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AIETEUR NEWS

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Guyana signs on to Friday Edition several conventions on oil spill readiness January 18, 2019 - Vol. 21 No. 03

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House-to-House registration not necessary at this time … being used as tactic to 'frustrate election deadline' - Opposition Leader

Suriname's Top Cop CARPHA warns of possibility of severe to probe "undercover” dengue outbreak police entering Guyana - Region urged to implement measures to reduce impact

- coke seized from rice container destroyed

The Cessna aircraft shortly after its landing gear collapsed

Aviation regulator grounds Cessna Caravans after landing gear incident Joint statement on AFC not weakened,can Govt. in panic command same number mode over youth meeting with govt. was of Ministers - Ramjattan vote - Jagdeo a misrepresentation - PPP

Guyana's capability to manage contracts still a concern for Exxon - Industry Experts

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2019

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Suriname's Top Cop to probe "undercover�

- coke seized from rice police entering Guyana container destroyed

S

uriname media report that a probe is expected to get underway into alleged "undercover cops" entering Guyana, in relation to the recent major cocaine bust in the neighbouring Dutch Republic.

Police Corps Suriname's acting chief Roberto Prade, told the Suriname media that he is unaware of an undercover action taken by their force and as such, it may very well be "dirty cops". Prade disclosed that an investigation will be launched.

Kaieteur News had reported in a previous article that sources confirmed that at least five men claiming to be "undercover cops" had entered Guyana on Tuesday and left on Wednesday.

Commander of the related local division had told media operatives that he was unaware of such a development and that Suriname authorities were not in contact with them.

Meanwhile, the cocaine found in rice containers at Jules Sedney Port, and that belonged to the now dead businessman Nitender Oemrawsingh, was burnt by Suriname authorities in the presence of the Dutch media.

The drugs were destroyed in Kraka in the Brokopondo district.

Over 2,200 kilos of coke went up in flames, an amount that was described as Suriname's largest drug bust.

Additionally, Kaieteur News was told by a source in Suriname that five more persons were arrested

Executed: Nitendra Oemrawsingh yesterday in connection with the cocaine, in all, nine persons are now in custody.

Oemrawsingh's Attorney, Irwin Kanhai had announced on Tuesday on a Surinamese radio station that his client had denied that the coke was his and that he was not at the port when the container was loaded.

The drugs were in

packages that were hidden between bags of rice in the container.

Kanhai also revealed that Oemrawsingh had plans to turn himself over to Suriname authorities two days ago with him at his side.

However, the businessman never made it; he was found with a bullet wound to the forehead on the Number 63 Beach on Sunday (two days before he would have turned himself in).

Reports coming out of Suriname indicate that although the police had already identified Oemrawsingh as being connected with the coke found in the containers, he had not been arrested.

The Tuesday prior to his death, he was only questioned, never detained or arrested, a relative confirmed.

It is believed that the businessman, who frequents Guyana, was either taken through the route to Number

63 Beach by boat, shot and killed, and dumped on the beach.

It is also being suggested that maybe the Number 63 Beach route was used regularly by the businessman when he entered the country, leading to him being traced, shot and killed.

Previous reports had also stated that a Surinamese businessman or a member of the mafia may have had Oemrawsingh executed after the coke was found.

He may have been killed over suspicions by persons connected to the cocaine that he would “rat them out".

Initial reports had stated that a resident who lingers nearby the Number 63 Beach had heard what appeared to be a gunshot Sunday

morning, but did not budge to "check it out". A male relative from Berbice had told reporters that Oemrawsingh had indicated that he would be in the country on Sunday, the very day he was found dead.

Additionally, the relative told the media that the last time the businessman was in the country was in August 2018, and that he normally used the backtrack port to enter the country. He added that Oemrawsingh would on many occasions "come in the morning and go back in the afternoon". On all entries, he was alone.

The relative had previously told the media that Oemrawsingh was a lover of birds and actively involved in the business.

Another relative had said

that the businessman was a philanthropist who gave back to the needy in Suriname.

Oemrawsingh, a father of two girls, was shot execution-style to the head.

U.S. and Suriname currency was found in his pockets along with a cellular phone near his head.

An autopsy conducted at the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary revealed that he died from shock and haemorrhage due to a single gunshot wound to the head.

Lacerations to the brain were also observed.

The PM was performed by government Pathologist Vivekanand Bridgemohan o n We d n e s d a y.

Oemrawsingh's body has since been handed over to his relatives.

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Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

BREXIT MAYHEM Almost three years after the June 2016 referendum in Britain in which 51.9 percent of Britons voted to leave the European Union (EU), British lawmakers on Tuesday crushed Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit strategy by a huge margin.

The vote - 432 against and 202 in favour of the deal is the worst defeat in modern British Parliamentary history.

It could trigger political chaos that could lead to a disorderly exit of Britain from the EU or a reversal of the 2016 decision to leave.

More than 100 conservative members of Parliament from May’s party who had earlier supported the Brexit deal joined forces with the opposition Labour Party to defeat it.

The huge vote margin against the deal was a humiliating loss for the Prime Minister.

The defeat undermined her proposal for an amicable exit by Britain from the EU. It was the first British Parliamentary defeat of a Treaty since 1864.

Moments after the results of the vote were announced, the leader of the Opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn, promptly tabled a no-confidence motion in Parliament against Prime Minister May’s government, which if passed, could have triggered a national election in Britain. However, the motion was defeated.

This was a reminder to us here, of what the leader of the opposition in Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, did right after the November 12 Local Government Elections.

But if there was any consolation for Prime Minister May, many of her conservative party members who were vehement opponents of the Brexit deal, and even the small Irish Party, which had propped up her minority government but voted against the deal, signalled their readiness to vote against the no-confidence motion.

They delivered on this the following day as the government won that vote 325-306.

However, it was still clear that the British Parliament did not support the proposed Brexit deal.

A determined Theresa May, with no alternative proposal, told Parliament that she accepted the verdict, but regretted that the vote essentially did not honour the decision of the people in the referendum.

May told the nation that she could still create an Accord with the EU, but many prominent opponents, including members of her party have disagreed.

With the March 29 deadline fast approaching for Britain to exit the EU, opponents of the Brexit have urged the Prime Minister to seek better terms from the EU. But this may not happen, because Britain is now ensnared in the deepest political crisis in more than a half century as it grapples with how or whether to exit the EU, which it joined 45 years ago in 1973.

Even though the EU has made it pellucid that the Brexit deal is the best Britain could get to ensure an orderly withdrawal, it has become more likely that Britain would seek a postponement of the March 29th deadline or consider reversing Brexit altogether.

Ever since the June 2016 referendum, Britain has remained a divided country over its membership in the EU, which was forged by France and Germany after their devastation in World War II. Britain is now at a crossroads, due largely to the weak hand that Prime Minister May had drawn in the Brexit negotiations. EU countries had also faced a political imperative.

It could not have allowed Britain an unscathed withdrawal from the union, because it would allow other members faced with internal political pressure to believe that a painless exit is an option.

Exacting its pound of flesh from Britain is crucial to its own existence, and it has already signaled this to all member states.

Some reservations about shared governance isolation and the major parties are in the gov- countability between the votproposal economic like, we create our own climate ernment, who is there to cri- ers and elected representaDEAR EDITOR, The establishment of the new political party calling itself A New and United Guyana (ANUG) is welcome provided that it can exert increased pressure for positive change and offer an additional dimension of political choice to voters. I would not be surprised to see other new parties in forthcoming national elections reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the political status quo (the new party FED-UP has announced its formation since this letter was first written).

I particularly welcome the emphasis on constitutional reform as the main policy platform of the new party. As I have said in previous letters, it is clear that the main drawback to progress in Guyana has been a persistent undercurrent of political instability.

Being spared the problems of major natural disasters, lack of natural resources, absence of educational opportunities,

of instability.

While I agree with the emphasis on constitutional reform, I have reservations about the specific proposals that the new party appears to be embracing. In its understandable preoccupation with the country’s history of ethnically driven politics, the party seems focused on finding a formula for shared governance.

Among the proposals advocated as a startingpoint for discussion they mention the idea of a system in which all the parties winning more than 15 percent of total votes would be invited to participate in the government.

This proposal will be appealing to many Guyanese in the present climate of political discord but I doubt that it addresses our fundamental governance challenges. A strong opposition in Parliament is part of a healthy political framework. If all of the

tique governmental management and curb excess? This would for practical purposes be akin to a one-party state.

Part of the problem we face is that after decades under the trauma of despotic governance, Guyanese people have lost appreciation of the fact that the government is supposed to be the servant of the people. Consequently, Guyanese people are looking for a benevolent father government to lead us out of the wilderness. Some people go so far as to suggest that Guyana needs a dictator (usually invoking the example of Lee Kuan Yew).

The power-sharing proposal plays into this sentiment of an overarching government, to the neglect of considerations of what it will take to deliver the goods (so to speak).

To my mind the most fundamental weakness of the Guyanese political and electoral system is the lack of ac-

tives. Elected representatives owe allegiance to their political leaders and not to the voters.

Citizens bemoan the fact that the only time they receive candidates’ attention is just before an election. We can expect the low voter turnout at the recent local government elections to be repeated as voters lose confidence that their votes make a difference in their lives.

Let me be clear that I can identify with the motivations behind shared governance proposals but electoral reform design calls for a more in-depth process. With more than a dozen distinct electoral systems and countless combinations in operation around the world, it is clearly feasible to design a system for Guyana that addresses concerns about accountability, inclusiveness and effectiveness.

Yours sincerely, Desmond Thomas

Errol Barrow—Architect of a collective CARICOM foreign policy DEAR EDITOR, This coming Monday, the 21st of January 2019, is the 99th anniversary of the birth of Barbadian national hero Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, and will be celebrated in Barbados as “Errol Barrow Day” – a national public holiday.

In light of the recent happenings in the Organization of American States (OAS) when, on having to deal with a Resolution that purported to delegitimize the inauguration of Nicolas Maduro as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, our CARICOM member states found themselves divided on the issue, with some of them voting for the Resolution, others voting against, and some abstaining, I would like to focus this tribute to Mr. Barrow on his role as an architect of the concept of a collective CARICOM foreign policy.

It was at the historic Seventh Commonwealth Caribbean Heads of Government Conference held at Chaguaramas in Trinidad that the idea of converting the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) into a Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), as well as the associated idea of equipping the new CARICOM with a collective foreign policy were born.

The date was October 1972, and at that time there were only four independent

Commonwealth Caribbean nations : namely, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Barbados, and these newly independent states were led by Michael Manley, Eric Williams, Forbes Burnham, and Errol Barrow respectively.

It was a time of great tension in the affairs of the world – the United States of America (USA) was ablaze with antiVietnam war protests; the Black Power and anti-colonial challenges to national and international structures of domination were going strong; and the so-called “Cold War” between the USA and the Soviet Union was still at a dangerous peak.

Indeed, by 1972, the Caribbean had come to be regarded as one of the primary theatres of the “Cold War”, with the USA making every conceivable effort to isolate the revolutionary Fidel Castro-led government of Cuba.

We need to recall that when—in 1959—the Cuban Revolution triumphed, the new revolutionary Cuban government entered a Western hemisphere environment that was organized around the OAS—a multilateral organization dominated by the USA and dedicated to a USA-inspired anti-Communist mission.

Indeed, in 1954, at the instigation of a USA steeped in McCarthy era anti-Communism, the OAS had issued the

“Declaration of Caracas” which declared that all Marxist revolutionary ideology was intrinsically alien to the Western Hemisphere, and that Marxist revolutionary movements were to be treated as foreign invasions of the Hemisphere.

It was not surprising therefore that as early as June 1959, the USA began pressing the OAS to take punitive actions against Cuba—a founder member of the OAS, but now led by a revolutionary socialist Government.

In August 1960, the USA not only orchestrated a condemnation of Cuba at the OAS on the ground of Cuba’s acceptance of economic assistance from the Soviet Union, but also urged Latin American states to break off diplomatic relations with Cuba – an urging that Venezuela and Colombia adhered to in 1961.

And then the “coup de grace” came in January 1962 when, at the 8th Consultative Meeting of OAS Foreign Ministers in Uruguay, the OAS suspended Cuba’s membership, thereby effectively expelling Cuba from the OAS. This was then followed by the US compiling a so-called “black list” of all countries still trading with Cuba and threatening to cut off US economic and military assistance to them.

But even this was seemingly not enough for the anti-

Cuba forces, and during the 9th Consultative Meeting of Foreign Ministers held in Washington DC in July 1964, a resolution was passed urging all governments of the Western Hemisphere to break diplomatic relations with Cuba.

And—sad to say—in the following years, every single Western Hemisphere nation except Mexico and Canada fell in line with the OAS stipulation and either broke diplomatic relations with Cuba or refused to recognize the revolutionary Republic of Cuba!

This then was the scenario facing the four independent Commonwealth Caribbean countries—three of them being newly-installed members of the OAS—in October 1972.

And, needless-to-say, the leadership of the OAS was insisting that the new Caribbean member states must adhere to the by then well established, USA supported, policy of non-recognition and isolation of revolutionary Cuba.

The magnificent response of the Right Excellent Errol Barrow and his fellow Commonwealth Caribbean leaders—Manley, Williams and Burnham—was to issue the following historic Declaration:“The Prime Ministers of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, meeting together during the Heads of Government Conference at Chaguaramas, have considered the state of (Continued on page 6)

Friday January 18, 2019

The resources allocated to this frivolous project should be redirected to significant endeavours DEAR EDITOR, Flags are a symbol of importance; they represent a form of identification.

The APNU+FC regime upon taking up the mantle of leadership in Guyana announced the need for regional flags. The idea of regional flags was packaged and sold as a representation of independence.

Editor, I believe the Golden Arrowhead serves that very purpose. In addition, this move was soundly rejected by residents and several of the regional officials who also are against the renaming of the regions.

In spite of this, on Tuesday the 15th of January, the DPI posted an article which stated that the Government is moving forward with proposed regional flags and the renaming of the regions.

This Government has had three and a half years to implement such a trivial project. That it finds the need to focus, at this time, on matters which will have no significant impact on the well-being of a population which has to grapple daily with medication shortages, rundown public infrastructure, higher cost of living and the other effects of the current eco-

nomic downturn, is testimony to its misplaced priorities.

The resources allocated towards this frivolous project can be redirected towards job creation, enhanced public security, better roads, improved potable water supply, efficient garbage collection etc.

On the Ministry of Communities website is a pdf document with ten well-designed flags carrying descriptions and an explanation of the region. When was the graphic team procured? How was this done? Is this another situation like the seven regional newsletters; where a graphic artist is paid an astronomical amount monthly for those newsletters?

Readers may recall that this government fell on the 21st December 2018 and rather than using the time remaining to further milk the treasury, the Government should try to bring relief to the long suffering citizenry. For starters, the roads in Albouystown were destroyed during a pipe-laying exercise by the GWI, it has remained in a poor state for almost two years now.

Yours truly, Jason Abdulla

We hope you enjoy this spectacular heavenly event DEAR EDITOR, On the night of Sunday, January 20th, and into the early morning hours of the 21st, a Total Lunar ‘Blood’ Moon eclipse will occur. This grand display can be observed from North, Central, and South Americas.

At approximately 10:36pm local time, the eclipse begins with the Earth’s shadow gradually blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon. The ‘Blood Moon’ occurs just before the entire Moon is engulfed by Earth’s shadow when light from the Sun gets refracted by Earth’s atmosphere causing the red wavelength of light to cast over the Moon.

Traditionally among various cultures, a ‘Blood Moon’ eclipse is linked to an apocalyptic event, either predicted to come in a relatively short period of time or destined to befall humanity in the near future. To some, it is believed to be a night of misfortune.

