Monday January 20, 2020
Kaieteur News
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US demands immediate disclosure Suriname puts strict of details of finds. So should Guyana Local Content requirements – Petroleum Engineer on all oil companies
Petroleum Consultant & Engineer, Paul Nicholas Ramsaywack US States, in their dealings with private oil and gas companies, requires that details of finds be immediately reported to the State. Guyana should ensure there is a mechanism that requires the same from oil and gas companies it is doing business with. That is the advice of Petroleum Consultant and Engineer, Paul Nicholas Ramsaywack. The specialist, who has over a decade of experience working with Exploration & Production operators across multiple onshore US basins, said that Guyana’s regulatory framework should be competent enough to mandate that all is reported by ExxonMobil and other companies immediately. Ramsaywack made these
and other comments in a conversation with Kaieteur News about uncertainty surrounding the gas content in the Stabroek Block. The general public still remains unaware of the proportion of oil to gas in most of the discoveries on the Block, operated by Exxon subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and its partners Hess and CNOOC. Those discoveries now total over six billion oil-equivalent barrels. ExxonMobil would not release its well logs for independent analyses to be done. Some have argued that the publication of the content of those logs would hurt the oil giant’s competitive advantages in the Petroleum industry.
Ramsaywack advises that there be some level of confidentiality, but just for a year. He suggested the State rewards oil & gas operators with public confidentiality for a year, by holding the information for that period. This practice, he knows to be common across US states. “It allows a first move to be rewarded for their risktaking,” the Engineer explained. He maintained, though, that the State must be privy to all the details from the getgo. “A competent and fair regulatory body is critical.” Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, in a recent appearance on the Kaieteur Radio show, Guyana’s Oil & You, that he is aware of the gas content in Liza Phases One and Two. That accounts for just two of 15 discoveries. ExxonMobil had claimed years after it started making discoveries that it was still analyzing the contents of its discoveries. However, Suriname’s experience with a hydrocarbon discovery on its Block 58 earlier this month by Total and Apache indicates that the oil and gas contents can be estimated in a matter of days. A 2019 technical report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) states that ExxonMobil’s 11th discovery called Haimara, made in early 2019, is a gas condensate reservoir.
- as Guyana struggles to draft its own policy No stone is left unturned when it comes to Suriname securing maximum benefits for its people. According to the Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) the Dutch speaking country has with oil companies, there are strict Local Content rules which have to be followed. These rules ensure companies have no room to escape their responsibility of using to the greatest extent, local goods, products and services as part of its operations. According to the country’s PSAs, companies are required to provide a report demonstrating the evolution of local content involvement in its Petroleum Operations and a plan of action to increase the level of local content. They also have to submit a list of local purchases on a quarterly basis. Also, a list of the number of Contractors’ and Sub-Contractors’ local hires and
associated titles must be submitted in quarterly reports. In addition, companies are required to use their best efforts to train locals with respect to its Petroleum Operations, including technical, administrative, executive and management positions. These rigid rules are not only absent from Guyana’s Production Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil, but also the draft Local Content policy that was finalized by UK Consultant, Dr. Michael Warner. The government for the last four years has promised the nation that this document would be in place for first oil which officially started on December 20, 2019. Up to the time of publication, the policy was not released to the public and the Energy Department is yet to provide an explanation for its failed promise in this regard.
Ministry of Public Infrastructure expends majority of $38.7B Budget The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has expended $34.1B, or 88 percent of its $38.7B 2019 Budget allocation. This was related to media operatives at the Ministry’s annual Year-in-Review by subject Minister David Patterson. He said that the Ministry was successfully able to complete a large number of projects, which resulted in 100% expenditure of their Current Budget Allocation and 84% of their Capital Budget Allocation. Of the $4.6B which was unspent, monies were budgeted for several major projects which the Ministry was unable to undertake/ complete in 2019. These include the East Coast & East Bank Bypass for which $2.1B was Budgeted, Ocean Going Ferry at $200M, $600M for the Sheriff
Mandela project, and $585M for a Matrix Study. The Ministry’s Work Services Group received $29.8 B, of which$23.6 was expended. The remainder of the sum accounts for some of the projects which the Ministry was unable to undertake. Several of the Ministry’s Subdivisions were able to expend 100% of their budgets, including include Sea Defence - $ 5.7B and Hinterland Projects $2.05, while most of the other Subdivisions expended the majority of their allocations. Patterson concluded that this was a very good year for the Ministry and most, if not all of the subdivisions performed exceptionally well. He credited the Ministry’s staff for this achievement.
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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
Political Crime Solutions The bad fellas better watch their backs and behave themselves. The avenging angels of religionists turned politicians are prepared to show them a deterrent or two. It is enough to make criminals pause and consider a change of occupation, since many politicians now tout anticrime strategies. According to the reports, the religious-oriented party contesting the upcoming elections has signaled its strong interest in reintroducing some draconian forms of punishment to combat runaway crime. The crimes that terrify everyday citizens going about their business, especially harrowing ones, where serious injury or actual loss of life is threatened by violent instrumentalities, including firearms. The People’s Religious Party has made known that it would bring back the death penalty and the cat-o-nine tails, as part of a severe anticrime strategy response. There certainly is an Old Testament flavor in this position of the religious party hoping to obtain a place in the political arena. For jaded and besieged citizens, who have no options, and have little confidence in the protective capabilities of the Guyana Police Force, this has to be found appealing, and even gain some traction. In addition, the degree to which violent crime has proliferated and the victims keep piling up, this severe penalty position serves as an incentive for many to agree with the pastors and embrace what might be soothing to the soul. Definitely, it is a radical departure to what is on the books right now, and there have been subdued mutterings about both this government and its predecessor being too soft on crime. Like the vision of a national oil company, where all citizens are shareholders, talk from aspiring political competitors of bringing back the death penalty and cat-o-nine tails must be music to the ears of bewildered listeners, since they are so much on the margins of priority by the other groups, particularly the established frontrunners, one of which speaks rather curiously of anticrime strategies. Currently, criminals operate with abandon and the serene confidence that they are uncatchable, untouchable, and unmanageable. In all three respects, and to a great extent, they may be on the right track, or not far from it. Perhaps, that is why the bandits behave so nonchalantly and with almost complete disdain for law enforcement tactics and efforts. Looking at this in operation in other places, with similar overriding religious sentiments, there has been, in this 21st century, beheadings, amputations, and stoning by the public. Several countries in the Middle East, and also Pakistan, frequently impose and carry out such unforgiving sentences on the errant in their midst. That could be an issue here, that part about carrying out, as in implementation. For when any related amended legislation is first probed and then untangled in the judicial system is a time-consuming process and could end up occupying as much as a decade, before the full range of defensive options have been explored and exhausted. When that happens, then the original intent of what the pastors had in mind is roundly neutralized, if not outright defeated. While most citizens, reeling from fear and unrelenting tension would be in philosophical agreement with the preachers, the question is where does it stop? Or stated differently, how far would they be inclined to go in other directions? Though the position of this religious political group is not clear at this moment, it is how does it view and where it stands relative to the growing and assertive LGBQT community. We do well to remember some scriptural pronouncements that have been interpreted in the worst light by some men and women of the cloth. Those teachings, held sacred by many, explicitly excoriate and damn that same community of humans, who have been called by some terribly pejorative names. Names that incite distaste, and names that instill hatreds. Is it too much and too early to ask, how would they be viewed and what could be their fate, should a fundamentalist strain take over in the religious wing? Remember: in for a judicial penny, in for a pound. Many may say that we need to return to such roots, if only to preserve sanity and law and order, and as expression and furtherance of local popular thinking and will.
When will our leaders put Guyanese first? DEAR EDITOR, The focus of our country’s leaders is on Oil. Oil and what it can do for this country. We no longer hear of Bauxite or Gold, Sugar and Rice. We keep exporting these raw products and import valued added products that were made using the same items we exported. For example, we exported sugar and imported chocolate bars made out of the sugar. And yet again, we are exporting Crude Oil and importing Gasoline, Diesel, kerosene, etc. When are we going to Wake up? When will our leaders put Guyana first? We hear of Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Liberalization and yet no
positive result. A large number of Guyanese are without Landline and Internet Services from gtt. Without no other Alternative, Some resort paying for an internet service from a private company that gives 512 kbps during off peak hours and in most cases, no connection during peak hours. Its frustrating to know that the company (GTT) that was given the monopoly to provide these services cannot do so and yet our leaders not doing anything about it. In one case, the Cable providing these services passes through the Village to give services to the other nearby villages. What can you consider that to be? Teachers are still using the
chalk and talk method in school and we are living in a society that rely on ICT. Curriculum guides are outdated. Teachers teaching students what’s a floppy disk when we are using flash drives and cloud storage. Government subvention provides 10 card boards, a few markers and a ream of typing sheet for a school population of 600+. Teachers are getting assaulted in school and still most schools are without proper security. When will we learn to Foster our future? Recently, a foreign bank operating in Guyana created distress among Public Servants with regards to their salary. Three months on and still the Government or the
Regulatory Agency hasn’t taken any action against the bank. Public Servants were to received their January Salary on Wednesday 15th only to find no Salary in their Republic Bank account as of Saturday 18th. No word from the bank or from the Government. When will we put a stop to these companies’ shenanigans? When will our leaders put Guyanese first? In most cases, we waited for something to happen before taking actions. Someone has to be martyred for our leaders to wake up . Why? Without Visionary Leaders, the People Perish. Frustrated Young Guyanese
Murder in the family - justice system and religious intervention DEAR EDITOR, Familicide is the term used when a member of the family murders another or other members of his/her family. In reading the online editions of the various daily newspapers in Guyana, I am struck with the frequency of the occurrence of this act. Indeed, things are so alarming that a number of notable persons have found it concerning enough to call out to various institutions in the country for help. President Granger, as reported in the Kaieteur News of 15th December 2019, reminded senior members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Guyana, that “the church have the moral authority to ensure that there is reduced conflict and violence in the home and in the family.” The form of family killing that is most prevalent is uxoricide – the killing of one’s wife. A Justice Department study released in 1994 noted that when spouse murdered spouse, the husband is the assailant in almost two-thirds of cases. In 2001 the Bureau of Justice Statistics in the USA indicated that 32% of women, but only 4% of men were killed by spouses or exspouses. Perhaps most alarming is the fact that the number of American troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2001 and 2012 was 6,488. While the number of American women who were murdered by current or exmale partners during that time was 11,766. Here in Guyana, in 2018 between January - April seven (7) women died at the hands of their partners. Between March – August 2019 six (6) women were allegedly killed by their present or former partners. Since the killing of female
partners is the main form that familicide takes, I will focus my discourse on uxoricide. While sociologists offer a range of reasons for this act, in the context of Guyana its cause seems to be either one or a combination of the following – financial worries, an affair or suspected affair in the marriage, matters surrounding access to the children and mental illness. Since, the space that is usually allowed letters will not allow for me to discuss each of these likely causes, I will, for now, discuss the causes listed above as first and second. Financial worries as a cause for serious conflict in marriage has become one of the most offered reason for conflict and violence in the family. Traditionally, marriages could be understood through familiarity with the exchange theory. Men, to make themselves desirable for marriage strived to obtain material worth so as to be able to offer the desired woman a comfortable material life. Women on the other hand, were expected to make themselves attractive so as to interest suitors. In other words, men offered material security in exchange for access to beauty, and women offered beauty in exchange for material security. Now you know why men take ten minutes to dress for a date and women take an hour. This form of the exchange theory as the guiding principle in choosing one’s spouse held sway up unto around the 1950s and early 60s. Indeed, our most prolific social commentator – the Mighty Sparrow adequately articulated some of the problems that inability to satisfy the demands of the exchange theory can lead to.
