Kaieteur News

Monday Edition After 25 years as a NEWS top oil producer, nearly half of Equatorial Guinea lives below the poverty line Experts agree Confidentiality We’ve been fed , time e n o b t a h t Provisions in Guyana’s Local and time again

K

AIETEUR

February 17, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 07

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Price $80

Content Policy “highly unusual” T

Former National Cyclist Jude Bentley laid to rest

Cops cracking Giftland Mall robbery suspects down on ‘private released on hire car’ drivers $20,000 bail each Guard against abuse of discretionary power when World awarding oil blocks - Bank …says officials must give account for odd decisions

Online readership yesterday 142,874

he news that is supposed to be good and inspiring is that two hotels, including the famed Hilton chain, are coming to Guyana. We are supposed to be overjoyed, because we are so often fed that bone to appease us: jobs. We are so hard-up, that jobs alone are sufficient to soften us into putty and sawdust.

We at this paper ask: why does this nauseating story have to be repeated with every buccaneering corporate presence that arrives on these shores?

This was what the previous government told believing citizens about the Marriott when, all along, the Chinese came with their own workforce - down to the bottom feeder jobs that are normally doled out to Guyanese to keep them quiet and in line.

We now take this farther, and across the board of the decades of PPP rule and the recent years of this current government - and it seems that when push comes to shove, nobody is making any money here, and when the merest pressure is applied, they threaten to pack up and leave.

As exhibits, we tender those Great Guyanese Giveaways. There is Rusal, Bosai, Omai and the granddaddy of them all Baishanlin. They plundered and helped themselves in the manner of corporate barbarians, while we had to be contented with minimal jobs, no taxes, no profit sharing, and not a dime of any dividends. Worse yet, there was and still is absolutely no respect.

Then along came another set of heavyweights, this time in the mining sector, by the name of Troy Resources and Aurora Gold, who kept excavating and carrying away the gems – the heart of our riches, while we clawed for a measly percent here and another there.

Somehow, the upper limit of our mathematics education never took us past double digits, as in 10%. Jobs, royalties and taxes, profits, industrial relations respect, true partnership somehow appear to be secondary to our political and professional negotiators, or to have fallen by the wayside.

We at this publication do not believe that it is for a lack of smarts, or that our people at the table are limited and ‘dotish’. We say that the truth is far from that, as our leaders and advisers and inner circle helpers scheme for what is good for them, and are contemptuous of the interests of country and people. So, they resort to secrecy or the blandness of what never fails to intrigue and enchant: the magic word is jobs.

We at this paper, on behalf of the Guyanese people, dare to ask: what about taxes, profits, dividends? How about some transparency?

And, lastly, why are there no lessons learned from the follies and errors of that Exxon fiasco? How long are we going to continue selling the riches of this country for jobs and a few pennies?

Monday February 17, 2020

Guard against abuse of discretionary power when awarding oil blocks – World Bank … says officials must give account for odd decisions In cases where a law, policy or regulation does not definitively point the way forward, an official is expected to make decisions based on his/her own discretion.

Guyana’s Petroleum Act allows for some amount of discretion to be exercised by someone like the subject Minister. But Guyana’s development partner, The World Bank, holds firmly to the position that the exercise of discretion should be kept to a minimum when it comes to giving out oil contracts.

The Bank expounds on this in its publication: License To Drill – ‘A Manual on Integrity Due Diligence for Licensing in Extractive Sectors’.

The institution noted that, in any licensing system, there is likely to be a need for an official to practice discretion. But it explained that when there is less opportunity for officials to exercise discretion, the likelihood of corruption may be less. So it posited that the need for discretion should be minimal.

“A good licensing process will be one in which discretionary decision making is eliminated where it is not absolutely necessary, it is clearly limited where necessary, and the criteria and other factors on which discretionary decisions are made (technical and otherwise) are spelled out as clearly as possible.”

This is because some officials may make mistakes or abuse their authority, exercising discretion based on some precursor to corruption, like a conflict of interest. That is another matter The World Bank warns against in License To Drill.

So the Bank states that there should be clear limits in discretion. Any overstepping of these limits would be described as an abuse.

An effective oversight procedure it notes is that at least one official should be responsible for overviewing critical decisions to make sure

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman they comply with laws and regulations. In such cases, the official exercising discretion should also give a full and written justification documenting all factors which led to the decision, The World Bank advises.

The process would involve publishing the decisions for public scrutiny.

“All relevant factors

surrounding the decision must be made public, maintained as official records, and appropriately archived.”

The Bank states that setting up checks and balances would help to maintain transparency and credibility of a licensing system.

As such, Guyana’s development partner holds the position that persons must be given the opportunity to challenge decisions within a set procedure. This could occur within an administrative procedure, or a judicial system.

“Procedures for determination must be fair and balanced so that applicants can appeal decisions they believe are arbitrary,

Former National Cyclist...

From page 2 and sustained injuries.

Eyewitnesses who were at the scene at the time of the accident said that Bentley’s body was dragged some feet away from impact before the vehicle came to a stop.

Best was detained but later transferred to the Georgetown Hospital’s cardiac Ward when he complained of feeling unwell.

He was discharged a day later and released on $100, 000 station bail.

The Traffic Department is reportedly still wrapping up their investigations before a file is completed and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

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Kaieteur News

capricious, abusive, or irregular. Such appeals should be to an independent and competent supervising authority…”

One example that may be interpreted as an exercise of discretion in Guyana’s oil licensing is in the sizes of blocks awarded to multiple companies operating offshore Guyana. Kaieteur News reported last year that though the law sets a threshold for the sizes of oil blocks, several block awards were more than the law allows.

These awards were made under both the current and former administrations.

One of the gravest, pointed out time and time again, is the Stabroek Block award. It is the largest offshore Block, at a whopping 6.6 million acres. The acreage – said to be at least six times more than the law allows – was first awarded by former President Janet Jagan in 1999.

The nation’s rules and regulations also specify that at every request for a renewal,

the company is expected to relinquish half of the oil blocks it started with. But the PPP made an adjustment to the contract, thereby allowing the company to hold on to the 600 oil blocks.

Then, in 2016, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman awarded a new contract allowing the company to keep the concession.

Chartered Accountant Ramon Gaskin had told Kaieteur News that Trotman had the opportunity to correct this matter, but that he failed to do so.

Experts agree Confidentiality Provisions in Guyana’s Local Content Policy “highly unusual”

Brazilian Local Content Expert, Nelson Narciso Filho

By Kiana Wilburg Several industry experts have agreed that the use of confidentiality provisions in Local Content Policies is not just “highly unusual” but also in direct conflict with efforts to be absolutely transparent.

Specifically, Local Content Experts, Nelson Narciso Filho and Renee Tissot were quick to agree that it is indeed “odd” to see Guyana using such provisions in its recently released policy.

Another specialist in the area was said that the move to include such clauses is a signal of what can be expected in the local content legislation. The official said this move would only put additional curbs on transparency and reporting to the public. He added, “It puts barriers on accountability of the regulator.”

As for University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, the best local content practices are ones where the companies share information with the government and the public on how they perform their due diligence, how they vet local suppliers and also share it with other members of the industry to avoid

University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro

International Local Content Expert, Renee Tissot

companies using the excuse that they didn’t know that much about the local companies.

Mitro who has more than 40 years experience in the sector, said that being transparent and sharing information assists with providing training and orientation.

The University of Houston Instructor said, “...The only argument I could see for confidentiality is in the actual value of the contract awards so as to keep them competitive. But even that can contribute to potentially inappropriate awards because it is not clear that those companies were valid and not owned by individuals that are connected to the government.”

According to Appendix G of Guyana’s Local Content Policy, several documents were used as a point of reference.

They included policies from Tanzania, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. Interestingly, none of those policies or their local content laws, which were scrutinised by Kaieteur News, had any clause about confidentiality.

Appendix G of Guyana’s completed policy also said

that reference was made to the International Petroleum Industry Environmental C o n s e r v a t i o n Association’s (IPIECA) Local Content Guidance Document for the oil and gas industry. Again, this document, which was reported on extensively in the past, and perused yesterday by this publication, does not promote the use of confidentiality provisions.

In fact, no part of the policy explicitly explains why such provisions were necessary and what international best practice they abide by.

Kaieteur News had sent an email to Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe for an explanation on the said provisions being retained. Up to press time, no response was received.

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.

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 17, 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

Political manifestoes The hits keep on coming and they are all for the thrill and enormous highs of Guyanese. As documents go, these political manifestoes are near flawless in the perfection of their patented promises. Such is this latest one from the coalition, this self-proclaimed “contract…an agreement with the people” in the words of a leader, fits the bill.

Promises! Promises! Promises! Now only if they could be made, regardless of the political origin, to come alive, if only partially…how infinitely better this land of ours would be.

As should be known, we at this publication have not endorsed, and do not intend to endorse, any political group, or market any one manifesto, over another. This is a public admission and expression of our disillusionment with what we have had. Yet, we are only human and, we, too, must confess. We confess that-after listening to, reading about, and absorbing the stirring pronouncements of our fiercely competing parties-there is so much that is being offered, so much being sold, so much being promised that we have to summon every fiber in our grasp to stay steady, to avoid being bowled over. Such is the swooning that comes from these manifestoes. Remember: we are skeptical.

For if the politics of promises was a marriage proposal, we-all Guyana-would be falling to pieces in uncontrolled delighted dreaminess at the visions held out, the splendid pictures painted for us, the ones being wooed and courted.

It is enough to make Guyanese men and women, even those of abiding faith and deep spiritual callings, forget God and heaven and the paradise promised to be restored. For all those, (God, heaven, and paradise) are right here and right now, as incorporated in these sweepingly powerful presentations.

Look at them, as presented by old and new, these manifestoes have something for everyone, and then still something left over. Because, if only some of these promises and hand-over-heart commitments embedded in the surging, soaring manifestoes unveiled were to be delivered and experienced by the great yearning multitudes of Guyana, then the celestial would have visited the citizens of this country and left an irreversible and irrefutable imprint on their existences. But these things have to come alive to mean something, through the essences of their tangible being.

For if only a mere seventy five percent of the promises carved out in those manifestoes (from any comer) were to be realized, then even the sky would not be limiting anymore, since a rising Guyanese tide would have lifted to and then pierced through that high restraining bar. We say this and believe this, because if only 75 percent of the billions involved in these visions and programmes were to be made possible in clean and constructive substance (workable and enjoyable substance), then the possibilities for Guyanese would be endless, the realities prosperously overflowing.

And for those wondering why seventy five percent performance standard, we say that history and pragmatism and that indefinable ingredient called human nature-perverse human nature-must be accounted for and recognized in the sprawling swirl of numbers making the rounds. As for those who, taking this situation to its numerical limits, inquire about the remaining twenty five percent, that is the allowance made for the caprices and follies of the Guyanese political, professional, and criminal animal. After all our experiences and traumas and disappointments, there ought to be universal recognition that that animal represents the convergence, the seamless merger, of all three formidable and much feared sectors in this country. Political manifestoes aside, and with oil windfalls cascading, twenty five percent of billions is enough to choke the hugest herd of horses. It should keep the herd of hustlers occupied in their non-manifesto artifices, like contented pigs cavorting gleefully in the rich swill of money to make men mad, while Guyanese get something for all the anguish through which they have lived with one political group after another, in one dismal decade following on the heels of the one before.

It is why we say that seventy five percent delivery would make a difference. To be sure, we would like 100 percent fulfillment of these inspired and sure to inspire manifestoes. But we must be sensible and cautious and real.

Show me the people of character who are of country and incorruptible governance DEAR EDITOR, I read that the coalition, all six components within it, have memorialized what they intend to prioritize, where they will go, and what they plan to deliver. As a supporter, there is not much to not like about this parchment of what could be the profound and the empowering. As a citizen, and a clinical and careful one at that, I pause and wait for the good things promised to come. May all of my fellow Guyanese get to share in the sensations of such bold successes envisioned and promised.

But they have to be of a texture that is genuinely intended, comprehensively delivered, physically measurable and found pleasing. I will give His Excellency and a few in his team high marks for good intentions and honest, farreaching visions. I shrink from casting a wider net to encompass the bulk of his group. And there is that problem that is not going away. It was what made the predecessor government go away some five years ago, and who are now parked outside the door for a dreamed about shot at this the biggest of juicy, irresistible apples.

The problem-chronic and acute-is that there are so many comrades in the wings and the bowels of our political environment and climate, in the contours and

configurations of our ramshackle political makeups that are hostile to the actual delivery of what is beneficial and wholesome for the mass of citizens. These comrades and supporters line up imagining, calculating, and drooling over the oil largesse to come. They can’t wait; they have no time, no interest, no intention of making those promises come to pass, be they of 50,000 jobs (the PPP), or 20,000 house lots (the PNC), or tens of thousands of scholarships (PPP again), and now free education all the way to advanced learning of university education (the PNC again).

I think that some of these things can be made possible; though possibly not to the degrees that have been bandied about, or in the time windows articulated. I urge a healthy dose of skepticism, which is good for mental and spiritual self-preservation.

For it must be recognized that the middle name and DNA are inseparably associated with promises. In Guyana, political promises are made to be broken, and they have been, without a thought, without any care or remorse or explanation. There are no innocents here: not my own people, not the people who detest me, not those who proclaim their disinterest and disengagement. If only the latter were so….

I look at the compendium of manifestoes making the rounds in Guyana at this time,

and I say to myself: if only….

If only, this could happen, this could materialize and be real in my lifetime, or that of those to come. These things, these lovingly produced, these glittering monuments to marketing craftsmanship, have to have meaning-at some level, with some persuasive power-if they are to be worth the paper on which printed, the breaths through which they were uttered. If not, then they are merely newer exercises in the timeless farces that have been perpetrated and perpetuated in this country forever, it seems.

I must be clear here: I would like to believe, but call me cynical, even condemn me to the ranks of the stupid. But because I want to see what is best for the lesser citizens of this society, and because I do not put my trust in earthly princes, I parse and plod forward at an uncharacteristic pedestrian pace. This is what the politics of this country can do to people; it has done so to me. Yet even as I take this stance, I discern in this latest manifesto something that is closer to the credible, nearer to the realistic, and mostly deliverable. Relatively speaking, of course. I will give the president and his team that much for what is closer to the wisdom of guarded commonsense, what could gain some traction.

I am willing to give his group (any group) in this country a hearing (but not

much more) on their grand manifestoes. Then I proceed to ask this simple question: where are the people, who are going to make this work? And after that one other inquiry: where are the comrades in the inner circles, who are authentically dedicated to giving substance to the succulent symphonies embodied in this or that manifesto? Don’t show me any oil money just yet, as that is outside of the range of my interests. Just show me the people; the people of caliber, the people of character, the people who are of country and citizen and clean and incorruptible governance, and I am a believer. Show me them in the sufficiently swollen cohort of the uncompromised and uncompromising, and I commit to converting from political atheist to unswerving political believer.

That is my promise.

