Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR Special Branch NEWS

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Sunday Edition January 05, 2020

police rank reported

sick to go on robbery

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

p.

2

- was the driver of getaway car

Police Price $140 Constable Jonathan Harry who reported sick for duty

Online readership yesterday 108,757

Exxon's 'parasitic' project in Papua New Guinea bears similarities to Guyana’s p.

13

IDB says Guyana's low revenue growth rates to GDP reflect Exxon's contract p.

15

PPP truck stopped, damaged while announcing campaign launch on Laing Ave. yesterday afternoon. (see story on page 11)

Close shop or pay an ounce of gold - businessman told

p.

11

State auditors could not verify over $800M in Govt. payments in 2018 Public Infrastructure main culprit in overpayments p. 9 St. Rose’s High contractor received $53M; work abandoned

Investigations into grand corruption during PPP era in office will go no where p.

8

- Key records either locked away, burnt or missing - UK Expert Dr. Sittlington

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Sunday January 05, 2020

Special Branch police rank reported sick to go on robbery - Was the driver of get-away car

By Shikema Dey

F

ollowing Friday night's dramatic face off between a gang of bandits and an armed Tuschen resident during a botched robbery, the Guyana Police Force has revealed that one of the detained men is a serving member of the Force.

He has been identified as 24-year-old Police Constable, Jonathan Harry,

of Lot 124 East Ruimveldt.

He was attached to the Special Branch at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Kaieteur News was informed that Harry was scheduled for duty but he reported sick. However, it appeared that Constable Harry was well enough to be the getaway driver in the robbery that left one of his accomplices dead, another wounded and the others captured except for one

female who is still on the run.

The bandits were attempting to rob a Chinese Restaurant at Tuschen, West Coast Demerara, when their plans were cut short after a neighbour who is also a licensed firearm holder, intervened.

The incident reportedly occurred at around 21:00hrs.

Police said that the gang went to 5-Star Chinese Restaurant located at 695 Tuschen New Housing

The injured bandit Shaquille Wilbury

Dead bandit: Mark Prince

Police Constable Jonathan Harry who reported sick for duty

Captured: Akande Ross Scheme, East Bank Essequibo; two were armed with cutlasses and one with a handgun.

The proprietor of the business, 43-year-old Guang Hong Wang, her husband and a customer; 37-year-old Navindra Lakahalall were in the restaurant at the time when one of the suspects entered with a woman and purchased two beers.

The duo, after consuming the beers, called for a case of beer. When the owner

proceeded to deliver the case to them, the male suspect pulled out a gun and proceeded to rob her. The men turned and relieved Lakahalall of one silver-coloured chain and a sum of cash.

Plans cut short A licensed holder of a handgun who lives nearby heard the commotion and immediately went to investigate. The man disclosed to Kaieteur News that he was at home eating dinner when he heard someone in the restaurant speaking in English.

According to him, he found this strange. “I found it strange because they usually (continued on page 9)

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Guyana assumes Chair of ExxonMobil's US$18M signing bonus earned $103M OAS Permanent Council in interest - Audit Office

T

he Auditor General report of 2018 has revealed that $103M in interest was earned over a 26-month period from the US$18M signing bonus.

The signature bonus was a controversial sum that Guyana agreed to accept in 2016 after signing a production agreement with the US-headquartered oil giant, ExxonMobil.

Oil was discovered in 2015. Then the Coalition Government approving and signing off on the production sharing agreement (PSA).

In return, the country received a one-off US$18M bonus, which only came to light after the Government was questioned time and again.

Government later said that the money was kept under wraps as it was earmarked to fight a World

Court border case against Venezuela.

The Auditor General report of 2018, which was leaked yesterday, did flag the bonus.

According to the Audit Office, on October 31, 2016, the Government of Guyana received the sum of US$18M or G$3.717B from ExxonMobil as a signing bonus.

This amount was deposited into the Ministry of Finance's ExxonMobil Account ?. 845L5086 at Bank of Guyana.

The Bank maintained cash and investment accounts to independently account for proceeds from investments.

According to the audit report, during the period November 9, 2016 to November 17, 2016, amounts totalling US$15.831M or G$3.269B

were transferred to the investment account and used to purchase overseas bonds.

The balance of US$2.176M or G$449M remained in the Account ?.

845L5086.

“The Government of Guyana earned interest of U S $ 4 9 8 , 7 7 5 o r G$103.629M from its investments during the period 9 November 2016 to 31 December 2018, while Account ?. 845L5086 interest totalled US$2,889 or G$598,443.”

In January 2019, the value of investments appreciated to US$14.545M from US$14.477M, an increase of US$67,705.

According to the report, the ExxonMobil Signature Bonus was transferred from Bank of Guyana and paid into the Consolidated Fund Bank Account in 2018 and 2019.

Armed bandits beat and rob WCB clothing store owner

A

clothing store o w n e r i s currently nursing injuries to his eye and head after three men, armed with guns, invaded his business place around 19:00 hrs yesterday.

Bhandi Luckicharran, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, told this publication that he was just about to close his store when the men rushed up behind him and demanded that he, his sister and brother-in-law lie on the floor.

He added that he was dealt a lash to his face and about his head while the gunman ordered him to hand over all that he had in his

Bhandi Luckicharran possession.

He stated that he had $150,000 in cash that he

gave to the bandit while the two others took what they could from his business.

His sister was robbed of $15,000 in cash, diamond and gold rings, along with other jewellery.

The DVR for the surveillance cameras, two laptop computers, Brazilian gold jewellery and other items were also stolen.

The men after carrying out the traumatising ordeal, escaped with the loot in a silver-coloured Toyota Premio. The police arrived shortly after and statements were taken.

Luckicharran was treated for his injuries at the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Former Chair, Rita Claverie Diaz and Present Chair, Dr. Riyad Insanally

D

r. R i y a d Insanally, G u y a n a ' s Ambassador to the United States of America has assumed the position of Chair of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS).

In a ceremony at the headquarters of the Organization in Washington DC, Dr. Insanally stated, “This is a great honour for Guyana, especially as we

will be celebrating 50 years as a republic on February 23, 2020. “I am very well aware of the importance of the role of the Permanent Council and the necessity of strengthening its capacity to enhance the organisation's ability to respond to all its members needs.”

Guyana has been an active participant in the Organization of American States since 1991. At present, Guyana's Ambassador to

Washington D.C., Dr. Riyad I n s a n a l l y, s e r v e s a s Ambassador.

Insanally is a career diplomat with over 25 years' experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in international organisations.

He studied Modern Languages and Latin American Studies and holds an MA and MPhil from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from Harvard University.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

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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

Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

EDITORIAL

A warning to the politicians This newspaper is sounding an early alert, through sending a message of its own that none should mistake. It is going to take things to another level and pull out the stops.

It is to maintain the sanity and keep up the hopes of the people of this nation, all of them, free from the age-old nonsense that issues forth from our politicians, the perfect example of which are the holiday messages.

As usual, the messages, like the multihued flares and fireworks with their accompanying staccato bursts, came right on time. Our political parties try to outdo one another around these times in the unending intense grappling for any edge.

Their messages are a study in perfection: soothing and almost solemn, packed to the phrase with what it believes recommends and stirs, saying a mouthful while saying nothing. For those members of the public, who spare the time to listen to them, read them, there is wondering what these messages are all about, for at the core, there is only the trite and the tiring.

Now, this paper goes on record early: it is not impressed; it is not moved by the canned collections. Spare us; give us some content, some substance, something on which to think in this most pivotal of years, if not quarter.

We have let these exercises in party hypocrisy, in pious political tripe, pass by unchallenged in prior years. Well not anymore, and not this year, which means so much.

We are putting all political groups on notice, and none so sharply as the two older, larger, and slicker entities. Cut the bull, turn off the hoses of sound and syrup that lack any seriousness on the part of the utterers, and that mean nothing.

The Guyanese people have had enough, and on behalf of the same brethren, we say enough is enough.

Promises are easy to make, false ones even easier.

Deliver and tell us how and what, where everybody understands. Tell us about the unambiguous definition, and the scope and degree of accountability and intent.

Don’t give another empty speech, as though there is dealing with illiterates, through giving a deceptive bone to throw off the scent and scene of continuing governance wrongdoing. This one time around, Guyanese are neither too disengaged nor too bogged down by the demands of the day, that they don’t have the time to worry and to care.

They do, and very intensely.

This is not business as usual, where the floods of farcical assertions take centre stage, and nobody bothers to find fault with them. We will dissect them, find fault with them, and hang them repeatedly before the nation in the most obvious ways possible.

And that’s a promise of the programme in mind. Tell the nation about oil management and we are going to ask: what about the money? Where is it? Who has access to it? What are the controls over it? And if we have the slightest issues with the answers provided, then we will take it from there.

Oh, and just so we are clear: we will not take sitting down or silently, those situations when the interests of the nation are ignored and there are no answers forthcoming.

The loyalists are entitled to their blind faith and dogged determination; they will reap or be ruined accordingly. On the other hand, the rest of dreaming, anticipating, depending Guyanese have no such luxury.

And, even if they did, they now refuse to waste it on those who have betrayed them, held them to ransom, and then sold them out in the past. These were people who ignored and insulted them in the past, as though they are mindless beasts of the field to be teased, spurred, and then abandoned when the fun is over and local political players move on to other more rewarding distractions.

When the weariness and disillusionment steps in, jilted Guyanese citizens only have their mirrors in which to gaze and share regrets, and ask: why? Why did we allow this to happen yet again to us?

A unified front and intelligent negotiation is our saving grace from divide and conquer DEAR EDITOR, I agonised prior to writing this letter as to whether or not the focus should be about Jadgeo, or the giddy exhilaration over ‘First oil,’ a term I detest.

Jadgeo’s thirst to rule and control all things Guyana is almost insatiable, his obsession with power supersedes all other considerations, if anyone believes he will not be the power behind Ally should the PPP secure a win in March, then I implore you to pull your head out of you-know-where, please. Make no mistake, this letter is not an endorsement of the present power configuration; they have repeated some of the very same glaring missteps of the PPP when they were in control of the government. Despite this, however, I am of the view that a resurrection of the PNC, PPP in control

May be our only hope for a stable future, as the winner takes all formula is a prescription for disaster for our country.

Both these parties need each other as counter weights to excesses, and the all important example to our people with an eye towards closing the age old ethnic divide that politicians stir for their own selfish and short sighted gains. As important as I believe the foregoing is, my emphasis will be on our relationship or rather our new relationship with the United States due to the discovery of oil in Guyana, our oil, and the operative word here is ‘Our’.

However, try telling that to Exxon Mobil or their investors.

Not only do we have no expertise in oil period, but Guyana is in a position where we find ourselves in a canoe with no paddle (Continued on page 5)

It is why, at this early hour and in advance, all political participants on the local scene—huge and little, old and new, veteran and tenderfoot—are forewarned.

It is not business as usual from now until March 2. We will be watching, if not studying every position and every pronouncement like hawks.

We will call out on the things that agitate, and we will do so tirelessly.

Only the most impeccable standards will be found acceptable, anything less will be pounced upon, torn apart, and those responsible will be dragged in the mud and hauled over the coals.

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Where is the money coming from and who are the people behind the money?

DEAR EDITOR, I just came off the road and there they were: hanging, staring, bracing. From above and around and below, from everywhere it seems. That would be the paraphernalia of elections, inclusive of flags, symbols, messages, and so on and so forth. I have been toying with a thought or two on this shady, closely guarded secret of politics in Guyana, and now I must drag a few things into the light and put them on the table.

I open this paper via the technological marvel called the Internet and there it is, right in the face. I am encouraged to vote. I feel as though I am at the bus park, with the touts pulling this way and that to get attention, to gather my business; perhaps, to pick my pocket, too. As to the latter, they must have learned

from the political masters here, the same ones who now seek the votes of Guyanese, the same ones who have picked us to the bone and bloodless for a million years it feels. But is it really expected that any sensible, even the half-witted, would actually vote for a party this way, through one of these newspaper or roadside urgings?

Here are some other questions that are relevant at this hour of our existence.

Whether online, or from a lantern post (I prefer that oldfashioned description) or on the roadway, or on local television and social media (both of which I never engage), the first point is this: these things cost money. To create. To publish. To staff and monitor and leverage. This is just the peripheral lacy stuff, so to speak, the cheaper fare. Now

for the first question: where is the money coming from?

Second, who are the people behind the money? Third, what kind of money is it?

Now, if I know the people, I would be able to associate easily and authoritatively the kind of money to be expected from such sources.

But I must go farther afield now. In a place with no kind of campaign finance (or political financing) laws or regulations, no oversight of substance, then the money pouring forth is open to every manner of reasonable speculation, none of them on the positive side of what is clean and legal. Because when that kind of money from those kinds of unscrupulous people comes (and is accepted joyfully), there is a price, many of them, in fact. As always, it is best summed up by my

A unified front and intelligent negotiation...

From page 4 on the Atlantic regarding this company and their well documented record in dealing with countries such as ours, and their decades of experience in oil.

The importance of oil to America was underscored by the almost immediate tumbling numbers on Wall Street and the rise in oil prices across the country once Trump’s assassination of the Iranian General was announced. What should be very instructive for Guyana and Guyanese was his reason for the drone strike, “ Protecting American citizens and American Interest around the World.”

Guyana’s Oil has placed us squarely in that sphere of ‘ American Interest’. We will either play ball according to their rules or else! Venezuela is an example of the or else, though they have controlled most of their oil 50% since

1968 sold to Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), they can’t give it away now, America has effectively shut them down.

As stated previously, Guyana has no expertise in this commodity, Exxon will be calling all of the shots, we are in a position like so many poor persons hitting the lottery and end up being dirt poor some years, later due to their lack of experience in high finance. K News is currently running a story about the experience of Papua New Guinea’s natural gas and Exxon.

The IDB has already dumped water on our fire from the expected returns from oil flowing in our direction. No company invests its money to end up in a negative situation, the bottom line is always about profits. Social Responsibility, however, is not part of Exxon’s business model.

The deck is stacked, the game is fixed in our dealing with

Exxon Mobil. To my mind our only salvation is a United front in order for our country and by extension our people to benefit from this resource.

Our politicians/ leaders MUST accept that a unity configuration of the two major parties PNC, PPP and if possible, some of the smaller entities joining hands for the greater good. The flip side of this scenario is Guyana learning a new dance move to Exxon’s and America’s tune or be prepared to reap the grapes of their wrath for ‘Our’ oil. A government of national reconstruction is our only hope from exploitation and domination. A unified front and intelligent negotiation or renegotiation is our saving grace from divide and conquer. Isn’t it time we bring true meaning to our motto of ‘One People One Nation One Destiny’?

Respectfully Claudeston G. Massiah

American brothers from before: there is no free lunch.

Editor, we have spent long years squabbling over who are the people behind the Marriott and other gargantuan investments in this country.

We have gotten nowhere, besides the shrill accusations on the one side, and the petulant denials, on the other. Of course, in the interim, our institutions that should stand as the bulwarks of vigilance and for the law are in shambles. Just the other day, in a case involving money and accountants (what else?), files went missing from the courts. Just the other day, there are reports of a man playing both sides of the field in an effort to thwart the revelations that would have been unearthed about people and money, and who ended up smearing and disgracing himself. The political people who compromised him will move heaven and earth and hell, too to suppress certain kinds of developments from making their way into the public domain. Because then the bottom would fall out of the bucket about transparency and accountability, and matters could lead anywhere and everywhere.

More pointedly, the nasty money and the brutish people behind it would be named and no longer secret. For that is what has permeated here, where this of money and character has made powerful men into slaves, dictates the terrain, and rules the roost.

Why are those people still hiding?

Editor, do we want more hiding with more of such money and such financial operators (criminals) poisoning whatever little process we have left? Yes, I know that there is little to stop them this time around, but I still ask and

table. Now, the big people (PPP and PNC) are reported to have come into the big money with sizable hauls from local kingpins. Interpret that noun and plural, however wished. They will have to answer for it; they will have to deliver: more secret deals, more watered down regulation, more lax enforcement.

Along a not dissimilar vein, some of the new people have faded before they have surfaced. My question would have been: who would trust money with some of those, shall we say, citizens? I wouldnt. What are they going to deliver for the investment? What can they? Since some of them are fading, or are going to be folded into a bigger whole, as a practical matter, there are still those vast amounts of money lying around without owners, without takers, and without political usage. That almost amounts to sacrilege. It is easy, just take it and all will be well; nothing owed, noth-

ing due. Except, that nothing is ever so easy; and the real world doesnt work this way.

Editor, why would anyone giveaway money without any expectation? And, once there are those types of expectations, then only the worse can be imagined. Think returns like the Berbice Bridge. Think the people who lost out (those outside inner circles) in the Clico debacle. Think all those lovely lawyers and auditors, who know how to collect, sing and dance through the system and make it work for their clients, and move on to the next legal adventure.

In sum, this is what the money of which I speak buys.

It buys people, it buys politicians, it buys legal hustlers, it buys professional public servants. And one more thing, it buys all the regrets with which the poor in this country live, while they count their endless tears.

Sincerely, G H K Lall

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Freddie Kissoon replies to Nigel Hinds

Manna does not fall from heaven anymore

DEAR EDITOR, The prime ministerial candidate for Change Guyana party, Mr. Nigel Hinds, has replied to a statement of mine in my column of December 23 in which I indicated that I have documents on his political mistakes that his detractors could use to embarrass him.

Hinds reply will certainly raise questions about his eligibility to hold high, political office. Here is Hinds interpretation of my assertion that I have documents on his political mistakes; “… 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 someones reputation using falsehoods.”

Hinds has a dangerous imagination, which, in my opinion, disqualifies him from being elected. Nowhere in that statement of mine, did I refer to any specific document and its harmful or innocuous nature. Secondly, how does he know the information I have contains falsehoods?

They do not. They contain publicly published words of Hinds himself.

Secondly, it is not my concern and it is not the concern of any journalist or editor on

how factual reporting will affect a candidates acceptance by the electorate. That is not my obligation to Mr. Hinds. I will offer the public below information that Mr. Hinds made public that I think the nation ought to know, since the information relates to a man who wants to be prime minister.

Here now are the documents Hinds has requested that I make public. All the information here is in the public domain. First, Hinds was the PNCs representative on a committee set up by GECOM at the request of the PNC to reexamine the statements of poll for the 2011 elections which the PNC claimed were rigged.

To date, Hinds has failed to tell the Guyanese people what he found and if what he found made the 2011 poll a fraudulent one.

Secondly, Hinds and I had a series of exchange in the month of November in 2012, in which the contents were available to dozens of others who were on the string with Hinds and me. Therefore, it was not a personal, confidential exchange. Because of my criticism of Rupert Roopnaraine and Joycelyn , Hinds accused me of psychological illness and being unfit to be a columnist. He accused me of multi personality disorder. I didnt know Hinds had left the profession of accountancy and had studied psychiatry.

In those 2012 debates on the email string, this is what Hinds wrote of David Granger; “We have to be patient with David Granger, he

is a challenging study as the leader of a political party or group, many of us believe that David is an excellent strategist losing a few battles to win the war is how I assess the APNU leader.” In May 2017, Hinds wrote in KN an emotional panegyric of Bharrat Jagdeo and viciously condemned me for years of criticism of the Jagdeo presidency. I will not offer quotes from the letter but suffice it to say it is a sycophantic embrace of Jagdeo, describing the phenomenal qualities of the former president. The letter can be Googled. It is dated May 25, 2017, captioned, “The enumeration of Freddie Kissoons attack on Jagdeos character.”

Fast-forward the tape to 2019. Mr. Hinds is involved in a political process to stop the election of Granger as president and replace him with Robert Badal and to stop Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP and make Mr. Badal the president.

I am kindly asking Hinds if what I reported here are falsehoods designed to damage his character. I am kindly asking him if he thinks he owes me an apology.

Finally, Hinds calls into question his intellectual ability when he wrote the following words in response to me; “What if I have made mistakes, has anyone not made mistakes?

“Why a long letter on me shouting down that I intend to vilify him by publishing his mistakes? Since we all make mistakes, lets have a debate on mistakes but do not accuse others of conspiracies for simply pointing out your mistakes.

This makes absolutely no sense. It is irrational and illogical.

Finally, in that very column that Hinds is ranting about, I did say I support his party “Change Guyana” and the other small parties. After Hinds vicious display of intolerance, I am having doubts.

Frederick Kissoon

DEAR EDITOR, I am appalled at the consternation shown by one Mike McCormack for the newly elected president of GGDMA, Andron Alphonso’s opening speech, in which Mr. Alphonso outlined the direction he intended to take the Association. McCormacks letter in KN, January 3rd,” GGDMA’s power-drunk election strategy”, to which he affixed the phrase, “ policy forum Guyana” after his signature, seems to suggest that Mr. McCormack works for the Govt in the area of policy formation. In this regard, McCormack taking umbrage to Andron’s assertion that,” We are the swing vote” (the local mining fraternity) and his commitment to fight, “tooth and nail”.

To protect the future of the industry against policies that will be detrimental to, or result in the desolation of the industry” is understood as the irking factor that inspires McCormack’s caption “GGDMA’s power - drunk election strategy”.

While Mr. Alphonso did not identify where exactly he intended to channel his assumed 100,000 strong “swing vote”, McCormack did not attempt to openly lead Alphonso in any definitive direction in the coming na-

tional elections. Instead McCormack delved into a charade to depict the local mining industry representative body GGDMA, which is now under the auspice of Mr. Alphonso, of causing holocaustic damage to the environment through mining, in an attempt to dissuade the youths in the mining fraternity and the country as a whole from hearkening to the call of Alphonso.

“We need the next generation to step up”.

McCormack’s letter, though clouded, is somewhat indicative the he interpreted the call to the youths “to step up” as a call to change the order in policy through governmental change - hence his charade about, “environmental desolation”, “depletion of assets” and “looting” of resources, to inspire the youths to think otherwise.

It is no secret that the present Govt through the policy has created a huge deterrent to mining and also the leaders of the Govt has failed miserably to offer any semblance of the much touted “good life”, to the youths of the Country in general. These two well acceptable facts give McCormack’s letter a hidden agenda.

As a person involved in policy forum, McCormack should be aware that every product that our eyes behold was either cultivated, har-

vested, mined from the earth’s crust or manufactured and that “manna” does not fall from heaven anymore.

We have no choice except to live off our environment in a friendly way.

There are environmental policies to dictate that and last time I checked, not even one percent of our landscape was degraded by mining.

McCormack closed his eyes to the big picture - the contribution provided by the local mining industry to the state in the form of taxes and the creation of jobs and revenues for a conservative 30 percent of the population in the absence of manna from heaven.

Take away the 40 years of looting that he alluded the mining industry to be in, the production and gross revenues he cited in his letter and McCormack may still fail to envision the abject poverty that would have pervaded Guyana in the absence of local mining.

It is conflict of interest for McCormack to compare the social delivery of the local mining industry to the sugar industry when the sugar industry was and is surviving on state subsidy from the treasury - knowing that the mining industry is a contributor to the treasury.

McCormack is definitely out of touch with reality.

Rudolph Singh

NIGHTMARE FOR A CHICKEN DEAR EDITOR, On Jan 1, a Facebook friend forwarded a video (approx. 15 seconds long) of one of the most horrific acts of cruelty I have ever seen.

To this day, I think of what this chicken went through. As the countdown to the New Year began, a group of young men captured a chicken, put a firecracker in the anus and, laughing, released it running in fear. It exploded seconds later.

We, (the GSPCA and I)

were trying to find out where this horrific act happened, but no one is talking. As I am writing this, I am in tears.

What kind of environment are these young men growing up in? Every community needs activities and role models that teach kindness and respect for all animals.

On a more positive note, a coordinated group of activists (ARAPS, Rosewood, GSPCA and myself) have been giving kindness talks at various schools with permis-

sion of the HMs. After visiting several schools, I am pleased to report that nearly all the students were excited and showed interest and even some passion for helping animals. Many report cruelty to animals as the result of these talks.Maybe there is hope for this new generation?“It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked.”- Haile Selassie.

Yours faithfully, SyeadaManbodh

Sunday January 05, 2020

Pensioner loses home to fire in Region One

The house in flames A fire of unknown origin destroyed a wooden house on Friday around 22:00 hrs at Mabaruma Settlement, North West District. Moreover, in the ruins the police found the burnt remains of someone suspected to be the caretaker.

The caretaker, Judith Fredericks and a man called “Freshy” were seen drinking what was suspected to be High Wine at the said house a few hours before the fire erupted. She has been missing since the fire.

The house was owned by 73-year-old, Whitney Rampersaud, who was reportedly hospitalised at the time of the fire; he was taken to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital.Subsequently, he

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was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention the day before the incident, suffering from low blood pressure. He occupied the home with his caretaker, Judith Frederick, who was left to watch over the house after he was hospitalised.

The scene was visited by police officers on Saturday morning around 05:49 hrs.

They found human remains, which was taken the Mabaruma Regional Hospital Mortuary awaiting the post mortem examination.

The structure which was completely burnt had two doors and several windows around the building.

Electricity was ruled out

since it was disconnected from the home since 2015. The dwellers would usually use a kerosene lamp and a generator at nights.

The matter was reported to the Mabaruma Police Station, investigations are ongoing.

High Court throws out libel case against Minister Broomes, K/NEWS A High Court Judge threw out a case filed against former President of the Women Miners Organisation (GWMO), Simona Broomes, and Kaieteur News by miner Compton Mendonza. The plaintiff had filed the case against Kaieteur News after an article published by GWMO pointed to an incident in which he (Mendonza) was involved in a dispute with a female over a claim at Imbaimadai.

Mendonza had sued Broomes and Kaieteur News over the publication of a statement in which she said that he had “big connections” in the mining sector and was using his influence to take over a female miner’s claim. In the case, Mendonza was the sole witness. Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes who represented Minister Broomes and Kaieteur News explained that when cross examined Mendonza admitted he went to the Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the case was eventually resolved in his favour.

Last week, Justice Sandra Kurtzious awarded $40,000 costs against him. In the lawsuit filed by Mendonza, he had essentially denied Broomes’s statement that he was working on property belonging to Amanda Peters, a female miner. In her comments, Broomes had suggested that the female miner was at a disadvantage in the dispute over the mining property. Broomes had contended that no action was taken after Peters’s complaint

Former GWMO President Simona Broomes

reached the level of the Mines Officer. She reported that the officer told the woman that nothing could have been done because she had no documents on her to prove that she is indeed the owner.Broomes contended that this was the case even though Mendonza had no documents to prove that he owned the property also. She claimed that an eventual intervention by the GWMO had resulted in some action.“I went to the Manager of GGMC and he sent in another Mines Officer with me and Ms. Peters…The Mines Officer decided to issue a “Cease Work Order.”According to Broomes, the Officer returned to the landing and served Mendonza with the order.“But Mendonza continued work. He did not stop.”Broomes had therefore insinuated that Mendonza was able to be disrespectful to the Mines Officer because “he knows big ones and he got politicians as associates and friends, so he is all powerful…”

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Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Investigations into grand corruption during PPP era in office will go nowhere -Key records either locked away, burnt or missing--UK Expert-Dr. Sittlington

By Kiana Wilburg For more than a decade, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), have separately, and jointly, accused the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) of being responsible for massive scales of corruption which steered billions of dollars away from the national

pursue. But after assuming office in 2015, creating a State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA), and starting several investigations, not a single person within the PPPs hierarchy is behind bars.

During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, former British Advisor to the Special Organized Crime Unit

(SOCU), Dr. Sam Sittlington, said he is quite aware of this situation as well as the reasons why Guyana has failed in its attempts to tackle grand corruption.

The UK Advisor was quick to state that the probe into allegations of PPP corruption should be dropped.

From his experience in

working with SOCU and interacting with other crime fighting agents, Dr. Sittlington said key records that are needed to support the allegations of corruption are either locked away, burnt or missing. The UK Advisor on anti-money laundering said, too, that key witnesses are also difficult to locate to make pertinent statements.

