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Ministry probes large NEWS excavator seen driving on newly-paved ECD road AIETEUR

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Saturday Edition February 23, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 08

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Online readership yesterday 127,099

Rusal standoff …

No investor will be allowed to come here

and mistreat workers - Govt.

Commander-in-Chief President David Granger takes the salute from the Guard of Honour at last evening's 49th Republic Anniversary observance at D'Urban Park

UG bomb threat Nursing Appeal Court Student gets student grants interim three years suspect granted accused $10,000 bail of cyber stay in Nandlall's for ecstasy in High Court threats Law Reports trial in pocket

Four envoys, Senior Counsel and long-serving priest head National Awards list

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2019

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

Rusal standoff …

No investor will be allowed to come here and mistreat workers - Govt.

A

By Leonard Gildarie

bout 70 miles from Linden, in a l i t t l e community known as Aroaima, a group gathered.

In the hot midday sun, a man sweated profusely, using a wooden paddle to turn a large cauldron of c h i c k e n c u r r y. H e i s preparing lunch for scores of workers and others who have gathered, including reporters. It was an unlikely setting for the battle that is taking place.

They are staffers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), a local subsidiary of Rusal, an aluminum giant owned by Russians. A number of the persons gathered are friends to the community, many of them women who came to lend support.

They were waiting for Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally and Minister Keith Scott, who has charge over labour. They were supposed to come and update workers on a meeting that Government had with the Russians and possibly bring some good news.

At around 4pm, the ministerial team, including Ally, Scott and Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, arrived.

Minister Ally told union leaders and other senior officials that Rusal had met with government and were told in no uncertain that they must reinstate the workers as soon as possible.

The management was also told that the GB&GWU must be recognized and that a repeat of the situation should not “resurface.

She said that that Government wants peace and cooperation. The government is on the side of the workers, she stressed.

Government will not allow any investor to come and mistreat workers, she said.

For several days now, workers have been holed up in Maple Town, a housing area of Aroaima, Region 10.

Some 61 of them were sacked over the weekend for downing tools, in rejection of a one percent increase that they received in their pay packets.

It was not the first time that Rusal has terminated workers on such a mass scale.

In 2009, 57 employees

had their services terminated for protesting for better working conditions and pay.

Rusal/BCGI continued their business as usual under the administration of the then President, Bharrat Jagdeo. There were no sanctions for Rusal for what union leaders said then was a clear breach of workers' rights.

There were protests for months and it became a talking point and even an election issue. This time, the workers are resolute.

Work has stopped. BCGI has brought in two senior officials from Rusal to meet with Government to find a resolution. They refuse to leave Maple Town, an area that is about 12 miles from Kwakwani. That waterfront area is on the Berbice River

The ministerial team and labour officials meeting the union leaders and other representatives at Aroaima yesterday.

yesterday.

Government ran it for a number of years, before Alcoa tried for a few mornings before giving up.

T h e J a g d e o administration then struck a deal with Rusal, which came in and inherited the operations.

“I can tell you we don't know the deal. What we

Foodstuff came from the regional administration for workers, but they refused to take the hampers individually. It will go to cook food for all of them. that is five miles from Kurubuka, where the bauxite mining is taking place.

At Maple Town, the d i f f e r e n c e i n accommodation was stark.

The management lived in air-conditioned homes that had Dish TV. Three or four hundred feet away, there were some modest homes for supervisors. About 1,500 feet away, shift workers are made to stay in camps that they say are barely fit for human living.

At the senior staffers' area, a senior cop blocked the reporters' vehicle, saying

that the area is off-limits. The senior cop was polite.

Staffers were livid.

Rusal came here under Jagdeo in the mid-2000s.

Before that, between 1990

and 2000, US-owned Reynolds Metal had run Aroaima, building homes, and setting up operations. It pulled out around 2000, workers explained

know is that all you are seeing here is what they got.

Workers received jobs but the conditions deteriorated.

Workers were eager to meet reporters. It was an opportunity to get their voices heard.

For workers, the onepercent is a slap in the face.

“Some of us got $6 a (continued on page 14)

Kaieteur News

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Saturday February 23, 2019

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

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

EDITORIAL

Six thousand for a seat

W

ho is ready to step forward? After all the talking, posturing, and criticizing, will they be there?

Each of the new parties must attract some six thousand of the electorate to gain a seat in parliament. One seat for one group could potentially represent a difference-maker; one seat for each holds out the reality of domestic troubles in the legislative house. That might enable it to go from a marketplace to a less troubled, even constructive place.

But before any of this, whether one seat or two, a whole set of developments must occur and in a complementary sequence; any single slip, and it could be the same old story of specious words, shallow postures, and scorned work product. In other words, the new people have to get their visa first; this one is issued at the ballot box. Will they get that coveted stamp of approval?

For that to happen, the voters have to do more than show up; they have to show who they are, what all the preelectoral palaver was about; what they stand for in terms of expectations for the future; and where the road really leads.

For one pivotal moment on that crucial day (still to be finalized), the Guyanese voter - eligible ones - gets to function as kingmaker, troublemaker, and possibly difference-maker from the age-old and the same old. At a minimum, it requires six thousand such voters to fill those just identified and oft-mentioned roles. In view of the voting history here, that is a whole kingdom for a horse with the very sensitive placement of that inerasable letter indicating how matters coalesce.

Now there is a word loaded with possibilities. For in Guyanese political culture, coalescing (as in coalition) is one dirty word. It has had a weak and spotted countenance; and citizens know that can come from more than a bad liver.

It could be bad intentions, worse visions, and then the worst of all consequences. The inferences for the future are that more of the same could be set in motion.

Citizens have paid a hard price in the past; more of the same could be promised with any such development. One of the new groups has gone so far as to issue the reassurance of having scant interest in being part of any coalition. A word of caution might be helpful for the newcomers: it is easier to decide and act on the ideal of relinquishing dual citizenship holding: it is a finite and distinguishing act.

It is somewhat trickier and much more intricate where partnering through coalescing is involved. No coalescing has an impressive earthy ring and immaculacy, given the traditional political shabbiness. Yet it could creep up on house member and lawmaker with all the stealth of a fox; and the old hands at this local political game are as crafty as they come.

Think about this: a coalition does not have to be an officially and publicly binding circumstance. Just think legislative voting. The so-called swing vote (a perpetual no-confidence sword of Damocles) may end up with the pendulum stuck suspiciously in one corner. Continuously.

Hence, the delivery of the actuality of an in-the-house coalition.

That would be all that matters, with understandable and permissible abstentions and deviations on issues of lesser significance. And if constituents (that same heroic 6,000) could be made happy through the Guyanese equivalent of those storied American Congressional practices of horse-trading and pork barrels, it is off to the races. What will it take? What will it require for the probable one-seaters to deliver this way or that?

Consider this: To be an effective agent of change or a difference-maker is going to demand that, at some time or the other, one assumes the role of either icebreaker or bridgebuilder. Trouble lurks. Icebreakers are pushers or compromisers; and a bridgebuilder joins to the other side.

Rev Ian Paisley of Northern Ireland famously labeled the latter traitorous. Newcomers should beware.

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

The presidential candidate is nowhere around DEAR EDITOR, The opposition presidential candidate is nowhere around at this crucial moment, in this surging frantic race to an election date and day. He has become a nowhere man in a no man’s land. It as if a captain abandoned ship during the roughest seas, or is sidelined by a claim of seasickness.

In this particular instance, it might even be a case of do not be seen; and whatever else is done, do not be heard saying anything about anything.

What are the messages that resound from this bizarre situation?

How should reasonable citizens interpret what is becoming increasingly, painfully obvious?

First, the leading player is not just in the forefront of every issue, every development, and every occasion; he has arrogated to himself a pure monopoly presence and power. H is presence and party; he might already be president, truth be told, at least, in his own head.

This is today and a harbinger of what is to come.

This exclusive control over, and micromanaging of, all matters confirms that there is neither confidence nor comfort nor trust in what the candidate brings to the fore. I think this was known all along. How could it not be?

Citizens are reminded that this is not for president of a dog pound, but for a country. It is a country with an endless litany of intractable problems. The essence of the leadership conveyed by the de facto first bugler is that, given recent history and the accumulated acrimonies, those countless national controversies and problems will prove to be insurmountable in the wretched future looming.

Second, the candidate’s acquiescence and palpable reverence-as previously publicly committed toconsigns him to the role of a bit player in a political soap opera saturated with both tragedy and parody. Here is a candidate ready, willing, and determined to be a fifth fiddle (not second) and submit to being the butt of all manner of disparaging commentary, as well as knowing contemptuous shakes of the head both within his own fold and then beyond.

What does that say of any candidate for such a vital office? Anywhere? From day one, if not before, many appalled citizens (at the idea only, and not the still incredible reality that is now) had forewarned of the circumstances that are now constantly revealed in graphic detail. The worst fears find solid, irrefutable footing.

It is not even the

semblance of a tag team, but a classic example of boss and boy; the latter long cloaked in the raiment of a little lost innocent lacking in vision, direction, and gumption.

This is bad; really bad. I do not mean for the candidate alone; but for the image and possibilities of this society.

Third, if the party, as managed and directed by its esteemed leadership, does not allow the man, of whom so much was extolled, to open his mouth, then what does that say, if not the unsayable?

It is instructive that even the prime mover, determined champion, and seasoned rabbi will not take any chances through allowing him to stand on his own two feet and project some inkling of strength, knowledge, and presidential aura.

He does not speak on anything; even from prepared words; even on less testing challenges and controversies, such as street people, noise nuisance, or cruelty to animals. It as if this potential first citizen possesses no mind of his own, no tongue to speak of, and no footing on which to stand, however precariously.

Come to think of it, what is occurring before the eyes of an astonished citizenry is cruelty to a human being; nobody should be subjected to this degree of disdain, this level of leadership abuse and victimization.

This is more than taking one for the team; or paying d u e s ; o r s u ff e r i n g i n sacrificial silence for the rewarding intoxicants of power. It is about the abject humiliation that was always so much part of that nomination territory. It must be borne in mind, that all of this is unfolding on a daily basis before the cameras and in print. In other words, full public view.

Fourth, this does not say much, if anything, about the teacher and groomer; it says way less of the student, an acolyte of the most amateurish pedigree made to pay penance before one and all. That must be some bed of nails.

Nobody deserves to be dragged through the mud like this on the grand stage. I cannot recall in the annals of history and my own not insignificant readings coming across such a combination of eroded characters and ominous circumstances.

In an effort to be kind to the candidate, the best that can be offered is that it is on the job training.

The problem is that the learning curve in this particular situation is projected to be of a lifetime’s duration, with little promised as result. Of course, this satisfies the criteria dreamed up from the inception.

Finally, all things (Continued on page 6)

Saturday February 23, 2019

A golden opportunity has been presented to the PPP DEAR EDITOR, I have always been an opportunist. I believe that opportunities can sometimes present themselves even in chaos and disappointment.

If you’re smart, you’ll know to cease it.

Unlike some in the PPP, I abide by my moral values and principles; I am not willing to degrade myself for monetary value or sell my integrity.

There is an old saying that while the optimist and the pessimist debate whether the glass is half full or half empty, the opportunist will drink the content.

This is exactly what happened to the PPP. You see Mr. Editor, while the legendary Brain fart on January 19 when Bharrat Jagdeo engineered the selection of the worst possible candidate was in motion, GECOM was drinking the hall-full glass of urgency and election preparation; in other words it was politicking.

With APNU/AFC three commissioners and the unilaterally appointed chairman, the instruction from the government was to delay the election as long as possible.

In this vain, they have decided not to honour the constitutionally mandated 90-day election – an assault on our democracy and constitution.

Instead, in blatant disregard for the Chief Justice’s ruling, they have decided to go for house-tohouse registration instead of elections.

Anyone vaguely familiar with the GECOM processes will understand that this process can take months, even longer if the intention is to delay elections, which appears to be to case.

Aside from ramping up its defenc e f o r t h e constitution, the PPP has the opportunity to reverse Jagdeo’s hijacking of the Presidential Candidate and return the decision to the PPP supporters – the true d e c i s i o n m a k ers of the party.

Since the selection of Irfaan Ali, the PPP has been bleeding internally as many party stalwarts struggle to

reconcile their faith in the party, which has become almost identical to their faith in the current government.

The government’s blatant trampling on the constitution, in all likelihood, would delay national elections, until late 2020 or even early 2021.

This renders obsolete Bharat Jagdeo’s central argument not allowing PPP supporters to elect their Presidential Candidate – there is not enough time.

After March 19, this “there is not enough time” becomes more unfounded than it was at the beginning.

In other words, the new reality provides an opportunity for the PPP to do the right thing and let its supporters – the same ones they are currently courting for their votes – decide who they want to be their Presidential Candidate.

Of course, I am not naive in my optimism or opportunism, I probably didn’t mention, I am also a pragmatist.

The election of a new Presidential Candidate would require a change of heart from Bharrat Jagdeo, who have relegated two-thirds of the central committee to be his whipping boys, or a show of serious strength by PPP supporters reminding Bharrat Jagdeo that they are the ultimate decision makers and his action and manipulating of the central executive to selected his buddy Irfaan Ali – a man riddled with charges of fraud – as Presidential Candidate is not acceptable.

In fact, some PPP supporters have already sound the alarm. On the night of ‘election’ farce, the backlash of social media and other outlets were so severe, Bharrat Jagdeo, had to call an emergency PR meeting to ease what appeared to be never ending, brutal onslaught of Irfaan Ali, Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP altogether.

Several businessmen and PPP MPs, most notably one from Berbice, told Bharrat Jagdeo explicitly that Irfaan Ali selection (not election) angered the strongest of party supporters (including myself).

Bharrat Jagdeo in a very

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characteristic manner then proceed, in a welldocumented, characteristic manner to ‘cuss out’ those speaking the truth.

The very first public event held for Irfaan Ali in Berbice at Tain attracted less than 1,000 supporters. This was after the PPP hired over 40 buses to fetch supporters from Mara to Corriverton, one end of region 6 to the other.

‘When Bharrat Jagdeo saw the crowd, out of shame he mumbled ‘this isn’t the start of the campaign, when we start more people will come’.

Mr. Editor, a new candidate will firstly require a new internal election. Then followed by a change of heart from Bharrat Jagdeo or the growing of a pair by many Central Committee Members to take a position of principle and ensure one of the two outstanding candidates available is selected.

Now that I have exhausted my optimism and my pragmatism is reminding me that the probability of this happening remains slim, I am also reminded that throughout our history, Guyanese have achieved remarkable things and we can hold leaders accountable, even those who rain over us for decades; God, I can’t seem to escape my optimism.