I like many aspects of the coalition’s manifesto. I just don’t like, or have any regard, for many more of the people who would be responsible for making these promises grow with the definitions of muscular maturity. On this I am unmoving. And as that is contemplated, try this on: if this is the way I think and feel about my own people, then not much should be left to the imagination of how the other people measure up in my book of calculations.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Robin Singh defends Jagdeo’s honour DEAR EDITOR, Kaieteur Newspaper seems to be having some difficulty in accepting the realities of David Granger and his central role in the maladministration of our nation’s affairs. In an article appearing on the 16th February, entitled ’SAME STORY, DIFFERENT PLAYERS!’ the news outlet highlights the illogical juxtaposition of Government taking a loan of $121 Million to bolster expertise in the energy department while simultaneously spending $1,400 Million on construction of two schools “WHICH ALSO CAN BE BUILT FOR HALF OF THAT SUM”.

There is little doubt that the newspaper has the facts correct, but, inexplicably, they state “GRANGER AND JAGDEO NEED TO EXPLAIN TO THE NATION WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTRY”.

Mr. Jagdeo has been explaining exactly what has

been happening in this country in great detail at his weekly press conferences.

The list of patently corrupt and surreptitious acts by the Granger administration has grown almost weekly; to list but a few of the notables requires indulgence of News Editors who have grown weary of the litany; Drug Bond; Mining Concessions; Family contracts; bridging deeds, poorly negotiated PSA et al. and of last week’s vintage, prime land allocations mere weeks before the General and Regional Elections.

Editor, No reputable company would be acquiring leases from a government that has suffered a loss of legitimacy (at the most generous point) on the 19th of September 2019. It is not surprising that Marriott International Inc. or any other international hotel chain have not made announcements of agreements for the branding or management of the latest ventures.

Reputable companies, managed by

reputable people, seek reputable legal advice. Such advice would surely state that engaging an illegitimate government for sale of land and granting of concessions weeks before the election would have a deleterious effect on reputation and future business dealings in Guyana.

The contrast in performance in constitutional offices by David Granger (President) and Bharrat Jagdeo (Leader of the Opposition) cannot be greater. Granger has opted for silence, with annual press conferences (with limited engagement) and a reliance on remarks on the sidelines of ceremonial events. It has been a presidency marked by pomposity.

On the other hand, Jagdeo has performed his duty as Leader of the Opposition in such exemplary fashion that even in the absence of parliamentary democracy; the Guyanese public has been kept abreast of the wanton use/abuse of its resources,

and every conceivable issue that affects their daily lives and their short and long-term future.

However painful the truth about David Granger and his tenure as President may be to those who admire him personally, it (his presidency) must be seen for the abject failure it is. The Global Witness Report ‘Signed Away’ details the great loss of USD 55 Billion and the Clyde & Co. investigation commissioned by David Granger confirms ineptitude and negligence that borders on criminal.

Thus the hypocrisy of trying to associate Jagdeo with Granger as outlined by Kaieteur News is an odious, shameless and (possible) subconscious cry for help.

Those responsible for this article in the Kaieteur News need to look inward at their conscience for future guidance, should they need to look elsewhere, Matthew 7: 1-5 may be helpful.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Monday February 17, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Guyanese want closer Relations with America DEAR EDITOR, A recent survey of hundreds conducted by this writer found that every Guyanese, in the US and in Guyana, want closer relations with the United States. The US has been an ally of Guyana going back last seventy years. Historically, post independence 1966, US and Guyana have had very good, friendly relations although there were periods of tensions during the 1950s thru 1964 and from 1976 thru the 1980s.

The bilateral relationship was especially close with then Guyana regime post independence in the 1960s and 1970s when the regime collaborated with the US to serve as a bulwark against the rise of leftwing forces threatening US interests in Guyana and the region. The relationship has been transformed since that time with the US now focusing on institutionalizing democracy and boosting trade ties. The left is not a threat to US interests in Guyana.

US-Guyana have had

very good, warm relations as a result of politics and people to people linkages. There are as many Guyanese and their American born descendants living in America as the total population of Guyana. The US has the highest concentration of people born in Guyana and no country has a higher percentage of its citizens living in the US. In opinion polls I recently conducted, Guyanese have very high favorability rating towards the US especially since the US restored democratic governance in 1992. The US policy in Guyana since then has focused on strengthening democratic governance, including but not limited to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law. The US is also interested in enhancing economic prosperity and improving the long-term security in the country as well as on the border with Venezuela. US wants to secure its interests in Guyana and the region.

The U.S provides a lot of financial aid to Guyana over

the last five decades as a result of the country’s longstanding development challenges. Aid levels were particularly high during the 1960s and early 1970s as Guyana served as a ‘base’ for U.S operations against the left. U.S. assistance began to wane as Guyana embraced communist movements late 1970s.

Relations with the US strained when the country veered eastward during the mid 1970s and 1980s. Foreign assistance was cut.

Diplomatic and economic sanctions were applied as pressure tactics on the government to return to its once close link with America.

Following the collapse of communism in 1989, relations between the two countries returned to normalcy. The US intervened in Guyana in 1990 to restore democratic governance that led to the rise of the left wing PPP administration that has been pursing closer links with Washington. The PPP has mellowed and seeks close links with Washington.

My Compliments to the KNews Editorial Staff DEAR EDITOR, After reading your take on the reply to a missive from former US Senator Black I must confess my desire to one day personally shake your hand and that of your Editorial Staff for a job well done.

The level of journalism on full display by this publication period makes any Guyanese interested in the fine art of the written word gush with pride.

I would wager that the illustrious Mr. Black after reading your response to his letter may be rethinking his lopsided view of the Guyanese mentality and our level of scholarship. Having worked with these people for far too long (40 years plus) in Federal, State and private industry appointments, I am intimately familiar with the Jesus like mentality when dealing with small so-called third world countries and peoples, the bombast is so thick one can cut it with a knife. The superior mentality

is always on display, Mr Black’s notwithstanding.

Thank you Kaieteur News for not only exposing to the light of day this disgrace of a contract but also for pulling the coats of the likes of former Senator Black so that he may know that we Guyanese are not all dumb Bumkins. Our take from this oil is almost unbelievable, I shudder to think about the backroom chit chats about us in the backrooms at Exxon’s HQ. The Guyana of the past has been known to produce some of the most accomplished scholars in the region I have had the distinct honor of meeting some of those distinguished sons and daughters of the soil.

What has happened to us? I would like to know. If we did not have the requisite skills in this industry, and we did not, their are more than enough organizations and persons with those skills willing to lend us a heads up

in dealing with this company known for its backdoor and pernicious dealings. We are little fish swimming in a big sea just waiting to be gobbled up and Exxon is all too willing to oblige. No wonder our workers are so disrespected by the likes of those sharks at Rusal. Can anyone imagine what will happen in our future dealings with Exxon? I have never joined the enthusiasm so pervasive about this discovery, I have maintained that even though it can be a potential blessing for our people, it can very well turn out to be a curse. We are dealing with America and an American Company. Enough said for now on that point.

Respectfully, Claudeston G. Massiah

Foreign assistance and cooperation were restored in 1992.

Aid began to flow without hindrance. It is used to promote an open economy capable of sustainable growth, an improved business and investment climate, protection of American corporate and citizen rights, and the wellbeing of the country. The US, for its part, works with the government to address regional challenges – including the fight against terrorism, transnational criminal networks, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, illegal immigration, and trafficking in persons. It also supports environmental protection.

The US Embassy works closely with civil society to promote individual rights and democracy including free and fair elections. And it collaborates with the private sector to promote free trade particularly with the US which is Guyana’s largest trade partner.

Civilian and democratic rule had become and still is the lynchpin for U.S policy in Guyana. Democracy has been strengthened. The US has also supported and funded the holding of free and fair elections. American institutions have played a close role in elections.

US officials see democratic elections as the only realistic way to address political conflict. US also maintains significant security (military) and commercial ties, and engages on issues such as migration and human rights.

The US funds a wide range of development activities in Guyana. These activities include good governance programs intended to strengthen institutions. The US also aids activities to encourage civil society engagement and oversight of government policies. The US provides assistance to agriculture programs intended to

increase food security and rural income generation. It also aids education programs intended to improve the quality of the education system. It also aids economic reform programs intended to foster employment and income growth. The US gives bilateral aid to provide training and equipment for the military. US aid has traditionally been driven by high levels of poverty and unemployment;.

The US and Guyana have cooperated closely on security issues for many years. Current bilateral security efforts primarily focus on the border threat from Venezuela and drug trafficking. The US supports counter narcotics operations.

U.S. Assistance to Guyana is guided by a strategy to keep China and Russia from strengthening their presence in the region. The US wants to Increase opportunities for American businesses.

It is not surprising that Guyanese wants to cement ties with America. There may be as many Guyanese and

their American born descendants living in America as the total population of Guyana. The US has the highest concentration of people born in Guyana and no country has a higher percentage of its citizens living in the US; some one in three born in Guyana over the last forty years live in the US. In opinion polls I conducted, Guyanese has very high favorability rating (in the 90 percentile) towards the US. And they say they want their government and the political parties to also develop friendly relations with Washington. America.

They welcome the move by former left wing parties to court the US and to work closely with Washington and the US Embassy in Georgetown.

Those Guyanese in America also want US to cement ties with Guyana and supports the initiatives taken by Washington to promote democracy in the former homeland.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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Kaieteur News

The cause should be to transform Guyana into its true potential DEAR EDITOR, During every election season the campaign platforms are filled with politicians and supporters who share their views and make big promises of development in every sector.

However, with Guyana’s new opportunity for total economic transformation, our Politicians need to start thinking differently. I believe that these incumbent play a game with the minds of the people and the country’s resources.

The game begins with a large gathering of players and supporters to declare the readiness of each political party, this is called the official launch. It ends with the celebration of an even larger gathering claiming victory.

This is a finite game, a game that each party plays to win.

In this time when our country is on the verge of a potential economic boom, we need leaders who will play an

infinite game. An infinite game is completely different – the goal is not to win, but to keep playing to advance the cause.

Every leader who plays in the infinite game must have a clear sense of the cause. The cause should be to transform Guyana into its true potential and utilize its resources for the betterment of all citizens.

Our leaders need to stop thinking solely about winning the presidential seat and majority in parliament, and start focusing on continuous development for the country and its citizens.

Promising to increase minimum wages by 10%, repairing roads and cutting taxes in 4 years are not enough to advance a cause.

Our country needs to have an infinite plan of development, like ensuring that every citizen earns enough wages to feed their families and enjoy a good quality of life. A total revamping of our transportation section. A

strategic plan that ensures all citizen have access to the best health care services available for a healthy nation and implementing a system to ensure that all citizen pay their taxes.

As a country with less than 1 million people and an opportunity for economic transformation, we need leaders with an infinite mindset. One that will advance a cause and ensure that everyone gets to play in the game.

We the citizens need to start challenging our leaders to push beyond vague promises and petty incentives for our votes.

These leaders should have bigger and better vision for the country one that includes all people; service oriented and strong enough to withstand challenges.

Guyana’s leaders need to be transformed by the renewing of their minds.

Jason Davis

Monday February 17, 2020

The Titanic is an easier and worthier prospect to salvage than the Coalition’s position DEAR EDITOR, Just when everyone thought the Coalition’s pack of cards had expired, out come a third joker. I find it utterly ludicrous for a political party riding the incumbency horse to present a manifesto a mere 17 days before an election- an election, in which the leader of the Coalition had the honor of setting the date, five months in advance.

This is an act of desperation. After the emptiness of “ Decade of development” offered no signs of inspiration to the electorate, here is an attempt to fill it by tossing the kitchen sink with all the dirty dishes (unfulfilled promises) at the electorate.

Well! Let’s have some new dishes, since we cannot salvage those old ones,”

seems to be their jejune thought process.

The Coalition took a long time to conclude that the ancient strategy of “mind bend” - telling the people that the PPP was bad and “ decade of development” is coming, was not working for themhence a resort to pre 2015 promises galore.

The concept of “mind bend” has its principles.

When you are in the driver’s seat (Govt), you don’t tell the electorate that your rival was bad and a decade of development is coming under your stewardship, the onus is on you to show how much you have bettered their lives by your works because you were given the position by the said people whose support you are seeking again.

People have memories!

A new slew of promises in their new manifesto, charming as they may seem “20,000 new house lots”,” a roof over everyone’s head”, add free University education to that and it still is a deceptive and ludicrous proposition to the ears of the electorate.

Having taken the breath away from the working class by implementing over 200 new taxes, while pontificating about “the good life”, and squander our oil resources in a lopsided contract that will see us lose US$ 55 bullion in the next 40 years, while refusing to commit to renegotiation of the said contract, the Titanic appears to be an easier and worthier prospect to salvage than Coalition’s position in office.

Rudolph Singh

The Presidency and the question of dual citizenship DEAR EDITOR, I could understand the law that the President should be Guyanese period! What I don’t get is why the presidential candidate needs to give up dual citizenship.

The candidates are not the President as yet and it is not worth giving up dual citizenship, they are just ordinary citizens running for president.

Should a person who buys a lottery ticket quit his or job, buy a new house and car and relocate the family in anticipation of winning?

Moreover, everyone can throw their hat in the presidential race if they believe they have a chance of winning.

On the other hand, it is justifiable, and rightly so that you give up your dual

citizenship if you are elected president and accept the position.

Besides, you being elected president by the majority of the Guyanese people should be a tremendous honour.

For this reason, the first step is to demonstrate your loyalty to the Constitution and people by renouncing your allegiance to a foreign country and its Constitution.

For the losers, no one will ever know who held dual citizenship.

This is fair and honourable as well. I am in favour of renouncing dual citizenship as prequisite to be a candidate in order to enter the presidential election, if you are compensated in the like

manner of being involved in a terrible accident. It would be similar to how insurance actuaries calculate the financial costs of risk and uncertainty associated with paying out insurance settlements.

In the loser case, it would be the loss economic and social opportunities of no longer being a citizen of those countries with better “prospects”.

So I say get over the stupid idea of having to renounce dual citizenship to run for president, and ask if there are many who have the right ideology and money to win over the Guyanese people.

Then the moral turpitude afterwards you are elected president.

Keith Bernard

Violence in schools must end DEAR EDITOR, The recently reported incident of a teacher pulling a knife o n a c h i l d a n d attacking a parent causing bodily harm is m o s t a p p a l l i n g and an

extremely serious situation.

The Ministry of Education has to take the necessary steps to ensure dangerous weapons are not allowed on school premises.

The safety of the school environment continues to be breached and the Ministry of Public Security has yet to make an impact on the continual aggressive atmosphere within the school system and the public domain.

How much longer is the Guyanese public expected

to wait for these two Ministries to take control and reduce the level of violence that our nation’s children are exposed to?

There is yet to be a clear plan of action implemented in the school system that effectively puts an end to such aggression.

Campaigning for office should not be at the neglect of doing what is more urgent and important.

Regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Monday February 17, 2020

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Kaieteur News

After 25 years as a top oil producer, nearly half of Equatorial Guinea lives below the poverty line The people of Guyana are justly excited when they hear news of consecutive high quality oil finds off Guyana.

They are excited because they know that this means the country could be on the verge of seeing revenue inflows that are unprecedented in the history of this country, more lucrative even than the powerhouse industries of gold and other minerals which have long served as pillars of the Guyanese economy.

But even though oil has great potential to lift underdeveloped countries out of poverty, there are many grave issues that follow oil industries around the word, like unmitigated corruption and gentrification. They have rendered some oil producers crippled and their people unable to benefit from oil revenues.

Take Equatorial Guinea, for instance.

