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Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Friday February 01, 2019
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
ATTRACTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT
T
here are significant opportunities for foreign and local companies to invest in the country, especially with its huge oil deposits and impending production in 2020. It is rather unfortunate that for a country with so much potential there is not greater interest by foreign investors. Since taking office in 2015, the government has been doing everything it can to woo foreign investors to help grow the economy. Many high ranking officials in government have made numerous overseas trips to encourage investors, but they were only partially successful. When in opposition, the current government had blamed its predecessor for its failure to attract foreign investment, and during the election campaign, it had promised to reduce crime and attract such investors. It did reduce crime and since taking office, the government has reiterated its commitment. From their many overseas trips, the President and several Ministers have touted the current mood of restored democracy in the country and their overwhelmingly successful engagements with investors. They claimed that there is a surge in Guyanese entrepreneurs who wanted to return home with their capital and technical skills and expertise to invest and help develop the economy and improve the lives of the masses. However, despite the optimism shown by the President and some members of the cabinet and with the discovery of huge oil deposits in the country, only a handful of foreign investors have shown any renewed interest and confidence to invest here. But many Guyanese nationals have returned home and have made substantial invests in the country and most are doing well. A couple of banks (Baroda and Nova Scotia) seem to be no longer interested in doing business in Guyana because of their low profit margins. Both have announced plans of leaving. Several reasons have accounted for the small flow of foreign investors into the country. One, in addition to the high crime rate, which may or may not be a main deterrent, the accelerated pace of globalization has changed the world economy and has left many developing countries, including Guyana behind. Two, the world economy is undergoing rapid and comprehensive changes and both the developed and the developing countries are competing for foreign direct investment at a pace never seen before. And three, Brexit and President Trump’s unconventional foreign policy strategies have and continue to unnerve the global economy. The passage of legislation to end or reduce corruption, money laundering, and to re-establish the Procurement Commission and other constitutional bodies did not attract many foreign investors. Not to mention the steps taken by the government to improve tourism, to ensure that Guyana becomes a peaceful and lawful state, coupled with the abundance of natural resources as well as the progress made in transforming and diversifying the economy, which has been dependent on agriculture and a few limited products such as sugar, bauxite, and more recently gold. But even with these changes, it seems that foreign companies are not convinced that the current state of the economy is ripe for investment. What Guyana needs urgently is a massive influx of foreign investment in every sector of the economy. The government, through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Business and Tourism, obviously have to do more to convince foreign investors that Guyana is the place for them to do business. The country is in need of foreign capital to help boost the economy, create jobs for our youths, spur development and reduce poverty. Attracting foreign investment will definitely help to fulfill these goals.
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.
Renegotiation Dear Editor, As promised, I now respond to Dr. Jan Mangal’s comments on the question of the Exxon contracts. In 1999, Guyana entered an Agreement with ExxonMobil to search the seabed in our offshore areas in the hope that commercially viable quantities of oil would be found. The 1999 contract contemplated two stages of operation, prospecting and production. The parties made financial and operational commitments and fixed timelines for exploration and for profit sharing after oil was discovered. In 2016, after the game changing announcement that oil had been found in commercial quantities, this Government negotiated and signed a second agreement with Exxon. The terms of that Agreement were kept secret. In March 2017, shortly after that Agreement had been inked, Dr. Mangal, who had by then been appointed Adviser to Minister Trotman, with responsibility for Oil and Gas, spoke at Moray House and described the relationship between the oil producer and its host country as akin to a marriage. But a marriage, like a business deal, should be fair and mutually advantageous to both parties. From inside the Ministry, Dr. Mangal must have known the contents of the new Agreement, and must have known that it certainly did not harbour a happy marriage. Even without that inside
knowledge, Melinda Janki scoffed at the soothing noises coming from Dr. Mangal on behalf of the Government. She stated in Stabroek News’ column on 15th March, 2017: ‘Oil production is a hardnosed affair. An oil producer wants as much money as possible. It will cut costs as much as it can get away with. It wants to pay as little as possible to the host country.’ The Government was then still resisting calls to make the 2016 Agreement public. Ms. Janki repeated that call. Eventually, the Government capitulated, a mundane act of transparency made under duress which Dr. Mangal nevertheless touted as ‘a bold move by President Granger’. But when the contract was released, it was clear that Ms. Janki was right; the marriage honeymoon was soon over, and the incompetence of our negotiators fell front and centre in the public eye. Dr. Mangal’s tenure in the Ministry could not last; his personal integrity and suggestions for transparency could only have been viewed as obstructionist in that enclave. Following his defenestration, he was able to openly join the chorus of criticism of the Government’s management of the Exxon issue, including the 2016 Agreement. He now asserts unequivocally that this second Agreement was poorly negotiated by unprepared and unqualified officials. He says, ‘Guyana is losing US$2.6
Billion on the first project alone… and Guyana will be losing more on the second project…, and even more on the third and subsequent projects.’ It is clear from analyses and comments far and near that, he is correct, but it would have been far more useful if he had made the same observations in March 2017 at the Moray House seminar. In advocating for renegotiation, Dr. Mangal distinguishes our experience from the Singapore reality by reiterating the incompetence of our negotiators and leaders: ‘Singapore did in fact honour investor contracts, these were likely to be fair contracts negotiated by qualified bureaucrats, and not the lamentable form witnessed in Guyana.’ Again, Dr. Mangal is (unfortunately belatedly) correct. As I pointed out, Lee Kuan Yew said to make good decisions and to stick by them; the first step is a well-made decision. What Dr. Mangal does not advise is where Guyana will find leaders with integrity, expertise and knowledge. He makes all the right noises, talking about a ‘level playing field’, ‘operating in Guyana without having to bribe some government official’, no ‘shake downs’, but ‘an efficient, transparent and respected process to set up a business’ but he does not suggest a solution to this problem. And Guyanese know the reality. When Dr. Mangal advocated for (Continued on page 6)
That ban by the Canadian Government Dear Editor, It is one thing to be declared persona non grata by an undemocratic country. It is another story when it is a place as open and welcoming as Canada. Thus, there are some difficulties with the sudden surprising decision. What can be read from it? What should be read? There are proceedings pending before the courts. No question that citizens across the divide can find agreement that the matters are serious. They involve a range of troubling issues from (in layman’s terms) alleged deceptions, conspiracies, misuse of p o w e r, a n d p e r s o n a l profiting through improper exercise of position and influence. And it must be emphasized: all alleged. And yet, there was this arresting announcement from the Canadian side that precludes travelling to Canada. Is there a message somewhere in there? Perhaps, more than one, and all pointed and pummeling; and the precursor of things to come from both this originator and then others even more heavyweight and Mike Tyson-like?
Usually, there is much trumpeting of innocent until proven guilty. Usually, in spite of significant distaste for this or that character, or this or that scurrilous development, and this or that ideology and leanings of the political apparatus of a country, there is great reluctance to go these distances this early. At least, that is the new world now lived in the 21st Century. As an example, at the diplomatic level, those almost routine reciprocal expulsions by Eastern and Western governments, for either manufactured or blatant charges of infringements, have petered out to a state of cobwebbed mustiness due to lack of such exercises. Things are so bland these days, that they are almost boring. Of course, there is the liveliness of twitter (and all the other easy, quick electronic sticks) to beat up or drown out. That is why this Canadian ban development is found startling; and not because it came out of nowhere, but because of the recipient of this unwanted disfavour and now stigma. It opens the
door for ruminations. To begin with, this can be interpreted as a subtle backdoor manoeuvre to balance the scales, from a Canadian perspective, and an attempt to appease the Guyanese government for what appears to be still unexplained and not altogether comprehended official Canadian involvement (or noninvolvement) in that latenight flight by that Guyanese Pegasus, holding dual citizenship. Just so that there is no misunderstanding, that would be the man who fell on a plastic sword and then sought refuge in the safety and security of distance. That was one smart citizen: unlike Icarus of Greek fame and recklessness, the Guyanese flyer did so in the dark, so that the incandescent heat of the sun would not scorch his wings, and send crashing to ground. Second, to repeat the now well-known that, move hurt and angered the incumbent administration, while it empowered the opposition. The opposition went further and one step bolder with the selection of a presidential
candidate that has resulted in head-scratching, bellyaching, breast beating, and general constipating. The selection was powered, though, with the full awareness that thick dark clouds loomed overhead; the ground was slippery and fraught with uncertainty; and that the territory beyond delightfully blissful Guyana would be taken aback by the determination to forge ahead and possibly install a party with which there was, is, and would be the greatest reluctances and misgivings to do business. There can be neither ignoring nor disdaining what could-and should-be construed as a shot across the bow; an early warning one, and a very thunderous one, too. It could be, let there be a changing of the mind; and, of this projected Scipio as well. The wise in the midst should not fail to observe that there is no mention of oil, not a single word, until that reference a moment ago. Third, and as a last, word, the thinking is that the Canadian jaw of the pincer has moved; there are others. Sincerely, G.H.K Lall
Peeping Tom cannot lump all political parties together DEAR EDITOR, Peeping Tom’s column, A Nation of Hustlers (KN 28/1/ 19) correctly pointed out that the PNCR, the PPP, the AFC and the WPA are pursuing neo-liberal policies which can only lead to a widening of the gap between rich and poor. However, the Peeper is completely incorrect in saying that “all the new parties are no different. They offer no new economic model but instead the same old discredited neo-liberal approach which is turning Guyana into a nation of roadside vendors”. If the Peeper had read O V P ’s m a n i f e s t o , p u b lished prior to the 2015 general and regional elections which we contested, he or she would have known that OVP has consistently attacked the neoliberal capitalist policies that were implemented by Desmond Hoyte and his PNCR, continued by Cheddi Jagan and successive PPP regimes, and still enforced today by the Granger administration. As the leader of OVP, I have been critical of the neoliberal agenda since its inception, and long before many political commentators who now recognize it as discredited.
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All the political parties in Guyana, with the exception of OVP, are neo-liberal in orientation, anti-poor and antiworking class, imperialist friendly, and thus subservient to the very ABC countries, who pressure them to implement the neo-liberal model. As such, they cannot bring about real change. Every general election we see an exchange of political elites whose objective is to manage the existing arrangement, not to change it. In contrast, OVP comes in the revolutionary tradition of Forbes Burnham. We have been referred to as the Burnham revivalists. Our objective is to dismantle the existing plantation arrangement, democratize the economy and place political power in the hands of the people, not political parties. We are committed to the realization of economic justice in our lifetime. Our objective is clearly stated by the visionary leader and national hero - Forbes Burnham: “We want a just society where there is no poverty, no unemployment, no economically disinherited...that the masses participate fully in the economy and economic planning, that they benefit directly and fully from the exploitation
of our resources, that their quality of life improves so that they no longer have to be satisfied with the existence of outcasts and menials.” This objective can never be realized by the PNCR, PPP, AFC, WPA, ANUG, URP or any other neo-liberal electoral outfit. The solution does not lie in creating new parties that adhere to the same old defunct political and economic system. Exchanging one of these neo-liberal parties for another will not bring about the change that Guyanese, especially the poor, so badly need. It is time for real change and for real change to occur those in power must reject the neo-liberal capitalist model. The only political organization in Guyana that is aiming to do just that is OVP. Before pronouncing that we are all the same, the Peeper needs to get hold of some OVP literature – our flyers are all over and readily available. The Peeper would then know that there is a real alternative on offer! Gerald A. Perreira Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP)
LEAD, CARICOM, LEAD! DEAR EDITOR, ARTICLE 6 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas commits the 15 Member States of our Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to “enhanced coordination of Member States’ foreign and foreign economic policies” and to “the achievement of a greater measure of…effectiveness in dealing with third States, groups of States and entities of any description.” Well, if our Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ever needed a unified and collective foreign policy, the time is now! Recently – on the 10th of January 2019 – we had an embarrassing spectacle at the Organization of American States (OAS), when, on having to deal with a Resolution that purported to delegitimize the inauguration of Nicolas Maduro as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, our CARICOM member states found themselves divided on the issue, with some of them voting for the Resolution, others voting against, and some abstaining. And now, an additional
Venezuela-related foreign policy challenge has come our way, in the form of one Juan Guaido – the recently appointed President of Venezuela’s National Assembly – unilaterally (and in the absence of his participation in any relevant electoral process) declaring himself President of Venezuela and having the Donald Trump administration of the United States of America purporting to recognize him as Venezuela’s interim President. In light of the foregoing, it behoves us to spend some time reflecting on the genesis of CARICOM’s aspiration to a collective foreign policy, and on the ideals and principles that would have guided the four major architects of that aspiration – the late Prime Ministers Errol Barrow, Eric Williams, Forbes Burnham, and Michael Manley. In January 1962, at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Organization of American States (OAS) Foreign Ministers in Uruguay, the OAS suspended Cuba’s membership, thereby effectively expelling Cuba from the OAS! This was then followed
by the US compiling a socalled “black list” of all countries still trading with Cuba and threatening to cut off US economic and military assistance to them. But even this was seemingly not enough for the antiCuba forces, and during the 9th Consultative Meeting of Foreign Ministers held in Washington DC in July 1964, a resolution was passed urging all governments of the Western Hemisphere to break diplomatic relations with Cuba. And—sad to say—in the following years, every single Western Hemisphere nation except Mexico and Canada fell in line with the OAS stipulation and either broke diplomatic relations with Cuba or refused to recognize the revolutionary Republic of Cuba! The magnificent response of the visionary Prime Ministers of the four newly independent Commonwealth Caribbean nations — Errol Barrow, Michael Manley, Eric Williams and Forbes Burnham—was to issue the following historic Declaration in October 1972 (Continued on page 6)
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Corruption still plagues Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Transparency International has released its latest report on rankings of countries on its Corruption Index. Guyana continues to score low on the corruption and transparency index, which is not a positive indicator for those interested in doing business in Guyana. With the emerging oil and gas economy, the issue of corruption has assumed even much greater significance given the projected revenues that could be generated therefrom. It is therefore important for transparency and accountability agencies, more particularly the Office of the Auditor General, to be strengthened to ensure a higher degree of effectiveness in its ability to monitor oil and oil-related transac-
tions. Money has the potential to corrupt and with the influx of oil monies, the potential for corrupt transactions is likely to be greatly enhanced. Any loss of revenue because of corruption will rob us of what rightly belonged to us as citizens. We talk of the risks associated with oil such as the socalled ‘Dutch Disease’ but the ‘corruption’ disease can be no less debilitating if left unchecked. In this regard, capacity building and institutional strengthening of the Office of the Auditor General must be given top priority by policy makers if they are genuinely concerned about accountability and transparency. In addition, the other ‘watchdog’ agencies such as the Integrity Commission and
Transparency International should be provided with adequate resources to facilitate their respective mandates. The penalties for those found guilty of corruption should be applied to the maximum and with the full force of the law. Corruption is a cancer that must be eradicated if the country and its people are to optimally benefit from the resources that we are so richly blessed with. It is a shame that we continue to remain poor despite our riches. We need to change our image as a country that is ranked among nations that score poorly on the corruption index. With the political will and a zero tolerance approach to corruption by us all, I am certain better can be done. Hydar Ally
‘IMMEDIATE REACTION DISORDER’ MUST BE ADDRESSED DEAR EDITOR, In his book, ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’, Daniel Kahneman enumerates two systems namely, system 1 which is fast, intuitive and emotional, and system 2 which is slower, more deliberative and more logical. Our behaviour falls under either of these systems. We respond differently to the situations. Sometimes, we react immediately and passionately. This behaviour is driven by several factors such as upbringing, society, ego, etc. The trigger is the child in you.