However, modern science coupled with human rationality in understanding the natural world assures us that we have nothing to worry about.

The ruby-like Moon can be viewed from the comfort of your home, though outdoors. The Moon’s transition into an apparent reddish hue

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is best experienced with the naked eye, but a telescope or binoculars can produce stunning close-up views.

The eclipse in its ‘totality’ phase–that is the moment when the surface of the Moon is completely covered in darkness–is expected to last for just over an hour. The entire eclipse will end around 3:48 am on the 21st. Weather permitting, Guyanese from all regions should anticipate a cosmic show that will surely please the eye.

An eclipse of this magnitude would not be seen again for another few of years – more reason why this should not be missed. But what exactly is a Total Lunar eclipse anyway?

The phenomenon of a Lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth blocks sunlight from hitting the Moon. During a

total lunar eclipse, ‘umbra’ is a full, dark shadow covering the lunar surface. The ‘penumbra’ is a partial outer shadow cast. The Moon passes through these shadows in stages. The initial and final stages (when the Moon is in the penumbral shadow) are not so noticeable, so the best part of a total lunar eclipse is during the ‘middle point’ of the event when the Moon is in the umbra shadow. This is expected to occur at 1:12am local time on the 21st.

This cosmic event can be enjoyed with some snacks, comfortable seating (if desired), and good company. Ensure to be in an environment with no obstructions to the sky, particularly where the Moon would be positioned.

(Continued on page 6)

The immediate solution to this problem requires an independent Parliament DEAR EDITOR, The recent revelations concerning fuel importation dealings point to a central problem in our winner take all system, but one which has an immediate solution.

Licences to import fuel into Guyana are issued by the Guyana Energy Agency, a statutory body intended to operate autonomously and professionally. The Guyana Energy Agency Act makes provision for the management of the GEA, its Chief and Deputy Executive Officers of the GEA, and all heads of departments and other officers to be appointed by the Minister. Their salaries are subject to the approval of the Minister.

The Board of Directors of the GEA is appointed by the Minister and Directors may be removed by the Minister, if he/she thinks they are not acting correctly. Their remuneration is at the discretion of the Minister. So the entire management structure of the GEA is under the control of the Government.

This system of total control pervades public agencies and government-owned entities. Guyana Power & Light Inc., Guyana Water Inc., the Chronicle, Guyoil, Central Housing & Planning should all be autonomous, but their underlying structure permits absolute control by the Government. Such control by the executive has the inevitable effect that political considerations are interjected into what should be an independent decision-making process. There is no doubt that the personnel staffing these entities will include individuals of high professionalism and ethic, but political bias invariably creates a tension when it meets professional dispassion.

As long as a Minister is

empowered to appoint and disappoint, the threat exists that decisions in these agencies will be influenced based on political expediency and party loyalty rather than on merit and national interest.

The system needs to empower and ensure the independence from political influence of the officers, managers or directors who wish to carry out their functions professionally and free from fear of recrimination. The system also needs to assure the electorate on both sides of the divide that all are fairly represented in the decision-making processes.

The solution requires an independent Parliament. By a simple amendment, provision can be made in the GEA Act for the Board to comprise two individuals selected by the Leader of the Opposition, two by the Government/Minister, and one by the largest third party in Parliament. The same change can be made for every agency in Guyana created by statute, and an Act can be passed mandating a similar system of appointment on all government-owned boards.

Such boards, comprising an inclusive mix of PPP and PNC and therefore represent the entire electorate, should include a casting vote by the third party, so that neither of the two giants can use a majority to exclude the other.

Such a Board should select all managers, officers and staff of the Agency which it controls. No more fear of dismissal from employment with a change of Government because of perceived political

alliance. Professionals can be appointed and act in their employment with confidence.

They can tell the Minster ‘no’ without fear of immediate reprisal.

This solution requires a simple majority in Parliament to amend the various legislation and transform our culture.

But it will not happen as long as the Government enjoys the majority in that House, because, in our winner take all system, the two parties have both demonstrated an appetite for absolute control of these important agencies.

Elections may be close. If the result of those elections is a minority Government, the amendments can be done by an Opposition majority in Parliament. And this is possible; indeed the AFC and PNC between 2011 and 2015 enjoyed a majority in Parliament. Although the AFC wasted that opportunity, it can happen again.

We need constitutional reform, but amending the Constitution requires a twothirds majority, and cannot be done without the agreement of both large parties. However, until those parties demonstrate more than lip service to the idea of constitutional reform, ANUG believes that corrective action can be taken immediately after elections for a more inclusive governance structure.

A New and United Guyana

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Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

I was maliciously misquoted in the Guyana Chronicle DEAR EDITOR, When I received a phone call from a female Guyana Chronicle reporter on Wednesday evening, my defences immediately went up.

This is a newspaper that is hostile to the PPP/C and its leadership, and has repeatedly omitted to publish the many letters I have being sending to that editor. And to further compromise their lack of credibility and objectivity, they are willing to publish slanderous statements about me.

The moment the Chronicle reporter introduced herself, I knew I had to be careful of what I said to her for I did not want to be misquoted.

I was also aware of the subject she wanted to discuss, as many believe that I possess dual citizenship. I do not, and I made this very clear to her.

When I was asked about the status of other PPP/C MPs, I referred her to our Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira. She told me she had tried but was unable to reach her. I then suggested that she attend the

press conference being held by the Leader of the Opposition the following day, Thursday, January 17, to get the answers she’s looking for.

Editor, in a sensational piece, “Several PPP MPs have dual citizenship”, the reporter wrote, “The MP said he fully agrees with retired judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Duke Pollard that the National Assembly of Members of Parliament should be cleared of all MPs with dual citizenship. Gill said there should be no cherry picking of the laws, and as such, MPs with dual citizenship should do the honourable thing and step down.”

I categorically deny agreeing with retired CCJ judge Duke Pollard as reported, as it relates to his belief that “Parliament should be cleared of all MPs with dual citizenship.”

And any reference I may have made about “doing the honourable thing” and stepping down, was totally sensationalized to give the wrong impression. I had just brought to her attention a duplicitous

remark made during an AFC press conference, in which the member was asked, “What are the implications of the other MPs with dual citizenship?”

To which the member replied that the case brought against Charrandass in the High Court would only apply to him, and said, “You would probably have to bring another case against the rest.”

I reminded her that Ministers Joseph Harmon and Carl Greenidge had both admitted to having dual citizenship, and suggested they should do the honourable thing and step down.

This is very different to what is being reported.

All journalists should be guided by the professional ethics of that noble profession. But it is evident that the Guyana Chronicle has been contaminated by government who uses that medium to peddle their propaganda.

The newspaper’s reporter maliciously misquoted me.

I am a proud citizen of Guyana who remigrated after spending over 23 years in the good ‘ole USA as a permanent

Errol Barrow—Architect of a...

From page 4 their relations with the Government of Cuba and the obligations which the OAS has sought to impose upon its members in regard to relations with that Government; and make the following statement: (1) The independent English-speaking Caribbean states, exercising their sovereign right to enter into relations with any other sovereign state and pursuing their determination to seek regional solidarity and to achieve meaningful and comprehensive economic cooperation amongst all Caribbean countries will seek the early establishment of relations with Cuba, whether economic, diplomatic or both.

(2) To this end, the independent English-speaking Caribbean states will act together on the basis of agreed

principles.”

Here then were the four smallest and youngest states of the entire Western hemisphere standing on principle; courageously speaking “truth to power”; and setting a noble and principled example for all the other nations of the hemisphere to follow.

Indeed, six months later— in April 1973 – Mr. Barrow gave an address to the Empire Club of Toronto, Canada, and explained the significance of the unified Caribbean stance on Cuba as follows:“……we have managed in our four countries, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados to sustain our independence to the extent that we were considered to have committed an act of defiance in October last year when we took a lead in the western hemisphere in deciding to open diplomatic

relations with the Republic of Cuba, much to the chagrin of our neighbours to the north.

But it demonstrates that the developing countries can take a lead in conditioning the minds of people who should know better…………And I have no doubt that the other countries which are mightier and more powerful than the four small independent countries in the Caribbean will soon shamefacedly or not, have to follow suit……

We cannot sit down in the Caribbean and wait for our strategy to be dictated or governed by the political or other economic or social prejudices of people in other countries because to entertain such a belief would be an abandonment of the sovereignty that we believe in and we have never subscribed to the doctrine of limited sovereignty. And I have been, myself, very firm right from the beginning of Barbados’ independence that we would be friends of all and satellites of none.”

Happy Errol Barrow Day to all my Barbadian and Caribbean brothers and sisters!

Long may the spirit of Errol Barrow live in our beautiful sovereign Caribbean homeland!

David Comissiong, Ambassador to Caricom, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, 1 Culloden Road, Bridgetown Barbados

resident. After my children’s dependency period had ended, I returned home in 2012 in hopes of making a meaningful contribution to the land of my birth. I have never returned since, and have deliberately caused my “Green Card” to expire. I am the holder of one valid passport, issued to me by the Government of Guyana. I will forever be grateful to the People’s Progressive Party for giving me the opportunity to serve my country and her people as a Member of Parliament.

My personal views on dual citizenship are as follows: We live in a democracy where the Constitution is our supreme law. Guyana is but a budding developing country when compared to the industrialized nations of the world. It is estimated that there are more Guyanese living in the diaspora than in Guyana itself. It is also an undisputed fact that Guyanese living abroad are generally more exposed,

educated and experienced. As a third-world country, we must find attractive ways to tap-in to those human resources by attracting more and more Guyanese to return home to serve. The remigrant scheme is one such incentive offered. But the political maturity that Guyanese acquire living abroad cannot be ignored if Guyana is to progress. Perhaps in recognition of this, the laws governing dual citizenship have not been strictly enforced by all administrations.

Since the Charrandass vote, Members of Parliament with known dual citizenship are being branded as unpatriotic and having allegiance to foreign countries. Hogwash!

Once a Guyanese, always a Guyanese!

Ministers Greenidge and Harmon may be guilty of contributing to the visionless policies of this government, and Gail Teixeira may be guilty of fearlessly exposing government corruption, but that has nothing to do with their patriotism and

loyalty to Guyana and her people.

Minister Harmon once risked his life serving this nation in the Guyana Defence Force, you can’t be more patriotic than that.

Perhaps when we finally get down to constitutional reform, we can find common ground to allow resourceful patriotic Guyanese an opportunity to serve, even though they may also have a foreign passport.

My concern is the duplicitous action being taken by government to brand Charrandass as a traitor in pursuing charges to nullify his vote because he has dual citizenship. What Charrandass Persaud did was to alleviate the sufferings of the Guyanese people. He did not do it for Canada. In my books Charrandass Persaud is a brave man and a patriot. I hope the Guyana Chronicle will have the decency to publish this letter, unedited, in its next edition. These are my personal views!

Harry Gill

A case for Irfaan Ali DEAR EDITOR, As the General Elections draw closer as a consequence of the successful No Confidence vote, speculation is rife on who will be the Presidential candidate for the PPP/C. Several names are being bandied about, such as Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Frank Anthony, Irfaan Ali and Charles Ramson Jr., all who in their own right have the credentials to be that person.

This speaks volumes of the strength of the party and the fact that any of those persons are far superior to anyone from the current caretaker government. I say caretaker based upon the fact that with the successful No Confidence vote the government should have resigned by now.

This therefore means that the people of Guyana can be assured that the cabinet of the next PPP/C government will be of a very high quality.

Based upon my assessment of the potential candidates and the current environment we find ourselves in, I have no doubt that the best person to run this country at this time is Mr. Irfaan Ali. Mr. Ali possesses the qualities desired in a new leader at this time. He is relatively young, but possesses the experience as a cabinet member and a parliamentarian that is necessary at this time.

As Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Ali transformed that Ministry into an efficient and productive one.

The morale of the staff at that Ministry during his tenure was at the highest. He earned the reputation as an accom-

modating person, willing to engage with persons from all strata of society.

One of the most commendable aspects of his term as Minister was the distribution of house lots and the creation of Housing Schemes that were racially mixed. Prior to his tenure, villages were mostly divided along racial lines. (Buxton, Enmore, Melanie, Annandale, Success, Plaisance etc.), but because of Mr. Ali’s vision this is no longer the case (Parfaite Harmonie, Diamond, De Willem, Onderneeming, Westminster, etc.). Persons were given house lots randomly, with no prior knowledge of who their neighbours would be. That policy was a great strategy for creating cohesiveness amongst the different races. Persons now lived in close proximity to persons of other races and religion, which has created the opportunity for us to better understand each other.

It is this sort of insight that I believe will enable Mr. Ali to be a great President.

Mr. Irfaan Ali has been a thorn in the side of the Government as head of the PAC in parliament for the past three years. He has consistently identified numerous malfeasance committed by the government and their general wastage of the people’s funds. Mr. Ali’s grasp of the economic realities of the country and the direction we should be heading in, is on full display in the parliament.

His knowledge in this area will serve him well as President as we prepare for

the benefits of the oil discovery to redound to us all.

The government’s current attempts to discredit Mr. Ali only has served to confirm what we all knew, which is that they see him as a major threat to their reign. They believe that by discrediting him, he will lose support, this has backfired however. It has only served to make him look more defiant and revolutionary.

We of the PPP/ C party will rally around our candidate and ensure that he is elevated to the position of President of our great land.

In 1992 when Pakistan won the Cricket World Cup, I can vividly remember the crowd chanting as he took them to victory, ‘Who is the man? Inzamam.” Come next election we will be chanting “Who is the man? Irfaan, as he takes us to victory.

Devindra Persaud

We hope you enjoy this spectacular...

From page 5 Of course, if you have binoculars or a telescope, do have them ready. We hope you enjoy this spectacular heavenly event. Clear skies, Guyana!

Yours faithfully, Ferlin Pedro Nathan Monroe Ariel Bailey Athar Khan Davion Mars Members of the Amateur Astronomy Association of Guyana

Friday January 18, 2019

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

House-to-House registration not necessary at this time … being used as tactic to ‘frustrate election deadline’ – Opposition Leader Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, says that there is no need for Houseto-House registration to be carried out before General Elections are held. At a press conference held yesterday, he responded to the contention raised by multiple government officials, that the practice executed by GECOM is absolutely necessary.

The most recent airing of that contention was by Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, at a press conference on Wednesday last.

Jagdeo said that the government is attempting to frustrate the Constitutional deadline of March 19, which kicked in when the no-Confidence Motion was carried on December 21, 2018.

Ramjattan had said “AFC

doesn’t see polls in 90 days.

Both parties agreed to spend approximately $3B on a House-to-House registration process in 2019.”

Jagdeo rejected that statement, telling members of the media that Ramjattan can’t speak for the PPP/C. He said that “The AFC is so worried about elections,” and that’s the reason they are willing to use House-to-House registration as a tactic to frustrate the election deadline.

Jagdeo said that during the meeting of the government and the Opposition, the President placed House-toHouse registration on the agenda. At that meeting, Jagdeo said that he told the President “… it is impossible to do House-to-House registration now.”

“No decision had been

made at the GECOM commission level about a House-toHouse registration. I know that the secretariat was preparing for one and they put, in their budget, $3B for this, which was then approved by the National Assembly. They were supposed to start in June.”

Jagdeo said he told the President that the situation has radically changed: “At that time, last year, when the Parliament passed the budget for House-to-House registration, the No-Confidence Motion had not been passed, and we have a deadline of 90 days imposed on us. So, now, it’s impossible to have House-toHouse registration, which could take between six to nine months. I made it clear to the President that this cannot happen, given the timelines.”

Ramjattan had supported his advocacy for House-to House registration by saying that there are many persons who are dead, and should be removed from the list.

