Kaieteur News

K

Third child NEWS succumbs to AIETEUR

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

cancer treatment

at G/town Hospital

Friday Edition January 25, 2019 - Vol. 21 No. 04

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80 Dead: Six-year-old Sherezer Mendonca

Online readership yesterday 133,342

Elections date in limbo as GECOM

meeting ends abruptly Executed taxi driver Senior Cop charged with was on police radar - Crime Chief says cops still seeking motive raping girl, 13 Reserve troops to be 50 percent - No place for soldiers who cannot be of Army strength deployed for long periods - Pres. Granger p. 28

President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Ministers Joseph Harmon, Khemraj Ramjattan and Winston Jordan, with Army top brass and other officers at State House yesterday.

Charrandass' Stephen Vieira, Nazim vote is irreversible Gafoor freed, two others $550M Cocaine in Lumber...

- lawyers argue

jailed for five years

Let National Assembly determine - Dr. Jan fiscal terms for oil contracts Mangal

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

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Concerned Guyana government urges dialogue as Venezuela's woes worsen

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midst deadly violent protests, p o l i t i c a l standoffs and de-recognition of the current Nicolas Maduro-led Venezuela by the US, the Government of Guyana is expressing concerns.

The situation in Venezuela has been making neighbouring countries nervous, with thousands of citizens from there fleeing food and other shortages of basic items.

According to a statement of the Government of Guyana yesterday, it is gravely concerned at the deepening of the political crisis in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and supports calls made at both the regional and international levels for immediate dialogue involving all political and social actors, with a view to the preservation of the democratic process and a return to normalcy.

“Guyana calls on all parties to desist from actions that might lead to further

violence and loss of lives.

The Government of Guyana remains firmly supportive of efforts to resolve the crisis through peaceful means and with full respect for human rights and the rule of law.”

Venezuela is facing severe economic and humanitarian crisis. Its President Nicolás Maduro is facing increasing pressure to step down, with the US this week recognising opposition politician Juan Guaidó as Ve n e z u e l a ' s i n t e r i m president.

However, Venezuela has asked US embassy personnel to leave. Four persons were reported dead in clashes in that neighbouring Spanishspeaking country.

On Wednesday, Maduro gave the United States 72 hours to withdraw its diplomats from Venezuela — an order that was swiftly rejected by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“United States does not recognize the Maduro regime as the government of Ve n e z u e l a , " h e s a i d , according to a Washington

Major training ongoing for police, prosecutors in money laundering cases

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ersonnel from the various arms of the security services, namely; police investigators, police prosecutors, the Director of Public Prosecutors' office, Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and the attorneys with the Attorney General's chambers, will benefit tremendously from a two-day workshop on money laundering and asset forfeiture.

The workshop, which began at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown yesterday morning, is designed to promote best practices in the successful investigation and prosecution of money laundering cases.

According to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, this training exercise is crucial because money laundering threatens the economic integrity of a country.

“It is an honour to open this workshop as it is an opportunity to bring together

investigators and prosecutors and other relevant persons so that we could enhance our capacity to investigate and prosecute money laundering.”

Williams noted that areas of money laundering and asset recovery are critically important to the Government of Guyana, as money laundering threatens the economic well-being of any country.

“Once money laundering is allowed to run rampant the end result leads to the erosion of the integrity of our financial institutions, development policies and the moral fabric of our society.”

The workshop faculty comprises highly experienced prosecutors, investigators and legal analysts who, through lectures and case studies, will demonstrate effective strategies and techniques for investigating and prosecuting simple and complex schemes carried out by criminal enterprises.

The workshop is an interactive program (continued on page 9)

Juan Guaidó, President of the Venezuelan Parliament, greets a crowd in Caracas on Wednesday as he announces he has assumed executive powers. (Miguel Gutierrez/EPA-EFA/REX)

Port report.

The United States has an embassy in Caracas, though it has been without a fulltime ambassador since July 2010. The embassy has said that it would remain open for

U.S. citizens needing “emergency services”; there was little sign of anything unusual happening at the embassy when a Washington Post reporter visited the neighbourhood yesterday.

In recent times, Ve n e z u e l a h a s b e e n increasing its claims on a large piece of mineral-rich Essequibo.

Ve n e z u e l a i s a l s o claiming the off-shore area

where Guyana has found oil.

Guyana has gone to the United Nations' International Court of Justice to have the centuryold border controversy settled once and for all.

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 25, 2019

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 Desperation and recklessness when walls close in The reports from every area are grim and unrelenting. And when bad news proliferates, leaders are known to strike out in reckless desperation, if only to find a way to ease the pressure and distract; and to galvanize the dwindling band of loyalists.

This is the increasingly visible tightening vice that clamps on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. That could be ominous for little Guyana, with its alluring, irresistible oil voluptuousness. A few examples from history should enlighten.

First, the Japanese were locked out of the rich oilfields and mineral wealth of Indochina, the Dutch East Indies, and Asian holdings of the British Empire. Its oxygen and lifeblood drained. This prompted its calculating leaders with their own colonial calculations, to lash out in the reckless gamble called Pearl Harbor, from which it could not emerge whole or triumphant.

Bushido code, warrior ethos, cult of the divine emperor, all duly accounted for and highly respected, were not enough. It could be said, with the hindsight of 20/20 vision, that the holocausts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki possessed a certain inevitability about them. Closer to the 21st century, there was Richard Nixon, a man backed into many a dark corner and saddled with his own darker side, responding through his escalations and forays into Cambodia, and then the debacle that became Watergate.

Moving forward, there was Bill Clinton and his Tomahawk missiles unleashed at some supposedly menacing pharmaceutical factory in Sudan. That was highlighted as a desperate ploy to distract from his mounting domestic pressures over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. There is some consistency of leadership failure in these.

From the above random smattering of leaders and attendant circumstances, it is undeniable that serious misjudgments occur when leaders feel threatened by thickening thunderheads of dissent; or that they are losing control; or that they can turn the tide by taking the offensive.

It is but a short step for such misjudgments to deteriorate into the misleading. From a Guyanese perspective, those Norwegian ships engaged in seismic mapping, and since interrupted, were one aspect of rash, provocative misjudgments on the part of a besieged neighbouring leader, which were then further extended by misleading postures about location from that same source. Now the noose around the political jefe, Señor Maduro’s, governance existence continues to tighten inexorably.

There is this continuum of intense big power pressure that signals an unmistakable commitment by the northerners to pull out all the stops in a swarming, full court press to unnerve him first, strip him of assets second, and last, cripple and render him a sitting duck. Stronger men and wiser leaders have reacted poorly and dangerously in situations involving lesser degrees of squeezes, as history has testified. There is this ominous convergence of developments that demands vigilance on the part of Guyana, and zeal in mustering its own allies and sensible reliance on its relationships, as the unanticipated could come into play. To begin with there are those sanctions, comprehensive and maiming; it seems that they have been there forever. The savage irony is that this well-endowed country is reduced to virtual beggary, and more and more a pariah.Recently, there is this ever-growing cascade of catastrophes from one vicinity after another. In no particular order, elections results are not recognized; assumption of presidential reins is roundly denounced; the opposition leader is singled out in powerful capitals as the national chief; military officers have reportedly revolted; and the British hold tightly to significant gold deposits.

As the walls encircle, the roof is caving in at the same time, and the floor is threatening to give way. Taken together, this is more than enough to drive any leader off the deep end. That could be perilous for Guyana. As pointed out, leadership insecurities have led to the gamble of costly foreign adventures, which are designed to distract from domestic calamities. The Maduro encirclement poses problems for tiny Guyana, especially with its confirmed, but disputed oil riches.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

Jagdeo’s distorted but unchallenged narratives Dear Editor, I just finished watching a press conference held by opposition leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, one that was as mesmerizing as it was macabre. Mesmerizing in how fluidly he painted a narrative of himself as some magnanimous reformer out to transform Guyana’s political environment, as opposed to the primary architect of this present era of dysfunctional politics.

And macabre in how much of this narrative he was able to spin without contradiction in a room full of media people.

