Kaieteur News

K

Cuban butcher NEWS shot dead by motorcycle bandits

Friday Edition

AIETEUR

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

February 21, 2020 - Vol. 22 No. 08

p.

3

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80 Dead: Ofredis Duarte Campos

Local Content Policy…

Legal constraints in Exxon deal warranted use of confidentiality provisions - Dr. Bynoe p.

8

Pegasus 90-suite project p. on stream for August 13 ...but Badal still completion peeved over lack of incentives for locals

The corporate centre which will be completed in December

PPP “deeply disturbed” by Ogle Hotel investors reduction in Polling Places lease 200 acres …especially in party's strongholds

p.

29

at Wales Estate

p.

11

Govt.'s 800-acre East Coast 'city' - Opposition project legally questionable Leader p. 14

Online readership yesterday 127,920

Confidentiality officially empowers political criminals and cronies

A

nything to do with local content that is CONFIDENTIAL is a big problem, which could lead to a corruption crisis. It would make prior shenanigans look like petty thievery. It is why this paper says a loud NO to anything that is confidential relative to Local Content provisions.

It is a nonstarter and should be condemned outright. We, at Kaieteur News, so damn it.

There are substantial precedents for our unalterable stance relative to how local content can become monstrously disfigured, and this is even when things are not so confidential. Look at several countries with similar circumstances to Guyana, financially, and the stories are identical.

First, the riches are exploited by the foreigners.

Second, local leaders and ruling elites spring into action to enrich themselves quickly. Third, they create a sophisticated and complicated network (a maze) of corporate entities to conceal their grand larcenies.

Most important, and fourth, the native populations of starving, suffering, and despairing are left in the gutter of their enduring impoverishment, while their political masters live high on the hog and take them for yet another crippling ride.

Unsurprisingly, the bulk of those populations cheated by their crooked and deceiving rulers mostly democratically elected - have nothing but their lifelong miseries and anguish to show for the hundreds of billions received by and stolen by the local political bandits.

This is what we think, and sense is at work when this garbage about local content and confidentiality is merged and mentioned in the same conman’s breath.

For when local content is confidential, then the shell companies, and the intricate nests of corporate creatures that are conjured to deceive, are free to operate with unchecked abandon.

Confidentiality officially empowers the politically criminal, in conjunction with their handpicked bureaucratic cronies, to come up with endless business wizardries to provide the perfect covers for corruption on a grand scale and one unimagined as to its breathtaking scale.

Confidentiality in terms of local content furnishes enough time and lots of room to engage in uninterrupted financial skullduggery without the population being any wiser. By the time that it gets some awareness, it is too late, and the tens of billions in damage is done, with no recovery possible, with little assets left to salvage to give something to the empty-handed masses.

Confidentiality facilitates much secrecy occurring and beyond early detection. This is what one government after the other practiced and prospered from, that was castigated by the then opposition, which is now the current government.

Now the latter is trying to pull the same dirty trick for the same dirty result.

That is what has come to light in Angola and Equatorial Guinea, and other Third World places.

Guyanese had better come to their senses quickly, or they would share the fate of poor brethren everywhere. It must be NO to confidentiality by anybody regarding local content. A loud NO to any such provisions. A great, big NO to any schemer bringing that before the public.

PAGE 02

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

A Judicial Light Has Been Extinguished

By Ricky Lowe

A judicial light has been extinguished His sojourn on this earth is finished Ian was icon beyond compare A beautiful mind his genius was rare His land mark decisions will last forever This mortal being was very clever He served this country with distinction No one surpassed his dedication An avid bookworm if you please He made his decisions with such ease As a director of prosecution he was great A great defender for the state As Chief Justice he was magnificent At times a radical element His sense of humour was contagious I can say it surpassed hilarious Why did Ian leave so soon?

Death so quickly consumed him We must cherish all we learned from him All mortal men are born with sin Good men will come, good men will go Great gifts to Ian God bestowed My sympathy to his family Some of his judgments are history

The late

Ian Chang died on Saturday Nov 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

PAGE 03

Cuban butcher shot dead by motorcycle bandits

By Shikema Dey

M

ere hours after t h i s publication called on the Guyana Police Force to pursue a more aggressive patrol exercise to protect citizens against bike snatchers, a Cuban national was yesterday morning shot dead by one of two bandits on a motorcycle.

The fatal shooting occurred shortly after 6:30 am, as the victim, a butcher, was making his way to work, at the Rossignol Butchery located on Church Street, Georgetown.

The dead man was identified as 35-year-old Ofredis Duarte Campos, of

321 East Street.

According to reports, Campos was walking along Cummings Street, between Middle and Quamina Streets, when two men rode up beside him and attempted to snatch his haversack.

According to the official police report, while on the western parapet proceeding south on Cummings Street, Campos was confronted by the suspects on a red and white XR motorcycle which came from the opposite direction.

It was said that Campos put up a fight with the two men, refusing to let them take his belongings.

This fact may have angered the thieves, as one of

the men pulled out a handgun and shot Campos multiple times before riding off.

They reportedly escaped with nothing, because all of the dead man's valuables were found in his possession.

The victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The man's uncle related that Campos had left their East Street home just 20 minutes, before he (uncle) received a call saying that his nephew was dead.

“He left home to go work and then I get a call saying that he was robbed and dead.

When I went to the place, I

Traffic advisory

T

he Guyana Police Force wishes to advise members of the public that the following roads will be closed from 07:00h tomorrow (Saturday, February 22, 2020) to facilitate the Flag Raising Ceremony that will be hosted at D'Urban Park.

1) Mandela Avenue and Hadfield streets – No Entry West 2) Homestretch and Mandela Avenue – No Entry West 3) Brickdam and College Road – No Entry East 4) Hadfield and College Road – No Entry East 5) Haley and College Road – No Entry East 6) South Road and Oronoque streets – No Entry East 7) Chappel and Durban streets – No Entry North 8) Durban and John streets – No Entry North 9) Regent and Vlissengen Road – No Entry South 10) Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and South Road – No Entry East *** Additionally, to facilitate the smooth flow of Mashramani Celebrations the following roads throughout the city will be closed from 07:00h on Sunday, February 23, 2020.

1) Camp and Lamaha Streets – No Entry North 2) Cowan and Camp Streets – No Entry East 3) Woolford Avenue and Camp Streets – No Entry West 4) Camp and Barrack Streets – No Entry East 5) Camp and Thomas Lands – No Entry West 6) Parade and Young Streets – No Entry North

7) Young and High Streets – No Entry East 8) Camp and Seawall Road – No Entry South 9) Dowding Street and Vlissengen Road – No Entry West 10) Lamaha and Irving Streets – No Entry East 11) D'Andrade Street and Vlissengen Road – No Entry West 12) Da Silva Street and Vlissengen Road – No Entry West 13) Garnett Street and Vlissengen Road – No Entry West 14) Baramita Avenue and Vlissengen Road – No Entry West 15) Eping Avenue and Vlissengen Road – No Entry West 16) Woolford Avenue and JB Singh Road – No Entry East 17) Anira and Irving Streets – No Entry East 18) Laluni and Irving Streets – No Entry East 19) Church and Peter Rose Streets – No Entry East 20) North Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive – No Entry East 21) South Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive – No Entry East 22) Brickdam and Old College Road – No Entry East 23) Hadfield Street and Old College Road – No Entry East 24) Hadfield and Chapel Streets – No Entry West 25) Mandela and Homestretch Avenue - No Entry West 26) Mandela and Hadfield streets – No Entry West The Guyana Police Force wishes to apologize for any inconvenience caused.

reach him on the ground covered in blood. He was dead.”

According to the uncle, Campos was shot at least three times by the men.

“When I saw the body, he had gunshot wounds to his right wrist, upper chest and under his chin. He could not survive that.”

The man said that his nephew was very hard working and would not allow anyone to bully him.

“He works hard, he has two children, two daughters and he works hard for them.

He would not let nobody push him around, so I know he fight with them for his bag, and that is how he died, because he fight.”

Meanwhile, Commander of Division 4 A, Assistant Commissioner Edgar Thomas disclosed to Kaieteur News that they are working to obtain CCTV footage from nearby businesses to possibly provide some help with the identity of the men.

A post mortem examination is expected to be conducted tomorrow.

In recent times, there has been a sharp increase in

Dead: Ofredis Duarte Campos street robberies in the capital city, done mostly by young men using bicycles or motorcycles. The men would

usually attack victims by snatching their bags and other belongings while passing by.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Friday February 21, 2020

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

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

EDITORIAL

More money, less power to the people The New York Times editorial dated February 3rd was titled, “More money, more problems for democracy.” That is the thinking of what applies in an arguably relatively better governed society like America, when campaign financing brings unmatched influence to bear in the corridors of power.

We like to be more pointed, and we do so by settling for ‘more money means more power to the money brokers and moneychangers and money givers in this nation. And more for the big boys, translates to less for the smaller, poorer people, whose interests are shoved aside and bypassed, or routinely marginalized and minimized.

There is only so much politicians on the receiving end of any political financing can do and give. There are only so many waking hours in the day, only so many telephone calls (no writings) that can be initiated and received, and only so many people - supplicants, contributors, and special interests’ persons, that can be processed and fixed satisfactorily.

Now, regardless of however this is denied or evaded, this simple fact remains immovably embedded in stone: people who give more cash will enjoy more access.

In politics, there are these two inarguable truths: “politicians have always needed money and wealthy patrons have always found ways to provide it in exchange for special consideration of their needs.” Those who take have to be prepared to give when the bill becomes due.

The people who hand over more cash will benefit from more receptivity and more face time, with more favours granted and more concerns fixed nicely and easily. It is just the way that things are: money talks, it speaks in any language and at high-powered volume and pitch, and the more of it that is made available, the more deafening the music.

It deafens those little people with their little presences and their little problems, such as a job, a house lot, a shortage of medicine or money, or a scarce slot for a descendant. They come to ask for the material usually, the big fish usually bring more when they come to seek protection, buy time, or open the door for more tricks and treasures.

According to the New York Times, the rivers of cash contributed make it “far easier for wealthy individuals and corporations to translate their economic power into political power.” To repeat the assertion from before: when the big boys come to town, they take over, and the small man is rendered invisible and insignificant, and this is regardless of how much heavy lifting or dirty work that he or she may have done for the party.

As the New York Times reminded all of us, over a hundred years ago, Senator Mark Hanna was quoted as saying that, “There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money and I can’t remember what the second is.”

Unlike the good, departed senator, we at this paper can tell one and all what that second thing is: it is the return of greater favours by the politicians to their financial benefactors.

Greater are the favours because they add up to more than the tens of millions channeled here to grasping and collaborating political hands in the final cost borne by unsuspecting taxpayers.

It is of the returning through greater favours that dilute or negate legislative proposals. It is the political delivering of those greater favours that hobble responsible agencies from implementing and enforcing comprehensively those rules and regulations designed to protect and sanitize, and which lead to an improved quality of life across the board, through a fair and equitable society. In the heat of the elections season here, the rhetoric and money have flowed, along with the expectations that come from the latter. Nobody on the giving or receiving end is interested in revealing how much has changed hands.

Given the kind of cash that proliferates around this town, a lot of it could be categorized as dark and dirty.

Those in the know, know of the compromises that have had to be made in repayment. It is an unbroken circle, and one which most are determined to keep that way. And that is part of the continuing tragedy of this country.

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.

Golden Anniversary of Guyana’s Republic DEAR EDITOR, A lot has been achieved since the country attained republican status five decades ago. It was not an easy road - there have been numerous problems, in fighting and other setbacks during the period. We have seen eight Presidents: Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddi Jagan, Sam Hinds, Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar, and David Granger. In 1980 Burnham moved from Prime Minister to Executive President following his controversial referendum which changed/amended the Constitution giving the Head of Government sweeping powers. Appeals to the Privy Council were also abolished and as a result there was only one appellate court - the Guyana Court of Appeal - for over 35 years - until the Caribbean Court of Appeal was inaugurated. British awards such as knighthood, CBE, OBE, MBE Queens Counsel were replaced by

local honours. Although the Constitution was severely criticized by the opposition at the time, when the PPP won the elections in 1992, no step was taken to amend the Constitution in order to remove some of the wide Presidential powers despite a personal request to Dr. Jagan

by Eusi Kwayana, an elderly statesman who is respected by all. Credit should be given to Forbes Burnham for initiating CARIFTA, the forerunner of CARICO but M — the Caribbean Community- CARIFESTA... the festival of arts and culture. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was also the brainchild of the Guyanese leader, but came into fruition on 16th April 2005.

On February 23, 1970 Guyana became the first cooperative republic and Trinidad and Tobago became a republic six years later.

Dominica is known as the Commonwealth of Dominica and has a President as Head of State

and not a Governor General.

I had the honour to be among the few who journeyed to Magdalendenberg up the Canje Creek with the then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham (now deceased) to the area where the national hero Cuffy struck the first blow of freedom in 1763 and was also in the Committee planning the republic celebrations in the Berbice area.

Although the 1978 referendum was boycotted by 76 percent of the electorates, Burnham claimed that his party/government has copped more than 90 percent of the 91 percent of the electorates who voted in favour of the referendum, and he invoked the change which gave the President wide ranging powers. The 1980 Constitution was referred to as the Burnham Constitution and the horse back rider, Forbes was installed as the Executive President at a lavish

ceremony. Mashramani was then introduced. It started at Linden by the Jaycees under the chairmanship of Basil Butcher a former test c r i c k e t e r. I t i s v e r y unfortunate that the powers to be had/have not seen it fit to honour Butcher for his sterling contribution as a cricketer and the original organizer of Mashramani which is now a national event celebrated every year on February 23. Race plays an important role in Guyana’s politics since 1957 when the two leaders, Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham parted ways after opening the eyes of the populace about the disadvantages of colonialism and the need for nationalization of the bauxite and sugar industries and controlling the commanding heights of the country.