Many people suffer from this. It could be called, ‘immediate reaction disorder’, where one acts purely on passion. Most likely consequences from immediate reaction disorder are negative and detrimental. One has to move from child to parent in order to thrive positively and influence positive actions. We have to slow down and be calculative while reacting to a situation. We have to be logical and reasonable to react in a certain manner. This is cannot be taught or does not come with
age but it is the result of checking and rechecking our behaviours to any given situations. If one wants to improve in this regard, one has to try and change the behaviour pattern. There are people who react immediately to a situation and then regret the behaviour. But if those people could first assess the consequences, their behaviour will be better. People who suffer from this disorder can be detrimental to others. Let us help people who suffer from this disorder. Jerri Dias
LEAD, CARICOM, LEAD! From page 5 :-“The Prime Ministers of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, meeting together during the Heads of Government Conference at Chaguaramas, have considered the state of their relations with the Government of Cuba and the obligations, which the OAS has sought to impose upon its members in regard to relations with that Government; and make the following statement: (1) The independent English-speaking Carib-
bean states, exercising their sovereign right to enter into relations with any other sovereign state and pursuing their determination to seek regional solidarity and to achieve meaningful and comprehensive economic cooperation amongst all Caribbean countries will seek the early establishment of relations with Cuba, whether economic, diplomatic or both. (2) To this end, the independent English-speaking Caribbean states will act together on the basis of agreed p r i n c i p l e s . ”
Here then were the four smallest and youngest states of the entire Western hemisphere standing on principle; courageously speaking “truth to power”; and setting a noble and principled example for all the other nations of the hemisphere to follow!AND so, the lesson taught to us by these architects of our Caribbean integration movement– Errol B a r r o w, E r i c Wi l l i a m s , Forbes Burnham and Michael Manley – is absolutely clear: namely, that our Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is a much more effective, powerful, principled, and respected organization when it operates on the basis of a unified, collective Foreign Policy. Surely, this is a lesson that we all need to take to heart in these troubled and vexed times. David Comissiong, Ambassador to Caricom, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Bridgetown, Barbados
Friday February 01, 2019
A criticism of a letter writer’s stance DEAR EDITOR, I write in response to a letter to editor from the Chairman of the Gold Board, Gabriel (GHK) Lall (Kaieteur News 28.1.2019). This re-migrant with intellectual leanings is usually worth a read for style if not content. Unfortunately, now that his brown bag appointment and the accompanying perks are under threat, an unvarnished Lall emerges to bark for his political masters. Mindful of ‘Dem boys” advice of the same day, I am nevertheless risking ‘jail for a year’ in refuting Lall’s roll in the mud pit. GHK begins with suggestions that an Irfaan Ali Presidency would lead to systematical reversal of the limited ethical and reputational gains. One would hope that there would be reversal of the reputation the Granger Administration has gained for Guyana for being ‘limited’ as exposed in its negotiations with ExxonMobil; the inability of the Granger Cabinet to recognize that the ‘private approach’ brought to them by David Patterson was illegal and very obviously unethical; that spending $327 million of taxpayers’ money to rent a house that cost $25 million (paid for with the rental deposit) was an exercise in bare faced corruption and cronyism. The list of mismanaged projects and corrupt transac-
tions that have involved Granger and his administration in three short years outstrips any other two decades period in our nation’s history; in this alone APNU+AFC have excelled. Ironically, in the same edition that contains Lall’s misgivings, there is a stern warning from Jan Mangal (former Presidential advisor on Oil and gas) that the Energy Department should not engage in one-on-one negotiations as “the data exists to prove that these negotiations are highly prone to corruption”. Editor, the GHK Lall attempted to place the blame for sloth in Guyana’s passage and implementation of AntiMoney Laundering legislation on the previous PPPC administration in an exercise to rewrite history. An Orwellian exercise better suited to the talents of our current Attorney General whom is versed in this practice and whom is already seated upon Rocinante and cloaked in an armour of imbecility. GHK Lall should note that Williams has no need of a Sancho Panza thus far, handling punishment meted out by his bête noir with equal measures of calm and delusion. Lall posits the argument that a ‘rotten bureaucracy’ will return in defence of the super sized hog feeding at the public trough, this sounder of
swine created by tripling the number of Ministries and departments by David Granger and his team. The cost of government is now in excess of $70 billion a year. GHK Lall has the temerity to look up from the trough long enough to write about Irfaan Ali, who increased housing stock by 28,456 units, while managing the installation of 25 wells and seven water treatment plants, increased access to treated water from 20% of the population to over 50%, in addition to his work to nurture the fledgling Tourism sector. Irfaan Ali managed three ministries, one Minister, one salary and measurable progress over a six-year period. Compare to Granger’s passel of incompetents who promise much, are paid higher salaries and delivered less than 1000 house lots in three and a half years. Editor, I will not dignify GHK Lall’s comment that hints of a communist hegemony, as those cold war ideological arguments are as fossilized as the author. I would suggest to David Granger that in the future he does not send a hog with his nose buried too deep in the trough to offer arguments on his behalf. Like the Tiger in the aforementioned ‘Dem boys seh’, I am now willing to serve my year in jail. Respectfully, Robin Singh
What’s with our Fly Jamaica refund? DEAR EDITOR, Please be kind enough to enquire on behalf of passengers affected by cancellation of flights by Fly Jamaica, when their refund will be payable. Tw o months has elapsed since my cancellation from New York to Guyana and nothing is being heard of from Fly Jamaica; E/
Mails – no reply, phone calls on 222-0227, answered by recording, put on Fly Jamaica music, leave you with that for about ten minutes, then phone disconnected. I visited the office, the attendant said that refund is processing, will call you when completed. The fact is that many of us borrowed money from rela-
tives to return and have to repay that debt. How can we do so without the refund from Fly Jamaica? I request that you use the power vested by the media to enquire from the top officials from Fly Jamaica about our refund and alternatively affected passengers. Yours respectfully HANUMAN GANPAT
Renegotiation From page 4 allocation of offshore blocks by a method of public auction, the Government insisted that it should have the discretion to sole source. When he recommended retaining some blocks for the future, this was also rejected. Guyanese all remember the infamous signing bonus secretly paid to the Government and only became known when the Agreement was made public. So the enormous question remains, ‘How can Dr. Mangal blithely advocate for ‘renegotiation’ when the negotiators will likely be the same actors as before, and none of those negotiators appear to have changed their religion?’
This is the familiar reality which confronts all Guyanese, and which has confronted all Guyanese for fifty years. The same corrupt politicians who want to secretly single source, and who wanted to keep the Agreement secret, and who hide from transparency and serve self-interest above national interest continue to hold the reins of any renegotiation now proposed to be undertaken. Therefore, the problem facing us is not solved in any respect by the simplistic statement made by Dr. Mangal that ‘the 1999 Exxon contract has already been renegotiated in 2016, and it
needs to be re-negotiated again.’ Who will do that renegotiation? Every Guyanese knows the answer! It will be the same folks who put us in this predicament in the first place.Renegotiation is important once it can be done lawfully. But there is much more to be fixed before Guyana can confidently embark upon a renegotiation exercise. Perhaps Dr. Mangal would be willing to participate in a public discussion on the pros and cons of renegotiation, and what steps need to be taken first. Guyana would certainly benefit from his insights. Timothy Jonas
No- confidence vote stands; 33 is majority - Chief Justice rules
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By Feona Morrison Guyana’s National Assembly consists of 65 elected members. A majority of those members is 33, declared Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George yesterday as she decreed the noconfidence motion passed in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018, is valid. The highly anticipated judgment which was delivered at noon drew crowds of spectators, lawyers, and media personnel to the halls of the Supreme Court of Judicature. DUAL CITIZENSHIP Despite declaring that expelled Alliance for Change (AFC) Parliamentarian Charrandass Persaud, who voted in favour of the noconfidence motion against the coalition government, is not qualified for elections as a member of the National Assembly on the basis of dual citizenship by virtue of his allegiance to Canada, a foreign power, the CJ ruled that his dual citizenship does not invalidate the noconfidence motion. The judge was responding to declarations sought by private citizen, Compton Reid, who had asked the court to set aside the no-confidence motion on the ground that Persaud holds dual citizenship—being that he is a citizen of both Guyana and Canada. Detailing the reasons for her findings, Chief Justice George said that there was evidence before the court to support that Persaud was
Charrandass Persaud
Chief Justice (Ag) Justice Roxane George
show that Persaud identifies himself as a Guyanese/ Canadian. The judge reasoned that Persaud became a citizen of Canada when he took the oath of allegiance, “I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second Queen of Canada Her Heirs and Successors and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.” She declared Persaud is not qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly, in accordance to Article 155 of the Constitution, by virtue of his own act and acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience and adherence to a foreign power to wit, the Sovereign State of Canada. The Chief Justice added that there was no evidence before the court that Persaud
“No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.” Then there is also Article 55 which states, “Subject to Article 155 (which relates to allegiance, insanity, and other matters) a person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly if, and shall not be so qualified unless, he, (a) is a citizen of Guyana of the age of eighteen years or upwards; and (b) is able to speak and, unless incapacitates by blindness or other physical cause, to read English Language with a degree proficiency sufficient to enable him to take an active part in the proceedings of the National Assembly.” The CJ declared therefore that the former AFC Parliamentarian was on April
Attorney Anil Nandlall was pleased with yesterday’s rulings
Attorney General Basil Williams faces the media National Assembly. She stressed that this is applicable to other Members of Parliaments holding dual citizenship in the National Assembly. VOTE COUNT In her determination on the question of the majority vote Justice George held that 33 will always be the majority of 65. “If 65 members are present, a majority of all elected members of the National Assembly would still be 33,” the Chief Justice said, as she outlined reasons for asserting that the noconfidence motion was carried. Against this backdrop, she noted that if Persaud had voted against the noconfidence motion, the government would have accepted that the vote count of 33 is the majority of all elected members. She added if there are less than 33 members present in the National Assembly, no Bill or Motion can be passed. Accordingly, Justice George noted that the order of Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland - that the No Confidence Motion,
Resolution No.101 was passed by the National Assembly - is legally binding. “A majority of all elected members of the National Assembly is at least 33 members,” reiterated the Chief Justice. Following the passage of the NoConfidence Motion, the Government, through Attorney General Basil Williams, had contended that it was not defeated. The Government, which named Scotland and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo as Respondents in its application, moved to the court for a determination of several issues, one being that, 34 or more votes were required for the passage of the no-confidence motion. The government had also contended that the failure to obtain such votes breached Article 106(6) of the Constitution and was unlawful and the certification by the Speaker by issuing Resolution 101 could not be conclusive. Based on her findings, the Chief Justice noted that the President and ministers cannot remain in office beyond 90-day period specified for the holding of
elections. This, she said, is in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana which states, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” Thus, Justice George declared, “the ruling of the Speaker that the noconfidence motion debated in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018, is carried by a vote of a majority of all elected members of the National Assembly is lawful and valid, being in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana”. Moreover, in arriving at resolution to the majority issue, Justice George referenced case law from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and Trinidad and Tobago. Further she specified that (Continued on page 29)
‘Business as usual’ as Go vt. pr epar es to a ppeal Govt. pre pares appeal
born in Berbice and is the holder of a Guyana Passport. She said that there is also evidence that Persaud is the holder of a Canadian passport which he used to travel from time to time. According to the CJ, there is further evidence to
renounced any of the citizenships. Justice George noted that Articles 53 and 155 of the Constitution of Guyana speaks to the qualifications and disqualifications for election as a Member of the National Assembly. Article 155 (1) (a) states,
0 7 , 2015 disqualified from being nominated as a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Guyana. The Chief Justice made it clear that by swearing allegiance to another state, a dual citizen is not eligible to be elected to serve in the
Government last evening said it is preparing to appeal the rulings of Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George yesterday. And it will be business as usual until those appeals. Ruling on the court challenge to the December 21st no-confidence vote which was carried 33-32, the CJ said that it was unconstitutional for a Member of Parliament to sit in the National Assembly and hold two passports. MP Charrandass Persaud was also a Canadian citizen when he voted. However it was emphasised that the vote was not invalidated. The CJ also ruled that 33 was a majority, a major point of contention. According to the Government last evening, it has noted and respects the rulings
of the Chief Justice (ag). “The ruling is not in favour of the Government’s position with regard to the vote on December 21st 2018. However, due process continues and the Government will file an appeal in the Court of Appeal. The Government continues to believe that the full adjudication of this issue is in the national interest.” The statement said that until the matter is concluded at the highest Court of Appeal, the status quo remains and the business of government continues as usual. “The government reassures the Guyanese people that it will continue to act in accordance with the constitution of Guyana.”
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Need for united approach amplified as...
First annual Regional Disaster Risk Management Conference underway
D
isaster Risk Man agement and Re sponse rests not only with central government, but rather, it requires a concerted effort from every member of society. This was the assertion of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who holds the responsibility for Civil Defence. His remarks were vocalised yesterday as he delivered the feature address at the opening of the first Annual Regional Disaster Risk Management [RDRM] Conference for Regional Chairmen and Regional Executive Officers from the 10 Administrative Regions, which was held Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown. The Minister said Regional Democratic Councils
it is the first responder to the needs of the citizens in their respective regions. “It is to you that the people of the region look for first response to tragedies and disasters and development, and it is to you that they will look for answers. I believe that Guyana has moved away from the system where everything resides within central Government. I believe that we have changed that paradigm, which says that unless the Minister or central government is there then nothing can happen,” he said.He added, “We have restored the local Government system and the RDCs to manage their regions and neighbourhoods. We can’t take disaster risk preparedness as something that we don’t have to deal with.
Minster Joseph Harmon [standing] address the gathering. change since the massive floods of 2005, which left many communities across the country inundated. Since then, Guyana has
fence, we have to look at it in a holistic way. We also have the production of oil that will be taking place soon, and so the question of oil spill man-
The conference in session yesterday. [RDCs] are a very important layer in the governance system of the country and particularly in disaster risk management and response, since
Disasters present a reality for us in all of the regions.” The Minister noted that Guyana has been experiencing the effects of climate
experienced several disastrous situations as a result of climate change and global warming. These disasters, he said, severely affected the livelihoods of many villages and the overall economic and infrastructural landscape of the respective regions. Disaster risk management and response planning must therefore become a concern of every stakeholder. “We have had and will continue to have these situations because of the low coastal plain on which we live. [The] majority of our population and what we produce is located here, and so the threats of rising sea levels will continue to be something to which we have to pay attention,” the Minister underscored. As he pointed to the fact that the challenges are different in the various regions, Harmon went on to note that, “there are areas in which our biodiversity is threatened and so when we look at civil de-
agement becomes another issue we will have to deal with carefully. So, we have to broaden our lenses in the way we look at civil defence.” With this in mind, he said that the conference will become an annual feature that will see all regions coming together and planning for the year as there is requirement for this system all across the country. “In many communities you find that disaster risk management is the job of the CDC, primarily, and it is important that we understand that disaster risk management starts from the lowest level. You and the people are the first responders and, in most cases, the last responders. What we envisage is that all of the capacities would reside in the various regions and from the centre, you would get policy guidance. Our activities should not be reactive, but we should be planning prevention methods. It is not disaster re-
sponse. It is disaster risk management and this requires proactive measures as well as reactive measures,” he noted. Meanwhile, Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan, with whom the CDC has partnered to make the event possible, said the conference is timely and relevant, given the challenges posed by climate change. The event, he said, ties into the vision of the Ministry of Communities, which is to promote cohesive, empowered and sustainable communities for all citizens of Guyana. This vision, Minister Bulkan noted, is taken seriously, and forms the bedrock of the Ministry’s daily strategic work. “When we speak of sustainable communities, it is, among other things, understood to mean wider community involvement in decision making, in crafting and articulating the community’s vision in recommending solutions to challenges and disaster risk management is without a doubt foremost among those challenges,” said Bulkan. He added, “We see the involvement of the community as important to crafting plans and strategies to manage and mitigate the challenge of disaster risk management. Integral to sustainable communities also is the capacity of our regions and our communities to rebound from disasters. Responsive institutions and capacity are important to our regions in order for them to be effective first responders. Regions should have Regional Disaster Risk Management Committees because we can never be overly prepared, we can only be effectively prepared to ensure lives are safe, infrastructure protected, and to minimise damage to the local, regional and national economy and national development,” Minister Bulkan said. Director General [Ag.] of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel
Kester Craig, said this year’s conference was held with the aim of examining the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in the Regional Disaster Risk Management System [RDRMS], which the Commission has already rolled out in eight of the 10 administrative regions. Additionally, he noted that the work of the regions as it relates to disaster management in 2018 has been reviewed while plans for 2019 are being finalised. The CDC’s vision, Craig said, is to lead, coordinate and facilitate a sustainable Disaster Risk Management System for Guyana that reduces risk and enhances resilience to the impacts of all hazards and disasters. To achieve this vision, he said, in 2015, the CDC embarked on a mission to ensure that each reach has a RDRMS where they are equipped and prepared to respond to all disasters; floods, droughts, oil spills, health hazards. The CDC, he noted, recognises the need to decentralise risk management, since each region is physically, economically and culturally unique. This realisation, according to Craig, has led to the development of a comprehensive system. To date, the CDC has produced 24 Community Disaster Risk Management Plans, five Municipality Plans, six Disaster Risk Assessments and a Risk Assessment for Demerara -Mahaica [Region Four]. It has also finalised and handed over eight Regional Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Response Plan to eight regions. The Commission hopes to complete Demerara-Mahaica and Potaro-Siparuni [Region Eight] Regional Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Response Plans by the end of 2019, thereby equipping all of the regions to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.
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Kaieteur News
Friday February 01, 2019
Cutting down the law
I
n the Oscar award-win ning movie, A Man for All Seasons, there is an interesting dialogue between the lead character, Thomas More; his wife, Alice; daughter, Margaret; and his future son- in-law, William Roper. This movie is not based on fiction. It is based on a historical narrative. The dialogue is as follows: Alice More: “Arrest him!” Thomas More: “For what?” Alice More: “He’s dangerous!” Roper: “For libel, he’s a spy!” Margaret More: “Father, that man’s bad.” Thomas More: “There is no law against that.” Roper: “There is! God’s law!” Thomas More: “Then God can arrest him.” Alice More: “While you talk, he’s gone!” Thomas More: “And go he should, if he were the Devil himself, until he broke the law!” Roper: “So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law! Thomas More: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?” Roper: “Yes, I’d cut down every law in England to do that!”