“So it is a lost cause,” Dr. Sittlington advised.

He said that the authorities of the day should wipe the slate clean and look at money laundering or corruption cases that are current “because going back 15 to 20 years looking for evidence in Guyana, it is not going to be there.”

Furthermore, the Consultant on a number of antimoney laundering programmes noted that Guyanas failure to address grand corruption is hinged on a number of other factors.

Dr. Sittlington was keen to

UK Financial Crimes Expert, Dr. Sam Sittlington

note that the handling of cases by prosecutors is far too slow.

He commented, “The cases go from the police to the Director of Public Prosecution and are sent back again to the police because something is not right. The Police Force and SOCU would be sending cases to DPP for advice because they dont know how to go further but the reality is that they should know. A case should only go to the DPP when it is finished...”

Dr. Sittlington added that one of the impediments to fighting grand corruption in

Guyana is the draconian court system. He noted that there are instances where judges have to recuse. themselves from cases due to conflict of interest or cases are dismissed on highly suspicious circumstances.

The Anti-Corruption advisor said that he has seen this very pattern in other parts of the world where corruption cases are dead on arrival because the judicial system is slow and antiquated.

He said that if Guyana is to make even the slightest progress on this front, the foregoing issues, among others, need to be addressed.

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

State auditors could not verify over $800M in Govt.

Infrastructure main culprit in overpayments payments in 2018 -St.-Public Rose’s High contractor received $53M; work abandoned The Auditor Generals report of 2018 has revealed that over $800M in payments could not be verified for that year.

According to the report which was leaked yesterday, unrepresented payment vouchers resulted in the limitation in scope of audits.

“Five hundred and eightytwo payment vouchers totaling $811.757M were not presented for audit. Five hundred and nine totaling $741.695M were in respect to the Ministry of the Presidency, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources, Guyana Defence Force and Ministry of Social Protection, while 73 valued $70.062M were in respect of

the regions,” the report disclosed.

The report was handed late last year over to the Parliament but has not been made public as there were no sittings.Included in the amounts for regions were 40 payment vouchers valued $61.151M or approximately 87% of the total value for Region 9. “As a result, it could not be ascertained whether value was received for the sums involved, and whether it has been used for the purposes intended.”

The vouchers would be critical in verifying not only what the payment was for, but also, more importantly, who received the money.

Over the years, reports

under consecutive administrations have been highlighting deviations from established procurement procedures and major breaches of accountability and transparency.

The annual report provides a summary of the audit results of the examination of the PublicAccounts statements and of the accounts of the ministries, departments and regions for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2018.According to the report, state auditors found overpayments amounting to $166.076M made in respect of measured works on 90 contracts administered by ministries, departments and regions in 2018.

NRF to collect production bonuses and profits from Oil Company The Natural Resource Fund (NRF) legislation, an Act which was established to manage the natural resource wealth of Guyana for the present and future benefit of the people will collect several forms of bonuses and profits that will be acquired from the oil company.

The fund is for the sustainable development of the country, and for connected matters.

Previously, Guyana with ExxonMobils subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and its two international partners, Hess Corporation and Chinas CNOOC/NEXEN, allowed for all of its foreign subcontractors to enjoy a range of tax exemptions.

These subcontractors are exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duties on all equipment and supplies.

Recently Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, revealed that it is predicted that the significant number of concessions granted to the oil sector will be reduced “very soon” to make way for the introduction of a system of tax credits. He was at the time addressing concerns about the authoritys Tax Exemption Unit, which was stretched thin even before the new pressures that came with monitoring oil concessions.The NRF has now accelerated all bonuses that relates to the production operations or the award of a petroleum license

would be deposited into the fund.

Any capital gains charged on companies or individuals undertaking production operations would also be placed into the fund. However, the provision does not apply to the ExxonMobils Stabroek Block Contract which allows the Oil Company and its affiliated partners to be exempted from the tax.

Due to the stabilisation clause under the rigid economic equilibrium clause, future changes in law would apply to the investor, while the host State would secure the investor for its compliance with the new legislation; however, the Exxons Stabroek Block contract will be protected from the provision when it is implemented by the authorities in the future.

Excess money from the mining and forestry sectors will go towards the NRF, the law does not make this an absolute necessity as it states that the Ministry may deposit same into an account at the US Federal Reserve Bank.

The VAT collected on inputs or outputs on production operations, customs duties collected on inputs into production operations, applicable statutory fees collected by the regulatory agencies and withholding tax on payments made to contractors by the companies or individuals undertaking production operations will not be considered as part of the petroleum revenue and will not be included in the fund.

Dem boys seh...

Is sheer cat watching milk Dis is de time when people does start to complain bout hard guava season. And dis is de time when dem criminals does look to attack people because dem and all does complain bout how January hard.

Friday night, some men and a woman go to a Chinese shop to rob it. By de time dem start to rob de shop owner and a customer, a man call out to de Chinese shop owner and was madness. One of de bandits decide dat he gon attack de man who call out to de shop owner. He would never attack anodda person.

Anodda one deh in hospital wid a bullet wound and de police guarding him. And de smartest person in de mix-up is a woman. She manage to get away. She didn’t go in no getaway car.

But wha surprise dem boys was when dem find out dat one of de bandits was a policeman. De man in de Special Branch which mean dat he is one of dem who does spy pon people.

He was de one who was driving de getaway car. Dis time de people who get rob was chasing de bandits. De police set up roadblock but de bandits was driving too fast because dem pass de Leonora Police Station. Dem get ketch at Den Amstel.

Now dem boys want to know why de criminals leffing town and going to de country to commit a crime then drive de one road to go back to town. Anyhow, when dem reach de roadblock, de policeman seh how he is a cop but de police on de outside see a man bleeding in de back seat. Dat is wha nail all of dem.Dem got bandits in Berbice who also robbing people. Some of dem rob a man last night. Dem beat de owner and tek way he money, he sister money and he saaro bai money.Dem boys don’t believe dat de police been in dis mix-up but then again nobody can’t be sure.

Talk half and don’t put cat fuh watch milk.

Amounts totalling $73.709M were in relation to the regions, of which $56.528M or approximately 77% were from Regions Two, Eight, Nine and Ten. As it relates to the ministries/departments, it was found that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was biggest culprit.

A total of $92.367M in overpayments were noted, of which amounts totalling $63.741M and $8.330M or approximately 69% and 9% were from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Minis-

try of Social Protection, respectively.At the time of reporting in September 2019, the audit report said, a total of $20.041M was recovered.

“Of this sum, $10.503M and $9.538M were in respect of ministries/departments and regions,respectively. Taking these repayments into account, overpayments totalling $146.035M remained outstanding.”As it relates to advance payments to contractors and the non-commencement of works, state auditors discovered that one contractor received an ad-

vance payment of $53M in 2018 from theMinistry of Education for the construction of St. Roses High School.

“At the time of reporting in September 2019, the site was abandoned and no construction works had commenced. Also discovered were several instances where capital works totalling $71.042M were completed and charged to current expenditure. Six such instances totalling $36.028M (approximately 51%) were under the Ministry of Education.”

Special Branch police rank reported sick ...

From page 2 communicate in their language, and at that hour, the woman won't have people over so she was telling the person, something about money, that she didn't have any…that she went to Georgetown and I realise that something was wrong.”

The man relayed that he picked up his firearm and called out to the woman, attracting the bandits' attention.

“One of the guys leaned out from the room with the gun pointed at me and I fired a shot and took cover…and they inside screaming kill duh man, kill duh man.

One of them came outside with a cutlass as I was crouching by the door and he fired a chop and I shoot (one of the bandits, who turned out to be known robber Mark Prince) and run to the back of the building.”

He explained that the other suspects ran out of the building but before following them, he circled back to ensure the woman and her husband were safe.

After exiting, the resident was told by a neighbour that the bandits had escaped in a Black Bluebird PTT 8606, which reportedly belongs to a woman who resides at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara. They had left their wounded accomplice, Mark Prince, at the scene.

The resident then entered his car and proceeded to follow the men who were later apprehended at a police roadblock in front of the Den Amstel Police Station.

“I never lose track of the car; I was always behind them and they got caught at the roadblock.”

Police identified the occupants as Police Constable Jonathan Harry, Shaquille Wilbury, of Buxton, East Coast Demerara who was in the back seat with a gunshot wound and 20-year-old Akande Ross of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara.

Wilbury is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hos-

The gun used by the men to commit the robbery pital in a stable condition.

According to reports, Harry identified himself as a police rank when he was taken to the station.

An unlicensed pistol with an empty magazine was found in the vehicle and a sum of cash and cellular phones were found on the persons of the suspects.

Mark Prince was found motionless with a gunshot wound to the neck, a cutlass in his right hand and a haversack on his back containing $130,000. He was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The dead serial robber The slain bandit, Mark Prince, also known as 'Fine Man' has had numerous runins with the law.

In 2016, the police issued a wanted bulletin for the then 36-year-old with his address give as 169 James and Curtis Streets, Albouystown. Prince was wanted in connection with a robbery under arms.

Then in 2017, Prince charged jointly with Regan Singh, for trailing a businessman from a city bank and robbing him.

The charge alleged that Prince, in the company of others, robbed Herman Bello, of $488,000, and two cellular phones.

According to information,

on the day in question, Bello after withdrawing the cash, placed it in his shoulder bag along with his two cellular phones, then exited the bank.

The man proceeded to his vehicle, which was parked on Lamaha Street.

Prince exited a vehicle, which was parked in same vicinity and demanded that the man hand over the bag with the cash while pointing a gun to his face.

The businessman, fearful for his life, handed over the bag with the cash.

Singh, who was waiting in a car drove up and Prince entered the vehicle and escaped.

Then again in 2018, Prince was among six men who were nabbed at a police roadblock on the Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara. The men, while on bail for various criminal offences, had attempted to commit an armed robbery on poultry farmer Michael Chang Yuen, 69, a Chinese national.

They were in possession of two 9MM Glock pistols, with 22 live rounds; a Beretta Pistol with 11 rounds; a. 32 Taurus Pistol with six live rounds; along with a sledgehammer, two pairs of latex gloves, and trade plates.

Police had said that the vehicle the suspects were in was stolen from its owner during an armed robbery.

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Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

REO halts signing of $573M school project awarded on Dec. 31st -after contractor complains of irregularities at NPTAB A contract awarded on the last day of 2019, for more than $500M for the construction of a secondary school on the V Essequibo Coast, has come under scrutiny.

Region Twos Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikaran, has written to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) seeking guidance, after he received a complaint from attorney-atlaw Glenn Hanoman on behalf of a contractor, Builders Hardware General Supplies and Construction.

The REOs refusal to sign after he was served a letter of complaint from Hanoman, came days after the Auditor General warned REOs and Permanent Secretaries of lastminute contract signings for 2019.

According to documents seen on December 30, Executive Director of Builders Hardware, Rakesh Samaroo, wrote the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which regulates state contracts, complaining over the tenders for the construction of Abram Zuil Secondary School, in Region Two. The contract for $573,226,990 was awarded on

December 31, last, by NPTAB to S&K Construction and Consultancy Service and General Supplies It is a Ministry of Communities project with 10 bids coming in. Builders Hardware was the lowest.

Builders Hardware said it submitted a tender on October 8, 2019 to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

He said that based on the information published via the NPTAB website and media houses, it was clear that Builders Hardware was the lowest financial bidder.

The contractor said that his company queried about the tenders and was told that the Evaluation Committee, which completed and submitted the report at the end of November 2019, had been dismissed for not recommending another contractor, S&K Construction.

Builders Hardware claimed that from indications, there were questionable actions from a senior ranking official of the NPTAB, who seemed insistent on S&K Construction being awarded.

“Another evaluation Committee was subsequently appointed to furnish an independent report and the same results were derived.

“This information was brought to my attention by my companys banking facility who would have informed me that the procuring entity was making inquiries to the bank on the basis of the authenticity of the line of credit accessible by my company of which authorization had to be given by myself.”

Builders Hardware also complained that it has since learnt of a possible conflict of interest situation where a senior official of S&K was a former Regional Engineer for the Essequibo Coast.

Persons that would have to supervise the works are former colleagues.

“This would definitely create an avenue for conflict of interest and possibly questionable standard of works should this bidder be declared eligible for this award. I have taken this action to involve the Commission in this matter at this time as I am not certain that my company would be provided with a notification of intention to award by the ministry, and opportunity to protest the award would be futile,” the letter to the PPC said.

Meanwhile, Hanoman in his letter to the NPTAB said that Builders Hardware was convinced that there were questionable actions from the board with a number of irregularities relating to the tender.

“Our client has been

informed that the primary reason his bid was rejected was that the Line of Credit of $180M submitted along with the bid did not state that it represented 30% of the bid price.

“The bid price submitted by our client was $392,099,340- as such, the banks Line of Credit clearly covers in excess of 45% of the bid amount. Moreover, none of the standard bidding documents supplied by the procurement entity in relation to this project required a statement that 30% of the bid price was to be covered.”

Rather, the lawyer pointed out, Section 15.1 of the ITB (Instructions to Bidders) states that the bid security shall be two percent of the contract price.

Hanoman told the NPTAB that his client has been informed that S&K Construction has been selected and a cheque issued before the award of the contract.“This blatantly contravenes not only public procurement law in Guyana, in general, but also sections 30.1 and 30.3 of the ITB which provides that within 14 days of the conduction selection of the successful bidder, the employer will notify both the successful bidder as well as the other bidders, in addition to publishing a notice in the Public Procurement Bulletin indicating the name and address of the successful bidder and the bid price quoted by him.

“There is no indication that this has been complied

Region 2 REO, Denis Jaikaran

with, which prevents other bidders from challenging the bid through the ordinary administrative process.”

Hanoman said that from the details, it is clear that there will be a conflict of interest situation created by the selection of S&K Construction.

“It also remains to be seen if this bidder declared this potential conflict of interest required by the ITB. We therefore wish to raise this issue with NPTAB urgently, before any contract award is made, as it appears that the entire selection process has been compromised.

“We look forward to your soonest response in order to avert the possibility of a legal challenge being initiated.”

Late last month, a few days before the year closed, the Audit Office had warned Governments accounting officers to beware of last minute spending.

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, also advised against attempts to split contracts to avoid delays in procurement process.

In the past years, the Audit Office, in its annual reports, has been finding cases of a rush in late December for regional administrations and ministries to issue contracts and spend remaining money budgeted for the year.

Under best practices, remaining money has to be sent back to the governments treasury or Consolidated Fund.According to the official, Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers must be reminded that December 31 is when all transactions have to be closed with no cheques for the year to be cut after that date.“Government operates on a cash basis and not accrual. They are supposed to be cutting no cheques after December 31.”

Sharma said that especially with elections due on March 2, there may be attempts to deviate from procurement and other financial procedures. ”In a time when we are heading towards elections, any deviations will have serious implications.”

Min. Norton distances himself from “inappropriate” MOPH claims Dr. George Norton, the Minister of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, has denied providing any comments to iNews Guyana, an online media site, in regards to Ministry of Public Healths “inappropriate” declarations, which confined the government agency to one religion.

On the Public Health Ministrys Facebook page, the Ministry shared a post they created captioned “Declarations for 2020… We make the following Declarations on the Basis on the Word of God…” The post went on to make statements such as, “We declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the health sector, and that in this year 2020, we will fear God and obey his commandments.”

The Public Health Ministry was quick to come under criticism for their post, after persons reminded that Guyana is a secular country.

This means it purports to be officially neutral in matters of

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton religion, support neither religion nor irreligion.

It was stated in the article that iNews Guyana published that, “Social Cohesion Minister Dr. George Norton has deemed a social media post by the Ministry of Public Health “inappropriate”, saying it goes against the promotion of unity.”

The online media site went on to claim that Minister Norton was at the time

unaware of the incident, however when asked it was appropriate for a government agency to identify with one religion, he responded noting that it is “certainly not…because were a secular state, there is no doubt about it.” However, when contacted by this publication, Minister Norton emphatically stated that he provided no comments on the aforementioned issue. “It is unfortunate that it is carried in other parts of the media that I said it is “inappropriate”. So sad… I never called out the Ministry of Public Health on any statement they made.”

The Minister has asked the publications to recant their publications and his alleged statements.

Meanwhile, Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and other key religious agencies have called for the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to intervene and conduct an investigation into the matter.

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

IDB says Guyana's low revenue growth rates to GDP reflect Exxon contract

By Kemol King

T

h e I n t e r A m e r i c a n Development Bank has projected that in the coming years, Guyana will experience significant growth in Government revenues. But when placed against the backdrop of the growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the revenue growth rates are low.

These low revenue growth rates to GDP, revealed the IDB in its Caribbean Region Quarterly Bulletin for the last quarter of 2019, are due to the characteristics of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess and CNOOC Nexen, for oil and gas operations on the Stabroek Block.

That contract has been described as lopsided and unfair to Guyana by multiple industry experts and commentators.

The IDB stated, “While GDP is expected to almost double in 2020, Government revenues are projected to increase by 25.9 percent compared to 18.3 percent as previously estimated by the IMF.”

Furthermore, it stated, “Over the medium term (2020–2024), average annual Government revenue growth is expected to be 17.3 percent.”

Those are high projections, but they do indeed pale in comparison to the 85.6 percent GDP growth projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year in its 2019 World Economic Outlook.

The chart attached to this article, taken from the IMF, demonstrates the IDB's point. It shows that in 2020, the steep increase in GDP is not even nearly represented by a correspondingly high increase in Government revenues.

The IDB made specific note of the cost recovery provision in the Exxon PSA. The 75 percent recovery ceiling has been described by commentators as too high.

Some countries set a lower cost recovery ceiling for their resource contracts.

On that provision, the IDB stated, “The PSA establishes that 75 percent of oil production profits are allocated to the operator for cost recovery in the initial years, while the remaining

25 percent are divided equally between Guyana and ExxonMobil.”

Guyana's take would consist of a two percent royalty and 12.5 percent more from profit sharing after a maxed out 75 percent cost recovery. That's a total of 14.5 percent of the value of the reserves for Guyana in

such a year.

Interestingly, the IMF projected in its Article IV Consultation report last year that Guyana's take amounts to about 14 percent of the

value of the Liza-1 and Liza2 reserves. The rest, inclusive of recovered costs, go to the oil companies. This projection is for 28 years, not just the first few.

Hence, it suggests that though government revenues will increase after initial recovery of costs, the increase will not be substantial.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 05, 2020

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Nalicia Ramdyal This week's feature is the undoubtedly captivating Nalicia Ramdyal. She is expected to compete in the Miss New York USA 2020 Pageant. She enjoys kickboxing, yoga and listening to music. Ramdyal hopes to own her own firm one day where she will be able to educate children, teens, parents, and schools on the issue of bullying.

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday January 05, 2020

Versatile and long-serving Stage Manager,

Ansford Patrick

By Sharmain Grainger

W

hile there are some among us who have clearly mapped out lives from the day they are born, there are others who must crisscross sometimes unconventional paths, in order to find what has been destined for them. It isn't always an easy task, but for some, it is very fulfilling when they would've put in the hard work and are able to say much like Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way”.

Ansford Patrick can certainly say he did it his w a y, a f t e r y e a r s o f unprecedented efforts laced with challenges and triumphs to get to the point of true fulfillment.

But what has he achieved?

Today, Patrick proudly holds the position of Stage Manager of the National Cultural Centre, but he is so much more. Not merely is he a dedicated father, husband, brother, uncle, friend and confidante to many, but along the journey of life, he learnt some skills that have positioned him to be especially versatile and worthy to be named our first 'Special Person' of 2020.

FORMATIVE YEARS On Tuesday January 9th, 1968, a couple, Victor Sutherland and Shirley Patrick [now both deceased 1992 and 2013 respectively], welcomed a son into the world who they named Ansford Moses Patrick. He would turn out to be smacked in the middle of the nine children they procreated together.

Patrick recalled spending his early days in the mining town of Linden. His parents had originally hailed from Uitvlugt on the West Coast of Demerara, and travelled to Linden in hopes of making a life for themselves there. But his parents' union would not last, which saw Patrick, at the age of nine and in the company of eight siblings, relocating to Stewartville on the West Coast of Demerara, in 1977, to start over, with their mother as the sole breadwinner.

He has some vivid memories of those days. “I remember going to the [Uitvlugt] Estate, my mother used to work there…she used to help plant sweet potato and this peas they used to call 'black dhal' and

is a 'Special Person' stuff like that, and she used to work at the [Estate] canteen making things to sell.” Since his mother was a single parent, Patrick recalled that his older siblings would take care of the younger ones.

Reflecting on his schooling days, Patrick spoke of starting out at Mackenzie Primary before

other male figures in his life, this time two maternal uncles, whom he recalled, were extremely good welders. “I decided I wanted to do welding…my two uncles, they used to get calls to go and work overseas. I remember they got calls to even go to the US to do some work on the Brooklyn

“

Today I live and dream designing sets for theatrical work…people can just come with an idea in their head; they don't even have to know the measurement, they just have to tell me what they are thinking, and I am able to sketch it out and show them exactly what they want. And I build just what they are thinking about.

the move to Stewartville, where he got enrolled at Uitvlugt Primary and later got a place at the Uitvlugt Community High School.

Back then, he had a passion for sports – cricket, but mostly football. But an injury during a football game relegated him to a mere spectator.

Even as a young boy, he had a career plan mapped out in his head. He wanted to work, like his father, at the Bauxite Company in Linden.

“When we were in Linden, I used to go to the Bauxite Company to take food for my father; he used to work in the 'Rushing and Crushing' Section and he was a cobbler too,” Patrick recalled. But the move from Linden foiled the possibility of him following in his father's footsteps.

Patrick started to look at

”

Bridge,” Patrick recounted.

When he graduated from school in 1983, Patrick was still caressing the idea of being like his uncles.

Moreover, he was allowed to commence technical training at the Guyana Industrial Training Centre. But as fate would have it, training to become a welder was not the destined path for Patrick.

This was in light of the fact that he was required to take a medical ahead of training, which revealed that he was unfit for a welding career.

“When I did a medical, they found that my right eye is bad, they said I have a lazy eye. To this day, it is bad; the right eye is pulling a lot on the left…I had a few eye surgeries; I had the first one in 1985. I even had like a cyst growing in it…I had to start wearing glasses, but I couldn't do welding even

with that,” he divulged.

EMBRACING DESTINY But this did not obstruct Patrick's focus. Instead, he diverted his attention to another career path. This time around, it was carpentry and joinery, and in this area he became very versed. “I love it,” said Patrick, of the skills he was able to hone in this regard. “This is how I was able to really make my livelihood actually,” he confessed.

During his preparation for the world of carpentry and joinery, Patrick said that he was exposed to a great deal of practical work that had to be completed with precision. Among those he recalls are repairing the fence at the Carnegie School of Home Economics; helping to restore the Lodge Nursery School, which was

Ansford Patrick condemned at the time; the Enterprise School too, which was in need of repairs, and quite a few other educational institutions.

“I even helped to build furniture for President's College when it was opening in 1985. It was done through a collaboration between GTI [Government Technical Institute] and GITC. We even did work at the home of a Minister of Education,” Patrick remembered.

He would later come to

embrace the fact that the carpentry and joinery skills he was able to develop, were in fact in preparation for yet another job. Yes, he was able to construct several homes and many projects independently, through a company he established called Ansford Patrick and Sons Construction Firm Plus, but he had no idea that he could have utilised these skills in an even more artistic way at the National Cultural (continued on page 47)

A house being constructed

by Ansford Patrick

Some more of Patrick's creations

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ARE BIRDS OF DIFFERENT FEATHERS

E

very party in Guyana has a plan. It is called making promises. But no sooner is the ink dry on the results of the elections, the victors discover how difficult it is to implement plans without the talent to do so. Guyana's problem is not the lack of plans; it is the lack of implementation skills.

This deficiency can be sourced to a lack of talent. In other words, we have the wrong people in the right jobs The voting masses are easily deceived. They look to those with standing in society – those who have made a name for themselves in various fields in private life – and they assume that these persons can easily transfer their skillsets into public administration.

Unfortunately, the reality is different. Many an expert in one field has ended up being a palpable failure in public administration.

There is also another uncomfortable truth. Many

who have worked only in public administration for ages are not necessarily good at what they do. They know the systems, but this does not necessarily make them good administrators.

Government has become a business. Governments should be run like businesses - to make money and to delivery services efficiently.

Public administrators need business skills. They need to run government ministries and departments like they would run their own businesses – without wastage and with efficiency of effort.

Unfortunately, many of those who are placed as ministers and permanent secretaries and senior bureaucrats rarely possess administrative skills. We have some persons running government departments and ministries who have never run a cake shop.

Some of them have not built anything apart from their own homes. And yet they are being handed

responsibility for making decisions and implementing programmes which will affect the lives of thousands of citizens. Not because someone puts on a suit or drives around in a fancy car or has some high certificate makes that person suited for being responsible for the lives of thousands of citizens.

There is a simple test of suitability which is still applied in many places outside of Guyana.

Applicants for jobs are not asked so much about their qualifications as they are about what they have achieved. When someone is being considered for a top job within the government, the main criterion should be about what they bring to the job. They should be asked what they have achieved – don't show me your certificates; show me your track-record and what you have achieved.

This should be the primary consideration in determining the suitability of

persons for jobs. There are many persons out there who have a lot of certificates, but cannot write a proper report.

They can speak well, but write poorly. Others cannot speak well at all, but they get the job done. If you want a report writer do not ask someone to speak. Put them to sit down and ask them to write a report.

Years ago when someone came for a job in a typing pool; they were given a test.

They were put to type a document. They could come with a whole heap of qualifications and good references, but unless they could type at a minimum of 100 words a minute they had little chance of getting a job.

The party card changed all of that. People began to be placed in positions not on the basis of their ability or achievements but on

grounds of affiliation – political affiliation. And this is what has destroyed and continues to destroy public administration.

So when the politicians come to you with their nicesounding plans, ask them one question. Ask them where they will find the talent to implement those plans.

There are a lot of penpushers within the

government who simply do not have the ability needed for the job. And yet people are surprised at the state of the country.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Sunday January 05, 2020

Contest for OAS Secretary-General:

The Caribbean's interest

By Sir Ronald Sanders

T

he contest for the post of SecretaryGeneral of the Organization of American States (OAS) is now well and truly joined.

The election for the post will be held on March 20, and there are three contestants whose nominations were submitted

by December 15, 2019 – the date set by the Permanent Council of the Organization.

The rules allow for nomination of a candidate up to the day of the election, although this is unlikely.

No one would take seriously a candidate who has not presented a vision for the Organisation or taken the trouble to solicit the support of its 33 legitimate members

states, plus the representative of Venezuela's Juan Guaido.

The contestants are: the incumbent Luis Almagro whose current term ends in March; Hugo de Zela, the present Ambassador of Peru to the United States of America (US); and, the only female, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, most recently the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Two Caribbean countries – Antigua and Barbuda and S t Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines - nominated Espinosa who is an Ecuadorian; Colombia submitted the Uruguayan Luis Almagro; and Peru proposed de Zela. Apart from de Zela, nominations of the candidates depart from

the norm.

Usually candidates are put forward by their own governments.

The fact that tradition was not followed for this election demonstrates the state of disorder in the OAS – a condition that has become acute over the last four years. Two things have driven the disruption of the systemic functioning of the Organisation.

The first is a movement from consensus building on decisions to imposition by powerful governments of their will through a process of coercion or influence peddling. The other is Luis Almagro's arrogation to himself of the authority to use the OAS as a platform for pronouncements that are reflective only of his

narrowly held positions and not of the OAS membership as a collective body.

I n o r d i n a r y circumstances, Mr. Almagro would be re-elected as Secretary-General with little dissension. Let there be no doubt of his intellectual capacity and his knowledge of Latin America.

Had he taken the time and trouble to appreciate the challenges faced by Caribbean countries and their priorities, he could have become a champion of the smaller countries that comprise almost half of the OAS' membership.

