Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR Hours after returning NEWS from leave, Deputy Commissioner of Police sent to CDC

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Friday Edition February 26, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 09

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 107,380

Education Minister schools MPs on poorCouple conduct sent

Woman who allegedly stabbed husband in self defence to face no charge

to prison for stabbing neighbour

La Grange murder mastermind gets six months for escaping from police station

Orinduik Block partners looking to cash in on heavy oil find from Jethro-1 well Girl, 10, Five universities Government should raped, left revoke mining unconscious identified for concession on titled - APA

Amerindian lands recommends by relative

scholarships

Oil companies don’t come here to do you favours, only to make money - Dr. Adams

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 26, 2021

Orinduik Block partners looking to cash in on heavy oil find from Jethro-1 well Eco Atlantic CEO, Gil Holzman

Map showing Orinduik Block location

Stabroek Area

Canje Demerara

Orinduik

By Shikema Dey Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas Limited yesterday announced that the steady increase in world oil prices will potentially see it moving ahead to monetize the heavy oil found in its Orinduik Block in 2019.

The discovery was first made on August 12, 2019 by Tullow Oil, the operator of the block.

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eco Atlantic, Gil Holzman, detailed this in the c o m p a n y ’s U n a u d i t e d Results for the three and nine

months ended 31 December, 2020 Corporate and Operational Update. “ We r e m a i n v e r y confident in Guyana’s prospectivity as a hydrocarbon basin and the upside potential it offers. The recent increase in oil prices makes our existing discoveries in Guyana and drilling prospects inventory ever more attractive,” Holzman commented.

The Orinduik Block is adjacent and updip to the ExxonMobil Operated Stabroek Block; on which 18 (Continued on page 14)

Eco Atlantic/ Tullow

Guyana Georgetown

Liza Discovery

Kaieteur News

Friday February 26, 2021

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Oil companies don’t come SBF Petroleum challenges GEA’s ban on fuel here to do you favors, only to make money - Dr. Vincent Adams import licence in Court Foreign investment is necessary for the growth of a country, says the former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, who emphasized that he supports such direct investment.

But the former EPA Director says that Guyana must be cognizant that these foreign companies, especially those in the oil sector operating or looking to operate in Guyana, are only looking to build its selfinterests, and not do the country “a favour.”

Dr. Adams had shared these and other critical points during a virtual Moray House discussion on Guyana’s oil sector, on January 16.

There, the former EPA Director told the listeners that many years ago he had worked for British Petroleum, and reminded that those executives are doing their jobs in what is in the best interest of their corporation.

With this he said, “The

Former Director of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams

bottom line is, of course, to m a k e m o n e y. T h a t determines their big bonuses and promotions.”

Dr. Adams continued, “We got to understand… that when they [oil companies] come in, we believe that they are here to do us a favour.

They are not coming to Guyana to do us any favour.

They are coming here to look after their self-interests, which is the bottom line, to make money for the company.

They are going to come in here and extract our resources for 20 years and gone. They could care less

Girl, 10 allegedly raped,left unconscious by relative The Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday reported that another child from the North West District (NWD), Region One, was allegedly raped.

The child, a 10-year-old girl was raped and left unconscious by one of her relatives, who is presently in custody.

According to a police report, on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the girl was left in the custody of a close relative. The report alleged that around 10:30hrs, she endured forcible sexual assault by the said relative, which left her unconscious.

Kaieteur News understands that after the child’s relative allegedly raped her, he then threatened to kill her if she told anyone what happened.

H o w e v e r, t h e c h i l d confided in her grandmother who then reported the matter to the police. The child was later escorted to a hospital where she was examined and a medical certificate in her favour was obtained.

The police report further stated that swift actions by the ranks in the area led to the suspect being arrested.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing while the suspect remains in custody.

Recently, this publication had reported that a manhunt was launched for a man who allegedly raped and impregnated a 12-year-old girl from the North West District.

It was reported that that child is five months pregnant and the incident reportedly occurred during 2020.

The police statement noted that on Monday last around 14:00hrs, the ranks at the Matthew’s Ridge Police Station acting on information visited the 12-year-old girl, who told them what happened.

The child was then escorted to the hospital where she was examined and obtained a medical certificate in her favour. As the investigation into the alleged rape continues, so does the manhunt for the rape suspect.

about what happens to us.”

It is against this background that Dr. Adams reminded listeners of the importance of Guyanese protecting and fighting for the country’s best interest.

“We welcome foreign investors,” he said, “It’s necessary for the development of the country.

But we have to think that when they are gone what is going to be left of the country. We have to stop being intimidated and not allow the disrespectfulness towards the sovereignty from such arrogant talk from their top officials.”

SBF Petroleum international, a company which was incorporated in Guyana, has taken the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mahender Sharma to court to challenge their right to prohibit them from importing fuel into the country.

In a document filed in Court, SBF which lists its Chief Executive Officer as Dorwain Bess and Director Anand Sanasie are seeking several orders and declarations to quash the decision which restrains the company from importing diesel fuel into Guyana on the grounds that it is unlawful and contrary to regulations 48 (3) under the GEA Act Capt. 56:04.

The company specified that it is seeking an order of certiorari quashing the decision prohibiting it from the use of an import wholesale licence.

According to the document, SBF is seeking a declaration that the decision of the GEA by way of a letter

dated September 14, 2020 canceling the import wholesale licence (0029) of 2019 which commenced from November 11, 2019 to November 10, 2020 is unreasonable, irregular, and /or an improper exercise of Sharma‘s discretion.

The fuel supplier is also asking the Court for an Order of Certiorari to quash the decision of the defendant as contained in a letter to them dated September 14, 2020, which states the GEA is canceling their importation of wholesale fuel licence of 2019 which commenced from the November 11, 2019 to November 10, 2020.

Further, the company wants a declaration that the one-off concession granted to them for the discharge and wholesale of $791,151 litres of diesel subject to all demurrage and other claimed fees for rental and usage of the M/V Ms. Robin Wharf and any other fees are to be borne solely by SBF International Inc. that the payment of taxes and or marking fees for the said shipment of diesel will

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mahender Sharma.

constitute acceptance of this and all terms of the concession being granted and deemed as legally enforceable by GEA is unreasonable, irregular and unlawful. The claimants also want $25M for loss suffered as a result of an unlawful act.

In an affidavit to support the claims, SBF explained that the company held a wholesale import licence and storage licence from the (Continued on page 14)

Education Minister schools Mps on poor conduct

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n her introduction to h e r b u d g e t presentation, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, admonished the House, but particularly the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) opposition for its poor conduct in Parliament.

Minister Manickchand’s schooling comes on the heels of a Kaieteur News article published on February 23, which exposed the hurling of racist, homophobic, and sexist insults from one Member of Parliament (MP) to the other during the opening of budget debates.

In that article, Kaieteur News had highlighted various cases of the verbal mudslinging. In one case, it was the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, who had shouted to Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy, “I have a ‘lil’ boy for you.”

S h o r t l y a f t e r, M P Catherine Hughes had shouted to Minister McCoy, “Rainbow! Rainbow!

Rainbow!” This is a known reference to the lesbian, gay,

bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) flag.

Against this background, the Education Minister said to the National Assembly yesterday, “In 2021, we cannot use people’s sexuality or sexual orientation, or what we believe it is or ought to be to disparage people. We cannot in this house. And it must be condemned and it must be rejected… I say here and now, to any person of the LGBTQ community, you have a friend in us. We will not tolerate disparaging any member, putting down any member of that community, or using the idea that someone could be to disparage that person.”

Kaieteur News, in that same February 23 article, had exposed how MPs would insult other MPs for their infertility, as was done by c o a l i t i o n M P, G e e t a Chandan-Edmond. At the beginning of that MP’s speech, the Attorney-at-Law had wished belated birthday greetings to Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. But she did not stop there, as the coalition

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand MP took a jab at the childless AG by saying, “I am a proud mother of two children. All the credit goes to my husband.”

With this, Manickchand wished “to condemn in the strongest language” the disparaging of those suffering from infertility complications. She said, “People are struggling with fertility issues. On both sides of this House, you have them. For people to use their own children as a reference

point to hurt others in this House is reprehensible, and it speaks of a calibre that is not worthy of being in this House. And it must not happen again!”

The Education Minister, before moving onto the crux of her presentation, reminded the House that the conversation should not be about a MPs weight, hair or their style of dressing. “We are better than that!” she says, “This country requires and deserves more!”

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Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL Tel:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Disagreeing on everything It is said that put two rabbis in a room, give them one issue, and there is sure to follow three opinions that incorporate inflexible positions. Leaving the religious component out, this sounds similar to where Guyanese political leaders and groups are, but with a twist. There is very little of anything on which those same Guyanese could agree.

It may not be an exaggeration to take the position that Guyanese political leaders cannot - and will not agree - on absolutely anything that relates to governance of this society.

They refuse to listen to any well-meaning positions from concerned citizens that this is not the way to be and to go, and that compromise must be found on the major issues of the day. It is understood and accepted that the warring groups and their talking heads will quickly agree on the need for unity and for togetherness on the Venezuelan border controversy. But those two burning issues automatic and no-brainers. For any group and political figure to take another position would be the equivalent of a political kiss of death.

Yet even as we think so and say so, there is the nagging belief that since their supporters are so impassioned and driven by party cause and cult leadership, even going against the grain on national unity and national oneness over the border controversy may not amount to much of a risk.

It is for these very reasons that our leaders can afford to disagree on anything and everything of substance, because they know full well that they can get away with such irresponsibleness and foolishness. A standing example, a classic if there ever was one, is this practice by new governments that take the reins from those consigned to the ranks of the opposition. All the major projects are halted, sometimes reversed at great expense. This is how much the poor struggling taxpayers’ dollars matter to our political rulers out to prove a point. That is, how unthinking and unconstructive the other party was, while how wise and prudent they are.