Jagdeo said that this issue could be cleared up “simply by getting the record from General Registrar’s Office (GRO), sharing these records with the two political parties, publishing their names in the newspapers. Then after two weeks, you remove the names from the list, and you clear out all the dead people.”

However, Ramjattan had (Continued on page 13)

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

PAGE 8

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

Guyana’s capability to manage contracts still a concern for Exxon - Industry Experts USA oil giant, ExxonMobil, may be striking up a successful exploratory record in the Stabroek Block, but it is still concerned about the nation’s capability to manage contracts.

This is according to industry experts attached to Wo o d M a c K e n z i e . T h e point was made during one of its online discussions o n E x x o n M o b i l ’s t e n t h deepwater discovery— The Pluma-1 well.

S p e c i f i c a l l y, Wo o d Mackenzie’s Luiz Hayum said that the operator has some aggressive targets but “it still has concerns especially on Guyana’s capability to manage contracts, possible escalation of local content requirements, but mainly on finding a solution from finding a large amount of gas.”

Be that as it may, Hayum said that the Stabroek Block has huge potential and it confirms the need for

one more development phase which would take it to a total of six.

He noted that Liza Phase One is on track for 2020 production and expects that the fifth development phase would be significant.

Hayum projects that Guyana could expect about 800,000 barrels of oil per day from the fifth phase.

Wood Mackenzie is said to be a global leader in commercial intelligence for

the energy, metals and mining industries.

The Pluma-1 well is ExxonMobil’s tenth and latest discovery to date on the Stabroek Block.

The discovery was announced in December 2018.

Pluma was drilled in a new reservoir and encountered approximately 121 feet (37 metres) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone.

The Noble Tom Madden drillship began drilling it on November 1, last. The well is located approxi-

mately 17 miles (27 kilometres) south of the Turbot-1 well.

The gross recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block is now estimated to total more than five billion oil-equivalent barrels, including Liza and other successful exploration wells such as Payara, Liza deep, Snoek, Turbot, Ranger, Pacora, Longtail and Hammerhead.

The Noble Bob Douglas continues to drill the Liza Phase One development wells and will con-

tinue drilling exploration wells. It will move to drill the Tilapia-1 prospect located 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometres) west of the Longtail-1 well.

The Stena Carron drill ship was docked in November last for scheduled 10year maintenance, during which new K-Pos Dynamic Positioning, K-Chief Automation, K-Thrust Thruster Control and a Kongsberg Riser Management System will all be installed, after which it will return to Guyana.

Friday January 18, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Vote for me…everything will be free, free, free!

Vote for me and there will be full transparency. So transparent, in fact, that everything you will see.

Vote for me and there will be accountability. So accountable, that those in the wrong will be found guilty.

Vote for me and everything will be free. Vote for me and VAT will be free. Vote for me and school lunches will be free, uniforms for the children will be free, school books and the school bus will be free.

Vote for me and every citizen above the age of eighteen will be entitled to free hous-

ing. Vote for me and water will be free. Vote for me and electricity will be free.

Vote for me and education will be free. Vote for me and all health care will be free.

Vote for me and all medication will be free.

Vote for me and paddy will be free. In fact, if you vote for me, all seeds will be free.

Vote for me and milk and cassava will be free. Vote for me and every school child will receive a monthly allowance of $20,000 from the government.

Vote for me and pensions are going to be increased by

Couple to sue State over wrongful charge ...as ecstasy trafficking case not proven, dismissed

Shellyann Gilgeous

Lonsdale Hope

A nurse and her spouse, who were charged last year with trafficking ecstasy, are now looking to file a lawsuit against the State, after the case was dismissed against them yesterday.

Contending that they were wrongfully charged are Shellyann Gilgeous, 27, and her reputed husband Lonsdale Hope, 34, both of Lot 1139 Providence New Scheme, East Bank Demerara.They had been on trial before Magistrate Annette Singh in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It was alleged that on April 23, last, at Regent Road, Bourda, the two persons had in their possession 66 grams of ecstasy, a type of drug, for the purpose of trafficking.

Yesterday when the matter was called, the Magistrate told the court that the Prosecution was unable to prove their case against the couple, hence she dismissed the matter.

Throughout the trial the couple was represented by Attorney-at-law Dexter Todd. They were out on $150,000 each, pending trial.

Advancing that the charge is bad in law, Todd argued that the alleged type of drug his clients were found with is not a prohibited drug under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act.According to Todd, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) should have had the substance the police alleged that was found in his clients’ possession tested, before recommending charges. He added that there is a need for more careful assessment of criminal files. “Where there is lack of evidence on a charge, the DPP should not recommend the institution of criminal charges. Proper legal research should have been done on the matter before putting it to the court,” Todd argued.

He went on to say that the experience had done much harm to the couple’s family and caused unnecessary shame.

According to information, on the day in question, ranks from the police narcotics branch intercepted motorcar PSS 2037, in which Gilgeous and Hope were the lone occupants.

A search was then carried out, and in the back passenger seat of the vehicle, a female handbag was seen. The bag was searched and the alleged narcotics were found inside. It was reported that when the allegation was put to Gilgeous, she gave an oral statement saying that Hope gave her the substance to put into her bag for safekeeping. They were then arrested and later charged

500%. Vote for me and all pensioners are going to have free spectacles. Vote for me and pensioners are going to be given the opportunity to travel free on all minibuses and hire cars. Vote for me and all pensioners will be given a free house.

Vote for me and all investors will not have to pay any interest on their loans. The government will pay the interest. All investors will be allowed to retain all their profits. All employees will not have to pay any taxes.

Vote for me and all rice farmers will be given free tractors and those leasing state lands will not have to pay any

fee for such leases. Vote for me and free drainage and irrigation will be provided.

Vote for me and for every acre of land that is planted, the farmer will receive $100,000.

Vote for me and all policemen will receive a 100% increase in salary, all nurses 200% and all teachers 300%.

Free transportation will be provided to take these categories of workers to and from work.

Vote for me and television will be free, radio will be free, and the newspapers will be free.

Vote for me and every Guyanese will receive not just

a free computer, but a free printer and all the paper and ink required. Vote for me and every house will have internet.V ote for me and every teenager will get a free Samsung Galaxy, and just for added benefits, $200 top-up every month. And just to show you that my government is considerate of those who are poor and do not have enough funds to top-up their phone accounts, we will give free credit of $500 each month.

Do I have your vote now?

Vote for me and we will build all schools free. Vote for me and the sea defences will be free. Vote for me and the

roads will be free. Vote for me and the bridges will be free.

Vote for me and everything will be free.

What do you mean by asking me how I will pay for all of these things? Have you not been hearing me? Everything will be free. So there will be no need for money. No need for property. No need for taxes, because everything will be free, free, free!

PAGE 10

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Each time the APNU+AFC leaders open their mouths, they self-destruct In the history of politics in the CARICOM region, no government has ever mouthed off such foolishness that reduces them to asinine playthings in the eyes of the nation.

Let us just examine some of these things, beginning with the latest imbecilities that emerged last Wednesday from the AFC’s press conference.

When asked to produce credible evidence as to financial rewards for Charrandass’ yes vote. Khemraj Ramjattan said that you just have to believe the politicians. This put Guyana in a special category

of political idiots compared to the rest of the world. Which country has a population that believes what its politicians tell them? Why must humans believe, of all people, politicians?

Politicians are inveterate, congenital, barefaced, morbid liars. They lie to acquire and preserve power. One of the reasons for the mess the UK finds itself in is that pro-Brexit referendum campaigners lied to the British people. The goodies they told the British people that would flow from the UK leaving the EU do not exist and will not be a reality.

It is amazing, an AFC poli-

tician is telling Guyanese people to believe their politicians when the AFC has some sick liars in its midst. Here is graphic evidence of politicians lying shamelessly. The amendment to the drug act was on the order paper of the House since 2016, but the AFC is not telling the truth to the Guyanese people. And that truth is that a very powerful figure in the APNU leadership doesn’t want the Bill.

He said that since 2016. To date, only Michael Carrington of the AFC has publicly informed the nation on that conspiracy.

So if you must believe your politicians, then should the nation have believed President Jagdeo when he publicly said that PPP parliamentarian, Khemraj Ramjattan, was supplying information on the Jagdeo government to the US embassy?

Prior to 2015, did Ramjattan believe his president and his cabinet members on their denials of financial improprieties? Opposition Leader Jagdeo said when he was president, he wasn’t

aware of NIS investment in the Berbice Bridge. At the time, as leader of the AFC, did Ramjattan believe that?

Ramjattan also told the media in relation to the same question of Persaud’s financial reward that people must believe the Police Commissioner. I feel sorry for Ramjattan if in the past when Jagdeo was president, he, Ramjattan, believed Jagdeo, when Jagdeo said that nothing was known against Henry Greene and therefore he was confirming him as police commissioner. I feel sorry for Ramjattan if when he was the leader of the AFC, he believed all the lies Commissioner Greene told this nation, including Ramjattan, that he did not rape a woman, for which the DPP recommended charges.

People are laughing at this government throughout the world. Here is shocking proof that the Government of Guyana is the laughing stock on Planet Earth.

First, the Attorney-General said he knew all along that for a no-confidence motion to

be passed it needed 34 votes, but he chose not to disclose it. Then Ramjattan said at the Wednesday press conference that if the court rules that Persaud was a foreign citizen and couldn’t vote, then legally, the no confidence motion is stuck at 32 versus 32.

How idiotic can humans get. If Persaud’s foreign status prevented him from voting, then it cannot be 32 versus 32, because Harmon, Roopnaraine and Greenidge could not have voted either.

Here is what Ramjattan told the media; we are asking the court to declare Persaud’s vote null and void because he is a foreign citizen, and we are asking the court to pronounce on Persaud only. If the court says Persaud could not have voted, then it does not apply to Harmon, Greenidge and Roopnaraine.

A citizen will have to go to court against each of those three foreign nationals in Guyana’s Parliament.

That is not only ignorance, idiocy and infantilism, but psychosis. It insults

Frederick Kissoon commonsense. It is contemptuous of the essence of law itself. If the court decides that Jack’s use of a maroon car is illegal on Regent Street because the law says no maroon cars are allowed on Regent Street, then once the court rules, you and I cannot drive a maroon car on Regent Street. It cannot be applied to Jack only.

You listen to the AFC press conference and the many subtle dimensions of thinking that came out into the open, and if you have fears about the next election being rigged, your fears are confirmed. I do not think the APNU+AFC will accept defeat in the next general elections. This country is in for dreadful, horrible, mind-boggling times. Guyana’s tragedy lives on.

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

Judge grants stay of Magistrate’s Court proceeding against Irfaan Ali

H

igh Court Judge Franklin Holder has granted a stay of criminal proceedings against former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali. Ali had moved to the High Court to quash several fraud charges he is facing for the controversial Pradoville Two scheme.

As Housing Minister, Ali allegedly played a key role in selling plots of lands at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, to his colleague ministers and other top officials, shortly before Bharrat Jagdeo ended his second term.

Jagdeo himself benefitted from lands, on which he built a large mansion.

Last November, Ali was arrested and slapped with 19 charges by the police’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Ali was supposed to appear in the Magistrate’s Court again as those matters continue.

The former Minister had however moved to the High Court for an order quashing the decision of the DPP to charge him with the offence of ‘conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law’, on the

Attorney Anil Nandlall basis that it was irrational, biased, and influenced by improper considerations and motives.

He also asked the Court for an order quashing the information of oath, of Munilall Persaud, Corporal of Police of the Special Organised Crime Unit, on the 19 charges.

In an attempt to bar the application, State Counsel Leslyn Noble had argued that Ali‘s request in the High Court was premature given that matter was not completed in the Magistrate’s Court.

However yesterday, Justice Holder granted “an interim order restraining the Chief Magistrate or any other Magistrate within the Georgetown Magisterial District from hearing or attempting to hear or determine or taking any further steps in respect of the matter, until the case is completed in the High Court.

Ali’s legal team which comprised Attorneys Neil Boston, S.C., Anil Nandlall, and Devindra Kissoon, had pointed out the basis for which their client is facing allegations of offence of Conspiracy to Defraud Contrary to Common Law is “for selling lands in Pradoville without first obtaining a valuation below their true market value”.

In their submissions, Ali’s lawyers argued that in order for a charge of conspiracy to defraud to be successful, there must be underlying unlawful conduct, and that there was nothing unlawful about selling a property without first obtaining a valuation.

Kissoon in his submissions argued that Ali’s alleged “reckless” conduct could in no way amount to a criminal offence, and that “[T]he conspiracy must incorporate some unlawfulness, either in its object or in its means. An agreement to achieve a lawful object by lawful means cannot amount to a conspiracy to defraud, however dishonourable or unscrupulous the object or means might be.”

Added to that, in response to Ali’s application, DPP

Former Minister Irfaan Ali

Attorney Devindra Kissoon Shalimar Ali-Hack made an application to be dismissed from the case stating that “there was no decision by the DPP to charge the Applicant” and that the “DPP did not advise of any charges.”

The DPP stated that “a file in respect of the disputed area was minuted to the DPP’s Office from the Office of the Crime Chief seeking legal advice after legal advice was obtained by the police from the Police Legal Adviser and it was returned without any advice” since she (DPP) was “a co-owner to a lot in the disputed area.”

Anil Nandlall argued that the DPP’s refusal to charge was an implicit admission that there was no basis to charge, and Senior Counsel Neil Boston indicated the team’s intention to amend the application to challenge the DDP’s refusal to withdraw the charge, despite her admission that she did not advise to charge - the DPP’s admission of her refusal to charge demonstrating the frivolity of the charges.

Justice Holder, agreed there was serious “issue to be tried” and that the issuance of a stay in the interest of the security of justice, and given the fact that the Prosecution took almost 10 years to bring the charges, and that the Court will hear the matter expeditiously, there could be no prejudice to the prosecution.

As such, the Fixed Date Application will be heard on February 5, 2019.

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

Joint statement on meeting with Govt. was a misrepresentation – PPP Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is accusing the government of misrepresenting what occurred at the meeting he had with President David Granger last week. He said this at a press conference yesterday.

Jagdeo said that the statement, and many other programmes after, sought to create the impression that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had shifted its position.

He said that that could not have been further from the truth.

Jagdeo said that the opposition maintains its belief that a government should be in place, but that government should be operating in a caretaker capacity. He further said that the Opposition is urging elections within the constitutionally stipulated 90 days.

“The joint statement did

not give this impression,” said Jagdeo.

Also, Jagdeo said that the President himself sought to mislead the nation in the statement he gave immediately following last week’s meeting.

“The president misled the entire country that we had struck an agreement on how these two branches should function,” Jagdeo said. He continued, “These views have been repeated, so now I see everyone is quoting that meeting to say that it was a great meeting and somehow created the impression that we agreed that elections in 90 days would be conditional upon GECOM’s readiness and the court case,” he said.

“This call has not been dropped. In fact, I reiterated…and spoke of compliance of 106(6), which

House-to-House...

From page 7 also raised the contention that persons aged 15-17 at the time of the last election would now be eligible to vote, and that they should be added to the list. Jagdeo made no mention of that issue.

“We believe what is taking place now in Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is that the government is heavily influencing GECOM, not to start the preparations for elections in 90 days. I’ve notified the international community about this possibility.”He raised what he believes to be a reluctance by GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, to meet with the government and opposition to discuss the readiness of the body to hold elections. “Let me tell you what Mr. Lowenfield has said. He has indicated that he cannot meet the two stakeholders.”Jagdeo expressed his bewilderment that Lowenfield is refusing to meet with the government and the opposition, despite the fact that they are GECOM stakeholders.He said that Lowenfield claims that he needs to get the approval of GECOM’s chairman, and that he has to wait until a GECOM statutory meeting is convened to get that approval.

