K
State of
AIETEUR NEWS
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
p. 7
Saturday Edition January 04, 2020 - Vol. 14 No. 01
mining sector
is a nightmare
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
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Price $80
Online readership yesterday 136,039
Nigeria loses billions in profits to well-connected middlemen in oil sales p. 8
APNU+AFC launches election campaign - “Don't stop the progress!” p. 15
Bandit shot dead 10p. during botched Tuschen restaurant robbery
Int'l press body calls Exxon gas project in on Govt. to review PNG underscores need to ads distribution release all economic models p. 14
p. 13
Former army chief, Mark Phillips, chosen as PPP PM candidate p. 3
- wounded accomplice, two others nabbed at roadblock
Authorities foil Campp. St. Prison16 break plot - 2017 escapee among masterminds
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Saturday January 04, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Former army chief, Mark Phillips, chosen as PPP PM candidate - Juan Edghill steps aside
W
ith two months to go before g e n e r a l elections, the People's Progressive Party (PPP) has chosen former army chief, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark A. Phillips MSS, MSc as its Prime Ministerial candidate. T h e o f f i c i a l announcement came as the Coalition Government kicked off its campaign at D'Urban Park, in what is shaping up to be hotlycontested elections. Wi t h o i l a n d g a s production recently starting, the stakes are high. The elections would come after a December 21st, 2018 no confidence motion toppled the three-year-old Coalition Government, sparking a bitter legal battle that divided the country ahead of oil and
gas production. Yesterday, Bishop Juan Edghill released a letter also that he was stepping aside in the race for the PM candidate post. With regards to the choice of Phillips, the PPP said that at a meeting of the Central Committee of the party yesterday afternoon at Freedom House, the former army chief was unanimously endorsed as the Prime Ministerial candidate. “Mr. Phillips has had a long and distinguished career in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) spanning nearly four (4) decades, culminating with his appointment as the 8th Chief of Staff of the GDF, from September 2013, until he retired in October 2016. As a member of the Army,
Mr. Phillips, held a number of crucial leadership positions at various levels and ranks and his consistent upward mobility clearly demonstrated that he acquitted himself with distinction in every position held.” The PPP would be banking on the army's support for Phillips, to counter that of David Granger, a former head of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). “Mr. Phillips received vast military training, certification, military decorations, medals, awards and honours, both locally, as well as, in the Caribbean, South America, Central America, the United States of America (USA), Canada and the prestigious Royal Military Academy
GRA moves to fill more posts in Oil & Gas Dept.
T
he Guyana R e v e n u e Authority (GRA) in an effort to boost its capacity in the oil and gas sector is looking to regularise a number of vacancies in its recently established Oil and Gas Department. “The Guyana Revenue Authority is spearheading an exciting and important phase of its development through enhancing its capacity in the Oil and Gas Sector in Guyana, South America,” the authority stated in a recent advertisement. The vacancies listed in the advertisement include; relationship manager, oil lifting personnel, central processing clerk, exemption and inventory monitoring
personnel, data and analysis and research personnel and administrative officer. Additionally, a total of 118 officials have been trained in the areas of Oil and Gas audit techniques, Crude Lifting Agreements, Oil and Gas accounting, Customs Documentation and Associated Processes; and Crude Lifting Measurements to ensure the nation does not suffer significant value leakage. Previously, during an appearance on the Kaieteur Radio Programme, 'Guyana's Oil and You, GRA Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia had indicated that the Department will have two units being headed by senior Executives of the Authority at the level of
Deputy Commissioners. The divisions are the Petroleum Revenue Audit Unit (PRAU) and the Customs Petroleum Unit (CPU). Th e C o mmis s io n erGeneral explained that these Units are being staffed and given the resources to effectively monitor, audit, and ensure compliance by oil companies is optimal at all times. GRA had also procured the services of Alnoor Kassam, former head of the Canada Revenue Authority's oil and gas operations to help develop its administrative capacity for taxation in the sector. Kassam is employed through an arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Stepped aside: Bishop Juan Edghill Sandhurst, United Kingdom (UK). Academically, Mr. Phillips possesses a Bachelor's Degree in Public Management, a Master's Degree in Public Management and several Post-Graduate Diplomas in Defence Planning and various areas of Management.” PPP argued that Phillips is well qualified and equipped to partner with the PPP as its Prime Ministerial candidate, as it strides forward to win the upcoming elections and form the next Government of Guyana.
PPP's Prime Ministerial candidate: Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips
“The party's leadership and its supporters expect Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips to serve all the people of Guyana in accordance with the high PPP tradition of discipline, dedication, loyalty and commitment, both in and out of Government.” Phillips, PPP said in its statement, was unanimously endorsed by the Central Committee after the other contender, Bishop Juan Edghill, wrote the Party withdrawing his nomination as a Prime Ministerial candidate.
“The PPP takes this opportunity to recognize the tremendous contribution of Bishop Edghill in championing the cause of all of our people, both in the National Assembly and across the length and breadth of Guyana, against a corrupt, incompetent and unconstitutional Grangerled Government.” The party, which lost the 2015 elections after 23 years in power, said it is heartened by the assurance given that he remains a committed team player, who will work to (continued on page 19)
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Drone strike – Looking into the abyss Call it whatever suits outlook and fits calculations: response to multiple provocations, dangerous escalation, preemptive neutralising strike, or act of war. Whichever it is, the bottom line is this: the deed is done, and the Iranians are reeling on the world’s stage. And from those, comes this stark sobering truth: as sure as the sun sets in the west, there will be retaliation. As to where things go from there is anybody’s guess, including the unthinkable and the uncontrollable. The intensifying and inflaming rhetoric will now occupy the whole stage, as to who was justified, the litany of ills inflicted and absorbed, and sprawling jingoism taking full hold. The commodities markets have signaled their recognition of the gravity of the situation, with corresponding spikes in prices, and now there is watching for the next moves unfolding. This was a long time coming and reaching this shaky stage, be it from the side of the United States or that of the Iranians. Both sides have already dug in their heels and are ready to do battle, if the words tell the tale of resolve, injured pride, and the hubris of men, who do not listen to any other, but themselves, and are willing and armed to play perilous games that can touch irreversibly countless lives. There is a sense of deviltry in the air, of the tenseness of closing to cross swords and let the chips falls where they may. To put an end to the dodging and hedging, to heighten from a low-grade conflict to some other plane, to test the manhood of each other, to measure the pulse and will. The sense is that the time for talking is past. The partisan politics has already taken hold, with the usual scripts being followed in the United States. One speculation, if not assertion, that is sure to be made is that (a la Bill Clinton) the incumbent US leader unleashed the military to distract from domestic personal woes by waging war on a known and despised foreign enemy. Clinton’s Tomahawk missiles largely disrupted the sand, while on this occasion, the target rendered to eternity could not have been bigger or more satisfying. That is why the Iranians cannot afford to calm down and stand down, as it is a monumental loss of incomparable and irreplaceable proportions. It is the alpha takedown, the ultimate insult in terms of means and method, and the man lost. That is why for them, it cannot be allowed to go unanswered, that is why this situation threatens even from now to get out of hand. From the sensitive Straits of Hormuz imperiled to sleeper cells activated to modern warfare in all of its frightening capabilities.Something else needs to be understood and emphasized here, which is somewhat alien to Western minds. In the always combustible Middle East region, revenge is next to piousness, if not godliness. There is no forgetting, no letting go, and neither reasoning nor logic, that dictates what are rational courses of action to be taken. It (vengeance) must be had and to the full, and thus it will come. And, in addition to this DNA-wired characteristic, the Persians possess something unlike most other nations and they proudly possess it in spades: they are suffused with a martyr’s complex. Go all the way back in history to Cyrus and that time and come forward, and the years are stained with the readiness to answer the call to arms and to lay down in the glory of one’s own shed blood. It could be a state of where the irresistible force confronts the immovable object, and as to what happens from there is anybody’s guess, except that nobody wants to, given the volatile parties involved. The outlook is not good, it is grim in fact. Already some of the other powerful voices across the globe have weighed in with alarms sounded, such is the terrible tautness that now takes over and determines the next steps. To be quite frank, those steps are only going to take downward in what promises to be an inextricable morass. This stage was avoided for the longest time, but has been simmering since 1979. Looking back is not an option.
Only an adequately qualified person should be the Guyana remiss of the Board or selected to head GFC standpoint, Forestry Commission Act Minister to simply ignore 2007 Section 10 Subsection 4 DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Kaieteur News article of Saturday Dec 28th 2019 on the subject that GFC Commissioner departs after 21 yrs. Indeed James Singh served the GFC and sector well. Moving on, there has been a lot of speculation on who will be the next Commissioner. Persons have been reliably informed that a particular individual who is one of the Deputy Commissioner is being favoured. One must know this post is a serious post and the individual needs certain credentials both academic, integrity, and experience which I firmly believe from information gathered, the favoured candidate does not have. Ideally, if the Board or Government supports
transparency then this post should be advertised and a fair and transparent procurement process carried out. Single handedly choosing someone for the post is an abuse of the process and good governance. The Ministry, PMO and OCC were in high praise recently on how well the GFC and forest sector performed and noted that it was integral in the whole Climate programme with Norway and it was through the good work and governance of the GFC that the Government was able to receive significant sums from Norway; the last tranche being $9B. So the GFC now needs to match what it has said with its action moving forward. Secondly and from a legal
states, “No person shall be appointed Commissioner without the approval of the Minister.” With Parliament having been dissolved on Dec 30 or shortly and the Government being in a caretaker mode the Subject Minister or as now the former Minister does not have the power to give approval for this appointment in accordance with the Act. Any attempt to do this will be illegal and in breach of the Act and will be deemed null and void. I do hope the former Minister, a lawyer, will do the right thing. Thirdly, in the recent past, there has been a flurry of media coverage on alleged and massive corruption with key departments of forest monitoring and management within the GFC. It would be
these allegation/information and evidence before making an appointment. To remind the public below is a summary of the serious nature of the mismanagement reported and for the powers be to take care note: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2019/09/11/evidencesuggests-spread-corruptionand-collusion-within-gfcsforest-monitoring-unit/ h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2019/10/12/guyana-forestrycommission-must-be-investigated/ h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2019/09/17/i-believe-thesedeliberate-fixing-of-the-system-can-be-consideredfraudulent-and-or-criminal/ With regards, E. Smith
Badal roasts President Granger on his “Decade of in extending apprenticeship initiatives from our bauxite, Development” slogan and other vocational training forestry or agricultural reDEAR EDITOR, In his New Year’s Day message, President Granger outlined that his Coalition’s plan for the next decade is based on four pillars, The Green State, The Digital State, The Petroleum State and the Education Nation. The President has shown us yet again his party’s lack of vision and the obvious contradiction between their plan and his performance over the past four and a half years. The Green Development strategy under his leadership has been little more than painting of Government buildings in green. We are still generating electricity from heavy fuel oil instead of LNG, while discouraging acquisition of new vehicles including electric vehicles by extortionary, high taxes. His fiscal policy actually promotes used tyres and old used cars that pollute the environment. His emphasis on a Digital
State contradicts his Government’s failure in liberalizing the Telecommunications Sector, his policy of import taxes and VAT on cell phones. In fact, there has been no investment under his tenure in getting us to 4G internet speeds, in some parts of Guyana we are still at 2G. As regards his Petroleum State his administration’s failure to enact legislation or even a policy on local content despite continuous calls from the Private Sector would render “The Petroleum State” a mere slogan with the purpose to deceive. In addition the lack of transparency surrounding oil contracts have ignited widespread speculation that our people have been sold out to big oil companies.Education is a critical component in the development of any country but no investments have been made under his tenure
I maintain that Ambassador Ten Pow submitted his resignation DEAR EDITOR, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has seemingly succumbed to what I can term “Granger’s disease” – an inability to understand language that needs no gloss. On the 29th December, I wrote that “Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations H.E Rudolph Michael Ten Pow submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”. Thursday a statement was issued from the MFA including this line “Contrary to recent allegations in the local media, Ambassador Ten-Pow has not resigned his post as Permanent Representative to the United Nations”. I sincerely hope the persons entrusted with Guyana’s relationship to the International community possess a better grasp of the English language than is indicated in this response. To be pellucid, I maintain that Ambassador Ten Pow submitted his resignation. Respectfully, Robin Singh
across our country as was promised. A youth development policy that took two years to assemble in a document is yet to be implemented. The hierarchy of his administration is filled with retired Army personnel instead of bright young men and women. Like his predecessors in the PPP, his administration’s record is to tokenised our youths instead of giving them their rightful place at the table.No mention is made of a Green Revolution to diversify and expand agriculture, the main pillar of any sustainable development strategy, understanding that our oil and mineral resources are finite and will run out within the next two decades. Neither is any mention made of a programme ofIndustrialisation using our gas resources or value added
sources pivotal to job creation.Slogans and contradictory policies would not create jobs nor give us a better life; it certainly has not for the past few years. This requires the leadership we have never had since our independence. Perhaps the offer of food and drinks and soca music to attract attendance at the Coalition’s campaign launch tells the real story. Successive administrations (PPPPNC-APNU) have failed to elevate the standard of living of the masses and deliberately kept Guyanese in a survival mode. The same old dance, promises and ethnically divisive politics would get us nowhere.It is time that we say, “No more to Granger sloganomics!” Not again! Robert Badal
Security for Guyanese DEAR EDITOR, We have been informed of the course of action that Exxon could unleash on a country that is not cooperating. Would it not be in Guyana’s interest that we impose a visa restriction on Americans so that we can check to ascertain the training and qualifications of persons coming into our country? Regards, Mohamed F. Khan
A test of democracy DEAR EDITOR, The APNU/AFC regime was clinching to straws with their legal challenges to stave off the December 2018 No-Confidence vote and set a date for General Elections as per Constitution for a full year.Why was the PPP 2015 Elections Petition case not heard in this same period as an assurance of democratic principles and an end to partisan politics?Well it is hoped that March 2020 General Elections would correct this misgiving and the will of the Guyanese people be respected in their choice for a new government. Sincerely yours, Paul Ramrattan
Saturday January 04, 2020
Political parties must speak out against racists, silence is not an option DEAR EDITOR, Every political leader, every political party in Guyana has an absolute obligation to speak out and reject racists and racialism every time these persons or these incidents make their presence known. Racists and racialism are not new to Guyana, nor are such views unique to Guyana. But in just the past two weeks, there have been, at least, three obnoxious examples of racists and racialism in Guyana. There was one pastor ascribing road accidents to the practice of Hinduism in Guyana. This was followed over the last few days by a professor blaming suicide on Hinduism. In between, a known PNC activist incited people in Georgetown to prevent PPP activists putting up flags and other PPP paraphernalia. There are now 19 political groups expressing interest in contesting the March 2, 2020 General Elections. One of these, APNU+AFC, the incumbent government, is already a coalition of about seven political parties. This means nineteen political groups made up of more than 25 political parties want to contest the elections. In a country like Guyana, made up of different ethnic groups, diverse in our ethnic make-up, our culture, our religion and faith, it is of utmost importance that political parties promote racial and ethnic harmony, an environment of religious freedom and respect and a milieu where our diverse cultures are embraced and celebrated. Other than the PPP and its leaders, everyone else has been conspicuously silent on these three incidents. Given the March 2 elections are only 59 days from now and that racial harmony is critical for Guyana, it is consequential if political parties and their leaders chose to be silent. Silence in these cases can only mean agreement. There is an obligation to speak out and reject these clearly racists sentiments. After a horrific accident in
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Mahaicony, killing five people, a pastor urged Guyanese to “open their eyes” and see that the practice of Hinduism is responsible for the carnage on our roads. In 2019, road carnage resulted in the deaths of 125 Guyanese, as far as I know. Many hundreds survived with life-long disabilities and horrendous medical costs. Basically, not only was the pastor’s missive blaming Hinduism without any cause, he was inciting violence and race crimes. By circling the jhandi flags, it was a dog-whistle for non-Hindu Guyanese to violently remove these flags and not to tolerate the open practice of Hinduism in Guyana. Hindu and Non-Hindu Guyanese citizens immediately openly rejected this racist ranting from the pastor. For once, the ERC acted immediately. The pastor admitted his folly and openly apologised. But almost immediately after, he recanted his apology. The ERC has not followed up. But other than the PPP and its leaders, the other political parties, by their silence, gave the pastor a pass. None of them saw the need and the urgency to denounce such an outrageous statement. We cannot just vaguely preach