Developments and arrangements that appear to be on a sound footing, and with many obvious benefits for this society, are ignored, or left behind, or discarded altogether.

Nobody cares about the cost in dollars wasted, the time lost, and the people forced to spend more and wait longer. It would seem that some of the material disagreements that take shape and come into fruition are for the sole purposes of sticking it to the predecessor group, and make them look like bumbling beginners. Some of these situations and positions taken by successor political leadership in Guyana assume all the aspects of disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing.

Now contrast this to what happens in other parts of the world, especially the developed and advanced societies. To be sure, there is partisanship that can be rancid and robust to the point of unmoving rigidness. But there are those moments when political ranks are closed, and the goods are delivered to the timely and lasting benefit of larger society.

From time to time, the Democrats and Republicans have learned to do just that in America, because the elected representatives from both sides know that they have a savvy and vigilant electorate waiting to make them pay for the error of their ways. And so ways are found to agree to make things work, be it on the COVID-19 pandemic relief measures, the defeating of partisan resistance to the passage of the elections results, or the confirmation of cabinet officers of the new Biden Administration. In the United Kingdom, there has been digging-in over Brexit, and along the lines of the traditional Labour and Conservative divide on favoured priorities. But a way is always found to overcome objection and disagreement, when the big-ticket items are under review and up for decision.

The big-ticket issues in Guyana that beg for agreement are how to go about managing our natural resources wealth most effectively, what to do in a concerted approach to crime, what better stand to take in the face of the Venezuelan menace, and where to begin in a national conversation that leads to racial and social reconciliation. These are neither simple nor

The Speaker failed to do his job DEAR EDITOR, Heckling across the floor in Parliamentary debate is long established practice in democratic National Assemblies. Listen to or watch any serious debate, such as a Budget debate, in the British Parliament, to establish this fact. The nature, the kind and the intent of the heckling you will hear in Britain’s Parliament is most certainly not what we saw and heard in our National Assembly during our Budget debate.

I was in the National Assembly for eight (8) years and we all, on both sides of the House, indulged in heckling. Forbes Burnham was particularly good at it when he was in the House as Prime Minister. His jibes across the floor were intellectually clever, mostly humourous, always politically pointed, but never insulting, never defamatory and never ever vulgar. The repast from the other side was equally so.

Brindley Benn was

particularly good at it. It was generally done in good humour, intended to throw the speaker off or respond directly to the point he was making.

At tea or lunch breaks, we would all meet and continue the tantalize in good humour.

If it got out of hand, by being too frequent, too loud and interruptive, or on a rare occasion bordering on personal insult or libel, the Speaker would intervene and tone it down, and if required, demand a withdrawal and an apology. There were occasions when tempers were completely lost and, when this did occur, the guilty party was duly reprimanded and disciplined. I recall, for instance, Prime Minister, Cheddi Jagan, throwing the law books assembled in front of him onto the floor and disrupting the entire sitting and the Speaker subsequently acting appropriately.

In shameful contrast, the heckling across the floor in

the current Budget debate, if it can be called heckling, the shouting of personal insults, the thoroughly degrading abuse of privilege, the level of sheer, undisguised, unadulterated vulgarity to which some of our Parliamentarians on both sides of the House were allowed to descend, is a plague upon the debate.

I say “allowed”, because the Speaker permitted all of this ugly, unbecoming, puerile behaviour to take place without intervention nor criticism. The Speaker failed to do his job.

Parliamentary debate is privileged under the law of libel and defamation when reported and broadcast. That is precisely why the Speaker has both the authority and responsibility to stop it and require a withdrawal and an apology for any remark, including heckling, which would invite a libel suit if made outside of the privilege of the House.

Quite apart from this

disgraceful behaviour by our Parliamentarians, speakers are generally expected, in Parliamentary debates, to confine themselves to the subject at hand and, again, the Speaker can and should intervene when they stray too far from the subject and indulge in simply hurling criticism at the other side about their performance or alleged performance in or out of office.

Minister Ashni Singh must have been cringing in his seat having put some five (5) hours of public effort in presenting a Budget which was a “tour de force”.

Unfortunately, much of the Budget presentation which I heard bore no relationship at all to the budget and focused only on listing the alleged misbehaviour of the party across the aisle. Perhaps, though questionable, good politics but bad Parliamentary practice.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Dishonourable members in the House DEAR EDITOR, With reference to your news reports and commentaries on the behaviour of MPs last Monday (KN Feb. 23, 24), the unruly conduct of and vulgarity displayed by members of the National Assembly was much talked about by Guyanese in person.

It was shameful and embarrassing. Negative comments were expressed in various other forms of communication. Guyanese who I interacted within Guyana and in the diaspora have unanimously condemned what they label as despicable behaviour of the guilty members of the House. Their behaviour was unbecoming of the label of “Honourable member”. It was obscene. The exchange was inappropriate and unparliamentary.

The national and international communities are looking.

They are turned off because of what happened Monday. The public took strong exception to such conduct and behaviour that was rule breaking – totally unacceptable.

Parliament was compared with a fish market and a rum

shop and an X-rated and Rrated show. One person commented that the members had a good breakfast of “bake and salted fish”; they had five items for breakfast that Burnham had banned and were elated and decided to descend into the gutter. What emanations from that rabble rousing MPs! Popular letter contributor Leyland Roopnarine compare it to an episode of the Jerry Springer show. He commented that he will not be looking at Jerry Springer Show today, a reference to the adult type rude talk show on American TV where anything goes.

Instead, he will watch the debate in Guyana’s Parliament for entertainment.

Is this how the MPs want to be known?

In my studies in Comparative Politics and extensive readings of international press, there was misbehaviour in several parliaments. But the Speaker in those Chambers quickly put an end to uncouth conduct. The guilty Guyanese MPs behaved dishonourably, descending into the gutter pelting dirt across the aisle. Some members of both sides were

secondary issues, but of the highest magnitude, and most urgent priority. Yet each political group in this country doggedly refuses to engage the other, do not listen to each other, and is content to go it alone, while leaving a trail of disagreement behind. It does not bode well for the future. It does not hold out the promising for Guyana or Guyanese, and this is regardless of which side of the divide they find themselves. In many respects, profound and comprehensive agreements have been the essence of human progress. Just don’t tell that to any political leader here.

guilty. Disruptive, chronic, cross talking, verbal insults, rudeness, defiance, and hostility, attacks on personal lifestyle, family life, and sex preferences, and other innuendoes don’t belong in parliament in this day. Those comment retard the smoothness and effectiveness of the functioning of parliament. It absolutely lowered the esteem and standard of the House. I also observed nonattentiveness, daydreaming, and idleness of members during the presentations – Clearly, most were not listening to presentations. It was a disrespect to members who spent time to prepare notes for their presentations.

There was no excuse or justification for such intolerable behaviour.

The Speaker should have intervened very early to stop the abuse. Once the Speaker rose from his seat, as is the established norm, members would have stopped misbehaving. He should have issued a stern warning and instructed the members to discuss the budget, not extraneous matters. If they did not heed his order, he could have discontinued a member’s submission (budget presentation). Those who behaved badly should have been reprimanded, admonished, rebuked. That is standard practice in legislative procedures when Members behaved improperly. They should have been called upon to apologize. Quite frankly, by their behaviour, some of the MPs are unfit to

sit in a house. Their contributions added to zero.

It is very disturbing that there is so much polarization and heightened partisanship in the Assembly, a replica of the nation. It appeared that the party leaders, at least in the PPP side, after the first day of debate, because the behavior of the ruling side was more in keeping with the behaviour of a member of an elected chamber. It was good that the Speaker and the leadership intervened to restore the lost dignity of that august house. It would never have happened during the days of Jagan or Burnham when they were PMs. They were sharp and witty in their remarks to disarm hecklers.

They should have taken a page from Boysie Ramkarran who also would have used humour to silence opponents, intelligently demeaning the conduct of the other side. Jagan, Boysie, Fenton Ramsahoye and a few others were quite good in their responses to hecklers and in their presentations in the Assembly. They were honourable men who did not descend to gutter like remarks.

Parliament is the highest law making and constitutional body of Guyana. MPs are urged to serve with diligence, humility, and respect. Honourable, they must be. Members must use tasteful language and conduct themselves with decorum in parliament. The Speaker must take more decisive action in managing (Continued on page 6)

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Disappointed with Tabitha Sarabo-Halley’s presentation DEAR EDITOR, After observing the second day’s budget debate, it is unfortunate that I have to write this letter in an attempt to share my thoughts on some of the disturbing comments, which I heard from Tabitha Sarabo-Halley during her presentation. To begin, it should be noted that the very “rancid rhetoric” which she was referring to in the introductory part of her speech does not even concern the PPP/C’s government but rather the APNU+AFC Coalition. It was the opposition that continues every single day to waste time on making racist statements which offer absolutely no context to their speeches that are supposed to be on the

budget and the policies therein. It is rather unfortunate that amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which should be one of the main focus of every single Government official, that Sarabo-Halley came to parliament, UNPREPARED, and delivered a speech riddled with inaccuracies. She noted that the PPP has absolutely no plan but to wait for a COVID-19 vaccine for its citizens. She even went further to say that the budget does not even cater for these vaccines. The fact that she even said this brings me to ask, did she even read the budget? If so, did she overlook Paragraph 4.113, which states that $750 million has been allocated to support

the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines?

Additionally, Tabitha SarboHalley mentioned in her speech that Guyanese continue to witness the annihilation of the public service and public agencies. My question to this is HOW? In case she is to be reminded, it was the APNU+AFC who compromised the framework of the entire public service when they entered office in 2015. For example, the establishment of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service served little to no purpose but affected the Public Service framework.

