K
Driver gets NEWS three bullets fighting off hijacker AIETEUR
Friday Edition January 05, 2021 -Vol. 23 No. 06
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Price $80
Online readership yesterday, 80,622
Guyana should be
partner on all oil projects to keep
watch on costs Nandlall cites ‘doctrine of necessity’ in Patterson budget challenge case
- Suriname’s oil boss
Bandit nabbed after robbing Brazilian businessman
Neighbour saves Traffic congestion and crime prompted road-clearing man who was ambushed & stabbed exercise at Vreed-en-Hoop
Inspection being done to determine whether gas compressor seal need replacing -EPA Our leaders gave away your children’s future worth US$ BILLIONS in Oil Blocks. Hear about it @11:00AM today on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM.
Kaieteur News
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Businessman’s son charged with assaulting customer with beer bottles A businessman’s son made his first court appearance in the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court, on January 25, 2021, after he was charged for allegedly assaulting one of his father’s customers. The defendant, Fernando Hendricks, 22, of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman. He denied the charge which stated that on January 13, 2021, at Bush 24 Hours Shop located between 18th and 19th Streets, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm, he wounded Junior Martin, 42, a vendor of Diamond, East Bank Demerara. According to the facts of the charge, the defendant is in the habit of allegedly using marijuana and other illegal drugs. Martin and Hendricks are known to each other, since Martin was a regular customer at the shop. On the day in question, the defendant’s father called Martin and asked him to visit the shop. When Martin arrived he began complaining to the businessman about his son’s alleged drug use.Fernando overheard the conversation and armed himself with a number of beer bottles which he used to assault Martin. Martin received a cut to his face and right arm.Public spirited persons rushed to Martin’s aid and he was taken to the Diamond Police Station to make a report and then to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was examined by a doctor, treated and later discharged. Fernando Hendricks was later arrested and charged. On the first hearing of the matter, Principal Magistrate Latchman granted Fernando Hendricks bail in the sum of $30,000, and he is expected to make his next court appearance on February 11, 2021.
Injured Martin.
Friday February 05, 2021
Case of Construction worker shot dead for motorcycle…
Major breakthrough as cops nab second suspect, secure confession, recover stolen bike Detectives, on Wednesday made a major breakthrough in the murder case of Peter Gonsalves, 60, a construction worker, who was shot dead by two bandits for his black and white motorcycle on December 7, 2020. Gonsalves, a resident of Pere Street, Kitty, was riddled with bullets around 21:30 hrs. in front of Red Bar located on Garnett Street, Kitty. The first suspect in his murder, Kacey Heyliger, 28, of Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown was arrested days later. Following advice from the Department of Public Prosecutor (DPP), Heyliger was later charged and remanded for the heinous crime. Ye s t e r d a y, s o u r c e s relayed to this media house that around 17:35 hrs. on We d n e s d a y, c o p s successfully arrested the second suspect wanted for the murder. Sources revealed too that about an hour after the arrest, a confession was obtained from the suspect – who hails from ‘D’ Field, South Sophia, Georgetown – telling investigators that he was the one who shot Gonsalves to death and rode
Shot dead for his motorcycle, Peter Gonsalves.
First suspect charged with Gonsalves’ murder, Kacey Heyliger.
off with his XR Honda motorcycle. He even took detectives yesterday to a location in Kuru Kuru on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, where the stolen bike was recovered. The suspect told cops that in the early evening hours of December 7, he had received a call from his a c c o m p l i c e , H e y l i g e r, informing him that he was coming over to his house to meet him. He further told detectives that the reason for the meeting was that Heyliger said that he had to get an XR bike. The suspect continued that his accomplice later arrived on a motorcycle and
told him that they needed to go and make some spins to rob someone of an XR bike. The suspect then joined the motorcycle as the pillion rider and was handed a gun by Heyliger, who further instructed him to shoot if anyone tries to resist them. The men then made several trips around Sophia, before heading to Kitty, where they zeroed in on their victim (Gonsalves). He detailed that they saw him riding with a pillion rider on an XR motorcycle in the vicinity of “Cheez Please” on David Street. They began trailing him until he arrived on Garnett Street and stopped in front of Red Bar. Seeing this, the suspect told police that they rode up beside Gonsalves, following which he hopped off the motorcycle and grabbed the contractor, who was still on his bike at the time. He then pulled out a handgun and shot Gonsalves. The suspect claimed that as he was about to escape with the bike, the pillion rider held on to him and he fired another round at the injured man. He then picked up the stolen bike and rode towards his home in Sophia. Later that evening, Heyliger turned up at his (Continued on page 14)
Kaieteur News
Friday February 05, 2021
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Guyana should be partner on all oil projects to keep watch on costs By Kiana Wilburg Considering the significant benefits Suriname has reaped from choosing to be a partner on all producing projects in its offshore basin, Managing Director of Staatsolie, Suriname’s national oil and gas company, Mr. Rudolf Elias, is of the firm conviction that Guyana should give due consideration to adopting a similar approach. The official made this and other disclosures during an exclusive interview on Kaieteur Radio’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You. Elias was asked to provide some insight into the Surinamese experience in being a partner with oil companies that are interested in developing discoveries. He was quick to note that the benefits, particularly as it relates to monitoring costs to be incurred, provide a strong case for countries to have a
seat at the table. During the virtual interview, Elias said, “It is critical to have a seat at the table because you get to have someone who is part of the project team and who will know firsthand what are the costs…and we know there is a transparent process they will go through because we are at the table. They can’t inflate because we are there to see it and that is why I say Staatsolie should always have a seat at the table, because we want to know the costs of the different projects because it is the basis for the inflow the government will have.”Elias said that this very reasoning underscores the need to have a National Oil Company (NOC) with knowledgeable individuals who can be a partner of choice for “the ExxonMobils, the Totals and the Tullows of the industry.” He added, “The NOC is critical so you can partner with them and talk with them
- Suriname’s Oil Boss on equal terms and if they want to do ‘A’ you can challenge them. Why do you want to do A? Why not B? We can look out for our own interest to ensure the people of Suriname prosper; the people who should get the most out of it are the people of Suriname.” Considering these and other benefits, the Managing Director shared that Guyana would be wise to establish a national oil company that will be a partner of the people and be part of the oil projects offshore. Should the government move in this direction, he advocated the need for proper capacity building. He said this cannot be done in Government Ministries and Institutions alone. The Managing Director stressed that the capacity to
Inspection being done to determine whether gas compressor seal needs replacement – EPA
D
irector of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sharifah Razack, recently revealed to Kaieteur News that an inspection is being done on the internal mechanical seal on the Flash Gas Compressor (Stage 3), with aims of determining whether the defective seal needs to be reseated or replaced. This news comes on the heels of ExxonMobil’s increased flaring from pilot levels at their Liza Destiny operations due to the defective seal. When this publication spoke to Razack, she, at the time, did not reveal when the inspection had commenced and when it was scheduled for completion, but only that the examination was being conducted onboard the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. The Director had also weighed in that in the event of the seal needing replacement, backup equipment is already in Guyana. Previously, Kaieteur News had reached out to Razack to ascertain what steps the EPA would be
putting in place to ensure that design flaw in the Liza Destiny Environmental Permit, as relates to defective equipment, is not present in the Liza Two and Payara developments. To this the Director had indicated, “To avoid excess flaring by future offshore oil production projects, the EPA will require that critical
cubic feet at December 31, 2020 and January 28, 2021 respectively. Calculations show that between the months of December 31 and January 28, Exxon flared 67 million cubic feet of natural gas, thereby translating to 2.3 million cubic feet of natural gas being burned each day. However, this was the period
spare parts stocks are maintained in-country by [Exxon’s subsidiary] Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and will also require that repair capabilities is sourced closer to Guyana.” As it relates to the recently reported amount of gas flared by Exxon, Razack had also previously shared that the total volume of gas flared since operations commenced was 12.454 billion standard cubic feet and 12.521billion standard
when Exxon was conducting just pilot flaring at their operations. This type of flaring is an industry standard and acts as a safety mechanism in the event of a failure in the reinjection of the natural gas. Exxon – which touts its effective management of waste – announced on January 29 that it had increased their flaring from these pilot levels. It is unclear how much gas the company had flared from the (Continued on page 19)
address commercial aspects of the oil industry must not be overlooked. Elias said, “The basis of dealing with the oil companies should always be commercial because at the end of the day, we must ensure that we get as much money as practically possible for the people; and the government should have policies guiding spending.” He concluded, “Guyana should start building knowledge for a NOC because when you start building capacity you make better deals with the international oil companies and you are able to better understand what they are doing.”
Managing Director of Staatsolie, Rudolf Elias.
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Friday February 05, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Tel:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Ed Cowan on race in Australia We could and should take a page out of the wide-open and unflattering book of former Australian cricket opener, Ed Cowan. He did not pull on any punches in a frank, if not harsh, admission of the way things are with race in Australia. He did not dodge, he did not pretend, he did not hide his head in the Outback in a vain wait for the issue to fade away, only to bounce back again more injuriously and embarrassingly on the next occasion. As Guyanese, we could learn a thing or two from Mr. Cowan, about the brutal honesty needed to face our own unaddressed racial problems. We have been pretending and hiding, behind what is flimsy and riddled with so many holes that even a blind person could see that we have a serious problem on our hands, where almost every issue, every development, every conclusion takes on a sharp racial tinge. In fact, it is more than a tinge, for what we have is a broad and deep strain that poisons our interactions and our outlook on life in Guyana. When our eyes see only colour, and enough of it to make our minds rush to those places that only darken existence in this country, then we succeed again and again, in dragging all of us down. But this is what the former Australian cricket, Ed Cowan, was brave enough not to do, when he called things in cricket, sports in general, and Australian society at large for the way they really are. From an online entity named SportCafe, there was this article titled, “Australia is a racist nation, where racism is a massive issue, believes Ed Cowan” that was a noholds barred commentary on the way things are in that country. This came on the heels of the racial abuse meted out to Indian cricket players on Day 3 during the Third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and as reported by Mohamed Siraj. It was what a subsequent investigation by Cricket Australia confirmed, even as it cleared of wrongdoing, six spectators, who were thought to be involved. For his part, Ed Cowan was blunt and unyielding: “We have an issue with Australia full stop; we are a very racist nation.” Not satisfied with that, he continued with more of the scorching, “We can hold up the mirror and pretend we are not.” And, “…all you need to do is walk down the street. Casual or otherwise, racism is a massive issue in Australia, and we need to fix it.” And, “it is a reflection of the society we live in, and it is not good enough.” That is refreshingly candid, as discomforting, as it must be to many in society Down Under. This is what we here in Guyana need to make a start in admitting that we have a raging demon in the midst, and make a start at seriously wanting to do something about it. Such as that, it is not acceptable, that it will not be welcomed nor tolerated. And, that it will not be given the space to operate and flourish, which is what has occurred here all along. It happens when we play these shallow defensive games, where a great many Guyanese from both sides of the wide divide bury their heads in the sand, and pretend that we don’t have a racial problem; or that what we have does not arise to the degree of seriousness that is associated with what is thought by some to be a national problem. When we engage in either of those self-serving and self-protective denials, all that we succeed in doing is covering over the problem, and giving it time and energy to fester into a still bigger monstrosity. This is precisely where we are as a society in the aftermath of our brutally bruising elections of last year. The rifts have never been so wide, so ugly, and so oozing with the pus of ethnic hatreds. There are all these beliefs harboured deeply by both sides, from learned, sensible, and spiritual people that they have been cheated and victimized; or that they were intended to be robbed again of the victory due them by elections skullduggeries. Those passions simmer and take wing, as is obvious from the deep chill that characterizes the relationship between the two major ethnicities of Guyana. Instead of digging deep for the strength to confront and conquer, there is satisfaction with leaving things alone, and merely getting by as we have always done, with our racial baggage unopened and untouched. We are too frightened as to where the underlying truths could lead. So, we content ourselves with maintaining the imbalanced and unworkable racial status quo that pleases approximately one half and disgust the other segment. It is recipe for tragedy.
