Kaieteur News

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Medevac plane NEWS with body crashes; pilot and cop survive AIETEUR

Tuesday Edition February 19, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 09

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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Wrangling over elections continues...

APNU says voters’ list bloated, PPP calls it valid Army's exhibits attract large crowds at UG's Career Fair Customs Ministerial C'tyne businessman Dual citizenship... procedures to Plenary shows denies involvement Chris Ram asks police to be improved for contempt for High in attack on oil industry - GRA Court ruling - FITUG Chinese national investigate MPs Bauxite standoff ...

RUSAL fires 61 striking workers, refuses to meet with Labour Dept.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

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Dual Citizenship…

Chris Ram asks police to investigate MPs A ttorney-at-law and social commentator Christopher Ram says he has lodged a formal complaint with Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, of possible violations of the law when it comes to parliamentarians holding dual citizenship.

Yesterday, Ram named four ministers and three Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) who he said likely made a false declaration as part of the process to be sworn in, back in 2015.

The four government officials are Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; Minister of F o r e i g n A ff a i r s , C a r l Greenidge; and Minister Rupert Roopnaraine.

The MPs for the People's Progressive Party are Adrian Anamayah, Odinga Lumumba and Gail Teixeira.

“I have today lodged with the Commissioner of Police a formal complaint of possible violations of the laws of Guyana by members of the National Assembly who hold dual citizenship.

In a constitutional action brought by a fellow citizen Mr. Compton Reid, the Honourable Chief Justice (ag.) ruled that "anyone who holds dual citizenship, that is citizenship of Guyana and of a foreign power or state, as envisaged by Article 155 (1) (a) and therefore falls in this category of disqualified person pursuant to Article 156 (1) (d) should not and cannot be a member of the National Assembly .... ", Ram explained in a statement yesterday.

Reid's action had stemmed from an unprecedented noconfidence vote on December 21st which toppled t h e on e - s e a t m a j o r i t y government after one of its

Christopher Ram

Opposition MPs: Gail Teixeira, Odinga Lumumba and Adrian Anamayah own MPs, Charrandass Persaud, sided with the Opposition-tabled motion.

Government had challenged the validity of the motion, citing Persaud's dual citizenship with Canada.

Immediately after the vote, the MP, who was later expelled by his party, the Alliance For Change, sought the protection of the Canadian High Commission from the precincts of the Parliament, and was within hours escorted out of the Ogle airport by a high-level diplomat.

The Chief Justice (ag), R o x a n e G e o rg e , i n a judgment, made it clear that no-one can hold the post of an MP while having another passport.

The judgment of Justice George is being appealed,

with Government making it clear that it will go up to the Caribbean Court of Justice if required. In the meantime, the Opposition is insisting that the President and Cabinet resign and hold elections in 90 days, as stated by the Constitution. Government, however, wants the court to decide first.

According to Ram, while the Court was not asked, and did not rule on, the implication and consequences of the declaration made by every person on the list of candidates submitted for election to the National Assembly, in his opinion, the seven MPs have taken a false oath and therefore violated section 4 of the Statutory Declarations Act.

“I have also asked the Commissioner of Police to expand this investigation to all Members of Parliament, since reports from the media suggest other members have refused to answer questions by the media on whether they have dual citizenship.

The oath, set out in a Form to the Representation of the People's Act specifically refers to Article 155 and even the weak defence of ignorance cannot therefore mitigate against the offence.

It is perhaps not without significance that taking a false oath constitutes a criminal act under the Criminal Law Offences Act.” Ram, an accountant and critic of consecutive governments, noted that despite calls made in the past

for compliance, candidates appeared to have considered themselves above the very law which they swore to uphold.

“The consequences of such disdain and contempt for the law have now become pellucid and credit must go to the Attorney General Mr. Basil Williams S.C. and the attorneys for Mr. Reid for their strong, persuasive and ultimately successful arguments in the case.

Unfortunately, despite the ruling by the Chief Justice, very senior members of the National Assembly continue to flout the law, posing a threat to the effective convening of the National Assembly and any proceedings there.”

He stressed that in the case of Greenidge, his “defiance” is a cause of considerable concern since he represents, and can jeopardise, Guyana's interest regionally and internationally.

“Mr. Harmon's case is equally serious, if ironic. His most recent pronouncement that there is not enough matter to warrant the convening of the

National Assembly suggests that he has assumed the role of decider or communicator of whether that body can meet, even though he himself is legally barred from that body.

Mr. Harmon also appears to have taken a lead role in the continuing defiance of the Government to the ruling by the Court, a defiance which threatens democracy in our country.”

The lawyer said that democracy is a wonderful but fragile concept and therefore any efforts or action to subvert it must be prevented at all cost.

“The Guyana Police Force, as the Country's principal law enforcement body has a duty to ensure that that is done. In view of the grave nature of this matter, I have therefore implored the Commissioner of Police to undertake the investigation with all convenient speed and diligence and to take such action as is necessary and appropriate to prevent the further subversion of our Country's key democratic institutions.”

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

It’s only mid-February …what lies ahead?

There are no answers. None from any leading quarter.

None that provide soothing; nothing that possesses either credibility or brings conviction. There are only questions; followed by more of them. All are unanswerable in the careful silence within the public charades.

Yet there is very little that eludes the thinking of the reasonable, the visions of the veterans long seeped in the practices of a disturbed society, and one with a history as old as the river, if not older.

If this is only mid-February, and these known, publicized incidents are among the first, then to where and what?

It is now more than fifty days into a heated, disputed 90-day deadline. The first question is this: what lies ahead? The second is almost reflexive and part question, part statement: from now to whenever?

It could be a long count; an excruciating and alarming one as that date remains open-ended and open to the worst interpretations; and as the animus of race relations sizzle beneath unpersuaded exteriors; unconcerned ones, too.

What is the planned, but not unleashed, not experienced second step along the ladder? Along the ladder could be upward or downward; upward, as in needed, sought after convergence of commonsense and consensus. On the other hand, along the ladder could also signal an incremental and intensifying downward drift of obstacles, resistances, and minds locked in steely resolve.

What does that mean for Guyana and Guyanese out there in a tense, tumultuous world?

In the real chilling world of watching, speculating, judging, misjudging, dividing, and distancing? It means this way or no way. And however misguided or misleading leaders may be, they are followed blindly and cravenly in this country.

There are bomb threats at schools, and surprisingly parents are not letting the political groups and leaders know in no uncertain terms that there is great discomfort with the existing situation. A very public message that this is the personal, social and environmental reaction (not racial, not political); that this is not the regular election business; that it is not acceptable that part of parental suspicions are that children are not off-limits. That their existence is sacred and must not be any part of a possible dangerous chess game. No finger-pointing. No singling out. No conclusion.

Rather, it is about applying some very vocal, very public, and very powerful pressure on the political participants that there better be clean hands in this; there better be joining of hands going forward; and there better be some hands raised in a concerted effort at deescalating an atmosphere so thick with ugly hostility, as to be tar mixed with molasses.

Words are not enough. Substantive effort, through positive energy and action are what is required; indeed, demanded by the hour that grows dimmer by the development.

That sacrifice by parents in the interests of their children, in the paramountcy of their children has to-musttranscend the paramountcy of any clan or comrade, the paramountcy of any political party.

Well, where are those outraged, frightened parents?

What and who comes first? There could be great opportunity and by-product that, such unsettling set of circumstances, when seized at this lowest ebb could flourish into the crest of a gathering community, rural, and national identification, if not spirit.

Again, where is that hard unrelenting, non-negotiable position?

In institutions that indicate of some palpable resemblance to national ethnic demographics, there is simply, and only, the satisfaction and convenience of

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

GRA tackling fuel smuggling head-on, takes no political directives Dear Editor, The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) wishes to respond and set the record straight to an article in the Kaieteur News of Sunday, February 10, 2019, attributed to the Honourable Bharrat Jagdeo, Leader of the Opposition titled “Jagdeo accuses GRA of encouraging fuel smuggling”.

Lamenting that the Authority utilises “a slap on the wrist” approach to fuel smuggling, and implying that the GRA is a “creature of this Government,” Mr. Jagdeo was further quoted as saying “Examine the law as it relates to illegal fuel and what the powers of GRA are; you will see how lenient they have been in exercising their powers on the rare occasion that these fuel smugglers get caught.”

As a public officer, I rarely ever respond to political utterances, even when they are glaringly incorrect, or plainly inconsistent with economic theory. However, there is the need to set the record straight in this instance, especially when this statement emanates from one of our leading political thinker and

leader.

The statement is at least most unfortunate, and irresponsible, and especially so for the fact that as a former Finance Minister with the overall responsibility of the Revenue Authority, a former President, and now Leader of the Opposition, he is fully aware of the vision, mission and the core principles of the Guyana Revenue Authority, and the role of each stakeholder.

Matter of fact he presided over the workings of the GRA for the majority of its life in one way or another.

That being said, I would like to make it clear that upon attaining the office of the Commissioner General in 2016, and in numerous conversations with the press, I made it clear that in keeping with the mandate given to me and as a public officer, who is expected to yearly report to the Public Accounts Committee, that I intended to move the GRA to a point whereby it would administer the laws and provide services to the public in a fair and consistent manner.

This approach is consistent with my training, and my admonishment to

other public officers that I speak to, whereby I sincerely believe that public servants are career individuals.

Notwithstanding their political persuasions, and the government of the day, and the people that they serve, they are expected to perform t h e i r d u t i e s f a i r l y, professionally and consistently. This I was taught in the 1970s and continue to uphold, and hold the staff of the Authority thereto.

This brings me to the subject matter at hand, fuel smuggling. Fuel smuggling is just one of the many areas of revenue loss to the Authority and the Country.

The very nature of inherited system of licensing, and exemptions, the lack of human and physical resources, and the cohesion between sister agencies, allow for this activity.

Further, this activity like the many other illicit activities that the GRA is called upon to deal with on a daily basis, transcends the political divide.

The GRA has long recognized that smuggling is rampant and that the country loses billions of dollars as a

result of this illegal practice.

At the level of Customs, under invoicing and over invoicing, misclassification of imports, related party transactions and transfer pricing many times go unnoticed by officers either through collusion, lack of equipment, knowledge and training or downright laziness.

Coupled with the societal norm of the belief of having to “give a raise” to get things done, taxpayers continually contribute to this continued state of affairs, which in the majority of cases is needless since the “raise paid” exceed the taxes that would have been payable should the taxpayer “not pay the raise”.

Cognizant of these issues, corrective actions were taken to bolster resources and foster more collaboration with sister agencies to safeguard and protect borders from nefarious activities, among them, smuggling of contraband, fuel, weapons and illicit drugs, all of which pose economic, health and social threats to the wellbeing of citizens.

From 2016 to present, these activities have allowed for billions of dollars in revenue being recouped (Continued on page 6)

Guyana as seen from China Dear Editor, Guyana, land of my birth and home to my future; I am missing you. Oh, how I now more than ever stand in appreciation of your beautiful weather and soothing breeze. Being here in China for the last six months, the dismal weather has had a repulsive effect on ‘this young lad from the tropics’.

H o w e v e r, n o t h i n g equates to the displeasure felt when I reflect on the current political arena at home. Even as I prepare for my upcoming exams my heart and mind remain burdened by these issues that WILL HAVE long-lasting and dire implications on your

future Dear Guyana, why do your children fight? At home,we tear down and bash each other, but whenever we’re abroad we are all seen as GUYANESE. Our actions displayed at home or away project an image of who we are; what we can achieve, and how low we can stoop as a people.

We f i g h t a m o n g ourselves as a nation while others fight against us, and make efforts to take that which rightfully belongs to us. We fight amongst ourselves as a nation whilst others fight against us, and are plotting (at this very moment) to take that which is rightfully ours.

collecting children and go. And then keep going, as though nothing of supreme urgency has interfered and menaced.

Nothing more.

Is it unfair and inaccurate to say that hundreds of parents across the racial spectrum are unwilling to say: hell no! Not there! Not the children! Not so fast! Not so cute! Not ever!

If this is only February, then what of the last week before the elections? During the elections? During the usual crippling, inflaming aftermath of final results? And then what? This much is certain: no winners.

Seemingly, we have forgotten who the ‘real enemies’ to our progress are.

Our western neighbour (by her actions) continues to disregard our sovereignty, and once more, seeks to claim Essequibo as hers.

Global multinational Corporations come presenting fanciful ideas; ‘they are interested in the development of Guyana and it’s people’,but we know this is a mere façade as their goal was and will always be to maximize their profits by any means.

Our treasured resources, both human and natural are at risk of exploitation if safeguards are not put into place.

My fellow Guyanese, we must no longer fight amongst ourselves whilst they fight against us.’’ A nation divided among itself cannot stand, hence the need for a United Guyana. This is long overdue.

How much longer shall we allow politicians to divide us along racial lines?

Shall we also continue to allow the words of our grandparents to foster hatred for those of other ethnicities?

I tell you, those days should have been long gone, never to be seen by this current generation. As a country, we have triumphed through some of the most dreadful parts of our history.

A flashback to the period of flagrant extrajudicial killings which shook our country with fear, haunted young men like myself with thoughts of whether we would live to see the ages of twenty-five or even thirty.

Not forgetting every parent with the fearful thought of “will my son be next?”

We’ve faced a time where drugs were even more rampant,and drug cartels operated with impunity; the ensuing result was the deaths of many Guyanese.

One Aljazeera report I read recently (dated 2009) described Guyana as being a gateway for drugs from Colombia and Venezuela (Continued on page 5)

Tuesday February 19, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Some seeking to The Co-operative Movement of Belle Vue from La Grange Police Station acknowledgements from govern should be in jail is under threat came to Sister Masjid and call the Office of the President,

Dear Editor, I have written letters to the press a little while ago but they were not published.

That’s your prerogative.

However, I sense an agenda in the many letters which some regular contributors are sending in. It would appear that a certain ‘stripe’ of persons are contributing and maintaining the topic of the ‘resignation’ of the current

government.

