Sunday January 20, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Irfaan Ali is PPP’s presidential candidate He is facing questions over his qualifications and is before the courts on 19 fraud charges for his role in the allocation of lands as the former Housing Minister for the so-called Pradoville Two. However, all that mattered not yesterday when it came to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) choosing a presidential candidate for the next general and regional elections, whenever it is held. At just after midday yesterday, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, received the votes, 24, and overwhelmingly so, over the lone contender, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, who received 11. Nandlall was the former Attorney General. For some it was as an upset, as Ali was widely seen as a favourite of former PPP president, and now leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. The older heads were looking more to Dr. Frank Anthony, who is one of the most popular figures in the party, or Nandlall, who one of the main voices, especially in several high profile legal matters. At the Robb Street headquarters of the PPPFreedom House- the party in a statement shortly after the decision, said that the selection process had taken nearly two months. Coming up against Ali were not only Anthony and Nandlall, but long-time stalwarts like Gail Teixeira who is the party’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly, and Dr. Vindhya Persaud. However, shortly before the secret votes yesterday, Anthony, Persaud and Teixeira all dropped out. The PPP said after the voting that in “accordance with the agreed process”, the Central Committee elected Ali
PPP’s Presidential Candidate: Mohamed Irfaan Ali
as the Presidential Candidate for the next national and regional elections. It was disclosed that five candidates expressed an intention to contest for this post. These were Anil Nandlall, Dr Frank Anthony, Dr Vindhya Persaud, Irfaan Ali and Gail Teixeira. The party also disclosed that “immediately prior to the elections”, Dr. Anthony, Dr. Persaud and Teixeira withdrew from the contest, leaving Nandlall and Ali as the two contestants. “Ali received 24 votes and Nandlall received 11 votes from the 35-Member Central Committee, thereby making Ali the Presidential Candidate. After the vote, the four other contenders congratulated Ali and pledged support to working towards a PPP/C victory.” PPP said that Ali, 38, has been a member of the PPP for over 20 years and a part of the leadership for 15 years, where he held the position of Finance Secretary for several
years. He served in the Cabinet for seven years holding the portfolios of Minister of Housing and Water and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. “The Party wishes to assure that despite a most rigorous and competitive campaign, the party remains united and stands firmly behind the Presidential Candidate and pledges to work fervently to deliver victory at the polls as we continue to struggle for a better Guyana.” Ali was charged late last year by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for selling state lands to several former ministers and other topranking officials without first evaluating them. The lands are located a Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara. Jagdeo himself built his home there. Recently, Ali’s lawyers moved to the High Court and successfully applied to have the charges stayed in lower
- doubles main competitor, Nandlall, in votes The following is a statement as issued by the Presidential Candidate, Mohamed Irfaan Ali: “I am humbled to have been selected by my Party as the presidential candidate. I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to the leadership of the Party for reposing in me their confidence. I also thank the thousands, in and out of the Party, who have publicly and privately encouraged me to seek the Party’s nomination. I see myself as part of a broader team that will advance an agenda, which has as its primary focus, the people of our country. The assurance of my comrades, who also contested for the candidacy, to working as a team, is evidence of a collective commitment to a united People’s Progressive Party (PPP). I commit, fully, to the programme of the Party, as it relates to delivering greater prosperity and progress for all our people, regardless of race, religion or gender, as well as to ensure the advancement of our nation. I am glad that the campaign is over. I hope that the rumor-mongering,which was clearly intended to spread division in our ranks and to disparage me and the other candidates, will now stop. Over the last 20 years, I have served my Party at regional and national levels. My work with the Progressive Youth Organization (PYO), since 1992, has given me a unique perspective of the challenges facing our youths and the opportunities that exist to enable them to actively participate in the governance of our country and being part of the solution. My Party’s decision to select me, as a young person, is testimony to our commitment to not only talk the talk about youth leaders, but actively facilitate this. I have been elected to the leadership of the Party for almost 15 years and served in various capacities, including as Finance court until he could prove that the accusations were frivolous, and had no merits. Yesterday, social media was divided on the selection. The selection of Ali would come at a time when
Secretary. My grounding in the PPP has imbued me with a deep sense of commitment to the struggles of all our people, especially the vulnerable, and inspired a personal commitment to the people of Guyana. My experience in government has allowed me the opportunity to design and develop strategies and policies, consistent with the PPP’s manifesto, to overcome hurdles in key sectors. My experience at the technical level, at the State Planning Secretariat and as Head of the Caribbean Development Bank Project Implementation Unit (PIU), allowed me the opportunity of overseeing the design, management and implementation of various projects and programmes across Guyana. With seven years of Cabinet experience I was tasked with the management of largescale projects, which resulted in the delivery of key goods and services to the Guyanese people. I believe that the experience I have acquired, both in government and as the Finance sector spokesperson for the Parliamentary Opposition, has positioned me to tackle some of the most severe challenges facing our people and country – the increasing levels of joblessness, increasing debt, deteriorating investor confidence, poor performance of the economy, poor implementation of the PSIP, incompetence in government, the diminishing of welfare programmes that benefited vulnerable groups, ill-informed decisions and taxation policies that has affected key sectors. I look forward, with great anticipation and with the support of my comrades to confront the many challenges that lie ahead to ensure that the People’s Progressive Party is returned to government so that we can resume the development agenda that will place our people and country back on the path of prosperity.”
the Coalition Government is facing early elections as a result of a no-confidence motion successfully passed on December 21st after one of their own, Charrandass Persaud, shockingly said yes.
Persaud has since left the country. The legality of the vote is being challenged in the High Court with the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George expected to make a ruling before this month end.
Jagdeo vows to remain face of PPP throughout election By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell Guyana can rest assured that despite Irfaan Ali being chosen a s t h e P e o p l e ’s P r o g r e s s i v e P a r t y ’s ( P P P ) p r e s i d e n t i a l candidate, he will not be the face of the party’s election campaign. Ali will have to share the s p o t l i g h t w i t h t h e p a r t y ’s G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y, B h a r r a t Jagdeo. A s O p p o s i t i o n L e a d e r, Jagdeo initiated the process to premature General and Regional Elections. Despite knowing that the opposition sits in the National Assembly as a minority, Jagdeo sponsored the noconfidence motion that saw the fall of government. He said that he has a mission to return power to the PPP and would not step back anytime soon. Yesterday, a few hours after PPP’s Central Committee elected
Ali as its presidential candidate, Jagdeo hammered home his position to the media that he will not step aside for any other PPP member to pass until the party is safely in government. “My job as General Secretary (GS) is many-fold. It is to grow the party. I set myself the task of greater inclusion, changing the face of the party, including more afro-Guyanese in our party at every level, because we are strongly represented by indoGuyanese and Amerindians.” Jagdeo said that he has another job which is to “galvanize this party to win power. That is the role of General Secretary. The candidate runs for the elections, but my job is to bring people together, work on a campaign strategy and get it approved by the party.” Jagdeo told the media that there will be a place for Ali too. He said that the Presidential Candidate will
have a profile, “(he) will have to go out more and will have to make himself available to the press”. “He will have to take positions on things, but I have my work cut out for me. I have to go across the country, bring activists together and assure we will keep our promises. I have to work the ground as any GS would to ensure that his party wins power. If you are not doing that then you are not a good GS.” Jagdeo said that he views stepping back so as to not overshadow the candidate as abdicating his responsibility as General Secretary.” Jagdeo’s comments on this matter are consistent. At a recent press conference, he said pretty much the same thing. Asked if he would take a back seat once the candidate was chosen, Jagdeo said, “I will not take no back seat until we win the elections.”
PPP’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo Jagdeo said that he will be going all across Guyana, village to village,
house to house, working hard to making sure that the PPP get the rid of what he dubbed a “corrupt, incompetent, useless cabal” in the form of the APNU+AFC government. The former President said he will work harder than ever. Jagdeo said he would be heading the PPP’s manifesto committee which would be inviting ideas from the public. Further, he reiterated that he will be returning to the government even though he cannot do so as President. “I said, this time around I will play a formal role and every candidate said, unsolicited, that they want me to be part of the government,” he added. “I make no apologies for struggling hard, working day and night to get rid of this corrupt, incompetent useless cabal that has abandoned all of the people, including APNU supporters.”
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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
New parties should see themselves as more than spoilers A New and United Guyana (ANUG), through one of its founders, has taken to the media to offer representations on the party’s positions on several issues of particular interest. They are among the issues that challenge this nation, where anything of significance rises to the level of either stalemate or crisis, and also white heat. The new parties are encouraged to publicize continuously where they stand and what they would support on more and more matters, whether impacting the major racial and social segments, or minorities lacking in vigour and reach. To begin with, there can only be appreciation for ANUG’s position, as articulated by Mr. Timothy Jonas, on parliament, composition of state boards, ministerial monopolistic powers, and the need for adjustments and movements. This should merely be the start. The thoughtful and concerned in this society should exhort ANUG (and the others announcing similar intents) to venture boldly into stormier waters, and just as early, to stake out hard, unequivocal positions. Among other things, these positions would highlight race contexts, governance structures, and related constitutional reforms. This has to be evidenced in unflinching and uncompromising language calling for - indeed, demanding material reductions in the hegemony of the old-line party politics and the supremacy of racial politics, while advocating insistently the demographics of Guyana’s diversity, and the strengths that could be accrued from genuine inclusion. For such to take shape and substance, this calls for some of the main players to remove temporarily their lawyer’s hats and replacing them with human and social ones. All new parties and their leaders must be of more than token words, symbolic postures, and cosmetic depths. There has been too much of those, so much so that they have become an inseparable part of the political skin and political odour. They must envision their individual and collective roles as more than that of icebreakers, tiebreakers, and spoilers. While all of those would keep the regular crowd on tiptoes and looking over shoulders, there is the potential for greater influence and benefits; for even at this early stage of relative unfamiliarity, there is exhibited, even in the not-soolder ones, an old school carriage and instinct. These could usher in a higher calibre of representation in parliament; a better prepared and more industrious legislative body; and a more qualitative verbal, written, and presented product. Stated in a more grassroots fashion: elected (not selected) men and women would have to work hard and consistently for their money, their duty-free concessions, and their prestige of place. And all the while maintaining an exemplary level of personal comportment and group decorum. The new arrivals (if they make it to the National Assembly) must take the lead in exposing and, if necessary, humiliating the bumbling, insulting, enraging caricatures masquerading as lawmakers. That alone is value for vote. One would hope that the newcomers do not lose innocence, and allow themselves to be consumed by the ruthless political machineries dominating this land. This is how and where the new groups can make sturdy and lasting contributions that resonate and impress. The swing vote(s) is important, if not pivotal, as circumstances warrant. But the overall ambience of the House of the People must begin to assume a degree of decency through the demeanour (forced as needs be) of ostensibly honourable members long since fallen into a Dead Sea of the degrading and dispiriting. The issues are plentiful; the controversies more abundant; and the political and racial inclinations toweringly tawdry, while tirelessly tearing this nation into tatters.The new people may not gain the required voter traction this season; hence, there could be limited numerical inroads and presence. But there is the opportunity - faint currently in this hour of immovable passions - for feet to cross the threshold, hands to be raised, and civil voices to inject the remedial chemo that is so direly needed into process and proceedings. The Americans in their taut, compressed way call such game changers. Guyanese can settle for nutcrackers, to put things politely.
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
I can see only diehard PPP supporters coming out to vote for this candidate DEAR EDITOR, Now that it is official, there is a single simple question, who is going to vote for that fine learned gentleman? I can see only diehard PPP supporters coming out to exercise the franchise. And that would be far from enough in the usual razor-thin environment. Even their own people would have serious disbelief and chronic problems in digesting this development; and this in spite of all the conditioning that was done and is sure to follow. And if their own voters find this candidate highly unsatisfactory, what better could be expected in terms of acceptance from the next side of the divide? Clearly, this is a creature of a calculating leader, secret ballot and all, consensus candidate and all. And sometimes, clever men end up outsmarting themselves. That leadership control, reported since earlier in the week to have been a “lock” as to the choice is going to come back to haunt. The man is not of leadership calibre, of anything; that is inarguable and not subject to any considerable debate. Definitely not presidential timber, even of the cheapest, least sturdy variety.
No mention, not even a whiff, is made of court matters or any other controversies pending and sure to rage over this incomprehensible outcome. There are still other matters to be exhumed, none good. Then again, all things and ingredients and players considered, it is not so incomprehensible after all. Yes, the name was bandied about with a lot of orchestrated delirious talk of qualifications (or lack of them). But who in their right minds would vote for a sterling upstanding fellow as this one, who travels with so much baggage? So much disregard? And this is not only measuring from the opposition side of the voting fence. This is either over calculation or overconfidence; or, given the known Machiavellian operator who was reckless enough to show his hand and choice in public, I am wicked enough and conspiratorial enough to suspect a fix. Exxon has a lot of muscle. In many things, many places; and in many currencies with many people. It would not have minded spending; and there is widespread suspicion in this (Continued on page 7 )
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur M@ilbox The betrayal of a nation DEAR EDITOR, It’s sad when a person uses his entire political life to cuss up, degrade, pull down, wash hands clean, fight for a better country to be out of the hands of the polluted opposition party that holds office for 23 years and just in a matter of minutes reverses all that he did and said in his political career to ensure all that he stood for falls into the hands of the same opposition. It can be considered in Guyanese terms, “feed da maga dag and one day, he gon turn round and bite yuh”. This is the case of the former MP Charrandass Persaud. This is a man of double or should I say triple standards (saying no standards won’t be appropriate because he does have some kind of standard), says one thing, means a different thing and then does another thing, unfocused as to what should be said and done. This man was given an MP position/job because he was recommended by a former MP in Region 6 and mostly because of his vicious attacks on the then government, the PPP. This man implored to all, especially Berbicians not to allow the PPP back in power and that the PPP are the ones that destroyed the sugar, rice industries and the nation at large. This is the said man who told the then President Bharrat Jagdeo that he will never get his vote no matter what. This is the same man who told the thousands of sugar workers and rice farmers that PPP is no good for Guyana. This gentleman makes me and many others rethink and recall the sad story of one man that makes hundreds or thousands and the world believe in him . He will sit at the same place or table and eat meals together; he will walk the walk and talk the talk with and for them, he will ensure they are happy and he does everything within his powers to make all happy. No one knows what his plans were at that time. Then one day, he decided to execute his plan and went ahead killing his followers. No not Judas. It’s Jim Jones. This No Confidence story (YES YES YES) has a or some similar resemblance, except for the killing; the voter betrayed an entire nation and ensured that he has done what he had in mind. Berbicians, especially the Indo Guyanese who are strong PPP supporters and whom the PPP claims they have transport over as long they are alive, used to cuss
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down this very Charrandass Persaud since he became a politician under the AFC. This man used to tell the said people of Berbice that they can cuss him how much they wanted to because he will fight for the removal of the PPP from the government. This man also told the nation that after the APNU+AFC government won, he doesn’t care if he is not given a position with the government, he will never ever join the PPP, he will end his political life/ career rather than join PPP. A lot is not being known of this very MP who now cries and preaches that he cares about the welfare and wellbeing of the people, especially the sugar workers and their families of this country. This very man is the man who sometime in March 2018 was calling for the sugar workers in Berbice to be jailed for not sending their children to school. This is the very man who told the nation at the last budget debate that sugar workers are better off now under this APNU+AFC government and receiving their severance pay is better than all the time they work in the estates and that most of them are being re-employed with the said estate. This former MP who now cries foul as if he cares for the people of Guyana and Berbice has failed Berbicians miserably over the almost three and half years he was in Parliament. This former MP did nothing during his tenure to
better the lives of the people in Berbice. He never walked the streets of his own village and asked the residents their problems or saw what was affecting them. He never once tried to better or develop any community within Canje or Berbice. This is the very man who goes from mandir to mandir in Guyana chanting and worshipping God yet uses the same place of worship overseas to lie to the people for his act. In Parliament, the said night the man told reporters that he have no friend in the PPP, but yet was seen escorted out by a member of PPP after his yes vote. I call on all the coalition supporters and members to stay strong because one man can’t speak for a nation and let’s continue to be calm and focus on ensuring that the works continue in taking Guyana positively forward into a bright future under this APNU+AFC Government. Let’s stand and stay strong as we support this coalition government and look out for the wolves in sheep’s clothing. They may be some amongst us. Abel Seetaram APNU+AFC Regional Councillor Mahaica-Berbice Region - Region 5
Kaieteur M@ilbox This move could cost the PPP the next General Elections DEAR EDITOR, Although the news of Irfaan Ali as the PPP Presidential candidate did not come as a great surprise, it is nevertheless the talking point in the diaspora and I am sure throughout Guyana. One wonders now if the PPP will win an election with him at the helm. It was Bharat Jagdeo who was responsible for the PPP to lose the government in May 2016 and it is believed that because of his influence Irfaan was chosen as the party’s Presidential Candidate. It is felt that Jagdeo has a great influence over the former Housing Minister and can yield a lot of power if Irfaan Ali is President. Jagdeo, a Russian trained economist, wants to emulate Vladimir Putin/ Dmitry Medvedev.
It is a known fact that Anil Nandlall, the former Attorney General is much smarter, more articulate, more respected, very Presidential than Ali, yet he was defeated in a contest between the two. Party supporters are upset with the move, prompting them to reflect at Jagdeo’s history with the PPP. He was never in the trenches like dozens of renowned supporters - many of whom were forced out or kicked out because of Jagdeo’s domineering attitude and behaviour. Moses Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan, now two top AFC members among them not to mention Ralph Ramkaran, the late Navin Chandarpaul, among others. I know for a fact dozens
of well to do Guyanese in the diaspora who were strong supporters of the PPP, because of Jagdeo’s attitude switched their loyalty to the AFC and made large financial contributions to that movement. Many of them indicated to me that they regretted the move and were thinking of assisting the PPP to win the next elections. Now with this move to have Irfaan as Head, they might rethink and might very well keep out and stay out. The mood at this stage, it is expected that there will be mass abstention and this might allow the APNU to win. A friend of mine just emailed me stating, “Nandlall was the brightest of them all.” Goodbye PPP
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
THE NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE REVISITED DEAR EDITOR, There is a question which is boggling the mind of every Guyanese and one to which our legal ‘experts’ are giving diverse interpretations: Was Charrandass Persaud as a Member of Parliament an alien pledging allegiance to a foreign power or state? Article 155(1) states that, ‘No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who(a) is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement
of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state’. It is now common knowledge that Charrandass has held dual citizenship for a number of years and had remigrated from Canada for over 20 years now. Since then and until now, he has not renounced his Canadian citizenship or his Guyanese citizenship. But can he be classified as an ‘alien’ to Guyana? Article 232(1) of our Constitution makes it undoubtedly clear
that, ‘ In this Constitution, except as otherwise provided or required by the context”alien” means a person who is not a Commonwealth citizen, a British protected person or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland’. It must be stated here that Canada is a member of the Commonwealth; therefore, its citizens cannot be branded as ‘aliens’. This is also supported by Article 159 (2)(b) which states that a person can vote if he/
she is a Commonwealth citizen who is not a citizen of Guyana and who is domiciled and resident in Guyana and has been so a resident for a period of one year. Therefore, this person is given the same status as a citizen of Guyana. In this case, Charrandass is a citizen of Guyana so why should he not be elected as a member of the National Assembly? He took the Oath of Office and he pledged ‘true faith and allegiance to the People of Guyana’ and he will ‘honour, uphold and preserve the Constitution of the Cooperative of Guyana’. He did not violate the Constitution, he is not an
‘alien’ and Canada cannot be deemed to be a ‘foreign power or state’. A distinction must be drawn here . It is accepted that because of the common culture and heritage shared among Commonwealth countries; they are not deemed to be ‘aliens’ and ‘foreign’ to each other. However, while some countries see no difference between Commonwealth and foreign countries other countries treat Commonwealth citizens as they would their own once certain criteria are met. In other words, Canada will be deemed a foreign power to Australia although both are Commonwealth countries. On the other hand, some countries like Guyana do not treat Commonwealth citizens as ‘aliens’ and their countries as ‘foreign power or state’ since the Guyanese Constitution allowed them to vote at the elections. This ‘right to vote’ cannot be taken lightly. It is significant since only citizens of Guyana are given that status.
Our Constitution, the Supreme Law of the land, has made it conclusive that a Commonwealth citizen is not an ‘alien’! Furthermore, Article 53 (a) is not breached since Charrandass is a citizen of Guyana and is duly elected to serve in the National Assembly. In addition, Article 156(c) does not apply since he has not ceased to be a citizen of Guyana and no circumstance arose which would have caused him to cease to be a member of the National Assembly. It follows then that Charrandass Persaud was a duly elected member of the National Assembly and his ‘yes’ vote in favour of the famous ‘no confidence’ motion is legally and constitutionally correct. Moreover, the framers of the Constitution knew perfectly why Article 52 provided for the National Assembly to be comprised of 65 members -33 is the majority! Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor Region 6
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur M@ilbox Don’t spend hours on TV, touch base with your constituents to find out how you slipped up DEAR EDITOR, A democratically elected government is the most powerful institution in a country. This is because it represents all the people of the country and was chosen or came into power under public will. The government therefore has to make its decisions, keeping in mind public perception and the fact that unpopular decisions could lose votes. On the other hand, the Supreme Court is merely a judicial body entrusted to protect our constitution and our legal
framework. They cannot make or modify laws. They can only make suggestions and can only put their foot down when a government makes unconstitutional decisions. A no-confidence motion is not a matter of judging the competence of the standing government; it is a test of whether or not majority support remains to allow that government to stand in power. If a government no longer has the votes to function, depending on the law of the land where it happens, often a new general
election is triggered, and the voters have another chance to be heard. Therefore, it is sad that political leaders spend most of their time on TV and radio rather than touching base with their constituents and trying to find out in what ways they slipped up. In this scenario, every Tom, Dick and Harry is transformed into a legal luminary and joins in the disgusting chorus, which become vexations to the spirit. Sincerely yours Ed Singh
I can see only diehard PPP ... From page 4 country that there is insatiable greed powering certain leaders who aspire for unending dominance. One of the options that I am weighing is the thought that matters came down to this: name your price, as your group is not going to gain the upper hand in the booth or on the street. Additionally, I am of the strong opinion that the mighty United States may have spoken on the sidelines to that senior chap, who has developed a gift for speaking from several sides of his own mouth at the same time on the same subject. The conversation would have been similar: call a number. It is that or nothing else. Guaranteed. This is one of the spaces in which I am working, as the opposition’s election result
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translates to a virtual giveaway to the coalition government. Stated otherwise, any upcoming national election is in the hands of the Coalition Government to lose. It is made that straightforward by that clearly prearranged internal election that has to be embarrassing and demeaning to the real stalwarts in the party. I do believe that the former Attorney General, or the miscast Dr. Kildare, would have brought out the base, and given the coalition a run for its money. It is
astonishing that men of this political and academic ilk would kowtow so slavishly to the whims and caprices of an overweening and troubled captaincy. And now questionable, too, as to any ulterior motives. In view of what is now final, I would submit that even the geriatric Gail, or the youthful Vindaya and junior Charles would have rallied better and harder (perhaps, more successfully) the loyalists, party fence-sitters, and uncommitted. Sincerely, G H K Lall
Kaieteur M@ilbox I believe that our political leaders will do what is best for our nation DEAR EDITOR, Aware as I am that there is an extant case before our Supreme Court of Judicature seeking a judicial interpretation of the word “majority” within the context of the vote of no confidence, which occurred on the 21st December, 2018. I, therefore, offer no comment but respectfully s e e k t h e space to share with the nation a paragraph from a judgment from the Caribbean Court of Justice by Sir Dennis Byron in the Cedric Richardson vs. The Attorney General ([2018] CCJ-17-AJ ) popularly referred to as the “third Term” case. At paragraph 6, it states: “Articles enjoying t h e s h a l l o w e s t level of entrenchment require the votes of an a b s o l u t e majority of the National Assembly for their alteration. This is described in Article 164 (1) which
prescribes that “… a Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter this Constitution shall not be passed by the National Assembly u n l e s s i t i s supported at the final voting in the Assembly by the votes of a majority of all the elected members of the Assembly.” This is more difficult than the passage of ordinary legislation, which only requires a simple majority, being a majority of those who voted.” Having seen that t h e r e h a s b e e n j u d icial
interpretation of the meaning of absolute majority and simple majority b y n o n e other than our apex court the C a r i b b e a n Court of Justice, I share this paragraph in good faith believing that our political leaders will honour the provisions of the Constitution and do what is best for our nation and not what is best for themselves. Sincerely Charles S. Ramson Attorney-at-Law Former Member of Parliament
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
I’m disappointed, but I will work with him – Anil Nandlall
A
nil Nandlall ex pressed frustra tion after losing the contest for People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C)’s presidential candidacy to Irfaan Ali, yesterday. However, he said that he will work with Ali to ensure that the party wins the election. An abrupt turn of events caused the two men to faceoff in a two-person contest, following the withdrawal of the candidacies of the three other persons who had made presentations for the nomination: Drs. Frank Anthony and Vindhya Persaud, and Gail Teixeira. Speaking to the press, after the vote, Nandlall said “We had a good contest and we agreed to a set of rules. We have concluded that process in accordance with the rules, and that process has produced comrade Irfaan Ali
as the presidential candidate.” He explained that Ali got 24 votes, while he got 11 votes. Asked how he felt about the loss, Nandlall said “Naturally, I am disappointed. You don’t ever enter a contest thinking that you would not win. I thought that I would have won, but the executive of the central committee of the party did not feel that way.” Despite his frustration, he said that he has already congratulated Ali, “all the other contestants for a hard fought battle” and “the 35 members of the Central Committee for their participation and support”. “[The election] was fair, because the collective agreed to it.” He also expressed a commitment to work with Ali, towards the party’s victory at
Gail Teixeira
Dr. Vindhya Persaud
Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Anil Nandlall the next election. Asked where he sees himself in a PPP government, Nandlall said “That will have to be a decision that, if we win the elections, I think that that’s the first objective. Then, we can cross that bridge.” Nandlall said that negotiations for the prime ministerial candidacy have not been discussed as yet by the executive committee or the central committee. “There were only two items on the agenda: the holding of the elections and a brief discussion of the election strategy.” A question was posed to Dr. Vindhya Persaud, as she was leaving Freedom House, about why she thinks Ali won the election. She said: “I wouldn’t want to comment at this point on why this happened, but I would just say
that what happened was through a vote, and that was the decision that was taken by the leadership.” Asked what she thinks about Ali’s success, Persaud said, “I think, at this point, there’s a process and the process was carried. It allowed the 35-member committee to vote by secret ballot. It allowed for two people to go toward that process and, for me, the next step is looking at the elections and the party winning this election.” Persaud was tightlipped about why she withdrew before the candidacy, telling the media “I think that that was a decision made based on many factors which I would not comment on right now. But what has happened is that there was a process.” Answering on whether she did so out of coercion. She
said “Nobody pressured anybody into withdrawing.” A question was posed to her about whether she thinks Ali’s religious background would hinder his chances of retaining the strong command the party has had of the Hindu vote. She said that Guyana has never had an issue of religious intolerance. “I have always been at the forefront in advocating for religious unity and also not only tolerance, [but] respect and understanding [too]. So, I don’t think anybody’s religion should be focused on in this because, at the end of the day, we are all Guyanese. Whether a person may have pluses or minuses, I don’t think people’s religion should really factor into this.” Gail Teixeira did not say (Continued on page 9)
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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US-Saudi ties can’t move forward until MBS ‘dealt with’: Graham - Senator says Congress will reintroduce sanctions against those involved in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. (Al Jazeera) Senator Lindsey Graham has said the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia cannot move forward until Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is “dealt with”. Speaking in Ankara a day after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Graham said Congress would reintroduce sanctions against those involved in the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khasho g g i . “What has transpired over the last couple of years has been unnerving, to say the least,” Graham told reporters. “The leadership coming from MBS is not what I have envisioned. Imprisoning the Lebanese Prime M i n i s t e r, t a k i n g a l l o f your critics and throw[ing] them in prison, the brutal murder [of] Mr Khashoggi in Turkey, violating every norm of international behaviour. “I have concluded that the relationship between S a u d i A r a b i a a n d the United States cannot move forward until MBS has been d e a l t with.” L a s t N o v e m b e r, t h e CIA concluded that MBS ordered the assassination of Khashoggi in Istanbul, a finding that contradicts Saudi government assertions that he was not involved. Khashoggi, a longtime royal insider who had become
a critic of Prince Mohammed, was killed and dismembered by a Saudi hit team in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in October, prompting a global outcry. “We will start sanctioning those involved in the killing of Mr Khashoggi,” Graham added. “We will make a definitive statement that MBS knew about it and is responsible for it and come up with a series of sanctions to let others know this is not what you do if you’re an ally of the United States.” ‘NOT ONE TO MINCE HIS WORDS’ The US Treasury sanctioned 17 Saudi individuals and the Senate adopted a resolution blaming Prince Mohammed. President Donald Trump, however, has so far been reluctant to directly implicate the royal or issue any punitive measures. At least 21 Saudis have reportedly been arrested in connection with the case, with five facing the death penalty. Five officials were also fired, including senior royal adviser Saud al-Qahtani, the alleged mastermind of the operation against Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia is yet to reveal what its agents did with the remains of Khashoggi. Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from the Turkish city of Gaziantep, said Graham’s comments were not surprising considering his recent distaste for the Saudi Monarch. “Graham is not one to
Senator Graham (centre) has repeatedly called for accountability after Khashoggi’s murder [File: Shawn Thew/EPA] mince his words and has called MBS a wrecking ball in the past. So, this is not the first time he’s airing his views about MBS and how he feels he’s implicated in Khashoggi’s murder. “He’s based that on information provided by the CIA that orders did not come from a low-level operative but straight from the top, almost indicting the Sa u d i l e a d e r s h i p , i n c l u d i n g MBS. “But the US president still sees MBS as a key a l l y, a n d s e e s S a u d i Arabia’s role as not just buying weapons from the US, but also in forwarding what Donald Trump has envisioned as a policy for the Middle East,” Bin Javaid said. “So it’s very interesting that Graham’s stance is closer to the US ally Turkey but very different from what the president himself has been saying.”