Thomas More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ‘round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man’s laws, not God’s! And if you cut them down, and you’re just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake!” Upholding the Constitution is of the utmost importance, because without its protections, citizens will be at the mercy of tyranny. To paraphrase Thomas More, if you cut down the law, then what is going to be left to protect you when the devil turns on you? The Constitution is the highest law. If you cut it down or refuse to comply with it, then it can no longer protect you. Persons therefore should not become complicit in encouraging, for whatever reasons, disregard for the Constitution. They do so at their own risk. The proposition has been put that the government has a democratic right to approach the Courts to invalidate the no-confidence motion. While this may be true, this is not a right which should be abused or used conveniently.
The court yesterday ruled on the no-confidence vote. The ruling was of such comprehensiveness and cogency that there is no need for further comment of that decision. The issue of the right of the government to have approached the court will however be called into question, since on almost every count, the argument of the government was rejected by the court. While it is democratic for citizens and the government to approach the court for redress or clarification, their doing so must have a credible basis for any such approaches. Approaches to the court are not intended to be used as part of the any plan to outmaneuver anyone. The court is not a battlefield for settling political scores. Approaches to the court should not be trivial or misconceived. The court should only be approached if there are substantive grounds to challenge an action. It is tantamount to an abuse of process for any court action to be taken simply to frustrate a lawful process. The court is not to be used to buy time. The right exists for persons to approach the courts. But the exercise of that right has to be reasonable. The court is the protector of the Constitution and the rule of law. If you take the court away, citizens will be
helpless against abuses to their rights. Unfortunately, the country is rigidly divided by the decision of the Court. One side is celebrating and the other side is in deep anguish. One of the reasons why the recent challenge to the no-confidence motion has divided the nation, is because citizens are yet to fully appreciate how the Constitution and laws protect them from
arbitrary power. They have viewed this recent case simply as a contest between the government and the opposition rather than as one about upholding the highest law of the land.Guyanese need to begin to appreciate how important the Constitution is to their own existence. If the Constitution is made dispensable or its protections expendable, then it is like cutting down the very laws which
protect citizens.Everyone loses when the Constitution is not upheld, including the government.
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Kaieteur News
Friday February 01, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
“Coup d’état” fails in Guyana I
am using the word coup d’état loosely as many commentators and journalists have done since the early 20th century. Literally, it means the army takeover of power. But in academic analysis and journalism, coup is referred to the removal of a government in general, except by elections. So if within a party, a cabal in the leadership removes the Prime Minister, you can say there was a coup . The term’s loose usage is now generally accepted. This was the headline of my January 1, 2019 column, “Power grab in Guyana the world must condemn.” I didn’t want to use the term power grab again, so I settled for coup d’état. There was no question in my mind that the no confidence vote was constitutionally sound. What the leaders in the AFC and APNU were doing was simply engaging in a power grab or attempting a coup d’état.
What is interesting to note at this very minute is that no court has granted a stay of the Chief Justice’s decision, meaning that the government has to resign. As it stands, the court ruled that the political leadership of the government has been defeated. There is no other authority higher than the Chief Justice, except the Court of Appeal. Once the Court of Appeal has not heard a request for a stay, then the political leadership of the government has to resign. As I write, there is no stay. The APNU+AFC lost a vote of no confidence. If today the APNU+AFC ministers including the president and the prime minister do not resign, then do we have a coup d’état in Guyana? I think it is unfair to parliament that the people’s representatives have defeated the ruling party and the ruling party says we are staying
in power, because we will appeal for a stay of the Chief Justice’s decision. Suppose preparations for drafting the writ takes time. Suppose the appeal to the higher court takes weeks, why should the people’s representatives, that is, parliament, and the people of Guyana themselves, accept that a defeated regime must remain in power? I am not voting for the PPP. I am not voting for APNU+AFC. I supported the no confidence motion because I want to see a power configuration in which the two goliaths are not allowed to run Guyana with a winnertake-all obsession. And that is what the PPP and the PNC have been doing since Independence. Guyanese may recall that when the PPP became a minority presidency in 2011, it chose not to share power with the PNC or AFC. In fact, the AFC’s no confidence motion was premised on the PPP regime implementing the Pro-
curement Commission Act. Had the Ramotar administration accepted that demand, there would have been no AFC motion, thus no need to prorogue parliament. What the PPP showed when it was a minority government was that it was not prepared to compromise with other parties. The APNU+AFC coalition did the same thing. It won the House by one vote. The PPP lost the Region 8 seat by one vote. APNU+AFC won the top up of seats by less than 5000 votes. Yet as David Hinds continues to sing and sing to the point of ad nauseam, the leadership of the government behaved as if it had a landslide majority. I want my editor’s permission to use the word asininity to respond to those who say that one vote in parlia-
ment should not topple the government. But the government won its 33 parliamentary seats by one vote. The GECOM Chairman, Dr. Surujbally refused a recount in Region 8. One PPP leader told me that the PPP will never forgive Surujbally because a certain powerful person in the US embassy instructed him not to allow a recount. I want to use the word asininity again to describe those who feel APNU+AFC had a mandate to govern. What mandate do you have when you won parliament by one vote and central power by less than 5000 votes? Deep moral obligation required APNU+AFC leaders consult with a wide scope of stakeholders when the coalition got power in 2015. It contemptuously turned its back on those who helped to bring
Frederick Kissoon it to power. All over this country, particularly at the University of Guyana, a government with a razor-thin majority or a majority that took the form of a coat of varnish that separated its numbers from the opposition’s, behaved as if it was the receptacle of knowledge and refused to consult those who helped it win the election. I close by saying, it is poetic justice they lost. I hope they lose again in the higher courts.
DEM BOYS SEH
Basil coulda learn bout 33 and 32 in Bam Bam Alley Everywhere you tun is an Ali. De PPP got one Ali as de presidential candidate and de PNC got anodda Ali as de boss. If people didn’t know dem, people woulda seh dat dem two Ali is brudda and sister. Right away people seh dat one Ali is bad enough and dem can do without two. Canada don’t want problem, suh it write and tell de PPP Ali not to come. Dat was big news. De PNC people decide dat dem gon strip de odda one of some of she powers. But dat was only de start of de stupidness. Basil de Willie had to go till to de court fuh a judge tell him dat 33 bigger than 32. He did file an action fuh
de court to decide if 33 bigger than 32. Dem boys seh he coulda go to Bam Bam Alley, drink two beer and dem people woulda tell him which one bigger. De Chief Justice had to tell him dat he didn’t have to come to court to find out which one –33 or 32—bigger. When de judge tell him, he decide to ask de judge to postpone de decision. She had to tell him dat all she do was give an interpretation. She seh he can go elsewhere and see if he can find somebody who agree wid him. And de embarrassment caused by Charranrass. De man vote wid de PPP on de no-confidence motion. Dem boys seh dat even if Basil did think about a confidence motion wheh de gov-
ernment MPs woulda been de movers, he couldn’t be sure he woulda ketch Charranrass. He couldn’t be sure de man woulda seh no. He problems ain’t done deh. All he PNC colleagues vex wid him. Dem tell him not to go to court over de dual citizenship, but he decide to kill nuff bird wid one stone. He know dat a ruling would knock out all de people who could beat him out of de race fuh de leadership of de party. It woulda knock out Li’l Joe, Carl, and Volda—de top people in de party. Well Soulja Bai seh dat Basil will never get de PNC leadership. He seh he rather offer it to Jagdeo. Talk half and wait fuh Basil resignation as Attorney General.
Friday February 01, 2019
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I resigned to avoid compromising confidentiality - SOCU’s Forensic Analyst Forensic Analyst of the police’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sheronie James, says that her resignation recently had nothing to do with qualifications. Rather, it was to avoid compromising her personal and professional commitments to obligations of “Confidentiality and Non Disclosure”. She insisted that her work at that entity which specializes in money laundering and fraud crimes was subjected to surveillance and there were threats against her and family. The official, in a statement last evening, insisted that she has verifiable undergraduate and postgraduate degrees awarded by recognized UK universities. “My academic qualifications meet and exceed the requirements for the work I was undertaking at SOCU.” The official, said to be from the United Kingdom, had reportedly undertaken
forensic work on the Guyana Rice Development Board shortly after the Coalition Government entered office in 2015. She was then hired by SOCU and afforded the rank of Special Superintendent of Police. She was reportedly integral in several investigations of SOCU. However, during the infamous contempt case against senior officials of the Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry last July, she was questioned about her qualifications and her being an expert witness. She was deemed not to be an expert witness by the court after reportedly not producing her certificates. She also reportedly did not produce the certificates to her superiors at SOCU and the Ministry of Public Security, which hired her. She resigned last week, after the matter reportedly came to a head. Below is the statement of Special Superintendent of
Police, Sheronie James, about her resignation. Resignation of SOCU’s Forensic Analyst In light of the fervent speculation on social media and the mainstream media about the reason for me tendering my resignation from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to the Minister of Public Security last week, I wish to begin and end my contribution to the whole matter with the following statement: First, and foremost, I wish to make it clear that I possess verifiable undergraduate and postgraduate degrees awarded by recognized UK universities. My academic qualifications meet and exceed the requirements for the work I was undertaking at SOCU. SOCU’s Head and the Minister of Public Security have both seen original evidence of my academic qualifications before my offer to resign and I have no
Britain fires SOCU advisor for pursuing parallel job His contract with the British Government—guiding his stint in Guyana—stipulated that he was only supposed to work for that government as an advisor to the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). But, last year, Dr. Sam Sittlington went ahead and registered a local branch of a fraud-detecting company he owns in the United Kingdom—The Fraud Company (Guyana). Dr. Sittlington’s contract would have come to a natural end in March 2020. However, it was terminated yesterday after news broke about his pursuit of private gains here. The British High Commission issued a very short statement yesterday confirming the termination. The statement read, “In light of the information about Dr. Sam Sittlington’s private business interests, his contract in Guyana has been terminated with immediate effect.”The Fraud Company (Guyana) Inc was incorporated under the Companies Act of Guyana on September 25, 2018. Sittlington, is listed as the Director while Orisa Branche is the Secretary. The company is authorized to issue one million shares at $1 each. Sittlington was hired by the British government for a Guyana assignment in 2016 in an advisory and training capacity at SOCU. This newspaper received a package containing copies of The Fraud Company (Guyana)’s registration and a note from an unidentified source. The note stated, “It is highly unethical for a consultant who is being paid by a foreign government to advise and train a sensitive department such as SOCU to establish a company which will undertake similar work.”The concerned citizen continued, “The consultant is privy to highly confidential information on numerous persons as SOCU has embarked on fishing expeditions on most of the cases under investigation.” It was further stated that “information gleaned from SOCU could be used inappropriately. The suggestion was that Sittlington could use the information he gathers through SOCU to advance his private business.
Former Advisor to SOCU, Sam Sittlington Sittlington’s company in the United Kingdom named The Fraud Company Ltd, was established long before he was hired to come to assist Guyana. However, this newspaper understands that he nevertheless took the job under the agreement that he would operate only on behalf of the United Kingdom in Guyana. According to The Fraud Company Ltd’s website, it offers unique services in the financial crime environment. Our company has the expertise and knowledge through our associations to cover all aspects of training, investigation, risk management, asset recovery, compliance and governance in the areas of fraud, anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing, bribery and corruption and environmental risk. We have a proven track record in all these areas and due to that success and demand for additional services we have begun to expand into other related fields.”The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Opposition long expressed many concerns about Sittlington. The party accused him of being too close with the government. Also he was accused of having an “agenda.”
reservations for their authenticity to be verified with the recognised British universities that awarded them. To be clear: my resignation from SOCU, a carefully considered decision, is in no way related to my refusal to present my academic qualifications. To avoid compromising my personal and professional commitments to obligations of Confidentiality and Non Disclosure, I thought it best to tender my resignation from SOCU (effective 22 February 2019 inclusive of my contractual 1 month’s notice). In 2017, I was invited to assist SOCU’s forensic investigative capacity based on my solid international experience (spanning a number of countries). I never told anyone I worked concurrently in ‘22 countries’). My contract running to the end of January 2020 was renewed as recent as in November 2018. Over the course of the intervening period, my skills and experience has enhanced the forensic investigative arm of SOCU to the point where it is now receiving significant
Mutual Assistance Cooperation from 3rd countries in the pursuit of financial crimes committed against the people of Guyana. Even in the face of reported surveillance and threats against me and my family, I have worked diligently to gather substantial and compelling evidence that led to the DPP instituting charges in several high profile matters currently engaging the courts. My professionalism, impartiality, objectivity, completely apolitical and nonpolitically partisan manner to ensure clear conclusions to support fair justice have been hallmarks of all of the investigations I have dealt with at SOCU. Anyone familiar with the pursuit of internationally complex financial crimes would readily recognise that its success requires diligence, exceptional eye for detail, good understanding of how international banking systems and financial markets operate and last but not least enormous patience. Notwithstanding this, my only concern now is that
SOCU’s hard work is about to show fruit and SOCU is on the cusp of delivering hard financial evidence of a mindblowing nature, this development has emerged that could very well affect the outcomes of several compelling matters presently engaging the courts. It appears my relentless pursuit (with increasing success) of tracking the evidence of acts of international cross border financial crime does not sit well with my detractors as there appears to be an emerging high stakes, threatening and sinister plot beginning to be played out; of which I will play no part. I wish to thank the many colleagues and stakeholders locally and internationally who have contributed to the SOCU’s fight against financial crimes and corruption and who have reached out to me to offer words of support and encouragement. I will be making no further comments on this matter. Ms S James Special Superintendent Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)
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Friday February 01, 2019
Judiciary still woefully unprepared for oil - Datadin In early 2017, Attorney at Law Sanjeev Datadin expressed concerns that Guyana’s judicial system was not prepared for the complex legal issues that may arise from the looming multibilliondollar oil and gas sector. Almost two years later, he says not much has changed. During an interview with Kaieteur News, Datadin said that the judiciary is functioning just a little better. He said
that the new civil procedure rules are of some help towards moving commercial litigation forward. But, the judiciary “is still not functioning in a manner that is consistent with what is required for what Guyana is about to encounter”. Datadin, who has worked with several international oil and gas companies, holds the view that Guyana’s judicial system is simply too slow,
understaffed and lacks individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills. The attorney asserted that Guyana’s judiciary is not equipped to deal with real commercial activity. Datadin said, “We still have to do the simple things like e-filing which would reduce paperwork and increase efficiency. We still have to get the registry hours to be a little bit more, and we still have to
get the registry staff to understand more of what is going on. We need to get matters before judges quicker, and when judges need to give decisions, we need to have the reasons within a timely manner. We cannot wait years and six months anymore. We need to function better”. The question of the preparedness of the judiciary became extremely important when citizens take into consideration, the track record of US oil giant, ExxonMobil, and the wave of litigation it has faced over the years. In the case of Chad, ExxonMobil was fined US$74 billion, as it was ruled in the courts that the nation was underpaid the royalties to which it was entitled from the oil giant. Research indicates that the fine itself was about five times more than Chad’s Gross Domestic Product, which the World Bank estimated at US$13 billion. The fine imposed against the company was handed down October 5, last, by the High Court in the capital, N’Djamena. The ruling was in reaction to a protest from the Finance Ministry in Chad that
Attorney at Law, Sanjeev Datadin a group led by the ExxonMobil giant did not honour its tax commitments. According to www.bloomberg.com, the court also demanded that the Texas-based oil explorer pay US$819 million in overdue royalties. Legal minds believe that Chad would not see most of the money as ordered by the
court. ExxonMobil has since said that it disagreed with the Chadian court’s ruling. At the time of the judgment, it was examining other options. Furthermore, in 2003, ExxonMobil was found to be defrauding the state of Alabama out of royalty payments and was ordered by the courts to pay up more than US$100 million in back-pay royalties. According to www.classaction.org., in August 2012, a Kansas judge approved a US$54 million settlement with landowners who claimed they were underpaid royalties when ExxonMobil made deductions for expenses that occurred downstream of their wells. The settlement also ended a lawsuit filed in Kansas state court against ExxonMobil over royalties dating back to 2000.
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Internal fight on to reduce Amna Ally’s power in PNCR - Coalition Govt. had mulled staying away on day of no-confidence debate With elections imminent in a few months, there is reportedly a play on leadership positions within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). The party is the largest faction of the governing coalition, but it is now facing early elections, just three and half years into what is supposed to be a five-year tenure. The coalition is facing fire for failing to live up to elections promises. It is likely to face a tough fight from the People’s Progressive Party, which lost power in 2015 after a 23-years stay in government. A no-confidence vote by one of the coalition’s own parliamentarians last December has brought early elections. While that no-confidence vote has been challenged in court, and with rulings yesterday likely to be appealed, there are indications of growing unhappiness within the PNCR’s camp. According to party sources, who insist on a number of changes ahead of any elections, the recent noconfidence vote is the straw that broke the camel’s back. “I must admit that we had received reports that someone from the government side would be voting yes in the National Assembly. We came up with a strategy and that strategy was not carried out. We believe that it is time for us to look deep within and make some changes,” a party executive disclosed this week. A large portion of the
reportedly in the crosshairs of Coalition Government for possibly voting yes. Charrandass Persaud, who was the individual that made that decisive vote on December 21st, was one of them. On the day of the vote, the options reportedly discussed for the Coalition side was to either stay away from the sitting or be locked away in one of the rooms of the Parliament Buildings. Neither was done and the rest is history.
