Wednesday January 09, 2019
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MPs can be jailed for ignoring constitution on dual citizenship While the debate over Members of Parliament (MPs) holding dual citizenship is not a new one, it has been gaining momentum since the noconfidence motion, which was passed in the National Assembly, last December. Article 155 of Guyana’s Constitution states that “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who- (a) is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state…” Yet, from all appearances, Parliamentarians have been ignoring this constitutional provision to the point that at least a third of sitting members on both sides of the House are said to be holders of foreign passports --Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira and Government MP, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, are believed to hold dual citizenship. With a court case filed against expelled MP Charrandass Persaud, on the basis of dual citizenship, questions have been raised over the culpability and penalties attached to those found in breach. Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, has so far said that the Parliament holds no responsibility of ensuring that MP s are operating within the confines of the law. Isaacs explained that Parliamentarians are selected from lists provided to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by the main political parties. “The names are taken from that list and supplied to the
National Assembly. Whenever there is a vacancy, Parliament works with whatever names provided to us. We don’t have to verify who holds dual citizenship,” said Isaacs. Officials attached to GECOM, on the other hand, explained that members of each political party/group must sign a statutory declaration form in which they declare certain information, including whether they have allegiance to any other country. The Representation of the People Act makes the provision that each list of candidates shall be accompanied by a statutory declaration, in Form 3, by each person named therein as a candidate. Each candidate must declare in the form, his qualifications and consent, before a justice of the peace, commissioner of oaths, notary public or other person authorised by law to administer an oath in the place where the declaration is made. As such, candidates who fail to declare dual citizenship are in breach of the Statutory Declarations Act Cap 5:09 which stipulates in section 4, that it is an offence punishable by imprisonment for a period of one year to make in a statutory declaration a statement false in fact. Over the years, parliamentarians have been shrugging off the gravity of this declaration. However, the matter has, once again, gained prominence with the contention that Persaud’s dual citizenship status invalidated his vote in support of the No-confidence Motion that brought the APNU –AFC Government down.
At least a third of MPs are said to be holders of foreign passports The motion has resulted in at least one court case being filed against Charrandass Persaud, the expelled Alliance for Change (AFC) parliamentarian, who has been a Canadian citizen for almost 20 years. Even before that, Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram had also raised, prior to the 2011 General Election, the issue in a letter to the then Chief Election Officer Gocool Boodoo. He had reminded the official that it is his duty to ensure the elections are held in accordance with all laws. “It is my view that there is a serious obligation on your part to verify that the eligibility requirements are satisfied. You should be aware too, that while there might have been breaches in the past, this cannot justify a continuation of an unconstitutional violation in such an important matter,” he had said.
Civil society bodies meet on current political situation A broad-based body of civil society organizations yesterday met to talk about their deep concerns over the current political situation. “The meeting recognised that President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo will be meeting tomorrow. It welcomed their expressed commitment to working together for the benefit of all of Guyana,” a statement said afterwards. The meeting noted that Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana establishes the Government as “an inclusive democracy…for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision making pro-
cess of the State” and asks that their voices be heard accordingly. In attendance were: Transparency Institute of Guyana; Guyana Trades Union Congress; Guyana Public Service Union; Federation of Independent Trades Unions of Guyana; RISE Guyana;
Guyana Bar Association; Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana Citizens’ Initiative; Guyana Agricultural Workers Union; Red Thread; Roman Catholic Church; Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana; Private Sector Commission.
Ram had observed that this is more than an academic matter. “The constitutional provisions are intended to ensure that our legislators are loyal to Guyana and Guyana alone. A similar situation arose in Jamaica recently, where politician Mr. Daryl Vaz gave up his naturalized US citizenship in order to continue in Jamaican politics. That those who seek to
make laws for the citizens of any country must be willing to submit themselves to those very laws at all times is almost superfluous to state,” he asserted. “The permissiveness that characterised previous parliaments has led us into the present state of non-governance and lawlessness. We must not allow the same mistakes again. The time to start holding our next batch of par-
liamentary representatives to account begins now,” he said at the time. “For too long many of our laws have been honoured in the breach. It is particularly egregious when persons who, smugly holding aloft in their faith, are going to swear to uphold the Constitution and the laws of Guyana, are themselves in blatant breach of the Constitution. That is hypocrisy,” he said.
APOLOGY FOR ARTICLE
Inaccurate reporting on Supenaam waterfront project In our Monday Edition, we carried a front page story headlined ‘Delay in speedboat waterfront project puts Supenaam residents in discomfort’. The story is a far cry from the reality. It quoted a regional councilor as the source although the councilor was in no way related to the project. A young reporter was asked to interview
the contractor, the Regional Chairman and people closely related to the project for the story. He failed to do this. We unreservedly apologise to our readers, for falling below the high journalistic standards we stringently seek to uphold. We will endeavour to provide an accurate of the waterfront project.
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Wednesday January 09, 2019
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
2018 -AN EVENTFUL YEAR
I
n Guyana, at the start of a new year, it is custom ary for us to look back, review and assess what took place in the previous year. Those who are poor resent their plight and wonder if there is any hope that their lives will improve in the New Year. Those who are wealthy are counting their bottomline transactions and plan how to continue to become wealthier. From wherever or however one assesses the situation, the last 12 months have been a year full of events, good and bad, presenting our society with dangers as well as opportunities. However, the year 2018 most certainly cannot be described as usual, dull, unremarkable or uninteresting. Those with a crystal ball could not have foreseen what transpired in Parliament on Friday December 21, 2018. They did not see that a Member of Parliament on the government side would have voted with the PPP in support of the no-confident motion to topple his own government. Looking back, 2018 was an eventful year, despite all the gloom and doom and the defeat of the government which stunned Government supporters and left many wondering about the future of the country. But no matter how one slices it, 2018 will go down as another peaceful, dramatic and challenging year for Guyana, its people and mostly the government. Apart from the end of year drama that unfolded in Parliament, the country had to grapple with problems of the economy, high unemployment, health care and education etc. However, there was a decline in road fatality; homicides, serious crimes and unsolved murders. While the passage of the no-confidence motion was a major set-back for the government, the greatest news of all was the large quantity of oil found offshore Guyana and its impending production in early 2020. As we start 2019, we have a lot of work to do. We have a nation to build, a land to reform, and a people, especially youth to inspire. Our seniors need the assurance that their labour was not in vain. They need good healthcare, adequate water supply and protection from the criminals. Our youths need to know that their hard work in school was not in vain; their talent and skills must be utilized in the rebuilding of the country. We must say NO to those who want only to see their party in power, regardless of how much that desire divides and destroys the nation. We must also say NO to comments that disparage the people and the country, especially since those comments are now circulated worldwide by social media. Say no to the criminals with ill intentions who seek to destroy our peace and transform our communities into zones of violence and crime. Many are hoping that in 2019, the police will get an even better grip on the lawlessness that pervaded our society in 2018 and in previous years, and that schools, religious institutions, organizations, families and the government will come together and address the underlying factors that are pushing our youths towards crime. Putting youths in prison is not the answer. However, on the brighter side of things, Guyanese all over the world are hoping for a peaceful and prosperous 2019, especially with the impending production of oil. But for us to achieve significant progress in the economic, political, social, cultural, environmental and international spheres, we must put our differences aside and work assiduously for the better of the country. 2018 might have been an eventful year, but we hope 2019 will be much better.
I am reiterating, very strongly, my call for public education on the Constitution DEAR EDITOR, The Constitution of Guyana is supreme, and where controversy as to its interpretation exists or arises, the Judiciary is the ultimate determining body for interpretation and legally binding application. What exists in the Guyana Constitution is provision for a confidence motion (noconfidence) against a sitting government. But what is really absent, are extant laws or protocols detailing with what happens after that motion is passed. In the absence of such, social commentators guided by various understandings, individual and other interests, are attempting to inundate society with various views emanating from different countries on how the situation should be handled here. One such view speaks of applying “caretaker conventions” which could give the impression and leave readers to believe that there is a universal convention established by an international organisation binding Guyana to adherence. What the research shows,
is countries that have constitutional provision for a no-confidence motion have various responses after a successful confidence vote. These include laws or conventions, based on the characteristic of the society, coming into play after a successful confidence vote. Guyana has no such provision, whether by way of legislation or convention. In Guyana we are treading new ground, and we must do so cautiously, ever cognisant of the need for stability at all levels of our political operations, whether domestic, regional or international. The Government of Guyana at this period must have a heightened awareness of the importance and need to provide reassurance even as the public, trade union, business sector and regional interests express concerns. Had the 2014 confidence motion brought against the Donald Ramotar government been allowed a vote and considered successful (even though challenged), Guyana would have been facing this same dilemma on how to
proceed. And notwithstanding politicking, would have had to place national interest and stability at the forefront of our efforts to move forward in a way consistent with the clearly evident stability intent of the Constitution, which is supreme. In a similar way, the Ramotar government would have been faced with political decisions, as opposed to lawful decisions that require adjudication in a court of law, not a court of public opinion. I am reiterating, very strongly, my call for public education on the Constitution; for the Rule of Law to guide our daily management of Government affairs and that of the Opposition. I am mindful that the Opposition is itself treading on new ground. It is likewise urged to be mindful of the absence of appropriate laws and guidelines detailing how it too is affected by the confidence vote. Both Government and Opposition at this point in time must distinguish themselves with statesmanship. They are reminded that they have
equal responsibility to ensure that Guyana comes out of this era not as a divided people, not with an exacerbation of ethnic tensions, and without disruption of our ability to exploit our new economic exploration of oil and gas for the benefit of all. There is no question that surrogates acting on both sides, whether organised or not, are adding to the discourse, some of which fuel tension, confusion, and uncertainty, even as they seek to offer solutions and guidelines, all of which do not serve a national interest, but can be seen steeped in partisanship.In this context, Government along with the Opposition must be able to shut out the noise and put together the best constitutional minds and the Social Partners, as stipulated in the Constitution and International Convention, to aid in navigating this new terrain. This engagement must involve serious deliberation. It is only in the presence of lawfulness, that peace and stability will be achieved. Lincoln Lewis
As long as I am part of ANUG, we will embrace all Guyanese into our membership DEAR EDITOR, The withdrawal by Mr. Terrence Campbell from ANUG is now well known. An email received from Terrence on the morning of January 7, indicated that he did not feel that he could add value to our efforts in the days ahead. He has shared this email together with his reasons for this action with social media and it has appeared in the print media, and the public will no doubt draw their own conclusions. Insofar as Terrence references ‘a knife’ being stuck in his back by his ‘own people’, he has my sympathy. Politics is ugly and dangerous. Other members of ANUG have also come under pressure both very recently and in the past. The fear of victimization is not unfounded; it is very real and very immediate, but we have endured and I hope we will continue to endure. We intend to continue to build our movement to offer the Guyanese people an entirely different and creative political choice that rejects race politics and engenders a new and united Guyana. The purpose of this letter is to respond to a specific allegation made by Terrence that three of the founding members of ANUG have dual citizenship. ANUG has already issued a statement
pointing out that, like most hearsay conclusions drawn without proper inquiry, Terrence’s allegation is inaccurate. To that statement I wish to add, and the public is entitled to know, that, in fact, of the three founding members of ANUG, two are Guyanese citizens, and one is Guyanese by birth, and is also citizen of a Commonwealth State by descent. Further, as long as I am part of ANUG, we will embrace all Guyanese into our membership and will welcome all like-minded citizens, whether living in Guyana or
from the diaspora, whether Guyanese by birth or descent or marriage, who share our view that race politics must end. Other members and well wishers who have expressed an interest in joining or supporting may be Guyanese or may have dual citizenship. Most Guyanese have ‘put in’ and are hoping to ‘get through’. More Guyanese live out of Guyana than in Guyana. None are the less patriotic for that. Even more importantly, we will comply with the law. Of course, no member of ANUG is in Parliament, so no member
of ANUG has violated any constitutional provision relating to qualifying criteria for Parliament. If the time comes that the public deems if fit to place ANUG in Parliament, no ANUG representative will be installed in that position of trust in violation of the citizenship requirements set out in the Constitution. The law must be obeyed at all times, not only when it is convenient. I wish to add my voice to ANUG’s statement that I wish Terrence well. Timothy Jonas
The Charrandass calamity has implications for social cohesion DEAR EDITOR, The manner in which Charrandass Persaud acted, tells of reckless individuals in our midst - individuals who care nothing about the implications of their actions and repercussions that can damage the Guyanese population. I don’t even believe Charrandass has envisaged the implications of his action over time. The very conscience he alluded to, I believe, was badly infiltrated with selfishness, hate and what in Guyanese language we refer to as “bad mindedness”.