Recall Sparrow’s “No money, no love,” in which he gave us these lines: Ivy pack -up sh clothe to leave Johnny was down and out She said openly Ah really love yuh Johnny But yuh in have no money So what would my future be Even though yuh say yuh love me? Overtime romantic love began to grow in importance as the primary influence guiding one’s choice of spouse, thus undermined the exchange principle that underpinned marriages. Romantic love as the primary reason for marriage has been encouraged with women entering the labour force, thus, reducing their reliance on men for provision of material comfort and security. The problem with holding romantic love as the basis for marriage is that this form of love tends to wane with time. So, if there is an “attractive available alternative around,” extra marital affairs are likely. In such a situation the partner who feels wronged can visit his/her partner with a violence that leads to death. Since it is women who have gained this new independence, it is they who are primarily victims in cases where spouse kills spouse, or when a romantic partner or ex-partner does so. So what can be done to eliminate or significantly minimize instances of uxoricide? In the context of Guyana, we seem to have decided to rely on our criminal justice system and religious bodies as our main weapons to be used in response to this phenomenon. However, these institutions’ ability to arrest this problem is quite uncertain. First, the justice system is
woefully inadequate for dealing with this type of crime. The justice system treats acts of uxoricide the way it treats any act of murder – long prison sentences or the death penalty (which today equals long prison sentence). If indeed acts of uxoricide are on the increase then, long prison sentences is not acting as a deterrent. At best therefore, the justice system’s behaviour merely satisfies our collective anger. Second, we would seek the intervention of religious leaders when there are serious problems among spouses should not surprise. Marriage ceremonies/rituals in Guyana invariably involve religion. So, that we would turn to religious leaders when the union is in need of repair is only natural. This is especially so in cases where the problem is extra martial affairs, where couples need to be reminded “thou shall not commit adultery.” In the Christian marriage rituals, the purpose of the ring is to convey to others that the wearer is not available. Of this couples might need to be reminded, and of the commitment it implies. Of course, our women (especially the young) might; justifiably so; be suspicious of religious intervention. All the main religions in Guyana have, in their religious texts, articulated positions that suggest that women are not to be considered the social equal of men. Also in this age of ‘prosperity preaching,’ where the modern priests, bishops and prophets display an unquenchable desire for material excess, it will be challenging for them to convince couples to stay in relationships when material needs are not being satisfied. But perhaps we would be better advised not to rely so heavily on punishment (justice system) and (Continued on page 6)
Monday January 20, 2019
I hope Guyanese choose a Skipper and not a Gilligan DEAR EDITOR, I can start this letter with a long paragraph stating this is the most significant election….Guyana oil…..blah blah blah…..it has been preached before and harped upon many times. The grit of the matter is who is fit to run this country in the direction that Guyanese deserve? Smaller parties are to be commended but everyone knows it’s between the two major players, APNU and PPP. I can say both have done their share in doing good, but both have done their share of screwing this country up since Independence. The rhetoric that is belted out at campaign time is equivalent to complete “gyaff’. We heat the same regurgitated nonsense and when office is taken up….nothing happens. We became the laughingstock of the Caribbean when we had to go to the highest Caribbean court to tell us how to understand majority. Charrandas decided he would jump ship and vote against his party lines claiming it was a conscience vote…..it took him that long to realise he did not a thing at the time when the sugar belt faced the chopping block or in his tenure as a region rep for the AFC in parliament? You were a YES man from the start. ‘Nagas’ the same, but you know lets raise salaries of ministers and others to curb corruption. Did this move make some ministers not engage in corruption? Corruption was still happening…..from way before the salaries raised, way before the divinely ordained APNU took office, it was there since
before Guyana became a country and will always be there. Officials of past and present have all had their hands-on deals and contracts that helped the populace and themselves as well in the process. There are some who have not done much since taking up office. Both sides had ministers responsible who did nothing. I believe the goat might have bitten one and another is only dotting his I’s and crossing his T’s. I am in no way saying that the PPP was clean in the past and the rinse and reuse approach should not fool Guyanese. They had 23 years to make Guyana better and they indeed did some real balls in their time. Remember cowboy Lall? Remember slappy Ramsarrran, 007 Ramsammy, and many others that did their best not to screw stuff over in their time. Lots did not a thing too. A lot of people like Jagdeo, a lot dislike him with a passion, “Give Jack he Jacket” money was flowing, and also give Patterson his jacket as well for the smooth roads and upgrades to public infrastructure. This stagnant piss poor economy built on taxation and big numbers to fool the blind voters has done nothing but sink us further. Why should I pay you 33% of the money I earn and 14% VAT on top of that so that you can drive a big fancy SUV and receive tax free exemptions, electricity, land line phones, mobile phones, maid allowance and all the other allowances the “big boys and girls” get, then on
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top of that if we want to buy a car we got to pay a ridiculously laughable duty rate. REDUCE MY PAYE TO 10% and VAT to 10%. Guyanese need to wake up and realise they are receiving non-lubricated shafting from the system designed to do so in the first place. Oil cannot fix it, the sample of oil on display at the museum in the recycled chubby bottle is the 2% that Guyanese getting. Politicians from both sides are pounding their chest and singing praises of the good they have done in your lives seeking your vote to keep them in their day jobs and comfortable lives while you toil, blood sweat and tears, foot to ass to make ends meet and to feed and provide for your families. WAKE UP and realise that they need your votes to keep the cushioned lifestyle and will turn a blind eye to you after March 2, 2020 until the next election. Voters hold the power; your taxes and duties pay the bills. PPP was doing it with less budget than the APNU with the big numbers. If there isn’t a mixture of the best of both major parties for the betterment of the lives of Guyanese then what’s even the point of voting? All you’re doing is voting for the same crap smeared on a freshly painted wall. We deserve better and we reserve the right to choose who we want to sail this ship. I hope Guyanese choose a Skipper and not a Gilligan. Annoyed and exhausted, Guyanese
10 things I love about Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Off my head I can list ten things I love about Guyana. Our diverse cultures, our music, our natural resources, the food, festivals, landmarks, our gardens, the resorts and eco-tourist sights and of course the p e o p l e . W h a t ’s n o t t o love? Anyone who has visited Guyana will tell you it is indeed extraordinary. One
thing any person in a Country like this should do is travel around it at least once a year. Travelling around your own, seeing what the visitors and tourists see, experiencing a whole new feeling than what is normal, “visit Guyana” does not only apply to the tourists, but it also applies to the citizens. There is more beyond the city of
Georgetown and I firmly believe that in this day and age we should be able to explore our country. I pray that in this new season of blessing, Guyanese stand strong and firm. We are a blessed nation and this year 2020? It is WE OWN. HAPPY 50TH REPUBLIC ANNIVERSARY GUYANA! Faith Greene (2020)
Integrity and honesty are not measured by physical strength DEAR EDITOR, I refer to an article on page 3 of another newspaper on Monday 13th January, 2020 captioned ‘Jagdeo flays Granger for dictatorial tendencies at Albion Rally’ paragraph 6, and I quote ‘he then asked the crowd do we want another low energy president in this country and they responded no following which Jagdeo hailed the PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ally saying that despite his size he has tons of energy that’s what we need, we don’t need a president who is aloof even his own supporters he will not stop to take a picture with them, he is coming now because of elections, Jagdeo said in
reference to Granger. I t i s v e r y, v e r y unfortunate that the leader of a political party see it fit to make such a comment regarding a presidential candidate who is a serving President, the world over we have had Presidents, Opposition Leaders and Presidential Candidates, also Prime Ministers and Prime Ministerial Candidates, for some reason or illness at some time or the other, do not enjoy the best of health, the same can be said about other Senior Officials also the ordinary citizen, Mr. Jagdeo is getting more and more desperate, I am not surprise by his utterances. This nation has grown accustomed to hear similar
statements emanating from him, but as people get better they would become more irrelevant. Physical strength, most times is measured or can be determined by age, but integrity and honesty do not, while Mr. Granger may not be the strongest of the Presidential Candidates, he is by a long way the most honest, and his lever of integrity is second to none. The same can be said about his running mate and Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, and that is the reason we all must stand right behind them, one must never trade honesty and integrity for physical strength. Archie W. Cordis Former A.F.C. Councillor
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It seems to me, that A fireworks display of a more participatory nature the CCJ acted within the boundaries of sound legal principles MR. EDITOR, I have read an interesting piece in the Monday January 13, 2020 edition of the Kaieteur News newspaper. It states that Oscar Ramjeet, a retired West Indian lawyer, felt that the CCJ’s decision emanated a “lukewarm” resonance with the public with respect to its ruling that no end date could be specified for holding the General election in Guyana. In my humble view, this is an erroneous statement with respect to that point. It seems to me, that the CCJ acted within the boundaries of sound legal principles when it decided to restrain itself in correcting any gaps in our Constitution left by Parliament. I feel this is especially important where Courts deal with its decision-making functions. Some of these Court decisions emanate corrections, for instance,
encroaching on the liberty rights of individuals not to be subject to state coercion, among other things, and by extension the liberty rights of any individual who is a President of Guyana. The CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA should be sorting out its own constitutional and administrative laws, especially where ever these laws deal with the powers of the President, and how he or she exercises his or her powers. I suggest that if, however, there is any lacuna created from the matter, constitutionally, the 12th Parliament can indeed move towards legislating a First Amendment to our Constitution. Yours truly, “Shabeer Zafar” Barrister Solicitor Notary (former attorney-at-law, Berbice)
Murder in the family justice system and... From page 4 encouraging religious sanctioned behaviours to deliver us from this cancer of uxoricide. Perhaps there is need for other institutions, organizations, agencies to be seen as essential players in this fight. If we acknowledge that there will be conflicts in relationships, then perhaps our concentration should be focused on giving couples skills in conflict resolution instead of focusing on their stated dissatisfaction with each other. Remember, conflict does not necessarily lead to negative outcome/s. Indeed conflict can have a positive or a negative impact on a relationship, it all depends on how conflict is resolved. When conflict gives rise to hard headedness, and a refusal to interact with one’s partner, it is harmful. However, when disagreements give rise to conflict and conflict is viewed as an occasion to seek clarification on one’s partner’s views or actions, it is likely to give rise to u n d e r s t a n d i n g .
Understanding can give rise to a willingness to compromise and the changing of expectation about the relationship. Alternatively, embracing the principles of conflict resolution can lead to an amicable separation if this is necessary, thus negating the threat of murder. In this regard, I am reminded that report in another newspaper of 26th August 2019, informed us of the successes that a programme presently employed at prisons in Guyana, is achieving. The programme seeks to give prisoners anger management skills. Anger management is usually part of any comprehensive conflict management programme. Perhaps such a programme, with a bit of tweaking could be modified and used in counselling couples. Further, with the growth in instances of youth violence, perhaps conflict management skills should be a part of our secondary school curriculum. Faithfully, Claudius Prince
DEAR EDITOR, There is a tanker alongside Liza Destiny and the efficient Exxon public relations office has advised “The first tanker of crude oil from the Liza field will begin loading this weekend. As we have previously indicated, ExxonMobil will process the initial cargo in its refining system” to celebrate this event a Cocktail party and a public fireworks display were held on Friday night speeches were made, information was shared; President of ExxonMobil’s Upstream Oil and Gas, Liam Mallon said “you people don’t know what is down that well and that is what we bring to the table” I do not know that I am any wiser as to what is down there after all that has been said and done, however, what was not mentioned by any speechmaker, including the Head of the Department of Energy, is
anything of specific relevance to Guyana’s share of the resources. On the 24th December 2019, The Department of Energy signed a contract with Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited to buy Guyana’s first three lifts of ‘profit-oil’, we, the ordinary citizens of the country do not know what is contained in the agreement with Shell Western. We cannot continue along this path, it is a recipe for corruption and civil disaster. Is our membership in The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) for real or for a pappy show? I would ask for the contract to be made public before the first lift is made. Here are key questions that form the basis of my request; when is the lift? How many barrels are expected to be lifted? Given that Exxon would have lifted, refined and marketed many
millions of barrels before Guyana’s turn, how will the price be determined? Has there been any pre-pricing? What are the costs that will be deducted by Shell Western for lifting? Are there fees for the data that Shell Western will provide after they refine ‘Liza grade’ crude? Are there any other companies that are being used in this process for marketing, analysis or any other service? Answers to these and other questions can only be found by reading the agreement, we may well find that it is a wellnegotiated contract; given the secrecy, I harbor grave doubts. Guyanese have not had the best experience with oil contracts to date. The Minister who signed the Exxon PSA, Raphael Trotman, say we should have gotten a better deal; Carl Greenidge another Minister in Granger’s Cabinet says Guyanese should have “put pressure on government to
acquire more skills to build a better technical team as well as ensure the significant enhancement of the Ministries of Finance and Natural Resources, and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)” I am honestly at a loss to figure how the country has been managed by David Granger when two senior Ministers seem to believe the blame for the entire slipshod, incompetent management lies somewhere else. That said, we are at an important juncture, oil is to be lifted from our share and revenues are about to flow, we are in the dark as to what the details are at this late stage and that is unacceptable. Should the populace find out that siphons have been attached to the very first barrels of our national resource; it could well lead to a fireworks display of a more participatory nature. Respectfully, Robin Singh
Is Guyana running a Mickey Mouse democracy? DEAR EDITOR, Campaign financing is spending money to influence a political vote for a candidate or a referendum. Political parties and candidates need money to publicize their platform, offer incentives to vote, and inflate their suitableness for political position. The aphorism whoever has the gold makes the rule is normative, globally and locally. To limit the influence of money to dictate the decision making process for who gets
elected and what they do when in power is paramount. If the public knows who is financing political parties or candidates it will increase confidence in the political process. A campaign financing system that will promote accountability and further provide transparency in the outline of partnerships will assist democracy. The law that regulate campaign financing in Guyana was enacted in 1964
and is outdated. A suggestion is a political party or candidate should be given no more than 60 days to submit a campaign financing report for the election period. A long time make the whole process opaque. It makes it more likely fabricated information is submitted because more time is given for falsification. Politicians are not known to be impeccably honest. The financing report is less relevant and will have less public scrutiny if too much time
have elapse since election. The election financing of candidates and political parties should be published in the newspapers and other media especially for general election . If meaningful campaign financing is not implemented the legitimacy of any elected official in Guyana will eventually come into question. Is Guyana running a Mickey Mouse democracy? Yours truly, Brian E Plummer
An Education Nation – The Foundation of Our Future DEAR EDITOR, Hardly any Guyanese child or youth grow up desiring to live a life as a criminal or to engage in illegal activities to earn a living. Most often than not, socioeconomic circumstances, coupled with indiscipline and the absence of skills push some of us to find low-skilled, and usually low waged work, while some of us take chances engaging in criminal acts we would never engage in if our living standards were higher. Many of our sisters and brothers have also left Guyana over the past 30-40 years, seeking better quality of life and the opportunity to earn higher wages and incomes. Most of us, when we leave Guyana to live and work in another country, fall in line with the requirements to obtain work, pay our taxes, etc. However, for some inexplicable reasons, we fail or failed to do the same while living in Guyana. There is an old saying that “charity begins at home.” Imagine if all the skills and resources within and outside of Guyana were utilised in Guyana. How different would our country be? It is no secret that in order to improve our capacity to attract and pursue higher income and wage-earning
work, we need to develop our skills and educate our people. Added to this, a high-skilled and educated population is more likely to improve economic growth and standards of living all things being equal. In 2017, I co-authored a report commissioned by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) titled, “Skills for Green Jobs in Guyana. Readers, I was shocked to find out that Guyana has a small labour force, i.e. the number of persons legally permitted to work. Added to this, the overwhelming majority of our labour force was, and still is made up of low-skilled, labourintensive workers.” Some 7080% of tertiary-level graduates from the University of Guyana and other institutions migrate annually. This means that for every 10 persons graduating, 78 of them have plans to leave Guyana. Astudy commissioned by the Inter-American Development Bank in 2014 estimated that 43% of secondary school graduates and 89% of university graduates migrated accounting for 9.5% of GDP when factoring education costs over the period 1980-2012. This means that we (Guyana) did not
experience the return on investment in education that we should have for more than 30 years and counting. In the Skills for Green Jobs in Guyana report, we made the point too that our economy is low in complexity, i.e., comprise of a few productive sectors, that scarcely produced value-added products for local and international consumption. In fact, our food import bill is among the highest in the region. Imagine, almost everything we consume is not locally produced. Several months ago, I asked the same question of some regional officers, e.g. why does Region 9, 10, etc. import most of its consumables from other regions? Guyanese are hardworking, entrepreneurial and enterprising people. I grew up hearing about Guyana once being the breadbasket, most skilled and educated in the entire English-speaking Caribbean; this was during the 1970s, just after becoming a Republic in 1970 and within 15 years after attaining Independence as a Sovereign State in 1966. However, as we progressed as a young developing nation,
country. I fully support and endorse the President’s vision and programme for Guyana once again to become an Education Nation. We need more and higher-skilled people to drive local and regional economic growth as well as to facilitate more opportunities to develop more value-added goods and services. This is the only way for us to achieve true, lasting prosperity, and not become dependent on the State for access to jobs and incomeearning opportunities. More importantly, a highly skilled and educated people means fewer incentives for engaging in illegal means of earning money. The President is on record as saying, “Education is the great equalizer. It is the key to reversing underdevelopment. It will unlock opportunities for all and help to provide the skills for development.” In short, we need a responsible, decent and visionary Government of the people, by the people, not a Government for one set of people. Sincerely, R. Small
Monday January 20, 2020
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Daily oil production figures must be made public - Ramson revenue for the sector. Ramson said, “Being in the dark for long periods about the production rates and projections severely constrains the ability of the citizenry to have oversight. Exxon should be submitting this information to the government which should then make this information public.” The Opposition Member told Kaieteur News that Guyanese need to know how quickly the company is expected to get to peak production, how the reservoir has been performing since production started, if it has been in keeping with its estimates,
Attorney-at-Law and Petroleum Academic, Charles Ramson Jnr. First Oil officially kicked off on December 20, 2019. And from then to now, neither ExxonMobil nor the Government has provided Guyanese with daily updates on oil production figures. According to Attorney-atLaw, Charles Ramson Jnr., Guyanese have a right to this
type of information while making a call for same to be immediately disclosed going forward. The Petroleum Academic noted that civil society oversight is critical to the management of the sector and the building of trust when it comes to the collection of
Man kills self after setting reputed wife on fire
Rai Rabindranauth Harinarine A 43-year-old Wakenaam, Essequibo Island woman is now battling for her life after she was reportedly set on fire by her reputed husband on Saturday. Sattie Harinarine of Friendship, Wakenaam Island, Region Three was doused with gasoline by her reputed husband, Rai Rabindranauth, who then hanged himself. The woman sustained third degree burns to her face, back and stomach. She has been admitted to the Burns Care Unit (BCU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). According to reports, the couple would usually engage
in arguments which would at times escalate to fights. Divisional Commander of Region Three Simon McBean, confirmed that the couple were indeed arguing on the day in question. During the argument, the husband reportedly went downstairs and returned with a container of gasoline which he poured on his reputed wife before setting her alight. Neighbours heard her screams and came to her assistance. She was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Harinarine’s body was later discovered by police ranks later the same day.
