Kaieteur News

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Lawyers argue at Appeal Court…

AIETEUR Overturning CJ's ruling NEWS

Tuesday Edition January 14, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 02

on Nat'l Register could have severe consequences on elections

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

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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Price $80

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No strong business case exists for creating National Oil Company in Guyana -IMF MACORP clears land at Covent Garden for new H/Q

The 25-acre plot that MACORP has started to develop. At right is the East Bank Demerara public road

Wedding house 'invasion' leaves one dead Sabotage of public infrastructure puts strain on Ministry - Sharma

Hull for Guyana's second FPSO arrives in Singapore OSH officers City officials at odds over leasing build capacity to inspect of Water St. training complex - $1.5M per month proposal made; councillors argue sum too little oil vessels

Former MMA/ADA Chair, Kenneth Sealey, says he recused himself ...was in possession of land for years

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday January 14, 2020

Dash cam captures Bourda robbery in progress, one suspect arrested A

taxi driver's dash cam captured the brazen daylight robbery of two Chinese nationals lasting just fifty-nine seconds on Sunday at North Road, Bourda.

The footage, hours later, led to the capture of one of the four suspects while police continue to hunt for the remainder.

At around 10:00am, the

two Chinese nationals were loading their car after transacting business at a nearby store.

Seconds later, the four thieves, one armed with a cutlass approached their car.

From the dash cam footage seen by Kaieteur News, the thieves immediately snatched one of the victims, who resisted, and dealt him several cuffs to his abdomen to subdue him.

The remaining thieves, one armed with a cutlass accosted the other. The men wore no masks.

Within seconds, the men relieved the Chinese nationals of their valuables and calmly walked over the bridge to the Bourda market and made good their escape.

Immedi a t e l y, t h e footage was posted on Facebook with hopes that persons could identify the suspects involved.

The post, which garnered more than 900 shares, caught the attention of a Guyana Defence Force Officer who recognized one of the thieves and immediately kicked into action.

A c c o r d i n g t o information received, the men are known characters who reside in the Alberttown area. With the assistance of police from the Alberttown Station, one of the suspects who wore a red t-shirt at the time of the robbery was swiftly arrested.

His accomplices

The suspect who was nabbed hours after however, are still at large.

When contacted,

Two of the three other suspects Commander of Division 4 'A', Senior Superintendent Edgar Thomas commended the ranks involved in the

arrest and ensured that a fullfledged investigation will be conducted to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

PAGE 03

Lawyers argue at Appeal Court…

Overturning CJ's ruling on Nat'l Register could have severe consequences on elections

S

hould the Court of Appeal reverse a ruling by Chief Justice Roxane George which makes it unconstitutional to remove persons from the National Register of Registrants (NRR) unless they are dead or otherwise disqualified in accordance with Article 159 (2), (3) and (4) of the Constitution, there could be severe consequences on the upcoming General and Regional Elections fixed for March 2.

This is the position of

former Speaker of the National Assembly Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall. Yesterday, both lawyers presented arguments in the partial appeal filed by Attorney General Basil Williams against the Chief Justice's ruling handed last year, in which she ruled among other things that the House-toHouse registration exercise was legal; and that it would it would be unconstitutional to remove persons from the list who had previously been on

the list but were not registered during house-tohouse registration period because of non-residency in Guyana.

Both Senior Counsel Ramkarran and Nandlall submitted to the Court of Appeal that it should not interfere with the Chief Justice's ruling. They proposed that the ruling should be affirmed so that the country can carry on with elections, as preparations in that regard have intensified.

Nandlall, on the other hand, submitted that an action can

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Tuschen robbery suspects make first court appearance

O

ne week after the robbery at a restaurant in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, that involved five bandits, two of the three suspects that were apprehended were yesterday hauled before the court to answer to the charges.

Police constable Jonathan Harry, 24, and Akande Ross, 20, of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, were arraigned before Magistrate Zameena Ali-Paul in the Leonora Magistrate's Court.

Harry and Ross, were not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on January 3, 2020, at 5 Star Chinese Restaurant, while in the company of others and armed with a gun and a cutlass, they robbed Guang Hong Wang of cell phones and cash.

It was also alleged that on the same date and location, while in the company of others and armed with a gun and a cutlass, they robbed

Remanded: Akande Ross Navindra Lakahalall of a silver chain and cash.

The defendants were also charged for possession of a firearm and ammunition, which they pleaded not guilty to.

According to the prosecutor, Harry and Ross invaded the 5 Star Chinese Restaurant, where they

Remanded: Jonathan Harry robbed the owner and Lakahalall who was a customer at the time of the robbery.

One of the suspects entered the restaurant in the company of a woman and they purchased two beers, after which they called for another order.

When the owner of the

restaurant went to deliver the second round of beer to the two suspects, the male pulled out a handgun and relieved the woman of two cell phones and a sum of cash, before robbing Lakahalall of a silver chain and cash.

Moments after the suspects fled the robbery scene they were apprehended at a road block where they were arrested.

The defendants were remanded to prison and are expected to make their next court appearance on February 3.

The police are yet to charge the third suspect in relation to the same robbery, Shaquille Wilbury, who is still hospitalised.

It was reported that during the robbery two of the suspects were shot, one succumbed at the restaurant and the other (Wilbury) remains under police guard at the hospital, while police are still looking for the female suspect who is said to be an accomplice.

Attorney General Basil Williams be brought to the validity of the results of the elections by way of an election petition.

Nandlall, who is r e p r e s e n t i n g l a w y e r, Christopher Ram who brought an action challenging the constitutionality of the House-to-House registration exercise, was at all times in agreement with the Chief Justice's ruling.

In fact, shortly after the ruling, Nandlall in a statement, said “By these pronouncements alone, the legal proceedings filed by Christopher Ram achieved its principal objective, that is, to thwart the government's grand plan of using the house-to-house registration process as a vehicle to deregister tens of thousands of qualified electors for the next elections, thereby depriving them of their constitutional right to vote.”

He said, “Concomitantly, during the course of her ruling, the Chief Justice repeatedly emphasized that the current Official List of Electors (OLE) can be refreshed with a suitable Claims and Objections period and lawfully used for

Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran the next elections, but that it is for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ultimately make that decision.”

BLOATED LIST With a population of 744,962, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams is questioning the logic behind there being 661,378 persons on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) revised List of Electors (RLE). In fact, he asked, “How is that possible?”

Williams said that if the country is to continue on a path in which GECOM cannot remove persons from the list, then over the next few years, the number of persons eligible to vote will surpass the population.

He added, “When you have a bloated list of over 661,000 persons it is a recipe for all kind of things. It does not lend itself to reality.” In t h i s r e g a r d , Wi l l i a m s insisted that the list has to have people that cannot be found.

Arguing for the Court of Appeal to overturn the Chief Justice's ruling, Williams said that she erred (continued on page 19)

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

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

Flawed lists and ballooned numbers It is January and we have not progressed, relative to flawed lists and ballooned numbers. They speak for themselves and speak in the sharpest terms as this electoral process unfolds, and set the stage for further acrimony and endless quarrels.

It is not a good place for this society to be, as it is a manifest for crisis, with all the toxic ingredients present.

There is a huge differential, as relayed by some numbers that stare in the face and bang in the head. There are just over 83,000 noneligible voters, according to the Revised List of Electors coming from GECOM. Those are citizens under 18 years of age.

Nobody has to be privy to what state agencies have on their books, but clearly and incontestably there are way more than 83,000-plus citizens under age 18. Commonsense, the wisdom of the street, and honest brokers (not political) and agents will be pushed to justify what is patently flawed and wrong.

An anonymous source articulated to the media that the number of citizens under 18 is around 280,000. The difference between the official and unofficial is close to 200,000 names that should not be there as eligible and, in cleaner and clearer circumstances, would not be allowed to exercise their franchise. For the sake of argument, let’s say it is not a difference of 200,000 persons, but somewhere in the vicinity of 100,000, that still is a material and consequential gap, a gap that holds extreme potential to lead this society down an antagonistic path.Even accepting and pondering the smaller (100,000) number right away brings to a place of severe contentiousness. For it is a major number, and therein lies grounds for problems and controversies galore going into the future, past March 2nd. From the vantage point of this early in the year and process, it ought to be inarguable that the groundwork for political obstinacy, at the leadership and group levels, and social ambience of the severest, most testing, nature looms rather menacingly and alarmingly.

Yet there are no indications of movement on any front.

Officially, the chair of GECOM has gone on record, as saying thoughtfully and sensibly that “we can’t just remove people’s names because we could not locate them. We don’t have that right to disenfranchise these persons by removing their names from the voters’ list.”

Now, if the overseeing national electoral body is so stymied today - and rightly so, in keeping with judicial pronouncements - then this question can pointedly be asked from now: what will it be in a position to ascertain, finalize, and make public come post March 2nd?

From the perspective of this paper, since the hands of GECOM are short, since the list is terribly troubling, if not outright flawed, then whatever GECOM announces stands a high probability of having no credence, no standing, no traction, and no acceptance.Let this horror story be dealt with from this young stage of what is obviously a savvy political game, even a scurrilous one, too. It leaves all of us hanging and most likely in a serious state of disarray come the month of March.It is past the point where whatever had to be given is now outside the pale of consideration. It forms the precursor to where matters promise to be postMarch 2nd. To be unflinchingly blunt, and with an eye to local pre- and post-electoral history, it would appear that this nation could find itself back at square one, when the final count -whatever numbers are involved - is flushed out, finalized, and laid before leaders, parties, and peoples.

The final count and the final result would not be found satisfying nor uplifting to somebody on some side of the divide. Commonsense and political environmental sense tells us that that would be losing side, and that will not be taken passively or sitting down.

We certainly were eyewitnesses to the heaving passions and incendiary developments during much of 2019. If that was the temperature then, then what else could be envisioned now, other than more, and to a much more overheated degree, of the same that went before?

Amidst this backdrop about lists and numbers, we go forward. The question is to what.

I am available to provide any further information if troubling because it houses where these unfound who conducted the exercise so requested deeply means that Guyana’s Election registrants would have been for the area.

DEAR EDITOR, I read the comment made by the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, to the media yesterday where he said “there are no empty lots” in seeking to refute the claim made by the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, that during the verification of new registrants exercise where some 6000 of the new registrants could not be found, there were empty lots as addresses of some of the unfound new registrants.

If what Mr Lowenfield is saying is true then this is

Commission secretariat is either not functioning properly or worse, may be misleading him. For the record, I volunteered to be one of the scrutineers in the verification exercise conducted by GECOM from the 19th to the 22nd December, 2019 where a physical check was made for the new registrants.

I worked in the Lodge to Durban Housing Scheme Squatting Area and not only did we not find a number of the new registrants, but we also found both empty lots and totally abandoned

purportedly registered.

(The names and addresses of two such cases have been provided to the Editor) The GECOM officer and the scrutineers would have prepared documents at the end of each of the four days at GECOM’s office and included in those documents was the relevant new registrant details along with an explanation if they were not found.

I signed those documents as one of the scrutineers along with the GECOM officer

In the instances where there were empty lots or abandoned houses it was so recorded.

If Mr Lowenfield would like to verify any of this information then he can simply check with the GECOM officers. am providing an eyewitness account that there were both empty lots and abandoned houses and I am available to provide any further information if so requested.

Yours respectfully, Charles Ramson Jnr. Attorney-at-Law

THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO THE AG’S REPORT DEAR EDITOR, The 2018 Auditor General report being leaked to the media seems to be causing some distress to the Coalition.

Junior minister within MOPI, Jaipaul Sharma, and GRA’s boss, Godfrey Statia, were swift to respond. Sharma said, “The Auditor General needs to explain how is it that the 2018 Auditor General Report that is not yet a public document is being used by some for electioneering purposes to highlight the negative findings of the Auditor General on government projects.”

Statia spoke of a “breach of confidentiality” and “slackness” on the part of the AG- as if the man was tried in a court and found guilty of disclosing the report. If gov-

erning politicians were to be granted free will, the first thing they will probably do is to get rid of the office of the Auditor General. Statia should be aware that the AG work on behalf of the people and not the government.

The constitutional enactment of the Auditor General’s office was intended to provide a yearly report to the citizens with information on how well their tax dollars are being collected, spent and accounted for and to act as a deterrent to government’s from deviating from accountable norms and squandermania. Constitutionally, it is only by elections that the citizens are empowered to remove governments, the AG’s yearly report should be the most important

guide to citizens in making their choice of government, when the opportunity (elections) comes around. Why should Sharma be so peeved about information intended for the citizens-getting to the citizens?

While Sharma seems to see some form of criminality in the AG report being leaked before becoming a public document by the blessings of being “laid before parliament”, I do not recall Sharma calling on his government to accept the passing of the NCM after a debate and vote in parliament over a year ago.

Obviously, a “debate and vote” is superior to being” laid before parliament”.

Sharma being an MP, should have no problem visualizing

that it was his government’s filibustering on the requirements of the NCM that resulted in parliament ending in a stalemate before dissolution- that should not deny the public the right to access the information on the AG’s report.The report itself has revealed that over $800M in payment vouchers from ministries and other state entities were not produced to state auditors for verification and a host of other discrepancies - a damning picturesque portrait of the Coalition’s performance.

The public has a right to the information embedded in the AG’s report to make informed choices as elections approaches.

Rudolph Singh

Party political broadcast should be regulated to ensure Legislation and content of these elecbalance, access and fairness Broadcasting governing the functions of tions by both the nationally DEAR EDITOR, A general election would be neither free nor fair if a contesting party is unfairly denied access to the broadcast media in comparison with another or a particular party is favoured access to the broadcast media, whether publicly or privately owned.

In the case where there is a State owned and operated broadcast media such as NCN in Guyana, it is a generally accepted international principle that the contesting parties represented in Parliament are allocated a fixed percentage of free election broadcasting time in accordance with their representation in Parliament and that newly contesting parties unrepresented in Parliament are given a reasonable amount of free broadcasting time by the nationally owned and operated broadcast media.

Party political broadcast within an election period should be specifically regulated to ensure balance, access and fairness, preferably directed by the Elections Commission. Unfortunately,

that is not now happening.

Already, we have the case of the National Communications Network (NCN) using its facilities to provide totally biased coverage of the major rallies held by APNU+AFC and the PPP/C in favour of APNU+AFC and the Chairman of NCN, Mr. Enrico Woolford, seeking to justify this by claiming that network streaming is not broadcasting.

A letter published on 13th January, 2020, by Tony Vieira quite properly points out the share hypocrisy of Mr. Woolford’s position. Mr. Woolford seeks to misinterpret the fact that telecommunications technology includes broadcasting and to take advantage of the challenge presented by convergence of broadcast and telecommunications technology to regulators.

Television and radio broadcast and voice telephony can now be transmitted over the internet but it is still broadcasting and, in this case, the issue is content and standard, not technical.

Albeit that the current

our National Broadcasting Authority is wholly inadequate and ultimately provides for complete control of the Authority by the Minister responsible for broadcasting.

If, however, the current Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority, Mr. Leslie Sobers, is serious about his responsibility with regard to the conduct of a free and fair election, he should immediately put a stop to the unreserved bias in content coverage in favour of the governing party being exercised by NCN. I also urge that the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission take an immediate interest in addressing the critical matter of fair and balanced broadcasting coverage

and privately owned licenced broadcast media.

I am aware that the myriad of consultants readily provided by the American, British and Canadian governments and Commonwealth to assist GECOM in ensuring a free and fair election are now in place.

I encourage them to pay more than ordinary attention to the broadcast coverage of the elections.

Needless to say, that the political bias practiced by the Guyana Chronicle, owned and operated by the government, is beyond repair in spite of President Granger’s declared commitment to press freedom.

Regards, Kit Nascimento

An embarrassment DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Nigel Hinds medical condition is regrettable and it is hoped he is able to overcome same swiftly. However, what cannot be graciously accepted is his dual citizenship status when he accepted the nomination of the PM slot of the party he co-founded, given the rulings on dual citizens.This must be seen as an embarrassment to the party and begs the question just when was he going to make his status known?

Shamshun Mohamed

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Elections Broadcast Coverage DEAR EDITOR, As expected, the “usual suspects” have surfaced on the issue of Elections coverage and how it ought to be handled in terms of fairness, balance, accuracy and truth.

As a former President of the GPA (Guyana Press Association) and as a journalist, I have advocated for years the position that in an environment where the state/or Government owned and controlled the dominant TV, a monopolistic radio station and in the then absence of social media, it was palpably unfair to dominate the airwaves with only one position.