Graduates of the college were placed in public agencies as Accounts Clerk IIIs. They received higher salaries than

Red Flags at the ERC? DEAR EDITOR, One just has to look at Haiti, a country that exists today because the slaves revolted for freedom in the 19th Century. Until today, it remains one of the poorest countries in this hemisphere, mainly from institutional financial mismanagement. Vacationers would rather visit the Dominican Republic, the border country, than Haiti. Unfortunately, it’s still a wretchedly poor country with many citizens still desperate to exit their homeland for better pastures. A former priest J. Aristide, also a President at one time, didn’t make much of a difference to the development of the country.

It is difficult to say what Haiti, another country with a relatively small population, did with the billions received all these years from the US/ IMF and other global financial institutions.

Not to forget the millions of US Dollars received after that devastating earthquake in 2010. Still poor, even after 200 years of existence.

I am referencing Haiti in relation to an article in KN-Feb 24th, where the ERC head is

contesting recent unflattering reports in the print media.

Missing was a convincing response to finances, as indicated by a Commissioner regarding financial excesses, such as boots and other goodies. A particular sentence: “Audits for 2018, 2019 and 2020 will commence shortly” is a red flag. So in 2021, the Inflow and Outflow of financial records for the Year 2018 isn’t available anywhere at all? Well run businesses in Regent Street are able to show end-of-year financial statements for 2019, even 2018; so are global corporations.

Assuming there are no controls at this unit on internal spending, assuming it’s an open checkbook, and key individuals can allocate funds on items at their discretion (e.g. a COVID-19 Grant), assuming there are no Caps on these amounts, then the people of this country deserve to see the Audits of the above mentioned years when completed and beyond - line Item by line Item.

We all should remember Haiti.

Chi Kansi

those of Accounts Clerk IIs. However, as they entered these agencies, they simply could not perform as expected. It is a fact that these Clerk IIIs had to be trained by the very Clerk IIs who are below them. With that being the reality, I ask the question what the purpose of the training college was if it could not even train these students properly so that they can function effectively as they entered the public

service. This is a clear example of a visionless approach by the APNU+AFC, which compromised the Public Service and the public agencies.

I end by saying that Tabitha Sarabo-Halley’s speech on Wednesday was disturbing to listen to as a right-minded Guyanese. It does not go unnoticed that the APNU+AFC Coalition continues to approach this

budget as a political gimmick and something to bash simply because it was not their brainchild. This shows that they are not focused on the well-being of all Guyanese but rather on painting the budget in a negative light as much as they can. Tabitha Sarbo-Halley’s speech was a clear indication of such.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

Parliament shames Guyanese DEAR EDITOR, I did not read your day’s publication, but a copy of its report on the disgusting behaviour of so called Parliamentarians in Guyana was actually read in Canada, with the appropriate degree of revulsion and brought to my distasteful attention; and, hopefully by this note, the regretful embarrassment of not only of the named actors, but also of their supportive colleagues, along with whom the Speaker cannot be forgiven, for allowing such a morally debilitating performance.

How do these malfunctionaries explain their

delinquency to their children?

How can the latter explain their embarrassment when confronted by friends and playmates? How (in the absence of Speaker control) is the quality of our Parliament to be judged by the local representatives of Foreign Governments, our Caricom colleagues; and perhaps even more devastatingly defended by our diplomats whose moral status would have been compromised by those who initially took pride in their appointment?

Guyanese around the world would have bowed their heads in deep shame while the more religious

would find it necessary to pray for redemption, however inaccessible. On behalf of citizens everywhere this is to ask that the Speaker demands a motion of apology be entered on behalf of the defective actors and on his own behalf, for facilitating the degradation of character, which the community of Parliamentarians have wrought on our country.

E.B. John

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Stop the pretending!

...Dishonourable members From page 4 the behaviour of MPs. He must be prepared to remove unruly members from the House, must enforce code of conduct and discipline both sides.

Members are reminded that serving in parliament is a position of privilege and a model for the rest of society.

The nation reposes confidence in electing

Friday February 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

members to represent them but some of them let us down. Perhaps the time has come for rank choice as potential MPs in elections so that those unfit can be weeded out from a list of potential MPs or some other forms so that misfits don’t sit in the House.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

DEAR EDITOR, I wish to take a stand again the reprehensible behaviour of MPs in the Parliament of Guyana. The asinine comments made in the so called honourable house should have never been tolerated in the first place, not to mention the inappropriate show and tell that occurred.

Editor, it feels like this Parliament is just another campaigning ground that both parties are trying to win, which is a great disservice to all Guyanese.

We don’t have educated discussions on government spending in Parliament anymore, just a 30 second overview of what is proposed

to be spent followed by a “cuss down” that would make fish vendors at the market blush.

This is moreso on the current Opposition but the Government side is not that far behind.

I shall conclude with saying also, that religion has no place in Parliament. In closing his remarks on the 24 of February 2021, MP Vinceroy H. Jordan is citing the Bible to call the Government side “the wicked”.

Is he for real? Is this how

low our politics have gotten?

To use powerful motivators such as the Bible to paint someone as wicked? I guess we really are doomed as a nation.

Religion should be kept out of Parliament and the Speaker needs to take action against people who use scriptures in that context.

And also, they should stop saying honourable house. Nothing honourable occurs there. Stop the pretending.

Regards, Amir Khan

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What happened to that man who jumped the queue?

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t is understood that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Guyana has cleared, for emergency use in Guyana, the Chinese produced SINOPHARM vaccine and the SPUTNIK V Russian-made vaccine. With that singular act, the FDA of Guyana has done what the World Health Organization has not yet done.

It is not yet clear what expertise the local FDA has in approving vaccines. It would be useful for the media to ask who studied the data which was submitted for the vaccines and on what basis did the FDA approve emergency use of the two vaccines.

All factors – including efficacy, storage, cost and availability – concerned, the Russian-made SPUTNIK V vaccine is the best on the market. Not only does it have an efficacy rate of 92 percent. It was approved for use in some countries even before final trials had been completed.

There is however no guarantee that Guyana will be able to order any substantive quantities as some countries, the latest being Egypt, have begun to place order for the vaccine.

Two days ago, Mexico, which has one of the highest numbers of coronavirus deaths in the world, received its first shipment of 200,000 doses. It was supposed to receive 400,000 in February and reports indicate uncertainty as to when the other half of the order will be shipped. Gaza which has a population of 1.8 million has

only received 20,000 doses so far. Iran, Macedonia and Brussels are lining up to make orders. Charity however begins at home and Russia has vaccinated less than five percent of its population. Guyana therefore is not likely to receive any significant quantities of the SPUTNIK V vaccine.

China has already committed 20,000 vaccines to Guyana. China keeps its word and will most likely deliver on its promise.

China’s slow vaccination rate at home is not likely to alter its promise to other countries because China has long had the pandemic under control within its borders, despite what the western press may say.

This column had called for China to increase its apportionment of the SINOPHARM vaccine to Guyana to allow for 30,000 persons (60 thousand doses) to be vaccinated locally. This will take care of all persons in the most high-risk age group and would slowdown the local coronavirus death rate.

But China is also being pressed to make supplies of its SINOPHARM vaccine to other countries. Senegal and Hungary have begun to use the Chinese-made vaccine, Bolivia will soon begin administering the SINOPHARM vaccine to its population and Zimbabwe just received 200,000 doses.

In total, more than 50 countries will receive donations of the vaccine from China while other supplies of the vaccine will

be procured. Iraq is waiting in line. Guyana therefore should have long been pressing for its 60,000, rather than the 20,000 donation, which will be given to us.

The SINOPHARM vaccine has an efficacy rate of just over 70 percent, which is satisfactory by vaccination standards. And it is easier to store than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Some rich Guyanese are saying that they want the America-made vaccines. Well what is stopping them from jumping on a plane and going to America and waiting for their shots in the same way as some of them jump on a plane and go for their medical check-ups overseas.

Guyana will not, for a long time, be able to source the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The bulk of the population will therefore have to settle for the AstraZeneca, compliments of C O VA X a n d t h e SINOPHARM and SPUTNIK vaccines when they come here.

However, Cuba has a vaccine, SOBERANA 2 which is due to undergo laststage clinical trials soon.

That vaccine is likely to be available probably after June. Guyana should ensure that it puts in its orders soon because Cuba has always been willing to help Guyana, unlike the Americans which have not donated, not even a dozen of their supplies to us.

Whenever the vaccines come, the first priority should be the frontline healthcare workers,

De vaccine alone boys seh...

Dem

can’t help we!

Dem boys bin read how some ‘big one’ at de hospital bin allow one of s/he friends fuh come and get de vaccine wah was supposed to be fuh frontline workers.

De thing cause a big disturbance and we hear dat de matter under investigation.

Dem boys wan know what is there to investigate?

De facts done known. All dat is left is fuh see wat action gonna be taken.

When people jump line, dem does deprive somebody of de chance. And dat could some times lead to problems.

Fuh de past two days alone,

five more people died. Dis is so sad when yuh think dat we now nearing de end of de pandemic and still slackness tekking place all over de country and de Ali government don’t seem to want to enforce its own regulations.

Dem boys wan know how come so much people keeping party and going to dem creeks and not social distancing.

Dem boys seeing hundreds of people every day walking down de road w ithout mas k and de COVICURB like it disappear. Dem boys seeing

schoolchildren without mask.

Dat is why dem boys worried. Because dem calculate dat de vaccines not gonna lead to herd immunity. To do so, at least 80 percent of de population gat to be vaccinated. But more dan 20 percent of de population is dem children wah nah qualify fuh de vaccine. Dat is why dem boys seh we gat to enforce de rules because de vaccine alone can’t help we .

Talk half and ask Uncle Frank how de country getting herd immunity with de vaccine?

followed by the most vulnerable age-group which has been established at 55 plus.

The COVAX facility should provide enough vaccines to cover the most vulnerable.

But we know with the PPP/C what is likely to happen. Persons are going to jump the queue, just as

happened recently. And when they do, the government will find an excuse not to prosecute those culpable simply because those persons are its friends.