The point is, if the PPP was to select a decent Candidate, it will be sure to end the reigns of the current administration’s assault on our constitution and our future.

The longer Irfaan Ali remains the Presidential Candidate, the more PPP supporters will stay home.

Vishal Singh PPP/PYO Member

THOSE LUSTFUL PRIESTS DEAR EDITOR, I am well aware due to convention and my own personal experience that getting too involved in another’s Religion and Politics is a great big ‘no no’ that can damage long standing relationships, sometimes for life. I am too old to care either way anyhow.

I’ve been following the rash of recent revelations of child sexual abuse by Catholic Priests past and present here in America.

One of the few things I admire about the American way is the fact that the media is free to investigate and expose any and all matters of interest to the public without fear of intimidating or reprisal.

Once the media gets its teeth into a story, hold on to your hat, it’s going public.

“Kaieteur News” reports on anyone” and no one from the President on down to the hobo on the corner is immune.

A free press in America is one of the cornerstones of Democracy and should be an example to every country on the planet.

Child sexual abuse was practised by undercover priests those “Holy Fathers” for decades in America. Countless little boys and to a lesser extent, girls, were victimized by these perverts. Fortunately, the American media is still free and the jig was finally up as the stories hit the press.

I often wonder if these twisted so called men of God were able to get away with their perverted and predatory lusts for little boys in America

for so long, what about places like Guyana, Haiti, Central and South America? Are the Guyanese authorities concerned about the nefarious activities of the Holly Fathers in the country?

There is a Child Protection Agency in Guyana.

Any unit of that Agency mandated to look into the possibility of abuse by priest here? In view of the flood of revelations in America, it would be irresponsible to think that priests in Guyana are somehow immune to this perversion.

Parents who are Catholics should have a sit down with

their children.

This could be a difficult exercise but very necessary.

If the Government would not look into the possibility of abuse of children by Priests here in Guyana then Catholic parents must protect their little ones from these devils masquerading as holy men.

I know that the Child Protection Agency does investigate abuse by the wider public but not too sure, they are actively c h ecking on children of Catholic parents.

Respectfully Claudeston G. Massiah.

Upgrade the East Ruimveldt market DEAR SIR, We the stall holders/owners of East Ruimveldt market seek to highlight the plight that affects our daily bread at the aforesaid market. One such is the roadway in the market, which is in a deplorable state for longer than we can recall and is getting worse with each passing day.

We also seek permission from the Clerk of Market (or whomsoever is responsible) to upgrade our stalls, at our own expense, to accommodate our vending.

These upgrades could see the raising of the roofs of the stalls and/or us extending the structure to accommodate another floor.

These upgrades will see the council receiving more funds as stall rentals would increase hence more revenue for the council. We are asking for an audience with whomsoever is responsible to initiate such a venture.

Yours sincerely, Stallholders/owners of East Ruimveldt Market

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Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

ELECTION WILL BE STALLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR DEAR EDITOR, It is quite clear that the Coalition Government will go all out to stall elections as long as possible. They will use the court system as an excuse - waiting until the appeal process is fully ventilated, but at the same time, they are making mistakes (may be deliberately) to even delay the process.

The glaring mistakes of dates and omitting the name of a respondent are shameful.

From press reports, it appears that Attorney General Basil Williams is not taking the blame for the “faulty” pleadings, which resulted in dialogue with newly appointed Solicitor General, Nigel Hawke, minutes after Justice Rishi Persaud refused to amend the pleadings.

I know Hawke personally.

In fact, while I served as Solicitor General in Belize, I recruited him from Guyana to work as Senior Crown Counsel. I was very impressed with his all round ability. He later appeared a few times before

the Caribbean Court of Justice.

He was subsequently elevated to Solicitor General.

He was the most hardworking, brilliant and meticulous lawyer in the government. Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, an outstanding Senior Counsel said that Hawke was the most efficient and dedicated lawyer he has known.

The hearing of the appeal to the Guyana Court of Appeal is delayed because of the “foul up” by the Attorney General Chambers and it is not known when there will be a full hearing by the local Appellate Court.

It is anticipated that the issue will end up before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). God knows when it will reach there for a final determination by the Courts.

There are further obstacles leading to Elections.

GECOM voted to have a house-to-house voters’ registration, which will take at least nine months, although there were local government elec-

tions six months ago. Meanwhile, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo is exploring options for legal action against GECOM for continuing to delay the holding of elections.

He is calling for sanctions against the Guyana Government such as freezing bank accounts and prohibition of personal travel.

Jagdeo said that the PNC was dominating the elections management authority with President Granger’s unilateral appointment of its Chairman, retired judge James Patterson.

The Granger administration is bent on ignoring the no confidence motion and the Order made by acting Chief Justice Roxane George. Cabinet is still meeting, but it is using other names such as “plenaries”, press conferences, etc. Critics feel that the Coalition wants to prolong the holding of elections for as long as possible.

However, the PNC has good reason not to worry since there is a rift in the PPP camp.

A large number of the supporters do not agree that Irfaan Ali should be the Presidential Candidate since they feel he was handpicked by former President Bharrat Jagdeo coupled with the fact that he is facing a series of criminal charges and his academic certificates he presented are said not to be genuine.

They feel that Anil Nandlall and Frank Anthony would be better choices.

Many of them are contemplating to abstain from voting.

Oscar Ramjeet

FITUG should condemn RUSAL DEAR EDITOR, So now we have the sad and sickening situation of this breakaway, Trade Union Movement, FITUG, issuing a Statement titled ‘Ministerial Plenary shows contempt for High Court Ruling, - FITUG, (Kaieteur News, February 19, 2019).

This body of Trade Union leaders should instead of venturing into an arena outside of their mandate and beyond their competence should devote their energies to support the workers who are being brutalized by an alien group, RUSAL. They should be reminding

our leaders and people that when Jagan and Burnham witnessed the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at midnight of 25 - 26th May, 1966, it signaled an end to colonialism and imperialist relationship.This meant we should not allow foreign businesses to exploit and disrespect Guyanese workers.

FITUG next statement should be to condemn RUSAL and demand that the Government takes drastic actionso that in the words of an Elder that ‘this confounded nonsense must stop.’

If they wish to acquire knowledge I suggest they

read the Statement by Former Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Professor Duke Pollard, as contained in Guyana Chronicle of February 17, 2019 written by a Staff Reporter titled ‘Chief Justice misdirected herself,’ The article addresses with great elucidation the legal, constitutional and political issues related to this No Confidence Vote of the 21st of December, 2018.

I recommend all citizens to read this article.

My advice to FITUG is ‘Shoemaker stick to your Last.’

Hamilton Green.

A LOT IS WRONG IN THE REGION ONE ADMINISTRATION DEAR EDITOR, I write in relation to a Television a programme with the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairperson of Region One being interviewed by a Mr. Ed Layne.

The two Regional officials are frustrated because they are not getting their way i.e. using Government resources to cover the PPP’s campaign. They should be ashamed to get on public me-

dia with those unfounded allegations about: a) the removal of items from the Government quarters – those should never have been put there in the first place; b) the removal of the Secretary to the REO – the REO has the prerogative of having someone he could trust with confidential matters. However, the two complainants cannot anymore

The presidential...

From page 4 considered, I feel sorry for the candidate; this pantomime has to be regretted. Worse yet, words do not begin to capture the sorrow felt for this society; its struggling, hopeful peoples deserves better. That party deserves better; and so, too, this nation.

This is so regardless of who wins, loses, or comes out otherwise. In this benighted land, there are no draws. Only the harmful, and the pitiful, too.

Sincerely, G.H.K. Lall

see correspondence addressed to the REO before he does, so their cart has been tilted over; c) the Vice Chairperson mentioned that the REO is racist and sexist. Seems she did not consult with a dictionary before she misused (especially) the word ‘sexist’. Or is it that they were told what to say?

Maybe; there is an allegation making the rounds about some nefarious activities involving a senior official of the RDC, Region One and a young Amerindian GUY who was brought to Georgetown under the pretext that he would be taken for counseling. His mother is worried.

This allegation is more serious than the Regional Executive Officer changing a Confidential Secretary.

Adrianne Bowman

Saturday February 23, 2019

Fatal plane crash at Eteringbang...

Body of pilot brought to city The body of Captain Randy Liverpool, who perished on Thursday in the Cessna 206 aircraft accident at Eteringbang Region 7, was brought to the city yesterday.

A release from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) stated that Liverpool’s remains arrived at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at approximately 13:45h where family members and colleagues were present to receive the body and offer moral support.

Kaieteur News understands that Liverpool was married and the couple has a one-monthold child.Meanwhile, GCAA inspectors, along with an investigator from the Guyana Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Unit, visited the crash site to begin their investigation. “The death of Captain Randy Liverpool has sent shockwaves throughout the civil aviation fraternity, including the GCAA,” the release stated.

“Captain Liverpool worked with the GCAA as an Air Traffic Controller before pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot. The GCAA extends its condolences to the family, friends and the aviation fraternity on the passing of Captain Randy Liverpool. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

The Domestic Airways Cessna 206 aircraft 8R-GHB crashed on approach at the Eteringbang airstrip in Region Seven at approximately 17:45hrs on Thursday.

A police release stated that the aircraft was heading from Ekereku to Eteringbang and was about five minutes away from the Eteringbang airstrip when it went down. A loud explosion was heard and fire was seen coming from the aircraft.

Persons who rushed to the scene found the pilot engulfed in flames in the wrecked aircraft.The body, which was burnt beyond recognition was eventually retrieved from the wreck and taken to the Eteringbang Police Station.

One eyewitness described the scene as “horrific,’ with rescuers struggling to drag the smoldering body from the wreckage.

One report from aviation sources indicate that the pilot was observed “coming in too low” as he approached the airstrip. This has led to speculation that he might have suffered engine failure.Veteran aviator Captain Gerry Gouveia had described Liverpool as a ‘very experienced’ and ‘very careful’ pilot.

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Captain Randy Liverpool “The information that I have is that he was very experienced and very careful, and so it boggles the mind (as to what went wrong.)

“I would just say that when an aircraft goes down like that, it’s possible that he had engine failure. The pilot seems to have been a very experienced pilot…it has the aviation fraternity in shock.”And former army pilot captain Miles Williams, who now flies corporate aircraft in the US, suggested that it was still too early to say what caused the crash.

“We had reports of the aircraft flying low.

He’s very experienced; he’s been doing shuttles in the area for awhile. It could be engine failure or wind gusts (that caused the crash).”

PPP has been more responsible than govt. during no-confidence impasse - Jagdeo “Many people don’t realize how responsible the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has been,” said the party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo. He opined that since the no-confidence motion was passed in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018, the party has shown more responsibility and initiative to resolve the impasse, in a manner that upholds the supremacy of the Constitution.

At the Office of the Leader of the Opposition last Thursday, Jagdeo said “I walked across the same night the noconfidence motion was passed and said to Harmon, ‘Could we arrange a meeting with the president to talk this through and to talk about the future?’”

That meeting happened 18 days later, which Jagdeo believes is an indication of the government’s disregard for the Constitution. Even then, when the two sides met, Jagdeo’s assessment of that forum was that it was “business as usual” for the government.

After Chief Justice Roxane George delivered her ruling on the validity of the No-Confidence motion, on January 31 last, the Ministers

PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo resorted to forming a ministerial plenary, as a show of respect for the Chief Justice’s ruling. This is because a verdict of her ruling resolved that Cabinet is resigned.

Jagdeo made reference to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who said that the plenary has all powers of the cabinet. He condemned the notion of the plenary having the same powers of the cabinet, and said that the Ministerial Plenary is unconstitu-

tional and illegal, because the law does not grant cabinet powers to such a body.

It was less a show of respect for the ruling, and more about outmaneuvering the ruling, Jagdeo opined. “[They] set up a ministerial plenary to bypass the court.”

Asked whether he will seek further dialogue with the president, Jagdeo said “I’m not meeting to gaff again” (Continued on page 12)

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Saturday February 23, 2019

50 percent fewer maternal deaths recorded in Barima/Waini last year Maternal deaths fell by 50 percent in Barima/Waini [Region One] in 2018 acting Regional Health Officer [RHO], Dr. Vishal Ramjas, said Thursday.

Dr. Ramjas made the announcement during the visit of Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr. Karen Cummings, to Hobodeia Health Post during a three-day stay in the SubRegion to get a first-hand look at health-related progress in the hinterland area.

The RHO told a community gathering that fewer women died in 2018 from pregnancy-related complications in 2018 when compared to official Regional statistics compiled in 2017.

“We have recorded a decrease in our pregnant mothers dying. We realised in 2017 we had a high amount of deaths and in 2018 we had a decrease by half the amount,” he said.

There were five maternal deaths in 2017, and just two last year, the RHO said.

Dr. Ramjas attributed the

Dr. Vishal Ramjas [first from right in front row] and Minister Karen Cummings [next to Dr. Ramjas] during a community meeting in Region One. slide in maternal deaths to reinforcement of the country’s National Maternal Mortality Reduction Plan,

which includes timely transfer of patients, early evaluation of patients, detection of high risk patients, availability of

laboratory services for mothers at time of assessment, appraisal of pregnant women on their first visit by a doctor, and ultrasound being available on outreaches by the Public Health Ministry’s team, Dr. Ramjas explained.

The Barima/Waini RHO told residents that the Human Papillomavirus [HPV] Vaccine is now being offered to boys and girls who are nine - 16 years old as part of a broader national strategy that helps in the fight against cervical cancer, which is among the leading causes of death among Guyanese women.

Parents can decide that they do not want their children to take the HPV vaccine, Public Health Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence, said when she announced the decision last week at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

Barima/Waini is expecting a new shipment of drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical

supplies in the Region to treat common illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, cold, flu and diarrhoea. The RHO said too that the Health Post will be refurbished this year as part of the health sector improvement plan in the interior area.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr. Cummings said provision of youth-friendly spaces can help delay sexual encounters, and so help in the fight against teenage pregnancy.

“I want us to provide a more youth friendly space so as to prevent teenage pregnancy and delay early sexual encounters,” Dr. Cummings told residents. She said too that it is her desire for the village to have a community centre where residents, especially the youths, can engage in extra-curricular activities such as sports, movies and games nights.

“We can create a youthfriendly space for teenagers, a place where you can ventilate and interact with

others,” she said.