It would appear that Kit Nascimento and his classist comrade Anthony Vieira have converged platforms in this day and age of a plethora of platforms and multiplicity of media. I reiterate there is a difference between. Broadcasting and Telecommunication Services in the Guyanese context. Let me add for clarity NCN on its Broadcast TV Network carried the President and only the President as general programming. Coverage of all of its NEWS and

other Current Affairs programmes is available for review by the Guyana National Broadcast Authority.

Kit in his usual highbrow attitude called me a few months ago insisting that under “The Fairness Doctrine” I should comply with a request he made. I pointed out that his reference to “The Fairness Doctrine” is over 30 years old, it is obsolete and not applicable in his case. He was wrong then as he is now but I know he likes the attention and will entertain him.

Using his usual logic it means everyone who “live streams” licensed broadcaster or not, is a Broadcaster. Here he is taking the world down a silly if not crooked path.

I have been an Election Observer, am a graduate in International Relations, and a journalist for over three decades. I am aware that certain individuals/groups in society will speak out at particular times and places to catch the ear and eye of the Media, Observers and the soi-disant “International Community” because those individuals know how the reports are for-

matted and want their views reflected within that template. So the Chatter has started.

NCN is governed by a Board and the Board has considered and indicated to management how Election coverage shall be conducted by NCN within the period of Nominations Day to the Declaration of Results.

The Board will also be guided by what GECOM promulgates and work within the guidelines if any set out by the GNBA. Kit as is his wont states “ the fact”, “quite properly points out “and goes down a media maze of terms and opinions as if all of what he says is the unvarnished truth and profound learning.

I have documents dating back to the early 1960’s authored by Kit Nascimento and as the saying goes, even an old leopard cannot change its spots.

Watch the Classist, Contemptuous Community Clapback.

Regards, Enrico Woolford Chairman

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT NEEDS TO BE SEEN IN ITS WIDEST CONTEXT DEAR EDITOR, There was an article in another newspaper on January 11, 2020, titled “Will ending corporal punishment increase childhood development?”

The writer laments being the recipient of childhood abuse – corporal punishment and made a strong case against corporal punishment and abuse.

Maybe I’m opening the proverbial “Pandora Box.’ This question of corporal punishment needs to be seen in its widest context.

To begin, there is a clear difference between the judicious application of corporal punishment and abuse.

Abuse in any form is unacceptable in a civilized society and let me make it abundantly clear abuse must not characterize our society.

I disagree that corporal punishment should be completely abolished.

Acceptable rules and regulations to govern our daily lives from early childhood to the day we bid fare-

well on earth are necessary.

These rules must be established based on our tradition, experiences and a common desire to live in a wholesome and decent environment.

In all religions, it is predicated upon the individual subscribing to the dictates and rules of one chosen religion or belief.

Generally, there is a place of pleasure and glory if you behave correctly in compliance with those rules or philosophy but if you choose to behave contrary to those rules, you are damned to everlasting punishment and misery.

This reality of such a relationship exists, a common trend in all religions.

Examine Buddhism – the search for enlightenment, Islam –the root to salvation by submission, Hinduism – a constant seeking for liberation, and one popular in Guyana, Christianity – where Jesus, the Christ is regarded as the way to God. He left

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Kaieteur News

rules of conduct as contained in the Gospel.

As a child, I grew up in a Christian home, with Hindu and Muslim friends in the nearby communities.

As a child, I was taught that if I subscribe to and carried out the teachings of our Saviour Jesus, that reserved for me was a place in Heaven with ‘milk and honey’ and a wonderful life in the hereafter, but if I was disobedient the punishment will be everlasting misery in a place called ‘Hell,’ a fiery furnace ruled by Satan and his angels.

The majority of Guyanese subscribe to one of the above religions and beliefs and therefore accept the consequence of punishment if we are deviant, or go astray.

What is important and a key element is moderation.

Punishment must fit the crime and here I agree with the writer of the article that punishment for being in breach must not constitute cruelty and inhumanity and must be (Continued on page 6)

I stand by the distinction I made between “Broadcasting” and “TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES DEAR EDITOR, Allow me to respond to a Prolix Prosaic Piece by Tony Vieira published in at least two dailies on January 13, 2020 and designed to denigrate me in particular and NCN in general.

I got to know Tony Vieira after my return to Guyana from Syracuse University in 1982. Around that time he began pirating US Satellite Signals and retransmitting those stolen TV signals in a

“scrambled” manner for a fee.

Another Television Station came on the air and created a free channel challenging Tony’s monopolistic pernicious predatory position.

Since then Tony has continued his classist, calumnious, contemptuous bullying approach.

Unfortunately Tony Vieira does not know when he does not know.

I stand by the distinction I made between “Broadcast-

ing” and “Telecommunication Services” in the Guyanese context. Your pandering to the uninformed and the International Community neither fazes me nor makes me impecunious Tony Vieira.

So be informed before you seek to inform.

Now watch as he and his contemptuous classist comrades come after me.

Regards, Enrico Woolford Chairman

SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT DEAR EDITOR, Since September 2019, the Federal Reserve has been buying 80 percent of US Treasury debt. The US borrowing from itself is- unprecedented.

The attack on the Abqaiq oil facility in Saudi Arabia in September 2019 that affected global oil supplies significantly, barely increased oil price. The killing of the Iran general by the US on January 3, 2020 barely influenced oil price.

The markets are not being influenced by threat to Middle Eastern oil.

Since the global financial crisis of 2008, central banks globally have been buying their government debt and this exceeds the total global growth. A growing economy has been bought by monetising debt which was not bought by real buyers. It’s like paying off a credit card with a credit card.

The world economy is not normal. Japan, the European Union, Sweden and Denmark have experimented with negative interest rate which is unprecedented. According to

Repairs needed for the stretch of road from Linden to Mabura Dear EDITOR, This letter serves to inform the Hon Minister of Public Infrastructure that a stretch of the GT - Lethem road, from Linden to Mabura, is now in dire need of repairs. This 70 mile stretch which took approximately 1 - 1/2 hours, after it was repaired, now takes between 4 - 5 hours.

A mere few months ago the Hon Minister of Public Infrastructure was publicly boasting about the quality of repairs to this road and how the time between the two localities was drastically reduced.

He also stated that the contract signed with the contractors stipulated regular maintenance works so that the road remains in good condition all year round.

This latter stipulation was much appreciated because this has been one of the biggest issues with this road since it oftentimes deterio-

rated very quickly after the repairs.

Maybe the Hon Minister is not aware that this stretch of road has deteriorated so badly. It is hoped that by highlighting its present condition, the Hon Minister will become aware of what’s happening on the ground and invoke the clause necessitating repairs.

The weather condition is also perfect to undertake such repairs immediately.

M. Abraham

the World Bank, the world economy will grow by 2.5 percent, up from 2.4 percent in 2019 the weakest since the global financial crisis in 2008 – 2009.

The Central Bank of Guyana kept its interest rate at 5 percent ( the lowest in history). A lower interest rate environment improves financing capacity for all. Lower interest rates encourage both consumption and investment and offset a drop in imports caused by a depreciating foreign exchange rate. Why is Guyana’s and the global growth rate so low? This defies logic. Something is not right.

Yours truly, Brian E Plummer

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

THE SUGAR INDUSTRY-PROMISES OF REVIVAL DEAR EDITOR, There is so much promise offered for resuscitating Guyana’s failing sugar industry. In fact it is mostly talk-in isolation of the reality that it has contracted substantively over the last two decades amongst the once heralded West Indies sugar producers.

The Caribbean Sugar Association now consists only of Jamaica, Barbados (primarily for rum) Guyana and Belize, where the owners of the factory is from the USA who grind cane and sold them by local cane farmers.

Briefly the historical record of contraction of the sugar industry in Guyana is as follows: At the early 19th century there were close to 400 sugar plantations. Through amalgamation there followed progressive reduction; to 238 by 1829; 138 by 1890; 80 by 1900; 39 by 1922; 18 by 1967; 11 by 1976-the year of nationalisation; and then to 10 in 1978.

Factory operations were also reduced, being proportionately centralised from 62 factories in 1897 to 21 by 1928 and 10 1978.

By the end of 2010 the disposition of grinding estates was as follows: in BerbiceSkeldon, Albion/Port Mourant (the latter half of the name memorialises Port Mourant estate which factory was closed in 1955); Rose Hall and Blairmont Estates.

In Demerara were: Enmore, La Bonne Intention (LBI)/ Ogle (factory closed in 2011); Diamond Estate (factory closed since 1987) Wales Estate-closed in 2016 on the second attempt (politically), Leonora Estate was closed back in 1986; while Uitvlugt Estate remains op-

erational.

At the end of 2017 Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estate (Enmore & LBI/O) were closed simultaneously.

The broad picture is of closures by both private and government owners. In the milieu small cane farming generated mostly during the period of private ownership, has also been affected.

Next, there has been the issue of the low price of sugar on the international market being compounded by the removal of previous guarantees by the U.K., then the E.U. In addition to reduced production, there is the matter of unacceptably low productivity-in the first instance resulting from the increasing migration of the skills and competencies-of managerial through to operatives levels.

There is no question that the cost of production of sugar in Guyana has been prohibitive and has substantively denied profitability.

The fact is that no other sugar industry in the world has had components as the following included in its production costs: - Free medical benefits to all employees, spouses, unemployed children up to age 18years;and all pensioners (some 4000 at last count).

- A contributory Hospital and Maternity Scheme which subsidises local and overseas medical treatment; along with joint contributions to the National Insurance Scheme.

- A full complement of qualified medical and paramedical staff operating across estates’ Primary Health Care Centres.

- Community develop-

ment and social welfare programmes, implemented by a corps of Industrial Welfare Officers.

- Heavily invested education and training programmes-reflected in annual scholarships to the University of Guyana and the Guyana School of Agriculture; as well as in the Corporation’s sixty two year old Apprentice Training Centre - Children of employees also benefit from Annual Bursary Awards; while their parents can take advantage of a long established Assistance to Study Scheme.

- There is of course specialised overseas training.

Unfortunately, the peremptory closure of estates in 2017 has seriously reduced the industry’s attractiveness as an employer of choice.

In contrast to this writer ’s generation, possible invitees for current positions must ponder seriously whether they should invest in careers in an industry patently devoid of the technological resources so desperately needed, particularly in the factories.

There are other operational constraints of course, but more critically attention has to be paid to the euphemism that continues to be described as ‘Industrial Relations’ Not totally irrelevant was the pride recently displayed by the operative UnionGAWU- in the execution of the 135 days strike during 1977-78. It was only one of several similar episodes experienced in previous years, and which deserve being recorded in the Guinness Book of

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT NEEDS...

From page 5 neither whimsically nor capriciously applied.

On Friday, one of the contesting Parties’ platform is that Guyanese should urge a case for being a State of the United States of America.

I am certain the vast majority of citizens would reject this as being absurd.

Nevertheless, I believe every family in Guyana has some relative or family member living in the United States, a country that has practiced the philosophy that if you break the rules, (never mind who or how the rules were made) punishment would be swift and severe.

In 1776, force was used to tell King George III, that enough was enough.

The United States maintains the largest and most powerful military in history.

US warships dominate the

oceans, its missiles and bombers can strike targets on every continent, and hundreds of thousands of US troops are stationed overseas. Every few years the US sends soldiers, warships and warplanes to fight in distant countries. Many countries go to war, but the US is unique in both the size and power of its military and its propensity to use it.Fact, that the lesson which appears to be universally accepted, is if you step out of line expect some form of punishment.

Everywhere in every generation were seeing this pattern.

As a youngster, in South Georgetown, I remember hearing the ’bad men’ saying that they would avoid going before certain Magistrates who were in those days fond of sentencing which included whipping using the ‘cat-o-

nine tails.’

Fear of the cat-o-nine tail may have persuaded some to behave.

May I conclude by saying again society, schools and our homes must apply some appropriate punishment to those who seek to disrupt and disfigure society.

We have seen persons commit crimes hurting innocent people because perhaps severe punishment was not applied when they embarked on a life of crime.

But here also, the State has an obligation to provide remedial services and opportunities for rehabilitation.

Let us aim for homes and schools where all accept the golden rule and there will be no need for corporal punishment.

Until then, don’t spare the rod and spoil the child.

Hamilton Green

Records for any industry world-wide.

See the following sample table.

iously begs to be upgraded.

There is therefore a case to be made for requiring the Special Purpose Unit to pub-

- Manaribisi State FarmCorentyne Also there was some cheese produced by a factory

Year Duration(Days) 1973 26 1974 90 1975 63 1976 283 Total 462 The above numbers, rather than showing the strength of the Union, more reflects the state of constipation in the relationships between the latter and the industry’s leadership. Embedded in the psychological make-up of both of the parties is this DNA of hostility for which Management must first take responsibility The latter’s leadership, too long cramped in the repetition of past experiences, has never seriously attempted to devise an initiative for more positive interaction with the Unionaimed at the construction of a truly productive partnership.

Right now, and indeed for the longest while, everyone loses, particularly the workers who are (mis) led.

Tragically, the official decision-makers have been too myopic regarding the need for creating a totally new strategy-beyond mere revival of the industry.

Meanwhile, the current administration has been eloquently silent about the effectiveness of their Special Purpose Unit, the performance of which begs to be urgently audited. Reports are that it has irredeemably undermined management ethic, employee morale and, further, the quality of leadership which anx-

Man-DaysLost 39,190 21,763 872,955 298,102 1,424,010 licly declare to what extent it has achieved its PURPOSE, in order to inform the professed objective of reviving the sugar industry in Guyana??

(When will the promised investors arrive?)

In this connection there has also been much talk of ‘Diversification’, indeed as if it were an original concept.

Already in 1970 Bookers Sugar Estates had distributed, and were involved in, the following:

Wages Lost(G$) 277,261 1,696,765 7,809,496 3,248,418 13, 031,940 established at Versailles, West Bank Demerara and sold in a few supermarkets.

More latterly there was much consideration given to establishing a technologically imaginative aquaculture project at Wales Estate.

Then in the confusion following the multiple estate closures there was the internationally funded multi-agency project conducted by the NIRAS Group from overseas.

In addition to all the above, there may also be a

Acreage - Type of Business 6360 Rice and short term crops 152 Permanent Crops 10008 - Cattle (and rice) 5108 - Cane Farming But then few would re- case for revisiting some relmember the Guyana Agricul- evant recommendations of tural Products Corporation the Report of the Commission (GAPC) which was absorbed of the Inquiry into the Sugar into GuySuco as its Other Industry (which appeared not Crops Division. Headed by a to have been read by its sponChief Executive Officer, opera- sors). tions included the following: But also two imperatives - Wauna Oil Palm Project- need to be addressed as a in the North West District matter urgency are: - San Jan Oil Palm 1) The submission by the Project-on the West Bank of SPU of a comprehensive rethe Demerara River port on its activities since its - Charity Cassava Mill-on appointment; and the justifithe Essequibo Coast cation for its own survival; - Kaituma Cassava Mill2) A review of the leaderNorth West District ship capabilities in the Cor- Enmore Cassava Experi- poration, and the worth of its mental Project-East Coast contribution to the revival so Demerara prayerfully espoused.

- Blairmont Fish FarmPrayerfully, West Berbice E.B. John

NIS OWES PENSIONERS AN EXPLANATION DEAR EDITOR, The recent announcement by the National Insurance Scheme that NIS Pension Benefit would be increased from 1st January 2020 is a total affront to the citizens of this country and especially pensioners.

The Pension Benefits Computation as per the NIS stipulates that pensioners should receive not less than 50 percent of the prevailing Public Service Minimum Wage.

The Rate of Pension however, must not be less than 50 percent of the existing Public Service Minimum Wage, (copied and paste from NIS website RATE OF BENEFIT).

The Government announced in November 2019 that the Public Service Mini-

mum Wage is increased from $64,200 to $70,000 retroactive from January 2019. Public Servants were paid the increase difference between the old rate and the new rate retroactive from January 2019.

Using the NIS Rule stated above as the basis for Pension Benefit Computation, the increase announced by the NIS that takes effect from January 2020 is totally incorrect and if not rectified would amount to a fraud committed by the NIS on Pensioners.

The effective rate of the Public Service Minimum Wage is 50 percent of $ 70,000 or $ 35,000 per month retroactive from January 2019. Pensioners should be paid the difference between $32,100 that is 50

percent of $ 64,200 the rate that Pensioners were receiving before the announced increase, and $ 35, 000 that is 50 percent of $ 70, 000.

The difference of $ 2,900 should be paid retroactive for the 12 months of 2019.

This anomaly was raised with the Supervisor of the Benefits Department and other Officers of the NIS who all said, that is the instruction they received from the top. Can the General Manager or the Public Relations Officer of the NIS explain why there is a deviation from their own rule?