How can a man eat, drink, laugh, hug and embrace his fellow colleagues for three and a half years and down to the last minute give that warm assurance, ‘I am with you’. How can a man extol the virtues of the government he served as being the best thing that could happen for Guyana and in one minute betray them? This means can never justify its outcome or vice versa. Morally, betrayal is an abomination, regardless whose interest it serves. What you don’t like for yourself, you shouldn’t like for others, is the ultimate test for those
who mistakenly embrace this abomination. I doubt his explanation and reasons for the betrayal. Putting the puzzle together has given reasonable insight into what considerations and motives may be involved. What Charrandass has caused is a divide in our country. A division that has put our country years back with distrust. The irreparable damage has implications on our social cohesion as a nation. The past three and a half years have been punctuated by relative peace (Continued on page 6)
Wednesday January 09, 201
An open letter to Hon. Dr. Barton Scotland, Speaker of National Assembly DEAR EDITOR, Please see this letter sent to Hon Dr. Barton Scotland, Speaker of National Assembly: Dear Honourable Speaker, Re: Swearing in of new Member to replace Mr C. Persaud We listened attentively to your remarkable, proficient and most professional presentation to the 112th sitting of the National Assembly of January 3, 2019. We salute your sober treatment of the petition from the Attorney General to review your decision on the No Confidence Motion (NCM) of December 21, 2018. Honourable Speaker, we are also mindful that on January 3, 2019, you witnessed the swearing in of a new Member by the Clerk and as witnessed by the Members who were present. We are also mindful that the Government representative of the list must have weighed the credentials of the new member before presenting it to you and the House. Honourable Speaker, we are however concerned that your good office should and must verify the credentials of any and all members before swearing in, especially since there is the contention about Mr Charrandass Persaud, whose ‘dual citizenship’ was ok until he voted against his ‘own side’. Did your office perform ‘due diligence’ on the new member? Honourable Sir, Ubi jus ibi remedium; our concerns are based on the following grounds: 1) The Government members petitioned your review of the NCM – and one of the bases for their claim was Mr Persaud’s dual citizenship. While that was dealt with by you in your presentation, the basis of their claim forms precedence that must not be swept aside as we start to examine the base upon which the petitioners stand. 2) We contend that some Government members who argued against the NCM and who petitioned your review are themselves of dual citizenship. We the people of Guyana demand that those who requested your review of
the NCM based on the argument of Mr C. Persaud’s dual-citizenship also be publicly examined for any such breach. We contend that some MPs owe allegiance to a foreign power, quite injurious and inimical to the sovereignty of our Cooperative Republic of Guyana.Honourable Speaker, our Constitution provides clear guidance under Article 155 (1)(a) on parliamentary disqualification based on foreign allegiance. Any contempt of Article 155 also impairs the principal objective of inclusionary democracy as provided in Article 13 of our Constitution. The Sovereignty of this nation is under threat by those who swear foreign allegiance and are bent on deceiving the People. The very basis of our Constitution in its Article 1 is under threat. We call upon your good office to protect our
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Constitution, and to verify publicly the same status of the other Members of the National Assembly, the Members of Parliament on the basis of their allegiance to this Cooperative Republic of Guyana as compared to any allegiance sworn to any foreign power or state. In conclusion, we point to the plethora of foreign allegiance obviously dominating our National Assembly and we question whether contracts like that with the oil magnates (Exxon et al) are signed to suit the allegiance of those who have dual citizenship and therefore quite oppugnant to the interests of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. We beg your indulgence in treating with our plea. Sincerely, Dr Yog Mahadeo, LLB, FCCA, MBA, DBA Citizen of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Dual citizenship When the laws are not enforced, anarchy follows DEAR EDITOR, “Too often governments all around the world believe, or pretend, that just passing a law solves a problem. But without effective and tireless enforcement, laws will be ignored and the result is that the problem which a law was intended to tackle simply persists. What makes citizens obey the law is not always their sterling character. Instead, fear of punishment — the shame of arrest, fines or imprisonment — more often makes us comply with laws. Law enforcement is not just a way to deal with individual violators but also a way to remind society at large that there can be no civilization without legality.” (www.realclearpolitics.com)“In the modern world, we call such prompt, uniform and guaranteed law enforcement “deterrence,” from the Latin verb meaning “to frighten away.” One protester who disrupts a speech is not the problem. But if unpunished, he green-lights hundreds more like him. Worse still, when one law is left unenforced, then all sorts of other laws are weakened.” Are we to believe that Guyana it seems is yet another place “where the constitution is written in pencil and the laws in invisible ink?” When the laws are not enforced, anarchy follows as we now experience. “An unenforced law (also symbolic law) is a crime which is illegal, but is usually not penalized by a jurisdiction. It is a law which is usually ignored by law enforcement, therefore such laws have no consequences.” (Wikipedia) Sincerely Ed Singh
An opportunity to begin the journey to national reconciliation and the rebirth of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, A few months back I wrote a piece in the newspaper calling on the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC to join together and save this country. Our history teaches us that the PPP and PNC were birthed from the same womb, and this by itself is evidence that the ideologies, vision and goals of both parties are similar. Both leaders, Cheddi B. Jagan and Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham were colleagues fighting for a common cause during the 1950’s. I believe that there has never been a better time, a more ‘ripe’ time, for these two political parties to band together and make Guyana a great, historical country. With these political parties working together, the minds and the hearts of the people who hold old pains, old hurt, old baggage, will heal, as they will feel this spirit of national
reconciliation and rebirth. I am an advocate for accountability, so I petition the presence of a strong opposition party, even with a National Patriotic Front Government in place. This will allow for checks and balances and an efficient functioning of the governance structure. Our approaching oil wealth is the opportunity we have waited on for decades; I believe Guyana has been given this chance to move forward and build on its experience and knowledge. An important pillar of which is shared governance by the major political parties. This unity of Government between APNU+AFC and the PPP/C will create a subliminal, subconscious structure that will not only be good for defence, but it will inspire investors to spend their revenue premised on our long term stability and
Destruction or Development…? DEAR EDITOR, Which D do the Guyanese people want? Destruction or Development? Investment in the oil and gas sector has put Guyana on the cusp of providing its people a really good life for the foreseeable future.Do you think the Guyanese people want to blow this opportunity? Do you think the investors would be comfortable in a climate that spells destruction? Do you think any Venezuelan Government would ignore the possibility of taking advantage of a Guyana in turmoil? Now is the time for all of us, political parties, civil society, citizens at home and abroad, to think logically, act responsibly and embrace the
vision of a unified Guyana. Like them or hate them, Guyana’s future is in the hands of President Granger and Opposition Leader Jagdeo, and what emerges from their meeting today. Let their hands be safe hands! Sincerely Wesley Kirton
development in the various sectors: infrastructure, telecommunications, business, tourism, finance etc. The eyes of our neighbour Venezuela are on us, they look to see the reactions of our leaders and our political stability; the eyes and ears of investors are glued as they await the verdict of our No Confidence Motion court case. Guyanese, the true custodians of this great nation, are currently anticipating and predicting the actions of its leaders but still, all stakeholders hope and pray for good sense to prevail. This call is not baseless. President David Granger in his 2019 New Year’s Message spoke words to this effect…calling for all Guyanese to unite for the sake of nation building. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as well is on record appealing to Guyanese to work for the good of our country. At the genesis of the Coalition Government’s ascension into office in 2015, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo made an inspiring statement: “We can do this Guyana, we can do it”. I appeal to our political leaders to remember these statements and calls for unity and love. Government, Opposition, fellow Guyanese, we can save our country. We can build this dream that our (Continued on page 6)
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The PPP must make proper choices for President and Prime Minister DEAR EDITOR, The PPP will soon expedite the process in selecting its Presidential Candidate and his/her running mate who will be the Prime Ministerial Candidate. It seems to me that the diaspora, which contributes significantly to campaign funds, is more concerned who will get the nod. An on-line poll started on social media, but the party’s executive secretary Zulfikar Mustapha stated that the PPP has not signed off on any poll. The top candidate will be selected by the 35 members of the Central Committee. The party’s general secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, said that the members will vote by secret. However, party members feel although the selection will be made by the entire Committee, Jagdeo will influence members. In the past, several top members criticized the former President in the manner in which the leadership was elected/ selected. A few former PPP stalwarts were eliminated including Moses Nagamootoo, Ralph Ramkarran, Khemraj Ramjattan, the late Navin Chandarpal, and a large number including Clement Rohee are disenchanted. Jagdeo’s arrogance/attitude forced several supporters in the diaspora to break ranks with the PPP and support the AFC. Many of them made large donations and assisted the AFC to be part of the APNU/AFC partnership in government. Nearly all of them regret their move, because the AFC did not deliver and became a puppet of the PNC. Jagdeo and other members of the Central Committee should bear in mind “this time na lang time” and the electorate will not vote for the PPP unless they are satisfied that the movement is in capable
hands. In the days of Jagan in the 1950s, 60s, 70s 80s, whoever the candidates were the people voted for. Time has changed and party members are much wiser. Several persons have been identified to be in the running, they include: Irfaan Ali, Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall, Frank Anthony, Clement Rohee, Dr. Vindhya Persaud (daughter of Reepu Daman Persaud), and Charles Ramson, Jnr. Ali and Nandlall are facing criminal charges, but that will not preclude them from contesting. The case against Nandlall involving law books seems to be extremely weak. In fact it should not have been brought, but no doubt it was laid to frustrate and embarrass the former Attorney General. It is rumoured that Jagdeo is lobbying for Irfaan, but I do not think that if he is chosen the electorate will vote for him in the general election, and the General Secretary should be well aware of this and support someone who will win the Government. Although I live in Florida, I have been following the Guyana politics very keenly, and in my view Nandlall is the most fit and proper to lead the Republic. He has an excellent personality, is very articulate, brilliant, and can fit in with regional and world leaders. Moreso he cannot be bullied
or intimidated by persons who are opposed to him and his party. The party will also have to decide who will be the running mate - the person who will be the Prime Minister if the PPP wins. The practice is that he or she will be an afro Guyanese. I recall Dr. Cheddi Jagan was criticized for giving the No. 2 spot to Brindley Benn instead of the popular and brilliant Balram Singh Rai, a Barrister. Incidentally, Rai is still alive and lives in London where he migrated to more than five decades ago. He is now 96 years of age. If the PPP want to form the next government they have to work in harmony and start to prepare for the next general elections. They should not be distracted by the impending legal proceedings in connection with the no confidence motion. There is not much time - they have to ensure that the voters’ list is up to date and no foreigners are included. There might be another problem. Has the Chairman of the Elections Commission, James Patterson, recovered from his illness? He is now 85 years old and one wonders if he is capable of the tremendous task in supervising and running a general election in a relatively large country of 83,000 square miles with ten regions. Oscar Ramjeet
An opportunity to .... From page 5 foreparents struggled and fought for; we can accomplish what they never thought possible. It is at our fingertips. I urge you political parties to unite and fight for the good of all Guyanese. Heal past wounds and build on our foundation. I would like to advise you Mr. President and Dr. Jagdeo to speak on what you have planned, but also to discuss peace and unity in Guyana, to discuss how your political parties can influence the mood and atmosphere in our land. This meeting is of extreme importance, and what derives from it will indicate to all Guyanese what the hearts of you as leaders are filled with. This is an opportunity to begin the journey to national reconciliation and the rebirth of Guyana. Yours sincerely, Roshan Khan Snr.
Wednesday January 09, 2019
Our Constitution needs to be updated and rewritten in clear and concise language DEAR EDITOR, The recent debate on the No Confidence Vote has been a great concern of all Guyanese people. The Charrandas Persaud political fiasco and the fall of the current administration that is now a ‘’De facto Administration’’ has become a matter for our courts to decide. In my opinion, the courts have no jurisdiction to decide on a no-confidence motion, because the Constitution is higher than the Courts not the Courts higher than the Constitution. I took the time to read the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana which I found very interesting. I saw a great many flaws but I will state a few. I note with interest the Constitution is very obscure, redundant and in language that is very difficult for many legal minds to interpret. The first error of our Constitution is the names of its authors were omitted, which I found very amusing. In my literary and legal opinion, the names of authors and co-authors must be in the constitution and a dictionary should be at the back of the constitution to define obscure and ambiguous legal jargon. I am told the authors are legal luminaries of Guyana. It’s very sad that their names are not on the Constitution cover or on the inside. My next observation is the Table of Contents is very jumbled up and it makes it difficult to even find the articles and sections of the articles, thus the pages of the articles are not named properly in the contents page. This constitution needs to be properly edited and re-written in very lucid and comprehensive language by removing archaic jargon, idioms, and redundancies. From what I have seen in the news and read in the press, many of our legal minds have different opinions about our Constitution. We had the ‘’fit and proper’’ confusion and it’s still hovering over the courts. Such terminology should have been defined by a glossary or dictionary at the back of the constitution.