The first spin of course was his casual mention of the creation of 50,000 jobs over five years of the PPP next coming into power. This was a direct contradiction of his presidential candidate’s

assertion only days ago that there would be 50,000 jobs created in the first year, not the first term of the PPP in government.

This was followed up by a number of strange and absurdly righteous assertions by Mr. Jagdeo.

He, for example, claimed that there was a rise in racist content in the Guyana Chronicle and that that sort of thing would not happen under a PPP government.

Now, I have gone on record as criticizing the recent tone of coverage in the state paper, particularly in its reporting on politics and as a former member of the board of GNNL, I see it as a dangerous reversal of every progressive initiative put in place to improve the content of the state paper.

That said, this is

something that Mr. Jagdeo would not be unfamiliar with since it is precisely that sort of coverage that premised my original resignation from Chronicle in 2006 in the lead up to that year’s elections.

By the time 2015 came around, the Chronicle was the subject of multiple condemnations, including from the Guyana Bar Association, for its blatantly racist content on multiple occasions.

Neither Mr. Jagdeo nor Mr. Ramotar, his anointed successor, once uttered a word of condemnation and the only censure, the apparent removal of the author of one of those editorials, Parvati Persaud-Edwards, was a façade.

Mr. Jagdeo condemned the Prime Minister’s use of “four planes” to take persons

into Lethem last week, claiming that it was an abuse of state resources. It is my understanding that the occasion was the launch of the Year of Indigenous Languages, a landmark global cultural event and that those who flew in were relevant government agency staffers and indigenous language speakers from around the country.

Again, I’ve taken this administration to task on its sloth on critical cultural policy initiatives but this was a progressive move that warranted the exact sort of government support that was demonstrated. That said, this condemnation of the alleged abuse of state resources is coming from the same Bharrat Jagdeo who took the abuse of state (Continued on page 6)

Tribalism dominates the political scene DEAR EDITOR The rise in tribalism in Guyana is breaking my heart.

Racism isn’t accurate a word to denote this epidemic spreading. Both the Government and Opposition are multi-ethnic; one more than the other. Therefore, the word tribalism much more accurately denotes the circumstances I wish to speak about.A few days ago I decided to invite my entire Facebook friend’s list to like the People’s Progressive Party Civic page. I have previously invited my entire list to like the University I attended, the student government page, the department I worked for and more recently, Raiza, the psychologist’s page.

Never before have I received any sort of negative responses; if people didn’t want to like the page the simply chose not to.One of the most interesting reactions was a classmate of mine (The Bishops’ High School) screenshot the notification to like and had a full ranting session about how; “didn’t realize she was so brave to try and recruit real South Ruimveldt Thugs.” I was unaware I went to school with any thugs.I responded explaining I was only inviting people so they can have more sides to the story. It is my belief that you should look at what all political parties post as media can sometimes be biased. Information never hurts anyone. The sad part was my “friend” didn’t try to

converse but got defensive and almost hateful in his commentary.

I went on a PPP/C walkabout in Stabroek Market and while people were still tribal saying “I is APNU”, and “Only green for me” and sometimes a little more explicated than that, many were curious for information; starting the dialogue was the hardest part but once we got to talking people were willing to listen and exchange views and things became a lot more pleasant.

We as a nation regardless of our political affiliation should be open to dialogue at all levels. By refusing to start a dialogue we as a people will have a hard time moving forward. It does not speak only but also listening and understanding. We need to listen to each other and open up conversations at all levels.

How can you not be bothered by the current administration, promising the Guyanese people so many things in 2015 and never delivering on them? As a population, you should

question and listen to what the “other side” can offer.

We need to listen to each other not just flat out “cuss up” and ignore the “other side.” Find some time to listen to the other side, the information you may receive may be biased. We need to start listening and conversing, and then we can get to create a better discourse which will lead to electing administrations based on issues and policy and not the colour of their shirt.

Yours truly, Nalinie Singh

I DEMAND AN APOLOGY FROM THE GUYANA CHRONICLE DEAR EDITOR, When I received a phone call from a female Guyana Chronicle reporter, Svetlana Marshall, my defenses immediately went up. This is a newspaper that is hostile to the PPP/C and its leadership, and has repeatedly omitted to publish the many letters I have being sending to that editor.

And to further compromise their lack of credibility and objectivity, they are willing to publish slanderous statements about me, made by the likes of Rickford Burke in the Wednesday’s letter column of the government’s mouthpiece.The moment the Chronicle reporter introduced herself, I knew I had to be careful of what I say to her for I did not want to be misquoted.

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

When I was asked about the status of other PPP/C MPs, I referred her to our Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira. She told me she had tried but was unable to reach her. I then suggested that she attend the press conference being held by the Leader of the Opposition the following day, Thursday, January 17, to get the answers she’s looking for.

Editor, in this sensational piece, “Several PPP MPs have dual citizenship”, the reporter wrote, “The MP said he fully agrees with retired judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Duke Pollard,

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that the National Assembly of Members of Parliament should be cleared of all MPs with dual citizenship.

“Gill said there should be no cherry picking of the laws, and as such, MPs with dual citizenship should do the honourable thing and step down.”

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

And any reference I may have made about “doing the honourable thing” and stepping down, was totally sensationalized to give the wrong impression.

I had just brought to her attention a duplicitous remark made by the AFC Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, during an AFC press conference, in which he was asked, “What are the implications of the other MPs with dual-citizenship?”

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

I reminded her that Ministers Joseph Harmon and Carl Greenidge had both admitted to having dual-citizenship and suggested they should

do the honourable thing and step down. This is very different to what is being reported.

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

I hereby demand an apology from Guyana Chronicle, whose reporter maliciously misquoted me.

I am a proud citizen of Guyana who remigrated after spending over 23 years in the good ‘ole USA as a permanent resident. After my children’s dependency period had ended, I returned home in 2012 in hopes of making a meaningful contribution to the land of my birth.

I have never returned since and have deliberately caused my “Green Card” to expire. I am the holder of one valid passport, issued to me by the Government of Guyana. I will forever be grateful to the People’s Progressive Party for giving me the opportunity to serve my country and her people as a Member of Parliament.

My personal views on dual-citizenship are as follows: We live in a democracy (Continued on page 6)

RESPONDING TO A CRITICISM OF IRFAAN ALI’S NOMINATION DEAR MR. EDITOR, I am amazed and somewhat shocked to read Mr. Oscar Ramjeet’s comment in KN 20191-22 issue, page 6. He was harshly critical about Mr. Irfaan Ali’s candidacy and nomination for president of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

I take this opportunity to remind Mr. Oscar Ramjeet and his friends in the diaspora that Mr. Irfaan Ali did not drop from the sky; he has been actively involved in Guyana’s politics for over twenty years. Former Presidents Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo gave him high praises for the competent manner in which he managed his ministry as Minister of Government and as a member of the PPP Parliamentary Opposition since 2015.

It is a fact that Mr. Ali has delivered on the manifestos and policies of the PPP by completely transforming the housing landscape of this country and regularizing squatting areas with large housing schemes in various parts of Guyana.

Further, under his leadership Guyanese living in Guyana or abroad, irrespective of race, political persuasion or creed were the recipients of over 50,000 affordable house lots and turn-key houses so that they can have the assurance, security and comfort of their own homes with portable, purified water, asphalt roads and electricity supply.

This former, honorable minister of government has created many industrial zones so that thousands of skilled, semiskilled and ordinary workers can have employ-

ment. Moreover, this public servant has dedicated all his unwavering energy to the service of this country.

I urge Mr. Ramjeet to be reminded that Mr. Ali has gained wide support from the Central Executive of the PPP with approximately 70% of the votes cast on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

I question how this learned gentleman has the gall to say that President Jagdeo was the cause for the PPP’s loss at the 2015 polls. I need to inform you Sir, that if President Jagdeo didn’t step in and make a late intervention the PPP would have lost by a far greater majority.

Mr. Ramjeet, you must also understand that President Jagdeo is the lighting rod in the PPP, and the champion for the cause of the disenfranchised Guyanese people in the unending downward spiral spin whether you like it or not; Sir, I guarantee you he will be there for a long time to come.