The NIS should not try to finance the deficit shown in their Financial Statements by robbing the poor pensioners of this country.

Concerned Citizen

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

PAGE 07

Former MMA-ADA chair, Kenneth Sealey, …was in possession says he recused himself of land for years

F

ormer chairman of t h e Mahaica/Mahaico ny Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA), Kenneth S e a l e y, h a s d i s t a n c e d himself in the decisionmaking process of lands that were approved while he was sitting there.

In fact, Sealey said in a statement yesterday, the lands were occupied by him years before, and only in 2016 were they placed under a company. That company has reportedly been struck off by the Companies' register for not being in compliance with a number of filings.

The report on Sealey would come days after another one involving the current chairman, Kelvin Saul.

Saul, under his stewardship, was leased over 10,000 acres. He said it was forest lands in the MMAADA area that he converted to agricultural ones and hence the transactions.

Sealey yesterday, in his statement to the reports in Kaieteur News, said he did not benefit by receiving state lands while on MMA-ADA board.

“The state lands I am in possession of were given long before I became chairman of the MMA-ADA Board.

It was on the advice of my attorney that I decided to put these lands under the umbrella of a company named “Albertha Investments Inc.' to regularize my holdings. I had no input in scheduling what application came before the land committee nor did I participate in any deliberations concerning Albertha Investments Inc.” He claimed to have been in occupation of the Herstelling lands since 1981.

“It was in August, 1981 the late Sappa Legall, 'Horseman' Murray and I crossed the Berbice River from California on the East Bank to Herstelling on the West Bank to hunt and to look for cattle pasture. I had moved my cows from Mahaicony to No. 28 Village, West Coast Berbice, as a stop-gap. Now I had to find a place to set up a permanent pasture. It was during this adventure that I came across a valley lush with 'fina' grass. I decided that this was the place to set up a good cattle pasture.”

Former MMA-ADA chairman, Kenneth Sealey Later that week, Sealey said, he visited the MMAADA office at Onverwagt, West Bank Demerara and received information from Cecil Ramdat about the status of the land.

“He told me that it was state land and that it was unoccupied. I did an application for it immediately.

I was interviewed by a Land Selection Committee chaired by the late Henry Wade. I bought a 19 feet boat from the boat builders at Crabwood Creek, transported it down to California and the following week, I recruited seven labourers (cutlass men) from Mara, East Bank Berbice.”

Sealey said that the workers camped in and returned home on weekends.

They cleared and burnt savannahs.

“Gregory Chisholm and Steve Sharper were my main lieutenants. I also employed an expert shovel man, Mc Lean Rutherford alias Hymac from Belladrum.

He camped in for two weeks. By that time he completed a water hole and a high spot in the savannah.

Later, I built a house on the high spot. Julius Sealey and Murtland Sobers constructed a 14' x 10' flat roof building.”

In August, 1983, Sealey explained, he drove in 37 head of cattle from No. 28 Village to Herstelling.

“We commenced driving at 03:00 hrs and arrived at 17:00 hrs that day. In 1985, I hired MMA-ADA D-6 bulldozer, operated by Rex Mc Kenzie and dug another water hole and built a second high spot beside the Herstelling drain

embankment. The same year I erected another building on this spot.”

In fact, the former chairman said, his late uncle, Kendell Sealey, was the crop farmer and the cattle man was Kenrick Deen.

“Winston Rockcliffe transported tons of pumpkin and plantain from Herstelling to Mahaicony.

Mr. I. Habibulla purchased and transported the first truck load of bulls to the Georgetown abattoir in August, 1986. This is a synopsis of my activities on the lands at Herstelling, West Bank Berbice.”

With regard to the 152 acres of land referred to in the Abary River area, Sealey

said that in 1989 the Government was divesting state assets and several state rice mills were up for sale.

“The late Ivan Crandon was leading a group at Perseverance, Mahaicony to purchase the Belmont Rice Mill. I was approached and I joined up with the group.

The company, 'Belmont Investments Ltd', was formed and registered to be involved in general agricultural practices.

The company purchased the G.D.F. farmhouse at Onverwagt and leased from the MMA-ADA 8 blocks of developed rice land and the undeveloped Abary River Flats which MMA-ADA had identified for small ruminants farming.”

The former chairman said that because of poor drainage and irrigation services, compounded with the 2005 and 2006 floods, the company was unable to keep up with the rates. The MMA-ADA repossessed the lands.

“However, individuals were called in and given first preference to get parts of the repossessed lands.

The late Prince Thompson and I had to pay $900,000 to MMA-ADA, receipt #3438, to retake control of the Abary Flats which we had controlled and developed under Belmont Investments tenure.

This transaction was

done on the 26th May, 2007 ever since we had been in occupation.”

Sealey insisted that he had rights to the 2000 acres of lands.

“May I remind you of Article 18 of the Constitution: Land to the tiller. Since I have been in occupation and have developed these lands for nearly 35 years and invested millions of dollars, I have been advised by my attorney that I have a constitutional right to the lands whereby the lease was granted.

The allegation was slanderous and defamatory and I will take legal action against the appropriate person or persons.”

He referred to reports attributed to the Opposition which indicated that the People's Progressive Party was compiling a lists of questionable transactions. “…well, you can start at the 287 plots of land that were issued in 2014 for 99 years lease, rent free and an

ethnic distribution pattern of 98:2 ratio in Region #5.”

Albertha Investments Inc. was taken off the Registry's list in June last year, three years after it received 2,000 acres.

The establishment of the company would have been key for the lands to be approved for him.

The official would have had to submit an application that outlines his plans for the lands.

The allocation of the large pieces of lands to the two men has been raising eyebrows because of potential conflict of interest scenarios.

Sealey was appointed Chairman in late 2015. He served there reportedly to the end of 2017.

Saul after then became the chairman.

There has been increased scrutiny into the allocations of lands and other transactions involving state properties, within recent times.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday January 14, 2020

City officials at odds over leasing of Water - $1.5M per month proposal made; St. training complex councillors argue sum too little

O

fficials of the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown are at odds over a proposal to lease a prime piece of property under its control.

The property under contention was essentially used to train officers attached to the City Constabulary.

The Council has been offered $1.5 million per month to lease the grounds of the City Constabulary Training Complex located o n Wa t e r S t r e e t , Georgetown.

However during a hearing of the Full Council yesterday, City officials appeared split in their views as it relates to the complex, which has been out of operations since 2014.

While many officers supported the decision to lease what they believe will garner some much needed funds for the Municipality, others sought to clarity details of the proposal made and whether the Council was selling itself short on the sum offered.

For one, Town Clerk (ag) Sherry Jerrick noted that

while she has no issue with the property being leased, she is curious about its actual value.

Jerrick noted that a valuation of the property would give the Council a better idea on how much money the premises is actually worth and how much it should be leased for.

“I am saying for the record to the Council that the value of the property should be known before it is leased,” Jerrick said During the discussion, former Mayor Patricia Chase-Green shared similar sentiments. She noted that if the Council moves to lease or sell the Complex, it should be done by way of public interest.

She stressed too that the Council must take into consideration that the facility although out of operationfor sometime due to the deteriorating conditions, still has value to the City Constabulary.

“The City Constabulary Department still needs a training Centre, so I would advise the Council to take that into consideration when thinking of any offer as it relates to that building.”

Councillor Oscar Clarke supported Chase-Green's notion.

He said it is only fair that provisions are made for the City Constabulary to house its training operations elsewhere before the facility is leased.

The City Constabulary Training Complex, Water Street, Georgetown

“I agree that we cannot have this asset sitting there laying wa s t e a n d t h e Council needs money, but if it should be leased, ensure that the City Constabulary must benefit from funds collected.

The constabulary still needs a training complex and the Council should designate another building for the officers to enhance

their skills before finalizing any deal in this regard, “added Clarke.

Other Councillors who added their voice to the discussion, asked the Council to consider getting a higher sum for a lease on the property considering the location.

“I am sure that the property has more value that.

The Council can easily get

double that amount for the complex given the size and location,” one officer added.

Another official noted that added to that, given the waterfront location of the complex, the value of the property is likely to increase.

“With Guyana's burgeoning oil and gas s e c t o r, t h e v a l u e o f waterfront properties in the city are set to increase

considerably, I believe the Council should keep its options open for better deals.”

The Council was scheduled to vote on the proposal to lease the complex yesterday but opted to have the matter undergo further deliberations at a committee level given the grumblings coming from the councillors.

GWI restores water supply to Greater Georgetown

F

ollowing two sets of repairs on a broken 10-inch main along Mandela

Avenue, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was able to restore potable water to residents of Greater

Georgetown.

According to a GWI online release published on Saturday and yesterday, the company advised customers of a disruption to their water supply, citing that the disruption was necessary to facilitate repairs on a 10-inch main along Mandela Avenue.

The company indicated that the damage to the main was caused by road expansion works being carried out by KNV Designs.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, GWI's Public Relations Officer, Leana Bradshaw indicated that temporary repairs were conducted earlier on the water main so as to provide customers with potable water during Saturday evening.

She highlighted that GWI's technicians

commenced additi o n a l works on the pipeline yesterday at 2pm, and were able to permanently correct the damage within a matter of three hours.

Bradshaw stated that GWI has incurred the cost of the damage caused by KNV Designs, however they are in the process of preparing a cost sheet to provide to the construction company to facilitate the necessary reimbursements.

KNV Designs is a local company contracted by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, conducting road works along Mandela Avenue.

A few months ago, there was a disruption of GWI service in the vicinity of North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School on Mandela Avenue due to construction works

by Chinese construction company, Sinohydro.

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Integrity of the list is the issue

T

he Chairperson of the Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM), Justice Claudette Singh, has said that all the oil in Guyana cannot force her to compromise her integrity.

No one ever said that it could.

The Chairperson's integrity is not at all in question. What is not beyond doubt is the smooth running of the elections machinery and its susceptibility to manipulation.

Another Singh – Doodnauth Singh – discovered how easy it was for a small number of persons to disrupt the postvoting systems. Just when he thought all systems were impregnable, certain polling agents, from parts of Georgetown alone, ran off with the results after the votes had been counted.

Some of them ran to Congress Place with their Statements of Poll. Others placed the Statements of Poll, which should have been sent to the Returning Officer, in the ballot boxes. What ended up happening is that

the elections result could not be verified immediately and the delays fuelled claims of electoral fraud.

Integrity alone will not guarantee free fair and orderly elections. Systems must be in place to ensure the integrity of the process, including the production of a credible Revised List of Elections (RLE).

Right now there is a major bone of contention about the Preliminary Voters' List. Thousands of new registrants, who are over 18 years and therefore eligible to vote, are unverified. This can be a possible source of casting aspersions on the results after the elections.

It is therefore incumbent upon the Elections Commission to ensure that every single one of these unverified persons can be accounted for. There have been reports from the PPPC that in certain instances – in did not state how many – empty lots were at some addresses.

The fact that a registrant may not be home at the time when the verification exercise was taking place

does not mean that the person does not exist. But when empty lots are alleged to have been used as addresses, it does raise warning signals about possible padding of the voters' list.

The last general election was a close race. APNU won by a narrow margin. It is in this context that concerns are being expressed about the large numbers of new registrants who are unverified. A few thousand unverified voters can very well determine the outcome of the elections.

The Elections Commission therefore has an obligation to ensure that the concerns about the integrity of the Revised List of Elections are answered satisfactorily. Unless this happens, the whole elections will be shrouded in suspicion.

In such circumstances, the Chairperson of GECOM will find that not even her impeccable integrity will erase those suspicions.

These will exist once the concerns being expressed about unverified data are not

Dem boys seh...

More bicycles is not more crime

I

s only a matter of time before dem criminals try fuh rob Soulja Bai and Jagdeo. Dem robbing everybody else. Was a time when things reach de stage wheh some Ministers and dem whole family move out of dem house and used to sleep in hotels.

Dem was so scared of de criminals that dem didn't feel safe in dem own house although dem had guards.

People walking pun de road and men attacking dem in broad daylight. Is like dem don't care who see.

Bright and early Sunday morning, four men tackle a Chinese businessman pun Church Street. A car was nearby and it had camera. De camera show when de Chinese come out he vehicle because he was shopping some things.

De four rob de man, then walk away like if nutten happen.

Dem didn't know that cameras record every move.

Anodda camera ketch dem full in dem face when dem done rob de people. One end up in court.

Dem boys see some odda crime pun de camera. All over de place people got camera but dem criminals don't care. Some of dem does try to hide dem face wid scarf, but it does tek more than a scarf to hide people identity.

And when dem get ketch dem does tell people how dem mek a mistake. A man go in a government Ministry and thief some things. When he get ketch he tell de court how is not he. When de court show him de video he holler, “Ow. Me get ketch; me can't

hide.”

De criminals still tekking dem chance because dem lack de power of reasoning.

Dem is de people who does see fire and still believe dem can't get burn.

One of dem see a man wid a gun and he believe de man bluffing. He still try to go ahead wid de robbery.

Right now he in hospital groaning.

Is not that dem got more crime, because that is not de case. Is just that dem have more bicycle. One criminal does rob two or three people in a short time because he very mobile. And he ain't worried about big money. No amount too small for him.

Is de nuisance factor mek it look like if criminals deh all over de place.

Talk half and try wid dem criminals.

satisfactorily addressed.

Some persons are worried about the merging of unverified data with verified data. They see here a potential for electoral manipulation. It fuels the anxieties of the many persons who are of the view that the PNCR will rig the elections. Many still do not trust the PNCR when it comes to elections. Its past still haunts it.

And so speculation is rife about the various scenarios that could compromise the integrity of the polls. But no

one seems concerned as yet about the possibility that the revised list of elections may already have been compromised - firstly by fake registrations and, secondly, by underage persons overstating their ages during the registration exercise when there were no Opposition observers around.

The integrity of the list is therefore of critical importance. GECOM has to ensure that it conducts a thorough investigation into the allegations of empty lots

being given as the addresses of some registrants. If this allegation is found to be true, then it has serious implications for the freeness and fairness of the elections.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Tuesday January 14, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Only the Guyanese nationality can produced a Nigel Hinds

I

n November 2012, on an email string with dozens of political observers, political pundits, AFC and APNU supporters and independent thinkers, Nigel Hinds sent a mail rejecting my criticism of certain people in APNU like Rupert Roopnaraine and Jocelyn Dow. His tone was insulting. During the exchanges that followed, he

selected David Granger as the person to shape Guyana's future.

In those exchanges, I came to dismiss the politics of this man. His arguments told me this was an inherently flawed mind. He was the auditor appointed by the PNC to investigate the accuracy of the statements of poll for the 2011 elections which the PNC contended

was rigged. To date, neither the PNC nor Hinds published the findings.

It didn't surprise me when he resigned from the chairmanship of GWI board over GWI's insistence that Booby Ramroop should not be the owner of a GWI facility which was situated on the property of Queens Atlantic when Ramroop bought over Sanata Textiles.

Hinds as chairman, as reported in this newspaper, had asked the GWI to stay its hands in the quarrel. At the time, Hinds' organization, the Amateur Basketball Federation, again as reported in this newspaper, had been the recipient of a sponsorship from Ramroop.

The controversy erupted in October 2016. Months after, Hinds published a long letter (May 25, 2017) in the Kaieteur News denouncing my “constant” criticism of the past presidency and current politics of Bharrat Jagdeo. In that missive, Hinds extolled the virtues of Jagdeo.

In 2019, Hinds cofounded a political party to oppose both Granger and Jagdeo, both men that he was so enamoured with. His party “Change Guyana” made him the PM candidate.

From the time he was anointed with that position, Hinds never uttered one word about his dual citizenship.

After the nationality controversy that erupted over Charrandass Persaud's, and that claimed the resignation of four sitting ministers, Guyana and the region knew that a politician could not have MP status if he has dual citizenship. Yet Hinds knew he had an American passport and never informed the voters that he was asking to make him Prime Minister.

So when did these voters know? Two days after Nomination Day when he exited the 2020 campaign, and only then we knew that

he was taking steps to rescind the American status.

It comes down to a question of belief.

I don't want Hinds to sue me for libel. I have seen enough of Hinds to convince me he is an intolerant politician that would sue you. But no judge can tell me I haven't a right to voice my opinion as to if I believe what a politician says. And I am saying that I don't believe Hinds.

I feel sorry for Robert Badal. I hope Hinds' descent does not affect the way voters see Change Guyana.

But Mr. Badal will have to face obvious questions, one of which is compelling. Did he know of Hinds' American status when he designated him as PM candidate? If no, then Hinds is in serious trouble. If yes, then why didn't Hinds, Badal and Change Guyana level with voters and inform them that Hinds would relinquish his American citizenship?