Our Constitution is also a Socialist Constitution that doesn’t fit in with our modern democracy in this age we are living in. Let me quote from the preamble Page 31 Chapter 1 ‘The State and the Constitution. ‘’Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism and shall be known as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.’’ How can we be a secular, democratic sovereign state and have a transition from capitalism to socialism? Can capitalism and socialism amalgamate? We definitely need Constitutional reform in Guyana. I went further into the Constitution to evaluate Article 106:6-7 (6) ‘’The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.’’ (7) ‘’Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.’’These are very clear words in a very comprehensive language. It is saying to the Guyanese
people two things: that the president and his cabinet must resign and call an election in three months and they shall remain in office. It did not say the current administration must take the opposition to court. The next issue about Mr. Charandass Persaud’s dual citizenship is something the coalition should have known of. He is NOT controlled by any foreign powers because he has a Canadian Passport. He is a born Guyanese and our Constitution doesn’t exempt us from our citizenship by birth. If I live abroad 40 years, I am still a Guyanese. On Page 32 it reads: ‘’ The Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana and, if any other law is inconsistent with it, that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.’’ In my opinion, this whole issue of the ‘’the vote of no confidence’’ has no legal merit in the court, the constitution is clear on this case.What I have written here is my own interpretation of our Constitution I am not a member of any political party or an affiliate to any. Our constitution needs to be updated and rewritten in clear and concise language or we will always be fighting to rule. I believe politics must be a fair game the loser must be willing to accept defeat and shake hands with the winner and work together in love and unity towards the great future of our nation. May God give us the grace to work together in unity for the best interest of our people. Regards, Rev. Dr. Gideon Cecil
The Charrandass ... From page 4 and challenges. We must never take for granted the peace we are enjoying. We must never trade it for any other condition or fake promises. The oil hasn’t started flowing and thieves, crooks, conspirators and betrayers are restless. Their relentless pursuit is noticeable every day and everywhere. We must guard against it. We know full well who we can trust and those
who will steal it for themselves, friends and family.Whatever our situation will be in the weeks, months or even till 2020, let us look at national development of our country. It is my considered view that there should be no election until we have Constitutional reform. Our Constitution has been a huge source of our problems and we should remedy it now. Successive governments had promised to rewrite it but failed to do it. Every Guyanese should demand it happen now before any new election. This long overdue reform, I believe, will create a new Guyana, where involvement of all Guyanese will be well assured. But most of all there will be no need for immoral behaviour as witnessed the 21st December, 2018. Yours sincerely C. Woolford
Guyana still owes US$170M to five countries
B
efore the political and constitutional brouhaha that came with the No-Confidence Motion, the Finance Ministry was making moves to put a dent in an approximate US$170M in debt Guyana has accumulated with five countries. During an interview on Sunday, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, said that it would be foolhardy not to pursue these efforts due to the perception of some that the government is in caretaker mode. According to advice Cabinet received, Jordan said that this is not the case. The Minister said, “From my end, we are trying to talk to our creditors in terms of debt reduction because we have about five or six creditors who we have not been able strike a deal with for many years (such as) Kuwait, Argentina, Libya, Arab Emirates and Yugoslavia. “And so the interest keeps counting. Collectively, I think it is US$170M and it keeps piling up. If you take Kuwait, since the early 70s, we borrowed about US$10M and today, it is about US$80M. We are trying to engage these people to come to a debt reduction agreement. We are to meet one of the creditors soon…” GUYANA’S FISCAL STANCE In spite of the expected gains to come from the petroleum sector, the coalition Government has said that it will continue to manage the nation’s debt in a most prudent manner. Specifically making this point was the Finance Minister during his 2019 budget speech. The economist said that the Government will maintain a moderate risk of debt distress and, in this regard, will undertake not to borrow at rates that could compromise the country’s fiscal stance. Jordan reminded that the public debt legislation is currently being drafted and is
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Wednesday January 09, 201
…Finance Ministry hopes to strike debt reduction deal
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan expected to be laid in the House in 2019. He said, too, that the Government will prioritize the crafting of a national debt strategy and an annual borrowing plan, which together, will define the optimal mix of financing mechanisms in the short-to-medium term, for the funding of development initiatives. In tandem with the aforementioned, the Finance Minister reminded that the Government also published a Public Private Partnership Policy Framework, in 2018. He noted that this presents a structured framework within which the Government can pursue new options of financing that will reduce the need to incur significant debt. Jordan said that this Framework will guide, in an open and transparent manner, how Government will engage with the private sector in the provision of public goods for mutual benefit. Jordan said that the Gov-
ernment is preparing a roadmap to develop the country’s institutional, technical, financial, environmental and business expertise to engage private sector partners. In Budget 2019, he said that the Government has allocated $100 million to support this initiative.
Bisram’s mother, co-accused to lead defence in alleged cop-bribing Sharmilla Inderjali, the mother of US-based businessman and fugitive, Marcus Bisram, and Maryanna Lionel, coaccused, are charged with offering detective $4M cash for him to suppress evidence against Bisram, whose name was mentioned in a joint murder charge. The women were each called upon, yesterday, to lead a defence as their trial continues before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Inderjali, 45, who resides at Number 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice and Lionel, 25, sister of one of the accused charged with Faiyaz Narinedatt killing, are currently out on a total of $3M bail. It is alleged that the women, during November 2016, allegedly offered a detective at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, $4M cash for him to suppress evidence against Bisram. The women are being represented by Attorney-atlaw Sanjeev Datadin. Magistrate Daly told the court that after careful revision of the evidence she was left with no other option but to rule that sufficient evidence was made out (Continued on page 24)
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Wednesday January 09, 2019
Ram petitions High Court to declare no-confidence motion properly passed
- says matter should be heard urgently to avoid constitutional crisis
O
ne day after the Government filed a court action challenging the vote count on the no-confidence motion, Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, by way of constitutional proceedings, is asking the court for a declaration that the noconfidence motion was properly, validly and lawfully passed by the National Assembly on December 21, 2018. In the proceedings which were filed yesterday Attorney General Basil Williams and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo have been listed as the Respondents. In the Fixed Date Application (FDA), Ram is seeking relief
under the Constitution of Guyana for the court to grant several declarations. The FDA was filed by Attorney-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran on behalf of Ram. Ram is asking for a declaration that the passage of the no confidence motion requires the resignation of the Cabinet including the President with all convenient speed. Ram wants the court to declare that the government comprising 33 elected members of the National Assembly coming from the coalition between A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change
(AFC) elected at elections in 2015, excluding the Cabinet including the President who shall resign with all convenient speed, shall remain in office until after the President takes the oath of office after elections to be held within 90 days from December 21, 2018 or within such extended period as the National Assembly shall determine by resolution support by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all elected members. At the same time, Ram also wants a declaration that the passage of the motion requires that national and regional elections be held no later than Thursday, March
21, 2019, that date being the ninetieth day from December 21, 2018. The applicant further seeks an order that at all times prescribed by the Civil Procedure Rules of 2016 be abridged as necessary in order that these proceedings be dealt with an determines on the shortest possible time as being of the most urgent nature. Ram said he has several grounds for the application which includes that on December 21, 2018, on a vote of all elected members of the National Assembly, the government was defeated on a vote of confidence brought
Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram on a motion by the Leader of the Opposition, which was passed with 33 votes in favour and 32 against. Ram argues that under Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana the Cabinet including the President, has to resign if the Government is defeated on a vote of no confidence. According to Ram, “Section 39 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act, which is specifically applicable to constitutional interpretation by virtue of Article 232 (9) of the Constitution (of Guyana) provides that where no time is prescribed or allowed in a written law within which anything shall be done, such thing shall be done with all convenient time.” It is Ram’s argument that it has been 18 days since the defeat of the Government and neither the President nor Cabinet has expressed an intention to resign and no date prior to or on March 21, 2019, has been fixed for national and regional nor has a resolution supported by no less than two-thirds of the National Assembly determined that elections should be held within a longer period. In his affidavit in support, Ram said that he is aware that several arguments have been made in support of the contention that the motion on the vote of confidence was not passed. Among them, Ram pointed out, is that as a result of the use of the words “the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly”, pursuant to Article 106 (60 of the Constitution, the motion required 34 and not 33 notes to pass. And further, that expelled Alliance for Change (AFC) member Charrandass Persaud, an elected member of the National Assembly on the Government list who voted in favour of the pas-
sage of the motion, is a citizen of Canada, and as a result, was not entitled to vote at the National Assembly. It is Ram’s belief that “both on a grammatical and ordinary meaning of the words, “the vote of a majority of all elected members of the National Assembly” in article 106 (6) of the Constitution as well as on a technical meaning of the words in the general context of the Constitution, the votes of 33 members of the National Assembly constitutes of a majority of all the elected members.” Ram contends that motions and Bills brought in the National Assembly have from time immemorial passed on a majority of the votes of 33 members of the 65 members of the National Assembly. In the affidavit, Ram said that he is aware that the National Assembly between 2011 and 2015 matters brought by the Government were defeated by the Opposition which held a majority of 33 members and between that same period, matters brought by the Government were passed on the government’s majority of 33 members. According to Ram, “I am advised by Attorney-at-Law and I verily believe that even if it were proven that Charrandass Persaud were a citizen of Canada and established that such citizenship disqualified him from membership of the National Assembly, the fact that he made a subscribed before the National Assembly to the oath of office in accordance of Article 167 of the Constitution meant that he was validly elected as a member of the National Assembly and a later declaration by a court that he was not entitled to be elected as a member cannot, in accordance with Article 165 (2) of the Constitution, invalidate any proceedings in the National Assembly, including (Continued on page 23)
Wednesday January 09, 201
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Kaieteur News
A visit to the GPHC can be traumatic
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uring the Budget Debate, it was an nounced that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will be establishing a modern trauma center. It is believed that China will be approached for funding to construct this new centre. Those making these decisions need to pay an undercover visit to the hospital before undertaking such a venture. Then they will understand why there is no need for a new trauma unit.
Going to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit of that hospital is in itself a traumatic experience and therefore it may have been much better for the government to invest in improving that unit rather than building another unit which will result in even more trauma for those seeking medical attention. The A&E Unit is the trauma unit of the country’s main referral hospital, the GPHC is in need of better systems and better management. There is no need for any new
modern unit. The same problems experienced by the A&E will affect the new unit and therefore it makes no sense investing in a new unit when the monies can be used to fix the existing one. The GPHC lacks the managerial capability to handle the number of patients that it receives. But even if there were fewer patients, there would still be a problem. The public health service has not yet learnt how to provide efficient customer care.
DEM BOYS SEH
Irfaat trying to disqualify himself from parliament De talk all over de place is how people use to ignore de constitution and sit down in parliament. Fuh years dem had people who born in Guyana then pick up demself and go overseas to live. After a while some of dem use to be more farrin that de people who live in farrin. Dem use to develop de accent and de dress style and everything just to show de Guyanese people that dem come from farrin. Things reach de stage wheh dem had to get de farrin passport. When things get hard in farrin dem come home. These are de people now tun politicians and sitting down in parliament. De constitution seh if you swear to a farrin power you don’t have right to vote
in de Guyana parliament. Nobody ain’t listen. In fact, more people join de bandwagon suh till anywhere you cast you eye is a Member of Parliament who got a farrin passport as well as a Guyana passport. Is nearly half of dem but people didn’t realize. Is now, after a man vote and shack out de coalition government that people looking at all who gat Guyana passport and a farrin passport. Dem is de people who gat dual citizenship. People check de law books and find out that dem could get jail because dem never tell anybody. Nuff of dem gun get disqualify. But dem boys know a man who gun disqualify himself. Irfaat don’t have a farrin passport but he got size. It look
like he was eating enough food to feed four people every day. This was a boy who was slim and trim when Jagdeo mek him a Ministah. Money pass cross he hand and some stick. He now got more food that a hog and he getting more fat than a hog and round like a walrus. This man gun disqualify himself from parliament fuh sheer size. Dem wouldn’t have a seat fuh him. Dem don’t have elevator to carry him from de ground floor to de parliament chamber. Perhaps he planning to live like a Roman emperor who got people fetching him. Talk half and watch how Irfaat digging he grave wid he teeth.
The public service is not organized to place the customer first. The majority of public servants believe that they are doing the public a favor and that the public has to put up or shut up with whatever lousy service is offered. Building new units will not make a difference. Unless there is an improvement in the management at the hospital and unless there is a change in the attitude of persons providing health care in Guyana, the situation is not going to change. If you want to sit on a bench for hours and wait before you receive treatment, go to the Accident and Emergency Unit. You will be triaged and unless you are bleeding to death or have multiple stab wounds or some of your limbs are missing or you suffer a massive heart attack or stroke, it is only then that you can count on immediate treatment. And even then you may still have to wait. There have been horror stories about the GPHC. Things have not improved at that institution. If anything, it is gotten worse. This column had advised before that if you are sick and can afford it, head to a private
hospital. Do not put your life at risk by going to the GPHC A&E Unit. You may live to regret it. The Out Patient Unit of the GPHC is another nightmare. It cannot handle the amount of patients which turn up there for treatment each day. Half of those patients are believed to be persons who do not wish to go to work for a few days and are seeking a medical to excuse their absence. But one of the main problems for the excessive numbers of persons seeking treatment is that the public simply does not have confidence in the community health centers in rural areas and therefore many of them flock to the GPHC seeking treatment for non-life threatening ailments. The numbers, however, can be managed. Every problem has a solution, once there is the will to solve the problem. What is needed at the GPHC is a better system. If 300 patients visit the Out Patient Clinic each day, five or six doctors cannot suffice because it would result in long waiting persons. The five or six doctors may eventually see everybody but the objective should
be to shorten the waiting time and for that the number of doctors needs to be tripled because most people arrive between 7 am and 10 am. This column has long touted the need for a 24-hour Outdoor Clinic located next to the A&E Unit so that patients who are triaged and found not to be emergency cases, can be redirected and easily shuttled to the Out Patient Unit. Unless there is a 24-hour Out Patient Clinic in close proximity to the A&E Unit, the situation at the GPHC will not improve. It will continue to be a traumatic experience to visit that hospital for treatment. The hospital should contract out the management of the Out Patients Clinic and the A&E Unit. It should also increase the numbers of doctors servicing these two units. A modern trauma centre is not the answer. With greater numbers of doctors and better management, the trauma associated with visiting that hospital can disappear.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 09, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
I had no feelings and emotions about what Charrandass told me
I
was speaking on the parapet outside Merriman Mall with Michael Carrington last Friday and as Carrington walked across the bridge to get into the mall, a person approached him, offering criticism of me. He spoke so loudly that I heard what he was saying to Carrington. He was annoyed at my support for the legality and constitutionality of the no confidence vote. I repeat; the no confidence vote is constitutionally correct. I don’t have a Facebook account but all the time, I get emails about what people say negatively on Facebook in connection with my columns. On Friday, I received a screen shot of Facebook condemnations of me and David Hinds by James Bond. Facebook was around when the PPP was in government but you cannot see any condemna-
tory comment, from James Bond, at least one, against what David and I wrote about the PPP. The same Bond doesn’t like the position we have taken on the no confidence vote. David should be more aggrieved. He doesn’t deserve the criticism because after all, he has not unambiguously come out and said that he supports the no confidence motion. I, on the other hand, have. I have written twice in these columns that Charrandass told me he would vote for the motion. I have shared a close friendship with Charrandass over decades and he has always confided in me about political action in his life. Last year he confided in me that he thinks the AFC has destroyed itself and the country should go to a new poll and thus if the opportunity of a no confidence vote should
come up, he will side with it because he knows it will mark the end of the AFC. Days later, I told David Hinds that but asked for it to remain in confidence. The night before the vote, I was with someone who is quite politically active and someone I have always trusted with my security. In one life-threatening situation during the bad days of the PPP’s rule, he came through for me. This is a trusted friend. I told him and him only, what I knew Charrandass would have done the night in parliament. Let me be pellucid here. I have no close political or social or personal connection with anyone in the corridors of power so I did not see it as an obligation to inform them even in the most roundabout or indirect way that the no confidence will pass. I want
to be harshly frank with readers and my friends. When Charrandass spoke to me, I had no emotions or feelings running through me about the consequences of the no motion move. Feelings of what will happen to the AFC and APNU and what will happen in a next election did not pierce my mind. I have reached a state politically where I feel successive governments since Independence have destroyed my country and that includes the PPP, PNC and AFC and that they need to go or be tamed through some new configuration of power. I will not be startled by the Facebook chastisement of me in the coming days and weeks. I could imagine what they are saying on Facebook about those who fought the PPP but are now in support of the constitutionality of the no confidence vote.