PNCR’s General Secretary, Amna Ally blame is on the party’s General Secretary, Amna Ally. She is currently the
40
Minister of Social Protection. At least four Members of Parliament (MPs) were
Ally, currently the Government’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly, is shouldering a significant portion of the blame for the situation. In addition to the General Secretary post, she is said to have been the Campaign Manager for November’s Local Government Elections, with some control as the party’s Treasurer. There were complaints at the regional levels about the running of campaigns and the absence of resources for ground staff and candidates. According to party sources, many opined that
MP Persaud should have been recalled before or after the vote. It never happened. Several decisions she (Ally) took unilaterally are also being questioned. “We, at the Coalition level, have been unhappy with some things. Like for example, how our youth leaders are being sidelined and even attempts to bring back a number of them like Sharma Solomon and Vanessa Kissoon from Linden are being scoffed at. These leadership issues, including the vacuum that currently exists ,will be addressed soon.”
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Berbice teen pleads Several Queens residents guilty to killing taxi driver arrested in week-long ICE sweep The teenager who was charged with the murder of Skeldon taxi driver Deonarine Laljit in 2016, yesterday plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter at the Berbice High Court. He was represented by Attorney-at-law Chandra Sohan. The matter was adjourned to the 20th February for a probation report and sentencing. Attorney-at-law Mandel Moore is prosecuting for the State. Laljit called “Baba” of Line Path, Corriverton, Berbice was heading home to his wife when he was stabbed by the lad who was 14 at the time the crime was committed. According to reports, the teen was picked up by Laljit as a passenger along the Corriverton Public Road and was allegedly stabbed in the vicinity of Baul Street, Line Path, Corriverton. Upon stabbing Laljit, the lad who hails from No. 69 Village, exited the car and tried to make a daring escape through the said street. The injured man, in a semi-conscious state made his way to a house located a stone’s throw from where he was stabbed, where he col-
NEW YORK – Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested 118 during a 5-day period, from January 14-18th, in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley. During the operation, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested 118 individuals for violating U.S. immigration laws. Of those arrested, more than 107 were convicted criminals or had criminal charges pending, more than 55 had been issued a final order of removal and failed to depart the United States, or had been previously removed from the United States and returned illegally. Several had prior felony convictions for serious or violent offenses, such as child sex crimes, weapons charges, and assault, or had past convictions for significant or multiple misdemeanors.
Eight individuals arrested during this operation were criminally charged in U.S. District Court for illegal re-entry after deportation, and remanded to the U.S. Marshal Service, pending trial. The arrestees who are not being federally prosecuted will be processed administratively for removal from the United States. Those who have outstanding orders of deportation, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country. The remaining individuals are in ICE custody awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge, or pending travel arrangements for removal in the near future. More than 35 individuals arrested during the operation were previously released from local law enforcement on an active detainer. (ICE.gov)
Private Sector calls on GECOM to hold elections Dead: Deonarine Laljit lapsed. The teen was later found in an abandoned house in the said village. Kaieteur News had reported that the teenager claimed that the now dead taxi driver constantly taunted him about his sister’s divorce and
personal matters. This he told investigators angered him, leading him to take matters into his own hands. Laljit was a father of two and the sole breadwinner of his home.
With the dust now settling over rulings on the no-confidence vote by Chief Justice, Roxane George, the business community is calling for early elections. According to the Private Sector Commission yesterday, the Chief Justice has ruled that the no confidence motion
passed in the National Assembly on 21st December 2018, is lawful and valid. “The Private Sector Commission calls upon our political parties and, indeed the entire nation, to respect this decision.” According to the commission, it is also calling on the
Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to hold itself ready to conduct General Elections as is required by the Constitution as a result of the no confidence motion. This, the PSC insisted is suppose to be within 90 days of the motion, unless otherwise extended by a twothirds majority of the Parliament. “The Commission further calls upon GECOM to immediately declare its position on this question as a matter of public interest and necessity.”
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Friday February 01, 2019
Toddler burns to death at grandparents' Mon Repos home
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wenty-month-old Mahin Rampersaud was burned to death yesterday in a mid-afternoon fire that tore through his grandparents' Triumph, East Coast Demerara home. His mother, Mala Rampersaud, told Kaieteur News that she was at work, in Georgetown, when she got the call from her sister who lives in Berbice that her parents' Triumph house was on fire. The fire reportedly started at about 2:00pm, and lasted for over an hour. Kaieteur News understands that the toddler was left to sleep in an upstairs bedroom of the two-storey home, while the grandparents were downstairs. When the child's grandmother started to smell smoke, all signs indicated that the fire was coming from the room in which the boy was left to sleep. Relatives said that when they realised there was a fire in the home, the flames were already too much to pass through. When they attempted to rescue the baby, they said that the fire “pushed� them
The home after the fire was extinguished back. The fire killed the toddler and ripped through most of the house, leaving only a section of its frame and bare concrete.
Rampersaud said that the damage was extreme and that there was no way to know how much was lost. She only saw a small pile of her toddler's
remains being carried away, to be delivered to a funeral parlour. The origin of the fire remains unknown.
Dead: Mahin Rampersaud
Friday February 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Education Ministry collaborates with ERC for positive societal changes
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eliberate moves are apace to achieve positive changes in the society. Collaborating in this regard are officials of the Ethnic Relations Commission [ERC] and the Ministry of Education. At a meeting yesterday, ERC Commissioners met with Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, to discuss how the two can work together to advance the work of the ERC. Chairman of the ERC, Dr. John Smith, highlighted the importance of the education sector, describing it as the branch that is a key component that interacts with the public. He said that the ERC believes that working handin-hand with the Ministry of Education can achieve positive change in society. During the meeting the ERC presented a number of areas and projects that can be
Minister Nicolette Henry [fifth from left] and ERC Commissioners take time out for a photo opportunity after yesterday's meeting. undertaken by both entities to achieve the intended goal. These include printing of a Guyana Text, Harmony Studies in schools, Essay Writing Competitions and Harmony Clubs. Minister Henry welcomed the suggestions and noted that the Education Ministry may have suggestions on how to tweak
the ideas so that they meet best practices. She said that the engagement with the ERC has come at an opportune time when the Ministry of Education is undergoing extensive curriculum reform and is in the process of conducting consultations. According to the (continued on page 22)
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Kaieteur News
Friday February 01, 2019
Lindeners thrilled by Children's Mash Competition
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espite a very late start owing to heavy and persistent rainfall, thousands of residents' turned out for day two of the Region 10's Children Mashramani competition at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Persons gathered at the ground from as early as 07:00 hours. However, they were contented to wait despite suggestions that the rain was not going to stop, and so after the rainfall ceased at 11:30 hours, the event got off to a fiery and exciting start in the five to seven age group in the dance segment. The crowd was kept at the edge of their seats with the sizzling performances that ensued. As the day progressed, and despite organisers being forced to stop the competition thrice because of heavy downpours, spectators were determined to have a full day as they stayed in the ground creating a Mash day atmosphere as residents kept pouring into the ground throughout the day. As each contestant took to the stage they were encouraged and urged on by passionate supporters who expressed their delight with the level of performances that they were being entertained by. In the end, despite the event being completed after 18:00 hours under the fading daylight, officials within the Department of Education described it as the best, owing to the quality and very high standard of performances from all the schools.
The contestants provided solid evidence of the Department of Education's prediction that they are going all out to win every title, adding that they are well prepared and ready to face-off with other regions at the National Finals. In the Dance five to seven group segment Watooka Day Primary captured the title with A m e l i a Wa r d ' s a n d McKenzie Primary taking second and third respectively. In the Masquerade eight to 10 Band they were only two competitors with Amelia's Ward Primary beating out Christianburg Primary for the first place of this segment. In the 11 to 13 Masquerade segment, Linden Foundation was adjudged first with Amelia's Ward settling for second place. In the Masquerade Band 11 to 13 years only two schools entered. H o w e v e r t h e performance of the Amelia Ward Primary Gyrating Flouncers' was not enough to beat Linden Foundation with Friction Rhythm. The Physical Display six -11 was breathtakingly captivating, with parents and spectators going onto the field to get a glimpse of the very intense competition which saw the schools bringing their A game. In the end the 1st, 2nd and rd 3 places were taken by Regma Primary, McKenzie Primary and Wismar Hill Primary respectively. In the eight to 10 dance segment Howell Wilson (continued on page 27)
Education Ministry collaborates with ERC for positive societal... From page 21 Education Minister, her Ministry can facilitate a meeting with the experts working on the curriculum reform process and the ERC, so that the Commission can be apprised as to what is happening and to make contributions. Further, Minister Henry said that the ERC can also be given the opportunity to contribute towards the Ministry's Strategic Plan 2019-2030 which is currently in the planning stage. Moreover, to address some of the many issues in society that fall under the radar of the ERC, Minister Henry made the call that the
school system should be used to engage parents in a large way, since most of the learned behaviour by children are not influenced in the school system. It was the consensus of all present at the meeting that by targeting the youth population, there will be a greater impact to engender positive change in society. It was moreover agreed that moving forward the ERC will engage officers within the Ministry to establish a working committee that will look at how the concerns and interests of the ERC can be addressed through the education sector.
Friday February 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
Registration for Pulse Ent.'s Orinduik Section now open
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egistration is now open for P u l s e Entertainment's Orinduik Section which was designed by Richard and Anthony. The Orinduik costume is said to be the embodiment of passion, love and strength. Only a deposit of US$150 is required for this unique creation. To see the array of costumes for the various sections, be sure to head down to their showroom at Fashion Line Boutique on South Road. Pulse notes that there are affordable packages for everyone! You can also visit their website at: https://www.guyanacarni val592.com/pulse/ for more information or call them on 227-0554. US$520 Costume: ORINDUIK Section: FRONTLINE BODY ONLY >CROWN >COLLAR >HAND PIECES
>LEG PIECES Designed by: Richard & Anthony Marketed by:Pulse Entertainment Contact: pulsecarnivalband@gmail.com
Guyana Carnival now open for registration
704
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Sports Bar to host the ultimate De-stresser weekend for the ladies
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he legenda ry Destiny's Child famously said, “Ladies it ain't easy being independent.” And at 704, the management and staff understand just how hard the ladies work to take care of themselves hence the reason this unique establishment is inviting all ladies to head on over to the 704 bar to indulge in their simply tantalizing Destresser
National Drama Company to host
Musings of a Poet tomorrow
“Liza, The Queen" Costume
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t ' s definitely that time of the year again, the wait is over! Guyana Carnival is now open for registration with just a deposit of $150 USD. According to organizers, Hits and Jams, online enrolling as well as i n h o u s e registration will be a v a i l a b l e . To register online visit www.guyanacarni val592.com where you select the “Bands” option to view all costumes and select your choice. T h i s automatically leads to the creation of your own account. You can also visit their office located at 206 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown where you can have a glimpse of the costumes offered, then make your deposit. The deadline for registration ends on March 15, 2019. Revellers will enjoy the benefits of an all inclusive, international standard road experience.
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Registered patrons will receive a costume, goodie bag, lunch, free premium drinks and security all day while masquerading through the streets to some of the most versatile and renowned Deejays. Guyana Carnival is slated for May 17th 27th, 2019 where there will be a combination of boat rides, breakfast parties, cooler fetes, j'ouverts, day tours and a grand Independence Day costume parade set for May 26th.
he National Drama Company (NDC) host its' first event for 2019 at the National Cultural Centre tomorrow. The show which is themed "Musings of a Poet" is set to showcase poetry pieces by members of the National Drama Company through dance, music and drama. Theatre enthusiasts are encouraged to come out and expect a poetry show with a difference in its performance style. Though the event is more of a wine and cheese type of event, the company's Public Relation Officer, Nirmala Narine, said that "the company plans to blend old and new theatre and performance styles such as theatre in the round mixed with the stylings of Caribbean performance which is interactive and allows the audience to experience the piece as though they were a part of the performance". She noted that this is just the beginning of a number of activities coming out of the company for 2019. “Persons should always expect quality performances from the NDC, we are coming and we are coming full steam
ahead showing our versatility as not just performers but all-rounders in everything theatrical. We are extremely happy to be back on stage this early in 2019, doing what we all love to do so passionately,” Ms. Narine said. Many of the pieces in the show would have been developed in a creative writing class which was done through the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (NSTAD). Members of the company continue to actively perform throughout Guyana in their individual capacities as artists. Tickets for the show can be bought from any member of the NDC or you can contact Tashandra Inniss on 609-5600 and Nirmala Narine on 626-2746 to purchase your tickets. Members of the company continue to actively perform throughout Guyana in their individual capacities as artists; persons can expect to see another big production coming out of the group in March as they also prepare for the staging of the annual school's matinee show.
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Friday February 01, 2019
to compete in semi-final leg of
on
n February 9, 17 talented local artistes will be competing in the semi-final leg of the Carib Soca Monarch scheduled to be held in Linden. Three will be eliminated at that round. On February 16, the 14 finalists will head to the National Park and will be joined by reigning
1. ERNESTA 'NESTA' NELSON BEATING PALM (ON SHE BAM BAM)
monarch Brandon Harding to compete for the coveted title. The 2019 monarch will walk away with $1.5M, a trophy and bragging rights for the rest of the year. In the meantime, get familiar with the faces of the fabulous 17 set to compete in the competition.
FEB
a c o S b i r Ca narch 9 o M O th
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3 2 4
2. EUCLID SAMUELS ARROWHEAD STAND TALL 3. JUMO 'RUBBER WAIST' PRIMO – TRIBUTE
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4. KEMPTON 'MAGA DAN' RICHARDS & KENTON 'KR' RICHARDS – JAM 5. MELISSA 'MS FINESSE' PESTANO - I DON'T WATCH FACE 6. MELISSA 'VANILLA ROBERTS - ONE VOICE
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7. ALISHA 'SASHA MELODY' HAMID – JAMMIN 8 CLIFTON 'PASSION' ADOLPHUS - MISS JOUVERT
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9. COLLIS 'REAL PROOF' MC DONALD - PUSH BACK 10. COLWIN 'LIL COLWIN' BLAIR - FULL ACCESS
15 14
11. ONASSIS 'RYAN T' CROCKER - WAAN FEEL THE VIBES 12. OSBERT 'VINTAGE' CAIN SOCA KING 13. QUINCY BOYCE - COME TO BADDA BUMPA
16. SHERWIN 'NATURAL ONE' ROSE - CAT & DOG
14. RODERICK 'STATIC' ALLICOCK - ALL OUT
17. STEPHEN RAMPHAL - THE VIBE
15. SHAIMA 'SEXY BERRY' MUNA - NA TIRED YET
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Kaieteur News
HOTTT this weekend!!!
704 Sports Bar presents Build Your Bucket every Wednesday and Friday At the 704 Sports Bar, there will always be an opportunity to evolve your choices. And every Wednesday and Friday, party-goers will get a chance to build their bucket. This interesting concept allows you to pick any combination of six beers to Build Your Bucket (BYB) and get it at a special price. This offer is available from 5pm to 7pm! See you there.
Aura Bar and Lounge at Pegasus Hotel pres. club night Saturdays Every Saturday, the Management at Aura will be providing an ambiance filled with quality service, delicious food and great music. Every Saturday should be a party to remember and the Aura is determined to give you that experience. The Lounge will be open from 8pm. Music will be provided by Guyana's most popular DJs. For reservations, you can make contact with management on : 225-2853 or 600-6912.
704 Sky Lounge to host Rooftop Romance on February 14 This Valentine's night, show that special person just how much you love them. Make it a night to remember with great music, food and a romantic ambience under the stars at the 704 Sky Lounge. Their event called Rooftop Romance will surely make you fall in love all over again with a candlelit Valentine's dinner overlooking the beautiful garden city. You will be able to indulge in a three course dinner accompanied by a complimentary glass of white or red wine. Dinner will be served from 7pm. Tickets costs $15,000 per couple and are available at the 704 Sports Bar or call 658-4455, 2235273-4, 225-0220 to reserve your table now.
Superbowl Sunday set for Palm Court Earning their spot in the biggest game of the year... The New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams will battle for the ultimate NFL prize in Super Bowl Llll this Sunday. And where's the best place to watch this exciting game?? Palm Court of course!!! Watch the game live and loud on the entity's big screen and enjoy beer and wings specials! Adding to the excitement, everyone will get free shots with every touchdown!! Game time is set at 7:30 pm . Admission is FREE. There will be live DJ entertainment by the talented and groovy Mix Master Tony!!