Burnham as Head of Government ensured that competent Guyanese are placed in key positions. He brought Shridath Ramphal (Continued on page 6)

Where is the money?

DEAR EDITOR, Unbelievable APNU+AFC has no plans to address a broken medicine and medical supplies d i s a s t e r. H u n d r e d s o f thousands of Guyanese have suffered from the lack of availability of medicines and medical supplies and APNU+AFC has totally ignored this life and death issue in their manifesto, not a single word.

Two days ago, I met a woman, struggling with her walking stick, outside of the Leonora Hospital. She complained she just left the pharmacy where she was told there is no metformin, a critical medicine for diabetics. Such shortages of critical medicines and medical supplies have become daily experiences for citizens across Guyana the last five years. Her husband died last year of kidney failure. He often could not get his medicines for high blood pressure and diabetes. They could not afford buying their medicines from the private pharmacies. This seventyfive year old woman explained to me she has voted in every election since 1968 for the PNC (now APNU+AFC). She decided not to vote this year.

Not finding any

reference under health sector in the APNU+AFC manifesto, I looked under disaster management for proposals regarding the procurement, storage, distribution, the overall supply chain in the health sector because medicine and medical supply in the public health sector over the last five years have been wanting. But not a word in their manifesto addressing one of the major life and death issues facing citizens in Guyana. Medicines and medical supplies in the public health sector has been an unequivocal failure for APNU+AFC. They have been forced to acknowledge this failure. One would have thought, therefore, APNU+AFC’s manifesto would address this matter f r o n t a l l y. I n s t e a d , APNU+AFC has totally ignored this matter, not a word on it.

APNU+AFC spent in five years as much as the PPP did in 23 years on medicines an d med ical s u p p lies , $36.7B vs. $36.4B, but shortages at hospitals and health centers have become routine. Children in need of insulin must purchase from t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r.

Hypertension and diabetic patients frequently are told no medicines are available in

the public sector. There have been too many instances of HIV, TB and Malaria medicine unavailability.

Operating theatres have been closed because of lack of supplies. Port Mourant Ophthalmology Center has remained largely closed for five years because cataract kits were unavailable. There have been instances of blood bag, HIV test kits shortages.

Laboratory tests have often been referred to the private sector because reagents are not available. Vaccines have been in short supply. This is just a short list of the litany of medicine and medical supplies horror story over the last five years.

All three ministers George Norton, Karen C u m m i n g s a n d Vo l d a Lawrence - forced to acknowledge procurement and distribution disasters, promised to fix the problem.

As elections loom, there are major shortages in the sector.

What makes the shortages annoying is that APNU+AFC spent more than $36.7B in the last five years, compared to $36.4B the PPP spent in 23 years in government.

APNU+AFC’s track record of squandering tax payers’ money has no better example of squandermania than the procurement,

storage and distribution of medicines and medical supplies. One of the most corrupt deals in the last five years was the drug bond scandal which started under the then Ministers, George Norton and Karen Cummings, and continued under Volda Lawrence. An old house on Sussex Street was rented for $12.5M, but was actually $15M per month, because the government paid for security, air conditioning, electricity, water and VAT on behalf of the client. They expended more than $400M on this so-called drug bond and throughout the whole period all that was stored there were expired condoms and an old CT machine.

APNU+AFC granted a number of contracts that flouted all the laws of Guyana. There is the example of an emergency order for $605M for medicines which Guyana had procured before 2015 at a cost of about $200M and which at the International Reference Price Index at the time of the $605M procurement was $191M. As examples, GPHC paid $6,880 for Aciclovir injection when the average price was $614, and $1,175 for Cefataxime injection, (Continued on page 6)

Friday February 21, 2020

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

The Third Force already exists Will small parties be kingmakers? since 2006 DEAR EDITOR, Those who misleadingly and mis-informatively call for a “Third Force” in Guyana’s politics are many moons late and are in self denial. The “Third Force” came into being in 2006, when <28,000 Guyanese gave the AFC their vote of confidence and 5 parliamentary seats.

This confidence by 10% of the electorate was sustained in 2011, and increased the parliamentary representation of the AFC to 7 seats.

Those who misleadingly argue that a Third Force will cause the traditional forces to work together in parliament, have either forgotten or deny the experience of the Tenth Parliament, which saw a minority PPP/C government use its executive authority to continue mal-governance of the Cooperative Republic.

Third Forces in the Guyana context cannot force anything, except wield the threat of a motion of no confidence (NCM) as the AFC did in 2014. Third Forces in the Guyana Parliament are powerless to control or exert pressure on an executive.

The AFC as the Third Force held the promise of post-racial politics through which Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana could be implemented. The AFC

embodied that potential with its election in 2006, and solidified the fulfillment of that promise with its reelection in 2011 with increased parliamentary representation.

The AFC continued to fulfill the promise of postracial politics and the tenets of Article 13, in a coalition with the APNU formation, thus allowing citizens freedom from fear of ethnic insecurities by political domination. This is evident in the body and representation of the AFC! More so, it has ensured that any individual citizen, can now express themselves politically without concern that their racial identity will limit their participation in the political arena.

For confirmation of this important development, look at the candidates of the new parties of 2019-2020, especially female candidates of Indian racial identity, and consider if this would have been possible prior to 2006, without those individuals being targeted by PPP elements and accused of betraying their race. Postracial politics is here to stay and the AFC as the Third Force made it possible, because the party’s appeal from its inception has been to allow for the coming together of all Guyanese in pursuit of the promise inherent in Article 13 of the constitution of Guyana.

The main lesson of the Tenth Parliament must never

be forgotten, a minority government controlled the executive, and remained free to continue in its ineptitude, corruptive and corrosive style of governance until it was stopped by the threat of a motion of confidence. A coalition of patriotic and progressive forces had to be forged to return to the people, an ethical executive government. Therefore a coalition for the people, by the people, and doing the will of the people came into existence. The Third Force, that is the AFC, understood the wishes of its supporters and ensured the wishes of its supporters were enacted in creating a coalition which the people elected to run the affairs of Guyana.

The Third Force is continuing to exert the mandate of the people and its supporters by being in the APNU+AFC coalition!

Those who talk about creating a third force today are blind, or are in self denial, and their objective has to be singularly selfish. The Third Force already exists, and is an integral part of running the affairs of the Cooperative Republic! The Third Force has already shown what the promise of a post-racial political and cooperative movement could win for Guyana towards the benefit of all its citizens without exception.

Ronnie White

DEAR EDITOR, As GHK Lall commented (KN Feb 19), any small party on its own or in combination that wins one or more seats is likely to be a kingmaker in the new parliament and maybe in government.

But as he noted, the possibility of a small party winning a seat or more is very remote.

One should not underestimate the support of small parties.

Three of them (and I am not referring to the three that is in a combination) are doing quite well and may shock the naysayers of their popularity.

There is a pool of voters who are unhappy with the two behemoths. No matter what they will not vote for the larger parties. If they don’t split up their votes among the seven small contenders, and if they vote strategically, then a few seats can be won by the smaller parties. Only three small parties have a chance at representation in parliament.

The electorate is indeed polarized and the two larger parties are collaring the bulk of the votes (way over 90%).

This leaves little for the smaller parties.

Nevertheless, a few minor parties, as political scientists like me call them,

are in the fray. And if they pick up a few seats, the winner or even the official opposition, both larger parties, will woo them. If neither of the larger parties gets a majority in parliament, the smaller parties that win seats will be kingmakers.

Their support will be needed for government survival or death. The government will have to rule responsibly and share decision making as well as resources with them.

Power will be shared.

Arrogance will be tamed.

The smaller parties will hold the winner accountable.

Incompetent and inept ministers will have to find amity life of work. More money will be spent on improving living if the nation rather than fattening the bank account of officials. Governance will improve. Corruption will be reduced.

Racial tension will ease up since government will be forced to cooperate with the opposition. The quality o f l i f e w i l l g e t b e t t e r.

Standard of living will go up.

But will the smaller parties get seats and or deny the winner a majority?

The two major parties know the answer from their polls.

All polls conducted around the same time will give similar findings.

Parties May spin poll findings or make exaggerated claims that are (or not) found in polls.

Objective, unaligned polls know whether small parties will win seats and which ones.

Four of them will not even come close to a seat — no chance whatsoever.

They will not be in a position to be a kingmaker.

And kingmaker status of any small party depends on the winner not getting a majority. But it is possible that a larger party could get a majority.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

PAGE 6

Incompetence cannot be Republic Bank’s excuse DEAR EDITOR, I have decided to raise this matter in the public domain because it is important that stakeholders - customers, government regulators, and the bank’s shareholders and international management, realize that something is amiss at Republic Bank that goes well beneath the surface.

It has been close to three, four months now that Republic Bank has been releasing my salary late. A check with my employer Wednesday informed me that salaries for this month had been paid since February 14, four working days ago. A check yesterday morning (Feb 20) at around 7:00 hours revealed that Republic Bank was still holding my salary. Crosstalk at my employer’s Accounts Department revealed that other employees at Republic Bank were having the same problem, and that some of the bank’s employees were being less than truthful regarding the reason for

the delay. No official disclosure seems to have been made by the bank to inform customers about this problem, as would be expected.

Republic Bank is probably Guyana’s largest commercial bank with links to Royal Bank of Canada (TT) and Scotiabank (TT). It competes with international banks on the forefront of the banking industry. In this modern age of artificial intelligence and robots, Republic Bank, after its recent fiasco last year, has once again stooped well below international standards, and even basic professional courtesy, in handling what should be a routine aspect of banking and customer relations, not to mention any regulatory breaches regarding information disclosure. Taken in perspective, it is difficult to consider, with all the resources at its disposal, that incompetence (as was the most probable reason for the last issue) across the bank’s management, from the level of

Golden Anniversary...

From page 4 from Jamaica to beAttorney General, and Kenneth Stoby from Barbados to be Chancellor of the Judiciary. Lionel Luckhoo was named as High Commissioner to the UK. The University of Guyana which was the brainchild of Cheddi Jagan was developed

by Burnham which laid the foundation for tertiary education and as a result there are thousands of graduates from UG. It is unfortunate that the country is still divided along racial lines especially at election time. Afro Guyanese control the police force and the army as well as the public service and to some extent teachers while the Indos dominate agriculture, trade and commerce.

The main economic activities are production of rice and sugar, bauxite and gold mining, shrimp, fishing and minerals. The country is hopeful to move from “rags to riches” since massive oil has been discovered and exploration is now under-

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

way by foreign oil companies, but there are complaints that Guyana will not get a fair share from the oil boom since the Guyana government has signed an agreement which is more favourable to the giant oil explorers - ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC General Elections will be held on March 2 and the political parties are now in high gear campaigning. They all want to have full control of the windfall from the oil, but they should work in harmony in order to ensure that the country is not fleeced by the giant oil companies.

Guyana boasts of producing hundreds of intellectuals and professionals in numerous fields.

Many of them held high positions in the field of medicine, engineering, law, accountants, trade and commerce, university professors and other fields in all parts of the world.

Space does not permit me to explore more. Best wishes to all.

Oscar Ramjeet

the country director to the bank’s employees dispensing fairytale explanations to customers, is the reason the basic problem of the inordinate delay in the release of customer’s salaries, and Republic Bank’s continued disregard and disrespect for its customers, regulations, and even its own brand in our rapidly evolving economy. We can only wonder how far-reaching the problem is, and what next can we expect from the bank.

Because while it is true that mismanagement and lower profits may result from companies which have become too large, I do not for a moment think that this is the case with Republic bank, since for example, it is clear that cutting corners with the number of employees serving customers may well have been a contributory factor for the long waiting times faced by customers in the bank.

Where exactly do the bank’s customers stand, and what can we expect?

Regards, Craig Sylvester

Are we destined for that eventuality?

DEAR EDITOR, All Guyanese with a logical unbiased mind should have no difficulty concurring with a Peeping Tom article, “Standing up for Guyana”.

The Peeper correctly asserted that Guyana’s PSA with Exxon “represents the worst oil deal ever” and after 5 years to prepare for first oil, the last draft of our local content policy arrived a few days ago, inhibited with confidentiality clause.

By this time the foreign companies had already bagged the major contracts to supply the riggers offshore.

The Peeper said that the supporters of the Coalition knew that their government signed a lopsided contract and they did poorly in preparing to manage the little chip cheese they signed for, but they (the Coalition supporters) “are not going to be critical of the agreement because they feel that it will cause their government to lose popularity and it does not matter whether they have to eat salt and rice or get ‘white mouth’, most would rather

Where is the...

From page 4 when the average price was $125, paying ten times more.

Why did the government pay ten-times more for emergency supply that then arrived more than six months after?

Right at this moment, the Regions are playing “followthe-leader”. These regions are violating tender laws and have been procuring medicines for between 20 and 100 times the actual cost. There is a medicine, for example, that one can buy at the private pharmacy at a cost of $13 per pill; the Region 6 health department paid more than $300 per pill. In the auditor general’s latest report, he has documented examples after examples of overpayment for medicines.