While the Minister is pleased with visits of the government’s mobile dental team to the area, she wants eye-care services added to beef up the Region’s medical outreach package to Barima/ Waini residents. The Health Post which is currently being managed by community health worker, Mr. Sean Thompson, who is a resident of Hobodeia.

Dr. Cummings is the first government minister to visit Hobodeia, a riverain village on the Aruka River. It takes some 60 minutes by boat from Kumaka to reach the community populated by approximately 400 persons.

During her impromptu meeting with Sylvestor Antonio, the village Toshao and residents, the Minister reminded them that paying attention to health when one is young will help prevent the myriad diseases and illnesses which today plague the world’s elderly population.

Saturday February 23, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The bigoted masses The most dominant theme in the discourse on politics in Guyana is about the failure of the two main political parties, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). It is contended that these two political behemoths have divided the Guyanese people, and it is this division which accounts for the country’s problems.

This column offers an alternative view. It argues that the political parties are mere reflections of the society, and it is the bigotry of the masses which has led to the politics of division, rather than the other way around.

The existing political parties are constrained in their political mobilization, because their leaders are drawn from a polarized base. Both of the main political parties have been unable to become multiracial parties, because their core membership will not allow them to do so. The problem is not just the parties; it is also their support bases which prefer them to be ethnic parties.

Both Burnham and Jagan tried to woo multiracial

membership.

Burnham canvassed Indian support when he was in power, but he found that Indians never forgave him for the racial riots of the 1960’s.

Despite the severe problems in the economy in the 1980’s, Jagan was unable to attract a significant African base within the PPPC. It is not for the want of trying by these two leaders, that their parties did not become multiracial. Racial and ethnic prejudices have remained entrenched, with each side concerned about keeping the other away from control of government.

Today is the 49th year since Guyana became a Republic. In those forty- nine years, Guyana’s has remained a developing country and its politics has remained polarized.

As a developing country, the debate should have been about how the country should be ruled.

But that has not been the central debate. The main debate has been more about who should rule. The debate has been about which party should govern – the People’s Progressive Party or the People’s National Congress.

And the solution which has been proposed conveniently has been for shared governance.

Both parties have spoken in support of some system of shared governance. But it has not happened, because when one side is in office it hogs political power to the exclusion of the other.

The PPPC spoke about the need to build political trust. But it did nothing to do so. APNU promised that despite what happened in the 2015 elections, it would bring the PPPC into the government.

It has not done so. And presented now with the perfect opportunity to do since December 21, 2018, it has not done so.

Both of the main political parties are not being pressured by their constituencies to move towards inclusive governance.

And the reason is that, by and large, the vast majority of these supporters are more concerned with who should rule rather than the substance of that rule.

The no-confidence vote (NCV) has exposed the bigotry of the masses. The NCV issue has divided the public as few

Dem boys seh ...

Dem big ones sending messages again Courtesy is nice. You get to appreciate it when you go in de countryside and all dem li’l children who walking pon de same road as you and dem telling you good morning or good afternoon. No child does pass you like breeze. Dat does only happen in town.

When you travel and you meet people overseas is a different thing. You does see people smile wid dem mouth and cuss you wid dem eye at de same time. Dem is de people who actually claim dat dem teach we manners and courtesy.

For example. When Guyana get independence, de Queen send a message congratulating dis country on its achievement. Is like when Roger Khan come out of jail. People who don’t like

him, gon be meeting wid him to offer him best wishes.

People gon be buying drinks and feting de man.

Dem was de people who help him end up in de place wheh he been punishing fuh de last couple years.

De Queen come and when Guyana get Independence, she send a message of congratulations. Things get sweet because Burnham and Cheddi feel important. Dem get a message from de Queen.

De President of de United States also send a message. Then nuff odda people follow dem. People smile. Then de whole thing stop fuh years. Guyana struggle and people didn’t even remember dat de Queen and de President of de United States use to send congratu-

latory messages.

Now dat Guyana find oil, all dem big people know de country again. Trump sending message PON Republic anniversary. De Queen start sending back message. And people who never even send a message now sending message. Guyana rich and when you rich, everybody does be nice to you.

Jagdeo ain’t send no message because he don’t like Guyana unless he is de leader. Soulja Bai send a message and Sam send a message. In fact, Sam message bring tears to dem boys’ eyes.

Today is a nice day, although Trump done forget about de message he send.

Talk half and know dat when you rich, people does be more nice to you.

issues ever have. The supporters of the government are refusing to accept that the government should call elections while the opposition supporters are pressing for the resignation of the Cabinet and new elections.

The public debate has long dismissed issues about respecting the Constitution – the sacred text of a secular state. It is the Constitution to which the public should look to determine what is right and what is wrong, what is lawful and what is not lawful. The debate has been about holding on to power, even if it means thwarting the Constitution.

The purpose of the Constitution is to protect citizens. Not so long ago, the government revoked the leases issued to farmers. The farmers claimed they were deprived of their property and they sued on the grounds that their constitutional right was violated. They won.

There was another attempt by government to compulsorily acquire a piece of land in the city. There were again concerns about the constitutionality of this decision. The government backed-off. What would have happened if there was no constitution to prevent

arbitrary acquisitions?

Like the NCV, these are issues about how political power should be exercised; that is, how the state should be governed. But instead of addressing the principles which should guide political action after the NCV, the public is polarized because they are more concerned with another debate – who should rule.

PAGE 10

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Quoting Tennessee Williams on Mash Day In one of his less successful plays but one that is my preferred choice, Tennessee Williams in “The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore” (made into the film titled “Boom” with Elizabeth Taylor) wrote that every step you take in the present, right there and then becomes the past.

So in a fleeting moment, today’s excitement you feel in your enjoyment of Mashramani celebrations will become the past, and once again, living in and with Guyana becomes your reality.

It is for this reason, I sus-

pect people engage in intense leisure in Guyana.

They want to have fun and forget about the discomfort, pain and suffering that characterize existence in this land. This is a country where living is a burden unless you are spectacularly wealthy.

Daily life is a hassle.

It occurred to me that I should retain the countless number of emails I get from people about the unpleasant things that happen to them and reproduce them in some columns. But they are simply too much. The latest one I re-

ceived two days ago. I forwarded it to the publisher, Mr. Lall, the editor Adam Harris, his deputy Nigel McKenzie, and assistant editor, Leonard Gildarie.

The sender complained of constant harassment by the Essequibo traffic ranks. You can detect the desperation in his words. T his is just one of thousands I have received over the years. They make me angry and sad. When people have to endure these unbearable hassles, they could only cope by seeking relaxation and enjoyment. They want to take their minds off Guyana’s cruelties.

I too want to take my mind off of these emails I get, and the complaints I receive in person when I am with my dog or shopping or at the gas station etc. They are really about very sad things that happen to people who cannot help themselves and they have no one to turn to. Readers can’t begin to imagine

what the ordinary folks go through in this country.

Single mothers get robbed every month by private security firms and there is no one they can seek redress from.

They are robbed of their overtime. They are unnecessarily penalized and money taken out of their salaries as a matter of routine.

The most feared human in Guyana is a traffic cop.

Traffic ranks in Guyana are the worst behaved in the entire Caribbean.

I am not impressed with the new Commissioner of Police. What has changed in the police force since he was appointed? When the incident between a traffic rank and Berbice attorney, Ryan Crawford made national headlines, because of the nature of the incident, one thought the cause of the unpleasant occurrence so heavily highlighted would disappear. It has not.

If you can recall, Crawford was stopped and he complained that the command was a random edict and the rank failed to disclose why he stopped him.

A big quarrel ensued and Crawford was caught on tape using tempestuously abusive

semantics. He was visited with several charges.

I will not criticize the charges. The evidence against Crawford is the tape.

But has the rank been disciplined? The police procedure is that random stopping is improper. So why did the rank do it?

Since the Crawford incident, I see routine stops almost daily on the street where I live - Railway Embankment next to the Caricom Secretariat.

Drivers in Guyana live in fear of the traffic ranks. And has the behaviour of the latter abated since we got a new home affairs minister in 2015 and a new Police Commissioner in 2018?

Most state services are harsh and unsatisfactory and make people depressed. Imagine, one has to get time from their boss to visit one of the following; GPL, GWI, NIS, a public or a private school, the deeds registry, a police station, the commercial banks, and the stress that person undergoes when they return to their workplace five hours after to face their boss . This is sadism.

I know people who have literally cried over what the

Frederick Kissoon commercial banks put them through.

There are horror stories of mistreatment of students and parents at private schools.

So, today, when you see thousands and thousands of persons in gay abandonment today (gay in the traditional sense of the word, meaning to be jolly and happy), it is not that they are obsessed with pleasure and nothing else matters. It is their way of forgetting that they live in a sadistic hell-hole.

I once did a solitary, brave, violent revolutionary act against the Burnham government when I was a young dreamer in the WPA. I’m sorry I am no longer an idealistic youth. I would have done it again in these times.

Saturday February 23, 2019

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

Venezuelan military kills woman in standoff over international aid, mayor says Caracas (CNN) Venezuelan soldiers killed at least one person and injured a dozen others Friday near the Brazilian border in a standoff with a local indigenous community over international aid entering the country, according to a local mayor.

“Instead of mediating, the military started shooting,” Emilio Gonzalez, mayor of the municipality of Gran Sabana, told CNN. Gonzalez said the victim was a 34-year-old woman, who was part of an indigenous group that clashed with the Venezuelan military, one day after President Nicolas Maduro shuttered the country’s border with Brazil.

Venezuela’s Ministry of Defense told CNN it had no information regarding the incident.

Tensions are running high at Venezuela’s borders amid opposition plans to usher aid into the country this weekend in defiance of Maduro’s wishes.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who invoked a constitutional provision last month to declare himself acting president, has been working with a raft of global partners to bring Venezuelans desperately needed food and medical supplies.

The violence came as du-

eling concerts kicked off on the country’s western border with Colombia, where aid deliveries from the United States have been languishing since Maduro blocked the Tienditas Bridge.

British billionaire Richard Branson is sponsoring a Live Aid-inspired show Friday in Cucuta, Colombia, featuring Latin American stars such as Colombian musical legends Carlos Vives and Juanes and reggaeton singer Maluma.

Colombian President Ivan Duque, Chile’s Sebastian Piñera and Mario Abdo of Paraguay also joined the crowds. “I would like to send a message to Maduro,” Piñera said. “There is nothing crueller than a government that denies and closes the entry of humanitarian aid that his own people need so much. And I can’t stop wondering, how can a person be so greedy to be willing to cause so much pain and so much suffering to his own people for so long, only to hold on to a power that does not belong to him.”

Maduro is staging a rival concert a few hundred meters away on the Venezuelan side of the bridge in Tachira.

The beleaguered President, who is facing growing calls to step down, denies that a humanitarian crisis exists in his country and suggests that aid efforts are part of a US plot to orchestrate a coup.

Maduro announced in a televised speech Thursday that he was considering shutting the Colombia border, which would seal off most of Venezuela’s inland periphery, and warned against trying to bring humanitarian supplies into the country by force.

The Venezuelan government has also closed its maritime border with Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire and, in the western state of Falcon, stopped flights to and from those islands.

An ambulance carries people injured in clashes Friday in southern Venezuela near the Brazilian border

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2019

President should meet with civil society on way forward – Opposition Leader

L

eader of the Oppo sition, Bharrat Jagdeo, told members of the media that multiple civil society organizations have voiced to him, their futile efforts to meet with the President.

At his weekly press conference on Thursday last, Jagdeo said that he has been in contact with members of civil society who are frustrated that the President has not set aside time to meet with them, so that they may discuss how civil society can contribute to breaking the current political impasse and move forward.

The PPP General Secretary said that “when it comes to reaching out, being accountable and meeting with civil society, this president and this government have not even afforded the civil society organizations even a perfunctory meeting.”

“That civil society forum has been waiting for several

weeks to meet the President, but he has refused to meet with them.”

The international community and civil society have urged the government to respect the Constitution, he noted, but civil society has been forced to do a balancing act between government and opposition, by saying that “all” parties must respect the Constitution, implying that civil society finds it necessary to tiptoe around the government.

Despite what such a balancing act implies, Jagdeo said “I made it clear to them that [the PPP is] not in violation of the Constitution, and that [the PPP is] not pushing this country into a constitutional crisis.”

Jagdeo said that he told those who contacted him that the government is propelling Guyana into a constitutional crisis, which is compromising the country’s interests, and placing its people “signifi-

cantly at risk because of this government’s proclivity to cling to power at all costs”.

“Because they did not achieve that meeting, they sought to meet with me to initiate certain actions with the President,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said he was asked by civil society members, ‘Will you not go over to meet President Granger to discuss this matter?’

He said that he is not concerned, at this point, with initiating such a meeting with the President, unless the agenda of such a meeting will discuss a reasonable timeline for elections. Otherwise, he will not, since “it is business as usual. Somehow, they’re peddling out there that ‘we can win this all and elections could be held whenever we want it’”.

“For us, it is not business as usual. I’m not just going to go there for another PR exercise”.

Youth who severed man’s hands appeals 10-year sentence Alvin Raghubeer, who was convicted and jailed for 10 years in 2016 for severing a man’s hands, has filed an appeal, which comes up for hearing on March 28, at the Court of Appeal.On March 16, 2016, Raghubeer was convicted by a 12-member mixed jury of wounding Nowrattan Wilmont on October 3, 2007, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was initially indicted

for attempted murder, however, the jury after deliberating for two hours, found him guilty of a lesser offence. According to reports, Wilmont and Raghubeer’s grandfather had been arguing on the day in question.

As Wilmont, who was cursing, turned to walk away, Raghubeer ran behind him and chopped him on the shoulder and left leg with a cutlass.

When Wilmont attempted to bar another chop, his hand

was severed.It was reported that Raghubeer, who was 16 years of age at the time, escaped, but was later apprehended by police and charged along with his grandfather.

However, proceedings against the grandfather were discharged in the Magistrates’ Courts and Raghubeer was committed to stand trial at the High Court. The custodial sentence was handed down

by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

PPP has been more responsible than govt. during no-confidence impasse - Jagdeo From page 7 “So far, we have been the most responsible opposition.

Since when, [do] I have to be the only responsible one?”

He told members of the media that the PPP has done enough and that it is the President’s responsibility to handle these matters with diligence.

“When I requested the meeting, it was not to deal with an issue as fundamental as this one, where the government was so entrenched with its position on the matter. That is behaving as though nothing happened.”

The opposition leader believes that GECOM is complicit with the government of Guyana in violating the Constitution.