national harmony, we must show the spine to speak out whenever we see incidences that are inimical to national unity and harmony. Some commentators dismissed the pastor and his racist ranting, insisting he is not important enough for people to bother. But allowing such incidences a pass without denunciation and rebuke is what allows racism and religious intolerance to flourish. A few weeks before, there was rightful outrage when an East Indian student at UG expressed openly racist views relating to our Afro-Guyanese sisters and brothers. He was widely denounced, not only by the PPP, but by other organizations, including APNU+AFC. The Ministry of Education took an active role. The ERC acted sternly. UG rebuked the student. The student apologized and has remained remorseful. This student is far less prominent than the pastor. None of the commentators thought this student deserved a pass. A nation acted, as it ought to. But the pastor’s incident exposes our double-standard. Racism must not be tolerated, no matter who it comes from. I, therefore, call on David Granger and APNU+AFC, on all the other political parties to tell us their position on the (Continued on page 6)
GPHC, back to the drawing board on this one DEAR EDITOR, We refer to the article in Kaieteur News, December 28, 2019, “40 Nurses at GPHC now fluent in French and Spanish”. We wish to question both the accuracy of the headline and the wisdom of training nurses in French for meeting the health needs of Haitian immigrants who attempt to
ters from Haiti would not require Guyanese to know French, but Haitian Creole. We present some examples here: As the examples show, there are huge differences between Haitian Creole and French, greater than the differences between French and Italian or between Italian and Spanish. You cannot use
unites all Haitians. In reality, this means that it is the only language that ALL Haitians can be presumed to speak, irrespective of class or colour. It is extremely important that we, as Guyanese take the trouble to understand the language situations in each of our CARICOM partner countries. Over-simple labels like ‘Dutch-speaking’, ‘French-
access the facilities of the GPHC, as is stated in the article. To be sure, Director of Nursing Keith Alonzo and other relevant public health authorities are to be highly commended for their recognition of the centrality of language in accessing health care. But it is highly unlikely that anyone could become fluent in a foreign language, as stated in the headline, in a sixmonth programme. More importantly, however, ‘lessening the language barrier’ between us Guyanese and our CARICOM brothers and sis-
French to communicate with someone who only speaks Haitian, especially in emergency situations such as those of a hospital. Furthermore, the Haitian Constitution lists Haitian Creole and French as the two official languages of the Republic, but identifies Haitian Creole as the language which
speaking’ and ‘Englishspeaking’ make no sense when we understand the real situation on the ground. GHPC, back to the drawing board on this one. Yours respectfully, Hubert Devonish Charlene Wilkinson Kesnel Toussaint Jeuve Cherizol
CRG and the 2020 elections DEAR EDITOR, Today I was notified by GECOM that my name was not on the list of voters. I had reached out to GECOM concerning this issue prior and had not received a response and therefore rechecked after the latest release of the RLE. It is quite revealing that such an organisation, which is supposed to be committed to an impartial process would have such a resulting error in their database which does not coincide with the GRA database. In addition, it can be clearly observed that the number of voters is quite substantial compared to the population. This data leaves little doubt concerning the integrity or lack thereof for the election process this year. To my supporters, I thank you for your support and will be left no choice but to withdraw from the upcoming election process in the face of what clearly has become an elec-
tion that is not reflective of the will of the people. The division of our nation along racial lines continues to affect the integrity and the biasness of the functionality of our institutions and communities. It is unfortunate that this is the path that our great nation is on and it was my hope that the new found wealth would not result in blind ambition at any cost amongst those in power and those whose livelihood depend on the party in power.We are where we are today as a result of tit for tat actions between the major races instead of national reconciliation and I hope the wisdom of learning from past mistakes will direct the actions of those who are reluctant to trust the will of the people of “Our Beautiful Guyana”. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
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I beg for an investigation into my to earn an honest dol- into my son’s death and also son’s death wanted lar so that he could have for them to discuss how they DEAR EDITOR, I’m writing this letter in connection with my son’s death. I recently lost my son, Ryan Taylor, a geologist who was employed by Troy Resources. He was working the night shift (6PM TO 6AM) at Hicks Pitt in Region 7 on October 8, 2019. When the incident occurred, he was on duty. I’ve raised my son on my own from the tender age of 4 months. Our lives were not an easy and this resulted in him leaving school at a young age to assist with the household. My son has worked at several companies before Troy Resources to ensure he was capable of taking care of his responsibilities. He leaves to mourn three young children (ages 5, 8 and 12), his siblings, grandmother, other family members, friends and me. It breaks my heart to know that his children, who he worked tirelessly under dangerous, strenuous, demeaning and deplorable conditions to care for to the best of his ability, are now without the dad they have grown used to. He constantly complained about the unacceptable and ridiculous conditions that they were forced to work under; these are the conditions that our locals are working under with some foreign companies, namely Troy Resources. It was said to me that my son was outspoken and at several meetings, he would lament on these conditions to those who were in charge and nothing was ever done to remedy the conditions. One of his colleagues told me that my son was told by the seniors that they will look into the poor conditions and the lack of proper safety measures when someone dies and he was told ‘for every one person that doesn’t want the job there are thirty waiting for it’. He was the one that had to die, simply because he
taken care of his family and loved ones. My son had been a law-abiding citizen all the days of his life and I beg for an investigation into his death. I do think I deserve that much as a citizen of Guyana. It was reported to me that on the morning of his death, he was removed from one site that he was working at and then taken to this new site (Hicks Pitt). While there with his supervisors awaiting further instructions, he mentioned to the supervisors that the wall that they were on felt as though it was shaking and before he could have said anything else, the wall coll a p s e d and he was covered. His brother who was also employed with Troy Resources was never asked to work an extra day before; however, at this time, he was asked to work an extra day. On this day, he was awaken to the news of his brother’s death, he was asked to bring his lifeless body out from the mine. When we looked at the videos and pictures, we have observed that the area my son was taken to work in was poorly lit. Employees also said that there was only one step in the pit and for the height of the wall at least two steps should have been there. This alone lets us know that the company was negligent. This ordeal does not sit well with my family and me. When we enquired about an official report on the alleged accident, we were told that it is not ready. It has been two months since this incident occurred. Again, my family and I wish for a thorough investigation to be carried out, we would greatly appreciate this. I do believe we deserve this much as Guyanese citizen. I have been lenient with Troy Resources, I have reached out to them on several occasions for answers
plan to assist us through compensation, and to this date, I have not been given a word as to when and what they plan to do. They, Troy Resources, would have assisted with his burial; however, his death was sudden and unexpected. None of us was prepared for this emotionally or financially. I’m now frustrated as the bills and other responsibilities are overwhelming and I’m finding it extremely difficult to cope. His children and I have lost a major support from our lives and it seems as though we have been forgotten. I met with the CEO of the company, Ken Nelson, on November 8, 2019 and he promised to intervene and come to a settlement but to date, I have not heard anything from him. Whenever I call the company, I’m being told by the Human Resources Manager that she cannot give any answers since she has not received any word from Mr. Nelson. I’m now a tired and frustrated mother. I feel as though, I have been cheated of what I rightfully deserve. This ordeal is just way more than I have expected it to be. Therefore, I’m kindly asking you to assist my family and I as we fight this battle for justice to be served for the late Ryan Arthur Taylor, who was only 33 years old, when he died. He was a young father who was vibrant and full of energy and potential, a law abiding and role model citizen. Kind hearted and willing, a son that stood out from many others. We grieved in silence for far too long and the time has now come for us to speak up and be heard, for we are being taken advantage of. Please assist us as we plead for justice to be served. Yours respectfully, June Ann Taylor Mother of the late Ryan Arthur Taylor
Saturday January 04, 2020
My feet are firmly placed in the political dynamic to ‘Change Guyana’ DEAR EDITOR, The article written by Freddie Kissoon in Kaieteur News dated December 23, 2019 and captioned “Some Small Political Parties are Reckless”, where Mr. Kissoon throws up dustclouds that might scare away the faint hearted, as he writes “Hinds is susceptible to devastating political critiques from his PPP and PNC detractors.” I only have friends in the PPP and PNC; political differences and critiques are par for the course and will not make us enemies; I cannot control things external to myself. Mr. Kissoon further wrote, “This columnist has documents on serious political mistakes that if released could embarrass him.” When a columnist frequently uses his public platform to cast character aspersions, about having personal emails with harmful content, refer to having documents of embarrassing political mistakes of someone; that columnist is implicitly and creatively disparaging that person and telling the public not to support the individual, and it has the same impact as disclosing the purported embarrassing political mistakes, whether it exists or not. And there is no difference between claiming to have harmful documents about someone and damaging someone’s reputation using falsehoods. Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels said: “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.” The leadership of Kaieteur News in denying the individual his right to respond to such claims made by one of their columnists are condoning and acting as enablers of the mudslinging claims that Mr. Kissoon often makes. It may be that Freddie is part of Kaieteur News editorial leadership, if this is the
case, then one may be able to rationalise the protection he enjoys from Kaieteur News to write in an irresponsible manner. I herein encourage Freddie to release the actual documents for the public to judge and juxtapose the negative perception he has artificially created of me via his references to the claimed documents in his possession. I certainly don’t need an umbrella body to shield me from political critiques; as Bob Marley sang “Don’t jump into the water if you cannot swim”. My feet are firmly placed in the political dynamic of Guyana and have been since the death of our martyr Walter Rodney, when I was fourteen years of age. My first vote in Guyana was for Dr. Rodney’s party, the Working People’s Alliance. Freddie in Nostradamus style concluded that I am susceptible to political critiques from PPP and PNC detractors. Understanding that it is no easy task to write columns on a daily basis, there is no reason that the writings have to be so often filled with negativity, vitriol and malice. What if I’m criticised, it will not cause my courage to wither! What if I have made mistakes, has anyone not made mistakes?Each day is an opportunity to learn and do good and honourable things. In reference to the caption of the article that “Some Small Political Parties are Reckless”; I infer that Freddie has editorial control over the headlines for his ruminations and I’m sure many readers will recognise that the headline is unauthenticated for the New Parties. The recklessness Freddie refers to is likely his own. Change Guyana is not averse to working with the new parties, we believe the psychological, physical and
political impact of an inclusive new political force could act as an honest broker under the right leadership, working for the best interest of Guyanese at the legislative, economic, social and cultural levels of our society, and remove the racial yoke of division and disunity that has kept our country pinned in underdevelopment and high levels of poverty. Change Guyana has positioned Robert Badal as their Presidential Candidate, someone with vast business success, mental acuity, intricate knowledge of our major economic industries and the need to significantly improve our social services, with the wherewithal to attract investors and accelerate improvement in the quality of life for Guyanese, using incentives and private industry. For myself, I feel no entitlement to any position, only knowing I act with the certainty that my sense of giving and sharing the blessings I have received from Guyana, has indebted me to my fellow Guyanese and I will continue to show my gratitude as providence dictates and in whatever capacity fortune allows. Knowing Freddie’s convenient appreciation for the power of philosophy, I will end my response with these thoughts from Seneca the Great Roman Philosopher: “No prize fighter can go with high spirits into the strife if he has never been beaten black and blue; the only contestant who can confidently enter the lists is the man who has seen his own blood, who has felt his teeth rattle beneath his opponent’s fist, who has been tripped and felt the full force of his adversary’s charge, who has been downed in body but not in spirit, one who, as often as he falls, rises again with greater defiance than ever.” Nigel Hinds
Political parties must speak out against racists, silence is not an option From page 5 pastor’s incident. We have heard from the PPP. Will the other political parties show us they are bona fide when it comes to national unity and cohesion? Their silence is deafening. This past week, a professor further embellished her antiHindu and racist credentials by blaming Hinduism for suicide deaths in Guyana. This is not her first anti-Hindu foray, of course. There are between 150 and 175 suicide deaths in Guyana. Persons of different religions have died from suicide in Guyana. Most of the suicide deaths in the Caribbean and in Latin America are not persons who practiced the Hindu faith. Almost one million persons in the world died last year from
suicide. Most were not Hindus. There were more than 20 million people around the world who survived suicide last year. Most were not Hindus. Yet a Professor, a trained academic, concludes that Hinduism is the cause of suicide. In fact, research has shown that Hinduism as a religion rejects suicide and teaches people that suicide is wrong. The professor proclaimed her bigotry. Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP previously rejected the professor’s disgusting diatribe and hate. I fully expect the PPP and its leaders will again unconditionally reject this hatefilled theory. I expect every political party in Guyana will reject this nonsense, just like the PPP has done. Silence is sometimes the loudest voice. In this case, it is reprehensible for any political party to remain silent and to, in effect, agree with the professor. I know where Irfaan Ali stands. I know where the PPP stands. David Granger and his senior leadership in APNU+AFC must unequivocally tell the Guyanese people they reject this nonsense. Ramkarran, Badal, Shuman and the more than dozen other leaders of political parties must not hesitate in rejecting unconditionally the professor’s hate and
religious and ethnic bigotry. In between these two incidents, the racist bigotry of a PNC activist living in Brooklyn is inciting PNC/APNU/AFC activists. In a FB missive, he urged the people of Georgetown to stop the PPP placing PPP flags on any structure in the city. He advocates for people to rip them up. He advocates for not tolerating any form of PPP campaign initiatives in Georgetown. In short, in his hateful mind, Georgetown belongs to the PNC. Moreover, in his twisted mind, the jhandi flags that the pastor is mad about is equivalent to the PPP flags, deeming them both pagan symbols. Is this what Granger and APNU+AFC believe? Is this what Ramkarran, Badal, Shuman, Bandoo and others believe? Each of them has an obligation to tell the Guyanese people. Failing to speak out against any incident of racism and bigotry disqualifies any political party from being elected to lead government. These are the latest racist examples. Silence is not an option. Only unequivocal rejection matters. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Saturday January 04, 2020
State of mining sector is a nightmare - EPA Head By Kiana Wilburg When he considers all that is needed to get the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order for the petroleum sector, the entitys head, Dr. Vincent Adams posits that one can feel “very overwhelmed.” But it is nothing compared to what he feels upon examining the state of the mining sector and the work that lies ahead. “Its a nightmare! And we havent even begun to scratch the surface of the kind of monitoring we need to do.” During an interview with Kaieteur News yesterday, the Director said, “Indeed, there is a lot of work we have to do for oil and gas. But there are other sectors besides oil that need our attention. Mining is one. It is a priority. But our biggest problem is access to the interior locations. There are approximately 10,000 miners out there, both small and medium scale and it is almost impossible to really see and regulate everything on the ground.” He added, “...You would fly into certain areas and you would get some of the big ones, but there are others you cant even reach even if you go by foot. It is just not possible to access them.” The EPA Head said that his other problem in tackling this “nightmare of a sector” is having the capable people to carry out enforcement. For the time being, the Director said that the agency is collaborating with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission ( GGMC) to share some of its capabilities, while adding that he desperately needs funding to boast his human resources. Further to this, the EPA Head told Kaieteur News that he wants to introduce monitoring of the sector via satellites and/or drones. He noted however that the agency would have to establish a special department for this. “And I have every intention of doing so,” the EPA Head added. Considering the scarcity of resources, Dr. Adams candidly stated that he is not aware of how many miners are in breach of the nations environmental laws. The EPA Head said, “Even though I just put together a mining unit, we have not even scratched the surface of how many of them are out of compliance... I am sure most of them dont have permits. We know what is going on
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EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams with bauxite but we have a handle on gold and diamond.” In the meantime, the EPA Head said he will continue his efforts to reinforce the agency s mining unit to address the arduous tasks that lie ahead. ANALYTICALEVIDENCE Analytical evidence that was used to support the creation of the Governments Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) notes that mining contributes significantly to employment. In 2013, the mining sector employed 17,000 people directly and 22,000 indirectly. The documented evidence also notes that the majority of mining jobs are concentrated in gold and diamond mining, especially on smalland medium-scale firms. While noting the significance of the sector, the evidence does acknowledge that there are monitoring issues. The annex bearing the analysis said, “...In its current form, the lead regulatory agency (GGMC) struggles with its mandate, given the number of miners who operate in the sector vis-à-vis the number of mines officers.” It was subsequently recommended that this problem may be addressed by leveraging local actors for monitoring activities, adopting technologies such as drones and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and increasing awareness while providing training to miners on environmentally friendly practices.