and what potential changes it foresees. In the absence of same, Ramson said that all Guyanese are aware of is the date First Oil kicked off, and the announcement recently that a tanker is in Guyana’s waters to collect ExxonMobil’s entitlement of one million barrels of oil. Ramson said, “So what has happened in between the time that First Oil started and the arrival of the tanker? This is not a transparent method of managing the sector and for the independent and interested parties if there is an information blackout then it constrains the ability to have
oversight.” The Petroleum Academic said that this is yet another example of the government sleeping at the wheel but at the same time, limiting Guyanese participation and education on how the sector is evolving. In order for the citizens to keep the wickedness some politicians or persons involved in the sector may have planned and at bay, Ramson asserted that transparency at all levels is an absolute requirement. He further noted that transparency on the production rates also mitigates the possibility of oil companies running rings
around the population since the global community would be able to peruse what it provides and make its own assessments on reservoir performance. The Petroleum Academic’s call would be in keeping with the disclosure requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to which Guyana is a candidacy member. The EITI body requires its members to ensure disclosures of information/ data related to exploration and production which it believes is key to enabling stakeholders to understand the potential of the sector.
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Newspaper vendor’s murder…
Crime Chief says cops lacked evidence to keep first suspects in custody Acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston is defending a decision to release four youths who were the original suspects in the murder of Queenstown, Essequibo newspaper vendor, Shawn Mannilall. Three of the youths, all in their twenties, were rearrested last Friday, while a fourth remains at large. The re-arrested suspects have reportedly implicated themselves in the killing, even as three other youths remain on remand for the same crime. Kingston told Kaieteur News that when the men, now deemed to be suspects, were first arrested and detained, police lacked sufficient evidence to keep them in custody and have charges instituted, He said that it was only after an individual recently came forward with information, were his detectives able to re-arrest the youths. Police were reportedly told that one of the suspects had borrowed a helmet from the informant but not returned it. The individuals who killed Mannilall had reportedly worn helmets. The Crime Chief noted that it is standard procedure for investigators to release and then re-arrest persons when fresh evidence is provided. According to Kingston,
Dead: Shawn Mannilall “people should be happy that we are carrying out an investigation to get all those who were involved.” He revealed that the police will be seeking further advice on the matter. One area investigators are likely to examine is whether anyone supplied the killers with information about Mannilall’s business transactions. It is alleged that the attackers apparently knew that Mannilall had recently withdrawn a specific sum of cash from a commercial bank. Investigators are also likely to arrange a confrontation today between the re-arrested trio and those who were charged last Wednesday with Mannilall’s
murder. The recently arrested youths included two brothers and one of their friends. They all reportedly live in close proximity of the slain vendor. One of the youths is said to be a close friend of a relative of the murdered man. Remanded last Wednesday for murdering Mannilall during the course or furtherance of a robbery are Carl Carter, Delhoya McKenzie and Carlton Carter. According to information, Mannilall, 48, of Parcel 61 Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, was shot and killed around 20:00hrs on January 10, 2020. It is alleged that Mannilall and his family were about to enter their home when they were stopped in their tracks by two men. The intruders were reportedly wearing helmets while brandishing a handgun and a cutlass. It is alleged that the men demanded some $125,000 from Mannilall, who was said to have recently uplifted the cash from a bank. It is alleged that after the vendor resisted, one of the bandits shot him in the chest, shoulder and abdomen. The gang reportedly fled emptyhanded. Mannilall was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The suspects when they were first arrested.
Monday January 20, 2020
Scope of practice, new standards drafted for nurses The Public Health Ministry is working with the Nursing Council to professionalise the nursing workforce by introducing new standards and scope of practice. There has been a concerted move since 2017 to modernise the local nursing profession Consultant on Nursing Education and Regulation attached to the Ministry of Public Health, Mandy La Fleur said that the scope of the practice will encompass Nursing Assistants, Midwives, and Registered Nurses “…we want to bring back some of those standards into the profession…we can fix many things but unless we regulate the profession it is going to take us other places so we are working on developing that scope of practice.” La Fleur noted that criteria will also be developed to ensure nurses are exposed to continued education and are re-licensed to practice “Continued education is another area that has lapsed over the years currently it’s not mandatory for relicensure but just like the doctors and other professionals to be relicensed for the coming year we are ensuring that they [nurses] adhere to this standard in terms of having a certain number of credits for relicensure,” she noted.
Consultant on Nursing Education and Regulation Mandy La Fleur The Nursing Council is working closely with the Ministry of Public Health’s Standards and Technical services department to facilitate regulation. They will be looking at other mandatory aspects such as the need for nurses to be vaccinated, personal and other documents must be on record, health status continually updated among other things. According to La Fleur, as Guyana embarks on becoming an oil-producing
nation the Public Health Ministry is cognizant that the country’s healthcare sector is critical to safeguarding the wellness of its people, even as there is an influx of persons from neighbouring and other countries. Therefore, the introduction of standards will strengthen the nursing profession and with this comes effective monitoring and evaluation ensuring that these standards are embraced and upheld. (DPI)
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Monday January 20, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Bharrat Jagdeo; jelly’s last jam If the PPP loses the 2020 general elections, it literally means that Jagdeo lost three successive elections and the defeats have to be laid squarely at his feet. With single-handed inflexibility, he shaped all three election campaigns in every dimension, including selection of presidential candidates. The PPP lost the 2011 majority because as president, Jagdeo had full control of the PPP and dictated the preference of Ramotar over Ralph Ramkarran. The thinking was that given the demographics the PPP will win anyway without Ramkarran. Jagdeo was not intellectually equipped enough to analyze Guyanese politics in holistic ways. Ramotar did not have the personality to compete with a crusading AFC. The PPP lost. Again in 2015, Jagdeo was the face of the campaign. Given the lackluster performance and miserable ambience of President Ramotar, the thinking was that the voters who went with the AFC in 2011 will return. But with a self-effacing
president in Ramotar, it was a huge risk. The PPP narrowly lost the 2015 poll and if you had a more dynamic candidate, maybe that crucial difference of 4,500 would have gone to the PPP. Having lost two elections, the PPP was still in surrender mood to Jagdeo. Though there is nothing wrong with an Irfaan Ali candidacy (what makes him more ineligible that his competitors in other parties?), his competitors for the PPP’s lead role had more going for them, especially Anil Nandlall. Guyana generally believed that Nandlall would have clinched the spot. This columnist has reliable information that Jagdeo shaped the final moment. Can the Ali candidacy cause the PPP to lose? I do not believe that. Both Ali and Granger are no exciting prospects. Both major parties should have chosen a more dynamic, charismatic, visionary, intellectually powered leader for the 2020 battle. It is unfair to keep knocking Ali’s suitability in the face of Granger ’s miserable record as
president. Granger’s epistemology, his semantics, philosophical outlook and political banalities in 2019 put him in serious contention with Donald Ramotar of Guyana, Bernard St. John of Barbados, George Chambers of Trinidad and George Walter of Antigua for the title of most lackluster head of government the British West Indies has produced. If Ali fails to resuscitate the PPP’s possession of the presidency in March, it could spell the end of the political career of Jagdeo. The older Jagdeoites (Rohee, Teixeira, Chand, Chandarpal, Sukhai, Luncheon, Ramotar etc) are getting older and will not have the energy to fight Jagdeo’s battle against a plethora of young Turks. Jagdeo himself will be a few months past 60 when the 2025 contest beings. In a leadership confrontation the young Turks will cite age as a factor. Why should talented young men and women in their forties remain with a leader who lost three successive national elections, is getting on in age, and who had his time as both president and party leader?
This question they will put on the front burner. The question is; will Jagdeo want to remain as leader of the PPP if Ali loses? It is not wise to answer in the affirmative because humans are such complex things that no phenomenal artificial intelligence will ever replace humans at anytime in the future. Jagdeo may very well say that from 1999 to 2020 was 21 years of contribution to his country and will settle down to write his autobiography. It is difficult to see why he would want to stay on. Jagdeo was born in an era where the magic of Cheddi Jagan and his wife dominated Guyana and the PPP. He was president of a Guyana that will hardly have much in common with a Guyana in 2025 where oil
revenues will give the 2025 incumbent a distinct and formidable advantage over the PPP’s candidate. Not to mention that by 2025, the population will keep getting younger and the teenagers at that time will hardly know of him. The intriguing question is, can he survive competition for his place if the PPP loses in March? He was president in 2011 so that made him the patriarch for the PPP and their point man for the election. In 2015, he was still powerful and still in control of humongous sums that financed the 2015 campaign. Those colossal sums are thinning with huge amounts spent on three court casespresidential term limits, GECOM chairman litigation and the no-confidence vote.
Frederick Kissoon Now all the money will be thrown into the 2020 campaign. By the time 2025 comes around, there may be no more cash, no more energy, and no more optimism. If Ali loses in March, then the 2020 campaign would have been Jagdeo’s last fling. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Child Protection Director receives Human Rights Award In celebration of International Human Rights Day, Ann Greene, the Director of the Childcare and Protection (CPA), has received a Human Rights Award. The award was presented on Saturday by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Guyana. Mrs. Greene has been the Director of the CPA since 2015. In response, Mrs. Greene said she was extremely honoured to be receiving the award for her work in Child Protection Services. She expressed that “Child Protection Services in Guyana is still relatively new and evolving and Support from international Organizations particularly from the European Union and UNICEF have been tremendous in advancing the services offered to children and families. “Personally for me there were several challenges along the road, but challenges are there to make you stronger and more challenges are yet to come as we continue to work towards developing a Comprehensive Child Protection System in Guyana.” She noted that her agency is preparing to launch the Strategic five-year Implementation Plan for the National Alternative Care for Children, which was heavily supported by both the EU and UNICEF. The CPA will also be working with the local NGO Child Link and Blossom Inc, Greene added. “My vision for the Implementation is by the end of the five years, no child will
Human Rights awardee, Director of Child Protection Agency Ann Greene be living in an institution. All the institutions will become safe places for children… but at the end of the day children will all go home to a family.” The award in the Field of Human Rights is an honorary award given to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other instruments of the United Nations relating to human rights. The Prize was established by the General
Assembly in 1966 and was awarded for the first time on 10 December 1968, on the occasion of the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Prize is an opportunity not only to give public recognition to the achievements of the recipients themselves, but also to send a clear message to human rights defenders all over the world that the international community is grateful for, and supports, their tireless efforts to promote all human rights for all.
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Transparency Advocates await “bridging deed” to take lawsuit against Exxon contract Social Activist Ramon Gaskin said that lawyers are now awaiting the “bridging deed” to finalize the filing of a legal challenge against Exxon’s illegal contract.” Gaskin said all of the legal paper work to file the lawsuit has already been completed. But lawyers have advised that the “bridging deed” must be included in the file. Gaskin said that he was told that the Bridging Deed is very essential in assisting their argument to strike out illegalities in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between Guyana and ExxonMobil’s Subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).
One such illegality is the 600 blocks granted to EEPGL. According to Guyana’s laws an operator is only permitted to have no more than 60 blocks. The allocation of these 600 blocks was granted in the 1999 PSA signed by the then Petroleum Minister, the late Janet Jagan. In the 2016 agreement, this significant amount of blocks did not change. EEPGL is still entitled to have 600 blocks. The “Bridging Deed” is said to include a full description of the blocks and a map of the area allotted to the Oil Company. The PSA also states that the purpose of the deed is to replace 1999 Petroleum
Prospecting License. Gaskin said that a letter was sent to the government last week requesting the “Bridging Deed”. The transparency Advocates, Gaskin, Attorneyat-law, Melinda Janki and the persons who made monetary donations towards the $1M lawsuit, hope to receive the deed before the end of this month. Gaskin and Janki revealed their intentions to challenge the PSA that governs Guyana’s lucrative Stabroek block last year at a forum held at the Critchlow labour college. After the illegalities within the PSA were highlighted to the audience at the forum, Gaskin said that it
would cost $1M to file a legal challenge against the contract. He then pledged $100,000 and was immediately supported by Janki and members of the audience who made monetary donations towards the cause that said moment. Critics have taken a pessimistic approach to the idea of challenging the Contract. Some said that “pressuring Exxon too much will cause them to pack up and leave” Others have said that it is a waste of money because “you can never win against Exxon”. The government on the other hand is silent about a renegotiation. The opposition Party had said that nothing can be done because of contract Sanctity and stability clauses. But Gaskin and his colleagues refuse to be pessimists. They believe that law take precedence over any
Transparency advocate and social activist, Ramon Gaskin contract. Gaskin said that applying pressure for a better contract or deal “won’t chase Exxon away”. The Social activist said
that Guyana’s oil is too sweet and highly profitable. “They are not going anywhere because we got the best oil and it’s cheap to extract”.
