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AIETEUR NEWS

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Dual citizenship debate

Thursday Edition

Political parties and GECOM share responsibility for ensuring MPs’ eligibility

January 10, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 02

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

P.14

Online readership yesterday 133,555

Annandale hit-and-run death...

Govt. Opposition meet on no-confidence vote…

Parliament, executive branch to continue as usual

- Court decisions will be upheld - GECOM to be engaged over elections Pres.

Govt. agrees to Granger, speedy hearings Jagdeo on No-Confidence don’t want a motion – Jagdeo P.03

P.03

failed state

At a press conference yesterday, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, said that he and President David Granger want stability in the country.

He said that President Granger expressed to him that he does not want to see Guyana become a failed state.

Jagdeo said the PPP does not want this either. But if the 90-day deadline for holding General and Regional Elections is not upheld, Jagdeo said that this is exactly where the country would be heading.

A promised joint statement from the two leaders did not arrive up to press time.

Political Parties agree to 'ease poisoning of the atmosphere' P.07

Bandit nabbed after robbing Massy Industries truck P.16

Constitution makes no mention of caretaker Govt.

Granger tells Jagdeo...

P.03

Kaieteur News

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Thursday January 10, 2019

Venezuela to remap offshore oil, escalating tension with Guyana BLOOMBERG Venezuela will remap its Caribbean oil and gas prospects in a move that could further stoke a century-long border dispute with Guyana and collide with Exxon Mobil Corp.’s venture in the region, people with knowledge of the plan said.

The seismic survey is planned for the coming months and will include an eastern area of Venezuela that borders Guyana, the people said, asking not to be named because the plan isn’t public. Officials at stateowned Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA, declined to comment.

Venezuela reignited the old border dispute last month after intercepting two ships conducting seismic studies for Exxon as the oil major prepares to develop giant deep-water reserves off the coast of Guyana.

Venezuela has mapped its offshore territory for oil deposits in the past, but some areas remain uncharted. The new survey will also include areas bordering Caribbean islands such as Grenada and Saint Vincent.

“More surveys are pending to identify commercially viable options for gas,” said Antero Alvarado, a managing partner at consulting firm

Gas Energy Latin America.

“Past PDVSA studies ignored identifying gas deposits because the focus was always on oil.’’

Following an encounter last month with the Venezuelan navy, one of the two ships hired by Exxon will conduct seismic surveys in Guyanese waters away from the border, while the other will no longer be used, the Irving, Texas-based company said Monday.

Guyana, which has U.S. backing for its ownership claim over the waters, said Ve n e z u e l a b r o k e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w.

Ve n e z u e l a n P r e s i d e n t Nicolas Maduro has said the territory belongs to his country and vowed to defend it “at any cost.”

Maduro issued a decree a week after the interception s t a t i n g Ve n e z u e l a ’ s continental shelf is open for oil exploration, although no investment plans have been announced for the area yet.

P D V S A’s o f f s h o r e division produces mainly gas from the western coast in a partnership with Italy’s ENI SpA. It also has several inactive oil and gas projects in the east, near Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

Three of them are in partnerships with Norway’s Equinor ASA, Chevron Corp. and France’s Total SA.

New guide introduced to improve diagnosis, treatment of Chagas Disease With the aim of bridging the gaps that exist in the treatment of Chagas disease, the Pan American Health Organisation [PAHO] has introduced a new guide for diagnosis and treatment According to PAHO, the new guide is one that will seek to provide clearer and more standardized procedures for improved care and treatment for every infected person.

The new guide was developed by notable experts in the field and is based on evidence assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation [GRADE] methodology, providing a synthesis of currently known and published evidence on the subject.

Currently, more than six million people in the Americas, Guyana included, live with Chagas disease, and PAHO has noted that most people living with this disease are even unaware that they are infected.

PA H O , G u y a n a ’ s technical partner in health, has disclosed that an estimated 28,000 new cases of this disease result each year from vector transmission, with an additional 8,000 resulting from congenital transmission.

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi [Triatomine] parasite and can be transmitted by insects, through blood transfusions from mother to

child during pregnancy or childbirth and by food.

Consequently, some 65 million people living in 21 endemic countries of the Americas are at risk of contracting Chagas disease, a parasitic infection that claims some 12,000 lives in the region every year.

With the new guide [which is currently only available in Spanish] in place, it is expected that health sectors in the Americas will be better positioned to improve detection and management of the disease.

In addition to this significant negative public health impact in the Americas, Chagas also has the potential to spread to other continents via congenital transmission and

blood transfusions, according to PAHO. Despite this persisting Chagas challenge, many health personnel in the Region have typically faced the problem with little

information and minimal training on timely and adequate diagnosis and treatment, including comprehensive clinical management.

The new guide therefore

has the tactical goal of contributing to better health for patients, their families and entire communities.

Chagas disease can be transmitted by insects. When (Continued on page 22)

Thursday January 10, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Govt., Opposition meet on no-confidence vote…

Parliament, executive branch to continue as usual - Court decision will be upheld - GECOM to be engaged over elections Almost three weeks after a shock no-confidence vote

by Government parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, saw the related motion carried, sparking a constitutional crisis, a key meeting was held yesterday in an effort to chart the way forward.

According to President David Granger afterwards, broad agreements have been met that will set the conditions on how the Government and Parliament will continue to function. In the meantime, Government will continue to pursue action in the courts, challenging the validity of the vote, and whether the fact that Persaud’s dual citizenship with Canada could have also affected the legality of it.

Since the no-confidence vote on the evening of December 21st, both the Government and Opposition have been drawing battle lines, with the latter calling for elections to be announced and for the government to resign.

However, there are indications, based on the meeting and statements coming out after, that early elections may not be so early after all.

According to President Granger in a statement, following the meeting, Government officials and representatives of the Opposition of the National Assembly met yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency to examine two main issues.

With the president at the meeting were Prime M i n i s t e r, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC.; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge.

Let’s talk: The parties during the meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday.

The Opposition members included Juan Edghill, Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall, O d i n g a L u m u m b a , D r.

Frank Anthony, Pauline Sukhai and Irfaan Ali. Granger explained that the first issue is the function of the National Assembly, with the other being the function of the government. He said that it was stressed that neither of these two important institutions, legislative branch and executive branch, could be allowed to fail.

“Public services have to be delivered, public order has to be maintained, and therefore the two sides reached broad agreement on how these two institutions - legislative branch and executive branch - will continue to function.”

The president also disclosed that the second important issue discussed was General and Regional Elections.

He made it clear that the outcome of the courts will play a major role in what happens next. “As you know the government has had legal recourse to the courts in order to determine the validity of the vote in the National Assembly on the 21st of December. This is quite legitimate and there is no intention on the part of the government to derail the constitutional or legislative process.”

The president also said that it was agreed that the two sides will continue to work together to engage the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ensure that polls are held within the “administrative capabilities” of the commission.

The Head of State stressed that the meeting was a successful engagement, with both the leader of the Opposition and the President concerned about the situation. “We would like to as-

Constitution makes no mention of caretaker Govt. - Granger tells Jagdeo After waiting for 18 days, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo was finally able to meet with President, David Granger yesterday to discuss several matters, one of which included the Government being in caretaker mode.

During a press conference at his Church Street Office yesterday, Jagdeo said that Granger told him in no un-

certain terms that the concept of a caretaker government is nowhere in the Constitution.

Jagdeo said he reminded the President that Articles 106 and 107 of the Constitution speak about the resignation of the Government after the passage of the No-Confidence Motion. With this in mind, the Opposition is of the view that the Government is now reduced to a caretaker

position.

The Opposition Leader said, too, that he reminded the President that the same argument was made by the APNU+AFC coalition when it brought the same motion in 2014 against the PPP. But the President did not budge. Nevertheless, Jagdeo said that the Opposition maintains its position on this matter.

sure the public of Guyana that we are working to a solution which they will be satisfied with, the public interest is our paramount concern.”

The no-confidence vote had been filed by Opposition

Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who cited poor performance, failure to live up to campaign promises and corruption as some of the reasons. On the evening of December 21st, after hours of debate, one

lone MP, Charrandass Persaud, shook the house by voting yes with the Opposition.

With the one-seat majority, the vote was said to be carried.

Govt. agrees to speedy hearing on No-Confidence Motion - Jagdeo Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the Government is on board with calling on the courts to hear the legal challenge against its No-Confidence Motion in an expeditious manner.

Jagdeo make this known during a press conference that was held yesterday at his Church Street Office.

There, Jagdeo said that his engagement with President David Granger yesterday morning saw the discussion of this matter. He said that the Head of State was asked to say if he would withdraw the legal action considering the fact that the legislature noted not once, but twice, that the motion was successfully passed.

Jagdeo said that Granger made it clear that the legal remedy would still be pursued. In light of this, Jagdeo said he reminded the Head of State that the court case could be dragged out for more than a year. As such, the courts must be asked to hear the issue expeditiously.

The Opposition Leader said, “We don’t support it

(the legal challenge against the motion by the Government) but that is a reality…so we then said, ‘Why not approach the court to hear these matters continuously as provided for by our laws relating to elections petition’.”

He continued, “It was pointed out in the meeting by several people from our side that even in routine matters, lawyers approach the judges for expeditious hearing…so why not do that? Both sides approach the court for an expeditious hearing on the matter…And we said that the courts must pay heed to

this…so I think that is going to be reflected in the joint statement…”

The former Head of State added, “So that is one thing I think we agreed on, that some approach could be made to the court jointly or through a public statement to have this matter expeditiously determined, since the government has insisted that it is going to pursue this remedy…”

Jagdeo said, too, that the urgency of this matter must dawn on the court, and this time around, it will see that there is support from both sides on this particular issue.

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Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

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

SAVING OUR YOUTHS

S

ince the passing of the no-confidence motion in Parliament on December 21, 2018, the focus has been on the government and the argument over an absolute majority in Parliament.

As a result, the nation has ignored a worrying trend that is unfolding in Guyana and is seriously endangering youths and could negatively impact the wider society.

Many will agree that after 52 years of independence, we have not yet brought to maturity the kind of country our founding fathers have dreamt of and declared in our motto: one people, one nation, one destiny. Our journey has essentially veered off course, but we have accomplished quite a bit.

Over the years, Guyana has become known around the world, mostly for its good deeds, but also for some bad experiences, such as the infamy of what transpired at Jonestown.

Internally, our economy is struggling, crime is widespread, corruption is still rampant and our social and political structures are not intact.

A generation has passed since independence, a new generation has emerged, but a changing of the guard is urgently needed to bring a glimmer of hope to an anguished nation. Since the defeat of the government in the no-confidence vote, the nation has descended into a constitutional crisis. Cries for new leadership, in general, have intensified.

Some say that the struggle for power is unsettling.

The truth is, we have not had leaders who have genuinely put the country first and who are truly committed to solve the nation’s problems.

Further, too many in government do not have the experience, skills and the moral fibre needed to move the country forward. Neither has there been a clear commitment to operate by principles of transparency and accountability.

Many of our youths are bewildered and hopeless; others are jobless and are struggling to survive.

Too many, unfortunately, see crime as their only saviour.

These are worrying trends that, if not expeditiously addressed and uprooted from society, will ensure that progress and prosperity remain elusive dream.

These trends are like a cancer which is destroying the youths; many have turned to mobile phones to escape their boredom and sorrows.

Studies have shown that youths believe that the use of cellphones is a culturally acceptable normative behaviour and that a very high percentage of them are spending most of their time on these devices talking, texting or sexting.

The latter is the sending of sexually explicit photographs, video, text messages, or e-mail by mobile phones to a willing or unwilling receiver. Sexting is intended to increase the senders’ popularity or to solicit sexual attention and liaisons.

It also tends to increase teens’ ability to engage in sexual liaisons that could increase teenage pregnancy, abortions and sexually transmitted diseases.

This will increase pressure on our already strained health care services.

This worrying trend must be avoided among our very impressionable young citizens. It speaks to the thought processes of youths who are inordinately caught up in sexual activities at a very young age. It distracts them from focusing on their studies and passing examinations critical to achieving their career dreams. In such circumstances, society can only expect to see a higher number of underachievers and school dropouts.

This is not a good thing for the future of the country, its workforce and production. We must not remain silent. Dr. Martin Luther King said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Recognising a need for temperate language DEAR EDITOR: This nation is at the juncture of one of our most important acts of decision-making. This act can determine the future of our country and all Guyanese, as well as create long-term impact on the entire region in a way that is already creating concern for how we as a people resolve current issues stemming from a confidence vote.

It is important to note that even as reference is made to a successful confidence vote, this is done in a context where the Government, based on concerns expressed, has determined it will exercise its right to seek judicial determination.

Likewise, the Leader of the Opposition and others have too exercised their right to approach the court for determination. These acts augur well for the nation’s growth and stability, and hopefully political maturity.

Guyana’s tripartite government structure is made up of the Executive, Legislative

and the Judiciary. The Executive is responsible for the dayto-day administration of the State; the Legislature, the making of laws and oversight of the Executive; and the Judiciary, the custodian and interpreter of the Laws and Constitution of Guyana.

The no confidence vote has direct effect on the Executive branch since it is outlined in Article 106(6). “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members in the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Article 106(7) goes on to say, “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.”

Christopher Ram has approached the Court for its interpretation of Article 106(6) and (7). This augurs well for our democracy. It is expected that the Court’s determination of the matter will provide society a course of action in dealing with the issue of the Confidence motion and present us with a way forward.

Sensitivities exist on both sides of the political divide as it relates to the confidence issues and these are causing the battle lines to be drawn not only between political groups but racial groups. A level of frustration is growing within the groups who felt that they were denied opportunity by both political groups to adequately partake in the nation’s patrimony.

The political operatives and their vocal supporters need to take note of the growing discontent. Whatever is being done we need to be careful and responsible not to be doing things that can be in-

terpreted as tribalism and triumphalism.

All the interpretations that are being advanced and opportunities taken to demonise persons and groups will not help the situation. In this regard, where there is little or no control over social media the mainstream media will be tasked with shouldering greater responsibility at this time, in helping us navigate this period, with sobriety and reason.

Government, which has control of the state-owned media is being called on to ensure these media houses distinguish themselves in reportage on the issue in a manner that will weld rather than further fracture the society.

Regardless of the circumstance and whatever decision the court will arrive at, leaders, both political and wider society, will have to sit down and charter a way forward.

The act of destroying interpersonal relationships, which (Continued on page 6)

TARGETTING THE YOUNG PEOPLE DEAR EDITOR, General and Regional Elections are imminent and I have noted the re-emergence of the various Youth organizations that claim to represent young people in Guyana. The premise of organizations dedicated to educating youth to the importance of civic duty of participating in the electoral process as an elector or candidate is commendable.

I myself undertook to guide and assist young people to get involved in political life and would like to share my experiences, which have been instructive.

Our organization, Youth Movement Guyana, was born from the idea that young people need to make political decisions based on logic.

My role as administrator was to moderate discussions and coach logic versus emotion.

In 2015 for example, the national dialogue was rife with allegations of massive corruption; however, the allegations rarely withstood scrutiny. At one session, we tabulated one newspaper’s claim of $500 Billion in annual corruption, this from a Budget of $112 Billion.

Once we started digging into the issue and exposing the depth of the propaganda, I was accused of being a front organization by then popular writer, Ruel Johnson. I should not have been surprised, but I was.

This allegation led to polarization within our informal grouping and we decided not to make an attempt to contest elections. The small core left

endorsed the PPPC before the 2015 based on the sound reasoning that the corruption claims were a smear campaign and that the lack of realistic manifesto of the APNU+AFC showed lack of vision and would lead to poor policy and governance.

Editor, it is a sad feature of our G&R Elections that so much effort is spent by the youth organizations to separate young people from the decision making process and divert their vote to the APNU+AFC, for that is the purpose of these seasonal organizations.