There is another dimension that makes Hinds look asinine. Knowing that you cannot have dual citizenship, then how can you become the PM candidate without cancelling the American passport before you started your campaign to enter Parliament? Mr. Badal put on a brave face by saying he wishes Hinds' well in his medical treatment.

What more can Badal say? Hinds has messed up Change Guyana. Badal is experienced enough to know large numbers are not going to fall for Hinds' pathetic,

Frederick Kissoon nonsensical explanation.

Hinds has pulled out of the race two days after bravely perambulating the perimeters of the Umana Yana then entering to hand in his list.

On Friday, two days before his announcement about his having dual citizenship, didn't Hinds know he had an ailment that needed treatment abroad? So Friday passed, Saturday passed, and only on Sunday evening did Hinds know he would not in any way compromise his medical benefits and easy access, thus revealing he is an American citizen.

Maybe Hinds is gone from the political scene. In my letter on him in this newspaper last month (“Freddie Kissoon replies to Nigel Hinds,” KN, December, 5), I questioned his suitability as a politician.

I am happy for voters that he is gone. This country does not need the types like Nigel Hinds. But sadly they keep coming up. Look at some of the jokers in those small parties. They refused to form an alliance because their egos are taller than the world's tallest structure in Dubai.

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

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

PAGE 13

Local Government Commission sanctions City Treasurer, other staffers over displaced money bag

T

he City Treasurer (Ag) of the Georgetown Municipality is among staffers sanctioned by the Local Government Commission, (LGC) over displacement of monies belonging to the council.

During a statutory meeting of the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) at City Hall yesterday, Town Clerk (Ag) Sherry Jerrick revealed that City Treasurer (ag) John Douglas and Sergeant Ivor Bryan, Sonia Pitt, and Yolanda Forde have been suspended for several weeks following deliberations by the LGC. In addition to the suspended staffers, two junior employees of the council were warned about their conduct by the LGC. According to Jerrick, the decision to sanction Douglas and others was taken at a duly convened meeting of the LGC in December.

In a letter written to Douglas, the disciplinary committee ordered that Douglas be suspended for one month without pay, for negligence and dereliction of duty.

The charges laid against

Further, the Commission urged Douglas to be more focused and diligent when carrying out his duties as City Treasurer.

Douglas was scheduled to proceed on leave by January 12, 2020. However, City Mayor Ubraj Narine sought to advice the Council that the move to suspend the Treasurer at this time will have a severe impact on the Council. “We are currently in preparation of our budget.

City Treasurer (Ag) John Douglas

Douglas are due to a breach of the standard operating procedures for escorting and dispatching revenues collected from the Bourda market.

The monies were supposed to be deposited in the bank on behalf of the Georgetown M&CC on June 20 last.

Reports indicated, however, that weeks later a staffer of the council found the bag of cash bearing the M&CC seal in the vehicle of the Chief Constable.

A complaint was lodged at the LGC and an investigation was launched.

In a subsequent correspondence to Douglas, the LGC noted that it had

considered all the factors, including the explanation provided by him and officers, who handled the money.

However, the LGC said fact that Douglas failed to act on a computer-generated report handed to him and which indicated that the deposit was not made, determined that his action/omission amounted to negligence or dereliction of duties on his part.

In ordering the suspension, the Commission warned the City Treasurer that if he is found guilty of committing similar offences anytime in the future, he is l i a b l e t o f a c e s t i ff e r sanctions.

Seven Haitians fined for illegal exit

T

hree men and four women, who are Haitian Nationals, were yesterday arraigned before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, to answer to an immigration charge in which they illegally exited Guyana and went to Brazil.

The defendants, Rosette Alerte, 58, Elta Ettienne, 26, Miralda Jean Pierre, 25, Mireille Talius, 32, Barnaby Fleurvil, 25, Bendimmy Dorsainvil, 26, and Fredo Cadet, 29, all pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on January 8, 2020, at Takutu, Lethem, they departed Guyana illegally without presenting themselves to an immigration officer.

The court was able to communicate with the defendants through the use of a French interpreter. The defendants told the court that they were told to travel to Guyana and when they arrived they were put in a bus which was destined for Lethem.

They added that they were unaware that they must present themselves to an

immigration officer before they left for Brazil.

According to the facts of the charge that was read by police prosecutor Stacy Gittens, on January 5, 2020, at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the defendants entered Guyana and were granted 6 months stay.

The court heard that on January 7, the police acting on information went to Takutu Bridge, Lethem, where they met the defendants. They were then asked to present their travel documents and it was discovered that they were legal in Guyana.

However, they were taken to Lethem Police Station where an investigation was conducted and it revealed that the defendants left Guyana and went to Brazil where they were denied entry by Brazilian authorities and sent back to Guyana. As a result they were arrested and later charged for the offence.

Acting Chief Magistrate Marcus fined each of the defendants the sum of $30,000 or in default 40 days imprisonment. The defendants are expected to make their next court appearance tomorrow to answer to another immigration offence.

S h o u l d t h e Tr e a s u r e r proceed on leave now, it would severely impact on the operations of the Council,� the Mayor warned.

The Mayor advised that the Full Council vote on a motion to have Douglas's suspension deferred until after the budget preparations are complete in March.

T h e M a y o r ' s recommendations were met with some opposing views from around the horseshoe

table.

C o u n c i l l o r Ay o d e l e Roache quoted sections of law and warned that the Council cannot unilaterally overrule or trump the authority of the LGC. She advised the council that as a result she would not be participating in the motion to defer the treasurer's suspension.

Roache abstained, but the motion was nonetheless carried by a majority vote of the full Council.

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Ten local entities apply for elections observer status

T

en local entities have expressed an interest to the Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM) to be accredited as observers for the March 2, 2020 regional and general polls.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GECOM Yolanda Ward told Kaieteur News on Sunday that the Commission is currently in the process of reviewing applications.

She said that “At present the Commission is open to receiving and assessing applications for the domestic observers.”

According to Ward, GECOM has until the end of the month to approve the applicants.

Her comments come weeks after, both head of the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, (PSC) Captain Gerry Gouveia and President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce of Industry (GGCI) Nicholas Boyer accused GECOM of essentially sidelining their applications for local observer status. The two organization heads complained of GECOM's failure to further engage them even after acknowledging their interests.

However, Ward said that those applications were received at a time when GECOM was not even considering submissions for local observers. “ We h a d m e t a n d engaged both entities and acknowledged their desire to be part in the process.

However at that instance, GECOM was not considering applications for local observers.

The Commission usually invites those who are suitably qualified by way of the advertisements which are currently in the press.”

Addressing the concerns further, Ward said GECOM must take a number of factors into consideration before approving applications. She stressed too that the Commission has until January month end to accredit local observers.

At present, GECOM has welcomed foreign c o n t i n g e n t s o f Commonwealth, CARICOM, European and Carter Center to be observers.

The GECOM PRO explained the Commission usually engages the international observers at a

GECOM PRO Yolanda Ward much earlier stage than the locals. Ward said that reason for this is due to the fact that the international observers are accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and not GECOM. Further, Ward said the approval of the local observer does not take precedence over the host of activities that GECOM is currently tasked with.

At the interim, GECOM by way of advertisements has invited local/domestic observer groups to be considered for accreditation to observe General and Regional Elections 2020.

The GECOM noted that invitation is in keeping with the objective to enhance transparency, credibility and impartiality of General and Regional Elections.

According to the ad, all local observer groups should ideally fulfill the minimum standards of familiarity and experience with electoral laws and procedures; previous experience of election monitoring and/or other relevant experience or know-how and specific training, national and/or international; interpersonal skills (capacity of balanced judgment, ability to work in teams, ability to cope with difficult situations, respect for diverse attitudes, good communication skills, readiness to work in a multicultural environment); ability to maintain professional independence and strict impartiality in the conduct of duties; demonstrated commitment to democracy and human rights.

In addition to the abovementioned, the applicants must hold Guyanese citizenship and must fill out an observer application form which is to be returned to the Chairperson of GECOM by January 15, 2020.

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

No strong business case exists for creating Nat'l Oil Company in Guyana

By Kiana Wilburg

F

rom 2015 to now, there have been arguments both for and against the establishment of a National Oil Company, which would allow Guyana to have a participating interest in almost every oil block.

In the case of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it has conclusively decided that no strong business case that can be found for having such a company.

In one of its most recent reports, the financial institution which is providing technical support to Guyana, noted that many countries have a National Oil Company which allows the government to participate in the block like an investor would.

The IMF said that this move also allows the government to have a “seat at the table� for decision making.

The Fund noted, however, that given the

substantial regulatory powers the government can have over the upstream petroleum sector, it is not evident that participating would necessarily be adding much more value.

Furthermore, the financial institution warned that participating interest by government requires it to contribute to handling a portion of the costs, including in the development phase of the oil block.

It was keen to note that the government can raise its own money to handle those expenses, or it can lean on the operator and repay the oil company with interest. The Fund noted that the latter option delays the receipt of any major benefits for the government.

As such, the IMF said that the government may be better off securing a higher government take in the contract itself.

Should the government still be interested in state participation, the IMF recommended that it opts to

- IMF outline its state participation right in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

The International Monetary Fund said that this would allow the government to elect at the start of development, whether to participate in a project up to say 10 percent.

It further advised that there should be an option which says that if the oil company handles the costs on behalf of the government, the interest rate to be paid back must be reasonable.

Finally, if the government participates, the Fund said that it should not allow reimbursements of exploration costs.

CHATHAM HOUSE ADVISES Several Energy Strategists and Industry Experts have advised over the last four years that it would be in Guyana's interest to have retained

equity in every oil block. In fact, Energy Strategist and Advisor from Trinidad and Tobago, Anthony Paul, told Kaieteur News during an exclusive interview that he is in support of this perspective, while noting that it is ultimately up to the government to decide if it will go the route of creating such a company or paving the way for local businesses to invest their dollars in the offshore blocks.

While the government is still to announce what is going to be the way forward on this matter, Chatham House has said that there might be a chance for Guyana to have minority equity stakes for a National Oil Company in acreage that is relinquished by ExxonMobil and other companies.

It warned, however, that establishing such a company is no easy job, especially when the State does not have stakes in producing licences that are generating revenue.

That said, the anti-

corruption agency outlined that there are some major risks which must be considered in any move to create a National Oil Company.

Chatham House said that governments must consider whether funds would be better spent on other budgetary priorities such as vocational education to train Guyanese for jobs in the oil sector.

It said too that there would be a significant and sensible need to establish careful governance mechanisms to reduce the opportunity for nepotism and corruption in any National Company.

There are numerous lessons around the world which demonstrate that the

absence of anti-corruption rules can lead to massive scales of favouritism and scampishness in National Oil Companies.

Petrobras of Brazil and PDVSA of Venezuela are two infamous national oil companies which have been stained by years of corruption by its leaders.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

MACORP clears land at Covent Garden for new H/Q The 25-acre plot that MACORP has started to develop. At right is the East Bank Demerara public road

Contractor, Shahan Rahim, at the work site yesterday, updating Kaieteur News

O

ne of the country's biggest retailers of heavy equipment, Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP), has commenced clearing of a major piece of lands for its new headquarters.

The 25-plus acre plot is located north of the Covent Garden water treatment plant, East Bank Demerara, alongside the East Bank Demerara public road.

In recent days, contractorMohamed S. Rahim and Sons mobilized, with the tract of land already

cleared of bushes. “We are now moving rapidly to fill the lands in readiness for construction,� explained Shahan Rahim, the site manager.

MACORP is banking on the area to not only build a showroom and headquarters, but training quarters and other facilities.

The company is heavily into technical training, including for excavator operators. It is also a major retailer for heavy equipment including excavators.

According to Rahim, MACORP will likely release more details of its plans but

as of now, the attention is focused on raising the level of the land, in preparation.

The company, which has been around for more than 25 years, earlier last year purchased the 25-acre plot at Covent Garden.

On May 30, 2019, an agreement was signed between NICIL and Machinery Real Estate and Integrated Services Inc., located at 26 Providence, East Bank Demerara. It is the same address as MACORP. MACORP has been making significant inroads into the farming and mining (continued on page 18)

Zero tolerance for errant motorists

Traffic ranks were out in full force at Banks DIH turn, Meadowbank, East Bank Demerara yesterday. Several minibuses were pulled in.

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Hull for Guyana's second FPSO arrives in Singapore

T

he hull for the L i z a U n i t y, Guyana's second Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Vessel has arrived in Singapore, from the Chinese shipyard, S h a n g h a i Wa i g a o q i a o Shipbuilding (SWS).

The company said that it ordered the hull with SWS in July 2017.

Expected to store 2 million barrels of crude oil while moored in 1600 metres water depth, the FPSO is meant to start oil production in 2022 on the Liza-2 oilfield. The FPSO will produce up to 220,000 barrels per day, more than the 120,000 bpd capacity of the Liza Destiny, currently producing oil on the Liza-1 oilfield, also on the Stabroek Block.

It will have associated gas treatment capacity of 400 million cubic feet per

day and water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day.

SBM said the hull made a 2,300 nautical-mile journey before arriving at Keppel Yard in Singapore.

The hull is the company's first generic hull in its Fast4Ward project, and the

first Multi-Purpose Floater (MPF1) in a series of hulls under construction. The hull construction was completed i n D e c e m b e r, a n d i s significant for the company's development of its first standardized FPSO, a model to save on costs.

SBM said the Liza Unit

hull was completed in less than two years, following the cutting of the steel in March, 2018. It was decided that the

MPF1 hull would be allocated to the Liza Unity FPSO after ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC decided

in May 2019 on their Final Investment Decision (FID) to award the contract for the construction to SBM.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Accident mars trip to Albion

The Wrecked CRV (Photo credit: Christopher Jones) The Route 32 Minibus transporting the PPP's supporters to the rally (Photo credit: Christopher Jones)

A

trip to Albion was marred for a group of persons on Sunday afternoon when their Route 32 minibus BTT 7953 collided with a Honda C RV P M M 8 6 8 . T h e accident occurred at around 13:00hrs at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.

Passengers and the driver of the minibus had been

travelling that entire Sunday morning to support the PPP's grand rally at 15:00hrs that afternoon. But it seemed as if the driver “did not want to arrive late and decided to step on the accelerator a bit more�

Only about 45 minutes (average time) away from their destination, the CRV decided to make a right turn

off the Onverwagt Public Road.

According to the police, the driver of the CRV had switched on her trafficator indicating that she was about to make the turn.

However, the bus was moving at a fast rate and could not have slowed down in time to avoid a collision.

This resulted in the bus

slamming into the rear of the CRV. The impact caused the CRV to spin at least twice before coming to a halt beside a nearby bus shed.

The passengers of the bus were all taken to Fort Wellington Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and sent away.

However, the driver of the

CRV and a lone Passenger who was in the front seat of the vehicle were transferred and admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Their condition was listed as stable and up to late yesterday afternoon they were waiting on results from X-rays and scans after they had received injuries to the head and chest.

Commander of Region Five, Superintendent Yonette Stephens said that the airbag of the CRV played a critical role in preventing the two women from receiving severe and detrimental injuries.

The driver of the minibus was detained and is police custody assisting with investigations.

MACORP clears land at Covent Garden for new H/Q From page 16 industries with a large inventory of spare parts. It has been making headway also in the areas of power generation and equipment for forestry. However, one of the major areas it has been making its mark on is technical training and certification.

The Covent Garden lands will allow MACORP to move from its Providence

headquarters where parking and space had become a major problem.

MACORP has placed the eight-acre Demerara River front property at Providence for sale. With oil production started for Guyana, the demand for waterfront properties has risen astronomically.

The Providence property reportedly has wharfing and other critical facilities.

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Occupational Safety and Health officers build capacity to inspect oil vessels

T

he Ministry of Social Protection yesterday commenced a Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) certified safety inspector training programme yesterday at its Brickdam, Georgetown office.

Representatives drawn from the Guyana Fire Service, the National Advisory Council, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Occupational Safety & Health Officers from the Ministry of Social Protection were among those in attendance.

In an interview with Kaieteur News, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Consultant and Chairperson of the programme, Gwen King indicated the Ministry through its Occupational Safety and Health department has the responsibility to ensure workplace safety in all sectors, noting that the oil and gas sector is no different. She highlighted that the Ministry hosted training focused on

various aspects of the oil and gas industry in October 2019.

M e a n w h i l e , Consultant/trainer, Business Crisis Consultants Inc. a Tr i n i d a d i a n C o m p a n y, Garth Vincent stated that the training programme seeks to critically examine all the management systems and the integrity of the oil vessels as it relates to occupational safety and health.

