K
Girl, 13, hangs self NEWS days after accusing pandit of indecent touching
Monday Edition
AIETEUR
February 24, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 08
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Price $80
Online readership yesterday 154,473
Local Content Policy...
Ghana, Tanzania, Liberia place no restrictions on releasing data for ExxonMobil, other oil majors - But Guyana aims to be the exception
The people in power tell us too little and too late
W
Guyana celebrates 50 golden years! centre
GECOM declines Exxon Election-related fake request to have offshore news circulating on -GPA Pres. advises workers vote by proxy social media public to fact-check Ruimveldt fireworks explosion… Bandits give victim Burnt soldier succumbs, medication after he Pres. Granger sends complained of heart pain condolences to family
APNU+AFC, PPP Elections... offer no specific plans for oil sector
With seven days to
hat is going on is unusual, unsatisfactory and unacceptable. Why does it have to be right now, in such quantities, and with such secrecy attached? There is something that smells, that is terribly wrong about the flurry of government business arrangements being executed at this time and, which have a sense of immediacy about them: must be done NOW and nobody knows why or how or under what terms and conditions. And this is from what is acknowledged and recognised as a “caretaker” government, one with considerably reduced powers, mainly overseeing ongoing maintenance of existing operations. A “caretaker” government has no mysteries about what its modus operandi should be. In the context of governance good and clean and democratically observant governance caretaker translates to very limited, largely passive, and heavily of a timekeeping nature: somebody is at the wheel to carry on existing business. There should be nothing new, nothing groundbreaking, nothing “eye-popping” or concerning. However, from the perspective of this paper, and to its consternation, the precise opposite is what has been going on through the flurry of significant government business arrangements that are open to severe questioning, leave serious doubt, and bring a pall of disrepute over whatever is being effected. There are those two hotels, including the internationally recognised Hilton. Under normal circumstances that would be a welcomed development by us. But there is nothing normal about the present, and everything abnormal about what this supposedly “caretaker” government is doing. If this is caretaking by some definition, we ask firstly, what is that definition? And secondly, caretaking for the benefit of whom? Is it, at the bottom of the layers of secrecy, caring for the special interests of specially included and honoured friends and family? We do not know anything, nor does Guyana have a handle on the truth of the stories percolating in drips and drabs into the public arena. This is so whether it is this new Hilton announcement, the insider information parceled out about pending lucrative deals, and the plots of prime land that would soar in value depending on location, and who could get their greedy crooked selves inside the door before there is the equity of a fair shake to each Guyanese interested and willing and equipped to participate. This “caretaker” government must know that the sale of public lands has to be placed in the Official Gazette, be it at Houston or along the surrounding Ogle corridor. Also, if leasing is contemplated, most are in the dark and in the cold. Said differently, once again, the people in power tell us too little and too late, leading to the usual situation where Guyanese have no say, no involvement, in the rich affairs that leave them empty-handed and angry. We cannot continue to conduct ourselves in this untimely, secret manner. All we do is lay the table for a torrid and disputed future, where all we do is untangle webs of dark deceit, rather than take the first clean steps to a brighter tomorrow.
Kaieteur News
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Monday February 24, 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
Those promises at this time It is certainly a good and comforting vision, one that holds much promise for the positive. Though the promises of elections seasons must be taken with a healthy dose of salt, regardless of the source, there is much to applaud about what the president has now stated on the campaign trail. He is talking about removing from the GPF immigration services, gun licences, and vehicle fitness. Elections seasons are the time for intriguing promises, and in this mother of all elections, no group is desirous of being left behind. But, as with all solemn elections promises and stirring manifestos, from past experience, the salt taken should be of the Epsom variety, so that matters pass through the system rapidly. Guyanese experience warns that during these times, local politicians make more promises than a serial bigamist. It has been the usual case of jilting and the disappearing that follows. If all three planks of what His Excellency placed before the public can be made to happen (and they make for commonsense), by any political group once in office, then it is an overdue step in the right direction. It could bring much relief to the always handicapped and hurting Guyanese public. To put a different way, it is difficult to imagine that wherever such services are moved to could be more onerous, or more plagued with hidden costs and unofficial sanctions, and that which is the widely known and experienced norm in the bailiwick that is the Guyana Police Force. These three routine services handled by the GPF have assumed the settled culture of a favour being done, and for which there is a cost. Supplicant citizens have to come almost with hat in hand and on bended knee, since they are held to ransom. It is helpful and powerful to have wallet open too and readiness to share. There is the extracting of a price for a passport especially one that has to be replaced on the run or under suspicious circumstances, such as deliberate destruction of the document to conceal some criminal development (or one that is intended). As for gun licences, it is a public secret that it is a most lucrative of responsibilities, with seven figure numbers being called. Lots of names, too, of which some are political, while the rest are embedded in the higher levels of the GPF. It seems as though everybody knows someone, who can make that coveted gun licence come complete with ribbon and smiles for a job well done and a grand time had by all. It is way past the time to move these things to more reliable and possibly cleaner bodies on the outside. The exercise of obtaining vehicular fitness can turn out to be the comedy of a litany of faults, each of which has a price tag, and which none has either the patience, the time, or interest to navigate or negotiate. Thus, matters have been reduced to submission of the going price to assure that one’s machine is certified as a going concern for another year. The circumstances are also ripe for this fraud (admittedly low on the scale of corruption and exploitation) to be put to a sudden death. The evidence is available: the whispered, sometimes not so secretive lifestyle, the aggregation of gaudy trophies that simply could not come from the pittance that the police pay. If everyone were to have such inheritances or generous overseas-based families, then this country would have no use for its oil. In fact, the planned political offerings of cash handouts may not find many takers, since the intended recipients are so overloaded with the plunder that flows from the misuse and the mangling, for profit, of duties and tasks handed down by the state to unscrupulous servants. It is time that the GPF has a competent cohort to man what functions as a bona fide Internal Affairs Division. Given the level of wrongdoing, suspected and alleged at various levels, there has to be such a unit. In this season, the musical promises keep coming; maybe somebody will deliver this time around.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
A criminal act perpetuated against the people DEAR EDITOR, It seems that what was not listed in the PSA with Exxon as calculable “give away” is now headed to the annals of archeological treasure trove as artifacts to be unearthed sometime after all our oil resources have been extracted. The intent here is to bury exaggerated cost which will further increase Exxon’s profit at our expense and the missed opportunities by local businesses to a time when it is no longer relevant, from the prying eyes of the public. There could be no other reason for confidentiality clause appearing in our Local Content Policy. Dr. Bynoe finds himself in an excruciating quandary to explain, so he gloats about
the drafters having to honour the contractual obligations of Clauses 18 and 19 of our contracts with oil companies. Sadly! for Bynoe. Clauses 18 and 19 when perused, made no mention about confidentiality clauses. Added to this, three oil experts have opined that confidentiality provisions are not “generally accepted custom” in local content. The big question! What have we paid Dr. Warner $23 million for? A permanent unadulterated shafting, I suppose! Anthony Paul, the Trinidadian hired earlier to draft our Local Content Policy, was keen to point out that in his second draft, he had written that government should articulate the
position, “by which stakeholders can be held accountable for delivering on their roles.” Confidentiality provisions are not conducive to the above. The Head of the Energy Department should explain why Paul was not given the job to finish the final draft I will not concur with Chris Ram’s opinion that Bynoe is too incompetent to handle the Department of Energy. Since it is now known that Exxon wrote our negotiating position to the Cabinet for our PSA. I am more inclined to believe that Bynoe was pressured into collusion with Exxon: to approve the awarding of a contract valued at some $23 million to produce the final
version of our Local Content Policy by a Dr. Warner, a person with known connection to Exxon. The big picture here is that, about $23 million of precious state funds was squandered to produce a document (Local Content Policy) that is designed to hide high procurement costs and opportunities for the participation of our local businesses in the supplying of goods and services to the riggers offshore. The result is the opposite of the intent of “ Local Content Policy”, so Dr. Bynoe is left in the hot seat, grasping at straws to defend what should be considered a criminal act being perpetuated against the people of Guyana. Rudolph Singh
Elections madness, Elections Mischief, Elections Stupidity! DEAR EDITOR, In this the last week prior to that date with national destiny, with individual and group soul discovery, on March 2, I share some observations and thoughts on the unsparing and unalterable character of this troubling season. I look and listen at the goings-on and I am taken back to the age of pagan sacrifices, human sacrifices. For, at the centre of this tortured process, this is what men and women volunteer of themselves, after already luring and then hurling others of like mind (or uncertain mind) to their demise in one political blood offering after another. Unfortunately, this is where all the run-ups in this elections season lead; I am not optimistic in the least. I read of the Coalition’s claim that one of its own has been attacked and injured in what the President himself stepped forward to say of the incident: “It is not criminal or social; it was politically motivated” as reported by an online news outfit. If the emerging details of the attack are accurate, and as to its motivations also, then-to make the understatement of this antagonistic and emotionally charged electoral time-the outlook is bleak. Not so bleak for between now and next Monday but, as I believed all along, beyond that date and the process of turning up and voting. To repeat another bland understatement, the bigger troubles reside with the counting and the biggest of all in the declaring and accepting
of the results. To put things mildly, I do not like what I hear. I do not like what I assess and sense. On the matter of counting, someone shared with me on Sunday an exit poll from some unknown sources that had a pie chart indicating that over two-thirds of the Joint Services vote went to the opposition. It was within minutes after my return from prayers; it is at times like these that I am glad for the spirituality with which I am graced. It helps me to manage the mischief, the utter foolishness, the sheer incredibility of the brazenness that saturates the Guyanese political bog. From my perspective, an exit poll result like that (67%) is the equivalent to one of those long-ago elections in Egypt or some other dictatorship pretending at democracy and sharp familiarity with the science of mathematics measurement, where there used to be 99.9% voter turnout and almost the same percentage for the incumbents. Sharp familiarity, indeed, it has to be when 67% of the Joint Services, as peopled and from history and pattern, reportedly cast the ballot for the opposition. But I detect the groundwork for mischief in the making. This is of a group preparing to shout fire even before there are any people in the theater; that group will shout in an empty forest, if only to get attention that it is being disadvantaged, that trees are in the way. I can only
imagine the level of the howls when national voting takes place next week. I did hear one that left me staggered, as I could not believe that such an arrangement ever existed as part of our voting process. It is where officially approved and recognised polling places included private residences. I am blown away. Almost literally. For that is the customisation of conditions for crookedness; I don’t care whose residence is being used, be it man of God, foreign observer, (even my own home). It should be noticed that I didn’t include whether the owner of the residence used was a PNC supporter or PNC one. I don’t care, just don’t want to hear about this abomination. It is just not done! It is the height of asininity. In a country where allegations of cheating and fraud are so rampant as to be second nature, how could this be? Even if it was allowed to meander along before because of some mutual agreement, this should have been eliminated long ago, with matter closed. I say all of this because, in this society, even if one (repeat one) political group were to be the only entrant and contestant in general elections, it would not surprise me if the winning group declared that it was robbed. Just the nature of the monster and how far we have deteriorated, how dumb we have become relative to elections. As part of the dumbness, there are those walking around with pious faces and