However, Jagdeo contended that he could simply pick up the phone and call the Chairman, indicating that the two stakeholders would like to meet, and ask whether he would approve of such a meeting.Despite Lowenfield’s reluctant to meet, Jagdeo said, “I know that [the government] has had some discussions with GECOM on this matter.”“So we have a huge hurdle now. And we have to, at some point in time, decide whether we want to

pursue this charade or withdraw from it totally. Because somehow, the government is using all of these things – our willingness to engage and to be helpful and to reach out – to further delay the elections and the readiness of GECOM. So we are very concerned about that issue.” The Leader of the Opposition was asked about the nature of the circumstances under which the PPP/C would allow an extension past the Constitutional deadline, for the holding of General Elections. He declined to answer.

“I’m not going to speculate about any extensions.

This government has a way of spinning everything in their favour. They’re creating this air of normalcy, as though nothing happened on that night. They fell, and they acknowledged that the government fell. This is a lame duck caretaker government.”

Jagdeo said that he has informed key elements of the international community about the current situation, essentially telling them “We want to keep youapprisedofsome developments in Guyana that may dissolve our democracy.”He also attempted to draw a contrast between the reaction of the coalition government and the PPP/C government in their responses to challenges to power. He compared the NoConfidence Motion which was brought against the PPP/C in 2014, to the recent motion.

“When the history of this country is written, we want to reflect how the PPP has behaved, in this period. We had behaved in a responsible manner. Our patience and our mature approach to this matter are because of our love for this country, and because we want to see things go well, so we can put this period behind us and move forward together for the development of the country.”

is resignation.”

Jagdeo told the media that the moment March 19 expires, “This government goes into unconstitutional territory. It becomes illegal and illegitimate, so we have not shifted on any of those timelines…That is our position as of today, as it was at that meeting I had with the president, nothing has changed.”

Jagdeo said that he noticed government is unwavering it its approach to the court.

“We are pleased that the Chief Justice indicated that she will hear the matter expeditiously and we will have a ruling before the end of January… and I suspect that this matter will find its way all the way to the CCJ, and I hope it will be done long before the March 19 deadline.”

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News - New York Edition

January 18 -24, 2019

Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2019

PAGE 15

CARPHA warns of possibility of severe dengue outbreak - Region urged to implement measures to reduce impact

A

major regional dengue fever outbreak could occur in the near future.

This is the prediction of the Caribbean Public Health Agency [CARPHA], which is warning Caricom Member States to take precautionary measures to guard against the impact of such a development.

CARPHA, designated laboratory for Caricom Member States, yesterday announced that based on regional modeling, a dengue outbreak is very possible.

According to CARHPA, the last major regional outbreak of Dengue occurred in 2009. Since then, the Region has experienced two large outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, Chikungunya in 2014 and Zika in 2016, which are unlikely to recur soon. However, it has deduced that another regional outbreak of Dengue may occur in the near future.

This prediction is premised on the fact that in 2018, Latin America showed an increase in the number of Dengue cases and more recently, the outbreak of Dengue in Jamaica has

CARPHA's Executive Director, Dr. C. James Hospedales elevated the level of concern in other Caribbean islands.

CARPHA is therefore advising Member States to implement enhanced measures to reduce mosquito breeding and prevent the spread of disease.

Dengue is a flu-like illness that affects mainly infants, young children and adults. Symptoms typically begin four to 10 days after infection, and include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.

This illness can evolve to severe dengue, characterized by potentially deadly complications, such as internal haemorrhaging, intense and continuous abdominal pain or tenderness and persistent vomiting. In some cases, Dengue may be severe and even cause death.

Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases threaten health, tourism, social and economic development, and a collaborative effort is required to reduce the spread of the disease, CARPHA has noted. The disease therefore remains a global health problem and like Zika and Chikungunya, there is no specific treatment for it.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito vector, which spreads Dengue, is present in all Caribbean territories, Guyana being no exception, due to their tropical predisposition.

The measures used for controlling the spread of Dengue are the same as those for Zika and Chikungunya as these diseases are also transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

With the arrival of the rainy season, mosquito control and awareness activities need to be intensified.

Moreover, Caribbean Ministries of Health are advised to: increase health promotion messages to prevent mosquitoes biting and breeding; combine efforts with communities to eliminate mosquito breeding sites; intensify vector surveillance and control, and disseminate appropriate clinical care and treatment guidelines The most effective way to avoid becoming ill from viruses spread by mosquitoes is to prevent mosquito bites.

Research carried out by CARPHA and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization [PAHO/WHO] show that drums and tyres are the main mosquito breeding sources in our countries.

“We all need to clean up our surroundings. The two most important things to manage mosquito populations in our Caribbean countries are to manage water storage drums and

tanks, and properly dispose of used vehicle tyres to prevent mosquitoes breeding,” w a r n e d D r. C . J a m e s Hospedales, Executive Director of CARPHA. Action that can be taken too includes: covering drums and tanks, cleaning the guttering, removing stagnant water sources, such as old tyres, bottles and buckets, and individuals protecting themselves and their family from bites, CARPHA has advised.

“Infants, young children, older adults and women who

are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR 3535, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus,” according to CARPHA. Added to this, it has noted that “individuals would also do well to work together with f a m i l y, f r i e n d s a n d neighbours to destroy breeding sites in and around their homes and communities to achieve total community impact.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Friday January 18, 2019

Almost 20,000 ganja plants destroyed in Berbice River raid

What the police team found during their narcotics eradication operation at Tabatalli, Berbice River

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force yesterday, during a 13-hour narcotics eradication operation at

Tabatalli, Berbice River, destroyed seven acres of marijuana cultivation.

According to the police, five fields with about 19,500

President Granger reissues book on the Rupununi Rebellion of 1969

David A. Granger, the country's president, has reissued his book, 'The Rupununi Rebellion' to mark the 50th anniversary of the quelling of the Rupununi Rebellion which broke out on January 2, 1969, less than three years after Guyana achieved Independence.

The President was serving as Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) which had operational responsibility for restoring peace at that time.

Rebels, led by a few rich families, had seized control of the Region with arms supplied by a neighbouring country, murdered several policemen

and attempted to secede from Guyana and establish an independent republic.

The rebellion was the res u l t of a conspiracy n o t of Indigenous peoples, but of a few related cattleowning families who lived in huge haciendas. They resisted the prospect of surrendering their ranches to the landless Indigenous peoples in accordance with the Amerindian Lands Commission, which had been established by the Government of the day and which was committed to the re-distribution of land.

The rebels fled to Brazil and Venezuela where they were granted asylum.

plants ranging in height from three inches to eight feet, with an average weight of 9,750 kilograms, five camps, 300 kilograms of processed cannabis and an empty 12gauge casing were found.

The fields, processed cannabis and camps were photographed, and subsequently destroyed by fire.

No arrests were made, the police said.

Aviation regulator grounds Cessna Caravans after landing gear incident

A

uthorities yesterday grounded all Cessna Caravan aircraft after an incident with one on Wednesday. According to reports, the aircraft, bearing registration number 8RYAC, was in the process of being loaded at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport for a hinterland trip. It was shortly after 1pm. The cargo

and passengers were already in the aircraft when the left landing gear collapsed. The plane belongs to Air Services Limited.

According to Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Egbert Field, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the decision to inspect the Caravans was a precautionary one.

By yesterday afternoon, all the planes of the Trans Guyana were cleared for flights, after checks by the GCAA engineers who were on the ground at Ogle.

There are 16 Cessna Caravans in operations among the four operators, Fields disclosed.

Stressing that the inspections were in the interest of safety and not to

The Cessna aircraft shortly after its landing gear collapsed

impact travel to hinterland areas too much, the official explained that the exercise were mainly visual ones.

By yesterday afternoon, GCAA was sending approvals for a few operators to restart flights.

In addition to ASL, which has seven Cessna Caravans, Wings Aviation and Jags also have a number of them.

Kaieteur News

r o f e p a h s n i e s e n a y u G s t ge

PAGE 17

Mash O

2019

Friday January 18, 2019

n Wednesday, Digicel Guyana launched its annual Mash fit camp at the GCC Ground, Bourda. Scores of Guyanese turned up to the free workout sessions instructed by Melissa Roberts (Vanilla). The sessions are geared towards getting persons fit and ready for Mashramani on February 23.

According to Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara, Digicel Guyana is aiming at promoting health and fitness and even though the cell phone company does not have a mash band on the road this year, they are still very much interested in promoting 'Mash Fit'.

Sanichara said that the workout sessions will be conducted weekdays from 5pm-6pm at the GCC ground Bourda. She said, too, that there will be weekly challenges and a grand finale of challenges at the end the six weeks programme on February 22where persons will walk away with prizes.

The event is powered by Digicel and sponsored by Banks DIH, Lipton tea and Bermudez.

. ... er ud Lo d an er rg La , 19 20 i an am hr as M Mabaruma All-Stars Concert kick starts official calendar of events

O

n Saturday January 12, 2019, Mabaruma Settlement Ground, Region 1 came alive with music as the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport successfully hosted its first official calendar activity to jumpstart the Mashramani season for 2019.

The Central Mashramani Committee for 2019 promised to deliver a higher quality of entertainment to the Guyanese people and they delivered on that promise in Mabaruma as hundreds of residents came out to support the All-Stars Concert.

The crowd was entertained by performances from Big Red, Jumo, Brandon Harding, Young Bill Rogers, King Perai, Lady Devoteeand other artistes.The artistes did not disappoint, as they delivered an exciting array of songs in each of the featured genres. King Perai, who is the 2015 Calypso Monarch opened with the winning song for 2015 titled “King Perai� and followed up with a few of his more popular pieces.

Amidst loud applause and cheers, Young Bill Rogers, five time Shanto King , wowed the audience with his storytelling through music while Big Red, Brandon Harding and Jumo energized the crowd with their respective hit songs - the audience was thoroughly entertained.

During a brief comment, Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George

Norton stated that this year, 'Mash' will be bigger and stronger as this is the first time that all 10 Administrative Regions are involved in the Central Mash Committee.

The Minister also encouraged greater participation from the community and stated that the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport will support participation in whatever way it can.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Friday January 18, 2019

TANYA STEPHENS, GLEN WASHINGTON TO PERFORM ON

VALENTINE'S NIGHT O

n February 14, 2019, Guyanese will be able to experience a Night of Love and Culture, as Dreams Production New York City and Friends will be hosting FOR LOVE OF MONEY show and party with two tickets to NYC to be won. The event will star Jamaica Female Sensation TANYA STEPHENS and Glen Washington. More details to follow soon regarding ticket costs and venue. Stay tuned.

Registration for Pulse Ent.'s Orinduik Section now open

Guyana Carnival now open for registration

R

egistration is now open for Pulse Entertainment's Orinduik Section which was designed by Richard and Anthony. The Orinduik costume is said to be the embodiment of passion, love and strength. Only a deposit of US$150 is required for this unique creation.

To see the array of costumes for the various sections, be sure to head down to their showroom at Fashion Line Boutique on South Road. Pulse notes that there are affordable packages for everyone! You can also visit their website at: https://www.guyanacarnival592.com/pulse/

“Liza, The Queen" Costume

for more information or call them on 2270554.

US$520 Costume: ORINDUIK Section: FRONTLINE BODY ONLY >CROWN >COLLAR >HAND PIECES >LEG PIECES Designed by: Richard & Anthony Marketed by:Pulse Entertainment Contact: pulsecarnivalband@gmail.com

It's definitely that time of the year again, the wait is over!

Guyana Carnival is now open for registration with just a deposit of $150 USD. According to organizers, Hits and Jams, online enrolling as well as in house registration will be available. To register online visit www.guyanacarnival592.com where you select the “Bands” option to view all costumes and select your choice. This automatically leads to the creation of your own account. You can also visit their office located at 206 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown where you can have a glimpse of the costumes offered, then make your

deposit. The deadline for registration ends on March 15, 2019.

Revellers will enjoy the benefits of an all inclusive, international standard road experience. Registered patrons will receive a costume, goodie bag, lunch, free premium drinks and security all day while masquerading through the streets to some of the most versatile and renowned Deejays.

Guyana Carnival is slated for May 17th 27th, 2019 where there will be a combination of boat rides, breakfast parties, cooler fetes, j'ouverts, day tours and a grand Independence Day costume parade set for May 26th.

Kaieteur News

HOTTT this weekend!!!

Guyana Carnival to continue regional, global launch this weekend Guyana Carnival continues to go both regional and global for the year of 2019.The journey resumes with the launch of the UK section “Bartica” this weekend on January 20th in London at The Classic on 28 Upper Tooting Road , SW 17 7PG beginning at 5pm sharp. Organizers will then move to the Berbice Launch on January 25th at the New Amsterdam Stelling Road where there will be a costume display and after party from 8pm.

Linden has its turn on January 26th at the Georgetown Bus Park where there will also be a display of costumes from the Genesis and Pulse Band. Join us for the after party with Akelo, DJ Energy, DJ Ryan ,Selector Diamond and Gully Ras. “Mabaruma” and “Jungle Juice” sections take the stage in Brooklyn, New York on February 2nd at 1165 Utica Avenue. Doors open at 10pm and tickets cost $20 USD. For more information you can visit www.guyanacarnival592.com or https: //guyanacarnivaluk.allthetickets.net/53711 or their instagram page @GUYANACARNIVALUK. Stay tuned for Queens and Toronto's confirmation dates!

Aura Bar and Lounge at Pegasus Hotel pres. club night Saturdays Every Saturday, the Management at Aura will be providing an ambiance filled with quality service, delicious food and great music. Every Saturday should be a party to remember and the Aura is determined to give you that experience. The Lounge will be open from 8pm. Music will be provided

by Guyana's most popular DJs. For reservations, you can make contact with management on : 225-2853 or 600-6912.

18

a to vie for Carib Soc th Monarch next mon

E

ighteen talented Guyanese artistes are slated to vie for the coveted Carib Soca Monarch crown next month.

According to organizers, the semifinal is set for February 9 in Linden with the finals to be held at the National Park on February 16.

Attached is a list of the competitors, their stage name and their songs. Stay tuned for more updates next week.

BRAZILIAN AFTER WORK LIME TONIGHT AT TOWER SUITES It is going to be a night of ultimate fun and pleasure at the ultra sleek and sophisticated Tower Hotel Suites as management prepares to launch its one of a kind Brazilian after work lime.

The event promises to treat patrons to some of the finest roast beef, pork, chicken and fish along with a sumptuous serving of seasoned rice, farine and salad.

There will also be specials on the caipirinha drinks. See you there.

PAGE 19

Entertainment POLICE

E P Stag Stage 7: The Ultimate J'ouvert Experience is coming your way next month THE

WHATZ

Friday January 18, 2019

Escape the after work traffic today at Palm Court As the Great Caribbean Singer, Father Fox says, "Who does go to work on a Thursday or even a Friday?" Well, unfortunately, most of us do! But that shouldn't stop you from "ducking" every once in a while when the pressure seems too much and you desire to have a little fun.

Every Friday, one of Guyana's number one entertainment spots, Palm Court will be offering a light celebration called "Escape the after work traffic. The event gets started from 4:00pm to 7:00pm so see you there.

Pegasus Poolside pres. tantalizing BBQ Sundays Every Sunday at the Guyana Pegasus Poolside, patrons would be able to enjoy finger-licking BBQ Chicken accompanied with fries and salad from 5pm-8pm! For children, they would be able to enjoy the Bouncy Castle and Popcorn.

Be sure to bring out your family and friends for a relaxing afternoon.

For more information, contact 225-2853!

L

ast year, the experience was exhilarating, exciting, simply extraordinary. And for 2019, Ansa McAL intends to surpass all expectations once more with its Stag Stage 7 Jouvert. If you never attended this event, then forget

YORUBA SINGERS BAND PRESENTS AFTER WORK LIME TONIGHT One of Guyana's culturally iconic bands, the Yoruba Singers will be hosting this and every Friday, a grand after work lime at the Carifesta Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue.