Our constitution is a mixed bag of tricks given to several interpretations. Then the law is an ass. How come illegally sitting MPs can cast valid votes to unseat a government? Right now our National Assembly ought to have been sitting as a constituent assembly working days and nights to (Continued on page 6)

Guyana as seen from...

From page 4 destined for the United States and Europe. It is no secret; drugs continue to be a problem in our country as evidenced by the countless number of Guyanese who are held at International Airports for the trafficking of illegal substances, men and women alike. However, these activities seem to no longer dominate our society as theyonce did.

I’ve been fortunate so far to meet, study, and work with persons from many of the world’s countries, and sadly most of them have never heard of Guyana.

For those who have, some believe we are just another “underdeveloped backwater country, corrupted and mismanaged third world country”.

Conversely, there are others that have both heard and witnessed our beauty and diversity.

One former Trinidadian co-worker once said to me “Guyana reminds me of Trinidad in the 1980s”.

There’s no avoiding the fact that Guyana lags in many areas, and we the people have to do everything possible to close those gaps.

We have to make our country a spectacle in CARICOM, in South America, and to the world. I commend my country for its partnerships with other countries in the interests of the Guyanese people.

One such being scholarship opportunities which allow nationals like myself to further our studies abroad at world recognized/ accredited institutions. Furthermore, I strongly believe Guyana needs to continue pushing to have its own law school, and like Trinidad, also make provisions for those who have studied Law in places like the UK to be able to gain admission to the Bar. It remains a blessing to be born in The Land of Many Waters, and I’ll forever call it may Home. #RealGuyanese Sincerely Rayon Abrams

Dear Editor, Can you please publish this letter, so that the President and Prime Minister and the public will see the dilatory behaviour of the Chief Co-operative Development Officer-CCDO and Officials from the Ministry for Social Protection.

It appears that the Minister for Social Protection and the Chief Co-op Department Officer(s) are ignoring and refusing to uphold the Laws of Guyana, Chapter 88:01; Coop Societies and the Belle Vu e Cane farmers’ Marketing Co-o Society , Reg # 967 Rules to defend and protect the legitimate members’ rights to their land and the Belle Vue Coop Society.

While the Chief Co-op Development Officer, Ms. Paulina Gifth, and Minister Keith Scott are ignoring and refusing to have a members meeting with us, the legitimate members, it was reported, they are holding meetings with this person and his paid agents.

That is causing division, disruption and destruction of our Co-op Society.

M r.

Deodat Deokenandan and his agents have brought garbage, which included broken concrete blocks, light bulbs, plastic, etc. and dumped it beside our co-op cultivation gates, so that the gate cannot close to prevent

stray animals from going in and destroyed our crops.

Last week, after a meeting between Minister Scott, Mr. Aubrey Norton, Mr. Francis Ferreira, Mr. Satesh Rajpat, in field # 3-Belle Co-op Office.

Mr. K. Scott and Mr. Norton told the members present at this meeting, that they will talk to Mr. Deodat to stop coming to Belle Vue Co-op Society cultivation and stop using his Hymac/excavator to destroy members’ crops.

Is Mr. Deodat looking for confrontation with us, our family and our Farm workers or what?

Later the same day after this meeting, Mr. Deodat and his agents started to install post and barbwire around Field # 3 to Field # 11, saying that nobody can stop him to occupy these land. He said during his argument with the members/farmers, that “Minister K. Scott told him to continue building the fence”.

Minister Keith Scott is this true or false? We are waiting for your answer.

The Belle Vue Co-op Members and their family will like to know if there are two sets of rules and Laws in Guyana, one for the people with money and one for the poor peasant farmers.

The Police at Wales Police Station are telling the farmers, that they can do nothing to stop Mr. Deodat and his agents from destroying their crops and fencing the land.

Two weeks ago, a detective

out Mr. I. Hassan, who is the Belle Vue Co-op Society Vice Chairman.

Then this police officer told Mr. Hassan that Mr.Doedat told him that he has a bogus and false Belle Vue Co-op land lease and he wants to see it. This Sisters Masjid is approximately 150 rods from Wales Police Station, so we will like to know, why police from Wales Police Station did not come.

For the record, we have 25 years collective land lease, in the name of the Belle Vue Cane farmers’ Marketing Co-op Society, Reg # 967, started in February 2010.

Two things can happen, either the Hon. President David Granger and the Government intervene and return all the lands to our Coop Society, then expel all the people who claim to buy membersh i p a n d l a n d during the period 20102015.

Further, they must then reinstate all the members who were wrongfully terminated, that want to continue with farming.

Then the Government help our co-op and members to seek financial compensation losses caused by these nonmembers.

We got a few

stating that the Hon. President D. A Granger acknowledged our letters and petition.

He has forwarded our information to Minister R. Bulkan, Minister of Communities, directing him to intervene and rectify the issues and malfeasance that are affecting the members and our Co-op Society.

S i n c e Wa l e s E s t a t e stopped producing sugar a t t h i s f a c t o r y, o u r members have been meeting regularly and have decided to go into other crop farming.

In 2017, over 40 of our 55 members in our Co-op Society have been doing other crop farming within four fields of our cultivation in phase 1.

Now we are ready to do phase 2, that is to clean the other fields and do permanent crops, animals, chicken rearing, fish farming, etc.

But for now, we are being p r e v ented to implement our phase 2, by Mr. Deodatt Deokenandan, his family and paid agents.

We need help and protection now!

Thank you, Concerned and affected co-op members.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Illegal foreign currency trade is rampant Dear Editor, Officials of the Bank of Guyana (BOG) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) need to be aware that the illegal trade of foreign currency appears to be very active among merchants and migrants from other countries, which may be a contributing factor to the reduced value of the Guyana dollar.

Over the past month, I witnessed illegal activities

first hand in two stores that I had only briefly visited.

At one store on Regent Street, close to Wellington Street, a Cuban national purchased several items, which were paid for in US dollars.

The goods, which were originally priced in Guyana dollars, were converted to a US dollar equivalent at an exchange rate that was not aligned to those of the BOG, local commercial

Some seeking to...

From page 5 craft a new constitution.

That’s what we need right now. Not elections with a possibility of returning a criminal gang as in the past.

Some of those who are braying for their next chance of robbing the populace should by now have been languishing in a European jail for their crimes against humanity that were perpetrated during the infamous crime wave.

I blame Mr. Granger and his government for not obtaining the transcripts of the cases concerning Shaheed Roger Khan and Mr. Robert Simmels from the Brooklyn High Court.

These men should long ago have been referred to the ICC and given their just deserts.

Some years ago the sitting Chief Justice ruled a government illegal but allowed it to continue in office until the impending elections. The doctrine of ‘necessity’ was invoked. I don’t read any of your dissenting contributors referring to the above.

They have conveniently forgotten. But history will absolve the just in this society. We do not need another phantom for president.

Editor I dare you to publish this missive.

Regards.

Cyril Walker

banks, or Cambios.

Since I was next in line behind the Cuban customer, witnessing the transaction was indelible.

When my turn came to pay for my purchase, I curiously asked the female m o n e y c o l l e c t o r, w h o appeared to be of Chinese origin working in concert with some persons of suspected Indian or Bangladeshi origin, if I could pay in US dollars too. Her curt response was “Not for you, not for you”.

I continued my probe by asking her if she had a Cambio License and she

responded in dismissive fashion by saying that she did not understand me. I left the store without desiring to press the matter further.

The next occurrence of this type of activity was observed again on Regent Street, but closer to Albert Street, in a hardware store.

A group of Spanishspeaking men and women entered the store under the guidance of a Guyanese man.

They were escorted to a section of the store where a man of Chinese origin, who apparently

owns or manages the store, proceeded to purchase sums of US currency from the foreigners. I looked around in the store, then went outside, inquisitively searching for any sign that the store operated Cambio services. However, there was none.

I also heard stories, from usually reliable sources, about a store on Robb Street where mainly Cubans and Venezuelans are selectively invited to enter during the early morning hours.

The grilled doors are then closed to permit the

foreign nationals to conduct purchases using US dollars.

If this is the usual and daily practice by shop and store owners who bypass, evade, and subvert the established regulatory financial system in Guyana, the reduced value of local currency compared to the US dollar is merely a symptom of a much larger problem that officials need to extensively investigate in order to restore order, the value, and stability of the Guyana dollar.

Yours faithfully, Orette Cutting

GRA tackling fuel smuggling head-on...

From page 4 from seizures of illegal fuel. In Region One alone over $375M was collected from fuel smuggling in 2018, while the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) recovered over $600M in duties, taxes and fines, of which $124M was a result of fines, and $119M from sales and auctions from seizures.

Having reinforced its presence at the frontier locations and shifted much of its Revenue Protection and Risk Management focus away from low risk and trusted traders, the Authority has been able to zero in on high risk traders and smugglers. If the collection above is a proverbial slap on the wrist, let the Authority be judged in the eyes of public opinion.

The GRA agrees that Section 205 of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01 enables the Authority to place persons before the courts and shall on summary conviction, make that person so convicted liable to imprisonment for not less than twelve months nor more than three years, with the court having the power to award a shorter sentence for special reasons.

The Authority, however, recognizes that if everyone who breaks the law, either through ignorance, or pur-

posely so, with the intent to defraud the revenue, the entire court system will be clogged. Industry, manufacturing and commerce will be brought to a halt.

We live in a society where laws are broken by the very persons who are selected or elected to uphold them, and yet require a higher standard from the humble public servant.

Additionally, the majority of cases taken before the courts were either not timely heard or decisioned, or dismissed for one reason or another. In the meanwhile, the assets languished at the warehouse or ‘at sea” at the GRA’s expense, and unfit for operation thereafter.

From 2017, in light of the numerous cases for which legal action was being considered, the Authority made a considered decision to adopt a more reasonable and consistent approach to breaches in the law, thereby allowing the GRA to broaden its pursuit of more offenders, and allow for certain cases for the offenders who wish to settle their matters in lieu of Court proceedings to pay fines, with the severity of fines being increased with the frequency of these offences, and severe infractions leading to court action.

This is in keeping with section 271 of the Customs Act which specifically allows for the following: “Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, the Comptroller may, in any case he deems proper and in substitution for any proceedings in a court of summary jurisdiction, accept on behalf of the State a sum of money by way of compensation from any person reasonably suspected of a contravention of the Act or any regulations made thereunder: provided that such compensation shall be accepted only where the person reasonably suspected of such contravention has expressed his willingness in the form prescribed by the Comptroller that the contravention as aforesaid shall be so dealt with.

The present system of penalties for these breaches to the law are outlined: First Time offenders are required to pay a fine equivalent to one (1) time the Customs Duty and Taxes; ?

Second Time offenders are required to pay a fine equivalent to three (3) times the Customs Duties and Taxes; ?

Third time offenders are required to pay fines equivalent to three (3) times the value of the goods; and

?

In the event, there is a recurrence, legal proceedings are instituted against the respective offender(s).

This system is consistently applied across the board, and I will be the first to admit that in some instances it is abused. However, “the slap on the wrist” implies that there is information out there on some defaulters that the GRA is not privy to.

The Authority would be most grateful to be so informed of any such information so as to enforce the penal system above. I therefore take this opportunity to again inform the public of our whistle blower policy where the information will be held in strictest confidence.

I need to reiterate that Revenue Authority takes no political directive in the administration of the tax laws.

Though created by the Government through legislation in 2000, to say that it is a “creature” of this Government,” is a misnomer. The Authority has a governing board, and as of July 2016 to now, I can say with conviction, that no such control has been so exercised by this government. The functions of the Authority are in keeping with the provisions of the law, i.e. to administer the various Tax Acts in a fair and transparent manner. The GRA wishes to reaffirm that the Agency executes its mandate without fear or favour and without any political directive or interventions. By its commitment to this task, the Authority has been able to widen the tax base, by increasing administrative efficiency, rather than the bandied accusation of increasing tax rates. This has not only led to surpassed revenue targets for consecutive years but also to the international agencies taking notice to the strides made on this work in progress.

And further I say not!

Godfrey Statia Commissioner-General

Tuesday February 19, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Ministerial Plenary shows contempt for High Court ruling - FITUG The High Court was pellucid in its ruling that upon the passage of a NoConfidence Motion, Cabinet ceases to exist. With this as its premise, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) said in a missive to the media yesterday, that the Government’s holding of a “Ministerial Plenary” which carries all the powers of

Cabinet, can be considered a sign of contempt for the High Court’s ruling.

FITUG’s statement to the press in this regard, comes on the heels of comments by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon last week, that the government was hosting plenary sessions with the Head of State, during which Bills were considered and the award of contracts noted.

Harmon had explained that the Plenary draws its legitimacy from the powers of the President.

But FITUG does not accept Harmon’s explanation.

It said, “The sleight of hand answer, in our view, from the State Minister who incidentally is among the many Government Ministers who holds law degrees, cannot be deemed

C’tyne businessman denies involvement in attack on Chinese national The Upper Corentyne businessman who is believed to be the mastermind in the attack on a Chinese national, is denying that he is involved in any way in the assault, police sources say.

Kaieteur News was told that the man was released yesterday, but while in custody, he denied any involvement.

According to information received, the businessman had recently constructed two massive buildings in Skeldon and had acquired the services of the Chinese national to construct windows for the buildings and had incurred costs running nearly $4M. However, it was disclosed that the businessman did not want to pay for the work done.

A source in Skeldon also revealed that, “he has a very intimidating behaviour, so he is capable of doing that to the Chinee man. The police should dig deeper”.

Two men were captured at a Number 51 Police Station roadblock following a brazen daytime attack on a Chinese national in Skeldon, Upper Corentyne, Berbice, last

Thursday.

The men hammered the foreigner about his head and body before making good their escape in a white Toyota Allion bearing licence plate number PSS 8991.

Kaieteur News was told by multiple police sources that the suspects, who were captured shortly after the attack while attempting to flee back to Georgetown, where they are originally from, told cops that the businessman had hired them to “rough the Chinee man up”.

Their intention, a police

source said, was not to rob but to merely instill fear upon the Chinese businessman.