numb step, while they mutter and stutter about disenfranchisement. Some have not lost their marbles; they didn’t have any from the inception, when such a claim could be made. I could understand if there were no public places available, or no alternative arrangement made, and the residences were discontinued just like that; but in the circumstances, I assert that this discontinuation should have happened before. Now even as I tender this, I foresee the stage being set for strident squabbling of disenfranchisement after March 2. Every time I think I understand this country (and its natives), I have to correct myself. Then there was the one involving air travel from Ogle to the hinterlands, and where the contention from opposition people was that its operators were being sidelined and prevented from travelling to do urgent and timely political work. The last time I checked, and that was decades ago, the Guyana Airways Corporation was taken out of operations, wasn’t it? If this is lost on the numerous mud-heads around here, this means that the private sector oversees and runs local aviation travels. Oh, well… As I watch and hear all of the foregoing, I realise that however the March 2 electoral goose is cooked, it will be found highly unacceptable by some group. A Guyanese Thanksgiving, it will not be. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Monday February 24, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Can Guyana afford to gamble with The PPP/C’s passion lies in free chairman Surujbally “must Chinese and Russians to exploit and go!” its future again? the disrespect our workers and resources with no and fair elections In this connection,several DEAR EDITOR, No citizen of Guyana with any knowledge of the politics of our country spanning the last sixty years would believe anything other than ‘ Should the PPP secure a majority of the votes come election day, the power behind Ali will be Jadgeo’. Not only will he be the driving force behind Ali but this youngman also lacks the experience necessary to effectively manage the country, and like most, if not all of the party officials, he has come under the influence of the Supreme Leader Bharrat Jadgeo. A PPP administration with a rubber stamp President such as Ramotar will unquestionably be controlled by this ultra ambitious person. It is said ‘ Some Enter Politics for what they can do, and others for what they can gain.’ Jadgeo represents the latter part of this statement. I have asked before in previous letters in this daily for the ordinary Mr. and Mrs. Guyanese to point to just one thing, just one, that a Jadgeo administration, directly under him or his surrogate Ramotar has done to move or improve their lives from daily struggle to breathing a little bit easier? What he has done is to provide opportunity for his rich friends to become even more prosperous and open the door wide for
checks and balances in place. Just yesterday, a dear one shared with me a blistering commentary by GHK Lall published in another paper, my only disappointment, it was not in the KNews as well, but in that commentary, Mr. Lall pellucidly outlined all of the reasons why he will vote for Mr. Granger and APNU. In that article titled, “How I plan to vote and Why”, he clearly outlined all of the concerns and fears every patriotic Guyanese should have at the prospect of a Jadgeo controlled administration with his divide and conquer approach to politics. In Mr. Lall’s opinion, Mr. Granger, though not of the fire and fury of Jadgeo, will deliver the promise of a better Guyana (my words). “He is not possessed of the Dark Ambitions, Viciousness, Vindictiveness present elsewhere.” And we know where that elsewhere points towards, Bharrat Jadgeo. This person believes he has a God appointment right to control Guyana as he has the PPP, for him, power and control is all important and all consuming. We know what he has done with it in the past. Can Guyana afford to take that gamble again with our future and that of our children? Respectfully, Claudeston G. Massiah
I suggest the GNBS put its house substandard electrical sometimes by the contractor in order products and non licensed themselves who might have DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana National Bureau Of Standards recently announced that the Agency will be enforcing the Standards for electrical fittings and equipment used in the country. This along with the fact that the Government Electrical Inspectorate has also made efforts to extend its services to hinterland areas like Lethem should be seen as a move in the right direction. It is rather ironic therefore that
electricians are being used on Government contracts and paid for by the Government. In Region 9, only buildings located in Lethem are inspected by Electrical Inspectors. Buildings located in villages elsewhere and which account for most of the electrical works given out in contracts are not inspected. As a result, cheap Chinese cable and other electrical material are mostly used and installed in many cases by unlicensed electricians and
What a way to start the decade! DEAR EDITOR, It was with utter surprise and a sense of joyful pride while scanning the list of this year’s National Awards the name PHYLLIS ERICA JACKSON popped out at me. Phyllis and I have been colleagues and friends since the days of Radio Demerara. That friendship has transcended decades. The nomination of this award is fitting, well
deserving and properly accorded to someone who has given decades of hard work and brought a high degree of professionalism to something she was just simply born to do. As a friend, I can ask for nothing more but to say how proud I am of her fine achievement and share and revel in her moment of glory. A national award…what a way to start this Decade! Shamshun Mohamed
an idea on wiring. In the bill of quantities, there are rigid requirements for materials and equipment for solar power contracts including sun resistant cables of certain sizes, DC disconnect switches and circuit breakers, etc., but in most cases contractors are installing cables of much smaller sizes and using AC switches and circuit breakers which are much cheaper. Editor, the astonishing thing about this is the use of prohibited electrical materials and unlicensed electricians are approved by Government Engineers and Contractors are paid for those jobs. Apart from defrauding the Government by not supplying materials required in the bill of quantities, these projects do not fulfill the purpose they were intended for because a careful check can reveal that most solar installations and by extension the building’s electrical wiring does not function shortly after installation. I would suggest that the GNBS put its house in order before confronting the population. Yours faithfully, Patrick Fitzpatrick
DEAR EDITOR, Lurlene Nestor, a strong supporter of caretaker President Granger wrote a letter in another newspaper recently. Her letterhead was headlined: ‘Mr. Jagdeo’s words and insinuations matter! - recent Stewartville rantings are recklessly dangerous.’ Nestor wrote, ‘I have never seen the PPP so obsessed with GECOM since the PPP’s twenty-three years in office” Let’s begin from the beginning of the twentythree which brings us to 1992. I don’t know how old Nestor was in that year suffice it to say that the PPP had more than a mere ‘obsession for GECOM’ and still has a passion for free and fair elections since then and long before then. Historically and contemporarily, the obsession that Nestor refers to should really be placed at the footsteps of her own party. It was her party that always had an obsession with GECOM, that is precisely why her founder leader appointed two of his judicial cronies Sir Donald Jackson and Sir Harold Bollers respectively to the Chairmanship of the then Elections Commission. Both presided, again and again over rigged elections from 1968 up to 1990. These were clear attempts at not just obsession but obsession to control and manipulate a Constitutional body. The evidence is there for all to see. Nestor’s current party boss and caretaker President attempted a double whammy when he appointed unconstitutionally, a close party comrade, Mr. Patterson as Chairman of GECOM only
to have him booted out by the CCJ. Clearly, another attempt at control and of obsession with GECOM. The PPP’s has a passion for free and fair elections rather than an obsession with GECOM; however, since GECOM is the Constitutional body vested with the authority to give general orders and direction for the conduct of elections in Guyana, the PPP/C’s passion for free and fair elections cannot ignore Nestor’s party record, past and present, of attempting to penetrate, control and to influence GECOM to do its bidding. Nestor claims she has “never seen Jagdeo and the PPP so obsessed with GECOM” Nestor obviously needs help. In the aftermath of the 2015 elections, the PPP/C mounted monthly protest demonstrations outside GECOM’s Kingston Office raising its voice against the way in which GECOM was being manipulated and demanding that then
press statements were issued and published by mainstream print and electronic media. If that is what Nestor calls “obsession,” then she should take note of the warning made in the PPP/C’s press release on the question of the skewed and compressed location of polling stations viz… ‘If necessary we are prepared to galvanise the tens of thousands of electors ... in protest actions against GECOM.’ Nestor is free to brand the PPP/C’s actions as obsessions or whatever, the fundamental point is that the PPP/C is not known to be a laid back political force in this country to see Constitutional travesties being perpetrated and do nothing about it. Therein lies the PPP/C’s passion for free and fair elections and intrinsically, its demand that GECOM to do what it is Constitutionally mandated to do, to deliver nationally and internationally accepted free and fair and credible elections. Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
Citizens’ expectations DEAR EDITOR, Citizens expectations of the next government may have changed since the discovery of oil in 2015. Many Guyanese expect the economy to blossom regardless of who is in power. There is a great deal of hope that the next government will practice GOOD GOVERNANCE, BE TRANSPARENT and BE ACCOUNTABLE as a minimum. Guyanese expect
the oil money to benefit ALL as opposed to a selected few. There is also the expectation of NATIONAL UNITY and not just sound bites. Yours faithfully, Sean Ori
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 24, 2020
Smaller Parties within the Coalition cannot allow Guyana to fall victim again Dear Editor, As we enter the final week before national elections, we continue to be swamped with decisions by GECOM which do little to encourage confidence in the management and outcome of these elections. In retrospect, with its unilateral appointment of the prior GECOM Chair, the Granger-led administration had little or no intention to ensure that the 2020 elections would be conducted in a free and fair manner, and that the no-confidence motion of December 21, 2018 only threw a wrench into the administration’s plans, forcing them to fast forward their preparations for elections. Concerns regarding the fairness of
these elections were only solidified by some PNC stalwarts personally confiding that the PPP and Jageo, would NEVER get back into office. It is now quite clear that this would not be because the PPP executive, inclusive of Jagdeo, would be made to answer and be held accountable for corruption during their term… Another emerging major concern is the role America is perceived to be expected to play in these elections. We are no strangers to overt American interference in our internal politics, and with more American interests at stake here than before, we can undoubtedly expect more of such interference given the unpalatable nature of our
choices at the polls.There has been talk (I’m quite sure not restricted to my ears only) that the American government, like me, is not enamored by Jagdeo and Irfaan, and might well support the Granger administration to secure an outcome in their favour. I’ve said before that there’s one thing worse than Jagdeo, Irfaan, and their brand of corruption, and that is Granger and another 28 years of rigged elections, all with the blessings of America. One hardly needs to reference the inherent prejudices of the Granger administration, its unwillingness to rely on governance procedure in policy development and
administration, its commitment to deals like Exxon’s and its sheer disregard for traditional PPP supporters to envisage the economic tragedy which awaits us should we be victim of an unfair election. I emphasize that we need to pay keener attention to preparations at GECOM. Jagdeo has declared his intention to let Exxon have our oil, yes, but are we going to support Granger who is a suspected puppet of America? My second proposal here is that we work with Jagdeo for now and make a decision in 2025. Unless we decide to dump both of them this time around as I have advocated. My first is that even as I
express my sore disappointment that Ramjattan’s justified rejection of Jagdeo and the current PPP executive would cloud his vision on what is fair and just for all Guyana, I personally urge the AFC and all the other smaller parties within the Coalition to withdraw from the Coalition and scuttle plans to prejudice the upcoming elections. These other parties can now potentially force another election with a reorganised opposition. I asked him to support the DNC, as I will
support him, and encourage other such civic leaders as Jan Mangal, Mel Jankie and Christopher Ram to get on board in the fight for Guyana’s future. All Guyanese are urged to make contact with their civil society leaders to get them to get involved and ensure that the upcoming March 02 elections are free, fair, and a reflection of the will of the people of Guyana. Regards, Craig Sylvester, Party Leader, Democratic National Congress
Preserving the strength of our Forestry Industry DEAR EDITOR, The Iwokrama Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) work being done is quite impressive compared to traditional logging. It should be noted that although the impact on biodiversity is minimised, there is still an opportunity for increasing the sustainability of high value species of timber. A 20% harvesting level of the total available with a focus on high value species of timber increases the harvesting rate of the greenheart and purpleheart species. Recently, concern has been expressed about the sustainable harvesting of greenheart wood. The UK had placed restrictions and then recently lifted those restrictions on their importation of greenheart in the recent past. The next step in achieving a more sustainable forestry industry would be the replanting of these species in harvested areas. Unfortunately, it has been discovered that a black fungus has been negatively impacting the regrowing process, up to 80% seedling
destruction. Given the high level of importance of this segment of timber within our forestry industry, it is vitally important that a high priority be given to the replanting process. The purpleheart and greenheart species would be able to regenerate and maintain the upper or premium segment of the forestry industry which delivers the highest return on investment for investors. Funding for this important initiative could be achieved not only from increasing the selling price on these timber exports to the UK and other foreign markets, but also via increased taxation on imported wood. The Ministry of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Guyana Forestry Commission will also have to play a key role in enabling the research & development necessary to successfully achieve a strong regeneration process for this very important segment of our forestry industry. Best regards, Mr. Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