Jagdeo has leveled a series of criticisms at GECOM officials and commissioners in relation to election-related issues

“It is a corrupt, undemocratic government that is trying to hang on to power at all costs,” said Jagdeo.

However, Jagdeo said that despite the government’s attempts to postpone General and Regional Elections, the timeline cannot be altered by the courts. The Constitution only permits the three-month timeline to be extended if there is a 2/3 vote of the National Assembly, which Jagdeo has vowed the PPP will not accede to.

“The PPP has done all it can, at this point” Jagdeo said, without subverting the Constitution.

Currently, the party is calling on the Chancellor, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, to ensure that the government’s challenge of the motion at the Court of Appeal is dealt with expeditiously. Jagdeo asserted that there is no other court matter

that should take precedence on the time of the court, than an issue which is about the constitutionality of the government. The international community, including CARICOM, has also called on the Court of Appeal to have the matter dealt with expeditiously.

“So there is nothing to prevent the immediate hearing of these matters,” he stated.

As for the dissonance between the March 19 deadline and the February 2019 timeline set by GECOM, Jagdeo rests the blame entirely on the government which, he believes, has not cared to respect the Constitution. He said that after March 19, the government will be illegal, and that what happens thereafter could depend on the international community to level appropriate sanctions.

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Ministry probes large excavator seen driving on newly-paved ECD road

T

he Ministry of Public Infrastructure is currently reviewing footage showing a heavy-duty excavator traversing the East Coast public road, on Thursday.

The footage, published on the Ministry's Facebook page, shows a 320C Hydraulic Excavator moving along the newly-paved surface. The machine is designed to traverse rough terrain, and one of that size tends to cause damage to roadways.

The Infrastructure Ministry's statement reads that the driver of

Saturday February 23, 2019

A still photo from the footage captured by the Infrastructure Ministry's engineers

the machine is from Durban Quarries.

The Ministry said that it views this as a blatantly disrespectful act in relation to the use of the paved section of the road, and the government's efforts to revitalise the country's infrastructure.

When this publication reached out to the ministry's Public Relations Officer, Kress Cummings, she said that there have been no decisions on action to be taken against the driver, because an investigation is ongoing.

No investor will be allowed to come here and mistreat workers...

From page 3 week increase. A supervisor received $500. What are we doing?”

The situation with Rusal was puzzling. For 14 years, its operating company, BCGI, has not been declaring a profit.

The Government of Guyana owns 10 percent. It received nothing.

Throughout the time, Rusal has been digging up the bauxite without stop.

The company was told to meet with the union on Monday at the Ministry of Social Protection- the Department of Labour office on Brickdam. They refused.

The company said it cannot have talks while General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Wo r k e r s U n i o n (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis, was present.

The reason is simple.

Rusal is refusing to recognize the union.

The Labour Department insists that the union is legal.

On Thursday, at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, warned the company that it must respect the workers' right and that a resolution must be reached.

Ye s t e r d a y, w o r k e r s insisted that the company must recognize its union and negotiate for a new collective labour agreement and proper transportation arrangement They demand that the company regularize the holiday pay issue and improve the housing conditions.

The workers accuse management of suspending and terminating workers without a chance for a hearing. They also said they

want safety issues to be tackled. Many times, when they complain, they are reprimanded or punished.

Just after three yesterday, a truck with hampers came for the 61 workers.

However, Lewis, the union leader, warned the workers to hold one head and for the food to be collected by union officials.

Rusal has hired former Chief Labour Officer, Mohamed Akeel, to advise them.

Yesterday, with his union branch officials, President of GB&GWU, Ephraim Velloza, said that the union has demands. It wants pay for each day that workers had been off the job.

The workers wanted the recognition that the union enjoyed prior to 2009 to be returned.

The union also demanded that the issues will be settled by arbitration, with government naming the chairperson, and the union and company having one representative each.

The workers said that the decision of the arbitration panel will be final and binding to both parties.

“We are prepared not to move. Many persons are young…they have nowhere else to turn to,” Ivan Leacock, 68, a crane operator disclosed.

He has been working since the early 90s in the Berbice bauxite area.

For many, the situation is a hopeless one…there is little recourse at the Department of Labour. “ We r e a d t h a t t h e Russians say they don't know and can't commit to give up back our job. It is same old, same old. Different government, same thing.”

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Haags Bosch Landfill Site readies for oil

I

n a n o t h e r y e a r, Guyana is expected to be well on its way to first oil, barring any unforeseen event. One of the major areas that has been lurking in the periphery is the large quantity of waste that is expected.

It will likely come not only from direct oil activities, but as a result of the spin-offs from other activities, including an expected population growth.

According to Site Manager Lloyd Stanton, the Haags Bosch Landfill has no

Saturday February 23, 2019

The Cell One area of Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill Site at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, is near capacity

problems with capacity, but it will need resources and number of strategies to efficiently manage what is to come. Stanton would know.

Haags Bosch, located aback of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was opened in February 2011, after the troubled Le Repentir reached capacity and was becoming a major worry for the city.

Haags Bosch inherited the city's waste and that of the 25-plus Neighbourhood Democratic Councils between Mahaica, the seawall, Timehri and Parika.

Originally 300 acres, the facility's size was reduced to 150 acres, to make way for housing and an industrial site.

According to Stanton, the construction of the landfill was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Guyana, to handle all municipal land waste and other solids. The contract to manage the daily operations of the facility has been given to Waste Solutions Landfill, a joint venture between Cevon's and Puran's.

According to Stanton, the landfill has been widening its scope, now accepting derelict vehicles.

Under strict consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, it has been also accepting materials like asbestos.

It is the plan in the future for a number of initiatives to make the landfill more sustainable, thus lengthening the lifespan of 28 years.

“Our future concept will involve volume reduction and compaction…we want to go there,” the official said during a recent interview with Kaieteur News.

The contractor has over 25 staffers to handle the first cell, which is being used to manage the daily garbage.

Representing the Ministry of Communities which has jurisdiction over the facility, are three staffers, including Stanton and personnel to manage the scale.

Regarding the cell, the official explained that it initially catered for four.

Measuring 353 metres by 185 metres, it was recommended that the height does not go beyond 15 metres.

Each cell was supposed to last about seven years. The current one has already exceeded its life span by two

Haags Bosch Site Manager, Lloyd Stanton years.

“This is Cell One we're working on. We have the rest of the year, pushing it to the limits. Tenders are in for Cell Two and currently in evaluation stage. It is a matter of getting funding approved to get the contractor awarded.”

Stanton is one of the few Guyanese who is qualified in waste management, studying in Japan, and learning best practices there.

He has participated in courses in Trinidad, and is paying attention to what is happening in the Caribbean.

Since opening, the facility has built one of the most modern leachate treatment systems in this part of the hemisphere.

A number of countries are paying close attention to Guyana and its management of Haags Bosch.

To reduce the impact of leachate being released to nearby waterways, there are quarterly tests being done by independent companies, with Haags Bosch looking to establish its own laboratory.

“Right now it is safe. We have a leachate treatment system for two years now and we never had cause to stop the process.”

Currently the facility takes off about 400 tonnes of garbage daily.

In January alone, there were 12,615 truck trips (continued on page 18)

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Saturday February 23, 2019

UG bomb threat suspect granted $10,000 bail in High Court

A

f t e r t w o Magistrates refused to grant bail to a 25-year-old student of the University of Guyana (UG), who is alleged to have made several bomb threats to the tertiary educational institution, her lawyer was able to secure bail to the tune of $10,000 from the High Court.

Sheneza Dianne Jaffarally, a sales consultant at Yello Guyana, and of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, was charged u n d e r t h e Telecommunication Act. She pleaded not guilty to the

charge, which alleged that on February 5, last, at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, she sent by means of a public telecommunication system, for the purpose of causing needless anxiety to the staff and students of the University of Guyana, a message which she knew to be false.

Jaffarally, who was on remand for almost two weeks, was granted bail by Justice Navindra Singh, pending the hearing and determination of the trial.

She is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Latchmie

Rahamat.

On her first court appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had objected to bail being granted to her on the ground of the serious nature of the allegation.

Secondly, he noted that the allegation has the potential to spread public terror and that there is another investigation ongoing in relation to a similar allegation against the university.

The prosecutor added that if bail was granted to the defendant, there is a

likelihood that she would tamper with the witnesses and the investigation.

The magistrate after listening to both sides remanded the woman to prison on the ground of public safety. She then transferred the matter to Magistrate Rushell Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrates' Courts.

On the young woman's first appearance before Magistrate Liverpool, she was further remanded to prison on the ground of witness tampering.

As such, the woman's lawyer filed an application

Sheneza Dianne Jaffarally for bail in the High Court where she relied on Section 81 (1) of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act cap 10:01.

The woman's family had

released a statement, which read “… we wish to categorically deny the allegation levelled against her and will strive to undertake every possible means to ensure that her name is cleared of these claims”.

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

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

Haags Bosch Landfill...

From page 16 recorded at the site. And that does not involve inert soil, which amounts to about 560 tonnes monthly.

Daily, according to January figures, an average 150 trucks were taking waste there. Stanton admits that much more needs to be done.

“We do some amount of separation. We are not where we want to be. There are tyres. We have soil. There are about 40 waste recyclers who collect metal and bottles.”

According to the official, Haags Bosch inherited 69 waste pickers from Le Repentir.

The project was given an option by the IDB - to provide employment for them or find another way.

The pickers have been given safety gear and are mandated to take monthly health checks.

Questioned about the smell to nearby housing areas, including Nandy Park and Eccles, Stanton said that while from time to time there are emanations, these are few.

He pointed out that from time to time, smells would emanate from the waste, but these dissipate and some would end up over the housing areas.

He said that fresh garbage limits how far away the smell can carry. There are infrequent times when the amount of waste brought in cannot be covered in time.

This is rectified in a day or so.

Some days, the amount of garbage brought in can rise. One time it was an astounding 1,700 tonnes.

With regards to development, Stanton disclosed that there have

been proposals to take off the used tyres at the site. There are almost 10,000 tyres at the site, building up to a mountain of them. Monthly, almost 110 tonnes is being collected monthly.

Haags Bosch wants to get rid of it. “ We a r e a c c e p t i n g proposals for tyres. One proposal is in a small market.

The problem is how on the long term it will sustain itself. We are advising them to go around the place and collect. It can reach 1,000 tonnes monthly that can be made available.”

With regards to oil, Haags Bosch has seen a sharp rise of waste from the oil activities.

“There is going to be an increase in garbage. We can handle much more on site. It will have to be, however, a question of how much, in terms of resources.”

While 27 years has been touted, Stanton is convinced that the life of the landfill can go up to 60 years.

“There are so many things that can be done. For instance, the configuration of the current cell can allow more space. We can do compaction and recycling which will reduce volumes by as much as 40-50 percent, which will allow the life of the site to be extended by years. We are also thinking of asking for lands behind us to the east. So there is no issue of space.”

Stanton also pointed to possibilities of reducing the volumes by fostering the scrap metal trade.

“We need to improve on quality control. We could bring housing closer, but it will take resources, and we have lessons from other countries.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2019

PAGE 19

Student gets three years for ecstasy possession

S

enior Magistrate Leron Daly yesterday sentenced a 20-year-old student to three years' imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to having in his possession, five grams of methamphetamine pills, also known as ecstasy.

Lerry John Adams pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on February 20, 2019 at Princes Street, Georgetown, he had eight Methamphetamine pills, amounting to 5 grams, in his possession.

The man in addressing the court stated, “It is my fault and the pills are for my personal use.�

Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris stated that on February 20, last, police ranks were carrying out stop and search operations around central

Georgetown at around 21:00 hrs.

The court heard that Adams was observed riding a red and black motorcycle bearing registration number GJ 6503.

A search was then carried out on him and the Methamphetamine pills were found in his

Lerry John Adams

pants pocket.

He was told of the offence, to which he admitted to using the pills to relieve stress.

The Magistrate after listening to the facts sentenced the young man to three years' imprisonment along with a fine of $30,000.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2019

Police Force's top brass visit plane crash survivor Mark Grimmond in hospital Commissioner of Police Leslie James with Constable Mark Grimmond

The senior officers at the hospital yesterday

T

op brass within the Guyana Police Force yesterday commended plane crash survivor, Constable Mark Grimmond, whose actions were deemed vital in the rescue process, involving himself and a pilot, as well as the recovery of a body which he was escorting by air to the

city at the time of the accident.

The senior officers were at the time paying a visit to the injured rank at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

It was emphasised that the success of the rescue operation was due to Grimmond's quick thinking, determination and initiative.

Nursing student accused of cyber threats

N

anshalee Bowen of Lot 93 Middle Walk, Buxton, yesterday appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, and was granted bail for a charge of improperly using a telecommunication system, in which she allegedly sent threatening messages via social media to Onika Frank.

It is alleged that between November 14, 2018 and December 14, 2018 at Georgetown, the accused created a fake Facebook profile by use of cell phone and sent messages to Frank to cause annoyance or inconvenience to her.

The 19-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to her.

According to the facts of the charge, Bowen, who is a student at the Georgetown School of Nursing, sometime in November last, said she received threatening messages from a fake Facebook account.

She further claimed that after constantly receiving the messages from this account she decided to make a report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters. As a result an investigation was launched and several persons were questioned.

They all indicated that they would have received threatening text messages from a fake Facebook

Nanshalee Bowen account. An analysis was done on the defendant's phone and it was reportedly revealed she would have created the fake Facebook accounts and played victim.

Thereafter, the police file was sent for legal advice; hence, the charge was instituted.

Police prosecutor Richard Harris had no objections to bail being granted to Bowen, however, he asked that conditions be attached as more charges are likely to be made out against her.

Magistrate Daly granted bail to the accused in the sum of $20,000 under the condition that she report to the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) unit at CID Headquarters next Monday.

The matter was adjourned until February 27.

Saturday February 23, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Four envoys, Senior Counsel and long-serving priest head National Awards list

Ambassador David Thomas Allan Hales

Ambassador Sheik Riyad David Insanally

Ambassador Abdool Halim Majeed

Charles John Ethelwood Fung-A-Fatt, SC

High Commissioner Frederick Hamley Case

Monsignor Terrence Montrose

President David Granger and members of the Advisory Council for the Orders of Guyana, last evening offered sincere congratulations to 77 persons who have been honoured for their outstanding service and sterling contributions toward national development.

The following statement was issued by the Advisory Council for the Orders of Guyana, 2019: On the occasion of the 49th Republic Anniversary of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency David Granger, MSS, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Chancellor of the Orders of Guyana is pleased to make the following appointments under the Order of Service of Guyana.