‘Vote like a Boss’ was a catchy slogan, ostensibly aimed at getting out the vote but not so subtly directed at voting against the PPPC. This is a con designed by old

people to keep young voices out of the decision making process.A simple examination of APNU+AFC roll call of Members of Parliament is all the evidence needed.

These same forces are again funding and directing young people up that dead end street. Ruel Johnson and Sherod Duncan are once again leading the charge.

Having watched the Alliance For Change self-destruct, they are members of a new front organization, the Policy Desk, which seeks to use subterfuge and trickery to attract votes for APNU+AFC. The same promises made in 2015 are being regurgitated, with the hope of bags for Ruel and Sherod and nothing for the youth. I offer these small bits of advice to young people

wanting to have a say in the decision making process, I would not advise an attempt to form a party at this late stage, the logistics of organization and the monetary requirements are simply beyond reality. Any youth organization that promises to raise the hefty sums required should be treated with suspicion.

I urge you to ‘interview’ the established political parties, meet with activists in your area, question them deeply, see which group appeals to your sensibilities, observe them closely, spend a period volunteering, pledge no allegiance until such time as you feel comfortable with a group and their modus operandi.

Politics should not be a (Conitnued on page 6)

AN ARROGANT CAMPAIGNER DEAR EDITOR, I crave your indulgence to air my views of a highly compelling issue at hand, the “selection” of the presidential candidate of the PPP. To my astonishment, I saw Mr. Mustafa plainly attempting to denigrate a PUBLIC online poll that, in my opinion, seeks to capture the views of the GENERAL population on the persons whom the PPP revealed are being considered for the ‘presidential candidate’ position.

Sir, I have to state that it is this exact type of arrogance, displayed by this man that saw the PPP lose the most votes in any free and fair elections in Region Six,

during his tenure as regional chairman. It would appear that he has not learned his lesson and so his insolence continues, rampant and unchecked.

I sincerely hope he is not among the candidates to be identified for any leadership role in the future, unless he humbles himself.

Sir, I want to know if it is the 35 members of the executive who will vote and win the elections for the PPP. If the voices of the people of this great land do not matter to Mr. Mustafa (hope he does not speak on behalf of the party) then, quite frankly, he should not be in politics. He will never survive a popularity

vote — even in his hometown.

While the online poll does not speak for all of Guyana, it is an opportunity for citizens to voice their opinion on whom they think might be the best candidate to lead the PPP in the next elections. I salute the organisers of this poll. We positively need more of these!

Of note, I did not see Mr. Mustafa criticising the online petition about the illegal government.

Perhaps he himself has signed it. Had his choice been at the top of that list, would he have criticised it?

Michael Persaud

Thursday January 10, 2019

MATHEMATICAL CLARIFICATION ON THE NO CONFIDENCE VOTE DEAR EDITOR, Unless a constitution specifically define majority, plurality, minimum, simple or absolute, with parameters, we must accept the highest vote as the winner or a minority in the case of more than 3 parties. This precedence has been set in Guyana.

If we have a two-party or two-candidate race, with an even number of 40 votes casted, the threshold to win a majority you need 40 divided by 2 (which is half or 50%) plus one equals to 21, the goal post. The outcome of half plus one must not exceed the total votes casted.

Therefore, a party to win must have 21 or more seats, i.e. 21 vs. 19 equals 40 votes casted as a minimum. You cannot have a total of more than the votes casted. You can have 30 votes (greater than 21) against 10 votes equals 40 votes cast.

The odd number scenario in Guyana case, if you have 41 votes cast, the threshold is 41 divided by 2 equals 20.5 so you round to 21, because there is no half man nor half vote. In other words, for a

winner/majority, he must get a minimum of 21 votes i.e. 21 vs. 20 or 25 vs. 16 etc. In Guyana case, 65 votes cast, the threshold for winning is 65 divided by 2 is 32.5 rounded to 33, is the minimum goal post. Therefore, 33 vs.

32, the total is 65 votes casted. Thirty-three votes is the minimum to win. You can even have 40 vs. 25 etc.

That 34+32 is 66 is incorrect because only 65 votes were cast. Guyana precedence is no invisible voters as compared to other countries, who probably manipulated their systems to hold power, like what the coalition is now trying to do. Can you Imagine Charrandass’s Canadian Citizenship is now an issue? Desperation, desperation to put PPP back in power and killing the Coalition.

The PPP won. The government must do the honourable thing and proceed consistent with the constitution. What is it about power that no government wants to give up? When the coalition won, the PPP bold facedly said the election was rigged even though they con-

trolled the election machinery.

And now the coalition knows 33 is a greater number than 32, consistent with the constitution and precedence of Guyana and want the Speaker to change the result or going to court. How shameful and ministers are talking about threshold on stage. I feel disgraced.The PPP should go to court and ask this government to resign forthwith because they did not win the election with a convincing majority (4000 votes not a seat) to remove the incumbent PPP. But Dr. Jagdeo again, who back ball Ramotar? Bhagwan?Mr. Trotman, you are on the right track according to your letter to challenge the APNU, to regain support for the AFC, might be late. Both the Coalition and PPP should now come together and reform the constitution in 90 days.

Failure to do this, we the independent minds must group and campaign for the Amerindian party, unless you are an opportunist.

Yours sincerely, Pandit Joe Persaud P.ENG, CSCE, EIC

Only Deserving Lawyers Should Be Awarded Senior Counsel DEAR EDITOR, The last two selections of lawyers, totaling 18 new silk attires, who were accorded the esteemed appointments to Senior Counsel in Guyana, leave a lot to be desired, to put it mildly. With all due respect to those elevated, many of you are a far cry from what the standards should be.

Others are morally inadequate to wear silk, others will exploit the conferment to charge ridiculous fees, and some have not the status via non-judicial means, while others are bluntly undeserving.

Some of you are a mockery to our jurisprudential heritage, while some have not even been in the arena of the courts.

The criteria seem to be heavily biased in favour of friends and family—both legal and political—, lawyers who will readily undertake instructions from a hapless AG, benefactors, patrons, and other external stimuli that should not be considered in appointments like these.

In one case, a spouse joined her husband in donning silk although she had never distinguished herself in

the legal profession. In another, the authorities broke with tradition, and conferred silk on the sitting Chief Justice, a move criticized as a blatant design to ingratiate with the person who will decide on whether the present government demits office!

Indeed, the conferment of the dignity and status of Senior Counsel is much more demanding than a Village Council, Party Chairman, City Hall or Police sergeant appointment, and the powers who confer senior vintage should not allow social and alumni familiarity, or the morass of moral decay and intellectual incompetence to dictate their selections.

They should also refrain from awarding themselves such conflicting, undeserving honours.These Senior Counsel’s predecessors and objective jurists must be turning in their graves and upset to see such undeserving ranks elevated to their august company. Gone with time, but never forgotten, are the titans of the legal profession, who will forever be revered and discussed in the legal fraternity. Lawyers of the ilk of Sir

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Kaieteur News

Lionel Luckhoo, Lloyd Luckhoo, Joseph Luckhoo, B.O. Adams, Kenneth Stoby, Gilbert Farnum, Mohamed Shahabuddeen, Sir Shridath Ramphal, JOF Haynes, Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, Ashton Chase, Sir Alfred Victor Crane, Victor Crane, Miles Fitzpatrick, to name a few, deserved their elevations to SC, and will always occupy the front pews in the Cathedral of Legal Scholarship in Guyana’s jurisprudence.

Unfortunately, those who have been recently conferred have caused heads to shake with disapproval and bewilderment.

Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who upheld standards, famously reminded us that, “We must never substitute a donkey cart for a Cadillac.”

Just as crucial, these acts diminish the independence of the judiciary.

Laurie Ganpat Leaders United

Disrespecting young single mothers DEAR EDITOR, It was brought to my attention on several occasions of a growing and an absolute disrespect towards our young, mainly African Guyanese single mothers.

The situation is so dire that most of these so-called fast food chains and notably the Chinese stores are breaking the laws of Guyana.

Note, have you ever asked if any of these sales girls get a minimum wage, much less holiday pay, not forgetting overtime and to be told if you ever leave here, you don’t have a job tomorrow! Really?

In Guyana?

Well I have news for you.

This article is to bring to the forefront the many mothers who can’t talk because of fear of losing a daily bread. At one restaurant on Camp Street, the non educated mothers who are given the role of Supervisors have no clue about the laws of Guyana and are telling the workers that they have to get to work 1/2 an hour before time everyday and leaving one hour after their time or else they will be written up and lose their jobs.

There are no lunch breaks and no days off; tell me if this is not insanity.

How on earth can a per-

son work 2 1/2 hours extra everyday along with no days off? How much more can these mothers take?

They are being told boldly that they can go to the Labour Department and complain because the restaurant has people working there and whoever go and complain, they will know who it is.

I sat in this restaurant just last year and heard loudly a supervisor telling another young lady just that. And with tears in her eyes, the young woman said that it is all because she has two children and no father.

I told her no way. She left my company with fear of losing her job and never opened her mouth again.

I took a visit to a lot of these places and was told that they are not voting for PPP or APNU / AFC government because all of them have friends who own the business. Can you imagine this lawlessness is going on in Guyana?

Do you think that any one of us can do that to a Chinese? The other day a Chinese man killed a child and ran. Then his fellow Chinese went to offer money to the family. How barefaced is that?

I am so fed up with what I experienced— the cursing and

foul language that these Chinese owners and Fast Food owners and Supervisors as though they own the staff.

It’s sad to know that during the just concluded Christmas holiday, the owners never hired temporary staff to offset the hours denied these mothers who wanted to spend time with their children, all because of fear.

Guyana is becoming like Central America. There is cheap labour; people are taken advantage of in their own country. I am so upset right now. With the oil and gas coming soon, I am thinking that things will only get worse because there is no Union that represents these workers and since we are mostly a non-unionized country, there is more to come.

I remember the Bauxite Company in Berbice who took advantage of our Guyanese.

Where the hell are all these watchdogs? I guess eating from the fast food places.

I hope that this highlights the craziness that is going on in Guyana and for the government, thousands of votes less. The workers are demanding better conditions failing which the government could lose at the polls.

Concerned Guyanese.

No mention of ancestral lands DEAR EDITOR, Having read Trotman’s email, it is revealing that the AFC is keen to resolve the Amerindian land issue but no mention of Ancestral lands of villages bought by our Forefathers and illegally taken from them by the Colonial planters with the support of the Colonial Government of the day.After fifty years of Independence, no Government had seen it fit to correct those injustices until now.

The present Administration has set up a Land Commission of Enquiry in order to resolve this historic injustice committed against our people.

That Report of the Land Commission is patiently

awaited. We expect nothing less than full acknowledgement and redress for the immoral and illegal act perpetrated against a defenseless people.

It is rather ironic that because of the aforementioned act, those lands are now regarded as State lands and are under the management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO).

The time has come to bring a closure to this buried

history; we owe it to our ancestors. Our Research Team would not rest until justice is finally done.

Yours sincerely Trent Daniels (Mocha- Arcadia Research Committee)

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THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY DEAR EDITOR, Last Saturday, I attended an event organized by “The Policy Desk”, a fresh youth organization, which aims to enlighten young people about political and civil engagement in Guyana.

This event was a direct result of the impact of the NoConfidence Motion passed in Parliament on December 21, 2018. I was a bit worried at the start of the event since there were only a handful of young people in the audience. However, shortly after starting the Theatre Guild was almost filled.

I must say, this gives me a glint of hope that young people do care and want to be included in the development of our Guyana.

The topics that were brought to the table included the role of youths in civil and political engagement, the role of the modern media and the arts in youth civic and political engagement and fostering national discourse on youth civic and political engagement.

I saw vibrant young men and women sharing their opinions and offering possible solutions to these issues and for this, they must be commended. A special ‘thank you’ to Dennis Glasgow, Vishal Joseph and Eden Corbin who organized this event.

For my part, my brief contribution to the discussion was centered on our existing National Youth Policy and the importance of youth inclusion and development, which cannot be understated.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), youth represents one-third of the world population and over 85% of them live in Developing countries.

In many places, they represent more than 30% of the population (OECD, 2018).

As it relates to Guyana, approximately 54% of the population is below the age of 25. This represents the highest number of youths moving into the early adulthood. Specifically, this means the decisions that are made now will directly impact us positively or negatively in the future – which is no secret to us all. Therefore, a space must be created for us to be in-

Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

cluded in the decision-making process.

The National Youth Policy 2015 was tabled and adopted by the National Assembly on 13th October 2016, in keeping with a campaign promised by the Coalition Government.

This four-year (2017-2020) policy document sets out a wide-reaching framework of plans, including the improvement of the social; emotional and cultural skills of young people; the encouragement of a productive and enterprising youth workforce; the development of quality leadership and market-oriented skills; the encouragement of leadership, participation and representation and the promotion of good health; and security and safety of youths across Guyana.

The policy speaks of a National Youth Empowerment Action Plan which will give directions on how the policy will be implemented. To date, that action plan is non-existent.

In fact, the policy was only made public after the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) highlighted the issues. This was first shared via Facebook by a reporter and subsequently disseminated to the public by the Government.

Recently, a meeting was held with the Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibilities for Youth Development, Dr. George Norton who advised the GNYC Executives that the policy will once again go to Cabinet for review.

It is my opinion that our National Youth Policy is an excellent roadmap for Youths in Guyana since it includes almost every areas of concern faced. Our National Youth

Policy is the single most important framework for youths in Guyana and I urge all to read the policy in its entirety.

Our youths must educate themselves about the various focus areas of the policy, allowing them to know what benefits can be derived from the policy. Only then, can we meaningfully engage the decision makers, the Department of Youth and other organizations to advocate for inclusion and development of youths in decision-making.

At the event, I heard the usual rhetoric that enough is not being done for young people and that young people need to be given a chance. But as one of the organizers rightly urged, we must boldly hold, not only the Government accountable, but all other entities vowing to represent youths.

In this regard, I take a step further, to urge our young people to take ownership of the National Youth Policy and leverage the voting power of the youths to influence Government to immediately commence work on the National Youth Empowerment Action Plan which will guide the implementation of the Policy.

Many of the issues and concerns that were raised at the event are important areas of focus in the policy. More so, many of the problems which exist would have been alleviated, if the policy was already operational.

Finally, I am pleading with the Department of Youth, through the Ministry of Social Cohesion to urgently commence working on the National Youth Empowerment Action Plan to implement the National Youth Policy.

Mark Peters

THE ATTACK AGAINST THE COALITION FOR SELFISH REASONS DEAR EDITOR, Businessman Terrence Campbell has resigned from A New and United Guyana (ANUG). This is a new political party that he formed with PPP stalwart and former PPP Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran.

In his resignation statement, he referenced a conversation with me. After much inquiry, I’m constrained to add my perspective to this discourse. Intelligence suggests internecine warfare about dual citizenship and Ramkarran’s PPP motives have paralyzed the nascent group. A battle ready leader and general doesn’t retreat under light pressure, unless retreat speaks to conviction about the cause. But I digress.

Last Sunday, Mr. Campbell and I contributed to a Facebook discussion on a post that criticized the Guyana Chronicle for a news story that the author believed was biased against a presumed critique of the Coalition Government.

I challenged Mr. Campbell about his silence or failure to denounce the said newspaper, which under the PPP regime, engaged in an obnoxious character assassination campaign of PPP opponents like me. He observed that as leaders, we must go high when our enemies go low, and a desire for a new politics. I did not disagree. I however retorted that his silence on PPP abuses compromised his moral authority to speak out now. This was the essence of our frank, amicable, objective and respectful discussion.

These discussions on social media emanate from the no confidence vote and the

polarization and instability it has engendered. The no confidence vote was not a normal exercise of parliamentary democracy.