I am confident that Mr. Irfaan Ali and the Central Executive Committee members of the PPP will deliver a victory for all Guyanese in the eagerly awaited upcoming general elections. Finally, I agree with Mr. Ramjeet that his favored presidential candidate Mr. Anil Nandlall is articulate and bright but the Central Executive of the PPP has spoken and all the nominees have given their support to Mr. Ali. The entire team is now united by his victory and this will be sold to the populace.

Yours sincerely, Mr. Hanna Mohamed

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Jagdeo’s distorted but unchallenged ...

From page 4 resource to a fevered and indecent pitch whether it was the massive deployment of Guysuco trucks to attend PPP political rallies, or to the fetishistic spectacle of self-worship that was his outgoing Appreciation Ceremony.

Of recent, he has continuously got away as well with his indecent pivoting away from the failures of his administration on Guysuco, including his disastrous Skeldon investment and further disastrous management thereof, and allowed to speak of the industry as if it or its very real problems did not exist prior to 2015. And then there was his laughable claim of a quiet cabal fleecing the country, something he – the patron saint of clientelism – said with a straight face and which went unchallenged by the media.All that taken into account, there are two points of pivot that I have noticed him using over the past year to discount two very important aspects of his presidency, both of which go beyond the pale of insidious spin as evidenced in the above.

The first has to do with his calling into question the list of 400 persons reportedly killed extra-judicially under his tenure, one that I believe was originally composed as simply that, a list of extra-judicial killings, but one that persons have incorrectly referred to as “400 black men”. At his press conference, Jagdeo latched on to that misnomer to call into question the validity of the entire list since, in his estimation, it contained about 70 plus East Indian names, policemen who were killed, and the victims of the Lusignan and Bartica massacres.

With this attempted intellectual sleight of hand, not only does he discount those covered in the list that don’t fall into the categories he cited, but the manner of their deaths and the deaths of some people who fall into those very same categories.

As a journalist at Chronicle, I covered the murder of George Bacchus and was one of those who interviewed a defiant but terrified Shafeek Bacchus – a short time later I would end up covering the murder of Shafeek Bacchus himself.

There is no spin to be placed on the reign of terror that occurred under Mr. Jagdeo’s regime, whether it was carried out by criminals acting on their own behalf, criminals acting

with political backing, criminals acting in collaboration with the state, or officers of the state engaged in the extra-judicial execution of citizens of Guyana who were not afforded due process.

The other indecent pivot undertaken by Mr. Jagdeo has to do with his terms of reference for engaging in a debate with public commentators like Dr. David Hinds who have perpetually taken him to task for his racially discriminatory policies as president.

Jagdeo’s frame of reference isn’t the objective measurement of Afro-Guyanese versus Indo-Guyanese advancement or placement in his practice of government, nor is it the assessment of the content of the very state media he now condemns.

This is not a framework of assessment he can argue against, as evidenced from the disclosures coming out of the libel trial he brought against Freddie Kissoon for accusing him of racist policy, as well as the very content of the state media under his tenure.

What Mr. Jagdeo wants to measure is the economic progress of Afro-Guyanese in a period when there was a general economic downturn that affected all Guyanese versus the economic progress of Afro-Guyanese in a period when economic benefits should have been accruing equally to all Guyanese but during which they were skewed as a direct result of the policies of Mr. Jagdeo.

This is the sort of pathetic sophistry that he can get away with only so far as no one challenges him on it.Less than a week after the internal election of a candidate, Irfaan Ali, who has an uphill battle to climb to not only wash off the stain of personal scandal, as well as the perception that he is not so much Jagdeo’s protégé as he is his puppet, the former president continues to act as if he is the de facto future president with a fictional persona that in no way represents or resembles his actual indecent practice of governance. If Mr. Ali wishes to avoid the descent into irrelevance that his predecessor Donald Ramotar suffered both as president and former presidential candidate, he would do well to relegate Jagdeo to a background supporting role at best.

Regards, Ruel Johnson

Friday January 25, 2019

That drug discovery in a hotel DEAR EDITOR, An old Guyanese saying goes, ‘if oil a float, water deh ah battam’ meaning a little evidence can tell the whole story.

The Auditor General’s report for fiscal year 2017 uncovered seven rooms in a local hotel packed with drugs belonging to the government.Upon investigation, no documentary trail could be uncovered to explain why government drugs were in Ocean View hotel rooms.

Surprisingly the Guyana Police force was not called in to investigate.

An excuse by an unnamed official at the Ministry of Public health “that the Ministry had sought the assistance of corporate citizens to have the items stored at the offsite locations temporarily since the construction of bonds was ongoing” was accepted and recommendations made.

Editor, the facts outlined in the AG 2017 Report are; there was no written agreement for use of rooms for storage; No rental charged for 7 hotel rooms; Plenty of air-conditioned bond space available; No inventory of drugs ‘stored’ was available for accountability; No Ministry official stationed at the hotel to control access; No delivery slips; No receipt for storage; No security for untold

millions of dollars worth of pharmaceuticals; No record of any ministry official requisitioning drugs from this ‘storage’ facility exists; No written record of any kind to track entry and exit of the ‘store’ rooms; No paper trail in a country known for paper based bureaucracy; No paper or electronic trail of emails and/or notifications to health facilities of this new ‘storage’ location.

The inescapable conclusion is that this was a large scale theft of drugs bought with taxpayers monies; that the hotel was being used as a transshipment or pickup location far from prying eyes and ears; that when discovered there was a conspiracy to cover up this theft and that cover up must have included anyone in the Ministry of Public health professing belief that there were valid reasons for the use of these rooms as ‘storage’.

To the perpetrators of this scheme to defraud the taxpayers and deprive the people of Guyana of much needed pharmaceutical supplies, I offer two more old Guyanese sayings, ‘time longer than twine’ and ‘moon ah run till day ketch am’. There will be a law enforcement investigation into this blatant scheme soon enough and justice will be served.

Respectfully Robin Singh

I DEMAND AN APOLOGY FROM THE ...

From page 5 where the Constitution is our supreme law. Guyana is but a budding developing country when compared to the industrialized nations of the world.

It is estimated that there are more Guyanese living in the diaspora than in Guyana itself. It is also an undisputed fact that Guyanese living abroad are generally more exposed, educated and experienced. As a third world country, we must find attractive ways to tap into those human resources by attracting more and more Guyanese to return home to serve. The re-migrant scheme is one such incentive

offered.

But the political maturity that Guyanese acquire living abroad cannot be ignored if Guyana is to progress. Perhaps in recognition of this, the laws governing dual-citizenship have not been strictly enforced by all administrations.

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

Once a Guyanese, always a Guyanese!

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

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

Perhaps when we finally get down to constitutional reform, we can find common ground to allow resourceful patriotic Guyanese an opportunity to serve even though they may also have a foreign passport.My concern is the duplicitous action being taken by government to brand Charrandass a traitor in pursuing charges to nullify his vote because he has dual citizenship. What Charrandass Persaud did was to alleviate the sufferings of the Guyanese people. He did not do it for Canada.

In my book Charrandass Persaud is a brave man and a patriot.

HARRY GILL

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Elections date in limbo as GECOM meeting ends abruptly A key meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) ended abruptly last evening with no consensus on a date for General and Regional Elections.It will raise questions exactly what the commissioners will tell two p a r l i a m e n t a r y plenipotentiaries - the two

Chief Whips- this afternoon about the readiness of GECOM to hold early elections.The issue of early elections came about after the December 21st no-confidence vote which was carried after government parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, said yes, toppling the one-seat majority Coalition

PPP will criminalize non-release of info in oil industry Transparency bodies and the media alike had an uphill task trying to get hold of the oil contracts signed by the APNU+AFC government, especially that which was signed with oil giant, ExxonMobil.

The government withstood months of public and political pressure before it finally made the contracts public.

It was a similar situation with the US$18M signing bonus that the government collected from ExxonMobil.