Violation of the tendering laws, over-priced medicines and medical supplies explain why Guyana has spent five times what it used to spend on medicines and medical supplies, but receive less. In addition to the sordid procurement of medicines, a sys-

tem that raises suspicion of rampant corruption, there is the total mismanagement of the warehousing of medicines and medical supplies and the collapse of the distribution system. The international standards established at one of CARICOM’s largest medical supplies warehouse, the one located at Diamond, built by the PPP, has collapsed. The development of a full-scale dedicated GPHC warehouse which started under my term as Minister and which gradually evolved came to a halt in 2015. The money spent on the Sussex Street drug bond could have catapulted the development of the GPHC warehouse. The New Amsterdam Medical Bond has essentially collapsed. None of the other Regional Medical Storage facilities have benefitted from any investment. So where is the money, $36.7B? Something smells and it stinks all the way to Timbuktu. Yet not a word in their manifesto.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

starve than see their government out of power.” I have been thinking the exact thing a long time ago.

In my opinion the Peeper nailed the quintessential undoing, or the dogmatism in the psyche of “most” of the Coalition supporters to the center of the “bull’s eye” in the above mentioned statement. I am wondering if this is an inherent mentality.

Are we destined for that eventuality?

There is a general concept that people hate the idea of paying taxes. High taxation impacts negatively on the possibilities of a “good life” because it leaves less disposable income in the pockets of the taxed. The Coalition, having promised to reduce taxes, had been extracting 80 to 90 billion more per year than status quo, in taxes from a shrinking economy.

This time, the Coalition did not promise any tax cut in their campaign, having lost the credentials to do so. In this regard the grandstanding of the Coalition’s supporters seems to suggest that it does not matter if they have no life-

but suffice it to say that the few in the government circle remain in power and have all the good life for themselves.

This is incomprehensible from a human perspective!

Politically speaking! I cannot think of any country where people don’t gravitate towards and support a political entity that promises the lowering of taxes, the Coalition rode into power on that same white horse (promise reduction of taxes) - that is what I thought then but my perception has now changed.

Has there been a display of honesty and integrity from the ranks of the Coalition?

One can only imagine the consternation that would have ensued from this said crop of supporters had a PPP president fail to declare their assets to the integrity commission.

Was there accountability and transparency in governance over the last 5 years? The auditor general report reflects the opposite.

The grandstanding of the Coalition supporters is difficult to rationalize.

Rudolph Singh

Let us build together a stronger, healthier and successful Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Some say charity starts at home. When we look at the lack of team work between the two major parties during the negotiations with Exxon it is clear that they were divided to be conquered.

Not only did the government give a very “charitable” or self caring contract to a very successful and rich company, but at the same time they are neglecting those on whose backs this nation was built. Our sugar workers do not ask for charity, but appreciation for their hard work.

The wage increase should be at a minimum able to cover annual inflation.

This would place the

wage increase at 10% at a minimum over the last 4 years. Also if we were to consider the hardworking citizens in each productive sector an inflation pegged increase should be a standard annual a d j u s t m e n t . We m u s t govern with our people’s best interest in mind.

The future leaders of our country are the ones we nurture today and the example we set should uplift them to a higher moral standard that places future generations on a path that strengthens each future generation of our nation.

Let’s build together a stronger, healthier, successful and good Guyana over the next 50 years.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Jagdeo repeatedly trashes ExxonMobil contract, but would leave it as it is

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has repeatedly chided the Government for the bad deal it signed with ExxonMobil and its partners, CNOOC and Hess, for their Stabroek Block operations.

Public discourse about the contract’s provisions has been reignited by the Global Witness report, and the Opposition Leader has capitalised on the anti-corruption watchdog’s criticisms of Government and the deal.

On the 93rd birth anniversary of the late President Forbes Burnham, Jagdeo yesterday told reporters that Burnham would be turning over in his grave with the knowledge of how lopsided the controversial deal is.

For all of his repeated condemnation of the government’s negotiations and the contract, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) general secretary would not commit to fixing it if the major party wins the March 2 general election.

Previously, when asked about renegotiating it, Jagdeo had said that it is important to respect the sanctity of contracts, though he has ac-

cepted that it is lopsided. Yet, he later committed to renegotiating every other current oil contract. His justification for planning to renegotiate those is that the circumstances have changed over the years, including Guyana’s negotiating power.

The Opposition Leader has also said that his reason for wanting the contract to remain that way is that ExxonMobil made – in the words of presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali – a pioneering investment; that ExxonMobil should be rewarded with frontier terms.

This newspaper pointed out that such a reason may indicate contentment with the contract’s fiscal terms.

But Jagdeo assured that his position is much more nuanced.

“We will be the next government… we have to have a

nuanced approach.”

For him, a solution to the lopsided deal does not have to be renegotiation.

“There has to be changes, and we believe we can get these changes one way or another.”He has posited better contract administration as a substitute, and better local content administration.

“We believe that we can get hundreds of millions of US dollars more in benefits to Guyanese, and thousands of jobs benefitting our people.”

He said that it should be noted that the governing coalition has not even come to accept the unfair nature of the deal.“The other side says it’s perfect… We are the only party that offers the possibility of Guyana getting more from this sector.”

But he continued that his position on the agreement should not be reduced to a

populist form, because that could be misleading.

“Every week, Kaieteur and the others, they’re trying to get us to commit to a position that is not nuanced.”

Kaieteur News has made known a principled position it took that the contract is unfair and must be renegotiated.

“I don’t do things for populism,” Jagdeo said.

“We have too many populists in this country. We have to do things that work and that are real.”

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Local Content Policy…

Legal constraints in Exxon deal warranted use of confidentiality provisions - Dr. Bynoe Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe

E

nergy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe has finally provided answers to several queries made by Kaieteur News, which sought to garner a better understanding of why confidentiality provisions were included in Guyana’s Local Content Policy.

Dr. Bynoe said that the drafters of the policy, one of which was ExxonMobil’s contact, Dr. Michael Warner, had to honour the contractual terms of Articles 18 and 19 in Guyana’s current legally binding Petroleum Agreements.

But when perused, Kaieteur News did not find a single provision in the Articles referenced which demanded that the Local Content reports of the oil companies must not be disclosed in full. This publication has attached two im-

ages of the said articles so that citizens can peruse same and form their own conclusions.

With respect to Kaieteur’s question on what Local Content Policy that is in use by other countries, was referenced to justify or support the need for the secrecy provisions in Guyana’s policy, Dr. Bynoe said that Guyana’s policy is built around being fit-for-purpose for the country. He said that this includes “legal consistency (or at least not obvious inconsistency)

Articles 18 and 19 from the Guyana – ExxonMobil Production Sharing Agreement (PSA)

with any contractual terms which pre-existed and which pre-date the 2020 policy.”

Further to this, the Energy Department Head said, “Consistency with the PAs (Production Agreements) was the all-important starting point for position of the Policy on disclosure. However, the Policy has also sought to interpret those particular articles in a highly favourable manner, by including the provisions which support the need for as much disclosure as is reasonably possible.”

Dr. Bynoe said that the current provisions support and develop local content, up to the limit of avoiding the possibility of any legal battles with operators over breaches of contractual terms. Dr. Bynoe said, “We wish to again point out that Guyana’s 2020 Local Content Policy is a live document intentionally designed to respond to legal and other contextual developments as they evolve; all with the view of delivering the best value for the people of Guyana.”

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

THERE IS NO 52% TAKE FOR GUYANA There are a lot of pretenders out there claiming to understand the oil contract which the government signed. Their mission, however, is to defend a government which they would like to see returned to office.

Some persons – especially some on social media – do not understand what Guyana is supposed to be receiving from the oil companies. They have read about the 50% profit oil which Guyana is supposed to be receiving, and they are adding that to the royalty and claiming that the country will receive 52% of the oil production. That is far from the truth.

Guyana gets 2% off the top. So no matter how much is produced, Guyana gets 2% of its value. This is not discounted from the total production. From the total production, Exxon has to deduct its costs. Now there is a cap of 75% of costs, which means that Exxon cannot claim more than 75% costs at any one time. The remaining 25% is what is called profit oil.

It is 50% or half of this profit oil which Guyana is entitled to. This means Guyana is entitled to half of 25% or 12.5%. So Guyana’s total take, will be the 2% plus the 12.5% which is 14.5%. Not 50% plus 2%.

These are just the crude calculations. A number of additional things, however, have to be factored into this formula.

Firstly, Exxon is entitled to reclaim the costs of the oil

which it used in production.

This is part of the contract.

Exxon is not only producing oil, but it is using oil. It can reclaim this.

Secondly, Guyana has to pay Exxon’s taxes. There have been concerns raised about the ethical propriety of this arrangement. The government has not offered an explanation as to why it agreed to this arrangement. But surely that cannot have anything to do with Venezuela.

Thirdly, there is no “ring fencing’. In broad terms, what this means is that if Exxon drills a well and it does not find oil, it can put these costs onto those wells where it found oil. This reduces Guyana’s potential take.

And yet persons are arguing that Exxon was taking a

lot of risks. What risks? There is no ring fencing, and so there is no worry about the risk of striking an empty well.

Guyana, on the other hand, has to foot the bill, whether oil is found or not. But having found oil in the Stabroek Block effectively de-risked the block.

Fourthly, Guyana still has to pay field development costs which run into billions and pre-contract costs which are estimated at close to US$1B. This is a huge bill and should be properly audited.

Fifthly, Guyana will get cash for its royalty, but has to sell its own oil. And there is a big commission involved here for the company which has to sell the oil. That further reduces Guyana’s take.

Sixthly, Exxon estimated

Private Sector Commission calls for Election Day to be declared a holiday The Private Sector Commission is calling for Election Day to be declared a national holiday.

According to the commission, it has given serious consideration to the absolute need for the maintenance of law and order, and the free and unhindered access to and from the polling place for every citizen qualified to vote on March 2nd.

“The Private Sector Commission is of the view, therefore, that, as has been the case in previous General and Regional Elections, Election Day be declared a holiday, ensuring that every voter is free to cast their vote and return directly and safely to their homes. The Private Sector Commission calls upon the government to declare 2nd March, 2020, a National Holiday.”

Already, the Ministry of Education has said it will be a day when all public schools will be closed.

that it will produce 120,000 barrels per day for the first year of production. We are now into the second month of production, and it is still nowhere near that number.

Guyana, therefore, may end up receiving far less than the US$300M which it had expected in the first year.

People have to stop deluding themselves into thinking that regardless of the poor deal which was signed, riches are coming the country’s way.

They have to stop being hypnotized by promises being made on the campaign trail.

The money is not going to be there to do those things.

Whatever crumbs are re-

ceived will have to go to fixing the big hole that exists in the economy. Foreign reserves have declined to dangerous levels. The dollar is trading at around G$215 to US$1, with businesses having to pay an extra G$3 above this rate. In addition, business costs are climbing daily.

People want to be positive and hopeful, but the indications are clear that the economy has serious problems and is waiting on an oil bailout. That bailout will mean less for you and me.

The 2% royalty will be enough to give you and me three loaves of bread each per month. With the profit oil

take, this still is not enough to allow for a loaf of bread per day.

That is why Guyanese should do the math and be careful with the election promises which are being flaunted without counting the costs of delivery.

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

PAGE 10

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Naim Chan Show, Chris Ram, Gerhard Ramsaroop and the Chronicle

T

oday in Guyana, nuff television and radio stations abound and nuff interview programmes come with them.

People want to be on radio and television hosting interviewees. But you just don’t invite someone to come on your show for the sake of publicity.

The interviewer must have some experience in journalism and in the following precious disciplines of Guyana - sociology, history, political economy, contemporary affairs, and social structure. If you lack adequate knowledge in these departments you cannot and will not be a successful host.

I have been a guest of these interviewers since Atlantis disappeared, and I believe the contents could have been better if these requirements were met by the interviewers.

One of my best moments in this kind of journey was on the Naim Chan Show on channel 6, early last Wednesday morning.

It was clear to me that the host did his research on Guyana’s contemporary politics and my perspectives on politics – specific, particularistic and general. I would consider it one of the best inter-

views I have ever done. I think the questions were shaped to allow a flow that was multidimensional and all-encompassing.

Chan asked me about the play of politics today. I used the Chronicle as a pyrotechnic example of how the moment of 2015 became a failure.

In 2012, the AFC and APNU as opposition parties, on a matter of principle, cut the line item in the budget relating to funding for the state media.

The argument then was that the state media (using media in the singular sense and not plural) is a propaganda tool for the ruling party, and did not operate as a state institution whose purpose was to provide information to the nation on what government does.

In the reign of the PPP, the state media, including NCN and the Chronicle, were reduced to party rags.

AFC fanned out throughout Guyana in 2012 to explain to people why the budget cuts were necessary. I have vivid memories of those meetings. I shared a platform with Christopher Ram in Region 5, and he lost his voice on the podium and I was the next speaker. Gerhard Ramsaroop was charismatic. The rural supporters of the PPP took to

him.

2012 passed into history.

The people who cut the budget for the state media are in power since 2015.

They have authority over the state media.

The canvas today is identical to when Chris Ram, Gerhard Ramsaroop and I paraded across Region 4 mostly East Coast locations to justify the withholding of parliamentary approval for funding for the state media.

In countless ways, the party propaganda during the reign of the PPP that adorned the front pages of the Chronicle has been exceeded by the APNU+AFC regime. It was virtually impossible for any Guyanese, wherever they were, to think that people who fought against the long knives and never-ending nights of the PPP’s elected dictatorship would be rejected from writing for the Chronicle.