You will hear talk about extending the vaccines to non-frontline personnel this is just the excuse which is being made to not go after those culpable for violating

the vaccination protocols.

To hell with who is dying in the population! Friends have benefits in so far as the PPP/C is concerned.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday February 26, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The Guyanese nationality: Was Freud right or wrong?

The headline for my Tuesday, March 16 column was, “No government is going to listen to you if you aren’t an example.” The subject was the Guyana Press Association (GPA).

Just in case you missed that article, here is a brief note.

I argued that when civil society organizations do not present themselves as moral examples, their social standing is going to be ignored by that formidable receptacle of power – the political leadership.

I went on to state that GPA weakened itself by its unprofessional statement that during the election impasse - March – July 2020 - journalists were assaulted by supporters of political parties.

That was a nasty thing to say because it was fictional.

No video evidence exists that corroborates that emanation. Media practitioners if they what to sustain their credibility as independent professionals

cannot be that irresponsible.

It was APNU+AFC supporters who were attacking journalists that belonged to the independent press and those the hooligans identified as working with pro-PPP media outfits.

In all honesty, you think the political leadership was not annoyed at that blatant fiction? My article on the G PA w a s p r i n t e d o n February 16. On February 19, the Stabroek News ran an editorial that was in opposition to the main argument of my February 16 piece. When I read part of that editorial, I remembered what Sigmund Freud observed. Freud contended that you cannot refer to the existence of human nature as a collection of traits. Each human has his/her own nature and thus there is no defined, collective body of traits known as human nature.

Whether Freud was right or wrong, Guyanese living here act and think in ways

that make you reflect deeply o n F r e u d ’s t h i n k i n g .

Guyanese say things all the time that contradict the essence of what we know as human nature. I had a discussion with a former GuySuCo manager who insisted that the PPP government is trying to get back at the APNU+AFC leaders by charging them or taking back lands allocated.

My reply was based on my understanding of human nature if there is such a thing.

I described for him the scenario in which former PPP ministers were handcuffed and charged.

The current president was charged. So these same people come into power and see the people who charged committing terrible criminal acts and will prosecute them.

I told him that this was human nature.

So if you believe in the existence of human nature, you have to contend with how Guyanese approach human behaviour to see if it

supports or contradicts Freud’s understanding of humans. Let’s read what the editorial had to say and see if based on what Freud outlined, he was right or wrong.

The editorial titled, “Civil Society and Consultation,” observed, “…but the point is if it and every other professional or committed organization monitors what the government is doing in its field of endeavour, and consistently brings that to public attention, it will become harder for the administration to ignore such a chorus of voices.

They will be giving expression to matters of concern across the board in society…”

In which country does the person who wrote that editorial live? Which civil society group is professional and committed in this country? Committed to what and whom? Civil society entities are either driven by

ethnic sentiments, political instincts, committed to the purpose of self-interest or just, plain Frederick Kissoon misdirected in their could be addressed. action.

At the height of UG Traditionally, however, it staff’s alienation with Vice has to be said that Freedom Chancellor, Ivelaw Griffith, House has had a testy o n t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d relationship with that governance issues, the head particular association that is of Transparency Institute - of long standing.”

Why is the relation Guyana chapter (TIG), Dr. Troy Thomas, publicly between the PPP and GHRA wrote that TIG could not a testy one? Who is right and comment on bad governance who is wrong? There is a at UG because he, Thomas simple answer. Anyone works at UG and that could living in Guyana would bring the parent body into know that the GHRA, despite its longstanding, as disrepute.

In the picket line for the editorial observed, has Donald Rodney, one of the lost all credibility over the executives of TIG told me, in long years and became f u l l h e a r i n g o f o t h e r shameless with its silence picketers, that he only reads over five months of election rigging. The PPP is right to one newspaper in Guyana.

Here is more of that ignore it.

(The views expressed in editorial, “… the GHRA had some interesting suggestions this article are those of the to make to the AG about how a u t h o r a n d d o n o t the apparent aberrations in necessarily reflect the the amended law reform act opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday February 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Friday February 26, 2021

Government should revoke mining concession on titled Amerindian lands - outlines findings from research over past nine years - APA recommends

A

mong a number o f recommendatio ns given at their virtual launch of the Participatory Assessment and Geographic Database of Indigenous Peoples’ Land Tenure in Guyana, the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) has recommended that concessions be revoked, once given without free prior and informed consent (FPIC).

The research project which began since 2012 utilizing funding from the European Union and the United States Department for International Development, while technical assistance was rendered by the Forest People’s Programme and the Rain Forest Foundation,

sought to assess indigenous villages in Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine and many of the villages were having land conflicts.

Key findings based on the research were presented by the APA’s Governance and Rights Coordinator, Laura George.

Firstly, it was stated that there is a lack of protection and recognition for i n d i g e n o u s p e o p l e ’s customary tenure systems and failure to recognize collective territories. She said that since 1969, indigenous people would have recommended to the Amerindian Lands Commission that their customary lands be protected. “Our customary lands mean that it is our customary tenure on how we

use and manage our lands.

For example, the resources we use are shared with several villages within a territory to hunt, fish and farm; to gather resources and we also are able to protect our waterways and sacred grounds,” George noted during her presentation.

Further, she said that failing to recognize their lands is a violation of their rights.

Another key finding was that there was confusion over village title boundaries and mapping problems.

There was an overlapping of mining concessions in some cases where indigenous lands were to be and despite the government recognizing village titles, some villages still face issues with mistakes and inconsistencies

APA’s Laura George made in their mapping and demarcation. She added that there was also a failure to include villages like Kako during the mapping and demarcation exercises, saying “An example is Kako is missing entirely on the Guyana Lands and Survey

Commission database of indigenous village land titles.”

According to George, it leads to conflicts with miners, loggers and ranchers which resulted in some villages being hampered from accessing land and resources for hunting and fishing.

The final finding was s tated to b e th at th e extractive mining activities are damaging land which includes a number of cultural heritage sites.

In light of the findings, the APA has combined recommendations to counter the highlighted issues.

T h e f i r s t recommendation was to have the Amerindian Act revised in line with international standards for

adequate protection of the indigenous peoples’ rights in Guyana. Also recommended was the enabling of villages to hold collective land title over their territory and ensure that the titles correspond with customary lands.

T h e A PA h a s recommended an improved land titling process and a correction to the highlighted mapping errors.

Additionally, the key recommendation was the addressing of the land conflicts by respecting the FPIC and “revoke concessions and protected areas granted inside or overlapping village titles without FPIC. It must be noted that the research included 49 local indigenous researchers.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 26, 2021

PAGE 13

Nigerian remanded for Couple sent to jail for stabbing neighbour allegedly conning women of over $6M Three months after he was charged and remanded for running a criminal scheme and illegal entry, Uche Raymond Okoye, also known as ‘Uche Parker,’ of Lot 9 Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was on Wednesday slapped with 11 fraud charges and remanded to prison.

The defendant appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

He was not required to plead to the 10 indictable charges that were read to him.

Those charges alleged that between October 15, 2020 and November 16, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $6,059,900 from Suruj Dei Balkaran by falsely claiming that he was in possession of a package intended to be sent to Suruj Dei Balkaran.

H o w ev er, h e w as allowed to plead to the final charge. He denied the charge which alleged that on November 16, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $50,000 from Monroe by falsely claiming that he was in possession of a package

Remanded, Uche Raymond Okoye, called ‘Uche Parker.’ intended to be sent to Monroe.

The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Leslyn Noble, made a request to the court for the 10 indictable charges to be laid summarily.

However, that request was denied by the Magistrate.

The court heard that the defendant allegedly solicited funds from the women after he befriended them on Facebook under an alias.

The prosecutor said that while communicating with the women, the defendant informed them about a package containing the latest

gadgets and electronic devices and reportedly told them that he would be sending the items but they would need to contact a representative who would be clearing the package and delivering it to them.

It is alleged that the person he referred to is himself. The prosecutor further stated that the defendant sent the women a WhatsApp number where they further communicated.

The court heard that each time Balkaran made a money transaction through bank transfers and Western Union; there would always be another difficulty which would require her to send more cash.

The matter was later reported and an investigation was launched. The defendant was later slapped with 11 fraud charges.

The Chief Magistrate remanded the defendant to prison and the matter was adjourned to March 17, 2021.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e defendant is also on remand for a similar ongoing matter before Senior Magistrate, L e r o n D a l y, i n t h e Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Police recover 44 heads of cattle from rustlers -15 still missing

Some of the recovered cattle.

Quick work by ranks of the East Berbice Corentyne Division 6 led to the recovery of 44 heads of cattle from an initial number of 59 that were stolen from a cattle farmer at Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice.

The cows were stolen from cattle farmer Troy Crandon at the Fyrish Ranch, Corentyne Berbice.According to information, police were contacted around 13:30 hours on Wednesday by the owner who said that rustlers had stolen 59 cows and were taking them to No. 60 Village Savannahs to have them branded.

The police immediately organised a team led by an Inspector and in company of the owner and others went into the backlands

after the rustlers.

The more than eight-hour operation that began around 14:00 hours and ended around 22:00 hours saw the ranks being able to recover 44 animals.The cows were recovered at various locations and some were already being branded at the savannah.

The rustlers managed to make good their escape. The cops were able to recover the brand number, which was issue to someone from Hague Front West Coast Demerara.

Efforts are still being made to locate the remaining animals and the rustlers. They recovered cows are being kept at a location at No. 65 Village, Corentyne as investigation continues.

Jailed: Kenese Bobb and Kemo Harlequin

A couple of Lot 15 D’Urban Backlands Georgetown, was on Wednesday sentenced to three years imprisonment each for stabbing their neighbour.

The defendants, Kemo Harlequin, 30, a fish cleaner, and Kenese Bobb, 26, a salesgirl, matter was heard in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

On their first court appearance on December 14, 2019, the couple was not required to plead to the indictable charge. It was alleged that on December 10, 2019, at D’Urban Backlands Georgetown, the couple unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jermaine Sampson with the intent to main, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm to the victim.