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GUYANESE HORROR FICTION KAMARANG…
The white woman visits in dreams By Michael Jordan There was no sign of the girl when he entered the Ritz two days later. He made a show of going over to the punch-box, while checking in the corner where they had sat. She wasn’t there, either. Again, part of him wondered if she really existed. Some of the women he had seen on Saturday were there, and he thought he recognized some of the men. The barman gave him a nod of recognition as he ordered a beer. Michael hesitated, then said. “Uh…Lucille around?” The barman looked at him for a moment. “I think she in she room,” he said. Was she alone? He thought of asking the barman’s permission to go to the girl’s room, but the man had turned away to serve someone else. Disappointed, he shifted away from the bar and stood bracing the step-rail as he had done on Saturday, while glancing down the corridor occasionally in the hope of seeing her. He found himself talking to a tall, faircomplexioned youth who bummed a beer from him. He half-listened as the boy, who appeared to be a few years older than Michael, explained that he was a stevedore at the Kingston Wharf, and that he came up here often and knew most of the women. As if to prove his point, he signaled to the tall woman with the short afro, who had come to the bar. He made a show of holding her hand and whispering in her ear. “Most of them up here easy,” he said after the woman had returned to her seat. “They like high-colour chaps like me and you. Come up hay a couple times and yuh gun see what ah mean.” He was wondering if the women included Lucille, when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, and there she was, suddenly half-way down the corridor and heading to the hall. She was wearing some sort of colourful, split-skirt thing, along with leather sandals. He felt his heart thumping as she came nearer, a half-smile playing around her lips. Besides him, the stevedore sucked his teeth and muttered something. Again, he sensed that perceptible lull in laughter and conversation as the girl entered the hallway and came straight to him. “Hi,” she said. “Hi…” She smelled so good. He could sense the stevedore staring at them, but the sight of the girl, up close, brought back a flood of memories that blotted out
everything else. She gave his hand a brief, intimate squeeze, then went to the bar. He watched her order a beer and cider, turn to give him that smile of secret amusement, then head to the hidden corner where they had sat before. Besides him, the stevedore expelled his breath. “I ain’t know that you know she.” “Yeah,” ah know she…” Let him figure what that meant. “Everybody up here want that thing, but she only making styles, like she too good fuh the men up here.” He lowered his voice. “They say she hustle on ships. Ah wouldn’t doubt it. With them looks, she would make good money.” Michael felt something contract in his stomach…tried to push the emotion away. What else had he expected? What else did he think she was? Why this feeling of jealousy? And why was he angry? She was nothing to him. He’d already decided that this was the last
another place, but then she clasped him and all thoughts fled… When she finally woke him around three a.m., he told her that he would have to be away for two weeks. As he spoke, still lying in bed, he felt an ache of loneliness that surprised him. She was silent for a moment, then she said: “I will wait for you.” But would she? Could she? The images of her with strange seamen came to him, along with the young stevedore’s words: They say she hustle on ships… “Lucille…” Her name, whispered with shameless despair, popped out before he could stop himself. The girl was watching him now. He felt his face grow hot with shame. The girl stroked his face. “What is the matter Mi-kal?” The note of concern in that lilting voice sent an ache through him. He yearned to tell the girl of his (jealousy?) —concerns, but he checked himself with the thought that
time.. But should he even go to her? Shouldn’t he just leave? But when he slid into the bench next to her and put his hand on her thighs, all he could think of was going to her room. This time, they stayed less than a minute at the table before he was following her down the corridor, even as he thought is this real, is this really happening, why me, why me. This time, they undressed near the door. For an instant, the odd thought hit him that he had done this before, in
he was behaving like an ass. “Nothing,” he said. His voice was light, controlled. “Just wondering…” “Wondering…what?” The gentleness was still there, but he sensed another emotion now; a certain watchfulness. “Just wondering…” He searched for a way to find out more about the girl without appearing to be an inquisitive, jealous fool. “Just wondering how long you up here.” “Not long—why?” Again, that guarded,
watchful tone, and he wondered if he had violated some unwritten prostitutecustomer code. Why not just tell her how he felt? But how could he, when he himself didn’t know? Suddenly she smiled; that smile that hinted at some secret knowledge. She stroked his face again. “Mi-kal, when the time is right, you will know all about me.” She began to stroke his chest, and he thought he heard her add: “And you will know about you…” * That night was the beginning of the bad dreams. He was tired, in a way that he couldn’t recall ever being. He caught a taxi by the Stabroek Market, mumbled his destination, and slept until the driver woke him at the Aubrey Barker Street bridge that led to his home. He’d gone straight to bed without bothering to change, or put down the mosquito net that would keep off the feasting swarms that came from the cane fields behind neighbouring South Ruimveldt. He knew that he would not be getting up to work out or study. Then the dreams had begun. The first one was downright strange and almost funny. He was at the top flat of the Ministry, and some sort of party was in progress. There were streamers hung across the room, and a straggly string of fairy lights. There was a strange mix of people he knew. There was Changlee, the Transport Officer; there was Cheryl, Willo’s secretary; Smithy and Braff were skanking near the stereo to Third World’s Tribal War; there was Jakes, a clerk, wearing a jersey with the words Disco music is my heartbeat, under a picture of Donna Summer. The stevedore from the Ritz was leering at a prostitute and saying, now and again to Michael: “They like highcolour men, dread; they like high-colour men baadd.” And sitting, stark naked on Willo’s table, was The Lady. She was a thin, whiteskinned, white haired woman of about sixty…seventy…a hundred…he couldn’t quite tell. Even her lips were white; the skin on them peeling as if she was recovering from some illness. She was smiling at him in a way that he didn’t want to interpret. One of those thin hands was between her thighs, which were clasped modestly together…. He awoke, sucked his teeth, turned over on his
stomach and slept again— and he was running down Sheriff Street, in the vicinity of the seawalls. This was his favourite street for jogging. But he wasn’t jogging now. Something was chasing him. He knew that it was some sort of man-thing-cannibal that ate the entrails of children. He knew, without looking, that the thing behind him was squatty and had a large, ugly mouth, and was wearing some loincloth-thing, and its feet were turned backwards. It ran easily, even as it balanced a huge wicker basket that snapped open and shut, because it was alive and part of the creature chasing him. He ran with open mouth to inhale more oxygen. He tried to lengthen his strides, but his legs felt hung on wrong. He knew that the thing was closing in. He thought of running into one of the yards along Sheriff Street, but he knew that the thing would catch him before anyone could open their doors for him. Suddenly, a few yards ahead, he saw a narrow corner to his right. Somehow, he knew that it led to Grandmother Hazel’s home, even though she lived across the river in Bartica. Grandmother Hazel knew about these things, and she would help him, even though she was dead, and upset at him, and he could hear her fretting, far away, that he shouldn’t have gone through the door. Desperately, he pumped his arms, and in his haste, he overshot the corner. He turned. The thing was closer now. Whimpering, he stumbled back to the corner. But now he was on a grassy track that was flanked by moko-moko trees and
bamboos. He could hear Grandmother Hazel, saying somewhere, “No Mikey-boy, no, not here! It tricked you! Hide quickly!” He saw a small gap in the trees. It was wide enough for him. He dived in. A cry stuck in his throat as he found himself sinking into thick, undulating swamp. He tried to grab at the bank, but the swamp-mud clung to him, dragging him down and covering him waist-deep. He cried out as something wriggled on his right arm. He looked down at his hands and screamed silently. Hundreds of black leeches clung to his skin. Desperately, he plucked at them, but his fingers slid off the wriggly, blood-fat things, which now bit into his hands, his neck, his face, his suddenly naked body— He awoke, trembling. His clothes were sticky with sweat. He felt a familiar prickling at his left arm. Gasping, he slapped at his arm. He felt something pulp beneath his fingers. A pungent odour stung his nostrils. He sprang to his feet, groped for the light-switch near his head. His heart pounded as he stared in disbelief at the things that crawled sluggishly on his sheet… Bed-bugs…? Bed Bugs? Bed Bugs! Where the hell had they come from? Had he somehow brought them in from the old hotel? What would his mother say if she saw them? Then he was killing them, crushing them between the sheets to avoid smearing his fingers. Afterwards, he lay in bed, remembering the dreams, and thinking of the bed-bugs, the Continued on page 20
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Next U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to be named after African American Pearl Harbour hero (CBS News) The aircraft carrier is the symbol of American power – 90,000 tons of diplomacy, the Navy likes to say. Almost all of them are named after presidents – until Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly broke with tradition. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin said, “So, the list of carriers is going to read Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Reagan, Truman, Eisenhower, Bush, Ford, Kennedy … Miller?” “Exactly right, and I like it when you put it that way,” said Modly. That’s Miller as in Dorie Miller. The next aircraft carrier to be built will be named for the grandson of slaves and a son of sharecroppers. The official announcement is on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, at Pearl Harbor. And Dorie’s closest surviving relatives, Florietta Miller and Brenda Haven, are still getting used to having a carrier named after their Uncle Dorie, who served in the segregated Navy in World War II. “That’s a great honor,” said Haven. “because it’s been a long, hard road.” Miller was born in Waco, Texas – and his first name was actually Doris. Miller has just finished serving breakfast, and was sorting laundry when the West Virginia was hit by nine Japanese torpedoes and two bombs. Miller was ordered to the bridge to evacuate the ship’s captain, who lay mortally wounded. As the air attack continued, against all rules, Miller manned a .50-caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine gun and fired on the Japanese planes. He also helped carry and move injured sailors to safety. “The irony of this is that, back in the ’40s, pre-World War II, African Americans were not allowed to have any jobs where they handled machine guns or any type of lethal force,” said Modly. When the Navy, which Miller had joined in 1939, awarded medals to those who had fought bravely, it didn’t even mention the name Doris Miller. Martin asked, “Why wouldn’t the Navy right from
the start at least identify him by name instead of calling him ‘an unknown Negro sailor’?” “Well, you would have to be a Negro in 1939 to understand that,” said Akers. “The status of African Americans, they were treated like second-class citizens.” Four months later, the Pittsburgh Courier, perhaps the leading African American newspaper of the day, finally published the sailor’s name and the Navy grudgingly gave him a letter of commendation. “In his opinion that’s all he warranted,” Akers said. “However, others disagreed. The press, black and white press, disagreed, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People disagreed.” As recorded on Miller’s service card in the Navy Archives, President Roosevelt stepped in and ordered him awarded the Navy Cross. “That was not without controversy,” Modly said. “There were some people who did not want him to receive the Navy Cross, because of his race.” He received the medal from Admiral Chester Nimitz, who noted Miller was the first person of his race to receive such a high honor. Akers said, “He understood the importance of having a black hero to encourage other blacks to support the Navy’s war effort.” Miller went on a speaking tour and became a black celebrity in the same league as heavyweight champion Joe Louis and singer Lena Horne. Akers said, “Some considered him just as important, just as aspirational, drew just as much hope from him.” Was he comfortable with his celebrity? “No, not at all,” Akers said. “His goal was really to get to his next ship.” Miller was assigned to the aircraft carrier Liscome Bay, which less than a year after Pearl Harbor, was sunk by a Japanese torpedo. Dorie Miller was never seen again. Haven said, “It’s kind of hard thinking of my grandmother, her hurt. She used to say, ‘Had I been a
white woman, they would have treated me better. But I’m a black woman, and my son is a hero.’” Over the years his legacy has been honored, including in a larger-than-life statute in his hometown of Waco, but that’s nothing like having an aircraft carrier named after him. There are currently 11 aircraft carriers – an honor reserved for very few Americans. “Absolutely,” said Modly. The last carrier to be christened was the USS. John F. Kennedy, by his daughter Caroline. Construction has not yet begun on the USS Doris Miller; it will be seven or eight years before the ship gets into the water. It will be expected to sail the world for 50 years. Akers said, “Like everything else that’s
celebrated about Dorie Miller, it’s gonna draw some criticism, rest assured.” “What would be the criticism?” asked Martin. “Some may suggest it’s more than he deserves. Some may say he was just a guy who did his job when general quarters went off on a shi;, ‘What’s the big deal?’” “What was your personal reaction?” “Oh, I was overwhelmed,” said Akers. “It is tremendous, and it’s a reminder, too, that heroism is in no way limited by race, by gender, by background, by rank or rating.” Of the ceremony to take place on Martin Luther King Day, Haven said, “Never would have thought my uncle would have been next to Martin Luther King, or even the same day. That’s beautiful!” she said.