The men claimed they were promised a hefty sum to execute the plan and were told that they would be paid after the job was done, they told investigators.

The car the men were in was lodged at the Springlands Police Station. Bloodstains were reportedly found on the shoes of one of the men that were arrested in the roadblock.

Police confirmed that the men will be charged today.

acceptable.

While the Minister explained, according to the media, that the current decision-making configuration seeks to comply with the Chief Justice’s ruling in that the Cabinet’s resignation was automatic on the passage of the No-Confidence Motion, we see it as a blatant assault on our Constitution and moreover as being contemptuous of the High Court decision.”

The Federation continued, “The shielding behind the President’s authority, in our view, has little justification, if it has any at

all…From our perspective, the acts and justifications advanced by the State Minister in themselves do not hold any water.

It is our understanding that there is no legal basis for the so-called ‘Ministerial Plenary’ and its convening is yet another manifestation of the Government’s naked disrespect for our Constitution and more so the intellect of the Guyanese people”.

FITUG added, “The fact remains, from all indications, that the Administration has frittered away two-thirds of the Constitutional timeline for

elections. FITUG cannot help to reiterate once again that the Government, prior to its election, had, unconditionally, committed itself to upholding the Constitution. Moreover, in the oaths which our Governmental leaders took, as they placed their hand on a religious text, they swore, solemnly among other things, to uphold our Constitution, without fear or favour…

Today, we ask what has happened and wonder whether the Administration, which boasts about its positive record, is, seemingly, very much petrified to face the electorate.”

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Coalition, Opposition continue to wrangle over voters’ list - APNU calls it ‘bloated’, PPP calls it ‘valid’

By Abena RockcliffeCampbell At a time when Guyana is supposed to be speedily gearing for General and Regional Elections, even the Voters’ List is something that the main political parties cannot agree on at the level of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Today marks 60 days since the Bharrat Jagdeosponsored no-confidence motion was passed against the APNU+AFC government.

According to the constitution, the passage of a no-

confidence motion results in the automatic fall of government and elections are to be held within three months.

However, just a few days shy of two months after the motion was passed, no date for elections has been given.

It is well known that the government has filed an appeal to the Chief Justice’s interpretation to the effect that elections are due in keeping with the constitution. But, while the country awaits the completion of the court process that promises to be expeditious, GECOM is sup-

posed to be readying itself.

Based on the constitutionally-mandated period for the holding of elections, the date should be March 21. But GECOM is claiming that it cannot be ready by then.

Kaieteur News understands that GECOM is looking at July or next February.

If there is a decision for house-to-house registration, GECOM will be ready by February next year. But if there is a decision to only facilitate claims and objections, GECOM will be ready by July.

But are any of those two

options necessary? People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members on GECOM are saying, “No.” The Commissioners are sticking to their guns that the current Voters’ List is valid until April 30th which is more than a month after the constitutionally-mandated period for elections would have elapsed.

This newspaper spoke to PPP Commissioner Sase Gunraj yesterday. He said that he is failing to understand the call for a new list.

“The list was used last in 2018 for Local Government Elections. You did not hear so much as a coo from any stakeholders in relation to the validity or otherwise of that list.

That very list was used in 2016 and there were no complaints. It is also the same list that was used for the 2015 elections that saw the APNU+AFC taking over.”

Further, Commissioner Gunraj sought to point out

GECOM Commissioner (APNU) Vincent Alexander

GECOM Commissioner (PPP) Sase Gunraj

that this is the first time elections are required at a time when there is a valid list in accordance with the law, “and we should remember that and act accordingly.”

He said that at every other election, there was either

need for house-to-house registration or claims and objections in order to make the list valid. This was the case even in 2015 when the last General and Elections were held.

Even further, Gunraj cited (Continued on page 12)

Tuesday February 19, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

A college which belongs in the past The Bertram Collins College of the Public Service is an unnecessary institution.

Why was such an institution established when there was already in place training programmes for public servants?

The establishment of a new college to train entry level, middle level and senior level public servants is suspect. From the inception, the idea of a college was bad one.

The modern public service is not the military which usually requires training colleges.

Modern public services perform mainly regulatory functions and provide services to the public. Most of these functions require technical skills at the senior level and

only basic skills at the junior level.

Persons leaving school are expected to have the basic skills to function at the entry-level in the public service. If they cannot, it means our school-leaving qualifications are worthless.

The idea of having cadets for the public service is steeped in military thinking.

Those wishing to enter the public service are looking for employment. They do not wish to have to leave school and then to again enter a classroom to prepare them to do a clerk-level job.

These cadets who are fortunate to be selected for entry into the public service have to be fed, given uni-

forms, paid a stipend and taken on tours to various parts of the country, and all at taxpayers’ expense.

If a public servant in today’s modern environment has to be trained by a public service training college, it means that the public service is carrying a burden which it ought not to be carrying.

Why enter a college? What about on-the-job training?

For years, persons have been able to enter the public service at the entry level with nothing more than their CXC or GCE qualifications. They did not need to be sent to a college for one year to be trained in order to become clerks.

Similarly, at the upper ech-

Dem boys seh ...

Jagdeo training Soulja Bai in PR All of a sudden people finding out some things dat even de police don’t even know.

A lady call de Waterfalls paper to report how two Ministers sons involved in shooting school principal Brian O’Toole. Dem boys believe de thing was done after de police seh dem had no such report and after no newspaper publish anything like dat.

Lo and behold a man wid nuff degree and things like dat send a letter to de Waterfalls paper mekking de same statement. But he had more. He claim how de shooter is a government official.

Dem boys seh dem expect to hear how Soulja Bai slap Jagdeo. If dem don’t hear dat, dem gon hear how Guyanese cooking people because de country ain’t got food.

Dem don’t hear nutten bad bout de opposition. Dem don’t hear how Fat Irfaan trying to be de first president wid forced papers.

If he can forge, he certificates dem boys wondering if he forge he passport. He probably even forge he US visa except dat when

he travel wid Jagdeo, he didn’t get stop. But de thing dat got people shaking dem head is Jagdeo leading dis man by he nose.

One man write to de Waterfalls paper dat Fat Irfaat is de invisible presidential candidate. He running fuh president but is Jagdeo people seeing. Anodda man seh people don’t understand. Fat Irfaat is a technologist and he is de one who got de remote control, which he using fuh get Jagdeo to do wha Irfaat should do.

But is better fuh get somebody to talk fuh you than fuh get nobody not even talking bout you. Soulja Bai hire nuff people to be he PR person. None of dem don’t even write a letter to de media bout Soulja Bai. De man can move a mountain; unless you see him do it, you wouldn’t even know it happen. But if Jagdeo bail a pot hole, dat is front page news. De man got PR. Jagdeo now offering to train Soulja Bai PR. Talk half and watch how Irfaat getting nuff breathing space.

elons of the public service, where specialized and technical skills are required, the persons entering have to have experience and graduate and post-graduate education. If they have to be trained further at the employers’ expense to perform, then they too should not be on the job.

The public service is bottom heavy. The more batches of entry-level personnel who are registered in the college means that at the end of their training, jobs have to be found at the entry-level for these persons.

There is no need for a billion-dollar facility to train public servants.

If certain training is required, this can be done through the Department of the Public Service, formerly the Public Service Ministry, which for years was providing adequate training for public servants.

The public service does not have a problem with staff training. It has a problem with

performance, because there are many persons who are square pegs in round holes and who owe their employment to political connections, while better qualified and competent persons are not finding work.

Why therefore set up a college, paying fat salaries to its officers and costing the taxpayers a huge sum, which could have been out to better use.

The Bertram Collins College of the Public Service is unnecessary. It is a waste of time to be training persons to work at lower level jobs in the public service.

The College should not be advertising any positions for the public service. Thus should be done either by the Public Service Commission or by the respective Ministry.

The College itself should have no role in the selection of persons who will eventually find their way into the public service.

Concerns were expressed

that this college could be used to filter entrants into the public service and make such a process vulnerable to political manipulation.

The Bertram Collins College of the Public Service is an antiquated idea, named after a man who was far from being old-fashioned. He must be disappointed that his name is being used to foist an unnecessary bureaucratic albatross on the Guyanese people.

One of the first tasks of any new government should be to shut this institution down and return the training of public servants to the unit which previously undertook such training using far less resources.

PAGE 10

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Clive Thomas: Transformation into dependency A well known columnist in observing the 30th anniversary of the Stabroek News wrote the following recently; “Its pro-business orientation has survived to the present, and is not as out of place today as it was in the 1980s…”

The Stabroek News was founded by two left-wing lawyers, David de Caires and Miles Fitzpatrick. In fact Fitzpatrick was an avowed Marxist and was a longstanding member of the PPP from the late fifties until the 90s. Both de Caires and Fitzpatrick were joint editors of the radical, left-wing Guyanese journ a l , “ N e w Wo r l d F o r t nightly.” In 1988, they birthed the Stabroek News which took on a pro-busi-

ness orientation.

I grew up knowing these two gentlemen as left-wing lawyers hardly advocated of capitalist economics, more so Miles Fitzpatrick. I remember in the mid-seventies, Rupert Roopnarine produced a film, “the Terror and the Time” about the left-wing/ socialist struggle against colonial rule in British Guiana. Fitzpatrick rented the film for a special showing over cocktails at his home. It was an interesting event. Fitzpatrick invited the crème de la crème of urban Georgetown. But the bourgeois gathering was more interested in social gossip than watching the film.

I pen the paragraphs above, because it is absorbing history of people who underwent a total metamorphosis; a complete personality transformation.

Imagine a Marxist founded a newspaper that was essentially pro-business. As a growing activist, I never cared for Fitzpatrick, Roopnarine and de Caires; serious elitists that were proud to belong to bourgeois society.

But I did care for and admire Clive Thomas. I did not have even a modicum of surprise of who Fitzpatrick, de Caires and Roopnarine turned out to be. But Clive Thomas has been a soulful disappointment to me and has left me with a tinge of philosophical sadness.

Thomas is one of the persons that shaped the ideological foundations of my praxis. His 1974 book on socialist economics, “Dependence and Transformation: The Economics of the Transition to Socialism” had a profound influence on me as a UG student. The book was an international hit, because it was published at a time when

Keynesian and other types of economic paradigms that the Left embraced, were being confronted by the Dependence Theory of radical economics professors at the world’s prestigious universities.

Thomas’s book entered the pantheon of economic polemics that postulated that in the world economy, the Periphery (the Third World) will always be exploited by the Core (the advanced capitalist, West) unless it breaks away from the world economy or change the world economy completely.

I first met Thomas when I w a s a s c r a w n y, h a l f starved youth that went into the Movement Against Oppression (MAO – a deliberate acronym to coincide with Mao Tse Tung’s first name) formed in Tiger Bay in 1972. I studied for my GCE, was successful, went into UG to read for a history degree and met Clive at UG. I became close to him when MAO morphed into the WPA. I have always liked and admired Clive Thomas from the time I met him. My three f a v o u r i t e WPA l e a d e r s

were Brian Rodway, Moses Bhagwan and Clive, in that order. I like all three more t h a n Wa l t e r R o d n e y. I never cared for Roopnarine. It is a huge psychological dent for me what Thomas has turned out to be. I no longer respect and admire Clive.

I was walking my dog on the seawall and had my eyes on the ground. When I looked up, Clive’s deputy at SARA, Aubrey Retemyer, was in front of me.

I knew Aubrey during the struggle against the PPP’s autocracy. I told Aubrey I feel disgusted that Clive could rent a house from one of the Caribbean’s richest families to house SARA, when he could find similar spaces from small landlords who could do with the money. Aubrey suggested that I go and see Clive. My reply was; “What for, I have nothing to say to Clive Thomas.”

David Hinds wrote that the WPA has two representatives in the government – Clive Thomas and Rupert Roopnarine. These were radical socialists I knew from my

Frederick Kissoon WPA days in the seventies.

Today, they are unashamed supporters of neoliberal economics. Thomas has a weekly column in the Stabroek News and does not pen even a passing sentence on the neoliberal economics of the Granger government or even a hint at some economic mistakes.

Thomas, who gave forty years of service to UG, has never mentioned, since 2015, one word on the madness that takes place in the administration of UG. I thought long and hard about ending this column with an appropriate quote. I settled on Shakespeare from Julius Caesar. “Oh judgment!

Thou art fled to brutish beasts. And men have lost their reason.”

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Driver, conductor charged for Guyana among countries to benefit from US$180M “hidden cost of gold” programme assaulting traffic cop, resisting arrest Recognizing that, “Urgent action is needed to protect millions of men, women and children exposed to toxic levels of mercury through gold production every year,” Global Environment Facility (GEF) yesterday launched a US$180M programme that aims to assess the “hidden cost of gold.”

The programme called— Global Opportunities for Longterm Development (GOLD) of the Artisan and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector—was launched in London.

The programme will be of benefit to artisanal miners across eight countries while slashing harmful mercury emissions.

These countries are Burkina Faso, Colombia, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, Philippines and Peru.

GEF is using Conservation International (CI) – Guyana as its partner to roll out the programme here.

GEF and CI sent out a missive to the media noting that as many as 15 million people work in the ASGM sector globally, including 4.5 million women and over 600,000 children.

From smart phones to wedding rings, gold passes through all of our hands every day, but for most of us the source of that gold, and its real cost, remains a mystery” said Gustavo Fonseca

GEF Director of Programs.

He said that introducing safe, mercury-free technologies into the ASGM sector will help provide a safe transition to job formality and dignified work for millions, while putting an end to the environmental impacts that can pave the way to sustainably produced gold.

GEF also noted that every year, more than 2,700 tonnes of gold is mined around the world. Twenty percent of that—over 500 tonnes—annually is produced by artisanal and small-scale miners. GEF said that artisanal miners and processors, the majority of them in developing countries, work in often harsh conditions, without the protection of industry regulations on pay, health or safety to sate the global hunger for gold for jewellery, investment and consumer products. With many miners relying on toxic, mercury-based extraction methods, the ASGM sector is also the world’s single largest source of manmade mercury emissions, releasing as much as 1,000 tonnes of mercury.