Indeed, as the Ambassador, who apart from the Ambassador of P a r a g u a y, h a s s e r v e d longest with Mr. Almagro as Secretary-General, I urged him to be more conscious of Caribbean concerns.

In February 2015, when he was seeking election, Mr. Almagro sta t e d categorically that On the issue of development, if elected as Secretary General, he would propose three initiatives in the area of development: first, a contingency fund for natural disasters with particular emphasis on Central America and the Caribbean; second, an Interconnectivity Fund for the Caribbean “which can overcome structural weaknesse s , either in terms of logistics and information and communications technology, and increase the employment potential for youth;” and third, an Inter-American initiative on climate change “that can reach a consensus on the position of the Hemisphere ahead of Paris 2015.”

Apart from a paltry fund to provide a token sum after disasters, none of this happened.

By several missteps, Mr. Almagro managed to alienate himself from the expectations that many Caribbean leaders – all of whom supported his 2015 election – had of him.

It is not only amongst Caribbean countries that Mr. Almagro's controversial posture raised concerns.

This is obvious in the fact that Peru – one of the architects of the Lima Group, an unofficial grouping of countries in the

OAS – decided to field Mr. de Zela against him.

The Peruvian has long experience as an official in the OAS. Indeed, it is true to say that he is part of an OAS culture that many member states firmly believe requires reform to make it fit for new hemispheric challenges and to deliver on them.

Apart from the various positions he has held in the OAS, he has admirable but exclusive experience in Latin America which has restricted broader contacts internationally that might have enhanced his appeal.

S i n c e m u c h o f M r.

Almagro's support comes from the same Lima Group of which Mr. de Zela is the present coordinator, the two are contending in identical space.

Regarding Maria Fernanda Espinosa, CARICOM governments could not identify a suitably qualified CARICOM national willing to enter a competition that was not fully and openly backed by all of them.

Maria Fernanda had impressed many Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers during her stewardship of the last UN General Assembly.

She showed qualities of consensus building and inclusion that the OAS now desperately needs in its Secretary-General.

Contrary to the propaganda directed at her candidacy by supporters of her contenders, she was not nominated because of the “influence of Cuba and Venezuela”.

As the representative of one of the governments that nominated her, I can state beyond fear of contradiction that no member of the government of Antigua and Barbuda consulted with any government other than CARICOM ones on proposing her. Indeed, it is her “ideo l o g i c a l - f r e e ” conduct of the UNGA as President that attracted her to a Caribbean that is driven in free and democratic societies by pragmatism and practicality.

What Caribbean governments want is what Mr. Almagro pledged in May 2015 at his inauguration as Secretary-General.

“We are also living in a

Sir Ronald Sanders world of uncertainty in which power is expressed in the most diverse and increasingly less conventional ways, in which we must advance a positive agenda to help the OAS rise to the occasion and prevent the Hemisphere from relapsing into Cold War practices, which we must avoid by every means.

To do so, we have to shore up the negotiation, mediation, and consensusbuilding skills of this OAS, which brings together all countries of the Hemisphere”.

That unfulfilled pledge remains the Caribbean's greatest ambition for the OAS. Ms. Espinosa has served as Minister in several areas: Foreign Affairs, Defence, Cultural and Natural Heritage.

She understands the demands on government and the importance of building bridges in international relations. Her experience as Ambassador to several UN institutions and her engagement with regional governments in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Arab States, places her in a good position to try to unlock new resources for the OAS for sustainable development issues, particularly climate change and financing.

The Caribbean has a stake in which of these three candidates leads the Secretariat of the most influential Organisation in our Hemisphere. That is why the region has decided to play an active role in the outcome.

(The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of To r o n t o .

The views expressed are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Time and Place

T

his is my first col umn of the year. I deliberately choose to do it on a subject not directly related to the current election campaign for reasons I would explain in a subsequent column.

In a few days the world will stop to remember the life of the once little-known preacher turned Freedom Fighter, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After much struggle, the USA agreed to set aside the third Monday in January to honour this superlative human being.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day that has emotional overtones for African Americans and Blacks throughout the world, for Dr. King represents the best of Blackness and its various gifts to human civilization.

But his memory is also a reminder of the vulnerability of Black lives and lived realities.

Almost 50 years after King’s assassination, African American young males were in 2015 nine times more likely to be killed by police than their white counterparts and the net worth of White families are eight times that of African American families.

Although African Americans are 12% of the population, they comprise 60% of the prison population. Professor

Michelle Alexander has dubbed the Prison Industrial Complex, the “New Jim Crow.”

She is referring to the manner in which imprisonment serves to politically and economically disenfranchise African Americans.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. By the time he was born, America was in the middle of the era of Segregation; a system that was crafted to ensure that the end of slavery did not mean freedom for the formerly enslaved population.

The 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the American constitution were meant to write African Americans into the constitution as equal citizens, but these were overridden by State laws, popularly known as Jim Crow laws, which in effect nullified the amendments.

The Supreme Court, the final arbiter of the constitution, would in 1896 rule in the famous Plessy vs Ferguson case that African Americans had no social equality before the law; that they were in effect not equal citizens.

This ruling would be the law of the land for the next six decades.

African Americans, therefore, had to engage in a new struggle to turn back this de-

nial—a struggle that came to be known as the Civil Rights Movement. Starting with the birth of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), African Americans organized themselves on several fronts—political, economic, and cultural– to free themselves from what came to be known as “slavery by another name.”

Lynching of African Americans were as commonplace as the denial of basic services afforded to whites— separate and unequal existence.

By 1929, the Garveyite Movement led by Marcus Garvey and the Harlem Renaissance, pioneered by Black cultural activists and workers had captured the spirt of African American resistance.

The Black Track and Field athlete, Jessie Owens, like the boxer Jack Johnson before him, and Jackie Robinson after, would transform the sporting arena into spaces for struggle against racism.

The NAACP would keep testing the courts. Black labour organizations took up the cause of the exploitation of Black labour.

It is into that world that Martin Luther King Jr. was born, and in which he spent

The Baccoo Speaks It always happens. The holiday season comes and people go about their merry business while the police look over them.

This makes life difficult for the criminals.

And so it is that they get desperate early in the New Year. Just as I said, there have been the botched robberies and the shooting.

More of this will happen in the coming days.

** The madness that brought the fires is over but

the carelessness returns.

There will be yet another fire at a home that is shared by many people.

The anguish will be hard to witness. ** Politics always causes unease in the society. Two friends would get into a silly argument that would eventually reach the courts.

One of them would injure the other.

his childhood and early adulthood. His father was a preacher at a time when the Black preacher was invariably a Black Radical in the cause of Civil Rights.

King studied theology and philosophy and returned to the South as a preacher. He would have been aware of the lynching of young Emmet Till in 1954 for allegedly being fresh to a white woman. He would have also noted the groundbreaking ruling of the Supreme Court in the 1954 Brown vs Board of Education case that effectively overturned the Plessy decision, ending legal segregation.

Destiny took him to Montgomery, Alabama, where he began ministering to the flock.

Then history unfolded; a littleknown seamstress refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott ensued, and Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as the leader. The boycott opened a floodgate that released boundless resistance which pounded the walls of Segregation. For the next thirteen years Dr. King, the reluctant leader, would emerge as the most famous leader of his generation.

His Civil Rights Revolution was guided by Non-Violence and Civil Disobedience.

His was an unselfish sacrifice for the cause of freedom. He was almost knifed to death and he was thrown in jail many times.

He spoke truth to power and walked the journey to the mountaintop. He was committed to non-violence, but he was not a coward—he never flinched in the face of sustained violence.

His 1963 rhetoric at the March on Washington would become an anthem for many; he moved history on that day.

But above all, he gave hope to African Americans and other downtrodden people the world over.

The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were crowning achievements that finally brought African Americans full legal equality. He and his flock had overthrown the Mighty; they had finally overcome legal segregation.

The last three years of Dr. King’s life saw his evolution from the pragmatic Civil Rights leader to the consummate advocate of Black Empowerment in all dimensions.

He confronted racism and

Dr David Hinds class bigotry and called out American Imperialism.

His last effort was The Poor People’s Campaign aimed at addressing the scourge of poverty in the midst of wealth. And inevitably they killed him in April 1968. American cities burned in retaliation, but the deed was done—the Prince of Peace and non-violence was gunned down in the most violent manner.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his w e b s i t e www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news.

Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 05, 2020

Two burnt bodies, one missing husband

By Michael Jordan At around nine o’clock on the evening of Tuesday, July 18, 2006, John Elquemedo Hernandez took his new girlfriend, Fayon Williams, to meet his parents at their Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara home. Four hours later, John and Fayon were both dead. How it happened, no one knows for sure…except, maybe, one man. The only problem is that he’s vanished.

Michael Dey has not been seen since his estranged wife, Fayon Williams, a 22-year-old computer technician, and her lover, 30-year-old driver John Hernandez, perished under quite sinister circumstances.

It was at around 01.30 hours on Wednesday, July 19, 2006, that an explosion awoke residents living near to Nursery School Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

On looking outside, they saw that the two-storey, Lot 33 Nursery Road house in which Hernandez and Williams lived was on fire.

Terrence St. John, a cousin of Fayon Williams, lived next door, and was one of the first on the scene. He tried to kick the front door open, but it was firmly bolted from the inside.

St. John and his brother ran to the back door. They found it unbolted. Using a bucket, St. John tried to douse the flames, but the fire spread quickly, and the smoke and intense heat drove him back.

Other neighbours and firefighters soon joined them, but by then the fire had gut-

The burnt building in which the charred bodies were found.

Fayon Williams

John Elquemedo Hernandez

Wanted: Michael Lloyd Dey

ted the building.

When the smoke finally cleared, the firefighters found two charred and unrecognizable corpses in the lower flat.

The bodies had apparently fallen through the burnt top floor.

What puzzled detectives was the fact that the occu-

pants had apparently made no attempt to flee the burning building, and that no one had heard them scream.

Had someone killed them and then set the house ablaze?

An autopsy on the shrunken and burnt remains only revealed that John Hernandez and Fayon Will-

iams had died of smoke inhalation. Nevertheless, investigators suspected that someone had set the house alight while the lovers slept. But who could that someone be?

‘STRANGE BEHAVIOUR’ One person who came under suspicion was Fayon Williams’ estranged husband, Michael Lloyd Dey. He was a 29-year-old taxi driver and Cheddi Jagan International Airport employee.

Dey and Williams had married on April 1, 2005. But by May 2006, they had separated.

Relatives of the young woman alleged that her husband had become physically abusive. There were reports that Dey had threatened his wife and Hernandez.

Williams had reportedly changed the locks of her home shortly after Dey moved out.

According to news reports at

the time, Williams’ mother, who was living overseas, claimed that her daughter had repeatedly expressed concern about her husband’s ‘strange’ behaviour. She said that during a telephone conversation, her daughter had attempted to reveal something about her husband, but never got the chance to do so.

Detectives immediately tried to track down Michael Dey, but he had not turned up at work at the airport; neither was he at home. But police received reports that Dey had crashed his vehicle shortly before his estranged wife and lover were found dead.

It is alleged that a friend was with him, and the friend was treated for injuries.

Shortly after, police issued a wanted bulletin for Michael Lloyd Dey. The bulletin stated that he was wanted for questioning in connection with “the unnatural deaths” of Fayon Williams and John Hernandez. They have failed to find him.

ALL TOO AWARE The parents of John Hernandez and Fayon Williams have indelible marks etched in their minds ”We think of him all the time,” Lorna Hernandez said. She recalled that they would know when their son had come home by the screeching of the front gate. “Now, when it screeches, we still expect him to be coming in.

John Hernandez is survived by two sons, including one who his mother says “is the splitting image of him.”

She ponders on the last time she saw her son alive. That was when he had come to the family’s Bagotstown house, some four hours before his death, and introduced his new girlfriend to them.

When she last spoke to me, Orlene Barker-Williams

said she still cannot accept that her only daughter, Fayon, is dead. What makes it harder to accept is the fact that there was practically nothing left of their daughter after the fire.

“We didn’t see a body.

We put her picture on the casket. That is all we could have done.”

Her husband, Lyndon Williams, recalled that he had raised Fayon, his step-daughter, from the age of nine months.

“I am very angry. It bothers us. It hurts.”

Like his wife, and like the parents of John Hernandez, he wants one key question answered: Where is Michael Dey? “Why would he run if he is not guilty?

Why wouldn’t he turn himself in, even if you come in with a lawyer? You are innocent until you are proven guilty. Come in and prove your innocence.”

When I contacted a sister of Dey’s by phone, she said her sibling had not contacted the family since his disappearance. She insisted that her ‘big brother’ is innocent and opted to go on the run because he feared that “all the blame would go on him.”

What would she do if her brother contacted her?

“I would tell him to come in and sort out this matter; let everybody know what the truth is once and for all.”

If you have further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office or by telephone. We can be reached on telephone numbers 2258465, 225-8491 or 2258458. You need not disclose your identity.

You can also contact Michael Jordan at 645-2447 or at his email address kamarangnight@gmail.com.

Sunday January 05, 2020

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==

Mike McCormack vs. the Alphonso Empire: I’m on Mike’s side I was born in an era where the prevailing zeitgeist was to philosophically question everything handed down to my generation. It was a period referred to as the counterculture.

That age became to be associated with the hippies, ubiquitous student uprisings, the visage of Che Guevara, the radicalism of French philosophy, the assertion that Black is Beautiful, the struggle for Independence by Third World countries and the rejection of capitalism.

By the time the world reached the mid-eighties, the hippies vanished to be replaced by the yuppies. The latter was the face of capitalism. In the eighties, socialist economics, socialist politics, socialist revolution were dead and buried.

Capitalism ruled the world. Today, the best term to describe the global system is runaway capitalism or relentless neo-liberalism.

But today’s zeitgeist of unbridled capitalism is being questioned in the heartland of runaway capitalism – the United States. Some of the names poised to defeat President Trump from the Democratic Party are all avowed leftist liberals whose intentions are to regulate American runaway capitalism. Unfortunately, one of the most decent efforts to regulate cruel neoliberalism failed in the UK, when Jeremy Corbyn was defeated in the recent elections.

There are two opposing spectrums whose inherent flaws are highly visible for those who choose not to hide their heads in the sand.

There is Cuba whose socalled socialist society has exposed all the flaws inherent in such a system. And the morbid inequalities of American runaway capitalism that are so frightening that they threaten the very fabric of America.

Since the end of the Second World War, efforts have been made by government and scholars to find an efficacious pathway between the stagnation of socialism and the cruelties of capitalism. India after Independence, under Nehru, experimented with such a pathway, but to date only the Scandinavian states seem to enjoy some success in that area. Germany is a place to watch in this regard.

There is nothing wrong with a super-wealthy entrepreneur who owns mansions, private yachts and jets. But the philosophical objective of society is to share its wealth.

While the billionaire must be allowed to accumulate wealth, the state needs to do the same and distribute it to allow comfortable living for the lower income earners.

This is where the American dream faulted and is now dead.

Guyana became caught in the vortex of unruly capitalism of the eighties when President Hoyte submitted to a

neo-liberal agenda of the IMF. The cruelties of such a system were more pronounced under President Jagdeo, and have continued under President Granger.

Mike McCormack of the Guyana Human Rights Commission (GHRA) has a letter published in all the dailies last Friday, in which he confronts capitalist oligarchy in Guyana through a rejection of the rhetoric of one of the Caribbean’s wealthiest families – the Alfro Alphonso Empire.

I have had my criticism of Mc Cormack because of the dormancy of the GHRA, but his letter is excellent, courageous and inspiring. It reminds me of the Mc Cormack I knew and associated with in the age of Walter Rodney in the seventies.

The newspapers carried the same title – “The GGDMA’s power-drunk election strategy” in which Mc Cormack replies to the son of Alfro Alphonso, Andron, who advocates that gold miners have the power in their hands to determine the outcome of the March 2020 general elections.

If there wasn’t this reply

by McCormack, you would think that Andron Alphonso is a small miner advocating for the rights of such a stratum.

On the contrary, the Alphonso Empire is stupendously wealthy and holds extensive mining rights.

McCormack describes the pittance ordinary Guyanese

have received from an industry that earned $1.5 trillion (not billion but trillion) between 1980 and 2019.

Let’s quote a part of his letter that all Guyanese need to reflect on: “The policies the GGDMA are committed to protecting are neither capitalist nor socialist economics, but more akin to looting. On the one hand, there is a constant clamour for subsidies and privileges from the government to insulate this privileged group from the real costs of extraction, and on the other, they denounce reasonable regulation of the industry that protect the as-

sets of those same citizens, all the while engaging in widespread tax avoidance.”

McCormack let us know that the younger Alphonso has “maintained silence over the fact that the environmental ‘desolation’ generated by his industry puts him at odds with the majority of the generation he hopes to recruit.”

An election is around the corner. I would urge the hundreds of thousands of young Guyanese to read McCormack’s letter and to act on it. Your rejection of incredible domination by the wealthy class in Guyana can save it.

Frederick Kissoon (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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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 05, 2020

Governmental trickery ended May 2015 No matter how often they say it doesn’t make it so.

Guyanese people are more open-minded since they learnt that the days of being punished for speaking their mind are over. Done!

The coalition Government has proven that it is a true Government of the people, working for the people wherever they are, whatever their political leanings. We are about building up what the PPP spent 20 years breaking

down. Now, because they have little or nothing to accuse the Government of, they resort tossing the very same accusations at this Government that they are still paying for. The only difference is they committed the devious acts.

That party was known all over the world for trickery, dishonesty and bullyism while they were the government. It took many citizens a few years to get used to the

fact that this Coalition Government does not work that way. For us, new infrastructure goes where it is needed – Leguan, Canal, Issano, Bartica or Apoteri. Access to the Internet has no borders or space to discriminate. The United Nations said that it is a Human Right and no citizen should be denied access.

Guyana used to sit at the top of the education ladder in the Caribbean before 1994. If you (the electorate) vote the

Coalition back into the Government this March, we will put Guyana right back there.

Education makes a nation, and with the right kind of assistance for families, all of our children would be able to go to school every day on full bellies without having to walk for 9 miles.

Our Health facilities had also taken a battering, and getting it back to a position of delivering better than acceptable services has taken a wealth of resources, training, restructuring of nursing schools’ curricula, modern hospital administration, new equipment and technologists, new laboratories and changed attitudes to serving the public. There is still a long road to travel.

Recently, a letter writer accused the Coalition government of ‘trickery and gross incompetence’ because he felt that we didn’t meet the 3-year deadline to fully digitise the nation as promised in the 2015 Manifesto.

The Coalition Government did give its commitment to build the framework for a nationwide broadband network, which has begun but is not complete.

The digitisation of Guyana remains on a fast track despite the hurdles and delays that are thrown up along the way.

It shall remain a work in progress since technology continues to advance every day.

The Government is expanding the fibre optic and LTE networks inland, beyond the coastland where we found it in 2015. We have already installed up-to-date equipment in schools, communities, health centres, libraries, and meeting halls in remote areas. We continue to

keep that promise to give every citizen free and easy access to information and education. It allows students to upload text books online; and gives entrepreneurs access to overseas markets.

The writer also accused the government of failing the nation’s youths, among other baseless statements. From our perspective, working with youths is the most rewarding part of all of their interventions all over Guyana. The primary objective is to create a nation of computer literate people capable of functioning in any industry they choose.

One wonders, does this letter writer truly want to accuse the Coalition of disrespect for the people of Guyana?

Is his memory so selective that he doesn’t mind distorting the truth?

The high degree of crassness that the PPP Government was guilty of when it came to educating the Guyanese workforce was the ultimate disrespect of an entire nation!

People need information and they crave access to it.

The PPP’s attempts to prevent their supporters from utilising the Community ICT hubs that the Coalition put in places like the Corentyne and Essequibo Islands did affect those residents.

Party minions have hidden keys; they manipulated certain circumstances that led to disconnection of power to the ICT hubs, but those setbacks have been overcome and people are once again enjoying their ICT hubs.

And, the doctors in Orealla and Lethem are very pleased that they can now face-time with doctors in Holland, Canada, at the GPHC or the Linden Hospital Complex

to assist with difficult diagnoses.

They no longer have to travel to the city with biosamples. The new hi-tech equipment they have, and their Internet connections have been helping them and their patients.

While Guyana is not yet equipped with strong 4G quality connectivity throughout the country, we are not far behind that goal. Negotiations are going on with investors and stakeholders on a number of issues.

This Government has made a commitment to make all of Guyana Internet-ready, and we are succeeding, climbing over a few hurdles, but the goal never changes.

This Coalition has no history of “trickery and gross incompetence”. No, that label belongs to the PPP. This Government has had no time to scheme, wheel and deal with the people’s finances and resources. We have been too busy fixing the unbelievable mess the PPP left in 2015, before we could move ahead with nation building.

Yes, Guyana was indeed branded the most corrupt nation in the Caribbean, but that began in 2006. Today, after only 4 years of good, honest, people-centered management

by APNU+AFC, Guyana has literally pulled itself up the Transparency International corruption index (as well as other global ratings). Now the country’s international reputation is heading towards our potential – a paradise with no drugs-funded parallel economy.

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

Sunday January 05, 2020

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

My column

The political changes have been many There are always changes in the political landscape.

There was a time when only property owners could vote.

But even before that, women had no say in the political matters of the country.

In 1953, Guyana held its first election under universal adult suffrage that afforded every citizen the right to vote.

And people voted as if their lives depended on it. They elected their rulers for the first time and they were ecstatic about it.

However, their joy was short-lived. Their elected parliamentarians were removed from office.

The next change in the political landscape came in 1964. For the first time the system of Proportional Representation was introduced. It endures to this day, one of the few countries in the world in which it operates.

Guyana saw its first coalition government. That was another innovation in the local political landscape. However the innovations were not over.

In 1992, Dr Cheddi Jagan, outside the pale, introduced the concept of a Prime Ministerial candidate. There is nothing that states that a political party must enter the elections with both a Presidential and a Prime Ministerial candidate, but this innovation has firmly taken hold.

Ever since, people keep asking about a Prime Ministerial candidate. Even the nascent political parties, from their inception, talk about a running mate. In fact, the wider society expects every contesting party to name a Prime Ministerial candidate.

The coalition government actually made this an issue, when at the conference of the Alliance For Change, the party leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, announced that he was going to be the prime ministerial candidate, replacing the incumbent, Moses Nagamootoo.

Then came the Herdmanston Accord in which the Alliance For Change stated that it was sticking to the initial accord that guaranteed the party the prime ministerial spot.

This adoption of the American system that sees the president anointing his Vice President before the election seems to be firmly rooted in Guyana. And it is a big thing.

The opposition People’s Progressive Party made it a big thing. At a press conference Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo announced that he would name his prime ministerial candidate “shortly.’ There were three in the running.

And clear to everyone is the fact that the major parties are cognizant of the racial composition of the country.

The PPP, perceived as an Indo-Guyanese party, has always gone for an AfroGuyanese Prime Ministerial candidate.

By accident, one such candidate was elevated to the presidency, twice, but was not allowed to serve out the term.

The coalition has so far only gone for an IndoGuyanese as a prime ministerial candidate.

But it was Brigadier Mark Phillips who was in the spotlight long before the PPP

opted to name him. His name came up although there were other runners, one of them being Juan Edghill. The news came the Phillips had been selected and a day later, Edghill announced that he was withdrawing from the race.

Phillips’s appointment is an interesting turnaround by Jagdeo. He was not happy that Rear Admiral Gary Best had gone to the coalition. He did not think that Best, just out of the army, had done the appropriate thing. But then there is Brigadier Phillips. The same argument should have stood. Instead, it has gone through the window.

Now the horses are off.

Nomination Day is a week away. There was the announcement that there would be seventeen parties entering the contest. I doubt that many of them would present themselves because of the requirements.

Each must signal its ability to contest in four administrative regions; each list must be accompanied by a large number of signatures. I am not sure that these small parties have been able to woo a large number of people, coming as they did just before the elections.

The launch of the respective campaigns is always a colourful affair. The coalition launched its campaign on Friday; the opposition would do so tonight. Friday night saw a sea of green; tonight would feature a sea of red.

I do not expect the elections to feature much on issues, except for the charges of corruption and squandermania. Crime is also

going to be a talking point.

Some claim that there is unprecedented crime at this time, although that is not supported by fact. There are many more arrests and even apprehensions during a criminal activity.

On Friday night there was the report that at least four criminals attempted a robbery.

One of them was described as an undercover policeman, something I doubt very much, since the police not only released his photograph, but also showed him in handcuffs.

Sadly, Guyana is an ethnically divisive country that masks the division away from the periods between elections. People go about their business, merging seamlessly into the fabric of the nation and giving support to the

motto of one people with one nation. I can only assume that the motto is but aside until the elections are over.

There is also the issue of campaign funding. The major parties have deep pockets; the smaller parties cannot make the same statement.

One issue that has me very confused is the size of the voters’ list. There are more than 600,000 potential voters on that list. If it is accurate, then the population of this country is more than a million.

The last census that counted every person in the country, including the Brazilian miners and the Venezuelans who are not entitled to vote, placed the population at some 749,000.

I did ask about the large voters’ list and I was told that

Adam Harris no names could be extracted because of the ruling by the Chief Justice. If that list is used for the elections, then I am certain that the percentage in terms of voter turnout would be shockingly low.

(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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Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

We are better together!

H

appy 2020 to all Guyanese. On March 2, general and regional elections will be held in Guyana. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) will be contesting these elections once again as a coalition.

The seven political parties that make up our coalition have come together with a single vision and a common mission.

We are committed to give full meaning to our national Constitution by creating an inclusionary democracy.

The Constitution of the Cooperative of Guyana, enjoins: ‘The principal objec-

tive of the state is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the state’ As we start this new year, A Partnership for National Unity renews it resolve to continue its work to achieve national unity in Guyana.

APNU firmly believes that a Government of National Unity is the first step in realizing the vision of an inclusive, just and equitable society. The economic, social and psychological benefits will be numerous. Such a government will enable the Guyanese society

to attain its full potential. It will unleash the creative drive of all of our peoples and release the energies of investors (local and foreign), workers and farmers.

APNU has never ceased to pursue the ideal of national unity.

We have avoided the adoption of superficial solutions which do not involve the masses of our people and which do not resolve the deep-seated prejudices which impede national unity.

The Partnership is guided by the sage warning that an understanding or compromise between leaders is no guarantee of unity amongst the rank and file unless there

is a serious and honest attempt to spread the message of unity further down. Each group, almost as a condition of support, will look at its leaders to further its own narrow cause, no matter how unreasonable it may be in the context of the national cause and interest.

APNU recognizes that the political, economic, and social situation in Guyana has changed over the years, but the need for national unity still persists.

Our multi-party partnership and coalition with the AFC (we believe) allows us the best means of achieving national unity. This is the grand mission of A Partnership for National Unity.

APNU is cognizant of the historical damage that racial hatred and political prejudice has wrought. APNU respects the rights of every ethnic, re-

ligious and social group.

APNU will not relent in its endeavour to remove all impediments to national unity.

The psychological benefits of national unity are such that social tension is minimized and social cohesion is maximized.

Enhanced inter-communal harmony, improved morale and an increase in general social and political stability can translate into important economic benefit for all Guyanese.

In 2015 President Granger established a Ministry of Social Cohesion charged with combating exclusion and marginalization, creating a sense of belonging and promoting upward mobility.

National Unity is an imperative in Guyana’s current political, social and economic circumstances.

In a plural society like

ours, there is a clear choice between the uplifting benefits of cooperation and the downside of destructive political competition.

The time has come for all Guyanese to make the right choice; the choice to see realized the dream of national unity, under the banner of APNU+AFC APNU+AFC is committed to ending the ‘winner-takeall’ politics and building inclusive, responsive and accountable governance. Unlike the PPP, we are aware that the tide of political ideas in Guyana has turned. A Partnership for National Unity has brought a new politics into being. We have at the core of our commitment – a new covenant-between the citizens and the government. We believe passionately that all Guyanese are entitled to the benefits of a ‘good life’ in the country of their birth.