They would know the energy these anti-PPP activists displayed to expose wrongdoing of the PPP. But in their thinking a no confidence vote will bring down their ethnic leaders that they want to see rule Guyana. When Trump was elected, I can recall writing in these columns that the bigoted people that brought Trump to power are right here in Guyana. They have been here long before those Trump supporters became obsessed with having a White man as president over a Black American. In the US, Trump supporters like him because they want his type to run their country. Long before Trump fans came on the American scene, tribalist Guyanese since the sixties, were literally obsessed with “we versus them.” One thought the 21st
Frederick Kissoon century and the global village that the internet created plus the superabundance of young people in this land, the “we versus them” psychosis would have died a natural death. This tribally driven mind knows no boundary. The nefarious, corrupt rule of Jagdeo and Ramotar was successful because “they are our people.” Those against the no confidence motion will rant and rave against great antiPPP fighters who support the constitutionality of the no confidence motion, because their people will lose power. It will never be about country and issues. Only race.
Wednesday January 09, 201
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday January 09, 2019
DESPITE INT’L ADVICE …
Energy Dept. forges ahead with fiscal elements in Model PSA The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and more recently, the UK-based anti-corruption body, Chatham House, have advised Guyana’s authorities to eliminate opportunities for one-on-one negotiations on the fiscal elements of petroleum contracts. Both recommended that the Government put fiscal elements for the sector into standardized laws and regulations. In fact, Chatham House recently said, “Governments should move as many fiscal elements as
possible into standardized laws and regulations that apply across licences. Although this can reduce flexibility, it simplifies administrative functions and minimizes the number of fiscal matters that need to be negotiated with each company…” Be that as it may, the Energy Department has been pushing for the fiscal elements to be addressed in the model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The Head of the Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe,
had told Kaieteur News that the model PSA would contain best practices on various fiscal elements such as cost recoverable items for oil firms and auditing deadlines. He said this model would then be used to “negotiate” with oil companies. Bynoe had said, “What we are seeking to do with the model PSA is not to present an instrument which would necessarily be used as a one stop shop. What we are seeking to do is to develop a best practice map... “So we are looking to take
from global best practices, what is best suited and we negotiate that …What the model PSA would do is to have the best practices incorporated …and provide scope for negotiations going forward.” Kaieteur News tried several times to contract Dr. Bynoe yesterday to ascertain if at all, these fiscal elements would make it into the nation’s old petroleum laws ad regulations. But these calls went unanswered. Other transparency bodies such as the Natural
Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), have also recommended to the nation’s Members of Parliamentarian (MPs) to set fiscal instruments for oil through laws rather than individual contracts. NRGI said that negotiated, rather than standardized fiscal regimes, are prevalent in the extractive sector. In this regard, it noted that setting fiscal regimes through laws increases transparency and accountability, because contracts are more likely to be kept secret. Also, the Institute said that negotiations bring additional opportunities for corruption or manipulation. Additionally, if the applicable fiscal regime varies from contract to contract, NRGI said it can make monitoring onerous and frustrate the efforts of policymakers to carry out policy reforms. The international group stated, too, that fiscal regimes should divide risk appropriately between the investor and the state. Uncertainty, it articulated, is inherent in the extractive sector. It said that oil, gas and mineral projects may encounter technical challenges or be affected by unexpected price increases or contractions. As such, the Institute stressed that the fiscal regime should ensure that the State does not end up bearing a share of risk disproportionate to its expected return. It said, too, that the state should be compensated for the loss of resources, regardless of the profitability of a given operation. NRGI said that this is because oil, gas and mineral resources are finite. It stressed that fiscal instruments such as baseline royalties provide a guaranteed return for the state even if a project runs losses.
Energy Dept Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe The Institute also noted that transparency and consistency can help strengthen the state’s position. In this regard, the body noted, “The extractive industries are characterized by significant asymmetries between states and private actors. States own the resources and thus have real bargaining power. However, companies often have more information about the specific parameters of extractive projects and are more sophisticated in tax planning, which can give them the upper hand in negotiations.” Furthermore, NRGI stressed that fiscal regimes should be progressive. In this regard, it noted that extractive projects can generate substantial rents. It pointed out that rents (sometimes called “windfall tax”) are the financial returns above those a company requires to make the investment profitable. NRGI stressed that mechanisms to measure and tax a share of windfalls can enhance state returns in times of high profits and adjust to allow for adequate company returns during times of low profits.
Response to Finance Minister on KN’s Natural Resource Fund Article On January 5, last, Kaieteur News published the article, “Natural Resource Fund Bill Riddled with Loopholes for risky Investment.” (https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2019/01/05/natural-resourcefund-bill-riddled-with-loopholes-for-risky-investment/). Prior to the article being carried, attempts were made to contact the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, for his comment. Those calls to the Minister went unanswered. The Minister did not return them either. On January 5, also, Kaieteur News spoke with the Minister about the said article. Not only did Minister Jordan acknowledge that he saw the attempts by this newspaper to contact him, but he noted that he was aware of the piece which entailed comments from the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) on the Green Paper for the Establishment of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill 2018. NRGI said that based on the Green Paper, Guyana’s NRF Law should have certain provisions to prevent risky investments. The Finance Minister informed this newspaper that when NRGI’s representative, Andrew Bauer, was here to do a presentation at Moray House on the Green Paper, he told his officials that they should not turn up. He went as far as to say Continued on page 13
Wednesday January 09, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Doobay Medical Centre seeks to expand renal failure services to Guyana Even as Guyana battles to deal with soaring kidney failure cases, deliberate efforts are being made to help arrest its impact. Gearing to lend support in this regard has been the Doobay Medical and Research Centre situated at Annandale, East Coast Demerara. The Centre has for a number of years been offering dialysis care to many kidney failure patients. However, according to officials there are moves to expand the level of service offered to include pretransplant testing. Officials there had touted the possibility of even offering transplant service with the blessings of Government. Currently, kidney failure patients with voluntary donors are subjected to pretransplant tests which are usually conducted for approximately $1M. Although the actual transplant surgery can be conducted locally at no cost to patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC], the pretransplant tests are done in the United States. But officials of the Annandale Medical and Research Centre have been in discussion with the Ministry of Public Health in hopes of being able to offer this very pre-transplant service to patients at a reduced cost. This is according to Dr. Azim Ganji, a Canada-based Nephrologist who is affiliated with the Medical and Research Centre. At a recent press conference he said that transplant is always the most feasible option for a patient
suffering from kidney failure. Moreover, Dr. Ganji revealed that the Doobay Medical and Research Centre, which has been offering dialysis services to kidney failure patients since opening its doors some years ago, is currently eyeing offering pretransplants services with the support of the McMaster University Renal Unit, where he functions as a professor. He said that while actual transplant surgery is one aspect of the transplantation process, another key area requiring keen attention relates to the success rate of these surgeries. “We measure success by looking down the road and seeing how many patients have had a transplant and have had it without any complications. “That is one of the major aspects and that is why we want to introduce a system in a safe and effective manner,” said Dr. Ganji as he detailed the importance of proper pretransplant services. It is expected that once granted permission by the Public Health Ministry, the Doobay Medical and Research Centre will be able to extract blood samples from both donors and recipients for transplant surgery after which these will be sent abroad to the McMaster University to facilitate a cross-matching test. “Pre transplant testing is necessary because not everybody is suitable...We have to ensure that they are a good match and that takes a lot of high level testing. What we are going to do is send
Response to Finance Minister... From page 12 that, while he notes the criticisms of Bauer as carried in the January 5 article, “No Bill is perfect.” Jordan said, too, that there is room for regulations and amendments if deemed necessary down the line. At no point did the Minister object to the article being “erroneous”. With his permission, an article was published on January 7, alluding to those very sentiments. Minister Jordan on Monday however, sent a letter objecting to the January 5 piece. In his letter to KN, the Minister said that the Bill “clearly limits investments to certain assets.” This publication wishes to categorically state that its January 5 piece did acknowledge this. Be that as it may, Bauer, was quoted as saying that the said Bill should explicitly state which assets the Fund may not (be used to) purchase. The Bill does not do this. The Minister went on to state that Kaieteur News erroneously reported that the Bill does not ensure reporting on all assets financed by the Fund. He said, “In the annual report of the Fund, the Bill mandates that the report include the market value for each individual eligible bank deposit, eligible treasury bill, eligible sovereign bond, eligible corporate bond, eligible equity, eligible commodity and eligible derivative held by the Fund.” This is what the January 5 article quoting Bauer specifically stated, “Specifically, Bauer had expressed the firm belief that the Government must be made via the law, to disclose all the assets that were financed by the NRF.” Bauer further said, “One of the things I am hoping the Ministry of Finance does, is put into legislation that every single asset it invests in, be made public. Meaning, everything that the government owns, every share it buys into, must be disclosed.” Given the aforementioned, this publication stands by the contents of its January 5 article.
some of the samples to make sure they are tested there and so there is no additional cost associated with that,” said Dr. Ganji. He alluded to the need to reduce the cost to patients as far as possible. “Our idea is to ensure that health care is always available in the country all the time,” he added stressing that the Medical Centre is a not for profit entity that therefore provides care to patients in a non-profit manner to Guyanese patients. As such he said, “We have been working
collaboratively with the Ministry of Public Health to ensure that they have an understanding of what we are doing because some of our ideas are novel. There are obviously competing issues that the Ministry will have to deal with but they are certainly open to us collaborating.” Even as the Medical Centre looks to expand its services, Chairman of the institution, Dr. Budhendra Doobay, disclosed plans to expand dialysis services to Parika, East Bank Essequibo; New Amsterdam, Berbice and
to Linden. This move, he noted, is tactical since “we are hoping to open dialysis units to treat people closer to home.” It was just this notion that was conceptualised when the officials of the Medical Centre gave support to the introduction of the Dialysis Centre at the GPHC a few years ago. “Our first model was at the GPHC where we provided the dialysis centre about four or five years ago. This was because we didn’t want patients who are very, very sick in Georgetown to have to come till to Annandale for
Nephrologist, Dr. Azim Ganji dialysis...we wanted them to have dialysis right in Georgetown,” Dr. Doobay quipped.
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Wednesday January 09, 2019
Kaieteur News
Bush Lot double murder/robbery...
Relatives of wanted man say “he is innocent” The police in Berbice who released pictures of two men wanted in connection with the murder of the Samaroo brothers from Bush Lot Village, Berbice, appear to have made a huge blunder. The picture they released and labeled as Yujendra Jeenarine, 28, is in fact Romeo Jeenarine, called “Romie”, 18. Yujendra, in actuality, is among the two that were arrested last Thursday for questioning in relation to the shooting. It is unclear how the police mixed up the names and published the name of an individual who has been in custody for the past five days. The relatives of the boys are furious and disappointed in the police. The uncle of the Yujendra and Romeo, Daniel Locknauth, questioned how the police could release images of people without doing a proper investigation. “We are calling on the
police and the government to arrest the right people and give both parties justice. They should have done a full investigation first before they release photos. Now they damage my nephews image.” Loknauth added that he believes that his other nephew who is in police custody, should have been released already. “My nephew has been incarcerated for 144 hours now and he has not passed through court as yet and none charges have been filed against him”. He stated that his nephew, Yujendra Jeenarine, was arrested Thursday morning, four days after the incident. They got a chance to see him while he was incarcerated but to get to him was “a frustrating run around”. They visited the Whim Police Station and were told by the police that he was being kept at the Sister’s
Police Station lock-ups. When they showed up there they learnt from the police that he was at the Reliance Police Station Lock-ups. “The Thursday night is when they beat him and take him to Sisters without no medical or anything so we had to go there. We told them that we were waiting on them to take him to the hospital. They took him to the hospital on Saturday. “(Monday) he got weak and fell unconscious and burst his head at Sisters and they told us that they were gonna call the police and take him back to the hospital (yesterday). “(Yujendra) told us when we saw him yesterday that they put salt in his mouth, plastic bag over his head, duck him in the water and punch him in his belly. This guy has a tube in his side; his lungs was punctured. He was in a fight at the race course in 2015 and got 17
Premcharran Samaroo’s body surrounded by his mother and other relatives. stabs. “One of the wounds was severe so they had to put a tube in his side so the punch that they punch him now, he keep complaining that he feeling pain. The police were informed of his condition when they took him from the yard,” Locknauth added. All of this was relayed to him by his nephew when they eventually got the chance to see him. He also disclosed
that Yujendra told him that he was forced to place his thumbprint on a piece of paper. “My nephew cannot read and write and he told me that dem bring the paper to he and tell he put he thumbprint but because he refuse dem hold he down and press he thumb on the paper. “Don’t you see these police trying to carry down innocent people for things like this? It is very unfair!”