I’m disappointed, but I will work ... From page 8 much to the media as she repeated, “It was a democratic process.” She explained that she withdrew from the candidacy so that the party leadership could have consensus on who the candidate would be.”Asked whether she thinks Ali is a capable
candidate, Teixeira said “He brings youth and a lot of experience; a good track record in housing, water and the economy. So I’m there to support him.” Dr. Frank Anthony left Freedom House abruptly after the vote, and could not be reached for comment.
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
Int’l Charity provides evaluation support to Doobay‘s Medical Centre - as facility seeks to expand charitable work
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he International De velopment & Relief Foundation (IDRF), one of Canada’s most effective and transparent charities, is providing monitoring and evaluation support to the Doobay’s Medical and Research Centre (DMRC), even as efforts continue to expand the Centre’s service. As such, Guyanese–Canadian, Winston Kassim, in his capacity as chair of IDRF Global Monitoring, is currently in Guyana to assess the effectiveness of IDRF programmes in the country. The activity is in adherence with Canadian Revenue Agency regulations and IDRF internal monitoring and evaluation policies. The IDRF Chair told Kaieteur News that the charity has implemented a range of projects throughout Guyana in partnerships with CIOG, National Committee of
Sisters Affairs (NACOSA) and the Doobay’s Medical and Research Centre. These projects have focused on meeting the needs of Guyana’s most vulnerable people and have included enabling orphans and vulnerable children to have better futures by ensuring they have access to education; delivering subsidised or free dialysis sessions to people with renal failure to prevent early deaths; providing health services and medical aid to elderly people who are ill or neglected; conducting comprehensive vocational training that enables vulnerable rural women to learn skills and become more employable. Over the past five years, IDRF has invested in projects amounting to in excess of GYD $100M and assisted more than 20,000 needy people in various parts of the country. The charity is hop-
ing to extend its work in Guyana. This is, however, subject to the successful audit of projects it currently supports in the country. Along with IDRF Programme Director Nabil Ali, Mr. Kassim has since commenced the audit of Doobay Medical and Research Centre. He explained that IDRF is keen on ensuring the Medical Centre utilises its funds for its intended purpose. The assessment is in keeping with IDRF’s policy of transparency and accountability. “We have to be accountable to our supporters by verifying that their finances are diverted for its intended purpose. The audit is not just for the centre but all the projects that are supported through IDRF.” In the case of Doobay’s Centre, Kassim said the IDRF
Dialysis patients, Romaine Atkinson and Gloria London, flanked by staff of Doobay’s Medical and Research Centre, IDRF’S chair of Global Monitoring, Winston Kassim (second right), and Programme Director, Nabil Ali (far right) with the core support of Canadians – from the civil and religious groups - particularly the Islamic organizations, this has significantly helped with funding the treatment. The centre provides approximately 160 dialysis sessions to patients with chronic kidney illness every week. The treatment can cost up to G$15,000 per session. However at Doobay’s, with the consistent support of IDRF and distinguished Guyanese such as the centre’s founder, Dr. Budhendra Doobay, Mr. Sattaur Gafoor and Ameena Gafoor, patients are afforded dialysis treatment at costs as low as G$6000 per session and in some cases free of cost. Patients like Romaine Atkinson have benefited significantly from the charitable venture of Doobay’s Centre. She told Kaieteur News that, for her, the facility is literally a lifesaver. Atkinson, a teacher by profession, has been receiving treatment at the facility for the past six years at a reduced cost. The mother of two noted that her sickness has affected her ability to work—she has to attend treatment at the medical facility at least twice weekly. If it had not been for this facility and the work the charity has been doing, the woman said that she isn’t sure that she would be alive. “They have been a lifesaver in every respect.” She said that the service offered by the people and supporters is a constant reminder that angels don’t always wear wings. Similarly, Gloria London travels twice every week from her home in Bare Roots, East Coast Demerara, to the Cen-
tre for treatment. The 52year-old noted that the treatment has helped to get back on her feet again. “When I first came here, I was in bad shape. I had lost a lot of weight; I had vomited for four months before I was diagnosed, but Doobay’s has been lenient with me, offering treatment at less cost.” “Even when I don’t have money, sometimes, I come here and I get the treatment…” the woman related. She added that, without the help of the centre, she shudders to think of where she would be. “I might not be alive,” she added reluctantly. In little under a decade, Doobay’s Medical and Research Centre has facilitated treatment for patients in like situations. The clinic started at a time, when people were being dialysed at G$36,000 (CAD $228) per session. A patient usually requires three dialysis sessions per week. The scenario was described as a death sentence for many affected by kidney failure. Moved by the state of affairs, Dr. Doobay, the clinic’s founder, looked to provide patients with a more viable option. Through charitable donations and help from the government, DMRC was able to reduce the fee to G$6,000 (CAD$38) per dialysis. Yet about thirty per cent of the patients are dialysed free of charge because they could not afford to pay. The centre currently provides dialysis for a 100 patients through the support of doctors and nephrologists (from Mc Master University), (Continued on page 16)
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Tankers should contribute to funds, have disaster relief contracts with CDC - Greenidge
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o r e i g n A ff a i r s M i n i s t e r, C a r l Greenidge, is of the firm view that the respective regulatory bodies for the looming oil sector should have tankers contribute funds towards oil spill readiness and even have contracts with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on disaster risk management. In this regard, Greenidge said that when the time
comes, his Ministry will be advising Cabinet along these lines. He said, “Agencies such as the Maritime Administration Department ( M A R A D ) , t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), among others, should have appropriate legislation for the sector and may wish to require tankers operating in
Guyana contribute to funds and to have contracts with the CDC for example, to ensure that disaster relief arrangements are properly in place.” The Foreign Affairs Minister said that the work of his Ministry will not only be ensuring that the country joins the relevant petrodiplomacy organizations, but to also determine what new internal institutions may need improving, and in what
areas. Just recently, Greenidge noted that Guyana has already signed on to several conventions which will help to offer protection if such an eventuality occurs. 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
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge (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 Minister 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 as well, Greenidge 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 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.
Sunday January 20, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Offshore Guyana is the jewel in the crown, the mother of dragons - Eco Atlantic CEO be some time in the near to mid-term future subject to unitisation talks and we (will) try to start those talks based on the geophysics, which are very clear to all parties, instead of spending some $40 million on a well that basically nobody needs
Eco Atlantic's CEO, Gil Holzman
C
hief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eco Atlantic, Gil Holzman is excited about the future of oil in Guyana. This is especially so, since he believes that Eco and its two other partners, Tullow and Total, have bagged “an elephant-sized asset” in the Orinduik Block. Holzman made these and other comments during interviews with international media platforms: https://www.proactiveinvest ors.co.uk, and S&P Global Platts. According to Holzman, “Guyana is the jewel in the crown, the mother of dragons. That is the hottest exploration area in the world. It's no longer frontier, it's a submature basin,” he said. Holzman added, “This is phenomenal, over four billion barrels of pure, sweet, high grade API oil, which the refining itself is much easier than say neighboring Venezuela (which produces heavier, sourer crude), in a place that is easy to operate. It's a paradise for exploring in that sense.” Holzman also revealed that the partners, including French super major Total, will drill the first of two planned wells on Orinduik on a prospect called Jethro-Lobe in late May or early June. Holzman said that the well is most likely to spud in the third or fourth week of May and will actually zone in on an Upper Tertiary target called Lobe within what is described as the Jethro complex, which is assessed as having a series of targets. An initial statement from Eco had said that the prospect is in the Upper Cretaceous horizon. However, a later statement corrected this to Upper Tertiary, with Holzman also clarifying that total depth is in the Cretaceous. Eco has also said the
gross prospective resource estimate at Lobe is 250 million barrels of oil, with a chance of success estimated at 44 percent. Although Holzman clarified that the figure of 44 percent should be read as Eco's number, he added, “The number is not materially different from what our partners think.” H o w e v e r, Tu l l o w ' s Exploration Director, Angus McCoss said that the 2019 drilling candidates were being given chance of success “in the twenties” of percent. Holzman added, “One could think that the 250 million is a small number, but we don't consider it as one target, it is complex – very much like TEN in Ghana,” referring to the under-development Tw e n e b o a - E n y e n r a Ntomme field complex, operated by Tullow. “Tullow and the project Ghana team on this, they see it as very similar to what they have in TEN and this is why we are targeting it first, because the first target might open a big field,” he continued. “Jethro is a complex; Lobe is the immediate drilling target. It is a big canyon, a big channel with a lot of sand… (If) we prove Lobe contains oil, it will open up a very big complex.” Tullow said last week that it had identified four 2019 drill candidates on the block: Jethro, Kumaka, Amaila and Aurituk. The last is seen as possibly on trend with ExxonMobil's Hammerhead discovery on the Stabroek block, a find that is assessed as extending over into Orinduik. “ We c o n s i d e r Hammerhead in many ways to extend into our block, meaning that Hammerhead is a discovery also on our block,” Holzman said. “We believe that it will
to drill.” Holzman said the partners may be in a position in January or February to nominate the second well on Orinduik, although he agreed it is most likely they would drill on Aurituk next, with both wells possibly
drilled back-to-back. “I think eventually this block can easily be a target for 10 or more wells,” he said. Eco, which is a 15% stakeholder in Orinduik, has put the estimated net cost to it of the first well at $7.6
million, although Holzman cautioned that the company was being conservative on the high side with that estimate. (See link for more d e t a i l s : https://www.ecooilandgas.c om/tullows-guyana-wildcatto-target-ten-like-complex/)
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
$119M expended last year in Region 10 HEYS programme
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ome $119 million was disbursed to youths who participated in the Hinterland Employment Youth Service [HEYS] programme in Region 10. This disclosure was made by Coastal Monitor, Neil Persaud, as he addressed HEYS participants from cohort one and two during a recent one-day training session. The programme, which is funded through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, targets youths between 16 to 35 years old, while providing them with required skills and knowledge to start their own businesses. Addressing participants at the Coomacka Community Centre, Persaud revealed that the Programme has been very successful since its implementation in Region 10, back in 2017 – commencing in August 2017 and culminating in
- 89 percent of youths successfully complete entrepreneurial training
REO Orrin Gordon is standing at extreme left in front row next to Coastal Monitor Neil Persaud. At extreme right in front row is Region Eight Monitor, Kurt Perreira standing next to Region Seven Monitor, Lemmel Thomas in the company of participants from the Region 10 HEYS programme. July 2018. Persaud said 10 villages participated in the programme, with a total of 190 individuals being enrolled. He noted that through the programme, participants received a grant along with a stipend for one year. This translated to each participant receiving a $50,000 grant to start their respective business and a $30,000 monthly stipend for the one-year period. According to the Coastal Monitor, 182 youths received grants in R e g i o n 1 0 , o f which 169 completed the programme. Further, he noted that a total of 138 businesses were established, adding that there was a dropout rate of 11 percent. “This demonstrated that while 11 percent of persons dropped out, 89 percent of those persons successfully completed. That indicates that it was a very successful programme which indicates that our youths are indeed serious about developing themselves,” he said. He noted that studies have found that it takes three years for businesses to develop, thus the Government remains committed and dedicated in ensuring that youths from the programme receive the required training and support to ensure that their businesses can become very successful. “Through these training programmes it allows us to give you some more encouragement, knowledge and information, to become better business persons, so as to help with the development of the community and the nation at large,” he said. The HEYS programme in Region 10 was catered to by 20 facilitators, and according
to Persaud, the response by villages and persons was indeed very good. “Several villages mobilised the youths, while a number of persons came to us enquiring how they could get involved in the programme, as it was one of the most sought after programmes in the country. There continues to be a great demand for the continuation of the HEYS programme, and this speaks to the effectiveness of the programme,” Persaud asserted. He pointed out that employment was created, while economic development also took place, spurred by the $119M disbursed to the participants. The Coastal Monitor said too that a comparison was done with international organisations, which revealed that only 35 percent of businesses that received grants remained after a year, noting that a review of Region 10’s figures revealed over 50 percent remained. M o r e o v e r, P e r s a u d urged the youths to remain inspired and motivated, as he reminded them that they need to remain focused on their dreams and visions, in order to be better business persons who help to develop their communities. He pointed out that a number of the female participants have been employing their spouses - a move which will help to further boost the economy. He said too that a number of grandmothers and grandfathers are being employed, as participants aggressively seek to develop their businesses. As a result of HEYS’ implementation, Persaud said that a number of communities have been able to reverse the trend of unemployment they once faced.
In reviewing the success of the programme in Region 10, Persaud said that the councillors in the region have lent, and continue to lend valuable support and assistance to participants, thus resulting in its success. He revealed that recently Parliament approved an additional $50,000 to persons who are part of cohort one and two of the programme, even as he stressed that the vision of President David Granger is to further empower youths to become self-sustainable. He assured participants that assistance would be given to them with bottling, packaging, labelling, and most importantly, marketing their products. Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer [REO], Orrin Gordon, stressed that development continues in Region 10, discl o s i n g t h a t his region funded some 33 projects totalling some $54M, which was executed in the riverain communities within the Region. “Other than the HEYS programme, there are added development projects taking place within the region. Many persons have this concept that Linden is Region 10, but we must understand that Linden is just 55 square miles, while Region 10 is 6,555 square miles, so we can see that it is much bigger than Linden,” he declared. Gordon congratulated those responsible for executing t he HEYS programme in Region 10, even as he urged the participants to remain dedicated to the programme. He reminded them too that the knowledge, skills and support gain from the programme will certainly help to boost their entrepreneurial skills.
Sunday January 20, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Orthopaedic patients praise post-surgery care Several persons receiving post-operative care after undergoing orthopaedic surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital are very pleased with the services. On a visit to the hospital yesterday, Kaieteur News observed several persons attending clinic. One patient, Pulmattie Persaud, 66, underwent hip replacement surgery. According to Persaud, she underwent a successful procedure in October of last year. She said, “I am able to walk more. Before surgery I used to use a wheelchair, a walker and a cane. Now that I have completed surgery I am only using the cane.” Persaud said that she is due for another hip replacement surgery. Lorraine, 61, who was diagnosed with arthritis in her right knee, also underwent surgery. Detailing her experience, she said, “I couldn’t even wear pants and do chores around the home.” She said that before surgery she had to use a cane to aid her with walking. As for Neil Lewis, 56, of Berbice, the hip replacement surgery has improved his life. Lewis explained that at age 30, he fell from a truck and trailer while working and later developed a problem with his hip. He recalled that he used to feel a pain in one of his hips but never took the situation seriously. It was until he visited the New Amsterdam Hospital to do an x-ray that doctors there, referred him to Georgetown Public Hospital. “When I came here, doctors asked me if I wanted to do a hip replacement surgery. I did the surgery last year October. That surgery was successful, but I find that the other hip is starting to pain. So I am coming to clinic for observation.”
Another patient, a woman, who declined to give her name said, “Since I got the knee replacement there is no more pain. I am walking fine. Before surgery I was unable to sit and even bend my knees. But since I got the surgery I am able to do everything. When asked to comment on the quality of service offered by the hospital, the patients stated that it is very good. According to them, the doctors, nurses and other staff are very friendly. They disclosed that the staff is very organized and would even call patients to remind them of their clinic dates and so on. As for now, all of them are undergoing physiotherapy. Also yesterday, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence was in high spirits as she visited the patients. The aim of her visit was to have one-on-one interaction with persons who were beneficiaries of the various surgeries, compliments of Operation Walk Maryland (OWM). OWM is a private, notfor-profit, volunteer medical service organization that provides free surgical treatment for patients in developing countries and in the United States. Last year, an OWM team visited Guyana for the first time and conducted knee joint replacement and hip replacement on over forty persons. During an interview, Minister Lawrence said that she was there to see how the patients have progressed since their respective operations. She said that the problems plaguing the patients were associated with middle-age, and those who were involved in accidents. The Minister added that the comments from the patients were
Some of the patients who were waiting to be seen by doctors overwhelmingly positive and she now has the zest to further collaborate with the OWM.According to the Minister, it brings her joy to see that these persons are now able to live a normal life, adding that, one man told her he is now able to walk his cows. Moreover, Minister Lawrence added, “Whenever they (OWM) come here there is an exchange of knowledge.” Meanwhile, Medical Director of OWM, Paul Khanuja, who is the Chief of Adult Reconstruction of Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery at the department of Orthopedic Surgery for Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, said he has received positive postsurgery comments from the patients. He said, “They are walking much better and feeling less pain.” After interacting with the patients, Minister Lawrence met with officials from OWM and Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Brigadier George Lewis. Khanuja disclosed that
TIP report for 2017: 50 alleged victims; 35 suspects; 3 convictions to date
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2017 report on trafficked persons has highlighted 14 suspected cases that year in Guyana. This week, the Cabinet of Ministers received the Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking In Persons for Year 2017 That task force is headed by Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. It comprises governmental and non-governmental agencies. The work of the task force began in January 2017, when an international action plan was launched. That plan continues to guide the activities of the task force, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon explained Friday. The report highlighted Guyana’s elevation to Tier 1
status in the US Department of State annual report on TIP. Tier 1 status means that Guyana fully meets the minimum standard for the elimination of TIP. It was explained that the report outlines the task force’s approach that was based on four “Ps” - Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership. The report also detailed the activities undertaken under the four Ps, including sensitization and awareness of trafficking in persons, as well as education sessions that were conducted at private, public and nongovernmental entities, throughout Guyana. It also speaks of the efforts of the Government, through its Counter
Trafficking Unit and the Minister of Social Protection, in providing various forms of care services and assistance to trafficking victims, both local and foreign. The efforts of police and the TIP Unit initiated 14 cases that included 50 alleged victims, and 35 suspects, and which has resulted in three convictions to date, Minister Harmon told media personnel. It would have involved the collaboration between the Government of Guyana, the US Department of State, Interpol, United Nations Organisation of Drugs, and Crime, and International Organisation for Migration. There have been recorded complaints of trafficking in restaurants, nightclubs and in the mining areas of Guyana.
his team is currently in talks with officials at the hospital about visiting Guyana later this year to lend more assistance. Officials from OWM conducted the surgeries last year and had promised to return this month to conduct follow-up examinations. Last year, Senior Registrar of Medical and Professional Services, GPHC, Dr. Kaaleshwar Ramcharran had
said that for the project they began screening 170 patients who required joint replacement surgery. He had said then that, “We didn’t have any significant complications after surgery and I know the patients are very grateful and they are very happy, especially when we went into the wards, the patients’ joy on their faces, we see them walking around the wards
with the physiotherapists, it was really good to see.” Further he had said that these types of surgeries are expensive and would cost $2M, inclusive of attached fees, to conduct a joint replacement surgery at a private hospital. At the Georgetown Public Hospital, patients are asked to contribute $200,000 to help offset the costs of implants, but with OWM, the surgeries are free.
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
HIV/AIDS awareness to be included in Region 10 Mash activities
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aising awareness about HIV/AIDS will be high on the agenda as the Regional Democratic Council [RDC] of Region 10 makes preparation for its 2019 Mashramani celebration. This is according to Deputy Regional Executive Officer [DREO], Maylene Stephen, who is convinced that “this year will be an exciting year...the Region has planned a pack calendar [of activities] for residents and visitors to the Region.” According to Stephen, the first of the 13 activities already planned will be a HIV/AIDS sensitisation workshop for schools. The primary objective of this activity, the DREO said, is to educate, inform and sensitize students on the impact and effects of HIV/AIDS.
Stephen noted that the Region has recognised the importance of ensuring that school-age children are fully aware of the dreaded disease. “Through this we are looking to educate our young people to behave responsibly, because we know that when we have all these festivities which entail music, some drinking and a lot of parties around the various communities, I think that we need to educate our young people, and even some of our not so young, about having or portraying a responsible sexual behaviour,” said Stephen. The awareness will fall under a programme being dubbed, ‘the Mashramani Sexual Sensitization Programme’. It is the DREO’s expectation that through this programme, “our young
people can be well educated. It is our dream that our population will continue to grow, but we don’t want at these activities, persons depicting negative social and sexual behaviours or irresponsible behaviours. So, it must be noted that this is critically important, as our focus is to educate and sensitize the public,” the DREO stressed. The Mashramani activities in the Region are slated to commence on February 9, 2019 with the Region’s hosting of the Carib Soca Monarch Semi-finals which will be held at the LindenGeorgetown Bus Park. The next activity will be held on February 22, which Stephen said will see three flag-raising ceremonies in Linden, Ituni and Kwakwani being hosted simultaneously. The activities will include
Region 10’s Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Ms. Maylene Stephen. a Regional Coconut Day and, according to DREO, already residents are excited and eager for this event slated to be held by the Blue Berry Hill North Community Development Council at the Co-op Crescent Square. “I can tell you that already there is significant interest and excitement, as this event will showcase everything coconut. Everything that will be sold and used to advertise will come from coconut...the re-
gion will demonstrate the many things that coconut can be used to do, and the public is urged to come out and witness it,” said Stephen. On February 23, Mashramani Day, the DREO said, the region will be sending a 100-strong costume band to participate in the costume and float parade billed for Georgetown. But according to Stephen, “Our members were of the idea that when we return from Georgetown, per-
sons may still be a bit hyped, so they decided that in the evening on the 23rd we will host an activity name the River Front Mashramani Swing.” She noted that the River Front Mashramani Swing will also be held at the Co-op Crescent and is expected to see in attendance persons who would have participated earlier in the Georgetown float parade. The event will also cater to those who were not given the opportunity in Georgetown, Stephen said. Listed among the activities will be the Linden road Mash Parade set for March 3 at the Mackenzie –Wisroc community centre ground, which will be preceded by the Wet Fete at the Linden/ Georgetown Bus Park on March 2 at the Republic Avenue Linden/Georgetown Bus Park. According to the DREO, the Mashramani activities will culminate on March 10 with the Kwakwani Mash parade set for the Kwakwani Water Front to the Kwakwani Park area. Slated to be included in the Region’s calendar of activities will be the major children Mashramani activities, Stephen added.