Admiral Chester Nimitz presents American Messman Third Class Doris Miller with the Navy Cross. (CBS News)
The white woman visits in dreams From page 19 worrisome bedbugs, and remembering what his longdead great grandmother had once told him about bedbugs and other strange insects suddenly appearing in clean homes… * The dreams that had tormented Vibert Sealey, during his disastrous trip to Kamarang, returned on the same night that he stood outside the old Ritz Guest House and smelled the girl’s perfume. In them, it was always night, and something would be chasing him up those twisting hotel stairs. Sometimes it would be a nowdead, eyeless Johnny Perreira, who had stabbed him in the Ritz so long ago; in other dreams, it was the crippled hunter from Kamarang. Part of his reluctance to check at the Ritz was the fact that it held too many memories. The other reason was that it bothered him that the girl that he had searched so long for, might have chosen a place that was tied to his past, as if playing some secret and sadistic game with him. He knew that was silly. She couldn’t know of Josephine. That would have happened before she was born; before the Ritz was burned to the ground and a Chinese businessman rebuilt it. But the things that had happened at Kamarang had made no sense, either. Some of these things had made him stop seeing life as merely black and white, and that new way of seeing things made him return to the Ritz. The possibility that the girl might be there had seemed remote when he climbed the
stairs. He felt none of the unease he had anticipated. Actually, he was feeling a bit foolish as he looked at the sprinkling of customers sitting at the wooden tables, while a drunk near the punchbox waltzed by himself to Ben-E King’s Stand By Me. Vibert Sealey hesitated at the top of the stairs, thinking that there was no way that the girl could be part of this crowd. The men here, he sensed, were mostly small-money chaps. Of the women he saw, only two—a slim, faircomplexioned one, and a dark one with a low afro on a small, well-shaped head—looked as if they could have held their own in the gold-bush. The rest looked too old. But again, that insistent voice whispered, Just the sort of place to hide in. He headed over to the bar, and ordered a Banks beer and the barman dug a bottle out of an ancient freezer. He handed the opened beer and change to Sealey, then stared enquiringly as Sealey remained at the bar. “Anything else?” Sealey hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer. “Ah…I looking for a girl…a good-looking, Amerindian girl about twenty-one…twentytwo. I think she come up here a couple of times.” The barman gave him a long stare, perhaps gauging whether Sealey was trouble. Then he said: “You mussie talking about Lucille…” Sealey took a deep breath to control the pounding in his chest. He shook his head. “Lucille…nah. The girl I looking for call herself Carmelita.” The barman pondered for a moment, scratching at his beard. “Nah...no woman
name Carmelita doan come up here, especially with that description—” He broke off as a thick, dark-skinned woman wearing a pair of tight red pants and black, armless jersey handed him a plastic bowl. The barman’s eyes shifted to Sealey, then to the woman. “Hey, Abby.” The woman placed the bowl on the counter. “Yeah?” “You know any Amerindian girl name Carmelita that does come up h e r e … a b o u t twenty…twenty-one?” He gestured at Sealey. “This chap here asking.” The woman, who had been watching Sealey out of the corner of her eye, turned fully to him. Sealey observed the routine that had grown familiar to him from Georgetown, to Bartica, to Kurupung…the bold stare, the flick of eyes that quickly scanned his gold chain, his Seiko watch, his light-brown, low-cut Clarks. The barman butted in just as Abby was about to speak to Sealey. “But you know that description sound just your friend Lucille? —You think it could be she?” Abby sucked her teeth. “She look like twenty-one to you?” She turned back to Sealey. “They got a highfalutin, nonation bitch that renting a room up hay. But she is about twenty-eight, twenty-nine…” “Ow, Abby, she ain’t so old.” There was a mixture of amusement and consternation in the barman’s voice. The most she could be is twenty-four, twenty-five.” “You must say so, Desmond. You and all dem men up here get stupid when you see a woman with lil highcolour…” Sealey watched them, his
beer forgotten. He’d heard this conversation, just a month ago, from the lips of a now-dead prostitute… “…renting room at the top-top flat like some lady, and yet she doing the around-theworld for them ship-men.” “The barman laughed. “Just because you can’t get threads like the woman?” He thrust out a hairy arm and made a mock grab at Abby. “Ah want to burn you outta that red pants you always wearing.” “You say she renting a room. She’s here now?” Sealey asked, but already knowing she wasn’t, because he wasn’t feeling her presence. Later, Sealey drank his beer and waited to see if the girl named Lucille would show up. But the girl didn’t make an appearance, so he didn’t get to know that night whether Lucille and Carmelita were one and same; or why this woman was staying in the same room in which he and Josephine had often stayed —and why, if indeed they were one and the same, she should suddenly seem so much older. (Taken from the supernatural novel Kamarang by Michael Jordan. Book design and illustrations by Harold Bascom.) Copies of the illustrated edition of Kamarang will are on sale again this week at Austin’s Book Store. The author can also be contacted for autographed copies on +592 645 2447 or by email: kmarangnight@gmail.com) Kamarang (Kindle and paperback) is also on sale on Amazon
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Nine of 16 runaway teens return home Between January 3, 2018 and December 24, 2019, 16 teenagers were reported missing. Of the total number of missing teenagers, 13 were girls and three were boys. Kaieteur News was able to contact nine of the families, who said that all of the teens had returned home. Most of the children reportedly returned home in a week’s time or less. However, despite being grateful for the safe return of the child, some relatives are now questioning the motive for the child running away in the first place. The most recent case is of a 17-year-old girl who went missing on Christmas Eve, last. When the family was contacted they said that the teen returned home some two days after she was reported missing. “She returned home after two days and we’re glad she came back.” The mother of the teenager said. In August 2019, there was a missing persons report for a 14-year-old girl. However, the grandmother, who was the child’s guardian for over 10 years, said that they located the teen shortly after. “I can’t remember exactly, but I believe it was like for about three weeks she was missing. She was somewhere in Linden. We eventually found exactly where she was and we brought her back home.” But the grandmother
said that a few days later, she ran away again, and went back to live with the same individual. She is uncertain where her granddaughter is at present. And a 16-year-old-girl who went missing after leaving for school, returned home a week later. She refused to tell her parents where she had stayed. According to the aunt, the teen left for school using public transportation with a peer at 7:45am on May 17, 2019. The child never returned home that day and calls to her phone went unanswered. After 48hrs a missing person report was made at a police outpost. “She contacted us on Facebook two or three days after she went missing and said, “Mommy I’m safe don’t worry about me.” Like a week later she returned home and refused to tell us where she went all the time. Even the friend that left with her the morning refused to disclose any information as to her whereabouts before and after she returned.” In May 2018, the relatives of a 14-year-old girl was pleading for the teen to return home safely. The girl had asked permission from her grandmother to go uplift an item from a friend. However, after hours passed and the teen did not return home, her father
reported her missing. Four days after, the teen returned. Days before that incident happened another 14-yearold girl went missing. She also returned home four days later according to her relative. On the other hand, things did not go so well for two of the families. On the afternoon of October 25, 2019 a curious boy found a decomposed body in a shallow grave in the foundation of a building, located in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. The victim was 14-yearold Christopher Basdeo. The teen had been missing for ten days. Police have since charged a 42-year-old rice famer for murder. In the case of a 14-yearold girl who went missing in February, 2018, the child left for the bakery around 19:30hrs but never returned. Luckily she returned home to her family a week later. But the Police had arrested a woman and a Police Constable who was said to be involved in the teen’s disappearance. According to reports the police were treating the case as an abduction and rape. Relatives however, had mentioned that the teen had cellular communication with the cop but never knew it was of serious nature. The 14-year-old was questioned and received counseling, but never disclosed where she had stayed.
Cops reportedly crack 2018 Abary murder believed linked to land dispute Police appear to have cracked the January 2018 murder of a rice farm labourer. The killing is suspected to have stemmed from a bitter land dispute. Kaieteur News confirmed yesterday that investigators have detained two men for the murder of 55-year-old Tribhowan Singh, who was found knifed to death on his employer’s rice farm on February 24, 2018. One of the suspects
has reportedly confessed and is said to have implicated others. According to reports, the case broke after police arrested the suspect for cattle rustling. Police were then tipped off that the alleged cattle thief might have information about Singh’s murder. Tr i b h o w a n S i n g h ’s body was discovered at around 13:30 hrs on February 24, 2018, by his boss, Kumar Latchman, who went to visit the rice farm. The corpse was
discovered in a pile of bushes next to the trailer where he usually stays while checking on the rice field. The slain man’s boss and another individual are embroiled in a dispute over land ownership. Latchman said that Singh would stay alone at the camp, since he was in charge of keeping the place clean and getting rid of stray animals. “He always stays on the land to make sure no one ain’t trespass or remove stuff.”
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Kaieteur News
Pure Water systems for two Reg. 6 schools
- %2 others to be commissioned in 2 weeks FOR RENT Mining land for rent . Tel#6215900. Direct road and river access, Kurupung river mouth, gold & diamond, Inland creek. SERVICES
FOR SALE
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040
(1) 320 CL Caterpiller Excavator low mileage. Never work interior. 15M Neg. 6851237,609-1237
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
(1) Oil tanker boat 11,000 gallon GM engine. (1) Oil tanker 20,000 gallon GM engine. 6851237/609-1237 Lot 14 - 10,204 Sq ft Ph#264-2948/615-2270.
ACCOMMODATION Aracari Hotel -WBD (Near Bridge)-Pool etc.Open 24 Hours.From $25 USD.Phone 264-2946/8
DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE#698-7807. TO LET Rooms tolet, 1 bedroom, working people: $30,000,$32,000,$35,000 monthly, 2 month security.Call#623-0076. EDUCATION CAREFORELDERLY, CARE FOR CHILDREN, FIRSTAID & CPR CLASSES. CONTACT#227-4881
VACANCY General domestic. 3 Days work. Must know to cook. Apply with 2 references. KeyFood McDoom village Room Attendant,Desk staff 25-50 Years old.233 South Wanted Bus Driver (over 45 Road Lacytown/225-0198. yrs old) & experienced Cook/ Counter girls @ 44 Barima Salesman, good verbal/ Avenue Bel Air Park.Tel#684- excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer 4508. literate & team player.Keyfood Maid. Requirements: person McDoom. must be living on the East Clerk & Domestic- Live-in Bank. Contact# 600-6887 facilities for Berbicians & (1) Driver, must be able to Essequibians. #219-5354 drive both left handed & Offset printing press Stickshift. Tel#223-5354 operators,Guillotine Contract Cars needed @ your O p e r a t o r , S e c u r i t y taxi service. Call: 219-5555/662- Guard.Apply in Person to F&H Printing Establishment 0070 Inc.90-92 John Street, Porters to work in Grocery Campbellville Greater Stall, Attractive Salary at Georgetown. Stabroek Market. Tel#2269800/683-9500. Experience an Front end loader operator. Contact#223-5273/223-5274 asset WANTED
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.6M Neg.Call #649-0956. LEARN TO DRIVE N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808. Shalom Enterprise Driving School, 2 Croal St. Call: 2277560/227-3869-6. Join us on Facebook
CAR RENTAL
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
(3) Mack Garbage trucks, 1 Skip Truck. Tel#683-6814/4420162 Copra Meal for sale. Contact#223-5273/2235274
Jacob’s Jewellry and pawnshop, friendly money lenders. 16 Pike Street Kitty, Georgetown. Tel#227-8748/ 622-4970 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158
One bedroom apartment 25ftx22ft for working couple or single person $36,000 monthly Water included. Call: 638-8858
Two pure water treatment systems were commissioned at the McGowan Primary School at Liverpool Village and Manchester Secondary School in Region Six on Friday. The projects costing $1.6Million were implemented by the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam in collaboration with the Church of Jesus
PROPERTY FOR SALE Newly built flat licensed business place. Restaurant & Bar, Huge land space @ Vreed-en-hoop area. Fully furnished $48M neg Tel#6897481
Senior Kitchen Assistant, must have a minimum Primary education, 1 Experienced Driver & Cashier. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal Restaurant. 5 Commerce St 1 cook for interior $100,000 monthly, workers for land dredge. Tel# 672-3359
Flat 2 bedroom concrete property. Located at Lot 101 VACANCY Plaisance/Sparendaam. Call for more information 220-0183/ Accounts clerk. Contact 223602-3729 5273/ 223-5274 1 house 20'’ x 16'’ conrete and Driver/expeditor. Contact 223wood on a piece of land 42'’ x 5273/ 223-5274 100'’, residential. Call: 676Driver- must have sound 3883 Kuru Kururu secondary education, for Lot 89 Robb street more information. Please Call: Lacytown, Georgetown. 223-0090 Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size-3431.25 Factory Workers- Must have Sq.ft.Phone:617-5323/666sound secondary education, 8052. for more information. Please Call: 223-0090 WANTED One Rancher, Cow miner to Immediate vacancy exists for work on a ranch, preferably one Canter/Lorry Driver to family person. Tel#619-9143/ work @ Del Ice Co. Call: 2311408/642-9191 614-8857
1 bodywork technician. Tel# 668-7033 Vacancies @ Bonny’s Butchery for sale girls. Apply in person with written application @ 302 Church St. Tel#226-7310 Welder. Apply in person at ARK Enterprise/The Container House, 17 Lombard Street DemBake has openings for : 1 Accounts Clerk (P.M), Drivers (Motor Lorry) and Sales Agents. Email CV to: admin@demerarabakery.com or call: 266-5848 Labourers & Maintenance workers. Contact #621-6969, serious enquiries only. Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132 Experience Goldsmith needed at Jacob’s Jewellery and Pawnshop. Address 16 Pike St, Kitty Georgetown. Tel#227-8748/622-4970
Christ of Latter-Day Saints. President of the New Amsterdam Rotary, Nolan France, told DPI the projects are part of the Club’s publicschool Clean Water initiative. which focuses on ensuring students have access to clean potable water. France further disclosed that the projects were among those identified for 2019-2020 by the Club and within two weeks two other schools – Rose Hall Estate Primary and Berbice Educational Institute – will also benefit from similar projects. “…from today onwards this and other schools can
turn the tap and can have fresh, clean drinking water every day,” France remarked. Educator and DeputyMayor of New Amsterdam as well as a member of the Rotary, Wainwright McIntosh, noted that through the collaborative effort numerous students will benefit. The Rotary’s Clean Water pilot project was first implemented in 2016 at the Canje Secondary School. Since then over ten schools within the region have benefitted from similar projects. (A DPI feature)
Cyclist dies after being struck by car A 20 year-old was killed at around 21.30 hrs. on Saturday after being struck by a car on the East Bank Demerara public road. Police identified the victim as Lennox Collette of Lot 4, Public Road, Land or Canaan, East Bank Demerara. The car was being driven by a 24-year-old from Mon Repos, East
Coast Demerara (ECD). It is alleged that Collette rode out of a nearby “cross-street” and into the car.. He sustained head injuries. The driver transported the unconscious Collette to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he succumbed. The driver is assisting with investigations.
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Bonner century ensures Scorpions share of honours
Nkrumah Bonner … scored exactly 100.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Nkrumah Bonner’s second first class century helped Jamaica Scorpions frustrate Windward Islands Volcanoes and earn a share of the honours on the final day of their second round match here yesterday. The 30-year-old struck exactly 100 not out as Scorpions, resuming the day at Sabina Park on 291 for three, batted themselves to safety by piling up 404 for eight declared. Set an improbable 238 for victory in 1-½ sessions, Volcanoes wobbled on 113 for five before finishing on 155 without further loss. Left-handed opener
Monday January 20, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There may be a rather confusing element to the day for you, Aries, in which you feel tempted to act but not all the pieces seem to be in place. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Be the star of your own movie today and be proud of the role you play, Taurus. You might find yourself adopting the persona of many different characters depending on your mood of the hour. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Take a break from your daily routine and get off the track today, Gemini. The world will turn with you for a day, so feel free to tune out for a while. CANCER(June21–July22) Things are flowing your way today, Cancer, and you should find a great deal of pleasure in the comfort of others. You might find that there is an air of fantasy about the day. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't try to nail down any answers today, Leo, because you'll probably just end up feeling more frustrated than when you started. The less you try to force your will on others, the more you'll find that things just automatically go your way. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Let your childish side come out to play today, Virgo. Your dreams are in full force, so let them lead the way. Enjoy lighthearted conversations with friends about the latest movies and your favorite websites.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Take a break from the trail you're on and get off the beaten path. Today is a day to forge ahead with ideas and dreams rather than commitments and answers. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may find it hard to take a realistic approach to your emotions today. A sensitive issue is apt to be pulling on you in such a way that it's leaving you feeling like you are way out in left field in terms of the way you relate to others. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Question the validity of anything you find yourself in conflict with today. Yo u m i g h t f i n d t h a t people are acting on incomplete information. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) It may feel like something has suddenly clicked into place for you today in which you have found the missing piece of a puzzle you've been working on for a while. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Things may seem a bit surreal for you today, so don't take other people's chatter too seriously. Today is a day to reach out and touch someone, so pick up the phone and dial it. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today is a great day for you in which you should enjoy a great deal of playful conversation with others, Pisces.Don't bother with reality today if you don't have to.