I am happy the Army is taking care of the welfare of these soldiers DEAR EDITOR, Our 50th Anniversary fireworks display had to be cancelled because the eight soldiers who were injured in the offloading of the explosives from an army truck at the Coast Guard Headquarters. The said soldiers are members of the Artillery Company, so they are all trained for handling fireworks. What must have triggered the explosions? To my little common sense, it could have been
caused by the truck engine, combined with the exhaust heat and also the intensive sun heat. Not to rule out anyone smoking. The Chiefof-Staff has ordered a Board of Inquiry to determine the true cause of the explosions. I am saddened to learn of the extensive injuries of the military men and so happy that the army is taking full responsibility of the men’s welfare and I look forward for their speedy recovery. Respectively, Parmanand Ram
Monday February 24, 2020
IAST Raises the Bar at CJIA - Unveils Uniquely Guyanese Kiosk at Airport’s Departure Lounge to Showcase Local Products and Technology The Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) has added yet another “first” to its impressive and growing list of innovative approaches to the commercialisation of Guyanese products and processes. On February 22, 2020, just in time for the Republic’s 50th Anniversary, the enduring institution launched a Kiosk in the Departure Lounge of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to showcase its services, products and presence. The Kiosk itself manages to raise the bar for retail outlets at the Airport way above the current baseline. Quite often, the bar in local retail landscape is raised by imported companies and institutions. THE KIOSK The design of the Kiosk itself is a statement on Guyanese craftsmanship and origins. The Kiosk is beautifully crafted by C&S Furniture Establishment, a local wood working shop at Tuschen, West Coast Demerara, from 13 types of Guyana woods. The base of the Kiosk is designed to look like a stylised donkey cart of old, complete with wooden wheels reminiscent of yesteryear and our origins. Resting as it does, on foundations of history and our sustaining rainforests, the design elevates into a display, which is an artful blend of modern and indigenous, with powerful motifs of the potent cocktail that can be forged from valuing our culture and natural resources, and marrying modern science to this patrimony, to create enduring and world-class products. A Golden Arrowhead at the helm of the display majestically proclaims the message that Guyana and Guyanese are on the move. The idea to have a flagship presence at the CJIA, according to Professor Suresh Narine, Director of the IAST, came from respected media personality and publicist, Mr. Vic Insanally. Narine said at the urging of Mr. Insanally, he approached the Chairman of the Board of the CJIA, Mr. Stephen Fraser and its CEO, Mr. Ramesh Ghir, with the idea. The CJIA administration was immediately accommodating and asked for a schematic of the Kiosk. Narine credits the institute’s Marketer, Ms. Raveena Mangal, for the drawings and realisation of the Kiosk design. Kaieteur News understands that the approach and design vision
Users have taken to social media to proclaim the attributes of the product – an excellent and refreshing emollient with miraculous impacts on skin health. More importantly, though, is that the business model of Rupununi Essence Inc. allows all profits to be paid in dividends to the owners of the company: the North Rupununi District Development Board, the Makushi Research Unit, and the Medicine from Trees Continued on page 23 IAST Director, Professor Suresh Narine were put together by Narine, to evoke Guyanese origins, accomplishments and hopes for the future. Narine’s vision evolved into an actual design thanks to hardworking builders who ensured that the final product was both true to the message articulated by the Director whilst at the same time being functional and aesthetic. The result, as multiple visitors are already commenting on social media, is astounding. It should be noted that Mangal, being a young person , brought her own social reality to the design; such as a clever conversion of the area that would normally accommodate the harnessing of a donkey in the donkey carts of old into a “SelfieSeat” with a backdrop of the Institute’s products and Guyana’s very own Kaieteur Falls. THE PRODUCTS The unique design of the Kiosk is matched in equal impact by the well-packaged products on sale. As reported by this newspaper before, the Institute of Applied Science and Technology has been leading a renaissance of locally made, world-class products utilising Guyanese raw materials and know how. The current products on sale are Rupununi Essence Luxury Facial Washes, Pakaraima Flavours Sundried Tomato Ketchup and Salad Dressings and Morning Glory Breakfast Cereals. The Institute will be adding shortly to this lineup its newest heart-healthy drink – SAK, made from indigenously grown purple potatoes. All of the products are packaged and branded competitively and hold their own against any product from major imported brands. The Rupununi Essence line of luxury facial cleansers has been in the market for approximately four years and has acquired a loyal and growing following of local and international users.
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Kaieteur News IAST Kiosk at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport
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Monday February 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
How a publishing company started by a former slave has lasted for 120 years While Twitter and Facebook occupy time that many consumers could spend reading books, R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation CEO LaDonna Boyd does not view social media as a threat to her business. She’s the fifth generation CEO of a publishing company started over 120 years ago by her great-great-grandfather, the Rev. Dr. Richard Henry Boyd, in Nashville, Tennessee. “Twitter is definitely not my competitor at all. I think that there’s so many different ways to share a story. There’s a medium that suits everyone whether you want 140 characters on Twitter, or if you wanna write the next long novel,” Boyd told Yahoo Finance. R.H. Boyd Publishing prints, publishes, and distributes Christian materials to over 10,000 churches, organizations, and individuals across the country. The company has over 40 full-time employees and numerous offsite editors, proofreaders, and writers. Boyd credits the company’s longevity to its ability to master its expertise and meet the faith-based needs of its consumers. “For us we’ve had to ebb and flow if you will, with the industry and the market but we’re doing well,” she said. “We’re very strong and I think it’s because we have a passion and we’re experts in our field so that helps us kind of stand apart from many others. But we’re all feeling it of course. You just have to be able to transition and to shift and pivot. So having digital resources and just engaging with your consumers in a different
Rev. Dr. Richard Henry Boyd way.” Born a slave, Boyd’s great-great-grandfather couldn’t read and write until he was 22 years old. “He was born in 1843 in Mississippi so just imagine that existence. That harsh upbringing and just that tumultuous time in our history,” Boyd said. After he was eventually freed, he became a pastor. Boyd said that, in overcoming the injustices of being a slave, her great-greatgrandfather empowered the next generation of African Americans to own their own narrative through Christian education. “He wanted to kind of go against the system if you will and give his people an opportunity to have their own voices and tell their own stories and have their own narrative and something so special and intimate as their faith walk,” she said. The accomplishment of the Rev. Dr. R.H. Boyd reverberates today nearly 100 years after his death. When he founded the National Baptist Publishing Board, now R.H. Boyd Publishing, in 1896, he started out by
The Boyd generation.
working with a small group of churches using money he and his wife had saved. When he died in 1922, he had become a noted entrepreneur. He co-founded One Cent Savings Bank, now Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Co., in 1904. It was the first minority owned bank in Tennessee. Ten cents was the minimum deposit required to open an account back then. Boyd was president of the bank from 1904 to 1922. Boyd also founded the Nashville Globe Publishing Company in 1905 and the Negro Doll Company in 1911. One executive recently commented on the unusual longevity of the Boyd family business. “Businesses just don’t last through the fifth generation. It’s an extreme exception. I would tell you less than 5% out of all family businesses make it past the third generation, let alone the fifth,” Jeffrey Weiner, CEO of independent accounting firm Marcum LLP, recently commented to Yahoo Finance during a discussion about R.H.Boyd Publishing. He added, “So the Boyds are doing something right.” The Boyd family’s mission extends beyond publishing Christian materials to offering financial literacy and economic empowerment, including by offering scholarships to historically black colleges and universities. “We want to make sure that we give back all of the resources and that we can equip people to be strong leaders and have their own entity that lasts for at least 5 or more generations,” Boyd said. ((Sibile Marcellus Yahoo FinanceFebruary 21, 2020)
Monday February 24, 2020
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
With seven days to go for Elections...
APNU+AFC, PPP offer no specific plans for oil sector By Kiana Wilburg With seven days left until General and Regional Elections are held, the major political parties have yet to offer for public scrutiny, specific plans on the development of the oil sector as well as the spending of revenues to come. Instead, the APNU+AFC and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), have proffered some broad ideas about what they want to see in the sector, including some form of cash transfers. On December 20, 2019, when Guyana started producing oil via the Liza Destiny, President David Granger had said that a Decade of Development Plan would be forthcoming. But even in his public remarks about the plan, Granger has said nothing specific about the government’s plans for the oil resources. During a recent interview with Kaieteur Radio, Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel agreed that during this election season, citizens have a right to know the specifics and not just broad plans the contesting parties have for the sector. Dr. Marcel also noted some important questions citizens should ask during this season. “The first question I would have for politicians during this elections period is how will you ensure strong stewardship of the resource? How will you ensure that the interests of Guyana are well protected, that there is strong oversight of oil operations and that we keep Guyana clean, green and safe, that these are safe operations?” The Chatham House
Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel
Associate Fellow added, “I would ask them specifically, what policies you would put in place for associated gas? Will you bring it to shore, and to do what? Will you subsidize the gas? Will you bring oil to shore by pipeline and build a refinery and subsidize gasoline? Let’s get specifics on what the policies are for the sector.” Dr. Marcel also said she would ask what exactly would be done to support the development of the non-oil sectors. Looking at the manifestos of both parties, the Petroleum Governance Expert said there are some ideas there but that is something worth debating nationally. She said that one has to examine which industries, whether it is eco-tourism, bauxite or sugar, would have real potential for growth when the oil revenues start to flow. Dr. Marcel noted that it is going to be hard for these sectors to compete in the oil production era. The Chatham House Associate Fellow concluded, “So I think having a discussion on how you will support the non-oil economy is where I would have a lot of questions. This is a critical juncture for Guyana...”
On several occasions, Chatham House as well as the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI) have impressed upon the nation’s leaders, the importance of having a clear vision of their objectives with resources from the petroleum sector. Both have stressed that this will allow the government to focus their energies and resources on the country’s top priorities. Specifically, the organisations emphasized that the vision should be underpinned by an analysis of available resources and capacity, as well as opportunity costs and risks associated with the chosen paths for development. Chatham House and NRGI have said, too, that a vision for oil should be strategic about choosing priority sectors and lay out in detail, the role each government institution will play in delivering that vision and over what time period. They have both noted that good leadership, consistency of purpose and dedication as well as effective implementation, will be crucial to the realisation of the nation’s vision for oil.
DEM BOYS SEH
Corruption does grow in secret places One thing dat does mash up any country is corruption. Dem have corruption on a small scale like a policeman tekking a raise pon de road or a clerk in an office tekking a raise to help people get a certificate. Then you have big corruption like a leader collecting from a farrin country to give up something dat belong to the people but which de farrin country want. Dis happen in nuff countries. Dem have leaders who collect a bribe to mek a farrin business get special concessions like gold fields and diamond mines. Of course, dem have countries with leaders who collect millions fuh dem oil. De money never enter de treasury suh it never reach de people.
Dem boys know corruption thrives in secret places, too. When oil expert Anthony Paul produce the first drafts of Guyana’s local content policy, he mek a special effort to ensure dat Guyana would not get tied down by confidentiality provisions. He put in several mechanisms dat demanded full disclosure to the people of Guyana. He want to mek sure dem can see de contributions of oil companies to the development of de country. He insist dat de interests of the Guyanese people are paramount. However, de Energy Department move Paul, and hire a British consultant, Dr. Michael Warner, to finish de policy. Dr. Warner had no experience developing a local
content policy. He however, had ties to ExxonMobil. Dr. Warner move Paul’s safeguards and, instead included several provisions in the new policy, which called for confidentiality in several areas. De new policy pointed to “legal constraints” which the Energy Department is yet to properly justify. As a result, Guyana got a Local Content Policy which don’t protect the right of Guyanese to full transparency. Instead, it tie dem wid provisions dat demand secrecy. It was the legendary Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States who always seh, “Everybody knows dat corruption thrives in secret places…” Talk half and watch dem farriners!