Int’l Charity provides evaluation .... From page 10 who visit Guyana every two months to assess and treat the patients. At present, the Centre is being supported by IDRF as it moves to expand its services. In addition to the dialysis work, the DMRC has added a Pharm a c y, X - r a y d e p a r t m e n t a n d U l t r a sound machines. There is also the General Practitioners’ service being offered at the Centre.
Mr. Kassim noted that the expansion of the service is in keeping with the goal to make the charitable work of the clinic self-sufficient and sustainable. “The idea of expanding the services offered is to help the centre offset expenses and make the facility somewhat independent. We have received tremendous help from our donors, and would hope that others would join the worthy cause.”
Sunday January 20, 2019
Guyana only equipped with minimum education for oil and gas sector – Youths learn at energy forum Following the unexpectedly large turnout to the previous forum by the Energy Department which was geared at engaging young people about the oil and gas sector, another such event was hosted yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Speaking at the forum, Director of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Floyd Scott, and Registrar of the University of Guyana (UG), Nigel Gravesande, shared the sobering fact that although first oil is months away, Guyana is only equipped with minimum education for the oil and gas sector. Informing the gathering about the objectives of CTVET, Scott stated that, “The TVET council was created to build and train a globally qualified workforce to meet the demands and challenges of globalization.” “TVET operates through programmes available at technical institutes throughout the country which are equipped to train persons for employment both locally and regionally,” Scott stated. He asserted that “Our institutes offer 246 occupational standards for 17 sectors, however only 27 approved standards are currently being done in 8 institutes and none involves the oil and gas sector.” According to Scott, the council is looking for skilled profiles and support to provide the requisite tools, infrastructure, equipment and experts to facilitate a programme for oil and gas. Gravesande, meanwhile, pointed out that, “Guyana being a newcomer to such an industry found itself unprepared, and in some cases handicapped in local skills to make a significant contribution to a production that will commence in 2020.” “UG being the premier leading tertiary education institution had to respond to the gap in the energy and gas sector. The University of Guyana took the critical step of providing a programme for the sector through the faculty of engineering and technology.” The Registrar enlightened the gathering that beginning in January 2019, in collaboration with the University of Trinidad and Tobago, a new two-year programme which is an associate science degree in petroleum engineering will be offered for Guyanese geared towards a career in the oil and gas sector. There was a loud round of applause as the registrar announced that 74 persons would have already signed up to start the programme. Moreover, both men emphasized that persons can look at the indirect jobs that will be available like clerks, transporters, sanitation workers, etc. “We must be conscious about the requirements for the oil and gas sector to be considered a valuable member in the supply chain,” Scott stated. It was stressed that although the local content legislation is not in place as yet, there are things in place that persons can be involved in, whether in the oil and gas sector, or sectors around it, so as to reap the benefits from revenues to come from oil production. One participant recommended that at the next forum put together by the department, there should be persons who already have business entities in place, to be present to give the nation a chance to meet with them and engage about employment. The Department of Energy is expected to host more fora to reach out to persons in other sectors, so as to give them an opportunity to share whatever resources they have that the oil and gas sector is in need of. MOVING THE EDUCATION SECTOR FORWARD According to Gravesande, UG is also working towards collaborating with the University of the West Indies to provide further training for Guyana’s workforce. And Scott posited that his council is moving to have more experts to provide the necessary advice for training in the sector. He also mentioned that schools below the tertiary level are being targetted to have assessments properly prepare persons for the workforce and the necessary guidance to a career choice. Director of the Energy Department, Dr Mark Bynoe, mentioned that based on Guyana’s development priorities, there may be subsidies or scholarships in specific subject areas to cater for persons unable to pay for tertiary education. IMPACT ON OTHER SECTORS The numerous questions that were asked about the impact the oil and gas sector will have on other sectors were answered by the panel in quite pragmatic nature - persons should not only rely on the oil and gas sector. It was recommended that persons who want to see what they are doing represented in oil and gas, can think of ideas, create plans, and approach persons in charge of their sector to have their views considered so that they can also gain by providing whatever they have. The Department of Energy will be engaging other youths nationwide to empower them to seek solutions for the oil and gas sector, while at the same time sensitizing them about the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and skill-sets for the youth labour force.
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Int’l Year of Indigenous Languages... From page 2 around the world continue to disappear, at an extremely alarming rate.” Therefore, Minister Allicock said, it is important that the Indigenous peoples understand the importance of such a historic event. He emphasised government’s commitment to supporting the preservations of Indigenous languages. The International Year of Indigenous Languages is a United Nations observance in 2019. It aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous languages across the world, with an aim to establish a link between language, development, peace and reconciliation. On December 19, 2016, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 2019 as
the International Year of Indigenous Languages based on a resolution of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The General Assembly’s resolution requested the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the lead UN agency for coordination of the year. U N E S C O ’ s Representative Patrice LaFleur commended Guyana for the work it has been doing to promote and preserve its nine Indigenous languages. She explained that the International Year of Indigenous Languages aims to focus attention on the risks confronting indigenous languages, especially those significant for development, reconciliation, good governance and peacebuilding.
It also aims to improve the quality of life, wider international cooperation and visibility and strengthened intercultural dialogue to reaffirm the continuity of indigenous languages and cultures. Activities planned for the year will be in three thematic areas; supporting the revitalisation and maintenance of indigenous languages through the creation of more materials and content; preserving indigenous languages, creating access to education, information and knowledge in and about indigenous languages for indigenous children, young people and adults; and mainstreaming the knowledge areas and values of indigenous peoples and cultures within broader social-cultural economic and political domains, as well as
cultural practices such as traditional sports and games. In Guyana, the sum of $36M was allocated in the 2019 National Budget to promote the nine Indigenous Languages, through the collaboration with the UN’s Indigenous Peoples Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Among activities proposed throughout the year are a Language Revival Programme, Village Welcome Signboards to be erected at the entrance of each village in their respective language, Radio and Television programmes, a Children’s Book, a Tourist Hand Book, a Short Story competition, debates in four languages (Patamona, Akawaio, Wapishana and Makushi) at the Umana Yana, an Indigenous Food festival, a Calendar of Nations 2019 and
A scene from the official launch of International Year of the Indigenous Languages in Aishalton Village, South Rupununi, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Region 9. establishing an Indigenous Summer School. Aishalton is leading in the preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages. Already, a bilingual Wapichan education programme was implemented in the schools
in in the village. Speaking in the Wa p i c h a n language, Toshao Michael Thomas said that the event is another milestone for his community and they will continue to ensure that their language is preserved.
Illegal use of CARICOM SG’s photo on social media being investigated
CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque
GEORGETOWN – The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat on Friday said it is investigating reports of the illegal use of the picture of its Secretary General Irwin LaRocque on the social media platform, WhatsApp. The WhatsApp purporting to come from the Secretary General uses the telephone number +15156128117. But the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) received a message from LaRocque indicating “an imposter” had set up a WhatsApp account “using my name and profile picture. “The only WhatsApp account I have is on my Guyana cell number. Do not respond to any messages if it is not from the account with my Guyana cell,” LaRocque added. Meanwhile, the Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to CARICOM, Dr. Clarence Henry said he too had received an email from the “Office of the Secretary General” last December, indicating that he (Henry) had been “reported to the Secretary General of CARICOM by your former Ambassador for misconduct”. The email urged Henry to “kindly follow the below Link and sign in to view Report” adding “the report is accessible only via your government email. “The Office of the Secretary-General would appreciate receiving an acknowledgement of receipt of this transmission via return e-mail,” the email added. The CARICOM Secretariat said it had never issued such an e-email. (CMC)
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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How about a Committee for the Defence of the Constitution?
A
grouping of professional o rg a n i z a t i o n s and independent Guyanese came together and launched a highly successful boycott of the 1978 referendum. That grouping was known as the Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCC). The CCC comprised a number of non-political professional groups and trade unions. The members of this Committee were the Lawyers' Committee, Architects' Committee, Committee of Medical Practitioners, Committee of Concerned Educators, University of Guyana Staff Association, Clerical and Commercial Workers' Union and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees. It teamed up with the Committee for the Defence of Democracy (CDD) – a grouping of opposition political parties – to mobilize opposition to Burnham's devious plans to change the Independence Constitution. The formation of the CCC was preceded by the establishment of a Committee of Ten, which sought to liberate bauxite workers from the leadership of one of the bauxite unions whose leadership was partisan. After the rigging of the 1973 elections, the PPP's campaign of civil resistance was met with extreme repression. One of the PPP activists, Arnold Rampersaud, was framed for the toll station murders. An Arnold Rampersaud Defence Committee was established and included Walter Rodney. Maurice Bishop, who was to later lead a revolution in Grenada, came to Guyana to lend his efforts to the legal team defending Rampersaud. There were a number of other occasions in which organizations, groups and individuals, not aligned to either the PNC or the PPP, came together to fight for the rights of workers. In 1974, the Organization of Working People was established to support bauxite workers in their struggles. During the
more than 100-day sugar strike, Friends of Sugar Workers helped to mobilize relief supplies for the striking workers. In the run-up to the 1992 elections, there was a concerted effort by a range of organizations and individuals, both inside and outside of Guyana, to press for free and fair elections. The 1992 elections marked a turning point in many respects. It freed Guyana of the PNC dictatorship, but it also led to the deepening of the polarization of society and the intensification of zerosum politics, so much so that the independent voices have almost disappeared. The zero-sum game of Guyanese politics ought to have led to efforts at the creation of independent 'spaces' for parties not aligned to either of the two main political parties. It should also have led to civil society playing a more integral role in political and social affairs. The very opposite happened. The more intense the zero-sum game became, the more polarized became society and independent spaces for civil society were narrowed. Was it because of political repression? Political repression in the 1970's saw PNC thugs taking protesting University of Guyana students to the seawall and beating the living daylights of out of them, after which they were forced to paint pro-PNC signs on the sea defences. Political repression saw raids on the homes of opposition activists and false charges being laid against them. Political repression saw persons being harassed and dismissed from state jobs. Political repression took many forms. However, it offers a limited explanation as to why civil society has been smothered. Since 1992, civil society has been stifled. Independent voices have become endangered species. Today only a handful of individuals and organizations are prepared to stand up and confront the
powers-that-be. Those that standup such as Glenn Lall, Christopher Ram, David Hinds, Lincoln Lewis, Freddie Kissoon, Marcel Gaskin, Anand Goolsarran and Ramon Gaskin, are treated as pariahs. They are demonized and ostracized. Those who seek to carve out independence from the two main political leviathans are scandalized and threatened. This very political culture of repression ought
to have thrown up more independent voices. It has not, and that is a paradox that has to be investigated further to determine whether the present generation of Guyanese are so selfcentered that they care little about standing up for principles. It is most amazing that no effort has been made, in the present political crisis, to establish a Committee for the Defence of the
Constitution. Some independent individuals have condemned the alleged violations of the Constitution in recent years. Yet, there has been no attempt to forge a grouping of similar-minded groups and individuals to defend the Constitution. It is all well and good for new political groupings to pledge to amend the Constitution. But Guyanese have heard this before and
seen very little action on this front. Should defending constitutional rule not be a prelude to efforts at amending the supreme law? If the Constitution cannot be defended when it is being violated, what is the use of amending it when there is no guarantee that such amendments will be respected?
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Sunday January 20, 2019
The OAS dangerously in disarray By Sir Ronald Sanders
O
ver the last few days there has been a serious overreach by Luis Almagro, of the authority he has as Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS). If Mr. Almagro continues to exceed his authority, plainly set out in the Charter of the OAS, the already fragmented organisation will be headed for grave fracture. The job of the Secretary-
General of any multinational or international organisation is to represent the positions of the collective membership of the organisation either after direction by the appropriate governing bodies or after discussion with them that establishes a consensus. Almost from the day of his installation, Mr. Almagro has steadfastly ignored any such requirements. In his latest overreach, Mr. Almagro has taken upon himself to unilaterally and
publicly anoint an “Interim President” of Venezuela. Almagro's selection is Juan Guaidó who was elected by the National Assembly made up of only Opposition party representatives - as its President “for a year”. He made this spontaneous statement at a meeting on January 15 at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. thinktank based in Washington, D.C. No official organ of the OAS has made any such
decision or even discussed it, and none has authorised Mr. Almagro to make it. This latest unauthorised statement on Venezuelan matters is the most recent in a series by Almagro, directed a t t h e Ve n e z u e l a n government, that ruled-out both he, as SecretaryGeneral, and the OAS as honest brokers in trying to reach a settlement to the political divisions that have plagued Venezuela over the past five years. The Secretary-General has also taken to tweeting his personal views, which he incorrectly represents as speaking for the OAS, a grouping of 34 countries. In a tweet on January 11, Luis Almagro stated: “We support the agreement in Ve n e z u e l a ' s n a t i o n a l assembly declaring the usurpation by Nicolás Maduro and the need to apply constitutional article 233 on a transitional government and the call for an election”. Exactly who is the “we” to whom Almagro referred is unknown, since he did not
identify them. But what is known is that it is not any official organ of the OAS, including the Permanent Council, which is the highest decision-making body, representing all member states at Ambassadorial level. It may be that Mr. Almagro is working with a handful of countries which, from their own governments' declarations, oppose the government of Nicolas Maduro to the point where they are using every means to topple it, but in doing so, he is not representing the OAS or the collective will of the member-states. Governments are free to pursue their own national policies on Venezuela, but they have no entitlement to impose those policies on the OAS. The reality is that the membership of the OAS is deeply divided, not over the troubling humanitarian, political and financial crisis in Venezuela, but over the response to it.
Sir Ronald Sanders There is no member state that condones the political impasse created by both ruling and opposition parties; the shortage of food and medicines; the hardship being endured by a large number of Venezuelans; and now the flow of refugees into neighbouring countries. The disagreement arises from the manner in which 14 countries, calling themselves “The Lima Group” has held private meetings to fashion decisions which they then try to push through the Permanent Council of the OAS on a majority vote of 18. The problem with this approach is that when a majority of 18 secures passage of a resolution or a declaration on which others (continued on page 33)
Sunday January 20, 2019
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---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---
Teach the Children: African Guyanese must be frank with our leaders
A
little-known ca lypso by Kelvin Pope aka the Mighty Duke titled “Teach the Children” is fresh on my mind. It is part of a module on historical memory for a course on Black Political Music that I am currently teaching. In that calypso, Duke sought to educate listeners about the profound history of Africa; he contended that such memory was critical to the cultural health of the nation. I cite Duke to make the point that here in Guyana, we are constantly guilty of not teaching the children, because we avoid the essence of our politics in the quest for political power. Guyana is once again at the political crossroads. Many observers would say that this outcome was inevitable . How often have the Guyanese people provided the leaders with openings for a political solution and they, the leaders, have found ways to squander them? It’s fascinating to hear the discourses at all levels of our society in the wake of the noconfidence vote. Except for a few instances, those discourses avoid the essence of the problem. Even if Mr. Charrandass Persaud is found guilty of taking bribes for his vote, or the court finds that his vote was invalid given his dual citizenship, or the court rules that the parliamentary majority is thirty-four, the essence of the problem that brought us to this point would be left unaddressed. From 1992, when the first democratic elections were held in almost three decades, to the present, our country has moved from one crisis to the other, and each time we find a way to pretend that the impasse is new. Only three years ago we had a no-confidence motion which was not brought to a
vote by the then governing party. Supporters of the ruling coalition choose to forget that the AFC had alleged that parliamentarians from APNU were being targeted by the PPP to vote against the motion; that it got such information from very credible sources. The AFC and APNU never leveled with the Guyanese people on the truthfulness of those charges—they got power, and everything was forgotten. But here we are today pretending that that episode never occurred and, in the process, fooling ourselves that the “Judas” label that is pinned on Persaud is unique to him. The truth of the matter is that the current crisis was not caused by Charrandass’ vote. His vote was the outcome of a larger problem that has plagued Guyana since the 1950s—the inability of our political leaders to manage political power in the interest of those to whom the power belongs. In other words, it was the mismanagement of political power by the Coalition that brought us to this point. Charrandass’ vote was merely the occasion for the simmering contradictions of the Coalition’s tenure to explode. The results of the LGE only a few weeks before had brought those contradictions to the open, but our collective penchant for denying the obvious did not allow for any serious self-examination. Recall that when the PPP lost in 2015, it blamed its defeat on the complacency of its supporters. Like the current rulers, it refused to acknowledge that it was its gross mismanagement of power that led to that outcome. Unfortunately, those who succeeded them learned nothing from those mistakes. How can leaders continue to make
the same mistakes repeatedly? The obvious answer lies in the inability to manage power—the personalization of that power to the point that they come to believe that it is their God-given property. So, as I witness the daily rage of the mainly African Guyanese supporters of the Coalition, I realize how important it is to teach the children, even if it means being nailed to the cross. It saddens me to hear some African Guyanese make silly excuses for the government as if somehow that would change the situation. The daily rants against the PPP and the references to the dark days of Jagdeo are understood. But what is ignored is the fact that the outgoing government did absolutely nothing to structurally overturn the deadly regime left by the PPP. We African Guyanese must get that latter fact into our heads rather than just continue to spout empty talking points. The long tenure of the PPP in office brought home a salient fact that we knew before that party took power— the rules of our democracy do not thr ow up fair ethnic outcomes. The ethnic group with a larger population is the guaranteed “winner” and the ones with smaller populations are guaranteed “losers”. The PPP exploited this situation to its fullest to construct an ethnically imbalanced political economy that outlived its tenure in office. In the process, the very socio-cultural foundations of the society underwent a serious battering. By the time the PPP left the office, ours was a lawless society from top to bottom—the badness penetrated every facet of our lives. If ever there was a “wild west” in the Caribbean, it was the Guyana left by the PPP. It took some rebellious
The Baccoo Speaks A decision by the Guyana Elections Commission will not find favour with the political opposition, although this course of action was previously endorsed by the opposition. This is going to spark a heated debate. The next move to parliament will open up a whole new area of discussions and the development of even more acrimony. ** A shock announcement will be coming from the political opposition as it relates to the presidential candi-
date. The decision will open a longstanding rift in the party. The Opposition leader will face opposition, but he is so strong that the opposition will not faze him. There will be many
threats. ** Crime is really down, yet there are the few who will take chances. One of these young persons will attack a shopper who would have some money in a purse. However, this crime would be committed against all odds, because the streets would be full of people who would have just received their first salary for the year. The crowd would respond and the young criminal would be beaten severely.
Indian Guyanese to pool their electoral resources with African Guyanese to throw the PPP out, despite the rules being in that party’s favour. This is a fact that African Guyanese need to get into our heads—we did not do it on our own. Some courageous PNC and WPA leaders came up with a strategy to win in spite of the rules. APNU was more than a coalition of parties—it was a rescue act that was later joined by the AFC. The APNU+AFC government was more than a government—it was a rescue act aided by a razor-thin winning margin. It meant, therefore, that the government had a responsibility to use its power to finish the rescue act. The first order of business was to try to change the rules to throw up a fairer ethnic outcome. This is where constitutional reform came in. The larger section of its constituency, African Guyanese, are more vulnerable to the current rules. Yet the government didn’t lift a finger to change the rules. That is the lesson that African Guyanese need to focus on, as they try
to put their leaders back in power So, I am begging African Guyanese to open your eyes and be smart. Stop denying that our leaders messed up. The very “Indian Judases” you’re now cussing out helped us to get out of the PPP’s vice, and put our leaders in power. It is our leaders who ignored the delicate situation and refused to do the right thing. We must stop the nonsense that “they only had three years.” When you have a oneseat majority, you have to govern as if each day is your last day in office. Many of us are too young to remember when John Compton, the late St Lucian Prime Minister, refused to govern with a one-seat majority and went back to the electorate for a bigger mandate. Any serious politician should know that a one-seat majority, especially by a coalition, is a very sticky situation that calls for creative management. Ranting against the bad PPP days would not help African Guyanese. We must be frank with our leaders that
Dr David Hinds they let us down, and get them to understand that if given another chance they must do better. We must be frank with them that Executive Power Sharing by law is our best guarantee of sharing political power in Guyana. We must tell them that they cannot win as a partnership and govern as a singleparty. We must let them know that we are tired of always making excuses for them. And most of all, we must stop cussing Indian Guyanese, because we cannot win any election without their help. More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his w e b s i t e www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
Shooting the sleeping carpenter By Michael Jordan It was at around 23:00 hrs on Saturday, November 22, 2008, that police ranks from the East Coast of Demerara rushed to Lot 642 Seventeenth Street, Foulis, to find themselves confronted by one of the most mysterious cases to come out of the crime wave period. The home belonged to Vikesh Budhram, a 25-year-old carpenter, who lived there with his reputed wife, Basmattie, the couple’s two daughters, aged two and one year re-
spectively, and their grandmother. When the cops arrived, a hysterical Basmattie informed them that Vikesh was dead. According to the woman, she, Vikesh and the one-yearold daughter had retired to bed in the same room. The two-year-old daughter and Vikesh’s mother had occupied another room. Basmattie said that at around 23:00 hrs, she was awakened by a loud explosion in the bedroom. The woman claimed that she opened her eyes in time to see two masked men
Vikesh Budhram
in dark clothing fleeing the room.According to Basmattie, her reputed husband was still lying on the bed, she shook him. It was then that she saw the blood gushing from his neck. Basmattie claimed that Vikesh tried to speak, but was unable to. She then called out to neighbours, but no one came. Vikesh succumbed shortly after from a wound to the right side of the neck. Detectives recovered a bullet casing and a warhead similar to those used in AK-47 and M70 assault rifles.
Checking the scene further, they discovered that someone had removed the louvre panes from a window in the bottom flat.It appeared that the killers entered through the bottom flat via the window, then proceeded to the upper flat, where they shot the sleeping carpenter. But detectives were baffled. For one thing, there appeared to be no clear motive.The killers had apparently fled the home without touching the family’s valuables.The other thing that was puzzling was the fact that the gunmen had apparently known which bedroom Vikesh had occupied. The investigators were also baffled by the fact that, apart from the victim’s wife, no one else in the household had seen the killers. Indeed, no one in theneighbourhood had seen the fleeing men. Dhanmattie Budhram, the murdered man’s mother, recalled being awakened by the gunshot and hearing her daughter-in-law screaming. She also recalled hearing someone running in the house. At the time, she had assumed that it was her son running to investigate. It was then that her daughter-in-law called out to say that Vikesh had been shot. And there appeared to be no reason for anyone wanting to kill the young carpenter.
Relatives and neighbours described him as a peaceful, hard-working individual who appeared to have no problems with anyone. An autopsy would later reveal that the gunman had shot Budhram at very close range, since there were burn marks around the wound. Ballistic tests failed to match the bullet casing and warhead to any known weapon.The detectives were also bothered by what appeared to be conflicting statements from the victim’s family members, and particularly by the fact that only one occupant of the home had seen the killers. They took Vikesh’s reputed wife into custody. However, the woman stuck to her story and police were unable to find anything to incriminate her in the man’s d e a t h . They also detained two of the victim’s brothers, but they, too, were eventually released.Police officials say they have no new information on the baffling death of Vikesh Budhram.If you have any information about other unusual cases, please contact Kaieteur News at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown l o c a t i o n . We can be reached on telephone numbers 22-58465, 22-58491 or 22-58473. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address kamarangnight@gmail.com
Sunday January 20, 2019
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Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
I cannot support abolition of the death penalty in general Please Google the following words, “Mother and boyfriend accused of killing boy crushed to death in car.” Here is what happened. It took place in the UK. The boy was three years old. He was sitting on the ground in the back seat area. He was crying continuously. The boyfriend was annoyed and kept pulling the lever so the front seat could go back and hit the baby. When the baby was struck, obviously he was hurt and began to cry louder. The mother who was in the back seat began to slap him for crying out in pain. The boyfriend kept pushing the front seat back onto the baby until he was crushed to death. In situations like these when I write about them, I always say; “Thank God non-white persons were not the perpetrators.” Non-white people are always looked down upon by the white, developed world. We are seen as inferior in values to the white race. When Americans and Europeans come down to the Third World, they return and write condescendingly of what they see. We read that our waiters are not properly attired. The hotels lack international standards; the supermarkets are not classy enough; our politicians are uncouth (even though the Republican Party in the US has the most outrageous politicians in the world, many of whom come close to embracing fascism) etc. This is racial superiority at work. See my column of Tuesday, February 20, 2018, captioned, “Australian horror: Thank God it wasn’t a Black family.” On the journey of a cruise liner, the entire ship of passengers was terrorized by a group of drunken men and their friends, including female relatives and wives. Passengers bolted up themselves in their cabins. Staff
members were assaulted. It was terror on the high seas. And guess what? It didn’t happen in Africa or Central America. All the culprits were white Australians. When I read the story of the crushed baby, it further convinced me that Homo sapiens is a flawed species. Many members of the human race are unfit to be humans and should be put to death for sadistic crimes involving death. There is no question in my mind whatsoever that I would not even think about it for a fraction of a second if I have to vote on whether that boyfriend and the baby’s mother should be given the death penalty and then put away. I do not support the complete abolition of the death penalty. I believe there should be a broad category for which the death sentence should be removed from the law books. There is an extensive list of crimes for which I do not support the state carrying out execution. I can think of treason; crimes of passion; physical brawls in which one or more of the combatants die, shootings that were criminal in intent but things went out of control, many cases of murder. etc. But certainly not in all circumstances should the death penalty be removed. The crusaders of the abolition of the death penalty know little about ontology, philosophy, the nature of human existence, the nature of Homo sapiens. They clamour for the removal of state execution, because they have a naïve and one-sided understanding of the human being. The premise of the advocates of the abolition of the death penalty is that humans are a higher species and it is cruel for the state to deliberately put a human to death. This premise is flawed and the reasoning is more emotionally than philosophically and scientifically based.