He indicated the Ministry as a government agency should be able to function as regulators so as to ensure that the safety practices employed on the oil vessels are aligned with international standards and OSH regulations.

“In the programme we are currently focused on the layout of the vessel and the various types of accidents that may happen,” Vincent highlighted. Further, he said that the programme aims to focus on other high risk incidents besides oil spills such as fires, piracy and explosions.

Also in attendance was Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith

Some of the participants in the safety inspector training programme

Scott and Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle.

The programme which is sponsored by the International Labour

Overturning CJ's ruling on Nat'l Register could have severe...

From page 3 and misdirected herself in law in several areas.

For one, he argued that in arriving at the ruling, the Chief Justice failed to consider that parliament clearly provided in Section 6 of National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08 Laws of Guyana that in order to be registered during the houseto-house registration exercise a person has to be a resident of Guyana as at the qualifying date.

Williams contended that Justice George breached the separation of powers doctrine.

Further on in his a rg u m e n t s , Wi l l i a m s submitted that Justice George fell into error when she found that Article 159 (5) of the Constitution which addresses the 'qualifying

date' is only applicable to persons 14 years or older for purposes of registration as at October 31, and not all Guyanese citizens.

It is his view that the Chief Justice failed to apply any cannons of interpretation in order to arrive at such a conclusion.

In a Notice of Appeal filed with the court, Williams, argued too, “The learned Trial Judge erred and was misconceived in law in finding that there is no law or laws in Guyana which set out additional requirements more particularly residence for purposes of Article 159 (2) (c) of the Constitution by failing to properly address her mind to Sections 6 of the National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08 Laws of Guyana.”

According to Williams,

there was no evidence which established that there was a breach of the Constitution, the National Registration Act or any other law, and rather the evidence was consistent with the fact that GECOM acted in accordance with Article 159 (2) (c), 159 (5) and 162 of the Constitution.

“The learned Trial Judge erred and was misconceived in law when she failed to appreciate that pursuant to Article 159 (5) of the Constitution and Sections 6 and 9 of the National Registration Act Chapter 19: 08, GECOM had embarked on compiling a new National Register of Registrants (NRR) which effectively replaced (the old one].”

The Court of Appeal will continue hearing arguments in this matter tomorrow.

Organisation is expected to last for a period of five days.

At the end of the training, participants will be required to do an assessment report

and after which a certificate will be provided. The Ministry of Social Protection is currently in the process of liaising with ExxonMobil

and other oil companies for a few of the participants to make quarterly visits to the FPSO after completion of the training.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Tuesday January 14, 2020

“I would never hurt an elderly woman,” says Guyanese man accused of killing 92-year-old

N

ew York (New Yo r k D a i l y News) - The suspect charged with the shocking murder and sick sexual abuse of a beloved 92-year-old Queens woman says he loves his late grandmother too much to ever hurt an old woman.

“I'm crying about this too,” Reeaz Khan, 21, said in an exclusive interview with the Daily News on Rikers Island, where he is being held without bail after being caught on video allegedly initiating the attack.

“I had a grandma that I took care of,” he said, sobbing throughout his hourlong account of what transpired. "I'd wipe her eyes, carry her, and take her to doctor's appointments. I would never hurt an elderly woman.”

Khan says he had gone to a hookah lounge to meet up with his cousins but was walking home disappointed after not finding them there when he came upon the victim, Maria Fuertes, already on the ground, “kicking her legs and shaking her arms around."

“As I walked down the sidewalk I saw someone, a

lady on the floor to the side of me,” Khan said. "I should have kept walking and just not helped but it's in my heart to help."

But prosecutors say he was caught on surveillance video approaching Maria Fuertes from behind while she was still standing, checking a pile of garbage bags for returnable empties on 127th St. in South Richmond Hill just after midnight Jan. 6.

The video shows them then falling to the ground together, disappearing from view behind a car for four sickening minutes just around the corner from the victim's home.

Then Khan, a day labourer who lives less than a mile from the crime scene, is seen running off alone.

“I got scared and so I tried to grab her and push her up but she hit me with her arms and I fell back,” Khan claimed improbably Sunday.

“I was so scared I didn't know what to do... I just ran home and left.”

He said his phone was dead and couldn't call the cops. Fuertes died at Jamaica Hospital with a fracture spine, broken ribs, internal

hemorrhaging and tears in her vagina, according to court papers.

“I should have called police when I got back home but I was scared,” Khan told The News. “It's impossible for my DNA to be inside her because I never touched her like that."

“Why would I touch a 92 year old woman?" he added.

“I have a girlfriend and have had sex with other women."

The victim's two sons, busy planning her funeral Sunday, didn't buy his claim for a minute.

"Honestly he better not act like he don't know what he did. He killed her, he killed my mother,” said Hugo Fuertes, 69. “Now he's scared because he knows what's coming, he knows what's waiting for him.”

“He knows what he did and the community is angry,” added the victim's younger son, Ray Fuertes, 52. "I bet he just didn't know there were cameras."

After cops released surveillance video of the suspect and asked the public's help identifying him, Khan's own brother called the cops Friday and ratted him out.

Accused: Reeaz Khan (Gardiner Anderson /for New York Daily News) Prosecutors say he gave conflicting accounts of what happened to detectives once he was taken into custody, at one point bizarrely claiming he fell down, his belt buckle broke and “his pants fell down and his penis fell near her vagina but he did not have intercourse with her,” according to the criminal complaint against him.

Khan later told officials he did lift her skirt up and tried to put his penis inside of her and “did not know what came over him,” according to the complaint.

In jail Sunday, he tried to

recast that comment.

“I didn't mean I raped her,” he claimed. "I meant when I was with her I don't know what came over me and I ran.' Fuertes was a beloved neighborhood fixture known to take late night walks to collect empty cans and bottles. Locals often called her “cat lady” out of affection because she housed seven cats and would put food out every day for the local strays.

Khan, who moved to New York from Guyana with his family, had been flopping between friends' homes

since November when he was arrested for jabbing his dad in the chest and arm with a broken ceramic mug. He was only recently allowed to return to his family's home and is due back in court Jan. 23 to face assault charges in that case.

He has visible cut marks on his arms Sunday from previous suicide attempts and said his dad was an alcoholic and had attacked him first. He told The News his girlfriend was coming to New York soon to raise a family with him.

“All I do is work and come home, Khan said. "My parents know I didn't and wouldn't do something like this.” But on Friday, Khan's dad declined to defend his son to The News.

“You make your kids, but you don't make their minds,” father Afraz Khan said.

“We're very sorry for what happened. Our sympathies go out to that woman's family.”

Reeaz Khan expressed his own regrets Sunday.

“If I could go back I would have never stopped to try to help," he said in jail.

"Look at what it's done to me.”

“I had to get passage money” - Thief tells court

By Trishan Craig

L

e v i Wi l l i a m s yesterday told a full court that he stole from a friend who owed him a sum of cash for travel money, while he accused an alleged public servant of purchasing illegal items.

The accused was hauled before the Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus to have two charges read to him in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

The first charge alleged that on December 7, 2019 at Cornhill Street, Georgetown, Williams stole $15,000 from the person of Murdock Davis. It was also alleged that on December 6, 2019 at Georgetown, he entered the dwelling home of Darrell Romeo and stole one laptop and a laptop bag.

The unrepresented Williams pleaded guilty to both charges.

The facts of the first charge indicated that the parties are known to each other as the accused would regularly clean the victim's

Awaiting sentence: Levi Williams yard for a price.

On the day in question, Williams was cleaning the

victim's yard and about 11:20 hrs the victim secured his home and left, leaving

Williams working. About 22:15hrs he returned and discovered that a number of grills on his home were tampered with.

He later found that the items mentioned in the charge were missing. A police report was made and Williams was arrested and later charged.

In connection with the other charge, the court heard that on the day in question about 00:50hrs the victim parked his minibus at the route 41 bus park. He then exited the vehicle and stood in front of the park and started to count his money.

It is then that Williams approached him and snatched the money from him. Williams then jumped on a bicycle and rode away.

A report was made at the Stabroek Police Outpost.

Following his arrest, Williams was positively identified by eyewitnesses.

When given an opportunity to address the court on both charges, Williams said, “For the first charge all she said is not true.

The tampering of the grill is

not true, because if it was so they would have charged me for break and enter.”

“He [Romeo] go away and leave the door open. He owes me a substantial amount of money. He owes me like $80,000.”

Williams went on to tell the court that he was in need of some travel money and every time he is owed by the victim he would normally write it down.

Williams further stated that, “I go and investigate and I found the door open so I went in. It had more valuable stuff but because is my friend I just take a bag.”

The accused mentioned that in the bag he found a laptop and he found that to be a suitable item to pawn.

Therefore, he headed to the Stabroek market.

“At the market I went to one of my personal friend and I pawn the laptop for $13,000. I later went back and get the laptop then I go and try to sell it to Darrell. So actually he get back his laptop.”

As for the second charge Wi l l i a m s s a i d , “ T h i s

gentleman [Davis] is a public servant but he does come to drive in the night and he not only does that, he does buy all sorts of items whether it legal or illegal.”

The accused highlighted that sometime last year he had a Samsung J7 cellphone.

He said that, he along with a friend wanted to sell it for $35,000. According to Williams, they were at the bus park deciding what to do when Davis approached and offered to buy the phone.

“He took the phone for $20,000 and promised to pay by month end but whenever we see him he making excuse after finding out is a t h i e v i n g p h o n e . Yo u r worship I'm a law abiding citizen but he try all kind thing, even saying he going to the police, but I tell he how you gonna get the police involved in an illegal transaction.”

The matter was then adjourned until January 15, 2020 when a probation report will be presented to the magistrate, who will then hand down a sentence for the accused.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

PAGE 21

Lawyer argues against Wedding house 'invasion' retrial for man convicted leaves one dead of carnal knowledge

By Shikema Dey

A

ttorney-at-Law Arudranauth Gossai is arguing that should his client's conviction for carnally knowing a girl be overturned, the Court of Appeal should not order a retrial, given the fact that new legislation now governs sexual offences, and the time that has elapsed between the commissioning of the offence and the looming ruling by the court.

His client, West Coast Berbice resident, Talbert McPherson was in 2014 found guilty and sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for having carnal knowledge of an eight-year-old girl.

McPherson committed the offence against the young girl between Wednesday 12th August and Thursday 13th August 2009.

During his arguments to the court, Gossai took issue with the summing up of trial judge Navindra Singh. He contended that the judge's summation of the evidence to the jury was unbalanced and was more in favour of the prosecution's case. For one, the lawyer pointed out that while the judge pointed out inconsistencies in his client's unsworn testimony and that of the witness he called in his defence, he failed to do the same for the prosecution's witnesses.

In his submissions before Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory, Gossai said that if the court should allow the appeal, a retrial should not be ordered, given the length of time that would have passed between the commissioning of the offence and the court's ruling.

The lawyer pointed out that at the time of the commission of the offence, his client was tried under an Act that is no longer being used. He pointed out too that there is a high possibility that McPherson will not be able to lead his defence in the manner in which he did during his trial. He said that the prosecution might also have difficulties locating its witnesses as the offence was committed over a decade ago. Other factors, he said are to be considered, such as public interest.

Furthermore, Gossai contended that the sentence imposed on his client is unduly harsh. In support of his argument, he cited a similar case from the Eastern

Caribbean Supreme Court in which the judge sentenced the accused persons to two and a half years imprisonment after factoring the time that had elapsed between the dates the offence was committed and conviction.

The Court of Appeal will resume hearing this matter on February 11, when State

Talbert McPherson Prosecutor Natasha Backer will present arguments.

McPherson was tried before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Berbice. It was previously reported that the child lived with her mother aunt and a cousin and had known McPherson, as he lived with her aunt and grandmother.

On the day in question, her mother took the two children to her grandmother's residence to stay for the

night, because she was attending a wake.

Early in the night, they watched a movie with her grandmother after which she and her cousin retired to bed.

She was lying on a mattress with others when she saw a shadow. The light from outside was shining in the room and she recognized the person to be McPherson who subsequently had sex with her.

Th e n e x t d a y s h e informed her mother who reported the matter to the police. The child was taken to the hospital where it was observed that she had bruises on her vaginal wall and anus.

When asked by the trial judge if he had anything to say in response to the jury's verdict, McPherson said, “Sir with all due respect, I am not a violent person. I did not take the life of a person and I am still in trouble. I did not do it.”

The judge, however, indicated that he found McPherson's remark strange, and asked him if he was “sick”, as he could not imagine why someone would want to do something like that to an eight-year-old girl.

The convict had claimed that the girl's family “are always after me; they always after me”. During the trial, the prosecution called eight witnesses including the virtual complainant, her mother, grandmother, a doctor and police officers.

A

labourer of Foulis, East Coast Demerara, died after being hit in the head, allegedly by a group of men who invaded a wedding celebration in Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, on Sunday.

Dead is 26-year-old Rudendra Persaud called 'Boyo'.

According to police reports, Persaud and other relatives were at a family wedding house when he left for home and was later found lying in a pool of blood.

However, relatives have conflicting reports as to what transpired.

Kaieteur News was told that a group of men allegedly disrupted the celebrations when Persaud was struck.

Reports are that a group of young men invaded the wedding house and, allegedly, began attacking attendees.

Upon hearing what was transpiring and being the cousin of the groom, Persaud attempted to intervene, but this led to a fight between the gang and other family mbers.

Persaud was ubsequently struck in the head with a piece of wood. Relatives say that despite him being injured, the young man still persisted to defend his relatives who were being assaulted by the men.

He was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and later succumbed to his injures.

According to the Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Andries Junor, one person has been taken into custody and is assisting with investigations.

Rudendra Persaud called 'Boyo' at the wedding, hours before the deadly encounter

Miner charged for attempted murder

A

29-year-old miner was yesterday remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge by Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus.

At the time that the charge was read, the accused, Olwayne Giddings, was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on January 8, last, at

Seaman Landing, Mazaruni, he wounded Hendricks Jones with the intent to commit murder.

The police prosecutor objected to bail under the grounds that the victim is still hospitalised at the Bartica Hospital following injuries he received with a cutlass.

The matter was then adjourned to January 17, when it will come up for hearing again at the Bartica Magistrate's Court.

PAGE 22

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

Sabotage to public infrastructure puts strain on Ministry

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CAR RENTAL DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE#698-7807.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE 37 Acres of Transported Land at Big Biaboo, Mahaica River.Contact#699-4300/2282734 for more info.

3 Residential lots of Land (Together) For Sale Situated in a Gated Community @ Providence E.B.D, Tel#645-4940, 660-4437 EDUCATION

Lot 89 Robb street Lacytown, Georgetown.

Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size-3431.25 Sq.ft.Phone:617-5323/6668052.

Newly built flat licensed business place. Restaurant & Bar, Huge land space @ Vreed-en-hoop area. Fully furnished $48M neg Tel#6897481

Register now Computer Classes 7 courses $35,000 Microsoft windows, Office 2016 Micro Graphics Technology Centre Vreed- EnHoop 622-5993

Flat 2 bedroom concrete property. Located at Lot 101 Plaisance/Sparendaam. Call for more information 220-0183/ 602-3729

Study for Canada/US 100% Acceptance Resgistration for Sep 2020 Started Micro Graphics Technology Vreeden- Hoop Tel# 622-5993, 437216-7135

TO LET Rooms tolet, 1 bedroom, working people: $30,000,$32,000,$35,000 monthly, 2 month security.Call#623-0076.

FOR RENT

VACANCY

Furnished one bedroom & three bedroom apartment in Providence for rent. Call 6721906, 682-6238, 216-2299

General domestic. 3 Days work. Must know to cook.

Apply with 2 references.

KeyFood McDoom village

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 ACCOMMODATION Aracari Hotel -WBD (Near Bridge)-Pool etc.Open 24 Hours.From $25 USD.Phone 264-2946/8 LEARN TO DRIVE N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808.

VACANCY 1 live-in domestic must know to cook. 25-45yrs $25,000 weekly. Tel#610-3974 Vacancy for Motor lorry Drivers & Security guard @Cevons Call#218-1455.

Accounts clerk. Contact 2235273/ 223-5274 Driver/expeditor. Contact 2235273/ 223-5274 Immediate vacancies exist for male operators to work shifts @ Del Ice Co. Training provided. Call 642-9191, 2311408 Maid to work on the East Coast. Tel# 649-9359 Workers to work in Ice Factory Tel# 223-7165 Vacancies @ Bonny’s Butchery for sale girls. Apply in person with written application @ 302 Church St. Tel#226-7310 (1)Experienced secretary with knowledge in computer PAYE & NIS.Tel#231-0363.