Over a year elapsed before government admitted that it collected the money.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is claiming that soon the public will not have to endure such hardships to receive information

about the oil sector. He said this at a press conference yesterday, with the hope that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will return to government.

Jagdeo told the media that a PPP government will criminalize the non-release of information in the oil sector.

Jagdeo promised that all contracts will be made available and money collected will be declared.

This sort of transparency is somewhat a different approach to what was practiced by the PPP when it was in office. Though not in the oil sector, several contracts were withheld from the public, including that for the Berbice Bridge and the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.

administration that had only been in power for just over three years.

Under the Constitution, the no-confidence vote meant that elections have to be called within 90 days unless the Government and Opposition can agree for the life of Parliament to be extended.

Persaud had left Guyana and is being investigated in a “matter of national security” and allegations of possible bribe taking.

Government has since challenged the vote in court, insisting that Persaud, who was expelled by his party, the Alliance For Change, had two passports - including one for Canada, and under the laws should not have been a parliamentarian.

The High Court is expected to rule next week on the validity of the vote.

In the meantime, the Government and the Opposition have agreed to both send the Chief Whips to GECOM to find out how ready the entity is for elections in 90 days.Yesterday, Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, was scheduled to brief the six commissioners and Chairman, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, on the situation, outlining his plan for training, need for money and resources, among other things.Speaking about the meeting shortly after 8 p.m., Commissioner Robeson Benn, one of three commissioners representing the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which is in Opposition, disclosed that there is no consensus and that his party will now have decide on the way forward.

He said that the morning session ended with some sort

of “emerging consensus” which could have seen elections being held by April 29th.

According to Benn, based on the vote, the Constitutional drop dead date to hold elections was by the latest, March 19th or 20th.

Lowenfield was advised that in terms of money for the election, they could use the funds approved by the National Assembly for houseto-house registration..

With regards to training, there were three elections, beginning 2015 using the same voters’ list.

According to Benn, it was suggested that if there were concerns of dead persons and persons who attained voting age, these could be easily fixed, including using information from the General Registrar’s Office and police stations where deaths are

PPP Commissioner Robeson Benn recorded.

“We disagreed that there was a need for a house-tohouse registration.”

According to Benn, while the meeting broke for lunch with an “emerging (Continued on page 28)

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Executed taxi driver was on police radar

- Crime Chief says cops still seeking motive As police continue to seek a motive for the execution-style killing of taxi driver Kelvin Walters, Crime Chief Lyndon Alves has disclosed that the 38-year-old victim had been on the police radar for some time.

“He has been a person of interest (regarding) his modus operandi and his associates,” the Crime Chief said, while declining to elaborate.

Alves said that while investigators are aware that Walters had given evidence

in court in the Kaieteur News grenade attack case, police were examining other possible angles.“We know that the young man had given evidence in the matter, so we are not ruling out any motive, but we are investigating with an open mind, and will see where it takes us.”

Meanwhile, injured and still under police guard are suspects Devon Williams, 32, of Albouystown, and 27-yearold Roderick Thomas, also called Saied Roger Thomas.

Thomas and Williams both have broken left legs. Investigators believe they were injured when Walters rammed his car into their motorcycle just as they shot him. One of the suspects is at the Woodlands Hospital while the other was transferred yesterday to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Police sources said ranks from the Major Crimes Unit were only allowed to speak briefly with the injured men.Walters was gunned down at around 19:30 hrs on Tuesday, while driving south along the eastern carriageway of the East Bank Demerara Public Road.

Police said that he was in the vicinity of Two Brothers Service Station when two men on a motorcycle turned in front of his vehicle.

The pillion rider then whipped out a handgun and shot Walters in his face. Although wounded, Walters struck down the suspects

Roderick Thomas, also called Saied Roger Thomas who fled the scene on foot, leaving their motorcycle and 9mm Taurus pistol, with 14 rounds, at the scene.

Walters was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“The two suspects, one of whom was already positively identified, have been arrested and are under guard at a private medical institution.

“Both suffered injuries consistent with that of a motor vehicle accident,” police said.CCTV footage showed one of the gunmen hopping

Executed: Kelvin Walters north along the East Bank Demerara Public Road.

Testifying in the October 2016 preliminary inquiry into the grenade-throwing incident outside Kaieteur News, Walters had stated that he had seen the accused, Alfie Garraway, give a live grenade to Shemar Wilson, who is still wanted for the June 4, attack.

Walters had testified that Garraway had stated that the explosive device was to be thrown at the publisher’s Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Walters had also told the

Devon Williams court that he was present at Garraway’s home at the time.

Janeil Howard, 20, of 322 Section ‘C’ Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara; Alfie Garraway, 36, of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown; and Leroy Williams, 25, of 11 D’Urban Backlands, are accused of conspiring together with other persons to cause an explosion by way of grenade, likely to endanger lives and cause damage to property.Garraway is currently out on $300,000 High Court bail. The other accused remain on remand.

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

The University of Guyana should be privatized

T

he strength of the University of Guyana has always been its students.

The students have been good, but it is the university which has failed them – rather, the governments which have historically controlled those universities.

The University of Guyana is not a case study about the dangers of politicization of academic institutions, it is an example of two different problem sets: firstly of political neglect; and secondly of the need for institutional revamping rather than the problems of reforming institutions in post-authoritarian societies.

It is not the politicization of the University of Guyana that has led to its present problems.

Rather, it is the failure of the PPP to recognize two important truisms: firstly, that certain institutions cannot, in the post-authoritarian era, be simply reformed. They have to be completely dismantled and rebuilt.

Secondly, the decline of the University of Guyana is as a result of the PNCR

strong-armed tactics and PPP neglect by allowing the University to become a den of opposition activism.

The government can put their lackeys on the Council.

They can appoint distinguished and independent administrators at the University.

They can ensure that professionals are in charge of the University.

It does not matter. Power is on the ground at the University and the PNCR has always controlled the ground at the University of Guyana.

The University of Guyana, at one time, had the most independent of all trade unions in Guyana. They were fiercely militant and they were fiercely independent. They represented both the academic and the non-academic staff.

The PNC, however, in order to break a crippling strike at the University, split that union and created a union for academics, and from that day onwards it is the PNCR that controlled the ground at the University of Guyana, because no one union can shut the University down.

Major training ongoing for police, prosecutors...

From page 3 conducted in a peer-to-peer learning environment.

During 2017, a series of sensitisation outreaches/workshops were hosted across the country in an effort to inform relevant stakeholders on the role they play in reporting any form of suspicious financial transactions by clients or business partners.Guyana has moved from being blacklisted to being in the fourth round of mutual evaluations to become compliant with the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regulations.

The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation that designs and promotes policies and standards to combat financial crime.

When the PPPC came to power in 1992 it neglected its duty to depoliticize the University of Guyana.

In fact, it seemed comfortable in allowing the University to become a major foothold of the PNC, so much so that the PNCR achieved an unprecedented stranglehold on the university.

The attitude of the PPPC to the University was almost as if they were saying that the university was not a priority and that it was okay for it to become a bastion of opposition control and support. And this is exactly what happened.

The PPP learnt the hard way that certain institutions

simply cannot be reformed, not even through neglect.

These institutions have to be dismantled and rebuilt or revamped. The PPP did not understand this, and therefore found themselves in a mess in terms of both the Guyana Police Force and the University of Guyana.

Reform is not going to come with new policies, new councils, new administration or an injection of significant resources. What is needed is a new university, one that is free of the vice of the PNCR and the PPPC. The University of Guyana should be sold and converted to a private insti-

tution. Alternatively, the university may be broken-up into a series of self-governing schools which are managed in a way to achieve full cost recovery.

This model will reduce overheads and make the respective programs easier to administer.

Right now, education at the university is being heavily subsidized by taxpayers. A free education or a subsidized education has resulted in a poor education. This means that students get a lesser quality of education than they deserve.

Taxpayers should no longer have to carry the uni-

versity.

It should be created into a commercially viable institution, free from dependence on government. It should be privatized. But which of the political parties contesting for elections will have the courage to propose this? None.