I have never read anywhere why humans should not kill a bear that is attacking them. I contend in the same context, humans who become carnivorous bears should be killed, and I am unapologetic about this. Here is my pellucid polemic. In life, members of the human race descend to the level of the savage beast. They have no reasoning, no
rationality, no human instincts. They are dangerous creatures that hurt and kill people. When caught, depending on the nature of their crimes, they should be removed entirely from civilized society. Their uncivilized lives should end. I make no apologies for writing this, and I will repeat it as long as I see how right the philosophers were on the
nature of Homo sapiens. The list includes Koestler, Freud, Nietzsche, Hobbes, etc. Some humans are not higher animals. They are lower than the lowest forms of animal life. They do not belong to society and should not be even put in jail. They should be physically removed from life because of their savagery. Those who killed that baby do not deserve to live.
Frederick Kissoon
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 20, 2019
Sunday January 20, 2019
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Kaieteur News
My column
A remarkable political decision
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here are some things that seem to defy logic. One of them involves an overseasbased Guyanese who took time off to call me, not once, but twice, to chide me. A few weeks ago I did a column that examined the political situation in Guyana as it pertained to the selection of the presidential candidate for the political opposition . While there was no formal announcement, the media found out that there were five frontrunners. I suggested that given the nature of local politics and the sharp divisions in the society, especially along racial and religious lines, it was unlikely that a Muslim would emerge the presidential candidate. I spoke of the People’s Progressive Party being predominantly Hindu; it was unlikely that the party would select a Muslim as its presidential candidate. I pointed to the fact that Muslims had never held pride of place in the party and that their numbers were never significant in the PPP leadership. Two weeks passed and a man called me to accuse me of dividing the country at worst, or promoting divisions in the country. He spoke at length of the things he personally did for two black families. In his mind, he had made a contribution at providing some healing in the country. I was barely able to get a word in; such was this man’s anger at the conclusions in my column. In the end he contended that I, Adam Harris, should not get involved in such matters. I did not get angry, because as far as I am concerned every man is entitled to his view. It was a little disconcerting that a man who really does not know me should dictate to me what I should do. But then again, that is only a small example of the division in the country. It turned out that the Presidential candidate is Irfaan Ali. Needless to say the news shocked people across the country, particularly since in recent weeks news surfaced that Irfaan Ali had lied
about his qualifications. The discoveries were amazing. For starters, this was a man who worked his way up the ranks of the party on the back of his university degrees. He was found to have lied about his Master’s degree. The university said that it never offered the course that Irfaan said that he pursued.He completed the programme in one year when normally people would take two years. Above all, he said that he gained entry to the university by virtue of his first degree. An examination revealed that he got his first degree three years after he got his Master’s. The then government never took time to assess Ali’s degrees, although when a man is selected to political office his academic qualifications mean nothing. The fact that Ali prevailed in the Central Committee vote is testimony to his popularity in the party. Secondly, the people who voted did not pay attention to the baggage t h a t d e v e l o p e d around him. Insiders said that Bharrat Jagdeo really wanted Irfaan, and his hold on power within the party prevailed. But to his credit, putting Irfaan Ali as the presidential candidate is a bold move. It signals that the party is opposed to divisions along racial and religious lines. The concept of Hindus being opposed to a Muslim leader could certainly become a thing of the past. However, from my years of training, I know that people don’t change firmly held views easily. Yet this is a good decision by the party. The losers in the race for the candidacy will undoubtedly be bitter, even angry. There is going to be a lot of internal damage control. I do know that Anil Nandlall believed that he stood a great chance. He is going to be one of the angry ones. I remember the reaction of Manzoor Nadir after the 1997 elections. He had campaigned for The United Force and he did badly at the polls. However, he got elected to
the National Assembly, which was what he really wanted. He ended up sitting in the PPP benches. He is no longer a political force. The elections campaign will be bitter. People would zero in on the moral standing of the new candidate. They will point to the fact that Ali would be a surrogate Jagdeo, doing what Jagdeo
wants him to do. They are going to say that he will merely be Jagdeo’s puppet, although there are those who will insist that he is a strong person, capable of being his own man. He has been able to halt prosecution for now. But it will be interesting if the High Court rules that he can be prosecuted. If convicted, then he
should not be able to contest the presidency and that would change the party’s political scenario. For now, the race is on between Irfaan Ali and David Granger. Of course, issues have never really determined the outcome of the vote, but the news media would have a field day.
Adam Harris
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
The City is poised for further transformation (Excerpts from an address to the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown by Hon. Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities) The City of Georgetown, founded in 1781 has a rich and proud history marked with ups and downs. Its wooden architecture, street layout, and drainage canals remind us of the Dutch, French and English founders. The Town Council, that you are now a part of, was established in
1843 and was the seat of government for the colonial administrations. Fast forward 176 years later, it is the national capital of the Republic and is the seat of all three branches of government; the executive, the legislative and the judicial branch. Even as this administration strategically pursues a new agenda for local government with the establishment of ‘capital town’ in each of our ten (10) development regions,
the City of Georgetown remains clothed with special status. Despite its challenges and shortcomings, the proper management of this City is pivotal to our development as a nation. The administration’s strategic upgrade of the status of the administrative centres of our four hinterland regions to township; Mabaruma in the Barima/Waini, Bartica in Cuyuni/Mazaruni, Mahdia in Potaro/Siparuni and Lethem
in Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo, is in an effort to ensure that each part of Guyana develops. This represents the first major extension in municipal administration in over four decades. Local government is an important pillar in the democratic organisation of our country. Hence, the return of local democracy with the holding of local government elections after a hiatus of two decades, has been accompanied with the extension of the coverage of local government and the efforts of the administration to build the capacities of local organs to deliver satisfactory public services. The operationalisation of constitutional and legislative provisions that enables decentralised governance represents a distinct break with the “centralist approach” of our predecessors; as our objective is to ensure our citizens have access to essential public services within their respective communities. As a result of this renewal, young leaders are appearing all across the country, building critical human and leadership capital to safeguard Guyana’s future, testimony to the Administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, inclusivity, promoting diversity and entrenching democratic governance. Today a 27-year-old man is the Chief Citizen of our capital city, the youngest ever by a long way in our history. The council also has a 19-year-old female councillor. The Mayor of Bartica is a young man. The Beterverwagting/Triumph NDC has just elected a 22year-old as Chairman. No amount of political spin and distortion could denigrate the transformations which have taken place in the last 3½ years with the restoration of local democracy by this administration. Our achievements through strategic efforts to restore functionality to the system of local government are unprecedented in our Republic postindependence history. The City of Georgetown has likewise had its challenges but there are definitely
successes that we can boast of. Through this empowerment exercise, the City has begun the herculean task of rising from its once denigrated status of ‘garbage city’ to retain its former glory. I firmly believe that the City is poised for further transformation. This transformation will only be possible, if each of you commit yourself to ensuring the proper management of this City. No pressure, but eyes of all is not only on the Mayor but the entire council, as to how it will tackle the ageold problems that continue to beset the City. The other nine townships are watching, the vendors, the business community, the residents, the youths etc. The Council must, therefore, frontally confront these challenges while maintaining the goodwill of the people it serves. Issues such as illegal vending spread, drainage, security, solid waste management, squatting on municipal reserves, zoning etc. Grappling with these issues and satisfying the expectations of citizens is not an easy task given the limited financial resources at the council’s disposal. IMPORTANCE OF PLANNINGAND ACCOUNTABILITY Undertaking this herculean task would necessitate the crafting of a wellresearched and reasoned plan that will prioritize and synchronize activities of the council, thereby assisting with the efficient usage of already limited resources at the council’s disposal. An orderly City demands shrewd and inclusive planning. Programmes and projects of the Council, whether small or large, must be contextualized within a long-term development plan. It goes without saying that development is not ad hoc, each bit we do should contribute to a larger goal. For instance, whether the council only has $20 million to rehabilitate a market, citizens should know that this is one phase of a larger plan to transform that market and boost economic activities. I bring to the attention of this council, therefore, the recommendation of President Granger in his address to the previous council for the establishment of a National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) as the institutional mechanism to aid such planning. His Excellency’s suggestion went unheeded, but now is not the time for us to seek to apportion blame, but rather, an opportunity for us
to hit the reset button and to accept the President’s recommendation. A development plan, as alluded to earlier, stands a greater chance of achieving its objective only when there is broad ownership of the plan. The plan is only effective as a tool if potential beneficiaries have helped to shape it. IMPORTANCE OF CONSTITUENCY COUNCILLORS I, therefore, urge that the council seek to reconnect with the citizens and all stakeholders. This council should hold fast to the virtues of representativeness, inclusiveness, and effectiveness as propounded by President Granger. Constituency councilors play a major role in this regard. I wish to acknowledge the Constituency councillors in our midst today. You form a direct link between the council and the residents and can be an important channel for the garnering of feedback that may assist in the identification and effective implementation of the council’s work programme. In this era of peoples’ empowerment, it is time we capitalise on this type of leadership. You are better positioned to represents the interest of your constituents at this horseshoe table if you engage them. Constituency councillors must, therefore, be more visible and proactive. The interest and welfare of all stakeholders should be incorporated into the council’s plan. A rethink of relations with the business community should also be pursued. In this regard, the Ministry of Communities stands ready to facilitate resuscitation of the Tripartite Committee established to promote dialogue between the council and the private sector. The Council should seek to ensure an investorfriendly climate by taking steps to reduce unnecessary delays in the issuance of building permits etc. While the jurisdiction of the political and administrative arms of the council must be respected, I urge councillors not to shirk its oversight responsibility and keep check on the actions of the administration in the implementation of decisions and programmes of council. Recent events have proven that the work of the entire council (good and bad) is brought into disrepute in the absence of checks and balances. Strict monitoring will ensure value for money, accountability and transparency.
Sunday January 20, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Difficulty Swallowing: It can be a sign of seriousness By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine While difficulty swallowing is not a frequent complaint, it can indicate seriousness and is sometimes ignored by patients when it initially presents itself. The Medical term for difficulty swallowing is Dysphagia. People who have dysphagia have trouble swallowing solid foods, liquids, or saliva. They may not be able to swallow at all. Dysphagia can make it hard to take in enough calories and fluids to keep your body working properly.Today we will highlight some important facts about dysphagia to help you understand how serious it can be. WHATARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DYSPHAGIA? If you have dysphagia, you may have some of the following symptoms: · Pain while swallowing · Choking · Feeling like something is stuck in your throat or chest · Being hoarse · Coughing up food · Gagging or coughing when swallowing · Bad breath · Drooling · Weight loss · Frequent heartburn · Dehydration WHO’S AT RISK OF SUFFERING FROM DYSPHAGIA? Dysphagia can happen at any age, but it is more common in older people. Many different things can cause dysphagia: · Poor eating habits. Eat-
ing too fast or taking large bites can cause dysphagia. So can eating while lying down or not drinking enough water while eating. You may also experience dysphagia if you can’t chew properly because of painful or missing teeth or dentures. · Nerve and muscle disorders. People who have had a stroke, or people who have Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or myasthenia gravis may have problems swallowing. These disorders can stop the nerves and muscles in your esophagus from working right. The esophagus is the tube that takes food from your mouth to your stomach. This can cause food to move slowly or even get stuck in the esophagus. ·Problems with the esophagus itself. For example, conditions like acid reflux can damage the esophagus and cause scar tissue to form. The scar tissue may narrow the opening of the esophagus and may result in dysphagia. · Other disorders. Certain cancers, an enlarged thyroid, or an enlarged heart may put pressure on the esophagus and cause dysphagia. HOW IS DYSPHAGIA DIAGNOSED? When you visit the doctor, he/she will question and examine you. This will help him/her to get an idea of what may be causing your dysphagia and what tests to order. Your doctor may order a test called a barium swallow. During this test, you will drink a liquid that contains a small amount of barium. Then the doctor can watch it travel through your body on an Xray machine. This test can show whether something is
blocking your esophagus, or if another problem is causing your dysphagia. You may also need an endoscopy. For this test, the doctor will look into your esophagus. He or she will look inside the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. The doctor may take a small sample of tissue (called a biopsy) to rule out cancer or other possible causes of your dysphagia. You will probably be given a sedative medicine. This should make you more relaxed and comfortable during the test. Your throat will also be numbed, so you shouldn’t feel pain when the tube is in-
serted. ARE THERETREATMENT OPTIONS FOR DYSPHAGIA? Treatment for your dysphagia will depend on what is causing it. If poor eating habits are the cause, you may be taught how to improve your ability to swallow. This could include chewing carefully or drinking more water while eating. Or you may need to change positions while swallowing. This could be as simple as turning your head at a different angle. Your doctor may also work with you to find foods that are easier for you to swallow. You might
need to do exercises to strengthen your swallowing muscles, such as your tongue and your esophagus. Sometimes, medicine or other treatments may be used to treat the cause of dysphagia. For example, if your dysphagia is caused by heartburn, your doctor might suggest taking an antacid or acid reducer before every meal. If you have a muscle problem causing dysphasia, a medicine called botulinum toxin may be used to relax throat muscles. This will make swallowing easier.Sometimes dysphagia is caused by a tumour or something else blocking the esophagus. You may
Dr Zulfikar Bux need surgery to treat these problems. For some people, surgery won’t help. They would need a feeding tube in the stomach to make sure they are getting the foods and fluids they need. Dysphagia can be an indicator of badness. If you are having difficulties swallowing, do not ignore it, get help!
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
Two drivers freed on separate causing death charges
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wo men who were on separate charges of causing death by dangerous d r i v i n g , o n Friday walked out of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts free men. Ryan Seecharran, 23, of 361 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, had pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on June 24, at Third Street, Herstelling, he drove motorcar PVV 4911,
in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Kalicharran Goordial. According to information, the victim was said to have been intoxicated and was lying on the roadway when he met his demise. It was reported that after the accident, Seecharran drove to a wash bay without rendering
assistance. It was when he was returning home that an eyewitness pointed him out to traffic ranks at the scene. He was arrested and taken to the Providence Police Station where his vehicle was impounded. The Guyana Police Force in a release had said that Goordial, of Creek Dam, Herstelling, was heavily under the influence of
alcohol, and was lying in the centre of a street with his head about five feet from the edge of the road. It was reported that the driver was proceeding east along the centre of the street when he suddenly turned left (north) and drove over the man’s head. When the driver observed what had happened, he reportedly reversed on the victim’s head and fled the Dead: Kalicharran Goordial scene. However, Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in her ruling told the court that the Prosecution was unable to prove that Seecharran drove dangerously on the day in question. Hence, she upheld the no-case submission by his lawyer, Glen Hanoman and dismissed the matter on insufficient evidence. Meanwhile, in another matter, a taxi driver who was accused of causing the death of a pensioner, who was struck down on the public road at Houston, East Bank Demerara, last August, also had the matter against him dismissed by the same Magistrate. It was alleged that Lennox Williams, on August 10, last, on the Houston Public Road, drove motor lorry GMM 6597 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Chitrykha Sankar. He had denied the allegation. According to information, on the day in question, Williams was proceeding north on the eastern side of the western carriageway of the thoroughfare. It was reported that the 69year-old Sankar was attempting to cross the road when Williams collided with her. Due to the collision, the woman was thrown into the air, causing her to land on the roadway. The Magistrate told the court that throughout the trial
Dead: Chitrykha Sankar
Lennox Williams
Ryan Seecharran the prosecution witnesses gave conflicting evidence as to what they saw transpired on the day in question. She added that the Prosecution was unable to prove that Williams on the day of the incident drove the motor lorry in a dangerous manner. Hence, she was left with no other option but to dismiss the matter against him. Throughout the trial Williams was represented by Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes.
Sunday January 20, 2019
The OAS dangerously in disarray From page 24 have not been consulted and that is unpalatable to them, a trail of bitterness is left among the 15 others, particularly when it is known that governments have been cajoled and pressured to help attain the majority of 18. It is sad that in the Americas, the governments of countries, that benefitted from the wisdom of the founding fathers of the United States, ignore the observation of Thomas Jefferson, one of the authors of the U.S. Constitution, that: “All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression”. Tied-up with SecretaryGeneral Almagro's disdain for the official organs of the OAS is his decision now to run for a second term, although he had previously indicated that he would not. His stance on Venezuela, particularly, would have endeared him to those member states whose governments might wish him to remain as an additional instrument for advancing their peculiar interests. But, if Mr. Almagro is not reined-in and his overreach not curtailed, many memberstates will not tolerate it, and the organisation will be d a m a g e d i r r e p a r a b l y. Governments, except the timid and the frightened, will not sit by idly while their rights are eroded, and their voices disregarded. Mr. Almagro's latest dangerous pronouncement, made casually at the CSIS meeting on January 15, is that, if what he calls “the interim President” of
Ve n e z u e l a b e i n g J u a n Guaidó, one of the leaders of the opposition, designates representatives to the OAS, he will accept their credentials and seat them, presumably ousting the current delegates. The Secretary-General has no such authority. No instrument of the OAS gives him that power. And, if it is that Mr. Almagro is settingup this possibility for any vested-interest group in the OAS to force adoption of such a notion by a majority vote of 18, the OAS, in its present form, will not survive it. To be clear, objection to any such action will not come because any country is blindly supporting the Maduro government in Venezuela; it will come because the precedent it would establish would be far-reaching and dangerous for any other country that is targeted for whatever reason. The rules of international organisations and international law must be respected and upheld, or disarray will result. Ve n e z u e l a n e e d s a negotiated and sustainable solution for the sake of its people and for the stability of the region. Promoting division w i t h i n Ve n e z u e l a a n d isolating its de facto government from diplomatic discourse simply protracts the hardships the people endure. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own)
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Sunday January 20, 2019
COUNTRYMAN
- Stories about life in m and out of Guyana, fro ve a Guyanese perspecti
Tall tales of devilish covenants T By Dennis Nichols
he holiday season is well and truly o v e r, a n d whatever respite it provided from the political bombshell on December 21 has dissipated, as the aftershock reverberates across our country. Some persons think the Charrandass Persaud vote was a courageous and conscientious response to three-and-a-half years of money-grabbing, political a n d e c o n o m i c mismanagement. Others
suspect a less heroic motive, suggesting that big money played a part in a wellplanned opposition plot to bring down the government, with oil on the horizon. On both sides of the political fence are human beings for whom the prospect of wealth, power, and success can trigger either subtle or blatant changes in behaviour and expectations. One farfetched scenario, more akin to fiction than truth, involves the prostitution of one's soul to
perdition for material riches and sensual fulfilment while making a mockery of professed selflessness and altruistic service. The world is filled with prosperity dreamers and schemers, and Guyana is no exception. This somewhat topical introduction is a preamble to a brief paraphrase of two Faustian tales – 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde, and Stephen Vincent Benet's 'The Devil and Daniel Webster' which I think some readers will find
absorbing, though maybe only thinly relevant. It is not an allusion to any individual or group in our society, and any such likeness would be purely coincidental. Human beings are generally inclined to greed and selfishness, and if given the option of cutting an opportunistic deal with the devil, some of us may actually consider it worth the risk, especially when the consequences appear distant or revocable. In 'The Picture of Dorian
Gray' readers are introduced to a character whose handsomeness and growing narcissism are translated into the pursuit of pleasure after meeting and being influenced by one Lord Henry Wotton. The latter, a hedonist, watches as the young man poses for a portrait by an artist who is infatuated by his subject's beauty. Wotton persuades Dorian to embrace the hedonistic lifestyle, pursuing beauty a n d s e n s u a l i t y, a n d indulging in 'every possible vice' including murder. But first, he purchases eternal youth at the expense of his soul, with the assurance that no matter how debauched he becomes, his youthful beauty will remain unchanged; his portrait instead will display all the signs of aging and degeneracy. He cruelly rejects his lover, Sybil, then notices when he returns home, that the portrait now has a callous sneer, and feels a measure of remorse. He seeks Sybil's forgiveness, but she commits suicide before he can reach her. He is consoled b y L o r d Wo t t o n w h o convinces him not to embrace guilt. Dorian removes the 'offending' portrait to his attic. He then reads a book given him by Lord Wotton, which poisons his mind and influences him to live in sinful self-indulgence for the next 18 years. Meanwhile the portrait becomes aged and corrupted even as Dorian remains unblemished in appearance. One day he runs into the portrait painter, Basil Hallward, who informs him of rumours that he has
Dennis Nichols destroyed the lives and reputations of many people, and begs him to seek salvation. Dorian admits his debauchery but rejects the accusation, and takes Hallward to the attic where, in a rage, he stabs the painter to death after hearing that the now horrible portrait is a reflection of his own soul. He blackmails an old friend into disposing of the body, after which the man kills himself. Dorian is then accosted in an opium den by Sybil's brother, James, who had been pursuing him with vengeance in his heart ever since his sister's death 18 years ago. He is however confused by Dorian's youthful appearance and lets him go, only to learn the truth from a woman who knows Dorian's secret. James continues to pursue Dorian but is killed in a hunting accident. T h e r e a f t e r, D o r i a n seems to change for the better by refusing to take advantage of a young, infatuated girl. He hopes this honourable act will improve his portrait, but observes that it has only gotten uglier. In a rage, he decides to destroy the image, the only visible reminder of his dissolute life, and stabs it (continued on page 39)
Sunday January 20, 2019
Tall tales of devilish... From page 34 with the same knife used to kill the painter. The house servants hear a frightful scream and rush to investigate. They find a hideously decrepit old man dead on the floor with a knife in his chest. And near him lies the portrait of a handsome young man, now restored to its former pristine appearance. (The moral is evident) In 'The Devil and Daniel Webster', a farmer, Jabez Stone, after enduring severe hardships, sells his soul to the devil, (Mr. Scratch) in exchange for seven years of prosperity. Like all devilish pacts, it is honoured and his farm prospers. When the contract ends, Scratch turns up for Jabez's soul, but grants him a three-year extension after the farmer sees his neighbour's soul in Scratch's pocket, and becomes deeply fearful. As the day of reckoning approaches, Jabez employs the services of Daniel Webster, a lawyer and orator of great fame, to argue his case in court. Knowing that Scratch has the upper hand, Webster allows him to select the judge and jury, but demands with patriotic fervour that they must be Americans. Scratch selects a 'judge and jury of the damned' comprising traitors and murderers from the darker pages of American history. From the beginning of the trial, the deck is stacked against Webster. The angry attorney almost falls for a ploy to enrage him and come under the judge and jury's evil power. But Webster keeps a cool head and throws them off balance with an appeal to American patriotism, notwithstanding all the wrongdoing outlined by Scratch, who let it be known that he was no 'foreign prince' as suggested by Webster, but as American as everyone else. He argues,
“When the first wrong was done to the first Indian, I was there; when the first slaver put out for the Congo, I was on her deck…” Webster counters with a calculated closing argument in which he extols the virtues of being human, and American – of simple and good things like fresh fine mornings, the taste of food, and the necessity of freedom for a child, admitting that though the country had done wrong, something new and good had emerged from the bad, down to the role of its traitors. His tone is measured; eloquent, and ultimately persuasive, and the jury responds in favour of his client, although the evidence was against him. Scratch admits defeat, congratulates Webster, and tears up the contract. Both stories are layered and convey deep moral/philosophical ideas about good and evil, and the power of words to either persuade or dissuade. Do they have any relevance to Guyana's current political situation? Maybe. In the coming days, (weeks, months) legal arguments will be made to influence the outcome of matters before our local courts, and possibly the Caribbean Court of Justice. Their persuasive rhetoric may bear some slight similarity to those of Lord Wotton, Mr. Scratch, and Daniel Webster. Jurists are obliged to view them circumspectly. After all, only one of those gentlemen had honourable intentions.