Entertainment POLICE
E P Barbados' Sweet Soca Monarch Lil Rick to headline Stag Stage 7
- The Ultimate J'ouvert Experience
Escape the after work traffic today at Palm Court As the Great Caribbean Singer, Father Fox says, "Who does go to work on a Thursday or even a Friday?" Well, unfortunately, most of us do! But that shouldn't stop you from "ducking" every once in a while when the pressure seems too much and you desire to have a little fun. Every Friday, one of Guyana's number one entertainment spots, Palm Court will be offering a light celebration called "Escape the after work traffic. The event gets started from 4:00pm to 7:00pm so see you there.
It's Heineken Fridays at 704 Sports Bar If you are a die-hard fan of the Heineken brand then 704 Sports Bar is where you need to be this and every Friday. According to management, fans can get six Heinekens for just $2800 between 7pm and 9pm. Be sure to take advantage of this offer guys!
DCC ALL SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT LIME The Queenstown based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) is all set and ready to host an evening of fine entertainment tonight for its members and other invitees. There will be an open bar and sumptuous
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THE
WHATZ
Friday February 01, 2019
BBQ chicken and pork on sale for only $1500. The action starts at 7 PM. There will also be a one-man band providing some of the grooviest tunes all night long. See you there.
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tag Stage 7 is going to be nothing short of an extraordinary J'ouvert experience, as organizers of the event, Ansa McAL, have billed Barbados' Sweet Soca Monarch, Lil Rick. This exhilarating performer will be accompanied by some of our most talented local performers. They include: Brandon Harding, Kwasi Ace, and Big Red backed by the Heat Wave Band, among others. Last year, the experience was invigorating, electrifying, and simply amazing. This year, you can expect to be taken to new heights. The event is one which promises to bring more water, more colourful powder, more
paint, more smashing hits for the beloved waistline pelters and of course, and stag beer all night long come February 22. It is going to be a wicked, wet and wild link up at the National Park Tarmac, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. Tickets are only available through promotions at various bars and supermarkets around the country. Continue to check the Face book page: Stag beer Guyana for more details. You can also visit different bars around the city, drink a stag and if you're lucky, someone just might appear before you with a ticket to attend the event.
Wine of the month …
The Seven Daughters Moscato The Seven Daughters Moscato is a luscious full body wine that is made from 100-percent Moscato grapes sourced from north-eastern Italy. The slightly effervescent wine has a sweet floral and peach aroma and is well-balanced with a refined fruitiness that can be served at anytime. You can also make your purchase of this scintillating selection from the Wine Vault located at the Marriott Hotel for $8900 VAT inclusive. You can also find it at the Hibiscus Restaurant, Nice Restaurant and Bar, Palm Court and other leading hotels and bars. History It all started in the early 2000s when a few winemakers began talking about what pairs most perfectly with wine. Naturally, the conversation started with food until someone shrugged and said, “I love wine with laughter.” Everyone agreed that the best bottles of wine pair perfectly with good conversation, storytelling, and, yes, laughter. In short, the best wines pair perfectly with friends! It was with this mind-set that the producers at Seven Daughters created the first Winemaker's Blends back in 2008. By carefully selecting seven different varietals and blending them into balanced perfection, they produced a wine that is adventurous to the lone soul, but also pleasing to large crowds. It is approachable enough to enjoy with a girlfriend and a stack of magazines, but elegant enough to serve at a dinner party that calls for the “nice china.” Since releasing the Seven Daughters Red and White Winemaker's Blends, the producers have expanded the Seven Daughters portfolio to go beyond discovery offerings. They now offer traditional varietals as well: Moscato, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Merlot. Of course, even as their portfolio grows and becomes more diverse, their philosophy has remained the same: make great wine for sharing with even better friends.
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Friday February 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
Parika drug bust…
Mechanic gets 4 years, fined $50M, others freed Rajendra Persaud, one of the five men charged over a Parika, East Bank Essequibo drug bust, in which a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana were discovered, was yesterday sentenced to four years’ imprisonment along with $50M fined for the offence. Meanwhile, his co-accused, Khamraj Lall, 39, of Zeelugt; Marlon Lawrence, 36, of Felicity, East Coast Demerara; Cleve Thornhill; and Doodnauth Chattergoon, walked out of the court free men, after the Magistrate ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. This ruling was handed down by Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool in the Leonora Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that on June 6, 2017, they trafficked 35.080 kilograms (77 pounds) of cannabis and
13.812 kilograms (30 pounds) of cocaine. The Magistrate in her ruling stated that after spending copious time reviewing the evidence presented by Customs AntiN a r c o t i c s P r o s e c u t o r, Konyo Sandiford, she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Persaud had full control and was fully aware of the contents in the gas cylinders that were being transported by him. However, she told the court that the Prosecution team was unable to provide enough evidence that Persaud’s co-accused had knowledge of what was in the gas cylinders. The Magistrate added that she did not find evidence that the four defendants intended to traffic narcotics, hence she dismissed the matter against them. Attorney-at-Law Siand
The defendants hid their faces at the first court hearing Dhurjon, in a plea of mitigation for his client, told the court that the offence
committed did not involve the use of danger, threats, and no weapons were used.
The lawyer added that his client is the sole breadwinner for his two young children, and asked that he be given the minimum sentence. However, the Magistrate told the court that based on the prevalence of the offence and quantum of the drugs, she was sentencing Persaud to four years in
prison. According to information, on the day in question, ranks staked out the Parika, East Bank Essequibo area, watching for two vehicles. Around 1pm, they stopped one of the vehicles. Lawrence and Persaud were inside.
In the trunk, the ranks found two blue, gas containers with the bottoms cut out and pasted back together. They found marijuana and cocaine in them. Later that day, ranks stopped the other vehicle, which Lall and Chattergoon were in. The ranks also seized a satellite phone.
Uphill task!
The Mabaruma road, in Region One, is taking shape. Before, the road was almost impassable in rainy seasons. (Leon Gilkes photos)
Friday February 01, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Brazil Police superintendent says he does not want to restrict Lula’s rights … but recalls confusion during Lula’s arrest UOL BRAZIL - The superintendent of the Federal Police in Paraná, delegate Luciano Flores de Lima, said on Thursday last that security issues and difficulties involving the arrest process of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT), in April of last year, were weighed in the rejection of Lula’s request to attend the funeral of his brother Genival Inácio da Silva, known as Vavá, in São Bernardo do Campo (SP). Lula is being held at the Federal Police headquarters in Curitiba. He surrendered to serve his sentence in the triple trial more than a day after the deadline stipulated by the Justice. At the time, the former president was in the Metalworkers’ Union of ABC, in São Bernardo, before deciding to surrender. Militants and supporters tried to stop Lula from leaving. The superintendent recalls that he needed help from the Military Police of São Paulo in the process of Lula’s
arrest. “You have seen the difficulty of taking someone out of a place surrounded by a crowd that for an ideological reason does not want a judicial measure to be carried out,” he said on Thursday. Lima says that since the request for Lula’s defence to attend the funeral, Federal Police studied the logistics to take the former president to the city of Greater São Paulo. He said that the Federal Police had to analyze the risks of transporting the former president to the funeral, which was held on Wednesday last. The president of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Minister Dias Toffoli, authorized Lula’s arrival fifteen minutes before the scheduled time for burial, which was held without Lula’s presence. The former president decided not to go to São Paulo after the decision of Toffoli. The superintendent said that when a mission is given to the Federal Police, it is necessary to see responsibility to
fulfill it. And, with the call of militants to “go to the place where a political event will be made”, a crowd was expected, difficulties were foreseen to ensure the safety of all, not only in the cemetery, but throughout the displacement. “We are not here against anyone, we just don’t want to harm the image of any person or the right of any person. On the contrary, the Judiciary is there to guarantee rights,” commented the superintendent. “The Federal Police are to guarantee the rights and not to repeal them.” For the superintendent, it seems obvious, in this case, “the difficulty and responsibility of the state as a whole to guarantee the right of someone who is jailed to go to the funeral or burial of a relative.” “Just because it can be done does not mean it should be done. Every case should be analyzed,” he said, recalling the justification given by the Justice to also deny the
Lindeners thrilled by Children's Mash... From page 22 Primary out of Ituni took third with Watooka Day Primary taking second, while One Mile Primary captured first place in this category. In the 11-13 dance segment, New Silver City captured first place with Christiansburg Secondary and Regma Primary occupying second and third respectively. In DeSkipBe Fit, McKenzie High took the first place ahead of New Silver City Secondary, while in the Jump Rope Group it was Christianburg Primary outscoring St. Aidan's Primary. However, in the 11 to 13 years Dance Hip Hop, despite the overwhelming popularity of Christianburg Wismar Secondary with their 'Stars in Making' they had to settle for second behind the winner - One Mile Primary. In the 14 to 17 Masquerade Band segment, New Silver City Secondary took the title with Wisburg Secondary and Linden Foundation capturing second and third respectively. In the Masquerade 14 to 17 years Flouncing, Wisburg Secondary's Shaquile Stewart dominated this category winning and Linden Foundation's Ashanti Pillay and New Silver City's Orin Fraser occupying the second and third place respectively. Meanwhile, in the Physical Display 12 to 17 combination, McKenzie High captured first place after sending the crowd in a frenzy with
New Silver Secondary and Chrstianburg Secondary following in second and third position closely behind. Also entertaining the crowd was the Linden Special Needs School with a dance. The dance saw the crowd going in
a frenzy as despite both dancers being deaf, they were able to move their bodies in coordination and rhythm with the song to the excitement of the crowd which gave them a standing ovation and shouts of cheers.
Superintendent of the Federal Police in Paraná, delegate Luciano Flores de Lima requests. The decision of the Federal Court, in the first and second instances, and the Federal Police against Lula’s visit to the funeral was criticized by supporters of the former president. The super-
intendent, however, said he did not understand the “controversy” surrounding the issue. “It did not depend on anyone’s goodwill. There were no logistic conditions,”
he said. Lima said he did not know of cases of prisoners who had been allowed to attend relatives’ oaths in other states, “used an airplane and millions in public spending to take him to another state where there was militancy.” “I do not know in Brazilian history that this happened,” he said. Curitiba is about 450 kilometres away from São Bernardo. The superintendent also rejected the possibility of using a private aircraft to transport the former president. “Imagine if we used a private aircraft, borrowed by someone who’s not guaranteed to be working in the state’s best interests, driven by a pilot whose intentions are not guaranteed to be in the state’s best interests to fly a former president of the Republic. Who guarantees that it will go to the destination that it should go?” he asked.
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Kaieteur News
Future of MPs holding dual citizenship uncertain following High Court ruling
At least a third of sitting members on both sides of the House are said to be holders of foreign passports. A Supreme Court ruling which hinged on the issue of Parliamentarians holding allegiance to foreign States, is set to have significant bearings on the operations of the National Assembly. During a historical ruling yesterday Chief Justice,(Ag) Roxane George made it clear that by swearing allegiance to another state, a dual citizen is not eligible to be elected to serve in the National Assembly, and is in breach of the constitutional provisions applicable to Members of Parliament (MP). She ruled that a person holding dual citizenship —by virtue of his own action is not qualified to be an MP. Her ruling was in response to questions posed by Compton Reid, a private citizen, who challenged the no-confidence motion against the Government on the grounds that expelled Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian Charrandass Persaud, who voted with the Opposition, has Canadian citizenship— by virtue of his own actions.
The decision however is applicable to other Members of Parliaments holding dual citizenship in the National Assembly Attorneys -at -law, Anil Nandlall and Sanjeev Datadin, both of whom argued the case filed against Persaud, told the media of consequential effects such a decision can have on other Members of the National Assembly. Given the ruling, the lawyers noted that the future of MPs holding dual citizenship may be uncertain. Nandlall pointed out that in a scenario where the life of the Parliament should be extended, the decision can have dire effects for persons in that peculiar position. “Let us assume have to extend the life of parliament for whatever reason because these ruling persons who are in that peculiar circumstance should not be sitting in the Parliaments. And this has nothing to do with elections. Of course, at an election, leaders of the lists (Continued on page 29)
Friday February 01, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Friday February 01, 2019
Drug dealing granny No- confidence vote stands; jailed, fined $2.2M 33 is majority - Chief Justice...
A 65 year old grandmother who was suspected to be a drug dealer and was under surveillance by the police has been arrested and jailed. The woman and her nephew were arrested during a police operation on Monday last. Sharon Spencer of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of Possession of Narcotics for
the purpose of Trafficking. According to Police Prosecutor Inspector Bernard Brown, between 14:35 and 15:30 on the day in question the police conducted a cordon and search operation on the woman’s premises at the above address. During the search, the cops opened a red Ice Cooler which contained what appeared to be leaves, seeds and stems of the marijuana plant. The woman and her 20
year old nephew Nicholas Spencer who were in the house were told of the offence arrested and taken into custody. The substance was tested and weigh and found to be 1344 grams of marijuana. In court, Spencer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3 years in jail and fined $2.2M. Her nephew pleaded not guilty and was placed on $300,000 bail.
Future of MPs holding dual citizenship... From page 28 must henceforth have to ensure persons placed on those lists comply with the constitutional provisions as it relates to dual citizenship.” Datadin noted too that while the ruling does not apply to his client, it does apply to dual citizens who are no longer a member of the House. “As Mr. Nandlall mentioned before there might be cause to extend the life of Parliament and I’m not sure those who are hold dual citizenship can come back to Parliament when that vote will be taken. Because they
wouldn’t be validly there any longer,” On this basis, Datadin said too that he is unsure how many of MPs will have to be removed. He added that “It doesn’t matter whether the MPs were named in the action. What the court has pronounced now is on the unconstitutionality of those holding dual citizenship and have a place in Parliament.” “Whoever is in Parliament now with dual citizenship is not entitled to be there. I guess both parties will have to decide how much of their selected members they will
have to change.” Article 155 of Guyana’s Constitution states that “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who- (a) is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state…” However from all a p p e a r a n c e s , Parliamentarians have been ignoring this constitutional provision. At least a third of sitting members on both sides of the House are said to be holders of foreign passports.
from page 7 though Persaud was not qualified for elections as a Member of Parliament due to him being a citizen of Guyana and Canada, his “yes” vote on the no-confidence motion against the government is valid. Affirming that the noconfidence motion would not have failed, Justice George said that same was protected under Article 165 (2) of the Constitution which says, “The Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership … (even) after any dissolution of Parliament and the presence or participation of any person not entitled to be present or to participate in the proceedings of the Assembly, shall not invalidate those proceedings.” In this regard, the High Court Judge said that there is no evidence before the court to show that Persaud knew he was not qualified to be an elected member of the National Assembly. On the other hand, the Chief Justice ruled that the court did not have the jurisdiction to determine a number of other issues highlighted in Reid’s application. Those matters, she pointed out, would have been dealt with by way of an Elections Petition filed within 28 days after the elections were held.
In relation to another application filed by Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atlaw, Christopher Ram, the CJ ruled that by virtue of the no confidence vote, the Cabinet, a sub division of the government has been nullified. The government nonetheless will remain in place until an elections is held and a new government is installed. REACTION Subsequent to the ruling, Attorney General Basil Williams made an application for a stay of the judgment and a Conservatory Order for the government to remain in office until appeals are heard by the Caribbean Court of Justice. In response, Nandlall noted that the ruling is in essence the court’s interpretation of the Constitution. He stressed therefore that there is no basis for the application. His objections were proffered on the grounds that “the Chief Justice merely answered questions that were put to her… it is the Court‘s interpretation of the simple language of the Constitution. Further, Chief Justice George explained that Williams’ request for a stay and conservatory order is useless at this time, given that she could not grant a stay of
the Court’s clarification of a decision taken by the parliament. The CJ advised the Attorney General that the appropriate redress at this juncture would be to appeal the Court’s ruling. She noted however that her written judgments would be available on Wednesday to allow the lawyers to file appeals. Speaking to the media following the ruling, Attorney Nandlall noted that he was not surprised by the ruling “The parliament made a decision. That decision was confirmed by the Speaker and now the (Court) by way of the Chief Justice. I am happy that almost every submission which I have made was upheld by the learned Chief Justice and we must congratulate and thank the Chief Justice for her very thorough job done.” “A lot of work has been done in those matters, but they have settled matters of vital national importance and hopefully now the way has been cleared for the constitutional provisions to be complied with. Those provisions are that election should be held within the stipulated time frame. Additionally in relation to the decision on the legality of Cabinet, Nandlall told the media that he is unbothered by the AG‘s intent to file appeal. “For any appeal to be successful the application must first have merit. You have heard in this case time and time again, the Chief Justice noted there is no merit.”