And that is why the University of Guyana is destined to continue as a third class university.

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

It is impossible for the Medvedev pendulum to swing in Guyana

I

n my column of Wednesday, July 11, 2018 with the heading, “There is no longer the Medvedev syndrome in Guyana,” I noted that there are no term limits in Russia. A president can only serve two consecutive terms and return after, a lapse. It meant that Putin had served two terms and had to wait. So Medvedev filled the gap and then Putin came back for another two successive terms 2012 to 2018, 2018 to 2024.

Unless they change the constitution, which Putin is planning to do, he has to skip 2024.

This explains the Medvedev syndrome. If Medvedev in 2008 had become his own man as president, the United Russia Party would not have nominated him in 2012, but Putin instead.

Putin would have won and would have been angry with Medvedev, no doubt harshly victimizing him.

We don’t have that formula in Guyana. There is a permanent ban on a presidential candidate who served two consecutive terms as head of state. I quote from that July 11, 2018 column; “There is no longer the Medvedev syndrome in Guyana. Here is why.

Suppose the PPP wins the presidency in 2020, what fear does the president of the country have of his party leader; in this case Jagdeo?

The president is a very powerful figure under the constitution.

Every president from Burnham onwards has used the power of his office to reshape his/her political party.”

Suppose Irfaan Ali wins the presidency. He does not have to face Jagdeo returning as president. In the context of Guyanese politics, which differs deeply from many other former British territories, the presidency is not subordinate to the party. Desmond Hoyte created history in the Caricom family when he singlehandedly used the presidency to effect a complete overhaul of the PNC’s leadership.

When Hoyte came to power, he set about removing Burnham’s edifice in the PNC. He dismantled it, not by using party power but state power.

The nature of the economy allowed him to do that. With one sweep of the broom, Hoyte removed the entrenched PNC leaders under Burnham. Hoyte as PNC leader was instrumental in ex-

pelling one of the constituents of the trio that nurtured the PNC as a party and the PNC as a government Hamilton Green.

When Roger Luncheon was testifying in Jagdeo’s libel suit against me, he said the first time he knew about Bharrat Jagdeo was after 1993.

Yet 10 years after, Jagdeo was in complete control of the PPP. How he did it?

He used state power to patronage those in the PPP that were weak financially. He used state power to do what Hoyte did – put the leader’s beneficiaries in the vital organs of the party.

The label of “Jagdeo puppet” that has surfaced worldwide is not fair to Irfaan. If he becomes president, he can only be a puppet of Jagdeo due to deep and essential, self-destructive flaws in his character and personality. In terms of the use of power, he can become his own man and Jagdeo cannot do anything to undermine him.

Jagdeo as leader of the PPP has control of the party and its organs - women arm, youth arm, Rice Producers’ Association, GAWU etc. But state power can confront Jagdeo on that. All Irfaan has to do is study the machina-

tions, conspiracies and stratagems of Hoyte and Jagdeo in reshaping the ruling party. There is nothing unique about what Jagdeo and Hoyte did. This is where the economy comes in.

Throughout the history of the PPP and PNC, its leaders, except for a few lawyers who were in private practice, were not wealthy people, and were not even financially sound in the middle class way of life.

Jagan from 1957 to 1964, and again from 1992 to his death, elevated his party people in state jobs. Just one example should suffice; Youth arm leader, Rohan Singh, without

any security background whatsoever, became head of presidential security after 1992.

Jagdeo packed the PPP’s central committee with his own people whom he patronized with high salary jobs in the state.

Just two examples in this regard; Jennifer Westford was made a Minister and Kwame Mc Coy was presidential press liaison. What barrier stands in the way of Irfaan as president from copying Jagdeo and Hoyte?

Guyana is a poor country with party mandarins - with the exception of The United

Frederick Kissoon Force in the sixties and the AFC - being persons of weak financial status. Presidents have continued to use state power to control their parties.

What can Jagdeo do if Irfaan breaks away from him? Not a damn thing!

DEM BOYS SEH

Jagdeo practicing to boss Irfaan De way things going nobody can’t doubt that whoever de PPP put as president it gun be Jagdeo running de country.

De man stand up de odda day and seh that he party gun open back three sugar factories. He is not de president; de president ain’t even plan a work programme but Jagdeo done know wha gun happen.

He practicing to boss Irfaan.

De man seh that even if de coalition privatise dem sugar estate, he, Jagdeo, would not recognize de privatization. Dem boys remember Cheddi did seh de same thing and when he get in he had to accept Barama, Omai and GTT. When dem boys ask him why he change he mind, he stammer and ig-

nore de question. Jagdeo gun lie he way through. He might even deny he seh suh.

But de biggest thing is how de man telling dem public servants not to do any wuk. Dem boys want to know if a government gun pay people to do wuk and still keep dem when dem listen to Jagdeo and do no wuk.

He is not de only one who mekking promises.

Of course people know how he is a promising fellow. He did promise to fix Skeldon. He trying to be like Burnham.

Burnham did promise to dig de MMA canal wid he fingernails.

And while he talking fat Venezuela got a problem that gun involve Guyana. It now got two presidents, one of

dem is de opposition leader.

Jagdeo already planning to mek de same declaration in Guyana. He really want to be president again. In fact, he believe he is de president. De oil money got him stupid.

Dem boys know this is a man who use to keep everything secret.

All of a sudden he talking but dealing wid people who keep anything about oil secret. He want to know if any money pay to de coalition.

Dem boys seh it ain’t got a night that he can sleep in peace.

De man don’t go to Freedom House because he see that as being lower than he position as Opposition Leader. Dem boys seh before long he gun run mad.

Talk half and wait fuh more promises.

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

M&CC announces citywide clean-up and fumigation …to pre-empt dengue outbreak

Suzette Reynolds, Medical Officer of M&CC Acting on information received from the Caribbean Public Health Agency, of a dengue outbreak in Jamaica, City Hall’s Medical Officer, Suzette Reynolds, announced plans to conduct a citywide clean-up and fumigation on Sunday.

Reynolds noted that the City has collaborated with the Ministry of Public Health, where information is shared in schools to help combat the spread of dengue fever.

Acting Town Clerk Sharon Harry-Munroe said that the clean-up and fumigation efforts will begin in the central business district of Georgetown.

Harry-Munroe told members of the media that the clean-up will start at Stabroek, cleaning along Water and Regent Streets, onto Alexander Street.

Harry-Munroe said that the preventative measures are likely to take two months for completion. She said that the city does not currently have much in the line of resources and funding.

The city is, due to the shortage of resources, accepting help from volunteers for both the clean-up and fumigation efforts. In this regard, vendors, volunteer contractors and other well-meaning citizens of Georgetown will be involved in the clean-up efforts.

“We’ll be spraying areas

where mosquitoes are likely to breed, and that will be done through our vector control section of the municipality,” Reynolds related.

She said that there is routine work done by the vector control department, which involves spraying and fumigation of the communities, as well as other mechanisms to mitigate mosquito habitation.

Hence, the work is not unfamiliar to City Hall, but it is on a larger scale. As, there is a special focus now on eliminating the dengue virus within the municipality, efforts will incorporate the work of other departments such as the solid waste department.

“Dengue is a viral infection caused by mosquito of the subtype Aedes Egypti or Aedes Albopictus.”

Reynolds said that “There are certain groups within our communities that are more at risk than others. These groups are persons with chronic diseases like diabetes, renal problems, asthma, liver diseases, etc. Pregnant women, post natal women, infants (0-12 months), and adults over 60 years [are also particularly vulnerable].

Persons who have had dengue before may not contract it again. However, there are four types of dengue (I, II, III, IV). A person may contract one type of dengue even if they’ve been infected by another before. In such cases, a person would suffer a worse manifestation of the illness, Reynolds noted.

She advised the use of mosquito netting as a preventative measure for persons who are infected and those who are not.

This is because a healthy mosquito, bearing no signs of disease, could collect the virus from an infected person and transmit it to another. This could allow an entire family or community to become infected.