When asked about Yujendra’s whereabouts the night of the killing Locknauth stated, “He was at home here with his wife, sister and parents”. This was confirmed by his wife and mother. Locknauth told Kaieteur News that they have since retained the services of Attorney’s Chandra Sohan and Charlyne Artiga. Their intention is to turn Romeo Continued on page 20
Wednesday January 09, 2019
“The devil used me to steal”, thief tells magistrate Richie Persaud should be thanking God he was only fined after admitting to a break and enter charge which he claimed he committed because he was under the influence of alcohol and was used by the devil. “I was drunk your honour; is the devil used me.” Persaud made an appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. It was alleged that on January 5, 2019 at Macari Landing, Mazaruni River, Persaud broke and entered the dwelling house of Marlon Andrews and stole a quantity of cigarettes and rum totalling to $100,000. Persaud told the court that he is 50 years of age and resides in New Amsterdam, Berbice. He further stated that he works as a miner. When asked as to explain why he stole the articles, Persaud responded, “I was trying to get passage to go home.” Facts of the charge presented by police prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield, stated that the defendant and the victim are known to each other. On the day in question, Andrews secured his shop and left to spend Christmas at Bartica. He later received information about what
ACCUSED: Richie Persaud transpired and as a result a report was made to the Bartica Police Station. Persaud was contacted by the police, cautioned, and told of the allegation.
He then took the police to an area in Macari where the articles mentioned in the charge were recovered. Persaud was later taken into custody and was charged. Before sentence was passed the accused told the court, “I know I was wrong so I told them I did it. I didn’t give the police any trouble; I took them to where the articles were.” Persaud was then fined $15,000 or in default he is to spend three weeks in prison.
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Kaieteur News
Guyana intensifies relationship with private partners In an effort to fulfill its development objectives for Guyana, the Government will have to form partnerships with private partners. This collaboration will see private sector members participating more fully in procuring and financing infrastructural projects and services in the public sector. To guide this Public Private Partnership (PPP), the government adopted a policy framework paper that is intended to ensure value for every dollar invested in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). This was expressed by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, at the recent 48th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The event was held in St. George’s, Grenada. The Finance Minister said that the policy framework paper provides a structured platform for the local and external private sector to meaningfully engage the Government in achieving its national development agenda. As Guyana rapidly approaches oil producer status, with the attendant massive inflow of new resources, Jordan said that the inclusiveness of all stakeholders in national development becomes a
pressing imperative. Jordan noted that the document is a timely one. According to the document, it is Government’s intention to encourage innovation in as many areas as possible. The Government noted that traditionally, PPPs have been applied to the infrastructure sector – in particular, in infrastructure, e l e c t r i c i t y , telecommunication, water, transport and solid waste sectors, and increasingly in the social (health and education) and Information sectors. In the early stages of developing PPPs, Government said it will focus on the following key areas of development— the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the LindenLethem road link, the Deep Water Harbour and Container Port, the Mini and Maxi Hydro Plants and Energy Farms, Plantation Agriculture, the Modernization and Dredging of Port Georgetown, the Milk Plant for Guyana, the Information Technology farm; and Agroindustrial and Small Manufacturing arks.
The Government contends that the benefits and advantages of PPPs can be significant when they are well designed and implemented in a balanced regulatory framework. It noted, however, that those positive outcomes have to be earned through projects that can catalyze development, are financially viable, will minimize impact on the national debt and can favourably affect Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. To achieve this, the Government said that creative, competitive and transparent procurement processes as well as clearly articulated policies and procedures followed by thorough due diligence, must be applied. It said that there are, therefore, certain key preconditions that need to be present in the policy framework for PPPs, as they are critical to delivering successful outcomes. It said that these preconditions have been identified as affordability, the legislative environment,
institutional arrangements and capacity building. On the issue of affordability, the Government pointed out that this is a key requirement of all PPP projects. It said that the options must be affordable both to Government, and the public, given competing priorities and commitments. The Government said that the rationale for PPPs is improved management of scarce resources, better risk allocation and more efficient and cost-effective delivery of services. The Government said however, it should be noted that while the private sector may be willing to finance and deliver infrastructure and services through PPPs, only users or taxpayers can pay for these goods and services. It stressed that affordability, therefore, acts as a real constraint, and public bodies will need to give considerable thought to the selection of potential PPP projects, ensuring always that their choices are in line with Government’s policy priorities and objectives. Continued on page 21
PAGE 20
Relatives of wanted man say... From page 14 Jeenarine over to the police when the other brother is released. The mother of wanted man, Romeo Jeenarine and her other detained son,Yujendra Jeenarine, she explained that the Samaroo brothers are related to them. She denounced claims that her sons who are cattle and vegetable farmers are guilty of the crime committed. “I am really frustrated. (The Samaroo brother’s) when dem want something is me house dem does come. Me son “Romie” does go in me fridge and give dem wha dem want. Me son dem don’t
Wednesday January 09, 2019
Kaieteur News
short of nothing; anything dem want dem does get. “Yes, dem does drink but they would never be involved in these type of things”, Debbie Balgobin, said. She told reporters that her son for whom the police have issued a wanted bulletin, was consuming alcohol with the Samaroo brothers, the foreigner and another brother called “Sono-boy” the said night at the house. She revealed that after the incident occurred she went over to the house the next day to offer her condolences and while engaging with the mother of the Samaroo brothers, Irene Samaroo, she
was told by her that “Romie binna drink with dem bai and Sono-bai leff fuh go buy beer at the shop. “Tully” tell “Romie” fuh go behind “Sono-bai” before he thief he money and na worry buy beer”. Romeo “Romie” Jeenarine reportedly met Dipnarine “Sono-bai” Samaroo at the shop on the Bush Lot Public Road, a 20-minute walk to the shop and back to the house. A check with the shop (a supermarket) whether the two were there to purchase beers, was confirmed by two staff. They stated that the two men visited the shop around 19:00 hrs on December 31, 2018 and took about 15 minutes, “because it tek some time for dem to get sell”, the cashier said. They subsequently left and walked back to the house. Surveillance footage would have also captured the men entering and exiting the shop. However the police have not visited the shop and questioned anyone as yet. Harricharran “Davo” Samaroo and Premacharran “Tully” Samaroo were shot and killed at their mother’s home at Bush Lot Village on December 31, 2018, allegedly by three armed and masked men. They were laid to rest yesterday.
Diamond, Uitvlugt, Sheet Anchor water treatment plants for November completion
Construction of sedimentation tank at Uitvlugt. Hundreds of residents residing in Sheet Anchor, East Coast Berbice, Diamond, East Bank Demerara and Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara will benefit from improved access to potable water supply, with the completion of three new Water Treatment Plants by November this year. Managing Director of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van WestCharles, explained, during a recent year-end press conference, that major works have advanced the projects which are on schedule for a November 2019 completion date. The new water treatment plant being constructed at Uitvlugt will serve residents from Cornelia Ida to De Kinderen, supplying 10M litres of treated water per day once completed. Diamond’s new water treatment plant will
service some 23,266 people from Herstelling to Great Diamond with 12M litres of treated water per day. The water treatment plants are components of a larger project for which a more than $6B (US$31.6M) loan was signed in 2014 by the Government of Guyana (GOG) and the IDB, for a Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme. The four components of the overall project are the construction of new water treatment plants at Sheet Anchor, Diamond and Uitvlugt and rehabilitation and expansion of the Shelter Belt water treatment plant; reducing nonrevenue water losses through metering and establishment of district meter zones in the programme areas; institutional strengthening of GWI and conversion of existing pit latrines to septic tanks for 1,000 beneficiaries.
Wednesday January 09, 2019
Malaysia probing whether China offered... (From page 18) Malaysian prime minister’s office couldn’t immediately comment. Malaysia’s Cabinet was never informed that the China deals were linked to bailing out 1MDB, former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Twitter Tuesday. Any such agreements would have been made without Cabinet approval, he said. CORRUPTION CHARGES 1MDB is at the center of a global scandal involving claims of embezzlement and money laundering, with jurisdictions from the U.S., Malay-
sia and Singapore probing cases related to the fund. Najib has been charged with dozens of counts of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving 1MDB-related monies. He also stands accused of altering the report on a government audit into the fund to protect himself from criminal, civil or regulatory action. He has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Read how Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal shook the financial world.
Bandits cart off NIS safe, return firearm to female guards Bandits carted off a safe containing cash from the National Insurance Scheme office at Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara around 01.00 hrs yesterday after tying up two female guards. The safe reportedly contained about $600,000. Police said that the suspects allegedly first attacked the two female security guards on duty, relieved them of a service revolver with six rounds and a cellular phone. The perpetrators then reportedly took the guards to the back of the building, where they bound their hands and feet. The men reportedly gained entry to the building and removed a metal safe. Before escaping, the robbers returned the unloaded weapon to the guards.
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Kaieteur News
Malaysia’s current government, which toppled Najib from power in a shock election victory last May, has halted billion-dollar projects backed by China. That includes the Sabah gas pipeline project awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau and overseen by Suria Strategic Energy Resources, which has had its office raided by the anti-graft agency. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said as recently as November that he was continuing talks with China on another project: the 81 billion-ringgit ($19.7 billion) East Coast Rail Link, which remains in limbo after previously being halted and then canceled. China Communications Construction Co. was picked as the main contractor for the railway aimed to connect the eastern part of Peninsular Malaysia. China also offered to bug the homes and offices of Wall Street Journal reporters in Hong Kong who were investigating 1MDB, to learn who was leaking information to them, the Journal said, citing the minutes of the meetings. It couldn’t be determined whether China provided any such information, the newspaper added.
Guyanese national sworn in as new Attorney General ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – A former High Court judge was sworn in yesterday as Grenada’s new Attorney general, the third person to occupy the position since the ruling New National Party (NNP) won the February 2013 general elections. Darshan Ramdhani, who also served as a former Solicitor General here, replaces Dr Lawrence Joseph whose contract ended on December 31 last year. The Guyanese national served as a High Court judge with the OECS Supreme Court on numerous occasions including a 10 month stint as resident judge in St. Kitts. The former acting director of Public Prosecution here also worked with the Turks and Caicos Islands government as a senior lawyer in the Civil Litigation Department, a prosecutor and lead counsel for the Financial Intelligence Unit.
Darshan Ramdhani
Guyana intensifies relationship... From page 19 With respect to the legislative environment, the Government said that Guyana already has many of the ingredients required for a successful PPP programme: a stable administration; an independent judiciary; a robust Procurement Act and mechanism; and reasonably well-performing public institutions. “However, political and regulatory risks can be potential barriers to effective PPP implementation. A new PPP regulatory framework will be approved to provide further and concrete evidence of Government’s commitment to a PPP policy and to establish the principles and rules with which all public bodies will be required to comply.” As for institutional arrangements, the Government contended in its policy that
international experience suggests that identifying and establishing clear and unambiguous institutional functions at the onset of a county’s PPP programme, greatly assists in successful PPP implementation. It said that while institutional roles and responsibilities may change over time, as Government’s experience with PPP’s grow, the following public institutions will have integral roles in the programme: the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Business. The Government said that strategic direction of the Government’s PPP programme will be the responsibility of a Steering Committee. A PPP Core Team, within the Ministry of Finance will act as the Secretariat to the Steering Committee and as a focal point for the day-to-day management of the programme.
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Wednesday January 09, 2019
Kaieteur News
Man gets 14 years for killing son FOR RENT
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An emotional Amarnauth Chand was handed a 14-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to unlawfully killing his son. Chand, 49, formerly of Lot 81 Narine Street, Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD) appeared before Justice Navindra Singh when the January Demerara assizes opened yesterday at the High Court in Georgetown. Chand, who was initially indicted for murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence manslaughter, admitting that on September 29, 2016, he unlawfully killed his son, 24-year-old Mahesh Chand. The Court heard from State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs that on the day in question Amarnauth and his wife, Mahesh’s mom, were involved in a heated argument over $300. During that time, Mahesh intervened and gave his mother the money, to the annoyance of his father. According to the Prosecutor, Amarnauth armed himself with a cutlass and dealt his son a chop to the chest which later resulted in
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Amarnauth Chand his death at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). During his address to the court, Amarnauth accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse. He expressed, “I am sorry for what happened between me and my son. It hurts that I have lost my son and had to part from my rest of children.” Amarnauth who told the court that he has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour was advised by Justice Singh to attend anger management classes if they become available to the prison. Attorney-at-Law Keoma Griffith made a plea in mitigation on behalf of Amarnauth. The lawyer asked the court to consider that his client’s action were not deliberate but spontaneous. According to Griffith, his client has displayed genuine remorse and there is no evidence to support that he is a danger to society. Though the prosecutor had no objections to the court tempering mercy, she asked that the court impose a sentence that would remind the public that these sorts of acts would not be tolerated. In calculating a sentence for Amarnauth, Justice Singh commenced at a base of 25 years. From that he deducted eight years for the early guilty plea and another three years for expression of remorse, hence the 14-year jail term.
Wednesday January 09, 201
Kaieteur News
Ram petitions High Court to declare no-confidence...