I do hope that the whip will be cracked, if circumstances necessitate DEAR EDITOR, On Thursday, both SN and KN carried decentsized articles of the visit by the Hon. Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand to the University of Guyana to have her say on the state of works projects and contractors’ performance. She had a sharp mouthful to share, which I endorse fully. The minister was unhappy with the state of three projects; so are many Guyanese on many other costly, time-sensitive projects, including yours truly. All three of the UG projects are behind schedule. There was some reference to rain and materials. If I remember well, this place was scorching hot for much of last year, with the rains inundating only after around midNovember and since; and there has to be forward planning (materials requirements) for projects of this size. Neither of those lame excuses hold water. They lead to fast money (advances) and slow delivery (delays and
excuses), which have plagued and hampered us in different ways. They continue through costly overruns. They persist in one project after another, through lost time; our contractors and citizens operate by their own clock and in their own time zone. But time is money, which means that lost time must be made up later by somebody, and the bill for that extra time has to be honoured by the Guyanese taxpayer. I am with Minister Manickchand, who followed in the footsteps of her political brethren, and spiritual comrade, Bishop Juan Edghill of Public Works, who made the rounds with one verbal firestorm after another relative to the dilatory and defaulting Chinese contractors still to make good on that expansion project at the CJIA. It just can’t get done by any government. Editor, these crooked nonperforming contractors, whether local or foreign, must be taught a lesson. Minister Edghill unleashed some turbulence for a time, but has
since gone quiet, eerily so. A progress report from Minister Edghill would enlighten as to where things stand today; and if any hard actions have been taken for failure to deliver. This must be done, if only for deterrent purposes. Along the same lines, I am delighted that the Education Minister has raised (threatened) the spectre of contract termination. But, like I submitted through another medium, matters must not end there, if such is the place where the project concludes. We have to do more. Nonperforming contractors must be made to return some of the funds advanced. Think of this: the unfinished job has to be continued and completed by some other contractor, and his total charges are not going to be so convenient as to align smoothly with the residual (unpaid) amount of the original contract. It is highly likely that the price to get the project done is going to cost more than the first, incomplete project. The defaulter has to be held accountable and
responsible for that difference. Now this brings me to a nasty place, but one that is an integral part of contract awards, political plums, and party gratitude. It is the spoils system that rewards those who were there, with resources, with cash, with moral support. I speak of elections and campaign trails and campaign financing, and the whole works. I don’t care which political party is in government, the people who have been good to it stands to be most favourably and tenderly treated. In the f o r m e r, t h e y g e t t h e projects; through the latter they are coddled and condoned. I would trust that the two Honourable Ministers (Edghill and Manickchand) are not engaging in strong talk for the public record. I do hope that they are serious and that the whip will be cracked, if circumstances necessitate. Get this thing done on time or get out of here. Last, it would be helpful to know how these delayed (Continued on page 5)
Fingers can be pointed in all directions DEAR EDITOR, Irfaan Ali’s presidency, so far, has been identified with a call for Unity and the Cleansing of GECOM, among other things. There are those who have joined in this call including one commissioner, who took to social media on the occasion of the anniversary of his swearingin. These calls may however ring hollow and duplicitous in the absence of any real initiative to bring them to fruition and worse yet in the face of actions that betray the sincerity of the calls. It may well be ‘same old same’ politics that has affected Guyana over the years. The call for unity is, in itself, an admission of the absence of Unity, or its fragility. Such a call must therefore be followed by the identification of the reason(s) for disunity; and the road map for arriving at a solution. The President has tangentially referred to the ‘racial problem’. He may therefore be essaying a view on the reason for disunity. He has however failed to accept that Guyana is not just diverse in its composition, since its historical evolution has engendered racial antagonisms and even hatred as is evident in our social media exchanges, just to mention a glaring example. From my perspective, as an African Guyanese, it is my
firm conviction that the enslavement of Africans along with the post-slavery institutionalisation of their subjugation, in Guyana, has left them economically disadvantaged and psychologically scared. This is no platform from which they can be expected to answer the clarion call for Unity. Unification under those conditions will simply perpetuate their state of subjugation. If the President is serious about Unity, he has to endeavour to identify the state of all racial groups in Guyana vis-à-vis their socioeconomic well-being and psychological state and find ways and means to reverse and/or facilitate the reversal of the ills which have afflicted each group. That may well be the platform for building Unity. No talk about building infrastructure and wealth
creation will take Guyana anywhere if the historical negative biases which have been individualized and institutionalized are not addressed, albeit a few may benefit from retaining, and building on, the status quo. The issues affecting GECOM may well require a similar objective and dispassionate approach, lest we point fingers in perpetuity, as Guyana sinks. For one commissioner to accuse another of being complicit can only foster antagonisms, not solutions. Fingers can be pointed in all directions. Whilst the President and his ilk finger the personnel at GECOM, as the problem, there are those who finger the corrupted list, as the problem. Not to mention that the personnel were not seen as the problem when, in 2006 and 2011, they manufactured
fraudulent results, an accusation, the veracity of which has never been contested. It may also be argued that the selfproclaimed ‘virtuous’ are those who turned a blind eye to the irrefutable evidence of the dead and absent for whom votes were cast, in 2015. In fact, they also championed the bloated list, which became the instrument that facilitated the voting of the malfeasants, in 2020, for the dead and absent. Any sincere approach to dealing with GECOM has to be a ground zero approach where there is neither the pretense of piety nor virtue. The fixing of GECOM cannot be driven by interest, in that manner GECOM will not be fixed and Rome will burn while we fiddle. Yours truly, Vincent Alexander
Why are businesses that pose COVID-19 threat not closed? DEAR EDITOR, I think it is important to bring to the attention of the public that there are businesses in Georgetown, where staff and other people involved in the business are COVID positive and the businesses are still operating. I am a customer of one of these establishments and the
owner I have now found out is in the COVID hospital. This person was there up to three days ago working, touching money and socialising. This business remains open up to today. I believe the members of the public should be warned that COVID is spreading. I am very upset that the government, knowing
this person is infected and was operating this business did not shut them down immediately! I am sure this is happening in other businesses as well and I believe the public needs to be made aware of these high risk places. Many thanks. Bryce Morin
Friday February 05, 2021
Compromising objectivity to praise Govt.? DEAR EDITOR, Dr. Vishnu Bisram is a prolific writer, penning countless commentaries or reports on virtually every issue imaginable. He is well respected for his competence and professionalism and for his courage to address issues that few dared. He is also widely recognized as a patriot and a champion of democracy, fearlessly combating the attempted electoral fraud of 2020. But is he going overboard in praising the performance of the government, the President, and Ministers? Why isn’t he praising or joining those who are championing Guyana’s oil interests to obtain a fairer share of royalties and profit sharing? Why hasn’t he commented on the gas to shore project for Wales? A recent letter praised
President Ali for an interview on Globe Span – where the President gave an ordinary, routine, run of the mill response to standard questions, nothing extraordinary. The President evaded the intent of the question on the Exxon contract, but making clear he would not renegotiate the contract or development plans. Is Dr. Bisram comfortable with that government position? Was Dr. Bisram trying to brownnose Mr. Ali? Dr. Bisram is also on record as consistently praising the leadership of Vice President Jagdeo. Mr. Jagdeo’s position on an earlier Glenn Lall show was the same as Mr. Irfaan Ali’s. Is Mr. Jagdeo the one behind the throne? At times, Dr. Bisram comes across as a defender of government policy. If he is seeking employment with or favours from the government,
he does not need to praise the government. He has earned his stripes from his activism and professional achievements. He needs be reminded that no matter how well he defends or praises the government or his skill and or competence, he will not be trusted by the PPP leadership. Do this government and its previous incarnation value professionalism, competence, integrity, and honesty? Skilled, proficient, qualified individuals have been denied jobs simply because of their independence; they can’t be controlled by the top two. Just look around at some of the (questionable) characters who have been appointed by Vice President Jagdeo and President Irfaan at various boards, government agencies, and Ministries! What conclusions can be drawn? Several appointees (Continued on page 6)
Project managers and modern urban planners DEAR EDITOR, It’s heartening to see the continuing overhaul; for lack of a better word, of the country. It is also interesting to note Ministers onsite visits to contractors to plead with them to stay on schedule, if they seem to be backsliding. Which brings me to the need to have dedicated Project Managers for the slew of projects coming down the pipeline. We hope they are individuals in place whose main responsibility is to ensure that all action items on project plans; from A-Z are on track. The recent articles of so many abandoned and unfinished projects were
preventable. Next, is the need for modern urban planners with emphasis on a “Green Environment”. As more private investors come with plans for food courts/dining/ restaurant, and sedentary lifestyles; I believe we need to broaden our outlook to developing more green spots outside of the main metropolis areas for Walking/Bicycles Trails and other outdoor activities for a healthier more active lifestyle. Even now, and for decades; the most favourite jaunts in the Caribbean have been places like Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua and Aruba, since they have more
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of the key attraction spots (e.g.: the Aqua-Green, Clear Blue Diving waters). Anticipate a boom in weekend jaunts to these countries by investors shortly, as their lifestyles after work, are preferably athletic activities outdoors in creative open spaces. Granted the heat is brutal; indoor gyms can only do so much, and our soil is rich and landscape is green and lush enough for development for a more active lifestyleoutside. Chi Kansi
I empathise with all the victims of COVID-19 DEAR EDITORS, It is public knowledge that I have been sick with COVID-19 and recovering in New York. I do not know how and where I caught this dreaded disease but can assure one and all I followed all protocols. I am eternally grateful to the staff of New York Presbyterian Hospital who took care of me. I am especially thankful to Don Bissessar and Ms. Kamini two Guyanese staffers who went the extra mile. They were the bridge to my family who could not visit me. While lying in bed for 16 days pondering and being grateful to the almighty I kept myself occupied with following the news in my Guyana. This morning I looked at the sitting of Parliament and the statements made by the speaker Hon. Manzoor Nadir. I was taken aback by the personal attack and awful wishes made against the speaker. I am aware that robust debate, and public relations statements are par for the course. When I served the National Assembly I had my share of such approaches. But there were always elders in parliament and out of parliament to counsel when any of us stepped out of line. Opposition leader Hon. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Haslyn Paris, Winston Murray, Robert Corbin, Yvonne
Yearwood Benn, amongst others, were sobering heads. What we never did was to personally attack a political opponent’s health. What was reported by the Hon. Speaker was an attack on his health he being a victim of COVID. My muscles are sore, lungs weak, 10 feet walk to washroom is like climbing the Kanuku Mountains. I empathise with all the victims of COVID, their loved ones, friends and family. Unless you experience this COVID and have gone through what I did you would never be able to have a sympathetic heart and mind. Were it not for social media platform, I would have had a serious mental