Show time starts at 6pm and ends until midnight. For further details, patrons can make contact with band members on telephone numbers: 2257714, 6610902 or 6823878.

all you thought you knew about what a real jourvet is supposed to be.

This year , you can expect to have the ultimate j'ouvert experience of your lifetime.

The event is one which promises to bring more water, more colourful power, more smashing hits for the beloved waistline pelters and of course, stag beer all night long come February 22. It is going to be a wicked, wet and wild link up at the National Park Tarmac, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Of course, the team at Kaieteur Entertainment is more than eager to tell you about the lineup of performers billed for the event. But this can only be revealed next week.

We assure you, it is definitely worth the wait. Also, you can expect more detailed information on where to get your tickets.

Stay tuned folks. The Ultimate J'ouvert Experience is coming your way!

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2019

Friday January 18, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Govt. in panic over youth vote – Opposition Leader The Alliance for Change + A Partnership for National Unity (APNU+AFC) government is currently attempting to pick up the slack for not being as accommodating to youth as it should have been, in its three-and-a-half year tenure.

This is according to Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, who said that the government has been in a panic since the No-Confidence Motion was carried on December 21, last year.

During a press conference yesterday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Jagdeo said that he has noticed a surge in public fora being held by the government, targeting youths. He opined that a major reason why the government does not want the General Election to be held before March 19 is because it is looking to get more time to attract support of that demographic for the party, since the most recent figures

40

from the Bureau of Statistics showed persons aged 18 to 35 accounting for more than 60 percent of eligible voters.

Asked whether a PPP/C government would assume and execute the guidelines o f t h e N a t i o n a l Yo u t h Policy as introduced by the coalition government, Jagdeo said that his party is more concerned with practical aspects of youth development and involvement.

T h e N a t i o n a l Yo u t h Policy, which was adopted late 2016 by the National Assembly, had been produced after widespread consultations with youth groups, non-governmental organizations, civil society and other stakeholders.

Minister Nicolette Henry, who was responsible for the policy at the time, said that the policy is in-keeping with the coalition’s promise to focus on the welfare and wellbeing of

youths, as the policy’s guidelines seek to give youth a greater role in the affairs of the country.

At the time of its adoption, the opposition, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had given some resistance to the policy, arguing that the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), its youth arm, had not been consulted. The party also questioned how much money was spent on the policy and what level of consensus was obtained, as it made no specific mention of support for Indigenous youth.

In 2017, President Granger had announced that responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport would be shifted from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Social Cohesion, under the control of Minister

George Norton.

When talk of the policy re-entered the public sphere in December, last year, Interim Chairman of Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), Derwayne Wills, said that, since that shift in responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, the policy has not been owned by any official since Minister Nicolette Henry.

The policy also has not been published by the government, so it is unclear whose office is directly responsible for the policy, its execution, and the review process that it outlines should be facilitated to represent relevant developments such as a shift in responsibility.

SQUEEZED OUT It was pointed out, during Jagdeo’s press conference, that the PPP/C “squeezed out” a young candidate who

was interested in vying for the presidential candidacy, referring to Charles Ramson Junior. Jagdeo said that the persons vying for the candidacy come from age groups, ranging from 30s to 60s, who all have years of experience.

“They had worked themselves up to the leadership of the party already. They had, not just government experience, but they went to the Congress, they got elected, they got into executive, etc.”

Jagdeo said that when he was president, more than half of the Cabinet members were in their 20s, 30s and 40s. “So we have a track record on young people, and it is unassailable in this region, in the entire Caribbean.”

He said that persons [in the international community] were very surprised that the party, while in power, had such young persons manag-

ing key sectors, such as Dr. Ashni Singh, Carolyn Rodrigues. “So we are a party that gives young people an opportunity. I was in my 20s when I became a minister. I was 35 when my party selected me to be the presidential candidate.”

Jagdeo said, “Our youth policy will have a more practical focus, on real things, not telling young people what time they should go out at night and come home 2 o’clock in the morning. That’s not the government’s business. If they want to stay out all night, that’s their business.”

“Once you’re over 18, the state has no business looking into your bedroom or how you spend your money, etc.

No more lectures about Guinness Bar or where you spend your money. That is the approach we bring to people.”

PAGE 22

FOR RENT

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

For professional bee removal with a warranty call The Bee Musketeers on 639-6911 today House plan drafting from $13,000. Sean #667-2189

TAXI SERVICE

FOR SALE 1 Double Steel Wheel Roller, 1-9 Wheel Pneumatic roller, 2 Bitumen Kettle, 1- 3304 Di CAT engine. Tel#275-0367/ 683-7225 1-CAT 215 Excavator, 1 CAT 428 Backhoe, 1 Mack concrete mixer 8 Cu yds, 1 450 Honda Atv. Call: 275-0367/683-7225 Black German Shepherd pups, Riumzeight Gardens WCD. #269-0671/688-1656 1 (250KVA) generator power

by NT55 Cummings. Contact #269-0603/609-2350/644-1190 Used imported glass showcase L72" x H39" x W24" 40,000 each. Tel#625-1514 USED PARTS FOR 320/324 CATERPILLAR MACHINE. CONTACT 223-5273/74 Tacoma, tundra, titan, FI50 parts - engine, transmission, back & front suspension, alternator, starter etc, CD players. Call 695-6461/6397758 Transported property at Covent Garden Island. Call 265-3586

GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)

RZ Minibus BJJ series 6 Lugs new tyres & engine (bottom is pitbull) white. Tel 616-7616, 603-2252. Asking $1.2M Nissan Laurel Executive antique car, Nissan Pathfinder 4-door Jeep.

Superb condition. Price Neg. Call your price. Tel#660-3415/609-7766 One (1) unregistered new model Tacoma, white in color, crash bar, step, alarm etc. Call 695-6461 or 639-7758 Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501 One Hilux Vigo, Smart cab.

Call: 693-7613 Reasonable offer accepted

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1 bedroom apt for working couple/single person $35,000 monthly. Light and Water included. Lodge. Call: 6230076 One 2 bedroom apartment located at North East La Penitence. Contact#668-3259/ 621-3762 Bottom flat 2 bedroom apartment to rent situated at lot 229 Section A Block X Diamond Housing Scheme.

Contact 696-6463/673-6222 1 well-appointed furnished 2 bedroom apartment in Bel Air, with Parking. Tel Nos: 2254106/225-4708 between 8:004:30 Mon-Fri Self-contained rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#2272993 Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Reliable Rentals: Top quality cars, SUV’s at very low rates.

Call: 227-2322/601-2622

WANTED One Mechanic to work in the interior must know about Cummins engine. Contact #699-4718 Urgently need a car in good working condition to work and keep. 673-5240 1 Shop assistant to work in the interior. Experience would be an asset. #669-3162

Transported land 11.6 acres.

Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109

Land at Best Crane Vreed-enhoop 104x417 $2,000,000 transported, Land at Parfaite W.B.D Tel#672-0416

P. Outar and C. Persaud Driving School at Maraj Building. Call: 622-2872, 6150964, 681-2808 EDUCATION

HEALTH

Private Customs Brokerage Certificate Training Course, starts this month end, Register now. Call: 694-8322/501-6931.

Job Opportunity Available

HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924

Nursery: Phonics & Aftercare.

Prenursery & playgroup services. Grades 1-4 phonics & reading. Common entrance preparation. Rising Star Academy. Call 6770296

Cashiers - CXC required porters. Survival supermarket 16 Vlissengen Rd. Newtown General Cleaner & Bond Clerk, must have police clearance, for more info call: 223-0090 Cooks, Handyboys, Roti/Puri makers, Apply at Shanta’s 225 Camp St

1 Cleaner to work shift system.

Apply in person Buddy’s Gym. 137 Sheriff St. 231-4104 Urgently need dry Corilla Bush.Any amount from 1lb to 1000lbs. #609-8281

(2) Responsible male to graze and milk cow. Age 30-45. #2332049 Call anytime after 12 $22,000 start salary.

Contract cars at City Taxi Service & Vlissengen Rd. Tel: 226-7150

Earn up to $5000 daily selling hotdogs. Food handlers needed. Contact Sean #6672189

1 Maid. Tel: 225-3234

Driver/Salesman, Security Guards, Handyman, Bulldozer Operator, Part time Mechanic. # 266 4427

Looking for experienced cook to make soup daily. Good pay, Flexible hours, Call: 622-2693 1 Live in or part time maid. 6955505/611-6364. Between 9:00am to 4:00pm

Experienced salesman 40-45 yrs with driver license. Must know to write bills/calculate.

Keyyfood McDoom Village.

General domestic with cooking experience. Age 3055. Call 616-6988

Part time domestic. East Bank Demerara preferably Diamond/ Grove area. Cooking included.

Tel: 656-7329

Assistant office administrator. Sales and spares assistant. 628-9268

One (1) seamstress to work for an established company.

Must have experience. Call 672-4695 for more information

One female domestic worker.

Must know to cook. Drivers/ porters. Preferably from the East Bank. Call 233-5255, 6109624 One female domestic worker to work in Trinidad. Age 2535. Contact 1868-386-5302

LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way.

Affordable package. Call: 6445166/691-2561

VACANCY

Salon for rental. Hair & nail stations available. New market street. 638-1106. Massage room available

LAND FOR SALE

(1) Fenced land Parfaite Harmony - $2M. Uitvlugt $2.5M Neg. Zeelugt $1.5M Neg. Zeelugt $2.3M Neg. Tel: 697-6311/642-1252

CAR RENTAL VEHICLE FOR SALE

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

PROPERTY FOR SALE Large 3 bedrooms classic house in solid condition- all amenties, huge yard, security.

Price negotiable, Versailles WBD. Call: 660-3415/609-7766

PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc.

Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 6878445 Transport property for sale, BB Eccles, EBD. Call: 616-9490

6 bedrooms house on transported double-lot, all amentities, private yard/ parking.

Located in Georgetown. Call: 6603415,609-7766

Transported property in Regent Street between Wellington & Camp Street.

Tel#655-3332 Opposite Guyoil Gas Station

2 Storey Building @ Prime location in Georgetown. Ideal for business & residence. 89 Robb Street, Bourda. #44-208737-1598/ 225-8427/264-1130

House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657

Commercial Property, double lot next to Harbour Bridge,East Bank... must go #622-1957

House lots for sale, 200k downpayment, 20k monthly #622-1957

Friday January 18, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

630,000 passengers processed through CJIA in 2018 There was a 7% increase in passenger movement through CJIA in 2018

Last year, the highest passenger movement was recorded through the country’s main port of entry -

Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC).

Between January 1 and December 31, 2018, according

to the airport, 630,143 passengers were processed as compared to 592,053 in 2017.

Negligent miners targetted in labour crackdown Minister within the Ministry of Natural Recourses, Simona Broomes, on Wednesday, met with mining operators and other members of the public at her office, during her ministry’s open day. Among those interacting with the minister was the wife of a miner who has not been compensated for several months, for services provided.

According to documents shown to the minister, that matter had been reported to the Department of Labour.

“I know indeed that it is a challenge for the [Ministry of] Social Protection, when it comes to nonpayment of workers in the mining fields, because most times the workers do not have or do not know any information about their employer or the right name of the company because

it runs on a call name…but notwithstanding that, there is a law and persons can be taken to court,” the minister explained to the Department of Public Information following the engagement with the miner’s wife.

In relation to the reported matter, Minister Broomes gave the assurance that her own mining officers will be on the lookout for the operator who has since been reported as unreachable.

Minister Broomes said that contrary to what operators believe, a judgement in

the court can take place in the absence of the accused.

Further, the minister noted that she has undertaken to work along with the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour, to locate these negligent mining operators. ! “I would like to encourage all the miners to honour their labour relations…somebody works with you, pay them. I have undertaken to support the Ministry of Social Protection on these issues... So, you have nowhere to run and go now.”

This represents a 7% increase from the corresponding period last year, the airport has disclosed.

Additionally, for the first time, arriving passengers represented a larger percentage of the total number.

In fact, international passenger arrivals for 2018 was 325,800 or 9 percent higher than 2017.

David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure, attributed the marked

increases to, “Government’s sound economic policies and its unwavering advocacy for an enabling environment for investors including the introduction of a new airline.”

He added that other factors which contributed to this achievement can be associated with increased business interest in oil and gas, agriculture and tourists coming in large numbers for the Easter festivities, Bartica Regatta, Rupununi Rodeo, Christmas and investment forums.

Six airlines currently operate at CJIA to a number of destinations, with New York City continuing to dominate the destinations with a 34 percent market share in 2018.

Destinations Canada and Aruba recorded 15 and 14 percent respectively. Miami followed closely with 12 percent.

There is an ongoing expansion to the airport with a longer runway built and a renovation of the terminal building area.

PAGE 24

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

NDIA deploys irrigation pumps to major rice-growing areas The unpredictable weather pattern continues to pose challenges for the rice industry.

This has led to a shortfall of expectations in rainfall recorded for December2018/ January2019 compared to previous similar periods.

In January 2018, a nationwide average of 94.3 mm precipitation was recorded.

Hence, the current dry spell being experienced in Guyana, commonly called the ‘secondary dry spell’, is posing many problems for rice growers across the country.

This has led to increased surveillance, outreaches and the deployment of pumps to meet the needs of water resources for major rice-growing areas across the country.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been the major contributor to the development of a timely plan to ensure that farmers’ field needs are going to be satisfied.

Fredrick Flatts, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a team of technical Officers on Tuesday last, met with several rice farmers and representatives of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association, at the Boeraserie Water Conser-

Rice farmers attending to a field to save water at Crane

vancy, to appraise the current situation on the ground.

Kaieteur News learnt that in Region Three, adequate water would suffice for another two weeks, but without rainfall, two pumps (160 K/s) would be deployed to irrigate from Bonasika to the Conservancy. Currently, several sections of Region Three have rice aging at 35 days, hence, a further 30 days of water is needed to satisfy the requirements. In addition, engineers assigned to the Regional Office at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, are monitoring the situation at both Leguan and Wakenaam Island. Daily electrical conductivity testing determines water quality and prompt advice to farmers on

irrigation is being provided.

In Region Two, plans are in train to supply water from the Dawa Pump Station to Somerset/ Berts District and downstream from Kaiser to meet the required needs of rice growers.

In Region Five, three pumps will be installed in another three days to supply water from Perth to Mahaicony, and Grass Hoop to Mahaica through the Biaboo Channel. In the Mahaicony to Abary Area, a pinegrade pump will be used to irrigate Burma Area requirements.

In Region Six, current irrigation mechanisms are taking water from the Canje River to supply Black Bush Polder

(BBP) and the front lands. The same approach has been put in place for the 52-74 District.

Georgetown is not behind, since it is commonly known that the city is the largest consumer of water, hence mechanisms are in place at Nancy Intake to supply much needed water for the entire Georgetown Shelter Belt.

Water Users Associations have also been advised to monitor the situation on the ground to ensure that careful water usage is effected to facilitate a successful crop.

For further information, contact to the NDIA by phone can be made: CEO Office 2202727 or Deputy CEO Office: 220-2663 or the nearest GRDB office.

NDIA CEO Fredrick Flatts

Guyana signs on to several conventions on oil spill readiness

A

s international best practice dictate, states are supposed to insulate themselves of the risk of oil spills by using various tools such as industry insurance and national disaster arrangements. According to Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, Guyana will be no exception.

Greenidge s a i d t h a t Guyana has already signed on to several conventions which will help to offer protection if such an eventuality occurs.

He said that these include the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (Bunkers Convention), 2001; and the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC).