From page 8 the passage of the motion.” The Applicant further contends that even if it were proven that Persaud were a citizen of Canada and established that such citizenship disqualifies him from membership of the National Assembly, Article 158 of the Constitution provides for the penalty where a person sits or
votes in the National Assembly knowing or having reasonable ground for knowing that he is not entitled to do so. Ram is asking for a quick resolution to the matter since it is one of national importance. He said, “It is my application that all timelines be abridged as necessary in or-
der that the proceedings can be determined as a matter of utmost priority so as to prevent the country from suffering the dire effects which can arise from a constitutional crisis and the ensuing of chaos, confusion and uncertainty.” This matter comes up for hearing on Tuesday, January 15, before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 09, 2019
Bisram’s mother, co-accused to lead defence in... From page 7 against the women, and the court will call upon each of them to lead a defence. They will commence doing so on January 30. It is alleged that between October 31, 2016 and November 1, 2016 at Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Bisram of Number 70 Village Corentyne, Berbice, and the United States of America; Orlando Dickie, 39,
of Stevedore Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Radesh Motie, 39, an excavator operator, of 124 Number 78 Village, Corentyne, Berbice; Diadath Datt, 18, of 98 Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Berbice; Harripaul Parsram, 49, of 164 Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Berbice and Niran Yacoob, 37, of 65 Number 67 Village, Corentyne Berbice, murdered Narinedatt.
And Bisram procured Dickie; Motie; Datt; Parsram and Yacoob to murder Narinedatt. The men have since been committed to stand trial at the Berbice High Court by Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court. The Magistrate overruled the no-case submission by the defence counsel and the evidence was determined to
be convincing enough to send the matter to the high court before a judge and jury. According to reports, on the day of the killing Bisram had a party at his home, which Narinedatt and a few others attended. At some point Narinedatt went to the back of the yard to urinate. Bisram allegedly followed Narinedatt and began making sexual advances towards him. It was
reported that Narine slapped Bisram and pushed him away. It was then that the rejected man allegedly instructed his friends to kill Narinedatt. It was reported that the overseas-based Guyanese told his friends he would ensure they would not be caught. Kaieteur News understands that several men beat Narinedatt at the businessman’s premises. He was then taken to a roadway and beaten until he fell into a drain. The men then reportedly took the carpenter by vehicle to Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, where they dumped the body and drove over it with a car to make
it appear like a road accident. Bisram is currently facing extradition proceeding overseas. Recently, a New York judge hearing the habeas corpus action into the extradition of murder suspect, Bisram, ordered lawyers from both sides to provide key documents. It is an indication that this is the last phase of the proceedings before Judge Kiyo Matsumoto refers the matter to the US Secretary of State for a final decision. The court ruled that Bisram was extraditable but his lawyers filed a ditch habeas corpus action late last year. The Government of Guyana had requested Bisram, who lives in New York, to be extradited.
Wednesday January 09, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Tender Board registers 25 multi-million dollar bids for Sophia Housing Upgrades
In receipt of bid proposals and expressions of interest were 12 Government projects from eager contractors yesterday, ranging from Mashramani festivities to major infrastructural community upgrades. The most significant of these is a 6-lot Sophia Housing project, with an engineer’s estimate totaling almost $1B, despite warnings to contractors from Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, not to pen any deals with what he refers to as a ‘caretaker government’. Also to receive vehicles, as well as infrastructural upgrades is the University of Guyana, for the improvement of service to both staff and students of the institution. Central Housing and Planning Authority - Infrastructure Upgrade at Sophia Housing Area, Georgetown Lot 1- Section A: Liliendaal Lot 2 - Section B: Pattensen Lot 3 - Section C: Turkeyen Lot 4 - Section D: Turkeyen Lot 5 - Cummings Park Lot 6 - Interlinking Bridges Volume 1-3 Section VII, IX, I to VI, X
Ministry of Public Telecommunications, NDMA - Supervision Services for the Construction of Data Centre - Liliendaal
Ministry of Public Telecommunications, NDMA - Supply, Installation & Operation of Interim Satellite Base WAM Solution
Ministry of the Presidency - SCCYS, Procurement of Commodities Lots 1-4 - Kuru Kururu Training Centre
Ministry of the Presidency - SCCYS, Mashramani Festival Band - Chutney, 2019
Ministry of the Presidency - SCCYS, Mashramani Festival Band - Calypso, 2019
Ministry of Education - Rehabilitation to the Staff Flats, UG
Ministry of Public Security - Design and Supervision Services for the Construction of New Amsterdam Prison Male Block
Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission - Construction of Building for Office Space & Living Quarters at Crane, WCD
Ministry of Education - Electrical Upgrade to Faculty of Education & Humanities Building - UG
>>>> Continued on page 26 <<<<
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 09, 2019
Tender Board registers 25 multi-million dollar bids... >>>> From on page 25 <<<< Ministry of Education - Electrical Upgrade to Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute Building - UG
Ministry of Education - Supply, Delivery of New Vehicles - Buses, Canter and Forklift
No meeting as ailing GECOM chairman told to take more rest A planned meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) did not come off yesterday, further delaying key decisions of the body, ahead of looming general elections. The reason is because the chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson, has been ordered to take more rest. After falling ill and being hospitalized last month, Patterson set January 8, 2019 for the next meeting.However, GECOM yesterday announced that his medical
GECOM’s chairman, Retired Justice, James Patterson leave has been extended following a visit to his doctor on January 7, 2019.“The Chairman had earlier indicated that that he would resume duty on 8th January, 2019 and to reconvene a statutory meeting after being absent since early December due to illness. While, the Chairman has been recovering well, he was advised by his doctor to have some additional rest to ensure that he fully recovers to effectively resume duty,” GECOM said in a statement. The commission said that Patterson will provide further updates on his resumption. The 85-year-old official, who was appointed after President David Granger said he was paying attention to the “Fit and Proper” criteria, missed a statutory meeting of commissioners last month because of illness. He was then transferred from the Davis Memorial Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, D’Urban Backlands, to Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital
where tests and procedures were performed. The Chairman was said to have been in the Intensive Care Unit. Prior to missing the December 4, 2018 meeting because he was ill, the Opposition commissioners had walked out the week before. The commission would have been just coming out of Local Government Elections held on November 12, 2018. Reports of the elections as well as other critical issues were set to be discussed. GECOM has six commissioners, excluding the Chairman. Three commissioners are nominated by the Government and three from the Opposition. In October 2017, Patterson was sworn in by President David Granger to one of the most critical positions. GECOM is an independent entity tasked with overseeing General Elections and LGE. The positions are jealously guarded by political parties with the chairman post being something of a hot-seat. GECOM would take centre stage at this time as a no-confidence vote against the Government coalition occurred last month with elections likely in a few months, unless the administration has its own way and has a stay granted by the courts.There have been concerns whether GECOM would be ready for general elections and with delays now due to the health of the chairman, there are even more concerns.
Wednesday January 09, 2019
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Kaieteur News
NBA roundup: Popovich ties for 3rd on wins list DeMar DeRozan had 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and Gregg Popovich continued his climb up the NBA’s career wins list as the visiting San Antonio Spurs defeated the Detroit Pistons 119-107 on Monday. Popovich earned the 1,221st victory of his career, tying him with Jerry Sloan for third on the NBA’s all-time list among coaches. The 23rdyear Spurs coach trails only Don Nelson (1,335) and Lenny Wilkens (1,332). San Antonio dominated the last three quarters after falling behind early. Just as they did against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, the Pistons got off to a good start, jumping out to a 21-9 lead with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting for the Spurs, who have won five straight and six
of their last seven. Blake Griffin had 34 points and eight assists, and Andre Drummond had 19 points and 14 rebounds in defeat for the Pistons, who have lost five of six. Rockets 125, Nuggets 113 James Harden produced another sparkling doubledouble but this time received plenty of help as Houston extended its home-court winning streak to 10 games with a victory over Western Conference-leading Denver. Harden paired 32 points with 14 assists. The Rockets also received a career-high 31 points from center Clint Capela (plus nine rebounds) and 21 points apiece from P.J. Tucker and Gerald Green. The Rockets bounced back after having their six-game win streak end Saturday against the Trail Blazers. Houston finished 22 of 47
from behind the arc to outflank the Nuggets, who had a five-game winning streak snapped and lost to the Rockets for the second time this season. Nikola Jokic paced Denver with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Celtics 116, Nets 95 Marcus Smart drained 3pointers on consecutive possessions in the first quarter to begin a game-changing run by host Boston, which went on to beat Brooklyn. The Celtics have won three straight and four of five. The Nets, who were trying to reach .500 beyond the midway point of the season for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign, had a three-game winning streak snapped and lost for just the fourth time in the last 16 games. Kylie Irving, who returned after missing two games with a left eye injury, scored 17
Wednesday January 09, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Everything should be going great for your career. It may all seem too good to be true, but rest assured that it's real. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Discussions with those close to you could lead to the discovery of new concepts, perhaps from foreign cultures. You will want to learn more about them, , as will your friends. GEMINI(May 21–June 20) Emotions that run very deep should bring you a lot of satisfaction today, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Relations with neighbors, siblings, or other relatives could get a shot in the arm now. For some, your recent business successes cause them to get on the bandwagon. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Success in your work continues to bring good fortune your way. Today you might get reassurance that this isn't a flash in the pan. You're likely to be financially secure for a long time. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) As you continue to enjoy success and good fortune, your self-confidence grows, Virgo, and so you're likely to attract new relationships with fascinating people in exciting fields who share your vision and interests.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today your sensitivity joins forces with practicality. Intuitive insights could come to you today, and you might express your new ideas to others. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Put your energy into your work or moneymaking ventures rather than into your emotional life today. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Residential changes, renovations, or moves are likely to disrupt your routine. You should want to feel good about yourself and your goals. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You will have a problem holding on to your cash today. You may find that you're being used. You'd be wise to control your spending so your debts don't get out of hand. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The distance may make you both appreciate each other more. Avoid confrontations with coworkers who aren't pulling their weight. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be fair, not colorful. Do not push your opinions or try to reform your emotional partner today. Join humanitarian groups and let your leadership ability take over.
points to lead a balanced Celtics attack. Seven other players scored in double figures for Boston. Rookie Rodions Kurucs scored 24 points and drained five 3pointers for the Nets. Bucks 114, Jazz 102 Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 30 points and 10 rebounds to help Milwaukee register a win over visiting Utah. Malcolm Brogdon added 21 points for the Bucks, who won for the 10th time in their past 12 games. Brook Lopez contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, Thon Maker also scored 15 and Khris Middleton had 14 points and seven rebounds. Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points for the Jazz but missed all five shots while going scoreless in the fourth quarter. Rudy Gobert added 14 points and 15 rebounds. Lakers 107, Mavericks 97 Los Angeles put together a dominant third quarter to rally from a 15-point deficit and win at Dallas. Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 29 points, Lonzo Ball had 21 and Michael Beasley, with 13 points, was key contributor in a third quarter the Lakers won 32-13. Los Angeles earned just its second victory in seven games playing without injured star LeBron James.
San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Bullock (25) during the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. (Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports) Mavs rookie Luka Doncic finished with a team-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Pelicans 114, Grizzlies 95 Anthony Davis had 36 points and 13 rebounds as host New Orleans defeated Memphis. The Pelicans, who handed the Cavaliers their ninth consecutive loss on Saturday in Cleveland, gave the Grizzlies their sixth consecutive loss. The Pelicans last won con-
secutive games during a threegame winning streak from Nov. 16-19. Memphis dropped to 3-13 since a 107-103 victory against the host Pelicans on Dec. 7. Frank Jackson came off the bench to add 17 points for the Pelicans. Mike Conley led Memphis with 22 points and 10 assists, JaMychal Green came off the Grizzlies’ bench to score 16. Kings 111, Magic 95 De’Aaron Fox led a balanced attack with 20 points as host Sacramento followed up a recordsetting shooting performance with one of its best defensive efforts of the season in a victory over travel-weary Orlando. The Kings limited the Magic to 36.8 percent shooting and the third-lowest scoring output for a Sacramento opponent this season en route to their second straight season-series sweep of Orlando. Terrence Ross came off the bench to score 20 points for the Magic, who were playing their fifth straight on the road and second in two days, having lost to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Trail Blazers 111, Knicks 101 Jusuf Nurkic scored 20 points to lead six Trail Blazers in double figures as Portland swept to a victory over visiting New York. CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard both added 17 points, and Lillard had nine assists for the Trail Blazers, who won for the ninth time in 13 games. Seth Curry scored 13 points, and Jake Layman and Evan Turner had 10 apiece for Portland.Enes Kanter came off the bench for 18 points and 14 rebounds, Emmanuel Mudiay scored 17 points, and Noah Vonleh contributed 16 points and 14 boards for the Knicks, who have lost in 14 of their past 16 outings. (Field Level Media)
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Edwards, Hodge see Guptill catch helps New Zealand Volcanoes to second win sweep ODI series against Sri Lanka Volcanoes skipper Kirk Edwards.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Captain Kirk Edwards struck a responsible half-century and rookie Kavem Hodge added another, as Windward Islands Volcanoes produced an admirable run chase to easily brush aside Jamaica Scorpions by five wickets on the final day of their day/ night Regional first class contest here Monday. Resuming from their overnight 176 for four in search of 287 for victory at Sabina Park, Volcanoes hardly put a foot wrong as they marched to their target for the loss of just one more wicket, to post their second win of the tournament. Edwards, the former West Indies Test vice-captain, converted his overnight 35 not out into a top score of 76 while Kavem Hodge, unbeaten on 15 at the start, saw Volcanoes home with an unbeaten 59. It was their 99-run, fifth wicket stand which snuffed the life out of the Scorpions attack and erased any doubt
about the result. Edwards faced 192 deliveries and counted six fours and a six while Hodge struck six fours in his 119-ball stay at the crease. West Indies fast bowler Oshane Thomas eventually claimed Edwards but Alick Athanaze arrived to carve out a polished unbeaten 23 off 35 balls with four fours, in an unbroken 33-run, sixth wicket stand with Hodge. Scores: SCORPIONS 210 all out (Assad Fudadin 81, Chadwick Walton 52, Rovman Powell 22; Kavem Hodge 4-40, Josh Thomas 242) and 189 (Assad Fudadin 48, Jermaine Blackwood 35, Aldaine Thomas 31; Josh Thomas 4-44). VOLCANOES 113 (Kirk Edwards 29, Roland Cato 23; Rovman Powell 5-23) and 289 for five (Kirk Edwards 76, Kavem Hodge 59 not out, Roland Cato 54, Devon Smith 44, Alick Athanaze 23 not out; Rovman Powell 2-48).