Man jailed for damaging sisters phone, another gets 3 years for ganja A man who was charged for damaging his sisters cell phone during an argument was yesterday sentenced in absentia, after Magistrate Annette Singh found him guilty of the offence. The matter was heard in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. Hubert Dublin, during his first appearance had pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on December 23, 2018, he damaged a Samsung J7 cell phone valued $120,000, property of his sister. The matter was transferred for trial and the defendant was released on bail. When the matter was called yesterday for ruling, Dublin failed to appear in court; however, Magistrate Singh found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to 4 months imprisonment. Meanwhile, a 43-year-old food vendor was found guilty of a possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge. The defendant, Christopher Cummings of M 14-10, 59 Tucville Housing Scheme, was on trial before Magistrate Dylon Bess in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, the matter was called for ruling and the defendant was found guilty of the offence and sentenced to three years.Cummings had denied the charge that on January 4, 2019 at Merriman Mall, Georgetown, he had in his possession 109 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, the defendant was being represented by attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva. The facts of the charge stated that on the day in question, ranks from the Criminal
3 years for ganja: Christopher Cummings Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, acting on information, went to Stall # 82 at Merrimans Mall, Georgetown. The ranks who were dressed in plain clothes approached Cummings and identified themselves as police, and told him why they were there. The ranks observed that he had a transparent bag in his hands with seeds, stems
and leaves. The bag was then shown to the defendant and he was told of the allegation. He was cautioned, arrested and taken to the CID Headquarters, Eve Leary.The cannabis was photographed and weighed in the presence of Cummings. He was taken into custody where further investigations were done and he was later charged.
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Guyana featured among top travel Nigeria loses billions in profits to well-connected middlemen in oil sales destinations on NBC’s ‘Today Show’ Oil is arguably Nigerias biggest revenue earner. Its federal government regulates the sale of the crude, selling roughly one million barrels per day via the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Yet, each year, billions of dollars from these transactions never reach the countrys treasury says the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI). According to the body, which has been working with the Nigerian government to address this state of affairs, the billions in losses were due to suboptimal sales contracts. The Institute also noted that billions in profits were lost to well-connected middlemen. With its investigative reports on the opaque deals that were being cut and the significant revenue that was flowing into the pockets of the middlemen instead of the treasury, NRGI was able to stir the Nigerian Parliament and other civil society actors into action. NNPC subsequently canceled all of the costliest oil sales contracts that NRGI criticised, while acknowledging that the contracts were skewed in favour of the companies that held them. NNPC also went on to slash the
number of middlemen companies with which it dealt; cut scandal-prone bilateral sales to smaller African countries; sign more sales contracts with refiners; and boost the transparency of the contracting process. It even released its first financial reporting data for oil sales in a decade. In the wake of these reforms, NRGI noted that multiple jurisdictions be-
gan investigating their officials and companies involved in past deals for any sign of corruption. Interestingly, several were hauled before the court and read a number of charges. By highlighting the mistakes Nigeria made, NRGI said that it is hoped that other governments of oil producing nations would cede to ensuring every effort is made to provide greater reporting on the sale of crude. It stressed that transparency is key for every step of the decisionmaking process.
Late last month, the Energy Department had announced that it will be taking steps to ensure citizens are able to access records on the sale of the nations oil. According to the department, the records will explain how, when, and for how much the countrys crude oil is being sold. It had also stated that it will be collaborating with the Guyana Extractive
Industries Transparency Initiative Secretariat regarding the mechanisms to allow public access to this information. The department had also informed the nation that the first three lifts of Guyanas oil from the Stabroek Block will be sold to Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited. This subsidiary of Shell, the third largest oil company in the world, is based in Barbados. The three lifts which are due in February 2020, will amount to three million barrels of Liza Crude.
The Majestic Kaieteur Falls
The majestic Kaieteur Falls, beautiful beaches and its close cultural ties to the Caribbean are among some of the breathtaking features that have landed Guyana among the top travel destinations for 2020. For that, this small oilproducing nation was yesterday featured on a segment of U.S. television network NBC’s ‘Today Show’ during which Mark Ellwood, contributing editor for Conde Nast Traveler, revealed a list of top travel destinations to explore. Ellwood described Guyana as a wonderful place to go. He said, “You look on the map, you will see it is just in the northern part of South America. But I would encourage you to think of it as a bonus Caribbean country,
because culturally it is much more connected to places such as Trinidad and Tobago. It has beautiful beaches, really diverse ethnic heritage and brilliant Chinese food.” As a video of the Kaieteur Falls was pulled up for viewers, Ellwood exclaimed, “Look at that waterfall!” He continued, “One of the tallest single drop waterfalls in the world…you have got an Amazon rainforest, lots of new direct flights from New York. Very affordable family destinations, you are not going to spend more than 200 bucks a night. UK’s Telegraph has named Guyana as its number one country to visit out of a list of 20. The media entity said that “at a time when “overtourism” is becoming
overbearing, remote, underrated Guyana is a rarity more precious than gold. In a world so connected, it’s hard to imagine there are places still under the radar. But Guyana a tangled mass of pristine rainforest on South America’s north-eastern tip, is one of the few spots on scratch maps likely to have its shiny foil intact.” “Four centuries after Walter Raleigh came here looking for the fabled “Lost City of El Dorado”; prospectors have struck gold in the form of offshore oil. Extraction is due to start in 2020, potentially catapulting the continent’s only Englishspeaking country from rags to riches, but this stalwart of sustainability is determined to keep its true treasures safe,” the article added.
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SPENDING THE EARLY WINDFALL Oil production began on 20th December last year, and not even a photograph was sent to the media by either the government or ExxonMobil of this historic event. As such, Guyanese have no proof that production has actually begun. In fact, some persons are saying until they see the evidence, only then will they believe that oil production has begun. It is about time that the photographs of the first oil pump and the first oil shipment be made public. Oil production began three months ahead of schedule. Originally, production should have started in March 2020. Its early start is bound to raise suspicions. Some persons have even been sug-
gesting that production may have long started. An unorthodox method was used to select the marketer of Guyana’s oil, but to date the country has not been told when it will be receiving its share of oil and the terms under which it is to be sold. Oil prices have soared in light of the US’ resort to political assassination in Baghdad. And there is likely to be continued instability in oil prices. While Guyana will get more money from oil production, it will also be spending more money on oil imports, should prices rise. It is for all of these reasons that the government should ensure that at least the early-production windfall is pumped back almost immedi-
ately to help persons in the country. The early start to oil production means that the country is likely to benefit from an estimated US$75M in revenues which it had not anticipated. There have been demands for cash transfers to be part of the spending of Guyana’s oil wealth. There is no reason why this extra three months of oil revenues which Guyana had not been expecting should not be shared out to the people. After all, if the government had the fiscal space to provide public servants with tax-free increases in salaries, retroactive to January 2019, there is no way in which this G$15B which will soon come Guyana’s way cannot be
Dem boys seh ...
De Bishop get push aside De madness start. Every time elections come around is all kind of things does happen. Dem political parties does try to present dem best image. When Papa Cheddi was going fuh power in 1992 he seh he want de public to know that he party ain’t a racial party. That is why he tek Sam and mek him Prime Minister. De plan backfire and that is how Sam tun President two times but couldn’t stay president. De first time was when Papa Cheddi dead. He was de one man who never perform de duties of president although he hold de office. De second time was Janet decide that she stepping
down and she want Jagdeo to replace she. That is how Sam was president fuh five minutes till he coulda swear in Jagdeo. Now de party tek Mark Phillips. He was a big soldier and dem boys didn’t know he care bout politics. De bishop was certain that he woulda be de Prime Minister candidate because de party did drop Sam since de last elections. De Bishop was at all Jagdeo press conference and when something happen he was de frontrunner. He was de frontrunner when dem decide to picket Soulja Bai at de Pegasus. He was de frontrunner when dem decide to block Soulja Bai car. Dem boys seh nobody
couldn’t feel more letdown when de news come out that Mark Phillips was de man to ride behind Irfaat. De bishop buss cry then he put out a statement that he ain’t interested in de wuk no more. Poor Gail get jump again. Moses was in that same party and he tun Prime Minister before all of dem. Is a strange world. Ram Jattan got a chance to become Prime Minister before Gail. And all because Jagdeo decide to ignore she. Meanwhile, Soulja Bai begin to gather he troops. Jagdeo going to do de same tomorrow. Talk half and watch how de madness developing.
distributed to the people. This would work out to more than G$75,000 per family – a decent small piece which can be given out as 50th Republic anniversary gift. Alternatively, the government can use this money to write off the debts of all students from the University of Guyana. They would still have a great deal left over to do other things. It is one thing to promise free university education, but this only caters for future students. It does nothing for students who have paid for their education already or those who are paying now. It would not be fair to write-off the student fees for
those who have not, as against those who have paid. This will present a dilemma if the government decides to go this route. One of the solutions to the problem would be for the government to writeoff future debts, and to grant a credit to those who have paid. The credit could be treated as a deferred benefit. These are the types of conditional income-support measures which can be employed to provide assistance to persons from the unanticipated windfall which has come government’s way. It is government’s responsibility to use the early proceeds wisely, but people also expect that they would also benefit
directly. A direct cash transfer to families is one way of doing so. Writing off the educational debt of students is another way. If on the other hand, the monies go into infrastructure, it will end up benefitting a few contractors. If however it is applied as a direct benefit, it will help more persons. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===Fre
Encounters on the first working day of 2020
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s each year closes, it is customary for humans in all countries to say to themselves, and to others, that the new year should see greater efforts by all peoples around the world to make their individual countries, and the world, a more comfortable place. Guyana, of course, is no exception. I got up early on the first official working day of 2020 to pay rates and taxes at City Hall. I took my dog with me and left her in the car in the compound. I could see her from the line. Right outside
the City Constabulary office, squibs were going off. Dogs react terribly to the sounds of squibs. Squibs are banned items. City Hall has security officers that have authority to arrest persons lighting squibs. My dog kept jumping towards the window looking for me, each time the stuff sounded off. I was a few yards away from the City Constabulary office. I went in. I pointed out to them that squibs were being fired off right outside the office. The lady said they would look into it. The City
Constabulary never did. Right outside the office of the city police, an illegal item was being used that affects the elderly folks (some of whom were in the line) and the animals, but the city ranks were not interested. I saw constabulary officials going up to drivers to instruct them not to let their cars rest on the yellow parking lines, but to stay within the perimeters of the slot earmarked for parking. Yet no rank was interested in squibs being fired off so early in the morning right next to their office.
Only one cashier was available for about 25 persons in the line. At about 8.45 a.m., another cashier came. Normally, three cashiers serve the public. The ironies of this country never fail to confuse its citizens. Revenue collection should be the number one priority of City Hall, which needs every cent it can get from ratepayers. Yet when ratepayers turn up to put money in City Hall’s coffers, there is only one cashier at the opening hour to collect the revenue that City Hall so desperately needs. Now here is something that happened to me in 1985 at City Hall and the GRA which then wasn’t named Guyana Revenue Authority. We are talking about 35 years ago. I returned to Guyana in 1984. The next year, my motherin-law asked me to pay rates and taxes and then go to GRA to pay her taxes. Only one cashier was working at City Hall and the line had about forty people. This was a culture shock for me, because I had been out of Guyana for several years and could not have experienced firsthand this tremendous decline of my country.