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
THE
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Sunday January 20, 2019
STORY WITHIN THE
Guyana: A political cauldron of intense emotions By Leonard Gildarie
A
t the time of writing, the Parliamentary Opposition - the People's Progressive Party (PPP) was preparing to choose a Presidential candidate and a new political party, A New and United Guyana (ANUG), that has as its leaders, attorney-at-law Ralph Ramkarran and Dr. Henry Jeffrey, was launched on Friday. That party wants to share governance in some form. Ramkarran was a former top executive of the PPP and Jeffrey a minister too. Recently also, the Liberty and Justice Party, headed by Lennox Shuman, an Amerindian, was announced. It is a crazy time in politics now. Guyana is in uncharted waters, with the Constitution under the microscope‌at least the part which concerns Government and the functioning of Parliament. Our country is a political cauldron of intense emotions‌potentially explosive. We have to ask who is looking out for her. Where are the cool heads and patriots? We have several things that are happening and to understand them, they must be placed into perspective. On the international stage, we have Venezuela to deal with, involving the border controversy. That matter itself is with the International Court of Justice, in the Hague, where Guyana is asking the United Nations court to rule once and for all on a simmering border matter with that neighbouring country. Recently, Venezuela's gunships stopped two seismic vessels that were exploring for ExxonMobil, insisting that the ships were in their waters. Guyana and ExxonMobil have denied this was so. Venezuela is mapping its natural resources, and more than likely will include Guyana's offshore oil fields in that information. It is nothing new. Locally, we seem to have come out of the woods with bauxite, with a relaxation of US sanctions on Rusal,
which has an operation in Upper Berbice, Region 10. On the agricultural scene, there are at least 7,000 workers who lost their jobs because of a sugar industry that was going nowhere and bleeding the country. In a few months, we will be pumping oil from finds that are world class, and one of the biggest in recent years. If managed properly, our future is secured. On the political side, the situation could not be worse. A no-confidence vote almost four weeks ago by then government parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, has fueled a situation which will make neither side of the divide happy. It could trigger early elections if the court rules that the vote is valid. On the other hand, if it is not, it is predicted that Guyana will find itself in a very tense situation when it comes to governing. It is how it is. We all have to accept that Guyana votes race. The figures say so. Neither side can command a majority. The last two elections say so. Nothing much has changed since then. A coalition is likely again, unless we want to stare down the barrel of another minority government in any elections that will be held. In all of this, one has got to wonder where Guyana is standing. In a few days' time, more than 400 persons will be coming here for a major f o r u m o n l a n d desertification. These are money spinners. Transportation, hotels, food and planes will be needed. Taxes and other areas will also benefit. We have to
Leonard Gildarie prove to the world that we are capable of hosting these events. It is a growing market f o r u s . We h a v e t h e headquarters of CARICOM here. We cannot send a message that we are vulnerable. We must put up a united face. The recent joint statement by Government and the Opposition, coming out of the meeting between President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, spoke of a united stance on protection of Guyana's borders. However, that is clearly absent from the stance on a better deal for oil or ideas to fix sugar and the many ills facing us. It is time that we understand that the old way of politics can no longer work. I have said it before, and will say it again. The demographics of voters are changing. The swing votes will make the difference. H o w e v e r, t h a t a l l pertains to what transpires at elections. We are facing real prospects now of heavy campaigning in the next few months, a period of disruption that is necessary t o d e m o c r a c y, b u t a distraction to progress. Whether the elections happen this year or next, based on the prognosis, we have to start looking at models of shared governance, meaningful dialogue between political parties, and definitely, reforms to our Constitution. We have so much at stake here, it pains to think that we want to walk the same road again.
Sunday January 20, 2019
SUNDAY Nearly a dozen Customs officers sent packing Almost a dozen Customs officers were sacked this past week for alleged corruption. According to reports, a few, who were sent home, would have served in excess of 20 years at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). While CommissionerGeneral Godfrey Statia could not immediately be reached, last week Saturday, wellplaced sources confirmed that the termination was long in the making. There were investigations being conducted since last year with reports recommending termination of the staffers who were mainly working at various city wharves. A number of the staff members received letters on Thursday and more are expected to be sent home. Kaieteur News understands that among other things, investigators found deliberate breaches of shipments of goods at city wharves, including attempts to release containers without the paperwork being completed. There were other instances of collusion. GRA has been taking a harsh stance on corruption. The Coalition Government, on entering office in early 2015, recruited back Godfrey Statia as Commissioner-General. Under his tenure, more than 100 staffers have been sent home for absenteeism, corruption and other breaches of GRA’s code of conduct. Prior to that, that government’s primary tax collection entity had built up a notoriety of corruption by officers, with businesses complaining of being forced to pay for everything and even facing discrimination for not passing a “raise”. GRA has also been targeting tardy businesses to pay their taxes and finding numerous cases of tax evasion. The authority has also brought the hammer down on duty free vehicles, a major leak in revenues. Recently, the attention has turned to the fuel import business, where tens of millions of dollars in taxes are lost because of smuggling and corrupt activities. Govt. seeking int’l help on oil spill preparedness, crisis management The APNU+AFC Government 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. Specifically piloting ef-
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forts in this regard is the Natural Resources Ministry. 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 positive and negative, and identify gaps in regulations, institutional capacity, and public consultation mechanisms. Additionally, the SESA aims as being a strategic framework for strengthening environmental and social sustainability of the oil and gas sector in Guyana, strengthening the country’s ability to address health and safety issues in this sector, and to inform the preparation of an Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF). In the process, the Ministry said that the SESA will contribute to a more transparent understanding of environmental and social regulations, creating a more level playing field for private investors. MONDAY Relative admits to aiding gang that murdered Bush Lot brothers Just a day after he turned himself over to authorities following the release of a wanted bulletin for his arrest, 18-year-old Romeo “Romie” Jeenarine has reportedly confessed to aiding the intruders who killed Bush Lot siblings Harricharran and Premcharran Samaroo. Police sources close to the investigation told Kaieteur News that Jeenarine, after intense interrogation, admitted to his involvement. He reportedly told investigating ranks that himself, Kelvin Shivgobin (still to be located) and another, planned to rob an overseas based Guyanese man who was visiting the victims. The teen allegedly told police that the plan was hatched some three days
Several staffers of the Guyana Revenue Authority have been sacked for alleged corruption. prior to the killing/robbery. Jeenarine, who is also a relative of the slain brothers, was reportedly told that the foreigner would “fly in” on Sunday but the plan was “just to rob and not to kill”, a police source said. According to the police, “he said that the thing was planned a couple days before he (foreigner) come into the country but he said that he is not the gunman, that the third suspect is the one that do the shooting”.The sources stated that Jeenarine did not give detailed information as to where the planning took place. Harricharran “Davo” and Premcharran “Tully” Samaroo were shot and killed during the course of a robbery at the home of their mother, Irene Samaroo.A brother of the slain men, Dipnarine Samaroo, speaking with this publication via telephone, said that he is shocked that the teen confessed and added “me na think da true.” When asked why he believes the teen did not confess, the sibling said that Romeo Jeenarine, the suspect, was at the home on the night of the killing. He said he and Romeo went to buy beers at a supermarket, some ten minutes away. When they were returning, they were met by a neighbour who said that the siblings had been robbed and shot. Racial division as great a threat to Guyana as Venezuelan aggression – CSIS Senior Associate Could a major crisis be upon Guyana soon?
Citizens are eagerly awaiting word on whether General and Regional Elections may be held in less than three months; there is deep political divide; the country is unprepared for oil production in 2020 and Venezuela is flexing its muscles from time to time as it continues to claim a huge portion of Guyana’s territory. These are all major issues. However, Evan Ellis believes that the monster that may bring most harm to Guyana is its own racial division. Evan Ellis is a non-resident senior associate at the Cen-
ter for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. He is a Latin America research professor with the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. Ellis recently zeroed in on the state of Guyana following Charrandass Persaud’s vote in the National Assembly. In his piece published on CSIS website tilted, “Guyana at Risk: Ethnic Politics, Oil, Venezuelan Opportunism and Why It Should Matter to Washington”, Ellis spoke extensively about the documented series of events fol-
lowing the no-confidence vote. He covered the challenges being faced by the government, the Opposition and the impact of this to a country that is gearing for an “oil bonanza”. Ellis said that on December 22, which is one day after the no-confidence vote, the Venezuelan Navy approached and threatened to board a Bahamian-flagged Norwegian seismographic ship, the Ramform Tethys, operating in support of Exxon-led petroleum operations within (Continued on page 42)
FED-UP- Attorneys Ryan Crawford and Chandra Sohan along with Horatio Edmonson.
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Sunday January 20, 2019
From page 41 Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone. This forced the company to temporarily suspend its technical measurement activities in the area. ‘FED UP’ lawyers launch party – say they seek to move away from country’s ‘racial politics’ The Federal United Party (FED UP) consisting of Berbice Attorney’s Ryan Crawford, Chandra Sohan and Horatio Edmondson was launched on Saturday at the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce building in Rose Hall Town. Present were supporters from both the business sector and legal fraternity. The party will be contesting under the motto, “Unite for Survival” and says it seeks to move away from the existing “racial politics” within the country. Attorney Chandra Sohan, no stranger to the limelight, said that it is time for “a new beginning, a new way of politics.” He noted that “racial politics” has been and exists within the Opposition and the Coalition. According to Sohan, the state of the country and where it is perceived to be headed has become a concern and thus, has influenced their decision to start their own party. ”We have been looking at where this country is going for quite some time, we have been assessing where we were and it is very significant to me that when we look at where Guyana is, compared to where other countries are, we really have not made any progress”, Sohan added. He stressed that at himself and his fellow colleagues, now members of the party, were “disgusted” at what was taking place in Guyana and this drove things to a point where “we just got fed up”. It was the party’s opinion that Berbice was not heading anywhere. This, he said, led to comparisons being made to other countries and the rate at which they were progressing, “countries who are less fortunate than we are, countries which don’t have the kind of resources that we have and yet they seem to be far more advanced than we are in Guyana”. After arriving at a final assessment, he said, they came to the realisation that “the race politics of this country is what is fighting us, the race politics of the main political parties in this country is taking us nowhere, all we see, from the time of Independence is that we are going around in a cycle”. Sohan added that with such an atmosphere existing, they felt that a third force/party was
going to take the country by storm “but then we saw that their interest was more selfish than it was for nation building”. It was at that point, he said, that they began engaging the public about their views and all the while, “we kept hearing the word ‘fed up.’” TUESDAY “Several Govt. players involved in multi-billiondollar fuel racket”- Jagdeo Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo strongly believes that quite a few “top ones” in the government know of, and, are quite involve in the fuel “racket.” Jagdeo, a former President, told Kaieteur News this during a brief interview last evening. The most recent expose of racketeering in the fuel importation business surfaced when Atlantic Fuel Inc, of which Dr. Richard Van West Charles is a director, was accused of under-invoicing. While initial reports reaching this newspaper suggested that Guyana is losing hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of fuel smuggling, Jagdeo said that it is more of a “multi-billion-dollar racket.” He told Kaieteur News,
“This fuel smuggling racket did not start recently.” Jagdeo said that the PPP has long been urging a comprehensive investigation. Further, Jagdeo said that on several occasions, he called on President David Granger to launch a “Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the multibillion-dollar racket involving several senior members of his administration but he has refused to do so.” Jagdeo said that he has other information which he will volunteer at his next press conference. Last year June, Jagdeo told the media that the APNU+AFC Government is neck-deep in corruption. “They are basically grabbing because they know they are a one-term government. All of the ministries are grabbing…Most of the ministers – maybe 90 percent of these ministers are grabbing, Jagdeo alleged. The politician made a call specifically to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, asking him to stop the “runnings” that purportedly exists within government-controlled entities. Jagdeo said, “What about the one with the fuel smuggling? Dig deeper and you will get all the connections. Then you will see how high it goes up into the government.”
The Opposition Leader said, too, that the fuel smuggling racket is the reason why the government refuses to change the prices at the pump station. Kaieteur News had reported that along with the growing evidence of underinvoicing, there are indications that fuel importers have been colluding with Customs brokers and officers to record lower volumes. In so doing, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was denied collecting additional millions of dollars in taxes. 2,300 kilos cocaine bust in Paramaribo… Suriname rice exporter found on executed on 63 Beach A Suriname rice exporter in whose containers authorities discovered 2,300 kilos cocaine earlier this month in Paramaribo, has been found dead in Guyana. Dead is Nitender Oemrawsingh, said to be the owner of Nivash Rice. The businessman, said to be in his 30s and a father of two girls, was arrested by Surinamese authorities in what was described as the biggest ever drug bust in that neighbouring country. However, he appeared to have been released hours af-
ter his arrest last Wednesday. According to officials on the Corentyne, the body of a man, clad in sports gear, was found faced up with a gunshot wound to the forehead. The body was lying on Number 63 Beach, a popular hangout area. Suriname news agencies quickly identified him. Police immediately ruled out the theory of a robbery since a small amount of US currency was found on his person. Reliable sources in ‘B’ Division told this publication that the body appeared to be at the location for a few hours and based on initial investigations a .32 pistol is suspected to have been used to carry out the crime. Persons in the vicinity of that beach said that the body had to be dumped Monday as it appeared fresh. Hours before, the rain had fallen, so it could not have been there long. With a border that is easy to cross at Corentyne, from Suriname, it would not have been hard for the businessman to have made his way here or brought to Guyana. What is known is that last Tuesday, authorities in Suriname confiscated 2,300 kilos of cocaine from a rice shipment. The coke bust was made at the Jules Sedney port,
in the southern district of the capital. WEDNESDAY Ruling by month-end on all matters relating to no-confidence motion -Chief Justice Cognizant of the fact that the matters before her are all of national interest, Chief Justice Roxane George announced Tuesday afternoon that by the end of this month, she will rule on all applications related to the no-confidence motion, That motion was passed against the government on December 21, 2018. First to file a court action on the passage of the no-confidence motion was private citizen Compton Reid, who through Senior Counsel Neil Boston, is challenging the validity of the no-confidence motion on the basis that expelled Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian Charrandass Persaud was not qualified to vote, since he is a citizen of Canada. During a case management hearing Tuesday, the Chief Justice said that it is unlikely that she will grant a conservatory order requested by Reid for the President and Cabinet to remain in office (Continued on page 43)
Sunday January 20, 2019
From page 42 since the court is moving apace with the matters. In relation to this application, the Chief Justice granted permission to Attorney General Basil Williams to make submissions in relations to Article 70 of the Constitution of Guyana, which according to him, provides for government to run its five-year course. The Court granted Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and General Secretary of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, approval to join in Compton Reid’s application as interested parties. A similar request made by Attorney-at-law Saphier Husain was thrown out by the court. Additionally, Attorney-atlaw Christopher Ram, had petitioned the High Court for a declaration that the no-confidence motion was properly, validly and lawfully passed by the National Assembly. Through his Attorney-atlaw Kamal Ramkarran, Ram is also seeking a declaration that the passage of the no confidence motion requires the resignation of the Cabinet including the President with all convenient speed. In these proceedings, the Attorney General and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo have been listed as the Respondents. Parties in this matter will return to court on January 23 to present oral arguments. More questions about Irfaan Ali’s qualifications… University of Sunderland does not offer course Ali claimed he pursued The University of Sunderland does not offer Business Management. However, based on his certificate, former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali pursued “Business Management” at the institution and secured a “Bachelor of Arts second class honours” in 2006. This, in addition to the fact that his name is incorrectly spelt on the certificate, is raising more questions about the authenticity of Ali’s qualifications. According to the University of Sunderland, it offers a first degree in Business and Management. The University offers BA (Hons) Business and Applied Management, BA (Hons) Business and Financial Management, BA (Hons) Business and Applied Financial Management, BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management, BA (Hons) Business and Applied Human Resource Management, BA (Hons) Business and Marketing Management, BA (Hons) Business and Applied Marketing Management.
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Big drug haul: The seized drugs in Suriname
Also, all the business courses offered are full time and are only offered on campus or at an associate learning institution in the United Kingdom. There is no online offer of the business programmed. Ali’s Sunderland degree in “Business Management” was reportedly attained in 2006. However, in 2012, when Ali sued Kaieteur News over an article written about his mansion and pool house, he submitted an Affidavit to High Court saying he has a first degree in “International Business” as opposed to “Business Management” as stated on his certificate. Ali, “being duly sworn” made oath and said, “I am a holder of a first degree in International Business and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Planning and Development. In addition, I registered to do my Doctor of Philosophy degree with the University of West Indies.” Interestingly, Ali is yet to graduate with his PhD which, according to his sworn Affidavit, he was already signed up for since 2012. In 2014, Ali was Guyana Times, ‘Person of the Year’. And in an article that featured him, Ali said, “I attended Leonora Primary, Cornelia Ida Primary and Saint Stanislaus College. I am a project Management Professional (PMP). I hold a first degree in International Business; Post graduate diploma in International Business; Graduate Certificate from the University of the West Indies (UWI) in HR Planning; Master’s from
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi (India); and I am currently pursing my PhD at UWI.” Then, he made no mention of having a degree in “Business Management.” Executed Dutch businessman… Probe focuses on Guyana connection While the police in Berbice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the execution of Surinamese businessman, Nitender Oemrawsingh, 40, of Corantijn Polder, Nickerie District, Suriname, the Commander of ‘B’ Division has said that they are not in contact and have not contacted Dutch authorities in relation to the murder. This was although the deceased is a Surinamese who was recently busted with over 2000 kilos of cocaine. Paul Langevine said, “Nobody is in contact with the Suriname authorities. All we know is that somebody was shot. An uncle came and identified the body and we are investigating from our side.” The Commander also said that he is not in receipt of any information about whether there are any linkages in Guyana to the dead businessman, where he would have entered the country and when. ”I don’t have that information,” he stated. Crime Chief Lynden Alves could not be reached for a comment on the progress of the investigation. However, a senior police source in Suriname confirmed that an investigation has been
launched at their end but no one is in custody. Against the paucity of information by the commander of the division, Kaieteur News received information on the ground that a boat was seen in close proximity to the location where the body was found on Monday. A source stated, “We heard that the boat like it bring him and dump he here. We ain’t know if he get shoot in Suriname, on the boat or right at the beach. But that is all we hear.” One resident said that he heard what appeared to be a gunshot some time Monday morning. Checks of the backtrack route in Springlands for any possible footage of the businessman entering the country were not successful since an official at the location stated that the security cameras may not have picked up everyone that entered through the route between Wednesday (when the businessman went missing) and Monday. He however said that there are other routes that could have possibly been used but do not have cameras or persons living nearby to provide any account of who would have passed through. Kaieteur News was told that the businessman may have been murdered by a Surinamese businessman in fear that he may have “ratted them out” while he was being questioned. `Oemrawsingh is also said to have two other brothers who are very active in the
drug and gold trade business in Suriname. THURSDAY Elections unlikely within 90 days - Govt. prepares for house-tohouse registrations - AFC The possibilities of general and regional elections being held within 90 days are becoming less likely. Wednesday, the Alliance For Change (AFC), the smaller of the two governing factions, made it clear that it is not ruling out heading as far as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to appeal any decision that does not favor the administration. In addition, the readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is also being called into question with a house-to-house registration to clean the Voters’ List a very real possibility. The disclosures were made Wednesday by Chairman for AFC, Vice President, Khemraj Ramjattan, during the party’s press conference. Early elections were mandated when Government parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, on the evening of December 21 voted yes to a no-confidence, causing the government to fall. Persaud flew out within hours to Canada, under the protection of the Canadian High Commission. That situation has sparked a diplomatic spat between Government and the Commission. Government has since taken the vote to court, ques-
tioning the legality of it in view of that fact that the Member of Parliament had dual citizenship with Canada, a no-no under the Constitution of Guyana when it comes to eligibility of parliamentarians. The situation has caused a Constitutional crisis with the Opposition- the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) insisting the government resign. Van West Charles’s future in question over fuel racket The Ministry of Communities will be asking the country’s water chief to explain allegations against him that his company is involved in tax fraud. Following several reports and silence from authorities and Government, the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, has finally broken his silence on the issue. Wednesday he announced that he will be asking for explanations. Dr. Richard Van West Charles is no ordinary executive. He is the Managing Director of the Guyana Water Inc., a state-owned company in charge of billions of dollars. He is also a director of Atlantic Fuels Inc., a company that is apparently being run from his Meadowbrook, Georgetown home. He is also said to be a senior official of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which forms a major (Continued on page 44)
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From page 43 part of the coalition government.He was the sonin-law of former President Forbes Burnham. Atlantic Fuels is being accused of, on at least two occasions, tendering Customs documents that indicate that the price for fuel that came in the name of the company was lower than the actual purchase price. The documents were reportedly submitted to Customs for the two transactions which occurred between September and October last year. The Guyana Revenue Authority reportedly lost over $40M because of the transactions. Dr. Van West Charles was reportedly summoned by GRA last week but there have been no statements from that agency. After days of attempting to make contact, Minister Bulkan was finally available Wednesday. He said he has noted with “deep concern” the articles in the Kaieteur News accusing Atlantic Fuels, a company of which Dr. Van West Charles is a director and its registered address being the same as his home address, of having defrauded the treasury of millions of dollars in duties on fuel imports. ”My concern arises from Dr. Van West Charles’s position as the Managing Director of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), an agency for which I have ministerial responsibility and for which I have to account to the National Assembly for,” the Minister said when contacted. APNU MPs’ Dual Citizenship is none of the AFC’s business – Cathy Hughes Alliance for Change (AFC) Vice Chair, Cathy Hughes, has said that the AFC is not challenging the eligibility of Members of Parliament from its coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to hold office. She said that asking for information on their nationality would be an infringement of their personal business. Hughes fielded questions from the media, Wednesday, on whether the AFC would hold APNU MPs accountable for breaching the Constitution, by having dual citizenship status, as the party did with former AFC MP, Charrandass Persaud. During the press conference held at the AFC’s Centre for Change in Kitty, Wednesday, Hughes told members of the media that her party had taken note of speculation by the general public that there are AFC MPs who have breached Article 155 of the Constitution by swearing allegiance to a foreign state. In response to this,
Kaieteur News
Hughes said that “… none of its 11 MPs has sworn allegiance to any foreign state. Ten of the party’s MPs are citizens of Guyana only. The other MP, Minister Dominic Gaskin, was born in the United Kingdom but is a citizen of Guyana by descent. “The issue of renouncing citizenship does not apply to Guyanese who are born in another country. Therefore, Mr. Gaskin constitutionally sits as a duly elected MP without any hindrance or issue.” The AFC panel, which included Chairman of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, was asked whether it noted the precedent a challenge of Persaud’s validity as a MP would set for other sitting MPs, both, on the government’s side and that of the Opposition. Ramjattan said that if the Chief Justice rules in favour of the government on the challenge of Persaud’s eligibility as a MP, then should the ruling have a domino effect on other MPs, the party would respect such implications. He noted, however, that the government is only currently interested in challenging Persaud’s eligibility due to his “treacherous, egregious betrayal” of the AFC. FRIDAY 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 Thursday, 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.” Aviation regulator grounds Cessna Caravans after landing gear incident Authorities grounded all
Cessna Caravan aircraft Thursday after an incident with one on Wednesday. According to reports, the aircraft, bearing registration number 8R-YAC, 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 Thursday 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 impact travel to hinterland areas too much, the official explained that the exercise were mainly visual ones. By Thursday 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. 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
Sunday January 20, 2019
bargaining power of AFC, seen as the third force, after the recent shock no-confidence 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 21. The AFC currently controls a number of powerful posts, including Natural Resources, Public Infrastruc-
ture, Agriculture, Public Security, Public Telecommunication, and of course, one of its own, Moses Nagamootoo, is the Prime Minister. SATURDAY “Guyana is the gift that keeps on giving...” - Exxon’s latest well could produce 300M barrels of oil -Wood Mackenzie ExxonMobil’s latest discovery offshore Guyana, the Pluma-1 well, could very well produce around 300 million barrels of oil equivalent of recoverable reserves. This is according to Wood Mackenzie, in its preliminary estimation of the well. Wood Mackenzie is said to be a global leader in commercial intelligence for the energy, metals and mining industries. Specifically making this known recently however was Wood Mac’s, Julie Wilson. During one of Wood Mac’s podcast discussions, (https://soundcloud.com/ woodmackenzie/guyanadeepwater-discoveries-hitdouble-figures), the Research Director said that Pluma is another Cretaceous sandstone discovery. In fact, she explained that there have been 10 discoveries so far and eight have been in the Cretaceous play. Wilson said, “And of course, we have had two discoveries in other plays. One in the carbonate play for the north Ranger and one in the Miocene play and that was the Hammerhead…The consortium is talking about a further 18 or more prospects on the block. I suspect that the majority of those are Cretaceous.” The Research Director (Continued on page 45)
Sunday January 20, 2019
From page 44 continued, “Now what is remarkable about the block is that 12 exploration wells have been drilled and only two have been a miss. That is an incredible success rate, but not unprecedented in new provinces like this opening up…We saw similar success rates in other places like Angola and Mozambique.” She added, “What we might see as the operator works down the prospect list is that we might begin to see more dry holes. So the success rate might fall away a little bit as they start to drill riskier prospects. And I expect them as well to target other Miocene prospects…But the resource estimate has increased to over five billion barrels of oil equivalent of recoverable resource and that’s not all in the Pluma discovery… So our preliminary estimate for Pluma is 300 million barrels of oil equivalent of recoverable resource…” Wilson said that this is a remarkable story and one that is highly successful for the participants. She and her other colleagues at Wood Mac said that at this rate, Guyana could easily end up producing one million barrels of oil per day. “Guyana is the gift that keeps on giving,” they said. Top Cop says police have ‘corroborating statements’ in Charrandass Persaud probe - will approach Canada, if necessary, to question former MP Police have received ‘corroboration’ from gold dealers
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The Noble Tom Madden drillship (Photo Credit: OilNow)
who were interviewed during an ongoing probe into bribery and other allegations against former Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud. Commissioner of Police Leslie James made this disclosure on Friday while telling journalists that the Force’s investigation has “gone a significant way,” and that the
police may approach Canadian officials ‘if necessary’ to have Persaud extradited for questioning. James confirmed that Persaud, a Canadian citizen, is under investigation into allegations of bribery and the reported shipping of gold out of Guyana. “I would say that we have gone a significant way so far (in our investigation) (and) there may be a need for us to speak with Mr. Persaud,” Commissioner James told journalists while giving a promised update of the investigation. “If it becomes necessary to seek extradition we will so do…I am sure that there is an extradition treaty between Canada and Guyana, and if it so necessitates, we will apply to have it done.” While confirming that investigators have interviewed “a few gold dealers” and “have corroboration” from these interviews, media operatives left the briefing with many questions unanswered, as the Top Cop repeatedly described the investigation as “a matter of national security.” “What we have is statements which embody some things. If I were to say certain things, I would be highly prejudicial…I don’t intend to do that. The person we are investigating is innocent until proven guilty. This is an impartial investigation we
have undertaken. “This is a matter of national security. It is a former MP that is under investigation. What we are doing at this point is gathering evidence. We are not seeking to manufacture anything; whatever is given to us is being submitted for legal advice. Any developments will be made public.” James stated that police launched the investigation after they received a report. He declined to say who submitted the report, or whether police are trying to link any evidence to Persaud’s noconfidence vote in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018. A New and United Guyana launched A New and United Guyana (ANUG) made its official launch, on Friday at Moray House, with party leader, Ralph Ramkarran, declaring that the newly-formed grouping will “win the election”. The party established a Steering Committee, constituted by businessmen, Kian Jabour and Beni Sankar; lawyers, Timothy Jonas and Ralph Ramkarran; political scientist, Henry Jeffrey; and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C)’s former deputy Chairman in Lin-
den, Akanni Blair. The launch saw members of the committee seeking to capitalize on frustration with the current political climate, much of which they described as “failed promises and political loyalties.” The party noted its disappointment with the present regime to implement its manifesto, specifically focusing on the coalition government’s promise to implement swift Constitutional Reform. ANUG called on the Guyanese people to help the party create a Constitutional system that will bring the country’s parties “to share executive power.” Both the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) were dubbed disappointments who have done great harm to Guyana for the past 50 years. The party, the committee noted, is not uni-dimensional. Although it was noted that there are currently no women in its leadership, they explained that this is because women, when asked to join the party and lead, declined the offer. However, the party has committed to setting specific policies to ensure the party is kept diverse, for the purpose of facilitating inclusionary governance,
including the setting of quotas for women’s involvement in government. Jonas said that, so far, no money has come from external sources, that they have all funded the formation of the party out of their own pockets. He explained that though businessmen have indicated their willingness to donate, they prefer to keep away from the political limelight and stay anonymous. Jonas committed that when donations are accepted by outside sources, the details of such donations will be made publicly available on their social media pages, so that all donations could be accounted for. It was emphasized that the party will not allow financial interests to compromise the party’s mandate or their commitment to ensuring a better Guyana. Jeffrey spoke extensively on what he sees as extremely ethnocentric politics, which he believes is one of the major issues holding Guyana back. He said “this chronic, [ethnic] voting is largely responsible for poverty,” and that Guyana is more like a collection of tribes, than a diverse collective. He warned that “If we don’t speak with a united voice, then the international community will not respect the country”.
