with the bus he worked on as a conductor, went to the girl's home at around 11:00hrs and called out for her. When the girl came outside, he grabbed and dragged her to a nearby abandoned house where he had sex with her. Upon noticing that his child was missing, the girl's father
went in search for her. As he called out her name, McIntosh came running from the building. The father gave chase but was unable to capture the bus conductor. Once the man got a hold of his daughter, she told him what transpired and a report was made to the police. McIntosh was arrested and charged. The Director of Public Prosecutions will inform McIntosh of when his new trial will commence.
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Thursday February 13, 2020
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Thursday February 13, 2020
Action on in Forbes Burnham Foundation AL Sport & Tour Promotions Windball Cricket Results in the Forbes Burnham Foundation - AL Sport & Tour Promotions “Hit It For 50” Schools Windball Cricket played at the National Gymnasium organised by Sports Officer A Munroe show several teams recording victories in matches played recently. In the Girls department Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary scored 48-0, Trica Singh 24. Soesdyke Secondary replied with 47-0, Keanna Boodram 19 when their overs expired. Debutant The New Central High made 55-0, Tyumba
Hunte 28. Queenstown Secondary 61-1, Keshia Rawlins 26.Camille Academy scored 75-0; East Ruimveldt Secondary fell short at 50-0. Among the Boys - The Business School 89-2, Jeffrey Blair hit 51; Saint Joseph High fell short at 82-1, Lorenzo Ragunandy 30.Defending Champs Mae’s Secondary rattled up 97-1, Richesh Singh 52, Ajay Persaud 39; The New Central High School were held at 49-2, Deonarine Tiwari made 29. Charlestown Government Secondary scored 57-1, Myhiain Khan 19; Vreed-en-
Hoop Secondary were held at 45-5, John Rajkumar 23. Camille Academy made a winning 93-1, Kishon Chiraunjie 45, Andrew Lim 37; Soesdyke Secondary 75-2, Elisha Patterson 39. Richard Ishmael Secondary hit 52-0, Dillon Ramroop 28; Region # 1 struggled to 46-4, Brandon Savory 15, Devon Boyer 21.East Ruimveldt Secondary made 46-3, Khy Alkinson 12, Deshan Dummett 12, Goed Fortuin Secondary replied with 49-0, Melvern Kingston 26.Play continues today form 10:30am.
Thursday February 13, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There are forces working in your favor that you should be sure to latch onto and take advantage of, Aries. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Missed connections and unfortunate misunderstandings will happen less frequently if you slow down and focus. Remember that you can do things yourself, Taurus. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It's the perfect day to get u p and head outside, Gemini. You’ll likely find yourself feeling positive and energetic, and some fresh air, sunshine, and physical activity may be long overdue. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your internal fire may be feeling a bit smothered by a fierce reality check today, Cancer. Give people the benefit of the doubt. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Careful planning on your part is starting to pay off, Leo, but be careful that you don't alienate others in your quest to be the best. You may not realize how your harsh words affect the people around you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A little foreign culture could be the thing you need right now to spice things up a bit, Virgo. It could be that you aren't feeling a very strong connection with the environment around you.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Some days it may be hard for you to get motivated, Libra, but if ever there were a day in which it was easier than others, this would be the day. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may feel a bit of restriction working to hold you back from your current plans today, Scorpio. It could be that your mind is feeling restless and that you’re anxious to go, but there’s a feeling of discipline. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You’ll find that a sensitive mind that’s open to everything and every possibility is exactly the thing you need at this time in order to be successful in reaching all the goals you’re working toward, Sagittarius. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today is a good day to be receptive to other people's energies, Capricorn. You’ll find that a sensitive attitude toward the people around you, combined with a bit of hard work and willingness to fulfill your responsibilities. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You’ll find that your mind is sharp and penetrating today, Aquarius. Make sure you stay focused and organized. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There is a rough stubbornness to the day that you may find hinders your progress, Pisces. There may be undercurrents of
opposition that are slowly wearing away at your psyche.