President, David Granger
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 24, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
50 years of wishing and hoping and leaving Caribbean philosophers like Edouard Glissant, Caribbean literary scholars like V.S. Naipaul painted the Caribbean as a troubled land. Caribbean post-colonial thinkers consistently polemicise on the Caribbean being the only region in the entire world where
transplantation, migration, settlement and cultural confusion have radically altered the cultural, sociological and anthropological landscape. Literary giants, poets and academics from the Caribbean have no quarrel with the label that the
Caribbean is a troubled place. No country in the cultural confusion of the Caribbean stands out more as a failure than Guyana. Every European and American scholar that writes on the Caribbean singles out Guyana as the main aberration on the sea of post-
Election-related fake news circulating on social media - GPA President advises public to fact-check In the weeks leading up to elections, several obscure blogs have popped up purporting to be credible news sources. These outlets have propagated false news about candidates in the 2020 election race, inflaming an already heated election cycle. One such instance of fake news is displayed in the attached image, from a site purporting to be Stabroek News. Like this example, the page sharing the report has a name very similar to that of the actual media house. Additionally, the web address below the report is also not that of the publication, which it claims to be. More gullible social media users are likely to gloss over these crucial details. Persons sympathetic to one party or another may also fall prey to fake news reports, because of confirmation bias. Social media sites like Facebook all provide an option to report pages, accounts and links posted on the site, which propagate
false information. If a person is desirous of having a fake report removed, they may use this option. In time, the website’s staffers will receive and probe the report, and have it removed if it is determined to be false. Journalists have taken to social media, urging social media users not to share false reports. One such person is Guyana Press Association (GPA) President Nazima Raghubir. In a Facebook post, Raghubir expressed the importance of fact-checking reports before one believes and/or shares them. She said that persons should ask basic questions such as – Are known and reputable media houses and/ or journalists reporting this information? Raghubir also noted a few points to remember during this election season. “Official information on elections can only come from GECOM.” GECOM’s public relations officer, Yolanda Ward, has made herself available to the
media corps to correct any misinformation that is being propagated about GECOM’s work. Raghubir also stated: “Politically parties will only share information that benefits them. Before sharing, ensure that you check across all media that an incident or report is authentic. While some media houses may break news or information, others may follow suit. Drink some tea or coffee and wait if you are unsure about how it is unfolding, before you share. “Social media commentators are not journalists, the latter have or should run their information through many fact checking mills before they report it. So, proceed with caution when/if contemplating sharing anything by commentators. Finally, social media can tend to charge an already volatile and tense election period. Keep your comments clean, respectful and free of racial slurs.”
colonial stultification. Prime Minister of St. Vincent, Ralph Gonsalves, posits that Barbados is the exceptional quality in the Caribbean. He put Jamaica high up and Trinidad but Guyana is not in the same category. Of the four big names in the English-speaking Caribbean, we are always last on the list of achievers trying to break out of the prison, Glissant said colonialism brought. Even on the surface of global image, we haven’t come near to Barbados, Trinidad and most of all, Jamaica. Why is this so? It is outside the scope of a newspaper column to undertake an analysis of postcolonial failure in Guyana. I wish this country would overtake many in the Third World now that we are an important oil producer that will figure decisively in US foreign policy. But I will be long dead and gone, and the wishing and hoping and the leaving will go on keeping us where we have been since the We s t Indies got Independence – the bottom of the ladder. My mom was fond of saying, “like how butter melts against the sun.” Oil money will dry up under the intense tropical sun. As we go into polling stations to vote in the same week we celebrate 50 years of rejection of the symbolic rule of the British monarch, it may be the last attempt to keep the journey of optimism alive. So we come back to the question asked above- “Why is this so,” that is, why 50 republican years of failure? The complexity of the picture is too enormous to discuss but some factors stand out. Let us leave out the
cultural and psychological deformation that colonialism brought. There just isn’t space to include a discourse on that. There is no question Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his party and Forbes Burnham and his party have disfigured the philosophical foundations of Guyana’s existence. I believe we are existential creatures responsible for our own decisions. Therefore, we cannot go on blaming the psychological effects of colonialism and the legacies of Burnham and Jagan. The legacies of the Jewish race point to graphic failure of the colonialism paradigm. Seventy years ago, the Jews were massacred. No country wanted to accept European Jewish refugees in 1933 when Hitler began to dominate in Europe. Today, the Jewish people are extremely powerful folks in powerful countries of the world. How then do you explain in the context of what the Jews achieved the continuation of the effects of colonialism 55 years after the demise of colonial rule in this land? I do not buy the academic nonsense that sees the psychic damage of colonialism as the reason for cultural deformations and barren minds in Guyana. Surely after 55 years, what was wrongly transmitted to humans they have to exorcize and it is not an impossible task. Take homosexuality. Civilisation as late as 60 years ago, frowned on homosexuality. Civilisation evolved to reject people of same gender having sexual relations. Today, more and more countries are legalising homosexual transactions.
Frederick Kissoon The world overcame the psychological brainwashing of centuries of antihomosexual sermonising. Why then can’t Guyanese overcome the stultifying effect on our psychology that came with western cultural domination? There have to be other compelling factors that account for 50 years of failure since we became a republic. One of these determinants is mediocre, visionless leadership that has plagued this land since the founding fathers laid the groundwork for Independence. Here is where we lag badly behind the Caribbean. The other big three (T&T, Jamaica and Barbados) have produced better quality in leaders than we have. They have produced leaders who are not angels but phenomena. However, the difference with Guyana is that they are intensely nationalistic and they put their country above partisan politics. We cannot get that right in Guyana because we keep mass-producing mediocre leaders who love power and their party mandarins over their country. Will we come out of the chasm after March 2? I hope we do. It is the last throw of the dice. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Monday February 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 24, 2020
Monday February 24, 2020
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
Bathing and Shrouding facility erected at Leonora Sunnatul Jamaat Compound
Ruimveldt fireworks explosion…
Burnt soldier succumbs, President Granger sends condolences to family
Dead: Corporal Seon Rose
The facility at Leonora Masjid. Following approval from the Stewartville/ Cornelia Ida Neighbourhood Democratic Council, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, The Environmental Protection Agency and the Central Board of Health, a bathing and shrouding facility was recently erected at the Leonora Sunnatul Jamaat Masjid Compound, West Coast Demerara. The project was sponsored by a family of the community who wished to remain anonymous. Its main objective is to assist Muslims to take care of their deceased relatives prior to the Janazah prayer (funeral
prayer) and burial, which includes bathing and dressing. Kaieteur News was informed that some relatives are finding it very difficult financially to meet the cost attached to offset the burial of their relatives and as a result, materials used to cleanse and shroud the deceased will be free of cost, whereas only a minimal maintenance fee or donations will be accepted. Persons interested to use the facility can contact Imaam Wazir Allie on 675-1996 or Nazir Khan on 687-2954 to make the necessary arrangements.
Guyana Defence Force Corporal Seon Rose died early yesterday from severe burns he sustained during last Saturday’s fireworks explosion on a pontoon that was moored at the army’s Coast Guard base at Ruimveldt. The 31-year-old from Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, succumbed at around 01.30 hrs in the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Burns Care Unit. He had taken the full brunt of the blast, which reportedly resulted in him sustaining burns to 90 percent of his body. He is survived by his wife, two children, mother and siblings. President Granger yesterday expressed condolences to
President David Granger at the city hospital visiting the other injured ranks Corporal Rose’s wife, Mrs. Tamica Rose, other relatives and friends, and the entire GDF fraternity. He also thanked GPHC staff for their tireless efforts to save Corporal Rose’s life and for their continued treatment of the other injured ranks. Corporal Rose enlisted in the GDF on September 7, 2008 and joined the 21 Artillery Company on November 14, 2008. He was described as a loving and devoted member of the GDF. Still hospitalised are corporals Terrence Neils, Gordon Cornette, Isiah Gordon, Trevon Joseph, Victor Lowe, Atto Cort
and Delroy Baird. The ranks, all from the 21 Artillery Company, were offloading fireworks from a truck onto a pontoon at around 13:30 hrs on Saturday when the massive explosion occurred. The ranks were said to have all trained to handle explosives. The fireworks display that was scheduled for Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary was cancelled. Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West has ordered that a complete Board of Inquiry (BOI) be conducted into the accident.
USA to implement rule denying green cards to regional immigrants from today WASHINGTON - CMC – The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says that starting today it will be implementing the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule denying green cards to Caribbean and other immigrants who may need US Government assistance. “In light of the US Supreme Court’s February 21, 2020 decision to stay the statewide injunction preventing implementation of the Final Rule issued by US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, USCIS will now apply the final rule to all applications and petitions postmarked (or submitted electronically) on or after February 24, 2020,” said USCIS in a statement on Friday. “The final rule, published on August 14, 2019 and originally scheduled to go into effect on October 15, 2019, prescribes how the Department of Homeland Security will determine whether an alien (immigrant) is inadmissible, and ineligible to adjust status to that of a lawful permanent resident in the United States because the alien is likely at any time in the future to become a public
President Donald Trump
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke charge pursuant to section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act,” USCIS continued. It said the final rule also addresses USCIS’ authority to issue public charge bonds in the context of applications for adjustment of status. USCIS said the final rule includes a requirement that Caribbean and other immigrants seeking an extension of nonimmigrant stay or change of nonimmigrant status “demonstrate that they have not received public benefits over the designated
threshold.” In response, Caribbean American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has expressed outrage over a United States Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Trump administration to deny green cards to Caribbean and other immigrants who may need government aid. “As a product of the hopes and dreams of an immigrant family, I am outraged by the Supreme Court’s decision to implement the public charge rule – a cruel policy Donald Trump has crafted to jeopardize the lives
of our nation’s most vulnerable,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation. “Historically, the United States has served as a place of refuge for individuals around the world seeking to fulfill the American Dream,” added the representative for the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York. “Immigrants are our neighbours, our friends, leaders in our communities and even our members of Congress. “It is disturbing to witness a global leader toying with people’s lives, and we must not stop fighting until Donald Trump is
removed from office,” continued Clarke, a very ardent critic of Trump’s immigration policies. In early October, Clarke had welcomed temporary injunctions by US federal judges in three states blocking the Trump administra t i o n ’s p u b l i c charge rule against issuing green cards for Caribbean and other immigrants. The judges in New York, California and Washington had issued the temporary injunctions against the rule that would make it more difficult for Caribbean and other immigrants to get green cards if they appear to be needing public assistance, such as financial aid, healthcare,
food stamps and housing assistance. Several legislators and immigration advocates had filed legal challenges to Trump’s “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds” rule. In September, Clarke had joined members of the United States Congressional Tri-Caucus – w h ich includes the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) – in filing amicus briefs opposing the public charge rule aimed at legal Caribbean and other immigrants who wish to remain in the US but whose dearth of financial resources are deemed likely to make them a burden on US taxpayers. Amicus briefs are legal documents filed in appellate court cases by non-litigants with a strong interest in the subject matter. But, in a 5-4 ruling late last month, the Republicanleaning high court honored the Trump administration’s request to set aside a ruling by a US federal judge barring the so-called “public charge” rule while the merits of the case continue to be argued in lower courts.
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Monday February 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Girl, 13, hangs self days after accusing pandit of indecent touching
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Days after alleging that a pandit had touched her inappropriately, a 13-year-old girl hanged herself in her parents’ Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) home. The teen was discovered dead in her bedroom last Saturday. A senior police official confirmed that they are in possession of a statement from the teen, in which she alleged that a religious leader had touched here in an inappropriate manner on a number of occasions. The pandit has since been released on station bail. Despite the death of the alleged victim, police said that the investigation will continue. Kaieteur News was informed that last Thursday, the teen, accompanied by her father, visited a Region Three police station with the claims against the pandit, who is in charge of a mandir in her community. It is alleged that the religious leader and the girl’s father have been friends for some time. In her statement, the teen is said to have alleged that on occasions where her father was out, the
pandit would visit the home and ‘touch’ her. He would allegedly also give her money. Kaieteur News confirmed that police contacted officials from the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). A source said that the officials conducted a “forensic interview” with the alleged victim. However, the alleged victim reportedly refused to submit to a medical examination to ascertain whether she was sexually active. Then on Saturday, the girl’s father discovered her dead in her bedroom. A postmortem will be carried out this week. An attorney for the pandit yesterday denied that the teen had accused his client of touching her. He said, instead, that the religious leader claims that he is accused of sending inappropriate texts to the alleged victim. According to the attorney, the police found no such text messages in his client’s phone. However, police insist that the claim had nothing to do with texting, but with touching of the teen.