During her ruling on Wednesday, the Magistrate ruled that the prosecution produced sufficient evidence against the couple for the offence charged for and as such, they were both sentenced to serve three

years behind bars.

Kaieteur News had reported that the defendants and the victim are known to each other as they live in the same area, accessing their respective homes through the same yard.

On the day in question, Harlequin had a misunderstanding with Sampson. Bobb subsequently intervened. The couple later went to the victim’s home and reportedly started to pelt it with glass bottles.

This drew Sampson out of his home in an attempt to talk to them.

However, Bobb and Harlequin held unto the victim and pulled him down his step. The couple being armed with kitchen knives then allegedly inflicted several stab wounds on him.

Bobb had alleged that she was just a peacemaker in this matter, only trying to part the fight between the men. She added that she even received a puncture wound to the hand during the incident.

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 26, 2021

Four-year-old struck Woman caught with cocaine at airport sent to jail with cricket ball, discovered dead Police on the Essequibo Coast are investigating the death of a four-year-old child, who reportedly died following a cricket game with family members last Wednesday afternoon.

The child, who has been identified as Shelly Modeste, was found dead by her parents’ yesterday morning.

According to information reaching Kaieteur News, Modeste was reportedly injured during a game of cricket, when a cricket ball hit her in the tummy.

One source told Kaieteur news that the child cried out for pain, before retiring to bed later that afternoon.

Sources went on to say, “This morning (Thursday) they tried waking her up and she wasn’t waking up. So they decided to carry her to the hospital, when they carried here there the doctors told them that the child died over an hour ago.”

Police said in a press release, that fifteen minutes after the cricket game, the four-year-old went inside the house and eventually went to sleep.

At around 19:00 hrs., the child’s mother checked on her while she was sleeping and everything appeared normal.

Police said that sometime

around, 00:00 hrs., the sister of the deceased went in the said bed with her, and felt that she was cold and raised an alarm.

The mother came and when she picked up the child she observed a white substance was coming out her nose. Police said that it was at this point that the child was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Kaieteur News understands that the police a r e c o n d u c t i n g investigations, while the body remains at the Charity Morgue, awaiting a postmortem examination.

SBF Petroleum challenges GEA’s...

From page 3 GEA which is renewed every y e a r. T h e c o m p a n y ’s operation for the import and wholesale of diesel was for Omai Gold Mines located at Christianburg, Linden, Guyana.

Further, the affidavit states that as a result of its arrangement with Omai, there were certain agreements with SBF which

includes a tenancy for the wharf.

However, it was pointed out that there were a number of issues with the operations of the wharf including the absence of security at the gate, persons on the site without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and a child walking on site; all of which were highlighted by GEA agents during visits in

December 2019.

According to the SBF, the GEA claimed that these matters breached the regulations for petroleum operations.

The company noted that the Energy Agency used this among other claims as the basis of an alleged breach of the regulations to prohibit its wholesale importation of diesel fuel.

The Barbados-bound woman, caught with cocaine on Saturday last at the Eugene Correia International Airport (Ogle Airport), will spend the next four years behind bars for trafficking narcotics.

The defendant, Tamira Melville, 23, was sentenced yesterday, to four years imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to trafficking 775 grams of cocaine.

Melville was instructed to pay a fine of $798,750.

Melville appeared before Magistrate, Roschelle Liverpool, at Sparendaam Magistrate Court.

It was alleged that on Saturday February 20, 2021, she had in her possession 775grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

According to reports, Melville was intercepted with the drugs sometime around 11:00 hrs. that day.

Police had reported that Melville was about to check in on a Barbados-bound

flight when she was observed acting suspiciously.

Officers immediately stopped her and conducted a full body search and discovered the drugs wrapped in condoms and tucked away in her body.

Melville was also questioned by the ranks and had told that she had ingested 73 cocaine pellets. While in custody it was reported that she excreted 25 of the pellets.

Orinduik Block partners...

From page 2 discoveries have been announced over 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent recoverable resources.

Back in August 2019, Eco Atlantic and its Orinduik JV partners; Tullow Guyana and Total E&P Guyana had announced two massive oil finds from its Jethro-1 and Joe-1 wells, estimated to hold at least four billion barrels of oil.

The Jethro-1 exploration well was drilled by the Stena Forth drillship to a final depth of 14,331 feet (4,400 metres) in approximately 1,350 metres of water.

While the evaluation of logging data had confirmed that the Jethro-1 well comprised of high quality oil bearing sandstone reservoir of Lower Tertiary age, the find turned out to be heavy oil with a similar discovery made at the Joe-1 well.

That type of crude find however, was not considered commercially viable at the time due to the high concentration of sulfur found in heavy oil.

This meant that the oil

produced more lower-valued products and requires extra refining to produce indemand products.

But this did not deter the operators, and Eco Atlantic, which holds a 15% working interest in the Orinduik Block, engaged a third-party consultant with heavy oil development and economics expertise to help conduct preliminary evaluations related to production s c h e m e s a n d commercialization.

Eco stated in its report that it is fully funded for further drilling on the block and, with its JV Partners, is assessing all opportunities available to drill at least two exploration wells into the light oil cretaceous targets as soon as practical.

Eco Atlantic outlined as well that the company is fully aligned with its JV Partners on careful target selection based on the reprocessed 3D and the block and nearby oil discoveries for the next drilling campaign.

Eco Atlantic also expects to be able to update the market on further drilling

plans in due course.

Meanwhile, the company detailed in its report that as at 31 December 2020, the company had cash and cash equivalents of US$16,350,090 with no debt and remains fully funded for its share (15% WI net) of its planned two exploration wells at the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana.

Additionally, as at 31 December 2020, the Eco Atlantic had total assets of US$17.7 million and a net equity position of US$17.4 million and has decreased its total non-exploration expenses, including general and administrative expense and compensation costs incurred during the nine months ended 31 December 2020 (H1 2021), when compared to the nine months ended 31 December 2019, by over 50%.

In Guyana, Eco Guyana holds a 15% Working Interest alongside Total (25%) and Operator Tullow Oil (60%) in the 1,800 km2 Orinduik Block in the shallow water of the prospective SurinameGuyana basin.

Friday February 26, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Rulnig in property dispute… CCJ

urges Guyana Government to consider reform of Deed’s Registry Act In a judgment delivered yesterday, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) allowed the appeal of Merlene Todd, a Guyanese embroiled in a battle over a city property, which was sold to her on the basis of a fake power of attorney.

In confirming Todd’s ownership to the land, the CCJ urged the Government of Guyana to urgently consider reform of the Deed’s Registry Act. According to a summary of its judgment, the CCJ outlined that Allan Price (now deceased) owned the West Half of Lot 153 Queenstown, Georgetown.

In February 2004, Ann Jennifer Jeboo, claiming to act on behalf of Price, used a Power of Attorney to sell the lands to MerleneTodd, who obtained a transport. It was subsequently discovered that the Power of Attorney was fake and Jeboo was convicted of fraud.

Price sued both Jeboo and Todd in the High Court seeking to set aside the sale and have the transport declared void.

According to the ruling

by Section 22 (1) of the Deeds Registry Act, every transport vests in the transferee full and absolute title, but the proviso to the section contains an exception of a transport obtained by fraud in the hands of all parties or privies

to the fraud.

Price’s claim against Jeboo was a straight case of fraud.His claim against Todd was not fraud or privity to fraud. Rather, he claimed that by her negligence, she ‘contributed’ to Jeboo’s fraud and the loss of his property.

Price died before trial and the claim was continued by his widow, Desiree Price.

Following a full trial in the High Court, Chang CJ delivered a written judgment in which he found that no fraud had been pleaded against Todd, that it was impermissible at the trial to advance a case of fraud against her, and that in any event, there was no evidence that she was privy to the fraud. Accordingly, he refused to declare the transport to Todd void and to set it aside. Desiree Price appealed this decision and asked the Court of Appeal to find that Merlene Todd was a party to the fraud.

Merlene Todd challenged the appeal by arguing that allegations of fraud had not formed part of the pleadings. On the 16 March 2020, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and found inter alia that Todd’s gross negligence made her a party to the fraud.

The court declared that the transport was null and void.

Todd appealed the Court of Appeal’s decision.

The CCJ allowed the appeal and set aside the orders of the Court of Appeal.

The CCJ’s judgment was delivered by the Justices Winston Anderson and Justice Denys Barrow at the Trinidad based Court.

Justice Barrow found that the allegations of fraud had not been pleaded and Todd was not given an opportunity to respond to these allegations or to defend her against these allegations.

In the judgment, the judges revealed that allegations of fraud must be properly and adequately pleaded.

“The allegations of gross negligence were also not pleaded and the Court of Appeal erred in equating gross negligence to fraud.”

Justice Anderson expressed that an appellate court ought to be especially slow in overturning a trial judge’s determination of the scope of the pleading, especially where it appears that the scope of those pleadings, as found by the judge, was accepted by the parties.

In these circumstances, he noted that the Court of Appeal was wrong to find that Todd was a party to the fraud. Justices Barrow and Anderson found that the Court of Appeal erred in drawing the inferences and finding the facts they did

Woman who allegedly stabbed husband in self defence to face no charge The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that no charge be laid against 32-year-old Stacy Johnson who was in custody for allegedly stabbing her husband, in a bid to protect herself.

The incident which landed Stacy in the lockups took place last week Wednesday around 21:00hrs at the couple’s Block 22, Wismar, Linden home.

Kaieteur News understands that Sean Johnson, 29, after giving his statement to the police, indicated to them that he doesn’t want to proceed against his wife. With this, the file was sent to DPP who recommended that no charges be laid against Stacy.

The incident, which stemmed from an argument

between the couple led to Stacy stabbing her husband with the same knife, which he used to threaten to kill her with.