The Central African nation first discovered oil in 1995. Because of oil, Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century, reaching a point as recent as 2017, where its per capita wealth rivaled that of its former colonial master, Spain, according to a December Bloomberg report.

The operations of ExxonMobil, Kosmos and other oil companies form pillars of the country’s economy.

Spain is one of the most developed nations in the world, with enviable human development indicators.

Equatorial Guinea has not followed suit.

The country ranks 144 out of 189 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index. Human Rights Watch said that the country has the world’s largest gap between per capita wealth and human development.

The International Monetary Fund’s 2016 Article IV consultation IV report states that about 44 percent of the population is poverty stricken.

One anonymous resident of the capital, Malabo, told Financial Times that though there is a lot of money, it all goes to the president and his family. The man even registered a fear of speaking out on the issue; for fear that his life would be endangered.

Andres Esono Ondo, who is the secretary-general of one opposition party, named Convergence for Social Democracy, told Financial Times “We have many, many hotels. But no schools. No good hospitals. No water, nothing.”

Revenues from offshore oil fields have supported

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo Photographer: Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images investments in large infrastructure programs over the years, but left little room for social projects. Little is spent on healthcare and education. Less than half of the 1.3M population has access to clean drinking water and 20 percent of children die before the age of five, according to United Nations data.

Worse yet, the oil price collapse of 2014 made the nation continue to suffer.

It is struggling to pay off its debts, and the government’s arrears to construction firms have piled up so high that the total equates to nearly 19 percent of its Gross Domestic Product, according to the World Bank.

The country’s governance problems intersect with a lack of transparency, corruption and nepotism.

The government was forced to turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support. The development partner, in exchange for its help, has demanded that the President and his senior officials make their assets public, along with a string of other anticorruption reforms.

A lot is likely to be found out from those declarations, as scandals coming out of the African nation are already extremely worrisome.

The President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has ruled the nation for 41 years, and has been accused of squandering the nation’s wealth.

In January 2017, an American Senate Subcommittee investigation into the operations between the Government of Equatorial Guinea and ExxonMobil exposed a number of startling revelations.

Among the reasons for the hearing was that in 2004, the subcommittee identified a bank account in Washington where ExxonMobil and other oil companies deposited millions of dollars owed to Equatorial Guinea for operating there. The money went to President Obiang’s family, the subcommittee found.

Bloomberg reported that in December last, the IMF gave the go-ahead for a US$280M loan to the country, and at least US$40M has been dispersed already. The money is just about the same as was spent by Obiang’s eldest son and Equatorial Guinea Vice President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, in the decade following 2000 before he got into trouble for money laundering.

Better known as Teodorin, the vice-president has been the subject of corruption investigations and asset seizures around the world.

In a money laundering case, he received a threeyear suspended jail term and a US$35M fine from a French court in 2017 for spending tens of millions of dollars in public funds on a mansion, sports cars and jewelry. In September last, Swiss authorities raised US$27M in an auction of exclusive cars they had seized from him, including a limited-edition Lamborghini Veneno roadster that sold for US$8.4M. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Equatorial Guinea’s neighbour, Nigeria, bears similarities. It is also an oil producer, the 12th largest in the world. It has been producing for 62 years. But half of its 180million population is in the same boat as the poor citizens of Equatorial Guinea.

Map of Equatorial Guinea

PAGE 8

Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

No Coroners appointed in four years - Nandlall

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

On January 14th, 2016, the Coroners (Amendment) Act of 2015 was passed in the National Assembly. Then, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams had said that the amended Act will give the Judicial Service Commission the authority to appoint “fit and proper persons” as Coroners. The Act made provisions for there to be at least three Coroners in Demerara, two in Berbice, one

in Essequibo and for a Coroner to be appointed for the whole of Guyana.

However, according to former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, since that time, the government has taken no action to appoint new Coroners.

Nandlall criticized Williams for not delivering on his promise. He reminded that the purpose of the bill was to facilitate the

appointment of an increased number of Coroners so that more inquests into alleged unlawful killings and unnatural deaths can be conducted.

Despite the amendments made to the Act, Magistrates are still saddled with the responsibility of conducting inquests. The Act stipulates that every person appointed as Coroner take and subscribe to the oath of office taken by a magistrate; have all the

Dextroy Cordis

Kwame Assanah

Immigration officer Navana Chase and Stanley Junior

Kimeanda Prince and Gavin Moses powers, privileges, rights and jurisdiction of a Magistrate and Justice of the Peace and empower the Chief Justice to assign any number of Coroners to a county.

In January 2018, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack had recommended more than a dozen Coroner’s inquests. The bulk of them had to do with fatal accidents, and the shooting death of three men at the hands of the police. The road fatalities on the list include the March 10, 2018 motorcycle accident which claimed the lives of immigration officer Navana Chase and 24-yearold Stanley Junior. The two were on a CBR motorcycle when Junior allegedly lost control and crashed into a lantern post while negotiating a turn at Houston Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Inquests were also ordered into the following traffic accidents which led to the January 31, 2018 death of Harry Persaud on the Sarah Johanna Public Road, East

Bank Demerara; Shawn Richards on January 4, at Diamond Access Road, East Bank Demerara; Rohan Pooran, on the Stanleytown Public Road, New Amsterdam on February 10; Kemo Stewart, at Water and Holmes streets on March 23; Krishnoutie, 62, at Met-enMeerzorg Public Road, West Coast Demerara in June, 2017; Alana Ramsaran, 25, on February 03, at Schoonard Access Road, West Bank Demerara; and police constable Theon Hope and Quason Anthony, which occurred on May 1 at Loo Creek, Linden/ Soesdyke Highway.

Inquests were also ordered into the drowning deaths of 50-year-old Gavin Moses and 13-year-old Kimeanda Prince which occurred on October 29, 2017, at Rockstone, Essequibo River and the stabbing death of Oranda Flatts, 25, which occurred at Amelia’s Ward, Linden on February 9, 2018.

President David Granger Continued on page 9

Monday February 17, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Citizens will have to settle for a salt and rice dinner while the oil companies enjoy a four-course meal Guyanese will have to settle for a salt and rice dinner while the oil companies enjoy a four-course meal, compliments of the US$ 55B which Guyana left on the negotiating table. It is no wonder that Global Witness titled its report “Signed Away” because this is exactly what Guyana has done. It has signed away the peoples’ birthright.

The US$55B is conservative. It is based on an average oil price of US$65 per barrel.

Oil prices we have been known to have risen above US140 per barrel. In 1998, the average price was US$ 11.91 per barrel. Ten years later, in June of 2008, oil prices peaked at US$146.91 per barrel.

The price of US$65 per barrel is therefore a fair price from which to base calculations as to what Guyana would have obtained had the country negotiated better terms, such as a 10% royalty and a 25% taxes on profits.

OpenOil has calculated that based on an average price of US$65 per barrel, the country has robbed itself of US$55B because of the terms it negotiated. But this is at the lower end of the simulations because as the price of oil rises, the amount which Guyana would have given up also increases.

If the price of oil rises to an average of US$80 per barrel – not at all an unrealistic development given what is happening to shale production at the moment – then Guyana would have given up some US$73B. Even if the price of oil falls to an average of US$50 per barrel, it is estimated that Guyana would have denied itself US$ 38 B in revenues.

This is not make-believe money. This is money which could make every Guyanese comfortable for the rest of his or her life. It is also not the case that because Guyana gave up such a humongous sum, that no one benefits.

This US$55B will go into the

pockets of the oil companies and their stockholders.

Guyana is already saddled significant pre-contract costs along with field development costs which totaled more than US$ 1B even before a drop of oil was pumped.

OpenOil calculates exploration costs at US$0.94 per barrel. Capital expenditure works out to US$ 11.58 per barrel. Operating expenditure works out to US$ 10.98 per barrel. The total costs per barrel works out to US$23.50, excluding financing costs.

Exxon and one government spokesperson have tried to justify the low royalties and overtly generous concessions on the grounds that Exxon was taking a risk given that oil had not been found in Guyana prior to 2015. As the report noted, however, the discoveries in 2016 alone effectively de-risked the Stabroek Block.

OpenOil calculates that the oil companies will obtain an internal rate of return of

Deeper focus on findings of Global Witness Report comes with great risk - Chatham House Fellow Associate Even though the controversial Global Witness Report called “Signed Away” calls for further investigation into the award of previous and current offshore licenses, caution must be taken to ensure Guyana does not lose focus on other important issues.

This was recently noted by Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel during her first appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme, Guyana’s Oil and You. There, Dr. Marcel was asked if she agrees with the report’s call for further investigations to be conducted. To this she responded, “Yes and No.” The Associate Fellow said, “I think the investigation that they (Global Witness) put together didn’t show really, an abuse of power or corruption that would really send all the red flags flying. I think it’s important to know if there was any wrongdoing or intended mishandling, but I don’t think they proved that point or made the case.”

Dr. Marcel said too that there is a risk that whatever investigation is undertaken by whichever party, it is being discredited as a means to counter one’s opponent. She said that there is a bigger risk that this distracts one from bigger questions. The Chatham House Associate Fellow said these include how the government is preparing for the production phase, how the government is preparing for spending this money, how the

Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel government is managing the economy, and how the government intends to oversee operators and ensure mistakes made in the past are not repeated.

Dr. Marcel said, “It seems to me that would be a more constructive focus than really indepth investigations of mistakes that by all indications were not intentional.”

No Coroners appointed in four...

From page 8 had ordered an inquest into the March 15, 2018 fatal shooting of Dextroy Cordis, known as ‘Dutty’, 46, of Grove, East Bank Demerara; Kwame Assanah of Buxton, East Coast Demerara and Errol Adams, called ‘Dynamite’, 57 of

Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast, along the Kingston seawall, in Georgetown.

The men, who were described as suspected bandits, were fatally shot by police north of the GNS Sports Ground after police said they opened fire on them while they were in an anti-

crime patrol. Last year September, via a newspapers publication, the Registrar of the Supreme Court requested that five witnesses appear at the Linden Magistrate Court on October 11, 2019 to testify in the inquest into the deaths of Moses and Prince.

22%-27% on their investment.

By industry standards, this is extremely healthy. Were Guyana to renegotiate a 10% royalty, the rate of return to the oil companies would still be a healthy 18%-23%.

Therefore, the oil companies can afford to return to the negotiating table and give Guyana a better deal.

Global Witness has called for the Guyanese government to renegotiate the oil contract. It is a call which every single Guyanese should echo.

It has also called for the Guyanese government to

investigate the process by which the Stabroek license was negotiated. It is not expected that this is going to happen under the present government because it will open a “can of worms”.

Global Witness has also called on the US State Department to support Guyana by encouraging Exxon to renegotiate the Stabroek contract. The corruption watchdog organization feels that the US government should force Exxon back to the negotiating table.

Global Witness believes

that Guyana can negotiate a better deal. It feels this is possible given how important the production license is to the company’s future. In other words, Guyana has some leverage to force Exxon to the negotiating table.

The present deal is unacceptable. No selfrespecting people should accept such a deal. It makes a mockery of the term “negotiations.”

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 17, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Business money, violence, hilarity at midnight outside the AFC office The incident described below is the kind of thing the media should report on. But there are so many open secrets in politics that the media do not know about, which they should know and inform the nation about, because the nation needs to know.

For almost a year, a foreign consultancy has been working out of Congress Place, advising the PNC on the election campaign, in a project named ‘Operation

Palm’. August last year, the PNC invited the executive of the AFC to listen to the head of the consultancy.

The gentleman addressed the AFC executive body at State House. See my column of Wednesday, August 14, 2019 headlined, “The pathetic nonsense Granger’s British advisor uttered”.

Granger is involved in shades of paramountcy of the party. First, he held that meeting with the AFC at State House, then the signing in

December last year of the renewed Cummingsburg Accord, a party document, took place at State House.

Does it make sense for Granger to behave this way?

It does. He is a profound admirer of his hero, Forbes Burnham. At his former, private residence in D’Urban Backlands, Granger has housed four foundations that bear the name of Forbes Burnham.

The media do not know about ‘Operation Palm’, and

if they did, they have not informed the Guyanese people.

The incident described below took place just before midnight last Friday. It is for the media to contact the AFC’s leader Khemraj Ramjattan, its GeneralSecretary, David Patterson and its deputy General Secretary, Leonard Craig., They were all part of the incident.

Round about midnight, a canter truck drove onto the southern parapet directly in front of the AFC’s head office. Some men emerged with a sack of cement and a bucket of sand. They threw both on the parapet, while some others took out the legs of a billboard.

Ramjattan probably heard the incident and summoned the security ranks at the office to gather up a group to stop the erection of the billboard. Leonard Craig was contacted by Ramjattan with the identical message. In quick time, a school of AFC strongmen, emerged and surrounded the truck and the workmen.

One cutlass-wielding member shouted; “people gun dead here tonight.”

Some AFC members had huge pieces of wood in their hands.

Others shouted out “war break.”

This echo reverberated throughout the

still of the night. From the windows of the residents, the silhouettes of people peeping could be seen in the darkness of the night.

Cars came to a screeching halt next to the besieged workers. David Patterson ran out of his vehicle, screaming, “lef dem, lef dem, is we people.” War break turned to break-wind. The midnight drama ended in uproarious hilarity.

Here is what happened.

Some businessmen wanted to give Ramjattan a surprise. So they paid for a 20-feet billboard with a gargantuan image of Ramjattan’s visage, and, a week before it was completed, asked Patterson to be their liaison.

Patterson then ordered all cars parked on that parapet to be removed, because he said a large tent was going up there. The vehicles were removed and the parapet was cleaned to look like a new piece of carpet. The tent was the excuse so as not to give away the secret.

Since it was a surprise, Patterson could not have hinted it to anyone in the AFC, thus Ramjattan, Craig, AFC campaign workers and the security ranks thought that the PPP was moving in on AFC’s territory, and were prepared to declare war on the occupants of the canter truck.

Frederick Kissoon AGC bigwigs were laughing. War did not break out on the parapet, because Khemraj’s business friends were showing gratitude for favours bestowed since 2015.

The invisible dimension in this break-wind hilarity is sad. Those who tangibly supported ruling politicians are in turn treated favourably.

But not the ordinary tireless, campaign workers.

I called Raphael Trotman and asked him to secure a house lot for long-standing AFC activist, Gordon April.

Trotman said he would speak to then Housing Minister Keith Scott.

I told Trotman that April deserves it, so he must insist Scott do it. Trotman told me that he does not relate to ministers in that way. In Survival Supermarket, I raised the subject with Trotman’s wife, Nicola. She said she would do it for April whom she knows well. Hasn’t happened as yet.

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

Community Health Workers for Regions Seven and Eight Twenty-five persons from Waipa in Potaro-Siparuni and Paruima in the CuyuniMazaruni are currently undergoing a six-month Community Health Worker (CHW) training programme.

The programme which began on August 19, 2019, will end soon with the set to return to their villages and undergo preceptorship at the health facilities.

The areas of study include anatomy and physiology, a look at common

illnesses, and maternal and child health.

The training coordinator Nurse Judy Rose explained that “by covering these, they were able to be placed in units and so they had the firsthand experience, being involved in clinical care. Right now, we are looking at first aid then we will be doing food and nutrition.”

Rose who has spent time with the trainees, noted that this batch was eager to return and serve their communities.

“They will be very helpful in their respective communities and once they perform effectively, we will have a very good health system.”