The PPP used this parliamentary mechanism to attempt to criminally overthrow the APNU+AFC Coalition because President David Granger’s illness and overseas treatment created a leadership vacuum and a perception that the government was weak. The government committed no unlawful act or political malfeasance; hence, there was no constitutional legitimacy for a no confidence motion. Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo brought the motion, singularly, to exploit the President’s illness.

The PPP calculated that the government has lost some support among the people and that, with the President being ill, they can force a snap election and win.

Jagdeo and the PPP are desperate to get their hands on government resources and the country’s oil revenues.

They will do anything to succeed, including destroying our country. This is why the PPP allegedly orchestrated for government MP Charrandass Persaud, a multimillion US dollar bribe to vote against the government. That alleged criminal act is treason.

No government will allow itself to be overthrown by criminals. No government will allow itself to be ousted by an act of treason. This was not a legitimate no confidence vote. It was the execution of conspiracy that involved bribery of a double agent to bring down the government in Parliament.

Recognising a need for temperate language From page 4 can contribute to an absence of trust between and among persons, organisations and agencies makes it more difficult for the collective to be taken along a common route.

This is not the time for faint hearts and minds because the future of this society, given the possibilities that will come with oil and gas, requires a strong civil society. There must be such groups irrespective of which

political party one supports, that can stand up and objectively analyse both sides of the political spectrum and be able to unflinching hold them to account, even as we hold ourselves consistent with our laws and the role and benefit of all within the society. A disservice is being done to society as a whole when fear and/or personal interest trumps the national good.

What is observed in that the political leaders, on both sides, have taken time out to brief foreign countries, regional and international, as to their perception of the confidence motion, their interpretation and position, but have not taken any time to meet with the leaders in civil society to share with them or hear their views.

The message that is being sent is that retention and acquisition of political power, which belongs to the people,

is a responsibility of external forces. It is further being said that we the people, civil society, stakeholders are not consequential to this process.

No doubt the diplomatic community would have taken note. Even though they may find their engagement worthwhile, they would undoubtedly note and wonder why the politicians are not interacting with the people.

They know in their societies the importance and value for an inclusive democracy and that such exclusion would not have been countenanced by the people they serve. This fact must not escape us. This simple fact is contributory to many of the problems and challenges we continue to face with successive governments.

We remain ‘One People, living in One Nation, and we must work assiduously towards this One Destiny’. We all want to be treated with re-

spect and dignity, to be protected by the nation’s laws and equally participate in the nation’s development and benefit from its resources.

Working to guarantee and fulfill these remains our best way forward, our best means of survival, against internal and external forces seeking to divide, control or exploit us to satisfy their own ends.

Lincoln Lewis.

Having attempted to commit treason, Bharrat Jagdeo and his PPP conspirators are feigning a call for the government to resign. Many, including Ramkarran’s new party, RISE etc, have jumped on the PPP bandwagon, because they want the government to collapse. They don’t believe that certain segments of the population should govern Guyana.

They have made a serious miscalculation.

The APNU+AFC Coalition has hundreds of thousands of supporters. They have ignited a simmering underground volcanic activity that may have awaken the spirit of the Jamaican maroons in Guyanese. Heaven helps Guyana if it erupts!

Coalition supporters will not allow the PPP to threaten our democracy. The Coalition Government will not be bullied out of office. It is a democratically elected government that was elected by the people for a term of five years.

It will serve out its five-year term unless otherwise determined by the courts.

Guyana was in relative stability until the opposition PPP decided to attempt to overthrow the government.

In one fell swoop, the PPP sunk Guyana to the brink of chaos and political instability. They want to destroy our beautiful country in order to gain power.

The people who conspired to overthrow the coalition government will fail.

They should also read the writing on the wall. Guyanese are mobilized against them.

The people will endeavour to defeat the PPP in the next elections, whenever it’s called. If by chance the PPP wins an election pursuant to the bribery that brought about the no confidence vote, our democracy would have failed, and they should not be allowed to govern either.

Furthermore, this should be clear to the people who are invested in defeating the Coalition Government.

You’re in for a hell of a ride!

Democracy will triumph over criminality.

Rickford Burke

TARGETTING THE ...

From page 4 career. It is ideally a period in your life where you give service to your nation. Early political involvement by way of volunteerism should not hinder your chosen career path. It should enhance it. In life there are no shortcuts to success, so it is in politics. Do not fall for the sweet words of the conmen. Don’t vote like a boss, volunteer with an organization, work your way to whatever level you desire; enjoy the experience, learn from it and live in the moment.

One day you may indeed be the Boss with the satisfaction of knowing you earned that success through hard work and dedication.

Respectfully Robin Singh

Thursday January 10, 2019

No new laws should be passed during this time - Opposition Leader says Govt. gave no commitment to this Since the No-Confidence Motion was successfully passed, the Government should desist from passing any Bill. In fact, the House should only meet to deal with matters in relation to holding General and Regional Elections.

This position was related to President David Granger yesterday during his meeting Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. The Opposition Leader noted however that the Government did not say it would adhere to this.

During a meeting with the press yesterday, Jagdeo said, “We did not ask about the reversal of anything (such as Bills that were passed) but we believe they must not pass new laws during this period…” He stressed that the legislature has spoken on the NoConfidence Motion and therefore, it cannot

be business as usual.

Jagdeo said he also informed the President that the Opposition has no intention of stymieing the functioning of the government.

“So where public services and so are concerned, those have to continue, but the Parliament must meet only on the conduct of elections or any other matter we agree to, or for routine matters.”

Jagdeo reiterated that the National Assembly should function in a routine capacity considering the fact that elections should be held in 90 days.

Be that as it may, the Government has already moved ahead with the successful passage of the Natural Resource Bill 2018. It is expected to receive the President’s assent this week.

Suspect held in murder of destitute Police have detained a suspect in connection with the murder of a destitute whose body was found in an abandoned Enterprise, East Coast Demerara house last

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Monday.

A release stated that a post mortem examination conducted on Prietam Manickram, 42, of Jagan Street, Enterprise, East Coast

Demerara, revealed that he died from manual strangulation.

Manickram’s body was discovered at around 13.40 hrs by a relative.

Political parties agree to ease ‘poisoning of the atmosphere’ APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have agreed to ease the “poisoning of the atmosphere” with reckless statements. This was related to the media fraternity yesterday by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference at his Church Street, Georgetown office.

Jagdeo said that during his engagement with President David Granger, it was Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, who mentioned that the PPP needs to tone down its rhetoric as it relates to the government and its refusal to accept defeat. “(But) I had to point out that it was some of his

(Granger’s) people who have been making reckless statements,” the Opposition Leader said.

Jagdeo said he had to remind the President that it was individuals such as Attorney General, Basil Williams, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan and Executive Member of the People’s National’s Congress (PNC), Aubrey Norton, who have been spewing remarks that the PPP has five other moles in the Government. He reminded, too, that these persons have also been saying that the PPP bribed former AFC Member Charrandass Persaud so that he could support the Opposition’s NoConfidence Motion.

The former Head of State said, “And they have started

that vile campaign again that we killed 400 African Guyanese…(But) the President made it clear, he speaks for the six parties that he will ensure allegations are not made without evidence and we were pleased with that. We will hold him to his word on that issue.”

Overall, Jagdeo said that he had a “good” first meeting with the President. He said, too, that beyond the issues surrounding the motion, the PPP still wants to keep its mind open to talks about how Guyana would be managed in the future and what sort of governance arrangements it can work on that will see all stakeholders involved.

“We want to see our country move forward,” the Opposition Leader concluded.

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Thursday January 10, 2019

E’bo shop owner accused of Toshao’s death U.S., Israel air concerns Alecino Benjamin, a shop owner and resident of Lima, Essequibo Coast, was yesterday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the criminal offence of murder.

Benjamin was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on January 1, 2019 at Kurutuku, Cuyuni River, he murdered Solomon Lewis, a Toshao.

The 27-year-old shop owner was represented by attorney at law Dexter Todd.

The attorney informed the court that Benjamin has no

previous charges or convictions.

According to Todd, the now dead man and his son would have attacked Benjamin causing him to receive injuries, and it was during this occurrence that Lewis died, while the accused was defending himself.

Todd said that his client ran away from the scene.

However, he was still pursued by others although Lewis lay on the ground with injuries.

The attorney went on to say that his client went into hiding and when he felt safe he immediately went to the police to make a report, and it

was then that he learnt of Lewis’s demise. He went on to say that the police are aware that Benjamin had to be medically examined, as he received a visible wound to the head.

“He cooperated then with the police, and is still open to such.” Todd stated.

Police facts presented by prosecutor Gordon Mansfield indicated that on the day in question about 03:30hrs Benjamin and Lewis had a heated argument over Benjamin assaulting Lewis’s daughter.

As a result, Benjamin armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Lewis a chop to the neck which caused injuries and subsequently the death of the victim. Benjamin then fled the scene. The police by diligent work were able to later arrest the accused.

Benjamin was remanded

over China telecom companies: U.S. official

Remanded: Alecino Benjamin to prison and is expected to make his next court appearance on January 28, 2019.

WA S H I N G TO N (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton raised U.S. concerns about the use of Chinese telecommunications equipment in sensitive sectors during a weekend meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a U.S. official said yesterday.

“We are all concerned about theft of intellectual property and Chinese telecoms companies that are being used by China for intelligence-gathering purposes,” said a senior administration official who was briefed on the talks.

The Trump administration has taken a series of steps aimed at curbing market penetration by Huawei Technologies Cos Ltd [HWT.UL] and ZTE Corp, two of China’s biggest network equipment makers. Both companies have denied that their products are used to spy.

The administration does not want any obstacles to being able to share sensitive information with the Israelis, the senior official told reporters ahead of the meeting, referring to the concerns about Chinese technology and investment at the port of Haifa.

“We specifically put it on the agenda,” the official said.

The Netanyahu government, frustrated by labor disputes that had disrupted Israel’s trade arteries, gave the green light in 2013 for China’s Shanghai International Port Group to operate a private port in Haifa - a major berth for the U.S. Sixth Fleet.

In a possible sign of U.S. displeasure at the Chinese involvement in Haifa, one of the Sixth Fleet’s warships in October docked in Israel’s second-tier Mediterranean port of Ashdod, the fleet’s first such visit in almost 20 years.

In December 2016 Huawei acquired Israel’s HexaTier, whose technology secures databases in the cloud, for $42 million. This followed a visit to Israel by the Chinese technology giant’s CEO. That same month it also acquired IT research firm Toga Networks for an undisclosed amount.

According to Israeli media, ZTE has shown interest in Israel’s tech sector since sending a senior delegation to the country in 2013.

Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported in 2016 that Israel has an undeclared policy of not using Huwaei or ZTE technologies, out of concern about possible security breaches.

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The betrayal of youth Hundreds of Guyanese, mainly young persons, were reported to have flocked to the MovieTowne entertainment complex, applying for mainly low-level jobs – cashiers, ushers, counter attendants and store hands. Hundreds more were likely to have turned up yesterday for interviews.

The numbers applying for these mainly low-income jobs exemplify the gravity of the youth unemployment problem in Guyana. Persons are leaving school with five or more good passes at CXC and still cannot find jobs.

One of the biggest failures and betrayals of the APNU+AFC coalition has been its failure to dent youth employment. The coalition in its Manifesto had identified youth unemployment and the lack of rewarding jobs as the most serious problem facing young people. It promised action to address this problem.

It has failed to keep its promises. The coalition promised to appoint an interMinisterial Task Force to find solutions which would support access to long-term jobs for young people. The young people are still waiting for these solutions.

The coalition promised to establish a vibrant, diversified “skill-intensive and natural resource-based modern economy capable of satisfying to needs, hopes

and aspirations for employment and development of young men and women”. Three-and-ahalf years after this promise, there is no evidence that such an economy is emerging. The government is hell bent on waiting on oil.

The coalition promised to universalize a technical and vocational programme to afford young p e o p l e marketable skills. Where is this nation-wide programme?

The coalition promised to create a special Youth Fund, in part, to facilitate a smooth transition from classroom to workplace.

There has been no smooth transition from school to work.

The coalition government has failed in the area of job creation.

Instead of creating jobs for young people, the government changed its tune to say that its role is not to provide jobs, but to facilitate the creation of these jobs. But where then are the pro-private sector policies to boost job creation?

Businesses are complaining about a slowdown in commerce. Right now, it’s the Cubans who are keeping the commercial sector afloat, and it is mainly the Chinese-owned stores which are cashing in on the thriving trade with Cubans.

The g o v e r n m e n t ’s answer is self-employment into snack foods – plantain chips and breadfruit chips.

No one wishes to belittle those who produce these products, but where are the young people going to find the money to start up production and to find the markets for these products?

The local market is saturated with chips. There are hundreds of persons who, long before this government came into office, were selling their snack foods outside of schools, in shops, and at road corners. There is a limit to how much the production of these products can be expanded.

Young people need jobs where they can learn skills and earn enough to save, so that one day they can start up their own b u s i n e s s e s . Yo u c a n n o t ask them to start up their own businesses without any working experience or equity capital.

The government inherited a youth unemployment problem and has made it worse. And this should not have been, be c a u s e t h e P P P C l e f t investments and plans in place which could have solved the problem.

Donald Ramotar is often ridiculed, but it was his government which came up

Dem boys seh ...

Charranrass start nuff confusion Guyana got to be a land of confusion. People does seh one thing and got people following dem. Then dem does change dem mind and de people does get confused.

Charranrass is de man who start de confusion. He stand up in parliament and when dem was debating de budget he put a cussing pun Jagdeo. De whole opposition was vex wid him.

Dem boys seh two weeks barely pass and de man tun round and hug up Jagdeo. People get confused. Dem want to know if was de same man who was cussing de opposition.

That was only de start of de confusion. Jagdeo holler that Soulja Bai got to resign.

De words barely come out he mouth when everybody, including people who seh that

dem don’t follow politics, she dey agree. In fact, dem was de ones who holler de loudest that Soulja Bai must resign.

Dem start to talk bout caretaker government and Jagdeo do de same. Jagdeo follow all who talk bout caretaker government. Bright and early Wednesday he and Soulja Bai had a meeting.

He carry de same caretaker government to Soulja Bai. By de time de meeting done he agree that dem ain’t got nutten like a caretaker government. Before he keep he mouth shut, he tell people how dem don’t have no such thing as caretaker government. People confuse. Dem want know wha happen to de resignation. Jagdeo agree that Soulja Bai and ee government don’t have to resign.

De situation in parliament causing anodda confusion. People talking but dual citizenship. That mean that if you is a citizen fuh two countries you can’t sit as an MP. Fuh years people ignore this and who got two passport and who ain’t got, never care. Dem sit and dem vote.

Now Charranrass sit and vote and de people carrying him to court.

Now everybody who got dual citizenship confused.

One minute dem was voting good, good. Now people telling dem they can go to jail if dem only vote in parliament.

That is real confusion. Is like a child accustom to nurse ee mudda and then one day de mudda slap him to stop.

Talk half and wait, because more confusion coming.

with the plan to solve the unemployment problem by creating jobs through the expansion of information communications technology.

The major expansion of Qualfon and the coming to Guyana of Teleperformance occurred under his government. These two companies have create thousands of new jobs.

Ramotar had bigger plans to expand this programme to other areas in Guyana, including to Linden, and it was envisaged that 10,000 jobs (a bit ambitious) would have been created.

The coalition government did not run with that programme. Instead, it is more concerned with providing internet access across Guyana, without any corresponding expansion in new ICT-related jobs.

Young investors are being frustrated. A young investor has the equipment in place to open a casino which will immediately create 300 new jobs for young people, but his application for a licence is languishing in the bureaucracy while young people are scouring for jobs.

Young people are being

left by the wayside. They will therefore turn up in their numbers looking for jobs at any new business, such as MovieTowne. But guess what? The owner of that entity has clearly said that he will not be opening until after the elections. The wait continues.