APNU therefore restates our resolve to work along with any agencies, organisations, persons and political parties in order to achieve the ideal of forging unity among the people of Guyana. We are better together!

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

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Persistent coughing: How can you know if it is serious?

By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Have you ever had that persistent cough that just wouldn’t go away? I’m sure you were worried if it was something serious or it would just pass.

Coughs that are chronic can be a symptom of something mild or may indicate something significant. It is usually considered chronic when it lasts for 8 weeks or more. Today we will discuss chronic coughs so that you can better know if it may indicate something more serious.

WHATARE SYMPTOMS OFA CHRONIC COUGH? Coughing is a symptom of an underlying health condition. An occasional cough is common. However, see your doctor if your cough won’t go away and includes any of the following: • Coughing up phlegm (thick mucus).

• Wheezing • A temperature (fever) higher than 101°F. • Losing weight without trying.

• Night sweats • Coughing up blood.

• Swollen face and hives on the skin • Difficulty breathing.

• Chest pain.

These may indicate a more serious cause of your cough that can cause serious complications of left undiagnosed and untreated.

WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC COUGH? Several lifestyle and health conditions can cause chronic cough, including: • Smoking.

• Common allergies (hay fever, mold, pets).

• Postnasal drip. This is when cold from your nose and sinus drips to the back of your throat causing you to cough.

• Certain medicines. Some blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors are known to cause a persistent cough.

• Exposure to air pollution.

• Asthma.

• Acid reflux. This is when acid from your stomach backs up into your throat.

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is a lung disease that makes it

difficult to breathe.

• Infections of the lungs or throat such as pneumonia, tuberculosis or tonsillitis.

Some of these infections can kill you if left untreated.

• Lung cancer.

CAN CHRONIC COUGH BE PREVENTED OR AVOIDED? You can prevent or avoid a chronic cough if the underlying cause of your cough is treatable. For example, if your cough is due to allergies, your doctor can prescribe a medicine to treat your allergies. If it is due to smoking, you can quit smoking. If your cough is triggered by food, avoid those foods. If your doctor believes your chronic cough is due to other health conditions or medicines you take, he or she can evaluate alternative options. You should always avoid being near others who have chronic coughs, as you may contract it if it is caused by an infection.

HOW IS CHRONIC COUGH TREATED? Treatment depends on the cause of your chronic cough.

• Smoking: Stop smoking.

See your doctor for suggestions if you have difficulty stopping.

• Allergies: If you have postnasal drip from allergies, avoid the things that bother your nose and throat. That might be dust, smoke, the outdoors, pets, cleaning products and deodorizers, and chemical fumes. Some over-the-counter medicines can help your allergy symptoms. If that doesn’t help, ask your doctor for prescription medicine.

• Acid reflux: If you have acid reflux, try raising the head of your bed about 4 inches. It might also help to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before you lie down. Ask your

doctor about over-thecounter or prescription medicines that can help relieve the symptoms of acid reflux by reducing the acid in your stomach.

• Medicine: If you are taking a medicine that causes you to cough, your doctor might be able to prescribe another medicine for you. Don’t stop taking the medicine unless your doctor gives you permission.

• Asthma: If you have asthma, your doctor will help you decide on the right treatment for your symptoms.

Living with a chronic cough can be uncomfortable.

A constant cough can leave you feeling exhausted. Also,

Dr Zulfikar Bux it causes chest pain, headache, broken ribs or can lead to death if it’s caused by a serious disease. However, it’s possible to live without a cough or reduce it significantly by treating the underlying reason. See your doctor instead of suffering unnecessarily.

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Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

SUNDAY Arun liquefaction facility

INCOME TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR FOREIGN WORKERSA DEVIATION FROM INT’L NORMS – IMF REPORT According to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed onto with ExxonMobil, there is an exemption from Personal Income Tax for expatriate/ foreign employees of a contractor, affiliate, or nonresident subcontractor if the employee is not physically present in Guyana for more than 183 days.

But upon review of this provision, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has told the government in no uncertain terms that this “is a departure from international norms under which the country where employment is exercised has full taxing rights over the employment income.”

The IMF subsequently recommended that Guyana’s authorities “fully tax income derived by an expatriate from employment exercised in Guyana.”

University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, had also pointed out this issue to Guyana in a previous interview.

He described it as one of the most absurd provisions in Guyana’s agreement with ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC/NEXEN. The Petroleum Consultant had said that Section 15.12 of the PSA which states that expatriates’ salaries are not subject to Income tax if they don’t spend more than 183 days in country is an old trick in the book. The company simply gets many expats to be in rotation to avoid going over the 183 days.

The Consultant stressed that most countries have plugged this tax avoidance loophole that companies have been abusing. He had advised that Guyana do the same.

LAWSUIT CLAIMS EXXONMOBIL LIABLE FOR TORTURES, RAPES AND MURDERS IN INDONESIA “There wasn’t a single person in Aceh (pronounced AH-chay) who didn’t know that the massacres were taking place … everybody was afraid,” a former top Indonesian government official is quoted as saying.

His comments are contained in a shocking lawsuit brought against ExxonMobil by some Indonesian villagers, so fearful for their lives that they

became plaintiffs on the condition of anonymity. The males are identified in the lawsuit only as John Doe, and the females are named Jane Doe, the names commonly used for persons whose identities are concealed. Some represent their deceased spouses.

They feared that if they raised their complaints in Indonesia, they would face retribution from their authorities. ExxonMobil has been operating in the Southeast Asian country for decades, even before it became known as ExxonMobil.

The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. It notes that the plaintiffs are filing there because they do not have access to an independent or functioning legal system within Indonesia to raise their complaints.

The lawsuit against the oil major that only started producing oil in Guyana just days ago, tells scary stories of detainment, torture, sexual violence and murder between 1999 and 2001.

The defendants are ExxonMobil Corporation; its Indonesian subsidiary, ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc.; and the oil major’s predecessors, Mobil Corporation, and Mobil Oil. The Arun natural gas fields were discovered five decades ago. One of the largest in the world, the fields were once said to be the jewels in Exxon’s crown, as the company was granted exclusive rights to explore for and produce natural gas by the Indonesian government.

The lawsuit states, “ExxonMobil has received hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from the Arun project. Throughout the 1990s… the Arun gas fields

comprised approximately 25% of Mobil Corp’s world revenues.”

PRES. GRANGER COMMISSIONS $800M POWER PLANT IN BARTICA With the aim of providing reliable electricity to Guyanese, President David Granger Saturday commissioned a 3.3megawatt power plant at Dogg Point, Agatash, Bartica, Region Seven. The $800M power plant, which is a collaboration of the government through the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), is expected to meet the demand of the residents of Bartica. It will be sufficiently powered by three 1.1 megawatt highspeed diesel engines.

The President stated, “Energy security is critical to Bartica’s role as an ignition to human development. The plant’s generation capacity will exceed the demands of the town.” Earlier a number of challenges were faced during the project, such as issues with closing a sandpit and bad weather conditions.

While the power generation needs will be met, minor interruptions to the power supply, which will aid in the maintenance of transmission lines may occur.

The state-of-the-art power plant is expected to provide relief to residents, who have experienced severe power outages for the longest while in recent times.

AUDITOR GENERAL WARNS OF CONTRACT SPLITTINGATYEAR-END With a few days before the year closes, the Audit Office has warned Government’s account officers to beware of last minute spending. Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, has

also advised against attempts to split contracts to avoid delays in procurement process.

The official made the statements over the weekend during an interview.

In the past years, the Audit Office, in its annual reports, has been finding cases of a rush in late December for regional administrations and ministries to issue contracts and spend remaining money budgeted for the year.

Under best practices, remaining money has to be sent back to the government’s treasury or Consolidated Fund.

According to the official, Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers must be reminded that December 31 is when all transactions have to be closed with no cheques for the year to be cut after that date.

“Government operates on a cash basis and not accrual.

They are supposed to be cutting no cheques after December 31.”

Sharma said that especially with elections due on March 2, there may be attempts to deviate from procurement and other financial procedures.

“In a time when we are heading towards elections, any deviations will have serious implications.”

He said that in cases where a budget could not be passed, like for 2020, Government ministries and other entities can utilize 1/ 12th of the monthly expenditure based on the last approved national budget.

“This means that come 2020, the money to be spend has to come from that 1/12. It cannot be from the year 2019.

It would be illegal to do so.”

Sharma made it clear that he is aware that happened in

the past with the Audit Office flagging such transactions consistently.

MONDAY EXXONMOBIL KEEPS GUYANAIN DARK OVER MASSIVE GAS FINDS – BUT REVEALS DETAILS TO IDB From 2015 to now, ExxonMobil has made 15 discoveries of oil wells offshore Guyana. It has always been keen to divulge details to the citizenry about the significance of its oil finds.

But the same cannot be said for its gas discoveries.

Up to three months ago, the oil operator told the media that it is still analysing the full contents of its finds. This was in response to questions about how much gas it has discovered to date and whether that amount is significant.

In the meantime however, it has informed the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) that between 30 to 50 million cubic feet per day of Natural Gas (NG) can be made available for electricity generation in Guyana.

This was outlined in a loan agreement between the Government and the IDB. Making this known to the financial institution was ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

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.

For decades, the IDB

noted that Guyana has remained dependent on the imports of fossil fuels for its energy needs. In fact, it was keen to highlight that the main electricity generation assets of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) are Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and Light Fuel Oil (LFO).

As a point of interest, the bank highlighted that in 2012, GPL paid as much as US$110 million for imported HFO and LFO. It said that the decline in oil prices that started in 2014 has provided some relief to GPL, as its import bill in 2017 was US$67 million for similar volumes.

The IDB said that oil prices, however, have begun an upward swing over recent months; while noting that this exposes the country to oil price volatility and fuel availability for electricity generation, which for years has resulted in expensive electricity production with an average tariff of US$0.30/ kilowatt hour (kWh) representing one of the highest rates in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

WORLD BANK TO HELP GUYANAAUDIT PSAS, ANALYSE ESTIMATES OF OIL RESOURCES The World Bank, one of Guyana’s crucial development partners, will be providing support for the oil and gas sector, specifically as it relates to cost audits of Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs).

The Bank will also provide independent thirdparty technical expertise needed to analyse the estimates of Guyana’s oil and gas resources.

This is according to the loan agreement for the US$20M Guyana Petroleum (Continued on page 29)

Sunday January 05, 2020

From page 28 Resources Governance and Management Project. It was signed between the Bank and the Granger administration some months ago.

The loan agreement notes that the World Bank will provide support for Guyana to assess and conduct economic and fiscal modeling.

This should allow the authorities to forecast oil and gas revenues. The financial institution will also support Guyana in the areas of revenue administration and taxation, and evaluate options for future modifications to the nation’s oil and gas fiscal regime.

Legal support would reportedly also be made available. In this regard, the agreement outlines that assistance would be provided to enable Guyana to address upstream legal issues associated with the oversight of the oil and gas resources.

The World Bank noted that it understands how critical this support will be to Guyana, which lacks such technical capabilities at key institutions.

Some US$4.5M will be used to address some of these gaps through the direct engagement of external expertise.

The agencies, which stand to benefit from this support include the Department of Energy, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Petroleum Commission once established.

The financial institution was keen to note that based on its experience from other projects, this type of capacity

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

building is most effective when it is based on tangible on-the-job training and a learning by doing approach.

TRAINING COLLEGE LECTURER’S HOME TORCHED AFTER ROW A West Coast Berbice lecturer is now contemplating her next move after a fire of unknown origin completely destroyed her three bedroom wooden and concrete home on Saturday evening.

However, the distraught woman is convinced that a male with whom she had a dispute torched her property.

The fire was said to have started at around 21:00 hrs at the Lot 428 #29 Village, West Coast Berbice home.

Mersha Gouveia who is employed at the Teachers Training College, Berbice Campus, said that earlier in the day, she and the individual whom she suspected had an argument.

This argument reportedly turned nasty and the man threatened to end her life.

Gouveia, fearing for her safety, left the home with her great-nephew who lives with her. A mere twenty minutes later, Gouveia who sought refuse at her neighbour’s home received word that her house was ablaze.

According to reports, passing residents relayed that they heard a loud explosion moments before the fire started.

The home was destroyed within minutes.

Gouveia said that she was unable to salvage anything from the home.

“Everything was destroyed, I didn’t get to save a thing, and everything I worked for, everything was

destroyed.”

The woman estimated her losses to be in the millions.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commander, Superintendent Yonette Stephens disclosed that they have not classified the fire as an arson since no one was seen committing the act. The suspect was also not seen in or near the house when the fire started.

However, police are seeking to locate him.

TUESDAY GUYANABECOMES ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF INT’L SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND BODY Guyana is now the latest associate member of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF). Formed in 2008, the IFSWF is a voluntary organization of countries with sovereign wealth funds committed to working together and strengthening the community through dialogue, research and selfassessment. This newspaper understands that the associate membership application for Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund (NRF) was approved by the IFSWF Board on December 11, last.

Chief Executive of the IFSWF Secretariat, Duncan Bonfield said that the decision to approve Guyana’s application was based on the assessment that the nation’s Natural Resource Fund “had proven willingness to uphold the member undertakings as set out in the IFSWF membership agreement, including endorsing, on a voluntary basis, the Santiago Principles.”

The Santiago Principles consists of 24 generally accepted principles and practices voluntarily endorsed by IFSWF members. It seeks to promote transparency, good governance, accountability and prudent investment practices while encouraging a more open dialogue and deeper understanding of SWF activities.

The assessment by the Secretariat would be in stark contrast to criticisms which were spewed by the political opposition for over a year.

The People’s Progressive Party has said that the Minister of Finance has too much control over the Fund, as he has to appoint members to key committees in charge of investments and withdrawals that would be made.

Along with hearty congratulations, Bonfield has since informed the Ministry of Finance that while there is no annual membership fee for associate member status, the usual expectation is that a fund will remain as an associate member for a maximum of three years before applying to become a full IFSWF member.

MEDIUM-SCALE MINERS GRANTED 3-MONTH EXTENSION ON RENTAL PAYMENTS Medium-scale miners who have not paid up tens of millions of dollars in rent arrears for their concessions have been granted a further three months.

The last-minute extension was announced Monday by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). With elections three months away,

miners have been revving up with their demands for concessions and other breaks, citing tough conditions.

Monday, in a notice, the ministry said that following numerous requests from miners and their representative organisations, the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has issued a directive to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to extend the final amnesty for miners regards the payment of rentals.

The organisations include the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO) and the National Mining Syndicate (NMS).

The ministry disclosed that the amnesty has now been extended from December 31st 2019 to March 31st 2020.

“This applies to all medium-scale property holders who are in arrears and whose properties have not been published as cancelled in the Official Gazette. The penalty accrued on such arrears will continue to attract a waiver of fifty percent (50%).”

The ministry urged all property holders to avail themselves to the “offer”, lest the properties become cancelled.

“The MNR further advises that this opportunity be taken to make all outstanding payments of rentals before the new deadline stated.”

Recently, head of the Commission, Newell Dennison, had warned there will be more cancellation of concessions if miners fail to pay up by the end of

December.

PPP LEADERS SUPPORT PUBLIC RELEASE OF GOVT., OIL COMPANIES’EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE The leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are in support of calls to publish details, particularly email correspondence between Government and officials and the six companies that were selected to bid to handle for the sale of Guyana’s Liza crude.

A press conference was held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Church Street Monday, where Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP Presidential Candidate Mohamed Irfaan Ali fielded questions from Kaieteur News on the issue.

Jagdeo made it clear that he would support the release of the emails, and said he had received word early on, that some oil companies were invited to bid face-to-face.

Those turned out to be ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation, CNOOC/ NEXEN, British Petroleum, Chevron, Shell, Total, and ENI. “Obviously, they were contacted through email… So therefore, it could set up a trail of whether the process was skewed in favour of the bidder who won.”

He said that he’s not sure what kind of process the Government sought to utilize, and he is calling for complete transparency.

Qualifying his statements, Jagdeo added “If the process was open and transparent, I would not [have called for the emails to be released].”

(Continued on page 37)

Kaieteur News

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Sunday January 05, 2020

Fresh impetus in fight against climate emergency in the Caribbean

By Nelson A. King

U

N I T E D N AT I O N S (CMC) –The United Nations has hailed what it describes as “fresh impetus” in the fight against the climate emergency that has had disproportionate, negative effect on the Caribbean as well as other countries.

The COP25 climate conference in Madrid, in December, was regarded as the next milestone on the long journey to a sustainable global economy and many commentators and activists “saw the conference as a disappointment, as no overall consensus was reached on the key issue of increased climate change.”

But UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres refused to see COP25 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference) as a defeat, vowing that “we must not give up, and I will not give up.” He said there were

several signs of progress, and growing momentum for change.

The European Union, for example, committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, and that 73 nations announced that they will submit an enhanced climate action plan, or Nationally Determined Contribution.

“A groundswell of ambition for a cleaner economy was also evident at a regional and local level,” the “Decade in Review said, stating that 14 regions, 398 cities, 786 businesses and 16 investors are working towards achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

At COP25, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) described Latin America and the Caribbean as “a laboratory for climate action.

“From hurricanes pounding islands to drought destroying crops across Central America, and erratic rain patterns affecting the livelihoods of indigenous

communities living on Andean slopes, climaterelated challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean are as diverse as are the region's landscapes,” the UN said.

“Climate change is exacerbating many of these, with higher temperatures, delayed rainy seasons, rainfall irregularity, and increasingly frequent and extreme weather events,” it added.

But it is not just about problems, according to Kathryn Milliken, WFP's Climate Change Advisor.

“The Latin American and Caribbean region offers exciting opportunities to test and scale up a wide range of solutions to address climaterelated issues. With many countries having middleincome status and greater public-private capacities than in most of the places where we work, this region can be a laboratory for a new way for WFP and partners to work,” she said.

WFP said one such way is promoting the integration of climate-risk financing into governments' socialprotection systems.

“Climate-risk finance tools are critical in ensuring that when a climatic event is either forecast or triggered by reliable weather information, vulnerable people can receive rapid support to withstand or

recover from the shock,” it said.

In the Caribbean, Milliken said recent events, including Category 5 Hurricane Dorian, which hovered over parts of Grand Bahama for two days, “have shown how climate change is increasing the threats to the lives and livelihoods of poor and vulnerable people.

“Here, making national social-protection mechanisms more shockresponsive and adaptive can help get emergency assistance to large populations more quickly, reducing the impact of disasters and protecting against loss to development gains,” she said.

WFP said its strategy to achieve this includes advocating with the governments of Caribbean small island states to adopt a mix of risk financing that respond to the frequency and magnitude of climate-related disasters and other risks.

It also involves testing how certain risk-finance tools can be connected to national social-protection schemes, “so that rapid response funds can be provided to vulnerable people in the event of a disaster,” WFP said.

Working with communities and authorities at the national and local level, WFP said it has been strengthening adaptive

capacities to this changing climate.

“The climate emergency is here, and vulnerable people in Latin American and the Caribbean are feeling the brunt of the impacts of climate variability and change. WFP is looking to address the urgency in this region, finding solutions that will get support to these populations at the scale needed,” Milliken said.

Stating that it should be no surprise to anyone that Climate Change and its catastrophic consequences are foremost on his mind, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, in late September, told the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Debate that his country was still suffering the damaging consequences of Hurricane Irma two years on.

“We know and live the terrible reality of Climate Change,” Browne said.

“Those who continue to deny its existence, cannot gainsay the massive destruction to property and loss of life that so glaringly stare them in the face year after year.

“No one can repudiate the awful scenes – flashed globally, across television screens and social media – of the decimation of the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, in The Bahamas Island

chain,” he added. “The lament of the people of The Bahamas, as the entire nation suffered in hopelessness, should echo in the ears of all who feel any compassion for their fellow man.”

Browne said the consequences of Climate Change have become “our annual Hiroshima – the effects, are as horrific as any battle ground and as devastating and long-lasting as an atomic bomb.

“But in this war that we did not start, that we do not wage, and that we do not want, the peoples of small island states have no means to defend themselves, and little means to recover,” he said. “We are simply the hapless victims of those governments whose destructive climate policies are killing small island states, with brutal storm, after brutal storm; each more destructive than the last.”

During September's General Assembly Debate, S t . Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves also blamed the rapid acceleration of Climate Change on the “menacing manifestation of a failed multilateralism.”

“Faced with a common threat, ample warning, and overwhelming scientific consensus on the past causes, future impacts and present solutions, the international community has dithered endlessly, and impotently,” Gonsalves said. “As emissions continue to (continued on page 46)

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

It's the dawn of a new decade and the race is on

W

e have entered a new decade, f u l l o f expectations - the hope for good things to come.

However, a clear-eyed view of what currently exists indicates that the full involvement of citizens (the electorate) is required in determining what are the facts, the truths, and more so, what is in their interest.

We're living in the era where politicians, in various parts of the world, are being elected to government riding high on theatrics, deceptions and lies; fooling the masses and getting them to vote against their own interest.

At home, it is said General and Regional Elections will be held in March. Last Friday, the APNU+AFC launched its election campaign. The PPP is launching theirs today. At the same time, what is being observed is the participation of a multiplicity of new parties in this election.

Various interpretations have been applied to this phenomenon. The one that engages much interest is the big tent politics the PNC, as a p o l i t i c a l p a r t y, h a s embraced.

It is instructive to note that there exists no scientific method to gauge the smaller parties' support base in a coalition to determine how seats in the National Assembly and the Regional Democratic Councils and/or ministerial positions will be allotted at the conclusion of the elections. This deficiency does not augur well for assessing the will of the respective constituents in such an alliance. Further, this shortcoming contributes to the formation of smaller parties, given the perception that they stand a chance of being co-opted, whether they have enough support to garner at least a seat.

Then there is the other v i e w t h a t s u c h facilitation/arrangement does not incentivise some parties to do the needed grassroots work of recruiting membership and sustaining a viable party beyond a name.

This runs the risk of imposing another's will on the electorate via manufactured participation and presence at the table with no concomitant responsibility to respect and deliver through conceptualising, developing and shaping of programmes to benefit the people.

There's more than enough evidence to show where some having entered politics, riding on the backs of the populace, are not prepared to protect and advance the interest of those who vote they benefitted from. It is for this reason, the time has come for us to hold everyone's feet to the fire by not only listening to what they say, but examining their track record as to what they stood for over time.

We are bearing witness to many today imploring and enticing us to exercise our constitutional right to vote and associate with a party/group of choice, though from time to time they have acted in a manner that lends to the impression other rights are not equally sacrosanct or valued.

Foremost amongst these is the right to life, freedom from want, freedom to join a trade union of choice, and right to equal treatment.

When the trade union movement began the struggle in 1926 for one man one vote (universal adult suffrage), which was joined later and given a muchneeded fillip by the political parties, it was never the intent that workers' other interests would be sidelined or they would have to sacrifice other rights to enjoy this right.

It has become a practice within recent years to ignore the input of others on decision-making that impact their wellbeing. This is in spite of the fact that ours is a political system where it is clearly stated, the principal objective of the state is to establish an inclusionary democracy.

For almost two decades, Article 13 of the Constitution has remained but a declaration. No legislation, in this regard, has been passed to forge a more inclusive and cohesive society. Politicians continue to fall short at this most basic level.

Instead, energies are being expended on promoting the sexy topic of constitutional reform. It has become the centrepiece of campaign promises. It plays well to the political gallery to blame the constitution for the beginning and end of all our problems, absolving elected and appointed officials - who are being chosen by us to serve us from responsibility and accountability.

And should you ask many of them, if they have read and/or understand the very constitution they are promising to reform, you'd either get a blank stare or customary dishonest r e s p o n s e . We m u s t , therefore, ask ourselves, how could we credibly reform what is not known, has never been truly tested, or given a chance to work?

As this nation gets prepared for election, it has not escaped attention that the reliance to gauge modern development is not being measured by the Human Development Index (HDI) but the Gross Domestic Product, that has been discredited as an accurate model. The HDI attends to issues such as respect for basic rights and freedoms,

and citizens' involvement in governance and other matters impacting their wellbeing.

No matter how many schools, bridges etc., are being built or promised; or how much revenue could be sourced from oil and gas, if people's welfare is not placed front and centre, development isn't happening. If we are serious

about our development in this decade, we must hold those who are asking for our votes to account. In this season, the vote is our most powerful tool, and it must be used judiciously.

(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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Sunday January 05, 2020

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Writers' rner The

Co

Interviewer: Glenville Ashby, PhD

I

n her 2014 critically acclaimed, 'Mek Wi Laugh &Talk: An Anthology of Jamaican Poems,' Donna Hart bared her concerns over the many shortcomings besetting modern society. In my review, 'Timeless lessons wrapped in patois,' Kaieteur News, Jan.4, 2015), I referred to her presentation and style as "fluidly authentic."

I recalled her admonition of men that shirked their familial responsibility.

Couched in patois, her message resounded, "When yuh tun a Fada to yuh pickney, Yuh help fi keep di peace Fah some a di fadaless pickney dem, tun criminal at lease.”

And taking a page from the inimitable Martin Luther King Jr., she wrote, “Mi dream seh wan day some people Naa goh Mek drugs an alcohol control dem life But dem wi fine a way out so dem tun good husban an wife…”

Hart is a social commentator and ethicist.

Her words are compelling, pricking her readers'

conscience at every opportunity.

In this interview, Hart signals her lifelong ambition as an author turned humanitarian.

Glenville Ashby (GA): Te l l u s a b o u t y o u r Foundation and its importance in meeting today's needs.

Donna Hart (DA): The Caroline Hart Foundation was established in Hollywood, Florida in April 2015 and is 501C3 certified.

The goal is to provide educational and financial assistance for children in need.

GA: You were born in Jamaica, one of twelve children; what are some of your most memorable experiences?

DA: Some of the most memorable experiences for me was growing up in a loving family with great parents who taught us how to love and care for each other, and how to help children and adults in the community.

GA: The foundation bears your mother's name; what was special about your mother and how important is it for the foundation to be associated with her?

Sunday January 05, 2020

Author turned humanitarian shares her goals for 2020 DA: My mother Caroline Hart was a humanitarian and was referred to as an unsung hero. She fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the prisons and hospitals and played the role of midwife when needed. As a result, I wanted her philanthropic legacy to live on, hence the foundation was named in her honor.

GA: Your last book was

authorship play in a foundation of your kind?

DA: As a published author, I donated some of the proceeds to the foundation.

The book has given me much exposure having it distributed to people of different cultures. It has been educational, especially for our youth.

GA: Do you ever consider writing a book about your experience with

Donna Hart

Donna Hart at the 2018 Gaynstead High School Graduation in Jamaica

critically acclaimed and was quite educational on many levels. What role can

the foundation and its impact on children? How would you approach such a narrative?

DA: It is a futuristic goal of mine to write a book about children.

However, the narrative would be based on my involvement with children with different and special needs. In fact, I have been working on a soon to be published work with the theme of making our children happier.

I believe that most of our problems related to youth are due to parental shortcomings. Parents must establish boundaries and engender a strong work ethic, responsibility and independence in their children. I believe that the culture of entitlement is negatively affecting our society GA Your foundation is global; of all the continents your work has touched, what has struck you most about governance as it relates to children?

DA: Due to limited resources, the foundation has only assisted children in North America and Jamaica.

We hope to assist children in South America and Africa by

the year 2020 through our collaboration with the International Food for The Poor. Clearly, Governments provide assistance, but should do more in providing nutritional meals for children and educational tools for them to fully explore their potential.

I am particularly buoyed by the prospects of opening a Pre-K school in the remote areas of St Mary's, where some children walk three and sometimes five miles for a basic education.

GA: In respect to the Caribbean what are some of the glaring humanitarian issues that must be expeditiously addressed?

DA: In our observation, we have discovered that drug and alcohol use, teenage pregnancy and human trafficking are areas that need immediate attention. I recommend a mentoring programme for schools to encourage the children who are faced with these problems.