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence met the health workers during a stopover in Bartica where the training is being done.

She noted that the current batch of trainees represented an essential element in strengthening the primary healthcare system.

“You taking this opportunity here can help us to achieve so much of the other goals that we (the Ministry of Public Health) have set out.”

She also encouraged them to consider expanding their skills. “There are many opportunities in health, rather than you be a CHW all your life, you can go on to become a nurse, become a doctor, a specialist.”

The health minister also outlined the vision of the government to establish a modern health sector throughout Guyana. (DPI)

Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 17, 2020

Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Giftland Mall robbery suspects released on $20,000 bail each With not enough evidence to institute charges, police have released the two brothers who were held for the recent robbery at the GTT booth inside the Giftland Mall.

An official said that the brothers, aged 21 and 18, were released on Saturday on $20,000 station bail each.

They had already been in custody for 72 hours, and police did not approach the court to detain them further.

The setback occurred late last week Wednesday, when two of the victims were unable to verify that the siblings are the same individuals who had committed the robbery.

But investigators say they have CCTV footage of the incident, as well as footage of suspects prior to the crime.

“We know where they went. We know that they live in a certain area and committed a crime and returned to the area,” a source said.

“We tracked the vehicle used; we know where it left from.”

Both youths reside in the D’Urban Street, Wortmanville area. One was arrested last Tuesday while the other was detained the following day.

Police had also arrested their mother, but have since released her.

Ranks had reportedly found two .22 rounds in the family’s house.

CCTV footage of the suspects.

They are still to locate a third man who fled the area following a shootout with police. He is said to be a suspect in a grenadethrowing 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.

On the day of the robbery, CCTV footage at the mall showed two unmasked youths walking into the booth.

One of the youths then pulled out a gun and ordered the cashier to hand over the day’s sales. The robbers then 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.

Cops cracking down on ‘private hire car’ drivers

It appears that the police are stepping up their scrutiny of individuals who operate as hire car drivers even though they are not licensed to do so.

Last week, five ‘private hire’ drivers appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after they were charged for operating their motor vehicle as hire cars, which is not permitted in the licence that was granted to them.

The drivers were charged with breach of insurance and using motor vehicle for other uses. Most of the drivers that pleaded guilty offered to give an

explanation to the court.

The others that denied the allegations were placed on $20,000, bail.

According to the drivers that pleaded guilty, they only operate as hire car part time.

They apologized for their action and fined $30,000 for both offences.

Hire car and taxi drivers are licensed to solicit passengers.

‘Private hire’ drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers from the side of the road.

These vehicle owners can modify their registration under certain circumstances, if they wish to operate as hire car drivers.

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 17, 2020

CCTV CAMERAS? SO WHAT! Brazen robbers roam unafraid of the law

By Shikema Dey Dancehall Artist Kartel has a hit song “Big, Bad n Brave” and the lyrics go something like this; “mi big bad and brave bwoy, do weh yuh wah fi do”.

Robbers in Guyana seem to have embodied that exact line in recent times, becoming more brazen as the days go by. They have no regards for the law, or law enforcement and care even less about CCTV cameras as recent reports would show.

But there is nothing ‘brave’ in robbing women and even children.

An analysis of the brazen crimes committed showed that most of the suspects are mere teenagers and young adults ranging from the ages of 17- 26 years.

We are 47 days into 2020 and already, these robbers have been wreaking havoc on innocent Guyanese all across the country on a daily basis and with their apparent “doan kay” attitude, no one is safe.

TEK IT FROM MEH IN FRONT MEH

The thieves showcased their gall on January 3, days into the New Year when they snatched a young man’s motorbike and other valuables from him on Campbell Avenue right in front of a commercial restaurant.

CCTV footage captured the entire robbery and showed that it lasted mere seconds. The three men were unmasked. The video shows a young man standing near his bike while three other men, entered the view, appearing like normal citizens strolling pass.

But while the man was starting his motorcycle, the trio circled back and one snatched him from behind.

The victim tried to put up a fight but was dragged to the ground and searched, while one of the three men hopped on the bike.

After being satisfied with their find, another thief got on the bike as a pillion rider and two of them made off, leaving the third bandit to escape on foot.

GONE IN FIFTY-NINE

SECONDS A dash cam recorded two Chinese Nationals being robbed on North Road, Bourda on January 13. The suspects were done in fiftynine seconds.

They wore no masks, and appeared to be normal citizens out shopping for groceries at the nearby Sunday market.

But they both carried cutlass, At around 10:00am that Sunday, the two Chinese nationals were loading their car after transacting business at a nearby store. Seconds later, the four thieves, one armed with a cutlass approached their car.

From the dash cam footage, the thieves immediately snatched one of the victims, and dealt him several cuffs when he resisted.

Within seconds, they relieved both victims of their valuables, and calmly walked away.

It was a one man show that left an employee of a Berbice Pharmacy in the hospital with a stab wound to his abdomen. On January 24,

the victim, Ashraf “Bai” Ally, of Cumberland Village, East Canje was awaiting transportation on the public road.

Canje is known to be a busy area with persons traversing to and fro conducting their daily businesses so when Ally saw the victim approaching, he thought nothing of it.

Until the man pulled out a knife.

CCTV footage showed the perpetrator was standing near the business premises and pounced when the employee exited the building.

Ally was making his way to tend to his stall at the New Amsterdam Market. He had a bag containing approximately $300,000 which the perpetrator made off with.

The saying goes that “lightning never strikes twice in the same place” but thieves did. In fact, the men struck not once or twice, but three times, over a three month period.

A supermarket on the West Coast of Berbice was hit for the third time on January 25 with the thieves escaping with cash and other valuables.

According to proprietor, H.N. Lalsa, former principal of the Government Industrial Training Centre, he was in his bed when at about 2:00 hours, he heard an unusual sound.

He assumed that someone had struck his bus which was parked on the premises. He went onto his porch on the upper flat to have a look.

Mr. Lalsa saw at least two men leaving through a hole in his fence.

The men had ransacked his store and carted off millions in cash, valuables along with food items.

In the first robbery, the men escaped with over two million in cash and valuables.

In the second robbery, the

Robeena Zaman was viciously slashed to the face by her attacker.

Stabbed: Ashraf Ally

thieves took Lalsa’s licensed firearm and some documents.

No suspects were identified or arrested.

EVEN GARBAGE COLLECTORS ARE NOT SAFE And it seems that not even the men who collect your trash are safe.

That was the case on February 6, when three workers from Puran Brothers were assaulted and relieved of their valuables by two gun toting bandits while tending to their daily tasks.

The incident was said to have occurred around 05:30am in Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The crew consisted of five workers plus the driver.

While two of the workers were emptying bins, the bandits struck.

They were unmasked and carried what appeared to be a pistol. The thieves carted off cell phones, an undisclosed amount of cash, and the driver’s wedding band. Not even the men’s lunches were spared.

The situation has gotten so dire that the men who work to keep the environment

clean refused to continue working in such areas without police presence.

SCARRED FOR LIFE Scars can sometimes be a painful reminder of a bad patch in your life and for 41year-old Robeena Zaman, she will forever carry a slash on her face, reminding her of a terrifying experience in which she was attacked by a knife-wielding thief on February 12.

The Child Welfare Officer was walking out of her street in Albouystown, to get transportation for work. But this plan went south.

As the woman calmly walked the street, she passed a young man, who was sitting and combing his hair. He played music from a speaker and appeared harmless.

She continued walking but seconds later, felt a tugging on her bag. It was the same youth. She held on to her property and this fact seemed to anger the young man.

He pulled out a knife and attempted to stab Mrs. Zaman. But she warded off the attack. He then tried Continued on page 20

CCTV footage showing two suspects entering the supermarket.

Monday February 17, 2020

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Kaieteur News

GUYANESE HORROR FICTION KAMARANG…

HUNTING NIGHT CREATURES AND SEEING THE DEAD

By Michael Jordan The hunter crouched, with his uncle’s shotgun, on the makeshift platform in the huge mora tree, above the forest floor. It had been a good night. Two labbas had already fallen to his uncanny aim, as they came to feed on the dropped fruit on the ground. With the luck he was having, he might be able to bag at least one more before the night ended.

The White man from the timber company in Georgetown would pay him well. He was only eighteen, but he was already a seasoned hunter. Old Grandfather didn’t like the idea of him hanging around Mr. Grovesnor. He was always lamenting that the White Man was making the Akawaio move away from the old ways.

In some ways, Old Grandfather was right. His sister, Martha, was attending the new Catholic school and was even attending church.

She now wore a crucifix, and was questioning the Akawaio ways, like the binas that he wore while hunting, and the stories that Old Grandfather used to scare them with as children. Myths, she called them. “They’re just myths.”

And her questions had planted seeds of doubt in his mind, too. Though he still wore his binas, he was starting to question some of the things Old Grandfather spoke about ... all this time he’d been hunting at night he’d never encountered any of the things that Grandfather— Below him, a twig snapped.

He peered in the darkness, trying to locate the animal. He heard the faintest of sounds, somewhere to his left, and then he saw the eyes, glowing yellow in the dark. The eyes were far from the ground and that told him that whatever was approaching was bigger than a labba.

Deer…tapir?

The glowing eyes shifted downwards, as if the animal was bending its head.

Now it emitted a loud, sniffing sound, like no animal he knew. For some reason, the sound filled him with unease and he found himself touching the bina around his neck. He kept the sixteengauge shotgun at the ready, before switching on the torchlight Mr. Grovesnor had given him. He trained the beam down on the spot where he had seen the glowing eyes. What he saw made the hairs on his neck prickle, and

sent an eerie thrill through his body: A short, muscular, shaggy-haired creature that looked somewhat human, was squatted—hunched over one of the dead labbas. It had slashed open the dead animal’s stomach and was chewing on its entrails.

The creature looked up to the light, and the hunter realised it was more like a hairy man. Its glinting, jaguaryellow-eyes stared back at him.

Trying to remain calm, he

man was already up, sitting on a tree stump and smoking his pipe. He spilled out everything to Old Grandfather, everything coming back with a terrifying clearness as he spoke.

“You know the spot?” Old Grandfather said at last.

He nodded, knowing what was coming next.

“Show me.”

But first, the old man gave him a special bina—some crushed leaves to chew— before they headed back into the forest.

The young hunter got a whiff of the unpleasant rank odour he’d caught when the man was up close. The labbas lay where he’d left them. There was a large drying splotch of blood just below the tree. Other spots of blood led deeper into the jungle. And footprints that didn’t make sense to him, though they apparently did to Old Grandfather.

They followed the blood trail and footprints. It had to end soon, he thought; the buckshot he’d used would

man?—but was it a man?”

The old man paused … drew on his pipe, and said calmly, “I will tell you what he is...”

And the old man told Tony Perez about the dai dai.

He stopped hunting for Mr. Grovesner. Humbled by his experience, Tony found himself spending a lot of time with Old Grandfather, soaking up his knowledge of herbs, of his rituals, but most of all, questioning the old man about the stories that he and his sister had begun to dismiss.

Somehow he knew that he would have another encounter like this one, but one that would be far more testing.

He wanted to be ready when it came.

July 31, 1978 Old Grandfather was long dead, and here he was, waiting to confront the creature he had shot so long ago. Confronting it, not deep in the jungle, as he had always imagined it, dreamed of it; but in the bright lights of Georgetown.

And when the boy came, maybe he would get his first sight of the witch-girl that had caused them so much trouble. The piaiman had said that it was the boy who would have to kill her with that knife, after he, Perez, had shot her. But would the boy be up to it? Would he even show up?

have stopped a bush-cow in its tracks. But the trail went on for about a mile, then it ended abruptly…

No more blood. No more footprints. … They circled the area. Nothing. After about an hour of searching they returned to the village.

Old Grandfather took him inside his hut and told him to sit. The old man stared at him for a moment then said, “You must not tell anyone about what happened.”

“But-but who was that

He rubbed his hands…sweaty. He couldn’t afford to have sweaty hands when he pointed his shotgun at them. He flashed to himself as a boy, staring into those inhuman eyes. Was he up to it? Was he now too old?

Maybe he should have asked Stephen, his cousin, with his hunting skills, with his army training, and youth on his side, to do this business instead. Stephen was disappointed that he wasn’t going to be in the hunt, but,

“The smells of the night hit him as they stepped out of the car outside the Gaumont brothel. He saw a womaSn at the top of the brothel stairs. She stared vacantly past them, her mouth open in a soundless scream. Something like pus dripped from an open wound, where someone had sliced her from ear to ear.,,” - Kamarang Forest: 1942 flashed his torchlight on and off three times, hoping that the man would speak. But the hairy stranger made no sound. It just snarled in malevolence, and instinctively, the hunter knew that he was in grave danger. And even as his mind registered this, he heard the snapping of twigs again and the man began to move towards his tree.

One moment the stranger was on the ground, the next moment he had leapt into the tree and the hunter was staring into those strange, gleaming eyes. Instinctively, he squeezed the trigger, and for the fifth time that night, the boom of his uncle’s shotgun echoed in the forest.

The man—the thing, let out a strange, sobbing scream. He heard the snapping of branches as the man—the thing was falling, and then a muffled thump as it hit the ground.

There was silence for a moment, then, amazingly, he heard that sobbing scream again, and the man—the thing, was fleeing—crashing through the forest.

The hunter waited awhile until the sounds had died away before scrambling down the tree. He ignored the labba carcasses on the ground, and ran straight home. When he got there, he lay panting in his hammock as he gripped the shotgun, while imagining he could hear stealthy footsteps outside. Whenever he nodded off, the sobbing screams rang in his ears, the image of the shaggy- headed figure with the glittering eyes kept leaping at him.

When dawn came, he went straight to Old Grandfather’s hut. The old

Cover design and illustrations by Harold Bascom once they were finished, they needed someone who could drive them away quickly.

If they survived this night.

That thought brought back the memory of those gleaming eyes. He licked his lips.

Maybe he didn’t have to go through with this business. If he left, just returned to Kamarang, lived out the rest of his old age in safety…

If he left now, then he would destroy what little chance there was to save Vibert Sealey, and the boy, and the boy’s mother. And who was to say that this thing wouldn’t follow him back home?

If he left now, there would be no revenge for his dead great-grandson, and he would live out the rest of his days in shame.

He forced himself to conjure up an image of his great-grandson’s mutilated body, and another image of his elder sister, who had migrated to England and married a White man; Martha, sneering at him for wearing a bina...

“Myths… Sister De Souza say they are just myths…”

If he killed the dai dai and its mistress; if he ended this curse, if he saved Vibert Sealey, the story of this hunt would be told for generations.

He pictured himself dumping the creature’s carcass at his sister’s feet and saying, Here’s your myth!

His lips tightened into a grim smile. No, he was not too old. * Like a man suddenly realising that he’s drunk, Michal gradually became aware of the effects of the

brew that Perez had given him. Perez had mixed it, at Mr. Sealey’s home, from the herb from Gram’da Hazel’s wardrobe. He’d told Michael of the initial vomiting and diarrhoea that he would experience. Perez had said that the piaimen used the brew to help them communicate with the spirits, and Michael would see them, too.

The brew tasted somewhat like the karila bitters his mother had often given him. The taste also brought back the memory of the brew he and his greatgrandmother had sipped, so long ago, when he had sat one night with her on the front porch, and everything had appeared different. .