“By phasing out mercury use and connecting miners to markets for responsibly produced and sourced minerals, GEF GOLD will help to ensure the gold

value chain both supports miners and provides consumers with access to ethically produced, environmentally sustainable gold,” Jacob Duer Head of the UN Environment Chemicals and Health branch said Studies indicate that mercury exposure in artisanal and small-scale miners is a major largely neglected global health problem putting miners and their communities at risk of impacts from permanent brain damage to seizures, vision and hearing loss, and delayed childhood development.

Two men who allegedly assaulted a policeman were yesterday slapped with three charges.

Carlos Bacchus, 29, a bus driver, and Troy Peters, 34, a bus conductor, both of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel MarcusIsaacs in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The first charge against them stated that on February 13, 2018, at Hinck Street, Georgetown, they resisted arrest from Joel Samuels, a

police rank, acting in the execution of his duty.

It was further alleged that on the same day, at the same location, the duo assaulted Samuels, who was acting in the execution of his duty.

The last charge against the duo alleged that on February 13, 2018 at Hinck Street, Georgetown, they behaved in a disorderly manner.

The men, who were both represented by Attorney-atlaw Everston Lammy- Singh, denied the charges after they were read to them.

The lawyer, in an application to secure bail for his clients, told the court the matter stemmed from a previous grievance between Bacchus and the officer, since they shared a relationship with the same woman.

However, Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris was opposed to bail being granted to the men, citing that a strong message needs to be sent to minibus operators in order for them to desist from committing such offences.

(Continued on page 21)

Coalition, Opposition continue to wrangle...

From page 8 Act number 10 of 2018 which extends the validity of the list from three months after it has been certified to six months.

He noted that the list was last certified on 31 October 2018 for the holding of Local Government elections “so it is still valid and should be used to uphold the constitutionally mandated timeline for elections but they are delaying.”

Stakeholders had raised concerns about dead people on the list and the absence of persons who are newly eligible to vote.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has offered a solution to address the presence of names of people who are dead. He suggested that GECOM just hold a short period of claims and objections “take off the dead people and let’s get on with it.”

But Jagdeo did not address the concern for those who are newly 18.

Gunraj took up that mantle yesterday. He said, “The constitution states that all per-

sons over 18 are eligible to vote. However, the same constitution provides two conditions: you must be 18 years old at the qualifying date and you must be registered.” He said that someone can become 18 days or months after registration closes, “what are we to do?”

NEW LIST While the PPP is steadfast in its position that there is no need for a new list, APNU and the AFC believe that a new list is imperative.

APNU Commissioner, Vincent Alexander spoke to this newspaper. He said that the PPP is being disingenuous.

Alexander said that the PPP, in its elections petition to the court, raised issues about the list. “So they are being dishonest to say there were no issues.”

However, further to PPP’s concerns in 2015, that list was used at two other elections— Local Government Elections of 2016 and 2018.

Despite that, Alexander

pointed to another reason why there should be a new list. He said that it was “agreed since 2012 that we will have a new list every seven years. Seven years have gone.”

Further, Alexander said that when PPP’s Robeson Benn joined GECOM after the 2015 elections, “his biggest issue from day one was that the list is flawed. So people are being disingenuous or dishonest when they talk about the list.”

While Alexander pointed out the concerns raised by PPP about the list, he did not speak about any dissatisfaction that APNU or the AFC had with the list prior to the passage of the no-confidence motion. Asked if any concerns were raised by APNU or the AFC before the no-confidence motion, the APNU Commissioner said, “My concern is not the APNU, PPP or the AFC. My concern is that as a commissioner I have a responsibility to make sure that we have elections that

gives everybody a fair chance. So I do not respond to the APNU or AFC or PPP concerns with being partisan.

I respond based on my knowledge of the electoral system and where I feel something is going wrong.”

As he pointed out that he is the longest serving commissioner on GECOM (since 2007), Alexander said, “The fact of the matter is that we have a list that is over 500,000 (573,923) people and our population is just over 700,000. This means that the list could only be bloated.”

He continued, “We had problems in the 1997 elections where people were staging substitute voting. It was brought to (former Chief Elections Officer Gocool) Boodoo’s attention, he promised to look into it, and he did nothing about it. I know that there is a practice of substitute voting and any list that has excess names provides an opportunity for that (substitute voting) and I would not be party to that.”

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

'Killer father' in Canadian hospital with - $2,500 needed for daughter's self-inflicted gunshot funeral; $32,000 raised

A

rrangements have been made to say goodbye to an 11-year-old girl found murdered inside her father's Brampton home. Visitation for Riya Rajkumar will take place this evening at Lotus Funeral and Cremation Centre, located at 121

Cityview Dr. in Etobicoke between 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with funeral services scheduled for tomorrow at 9 a.m.

As well, members of Brampton City Council are planning a vigil for Riya at Garden Square in downtown Brampton, set to begin at

Riya Rajkumar, 11, and her father, who police said murdered her.

Accused in Montrose granny killing for trial today

T

he trial of 25-yearold Colin Allen, also known as, 'Bonus', who is accused of the 2015 murder of Danrasie Ganesh, who was found dead in her Montrose, East Coast Demerara home, will commence this morning before Justice Navindra Singh.

A 12-member mixed jury will be empanelled to consider the evidence in the trial which will take place at the High Court in Georgetown.

According to reports, the battered body of Ganesh, 77, was found in her home on August 1, 2015, by relatives who went to check on her after she failed to answer her neighbours' calls.

The gruesome murder was captured on surveillance camera. It was reported that Ganesh's killer, believed to be Allen, formerly of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, clubbed her on the head with a tyre wrench and dragged her into a

Murder accused: Colin Allen corner, where she collapsed.

It was then that the alleged killer wrapped a hand-towel around her neck, kicked and stomped the old woman until she lay motionless.

Allen was captured three weeks after the murder at Guyhoc Park, Georgetown.

He reportedly told detectives that a male relative of Ganesh had paid him $700,000 to kill the old woman and steal documents pertaining to her property.

5:45 p.m. A fundraising campaign organized by N e i g h b o u r h o o d Wa t c h Brampton intended to cover funeral expenses raised over $32,351 by yesterday morning — far exceeding its $2,500 target.

Neighbourhood Watch Brampton spokesperson Fazal Khan says the campaign recorded over 75,000 visitors since Friday, and donations from over 1,080 people across Canada.

That campaign will come

to an end after today's vigil.

Nicole Cedrone, who will emcee the Brampton candlelight vigil, said the event is meant to help those touched by Riya's death to come together and heal as a community. “This has affected all of us,” she said, adding she has a daughter the same age as Riya. “We just feel compelled to help Riya's mom as much as we can.

There's just no words.”

A n u m b e r o f unauthorized fundraising

campaigns have also appeared on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe. A statement posted on Facebook by Riya's family Saturday states no GoFundMe campaigns have been authorized, and urges anybody who sees one to report them.

Riya's father, Roopesh Rajkumar, continues to recover from a self-inflicted gunshot wound sustained prior to his arrest Friday by OPP members near Oro-

Medonte, Ontario.

He's been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his daughter's death.

While police aren't releasing details on the circumstances of his injuries, the province's Special Investigations Unit was notified but opted to not invoke its mandate to investigate. He remains in custody, and will appear in court once deemed medically able to do so.

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Buxton triumphs again in biggest ever - GPF and Dolphin Secondary also local Pan-o-Rama take first place in respective categories

S

teel pan fever took over the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, on Sunday night, as ten school bands and three large bands competed to take the title.

The music of recently honoured composer, Valerie Rodway, took centre stage at this year's Pan-o-Rama Steel Band competition. This is the eleventh sponsored steel band competition by the Republic Bank as part of Guyana's Mashramani

Scenes from the Republic Bank Mashramani Pan-o-Rama Steel Band competition celebrations.

In the meantime, each secondary school was required to play a piece of their choice composed by the late Rodway.

The crowd was on its feet as each song was played.

They were rocking to the rhythm and cheering on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) band's rendition of Jumo Primo's 'Tribute'; the GBTI Buxton Pride steel orchestra's performance of Adrian Dutchin's 'I am Guyanese' and 'Is we Own'

p l a y e d b y t h e We s t Demerara Secondary School Managing Director of Republic Bank Guyana, Richard Sammy said that the corporation was pleased to support and invest in such an event involving youth and the development of a unique art form. “Republic Bank's passion for pan development in Guyana has at its core, our focus on providing avenues for empowerment for our nation's youth, while sustaining national art forms

and our cultural heritage,�

Sammy said. He noted the bank's continued commitment to the development, sustainability and growth of steel pan in Guyana.

The Managing Director said that he is also pleased with the crowd's participation and the energy of those who participated.

Permanent Secretary Melissa Tucker acknowledged Republic Bank for its continued (continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

PAGE 15

Former prison escapee Female UG bomb threat suspect further remanded charged with robbery

O

ne week after Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded a 25-year-old student of the University of Guyana (UG) to prison, after it was alleged that she made several bomb threats to the tertiary educational institution, she was further remanded yesterday by another magistrate.

The woman, Sheneza Dianne Jaffarally, a sales c o n s u l t a n t a t Ye l l o w Guyana, and of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, appeared yesterday before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool in the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court and was refused bail again. Jaffarally was charged under the Telecommunication Act. She pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on February 5, last, at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, she sent by means of a public telecommunication system, for the purpose of causing needless anxiety to the staff and students of the University of Guyana, a message which she knew to be false. She is being represented by Attorney-at-

Charged: Sheneza Dianne Jaffarally Law Latchmie Rahamat.

On her first court appearance before the Chief Magistrate, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had objected to bail being granted to the defendant on the ground of the serious nature of the allegation. Secondly, he noted that the allegation has the potential to spread public terror and that there is another investigation ongoing in relation to a similar allegation against the said university.

The prosecutor added

that if bail was granted to the defendant, there is a likelihood that she would tamper with the witnesses and the investigation.

The Magistrate after listening to both sides remanded the woman to prison on the ground of public safety. She was instructed to make her next court appearance on February 25.

The woman's family had released a statement, which reads â€œâ€Ś we wish to categorically deny the allegation levelled against her and will strive to undertake every possible means to ensure that her name is cleared of these claimsâ€?.

Her family believes that she is being used as a scapegoat, and that the leaking of her name is indicative of an ulterior motive. The incident, which caused UG to shut down for a short time, also resulted in the institution ramping up security.

The threat followed others made against the School of the Nations, Queen's College and The Bishops' High School.

F

ormer prison escapee, Winston Long, was yesterday charged and remanded to prison on a robbery with violence charge. The charge against Long stated that on February 12, last, at High Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of others, he robbed Sherlock Cummings of a cellular phone valued $6,000, one chain valued $10,000 and $3,000 cash, and at the same time made use of personal violence against the victim.

He denied the allegation when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Marcus-Isaacs in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

This charge against Long comes days after Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, dismissed the said charge against him after one of the witnesses, a police rank, failed to show up in court to testify.

According to information, on the day in question, the victim was walking in the vicinity of Parliament Building, when he was confronted by Long and others who robbed him of the articles mentioned in the charge.

They then made good their escape. An investigation was carried out and Long was arrested for the offence. Long was among three prisoners who pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody during their arraignment at the Cove and John Magistrate's Court.

Winston Long He had made an appearance before Magistrate Peter Hugh before whom he pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced.

The massive jailbreak was discovered around 07:00hrs on July 24, 2017, when prison wardens, carrying out a routine count, determined that 13 prisoners were unaccounted for.

Further checks revealed that a tunnel was dug and tracks were found leading towards the Lusignan Backlands.

A massive Joint Services Operations codenamed 'Clean Sweep' was intensified to recapture the men.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Rusal fires 61 striking workers, refuses to meet with Labour Dept.

Bauxite standoff…

R

u s a l ' s management yesterday fired 61 workers who took strike action over the last week in a situation that is heading downhill fast.

As workers continue to defy orders from the Russians to leave the Aroaima area, Region 10, where they are housed, Government labour officials said that after a no-show for a meeting yesterday at the offices of the Ministry of Social Protection, Brickdam, company representatives have been summoned.

The handling of Rusal's labour has been a simmering situation after the aluminum giant came here in mid2000s, taking over the Aroaima operations.

In 2009, more than 50 workers, who participated in strike actions for better pay and conditions, were fired.

Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle

Union leader, Lincoln Lewis That situation was never resolved. Fast forward three administrations later, now under the Coalition Government, and a decade later, Rusal's arbitrary decisions are being questioned against a background of allegations that they are being protected.

A grim Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, at his

Brickdam office, was in a meeting with union leader, Lincoln Lewis, and other workers' representatives.

Asked about the no-show of Rusal's managers, Ogle said there is no “ifs” or “buts”.

“They (workers) have a claim… they have a justifiable claim so we will deal with that. We are going

to meet with the company as of the earliest possible time, which is tomorrow. We will deal with the company. We have to deal with the company…we have to find out the reason and we have to tell them upfront.”

The officials said that issue is a serious one.

“We have to listen to the party…likewise we have to

listen and hear from the c o m p a n y. I t i s t w o sides…stories have two sides. They will have to turn up…we are summoning them. We are not giving in.”

General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers' Union, Lincoln Lewis, said that the excuse of Rusal's local operating company, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) that it will not turn up to a meeting with him, is a delay tactic.

The company had reportedly claimed that Lewis made racial statements.

According to Lewis, he did indeed tell the managers that Guyana has fought slavery and indentureship and it will not be entertained.

The union leader said he has no apologies to make.

It was disclosed that following fresh procedures to choose a union in 2017, BCGI has refused to talk to representatives, stymieing efforts on the ground.

According to Lewis, there are choices including compulsory arbitration, with the strike action by workers being one of the options. He noted that the situation has become a political one, with the people of Guyana owning 10 percent of BCGI. He said that there are allegations that government is part and parcel of the transgressions.