Bandits give victim... From page 3 always locked but one of the men began to kick open the door. He said he told them not to kick it, that “the key is right here, open it”. He explained that in that room was his licensed shotgun with cartridges in a modified gun holder along with a bag of some tools. They took that. The pensioner said that they then went to his bedroom and began to search his drawers and in one of those drawers, he had $100,000 Guyana currency, US$300 and TT$100. They took that. He also said that there was another $100,000 that he had tucked beneath some documents in a drawer in the hall. The intruders found that as well. A Gateway laptop worth over $200,000 was also found by the men. According to the pensioner, the perpetrators had plastic bags around their hands to prevent them from leaving fingerprints and they were also wiping everything they touched. Venkatasammy said while the men were ransacking and bagging the items found, he began to feel a sharp pain to his chest (he suffers from a heart condition) and so he asked the men if they could give him his tablets for the pain. He said, “The man dropped what he was doing and began to search for the
tablet. He found it and brought it and gave me. It had to go under my tongue so he took it and put it under my tongue. He save me life deh although he was stealing from me.” Venkatasammy said they continued searching but after some time had elapsed, he complained that “my hands catching cramps...” Since it was tied behind him, one of the bandits then cut Venkatasammy’s hands loose. The men then took the jewellery the maid had on, her cell phone, his cell phone and some other items and they both escaped through the backyard which leads to a back dam location. He noted, when asked, that his home is not equipped with a surveillance system. He added that the maid immediately, after the men left, ran out to neighbours to contact the police who arrived shortly after. Venkatasammy also wanted to make it clear that despite what is being reported in sections of the media that he was beaten, he said at no point was he beaten and at no point did he speak with any reporter for them to gather such information. Police have since questioned several persons in the area but no one has been arrested. There are also reports that there was another robbery that said day.
Monday February 24, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Link Show 35 set for next Friday Ghana, Tanzania, Liberia place no and Saturday restrictions on releasing data for ExxonMobil, other oil majors Local Content...
- But Guyana aims to be the exception By Kiana Wilburg The real reason behind the use of confidentiality provisions in Guyana’s Local Content Policy remains a mystery when one considers the explanation provided last week by Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe. In response to queries from Kaieteur News, Dr. Bynoe had said that the provisions were used in Guyana’s policy so that it can be in line with Articles 18 and 19 of the nation’s legally binding Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs). Those two articles speak to the requirements to be honoured by companies when it comes to the use of local goods, skills and services for their operations. Dr. Bynoe was keen to note however that when those Articles are considered, there is no requirement for the disclosure of oil companies’ local content data or plans, hence the use of the confidentiality provisions in the policy. By the same token, Articles 18 and 19 say nothing about embedding provisions for secrecy in the nation’s Local Content Policy. Aside from this, Kaieteur News checked several agreements and policies around the world and none of them could support what Dr. Bynoe explained. In fact, Kaieteur’s research shows that ExxonMobil and other oil companies such as Tullow and Eco Atlantic
operating offshore Guyana are working comfortably in other countries which call for citizens to have full access to their efforts on local content. Take Liberia for example, where ExxonMobil is part of a Production Sharing Agreement with Canadian Overseas Petroleum (Bermuda) Limited, and the National Oil Company of Liberia for Block 13. (See link https:// for PSA: resourcecontracts.org/ contract/ocds-591adf6713867467/view#/search/ local%20content) Similar to Guyana’s PSAs, the 2013 Liberian agreement has no clause, which says that the Contractor or the Government has to disclose any of the local content data or plans provided. As for Liberia’s local content policy, there are no confidentiality provisions regarding the disclosure of the local content plans. In fact, the policy states, “In accordance with the laws of Liberia, particularly the Freedom of Information Act of 2010 and international best practices, information pertaining to the petroleum sector, including legal policy, planning, commercial, seismic and scientific shall be made available to the public in a manner that facilitates maximum access.” It goes on to state, “The
Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe government shall require international oil companies to issue regular reports on their contributions to local content development. These reports should contain the degree to which they are using Liberian contractors, identify the Liberian companies and the principal projects in which they are engaged and the composition of ownership. These reports shall also provide updates on the progress of training Liberians and nurturing local companies in line with national objectives.” (SEE LINK FOR LIBERIA’S POLICY: http:// www.eisourcebook.org/cms/ January%202016/ Liberia%20National%20Petroleum%20Policy%202012p.df) In Tanzania where ExxonMobil also operates, there are no requirements for local content data to not be disclosed in full. The same principle obtains in Ghana’s policy despite their PSAs not explicitly stating that the data in question must be disclosed.
IAST Raises the Bar at CJIA From page 7 women’s unit. It is a successful example of what Narine calls a Green Social Enterprise – an approach rooted in indigenous communities, utilising Indigenous knowledge and benefitting the communities from whence that knowledge sprang, including in this case, the preservation of the rainforest in order to sustain the production of the main ingredient – the natural pods of the Crabwood Tree, which grows wild in the Guyana Rainforest. The Pakaraima Flavours initiative, another of the institute’s success stories focusing on indigenous development, has its roots deep in the innermost recesses of the Pakaraima Mountain range. There, the Indigenous Patamona People have formed a cooperative with the institute’s help to grow organic tomatoes. These are then processed in a Good Manufacturing Practices, modern processing and solar drying facility, built and operated by the IAST, in Paramakatoi. The sundried tomatoes are then used to make Pakaraima Flavours sundried tomato ketchup and
salad dressings in a state-of-theart plant operated by the IAST. Beginning in 2017, Patamona tomato farmers grew approximately 7,000; 19,000 and 33,000 pounds of fresh tomatoes in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The enterprise, whilst challenged to rapidly increase its market share to keep up with exponentially rising production, has been making inroads into the local fast food and restaurant industry, with Church’s Chicken, Jade Wok, Spicy Dish, Tastee Dish and King Fish being among the institute’s business to business clients. In addition, the products are carried in the retail section of all the major supermarket chains in Guyana and many of the local grocery stores in both coastal and hinterland areas. Narine said, “It’s a good but challenging problem to have, where the production end of a vertically integrated Green Social Enterprise pushes the sales and marketing end to rapidly increase market share.” The Morning Glory Breakfast Cereals is one of those success stories, which seems to confidently stride from strength
to strength without a pause. Yet, this project which has the distinction of being one which has been supported by both sides of the political divide in Guyana, took on a very steep challenge: to take market share in a limited segment dominated by large, venerated and successful brands. It is a testament to the resilient and innovative staff at the IAST who designed, built and now operate the facility in Anna Regina, which produces the product that now is into their third year of operation, the facility continues to increase its sales and deliver a quality product. In 2017, Morning Glory Inc. sales were $12.7 million, in 2018 sales were $45.6 million and in 2019 sales grew to $58.3 million. The company is also soon to launch fresh packaging and a new children-friendly rice cereal called Jaggy the Jaguar. Importantly, the product is produced from 99.9% Guyanese raw materials and 100% Guyanese labour. It seems clear that Guyana can continue to expect the IAST to play a key role in its developmental trajectory.
The Theatre Company and GEMS Theatre Productions are in high preparation mode to give the theatre going public a taste of Link Show 35 with the compliments of KFC and 103.1FM The annual satirical review, now in its 35th year, the longest running theatre production in the Guyana’s theatre history has a very experienced cast to present this production, ranging from the versatile Michael Ignatius, ‘Chiney- man’ Mark Kazim, President Granger look-alike Mark LukeEdwards, Sean Thompson, Sean Budnah, Nelan Benjamin, Stephen Mohamed, Yohance Koama,
Lee Leung, Joshua Persaud, Rovindra Persaud, Travis McKenzie and ‘veteran linker’ Andre Wiltshire who was in the first Link show in 1981 and many others before migrating. He was famous in the Link Shows for portraying Hamilton Green. In the link up for the
females are Sonia Yarde, Simone Dowding, Colleen Humphrey, Nirmala Narine, Simone Persaud, Makini Thompson, Zoya Moore and Alicia D’Abreu. The production is directed by veteran director, Ron Robinson and produced by Gem MadhooNascimento. Link Show is Guyana’s number one annual satirical review that pokes fun at political situations, politicians, current affairs, social issues and outspoken personalities in our society who make the news. This 35th production will run for two nights on Friday, February 28th and Saturday 29th from 8.00p.m. Tickets at the cost of $3,000; $2,500& $2,000 are now on sale at the National Cultural Centre.
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Du Preez clinches tense win for South Africa women over England
Ayabonga Khaka celebrates after taking the wicket of Natalie Sciver. (Getty Images)
SYDNEY (Reuters) South Africa’s Mignon du Preez celebrated her 100th T20 match by hitting a six and a four in consecutive balls in the final over to power her team to a thrilling six-wicket win over England in the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in Perth yesterday. South Africa appeared in a precarious position in their chase of 124, needing 33 from the last three overs, but they managed to bring the equation down to nine from six balls. Experienced England seamer Katherine Brunt conceded only two in her first two deliveries before Du Preez
Monday February 24, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Relationships may be a bit difficult, Aries, so don't force pleasantry if it doesn't come naturally. Your motto today should be, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Try not to push away the very people who are there to help you. Dumping your problems on others may be the thing that does just that. Recognize your uncomfortable feelings, but don't burden others with them.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may put other people's needs before yours. There's an important balance between being selfish and being selfless. Don't sacrifice yourself to be a servant to others.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your adaptive powers are useful in that they give you a high tolerance for uncomfortable situation. At times, however, this trait may not serve you very effectively.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Be disciplined. Maintain your boundaries in order to keep from getting swept into other people's soap operas, Gemini. It may be fun to escape your problems by jumping into someone else's life
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may feel lonely and isolated, like there's no one you can talk to, Sagittarius. Your interactions may seem like giving a speech instead of having a discussion.
CANCER(June21–July22) Don't go overboard, Cancer. You may get so carried away in the early part of the day that by evening you notice you've gone beyond your own boundaries. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) People may be trying to subtly communicate to you, but you may not be aware of this because you're so caught up in your own difficulties. You may feel like you're driving with the emergency brake on. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may feel like you aren't getting the attention you need or deserve. Because of this, you may resent the people you feel you should be getting it from. This attitude is likely to make people less likely to come to your rescue.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Don't fall into the self-pity trap, Capricorn. You may have a tendency to mope around until someone notices and asks what's wrong. If no one does, you might get angry and pretty soon feel like you have no friends. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You're at an emotionally climactic time, Aquarius. You may feel like someone is putting a damper on your feelings. Perhaps you're scared or shy. Perhaps you don't feel you can express yourself the way you want to. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be careful of letting a sour mood ruin your day, Pisces. You may not feel particularly cheerful. This is liable to have a dramatic effect on everyone else.
sealed the win for South Africa in the Group A clash. Natalie Sciver’s knock of 50 from 41 balls helped England post 123 for eight in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first at the WACA ground. South Africa were going well with an 84-run stand for the second wicket between captain Dane van Niekerk, who made 46, and Marizanne Kapp. But they lost both batsmen in consecutive overs as the asking rate kept climbing in the face of clinical left-arm spin bowling from Sophie Ecclestone, who finished with 2-19. Earlier, South African bowlers kept picking up wickets at regular intervals to stall England’s momentum. Opener Amy Jones provided a solid start for England with a knock of 23 but they lost Jones and fellow opener Danni Wyatt in quick succession, while captain Heather Knight also fell cheaply, to leave them tottering at 43-3 in the ninth over. Sciver steadied the innings, however, and hit five fours and a six before falling in the 19th over to Ayabonga Khaka, who finished with figures of 3-25. Scores: South Africa 4 for 127 beat England 8 for 123 (Sciver 50, Khaka 3-25) by six wickets.