But it was only when Perez’s cousin had driven them to the Gaumont brothel, between High and Harel Street, that he became aware of the changes in himself. He could suddenly smell the fish sauce and bread Perez had eaten for breakfast; the oil from the shotguns the two men carried; the unknown herb that his cousin had rubbed in his hair. He could hear the loud beating of his own heart.

The smells of the night hit him as they stepped out of the car outside the Gaumont brothel. He saw a woman at the top of the brothel stairs.

She stared vacantly past them, her mouth open in a soundless scream.

Something like pus dripped from an open wound, where someone had sliced her from ear to ear.

As he stared, two young and drunken men exited the brothel. Laughing, they came down the stairs without even Continued on page 20

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Kaieteur News

Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo ‘tramples’...

From page 17 two- time Soca Monarch, Brandon Harding.

The new monarch’s emergence on stage was a preview to a church sermon backed by Kester Dean, popular gospel artiste, pastor and radio personality.

Jumo’s performance sought to be one of a difference with the inclusion of persons who are differently able, to show that love has no barriers. The performance commanded the attention of the audience and with the outcome, it is safe to say, the judges as well.

Second place went to Stephen Ramphal, who, in true Stephen Ramphal form, engaged the audience with his song “The Same”. He brought the message of peace, love and unity for Guyana.

Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts went home with the third prize for her entry “I Am 592”.

Vanilla brought her usual energy to the stage and had patrons gyrating to her song.

Although a force to reckoned with, based on his performance, Osbert ‘Vintage’ Cain came in fourth with “Socaholik”.

Deochand Gangadin: A young...

From page 16 throughout the year.

He explained, “Right now the person who buys plenty cassava only paying $15 per pound, and it has other people who buy like two bags and so pay you up to $30 per pound, but to use boat with motor to carry out only two bags cassava for that customer won’t pay off. But if there was a good road those small customers should be able to come straight to the farm. “ He said that even with the minor challenges and sometimes hard labour, farming is a rewarding career. He believes that more young people should get into farming, especially those who want to control their own time and income.

The real-life member of the Guyana Police Force delivered an engaging piece and mentioned that he hopes that his participation in the 592 Soca Monarch Competition will help to change the negative mind-set that many Guyanese have about policemen.

Reigning Junior Soca Monarch Relon Sumner came in 5th and was adjudged the best “new comer” to the competition.

Brandon Harding, although dethroned, did not leave empty handed, he received the Boom FM People’s Choice Award.

The ‘after party’ saw performances by Colwyn “Lil Colwyn” Blair, Nesta and Trinidadian Soca sensation Shal Marshall.

Next up for song competitions on the Republic Golden Jubilee Calendar of events, is the Chutney Monarch Competition Final, slated for February 22 at the Better Hope Ground.

(Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport)

Monday February 17, 2020

CCTV CAMERAS? SO...

From page 14 stabbing her to the face but thankfully, the knife caught in her hijab.

He then slashed the woman’s face, leaving her with 26 stitches.

Still, she fought bravely and he eventually fled.

According to her, persons stood around watching but did not intervene.

Who strolls into a busy mall filled with patrons including innocent children, unmasked and armed? Two young thieves, who seemed like regular customers.

They created terror in the Giftland Mall on February 10 after strolling into the mall.

Apparently undeterred by CCTV camera, they robbed a GTT kiosk located on the ground floor.

The unmasked youths, who had a gun, ordered the cashier to hand over the day’s sales. Within seconds, the men grabbed the cash and ran out of the mall.

Not even the innocent students who walk home from school are safe.

A 12-year-old student of West Demerara Secondary School was beaten and robbed by a thief on February 3 while making his way home from school.

The lad was riding his cycle through a street; just a stone’s throw from his home when he was accosted by man who demanded that he hand over his belongs.

It was said that the child refused so the thief struck the child to his head.

The child is now scared to go to school.

WE COME FUH TEK WE OWN Another two young men,

CCTV footage showing the two suspects entering the Giftland Mall. walked into an East Coast Demerara supermarket on Thursday last, calmly pulled out their firearm while shoppers bought groceries and demanded that they are given cash and valuables.

This robbery was also captured on camera.

First, the men parked their motorcycle outside and walked in.

They wore helmets but

this did nothing to conceal their identity.

While one stood guard with a gun, the other headed straight for the cash register, emptying out the day’s sales and also carting off a quantity of cell phones and landline cards.

They walked right out, as calmly as customers who had just completed a day’s shopping.

HUNTING NIGHT CREATURES...

From page 19 glancing at the woman.

Perez said something in Akawaio, then whispered, “Keep walking!” to him, and headed up the stairs.

Without acknowledging its presence, Perez walked past the woman. Michael followed close, even though his skin was crawling at the thought that the silent figure might reach out and grab him as they passed. He forced himself not to look back to see if she was following.

A rush of sounds and smells as they entered; cigarette smoke, sweat, strident Indian music.

They took a table near a window overlooking the Ritz. He noticed that the customers and prostitutes here were different from those at the Ritz; young, Indian, some sat at tables, some danced on a small stage.

A thin prostitute with wide, beautiful eyes sat with two men a few tables

away from him. He felt a mild sense of amazement that he could smell her from where he sat…rum, coconut oil, the smell of the men she had slept with.

He turned away, stared at Perez, whose gaze was fixed on the Ritz.

No light from the top, where her room was. The window, from which she had stared at him, seemingly so long ago, was shut. He sensed that she was not up there. Now, above the din of Indian music from the Gaumont punch-box, a melancholy oldies song came from the Ritz: Don’t ask me, A mountain of questions When there is only one answer to it all Do you love me, really love me, As I love you, It’s the answer to everything if you do…

It made him think of her.

Wonder if it was she who had played it; if she somehow

knew that he was nearby; was trying to confuse him.

Had she felt anything at all for him? Was that why she had let him to leave, in his weakened state, after what he had seen? Could he stare into her face and do what Perez said he must do?

But then an image of his long-dead greatgrandmother came to him. He thought of the dying porkknocker, and knew that he would do what Perez had asked of him...

(Taken from the supernatural novel Kamarang by Michael Jordan.

Copies of the illustrated edition of Kamarang are on sale at Austin’s Book Store.

Kamarang (Kindle and paperback, with illustrations) is also available on Amazon The author can also be contacted for autographed copies on +592 645 2447 or by email: kmarangnight@gmail.com)

Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

CT Scan in Bartica already delivering service FOR RENT

SERVICES

FOR SALE

Visa Forms Preparer.

Tel#626-7040, Publish your Death Annoucements & In Memoriams online. Email: dthmemo@gmail.com

Brand new computers, Wifi, Bluetooth, Windows 10. Call or Whatsapp #687-4970 CXC Past papers

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Steel Rod 1/2"- 12mm$745+14% VAT, 5/8- 16mm $1,315 +14% VAT at Alabama Trading , 27 Lombard Street Werk-en-rust/ #231-3345/2274234 1-152 Laverda combine with wabble box, Fiat engine and buggie axle, hardly work, owner leaving country. #6589852

Diamond $5M, Sophia $5M, Schnoord $4M, Supply $27M, Loo creek wharf 6 acre $60M Sacacalli. Shawn #231-2199/ 618-7483 Land for sale - 480 acres of transported waterfront land situated @ Hogg Island, Suitable for Cattle, Rice, Eco Tourism. Contact#617-4004 Moblissa, Soesdyke Linden Highway,Dalgin Eccles & Middle Road La Penitence Georgetown. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685

Two 2 bedroom house in Herstelling, 1 month rent, 2 month security. Call: 696-1680

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call #649-0956.

New Volkswagen Jetta, going cheap, owner leaving country.

Tel# 629-2619 PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc.

Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909

DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE#698-7807.

DATING / PEN PAL Afro Guyanese interested in single female, 45-50 yrs for business and adventure travels, text or call # 672-8844

2 bedroom, Lower Flat, in Hadfield St, Lodge, Tiled, Secured & Grill. Mature Individual. $300 USD per month. Tel#610-5210/2268149 3 bedroom house fully furnished house located in Diamond, secured, price $1,500 monthly negotiable.

Contact Whatsapp #648-7621 High & Saffon St (Business) Office Space at High & Hadfield Street. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685

The doctors and technologists trained to operate the scanner (ct scanning team) Six persons are now certified CT Competency following a two-week training session in Bartica. The technologists four from New Amsterdam and two from Bartica are now qualified to operate a CT scanner Deputy Regional Health Officer of Region Seven, Dr. Julian Clementson was one of the trainees and outlined to a visiting team from the Ministry of Public Health, how the machine will aid in effectively diagnosing conditions, allowing physicians to prescribe informed treatment.

Residents of Bartica are already benefitting from the service of the Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan that was recently installed at the Bartica Regional Hospital.

“Thus far we have been able to do CT Scan of the brain, chest, abdomen and hip,” Dr. Julian Clementson said.

In 2016 the Public Health Ministry decided to place two

Golden Grove, EBD, 4 bedroom upstairs, Kitchen, Dining room downstairs.

Tel#691-2921/220-9353 House for sale in Kuru Kururu.

Contact Gary #664-1569 for more info

CAR RENTAL

Fully furnished, luxury 2 bedroom apartments. Long & Short term. Rentals #687-8818/ 666-7028 Lower unfurnished 3 bedroom home in Eccles. Spacious & Parking available $150,000/ USA $750. Contact Ajai #6297132/ USA# 281-739-6550 Self contain rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#227-2993

LAND FOR SALE Land for sale in Herstelling New Scheme (44x87) $5 Million. Contact Alistair #6268040

Ransom (Concrete mixers), Scaffolding, Power washer, compactors, hire truck service etc, free delivery. Telephone: 610-5360.

Email: dmdscaffolding@yahoo.com PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Charlestown $15M, South $22M, Norton $22M, Diamond $10M, Gordon, Tucville $22M, Princess $15M. Shawn #2312199/618-7483 Broad Street, Republic Gardens, Durban Street, Georgetown & Enmore East Coast, Zeelot. Contact Ray’s Realty# 627-9685 Modern home Georgetown, 3 self contain rooms upstairs, 2 rooms dopwnstairs, Automatic Garage & Gate.

Contact Ray’s Realty # 6279685 WANTED

WANTED

VACANCY

Car, Canter & Bus drivers. Call: Receptionist, Deskstaff, 25-50 225-3234/225-9223 years, three shift system. Tel# Experienced supervisor, 225-0198 receptionist, maid and Diesel mechanic/welder to handyman to work in Hotel. work on TM trucks. Contact Call: 225-9211 #223-5273/223-5274 Maid. Requirements: person must be living on the East Bank. Contact# 600-6887 Truck Driver to work in Georgetown. Call: 227-1717 VACANCY 1 Accountant, must be qualified higher than CXC and basic accounting. Please call: 225-8645/223-7165

One general domestic to work in interior, to cook, clean.

Accomdation & meals provided. #680-2702

Looking for a job & educational services?

Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call: 600-8457

One Body work technician.

Call: 227-1717

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132

Accounts clerk for Eccles Office, English1, Mathematic-2, Quickbooks.

Email application to: techserigy@yahoo.com One male janitor. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street, Bourda 2 Vacancies- Clerk & Domestic, Live-in facilities for Berbicians & Essequibians. #219-5354 Office Assistant- Maths & English, Excel & Quickbooks.

Apply to Mima Decor, 8 Sheriff St, G/town. Email: mimadecor12@gmail.com.

Tel# 227-0186/227-0176

Dr. Gillian Battino with Healthe Minister Volda Lawrence CT scanners donated by RAD-AID International at the Bartica and New Amsterdam Hospitals.

RAD-AID volunteers have overseen the installation, supporting the Ministry as they roll out this service.

Dr. Gillian Battino, the Director of the Latin-America/ Caribbean Section of RADAID International expressed satisfaction with the work done to get the machines operational.

“We have spent the last three to four years working

together… trying to plan effectively, build the building, sort out electricity sources ensuring all the equipment is put together so that they can start,” she told DPI. Dr. Battino also disclosed that a volunteer will conduct follow up training sessions and “we will continue to conduct training for another year to ensure everything is done well.”

The service is free and will soon be offered at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital in Berbice. (DPI)

Monday February 17, 2020

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

After one year hiatus..

Task force on prevention of sex crimes reconvenes After a one year hiatus, members of the National Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Violence, (NTFPSV) have reconvened.

The meeting of NTFPSV was hosted Thursday last by officials attached to the Ministry of Social Protection.

According to the officials, the meeting was reconvened to address a number of matters related to the NTFPSV including a review of its Terms of Reference (TORS).

“The meeting was to seek commitment from stakeholders towards its implementation of the TORS; to clarify the roles of the members and to identify if additional members are required, as well as identify and endorse key actions required for the organization of the NTFPSV,” a Ministry official told Kaieteur News “Hopefully we will meet regularly. The NTFPSV is supposed to meet at least once each quarter of the year but that has not been happening. The last time we met regularly was in 2016,”the official added The NTFPSV is an integral part of the Sexual Offences Act of 2010. The Sexual Offences Act deals with the prevention of sexual crimes. Such a task force is needed to address awareness and monitor the implementation of the law.

The Act provides for the President to appoint members of the Task Force, which shall consist of Ministers of Social Security, Education, Health, Legal Affairs, Social Protection, Indigenous People’s Affairs, as well as senior public officers with

After one year hiatus— members of the NTFPSV reconvened meeting last Thursday responsibility for human and social services, health, law enforcement and nongovernmental organizations.

The sexual offences task force plays an important role in ensuring the provisions of the legislation are upheld. Among other things, one of the objectives of the task force i s t o e d u cate the public about the prevention of sexual violence.

In addition, the task force is expected to play a key role in the implementation of the 2017-2021 action for plan sexual offences and domestic violence.

The 2017-2021 national plan is intended to be implemented throughout Guyana by the Sexual

Violence Unit of the Ministry of Social Protection, under the guidance of the National Task Force on Sexual and Domestic Violence. It will serve as a guide to prevent and respond to violence against individuals.

The plan was operationalised by Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally.

In her address at the launch, Ally spoke of the need for the plan of action, given the upsurge in sexual violence cases and social ills in Guyana.

Minister Ally noted that the National Task Force on Sexual and Domestic Violence has a critical role to play in making key recommendations and policy decisions which

will impact the lives of victims, as well as perpetrators.

“It is important for all members of the task force to provide their comments and feedback on the plan of action so that we can ensure it is launched on the proposed scheduled date…if we don’t get feedback we will not be able to implement the plan effectively,” Minister Ally explained.

Pointing to the statistics, Ally pointed out the need for implementation.

She noted that despite an increase in convictions for sexual offences annually; sexrelated offences continue to dominate the criminal assizes across the three counties.

Last year for instance, of the 301 cases listed for the June

session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes, a startling 177 are for sexual offences.

Of these 177 sexual offence cases, 126 are for cases involving children;

either sexual activity (no penetration) or rape (penetration). This means that sex-related offences accounted for 59 percent of the cases on the list.

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 17, 2020

Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

All-Star MVP Award named in honor of Kobe Bryant CHICAGO (Reuters) - The National Basketball Association All-Star Game MVP Award has been permanently named for the late Kobe Bryant, league Commissioner Adam Silver said on Saturday.

Bryant, an 18-time All-Star who won a record-tying four All-Star Game MVP awards, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles on Jan. 26. He was 41.