He said, too, that Guyana would also be able to benefit from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) which provide financial compensation for oil pollution damage that occurs in Member States.

Guyana is also expected to sign on to the Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage.

The Foreign Affairs Min-

ister said that the move to sign on to the aforementioned conventions is based on advice that the Ministry would have provided to Cabinet, which it subsequently accepted.

Just a few days ago, Greenidge also noted that Guyana and its CARICOM sister, Trinidad and Tobago, have already initiated talks on the exchange of resources for the former’s oil spill readiness.

The official said that these talks stem from the Energy Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed last year between the two parties.

While most of the dialogue has been via emails and phone calls, Greenidge said that “an intensive face-to-face encounter” is expected before the end of the first quarter.

Greenidge said, “Discussions opened from the time TT’s Prime Minister (Dr. Keith Rowley) was here last year. The Department of Energy had a couple of exchanges and I spoke briefly at the ministerial level with some of the TT officials regarding the desirability of having an intensive face-to-face encounter before the end of the first quarter. Oil spill readiness is one of the matters which will take centre stage during

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge the encounter.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister also sought to stress that while the responsibility of Guyana’s oil spill readiness does not rest with his Ministry, Cabinet was advised that certain international partners must be engaged on the matter.

The Minister said that there are other things to be done regarding the issue of oil spill readiness but this will be handled by the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA), the Energy Department and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

In addition to the efforts being undertaken by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Natural Resources Ministry is in the process of seeking international help on various issues, two of which include crisis management in the petroleum sector and boosting Guyana’s preparedness for oil spills.

On its website, the Ministry noted that it is inviting

proposals for Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment consultancy in compliance with the requirements of the Guyana Oil and Gas Capacity Building Project #166730, funded by the World Bank.

The Ministry explained that the Government will hire a consultancy firm to prepare a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) for Guyana’s new oil and gas sector to help meet long-term country development outcomes by integrating environmental, social (including labour), health, safety and security considerations in oil and gas policies, laws and sector growth.

Considering the ongoing and proposed development and capacity building activities for the oil and gas sectors, the SESA is expected to provide a comprehensive sector-wide examination of potential impacts, both positiv e a n d n e g a tive, and identify gaps in regulations, institutional capacity, and public consultation mechanisms.

(See link for more details: https:// motp.gov.gy/index.php/ notices/terms-of-reference/3317-guyana-oilg a s - c a p a c i t y-buildingproject-p166730-terms-ofreference-tor-strategic-en-

vironmental-social-assessment) The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, one of the most critical documents that is supposed to be in place for any emerging petroleum producer like Guyana, is expected to be in place by March 2019.

This was noted by head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams during an interview with this newspaper last year.

Dr. Adams said that the EPA had a chance to review the draft plan and several comments were returned to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) for consideration.

Dr. Adams described the Oil Spill Contingency Plan as “a work in progress” while noting that it needs a lot of details.

The Environmental Engineer is also of the opinion that a proper risk assessment will be needed for the plan. He said that the risk assessment will identify the areas that are most vulnerable to an oil spill and the farreaching effects of such an eventuality.

The EPA Head said that the CDC may wish to hire someone to do the assessment, since it is a technical area and the document will be a most important one for Guyana’s oil sector.

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

AFC not weakened, can command same number of ministers - Ramjattan The Alliance For Change (AFC) denies it is in a weakened state and remains confident that it can still command the number of ministerial seats from the Coalition if it enters government again.

Questions linger over the bargaining power of AFC, seen as the third force, after the recent shock noconfidence vote from one of its own parliamentarians, Charrandass Persaud, which saw the Coalition Government toppled, and also from its performance in the recent local government elections.

The Coalition Government took a drubbing in those elections.

Although the AFC did not contest all constituencies and has been insisting so, its leverage on what it can bring to the table are very real issues which will come up when talks for an agreement comes up again with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

On Wednesday, AFC’s Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, banked on contesting early election as a

coalition partner again.During a press conference, assessing Persaud’s actions and the implications, Ramjattan, the Public Security Minister and a Vice President, was convinced that his party has not lost support and remains in a “strong position”.

He said that AFC has a strong case to ask for the same number of ministries, as there is an agreement between the coalition partners that remains very much in place.

That agreement, the Cummingsburg Accord, spells out how the AFC and APNU are to operate in government.

According to Ramjattan, there is growing support in AFC’s base, with activists ready to do work as they felt “cheated” by what transpired in the National Assembly on December 21st.

The AFC currently controls a number of powerful posts, including Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Public Security, Public Telecommunication, and of course, one of its own, Moses Nagamootoo, is the

Prime Minister.

The Opposition has been boasting that the AFC has lost considerable support in Corentyne, the home area of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo.

According to the Constitution, the noconfidence motion would have triggered the holding of elections within 90 days. Any extension to the life of parliament and the government will have to come from an agreement between the Government and the Opposition.

Government has since gone to court to challenge the validity of the vote and the fact that Persaud has dual citizenship, in conflict with the Constitution which bars Guyana parliamentarians from swearing allegiance to a foreign power.

Ramjattan posited that elections are not likely before the 90 days as there is still house-to-house registration and in any case, the administration is intending to go as far as the Caribbean Court of Justice to challenge the vote which caused the government to fall, by one seat.

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Friday January 18, 2019

Friday January 18, 2019

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Kaieteur News

LeBlanc inspires participation in the game at women’s football symposium from Bermuda FA Hamilton, Bermuda – This past weekend the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) hosted a women’s football symposium under the banner of “Girls and Women’s Empowerment in Football” that featured Concacaf Head of Women’s Football Karina LeBlanc.

The successful event served as an opportunity for women and girls to network and discuss how to better grow women’s football in Bermuda, with a focus on coaches, players and parents. ”It was an honor to be the guest speaker for a special weekend of women’s football in Bermuda,” said LeBlanc.

“This type of event lines up perfectly with our president’s Victor Montagliani’s ONE

Concacaf Vision for growing the women’s game in Bermuda and across our region.”

Their first ever women’s football symposium was well planned in multiple panels which gave voices to the past, present and future of the game opening up great discussions on how they can grow the game on the island.”

The former Canada goalkeeper highlighted Bermuda’s participation in Concacaf tournaments as the catalyst for positive change in its women’s football program. ”With their youth teams getting better in our Concacaf tournaments, and the community really buying into supporting the women’s game, I believe the Bermuda federation has the tools needed to

really make a shift in the women’s game. I look forward to seeing the impact of their plans,” added LeBlanc.

The experiences told by Bermuda women’s footballers far and wide, plus LeBlanc’s presence, made for an informative and uplifting event.

“The inaugural Women’s Football Symposium Weekend was a resounding success,” said BFA President Mark Wade. “There were many takeaways: from the history of women football to the experiences of student athletes and much more. The added bonus was the U9 and U11 tournament. Our special guest, Karina LeBlanc, was able to infuse her energy into the events. I was privileged to be a part of the first of many

Friday January 18, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) An important project could require intense concentration today, Aries, and you're in the right frame of mind. You could be pleased with the results and so could others whose opinions matter.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your practical skills should be operating efficiently, Taurus.

A creative or intellectual discipline that fascinates you might require some intense concentration today.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your practical skills should be operating efficiently, Taurus.

A creative or intellectual discipline that fascinates you might require some intense concentration today.

CANCER(June21–July22) Matters involving your community might require your attention. This is likely to involve communication in some way. Perhaps you want to make some phone calls LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Financial matters might need attention today. Bills may need to be paid, checks deposited, and budgeting worked out.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some projects might require practical attention today, getting irritating little details cleared up and out of the way.

Your natural efficiency is at a peak, so you will probably be able to get these matters done, before you get bored

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Relatives or old friends, particularly seniors, who visit you today are likely to awaken childhood memories that you'd long since forgotten.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you might spend a lot of time on the phone with friends, some of them seniors.

Your conversations will be loving, informative, and revealing, Scorpio.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you could resolve to work harder than ever on whatever it is that brings the results you hope for, Sagittarius. This is likely to involve nothing more glamorous than practical tasks.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Pursuing intellectual interests may be on hold today because of career matters.

Your ambitions, whatever they are, could get a shot in the arm through some new information, possibly from far away.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Memories of past events that caused traumas that you're still dealing with could come to light today. This is a positive development.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you might see old and new friendships and romantic involvements reach a new understanding, Pisces.

This creates a stronger commitment between you and those who care for you.

Women’s Football Symposiums.”

Moving forward, Bermuda football officials are optimistic about the future of women’s football on the island. “The future for Bermuda Women’s Football is bright and we now have unlocked the motivation as a country to drive us forward on to continued success,” said BFA Women’s Committee Chair, K. Charryse Bean. ”We thank Concacaf for sending Karina LeBlanc to come to our island for this inaugural event. I look forward to working with Karina again in the near future,” concluded Bean. (Concacaf)

Concacaf Head of Women’s Football, shares her wisdom with Bermuda Under-15 co-captains Koa Goodchild, left, and and Danni Watson

Serena juggles business, motherhood before beating Bouchard...

From page 28 match ahead of me.”Sharapova holds a 6-4 head-to-head advantage over her Danish opponent but their last meeting was in 2015, and Wozniacki has since stepped up to become one of the most consistent players on the Tour. ”I think we all kind of go along our personal journeys.

We haven’t played each other in a long time. It’s tough to tell (if Wozniacki is harder to beat),” Sharapova added.

Men’s defending champion Roger Federer will look to continue his steady progress against American Taylor Fritz, who has already

ANSA Motors to launch...

From page 32 According to an LGC release, it is expected that long-time member and Managing Director of Ansa McAl Trading, Troy Cadogan will do his best to bring home glory to the company.

Ansa Motors Guyana and the LGC invite all supporters, members and anyone wishing to be a part of this grand occasion, to this inaugural Suzuki Motors Golf Tournament.The nation’s best golfers will compete for trophies in 0-9; 10-18, 19-28 Handicap groups, as well as the Best Golfer Gross and Net scores overall. A Hole-in-One prize will be up for grabs along with the Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin challenges.

Tee-off is scheduled for 12:30hrs, tomorrow.

For more information on the LGC, how to become a member or learn the game, persons can visit the LGC Facebook page lusignangolfclub or call 220 5660.

matched his best ever run at a Grand Slam by making the third round.

After suffering a straight sets defeat by 17-time major winner Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon last year, Alex de Minaur will have a second crack at the Spaniard in front of his home crowd at Rod Laver Arena. ”I think a lot of these

things is just about experience. I’ve already stepped out on court and played him, so that whole experience of playing Rafa, that’s not new to me an more,” the 19-year-old Australian number one said. ”So hopefully this time around I can go a bit more relaxed, just focus on myself, try to play some good tennis.”

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Friday January 18, 2019

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Cricket World Cup 2019 tickets being resold for more than £12,000 BBCsport - World Cup organisers are prepared to take legal action against secondary ticketing sites, with some tickets being priced at over £12,000. Tickets for the England v Australia game at Lord’s are being sold on Viagogo for 104 times their face value. ”We are working closely with lawyers to identify secondary ticket sites which infringe our terms and conditions,” said a World Cup spokesperson. “We are taking appropriate enforcement action against them as required.”

The World Cup takes place in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July. It is not illegal in the UK to resell tickets to international cricket matches, although the Cricket World Cup’s own ticketing website states that no ticket should be offered for public sale.

A Viagogo statement read: “Viagogo does not set ticket prices, sellers set their own prices, which may be above or below the original face value. Where demand is high and tickets are limited, prices increase.”

Tickets for all World Cup matches are banded

Australia captain Aaron Finch and India counterpart Virat Kohli with the World Cup trophy. into four categories bronze, silver, gold and platinum. For the sold-out England-Australia match on 25 June, a vendor on Viagogo is marketing two silver tickets, with a face value of £115, for £12,029 each.

There are a number of other matches involving England and also India where prices of £12,029 per ticket are being asked on Viagogo. The Viagogo statement continued:

“Viagogo is a marketplace and doesn’t buy or sell tickets.

Viagogo provides a platform for third party sellers to sell tickets to event goers. ”Event organisers sometimes make claims that they will deny entry to people who have purchased resold tickets. These types of entry restrictions are highly unfair and in our view, unenforceable and illegal.”

Separately, it has been alleged that Viagogo has previ-

ously approached supporters’ group the Barmy Army with a request to sell some of its allocation for England matches outside of the World Cup, a claim Viagogo has not denied.

When asked about the claim the company replied: “All tickets on Viagogo are valid and it is perfectly legal to resell a ticket or give it to someone else if you want to.”

A total of 48 World Cup matches will take place in En-

gland and Wales, with 36 listed as being sold out of all non-hospitality tickets on the tournament’s ticketing website.

The same site does have an official resale section, but no tickets are currently listed.

As well as Viagogo, Stubhub is selling tickets well over their face value. Two gold tickets for the India v Pakistan match at Old Trafford on 16 June, originally priced at £150 per ticket, are being marketed at £3,280 each.

When asked for a comment by BBC Sport, Stubhub said: “As a ticketing marketplace, StubHub does not set the price of tickets that appear on our site, the fans do.

Importantly, the prices for the tickets mentioned are the ones listed, but as it is often the case, those are not necessarily the prices for which tickets sell. ”StubHub believes that fans should have the flexibility to use, transfer, donate or resell their tickets on the marketplace of their choice that provides them with the best user experience and consumer protections.”

Rakesh Patel, founder of India supporters’ group the

Bharat Army, said: “Through ballots, tickets have got into the hands of people who trying to make a quick buck.”

Although Patel conceded that it is difficult for the International Cricket Council to stop tickets falling into the hands of those who want to resell them, he called on the game’s governing body to do more to reward the loyalty of fans who regularly attend international matches. ”There has to be measures taken to stop these tickets getting into the wrong hands,” he added. “Surely the ICC can track genuine fans who turn up to matches and prioritise matches. It’s something that football clubs do. ”If they are serious about dealing with tickets that get onto secondary sites, they have to do something about it, otherwise it will never stop.”

In November, Cricket World Cup organisers were forced to apologise to thousands of fans who were mistakenly told they had got tickets for the tournament through a ballot.

The World Cup begins on 30 May, when hosts England meet South Africa at The Oval.

Serena juggles business, motherhood before beating Bouchard Melbourne (Reuters) Serena Williams was responding to emails about her clothing line and reorganizing her schedule to spend time with her one-year-old daughter shortly before beating Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 6-2 in the Australian Open second round on yesterday.

Williams, dubbed the Australian Open favorite by Bouchard shortly after the match, is vying for a recordequaling 24th Grand Slam singles title, and will play 18year-old Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska in the third round.

The 37-year-old said that, while life was much more demanding than her earlier years on the tour, it wasn’t anything “special”. ”I’m just doing what I feel like working parents do,” said Williams, who was pregnant when she was last at the Australian Open in 2017, which she won. “They make it work.

I’m just like literally everyone else.”

Playing at a level that mocks her sixteenth seeding, the world’s highest paid female athlete started fast in her second round match, winning the first three games.

That wasn’t the only ominous sign for her Canadian opponent, a former Wimbledon finalist who has been trying to retrieve her

Russia’s Maria Sharapova.

REUTERS/Adnan Abidi stellar form of five years ago.

As Bouchard tried to claw her way back into the match, she watched on helplessly as a powerful Williams groundstroke hit the net tape twice, before dribbling over, giving her no time to respond.

Easily beaten in the first set, the Canadian Bouchard pressed early in the second to lead two games to one.

Williams responded in dominant fashion, and did not drop another game on her way to ending the match with a drivevolley winner. ”I always felt rushed, a bit on the back foot, she just has so much power, so it was tough,” Bouchard said.