She also advised sealing of houses, including meshed screens on windows. She said the practice allowing children to wear long sleeved shirts, long

pants, and socks when leaving the house, especially during the evening, would be preferred.

Also favourable is the use of insect repellents which contain the active compound DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide). She said that it is safe to use on children. In the absence of such a product, Reynolds said that the essential oil lemon eucalyptus could serve as a substitute, when applied every two hours to the skin.

Limited exposure to areas in communities such as trenches is advised, at dusk and dawn, when the mosquitoes are more active.

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Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

New Voters…

Registration, claims and objections could be done in two weeks – Jagdeo

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, says that claims and objections to clear up current issues being raised by the government about the voters’ list could be undertaken two weeks.

At his weekly press conference yesterday, Jagdeo sought to rubbish contentions by the government that House-to-House registration must be carried out before general elections are held.

Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, at an AFC press conference on January 16 had objected to early elections, and said that this is because there needs to be house-tohouse registration.

Jagdeo said that the government is attempting to frustrate the Constitutional deadline of March 19, which kicked in when the no-Confidence Motion was carried on December 21, 2018. Ramjattan had said “AFC doesn’t see polls in 90 days. Both parties agreed to spend approximately $3B on a House-toHouse registration process in 2019.” Ramjattan had supported his advocacy for House-to House registration by saying that there are many persons who are dead, and should be removed from the list. Jagdeo, in his press conference last week, said that this issue could be cleared up “simply by getting the record from General Registrar’s Office sharing these records with the two political parties, publishing their names in the newspapers. Then after two weeks, you remove the names from the list, and you clear out all the dead people.”

However, Ramjattan had also raised the contention that persons aged 15-17 at the time of the last election would now be eligible to vote, and that they should be added to the

list. Jagdeo had not made mention of that issue.

Asked yesterday whether he could provide a way to have new voters registered, which would accommodate the March 19 deadline, Jagdeo suggested a oneweek registration process, followed by a second week for claims and objections.

“If the desire is there, they can easily do a one-week continuous registration and urge everybody to come, starting that next week, because they have these offices already; that’s where the people go.

Then, [put aside] one week more for claims and objections. “Within two weeks, it could be fixed – an accelerated timeline. Then all those young people can have an opportunity. [They would] not necessarily go, because people have had the opportunity and they said ‘I’m not going to get registered because I’m not satisfied with this government.’”

Jagdeo said that all the solutions he has suggested “can be consistent with” the March 19 deadline.

“So, it could be fixed easily if they wanted.”

At his previous conference, the Leader of the Opposition had been asked about the nature of the circumstances under which the PPP/C would allow an extension past the Constitutional deadline, for the holding of General Elections, and he had declined to answer.

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

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

Friday January 25, 2019

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Kaieteur News

EPA inspects DDL’s environmental compliance Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, yesterday toured the operations of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) at Diamond, during which he was afforded an on-the spot look at the company’s compliance with environmental regulations.

He was also able to discuss with DDL’s management environmental issues associated with its future expansion and diversification programs as well as government’s plans for roads and other infrastructure developments in the Diamond community.

Also participating in the tour and working lunch was a team from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) comprising Development Facilitation Officers,

Orsen Simon, and Reshma Persaud. In his discussions with the DDL team, headed by Executive Chairman, Komal Samaroo, Dr. Adams said his agency is committed to collaboration with the private sector, but that it should expect no special favours and business entities must comply with the regulations. He advised that companies should apply for the renewal of permits ahead of the expiry dates of those permits so as to avoid being non-compliant.

He said the EPA is prepared to address renewal applications for permits three months prior to their expiry.

According to DDL, Samaroo informed the EPA Director that his company is committed to full compliance of environmental regulations.

Farmer arrested after found tending 11 acres of ganja cultivation The approximately 11 acres of cultivation had an estimated 18,100 plants

Police on Wednesday during an intelligence-led operation found and destroyed six cannabis cultivation at Seven Miles, Millie’s Hideout, Linden.

The approximately 11 acres of cultivation had an estimated 18,100 plants measuring from a foot to eight feet in height and with an average weight of 3,690 kilograms.

Several nurseries with about 3,000 seedlings, five makeshift camps, hammocks, groceries, kitchen utensils

and about 900 kilograms of dried cannabis were also found and destroyed.

Additionally, the ranks found in one of the camps, five live cartridges, three empty 12 gauge casings and a .45 spent shell.

A twenty-two year-old farmer of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, who was found attending to the prohibited plants on one of the fields, was arrested and is expected to be charged for court tomorrow.

He pointed to a number of initiatives the company has taken over the years to ensure protection and preservation of the environment.

Samaroo also explained that as a company with a leading brand on the international market there was no alternative to ensuring that DDL’s operations remain environmentally friendly.

However, there are some issues in the Diamond community which need to be resolved, with which the CH&PA team engaged the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) following its visit to DDL operations, it was explained.

EPA’s director, Dr. Vincent Adams (centre) with DDL’s chairman, Komal (right) and other officials yesterday.

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Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

Let National Assembly determine fiscal terms for oil contracts - Dr. Jan Mangal Former PetroleumAdvisor to the Government, Dr. Jan Mangal is of the firm view that the National Assembly should be the body determining the fiscal terms to be used in oil contracts. He insists that it should not be left to be negotiated on a one-onone basis by a Minister.

Dr. Mangal said that there is much evidence which supports this. The Oil and Gas Consultant said, “Let the NationalAssembly fix them or at least fix narrow ranges, because in places like Guyana which have a history of corruption, the more discretionary decision-making left to officials, the higher the risk of corruption. So if a Minister can do a deal that allows for the transfer of billions from the country to the oil company then

there is a huge incentive for bribery.”

The former Government advisor said that this incentive needs to be removed, and the way to do it is by fixing these fiscal terms in the National Assembly.

Transparency bodies such as the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) have also recommended that the nation’s Members of Parliament be in charge of setting fiscal instruments for oil contracts.

They even went a bit further and said that these fiscal elements, when decided on, should be become part of the overarching law for the sector.

NRGI said that setting fiscal regimes through law increases transparency and accountability,

because contracts are more likely to be kept secret. Also, the Institute said that negotiations bring additional opportunities for corruption or manipulation.

Additionally, if the applicable fiscal regime varies from contract to contract, NRGI said it can make monitoring onerous and frustrate the efforts of policymakers to carry out policy reforms.

The international group stated, too, that fiscal regimes should divide risk appropriately between the investor and the state.

Uncertainty, it articulated, is inherent in the extractive sector. It said that oil, gas and mineral projects may encounter technical challenges or be affected by unexpected price increases or

contractions. As such, the Institute stressed that the fiscal regime should ensure that the State does not end up bearing a share of risk disproportionate to its expected return.

It said, too, that the state should be compensated for the loss of resources, regardless of the profitability of a given operation. NRGI said that this is because oil, gas and mineral resources are finite. It stressed that fiscal instruments such as baseline royalties provide a guaranteed return for the state, even if a project runs at losses. The Institute also noted that transparency and consistency can help strengthen the state’s

Former Petroleum Advisor to Govt., Dr. Jan Mangal position. In this regard, the body noted, “The extractive industries are characterized by significant asymmetries between states and private actors. States own the resources and thus have real bargaining power. However, companies often have more information about the specific parameters of extractive projects and are more sophisticated in tax planning, which can give them the upper hand in negotiations.”

Furthermore, NRGI stressed that fiscal regimes should be

progressive. In this regard, it noted that extractive projects can generate substantial rents. It pointed out that rents (sometimes called “windfall tax”) are the financial returns above those a company requires to make the investment profitable.

NRGI stressed that mechanisms to measure and tax a share of windfalls can enhance state returns in times of high profits and adjust to allow for adequate company returns during times of low profits.

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

No automatic repossession of hire purchase items - redraft Bill proposes

Director of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission, Dawn Cush

D

irector of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), Dawn Cush, on Tuesday said the time has come for the Hire Purchase Bill to be redrafted to offer more protection to consumers.

Cush was at the time responding to questions after a presentation on Competition and Fair Trade and Consumer Affairs Acts at Moray House.