breakdown. My appeal, begging to one and all; please respect victims even if you don’t agree with them politically. I hope the leadership of the PNC/R apologizes to Mr. Nadir as that apology is for all victims. Even if there is no apology forth coming I ask that Mr. Nadir forgive MP Duncan. I know that in every human being there is basic goodness so as we continue to fight COVID please one and all put aside your differences on this matter and let’s row our boat in the same direction. God bless to all! Jerome Khan
...I do hope that the whip From page 4 and troublesome projects finalize: the timing, the total cost, and the engineer(s) who provided certification. In that way, the Hon. Attorney General could be wellequipped to take matters from there, should the projects fall
apart and collapse, for then he would know who to go after to recover extra expenses or, better yet, get them jailed for a long time, and banned from future state projects. Sincerely, GHK Lall
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The public needs the President to explain DEAR EDITOR, The PPP/C Party on being sworn into government last August, stressed the importance of transparency and, legally elected President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, impressed the nation and the international community with a commitment to work for the people and by the people in the interest of the nation. One of his goals is to eradicate corruption and plug all loopholes created by the previous administration. In this process, he intends to undo the discriminatory practices and replace them with impartiality. Fairness and equal treatment was a missing link from the APNU+AFC Party government. As per the Transparency International 2020 Corruption Index Report, Guyana placed 83rd on a list of 180 countries, scoring 41 points out of 100. It gained one point over the previous year, thanks to the PPP/C government replacing the polluted Granger government in the latter part of 2020 and putting a stop to them raping the treasury and their wholesale misappropriations. There has been tremendous abuse in the systems deployed by the previous government and only now, audited reports are revealing the miscreants and the horrific findings. The Granger government has enjoyed mismanaging the economy, misspending funds, wasting taxpayers’ money and taking advantage of all avenues for personal gains. The PPP/C Party came into government legitimately, according to the will of the people, much to the relief of the nation and the world at large, and with the promise of much hope and faith. It has been six trying and testing months now, still young and with a youthful team of officers. It is still a learning experience for many who are subject to a different level of exposure and will make mistakes and errors in this process. It is for the experienced players to limit this mishap
Friday February 05, 2021
Kaieteur News
and oversee their decisions. Unfortunately, the PPP/C government cannot afford errors and faults and will be examined with heavy scrutiny and through the eyes of meticulous criticism. There have been pros and cons, the upside and downside, much accolades and condemnations. Luckily, one of the highlights remains the continuous reaching out to communities by all the ministries and their personal visits to far-reaching areas to discuss the people’s problems and complaints. This is not only commendable but encouraging and necessitates the overwhelming presence of that personal touch to care and share with all levels of the public. The past government was plagued with the abomination of APNU+AFC domination of state machinery and control of the state media. This was conveniently used and abused for party, personal and political propaganda purposes. They were also plagued with the censoring of equal, fair and honest dissemination of information and the press victimisation. Their dictated attitude seldom afforded open interaction with all the newspapers, radios and TV stations. Freedom of speech is guaranteed in the constitution and the troubled past is an undesirable avenue this government can afford to replicate. President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently held his first press conference of the year and apparently, it was not an all-inclusive invitation. Rather, it was an exclusive engagement for the state and the private news agency, excluding many leading media houses. Regardless of the agenda, this is a poor reflection of choice and exposes prejudice and jamoon picking from the government. For the past two years, most of the overlooked and uninvited media houses, championed the PPP/C’s cause and helped to expose the malfeasance of the
APNU+AFC government, especially during the election period. Newspapers must be allowed to express their opinions within the confines of the law and to report their facts as per their findings. For this government to do otherwise, then, this nation will be following dictatorial autocracy and stifling the consciousness of the meaning of freedom once again. Being the first press conference, the nostalgia of exuberance and pomp should have provided an ambience for great hope and expectation. One would have envisaged the special care and attention would have been paid for inclusivity rather than separation and favouritism. The number restriction for the observation of the pandemic protocols cannot be used as an excuse, nor the excuse of oversight, in particular when the Guyana Press Association was invited to address the elite gathering. It is rather unfortunate also that so far, there has been no mention by any of the press releases, quoting the GPA’s condemnation of this mishap. Did she condone this action or perhaps, didn’t think much of it to make a comment? Hopefully, the GPA will remain an agency worthy of its true purpose and be truly representative of free speech. The President needs to provide a valid explanation to the nation, not to appease the papers but to satisfy the nation with an acceptable interpretation to this omission or judgment. This type of adversity or blunder speaks ill of a government who is determined to promote transparency and remain in the limelight of truth and honesty. The honourable President is already asking for the support of the public for a second term. The year 2024 is much closer than what four years may literally seem to be! The public wishes not to be disappointed and awaits a much needed answer. Respectfully, Jai Lall
Who is to bell the cat? DEAR EDITOR, Once again, our beloved nation state is being distracted by a level of folly and unnecessary energy being spent on things like gifts and the strange behaviour. So long as our leaders on both sides of the political divide continue behaving like truculent urchins, the victims of this folly will be this and succeeding generations. For brevity, I comment on two issues, one, gifts to high ranking officials and two, the oil and gas situation. Some years ago, we posed a code of conduct that should be strictly applied to all senior functionaries, departmental heads, ministers, etc. This code should be precise, avoiding ambiguity. Such document should be available to the public at large and therefore, there should be no debate about gifts, etc. The code should go beyond the words, repeated when Members of Parliament and Ministers of Government swear to when taking their oath of office, but once an official violates, he or she should be told by the people, regardless of political association, that he or she must leave office without any fuss or delay. But my second and by far more important
issue is oil and gas. Here, even non-experts reading journals, reviews and comments would arrive at a conclusion that Guyana is being given a raw deal. This and the previous administration seem willing to settle for little as against demanding plenty for the people of Guyana. The puerile behaviour by our political groupings of spending money on PR Firms, all intended to besmirch the character of the ‘other’ people, is fruitless and foolish. Earlier, I stood by a position, that on oil and more generally, in dealing with these huge conglomerates, which ever government is in office, they should consult and discuss the matter, so that when we transact business with these giant oil companies that seek to harvest our precious nonrenewable resources, that the companies should recognize the government, opposition and civil society are ad diemillum. In other words, the people of Guyana will speak with one voice, one demand, so that the conglomerates ought not to benefit from that curse, which afflicted our slave and indentured ancestors should be gotten rid of – that is the well-practiced policy of divide
and rule. In the name of my noble ancestors, in the name of my contemporaries, in the name of young Guyana, in the name of our descendants, not yet born, I plead, I beg that our leaders shed their pomposity and false pride and sit down over a table of mauby and buns and talk things out, so that whenever we speak to the foreign companies about extracting our minerals and other nonrenewable resources that they know that the government, opposition and civil society are at one. The problem, has always been, who is to bell the cat? Perhaps a council of elders, a representative of our youth with expert advice should be given the responsibility to bring the warring factions together for a civilized dialogue. History has shown that if we don’t act now, not tomorrow, today, we will keep shooting ourselves in the foot. And our children and children’s children will stamp on our graves for losing a golden opportunity that beckons. I am tired of hearing from early childhood, of our great potential. Regards Hamilton Green
Covax, Guyana and COVID DEAR EDITOR, I am a bit relieved that the Covax facility has indicated an initial amount of 104,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This will start the drive in Guyana with frontline workers and the elderly. The vaccine from China, I am a bit sceptical but research done in countries around the world suggests it’s safe and effective though not as high compared to western made vaccines. In the news today, I saw Barbados being
promised by India 100,000 doses of the Covishield. Prime Minister Mia Mottley wasted no time and wrote to the Indian government and that letter bore fruit today. We could have also gotten a direct allotment from India outside of the grant promised to CARICOM by India but our leaders did not act swift as Barbados did. In this pandemic every nation is doing its utmost to bring security to its population. Vaccinations alone will not end this
pandemic at least for this year. The government must be more rigorous in its attempt to obtain vaccine for at least 70% of our population. We must use every means at our disposal to obtain these live saving treatments. In addition to these vaccines, the government must take steps to ensure people wear their mask and adhere to social distancing. The rules could be there but if they are not being enforced then it’s just a waste of time. B. John
...Compromising objectivity to praise From page 5 had soiled reputation in the previous PPP administration! Some were before the courts facing questions of probity! The private sector would not even think of hiring them! Yet they were brought back to serve this government! Why? Is there obsession over control of and manipulation of personnel? Clearly, loyalty to leadership and compromised integrity seem
to trump competence and professionalism. As an economist or political scientist, will Dr. Bisram fit into that kind of framework? Dr. Bisram needs be reminded that this, like the preceding government, is run by politicians obsessed with having total control of government staff and who are known for unstatesmanlike, egotistical traits. They are narrow-
minded. They feel insecure and unsure of themselves and as such reject independent minded thinkers or those they feel they can’t control. Dr. Bisram should maintain his media independence and pen commentaries that hold the government accountable especially when the political opposition is weak and discredited. The country values his objectivity. And please also, speak out on the oil contract as well as gas to shore proposal for Wales. Is it feasible? Is Wales the right place? Yours truly, Hema Lokenauth
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Friday February 05, 2021
Nandlall cites ‘doctrine of necessity’ in Patterson budget challenge case
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ttorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C, is asking the High Court to decline the request of A P N U + A F C Parliamentarian, David Patterson, to find that the budget allocations for constitutional agencies by the National Assembly on September 01, 2020, were done contrary to Section 80 B(2) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA). In an affidavit response t o P a t t e r s o n ’s c l a i m , Nandlall argued to refuse the orders and declarations being sought by Patterson “since it would serve no useful purpose.” The Attorney General contends that failure to circulate the budget proposals for 23 constitutional agencies is justified by the doctrine of necessity. Patterson, who is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and who previously served as Public Infrastructure
APNU/AFC Parliamentarian, David Patterson.