According to the official, there is no way that former presidents Forbes Burnham (continued on page 23)

Staffers cooking for themselves yesterday at Aroaima, Region 10

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

PAGE 17

$114M contract inked to improve quality of TVET in Regions One and Seven

T

o the tune of $ 1 1 4 M , a contract was yesterday signed by the Ministry of Education and the Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Inc. to help improve the Technical Vocational Education and Training [TVET] programme that is offered in Regions One and Seven.

The contract falls under the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project [GSDEP], which is being financed by funding from government, through the Ministry of Education, secured from the Caribbean Development Bank in an amount equivalent to US$12,252,000.

Under the Enhanced Learning Component, the Design and Construction Supervision Services – Lot A Bartica Secondary School Practical Instruction Department [Region Seven, Bartica] and Northwest Secondary School Practical Instruction Department [Region One, Mabaruma]

[Seated from left] GSDEP Project Coordinator, Mr. Theron Siebs, looks on as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Adele Clarke, and Managing Director of the Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Inc., Mr. Ramon Latchmansingh, sign the contract. were earmarked to be done.

According to the GSDEP Project Coordinator, Mr. Theron Siebs, the objective is to refurbish and retrofit the two departments with the aim of enhancing the quality of TVET in Guyana and to bridge the disparity between the coast and the hinterland.

The Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Inc. will execute under the

contract, the preparation of final designs and provide construction supervision services for the expansion and refurbishment of the facilities, and prepare maintenance plans for those facilities.

Siebs explained that once the designs are completed, it is hoped that a contractor will be acquired

by September of this year to begin construction work on

those facilities.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Adele Clarke, who signed on behalf of the Ministry, said that among the benefits of the project, the improved Practical Instruction Departments [PIDs] will offer Caribbean Vocational Qualification [CVQ - level one and two] training in seven areas.

These areas are

commercial food p r e p a r a t i o n , masonry/plumbing, electrical installation, furniture making/carpentry and joinery, light motor vehicle repairs, home economic/housekeeping and welding and fabrication.

Clarke said that she is looking forward to a cordial and working relationship with the consultants, which will ensure that any hiccups

are ironed out quickly, so that the project can be completed within timelines.

Managing Director of the Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Inc., Mr. Ramon Latchmansingh, said that the company is pleased to have finally signed the contract to get on board.

He said that the two regions are not new to the (continued on page 20)

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Several water systems for rehabilitation in Region 9 use. However, as a more immediate intervention, GWI will work to increase water supply hours to the population of over 600 by analyzing the capacity of the existing wells and the solar

T

he integrity of infrastructure and supposed design flaws of water systems in the hinterland is of great concern t o G u y a n a Wa t e r Incorporated (GWI). Some of these water systems were constructed many years ago, while others were established in the early 2000s and failed early on.

The most recent observations were made during a visit to Annai and its sub-regions - Rupertee, Kwatamang and Wowetta, and the villages of Katoonarib and Sawariwau in Region 9 on February 15 and 16.

GWI's Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and Executive Director of Project Implementation and Partnership Building, Ramchand Jailal assured residents that the utility will do everything in its power to provide both temporary and long term solutions for access to water.

In Annai, residents noted that they receive water for two hours, three days a

Residents during an interactive session and GWI officials at a well site in Region 9 recently.

week, from four water systems that were constructed many years ago.

In existence is a trestle that was poorly designed and now sits as a monument in the community, while the wells are not producing enough and some structures

are rotting.

Dr. Van West-Charles, according to GWI, committed to remodelling the systems within the first quarter of the year. He also promised that the trestle that has become a white elephant will be relocated and put to

panels.

Works to be undertaken in the other sub-regions of Annai include improving productivity of wells, increased storage capacity, upgrading solar panels,

construction of trestles and water quality testing.

In cases where additional water sources are needed, D r. Va n We s t - C h a r l e s explained that the utility is (continued on page 23)

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Army's exhibits attract large crowds at UG's Career Fair

T

he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) exhibits at the University of Guyana Open/Career Fair drew the customary large crowds last Friday, at the Turkeyen campus.

The participation of the GDF at the Career Fair continues the Force's partnership with civil society, in order to impact the decision-making of the nation's youth with regard to the availability of various career paths within the local military, the army said yesterday.

(Photography by Private Joseph Kendall of the G5 Branch)

$114M contract inked to improve quality of TVET...

From page 17 company, since they would have done prior work.

He added that timelines are going to be strict, because of the stringent requirements for experience.

Latchmansingh said that

he also looks forward to completing the job with a high professional standard, and to bring it within the budgets the Ministry has identified.

Further, he said that as a firm, the entity is happy to be

involved in the education sector.

M r. L a t c h m a n s i n g h noted that he has gradually seen the skill set which the project will target, disappear.

He said, “We have a big problem in terms of the

skill set that will be focused on.

We are headed in the right direction, because we need to fill that gap.

The focus of replacing those skills is important to the country's development.�

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Body discovered in Zeelugt foreshore still unidentified The Guyana Police Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the body of a male, which was found on February 2, 2019, in the vicinity of Zeelugt Foreshore, West Coast Demerara. The body is presently at Ezekiel’s Funeral Parlour. The deceased is of East Indian descent and appears to be in his late 40’s.

“Anyone with information leading to his identification is asked to contact the Guyana Police Force on telephone numbers *268-2353, *268-2223, *268-2298, *268-2222, *268-2328, *268-2329, 2253650, 226-1929, 911 or the nearest Police Station,” a statement from the force said yesterday.

Trump lashes out at ‘treasonous’ officials after McCabe interview (BBC) US President Donald Trump has issued an angry response after a TV interview on Sunday alleged that officials had held discussions to have him removed. Mr Trump tweeted of “illegal and treasonous” behaviour and an “illegal coup attempt”.

In the interview, ex-acting FBI chief Andrew McCabe said talks had been held in 2017 about invoking a clause that can remove a president deemed unfit.

The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman has vowed to investigate the claims.

Lindsey Graham said the claims were an “attempted bureaucratic coup”.

Mr McCabe said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had held discussions on the number of cabinet members and others

needed to invoke the clause, the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution.

How has Mr Trump responded to the claims?

In a series of tweets on Monday morning, he condemned “so many lies by now disgraced acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe. He was fired for lying and now his story gets even more deranged.

“He and Rod Rosenstein, who was hired by [then Attorney General] Jeff Sessions (another beauty), look like they were planning a very illegal act, and got caught.”

Mr Trump added: “There is a lot of explaining to do to the millions of people who had just elected a president who they really like and who has done a great job for them with the military. Vets. Economy and so much more. This was the

illegal and treasonous ‘insurance policy’ in full action!”

The president quoted a comment on the Fox and Friends programme saying this was “an illegal coup attempt”, adding “True!”

Allegations that Mr Rosenstein discussed invoking the 25th Amendment were first reported last year by the New York Times.

However, Mr McCabe’s quotes are the first to be made on the record from someone present at the meeting where the alleged comments were reportedly made - in May 2017, after Mr Trump fired FBI director James Comey.

“The discussion of the 25th Amendment was simply [that] Rod raised the issue and discussed it with me in the context of thinking about how many other cabinet officials might support such an effort,” he said.

Driver, conductor charged for...

From page 12 The Prosecutor also objected to bail being granted to the defendants, citing the prevalence of the offence and the penalty it attracts.

The court heard that on the day in question, the peace officer was fully dressed in his uniform and was conducting duties at Hinck Street, Georgetown.

The officer observed motor bus BTT 9225 obstructing traffic. The rank then told the driver of the bus that he was obstructing traffic. The bus driver immediately exited the bus and began behaving in a disorderly manner. He then began assaulting Samuels.

Peters then joined Bacchus, and started to assault the police rank. The Magistrate after listening to both sides released the men on $60,000 bail each. They were instructed to make their next court appearance on March 11.

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Teachers to be placed on debunching scales from next month - GTU As soon as next month, public school teachers should see themselves on specified salary scales which will serve to ensure that they are paid based on a combination of factors, including their years of service and qualifications.

This development comes on the heels of government, through its Ministry of Education, putting measures in place to pay teachers in a debunched format.

According to President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union [GTU], Mr. Mark Lyte, “This is something that we really hope will create a lot of satisfaction for our teachers. We have always had the complaint where everybody receives the same salary although you would have been trained before or started to teach before. That has always been a concern, but this process [debunching] will create that kind of space between teachers who have different years or experience.”

The Lyte-headed executive of the union was since 2015 advocating for teachers to be paid in such a manner because of the many complaints. Moreover, in its proposed multi-year package, which was submitted to the Education Ministry in 2015, the need for teachers to be paid debunching monies was recommended. The request, which was also made before under the former regime, was pretty much disregarded, and it was anticipated that with a change of government, the monies would have been swiftly forthcoming.

But the union and its membership were highly disappointed by what was perceived to be a slothful approach to dealing with the proposal. However, following several industrial actions and the intervention of the Ministry of Social Protection’s Labour Department, the

GTU President, Mark Lyte. union and the Education Ministry were last year end, able to reach a compromise for a salary and non-salary package for teachers, which included the payment of debunching monies dating back to 2011. Government agreed to pay teachers a oneoff lump sum of $350M, after which teachers will be paid on respective scales.

Lyte told this publication that “the debunching lump sum is being paid in many regions, and in some regions I believe it has been completed.

That kick started the process of debunching of teachers where they are placed on scales. We are happy that the Ministry of Education has honoured its promise, and right now they have circulated a document to schools across the country to get personal information [years of service and qualifications] for teachers.”

According to Lyte, with this development unfolding, it is expected that “by April, teachers can be placed in their respec-

tive scales and begin to receive those debunching monies due to them each month.”

“Teachers are usually placed on a scale based on qualifications, when you started and so; but what happened is that when you are placed in a scale then everybody is bunched up at the bottom of the scale. But a scale would have a range, so it provides an opportunity for persons to move along based on their years of experience at that status,” Lyte explained. Lyte divulged too that, “It is important to note that every two years somebody will move along the scale. For the first two years a teacher will move along with an additional increment which will vary between $2,500 and $3,500.”

“When you finish eight years you will move to the top of your scale and it is anticipated that by then persons will move to another scale in terms of promotion or whatever…So it will be hardly likely to find people on the same scale after eight years in the system,” Lyte added.

Haiti arrests: US confirms Americans among group detained

Carlos Bacchus (left) and Troy Peters

(BBC)TheUSstatedepartment says it understands that a number ofAmericans are among a group arrested in Haiti.

Local media reported semi-automatic weapons had been found but this has not been officially confirmed. The circumstances remain unclearbutlocalauthoritiestoldCNN the Americans were being held on conspiracy charges, but are not yet

indicted.

The arrests come amid nearly two weeks of protests against President Jovenel Moïse.

The reason for the group’s presence in the country also remains unclear and no identities are yet confirmed.

Haiti’s police did not respond when called by the BBC. But Inspector Gary Desroisiers,

a deputy spokesperson for the national police, told news agency Haiti Libre the group had “refused to speak”.Thegroup,saidtohaveeight members, was detained in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on Sunday. Local media reported that the members of the group were driving two vehicles without registration plates and were arrested at the Rue des Cesars.

PAGE 22

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

Diamond man charged with rape of woman, 20 FOR RENT

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A Diamond man, who allegedly had sexual intercourse with a woman he met on Facebook, was yesterday charged with the offence.

Twenty-five-year-old Samuel Whaul, a theology student, at a Bible college, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that October 23, 2018, at Promenade Gardens, he engaged in sexual penetration with a 20-year-old woman without her consent.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The matter was heard incamera and members of the public and the media were asked to exit the courtroom.

According to information, the two met via Facebook and after months of communicating, they agreed to meet in the Promenade Gardens. However, while there, Whaul began to make sexual advances towards the young woman who refused to have sex with him.

Despite the woman’s request, Whaul allegedly forced himself on her and had sex with her without her consent. She then went and reported the matter to the police. An investigation was

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carried out and Whaul was arrested. While the court prosecutor made no objections to bail being granted to the defendant, he asked that conditions be attached. Whaul was granted bail in the sum of $200,000.

He was instructed to not make contact with the witnesses and the victim.

The Magistrate also ordered Whaul to report to the Brickdam Police Station every Friday until the hearing and determination of the trial.

He will make his next court appearance on February 25, for statements.

Buxton triumphs again in...

From page 14 support, as she stressed that it is the most anticipated event slated on the Mashramani Calendar of activities.

She urged the participants to bring their 'A' game to the floor of the competition through wholesome competitiveness.

Acknowledging the mammoth turnout, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones said that this year's support by the

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Con-

public highlights the need for a larger venue next year.

“The atmosphere in the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is magnificent, in fact the attendance is great, and I think essentially the steel pan competition has definitely outgrown the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, so we definitely [have to look] for a new venue in 2020, but kudos to Republic Bank for keeping the Panorama alive every year,” Jones said.

In the small youth band category, the Dolphin Secondary claimed first-place while President's College and Berbice High School claimed second and third places respectively.

In the large youth band category, a crowd favourite, the GBTI Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra copped the first position followed by West Demerara Secondary and The Bishops' High School.

The Guyana Police Force Steel orchestra emerged victorious while Parkside and the National School of Music Orchestras trailed with second and third respectively, in the large band category, Launched since 2009, the annual competition aims to celebrate the creative expressions of the steel pan.

Through the resuscitation of the art form in 2010, thus far 1,180 students have benefited from the Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme. (DPI)

Tuesday February 19, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Rusal fires 61 striking workers...

Medevac plane with body crashes; pilot and cop survive

Army personnel were on the ground at the Canal Number Two conservancy dam. (Guyanese Critic photo) A policeman and an American pilot miraculously cheated death last evening after a single-engine plane went down in the West Demerara conservancy, but darkness and access to the area was thwarting rescue efforts up to press time.

At 10pm, there were flares sent up, presumably from the crash site, located about four miles from conservancy dam area, Canal Number Two. The small plane was reportedly bringing (Continued on page 24)

Several water systems for...

From page 19 now in a position to accurately identify sites for drilling.

This was made possible through new, innovate logging equipment acquired from Brazil. “So with the new technology, we will be able to drill more specifically and have more success in a timely manner,� the Managing Director posited.