Sharapova accepts underdog tag ahead of Wozniacki clashMaria Sharapova has

Serena Williams in action during the match against Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson blasted her way to the third round at the Australian Open but she has accepted an underdog status ahead of her clash with defending champion Caroline Wozniacki today.Sharapova has struggled for form and fitness since her return from a 15month doping ban in 2017, while Wozniacki arrives as third seed after clinching her

maiden Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park last year.

But the 31-year-old Russian has started the new season on a positive note by reaching the quarter-finals at Shenzhen and has dropped just three games in her first two matches this week.

When asked she starts as an underdog against Wozniacki, Sharapova said:

“Relatively speaking on paper, if you’re looking at numbers, yeah, absolutely. ”She’s number three in the world. I mean, I think that speaks for itself in terms of her game, her confidence, everything else. “She loves playing here, loves everything about this tournament.

I certainly have a tough (Continued on page 27)

Friday January 18, 2019

England in West Indies: Jonny Bairstow hits 98 in warm-up game

Jonny Bairstow has scored six centuries in 60 Tests.

BBCsport - Jonny Bairstow scored 98 from 112 balls as England compiled 379-10 on day one of their final warm-up match before the Test series in the West Indies. Bairstow, who made four in the opening tour game, hit 10 fours and two sixes batting at three against a Cricket West Indies President’s XI in Barbados.

He shared 118 with Rory Burns, who scored 68, while Adil Rashid made 48. The rules of the 12-a-side game allow teams to continue batting after the fall of the 10th wicket. The match ends today and the first Test at the Kensington Oval in Barbados begins on 23 January.

Captain Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali and Keaton Jennings failed to reach doubles figures as England slipped to 228-6, but Sam Curran and

Chris Woakes, who made 47 and 43 respectively added useful lower-order runs along with Rashid. England elected not to use allrounder Ben Stokes with the bat and will give their bowlers a day’s preparation today.

Bairstow made a century on his return from injury in the final Test in Sri Lanka in November and is set to continue at number three in the three-Test series against West Indies.

“I’ve batted in a lot of positions in the last few years,” he said. ”I’d still have my head in a load of books if I thought too much about the stats for every position, but for me it’s a case of trying to adapt again to a different role in the side.”

England 379-10 (86.4 overs): Bairstow 98, Burns 68, Reifer 3-39. CWI President’s XI: Yet to bat.

Barcelona fight back to reach Copa del Rey quarter-finals Barcelona overturned a 21 first-leg deficit to beat Levante 4-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. Two fortuitous Ousmane Dembele goals in the first half put Barca - cup winners in the past four seasons - ahead on aggregate at the Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi tucked in a third, his seventh goal in five games.However, Barca could be thrown out of the competition amid claims that they fielded an ineligible player in the first leg.

Levante have said they will lodge a complaint to the

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Spanish federation because Barca defender Juan Brandariz should have been serving a suspension after receiving a yellow card while playing for Barcelona’s B team in the Segunda B division.

Barcelona say a change in the rules, made in November, meant the suspension does not apply to the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid were expelled from the cup in 2015 for fielding Denis Cheryshev when he was an ineligible.

Barcelona were always in control of the second leg

against Levante despite facing the prospect of their earliest Copa del Rey exit in nine years. Messi had a good chance saved before Barcelona took the lead when Erick Cabaco’s clearance hit Dembele’s shin and lobbed over Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez.

A minute later Fernandez inadvertently turned a chip from Dembele into his own net when diving to make a save.

In the 54th minute, Dembele crossed to Messi from the right before the Argentine shot into the bottom corner.

Ousmane Dembele scored twice in two first-half minutes. (GETTY IMAGES)

Hero CPL Economic Impact reaches US$127million The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) total economic impact for 2018 has shown a 34% increase on last year. A total economic impact for the seven countries where the tournament had matches in 2018 was US$127,355,010, the first time that the tournament has had a positive economic impact in excess of US$100million.

This figure has been arrived at using organiser spend, visitor spend and media value and was calculated for Hero CPL by world-renowned researchers, SMG Insight. In addition to that economic impact figure the Hero CPL employed 1,942 local personnel across all seven tournament locations and filled 37,037 hotel rooms during the 2018 event. The amount of money that was spent by visitors for Hero CPL

rose again in 2018, reaching a total of US$24,735,209.

The value for the seven tournament locations in terms of media exposure was US$46,869,599, more than double the media value the tournament achieved in 2017, this increase was in part due to the new broadcast deals with Star Sports in India and Sky Sports in the UK. Speaking about the report from SMG Insight the Hero CPL Chief Executive Officer, Damien O’Donohoe, said:

“We set out to continue to have a positive impact on the Caribbean as one of our goals for the 2018 tournament and to see a 34% increase from last year is fantastic news for both Hero CPL and the region.

The tournament has shown amazing growth over the last six years and is now a mainstay of the cricket calendar and a great way to showcase what the Caribbean has to offer. We plan for that to continue.”

Cameron not the man for the job, says Mitchell Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – The former chairman of CARICOM’s sub-committee on cricket, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, has given a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of Cricket West Indies president, Dave Cameron.

Speaking on Starcom Network’s Mason and Guest cricket show here, the veteran Grenada leader said while he had no personal issues with Cameron, the CWI top administrator’s management style left a lot to be desired.

Cameron is going for a fourth successive term as CWI president at elections set for March. “I don’t have any problem with Dave Cameron as a person. We had a very good relationship but as far as his management style of West Indies cricket [is concerned], I don’t have a lot of respect for it so I don’t think my position on that has changed,” said Mitchell who has clashed with Cameron in the past over his handling of issues in West Indies cricket. ”I think he sometimes takes it personally but it’s not to do with Dave the person by itself – it’s his leadership of West Indies cricket that I have problems with and I would not be able to change my position on that particular issue. ”I don’t think his attitude and mindset will take West Indies cricket forward and that position has not changed. If anything, since I left [as sub-committee chairman], everything I’ve heard has reinforced that position that I held before.”

Dr. Keith Mitchell Under Mitchell’s chairmanship, CARICOM authorized the controversial Governance Review Report which among other recommendations called for the “immediate dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board and the appointment of an Interim Board.”

Mitchell then led efforts to have the report implemented but was met by fierce resistance from Cameron-led CWI which branded the chief recommendation as “impractical” and an “unnecessary and intrusive demand”.Under Cameron, tension between senior players and the board has worsened, while the international men’s team has continued to languish near the bottom of the Test and one-day standings.

Ahead of the 2015 CWI election, St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister and current sub-committee chairman, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, branded Cameron’s leadership as “extremely poor” and urged territorial boards to “tell him to take a break and come back at a later date, perhaps with more mature,

renewed skills of leadership”.

While Cameron and vicepresident, Emmanuel Nanthan, were subsequently re-elected unopposed for a third term in 2017, they are expected to face opposition at the upcoming polls.

And Mitchell believes neither Cameron nor Nanthan were suitable candidates to address the issues that currently faced Caribbean cricket. ”I have no problem with Dave the person but I have problems with Dave the president of [Cricket West Indies] and I think I like to separate the two,” he reiterated. “It’s similar to Nanthan, I don’t have a problem with Nanthan the individual but I certainly would not be able to vote for Nanthan representing West Indies cricket because I certainly don’t think their views are consistent with what I think West Indies cricket needs at this particular time.”

Cameron, 47, was elected for the first time in 2013 when he took over from former St Lucian diplomat, Julian Hunte.

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Friday January 18, 2019

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BCB/NBS 2nd Division 2018 Cricket

Kevlon Anderson, Seon Glasgow and Marvin Prashad hits tons; Seven teams advance to quarter-finals Several teams have advanced to the quarterfinals of the New Building Society 40Overs Second Division Tournament organised by the Berbice Cricket Board. Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Ramnarine Memorial, No. 70 Spartan, No. 72 Cut and Load, Bush Lot United, Young Warriors and Rose Hall Canje have advanced after winning their respective Playoff matches at venues across the Ancient County.

The highlight of the latest matches was a majestic 133 by promising Guyana Under-19 Player Kevlon Anderson, attacking centuries by National Under17 all-rounder Seon Glasgow and Marvin Prashad, a brilliant allround performance from the talented Paul Tyndall of Ramnarine Memorial. Female fast bowler Erva Giddings also returned the outstanding figures of 5-16 for RHT Bakewell.

Following are results of latest matches played: At Albion Ground - RHT Bakewell defeated Skeldon Titans by 120 runs. RHT Bakewell batting first amassed 290-4 from their allotted 40-Overs with Kevlon Anderson hitting an attractive 133.

Skipper Kevin Sinclair supported with 77, Junior Sinclair 33 and Jonathan Rampersaud 26.

Errol Byass, Jermain Reid and Deon Esau took one wicket apiece for

Skeldon Titan as they were restricted to 170-9 from 40Overs; Errol Byass top scored with 56 while Gajendra Nauth 41 and A. Apalsammy 27 supported.

Erva Giddings 5-16 was the leading wicket-taker for RHT Bakewell.

At Tain Block 4 Ground - Ramnarine Memorial defeated Albion Community Centre by one wicket.

Albion was bowled out for 144 in 34.4 Overs, David Latchaya 31, Riad Kassim 30 and Joshua Harrichand 22 led the batting.

Paul Tyndall 4 for 31, R. Pottaya 2-22 and Roydel Gray 2-26 were the best bowlers for Ramnarine Memorial which was restricted to 145-9 in 24Overs. Paul Tyndall made 69 and M. Barclay 22. Gourav Ramesh took 3-35 and Kevin Umroa 2-48.

At No. 72 - No. 72 Cut and Load defeated Dukestown by 68 runs. No. 72 Cut and Load 176 all out in 34.4 Overs.

Abdullah Ajib 58, B. Sukhdeo 3-24, C. Budram 2-25 and C. Beresford 2-48 were the leading wicket takers. Dukestown were sent packing 108 in 30.2 Overs.

E. Jackman 24, C. Beresford 23 and D. Moses 22, the top scorers. Taking the wickets were Sewraj Chatterpaul 4-15, Devanand Chatterpaul 3-19 and Abdullah Ajib 2-15.

No. 70 Spartan defeated No. 48 Challengers by 59 runs - No. 70 Spartan 158 all out in 25.3 Overs.

Erva Giddings Kevlon Anderson Sayad Wazir 48, Thareshwar Ramgolan 26.

Javin Seenauth 3-15, Balram Persaud 2-13, Balram Samaroo 2-38.

No. 48 Challengers 99 all out in 25.1 Overs. Totaram Persaud 31. Tameshwar Ramoutar 3-15, Naeem Yacoob 3-19.

At Bush Lot - Bust Lot United defeated Bush Lot Rising Star by 33 runs. Bush Lot United 168 all out in 28.2 Overs. Kris Ramnarine 51, Navendra Mahadeo 26.

Carlton Grant 3-28, Akeem Miller 2-2, Javed Saywack 240.

Bush Lot Rising Star 135 all out in 24.5 Overs, Kayamat Ally 43, Nicholas Shivattan 31.

Joel Dilchand 2-17, Michael Shivattan 2-20, Christopher Bissoon 2-27.

Blairmont Community Centre crushed Cotton Tree in a Zone 1 match to reach the Playoff stage where they

Dominoes action set for Sharmelee Sports Bar on Sunday Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Mark Wiltshire has collaborated with Sharmelee Sports Bar for the staging of a four-game tournament on Sunday at Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

The competition which is dubbed ‘Sunday in the Country’ has an entrance fee of $15,000; the winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000, runner up a trophy and $75,000 and third place $45,000.

Vinod and Sons Jewellery and Pawn Shop and Rayon Tent Rentals are among the sponsors on board. Wiltshire is urging all teams to be at the venue at least 30 minutes prior to the start of play. Teams can contact Wiltshire on 665 5855 for registration.

Proprietor of Sharmelee Sports Bar Sudan Ally presents one of the prizes to Mark Wiltshire.

would play D’Edward.

The winner of that match would advance to the quarterfinals, to play Bust Lot United. Blairmont Community Centre 313-8 in 40-Overs.

Seon Glasgow 103, Marvin Prashad 104, Pooran Persaud 4-52, Nasheed Gaffoor 3-69.

Cotton Ree 193 all out in 39.1Overs.

Nick Ramsaroop 66, Pooran Prashad 46 and Harry Narine 44. Nigel Deodat 5-25, Javed Karim 2-37.

At Chesney Ground Young Warriors defeated Chesney by 106 runs. Young Warriors Cricket Club 334 in 40-Overs.

Sanjay Kahn 91, Alex Algoo 69 and Suresh Dhanai 56. Chesney Cricket Club 228 all out in 34.3Overs. Imran Khan 96. Vishal Mohabir 5-48.

AT RH Canje Welfare Ground - Rose Hall Canje defeated Edinburgh by 78 runs.

Rose Hall Canje 208-7 in 40Overs. Balram Samaroo 71, D. Ramkissoon 55, Sasenarine Sukhu 31. Z. Hussain 2-20, S.

Nickesum 3-27. Edinburgh 130 all out. J. Andrews 50, Ameer Rahaman 4-20 and C. Singh 3-33.

Three quarterfinals are scheduled for this Sunday along with a Playoff Match 1. Rose Hall Town Bakewell vs Ramnarine Memorial @ Area ‘H’ Ground.

2. Young Warriors vs Rose Hall Canje @ Canje.

3. No. 70 Spartans vs No. 72 Cut and Load @ No. 72.

4. Blairmont Community Centre vs D’Edward @ D’Edward.

BCB to host Perry Gossai Memorial 100 Balls tourney for West Berbice Clubs The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is forging ahead with a hectic 2019 season after hosting a record 30 tournaments in 2018. The proactive Board plans to host a massive 35 tournaments in this year and has already started three.

Tomorrow would see the commencement of the first edition of the Perry Gossai Memorial 100-Ball tournament for teams in the West Berbice area. It is being sponsored by Gossai’s son, Arun and his family in memory of the late Attorney-at-Law who was an outstanding cricket administrator in his home village of Woodley Park, West Coast, Berbice.

BCB President Hilbert Foster, who spearheads a very aggressive Marketing drive to attract sponsorship for Berbice cricket stated that the tournament is the first among several that would be played across the Ancient County at the Zone level.

Similar tournaments would be played in Upper Corentyne, Berbice River, Lower Corentyne and New Amsterdam/Canje. Foster stated that the main objectives are to strengthen cricket clubs in the difference SubZones, to encourage clubs to

excel, to identify new talent for coaching programmes and to support grassroots cricket.

The eleven (11) teams that would be participating in the tournament are Paradise, Bush Lot United, Cotton Tree, Shieldstown, Achievers, Bush Lot Rising Star, Blairmont Com Centre, No. 5, D’Edward, Hopetown and Bath.

Foster stated that BCB was delighted to partner with the Gossai Family to pay tribute to the respected Attorney-at-Law. He hailed the late Attorney-at-Law as a positive role model who opened the doors for many to succeed in life.

The Perry Gossai Memorial 100-Ball tournament would be the first of several to be played in West Berbice as special emphasis would be placed in the area by the BCB. The tournament would see

clubs being limited to one First Division Player who have played three or more First Division Matches in 2018 and 2019 combined.

Under-19 Players would not be considered First Division Players but Teams are restricted to just three of them who have played more than three First Division Matches.

Arun Gossai, who is also an Attorney-at-Law stated that his late father was a passionate cricket follower and as such his family was delighted to honour him in a fitting way.