I will never forget that day in 1985 at City Hall. I just looked around and said to the folks in the line; “look how many people are here to pay, aren’t they eager to collect the money?” At that time, you paid your national taxes at offices at the top of the post office building. I remember that day vividly. I was eating “guineps” and waiting in a long line. There was only one cashier. Thirty-five years after, my country stands still. In 2020, I went to pay rates and taxes and there was only one cashier. Go to the GRA to pay for renewal of driver’s licence and you will see the line will be as long as what I saw 35 years ago. There was this lady in the queue at City Hall next to me on Thursday. She indicated that she wanted to tell me a story. She gave her name as Sharon Evans. She asked for my help to publicise her plight. She said she skidded on oil on her motorcycle on the Demerara Harbour Bridge on November 11 last year and sustained serious skin lacerations. She showed me on her smart phone the parts of her flesh on both legs that were exposed.
Frederick Kissoon She also said she was laid up from work for weeks after her release from hospital. She wanted the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) to pay compensation. I told her that I knew the general manager, Mr. Adams. I rang him. He said the lawyers for DHBC advised against paying compensation, because the oil could have come from a private vehicle and not through any operation from DHBC. Here is the interesting part. I asked if the cameras wouldn’t reveal where the oil came from. He said the Demerara Harbour Bridge only has monitoring cameras at its two extreme ends. Why not the entire bridge? Strange! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Bandit shot dead during botched Tuschen restaurant robbery -wounded accomplice, two others nabbed in car at roadblock A dramatic face-off last night between a gang of bandits and an armed Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo resident ended with one robber being shot dead, another wounded, and two other captured. Police said that Mark Prince, 42, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, was shot dead at around 20.50 hrs during a bungled attack on a Chinese restaurant. Prince is said to have been wanted for questioning in
connection with a series of robberies in Region Three. The others, including one wounded man, identified as Akeem Roberts, 22, of Kitty, were intercepted at a roadblock at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, after fleeing the scene in a car. An unlicensed handgun was also recovered. From reports reaching Kaieteur News, the gang arrived at the scene by vehicle and entered the restaurant
with the intention of robbing the owners. However, a resident who lives near to the restaurant, and has a licensed firearm, confronted the robbers, killing Mark Prince at the scene and wounding Akeem Roberts. The terrified gang dragged the injured Roberts to a car and raced away. By this time, police ranks had been alerted, and they intercepted the getaway car and robbers at Den Amstel.
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Int'l press body calls on Govt. to review ads distribution T
he Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) has asked Government to review its policy of allocating state ads, following a complaint by privately-owned Stabroek News. Hours after the newspaper wrote that it has seen an increase of ads for the month of December following the matter becoming public, a statement from the IAPA surfaced. The body said it is expressing concern to the Guyana authorities regarding a complaint of discrimination in the distribution of official advertising against the Stabroek News in retaliation for its journalistic content. In a communication sent to the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and the Director of the Department of Public Information, Imran Khan, IAPA on December 27th, 2019, asked the government to review its current practice of distribution of official advertising. IAPA also released the full text of the letter signed by the president of the IAPA, Christopher Barnes, of the Jamaican newspaper, The Gleaner, and the president of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, Roberto Rock, of the Mexican portal La Silla Rota. "On behalf of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), we wish to express our concern regarding the complaint of the Stabroek News of Guyana, one of our members, pertaining to discrimination in the distribution of official advertising in reprisal for its journalistic content.” IAPA made it clear to Government that this practice, as outlined, is incompatible with the
Declaration of Chapultepec, signed in 2002 by President Bharrat Jagdeo, and represents a grotesque act of discrimination against the press, to which IAPA always pays special attention. “This form of censorship affects not only a publishing house and its journalists; it affects the society as a whole, which is deprived of relevant information on the performance of government and elected officials.” IAPA said in its letter that it holds further that the application of discriminatory policies in the granting of official advertising can be construed as acts of corruption, whereby public resources provided by citizens are used for the private interests of administrators, becoming a form of embezzlement of public funds. “State advertising should be delivered with full transparency and technical criteria, equity and through efficient management of public resources.” IAPA pointed out that the Declaration of Chapultepec states that "the media and journalists should neither be discriminated against nor favoured because of what they write or say", and that "the granting or withdrawal of government advertising may not be used to reward or punish the media or individual journalists." These concepts also included in the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights.
“It is against this background that IAPA calls on the Guyanese Government, in the interest of preserving freedom of expression in the country, to review its current practice of
distribution of official advertising so as to ensure that neither Stabroek News or any other media house is adversely affected." The issue has not been something new. Kaieteur News, under the People's Progressive Party (PPP) experienced withdrawal of ads for prolonged periods. The issue has been surfacing for years now after it became clear that it is a
weapon used against media houses critical of the government of the day. President David Granger had been questioned on the use of ads as a weapon and had made it clear that it is a commercial issue that is being handled between the newspaper and the state. The president and government had accused the newspaper of selectively handling its news when it came to coverage of
government matters. Stabroek News itself had initially said that it refused to carry state ads because it was owed millions. IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the defence and promotion of freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It is made up of more than 1,300 publications from the Western Hemisphere, and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.
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Exxon gas project in PNG underscores need to release all economic models
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n ExxonMobilled Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Papua New Guinea has failed to provide the projected economic growth for the people of that Asia-Pacific country. One of the failures noted in a report by Jubilee Australia Research Centre is of an economic model on which the projections were faultily done. Those projections were heavily focused on public discourse in Papua New Guinea, leading up to the approval of the project. In its report, Jubilee Australia made several recommendations to ensure that the unfortunate duping of Papua New Guinea does not repeat itself. The authors, Paul Flanagan and Luke Fletcher, stated “Projects should not be approved without the production and release of
transparent, verifiable, contestable and independent economic modeling by the Government; this modeling should include a completely new independent model that includes net costs to the budget.” In Guyana's case, the country is looking to start up a gas-to-power plant that would revolutionise the energy sector for a people who have long been plagued by blackouts. Several bodies have drafted economic models for this project, including ExxonMobil, Mitsubishi and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). None of those have been published for scrutiny by the general public. Yet, Government is already working with the contents of those reports. Meanwhile, the public does not even know how much gas there is in the
ExxonMobil PNG LNG project
Stabroek Block. Kaieteur News has asked ExxonMobil to reveal details on the quantity of gas it has found. But the company claimed that it was still analyzing data up to three months ago. Despite that claim, the company was able to inform the IDB that between 30 and
50 million cubic feet per day of Natural Gas (NG) can be made available for electricity generation in Guyana. It has come to the conclusion that that quantity of gas, taken from the excesses of the Liza-1 project alone, would power Guyana for over 15 years. Together with
Renewable Energy (RE) sources, the Bank said that this could transform the electricity generation sector. Further to this, the Bank said that the use of NG could help to lower carbon emissions and ensure cost savings, while benefiting residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.
UNGA President meets Guyana's Foreign Minister
While on a brief visit to Guyana, President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 73rd session, María Fernanda Espinosa (left) yesterday paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, and Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge.
Kaieteur News
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APNU+AFC launches election campaign
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APNU+AFC Leaders standing in solidarity: From left, APNU General Secretary, Joseph Harmon; First Lady, Sandra Granger; Presidential Candidate, David Granger and Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan
t ' n o D -“ e h t p sto ss!” e r g o r p
Party leaders observe on-stage presentations
APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate, David Granger greets AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan and PNCR General Secretary, Amna Ally
T
he governing coalition, A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) held its election campaign launch at D'Urban Park last night, in a parade of green and yellow. Thousands of Coalition supporters congregated to witness performances from Farmer Nappy and Adrian Dutchin, cultural displays, and a religious performance by a gospel artiste. The coalition is hoping to secure a second term in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, to continue the agenda it embarked on when it won the last General Election. The launch saw several promises being repeated, including free university
education, expansion of large-scale roadworks, and bridges across all of the major rivers. It was repeatedly stated that those projects will be financed by a major source of wealth: oil production currently being undertaken by ExxonMobil and its partners, offshore Guyana. AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan made a hearty speech. “Don't stop the progress!” was his refrain every time he listed an accomplishment of the current Government during the past four years. He said that a new term would see the APNU+AFC Coalition continuing its work to create jobs for youths, invest in small business opportunities,
respect women and keep them safe, strengthen the foundation of the economy, and enhance the country with transparency and accountability as pillars of that process. Ramjattan, a prime ministerial hopeful who is currently Minister of Public Security, told the crowd that he has worked hard to put pressure on criminals by applying advanced intelligence gathering and surveillance techniques, as well as increased community policing. APNU Leader and Coalition presidential candidate, David Granger, gave an address to resounding applause, when he said that the APNU+AFC Coalition will be in (continued on page 19)
PNCR Chair, Volda Lawrence and AFC frontbencher, Moses Nagamootoo, at yesterday's launch
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APNU+AFC launches election CH&PA urges holders of campaign - “Don't stop the... house lots not to re-sell
From page 15 Government for years to come. Member of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Dawn Hastings, said in her introduction of Granger that he is putting himself on the line for the people, because he has committed himself to serve his country. Granger, who is currently the incumbent President, welcomed persons to join the party, saying that the Coalition's “benab” is big enough for everyone. He stressed that this is the first time in history that Guyana has ever had a coalition constituted by so many parties, and that the
onus must be on building that momentum of unity, instead of allowing it to be torn apart. He said that the coalition has genuine people who are trustworthy, and that they will ensure Guyanese are never poor again. Granger urged voters not to let the gifts Guyana owns fall into the hands of those in the People's Progressive Party (PPP), whom he described as “frauds” and “fakes”. In his presentation, the APNU Leader stressed that the Coalition is focused on enriching young people, ensuring they are employed when they leave school, and that they have access to all
the services they need to have a good life. Though Constitutional Reform is a sore spot for the Government's current record in its first term, Granger alluded to previous revelations that a review process had started and that the renewal of the Coalition's term is necessary to ensure the continuation of that process. It is his view that the Coalition Government has spent the past five years mending what the previous regime broke – referring specifically to an unclean environment and an outdated Constitution. He emphasised that the good work must continue.
Former army chief, Mark Phillips... From page 3 ensure a resounding PPP/C victory at the upcoming elections. “We wish to assure all Guyanese that Bishop Edghill remains a valued and valuable member of our team and will certainly play a critical role in the next PPP/C Administration, in executing our Manifesto promises to the electorate. We wish to thank Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, Bishop Edghill and Hugh Todd for participating in this very important process.” Meanwhile, in a released letter that he had sent to Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the PPP, Edghill, a former Junior Minister of Finance, said it was a great honour to have been nominated a
possible candidate for the PPP/C's Prime Ministerial position in the March 2020 elections. “The support and words of encouragement from leaders and members within the party has been extremely heartening. My position of interest was publicly articulated that I am interested – willing and able to serve in that capacity. Notwithstanding, the popular views expressed by persons known and unknown to me, and the embrace by our activists and comrades throughout the country and in the Diaspora, subsequent to the commencement of this process, I engaged in deeper personal reflection and prayerful consideration.” He said that his preference
T
he Central Housing and P l a n n i n g Authority (CH&PA) is again urging holders of house lots not to re-sell the land, but rather return it to the agency. CH&PA's Director of Operations, Denise KingTudor, said the agency is working to increase its investigation and staff strength of the enforcement and investigation unit. Information has shown that individuals who are selling the land are issuing irrevocable Powers of Attorney to buyers. Because there is a payment penalty for the act, in many cases, the new buyer is left to make that payment. “We do not want persons to sell the lots that we have given to them. We are was for a consensus candidate expecting that if someone is to emerge from this process. no longer interested in a “The bigger picture of an vacant lot, they can return it electoral victory for the PPP/C to us. We will refund them trumps personal ambition and desires. After a relentless and difficult struggle against this Granger-led regime, ensuring there are no encumbrances to Victory and the preservation of unity among our supporters is paramount. As such, I write to formally inform and request of you, that I believe it is of strategic value that I no longer be considered for the party's Prime Ministerial candidacy at this time.” He pledged his continued support for the party and its presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali.