Meanwhile, in Katoonarib and Swariwau, the Managing Director told residents that GWI is not only concerned

about water for consumption, but also for the economic and social wellbeing of citizens.

Dr. Van West-Charles, who was accompanied by Minister of Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes and a team of officials, said health centres cannot function without continuous access to potable water to carry out its functions.

As a physician, he sees as priority, the need for water access in facilities such as health posts and schools. At the same time however, he

noted the need for water access at facilities such as bakeries and cassava factories, hot meal hubs, farms and more, to promote economic activities.

The GWI team reassured residents that their water infrastructure that existed for many years will be looked at and rehabilitated where necessary to provide easy access to communities.

Each community was tasked with identifying two servicemen who will be paid to maintain the water systems.

From page 16 or Dr. Cheddi Jagan would have allowed the situation to fester like this. He called on President David Granger to summon the company and deal with the issue.

He warned workers not to move from the company's premises, noting that it is a clear violation of the fundamental rights of workers to be fired after taking part in strike action. He said that there are several things wrong at Rusal's operations including working conditions and pay.

Workers in the Kurubuka mine site, Upper Berbice River area, downed tools last week, with management ordering them back to work. This strike stemmed from an arbitrary one percent increase that was quietly put into workers' pay packets. The workers have been calling for an increase in pay.

In 2009, 50-plus workers, including supervisors were fired for participating in strike action.

That matter has never been resolved.

Over the weekend, management in a move to drive the workers out, ordered its kitchen not to cook for them. Instead, they sent three buses to take them out from the Aroaima camp site.

However, workers refuse to move and are cooking for themselves. The workers said they are waiting for the Labour Department to do the right thing.

Yesterday, workers said they reached a list that was tacked on a notice board which said that 61 persons were terminated with immediate effect.

The workers included heavy equipment operators, mobile equipment operators, mechanics and others.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Venezuela to distribute food to poor Health System Under Severe Pressure From Colombians amid aid tension Dengue, Flu-Like Symptoms – Tufton

Venezuelan citizens waiting to cross into Colombia to buy supplies. Gabriel Barrero/EPA CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s government will distribute food to poor residents of the Colombian border city of Cucuta this weekend, the Information

Minister said yesterday, an effort that would parallel opposition plans to bring in humanitarian aid.

Opposition activists have vowed to bring in food and

aid provided in part by the United States via neighbouring countries on Saturday, despite President Nicolas Maduro’s refusal to accept assistance. Millions

face hunger and malnutrition amid severe food shortages in the hyperinflationary country.

“We are going to take more than 20,000 boxes of (food) to the brothers and sisters of Cucuta to help with the situation of extreme need facing the boys and girls of Cucuta,” Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said in televised statements.

He did not explicitly say the food would be distributed in Cucuta. Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who last month invoked articles of the constitution to declare himself president, has launched a nationwide campaign to bring food and medicine into the country by land and sea on Saturday.

Guaido described Rodriguez’s statements as “cynical.”

The Gleaner - Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says the public health system is under severe pressure arising from the influx of persons seeking medical attention for suspected dengue, gastroenteritis and other flulike symptoms.

Regarding dengue, Tufton last week told parliament that as of February 8, there were 1,166 suspected, presumed or confirmed dengue cases since the start of the year.

There were 1,023 such cases in 2018.

He also disclosed that there were 29 suspected dengue-related deaths since 2018 with six such cases being confirmed by laboratory tests.

Five of the cases were in Kingston and St Andrew and one from Portland.

Tufton, in a statement, said that a number of facilities

are experiencing heavy overcrowding.

“In Kingston, Bustamante Hospital for Children is particularly affected, with mothers coming in with children experiencing severe symptoms,” Tufton said.

He said measures have been put in place to combat the problem including the waiving of fees until further notice as well as extending opening hours at certain facilities.

Parents of children experiencing flu-like symptoms are being advised to go to the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew for assessment and treatment.

Until further notice, the government will waive fees charged at the facility. “We are reminding citizens that we have extended opening hours for a number of health centres in the corporate area,” Tufton said.

Medevac plane with...

From page 23 out a body when it went down.

On the scene at the Canal Number Two conservancy dam were police, army, officials from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and rescue personnel.

According to GCAA’s Director General, Lt. Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, who is overseas, from what he was told, the crash occurred after 6pm, in the Nismes area, West Bank Demerara.

It was disclosed that the plane, a single-engine Cessna 172, bearing registration number N8704, was on a medevac from the hinterland when the Control Tower at the Timehri airport received a call.

The pilot, according to Field, indicated that he was running low on fuel.

The tower received another call; this time a distress “Mayday” call.

According to the aviation official, the plane is operated

by Seventh Day Adventists and used to conduct missionary work in the hinterland.

The plane had reportedly visited Arau in Region Seven, and was on its way back with a body, when it crashed.

According to Field, the policeman who was with the US pilot reportedly used his cell phone to call out for help.

With the conservancy levels low, it was reported that in all likelihood the plane landed on grassy, savannah area.

According to Field, he is not sure how a medevac was being conducted to bring out a body.

He said that from indications, the policeman suffered a broken leg.

The crashed plane was reportedly located by the Roraima aircraft with an army medevac working to bring the men out.

According to sources, the men would be flown to Timehri for treatment before being taken elsewhere.

Tuesday February 19, 2019

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

Customs procedures to be improved for oil industry – GRA The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be making moves quite soon to improve its customs procedures in light of the burgeoning oil and gas industry. It made this known in its Strategic Plan for 2019-2021.

In that document, GRA said that there is a need to improve the customs procedures, registration, tax payment options and other aspects of its operations to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The authority said the need to address these deficiencies in the tax system have come to the fore with the oil and gas sector, while adding that the country’s prospects must be improved to maximize government’s take through competitive bidding regimes.

Further to this, GRA noted that it is one of the major agencies which impact the ease of doing business in Guyana.

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia Citing the World Bank’s Doing Business Report, GRA noted that in 2017, the country ranked 126 out of 190 countries. However, in 2018,

Guyana dropped eight places to a ranking of 134. It said that this further cements the need for GRA to improve its operations.

In the meantime, GRA is already taking steps to improve its IT and customs system, with the implementation of the foolproof Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA).

Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia noted a few weeks ago that the programme is expected to be fully implemented by the end of the second quarter.

In a previous interview with this newspaper, Statia noted that ASYCUDA became necessary since GRA’s current accounting system, the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS), has been working inefficiently for close to 10 years.

Through its ASYCUDA Programme, Statia said that

GRA hopes to modernize customs operations and improve revenue collection; facilitate trade efficiency and competitiveness by substantially reducing transaction time and

costs; improve security by streamlining procedures of cargo control, transit of goods and clearance of goods; reduce corruption by enhancing the transparency

of transactions; and promote sustainable development by cutting down on the use of paper, through the use of electronic transactions and documents.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Tuesday February 19, 2019

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Kaieteur News

West Indies need better batting - Bishop

West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell celebrate winning the test. (Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs)

Tuesday February 19, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A group with which you're affiliated may be temporarily torn apart by politics and quarrels. If so, it's best to stay out of it. A friend could be having trouble and come to you for advice and help.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Changes in your home could cause temporary frustration that creates some tension with family members. Perhaps you're cleaning, or refurnishing, and everyone is getting in everyone else's way.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Miscommunication with someone far away could lead to bruised egos, heightened emotions, and angry phone calls. Don't get sucked into a quarrel.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your psychoanalytical talents could be put to work today when misunderstandings come up. Your friends aren't likely to be thinking clearly and may not respond to reassurances, Cancer.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Perhaps you planned to attend a group event but circumstances beyond your control got in the way.

Maybe it was canceled.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A visitor who needs a little sympathy could visit you today. Your friend probably wants some advice about some problems. He or she could also bring information involving new scientific studies that you find fascinating.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Some important plans, perhaps for a vacation or involving education in some way, could be temporarily blocked by circumstances beyond your control.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A letter or phone call could bring upsetting news about money. Your first reaction may be to blame yourself or someone else, but the circumstances are probably beyond anyone's control.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A person you're attracted to may seem to be interested in someone else. This could bring up your insecurities and jealousy. Don't make yourself crazy, Leo.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Jealousy could rear its ugly head today, Aquarius. This may involve a romantic relationship. Jealousy is often groundless. If you want to avoid an upset, try a little communicating.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Someone is keeping secrets from you. We all have private issues we don't wish to share, Virgo, but this affects you.

Your intuition will probably tell you who this person is.

Try to get him or her to open up without exerting pressure.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Nervous tension could cause a temporary malaise that keeps your energy low today. Tasks and chores need to be done, Pisces, so you will probably drag yourself up and try to finish them in spite of the way you feel.

(Reuters) - Former West Indies bowler Ian Bishop took pride in his former team’s recent test series win over England, and thinks the current crop is “filled with possibilities” enough to climb up the rankings and put a smile back on the face of Caribbean fans.

Despite the unexpected 21 win in the three-test series, West Indies remain eighth in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings, bottom of the sport’s traditional powers.

The series against England showed that West Indies has depth in fast bowling, but Bishop identified two glaring deficiencies that need to be rectified for the team to have further success.

“They are looking for a spinner to be developed and want more consistency for the top-order batting,” the Trinidadian said in a telephone interview with Reuters ahead of the fivegame one-day international series that starts tomorrow.

“From speaking with one or two of the people involved with the team, they are very aware of certain areas of the game that need to be rectified.”

West Indies played the tests against England without a specialist spinner, though allrounder Roston Chase took eight wickets in the first test, which West Indies won by 381 runs.They followed up with a 10-wicket win in the second test, though it could have been a far different story had Jason Holder not won the toss and sent England in on a green wicket.

West Indies openers John Campbell and Kraigg Brathwaite got the team off to decent starts with partnerships in excess of 50 in all but one innings, but the rest of the top order proved brittle and inconsistent.

Shai Hope was out cheaply three times in five innings and his back-to-back centuries at Leeds in 2017 are a distant memory, although Bishop said he was a “phenomenal talent”.

“During the (recent) series, and even last year, batting on seamer-friendly pitches, he is getting beaten on the outside of the bat and inside of the bat,” said Bishop, now a respected television commentator in the Caribbean.

“He has to decide how best he can position himself at the crease and allow the ball to come to him, because he is reaching for the ball. He will overcome it. He just needs reps. I think he’s an

investment.”

Stylish left-hander Darren Bravo, back in the team after a two-year absence following a dispute with administrators, also failed in four of his five innings but with a batting average of more than 38, Bishop said he only needs time to “integrate himself” back into test cricket.

Chase also had three failures, balanced by an unbeaten century in the final test, while Shimron Hetmyer made 81 in the first test but then fell away.

WORKLOAD MANAGED Hetmyer’s problems may stem from a heavy schedule, with the 22-year-old still due to play in the IPL and Bishop said his workload needed to be managed over the next year.

“Particularly for next six to eight months, his cricket must be managed,” Bishop said.

“He’s an integral part of the test match team, growing quickly as a batsmen.

“Problem is that for such a

young kid he is good in all formats of the game. In order to keep fresh, he has to be managed. It could mean time off. If he were to play every game, that’s a lot of cricket.”

Bishop thinks West Indies could rise in the test rankings, particularly with Holder at the helm, but the days of the team that dominated the 1970s and early 1980s are over.

“Jason Holder is very important to the team as a player and a leader,” Bishop said. “He has a leadership aura about him that I don’t know everyone sees.

“No team can go from number eight to number one or two in a year or two, but that is certainly the route that they should aim to travel.

“When I look at the batting of all the teams in world cricket, India and New Zealand are probably the two strongest batting units.

“All other teams are susceptible.”

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

NSC / Magnum Mash Cup

Round of 16 on this evening Organisers of this year’s National Sports Commission (NSC) / Magnum Mash Cup held a press briefing yesterday at the NSC Head Office to assure fans and teams that tonight’s Round of 16 action will take place as scheduled, at the National Gymnasium.

The briefing which was headlined by comments from Director of Sport (DoS), Christopher Jones, was summoned as a result of referees no show on the final night of the preliminary rounds that threatened to cancel the night’s proceedings.

However, quick response by the Organisers managed to avert the games cancellation and keep the tournament right on schedule with the knockout phase commencing with eight games this evening.

Defending champion Bent Street will go up against Stabroek Ballers in the fourth fixture, while Sparta Boss brings the curtains down with the final clash against North East La Penitence.

Pre-tournament favourites, Gold Is Money face Melanie, while Showstoppers tackle Tiger Bay.In the opening clash, Ansa McAl All-Stars and Buxton Diamond square off, while Sophia will look to repel

the challenge of the ever improving Broad Street unit.

Other games on the card are Back Circle versus North Ruimveldt and Leopold Street vs. Future Stars.

Meanwhile, at the briefing, Jones made a scathing attack on the referees, describing their actions as, “Callous, distasteful and repugnant”, adding that their behaviour has been placed on record.

“The non participation of the referees last Saturday night has been noted and I am awaiting an official response from the referees’ council as to why they were a no show on Saturday,” Jones told the media.

The Director of Sport said their stance gives a wrong perception of the sport, noting that such behaviour could very well have a bad effect on the support the sport receives from the corporate c o m m u n i t y. S o u n d i n g extremely perturbed by the referees’ actions, Jones asked whether they should now be perceived as a rogue organisation which will need to be reined in by the sport’s local governing body.He, however, acknowledged the support and good behaviour of the fans and urged that that trend continue until the tournament concludes.

Bent Street representative

Troy Lambert in his remarks said they are now into the do or die phase of the competition, informing that his team thrives at this juncture so fans could expect a much more improved effort from them going forward.

He forecasted that come March 2 when the final is staged his team will be there to defend their title.

Coordinator, Esan Griffith, in his summary spoke of how well the tournament has been executed to date and urged fans to continue to come out

in support of the event.

Magnum Brand Manager, Edison Jefford, speaking at the occasion echoed similar sentiments and promised the fans more giveaways for the remainder of the tournament.

He also disclosed that the tournament will be graced by the presence of several government officials including Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who is expected to make an appearance at the finals.