GA: Is your role as trustee of the foundation (continued on page 48)

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THE

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Sunday January 05, 2020

STORY WITHIN THE

Maturity and the 'silly season'

By Leonard Gildarie

S

o the dreaded time is upon us yet again. Yes, general elections. Within a few days, political parties and a few hopefuls will have to gather to submit lists of their names who will be contesting the March 2nd General and Regional Elections.

Of the reported almost 20 parties, quite a few of them will not make it. It will be a fact.

At the launch of a oneman party recently, there were empty chairs. Such is the life in politics.

On Friday, the Coalition converged on D'Urban Park to kick off two months of crisscrossing the country. It was a mammoth crowd from all indications.

Today, the People's Progressive Party (PPP) will gather at Kitty for what is expected to also be a massive turnout.

A s w e k n o w, t h e elections will be one of huge stakes. A party that wins will have millions of US dollars from oil and gas - a new source of economic activity available for spending. It is felt that it would be an uphill task for an Opposition to unseat the incumbent that has that amount of cash available for politicking.

As we speak, there are things happening in the Middle East that will have far-reaching effects- as far as to our shores.

A senior Iranian general was killed in a drone strike sanctioned by the US President last week. Gold prices were over US$1,525 per ounce. As Iran vows retaliation, oil is expected to rise, with prices hovering around US$63 per barrel.

We have to constantly assess our value at the negotiating table.

I have said it before and will repeat. Any government that leads this country, and I will not venture on to other states, has to come good.

Our very exercise to head to the polling booth has to be the wise choice of putting representatives in place who will be expected to take the decisions that will propel this country to another level. We should expect no less. The time for excuses has long gone.

And let us put those things into perspective.

Our infrastructural ventures - roads, bridges, drainage and irrigation and sea defence - will all have to be high priority projects. We have a major congestion issue, with a new Demerara River crossing and alternative East Bank Demerara public road needed more than ever before.

We must not turn our eyes away from the sea defence which is under threat from rising sea levels and spring tides. The people of East Coast Demerara will tell you of the ravages.

Of course, we need a more stable electricity supply, and it is felt that the gas from the oil fields will be the answer to what prevails at the moment.

We have to target our vulnerable, including seniors and single moms. It pains to see our pensioners in lines at the post offices for their monthly $20,000.

Thousands of our seniors depend on families to survive.

I don't even want to talk about the children who struggle through school.

There are thousands of single parents. It is unbelievable how much of an impact that the situations have had on the quality of education for our young minds. Many of them are unable to afford lunch. Many stay away from school because of no money for transportation. These are the forgotten people.

Many nights coming home, I see women bravely trudging through the streets, on their way to work. They are security guards. It is a job and a means of survival for them.

These are the things we have to talk about.

Last week, we heard of doctors in the public system who clock in two times, at different locations, to ramp

Leonard Gildarie up their overtime.

Weaknesses in our public systems.

These are the attitudes we have to fight against.

It is not okay to rob the public coffers. There is immediate termination and jail time.

Eventually a name and shame campaign may have to be resorted to help halt the stealing.

As we plunge headlong into the elections campaign, which is official now, we have to think of issues that affect us.

I have been asking for my street to be fixed for months now. The NDC and even the Ministry of Public Infrastructure have been approached. I am hoping for some action. The potholes are getting larger.

We have to demand that our politicians think, and offer us solutions in this silly season.

We hardly have the patience to think of what transpired in the last 30 years and contemplate a replay.

The major political parties have to come better.

More than half of the 600,000-plus voters, I am told, are under 35 years of age.

They are young and hungry.

Issues of housing, jobs, s e c u r i t y, s c h o l a r s h i p s , opportunities‌these are what matter.

As a media worker, I have seen and felt terror. I have been threatened with death and even blackmail. I understand too well; it all comes with the territory, As we listen and make our decisions, let it be on issues that we want addressed by the next administration.

Let us send the politicians a clear message that complacency and mediocrity will not be accepted.

Let us be respectful and tolerant in this season. It will not be an easy one.

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

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

From page 29 Appropriately, he believes that the process should have been an open public tender, with a timeline given in advance in newspaper advertisements.

“But knowing them, they will not publish the emails,” Jagdeo concluded.

Ali, explaining the need for complete transparency, said “Before you get to an award, there must be a process. And we have already expressed concern about the process.”

He noted that there is a lack of information, and secrecy surrounding the process for the sale of Guyana’s oil.

Then, he spoke of the necessity for the public to scrutinize what the Department of Energy had intended to keep silent on, until it had concluded the entire process.

TENANT COLLAPSES, DIES AS PRINCES ST. HOME BURNS ago.

It was a chaotic scene Monday afternoon at Princes Street, Wortmanville, as a fire of unknown origin destroyed a two-storey wooden and concrete rented building; leaving one tenant dead, several homeless and a homeowner assaulted.

Dead is 47-year-old Michael Northe, a driver attached to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

Northe collapsed at the sight of his home for more than four years being ravaged by flames. He later succumbed.

When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene, firefighters were attempting to extinguish the blaze in the upper flat of the house.

The fire reportedly started around noon.

According to information received, about seven persons occupied the top flat of the building, while the home owner and another person resided in the lower flat.

One tenant, Kerron Campbell explained that he had just returned from Linden, when he was met with his Lot 48 Princes Street home on fire.

Campbell, who lives with his son and reputed wife, Latoya Regis, relayed that his losses totaled over $3 million.

“I was out and just reach back and come and see the place on fire. The most I coulda do is throw two bucket water, but that ain’t help nothing. The house had everything, we shop for Christmas, TV, fridge, bed, chair set, everything, all we documents… everything; nothing ain’t save.”

Campbell disclosed that they only moved into the premises a mere two months

WEDNESDAY EXCESS GAS FROM LIZA PHASE 1 ALONE CAN POWER ALL OF GUYANAFOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS For decades, Guyana has tried and failed in its attempts to address the issue of high energy costs. It appears, however, that this could soon be a closed chapter in the nation’s history given the significant volume of gas that is available for use in the Stabroek Block.

Even though ExxonMobil has not publically disclosed details about its gas finds, it has made known to the government, and even to the nation’s global partners like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), that 30 to 50 million cubic feet of natural gas could be piped to shore for electricity generation. But what exactly does this mean or translate to?

“It means that it could basically power the entire country as we speak. But the demand is going up every year by about seven percent,” said Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson who has responsibility for the energy sector.

During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, Patterson noted that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is currently producing just about 150 megawatts of power. He noted that the 3050 million cubic feet of natural gas is excess from the Liza Phase One field alone which could be sustained for over 15 years.

That, he said, would translate to about 200

Megawatts of power, therefore being more than enough to power the entire Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).

The Minister acknowledged that while Exxon has not made public announcements about its finds, it did inform the government in 2015 that there was associated gas with the Liza One discovery and what could be available since 2017.

Patterson said, “We told them in the beginning that we wouldn’t allow flaring and because of that, we asked them to tell us in writing, how much excess gas is actually available from Liza One and still allow for maximum oil recovery.

80% OF NIGERIA’ ENERGY REVENUES ONLY BENEFIT 1% OF THE POPULATION – WORLD BANK FINDS When it comes to producing oil and gas, Nigeria is arguably, without an equal when compared to its other African counterparts. Not only is it the largest oil producer in Africa, but it also holds the largest natural gas reserves on the continent, raking in over US$17B in 2016 alone. D e s p i t e such massive revenue earnings and enviable reserves, the World Bank has found that N i g e r i a ’s w e a l t h o n l y benefits a select few. The financial institution which is also assisting Guyana in developing its oil management capacity highlighted that 80% of Nigeria’s energy revenues only benefit one percent of the population.

Corruption was cited as

the main cause, with the net effect being widespread poverty.

T h e Wo r l d P o v e r t y Clock, a credible datagathering team that monitors the global progress against poverty, found that in 2018, Nigeria overtook India as the country with the most extreme poor people in the world.

This is in spite of the fact that India’s population is seven times larger than Nigeria’s which at 2017, stood at 190.9 million.

Further data by the Wo r l d P o v e r t y C l o c k shows that in June 2018, there were 86.9 million Nigerians living in p o v e r t y. B y t h e e n d o f 2018, that number rose to 90.8 million. To date, it stands at 94.9 million.

Even Bloomberg zeroed in on the state of Nigeria in February last, reporting that six people fall into poverty every six minutes.

But the World Bank, Bloomberg and the World Poverty Clock are not the only international entities to shed light on the level of inequality that has gripped this oil producing state.

Oxfam America, a confederation of 19 independent charitable organizations, noted in a special report that in Nigeria, the scale of economic inequality has reached extreme levels as there is an accumulation of “obscene amounts of wealth” by a small number of individuals.

In examining the numbers, the confederation which focuses on the alleviation of global poverty, pointed out

that the richest man in Nigeria would have to spend US$1M a day for 41 years to exhaust his fortune.

GUYANA HAS 661,378 ELIGIBLE VOTERS – SAYS GECOM According to the Guyana Election Commission, (GECOM) Guyana has 661,378 eligible voters whose names will be published in the Revised List of Electors (RLE) on Monday for public vetting.

Following a statutory meeting Tuesday, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, noted that the RLE will be posted from January 4, 2020. Ward said that the list will be posted for 21 days for public scrutiny and corrections to be made to any erroneous information.

“Where changes were not made, persons should visit the registration office in their area with the ‘pink slip’ from 4th January to inform and update accordingly,” Ward stated.

Following the conclusion of the 21 days, GECOM will embark on preparing the Official List of Electors for the March 2, 2020 elections.

Last week, GECOM in a majority decision agreed to conduct a house-to-house verification of new registrants, which number approximately 16,000 persons. The verification of the data was conducted over the next five days.

Following the exercise, Ward disclosed that 6,534 of the purported new registrants from the truncated House-toHouse exercise have not been confirmed.

Ward informed reporters that the Commission had

resolved to subject the data to a short verification exercise, since the House-to-House exercise came under dispute by the political opposition.

During that exercise, GECOM field staffers were accompanied by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) scrutineers.

The verification exercise took off after it was noted that there were striking disparities in the cross-matched data that had returned from the overseas supplier.

Gemalto, an international digital security company, was contracted by GECOM to cross-match the house-tohouse data.

Both tranches of data were returned and they appeared to indicate that there are about 60,000 total new registrants.

FRIDAY GUYANAHOLDS THE CARDS FOR NON-STOP NY FLIGHTS – CARIBBEAN AIRLINES SAYS IT HAS MET ALL THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS Trinidad and Tobagocontrolled Caribbean Airlines (CAL) is calling on Guyana and the US to clear the hurdles which will allow nonstop flights to North America.

The airline Thursday insisted it has met all (Continued on page 38)

PAGE 38

From page 41 regulatory requirements. The call was made in a statement which came days after a study recommended that Guyana explore the possibilities of a state-sponsored airline which will help reduce high fares.

“Caribbean Airlines has met all of the requirements to facilitate non-stop travel between Guyana and the United States of America.

However, the final regulatory approval to permit such lies within the jurisdiction of the Government of Guyana and the United States authorities to grant permission of same.

The airline is looking forward with much anticipation for this authorization to be granted.”

For years, CAL and its predecessor, BWIA, have been capitalizing on the lucrative Guyana/New York route.

The route has been a major revenue earner for the airline but with the absence of competition, the criticisms of high fares have been many.

Thursday, CAL indicated that the fact that passengers have to in-transit in Trinidad is a major inconvenience.

The reality is that that intransit was mandatory as under regulations CAL cannot fly from Guyana to the US directly. The US authorities have to green light those flights.

Guyana has to also file the necessary requests for that to happen.

In recent months, American Airlines, one of the biggest in the US, added New York to its flights from Guyana. This is in addition to the Miami route.

Within months, Eastern Airlines, which morphed from

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Dynamic, will start flying the New York also.

With the New York route a major revenue earner for CAL, the battle will be on for the airline.

According to CAL, in its statement, it has with its predecessor, BWIA, faithfully served Guyana since 1947.

EXXONMOBIL’S PROJECT IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA IS AN ECONOMIC PARASITE “Exxon’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in the highlands of Papua New Guinea provides a distressing case study of large-scale economic parasitism.”

That is the view of a

former Australia senator and columnist for The Guardian, who wrote on a project the oil major embarked on in Papua New Guinea, with the help of a loan from the Australian Government.

A 2018 report by the Jubilee Australia Research Centre titled “Double or Nothing: The Broken Economic Promises of PNG LNG” reveals how the results the LNG project produced for the Independent State of Papua New Guinea fell way below expectations, with one author positing that the country would have been better off if the project didn’t happen at all.

Before then, it was introduced as one that would transform the country’s

economy, with claims that the economy would be doubled.

Between 2014 and the time of the publication of the report, an Exxon-led consortium had already shipped about 7.9 million tonnes of natural gas per year from the gas fields of PNG’s Hela region, the report notes.

But that did not transform the country in the way the people were told it would. The actual results are daunting.

“Despite predictions of a doubling in the size of the economy, the outcome was a gain of only 10 percent and all of this focused on the largely foreign-owned resource sector itself.”

“Despite predictions of an 84 percent increase in household incomes, the

outcome was a fall of six percent.”

“Despite predictions of a 42 percent increase in employment, the outcome was a fall of 27 percent.”

“Despite predictions of an 85 percent increase in Government expenditure to support better education, health, law and order, and infrastructure, the outcome was a fall of 32 percent.”

“Despite predictions of a 58 percent increase in imports, the outcome was a fall of 73 percent.”

It is stated that the results only exceeded the projection in one area: the export sector.

While the prediction was a 106 percent increase, the outcome was 114 percent, the report noted.

SATURDAY NIGERIA LOSES BILLIONS IN PROFITS TO WELL-CONNECTED MIDDLEMEN IN OIL SALES Oil is arguably Nigeria’s 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 country’s 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 scandalprone 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 began 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 decision-making 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 nation’s oil.

According to the department, the records will (Continued on page 39)

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

From page 38 explain how, when, and for how much the country’s 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 Guyana’s 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.

APNU+AFC LAUNCHES ELECTION CAMPAIGN “DON’T STOP THE PROGRESS!” The governing coalition, A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) held its election campaign launch at D’Urban Park Friday 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 largescale 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 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.

FORMERARMYCHIEF, MARK PHILLIPS, CHOSEN AS PPP PM CANDIDATE - JUAN EDGHILL STEPS ASIDE With two months to go before general 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.

The official announcement came as the Coalition Government kicked off its campaign at D’Urban Park, in what is shaping up to be hotly-contested elections.

With oil and gas 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.

On Friday, 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 Friday 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 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.

“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.

STATE OF MINING SECTOR IS A NIGHTMARE – EPAHEAD When he considers all that is needed to get the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order for the petroleum sector, the entity’s 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. “It’s a nightmare! And we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of the kind of monitoring we need to do.”

During an interview with Kaieteur News Friday, 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 can’t 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 nation’s 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 don’t have permits. We know what is going on 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 t h e agency’s mining unit to address the arduous tasks that lie ahead.

PAGE 44

DOMINION: THE LAST STAR WARRIOR MOVIE REVIEW...

Vision Films and Thunder Bay are proud to present the new action-packed science fiction thriller, Dominion: The Last Star Warrior. Written and directed by Richard Lowry, this film is an original take on the alien invasion film with a touching story and unfailing dedication to the world of UFO investigation and conspiracies.

Starring Travis Hammer (The Lone Ranger, Independence Day: Resurgence), Barry Lynch (Red Dead Redemption, The Whisperer in Darkness), Booboo Stewart (Disney’s Descendants, The Twilight Saga), Christine Joelle (Come As You Are, 1:03AM), Lisa Marie (Ed Wood, Planet of the Apes) and Sasha Jackson (Jarhead 3: The Siege, One Tree Hill), Dominion: The Last Star Warrior will be released on DVD and VOD on April 3, 2018. In just five days, the world we know will change forever with devastating results. Jaelen (Travis Hammer), an observer from another planet searches

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

to find and rescue the human woman he fell in love with before it all happens.

Robert Casey (Barry Lynch), a retired US Intelligence agent turned UFO investigator races to discover what the yet to be known DOMINION has in store for the human race.

Writer and director, Richard Lowry admits that his fascination in the unknown led to him wanting to make a film that enthusiasts could watch and see examples of wellknown cases laced into the story.

“As an avid UFO enthusiast, it was my goal to infuse actual UFO conspiracies, events and documented cases into Dominion: The Last Star Warrior, to give the film authentic layers the aficionados would appreciate” says Lowry.

“These such accounts include The Phoenix Lights Incident, a true account of a mile-wide alien craft witnessed by 10,000 people in Arizona on March 13, 1997,

the Secret Underground Military Base in Dulce, New Mexico where Aliens are believed to be working with human scientists on advanced technologies and human experimentation and Draconian and Arcturian Alien races that are believed to be co-existing with humans currently”.

“Enhancing the plot with these topical themes offers a richer, more fulfilling movie viewing experience for the UFO enthusiasts.

The compelling nature of the film may also spark interest in the casual observer to research and educate themselves on this fascinating subject matter.” “Dominion: The Last Star Warrior is a great spin on the sci-fi genre that is not only action-packed and thrilling, but is also a touching story of forbidden love,” says Vision Films CEO, Lise Romanoff. “We are very excited to be bringing this film to the world.” (http:// themovieelite.com/dominionthe-last-star-warrior-outnow/)

Pure White Hennessy: Deliciously fresh and easy to drink on the rocks or in cocktails The Hennessy Pure White comes from the world’s leading Cognac house. In fact, Hennessy is the largest house in terms of both volume and value of annual sales. And in line with the Cognac’s alcohol level of ABV 40%, the house of Hennessy also controls about 40% of the worldwide Cognac market. In the world of spirits – it certainly is one of the giants.

While there are some irresistible variations to choose from, the white “Henny” is a contemporary product that every connoisseur must taste and have in their home. It’s a very versatile Cognac that’s intended to be either drunk neat, or to use as an ingredient for cocktails and long drinks. It’s light and round, definitely not aggressive, and it combines deliciously fresh aromas with a young, simple, clean taste. This makes Henny White the perfect Cognac to enjoy any time of the day or night. It blends well for any occasion and guess what? It’s available at Ansa Mcal’s TWEE Shoppee in the Giftland Mall at a very affordable price. So be sure to get this special cognac and enjoy with your friends or partner. (Remember to drink responsibly!)

Enetworks to show HBO’s best Original Programmes for 2020

Having survived the end of “Game of Thrones” with buzzy new series like “Euphoria,” “Watchmen,” and “His Dark Materials,” in addition to well-watched new seasons of “Succession,” “Barry,” and “Big Little Lies,” HBO is preparing for its first postWesteros year with a similar onslaught of exciting adaptations, enticing follow-ups, and shows skewing toward a younger demographic.

The latter point is perhaps more important than ever, given that 2020 marks another milestone for HBO: the debut of HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s all-in-one streaming platform that bundles its various networks (and their programs) in one app.

HBO Max will have its own originals, but HBO is still the service’s crown jewel (as evidenced by those three tell-

ing letters right before “Max”). It’ll be up to the former Home Box Office as much as, if not more than, any other WarnerMedia network to drive subscriptions, and that’s harder to do without the No. 1 show in the world.

So what will entice subscribers to keep HBO (or add HBO Max) to their ever-growing streaming library this year?

2020 offerings include “The Outsider,” a Stephen King adaptation from “The Night Of” creator Richard Price; “Avenue 5,” Armando Iannucci’s “Veep” follow-up; “The Undoing,” starring Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman; “Bad Education,” HBO’s pricey TIFF film festival acquisition starring Hugh Jackman; “Perry Mason,” from producer Robert Downey Jr. and starring “The

Americans” veteran Matthew Rhys, and don’t forget more new originals from indie film favorites Luca Guadagnino, Derek Cianfrance, Paolo Sorrentino. Meanwhile, plenty of fan favorite shows are returning, none more important than the rebooted “Westworld” Season 3, but additional entries like “Euphoria” Season 2, “Barry” Season 3, and “Succession” Season 3 cannot be undervalued.

With “House of Dragons” not expected until at least 2021, this likely won’t be the only year without a “Game of Thrones” series on the docket — but it might be the most important year for HBO. Enetworks will be showing foregoing and more so be sure to stay tuned ! (Modified reporting from Indiewire.com)

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Amazing Benefits of Egg Whites You Should Know Eggs make an important part of our breakfast, and they are very popular among people who exercise regularly.

But as whole eggs are high in cholesterol, people often avoid eating them. However, if you like the taste of eggs, you don t have to give them up. Instead of eating whole eggs, you can eat egg whites.

Egg whites are extremely beneficial for your health and can be included in your diet. Find out how eating egg whites improve your health.

1. For High Cholesterol Levels Egg whites have minimum cholesterol. A whole egg con-

tains only 186 mg of cholesterol. Thus consuming egg whites is safe for people with high cholesterol levels, as they will offer plenty of nutrients but wont increase their cholesterol levels further.

High cholesterol levels increase the chances of a stroke or heart attack. So eating egg whites would be one of the safest bets for people with cardiovascular problems as they are low in cholesterol, and wont add to the problem.

2. For Nervous System Choline, a kind of phosphatidylcholine, is one of the many beneficial components found in egg whites. The pri-

mary function of this compound is to ensure proper methylation process in the body.

This function is vital for DNA creation, detoxification, and nerve signalling. An adequate level of this compound in the body will prevent any damage to the nervous system.

3. For Muscle Growth Egg whites are also considered the powerhouse of protein. Frequent doses of protein are needed so that you could build muscles. For this, you can consume egg whites. Moreover, including egg whites in the diet of children is required as they require a large amount of pro-

tein for solid muscle building.

4. For Maintaining Blood Pressure If you have a problem of high blood pressure, you should never ignore it. Your body will need potassium to balance high blood pressure levels. Egg whites contain a good amount of potassium, hence you can regulate your blood pressure by eating egg whites. This would prevent your heart and bones from damaging factors like strokes and fractures respectively.

However, you should consult a doctor before including egg whites in your diet if you have high blood pressure.

What is a normal blood pressure?

Normal blood pressure is vital to life. Without the pressure that forces our blood to flow around the circulatory system, no oxygen or nutrients would be delivered through our arteries to the tissues and organs.

However, blood pressure can become dangerously high, and it can also get too low.

In this article, we will discuss what blood pressure is, how it is measured, and what the measurements mean for our health.

What is blood pressure?

Share erestBlood pressure is what allows oxygen and nutrients to move through our circulatory systems.

Blood pressure is the force that moves blood through our circulatory system.It is an important force because oxygen and nutrients would not be pushed around our circulatory system to nourish tissues and organs without blood pressure.

Blood pressure is also vital because it delivers white blood cells and antibodies for immunity, and hormones such as insulin.

Just as important as providing oxygen and nutrients, the fresh blood that gets delivered is able to pick up the toxic waste products of metabolism, including the carbon dioxide we exhale with every breath, and the toxins we clear through our liver and kidneys.

Blood itself carries a number of other properties, including its temperature. It also carries one of our defenses against tissue damage, the clotting platelets that prevent blood loss following injury.

But what exactly is it that causes blood to exert a pressure in our arteries? Part of the answer is simple - the heart creates blood pressure by forcing out blood when it

contracts with every heartbeat. Blood pressure, however, cannot be created solely by the pumping heart.

Function Our circulation is similar to a highly sophisticated form of plumbing - blood has ‘flow’ and arteries are ‘pipes.’ A basic law of physics gives rise to our blood flow, and this law also applies in a garden hose pipe.

Blood flows through our body because of a difference in pressure.

Our blood pressure is highest at the start of its journey from our heart - when it enters the aorta - and it is lowest at the end of its journey along progressively smaller branches of arteries. That pressure difference is what causes blood to flow around our bodies.

Arteries affect blood pressure in a similar way to the physical properties of a garden hose pipe affecting water pressure. Constricting the pipe increases pressure at the point of constriction.

Without the elastic nature of the artery walls, for example, the pressure of the blood would fall away more quickly as it is pumped from the heart.

While the heart creates the maximum pressure, the properties of the arteries are just as important to maintaining it and allowing blood to flow throughout the body.

The condition of the arteries affects blood pressure and flow, and narrowing of the arteries can eventually block the supply altogether, leading to dangerous conditions including stroke and heart attack.

Top of Form MEDICAL NEWS TODAY NEWSLETTER Stay in the know. Get our free daily newsletter Expect in-depth, sciencebacked toplines of our best stories every day. Tap in and

keep your curiosity satisfied.

SIGN UP NOW Your privacy is important to us Bottom of Form Measurement The device used to measure blood pressure is a sphygmomanometer, it consists of a rubber armband the cuff that is inflated by hand or machine pump.

Once the cuff is inflated enough to stop the pulse, a reading is taken, either electronically or on an analogue dial.The reading is expressed in terms of the pressure it takes to move mercury round a tube against gravity. This is the reason for pressure being measured using the unit millimeters of mercury, abbreviated to mm Hg. Readings A stethoscope identifies the precise point when the pulse sound returns and the pressure of the cuff is slowly released. Using the stethoscope enables the person measuring the blood pressure to listen out for two specific points.

Blood pressure readings consist of two figures - the systolic pressure first and the diastolic pressure second.

The reading is given as, for example, 140 over 90 mm Hg. The systolic pressure is the higher figure caused by the heart’s contraction, while the diastolic number is the lower pressure in the arteries, during the brief ‘resting’ period between heartbeats.

Ranges The National Institutes of Health cite normal blood pressure to be below 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic.

However, blood pressure changes naturally, a fact that cardiologists explored while writing about blood-pressure variability in Nature in March 2013: “Blood pressure is characterized by marked short-

term fluctuations occurring within a 24-hour period (beatto-beat, minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, and day-tonight changes) and also by long-term fluctuations occurring over more prolonged periods of time (days, weeks, months, seasons, and even years).”

The guidelines state that for blood pressures above a figure of 115/75 mm Hg, every rise of 20/10 mm Hg doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The overall guidelines blood for high pressure received an update in November 2017.

They allow for earlier intervention.

Since 2017, the American Heart Association (AHA) has advised that people with high blood pressure should receive treatment at 130/80 mm Hg rather than 140/90 mm Hg. They also removed the “prehypertension” category between 120-139/80-89 mm Hg. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg now qualifies as stage II hypertension and not stage I, as it used to be.

This category now forms two separate ranges: · elevated blood pressure, from 120-129/less than 80 mm Hg · stage I hypertension, from 130-139/80-89 mm Hg In these new guidelines, the AHA also advises that doctors should only prescribe medication in cases of a previous heart attack or stroke, or in the presence of risk factors for these conditions, such as age, a diabetes mellitus diagnosis, or chronic kidney disease.

Treatment at the earlier stages should instead come mainly through lifestyle changes. (https:// www.medicalnewstoday.com/ a r t i c l e s / 270644.php#measuringblood-pressure)

5. For Cardiovascular Health Egg whites can be consumed to treat various problems like blood clotting. Egg whites contain vitamins and minerals and help promote the proper flow of blood. Eating these can also contribute to the process of widening of blood vessels, otherwise known as vasodilation. Furthermore, components like potassium prevent clotting of blood and heart problems.

6. Ideal for Obese People People who are obese should include egg whites in their diet when starting their fitness journey. Egg whites contain many nutrients that will help your body to function properly. Also, egg whites contain almost no fat and have a lower calorie count as compared to a whole egg.

The components in egg suppress appetite and increase energy levels. Thus eating

boiled egg white is considered a nourishing food for people with diabetes can prevent cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, as well as blood pressure problems.

11. Helps Prevent Various Health Ailments Egg whites are a good source of Vitamins B2 and B12. These vitamins are needed to prevent health problems like migraines, headaches, and back pain. Also, adequate levels of B vitamins can effectively work against these health ailments.

12.Works as a SupplementDue to the high content of nutrients like magnesium, thiamine, riboflavin, manganese, selenium, protein, etc., egg whites are considered an excellent supplement for adults and children. Consuming egg whites at least thrice a week is recommended to reap the maximum benefits.

It is very nourishing for kids

egg whites can keep you full for hours.