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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Maybe Granger is the most honest politician in both APNU and the AFC One of the explanations from the leadership of the PNC, AFC - and certain people - about the government’s attitude to the no confidence motion (NCM), is absolutely stupid. Here is the most popular one going around from these quarters. The court is being asked to pronounce on whether or not the NCM is legitimate in the context of what the constitution defines.

With the exception of President Granger, all the deceivers in the PNC and AFC and in other quarters are advocating this position as if the Guyanese people are fools, and could easily be moulded

to think like jackasses. The simplicity of what the PNC and AFC are doing is so graphic that a moron could understand it.

If you do not want to give up power, then you cry that the action is a violation of the constitution, and you run to the courts. That is what APNU and the AFC have done. They then turn around and speak to the nation in the following way – “the government believes that the NCM is a violation of the constitution, its results are not backed by the constitution, so we have the right to challenge it”.

And so they challenged it, and they are still in power as a full regime and not as a caretaker administration.

Commonsense should now kick in. If you want to stay in power, go to the courts. Since the courts are yet to pronounce on the matter, why should the government resign? All this talk about right to test the matter in court, and the constitution is not clear, is gargantuan elephant dung.

The motion was put before the House. It passed. The constitution is clear on that.

Those who support the government have indecently refused to put themselves into the minds of those who support the NCM. Why should anyone believe that APNU+AFC will accept the results of the next general elections, given the way their leaders are behaving over a legitimate constitutional verdict? At the time of the results of the next general poll, the government in

power will be this very set of rulers.

So they lose. All they have to do is ask the court to declare the election null and void because grave violations occurred. They then say we will not resign until the court pronounces.

And they remain in power.

This is a very plausible scenario. You have to put yourself in the place of others and ask yourself why people in Guyana should not hold to the belief that ANPU+AFC will not accept the results of the next general elections. Enter David Granger.

This is my interpretation of what David Granger said. My fear is that the dishonest men and women in both the PNC and AFC are going to put a miasmic twist to Granger’s words.

By saying that the situation will be resolved when GECOM is ready to hold national elections, the President did not reject the legitimacy, legality and constitutionality of the NCM.

Every leader in the AFC and the PNC has openly embraced the unambiguous position that the NCM is not clear cut - there are grey areas and the courts must decide. David Granger did not take that position.

By accepting that the next election could be held when GECOM is competent and prepared to arrange it, Granger to my mind has accepted that there could be elections before 2020.

Now a vital dimension is important to recognize in Granger’s emanation. He did not tie the implementation of the next general poll to the decisions of the courts.

The semantics are not opaque. His language was specific. If GECOM is prepared to hold the next general election, then there will be one. There is no rider or footnote or caution.

So what happens next? All the leaders in the PNC and AFC who do not want to see a caretaker government will disman t l e t h e l o g i c i n Granger’s emanation and

Frederick Kissoon put their usual nasty interpretation. The first one to emerge will be that the president recognizes the matter is in court and therefore the courts should pronounce. Secondly, we will hear by asserting that GECOM could hold the next election if it is ready does not mean that the president has recognized the legality of the NCM. I am sure before this column is published, the television news and internet sites will quote Cabinet members as making the identical pronouncements as I have predicted above.

The meeting between Granger and Jagdeo shows that Granger may be the only human in a den of wolves.

Thursday January 10, 2019

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Thursday January 10, 2019

Britain’s May suffers parliament defeat as Brexit debate resumes LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered an early defeat to her Brexit plans yesterday when parliament demanded the government come up with a plan-B within days if she loses a vote on her deal to leave the European Union.

With less than three months before Britain is due to quit the EU, parliament began a five-day battle over May’s Brexit plan with a show of force - undermining her preferred timetable if lawmakers vote down her blueprint next Tuesday. May has so far refused to retreat from her unpopular deal, which envisages close trading ties with the EU, but without any say on policy as Britain has now, after leaving in March. In-

stead, she has pressed ahead with a vote she looks set to lose after failing to win over her nominal Northern Irish allies.

Losing the vote would deepen the uncertainty over the future of Brexit, Britain’s biggest shift in foreign and trade policy for more than 40 years, and open the way for several different outcomes, ranging from a disorderly exit to another referendum.

Lawmakers voted 308-297 on Wednesday in favor of demanding the government come up with an alternative plan within three working days after the Jan. 15 vote, rather than a planned 21-day limit. There were turbulent scenes in parliament when some in May’s Conservative

Party accused the speaker of bias. Responding to the vote, Brexit minister Stephen Barclay told parliament it was the government’s intention to act quickly if May’s Brexit plan was rejected on Tuesday.

“I also want to reassure colleagues that whatever the outcome of this debate, we will respond rapidly, recognizing that we must provide parliament with as much security as possible,” Barclay said.

But, combined with a vote late on Tuesday when the government lost on the finance bill, the defeats underline May’s precarious position in parliament.

The opposition Labour Party said it will call for a vote of no confidence in the government if May loses on Jan. 15. One of Labour’s top policy team said this would take place immediately, but a spokesman said the timing would be decided as events unfold.

ALTERNATIVES? With the likelihood of a disruptive “no-deal” Brexit rising, the EU is looking at how Brexit might be postponed, and pro-EU campaigners are testing ways Britain could hold another referendum after voters narrowly backed leaving in 2016.

Keir Starmer, Labour’s Brexit policy chief, suggested Britain might not leave on March 29 as planned and raised the prospect of extendingArticle 50, which trig-

gered two years of talks to leave the EU. “There is a question of extension of Article 50 and that may well be inevitable now given the position that we are in, but of course we can only seek it because the other 27 (member states) have to agree,” he said.

Labour’s spokesman earlier said the party was not seeking an extension to Article 50.

Earlier yesterday, May called on parliament to back her deal, suggesting she was confident of securing further assurances from the EU to ease their concerns and offering Northern Ireland more control over the “backstop” arrangement to prevent the return of a hard border with EU member Ireland.

“I’ve been in contact with European leaders...about MPs’ (members of parliament) concerns. These discussions have shown that further clarification over the backstop is possible and those talks will continue over the next few days,” May said.

The government also offered a concession to Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, saying the British province would have “a strong role” in any decision between triggering the backstop or extending a transition period if a future relationship with the EU is not in place by December 2020.

It also said it would accept a change to its Brexit plans which, if passed, would mean that parliament would have the chance to express its disapproval about entering the backstop, if the need to do so arose, without

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May compromising the deal.

The proposal was first put forward in December to try to win over skeptics, but given a cool reception.

The suggestions did little to win over the DUP. Sammy Wilson, the party’s Brexit spokesman, said: “The only thing which could swing the DUP round is if the backstop as it applies to the United Kingdom as a whole or to Northern Ireland specifically were removed from this agreement.”

Wilson, one of 10 DUP lawmakers propping up May’s minority government, described her deal as “ruinous”.

FANTASIES Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29 at 2300 GMT. May told lawmakers that parliament had a choice: back her or risk Britain leaving the bloc without a deal - a scenario many

businesses say would splinter supply chains and hamper investment in the world’s fifth largest economy.

May’s de-facto deputy said it was a delusion to think the government would be able to negotiate a new divorce deal if parliament voted down hers.

“I don’t think the British public are served by fantasies about magical, alternative deals that are somehow going to spring out of a cupboard in Brussels,” Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington told BBC radio.

The government needs 318 votes to get a deal through the 650-seat House of Commons, as seven members of Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein do not sit, four speakers and deputy speakers do not vote and the four tellers are not counted.

Some investors and major banks believe May’s deal will be defeated on Tuesday but that eventually it will be approved.

Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday January 10, 2019

Slothful litigation is interfering with my eligibility for presidential candidacy - Irfaan Ali Making it known that he is being considered as Presidential Candidate by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for the upcoming general elections, former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali, has said that the slothful litigation of land fraud charges against him is interfering with his eligibility.

According to Ali, “It is an open fact that I am being actively considered as a Presidential candidate for the People’s Progressive Party to lead the 2019/2020 general elections, and the Respondents’ failure to act swiftly and without delay in prosecuting the charges has caused and is causing me grave and irreversible damage, prejudicing my eligibility.”

“If the Court does not urgently decide the matters in controversy, there stands to be irreparable prejudice in light of the looming possibility of general elections being held in March,” Ali stated in an action filed asking the High Court to quash the 19 charges instituted by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the police force.

It is being alleged that as former Housing Minister, Ali played a key role in selling several plots of lands at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, to his colleague

ministers and other top officials, shortly before Bharrat Jagdeo ended his second term as President.

Ali is accused of defrauding Government of over $174M, by selling several plots of State land, below the market value, to former President Jagdeo and ministers of the then PPP/C government.

Among other things, Ali, through Senior Counsel Neil Boston, Seenath Jairam and other lawyers, is arguing that the charges instituted against him do not amount to an offence.

In the petition which was filed earlier this month by Fixed Date Application (FDA), the lawyers are asking the court to make several orders and declarations with grounds in support.

In the court documents, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar AliHack, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan; Commissioner of Police Leslie James and Police Corporal Munilall Persaud of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) have been listed as the Respondents.

Ali is seeking an Order of Certiorari quashing the decision of the DPP to charge him with the offence of Conspiracy to Defraud. Ali contends that the decision is irrational, arbitrary, capricious, whimsical, malicious, biased, without any proper evidential

basis, unreasonable, unlawful, null, void and without no effect.

Advancing that the charges are unlawful, Ali through his lawyers, is seeking an interim order restraining the Chief Magistrate or any other Magistrate from hearing or attempting to hear or determine the matter pending the hearing and determination of the application before the High Court.

Furthermore, Ali is asking the court to declare that the charges, which do not allege any underlying unlawful conduct, contravene Section 144 (4) of the Constitution of Guyana. He is further asking for a declaration that there is no statutory or common law duty to obtain valuation prior to the sale of property.

Ali, who said in his Affidavit in support that he took up the post of Minister of Housing from 2009-2015, is denying selling land to any person.

In fact, Ali said, “Moreover, assuming arguendo (for the sake of argument) that the facts as alleged in the charges are true, which is denied. I have been informed by counsel and verily believe that the particulars as contained therein do not amount to any offence known to law, which even if proven, are impossible to yield a conviction for the offences charged.”

Former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali According to the former government minister, there is no duty imposed by law on myself or any person involved in the sale of land by the Government or any state entity, authority, corporation

or company under its control to first obtain a valuation of property prior to its sale.

There are no identifiable standards or systems employed in Guyana for the valuation of land, he argues.

“I have been advised by counsel and verily believe that the allegations that the alleged sales were made “recklessly” or “without valuation” have no legal meaning, are unconstitutionally vague, and are incapable of interpretation or application in any criminal proceedings,” Ali argues in the Affidavit.

Ali contends that the 19 charges against him constitute an abuse of process.

“The decision to lay the Charges against me almost nine years after the alleged acts occurred when all information concerning the alleged acts was readily accessible by the Respondents, constitutes an abuse of process and is prejudicial to me.”

Pleading with the court to halt the proceedings before the Chief Magistrate, Ali ar-

gues, “I will suffer irreparable harm, there being a real threat that criminal proceedings will commence, facing the possibility of conviction.”

The charges against Ali stated that between the period 2011 and 2015, he conspired with persons unknown to defraud the Government, when he acted recklessly by selling19 plots of State Lands at Plantation Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara. The lands which were sold for $39.8M, are valued at $212.4M, according to SOCU. Ali is asking the court to award damages and costs in an amount to be determined at trial but not less than $100,000. His application comes up for hearing tomorrow at the High Court in Georgetown.

Charges against Ali were recommended by SOCU after a forensic audit report was conducted and concluded that Ali acted illegally with the manner in which he distributed several large and expensive plots of land.

WPA joins call for speedy court hearing on no-confidence vote The Working People’s Alliance has asked that the government and the opposition work toward ensuring that the current debate over the noconfidence vote is swift and peaceful.

Though the party has not taken the liberty of opining on the validity of the motion, it noted, in a statement, that it

is “cognizant of the political consequences of the challenge,” and is paying keen attention to all of the arguments concerning the legality/illegality of the vote.

What is important to note is that the party said that the challenge mounted by the government could be read as though the government is attempting to remain in power

beyond the provision of Article 106(7), which requires the government to resign within 90 days of the successful passing of a noconfidence motion.

It is this contention that was raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, since the government had not touted 34 votes as (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 10, 2019

Saudis hide whereabouts of alleged Khashoggi hitman, Saud al-Qahtani AL JAZEERA - Saudi authorities are refusing to confirm the whereabouts of Saud al-Qahtani, the former top aide to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), according to the Washington Post.

Qahtani was fired in October, just days after the gruesome murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi came to light.

I n N o v e m b e r, t h e Kingdom confirmed that he was under investigation and banned from leaving the country. Since then there has been no official statement in the case, the Washington Post reported.

Saudi prosecutors allege that Qahtani played a major role in Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 last year. He was among 17 Saudis sanctioned by the US government over the murder.

Saudi officials say Prince Mohammed was not aware of the plot to kill Khashoggi, t h e Wa s h i n g t o n P o s t reported.

The US and western countries are watching the S a u d i g o v e r n m e n t ’s treatment of Qahtani as a measure of its seriousness in bringing to justice Khashoggi’s killers, the paper reported.

A number of questions remain to be answered about Qahtani’s involvement, including his role in planning the killing or whether he was framed.

Khalil Jahshan, executive director of the Arab Centre of Washington, told Al Jazeera that Qahtani’s disappearance is a “natural

Alleged Khashoggi hitman and Crown Prince’s top aide, Saud al-Qahtani progression of [Saudi Arabia’s] investigation” and is likely used as a strategy to keep MBS protected from accusations regarding Khashoggi’s murder.

“They have sheltered some of the key players accused of being involved [in the murder] whether by Turkey or by the international community,” Jahshan said.

“The intention of the Saudi campaign right now is to keep the crown prince clear of any accusations with regards to the murder of Khashoggi.”

‘THEY ARE ABOVE THE LAW’ Abdulaziz Almoayyad, Saudi human rights activist told Al Jazeera from Ireland that his disappearance is simply “what is expected

from Saudi ideology”.

Almoayyad said that non-violent Saudi dissidents who are asking for some reforms from the government are punished with capital punishment.

“They don’t even need to be a reformer. This is the way the government deals with different opinions, to deal with people who ask for peoples representation,” Almoayyad said, adding that the perpetrators of the murder won’t be brought to justice. “[MBS] isn’t willing to punish [the murderers]; he isn’t willing to punish his own and that will lead him to lose his power.

“In Saudi Arabia, this is a small minority that controls the people ... Saudi people (Continued on page 22)

Final respects for Sir Fenton (TT Newsday) Barbados - In paying tribute to his father Sir Fenton Harcourt Wilworth Ramsahoye, son Bernard spoke about the distinguished lawyer ’s upbringing in Guyana, his place of birth.

The funeral took place at the Chapel of Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens, Barbados, on Saturday.

Ramsahoye, 89, had been living in Barbados for the past ten years.

He died last week Thursday, but lived and worked in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) for many years, from where he argued several cases of public importance before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

He was Guyana’s first attorney general. Two

Sir Fenton Ramsahoye attorneys from TT attended the funeral – Hendrickson Seunath, SC (former vice president of the Law Association of TT) and Anand Ramlogan, SC (former attorney general).

Seunath said he was extremely disappointed

more attorneys did not turn up, for Ramsahoye was an icon in the legal profession to many senior and junior attorneys in TT. “He was the man who took the poor man’s case to the Privy Council without a fee,” Seunath said.

Seunath said Bernard, one of two sons, in eulogising his father, said Ramsahoye worked very hard as a boy in Guyana, educating himself and then going to England.

Bernard is a professor of medicine based in the United Kingdom.

Former chief justice and attorney general of Barbados Sir David Simmonds also attended.