Windsor Forest A overcome All Youths A, Singh slams ton, Rajpat, Shun bag 5
Ryan Shun
Deoram Chanderbir
Greg Singh
Windsor Forest CC A defeated All Youths B by six wickets when the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) Beacon Café 50
overs competition continued on Sunday last. In a game which was reduced to 40 overs, All Youths B were asked to bat and managed 169 all out
in 31.2 overs. Zahir Azeez struck 49 with three fours and two sixes as Lalta Suknanan grabbed 4-31 and Maniram Ragnauth 3-18. Windsor Forest CC A responded with 1704 in 22.5 overs. Deoram Chanderbir slammed six fours and 10 sixes in a top score of 95 while Avinash Ganesh contributed 26; Azeez took 227.At La Grange, the host and New Windsor played to a tie. New Windsor took first strike and made 188 all out in 31 overs. Dyal Rajpat struck six fours and three sixes in scoring 79 while Ramesh Thakur made 39; Greg Singh and Saif Persaud took two wickets each. La Grange responded with 188 all out in 28 overs. Singh clobbered eight fours and five sixes in a fine 126 while Paul Shiwram made 30. Dlay Rajpat bagged 5-36 while Thakur took 2-32. Independence B overcame host Wales by 100 runs. In a match which was reduced to 25 overs, Independence B scored 166 all out in 24 overs. Jermain Joseph made 43 and Aaron Seepersaud 27. Ryan Shun captured 5-37 and Leon Kran 2-24. Wales were bowled out for 66 in 16 overs in reply. Randy Yankana made 47 as Avesh Persaud, Jhonny Panton and Harichand Persaud took two wickets each. WDCA T20 Mc Gill Super Stars beat Christ Ambassadors by 80 runs when the West Demerara Cricket Association T20 tournament commenced on Sunday last. Batting first at Belle Vue ground, Mc Gill Super Stars made 150-5 in 15 overs. Azar Deen scored 48 not out while Daniel Basdeo made 27 and Abdul Razack 23; Kevin Paul took 2-17. Christ Ambassadors responded with 70-6. Jay Benit made 22 and Selwyn John 19; Deen had 2-10 and Keshram Seyhodan 2-22.
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Ngidi stars as South Africa beat England by one run in T20 thriller AFP - Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi took three wickets in his last two overs as South Africa snatched a thrilling onerun win in the first Twenty20 international against England at Buffalo Park yesterday. Jason Roy and captain Eoin Morgan hit half-centuries for England and they looked well on the way to chasing down South Africa’s total of 177 for eight. But the match changed dramatically in the last three overs as England lost six wickets for 24 runs to finish on 176 for nine. “You run in as hard as you can and hit your length. All of a sudden their team was on the back foot,” said Ngidi who was man of the match for his 3-30. “It was a very fast-paced game, but it’s about how you bounce back. I didn’t panic under pressure, they seemed to be cruising but my job was to get wickets.” England needed just seven to win off the last over but Ngidi dismissed Tom Curran and Moeen Ali while conceding only five runs. Adil Rashid was run out off the last ball, trying for an improbable second run which would have tied the scores. He couldn’t beat a calm return from midwicket from veteran fast bowler Dale Steyn. South Africa captain Quinton de Kock pointed out both teams struggled to score freely towards the end of their
Man of the moment: South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi celebrates with teammates. (AFP / Rodger Bosch) innings as the ball got softer and the bounce lower. “We knew if we made sure we kept to our basics that we could win,” he said “It was an outstanding game of cricket,” added Morgan. “Experiences like this, particularly with the (T20) World Cup around the corner, are so valuable. Both teams were u n d e r p r e s sure. Both teams gave it everything.” Both innings followed a similar pattern. Both teams scored 68 runs in the first six-over power play and both had scored 113 runs after 12 overs before slowing down in the closing overs. Opening batsman Roy was brutal in reaching his fifty off 22 balls on the way to scoring 70 off 38 deliveries
with seven fours and three sixes. Morgan seemed set to take his team to victory, hitting Beuran Hendricks for two fours and a six in the penultimate over before holing out off the last ball of the over after making 52. Earlier, De Kock (31) and Temba Bavuma (43) got South Africa off to a fast start, putting on 48 for the first wicket off 26 balls. Rassie van der Dussen (31) joined Bavuma and the pair added 63 for the second wicket off 41 deliveries before Van der Dussen fell to Ben Stokes and the innings lost momentum. Scores: South Africa 177 for 8 (Bavuma 43) beat England 176 for 9 (Roy 70, Morgan 52, Ngidi 3-30) by 1 run.