Cacique’s Crown of Honour 1 High Commissioner Frederick Hamley Case 2 Charles John Ethelwood Fung-A-Fatt, SC 3 Ambassador David Thomas Allan Hales 4 Ambassador Sheik Riyad David Insanally 5 Ambassador Abdool Halim Majeed 6 Monsignor Terrence Montrose

Golden Arrow of Achievement 1Vincent Luther Alexander 2O’Donna Frances Allsopp 3Lorene Evadney Pamela Baird 4 Dr. Ruth BenjaminHuntley 5 Calvin Benn 6 Leslie Thomas Black 7 William Andrew Boyle 8 Negla Helena Brandis 9 Paul Andrew Carto 10 Dr. Rudolph Othneil Cummings 11 Phillip Nessie Bryan Da Silva 12 Patrick Reginald Anthony Farnum 13 Egbert Harold Field 14 Nicholas Fredericks 15Malcolm Jacob Jawaharlal Harripaul 16 Vincent Patrick Henry 17 Dickson Augustus Hooper 18 Leon Rayon Johnson 19 Kalam Azad JumanYassin 20 Patrice Desireé Ann La Fleur 21 Carl Chetwyn Lashley 22 Derrick Fitzpatrick Lawrence 23 Lawrence Hilary London 24 Julia Anne Mansell 25 Dr. Suresh Narine 26 Christopher Anthony Nascimento 27 Lurlene Anita Nestor 28 Dr. Maxine Patricia ParrisAaron

29 Dr. Rajendra Persaud 30 Eric McLauren Phillips 31 Sandra Kumarie Shivdat 32 Professor Gomathinayagam Subramanian 33 Morris Wilson 34 Geneveive WhyteNedd 35 Garfield Ian Colin Wiltshire 36 William Henry Woolford Medal of Service 1 Shameeza Baksh 2 Tarramattie Persaud Barker 3 Roxanne Marilyn Barratt 4 Rosemary Nicola Benjamin-Noble 5 Donna Annastatia Bowman 6 John Randolph Massiah Critchlow 7 Jean Marionetta Dorsett 8 Hilbert Gardiner Foster 9 Gloria Dawn Garraway 10 Lawrence Llewlyn Griffith 11 Soyinka Ameygo Grogan 12 Dr. Claudette Anne Patricia Heyliger-Thomas 13 Suresh Jagmohan 14 Parmeshwar Jagmohan 15 Ian Jardine 16 Bibi Fazeela Khan 17 Nizam Kassim 18Gordon Hubert Kingston 19 Kumar Lalbachan 20 Peter George Lewis 21 Nazrudeen

Mohamed 22 Terrence Anthony Poole 23 Leslie Chrispen Ramalho 24 Harripersaud Ramsewack 25 Petal Elizabeth Ridley 26 Gail Patricia Robinson

27 Ramkarran Roopchan 28 James Rotry Sampson 29 Komal Singh 30 Zohora Singh 31 Fitzroy Egerton Younge Military Service Medal 1 Lieutenant Colonel Courtney Arthur Byrne

Disciplined Services Medal 1 Deputy Commissioner Lyndon Lancelot Alves 2 Assistant Commissioner Paul Handel Anthony Langevine 3 Divisional Officer Compton Anthony Sparman

British parliamentary committee calls for British Overseas Territories to legitimise same sex marriages LONDON, CMC – The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee wants all British Overseas Territories (OT), including those in the Caribbean, to legitimise same sex marriages.

In addition, the Committee believes that the British government could do more than “simply support” same sex marriages in principle.

In its 44-page report titled “Global Britain and the British Overseas Territories: Resetting the Relationship,” the Committee said “it is time for all OTs to legalise same-sex marriage and for the UK Government to do more than simply support it in principle.

“It must be prepared to

step in, as it did in 2001 when an Order in Council decriminalised homosexuality in OTs that had refused to do so. The Government should set a date by which it expects all OTs to have legalised same-sex marriage. If that deadline i s n o t m e t , the Government should intervene through legislation or an Order in Council.”

The OTs in the Caribbean include Montserrat, B r i t i s h Vi rg i n I s l a n d s , Anguilla, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands.

In the report, the Committee is also calling on the British government to urgently address concerns in the OTs about the issue of

citizenship by descent and anomalies in the British Nationality Act that have taken too long to resolve.

“It should also consider options for removing quotas on the number of people in the OTs that can access NHS (National Health Service) services in the UK when their 32 Global Britain and the British Overseas Territories: Resetting the relationship own health systems cannot provide the care and treatment they need” It said that this may be difficult from a bureaucratic point of view but it is an important test of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) ability to fight the OTs’ corner in the UK

PAGE 22

FOR RENT

SERVICES

FOR SALE

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

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Genuine parts & Aftermarket parts for Doosan, Kobelco, CAT, Electronic parts, hydraulic pumps, fuel pumps #677-8104

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Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 6105846 or 661-8158

House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657

PROPERTY FOR SALE

3 storey commercial building.

Location- Lot 1486 Plot B Herstelling (2 Bridge) EBD. Suitable for school/ apartments. Contact #6093777/686-0522 Property for sale, 32 James St, Albouystown. #682-8236

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Tacoma 2007 Extra Cab, Manual $4.5M Tel#6733988 Nissan Laurel Executive antique car, Nissan Pathfinder 4-door Jeep.

Superb condition. Price Neg. Call your price. Tel#660-3415/609-7766 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561 HEALTH HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Two bedroom bottom flat in Festival City, Fully grilled, Car parking $80,000 Call: 616-7366 2 new 3 bedrooms semifurnished houses at Herstelling and Schnoord for $80,000. Call: 677-1975/6295401 for details 1 two bedroom apt for rent, fully grilled, fully tiled, huge parking space. Located @ LBI $85,000 neg. Tel#220-9463/ 646-0311

REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822

HOUSE PLAN TO BE DRAWN OR ESTIMATES. CALL 216-0671/ 692-8464/ 622-0267

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

Large 3 bedrooms classic house in solid condition- all amenties, huge yard, security.

Price negotiable, Versailles WBD. Call: 660-3415/609-7766 6 bedrooms house on transported double-lot, all amentities, private yard/ parking.

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Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 Transported property on the East Bank. 1 Shed away from main road. 60x90 $9.5M. Contact 619-0113

3 bedroom apt, unfurnished, can be used for storage. Rent Negotiable, Lusignan ECD #695-6550/656-9313 4 bedroom newly built house 5th Avenue Diamond EBD. Fully grilled, hot & cold water system $18,000 per month. #696-3915

WANTED Live in experienced waitress 18-25 #610-3974 Live in domestic, must know to cook Indian dishes salary$25,000 wkly (Age 2550) #610-3974 Wanted One (1) Mechanic to work in the interior. must have experience with Cummins engine. Tel#669-3162 One skilled Bobcat operator.

Must have 5 years’ experience. Call 609-0766, 2653024 Labourers for wood concession $5000 per day.

Call: 618-0487/662-6227 One Office Asst. Apply in person to R.P’s Enterprise, Area K Le Resouvenir ECD #220-3710 One Farm Manager to work on Coconut Plantation in Pomeroon River. Experience in Farming. Contact# 226-9768/ 665-6082 Wanted experience drivers & porters for water business.

Call: 622-5428 Urgently needed soursop leaves and stem from 50lbs to 1000lbs. Tel#609-8281 LEGAL NOTICE 1

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

Fabs Rental, Beterverwagting ECD Cars from $4000 #6040883 LAND FOR SALE Zeelugt $1.3M Parfaite Harmonie $1.2M Tel#697-6311 TOLET Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban) Unfurnished, two bedroom $60,000 p/m. Furnished studio (for visitors) US$600 p/m 6779638/668-7687

2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-117 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND M AT R I M O N I A L JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-117 BETWEEN:- (MARS) DENITA ANDREA nee Mc KENZIE Petitioner –and(MARS) DERON ALPHIE DENTON Respondent TO: DERON ALPHIE DENTON MARS (Last Known Address) Lot 283 Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara, Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 25th day of January, 2019 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by DENITA ANDREA MARS nee Mc KENZIE, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 12th day of February, 2019 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) Consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a

LEGAL NOTICE 1 CONTD

LEGAL NOTICE 2 CONTD

daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorneyat-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), an Answer and/ or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28 (twenty-eight) days from the Second and final publication of this Notice.

Respondent TO: RAMANOOJ MOHABIR (Last Known Address) 70 Clay Brick Road, Canal #2 West Bank Demerara, Guyana TAKE NOTICE that on the 13th day of December, 2018 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by SEETA SATTIE MOHABIR nee SANKAR, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 11th day of January, 2019 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) Consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday 3rd day April, 2019 at 9:00am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/ Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts (Georgetown, Demerara). The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 13th day of February, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE 2 2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FD1614 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-1614 BETWEEN:- (MOHABIR) SEETA SATTIE nee SANKAR Petitioner –and(MOHABIR) RAMANOOJ

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorneyat-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28 (twenty-eight) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday 12th day March, 2019 at 9:45am before the Honourable Mr. Justice Gino Peter Persaud in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts (Georgetown, Demerara). The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays continued on the next page

Saturday February 23, 2019

PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER Guyanese everywhere are celebrating the establishment of the Republic forty-nine years ago.

That act, on 23rd February 1970, confirmed our Independence, consolidated our multicultural character, accelerated social and economic transformation and advanced nation-building. the architects of Independence insisted, during Independence negotiations, on constitutional assurances for the eventual severing of subordinate ties to the British monarchy by insisting that: There will be provision for the Parliament of the new State [of Guyana] if it so wishes, after the 1st January 1969 to bring into operation scheduled amendments establishing a Republic on the Parliamentary system.

The Independence Constitution of Guyana entrenched provisions which provided for the establishment of a Republic. Forbes Burnham, the Prime Minister, on 28th August 1969, moved a Motion in the National Assembly for Guyana to become a Republic with effect from

23rd February 1970.

Guyanese, today, are celebrating their country’s statehood. It was a substantive fulfilment of our people’s aspirations to chart their own destiny by refashioning their social and economic relations, introducing new national institutions, affirming sovereignty and advancing towards the goal of self-reliance.

The National Honours system was introduced to recognise the service of our outstanding citizens.

Guyanese, today, are happy to live in a State that is committed to the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press and respect for fundamental human rights.

Guyanese, today, celebrate their cultural diversity and social cohesion in a multicultural society that promotes citizens’ unhindered devotion to the Christian, Islamic and the Hindu faiths and festivals.

Guyanese, today, celebrate the gains made to improve the lives of citizens through public education,

public health, public information, public infrastructure, public security, public telecommunications and social protection and improving access to public services, including water and electricity.

Guyanese eagerly anticipate the transformational economic change which will accrue from the green economy and emerging petroleum sector – factors which will impel the country further and faster into a future of prosperity.

The 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic will be celebrated next year. All Guyanese are encouraged to prepare earnestly for this historic event by intensifying our collective efforts towards national unity.

Everyone wins when the nation is united. Let us work together to ensure that our country remains secure, our economy is stable and that everyone is safe and could enjoy a good life.

I extend greetings and best wishes to all Guyanese at home and in the diaspora on the occasion of our 49th Republic anniversary.

Happy Mashramani!

DONALD J. TRUMP The following letter was sent to President David Granger on behalf of the people of the United States.

Dear Mr. President: Congratulations to you and the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on the occasion of your 49th Republic Day on February 23.

As your government and

the people of Guyana assess the future direction of your country, know that the United States recognizes and honors Guyana’s respect for the principles and integrity of democratic governance and institutions. Guyana is one of the United States’ most important partners in ensuring the Americas remain a zone of

democracy, freedom, and security. We look forward to a continuing collaborative partnership going forward, supporting the security and economic interests of both our nations. On behalf of the American people, I wish you and your people a joyous, peaceful, and prosperous Republic Day.

INDIAN ACTION COMMITTEE The Indian Action Committee (IAC), in recognition of the 49th Anniversary of Guyana having achieved republican status on 23rd February 1970, is calling upon all Guyanese citizens, including those who will be involved in public celebrations, to observe this day in a safe and

considerate manner given the fact that many persons will be consuming alcohol in large quantities.

The IAC further calls upon all drivers who are involved in festivities to observe the basic rule of not drinking and driving.

The IAC joins with the

political parties, religious bodies, trade unions and other civil society groups in the call for inclusion, genuine and lasting national unity in the drive towards economic development and prosperity.

The IAC wishes all Guyanese a Happy 49th Republic Anniversary.

GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION As Guyana celebrates its forty-ninth (49th) anniversary as a Republic our citizens have another opportunity to assess what and where that Constitutional status has brought us.

We became a Republic i n F e b r u a r y, 1 9 7 0 b u t remained within the Commonwealth of Nations – that grouping of former British colonies.

This was a major step, following Independence in 1966, and one which was intended to be in the furtherance of our independent status and forging of our nationhood.

With this step a President, now elected, became our Head of State and this, with other Constitutional reforms, solidified our independent status.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) salutes our nation on this important anniversary of Republicanism but takes a sober look at where the Republic stands nearly half a century on. No doubt we made strides in various socio-economic aspects during this time but, we contend, that the economic transformation whereby the

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Kaieteur News

masses of Guyanese could experience fully the results of development is still to be achieved.

Nonetheless, GAWU calls on Guyanese not to abandon hope and unite and struggle for genuine progressive change. As the Anniversary’s Mashramani events take centre-stage, let us celebrate but, bear in mind our responsibilities as citizens of our Republic to bring about enduring prosperity and allround progress benefitting every Guyanese.

A happy, peaceful Republic Anniversary and Mashramani 2019 to all!

HAPPY 49TH REPUBLIC ANNIVERSARY TO ALL OF GUYANA Guyana is 49 today and it is our hope at Kaieteur News that all Guyanese will work together to ensure that we continue to fulfill our motto of: ‘One People, One Nation and One Destiny’ today and every day going forward.

Moreover, we join the nation and all others to celebrate this auspicious day.

Below are some others who are also extending best wishes today.

LEGAL NOTICE 2 CONTD except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 15th day of January, 2019

PEOPLES’ NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM The Peoples’ National Congress Reform is pleased to extend greetings and good wishes to all Guyanese as we celebrate the 49th Anniversary of our Republican status.

The national celebration of Mashramani is an occasion for reflection and assessment of the state of our nation, 49 years after Guyana was declared a Republic. This year Mashramani is being held under the theme, “Celebrate Mash 49 with Victory in Mind”. In this regard, it must be evident to all that we, as Guyanese, need to redouble

our efforts to banish crime, disease, ignorance and poverty. We must strengthen national unity, expand national infrastructure, fortify national institutions, ensure national security and extend public services.