Ramsahoye was cremated and his ashes are to be buried in his homeland.

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Kaieteur News

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Thursday January 10, 2019

CPA, Family Court collaborate on over 100 cases in 2018 The Child Protection Agency, (CPA) has been providing service to the judiciary – particularly the Family Court division – on at least 100 matters.

In its 2018 year-end review, the CPA outlined the types of services, which were provided in a number of c a s e s .

There were 67 in local child custody battles and six international custody battles.

During the period, the CPA dealt with 20 cases for securing protection order for children and 14 other cases of a similar nature, which are in process. Additionally, the CPA reported that 341 utilised the child-friendly space of the Court, of which the agency provides support.

Since its establishment in 2016, the infrastructure to accommodate the Family Court Division was completed under the previous administration with a view of addressing the need of

Guyanese families suffering from societal demoralisation.

The Family Court Division has been outfitted with a Childcare and Protection Officer and other personnel who can assist persons with walk-in procedures and a childcare room and staff.

The court has a full complement of staff, a Registry, and is operated under selected Judges.

In addition to its work with the Family Court, the CPA has facilitated individual family conferences for the prevention of separation of children from their biological family – keeping children from alternative/out-of-home care.

According to information provided by the Agency, family conferencing is a form of mediation with the family in the children’s best interest and welfare.

“This is in keeping with o u r p o l i c y o f

The CPA and Family Court Division collaborated on over 100 cases in 2018.

deinstitutionalization of children and keeping out-of-

home care to a minimum. By the end of October 2018,

approximately 40 such conferences were held and 45

children benefitted,” the CPA said.

Bandit nabbed after robbing Truck driver charged with causing death of motorcyclist Massy Industries truck Two robbers on a motorcycle snatched $70,000 from a Massay Industries Distribution truck after holding the driver at gunpoint at around 13:30 hrs yesterday.

However, the pillion rider was nabbed shortly after and was taken into custody. The incident is said to have occurred in a section of East Ruimveldt.

Kaieteur News understands that the driver was distributing items in the area when two

men on a motorcycle held him at gunpoint and relieved him of the cash.

There are reports that while they were fleeing, the driver rammed into the motorcycle. The pillion rider was then apprehended while his accomplice fled.

The suspect was taken to the East Ruimveldt Outpost, but sources said that he refused to give a statement after his attorney arrived.

A truck driver who allegedly reversed out of his yard on September 21, last, and struck and killed a passing motorcyclist on the public road, was yesterday charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Mohandass Meenkum called “Marvin”, 36, of Betsy

Ground, East Canje, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court.

He is accused of reversing motor canter GWW 1831 onto the Betsy Ground Public Road on Friday 21st September, 2018, resulting in the death of Rajendranauth Haralsingh, called “Jerry” 52, of Lot 28 Reliance Abandon, East Canje, Berbice.

Prosecutor Inspector Althea Solomon told the court that on the day in question, Meenkum did not observe the Five C’s, and did not take due care and consideration when he reversed his canter in a manner dangerous to the public on the Betsy Ground public road. As such, he crashed into Haralsingh, a G u y s u c o F i e l d Superintendent, who was passing at the time on his motorcycle. Haralsingh, a father of two, attached to the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) of the Rose Hall Estate, was reportedly on his way home around 12:30 hrs on motorcycle CF 1615 when he was struck. Meenkum was represented by attorney-at-law Ramesh Rajkumar. Rajkumar told the court that the offence is a bailable one. He stated that his client was on $100,000 station bail and should be released on a similar amount.

H o w e v e r, P r o s e c u t o r Solomon in objecting told the court that when the accused

Killed: Rajendranauth Haralsingh was released on station bail, he was only a suspect. She said that he is now the accused, and as such, she asked that the accused be placed on substantial bail.

The Magistrate subsequently placed Meenkum on $500,000 bail and adjourned the matter to January 23.

Haralsingh had reportedly just finished supervising workers in the backdam and was heading home when he was struck by the Canter. He was hurled to the opposite side of the road. He was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed.

A post mortem examination conducted on the body gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to multiple injuries.

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 10, 2019

PAGE 17

Despite 6 % decline:

Minus two big producers, Gold Board, dealers record US$444M in exports

The Gold Board says that despite major challenges last year, there was just a six percent decline in declarations.

In spite of several major challenges, 2018 turned out to be an encouraging year for the Guyana Gold Board. It was not as solid as hoped for, but it ended up being better than was thought likely, in view of prevailing conditions. According to the board, total declarations from all sources, as of December 31, 2018, amounted to 613,073 ounces - 6.22% lower than 2017.

The foreign exchange value of exports processed on behalf of dealers and itself at the GGB came to US$443,961,666. This was minus the value for the exports for Guyana G o l d f i e l d s a n d Tr o y Resources.

Among the factors responsible for the marginal differences between the 2017 and 2018 figures, as advanced by mining bodies and dealers, were inclement weather, unnavigable roads, and depressed metal prices in the first three quarters of 2 0 1 8 .

According to the GGB, declarations from dealers did indicate some strength in the latter part of the year.

“The Hon. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael G. C. Trotman M.P., and the board and management of the GGB express

appreciation to licensed d e a l e r s M o h a m e d ’s Enterprise, and El Dorado Trading, which finished first and second respectively in total declarations and exports of gold.”

Other dealers that contributed were Pure Diamond, Dinar, Excel, Adamantium Metals, GBTI Property Holdings Inc., and Gold Bar Development.

“All circumstances considered, it was a trying year for the Guyana Gold Board. It stayed faithful to its legal mandate to buy gold, to process exports, and to implement and enforce tougher regulatory standards and requirements. This was achieved through a mercuryrelated health and safety development; ongoing media scrutiny; environmental interest; customer inconvenience and staff concerns.” On separate occasions, two highly qualified teams from PAHO visited the old and current GGB operations complexes on Brickdam and Queenstown respectively conducted exhaustive tests, and reported in writing that emissions were well within internationally recognized safety limits. This would have come after months of investigation confirmed that

mercury emissions were above safety limits following complaints by staffers.

GGB was forced to relocate to Queenstown, and suspend its gold burning activities. “This was most comforting. Management of the GGB has since moved to obtain required equipment, implement measures, and e n f o r c e t h e recommendations made by the PAHO teams; this emphasizes the high priority placed by the GGB on the health and safety of customers, staff, and the general public. At this point, the GGB publicly thanks Mr. Sergio Matos and the staff of Pure Diamond Inc., a licensed dealer, for the helping hand and courtesies extended during a difficult time. In addition, the staff of the GGB performed admirably during very challenging times and circumstances.”

With regards to 2019, GGB said that declarations and exportation projections are expected to be 651,000 ounces. “It is believed that these numbers are feasible and achievable, once there is a confluence of positive contributory components.

The GGB looks forward with much anticipation to what

2019 brings.”

For this year, Gold Board wants to continue improving the management and enhancement of existing emissions control mechanisms and searching for and obtaining a new and permanent home. It is also looking to prioritize and fulfill CFATF and NRA AML/CFT standards and embark on pending capital projects.

Gold Board also announced plans to further

reduce its legacy deficits at the Bank of Guyana and the Ministry of Finance and the continuing of training of staff on professional standards, values and ethics.

“Most, if not all, of these undertakings revolve around the presence of a new, fixed home for the GGB, at the earliest opportunity. The Board of Directors and management are appreciative of the support of the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources, its customers, the

dealers and exporters, the neighbours in its temporary location, and other partners and well-wishers. It could be a very positive year, which is looked forward to with much enthusiasm.”

Guyana has been paying close attention to gold production, declarations and exports. In recent years, earnings have seen the yellow metal climbing to the top spot for the country, becoming the biggest foreign currency earner.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 10, 2019

Badly moored!

This happened at Sheriff and Enachu Streets, Section K, Campbellville yesterday. The owner of the adjacent home said that his car missed being damaged as it was only parked there shortly before.

Thursday January 10, 2019

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

New Brazil government riven by divisions, policy confusion BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazil’s new far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has stumbled out of the gate with infighting, policy flipflops and confusion in his one-week-old government, raising concern among investors about his ability to carry out pressing fiscal reforms.

Divisions have quickly emerged between his political and economic teams over plans to overhaul a messy tax code and costly pension system to bring a high budget deficit under control.

Bolsonaro’s comments in interviews and Twitter posts have also been at odds with senior aides, a red flag for investors who expected the government to arrive focused on a swift pension reform to shore up its finances before tackling an array of hot-button social issues and foreign policy proposals.

On Friday, for example, Bolsonaro told reporters he was increasing the tax on financial operations and cutting the highest income tax rate. That prompted a quick denial from an undersecretary to Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, with Chief of Staff Onyx Lorenzoni later saying the president was mistaken.

The back-and-forth unsettled investors who had been pleased at the team of orthodox economists assembled by Guedes, many of whom are fellow alumni of the University of C h i c a g o ’s f r e e - m a r k e t school of economics.

It put many in a waitand-see mode, especially in

debt markets, said Fabio Knijnik, head of Sao Paulobased wealth fund K2 Capital.

While many domestic investors remain bullish, foreigners with other options have been more cautious about Brazil.

“They are less likely to put money into a country where you have a finance secretary saying that what the president just said makes no sense,” he said.

“We are not seeing this g o v e r n m e n t ’s m e m b e r s marching to the same tune.”

Brazil’s stock market has been one of the best performing in the world over the past six months, with the benchmark Bovespa stock index climbing 25 percent as Bolsonaro won election in October and appointed his market-friendly cabinet.

B r a z i l ’s c u r r e n c y BRBY and stocks extended a rally into the new year, but gains have slowed as questions mount.

On We d n e s d a y, Bolsonaro celebrated a record high for the Bovespa. “Optimism about the new Brazilian government is adding to the global scenario,” he said on Twitter.

POLITICS VS ECONOMICS H o w e v e r, c o n f u s i o n about pension reform, which Knijnik called the keystone of the president’s economic agenda, has some worried that the party might not last.

Bolsonaro proposed in an interview with the SBT television network

Brazil’s Economy Minister Paulo Guedes and the Chief of Staff Minister Onyx Lorenzoni arrive for a ceremony at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil January 7, 2019. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File photo that the new minimum retirement age would be 62 for men and 57 for women, higher than now but lower than ages prop o s e d b y t he previous government.

Investors read that as a sign that he could water down the bill written by the prior government to limit the political costs, easing passage through Congress but requiring further legislation down the road.

Guedes has said he favors a tougher proposal that may be politically difficult but would make a larger and more lasting impact on public debt, which has soared to 77 percent of gross domestic product.

“The political and economic teams are at odds. There is a lack of

cohesion and even coordination between President Bolsonaro’s closest aides,” said Leonardo Barreto, head of Brasiliabased political consultancy Factual.

Guedes is taking an all-or-nothing approach

to fiscal reforms, while Lorenzoni has signaled he would make concessions to lawmakers to shore up political support, said Barreto.

The contradictions highlight broader tens i o n s i n B o l s o n a r o ’s

government, which brings together statist former military officers, right-wing nationalists, the Chicago-trained economists and Christian evangelicals — all with different priorities.

Bolsonaro has already faced disagreement from the armed forces over his suggestion that Brazil could host a U.S. military base.

Investors fear the government will turn first to the social issues dear to Bolsonaro’s conservative electoral base, burning political capital needed for the unpopular pension reform.

The farm and gun lobbies want Bolsonaro to move quickly to ease laws restricting the possession of firearms. Evangelical supporters want sex education, gender diversity and leftist political thinkers removed from the public school curriculum.

“After they pass pension reform, then they can deal with all the ideological stuff they talk about, like girls wearing pink and boys blue,” Knijnik said.

WPA joins call for speedy court ...

From page 14 what was needed, before December 21, and since the statuses of many Members of Parliament (MP) as dual citizens has been public knowledge for years.

The release by the WPA states that the current controversy is yet another test of the political maturity of the leaders of the Guyanese government and opposition.

In this regard, the party cautions that, no matter the

result, the resolution should not cause any major political fallout fueled by narrow partisan interests.

True to the wishes of the WPA, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) and the coalition, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), yesterday, agreed to a pledge, to respect the outcome.

The WPA took note of President Granger ’s

statement that “all Constitutional requirements will be met,” as well as his assurance to the Guyanese people that “this is not a crisis which could dissolve into any type of confrontation,” and lauded the importance of these statements in what the WPA calls an “uncertain period”.

The Party called for peace and maturity at this time because “too much is at stake”.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 10, 2019

Dual citizenship debate

Political parties, GECOM share responsibility for ensuring MPs’ eligibility The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the political parties should share the responsibility of ensuring eligibility of Members of Parliament (MPs) on the basis of their citizenship.

This view was expressed by those who have chimed in on the debate over MPs holding dual citizenship following an act of swearing allegiance to a foreign nation. While it is public knowledge that each MP is culpable for his/her declaration, the question of who has responsibility of verifying that Parliamentarians make honest declarations about their citizenship arises.

Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram is adamant that GECOM, as the elections regulator, must be tasked with verification of the sworn information.

“GECOM, as the regulator of the Elections, must accept that responsibility. My position has not changed. The Elections Body must vet the list provided to them by these political parties. I strongly hold the view that they should be able to verify the information provided to them with the understanding that the list consists of names of potential parliamentarians.”

“It is grossly reckless of GECOM to shelve the burden…

I wrote to GECOM and brought it to their attention, but it is not

like the Commission doesn’t understand the gravity.”

Former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang also expressed his views on the matter. Chang noted that while GECOM has the elections mandate of regulations, it‘s the political parties that compose the list.

“They (the parties) must know who they’re putting on their list. They should ask the questions in view of the constitutional provisions. So it is the Party which has primary responsibility and then GECOM should bear some of the burden as the elections body.”

However, an official at GECOM, who weighed in on the discussion said that the Elections Commission is not mandated by law to do any follow-ups on the sworn declarations provided by the list of the candidates.

The official noted that GECOM is equipped with the capacity to police the list.

“Unless something fundamentally changes, discerning citizenship can be a lengthy process. That‘s why it should be done on merit. A candidate should be honest enough to declare citizenship or face the consequences for making the false declaration.”

Additionally, the official noted that the time between submission of list and elec-

Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram tions is a short period to do any such investigation.

“Each party is required to submit the list 32 days before elections are held.”

According to the Representation of the People Act, 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 qualifi-

cations 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.

Further to that, candidates who fail to disclose information on citizenship are in breach of the Statutory Declarations Act Cap 5:09, which stipulates in section 4, that it is an offence punishable by impris-

Former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang onment 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, 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.

The matter has, once again, gained prominence with the contention that expelled Alliance for Change (AFC) member, Charrandass Persaud’s dual citizenship status invalidated his vote in support of the No-confidence Motion that brought the APNU-AFC Government down.

The motion has resulted in at least one court matter being filed against Persaud, who has been a Canadian citizen for almost 20 years.

Even before that, Ram had also raised the issue, prior to the 2011 General Election, in a letter to the then Chief Election Officer Gocool Boodoo.

He had reminded the official that it was 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.

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.”

“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.”

Thursday January 10, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Threat of H1N1 virus in Caribbean puts Guyana on guard Blood samples will have to be taken from any person suspected to have the H1N1 Influenza, which has in recent months infiltrated the Caribbean.

This is the disclosure of Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who revealed that part of Guyana’s response to the threat, is the training of port health officers to detect the signs and symptoms of the virus.

This therefore means that port health officers at the main airports – Cheddi Jagan International at Ti m e h r i a n d E u g e n e F. Correia at Ogle – as well as other port of entries such as the Moleson Creek border crossing and Lethem, have been subjected to training.

Dr. Persaud revealed that the Public Health Ministry just recently completed a bout of

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud training in this regard that also included immigration and airline and ferry operators and other conveyances.