7. For Fatigue Iron deficiency is one of the many factors that contribute to fatigue. If you feel dizzy and tired, you should consider including egg whites in your diet. The manganese and magnesium found in egg whites can help prevent fatigue, especially in senior women. However, in case of chronic fatigue, you should consult a physician, as selfmedication is not right.

8. For Strong Bones To maintain strong and healthy bones, you need plenty of calcium. You can prevent rickets and serious bone problems like osteoporosis by having really dense bones. This is why you should consume egg whites as it contains high calcium content.

9. Helps Prevent Early Ageing Regular consumption of egg whites also aids in tissue and cell rejuvenation which results in smoother skin. Thus it is an amazing source to prevent early signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.

10. Good for Diabetes When it comes to snacks or breakfast, people with diabetes have very limited options in food. Egg whites work well in this case. A single

and can also prevent many chronic diseases in postmenopausal women.

Are There Any Risks Associated with the Consumption of Egg Whites?

While egg whites are an amazing source of protein and are good for people with high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular diseases, they do not provide the same nutritional benefits of whole eggs.

Most of the minerals and vitamins are contained in the yolk including nutrients like vitamin B12, choline, vitamin D, and iron.As per a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, raw egg whites interfere with the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin which is essential for sugar and fat metabolism and blood sugar regulation. Eggs whites contain avidin, a glycoprotein which binds with biotin. This is absorbable by the digestive tract. This problem can be solved by consuming cooked egg whites.Both whole eggs and egg whites, when eaten raw, have a risk of infecting people with salmonella. Therefore, it is recommended to cook the eggs before consumption. (https:/ /parenting.firstcry.com/articles/amazing-benefits-ofegg-whites-you-shouldknow/)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 46

Sunday January 05, 2020

Fresh impetus in fight against climate emergency...

From page 30 increase, legally-binding limits are recast as voluntary targets, and the worst offenders hypocritically highlight the specks of pollution in others' eyes, to distract from the beam in their

own.

“At the same time, many more needlessly suffer and die while indisputably urgent global action is intentionally thwarted by selfish shorttermists and convenient climate-deniers,” he added.

Gonsalves said the Debate was being conducted in the wake of “indescribable horror” in the Bahamas, “whose citizens and residents were terrorized by Hurricane Dorian.”

He noted that weeks after

the storm, hundreds remained missing.

“In recent UN gatherings, this tale has become sickeningly familiar. Only the names and locations have changed. Yet, we cannot allow the steady drumbeat of climate

catastrophes to become background noise to our annual gatherings.

“We must remain attuned to the urgency of vulnerable states in the path of cataclysmic storm. Every year, the ferocity of these hurricanes

increases. Every year, island states wait with bated breath, and hope against hope that increasingly frequent storms will thread their way between our countries without incident.

“And every year that we are spared, we grimly acknowledge that our luck will not hold indefinitely,” Gonsalves added.

Guterres said “injecting new momentum into the fight against the climate crisis, as a host of hard-hitting reports from several authoritative sources – including the UN Environment Program, World Mete o r o l o g i c a l Organization, UN climate change body UNFCCC, and Intergovernmental Planet on Climate Change – drove home the stark message that the world is facing a global environmental catastrophe, unless significant cuts are made to global greenhouse gas emissions.”

Guterres's “steady drumbeat of pressure” culminated is his Climate Action Summit at UN Headquarters in New York in September, which he trailed earlier in the year by warning world leaders that he expected them to arrive with concrete plans for cutting emissions, rather than “beautiful speeches”.

The UN in its “Decade in Review,” said that the conference could be deemed a success, with many countries announcing increased action to deal with the climate crisis, above and beyond commitments made in the key Paris climate agreement in 2015.

Several nations signalled a move away from fossil fuels and made financial pledges to help developing countries, such as those in the Caribbean, deal with the effects of climate change. Major businesses announced climate targets across their operations, and that over 2,000 cities committed to placing climate risk at the center of their decision-making.

However, that attention was dominated by “the furious and impassioned” speech of 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg, who blasted world leaders: “You are failing us, but the young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you; and, if you choose to fail us, I say, we will never forgive you.”

Thunberg's anger was welcomed by the SecretaryGeneral, who closed the conference by acknowledging the “boost in momentum, cooperation and ambition”, but also warning that “we have a long way to go”.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 05, 2020

PAGE 47

Versatile and long-serving Stage Manager,

Ansford Patrick From page 18 Centre. Reminiscing on his entry into that arena, Patrick recalled it all started after he became the foster son of a woman by the name Enora Andries. This all came about because the woman, who was well-known to his mother, had two daughters and no sons, and took a liking to him and decided she wanted to raise him.

It certainly helped to ease the burden of his biological mother, who was caring for him and eight other children.

But this was all part of his destined journey, Patrick believes, as it allowed him to embrace a passion he didn't even know he had.

At the time, he was considering taking up employment in the Police Force's workshop, but didn't quite like the idea of having to patrol, which would have been inevitable.

“I just wanted to be in the workshop…I still was going t o c a r r y i n m y recommendation there, but then I heard the Cultural Centre had a vacancy…this was through my foster mother. Her brother-in-law was the Lighting Supervisor at the Cultural Centre. I came and brought my recommendation instead to Ms Daphne Rogers, who was in charge then, and my first job was as a Stage Hand…to help out on stage,” Patrick recalled.

BUILDING A LEGACY He started working at the Cultural Centre on May 17, 1986, and within a six-year span was elevated to the position of Stage Manager, after former Stage Manager, Bobby Vieira, left. Patrick is in fact recognised as the longest serving Stage

is a 'Special Person' Manager, with the added credit of being the lone staffer to produce a show at the National Cultural Centre.

The show he produced is called 'Anybody See Brenda', a play which was written by Dr. Paloma Mohamed. In fact, he has since established his own Production Company called C and Triple S Performing Arts.

This certainly came naturally to him, because as he remembers it, “before I came to the Cultural Centre, I used to take part in plays in Church, and so when I came here, besides doing that, I got an opportunity to build props and those kinds of stuff and I enjoyed this, because I found I really loved the arts, I loved the theatrical work.”

Backed by his carpentry and joinery skills, he was able to create some astounding sets for various events put on at the Cultural Centre over the years, ranging from the annual 'Flame and the Ribbon' productions to Old Year's Night church services. “The next best thing to my life, my family, and serving God, is the work I am able to do at the Cultural Centre,” said Patrick, who is a member of the Christian Mission Church.

“Today I live and dream designing sets for theatrical work…people can just come with an idea in their head; they don't even have to know the measurement, they just have to tell me what they are thinking, and I am able to sketch it out and show them exactly what they want. And I build just what they are thinking about,” said Patrick amidst a quiet chuckle.

His outstanding talent has resulted in him being tasked with building the majority of the props for most of the shows held at the Cultural Centre.

“I have built props for Oliver Samuels and Shabada from Jamaica…they send down their dimensions and they know that I can do exactly what they want. I even went to Canada with Gem Madhoo for a play called 'Half Pass late', and I was the one who build the set for that show,” said Patrick, who over the years became versed, not only in creating the set, but ensuring that

With his supportive family

Elegantly prepared by Ansford Patrick lights and sound for the sets are just right.

These acquired talents also saw him being the 'go to' person when international artistes, the likes of R. Kelly and Neyo, were brought to this part of South America to headline shows.

“I love what I do so much,” said Patrick, as he recalled a period of his life when he decided to migrate, but did not hesitate to return when his expertise was

sought after. “I went away for like a year and two months to Canada…I was called back by a couple of people well, PS Keith Booker, Bobby Vieira… and they said 'they need you back in Guyana',” Patrick recalled.

His return was just in time for Guyana's hosting of Carifesta in 2008. He was given the prestigious task of being Technical Advisor to Dr. Paloma Mohamed for that Carifesta, and was also the

Props constructed for a Christmas play

lecturer for the Set Construction Class of students who were tasked with building sets for the event. “I had to detail people to be across the country for all the Carifesta activities,” said Patrick with pride.

FAMILY LIFE But life would have had no meaning without the support of his loving wife of 27 years, Connie, and his four children 26-year-old Cidell,

23-year-old Shaquille, 20year-old Shamaul, and 16year-old Shaquana, Patrick intimated. “We live together at Stewartville and we try to vacation together overseas just to enjoy our family time.”

His years of finding his path in life have taught him and his wife many lessons which they have imparted to their children and just about any young person who will listen.

“We tell them try to be the head and not the tail, lead and not to follow, be honest, courageous and the sky could be the limit. In everything too, we have to trust God and put Him first and foremost, because many times we may want to look to man, but man can't solve our problems…when you tell your problems to God, He has all of the solutions.”

In fact, Patrick said that he has come to accept the reality that “It is in God we live and move and have our being; that is why I often remind my children during devotions we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and without Him we are nothing; just like a vapour.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 48

Sunday January 05, 2020

Immigration Questions & Answers

By Attorney Gail S. Seeram

T

hrough this “Question & Answer� column, our goal is to answer your immigration questions. We appreciate your comments and questions. If you have a question that you would like answered in this column, p l e a s e e m a i l : Gail@GailLaw.com.

Question #1: I was in removal proceedings in the

U.S. and took voluntary departure but never left the U.S. I am currently married to a U.S. citizen, can I apply for a green card?

Answer #1: T h e answer to your question depends on when your voluntary departure order was issued. However, in general, if you agree to voluntary departure and do not leave the U.S. within the specified time, then the voluntary departure order automatically turns into a

removal order. You will not be eligible for adjustment of status or to apply for a green card in the U.S. once the removal order is active. A possible option is filing a motion to reopen your prior case and rescinding the removal order.

Question #2: I lost my wallet with my green card, driver's license and social security card. How do I apply for a new green card?

Answer #2: It is good practice to copy your green

card (front and back) and keep it in a safe deposit box.

It is the law to carry your green card with you at all times, so don't think about leaving it at home or in a safe deposit box. Once you have your alien number, you can apply for a replacement green card. The process can take 3-6 months and there is a filing fee.

Question #3: I am a green card holder and every time I enter the U.S. the officer takes me into a room for

secondary inspection where they ask me questions and look at the computer?

Answer #3: Secondary inspection is conducted when the U.S. Custom and Border Protection officer sees something in your alien file that indicates that you may be inadmissible into the U.S. or the officer has questions about a note in your file. If you believe there is an error in your alien file and you would like it corrected then file a redress claim by visiting www.dhs.gov/trip.

Question #4: I am married and living with a U.S. citizen and he has not filed a sponsorship petition for me? We have 2 children together who are U.S. citizens. I entered the U.S. with a visitor visa but overstayed and have no status.

My husband is verbally and physically abusive to me and the children. Do I have any options to self-petition on my own?

Answer #4: Yes, under the Violence Against Women

Gail S. Seeram Act, an abusive spouse can self-petition for a green card.

Note, you will be required to provide proof of the abuse and submit evidence to document it.

It is not required that you have a petition pending or that your spouse filed a sponsorship petition for you. Contact our office for a consultation.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) Attorney Gail Seeram, LL.M., J.D., BBA call | text 407-292-7730 whatsApp 407-353-1363 e m a i l : Gail@GailLaw.com. live chat: www.GailLaw.com Download FREE App: Gail Law

Author turned humanitarian...

From page 34 purely administrative? Do you work on the ground with the children? What is that experience like?

DA: My role in the foundation is to work directly with the children.

The other members of the board perform the administrative work. It is very rewarding to see the children achieve their goals.

GA: You have followed the progress of children that the foundation has helped.

Are there groundbreaking successes you wish to share?

D A : We h a v e collaborated with Gaynstead High School for the past 4 years in Kingston, Jamaica, and sponsored the students for graduation. One of the

poorest graduates received her Bachelor's degree in 2 years.

GA: What is your vision of the world in the next decade?

DA: My vision of this world is to provide clean water for areas of the world like Guatemala, Haiti and Africa, and bring positive changes to millions of children, socially and emotionally.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby

Sunday January 05, 2020

Muskrat

PAGE 49

Kaieteur News

Panhandler's home reduced to ashes

(Ondatra zibethicus)

From page 33 they often fight with each other over territory and potential mates. Many are injured or killed in these fights.

Muskrats provide an important food resource for many other animals, including mink, foxes, coyotes, wolves, lynx, bobcats, bears, eagles, snakes, alligators, and large owls and hawks. Otters, snapping turtles, and large fish such as pike prey on baby muskrats.

Muskrats, like most rodents, are prolific breeders. Females can have two or three litters a year of six to eight young each.

The babies are born small and hairless, and weigh only about 22 g (0.78 oz).

In southern environments, young muskrats mature in six months, while in colder northern environments, it takes about a year.

Muskrat populations appear to go through a regular pattern of rise and dramatic decline spread over a six- to 10-year period. Some other rodents, including famously the muskrat's close relatives the lemmings, go through the same type of population changes. [Source: Wikipedia]

T

he home of a beggar was late Friday afternoon destroyed by fire at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. Reports are that the blaze started after 18:00 hrs when the individual only identified as "Sherry",

who occupied the building, left for Rose Hall Town. The fire quickly razed the wooden edifice, which was located behind the Shaveh Hotel and Club.

Firefighters from the Rose Hall Town Fire Station arrived shortly after it began

and managed to contain the flames before it spread to the nearby buildings.

"Sherry" is now left homeless.

It is unclear what may have started the blaze but firefighters are currently investigating.

PAGE 50

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 05, 2020

Sunday January 05, 2020

Two to be charged for killing Black Bush Polder farmer Two persons are expected to be charged this week for the murder of a Black Bush Polder man, according to a police source.

The men were arrested shortly after the incident.

Kaieteur News was told that a file was prepared and sent for advice to the DPP on Friday.

Navin Dhuman, called “Jack”, a 36-year-old rice farmer formerly of Lot 28 Johanna North, Black Bush Polder, was bludgeoned to the head by two cattle farmers and beaten during a heated row that turned physical in the said village on December 30, 2019.

Kaieteur News understands that the hit to the head caused extensive damage, which ultimately led to his death.

D h u m a n ’s m o t h e r, Indranie Ramjanam, told reporters that the now

Navin Dhuman dead man left home late Monday afternoon to confront a resident and inform them about their cattle which was destroying his rice crop.

Ramjanam said, “Dem argue like and then dem

start beat am and then he pick up he bicycle, and he ride away. But they follow he with dem motorbike and lash am with the iron bar behind he head and start beat he more.”

She added that her son, although injured, reportedly dragged his bloody body to a friend’s house a distance away and they contacted her.

He was rushed to the Mibicuri Public Hospital but was transferred shortly after to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Due to his condition, he was again moved to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Dhuman suffered internal bleeding and extensive brain damage.

Dhuman was married and fathered four children.

Investigations are ongoing.

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

GNBS to play a leading role as the national standards institution in 2020 National Standards Organisations or bodies are institutions either private or public that are set up in countries to produce standards and regulate the quality of goods that are manufactured and imported.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), like other Standards Institutions worldwide, intends to play a pivotal role in the progression of National Development in 2020 and beyond.

Usually, the priority areas of a Standards Body depend entirely upon local conditions including health, environments on ongoing development. Priority is also established based on stakeholder requirements.

These stakeholders include policy makers, regulators, the private sector and consumers.

Key on its agenda for 2020 is the development of national standards relating to electrical products, building and construction, petroleum and the environment.

These standards are geared to enhance the quality and durability of products, reduction of environmental pollution and improve safety and the structures of buildings.

For standards implementation, the GNBS will continue to offer its Consultancy Services to a number of local companies and businesses based on international management system standards.

These standards include

PAGE 51

Kaieteur News

the ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System, ISO 22000:2018 Standard - Food Safety Management System – ISO 17025:2017 Standard General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories and the ISO 14001:2015 Standard – Environment Management System. With competency built in 2019, the GNBS will also support companies and individuals desirous of implementing the ISO 45001:2018 Standard – Occupational Safety and Health Management System.

Since 2017, the GNBS has seen a steady increase in demand for its calibration and testing services and it been making major strides to meet this demand.

For calibration, local companies continue to submit their measuring instruments for calibration in the areas of mass length, volume and temperature. The GNBS intends to expand the range of services it offers to include the calibration of digital multi-meters, Torque Wrenches used in the airline industry, temperature enclosures, incubators, ovens and coolers, steam and water operated pressure gauges, and Infra-red thermometers. Meanwhile, for testing the GNBS plans to expand concrete block testing and gold testing services.

The monitoring of quality and labelling requirements of products at the ports of entry, warehouses and store outlets will continue at stores and outlets during the New Year.

As of February 1, 2020, stakeholders would see the monitoring of an additional 31 electrical products.

The GNBS is building internal capacity to ensure only quality products are imported and locally manufactured for sale to consumers.

As the National Metrology (Measurement) Institution, the GNBS will ensure the verification (Stamping) of all weighing and measuring devices used in commercial trade continues in 2020.

Inspectors are currently undertaking the mobile stamping of devices for the first half of the year at markets and other strategic locations, countrywide.

Vendors and shopkeepers are urged to see press for details to know when the GNBS team will be in their area. Consumers should ensure that they buy from verified measuring scales masses and measures.

Finally, the GNBS has a new role to play in the Oil and Gas Sector, which is to verify the calibration of the custody transfer meters.

Inspectors are undergoing training to support the Department of Energy in the monitoring the quantity of crude extracted from Guyana’s offshore oil reserves.

For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190062, 219-0065 or 219-0069 or visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org

MUSINGS ON 2020

By Sir Shridath Ramphal QC (Former SecretaryGeneral of the Commonwealth (19751990), Chairman of the West Indian Commission (19901992), Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (1989-2002), Head of the CARICOM Regional Negotiating Machinery, CoChair of the Commission on Global Governance (1995).

The Year 2000, we knew, began a new Millennium. It marked a measurable change.

2020 feels like the start of a new immeasurable era.

At that midnight hour twenty years ago, our mood was one of hopeful challenge as we looked to the new period ahead. Tonight, our disposition is more likely one of anxious thought.

Assuredly mine is – as a Guyanese, as a West Indian, as a citizen of the developing world, and as a believer in what the United Nations stands for, as part of humanity – I face the new time with disquiet.

It should not be so. As a Guyanese, I should be confident that oil discoveries

will so fortify our country that its national motto of “One people, One Nation, One Destiny” will find fulfillment; yet the deep divisions that infect it speak more to fearful jeopardies than unity and contentment.

As a West Indian, I should see an ever-coalescing Caribbean fulfilling the promise of integration it made to itself; yet its flattery of community has deceived so consistently that belief in unity and oneness is withering to a point of near non-revival.

As part of the developing world, I despair for our place in the family of nations. Our old assumption, that a new world order, premised on fairness, justice and equality, would redress the balance against us, is now dissolving in a toxic brew of introversion and greed by the rich and privileged countries.

As an internationalist – how can I but bemoan retrogression of the notion of an inseparable humanity?

The structures of world order persist, and the embrace of globalism, that should have transformed them, slips away.

There is admirable

activism by the young on the environment, on climate change, and on peace; but inaction by those who must act.

The epithets of ‘Make us great again’; ‘take back control’; attest to warped leadership; but people sustain such leaders, thankfully resisted by others with a larger vision.

As part of humanity – can anyone be upbeat about where our larger country, the Planet, is headed? We believe we are the wisest of all who ever lived; but recent experience suggests that that wisdom is not being employed in ways that should inspire confidence in our way forward in 2020 and beyond.

The year 2020 must not be allowed to perpetuate the uncertainties, disquiet and inequities that have so alarmingly grown into ascendancy.

If it is the tipping point; we must back off and find the ‘path less travelled by’ – and, thereby, make hope and promise flourish, and the path to human progress more secure. That is my wish for us all!

Minister fixes road destroyed by resident

The Ogle Airport Road damaged by trucks transporting sand and materials to build Exxon’s Headquarters.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), Jaipaul Sharma, has said that he is very aware that Guyana is losing significant revenue by continuously repairing damaged roads.

As highlighted by many, heavy-duty vehicles and “overloaded big trucks” are the main contributors to the destruction of a number of major roadways and small streets.

The Minister himself has witnessed firsthand, the damage these vehicles can do.

But what makes matters worst is the reality that the owners and users of these vehicles seems to be “unbothered” about the strain this puts on taxpayer’s dollars.

Sharma, a resident of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), said that he lives in a street where a resident would frequently “bring in” 20 and 40-foot containers.

The resident’s activity caused the street

to become filled with holes. He also destroyed the Minister’s “parapet”.

Minister Sharma then decided to repair his “parapet” and fill the holes that are in front of his residence, with his own resources.

Many of the neighbours became annoyed with him, because they were of the opinion that the Minister was “selfish” in repairing only the damaged section in front of his house.

But little do they know that such a project would cost millions of dollars and if undertaken by the government, would have to be funded by taxpayers.

This problem, said Sharma, has forced his government to move ahead with its plans to implement scales at major entrances to Georgetown. Some of these main entrances chosen are Berbice, Parika and Linden.

Continued on page 53

PAGE 52

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Body of 7-year-old pulled from trench

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

1-5 Acre fruit bearing & coconut plantation for sale/ lease@WBD Oppos Timehri Wharf.Email:gzplayter@aol.com/ whatsapp#4074912026.

DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM Wakanda Auto Rentals.

Call#660-8062/665-4605 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL& TOW TRUCK SERVICE :PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE .#698-7807

49 Inch Curve TCL Smart Television $80,000.Call#6644666.

One Welding Generator Lincoln 10,000 watts 20HP. Contact#699-4300/228-2734.

Lot 14 - 10,204 Sq ft Ph#2642948/615-2270.

Two storey with four (4) apartment at Market Street Mon Repos E.C.D Tel#2207330/203-850-5235.

Boat and Engine for sale/ lease.Email:gzplayter@aol.com/ whatsapp#4074912026.

One Apartment with two room for rent at Market Street Mon Repos E.C.Dem.Tel#220-7330/ 614-0005.

Two Domestic maids required one should know cooking too.Call#231-0734.

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.

One bedroom & three bedroom apts for rent in Providence,Fully furnished.Call#672-1906/2162299/682-6238.

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Nissan Sylphy 2014 and 2016, low mileage, fog lamps, backup camera, $3.75M neg.

614-6948.

Red CRV-2007 Model.Contact 666-7895.

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 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561/681-2808 EDUCATION

FOR SALE

VACANCY

One two bedroom house to let $60,000 per month.Call#6939999.

1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.6M Neg.Call #649-0956.

CAR RENTAL

FOR RENT

First Aid/CPR and home Nursing classes.Tel#2259082.St.John Association 110 Cowan St.Kingston for more info.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot89RobbStreet, Lacytown,Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size- 3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 617-5323, 6668052 Newly Constructed 4 bedroom,3 bathroom, house overlooking the sea for sale.ECD#675-1510/613-7964.

Bottom flat apt 2 bedroom with private B.R La Grange Independence St.for info call 592 663-1280.

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 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.

Driver must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Car/Van license.

Call#642-9823.

Room Attendant,Desk staff 25-50 Years old.233 South Road Lacytown/225-0198.

Security Officers to work, preferably ex army, police or disciplined services.Age 2440.Contact#223-4172/6396648.

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.

Vacancy for (1) Sales girl.Apply in person to Alabama Trading.

Female Cleaner office & home.Call#642-9823.

Welder/Fabricator and Kitchen Assistant for Interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call#618-2020.

Vacancy for Porters Apply in Person to Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.

Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player.Keyfood McDoom.

Pump Attendant & Cashier, shifts rotated weekly Shell Service \station Providence.

Email:Shellramsburg @gmail.com.

The lifeless body of seven-year-old Kayden Lucas was reportedly pulled from a trench last Thursday.

The child who resided at Lot 74 Rosignol village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) was at a relative’s home located at Fort Wellington, Hosanna Street, West Coast Berbice (WCB) when the incident occurred.

Kaieteur News understands that Kayden was left by his mother, Malaika Lucas, to play in the yard; however, the child picked up his bicycle unknown to his mother and exited the compound.

According to reports, after searching for her son a while later and realising that he is nowhere to be found. Ms. Lucas then sent her younger child to go in search of the lad. It was while searching the area that his sister found his lifeless body in the trench and the bicycle next to him.

After seeing her brother’s body in the trench, the child raised an alarm and persons immediately ran to the scene. The lad was subsequently rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Family members confirmed that the lad was an epileptic and may have suffered a seizure while riding.

Lewis attended the Number 8 Special Needs School and leaves to mourn his mother and three siblings.

East Canje man who beat villager in head jailed for nine years

Mohan Darapally, called ‘Rakish’ and ‘Brian’,32, a labourer of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice has been sentenced to nine years in jail.

WANTED He appeared before Brassington Puri cooks , Kitchen Justice Reynolds on a charge of Assistants.Apply@Shantas attempted murder. He 225 Camp Street, G/town. however, pleaded not guilty Live in maid wanted between to that charge, but guilty on a the age of 45-55.Bourda charge of causing grievous area.Call#658-0618. bodily harm with intent.

He is accused of One (1) Welder.Must know Grill work.Contact#625-5763. committing the act on fellow villager, Fazal Hussain, a (1) Live in domestic for mechanic, on February 7, 2017 Georgetown.Boys & Girls to whilst they were at a wake at work at shop in the Angoy’s Avenue, New Interior.Contact#660-9093/ Amsterdam.

682-5846.

Attorney-at-law Seeta One Soup cook,good pay, Bishundial conducted the flexible hours.Call#225-6927. state’s case.

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.

According to the Prosecution, Hussain was at a wake house when Dharbali questioned his presence.

Dharbali then proceeded to cuff him and lashed him to the head with a piece of wood.

Hussain fainted and was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted for treatment. The Prosecutor stated that currently, the victim cannot hear from his left ear.

The accused pleaded guilty. Following his guilty plea, a probation report was ordered. The report which was presented by Probation and Social Services Officer LeesaAnn Tucker stated that Dharbali was a school dropout.

He began working at age 14. He had previous brushed with the law and was jailed in 2012 on a charged for Break and Enter. As a child, he was often left unsupervised and would end up doing his own thing.

WANTED The accused told the Drivers with tractor,motor court that he was sorry but bus, minibus.Must have all claimed that on the day in three licences preferably question, Hussain attacked living around Georgetown. him and he acted in self641-5075/225-1429/624-1147. defence.

Hussein had asked for One girl to work in a Bar & justice.

Restaurant #693-9999.

Before passing sentence, Security Officers.Apply in Justice Reynolds said the person at Buddy’s Gym 137 offence carries a maximum Sherrif St. G/town. Mon-Fri penalty of life imprisonment. between 9am-3pm.

He referred to a United Nations report on life 1 handyman to work 3 or more expectancy for Guyanese half day per week in males, which is 63-years.

Campbellville area in a Mandir Using 31-years, Justice compound.Call#226-3736.

Reynolds years reduced 15 One domestic maid.Ages 25- and a further five for the accused early guilty plea.

35.Call#231-8737 He subtracted a further 1 Driver for driving and year for the favourable purchasing.Must have Car/ probation report. He thus Van and Lorry licence. sentenced the accused to Call#231-8737. nine years in jail.

Sunday January 05, 2020

PAGE 53

Kaieteur News

CONSUMER CONCERNS

Albouystown still offers best property investment in city

By PAT DIAL Some weeks ago, this column carried an article on Albouystown as offering the most profitable investment opportunity in the City of Georgetown. It reported that a selected group of investors is quietly buying up properties in the ward and seeing them increase in value with the passing of each month since Albouystown properties are still available at knock down prices.

As a result of that article, a number of persons contacted us asking to introduce them to sellers or property agents who deal in Albouystown properties.

Though we are acquainted with a few such persons, the ethics of this column do not permit us to use it in any way, which could be interpreted as advertising.

Albouystown, before the 1960’s, was regarded like any other ward in the City and purchasers bought property at market prices, which obtained in other parts of the City or happily rented houses or apartments there since rentals were slightly lower than in wards like Queenstown.

Owners generally resided on their properties and this ensured that houses and the environment were well-kept.

Crime was almost unknown.