Minister under the previous APNU+AFC Government, complained that the proposals were not made available to his party before September 01, 2020, and as such, a breach of the Act was committed. In his response however, the AG, noted the last time a budget was passed was in November 2018; being almost more than two years prior to the declaration of the March 2, 2020 election result. He noted that during this period and in the absence of a budget, Guyana’s economy
and productive sectors continued to plummet and the effective functioning of the State as a whole, became almost impossible. The AG explained that fuelling Guyana’s “perilous state” was the COVID-19 global pandemic, which brought with it a heightened demand for health care services and brought Guyana’s economy to a grinding halt. F u r t h e r, N a n d l a l l contends that given the country’s financial crisis, the present government was forced out of necessity to
urgently pass an emergency budget so as to enable the Government to restore stability in Guyana and to offer much-needed relief to Guyanese given the delay in having the 12th Parliament convened and the global COVID-19 pandemic. “An imperative necessity arose for immediate action to be taken to protect, preserve and safeguard the continuation of the effective functioning of the State. This necessity had arisen because of Guyana’s exceptional circumstances, commencing from December, 2018 and such circumstances had not been provided for in the Constitution nor contemplated by the framers
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C. of the Constitution,” the affidavit in support stated. A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e document pointed out that Government was obligated to “mop up” and bring into
the public accounting architecture, billions of dollars that were unlawfully spent from the Consolidated Fund without Parliamentary approval and, as well as, billions of dollars drawn from the Contingency Fund without complying with the lawful requirements. Nandlall said that, in those circumstances, the presentation of a National Budget resolved the unlawful spending which had taken place, as well as to secure Parliamentary approval as is required by the Constitution for spending for the remainder of the accounting year, became the Government’s paramount (Continued on page 19)
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Friday February 05, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Café Pele: The incredible return of colonial mentality in Guyana Do you know the Brazilian hero, Pele, who is also an international icon and was one of the first Black sporting heroes to advance the pride of the Black race? Today, Pele is not in the best of health. He collects a percentage from every bottle of Café Pele that is sold. Café Pele is made from the same Brazilian beans that Nescafe instant coffee is made from. Ask yourself as a Guyanese, who is a neighbour to Brazil, and ask yourself as a non-white person, why would you leave Café Pele and buy another brand of instant
coffee? I almost want to throw up when I see the foreign things that are in the trolley of nonwhite Guyanese from all classes not only the upper class, and the middle class. Ordinary Guyanese shun local products. Do you know one litre of imported box juice cost a hundred dollars more than the half gallon (which is 2 litres) of fresh juice that DDL sells? All box juices are made from concentrates. They are no good in comparison to what DDL sells. You are a fool that should go back to school, if you think a box of juice made from concentrate is
healthier than fresh squeezed stuff from the fruits. In Giftland Supermarket and Massy Supermarket, the shelves have foreign beef and local beef. Do you know all beef imported from the US are chemically treated and many scientists will argue is harmful? Ask yourself why would you want to eat chemically treated beef instead of the fresh cuts our local people sell? Do you know that Sterling Products and Banks DIH produce a special ice cream, apart from their regular low price variety that
is as comparable to any Nestle product? Two litres of Nestlé’s ice cream is $5,540. This is $3,000 more than the Banks DIH and Sterling versions. Don’t take my word for it. Go in the supermarket and ask for a two-litre tub of “cookies and cream” ice cream from Sterling and from Nestlé’s and you will see the price difference. There is no difference in taste. Banks DIH, DDL and Sterling are local companies. When their products sell, their employees get money to spend, feed themselves and send their kids to school. Do you know the Beharry group of companies makes several varieties of pasta that is even better than many of the imported types? Go in the supermarkets and you will see a plethora of varieties of imported pasta. People have to be buying them, why then would the supermarkets keep having them. I have watched how the era of pride in one’s country and pride in the colour of one’s skin have gone out of the window, maybe gone forever. Here is the sick part of the return of the colonial mentality in Guyana. There
are humans in this country who will kill you if you make a flippant remark about their race. But go to the supermarkets and see what is inside their trolleys – all the items that the White countries manufacture. Six years ago, I did three columns of how 99.99 p e r c e n t o f t h e advertisements in all the newspapers, on television, and the artwork on the exterior of commercial vehicles carried images of White people. I was so incensed that I did a column on a billboard I saw on Everest Cricket Club. It had a White man in a three-piece suit calling on you to do business with Hand-in-Hand insurance company. There has been not even a letter in any of the newspaper from Indian and African cultural organizations condemning this cultural/racial contempt. Is there an explanation in psychology? I think there is. Dark-skin Indians and African Guyanese at a very weird level may be satisfied with their Fanonian imprisonment, meaning that they see light complexion as superior. I have never seen in the
Frederick Kissoon print media or on television, a Hindu person who has voiced concern for the exclusion of brown or dark complexion actors in Bollywood movies. I did a column on that and one of Guyana’s most prominent medical doctors, who is brown skin, met me one day on East Street, and said, “Freddie, I read what you wrote about the Bollywood movies.” Then with a smile broader than the Essequibo River, he said, “but me like them like dat.” This was the Fanonian mind at work (adjective taken from the name of the West Indian political theorist and psychiatrist – Franz Fanon). I feel sorry for this country and its people but I love them both. All I could do is urge them to buy and eat local. It helps the economy. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Friday February 05, 2021
Health Minister urges persons recovered from COVID-19 to still take vaccine T he Health M i n i s t e r, D r. Frank Anthony, is advising persons who were infected with the COVID-19 virus and have recovered, to take the vaccine upon their arrival in Guyana. During the COVID-19 update on Wednesday, the Minister sought to address concerns about the immunization of persons who were previously infected. He stated that studies have not determined the length of a person’s immunity after contracting the virus. Further, he noted that it is still important for those previously infected to be immunized, because studies are still ongoing to determine how long a person’s immunity lasts after they contracted the virus and recovered. According to the Health Minister, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America, would have conducted a study and based on the data
The types of COVID-19 vaccines (Credit: BBC) gathered, it was said that once a person is infected and recovers, the body develops immunity to the virus which lasts 90 days, but beyond
that, they are unsure. “So it would be safe for persons although they might have been infected that they receive the vaccine or they
accept the vaccine when the vaccine is made available, because this would add to the protection that they have already generated by natural
immunity,” Dr. Anthony lamented. He also addressed concerns about persons “getting sick” from COVID19 vaccines. Dr. Anthony explained that the vaccines use small components of the virus triggering the body to make viral proteins to attack the COVID-19 virus, but it does not make persons sick. Kaieteur News learnt that there are different types of vaccines made to immunize persons from COVID-19. Two are the viral vector vaccines and ribonucleic acid (RNA)/Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) vaccines. According to The Vaccine Alliance, which is one of the organizations under the COVAX facility that Guyana is receiving a quota of vaccines from, “Viral vector-based vaccines differ from most conventional vaccines in that they don’t actually contain antigens, but rather use the body’s own cells to produce them. They do this by using a
The Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.
modified virus (the vector) to deliver genetic code for antigen, in the case of COVID-19 spike proteins found on the surface of the virus, into human cells. By infecting cells and instructing them to make large amounts of antigen, which then trigger an immune response, the vaccine mimics what happens during natural infection with certain pathogens - especially viruses.” The COVID-19 RNA or (Continued on page 19 )
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Public Works Ministry seeking to tackle illegal vending on seawalls The Ministry of Public Works is seeking to curb the illegal vending on the seawalls that has been ongoing for quite some time. The Minister of Public Wo r k s , J u a n E d g h i l l ; Chairman of the Sea and River Defence Board (S&RDB), Brigadier Gary Beaton; Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Kevin Samad; and Secretary of the S&RDB, Jermaine Braithwaite engaged with vendors during a meeting at the Umana Yana in Kingston on Wednesday, where the disclosure was made. The Minister highlighted several violations made by
the vendors, which include, mounting structures that are not immobile (some of which are not 15 feet off the road, as required), as well as vending with coolers and carts, which is not allowed to be on the road. According to Edghill, the illegal vending on the seawall itself, is hampering persons from exercising and families seeking to spend time together. He also lamented that the illegal practice can obstruct emergency works, if or when the need arises. “This engagement today is designed to do two things, help us to prepare for 2021
and beyond, in terms of Guyana’s development and secondly to immediately bring some order and perspective to what is now an increasing situation of lawlessness,” he expressed while delivering his address. Persons seeking to vend at the seawalls area will need an approval from the S&RDB and vending on the actual seawall will not be permitted. While engaging with the vendors at the meeting, Edghill also noted that one person will not be permitted to operate at multiple spots and warning letters will be issued to all persons vending
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and officials of the Sea and River Defence Board at the meeting on Wednesday. (Photo Credit: Ministry of Public Works) illegally. He encouraged those vending illegally to apply at the S&RDB immediately. It was also stated that zoning will be implemented to allow spots to be numbered for better management. Further, the Minister lamented that the government is not trying to
prevent those trying to make a living from earning, but they must ensure that it is done in conformity to their regulations. The Secretary of the S&RDB, Jermaine Braithwaite, told the vendors that the seawalls has a strong tourist attraction and the Ministry is aiming to improve the experience for
both tourists and vendors. In light of that, he announced plans the Ministry has to achieve these objectives. These plans include imp lemen tin g s an itar y facilities, proper parking, waste management, landscaping, organized vending and other business and recreational activities.
Bandit who robbed Brazilian businessman captured One of the suspects that robbed a Brazilian businessman at his workplace just a few days ago was recently nabbed by the Police during a raid exercise. The police were at the time conducting raids in several houses around the Bartica area when the man was apprehended. The suspect has been identified as Damoin Hamilton also called “Muslim” of Victoria, East Coast Demerara. During the raid, Hamilton was found with $360,000 in cash and 20.4 penny weight (dwt) of raw
gold in his possession. Muslim was allegedly in the company of four other men armed with guns and cutlasses when they robbed Manuel de Araujo and Wijavam Sousa Pinto both being Brazilian nationals and owners of a money transfer and gold dealership business. According to reports the robbery occurred around 18:00hrs on Monday at Kumung Kumung Backdam, Mazaruni River. Kaieteur News understands that the businessmen were at the time inside their workplace when they noticed five men
entering armed with weapons. It was reported that three of the suspects were armed with guns while the other two were armed with cutlasses. The owners reportedly told police that after the men demanded that they hand over cash and gold, the suspects then tied their hands and feet before ransacking the place. The bandits then use a blowtorch to cut open a metal safe where the valuables were stashed. After retrieving $5M in cash and 160 dwt of raw gold the men then escaped.
Minibus driver granted bail for causing death of cyclist
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minibus driver, was yesterday, released on $250,000 bail for causing the death of a cyclist, by dangerous driving. The defendant, Rampersaud Persaud, made his first appearance in the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Peter Hugh.
Persaud was not required to plea to the charge, which stated that on February 1, 2021, he drove in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of 30-yearold, Shamshudeen Mohamed, a pedal cyclist. Magistrate Hugh placed Persaud on bail for the offence and the matter was adjourned to February 18, 2021, for report.
Neighbour saved man who was ambushed and stabbed A Baramita man who was ambushed and stabbed yesterday, was able to survive after he was saved by a neighbour. Police identified him as Delon Baird, 38, of Cassie Creek, Baramita, North West District, Region One and reported that the neighbour was also his relative.
Baird was reportedly ambushed by two men around 01:20Hrs while walking home. The men, according to investigators stabbed him twice, once to his back and once to his abdomen, before running away. The injured man somehow garnered enough strength to reach his
neighbour’s house who rescued him. He was picked up and granted some first aid and quickly taken to the Baramita Health Center which is located not too far away. There he was further treated by medical professionals and remains a patient. Police are currently on the lookout for the suspects.
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Friday February 05, 2021
Traffic congestion and crime prompted road-clearing exercise at Vreed-en-Hoop
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Members of the Guyana Police Force with some of the vendors during the road-clearing exercise.
he numerous complaints of traffic build-up and reports of criminal activities around the Vreeden-Hoop area, were the main reasons that prompted both the Police and the Regional Democratic Council of Region Three to conduct a road-clearing exercise earlier this week. Kaieteur News understands that on Tuesday, a total of six stalls that were positioned right at the Vreeden-Hoop junction, were removed by both the police and officers from the Council, with support from the vendors. According to a release from the Police, “these stands were directly impeding the free movement of pedestrians from utilizing the pedestrian walkway that are so designated.” The removal of the stalls
Stalls being removed from the Vreed-en-Hoop junction.
will also allow the cleaning of the side drain and walkway, and enhance the
physical environment in keeping with the COVID-19 (Continued on page 23 )
Two more fatalities added to COVID-19 death toll The Ministry of Health yesterday reported that two more persons have died from the COVID-19 virus; a 54-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 73-year-old male from Region One (Barima-Waini). In its press release, the Ministry stated that both persons died while receiving treatment at a medical facility. The COVID-19 death toll has now increased to 179 deaths. The ministry also reported 66 new
COVID-19 cases yesterday. This has brought the case toll to 7,780, according to its daily dashboard update. The dashboard also shows that five patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 710 in home isolation, 62 in institutional isolation and 15 in institutional quarantine. Additionally, a total of 6,826 persons have recovered from the virus with 64 new recoveries recorded yesterday.
Sophia youth wanted for escaping from lawful custody The Guyana Police Force (GPF) last evening, issued a wanted bulletin for the Akeem John called “Fineman,” 22, of Lot 144 Block ‘F,’ North Sophia, Georgetown, for escaping from lawful custody. According to the police, on February 3, 2021, at Mahdia Police Station, John escaped from lawful custody. John was arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm and break and enter and larceny. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of John, is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6940, 2261389, 225-8196, 638-8440, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Wanted, Akeem John called “Fineman”
Major breakthrough as cops nab second suspect... From page 2 home to collect the stolen motorcycle. He disclosed details to police that they spray-painted the bike before it was removed from the house. The suspect also confessed to police that a few days after they committed the crime the accomplice informed him that the bike was sold and
paid him $40,000 cash. Kaieteur News had reported that on the evening Gonsalves was gunned down, he had reportedly left his house on his motorcycle, along with one of his workers, Ravindra Ramlakhan, as pillion rider, in search of cigarettes. It was during the search for the item, Kaieteur News
was told, that Gonsalves sensed that he was being trailed by the suspects. Eyewitnesses recalled noticing Gonsalves and Ramlakhan riding past them and then stopping in front of Red Bar. Speculation is that he had stopped there because there were bright lights and he felt safe.
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$50,000 reward offered for capture of this man
Wanted by police c a a s I d r a w Ed
A reward of $50,000 cash, will be given to anyone with valuable information leading to the capture this man. He as has been identified as Edward Isaac, 46, of Hill and School Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown. Isaac is wanted by the police for entering the premises of a Nandy Park resident on Tuesday, and carting off a number of valuable items. He was reportedly seen committing the act by neighbours. They gave chase but he managed to escape, damaging a parked vehicle in the process. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts, can contact Kaieteur News’ Publisher, Glenn Lall, on 624-6456 or the nearest police station.