Third man charged for murder of Craig resident - faces five additional charges Wa y n e Anthony Chester also known as ‘Sharky’ was hauled before the court yesterday and slapped with six charges, including the murder of Purcell Junior Moore, who was shot dead during a robbery in 2017 at Craig, East Bank Demerara.

The first charge alleges that on December 20, 2017, at Craig, East Bank Demerara, Chester murdered Purcell Moore, a resident of the village, during the course of a robbery.

The second charge states that on January 6, 2019 at Lot 1 Conciliation Drive, Tucville Georgetown, Chester while in the company of another and armed with a gun, robbed Clev Cromwell of articles totalling $512,600.

In addition, it was alleged that on the same date and at the same location, Chester unlawfully and maliciously damaged one windshield and car bumper valued $85,000.

It was further alleged that Chester discharged a loaded firearm at Cromwell with intent to mane, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm.

Finally, it was alleged that Chester had in his possession one Walther .32 pistol and one .32 spent shell while not being the holder of a firearm licence.

Chester denied all the allegations made out against him. However, he was unable to plead to the indictable charge of murder.

The accused, who was unrepresented, in-

formed the court that he is 22 years of age and resides at 1226 Section C , B l o c k Y, D i a m o n d Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. He further stated that he has one child and works as a miner.

Chester was remanded and is to return to court on January 25, on the murder charge and on January 30, for the other charges.

Chester is the third person charged with the murder of Moore. Kevin Persaud, 21, of 14th Avenue Diamond, East Bank Demerara and Selwyn Dawson, 21, of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara were charged and appeared in court last year.

According to reports, Moore was returning home from a shop when the men, armed with handguns, confronted him. An argument reportedly erupted between Moore and the suspects. This escalated into a scuffle, during which several rounds were discharged at Moore and the men fled the scene.

Moore was rushed to the Diamond Diagnos t i c Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police found two spent shells from a small calibre handgun on the scene.

It was reported that Persaud told detectives that Moore’s killing was a “wuk.” He claimed that he accompanied the two other men, but was not the one who pulled the trigger.

Taking this approach is crucial in order to be fully on guard against the virus, Dr. Persaud said.

With confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu, in the Caribbean, Guyana is currently on high alert to guard against its infiltration, Dr. Persaud disclosed.

Along with training for port officials, there is the assurance that additional medical human resources have been placed at major ports of entry such as the Timehri airport to facilitate monitoring, since it is known to record the highest number of arrivals from various territories, including those with confirmed cases of the virus.

Cases of H1N1 have been reported in Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas,

with reports of at least one fatality.

“We usually don’t have enough persons to monitor all the flights, especially at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport so, we recently added a doctor along with two Medical Extension officers [Medex] and a port health officer, and we are even looking for one additional person so we can cover the entire 24-hour period and any person identified with symptom,” said Dr. Persaud Additionally, the CMO shared that commercial flight attendants are tasked with the responsibility to report to port health officials any observations of suspicious symptoms of the virus.

“Each arriving commercial flight is supposed to complete a general flight declaration that would

indicate to us if there are any passengers on board who are coughing excessively, who experience fever during a flight, or any other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea or anything unusual that may occur during the flight.

The flight declarations are usually reviewed by a port health officer. And should a person be detected with the related symptoms, they are attended to by a port health official.

A c c o r d i n g t o D r.

Persaud, at CJIA for instance, the doctor may administer initial medication before referring the patient to the nearest hospital for further medical care and screening.

For those at Moleson Creek, they are to be immediately referred to the

Skeldon Hospital, while those at the Guyana-Brazil border are to be quickly referred to the Lethem Regional hospital.

Monitoring and surveillance for H1N1 and other communicable illnesses is a customary undertaking, and over the last two years, samples have been routinely taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation to ascertain the presence of the virus.

Since H1N1’s initial outbreak in 2009 in the United States, there have been no reports of any active transmission.

“That, of course, doesn’t mean that we don’t have cases, but at least for those samples that were tested, we have not detected any positive H1N1 among the flu cases in Guyana. So, we have (Contiued on page 22)

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Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

Threat of H1N1 virus in Caribbean puts..

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so the surveillance team will continue with this,” said Dr. Persaud.

To help ward off the virus, persons are encouraged to practice good hygiene including the regular washing and sanitization of their hands.

Additionally, persons with respiratory abnormalities are asked to see a licensed m e d i c a l p h y sician for treatment and those with flu-like symptoms are also advised to seek outpatient medical care forthwith.

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They are super rich, super powerful and they really think they are above the law of Saudi Arabia, or international.”

Last November, the CIA concluded that MBS ordered the assassination of Khashoggi in Istanbul, a finding that contradicts Saudi government assertions that Prince Mohammed was not involved.

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From page 02 someone is bitten by a bug they tend to leave faeces on the individual.

As the person scratches the area affected they introduce the parasites to the wound, mouth or eyes this allowing the parasites to enter t h e b o d y.

Other less conventional ways of contracting Chagas disease can be through blood transfusions from infected donors, mother to child transmission [infected mother that has delivered her newborn baby], o r gan transplant [organ from an infected donor] and laboratory accidents.

Thursday January 10, 2019

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Kaieteur News

National Psychiatric Hospital saw major developments in 2018 - reduction in malnourished patients - Administrator

T

he National Psychi atric Hospital lo cated at Fort Canje, Berbice, Region Six underwent many upgrades for the year 2018. The hospital also saw major developments which positively impacted the lives of patients within the health institute.

A nutritionist was employed at the institution in 2018. This contributed to better meal plans and nutritious meals being prepared for patients at the institution. At the beginning of 2018, there were 25 patients suffering from malnutrition.

That number has since been reduced to 12, according to a review done at the end of 2018.

According to the Hospital’s Administrator, Luan Sulker, the nutritionist recommends the food and supplements needed for the patients. The employment of the nutritionist can be considered a major development for the health institute, Sulker says.

The administrator further highlighted other areas of improvement including the implementation of a switchboard at the health facility.

According to her, the hospital was out of a switchboard

for more than three years.

Meanwhile, several abandoned buildings in the compound were demolished giving way to a much-improved environment and removal of the stigma attached to the hospital with regards to it being ‘condemned’.

According to Sulker, a contractor was engaged to clear the bushes and drains on a regular basis, maintaining the appearance of the facility’s compound to the public.

The administrator said, “when one hears of the Psychiatric or Mental Hospital it appears to them as a very scary place or one that is not well kept. So, we are trying our best to get rid of the stigma attached to the hospital.”

For 2019, the Regional Health Department has several things planned for the further improvement of services at the mental institute, among them are plans to resuscitate the playfield located in the compound.

“It is one from which many of Berbice’s top cricketers emerged. There are plans to start a poultry farm as a form of therapy for the patients.

The hospital has a population of 180 patients,” the administrator noted.

The National Psychiatric Hospital compound

Nursing students during their nine-month training stint

Cuban national charged with uttering forging documents

A

Cuban national found himself be fore the court where he was made to answer to two charges - uttering forged documents and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Georley Ruiz Veliz appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate Faith McGusty and was uncertain as to how to plead to the charges. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

It is alleged that Veliz on January 4, 2019 at the Central Immigration Office, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, uttered one Republic of Cuba passport with forged departure and arrival stamp, knowing same to be forged.

Also, it is alleged that Veliz on October 24, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, conspired with persons or persons unknown to forge one departure and arrival stamp, reporting to show same was issued by the Central Immigration Office.

Veliz, through a Spanish interpreter, told the court that, “A man came and offered to assist me and all the documents seemed to be legal, therefore I thought every-

Georley Ruiz Veliz thing was okay.”

He further informed the court that he is 33 years old.

However he refused to disclose his address in Guyana, as he claimed that he stays

with his girlfriend and does not want to put her in trouble.

The magistrate then had no choice but to remand Veliz to prison until January 30, 2019 - his next court date.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday January 10, 2019

Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday January 10, 2019

Thursday January 10, 2019

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Kaieteur News

NBA roundup: Wiggins scores 40 as Wolves edge Thunder

A

ndrew Wiggins scored a seasonhigh 40 points as the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-117 on Tuesday night.

It was Minnesota’s first game under interim coach Ryan Saunders, who replaced Tom Thibodeau on the bench. Thibodeau was fired Sunday after the Timberwolves’ home win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

A Minnesota turnover with 15.5 seconds left gave the Thunder one last chance, but two Russell Westbrook 3point attempts missed the mark and Paul George’s desperation put-back went wide to give the Timberwolves their third consecutive win.

The Timberwolves hit 32

of their 40 free throws, with Oklahoma City making just 19 of 26. Wiggins was 16 of 18 from the free throw line.

Nuggets 103, Heat 99 Nikola Jokic’s fourth triple-double of the season — 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists — carried Western Conference-leading Denver to a win over host Miami.

Jokic hit the go-ahead shot from the lane with 2.4 seconds left over the arms of backup center Bam Adebayo, who played great defense on the sequence. However, Jokic awkwardly floated his shot over Adebayo and hit nothing but net.

Miami still had a chance to tie or go ahead, but Kelly Olynyk’s inbounds pass was wild, leading to a turnover — just the Heat’s sixth in the

game.

76ers 132, Wizards 115 Rookie Landry Shamet set career highs with eight 3pointers and 29 points to carry host Philadelphia past Washington.

Shamet, whose previous career high was 17 points, knocked down 8 of 14 shots from 3-point range to set a Sixers rookie record. His lone miss was from inside the arc.

Joel Embiid had 20 points and 10 rebounds for his league-leading 35th doubledouble and ninth in a row.

Jimmy Butler added 20 points while Ben Simmons contributed 17 points and nine assists. Furkan Korkmaz scored 16 points.

Raptors 104, Hawks 101 Kawhi Leonard made a key steal to set up the go-

Thursday January 10, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A temporary upset with a partner might distract you so you can't function as effectively as you normally do. Don't let your anger get the best of you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Unexpected visitors might throw you into a dither. You could panic over how to dress, what to say, and what to serve. Don't make yourself crazy, Libra.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Unexpected responsibilities could interfere with plans to take a trip of some sort. Someone might need your help, and you may well have to put your own activities on hold for a while.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Some rather disconcerting information may come to light today. This could throw you into a daze, as it isn't anything that you expected.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) An unexpected development might interfere with your plans to attend a social event, group activity, or get-together with your partner. This isn't going to sit well with those you've been planning to meet, Gemini.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Arrangements for a get-together you're planning to host could go awry, with everything turned upside down and nothing happening the way you planned.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your usually abundant energy may experience a sudden setback today, Leo. Work pressure could create stress that leaves you feeling exhausted and out of sorts. This will pass.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A trip through exclusive boutiques or antique shops might have you throwing financial caution to the wind and buying luxury items you hadn't planned for.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Even though everything is going well for you, Sagittarius, a sudden upset of some kind, probably involving money, could throw you into a momentary panic.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Upsets regarding your career or the activities that take up most of your time are likely to negatively affect your self-confidence.

Don't fall into this trap, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) New scientific or archaeological discoveries could temporarily shake your faith in your spiritual path, Aquarius. You may s u d d e n l y d o u b t s omething you've always accepted. This could propel you to study, primarily to reaffirm your faith.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) ou might not be able to accomplish what you'd hoped today, Pisces. Some minor but irritating conflicts could occur within a group.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) goes to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. (Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports) ahead field goal in the final minute and he finished with

31 points as Toronto defeated visiting Atlanta.

Kyle Lowry added 16 points for the Raptors, while Pascal Siakam had 13 points and 10 rebounds, OG Anunoby had 14 points and Serge Ibaka 13.

John Collins had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Hawks, and Jeremy Lin added 20 points. Trae Young had 19 points, Dewayne Dedmon 12 points and nine rebounds and DeAndre’ Bembry 11 points.

Suns 115, Kings 111 Kelly Oubre Jr. scored a game-high 26 points, gave Phoenix the lead with two free throws with 43.5 seconds remaining and added a dunk 32 seconds later in a win over visiting Sacramento after trailing by 19 points at halftime.

Ben McLemore matched his season-high point total in the second quarter alone, contributing 11 points to a 4018 explosion that sent the Kings to a 72-53 halftime advantage.

But the Suns outscored the Kings 33-14 in the third quarter to even it up at 86-86, and finished the game on an 11-2 run after falling behind again by five with just 2:25 to play.

Pacers 123, Cavaliers 115 Thaddeus Young matched his season best of 26 points and Bojan Bogdanovic added 23 as Indiana held on for a victory over host Cleveland.

Victor Oladipo tallied 17 points as the Pacers won for the 14th time in the past 17 games. Domantas Sabonis added 15 points and nine rebounds and Cory Joseph scored 11 points.

Jordan Clarkson scored 26 points and Alec Burks added 19 as the Cavaliers dropped their 10th consecutive game. Tristan Thompson had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Cedi Osman also scored 15, Collin Sexton had 14 and Cameron Payne scored 10.

(Field Level Media)

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Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

Archery Guyana moves closer to Olympic qualifier with Wayne DeAbreu Wayne Gerald DeAbreu, who was born in Guyana and currently residing in Canada, has recently joined Archery Guyana. He started shooting in 2010 and is currently ranked as No. 17 in the Province of Ontario Canada and No. 21 in Canada.

His Official stats are as follows: Ontario ranking (17) DeAbreu Wayne - M, ON Ranking Total 3057.84 Total Points 2017; Canadian ranking (21) DeAbreu Wayne - M, ON Ranking Total 3018.00 Total Points.

He’s well on his way to qualifying for the 2020 Olympics representing the Golden Arrow Head.

DeAbreu had a fascination for the sport of Archery as a child when his parents presented him with a small indigenous bare bow and 3 arrows. He still has this set now as a display in his house. However, it was not until he was in his late thirties Wayne was gifted a traditional bow for Christmas and he just loved it. This gift provided the impetus for his renewed interest in the sport and the rest is history.

In time, Guyana’s Wayne DeAbreu became one of the top traditional shooters in his Ontario . He however wanted more. He felt then that the traditional archery world was

a great start but it was time to evolve. He then upgraded to a Hoyt recurve bow (the eclipse) which then put him in a new category of competition, the Olympic Recurve shooting.

This fueled his desire to progress to greater heights, as he realized how natural instincts combined with technology made for greater consistency and accuracy.

He invested heavily in the sport even remodeling his house to facilitate indoor practice and in time, he progressed to be in the top 3 best in Ontario and in his final year with the bare bow he set the Canadian bare bow record at 70m.

The following year Wayne transferred to the Olympic recurve with a very aggressive goal of making it to the Olympics. His aggression and disciplined in researching and retooling himself to becoming a great archer began to pay dividends as he began to rise in the rankings in Ontario and the State of Canada. This achievement is remarkable considering that he entered the sport relatively late whilst all the programmes and resources were aimed and designed for a younger Archer. Archery Guyana stands to benefit from Wayne’s tremendous

Wayne DeAbreu’s practice session in Bowmanville Ontario Canada.

Wayne DeAbreu scoring his target after shooting the 70m distance in Canada.

experience as we move forward in developing our programme locally, the organisation informed.

Archery Guyana is enthused at the prospect of Guyana qualifying in the near future for the 2020 Olympics and stands behind Wayne as he seeks to fulfil not only his personal dream but Guyana’s.

Pooran half-century puts Sixers over the top

DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies star Nicholas Pooran slammed an unbeaten half-century to extend his run of excellent recent run of form, as Sylhet Sixers edged Chittagong Vikings in the Bangladesh Premier League here yesterday.

Opting to bat first at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Sixers were propelled by captain David Warner who top-scored with 59 off 47 balls while Pooran blazed late in the innings for his 52 off 32 deliveries.

Nineteen-year-old Bangladesh batsman Afif Hossain struck 45 from 28 balls.

Sixers suffered a nightmare start when they slumped to six for three in the third over but Warner initiated the revival when he put on 71 for the fourth wicket with Afif.