Thursday February 13, 2020
RFA kicks off 56-Team 2020 Champions League Season GFF President and Lethem Mayor, officiate Being encouraged to stick together so that the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) can achieve greater heights in the sport, their 2020 season by way of the 5th edition of their Champions League, kicked off in style following the official march past and opening on Sunday evening last at the Culvertcity Sports ground. The geographical layout of the vast Rupununi prohibited many of the teams from turning out for the opening but those present were reminded of the encouraging progress the association has made over the past few years and what’s in store for them. Sharing the moment with the teams and fans were Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, His Worship Mayor of Lethem John Macedo along with GFA President Ryan Farias and executive members.In his feature remarks, President Forde commended President Farias and his executive team for the excellent work they have been doing, likewise, he expressed gratitude to Mayor Macedo for improving the Culvertcity ground which he had committed to one year ago. ”I think when you consider where football infrastructure was four years ago when I began to visit this region strictly for football business, there has been tremendous improvement over those four years. As I understand it, most of the grounds are not lit, there are goals being constructed, there are plans to do work and improve the surfaces; so all of this will impact on improving the quality of football.”Forde commended the players in particular for their commitment which has allowed the RFA to set itself apart from almost every other association expect for a few in this country. ”You guys have played football at every level both male and female and that is a testimony to the commitment of your president and his executive committee but more so to you the players, because as I understand it, it is not easy for many of you to travel from the long distances that you live to come and play. I also understand today that it’s a huge cost associated with travel to get to the various venues. We are examining the possibilities of sourcing some means of transportation which will reduce the huge cost associated team travel across the region. My message here today is clear –
you do, we do.” Forde also informed the gathering that very shortly, a new phase of the Academy Training Centre (ATC) programme will be introduced. This new phase will see the transition of ownership of the ATC to the Association. This strategy it was said will improve oversight, accountability, performance and ensure greater return on the investment we are making into this groundbreaking programme, which has already impacted the performance of our Youth National Teams. ”We will continue to fund the programme, we will train the coaches, we will pay the coaches, we will provide all the necessary materials and resources but the programme will be operated by the RFA Executive Committee and their appointed members. So I’m trusting that, president Farias will do an excellent job in identifying the coaches that we will train over the next couple of years to deliver the quality of coaching that will have a long and lasting impact on football development across the region.” President Forde also informed that funding is in the pipeline for the various tournaments including the senior league and junior levels that would be rolled out to the associations very soon. ”We’ve been very impressed with the manner in which the RFA has been utilising the funds that we have been making available to them and the extent to which they have been giving account for it. I want to ask you guys to give your executive committee every measure of support that they need to keep football alive and to cause it to continue on the positive path of growth that we have seen over the past couple of years.” Mayor Macedo in his remarks encouraged the RFA to continue the great work they have been executing, stating that they have the full support of himself and council. He said that he met with the GFF and RFA and committed to work together towards the continued development of facilities under their purview: “I am proud to stand here today to say one year ago, what we have here, we hadn’t. We will continue to work with you to have the facilities developed; I know also that you need a ground where you can play high end matches, where you can invite other senior teams to come and engage