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VACANCY
FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
FOR SALE 1-620 leyland daf engine and gear box $950,000. Front spring, back spring and back def. Contact 650-0402/6031402
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290 One bedroom apartment, Middle Rd La Penitence $40,000 monthly. Contact #666-9534 Preferable Bachelor 1 bedroom apt for working couple/single person $35,000 monthly. Light and Water included. Lodge. Call: 6230076 2136 Parfaite Harmonie, 3 bedroom apartment, self contain for rental. Contact #665-8561/266-0858/644-0931
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158
1 well-appointed furnished 2 bedroom apartment in Bel Air Park, with parking. Tel# 2254106/225-4708 between office hours 8:00-4:30 Mon-Fri
Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600
Fully furnished (2) Bedroom Apt, Providence, Diamond #672-1906/682-6238 Paula Junior
ACCOMMODATION Air condition room $3000 per day fully furnished apts $5000 & $6000 per day. 223-0994/678-5827 HEALTH HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561 PEN PAL Guyanese male seeking female partner to be in a relationship. Call# 638-9806
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Reliable Rentals: Top quality cars, SUV’s at very low rates. Call: 227-2322/601-2622 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
2 Large bedroom apartment North Ruimveldt. $50,000. Phone 683-6653 Furnish 2 bedroom bottom flat Uitvlugt new housing scheme. Call 276-0400, 6982802 2 Storey property, located on Sheriff Street. Perfect for business or restaurant. Call or whatsapp 614-2412 TO LET
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
House to rent. 76 Kuru Kuru road side. #227-1042/6918420 One spacious 3 bedroom lower flat at Mon Repos ECD with inside toilet and bath $45,000. Call #668-7986/6295300
EDUCATION TAXI SERVICE
Unfurnished (2) Bedroom Apt, Smyth St, GeorgetownTop Flat Diamond 3rd Avenue- Top & bottom flat, Durban Backlands Studio Apt #623-1562 June
Common Entrance Lessons. Grades 5 & 6. Phonics & Reading for grades 1-4, Nursery Phonics & Aftercare from 12 noon daily. Call: 6770296
(1) waitress (1) Waiter with experience. (1) cook experience in restaurant, cooking creole & other dishes. Contact 650-0402, 6644663 WANTED
7 Pit foreman, 1 GM, Crusher operators. Contact#223-5180/ 696-9386
1 Shop assistant to work in the interior. Experience would be an asset. #669-3162
Cooks, Handyboys, Roti/Puri makers, Apply at Shanta’s 225 Camp St
Factory workers male & female. Apply in person to: R.P’s Enterprise Area ‘K’ Le Resouvenir E.C.D. 220-2818 or 3710
General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank. #614-4358
Female cleaner Office & Home, age 25 to 50. Call: 2332745
Vacancy exists for experienced Pharmacy assistants to work @ reputable pharmacy in G/ town. Call: 628-8811 between 8am-6pm
One (1) seamstress to work for an established company. Must have experience. Call 672-4695 for more information
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Office clerk, Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset. Call: 223-7500 Relief guard 2 days a week. Handyman. Must have a bicycle and cellphone. 2275536/ 223-0504 Wanted experience hire car taxi drivers at Ramada Princess Hotel (Providence) Tel: 616-5419, 265-7074 1-Male able-bodied clerk. Contact #231-2029/616-5954 1 sales girl, 1 truck driver. Call: 223-9677 1 Holler truck driver, over 1 year experience. #225-8645/ 223-5180/671-0245 One Receptionist for The Millenium Manor Hotel, Apply in person with application, 43 Hadfield & Camp St One florist needed with knowledge of fresh floral arrangement. Tel 226-3109 One cleaner to work shifts. Apply in person at Buddy’s Gym 137 Sheriff St #231-4104 House or land to buy in Annandale H/Scheme, ECD. Contact #609-1040
Natural Beauty Salon & Spa needs an experienced hair dresser & professional make-up artist. Contact#6525800 1 Cashier needed. #223-7165 Camp Manager for the Interior #223-7165 Cashier (Shift 7am-3pm & 3pm-11pm) Submit Application to: Shell Service Station Providence EBD or Email:Shellramsburg@gmail.com Vacancy for one shop attendant #618-3575/691-7123 Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 6008457/683-8765 Chef, assistant cook and night supervisor. Call us on 2257933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street. Male factory worker needed. Must have police clearance. For more info call: 223-0090 Professional Mechanic, Machinist, Male cleaner, Apply @ Technical Services, Eccles Industrial Site 1 experienced cook and 1 maid for a family, age 25-30 years. call 231-8737 between 8am- 12 noon One live-in Domestic. Call: 674-1767
PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909
LAND FOR SALE
House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657
Parfaite Harmonie (Transferable $2.5M) $2M $1.4M Tuschen Phase II $1.5M Providence, Herstelling. Call: 666-2326
Business Property for sale in Albouystown, Price $17 Million Neg. Tel#639-7484/ 611-8540
One 4 bedrooms self contain house in Good Hope with big yard space. #698-7807
VACANCY
Cook and waitress needed to work in a bar. Contact# +592 676-7884 PROPERTY FOR SALE 2 Storey Building @ Prime location in Georgetown. Ideal for business & residence. 89 Robb Street, Bourda. #44-208737-1598/ 225-8427/264-1130 Transport property for sale, BB Eccles EBD. Tel# 616-0499/ 616-9490 Corner Property for sale, Albertown area, Ernest. #2263819
Hot dog salesperson. Must be well spoken. Please call or whatsapp 614-2412 for more info General Domestic, must know to cook & salesperson, Apply Keyfoood McDoom EBD For one experienced trained Teacher/Nanny to teach a 3 year old boy, an attractive salary is offered. Call: 623-1615 For experienced female accounts clerk, must have passes in Maths & English. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda Sales girl. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda
Friday February 01, 2019
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GWI to meet upset Berbicians amid water woes The Guyana Water Inc. says it is aware of the difficulties being experienced by East Canje residents as well as those from Edinburgh, Adelphi, Sheet Anchor, Adventure to Number 69 Village, Whim, Black Bush and areas served by the Manchester pump station. “GWI wishes to state that it has no internal issues as it relates to its electrical system and mechanics. The issue with respect to access to water is in fact due to technical glitches in power generation by the Guyana Power and Light.” In order to resolve this matter, GWI’s Executive Director of Operations, Dwayne Shako has been in contact with GPL’s Operations Director and others who have clearly indicated that there is a generation issue at the Canefield Power Station. This has resulted in GWI experiencing low voltage at its pumping stations in these areas and hence has been unable to pump water to supply citizens. The power company is relying on its Skeldon and Georgetown systems to serve the entire county of Berbice, GWI said. “GWI has looked at every possible electrical solution, but our pumps require 415 volts to operate, they are currently receiving an average of 360
volts and with this, our motors will not operate,” Shako said. “In an attempt to push the pump station at New Amsterdam and Sheet Anchor, the cable and other aspects of the motor were damaged and had to be extracted,” Shako noted. The New Amsterdam Water Treatment Plant has been operating on a generator for the past 4-5 days. “To date, GWI has lost millions in damaged equipment due to quality of power provided by GPL and suppliers are unable to guarantee the longevity of motors, as a result of the unreliable power supply. As a result of the low voltage, home owners may experience minimal effects within their households, which require 110 voltage, but GWI’s situation differs.” GWI said its officers have been deployed across the region in an effort to monitor the situation. Shako noted that “after speaking with Mr. Bharrat of GPL, he indicated that the problem will persist until over the weekend when the issue will be resolved. He said the voltage will continue to fluctuate throughout the day and more so in the evening when the domestic load increases.” GWI’s pump stations are automatic and monitored via a
The situation at one of the wells in Berbice. remote control. “As such, once the voltage is regularized to 410-415, the stations will go into operation
Boat captain gets five years for cocaine in gas cylinders Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool yesterday sentenced boat captain, Damion Williams to five years’ imprisonment and fined him $136M, while taxi driver, Vaughn Anderson, walked out of court a free man on a joint charge of trafficking of narcotics. It is alleged that Williams, 34, of Better Hope and Anderson, 30, of Boodhoo Housing Scheme, on December 24, 2017, at Boodhoo Housing Scheme, had in their possession 65.027 kilograms of Cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The cocaine was concealed in several gas cylinders. Both men had pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them on their first court appearance. Yesterday the Magistrate ruled that, after going through the evidence of Anderson, she believed his testimony when he said he had no knowledge of the narcotics, since he was only hired to transport the gas cylinders to the boat captain. H o w e v e r, s h e n o t e d that Williams’ testimony to the court differed from the statement he gave officers when he was arrested. She
Freed: Vaughn Anderson
Jailed: Damion Williams
added that throughout the trial Williams was trying to distance himself from the narcotics while trying to implicate his co-accused. The State’s case was prosecuted by Inspector George Matthew. According to a police report, an intelligence-led operation conducted by ranks of the Force’s Narcotics Branch on Christmas Eve led to Anderson’s arrest. Police said the operation was conducted between 14:00 to 16:30hrs, and that the drug was found in Anderson’s car
trunk concealed in a gas cylinder. In the suspect’s presence, the enforcement officials, who were commanded by a Gazetted Officer, cut open the cylinder and found the illicit substance. Anderson had told the ranks that the gas bottle belonged to Williams, and that he had hired him. A confrontation was held between the men and the police, at which point Williams admitted to receiving the cylinder from a Spanish man to transport from Parika to Georgetown.
within one minute. A collaborative effort is ongoing between GWI and GPL in an effort to ad-
dress this challenge.” GWI’s top officials are expected to visit Berbice today and
address residents at a mid-morning session at the New Amsterdam Town Hall.
CDC continues relief exercise for Venezuelan migrants
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) hands over a hamper to a migrant family in Imbotero, Region 1 The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is continuing to render assistance to Venezuelan migrants in Guyana’s border regions. On January 26, 2019, migrants in Khan’s Hill, Mabaruma, received 30 hygiene kits and 30 food hampers while migrant families in Imbotero received 22 of each. Several hygiene kits have also been delivered to Mabaruma for distribution as is deemed necessary. A total of 151 food hampers were distributed to migrants in Kaikan, Cuyuni Mazaruni. These items were donated by the CDC and the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints. Between January 26 and 28, a total of 273 hy-
giene kits were distributed in Eteringbang. According to CDC Director-General (ag), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, supplies are being mobilised to be transported to Kamwatta and Smith Creek in Region One. The National Multi Sectoral Coordinating Committee, through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), has been providing relief to migrants in the border regions. Over the last few months, Guyana has seen an increase in the number of Venezuelans crossing the border into Guyana to escape the political and socio-economic crisis in their homeland. (DPI)
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NBA roundup: Jokic’s triple-double lifts Nuggets Reuters - Nikola Jokic had a triple-double as the visiting Denver Nuggets defeated the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 105-99 on Wednesday night. Jokic had 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, Malik Beasley added 22 points off the bench, Monte Morris scored 20 and Paul Millsap had 13 as the Nuggets won their fourth consecutive game. The Pelicans played without five of their top six scorers for the second consecutive night. Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Elfrid Payton, E’Twaun Moore and Nikola Mirotic were all sidelined by injury, leaving just guard Jrue Holiday available among New Orleans’ top six players. Holiday led the Pelicans
with 22 points, and Kenrich Williams added 21 points. Celtics 126, Hornets 94 Terry Rozier filled in for injured Kyrie Irving and had 17 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, and Boston remained hot with an easy victory over visiting Charlotte. The Celtics took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 3516 to push a four-point halftime lead to 23. They went on to lead by as many as 35 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics have won seven of their past eight games. They are also now 244 over the past two seasons when playing without Irving, who missed his third game in the past week with a strained left hip. Kemba Walker paced
the Hornets with 21 points. Timberwolves 99, Grizzlies 97 (OT) - Karl-Anthony Towns hit a 20-foot jump shot at the overtime buzzer, and Minnesota pulled off a victory in Minneapolis, sending Memphis to its eighth consecutive road defeat. Towns had 16 points and 10 rebounds while Jerryd Bayless scored 19 points and handed out a career-high 12 assists for the Timberwolves. Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins missed a 21-foot jumper with three seconds remaining in overtime. Towns grabbed the rebound on the wing and got off his gamewinning shot just before time expired. Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 26 points and eight assists. Mavericks 114, Knicks
Friday February 01, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Have you been exercising beyond your fitness level, Virgo? If you have, you're probably feeling very tired, sore, and out of sorts. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Changes you're making at home might necessitate your planning extra time. Perhaps you're waiting for a guest whose plane got delayed. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Are you involved in a search through every store for a particular item? You might be looking for a long time. The object you need won't be found at the local mall. CANCER(June21–July22) If you've given up on something you've lost, Cancer, you might get a real surprise tonight when a dream sheds light on where you might find it. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A business or romantic partner might be in a foul mood and not very likely to tell you why, Leo. It won't be all that easy to deal with, but it probably doesn't relate to any trouble between you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Have you been exercising beyond your fitness level, Virgo? If you have, you're probably feeling very tired, sore, and out of sorts. Take it easy today, even if you don't want to.You can still exercise, but concentrate on yoga and tai chi rather than more strenuous programs like aerobics.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A goal you've recently been on the verge of attaining may suddenly hit unexpected setbacks, Libra. However major or minor they are, it's going to be disheartening. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You could be introduced to a new person today Scorpio. He or she may be someone who will play a very important role in your life at one point. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Is there a secret you're obsessed with unveiling, Sagittarius? Something strange could be going on in your neighborhood, or it might be an intellectual puzzle. Whatever it is, you're determined to discover the truth. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Various intellectual or humanitarian subjects you've been reading about have changed your value system, perhaps subtly, Capricorn. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A temporary separation from a love partner might have you in a very gloomy mood. Attempts to reach your friend by phone might prove fruitless. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Expect to be frantic if you have to take care of something that's time critical today, Pisces. People and situations aren't in your favor. Everything will seem like a challenge.
90 - Dennis Smith Jr. finished with a triple-double, and Dirk Nowitzki scored a seasonhigh 14 points in his possible finale at Madison Square Garden as visiting Dallas pulled away for a win over New York. The Mavericks have won three of four. The Knicks have lost 11 straight, 19 of 20 and 24 of 26. New York (10-40) has the worst record in the NBA. Smith collected 13 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. Harrison Barnes led all scorers with 19 points while Wesley Matthews added 17 points and rookie sensation Luka Doncic had 16 points and eight rebounds. Kevin Knox topped New York with 17 points. Bulls 105, Heat 89 Bobby Portis scored a season-high 26 points to lead Chicago to a victory at Miami. Wayne Selden finished with 20 points while Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn scored 14 points each for the Bulls, who snapped a fourgame losing streak and won their second in the past 16. Robin Lopez was Chicago’s fifth double-figure scorer with 13 points, and Markkanen grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. Tyler Johnson scored 15 points for the Heat, whose two-game winning streak ended. Wizards 107, Pacers 89 - Bradley Beal scored 25 points, Jeff Green added 23, and Washington routed visiting Indiana. Chasson Randle added 13 points for the Wizards, who had lost two straight. Jordan McRae and Trevor Ariza contributed 12 points apiece. Thaddeus Young led six Pacers in double figures with 13 points. The 89 points were a season low for Indiana, which fell to 0-3 since losing Victor Oladipo to a seasonending quadriceps injury. The Pacers have dropped three games in a row for the first time this season. Kings 135, Hawks 113 Marvin Bagley III scored nine of his 17 points in the second quarter, helping Sacramento roll past visiting Atlanta. The win allowed the Kings to sweep the two-game season series from the Hawks
With helicopters and dogs... From page 35 and all other kinds of luggage are prohibited, as are bottles and beverages, camcorders, food, fireworks and strollers, the NFL said. ”We don’t want to create an armed state, but at the same time we know what today’s world is like,” Campos said.
for the first time since 2006. Sacramento put up an opponents’ season high in a 146115 romp at Atlanta in November. The Kings’ total Wednesday was the sixth-most points allowed by the Hawks this season.Bagley, Harry Giles III (team-high 20 points), Bogdan Bogdanovic (16) and Yogi Ferrell (11) all scored in double figures off the bench for the Kings, who outscored the Hawks 80-49 in reserve points. Hawks rookie Trae Young won his individual duel with Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, outscoring his
rival 23-9 and out-assisting him 8-7. Trail Blazers 132, Jazz 105 - Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 66 points as Portland dismantled Utah for its eighth straight home victory. Lillard collected 36 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, and McCollum scored 30 points for the Trail Blazers, who led by as many as 33 points. Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points for Utah, which had won nine of its previous 10 outings. Rudy Gobert added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz.
Entries for MYO Inter Jamaat Softball close on February 9 Teams desirous of participating in the Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) of Guyana Inter Jamaat Softball Cricket competition have until February 9 to register. The tournament is scheduled to commence on February 3rd at the MYO ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. The registration fee is $3,000 per team; trophies and cash incentives will be at stake. All Jamaats interested in participating are asked to make contact with Br. Imran Ally on 231 9822, 689 7425, Br. Ralph Khan on 625 4330, Br. Abdool Kumar on 670 8207 or Br. Azad Ibrahim on 624 3362.