Former FIFA secretary... From page 26 ruling body for eight years until 2015, overseeing the organization of the World Cup tournaments in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014. FIFA was embroiled in the worst corruption scandal in its history in 2015 which led to its president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini being banned from the sport while several dozen officials were indicted in the United States on corruptionrelated charges.
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England overpower Ireland to reignite Six Nations hopes LONDON (Reuters) - England roared back into the Six Nations mix with another comprehensive demolition of Ireland yesterday as tries by George Ford, Elliot Daly and Luke Cowan-Dickie helped them to a 24-12 Twickenham victory in their best performance of the year. England were superb in the first half, leading 17-0 at the break and treating the home fans to glimpses of the attacking verve and aggressive defence that marked their memorable World Cup wins over Australia and New Zealand four months ago. “If it had been a cricket match we could have declared at halftime,” said their coach Eddie Jones. “We were outstanding in that first 40 minutes and put Ireland to the sword.” Ireland looked flat and short of ideas as they barely fired a shot in the first period and, though they did regroup in the second, they were well beaten despite coming into the game on the back of two wins. After three rounds, both teams are now on nine points from two wins and one defeat, with France, who have won their first three games, topping the standings on 13 points with the destiny of the championship in their hands. Wales and Scotland are on six with Italy yet to register. England set the tone from the opening exchanges and barely took their foot off the pedal
throughout the first half. They were on the board after nine minutes when Johnny Sexton failed to deal with the awkward bounce of Ben Youngs’s grubber kick, allowing Ford to dive on it. A similar scenario unfolded f o r t h e s e c o n d t r y, J a c o b Stockdale fatally hesitating over Ford’s kick and Daly reaching it just in time to touch down. AGGRESSIVE RUNNING England’s attack was full of hard, aggressive running and neat, delayed passing that repeatedly punched holes in the Irish defence. Conversely, when the visitors had the ball the English loose forward trio of Lawes, Tom Curry and Sam Underhill were swarming all over them. Farrell slotted a penalty to stretch the lead to 17-0 at halftime, and it was no more than England deserved. Ireland hit back with a Robbie Henshaw try but Sexton, who earlier missed a simple penalty, also screwed the conversion wide. E n g l a n d ’s replacement forwards brought new energy and a rolling maul, with most of the backs joining in, shoved Cowan-Dickie over, before Farrell slotted a tough conversion to make it 24-5. The crowd was energised, baying for a fourth bonus-point try, but instead Ireland regrouped and had the last word when Andrew Porter burrowed over for
England’s George Kruis in action versus Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London in the Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship. (REUTERS/Hannah Mckay) a score that might yet prove important in the final reckoning. “We started firing a few shots when the game was over, and that’s not what we want to do and the score probably flattered us,” said Andy Farrell after his first defeat since taking over as Ireland head coach. “England played like a side
that was desperate to stay in the competition, but we’ll look at ourselves for the reasons we allowed them to play the game they wanted to play. “We go into the Italy game knowing what we’ve got to do. If we perform like we want to in that game we’ll take it to the last weekend.”
England next host Wales, before finishing off against Italy in Rome in what is already heading towards being another great “Super Saturday” finale. “We’ve been building up,” s a i d J o n e s , “ We w e r e g o o d against Scotland, we took another step up today and will take another against Wales.”
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Jermine and Family Mash Cup in Linden
Keon Hall’s late goal hands Bakewell Topp XX 1-0 win over Coomacka - Capture $600,000 and bragging rights Topp XX forward Keon Hall banged home a stunning shot that rushed past the flailing hands of Coomacka’s goalkeeper Kellon ‘CleanSheet’ Major to break open a nil all deadlock game in the 90+4 minutes of play for a 1-0 victory and gave his team $600,000, the winners’ trophy and the Jermine and Family Linden Mash cup title which was played at the Mackenzie sports Club ground. Playing in front of a crowd which favoured the Coomacka team out of the Mines area over the Mackenzie side Bakewell Topp XX, the eventual result would for a second successive time see Coomacka defeated, after Topp XX had captured the Upper Demerara Football Association’s Christmas championship by beating them on penalties 3-1 in that final also at the same venue on New Year’s Night.
The opening salvoes were sent by the Coomacka side and one such created caused the man in the Topp XX citadel, Gregory Hinds, to bring off a good save as another collided on to the cross bar. C o o m a c k a ’s d e f e n c e player, Michael Sheckia, as things heated up, was then called for a foul he committed on an opposing Topp XX player Tony ‘Spirit’ Adams and Sheckia apparently reacted, using abusive language which attracted the attention of the referee Sherwin Johnson who swiftly showed the offending player the red card and marching orders. The incident occurred in the Coomacka half in the 25th minute of play where their support came from on the west end of the ground. This was greeted with an unkind response that would see debris thrown on to the
playing area and disrupting the game for 15 minutes and the players substitute bench switched positions. Topp XX could have made an effort to trouble the scores in the 30th minute when there were gasps after a corner resulted with ball running without any player in position. Hinds in the Topp XX goal would then be called upon to thwart a shot by Coomacka’s Marley Davidson just before the first half came to a nil all end. Soon after play restarted Coomacka’s goalkeeper Kellon Major was called into play to make a save and similarly, Major’s opposite number, Hinds, had to do likewise as both teams looked for the lead. But Topp XX could have gained the advantage after Tony ‘Spirit’ Adams was fouled in the box in the 52nd minute. To the disappointment of his teammates Topp XX’s reliable spot kicker Travis Waterton
Businessman Jermine Allicock (centre) hands over the cash prize to Topp XX’s Ryan Noel as the other players celebrate. sent the ball low and wide of its intended mark. Shaquille Frank of Coomacka would force Hinds to make a couple saves also and the contest was truly on. However, Topp XX played well to again have Major reach for shots towards the goal and in so doing the Coomacla goalkeeper appeared injured in the 62nd minute. Time was taken to get Major on to his feet and when it was over he decided to remain on the pitch. Another lapse by Topp XX saw them failed to take advantage of an opportunity that came in the 72nd minute. As time was closing in on regulation play, Coomacka were not to be outdone and they created a couple of
chances before Topp XX’s Shawn ‘Dash’ Daniels would send a good shot that hit the hand of Major before banging on to the cross bar. In added on time Topp XX would then gain the lone goal of the encounter as a buildup in the middle saw Ryan Noel passing a square ball to the on-coming right winger Keon Hall. The in motion Daniels in one fluent motion wasted no time to bang home a drive leaving Major little or no chance to get his hands near, as it rushed past for a 1-0 score in favour of Topp 90+4th minute for the 1-0 advantage. Soon after the game would be blown off as Topp XX enjoyed a second straight
title run at the expense of Coomacka. Earlier in the evening, Botafago did likewise to hammer Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection 6-1 to take third place. Goals were recorded by Jamal Haynes in the 17th minute, his brother Shane Haynes in the 20th , Jashawn Moore in the 69th and a double by Antwoine Gill in the 66th and 71st minutes for Botafago. The lone goal for Winners Connection was off the boot of Akeem Caesar in the 49th minute. The win was a repeat of the third place game between the two in the UDFA’s yearend championship which they also won 5-1.
Former FIFA secretary general Valcke and BeIN sports chairman indicted ZURICH (Reuters) Former FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke and the chairman of Qatar-based media group BeIN Sports, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, have been charged in connection with the award of television rights for the World Cup and Confederations Cup, Swiss prosecutors said on Thursday. Valcke, already banned by FIFA’s ethics committee for 10 years for ethics violations, was charged with accepting bribes, aggravated criminal mismanagement and falsification of documents, the Swiss Attorney General’s (OAG) office said in a statement. Al-Khelaifi and a third person, an unnamed businessman, were charged with inciting Valcke to commit aggravated criminal mismanagement, the OAG
said. There was no suggestion that the charge against AlKhelaifi was connected with his role at French club Paris St Germain where he is president. The Qatari is also a member of UEFA’s executive committee. The OAG added that AlKhelaifi no longer faced allegations of bribery after FIFA reached an “amicable agreement” with him to drop a criminal complaint connected to the awarding of rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. Valcke, who has previously denied wrongdoing, could not be reached for comment. Al-Khelaifi described the charge against him as a “second technical charge” and said he expected it to be proved as “completely groundless”.
He added in a statement: “I am pleased that all charges of bribery in connection with the 2026 and 2030 World Cups have been dropped. “The charges have not – and have never had – any basis whatsoever, either in fact or law.” Valcke could not be reached for comment. The OAG statement said that between 2013 and 2015 Valcke exploited his FIFA role “to influence the award of media rights” for various World Cup and Confederations Cup tournaments “to favor media partners that he preferred”. Valcke also received “undue advantages” from the two co-accused relating to the use of a villa in Sardinia, it said. Valcke was secretary general of world soccer’s (Continued on page 24)
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Fury batters Wilder in TKO triumph in WBC heavyweight title rematch AFP - Tyson Fury reigns again as a heavyweight world champion after battering Deontay Wilder on the way to a stunning seventh-round stoppage in their World Boxing Council title rematch. Fourteen months after their dramatic split-decision draw, Britain’s Fury dominated the American champion — who had blood streaming from his left ear and leaking from his mouth when referee Kenny Bayless called a halt at the behest of Wilder’s corner. “The king has returned to the top of the throne,” said Fury, who had dropped Wilder in the third and fifth rounds as he remained unbeaten — and handed Wilder the first defeat of his career. The self-styled “Gypsy King” from northern England — who was borne to the ring on a golden throne — had put on a boxing masterclass in their first fight, but he was clearly ready to brawl from the opening bell on Saturday. A massive right from Fury knocked down Wilder in the third and Wilder struggled to regain his legs — although
British boxer Tyson Fury, right, knocks American Deontay Wilder down before stopping him in the seventh round during their World Boxing Council heavyweight championship fight in front of a crowd of 15,800 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AFP / Mark Ralston) when he went down again moments later it was ruled a slip. A left to the body had Wilder down again in the fifth,
and Fury was raining blows on Wilder when Bayless called a halt at 1:39 of the seventh round after Wilder’s corner threw in the towel.
Wilder, 34, suffered his first defeat in 44 fights, falling to 42-1 with 1 drawn and 41 knockouts. The “Bronze Bomber”
was unable to surpass Muhammad Ali’s record of 10 successful heavyweight title defenses. “I just want to say a big shout out Deontay Wilder,” said Fury, who improved his own unbeaten record to 30-0 with one drawn and 21 knockouts. “He manned up. he really did show heart of a champion. “I hit him with a clean right hand and dropped him, and he got back up and battled on into round seven. “He is a warrior, he will be back, he will be champion again.” As a pro-Fury crowd at the MGM Grand cheered, Wilder briefly protested the stoppage. - ‘A warrior’ “I just wish that my corner would have let me went out on my shield,” he said. “I’m a warrior.” Wilder had knocked Fury down twice in their first fight in Los Angeles — the Briton miraculously climbing off the canvas in the 12th round to hang on for a share of the spoils. With new trainer Javan “Sugarhill” Steward in his
corner, and with more than 16 additional pounds on his 273pound frame, Fury was on the attack early, backing Wilder up with his jab and landing several hard shots in the opening round. He didn’t produce the second-round knockout he’d predicted, but he was clearly in control. The fight, the biggest heavyweight collision since Lennox Lewis bludgeoned Mike Tyson into submission on the banks of the Mississippi River in 2002, drew a star-studded crowd. Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes was ringside, so were Mark Davis, owner of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and Raiders coach John Gruden. Retired NBA greats Magic Johnson and Jerry West were on hand, as was current Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green. With the rematch in the books, fight fans will be hoping to see Fury take on compatriot Anthony Joshua — holder of the IBF, WBA and WBO belts — in a heavyweight unification bout.