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Kaieteur News
your teams. I promise you that I will work together with your leaders to have such a top facility.”The search is on Mayor Macedo said to locate land that will accommodate such a high end facility. “I want to commend you for your efforts, for what you have been doing for football in this region.”President Farias, whilst welcoming all to the opening, proudly pronounced that it was the continuation of bigger and greater things to come for the RFA. Farias, who is also an executive member of the GFF, thanked all the stakeholders for their continued commitment to the game, especially the player. ”We will continue to work with the relevant entities to ensure we are able to get better playing surfaces for you which will have an even great positive impact on the quality of players we produce here. We are committed to work with Mayor Macedo, the Town Council and the GFF to achieve better for you. Continue to play hard, play strong, listen to your coaches; we have a long football season ahead of us, keep working hard and we’ll achieve greater heights.” President Farias informed that the Champions League will see some 28 male teams and an equal amount of female teams competing for the top place and bragging rights as the best in the RFA. It is scheduled to conclude on May 30th, 2020. The defending champions are Guyana Rush Football Club (male) and Paiwomak Warriors FC (female). Meanwhile, recording wins on the opening night were Gladiators over Tabatinga by a 3-2 margin in the female encounter, while defending male champs, Guyana Rush Saints FC commenced their defence on a positive note when they brushed aside Tabatinga 3-1.
Enmore CCCC... From page 33 Doodnauth, Chaterpaul Ramraj, Somnauth Bharrat, Steve Ramdas, Jadesh Dowlatram and Deokarran Kumar. Event schedule: 12:00 Hrs- Enmore Masters vs Floodlights XI; At 2:30 pm – Lusignan East vs Strathavon SC; at 6:00 pm: E/Coast Cricket Committee Presentation/awards ceremony and at 7:00 pm: Enmore CCCC vs Lusignan SC. There will also be Bar-BQue sale, bar refreshments and off-field entertainment.
MVP Sports backs Magnum Mash Cup
Ian Ramdeo presents the prize to Esan Griffith in the presence of (from left) Troy Lambert, Edison Jefford and Kevin Layne. MVP Sports has thrown their support behind the organisers of the third annual Magnum Mash Fustal competition. The tournament is set to continue on Saturday with semi-final action. MVP Sports has sponsored the third place cash incentive. At a simple ceremony held yesterday at the sports store location at Giftland Mall, Managing Director of the entity, Ian Ramdeo handed over the $200,000 prize to organisers Esan Griffith and Edison Jefford. The organisers have expressed gratitude to Ramdeo for his input and said they are looking forward to his continued support.
Ramdeo said he is dedicated to ensuring athletes have a fair opportunity to showcase their skills in a competitive environment. “We at MVP Sports look forward to continue with our support. We are very happy to see the success of the various tournaments, which provide our sportsmen and women with the opportunity to show case their skills so that they can go places. Practicing is one thing, but playing games is actually a big part of the development of any sport so this is good.” “We would like to thank our customers who without their support we would not
be able to support sports in Guyana,” he added. The final four teams will face off on Saturday from 20:00hrs at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. Bent Street, Rio All-Stars, Kingston and Leopold Street are the teams that are still in with a chance of securing a berth in the last two. Two exhibition games will be played before Rio All-Stars tackle Leopold Street and Bent Street play Kingston. The final is set for February 22 and the winning team will take home $600,000, the runner up $400,000, third place $200,000 and fourth place $100,000. A trophy will accompany each cash prize.