CH&PA's Director of Operations Denise King-Tudor and reallocate it to someone who is on the waiting list.” At the same time, KingTudor said the agency is also reviewing the allocation criteria and selection process for persons purchasing housing units. According to her, it has been discovered that a lot of information during the application
process is oftentimes omitted. “They (applicants) provide documentation to say this is what I earn, but sometimes I am of the view that persons do not give us all the information pertaining to their financial status.” In such cases, many persons applying for a low or middle-income home can quickly expand their living quarters. While the CH&PA has no qualms about the developments, there is a timeline of twelve months, by which homeowners must adhere to, before making any changes to the units. Any time prior, permission must be sought. “So, we are in the process of reviewing the allocation criteria and the selection process and I believe that once completed, we are going to see some level of improvement in our process. (DPI)
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MORE GDF PROMOTIONS TO ACTING CORPORAL/ SUBSTANTIVE CORPORAL 21580 Sub LCPL Milton Isaacs, 6 Inf Bn; 21595 Sub LCPL Avery Fraser, 6 Inf Bn; 22103 Sub LCPL Akeem Houston, 6 Inf Bn TO ACTING CORPORAL 19264 Sub LCPL Dennis Allen, DHQ (MT Pool); 19290 Sub LCPL Osafo Alves, DHQ (Int Corps); 19997 Sub LCPL Irma Adrian, Agri Corps; 21654 Sub LCPL Richard Mc Donald, DHQ (COS Office); 23380 Sub LCPL Mondaie Branford, DHQ (COS Office); 22994 Sub LCPL Triston Petrie, 31 SF Sqn; 23141 Sub LCPL Orlando Norton, 31 SF Sqn;
23208 Sub LCPL Quancy Alleyne, 31 SF Sqn; 23264 Sub LCPL Neil Anthon, 31 SF Sqn; 22766 Sub LCPL Michael Persaud , 31 SF Sqn; 22910 Sub LCPL Akeem Bernard, 31 SF Sqn; 23508 Sub LCPL Timothy Adams, 31 SF Sqn; 23429 Sub LCPL Joshua Fraser, 31 SF Sqn; 23004 Sub LCPL Adrian Alleyne , 31 SF Sqn; 23009 Sub LCPL Travon Blackman, DHQ (Int Corps); 22993 Sub LCPL Wilbert Smartt, DHQ (Int Corps); 21125 Sub LCPL Leroy Cozier, DHQ (Int Corps); 21952 Sub LCPL Shinella Adams, DHQ
(GPD); 23431 Sub LCPL Keith Gillis, DHQ (GPD); 22638 Sub LCPL Lancell Captain, 21 Arty Coy; 22635 Sub LCPL Tiffany Williams, 21 Arty Coy; 22610 Sub LCPL Ronald Nicholas, 21 Arty Coy; 23191 Sub LCPL Aubrey Greene, DHQ (Sports Corps); 21161 Sub LCPL Anthony Hope, DHQ (Sports Corps); 23463 Sub LCPL Leon Andrews DHQ (Sports Corps); 22346 Sub LCPL Candacy Alder, 5SSB; 23290 Sub LCPL Darrel George, 5SSB; 23023 Sub LCPL Carlon Europe, 5SSB; 23117 Sub LCPL Pernell Gordon , 5SSB; 22087 Sub LCPL Rushell Coates, BC(A); 20421 Sub LCPL Dwayne Allicock, BC(A); 22034 Sub LCPL Fulencity Holder, BC(A); 22401 Sub LCPL James Rahaman, BC (A); 23032 Sub LCPL Rolex Glasgow, BC (A); 22014 Sub LCPL Nakita Munroe, BC(A); 23172 Sub LCPL Julius Archer, BC(A); 23040 Sub LCPL Marvin Alexander, BC(A); 23357 Sub LCPL Odafi Gordon, BC(A); 22218 Sub LCPL Colwick De Jonge, 1 Inf Bn; 22632 Sub LCPL Nicholas Chisholm ,1 Inf Bn; 20347 Sub LCPL Anthony Sam, 1 Inf Bn; 22831 Sub LCPL Marvin Barnes, 1 Inf Bn; 22662 Sub LCPL Aleel Chung, 1 Inf Bn; 22056 Sub LCPL Shanesea Jack, 1 Inf Bn; 20437 Sub LCPL Rodwin Fraser, 1 Inf Bn; 20788 Sub LCPL Percival Sumner ,1 Inf Bn; 21763 Sub LCPL Odiel Williams, Air Corps; 22262 Sub LCPL Sheron London, Air Corps; 23418 Sub LCPL Oziel Sam, Air Corps; 23371 Sub LCPL Denzil De Jonge, Air Corps; 22482 Sub LCPL Kevin Edwards, DHQ (G4 Branch); 21293 Sub LCPL Charlton Mc Rae, BC(S); 23105 Sub LCPL Donston Richmond, DHQ (Med Corps); 22949 Sub LCPL Melisa Jhalu, DHQ (Med Corps); 22956 Sub LCPL Dellon Lewis, DHQ (Med Corps); 23155 Sub LCPL Kevin Mc Kenzie, DHQ (Med Corps); 22303 Sub LCPL Latoya Witter DHQ (Med Corps); 21856 Sub LCPL Kevin Clinton DHQ; 23210 Sub LCPL Harold Barrow DHQ (AG Office); 22951 Sub LCPL Desia Matthews DHQ (QMG Office); 23508 Sub LCPL Timothy Adams; DHQ (G5 Branch) 22910 Sub LCPL Akeem Bernard DHQ (G5 Branch); 20002 Sub LCPL Eon Bacchus Band Corps; 21559 Sub LCPL Lashanna Lynch DHQ (G5 Branch); 21540 Sub LCPL Colwin Duncan 6 Inf Bn; 21573 Sub LCPL Daeseia Junior DHQ (G5 Branch); 22766 Sub LCPL Michael Persaud DHQ (G5 Branch); 22639 Sub LCPL Sharmaine David DHQ (G5 Branch); 22136 Sub LCPL Adoceno Rodrigues 4 Engr Bn; 22231 Sub LCPL Esmond Moore 4 Engr Bn; 22337 Sub LCPL Shaneeka Thom 4 Engr Bn;
22458 Sub LCPL Steven Grant Trg Corps; Sub LCPL Jason Perreira Trg Corps; 23004 Sub LCPL Adrian Alleyne DHQ (G5 Branch); 23063 Sub LCPL Nijaun Hooke DHQ (G5 Branch); 23086 Sub LCPL Calvin Crawford DHQ (Sig Corps); 23212 Sub LCPL Rondell Dean DHQ (Sig Corps); 23273 Sub LCPL Dwight Papin 4 Engr Bn; 22792 Sub LCPL Mervin Rawlins Band Corps; 23317 Sub LCPL Deron Harvey Band Corps; 23723 Sub LCPL Michael Torrington DHQ (G3 Branch) TO SUBSTANTIVE LANCE CORPORAL 24415 Ag LCPL Teon Bowen DHQ (MT Pool); 24376 Ag LCPL Jason Johnson DHQ (MT Pool); 23295 Ag LCPL Ajani Collins DHQ (MT Pool); 23696 Ag LCPL Samuel Lowenfield Band Corps; 24160 Ag LCPL Samuels Fields Band Corps; 23580 Ag LCPL Nolan Portsmouth Band Corps; 23828 Ag LCPL Yannick Williams Band Corps; 21290 Ag LCPL Mark Bernard GPM; 23856 Ag LCPL Tiffany Pigrim DHQ (CU); 24564 Ag LCPL Debora Vanderstoop DHQ (CU); 23984 Ag LCPL Shelby Miller DHQ (CU); 18782 Ag LCPL Sedwyn Wilson 1 Inf Bn; 21723 Ag LCPL Kevin Henery 1 Inf Bn; 22489 Ag LCPL Richardson Wilson 1 Inf Bn; 22560 Ag LCPL Jamaul Gulliver 1 Inf Bn; 23119 Ag LCPL Nikel Cornelius1 Inf Bn; 23153 Ag LCPL Jamal Stuart 1 Inf Bn; 23225 Ag LCPL Jamal Austin1 Inf Bn; 23394 Ag LCPL Nicklon James 1 Inf Bn; 23403 Ag LCPL Alex Young 1 Inf Bn; 23539 Ag LCPL Stefon Nieuenkirk 1 Inf Bn; 23765 Ag LCPL Azim Heber 1 Inf Bn; 23829 Ag LCPL Euci Prince1 Inf Bn; 23919 Ag LCPL Raphael Collier 1 Inf Bn; 24119 Ag LCPL Steffon Hope1 Inf Bn; 24679 Ag LCPL Nikolai Moore 1 Inf Bn; 22397 Ag LCPL Terrence Collins 1 Inf Bn; 22582 Ag LCPL Jamal Sutton 1 Inf Bn; 22659 Ag LCPL Rodrick Bowen1 Inf Bn; 22987 Ag LCPL Kwammie Soso 1 Inf Bn; 23123 Ag LCPL Deon Elia 1 Inf Bn; 23375 Ag LCPL Akeem Neptune1 Inf Bn; 23434Ag LCPL Huzaifah Abubakar 1 Inf Bn; 23440 Ag LCPL Hakeem Chaluder 1 Inf Bn; 23469 Ag LCPL Lyncon Alexander 1 Inf Bn; 23791 Ag LCPL Akema Saul 1 Inf Bn; 23796 Ag LCPL Shaquelle Phillips 1 Inf Bn; 23798 Ag LCPL Nial Taylor 1 Inf Bn; 23948 Ag LCPL Shemar George 1 Inf Bn; 23979 Ag LCPL Denzil Whyte 1 Inf Bn; 24006Ag LCPL Jason Thomas 1 Inf Bn; 24372 Ag LCPL Kenford Chase 1 Inf Bn; 24380 Ag LCPL Kelon Bonds 1 Inf Bn; 24388 Ag LCPL Micheal Simmons 1 Inf Bn; 24396 Ag LCPL Odel Drakes 1 Inf Bn; 24408 Ag LCPL Junior Lachman1 Inf Bn 24542 Ag LCPL Rodsdale Byass 1 Inf Bn; 23419 Ag LCPL Kelvin Hinds Trg Corps
Saturday January 04, 2020
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Saturday January 04, 2020
Kaieteur News
GTT replaces damaged cable in Demerara River
SERVICES
LAND FOR SALE
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040
Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public road #2 Village W.C. B/ce 5 mins from B/ce Bridge. Contact# 686-4818/ 648-7109
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
Transported land for sale in Rose Hall Town.Call#603-1441
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar Installation, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing Machine, Stove etc. Call Nick 630-1600, 6273206 EDUCATION First Aid/CPR and home Nursing classes.Tel#2259082.St.John Association 110 Cowan St.Kingston for more info. LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561/681-2808
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.6M Neg.Call #649-0956. Nissan Bluebird (Silver) Series PXX for sale.Contact#2652171/675-8572. Nissan Sylphy 2014 and 2016, low mileage, fog lamps, backup camera, $3.75M neg. 614-6948. TO LET Rooms tolet, 1 bedroomworking people: $30,000, $32,000,$35,000, $40,000 monthly, 2 month security. Call: 623-0076 One Bedroom apartment, bath & living room included.Preferably UG Student.Contact#222-0401 Large washbay in 1st Street Alexander Village.Call#6640802. PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 89 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 617-5323, 666-8052 FOR SALE
CAR RENTAL DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 643-5122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N TA L @YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL& TOW TRUCK SERVICE :PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE .#698-7807
FOR RENT
WANTED
2 Bedroom apartment for Rent- Semi furnished in Herstelling.Contact#2652171/675-8572.
Drivers with tractor,motor bus, minibus.Must have all three licences preferably living around Georgetown. 641-5075/225-1429/624-1147.
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 2 Bedroom semi-furnished apartment in Campbellville, suitable for students/persons working in G/Town for more info.Call#666-3213/668-0450. Commercial Space.Linden #613-7039.
Bottom flat apt 2 bedroom with private B.R La Grange Independence St.for info call 592 663-1280.
One Soup cook,good pay, flexible hours.Call#225-6927.
Apartments for rent at Nandy Park.Recently renovated,free wifi.Call#641-3318. VACANCY Vacancies exists for Truck Drivers and Loader Operator. Contact - 621-5282 1 Secretary 28-45 yrs old. #2310655/683-8734 General domestic. 3 Days work. Must know to cook. Apply with 2 references. KeyFood McDoom village Vacancy for (1) maid.Apply in person to Alabama Trading. Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area.Call#615-9132.
VACANCY
Security Officers to work, preferably ex army, police or disciplined services.Age 2440.Contact#223-4172/6396648.
Vacancy for Porters Apply in Person to Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.
One (1) Welder.Must know Grill work.Contact#625-5763.
(1) Live in domestic for Georgetown.Boys & Girls to work at shop in the Interior.Contact#660-9093/ 682-5846.
Room Attendant,Desk staff 25-50 Years old.233 South Road Lacytown/225-0198.
Welder/Fabricator and Kitchen Assistant for Interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call#618-2020.
Car, Bus & Canter Drivers. Call #225-3234/225-9223.
One bedroom & three bedroom apts for rent in Providence,Fully furnished.Call#672-1906/2162299/682-6238.
One Welding Generator Lincoln 10,000 watts 20HP. Contact#699-4300/228-2734.
Female Cleaner office & home.Call#642-9823.
1 Maid Call#225-3234.
Driver with Minibus License to work with Company. Call#646-8748.
Driver must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Car/Van license. Call#642-9823.
Two Domestic maids required one should know cooking too.Call#231-0734.
Live in maid wanted between the age of 45-55.Bourda area.Call#658-0618.
One two bedroom house to let $60,000 per month.Call#6939999.
49 Inch Curve TCL Smart Television $80,000.Call#6644666.
Vacancy for (1) Sales girl.Apply in person to Alabama Trading.
Puri cooks , Kitchen Assistants.Apply@Shantas 225 Camp Street, G/town.
Experienced Salesgirls with 2 yrs experience. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529 Vacancy for (1) experienced Accouints Clerk.Must have passes in Mathematics and English.Apply in Person to Alabama Trading Vacancy for 1 General Domestic.Apply in Person to Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bourda.
Small space suitable for Restaurant in Georgetown. Call#610-3988. Night receptionist needed at the Millenium Manor Hotel come in with Application. General Manager to work on Land Dredges in the interior with popular mining firm.Contact Imran Tel#5028587/226-9416. Security Guards to work in the interior with popular mining firm.Tel#502-8587/226-9416. Live in Family.Husband-Car/ Van Driving,Wife-Office/ Sales Assistant.Tel#227-1813. One experience Nail Technician to share salon.Apply @ Sleeping Hotel 288 Church Str or Call 223-4611. 1 Male shop assistant to work in 2 shop in the Interior #6705583. Labourers for wood concession-Chainsaw operator. Call # 630-1831. One girl to work in a Bar & Restaurant #693-9999. Security Officers.Apply in person at Buddy’s Gym 137 Sherrif St. G/town. Mon-Fri between 9am-3pm.
Cable being anchored on land at Craig, East Bank Demerara Six months after marine activity damaged its cable in the Demerara River - in the vicinity of Craig, East Bank Demerara - the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) yesterday announced that it has commenced the replacement process. According to the company, the replacement cable will give added future capacity to services since it consists of 24 strands, as compared to the damaged cable, which had 12 strands. During the last quarter of 2019, the company was able to complete the design and permitting process of the replacement cable. In June 2019, GTT reported cable damage caused by a vessel in the Demerara River near Craig, East Bank Demerara. This activity facilitates the replacement of that damaged cable. Over the years, GTT has faced several issues as a result of damage being done to its cables by vessels traversing the Demerara River, and also vandalism.
Porter charged for allegedly stealing slippers, blanket Twenty-five-year-old Sasenarine Nanhu, of 23 Mahaica Public Road, East Coast Demerara, was yesterday hauled before the court to answer to a simple larceny charge, which alleged that he stole over $1M in goods from his workplace. Nanhu was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus when the charge was read to him. He entered a not guilty plea.The charge alleges that on December 12, 2019, at Lot 5 Public Road, La Penitence, while being employed as a porter, Nanhu stole a quantity of slippers valued at $592,000, and blankets at a value of $432,000, property of Ashkay Alli.The police prosecutor made no objections to bail being granted to the defendant, but highlighted that some of the alleged stolen items was recovered on the defendant. Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus granted the defendant bail in the sum of $100,000 and the matter was adjourned to February 14.