Kaieteur News
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THE LIBRARY OF FIRE AND APPLES
By Cathy Maisano “Single file!” The librarian shouted. “Best of manners – it is 1936 and the opening of the Children's Library. Behave!” Well-dressed children in suits, overcoats and woolen tweed hats tried to be good, but waiting was too hard. Boys and girls knew each other and were counting down the moment until the doors opened for the first time. Kenneth stood alone in the queue. He knew no one in London and it would be an hour until he met his dad inside the library and headed back to the farm. The wind was bitter cold and his legs shivered. His dad said there would be a roaring log fire to sit by and he didn't want to miss out. “ Yo u h e a r d h e r. N o pushing,” said the boy in front of him. He was with another boy and both looked posh in city clothes. They ate Penguins chocolate biscuits and looked Kenneth up and down. Kenneth felt out-ofplace in his worn-out country shorts and woolen pullover. He lowered his felt cap, so as not to look at their smirking faces. He'd never had money to buy those biscuits. He dug his hands deep into his pockets and gripped the home-grown apple. “Oh look, George,” the posh boy said to the other. “He's got something in his pocket.” George nudged his friend. “Let's see what he's
FUN WITH POETRY
got, Arthur. Maybe he'd like to share it with us? Got some chocolate, have you?” Kenneth ignored them. “Don't they teach you how to speak in the country? Probably can't read either,” one of them said. The adults were shushing and reminding them that there was to be no running, throwing, shouting or laughing. Finally, it was Kenneth's turn to enter inside. The room was amazing. It had wooden wall panels with stained-glass windows, dressed in golden velvet curtains. Books lined shelves in rows and chairs were tucked into small tables with lamps. A picture of the famous book: The Story of Doctor Doolittle was framed. Kenneth smelt a vase of fresh sweet peas. Then he saw the magnificent fireplace. He grabbed a copy of the Magnet and Gem comic and sat down on a big cushion by the fire. His legs felt the warmth. It was such a special place for children. “Oh no. You're not sitting there.” The two posh boys stood over him. They grabbed the comic out of his hands and threw it across the floor. “Go and fetch it,” one said. The other boy up-turned the big cushion until Kenneth fell off, and sat on it himself. Kenneth wasn't going to be bullied. He pushed the boy off. The other boy went chasing after the comic. “See George,” he said to the boy. “He looks at pictures. He can't read.” With that, the boy threw the comic into the fire. The librarian saw what happened and immediately came over.
“Get out this minute!” She marched George and Arthur outside and then returned to Kenneth. “Kenneth,” she said. “Those boys are nothing but trouble and you ought to stay away from them.” Kenneth stood up. He wondered how she knew his name. “You can help me make a display of books. I have a delivery coming in and you need to find some books for me.” Kenneth was happy to know that he was not getting thrown out of the library. He found the books and brought them to the table. He wondered why the books were about the countryside. Kenneth's dad arrived with two big baskets of apples. “Oh that's great, Fred!” The librarian said to Kenneth's dad. She turned to Kenneth. “Now young man, take one of those baskets and stand at the entrance. Every child that leaves, gets to take an apple home.” Now Kenneth knew why his dad wanted to meet him at the library –they were helping with the display. A long line of children left with an apple in one hand. Kenneth felt proud of his farm. He looked across the road and saw Arthur and George, staring back at him –- they were now the ones who were missing out. Kenneth decided that they had been punished enough. He threw them each an apple. They nodded thanks and walked on.It was time to go but Kenneth's hour at the library was so much more than a warm fire and shiny apples –- it was a place in the city for any country boy to belong.
The clock
There's a neat little clock In the school-room stands, It points to the time With its two little hands. It is never late to do its work, And always does it with gusto; It tells when us to start And when to stop and go. And may we, like that little clock, Keep a face clean and bright, With hands ever ready To do what is always right.
by Uncle Roy
Sunday January 20, 2019
Junior page
Solar System Mobile WHAT YOU'LL NEED - About 2 oz. 100% wool roving in assorted colors - Two 38-gauge needles - Felting pad or dense foam - White fiberfill stuffing - White paint - 2 paint-stirring sticks - Drill and 3/32-inch drill bit - White baker's twine or thin cotton yarn - Sewing needle with a large eye - Brass fish-eye hook - Small brass chain WHAT TO DO 1. To make a planet, pull off a few inches of roving and roll it into a ball so it fits in your palm. Pin onto the felt pad with one needle and use the other to “felt,” or to press the needle up and down repeatedly. The tiny barbs on the end of the felting needle compress the fibers into a desired shape. Turn the roving often and continue felting until it forms a semi-firm and uniform ball. Felt on a thin piece of roving in a different color if desired (to make the blue swirls on Neptune, for instance). Repeat to make additional planets. 2. To make the sun, pull a 4- to 5-inchdiameter tuft of stuffing and wrap with yellow roving to cover stuffing completely.
3. Paint two paint-stirring sticks and let dry. Mark five holes, spaced about 3 inches apart, on one of the paint sticks. Drill. Place the drilled stick over the other one as a template, mark holes, and drill. 4. With the sticks in an “X” shape, line up the center holes; use the needle to thread the sun through the center hole. Knot to desired length. Twist in the fish-eye hook from the top to secure the paint sticks together. Secure the planets to yarn with the needle and thread up through remaining eight holes. Knot in place at desired heights. 5. Add a chain to hang; felt on small amounts of wool to planets as needed to balance the mobile.
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 20, 2019
Self Esteem is crucial to your Personal Development
I
n the last two weeks we discussed why it is urgent that you inculcate self esteem into your personality, and identify and cast aside the negative characteristics of those who lack this fundamental quality of a rounded personality.
Uncle Roy would like everyone to take the articles in the next few weeks very seriously, so that we can build a culture of excellence in the behaviour of our teenagers, as well as have our youths be confident as they move towards becoming the best persons they can be. The process of building self-esteem involves five essential elements which are necessary for you in your goal of making the best of yourself so as to ensure your success in all areas of your life. They are:1. A sense of Security. 2. A sense of Belonging. 3. A sense of Identity or Self-knowledge. 4. A sense of Purpose or Aim in life. 5. A sense of Personal Competence. We shall be dealing with each of these elements or senses in turn to teach you all about building and maintaining your Self Esteem. I can assure you that it will certainly enrich your life, help you to achieve a balanced personality, and equip you to deal effectively with all the ups and downs with which you will be faced in your future. I believe that each of you can reap further immense benefits by getting together in groups and discussing the articles as they enfold each week.
Teenage Years -Crossword Puzzle
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Let us start a new to rebuild Guyana by Coleen Ferguson Brothers and sisters in this great land of ours, Let us all learn to love one another, Forget the past and shun all hatred, As we strive to build a better future. Let us forget about race and colour, And treat one another as our own brother; Let us pick up the pieces caused by strife, And from now on live and work together. Let us join as true brothers and sisters, Regardless of class, place and creed, To make a new and strong Guyana, And to this pay special heed. Let us join together all our forces And strive to make a fresh beginning, Using all our knowledge and resources, For the sake of ourselves and our children.
Self-improvement should be an ongoing effort throughout our lives – keep at it and you will develop yourself as wel l as set a worthy example for others.
ACROSS 1
Extra Curricular Activities
3
5 6
The ability to keep trying even though something may be very difficult Believe you are a good strong person able to achieve your goals. Belief in yourself The place we study after high school
8
A strong belief in the value of work
4
DOWN 2 This is another word for your teenage years. 7 A person between the ages of 13 and 19
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Solutions to last week’s REBUS FOR YOU! 1. A bundle of nerves2. Small potatoes 3. Pinching pennies 4. Back on one's feet 5. The birds and the bees6. A finger in the pie 7. One in a million 8. Grey matter
Brain teaser 1. LOCK — PIANO > KEY 2. SHIP — CARD > Deck 3. TREE — CAR > Trunk 4. SCHOOL — EYE > Pupil (Exam and Private are also possible) 5. PILLOW — COURT > Case 6. RIVER — MONEY > Bank (Flow is also possible) 7. BED — PAPER > Sheet 8. ARMY — WATER > Tank 9. TENNIS — NOISE > Racket 10. EGYPTIAN — MOTHER > Mummy 11. SMOKER — PLUMBER > Pipe
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1. Knock, knock. Who's there? Leena. Leena, who? Leena little closer so I can kiss you! 2. Knock, knock. Who's there? Olive. Olive, who? Olive you so, so much! 3. Knock, knock. Who's there? Canoe. Canoe, who? Canoe give me a big kiss? 4. Knock, knock. Who's there? Orange. Orange, who? Orange you going to kiss me instead of just standing there? 5. Knock, knock. Who's there? Harry. Harry, who? Harry up and kiss me! 6. Knock, knock. Who's there? Luke. Luke, who? Luke into my eyes and tell me that you love me. 7. Knock, knock. Who's there? Ben. Ben, who? Been thinking about you all day. 8. Knock, knock. Who's there? Norma Lee. Norma Lee, who? Norma Lee I don't say this, but I think that I am falling for you. 9. Knock, knock. Who's there? Anita. Anita, who? Anita kiss from you. 10. Knock, knock. Who's there? Ivana. Ivana, who? Ivana spend the rest of my life with you. 11. Knock, knock. Who's there? Muffin. Muffin, who? Muffin in this world can keep us apart. 12. Knock, knock. Who's there? Aldo. Aldo, who? Aldo anything to make you happy. 13. Knock, knock. Who's there? Cynthia. Cynthia, who? Cynthia you went away, I have been missing you so much. 14. Knock, knock. Who's there? Pauline. Pauline, who? I'm Pauline in love with you more and more each day. 15. Knock, knock. Who's there? Snow. Snow, who? Snow use, I just can't stop thinking about you. 16. Knock, knock. Who's there? Harry. Harry, who? Harry up and kiss me! 17. Love is like having to pass gas. If you force, then you are going to make a mess. 18. Did I tell you that the girl I have been seeing works at the zoo? I think she's a keeper. 19. Did you hear about the porcupine who was near-sighted? He fell in love with a pincushion. 20. Being in love is a lot like central heating in your home. You turn it on just before your guests come over and pretend that your house is always like this. 21. The voice of love seemed to call me, and then I realized that it was a wrong number. 22. Knock, knock. Who's there? Keith. Keith, who? Keith me, my love! 23. You are in my heart, my mind, and in my entire body. In fact, my doctor says that you must be a parasite! 24. My boyfriend and I met on the internet. My mother asked him what line he used on me and my boyfriend replied, “I just used a modem.” 24. A couple are on a date at a fancy restaurant. The woman tells the man to say something to her that will get her heart racing. He replies, “I forgot my wallet.” 25. Why do painters always fall for their models? Because they love them with all of their art. 26. Let's commit the perfect crime together. I'll steal your heart and you can steal mine. 27. The brain is the most impressive organ in our whole body. From the day you are born, it works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, right up until you fall in love. 28. Women can fake an orgasm, while men can fake a whole relationship. 29. Love is a form of amnesia where a girl forgets that there are about 1.2 billion other boys out there in the world. 30. A T-Rex told his girlfriend, “I love you this much,” as he stretched out his arms. To which the girlfriend replied, “that's not very much at all!” 31. If I have to choose between men and shoes, I will choose shoes. They tend to last longer. 31. I think you might be suffering from a lack of vitamin me. 32. Forget about the butterflies. When I am with you, I feel the whole zoo. 33. Love is not having to hold in your gas anymore. 34. Do you have a bandage? Because I just scraped my knee falling for you. 35. On a scale of 1 to 10, you are the only 1 for me. 36. Love is a lot like peeing in your pants. Only you can feel the warm sensation from such an experience. 37. What did one volcano say to the other volcano? I lava you. 38. What is the difference between love and herpes? Love does not last forever. 39. The woman was hungry for love and had no idea where her next male was coming from.
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 20, 2019
Sunday January 20, 2019
Beauty Tips for Long Eyelashes Not everyone is blessed with long, thick lashes, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get them; no, we aren’t talking about falsies. From clever mascara hacks and nourishing ingredients to simple makeup tricks, we have rounded 6 foolproof tips for getting perfect, feathery eyelashes that you have dreamt of all your life.
Use clear primer To achieve extra-long lashes in a snap, swipe on a primer before you apply mascara. Heat your eyelash curler Before using your eyelash curler, heat it with the blowdryer. Getting it hot will make sure your curl lasts longer when you use your eyelash curler. It's like using a heat styling tool on your lashes. Comb your lashes You should comb out your lashes before and applying mascara to create a cleaner look and prevent clumping. Baby powder trick Dust baby powder over your lashes before applying mascara. This will plump up your lashes. After you apply mascara, they'll appear thicker Condition your lashes with castor oil Castor oil has follicle-stimulating and nourishing properties that can help you enjoy lustrous and voluminous lashes. Use a clean brush or a cotton swab to apply castor oil on your lashes before going to bed. You can also add a few drops of vitamin E oil or aloe vera gel to the castor oil before applying. Leave it on overnight and rinse off with lukewarm water in the morning. Use lemon peels for volume Lemon peels can add volume to your eyelashes. Mix 1 tbsp of dried lemon peels and soak them in castor oil or olive oil for a couple of days. Apply this mixture to your eyelashes and leave it on overnight. Rinse off in the morning.
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
GOAL
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Stag Stage 7: The Ultimate J’ouvert Experience is coming your way next month
L
ast year, the experience was exhila rating, 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 all you thought you knew about what a real jourvert is supposed to be. This year , you can expect to have the ultimate jouvert 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
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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 Jouvert Experience is coming your way!
18 to vie for Carib Soca Monarch next month
Eighteen 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.
Dangerous chemicals hiding in everyday products It was long believed that you could acquire “better living through chemistry.” But that may really not be the case. In a landmark alliance, known as Project TENDR, leaders of various disciplines have come together in a consensus statement to say that many of the chemicals found in everyday products can result in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and attention-deficit disorders.
“Ten years ago, this consensus wouldn’t have been possible, but the research is abundantly clear,” said Irva HertzPicciotto, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of California, Davis and co-chairwoman of Project TENDR. “At some point, we say we know enough to take preventative action,” said Frederica Perera, a professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University. Perera is also a signatory on the statement. Last year, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (PDF) stated that “Widespread exposure to toxic environmental chemicals threatens healthy human reproduction.” Other medical groups such as the Endocrine Society (PDF), the world’s oldest and largest organization devoted to researching hormones, have expressed similar concerns. But this is the first time that leading scientists, doctors and policy advocates across various disciplines have come together to say that the science on toxic chemicals is clear : They can harm brain development. Everyday chemicals carry toxic burden These everyday chemicals, including organophosphates, flame retardants and phthalates, can be found in food, plastics, furniture, food wrap, cookware, cans, carpets, shower curtains, electronics and even shampoo. They are pretty much everywhere around us. Scientists and researchers are concerned that many of these chemicals may be carcinogenic or wreak havoc with our hormones, our body’s regulating system. But the impact of these chemicals may be most severe on the developing brain, Perera said. Brain development is the “most complete and most rapid during the first nine months, prenatally,” she said. During that time, neural connections and pathways are
being developed. “Any interference by a physical stress like a toxic chemical or other stressor can disrupt this natural progression that is so very delicate and complex,” explained Perera. Though the group hopes to come up with regulatory recommendations to reduce this toxic burden, there are some simple things that individuals can do to reduce their exposure. Chemicals to watch for. ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDES Organophosphate pesticides (PDF) are a class of neurotoxic chemicals used as warfare agentsin the 1930s. However, today, they account for about half of all pesticide use in the United States. And they can make their way onto crops that we use as food sources. Areas that spray pesticides heavily, such as farms, may find higher rates of exposure. Children exposed to higher levels of these pesticides have been found to have higher rates of attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder. You can reduce your exposure to them by eating organic and using alternative pest control methods. PHTHALATES These chemicals soften plastics and help scents and chemicals bind together. Exposure to phthalates has been associated with lower IQ levels. They can be found in shampoos, conditioners, body sprays, hair sprays, perfumes, colognes, soap, nail polish, shower curtains, medical tubing, IV bags, vinyl flooring and wall coverings, food packaging and coatings on time-release pharmaceuticals. You can reduce your exposure to phthalates by using unscented lotions and laundry detergents, microwaving food in glass containers rather than plastic, using cleaning supplies without scents, and avoiding air fresheners and plastics labeled as No. 3, No. 6 and No 7. POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS These chemicals are used as flame retardants, chemicals that can slow the speed of a flame. They can be found in televisions, computers, insulation and foam products, including children’s toys and baby pillows. Products can shed ethers that can accumulate in dust. Exposure to these ethers have been associated with thyroid
issues. There isn’t a directory that lists which products have these ethers, but consumers may still be able to reduce exposure by looking for products that advertise themselves as free of flame retardant. These chemicals were found in a lot of older foams, so replace products such sofas and pillows that have exposed foam. And use a highefficiency HEPA filter vacuum to clean up dust. AIR POLLUTANTS Air pollution from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil or gas is usually associated with respiratory issues. However, these pollutants can also include nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and benzene. Higher exposure to air pollutants has been associated with lower birth weights, preterm deliveries and congenital heart defects. The World Health Organization (PDF) considers exposure to benzene a major public health concern. Aside from trying to avoid polluted areas, you can make sure to buy furniture and products that advertise themselves as formaldehyde-free. Try to avoid buying furniture made with particleboard, plywood or pressed wood. Many of these products use glues containing formaldehyde. LEAD Lead is a naturally occurring metal. It was banned from gasoline in the 1970s but can still be found in older homes that used leaded paint. Lead can also make its way into water, because of corrosion from old water pipes. Lead is also used in a variety of products like industrial paints, car batteries and wheel weights.Lead exposure has been associated with ADHD, lower IQs and developmental delay. Infants and toddlers are at greatest risk for lead exposure because they frequently put their hands and toys in their mouths after they may be exposed to lead in dust.Find out if you have lead in your water by reaching out to your local water supplier or even getting an at-home test kit from a home improvement store. If your home was built before 1978, test your paint. If the paint is chipping or peeling, it will need to be stripped or covered. Homeowners may want to consider using a professional who is lead-safe certified to help you. Parents can also talk to your doctor about having your children tested for lead if there is reason for concern. http://edition.cnn.com.
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 20, 2019
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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U.S. demands regular review of China trade reform BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters Exclusive) The United States is pushing for regular reviews of China’s progress on pledged trade reforms as a condition for a trade deal - and could again resort to tariffs if it deems Beijing has violated the agreement, according to sources briefed on negotiations to end the trade war between the two nations. A continuing threat of tariffs hanging over commerce between the world’s two largest economies would mean a deal would not end the risk of investing in businesses or assets that have been impacted by the trade war. “The threat of tariffs is not going away, even if there is a deal,” said one of three sources briefed on the talks who spoke with Reuters on condition of anonymity. Chinese negotiators were not keen on the idea of regular compliance checks, the source said, but the U.S. proposal “didn’t derail negotiations.” A Chinese source said the United States wants “periodic assessments” but it’s not yet clear how often. “It looks like humiliation,” the source said. “But perhaps the two sides could find a way to save face for the Chinese government.” The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed import tariffs on Chinese goods to put pressure on Beijing to meet a long list of demands that would rewrite the terms of trade between the two countries. The demands include changes to China’s policies on intellectual property protection, technology transfers, industrial subsidies and other trade barriers. An enforcement and verification process is unusual for trade deals and is akin to the process around punitive economic sanctions such as those imposed on North Korea and Iran. Disputes over trade are more typically dealt with through courts, the World Trade Organization (WTO) or through arbitration panels and other dispute settlement mechanisms built into trade agreements. Trump’s team has criticized the WTO for failing to hold China accountable for not executing on promised market reforms. The U.S. has also criticized the WTO’s dispute settlement process and is seeking reforms at the organization. Regular reviews would be one potential solution to address a demand from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for ongoing verification of any trade pact between the two countries, three sources familiar with the talks told Reuters. The threat of tariffs would be used to keep reform on track, the sources
said. Lighthizer is leading negotiations with China. A USTR spokesman declined to comment on the possibility of regular assessments. The idea of quarterly reviews of quarterly reviews was part of a U.S. negotiating document leaked after talks in May 2018, before the United States had slapped its first round of duties on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. The renewed focus on regular reviews in current negotiations - this time carrying the threat of tariffs - underscores the growing distrust between the two countries. The extra scrutiny is needed and should be based on clear benchmarks - with consequence for failing to meet them, said Erin Ennis, Senior Vice President of the U.S.-China Business Council, a trade group representing American companies doing business in China. “It needs to be tied to removing or reducing the tariffs,” Ennis said. “If China can show compliance through a process like this, it would also be a trust-building measure for both sides.” BROKEN PROMISES Trump’s administration has accused China of repeatedly failing to follow through on previous pledges to implement reforms sought by the United States. Washington often cites as an example the difficulties still faced by foreign payment card operators in entering China’s market despite a 2012 WTO ruling that Beijing was discriminating against them. A separate industry source said it is likely that different agreement on separate issues - forced technology transfer, intellectual property, changes to China’s legal system - would require separate verification processes, all of which will need to be (Continued on page 58)
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
Management of Red Palm Mite stabilizes coconut export... From page 20 Ramkissoon (one name) says the system is not at all long, but carefully tended to ensure that Guyana remains resilient and pertinent, where coconut is concerned. The island exports several containers of dried nuts monthly and is a major source of income for families. “A single nut is purchased at $25. Buyers from several districts would come and buy our nuts. Therefore, if I do 1,000 nuts per week, I earn $25,000 dollars. This alone is sufficient to ensure that I put adequate food on the table for my family,” said the grower. The programme adopted by many farmers is due to the good work of NPPO. They have, over the years, conducted trials, complemented by the research department of the NAREI to determine the best chemicals, and then consistently distribute pesticides free to farmers, employed workers to drill holes and inject plants. “Free distribution of pesticides is what kept us alive in the industry, we purchase fertiliser and apply once per year,” the farmer explained. “I think that if this model is well adopted throughout Guyana, the industry is in good care to continue exportation. Coconut is a very good income earner; it is a health-food used in many delicacies. It is certainly a mainstay crop of Guyana”. Coconut is being cultivated along the coastal line and effectively uplifts the sea defence, food, employment and tourism sector. After sugar and rice, it occupies the largest acreage on the coastal regions of Guyana. It has the potential of being a significant income earner and export crop. For health reasons, coconut is gaining much attention around the world and Guyana can become a major contributor, as it has over the many years, but requires consistent revitalization and expertise, one farmer asserted.