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Kaieteur News
Wilson spins GT to victory over East Bank, E/Coast beat West Demerara
DCB’s U-17 Inter-Association 50-over cricket By Sean Devers In mainly overcast conditions at the Everest ground yesterday, a small but vocal crowd watched as Georgetown got their Demerara Cricket Board’s U17 Inter-Association 50-overs tournament off to a positive start by defeating East Bank by six wickets. On a spin friendly track and lightning fast outfield despite some early morning showers, the City won the toss and asked East Bank to bat in a strong breeze blowing from the Atlantic Ocean. West Indies U-16 batsman Mavindra Dindyal hit five well timed boundaries in 26 but only Skipper Zachary Jodah (13) and Thaddeus Lovell (10) reached double figures as East Bank crumbled for 67 off 24.4 overs. Sixteen-year-old off-spinner Ezekiel Wilson spun webs around the batsman to finish with 4-11 including the scalps of Dindyal and Jodah. He was supported by fast bowler Yohance Angoy (2-
Mavindra Dindyal top scored for East Bank. 15), Alvin Mohabir (2-0) and Inderjeet Nanan who captured the last two wickets to end with 2-3 for the City side who reached 68-4 in 20 overs. The 15-year-old Jaden Campbell, who like Wilson represents DCC, hammered t h r e e b o u n d a r i e s in 23. Nanan with an unbeaten 15, Mohabir, who made 14 and
Jaden Campbell hits one of his three boundaries at Everest yesterday.
Malteenoes off-spinner Chad Shivattan 12 not out got into double figures as off-spinner Krsna Singh had 4-1. Singh and 11-year-old year-old leg-spinner Dhanesh Persaud, who bowled with teasing flight, operated in tandem to make the task a bit more difficult than it should have been for the hosts. When the visitors began
Krsna Singh removes Alvin Mohabir to end with 3-8 in a losing cause for East Bank at Everest. their innings, Angoy struck at 6-1 when he bowled Shivakumar Permaul for duck and again at 23-2 when got rid of Lovell just when looking good on 10. Dindyal, who stroked the ball sweetly across the lush green outfield, joined forces with Jodah and carried the score to 48 before the righthanded Dindyal, who plays for Georgetown side GCC, drove too early on the slow turner and was caught and bowled by Wilson. At 52-3, Wilson removed Rivaldo Phillips (1) in similar fashion before trapping Gustavas Hutson LBW for a duck without addition to the score. Wilson, who strangely did not complete his quota of 10 overs, removed Jodah when he miss-judged the length and spooned a catch to midon to the leave the score on 61-6 before the last five wickets tumbled for just six runs
in a dramatic collapse. Mohabir stuck twice with the score on 67 as Josh Charles and Mohamed Housein were sent packing for ducks, before Nanan cleaned up the innings by removing Darius Andrews (8) and Persaud for a duck. Georgetown began the chase of the small target badly when Shamar Yearwood was LBW for a duck off Andrews without a run on the board. Campbell, who pulled Singh for consecutive boundaries, and the left-handed Mohabir, added 31 runs before Singh had Mohabir taken at slip. Varun Mengal (2) missed an injudicious pull to a delivery from Singh which he could have played forward to and had his woodwork dismantled at 39-3 before Singh, who plays for GCC, struck again by removing Campbell at 49-4. But Nanan and Shivattan
made sure that was the last success for East Bank as they took their team to victory with 29.2 overs to spare. At Lusignan, West Demerara invited East Coast to bat and they made 141-3 in 35 overs of the truncated the match due to a wet pitch caused by morning rain. Ajay Gainda top scored with 31 and along with Anthony Khan (27) added 69 for the first wicket. Romel Datterdeen (20), Chanderpaul Ramraj, unbeaten on 17 and Rudranauth Hosien 20 not out, all chipped in. West Demerara were restricted to 49-9 as three bowlers had two wickets each. The competition continues today with West Demerara facing East Bank at Everest and Georgetown battle East Coast at Lusignan with both games scheduled to start at 09:00hrs.