Wanted by police c a a s I d r a w Ed
Friday February 05, 2021
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CJ orders GRA, GEA to hand over fuel seized from Van-West Charles’ company C hief Justice (CJ) (Ag), Roxane G e o r g e Wiltshire, has ordered the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) to release 631,184.9 litres of fuel seized from Atlantic Fuel Inc. (AFI), a company, whose Director is Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, former Head of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). Va n - We s t C h a r l e s ’ company had sued the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia; the GRA; the Chief Executive Officer of the GEA – Mahender Sharma; and the GEA on 22 December, 2020. The lawsuit was instituted on behalf of AFI by attorneys, Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva. Statia and Sharma had seized and detained the diesel fuel worth over $80 M in resale value, which was imported by AFI and seized by GRA on November 1, 2020. In an attempt to defend the seizure, lawyers Judy Stuart-Adonis and Colleen Sparman-Stephens, who represented GRA and GEA respectively, presented to the Court, an alleged false invoice used by AFI to import the fuel, which they
Attorney, Siand Dhurjon. claimed, gave the GEA and GRA wrong information on the supplier, value and quantity of the fuel. GRA contended that the ‘full and applicable taxes could not have been determined ‘and that the release of the fuel would result in ‘significant losses of revenue’ to the government. GEA had told the court that Sharma had the power to refuse to mark the fuel, because the fuel was not lawfully imported and because he held the view that AFI was not the ‘true importer’ of the fuel. The Energy Agency claimed that AFI was merely facilitating the importation of the fuel for another
company, ‘Clean Energy Guyana Inc.’ It claimed further that AFI acted in breach of Petroleum Regulations 2014, when it imported the fuel by way of a false declaration. Sharma had explained that the company in Suriname, which AFI claimed they purchased the fuel from, had sent a letter stating that they never transacted any business with AFI. Sharma later submitted, through his attorney Sparman-Stephens, that the GRA had power to seize and detain the fuel based on customs laws. Added to that, Statia had pleaded to the court through his attorney, that they had the power to seize and detain the fuel because AFI was now charged with false declaration under the Customs Act, and so they therefore had the power to deprive AFI of the fuel because the false declaration ‘touched and concerned’ the fuel. However, in her decision last Wednesday, the Chief Justice agreed with the contentions by lawyers for Van-West Charles. Both Dhurjon and Da Silva argued that Statia and Sharma by causing the detention of the fuel, acted in
AHI Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles.
Attorney, Damien Da Silva. violation of his rights to protection from the deprivation of property under Article 142 of the Constitution of Guyana. The lawyers held that because the taxes and fees were already paid, ‘it was difficult to see how revenue owed to the State could be lost,’ as contended by the State agencies. As such, Dhurjon submitted that the GEA and GRA had no power under law to hinder or impede the
importation of the fuel. In an invited comment after the ruling, the lawyer posited that “Atlantic Fuels Inc. has held the heads of the GRA and GEA accountable for their unconstitutional deprivation of its property. For as long as the rule of law exists in this land actions like those of the GRA and GEA will not be tolerated.” In keeping with decision of the Court, the lawyer has since submitted a draft order, which outlined that the Chief
Justice issued a number of orders including orders of mandamus to compel the GRA commissioner to release from his custody and control the fuel and the GEA to take all the necessary steps to mark the fuel. In addition, the document pointed to orders for the payment of hefty storage costs which AFI now owes to the ‘Falls’ gas station storage facility, owned by China Zhonghao Inc., at (Continued on page 19)
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Friday February 05, 2021
Nandlall cites ‘doctrine of necessity’... From page 8 priority. “So rather than establish Committees in the Parliament and focus on procedural matters, the Government out of necessity, was forced to bring the State of Guyana into substantial compliance with the Constitution,” the
AG said, adding that it is in that context and in those circumstances that the 2020 Budget was presented and passed in the National Assembly.He continued that “There was an absolute necessity to safeguard the continuation of the effective functioning of the State and
there was no other course of action reasonably available to the present Government than the passing of an emergency budget.” In the circumstances, Nandlall emphasized that the Government will rely on the doctrine of necessity to justify its action.
Inspection being done to determine whether... From page 3 day of that announcement to date, since Razack did not share those figures. Notably, in late 2020 when Exxon was just producing about 80,000 to 90,000 barrels per day, the super major had been flaring 12 to 15 million cubic feet of toxic, cancer-carrying agents into the atmosphere. These numbers
had increased to 16 million cubic feet in October when the oil company had ramped up flaring, as data from the EPA had shown. Now that Exxon is producing at its full capacity of 120,000 barrels per day, it is safe to say that amount of gas being flared each day has significantly risen from 16 million cubic feet per day.
Health Minister urges persons recovered... From page 12 mRNA vaccines according to the CDC, give instructions for cells to make a harmless piece of the “spike protein,” which is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, met with Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Chen Xilai, who stated that the 20,000 vaccines China committed to giving Guyana was approved and they are expected to be shipped as soon as March.
CJ orders GRA, GEA to hand over fuel... From page 18 Land of Canaan, EBD. AFI seeks a declaration that the cost is paid by Statia and Sharma. The matter has been adjourned to March 8, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. to confirm the full amount of storage costs for which Statia and Sharma will be liable.
This is because, when the proceedings were filed in December, 2020, AFI had owed Falls approximately $4,528,678 in storage costs. Dhurjon has said that the storage charges that Statia and Sharma will have to pay have been greatly increased to about $15 M.
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Friday February 05, 2021
Police officer testifies in moneychanger and daughter’s murder PI
A
police officer, on Wednesday, testified in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, as the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder case of Better Hope m o n e y c h a n g e r, A a r o n
Latchman, and his 18-yearold daughter, Arianna Latchman, continues. The PI for the double murder is being conducted by Magistrate Alisha George. Police officer, Dale Sam,
was called on to continue testifying in the matter. Sam previously testified on July 10, 2020. The officer’s testimony was based on a video footage of an interview at the Criminal Investigation Department
(CID) Headquarters. At the last hearing, the matter was prosecuted by Police Prosecutor, David Goodridge, and the matter was adjourned to February 9, 2021. On Monday, the court was informed by Police Prosecutor, Vivian Adolph that based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, the name of the murder accused who escaped from prison last year should be removed from the charge and the matter should continue. The five persons accused of the double murder are: Mark Rufino called ‘Mark, 25, a labourer, of Parika Facade, East Bank Essequibo; Paul Chan called ‘Long Hair’ or ‘Anthony,’ 37, a conductor, of 10 Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Troy Abrams called ‘Troy’ or ‘Rasta Man,’ 44, a vendor, of 34 Middle Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Lloyd Sadloo, 37, self-employed, of 220 Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara; and Sean Thomas called ‘Yankee,’ 41, an electrician, of 59 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown. The PI into the murder case was put on hold late last year, after Rufino along with two other murder accused escaped from the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara. On October 23, 2020, swift and tactical action by members of the Joint Services, acting on information received, resulted in two of the escapees being recaptured, while police are still trying to locate Rufino. Rufino’s name has since been removed from the joint charge and the Magistrate will now continue with the
Dead, Arianna Latchman. Dead, Aaron Latchman. PI. Chan, Abrams, Sadloo and Thomas, who are still incarcerated, were contacted via Skype and provided with updates. On December 14, 2020, Prosecutor Adolph, informed the court that Rufino had escaped from prison and asked the court for one month to recapture the prisoner. He also sought the court’s permission to seek legal advice. However, more than a month after Rufino escaped, the prosecutor had failed to obtain legal advice and on a previous hearing of the matter. The Magistrate expressed her dissatisfaction in the way the prosecutor was handling the matter. The PI for the matter commenced in February 2021, but since then it has been faced with several delays. Kaieteur News had reported, when the five accused made their first court appearance, that they were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on July 4, 2019, at Robert Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, they murdered the
Still at large, Mark Rufino. moneychanger and his daughter during a robbery. According to reports, on the day in question, Aaron Latchman arrived home around 15:15 hrs. and was attempting to park his car in his yard, when two gunmen struck. One of the gunmen reportedly entered the house a n d s h o t L a t c h m a n ’s daughter. The other then attacked the father. The two men got into a scuffle, which resulted in a bag ending up in a ’ neighbour’s yard. The gunman, who had shot Latchman’s daughter, (Continued on page 23)
Driver gets three bullets fighting off hijacker A taxi driver on Wednesday was shot three times in front of his 10 year old daughter, while fighting off a hijacker. Nursing three gunshot wounds to his left arm and thigh is Raulvin Maynard, 41, also called “Raulo” of Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Maynard was shot around 16:00Hrs at Q u a m i n a R o a d , Beterverwagting, ECD, by a man he picked up. Maynard recounted to police that his daughter was with him in the car. He recalled dropping off a passenger in the area, after which, while proceeding
south, he was stopped by a man who requested a drop to the Railway embankment. As he was preparing to turn around his car to head to the location, the man took out a hand gun and instructed him to stop the car, hand over the money and exit the vehicle. Maynard decide to put up a fight and grabbed hold of the gun. In retaliation, the hijacker pulled the trigger and Maynard was struck with a bullet to the leg. Maynard for a short while let go of the weapon and the man snatched his cellphone but the taxi driver continued to fight and
grabbed onto the man’s gun again. The hijacker fired two more shots striking Maynard two more times, once to his upper left arm and another to his left wrist. The hijacker then decided to give up and runaway with the injured taxi driver’s phone. Public spirited citizens who saw what transpired rushed out to assist him. The taxi driver was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he received immediate medical attention. Police are currently hunting the hijacker.
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Kaieteur News
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Govt. scraps Taiwan Office agreement, says One China policy remains intact Mere hours after Taiwan announced plans to initiate an investment office in Guyana, drawing questions over adherence to the One C h i n a P o l i c y, t h e Government of Guyana terminated the contract. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation outlined that the sudden termination was due to an apparent “miscommunication.” “The Government of Guyana has noted various media releases on the matter of a Taiwan Office in Guyana. The Government has not established any diplomatic ties or relations with Taiwan and as a result of the miscommunication of the agreement signed, this agreement has since been terminated,” the statement noted.
Government was keen to note as well, that it continues to adhere to the One China policy and that diplomatic relations remains intact with the People’s Republic of China. However, the sudden turn of events garnered much criticism from the political opposition. Shortly after g o v e r n m e n t ’ s announcement, the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition issued a statement stating that government’s decision to enter the agreement and then quickly renege on it after facing international pressure “underscores the PPP’s unlearned, irresponsible and perilous approach to Guyana’s foreign policy.” “The damage however has been done. Decades old
strong relations between Guyana and China have become strained in under 6 months of the PPP regime’s installation in office,” the Opposition outlined. Continuing, the Opposition said that it will take years and “considerable diplomatic and other scarce resources” to rebuild trust with the Chinese after this “gigantic diplomatic blunder.” Further, the Opposition asserted that Guyana’s foreign policy must continue to be founded on the basis of mutual respect and understanding, noninterference, multilateralism and strong relations with all states and then called on government to abandon its “ill-advised isolationist foreign policy.” It was the US Embassy and not the government who
first broke the news of Guyana’s arrangement with Taiwan reportedly signed since January 11. “Deepening ties between Guyana and Taiwan will advance their shared goals of prosperity and security. Closer ties with Taiwan will advance cooperation and development in Guyana on the basis of shared democratic values, transparency, and mutual respect,” the Embassy said in a statement on Thursday. Ta i w a n ’s F o r e i g n Ministry also tweeted about the deal. “A #Taiwan Office is established in #Guyana! The facility represents the commitment of both sides to promoting a partnership of prosperity based on democratic values across areas like agriculture, education, investment &
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd.
t r a d e . We t h a n k @mfaguyanafor its friendship & support,” the tweet said. H o w e v e r, o ff i c i a l confirmation later emerged from Guyana’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd who explained that it
was a trade and investment office being set up to facilitate private investor trade. It should be noted that that confirmation did not come from an official statement from the Ministry, rather from comments the Minister made.