Guyanese Umpire to make Regional debut in B’dos on Thursday At the young age of 30, Guyanese Umpire Ryan Banwarie is set to become the second youngest West Indian First-Class Umpire after Bajan Leslie Reifer, when Barbados oppose the Windward Islands from Thursday at the historic Kennington Oval in Barbados. This is another step in the ladder of his Umpiring career to joining Cecil Kippins, Badge Menzies, Eddie Nichols, Compton Vyphuis, Clyde Duncan and David Narine as Guyanese Umpires who stood in a Test Match. Nigel Duguid could be the next Guyanese to stand in a Test match. Banwarie first officiated in a Regional tournament when he stood in 2016 Regional
Women’s in Guyana. His progression has been a steady one; Officiating in the Regional U-15 in Barbados in 2017, the Regional U-17 in Trinidad and U-15 in Jamaica in 2018 and the 2019 Regional Women’s in Guyana before being selected for the U-19 in St Vincent the same year. It is said that luck is when opportunity meet hard work, but Banwarie does not believe in luck. “I was not too surprised at this appointment since I am a believer of being rewarded for hard work, dedication and team-work. It’s all possible because of my family, employer, the Guyana Umpires Council, fellow Umpires, CWI’s Umpiring Coach Peter Nero to name just
Umpire Ryan Bandwarie during a youth game at Bourda.
a few who have contributed to my development,” informed Banwarie. According to the very professional young man, the qualities of a good Umpire are being impartial, being a team player, being coachable and being dedicated. He added that he is a strong believer of integrity. Although he played a few second division games for the Police Sports Club, he realised that while it would be difficult to make it ‘big as a Cricketer’ there were lots of other careers from cricket that a person could make a living from, one such was Umpiring. “Yes I always wanted to be an umpire and Mr Eddie Nichols showed interest in me and asked if I was interested. I jumped at the opportunity and passed my first Exams in 2013,” said Banwarie. When asked what is the biggest challenge being a Regional Umpire, Banwarie informed he has received so much support from everyone that there is very little to complain about. “There are so many people who have helped, it’s hard to mention. I have the support of many outstanding Citizens of the Region, the grace and mercy of the heavenly father, family, friends and colleagues,” continued Banwarie. The modern Umpire has to
- Ryan Banwarie to become 2nd youngest Regional FC Umpire be physically fit and the soon to be First Class Umpire confirmed there is a fitness standard for Regional Umpires. “Yes, there is a fitness standard to be maintained for Regional First Class Umpires, one that I am willing to continue working to achieve the highest possible standard. Thanks to CWI for giving
me the opportunity to officiate on the field in the CWI Championships and to all the others that continue to support my development as an Umpire and a citizen of Guyana,” said the unassuming young man. Talking about the use of technology, Banwarie said Umpiring is more than making a decision or two. “It is how well you
manage the players and get their trust. At times your level of concentration may be put off by something else on the field and in cases like that technology could help you to have a successful game. But it’s important to believe in yourself and trust your gut feelings,” said Banwarie who departs for Barbados today. (Sean Devers)
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Monday February 24, 2020
Bent Street win Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship
Action in the finals of the 3rd annual Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship at the National Gymnasium. National heavyweight Bent Street walked away with the 3rd annual Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship, dismantling Rio All-Stars 5-1 on Saturday
at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. It was an exhibition of clinical finishing from the traditional giant in front of a massive crowd, as they
romped their way to the prestigious title following five unanswered goals. The opening goal from Rio All-Stars Kelsey Benjamin in the seventh
Boult leads attack as New Zealand on top against India WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Trent Boult followed up his counter-attacking cameo innings of 38 to take three wickets, including that of Virat Kohli, to put New Zealand on top against India at the end of the third day of the first test yesterday. The visitors, who had not lost any of their seven previous International Cricket Council World Test Championship matches, were 144-4 at the close of play at the Basin Reserve, still 39 runs behind and staring at their potential first defeat. India’s hopes today will rest with vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who was on 25, and Hanuma Vihari (15), with Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin the only remaining players likely capable of building a total they can defend. Boult added it was too early to determine what kind of total they would be comfortable chasing with India still having some resistance in their lineup. “I hope I don’t have to bat again,” he said with a grin. “If I do my job we won’t be chasing too much. It’s a very good wicket (and) we know that we have to be on the ball. “We can’t be walking around feeling we’re well ahead of the game because there is a lot of cricket to be played.” Boult added dismissing Kohli for 19 had been important in putting pressure on India’s batting lineup.
New Zealand’s Trent Boult in action. (REUTERS/Martin Hunter) “Almost every time we miss, he hits and he hits it well and gets boundaries,” Boult said. “From our point of view, we were trying to dry that up and for me personally using the wicket and the shorter ball was a good plan to try and control his run rate.” The hosts had established a 183-run first innings lead after they were dismissed for 348 before lunch with Colin de Grandhomme, debutant Kyle Jamieson and Boult counter-attacking to bolster their advantage. De Grandhomme and Jamieson put on 71 runs before Boult then shared in a 38-run, 10th-wicket stand with Ajaz Patel, who held up the other end as the pace bowler scored all of the runs in their partnership. “Batsmen don’t get out anymore,” Ashwin told
reporters of the stubborn resistance by New Zealand’s bowlers. “Lower order batters do put a price on their wickets.” Ashwin also said it was too early to determine what direction the match might go. “There’s six sessions to go in the game and we’re not even at the stage where we can think about what’s a good score to defend,” he added. “If you can get as close to the first innings score as they did then we might present ourselves an opportunity to do something, but that’s very far away in the game.” Scores: India 165 and 144 for 4 (Agarwal 58, Boult 3-27) trail New Zealand 348 (Williamson 89, Taylor 44, Jamieson 44, Sharma 5-68, Ashwin 3-99) by 39 runs.
minute proved to be nothing more than a consolation conversion, as the experienced Bent Street side took complete control led by Colin Nelson, the eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the event. Nelson smashed a hattrick in the 20th, 29th and 35th minutes, following earlier conversions from Daniel Wilson and William Europe in the 10th and 16th minutes respectively. Esan Griffith, San Sports Director and Coordinator of the tournament stated, “The tournament culminated in grand fashion with a powerful display from Bent Street as they claimed their second title in three years. Rio All-Stars displayed the quality to make the finale and must be commended for their effort but the experience of Bent Street came to the forefront in the championship match.” He further said, “Once again I would like to thank all the players, fans and sponsors who maintained their unwavering support for
the event. Without the input of this vital trio, the overall success and continued development of the event would not be possible.” It was the second consecutive tournament win for Bent Street following their capture of the inaugural Dragon Stout Championship. They pocketed $600,000 and the championship trophy. Individually, Nelson collected the MVP trophy and a Samsung Galaxy cellphone compliments of Nigel Hinds Financial Services. On the other hand, the loser and first time finalist copped $400,000 compliments of Nigel Hinds Financial Services and the respective accolade. Meanwhile in the third place playoff, Leopold Street downed Kingston by a 6-4 score. Omallo Williams recorded a hat-trick in the fourth, 16th and 19th minutes, while Benjamin Opara, Daren Benjamin and Eon Alleyne scored in the fifth, ninth and 25th minutes each. For the loser, Simon Emmanuel bagged a double in the 14th and 26th minutes
while Stephon Reynolds added a brace in the 27th and 33rd minutes. For their effort, Leopold Street walked away with $200,000 compliments of MVP Sports and a trophy. Kingston pocketed $100,000 and the corresponding accolade. Complete Results Final Bent St-5 vs Rio All-Stars1 Bent St Scorers Colin Nelson-20th, 29th and 35th Daniel Wilson-10th William Europe-16th Rio Scorer Kelsey Benjamin-7th 3rd Place Leopold St-6 vs Kingston-4 Leopold Scorers Omallo Williams-4th, 16th and 19th Benjamin Opara-5th Daren Benjamin-9th Eon Alleyne-25th Kingston Scorers Simon Emmanuel-14th and 26th Stephon Reynolds-27th and 33rd
Alesha Jackman records victory in international outing Guyana’s youth boxing sensation Alesha Jackman kept the nation’s flag flying high when she snatched gold in Barbados Saturday evening. The 15-year-old Jackman defeated Chole Jenkins at the Ronald Wilson Memorial Tournament held in St. Michael. The lone Guyanese athlete at the tournament, Jackman dominated her opponent while boxing her way to a resounding unanimous decision victory. The win ensured that
Jackman’s international record remained unblemished. President of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle was loud in praise for the talented teenager. “We continue to see improvement in every fight Miss Jackman contest. She continues to show just how important it is to invest in her and other young athletes. We are proud of her and by extension the entire Guyana is proud of this prodigy,” Ninvalle said. The GBA president reiterated that the Association
will continue to pour resources into Jackman’s exposure and development. The young fighter was accompanied to Barbados by Coach Sebert Blake. Ninvalle also thanked the management of the Guyana Power and Light for allowing their employee, Blake, to make the trip at very short notice. Meanwhile, secretary of the Barbados Boxing Association Kathy HarperHall hailed Ninvalle for “coming to the rescue” of her association at short notice.
Monday February 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
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AAG Carifta trials
Charles takes girls U-19 100m, 200m; Reid wins girls U-16 100m, 400m; Marks, Tyndall, Johnson shine
B
rianna Charles turned in commendable performances to win the girls 19 and under 100m and 200m races, while Hannah Reid was also outstanding in the girls 16 and under 100m and 400m events when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held its Carifta trials on Saturday last at the Leonora Track and Field C e n t r e , We s t C o a s t Demerara. Charles of Running Brave Athletic Club clocked 11.81 seconds in the girls 19 and under 100m to win ahead of Deshana Skeete of Christianburg Wismar who finished in 11.90 and third placed Princess Browne of Running Brave in 12.54. Charles fine form continued when she overpowered her rivals to win the girls 19 and under 200m in 24.47 seconds; Skeete took the runner spot in 25.08 and Deborah Thorne of the Guyana Defence Force was third in 25.70. Hannah Reid of Police Progressive Youth Club won the girls 16 and under 100m in a time of 12.32 seconds ahead of Qweiasha Sealy of DeChallengers in 12.53 and Tia Thompson of Guyana Defence Force in 12.66. Reid clocked 57.53 seconds in the girls 16 and under 400m, winning by some margin as her closest rival, Charissa December of
Action in the boys 16 and under 200m. DeChallengers finished in 1:02.77; Tatiana Alves of Mercury Fast Laners was third in 1:13.82. The girls 16 and under 200m was taken by Qweiasha Sealey of DeChallengers in 26.02 seconds; Karese Lloyd of Running Brave finished second in 27.19 and Queanna Taylor of Tytans placed third in 27.33. Keliza Smith of Running Brave took the top podium spot in the girls 19 and under 400m in 57.06 seconds, while Deborah Thorne of thee Guyana Defence Force (GDF) placed second in 1:02.91. Attoya Harvey of Running Brave won the girls 16 and under 1500m in 4:54.79; Jennifer Byass of New Amsterdam United placed second in 5:14.05 and Shevonne Younge of Tytans was third in 5:23.73. The girls 19 and under 1500m was won by Shaquka Tyrell of Christianburg Wismar in 4:54.38 while
Kaidon Persaud of Upper Demerara won the boys 14 and under 400m
Aaliyah Headley of Running Brave placed second in 5:13.13 and Renea Hunte of Mercury Fast Laners was third in 9:14.11. S h e a m a Ty r e l l o f Christianburg Wismar took the girls 3000m in 10:41.32 and Rosemond Harvey of Running Brave placed second in 12:41.27. Ta m a r a H a r v e y o f DeChallengers won the girls 16 and under long jump with a leap of 4.98m ahead of Qweiasha Sealey of DeChallengers 4.91m and Odessa France of Police Progressive YC 4.90m. Keliza Smith of Running Brave took the girls 19 and under long jump with a leap 5.54m; Annalisa Barclay of Upper Demerara took the runner up spot with 5.32m and Tia Charles was third with 5.16m. Celena Sealey of Rurallites won the girls 16 and under shot put with a throw of 6.69m, Jahaziah Copeland of Upper Demerara took the girls 19 and under shot put with a throw of 11.20m, Celena Sealey threw 20.72m to win the girls 16 and under discus, while Copeland also captured the girls 19 and under discus with a throw of 34.98m. Tonya Rollins of Guyana Defence Force claimed the women 20+ 100m in a time of 12.15seconds; Ruth Sanmoogan of Running Brave took the runner up spot in 12.28 and her club mate Alisha Fortune was third in 12.57.The women 20+ 400m was taken by Euzeka Williams of the Guyana Defence Force in 1:05.23. We s l e y Ty n d a l l o f Running Brave captured the boys 16 and under 100m in a time of 11.19 seconds ahead of Sean Johnson of Christianburg Wismar in 11.28 and David Higgins of Police Progressive YC in 11.49, respectively.