According to Kaieteur News previous reporting, the heated argument first started after Johnson questioned his wife about her whereabouts for the entire day ( We d n e s d a y ) . T h i s publication was made to understand that on the day of the incident, the woman was at work during the course of the day.

It was reported that Stacy is a supervisor employed with Church’s Chicken located in Linden.

The argument further led to the taxi driver arming himself with a knife and placing it to Stacy’s neck, threatening to kill her. After

placing the knife on the kitchen counter, the 32-yearold then armed herself with the same knife and allegedly stabbed her husband once to his body. Johnson then ventured into his living room and this time, armed himself with a cutlass and reportedly dealt his wife several “broadside” about her body, which caused her to receive a chop wound to her right index finger.

The couple was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where they were seen and examined by a doctor. Johnson was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he had emergency surgery for a punctured lung. Both weapons were lodged by the police and an investigation was launched.

and, more fundamentally, in the way they conducted the fact-finding exercise.

Anderson expressed that an appellate court should not interfere with the trial judge’s conclusions on primary facts unless it is satisfied that the trial judge was “plainly wrong” and should not interfere unless the inferences drawn by the trial judge were “plainly unreasonable”.

Finding that the original landowner had been deprived of his land through no real fault of his own, then Anderson expressed that this

showcased the need for legislative reform.

Separate judgments were delivered by Justice Jacob Wit and Justice Peter Jamadar who both reasoned that the approaches to the law as well as the outcome of this appeal did not seem satisfactory or just.

Judges suggested that there may be other legal approaches that could have resulted in different outcomes and explored those possibilities, and that the legislature should review and amend the Deeds Registry Act to refine or

improve the law to meet the needs of current land law realities in Guyana.

Jamadar also suggested that the Deeds Registry Act needs to be reviewed and an assessment made whether it passes constitutional muster in Guyana, and if not, what modifications are required to do so, explaining why this should be done.

To d d ’s a p p e a l w a s therefore allowed, the orders of the Court of Appeal set aside and the Orders of the Chief Justice, restored, including the order as to costs.

Hours after returning from leave, Deputy Commissioner of Police sent to CDC

J

ust hours after resuming duties at the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) headquarters, y e s t e r d a y, D e p u t y Commissioner, Paul Williams was posted to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) with immediate effect.

Williams was sent on a 192-days annual vacation leave on August 17, 2020, mere weeks after the new government administration took office following the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

That leave ended on Wednesday and Williams reported at the Police headquarters at Eve Leary to resume his duties. News of his return broke yesterday after it was rumoured that Williams was spotted in the compound greeting colleagues.

Williams confirmed too

that he did show up at Eve Leary to report for duties.

However, hours later, he received a transfer letter.

According to the former Crime Chief and Deputy Commissioner, he was instructed to assist the CDC Task Force by giving security advice. On the day Williams was sent on leave, sources had hinted to Kaieteur News that a decision was taken to send him home.

Later it was also reported that he was tipped to return as Director of Prisons.

Wi l l i a m p r e v i o u s l y served as a Commander for Police Division ‘B’ before former President David Granger had appointed him Crime Chief in 2018.

At that time, Williams was considered to be a replacement to the current Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, who was removed

Deputy Commissioner, Paul Williams. from that position by the Granger administration in 2017.

He was eventually moved from being Crime Chief and reassigned to the Force’s Administration where he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Friday February 26, 2021

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The Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday reported two new COVID-19 fatalities, a 38-year-old male from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), and a 79-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). The MOH in its press release stated that both persons died while receiving treatment at a medical facility and they have been recorded as the 194th and 195th COVID-19 fatalities.

The Ministry also revealed 28 new COVID-19 infections yesterday via its daily dashboard. The total number of cases has increased to 8,485. The dashboard also shows that four patients are in the COVID19 Intensive Care Unit and another 10 are in institutional quarantine, 38 in institutional isolation and 418 in home isolation. Additionally, a total of 7,890 persons have recovered to date.

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Friday February 26, 2021

New York prosecutors digging into Trump’s tax, financial records (Reuters) - After a lengthy court battle, the Manhattan District Attorney is in possession of Donald Trump’s tax returns and other financial records as part of a criminal investigation into the former president and his family-run Trump Organization, a spokesman for the office confirmed yesterday.

The New York prosecutor’s office obtained the voluminous records on Monday, the same day the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s latest attempt to keep his longtime accounting firm, Mazars USA, from turning over the records.

Danny Frost, a spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, confirmed the office’s receipt of the documents, which came some 18 months after a subpoena was issued for them.

The records, which include eight years of tax returns, could boost the district attorney’s investigation into the Trump Organization.

Unlike all other recent U.S. presidents, Trump refused to make his tax returns public. The data could provide details on his wealth and the activities of the family-run real-estate company.

A spokesman for Mazars USA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Monday, after

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Former President Donald Trump the Supreme Court ruling, Trump issued a statement calling Vance’s investigation part of “the greatest political Witch Hunt in the history of our country.”

Vance subpoenaed Mazars in 2019 seeking Trump’s corporate and personal tax returns from 2011 to 2018. Trump’s lawyers sued to block the subpoena, arguing that a sitting president has absolute immunity from state criminal investigations.

The Supreme Court in July rejected those arguments but said Trump could raise other objections. Trump’s lawyers then told lower courts the subpoena was overly broad and amounted to political

harassment but the lower courts rejected those claims last year.Vance’s investigation initially focused on hush money paid by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen before the 2016 election to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. The two women said they had sexual encounters with Trump, which he denied.

In court filings, Vance later suggested the probe had broadened and could focus on potential bank, tax and insurance fraud, as well as falsification of business records.

Vance’s receipt of the documents does not mean they will become public.

Sanctions prompt Venezuela to expel head of EU delegation

European Union Ambassador to Venezuela Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa is presented with a letter of “persona non grata” from Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza at his office in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s government on Wednesday ordered the expulsion of the chief European Union diplomat in the South American nation following the bloc’s decision to impose sanctions on several Venezuelan officials accused of undermining democracy or violating human rights.

Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa was given 72 hours to leave the troubled country.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said Brilhante Pedrosa was declared persona non grata by

decision of President Nicolás Maduro.

“The circumstances of aggression leave no option” due to “disrespect for public international law” and in accordance with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, Arreaza said in a statement after a meeting with the European diplomat in the capital, Caracas.

“We do it because there are already 55 decisions, of what they call sanctions in the European Union or in the US system, as if they had a moral authority, which they do not have, nor legal, to impose any

punishments on citizens of any other country,” Arreaza said. The Venezuelan government action came two days after the European Union’s foreign ministers sanctioned 19 Venezuelan officials, freezing their assets and banning them from traveling to the bloc, citing the deteriorating situation Venezuela faces after the December 2020 elections. The main opposition parties boycotted those elections.

So far, 55 Venezuelan officials have been sanctioned by the European Union.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 26, 2021

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Official from SBM Offshore found guilty of bribery in UK Energy Voice - A former oil and gas boss has been found guilty of conspiring to bribe public officials to win contracts in Iraq, following the collapse of Saddam Hussain’s regime.

A jury found Paul Bond, who was senior sales manager at SBM Offshore, guilty on two counts of conspiracy to give corrupt payments following a retrial of his case at Southwark Crown Court in London.

This is the latest in a string of convictions related to the Serious Fraud Office’s

(SFO) Unaoil bribery case.

The investigation has uncovered the payment of over $17 million (£12m) worth of bribes to secure contracts worth $1.7bn (£1.2bn).

Last year, the SFO secured the convictions of co-conspirators and former Unaoil territory managers for Iraq, Stephen Whiteley, who is from Aberdeen, and Ziad Akle.

The pair were sentenced to three and five years respectively.

Additionally, Unaoil’s

former Iraq partner, Basil Al Jarah, received three years and four months’ imprisonment after admitting to five offences of conspiracy to give corrupt payments.

Each of the four men were found guilty of paying bribes to win contracts connected to the fledgling Iraqi state’s efforts to rebuild its war-torn economy in 2007.To do this, the Iraqi Ministry of Oil produced a ‘master plan’ that set out a strategy to quadruple Iraqi oil exports within five years.

It tasked the state-owned South Oil Company (SOC) to commission new oil pipelines and offshore mooring buoys (SPMs) in the Persian Gulf.

Consulting on behalf of SBM Offshore and working with Paul Bond directly, Unaoil employees paid over $900,000 (£637,834) in bribes to Iraqi public officials at the SOC and the Ministry of Oil. It resulted in Dutchheadquartered SBM Offshore winning a $55m (£39m) contract to provide

SPMs. These bribes bought access to sensitive information on SOC’s competitive tendering requirements, enabling Bond and others to skew the process.

Bond is due to be sentenced on Friday, 26 February, 2021.

Lisa Osofsky, director of the SFO, said: “These projects were crucial to the reconstruction of the Iraqi oil sector and the future prosperity of the fledgling state’s economy. Bond and

his co-conspirators knew this and yet corrupted the tender process for financial gain.

“We are proud to have ensured the four men will be punished for their pernicious crimes, and will continue to relentlessly pursue such cases across the globe.”

The SFO launched an investigation into Unaoil in 2016, focusing on business deals involving HalliburtonKBR, Petrofac, ABB, Leighton Holdings, Rolls Royce and Amec Foster Wheeler.

La Grange murder mastermind Five universities identified for 4,500 scholarships this year gets six months for escaping from police station

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he alleged La Grange murder mastermind, Jankie Tapsie, also known as Samantha Khan, 29, was on Wednesday sentenced to six months in jail for escaping from lawful c u s t o d y. Ta p s i e w a s s e n t e n c e d b y Magistrate, Alex Moore at the Number 51 Village Magistrate’s Court.

She pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that on November, 18, 2020 while in lawful custody at the Springlands Police Station.