“His loss, together with his daughter and those other seven people on the helicopter, is unspeakable,” Silver said at a news

conference before the All-Star Saturday Night event at the United Center in Chicago.

“As the father of a child ... that’s the unimaginable.”

The Kobe Bryant MVP Award will be presented on Sunday to the most valuable player at the end of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.

“Kobe Bryant is synonymous with NBA AllStar and embodies the spirit of this global celebration of our game,” Silver said in a statement. “He always relished the opportunity to compete with the best of the best and perform at the highest level for millions of fans around the world.”

Bryant made his NBA AllStar Game debut in 1998 at age 19 – the youngest player to ever play in an All-Star Game.

His 18 All-Star selections are the second most in NBA history behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, at 19.

Silver said the decision to name the MVP award in honor of Bryant was made collectively by league officials and some players.

“To all of us, it seemed like the appropriate way to bring honor to him,” Silver said.

Silver also spoke about the loss of former NBA Commissioner David Stern, who oversaw explosive growth in the popularity of the game during his 30-year tenure. Silver said that Stern, who died in January, and

Monday February 17, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you might be pleasantly surprised to realize that you're in far better financial shape than you thought. You could discover a hidden talent for money management that you didn't think you had.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you might decide to sequester yourself at home, catch your breath, get your thoughts together, and recall the events of the past several days.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Taking care of chores around the house might bring some home matters to your attention that need to be taken care of. Perhaps there are a few minor repairs to make.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A group you're associated with but have been neglecting may be on your mind today. You might want to fulfill your obligations to it. You could also consider completing a long-term project that was put on hold over the past week or so.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Money may be coming your way through a contract of some kind. This is a positive development. Make sure you read every word in the document before you commit to anything.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Are you sometimes afraid of appearing silly in front of people, Virgo? The fear of failing in the eyes of others might be holding you back from real progress.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You usually like to think of yourself as being a scientific, logical person, Libra, but today you may think more like a mystic. Your intuition is more active than usual SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Social invitations or opportunities to participate in group activities should come your way for a few weeks, Scorpio.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) - You're thinking about your future career development, Sagittarius, and you aren't happy with your current situation. Advancement is on your mind.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today is a good day to take time out for the small, sensual pleasures. This is a day for dessert, particularly chocolate or cheesecake.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Some time alone with a special person is definitely called for today. The social whirl of recent weeks has put you in touch with a lot of old friends and enabled you to make new ones. Now it's time to relax at home.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The possibility of moving out of your neighborhood may have occurred to you before, but events today might have you finally making up your mind to do it. Perhaps too many good neighbors have moved away, or maybe some good fortune has made it possible for you to move to a bigger place.

Bryant had a lot in common.

“They were both determined to win,” he said.

“They could be difficult at times because they prioritized winning, and often, they didn’t have time for some of the niceties around personal relationships because it was about winning.”

Moments after Silver’s news conference ended, the packed United Center stood and cheered as the game clock was wound up to 24.2, in honor of Bryant’s No. 24 jersey number and the No. 2 that Gianna Bryant wore when she played basketball at her father’s Mamba Sports Academy.

GUMDAC Annual Open...

From page 26 Rodrigues: 14-21,21-15,21-16.

Men Doubles Finals: Darrell Carpenay & Marlon Chung defeated Jonathan Mangra & Avinash Odit: 19-21,21-9,21-19.

Men Doubles Third/ Fourth Place: Akili Haynes & Tyrese Jeffrey defeated Easa Sanichara & Avian Rodrigues: 21-19,22-20.

Women Doubles Semi Finals: Ayanna Watson & Christina Kumar defeated Alea Ruplal & Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-10,21-3.

Emelia Ramdhani & Anna Perreira defeated Jayde DaSilva & Mishka Beharry: 21-11, 21-9.

Women Doubles Finals: Ayanna Watson & Christina Kumar defeated Emelia Ramdhani & Anna Perreira: 14-21,21-11,21-11.

Women Doubles Third/ Fourth Place: Alea Ruplal & Priyanka Shivnauth defeated Jayde DaSilva & Mishka Beharry: 21-14,18-21,21-14.

Men Doubles Consolation First/Second: Matthew Beharry & Isaac Mallampati defeated Marius Wilson & Trisson Harte: 218,2-7.

Monday February 17, 2020

Louis Da Silva wins Open...

From page 31 Rayad Boyce (5) 15 - 8. However, the second game would be a thriller as both players battled back and forth and the game seesawed as firstly one player seized the initiative then it was the others turn to do the same. At 14 - 13 match ball Lajuan was almost there but Rayad won the next point to set up sudden death but Lajuan held his nerve to win the next point and the match 15 - 14.

In the Category A third place play off Grant Fernandes (10) played Dhiren Persaud (3). Grant easily won the first game 15 - 5 but Dhiren bounced back to win the second game by the slimmest of margins 15 14. The third game was close throughout but Dhiren played the important points better and secured victory with a 15 - 13 third game win.

Results of all the matches played today were as follows: Open Category Final

Louis Da Silva (10) beat Mohryan Baksh (0) 15 - 1, 15 - 10 Third place Lucas Jonas (2) beat Brian Edwards (9) 15 - 11, 13 - 15, 15 - 14 Category A Final Lajuan Munroe (2) beat Rayad Boyce (5) 15 - 8, 15 14 Third Place Dhiren Persaud (3) beat Grant Fernandes (10) 5 - 15, 15 - 14, 15 - 13 Open category plate Final Michael Alphonso (-10) defeated Medhi Ramdhani (6) 15 - 10, 15 - 9 Third place Dane Pereira (9) beat Steven Persaud (9) 13- 15, 15 - 12, 15 - 4 Category A plate Final Shiloh Asregado (-5) beat Nathan Rahaman (5) 7 15, 15 - 14, 15 - 14 Third place Dimetri Lowe (9) beat Brenno Da Silva (10) 13 - 15, 15 - 14, 15 – 10

Monday February 17, 2020

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Magnificent Morgan guides England to T20 Bertens downs Rybakina to retain series win PRETORIA (Reuters) Captain Eoin Morgan scored a brilliant unbeaten 57 from 22 balls as England chased down a massive victory target of 223 to win the final Twenty20 International against South Africa yesterday and secure a 2-1 series triumph.

South Africa won the toss and posted 222 for six in their 20 overs, but man of the match Morgan crashed seven sixes in a 21-ball half-century to equal his own England record for the fastest fifty in Twenty20 cricket.

The visitors reached 226 for five with five deliveries to spare, the ball sailing through the Highveld air as 28 sixes were hit in the match, 15 by England, as they completed the fourth highest successful Twenty20 International run chase.

South Africa won the first match by one run and England claimed the second by two runs in a tight series ahead of the World Cup in Australia in October.

“It was a hell of a game, you have to commend both sides’ bowlers as it is not easy to bowl on a wicket like that,” Morgan said at the postmatch presentation.

“When any side posts 222 it is a tough ask, but going back to the 2016 World Cup with this group of players, we chased down 230 against South Africa in Mumbai, so there was always that belief.

St Petersburg title

England’s Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali celebrate winning at the end of the match. (REUTERS/Mike Hutchings) “It’s a nice note to leave this tour on, we have loved every minute of it. The cricket we have played has been so close between the sides and it has been hugely productive for us.”

South Africa’s innings was boosted by a powerful 66 from 33 balls by Heinrich Klaasen, before he picked out Ben Stokes at mid-off from the bowling of the impressive Tom Curran (233).

Opener Temba Bavuma, with 49 from 24 balls, gave the home side a fast start and David Miller (35 from 20) provided a strong finish.

England lost Jason Roy in the second over of their reply, but Jos Buttler (57 from 29) and Jonny Bairstow (64 from 34) put on 91 in 49 balls as the tourists kept up with the required rate.

Once they fell, Morgan, who also earned the man of the series award, took up the mantle, dealing only in sixes in a brilliant display of skill and power hitting, and making up for not seeing his side home in the first match in east London.

He was supported by Stokes (22 from 12) in adding 61 from 27 balls before the allrounder was out with victory

in sight as England completed their second highest Twenty20 chase.

“When we got here and saw the wicket we knew it would be high-scoring, we are just disappointed we didn’t get over the line. We felt our score was just over par,” De Kock said.

“As we get closer to the World Cup we are clearer in our plans and about who is putting up their hands.”

Scores: England 226 for 5 (Bairstow 64 Morgan 57*, Buttler 57) beat South Africa 222 for 6 (Klaasen 66, Curran 2-33) by five wickets.

GMR&SC NROC

Eight podium finishes for Mohamed Recently re-elected head of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), Rameez Mohamed, stole the show yesterday during the first round of the National Race of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit after finishing on the podium an incredible eight-time inclusive of six wins and two second place finishes.

Mohamed, who debuted in Group four in front of the fair-sized turnout at the Timehri track, drove away with two wins in the battle of the ‘big engines’ en route to sweeping all three races in the torque packed Starlet Cup. Motilall Deodass, 2019 Starlet Cup champion, led the first race of the class for almost five laps but the Motor Trend Service Center driver’s race was derailed after his championship winning car caught fire during his blistering run.

Fortunately, Deodass, escaped without any injuries

Rameez Mohamed stole the spotlight in the GMR&SC event yesterday. (file photo)

Netherland’s Kiki Bertens celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina. (REUTERS/Anton Vaganov) (Reuters) - Kiki Bertens powered past Kazakh Elena Rybakina 6-1 6-3 in the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy final yesterday to successfully defend her crown.

The world number eight from the Netherlands converted four out of eight breakpoints and saved all five on her serve to seal a 10th WTA singles title in 74 minutes.

Bertens improved her head-to-head record over the Russian-born Rybakina to 20, having beaten the world number 25 in the Rosmalen grasscourt tournament semifinals last year.

After easing through the opening set by winning six straight games, Bertens had to stave off a spirited Rybakina early in the second, saving four break points in the

first game.

She broke for a decisive 3-1 lead and dropped only two more games to clinch victory in style.

The Dutchwoman was scheduled to take on 36-yearold former world number one Kim Clijsters in the opening round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Monday, but p u l l e d o u t o f t h e tournament after reaching the final in St Petersburg.

Clijsters, making a return to professional tennis for the first time in seven years, will play Australian Open runnerup Garbine Muguruza instead, organizers said in a statement.

Elina Svitolina, Dubai champion in 2017 and 2018, will now face a qualifier or lucky loser instead of Muguruza.

T/20 stars join the...

and in an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, he posited that he will come back stronger next meet despite this hiccup.

Mohamed’s sixth win came in the group three.

Chet Singh was dominant as he swept group two. He

outdid his challengers to emerge in charge of that group.

In the street bikes class, Shem Chattersingh upstaged reigning champion Dowayne Caesar who was very outspoken in the media days leading up to the race.

Chattersingh wheeled away with two wins while Caesar picked up one.

In the Superstock, Kevin Persaud was on top with two wins, while Raveiro Tucker, who made a return to South Dakota after a short racing hiatus, won the other race.

From page 29 Caribbean Premier League with tremendous success.

The Golden Republic T20 Bash will see two exciting matches for all cricket fans to enjoy as Guyana celebrates 50 years as a Republic nation on February 23.

In the first game at 2 PM national softball champions

Regal All-Star will take on the up and coming Ariel Speed Boat All Stars followed by the feature event at 6 PM when Hetmyer Hurricanes take on Rutherford Renegades.

The event is organized by the Guyana Cricket Board in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Cohesion Department of Culture Youth and Sport.

PAGE 28

Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

India play day-night Test in Australia, Ahmedabad likely to host pink-ball Test vs England ESPNcricinfo - The BCCI has given the nod for India to play one day-night Test during their 2020-21 tour of Australia, where the two teams will play four Test matches between December and January. In another significant move, the BCCI has also chalked in the refurbished Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad as a likely venue to host a day-night Test during the five-match series against England, to be played in January-February 2021.

Both decisions were taken by the BCCI’s Apex Council, which met in Delhi on Sunday, and was attended by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.

The BCCI’s decision follows its meeting with a Cricket Australia delegation led by chairman Earl Eddings in January. Eddings met Ganguly and Shah on the sidelines of the IndiaAustralia ODI series to chart out a plan for the day-night Test and identify the venue.

Originally, CA wanted to host two pink-ball Tests against India, but the BCCI gave the nod for just one. Ganguly had then said, “Two out of four would be a bit too much with the pink ball”. ESPNcricinfo understands that either Brisbane or Adelaide will be the venue for the game.

Brisbane will host the first Test of the series, and Adelaide will host a Test towards the latter part of the tour.

Ever since Ganguly took charge of the BCCI last October, he has supported the move for India to play more day-night Test cricket, and India played their maiden pink-ball Test against Bangladesh at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in November last year. Ganguly has also spoken to India captain Virat Kohli on the matter, and subsequently, in January during the home ODI series against Australia, Kohli said that his team was happy to play day-night Tests in Australia as long as the players were given enough

time and notice to prepare.

“We played the day-night Test [against Bangladesh] here, we were pretty happy with how it went,” Kohli said.

“It’s become a very exciting feature of any Test series and we’re open to playing daynight Tests.

We’re ready and up for the challenge - whether it’s Gabba, Perth... it doesn’t matter to us, we have the skillsets as a team now to compete against anyone in the world, anywhere, in any format of the game, whether it’s white ball, red ball or pink ball, we’re ready to play anything.”

At the meeting, the BCCI also discussed the possible venues for England’s tour of India next year, which will be India’s last engagement in the inaugural cycle of the World Test Championship - each team has to play six Test series with the WTC final scheduled to be held at Lord’s in June 2021. Being a marquee series, the BCCI has decided to cash in by shortlisting Motera as a likely

Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli have been on the same page when it comes to day-night Tests. (Getty Images) venue for the day-night fixture.

The ground has not hosted international cricket since November 2014, when India played Sri Lanka in an ODI, as the Gujarat Cricket Association wanted to renovate the facility completely, including relaying

GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Tournament 2020 concludes

Outstanding performers after the GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Badminton Championship.

Men Doubles players Darrell Carpenay & Marlon Chung and Ladies Doubles Ayanna Watson & Christina Kumar were crowned the GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Champions on Saturday last at the National Gymnasium.

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is expressing thanks to the GUMDAC Establishment for making this tournament possible for the 7th year, Mr. Carlton Joao of Banks DIH for the light refreshments and SOL Petroleum for the consolation prizes.

Special Thanks also go to the Tournament Director Ms.

Emelia Ramdhani and the GBA Executives for running off yet another successful event.

The over-all results are: Men Doubles: 1st- Darrell Carpenay & Marlon Chung 2nd- Jonathan Mangra & Avinash Odit 3rd- Akili Haynes & Tyrese Jeffrey 4th- Easa Sanichara & Avian Rodrigues Men Consolation: 1st- Matthew Beharry & Isaac Mallampati 2nd- Trisson Harte & Marius Wilson Women Doubles: 1st- Ayanna Watson &

Christina Kumar 2nd- Emelia Ramdhani & Anna Perreira 3rd- Alea Ruplal & Priyanka Shivnauth 4th- Jayde DaSilva & Mishka Beharry Results Of Matches Played: Men Doubles First Round: Anthony Stephens & Johann Waldron defeated Matthew Beharry & Isaac Mallampati: 21-19,19-21,25-23.

Shekhar Mallampati & Vincent Raja defeated Marius Wilson & Trisson Harte: 2110, 21-11.