Devon Smith top-scored with 47 while former captain Kirk Edwards got 25 but it was Emmanuel Stewart’s unbeaten 26, in an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 42 with Keron Cottoy (14 not out) which proved most valuable. Seamer Derval Green, who took three wickets in the first innings and also hit a halfcentury, led the attack again with three for 30. It was Bonner’s knock, however, which took centre stage earlier in the day as Scorpions flourished in good conditions. All told, the right-hander struck eight fours and a six in an innings lasting 188 balls and a shade over four hours, raising his landmark by clearing the ropes at long on with left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge. He extended his overnight fourth wicket stand with Paul Palmer (42) to 86, his partner adding just six before falling in the morning’s fourth over, caught at the wicket off leftarm pacer Preston McSween. Bonner also added 40 for the sixth wicket with Green who made 17 before becoming Sherman Lewis’s third wicket of the innings, edging a drive to first slip. Scores: WINDWARD I S L A N D S VOLCANOES 387 (Kavem Hodge 88, Devon Smith 72, Emmanuel Stewart 50, Keron Cottoy 47, Kirk Edwards 29; Patrick Harty 3-65, Derval Green 3-73) and 155 for five (Devon Smith 47, Emmanuel Stewart 26 not out, Kirk Edwards 25; Derval Green 3-30). J A M A I C A SCORPIONS 220 (Derval Green 62, Paul Palmer 54, Jamie Merchant 21; Preston McSween 3-41, Sherman Lewis 3-62, Josh Thomas 234) and 404 for eight decl. (John Campbell 101, Nkrumah Bonner 100 not out, Jermaine Blackwood 76, Paul Palmer 42; Sherman Lewis 3-62, Josh Thomas 254).
Monday January 20, 2019
Senior ‘Golden Jaguars’ back on the training pitch ahead of... From page 31 their quota of eight (8) noting that that amount will not increase even though they might have tougher opponents to play going forward. “We’ll stick with the eight because we have the challenge of developing local players too despite the end result. Every player is important for me, international and local; the competition to make the final team will be the same here and overseas as players work hard to make the final cut, they all have to challenge and compete against each other and the best will come forward.” A few friendly matches are being looked at to ensure the team has some competition before the March assignment. “We expect friendly matches at the end of next month to test the local players’ level of readiness for the test at hand. I want to see the players who are ready to represent us because they should prove that they have the quality to be there.” Meanwhile, Guyana Football Federation President, Wayne Forde says his execu-
tive and members are fully behind Coach Máximo and team. “The Golden Jaguars will have to dig deep during these critical qualification playoff games, there is no question about the quality of players available to us but we also have to be respectful of the quality of players available to Barbados and Trinidad. Both teams are reaching deep into their respective Diaspora reservoirs to locate players that can improve their chances of qualifying for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Coach Maximo has done a fantastic job with the team since appointed, in particular he has really improved the quality of the local players and I am confident that our chances of qualifying are no different than that of Barbados and Trinidad.” The winner of the Guyana vs Barbados matches will advance to play Trinidad and Tobago which finished third in League A, Group C. These matches will be contested in the June FIFA International window with the winner qualifying to the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.
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Root leads England to brink of victory PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (Reuters) - Captain Joe Root led from the front as ruthless England took 10 wickets yesterday to move to the brink of victory in the third test with South Africa reeling on 102-6 in their second innings. Root claimed test-best figures of 4-31 and was ably assisted by Stuart Broad and Mark Wood as South Africa ended the fourth day still 188 runs adrift. England need four more wickets to win their 500th overseas test and take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, while the beleaguered home team will need to bat out the entire day, a task that looks near impossible given they have run out of recognised batsmen. Vernon Philander (13) and Keshav Maharaj (5) resume today. England started the day with immediate success and kept up the stranglehold despite a lengthy delay for rain, emphasising the dominance they have enjoyed since day one. “Our attitude has been good today, and we got our
rewards,” Wood said. South Africa were in deep trouble when they resumed on 208-6 in their first innings, still 291 behind England’s mammoth 499 for nine declared. Any hopes of a defiant stand crumbled immediately as England, inspired by Broad, took four wickets for the addition of one run to end the innings inside the opening half hour. South Africa were made to follow-on and were 15-0 when the rain came but once the skies cleared, Wood quickly removed opener Dean Elgar (15) and the struggling Zubayr Hamza for two. Root came on for a long spell during which he trapped Pieter Malan lbw for 12 and Rassie van der Dussen, who survived several scares, for 10, with Ollie Pope at short leg taking a superb one-handed catch. The contest was effectively over when Quinton de Kock went cheaply, misjudging his stroke and being acrobatically caught by Wood as Root snagged his third wicket,
England’s Stuart Broad celebrates taking the wicket of South Africa’s Vernon Philander with teammates. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko) followed by the all-important scalp of under-pressure skipper Faf du Plessis, who edged one onto his pad and into Pope’s safe hands for 36. Root, a part-time offspinner spinner, had not taken
Rosario stops Williams to win super welterweight titles Washington (AFP) Dominican challenger Jeison Rosario won the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation super welterweight titles Saturday, stopping hometown hero Julian Williams in the fifth round. Rosario landed a staggering right hand and followed with a flurry of punches before Williams fell to the canvas. He rose only to be hammered by a right uppercut and left hook before referee Benjy Esteves stopped the fight 97 seconds into round five. Rosario was tearful as he was handed the championship belts. “I’ve got to keep crying because I’m so emotional in this moment,” he said. The showdown at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the first defense for Williams (27-2 with one drawn) of the 154-pound (69.9kg) crowns he took from American Jarrett Hurd by unanimous decision last May. Rosario, in his first world title bout, improved to 20-1-1 with his 14th victory inside the distance. It was his sixth win in a row and he improved to 8-0 with a draw since his lone loss in 2017.
Julian Williams surrendered his two world super welterweight boxing titles on Saturday after being stopped in the fifth round by Dominican challenger Jeison Rosario (AFP Photo/Jared Wickerham) “When I lost my last fight I said I wasn’t going to lose again until I am world champion,” Rosario said. “And I’ve done it.” Rosario, 24, opened a cut over the left eye of Williams, 29, with a left jab early in the second round, the gash nagging the champion throughout the fight as toeto-toe exchanges of hard punches continued. “It blurred my vision a little bit,” Williams said of the cut. “But that wasn’t the reason why. He was the better fighter tonight.” In the fifth, Williams was
staggered early in the round, taking a dozen blows against the ropes before falling face first to the canvas. After Esteves allowed the fight to continue, Wi l l i a m s l a n d e d h i s powerful uppercut and Wi l l i a m s slumped back against the ropes, prompting Esteves to stop the fight. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get the win but I’ll be back,” Williams told his hometown supporters, noting he had a rematch clause in the fight contract. “We’ll see if we can get it real soon.”
more than two wickets in a test innings but the way he ran through the top order should lead to significant South African soul-searching. “It was a miserable day for us. Nothing we tried went
our way,” bemoaned South Africa coach Mark Boucher. The hosts won the first test in Pretoria by 107 runs but were outplayed by England in the second in Cape Town.
The last test starts in Johannesburg on Friday. Scores: South Africa 209 (de Kock 63, Bess 5-51) and 102 for 6 (Root 4-20) trail England 499 for 9 dec by 188 runs.
Report: Warriors eye March 1 for Curry return The Golden State Warriors have a soft target date of March 1 for the return of two-time MVP St e p h e n C u r r y, T h e Athletic reported yesterday. Curry broke his left hand in an Oct. 30 game against the Phoenix Suns and was originally believed to have a targeted return of February. There was also some speculation Curry might just sit out the season altogether for the Warriors (10-34), but he has remained intent on making a return. The six-time All-Star has been shooting without a brace on his hand in workout sessions after the team practices. After returning from teammate Klay T h o m p s o n ’s jersey retirement ceremony at Wa s h i n g t o n St a t e o n S a t u r d a y, C u r r y e v e n served as something of a sideline reporter during t h e Wa r r i o r s ’ 1 0 9 - 9 5 victory over the Orlando Magic that ended the team’s 10-game losing streak. “I’ve been making progress,” Curry said, via NBC Bay Area Sports. “No setbacks which is definitely encouraging to get back to 100 percent as
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center. (Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports) soon as possible.” Curry, 31, already has missed 40 games. The Warriors have another 16 games before the March 1 targeted return date, which is a home contest against the Washington Wizards. A veteran of 11 seasons and three NBA championships, Curry has averaged 23.5 points per
game, with a career best of 30.1 during the 2015-16 season. (Field Level Media)
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Monday January 20, 2019
Rohit hundred trumps Smith, India win series
Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith run between the wickets © Associated Press
Mohammed Shami celebrates the wicket of David Warner. (Associated Press) BENGALURU (Reuters) Rohit Sharma smashed a scintillating century and Virat Kohli starred in another successful chase as India beat Australia by seven wickets in the final one-dayer yesterday to complete a 2-1 series victory. Steve Smith’s first ODI hundred in three years had propelled Australia to 286-9, although the tourists at one stage looked set for a 300plus total at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Rohit’s 119 laid the foundation for India’s chase and Kohli made 89 as three premier batsmen of their era shone in a mouthwatering contest. Earlier, Australia captain
Rohit Sharma soaks up the applause on bringing up his century. (Associated Press) Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bat but the touring side did not get the strong
start they expected from their openers. David Warner fell cheaply
and Finch ran himself out after an almighty mix-up with Smith as both finished up at the same end. Smith redeemed himself with a typically fluent knock, adding 127 runs with the inform Marnus Labuschagne (54), before wickets started tumbling at the other end. Kohli took a stunning one-handed catch to send back Labuschagne and Mitchell Starc, promoted in the order as a pinch-hitter, fell in the same Ravindra Jadeja over. Smith could not be denied his ninth ODI century, however, and the prolific Australian made a run-a-ball 131 before holing out in the deep.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled with characteristic parsimony and Mohammed Shami (4-63) produced a string of yorkers to hurt Australia who lost their last five wickets for 51 runs. India suffered a blow before beginning their chase with opener Shikhar Dhawan hobbling off after hurting his shoulder while fielding. KL Rahul, who batted at numbers three and five in the last two matches, made 19 opening the innings with Rohit whose 137-run stand with Kohli put India on course for victory. Fed juicy half-trackers by the Australian spinners, Rohit smacked half a dozen sixes in
his 29th ODI century. The elegant right-hander, named 2019 ODI Player of the Year last week, also completed 9000 ODI runs in his 224th match. Kohli occasionally struggled to read Adam Zampa’s googly but kept India on course after Rohit’s departure. Shreyas Iyer made a brisk 44 not out to help India home with 15 balls to spare as the hosts, thumped by 10 wickets in the first game, came from behind to win the series. Scores: India 289 for 3 (Sharma 119, Kohli 89) beat Australia 286 for 9 (Smith 131, Labuschagne 54, Shami 4-63, Jadeja 2-44, Bumrah 0-38) by 7 wickets.
McGregor makes fast work of Cerrone on UFC return LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Reuters) - Former twodivision champion Conor McGregor returned to the Octagon with a stunning knockout of Donald Cerrone in under a minute at UFC 246 on Saturday in his first fight since losing a lightweight title bout to Khabib Nurmagomedov 15 months ago. The 31-year-old Irishman left ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone
bloodied just seconds into the fight by ramming shoulders into his face from the clinch, and when they broke McGregor landed a head kick that wobbled the American and sent him scrambling back to the cage. McGregor closed in and rained down strikes as Cerrone covered up, prompting referee Herb Dean to stop the fight after just 40 seconds.
McGregor served a sixmonth suspension and was fined $50,000 for his role in a brawl at the end of his loss to Nurmagomedov. He was convicted of assault late last year for punching a man who had refused a shot of whiskey from him in a Dublin pub while in a separate case in 2018 he was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief after police said he attacked a vehicle carrying UFC fighters. He pleaded guilty to a reduced disorderly conduct charge in that case. After his long absence, McGregor was glad to be back. “I feel really good, but I came out of here unscathed. I’m in shape. We’ve got work to do to get back to where I was,” McGregor said in his post-fight interview. The victory was
McGregor ’s first since November 2016 at Madison Square Garden where he beat Eddie Alvarez to win the lightweight title and become the organization’s first simultaneous two-weight champion. A crowd of over 19,000 packed out the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday and an uninspiring undercard was quickly forgotten as McGregor made his way to the Octagon. Fans waving Irish Tricolours roared support for their man as the introductions took place and McGregor leaped into action as the fight began. Cerrone had made his name by going toe-to-toe with some of the heaviest hitters in the UFC, giving fans the fights they want to see, but he was caught cold by McGregor ’s unorthodox shoulder strikes. “I had never seen
Conor McGregor celebrates his win against Donald Cerrone. (REUTERS/Mike Blake) anything like that,” Cerrone said. “It threw me way off guard. He busted my nose and it started bleeding and then he stepped back and head kicked me.” Despite a third straight defeat, Cerrone said he had no plans to retire.
“I’m going to keep fighting man. I love this sport.” McGregor has said he planned to have three UFC fights this year and also revealed he has a lucrative boxing match against Manny Pacquiao in the pipeline.