He expressed confidence that the Berbice Cricket Board would organise a successful tournament. The younger Gossai urged all the clubs to play in an environment of friendship and discipline. The Board, he stated was doing outstanding work and urged them to uphold their high standards. Fixtures for the First Round tomorrow:

Team Team Paradise vs Bush Lot United Paradise Cotton Tree vs Shieldstown Achievers vs Bush Lot Risisng Blairmont vs No. 5 D’Edward vs Hopetown D’Edward Bath Drew The Bye

Venue Cotton Tree Bush Lot No. 5

Friday January 18, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

West Indies Championship 2018-2019

Barnwell (58), Cornwall (4-70) share first day honours; Hurricanes 139 away from Jaguar’s 196

By Sean Devers In their last 44 matches in the CWI Regional First-Class tournament the Guyana Jaguars has only lost twice, both times to the Leewards Hurricanes who bowled them out for their first total this season when the opening day of their fifth round encounter ended at Providence yesterday.

Antiguan Rakeem Cornwall, arguably the best off-spinner in the Region, captured 4-70 to take his tally to 16 wickets for the season while Damian Jacobs supported with 3-14 as the leaders and four-time defending Champions were dismissed for 196, 18 minutes after Tea. The Hurricanes were 57-3 by the close as the Jaguars, winners of all four of their matches this season, fought back in the last session.

Akeem Saunders (15) and Terrence Warde (7) were the not out batsmen with the visitors needing another 139 to take a first innings lead.

Chris Barnwell top scored with 58 from 83 balls, 89 minutes with 11 fours in his 10th fifty at this level while skipper Leon Johnson made 44 from 119 balls, 149 minutes decorated with seven fours and a six but he could not build on a good start.

Kemo Paul hit four fours and a six in a 41-ball 32 while opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, one of only four

Chanderpaul is caught by Kieran Powell of Cornwall for 22.

Rakeem Cornwall batsmen with 300 runs this season, contributed 22 from 77 balls, 117 minutes with three boundaries in disappointing batting display by the South American Franchise on a good track.

The Hurricanes, second on the points table, lost Skipper Kieran Powell who again failed to deliver; being trapped in front to Clinton Pestano for four at 18-1 before Montcin Hodge (15) was taken at square off Paul, just off a 10-wicket haul in his last match, to leave the Islanders on 26-2.

When Keacy Carty (12) was removed by the tournament’s leading wicket-

taker left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul to take his tally to 24, the Hurricanes were 40-3. Ward and Saunders brought up the 50 in 17 overs and ensured that there was no more success for the Jaguars by the time bails were lifted.

Earlier, Jaguars, which left out Gudakesh Motie and Keon Joseph, opted to bat in sunny conditions and lost Trevon Griffith (2) who played a loose drive to Jeremiah Louis and was taken at short mid-off with the score on 4-1 in the 5th over.

Johnson joined Chanderpaul and pulled Louis for four off his first ball before

Chanderpaul steered Sheno Berridge between point and gully for a well-timed boundary.

Johnson hooked a bouncer from Berridge for six and stroked Orlando Peters for four before giving himself room and cutting Cornwall for another boundary.

Chanderpaul hit Peters for four while Johnson hammered Cornwall for four more as the partnership progressed before Chanderpaul pushed forward to Cornwall to a ball that turned away from the lefthander and was taken at slip

by Powell at 67-2.

Barnwell joined Johnson and took the score to 77-2 by Lunch but after the interval the Jaguars added 46 runs as the pair played positive cricket before Johnson was LBW to Peters when six away from his 35th fifty to leave the Jaguars on 113-3.

Barnwell continued to

play his shots and along with the inform Bramble took the score to 148 before the Jaguars lost four wickets in the space of 10 runs with irresponsible cricket. Barnwell smashed Louis for four before cover driving Peters for a scorching boundary and reached his 10th First-Class fifty from 74 minutes, 72 balls with nine fours.

But when well set to go on and get his second hundred against this team, the DCC right-hander danced into Jacobs and a hit a low catch to mid-on while Bramble, with centuries in his last two games, missed a sweep to Cornwall and was trapped LBW for 12 without addition to the score as the home side, watched by a fair size working day crowd, slipped to 148-5.

Sherfane Rutherford (6) deposited Cornwell for six before running himself out at

156-6 before Romario Shepherd (1) attempted to hit the burly Cornwall out of the ground and was taken at long-on two runs later as the reckless display by the Guyanese continued.

At Tea the score was 1727 and after the break Paul counter-attacked the bowling but Pestano (2) was LBW to Jacobs and Permaul (0) fell to Cornwall as the wounded Jaguars lost two wickets for no run to be 182-9. Paul was then LBW to provide Cornwall with his 16th scalp this season. Today is the second day and play is scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.

At Grenada National Stadium: Volcanoes batted all day. WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES 263 for six (Devon Smith 124, Kavem Hodge 56, Denis Smith 36 not out; Dennis Bulli 5-94) vs JAMAICA SCORPIONS

Bartica Community Centre Ground to be completed by next month end The Basketball Court and Stand, part of the Bartica Community Center Sports Complex.

His Worship, Gifford Marshall, Mayor of Bartica has disclosed that the brand new surface of the Bartica Community Ground is set for completing by February month end. Marshall informed that the ground should have been completed already but there were challenges with the first contractor who was unable to complete the job in a timely and efficient manner which resulted in hem being sacked.

The new contractor is Ivor Allen: “That job was awarded in November of 2018 and we would have since proceeded even though the rain would have caused some delays. But we are for closure and completion of works at the ground by February month end.”The works entails according to Mayor Marshall, filling, compacting and shaping and an underground drainage system. ”All of that should be completed by February month end and we are hop-

ing that we can have football and sports back on the ground by April the latest.”

Presently, Marshall boasted that the Bartica Community Center has undergone major transformation and is now known as a multi-purpose complex. ”As you are aware we have brand new volleyball and basketball courts in place with lights at the basketball court. To also let you know that the playing surface would accommodate athletics and a cricket pitch as well, so it’s a multi-purpose complex with a new pavilion and center where table tennis and other indoor sports can be played.”

The Community Center building was funded by the Municipality through its subvention while the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Department of Culture Youth and Sport has funded the courts and the stand as well as the playing surface presently under construction. (Franklin Wilson)

PAGE 32

Friday January 18, 2019

Kaieteur News

Guyana can qualify for FIBA Americas Cup - Coach Hercules Head Coach of Guyana’s Senior Men’s Basketball team, Junior Hercules, who in his first stint in charge of the national team won the nation’s maiden Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) championship in Suriname, last June is confident that the nation will be successful in next month’s qualification tournament for the 2021 FIBA Americas Championships.

The qualifiers will run from February 22nd to 24th in the city of Bogota, Colombia and Guyana is in Pool B that includes the hosts, Bolivia and Paraguay. According to Honourary General Secretary of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Patrick Haynes, the team should be looking to arrive in the Spanish speaking nation by the 20th of February before departing on the 25th.

With less than five weeks before the Guyanese are set to leave these shores in their bid to create more history by qualifying for the prestigious FIBA Americas tournament which sees the likes of powerhouses USA and Canada participating, there is a bit of uncertainty over the financial preparedness of the team with the basketball authority, the

GABF, set to have elections on the 26th of this month.

However, the team is okay personnel wise and during an interview with Kaieteur Sport, Hercules explained that he just needs 10 days to prepare his players. The initial two days of preparation will be used as trials while the remaining eight will see the players being encamped.

The coach noted the possible unavailability of two overseas based players from last year’s championship winning team in Travis Burnett (who recently migrated) and stand out point guard, Ray Victor, who is recovering from an injury.

Good squad news indicate that US based players in Captain Stanton Rose, Co-Captain Anthony Moe and Kevon Wiggins have all signaled their availability to play while some other players from the Diaspora have come forward seeking an opportunity to try out.

“We shouldn’t be bothered by Bolivia (ranked 124th) but once I have five players who are game ready or have been active around the semi-pro circuit, qualifying will be easy for

Junior Hercules - GABF Senior Men’s Coach us”, Hercules who also coaches local club, Plaisance Guardians, posited. ”Most of the players from the last CBC championship in Suriname may return to the team for Colombia with the question marks over Burnett and Moe and I have much belief in our local players who really stepped up to the task in Suriname last year”, Hercules stated.

In terms of finances, Hercules noted that he is not sure what is going on but he is

confident that the administration is working tirelessly behind the scenes to get everything in order.

He called on the corporate community to take the opportunity to support the team that has represented the Golden Arrowhead well recently.

With Colombia Basketball set to provide meals, accommodation and transportation to the games, the estimated travel and miscellaneous cost for a 15member contingent is

Nigel Hinds – GABF President around $5 million according to Haynes.

Current head of the GABF, Nigel Hinds, recently reminded Kaieteur Sport that he will not be contesting the upcoming elections but he will ensure that there is at least an interim body that is in place to guarantee the men’s national team’s participation at the FIBA Americas qualifiers is not hampered, if the January 26th elections are delayed.

Current Vice-President (VP) of the GABF, Michael

Singh, explained that there has been indication from very few persons to take up roles in the Federation but all signs points to fellow, current VP Kenrick Thomas to take up the role as President.

Director of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Christopher Jones, indicated to Kaieteur Sport that his body has not received any request for funding from the GABF but they will do whatever is in their power to assist if such a request is received. (Calvin Chapman)

Farfan & Mendes on board with RHTYSC for 23rd year Most sports organisations in Guyana’s main complaint is the lack of sponsorship from Corporate Guyana. The majority of sponsorship is mostly a one off event but Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS has enjoyed numerous long term relationships with its official sponsors.

On Tuesday last, Farfan & Mendes renewed its cricket sponsorship of the Rose Hall Town Under-15 Team for the 23rd consecutive year. Assistant Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Simon Naidu stated that the Providence, East Bank, Demerara based business entity first sponsored the Under-15 Cricket Team in January, 1997.

The popular company first supported the RHTY&SC in 1996, when they donated a grass cutter. Over the years, the two entities have developed into a highly successful relationship with the team winning numerous Berbice competitions and runner-up positions.

The team over the last 23 years has also produced over forty Berbice players and 25 Guyana Under-15 players.

Club.

He disclosed that Shazam Khan, Matthew Pottaya would serve as Captain and Vice Captain respectively for 2019. Veteran Administrator Keith Hicks and Rabindranauth Kissoonlall along with Tyrone Pottaya would serve as Managers.

The Assistant Secretary/CEO committed the Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes Under-15 Team to upholding the Club’s highest standard on and off the field. The team would also be involved in over 60 personal development programmes during the

Farfan & Mendes Supervisor Tameka Hiles hands over cheque to RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu.

Among the National players produced under the RHTY&SC/Farfan & Mendes relationship are Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Abdel Fudadin, Esuan Crandon, Delbert Hicks, Khemraj Mahadeo, Shemaine Campbelle, Dominique Rikhi, Murphy La Rose, Shabiki Gajnabi, Sheneeta Grimmond, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Marian

Samaroo and Jeremy Sandia. Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Shemaine Campbelle and Erva Giddings have gone on to represent the West Indies while Rampersaud, Gajnabi and Grimmond have all e a r n e d c a l l u p t o We s t Indies Training Camp.

Last year saw the selection of Rampersaud, Gopilall and Sandia on the National U15 Team. Naidu also stated

that the Team in 2018 reached the Final of the Mike’s Pharmacy BCB Under-15 Tournament before losing to arch rival Albion Community Centre by just six runs in a nail biting match.

Naidu, who has taken over the day to day operations of the club at just 18 years old expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of Farfan & Mendes for their continued confidence in the

year with the main objective of making positive differences in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate.

Marketing Manager of the Company Onai Vasconcellos stated that Farfan & Mendes Co. Ltd was proud of its relationship with the RHTY&SC and was satisfied that its investment was worthwhile.

The club, he stated has represented the Company’s Brand with distinction. He wished the Team even more success in 2019 and urged Club Members to continuing setting the bar even higher.

ANSA Motors to launch inaugural Golf tourney at LGC tomorrow There are many who wish to be first but this year its Ansa Motors Guyana which has seized the honours of hosting the first major Golf tournament to tee off the 2019 season. Like so many other things accomplished by the Ansa Group, this is just another first.

President of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC),

Aleem Hussain, said that he is tremendously pleased that this tournament will take place since it showcases Ansa Motors and Suzuki’s partnership with the LGC, especially since golf is a game known for its precision and top performance, a perfect match for a company like Ansa Motors and Suzuki.

(Continued on page 27)

Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2019

PAGE 33

GCA launches First, Second and U-19 100-Overs Tournaments GCA President Roger Harper accepts the cheque from Dwarka Singh in the presence of members of the GCA.

Verly van Lange of GISE presents the cheque to Roger Harper.

By Zaheer Mohamed

T

he development o f y o u n g cricketers is not only dependent on sponsors, but the ability of the organisers to stage successful tournaments on a regular basis. With the aim of developing quality players capable of representing Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana and the West Indies, the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) launched three tournaments yesterday at the Demerara Cricket Club.

They are the General Industrial and Supplies Enterprise (GISE), Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals First Division two-day, Noble House Sea Foods Second Division two-day and Noble House Sea Foods Generation Next Under-19 100-Overs.

Each tournament will be played on a round-robin basis in two zones with the top two teams from each zone going through to the semi finals.

The first division

comprises of 10 teams with Demerara Cricket Club, University of Guyana, Georgetown Cricket Club, Gandhi Youth Organisation and Guyana Defence Force in Zone A while Zone B has Police, GNIC SC, Malteenoes SC, Transport SC and Everest.

The second division which will be contested by 14 teams, comprises of GCC, Malteenoes SC, GNIC S C , G a n d h i Yo u t h Organisation, GDF, Ace Warriors and Muslim Youth Organisation in Zone A while Police, Everest, Third Class, DCC, UG, Transport SC and Diplomats are in Zone B. Eleven teams will compete for the U19 100Overs title; Zone A contains ECO, GNIC SC, Queen’s College, Transport SC, DCC a n d G a n d h i Yo u t h Organisation while Zone B is made up of Bel Air Rubis, Muslim Youth Organisation, Malteenoes SC, Everest and GCC. President of the GCA Roger Harper said that they are delighted to have the

sponsors on board once again and appreciated the fact that they have recognised the importance of giving the youths the opportunity to showcase their talent. ”I would like to thank the sponsors, the second division tournament gives the youths the opportunity and it is important because we see the two-day format as one which really builds your base in terms of playing the game,” he added.

Harper said that the sponsors have seen the need to give the younger generation more of an opportunity and as such they have decided to sponsor the U19 competition.

The former West Indies all-rounder said, “It is really heartening to see the number of young players who have come through our competitions and development programmes, excelling at the first class level and going on the represent the West Indies, this will motivate others.”

Dwarka Singh of Noble House Sea Foods lauded the

GCA for their efforts and said they are happy to be on board once again.

“We are always willing to support the game and we have now sponsored and U19 tournament which will give the younger players a better opportunity to hone their skills,” he said.

Verly van Lange of GISE added that they are happy to contribute towards giving the players the opportunity and said she is

looking forward to a successful tournament.

Chairman of the GCA Competitions Committee, Shaun Massiah expressed gratitude to the sponsors and stated that they are looking to play more tournaments than last year’s eight, but this will be largely dependent on the availability of grounds.

Massiah said that he is looking forward to continued support from the

clubs, adding that first and second divisionsT20 tournaments are in the pipeline while their youth cricket festival is slated for April.

In the U19 tournament, the team batting first will have an opportunity to bat for a maximum of 55 overs and the team batting second will bat a minimum of 45 overs and any overs which the team batting first did not utilize.

t r o Sp West Indies Barnwell (58), Cornwall (4-70) share first Championship day honours; Hurricanes 139 2018-2019 P. 30

Chris Barnwell gathers on-side runs during his 10th fifty at Providence yetserday. (Sean Devers photos)

Bartica Community Centre Ground to be completed by next month end

away from Jaguar’s 196

Leon Johnson bats during his 44.

P. 29

His Worship, Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall

The Bartica Community Center Ground presently being resurfaced.

P. 29

Guyana can qualify for FIBA Americas Cup - Coach Hercules Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.