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Kaieteur News
Republic Bank backpedals on $500 Chief Magistrate recuses account management charge Murder of gold miner Deon Stoll…
herself from case
By Trishan Craig Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday announced that she has recused herself from the case in relation to the murder of prominent gold miner, Deon Mow Stoll. Yesterday the eight persons charged in relation to the murder made another court appearance. Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that the prosecutions file is complete and ready for the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) to commence. This was after he made full disclosure of five remaining witnesses statements and 12 discs which have the recorded interviews and con-
frontations held with the defendants. Chief Magistrate McLennan then stated that she has recused herself from the matter based on the fact that one of the defendants, Dr. Alanzo De Santos, is a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). This, it was noted, would come as a conflict of interest to the magistrate as she is a serving Colonel in the GDF. The matter remains in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, as she transferred the case to Senior Magistrate Leron Daly. The matter will come up for hearing again before Senior Magistrate Daly on Janu-
ary 27, 2019. The defendants remain on remand until that time.Four of the defendants were charged with murder while the others, were charged with accessory to murder. Charged with murder in the course or furtherance of a robbery committed on Deon Stoll, are Shane “Demon” Morgan called Delon Morgan, Roberto Sankar, Wayne St. Hill and Steve Rollox. The incident took place on October 14, last at Da Silva Street, Newtown. Odessa St. Hill, called Baby, Dr. Alanzo De Santos, Duncan Vanvield called Blackboy and Keith McKenzie, were charged with accessory after the fact.
GRDB fraud trial…
Court exhibits for Former Accountant case go missing It appears that the court exhibits handed over by Special Prosecutor Patrice Henry in relation to the case of Former Accountant of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran, have gone missing. Ramcharran is to lead a defence in relation to the five charges made out against him for the falsification of accounts, and he had opted to call two witnesses in his defence, Leslie Veersammy and Nigel Hinds. Yesterday, as Veersammy was leading his evidence, the defence asked that an exhibit be shown to the witness to assist with his evidence to the court. However, when Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who is presiding over the case, asked for the court ex-
hibits, the clerk could not find them. The matter then continued with the magistrate using the defences copy of the exhibits while the court clerk made checks for the courts copy. The matter was even stood down for five minutes to allow the clerk to leave and check in the main office of the court for the exhibits. But, when the clerk returned, she related to the magistrate that she was unable to find the exhibits. Veersammy completed his evidence-in-chief and was also cross-examined by the prosecution. Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, who is now representing the defence, made a request for the forensic audit report which was done by the State on GRDB to be brought to the court. He was granted permis-
sion to write a letter to the necessary authority to request the report. The report was done by Nigel Hinds and the defence wishes to have this witness testify in relation to that also. The matter was then adjourned to Monday, January 6. The 39-year-old defendant is having his trial conducted in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. Special Prosecutor Henry, who is working for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), is representing the state in this matter Ramcharran is facing 39 charges of fraudulent conversion and misappropriation, which allegedly took place between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, which involved tens of millions of dollars.
Iran vows ‘severe revenge’ for top general’s death (BBC) Iran’s supreme leader has vowed “severe revenge” on those responsible for the death of top military commander Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani was killed by an air strike at Baghdad airport early on Friday ordered by US President Donald Trump. The 62-year-old spearheaded Iran Middle East operations as head of the elite Quds Force. Mr Trump said he killed or wounded thousands of Americans. The killing marks a major escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. US officials have said 3,000 additional troops will be sent to the Middle East as a precaution. Soleimani was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran, behind Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC), reported directly to the ayatollah and Soleimani was hailed as a heroic national figure. Under his 21-year leadership of the Quds Force, Iran bolstered Hezbollah and other proIranian militant groups in Lebanon; expanded its military presence in Iraq and Syria; and orchestrated Syria’s offensive against rebel groups in that country’s long civil war. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US wanted to de-escalate the situation, but that the strike was “lawful” and “saved lives”. He told Fox News: “We do not seek war with Iran but we will not stand by and see American lives put at risk.” Later Mr Pompeo thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for Saudi Arabia’s “steadfast support” and “for recognising aggressive threats posed by Iran’s Quds force”, the state department said. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Iranians have been holding rallies in Tehran and other cities, denouncing what they call US crimes.
F
ollowing a plethora of challenges that came with the upgrade of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limiteds banking system, the bank has made a decision to reimburse a $500 account management charge that several customers noticed being deducted from their accounts at the end of December. According to a source close to the Bank, the deductions made were part of an automatic process as a result of a glitch in their “new Core Banking System”.
Recently, scores of customer complaints have been making rounds on social media regarding a list of service fees that have been introduced along with the new banking system. Republic Bank (Guyana) is currently in the process of reviewing the numerous service charges in lieu of its new platform. Some of these charges are salary deposit/processing fee, online transaction fee and ATM withdrawal fee. The bank is yet to make
a final decision on the implementation of these fee changes. The Trinidadian-controlled commercial bank had indicated that it would be “migrating to a new Core Banking System effective November 2, 2019”. According to the bank, this new system offers “increased transaction efficiency and e n h a n c e d product offerings, to allow us to serve you better”. The Bank has promised to reimburse customers during the weekend.
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Thieves grab motorbike from owner in brazen daylight robbery Thieves no longer roam in the dead of the night but choose to brazenly attack in the light of day, having no regard for authority and forcing persons to be on alert even while carrying out daily errands. This was the case for a young biker, who was forcefully relieved of his motorcycle and other valuables by three men in broad daylight on Campbell Avenue, Campbellville, yesterday. CCTV footage shows the robbery lasted mere seconds and the thieves were unmasked. The video shows a young man standing near his bike while three other men, entered the view, appearing like normal citizens strolling past. But while the man was starting his motorcycle, the trio circled back and one snatched around his neck, from behind. The victim tried to put up a fight but was dragged to the ground and searched, while one of the three men hopped on the bike. After being satisfied with their find, another thief got on the bike as a pillion rider and two of them made off, leaving the third bandit to escape on foot. The victim stood helplessly and watched as the men sped off with his bike and whatever valuables he had on
his possession. ‘A’ Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Edgar Thomas told Kaieteur News that while there has been no report of the incident, they will be looking into the matter. Commander Thomas urged that persons exercise extreme caution while shopping and carrying out other daily activities, as unscrupulous characters roam the streets, looking to pounce on their next victim.
One of the thieves holding on to the motorcycle while his two friends search the victim on the ground next to the car
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Tickets go on sale for Ireland series
West Indies set to clash with Ireland in three ODIs.
Saturday January 04, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You have an urge to hop on a plane and leave the country, Aries. It seems that this is the only way to free yourself from the mountain of professional and social obligations that are piling up.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The people you meet today could be of tremendous benefit to you later on, Libra. You have especially keen vision today, so make sure to take note of everything of interest that you observe.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Finally, all of your efforts are being recognized. That's not to say that you can now sit back and rest on your laurels - quite the contrary!
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a time of new beginnings, Scorpio. Whether you are aware of it or not, you are more than ready to take on some new challenges.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You have a wonderful, nurturing nature, Gemini. Those around you reap tremendous benefit from your caring soul. Just as you are receptive to the needs of others. CANCER (June 21–July 22) In case you do any writing or artwork today, it will seem to come from a source outside of yourself, Cancer. Is this the divine muse you've heard others talk about? LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Put that book down and get out of the house! You've been by yourself long enough; it's time to start interacting with other people. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your hard efforts to improve your life are finally showing results, Virgo. And this is just the boost you've needed, as some people set your selfconfidence a bit on edge. Just don't let others destroy your vision of happiness.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Romance is in the air today, Sagittarius. It's the perfect time to make yourself look your best and invite that certain someone to dinner. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today, you crave a little style. Sensible shoes and practical clothes get the boot in favor of fashionable shoes and luxurious fabrics. Your passion and sense of romance are at an all-time high AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) It isn't just royalty who gets to live happily ever after in fairy tales, Aquarius. You have this right as well. The conditions are ripe for attracting a special person into your life. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) While you may feel the urge to put on a pair of boxing gloves and duke it out with your family, Pisces, try putting on an oven mitt instead.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Fans have been urged to grab their tickets for the upcoming series against Ireland after sales commenced on Thursday morning. Kensington Oval here will be the stage for the first two One-Day Internationals of the three-match series starting next Tuesday, with the second match scheduled for two days later. Cricket West Indies has put in place special offers for senior citizens and children, and anticipate that tickets will go quickly. Senior citizens – aged 60 and over – will be eligible for free tickets for all matches on presentation of a form of national photo identification at local box offices, while stocks last. “The campaign to offer tickets to senior citizens has proven very popular and
Brady, Brees headline wild... From page 29 lopsided matchup, with Brees’ New Orleans squad the favorites over the 10-6 Vikings. The Philadelphia Eagles hold the dubious distinction of being the only home team headed into the weekend as underdogs, clinching a decidedly lackluster NFC East with a 9-7 record. They will host the Seattle Seahawks, who called upon fan-favorite running back Marshawn Lynch to help patch up its injury-rattled offence. The Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs await the winners of the AFC wild card rounds, while the Green Bay Packers and 49ers prepare to host the winners of the NFC wild card games.
Friendship crowned the... From page 31 and the respective trophy. Some of the major sponsors of the tournament included Bakewell Guyana Incorporated, ExxonMobil, the NSC, Flavours Boss and the Colin Talbot Construction Services. Complete Results Final Friendship-1 vs Golden Grove-0 Dillon Wright-21st 3rd Place BV-2 vs Paradise-1 BV Scorers Omari Glasgow-14th Akin Curry-71st Paradise Scorer Emmanuel Evans-69th
successful over the years and we have introduced it again for these upcoming matches against Ireland,” a CWI spokesperson said. “We want to urge our loyal and faithful supporters to go out early and make sure they take advantage of this magnificent offer. “Our West Indies team has performed really well in the last few months on tour of India and everyone is keen to see them continue that improvement on home soil against the Irish.” Tickets for children aged 12 and under will be free with
the purchase of an adult ticket. Fans can also visit the CWI website, www.windiescricket.com, to make their online ticket purchases through the “Buy Tickets” button. West Indies and Ireland clash in the third ODI on January 12 at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, which will also be the venue for the opening Twenty20 International of the threematch series on January 15. The final two T20 Internationals are set for January 18 and 19 at Warner Park in St. Kitts.
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GCB local youth cricket review
B’ce win double in U-19s, Dem win U-17s & U-15s, GT win female U-17s By Sean Devers Berbice won both the three-day and 50 overs formats in the Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County tournaments with Demerara finishing second in both formats. The U-17 Select (3rd) and Essequibo (last) in both tournaments were the other teams involved. Junior Sinclair with scores of 58, 44 and 70 against the U-17s finished with 179 runs for the Champions in the 50overs tournament, while his Berbice team Alex Algoo made 73 in the same match. Alphius Bookie (133) and Adrian Hinds (130) scored a fifty for Demerara, Lance Roberts of Essequibo also had a fifty in his 71 runs, while Dindyal (115) and his U-17 team mate Zeynul Ramsammy (102) reached 100 runs in the tournament. Chanderpaul Ramraj (15) and Nandu (10) were leading wicket-takers for the U-17s but no other bowler reached 10 wickets in the 50-over format. In the three-day format Algoo made the tournament’s highest score when he fashioned a magnificent 175 in the first round against the U-17s and signed off with 52 in the last round against Essequibo to end with 268 runs. Junior Sinclair hit fifties against Essequibo in both innings for 195, while Kevlon Anderson and Garfield Benjamin were the batsmen to register half-centuries for Berbice. Kelvin Umroa had four five-wickets hauls including a match haul of 11-62 against Demerara to finish with 23 from three matches, while Nigel Deodat had 4-45 against Essequibo and ended with nine scalps for Berbice who won the double. For Demerara only Robin
Williams scored a fifty to be the only batsman with 100 runs, while off-spinner Joel Spooner had 11-64 against Essequibo to finish with 17 wickets. Orland Jailall was the only batsman with a half-century for Essequibo in his 163 runs, while burly off-spinner Amit Persaud had a couple of sixwicket hauls in 14 wickets for Essequibo. The U-17s were spearheaded by fifties from Dindyal and Ramsammy, while Ramraj who took 5-34 against Demerara was their leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets. In the Boys four-team GCB U-17 Inter-County tournament, in which one round was washed out, Demerara emerged victorious ahead of Berbice on better net run rate although both teams finished on 16 points. Essequibo and a Select U-15 were the other teams involved. West Indies U-15 batsman Movindra Dindyal was the only player to score a century in the tournament when he made 104 against Essequibo. No other batsmen reached 100 runs in the tournament although Brandon Jaikarran from Demerara scored 43 against E’bo and 56 against Berbice, while Berbice’s Sarwan Chaitnarine scored an unbeaten 58 against the U15s after getting a duck against Demerara, Ricardo Ramdehol made 47 against the U-15s and five against Demerara, while Johnathon Rampersaud made 41 against the U-15s and a duck against Demerara. For Demerara, only Andre Seepersaud reached 50 runs; scoring 22 not out against Essequibo and 31 against Berbice, while Essequibo’s Sheldon Charles, who made 51 against the U-15s and one against Demerara was the
Kelvin Umroa had four five-wicket hauls and ended with the most wickets in the Hand-in-Hand U-19 tournament.
Demerara beat Defending Champions Berbice in the GCB Dave West Indian imports U-15 Inter-County final. other batsman to 50 runs in the two matches. Rampersaud had 4-17 against the U-15s, Canadian based Matthew Nandu had 415 for Demerara against Essequibo, U-15s and Alvin Mohabir took 4-45 against Berbice, while his teammate Krishna Singh captured 4-26 against Essequibo. Georgetown, with 12 points from three unbeaten matches won the GCB Female U-17 T20 Franchise after topping zone ‘A’, while Lower Corentyne with the same amount of points won zone ‘B’ at Everest, but won the title by virtue of a better run-rate. Georgetown, West Demerara, West Berbice and Upper Corentyne were in one zone, while Lower Corentyne, East Coast, Essequibo and East Bank played in other zone. The standard was very low and games were played with a plastic training ball unlike last year when the Tournament was played with
Movindra Dindyal was the only batsman to score a century in the GCB U-17 tournament.
a normal leather ball. There were so many wides bowled that rules were changed from re-bowling a wide to giving the opposition two runs without the ball being re-bowled, while many balls bounced more than once before reaching the batsman but were not called no-balls by the Umpires. Sara Amin from East Coast was one of the better batsmen, while Keasha Jones from G/Town, Shazana Majeed and Essequibo’s Lisa Charles got into the twenties but unlike the last tournament when Afruica Gentle scored a century and was selected the Guyana Women’s team, nobody reached a fifty. No Coaches were sent into the schools and most of the appointed Coaches of the
respective teams only got a day to work with the Girls before the commencement of tournament in which the players were given excellent uniforms. Demerara played unbeaten to win the Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County 40-overs Tournament, while defending champs Berbice finished second. Eleven-year-old TSC legspinner, Rayad Latif, captured four wickets as Demerara defeated defending champions Berbice in the final of the Dave’s West Indian Imports Under-15 InterCounty 50-over competition. The President’s XI ended in the third position and Essequibo, who lost all of their three matches, finished
last. Berbice’s Rampertab Ramnauth made 147 against Essequibo and 87 against Demerara to end with the most runs (244) in the tournament. Jordon Campbell (156) was the only batsman to reach 100 runs for Demerara, Anthony Khan from the President’s XI, made 50 against Essequibo to end with 60 runs, while Aryon Doodnauth (47) was Essequibo’s leading run scorer. President’s XI’s Sachin Balgobin (8), Berbice’s Matthew Pattaya (8), Demerara’s trio of Josh Charles, Krishna Singh and Thaddeus Lovell each took four wickets, while Essequibo’s Terrence Softleigh had three.