The names Lincoln Lewis and David Hinds were not banal, passing names in the annals of democratic struggle. Yet, a government that won a general election by a mere point three percent stopped these two men from expressing their views in a paper owned not by a party but the state.

Since the election season began, I have noticed three editorials endorsing the ruling coalition.

This is unprofessional journalism. The Chronicle is not private property. State institutions cannot endorse political parties. I have been monitoring the Chronicle since the campaign season started.

Every rally (not political meeting, but the scheduled 16 rallies of APNU+AFC) has been carried front page, with the lead photo being that of the rally.

There has not been a front page story and photo of any of the PPP rallies.

I remind readers that the ruling formation beat its com-

petitor in 2015 by a mere point three percent. Surely, compelling moral decency dictates that the Chronicle should give other parties, especially the PPP which is an equal adversary of the PNC in terms of strength and popularity, front page coverage too.

It is not only the rallies, but even the ordinary campaign meetings of APNU+AFC are assigned front-page showing, but never any other political party. It is as if the Chronicle, as it was prior to 2015, is owned by the ruling party and not the state of Guyana.

I told my host Naim Chan the shape of the Chronicle after 2015 is convincing evidence that the dream of 2015

Frederick Kissoon is gone.

I told Naim that the physiology of the Chronicle today shows where our current leaders - in the PPP and APNU+AFC - do not deserve to be returned to power.

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

Dem boys seh...

Don’t trust anybody who riding bicycle Things probably really bad in Guyana. Is either dem have too many thieves or de thieves of today don’t have no scruples. Is not that thieves wasn’t existing back in de day.

Dem had people who use to choke and rob, but dem only use to choke man. Dem use to tackle women, but dem use anodda tactic.

Some of dem use to pretend that dem was de woman husband and dem use to assault she and tek way she jewellery.

That was then.

Things reach de stage wheh criminals become more bold. Dem start to go in people house and rob dem.

And dem didn’t use any tact. Dem use to kick in de people door. That stop when

Desmond Hoyte mek some of dem walk pun air.

Now dem have a group that riding round on bicycle snatching women’s purse.

Some of dem also robbing anybody who dem see. Dem don’t check to see if de person got money. Dem tekking anything.

That is how de one get shoot de odda day.

Dem boys want to know if things so bad that people gun risk dem life to thief anything.

People thiefing $500, imitation gold things and cell phones.

And dem got places wheh dem can sell de imitation jewellery.

De police seh dem know who thiefing, but dem got to depend on CCTV camera to ketch. And even when dem ketch dem got to let de people

go because de people who get rob can’t identify de bandit.

That is wha happen at Giftland. De police see de people, track dem to wheh dem live in de city, arrest dem and had to loose dem.

Just like how people grill up dem house when people start to break in, dem boys gun be watching every man pun a bicycle or a motorbike.

And de strange thing is that ordinary people watching these things and tekking action.

But it got a downside.

Some people ketch a thief and beat him and he dead.

De police charge dem. That is wrong. It encouraging thiefing.

Talk and don’t ignore bicycles and motorcycles.

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Pegasus 90-suite project on stream for August completion ...but Badal still peeved over lack of incentives for locals

Pegasus’ owner, Robert Badal and several construction workers at the Kingston site yesterday.

Pegasus Hotel is gearing for an August completion with over 90 one-bedroom suites to be added.

Another building, to house corporate offices, is to be completed in December with over 200,000 square feet to house restaurants, salon and a gym there.

The disclosures were made by Pegasus’ owner, Robert Badal, yesterday during a media tour of the US$100M project.

The tour would come days after the state’s National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) announced that three new hotels, including an AC Marriot and Hilton, are coming to Guyana.

They will be built in the Ogle, East Coast Demerara area, where former cane lands have been earmarked for commercial and other developments.

Yesterday, Badal noted that his ambitious project was launched a year and half ago, using China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), as the contractor.

CHEC is the same company on the Timehri

airport project which has been under fire for its work at that US$150M project.

Almost seven years after that project was started, it has not been completed.

CHEC, however, has completed the MovieTowne mall and is now working on the Pegasus’ project.

The 12-story luxury suite building towers over the nearby Marriott and will be one of the tallest buildings in the country.“It shows how we do things in the private sector,” Badal said.

He said that the project will be a hallmark of careful planning, expert execution, and of mobilizing resources and finances.

When the tower is completed in August, tenants should be moving in by September.

“It is an integrated project. One can live upstairs and work downstairs. This project will bring traffic to this part of Georgetown,” Badal assured.The businessman, who has established his own party and is contesting the March 2nd general and regional elections, was critical of the airport project, noting that his own is 10 times that

of the terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The fact that Pegasus has managed to come so far in so short of a time, is testimony of how the private sector does things - within budget and time, he reiterated.

“This is 300,000 square feet of space - 10 times the terminal of the CJIA. We would have this in two years.

Under politicians, it is taking them more than five years to build the one at CJIA.” Badal is not threatened with the announcement of new hotels.

He said that the previous administration under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had conceived the Marriott in Kingston, next door to him, “to close Pegasus - the biggest display of unpatriotic behavior”.

“Look what happened today. We are paying our taxes while Marriott has not paid one dollar in dividends after five years…”

The businessman insisted that he is familiar with his business and has done well to market it. “It is time that (Continued on page 30)

The corporate centre which will be completed in December.

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Govt.’s 800-acre East Coast ‘city’ project legally questionable - Opposition Leader … Cites Govt’s diminished capacity Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is of the view that the public must question the circumstances, including the legality, of Government’s sale of over 23 acres of land at Ogle for a series of luxury projects, as part of a wider ‘city’ development project to occur on an earmarked 800 acres of East Coast land.

The former President made these comments during

a press conference at his Church Street office yesterday, and added to his statements in a subsequent interview with Kaieteur News.

He told this newspaper that the no confidence motion of December 21, 2018 and the subsequent ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) renders the Government diminished in its capacity.

In its Definitive Orders,

issued on July 12, 2019, the Trinidad-based court stated “The CCJ did express the view that it is expected that the Government will continue as a caretaker for the affairs of the county, but that in light of its caretaker role, it should be restrained in the use of its legal authority.”

Subsequently, President David Granger put out his own statement welcoming

the direction of the court and that the Government would continue in an ‘interim’ status.

The Ministry of the Presidency stated that this entails the Government continuing a ‘routine’ management of the country, also addressing ‘urgent issues that are in the public interest’. It stated, as well, that it is prepared to consult with the Opposition on matters which require the agreement of both sides.

This means that, while the Government will continue its routine management of the country, it will also address urgent issues that are in the public interest. It is also prepared to consult with the Opposition on matters which require the agreement of both sides.Does the sale of over 23 acres – and the intended sale of over 700+ more – of state

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

lands by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) – for ‘city’ development constitute any of these duties of an ‘interim’ or ‘caretaker’ government, as set out by the President’s office? Jagdeo asked.

The President had said that his government would not green-light any controversial projects, but the Opposition Leader has now raised questions about the initiative.Jagdeo said that it’s

not just that the Government is making the awards in a diminished capacity, but that the announcement of the deals so close to a highly anticipated general election is also raising eyebrows.

While discussing the awards, NICIL’s business development officer, Rachael Henry, posited that the upcoming elections did not factor into the decision to announce and turn the sod on the projects.

Private investors, including New York-based Guyanese, Edmon Braithwaite and his partner, US developer Mike Elliot of Energy Real Estate Solutions (ERES), have purchased 21 acres at a cost of $26M per acre. The land is located behind the former headquarters of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). They intend there to erect two hotels, a mini golf course, pool and other amenities, including retail space.

Then there is the sale of 2.61 acres for over $26M per acre for the construction of an AC Marriot hotel, to a Syrian, John Aboud, who has made Trinidad his home.

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Friday February 21, 2020

Houston to become industrial hub for oil and gas - City drafts by-laws to regulate operators T

he Houston, East Bank Demerara, (EBD) area has been earmarked for major i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l transformation.

The area is set to become the main industrial hub for oil and gas activities, City Mayor Ubraj Narine has said.

Given the impending transformation, Narine told Kaieteur News in an interview that the Georgetown Council is in the process of drafting by–laws to help the City regulate the entities operating onshore.

According to the Mayor, the by-laws are expected provide a guideline for the onshore operators in keeping with the guidelines of the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01.

Narine noted that at

present, Chapter 28:01 does not cater for activities related to oil and gas.

“There is nothing in the law about that, but Houston is an area which falls under the Council. That's why it is important for the City to implement by-laws to help regulate what goes on in the sector.”

The Mayor explained that given its location, Houston is considered a top locality for industrial activities of the sector.

He said that the entire area, particularly along the shoreline, is expected to be transformed for industry use within the coming months and years.

According to him, the Georgetown Council has already received building plans for industrial sites, as well as the laying of pipelines and silos used in

Storage silos are expected along the shoreline as part of the industrial transformation at Houston, East Bank Demerara

Mayor Ubraj Narine the oil sector.

“The City Engineer's Department has already received several plans for commercial and industrial buildings expected for Houston. We know the change is coming.

So at this point, the Council is working with lawyers from the Attorney General's Chambers as well as officers from the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) to help draft the by- laws.”

Narine said that the agencies involved play a key part in ensuring that the regulations are in keeping with the municipal laws as well as the environmental regulations.

The Mayor told Kaieteur News that presently the bylaws have been drafted and sent to the Attorney General for perusal.

“As soon as it is vetted by the legal minds, the Council will place it to a vote and

soon after it will be forwarded to the Minister of Communities for approval and to be published in the Official Gazette,” Narine added.

Additionally, the Mayor noted that the City Council is among a number of agencies prepping for the infrastructural changes expected to come on stream as a result of the new sector.

During an end-of-year press conference, Chief Development Planner of the Central Housing and Planning Authority ( C H & PA ) G e r m e n e Stewart outlined plans to redevelop Houston to cater for the industrial

transformation.

According to Stewart, the CH&PA's plan will factor in the needs of potential oil and gas investors.

She noted that already, facilities which cater for the oil and gas industry have been established at Houston

by Guyana Shore Base Inc., Tiger Tanks and S c h l u m b e r g e r, a m o n g others.

W i t h f u r t h e r developments expected, the CH&PA officer said the authority has been proactive in meeting with developers and land owners.

Stewart disclosed that to date, for the oil and gas sector, the CH &PA has processed 44 applications.

Welder allegedly caught with unlicensed firearm at airport, granted bail

T

hirty-three-yearo l d Te r r e n c e Baker, a welder, of 3715 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool in the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court to answer to gunrelated charges.

The father of one is being represented by attorney-atlaw Bernard Da Silva. Baker denied the charges.

The first charge alleged that on February 17, 2020, at Eugene Correia International Airport, Ogle East Coast Demerara, he had in his possession one .32 pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence at the time.

A second charge stated that on the same date and at the same location he had in his possession two rounds of .32 ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence at the time.

The lawyer made an application for his client to be released on reasonable bail. However, the police prosecutor objected to bail being granted based on the fact that the file is completed and ready.

After Da Silva asked for d i s c l o s u r e a n d commencement of trial on February 26, the prosecutor then informed the court that one statement is still outstanding.

Da Silva then renewed

Charged: Terrence Baker his bail application for his client on the grounds of unreasonable delay, and uncertainty of the state of readiness by the prosecutor.

Magistrate Liverpool then granted bail in the sum of $300,000 with reporting conditions attached.

The matter was adjourned to March 13, for report and disclosure.

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Banks DIH hosts annual Senior Citizens Luncheon Banks DIH Limited hosted its annual Senior Citizens Luncheon last Sunday at Thirst Park

B

anks DIH Limited hosted its annual Senior Citizens Luncheon last Sunday at Thirst Park. Some 630 persons, including pensioners of the Company and members of benevolent organisations, attended the event.

M r. C l i f f o r d R e i s , Chairman/Managing Director in brief remarks at the function said Banks DIH Limited continues to take its Corporate social responsibility seriously by giving back to the communities in which it operates.

Mr. Reis highlighted the Company's programme for the current fiscal year and Guyana's 50th Republic Anniversary being observed on February 23rd. He said that Banks DIH Limited is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Celebrating Educationâ&#x20AC;? in observance of Guyana's Golden Jubilee as a Republic by providing financial grants to vocational and technical institutions across the country. This initiative was launched last

week Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Mr. Reis also disclosed plans for the expansion of Citizens Bank in Georgetown and Bartica and construction of the Company's Automotive Division and modernised parking at Demerara Park.

There was also a cultural presentation featuring participants including veteran Calypsonian the Mighty Smoker among other performers.

Members and residents of several well-known organisations were in attendance, including the Guyana Red Cross, Guyana Veterans Legion (GVL), Salvation Army men's and women's hostels, David Rose Centre, West Ruimveldt, Guyana Society for the Blind, Guyana Association for the Visually Impaired, Uncle Eddie's Home, Archer's Home, St. Vincent de Paul Home.

The attendees were provided with meals, refreshment, hampers and financial assistance.

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

GEA to recommend an electric vehicle for each ministry (From left) Permanent Secretary of the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Kenneth Jordan; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Chief Executive Officer for Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma; and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma

T

he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) will be recommending that an electric vehicle be added to every government ministry's fleet following recent tests it conducted with an electric car.

According to the Department of Public Information, GEA's Chief E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e D r.

Mahender Sharma said yesterday that he had been driving a Nissan Leaf for several weeks now.

“It is a 40kwh battery.