Cush highlighted that “the biggest issue with the current Hire Purcha se Bill is that a consumer could take out something from any of the outlets that do hire purchase and, say, f or example, the person has 24 months to pay and they pay for 23 months and in the last month failed to pay, they [outlet] can come and seize that item from you because the item belongs to them until you are fully paid off.”

However, she said the redrafted Bill will seek to ensure that reposse ssion of items goes through the court once that consumer has paid a certain percentage of the hire purchase amount.

“One of the things with the Hire Purchase Bill is that if you have pa id more than a certain percentage, the company would have to sue you for the remainder of the money that is owed, but they cannot repossess it,” Cush said.

She noted that the Bill has been lodged at the Office of the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General well before she became Director, and before Minister Basil Williams was appointed to the post.

“What happens is there are so many ministries

competing to have their legislation be pushed through, in terms of things like Anti-Money Laundering and so on, they always get the priority,” the director explained.

According to Cush, the current Bill might have to be redrafted to be relevant.

“The wait might not have been so bad, because if we had an old Act, then the old Act like so many old Acts in Guyana, after a while they are no longer relevant” she stated.

According to the Act, if or whenever a consumer is dissatisfied with the performance or appearance of a purchase, be it food, electronic appliances, furnishing, tools, construction materials , interior or exterior décor, clothing or any sundry item such as umbrellas, cookware or jewellery, he or she has the right to return it to the place of purchase and seek redress.

Further, the Act states that before payment is accepted from a purchaser, the supplier has the responsibility to provide to consumers, in English, all information pertaining to the product, e.g. place (s) of manufacture and assembly, brand, guidelines for installation and hazards.

The rights of consumers are detailed in the Consumer Affairs Act 2011, which outlines in simple terms, the responsibilities of both the supplier and the buyer of any goods or services.

It was also recognised that there is a need for hire purchase consumers to be protected from businesses and the current laws governing Hire Purchase do not guarantee much of that protection.

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 25, 2019

MOU signed to address land titling for Indigenous peoples

T

he Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs and Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), yesterday morning, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the proposed International land and forest tenure facility.

This project proposal seeks to provide new and innovative ways to address land titling, among other areas of concern, to the Indigenous Peoples. It also represents an open and collaborative approach between the Ministry, NGOs representing Indigenous citizens and the APA, to address these issues in a timely manner.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, held at the ministry's boardroom, Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs Sydney Allicock said the partnership will address the challenges, especially in the area of land, economic development and capacity building, and improve the lives of the Indigenous communities.

“This project proposal is one that will allow us to move in the direction of a good life through a green state. Over the years, we have been building capacity in the communities…we recognise the value in the experience of such organisations, and the APA is a group that has a lot of history and has done a lot of work and capacity building,” the Minister explained.

(From left)- Specialist Assistant David James, Specialist Martin Cheong, Minister within Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs Sydney Allicock, Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) President, Mario Hastings and Project Coordinator Paul Atkinson He stressed the importance of partnership, as it will help to continue the growth of communities, ministries and more so the unification of Guyana.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, echoing the minister's sentiments, said this initiative is one the government is proud of, as it seeks to not only address concerns highlighted by various Indigenous communities but also prospects for development.

APA President, Mario Hastings thanked the Indigenous Affairs Ministry for their support and noted that this step is greatly appreciated, as it provides for the inclusion of Indigenous People.

“It is important that we work together and this project, when approved, will benefit our Indigenous people under the three main components of the project which are land titling for ten communities, revision of the Amerindian Act and support for the

South Rupununi District Council (SRC), more importantly community-based conservation,” Hastings added.

Hastings said the APA will respect the commitments agreed to under the MOU and stands ready to resolve outstanding issues.

Responding to questions from the media on the relevancy of this document, Minister Allicock said, “we have work to do, we have our people who have to live, not because the opposition said that

they would not recognise any agreement means our work must stop.

The Indigenous people have a right; this is a right to be able to have work continued. We have not stopped working, this is continuous; we spoke about this last year, and even before 21st of December.”

Both ministers noted that they will continue to operate to help improve the lives of the Indigenous Peoples.

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Registration for Pulse Ent.'s Guyana Carnival now open for Orinduik Section registration now open “Liza, The Queen" Costume

I

t's definitely that time of the year again, the wait is over!

Guyana Carnival is now open for registration with just a deposit of $150 USD. According to organizers, Hits and Jams, online enrolling as well as in house registration will be available. To register online visit www.guyanacarnival592.com where you select the “Bands” option to view all costumes and select your choice.

This automatically leads to the creation of your own account. You can also visit their office located at 206 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown where you can have a glimpse of the costumes offered, then make your deposit. The deadline for registration ends on March 15, 2019.

Revellers will enjoy the benefits of an all inclusive, international standard road experience.

Registered patrons will receive a costume, goodie bag, lunch, free premium drinks and security all day while

R

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

To see the array of costumes for the various sections, be sure to head down to their showroom at Fashion Line Boutique on South Road.

Pulse notes that there are affordable packages for everyone! You can also visit their website at: https://www.guyanacarni val592.com/pulse/ for more information or call them on 227-0554.

US$520 Costume: ORINDUIK Section: FRONTLINE BODY ONLY >CROWN >COLLAR >HAND PIECES

>LEG PIECES Designed by: Richard & Anthony Marketed by:Pulse Entertainment Contact: pulsecarnivalband@gmail.com

masquerading through the streets to some of the most versatile and renowned Deejays.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Friday January 25, 2019

Meet the magnificent performers vying for the

a c o S b i CarMonarch E

NEXT month

1. ERNESTA 'NESTA' NELSON BEATING PALM (ON SHE BAM BAM) 2. EUCLID SAMUELS ARROWHEAD STAND TALL

3. JUMO 'RUBBER WAIST' PRIMO – TRIBUTE 4. KEMPTON 'MAGA DAN' RICHARDS & KENTON 'KR' RICHARDS – JAM 5. MELISSA 'MS FINESSE' PESTANO I DON'T WATCH FACE

ighteen talented Guyanese artistes are slated to vie for the coveted Carib Soca Monarch crown next month. According to organizers, the semifinal is set for February 9 in Linden with the finals to be held at the National Park on February 16. In the meantime, get familiar with the faces of the fabulous 18 set to compete and stay tuned for more updates next week.

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3 2 4

6. MELISSA 'VANILLA ROBERTS - ONE VOICE 7. ALISHA 'SASHA MELODY' HAMID – JAMMIN

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8. BRANDON HARDING – ALONE 9. CLIFTON 'PASSION' ADOLPHUS MISS JOUVERT 10. COLLIS 'REAL PROOF' MC DONALD - PUSH BACK 11. COLWIN 'LIL COLWIN' BLAIR FULL ACCESS

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12. DIANA CHAPMAN – BLESSED 13. ONASSIS 'RYAN T' CROCKER WAAN FEEL THE VIBES 14. OSBERT 'VINTAGE' CAIN - SOCA KING

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15. QUINCY BOYCE - COME TO BADDA BUMPA 16. RODERICK 'STATIC' ALLICOCK ALL OUT 17. SHAIMA 'SEXY BERRY' MUNA - NA TIRED YET 18. SHERWIN 'NATURAL ONE' ROSE - CAT & DOG 19. STEPHEN RAMPHAL - THE VIBE

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

Entertainment POLICE

Vanilla's

THE

E P Barbados' Sweet Soca Monarch Lil Rick to headline Stag Stage 7

One Voice takes social media by storm

- The Ultimate J'ouvert Experience

V

WHATZ

anilla as she is popularly referred to is creating a storm on the Face book platform with her music video One Voice, which has received over 25,000 views in less than 48hours of its online release.

One voice written

by Burchmore Simon, speaks of Guyanese working together to truly achieve the goal: One People, One Nation and One Destiny.

Melissa Roberts, the name given to Vanilla by her parents, is an individual of drive.

She never gives up and is heading into the Carib Soca Monarch competition with her eyes set on the crown after placing second three times in the competition. She encourages her fans to support the competition.