Offset printing press operators,Guillotine Operator,Security Guard.Apply in Person to F&H Printing Establishment Inc.90-92 John Street, Campbellville Greater Georgetown.

Clerk & Domestic- Live-in facilities for Berbicians & Essequibians. #219-5354 Pump Attendant & Cashier, shifts rotated weekly Shell Service \station Providence.

Email:Shellramsburg @gmail.com.

Female Cleaner office & home.Call#642-9823.

Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player.Keyfood McDoom.

- Sharma

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma says that while the Ministry Maid to cook and clean for budgets for maintenance East Bank area.Call#615-9132. work, vandalism and to public Driver must be able to assist sabotage infrastructure including traffic in Workshop at Eccles, age lights, power poles, kokers, 25-45, Car/Van license. bridges, batteries, among Call#642-9823. other equipment put a strain Room Attendant,Desk staff on the Ministry.

The Minister added that 25-50 Years old.233 South Road Lacytown/225-0198. many times, monies budgeted for scheduled maintenance Security Officers to work, works often have to be used preferably ex army, police or for damage repairs and disciplined services.Age 2440.Contact#223-4172/639- replacements.

“Deliberate damage to 6648. public infrastructure costs us For one experience teacher money. We budget for who will love to read and routine maintenance but these types of damage cost teach a 4yr old boy. Call us large sums of additional 623-1615 money.”

This, he said, makes it Experienced office/counter very challenging for the clerk. Maths & English.

Computer literate. Telles Steel Ministry to effectively and & Hardware.74 Hadfield St efficiently carry out its Tel #226-4537/231-3265/226- maintenance operations.

“When something is 6771. broken people want it to be Vacancies exists for Truck fixed, they are not concerned Drivers and Loader Operator. with politics or the logistics; Contact - 233-2773/4 they just want it to be fixed, Welder/Fabricator and but this costs us money. We Kitchen Assistant for Interior have to find the money to do location.Applicants must be the repairs and replacements, which in turn puts a strain on experienced.Call#618-2020. the Ministry.”

Cevon’s Waste Management.

Subject Minister David Vacancy for 2 lorry drivers to Patterson had shared similar drive high and low range sentiments on the issue double axle trucks. 218-1455 recently. Speaking to Kaieteur Kitchen assistants & counter News, he said that deliberate attendants. Apply @ damage to infrastructure has German’s Restaurant. Lot 8 been a longstanding issue for New Market & Mundy Streets the Ministry.

Also, at the Ministrys North Cummingsburg G/Town end-of-year press conference, Minister Patterson noted that WANTED vandalism and theft is not Small space suitable for only a problem for the Restaurant in Georgetown. Ministry but rather, a problem for everyone. He added that Call#610-3988. the Ministry cannot do it all Car, Bus & Truck Drivers. alone; citizens need to play #225-3234/225-9223 their part in reporting such Porters to work in Grocery actions.

Giving an example of the Stall, Attractive Salary at Stabroek Market. Tel#226- recklessness of drivers and 9800/683-9500. Experience an asset Senior Kitchen Assistant, must have a minimum Primary education, 1 Experienced Driver & Cashier. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal Restaurant. 5 Commerce St Wanted Bus Driver (over 45 yrs old) & experienced Cook/ Counter girls @ 44 Barima Avenue Bel Air Park.Tel#6844508.

(1) Live in domestic for Georgetown.Boys & Girls to work at shop in the Interior.Contact#660-9093/ 682-5846.

WANTED One Gardener to work in Georgetown.Tel#669-6914.

1 Male shop assistant to work in 2 shop in the Interior #6705583.

Puri cooks , Kitchen Assistants.Apply@Shantas 225 Camp Street, G/town.

Minister Jaipaul Sharma individuals, he further pointed out that in 2019 the Ministry installed 4,712 street lights, and in 2018 they installed an equal number of lights. “Imagine at night some driver goes and runs into a post… after a night of merriment, speeding or recklessness that driver takes down two of the posts and puts an entire area in darkness. The Ministry will have to spend additional money to repair or replace same.”

In addition to this, he highlighted the fact that some citizens think that public property is theirs to take, noting that “we installed solar lights in certain areas…and they steal those solar lights.”

Other recent instances of vandalism include: 28 batteries being stolen from traffic light units; the complete removal of the koker door at Phoenix; vandalism to the outer koker door at Success Village; the lifting of the koker door at Blenheim Village and tampering of the koker door at Amsterdam, Leguan, which led to millions of dollars in damage and severe flooding in the these areas.

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

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ITF, Grand Slams pledge additional $400,000 to bushfire relief efforts (Reuters) - The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and three Grand Slams Wimbledon, U.S. Open and French Open have collectively pledged $400,000 to Australian bushfire relief efforts, the sports international governing body said yesterday.

Twenty-eight people have been killed and thousands made homeless in recent months as huge fires scorched through 11.2 million hectares (27.7 million acres), nearly half the area of the United Kingdom.

The money, which is in addition to the funds raised

by Tennis Australias Aces for Bushfire Relief campaign, will be donated to the Australian

Red Cross which has helped thousands in evacuation centres and aided volunteers and relief workers.

“The worldwide tennis community has come together in support of all those affected by the bushfires across many parts of Australia,” ITF president David Haggerty said in a statement.

“This donation will support the Red Cross teams who are working hard on the ground providing essential emergency assistance including relief centres, aid and practical support for victims, evacuated families and those who have lost their homes.

“We would like to commend all members of the tennis community who are cur-

rently raising funds and awareness.”

With the Australian Open set to begin next week, tennis players have also been donating to relief efforts.

On Sunday, Serena Williams said she would donate her prize-money from winning the Auckland Classic while Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal will feature in an exhibition match to raise funds.

Australian cricket great Shane Warnes “baggy green” cap fetched more than A$1 million ($690,600) in an auction, while nine Australian players from the National Basketball Association have committed $750,000 towards the relief and recovery efforts.

Tuesday January 14, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Some new equipment made available for your use might prove fascinating, Aries, and you're apt to want to learn as much as you can about how it works.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you could find yourself searching for a particular piece of knowledge that you need in order to move on with something you're doing, Taurus. You'll probably find it, perhaps through a friend or colleague.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might find yourself working with an exciting group of people, Gemini.

Perhaps this involves an opportunity to increase your skills or a new project or even a whole new job.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Social events could put you in touch with some exciting new people, Cancer.

They may either share a current interest of yours or bring you opportunities to expand your interests.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Visitors to your home today might engage you in discussions of innovative ways to increase your income, Libra.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your mind is sharp, quick, and full of ideas, Scorpio.

Discussions with others bring useful information that could well open new doors for you if you make the most of it.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Newspapers, books, and TV are apt to bring a lot of new, exciting, and useful information your way, Sagittarius.

This might set your mind going in such a direction as to bring new ideas for projects or business opportunities your way.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The opportunity to make a change in your life, which you may have been contemplating for a long time, could finally manifest itself today, Capricorn.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Contacts made through friends or colleagues, perhaps younger people, might bring new ideas for bettering your home life, Leo.be inclined to pursue it.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Paperwork involving money could be a real drag today, Aquarius, but someone close to you might just show you a way to get it done quickly and efficiently on computers or via another technological innovation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Discussions with close friends, children, and romantic partners take on an especially exciting aura today, Virgo.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your mind always tends to be quick and agile, Pisces, but today you might find it going a thousand miles.

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Serena targets ‘the next goal’ after ending title drought in Auckland Omnisport - Serena Williams said winning in Auckland was “just a step towards the next goal” as she heads to Melbourne for a shot at history in the Australian Open.

The 38-year-old American succeeded in her mission to land a first trophy since landing her 23rd grand slam at Melbourne Park in 2017.

She was absent from the tour for 12 months while becoming a mother and had since been unable to capture a title, losing five finals including four in grand slams.

The defeats were becoming a worrying trend, but a 63 6-4 victory over compatriot Jessica Pegula in the Auckland Open final on Sunday broke that streak.

Now Williams heads to Australia with a 24th slam her target as she bids to move level with Margaret Court at the top of the all-time list.

“It’s pretty satisfying just to get a win in the finals,”

Serena Williams was thrilled to land her first title since the 2017 Australian Open and is eyeing record-equalling major crown in Melbourne.

Williams said. ”I think that was really important for me and I just want to build on it.

“Obviously, it’s just a step towards the next goal.”

Williams could not make

it a twin success as she and Caroline Wozniacki fell to Asia Muhammad and Taylor Townsend in the doubles final.“I’m OK with what happened,” Williams said in a post-match news conference.

“I’m glad I was able to get a title in the singles - it’s been a while. But I’ve been in the finals a lot, so I just keep going and just keep trying.”

Victory over Pegula gave Williams a 73rd WTA singles title, meaning she has won tournaments in four decades, starting with five she won in 1999 as a teenager.

The Australian Open begins on Monday, January 20.

NBA roundup: Irving shines ...

From page 27 route to its fifth straight victory.

The 31-point total was one off Valanciunas season high, set in December at Chicago. The 19 rebounds were his most since he pulled down 20 at Phoenix last March.

The Warriors led by as many as seven points in the first half and were within 6362 in the second minute of the third period after a 3-pointer

by Glenn Robinson III, before the Grizzlies gradually pulled away.

Phoenix Suns 100 - Charlotte Hornets 92 Kelly Oubre Jr. recorded 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead host Phoenix past Charlotte.

Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench, and Devin Booker added 12 points and nine assists for the Suns, who are 5-3 since a season-worst eight-game slide.

Dwayne Bacon scored 24 points off the bench for the Hornets, who have lost four straight games and 10 of their past 12.

(Field Level Media)

Tuesday January 14, 2020

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Kaieteur News

NBA roundup: Irving shines in return as Nets blast Hawks Kyrie Irving scored 21 points in his first game in nearly two months as the Brooklyn Nets never trailed and cruised to a 108-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night in New York.

Irving returned from missing 26 games with right shoulder impingement. In his first game since Nov. 14 at Denver, the All-Star guard made 10 of 11 shots, hit his one 3point try and had three assists in 20 minutes.

After getting 11 points by halftime, Irving went 5-for-5 from the floor in the third before checking out for the rest of the game. He rested over the final 17:54, exiting after the Nets took an 87-50 lead, and the outcome was never in doubt.

The Nets, who were 13-13 in Irvings absence, led by as many as 39 and won their sec-

ond straight game following a seven-game losing streak.

San Antonio Spurs 105 Toronto Raptors 104 DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points 22 in the second half and visiting San Antonio overcame an 18-point deficit to defeat Toronto.

DeRozan, who has scored 20 points in 11 straight games, sank two free throws with nine seconds remaining for what proved to be the game-winning points after Marco Belinellis 3-pointer had given the Spurs the lead.

Kyle Lowry sank a 3pointer with five seconds left to pull Toronto within a point.

After San Antonios LaMarcus Aldridge missed two free throws with four seconds showing, Torontos Pascal Siakam missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

Denver Nuggets 114 - Los

Angeles Clippers 104 Nikola Jokic had 20 points and 15 rebounds for his 21st double-double of the season, Jamal Murray scored 10 of his 19 points from the foul line, and host Denver beat Los Angeles.

Gary Harris scored 15 points, Michael Porter Jr. 13 and Monte Morris 12 for the Nuggets, who had seven players score in double figures.

Kawhi Leonard had 30 points, Lou Williams 26 and Montrezl Harrell 25 for the Clippers, who played without Paul George (hamstring injury). Los Angeles cut a 20point lead down to six in the final minutes but could not complete the rally.

New York Knicks 124 Miami Heat 121 Taj Gibsons free throw with 1:38 remaining put New

Kerber makes strong start at Australian Open warmup in Adelaide SYDNEY (Reuters) Former world number one Angelique Kerber swept past the challenge from Chinas Wang Qiang 6-1 6-3 to pick up her first win of the year at the inaugural Adelaide International yesterday.

The 2016 Australian Open champion was defeated in the opening round at Brisbane last week by Samantha Stosur but dominated her Chinese opponent from the outset.

The German has seen her singles ranking drop to 18 in the world after winning just four matches in her previous nine tournaments and would need some confidence-boosting wins before the Australian Open.

The Adelaide tournament, which kicked off on Sunday, is a combined ATP and WTA event that replaces the Sydney International, which was dropped from the calendar to accommodate the ATP Cup. The tournament has lost some of its sheen after Australias top-ranked mens player Alex de Minaur withdrew due to an injury, joining world number two Novak Djokovic as late withdrawals.

Womens world number one Ash Barty is the top draw at the tournament and will hope to get some matches under her belt before the first Grand Slam of the year, which starts in Melbourne next week.

Barty had a bye in the first round and will begin her Adelaide campaign on Tuesday against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova after she suffered a similar fate as Kerber in falling in her Brisbane opener to Jennifer

Germany’s Angelique Kerber in action.

(REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon) Brady.

“Every match here is a bonus. I feel like Ive trained, done all the preparation well to put myself in a position to try and play my best tennis,” she said. “Thats all I can ask of myself.

“Regardless of whether its one match or if its three or four or five matches here, I think well be ready come next week when we have to deal with that.”

Hometown favourite Ajla Tomljanovic recovered from a bumpy start to beat Kazakh qualifier Yulia Putintseva 76(4) 6-2 in the womens singles and set up a clash against Wimbledon champion Simona Halep in the second round.

Twice Grand Slam winner Halep was a 2018 finalist at the Australian Open and cannot wait to get her season started.

“I feel good. I feel healthy.

I have no problems. I had the chance to train properly in the off-season,” the Romanian former world number one said.

“I worked hard. I feel much better than last year when I started the year. Now we have just to play and to see how its going to go.”

Swiss world No.7 Belinda Bencic picked up a hardfought 6-4 6-4 win over former top-10 player Daria Kasatkina while American seventh-seed Sofia Kenin thrashed qualifier Viktorija Golubic 6-0 6-4.

In the mens section, bigserving American Sam Querrey had to dig deep to beat French qualifier Gregoire Barrere 6-7(4) 6-2 7-6(5) but Brit Dan Evans continued his strong form from the ATP Cup with a 6-2 6-4 thrashing of Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero.

York ahead for good, capping a comeback from a 14-point second-half deficit to beat Miami.

Julius Randle scored a game-high 26 points to lead seven players in double figures for the Knicks, who snapped a five-game skid after outscoring the Heat 40-27 in the fourth quarter.

Jimmy Butler had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who have dropped two straight for their first losing streak of the season.

Utah Jazz 127 - Washington Wizards 116 Bojan Bogdanovic scored 31 points, and Rudy Gobert added 21 points and 14 rebounds to help Utah beat host Washington for its ninth straight victory.

Jordan Clarkson added 23 points off the bench, and Joe Ingles 20 for Utah. Six players scored in double figures to help the Jazz improve to 141 in their past 15 games.

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks center Alex Len (25) defends during the second half at Barclays Center.

(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports) Bradley Beal scored 25 points to lead the Wizards, and Davis Bertans added 18.

Memphis Grizzlies 122 Golden State Warriors 102 Jonas Valanciunas scored

15 of his team-high 31 points in the third quarter and added 19 rebounds overall as host Memphis broke open a tight game against Golden State en (Continued on page 26)

Federer ready and in good shape for Australian Open campaign MELBOURNE (Reuters) Roger Federer declared himself ready yesterday to kick off the new season at next weeks Australian Open despite having played no competitive matches since November.

The 20-times Grand Slam winner was scheduled to warmup for the years first major at the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia but withdrew to spend more time with his family.

In contrast, his rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal were part of some closely-fought matches at the team event, which was played in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.

Federer, 38, said he was happy with his preparation at home.

“Ive trained long and hard in the off-season and I didnt have any setbacks, which is crucial,” Federer said at a promotional event in Melbourne.

“Last week I was asking myself am I happy to go to Australia, or I should rather just stay here and stopping pack immediately? Because I can.

“I could easily just stay home and I was like, no, no, Im really happy to go to Melbourne and kick off the season there.

“I have kept myself in good shape, obviously I had an amazing team around me.”

A six-time winner at Melbourne Park, Federer won the Australian Open title in 2017 and 2018 but lost to Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round last year.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his group stage match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. (Action Images via Reuters/Tony O’Brien/File Photo) Djokovic went on to win a record seventh Australian Open title in 2019 and looks in perfect shape to add another after his ninth consecutive hard-court win over world number one Nadal on Sunday as Serbia were crowned champions at the ATP Cup. Nadal has also shown no sign of trouble with his game or his fitness and the contenders at the Australian Open could again be the Big Three, who have shared the last 12 Grand Slam titles.