Thursday February 13, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Flying Ace Cycle Club holds Enmore CCCC, Lusignan SC another Awards Ceremony to clash in 2019 Banks Beer 100 Ball Bash final on Sunday
T
he finalists for the 2019 Banks Beer 100 Ball Bash were decided last Sunday at Enmore, when Enmore CCCC defeated Strathavon SC by 61 runs and Lusignan SC got the better of Lusignan East by eight wickets in their respective semi-finals. As a result, the final matchup will be a repeat of 2018 between ECCCC and Lusignan SC. In the inaugural competition, Balram Narine (left) and Mario Washington (right) along with Lusignan SC defeated club founder and Coach Randolph Roberts during a previous event. Enmore CCCC but with both The Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) of the top 12-14 cyclist while Shazam Yacoob, teams being unbeaten in this Berbice recently hosted its 21st Annual Shazim Karan and Ravi Mootoo were also format during 2019, Enmore Awards Ceremony at the New Amsterdam r e c o g n i s e d f o r t h e i r o u t s t a n d i n g will no doubt fancy their chances, having defeated a performances in the 12-14 category. Town Hall. Over 70 rider Daniel Rigby, who is oldest strong Lusignan team in the During the awards ceremony the outstanding cyclists of the club were cyclist in the club and the youngest rider finals of the 40-Overs format recognised for their exploits for the year Daniel Blair were among those that were also earlier this year. This competition which 2019.Balram Narine, who represented the recognised.Acting Mayor Wainwright club in Trinidad and Tobago during the year McIntosh had words of commendation for the is sponsored by the Banks 2019, was voted the club’s top cyclist for club and outstanding cyclists. He pledged the Beer brand is in its second 2019. Narine began the year with a win and continued support of the Mayor and Town year and commenced in Council and wished the club and members all October last amongst 20 finished in similar fashion. teams on the East Coast Up and coming cyclist Ralph Sewnarine, the best for the future. Randolph Roberts is the founder and Demerara. who campaigned in the junior category, also The final which is set for had a good year and was recognised as the top coach of the club. A number of organisations were recognised by the club for their support this Sunday, will be played junior cyclist of the club. Juvenile riders Mario Washington and throughout the year including Sentinel under floodlights at Enmore Jeremiah Joseph continued their rivalry Security, Hilbert Foster, Trophy Stall, Ralph following matches between throughout the year. Washington was Felix, Eureka Labs, Senior Counsel E n m o r e M a s t e r s a n d adjudged the top juvenile rider of the club Mursaline Bacchus, Pearl Arokium of the Floodlights select team and Arokium Funeral Parlour and Romona the third place matchup with Joseph the runner up. between Lusignan East and Aaron Rajnarine got an award for being Persaud, among others. Strathavon SC. The East Coast cricket Committee 2019 presentation and awards ceremony will also be held before the final game as all matches for the 2019 season posited that he will be will be completed this looking to get a Drag Race weekend. machine for the highly anticipated 2020 Drag Championship which is scheduled to speed off in April. This Sunday, Caesar will face stern competition from the likes of Paul Yearwood, Stephen Vieira, Bobby Rasul, Carey Griffith, Romeo Singh, Raphael Fraser, Kevin Persaud, John Dowayne Caesar on the go during the Endurance Bennet and Elton Carter who Championship last month on his Kawasaki. have all confirmed for the Reigning Street Bike form since stepping onto the Street Bikes showdown. Class Champion; Dowayne scene in November 2017. The Guyana Motor Caesar, has been boosted by The rookie explained that Racing and Sports Club Samaroo Investment through motor racing is a very (GMR&SC) announced their Mannol Lubricants expensive sport and he is earlier this week that fans brand ahead of this Sunday’s happy for the support he has will enter the Circuit free of highly anticipated National received thus far since it will cost this Sunday as a token of Race of Champions (NROC) help offsetting fixed costs. the club’s appreciation to for At the 2020 Endurance their tremendous support last round one motor racing meet at the South Dakota Circuit, Championships round one season. last month, Caesar fared well Timehri. The NROC is sponsored Caesar, who will be on in the test of racing stamina by Mohamed’s Enterprise, t o p h i s 2 0 0 2 Z X 9 R in which he won his first ever Tropical Shipping, KFC and Kawasaki Ninja bike, will be endurance contest. Looking Hand-In-Hand Insurance. looking to continue his good forward, the daredevil (CC)
GMR&SC’s NROC
Caesar backed by Mannol
Scores from the semifinals are as follows: ECCCC 145 for 7 wickets. (Imran Hassan 61, V. R a m l a k h a n 2 7 a n d B.Ramkelawan 23. M. Ronald took 4 wkts for 34 runs). Strathavon SC were
Williams 64*, V.Ramjeet 25*; A.Sammy took 2 wkts for 14). ECCCC team: B. Ramkelawan(Capt), Yuvraj Dayal, Satash Jainarine, Amir Khan, Imran Hassan, Ranjeet Hiralall, Rudolph
Enmore A skipper Bheemraj Ramkelawan (left) and Lusignan SC Captain Shazam Ali with the championship trophy.