Forty kwh gives about 150 driving miles which is about 20km on a single charge. I have been driving it with AC for the last three weeks and I have been getting about 144km on a single charge,” he said.

The GEA head said the electric vehicle operates at 25 percent the cost of a petrol vehicle of the same class.

“We compared it against what I was driving before,

the Suzuki Vitara. The Suzuki Vitara gives a mileage of about 4km/litre.

The mileage on this is [electric car] is about 4.5km per kilowatt-hour. When we did the conversions and the comparisons, the Vitara was costing us $50/km, while this car with the regular GPL tariffs that we pay at GEA, cost just about $10/km,” Dr. Sharma stated.

Tax exemptions are available for the importation of electric cars. Cars four to eight years old do not attract customs duties, excise tax, nor VAT, while those less than four years old only attract VAT. A proposal for charging stations to be built in various parts of the country has been submitted.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, who inspected the GEA vehicle yesterday, said the move was in keeping with government's Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040.

Duo committed to stand trial in High Court for 'White Boy' murder

Kevin Rose

T

wo men who were charged last year for the murder of 20-year-old Patrick Fraser called 'White Boy', were yesterday committed to stand trial in the High Court.

Shemar Moore Kevin Rose, 22, of 1058 Nineteenth Street, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, and Shemar Moore called 'Frankie', 23, of 108 La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank (continued on page 29)

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Death of former national cyclist…

Cops check CCTV footage of crash FOR RENT Ransom (Concrete mixers), Scaffolding, Power washer, compactors, hire truck service etc, free delivery. Telephone: 610-5360.

Email: dmdscaffolding@yahoo.com SERVICES

FOR SALE

Visa Forms Preparer.

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

All Terrain fat tire bicycles/ Electric Bikes/Scooters.

Contact# 655-4303 .

Facebook-United China Caribbean Trading

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

LAND FOR SALE

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 We repair Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washer, Dryer-Call#2310655/683-8734 Omar.

Diamond $5M, Sophia $5M, Schnoord $4M, Supply $27M, Loo creek wharf 86 acre $60M Saxacalli. Shawn #231-2199/ 618-7483 Land for sale - 480 acres of transported waterfront land situated @ Hogg Island, Suitable for Cattle, Rice, Eco Tourism. Contact#617-4004 Transported land for sale in Rose Hall Town.Call#603-1441 PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc.

Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 Golden Grove, EBD, 4 bedroom upstairs, Kitchen, Dining room downstairs.

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

Contact Gary #664-1569 for more info Charlestown $15M, South $22M, Norton $22M, Diamond $10M, Gordon, Tucville $22M, Princess $15M. Shawn #2312199/618-7483

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

1 Allion PTT series new model for sale. Price $2,000,000. # 661-0075/682-5353

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

Lower unfurnished 3 bedroom home in Eccles. Spacious & Parking available $150,000/ USA $750. Contact Ajai #6297132/ USA# 281-739-6550 Two 2 bedroom house in Herstelling, 1 month rent, 2 month security. Call: 696-1680 2 bedroom, Lower Flat, in Hadfield St, Lodge, Tiled, Secured & Grill. Mature Individual. $300 USD per month. Tel#610-5201/2268149

2 Vacancies- Clerk & Domestic, Live-in facilities for Berbicians & Essequibians. #219-5354 Office Assistant- Maths & English, Excel & Quickbooks.

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

Tel# 227-0186/227-0176 Security Officers to work, preferably ex army, police or disciplined services.Age 2440.Contact#223-4172/6002271

Vacancy for One (1) Experienced Driver/Salesman @ Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products. Tel#225-7864

Unfurnished house with 2 selfcontained, 2 bedrooms apartments in Queenstown.

Call: 669-0698

Driver/Expediter, Accounts Clerk, Family to live & work on farm in Haruruni. Tel# 2310363

Two bedroom apartment, parking & overhead tank $45,000. #626-5846

1 & 2 bedrooms fully furnished apartments in Georgetown for students & single working. Tel#225-1418/ 601-1585/625-0266

WANTED

WANTED

Maid. Requirements: person must be living on the East Bank. Contact# 600-6887

Drivers for route 42 minibus.

Tel# 640-0626 Domestic help from Providence or nearby, three days weekly 9am to 3pm. Call Shiv #638-4111 1 able-bodied male clerk. Call: 225-2313/226-1497 One Body work technician.

Call: 227-1717 Truck Driver to work in Georgetown. Call: 227-1717

Wanted in Mahaica/ Mahaicony area, One Domestic worker urgently.

Call: 624-7087/258-0213

Experienced supervisor, receptionist, maid and handyman to work in Hotel.

Call: 225-9211

One legal computer clerk. Call: 624-7087/664-7113

Live-in Domestic, must know to cook 30-50 yrs, Salary $25,000 weekly. #648-7866

P

Vacancy for labourers and maintenance workers @PSGCS. Call Office: 6157784/621-6969 between 8-4 hrs Mon-Fri

Fully furnished airconditioned duplex in gated community, all utilities included. #265-7777/699-6891

N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808.

Looking for ackee trees. If you know where any are locatedplease call or whatsapp #6087452

One male janitor. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street, Bourda

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

LEARN TO DRIVE

Wanted 1 Experienced cook.

Call: 623-8654

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

Email application to: techserigy@yahoo.com

1 bedroom fully furnished apt for rent in Providence. Call: 617-2666/682-6238

One newly renovated apartment in Great Diamond EBD. Contact# 621-0352/6030067

Experienced Pastry Maker/ Cake Decorator, Driver. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal Restaurant, 5 Commerce St. CAR RENTAL

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

VACANCY

olice have examined Closed Circuit Tele vision (CCTV) footage of the February 8, 2020 crash which resulted in the death of former national pedal cyclist, Jude Bentley.

A senior police official said that investigators have checked the footage “frame by frame” to ascertain exactly what transpired.

“We are looking at electronic evidence…we have video evidence, and we have to look at every frame,” the official told Kaieteur News.

Kaieteur News understands that investigators have established that Bentley’s bicycle was fitted with lights and reflectors.

Bentley was struck down and killed on while cycling on the Rupert Craig Highway,

WANTED Supervisor, Kitchen assistants & servers for restaurants.

2 years ’experience and food handlers permit. Call/Whatsapp #6087452

Jude Bentley

Gary Best near the Russian Embassy.

Former Army Chief of Staff and Retired Rear Admiral, Gary Best, was driving the vehicle that struck Bentley.

Police said that Best was over the legal alcohol limit at the time of the accident.

Reports indicate that driver and cyclist were both heading east when the crash occurred. Best’s vehicle also struck a utility pole.

According to the police report, Best alleged that he was proceeding east along the southern lane of Clive Lloyd Drive when a cyclist suddenly appeared in front of him.

He reportedly told police that he applied brakes and the right side front of his vehicle struck the cyclist, who fell onto the roadway.

Best was detained, but later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s cardiac ward when he complained of feeling unwell. He was discharged a day later and released on $100, 000 station bail.

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

GPHC emergency dept. waiting Marcus Bisram case... time significantly lessened Prosecution tenders statements of all witnesses P

ersons accessing health care services at the Emergency Department attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital are more than likely to have a shorter waiting period, due to the new system that has been put in place by the institution’s Board of Directors.

This is according to a senior official working at the hospital.

In a recent interview with this publication, the official stated that the new system was implemented last Monday and since then, no complaint has been lodged by patients.

Kaieteur News understands that before the new set up, everyone accessing health care at the city hospital through the emergency department had to sit and wait on their respective turns before going to the triage nurse to explain the symptoms they were experiencing.

However, as of now, all patients accessing health care at the city hospital will be seen by medical personnel working in the emergency department first, before they can go to the triage nurse so that their medical information can be documented.

After the inspection, the medical personnel will be able to specify if some persons are in need of emergency care or if it’s just mild sickness that can be treated at the community health centres.

“Right now, at the emergency department, all the patients waiting on the benches to see the triage nurse will first have to be inspected by a doctor or any other medical personnel working in the emergency department. After the waiting patients have been inspected by the medical personnel, they will then be put into different sections to sit, based on the severity of the pain or discomfort they are feeling.”

The official further explained that the implementation of such new processes came into the place after several patients had been lodging complaints about having to wait a very long time in a line to seek medical attention, even when they are feeling severe pain.

Due to the numerous complaints, the Board of Directors at the city hospital carried out an internal investigation that lasted for a period of three days and reading information garnered from the probe, the official stated that it was un-

covered that a percentage of persons accessing health care at the city hospital are acquainted with several of the medical personnel working at the hospital According to sources, this kind of acquaintance was largely affecting the waiting time of persons waiting to see a doctor, because medical personnel working at the department would at all times allow their family or friends to access treatment without joining the line like a normal person.

“Some persons come to this hospital looking and talking normal, but only those persons know the amount of pain he or she is feeling. Before, we had persons waking up at 06:00hrs to come to this hospital so that they could be attended to early and avoid the long wait.”

“Due to the new system it is difficult for medical personnel to sneak their relatives that are feeling mild pain to the doctor’s area, thus bypassing the need of the truly sick persons,” the official said.

Since the implementation of the new system, the congestion in the emergency department has significantly lessened.

Marcus Bisram

A

s the inquiry continues into the Marcus Bisram case, all statements given by the witnesses in the matter were tendered by the Stacy Goodings-led prosecution.

The proceedings continued before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

The inquiry commenced with the prosecution calling their star witness to testify in court.

That proceeding was held in camera because of his age (17). However, yesterday another witness was expected to be called but it was mentioned that he is currently out of the country.

Only statements of witnesses were tendered.

The matter is set to continue on February 27th, when a second witness will testify.

Bisram who was extradited to Guyana late last year was charged with coercing, procuring and demanding Harri Paul Parsram, Radesh Motie, Niran Yacoob, Diodath Datt and Orlando Dickie to murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt in 2016. Bisram is being represented by Attorneys Sanjeev Datadin and Dexter Todd.

The other five persons are currently awaiting trial in the Berbice High Court.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

PPP “deeply disturbed” by reduction in Polling Places …especially in party’s strongholds The Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in a statement issued late last evening, expressed that it is deeply disturbed by the recent decisions of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to reduce the number of Polling Places, especially in PPP strongholds.

“We consider this latest development as yet another attempt by GECOM to frustrate voters, suppress and hinder voting and create possible confusion on Elections Day.” The Party said that it belatedly received the revised list of Polling Stations on Monday 17th February, 2020, after its Elections Agent Mr. Zulficar Mustapha wrote to the Chief Elections Officer requesting same.

“Upon receipt, the Party

made a number of objections and proposals and also met with Mr. Keith Lowenfield to express our concerns and to explain in great details the unnecessary hardships which these decisions will cause. At this meeting, a commitment was given by Mr. Lowenfield to consider our proposals with a view to make the necessary adjustments.

To our utter disappointment all, except one of our proposals, were rejected by the GECOM without any proper reason or explanation,” the party stated.

It continued: “GECOM proposes to use 2,339 Polling Stations in 2020, a mere increase of forty (40) Polling Stations, in comparison to the 2,299 Polling Stations used in 2015, even though there is a significant increase of almost

90,000 electors in 2020, when compared to 2015”.

“We consider this to be an undue fetter imposed upon the rights of the Guyanese voters to exercise their franchise freely, and it constitutes a hindrance to the expression of the Guyanese electorate to exercise their democratic right to vote in a comfortable manner and in an accommodating environment.

Further, the decision to discontinue the use of Private residences is being applied discriminatorily and not fairly by GECOM, since there are many Private Residences being used in Georgetown and along the East Bank of Demerara as Polling Stations.

However, in areas such as: -1) Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, with almost

Duo committed to stand trial in High Court for...

From page 20 Demerara, both labourers, are jointly charged with the murder of Fraser.

After the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry (PI), the Magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence against Rose and Moore for them to stand trial before a judge and jury. The defendants are scheduled to go on trial at the next practicable session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.

The duo was on trial before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

It is alleged that on May 9, 2019, at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, the defendants while in the company

of others, murdered Patrick Fraser during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

According to the police, Fraser, of 518 Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, was shot twice, about 20:30hrs, on the day in question. The incident allegedly took place in a yard at Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

Police in an initial investigation had revealed that the victim, while imbibing with friends in the yard, was reportedly shot in the region of his upper right leg and right side ribs, by a person or persons unknown. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Dead: Patrick Fraser called 'White Boy'

7,000 electorate, GECOM has reduced the number of Polling Places from 10 to two, eliminating completely all private residences, while cramping all the polling stations into two schools situated at the same location - this will definitely result in confusion, frustration and will keep voters in lines for several hours. In addition, voters would have to travel miles to arrive at these Polling Places.

2) Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, one Polling Place is located at the Lusignan Prisons, located over a mile in the deserted backlands from where the closest voter resides.

3) Annandale, East Coast Demerara, again no private residences are used and the entire community would have to vote at three schools, adjacent to each other, at the northern end of the village.

4) Chesney Village, Region 6, residents will have to traverse over two miles to the polling station, instead of voting in their own community as was the case in previous elections. Yet there is a

public building in Chesney Village, but the place where they now have to vote, two miles away, is a private residence. This simply does not make sense.

5) The decision to use tents on the Railway Embankment at Foulis, East Coast Demerara, is preposterous, since it will lead to traffic congestion and can excite security concerns.

6) There is no polling place in La Grange, a very populated community, and the residents are expected to vote in the neighbouring village Bagotville, which is known to be an APNU stronghold.