Ross Taylor went on to notch up his 20th ODI century - the most by a New Zealand batsman in any format ©Getty Images WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Martin Guptill produced a superb diving catch to dismiss the dangerous Thisara Perera with a wicket that sparked a stunning collapse as New Zealand swept the threematch one-day series against Sri Lanka with a 115-run victory at Nelson yesterday. Guptill’s fingertip catch taken above his head and
at full stretch to remove the burly all-rounder for 80 came at a pivotal moment in the chase, leaving the visitors on 244 for six in the 39th over and needing 121 more runs to win. After Perera departed, Sri Lanka surrendered meekly, with the visitors soon bowled out for 249 from 41.4 overs in response to New Zealand’s 364-4. New Zealand’s score,
Henry Nicholls was equally belligerent in making his maiden ton as New Zealand punished Sri Lanka at the death ©Getty Images the highest in the Saxton Oval’s short international lifespan, came courtesy of Henry Nicholls’ maiden one-day century and Ross Taylor’s 20th. Taylor dominated New Zealand’s innings after Lasith Malinga had removed Guptill and Colin Munro cheaply as the hosts made a rare poor start when they slumped to 312.
Trophy Stall backs... From page 29 fee is $15,000 and apart from the trophy and medals, the winning team will take home $175,000. The runner-up will pocket a trophy and $75,000, third place a trophy and $35,000 and fourth place a trophy and $20,000. The MVP in the final will take home $10,000, while the best female player in the tournament will pocket $10,000. Action gets underway at 14:00hrs. Teams can contact Wiltshire on 665-5855 for registration.
Thisara Perera once again unfurled an array of astonishing strokes to lead a rearguard fightback ©Getty Images
Kane Williamson (55) and Taylor then combined for a 116-run partnership before the New Zealand captain was surprisingly caught on the midwicket fence. Taylor took over the mantle of seeing New Zealand through and brought up his 20th oneday century as he and Nicholls added 154 runs in 20 overs before the former fell for 137. The left-handed Nicholls, who helped New Zealand pile on 130 runs in the final 10 overs, brought up his own century with a six and finished unbeaten on 124. Perera, who made a blistering 140 that almost carried Sri Lanka to a surprising victory in the second game at Mount Maunganui on Saturday, had looked well set to once more launch an assault on the victory target. Guptill, however, produced arguably the catch of the series to knock the stuffing out of the Sri Lanka chase as a string of Perera’s team mates wasted little time out in the middle before returning to the pavilion. Scores: New Zealand 364 for 4 (Taylor 137, Nicholls 124*, Malinga 3-93) beat Sri Lanka 249 (Thisara Perera 80, Ferguson 4-40, Sodhi 340) by 115 runs.
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Trophy Stall backs Wiltshire dominoes tourney Venture half century, bowlers secure Sans Souci final berth with win against MP Badri Prasad Memorial T20-Wakenaam
Led by a timely half century from Cleon Venture and a fine effort by the bowlers, Sans Souci defeated defending champions Maria’s Pleasure by 25 runs to secure their place in the final of the Badri Prasad Memorial T20 tournament in Wakenaam. Venture’s innings was the mainstay of his team batting after Sans Souci took first strike on a moist pitch at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground in Good Success and lost the early scalps of Quasie Whyte, run out without scoring, Kamal Khan for 11 and Wayne Osborne for one. The right-handed Venture and opener Jaggernauth Manbodh steadied the innings somewhat before Manbodh was run out for 27 after hitting three fours and one six. Sans Souci then lost Seon Venture lbw to Kennard Lewis for two and Devon Rambarran who was bowled by Bernard Lewis for eight in quick succession. However,
Kamal Khan
Cleon Venture
Cleon Venture timed the ball well and clobbered three fours and four maximums before he was dismissed for 51. Maria’s Pleasure then wrapped up the rest of the batting as Sans Souci were bowled out for 127 in 19.4 overs. Kennard Lewis, Samuel Narine picked up two wickets each. Pacer Seon Venture removed Samuel Narine (02), while Bernard Lewis, who got off the mark with a boundary off Seon Venture, was run out for eight to leave Maria’s Pleasure on 23-2, in reply. Leorayan Ramlakhan kept the
run rate on par as he struck Seon Venture and Omal Bacon for fours before smashing them both for a maximum each. Bacon then struck in quick succession; he uprooted the stumps of Ramlakhan who struck three fours and two sixes in scoring a brisk 25 and had Kennard Lewis caught for four. Left arm orthodox spinner Kamal Khan then picked up three quick wickets to help bowl out Maria’s Pleasure for 102 in 17.5 overs. Khan finished with 3-10, Bacon 2-17 and Seon Venture 2-19.
Kerber swats aside Giorgi to reach Sydney quarters (Reuters) - World number two Angelique Kerber began her title defence at the Sydney International with a 7-6(3) 6-2 victory over Italian Camila Giorgi to reach the quarter-finals yesterday. Kerber, who kicked off her 2019 campaign with four consecutive singles match wins at the Hopman Cup last week, struggled on her return to Sydney and landed only 44 percent of her first serves in the first set. Giorgi took her opportunities and leapt to a 3-1 lead, but four consecutive backhand errors meant she lost her advantage as her German opponent broke back immediately. As Kerber gradually tightened up her game, Giorgi stumbled, making two double faults and three unforced errors to concede the opening set in a tiebreak. Giorgi responded with an early break in the second set, but Kerber asserted her status as one of the most aggressive players on the tour, racing through the final five games to seal the win. Kerber will face two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova or Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei for a place in the semifinals.
Germany’s Angelique Kerber reacts during her group stage match against Sloane Stephens of the U.S. (REUTERS/Edgar Su, file photo) Local favourite Ashleigh Barty set up a pre-Australian Open showdown with world number one Simona Halep after beating 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-3. World number 15 Barty, who finished runner-up last year, converted five break point opportunities and won 85 percent of points on her first serve to seal her progress to the last 16. “The ultimate goal is to go top 10. I’d love to go deep in a major, and hopefully I can do it here in Australia,” Barty said after recording her third win from four outings this
season. “I feel like I have played enough matches now, I’m ready, feel pretty good on the court. There’s certainly no better challenge than coming up against Simona right before a Slam.” Former world number one Garbine Muguruza withdrew from the tournament ahead of her second-round encounter with seventh seed Kiki Bertens, due to a gastrointestinal illness. Dutchwoman Bertens will next meet American Sloane Stephens or Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in the quarter-finals.
Mark Wiltshire accepts the trophy from Anisa Garnett. Trophy Stall has thrown its support behind the senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Mark Wiltshire for the staging of his birth anniversary competition which is set to commence on January 13th at Turning Point Sports bar.
Trophy Stall Representative Anisa Garnett handed over the first place trophy and nine medals to Wiltshire at their Bourda Market location yesterday. Garnett lauded Wiltshire for his commitment to the sport, adding that they are happy to be associated with
the tournament. She wished the teams well and said they are looking forward to a successful and exciting competition. Wiltshire thanked the entity for the support and stated that the tournament is open to teams throughout Guyana. Entrance (Continued on page 28)
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Valentino Rossi: Yamaha must match Ducati, Honda’s F1-style effort Autosport - Valentino Rossi says if Yamaha wants to win again in MotoGP it must match the effort Ducati and Honda are making with their staff levels “closer to Formula 1”. After a disappointing 2017 season, Yamaha endured an even worse campaign last
year and broke its record for its longest-ever premier class win drought, which was finally broken by Maverick Vinales in Australia after 25 races.That was the only race won by a Yamaha rider, with the other 17 shared by Honda and Ducati. Although Rossi and
Rossi (left) and team-mate Vinales struck very different tones during last year’s final test at Jerez, with the latter declaring his speed proves that Yamaha is now strong enough to fight for the title again.
Jumbo Jet horseracing dates for 2019 released, Triple Crown is the highlight
Junior Jumbo Jet Mohammed Racing fans and turfites are in for a treat this year after the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee has disclosed their racing dates for 2019 and also has indicated that the Triple Crown horseracing championship, which was hampered by the weather last year, is set to be the major attraction this year. Coordinator Junior ‘Jumbo Jet’ Mohammed disclosed that unfortunately only one leg of the scheduled three of the Triple Crown was held last year and would have been a disappointment for fans and the organising committee. However, they are hopeful of better conditions this year so one of the top racehorses locally will get the chance to be crowned Triple
Crown champion. He informed that the Triple Crown will be contested during the months of February and April of this year. The dates set for the Triple are February 24th, March 24th and April 21st. Another key date is August 18th when the Guyana Cup event is staged at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast, Berbice. The other meet date set by the committee is November 2nd.Mohammed informed that a provisional programme for the Triple Crown will be released by next week so horse owners can begin to whip their racehorses in shape for the opening stanza of the Triple Crown. Additional details will also be released on the event shortly.
Vinales finished the year third and fourth overall respectively, the works Yamaha team dropped out of the top two in the teams’ standings for the first time since 2007, accruing its lowest points tally since the same year. Rossi believes part of the reason Yamaha has fallen behind in the last two seasons is that the manufacturer is not investing the same amount of resources in terms of personnel at races.“In recent times, especially in the last year-and-a-half, the technical situation in MotoGP has changed a lot,” said Rossi. “Ducati was the first to make a step with the quantity of people and of engineers. “It’s a bit closer to Formula 1, while still remaining very far away. “Honda followed and I have spoken about this. “Now to win in MotoGP, you need to make an effort of this type. We need to see if this happens with Yamaha.” That followed on from Rossi saying he felt the latest iteration of the M1 Yamaha
Valentino Rossi (left) says if Yamaha wants to win again in MotoGP it must match the effort Ducati and Honda are making. brought to Jerez was “not the improvement we need” and that the bike’s drawbacks were “more or less the same” as its predecessor. Despite suggestions that Yamaha may have to split development in order to produce a package to suit both Rossi’s and Vinales’ tastes,
Rossi insists he’s happy for whatever Vinales asks for to form the basis of development. “If they bring new things for Vinales, I would be happy, because I would get to try them too,” said Rossi. “The things that we both say are very similar and we
find ourselves in agreement almost always regarding the development on the bike. “If Yamaha wants to bring everything he asks for, for me it’s very good, because at least they are bringing something. Because 90 percent of the time we say the same things.”
‘This team has shown great character’ says Coach Crandon - After beating full strength By Sean Devers After beating a full strength Barbados Pride by six wickets at the Kensington Oval on Monday for their third consecutive win on the Road, Guyana Jaguars, without Wi n d i e s t r i o S h i m r o n Hetmyer, Davendra Bishoo and Kemo Paul, extended their unbeaten streak to 13 matches. The four-times defending Champions are the only team to win all of their matches and are on 58.4 points and their closest challenger is Leewards Hurricanes on 43.6 with two wins and loss. Windwards Volcanoes with two wins and a loss are third with 38.2 points, while Barbados Pride,who have lost two and won one are on 29.2 points. T&T’s Red Force (10.2) and Jamaica Scorpions (9.8) have lost both of their matches. After the win, Barbados based Guyanese Dr Pooran Singh hosted the Caribbean’s most dominant team for Dinner at his residence on Monday night. Dr Singh and his wife have hosted Guyana teams for Dinners for close to two decades and were awarded for his services to cricket over the years by the GCB at its annual Awards Ceremony last month. The trophy was presented to Dr
B’dos for 3rd successive win
Jaguars head Coach Esuan Crandon Singh at the Dinner. Since Barbados beat them in 2014 at Providence, the rampaging Jaguars have only lost twice in Regional First-Class Cricket. Speaking to Kaieteur Sports after the win, Head Coach Esuan Crandon said his charges were able to play better cricket than Barbados over the four days and won ten out of the twelve sessions played. “A lot of runs were scored by both teams and that would’ve suggested that it’s a good pitch to bat on. It wasn’t an easy pitch to bat on especially on the third and fourth day. With the new ball it was probably difficult to play because of the inconsistent bounce,” explained the Windies Assistant Coach. “As the ball gets older
it was much easier for the batsmen. It (the pitch) didn’t offer much to the s p i n n e r s . We w e r e s u rprised when Barbados won the toss and asked us to bat because from our assessment of the pitch it looked brown and dry so we wanted to bat first put up a descent first innings score and pressure the Bajans,” informed Crandon who turned 37 on December 17. The Berbician from R o s e H a l l To w n s a i d Chanderpaul Hemraj and Anthony Bramble were brilliant with the bat. Hemraj, the 53rd G u y a n e s e t o p l a y Te s t cricket, scored 144 and nine in his only match at an average of 76.50, while Wi c k e t k e e p e r B r a m b l e scored an unbeaten 130 and has 159 runs from three innings with a century and an average of 79. 50. “We also had half centuries from (Raymon) Reifer and (Sherfane) Rutherford. The bowlers did a fantastic job with the ball and had to work hard for each wicket,” said Crandon. Reifer scored 90 runs in his only match including a half-century and had five wickets, while Rutherford scored 54 and took a wicket in his only match. Left-arm spinner
Veerasammy Permaul had four-wicket hauls in both innings and is the t o u r n a m e n t ’s leading wicket-taker with 20 wickets from three matches. Romario Shepherd has 11 and Clinton Pestano 10 wickets from three games. “Well, the win was crucial for the team going forward. I’m happy with the team’s performances in this game. Everyone played their role and contributed positively,” said Crandon, a former Guyana Fast-bowling all-rounder. But despite the victory, Crandon, who was first appointed National Coach in 2012, said that the Jaguars needed to sharpen up in some aspects of the game. “From a batting prospective I would want to encourage the batters to capitalise on good starts and score big hundreds. The bowlers have been doing a wonderful job. But I would want to see much more consistency and patience with the ball. This team have shown great character. Winning our first three games on the road is a tremendous start for us going back home to conditions that we know and own.” Jaguars returned home yesterday afternoon and will face the Windwards Volcanoes from Friday in their next match at Providence.