Promotional group, Hits and Jams, will have their

-DoS describes referees’ behaviour as repugnant

Carnival costumes and models on display at the finals, while security remains intact, according to Jefford.

Up for grabs is $600,000 for the winning team, while second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Among the other sponsors on board are: Trophy Stall, Insurance Brokers Guyana Inc. and Nigel Hinds.

The competition resumes on Thursday with quarter-

final action.

Round of 16 fixtures1.Ansa McAl vs Buxton Diamond@19:00hrs 2.Showstoppers vs Tiger Bay 3.Sophia vs Broad Street 4.Gold is Money vs Melanie 5.Bent Street vs Stabroek Ballers 6.Back Circle vs North Ruimveldt 7.Leopold Street vs Future Stars 8.Sparta Boss vs North East La Penitence

FIBA Americas qualifiers

Final squad to be released today - Delroy James can make the difference The final 12 players that will make up Guyana’s senior men’s basketball team for the FIBA Americas 2021 qualifiers will be announced today, according to head coach of the side, Junior Hercules, during an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport.

Despite a team of 1 2 players set to be released today, reports from the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has indicated that only 10 may make the final cut since the Federation is cash strapped due to the lack of funding/ sponsorship.

At least five of final 12 players are United States (U.S.) based with Delroy James potentially being the most influential. The 32year-old Guyana born player holds dual citizenship with the U.S. and will be the savouring more success after winning

the FIBA Intercontinental championship on Sunday night in Brazil with his European Club AEK Athens.

AEK were the lone European representatives in the Intercontinental championship and it was not James’ first success with the Greek club where he won the Greek Cup and Basketball Champions League with them last season.

Coach Hercules has expressed his and the GABF’s goal to have James in the team and everything is moving apace to ensure his participation in the crucial FIBA America qualifiers which will be contested this weekend in the Colombian city of Tunja.

Currently, James has been cleared by his club to play and everything is in place with the exception of

The Tunja Sports hall that will host Group B of the FIBA qualifiers that Guyana will contest this weekend. his release letter from the U.S. basketball association, that correspondence is expected to be received today by the GABF. Coach Hercules noted

that it was unfortunate that the entire team couldn’t have had the opportunity to train together but he is confident that the GABF will create history by qualifying for their first

FIBA Americas tournament when the weekend is over.

Guyana has been placed in Group B of the qualifiers alongside hosts, Colombia, Paraguay and Bolivia. The winners will be

determined after one set of round-robin matches, while the second place team will also secure qualification for the FIBA Americas tournament in 2021.

(Calvin Chapman)

Tuesday February 19, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Windies trio make crucial Rose Hall Town Pepsi, Albion gains in rankings BCB/Shimron Hetmyer Intermediate Tournament

CC among victorious teams in rain affected first round

The Berbice Cricket Board’s Shimron Hetmyer Intermediate Tournament bowled off on Sunday. Several matches were played off despite heavy rainfalls which battered most of the grounds in Berbice. Among the teams registering victories were defending Champions Rose Hall Town Pepsi, Albion Community Centre, Whim National, No.73 Young Warriors, Dukestown Cricket Club, D’Edward Cricket Club, Skeldon Titans Cricket Club, No.72 All Stars Cricket Club, No. 43 Scorpion and No. 72 Cut and Load. Former National Youth Players Kevin Sinclair with 9 for 13 versus Kildonan Cricket Club and Albion’s Sharaz Ramcharran 6 for 20, were among the top performers in the opening round.

Results are as follows: 1. At Chesney: Albion Community Centre Cricket Club defeated Chesney Cricket Club by 63 runs in a match reduced to 22-Overs per side.

Albion Community Centre 185 for 7 in 22-Overs.

Kandasammy Surjunarine 58, Sarwan Chaitnarine 33 and Adrian Sukwah 19. D. Harilall 5 for 34.

Chesney Cricket Club 122 all out in 18.3 Overs. RickyAmoi 35, A. Gajabi 18, S. Bacchus17.

Sharaz Ramcharran 6 for 20, Kevin Umroa 2 for 21.

2. At Albion: Rose Hall Town Pepsi trashed Kildonan Cricket Club by 182 runs in a match reduced to 32 Overs.

Rose Hall Town Pepsi 226 for 4 in 32 Overs. Junior Sinclair 62, Jonathan Rampersaud 50, Kevlon Anderson 34, Shawn Pereira 20 not out.

Kildonan Cricket Club 34 all out in 13.2 Overs. Kevin Sinclair 9 for 13.

3. At No. 73 Ground: No.

73 Young Warriors defeated Scottsburg United by 130 runs.

No. 73 Young Warriors Cricket Club 228 all out in 34.5 Overs. Lakeram Latchman 32, Aftab Moneer 82 and Odraj Singh 39. M. Raghuraj 4 for 53 and B. Tulsie 3 for 10.

Scottsburg United Cricket Club 98 all out in 22.4 Overs.

Akthar Nahar 37, Calvin Cort 21 not out. Lakeram Latchman 3 for 10, Azad Mohamed 4 for 10, Rajesh Bishnauth 3 for 15.

4.

At No. 48 Ground: Dukestown Cricket Club defeated No. 48 Challengers.

Dukestown Cricket Club 291 all out in 38 Overs. Errol Byass 68, Budram Sukhdeo 71, Clavern Beresford 28. Munesh Lalu 5 for 37. S. Baijnauth 2 for 37 and Delvin Baldeo 2 for 33.

No. 48 Challengers Cricket Club 161 innings closed. Balram Persaud 26, Devin Baldeo 37, Munesh Lalu 29. Clavern Beresford 2 for 50.

5. At Crabwood Creek: Skeldon Titans defeated Crabwood Creek Cricket Club by 5 wickets. Crabwood Creek Cricket Club 117 all out in 32 Overs. Darshan Challitar 40, Sherwin Murray 3 for 27, Fascid Bacchus 3 for 4, C. Felix 2 for 21.

Skeldon Titans Cricket Club 118 for 5 in 18.3 Overs. Gagendra Ramnarine 31, Zerkeel Gordon 18. Devendra Tamessar 3 for 29.

6. At No. 70 Ground: No. 72 All Stars defeated No. 70 M.Y.O Cricket Club by 7 wickets. No. 70 M.Y.O. Cricket Club 189 all out in 35 Overs.

Jameel Asad 31, Niaz Khan 67, Permeshwar Chatterpaul 3 for 39, Pradeep Gobin 3 for 31.

No. 72 All Star Cricket Club 193 for 3 in 29-Overs. Soamdat Singh 136 (13x4, 10x6) and Mahendra Bhoj 43. Abbes Khan 2 for 36, Niazi Khan 2 for 19.

7. No. 72 Cut and Load defeated No. 79 Spartan Cricket Club by 20 runs. No. 72 Cut and Load 95 all out in 21.3 Overs. D. Jaggernauth 26, Victor Pedro 27.

Omesh Khemraj 3 for 16, Omesh Mathura 2 for 16. Naeem Yacoob 2 for 9.

No. 70 Spartan Cricket Club 75 innings closed in 18.4 Overs.

Rayan Yacoon 22, victor Pedro 5 for 37 and D. Jaggernauth 4 for 16.

8. At No. 43 Ground: No. 43 Scorpion Cricket Club defeated Yakusari Caribs Cricket Club by 82 runs.

No. 43 Scorpion Cricket Club 134 all out un 22.2 Overs. A. Grant 29, N. Drepaul 58. N.Ayana 5 for 6, R.Ayana 2 for 25. C.Ayana 2 for 22.

Yakusari Caribs Cricket Club 52 all out in 14.1 Overs. M. Havery 4 for 29, Y. Danroop 3 for 13 and B. Deen 3 for 2.

9. At D’Edward: D’Edward Cricket Club defeated Bush Lot United Cricket Club by 24 runs. The match was reduced to 20-Overs due to rain.

D’Edward Cricket Club 170 for 3 in 20-Overs. Devindra Lalsa 42, L. Sookra 52, H. Bridgelall 28, A. Khan 20. S. Bhagwandas 2 for 24.

Bush Lot United Cricket Club 146 all out in 19.4 Overs.

J. Dilchand 56, H. Darson 30, A. Maradek 39. L. Sookra 2 for 6, N. Rampersaud 2 for 28.

10. At Whim: Whim National Cricket Club defeated Fyrish Cricket Club by 3 wickets.

Fyrish Cricket Club 64 all out in 21-Overs. S. Roopnarine 14, K. Deonarine 3 for 25, V. Samaroo 2 for 14, R. Drepaul 2 for 8.

Whim National Cricket Club 65 for 7 in 21 Overs. K. Deonarine 17, M. Charran 18. K. Subramani 4 for 19. Y. Chinapen 2 for 10.

Narayan Ramdhani taking Alberta Canada by storm as he claims gold Guyana’s top male Badminton player Narayan Ramdhani made history for the Kings Eagles University Badminton Team when he won the gold medal in the men singles at the 2018-2019 ACAC Provincial championship which was played off at the Concordia University in Edmonton Alberta.

Being now the Champion and No.1 Ranked Singles Player, he will now represent the Province of Alberta at the National Championship in Nova Scotia in March.

Narayan seeded No.2 won

in a tense three-setter against Nicolas Pittman of Concordia, with Narayan losing the first game at 16-21 and came back in the last two games 21-17, 21-17 to win the Match and take the gold.Only two weeks ago Narayan lost to Nicolas Pitman in the Finals at the 2018-2019 ACAC Tournament #3 played at Olds College so this win at this championships stage was a great come back for him as he spent the last two weeks in intense training.

Narayan had also won the other two Tournaments (#1 & #2) played at Kings

University & Nait College making his total outcome 3 wins 1 loss on the Circuit.

Results at the Championships: First Round Narayan got a Bye. Quarter Finals he defeated Luther Jurke - Olds: 21-8, 21-7 Semi-Finals he defeated Braxton Wong - Concordia [3/ 3]: 21-7, 21-11 Finals he defeated Nicolas Pittman - Concordia [1/1]: 16-21, 21-1, 21-17 The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is extremely happy with his consistent progress.

LONDON, CMC – West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor, along with the newball pair of Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell, have made important strides in the latest ICC women’s one-day rankings released yesterday.

Taylor has risen two places in the batting rankings to eighth, following her 158 runs at an average of 52, in the Windies’ just concluded three-match series against Pakistan in Dubai.

The 27-year-old has been joined in the top 20 by allrounder Deandra Dottin who jumped one spot to 20th, after scoring 129 runs in the Pakistan series with a top score of 96 in the first onedayer. Shemaine Campbelle was the other Windies player to enjoy positive moment in the rankings, gaining two places to move to 52nd.

Opener Hayley Matthews, who missed the Pakistan series through injury, lies 27th while former skipper Merissa Aguilleira, who toured but was

West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor. overlooked for the ODIs, lies 38th. They are the only two other Windies players in the top 50.

In the bowlers rankings, seamer Selman rose eight spots to 26th, after picking up four wickets against Pakistan while her new-ball partner Connell rose six places to 49th, following a similar fourwicket series haul.

Taylor, who bowls offspin, dropped three places to 13th in the bowlers rankings after picking up just three wickets. As a result, she remained second in the allrounders rankings behind Australian Ellyse Perry.

Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed is the highestranked West Indies bowler at 25th.

Wellman Masters, SVC Grill Masters claim GSCL Inc...

Ramesh Deonarine accepts his man-of-the-match prize from GSCL Inc President Ian John.

From page 28 Lovell (01) early in the chase, but I. Ramdeen and Wayne Jones put on 42 for the second wicket to put their team on course before they were dismissed for 28 each.

Ramesh Deonarine, who was named manof-the-match, struck five fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Manoj Arjune for a top score of 52.

Nandram Samlall made 21 not out while Greg De Franca made 12 not out as Wellman Masters finished on 164-5 in 19.3 overs. Tony Singh picked up 3-36.

In the open division, SVC Grill Masters, led by a fine century from Richard Latif, beat Regal Allstars by 16 runs. Latif struck seven fours and five sixes in 103 while Saheed Gittens made 48 with six fours and one six.

The duo added 116 for the second wicket after opener Balram Samaroo was removed

by Narine Boodhoo with out scoring. David Lukenauth made 20 not out as SVC Grill Masters posted 189-3. Boodhoo, S. Ramnauth and Sachin Singh took one wicket each.

In reply, Regal Allstars lost Patrick Rooplall for 11; however Singh and Sewchand Budhu kept them in the hunt as they added 28 for the second wicket.

Gittens removed Singh for 23 Budhu fell to Lionel Alphonso for 22. Ricky Sergeant and S. Ramnauth made 19 each while Marvin Babb got 16 and Jason Sinclair 13 as Regal Allstars managed 173-8. Chandreshekar Arjune snared 3-33, Gittens 2-16 and manof-the-match Latif 2-25.

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Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

Patrick Ford Memorial Boxing C/Ships

Allicock dominate Joseph, Amsterdam win close fight over Prince

The Exhibition bout between Jackman siblings; Abiola and Aleshia; was only female bout on the card.

The Young, the old, the teens & the Queens were among a good size and vocal crowd at the Gymnasium.

By Sean Devers The two International bouts between Guyana and Trinidad, on the second annual Patrick Ford Memorial Boxing Card on Sunday night at the National Gymnasium lived up to the hype and a large and noisy crowd would have left the venue early Monday morning fairly satisfied that their entrance fee was well spent.

After what has become a customary late start of over an hour and the fact that Team Suriname failed to cross the riverain border between the two Countries d u e t o Transportation issues, the GBA’s first International C a r d f o r t h e y e a r, c o promoted by Alford McDonald could be deemed a successful venture.

After a 10-count was observed for the late Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s former President Col Cecil ‘Pluto’ Martindale, who died last week and Ford who died in 2011, the action commenced with the School Boys 40-45kg between Wayne Castello of FYC and

Daniel Pompey of Young Achievers.

Urged on by over a dozen young boys in ringside seats recording the action with their phones, the punches came fast and furious with both youngsters beginning at a hectic pace which had the fans on their feet to set the atmosphere for the rest of the night, once Pompey gained a TKO verdict in the first round.