The above is not an exhaustive list, but amounts to sufficient evidence for the Party to conclude that there may be a deliberate strategy by GECOM to displace voters and create confusion on Election Day. Additionally, the GECOM website is misleading voters with regard to their polling stations. Residents of Felicity, East Coast Demerara, are now informed

via the GECOM’s website that they are voting at MMC Parking Lot (Tent).

This Polling Station is not on the list of Polling Places that were given to the PPP, it was never identified to be a polling station. The Party is concerned because this is just one such case that was brought to our attention, but there could be many more such instances which will create chaos and confusion.

We call upon GECOM to eschew its current posture, and to adopt one which facilitates and encourages smooth and peaceful voting by the electorate in an environment that is safe and comfortable.

We take this opportunity to call on the technical advisors from the Commonwealth, IRI and Canada, all the election observer teams in Guyana, the diplomatic community and civil society organizations, to note our concerns, and to join us in our efforts to ensure that the Guyanese electorate gets a free and fair opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote on March 2, 2020.”

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Reporters concerned about safety of GECOM Media Centre A number of media houses have raised concerns about the safety of the area surrounding the Ashmin’s Building at downtown Georgetown. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has selected the building as its media centre.

This is according to Nazima Raghubir, President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA).

During the upcoming general and regional elections, media operatives are expected to congregate there for regular press engagements with GECOM. Public Relations Officer, (PRO) of GECOM, Yolanda Ward confirmed on Wednes-

day that the building located at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, has been also assigned to house the offices of the Chief Elections Officer and the Returning Officer for Region Four during the elections, in addition to the media centre.

The building is located in the vicinity of the crime-prone area downtown Georgetown.

Robberies are especially a regular occurrence.

Despite the concern, Raghubir noted that at this point GECOM is resolute in housing the accommodations for the media at Ashmin’s building.

Ward has said that GECOM will ensure adequate

security presence at the location. She assured that a safe environment is guaranteed.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Alliance for Change, Khemraj Ramjattan appeared at a press conference for the APNU+AFC coalition to discuss crime and security. At the coalition’s Lamaha Street headquarters, the incumbent Public Security Minister sought to convince the media yet again that serious crime is not out of control, thanks to the Government’s Smart City programme, among other initiatives implemented for stronger public security.

Asked whether Government has scientifically reviewed the effectiveness of

The Ashmin’s Building has been chosen by GECOM as its media centre the citywide camera installations, Ramjattan said that it hasn’t. However, he said that his evidence shows that the project is very effective, in that it deters criminals. He also

said that detection rates of criminals have increased.

He said that media houses like Kaieteur and Stabroek News ought to understand the effect of reporting serious

crime on the front pages of the newspapers. The Minister had told Kaieteur News previously that the media has a responsibility not to sensationalise crime.

Pegasus 90-suite project on stream...

From page 13 government insists that Marriott pay its taxes and dividends to the people of Guyana.”

Badal was critical of the sod-turning of the two projects on the East Coast by NICIL without clarity.

“When I turned the sod here, I had building permission…I had EPA permission…I had all the permits, the financing…everything.”

Badal made it clear that there is no building permit and no EPA, and no clarity if financing has been closed for the hotels announced on the

East Coast.

“A group of persons come into the country, and are making a fool of our minister.

We must demand some respect, we must demand better leadership. If you don’t have a building permit; an EPA permit; don’t have financing, how could you turn the sod?”

Badal said that he noted that Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, during the sod-turning on Wednesday, had indicated he wanted to reduce taxes on these types of investments, The businessman complained that it takes

foreigners to push for reduction of taxes while locals are being discriminated against. He believes that if given the same opportunities, local businesses can build their own brands.

During the initial construction phase, over 300 workers were engaged, with 60 percent being Chinese.

There were transfers of t e c h n o l o g y .

Badal made it clear that he is not against investments, but in no way should taxpayers’ dollars be used to finance hotels and other similar ventures to compete directly against locals.

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Sir Shridath calls for unity ahead of int’l border case ruling Former Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Shridath Ramphal has called for peace during the elections slated for March 2, 2020.

Sir Shridath addressed concerns over potential disturbances at the elections during his address to a gathering at the opening of the new building for Ramphal House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, yesterday.

The edifice was dedicated

by President David Granger in honour of the distinguished veteran diplomat who served as Guyana’s second Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In his remarks, Sir Shridath noted his role in the drafting of the schedule that would lead to Guyana becoming a republic. “The Republic of Guyana, although it came later than independence, was in our national genes from independence; from birth,” he stated. He highlighted too, the challenge posed to Guyana

by Venezuela and upcoming legal battle slated for the International Court of Justice, (ICJ).

The diplomat said that the border case will settle

Sir Shridath Ramphal

Venezuela’s “baseless” claim over two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. At this point, he stressed that the threats against Guyana’s sovereignty can only be overcome in the face of unity.

“It is my plea to all fellow Guyanese that between now and then, we do nothing to impair that destiny,” he noted.

Sir Shridath served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1972 to 1975 and has since made significant contributions to the nation’s international relations.

In his address, President Granger noted that Sir Shridath was one of Guyana’s most distinguished Foreign Service members and he con-

tinues to serve the nation.

“The Cooperative Republic of Guyana saw it fitting that this institute dedicated to educating our country’s cadets and diplomats should be named after you Sir Shridath, one of the architects of Guyana’s foreign relations.”

The President added that Sir Shridath’s stewardship and service to Guyana were “incontestable.”

The annex was dedicated to Sir Shridath for his outstanding services to the nation’s diplomatic evolution.

The building, which also houses the Foreign Services Institute and the Ministry’s library, underwent renovation from 2017 to 2019.

The Annex dedicated as Ramphal House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of the Presidency Photo)

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

PAGE 35

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Ogle hotel investors leased 200 acres at Wales Estate The investors of a twohotel project at Ogle have snagged a 200-acre land deal with the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

On it, they are planning to build a cold-storage facility that will work with a stateconstructed agro-processing project, right in the area.

Yesterday, at a launching at Wales, a community that was tied heavily to sugar a few years ago, until the estate was closed, it was disclosed that the investment company, Caribbean Marketing Enterprises Incorporated (CMEI), will secure overseas markets for farmers.

The transaction will be looked at closely, as Wales is one of four sugar estates closed within the last four years by the Coalition Government.The sugar industry nosedived in the last two decades after losing its preferential European market, and facing migration of workers, aging factories and lower world prices.

With little capital injection, Wales was the first to go, sparking deep anger in the mainly Indian-populated community.

Government has argued that the loss-making sugar industry has been one of the biggest drags on the economy.

At the Wales area, there were thousands of acres of canelands which had to be divested. The Opposition has made it clear that no transaction can be conducted at this time, at least no major ones by the government which is in campaign mode, ahead of a March 2nd elections.

Leading the CMEI investors is well-known Guyana-born, New Yorkbased businessman, Edmon Braithwaite.

Yesterday, Brathwaite told farmers, Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie AdamsYearwood, and others, that his team of investors has the experience to enter almost all

sectors in Guyana.

He said that an “incredibly capable” CMEI intends to work with farmers and others in Wales to ensure that their produce meets the market.

One of the investors is Mike Elliott, who CMEI said has experience in building hotels across the world.

According to Rachael Henry, NICIL’s Business Development Officer, the transaction will be clear testimony of the entity’s evolving role. She pointed to the $4B food import bill Guyana is saddled with annually, and pointed out that a number of former sugar workers have been leased lands.

90s.

Farmers have been planting citrus, rearing cattle and passion fruit, among other things.

Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood addressing the gathering at Wales, West Bank Demerara yesterday.

Overseas investors are seated in front.

PAGE 36

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

Mega Saturday for West Indies fans as men and women bowl off

Females training.

West Indies Men’s and Women’s teams will both be in action tomorrow as they start their bids to supremacy on two different part of the world. Over in Australia, Stafanie Taylor’s team will play their opening encounter in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. They face newcomers Thailand at the WACA Ground in Perth. First ball is 3pm (3am Eastern Caribbean Time/2pm Jamaica Time). In Asia, Kieron Pollard’s side will take on Sri Lanka in the first One-Day International at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

First ball is 9:30am (12

Friday February 21, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If you've got something you're trying to study, this isn’t the day to do it. Your concentration is likely to be off, and what you're reading will probably look like Greek to you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An older relative or neighbor may need your assistance today, Libra. This is apt to be a very inconvenient time for someone to ask for help, because you have plenty of chores of your own.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Dark, depressing dreams could plague your sleep tonight, Taurus, probably alternating with silly ones that make you laugh out loud.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your creative talents could seem totally blocked today.

You may have a project you really want to work on. You have the mental focus, but the creative element just might not be there.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Have you been invited to a party that's supposed to take place today? If you think you haven't, Gemini, you'd better check your calendar again. All signs suggest that you could forget a lot of important things right now.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Too much mental or physical exercise could have you feeling a bit burned out today, Cancer. You could be considerably slower on the uptake than usual, and those around you could be surprised that you, seem to be moving like a snail.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Although your partner may be feeling very sensual at this time, Leo, you might not feel much like getting passionate.

You've had a stressful few days and can barely move, so your response to sexual overtures is apt to be lukewarm at best.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your home could be a gloomy place today, Virgo. A member of the household is likely to be away, and this person's presence is apt to be very sorely missed.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) This definitely isn’t a good day to stay home and do household chores, Sagittarius. If you do, some sad and rather irrational thoughts may plague you throughout the day.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Some disappointing news could put you into a rather gloomy state at some point today, Capricorn. Someone close to you might suddenly have to leave town for several weeks and you'll be lonely without them.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) The fundraising activities of a group with which you're affiliated are going very well, Aquarius, but today you're likely to find that things seem to be stalled.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Career matters could move so slowly today that you just might be tempted to give up.

Don't even think that way!

It's just one of those days when nothing seems to go right, even though basically everything should still be going very well for you.

midnight Eastern Caribbean Time/11pm Friday Jamaica Time).’ Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket is confident of both teams doing well on foreign soil.

Looking ahead to the ICC Women’s World Cup, Adams is hopeful the team can repeat their great performances of 2016 when they beat Australia to win the title at the Eden Gardens at Kolkata in India.

On the Men’s team: “I’ll be anticipating positive results. I think we have a fairly strong squad even though they are in conditions that are not typically West Indian.

Even when taking into consideration they Sri Lanka are playing at home which

one always has to consider, I’ll be looking forward to positive results from the lads down there. I think we have an abundance of talent in Sri Lanka at the minute. On top of talent, I think the team is coming together nicely and it’s something we want to start making strides towards and that’s getting a really strong core group of players. On top of getting results, we want to start identifying a strong core group of players who can represent well in the next World Cup in 2023.”

On the Women’s Team: “There is a sense of anticipation about what is to come in the next few weeks.

We have a very good team

with some excellent players who have won on the international stage before.

The entire Caribbean is supporting them and they have the full backing of everyone. They ran into a bit of bad weather, but they still managed to get practice games against Pakistan and India.

Had to do a few more indoor sessions than they would like, due to the inclement weather, speaking to the team management they are happy with everyone’s state of mind. Yes, they would have liked to have a bit more time outdoors, but they are quite happy with the way things are at the moment.”

Friday February 21, 2020

Chase hundred lifts Windies to key tour win Negombo, Sri Lanka, CMC – Roston Chase struck an imperious hundred as West Indies warmed up for tomorrow’s opening One-Day International with a dominant six-wicket victory over the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI here, yesterday.

Playing in their final warmup contest at FTZ Sports Complex, the Caribbean side easily chased down their target of 277 with 21 balls to spare, thanks to Chase’s 136 off 113 balls. Opener Shai Hope hit a typically composed 85 off 102 balls while Sunil Ambris saw the Windies over the line with an unbeaten 34 from 44 deliveries.

The President’s XI had earlier posted 276 for eight off their 50 overs with wicketkeeper Minod Bhanuka stroking a top score of 69 from 88 balls and Ramesh Mendis, batting at number seven, chipping in with a near run-aball unbeaten 64.

Asela Gunaratne carved out 47 off 56 balls in the middle order while opener Pathum Nissanka hit an enterprising 41 from 43 deliveries. The hosts rebuilt to reach 47 for one in the 11th over after captain and opener Lahiru Thirimanne fell cheaply for four in the eighth over, but

PAGE 37

Kaieteur News

Brazil unveils Pele statue to mark 50th anniversary of 1970 triumph

Roston Chase during his innings. off-spinner Chase (2-57) struck twice as three wickets tumbled for 27 runs.

Stumbling on 74 for four in the 18th over, Bhanuka anchored two half-century stands to stitch up the innings and put the President’s XI back on course for a competitive total.

A 24-year-old left-hander with a single ODI under his belt, Bhanuka struck four fours and a six, adding 69 for the fifth wicket with Gunaratne and a further 83 for the sixth wicket with Mendis, whose knock contained five fours and a pair of sixes.

Bhanuka was eventually sixth out in the 46th over, the second of seamer Keemo Paul’s two wickets. West Indies then found themselves

in a spot of bother at 35 for two in the eighth over when the out-of-form Brandon King (7) and Darren Bravo (3) perished cheaply to catches at the wicket.

However, Chase arrived at number four to turn the game in the visitors’ favour, inspiring two successive century stands, first with Hope and then with Ambris.

He put on 133 for the third wicket with Hope who stroked 11 fours in his knock, and then added 108 for the fourth wicket with Ambris who counted a four and a six.

All told, Chase hit 16 fours and a six before perishing with scores level, bowled by new-ball left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando (256).