Mens Doubles QuarterFinals:

Akili Haynes & Tyrese Jeffrey defeated Sekhar & Vincent Raja: 21-2, 21-10.

Easa Sanichara & Avian Rodrigues defeated William Holder & Haymant Ramdhani: 21-6, 21-9.

Jonathan Mangra & Avinash Odit defeated Anthony Stephens & Johann Waldron: 21-13, 21-10.

Men Doubles SemiFinals: Darrell Carpenay & Marlon Chung defeated Akili Haynes & Tyrese Jeffrey: 2120,14-21,24-22.

Jonathan Mangra & Avinash Odit defeated Easa Sanichara & Avian (Continued on page 24)

the pitches as well as the outfield. The new-look stadium, once it is complete which should be very soon will become the biggest cricket ground in the world with a capacity of 110,000.

The Apex Council also decided to release funds to all the state associations that

had applied to the BCCI to clear their pending payments.

It was also decided that the BCCI would make an ad-hoc payment of Rs 2 crore (US$ 280,000 approx.) to the newly formed Indian Cricketers’ Association to set up its offices and create organisational structure.

Upper Corentyne Cricket Association continues to organise cricket at all levels Presently the UCCA has organised an Inter Primary School Cricket competition for schools in the Upper Corentyne area which encompasses the Crabwood Creek to No. 43 Village areas.

The schools have been divided into three groups or clusters, which is in keeping with the Ministry of Education arrangements for schools in the area. The schools down to participate are Crabwood Creek, Skeldon and Corriverton Primaries in one group; No71, No 68, New Market (64) and No 59 Primaries in another group, while No 56, No 51 and No 48 Primaries are in the third group. The winner of each group will qualify to participate in the final on a date to be announced.

The competition is being sponsored by Davendra Ramgoolam of R and R Auto Rental Services of the Upper Corentyne.

The competition began with play in group one which was held at the Crabwood Creek Ground. Crabwood creek Primary drew the bye to the final. In their first round game Skeldon Primary bated first ad made 113-9 in their 10 overs. Corriverton in

reply responded with 115-2 to win by 8 wickets. Johan Rawlings made 56.

In the final game Crabwood Creek Primary batted first and made 115-5 from their allotment of overs with T. Lakeram making 68 not out. In reply, Corriverton Primary made a gallant attempt, but fell short to end on 109-1 from their allotment of overs to lose by 6 runs.

Rawlings was again among the runs with 48.

At the end of the competition the winning and runner up trophies compliments of R and R Auto Rental Services will go to the respective schools.

The schools will also be presented with gift vouchers.

These vouchers will go to the players to purchase stationary and school supplies of their choice from a popular the Store on the Upper Corentyne.

The players will also receive exercise books, pencils, pens and reading material.

The competition is being coordinated by chairman of the UCCA Competitions committee, former national wicketkeeper batsman Sydney Jackman.

Monday February 17, 2020

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

GCA’s NBS 40-overs cricket

Watkins, Barrington & Shivrattan fires MSC to victory

Sixteen -year-old Tattesh Shivrattan had 6-32 for Malteenoes against GYO at MSC. In sultry conditions and a slow track and very rough outfield at Malteenoes on Saturday, half-centuries from Marcus Watkins and FirstClass batsman Shemroy Barrington and 6-32 from OffSpinner Tattesh Shivrattan led the home team to a 114run win over GYO in the latest round of the GCA’s NBS 40overs second division cricket tournament.

Watkins hammered 62 from 52 balls with four fours and a six, while Barrington’s pugnacious 52 lasted 26 balls and was decorated with eight boundaries, four of which were sixes.

Jeremiah Scott smashed 45 from 27 balls with five fours and a six and Nichosie Barker contributed 35 as MSC, aided by 36 Extras, made 248 from

First-Class batsman Shemroy Barrington hit a blistering 26-ball 52 for Malteenoes on Saturday before he was run out.

34.4 overs.

Leg-spinner Divesh Ramjattan had 3-24 including three wickets in four balls of which the third one was a wide, while left-arm spinner Trevon France bowled a frugal eight-over spell which produced 2-21 and Joshua Ramsammy captured -3-34 from four overs.

When GYO chased, they were bowled out for 135 in 28.3 overs as France, batting at number nine top scored

with 37 from 22 balls with six fours and a six.

But only Avinand Deonarine and Ramsammy who both scored 20, reached 20 as Shivattan picked up 632 from eight overs, while Marvin Permaul supported with 2-28.

GYO asked MSC to bat and Barrington began like a man possessed.

He took 26 off the first over bowled by pacer Demetri Cameron before clobbering

GYO’s left-arm spinner Trevon France halted the early onslaught with an economical spell at MSC on Saturday.

Neiland Cadogan for 23 in the second over as it rained sixes, putting the buses parked on Thomas Road for the Children’s Mash parade at the National Park in danger of being damaged.

Barrington continued to set the ground ablaze with explosive shots and took 18 off Cameron’s next over as the 50 came up in the third over as the right-handed opener batted in T20 mode.

Judel McCallister (4) was the silent partner but with the introduction of France who bowled a maiden over to McCallister before knocking out his off stump in spectacular fashion at 56-1 in

the fifth over.

Barrington brought up his 50 from 23 balls with four fours and four sixes before he was run out at 70-2 before Clarence Baird was also run out after he and Barker saw the 100 posted in ninth over.

Baird’s demise for seven at 102-3 brought Scott to the crease before Barker and Scott were both removed by Ramsammy, but Watkins who played several good shots saw Ramsammy and France strike twice as MSC slipped 201-7.

With the score on 246, Ramjattan struck thrice in four balls including Watkins’ as the last three wickets

tumbled for two runs.

GYO lost wickets at regular intervals after Permaul removed Anan Bhagot (3) and trapped Berbician wicketkeeper batsman Jason Sinclair for a duck as both batsmen fell with the score on 12.

Deonarine and Ramsammy offered some fight to take the score to 48 before they lost four wickets for 20 runs to be on 68-6.

France was looking set before his team lost three wickets for two runs to slip to 95-9 as Shivattan spun webs around the batsmen before Dellon Dalrymple bowled France as GYO were all out for 135. (Sean Devers)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force suffered a shocking collapse here yesterday morning to hand Barbados Pride their largest win in over a century, in their fifth round match of the Regional Four-Day Championship at Kensington Oval.

Resuming the day precariously poised on 48 for four in their second innings, Red Force survived only 86 more deliveries before folding meekly for a paltry 77, to slump to a humiliating 299-run defeat, three-quarters of an hour before lunch.

Twenty-three year-old fast bowler Keon Harding once again proved the visitors’ tormentor, wrecking the innings with his second five-wicket haul of the match.

Without a wicket the previous evening, the rightarmer snatched all but one to fall to finish with five for 19 and match figures of 10 for 76.

Fellow speedster Chemar Holder added one wicket to his tally to end with three for 29 while Test seamer Kemar

Roach finished with two for 28.

Opener Joshua DaSilva never added to his overnight 23 to emerge as the top-scorer while Akeal Hosein chipped in with 21, as Red Force lost their last six wickets for a mere 29 runs to crash to their fourth lowest total ever and the lowest against Pride at the historic venue.

For Red Force, it was their worst ever defeat by runs – coming on the heels of their heavy 219-run loss to Guyana Jaguars in the third round – and extending their winless streak in the tournament to three matches.

Harding struck with the first ball of the morning, gaining an lbw decision against DaSilva with a full length delivery which the right-hander played across.

In his next over with five runs added, he removed Yannick Cariah after the lefthander had added just one to his overnight 12, caught behind trying to evade a short delivery.

When Terrance Hinds (2) attempted an extravagant

heave at Harding four overs later but managed only to sky a catch to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich running around to gully, it was clear the innings would not last behind the first session at 56 for seven.

The end then came swiftly with Bryan Charles brilliantly taken at leg slip by Shamarh Brooks without scoring off Harding, Hosein nicking one behind off Holder and Muhammad spectacularly losing his off-stump to Harding for three.

Scores: PRIDE 209 (Kevin Stoute 52, Ashley Nurse 48, Kemar Roach 38, Shayne Moseley 23; Uthman Muhammad 3-47, Terrance Hinds 3-51) and 342 for five decl. (Shayne Moseley 155 not out, Kraigg Brathwaite 58, Kevin Stoute 55; Akeal Hosein 2-66).

RED FORCE 175 (Jeremy Solozano 50, Akeal Hosein 28, Uthman Muhammad 27; Keon Harding 5-57) and 77 (Joshua DaSilva 23, Akeal Hosein 21; Keon Harding 519, Chemar Holder 3-29, Kemar Roach 2-28).

Smith, Hodge hundreds frustrate Jaguars Red Force slump to historic defeat

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Superb unbeaten hundreds from veteran Devon Smith and captain Kavem Hodge dashed Guyana Jaguars’ hopes of a final day victory, as Windward Islands Volcanoes forced a draw in their fifth round match of the Regional Four-Day Championship here yesterday. Starting the day on 47 for one – still requiring a further 62 runs to erase their first innings deficit, Volcanoes were 273 without further loss in their second innings when rain ended the contest prematurely at the National Stadium, about 20 minutes after tea.

The 38-year-old Smith was unbeaten on 147 not out, a knock that spanned 261 balls, nearly 5-½ hours and included 12 fours and a six.

Hodge, meanwhile, made exactly 100, striking 11 fours off 228 balls in a shade over five hours at the crease, after resuming the day on 17.

Together the pair, posted 263 for the second wicket after coming together late on Saturday’s penultimate day to stabilise the innings after

Kavem Hodge … hit his third first class hundred.

Roland Cato (2) fell cheaply.

On 16 at the start, Smith marched to 85 at lunch accompanied by Hodge on 41, as Volcanoes cruised to 147 for one.

The Grenadian reached his 38th first class hundred but first of the season in the seventh over after the resumption, cutting seamer Chris Barnwell to deep point for a single.

Unbeaten on 90 at tea with the hosts on 256 for one, Hodge raised his third first class hundred in the fourth over after the break with a topedged pull for four off pacer

Nial Smith, which narrowly evaded the fielder in the deep.

S c o r e s : VOLCANOES 318 (Keron Cottoy 56, Kavem Hodge 53, Shane Shillingford 53, Devon Smith 27, Andre Fletcher 27, Roland Cato; Veerasammy Permaul 4-59, Devendra Bishoo 3-73) and 273 for one (Devon Smith 147 not out, Kavem Hodge 100 not out).

JAGUARS 426 (Leon Johnson 189 not out, Chris Barnwell 107, Anthony Bramble 47, Shimron Hetmyer 32; Preston McSween 5-102).

PAGE 30

Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Nicholas Albert is GABBFF Mr. Novice 2020; Ashanti Conway is Miss Bikini winner - Chesney (177+, Masters), Albert (Junior), Jeffrey (Physique), James (U143), Johnson (U154), Albert (U164) are category winners

Jonathan Jeffrey - Men’s Physique winner

By Franklin Wilson The Bauxite Mining Town of Linden on Saturday evening last welcomed with opened arms, the return of

competitive body building after a hiatus of many years. A pumped and hyped up audience at Lichas Hall kept in tuned

and in touch with all the action from start to finish.

And, following the flexing of muscles in the various categories and the three-judge panel request for comparisons when it was not a clear cut case for them to decide, Nicholas Albert of Tower powered

by Unity Gym emerged as Mr. Novice 2020 in a four way battle with gym mate Dellon Johnson, Colin ‘Mr. Clean’ Chesney of the Upper Demerara Barbel Club, who excelled on debut finishing third and Fenton James of 5% Fitness, bringing up the rear.

The Fitness Paradise’ duo of Ashanti Conway and Christina King placed first and second in the Miss Bikini contest with L i n d e n ’s o w n , C r y s t o l Leander having to settle for the third place.

The overall contest pits the winners of the various categories excluding masters and juniors but in this case, the respective winners of the said two categories ended being in the reckoning as they went on to win other divisions.

As a matter of fact, it was the winner of the

Milo Secondary Schools football tournament

George hat-trick hands Cummings Lodge comfortable win; - Christianburg, Ronnel George blasted a hat-trick to lead Cummings Lodge Secondary to a 4-2 win over The Bishops’ High School (BHS), while Christianburg Wismar and Lodge Secondary registered victories when the Petra Organisation Milo Secondary Schools football tournament continued yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground.

George put Cummings Lodge ahead in the 5th minute and doubled the lead in the 20th. George then completed his hat-trick five minutes later as Cummings Lodge continued to dominate.

Lindley Bacchus extended the lead nine minutes later to hand his team a 4-0 lead at the break.

Bishops’ High showed purpose in the second half and Lindford Isles reduced their deficit when he slotted home in the 54th minute. Six minutes later Antone Merod

Lodge victorious

Miss Bikini contestants! From right, winner Ashanti Conway, Christina King and Crystol Leander. (Franklin Wilson photo) junior class who went on to win the Mr. Novice 2020 title, Nicholas Albert.

He first took care of business in a two way tie against Antoine Norville of Buddy’s after which he went on to beat easily, Shaquille Coppin of Sharpies Fitness in another two way contest for the Under-164lbs title.

Dellon Johnson was tops in the Under-154lbs category; Chesney, more known for his accomplishments in the powerlifting arena, made an unbelievable debut on a n o t h e r s e gment of the weights sports, weightlifting , the other.

Chesney got underway what will forever be a

memorable evening for him with victory in the Masters competition.

He was not done for the night as he went on to triumph in the 177lbs & Over showdown which attracted three athletes, the most other than the Men’s Physique contest.

Chesney, by virtue of this win, qualified for the overall showdown.

Fenton James was the winner of the Under-143lbs competition. In the overall battle, #1 judge, veteran Frank Tucker requested a comparison between Chesney, Albert and Johnson.

The Men’s Physique contest attracted five athletes with Jonathan Jeffrey

Following are the full results: Category Place Name Masters Junior Under-143lbs Under-154lbs

Mark Roberts

Shemroy Myers

scored BHS second and final goal.

Meanwhile, Christianburg Wismar of Linden beat Golden Grove 2-1. Jermain Marson handed Christianburg Wismar the lead when he found the back of the net in the 16th minute.

Calvin Richmond drew Golden Grove level in the 46th minute before Randy Pickering slotted home in the 65th minute to give Christianburg Wismar a hard fought win.

In the other game of the tripleheader Lodge Secondary overcame Ann’s Grove 2-1. Shemroy Myers put Lodge Secondary ahead in the 4th minute before Mark Roberts found the equaliser in the 37th minute as the teams went to the break at 11. After the resumption, Myers blasted home in the 53rd minute to give Lodge Secondary victory. The tournament continues next weekend.

(Zaheer Mohamed)

Under-164lbs Men’s Physique

Miss Bikini 177lbs & Over Overall

1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

emerging winner ahead of Harris, Lutchman, Ross and Alexander in that order.

Guest poser on the night was the 2019 winner, Darius Ramsammy, whilst recognition was given to reigning M r. G u y a n a Marlon ‘Bolo’ Bennett and L i n d e n ’s o w n , L i n d i e Sharpe, a seven-time Mr. Guyana who is still in competition shape and is e x p e c t e d to compete at Seniors, this year.

The athletes were presented with supplement hampers compliments of main sponsor, Fitness Express.