Monday January 20, 2019
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Liverpool go 16 points clear with 2-0 win over Man United LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) - Liverpool came through a high-octane tussle with old rivals Manchester United to win 2-0 at Anfield and move 16 points clear at the top of the table yesterday, sparking a chorus of “we are going to win the league” from their now expectant fans. Juergen Klopp’s side, chasing their maiden title in the Premier League era and first in the top flight in 30 years, took a 14th-minute lead from a Virgil van Dijk header but had to wait until stoppage time to put the game to bed through Mohamed Salah. With a game in hand on second-placed Manchester City, Liverpool’s grip on the title race tightened and while Klopp was not about to echo the euphoric sentiments of the club’s jubilant fans, he was upbeat about his team’s display. “It’s a big relief, I was really happy with 85-90% of the game, we were brilliant. We dominated the game, especially in the first half. The energy they put on the pitch was incredible,” said the German, whose side have dropped just two points in 22 games.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scores their second goal. (REUTERS/Phil Noble) For United, who battled hard but were outclassed in all departments, it was another reminder of just how much work is ahead of them if they are to get back to being in contention for titles. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suffered another
blow to his hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with the news that his top scorer Marcus Rashford was not only out for the trip to Anfield but could face several weeks on the sidelines with a back injury. United are in fifth place in
Kasuza fifty on debut for patient Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Opener Kevin Kasuza struck a half-century on debut as Zimbabwe eased to 189 for two at the close on the opening day of the first test against Sri Lanka in Harare yesterday. The test is Zimbabwe’s first since November 2018, when they drew a series 1-1 in Bangladesh, and despite a slow run-rate they laid a platform for a big score. Craig Ervine (55 not out) and Brendan Taylor (13 not out) will resume on day two, with 84 overs bowled before bad light brought a premature end to the first day. Kasuza (63) put on 96 for the first wicket with Prince Masvaure (55), who also struck a maiden test halfcentury in his third game. Ervine reached that milestone as well and it is the first time in Zimbabwe’s test history that their top three batsmen have past 50 in the same innings. Masvaure was the first wicket to fall when he was caught by a diving Dimuth Karunaratne at mid-off from the left-arm spin of Lasith Embuldeniya. Kasuza’s 214-ball vigil ended when he played around a full toss from fast bowler
Prince Masvaure and Kevin Kasuza put on a fighting opening stand. (AFP) Lahiru Kumara and was adjudged lbw. Kasuza is one of three debutants in the side along with seamer Victor Nyauchi and left-arm spinner Ainsley Ndlovu. Zimbabwe are returning to international action having missed most of 2019 due to a suspension from the International Cricket Council over government interference in the running of the game. The country’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) had suspended Zimbabwe
Cricket, blaming it for maladministration following the national team’s failure to qualify for the Cricket World Cup in England. The two-test tour by Sri Lanka was hastily arranged, having only been announced on Jan. 8. The second test will also be played at the Harare Sports Club starting on Jan. 27. Stumps Zimbabwe 189 for 2 (Kasuza 63, Ervine 55*, Masvaure 55, Kumara 1-37) v Sri Lanka.
the league, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and while no-one could question the commitment of Solskjaer’s players it is clear he needs some immediate transfer reinforcements. “The players gave us everything. Today we hung
on a bit at the start of the second half, but the last 2530 minutes we pressed them and pushed them back. I’m disappointed with conceding from a corner and with the last kick - but very many positives,” he said. FIRM HEADER After a promising start from the visitors, Van Dijk put Liverpool ahead with a firm header after he was poorly marked by United, who allowed him to rise and nod in a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner. Roberto Firmino thought he had scored a second but a VAR review ruled that Van Dijk had fouled United keeper David de Gea before the ball fell to the Brazilian. Liverpool had the ball in the net again when Georginio Wijnaldum slotted home after a clever defence-splitting pass from Alex OxladeChamberlain but the Dutchman was ruled narrowly offside. United’s attacking forages were rare but they caused some anxiety for Klopp when Andreas Pereira slid in but could not make contact with a low ball across the face of the goal from Aaron Wan Bissaka.
Yet after the break, Liverpool looked determined to put the outcome beyond doubt. Salah missed a glorious chance from close range just after the interval during an intense period of pressure from the home side, in which Jordan Henderson also hit the post. United survived that blitz and clawed their way back into the game and could even have snatched an equaliser but Anthony Martial blasted high and wide in the 59th minute. Solskjaer’s side applied some late pressure but were caught on the counter-attack in the final moments when, with all United players forward, Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker launched a long ball for Salah who raced clear before slotting home and settling Anfield’s nerves. “It’s special. We’re enjoying our football. You have to stay hungry and keep wanting more,” said Henderson, who looks well set to be raising another piece of silverware at the end of this campaign after lifting the Champions League trophy last season.
GCA’s NBS 2nd Division 40 overs cricket
Roberts, Benn power UG to 137-run win over 3rd Class
Sunil Tulisdas captured 5-28 in a losing effort for Third Class yesterday at the QC ground.
Oswald Benn’s 5-Wkt haul helped UG to an emphatic win over Third Class yesterday.
Keon Roberts top scored for UG yesterday.
An attractive 45 from Keon Roberts and a mesmerising spell from Oswald Benn who took 5-15 spearheaded the University of Guyana (UG) to a 137run win over Third Class in the latest round of the Georgetown Cricket Association’s (GCA) New Building Society (NBS) second division 40-overs cricket competition yesterday at the Queen’s
College ground. UG elected to bat on a slow track and heavy outfield and were dismissed for 205 with Roberts leading way with an attractive 45. Roberts got support from Melroy Stephenson who made 36 and Anthony Fredricks who contributed 35. Bowling for Third Class, Sunil Tulisdas befuddled the
UG batsmen with figures 5-28 from his eight overs. The Third Class batting line was destroyed as they catapulted to 68 all out despite a fighting 19 from Randy Ramroop. Benn’s five-wicket haul, the second of the game, came in just six overs as he got support, while Yekani Favourite followed-up his 428 on Saturday with 3-17 yesterday.
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Kaieteur News
NBA roundup: LeBron, D lead Lakers by Rockets LeBron James produced his 31st double-double, Kyle Kuzma chipped in 23 points and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers turned a third-quarter defensive clinic into a 124115 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday. The Lakers delivered an efficient offensive display without their leading scorer, Anthony Davis, by following James’ lead. James paired a team-high 31 points with a game-high 12 assists to steward the Lakers. Their defensive might turned the tide in the third, which they won 32-17. JaVale McGee and former Rockets center Dwight Howard recorded three blocks each, while Danny Green had four steals. The Lakers posted 13 steals and nine blocks while limiting the Rockets to 12-for-37 shooting from behind the arc. Russell Westbrook (35 points, nine rebounds, seven assists) and James Harden (34 points, seven assists) paced the Rockets, who have dropped three straight and four of five. Houston committed 20 turnovers. Phoenix Suns 123 Boston Celtics 119 Devin Booker scored 39 points and fell an assist shy of his first career triple-double as visiting Phoenix held off undermanned Boston. Booker added 10 rebounds, Deandre Ayton had 26 points and 15 boards and Mikal Bridges scored a career-high 26, as the Suns won for the fourth time in
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports) their last five. Dario Saric scored 13 with 11 rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart scored a career-high 37 points on a team-record-setting 11 3pointers, but the Celtics fell for the sixth time in their last eight. Jayson Tatum scored 26 with 10 rebounds, and Gordon Hayward had 22 points, seven boards and seven assists. Boston played without starters Kemba Walker (left knee) and Jaylen Brown (thumb sprain). Los Angeles Clippers 133 New Orleans Pelicans 130 Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points, and Lou Williams had 32 as visiting Los Angeles defeated New Orleans in
Leonard’s fifth consecutive game with more than 30 points in the absence of second-leading scorer Paul George Despite being with George because of a hamstring injury, the Clippers had plenty of help. Montrezl Harrell added 24 points, and Landry Shamet scored 11. The Clippers outscored New Orleans 31-20 in the fourth quarter. Derrick Favors (10-for-10 from floor) had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Brandon Ingram scored 21, JJ Redick tallied 19 while Lonzo Ball had a tripledouble with 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for New Orleans.
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) tries to create space against Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric (20) during the second quarter at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports) Oklahoma City Thunder 119 - Portland Trail Blazers 106 Chris Paul tied his season high with 30 points to lift Oklahoma City to a win over visiting Portland. Paul was 11 of 15 from the floor in the game and added seven assists. Portland was without guard CJ McCollum, who suffered a sprained left ankle Friday. The Blazers’ bench was further depleted before the game when swingman
Kent Bazemore and forward Anthony Tolliver were reportedly traded to the Sacramento Kings. According to ESPN, Portland will receive Trevor Ariza, Wendell Gabriel and Caleb Swanigan in the deal. Rookie Darius Bazley, starting at forward in Danilo Gallinari’s absence (rest), had a career-best 13 rebounds for the Thunder. Shai GilgeousAlexander scored 22 points. Dennis Schroder added 15 — all in the final 15 minutes. In other scores:
Toronto Raptors 122 Minnesota Timberwolves 112 Milwaukee Bucks 117 Brooklyn Nets 97 Philadelphia 76ers 90 New York Knicks 87 Utah Jazz 123 - Sacramento Kings 101 Detroit Pistons 136 Atlanta Hawks 103 Golden State Warriors 109 - Orlando Magic 95 Chicago Bulls 118 Cleveland Cavaliers 116 (Field Level Media)
Hosein sends Hurricanes to Surujpaul returns unopposed as innings defeat WCC Chairman TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein snatched a six-wicket haul as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force needed a mere 64 balls to rout Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 168 runs and post their first win of the Regional Four-Day Championship here yesterday. Resuming the final morning of the second round match at the Brian Lara Stadium on 162 for seven in their second innings and still requiring a virtually impossible 204 runs to avoid an innings defeat, Hurricanes lost their last three wickets for 36 runs to be all out for 198. Hosein, with four wickets overnight, picked up two of the three to fall to finish with six for 62 and match figures of eight for 94. Test pacer Alzarri Joseph, resuming the day on 14, carried the fight for Hurricanes, belting three fours and four sixes and was unbeaten on a robust 47 from 54 balls when the innings ended. Damion Jacobs (2), yet to score overnight, was the first casualty in the morning’s first over when he was trapped lbw by Hosein and Quinton Boatswain spent 13 minutes at the crease for his one run before he was run out at the striker’s end scrambling a quick single. Fittingly, Hosein grabbed the last wicket of the innings when he had Sheeno Berridge (0) brilliantly taking at first slip by Bryan
Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein. Charles diving to his left. Red Force took command of the game on Friday’s second day when they piled up a massive 552 for nine declared in their first innings in response to Hurricanes’ paltry 186. Scores: LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES 186 (Jahmar Hamilton 55, Alzarri Joseph 35, Keacy Carty 27; Odeam Smith 4-50, Akeal Hosein 2-32) and 198 (Alzarri Joseph 47 not out, Montcin Hodge 42, Kieran Powell 40, Devon Thomas 35; Akeal Hosein 6-62, Kissoondath Magram 2-56). T&T RED FORCE 552 for nine decl. (Darren Bravo 133, Terrance Hinds 102 not out, Joshua DaSilva 80, Jason Mohammed 66, Bryan Charles 43, Keagan Simmons 36; Sheeno Berridge 3-93).
Nazeer Mohamed Khemraj Surujpaul Khemraj Surujpaul was re-elected unopposed as Chairman of the Wakenaam Cricket Committee (WCC), when the body held its Annual General Meeting and election on Thursday last, at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground. Oyono Sampson returned as the Vice President, Nazeer Mohamed was re-elected as the Secretary, while Afridi Mohamed will continue to serve as the Treasurer; they were all unopposed.
Devon Rambarran is the Assistant Secretary Treasurer and Vickram Ramnarine the Public Relations Officer. Surujpaul thanked the clubs for re-electing him and stated that he is committed to assist in the development of the game on the island. He said that the committee will be staging both junior and senior competitions throughout the year once weather permitted. Surujpaul further called on the business community there to lend their support to the WCC so that more talent can be unearthed.
Monday January 20, 2019
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Simmons blasts 10 sixes as Windies rout Ireland to level T20 series
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard sends down a delivery during his four-wicket haul. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
AFP - Opening batsman Lendl Simmons blasted 10 sixes in an undefeated 91 a s We s t I n d i e s r o u t e d Ireland by nine wickets in the third and final Twenty20 International at Warner Park yesterday. Simmons, the nephew of West Indies coach Phil Simmons, also hit five boundaries in his 40-ball blitz. It was his highest score in the format and came just five days before his 35th birthday. Chasing a modest 139 to win, Simmons won the match in style with a six over midwicket off spinner Simi Singh whose three overs cost 41 runs. Fellow opener Evin Lewis made 46 with four boundaries and three sixes as West Indies raced to victory with 54 balls remaining. “It was a proper batting surface with the ball coming onto the bat n i c e l y, ” s a i d S i m m o n s whose ambition is to help West Indies defend their World T20 title in Australia later this year. “I missed out on the
last World Cup because of injury but I am looking forward to the one this year.” The three-match series ended 1-1 after Ireland edged a first-game thriller by four runs in Grenada before Saturday’s match at Wa r n e r Park was abandoned due to rain. E a r l i e r, v e t e r a n a l l rounders Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo shared six wickets as West Indies restricted Ireland to 138 all out. Captain Pollard, who produced the best bowling spell by a West Indian in T20 internationals (4-25) in S a t u r d a y ’s a b a n d o n e d game, claimed 3-17. Bravo finished with 3-19 to become the West Indies’ leading all-time wickettaker in the format with 57 victims in his 69th game. That beat the previous best of 54 by leg-spinner Samuel Badree. “We need to get early wickets, we cannot have teams get to 40, 50 in no time. I think we need to improve in that area,” admitted man of the series Pollard.