Diamond Chinese restaurant... From page 54 According to Narine, there are pockets of places in Diamond where businesses would be allowed, but the property on which ‘Georgie’ was operating is not one of them.“We have an issue with zoning. We are sorry for that man (neighbour) who picked up on the story. There are laws. We received an objection and we have forwarded the complaint to CH&PA. They (restaurant owners) have gotten no permission…totally illegal…”
Yesterday, Kaieteur News visited the restaurant and attempted to speak to the owners. However, the Chinese personnel there did not speak much English and were not helpful. Someone did call Kaieteur News later, but was unable to offer much information also. Guyana has been battling zoning problems for decades, with a number of residents, like in Queenstown, Georgetown, becoming highly vocal in recent years.
U.S. demands regular ... From page 57 hammered out by negotiators. “The challenge of verification and enforcement stems from the fact that China has made promises it hasn’t kept,” the source said. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a 90-day truce in the trade war in December to give their teams time to negotiate a deal. Nearly 50 days later, there is little sign that China will make the concessions the U.S. is seeking. Lighthizer saw no progress on structural issues at three days of mid-level talks in Beijing last week, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said on Tuesday. China’s Vice Premier and lead negotiator Liu He is due to visit Washington for the next round of talks with Lighthizer and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at the end of the month.
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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The world’s most punctual airports and airlines for 2019 revealed
(CNN) — If your New Year’s resolution for 2019 is to waste less time, here’s some news that could help. Travel analyst OAG has just revealed its Punctuality League for 2019, naming the airlines and airports with the world’s best timekeeping. If you’ve ever spent hours drifting around duty free or sitting forlornly on your suitcase, this could be the first good news of the year — at least if you’re flying in Latin America. Drawing on full-year data from 58 million flight records in 2018 — the most OAG has ever tracked in a single year — the UK-based analyst has created a ranking of the best on-time perform a n c e f o r t h e w o r l d ’s largest airlines and airports. Its definition of on-time performance, or OTP, is flights that arrive or depart within 15 minutes of their scheduled times. The most punctual airline in the world — with 89.79% of flights on time — is Latin American airline Copa Airlines. It’s headquartered in Panama City airport, which was also named the world’s most punctual medium-sized airport. MOST PUNCTUAL AIRLINES 1. Copa Airlines (89.79%). (Top Mainline Airline and Top Airline in Latin America). 2. airBaltic (89.17%). (Top Airline in Europe). 3. Hong Kong Airlines (88.11%). (Top Airline in Asia-Pacific). 4. Hawaiian Airlines (87.52%). (Top Airline in North America). 5. Bangkok Airways (87.16%). 6. Qantas Airways (85.65%). 7. LATAM Airlines Group (85.60%). (Top Mega Airline). 8. Azul (85.21%). (Top Low-Cost Carrier). 9. Qatar Airways (85.17%). (Top Airline in the Middle East). 10. KLM (84.52%). Copa Airlines knocked last year’s winner, airBaltic, from the top spot, although the Latvian flag carrier held onto its position as Top Airline in Europe. The biggest riser is Bangkok Airways, which improved its on-time performance by 10% last year, leaping up to fifth place. LATAM Airlines Group (No.7) and KLM (No.10) both climbed up the rankings, rising from 36th and 30th place respectively. Japan Airlines — last
year’s No.4 — fell to 13th place, while Vueling dropped from 7th place to 63rd, which OAG says can likely be attributed to the effects of French industrial action. South Africa’s Mango was Africa’s top airline, with on-time performance of 82.88%. MOST PUNCTUAL AIRPORTS OAG ranked airports around the world with an annual minimum of 2.5 million departing seats. As with airlines, the higher the passenger traffic, the tougher the challenges, so OAG has broken down the rankings according to the size of the airport. For the fourth year in a row, the most punctual mega airport (30 million+ seats) is Japan’s Tokyo Haneda (85.62%). The top major airport (20 - 30 million seats) is Moscow Sheremetyevo (87%) while the top large airport (10 - 20 million seats) is Japan’s Osaka Airport (88.22%). Panama City is the top medium airport (5 - 10 million seats), with on-time performance of 91.11%. Belarus’ Minsk National Airport is the top small airport (2.5 - 5 million seats), with 92.35% of flights arriving or departing on schedule. OTHER INDEXES OAG isn’t the only analyst that is releasing a punctuality report this month. Also on J a n u a r y 3 , FlightGlobal, incorporating FlightStats, announced its On-time Performance Service (OPS) Awards, which groups airlines into three categories: International (Mainline and Network), Major (by region for Mainline and Network), and Low-Cost Carriers. While both reports define punctuality as being whether a flight arrives or departs within 15 minutes of schedule, FlightGlobal’s methodology differs in that airport performance is det e r m i n e d b a s e d o n ontime departures, while airline performance is determined based on on-time arrivals. FlightGlobal examines flight status and arrival data curated from more than 600 global sources and gathers information from more than 120,000 operated flights per day. It named Delta Air Lines as the world’s best on-time mainline airline (ranked 16th overall by OAG), while Qatar Airways was the world’s best on-time network airline. Azul was the top low-cost carrier according to both reports.
Canama flag carrier Copa Airlines has been named the world’s most on-time airline.
Sunday January 20, 2019
CONSUMER CONCERNS
Phasing out the private lesson system BY PAT DIAL
T
he subject of Education is of perennial concern to parents and consumers as a whole. In this offering, the focus will be on private lessons. Until the last generation, private lessons were unknown in the school system at both the primary and secondary levels. Today, it is the norm. Parents feel that their children would never perform well at school except they have private lessons. Private lessons are a great financial burden on parents, especially at the secondary level. The fees many private tutors require are often well beyond what the majority of parents could comfortably afford. Indeed, some tutors state their fees in US dollars! Parents may even have to borrow money to meet such extra fees. This private lesson system also has sinister social consequences since it favours the richer and betteroff children while the children from poorer homes are left behind. Generally, poorer children are no less able than their wealthier class mates, thus this system emphasizes class differences and causes intellectual waste. The contrast could be clear if we compare secondary schools of the past with the present. Private lessons are not only a financial burden on parents, they have negative effects on children. Those children who cannot afford private lessons feel a sense of humiliation and indeed
inferiority. In the private lesson system, the child immediately has to go to the tutor as soon as school dismisses and spends the next two or three hours with the tutor. Sometimes classes are held at 6 o'clock in the morning to eight, just in time for the child to attend regular school. This system takes away their childhood from children. They are precluded from being involved in sports and other childhood activity and denied the opportunity of cultivating a broader circle of friends. Childhood, to many who graduate from the private lesson system, is not a happy memory, and there are little memories that they could treasure. The denial of childhood could have serious effects on personality. The majority of serious educationists, parents and children are aware that the private lesson syndrome is a serious blemish on Guyana's Education System but no one has been able to escape its net. The only way the Education System could free itself from this blemish is by concerted action by all stakeholders. In the first place, the Ministry of Education should let it be known that it will not tolerate private lessons as now constituted. In this process, the school curricula will have to include compulsory after-school recreational activity. It would also mean closer assessment of teachers in the classroom will have to be undertaken. It is well known that (continued on page 63)
Belle-West squatters to be ... From page 60 request, especially that they were honest in accepting that they were flouting the law, and illegally occupying land that they did not own but belonged to the government. “They came, and they were very honest with what they said, and they admitted that they should not have squatted in the first place and I appreciated that, so I promise them that I am going to come to see where they are and let's look at how we can help,” said Minister AdamsYearwood. The minister told squatters that government would regularize the area, however, the necessary checks would have to be
made first to ensure their now existing structures were not blocking intended roadways. A follow-up meeting for the application process to take place is scheduled for next Wednesday. The minister also warned against duplication of applicants from the same household, as well as overnight squatters seeking to benefit from this initiative. “I want to warn that if you are already in the system or from the same household do not apply again, and please look around and ensure nobody new don't come and put up a structure overnight,” the minister warned.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 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 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158S HOUSE PLAN TO BE DRAWN OR ESTIMATES. CALL 216-0671/ 692-8464/ 622-0267 For doctoring erectile disfunction problems. Asthma burns, hearing & hair loss. Call Bush doc. Tel 231-9348
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 One eight inch bearing block and water pump with 6x4 Y along with matching valves. Tel#676-5725 We supply large quantities of school uniforms for interior locations and other places. Tel# 656-0701/648-1635 Land (Bamia, Highway) & used heavy duty machinery. Contact Susan on 611-2113/ 642-3749/ 648-6309 TO LET
EDUCATION Private Customs Brokerage Certificate Training Course, starts this month end, Register now. Call: 694-8322/501-6931. Job Opportunity Available HEALTH
Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban) unfurnished (1) bedroom $50,000, (2) bedroom $60,000. Furnished studio (for visitors) US$600 p/m 677-9638/6687687 House to rent. 76 Kuru Kuru road side. #227-1042/691-8420
HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924
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 Bottom flat 2 bedroom apartment to rent situated at lot 229 Section A Block X Diamond Housing Scheme. Contact 696-6463/673-6222 Self-contained rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#2272993 Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290 (1) Upper flat (4) bedroom house fully grill in first st Herstelling E.B.D. Contact 265-3844, 662-2687 One 3 bedroom house in Eccles. Call 623-7500
CAR RENTAL 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 LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 (1) Fenced land Parfaite Harmony - $2M. Uitvlugt $2.5M Neg. Zeelugt $1.5M Neg. Zeelugt $2.3M Neg. Tel: 697-6311/642-1252
LEARN TO DRIVE P. Outar and C. Persaud Driving School at Maraj Building. Call: 622-2872, 6150964, 681-2808
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
Land at Best Crane Vreed-enhoop 104x41 $2,000,000 transported, Land at Parfaite W.B.D Tel#672-0416
WANTED 1 Shop assistant to work in the interior. Experience would be an asset. #669-3162 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 Contract cars at City Taxi Service 8 Vlissengen Rd. Tel: 226-7150 General domestic with cooking experience. Age 3055. Call 616-6988 Assistant office administrator. Sales and spares assistant. 628-9268 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
VACANCY
Transport property for sale, BB Eccles, EBD. Call: 616-9490
Cashiers - CXC required porters. Survival supermarket Transported property in 16 Vlissengen Rd. Newtown Regent Street between Wellington & Camp Street. Cooks, Handyboys, Roti/Puri Tel#655-3332 Opposite Guyoil makers, Apply at Shanta’s 225 Gas Station Camp St House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, Salon for rental. Hair & nail 3 toilets and bathrooms stations available. New market enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642street. 638-1106. Massage 0391/ 001447587233657 room available House lots for sale, 200k (2) Responsible male to graze downpayment, 20k monthly and milk cow. Age 30-45. #2332049 Call anytime after 12 #622-1957 $22,000 start salary.
Commercial Property, double lot next to Harbour Earn up to $5000 daily selling Bridge,East Bank... must go hotdogs. Food handlers #622-1957 needed. Contact Sean #667Large 3 bedrooms classic 2189 house in solid condition- all Driver/Salesman, Security amenties, huge yard, security. Guards, Handyman, Price negotiable, Versailles Bulldozer Operator, Part time WBD. Call: 660-3415/609-7766 Mechanic. # 266 4427 6 bedrooms house on transported double-lot, all Experienced salesman 40-45 amentities, private yard/ yrs with driver license. Must parking. Located in know to write bills/calculate. Georgetown. Call: 660Keyyfood McDoom Village. 3415,609-7766
1 Male cook to work in interior $120,000 monthly. Workers for land dredge. #629-8280
Part time domestic. East Bank Land with column & Demerara preferably Diamond/ foundation $7.5M in Grove area. Cooking included. Herstelling. Tel#611-7223 Tel: 656-7329 One Building (4) Apartment One (1) seamstress to work for for sale, First street, Mon an established company. Repos ECD. Call # 203-850Must have experience. Call 5235/602-4105 672-4695 for more information
1 Live-in Family. HusbandDriving, Welding. WifeDomestic. Tel#227-1830
General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank. #614-4358
Factory workers male & female. Apply in person to: R.P’s Enterprise Area ‘K’ Le Resouvenir E.C.D. 220-2818 or 3710
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Office clerk, Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset. Call: 223-7500 We buy land with column and foundation, Parfaite Harmonie & East Bank. Tel#656-0701 1 Cashier to work shift system. Apply in person at Buddy’s Gym. 137 Sheriff Street. 2314104 LAND FOR SALE Parfaite $1.6M. Land fence & foundation $2M. Farm $3.5M. Schoonard $4M. Dairy (100ftx50ft) $4M. Tel# 6560701/648-1635 7 acres located in Garden of Eden. Price $45 Million. Call: 672-1920 50x100 corner lot located in Sophia. Price $4.5 Million. Call: 672-1920
Security officers wanted. Call 231-8169/ 672-1920 for appointment between 8:00 17:00 hrs for appointment. Will VEHICLE FOR SALE be trained in phases of Nissan Laurel Executive security antique car, Nissan Pathfinder Jeep. Superb VACANCYFOR PART/FULL 4-door TIME WAITER/WAITRESS condition. Price Neg. Call your TO WORK AT AAGMAN price. Tel#660-3415/609-7766 RESTAURANT. CONTACT One (1) unregistered new 219-0158 model Tacoma, white in color, crash bar, step, alarm etc. Call Salon in Tortola, BVI needs 695-6461 or 639-7758 hairdressers, nail technicians and barbers. Email: Toyota Rav4 white 2.5M. divahairbvi@gmail.com or Toyota carina wagon 700 call: 1-284-543-1410 thousand. Telephone 6832721 VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Mitsubishi canter 4D-32 14 feet tray wide body. Series GJJ. 664-5052 One Hilux Vigo, Smart cab. Call: 693-7613 Reasonable offer accepted Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501
Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
Phasing out the private lesson system From page 61 many teachers do not teach during school hours, but give private lessons in the same subjects they should have taught in class. Many teachers spend their time on iPads or computers, knowing that the majority of students would have private tuition and may have good CXC results as a result; such results would be credited to these teachers. There may be some teachers who may not know the art of teaching and help should be accorded to them. Efforts should be made to explain to teachers the negative effects the private lesson system has on students. Parents and students should also have to be formally brought on board. The Ministry of
Education will have to take the initiative and responsibility for this effort, using wellknown methodologies. The school administrations must also be involved and one of the first considerations is that they should cease entering large numbers of subjects for certain students. A few students passing 15 or 20 subjects is done much more to give prestige to the school or advertise it, but is of little benefit to the student. The core subjects should be done such as Maths, English, Computer Science, Foreign language, the Science subjects and a few other subjects in which the student may have a strong interest such as Principles of Business or Art. Schools should also be
required to publish their full results and not only those of the high flyers. Parents must involve themselves in helping their children, especially at the primary level and children must be encouraged to study and to read as widely as possible. They should use the public library system for advice from the librarians on what to read and also what books to borrow. The system of private lessons could be brought under control and eventually phased out if all stakeholders are engaged. The Ministry of Education will have to take the initiative. It would be a great educational advancement if the system of private lessons were phased out.
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Kaieteur News
Public servants must carry out will of govt., implement budget - Harmon Don’t follow Jagdeo…
By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell
T
he APNU+AFC government con tinues to insist that it must be business as usual, until such time that the court pronounces on the matters before it, in relation to the no-confidence motion. On the other hand, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) maintains that the government can only act in a caretaker capacity. As a result, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has been calling on public servants to be “on the lookout.” Since the passage of the no-confidence motion that saw the fall of government, Jagdeo hosted several press conferences while the government held only a few. At all of
his press conferences, Jagdeo has been repeating this call on public servants to be vigilant. He asked that they report suspicious transactions and “put Guyana first.” Further, Jagdeo called on public workers not to process the “suspicious” transactions. Jagdeo has been preaching that these transactions would be illegal and that the government’s continued functioning is in violation of Guyana’s supreme law—the Constitution. Apparently, his calls are being paid heed, and some public servants are complying. As such, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon is now calling on “right-thinking” public workers to understand that they still have duties to fulfill for which they are be-
U.S. military says 52 militants killed in Somalia air strike NAIROBI (Reuters) - A U.S. air strike killed 52 militants in Somalia’s Middle Juba region yesterday, its Africa Command said. The strike was in response to an attack on a Somali military base near Jilib, 370 km (230 miles) southwest of Mogadishu, by a large group of al Shabaab militants, a statement from the Africa Command said. Pictures taken at the scene after the strike and seen by Reuters showed a large burnt-out flatbed truck surrounded by charred bodies. Other pictures appeared to show a car bomb rigged with explosives that had not detonated at the Bar Sanguni forward operating base, which had come under al Shabaab attack. The action by U.S. forces came four days after a raid on a Nairobi hotel and office
compound, claimed by al Shabaab, in which at least 21 people were killed. It was not clear if there was any link between the air strike and events in Kenya. The U.S. military said no civilians were believed to have been killed or injured in Saturday’s strike. Al Shabaab has lost control of most of Somalia’s cities and towns since African Union peacekeepers supporting Somali troops pushed the insurgency out of the capital Mogadishu in 2011. But it retains a strong presence in parts of the south and center, and the U.S. military has stepped up air strikes against the Islamist fighters in Somalia over the last year. Reporting by Alexandra Zavis and Katharine Houreld; Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Robin Pomeroy and David Holmes
Top regional performers for CARIFESTA show (CMC) – Two of the Caribbean’s biggest and internationally known entertainers are scheduled to appear at the CARIFESTA Super Concert when the 14th edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) gets underway in Trinidad and Tobago in August.The organisers have said that Jamaica’s Shaggy and Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Montano are booked and will headline the Island Beats Super Concert, at the region’s premier arts festival on August 24. The show will also feature Ricardo Drew from Antigua and CARIFESTA brand ambassadors, Neval Chatelal, Nishard Mayrhoo, and Nailah Blackman. The CARIFESTA Secretariat said it is currently confirming a third headliner, who will add another dimension of Caribbean flavour to the concert and that tickets for the event go on sale from May 2019 through Sun Tixx Caribbean. They said that the winner of the IShine Soca Star Competition will receive the opportunity of a lifetime, to perform on the Island Beats Super Concert stage as the CARIFESTA Secretariat seeks to develop and promote new talent. The roving Caribbean Festival of Arts will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from August 16-25 under the theme ‘The Tangible and Intangible – Connect, Share, Invest’.
ing paid. Harmon made this call at the post-Cabinet press briefing held on Friday. The minister told the media that the government is still looking to spend monies that have been passed under the 2019 Budget. “We have a full budget for 2019, it has been passed, the actual orders have been signed by the President and the government has started implementing its programme…We are going to implement those programmes under the Budget. Harmon said that those who are listening to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo are making a serious error. He said that those employees would do better to continue
the government’s work. “It is an error to accept that advice (offered by Jagdeo), the budget programme continues. The persons who are meant to implement the programmes must recognize that they have a duty to act in an efficient manner and have those programmes implemented,” said Harmon. The PPP had called for the no-confidence motion to be debated before Budget 2019 was read, deliberated and passed. But, the government refused. Jagdeo’s concern was, “Supposed they pass a budget and then the government is defeated by the no-confidence motion. That would create a serious problem.”
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
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Zverev cruises past Bolt to Cameron grabs four as GYO thump GNIC; GDF overcome Police despite... reach fourth round MELBOURNE (Reuters) Germany’s Alexander Zverev brandished his credentials as an Australian Open title contender by dispatching local wildcard Alex Bolt 6-3 6-3 6-2 in the third round yesterday. The fourth seed was tested early on his serve, which was initially off-target, but was able to maintain control of the contest with a strong returning display. “There’s always things to improve, but I think I played a good match today,” said Zverev, who will play bigserving Canadian Milos Raonic in the fourth round.
After losing his serve once in the first set - and breaking three times - Zverev filled in any holes that could be exploited and picked up his first serve percentage to ease the pressure. He started to hold serve more comfortably and deftly handled the left-handed sliding serves delivered from the other end.Bolt’s forehand constantly switched between being an asset and a liability, with the stylish left-handed swing prone to both screaming winners and over-hitting that opened up break opportunities the German gladly accepted.
“It’s sort of a blessing and a curse sometimes,” said Bolt. “I may have all this power, but sometimes the control isn’t always there. Sometimes what I struggle with is finding that balance between going for too much and not going for enough.” Zverev promptly served out the match and muted his celebrations, aware that he had just outclassed a local favorite who had won over the crowd. The result ended the uplifting run of the 26-year-old Australian who was digging ditches on building sites just three years ago during a career crisis of confidence.
Sunday January 20, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Be the star of your own movie and proud of the role you play. You might find yourself taking on many different characters, depending on your mood of the hour. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Take a break from your daily routine and get off the treadmill today, Taurus. The world will turn without you for one day, so tune out for a while. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Things are flowing your way, Gemini, and you should find a great deal of pleasure in the company of others. There may be an element of fantasy about the day that causes you to lose track of time and space. CANCER(June21–July22) Don't try to nail down any answers today, Cancer, because you will probably end up feeling frustrated. The less you try to force your will on others, the more you will find that things just automatically go your way. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Let your childlike side come out and play today, Leo. Your dreams are in full force, so let them lead the way. Enjoy lighthearted conversations with friends about the latest movies or novels. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Take a break from the routine and get off the beaten path, Virgo. This is a day to forge ahead with ideas and dreams rather than commitments and answers. Question things and debate the facts. Have fun whatever you do.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It may feel like something has suddenly clicked into place for you today, Libra, because you've found the missing piece of a puzzle you've been working on. The answers may be subtle, but they're there. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Things may seem surreal today, so don't take other people's chatter too seriously. This is a day to reach out and touch someone, so pick up the phone. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may find it hard to take a realistic approach to your emotions today. A sensitive issue may pull on you, leaving you feeling like you're out in left field in the way you relate to others. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Question the validity of anything you come in conflict with today. You might find that people act on incomplete information AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today is a great day for you. You should enjoy a great deal of playful conversation. Fantasy is likely to play a big role in events, and you may daydream as you walk down the street. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There may be a rather confusing element to the day, Pisces. You feel tempted to act, but some of the pieces seem to be missing. It could be hard to make a decision, since you don't have the whole picture in front of you.
From page 72 which contained eight fours and two sixes down the order. Shun bagged 6-40 from 7.1 overs while there was two each for Esau Blair and S. Browne. Pacer Cameron made early inroads into GNIC SC batting, removing Shun (01) and John Champagne (00) before R. Benjamin was run out without scoring. GNIC SC never recovered and were sent packing for 58 in 17.3 overs. Cameron finished with 4-35 and Trevon France 2-10. S. Browne top scored for GNIC SC with 20, while Dexter Solomon made 18. At Camp Ayangana, Guyana Defence Force took first strike and posted 166 all out in 24.4 overs. Kevin Sinclair and Randy Lindore added 27 for the second wicket after opener Leon Andrews was caught off Jason Heyliger for two with the score on 17. Sinclair hit one four and three sixes in scoring 33, while Lindore was run out for 34 which included one four and two sixes. Police managed to pick up a few quick wickets, but Joshua Jones who slammed two fours and four sixes in a brisk 39 and Damion Waldron 20 added respectability to the total as Vishal Jaigobin and Kevin Leitch picked up two wickets
Kemol Savory
Kevin Sinclair
each. Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair provided GDF with the breakthrough by removing Paul Tyndall for 10 before Reginald Rodrigues and Kemol Savory took the score to 51. Savory got off the mark with a single but then clobbered Sinclair for three consecutive sixes as he kept Police on par with the asking rate. Rodrigues was then removed by Waldron for 11, while Andrew Lyght Jr was run out without scoring
to leave the score at 53-3. While Savory continued to play his shots, wickets fell regularly at the other end with only Leitch (12) of the remaining batsmen reaching double figures. Savory was the last batsman to be dismissed for 79 which included two fours and five sixes as Police were bowled out for 153 in 24.3 overs. Sinclair and Waldron grabbed three wickets each. The game was reduced to 25 overs.