The Australian, currently serving a ban from international cricket for ball tampering, notched two fours and a six in a patient knock while Afif attacked, belting five fours and three sixes.

Wayne DeAbreu at the Canadian Nationals, Ontario Canada.

Lusignan Golf Club starts 2019 programme on Saturday

T

his year the Lusignan Golf Club will start their activities for 2019 with a warm-up President’s Cup tournament set for Saturday. Tee-off time is

West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran.

When Afif fell in the 11th over, Pooran arrived to put on an exhibition of stroke-play, striking three fours and three sixes as he dominated a 70run, fifth wicket partnership with Warner.

In reply, Vikings made a good fist of it but 24 runs off the final over proved a mountain too high to climb.

South African Robbie Frylinck, who had earlier grabbed three wickets with his seam, top-scored with an

unbeaten 44 off 24 deliveries, with two of his four sixes coming in the final over.

Fellow South African Cameron Delport chipped in with 38 off 22 balls while Zimbabwean Sikandar Raza struck 37 from 28 deliveries.

Delport and Mohammed Ashraful (22) staged a 57-run, second wicket stand to get Vikings up to 63 for one in the eighth over but the innings lost momentum when a plethora of wickets fell.

Pele Football Club AGM set for Jan. 17 The Annual General Meeting of the Pele Football Club (PFC) is set for Thursday January 17 next at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue, commencing at 18:00hrs.

Topping the list of agenda items would be the election of office bearers for the next two years. There would also be the secretary and treasurer reports. Current President Allister Parris is expected to run again.

Other executive members are Alexander Best (First VP), Dirk Exeter (Second VP), Chris Barnwell (Third VP), Ustas Hardcourt (Treasurer) and Paul Blackman (Secretary).

12:30 p.m.

The President’s Cup will be played in the Flights Format, with prizes for 1stto 3rd in each flight, Longest Drive and Nearest The Pin. The ladies will be absorbed in the three flights.

The intention, however, is to maintain a separate ladies flight this year.

It is expected that many members will use this opportunity to hone their skills in preparation for the jam-packed list of tournaments the LGC envisages for this year, sometimes back-to-back Saturdays and Sundays.

One big launch for this year would be the Ansa McAl/Suzuki tournament set for January 19th. Details are scheduled to be released soon on this and several other events.

This promises to be a very exciting year of golfing activity, and the general public is welcome to visit and enjoy the ambience and activity during the tournaments.

Thursday January 10, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Sky Plus Mega Sprint Classic

Massapequa Dr and Mahaica Star the outstanding performers Massapequa Dr returned to winning ways by taking the feature J and Lower event when the Nand Persaud Group of Companies held its One day Mega Sprint Classic Horserace m e e t a t i t s Number 36, Macedonia, Corentyne, Berbice facilities.

The event, which was organised by its Sky Plus Promotion Group, saw Massapequa Dr burning up the track to land the first prize of $180,000 and trophy from Plane Land, Red Region and Touch the Cash.

Mahaica Star was the star performer in the event

for 3 year old horses as it showed speed in racing away with the $200,000 winners’ money and trophy from Awesome Banner, Caribbean Boy and Perfection.

The K and lower showdown saw Uprising racing past Miss Anjale to take the top spot as The Rock and Secret Flyer occupied third and fourth.

The L class event for Colts and Geldings was won

by Quarter Pharaoh with Uprising, Irish Boy and Byron the others that places.

The winning take was $100,000 and trophy.

Tou c h the Cash

Action in one of the races at the Nand Persaud Sprint Classic. touched down ahead of the field in the L class race for mares and fillies to take the $100,000 and trophy from

Cooper out, Williams in training squad for Pakistan ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Britney Cooper has been excluded from a 20-member training squad named to begin preparation for the upcoming series against Pakistan.

The 29-year-old batsman, one of the heroes of the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup triumph, has struggled badly of recent and managed only 23 runs in five innings in last November’s most recent edition of the ICC tournament.

Cooper is the only experienced player missing as the squad comprises 14 of the 15 players who contested the recent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.Selectors have, however, called up 21-year-old Jamaican Rashada Williams for her first taste of international action, and convenor Courtney Browne said there were high hopes for the player.“Coming into the squad for the first time is young opening bat Rashada Williams who impressed the selectors with her solid technique and her ability against spin bowling,” Browne said.

“The panel believes with help from the coaching staff she can develop into a very good player that can add solidity.”The squad will be involved in a two-week camp here which got underway Wednesday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.Captain Stafanie Taylor will not feature, however, due to her participation in the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League in Australia.West Indies are set to face Pakistan in three OneDay Internationals and T20 Internationals next month, and Browne said selectors were looking for an improved

Trinidadian Britney Cooper showing in shorter format especially.“After a decent and competitive run at the ICC T20 World Cup 2018 the Windies women will be expected to build on that momentum going into the One-Dayers and T20 series against Pakistan,” he said.“The team needs to improve its showing in ODI cricket, especially, and we want to see mark improvement in this format. ”The women have been involved in a number of strategic camps over the last year and we have seen improve-

ments as reflected during the T20 World Cup particularly in the fielding.”

SQUAD – Merissa Aguilleira, Reniece Boyce, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Akeira Peters, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams.

Windies trio fire Dhaka ...

From page 31 Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dynamites piled up 192 for six off their 20 overs after being sent in, with 20-year-old Afghan left-hander Hazratullah Zazai top-scoring with 57 from 36 deliveries.He put on 67 off 31 balls for the first wicket with Narine (19) before he was third out in the 12th over.

Shakib-al-Hasan suffered the indignity of a first-ball ‘duck’ to leave the innings stumbling at 113 for four but Pollard and Russell combined in a 55-run, fifth wicket stand to pull their side out of trouble.Pollard lashed a pair of fours and sixes in a 16-ball cameo while Russell belted three sixes in a 22-ball knock.

In reply, Titans were bundled out for a paltry 87 in 13 overs, with Shakib snaring three for 18 with his left-arm spin.Off-spinner Narine supported with two for 20 while new-ball bowler Russell went wicket-less from two overs.In the other match at the venue, Chris Gayle’s Rangpur Riders beat Evin Lewis’s Comilla Victorians by nine wickets but both batsmen failed.

Gold Again and Perfect Return.

He is in Control took control of the L class non earners race from Perfection, Royal Progression, and Rosie.

There was also a race for horses classified as Cow Horses which was very entertaining.

The Champion jockey, trainer and stabl e w e r e rewarded with trophies and other incentives compliments of the Trophy Stall and the organisers.

The Nand Persaud Group of Companies is among the premiere horseracing entities in the country and boost a full package that includes racing track, promotional group, race horses, and stables and feed and other supplies for the horses.

The coordinator was Mohendra “Mohin” Persaud.

Connections of Uprising receiving their reward.

South Africa’s Albie Morkel announces retirement

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) Former South Africa international all-rounder Albie Morkel has decided to retire from all forms of cricket, ending a two-decade career that earned him a reputation as a clean striker of the ball and a bowler full of guile.

The 37-year-old, the older brother of fast bowler Morne Morkel, played a single test, 58 One-Day Internationals and 50 Twenty20 matches for South Africa over 11 years, having more influence with bat than ball as a “finisher” at the end of limited overs innings.

“Time has run out for me on the cricket field, and I would like to announce my retirement from the game,” Morkel said in a statement yesterday.“There are some new opportunities on the horizon, and I’m looking forward

South Africa’s Albie Morkel stretches during a practice session ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup cricket match against Zimbabwe in Hambantota September 19, 2012.

(REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte) to grow into those. I will be enjoying the game from the other side of the rope.”

Morkel was one of the top buys at the inaugural Indian Premier League auction when he went to the Chennai Super Kings for $675,000 (£528,075)

in 2008, and later played for Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

He also had spells in English county cricket with Derbyshire, Durham and Somerset.

PAGE 30

Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

Regional First-Class cricket

Jaguars face Volcanoes today at Providence Volcanoes warm-up with a game of Football.

NCN to bring live commentary

By Sean Devers The Providence Stadium will be the battle ground from 09:30hrs today as four-times Champions and tournament leaders Guyana Jaguars with 58.4 points from three wins, will face-off with third placed Windwards Volcanoes, on 38.2 from two wins and a loss in what should be a competitive encounter.

The Windwards beaten Guyana in over six years and the last time they met in the first round in St Lucia, Jaguars won be 125 runs.

Jaguars made 224 in their first innings with Vishaul Singh (75) and Romario Shepherd (44) contributing with the bat as Shane Shillingford had 4-59.

Alex Athanaze (64) and Taryck Gabriel (57) got fifties to help Volcanoes to 222 in response as Veerasammy Permaul took 3-56.

Led by an unbeaten 84 from 334 balls from Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 69 from Clinton Pestano and 51 from Skipper Leon Johnson, Jaguars declared at 310-4.

Only Athanaze (34) offered meaningful resistance as Pestano had 4-46 and Permaul 3-13 as the host were bowled for 187.

Today both teams will be missing their top performers from that match since Shillingford has been banned for an illegal action and Singh, along Chanderpaul Hemraj and Raymon Reifer will miss today’s game since they leave for Barbados to participate in two two-day matches against England.

Volcanoes will be without Sunil Ambris for the same reason but both Coaches said that while those players will

be missed today, they are confident that those in the side can get the job done.

Hemraj scored his maiden ton and Reifer had five wickets and made 90 runs including a first innings fifty in the last round. Singh, Hemraj and Reifer will be replaced by the Test pair of Shimron Hetmyer and Kemo Paul, while Trevon Griffith also comes back into the team.

Jaguars Manager/Assistant Coach Rayon Griffith informed that Devendra Bishoo is still recovering from injury and has returned from the USA.“We are without four of our players who have played Test and they will be missed, we have a group of hungry young players who can get the job done,” said Griffith, an ex-Guyana pacer.

Head Coach Esuan Crandon, who leaves after this round to take up duties as Windies Assistant Coach, says in this game he wants the batters to capitalise on good starts and score big hundreds.

“Winning our first three games on the road is a tremendous start for us coming back home to play (today) tomorrow in conditions that we know and own,” informed Crandon.

Guyana batting has depth but they would hope that Chanderpaul rotates the strike a bit better and not soak up as much dot balls as has been done during this tournament and that Griffith, Johnson and Barnwell be more consistent. The return of Hetmyer and Paul adds fire power to a line-up that includes Anthony Bramble, Rutherford and Pestano.

Their bowling will be taken care of by Permaul,

whose 20 wickets are the most by any bowler in the tournament with pace support from Shepherd, Pestano, Barnwell and Rutherford.

On a track with looks to be well suited to spin, the Jaguars’ could toy with the idea of including Gudakesh Motie.

The Volcanoes will depend on 37-year-old Regional run-machine Devon Smith who did not play in the round. The left-handed Grenadian has scored 35 centuries from 202 matches since playing his first in 1989. His highest score of 212 was made against Guyana whose bowling has been very successful.

Without the services of Ambris, a lot will depend on Skipper Bajan Kirk Edwards, Athanaze, Roland Cato, Gabriel and Kavem Hodge, while the bowling will be led

by Ray Jordon and left-arm pacer Obed McCoy, while Larry Edwards should enjoy the Providence track.

According to Volcanoes’ Assistant Coach Fenix Thomas, the former Windwards pacer who along with T&T pacer Mervin Dillion was struck by lightning during a

Sherfane Rutherford about to stop the ball during fielding drills.

Test players Chanderpaul Hemraj (batting) and Vishaul Singh will miss today’s match.

Red Stripe Bowl game in 2003 in Jamaica, their bowling is their strength but especially with the presence of Smith their batting is also strong.

He said that while Shillingford has always done well for the Windwards in the past and will be missed, the Volcanoes beat Jamaica in Jamaica without him.“While the pitch looks the usual Guyana pitch which should off assistance to the spinners, Devon has done well against them.

When you look at Devon Smith you see centuries,” the Dominican stated.

He said Guyana has domi-

nated everyone and will be respected but added that the Volcanoes should have won the game in St Lucia and anticipates a keen contest and that winning away from home gives the team confidence.

“I encourage the Guyanese to come out to see four days of competitive cricket,” Thomas concluded.

NCN will bring live ballby-ball coverage of game: Guyana Jaguars: Leon Johnson (Capt) Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Trevon Griffith, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Anthony Bramble, Christopher Barnwell,

Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie Keon Joseph, Sherfane Rutherford, Clinton Pestano, Ramall Lewis, Tevin Imlach, Esuan Crandon (Head Coach), Rayon Griffith (Assistant Coach/Manager) Windwards Volcanoes: Kirk Edwards (Capt), Devon Smith, Taryck Gabriel, Roland Cato, Ray Jordon, Josh Thomas, Sherman Lewis, Denis Smith, Obed McCoy, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Larry Edwards, Audy Alexander, Andre Coley (Head Coach), Fenix Thomas (Asst Coach)

Asst Coach Rayon Griffith watches as Shimron Hetmyer defends against Andre Stoll during a net session yesterday.

Thursday January 10, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

UWI Invitational hockey tourney

National under-21 faces Notre Dame today The national indoor development men’s team’s tour of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) will see them taking part in their second competition of the trip when the University of the West Indies (UWI) hits off their invitational hockey tournament today.

The event which will be held at the university’s sports & physical education center (SPEC) hockey facility will be competed in the round-robin/ knockout format and the Guyanese will begin their campaign against local club Notre Dame.

The tournament features predominantly local teams this year with Guyana being the only foreign side.

Guyana’s team that is nicknamed Supernova, comprises of players aged 19 years and under with the exception of skipper Jamarj Assanah.

Supernova’s performance in the first competition of the

Flashback to Guyana’s Junior National Men’s Team at the 2016, Junior Pan American Championships in Toronto Canada. tour; Ventures Hockey Club Invitational, was commendable. In the semifinal, Supernova came agonizingly close to defeating T&T Defence Force team which comprises of several players of the twin island’s national team.

During an interview with

Kaieteur Sport, coach of the team, Robert Fernandes, expressed his satisfaction with the lads’ performance noting, “The boys have exceeded our pre tour expectations. Their high level of intensity and work rate has allowed them to be competitive against teams

Mohamed Salah: Liverpool and Egypt forward named Caf African Player of the Year BBC Sport - Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is the 2018 Confederation of African Football Player of the Year the second consecutive year he has won the award.

Egypt forward Salah, 26, beat Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane of Senegal and Arsenal and Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the title.He received the award at a ceremony in Senegal on Tuesday.

“I have dreamt of winning this award since I was a child and now I have done so twice in a row,” Salah said.Houston Dash and South Africa forward Thembi Kgatlana was named Women’s Player of the Year.

Salah was voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year for the second time in December.

He scored 44 goals for

Liverpool during the 2017-18 season, helping the Reds to the Champions League final before scoring twice for Egypt at the World Cup in Russia.

He has scored 16 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this season.Salah, Mane and Aubameyang were joined in the Team of the Year by Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, Manchester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez, Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and Tottenham fullback Serge Aurier.

On Tuesday, Caf announced Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Africa Best XI: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns/Uganda), Serge Aurier (Tottenham/Ivory Coast), Medhi Benatia (Juventus/ Morocco), Eric Bailly (Manchester United/Ivory

Coast), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli/Senegal); Naby Keita (Liverpool/Guinea), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid/ Ghana), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City/Algeria); Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/ Egypt), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal/ Gabon), Sadio Mane (Liverpool/Senegal) Youth player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) Coach of the Year: Herve Renard (Morocco) Women’s coach of the Year: Desiree Ellis (South Africa) National team of the year: Mauritania Women’s national team of the year: Nigeria Goal of the Year: Chrestinah ‘Thembi’ Kgatlana (for South Africa v Nigeria in Group B game at Women’s Africa Cup of Nations)

Windies trio fire Dhaka to second straight win DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – High-profile West Indies trio Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard all made small contributions but they proved enough to help star-studded Dhaka Dynamites thrash Khulna Titans by 105 runs in the Bangladesh Premier League here Tuesday.Playing at the (Continued on page 29 )

West Indies star Kieron Pollard.