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Athletes’ personalities and connection to fans is key to future success of athletics, says Coe IAAF President Sebastian Coe has encouraged the world’s track and field athletes to express their personalities, inside and outside the stadium, to better promote the sport to new audiences. Speaking at the Leaders’ Sport Business Summit in Abu Dhabi yesterday, Coe said fans connected to a sport through its athletes and the next generation of stars would need to embrace the new technology that the IAAF is planning to introduce to its World Athletics Series events to bring fans closer to the action. ”Your passport as a competitor is clearly your performance and your consistency of performance but the abil-
ity to take a step to the next level… you need a personality, you need something to say when it matters,” Coe told an audience of global sports leaders. ”I cringe a little when I see competitors who have got so much to say, have mastered really complex coaching systems, have focused and brought a level of expertise to what they are doing, but who don’t really think it’s important to be able to communicate that more broadly.” Coe said that agents were sometimes too protective of athletes, to the detriment of the fans and the wider sport. He said the new technology that sports, including
athletics, were bringing into the presentation of competition would make athletes more accessible to the audience. ”Sometimes the technology that brings those competitors more intimately into the lives of the young audiences that we’re all trying to chase at the moment means that some of it is invasive,” he said. ”Some of it will mean having… cameras a little bit closer to the start of the 100m. Sometimes you will want to do things that allow access. ”It was said to me by one of the great communicators of our generation that what people are really interested in
Concacaf selects Flosports as U.S broadcast partner for the CNL
Miami, FL - The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) and FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content announced a partnership that will provide FloSports with exclusive English-language broadcast rights in the United States for the Concacaf Nations League, the new centralized men’s national team competition of the Confederation. The multiyear agreement begins in March during week four of the Concacaf Nations League Qualifiers. FloSports’ newly-launched soccer vertical, FloFC, will provide exclusive live tournament coverage and ondemand content through 2022 with more than 770 hours of coverage for some of the best players from the region. ”This a landmark deal for FloSports as we continue to expand our soccer coverage,” FloSports co-founder Mark Floreani said. “The Concacaf region represents some of the most competitive teams and players, and we’re thrilled to give fans access to these world-class games.” ”As the Concacaf Nations League gains popularity across our region, we are very proud to partner with FloSports to continue engaging our English-speaking
fans, who will now be able to follow all the action of this new national team competition live in the United States through the FloFC soccer platform,” said Concacaf General Secretary Philippe Moggio. “Our commitment to bring the Concacaf Nations League closer to our diverse fan base is reinforced by this agreement, which provides an extraordinary opportunity to increase the exposure and relevance of this competition.” More than 200 games of the Concacaf Nations League, from qualifying through knockout rounds, will be broadcast on FloFC.com, the company’s 25th vertical and its first channel dedicated to soccer. In addition to being the home for live streamed soccer events, the channel will also feature original Concacaf programming, studio shows, breaking news, and more. The Concacaf Nations League began in September 2018 with a one-off qualifying phase. The matches for the final round of the qualifying are scheduled for March 21-26, 2019. The group phase, consisting of three tiered leagues will kick off in September 2019. The top league will end with a Final to crown the Nations League champion, and the competition will also serve to unify the qualifying path for the region’s national teams to the newly
expanded Gold Cup. ”Soccer fans are some of the most passionate fans on the planet,” FloSports SVP Global Rights Acquisition David Weiss said. “Providing fans with authentic and dedicated coverage of a sport has always been at the forefront of what we do, and we look forward to working with Concacaf to bring a best-in-class experience to their fans around the Concacaf Nations League and together, grow the sport and competition.” Concacaf joins a growing and robust roster of soccer programming on FloFC.com. The channel has exclusive live and on-demand rights locally for MLS’ D.C. United matches, rights in Canada to the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana through a partnership with Lega Serie A, as well as global co-exclusive rights to more than 200 men’s and women’s Big Ten soccer matches through FloSports’ partnership with the Big Ten Network. To access live and ondemand coverage, visit FloFC.com and become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the games across all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.
are great things about little people and little things about great people. And you really do need to bring some of those things into the lives of our audiences.” At the same time, the IAAF is planning to make its World Athletics Series events more accessible to mass participation, to strengthen the link between recreational runners and the elite. ”If you move, you are an athlete,” Coe said. Having guided the sport through an extensive governance reform over the past three years to enshrine transparency and integrity in the organisation, and hold all office-bearers to high ethical standards, he said he was looking forward to the next stage of his presidency. ”The fun bit begins, but probably the tougher bit, which is how do you then grow the sport, how do you remain exciting, attractive, have traction with younger audiences and that’s not something that’s going to happen if you sit there and think your sport will be forever loved,” he said. ”It’s not going to work like that. Usain Bolt is not
IAAF President Sebastian Coe speaking at the Sport Business Summit in Abu Dhabi (Leaders) © Copyright enough any longer to sell our sport. We will sell our sport through participation and engagement.” Coe said the introduction of a mass participation race at the World Half Marathon Championships had turned the event into “a festival of sport” and he hoped the mass participation races at the IAAF World Cross Country Champion-
ships Aarhus 2019 on March 30 would have the same impact. He also foreshadowed the introduction of a participation component to the IAAF Diamond League in future years. “It’s really important that you make sure that your sport is not focusing just on the top 30 or 40 competitors,” he said. “It has to reach out into the community.” (IAAF)
With helicopters and dogs, massive Super Bowl security in Atlanta Atlanta (Reuters) - Local, state and federal agencies are staging a multi-tentacled security operation to protect hundreds of thousands of football fans descending on Atlanta ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, one of the world’s largest sporting events. It took two years to plan the operation ahead of Super Bowl LIII, which pits the New England Patriots against the Los Angeles Rams, officials told a news conference on Wednesday. ”We are ready for anything from a drunk and disorderly individual all the way up to a mass-casualty incident,” said Carlos Campos, a spokesman for the Atlanta Police Department. At the center of the security effort is a joint operation hub where about 65 law enforcement agencies, utility companies and first responders are monitoring traffic and events with the help of a network of about 10,000 cameras, Campos said. More than 1 million people are expected to visit Atlanta during the 10 days leading up to the Super Bowl. Although no specific threat has been made, every police officer in the city is working 12-hour
With helicopters and dogs, massive Super Bowl security in Atlanta. Reuters shifts, department officials said. Law enforcement officers are on horseback, in patrol cars and motorcycles, on foot with detection dogs and even helicopters flying high above, officials said. ”There are ideologies and extremists that would con-
sider it a wonderful target,” Nick Annan, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, told Reuters. A large pedestrian-only perimeter consisting of 7 miles (11 km) of fencing has been built around and near the Mercedes Benz Stadium, where the Super Bowl will be played, and the Georgia World Congress Center, where many NFL events are being held. A temporary flight restriction prohibiting drone activity will be in place on Thursday and through the weekend around the stadium, said NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier. On game day, ticket-holders are encouraged to take mass transit to the stadium. They will face a rigorous security screening involving metal detectors and pat-down searches, Annan said. Only ticket-holders will be allowed to enter the perimeter during the event. Only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags measuring 12 inches (30.48 cm) by 6 inches by 12 inches, 1-gallon freezer bags and small clutch bags will be permitted into the game. Coolers, backpacks, computer and camera bags, (Continued on page 34)
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Friday February 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
Windies Women notch winning return in Pakistan St. John’s, Antigua- Fifteen (15) years after their last visit to Pakistan, the WINDIES Women returned with a convincing 71-run victory over Pakistan Women in the 1st T20 International in Karachi. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Windies women recovered from 59 for 2 to post a demanding total of 160 for the same 2. Thanks to a destructive 109-run partnership between Deandra Dottin and Chedean Nation, who scored 90*(60) and 50*(35), respectively. The visiting team got off to a flyer before they lost opener Kycia Knight midway through the 4th over with the score on 34. In the next 5 overs, Pakistan slowed the scoring rate only giving up 17 runs and taking the wicket of Shemaine Campbelle via the run-out route. However, Nation then joined Dottin and the two put on an unbeaten partnership of 109 runs off a little more than 11 overs. The two were especially ruthless in the last five overs scoring a quick-fire 62 runs with Nation smashing two huge sixes much to the delight of her teammates. Dottin indicated she
Deandra Dottin acknowledges her colleagues applause after reaching her half century.
didn’t open the innings with the intentions of going hard from early on. However, the pitch set the deliveries right in “sweet zone” and she punished the Pakistan bowlers, smashing the ball around the Southend club. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof rotated her bowlers to try and curb the Windies freescoring, but they all felt the wrath from the Windies Women’s bats.
The biggest surprise unleashed by the Windies Women came via Chedean Nation. The veteran batter took a few deliveries to settle in, but then unfurled 4-fours and 2 mammoth sixes on her way to a maiden T20I halfcentury. When Dottin’s scoring slowed, Nation took the charge in taking the Windies score well past the par-score on the ground. She matched
Dottin’s pace between the wickets, as they pair picked up the singles and doubles when boundaries were hard to come by. Maroof brought herself on with the hope of breaking the partnership, but she was punished with 10 runs from her only over. Nashra Sandhu was the only Pakistan bowler to take a wicket when she had Knight caught for 8. Campbelle was runout for 4. The Windies Women finished their innings on 160-2, Dottin on 90 not out and Nation on 50 not out. Sandhu finished with figures of 1-23. Pakistan innings never got the foundation nor stability they needed to go after the 161-run target. Only Captain Bismah Maroof and Javeria Khan reached double figures. Shamilia Connell opened with a spell of beautiful seambowling, which had both openers Sidra Ameen and Javeria Khan caught behind by Merissa Aguilleira for 2 and 19 respectively. Kycia Knight took a brilliant catch, covering a few yards to her left to dismiss Umaima Sohail, handing Connell her third wicket. Then Shakera Selman stunned Nida Dar with a lightning fast return to run her out for 2. Anisa Mohammed playing in her 100th T20 International, showed just why she’s the leading wicket-take (male or female) in T20 International T20 cricket. She used the grip of the surface along with legspinner Afy Fletcher to peg back the Pakistan batters. Mohammed’s 4-overs and
Fletcher’s 4-overs totaled 32 runs for 3 wickets. Deandra Dottin added a wicket to her 90 not out with that of Sidra Nawaz for 0. Shakera Selman who bowled her first 2 overs for 5 runs, returned to bowl the 18th over and was rewarded for her accuracy and consistency. She removed
Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof caught and bowled for a valiant 38, then took the last Pakistan wicket of Aiman Anwer LBW for 4. Pakistan 89 all out in 18 overs. Deandra Dottin was named Player of the Match. The next T20I is set for today.
Singh grabs 5 for in Betterhope Sixers victory Sachin Singh grabbed five wickets to lead Betterhope to an eightwicket victory over Strathavon SC ‘B’ when the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club/SPR Enterprise 40 overs cricket competition continued last Sunday. The preliminary games are being played using the roundrobin format across two groups. At Strathavon, Strathavon SC ‘B’ were dismissed for 69 in 13 overs, batting first. Sachin Singh took 5-27. Betterhope Sixers got to the required total in 12 overs with Navin Singh hitting 49. At Canegrove, Buxton SC defeated Canegrove New Generation SC by six wickets. Batting first, Canegrove New Generation SC were re-
stricted to 107 in 20 overs with R.Zaman scoring 30. G.Surujpaul and Clive Andries took three and two wickets respectively. Owen Andrews scored an unbeaten 61 to lead Buxton SC to 110 for 4 in 12 overs, in reply. At Fairfield, LBI SC overcame Fairfield SC by five wickets. Fairfield SC took first knock and managed 162 all out in 28 overs. T. Charles hit 33; Y. Bishun snared 3-15. LBI responded with 163-5 in 26 overs. N. Dowlatram made 42 not out. At Enmore, Enmore CC Enforcers beat Paradise SC Allstars by four wickets in a rain affected game. Paradise SC Allstars were bowled out for 77 in 22 overs, taking first strike. Ranjeet Hiralall took 2-3
runs and then returned to stroke an unbeaten 23 for ECC Enforcers who finished on 78-6 in reply. O. Neblett claimed 2-13. At Ogle, Strathavon SC got the better of Ogle SC Blasters by four wickets in another rain affected contest. Ogle SC Blasters were dismissed for 84 in 25 overs, batting first. C. Hemraj had 3-8 and M. Ronald 3-25. Chasing a revised target of 52 in 15 overs, Strathavon SC scored 52-6 in 11 overs. The fixture between Golden Achievers SC and Betterhope A at Betterhope was rained out. Action will continue this weekend with matches at Fairfield, Enmore, Enterprise, Strathavon, Buxton, Ogle and Betterhope.
Friday February 01, 2019
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Kaieteur News
West Indies Championship 2018-2019
New Coach, same results as Red Force routed for 108; Paul’s 66 rally Jaguars to 150 all out Story and photos by Sean Devers in Trinidad in association with Lifetime Real Estate, Cascadia Hotel and Star Party Rental After three losses and a win in four matches T&T Red Force sacked Head Coach Kelvin Williams and replaced him with former Test pacer Mervin Dillion but the move failed to bear fruit as the hosts were skittled out for 108 on day one of their sixth round CWI Four-Day Championship against Guyana Jaguars at the Queen’s Park Oval yesterday. Tion Webster’s 19 (3x4) from 31 balls was the top score as Kemo Paul shrugged off disappointment of not gaining selection in the Test squad with a livelily spell to finish with 3-36. Paul was supported by Clinton Pestano (3-37), Romario Shepherd (2-23) and Raymon Reifer (2-20) as the
four-prong pace attack achieved two fast bowling points in addition to three achieved from bowling out the opposition inside 110 overs. Wicket-Keeper Anthony Bramble, leading Keeper this season, held three catches to take his dismissals tally to 24. The Jaguars, whose 15-match unbeaten streak was broken by the Leewards in their last game when Shiv Chanderpaul replaced new Windies new Assistant Esuan Crandon, fell for 150 despite a pugnacious unbeaten 66 (10x4 3x6) from 20-year-old Essequibian Kemo Paul from just 36 balls. But no other batsman passed 23 as the Jaguars took a slim 42-run lead as Paul and Gudakesh Motie (0) added 33 for the last wicket. Imran Khan (3-22), Ravi Rampaul (234), Anderson Phillips (2-44) and Odean Smith (2-48) did the damage for the Red Force, 13-0 in their second innings
by the close of an eventful day in which 20 wickets tumbled. Jaguars won the toss under a clear blue sky and asked Red Force to bat on a track with a tinge of green and a slow outfield and a sprinkling of fans on an Island in full Carnival mode, watched as 22-year-old left-hander Jeremy Solozano drove Shepherd pass mid-off for four off the game’s first delivery. Joshua DaSilva, who made 41 and 21 on debut against Windwards last December was soon caught behind when he nicked Paul to the Keeper without scoring at 6-1. Solozano, the only Red Force batsman to score a century and reach 150 this season, was LBW to Shepherd for 8 at 16-2 and six runs later skipper Denish Ramdin (0) provided the Tucber Park allrounder with his second scalp. Webster struck Paul for a
couple of boundaries and with Jason Mohammed, who disdainfully pulled Pestano for four, offered brief resistance with a 24-run partnership before they were both removed in the space of two runs. Top scorer Webster (19) was LBW to Reifer while Pestano trapped Mohammed in front for 17 with four boundaries as Red Force slipped to 48-5. Khan (17) was bowled by the lively Paul on the stroke of Lunch with the home team wobbling on 67-6. After the interval, Smith (8) was caught behind off Paul to give Bramble another dismissal with the score on 79-7 before Cariah, who faced 63 balls including 59 dots in a painstaking 12, gloved a leg side catch to the Keeper at 878.Phillips (9) drove Pestano for four and edged him to third man off consecutive deliveries to post the 100 before he was removed by Reifer. Rampaul (5) then skied Pestano to mid-off as the Red Force, looking like a spent force succumbed in 38.4 overs an hour after Lunch. Jaguars began their reply positively with Chanderpaul Hemraj stroking Phillips majestically through extra cover for four and the usually sedate Tagenarine Chanderpaul cutting Rampaul gloriously to the point boundary before Hemraj who took a liking to Phillips and smashed him past his ankles for four before pullinghim into the Carib Stand. But with the score on 31, Hemraj (22) was LBW to Rampaul before Chanderpaul tucked Phillips off his body for four and by Tea the fourtime defending champions were 36-1 trailing by 72 runs. After the break, 9 wickets tumbled after Chanderpaul (13) played across the line to Rampaul and LBW without
Kemo Paul was not afraid to ounter-attack in his unbeaten 66.
addition to the Tea time score. Vishaul Singh (4) pulled Rampaul for four but was unfortunately run out at the nonstriker’s end when the ball deflected off the finger of the bowler, Phillips at 40-3. Leon Johnson (3) poor form continued when got a short ball from Phillips that got ‘big’ on him and skied it to short mid-wicket and without addition to the score Bramble played no shot to Phillips and was LBW for a duck as Jaguars slumped to 44-5 after losing four wickets for 10 runs. Reifer and Shepherd, who clobbered the 34-year-old
Rampaul back over his head for six, took the score to 76 before Reifer (16) edged Smith to the Keeper. Shepherd (23) and Pestano (0) departed in successive balls to Khan while Veerasammy Permaul (1) fell to Smith as three wickets fell for three runs as the wounded Jaguars slumped to 117-9.But Paul dumped Khan for three consecutive sixes to reach his second fifty to add to his maiden ton and celebrated with a couple of boundaries down the ground before Motie was removed by Khan. Today is the second day and play is scheduled to start at 10:00hrs.