We must not rest until victory is ours.

Accordingly, the PNCR wishes all Guyanese a Happy Republic Day, and a joyous celebration of Mashramani, as we pray that the spirit of peace, love and unity will dwell among us on the 49th anniversary of our Republic.

Happy Mashramani!

PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY A Message from the PPP on the occasion of Guyana’s 49th Anniversary as a Republic As our nation celebrates its 49th anniversary as a Republic, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to express best wishes to all Guyanese, both at home and in the Diaspora. Through its colourful and vibrant celebrations, Mashramani represents our history of struggles and pride in selfgovernance. The jubilance, through vibrant music and the splendor of the multitude of colours, reflect not just reveling after hard work, as the word Mashramani connotes, but the rich diversity that define us as a nation. The symbols of our nationhood, such as the National Flag and the Constitution, must be respected by all Guyanese, in demonstration of our

patriotism. Mashramani is also a reminder of the fortitude and resilience of all of our people who remained steadfast in their efforts to building our nation, so as to realise the future we all desire.

Our Party remains cognizant of and commends the dedication and efforts of all involved in the various activities held across the country. It is the Party’s fervent hope that all will reflect on Guyana’s journey as a nation since attaining the status as a Republic and continued to be imbued with patriotism and pride as we celebrate the occasion of Mashramani 2019. Happy Mashramani to all Guyanese People’s Progressive Party.

VACANCY Vacancy exist for porters.

Apply Alabama Trading 65 Robb St, Bourda Georgetown Vacancy exist for (1) Manager to work at Hotel Purple Heart Restaurant & Bar on the Essequibo Coast #665-6082 Vacancy for maid in Kitty.

Contact 223-5897 1 Junior Accounts Clerk.

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Apply Mike’s Pharmacy Bel Air Junior Accountant- Kisson Dyal Rice Mill Mahaica, CAT Qualify Tel#228-5669 Email: Kissondyal10@gmail.com

VACANCY General Domestic, must know to cook & salesperson, Apply Keyfoood McDoom EBD Vacancy for one shop attendant. Contact#691-7123 General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank #614-4358 Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 6008457/683-8765 Professional hairdresser specialized in streaking, coloring, ombre, cutting, for further information contact# 652-5800 Professional makeup artist must specialize in manicure, pedicure, facials, nails, for further information contact# 652-5800 Bond Clerk needed. Must have Police Clearance. For more info. Call: 223-0090 Receptionist 24-50 233 South Road, Lacytown #225-0198 Male workers to work at Del Ice Company. Training provided. Call: 231-1408/6429191 Middle aged security guard to work at Private park in Houston. Call: 233-0654 8am to 5pm Merchandiser- Kisson Dyal Rice Mill Mahaica, CSEC passes in Maths & English Tel#228-5669 Email: Kissondyal10@gmail.com Urgent 1 male & female with creole cooking experince to multitask, flexible hours.

Contact X’s Grill and Cuisine #695-6550/656-9313 General Domestic, Carpenter, Driver/Salesman Apply @ R. Sookraj & Sons 108 Regent Street

PAGE 24

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

Roger Stone Gagged After Judge Jussie Smollett’s character cut from Dismisses His ‘Hollow’Apology season’s final 2 episodes of ‘Empire’ Longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone appeared in court Thursday after posting an Instagram photo of Judge Amy Berman Jackson with what appeared to be a crosshairs near her head and text accusing her of conducting a “show trial” on behalf of the “Deep State.” The judge, unmoved by an apology from Stone she said “rings quite hollow” imposed a strict gag order, baring Stone from speaking directly or indirectly about his case.

In court, Stone took the stand and reportedly pleaded for a second chance, offering Jackson his apology for a “stupid lapse in judgment” and an “egregious mistake” which he attributed to “extreme stress.”

Questioning him directly, Jackson reportedly told Stone he was “100 percent responsible” for the posts to his Instagram account, regardless of the “volunteers” who may have helped him with his social media. She pressed Stone about why he didn’t Google to “come up with a photograph that doesn’t have crosshairs in the corner?”

After a brief break, according to courtroom reports,

Jackson held Stone responsible: “This was a deliberate action,” she said, adding, “Roger Stone could not even keep his story straight on the stand.” Stone understood the “sinister message” of his post, Jackson insisted, adding “there’s nothing ambiguous about crosshairs.”

The judge then forbade Stone from speaking about his trial. “I’m not giving you another chance…. From this moment on, the defendant may not speak publicly about the investigation or the case or any of the participants,” Jackson reportedly said, telling Stone directly: “You apparently need clear boundaries so here they are.”

This court proceeding follows Stone’s arrest in late January. He was charged by the team of Special Counsel Robert Mueller in a sevencount indictment for attempting to “persuade a witness to provide false testimony” and for lying to a congressional committee. He posted a $250,000 bond and proclaimed his innocence.

Stone courted trouble over President’s Day Weekend, posting the now-infamous photo of Jackson, and the text:

Through legal trickery Deep State hitman Robert Mueller has guaranteed that my upcoming show trial is before Judge Amy Berman Jackson, an Obama appointed judge who dismissed the Benghazi charges against Hillary Clinton and incarcerated Paul Manafort prior to his conviction for any crime. #fixisin Within hours, Stone appeared to realize he’d made a serious mistake. He pulled the post and added another: He then made a formal apology to the court, writing: “Please inform the Court that the photograph and comment today was improper and should not have been posted.

I had no intention of disrespecting the Court and humbly apologize to the Court for the transgression.”

Jackson, who sits in United States District Court for the District of Columbia, was not amused. She ordered Stone to appear before the court Thursday to “show cause… as to why the media contact order entered in this case and/or his conditions of release should not be modified or revoked in light of the posts on his Instagram account.”

R Kelly: Singer charged with sexual offences in Chicago (BBC) Singer R Kelly has been charged on Friday with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, some involving underage victims, US media report.

The R&B star, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, has faced claims of sexual abuse against women and teenage girls for decades.

He has never been convicted and has previously denied all the allegations.

The 52-year-old is expected in court in Chicago, where he lives, on 8 March, which is International Women’s Day. Prosecutors allege the abuse of four victims took place between 1998 and 2010 - three of the victims were aged 13 to 16 at the time of their reported assaults.

On Thursday, two new women brought forward fresh allegations of sexual misconduct when they were teenag-

(CNN)The producers behind Fox’s “Empire” have decided to remove actor Jussie Smollett’s character from the final two episodes of the current season following his arrest this week.

The decision, producers said, was made to “avoid further disruption on set.”

“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us,” the statement said. “Jussie has been an important member of our ‘Empire’ family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out.”

The statement was signed by seven “Empire” producers, including Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, and showrunner Brett Mahoney.

“Empire” is in the midst of filming its fifth season finale in Chicago.

Text messages and rideshares helped police uncover evidence in the Jussie Smollett case Chicago police allege Smollett paid two men $3,500 to stage an attack on him last month.

Smollett had told police that on January 29 he was attacked by two people who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him, tied a rope around his neck, and poured an unknown substance on him.

The incident prompted a

flood of support for Smollett from all corners of Hollywood, including his “Empire” costars and producers.

Smollett has starred on Fox’s “Empire” since 2015. He plays Jamal, a successful singer in the musical Lyon family. Like his character, Smollett is gay.

Smollett faces a felony charge of disorderly conduct over falsely claiming he was attacked, police say.

Under Illinois law, filing a false police report is disorderly conduct and punishable by one to three years in prison.

Smollett has maintained that he did not make the story up. His attorneys promised an “aggressive defense” in a statement issued after Cook County state’s attorney’s of-

fice approved a felony disorderly conduct charge against Smollett.

“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,” his attorneys said.

After Smollett was arrested Thursday, the studio and network behind “Empire” said, “We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options.”

Investigators believe Smollett orchestrated the attack in part, “because he was dissatisfied with his salary,” Chicago police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson said Thursday.

Father of IS bride sues US to allow her return

ers in the mid-90s.

A warrant for Kelly’s arrest has been issued, police said Friday, and if convicted the singer faces a maximum of seven years in prison for each count.

Kelly’s lawyer told the Chicago Sun-Times he had

not been notified of the charges against his client before the news broke, but said R Kelly denied any wrongdoing.

Last week, lawyer Michael Avenatti said that his office had uncovered previously unreleased footage of Kelly having sex with a young girl, which was then handed to the Cook County State Attorney, whose jurisdiction includes Chicago. It is unclear if the charges are related to this video.

The father of an Alabama college student who left the US to join the Islamic State (IS) group is suing the government over her right to return.

Ahmed Ali Muthana filed the lawsuit Thursday, accusing the Trump administration of an “unlawful attempt” to revoke Hoda Muthana’s citizenship.

Ms Muthana has said she is willing to face federal charges upon her return.

But President Donald Trump has ordered officials to bar the former IS propagandist from entering the US. Ms Muthana, now 24, grew up in Alabama and travelled to Syria to join IS when she was 20, withdrawing from college and using her tuition money to purchase a ticket to Turkey without her family’s knowledge.

She now has an 18month-old son and is fighting for the right to re-enter the country with him.

The lawsuit emphasises that Mr Muthana is not arguing against any prosecution from the US government over Ms Muthana’s actions in Syria, but wants lawful recognition of her US citizenship and the citizenship of her child.

Ms Muthana has “publicly acknowledged her actions and accepted full responsibility,” a statement announcing the lawsuit said. “ I n M s M u t h a n a ’s words, she recognises that she has ‘ruined’ her own life, but she does not want to ruin the life of her young child.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that Ms Muthana had no “legal basis” or “right”

to a passport or any US visa.

Mr Pompeo confirmed her father’s prior status as a Yemeni diplomat for the United Nations was behind the administration’s decision.

Under US law, the children of diplomats are not considered US citizens.

The exact timeline of when Mr Muthana stopped serving as a diplomat and when his daughter was born is now being contested by the Trump administration.

The family maintains Ms Muthana was previously recognised as a citizen by the US Department of State and given a US passport in 2004.

Earlier this week, Ms Muthana’s lawyer, Hassan Shibly, shared a photo on Twitter of what he said was her US birth certificate.

Saturday February 23, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Appeal Court grants interim stay Nine months jail for youth in Nandlall’s Law Reports trial who admits to robbing woman “I owed a man some money, so I decided to snatch the woman bag and run away...unfortunately I ran into the police,” were the words of 21-year-old Michael English, before being sentenced to nine months imprisonment.

F

ormer Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who is on trial for the alleged theft of Law Reports from the State, was scheduled to lead a defence yesterday afternoon.

However, this did not happen, as the Court of Appeal granted an interim stay, yesterday morning, halting the trial until March 20, when the court will commence hearing an appeal.

Nandlall, through his Attorney-at-Law Devindra Kissoon, is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside and/or vary a decision by Chief Justice Roxane George, who last month at the High Court, dismissed an appeal against a no-case submission that was overruled by Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the trial.

The no-case submission was presented by Nandlall’s lawyer after the close of the prosecution’s case.

The charge Nandlall faces, alleges that between May 18, 2015 and May 29, 2015, being a bailee, in the then capacity of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, he fraudulently converted 14 Commonwealth Law Reports valued at $2,313,853, property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, to his own use and benefit.

Hearing the matter at the Court of Appeal were Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Justice of Appeal Rishi

English , a resident of Kitty, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on February 21, at Stabroek Market, he robbed Natasha Kumar of $171,000 cash, and an iPhone valued $100,000.

Anil Nandlall Persaud and High Court Judge Franklin Holder.

In the Notice of Appeal, Magistrate Azore and Superintendent of Police Trevor Reid, from the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), were named as the first and second Respondents respectively.

Appearing for Magistrate Azore was Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, while Attorney-atLaw Leslyn Noble, appeared for Reid.

In addition to granting an interim stay up until March 20, the Chancellor instructed the parties that the Records of Appeal must be filed by March 6. Nandlall was previously reported as saying that when he took up the post of Attorney General, he did so at a loss, and it was for that reason he agitated for the State to pay for the Law Reports.

He had said that the arrangement received the blessings of then Head of State Donald Ramotar.

However, investigators are contending that because the books were bought with State funds, they cannot be the property of Nandlall, and in fact the State should not have entered into such an arrangement in the first place.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs is contending that there is no evidence of an agreement between Nandlall and Ramotar, and even assuming that there was such an agreement, the use of public funds in this manner is a flagrant violation of the Financial Management and Accountability Act. Nandlall was charged after SOCU, an arm of the Guyana Police Force, completed investigations.

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

Police Prosecutor James Goodman told the court that on the day in question, the victim was walking in the vicinity of Stabroek Market, where she was going to purchase medicine for her mother.

The woman was approached by English, who snatched her handbag containing the articles mentioned in the charge, and ran away.

However, “the woman began shouting “thief thief” and English, in an attempt to escape, ran into a City Police rank,” Goodman added.

He was then arrested and taken into custody.

The court heard that while at the City Constabulary Headquarters, the stolen articles were found in his possession. He was also positively identified by the victim as the person who robbed her.

English, in addressing the court, stated that he saw the woman with the phone and decided to snatch her bag, because he has a

Michael English young baby to take care of and he owed a man some money.

The Magistrate, after listening to both sides, sentenced English to nine months’ imprisonment, citing that he did not waste the court’s time.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2019

Saturday February 23, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Silverbullet overcome Windsor Forest Dave’s West Indian Imports on board...

From page 31 GCB,” said Narine, who also Sherwin Stoll, Gvion Arokium, in 40-over fixture cricket, said when he was first owns the ‘Spurtree Spices’in Rajindra Ramballi, Sarwan

Silverbullet defeated Windsor Forest by one wicket when the teams collided in a 40-over fixture played recently at Windsor Forest ground in memory of Romio Henry.

Batting first, Windsor Forest made 123 all out with Mahendra Balgobin scoring 40 and Surendra Ramdin 25.

Bowling for Silver Bullet, L. David claimed 4-13 and C.

Benjamin 3-22.

Silverbullet responded with 124-9. C. Benn struck 60 as Sachin Balgobin who performed well with the ball in the recently concluded Inter Association U15 tournament in Demerara, captured 4-20 from five overs and M. Ragnauth 3-22.

Henry was a former member of the Windsor Forest Cricket Club.

Sachin Balgobin.

William France to do eye...

From page 30 great gratitude to the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) that has contributed a handsome US$4,000 ($800,000) towards his bill.