Success and Line Top over35 teams to clash tomorrow Success over-35 and Line Top over-35 teams will clash in a T20 fixture tomorrow at Success ground, East Coast Demerara. According to the organsier, the game is being used to prepare the teams for major upcoming tournaments. He added that a number of sponsors have supported the fixture and a keen contest is anticipated. Teams- Success O-35; Rafman Ali ( C ), Dindyal Lakan, Baldeo Muller, Vijay Baljit, Rajesh Baljit, Seekumar Budram, Chandradyal Budram, Suraj Chandaram, Asif Zambir, Nandlall Singh and Roy Olford. Line Top O-35; Fazal Rafiek ( C ), Hackim Majeed, Ravi Ramnauth,
Fazal Rafiek
Rafman Ali
Randy Katwaroo, Mohan Motilall, Shazim Mohamed, Wazir Ali Hack, Dianand Singh, Ronald Persaud, Benny Felix and Sahadeo Boodhoo. The sponsors on board are; Jeff Ramnauth, Boy Seetaram, Rameez Electrical,
Seeraj Furniture Shop, Fazal Rafiek Furniture Shop, Gary Furniture Shop, Devendra Deosarran and Dianand Singh. Action gets under way at 10:00hrs and the teams will vie for cash prizes, trophies and medals.
Saturday January 04, 2020
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Storm Bird whips them again at Rising Sun New Year’s Day Presidential horserace meet The Rising Sun Turf Club at Arima Park, West Coast Berbice, came to life on New Year’s Day as a bumper crowd was on hand to see Storm Bird for the second straight meet in less than a week destroy the field in another gate to pole whipping to take the feature C class event at the Better Way Entertainment Presidential Cup horserace meet. The one mile event, which had a top purse of $700,000 and trophy available, saw Storm Bird trained by Fazal Habibulla and ridden by Trinidadian Jockey Razzack flying out of the starting gates as the others tried to play catch up. Strom Bird with Razack in full control dusted its opponents as it kicked up a storm in blowing away the
Connections of Storm Bird in a happy mood as they collects their winnings in the feature C and lower event. competition to win by a wide margin. The much talked about Don’t Overlook, was
completely overlooked as it trailed in second ahead of the improving TNT with Lucky Star having another bad day
GT Beer/Candy Boss 8-a-side football finals to be contested today - Paradise and Monedderlust to collide; Hopetown play Cougars for third A new champion would be crowned this evening when the final of the GT Beer sponsored Candy Boss Antics 8-a-side football competition is contested at the All Saints Presbyterian Church Ground, New Amsterdam, Berbice. Action is expected to get underway from 19:00hrs with the third place showdown
between Hopetown FC and Cougars FC; over $600,000 in cash and trophies would be up for grabs. The 2018/2019 runner-up Paradise Football Club will be hoping to go all the way this time around when they come up against Monedderlust Football Club in the all West Berbice final. Cougars FC lost their semi
final match to former GFF Elite League club Monedderlust by the lone goal of that encounter, while Paradise flayed Hopetown 4-1 in their semi final clash, both played on December 27th at the same venue. Police, the two time defending champs were sent packing in the first round of the tournament by Hopetown FC.
Not This Time connections celebrating their win in the I and lower race. pitching in fourth. There were some close events throughout the day. It was a close call in the event for G class horse which was won by Chameli, trained by Grey and ridden by the Jamaican Brian Blake as it edge out Santa Cruz Lady and TNT into second and third respectively to take the $350,000 winners money and trophy. Not This Time with Colin Ross abode made sure that it was its time as it out ran Miss
Olympic to take pole position and the $300,000 and trophy in the ‘I’ class and lover race. Valentina and Sunday Silencer were silenced into third and fourth positions. Perfect Pleasure ridden by Colin Ross had a perfect race and it ran away with the event for two year old animals. In the interim it won the $200,000 and trophy available from Perfect Drift, Symbol and Holy Night. The event for J and K and lower non-winners for 2018-
2019 was won by Uprising as it took the top prize and trophy from Sunday Silencer, Touch My Cash, and Secret Flyer. The handlers of Cherish Me will be cherishing its performance as it won the L class open race from Song Bird, First Prince and Touch D Cash. Colin Ross was the champion jockey on show and he received a trophy, compliments of Managing Director of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich.
Ramnauth guides Success to fourwicket win in T20 softball fixture
Monedderlust Football Club.
Members of the victorious Success team with their accolades.
Paradise Football Club.
A fine all-round performance from Rabindra Ramnauth guided Success to a four-wicket victory over Line Top when the teams collided in a T20 softball fixture recently at Success ground, East Coast Demerara. Ramnauth produced a fine spell, grabbing 4-41 to help bowl out Line Top for 135 in 14 overs, batting first. Veda John showed some resistance with 43 which included three
fours and two sixes. Success Masters responded with 1366 in 16 overs. Anand Rooplall struck two fours and two sixes in a top score of 39, while manof-the-match Ramnauth made 21 with four fours. In another fixture that was played on January1, Success All Stars beat Success Masters by nine wickets. Success Masters took first strike and were sent packing for 64 in 12 overs. Ramnauth
scored 20 as Surjupaul Deosarran picked 4-12 and Mahendra Seepersaud 3-10. Success All stars replied with 66-1 in 12 overs. Deosarran made 18 not out and was named man-of-the match, while Chris Sukram contributed 14; Gary Singh took 1-16. Organsiers Rafman Ali expressed gratitude to the sponsors; Zeko Industrial and Jaikishun Construction.
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Intermediate competition to make return this year; Linden to host Novice - Guyana bidding to host CAC 2022 – GABBFF’s Bess
Marlon ‘Bolo’ Bennett - Mr. Guyana 2019 By Franklin Wilson With the likes of Godfrey Stoby, Roger Calendar and USA based former national sprinter Rawle Green among others, habrouring thoughts of making a grand return to the competitive stage, 2020 is expected to be an exciting year for body building, so says President of the Guyana Amateur Body Building & Fitness Federation (GABBFF), Keavon Bess. “This year, we are trusting for it to be a successful year; we are already off to a good start as we are looking to do novices on the 15th of February at Lisha’s Hall in Linden. We are also starting our national outreaches early this month, we are going to different gyms nationwide as we seek to develop the interest of the newbie’s and hopefully we can have a large turnout of athletes and patrons in Linden.” Taking a peak back into 2019, Bess noted the year was not one of the busiest ever for the Federation but they persevered. The novice competition was held in May while Senior’s took place in August. The other competition, which was private but sanctioned by GABBFF, was Stage of Champions.
On the international stage, a number of athletes made the trip to the 46th edition of the prestigious CAC championships held in the Dominican Republic. Kerwyn Clarke captured gold in the 80kg class. Yannick Grimes on debut captured bronze in the Men’s Physique up to and including 170cm class while fellow debutant Darius Ramsammy, finished 5th in the 154lb and Under Bodybuilding category. Also holding his own was the USA based Bruce Sevlon Whatley who, after winning his Pro Card at the 45th edition of the CAC Body Building & Fitness Championships in Mexico (2018), competing for the first time thereafter was able to win a bronze medal at the inaugural IFBB Diamond Cup held in Saint Marteen. While Bess noted with satisfaction with the continued presence of Guyanese at the highest possible level in the region, he also pointed that a few new athletes came to the fore on the local stage last year including novice winner Devon Harris who went on to the senior championships where he won the Under 143lb class. Marlon ‘Bolo’
Yannick Grimes
Bennett captured the Mr. Guyana crown, the first time in his career at age 42. “I believe that the junior athletes are being pushed by the more senior athletes to do their best and I believe that with the level of competition being brought to the stage by Kerwyn Clarke in particular, other athletes are being forced to come with their A-game.” Bess proffered the view that the sport during 2019 would have grown, not necessarily to the levels that the Federation would have loved to see: “We would like to see more participation from athletes outside of Georgetown and we would like to see the competition restored to its former glory, nationally.” The Federation in its push to realise a shift in expanding the sport has taken a decision to host their novice competition this year in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden at Lisha’s Hall. “We’ve already met with the athletes and stakeholders in Linden, so it’s basically now to cover the logistics over the marketing aspect of things and securing sponsorship. We will also be hosting the Mr. Linden competition on the night of the novice’s competition.” The intermediate competition which has not happened in a few years would be making a grand return and according to Bess, this level of competition which is the intermediary between novice and seniors, would be merged with the Mr. Berbice competition. The President is of the view that merging the Novice and Intermediate with the Mr. Linden and Mr. Berbice competitions is a strategic move to get fans to come out and support the long standing athletes in the respective outlying areas. He mentioned the likes of the legendary Lindie Sharpe, Clint Duke and Mark ‘Uno’ Perry among others who would have all wowed fans at the national and international levels who are likely to be on stage vying the Mr. Linden title. “This is all in an effort to get the interest of body building in Linden revived and to grow the interest in the sport.” Bess noted that persons must no longer hold the view that body building is City based: “We want everyone to have a stake in the sport.” Plans to attract more females to the sport Acknowledging that this continues to be a real challenge for the Federation,
Owner of Fitness Express, Jamie Mc Donald poses with Mr. Novice 2019 Devon Harris (right), Miss Bikini Rosanna Fung and Men’s Physique winner, Delroy Phillips. Bess posited that with the right push and sensitization from the female athletes themselves to their peers, this situation can turn around for the better. “I am almost certain that once we get CAC to come to Guyana and our female athletes and women in general can come to a CAC event and see that about two thirds of the event is based on the female body; body fitness, physique and bikini, when they see how biog of a presence females have at the CAC event I am certain that that would cause a lot of females to come out and participate on stage.” Bidding to host CAC 2022 Guyana hosted the Central American and Caribbean championships, successfully so, back in 2004 under the Presidency of Yale Holder. The current leadership of the Federation is of the view that the time is right for the nation to host this competition again, thus their bid which is being put together for 2022. Bess reported that it was Guyana’s intent to host next year (2021) but due to the lack of funds to have the team travel to the Dominican Republic to make the bid, they had to refocus and will now be making every effort to host in 2022. The relevant agencies that would have to play a major role in hosting a successful championship, Bess indicated, would have already been notified and bid documents submitted including the Guyana Olympic Association. “I am certain that once we are there in Colombia for CAC 2020 we will be able to secure that bid. We have good standings with the CAC and the IFBB as well and with my involvement with CAC being the Legal Advisor and a member of the Anti Doping Committee, I believe I can use
Bruce Whatley on stage in St. Marten my influence to garner sufficient support for our bid to host CAC 2022.” Corporate support has always been a challenge for the sport but Bess says they are working assiduously towards countering this challenge this year. Bess also
informed that they have been up to date with the criteria as mandated by the GOA with regards to seeking assistance from them and would be meeting the deadline for submission, which is around the second week of this month.
Albion through to Semi-Final of Ramnaresh Sarwan U-17 50 overs cricket tournament Albion Community Center Cricket Club (ACCCC) defeated Blairmont Community Center by 18 runs to book their place in the semi-finals of the Ramnaresh Sarwan U17 50 Overs Cricket Tournament in Berbice. Played at the Albion Community Centre Ground, the home team batted first and made 134 all out in 46.2 of their allotted 50 Overs. Tameshwar Mahadeo top scored with 46, while Leon Cecil contributed 18. Bowling for Blairmont, Aakash Harilall took 3 wickets and was supported
by Anthony Sukhra and Saheed Baksh with 2 each. In reply, Blairmont were dismissed for 116 in 42 overs. Marvin Prashad led the way with 55 with Datyah France making 19. Bowling for Albion Leftarm-spinner Kumar Deopersaud and leg-spinner Parvesh Ganesh took 3 wickets each and were well backed up by leg-spinner Surendra Ramcharitar and off-spinner Cecil with 2 apiece. Albion will now meet old rival Port Mourant in the semi-final today, at the Albion Community Center.
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Day-two Practice match
Hemraj & Johnson score tons on final day By Sean Devers Centuries from 26-yearold Chanderpaul Hemraj and his 32-year-old Skipper Leon Johnson spearheaded Johnson’s X1 to a first innings lead over Anthony Adams’ X1 who made 244 in their first innings when final two-day practice match ended yesterday at Providence. Hemraj faced 149 balls, batted for 199 minutes and hit nine boundaries which included a six in 104 and added 167 with Johnson who was at the crease for 308 minutes, faced 159 balls and hit five fours in his 104 before he retired to allow others to get a ‘knock’ in a game used as preparation for upcoming Regional First-Class season. Tagenarine Chanderpaul who did not arrive home in time for the first practice game,
batted at number four yesterday and made 51 (retired out). Chanderpaul and Chris Barnwell (27) put together a half-century, while Raymon Reifer made an unbeaten on 27 and Anthony Bramble fell for 24 as Johnson’s X1 reached 388-5. Ali-Mohamed took two of the five wickets. Resuming on their overnight score of 85-1 after Tevin Imlach (1) was LBW to Ali-Mohamed on Thursday afternoon at 6-1, the lefthanded pair of Hemraj and his skipper added 167 runs for the second wicket. In glorious sunshine on track which got better for batting and outfield which got faster as the match progressed, Hemraj dominated the partnership as he favoured the off-side drives.
Hemraj, who has played 25 First-Class matches since making his debut against Trinidad and Tobago in 2012 in Port-of-Spain and has a century and seven fifties at this level, edged AliMohamed to the Keeper just before Lunch. This was to be only success for the bowlers in the opening session by Lunch the total was 184-2 with Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who batted at number four. After the interval, Chanderpaul and Johnson continued to bat responsible with wonderful shot selection before Johnson deposited Ricardo Adams for six to bring up his century. But with the partnership worth 89 Johnson retired out to bring Barnwell to the crease and by Tea the Total was 2193.