Other sponsors on board were Linden Businessman, Samuel Hardy, Tower powered by Unity Gym, Law 28 and Ansa McAl. Gym

Colin Chesney Upper Demerara Barbel Club Ryan Panday Space Nicholas Albert Tower powered by Unity Antoine Norville Buddy’s Fenton James 5% Fitness Antoine Norville Buddy’s Dellon Johnson Tower powered by Unity Andrew Bailey L & L Fitness Nicholas Albert Tower powered by Unity Shaquille Coppin Sharpies Fitness Jonathan Jeffrey Tower powered by Unity Darren Harris Tower powered by Unity Daniel Lutchman Space Denroy Ross Tower powered by Unity Joshua Alexander Camielle’s Academy Ashanti Conway Fitness Paradise Christina King Fitness paradise Crystol Leander Perry’s Fitness Colin Chesney Upper Demerara Barbel Club Nicholas Blair Tower powered by Unity Kwesie Anderson Space Nicholas Albert Tower powered by Unity Dellon Johnson Tower powered by Unity Colin Chesney Upper Demerara Barbel Club Fenton James 5% Fitness

Monday February 17, 2020

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Khemraj Tageram and family McArthur hat-trick propels Guyana to provide more support for BCB 6-0 win over Montserrat; face SVG today “Special Projects Fund” CU20 Qualifying

Dorwin George Guyana kicked off its quest for group honours with a solid 6-0 win over Montserrat, while Nicaragua took care of the US Virgin Islands 8-0 in their respective opening matches of 2020 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship Qualifying on Saturday night at the Nicaragua National Football Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua.

The focus will now be on Saint Vincent & the Grenadines who Guyana will face today in their second match, while Nicaragua will come up against Montserrat.

Despite the challenge of losing five (5) of its players due to challenges due to immigration policies, the young Guyanese put that behind them as they grounded out full points in their opening match.

Omari Glasgow opened the scoring in the 31st minute with the advantage being doubled five minutes later when Dorwin George added his name to the score sheet.

When the second half commenced, Captain Nicholas Mc Arthur, who was in command of the engine room (midfield), took the fight to their opponents as he blasted a hat-trick to further pile on the pressure. Mc Arthur was on target in the 49th, 78th and 84th minutes.

Putting the icing on the cake

was Ravon Bayley who netted in the 87th minute.

Head Coach Wayne Dover commented on the display of his charges: “The team played their first game and got a good and much needed win. The score line is good based on the fact is a group and a possibility it could come down to goal difference. The team played well but I think we could have done much better in our performance and goal scoring. We created 16 goal scoring opportunities, 9 in the first half and converted 2, and 7 in the second half and converted 4, for a total of 6 in the game.

The other games in the group will not get any easier, but we’ll continue to fight to get good results to help us to qualify as group winner.”

Dover also zoomed in on today’s match: “The game tomorrow (today) would be a difficult one from a physiological stand point where we only have 24 hours

recovery and recuperation time. Forty-eight (48) hours is acceptable, but the ideal time is 72 hours needed for full recovery and recuperation. St. Vincent will be playing their first game in the tournament against us and they will be fresh.” Meanwhile, hosts Nicaragua hammered the U.S. Virgin Islands 8-0. Nicaragua were keen to get off to a strong start and Ezequiel Ugalde laid the groundwork by tallying the opening goal in the 10th minute. Ugalde then added a second goal just seven minutes later in the 17th to make it 2-0.

Edry Centeno got his first in the 54th and then a second goal in the 64th. Edgard Castillo stretched the advantage to 5-0 in the 68th before Centeno completed his hat-trick in the 72nd.

The day’s scoring for the Pinoleros was then rounded out by a Justing Cano score in the 80th, followed by Castillo’s second of the night in the 90+2nd.

Alesha Jackman for Barbados tournament Two months after she snatched gold at the Caribbean Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean champion junior boxer, Alesha Jackman, will have her second overseas engagement.

This weekend, the lightweight orthodox boxer travels to Barbados to participate in the Ronald Wilson Memorial Tournament.

The talented East Ruimveldt resident is scheduled have her first taste

of North American opposition in a battle with Canadian Chole Jenkins.

The tournament is being held on February 21 and 22 and will see participation from Great Britain, Canada, Guyana and the host country.

Jackman’s participation came following negotiation between Guyana Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle and secretary of the Barbados Association Kathy Harper-Hall. Ninvalle told Kaieteur Sport that his

association will spare no expense in order to expose and nurture the talent of Jackman who he is confident is the best female junior in the Caribbean.

Ninvalle reiterated that his association is placing emphasis on its youth and junior division and Jackman’s participation is testimony to that. Jackman, who trains at the Forgotten Youth Foundation in Albouystown, will be accompanied by AIBA Three Star coach Sebert Blake.

USA based Guyanese Khemraj Tageram and family has provided support for The Berbice Cricket Board “Special Projects Fund”. This is the second time that the Board has embarked on such initiative following the “Balls for Second Division Teams in Berbice Project” in 2018 which was also supported by the family. The family said that they are pleased to be part of this initiative and will continue to help cricket development in the Ancient County, whenever possible.

The first project was very successful raising $830,000 which was made possible through contributions from Brian Chunilall, Noreen Seubaran-Gaskin, Yasin Mohamed, Two Friends of BCB, Ryan and Ian Bhagwandin, Derick and Renick Beharry, Kalvin Somrah, Raj “Rebels” Mathura, Faizal Jaffarally, Bobby and Pamela Kewlachand, Mukesh Matai, Danny Somai, Yadram Bhoj, Sharmila Muneshwar, Javed Raffik, Nazim Hussain, Allan Mangru, Owen Humphrey, Sean Devers, Vijai Dass, Bhim George, Surendra Hiralall, Jack Beharry, Latcho Mohabir, Chetram Seopersaud and Jeffrey Samaroo.

Every cricket club in the county received cricket balls, while young and promising cricketers such as West

Khemraj Tageram and family.

Indies Under-15 pacer Isiah Thorne and National Under19 opener Alex Algoo benefitted.

This edition has already raised $225,000 from Tyler and Mia, Kalvin Somrah, Renick Beharry, Raj Mathura, Ian Bhagwandin and Tageram and family. They all contributed towards the first project. Funds from this project will assist cricket clubs with balls, assist young promising cricketers and the BCB to acquire cricket pitch covers so that key matches, including semi finals and

finals can be played without any rain interruption as the board strives to spread the game across the length and breadth of the ancient county.

In addition, the board will consider other requests as it sees it fit. Former Minister Leslie Ramsammy assisted the board with US$2,000 worth of cricket balls to supplement this project.

Anyone who wishes to contribute towards this project can make contact with Angela Haniff on 3332375 and Hilbèrt Foster on 337-4443 or 337-4562.

T/20 stars join the Republic T/20 bash International T/20 stars Rayad Emrit and Lendl Simmons are confirmed to be part of the Golden Republic T20 Bash set for February 21, 2020 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence an official release from the Guyana Cricket Board informed.

However, the experienced players will be on opposing sides in the feature clash of a doubleheader at Guyana’s international cricket venue.

Right arm medium fast bowler, Emrit is considered a limited overs specialist with his skill set earning him places in many franchise teams globally, while Simmons is an attacking top order batsman who was part of the West Indies T20 side that won the title in India in 2018.

Both players are no strangers to local fans having played a number of seasons for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the (Continued on page 25)

Rayad Emrit and Lendl Simmons are confirmed to be part of the Golden Republic T20 Bash.

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Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Bent Street and Rio All-Stars to battle for Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Futsal title

Action from the Leopold Street [black] and Rio All-Stars encounter at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue in the 3rd annual Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Futsal Championship.

Part of the action in the 3rd annual Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Futsal Championship between Rio All-Stars [white] and Leopold Street at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Former champion Bent Street and emerging force Rio All-Stars will contest the grand finale of the 3rd annual Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Futsal Championship on Saturday 22nd following semi-final wins on Saturday last at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

Esan Griffith, the tournament coordinator during post-match comments said, “After weeks of action and the participation of 24 teams, the coveted title will

now be contested by Bent Street and Rio All-Stars. While the presence of Bent Street in the finale was a probability due to their pre-tournament status, once again the tournament has provided an unexpected outcome, as Rio All-Stars have defied expectations to seal their maiden appearance in a national final.

This once again illustrates the competitive and unexpected nature of the tournament, which has provided several unexpected

outcomes.”

He further said, “The semi-final rounds exceeded all expectations, the fans were treated to a sublime level of play and the same will be expected of the championship match which pits an established and traditional power against an emerging force and threat.

Once again the success of the tournament has hinged directly on the steadfast support of the players, fans and sponsors, whose input is vital for the continued

evolution and progress of this platform and brand.”

Bent Street justified their tag as tournament favourite with a 5-3 win over dark horses Kingston. Colin Nelson led the way with a first half double in the third and 18th minute.

He was assisted by the trio of William Europe, Sheldon Holden and Adrian Aaron who scored in the 11th, 24th and 26th minutes respectively.

For the loser, Stephon Reynolds once again solidified his status as a star of the future with his third consecutive hat-trick in the knockout round. Reynolds scored in the 10th, 31st and 38th minutes. Meanwhile, Rio All-Stars battled past Leopold Street 3-1.

In what was a rematch from the earlier group round which ended scoreless, Rio All-Stars upset Leopold Street led by a double from Kelsey Benjamin in the 19th and 35th minutes.

Adding a goal in the ninth minute was Trayon Bobb. For the loser, Delwyn Fraser found the back of the net in the 25th minute.

The losing finalists will face-off in the third place playoff. Winner of the event will pocket $600,000 and the championship trophy, while the second place side will collect $400,000 and the respective trophy.

On the other hand, the third and fourth place unit will receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.

Among the other sponsors of the event include the National Sports Commission and MVP Sports.

Complete Results Game-1 Bent Street-5 vs Kingston-3 Bent St scorers Colin Nelson-3rd and 18th William Europe-11th Sheldon Holder-24th Adrian Aaron-26th Kingston Scorer Stephon Reynolds-10th, 31st and 38th Game-2 Rio All-Stars-3 vs Leopold Street-1 Rio Scorers Kelsey Benjamin-19th and 35th Trayon Bobb-9th Leopold Scorer Delwyn Fraser-25th

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County cricket

Ramnauth (94), Persaud (66) spur B’ce to victory, Demerara beat E’bo Berbice started their 2020 Dave West Indian Imports U15 Inter-County 50-over cricket tournament with an emphatic 206-run win against the President’s X1 yesterday at Bourda, while Demerara hammered Essequibo by seven wickets at Lusignan.

At Bourda, Rampersaud hit 10 fours and two sixes from 98 balls and shared in a 179-run opening stand with Avishkar Persaud, who faced 108 balls in 66 with five fours.

Rashaad Gafur made 30 from 48 balls and Sanjay Algoo contributed 29 from 29 balls with three boundaries as Berbice made 286-4 from 50 overs. They were also aided by 55 runs.

President’s X1 were bowled out for 80 as only Afazul Kadir with 18, skipper Stephon Sankar (13) and Dave Mohabir who made 13 not out got into double figures.

Kumar Deopersaud (2-16), Shiv Harripersaud (2-21) and Matthew Pottaya (2-0) bowled Berbice to victory.

When the game commenced Captain Ramnauth, who looked a level above his peers, toyed with the bowlers as he scored at will and along with fellow left hander Persaud, who started shakily, ran the President’s X1 bowlers, who received little support from their fielders, into the ground.

On a flat track, a small crowd of mostly parents watched as the openers added 179 in a runs feast at the venue where West Indies won their first ever Test match in 1930.

Pacer Tariq Walters finally made the break-through in the 32nd over when he induced Ramnauth to hit an easy catch to square leg as the supremely confident batsman threw his wicket away when well set for the tournament’s first century.

Persaud’s confidence grew as his innings progressed before he was removed by Sohail Gangaram at 195-2.

Gafur and Algoo, the younger brother of national

Ramnauth misses a cut at John Persaud as Avishkar Persaud watches from the non-strikers end at Bourda yesterday.

U-19 batsman Alex Algoo, shared in another useful partnership before Gafur was run out before Algoo fell to Antoine Ramphal. Kevin Kisten (11) was unbeaten at the end of a day with the bat for the lads from the ancient County.

When President’s X1 batted they lost Tulsiram Chitamani for a duck at 12-1

and Kadir at 22-2 as Harripersaud struck twice before Tulsiram Ramkarran was run out for no score two runs later.

When Sankar was removed by Pottaya at 53-6, nobody offered fight although the last pair of Mohabir, who faced 71 balls in his undefeated 13 and Walters who stuck around for

37 balls without scoring, orchestrated a frustrating 13run last wicket partnership before Walters was stumped off of Algoo.

At Lusignan, Essequibo were bowled out for 56 with Nicolas Sheopersaud taking 3-11, Sachin Balgobin took 30 and Hemraj Harripersaud had 2-5.

Demerara reached 57-3 to

win by seven wickets with Riyad Latiff making 25 and Sheopersaud getting 13.

Bruce Vincent had 2-5.

The second round is set for tomorrow with President’s XI facing Essequibo at Everest and defending Champions Demerara battling Berbice at Lusignan in a replay of last year’s final. (Sean Devers)

Monday February 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash Tournament

Louis Da Silva wins Open Category, Lajuan Munroe claims Category A The 2020 Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash Tournament concluded yesterday at the Georgetown Club with two of the youngest finalist ever in the history of the tournament contesting in the Open category. Twelve-year-old Louis Da Silva (10) defeated thirteen year old Mohryan Baksh (0) 15 - 1, 15 - 10.

The first game was over in a flash as Louis quickly won the five points to secure victory in the first game.

Mohryan re-grouped and came out more focused in the second game winning the first four points to close to 4 10, but Louis won the next two points and at 14 - 7 match ball it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before it was all over.

Mohryan won the next three

points but the handicap was just too big and Louis secured victory on his fourth match ball 15 - 10 to clinch a memorable and historic victory.

Lucas Jonas (2) had a close match in the third place play off against Brian Edwards (9). Lucas won the first game 15 - 11 but Brian bounced back to win the second game 15 - 13. At 14 11 match ball in the third game Brian seemed to have staged a memorable comeback but Lucas found another gear and clawed his way back to 14 all before clinching the match by the slimmest of margins 15 - 14.

In the Category A final Lajuan Munroe (2) comfortably won the first game in his match up with (Continued on page 24)

Bounty handicap 2020 Category A and Open winners Lajuan Munroe (left) Louis Da Silva.

Bounty handicap 2020 top performers take a group picture after the event.

PAGE 33

rt Spo

The Overall Posedown!

Mr. Novice 2020, Nicholas Albert (left) trying to out pose his colleagues from right, Fenton James, Dellon Johnson and Colin ‘Mr. Clean’ Chesney.

(Franklin Wilson photo)

Alesha Jackman for Barbados tournament

Nicholas Albert is GABBFF Mr. Novice 2020; Ashanti Conway is Miss Bikini winner Chesney (177+, Masters), Albert (Junior), Jeffrey (Physique), James (U143), Johnson (U154), Albert (U164) are category winners

Omari Glasgow (#7) in control for Guyana against Monsterrat on Saturday evening in Nicaragua.

Alesha Jackman

Cu20 Qualifying

McArthur hat-trick propels Guyana to 6-0 win over Montserrat; face SVG today Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.