In addition, H.E. David Granger has sponsored the airfare for France and his daughter to T&T, while the National Sports Commission (NSC) has also made a

contribution.

With a $300,000 deficit, France, during an interview with Kaieteur Sport, explained that next week he will be doing a seven-mile fundraiser walk in Region two from Hampton Court to Anna Regina.

Persons/organizations that would be desirous of assisting France can contact him on 680-3892 or 662-0261.

Saturday February 23, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A meeting may take place today that you don't want to attend. It could be long and boring, but you should still make the effort to listen.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A project could be successfully completed today, Taurus. Discussions may already be taking place about the next one, but you aren't inclined to think about that, at least not right away.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you're involved in the study of a particular subject, today you might want to bury yourself in your books and learn as much as you can.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) This isn't the day to make investments. You may read in the paper or online about some hot new stocks, but be very careful. If you're interested, consult a professional before investing money.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your natural urge to innovate may seem to have vanished today, Libra. You may not feel like doing anything outside of routine tasks that you can do automatically.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The urge to stay in and rearrange your furniture might hit you today, Scorpio. You may want to clean out the shelves in your kitchen, add some new knickknacks, or rearrange your books into specific classifications.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Are you expecting an important communication, perhaps business related? If it comes today, it will probably come late.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A check you've been expecting to receive by mail will probably be delayed, Capricorn. It's nothing to worry about. Chances are it got hung up at the post office and will arrive soon.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Does a love partner appear to be moody today? One moment your friend may be enthusiastic and optimistic about the future, and the next moment overcome with gloom

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may not be your usual cheery self today. Gloom may have come over you.

You may doubt everything that happens in your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Are you working two jobs, Virgo? Today one could demand a lot of you, probably at the expense of the other.

You tend to be very conscientious and responsible, so this might bother you, but don't let it get to you.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Happy memories of a beloved grandparent may float to the surface today, and you may wonder why. Something or someone you've encountered in the past few days may have reminded you of this person.

approached for his Companies’ sponsorship of Inter County cricket in Guyana he asked what was the youngest level of this level.

“I want to play a part in the development stages of these kids and we sponsor not only sport but many other charities and help them to not only improve in cricket but also in life,” informed the 53-year-old entrepreneur who resides in the USA. “This is an investment in these kids who one day be playing for the West Indies and am committed to doing this again next year since it is a pleasure working with the

Champ meets...

From page 29 entire Guyana was proud of Allen and told the Boxer that he has his support.

The undefeated Allen with 23 fights and 14 KOs joined Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis, who won the vacant WBA welterweight title with a TKO of James Page In Las Vegas in 2001, Wayne Braithwaite, who won the vacant World Boxing Council Cruiserweight crown, Gairy StClair, who won the IBF and IBO world titles in South Africa and Vivian Harris, who won the WBA and IBA welterweight titles as Guyanese with World titles.

Females Gwen Oneil and Shondell Alfred also won World Titles.

Allen is here on a visit and was brought to Guyana by the Guyana Government, while Tower Suites is looking after his accommodation. He is eager for the defence of his title to be on home soil.

Good Times Bar venue...

From page 32 winning team, while second and third place finishers will take home $75,000 and $30,000 along with trophies respectively.

Also making remarks was Anand Bharat of V and V Variety Store that will be offering the Most Valuable Player of the final cash incentive and trophy.

Double-six time is 13:00hrs and the final is set for Wednesday, February 27, at the same venue.

Entrance fee is $10,000 per team.

Drinks and food will be on sale throughout the day.

Jamaica.

Essequibo will clash with Berbice at Lusignan and Demerara face the President’s X1 at Everest in tomorrow’s action.

The final preliminary round Demerara play Essequibo at Everest, while President’s X1 oppose Berbice at Lusignan on Thursday.

The teams: Demerara: AlivMohabir, Zachary Jodah, Taddue Lovell, Mavindra Dindayal, Romeo Deonarine, Jodan Campbell, Zahid Baksh, Omari Lallbachan, Riyad Latiff, Joash Charles, Dhanesh Persaud, Vishaul Persaud, Krisan Singh and Avinash Rajkumar. This team is led by Manager Jitlal Jowharilall and Coach Orin Bailey.

Essequibo: Gladewin Henry, Terrence Softleigh, Shaazif Mohamed, Aryon Doodnauth, Ravy Nandolall, Govinda Tulsie, Deo Kanhai, Mahesh Sookdeo, Justin Megue,

Bishram and Akeem John.

This team is led by Manager Vickram Ramnarine and Coach Forbes Daniels.

Berbice: Isaiah Thorne, Rampertab Ramnauth, Christopher Deroop, Tameshwar Mahadeo, Kelvin Samuels, Mark Ramalho, Damion Cecil, Ravishkar Sobhai, Tuvishkar Shaundeo, Salim Khan, Matthew Pottaya, Bashkar Dhanai, Niquan Samuels and Avishkar Persaud. This team is led by Manager Lakeram Latchman and Leslie Solomon.

President X1: Nityanand Mathra, Anthony Khan, Sachin Balgobin, Nicholas Sheopersaud, Dillon Ramsaroop, Bhaskar Shamlall, Rezekiel Renee, Panav Ramnarine, Jamie Mendes, Golcharran Chulai, Seemangal Pamesh, Altore Balman, Satya Grance, Kumar Deopersaud and Sanjay Algoo. This team is led by Manager Lachman Yadram and Coach Winston Smith.

PAGE 28

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

Paul was hoping to use ODI series to cement place in WC squad - Set for full recovery in three weeks

By Sean Devers Guyana and Windies Fast bowling all-rounder Keemo Paul celebrated his 21st birthday last Wednesday but it was not as happy as it should have been for the talented youngster from the Essequibo Island of Saxacally who tore his right quadriceps (thigh muscle) on the third morning of the third Test in St Lucia against England which the hosts lost and had to be stretchered from the field.

The incident occurred in the fourth over of the morning, when Paul set off in pursuit of a Joe Denly cover-drive off Shannon Gabriel. After initially sprinting at top speed, Paul pulled up suddenly about ten metres from the rope.

“Well I just took off sprinting behind a ball that was heading to the boundary and I felt a pop in my leg and I knew I had torn it because it had happened before.

I was in intense pain and I couldn’t run anymore so I knew it was serious,” said Paul, describing what happened.

The injury ruled him out of the five-match ODI series which commenced on his birthday and without Paul and Kemar R o a c h d u e t o i n j u r y, England successfully chased down a challenging 360 to go 1-up in the 5match series which continued yesterday with the second match.

The Essequibian, who moved from Saxacally to Wakenaam with his family when he was 11 years-old, informed that the doctors gave him two to three weeks to fully recover. Paul should be in the World Cup Squad and once passed fit, should be involved in a hectic schedule up to the India home series just after the World Cup. The IPL T20 Franchise is scheduled to start on March 23 with the Final set for May 12 and the Guyanese was bought by Delhi Capitals for USD$70,000.

Windies will participate in the Ireland Tri-Nation ODI Series, which also involves Bangladesh from May 5-17 before the 2019 World Cup is played in England & Wales from May

30 to July 14.

Paul, who played three Tests, 11 ODIs and 13 T20 Internationals since making his International debut against Afghanistan in the World Cup qualifiers in March last year, said he was hoping to use this series to cement his place before the World Cup but was unfortunately injured.

“Sitting out this series is very tough mentally for me because playing for West Indies was always my dream and whenever I step onto the field to represent We s t I n d i e s , n o t h i n g pleases me more since I love playing for the West Indies,” said the multitalented athlete who also played football and participated in competitive cycling.

“I was saddened about the injury and felt down but the support from my family, friends and fans have been tremendous so I must give God thanks for that,” disclosed Paul, who represented West Indies, Guyana, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Guyana Under19s, West Indies A, West Indies Under-19s in his fledging career.

“Right about now I’m just focusing on doing my rehab work and getting back on the Park in about

FIBA Americas pre-qualifiers

Paraguay dunks Guyana by 40 points in opener The national senior men’s basketball team’s campaign in the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) Americup qualifiers bounced off to a bad start last evening in Tunja, Colombia, where they lost their first round robin match to Paraguay 9353. The Guyanese have been grouped in Pool B of the qualifiers, with the top two teams advancing to the final round of qualification following the completion of round robin play, alongside the hosts, Paraguay and Colombia.

In the match last evening at the Tunja Sportshall, Paraguay raced to a healthy lead and it wasn’t until the second quarter that Guyana scored their second point of the game, a free throw

by Yannick Tappin which took the score to 27-02.

Bruno Zanotti top scored for the Paraguayans

with 15 points which included two three-pointers while Ramon Sanchez assisted with 12.

For Guyana, Anthony Moe led with 13 points but only hit four from 11 attempted field goals. Kevon Wiggins (eight points) was the main culprit with an atrocious record of three scored field goals from 18 attempts.

Guyana play Colombia tonight at 20:00hrs local time before their final clash against Bolivia on Sunday at 16:30hrs, both matchups they will need to win to secure qualification to the next round of qualification for the FIBA Americas Cup. Belize are hosting Pool A of the prequalifiers, a dangerous group which Guyana were lucky to avoid after winning the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship last June. Pool A will be competed simultaneously with Pool B, and consists of Antigua, Bahamas, Belize, and Cuba.

Keemo Paul being taken from the ground on a stretcher after tearing a muscle in his thigh in St Lucia. three weeks’ time.

It’s (the injury) much better I’m feeling very good, therapy has been going great and I’m feeling w a y b e t t e r, ” s a i d t h e youngest of six children (3 sisters, 2 brothers) born to David Paul and Rita Hendricks.

Like many of National a n d We s t I n d i e s U - 1 9 players, Paul, who made his senior Inter-County debut as a 15 year-old, is a product of Garvin Nedd, the former Guyana off-spinner now turned Coach. He has so far scored 142 runs and taken 20 wickets from three

g a m e s i n t h i s s e a s o n ’s Wi n d i e s First-Class Championships including a 10-wicket haul.

Paul, who scored his lone First-Class century against Jamaica, thanked his family and friends and fans for the support and well wishes.

Regional Cricket Round-up: Scorpions beat Jaguars by eight wickets in 2 days in round 8 KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica Scorpions defeated Guyana Jaguars by eight wickets on the second day of their eighth round match in the Regional FourDay Championship at Sabina Park here yesterday.

Scores: JAGUARS 158 (Anthony Bramble 36, Vishaul Singh 27; Akim Frazer 4-69, Jerome Taylor 324) and 138 (Anthony Bramble 34; Jerome Taylor 426, Akim Frazer 4-65).

SCORPIONS 139 (Assad Fudadin 43, Derval Green 40; Clinton Pestano 431, Romario Shepherd 3-30) and 158 for two (Jermaine Blackwood 72 not out, Brandon King 66 not out).

Pride (215) & 135-6 vs Volcanoes (138) – 2nd day, 8th round

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Barbados Pride, leading Windward Islands Volcanoes by 77 runs, reached 135 for six in their second innings at the close on the second day of their eighth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at the Arnos Va l e St a d i u m here yesterday.

Scores: PRIDE 215 (Tevyn Walcott 66, Jonathan Carter 42; Larry Edward 3-29, Josh Thomas 3-55) and 135 for six (Shayne Moseley 53, Aaron Jones 25; Alick Athanaze 2-25).

VOLCANOES 138 (Kimani Melius 50, Sunil Ambris 22; Jomel Warrican 845) Hurricanes (365) vs Red Force 222-7 –

2nd day, 8th round BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Tri n i d a d a n d To b a g o Red Force, replying to Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ first innings of 365, reached 222 for seven at the close on the second day of the eighth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at Warner Park here yesterday.

S c o r e s : HURRICANES 365 (Terrance Warde 83, Jahmar Hamilton 68, Devon Thomas 67, Rahkeem Cornwall 62, Keacy Carty 44; Khary Pierre 4-110, Yannic Cariah 3-25).

RED FORCE 222 for seven (Imran Khan 51 not out, Jeremy Solozano 42, Odean Smith 36; Alzarri Joseph 3-55).

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 29

Impressive Windies fight back to level series with England (Reuters) - West Indies produced a dramatic comeback to beat England by 26 runs in Barbados yesterday and level their fivematch one-day series at 1-1.

West Indies made 289 for six with left-hander Shimron Hetmyer hitting a magnificent unbeaten 104 from 83 balls, including four sixes.

Chris Gayle, who scored a century in the opening match of the series won by England, had laid the foundation with a solid 50 from 63 balls.

But it was Hetmyer, the 22-year-old Guyanese, who got the crowd on their feet with his flamboyant innings including some powerful improvised strokes as well as sensible accumulation.

The century was Hetmyer’s fourth in the format at international level and suggests he could be a player to watch in the World Cup later this year.

But having chased down 361 at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday, England would have been confident of extending their lead in the series.

The tourists were given a strong platform as captain Eoin Morgan made 70 and they needed 62 to win from 61 balls with six wickets remaining before West Indies skipper Jason Holder brought himself back into the attack and removed Ben Stokes (79), Jos Buttler (34) and Tom

Stokes and Morgan put on 99 for the fourth wicket ©Getty Images Curran — the latter with a questionable lbw decision with England having used their reviews.

Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell returned to the attack and won the game for the Caribbean side with the wickets of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid — celebrating with his trademark military salute.

Cottrell, a Jamaican Defence Force soldier brought into the side as an extra bowler, ended with his career best ODI figures of 546.

Carlos Brathwaite got the final wicket when Liam Plunkett holed out to Holder at long-off to the delight of the Kensington Oval crowd.

Holder was quick to praise his two key men.“I am really pleased, credit to Hetty (Hetmeyr), he set it up on a sticky wicket, and credit for the way we defended it, led

by Sheldon Cottrell,” he said.

“When I came back I knew we needed a wicket, I got two in the over and had England under pressure. You need options in this day and age,

Cottrell added variation, I love his energy, he’s one for the future,” added the West Indies captain.

Morgan felt his team should have done better.

“A game is never won until right at the end. We thought 290 was well without our capabilities. We made mistakes and it hurt us, and West Indies deserved to win,” he said.

“Collectively, we need to chase a total like that in partnerships, but we failed to nail it down.”

Champ meets Prime Minister, tells him of his journey to the top Yesterday morning Guyana’s newest World Champion 33-year-old Lennox “2 Sharp” Allen paid a Courtesy call on Prime Minister of Guyana, Moses Nagamootoo and his wife at their Official residence on Main Street and told him of his journey to the top.