Albouystown produced many of the main entrepreneurs and businessmen in Guyana, many of the country’s main professionals and scholars as well as the major Trade Unionists and politicians.

The image of Albouystown up to the 1950s was that of a quiet suburban village.

In the 1960s racio-political conflicts were occurring in other parts of the City and country. These were brought into the ward to disturb the harmony and good fellowship, which had always obtained among the various racial groups.

Many of the settled

inhabitants and property owners of the ward felt insecure and began to leave, renting their houses at cheap rentals. In a few years, the population of Albouystown changed; houses and the environment were neglected; crime began to appear and by the 1970s, the ward came to be known as a “slum area”.

Property prices began to fall.

In the last year, property prices in Albouystown have begun to rise but many of the older property owners are still selling their properties at very reasonable prices as compared with property prices in other wards of the City.

A small group of investors is quietly taking advantage of the knock down prices since in a year or two, the value of their investment would be doubled or tripled.

The rising value of Albouystown properties could be attributed to many reasons.

In 2020, Guyana has become an Oil and Gas country and the growth rate would leap from 4%to 5% to about 86% per annum.

Accordingly, prices would also move upwards and this would be seen in property prices in Albouystown.

Rentals would also go upwards.

Independent of the impact of Oil on property prices in Georgetown, inner city renewal has already started.

Houses in Albouystown are being quietly refurbished or rebuilt and owners are again beginning to move back into their properties. Slum yards are disappearing.

It is now realised that Albouystown is within walking distance to the commercial, administrative and legal hub of the country.

This, together with the fact that it is on the way to the country’s two international airports - Ogle and Cheddi Jagan - and the fact that plans are afoot to convert Independence Boulevard into a highway connecting Ogle

Minister fixes road...

From page 51 This initiative is catered for in the budget submission for 2020 and is said to be one that will “safeguard” the main public roads across the country.

The scales will determine if these heavy-duty vehicles are eligible to use the roads.

If overloaded or carrying extra tons then access will be denied.

However, MPI has no jurisdiction over the roads that belong to the various communities. It plans to have a discussion about the issue with the Ministry of Communities.

The discussion will seek to establish bylaws, which will be enforced to “safeguard” the communities’ roads.

Some commentators are of the view that such an initiative can slow down production, affecting not only its users but the economy.

They have recommended that a fee can be paid by companies that own and use these heavy-duty vehicles to access Guyana’s roads.

and Saffon Street have attracted investors who are buying up property in the ward confident that their investment would be

profitable.

Young people such as those employed in the Public Service, the Public Utilities and the Commercial Houses

should take advantage of the opportunity of acquiring property at very reasonable prices. Persons desirous of buying Albouystown

properties should peruse the classified advertisement pages, especially the Sunday editions, to discover offerings.

PAGE 54

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Jagdeo withdraws libel suit against Freddie Kissoon, KNews Former President Bharrat Jadgeo has withdrawn the $10M libel suit against Kaieteur News and its columnist, Freddie Kissoon, in which he claimed a newspaper article, portrayed him and his government as racist.

The application to withdraw the suit was filed by former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. But this was after lawyers representing Freddie

Kissoon found that there were conditions operating within the government that suggested that AfroGuyanese were being discriminated.

The case which dragged on in the courts for nine years contended that the article titled “King Kong sent his goons to disrupt the conference” contained “false and manufactured allegations” which it said

were “libellous” and also “malicious, irresponsible and inflammatory, calculated and designed to excite racial hostilities amongst the people of Guyana.”

Further, the lawsuit contended that the June 28, 2010 article was intended to “cause a racial rift between the people of Guyana and their democratically elected government.”

The former President

claimed that the article suggests that he is a racist and that “by extension, the State and Government of Guyana, practised racism as an ideology, dogma, philosophy and policy…”

The then Head -of- State said that he understood the article to mean he and by extension, “the State and Government of Guyana, discriminate against AfroGuyanese on the basis of their race and ethnicity.”

Additionally, Jagdeo said that Kissoon inferred that the State and Government of Guyana, has an institutionalised policy to degrade, de-humanise and pulverise Guyanese of African descent. “…that I, and, by extension, the State and Government of Guyana,

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Kaieteur News Columnist, Freddie Kissoon

routinely act in contravention of Article 149 of the Constitution which guarantees to all citizens of this country protection from

racial discrimination as a fundamental right and freedom…”

But Kissoon whose legal Continued on page 55

Maternal waiting home for Moruca this year

Construction of a maternal waiting home in Moruca, Region One, is slated to commence this year. It is expected to aid the improved delivery of health care offered to expectant mothers. This is according to Regional Health Officer [RHO] attached to the Region, Dr. Latchmie Lall.

Dr. Lall said that while the project had not yet been awarded, the engineer’s estimate is $40 million.

She is optimistic that once the National Procurement and Tender Board moves swiftly, the project will be awarded thereby allowing for works to commence.

“The engineer’s estimate has been completed and the last thing that I am aware of is that it was at the National Tender Board so we in Health Services are anxiously awaiting the award of this contract, so that work can commence as the residents are eager to have this home constructed,” she said.

The waiting home is expected to serve as a transition point for hinterland based pregnant women waiting to be delivered. It will contain 14 beds and other rooms to address several maternal related issues that these women could face, Dr. Lall shared.

The RHO said the construction of the home will further enhance health care.

A number of women who are living in far flung communities usually encounter severe challenges when they are approaching their delivery dates.

The move to construct the home, she added, will ensure that the women can access a safe delivery as professional medical help will be readily available.

“This maternal and waiting home is important to

Regional Engineer, Murwin Allison Region One as we have had some deaths and other challenges over the years and it is our view that with the completion of the waiting home, it would certainly help with the delivery of our babies,” Dr. Lall said.

Calling the project an eagerly anticipated one, Regional Executive Officer [REO], Col. Randy Storm, said that the National Procurement and Tender Board is expected to award it shortly. He too is confident that the completion of the project will boost health care in the region.

“This is an important project for Region One and we are confident that it will boost health care within the region.

“This is an eagerly anticipated project for Region One and we are confident that a significant number of women will certainly benefit from this project,” the REO said.

Storm said, too, that the waiting home continues to be one of the region’s top 2020 priorities in terms of projects.

Another major project that is expected to be completed early this year is a

conference hall. The hall is being constructed to the tune of $10.96M by Yahweh Conglomerate.

Engineer Murwin Allison said that the project is moving ahead nicely and thus far he is satisfied with the quality of work.

This project, the REO said, will indeed help to enhance and improve health care.

Dr. Lall in further commenting on the projects being undertaken said that they are crucial since the Mabaruma Hospital is looking to become a regional teaching hospital in 2020.

“Once we can put the necessary accommodations in place, we can have consultants and student residents coming at intervals to be a part of the Mabaruma Regional hospital. We also want to have our theatre up and functioning which will offer surgical services to the region,” Dr. Lall stressed.

The RHO said that plans are apace to have an Intensive Care Unit [ICU] established. This, she said, will increase the hospital’s capabilities in addressing increased medical challenges facing patients.

“We are also hoping that with approval from the Budget Committee, the ICU will be up and functional this year. We have recently completed a lab at Matthew’s Ridge [and] there is a district hospital, so we are looking to have an x-ray machine coming there and a number of other small services being provided in the Matarkai sub-district,” the RHO said.

Dr. Lall said too that the Port Kaituma Regional Hospital should be completed shortly; adding that once this is done the hospital staff would be able to occupy the new facility.

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Jagdeo withdraws libel suit against Freddie...

From page 54 team was led by Nigel Hughes pointed to his thesis research titled, “Ethnic Power and Ideological RacismComparing Presidents in Guyana”. Under examination in the witness stand by Hughes, he presented it at the Guyana History Institute in June 2010.

Kissoon told the court that he has seen the features of racial state discrimination, and it has reached a level that he has never seen before. For him, Kissoon said that it was an area of life that needed to be investigated and thus he did it and presented the thesis research.The witness was asked about the research methodology he used.

Kissoon’s research took the form of examination of important documents, content analysis of policy makers’ speeches, interviews with relevant actors and the research of historical documents.

Kissoon had noted his academic interest is in the ethnic problem that runs through the history of

Guyana. He said therefore in his training it would have been ideal to investigate the racial dilemma.

He said that with particular reference to the research in question, it was driven by the manifestation of state discrimination in the employment policies.

In addition to claims by the columnist, the Kissoon’s lawyers had questioned former Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon on the question employment practices particularly in the Foreign Affairs sector.

At the time, the questions surrounded the fact that Elizabeth Harper was the only Guyanese of African descent to hold the position of Ambassador.

Harper was based in Guyana and served as the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to CARICOM. Dr. Luncheon confirmed that Harper was the only Ambassador who performed dual functions.

Dr. Luncheon was further

asked if there was currently no other African Guyanese who qualified to get an overseas posting as Ambassador, and he said there was none.

Luncheon was questioned extensively on the other areas including the award of agricultural lands, and contracts during the tenure of President Jagdeo.

Dr. Luncheon testified that it was the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board that awarded contracts and not the President.

He later admitted that as per procedure contracts are awarded by the Tender Administration Board only after a “Non Objection” is issued by Cabinet – the Cabinet being the Council of Government Ministers chaired by the President.

The former Head of the Presidential Secretariat further agreed that if the Cabinet, again chaired by the President, made an objection to a contract, then it could not be awarded by the Tender Administration Board.

Exxon’s “parasitic” project in ...

From page 13 subsidiary to recover more on its investments. He had explained that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)’s negative equity would allow ExxonMobil to recover more than it invested due to high interest rates on loans handed out from the parent company.

The Stabroek PSA allows ExxonMobil to recover the interest on loans, with no cap on how much interest can be recovered.

Khusial estimated that the faultiness of the contract could cost Guyana billions of United States dollars.

Furthermore, this issue applies not only to the Stabroek Block operations, but the Orinduik Block as well. University of Houston Instructor Tom Mitro described this arrangement as an abusive use of debt, since Guyana is essentially standing all the costs.

After holding several rounds of discussions following reports by Kaieteur News on this “abusive” arrangement, the government decided last year to change its approach to the treatment of interests under Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs).

In fact, a government document seen by this newspaper specifically states that, “interests would no longer be a recoverable/deductible expense” by oil companies.

While this move would save government revenues in future deals, Exxon’s operations on the Stabroek Block will still be allowed to move forward with interests being recovered.

OPTIMISTIC EXPECTATIONS

The overt excitement of the Papua New Guinea people and Government alone does not explain why the results of the country’s gas project fell below expectations. The report stated that it was compounded by a series of policy decisions that resulted in damaged growth – decisions which were directly related to the expectations from the project. These poor decisions reflect the resource curse, the report noted. Time was spent attempting to build on the expected growth of the country from the project, instead of working to provide transparent, verifiable economic models to start on a path to maximize government revenues.

In Guyana’s case, the dream of Guyana becoming a Caribbean Dubai continues to be sold to the people by some public officials and sections of the public, despite the following.

Since the release of the Stabroek PSA, Kaieteur News has reported on a series of loopholes that hamper the country’s ability to secure the maximum benefit for the people, and provisions described as lopsided and unfair to Guyana. Government and Opposition do not appear willing to renegotiate. Furthermore, the provisions in the contract have tied the government’s hands behind its back, so much that any attempt to mount a legal challenge would be detrimental to Guyana. In its article IV consultation of 2018, the IMF projected that Guyana would take home an average of about US$421M per year in the first few years of oil production in the Stabroek Block.

By the time it completed its

projection for the following year, that projection had been revised by US$98M less, each year. This was pointed out by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) in its Caribbean Region Quarterly Bulletin for the final quarter of 2019.

EXXON’S “PARASITIC” PNG GAS PROJECT The people of Papua New Guinea were led to expect much more than they got. The results pointed out in the report are daunting.

“Despite predictions of a doubling in the size of the economy, the outcome was a gain of only 10 percent and all of this focused on the largely foreign-owned resource sector itself.”

“Despite predictions of an 84 percent increase in household incomes, the outcome was a fall of six percent.”

“Despite predictions of a 42 percent increase in employment, the outcome was a fall of 27 percent.”

“Despite predictions of an 85 percent increase in Government expenditure to support better education, health, law and order, and infrastructure, the outcome was a fall of 32 percent.”

“Despite predictions of a 58 percent increase in imports, the outcome was a fall of 73 percent.”

Furthermore, it is stated that the project has had a negative impact on the country’s budget. Jubilee Australia projected that for the entire 30 year life of the project, the Government is likely to get way less than was projected initially under a low gas price scenario. Exxon’s “parasitic” project in Papua New Guinea bears similarities to Guyana

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Thousands in Iraq mourn top Iranian general killed by U.S.; rockets fired in Baghdad BAGHDAD (Reuters) With shouts of “Death to America”, tens of thousands of people marched in Iraq on Saturday to mourn Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and an Iraqi militia leader who were killed in a U.S. air strike that has raised the specter of wider conflict in the Middle East.

Yesterday, a rocket fell inside Baghdads heavily-fortified Green Zone near the U.S. Embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighborhood and two more rockets were fired at the Balad air base north of the city, but no one was killed, the Iraqi military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. With security worries rising after Fridays strike, the NATO alliance and a separate U.S.-led mission suspended their programs to train Iraqi security and armed forces, officials said. “The safety of our personnel in Iraq is para-

mount. We continue to take all precautions necessary,” acting NATO spokesman Dylan White said in a statement. Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards foreign legions, was killed in the U.S. strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. Iranianbacked Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed. The attack took Washington and its allies, mainly Saudi Arabia and Israel, into uncharted territory in their confrontation with Iran and its proxy militias across the region. France stepped up diplomatic initiatives yesterday to ease tensions. French President Emmanuel Macron talked with Iraq President Barham Salih, Macrons office said. “The two presidents agreed to remain in close contact to avoid any further escalation in tensions and in order to act to ensure stability in Iraq and the broader region,” a statement from Ma-

crons office said.

Macron also spoke with the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed alNahyan.

Gholamali Abuhamzeh, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards, said Tehran would punish Americans “wherever they are in reach”, and raised the prospect of possible attacks on ships in the Gulf.

Iraq s Kataib Hezbollah militia warned Iraqi security forces to stay away from U.S. bases in Iraq, “by a distance not less than a thousand meters starting Sunday evening,” reported Lebanese al-Mayadeen TV, which is close to Lebanons Hezbollah.

VOTE ON U.S. TROOP PRESENCE The United States has been an ally of the Iraqi government since the 2003 U.S. invasion to oust dictator Saddam Hussein, but Iraq has

Mourners react as they attend the funeral of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani (Iran protest) become more closely allied with Iran. The top candidate to succeed Muhandis, Hadi al-Amiri, spoke over the dead militia commanders coffin: “The price for your noble blood is American forces leaving Iraq forever and achieving total national sovereignty.” The Iraqi parliament is convening an extraordinary session during which a vote to expel U.S. troops could be taken as soon as Sunday.

Many Iraqis, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing the two men on Iraqi soil and possibly dragging their country into another conflict.

Soleimani, 62, was Irans pre-eminent military leader head of the Revolutionary Guards overseas Quds Force and the architect of Irans spreading influence in the Middle East. Muhandis was de facto leader of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella body of paramilitary groups. A PMForganised procession carried the bodies of Soleimani and Muhandis, and those of others killed in the U.S. strike, through Baghdads Green Zone.

Mourners included many militiamen in uniform for whom Muhandis and Soleimani were heroes. They carried portraits of both men and plastered them on walls and armored personnel carri-

ers in the procession. Chants of “Death to America” and “No No Israel” rang out.

Slideshow (21 Images) Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi also attended.

Mahdi s office later said he received a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and they “discussed the difficult conditions facing Iraq and the region.”

BODIES TAKEN TO HOLY CITIES Mourners later brought the bodies by car to the Shiite holy city of Kerbala, south of Baghdad, then to Najaf, another sacred Shiite city, where they were met by the son of Iraqs top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and where Muhandis and the other Iraqis killed will be laid to rest. Soleimanis body will be transferred to the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan that borders Iraq.

On Sunday it will be taken to the Shiite holy city of Mashhad in Irans northeast and from there to Tehran and his hometown Kerman in the southeast for burial on Tuesday, state media said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Soleimani had been plotting “imminent and sinister” attacks on American diplomats and military personnel. Democratic critics said the Republican presidents action was reckless and risked more

bloodshed in a dangerous region. Some U.S. national security and congressional officials questioned the use of the word imminent to justify the killing, while some legal experts and a senior U.N. rights investigator said the strike could have violated international law.

The U.S. strike followed a sharp increase in U.S.-Iranian hostilities in Iraq since last week when pro-Iranian militias attacked the U.S. embassy in Baghdad after a deadly U.S. air raid on Kataib Hezbollah, founded by Muhandis. Washington accused the group of an attack on an Iraqi military base that killed an American contractor. Abuhamzeh, the Revolutionary Guards commander in Kerman province, mentioned a series of possible targets for reprisals including the Gulf waterway through which about a third of the worlds shipborne oil is exported to global markets.

“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there,” Abuhamzeh was quoted as saying on Friday evening by the semi-official news agency Tasnim.

British defense minister Ben Wallace said yesterday he had ordered Britain s navy to accompany all UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection.

Bolivia’s electoral court sets election rerun for May 3 LA PAZ - (Reuters) - A rerun of Bolivia’s election has been set for Sunday May 3, the president of the country’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal said on Friday.

Salvador Romero said both presidential and parliamentary elections would be held on the same day.

“When we announce the electoral calendar over the next few days, together with the formal call for the election, all the deadlines that both political organizations and citizens must meet will be specified,” he told reporters in La Paz. The vote will be held almost seven months after the results of elections that handed a fourth term to Bolivia’s former President Evo Morales but were then discredited.

An audit of last October’s election found serious irregularities, prompting Morales’ resignation and clashes between protesters and security forces that resulted in more than 30 deaths.Morales, who had been in power for nearly 14 years, resigned following the election dispute and fled to Mexico, and later Argentina. He later said he had been toppled in a coup.In an interview with Reuters last week, he ruled out standing as a candidate for his Movement for Socialism (MAS) coalition in the next election, but said that he would return to Bolivia by Christmas.

He has identified Luis Arce Catacora, his former economy minister, and Andronico Rodriguez, a coca farmer union boss, as potential MAS presidential candidates.

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Sunday January 05, 2020

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Shakedown at Puruni Landing…

Close shop or pay an ounce of gold -businessman told

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PPP condemns attack on contingent in South G’town Reminds supporters of importance of conducting decent campaign

A

With little oversight, Mining Officers are getting away with murder when it comes to shakedowns, businesses from Puruni have complained.

Miners from Puruni Landing, Region Seven, are complaining of other instances of shakedowns from Mining Officers.

This latest complaints would lend credence to widespread complaints of discrimination and abuse of power by a few Mining Officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

In a latest complaint, a businessman from Puruni Landing, a well-known central point, in the Cuyuni/ Mazaruni area, claimed that that his shop was visited recently by an official who claimed to be responsible for managing Trading Licences.

“I was in Georgetown at the time doing business. The official who is not stationed in the area presented a notice to my shop attendant indicating that the trading in gold with the licence would be suspended from January 2020.”

The businessman claimed that the mining officer demanded one ounce of gold be paid to him if the shop is to continue to remain open.

The officer said he would be back in January to collect the gold.

“It is my understanding that the said person had made similar proposals to other shop owners. Upon return to the Puruni Landing two days later, I visited the GGMCs office to enquire the basis of the notice and was told by the Mines Officer stationed there that he had no knowledge of such notice and would have to check with his supervisor.

“He did acknowledge that the official who served the notice works at the GGMC but in another department.”

The businessman, in his complaint, made it clear that he is convinced that this was a clear act of corrupt practice and must be highlighted in an effort to remove from the GGMC those individuals who engage in such practices.

“I have interacted on a

number of occasions with officers of the Commission and found many to be hard working and honest. However, there are a few such as the individual who give the notice, who must be investigated and the necessary action be taken.

“I firmly believe that this was a “shakedown” operation since the officer stationed at the Puruni Landing confessed that he was in no way connected to that individual.”

The claims of the businessman, who is calling for actions, came days after a number of miners claimed that they are being constantly threatened with Cease Work Orders for the slightest infractions.

“No operations are perfect. However, we know that we are being pressured to pay up something because for the slightest of perceived something, we are told we are being closed.”

Closure is not an option for many mining operations

with scores of workers to pay.

With tough conditions and in a backdam where Mining Officers have sweeping powers, the complaints of shakedowns have been growing.

Recently, it was learnt that based on complaints against senior officials at GGMC, President David Granger ordered an investigation into discrimination of small miners.

There were accusations of a systematic protection of big miners and shakedowns of small operations.

There have been little details of how that investigation is progressing.

Until recently, the mining operations have been largely below the radar.

Not so anymore. In the last decade, gold declarations have been responsible for bringing in the largest block of foreign currency to Guyana.

It has overtaken rice and sugar.

Vagrant killed during row over sleeping spot-two in custody An argument between three homeless persons turned deadly yesterday morning when one of the vagrants stabbed the other to the chest.

The victim has been identified only as “Tony”. Imran Khan called Peter, 31, and Dave Jacobs called David, a 19-year-old labourer, of no fixed place of abode, were both arrested by ranks of the Springlands Police Station soon after.

Kaieteur News was informed that just around 1:00 am Saturday at Number 79 Village, Corriverton, Berbice, “Tony” , Khan and Jacobs usually sleep on the vacant Skeldon Market stalls at night. They began to argue about the sleeping space on the stall.

The argument between the vagrants escalated and “Tony” was dealt a stab to his chest area.

Clad in a grey and white striped jersey and a blue shorts, “Tony” was found in a fetal position with his hands clutching at his chest.

A closer examination by ranks revealed that he was bleeding from the chest. He was subsequently taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, police sources have since indicated that both men while being questioned, accused each other of committing the act.

The body of the deceased is currently at the Skeldon Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

People’s Progres sive Party contin gent being attacked by people purported to be APNU/AFC supporters in South Georgetown is receiving wide spread condemnation.

The incident sparked outrage after a video uploaded to social media showed several persons clad in APNU/AFC attire hurling insults and objects at the vehicle of PPP supporters as they passed through Laing Avenue, Georgetown.

The riotous behaviour drew a quick response from the PPP camp with the General Secretary of the Party, Bharrat Jagdeo appealing to its supporters to remain composed and to help conduct a

decent campaign as the nation moves closer to the holding of a regional and general elections.

“As, we prepare for our campaign launch… I received a report of APNU-inspired and organised thuggery. We had a vehicle going somewhere in Georgetown and Laing Avenue and they organised a few people to block the road and stop the vehicles from passing.

“I always knew that APNU will become more desperate.

As they see power slipping away from their grasp, they are going to resort to age old tactic of thuggery.”

Jagdeo said that the past few days witnessed acts of vandalism and thuggery organised the APNU’s leader-

ship.

The PPP General Secretary nonetheless urged his supporters to remain steadfast as they move closer to the elections.

Jagdeo also called on the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), the Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM), and the international community to condemn these acts perpetrated by the APNU/AFC supporters.

Jagdeo’s appeal comes hours after PPP executive Anil Nandlall wrote to the Commissioner of Police requesting an “urgent” investigation into the alleged attack on activists of the PPP/C while they were driving through Sophia announcing their party’s campaign launch.

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Sunday January 05, 2020

Sunday January 05, 2020

Teams collide today in Hammie...

From page 61 Amstel Kings with Kobe Kingston, Christopher Nelson and Akimbo Henry leading their charge against Soesdyke who will depend on Keley Benson, Alvin Adams and McKenzie Hope to carry their fight.

Uitvlugt will look to Shomol Smith, Seon Bobb and Malcolm Dainty in their battle against Wales who have Kelvin Roberts, Seon Lynch and Kenton Boyce.

Trayon Bobb, Jamaal Harvey and Delon Lanferman are the key men for West Side Spartans versus Stewartville who will depend on Reginald Nedd, Alvin Pollard and Charles Benn to withstand the charge of the favourites Spartans.

Pouderoyen with Kevin Humphrey, Keyon Kirton and Denzil Boyce will be hoping for an upset of the other favourite team in this stage of the competition, Den Amstel, who will field Leo Lovell, Kevin Dundas and Kester Jacobs in the forefront of their victory push.

The winners play the semis and respective final and third place.

The winning team will take home $200,000 and the NAMILCO trophy, while second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $100,000 and the NAMILCO trophy, $60,000 and the Christopher Jones trophy and $40,000 and the Andre Dazzel trophy respectively. The winning and runner-up teams will also

receive hampers from Ricks and Sari.

The player with the most goals so far is Franklyn Stevens of Plaisance with three, but that team is no longer in contention and Delon Lanferman on 2 of West Side Spartans has the chance to take that accolade and prize.

Among the sponsors lending support are: NAMILCO, Cummings Electrical, International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), Guyoil, Gafoors, Ready Mix, Sterling Products, New Thriving, TecnoMills, E Networks, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ministry of National Resources, National Sports Commission and the Guyana Police Force.

Sunday January 05, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A goal that you may have been working toward for a long time might still seem very distant right now. Therefore, today you could actually find yourself giving up on it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Generally, you tend to be rather ingenious where work is concerned, Libra, but today you may feel that the fountain of innovation has totally dried up.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A member of your household may be having troubles, Taurus, and therefore you might consider staying home from work in order to help them get through it all.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A crisis of values may confront you today, Scorpio.

Someone you care about might need you to do something for them that you don't feel comfortable doing, and this could put you in a tough spot.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) An important career concern could require considerable effort on your part today in order to enable you to advance whatever it is you're trying to accomplish, Gemini.

CANCER(June21–July22) A trip that you wanted to take may have to be postponed, Cancer, probably for financial reasons. You'll want to make the journey in the company of someone who's financially strapped right now.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The need to complete an important task could have you mustering a far higher level of self-control than you're used to, Leo. Perseverance and determination could dominate your mood, and therefore you could accomplish wonders.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A business or romantic partner could be in a rather schizoid mood today. You'll probably spend a lot of time together, and during the course of the day your friend could jump between enthusiasm and gloom.

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Kaieteur News

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you might feel a little gloomy without knowing why, and you could spend a lot of time trying to find a reason. There probably isn't any concrete reason.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) A close friend or love partner you haven't seen for a while could finally make arrangements to see you, Capricorn. You therefore could spend much of the day in a great mood, looking forward to the encounter ahead.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The house might seem rather empty today, Aquarius, as most of the other members of your household are probably out and about.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Someone close to you might not be feeling very well, Pisces, and you might feel the need to remain nearby and take care of this person. By all means do this.

Broad, Anderson give England crucial edge in second Test AFP - Stuart Broad and James Anderson led a relentless bowling performance as England gained what could prove a crucial advantage on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands yesterday.

South Africa were 215 for eight the close, still 54 runs behind England’s first innings total of 269 on a dry pitch which is likely to get more difficult for batsmen later in the match.

More than half of South Africa’s runs came in a 117run fourth wicket partnership between Dean Elgar (88) and Rassie van der Dussen (68).

But Elgar and Van der Dussen were unable to dominate as England dried up the runs, with Elgar eventually falling to a lofted drive when he tried to lift the scoring rate.

Anderson took three for 34, while Broad and Sam Curran took two wickets apiece.

Anderson took two wickets with the second new ball, bowling from the northern, Kelvin end.

All the other wickets by the fast bowlers were taken from the southern, Wynberg end where they got bounce

Colvin HeathLondon Inter...

From page 63 far and would like to assure that all the required arrangements and systems are being put in place to get this competition off the ground smoothly. The responses also from several of the secondary schools are heartening as the excitement is already there as several of the schools have been training and preparing since last year for this competition,” he said.

He added, “This competition affords each school to use it as a yard stick in determining the level and quality of talent that they have within their school. Further, it will provide our young men with the required platform to be more engaged and involved in positive things.”

He pointed out that the matches will be played at various cricket grounds on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. According to HeathLondon he selected cricket because it is a sport that is played and loved generally by all Guyanese, adding that it has a very close relationship with the sugar estates.