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Friday February 05, 2021
Kaieteur News
Macron supports U.S.-Iran dialogue, floats himself President Donald Trump said that if Iran returns to as ‘honest broker’ abandoned the Iran nuclear “strict” compliance with
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t h e a c c o r d , the United States will too. Trump restored the U.S. sanctions that the deal removed and placed more on Iran.
Kaieteur News
Friday February 05, 2021
PAGE 23
Police officer testifies in moneychanger... Firearm, ammunitions, ganja found in Berbice house From page 20 then exited the house and came to his accomplice’s aid, shooting Latchman as well. After Latchman fell to the ground, the attackers snatched up a bag of cash and fled. The killers escaped in a car. The moneychanger and his daughter
The items that were discovered in the house.
Members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday discovered a firearm, ammunitions and a quantity of suspected marijuana in a Berbice house. According to a police report, about 14:00hrs ranks from Regional Division Six,
acting on information received went to a house located in Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice and conducted a search. During the search the ranks discovered one 12gauge, single-barrel shotgun; six 9mm rounds; eight 12-
gauge cartridges; and a black plastic bag containing 84 grams of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. The police arrested two suspects and the items were lodged at the station. The matter is currently being investigated.
Man who destroyed state property given 40 hours community service A man, who pleaded guilty to destroying part of the Seawall Band Stand, was yesterday given 40 hours of community service when he appeared in court. The defendant, Raymond Coppin, 51, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. He pleaded guilty to the charge that was read to him.
The charge stated that on January 20, 2021, at Kingston Seawall, he damaged state property, that is to say he damaged the Seawall Band Stand. Coppin told the court that it was an accident and he begged the court for leniency. According to the facts of the charge, around 03:00 hrs. on the day in question, Coppin tied his hammock on
the rail of the Seawall Band Stand. After he sat in the hammock the rail of the Band Stand broke and a piece of the grill fell off the structure. The matter was reported and Coppin was arrested and charged for damaged to state property. In handing down her ruling, Chief Magistrate McLennan ordered Coppin to serve 40 hours of community service as punishment.
Traffic congestion and crime... From page 14 measures outlined. Last week, the Regional Chairman of Region Three, Mohamed Inshan Ayube, held a meeting with some of the vendors and the members of the Police Force, where this move was first discussed. Speaking with this publication last Thursday, the Regional Chairman mentioned that they are looking at relocating the
vendors. He added that before the vendors are removed, the Council is intensifying its efforts to locate another venue to place them. The Chairman explained that there are certain plans the Council wants to put in place temporarily, before the vendors are relocated. Some of these issues include, vendors must not encroach upon the pedestrian crossing and that they do not cause
traffic congestion. In addition to that, the vendors must adhere to the curfew, they must not sell alcohols or drugs at these stalls, or encourage any illegal activity. Vendors should also have a proper garbage disposal system and observe the necessary COVID-19 measures outlined, so to safeguard themselves and their customers.
were taken to the Georgetown Public Corporation, where they were both pronounced dead on arrival. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. The five accused were later arrested, and subsequently, they were jointly charged for murder.
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FIFA Club World Cup
Elshahat arrow books Al Ahly semi-final with Bayern Hussein Elshahat’s superb, 30th-minute strike proved enough for Al Ahly SC to beat Al Duhail SC and secure a FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™ semi-final against Bayern Munich. The hosts started brightly, but the African champions got into their rhythm after ten minutes and began to dominate. Their reward came on the half-hour, when Walter Bwalya pressured Bassam Hisham into a defensive mistake. The ball broke to Hussein Elshahat, who arrowed a low drive into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area. Bwalya thought he had doubled the lead shortly later
after he broke the offside trap, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Al Duhail threatened to equalise just after the hour. Edmilson Junior broke free down the left and fizzed in a cross. Michael Olunga did well to react to it, but Mohamed Elshenawy’s handling was up to the task. The Qatari outfit continued to probe for an equaliser, but the Egyptians held on for victory. Al Ahly will now face Bayern at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on 8 February. Gignac at the double as Tigres edge Ulsan - AndrePierre Gignac struck twice as Tigres UANL came from behind to beat Ulsan
Andre-Pierre Gignac Hyundai FC and set up a FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™ semi-final with Palmeiras. Frenchman Gignac, the
Friday February 05, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your focus today is likely to be on learning. Something you've wanted to study for a long time may finally be within your grasp. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If you've been investing, look for it to pay off big. Or you could execute a new contract, settle a claim, or even win something. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Plans for a social event that you were going to host in your home may have to be changed at the last minute. Even so, it should go very well. You're feeling exceptionally sociable now. CANCER (June 21–July 22) An unexpected letter or call could totally turn your working situation in a new direction. This can be disconcerting, Cancer, but it's a very positive and fortunate development. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) For you, Leo, relationships with other people should be going so well that you feel more loved than ever. A new friend or perhaps an old one you haven't seen in a while could suddenly become a powerful part of your life. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) An unexpected opportunity could temporarily throw your life into disorder, Virgo, but you will see from the start that this is a definite stroke of good luck that you shouldn't let pass.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A lot of letters, calls, and other communications could skyrocket you into a new and unexpected space, Libra. If you've been thinking of trying your hand at writing or speaking, this is the day to work on it. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Good fortune continues to come your way, Scorpio, and your life may finally seem to be moving in the direction you wanted. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) All the planets are very fortunately aligned for you, and the coming weeks should be great. Minor irritations today could make you wonder, though. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may wonder why increased intuition has seemed to replace your usual logical self. An unexpected intellectual, spiritual, or metaphysical insight might come to you from another realm. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You should feel especially sociable today. You might attend one or more events, or perhaps you will choose another type of group activity. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today an important goal might reach a point you've been aiming at for a long time. All those in your entourage have new respect for you. In fact, Pisces, relationships of all kinds are warm, open, and honest.
Hussein Elshahat
Mexicans’ all-time leading scorer (146 goals in all competitions), turned the global showpiece’s opening match on its head with an opportunistic brace – a tapin and a penalty – late in the first half. Kim Keehee had earlier put the Asian champions into a 24th-minute lead at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan with a powerful nearpost header from Yoon
Bitgaram’s inswinging corner. But despite the Asian champions’ best efforts in a second half devoid of clearcut chances, it was Gignac and Tigres who ended as the victors. The Concacaf champions can now look forward to a last-four duel with Palmeiras, South America’s representatives, at Al Rayyan’s Education City Stadium on Sunday.
...NBA, union agree to March 7 From page 30 selected because of the highdollar fine for skipping the event. According to earlier reports, the game could be held at the Atlanta Hawks’ State Farm Arena or at one of the campus gyms of the city’s historically black colleges and universities. NBPA president Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns has voiced his support for the latter idea, which would spotlight HBCUs and provide COVID-19 relief funding. Hosting an All-Star Game is a massive undertaking. Atlanta-based Turner Sports could televise the game, but the annual midseason showcase would still require a significant effort to coordinate travel arrangements for players, staff and officials during a time of uncertainty. The game would likely have extremely limited attendance, if fans are permitted to attend at all.
...Concacaf to launch Central From page 31 numbers of clubs which will qualify for the new Concacaf Champions League through specific league and cup competitions will be communicated by in due course. The current format of the Concacaf Champions League – the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League – will remain in place for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 editions. In 2023 it will be a transition year with the last edition under the current format played in the spring, prior to the group stage of the new format commencing in the fall. The current champion is Tigres UANL (Mexico) who won the 2020 edition after narrowly defeating Los Angeles FC (USA) 2-1 in a compelling final played in Orlando, Florida, as part of a rescheduled competition that was centralized due to COVID-19. Tigres is currently representing the Concacaf region at the FIFA Club World Cup in Doha, Qatar. The draw for the 2021 edition of Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League will take place on February 10. At the draw, the 16 competing clubs will learn their round of 16 opponents and their route to the final.
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Concacaf Champions League NBA roundup: Paul George knocks down 32 in Clippers’ win to expand with innovative new format starting 2023/24 - To also launch new Central American and Caribbean Cup competitions
M
iami, FL Concacaf has announced a groundbreaki ng new format for its flagship club competition, the Concacaf Champions League. From 2023 onwards a regionalised group stage will be introduced as part of a major revamp of the tournament that will boost club football across the confederation. The new Concacaf Champions League group stage will be played in the fall each year and will include four groups of North American clubs, four groups of Central American clubs and two groups of Caribbean clubs. It will be followed by a 16-team knockout stage played in the spring. This exciting new format will see each edition conclude with a single leg final to crown a regional club champion. The winner of the competition will also qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup. Concacaf Champions League group stage – four groups of North American clubs - A total of 20 clubs from Canada, Mexico and USA will qualify into the Concacaf Champions League through
performance in domestic leagues and cup competitions, including one qualification slot through the Leagues Cup. The 20 clubs will be drawn into four groups of five. Each club will play a total of four group stage matches, two at home and two away. Following group stage play, the four group winners and the four group second-place finishers will qualify to the Concacaf Champions League knockout stage. Those eight clubs will be joined by a further three North American clubs, who will qualify via a play-in round that will follow the group stage. Concacaf Champions League group stage – four groups of Central American clubs - A total of 20 clubs from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama will qualify into the Concacaf Champions League through performance in domestic leagues and a new Central American cup competition.
The 20 clubs will be drawn into four groups of five. Each club will play a total of four group stage matches, two at home and two away. Following group stage play, the four group winners and the four group second-place finishers will qualify for a play-in, the four winners of which will qualify for the Concacaf Champions League knockout stage. Concacaf Champions League group stage – two groups of Caribbean clubs - A total of 10 clubs from the Caribbean will qualify into the Concacaf Champions League group stage. Of those 10, eight will qualify directly through professional leagues in the Caribbean region and two (2) through a new Caribbean cup which will include representation from across the Caribbean. The 10 clubs will be drawn into two groups of five. Each club will play a total of four group stage matches, two at home and two away. Following group stage play, the two group winners will qualify for a play-in match, the winner of which will qualify for the Concacaf Champions League knockout stage.
Australian Open: Craig Tiley ‘absolutely confident’ Grand Slam will go ahead BBCsport - Australian Open boss Craig Tiley says he is “absolutely confident” the Grand Slam will start as planned on Monday, despite 160 players waiting for the outcome of coronavirus tests. A total of 507 people connected to the event were told to isolate by Melbourne health officials on Wednesday after a hotel worker tested positive. Play at six warm-up events and the Slam draws were postponed on Thursday (yesterday). “We fully expect to keep the original schedule after today,” said Tiley. The warmup events, which are all taking place at Melbourne Park, will resume on Friday (today). The women’s matches have been reduced to two sets and a first-to-10 match tie-break, although the men’s matches will still be played over three sets. The Australian Open draws have been moved back to Friday (today). The disruption came after it was announced on Wednesday that a 26-year-old man tested positive for Covid-19 after working at the Grand Hyatt hotel where the players affected were staying in a 14-day quarantine. The security guard tested negative after his final shift at the hotel on 29 January, but
returned a positive result after he was tested again on 2 February. The 160 players, plus their support staff and tournament officials, are deemed to be casual contacts by Victorian state health bosses. They will be allowed out of isolation once they return a negative test. British players Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie are among those who stayed in the hotel, but were able to practise on Thursday after receiving negative tests. Evans, Britain’s leading men’s player, was due to play in the Murray River Open on Thursday and is now set to play twice on Friday. “The probability is very low that there will be any issues and we fully expect them all to test negative,” said Tiley. We’re absolutely confident the Australian Open will go ahead.” The Grand Slam tournament was pushed back by three weeks to enable players to quarantine on their arrival in Australia. Australia has imposed some of the world’s toughest restrictions over the past year in a bid to suppress coronavirus. Months of strict border controls - both internationally and domestically - have helped limit Covid-19 cases to less than 29,000 and deaths to less than 1,000.
LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) drives to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports. Field Level Media - Paul George shot 8-for-9 from 3point range and scored 36 points to lead the visiting Los Angeles Clippers to a 121-99 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points, Lou Williams had 15 and Serge Ibaka added 14 points for Los Angeles, which finished 4-2 on its road trip. Ivica Zubac had 10 points and 16 rebounds in a reserve role for the Clippers. Collin Sexton scored 16 of his 27 points in the first half for Cleveland, and Darius Garland contributed 23 points. Andre Drummond had 13 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes after missing Cleveland’s 100-98 win against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday due to a sore lower back. Jarrett Allen, who started for Drummond on Monday and totaled 23 points and 18 rebounds, had seven points, nine rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes off the bench Wednesday. New York Knicks 107 Chicago Bulls 103 - Julius Randle scored 27 points and Elfrid Payton added 20 to help visiting New York snap a two-game losing streak with a victory over Chicago. The Knicks avenged an eight-point loss to the Bulls on Monday, earning a split of the back-to-back series by shooting 48.3 percent, including 50 percent from 3point range. RJ Barrett had 17 points for the Knicks while Mitchell Robinson snagged 11 rebounds. Poor perimeter shooting plagued the Bulls, who shot 6-for-36 (16.7 percent) from
long range, including just two makes from deep in the second half. Zach LaVine had 24 points and seven assists for Chicago, which has lost four of five. New Orleans Pelicans 123 - Phoenix Suns 101 Zion Williamson scored 28 points as host New Orleans defeated Phoenix. Williamson made 12 of 14 field-goal attempts while contributing seven rebounds and six assists. New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram scored 23, Lonzo Ball added 18 and Steven Adams returned from a one-game absence caused by a sore calf to score 11 points and grab 13 rebounds. Devin Booker scored 25, Deandre Ayton added 13 points and 11 rebounds, Abdel Nadar had 11 points and Chris Paul scored 10 to lead Phoenix. Oklahoma City Thunder 104 - Houston Rockets 87 - Kenrich Williams scored a seasonhigh 19 points off the bench to help Oklahoma City to a home win over Houston. The Rockets had their six-game winning streak snapped while the Thunder won at home for just the second time this season. The Rockets shot just 12 of 46 (26.1 percent) from behind the arc as their scoring total and 3-point shooting percentage were both season lows. Darius Bazley added 18, Al Horford 17 and Hamidou Diallo 16 for Oklahoma City. The Thunder were without a pair of starters, including leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and lost a third (Luguentz Dort) in the first half. Eric Gordon led the Rockets with 22 points.
Milwaukee Bucks 130 Indiana Pacers 110 Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his third tripledouble of the season, propelling Milwaukee to a runaway victory over visiting Indiana. Antetokounmpo needed just 31 minutes to put up 21 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and a season-hightying 10 assists. With his 21st career triple-double, Antetokounmpo moved into a tie for 22nd on the NBA’s all-time list with four others, including Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Domantas Sabonis complemented a game- and season-high 33 points with a team-high 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who have lost three of four. Philadelphia 76ers 118 Charlotte Hornets 111 Joel Embiid scored 34 points and Tobias Harris added 26 to help Philadelphia complete a perfect threegame road trip with a victory over Charlotte. Danny Green finished with 16 points, Ben Simmons scored 15 along with nine assists and Shake Milton added 13 off the bench for the 76ers. Gordon Hayward and rookie LaMelo Ball each scored 22 points and Devonte’ Graham had 18 points and seven assists for the Hornets, who saw their three-game winning streak come to a halt. In other scores: Dallas Mavericks 122 - Atlanta Hawks 116, Washington Wizards 103 - Miami Heat 100, Sacramento Kings 116 Boston Celtics 111, San A n t o n i o S p u r s 111 Minnesota Timberwolves 108.
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Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s hundred and Mustafizur Rahman’s strikes make it Bangladesh’s day ESPNcricinfo - Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s maiden Test hundred followed by a newball burst from Mustafizur Rahman put Bangladesh in a dominant position against West Indies in the first Test in Chattogram. After being reduced to 134 for 4 on the opening day, Bangladesh’s lower-middle order rallied on Thursday to post 430 in the first innings. Rahman then showed the way with the ball as he dismissed John Campbell and debutant Shayne Moseley cheaply to leave West Indies 24 for 2. After that, Kraigg Brathwaite and another debutant Nkrumah Bonner began the rebuild, taking the side to 75 for 2 at stumps. Earlier, Miraz became the sixth Bangladesh batsman to score a hundred from No. 8 or lower. However, it wasn’t a chanceless innings. He was dropped off Jomel Warrican when on 24 and had another slice of luck at 71, when he skipped down the ground to Rahkeem Cornwall only to get an inside edge, but the
ball kept low and sneaked between wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva’s legs. Then on 85, Cornwall himself put him down - off Bonner - as he failed to hold on to a low chance at first slip. For the most part of his innings, though, Miraz showed excellent use of the feet against spinners, by either going deep in the crease to cut through point or skipping down the pitch to hit inside out. At the start of the day, Shakib Al Hasan and he added 67 for the seventh wicket before Shakib fell for 68. If West Indies thought they were into the tail, those hopes were dashed soon as Miraz stitched together 44 with Taijul Islam for the eighth wicket and a further 57 with Nayeem Hasan for the ninth. Miraz was on 92 when Hasan fell to Bonner but Mustafizur Rahman hung around to see him reach the three-figure mark. In all, Miraz hit 13 fours before being caught at long-on off Cornwall at the stroke of tea. The West Indies openers,
Kraigg Brathwaite and Campbell, had their work cut out even if the pitch had shown few signs of assistance for bowlers. Just like Bangladesh, West Indies too started with a four off the first ball of the innings as Brathwaite flicked Rahman to the square-leg boundary. The similarities ended there as Rahman showed exemplary control with the ball, moving it both ways and mixing searing yorkers with an odd bouncer. With just 11 on the board, Rahman trapped Campbell lbw with the one that went on with the angle. On the next ball, he almost had Moseley in similar manner but the decision was overturned on review. Moseley hardly looked comfortable during his brief innings as Rahman kept peppering his pads. Eventually, he was lbw to the seamer when a yorker hit him almost full on the shoe and this time, the review didn’t help. At that point, Rahman had figures of 6-2-8-2.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz celebrates his century ©BCB
Brathwaite was firm at the other end and didn’t hesitate coming down the wicket against Shakib to hit him over mid-on. Even though the Bangladesh spinners kept the batsmen on their toes, Brathwaite, donning his sunglasses, ensured West Indies didn’t get bogged down and added 51 in an unbroken third-wicket stand with Bonner. In the morning, Bangladesh lost Liton Das in the third over of the day. His positive intent had helped Bangladesh wrest back some control on the first day and he looked set to continue in the same manner today as well. However, he could add only four to his overnight
score of 34, bowled while trying to cut an arm ball from Warrican, who bowled unchanged throughout the session. At 248 for 6, it looked like West Indies could bowl Bangladesh out for under 300, but Miraz showed his skills with the bat and kept finding boundaries with ease while Shakib continued batting calmly at the other end. Gabriel’s struggles to get his length right also helped Bangladesh’s cause. With the new ball just ten overs old at the start of the day, that was an opportunity missed for the visitors. Warrican created another opportunity when Miraz, attempting a big shot, got an
inside edge onto his pad and the ball lobbed towards silly mid-off. And despite taking evasive action initially, Moseley had two chances at it but failed to hold on. West Indies finally got the breakthrough when Shakib had a lapse in concentration against Cornwall. After getting beaten on the previous ball, Shakib tried to cut the offspinner again. This time, though, Cornwall tossed the ball higher and the resulting slice was pouched by Kraigg Brathwaite at point. At that stage, the match was hanging in the balance. By the end of the day, Bangladesh were certainly the happier side.
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Fruta Conquerors to African Union Chairperson compete in 2021 Concacaf and FIFA President discuss Caribbean Club Shield ongoing strong collaboration
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ruta Conquerors, the winners of the 2019 GFF Elite League, will compete in the 2021 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield, as the regional competition resumes following the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Caribbean Club Shield is open to titlewinning clubs from the 27 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members that do not organise professional league football. The top two teams from each of the four CFU nations with a professional league the Dominican Republic, Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , Jamaica and Haiti – compete in the top tier Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship. “We are delighted to be given a chance once again to represent Guyana at the Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield,” said Fruta Conquerors President Colin Gittens. “We were all very disappointed with the manner in which things turned out last year. Now that we are in the tournament, there is an atmosphere of excitement and purpose throughout the club - the players, staff and ExCo are really motivated and ready to get to work.” Conquerors were the last team to represent Guyana in the Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield, finishing bottom of their group in 2019 and missing out on the knockout stages. Suriname’s Robinhood went on to claim the title, beating Martinique’s Club Franciscain 1-0 in the final. “Based on that experience, our aspiration has always been to return and prove that we deserve to be competing as the top team l o c a l l y, ” H e a d C o a c h Sampson Gilbert said. “We give ourselves an even chance as any team in the tournament and with adequate preparation and motivation, we will perform well.” As the GFF Elite League was cancelled in 2020, due to the pandemic, Guyana is eligible to enter the winners of the most recent edition of the league. The Tucvillebased side dominated the 2019 season, finishing
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Colin Gittens - President Fruta Conquerors FC unbeaten with a goal difference of +38. “I would like to thank President Forde and the GFF for their continued support, which is essential to making this a worthwhile endeavour,” Gittens said. “Also we would like to thank our sponsors S.M. Jameel and Company Ltd and the Guyana Beverage Inc. family, our primary sponsor, for their continuous support throughout the years. Much thanks and appreciation is extended to all other stakeholders and sponsors who supported the club.” This year’s competition is slated to take place between April 1st and April 11th. The winners of the tournament will play the fourth-placed team in the 2021 Caribbean Club Championship for a spot in the 2021 Concacaf League. Sampson said coaching staff were preparing an
intense, holistic schedule for the squad to ensure players were ready for the challenge ahead after a long period without competitive football. “The club is proud to represent Guyana’s budding football development in the Shield. This is an opportunity to highlight our competence as national league champions and showcase young and developing talent in our country,” he said. “ G u y a n a ’s f o o t b a l l needs this exposure since we’re on the brink of World Cup and Gold Cup qualifiers, while also looking forward to the implementation of a professional league.” The GFF is currently working with experts from E u r o p e a n f o o t b a l l ’s governing body UEFA to develop a sustainable model for the launch of Guyana’s first professional league.
IFA - Yesterday, during a call that preceded the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), AU Chairperson H.E. Cyril R a m a p h o s a a n d F I FA President Gianni Infantino spoke of the positive momentum generated between both organisations in the past two years as well as the strong institutional bonds forged between the AU and FIFA for the benefit of the African people. Reviewing the progress made since both organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2019, the two leaders discussed various topics, including plans to boost African Football with a particular focus on infrastructure (stadia, football pitches), football academies and competitions, but also on the fight against match manipulation, as well as safety and security at football matches across Africa. The joint #SafeHome campaign from August 2020 between the AU and FIFA, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), where the four organisations addressed the important issue of domestic violence, which was exacerbated by COVID-19-related lockdowns and stay-at-home
FIFA President Gianni Infantino measures by launching a successful awarenessraising campaign is a further testimony of the close collaboration between the AU and FIFA. A number of Africab a s e d F I FA L e g e n d s supported the campaign via video awareness messages which were distributed on social and traditional media. Both the AU Chairperson and the FIFA President also recognised the opportunities that education through football can bring through the FIFA Football for Schools programme which is being coordinated globally via the FIFA Foundation. Having visited 35 African countries in the last few years, Gianni Infantino stressed the important role that Africa plays in global football, and how that needs to be strengthened in future. This role has been supported with strong investments via t h e F I FA F o r w a r d programme which has already delivered close to 300 projects across the continent. The rollout of the FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan, supporting football
across Africa during the pandemic, has also been significant and continues to play an important role to keep football alive in the continent. Related to COVID-19, vaccination processes will also be crucial in the months ahead. In this respect, the FIFA President reiterated his support for fair access to vaccines for all, a message that he had passed to a global audience earlier this week at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in the presence of the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The FIFA President thanked the AU Chairperson for their continued support, and assured his AU counterpart that the strong relationship forged between both organisations in the past two years will continue when F é l i x Ts h i s e k e d i , t h e President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will assume the role of African Union Chairperson for a oneyear term during the aforementioned Assembly, which takes place on 6 and 7 February 2021.