Superb Primus rattles Ireland but Wanderers come up short BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – A superb display of power-hitting by Barbados Pride all-rounder Roshon Primus almost took Wanderers Club close to a remarkable victory over touring Ireland in a one-day warm-up match here Thursday. The strongly-built 24year-old blasted seven huge sixes and seven fours in a scintillating 83 off 36 balls as the home team came up 45 runs short of their target of 339 at the Dayrell’s Road ground, just outside of the city. Primus, a member of the Barbados Tridents franchise which won the Caribbean Premier League last year, entered with Wanderers on 165 for four in the 37th over and immediately went into over-drive in a superb solo effort. The right-hander raced to his half-century off 25 balls with five fours and four sixes, reaching the landmark with a thunderous cover-driven boundary off seamer Barry McCarthy. While he was at the crease Wanderers added 114 runs in 10 overs to threaten the target and put the Irish under severe pressure. Primus, who has represented Trinidad and Tobago in the past but is now under contract to the Pride, finally perished in the 47th over, bowled missing a heave at pacer Craig Young. The run chase was set up by a century opening stand between Test batsman Kraigg Brathwaite and Pride left-
After the break, Barnwell, Chanderpaul, Reifer and Bramble all got starts in the last session. Meanwhile, the National Selectors have named the Guyana squad to oppose the Leewards at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at North Sound in Antigua from January 9 in their opening game. The 13-man squad: Chanderpaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh, Chris Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Raymond Reifer, Veerasammy Permaul, Davendra Bishoo, Nail Smith, Keon Joseph, Tevin Imlach and Kevin Sinclair. Esuan Crandon (Head Coach), Shiv Chanderpaul (Manager/Ass Coach), Neil Barry (Physio) According to the CGI Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd are unavailable due to West Indies duty. However, Shepherd, once available will join the team for their second round match in Barbados.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul made 51 yesterday.
Rutherford career-best not enough to save Thunder
All-rounder Roshon Primus. hander Shayne Moseley. The pair, who will open for Barbados next week in the Regional Four-day Championship, posted 109 but at a pedestrian rate of just four runs per over, leaving the asking rate close to nine runs per over. Brathwaite made 45 off 59 balls before he was stumped off off-spinner Simi Singh attempting a big hit while Moseley made a cultured 79 off 119 with 12 boundaries he was bowled by seamer Boy Rankin, paving the way for Primus’s arrival. Earlier, Ireland made great use of the perfect batting conditions to reach 338 for five off their 50 overs, with three batsmen reaching halfcenturies. Wicketkeeper Gary Wilson slammed 76 off 35 balls batting at number eight, with 60 of his runs coming in boundaries as the visitors managed 100 runs off the last 10 overs. The pair of Paul Stirling and James McCollom both made 64 in an opening stand of 133 in 20 overs before
retiring to allow other batsmen the opportunity to bat. In the middle overs Ireland were stymied by offspinner Jamar Trotman who was impressive with figures of five for 50 from his 10 overs. A club cricket journeyman and wholehearted performer, Trotman was not introduced until the 27th over and was the sixth bowler used. He stemmed the flow of runs with immaculate control. Ireland used the match as part of their preparations for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against West Indies, starting next Tuesday at Kensington Oval here. Wanderers is one of the most storied clubs on the island having produced several West Indies players including Test captain Jason Holder, Brathwaite, West Indies left-arm seamers Ian Bradshaw and Pedro Collins, along with Keith Boyce and brothers Denis and Eric Atkinson.
SYLHET, Bangladesh, CMC – Emerging West Indies star, Sherfane Rutherford, snatched a career-best three-wicket haul but the effort went in vain as Sylhet Thunder lost to Cumilla Warriors in a dramatic super-over here Thursday. Sent in at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Warriors posted 140 for nine from their 20 overs, with Rutherford leading the attack by claiming three for 19 from four overs of medium pace.
Opener Upul Tharanga top-scored with 45 from 31 deliveries, putting on 42 off 25 balls with Stiaan van Zyl (10) for the first wicket. Once they were separated in the fifth over, however, the innings went into decline with new-ball seamer Ebadat Hossain chipping in with three for 33. In reply, the West Indies pair of Johnson Charles (0) and Andre Fletcher (1) failed while Rutherford clobbered three fours in 15 before also falling cheaply at number four. However, Sohag Gazi
smashed 52 off 31 balls to pull the run chase out of trouble at 33 for five in the eighth over but with two runs needed for victory off the final ball, Monir Hossain was run out for 16, leaving the scores level. Eighteen-year-old Afghan off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman produced a brilliant spell of four for 12 from his four overs to give Warriors the edge. Thunder lie bottom of the seven-team standings with a single win in eight outings while Warriors are fifth.
Brady, Brees headline wild card weekend clashes (Reuters) - Veteran quarterbacks Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson will headline the NFL’s wild card weekend, while young upstarts such as the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson look to make their mark in the post-season. The New England Patriots’ Brady has landed in unfamiliar territory, with the team headed into its first wild card round in a decade after an embarrassing loss against the Miami Dolphins in their final regular-season game. The six-time Super Bowl winners will face off on Saturday at home against the Tennessee Titans, whose star running back Derrick Henry led the league in regular season rushing yards and is sure to challenge the Pats’ stout defence. The Houston Texans added spark to their
defensive lineup this week with the activation of J.J. Watt, the towering five-time Pro Bowler who had been sidelined since October with a pectoral muscle injury. “That home field advantage is extremely important and we’re looking forward to having a loud crowd to help us out,” the 30-year-old defensive end told reporters ahead of his team’s contest against the Bills today. The Bills’ strong defence could spell trouble for the Texans’ starting quarterback Watson, who was plagued by injuries during the regular season. The New Orleans Saints will host the Minnesota Vikings in the first of the two NFC games tomorrow, with the 13-win and threeloss team relegated to wildcard competition thanks to the San Francisco 49ers Week 17 defeat of the Seattle Seahawks. The pair feature in the weekend’s most (Continued on page 25)
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Motorsport 2019: Constant rise of drag racing in Guyana By Calvin Chapman Barring horseracing that is perennially heavily subscribed and the regional phenomenon that is the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), local motorsport is quickly growing to be one of the biggest household names in Guyana with drag racing, specifically, reaching new heights in 2019 with the steady growth expected to continue in 2020. The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) under the Rameez Mohamed led executive committee invested millions into the development of drag racing in 2018 and continued in 2019 with most of those funds coming from contributions from the corporate community and the numerous competitors that love the sport. Those investments include the extension of the drag strip from 1000 feet to a full quarter-mile, the construction of a launch pad, construction of pits and the development of roadways to allow ease of access to the staging area. And the club is beginning to see some positive returns on investments made. On March 24, last year, round one of the 2019 Drag Championship emerged as arguably the biggest Drag race meet competed in Guyana. Drag C/Ship round one A couple thousand fans flocked to South Dakota Circuit’s Drag race strip in droves of vehicles to witness the first drag meet that featured a full quarter mile strip and a launch pad at the Timehri venue.
The Rameez Mohamed driven Trans Pacific Alteeza. The fans that occupied the stands, barricades and fences were also keen to see Team Mohamed’s new Ekanoo/Magnus GTR (Godzilla) car but some transmission problems didn’t allow the car to compete. However, at the end of the day, Team Mohamed’s remained the undisputed King of the Strip, after another outstanding performance from the then record holding Nissan GTR ‘Goliath’ (the second of three GTRs owned by the Mohamed’s) made light work of Peter Daby’s Toyota Supra in the unlimited class. And, the fans were highly satisfied under the cool, overcast conditions. Daby of S&D Performance had proven formidable in the 10 seconds class, while Damian Persaud out of the same team, picked up a win in the 11 seconds bracket. The Dutchmen were well represented after Eric Watchman (14 seconds) and Raymond John (13 seconds) notched wins for the Surinamese to fuel the fire of
drag racing rivalry between the neighbouring countries. In his return to the drag strip after missing the entire 2018 drag season, Mark ‘Mad Max’ Menezes notched wins in both the 600cc and 1000cc classes to underline his dominance on the motorbike. Drag C/Ship round two Team Mohamed’s remained planted at the top of the drag racing throne in Guyana after winning yet another Drag Race meet; this time the second round of the drag championship that sped off June 23 in lush sunshine at the South Dakota Circuit in Timehri before ending in gloom with rainfall. Piloted by Terrence Cox, Godzilla, the race group’s third GT-R reset the quartermile drag strip record to an impressive 8.09 seconds. And, it was noted that that the machine could have gone even faster according to the driver, “It just kept going quicker and quicker. I am so sad that we had this rain, I am positive that the car could’ve gone in the high seven
Team Mohamed’s Driver Terrence Cox poses with the GT-R Goliath.
(seconds). We can expect these cars to go quicker (both the black and white GTR) and with two new engines expected we are going to come back with a lot more firepower this August in the International Drag race.” Although the rain put a damper on the event, almost all the respective classes saw their winners being named. The unofficial results for the day are as follows: 16 second - Marlon Wilson 15 second - Ramesh Persaud 14 second- Romeo Singh 13 second- Shan Seejattan 12 second - TBD 11 second - Krishna Jettoo 10 second - Peter Daby Unlimited - Team Mohamed’s/Terrence Cox 1320 Heat (International) August 25 Team Guyana carted off the majority of the spoils at the 1320 heat international
drag race meet but Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) had two big wins in the unlimited cars and bikes categories to go along with victory in the 11-second class. The feature showdown between T&T’s Andy Bissessar’s rail car and Team Mohamed’s GTR Godzilla was hurried into an exhibition showcase since the organisers were worried that the imminent threat of rain would have put a damper on the event. A false start saw Bissessar shot ahead of the Terrence Cox piloted ‘Godzilla’ GTR that was beginning to close the gap before a blowout curtailed the strip record holder’s race. Bissessar went on to be adjudged winner of the unlimited class due to his win over Deryck Jaisingh’s Toyota Supra and Godzilla’s inability to race. As expected, Rameez Mohamed, who won US$100 for the best burnout sponsored by GT Tuners, made light work of the nine-second class. O’Neal Higgins in his Toyota Caldina took the 10second class, while Jagdeo
Record numbers of fans are expected again for the anticipated 2020 drag season.
‘Mad Cow’ Higgins of T&T won the 11-second class which along with the 12second class that was won by S&D Performance’s Damion Persaud, was sponsored by Del Ice Co with $100,000 each for the winners. Pierre Singh made good of his word after being gifted victory in the 13-second class after Imran Khan jumped the light in the final. Rafeeq Khan wooed the spectators after a thrilling run in the 14 second class saw him winning the respective trophy. Ramesh Persaud (15 second), Shivan Ragnath (16-second), Andy Rajkarran (600cc bikes) and Michael Mathurine/Joel Bruce of T&T (unlimited bikes), were the other winners. A source close to team T&T’s camp revealed that Bissessar and the entire team T&T will be returning this year even stronger with possibly two rail cars instead of one; mouthwatering for fans. 1320 heat rematch (October 20) Deryck ‘Mad Dog’ Jaisingh sped away with victory for team S&D Performance in his Jumbo Jet sponsored Toyota Supra when the curtains fell on the fourth and final drag last year October at Timehri. Mad Dog registered 8.7s to emerge as the unlimited champion, while perennial favourites Team Mohamed’s, encountered mechanical issues with their GTRs; Goliath and Godzilla. Team Suriname walked away with two victories in the 12-second class thanks to Raymond John, while Michael Namchand prevailed in the 10-second class. Team Trans Pacific successfully defending their nine-second titles with driver Rameez Mohamed behind the wheel, while Shan Seejattan, O’Neal Higgins, Pierre Singh and Mark ‘Mad Max’ Menezes in the bikes continued to be consistent.
Saturday January 04, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 33
Friendship crowned the inaugural 592 Inter-Village Football Champion Amid the fireworks which littered the sky and the celebrations which enveloped the venue, Friendship, the sister village of the more famous Buxton Community, was crowned the inaugural 592 InterVillage Football Champion, defeating Golden Grove 1-0 on Wednesday evening. Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams and WPA member Dr. David Hinds were amongst the dignitaries who made the trek to the Golden Grove Community Center to witness the compelling match, which was decided by a moment of individual brilliance. The man of the hour was the diminutive Dillon Wright, who decided the eventual outcome in front of mammoth crowd which numbered in the thousands from the respective villages throughout the East Coast Demerara corridor. Following the pageantries of greeting the respective combatants before the commencement of the battle, Wright evoked a contrast of emotions from the gathering as he found the back of the net in the 21st minute.
Given his stature it was the unlikeliest of conversions as Wright escaped his marker and directed his powerful header past the goalkeeper following a cross into the box, sending Friendship faithful into a frenzy. The aforesaid conversion sealed the $500,000 and championship trophy package afforded to the eventual winner. On the other hand, the runner-up pocketed $200,000. Eon Havercome, Tournament Coordinator in a post tournament comment said, “We could not have envisioned or asked for a better final for the inaugural edition of the tournament. The competition has exceeded all expectations and has solidified itself as a platform and staple for the future within the East Coast Demerara realm. Once again I have to thank the fans and the teams for their unwavering support of the event.” A c c o r d i n g t o Havercome, “Who would have expected that in the inaugural edition and as a relative newcomer in this realm, the turnout and
The newly crowned inaugural 592 Inter-Village Football Champion Friendship in celebratory mode following their 1-0 win over home side Golden Grove in the grand finale. support would be so monumental? It simply shows that Football in the East Coast region especially amongst the villages is truly alive. Without the fans and the players and the corporate support this would not have been a reality and an eventual success. The 592 I n t e r- Vi l l a g e F o o t b a l l Festival is here to stay.” He further revealed that the official presentation of team and individual prizes will occur in the following week, adding that individual prizes will be awarded for the Most Valuable Player [MVP] of the tournament, the MVP of the finale, the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament and the Best Goalkeeper of the final. Meanwhile, in the third p l a c e p l a y o f f , Beterverwagting (BV) edged Paradise 2-1. Omari Glasgow and Akin Curry scored in the 14th and 71st minutes respectively. For the loser, Emmanuel Evans netted in the 69th minute. Due to the outcome, BV pocketed $150,000 and a trophy, while Paradise walked away with $100,000 (Continued on page 25)
P. 29 Chanderpaul Hemraj stroked a magnificent 104 at Providence yesterday.
rt Spo
Day-two Practice match
Hemraj & Johnson score tons on final day
Skipper Leon Johnson scored a responsible hundred yesterday at Providence.
Intermediate competition to make return this year; Linden to P. 28 host Novice
Rutherford career - best not enough to save Thunder
P. 29
West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford. Keavon Bess GABBFF President
Guyana bidding to host CAC 2022 - GABBFF’s Bess
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