Harding, Holder undermine Jaguars in Pride win BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Rookie speedsters Keon Harding and Chemar Holder stunned Guyana Jaguars in yesterday’s final day of their second round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship, to hand Barbados Pride a convincing seven-wicket victory. Resuming on 141 for three at Kensington Oval, the fivetime reigning champions had their middle and lower order wiped out by Harding and Holder, who combined to take the last seven wickets to fall for 117 runs. The 23-year-old Harding finished with four for 77 while Holder, 21, picked up three for 63. Set a straightforward 79 for their first win of the season, Pride were propelled by Test batsman Shamarh Brooks’s unbeaten 44 off 54 deliveries. The defeat for Jaguars comes on the heels of their 10-wicket win over Leeward Islands Hurricanes in last week’s first round while Pride’s victory made up for their shock defeat to Windward Islands Volcanoes. Beginning the day still 39 runs in arrears, much of Jaguars’ hopes rested on overnight batsmen Vishaul Singh and Raymon Reifer, and they looked to be staging
a fightback when they extended their fourth wicket stand to 68. Vishaul, resuming on 56, top-scored with 79 off 168 balls in just over 4-1/4 hours with 14 fours while fellow lefthander Reifer struck three fours and a six in scoring 31 off 71 balls in two hours. They were separated when Reifer missed a booming drive at Holder and was caught at the wicket and Vishaul followed with 11 runs added, driving at a wide delivery from the same bowler and edging to third slip. Opener Chandrapaul Hemraj, resuming his innings on eight after retiring hurt the previous evening, struck four fours and a six in a 50-ball 42, as he and Anthony Bramble (19) resisted in a 38-run, sixth wicket partnership. On 199 for five at lunch, Jaguars were set back in the fifth over following the resumption when Bramble slashed at a short one from Harding and was caught by captain Kraigg Brathwaite at first slip on the second attempt. Bramble’s downfall signalled the death knell for Jaguars as they lost their last five wickets for 27 runs. Some of the shine was taken off Pride’s win when fast bowler Keon Joseph had
Fast bowler Keon Harding. left-hander Shayne Moseley caught at the wicket for a firstball ‘duck’ with 10 runs on the board but Brooks joined Brathwaite (23) to add 60 for the second win and put their side on the brink of victory. Even then, left-arm spinner Veersammy Permaul (2-11) knocked over Brathwaite and Jonathan Carter (7) as Jaguars went down still trying to salvage pride. Scores: GUYANA JAGUARS 209 (Tagenarine Chanderpaul 66 not out,
Kevin Sinclair 43, Chris Barnwell 32; Kemar Roach 4-28, Jomel Warrican 2-17, Chemar Holder 2-39) and 258 (Vishal Singh 79, Chandrapaul Hemraj 42, Raymon Reifer 31, Chris Barnwell 26; Keon Harding 4-77, Chemar Holder 3-63). BARBADOS PRIDE 389 (Kyle Mayers 75, Jonathan Carter 73, Shayne Moseley 46, Kraigg Brathwaite 40, Kemar Roach 35; Keon Joseph 4-75, Nial Smith 284) and 79 for three (Shamarh Brooks 43 not out; Veerasammy Permaul 2-11).
On Simmons, he added: “We love to see him in that mindset, he’s a little guy but he packs a punch.” Put into bat, Ireland raced to 50-0 off just 3.3 overs with openers Kevin O’Brien (top scoring with 36) and Paul Stirling again getting their team off to a storming start. H o w e v e r, Pollard dismissed O’Brien after the Irishman hit his runs off only 18 balls with Bravo then accounting for Stirling (11). Stirling had made a
career-best 95 in Grenada after sharing an opening stand of 154 with O’Brien. Ireland were still wellplaced at 74-2 but lost their last eight wickets for just 64 runs despite the efforts of skipper Andy Balbirnie who made 28 from 23 balls. “We were outclassed today but if you lose wickets in clusters, that doesn’t help,” said Balbirnie. “We will take positive from this series. The guys will learn from it ahead of the World Cup.”
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Monday January 20, 2019
GCC beat GDF by an Balgobin siblings guide Windsor innings and 30 runs Forest B to victory despite Andrews 6 for Despite a six-wicket haul from Leon Andrews, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) defeated Guyana Defence Force (GDF) by an innings and 30 runs when the Georgetown Cricket Association/Noble House Sea Foods second division two-day tournament continued yesterday at Bourda. In reply to the GDF first innings total of 91, GCC resumed on their overnight score 145-3 with Rivaldo Phillips on 24 and Deonarine Seegobin on three, and made 274 all out. Seegobin fell cheaply while Phillips
perished for 28. Zachary Jodah stuck two fours in scoring 51 not out while Carlos La Rose made 36 to add to Mavindra Dindyal’s 72 on the first day. Offspinner Andrews bagged 696. Trailing by 183, GDF were bowled out for 153, batting a second time. Joshua Jones stroked one four and seven sixes in a top score of 52 while Andrews made 31, Damion Ross 25 and Randy Lindore 20. Stephon Wilson captured 3-13, Bernard Bailey had 2-18 and Darius Andrews 2-40. (Zaheer Mohamed).
Sachin Balgobin took four wickets while Ushardeva Balgobin struck a fine half century to guide Windsor Forest B to a 25-run victory over Meten-Meer-Zorg when
the teams collided in a 30over contest played recently. Batting first at MetenMeer-Zorg, Windsor Forest CC B managed 179 all out. Ushardeva Balgobin
Ushardeva Balgobin collects the best batsman trophy from Faood Bacchus.
cracked five fours and one six in a top score of 53, while K. Tracy scored 40 and A. Wazidally made 23. M. Nandkishore picked up four wickets. Meten-Meer-Zorg B were bowled out for 154 in reply. Jermaine Maxwell made 35,
Dexter George 34 and E. Chrisnauth 21. Sachin Balgobin grabbed 4-16 from six overs, while M. Chaitram and Wazidally took three wickets each. The game was sponsored by Faood Bacchus and Mona Bacchus.
Sachin Balgobin accepts the best bowler prize from Mona Bacchus.
Global Spare Parts & Auto Sales Golf tourney
Zachary Jodah made a fine half century yesterday for GCC.
Johnson retained as Chairman of East Bank E’bo CC The East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee held its Annual General Meeting and election of office bearers on Friday evening last at Big Yard Auto Sales in Tuschen. Alvin Johnson was retained as the Chairman of the committee, while Terry Newton will serve as the Vice Chairman. Tamika Johnson was reelected as the Secretary, Alim Khalil is the Treasurer, Joseph Rajkumar is the Assistant Secretary Treasurer and Tenika Johnson the Public Relations Officer. Dwayne Stephens was elected as the Marketing Manager, while Vibert Johnson heads the
Competition’s Committee. The trustees are Ian Whyte and Francis Wright, while Patram Latchman is the Internal Auditor. The Committee will open its season on January 26 with the Big Yard Auto sales 40 overs competition. The teams competing are Vergenoegen Sports Club, Southside Sports Club, Parika Salem Sports Club, Ruby Sports Club, Zeelugt Sports Club and Cold Fusion. The opening fixtures read; Ruby vs Zeelugt at Zeelugt, Southside vs Parika Salem at Parika Salem, Vergenoegen vs Cold Fusion at Vergenoegen.
Prashad, Subhan and Mangra are Flight champions Former Club Captain, the veteran Patrick Prashad, pulled all the stops to edge out LGC President Aleem Hussain in their ‘Championship (0-9) Flight’, finishing tied in an exciting day of golf under fine weather with the golf course in splendid condition for the first of this year’s Global Spare Parts &AutoSales tournament, on Saturday last. Of the other two Flights, the experienced Maxim Mangra easily took the lead in the ‘C’ (19-28) Flight, while Ayube Subhan produced a superb performance to lead the extremely keen competition in the ‘B’ (10-18) Flight. CEO of Global – Hardeo ‘Curry’ Ganpat –himself now a keen golfer, was on hand with his charming wife to congratulate the winners and express his appreciation for being involved with the LGC and the vision of President Aleem Hussain. In the ‘A’ Flight, Patrick Prashad (72/8) was 1st, with Aleem Hussain (72/9) 2nd. Former Guyana Open Champion Mike Mangal was third on their heels with a fine 74/8. Maxim Mangra’s
68/20 was without contention as he led 2nd place Gavin Todd (77/19) by some 9 strokes. Rookie Curry Ganpat (the sponsor), who has been having great improvement in his play, produced a commendable 82/28, Best Gross for the day (77) was produced by veteran golfer Ramesh Amrud. The day’s tournament was graced with the lovely presence and participation of Ms. Doreen DeCaires, who has been a member of the club for some 50 years and was the Women’s Captain for many years (Her husband was the longest serving Men’s Captain of the Club). Ms De Caires delivered a great net 100 off of her play. Reigning Guyana Open Ladies Champion, Christine Sukhram, also added her charm and participation to the occasion. Another positive experience for the Club was to have its newest member, Mr Chet Bowling of New Amsterdam, present, through the indefatigable work of President Hussain, who was also able to secure the day’s trophies as a gift from the Trophy Stall.
The competition in the ‘B’ Flight was a taste of how stiff the COPA Airlines competition is likely to be come Saturday January 25, 2020. The keen jostling obvious by a spread of only 4 strokes between the top seven scores in the Flight, indicates that golfers will be going all out to emerge as Champions in their Flights. Ayube Subhan’s 68/14, followed by Shanella London’s 69/15 were the tip of the iceberg. Patanjalee ‘Pur’ Persaud (70/14); Lekhnarine Shivraj (70/16); Christine Sukhram (71/12); Mike Gayadin (72/12) and Mahindranauth Tewari (72/ 12) send clear signals that no one will win without a good fight. This excitement and anticipation for the COPA tournament is well appreciated by COPA General Manager Nadine Oudkerk, who has expressed willingness to support the LGC along the programme President Aleem has outlined for the Club’s advancement this year. Keen rivalry and a great turnout of golfers are expected for that upcoming tournament. Global Spare Parts & Auto Sales of 19 Annandale Public Road, East Coast Demerara,
Tel: 592-621-9058 or 592-6644515, sponsored the tournament to celebrate the recent opening of its Georgetown branch at 87 Seaforth Street, Campbellville. Manager of the Branch, Imtiaz Singh was quoted as saying, “Just call us at 6219058 or 664-4515 for any of your used spare parts needs and if we can’t find it, then it’s not available.” President Hussain expressed gratitude to the Ganpat family for their willing support of the LGC and the ongoing vision. He thanked the golfers for their good participation, and the Grounds staff for their commendable work. He was also appreciative of the return of past President Hilbert Shields, past Women’s Captain Ms Doreen De Caires, and Champion Christine Sukhram. He welcomed new member Mr Bowling. For more information on the LGC or about golfing, or learning how to play golf, kindly visit lusignangolfclub at Facebook or call 592-2205660 or 592-645-0944. Members of the public are invited to spectate at Golf Tournaments at the LGC free of charge.
Kaieteur News
Monday January 20, 2019
PAGE 33
GMR&SC endurance championship
Team wreckers out to maintain dominance
T
h e l o c a l motorsport season speeds off this Sunday when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) hosts the first round of the 2020 Endurance Championship at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, where defending champions, Team Wreckers, will be on show to defend their team title. In an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, Annand Ramchand, who drives a R a m c h a n d Wr e c k e r s ’ sponsored Toyota Celica in the championship, noted that he is excited for the start of the season and he is very happy with how preparations with his machine are coming along. The former Starlet Cup champion explained that although he expects tough competition from the rest of the guys who are gunning to
make sure that ‘Wreckers’ don’t make it six consecutive team championships in a row, he expects it to be business as usual. Ramchand’s teammate, Adrian Fernandes has been unstoppable for the past few years in his Gillette sponsored Toyota Levin, winning the 1600cc class and the overall championship multiple times. During round one action last year, rain had threatened to wash out and the race and after five hours of precipitation, relentless sunshine dried the track and it was business as usual. Fernandes tallied 78 laps to narrowly defeat Sean Bacchus who finished with 77 laps, both in 1600cc and overall brackets in the twohour long drive. The unlimited class was won by Romeo Singh (72 laps) but Motilall Deodass
(59 laps) surprisingly finished second ahead of Shan Seejattan. Deodass’ Motor Trend sponsored Starlet encountered problems from the start of the race so he had to race at a decelerated pace throughout the event. Mohamed Ali (33 laps) was the best driver in the 2000cc class, while Roshan Ali (20 laps) finished second followed by Rafeek Khan in third with 19 laps. In the 1500cc class, Narendra Mangar (73 laps) won followed by Richard Hamid (70) in second place and Mark Wong (69) in third. Among the racers confirmed for this Sunday’s race are Dowalu Harper, Motilall Deodass, Rameez Mohamed, WR Reaz, Shan Seejattan and Sean Bacchus. Following this January 26th meet, the tentative schedule has the National
Team Wreckers’ Adrian Fernandes (left) and Annand Ramchand.
Race of Champions Circuit showing set for February 16th, while the drag championship boosts off on March 15. Circuit racing returns in
July on the 5th with August 16th being the highly anticipated international drag racing meet. Round two of the Endurance Championship is
set for September 13 with the last round of Drag racing is set for October 4th. The highly anticipated International Circuit-racing event is set for November 8.
2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifying
Senior ‘Golden Jaguars’ back on the training pitch ahead of crucial matches against Barbados Following the hosting of the successful Super 16 Cup championship, the Guyana Football Federation has now turned its focus back to the preparation of its Senior M e n ’s N a t i o n a l Te a m (SMNT) and Under-20s for upcoming and very important qualifiers. The senior ‘Golden Jaguars’ under the guidance of Head Coach Márcio Máximo are on a path to qualify for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup but will
have to cross two hurdles in order to punch their tickets. As a result of ending second in Group C of the 2019-2020 Concacaf Nations League (League B) behind group winners Jamaica, Guyana will now play a two-round qualifier in a direct elimination format against the League C (Group A) winners, Barbados. Those matches will take place in March but the dates and venues are yet to be announced by Concacaf. In
an effort to be in pristine c o n d i t i o n ; m e n t a l l y, physically and otherwise, Coach Máximo and his Technical team have been putting in the work on the pitch which has re-started last week. He noted that along with Assistant Coach Toledo Wilson and staff they have been putting in the work at the office, mapping out their approach for training on the pitch which takes place five days each week.
Unity is strength! Senior and Under-20 ‘Golden Jaguars’ and Technical Teams listening to Head Coach Márcio Máximo and Wayne Dover following the January 18. Assistance is also given to the Under-20 team currently getting ready for the Concacaf qualifying competition. On Saturday’s both the senior and Under20s train together with the direct aim of strengthening the U20s ahead of their
sojourn in Nicaragua, next month. “We have been doing our work for the Barbados games which include studying tapes of their previous matches including friendlies. Barbados will be strong opponents but I know
we’ll have the condition in order to win. We’ll go with the same confidence as before by training hard.” Commenting on the role of the international players, Coach Máximo informed that they will continue to use (Continued on page 24)
The Senior Golden Jaguars in a practice session with their Under-20 counterparts at the GFF National Training Facility on Saturday January 18, 2020.
t r o Sp
Simmons blasts 10 sixes as Windies rout Ireland to level T20 series
Windies skipper Kieron Pollard celebrates a wicket. (Windies Cricket facebook)
Lendl Simmons slams one down the ground. (BCCI)
Global Spare Parts & Auto Sales Golf tourney
Prashad, Subhan and Mangra are Flight champions
From left: Sponsor ‘Curry’ Ganpat (holding trophy for Shanella who had to be away for the presentation); Club President Aleem Hussain; Ayube Subhan; charming Mrs Ganpat; Ramesh Amrud; Maxim Mangra; Gavin Todd and Patrick Prashad share the spotlight.
Harding, Holder undermine Jaguars in Pride win 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.