Therefore, he felt that it was the ideal sport to support significantly in channelling positive behaviours and attitudes among young people.

and some sideways movement.

A crack just outside the line of off stump created uncertainty for right-handed batsmen.

Twelve of the 18 wickets in the match have fallen from that end.

Ben Stokes held four catches at second slip, three of them athletic diving efforts.

Off-spinner Dom Bess played an important role, bowling accurately from the northern end while England captain Joe Root rotated his faster bowlers from the more helpful end.

Bess had spells of nine and 14 overs and finished the day with one for 62 off 27 overs.

Bess made a vital breakthrough when Elgar lost patience and sliced the ball to Root, running back from midoff.

Elgar and Van der Dussen rescued South Africa from a precarious 40 for three.

Broad took the first two wickets in a hostile six-over opening spell before Anderson was given a turn from the Wynberg end and dismissed South African captain Faf du Plessis.

Elgar played solidly in making his runs off 180 balls

with ten fours but Van der Dussen had a precarious existence, especially early in his innings.

His first scoring shot was a four edged at catchable height through a gap in the slips cordon.

He was given out leg before wicket to Anderson but was reprieved on review because of an inside edge and gloved a catch behind off Broad only to be called back because of a no-ball.

He also survived a difficult chance to Stokes at second slip off Anderson.

Curran took two wickets shortly before the second new ball was due, dismissing the dangerous Quinton de Kock before Van der Dussen fell to one of Stokes’ catches when the second new ball was only four overs away.

England earlier added only seven runs to their overnight total of 262 for nine before Anderson was caught at slip off Kagiso Rabada, leaving Ollie Pope unbeaten on 61.

South Africa won the first Test at Centurion by 107 runs.

Scores: South Africa 215 for 8 (Elgar 88, van der Dussen 68) trail England 269 (Pope 61*) by 54 runs.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 05, 2020

Colin Mc Ewan Jr. is King of Orrin Boston and Friends Pull-A-Rama competition C o l i n M c E w a n J r. emerged champion (King) of Orrin Boston and Friends last Sunday 2019 Pull-A -Rama Dominoes competition which was contested recently at Turning Point.

There was a prompt start to the competition as registration closed at 15:00hrs and the drawing commenced.

A total 51 players faced the starting line, after seven rounds of elimination four players remained, with only John Chance being the starting line favourite.

His fortune was further boosted since he was the only player who did not get a bye up to that point and therefore was sent straight

to the final. In the semi finals, Rawle Cameron was eliminated, but being the losing semi finalist he was assured of the 4th prize of $20,000.

In the final, Dark Horse, Colin Mc Ewan Jr. made an early break for the tape and never relinquished it and simply dominated it.

However, there was a tight tussle as to who will finish second and third between John Chance, who was first rated as favourites to win the final and veter a n

Wi n s t o n J o s e p h . W h i l e Colin Mc Ewan Jr. marked the required nine games, Chance and Joseph were locked on five each.

However, from the cards they had remaining, John Chance had one point less, clinching second place and Joseph has to settle for third. Mc Ewan Jr. took home $85,000 and the King trophy, Chance pocketed $40,000 and Joseph $30,000.

Boston has expressed gratitude to the sponsors.

Simmons, Williams...

From page 60 balls and opening partner Simmons chipping in with 36 from 28 deliveries.

Together, they put on 69 off 61 balls for the first wicket to guarantee Challengers a sound start, Simmons proving the aggressor with three fours and two sixes.

West Indies batsman Chadwick Walton failed

with seven but Imrul Kayes hit an unbeaten 30 off 27 balls to see Challengers over the line.

In the other match, opener Andre Fletcher and Sherfane Rutherford both struck 25 for Sylhet Thunder but Rajshahi Royals, minus Windies star Andre Russell, still came away with a dominant six-wicket win.

From left: John Chance, Orrin Boston- organizer, Colin Mc Ewan Jr., Winston Joseph and Rawle Cameron.

Sunday January 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Review of Squash in 2019

2019 Senior CASA win for Guyana was highlight of the year

By Sean Devers Guyana won the Men’s & Women’s team titles in addition to the Women’s Singles and Men’s doubles titles as they captured their fourth overall Championship in the 26th Senior CASA Squash at the Georgetown Club.

Guyana, who was last overall Champions in 2013 when the Tournament, which began in 1977 in Bahamas, was held in Guyana, dethroned defending Champions Barbados, winners of the last tournament in 2017 in St Vincent, to push them into the runners-up spot.

Guyana Women beat Barbados 3-2 to capture the team title, while the Men beat Jamaica 3-2 after rebounding from losses in the first two games.

Jamaican Chris Binnie won his ninth Singles title, including eight consecutive titles in the last eight tournaments.

Guyana’s 36-year-old Nicolette Fernandes, playing her first tournament in six years, beat defending Champion 17-year-old Bajan Meagan Best, in the Singles final to capture her sixth Senior CASA title.

The Guyanese pair of Kristian Jeffrey and Jason Ray Khalil won the mixed doubles, while Marlene West and Cameron Stafford from the Cayman Islands took the Mixed doubles, while Bajan pair of Best and Amanda Ye a r w o o d c a p t u r e d t h e Wo m e n ’s doubles crown when they defeated Guyanese Taylor Fernandes and Ashley Khalil in the final.

2019 Senior CASA Champs Guyana with the Golden Arrow Head.

In the Men’s final against Jamaica, Chris Binnie, who beat Richard Chin in the Singles semis, again beat him.

Julian Morrison beat Caribbean U-17 Champion Shomari Wiltshire, leaving the host nation to win their next three games to capture the team title.

Nyron Joseph beat Tahjia Lumley in a hard fought match, while Kristian Jeffrey beat Dane Schwier and Jason Ray Khalil defeated Bruce Burrows.

The Guyanese Veterans beat Barbados to crown an impressive tournament.

In September, in Pan Am Games qualifiers Guyana women’s team qualified for

the 2019 Pan-Am Games in Peru. Their day did not start off very successful, as they took on a powerful Colombian ladies’ team in the quarter finals of the women’s team event.

Although Nicolette Fernandes won, the ladies couldn’t take one more match to advance to the semis and automatically qualify.

However, they were placed in the 5/8 draw for another chance to qualify, with a matchup in the evening session against Brazil.

The win against their neighbours was their ticket to Peru where they failed to Medal.

In the Junior Caribbean

Nicolette Fernandes, Taylor Fernandes, Ashley Khalil and Mary Fung-a-Fat qualified for the Pan Am Games in Peru.

Area Squash Championships in Trinidad in July, Guyana won the Boys title while the Bajan Girls, for the fifth consecutive year, won the championship.

“Guyana has three strong individuals, their under-13 representative finished second, their under-15 boy won the title, and under-17 won. So, with that, you could see their team was very strong,” Bajan Coach Shawn Simpson explained, speaking about Gianni Carpenter, Shomari Wiltshire and Daniel Islam. Guyana ruled junior squash for 12 years straight up until 2016.

On the local front: The finals of the Bounty Farm Ltd. Handicap Tournament were held in February with Alex Arjoon being crowned King, while Nicholas Verwey won Category ‘A’, Samuel InceCarvalhal took the Open Plate title and Mohryan Baksh was the Category A winner.

The Toucan Distributors Junior Skill level tournament in March at the Georgetown Club saw matches in eight categories and saw top seed Shomari Wiltshire in excellent form against Michael Alphonso.

In May, in the Woodpecker Products Junior National

Championships at the Georgetown Club, Shomari Wiltshire was crowned Champion for the boys and Abosaide Cadogan for the girls. Both were also awarded Most Outstanding Players.

Louis DaSilva took the special award of Most Improved Boy and Tiana Gomes Most Improved Girl.

The last ball hit by Shomari Wiltshire in the final match of the Farfan and Mendes Junior Skill Level Tournament secured his crown.

Wiltshire faced Samuel Ince-Carvalhal who was also unbeaten as they went into the final match. Both youngsters played some great squash and Ince-Carvalhal earned a respectable 7 points in the third game, but the maestro Wiltshire calmly placed his shots and worked the court to achieve a clean slate in the tournament- not dropping a single game.

The level of squash continues to progress with the young players, keeping Guyana firmly at the top of Caribbean Squash.

THE 2019 KFC Senior National Squash Championships concluded in June at the Georgetown Club with the Khalil siblings creating history by winning the Men’s and Women’s

Open titles.

In the Men’s Open, Jason Ray Khalil came from two sets down to eventually wear down former champion, Nyron Joseph, and capture his first Men’s National title.

In the Women’s Open, Ashley Khalil was again crowned national champion as she won a hard-fought four-game victory over Taylor Fernandes.

In the Men’s Classic Plate, Robert Fernandes secured a victory over Peter Michael De Groot.

Kirsten Gomes won the Women’s Classic Plate when she defeated Lydia Fraser.

Nicholas Verwey completed a fine tournament when he won the Men’s Plate over Jonathan Antczak.

In the Men’s Veterans Over- 50 matches Garfield Wiltshire defeated Joe Mekdeci, while Medhi Ramdhani beat Tony Farnum.

In October, the Ansa McAl Lucozade Handicap Tournament climaxed with Nicholas Narain being crowned king after a threegame battle had spectators spellbound with the standard of play.

Daniel Ince took the plate title, while Louis DaSilva achieved his first title in the Category A group and Lajaun Munroe nabbed the ‘A’ plate.

PAGE 64

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 05, 2020

Commitment shown by players and staff brought the results – GDF Head Coach Joseph Wilson

By Franklin Wilson Head Coach of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Joseph Wilson is high in praise for the collective efforts of his players and staff as well as the management of the football club and others which combined to help them win the GFF Super 16 Cup, 2019/ 2020.

Against the odds, the GDF defeated Fruta Conquerors 1-0 in the final at the GFC Ground on New Year’s night, tournament MVP, Benjamin Opara netting the goal that saw the Army collecting the top prize of Two Million dollars.

On their way to winning the historic Brass Aluminum & Cast Iron Foundry manufactured trophy, the GDF defeated Essequibo’s Mainstay Gold Star at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground 5-0 which booked their quarter final place against fellow Elite League side, Buxton United.

In that match, the Soldiers erased a one goal deficit to win that clash 2-1 which resulted in them setting up a semi final date with the Guyana Police Force. In that match, which ended 4-2 in the Army’s favour; they had to again pull out all the stops even though they had drawn first blood.

Coach Wilson along with his Technical staff would have made the right changes at the right time and all his players ensured they

The GDF players and staff celebrate after receiving the championship trophy for the GFF Super 16 Cup, 2019-2020. performed on the field whenever they were called upon. The GDF exhibited a high degree of endurance in the final 15 minutes of their matches.

The Police match saw them ripping their opponents defence to shreds in the final ten minutes which set up a final showdown against Fruta Conquerors.

The championship match was another stern test for the Army which they passed thanks to Opara’s goal which sealed the deal.

Opara ended the tournament with five goals,

the same as Conquerors’ Delon Lanferman but on the winning side which saw him riding off with the Marics Honda sponsored 125cc Motor Cycle; GDF ended as the only undefeated team in the 16-team knockout tournament.

Coach Wilson, who joined the ranks of the GDF as their chief tactician in October of last year, stated that the tournament generally was fairly well put together from an organisational perspective with a few challenges.

The experienced Coach

made an instant impact on the team which resulted in their championship win and credited this achievement to the collective efforts of all involved.

“I hope that the win serves as the catalyst for a firm and competitive Army team both locally and internationally. A very good sign also is the commitment shown by most of the players and staff.

There seems to be lots of expectations which I will have to temper as we seek to make this team a solid one.”

Coach Wilson did state

that his philosophy would take some time to get firmly rooted into the physique of the team, whilst point out that the signs going forward look promising but only time will tell.

His instant success he said could also be credited to the fact that the President of the GDF Football Club, Loring Benons is a former player of his so they have a high level of understanding which redounded to the team’s success and will only get better going forward.

Commenting on the tournament from a general

perspective, Coach Wilson indicated that it was encouraging but much more needs to be done, generally.

“Guyana’s football needs the involvement of the experienced local coaches, since there is a strong perception out in the public that we have lost our way, serious thought should be given by all stakeholders as to the way forward. It’s time to get rid of hate animosity and selfishness. Let the game be the bigger picture. Love and respect always to the people who deserve it.

Peace.”

Simmons, Williams Rutherford half-century in vain as Thunder help Challengers lose again regain winning touch SYLHET, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies whiteball starts Lendl Simmons a n d K e s r i c k Wi l l i a m s played meaningful roles as Chattogram Challengers returned to their winning ways with a six-wicket victory over Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League here Saturday.

Having suffered their third defeat of the campaign on New Year’s Eve to slip from top of the standings, Challengers bounced back strongly, easily chasing down 122 for victory with 11 balls to spare at the Sylhet International Stadium.

Opting to bowl first, they bundled Tigers out for 121 in the final over with seamer Williams claiming two for 21 in a frugal four-

over spell.

Pacer Rubel Hossain (317) and off-spinner Mehedi Hasan (3-29) were the main wicket-takers, however, with three wickets apiece.

South African Rilee Roussouw top-scored with 48 from 40 deliveries, posting 49 for the fourth wicket with captain Mushfiqur Rahim (29) and 43 for the fifth with Robbie Frylinck (17) to pull his side around from 14 for three in the fourth over.

Once Williams bowled him in the 17th over, Tigers lost their last six wickets for just 15 runs.

In reply, Challengers chased down their target in the penultimate over with Junaid Siddique topscoring with 38 from 39 (Continued on page 58)

SYLHET, Bangladesh, CMC – For the second straight day, Sherfane Rutherford found his best not good enough as his maiden Bangladesh Premier League fifty failed to save Sylhet Thunder from their second defeat in as many days here Friday.

Asked to chase a massive 200 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium after Rangpur Rangers posted 199 for five from their 20 overs, Thunder declined to 161 all out in the final over, with the 21-year-old Rutherford blasting 60 from 37 balls.

The left-hander, who has played three Twenty20 Internationals for West Indies, punched five fours and three sixes – posting 38 for the third wicket with Mohammad Mithun (30) and a further 39 for the fourth with Shafiqullah (10).

Rutherford was

eventually seventh out in the 17th over, perishing via the run out route, with Thunder still requiring 55 from 20 deliveries.

Only Thursday, Rutherford grabbed a careerbest three-wicket haul with his right-arm medium pace but Thunder lost to Cumilla Warriors in a dramatic superover.

Riders skipper Australian Shane Watson had earlier top-scored with 68 from 36 balls to lay the platform for a challenging total.

He belted half-dozen fours and five sixes, putting on 77 off 51 balls for the first wicket with Mohammad Naim (42) and 61 for the second wicket with Cameron Delport (25).

Both Watson and Deport fell in successive deliveries in the 15th over from new-ball pacer Ebadat Hossain (2-30) with the score on 138 but Mohammad Nabi lashed two sixes in 23 to sustain the momentum in the late stages

Sherfane Rutherford … struck a half-century for losing Thunder. of the innings.

Rutherford claimed one from 28 from his four overs, while former West Indies leftarm seamer Krishmar Santokie proved expensive, leaking 56 runs from his four overs and

picking up just one wicket.

Thunder lie bottom of the seven-team standings with a single win in 10 matches, while Rangers are one from bottom with four wins from 10 outings.

Sunday January 05, 2020

PAGE 65

Kaieteur News

Olympic hopefuls depart for 3-month training in Cuba Guyanese Olympic hopefuls, GDF’s pair of Colin Lewis (Captain) and Desmond Amsterdam, Policeman Dennis Thomas, Forgotten Youths Foundation’s (FYF) Keevin Allicock and Manager/ Head Coach Terrence Poole departed Guyana yesterday Via Panama for a three-month training stint in Cuba.

Cuban Coach Francisco Roldan, who worked with Allicock in Cuba during his preparations for the Pan Am Games in Peru, will join Coach Poole in Cuba, while Coach Sebert Blake, who works at GPL, is expected to join the team in March.

The Cuban trip is aimed at giving the pugilists every opportunity to properly prepare for this year’s Olympic qualifiers from March 26 to April 3 in Argentina.

The 2020 Olympics will be held in Tokyo Japan from July 24 to August 9.

Ninvalle informed that

The fantastic four (from Left) Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis (Capt), Desmond Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas. the GOA’s contribution was the biggest the GBA has ever had and informed the entire cost to send the team to Cuba is US$31,000.

“We thank Mr K. Juman Yassin and the GOA, who

was the first to pledge their support, for their c o n t r i b u t i o n . We a l s o thank the Government for their $2.5 Million of which we have already gotten $1Million with the other

Top Shattas win three brothers Sports bar Inaugural Futsal tourney in Region one

$1.5 to be given this month,” Ninvalle, said yesterday at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue before the fivemember contingent departed for Cuba via Panama.

“We have given them the tools needed for their stint in Cuba and it’s now up to them to make use of the training which should help them in the qualifiers.

This is the longest period of overseas training that any National Boxing team

has ever had.

We a r e s e n d i n g y o u into the Jungle for three months and we want you to come back as Navy Seals,” Ninvalle told the Boxers yesterday.

While Director of Sports Christopher Jones missed the simple sending off C e r e m o n y, G O A’s President Yassin, a former President of Guyana Boxing Board of Control, former G B A’s Vi c e President Maurice Rajkumar and Boxing Promoter and supporter of local Boxing Seon Bristol also spoke.

The GOA head wished the pugilists well and related that about the middle of last year he met with Ninvalle and spoke about the Olympic qualifiers and pledged GOA’s support.

“Be dedicated, disciplined and make the necessary sacrifices while in Cuba since few get this opportunity of such a long period of preparation, so make use it,” Yassin told the Boxers.

“The GOA has committed another $1 Million for of two boxers’ trip to the Qualifiers in Argentina. So the GBA only has to find funding for the

other two and their Coaches,” promised the long serving GOA President to raucous applause from those present.

Rajkumar, who has been the Manager of National Boxing teams on three trips to Trinidad and once each to Barbados and Purto Rico, wished the boxers all the best and encouraged them to work hard in Cuba.

The former GBA executive informed he was now back to help in development of amateur boxing and was high in praise for the work done by Ninvalle.

Also speaking was Bristol, who said it was a pleasure and honour to be a part of this send-off of the Boxers and pledged his commitment to support boxing in Guyana; Amateur and Professional.

Mike Parris is the only Boxer from the English Speaking Caribbean to win an Olympic medal when he won bronze at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

Light Heavyweight John Douglas, who lost to Stipe Drvis of Croatia in 1996 when the referee stopped his round one contest in the second round, was the last Guyanese boxer to qualify for the Olympics. (Sean Devers)

Teams collide today in Hammie Green Birthday Inter-Ward football final at Leonora

The MVP, goalkeeper Shemar Jardan (left) receives his prize from Three Brothers CEO and PKFF executive member. Mr. Glenroy Hercules.

Watched by a fair sized crowd on a dazzling New Year’s night, Top Shattas FC did not disappoint their Fitzburg fans as they defeated Young Gunnerz FC 3-0 to claim the inaugural Three Brothers Futsal Tournament held at Fitzburg Recreational Ground, Port Kaituma.

Both teams went goalless at half time, but upon resuming the bruising battle, Top Shattas leading goal scorer Sisco Robinson continued his dominance as he buried his fourth goal and first in the final, while his team mate Ronaldo Abrams supported with a brace to extend their team’s advantage. Despite several efforts by Young Gunnerz, Top Shattas defence stood firm to ensure their team prevailed.

Top Shattas goalkeeper Shemar Jardan was adjudged the Most Valuable Player in the

final as he made two astonishing saves and was duly rewarded with a hamper with the compliments of Mr. Clarence Hinds of Mabaruma, while his team received a cash prize for their efforts.

Earlier, Top Shattas defeated Oronoque 31, while PKSS Young Gunnerz humbled Platinum FC 2-0 to qualify for the final.

The competition was well supported by Port Kaituma Football Foundation Trio of Ronaldo Rodrigues, Glenroy Hercules and Sherlon Rodrigues, and they have expressed gratitude to Platinum General Store, Three Brothers Sports bar and Barber Shop, Roshan Rampersaud, Mr. Clarence Hinds of Mabaruma, Mr. Brion Thomas, Mr. Shawn James among others for their unwavering support of sports development in the Matarkai Sub-region.

Delon Lanferman Teams are set to line up as they hunt places in the money round of the 9-a-side Inter-Ward Football Competition to commemorate the 85th Birth Anniversary of former Prime Minister and City Mayor Hamilton Green today at the Leonora Sports Facility.

Delayed from last year due to the weather and other events, today’s contest is set to get underway from 4:00pm with the quarterfinals, followed by semifinals and the resulting final.

The sides are determined to make it to the last four where they are assured of

Trayon Bobb

Jamaal Harvey

Andre Hector

Kester Jacobs

collecting dollars and an exciting evening of play is anticipated.

West Side Spartans and Den Amstel are the teams

tagged as favourites but the others will have plans to halt their charge.

The fixtures show Den (Continued on page 57)

PAGE 66

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

GTTA National Senior and Junior C/ships set for this month

Joel Alleyne (left) and Christopher Franklin (center) will both be part of the action in the GTTA’s senior championships this month (Calvin Chapman photo).

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and some key sponsors will stage the 2020 edition of the National Senior, Junior and Cadet Championships.

The events will kick start the GTTA year of activities and they are scheduled for the 17th to 19thand 24th to 26th of this month at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue.

The junior and cadet championships will engage boys and girls in the under18 and under-16 age groups with a novices’ component, while the seniors’ competition will engage men and women in addition to the under-21 males and females, and B and C classes’ components.

The national championship is the premier domestic tournament and it serves as a key component for establishing rankings and selection systems.

With the continental qualification event for Tokyo’s XXXII Olympiad scheduled for the 15th to 19th April, the GTTA are expediting the completion of the National Championship

Natalie Cummings will be looking to retain her National open women’s title (Calvin Chapman photo).

L-R Kaysan Ninvalle, Jamal Nicholas and Terrence Rauch are some of the top racket wielders set to battle in the junior boys’ category. for earlier this year.

The Caribbean junior and cadet championships are scheduled for this March and the Caribbean Senior Championships will be contested from April 2nd to 8th in Havana, Cuba. The Caribbean seniors will also be used as the qualification event for the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships scheduled for Houston, Texas, USA. Senior National Championships The senior edition of the

2019 Caribbean under-21 silver medalist Shemar Britton will be surging for the open men’s National title.

men’s category truly offers up a treat for table tennis fans given the competitiveness of the current lineup of male players.

This division will see current National Champion and 2018 Caribbean Men’s Singles bronze medalist Christopher Franklin facing the likes of the inform and

hungry 2018 Caribbean under-21 Champion and 2019 Caribbean under 21 silver medalist; men’s s i n g l e s bronze medalist; Shemar Britton, former national champion Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne , Elishaba Johnson, Miguel Wong, veteran Colin France, Orin Hickerson, Jonathan

Sankar and Edinho Lewis along with the young brigade who would be making their claim to the throne.

Current national women’s champion Natalie Cummings in the absence of Chelsea Edghill and Trenace Lowe will face stern challenges from Jody-Ann Blake, Priscilla Greaves, Neveah Clarkston, Thuraia Thomas, Nhecki McCrae, Crystal Melville, Abigail Martin and Jasmine Billingy, among others.

While the B Class will see the likes of Warren Hacksaw, Devon Richmond, Levi Percival, Remy Taitt, Xen Goliath, Krystian Sahadeo, Maurice Cummings, Shavin Greene, Raynor Anderson, Isaiah Layne and Jonathan Van Lange.

National Junior and Cadet Championships Current national Junior boys’ Champion Jonathan Van Lange, Jamal Nicholas, Isaiah Layne, Colin Wong, Kaysan Ninvalle, Yeudistir Persaud, Terrence Rausch, Krystian Sahadeo, Dhanesh Persaud, Peter Persaud,

Curtis McCrae, Ajay Persaud, Uriel Isadore, Kyle Chung, Ebo McNeil, Malaki Moore, Andell Austin, Narren Persaud, Salim Rahim, Jaswan Seenarine, Rhys Belle, Adrian Melville, Tyler Orderson, Christopher Barrow and Joshua Lucas among others will be staking their claim to the throne.

In the girls’ category, current national under-18 champion Thuraia Thomas will be hard pressed against with challenges from Neveah Clarkston, Crystal Melville, Abigail Martin, Jasmine Billingy, Akira Watson, Samara Sukhai along with new talents Lisana Ramscindo, Sufah & Samirah Burrowes, Alana Gouveia and Upha Hackett.

There is a plethora of upcoming and talented players with loads of potential in the local table tennis arena in the respective categories and it will make for a competitive National Championships that will be filled with key rivalries and excitement.

From left Lisana Ramascindo, Samirah Burrowes, Sufah Burrowes and Upha Hackett will be battling each other among other competitors for the Junior girls’ category.

Sunday January 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 67

Colvin Heath-London Inter Secondary Schools T20 Cricket Competition set for this month Former National Youth Cricketer and sports fanatic, Colvin Heath -London has indicated that he will be establishing a national Inter Secondary School T20 Cricket competition.

The inaugural competition, which will get underway later this month, is being organised primarily to commemorate Guyana’s 50tn Republic Anniversary celebrations in February. It will also create an avenue to advance sports development among youths. He said that with cricket being a national sport involving all the races he is confident that through the sport cohesion and sports development can be further enhanced.

“There is need for continued social cohesion among the nation youths, while getting more students actively and passionately involved in sports at the secondary level and that is what this competition seeks to do as it will afford the players an opportunity to interact, while competing competitively with students from various regions,” Heath -London said.

The Acting CEO of NICIL/SPU stressed that along with NICIL/SPU, they have teamed up with a number of individuals and companies to make this competition a reality. He assured that the Inter Secondary School T20 Cricket Competition will be one that every aspiring Guyana and West Indian cricketer will look forward to. He disclosed that while he intends to have such competitions involving both male and female teams, this year’s competition will only be for male teams.

He pointed out that the competition is expected to span some five regions,

which include Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, noting that some 72 teams will be involved.

He disclosed that the Regional Winners will meet for a national play off.

“This competition is expected to showcase some of our most talented and future cricketing stars and will serve as a platform for clubs and other cricketing officials to spot some of the hidden talented players. As such, I intend to make this competition an annual event while demonstrating my interest and passion for sports development in a holistic manner,” he said.

The NICIL/SPU acting CEO, who played three different sports at the national level, said that if the talent and skills of our young sportsmen and women is going to be further developed and enhanced, then there must be a platform for them to showcase their skills and ability. He said that there are several students who are talented but because of their varying challenges and difficulties are unable to have their talent recognised. He however noted that he remains committed with several other partners to playing a pivotal role in advancing youth development through sports.

The competition which will be known as the Colvin Heath-London Inter Secondary Schools T20 Cricket will see the national semi-finals played in Region Six with the grand finals taking place at the LBI Cricket ground in Region Four.

Heath-London expressed the view that the response from the regions will increase as a result of the important role and positive impact of the competition.

He declared that he would love to see all ten administrative regions participating, noting that because of time and logistic reasons aided with financial constraints they are unable to have all ten regions participating in this inaugural competition.

He stressed that in next year’s competition he would like to have at least another two new regions joining in the competition. He said that the competition is expected to bowl off in the third week of this month. “I am very elated with the response thus (Continued on page 57)

Colvin Heath-London

Spo

rt

Olympic hopefuls depart for 3-month training in Cuba P. 61

Boxers, Coaches & Officials at the send-off: 3rd from right is the GOA head K. A. Juman Yassin, while at right is the GBA head Steve Ninvalle.

Teams collide today in Hammie Green Birthday Inter -Ward football final at Leonora

Commitment shown by players and staff brought the results – GDF Head Coach Joseph Wilson

Rutherford half-century in vain as Thunder lose again

The victorious Top Shattas team.

GTTA National Senior Top Shattas win three brothers Sports . 61 and Junior C/ships bar Inaugural Futsal tourney in Region one set for this month P

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