Wednesday January 09, 2019
IPL 2019 to be played entirely in India, will begin on March 23 ESPNcricinfo - The 2019 edition of the IPL will take place entirely in India, and will start on March 23, the BCCI said yesterday. The venue had been the subject of speculation given that the dates clash with the general elections, which are expected to take place in April-May. However, a BCCI release said the date and venue had been decided on by the Committee of Administrators after discussions with federal and state officials. It is likely that the full IPL schedule will be out in early February. In addition to the home bases of the eight franchises, around four to six additional grounds have been shortlisted as back-up. Once the Election Commission of India announces the final dates for the polls, the IPL will consider if any of these venues would need changing. Although the IPL has not announced the date for the final, it is likely to be between May 12 and 15. As per norm the defending champion gets the rights to host the tournament opener and the final. So Chennai will get both those key matches. More clarity on the situation is expected once the poll dates in the city are made public. ESPNcricinfo understands that the information has been passed on to, and received by, the franchises.
In a press release the BCCI said that decision to conduct the tournament in India was “based on the preliminary discussions with the appropriate central and state agencies / authorities”. A detailed schedule, the BCCI said, “will be finalised in consultation with the appropriate authorities”, after which the Committee of Administrators will have a “detailed discussion” with all the stakeholders. In 2009 and 2014 - the last two seasons that clashed with general elections - the IPL had been moved to South Africa and the UAE (first half of the season) respectively. This time, too, the IPL had been proactive about keeping alternate plan in place. The first priority was always to keep the entire tournament in India but South Africa and the UAE were again shortlisted as alternate venues. Before the auction, held on December 18, the IPL briefed the franchises about the various plans it had chalked out in case the tournament had to be moved out of the country. The biggest challenge for the franchises next season is that the IPL will end a couple of weeks before the World Cup begins on May 30 in England. As a result, the availability of overseas players towards the tail-end of the season is a bit unclear.
Hurricanes, Volcanoes leapfrog woeful Pride BRIDGETOWN,Barbados, CMC – Both Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Windward Islands Volcanoes have leapfrogged Barbados Pride in the Regional four-day standings, after posting impressive wins on Monday’s final day of the third round of matches. Hurricanes now lie second on 43.6 points while Volcanoes are up to third on 38.2 points, behind early leaders Guyana Jaguars who have 58.4 points. After winning their opener against Pride and losing their second outing to Jaguars before Christmas, Hurricanes rebounded in style to trounce Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 245 runs at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. They set the hosts 342 to win and bundled them out for 96, thanks to four-wicket hauls from Man-of-the-Match off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall and West Indies quick Alzarri Joseph.
Volcanoes, meanwhile, were equally impressive in pulling off a five-wicket victory over Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park in Kingston. Resuming the final day on 174 for four in pursuit of 287, the visitors coasted to their target courtesy of captain Kirk Edwards’s 76 and an unbeaten 59 from Kavem Hodge. Pride’s poor early season form continued, however, as they went down to Jaguars by six wickets in a dramatic finish at Kensington Oval, leaving them fourth in the table on 29.8 points. The traditional powerhouses have now lost two of their opening three matches. Red Force, also perennial powerhouses, saw their woes continue with their second defeat in as many matches, and are now fifth on 10.2 points. Scorpions, with an identical record, lie bottom on 9.8 points.
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Forde congratulates Den Amstel on GFF/Stag Super 16 Triumph - Encouraged with support of fans throughout the competition By Franklin Wilson President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde has offered congratulations to the West Demerara based Den Amstel Football Club which won the just concluded GFF/Stag Super 16 knock-out championship defeating Buxton United on New Year’s night in the final at the Buxton Community Center Ground. Den Amstel won the Two Million first prize after blanking Buxton 2-0. All the contesting teams and main sponsor, Ansa McAl through the Stag Beer brand came in for high praise from Forde. ”I would like to first and foremost thank the sponsors who continue to play a vital role in creating opportunities for our players to develop. The positive response from the fans throughout the tour-
nament was a huge source of encouragement and I would like to say a special thank you to them all.” The sixteen teams which participated were Riversview (Bartica FA), Essequibo Combined, Buxton Stars (East Demerara FA), Soesdyke Falcons (East Bank FA), Police, Santos (Georgetown FA), Eagles United (West Demerara FA), Guyana Defence Force, Fruta Conquerors, Western Tigers, Ann’s Grove, Victoria Kings, Milerock and Den Amstel (Elite League Teams). The final night of action saw a huge crowd converging at the Buxton Ground which was once used for every Christmas Day fixture when the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation ran their year-end tournament, rain or shine.
That festive atmosphere was recreated on New Year’s night and despite the loss, the majority of fans being from the East Coast, enjoyed the action as the young Buxton side, with an average age of 21 fought all the way to the final whistle; even missing a penalty that would have evened the score at 1-1. But it was not to be their night, Den Amstel warming their way to a maiden national championship under the guidance of their former goalkeeper turn Coach, O’Neil Heywood. Forde recognised the efforts of Heywood who was part of the National Under-20 Team support Technical Staff at the Concacaf Championships in Florida, a few months ago. ”I would like to congratulate Den Amstel Football Club
for their remarkable achievement. I am particularly impressed with Coach O’Neal Heywood’s incredible professional growth which is on display each time his chargers step into the field. All 16 teams entered the tournament with confidence with each player giving of their best each game. I’d also like to congratulate the players for producing highly competitive games, which produced excellent entertainment for our loyal fans. I can assure the public that this year’s tournament will be bigger and better.” Guyana v Belize – Concacaf Nations League March 23rd next would is shaping up to be the biggest day yet in the history of Guyana’s football. It will be Guyana’s final qualifying round match and its fourth in the 34-nation inaugural Concacaf championship. Guyana, with six (6) points from two (2) wins and one (1) loss) to date is in 8th place in the points standings behind Curacao (9), Haiti (9), Canada (9), Cuba (9), Jamaica (9), Martinique (9) all with three wins apiece but separated by goal difference, Ber-
Wayne Forde President, GFF
O’Neil Heywood - Den Amstel FC Head Coach
muda (6) just ahead of Guyana on goal difference +11 to +10, St. Kitts & Nevis (6) and Martinique (6) with +10 and +7, being the top ten (10) teams to date. Earning a top 10 finish following the completion of the final round of qualifying matches would mean the Golden Jaguars qualifying for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup which would be a first in the nation’s history. Nicaragua, Belize, French Guiana, El Salvador and Montserrat are all on six points each as well. Forde offered a comment on Guyana’s prospects come March noting that a lot of work is going on behind the scenes. “This is the most important game in Guyana’s football history and there is
no room for error. Qualifying for the Gold Cup will open up massive opportunities for our National Team programme which effectively kicks starts the 2026 domino effect. The GFF has set itself many ambitious goals for our flagship product (The Golden Jaguars) which required the employment of unique strategies. I am very confident that we will achieve these goals and lift the football profile of the nation.” Fan support Forde has agreed would be vital to help propel the Golden Jaguars to another date in history. ”We will need the 12th man on March 23rd, 2019 to carry us through what is expected to be a breath taking 90 minutes of football. We can do this.”
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Kaieteur News
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Petra Organisation: a front runner in youth football promotion Last year was a busy one for football Promotions Company; Petra Organisation, which has prioritised football development at the grassroots level through the vision of the company’s Co-Director, Troy Mendonca, who is passionate about the development of the world’s most popular sport in Guyana. Mendonca, a former football administrator and player, was proud to unveil three new school based competitions to go along with the already established p e e w e e a n d u n d e r- 1 8 tournaments. Those being the ExxonMobil under-14, Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers school league and the KFC Goodwill tournament. Courts boys’ Peewee St. Pius dethroned 2017 Champions West Ruimveldt Primary in the final of the competition which concluded last November. Kaden Wellington was the star of the final, which his team won 4-1 against the West, after bagging a brace, to finish the tournament as the tournament’s highest goal scorer with 15 goals from eight matches. The pint size 10-year old was the star of the tournament with his superior skills and was rightfully adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the seventh edition of the tournament which began with 32 players.The third place encounter ended in a 3-0 win by penalty kicks for Tucville Primary after their keenly contested battle with Mocha Primary was goalless after full and extra time. The Hero for Tucville was their Goalie John Harry who saved the first three shots from the penalty spot. For their efforts St Pius collected one Acer Lap Top Computer, the winner’s Trophy and Medals along with full Kit and Uniforms,
Kaden Wellington - St. Pius. while the Runners-up received a 40-inch Flat screen TV, Trophy and Medals. Smalta girls’ Peewee West Ruimveldt Primary School comfortably defeated North Georgetown Primary 3-1 to emerge as the 2018 Champions last month at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground on Carifesta Avenue. Following a month of competition, defending Champions South Ruimveldt were rampant, but finalists, North Georgetown, had put a spoke in their wheel when they defeated them in the semifinal round. However, in the final, North Georgetown who were pegged as the favourites after dominating the 2017 champions, outplayed West for most of the game before Seona France scored the first of her two goals to swing the pendulum to West. France, who was on the s c o r e s h e e t i n We s t Ruimveldt’s win over St. Pius in their semifinal clash, broke the deadlock for the new champions in the 13th minute before doubling her team’s lead in the 21st minute. Martha France scored in the 27th minute to pull back a goal for the runners up but West’s Skipper Ashana Rajkumar gave her side some cushion with a goal one minute later to secure the
Sir Leon Lessons! 2018 Milo Schools’ Football Tournament Champions. victory. ExxonMobil u-14 Vurlon Mills has been the most successful youth coach in recent years and the Chase Academic Foundation Manager added another title in the bag after orchestrating the star-studded school to the boys’ title of the Inaugural E x x o n M o b i l u n d e r- 1 4 schools’ football tournament
seven national under-15 players, were destined to lift the crown. In the girls’ final, eventual winners Charlestown Secondary were actually knocked out by East La Penitence during the semifinal round, but La Penitence were found guilty of breaking the tournament rules and Charlestown
(MOPH) through the theme ‘Stop Gender Based Violence’ turned out to be everything it promised to be and more, as Sir Leon lessons demolished Buxton Youth Development 5-1 last March. Playing under lights at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on CARIFESTA Avenue, Sir
Champions! Charlestown Secondary girls’ that won the ExxonMobil under-14 competition. last July. The boys’ champions triumphed in emphatic fashion with a 6-1 steamrolling of losing finalists North Ruimveldt Multilateral. It was a very lopsided affair and after Chase had gotten past their true rivals for the boys’ title; Buxton, Chase who had a squad which comprised of
Ansa Mcal’s Olivia Chin hands over the Championship trophy to West Ruimveldt’s Ashana RajKumar.
gained the final berth. Given a second opportunity, Charlestown made use of it and defeated East Ruimveldt 3-0 in the final. Milo schools’ under-18 The grand finale of the Milo Schools’ Under-18 football tournament which was supported by the Ministry of Public Health
Leon’s Zion Gray led his team to the championship after netting a hat-trick. It was the first time in four years that a new champion was crowned after Chase Academic Foundation had won the three previous years. Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers School league East Coast Demerara’s Annandale Secondary School will go down in history as the inaugural champions of the 12-team Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers under-18 football league; a competition that came right down to the wire with the victors being decided during the final round of play on December 8th last. Heading into the final round, Lodge Secondary led the points table with 27 points, ahead of Annandale by a goal difference of nine, while Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS); the other team with a genuine title chance, were
third with 26 points. However, the odds were in second place Annandale’s favour to clinch the championship because they had to play Queen’s College (QC), which had only managed two wins in the competition with one of those victories being a walkover, in their final game, while Lodge had to face the unbeaten CWSS. And, CWSS defeated Lodge 2-0 to remain unbeaten in the tournament but finished behind Annandale that defeated QC 13-2. Also, CWSS second place finished allowed them the chance to play in the KFC Goodwill tournament later in the month. KFC Goodwill Cup Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) Shiva’s boys’ Hindu C o l l e g e e d g e d C h r i s t i a n b u r g / Wi s m a r Secondary School (CWSS) 2-1 last December to clinch the first KFC Goodwill Cup with a perfect record after three rounds of play at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.This tournament, the first of its kind in Guyana during recent years, saw Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers league champions; Annandale Secondary along with CWSS and Region nine’s Annai Secondary locked in a four-way roundrobin battle with T&T’s 2016 league champions; Shiva’s boys for the KFC Cup. The Trinidadians proved too good for the local teams, winning each of their games but only their win against Annai (3-0) was comfortable after edging Annandale 2-1 as well.Annai’s, which finished as the runners-up in the tourney, goalkeeper, Leston Smith, was adjudged the best custodian, while Nikel Rawlings, Captain of the champions, was awarded MVP of the competition. Petra’s Troy Mendonca has noted that this year’s competition will see two teams added inclusive of a proposed Surinamese school team and a Guyana all-star team.
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Dr Pooran Singh and his wife (holding GCB Trophy) with the Jaguars team at his residence on Monday night.
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