Jermaine Andrews (FYF) beat Jarrel Booker of Harpy Eagles, while his Gym mate Colin Williams defeated Rosehall Town Jammers’ Joshua Thambarran whose corner threw in the towel in the second round in the other two School Boys battles.

There were also two Exhibition matches between Berbician Jamal Eastman and Christopher Moore from West Demerara and lone female bout on the card between the Jackman sisters; Abiola and Aleshia.

With pulsating Reggie and Dance Hall Music emanating from the Jemani Sound System in between fights and the GDFdrummers

in full flow the atmosphere was energised and festive among fans which included plenty of females from babies to those in their 70s.

In the main supporting bout, a Catchweight encounter; Commonwealth Youth Games and Caribbean Bantamweight Champion 19year-old Keevin Allicock, fighting out of Albouystown, dominated Trinidadian Anthony Joseph.

Allicock set the pace with clinical combinations in the first round to the body and head of the Trinidadian, who briefly retaliated with a few shots to Allicock’s body which had the talented Guyanese on the ropes.

But Allicock danced out of range as Joseph missed his shots before the local Boxer caught his man with crisp body blows.

The action intensified in the second round with Allicock executing lightning fast four-shot combos and wicket upper-cuts to the midsection.

The Trini fought back with some good shots of his

own as the pair went toe-totoe before a 1-2 to head staggered Joseph who was administered a standing 8count.

In the final round, both fighters began to tire and although Allicock hurt Joseph it was clear that gutsy Trini was not quitting.

A left hook caught Joseph’s head in the dying stages of the third round but after the dust had settled it was no surprise when the local lad emerged victorious by a majority verdict.

In the night’s main bout, T&T’s Aaron Prince replaced St Lucia’s Middleweight Champion Arthur Langalier, who was forced to pull out of his fight with Caribbean Middleweight Champion, Guyana’s Desmond Amsterdam due to a cut over his eye while training in St Lucia.

The Trini provided a stern test to the Guyanese Soldier who won a close fight as both Boxers had their moments with Amsterdam landing the harder punches.

Prince, hoping to become

King of the Middleweights in the Caribbean, overbalanced after some glancing shots sent him to his knees on the ropes.

The second round saw an overhand right connect to Joseph’s head but the Guyanese was warned for allowing his mouth Guard to hang outside of his mouth instead of biting on it firmly

by International Referee James Beckles, who demonstrated excellent control of the fight inside the Ring.

The pugilists began to tire in the last round and their punches lacked the power seen earlier in the contest and more ‘holding’ tactics were employed.

They continued to punch and counter punch and Prince went to the canvas again but Beckles deemed it was from a slip and not a punch and the Guyanese prevailed in what turned out to be a very close fight.

Many of the Boxers on show lacked proper Technique and many ‘old timers’ lamented on the low

standard of the younger boxers.

In other results: Juniors (Light Bantamweight): Travis Inverary beat Richard Howard.

Youth (Junior Welterweight): Kevon Mullings beat Jamal Mercier.

Middleweight: Devon Hazel beat Jermain Levans, who lost his shoe twice in the slug fest.

Elite (Lightweight): Shaquel Wright won by TKO against Albert Thomas.

Bantamweight: Kevin Moore, who had two 8counts, beat Julius Kesney a decision which did not go down well with the majority of the crowd.

Elite (Middleweight): Corlette Greenidge won his fight against Young Achievers who achieved a disqualification for leaving ring prematurely.

Light Welterweight: Aubrey Moore beat Kevin McKenzie.

Light Heavyweight: Markember Pierre beat Ashton Niles.

Wellman Masters, SVC Grill Masters claim GSCL Inc Republic Cup titles Wellman Masters and SVC Grill Masters emerged champions of the Masters and Open categories respectively when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc Republic Cup tournament was contested on Sunday last at the Everest Cricket Club.

Wellman Masters defeated Fed Up XI by five wickets in the Masters final.

Batting first, Fed Up XI posted 162-7 off their allocation of 20 overs.

Mohamed Rafeek led with 57

while Troy Lewis made 47; the pair steadied the innings nicely as they added 64 for the third wicket following the loss of openers Ejaz Mohamed for 22 and Oslyn Batson for nine. Rafeek struck four fours and six sixes while Lewis hit four fours and three sixes. Following their separation, Wellman Masters managed to restrict the scoring as Latchman Kallicharran picked up 2-19 and Imtiaz Mohamed 2-36.

Wellman Masters lost Eon (Continued on page 27)

Members of the victorious Wellman Masters with their accolades.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 19, 2019

PAGE 31

Sans Souci are Badri Prasad Memorial T20 champs - Wakenaam

By Zaheer Mohamed Sans Souci were crowned champions of the fourth edition of the Wa k e n a a m C r i c k e t Committee (WCC) Badri Prasad Memorial T20 competition following a sixwicket victory over archrivals Sans Souci Jaguars in the final which was contested on Sunday last.

Sans Souci Jaguars were off to a flier after they decided to bat at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground with Zameer Zaman and Dellon Osborne adding 43 for the first wicket. Zaman played aggressively from the onset, t a k i n g b o u n d a r i e s o ff medium pacer Omal Bacon, while Dellon Osborne rotated the strike well inside the power play overs. Sans S o u c i s k i p p e r Wa y n e Osborne rotated his bowlers in an effort to separate the openers and the ploy worked as Zaman, in an attempt to hit over the infield, was smartly caught at third man by a diving Keeran Kumar off Bacon. He struck three fours and a six in scoring 26.

Beesham Moses was then bowled by left arm orthodox spinner Kamal Khan for three, while Nokta Moses, who pulled Khan over the mid-wicket fence, was bowled by Cleon Venture for seven as Sans

Souci pegged back the scoring rate fairly. Dellon Osborne hit two fours and a similar number of sixes before he was lbw to Cleon Venture for 29. Sans Souci Jaguars lost a few more quick wickets, however Satrohan Shiwnandan clobbered Cleon Venture and Heera Sukram for sixes to prop up the score before he was removed by Khan for 17, while Safraz Mohamed was left unbeaten on 13 as Sans Souci Jaguars were bowled out for 139 in 19.4 overs.

K an captured 4-25 from 3.4 overs, a feat which landed him the man-of-thematch award; Cleon Venture h a d 2 - 1 3 a n d Wa y n e Osborne 2-21.

Sans Souci openers Wa y n e O s b o r n e a n d Jaggernauth Manbodh added 30 before Manbodh was bowled by left arm seamer Chandrika Jairam for seven. Wayne Osborne clobbered Siddiq Mohamed for a maximum before smashing Derwin Daniels for sixes as he and Heera Sukram steadied the chase fairly. However, Osborne moved down the pitch to spinner Beesham Moses and was stumped for 33 which included one four and three sixes. Khan was bowled by Beesham Moses for five, while Sukram was run out for 13 (1x4) as Sans Souci

The victorious Sans Souci team with their hardware alongside the sponsors and members of the WCC. Jaguars remained in the hunt. But a level-headed unbroken 66-run fifth wicket partnership between siblings Seon Venture and Cleon Venture sealed the deal for Sans Souci as they finished on 140-4 in 17.2 overs. The duo played aggressively with Seon, who finished the game with a six, hitting one four and four sixes in scoring 35, while Cleon struck two fours and two sixes in his 30.

Beesham Moses had 2-17, while there was one each for Zaman and Jairam.

The best bowler in the tournament prize went to Kamal Khan with 13 wickets, while Seon Venture

The Runner up side Sans Souci Jaguars.

who scored 221 runs including a century in the preliminary round took the best batsman award.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony Secretary of the Wakenaam Cricket Committee, Nazeer Mohamed expressed gratitude to Oudit Persaud who sponsored the competition on behalf of his late father. Mohamed noted that each edition of the

tournament so far has produced a different winner and congratulated Sans Souci. He spoke about the importance of sponsorship, while newly elected Chairman of the WCC, Khemraj Surujpaul, congratulated the finalists and lauded Sans Souci on their efforts and commitment in the field. He also thanked the fans, adding that they are looking forward to future

support from the sponsors.

Mr. Persaud said he is delighted to sponsor theh tournament, stating that he was impressed with the commitment of the players throughout the competition.

Persaud noted that it is important to get the youths meaningfully occupied and congratulated the WCC, adding that he is looking forward to more Keemo Paul’s from the island.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Tuesday February 19, 2019

GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson Memorial U- 15

A thorough learning experience – President Forde

By Franklin Wilson

T

he just concluded Guyana Football Federation/Pele A l u m n i / F r a n k Wa t s o n Memorial National U15 championships, which ended on Saturday last with FC Eagles of the West Demerara Football Association coming out winners, has been described as a, ‘thorough learning experience’ by President of the Federation, Wayne Forde.

In an invited comment, Forde noted that the partnership between the Pele Alumni and the GFF, which is for five-years, can only get better, based on the objective of both entities which include the empowerment of youths through the medium of

Players from the teams which contested the GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson Memorial U15 Playoff Finals, FC Eagles, Santos, Rising Stars and Tabatinga take time out for a group pic on Saturday last at the GFF Training Facility. sports.

The competition had kicked off in 2017 with the Intra Association leagues which each Regional

Member Association of the GFF was mandated to complete their respective leagues within a given time frame, but that proved to be

very challenging for many of the RMA’s.

“The first years of the tournament were a thorough learning experience for the GFF and the Regional Member Associations.

We must keep in mind that this is a new approach to youth football that my administration has introduced.

As promised during our campaign, we have gone out and secured the sponsorship for nine of our RMAs thus, ensuring that U15 Football is played in a coordinated manner across Guyana.

This tournament ties into the Academy Training Centre programme which is also a new programme that was introduced by my Administration.”

Hundreds of players were exposed to the rudiments of the game in the Rupununi, Essequibo, Bartica, West Demerara, East Bank, East Demerara, Upper Demerara, Berbice and Georgetown Football Associations during 2017/2018 with top teams emerging to contest the National Playoffs and Finals.

Atkinson Brothers of Moruca joined the nine RMA champions to contest the National Playoffs and Finals where FC Eagles defeated Santos of the GFA 2-0 to be crowned the inaugural National Champions.

Eagles played undefeated in the Playoffs and Finals, getting past Timehri Panthers in the Playoffs and subsequently sealing the championship with wins over Tabatinga FC, Rising Stars and Santos in the Finals.

Forde, whilst extending congratulations to all the clubs which participated to make the entire project a success, also acknowledged that many of the RMA’s found it a challenge to get the ball rolling in a consistent manner.

“We have observed that many of our members found it difficult to complete the tournament within the timelines outlined in the competition calendar, which affected the playoff.

However, we will now work closer with the members and provide whatever support is needed to ensure a smoother operation of the tournament for 2019.

Youth football is critical to the development of the game and under my leadership the GFF will

continue to invest heavily in this area.”

Visionary leadership is always needed to set oneself apart from the rest and that is what has been forthcoming from the Pele Alumni in the USA which, without hesitation has partnered with the federation to invest in the development of young people.

The Pele Alumni has a rich history when it comes to investment in young people and has been conducting youth empowerment programmes for many years, targeting youths here in Guyana.

The organization is currently investing on a monthly basis, in about six youths through scholarships.

President Forde also offered his take on the impact of the partnership between the two organizations, noting that the Pele Alumni is a compelling model for former players to emulate.

“These gentlemen make a meaningful contribution to these young boys that will positively impact their lives beyond their playing days.

They have made a contractual commitment for five years and it is the desire of the GFF to reciprocate value for that investment and explore additional features to the tournament in the years to come.”

For the first time, the Essequibo Football Association was afforded the opportunity to host a national playoffs when they welcomed Atkinson Brothers and Rising Stars to the Cinderella County for the Cluster 3 playoffs which also included home team, Dartmouth Dominators.

Tuesday February 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Balram Narine wins again

T

he Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of Berbice 2019 season has started with a flurry with the club already hosting two events.

The club which is one of the most active cycling entities in the country has vowed to maintain that prestige.

Both events so far have been won by 2018 champion cyclist Balram Narine. The first event was staged on the West Coast Berbice. The second race, which was held on the Upper Corentyne, saw Narine winning the 40 miler in a time of 1hr: 4minutes.

The event, which began around 11 hrs in front of the Arawak Disco on the Upper Corentyne, saw the cyclists pedaling to the No 51 Police Station before turning back to finish at its place of origin.

Riding in second was Ralph Sewnarine ahead of

Donovan Fraser and Mario Washington.

Washington was the first among the juveniles with Steve Bhimsain, Marlon Budram and Jeremiah Joseph occupying the other spots.

Joshua Campbell was the first among the U14 riders.

Narine was so dominant in winning the event that he opened a 4 miles gap on the rest of the field and copped nine of the 10 sprint prizes up for offer. Sewnarine took the other.

The event, which was started by Corriverton Mayor Winston Roberts and Colin Leacock of the Arawak Disco, saw 15 riders taking to the starting line.

Among the sponsors were the Arawak Disco, A. Ally and Sons, Gloves Boat Service, Home Line F u r n i s h i n g a n d Superintendent Guy Nurse among others.

(Samuel Whyte)

Balram Narine all alone during the race.

33

Mayor Winston Roberts and business man Colin Leacock (both at centre) presents the winning cheque to Bapram Narine as coach Randolph Roberts and other outstanding cyclists share the moment

t r o Sp Patrick Patrick Ford Ford Memorial Memorial Boxing Boxing C/Ships C/Ships

Allicock dominate Joseph, Amsterdam win close fight over Prince

Guyana’s Keevin Allicock dominated T&T’s Anthony Joseph in the main supporting bout on Sunday night.

(Sean Devers photos)

International Referee James Beckles watches as Guyana’s Desmond Amsterdam scores to chest of T&T’s Aaron Prince who fought hard in a close defeat.

FIBA Americas qualifiers

Narayan Ramdhani taking Alberta Canada by storm as he claims gold

Delroy James.

Final squad to be released today - Delroy James can make the difference

Nayaran Ramdhani (centre) with the championship trophy along with the other top performers.

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