Everest Masters to host ECD Masters tomorrow Everest Masters will host East Coast Demerara Masters in a 25-over fixture tomorrow starting at 13:00hrs. The game is being organised as part of the club’s fund raising venture. The day’s activities will commence with a T20 affair between V Net Bachelors and V Net Married Men while Factory Price will play Young Alcoholic in a softball game from 18:00hrs. Everest Masters: Rajesh Singh, Sahadeo
Hardaiow, Clement Archer, Hemraj Garbarran, Basil Persaud, Rakesh Gangaram, Ronald Jaisingh, Nadir Baksh, Imtiaz Sadik, Ucil Armstrong, Arjune Nandu, Robert Pereira, Robin Bharat, Satyendra Khemraj, Anwar Rahaman and Anil Beharry. East Coast Masters: Sheik Mohamed, Eon Abel, Latchman Ya d r a m , Chandrika Geenarine, Shameer Shahib, David H a r p e r, A n i l P e r s a u d ,
Deonarine Chatura, Walter Bryne, Winston London, Ishwarlall Jitlall, Bashier Khan, Pameshwar Ram and Sham Persaud. The trophies are being sponsored by Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.
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Openers hold firm after Roach, Gabriel rout England North Sound, Antigua – Openers Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell stood firm for the WINDIES, after Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel led another assault on England’s batting in the pivotal second Test yesterday here. Campbell was not out on 16 and Brathwaite was not out on 11, surviving 21 challenging overs from England’s seamers before stumps were drawn on the first day of the Test, to carry the WINDIES to 30 without loss, replying to the visitors’ first innings total of 187. Campbell and Brathwaite saw the ball whizz past the bat several times, as the England new-ball pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, boasting more than 900 Test scalps between them, extracted prodigious bounce and movement from a helpful Vivian Richards Cricket Ground pitch, but fortunately no wickets. Roach, the mastermind of England’s first innings collapse in the first Test last week in Barbados, grabbed 430 from 15 overs and Gabriel supported with 3-45 from 15 overs, as the tourists were bowled out about an hour and 10 minutes before the scheduled close, after they were put in to bat.
Moeen Ali dug in for a vital innings Getty Images Greeted by pitch with a nice coating of grass on its surface, the WINDIES pacers, led by hometown hero Alzarri Joseph, exploited the conditions and made life uncomfortable for the visitors’ top order, leaving England reeling on 78 for four at lunch. After the interval, the WINDIES grabbed the scalps of Jonny Bairstow for 52 and left-handed talisman Ben Stokes cheaply in the first half hour before they were frustrated by an 85-run, seventhwicket stand either side of tea between Moeen Ali, whose 60 was the top score, and Ben Foakes with 35. After the break, Roach and Gabriel bowled well in tandem and sliced through the lower half of the England batting, as the tourists lost their last four wickets for nine in the space of 34 balls. WINDIES, leading the series 1-0 following a 381-run victory in the first Test last week, had early success when left-handed opener Rory Burns was caught at second slip off Roach for four in the fifth over of the day. Joseph followed up with his first Test scalp in his first Test on home soil, when opener Joe Denly, the other opener, made an inauspicious start to his international career, top-edging the Antiguan
pacer’s first ball of the morning and was caught behind for six nearing the hour mark to leave England 16 for two. Joseph added the prized scalp of Joe Root for seven, when a delivery reared awkwardly and flew from the handle of the England captain’s bat to third slip, where Campbell parried for Shai Hope to complete the catch running around from fourth slip. Four overs later, WINDIES captain Jason Holder inflicted further agony, when Jos Buttler’s tactic of moving down the pitch to overcome the lanky paceman’s bounce and swing ended with him being caught at second slip for one, leaving England tottering on 55 for four. The WINDIES however, were put on their heels by a counter-attacking innings from Bairstow and he reached his 50 off just 59 balls just prior to lunch with a searing drive through the off-side off Gabriel for the eighth of his nine fours. The session after the interval started gloriously for the WINDIES, when Bairstow was lbw to Roach with the second delivery after lunch, following a review of a notout decision from umpire Chris Gaffney of New Zealand that showed the de-
livery was on target. Four overs later, Gabriel riled Ben Stokes and put him out of his misery for 14 with a delivery that squared the batsman up and found the edge to be caught behind to leave England wobbling on 93 for six. For the remainder of the session, WINDIES kept up the pressure, but success eluded them, as Ali, seeking to overcome a pair in Barbados, and Foakes, eyeing a safe place in the opposition line-up, brought some stability back to the innings. Holder saw Ali reach his first 50, since the Oval Test against India last September, from 69 balls, when he topedged a cut at a short ball from the WINDIES captain over the slips. But Roach provided the breakthrough in the fifth over after tea, when Ali miscued a drive and was caught at midwicket to spark another slide for England. WINDIES were unchanged, but England made two changes to their line-up, replacing opener Keaton Jennings and leg-spinner Adil Rashid with Denly and Broad. The third and final Test of the series starts on Saturday, February 9 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia.
Joseph celebrates a wicket with teammates.
Kaieteur News
Friday February 01, 2019
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BCB to host RHTY&SC/GBTI U-17 Inter Secondary Schools Region 6 Tournament
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he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has join hands with the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) MS, to host an Under-17 tournament for 17 Secondary Schools in Region 6. It would be sponsored by the Port Mourant Branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry (GBTI) which has in the last five years sponsored a tournament for Secondary Schools in the Lower Corentyne area in conjunction with the RHTY&SC. Assistant Secretary/CEO of RHTY&SC, Simon Naidu stated that the club over the years has organised over 150 cricket tournaments at different levels as part of its Cricket Development Programme. The Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry U-17 Inter Secondary tourney would be played for 25 overs and on a knockout basis. The RHTY&SC and BCB would use the tournament to promote the Say Yes to Life and Say No to Drugs Message to the competing schools. Naidu hailed the outstanding work
of the Board in promoting the game across the county and announced that the club would be working along with the Board to lift cricket to a higher standard. Last year, the RHTY&SC used over $2M of its own funds to assist its Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster fulfill his duties as BCB President and also donated millions of dollars w o r t h o f g e a r, scorebooks, stumps and trophies to clubs. N a i d u expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of GBTI for sponsoring the tournament. BCB President and RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that 35 tournaments are scheduled to be hosted this year after a record 30 was organised in 2018 at the Under-13, 15, 17, 19, 21, Female, Internal Zone, Double Wicket, Second Division and First
GBTI Port Mourant Branch Manager, Ghoeblall Mahadeo hands over sponsorship to RHTY&SC Cricket Manager, Robby Kissoonlall and Assistant Secretary/CEO, Simon Naidu. Other GBTI Staff shares the moment.
Division levels. This GBTI competition would be contested by the following Secondary Schools, Skeldon High, Tagore Memorial, Line Path, Central Corentyne, Black Bush, Winifred Gaskin, Manchester High, Corentyne Comprehensive, Port Mourant, J.C.
Chandisingh, Lower Corentyne, Canje, Berbice High, Vryman’s Erven, Berbice Educational Institute, New Amsterdam and Tutorial Academy. Players must be born on or after the 1st September, 2000 and shall have an attendance rate of 80%. Schools who play players
above the age limit or who are not attending school would be thrown out of the tournament and debarred from all school tournaments in 2019. GBTI Branch Manager Ghoeblall Mahadeo stated that the Bank was pleased to sponsor the tournament and expressed confidence that
the event would be well organised and achieve all of its objectives. He stated that GBTI, as a matter of policy invests heavily in sports and education. He urged the teams to play the game in a spirit of u n i t y, g o o d w i l l a n d discipline.
MOPH continues partnership with Milo football tourney
Seated from left, Petra’s Jackie Boodie, Mark Alleyne, MOPH Terrence Esseboom and Petra’s Troy Mendonca pose with representatives from the Secondary Schools yesterday at the MOE ground. The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has renewed their partnership to back youths when committed to the 2019 Milo schools’ Under-18 football tournament through the theme, “Stop Gender Based Violence.” The partnership was announced yesterday during a simple
ceremony at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground where representatives from the 24 participating teams were handed match balls for the tournament which kicks off next week Saturday at the same venue. Present at the press brief were Co-Director of the Petra
Organisation, Troy Mendonca, along with Public Relations Officer of the MOPH, Terrence Esseboom who lectured the student-athletes on the serious issue of gender based violence while encouraging them to be tolerant. On behalf of Petra Organisation, Mendonca thanked
the MOPH representative for his body’s continued support of the tournament which helps promote a healthy lifestyle amongst the participants. The 24 secondary schools are: Bishop’s High, Canje, Tucville, Carmel, Golden Grove, Mary’s High, East Ruimveldt Multilateral,
Lodge, Charlestown, Vergenoegen, Kingston, East Ruimveldt, Queen’s College, Ann’s Grove, President’s College, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, South Ruimveldt, St. John’s College, Annandale, Christianburg Wi s m a r, U i t v l u g t , M a r i a n Academy, Friendship and Tutorial High.
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Friday February 01, 2019
Churek Transport & Tours supports RFA Team to Cup of Water Falls tourney in Brazil - Face Figueiredense in first match today
The RFA Under-17 in red and gray and the Central XI following their fund raising clash on Tuesday night at the Wadapna Centre Ground. The Rupununi Football Association (RFA) is extending thanks to the Management of Churek Transport and Tours for their assistance in ensuring that the team made the trip to Brazil to contest the Cup of Water Falls in Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil. The RFA Under-17 side will play their first match of the championship which also has U-13 and 15 teams competing today against Figueiredense which is the feature and ninth match of the day. President of the RFA Ryan Farias said that
he is expecting the 18-man team which left Guyana on Wednesday last, to give a very good account given the fact that they have been encamped for two weeks under Head Coach Ken Grant. Prior to leaving, the RFA had organised a fund raising double header which saw the RFA U-17s defeating Central X1 4-1. The female clash between Gladiators and Far East United ended 0-0. Farias is also expressing the association’s gratitude to Cindy’s Bus Service for their donation of uniforms for the tour.
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition
Showdown for places in KO Round continues tonight The fight for places in the knockout round of this year’s West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition will continue this evening with eight more matches, at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac. Already defending champs Showstoppers, ESPN, Jetty and Bagotstown, who remained unbeaten after two rounds are assured of their spots in the knockout stages and who will join them in the next phase will be known after tonight’s action which Complete Fixtures for tonight Brothers’ United vs Up-Top Bosses vs Phoenix Ballers vs Young Ballers vs Agricola vs ESPN vs Rising Stars vs Showstoppers vs
promises to provide fans with more sizzling encounters. The competition which has been well supported to date and this trend is expected to continue as fans from the respective communities come out to offer vocal support for their teams. Over $1.1million in total prize monies are up for grabs with the winners set to receive $500,000, runner-up $250, 000, while third and fourth place finishers will take home $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.
Dream Team Up-Like-7 West Side Ballers Ballers Empire Bagotstown Warriors Genna Jetty Boom-Bang
19:00hrs 19:30hrs 20:00hrs 20:30hrs 21:00hrs 21:30hrs 22:00hrs 22:30hrs
Annual Prabudial Ramdial Memorial Golf Tournament Tees off tomorrow
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RFA Treasurer Ms. Debra Allicock receives the contribution from Owner of Churek Transport and Tours, Mr. Suresh Rambharat.
he usually exciting annual Pradbudial Ramdial golf Tourney will be held tomorrow teeing-off at 12:30hrs. Vish Trading Inc., Guyana’s largest Machinery Trader of Area ‘D’ Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, has been an annual sponsor of tournaments at the Lusignan Golf Club since 2016 and is usually one of the first tournaments of the year. Vish Ramdial, Managing Director of Vish Trading Inc., expressed his willingness to continue support of the Lusignan Golf Club
in honour of his father, the late Prabudial Ramdial, whom the son remembers as a very great positive man and whom the Lusignan Golf Club knew as a passionate golfer. Up for grabs this weekend would be first and second place prizes in each Flight, Best Gross and Nearest to The Pin prizes. This Open Medal Play tournament will be contested using the Flights Format. The public is invited to view the tournament free of charge, and to enjoy the ambience of the Lusignan Golf Course. The tournament tends to last between 4 to 5 hours.
Kaieteur News
Friday February 01, 2019
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Insurance Brokers joins list of sponsors for Magnum Mash Cup - Kicks off set for tomorrow at Gymnasium
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hirty-two of the top futsal teams will commence the quest for top honours in the second edition of the Magnum Mash Cup which opens tomorrow night with ten games, at the National Gymnasium, starting from 19:00hrs. Among the marquee
teams scheduled to appear are Sparta Boss, who faces Mocha, while another tournament favourite Leopold Street opposes Ansa McAl. Some of the other teams on show are Linden’s Swag Entertainment and Quiet Storm, Georgetown’s Broad Street, Future Stars, Back Circle and Ol Skool Ballers,
while East Coast’s Buxton Diamond and East Bank’s Agricola are also scheduled to play tonight. The competition will be played over nine (9) days and promises enthralling action for the fans with most of the country’s top futsal teams already confirming their participation in the year’s opening tournament which
Marshall boost for FIBA Americas qualifiers Guyana’s senior men’s basketball team’s chances of qualifying for the FIBA Americas 2021 tournament recently got a major boost after former NBA player, Rawle Marshall, signaled his availability to contest this month’s qualifiers which will be played in Colombia. During his NBA career, Marshall enjoyed stints with Dallas Mavericks (2005-06) and Indiana Pacers (200607). He then moved to Europe where he played with the Serbian club KK Hemofam during the 2007–08 season averaging 17.3 points per game. He then moved to the Croatian league club KK Cibona for the 2008–09 season. The last club the Guyanese signed for was the Greek league team, Koroivos Amaliadas in 2014. In an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, newly elected head of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Michael Singh, shared that, “Having a player with Marshall’s experience and ability is a great opportunity for us as we embark on the biggest moment of Guyana’s basketball history.” Guyana have been placed in Pool B of the qualifiers that runs from
Micheal Singh
GABF still sourcing $10million in funding February 20th to 24th alongside the hosts Colombia, Paraguay and Bolivia, with the top two teams of the group advancing to the 2021 FIBA Americas tournament that will see world number one, USA, participating in the biennial event. Singh revealed during the interview that the budget to travel to Colombia has been pegged at $10million. Almost half of the budget will account for travel for the costly trip to the Colombian city of Bogota which will host the qualifiers. Singh, a former Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) executive further
Rawle Marshall
posited that the team may be in danger of not reaching the qualifiers if they are not majorly funded, “But once the Government of Guyana and or ExxonMobil comes through, we will be okay. We Have also approached the Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes along with other bodies of the cooperate community and the Executive Committee is willing to foot out of pocket any affordable shortcomings of the budget’s target.” Guyana qualified for the FIBA Americas qualifiers after winning the nation’s maiden Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Men’s championship last June in Suriname.
carries prize monies in excess of $1.2 million along with trophies. The winning team will receive $600,000 + Trophy, runner-up $300,000 + Tr o p h y, t h i r d p l a c e $200,000 + Trophy and fourth place $100,000. The other playing dates are: February 5, 9, 13, 16, 19, 21, 24 and March 3 when the final will be played.Teams can uplift registration forms from the Key Shop on Carmichael Street next door to Oasis Café or contact Esan Griffith on 644 1416. Meanwhile, Insurance Brokers joined the growing list of sponsors to offer support for second edition of the Magnum Mash Cup which kicks off tomorrow night, at the National Gymnasium. During a simple ceremony that was conducted at the entity’s location on Carmichael Street recently, Representative Lomell
Insurance Brokers representative Lomell Johnson (right) hands over the cheque for an undisclosed sum to Organising Committee Member, Esan Griffith. Johnson handed over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Organising Committee member Esan Griffith, who in response expressed his appreciation for their continued support for sports.Griffith pointed to last year’s assistance and the goodwill extended to other promotional groups as irrefutable proof of the entity’s passion for sports development and its belief to honour its corporate responsibility. Johnson in his remarks pledged future assistance to the promoter and wished that the tournament enjoys
the necessary success and achieve its intended goal. Among the other entities on board are the National Sports Commission, Trophy Stall and Nigel Hinds.The fixtures for tomorrow night are as follows: North East La Penitence vs Good-Life; Alexander Village vs Buxton Diamond; North Ruimveldt vs Gaza Squad; Broad Street vs Island All-Stars; Showstoppers vs Ol Skool Ballers; Leopold Street vs Ansa McAl; Agricola vs Albouystown; Future Stars vs Hustlers; Sparta Boss vs Mocha.
t r o Sp The Furious 4 took care of business! Roach 4-30, Gabriel 3-45, Joseph 2-38, Holder 1-43.
Openers hold firm after Roach, Gabriel rout England Windies Women notch winning return in Pakistan
West Indies Championship 2018-2019 Imran Khan is bowled by Kemo Paul (right) at the Oval yesterday.
Anisa Mohammed (left) played her 100th T20 International. At right is Deandra Dottin, Player of the match.
New Coach, same results as Red Force routed for 108; Paul’s 66 rally Jaguars to 150 all out
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