then dismissed for 84 in the f i n a l o v e r. ( C h a i t r a m Balgobin took 2 for 14 and Satash Jainarine 2 for 11). In the second semi-final, Lusignan East were bowled out for 96 in the final over. (T. Persaud 33 and K. A m s t e r d a m 2 1 . V. Doodnauth, C. Ramraj, V. Ramjeet and R. Williams each took two wickets.) Lusignan SC 98-2. (Robin
S i n g h , Vi s h w a n u t h Ramlakhan, Chris Surat, Navindra Gobin, Hemraj Garbarran, Chaitram Balgobin and Vivikanand Ishwardin. Lusignan SC: Shazam Ali- (Capt), Rajpaul Basdeo, Robin Williams, Vishnu Ramjeet, Gavin Boodwah, Kumar Bishundial, Azad Mohamed, Vickram (Continued on page 31)
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Thursday February 13, 2020
Trophy Stall and UCCA U19 50 overs 2019 cricket competition Defending champions No73 Young Warriors outgun Scottsburg United to retain title
A
fine all-round performance by S a r w a n Chitnarine helped defending champions No73 Young Warriors to defeat Scottsburg United and win the second edition of the Trophy Stall and Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) Under-19 Inter club 50 overs cricket competition. In the final which was played at the Crabwood Creek Ground, Scottsburg United batted first and made a formidable 194 in 31.5 overs. Their main scorers were Clifford Embrack 50(5x6, 3x4), Brandon Nandalall 27, Ashton Nohar 25 and Trevon Sukhoo 21. Bowling for No73 Young Warriors, Sarwan Chitnarine picked up 3 wickets, while there were 2 each for Niraha Singh and Eton Odell. No73 Young Warriors in reply batted solidly like defending champions as they
raced to 195-2 in 31.4 overs to win by 8 wickets. Their charge was led by all round Sarwan Chitnarine who returned with the bat to blast an unbeaten 80(10x4, 1x6). He was supported by Nicholas Tahal 44 and allrounder Niraha Singh with 24. In the presentation that followed, Young Warriors received cash incentives and the Trophy Stall Trophy Stall trophy from a representative of the Trophy Stall Port Mourant Branch. The individual presentations were swept by players of No73 Young Warriors team. Sarwan Chitnarine for his outstanding all round exploits of 3-40 and 80 not out was adjudged the man of the match. The award for the player with the most runs and also the most valuable player went to Niradj Singh. Paul Jabbar got the award for the
player with the most wickets in the tournament. The tournament was sponsored by the Trophy Stall Port Mourant Branch through the generosity of General Manager Ramesh Sunich. Seven teams participated in the competition, the others being No. 43 Cricket Club, No. 66 Cricket Club and No. 73 Mandir and No 52 Cricket Club. The Trophy Stall with head office at Bourda Market is one of the leading sponsors of sporting activities in Guyana. It is also one of the leading sports and trophy stores in the country. General Manager Ramesh Sunich was happy to give back to the people of Berbice for their support over the years. He is happy with the way the competition has been organised so far and has committed to continue the sponsorship. (Samuel Whyte)
Yes two times defending Champions No73 Young Warriors and show off their silverware after winning the Trophy Stall and UCCA 50 over cricket competition.