Tapsie, who detectives believe is the mastermind in the crime, was at the time arrested for the murder of La Grange businesswoman, Bibi Ramjit, 85. Ramjit was strangled to death at her home located on Old Road, La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

She had fled to Suriname and was captured by Suriname authorities along with an accomplice, Rishiram Singh, a taxi driver from Newtown, Kitty. They were both handed over on November, 18, 2020 to ranks of the Springlands Police Station.While in custody, police reported, that she escaped from a toilet within the station.

It took police nearly three months to recapture her on February 17, 2021. She had returned to Suriname and had been hiding there until she fell into the hands of Suriname authorities for a second time.

Charges are yet to be laid against her for the murder of Ramjit.

Jankie minutes after being handed over to police for a second time.

The Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand yesterday identified five universities where 4,500 Guyanese will receive online scholarships to obtain their university education.

Manickchand made the revelation during her heated debate of the allocation towards the education sector in the 2021 Budget on day three of the Budget Debate yesterday.

The universities were identified as the Indira Gandhi National Open University, the Jain Deemed-to-be-University, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus and the UWI Open Campus (Vocational), and the International University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

“It will benefit 4,500 students just this year.

We serve the people of this country and we do it without apology,” Manickchand said.

Further, the initiative falls under the National Online Learning Institute (NOL), which the government intends to use to ensure Guyanese get their undergraduate degrees, Master’s programme and Doctors of Philosophy (PhDs).

In this year’s National Budget, the government sought to allocate $1 billion towards the NOL. The disclosure was made

by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. Dr. Singh had said that the government is hoping to deliver an online learning institute with the vision of having a top-tier education system for Guyana. The institute will deliver 20,000 scholarships over the next five years in keeping with the PPP administration’s manifesto.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand “In 2021, we plan to begin execution of this initiative, catering for the provision of over 4,500 scholarships through a multiagency formulation including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Labour,” Dr. Singh had announced.

The scholarships will be extended to persons in all ten administrative regions of Guyana.

Friday February 26, 2021

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Friday February 26, 2021

Friday February 26, 2021

India v England: Hosts win astonishing third Test in two days BBCsport - England succumbed to a 10-wicket defeat against India inside two days of an astonishing third Test in Ahmedabad. On a scarcely believable day when both sides collapsed and 17 wickets fell in two sessions, India completed the quickest Test win since 1935 not long into the final session.

England began the day with a thrilling fightback, turning India’s overnight 993 into 145 all out. But, faced with a first-innings deficit of 33, England were bowled out for 81 as India’s spinners ran riot once again.

In a frenzied start to their second innings, England lost

Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow within three balls both bowled by Axar Patel.

Ben Stokes and Joe Root briefly calmed the raucous atmosphere but their dismissals in consecutive overs sparked a sorry procession to England’s lowest Test total in India.

Spinners were responsible for every wicket to fall on the day - and 28 of the 30 in the match - Joe Root taking 5-8 in the first session, Axar 5-32 and Ravichandran Ashwin 4-48, including his 400th Test scalp.

India cruised to their target of 49 inside eight overs, an incredible game wrapped up before the floodlit conditions of a day-night Test could have an impact. Victory

England have been bowled out for less than 200 in five consecutive innings. gave India, who lost the first Test, an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series with one match to play and ended England’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final this summer.

If the first day of this Test was remarkable - England

Friday February 26, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is an excellent day to express your natural creativity, Aries. The arts will likely be very important to you.

You may find that nothing brings you more pleasure on days like this.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If you're feeling tired, you may need to lie back, close your eyes, and listen to some soothing music.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today may bring up strong feelings. This may not be new, as you have a tendency to feel things deeply.

But it may be a bit tough to find a way to express this.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today, Cancer, consider that artistic expression can happen in many ways. It isn't always about drawing a picture, singing a song, playing music, or acting.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may find that today brings great physical strength and energy to you.

Given this, you may really want to do some tough, challenging physical work.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Virgo, it's prime time to get busy. Activities that require focus or creativity will be supported.

Physical strength and energy will encourage you to do something active. If you've felt sluggish, tired, or a little under the weather, today's planetary aspect can put an end to that.

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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your active side may show through today, Libra. While you can be extremely focused on brainwork, you also love to keep active and do physical work.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) If you've been feeling tired or sick lately, this will probably turn around for you, Scorpio. You may often experience moodiness, and this can be a real drain.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You will probably be very busy today, Sagittarius, which may suit you just fine. This can work in your favor if you have some work to catch up on. Being active and getting things done will be natural for you.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today, your ability to stand up for your decisions and not let others sway you may be enhanced. This will be especially true if you've arrived at a resolution that solves a problem.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may feel a real need to get moving today, Aquarius. Almost everyone prefers quiet activities, books, art, and even just sitting around to physical activity at times.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today, you will probably have a ton of energy at your disposal for getting into all kinds of activities. Finish any work that still needs to be completed.

bowled out for 112 despite winning the toss - the second was one of the most incredible in recent memory. Neither side got to grips with a turning pitch, at least not until India’s chase when England were demoralised after their second collapse of the game. The 17 wickets fell in 53 overs for the loss of 127 runs, the match over with almost 30 overs remaining on the second day. The fact Root, a part-time off-spinner, claimed such extraordinary figures showed the difficulties faced by batsmen.

The spinners found extravagant turn but wickets often fell to deliveries that skidded on.

Although England’s fightback brought them back into the contest, the skill and relentless accuracy of Axar and Ashwin proved too much for a side that also collapsed twice in the second-Test defeat. Had England mustered another 100 runs India would have had a difficult chase. Instead, under little pressure, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma cantered to victory in one-day mode to the delight of the crowd in the world’s largest cricket stadium.

Scores: England 112 (Crawley 53; Axar 6-38) & 81 (Axar 5-32, Ashwin 4-48).

India 145 (Rohit 66, Root 5-8, Leach 4-54) & 49-0. India won by 10 wickets.

...Former U.S. gymnastics From page 23 human trafficking. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel confirmed Geddert’s death and said, “This is a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved.” Geddert was expected to turn himself in at the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department at 2:15 p.m. Eastern, but did not show up, according to the Detroit News.

Twenty of the 24 charges against Geddert were related to human trafficking. Geddert also received one charge of racketeering and two charges of criminal sexual assault of a teen. Geddert’s final charge involved lying to investigators over the Larry Nassar case.

BCB/Faizal Jafferally/West Berbice T20 KO

D’ Edward, Bath, Cotton Tree and Paradise advance to second round The Faizal Jafferally T20 Knockout tournament bowled off on Sunday last at four venues with wins recorded by D’ Edward Cricket Club, Bath Cricket Club, Cotton Tree Cricket Club and Paradise to ease into the second round.

At the Cotton Tree Ground, the home team defeated Bush Lot Sports Club in the first match of the tournament. The visitors batting first reached 132 for 9 from 20 overs with Alex Mohabir 26 and Kamesh Ali 24, the top scorers.

Pooran Persaud 4 for 19 and Naushad Gafoor 2 for 15 were Cotton Tree as they raced to victory at 132 for 3 from 15.3 overs. Gafoor returned with the bat to lead the charge with 56 (3x4 6x6),Abdul Subhan 27* and Pooran Persaud 25* formalised the win.

At the Paradise Ground, Bath Sports Club beat Achievers CC by 3 wickets. Achievers reached 106 for 6 from 15 overs after early morning showers affected the start of play. Collis Noble 29 and Shamal Angel 16 topscored while the best bowlers for Bath were Kapil Dew Armogan 2 for 15 and Haresh Singh 2 for 22.

In response, Bath ended on 107 for 7 in 14 overs to win by three wickets. Akash Singh 46

(3x4 2x6) and Armogan 16, led the charge while Kenjie Sedou 3 for 21 and Shamal Angel 2 for 12 bowled well in a losing cause.

In the second encounter at the Cotton Tree Ground, D’ Edward trounced Police by 86 runs. Keith Fraser top scored with 46 not out while Kevon Jawahir 31, Rajapul Heralall 26, Dianauth Persaud 22 and Heralall Bridgelall 21 offered support.

Kurt Griffith and Dwayne Mc. Pherson picked up two wickets each for 17 and 33 runs respectively. Police in response were dismantled by left arm spinner Hemraj Heralall 4 for 22 and medium pacer Rickey Moore 3 for 37. Griffith made 35 while Mc. Pherson had 28.

Paradise playing at home, reached 162 for 6 in 20 overs with Eon Carmichael 48 and Glenroy Fraser 49. In response, Blairmont Remnants were bundled out for 67 in 13.4 overs to lose by 95 runs. T. Totaram scored 15 while Troy McKenzie 3 for 12 and Carlton Saul 2 for 17 bowled well for Paradise.

Member of Parliament Faizal Jafferally at the launching of the tournament announced that in addition to the cash prize, the winner of the tournament would receive a collection of cricket gear.

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 26, 2021

BCB/Premium Asphalt New Amsterdam U-19 50-overs

Isaiah Thorne slams ton in Rose Hall Canje’s win; East Bank Berbice secure historic victory

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he Berbice Cricket Board on Saturday last, continued to create history when it hosted the Premium Asphalt New Amsterdam/Canje/East Berbice Under-19 tournament. It is the first time ever that the BCB is organising tournaments at this level for teams in the

sub-zones.

Six teams are participating in the tournament, Edinburgh A, Mt. Sinai CC, Tucber Park, RH Canje, Kendall’s Union and East Bank Blazers. East Bank defeated Edinburgh by 41 runs while Rose Hall Canje trounced Mt. Sinai by 389 runs.

West Indies U-15 player

Isaiah Thorne and Lloyd David

Isaiah Thorne stroked a brilliant century to spearhead Rose Hall Canje to a massive 455 for six from their allotted 50 overs.

Known for his bowling skills, Thorne showed his talent with the bat by scoring 129 runs (13x4 4x6).