The Guyanese born Brooklyn based, Super Middleweight boxer beat American Derrick Webster on February 15, 2019 at the Grand Casino, Hinckley in the USA to win the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title.

Allen, who fought out of the Forgotten Youth Foundation in Albouystown locally, told the PM that it has been a long road to the World Title and said he wanted him to know how proud and privileged he is to represent the Golden Arrow Head.

“I hope that my success

Allen tells PM Nagamootoo about his journey to the top. can inspire other young boxers to strive for greatness and know that once they stay focus on what they want and

work hard for it, they could achieve anything despite where they come from,” said the Middleweight who last

fought in Guyana on June 27, 2009.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said he and the (Continued on page 25)

Banks DIH rides with tomorrow’s Triple Crown First leg Banks DIH Limited continues its support for the development of horseracing in Guyana by sponsoring the 2019 Triple Crown Horserace series organized by Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee.

Banks, which is one of the largest beverage companies in Guyana, through its internationally acclaimed Banks Beer brand, will be one of the major sponsors of the programme. The announcement was made during a simple ceremony hosted at Thirst Park during the week where the sponsorship package, including a cheque and the winner’s trophy were presented to coordinator, Nasrudeen Mohamed of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales & Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, by Banks DIH Limited’s representative, Shenisa Fredericks.Tomorrow’s first leg of the Triple Crown, gallops off at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice, starting at 12:00 hours, and most of the country’s leading horses will be vying for the top prize in the feature race which is $1million.

The second leg will take place on March 24th at Port Mourant Turf Club on the Corentyne, while the final leg will take place on April 21st at the same venue (Rising Sun).

The first Triple Crown was officially launched last year but was restricted to one event due to the inclement weather.

PAGE 30

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

Trans Pacific backs GMRSC’s Race of Champions

William France to do eye surgery in T&T next month

- Exciting prizes up for grabs for novice riders

- Fund raiser walk on next week in Region 2

One of Guyana’s leading Auto Sales and Spare parts retailer, Trans Pacific, has readily thrown its support behind the motor racing community once again as they recently confirmed their sponsorship of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) National Race of Champions, set for March 3.

At Trans Pacific Auto Sales, Lusignan Office, Proprietor Sahadeo Ramsewack handed over his sponsorship cheque to GMRSC’s representative, Balram Ramdeo.

Ramdeo, who is also Ramsewack’s mechanic, thanked his boss on behalf of the GMRSC for his generous contribution.

The GMR&SC’s first National race of Champions for 2019 which will speed off at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, next Sunday, will feature keen rivalry in six groups.

Those categories will be the Starlet Cup, Street and Sport Tuner classes, Groups 2, 3 and 4 as well as bikes.

In addition, a release from the club noted that they will be special cash prizes for

Sahadeo Ramsewack (right) hands over his company’s, Trans Pacific, sponsorship cheque to GMRSC’s representative, Balram Ramdeo. novice/newcomers to the Bikes class with almost $300,000 in cash prizes up for grab.

The top rider for the day will pocket $100,000 but they must be equipped with a stock bike and stock wheels.

Registration for the newcomers will be free of cost.

Admission to the venue will cost $1000 for adults and $500 for children.

Amputee and founder of the Differenly Able Athletics Club, William France, who is also a veteran marathon athlete, in addition to being a pioneer of equal participation in sports in Guyana, was diagnosed recently with cataract in both of his eyes.

In order to do corrective surgery, a budget of $1.2million has been set and France and is daughter, Youlanda, will travel to the twin Island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) next month for a period of three weeks to do the procedure before rehabilitation.

So far, France has raised $900,000 and he expressed (Continued on page 27)

William France standing with some of his medals and trophies he would have won over the years.

Milo Schools’ football tourney

Action continues with six group games this weekend The seventh annual Milo Schools’ football group round-robin/knockout competition continues this weekend with three matches tomorrow and three addition clashes Monday as round one of the group round-robin stage continue at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The tournament which is being supported by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) through the theme, “Stop gender based violence”, will culminate in April and this year, a new champion will be crowned since 2018 winners, Sir Leon Lessons are not part of this year’s edition.

The fixtures for this weekend’s play are follows.

2/24/2019 11:00 hrs 12:45 hrs 14:30 hrs 16:15 hrs

Round Robin Round 2 Day 1 Ministry of Education Ground South Ruimveldt Secondary v/s St Joseph High Annandale Secondary v/s Canje Secondary Lodge Secondary School v/s Marian Academy President College v/s St Mary Secondary

Match # 13 14 15 16

2/25/2019 15:30 hrs 17:10 hrs

Round Robin Round 2 Day 2 Ministry of Education Ground Match # Bishop High School v/s St Stanislaus College Queens College v/s North Riumveldt Secondary

17 18

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

Dave’s West Indian Imports on board for 5th year

By Sean Devers USA based Dave’s West Indies imports, a business that was formed in 1990 in New York as an importer of Guyanese Food Produce, is once again on board with the GCB organised U-15 InterCounty 50-over tournament which bowls off today with two matches at the historic Bourda and Everest.

The importers, which distributes its products in 25 States and has two Caribbean Markets in NY and one in Maryland, is sponsors for the fifth consecutive year and today’s action which commence at 09:30hrs will see arch rivals Demerara and Berbice engaging in what should be fierce battle at Bourda, while the President’s X1, the fourth team in the tournament, facing off with Essequibo at Everest.

The 2019 Edition was launched yesterday at the Boardroom of the GCB Office on Regent Street and set to climax on Saturday March 2 with the Final at GCC, a venue which hosted

the first ever West Indies Test win back in 1930 when England lost by 289 runs.

Two matches, to be played with red balls and white clothes, will be played simultaneously on four days leading up to Saturday’s final with Wednesday February 27 being the only rest day in a hectic tournament which see bonus points being earned for batting over 45 overs, reaching 200 runs, making 250 and winning. There will be fast bowing points.

G C B ’s T D O C o l i n Stuart, the former Test pacer, Competitions Committee Chairman Colin Europe, Marking Manager Raj Singh, proprietor of Dave West Indian Imports Dave Narine, sponsors’ representatives Amar Ramraj were at the head table, while the Demerara team attired in the cricket uniforms and the Media were all present yesterday.

Stuart told the youngsters of the importance of this sponsorship for their development and the

opportunities it could provide for them, while Europe spoke about the playing conditions.

Singh thanked Narine for his continued support adding that Narine started the inaugural tournament providing 50% of the sponsorship, but this year has funded the event with 100% sponsorship.

“It costs a lot to bring teams for Essequibo and Berbice and for meals and transportation. This is the way we try to compress the tournament into a week, also we take into consideration the Kid’s education since they are preparing for Common Entrance Exams and we want them to not place emphasis on their cricket but their academics a s w e l l , ” t h e G C B ’s Marketing Manager noted.

Singh said he wanted the youngsters to stick to the basics at this level and try to bat long and as they get older then adapt their game to whatever format they play in, especially T20 which seems to be the dream of the

Dave Narine (right) presents the sponsorship cheque to the GCB yesterday in the presence of the Demerara team and GCB Officials. (Sean Devers photo)

- As U-15 Inter-County 50-over cricket starts today young generation.

“We are grateful for Dave’s support and I want to

encourage other Companies in and outside of Guyana to lend their support to local

cricket,” Singh added.

Narine, a massive fan of (Continued on page 27)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Saturday February 23, 2019

NSC/Magnum Mash Cup

Champs Bent Street show class in Sophia destruction - Sparta Boss, Gold is Money, Back Circle also win

C

ould Sparta Boss halt the recent stranglehold that ‘Gold is Money’ have on them, will be answered tomorrow evening when the two futsal juggernauts face each other for a place in the championship game of this year ’s National Sports Commission (NSC)/ Magnum Mash Cup which is being played, at the National Gymnasium.

Arguably the two best teams in the format, the West Ruimveldt side has dominated Sparta Boss recently, undisputedly the most popular and successful community team among the lot. They both looked equally impressive in their quarterfinal matches against opponents, who were on top of their game, but they showed too much class for their opponents and fans must be eagerly anticipating their showdown, especially

with a final spot on the line and bragging rights as well.

Gold is Money are a disciplined side that usually display patience and cohesiveness and never seem perturbed by external factors, but rather exhibit laser focus on the task.

Their destruction of an in-form Tiger Bay unit must have taken many by surprise and that performance must have them as favourites to advance.

On the other hand, Sparta Boss are a very experienced side that thrive more than any other team in these stages of competitions, while their speed and work ethic in undeniable.

They too looked in excellent form in their win over a tough and hungry Future Stars and like Gold is Money, they seem to be easing into form at the right time.

However, even before

we get to their encounter, defending champs Bent Street also played excellently to easily dispose of a strong Sophia side.

It was somewhat of a shock to some of the fans, the manner in which they coasted to victory and counting them out might not be a wise thing to do.

They play Back Circle, who scraped a win in a penalty shootout against Ansa McAl. These two teams are capable of winning the tournament outright so fans will have the opportunity to immediately feel the anticipated excitement as the four teams’ battle for the ultimate prize.

It should be a night of gripping action in front of what is predicted to be

Action in the latest round of the Magnum Cup Futsal tournament. another large turnout.

Fans can be assured of adequate security arrangements as this year’s competition reaches the penultimate night of action.

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

$100,000 respectively.

The final is set for March 2, at the same venue.

Complete Results Game-1 Back Cirle-1 vs Ansa McAl-1 Back Circle won on 2-1 on penalty kicks Back Circle Scorer Selwyn Williams-7th

Ansa Scorer Akin Currry-20th Game-2 Gold is Money-4 vs Tiger Bay-1 Gold is Money Scorers Randolph Wagner-15th Colin Nelson-16th and 19th Hubert Pedro-23rd Tiger Bay Scorer Deon Alfred-21st Game-3 Bent Street-3 vs Sophia0 Sheldon Holder-8th and 19th Job Caesar-7th Game-4 Sparta Boss-2 vs Future Stars-0 Jermin Junior-7th Sheldon Shepherd-19th Semi-final-Sunday Back Circle vs Bent Street Gold is Money vs Sparta Boss

Good Times Bar venue for Dragon Stout Dominoes tomorrow With just twenty-seven teams required, those who fail to register early will be missing the opportunity to participate in one of the biggest Domino tournaments to be organised on the West Side for some time.

According to Co-ordinator Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire, teams have been registering at a fast clip and he anticipates entries will be closed long before double-six time tomorrow.

The tournament which is being dubbed ‘Dominoes in the

Country’ is sponsored by Dragon Stout and I-Cool Water has over $300,000 in prize monies and trophies up for grabs and Wiltshire is promising a close fight for the coveted title.

The venue is the Good Times Bar, Pouderoyen and Proprietor David Hunte promised to create an atmosphere at the venue that will be conducive for a day of competitive dominoes. Up for grabs is $175,000 and trophy for the (Continued o page 27)

Saturday February 23, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Case involving Slingers FC and Alpha United against the GFF dismissed

T

he High Court action that was filed by Collin A a r o n , representative of the members of Slingers Football Club and Odinga Lumumba, representative of the members of Alpha United Football Club against the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was, on the 18th February, 2019, dismissed by Her Honour Madame Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

Aaron and Lumumba had sued the GFF for damages for breach of contract, special damages in excess of eighty-eight million dollars, interest pursuant to the law Reform Miscellaneous Provisions Act Chapter 6:02 of the Laws of Guyana, such other orders as the Court may deem just and proper and costs.

According to the Claimants’ case the two Football Clubs suffered loss after they withdrew from an Elite League Tournament that was organised by the GFF. Their withdrawal from the tournament resulted from their disapproval with the GFF adding two Elite Clubs that were not members of the Elite League for participation in the tournament.

They contended that the inclusion of these two clubs was in breach of a contract that they had with the GFF and was also in breach of the constitution of the GFF. The Claimants contended that they did not agree to the Regulations of the 2016 round of the matches and

29

therefore did not sign them.

They contended that the 2015/2016 Rules and Regulations formed a binding contract between themselves and the GFF and the GFF could not change any part of those Regulations for 2016. The Court on examination of the 2015/2016 Rules and Regulations showed that they are just what the name suggests.

They are guidelines that set out the framework within which the tournament was to be conducted and did not elevate that document to a contract in the legal sense of the word. The Defendant like any parent body of a sporting fraternity is empowered to make regulations in relation to its competitions.

Article 75 (4) of the GFF Constitution provides that the Executive Committee of the GFF may issue special regulations in relation to competitions. The power to issue special regulations is not limited to regulations accepted by individual members. It may be from time to time that not every member is in agreement with the regulations as formulated. That however does not give a member the right to have those regulations modified to suit that member.

Chaos will ensue if every member can dictate to those mandated to draw up the regulations what they want included or excluded from the regulations. The Claimants having been dissatisfied with the changes in the Regulations chose not

to participate in the tournament. They withdrew their players from further participation.

The GFF contended that the inclusion of the two Elite Clubs could not prejudice the Claimants since those clubs like the Claimants were Elite Clubs but were not promoted to become members of the Elite League.

The Defendants contended that they were merely added to expand the pool of Elite Club players in the tournament. It was further contended on behalf of the GFF that there was no contract between the Claimants and the Defendants in relation to the Elite League Tournament.

Witnesses Statements were filed by Colin Aaron and Odinga Lumumba and the President of the Guyana Football Federation, Mr. Wayne Forde had also filed a Witness Statement and gave evidence. The Claimants had contended that by not playing in the Elite League Tournament and being barred from playing in the CONCACAF tournament caused them to suffer loss.

Their inability to participate at the CONCACAF level was occasioned by CONCACAF viewing them as not being in good standing with the GFF following their action of withdrawal from the second season of the Elite League Tournament.

The Court found that there was no evidence of any contractual arrangement between the Claimants and the Defendant in relation to the Elite League Tournament and therefore no breach of contract by the Defendant nor was there any breach of the constitution of the GFF and dismissed the claim.

Mr. K.A. Juman-Yassin, S.C. and Mr. Teni Housty, Attorneys-at-Law appeared for the GFF.

Collin Aaron

Odinga Lumumba

t r o Sp

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Sheldon Cottrell struck twice in his opening spell then later on to end with a five for... ©Getty Images

Banks DIH’s Shenisa Fredericks hands over the company’s sponsorship cheque to Organiser Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr.

Banks DIH rides with tomorrow’s Triple Crown First leg

Champ meets Prime Minister, tells him of his journey to the top

PM Moses Nagamootoo and his wife meet World Champion Lennox 2 Sharp Allen at the PM’s residence yesterday.

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