Rory McIlroy: R&A and USGA proposed rule changes ‘reek of self-importance’ BBCsport - Golf authorities have spent “millions of dollars” on “the wrong thing” in their move to change rules to combat the distances players hit the ball, says Rory McIlroy. A new rule looks set to limit the length of clubs to 46 inches, and other changes are also being considered. McIlroy, 31, said rule makers should focus on grassroots golf after the sport’s “unbelievable boom” in 2020. “It certainly doesn’t need to happen,” the Northern Irishman said. “This pandemic has been so good for golf and the fact is they are looking at the wrong thing. “They spent millions of dollars doing this Distance Insights Report, which I think is not going to change the game at all. “There might be new regulations on manufacturers but manufacturers are going to find a way round them, that’s how good they are. “So those millions of dollars should have been put back into the grassroots of the game.”
The Distance Insights Project has been run by governing bodies the R&A and United States Golf Association (USGA). Regulations limiting the length of clubs are expected to be put in place before the Masters in April. The governing bodies will also collect feedback on the potential use of a local rule that specifies the use of clubs and balls a player can use. Implementing such a rule would offer flexibility to tournament organisers. World number six McIlroy said the project “reeks of self-importance”. In response to McIlroy’s comments, a spokesman for the R&A said: “We have said all along that we were going to conduct this process openly and invite feedback from serious voices throughout golf. “So we welcome the contributions from players and others involved in the sport and will take them into consideration as we move forward on this important subject.”
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Friday February 05, 2021
Panko Steel Fabrication golf tourney set for Sunday
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fter a lengthy h i a t u s competitive Golf will make a grand return to the Lusignan Golf Course when the Panko Steel Fabricating tournament tees off from 09:00hrs on Sunday. The tournament is expected to attract some of the top golfers locally and will be played in pairs. The competition was launched on Wednesday at Crown Mining Supplies Building located on Dennis Street, Campbellville and will be played under strict covid guidelines. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Club Captain Patrick Prashad said the format is called “Pair 9-hole better ball”, where two golfers will compete as a team. “Two golfers will tee off at a hole and as the game progress they can play the ball that is in a better position to complete the hole.” In this format one score – counts per hole for each team and the team with the lowest
total score for the round wins. General Manager of Panko Steel Fabrication which is located at Coldigen, East Coast Demerara, Sandy Ramsundar said the company has been involved in the fabricating industry for quite some time and they have become more prominent in recent times. “The reason for coming on board is because of the passion our founder and CEO Mr. Panko Ramsundar has for the sport. He has been involved in golf for a number of years, developing his skills from a caddy to become the golfer he is today. Additionally, he wants to give back to his community and help in the development of the sport. President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Pur P e r s a u d , l a u d e d M r. Ramsundar for the initiative and informed that six prizes which will be donated to charity. “We welcome this sponsorship and would like to encourage other companies to come on board
NBA, union agree to March 7 All-Star Game in Atlanta
President of the LGC Pur Persaud accepts the sponsorship cheque and trophies from General Manager of Panko Steel Fabrication Sandy Ramsundar in the presence of from left Club Captain Patrick Prashad, Treasurer Maxim Mangra and Secretary Chet Bowlin. and support the game.” Persaud informed that permission was granted by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Sport to host the
event so we are open for other tournaments. “We wish Panko Steel success in his business and we do look forward to his continued
pandemic. The NBA’s midseason break is scheduled for March 5-10. Not all players are convinced the gathering is a stellar idea amidst a season shifted in many ways by the pandemic. “If I’m gonna be brutally honest,” Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox said in an ABC interview, “I think it’s stupid.” Fox, who is having an All-Star caliber season to date, said he would still play in the game if (Continued on page 25)
winner’s choice are: first place $40,000, second place $30,000 and third place $20,000. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers beat Brisbane Heat to reach final
Livingstone has scored 381 runs at an average of 29.30 and strike-rate of 134.62 in this season’s Big Bash
File Photo: Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes (10). Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports Field Level Media - The NBA and National Basketball Players Association have agreed to stage the All-Star Game in Atlanta on March 7, The Athletic reported Thursday (yesterday). Details are being finalized and could be announced this week, per the report. The league canceled its traditional All-Star We e k e n d , o r i g i n a l l y scheduled for this month in Indianapolis, due to the ongoing COVID-19
support. We are expecting some 50 players and a keen competition is expected.” The prizes that will be given to a charity of the
BBCsport - England’s Liam Livingstone hit a brutal 77 off 39 balls as Perth Scorchers thrashed Brisbane Heat to book their place in the Big Bash League final. Cameron Bancroft made an unbeaten 58 and Mitch Marsh 49 not out off 28 deliveries before rain cut short the Scorchers’ innings at 189-1. The Heat never threatened a target of 200 in 18 overs, slipping from 37-0 to 88-6 en route to a 49-run defeat. The Scorchers will
play Sydney Sixers in Saturday’s final at the SCG. It will represent another meeting between the top two sides from the group stages. Defending champions the Sixers, who topped the table, secured their place in the final with a nine-wicket thrashing of the Scorchers in the Qualifier on Saturday - a game notable for Andrew Tye bowling a wide to deny James Vince the chance of a match-winning century. Lancashire batsman Livingstone, who played two
Twenty20s for England in 2017, hit five fours and six sixes as he dominated an opening stand of 114 with Bancroft, recalled in place of injured England opener Jason Roy. The Heat’s daunting chase floundered as early as the fourth over, England’s Joe Denly and captain Chris Lynn perishing to successive balls from Jason Behrendorff. Sam Heazlett and Jimmy Peirson - the Heat’s match-winners in the Knockout triumph over
Sydney Thunder on Sunday were among Aaron Hardie’s 3-46, and an Andrew Tye dropped catch in the final over was a rare blemish on a near-perfect Scorchers display. Big Bash Qualifier, Manuka Oval, Canberra Perth Scorchers 189-1 (18.1 overs): Livingstone 77 (39), Bancroft 58* (42), M Marsh 49* (28). Brisbane Heat 150-9 (18 overs): Burns 38 (24), Hardie 3-46. Perth Scorchers won by 49 runs (D/L method).
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Afruica Gentle fulfilling dream of playing College Tennis - Says Cultural gap is big in Baltimore, Maryland USA By Sean Devers Nineteen-year-old Afruica Gentle has acquired a four-year partial athletic scholarship to attend Coppin State University in Baltimore Maryland and is studying Criminal Justice and Corrections. The powerful righthander, whose scholarship was to start last year but was postponed due to the outbreak of the corona virus, said it was always her dream to play College Tennis. “I drew inspiration from great friend of mine, countryman Gavin Lewis, who attended and graduated from Copping State. Afruica, speaking with Kaieteur Sport just after the completion of an 8-pm class on Tuesday night, revealed that College life has been great so far since it’s not very different from Guyana. “However, there is a big Cultural gap and so far during the pandemic my biggest challenge has been to social distance, but I have been making that sacrifice because as an athlete it is important for me to be covidfree. The standard of Tennis here is very high and very competitive,” informed Afruica, who informed that the College’s first match for season is set for February 13. Despite her hectic schedule of studying and playing Tennis, Afruica still managed to follow the West Indies series in Bangladesh.
Afruica Gentle “I watched most of the One Day Internationals and was very disappointed that the West Indies batsmen did not show more fight or commitment as they lost of three of their games. I will watch some of the first Test and hopefully they will be more competitive in Tests. The bowling is not too bad but the batting is a worrysome,” said Afruica, who has also represented Guyana in Cricket at both youth and senior levels. Having attended Apex E d u c a t i o n a n d M a e ’s School, Gentle started playing Tennis when she was five-years-old with Park Rangers Tennis Club under Coaches Debbie BunburyGreen and Shelly DalyRamdyhan. Her first tournament was the Le Meridian Pegasus
Tennis Tournament where Afruica won the Girls U-12 title. In her last year as an Under-14, until now, Afruica has been training at the Roraima Tennis Club under Coaches Dexter Lewis and Rebecca Mitchell who have been instrumental in her development. The multitalented lass who is the youngest of four siblings, grew up watching her sister Shawna excel at Tennis during her time as a junior and always wanted to be as good as her sister or even better. “While at Roraima my g a m e e l e v a t e d tremendously. I also had training from Coaches Leyland Leacock and Anthony Downes and was mentored by Christy Campbell who is one of my sponsors. Cristy has been a great influence on my decisionmaking to pursue my academics and Sports. She always encouraged me to be disciplined on and off the Court,” disclosed Gentle, a former National Junior Champion. The year 2019 was a highly successful one for the then 18-year-old as she impressed both on the cricket pitch and the Tennis Court. After being not so gentle on the bowlers in GCB Female National U-17 tournament where she dominated with the bat, she earned a place in Guyana U19 team and later that year
Concacaf to launch Central American Cup and Caribbean Cup Miami, FL - As part of this new club competitions ecosystem, Concacaf will work with its member associations in Central America and the Caribbean to launch two new cup competitions: A Central American Cup and a Caribbean Cup. In addition to qualification through domestic leagues, both cup competitions will include qualification slots into the new Concacaf Champions League group stage that commences in the fall of 2023. “This is a hugely important development for Concacaf and for club football in our region. The Concacaf Champions League has grown impressively in recent years, but this new format will
Victor Montagliani Concacaf President transform the competition and significantly increase its relevance throughout our confederation and globally,” said Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President, Victor Montagliani. “It will elevate clubs and leagues throughout Concacaf with more exciting regional matchups that we
know fans want to see. It will also provide a very competitive pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup as clubs from our region strive to succeed on the international stage”, added Montagliani. On the formation of a Central American Cup and a Caribbean Cup as part of this new Concacaf club competitions structure, Montagliani added, “We are also very excited by the prospect of new Central American and Caribbean Cup competitions as part of this new ecosystem. They will provide great matchups between rival clubs and will further drive development of the club game within the respective regions”. Further detail on the (Continued on page 25)
Afruica Gentle in training mode when she was in Guyana
she was selected in the National squad for the Regional tournament which was played in Guyana. On the Tennis Court, Gentle, who has now put cricket on the back burner because of her Scholarship in the USA, was even more successful. She beat Kayla Fraser in the Women’s Open
finals, teamed up with fellow Roraima club mate Gavin Lewis to take the Mixed Doubles title whilst also teaming up with her mentor Christy Campbell to capture the Women’s doubles title. Afruica thanked her parents and family for their support throughout her career and her main sponsors
Mr. Saleem of Builders Lumber Yard and Mr. Bunbury of Frontline Hardware Store. “I would like to also like to thank the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles Ramson and the members of Roraima Tennis Club,” concluded Afruica.
t r o p S
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s hundred and Mustafizur Rahman’s strikes make it Bangladesh’s day
Jomel Warrican celebrates a wicket ©BCB
Kraigg Brathwaite sweeps down on one knee ©AFP via Getty Images
Fruta Conquerors to compete in 2021 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield
Flashback! GFF Elite League back to back champions, Fruta Conquerors pose for Kaieteur Sport following their 8th win of the 2019 season against Den Amstel at the GFF National Training Centre on May 12, 19. Franklin Wilson photo. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.