“Im aware that at 38 I shouldnt be the favorite, it should be someone probably in their 20s, but the three of us have been able to stay as the favorites which is great for us,” Federer said.

“Both guys are already showing great signs. I was watching a little bit of their

ATP Cup match and thought that was a great match. Both guys, injury free, are always tough to beat.”

Federer also offered Australian Ash Barty some advice as she prepares to play her home Grand Slam as womens world number one.

“What a year shes had; it was a pleasure watching her play,” Federer said. “She can have a different mindset.

“It can relax you and you can really explore all of your potential and thats what happened to me when I won my first major, and I broke through as world number one after that.

“I thought, well now Im the guy to beat and I prefer to be in this position rather than being a contender. I hope that Ash is also going to see it that way.”

PAGE 28

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Kaieteur News

Houston Astros: MLB finds team guilty of electronic sign stealing BBC Sport - The Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch have been fired after being suspended without pay for a year by Major League Baseball for their role in sign stealing during their 2017 World Series-winning season.

MLB had been investigating claims the team illegally used a camera to steal signs from catchers to pitchers.

Former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers and three anonymous sources told The Athletic in November that the Astros used a camera in the outfield during home games.

The Astros have been fined $5m, the highest amount permitted, and they forfeit their first and second-round draft picks for 2020 and 2021.

In a news conference addressing the ruling, Astros owner Jim Crane confirmed the firings of Luhnow and Hinch.

According to the ruling, the investigation revealed “absolutely no evidence” that Crane was aware of any of the team’s conduct.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was a Houston coach in 2017, is also named in the report and could face a ban.

In addition, MLB is investigating claims that the Red Sox used video replays to steal signs from catchers to pitchers during their 2018 World Series-winning season, following a second report by The Athletic.

MLB prohibits the use of electronic equipment to steal signs.

But the practice, while frowned upon, is otherwise not against the rules.

Catchers flash signs to pitchers using their fingers to call for a specific delivery such as a fastball, curveball or slider - and knowing what pitch is likely to be coming is an advantage to the batter.

The first Athletic report claims that during the 2017 season, Astros players and staff would monitor opposing catchers’ signals as recorded by a camera at Minute Maid Park.

After working out which sign corresponded to which pitch, they would tell the batter what was coming, allegedly banging on a rubbish bin inside the clubhouse to signal an off-speed pitch.

The Astros won their only world title in 2017, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven, at Dodgers Stadium, to win a thrilling 2017 World Series.

It was their first and only championship title, with Houston having been beaten 4-3 by the Washington Nationals in this year’s World Series.

Fiers, 34, was not offered a new contract in Houston after the end of the 2017 season, having been left off their roster for the post-season. He moved to the Detroit Tigers for 2018, and is currently with the Oakland Athletics.

“I just want the game to be cleaned up a little bit because there are guys who are losing their jobs because they’re going in there not knowing,” Fiers said.

The suspensions of Luhnow, Hinch and Brandon Taubman are to begin immediately, ending on the day following the completion of the 2020 World Series.

Former assistant general

manager Taubman, who was dismissed by Houston in October, is also banned for a year without pay.

‘Significant harm to the game’ “I find that the conduct of the Astros, and its senior baseball operations executives, merits significant discipline,” commissioner Rob Manfred said as part of the nine-page ruling.

“The conduct described herein has caused fans, players, executives at other MLB clubs, and members of the media to raise questions about the integrity of games in which the Astros participated. And while it is impossible to determine whether the conduct actually impacted the results on the field, the perception of some that it did causes significant harm to the game.”

Should either Luhnow or Hinch be found to engage in “any future material violations” of MLB rules in the future, they will receive a lifetime ban.

The report says former bench coach Cora, who is now the manager of the Red Sox, was involved in setting up the illegal recordings.

Cora was not disciplined as part of this investigation, but the report states that he could face penalties at the conclusion of the ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal sign-stealing by the Red Sox during the 2018 season.

MLB opened a new investigation last week after The Athletic reported that the Red Sox had used their video/replay room during the 2018 season to learn opponents’ sign sequences.

The Astros beat the Dodgers to win their first World Series in 2017. (Getty Images)

England get U.S. rematch in SheBelieves Cup with Japan and Spain also featuring

Mahomes passes Kansas City past...

From page 28 opening score. Then the Texans defense did its part.

Keke Mingos blocked punt led to Lonnie Johnsons touchdown and minutes later Keion Crossen jumped on Kansas City returner Tyreek Hills muffed punt, leading to Watsons touchdown pass to Darren Fells.

The Texans pushed the lead to 24-0 on a field goal, but the next 41 points belonged to Kansas City.

Mahomes connected with

Williams for a 17-yard touchdown and Kelce for scores of five, six and five yards. In nine minutes, the Chiefs had a 2824 lead.Williams added two more scores in the third quarter as Kansas City broke the game open on his runs of one and five yards.

Blake Bell caught the final touchdown pass from Mahomes, an eight-yarder in the fourth quarter.

PACKERS SCORE FIRST In Green Bay, Adams powered the Packers offense,

catching eight passes for 160 yards as Rodgers threw for 243 yards.Adams caught a 20-yard pass from Rodgers for the games first score and later hauled in a 40-yarder that pushed Green Bay ahead 2810.“He had an unbelievable night,” Rodgers said. “He carried us on offense. His route running ability was incredible.”

Adams also caught a 32yard pass on third down that kept the ball in Green Bays hands in the closing minutes.

The Seahawks made it interesting, though, scoring the final two touchdowns.

Russell Wilson connected with Tyler Lockett on a seven-yard scoring pass and Marshawn Lynch bulled his way in from the one, But the Seahawks, despite Wilsons 277 yards passing and 64 rushing, could not overtake the Packers.

England’s Lucy Bronze in action with Lindsey Horan of the U.S. during the World Cup semifinal. (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo) NEW YORK (Reuters) Womens World Cup champions the United States will face off against Spain, England and Japan in the SheBelieves Cup in March for the fifth edition of the invitational tournament.The fixture between the U.S. and England will be a highly anticipated rematch of last years World Cup semi-final, which the Americans won 2-1 en route to clinching a record fourth world title.The annual tourna-

ment, which England won last year, will take place at three U.S. venues, Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, and Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, in three doubleheader events from March 5 to 11.It is also a chance for players to stake their claim for a place in their respective squads for the Olympic Games in Tokyo later this year.

“Theres nothing better than facing players who force

you to be your best in order to be successful, which is what well get from England, Japan and Spain,” U.S. womens national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski said in a statement, having succeeded Jill Ellis in October last year.Olympic hosts Japan have been in a period of transition as they seek to peak in time for the Games.

They were knocked out of the World Cup at the last 16 stage, as were Spain.

Tuesday January 14, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Mahomes passes Kansas City past Houston, Packers top Seahawks

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes against the Houston Texans during the third quarter in an AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) - Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a record-tying four touchdowns in the second quarter as the Kansas City Chiefs roared back from a 24-0 deficit and defeated the Houston Texans 51-31 in the NFL playoffs on Sunday.

Green Bay also advanced, holding off the Seattle Seahawks 28-23 behind Aaron Rodgers two touchdown passes to Davante Adams. The Packers will visit the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers for the National Football Conference (NFC) championship.

Mahomes, the NFLs most valuable player for the 2018 season, added a fifth touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as the Chiefs advanced to the American Football Conference championship game, where they will play the visiting Tennessee Titans.

The sixth-seeded Titans have beaten the number two seed Chiefs four consecutive times over the last six seasons, including a 35-32 win in November.

Mahomes had 321 yards passing and rushed for 53 more to help Kansas City score points on seven consecutive drives.

He joined former Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams as the only players to have four touchdown passes in a single quarter in a postseason game, the NFL said.

“Obviously we didnt start the way we wanted to,” Mahomes said, “but we found a way.”

Tight end Travis Kelce caught three of Mahomes passes for touchdowns in the second period, a playoff record, despite a hamstring injury.

“I told him, You are a monster, man,” Mahomes said of Kelce, who had 134 yards receiving on 10 catches. “He was fighting through injury and still making plays all day long.”

Running back Damien Williams also had three touchdowns, one on a pass from Mahomes and two on thirdquarter runs.

Houston, after its explosive start, scored only seven points in the second half.

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson rushed five yards for their last score and passed for two touchdowns in the first half.

He had 388 yards passing but could not overcome the Kansas City show.

Kansas Citys mistakes helped Houston build its 240 lead.Watson hit Kenny Stills with a 54-yard strike for the (Continued on page 27)

I feel like a kid again - Dwayne Bravo...

From page 31 Bravo said that he and Harper had not spoken about the T20 World Cup, where West Indies will defend their crown.

The side still has 18 matches to go before that tournament and Bravo doesn’t want to look too far ahead, though he did reiterate his “full commitment” to the West Indies.

“We never discuss anything like that (on T20 World Cup selection).

Yes, a World Cup year, but it is only in October,” he said.

“There’s this series and there’s a Sri Lanka series right after.

I guess if I do well in this series, chances are I might be selected for the next series. It is just a matter of playing it by ear, series by series. Obviously they will be trying players to see what is the best combination and the best

squad they that they think and select come October.

Starting off with Ireland series is just one step to something positive in the making.”

“Looking forward to play with Gayle in maroon” It was in 2013 when the cream of the Caribbean players including Bravo, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine last played together in a West Indies team. Recently Gayle commented that he would keep his options open for the T20 World Cup as he continues keeping himself fit by playing the franchisebased tournaments around the world. Bravo said he still was confident he would link up with Gayle soon.

“Well, he hasn’t gone anyway so I don’t think he has to make a comeback. He’s been there all the time as the

Universe Boss as we call him.

He is our leader.

He is our real, real leader after Brian Lara. Yes, there was Chanderpaul and Sarwan, but Chris Gayle is the next real batting icon of the Caribbean that all the players look up to. He’s still playing.

“I’m looking forward to playing with him once again in the maroon.

That will be good to see the Universe Boss and the Champion on the field again along with Russell and Narine - all these players who we all wanted to play.

That’s all we ever wanted to do.

The Universe Boss will be there and about. Obviously he is on the other side of 40, so it is just a matter of managing him properly and picking different series to play him.”

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17)runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks the second quarter of an NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Lambeau Field. (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

Judges adjourn Diack trial for athletics doping cover-up PARIS (Reuters) - French judges yesterday adjourned the trial of Lamine Diack, the disgraced former head of athletics governing body IAAF who faces charges of corruption and money laundering linked to a Russian doping scandal.

Less than an hour after the hearing began, the trial was halted for procedural reasons and postponed until an unknown date.

The trials opening came five years after prosecutors began their investigation into Diack, from Senegal, who now lives under house arrest in Paris. Investigators have described a web of corruption that was rife in world athletics, including bribes and extortion to cover up positive drug tests.

Diack, 86, has denied wrongdoing. His lawyers said the accusations were baseless.

“He is someone who dedicated almost his entire life to the public and to sport,” Diack lawyer Simon Ndiaye told Reuters.

Diacks co-accused include his son, Papa Massata, who worked as a marketing consultant for the IAAF, now known as World Athletics. Senegal has refused to extradite Papa Massata and he is being tried in absentia.

The trial had been expected to last two weeks. But prosecutors sought the adjournment after receiving several “rather voluminous” documents on Monday from the Senegalese judiciary.

They include the transcript from a November interrogation of Papa Massata and bank documents.

Money laundering alone carries a jail term of up to 10 years in France.

Diack, who led the IAAF from 1999-2015, was one of the most influential men in athletics. His arrest plunged the sports governing body into an unprecedented crisis.

Prosecutors began their investigation after the IAAFs ethics commission and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) uncovered evidence a Russian marathon runner paid 600,000 euros ($683,000) to cover up a positive drug test, allowing her to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Prosecutors highlighted what they described as the “extremely complacent” attitude of the IAAF toward the Russian athletics federation.

Diack acknowledges discussions with the Russians, but denies sanctions were waived

Former President of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Lamine Diack arrives for his trial at the Paris courthouse, France, January 13, 2020.

(REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) in return for personal benefit, his lawyer said.

In a separate case, French prosecutors are investigating alleged bribes related to the Olympics and World Athletics Championships. They suspect Tokyos bidding committee bribed the Diacks in 2013 to secure votes, which the committee has denied.

Under scrutiny is the role of Dentsu Inc, Japans largest advertising agency, and its Swiss-based business partner, Athletics Management & Services AG (AMS).

For nearly two decades, Dentsu has partnered with the IAAF to market media and sponsorship rights across most of the world, while delegating some regions and responsibilities to AMS. In 2014, Dentsu and the IAAF extended their rights agreement through 2029.

Sebastian Coe, Diacks successor, has undertaken to rebuild trust in athletics and introduced changes to the sports governance.

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Ramlakhan, Dyal lead Enmore CCCC A to ECCC/SPR Enterprise 40-over title A

By Zaheer Mohamed

fine half century at the top of the or der from Vishwanauth Ramlakhan followed by an incisive spell from Yuvraj Dyal led Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) A to a 42-run win over Lusignan SC A when the teams collided in the final of the East Coast Cricket Committee/SPR Enterprise 40-over final yesterday.

Ramlakhans knock led Enmore A to 186 all out in 38.5 overs after they decided to bat in front of a fair- size crowd at Enmore Community Centre ground.

Krishna Deosaran provided dogged resistance upfront, and received some support from opener Steve Ramdass, but the other batsmen failed to fire as Lusignan A were bowled out for 144 in 37.4 overs, in reply. Despite Enmore A bowlers maintaining a decent line, had Lusignan A batsmen placed more emphasis on rotating the strike, the game could have been much closer.

Enmore A openers Bheemraj Ramkelawan and Imran Hassan added 22 before Ramkelawan was removed by Kumar Bishundial for 11.

Hassan struck three fours but was caught off Azad Mohamed for 19; Rudolph Singh (00) fell lbw to Rajpaul Basdeo who also sent back Amir Khan (00) to leave Enmore A in some trouble.

However, Ramlakhan steadied the innings nicely and received support from Chaitram Balgobin who hit two fours and a towering six, one of the biggest ever seen at the venue, before he was removed by Basdeo for 18.

Ramlakhan timed the ball well and his top score of 67 included five fours and two sixes; he was caught off Rajindra Naikbaran.

Basdeo and Naikbaran grabbed a few quick wickets in the latter stages of the innings, but Ranjeet Hiralall picked up some crucial runs in a last wicket stand with Satesh Jainarine (09) to prop up the total.

Hiralall remained unbeaten on 27 as Basdeo bagged 520 from eight overs and Naikbaran 2-28.

Boasting o n e o f t h e strongest batting line ups on the East Coast, Lusignan A lost Shazam Ali, caught off Chris Surat for six, early in the chase before Ramdass and Deosaran kept them in the hunt. Ramdass slammed

The runner up Lusignan A.

three fours before he was lbw to Rudolph Singh for 20.

While Deosaran continued to accumulate runs, wickets fell regularly around him; Vishnu Ramjeet was lbw to Jainarine for 12, Gavin Boodwah was taken off Khan for nine and Dyal had Somnauth Bharat stumped for four as the asking rate kept mounting.

Robin Williams struck a six over mid-wicket, but was taken off Dyal shortly after for seven while Bishundial (08) was also sent back by the steady Dyal as Lusignan A hopes of successfully defending their title at this point was largely dependent on Deosaran.

But after hitting two fours and three sixes, the lefthanded Deosaran was caught off Surat for 69 as Enmore A handed their fans much to cheer about. Dyal finished with 4-29 while Surat had 320. Ramlakhan was named

The victorious Enmore A team. man-of-the-match.

Enmore A pocketed a trophy and $100,000 and

Lusignan A took home a trophy and $50,000.

Chairman of the East

Coast Cricket Committee Anil Persaud expressed gratitude to the sponsors, while Secre-

tary of the Guyana Cricket Board Anand Sanasie congratulated the teams.

Morris, Young star as Windies clip Canada in warm-up SOWETO, South Africa, CMC Antonio Morris and Nyeem Young smashed whirlwind half-centuries to power West Indies Under-19s to a three-wicket victory over Canada Under-19s in their first official warm-up match in preparation for the ICC Youth World Cup here yesterday.

Tottering on 89 for five in the 22nd over in pursuit of a challenging 272 for victory at Braamfischer Oval, the Caribbean side rallied brilliantly through Morris who struck an unbeaten 96 off 93 balls and Young who hit 70 off 55 deliveries, as they overhauled their target with 19 balls to spare.

Morris belted half-dozen fours and three sixes while Young was equally devastating with six fours and four sixes, the pair posting an amazing 123 for the sixth wicket in quick time to rescue a run chase in peril.