WJ Enterprise supports Petra Organisation As part of their corporate responsibility WJ Enterprise has thrown their support behind Petra Organisation.

At a simple ceremony held at the entity’s location at 126 Regent Road, Bourda, Petra Organisation received a heavy duty printer, a quantity of Croxley paper and a filing cabinet among other stationery.

Jacklyn Boodie of Petra Organisation

expressed gratitude to the management and staff of WJ Enterprise and said they are happy for the donation.

“This will aid in the Petra organisaiton in being more productive and effective in executing their task with youth development,” she said.

Kavita Sukhu of WJ Enterprise stated that they are happy to make such contributions, adding that they are impressed with the work being done by the Perta Organisation as organisers of football competitions, locally.

Jacklyn Boodie (right) accepts the printer and papers from Kavita Sukhu in the presence of Lawrence Griffith.

A fan takes a selfie with Pele’s statue. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares Rio De Janeiro (Reuters) - The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) unveiled a statue of Pele at its headquarters yesterday, the first of a series of events to commemorate June’s 50th anniversary of the team’s third World Cup triumph.

Pele, who will be 80 in October and finds it difficult to walk, was not present at the ceremony in the CBF’s museum but had been given a preview of the statue which he declared “perfect”.

Jairzinho, Clodoaldo and

Brito were among members of the 1970 team present at the ceremony, along with current Brazil coach Tite.

The 1970 Brazil side, led

by Pele and featuring names such as Gerson, Tostao, Rivelino and Carlos Alberto, is frequently rated the greatest team of all time.

They won all seven of their matches in Mexico, culminating with a 4-1 over Italy in the final at the Aztec stadium.

The life-size statue of Pele, dressed in the strip worn

by the 1970 team, bore a close resemblance to the former Santos and New York Cosmos striker, unlike many of the statues of famous footballers unveiled recently around the globe.

Statues of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Northern Ireland’s George Best have been ridiculed by fans while one of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Malmo was vandalised by Malmo fans after the Swede acquired a s t a k e i n r i v a l c l ub Hammarby.

Grenada, Barbados claim wins to open CU20 Qualifying Monte Plata, Dominican Republic – It was a busy day in 2020 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship Qualifying, with 12 teams in action in three different groups.

Group B opened play with Grenada topping Dominica 3-1. Chiesa Clyne (13’) gave Grenada a 1-0 lead, only for Coann Lockhart (37’) to equalize 1-1. But scores from Kevon Maitland (42’) and Rondel Richardson (87’) sealed the three points for the Spice Boys.

In the second match of the group, hosts Dominican Republic rolled to a 6-0 triumph over Anguilla.

Franklin Rodriguez (20’, 35’)

and Jesus Rosas (29’, 45+2’) each had braces, while Dennis Valdez (64’) and Joel Sanchez (79’) tacked on goals.

Group D saw the closest contests on the day, starting with Barbados downing Bermuda 3-2. Luciano Swan (22’, 72’) had a brace for Bermuda, but it was not enough against a Barbados side who got a brace themselves from Thierry Gale (68’, 86’) and a goal from Nigel Griffith (33’).

In the group’s other game, group hosts Puerto Rico used a second half surge to power past Cayman Islands 4-2.

Goals from Alex Diaz (29’, 90+2’) sandwiched scores from Alejandro Rabell (69’)

and Jan Carlos Mateo (87’), while Corey Smith provided the scoring for the Cayman Islands with a brace (66’, 90+3’). The third match day of Group A led to the first draw in CU20 Qualifying, with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Montserrat playing to a 1-1 final. Arthbert Williams (45’) tallied for USVI, while Lewis Duberry (53’) scored for the Emerald Boys.

The day was then capped by group hosts Nicaragua charging to their third straight win in a 2-0 final over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Harold Medina (35’) and Edgard Castillo (88’) handled scoring duties for the Pinoleros.

PAGE 38

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

Concacaf empowers GFF through Executive Mentorship Programme In its efforts to professionalize and strengthen the operations of its 41 Member Associations (MAs), the Confederation of Concacaf has implemented an Executive Mentorship Programme (EMP) and last Saturday and Sunday GFF Executives were the beneficiaries of the training at the Pegasus Hotel.

The two-day EMP, which commenced last year, was facilitated by Jamaican Mr. Howard McIntosh, who is also in charge of the One Concacaf Programme and Special Projects within the Caribbean, and Mr. David Sabir, General Secretary of the Bermuda Football Association.

McIntosh, no stranger to these shores, informed that Concacaf has been investing a lot in coaches education and referees training, which have a direct impact on the field of play and the time is right for the focus to also involve off-the-field happenings where the level of operations at the respective executive levels is more professional and in

GFF President Wayne Forde has the attention of David Sabir during the Workshop held at the Pegasus Hotel. adherence to the rules, regulations and statutes of FIFA and Concacaf.

“We designed this programme last year, which is now bringing about a focus on administration and governance and we’re very happy to be here. We’re

doing it in all 41 countries in Concacaf; Guyana is one of our very respected MAs and we’re happy to see the progress that is being made with the GFF in relation to football generally, and even in the areas of administration and governance.”

McIntosh indicated that normally programmes would have been held for the respective presidents and secretaries of the MAs only, but they have now individualized the workshops to meet with all the MAs, Executive Committee

members or board members to spend time with them to expose them to best practices from across the region and the globe.

The experienced McIntosh said that the response garnered from the GFF is by no means a surprise to the facilitating team and, by extension, Concacaf.

“It’s consistent with our expectations actually in terms of the GFF because of the significant progress that has been made on and off the field.

We‘re looking forward to the follow up that comes from it in terms of the various areas of administration, strategic planning and working with the Federation to ensure that the best practices are implemented in those areas where it may not be and continue to work with them in terms of improving the things that they have and of course the things that they may want to do in terms of the strategic objectives of the Federation.”

It was also disclosed that the Executive is meant to educate and expose the other members of the GFF family to

the knowledge they acquired. “But the hope is that the information that would have been delivered at the workshop would be disseminated and communicated to the other members of the football family in Guyana. It is important that we understand that good administration and good governance is fundamental to the success that we have on the field.”

He also shared that it is important for the members of the GFF to understand their rights as members as well as their obligations to the GFF. “It is to bring about a better understanding within Guyana in this instance in terms of how football should be administered and how it should be governed.”

The EMP would be done over a two-year period and commenced in late 2019.

McIntosh stated that they would be very aggressive this year in terms of the number of MAs that would be targeted. The next EMP for a MA would be in two weeks time.

GFF Elite League Season 5 - Refreshers Workshop held for Referees - Clubs targeted at pre-season Technical preparedness session In preparation for the restart of the GFF Elite League, Season 5, scheduled for March, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) held a oneday refreshers’ Workshop for Referees, and the Technical Department held an information session for Head Coaches/representatives of Elite Clubs.

The Referees’ refresher course was held last Saturday at the National Track And Field Centre, Leonora and there were 21 Referees in attendance. Among the areas covered in the session, facilitated by Member Association Instructors Ingram Johnson, Addullah Hamid and Tyrone Tyrell respectively, were changes to the Laws of The Game, understanding the Offside and Misconduct rules and the importance of fitness.

Meanwhile, the Technical Department held a session with the Head Coaches / representatives of the elite clubs on February 7, which addressed the importance of a pre-season programme. A strong pre-season programme is geared towards ensuring the players are in the right shape to maximise their chances of avoiding injury when the season starts.

Injury prevention work is crucial and should form a large part of club training,

Referees who participated in the Refreshers Course. especially early in the preseason. In an invited comment, Technical Director, Ian Greenwood, said the Head Coaches were briefed on the types of high-intensity interval training and workouts that challenge players to perform short, sharp explosive actions like sprinting, jumping and

shooting, repeatedly. For the players, this kind of work enables them to do their job with the same level of efficiency in the 90th minute, as they do in the first.

“Pre-season is a great opportunity to overload the players to give them a superior base of fitness; you have six weeks to get

everyone in shape – each individual is different so they need bespoke training plans and diets that progress at the right pace,” said Greenwood.

“Running that extra yard during a game could be the difference between winning and losing. A poor preseason could see a team make a slow start because they

won’t be up to speed fitness wise,” Greenwood added.

“Successful managers set expectations and clarify their vision during pre-season,” Greenwood continued. “It’s an opportunity for them to establish relationships and build understanding so when the going gets tough, everyone understands their

jobs and has a solution to combat and overcome. All of this provides a road map for future success,” he concluded. Developing a strong pre-season culture in Guyana is vital to improve the quality on and off the pitch of the Elite League. The overall product of senior men’s football starts here.

Friday February 21, 2020

PAGE 39

Kaieteur News

Golden Republic T20 Bash at Providence tonight

- Live TV & Radio coverage by NCN

By Sean Devers It is said when night falls the stars come out to shine and this evening at Providence, a galaxy of Regional T20 stars are ready to shine as teams led West Indies left-handers Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford face-off in the Golden Republic T20 Bash from 18:00hrs for $1Million and bragging rights.

Hetmyer will lead the Hurricanes while Rutherford will be in charge of the Renegades.

The game was organised by the Guyana Government and the Guyana Cricket Board as part of celebrations for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee as a Republic.

It is fitting that cricket is an official part of this year’s Mashramani celebrations Calendar since it was former West Indies batsman, the late Basil Butcher who was Chairman of Jaycees Republic Celebrations Committee which organised the first Mashramani event in Linden in February 1970.

Butcher, who passed away last December at age 86, suggested that an Amerindian name be given to celebrations to mark Guyana becoming a Republic just before he left for the West Indies Tour of

large crowd to see competitive cricket” Hetmyer said.

NCN TV and Radio will carry live coverage of the feature game while the softball match will be streamed live on the GCB’s social media. Horns and a small quantity of Replica shirts to mark the occasion will be on sale. The atmosphere is anticipated to be one of fun and frolic as Guyanese demonstrate their unity.

Tickets are on sale at the Guyana Cricket Board Office, Regent road Bourda for $2,000 for any stand and vehicle parking passes are $1,000 each.

Hetmyer Hurricanes: Shimron Hetmyer (captain), Trevon Griffith, Lendl Simmons, Raymond Perez, Kevlon Anderson, Kemol Savory, Christopher Barnwell, Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed, Ashmead Nedd, Gudakesh Motie, Nial Smith, Qumar Torrington, Richie Looknauth, Vishal Singh, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Technical Director), Steven Jacobs (Coach), Akshaya Persaud (Manager) and Neil Barry Jr. (Physiotherapist).

Rutherford Renegades: Sherfane Rutherford (captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Jonathan Foo, Anthony Bramble, Leon Johnson, Raymon Reifer, Tevin Imlach, Kevin Sinclair, Rayad Emrit, Quintin Sampson, Joshua Jones, Ramaal Lewis, Keon Joseph, Ricardo Adams, Esuan Crandon (Technical Director), Veerasammy Permaul (Coach), Devendra Bishoo (Manager) and Ernest Campo Gonzalez (Physiotherapist).

From left, Ravi Bharat, Parmanand Persaud, Andre Tyndall, Anand Sanansie, Sherfane Rutherford & Shimron Hetmyer at yesterday’s launch.

Australia and was later voted ICC’s Cricketer of the year 1970.

Today’s feature game will be preceded by a softball clash between Guyana’s top team Regal All Stars and Ariel Speed Boat from 14:00hrs.Speed Boat will play at Providence for the first time while Regal All Stars won the 2012 GTT T10 on the only occasion they played at Guyana’s only International Cricket venue.

Regal All Stars beat Speed Boat the last time they played each other in the Prime Minister’s Cup last year and the winner will collect

$200,000.

The Hurricanes have picked West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons, former West Indies T20 all-rounder Christopher Barnwell, West Indies U-19 world cup players Kevlon Anderson and Ashmead Nedd and fast bowler Nial Smith while West Indies opener Chandrapaul Hemraj, West Indies B captain Anthony Bramble, allrounders T&T’s Rayad Emrit, Bajan Raymon Reifer and Jaguars captain Leon Johnson will play for the Renegades.

The two Captains of the feature match, the Captain of

Speed Boat Ravi Bharrat, Regal All Stars’ Manager Parmanand Persaud, Secretary of the GCB Ananad Sanasie and Match Coordinator Andre Tyndall were present at yesterday launching of the Event at the GCB office on Regent.

Tyndall said when events for the 50th Anniversary celebrations were being discussed one of the first events carded was cricket since this is the game unifies Guyanese.

“In this period with elections approaching this game is an important event to bring Guyanese of all walks

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter County

Demerara champions put title on the line against Berbice tomorrow Defending champions Demerara will put their title on the line when they face unbeaten Berbice tomorrow at Bourda in the final of the Dave West Indies Imports 50over U-15 Inter-County cricket tournament.

Yesterday at Bourda, Demerara, led by a destructive spell from Pacer Joshua Alves who had 6-1, beat the President’s X1 by 117 runs on the D/L/S System in a truncated match while at Lusignan, off-spinner Salim Khan took 7-16 as Berbice hammered Essequibo by 10 wickets with 265 balls to spare.

Demerara elected to bat and led by a 60-run opening stand between Romeo Deonarine who was run out for 20 from 67 balls with two fours and Sachin Balgobin who took 60 balls for his 12.

Hemraj Harripersaud clobbered three fours in a cameo 29 from 28 balls while Nityanand Matura (17) was the only other batsman to reach 15 as Demerara reached 163-9 when their 50 overs

expired.