Lloyd David struck 89 (10x4 5x6) and added 133 runs with Avishkar Persaud who scored 46. National female youth player Ashmini Munisar contributed 35 (2x4). For Mt. Sinai, Doree George took 3 for 50 while Stephen Sue-Chung had 2 for 62.

In reply, Mt. Sinai were skittled for 60 in 22.3 overs as only Allister Persaud reached double figures with 14. Medon Mentore and Andrew Bennett picked up 3 wickets for 7 and 12 runs respectively while Aaron Craig took 2 for 9.

At the Edinburgh Ground, East Bank Berbice

were sent packing for 123 all out in 23.2 overs and then restricted Edinburgh to 82 all out in 20 overs to lose by 41 runs. Steve Sookram top scored with 16 while James Kesney and Jamal David scored 12 each for

Edinburgh. Wilfred Castello bagged 3 for 17 and Tyron Kendall 2 for 18.

James Simpson was the main destroyer for East Bank Berbice with 7 for 27 in eight impressive overs. Jake Kesney took two for 19. The

victory by East Bank Berbice was historic as it was the first time they were playing in a BCB Youth tournament. The Kendall Union and Tucber Park first round match would be played this weekend.

BCB/Nand Persaud Co. Female 30-overs

Tremayne Smartt leads NA/Canje past West Berbice for second place

F

ormer West Indies player Tremayne Smartt was the outstanding player as she led New Amsterdam/Canje to victory o v e r W e s t Berbice/Achievers by 37 runs and in the process they claimed the second place prize in the Berbice Cricket Board organised Nand Persaud Co. Ltd 30-overs Female Cricket Tournament.

Rose Hall Town Metro had earlier been declared Champions after defeating both teams in the earlier rounds.

Playing at the historic Rose Hall Canje Welfare

Community Ground, New Amsterdam/Canje batted first after being invited to do so by the visitors.

They were bowled out for 135 from their allotted 30 overs, Smartt leading the way with 35, Kassie Munroe 27 and Ashmini Munisar 13.

Bowling for West Berbice Achievers, Devona Frank took 2 for 11 and Tea Isaacs 2 for 20.

West Berbice in reply were dismissed for 88 in 14.3 overs; national player Katana Mentore top scored with an unbeaten 37 and R. Liverpool chipped 16. The best bowler for New Amsterdam/Canje was

Smartt who snared 4 for 17 and Ashmini Munisar 2 for 17. BCB Secretary Angela Haniff congratulated the home team for emerging as runner-up whilst urging the disappointed West Berbice girls to keep improving.

Haniff also expressed thanks to the Management of the Nand Persaud Co. Ltd Group of Companies for their sponsorship of the tournament especially Marketing Executive, Divesh Persaud.

The BCB also handed over a trophy and cash prize to Ashmini Munisar, Captain of the winning New Amsterdam/Canje team.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 26, 2021

Hetmyer slams ton, Reifer, Motie shine as Guyana Jaguars tame Volcanoes to book final berth Shimron Hetmyer struck an attacking century; Raymon Reifer fell short of a ton by 10 runs while Gudakesh Motie picked up four wickets as Guyana Jaguars trounced Windward Islands Volcanoes by 95 runs to book their place in the final of the CWI CG Insurance Super 50 Cup. Playing at the Cooldige Cricket Ground in Antigua, the Guyanese were asked to bat and openers Chandrapaul Hemraj and Tevin Imlach put on 34 for the opening wicket before Ryan John had Hemraj caught for 24 (4x4) while Imlach was taken off fast bowler Ray Jordan for 14 with the score on 44.

Jordan made further inroads when he had Christopher Barnwell lbw for eight and sent back Leon Johnson without scoring as Guyana Jaguars slipped to 63 for 4. However, Shimron Hetmyer and Raymon Reifer stabilised the innings with a historic fifth wicket stand of 194, the highest at this level for the 5th wicket overall.

The pair timed the ball well as they frustrated their opponents in an entertaining stand. Hetmyer slammed 11 fours and five sixes in a

delightful 113 off 80 balls before he was taken off Kevin Stoute while Reifer struck eight fours and three sixes in a fine 90 off 104 balls he was caught off John.

Anthony Bramble went for 14 while Romario Shepherd and Kevin Sinclair made 11 and nine not out respectively as Guyana Jaguars piled up 305 for 7.

John captured 3 for 42 and Jordan took 3 for 45.

In Windward Islands Volcanoes response, openers Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze ensured a decent start for their team with a partnership of 54 before Hodge was run out for 28.

Andre Fletcher was removed

by Veerasammy Permaul for 8 while Athanaze fell lbw to Gudakesh Motie for a fine 58 a s Wi n d w a r d I s l a n d s Volcanoes found themselves at 100 for three.

Athanaze faced 75 balls and hit four fours and one six. Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair removed Keron Cottoy for 11 before Sunil Ambris and Kevon Stoute added 31 for the fifth wicket, but their resistance was ended by Motie who removed Ambris for 27 with three fours.

Motie also removed Stoute for 28 which included two fours and one six off 36 balls. Larry Edwards (21) and Emmanuel Stewart (14) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures as Windward Islands Volcanoes were bowled out for 210 in 46.2 overs. Motie grabbed four for 53 and Hemraj had two for 35.

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Hemraj takes the final wicket to formalise Guyana’s entrance into the final. (WIPA)

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 26, 2021

GFF pays tribute to former ‘Golden Jaguar’ Bobby Fernandes The Guyana Football Federation yesterday paid tribute to the life and achievements of former

‘Golden Jaguar’ international and Georgetown Football Club President, Robert “Bobby”

Fernandes, who sadly passed away last week.

“Bobby and his powerful left foot are legendary in the

history of Guyanese football,” GFF President Wayne Forde said. “His exemplary service to the game as a player and, later, as an administrator set a fine example for others to follow, both on and off the pitch.”

Fernandes, born in 1947 as the youngest of 14 boys, fulfilled his boyhood dream to represent Guyana in 1967 when national team Coach August Wootar picked him to play against Suriname.

The midfielder-turnedstriker made his debut for GFC as a schoolboy in 1965.

“Bobby was a largerthan-life character who will be greatly missed by the Caribbean football community, but his memory and considerable achievements will live on to inspire us.

The entire GFF family would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, friends and family at this time,” said Forde.

Fernandes’ international career lasted until 1973. At the age of 29, he married and relocated to the interior,

Robert ‘Bobby’ Fernandes which effectively brought his journey as a player to a close. Later, Fernandes served the development of club football with distinction as GFC President.

Maria’s Pleasure Female ‘A’ defeat their ‘B’ counterparts in Factory Price sponsored Softball match

The victorious Essequibo Coast Team

M

aria’s Pleasure ‘A’ defeated Maria’s Pleasure ‘B’ by 8 runs when the teams collided in the female category of the Factory Price Softball one-day competition which was held on Tuesday last at Maria’s Pleasure Cricket Ground.

Batting first, Maria’s Pleasure ‘A’

managed 39 for five off their allocation of 20 balls. Estell Lewis made 15 as Ashley Dharry took two wickets. Maria’s Pleasure ‘B’ responded with 31 for six.

Subanie Sahadeo made 14 while Natasha Ramdeo and Roshanie Ramdeo took one wicket each. Essequibo Coast overcame East Coast by one run in the male final.

Martin Guptill hits 97 as hosts win second T20 BBCsport - Martin Guptill fell three runs short of a third Twenty20 international century as he helped New Zealand to a thrilling four-run win over Australia in Dunedin. The opener smashed eight sixes and six fours on his way to 97 off 50 balls as the hosts posted 219-7.

Australia rallied from 113-6 with Marcus Stoinis hitting 78 off 37 deliveries before he was caught off the penultimate ball of the game. Victory gave New Zealand a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The third game takes place in Wellington on Wednesday.

New Zealand lost Tim Seifert early before Guptill shared a 131-run stand with captain Kane Williamson, who made 53, in front of a sell-out crowd at University Oval.

Mitchell Santner reduced Australia to 113-6, dismissing Ashton Agar and Mitchell Marsh for ducks with consecutive balls on his way to figures of 4-31.

But Australia rallied with powerful batting from Stoinis and Daniel Sams, who scored 41, as they targeted the short boundaries in a rapid partnership of 92. The tourists needed 15 off the last over but Jimmy Neesham had Sams caught at deep midwicket with the first ball, before Stoinis needing a six and a four off the last two deliveries to win - holed out at long-on.

Scores: New Zealand 219-7 (20 overs): Guptill 97 (50) Australia 215-8 (20 overs): Stoinis 78 (37), Santner 4-31. New Zealand won by four runs.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 26, 2021

S. Jagmohan Hardware and Construction Services Golf Tournament set for tomorrow

E

xciting action is anticipated for the Lusignan Golf Course tomorrow when the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) stages the S. Jagmohan Hardware and Construction Services tournament from 12:00hrs. The tournament will be played using the Stableford Shotgun start.

Speaking with the media, Vidya Mangalram, Project Coordinator of the company noted that S. Jagmohan is one of the best construction companies in Guyana. She

was also elated that the company was able to honour some aspects of their core social responsibilities, stating that they were ecstatic to support the tournament.

LGC Public Relations Officer, Anasha Ally said she is happy to partner with the company for the tournament and stated that a keen contest is anticipated. Club President Patanjilee Persaud was grateful to the sponsors.

He noted that all Covid-19 precautionary measures will be in place for the

Former U.S. gymnastics coach John Geddert kills himself hours after being charged with 24 crimes YahooSports - Former U.S Olympics women’s gymnastics head coach John Geddert died by suicide Thursday (yesterday).

Geddert, 63, died hours after he was charged with 24 crimes, including sexual assault, racketeering and (Continued on page 19)

John Gedder

tournament.

S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services (SJHS&CS) is a Supply and Construction Company with registered office at Lot 32 First Street Campbellville.

LGC PRO Anasha Ally (left) accepts the cheque from Vidya Mangalram.

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