Matthew Forde then weighed in at the end with a brisk unbeaten 23 off 21 balls with a four and a six to make victory certain.

Young had earlier made his presence felt with his pace taking four for 70 as Canada did well to get up to 271 for nine off their 50 overs, after opting to bat first.

Akhil Kumar top-scored with a polished 59 off 76 de-

liveries and Ayush Verma struck 42 not out, while Benjamin Calitz (38) and Randhir Sandhu (32) both got starts.

Fast bowler Jayden Seales (2-36) and left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd (2-38) supported with two wickets apiece.Sandhu struck seven fours in a breezy 35-ball knock as he helped add 53 for the first wicket with Mihir Patel (14).

When both fell to leave Canada on 74 for two in the 16th over, Kumar and Calitz put on an invaluable 93 for the third wicket to revive the innings.

Kumar faced 76 balls and counted five fours and two

sixes while Calitz belted two fours and a six off 58 deliveries.

Nedd knocked over both in successive overs but Verma, with two fours and three sixes in a cameo 38-ball innings, helped put on 42 for the seventh wicket with Raqib Shamsudeen (19) to rally the innings.

In reply, West Indies were rocked early when captain Kimani Melius fell to the fifth ball of the innings without a run on the board and Leonardo Julien followed in the third over with no addition to the score.

Mbeki Joseph, with 44 off 66 balls, led the fightback by

posting 37 for the third wicket with Kevlon Anderson (14) and a further 30 for the fifth with Morris, before Young arrived to help change the game.

West Indies face Scotland in their next warm-up game tomorrow.

Scores: CANADA U19s 271 for nine off 50 overs (Akhil Kumar 59, Ayush Verma 42, Benjamin Calitz 38, Randhir Sandhu 32; Nyeem Young 4-70, Jayden Seales 236, Ashmead Nedd 2-38).

WEST INDIES U19s 274 for seven off 46.5 overs (Antonio Morris 96 not out, Nyeem Young 70, Mbeki Joseph 44; Rishiv Joshi 4-23).

Tuesday January 14, 2020

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

I feel like a kid again - Dwayne Bravo revels in WI comeback ESPNcricinfo - He might be the oldest member in West Indies’ T20 squad for the Ireland series, but Dwayne Bravo feels like a “kid” after getting the national call-up that will mark his return to international cricket after a nearly four-year long hiatus.

According to Bravo, the three Ireland T20Is, which begin on January 15, were on his mind when he came out of retirement in December. So when he got a call from Roger Harper, the former West Indies allrounder and current chairman of selectors, last week, Bravo could not hide his excitement.

“It’s a great feeling,” Bravo told the Trinidad-based radio station I955 fm on Sunday. “I feel like a kid again when I first get a call from Mr. Harper that welcome back to the team and play international cricket and they were looking forward to have me back. It is something that was always on my mind since the change of leadership and stuff. So just happy I get the opportunity to represent the region again and I am looking forward to doing my best.”

Bravo had a difficult 2019 after picking up a finger injury that kept him out of the Caribbean Premier League but he bounced back from that to lead the Maratha Arabians to win the Abu Dhabi T10 title last November.

Asked if he might be a bit rusty, Bravo disagreed, pointing out fitness was his primary focus during his rehab.

“Yeah, (playing) a lot of cricket is important, but for me because of the experience I’ve gained over the years, I am more concerned about my fitness. Obviously, I had this broken finger, (which) kept getting stronger. I started practising, played a couple of games for Queen’s Park (his local club in Trinidad), but over the years, despite not

playing not much cricket, I am still able to go there and compete and contribute in a very good way.

“For example in the last T10 league, I hadn’t played any cricket in about four months prior to that and still was able to go there and deliver and also win the title. It is just happy time for me.

Since I announce my return in December, my mind and my motivation was on this series and now that I’m selected I am very happy.”

Bravo added that he is a “smarter” bowler now, even if the pace has dipped. “I’m a better bowler, I’m a better allround cricketer. Obviously I’m older, so I will not be as quick I used to be before, but I am also very smarter and have a bigger knowledge on the game.”

“We lack a proper deathover specialist” With the T20 World Cup scheduled in Australia in October, Bravo’s return is clearly an indication that Harper’s panel wants to not just blend experience and youth, but also plug holes. Harper had said that Bravo had been brought back with the “specific” intention of being West Indies’ death-overs specialist.

Bravo is happy to take up the responsibility. “Death bowling is an art,” he said.

“Not many people around the world have really nailed death bowling to the T. If you ask anyone in world cricket to name five death bowlers in the last decade, definitely my name will come along with Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc.

“It is not an easy time of the game, that’s why it is called death. A special skill is required to bowl in those situations. Most times, if you have the ball in the death overs, and you don’t win the game, everyone turn to you, and say, “okay, it is because

Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell shake a leg. (Getty Images)

of the last over”. But you don’t win or lose a game in the last over. So many times, I win a game in the last over and no one says anything. I have defended 6 runs in 6 balls. I have defended 11 runs in 6 balls. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. My stats over the years are there for everyone to see. Like I said, if you were to name three or five death-over specialists my name will be there.”

According to Bravo West Indies’ bowlers have struggled to close out games, especially during the World Cup and even in the recent series against India in December. Now that he is back, he wants to mentor the other bowlers and teach them the tricks that could deployed at death.

“Recently that is where West Indies did falter,” he said. “If you look at the 50overs World Cup, if you look at the series in India, both in T20s and in ODIs, we lack a really, really proper deathovers specialist.

Turbo Knockout Football Competition Northern Rangers and GFC win latest quarterfinal matches Quarter Final matches were contested on Sunday Evening at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue and northern Rangers and Georgetown Football Club (GFC) booked places in the semifinals of the tournament organised by Petra Organisation and sponsored by Guyana Beverages Inc. under their Turbo drink brand.

Northern Rangers clashed with Riddim Squad and their contest reached regulation and extra time locked at 0-0. The result had to 1/19/2020 19:00 hrs 21:00 hrs

be determined via the penalty kick method and Northern Rangers won 2-0 from the spot to advance.

Game 2 saw GFC beating Santos U20 2-1.

Deon Alfred 32nd and Paul Fields 108th responded to Santos Marcus Wilson 19th minute opening strike to clinch their semifinal berth.

The semifinals will be played on Sunday at the same venue, MoE ground starting at 19:00hrs.

The semifinal fixtures read: Semi Finals Ministry Of Education Pouderoyen Fruta Conquerors U20 Northern Rangers Georgetown Football Club

Match # 17 18

“Again this is my motivation also to try and work with current bowlers. There’s [Sheldon] Cottrell, there’s Keemo Paul, there’s Alzarri Joseph, there’s Oshane Thomas, there’s Kesrick Williams.

Collectively all of us have to get better, myself included.

But with the experience that I have, I can get them to understand the importance of certain deliveries and when to bowl certain deliveries and work on a better finishing game plan.”

T20 World Cup - ‘playing by ear’ (Continued on page 29))

Dwayne Bravo at an event in Mumbai.

(Getty Images)

Romario Shepherd named in West Indies T20I Squad vs Ireland St Georges, Grenada The selection panel of Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday named Romario Shepherd as the 14th player in the squad for the three-match Twenty20 International Series against Ireland. The matches will be played at Grenada National Stadium on Wednesday, January 15 and at Warner Park, St Kitts on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19.

The tall strong-built fast bowling all-rounder has earned his first call-up in this format. He has so far played five One-Day Internationals since making his international debut last year against Afghanistan in Lucknow, India.

FULL SQUAD; Kieron Pollard (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Lendl Simmons, Hayden Walsh jr and Kesrick Williams.

Romario Shepherd

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

2020 Concacaf Womens Under-20 C/ship Guyana and Saint Kitts & Nevis elevated to Group Stage; Costa Rica & Panama to host FIFA World Cup

A

fter being awarded the rights as FIFA Womens Under20 World Cup, 2020 hosts, two slots from the Group Stage of the 2020 Concacaf Womens Under20 Championship set for the Dominican Republic this February/March, would have been left vacant.

These slots have been filled by the respective winners of the Concacaf Qualifying round, Groups A and B, Guyana and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The historic and welcome news was communicated to General Secretary (ag.) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Rev. Ian Alves by Concacaf Director of Football Competitions, Carlos F e r n a n d e z .

Guyana romped to a clean sweep of Group A here at the Leonora Track and Field Facility with wins over Bermuda (2-0), Suriname (3-1), Saint Lucia (2-0) and Antigua & Barbuda (2-0) in July of last year.

Guyanas Lady Jags have now earned a spot in Group D of the Concacaf Group Stage alongside Mexico, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico, while Saint Kitts and Nevis will battle in Group F with the

Heading to Dom. Rep! Lady Jags in control against Suriname last July at Leonora in their Concacaf Womens Under 20 Championship Qualifying round match. (Franklin Wilson photo) likes of Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Cayman Islands.

The third placed teams from Group A (Bermuda) and Group B (Barbados) from the qualifying round will replace the slot 1A (Guyana) and slot 1B (Saint Kitts & Nevis) in the round of 16.

Concacaf also informed that the confederation would

have been awarded an additional slot as hosts of the FIFA Womens Under-20 World Cup, 2020 in addition to the three slots originally assigned.

The Concacaf Council concluded that two slots would be granted to Costa Rica and Panama as host countries, and therefore, will

no longer participate in the 2020 Concacaf Womens Under-20 Championship.

The two slots available would be determined by Champion and Runner-up teams at the 2020 Concacaf Womens Under-20 Championship and therefore, no third place match would be played.

Competition is set for Febru-

ary 22 to March 8, 2020 in the Dominican Republic.

Guyanas Lady Jags will open against Nicaragua on Febru-

ary 23rd, two days later the Guyanese face off with Puerto Rico with a clash against Mexico set for February 27th.

Group C: United States, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Cuba Group D: Mexico, Guyana, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico Group E: Canada, Jamaica, Guatemala and El Salvador Group F: Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts & Nevis and Cayman Islands

Iran’s only female Olympic Jofra Archer: Man who abused medalist in the Netherlands - NOS England fast bowler banned by

Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin (IRI) of Iran during the 2016 Rio Olympics. (REUTERS/Issei Kato) AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Irans only female Olympic medalist has been training in the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven after leaving her homeland several weeks ago, national broadcaster NOS reported yesterday.

Taekwondo champion Kimia Alizadeh, who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, had said on social media she left because she had had enough of being

used by its authorities as a propaganda tool.

A taekwondo trainer in the Netherlands, Mimoun El Boujjoufi, told the NOS he had been approached by Alizadeh a month ago.

“She was on holiday in Europe, but decided with her partner not to return to Iran,” el Boujjoufi was quoted as saying. “Of course she is welcome here. We know her qualities. She is a great addition to

taekwondo in the Netherlands.”

In an Instagram post over the weekend, Alizadeh had implied she had moved to Europe, but provided no details.

“No one has invited me to Europe and I havent been given a tempting offer. But I accept the pain and hardship of homesickness because I didnt want to be part of hypocrisy, lies, injustice and flattery,” she said.

“I am one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran whom theyve been playing for years... I wore whatever they told me and repeated whatever they ordered. Every sentence they ordered I repeated,” she wrote.

It was unclear whether the Netherlands had been contacted about an asylum request. The Foreign Ministry declined to comment.

Alizadeh said the Islamic Republics authorities had attributed her success to their management and the fact that she wore the Islamic veil, which is obligatory in Iran.

BBC Sport - A man who racially abused England fast bowler Jofra Archer during the first Test against New Zealand in November has been banned from attending international and domestic matches in the country for two years.

Archer said he heard comments during the final day of the innings-and-65-run defeat at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval.After a police investigation a 28-year-old from Auckland admitted the abuse.

He has been issued with a verbal warning for using insulting language.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) say they have contacted the man and written to him, advising of his ban until 2022. If he breaches the ban he could be “subjected to further police action”.

“We’d again like to extend our apologies to Jofra and the England team management for such an unsavoury incident and reiterate once more that this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable,”

New Zealand Cricket

Jofra Archer took one wicket during the first-Test defeat by New Zealand. (Getty Images) said NZC spokesman Anthony Crummy.

Crummy said NZC would not be identifying the individual.

He added: “We want to thank the New Zealand police for their efforts in identifying the person responsible, and

for making it clear that this type of behaviour will not be minimised.”Archer described the incident as “disturbing”, while New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said the abuse was “horrific” and that he hoped “nothing like that ever happens again”.

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 14, 2020

Jaguars Coach and Captain delighted with 1st round win -But wants set batsmen to score more hundreds

By Sean Devers Guyana Jaguars had an auspicious start to their title defence when they whipped their nemesis Leewards Hurricanes by 10 wickets in a Day/Night match in the first round of Regional Four-Day Championships which was played with a pink ball and ended on Sunday Night at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

The Jaguars on the back of half-centuries from Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Skipper Leon Johnson and Christopher Barnwell, made 388 in their first innings.

The host, forced to followon, fell for 154 and 254 as pacer Nial Smith captured eight wickets on his debut, including 6-65 from 16 overs in the first innings, while leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul took five wickets in the match.

Jaguars now face Barbados (who lost to the Windwards) in their next game set to start on Thursday at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Yesterday Jaguars Head Coach and former Guyana p a c e r, E s u a n C r a n d o n , informed the team wanted to start well by winning their first game and set high standards throughout the competition.

“We executed most of our batting, bowling and fielding plans. Most of the boxes were ticked. I am happy with the way we played during the match and I know this team is going to get better in all aspects of the game,” said Crandon, who took 90 wickets from 38 First-Class games.

B u t t h e 3 7 - y e a r- o l d Crandon said that while posting 388 in the first innings was always a good score on that pitch, he felt the batsmen didn’t capitalize and failed to take full advantage of the batting friendly condition especially during the daylight hours.

“I’m disappointed that none of the top six batters converted their starts into a century. It is something we spoke of before the tournament and I’m sure the guys are disappointed as well.

Crandon, who delivered the first ball in the inaugural four-day Day/Night game with a pink ball when Guyana opposed T&T in Antigua in 2010, was high in praise for 24-year-old Smith.

“Smith bowled with good pace and control. I was very

impressed with his work throughout the match. He brought that added pace to the fast bowling attack and is a natural wicket-taker.

He now has to continue working hard on his fitness and skills to be able to sustain more performances like he did in that match,” the Head Coach from Berbice said.

Crandon disclosed that the team plans for Barbados will not differ much from those in Antigua.

“Obviously, we have got to assess the conditions in Barbados and formulate our plans to suit the condition and o p p o s i t i o n . We e x p e c t Barbados to play their strongest available players and we’re looking forward to a keenly contested game of cricket.”

Skipper Leon Johnson, searching for a record breaking sixth consecutive First-Class title, said it was very important to start with a win for the confidence of team.

“Leewards have proven a very difficult opposition over the last three seasons, so it was great to beat them at home,” said Johnson who needs another 223 runs to reach 6,000 First-Class runs.

Johnson s 59 in this game, was his 38th fifty at this level from 110 matches but he has only managed to convert five of his 43 scores of over 50, into hundreds.

The 32-year-old lefthander, who has played nine Tests but none since October 2016, agreed with his Coach about the batsmens failure to convert good starts into centuries.

“It was pleasing that we achieved most of the targets that we set out with the exception of at least one century in the game, four batsmen got half centuries and two 40 odd scores, at least one of us should have converted to a 100,” said the Regions most successful First-Class Captain.The satisfied Jaguars Captain said the pitch was a pretty flat one and the bowlers did exceptionally well to bowl out the opposition twice for scores of under 300.

Keemo Paul is injured and Romario Shepherd has replaced him in the West Indies T20 team for the threematch series which starts on Wednesday in Grenada and along with Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford will be unavailable for Thursdays game.

Nial Smith took 8 wickets in Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon his First-Class debut in Antigua

Leon Johnson

2020 Concacaf Womens Under-20 C/ship

Guyana and Saint Kitts & Nevis t r o elevated to Group Stage; Sp Costa Rica & Panama to host FIFA World Cup

Flashback! The Lady Jags’, winner of the Concacaf Womens Under20 Championship Qualifying round, Group A July, 2019 at the Leonora Track and Field Facility. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Ramlakhan, Dyal lead Enmore CCCCA to ECCC/SPR Enterprise 40-over title Enmore A skipper Bheemraj Ramkelawan accepts the winning trophy from GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie.

Morris, Young star as Windies clip Canada in warm-up

Fast bowler Nyeem Young … claimed four wickets.

Jaguars Coach and Captain delighted with 1st round win -But wants set batsmen to score more hundreds Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.