Skipper Stephon Sankar had 2-18 from 10 overs while Tularam Ramcharran had 3-29 and Dave Mohabir took 2-30. President’s X1 were routed for 46 in 23.4 overs with extras top scoring with 22 as nobody reached double figures as six wickets fell for 23 runs as Man-of-the-Match Alves half of twin siblings had 6-1 while Riyad Latif supported with 3-4.

Earlier, Deonarain and Balgobin added 60 before Balgobin edged Sankar to the Keeper. Sankar then trapped LBW Josh Alves for a duck without addition to the score.

And when Deonarain was run out at 61-3, three wickets had tumbled for a run.

Harripersaud batted with positive intent before he was LBW to Mohabir while Matura was looking good on 17 before he was bowled by Afraz Ali Budhoo.

Nicholas Sheopersaud (12) was bowled by Mohabir before Ramcharran picked up

of life together to create an opportunity which create peace” Tyndall said.

He said that softball has its own following and encouraged all fans from all parts of Guyana to come out and support their National players while added that Caribbean Airlines has brought the two Trinidadians here free to participate in the auspicious event.

Sanasie noted than when ODIs and CPL matches are played here there are huge crowds of Guyanese jumping together as one which creates social Cohesion.

Sanasie informed that that the gates will open from 13:00hrs and tickets, which cost $2,000 for any stand, can be purchased today at the GCB office and at the Stadium.

He informed that some of ICC rules will be relaxed but noted that there will security checks and weapons and glass bottle will not be allowed, adding that fans who come early could receive surprise prizes.

Rutherford noted that his team will be out to prove a point since it is believed that Hetymer’s team will win easily.

“I thank the Government and the GCB for having me here to take part in such a grand occasion as celebrating our 50th Republic anniversary.

We aim to play good cricket for the fans” Rutherford concluded.

Hetmyer echoed Rutherford’s gratitude to the Government and GBC and that his team will take this seriously and play to win. “I hope we are able to bring in a

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking

Belgium stay top, Palestine make gains

Hemraj Harriprashad hit a cameo 28-ball 29 for Demerara. three quick wickets including that of Alex Datterdeen for 13.

At Lusignan, Essequibo fell for 42 in 25.3 overs as Khan got support from

Matthew Pottaya who captured 3-10. Berbice galloped to 44 without loss in 5.5 overs with Rampertab Ramnauth unbeaten on 19.

With few matches having been played on the international front so far this year, there is little movement in the first FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of 2020.

Indeed, with just 15 friendlies taking place since the last Ranking update in December – including two games in late 2019 – the top 20 remain unchanged, with Belgium, France and Brazil still making up the top three.

Some minor movement in the top 50 sees Wales (23rd, down 1) and Paraguay (41st, down 1) each fall down a spot, while Ghana (46th, up 1) rise ever so slightly. Palestine (103rd, up 3) are the first biggest climbers of 2020.

The AFC side’s success in January’s Bangabandhu Cup sees them leapfrog Estonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Mozambique and Kenya as they secured the biggest move by points and rank. Beaten Bangabandhu Cup finalists Burundi (149, up 2), who like Palestine contested four matches in January, move into the top 150. Elsewhere, Aruba (200, up 1) and Pakistan (200, up 1) managed to improve on their respective positions amidst a rather quiet month in international football. The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 9 April 2020. Guyana remains at 166.

PAGE 40

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

Hemraj Mathura wins RHTY&SC Demerara Bank Spelling Bee - Paying it Forward programme assists Rose Hall Town Primary

The respective winners of the Spelling Bee competition with representatives of Demerara Bank and Teachers of RHT Primary School.

The ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) last week hosted a Spelling Bee competition at the Rose Hall Town Primary School.

The programme formed part of the team’s Say No/Say Yes Campaign which targets school children in Berbice and sponsored by the Rose Hall Branch of Demerara Bank.

Hemraj Mathura of the Rose Hall Town Primary

School emerged as the champion while Kaydean Lord and Ademic Munroe were the runners-up. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Spelling Bee is just one of over 250 activities that would be organised by the RHTY&SC and its cricket teams.

The main objective is to target school children in all of Berbice schools to say no to drugs, crime, suicide, alcohol,

tobacco, pre martial sex and yes to education, sports, culture, life and religion.

Among the main programmes to be hosted in 2020 are Children Mash Parade, Youth Job Fair, Youth Information Booklet, Summer Camp, Youth Inspiration Forum, Top ten Award Ceremony, educational poster among numerous others.

Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu, expressed

Chanderpaul Govindhan of the Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Team, hands over donation to RHT Primary School Head Mistress, Hollis Schwiers. gratitude to Demerara Bank for their continued investment in the club’s most successful programme. The Bank has been sponsoring the event for seven years and Naidu noted that students eagerly look forward to it, annually. Each of the top three winners collected a trophy and a supply of educational materials.

Demerara Bank, as part of its corporate duty invests in the development of Guyana via sports, education, community development, youth development and culture. The Rose Hall Town Branch is currently celebrating its 16th

anniversary.

Additionally, the Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour First Division and Under-21 teams handed over sports gears and a financial donation to the Rose Hall Town Primary School. The teams made the contribution under it’s Paying it Forward Programme which is an inspiration from popular American TV Host, Ellen De Gener.

The teams, under the programme, strives to make a positive difference in the lives of others as a way to say thank you to the God they serve for all the blessings they

have received on and off the cricket field.

The financial donation would be used by the school’s management to manage its daily operations while Naidu stated that the sport equipment was donated in an effort to promote the importance of sports among youths.

Sports, he stated brings discipline into the people’s characters and get them to work as a collective unit. He also committed to club to assisting the school on a regular basis as most of the club’s membership were once students.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Mix Up wins Ryan Rambalak Aggregate Domino tourney The curtains came down on Sunday last when Ryan Rambalak celebrated his birth anniversary with pomp and ceremony. The main feature was a 15-Team threeround aggregate point’s system dominos competition.

Teams participating were, In Time, Mix Up, Transport Sports Club, Masters, All Seasons, Top Strikers, Providence Sports Club, Gold Is Money, TNT, Spartans, Renegades, Phantom, Big Boss Girls, On Point and F&H Printery.

The aggregate system that was employed saw the team that brought first being awarded 5 points while second place was given 3 points and third place, one point. Mix Up, Top Strikers, Spartans, Phantom and All Seasons blazed the first round with maximum 5 points each.

The second round also saw Mix Up, Phantom, Providence, In Time and Transport Sports Club with 5

points, with the exception of Mix Up, the game was wide open, and Mix up went on to record the maximum 5 points in the third round thus cementing their dominance and outright win.

Second place was awarded to Spartans with 15 points while Phantom was edged into third position with 14 points. Prizes were as follows: First, $150,000 and trophy sponsored by Ramps Logistics, Second, $75,000 and trophy sponsored by Sankars Auto Color and third, $45,000 and trophy sponsored by Essential Supplies Inc. June Watts and Martin Premaul received hampers compliments of Dynasty Sports Club after being adjudged Most Valuable Players. Other notable sponsors included Parts Plus, Wizard Electronics, Dynasty Sports Club, Builders Lumber Yard, Regency Suites, Cell Phone Shack, A & M Jewellery & Pawnshop, Strikers Sports

PAGE 41

RFA Champions League 2020

North Rupununi leg to kick off tomorrow

Action in the opening match of the RFA 202 CL between Gladiators FC and Tabagtinga FC at the Culvertcity Sports Ground.

Mrs. Barbara Lee presents the Captain of Phantom Dominos team with his cash and trophy sponsored

by Essential Supplies Inc. Club, Tent City, Tony’s Jewellery, Bel Air Lions Club, Faye Joseph, Mac’s Auto Parts, and All Seasons Racing Service & Pawn Shop.

Mr. Orrin Boston who

had the responsibility for organising the games in his closing remarks thanked all participants, sponsors and was impressed in the cordial manner in which the tournament was contested.

Following the kick off of the 2020 edition of the Rupununi Football Association Champions League two weekends ago in Central Rupununi, attention will now switch to the North Rupununi which will commence tomorrow at the Kwatamang Sports Ground.

An opening ceremony is scheduled to take place from 09:30hrs followed by the

first match one hour later, a male clash between Challengers Football Club and Wowetta FC. Next up will be a female showdown pitting Challengers FC against Surama FC with the final match of the day, another male encounter between Paiwomak FC and their counterparts from Surama FC.

PAGE 42

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2020

Jermine & Family Linden Mash Cup Football Final

Battle lines drawn as Topp XX face Coomacka Mines for $600,000 tonight

Keon Hall - Topp XX

Kellon Major Coomacka FC

Topp XX will have to be at their very best when they face Coomacka in the final of the inaugural Jermine and Family Linden Mash Cup football final tonight, a replay of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s Christmas tournament when the former edged the Mines team, 2-1.

The battle field is the Mackenzie Sports Club ground and up for grabs will be $600,000 and bragging rights along with a trophy.

Coomacka Coach, Korak Bobb-Semple is very confident that with the return of forward Lionel Peters and defense player Kursten Thom they can pull off a win despite a few niggling injuries.

Bobb-Semple expressed confidence saying that it will be an easy win since his side plays to their true potential as the semifinal win over Botafago by a 7-6 margin via kicks from the penalty mark was their toughest game to date.

In that win their brilliant goalkeeper Kellon Major had a big hand by pulling off three saves, scoring in the sudden death penalty shootout and thwarting a penalty shot during regulation play against a running Botafago side.

However, Topp XX’s Coach is a man who knows about winning as Troy ‘Boy Blue’ Nelson was there when they dominated play not only in Upper Demerara, but also at the national level. Nelson said his team was up against a determined Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection which saw their young players trying to prove themselves as the team had just suffered the loss of two key players up front in Marmalaque Davidson and Shaquille Frank.

He said however his team

is now training as they were able to get some time using the Mackenzie Sports Club ground and for which they are grateful. Nelson noted that this year is 2020 and in like manner his team being Topp XX sees it as their time to perform.

He scoffed at the fact that the Linden champions Eagles United were not part of the tournament, like they were also absent in the year end championship, but said regardless who are in or out his team will be the force in Linden and national football by the end of the year.

He gave praise to Almighty God for what they have achieved this far and once they remain committed to training they will prove that this is their year, 2020.

Nelson opined that Topp XX will be the team to beat not only in Linden but at the national level as the team is a united one and the players have shown him great respect.

This augurs well for this new breed of players Nelson said and that Coomacka will be soundly beaten tonight.

Forward Keon Hall separated the semifinal’s opponent with the lone goal of the game which came from a shot on top of the penalty area which was scored in the 85th minute. Both sides did play tough but the experience of Topp XX proved the decider.

The losing finalist will walk away with $300,000 while third and fourth place is guaranteed $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.

Clashing in the third-place match from 19:00hrs would be Winners Connection and Botafago.

Individual prizes will be awarded to the Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, Youngest Player and Moist Valuable Player.

Friday February 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 43

Everest ready to compete in St Maarten Over-35 tournament

E

verest Masters have arrived in St. Maarten full of confidence ahead of the Cricket Sint Maarten and the Guyanese Association Over-35 T20 tournament which commences today.

The team which is being led by businessman and longstanding Captain Rajesh Singh includes former West Indies Under-19 batsman Hemraj Garbarran, former Guyana youth fast bowler Ucil Armstrong, Sahadeo Hardaiow, Basil Persaud, Safraz Sheriffudeen and other seasoned campaigners in masters’ cricket.

Everest Masters will open their tour against Sint Marteen at 14:00hrs, while tomorrow, there will be a double header with the Guyanese side taking on Anguilla at 10:00hrs followed by the Anguillans returning to battle the hosts at 14:00hrs.

The top two teams will meet in the final on Sunday from 14:00hrs while the third placed team will take on a Selected Youth-side at

10:00hrs in an exhibition match. All games will be played at Carib Lumber Ball Park, the only First Class venue in the constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Captain Singh said there is a big hype about the tournament in and out of Sint Marteen and his players are equally pumped up. “We are here to compete and put on a good show.

We are accustomed to playing against older players but we are focused on our game and not age,” Singh stated.

The winning team will collect a trophy and US$1,000 while the losing finalist will walk away with US$500.

Everest Masters: Rajesh Singh (Captain), Anwar Rahaman, Basil Persaud, Satyendra Khemraj, Sarfaz Sheriffudeen, Imtiaz Sadik, Ucil Armstrong, Harry Ye n k a n a , R a y m o n d Rambaran, Hemraj Garbarran, Ronald Jaisingh, Sahadeo Hardaiow, Robert Pereira and Hafeez Ali.

Everest Masters after arriving in St. Marteen on Wednesday.

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter County

rt o p S

Golden Republic T20 Bash at

Providence tonight - Live TV & Radio coverage by NCN

Joshua Alves had 6-1 in a destructive spell of seam bowling to rip the heart out of the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s X1 batting line-up yesterday at Bourda.

(Sean Devers photo)

Captains, Sherfane Ruthherford (left) and Shimron Hetmyer at yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launching.

Demerara champions put title on the line against Berbice tomorrow

Concacaf empowers GFF through Executive Mentorship Programme

Members of the GFF Executive take time out for a pic with the Facilitators, Howard McIntosh and David Sabir. GFF TD, Ian Greenwood also shares the moment.

Jermine & Family Linden Brazil unveils Pele Mega Saturday Mash Cup Football Final statue to mark for West Indies Battle lines drawn as Topp 50th anniversary fans as men and XX face Coomacka women bowl off Mines for $600,000 tonight of 1970 triumph Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.