The winning NO73 Young Warriors team received their trophy and cash incentive from a representative of the Trophy Stall.
Thursday February 13, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Wellman Masters claim Mommy’s Corner T20 Wellman softball title
David Hakandu (left) accepts the donation from Madonna Ghanie in the presence of other members Mommy’s Corner. Wellman Masters defeated Fisherman Masters by seven wickets to win the final of the Mommy’s Corner T20 softball tournament which was contested on Sunday last at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Fisherman Masters took first strike and managed 118-7 from their reduced quota of 15 overs. Troy Ramsaywack made 26, while Danny Thomas scored 21 and Robert Mohan 20; Rawl Reid claimed 3-15. Wellman Masters responded with 120-3 in 13.3 overs. Opener Suresh Ramdeen struck an unbeaten 60 while Reid made 29. Earlier, they beat Regal Masters by 54 runs. Wellman Masters took first strike and posted 189-6. Greg De Franca scored 55, Hardat Heeranandan made 36, Reid got 35 and Wayne Jones 20 not out. Khalid Haslim captured 324 and Ricky Persaud 2-11. Regal Masters replied with 135 all out. Eon Abel scored 40 while Ramesh Deonarine made 27; Imtiaz Mohamed
bagged 5-39 and De Franca 314. Reid received the best bowler prize, while Persaud took home the best batsman and man-of-the- match accolades. The competition was organized by Mommy’s Corner, a non-profitable organization to help raise funds for three- year old Chayanne Parboo who is suffering from Leukemia and needs to undergo treatment overseas. The competition was sponsored by Trophy Stall, Tanvir Nathan Singh, Starlite Sound System, Shareez family Diptiya Persaud, City Printery, Ansa Mc Al, Royal Chicken, Rabena Christenpaul, while the players donated US$200. Zamena Khan of Mommy’s Corner thanked the teams and sponsors for their support. The proceeds from the event ($200,000) were handed over to the grandfather of Parboo, David Hakandu on Monday by members of Mommy’s corner.
Albion defeat Tucber Park by 52 runs to advance to Lewison BCB under-15 Final Albion Community Center Cricket Club U15 team made light work of Tucber Park Cricket Club when the defeated them by 52 runs to advance to the final of the 2020 Lewison BCB 50 Overs U-15 Cricket competition.In the game played on Sunday at the Albion Community Centre ground, the home team won the toss and batted first in the rain affected semi-final encounter which was reduced to 30 overs a side.They were dismissed for 102 in 29 overs with Afraz Budhoo making 27 after Albion had slipped from 31 for 1 in the 7th over to 42 for 6 in the 12th. Devin
Lalbehari supported with 15 and opener Tameshwar Mangal14.Bowling for Tu c b e r P a r k O r l a n d o Welcome, Dravid Palandie and London Simon took two wickets each.Tucber Park in reply feared worst and were dismissed for 50 in 20.1 overs with none of their batters posting any notable score. Doing the damage for Albion was left-arm-spinner Kumar Deopersaud, offspinner Budhoo and medium pacer Antonio Ramphal with 2 wickets each.Albion will now meet arch rivals and neighbours Port Mourant in the final at a date and venue to be announced shortly.
The victorious Wellman Masters team.
RFA kicks off 56-Team2020 Champions League Season
rt o p S
GFF President and Lethem Mayor, officiate Kick off the 2020 season of the RFA is GFF President Wayne Forde along with Lethem Mayor, John Macedo.
GFF President Wayne Forde, RFA President Ryan Farias and Lethem Mayor John Macedo join male and female clubs for a photo at the opening of the RFA 2020 season.
DCB’s U-17 Inter-Association 50-over cricket
Wilson spins GT to victory over East Bank, E/Coast beat West Demerara
Ezekiel Wilson, who took 4-11, about to dismiss East Bank’s Skipper Zachary Jodah at Everest yesterday. (Sean Devers photos) Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.