Men’s Coach Robert Fernandes gives instructions to Midfielder Kareem Mackenzie. that are vastly more experienced than them. Also everyone on this team is a goal scoring threat so the balance is also good.”

Fernandes explained that he and the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) would have set out some objectives to be achieved during the tour with the two most important being as follows.First, the tour served as part of the National under-21 men’s team preparation for the Pan- American cup qualifiers in 2021. Fernandes explained that one of his challenges has been keeping the youth focused over such a

long period of time but they have been training twice daily, taking advantage of the international standard hockey turfs at hand. Supernova trains on the outdoor surface of T&T’s national hockey center in the morning and at the UWI’s SPEC in the evenings. Second, it is an opportunity for the younger and/ fringe players to prove themselves and find a breakthrough into the national men’s team. With the National men’s team set to take part in Canada’s inaugural Club championship in Toronto this March in a tournament which

will also see the likes of indoor national teams from Russia and Belarus participating, the youngsters will have much to play for.

Heading into this tournament, Fernandes posited that, “I’m glad that they (Supernova) get to play four teams in our group that they haven’t faced yet. Tomorrow (today) we come up against Notre Dame, Friday (tomorrow) against UWI, while on Saturday we face the two toughest teams of the group, Queens Park’s first team and Malvern.”

(Calvin Chapman)

Kennard Memorial Turf Club Phagwah Horserace Meet planned for Sunday March 24th The Kennard Memorial Turf Club has announced plans to stage their annual Phagwah Horserace Meet on Sunday 24th March.

Six races are on the cards with over 3M in cash, trophies and other incentives at stake.

The feature event is for horses classified G1 and lower over 7Furlongs for a winner’s money of $300,000.

The three years old Guyana bred event will see the winner taking home

$240,000 and trophy in the 6 furlong event.

The JK class 7 Furlongs race has a pole position taking of $180,000 and trophy.

The race for the L class Open animals carries a winning purse of $140,000 over 5 Furlongs.There is a race for L class non winners which will see the winner getting a $120,000 and trophy over 5 furlongs.There is also an event for L class non earners which will see animals racing for a top purse of $100,000

and trophy over 5 furlongs.

The Champion Jockey and Runner up Jockeys, Trainer and stables will all receive accolades compliment of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall and the organisers.

Interested persons can make contact with Contact can be made with Niketa Ross 662-4668, Justice Kennard 623-7609 or any member of the KMTC executives for more information.

PAGE 32

Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

Regional Chairman steps in to assist basketballers in Region Ten As a number of organisations, institutions, companies and individuals have made several promises to lend support to advancing sports n Guyana, one individual has committed to continue building on the very impressive track record that he has already built in the mining town of Linden. Regional Chairman Renis Morian who is known for a number of community oriented and sporting projects, has come to the rescue of basketballers in Linden. Recently the basketball backboard at the MSC ground was completely destroyed, thus resulting in their being no possibility of games until a new board is secured.

However, while the basketball fraternity in Linden was busy and desperately seeking help, RC Morian took a tour of the basketball facility where he made a commitment to secure the backboard for the players. The board, which according to basketball officials will cost some

$375,000, is expected to be secured within the next two weeks.

Chairman Morian said that he is a passionate supporter of not only youth development but sports and has reaffirmed his commitment to continue lending support as he said that this will foster greater community development. “Ensuring that our youths remain on the positive track requires greater participation of everyone and that is why we at the Regional Democratic Council are fully committed and dedicated in assisting the youths wherever and whenever we can.

The basketballers in Linden need the board so as to continue playing the sport and as the Regional Chairman I am giving my commitment that I will continue to support the youths of this region,” he declared.

The Regional Chairman noted that sports will continue to remain one of the vehicles of growth for the residents of Linden. He stressed that like in previous years the RDC will

collaborate and assist several groups and organisations as sports will continue to remain a top priority. “We have recognised the importance that sports plays within our society and that is why we will continue to lend valuable support and assistance as each year we are discovering more and more youths with unbelievable talent and skills and as part of our role in nurturing them we will give all the support required,” the RC said.

He however expressed disappointment over the damaging of the backboard, pointing out that it wasn’t done by the players but rather by persons who were on the ground recently where a concert was held. “Recently there was a concert and apparently some of the persons who were here destroyed the board. My office will get a brand new one and put measures in place to ensure that there isn’t a repeat of what happened,” he assured.

He said that in an effort

FIFA demands Bahraini refugee player be allowed back to Australia (Reuters) - International football’s governing body FIFA says a Bahraini refugee player facing possible deportation from Thailand, should be freed and be allowed to return to Australia to continue his career.

Thai authorities arrested Hakeem Al Araibi, who plays in Australia where he has refugee status, on arrival at a Bangkok airport in November, based on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain’s request.

Al Araibi was convicted of vandalising a police station in Bahrain and sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia. He has denied any wrongdoing.

“Following a renewed exchange with the Australian Football Federation, FIFA is again calling for a humane and speedy resolution of the case concerning the player Hakeem Al Araibi,” the organisation said in a statement yesterday.

“This player, a Bahrain national, is currently being detained in prison in Thailand awaiting the outcome of extradition proceedings to Bahrain, where he was previously convicted of a criminal offence, the validity of which he strongly contests,” continued the statement.

Al Araibi, who used to play for the Bahrain national team, was granted refugee status in Australia in 2017 and now plays for Melbourne

Former Bahrain soccer player Hakeem Al Araibi, who holds a refugee status in Australia, at court in Bangkok, Thailand Dec 11, 2018. (REUTERS/ Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo) club Pascoe Vale, a second tier club.

The player has been a vocal critic of the president of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who is a cousin of the Bahraini king.

Sheikh Salman is senior vice-president of FIFA and ran for president of the body in 2016, losing to current chief Gianni Infantino.

During the campaign Sheikh Salman was strongly criticised by some human rights groups. He denied claims that he had been involved in investigating and prosecuting athletes active in

Bahrain’s democracy protests in 2011.

“This situation should not have arisen, in particular, since Mr Al-Araibi now lives and works and plays as a professional footballer in Australia, where he has been accorded refugee status,” said FIFA. “FIFA is therefore calling on all the relevant authorities (in Bahrain, Thailand and Australia) to take the necessary steps to ensure that Mr Hakeem Al-Araibi is allowed to return safely to Australia where he can resume his career as a professional footballer.”

Regional Chairman, Renis Morian inspecting the damage of the basketball ring at MSC Ground. tofurther demonstrate his region’s commitment and dedication to sports and sports development they have included some major projects as part of their 2019 budget so as to ensure that every single sector of the Region Ten community benefits in some way or the other. “Linden is a community known for its togetherness and invaluable support that is why whenever we have anything here whether its sports, cultural activity or community oriented, the support is always

overwhelming because residents recognises that everything that we are involved in, we will support it to the fullest,” he declared.

RC Morian thanked the basketball community for what he said is their continued dominance of basketball and for ensuring that basketball remains alive and well in Region Ten. “A number of youths are getting into the sport and this is possible because those who have been involved are making ways for the youths to get involved

and I am forever grateful for that as you can recognise that we have an active basketball community, thus ensuring that residents appetite can be satisfied with a number of programmes and competitions, so we at the RDC level remains proud and pleased,” he added. He said that there are a number of added things that would be done for the basketball community, declaring that basketball isn’t the only sport that would be greatly assisted by the RDC Region Ten in 2019.

Student cricketers come together for World University Twenty20 Tournament ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies, Caribbean Professional League organisers and the University of the West Indies Faculty of Sport are teaming up to host the first ever World University Twenty20 Tournament.

The three bodies have come together to be part of the Tournament, which is the only one of its kind at the tertiary level. It will be staged from January 10 to 20 at the Frank Worrell Cricket Ground at the UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre at the St. Augustine campus in Trinidad.

“CWI is pleased to continue its long-standing partnership with the UWI, now through its Faculty of Sport, to advance the development of the game,” said CWI Chief Executive Officer, Johnny Grave.“This collaboration provides a great opportunity for West Indies future talent to test themselves against university teams from around the World, gaining experience and building team relationships in a pressure environment. We hope that the players grab this chance and enjoy a great tournament.”

Two University teams from the Caribbean – expected to be UWI and Combined Campuses & Colleges – will

gain exposure in an attempt to strengthen this tier of cricket within the region.

CWI’s board of directors approved the World University T20 at its last meeting on December 8 and 9 in Trinidad, as part of the long-term strategic plan to increase the quality and quantity of cricket accessible and supported for the next generation of players. CPL has also given their approval of the Tournament as part of the T20 sanctioning and staging agreement with the regional governing body.

Organisers indicate that the Tournament has been created to allow university student players to access critical tour experience and exposure in a competitive environment to bolster their preparation for the professional level of the sport. It is designed to engage young, aspiring international and first-class players, as well as students of the game, and provide them with a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for them to play against their peers on a global stage.

A brief from the organisers stated that the Tournament will showcase students and universities, in full view of their loved ones, the Media and spectators-atlarge, on a launchpad to pro-

fessional sporting excellence and the rigours associated with tournaments of this nature.“The UWI Faculty of Sport is dedicated in expanding opportunities to young athletes, said UWI Dean of the Faculty of Sport, Dr. Akshai Mansingh.

“Through this competition, University students will have the chance to compete with their peers from around the world. The interaction extends beyond the field as they can share experiences from the classroom to life in general. “All have to cope with managing the demands of academics, sport and the realities of life, and how better to assist them, but through living and playing with similar students from around the World.”

A total of five teams from the United States, United Kingdom and the Caribbean have accepted the invitation to participate – and all players are bona fide university students. After the Tournament, five of the most outstanding players will be given an opportunity to train and play alongside teams in the CPL.All matches are open to the public and are scheduled to start at 14:00 hrs and 18:30 hrs daily. Tickets are available at the gates for TT $25.

Thursday January 10, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

YWCC gives back to residents of Cumberland

I

n a fine gesture, The Cumberland, East Canje based Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) donated 10 dry goods food hampers to senior members and former employees of Guysuco, Rose Hall Estate. This was made possible through one of the most senior members of the club, Ishwar Singh, brother of former West Indies Under-19 and Senior National Cricketer, Gajanand Singh.

At a simple ceremony held recently, Sahadeo Singh, father of Ishwar Singh said that his son felt for the people around the East Canje area who were all affected by the closure of Guysuco, Rose Hall Estate.

He added that as far as he can remember, he knows the entire community depends on the Sugar Estate and it is painful to see the hardship residents are going through.

Singh also observed that many young boys and girls are dropping out of school because of severe poverty and promised that his son and the recently resuscitated cricket club will play their part in assisting the needy.

The Young Warriors Cricket Club which was recently resuscitated has

Shan Satar with Young Warriors Cricket Club uniform presents hampers to one the recipients. already played in three first division finals in three attempts, losing to Rose Hall Town twice before capturing the Ivan Madray Memorial 100 balls last weekend against the same opponent.

Recent West Indies batting sensation and IPL bound Shimron Hetmyer is a product of the club. The IPL is the largest and most lucrative T20 tournament globally and Hetmyer has pocketed US$588,000. He is the first Berbician that will play IPL cricket.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Brian Henry thanked Ishwar Singh, owner of GuyBiz Establishment of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice for his fine gesture and the cricket club for organising the event.

He also mentioned that the club has over the years, helped many persons and charitable organizations in the area and give many youths an opportunity in cricket that changed their lives forever.

Medi Care Pharmacy powers Wiltshire dominoes tourney Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Mark Wiltshire has gained the backing of Medi Care Pharmacy for the staging of his birth anniversary dominoes competition which is set to commence on January 13 at Turning Point Sport bar.

The entity’s supervisor Susan Chan yesterday handed over a cheque to Wiltshire at their Hinck Street, Georgetown location.

Chan expressed gratitude to be part of the tournament and said she is looking forward to an exciting and successful one. She added that Medi Care has always been supportive of sports and they are happy to give back to the society especially through sports. Chan stated that she is happy to learn that some of the top teams in the sport will be competing, adding that they too will be fielding a side.

Wiltshire thanked the entity for their support and is urging teams to register

Mark Wiltshire accepts the cheque from Susan Chan. soonest. Among the teams slated to take part are Medi Care, Mix Up, All Season’s Racing Service, Spartans, Gold for Money, Turning Point, C7, C6, Phantom, Beacons, Providence, Saddam, Strikers, Rage, Big Boss Trucking Service, Orange Walk, Good Times, Thunder, Bartica, Essequibo, Transport SC and Players.

Entrance 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.

New Bartica FA President Alden Marslowe committed to bringing back standards

Bartica FA Executive Committee at their December 27 Meeting at the RDC Boardroom.

Like some of the other Member Associations (MAs) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), the Bartica Football Association (BFA) has had its full share of challenges from an administrative perspective which would have resulted in the game suffering in a huge way on the field of p l a y .

Ever since the Carlos Prowell led BFA left the scene some years ago, the game in Bartica has been stuttering to find its feet again but thankfully, that has been changed for the better with the election of Alden Marslowe as President in December 2018.

Marslowe, who took over as Regional Information Officer of Region 7 in October last year, has stated that this new executive, which has 12-members, would be working as a cohesive unit to ensure that the game reclaims the passion that once was synonymous with the game in Bartica.

Marslowe informed Kaieteur Sport that the Executive and General Council have already met and a meeting has now been set that would attract players (male & female), club executives, coaches, referees and interested persons tomorrow from 17:00hrs at the Bartica Secondary School Auditorium.

A total of seven (7) clubs are affiliated to the BFA and two new clubs have applied for m e m b e r s h i p .

The new president also disclosed that they have put together a programme of activities for this year which include: clubs registration during this month, senior league, Mash

competition, Regatta competition, Female competition as well as Under-13, 15, 17, 20 and Schools competitions.

The continuation of the Academy Training Centre is also priority for the BFA which would also be looking at playing an end of year tournament. Futsal and Beach competitions are also on the association’s radar.Quizzed on the availability of the Bartica Community Centre Ground which has been undergoing a full redo by the Town Council, Marslowe informed that the works are not complete but would have been given assurances that it would be completed by E a s t e r o f t h i s y e a r . ”In the meanwhile we have permission to use the Bartica Secondary School and Agatash grounds.

We are in the process of drafting letters to corporate Bartica and also to the bigger corporations for sponsorship of our programme. We hope to close the year with our first magazine publication, highlighting the achievements for the year and some plans for the following year.”

Full BFA executive: President - Alden Marslowe, First Vice President - Elwes Jones, Second Vice President - Kenneth Edwards, Third Vice President - Carmel Williams, Secretary - Arita Embleton, Tr e a surer - Kwesi Jacobs, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer - Michelle Jeffrey.

Committee Members: Curtis Joseph, Terrence Williams, Sherwin DaSilva, Vince Hopkinson and Randy Adams.

rt o p S

Jaguars face Volcanoes today at Providence Regional First-Class cricket

P. 30

NCN to bring live commentary

Regional runs machine Devon Thomas asks Head Curator Habib about the Providence track.

The Jaguars are a happy family as Bramble, Rutherford & Paul heads for practice yesterday at Providence.

(Sean Devers photos)

Mohamed Salah: Liverpool P. and Egypt forward named 31 Regional Chairman Caf African Player of the Year

New Bartica FA President P.33 Alden Marslowe committed to bringing back standards

steps In to assist P. basketballers 32 in Region Ten UWI Invitational hockey tourney

National under-21 P.31 faces Notre Dame today

Archery Guyana P. moves closer to 28 Olympic qualifier with Wayne DeAbreu

Mohamed Salah was presented with his award by Caf president Ahmad Ahmad (left) and Liberia president George Weah (right). (Getty Images)

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