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Liverpool win 4-3 thriller as Man United triumph again
Crystal Palace’s Julian Speroni in action with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah at Anfield. (REUTERS/Phil Noble) LONDON (Reuters) Liverpool continued their convincing push for the Premier League title as a Mohamed Salah double saw them repel a severe challenge from Crystal Palace to win a remarkable game 4-3 at Anfield and stretch their lead at the top to seven points. On another compelling afternoon in England’s topflight, Arsenal dented Chelsea’s increasingly fragile title pursuit with a 2-0 derby win while Manchester United continued their stirring revival under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Yet it was Liverpool’s pulsating win over their ‘bogey’ side that had the most significant feel as Juergen Klopp’s men showed real steel to sub-
due Palace, with Salah’s brace taking him to 50 Premier League goals in 72 matches. Andros Townsend gave the Eagles a first-half lead, offering them the prospect of their fourth win in their last five visits to Anfield, but Salah and Roberto Firmino struck after halftime only for dogged Palace to equalise with a James Tomkins header. Salah then extended his league-leading tally to 16 goals, gifted by a wretched error by Palace’s recalled 39year-old keeper Julian Speroni — the league’s oldest participant this season — leaving Klopp to hail the Egyptian’s 50-goal landmark as “an exceptional achievement from a world-class player.” Even after James Milner was sent off for a second yellow card
foul and Sadio Mane made it 4-2, Palace pulled one back through Max Meyer and Klopp felt it was a “massive relief” to extend their unbeaten league home run to 32 matches.It left Liverpool on 60 points from 23 games, seven clear of Manchester City, who must now play catch-up again by winning at bottom club Huddersfield Town on Sunday. “Nobody should be surprised by the character of the boys,” said Klopp. “The boys are ready to fight for all. It was not the first moment we had to show it but it was pretty special.” SOLSKJAER ECLIPSES BUSBY At Old Trafford, Solskjaer broke the great Matt Busby’s club record by winning his first six league matches in
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane is action with Crystal Palace’s Mamadou Sakho and Julian Speroni. (Reuters Phil Noble) charge — and seven in all competitions — as the Norwegian’s 100 percent start continued with first-half goals from Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford. United had to work hard to eke out the win after Pascal Gross narrowed the deficit, leaving Solskjaer to enthuse: “You can’t always play fantasy football. At times we did and it’s a great three points.” Solskjaer also equalled the longest winning streak by a manager from the beginning of his reign at a club in the Premier League era — six by Carlo Ancelotti, for Chelsea in 2009, and Pep Guardiola, for Man City in 2016. It pushed United to sixth on 44 points, level with rejuvenated Arsenal, who closed
the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea to three points with first-half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny at the Emirates Stadium. Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur, currently third on 48 points, visit Fulham on Sunday. NEWCASTLE WIN SIX-POINTER At the other end of the table, Newcastle United leapfrogged Cardiff City to push the Welsh club back into the relegation zone after a 3-0 win at St James’ Park that featured a double from Fabian Schar, his first goals for the club. Like Anfield, Molineux also witnessed a seven-goal thriller, with Diogo Jota scoring a stoppage-time winner for Wolverhampton Wander-
ers to complete his hat-trick and earn a 4-3 victory over Leicester City in one of the league’s best games of the season.After captain Wes Morgan’s late header looked to have earned the Foxes a 33 draw, Jota’s clincher made Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo so delirious that he raced on to the pitch, celebrated with his players and was promptly sent off. “I tried to avoid going inside the pitch but it is clear and I was sent off for it — and that was the right decision,” conceded the contrite Portuguese. Southampton also eased their relegation fears under their inspiring new manager Ralph Hasenhuettl, holding on for a deserved 2-1 win over Everton at St Mary’s.
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Zone
Defending Champions Showstoppers off to winning start The 2019 season of the biggest and longest running street football tournament in Guyana; the Banks Dih sponsored Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ street football tournament, commenced on Friday at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac on the West Bank of Demerara with the first eight matches of the West Demerara/ East Bank Zone. Among the winners were defending champions Showstoppers who defeated ‘Up-Like-7’ 3-0 in the feature match of the night. The Group A clash accounted one goal from Dextroy Adams before Marvin Josiah banged in a Guinness Goal [GG] (a goal that is scored In the final five minutes of play counts as two). West Side Ballers, 2015 zone finalists, also got off their campaign positively after needling Rising Stars through a Morgan Denny goal in the 4th
minute of the Group C game. Earlier in the night, Up-Top Bosses, lead by a hat-trick form Amoniki Buntin (2nd minute and a GG in the 19th) cruised past Boom Bang 3-0 in the night’s first match.The competitive ESPN, 2018 losing finalists, were most prolific after banging four unanswered goals past a shattered Dream Team. Scoring a brace for ESPN was Tefon Daly with a GG, while Dennis Edwards in the 4th minute and an Own Goal in the 13th minute accounted for the other strikes. (Calvin Chapman) Complete Results Game-1 Up-Top Bosses-3 vs Boom Bang-0 Amoniki Buntin-2nd and [GG]-19th Game-2 Genna-1 vs Brothers United1 Brothers won 1-0 on penalty kicks
Brothers United Scorer Andrew Murray-12th Genna Scorer Bryan Prince-13th Game-3 Jetty-1 vs Phoenix Ballers-1 Jetty won 2-1 on penalty kicks Jetty Scorer Shane Hamilton-14th Phoenix Scorer Sheldon Lindare-5th Game-4 Bagotstown Warriors-0 vs Young Ballers-0 Bagotstown won 2-0 on penalty kicks Game-5 Agricola-0 vs Ballers Empire1 Jamal Hamilton-5th Game-6 ESPN-4 vs Dream Team-0 Tefon Daly-[GG]-18th Dennis Edwards-4th Own Goal-13th Game-7 West Side Ballers-1 vs Rising Stars-0
Morgan Denny-4th Game-8 Point Standings Group-A Team Showstoppers Up-Top Bosses Boom Bang Up-Like-7 Group-B Team ESPN Brothers United Genna Dream Team Group-C Team West Side Ballers Jetty Phoenix Ballers Rising Stars Group-D Team Ballers Empire1 Bagotstown Young Ballers Agricola
Showstoppers-3 vs Up-Like7-0
Marvin Josiah-[GG]-19th Dexroy Adams-11th
GP 1 1 1 1
W 1 1 0 0
L 0 0 1 1
GF 3 3 0 0
GA 0 0 3 3
GD +3 +3 -3 -3
Pts. 3 3 0 0
GP 1 1 1 1
W 1 1 0 0
L 0 0 1 1
GF 4 1 1 0
GA 0 1 1 4
GD +4 0 0 -4
Pts. 3 3 0 0
GP 1 1 1 1
W 1 1 0 0
L 0 0 1 1
GF 1 1 1 0
GA 0 1 1 1
GD +1 0 0 -1
Pts. 3 3 0 0
GP 1 1 1 1
W 0 1 0 0
L 1 0 1 1
GF 0 0 0 0
GA +1 0 0 1
GD 3 0 0 -1
Pts. 3 0 0
Sunday January 20, 2019
PAGE 69
Kaieteur News
GMRSC confirms dates for Endurance and Drag race meets The Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) in a correspondence to Kaieteur Sports has confirmed with Kaieteur Sport that the first race meet of the year will be round one of the Endurance Series which speeds off on Sunday February 3rd at the outer track of the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri. This was confirmed when the club held its first Executive Meeting of the year Thursday last at the head office on Thomas Lands and Albert Street, while April 28th and October 15th are the approved dates for round two and three respectively. Reigning champions, Team Wreckers and their top driver Adrian Fernandes will be relishing the opportunity to get on the track, while former champion Motilall Deodass will surely have a point to prove. In addition, the correspondence noted that February will also see the first Drag Race of the meet heating up the drag strip at South Dakota. The President of the club, Rameez Mohamed, has shared that the Launch Pad will be ready for use by the confirmed February 17th race day. The other approved drag racing dates are April 7th, July 6th, August 25th (International) and October 6th.
Flashback! Competitors gather at the starting line for the commencement of the 2-hour Endurance Race at a previous meet.
Team Trans Pacific’s Toyota Alteeza will be one to watch in the upcoming drag race season.
Pride romp to victory over Red Force inside three days TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Barbados Pride expectedly cruised to an easy victory over Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, defeating them by seven wickets in their fifth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championships at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium here yesterday. Having started the day in full control of the match by
restricting the Red Force to 62 for six at the end of the second day’s play, the Pride skittled out the home side for just 103, with medium pacer Shamar Springer claiming three of the four wickets to fall.Needing just 58 runs for victory after securing a 45-run first innings lead, the visitors then romped to an easy win, finishing on 58 for three in 17 overs. With fast bowler Marquino Mindley having
Shamar Springer grabbed four wickets to help rout the Red Force for 103 in their second innings.
done the damage the previous evening by taking four quick wickets, Springer followed in his footsteps. Red Force’s duo of Imran Khan and Odean Smith frustrated the opposition during a 52-run seventh wicket partnership to give their side a slim chance of posting a defendable total. They came together with their side tottering on 46 for six and carried the score to 98 without much alarm as they mixed stout defence with occasional aggression, But once Kevin Stoute, who ended the match with eight wickets, breached Khan’s defense to have him clean bowled for 25, the rest of the tail folded quickly. Without another run be-
ing added Springer dismissed Smith for the topscore of 28 and followed that up with the wickets of Khary Pierre for a duck and Anderson Philip, who was bowled for two. Springer ended with figures of 4 for 24, Mindley took four for 47 and Stoute snagged the other two wickets. Defending a total of 57 was always going to be tough for the Red Force, but Philip came out firing on all cylinders, snagging the cheap wickets of Shayne Moseley for three and Aaron Jones for seven to leave the Pride 16 for two. Captain Jonathan Carter however, came to his side’s rescue with an unbeaten 25 to help see his team to a predictable victory.
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Sunday January 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
NBA roundup: Irving scores 38 as Celts trip Grizzlies Stephen Curry scored 28 points and DeMarcus Cousins added 14 in his Golden State debut as the visiting Warriors extended their winning streak to seven games with a 112-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Cousins, who missed nearly a year of action because of an Achilles injury, fouled out in just 15 minutes of court time. He shot 5 of 11 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, while adding six rebounds. Kevin Durant added 24 points for the Warriors. Tobias Harris scored 28 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 for the Clippers, who dropped their fifth consecutive game. Celtics 122, Grizzlies 116 Kyrie Irving stalled a rally with two consecutive jumpers and later added a game-clinching 3-pointer to cap a 38-point effort as host Boston held on to beat Memphis. Marcus Smart and Al Horford also hit key late hoops to finish off high-scoring nights in helping the Celtics win their second straight and complete a twogame, season-series sweep of the Grizzlies. Mike Conley had 26 points to pace the Grizzlies, who lost their fourth straight. Spurs 116, Timberwolves 113
Marco Belinelli canned two crucial free throws with 4.2 seconds left to p l a y, a n d L a M a r c u s Aldridge poured in 25 points as San Antonio outlasted Minnesota in Minneapolis in a game featuring 27 lead changes and 17 ties through the middle of the fourth quarter. Gay scored 22 points for the Spurs, while Belinelli had 19 points, Derrick White added 15, and Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes poured in 11 and 10 points, respectively, for San Antonio, which has won two straight. Karl-Anthony Towns and Rose led the Timberwolves with 23 points each. Wiggins tallied 17 points, while Teague had 15, Taj Gibson scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Josh Okogie contributed 10 points for Minnesota. Trail Blazers 128, Pelicans 112 Damian Lillard scored 24 points while CJ McCollum and Jake Layman added 20 apiece as Portland downed visiting New Orleans. Jusuf Nurkic contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who extended their home winning streak to six games. Al-Farouq Aminu scored 15 points and Maurice Harkless had 12 for Portland. Anthony Davis scored 27 points, Jrue Holiday chipped
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (left) and Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins (0) reach for a rebound against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center with Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) left Clippers center Marcin Gortat (13) (right). (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports) in 20 points and Julius Randle collected 19 points and nine rebounds for the Pelicans, who fell to 6-19 on the road this season. New Orleans has lost three of four overall. Pistons 98, Heat 93 Blake Griffin collected 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, and Detroit overcame the early departure of Andre
Drummond to edge visiting Miami. Luke Kennard scored 22 points off the bench and Reggie Bullock had 19 for the Pistons. Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 20 points and eight assists off the bench. Tyler Johnson contributed 16 points and Justise Winslow added 15 with nine rebounds.
Miami guard Josh Richardson missed the game due to an illness. The Pistons lost two key players in the opening half. Drummond, the league’s top rebounder, sustained a nasal injury when he was struck by a James Johnson elbow. Ish Smith departed shortly after entering the
game due to groin tightness. Nets 117, Magic 115 D’Angelo Russell scored a season-high 40 points to lead visiting Brooklyn to a comeback win over Orlando. Spencer Dinwiddie added 20 points for the Nets, who have a winning record for the first time this season, 24-23. Brooklyn, which trailed by 21 points in the second quarter Friday, was 10 games below .500 through Dec. 5 but has gone 16-5 since. Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 23 points, but he exited the game in the fourth quarter with lower back tightness and did not return. Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and 17 rebounds. Jazz 115, Cavaliers 99 Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points as Utah rolled to an easy victory over Cleveland in Salt Lake City. Rudy Gobert added 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and collected 15 rebounds as Utah extended its season-best winning streak to six games. Royce O’Neale had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Derrick Favors had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Jae Crowder scored 11 points for the Jazz. Ante Zizic contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, and Collin Sexton also had 15 points. (Field Level Media)
Agitated Djokovic regains calm to see off Shapovalov challenge MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Top seed Novak Djokovic regained his composure after a third-set meltdown to stave off the challenge of Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov and reach the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 63 6-4 4-6 6-0 victory yesterday. The win guaranteed the Serb will remain number one in the world when the new rankings are released on Jan. 28 and set up a clash against another young gun in Russian Daniil Medvedev for a place in the quarter-finals. Djokovic had run up a 17match winning streak against left-handers at Grand Slams since losing to Rafa Nadal at the 2014 French Open final and there were few early signs that he would not be able to
extend it to 18. Shapovalov knew he would have to go for his shots if he was to have any chance of winning and although he did end up hitting five more winners than the Serb, it came at the cost of 24 more unforced errors. “Other than the little letdown that I had in the third set ... I thought I played well, especially in the fourth set,” Djokovic told reporters. “I expected Denis to come out and be aggressive. I just stayed solid from back of the court and served well, played the right shots.” The 14-time Grand Slam winner stamped his authority early on by breaking the 19year-old’s serve three times and converted his only breakpoint opportunity in the second set while leading 5-4 to double his lead. The 31-year-old lost his cool in the third set when his request to have the artificial lighting turned off was ignored and, muttering angrily to himself, he gave up consecutive breaks of serve to concede the set.
“I don’t remember having lights in the past years at 5 p.m. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe not. I just felt with such a low position of the sun, the lights being switched on at 5 p.m. was completely unnecessary,” Djokovic said. “It was very bright. There was no reason for the lights. But the explanation that I got from supervisor was that TV requested that. Whatever TV says, we have to respect I guess.” The Serb let out his frustration with a huge r o a r when he broke Shapovalov early in the fourth, though, and romped through the rest of the set to remain on course for an unprecedented seventh title at Melbourne Park. “I was agitated. As I said, should not happen to me. I know better. I have experience. But it does happen, I guess,” Djokovic added. “I allowed him to come back to the match.” Former Wimbledon junior champion Shapovalov said playing Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena was a career high-
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gestures after winning the match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. (REUTERS/Edgar Su) light in itself but he hoped he was not too far away from winning such encounters. “To play a champion like him in a court like that in an event like this, it’s a dream come true for me,” he said. “During the match, I was
smiling, enjoying my time out there. It was a lot of fun. “At the same time I do want to compete against these guys in the future, in the near future.” Reigning Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion
Djokovic will next meet 15th seed Medvedev, who notched up his best Grand Slam showing to date by reaching the fourth round with a 6-2 7-6(3) 6-3 win over David Goffin of Belgium earlier in the day.
Sunday January 20, 2019
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Kaieteur News
West Indies Regional First Class cricket
Cornwall’s 10-wkt haul, Jaguars late order rally keep game in balance - 2nd session lost due illness of players By Sean Devers On a day in which the post lunch session was lost due to illness of eight of the Leewards Hurricanes players, a haul of 6-17 from off-spinner Rakeem Cornwall kept their fifth round of the Regional First-Class tournament against leaders and four times defending Guyana Jaguars in the balance when bails were lifted yesterday. A carefully constructed from 40 from 175 balls and 194 minutes from Tagenarine Chanderpaul, an entertaining 46 from Clinton Pestano who batted 87 balls, 75 minutes with a four and four sixes and a responsible 57-ball 39 from Romario Shepherd who faced 57 balls and batted for 65 minutes and shared in a 57-runs stand with Kemo Paul with two fours in 22, rallied the Jaguars to 269 leaving the Hurricanes to get 291 to win. The 24-year-old Cornwall had 6-70 for his 15th five-
wicket haul and followed up his 4-70 in the first innings to claim his second First-Class 10-wicket match haul and move to 24 scalps as the burly Antiguan continued to spin webs around Caribbean batsman. By the close the Hurricanes were 32-1 from 16 overs after Skipper Kieran Powell suffered another failure when he was LBW to Kemo Paul for seven at 16-1. But Monchin Hodge (17) and Keacy Carty (3) were together at the crease with their team needing 259 to win from 98 overs today. The penultimate day began with the Jaguars on 76-2 and Chanderpaul played with a bit more intent than in his previous knocks and stroked Damion Jacobs sweetly in the gap at cover while Chris Barnwell got going with a boundary before he was caught behind by Guyanese born Jaison Jacobs for 12 off Damion Jacobs at 103-3.
Three wickets fell for nine runs as Chanderpaul fell to Cornwall for the second time in the match, Anthony Bramble (18) was LBW to Cornwall and Sherfane Rutherford (4) was trapped in front by Jacobs as the hosts slipped from 103-2 to 138-6 on a good track and fast outfield. Shepherd from Berbice and Essequibian Paul joined forces in ‘operation re-build’ and Paul smashed Sheno Berridge for four before dumping Cornwall for four, while Shepherd, who has been consistent with the bat; including 44 and 71, hammered Jacobs for a couple of boundaries just before Lunch. But after hitting Cornwall back over his head for four, Paul was bowled by Berridge on the stroke of Lunch at 1957 with Shepherd on 33. After 158 minutes were lost on the second day due to rain the entire post Lunch session was lost in glorious sunshine due to the Hurricanes’ players suffering from
Paul and Shepherd scampers a ‘tight’ single in their 57-run stand yesterday. vomiting and Diarrhoea. Seven of the effected players received medical attention at the venue while only Rass Powell had to visit the Hospital. This resulted in their 47year-old Assistant Coach Wilden Cornwall, the former Leewards Captain taking the field when play resumed at 14:20hrs after an early Tea was
taken. In the last session, Shepherd was caught behind off Cornwall at 209-8 but Pestano deposited Jacobs for a six and a four in the same over but when four short of his second fifty for the season, the r i g h t - h a n d e r, w i t h h i s plaited locks peeping out of his helmet, was bowled by Berridge after adding 59
with Veerasammy Permaul. Devendra Bishoo, who was with Permaul, his spin twin from Albion, was bowled by Jeremiah Louis for a duck leaving Permaul unbeaten on 15. Today promises to be an intriguing final day with both teams in with a chance of victory and play is scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.
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Kaieteur News
GCA/NBS Second Division
Cameron grabs four as GYO thump GNIC; GDF overcome Police despite Savory’s half century
Demeter Cameron
Ryan Shun
By Zaheer Mohamed Demeter Cameron grabbed four wickets to lead Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) to a 101-run win over GNIC SC, while Guyana Defence Force (GDF) defeated Police by 13 runs when the Georgetown Cricket Association/New Building Society Second Division 40-over tournament continued yesterday. At Gandhi Youth Organisation, the home team batted first and managed 159 all out in 24.1 overs. Anand Bharat and Michael Deonarine (03) added 30 for the opening stand before the latter was dismissed by S.
Browne who also removed Treatlon Liverpool without scoring to leave the score on 30-2. Bharat, who started off with a flurry of boundaries and Eon Hooper, put on 52 for the third wicket before Hooper departed for 31 with five fours and a six, while Bharat was dismissed for 36 inclusive of seven fours. Wazeer Hussain (19) struck four fours before he was caught off Ryan Shun, who went on to pick up three more quick wickets to somewhat restrict GYO. However, Ricky Sergeant propped up the scoring with an unbeaten 41 (Continued on page 67)
Sunday January 20, 2019
Magnum Mash Cup commences Feb 2 The second edition of the Magnum Mash Cup is set to kick off on February 2, at the National Gymnasium. According to a member of the Organising Committee, Esan Griffith, the competition will be played over nine (9) days and once again he is promising enthralling action for the fans with most of the country’s top futsal teams expected to participate for
prize monies totaling in excess of $900,000. The winning team will receive $500,000 + Trophy, runner-up $200,000 + Trophy, third place $100,000 + Trophy and fourth place $50,000. The other playing dates are: February 5, 9, 13, 16, 19, 21, 24 and March 3 when the final will be played. The confirmed compet-
ing teams thus far are: defending champions Sparta Boss, Gold is Money, Back Circle, Leopold Street, Sophia, Queen Street Tiger B a y, A l b o u y s t o w n - B , Albouystown-A, Channel9 Warriors, North East La Penitence, Alexander Village, Old Skool Ballers, Broad Street, Kitty Hustlers, Plaisance, Melanie, Vryheid Lust, Agricola,
Defending champs Bent Street pose with their hardware following last year’s win in the inaugural competition.
Mocha, Silver Bullets, Swag Entertainment, Showstoppers and ESPN among others. Meanwhile, the Launch of the tournament will be done on Tuesday at the Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine on Queen Street, Kitty starting from 13:00hrs. Teams are being asked to send at least one representative.
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 20, 2019
PAGE 73
Concacaf Facilitator Vijay Setlur presents during GFF’s Marketing Workshop.
GFF hosts CONCACAF-facilitated Marketing Workshop T
he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) is hosting a twoday marketing workshop, which began yesterday, aimed at building capacity of its members to understand marketing, sports marketing, branding and brand management towards sustainable corporate partnerships. This event, being held at the Guyana Olympic Association (GoA) Building, Liliendaal, is being facilitated by Vijay S e t l u r, C o n c a c a f ’s Professional Football Development Instructor and Marketing Instructor at Schulich School Of Business – York University.
GFF’s President Wayne Forde during his opening remarks at the GFF’s Marketing Workshop. In opening remarks on the first day of the
Concacaf Facilitator Vijay Setlur during his opening remarks at the GFF’s Marketing Workshop.
programme, President Wayne Forde urged the
participants to maximize the opportunity as the
Football fraternity seeks to build its brand: “The football brand has had its ups and downs in Guyana and it was with this consciousness, that we’ve taken the decision to not just help ourselves at the Federation but members to pay attention to the brand that you are responsible for and how it fits into the overall synergy of developing the game and professionalizing the sport in Guyana.” Setlur, who has also conducted similar marketing workshops in three Concacaf nations – Dominican Republic, Suriname and Puerto Rico – said he was happy to contribute to the sport as “it’s
great to be able to grow football in the Concacaf region.” The workshop is being attended by representatives from elite clubs, Association Members and Regional Member Associations (RMA.) Among the areas being addressed in the two-day event, which began today, are Introduction to Marketing and Sport Marketing, Developing A Marketing Plan, Sports Consumers and Consumer Engagement, Sports Brand Management, Sport Sponsorship Marketing and Social Media and Sport Marketing, Sport Marketing and Popular Culture.
Serena consoles Ukrainian teen after sailing into last 16
M
ELBOURN E (Reuters) S e r e n a Williams powered into the fourth round of the Australian Open yesterday with a 6-2 6-1 demolition of Dayana Yastremska then consoled the Ukrainian teenager after leaving her in tears. The 37-year-old Williams, chasing a recordextending eighth Melbourne title in the professional era, barely broke sweat on a sunny afternoon at Rod Laver Arena as she racked up 20 winners and beat the 57th-ranked 18-year-old in a breezy 67 minutes. “As she was walking towards the net, I could tell she was quite upset,” Williams told reporters. “I kind of liked that. It shows
she wasn’t just there to play a good match, she was there to win. She wanted to win. That really broke my heart. “I think she’s a good talent. It’s good to see that attitude.” Yastremska rolled her right ankle midway through the match and took a medical time-out to have her foot bandaged when trailing 4-1 in the second set. It stalled defeat only b r i e f l y, h o w e v e r , a s Williams broke her a third time in the set and claimed the match when the Ukrainian sprayed a crosscourt forehand wide. Chasing her 24th Grand Slam title, Williams has conceded only nine games at the tournament and not dropped a set but may finally have a test when she plays
the fourth round. She will face the winner of older sister Venus and top seed Simona Halep for a place in the quarter-finals. She mentioned Venus was one of the players that left her crying after defeat. “I remember one time in particular against Venus at Wimbledon, as I was walking to the net, I started bawling,” she said. “I couldn’t help it. Young girls, young women, just want to go out there and do their best and want to win.” Since returning to the tour after maternity leave, Williams has yet to win a Grand Slam as a mother after two near-misses in the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Seeded 16th in
Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during the match against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. (REUTERS/Edgar Su) Melbourne, she felt torn about who she might like to play next but said a match against top seed Halep would test her true level. “Yeah, and I honestly
would love to face the world number one,” she added. “At the same time I would love for Venus to win. I t h i n k e i t h e r w a y, regardless, I’ll be ready for
either opponent. “Yeah, it will be great. I haven’t played the world number one since I’ve been back, I don’t think. So, yeah, it will be good.”
t r o Sp West Indies Regional First Class cricket
Cornwall’s 10-wkt haul, Jaguars late order rally keep game in balance - 2nd session lost due illness of players
Rakeem Cornwall continued to webs around the batsmen to grab his 2nd 10-Wkt haul yesterday (Sean Devers photos)
Action in the Guinness Greatest of the Street, West Demerara-East Bank Zone at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac.
Romario Shepherd who has been consistent with bat plays square during his knock yesterday.
GFF hosts CONCACAF-facilitated Marketing Workshop
Magnum Mash Cup commences Feb 2
Serena consoles Ukrainian teen after sailing into last 16 Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Zone
GMRSC confirms dates for Endurance Defending Champions Showstoppers off to winning start and Drag race meets 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.