The boys 19 and under 100m was won by Lionel Marks of the Guyana Defence Force in 10.40 seconds while Nicholas Denheart of New Amsterdam placed second in 10.83 and Osa Blair of Police Progressive YC was third in 10.89. Sean Johnson of Christianburg Wismar took the top podium spot in the boys 16 and under 200m in a time of 22.78; Job Fraser of New Amsterdam placed second in 23.04 and Omar James of Upper Demerara finished third in 23.16. Lionel Marks of the Guyana Defence Force won the boys 19 and under 200m in 21.68 seconds while Akeem Stewart of the Guyana Defence Force placed second in 21.83 and Stephon Boodie of Police Progressive YC finished third in 22.07. Omar James of Upper Demerara carted off the boys 16 and under 400m title in 51.24 seconds; Job Fraser of New Amsterdam took the runner up spot in 52.22 and Roger Smith of Hopetown Flames placed third in 52.71.
The boys 19 and under 400m was taken by Courtley Benn of Police Progressive YC in 48.36 seconds; Godwin Humphrey of GDF grabbed second spot in 48.53 followed by Daniel Benjamin of Running Brave in 49.37. Seon Booker of Police Progressive YC triumphed in the boys 16 and under 1500m in 4:09.03; Samuel Henry of Rurallites placed second in 4:15.67 and Albert Adams of Tytans was third in 4:38.29. Nicholas Daw of GDF took the boys 19 and under 1500m in 4:15.01; Kennard Hartog of Police Progressive YC placed second in 4:17.74 and Omari Walcott of Rurallites was third in 4:25.61. Samuel Henry of Rurallites captured the boys 16 and under 3000m race in a time of 9:28.45. The Boys 16 and under long jump was won by Wesley Tyndall of Running Brave with a leap of 7.15m; Russell Paton of C h r i s t i a n b u rg Wi s m a r leaped 6.71m to win the boys 19 and under long jump;
Okenoko Pascall of Rurallites prevailed in the boys 16 and under shot put with a throw of 14.53m; Joshua Tappin of Upper Demerara took the top podium spot in the boys 19 and under shot put with a throw of 13.52m; Richard Simon of Police Progressive YC won the boys 16 and under discus, throwing 29.33m; Joshua Tappin threw 39.88m to win the boys 19 and under discus. Davin Fraser of Police Progressive YC took the men 20+ 100m title in a time of 10.59 seconds while Stephon Boodie placed second in 10.69 and Leslain Baird of GDF was third in 10.81. Cleveland Thomas of Police Progressive YC won the men 20+ 1500m in 4:08.41; his club mate Tremaine Browne captured the men 20+ long jump with a leap of 7.47m and Osafa Dos Santos, also of Police Progressive YC won the men 20+ shot put with a throw of 13.35m. Kaidon Persaud of Upper Demerara won the boys 14 and under 400m.
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Monday February 24, 2020
GFF conducts Coaches Education Workshop in Region 1 The Guyana Football Federation conducted a twoday Introductory Coaching training at Port Kaituma Community Centre, targeting 11 coaches and prospective coaches from the Matarkai sub-Region consisteing of five females and six males. The session was held on February 17 and 18 and was conducted in collaboration with the Matarkai SubRegion, Region 1, Department of Social Cohesion – Culture Youth and Sport – and the Port K a i t u m a To u r i s m Association. Among the areas covered b y G F F ’s C o a c h e s Education Officer Lyndon France and Youth Development Officer Bryan Joseph were: introduction to coaching, principles of coaching, role of coach’s session planning and delivery of session and principles of the game. The capacity building session is part of GFF’s Hinterland Development Strategy, which focuses on providing training in coaches’ education, administration and providing equipment to Hinterland Regions. Following the training, participant Orlando Cupido said he has learned a lot and was especially thankful for
the ‘session planning’ topic covered by the facilitators. Prior to the start of the training, a small opening ceremony was held which saw remarks given by, among others, Ms. Celene Johnny, Chairperson of the K a i t u m a To u r i s m Association. She said this is the first partnership with the GFF and the initiative was conducted to “awaken sports tourism in Port Kaituma” as well as showcase/develop the skills of the youth. She added that her Association will continue to work with other stakeholders to develop tourism in the region. Giving remarks on behalf of the Region was Enoch Benjamin, Assistant Regional Executive Officer, who said he saw the training as an opportunity for the youths of Region and urged the participants to maximize on the knowledge shared during the training: “I hope you use this opportunity to its maximum. See how much you can benefit from the two-day workshop...” He added that there are many talented youths in the region that will benefit from the training and he is confident that the participants will not only learn but also take the knowledge to their respective clubs and teams.”
Participants involved in a practical session during the Coaches Education Session at Region1.
Opening of Coaches Education Session at Port Kaituma, Region 1.
Changed mentality and youthful team among goals for Golden Jaguars - As Long-Term Development thrust continues, 12 Players from U-20’s join seniors
Golden Jaguars’ Head Coach Márcio Máximo during one of the team’s training sessions. Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team, Márcio Máximo, said a youthful team, changed mentality and an emphasis on long-term succession planning/development are the key areas of focus for the team even as they continue preparation to face Barbados in the home-and-away fixture for the Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifiers in March. This, Máximo noted, is necessary for the sustainability of the team,
which is currently predominantly youthful in nature and which seeks to lift its game to consistently perform at competitive levels internationally. “It’s very important for me to not only reduce the average age of the senior team but also change the mentality of the players to one that is competitive, displays good commitment, professionalism and with a desire to proudly play in the senior national team,” said the Golden
Jaguars’ Head Coach in an invited interview. Maximo said there are currently three or four experienced Guyana-based players over 28 years old among those who are engaged in daily training sessions but, to realize sustainability of the team, age and desire for personal and team success are key for development: “Of course their (older players) experience is very important for our group but we also need to refresh the team, put
new ideas and players who have ambition to play in the development leagues, pursue international clubs/academies, help the local clubs to improve…if we don’t have the continuation of the senior team, we’ll loose the group again. We have been able to recover some players – 22 – 23 years old who had lost interest due to the absence of a senior team programme. Now, they have the option to continue if they are selected, of course. We now have a pool of 60 players.” Towards this end, the Head Coach announced that 12 players from the U20 National team engaged in the Concacaf U20 Qualifiers will be integrated into the senior team following their return from Nicaragua: “We have already selected six players to join the senior team but after the
tournament, six or seven additional players will be selected to be permanently integrated into the senior team. “It’s a good opportunity for the players to keep their ambitions to play at a professional level, have a chance to be attached to international academies, if age permits, and we will endeavor to provide the fuel for them to achieve their highest goal.”
Guyana Senior Men’s National Team is set to play Barbados on March 26 and 31 respectively as the country seeks to qualify for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. The first match of the two-round qualifier is scheduled for Barbados at 19:00hrs while Guyana will be looking for home-court advantage in the final match scheduled for the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora at 20:00hrs.
Golden Jag’s Head Coach Márcio Máximo briefs players ahead of training session.
Kaieteur News
Monday February 24, 2020
PAGE 35
Concacaf Women’s Under-20 C/Ship
Guyana’s ‘Lady Jags’ thump Nicaragua to earn 5th successive win What would have been dubbed Super Sunday by the Guyana Football Federation, given the fact that this nation for the first time would have been playing against another nation’s male and female national teams, got off to a solid start. Last evening at the Olimpico Felix Sanchez stadium in the Dominican Republic, the young ‘Lady Jags’ recorded a solid 3-1 win following up their winning ways from here in Guyana when they comprehensively won the Group A last July. Guyana has proven that it deserved one of the two slots that were awarded to Concacaf after it won the rights to host the FIFA Women’s Under 20 World Cup 2020, the other slot taken by Group B Qualifying winners, St. Kitts and Nevis. After settling down and sizing up their opponents, the ‘Lady Jags’ opened the
scoring on account of Aubrey Narine 19th minute goal as they took control of proceedings. The score remained unchanged up to the half way mark. Four minutes into the second half, Guyana doubled the advantage when Jade Vuyfhuis rocked the back of the nets on Mashramani day here in Guyana, which also coincides with the nation’s 50th Republic Anniversary. Vuyfhuis scored in the 49th minute from a well-executed free kick. As the ‘Lady Jags’ continued to control proceedings, their appetite for more goals continued and they were so rewarded when Serena McDonald found shooting range and scored in the 63rd minute to make it 30 in favour of Guyana. However, Nicaragua were able to pull one back one minute later through a Jacklyn Gilday 64th strike but that was all they would
In this Kaieteur News file photo, Jade Vuyfhuis in a tussle with Bajan Fellisha Jarvis for possession in previous action. have gotten on the night as the Guyanese lasses kept it tight in their final third thereafter led by Captain, Brianne Desa in defence. While Nicaragua added fresh legs in the 57th and 64th minute, Guyana made its first substitution in the 70th minute when Kiana Khedoo made way for Tori DeNobrega. Two minutes later, the second sub was made, scorer of the opening goal, Aubrey Narine being replaced by Tiandi Smith. The third and final sub was made in the 81st minute,
scorer of the third goal, Serena Mc Donald exited the match, Samantha Banfield replacing her. By then the deal was sealed and Guyana went on to post a historic win. GFF President Wayne Forde offered this comment on the triumph when contacted last night. “I wish to congratulate the players and the Coaching staff on the victory. This is a challenging group but I am confident that the team will rise above each test and make all of Guyana proud.” The ‘Lady Jags’ will next
play Puerto Rico tomorrow from 16:00hrs at the same venue. Puerto Rico lost 1-2 to Mexico yesterday. Last evening the Under20 boys were locked in battle against Nicaragua in the Concacaf Boys U20 qualifying competition in Nicaragua. The winner of the match would have topped the Group and moves on. The ‘Lady Jags’ defeated Suriname 3-1, Saint Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda and Bermuda by respective 2-0 margins to win Group A Qualifying at the Leonora Track and Field Facility here
last July. Guyana sits at the top of the group above Mexico on goal difference with both on 3 points each. Starting X1: 1. Anessa O Brien, 11. Jenea Knight, 4. Brianne Desa Captain, 10. Kiana Khedoo, 2. Anaya Johnson, 3. Jessica Myers, 7. Nailah Rowe, 8. Serena McDonald, 5. Jade Vuyfhuis, 9. Aubrey Narine, 13. Shanice Alfred. Subs: 6. Tiandi Smith, 12. Tori De Nobrega, 15. Samantha Banfield, 19. Horicia Adams, 16. Shamya Daniels.
Alesha Jackman (right) and Chole Jenkins take time out for a photo after their fight which Jackman won.
Action in the boys 19 and under 200m.
rt Spo
AAG Carifta trials
Charles takes girls U-19 100m, 200m; Reid wins girls U-16 100m, 400m; Marks, Tyndall, Johnson shine
Alesha Jackman records victory in international outing Fury batters Wilder in TKO triumph in WBC heavyweight title rematch
Brianna Charles (2nd from right) gestures after crossing the finish line in the girls 19 and under 200m.
The champions, Bent Street, organising officials and supporters share a photo op following the presentation.
Bent Street win Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship
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