For the Mashramani season, you can find her getting citizens from Monday to Friday at the Digicel's Mash Fit workout session at GCC Ground Bourda. You can also find her on Fridays at Banks on the Avenue for a

PAGE 25

special Mash Party Fitness Session.

When asked where she gets the energy, Vanilla smiles and simply says, “It comes naturally and I'm generally a happy person.”

Vanilla also stated that success is not an easy road and gives credit to her label Kross Kolor Records, Banks DIH, Eco Atlantic Investments International, Digicel, Ministry of Public Telecommunication, Cerulean Group Inc., radio stations and DJ's, old and new fans, family and friends especially Phillycia Burke. She encourages everyone to support Mashramani always.

HOTTT this weekend!!!

Aura Bar and Lounge at Pegasus Hotel pres. club night Saturdays

Escape the after work traffic today at Palm Court

Every Saturday, the Management at Aura will be providing an ambiance filled with quality service, delicious food and great music. Every Saturday should be a party to remember and the Aura is determined to give you that experience.

The Lounge will be open from 8pm.

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

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

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

S

tag Stage 7 is going to be nothing short of an extraordinary J'ouvert experience, as organizers of the event, Ansa McAL, have billed Barbados' Sweet Soca Monarch, Lil Rick. This exhilarating performer will be accompanied by some of our most talented local performers. They include: Brandon Harding, Kwasi Ace, and Big Red backed by the Heat Wave Band, among others.

Last year, the experience was invigorating, electrifying, and simply amazing. This year, you can expect to be taken to new heights.

The event is one which promises to bring more water, more colourful powder, more

paint, more smashing hits for the beloved waistline pelters and of course, and stag beer all night long come February 22. It is going to be a wicked, wet and wild link up at the National Park Tarmac, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Tickets are only available through promotions at various bars and supermarkets around the country. Continue to check the Face book page: Stag beer Guyana for more details. You can also visit different bars around the city, drink a stag and if you're lucky, someone just might appear before you with a ticket to attend the event.

National Drama Company to host Musings of a Poet next month

T

he National Drama Company (NDC) will on Saturday February 2, host its' first event for 2019 at the National Cultural Centre.

The show which is themed "Musings of a Poet" is set to showcase poetry pieces by members of the National Drama Company through dance, music and drama.

Theatre enthusiasts are encouraged to come out and expect a poetry show with a difference in its performance style.

Though the event is more of a wine and cheese type of event, the company's Public Relation Officer, Nirmala Narine, said that "the company plans to blend old and new theatre and performance styles such as theatre in the round mixed with the stylings of Caribbean performance which is interactive and allows the audience to experience the piece as though they were a part of the performance". She noted that this is just the beginning of a number of activities coming out of the company for 2019.

“Persons should always expect quality performances from the NDC, we are

coming and we are coming full steam ahead showing our versatility as not just performers but all-rounders in everything theatrical. We are extremely happy to be back on stage this early in 2019, doing what we all love to do so passionately,” Ms. Narine said.

Many of the pieces in the show would have been developed in a creative writing class which was done through the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (NSTAD). Members of the company continue to actively perform throughout Guyana in their individual capacities as artists.

Tickets for the show can be bought from any member of the NDC or you can contact Tashandra Inniss on 609-5600 and Nirmala Narine on 626-2746 to purchase your tickets. Members of the company continue to actively perform throughout Guyana in their individual capacities as artists; persons can expect to see another big production coming out of the group in March as they also prepare for the staging of the annual school's matinee show.

PAGE 26

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

Director of Juvenile Justice appointed Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has appointed a Director of Juvenile Justice, William Orrin Boston.

Boston will head up the Juvenile Justice Department at the Ministry.

The appointment was made on January 02, 2019 in accordance with provisions made under Section 76 (1) of the Juvenile Justice Act 2018.

The commencement order bringing the act into operation was gazetted on October 10, 2018.

The Act confers on the Director among other things, the responsibility of organizing and supervising custody, education and rehabilitation of juveniles.

The Director is also expected to advise the minister on policies and procedures related to the operation of the

AndrĂŠ Massiah-Gonsalves Juvenile Justice System.

The Juvenile Justice Act 2018 spells out new rights and protections for juvenile offenders. This new Act has now decriminalized truancy, vagrancy and wandering offences.

The newly appointed director is assisted by two Deputy Directors, both of whom will help in fulfilling the mandate outlined in the Juvenile Justice Act 2018.

These Deputies are attorney-at-law Joan Ann EdghillStuart and Child Activist, AndrĂŠ Massiah-Gonsalves.

The Juvenile Justice Department, according to the Ministry of Public Security, will be fostering skills development, rehabilitation, addressing treatment needs, and the successful reintegra-

40

William Boston

Joan Ann Edghill-Stuart tion of juveniles into the community. These are all critical elements for the maintenance of public safety in society.

Friday January 25, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

UN executions expert to visit Turkey to lead Khashoggi inquiry

Slain Journalist, Jamal Khashoggi A UN expert on executions is to travel to Turkey next week to lead an “independent international inquiry” into the death of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi Arabian journalist killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.

Agnes Callamard, the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said she would evaluate the circumstances of the crime and “the nature and the extent of states’ and individuals’ responsibilities for the killing”. She will report on the findings from her five-day visit to the UN human rights council in June.

In an email to Reuters, Callamard said the inquiry was being conducted at her request and that she would be accompanied by three experts, who have forensic expertise among other skills.

She declined to name the experts for now.

Earlier yesterday, the Turkish foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuþoðlu, said it was time for an international investigation and that the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoðan, had ordered preparations to be made.

The development came as western businesses moved towards normalising relations with Saudi Arabia at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Riyadh has sent a large-scale ministerial delegation, which has expressed sorrow at Khashoggi’s death while at the Swiss resort.

Patrick Pouyanne, the chief executive of the French oil company Total, and James Gorman, the chief executive of the US investment bank Morgan Stanley, spoke alongside the Saudi finance and economy ministers at a panel at the Swiss ski resort.

Gorman said the murder of Khashoggi was unacceptable but added: “What is the alternative for a company like Total? To boycott Saudi Arabia? We are always against sanctions and boycotts. Who suffers from boycott and sanctions? It’s the

normal people, the people on the street.”

Ueli Maurer, the president of Switzerland, said his country had moved on and wanted to build strong relations with Saudi Arabia, a rich, oil-producing kingdom, and major global investor. “We have long since dealt with the Khashoggi case… We have agreed to continue the financial dialogue and normalise relations again,” Maurer said.

Saudi ministers expressed pleasure at the return of business interest in the kingdom.

Its finance minister, Mohammed al-Jadaan, said it was “absolutely sad, what happened to Jamal Khashoggi”, but added the fact that a $7.5bn (£3.4bn) Saudi bond was heavily oversubscribed earlier this month showed investors were regaining confidence.

The CIA has concluded that Khashoggi’s murder was probably ordered by the powerful Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and his death has left the US scrambling to provide cover for the kingdom, relations with which have been a bedrock of American foreign policy under Donald Trump.

The Saudi effort to normalise relations with the west is facing pushback in Turkey, the UN and in British political circles. Çavuþoðlu claimed on Monday that some western countries were trying to cover up the Khashoggi murder, and said the route to justice may lie through a UN-led international investigation.

Saudi Arabia has refused to cooperate with Turkey, and is conducting its own judicial proceedings against 12 suspects. The case is not held in public so the evidence and defence being mounted is not known.

In the UK, one of Saudi regime’s strongest sympathisers in parliament urged the Riyadh to signal its commitment to reform by allowing a British panel of MPs to visit Saudi Arabia to inves-

tigate allegations that women’s rights activists were being tortured and sexually harassed in detention.

Crispin Blunt – who lost the chairmanship of the Commons foreign affairs select committee partly because of his support for UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia – has so far been stonewalled by Riyadh in his efforts to access the eight detained activists. The women were arrested between May and July and then branded traitors in the Saudi press. Blunt, a Conservative MP, has written both to the Saudi ambassador in London and to the new foreign minister, Ibrahim al-Assaf, for permission to travel to Saudi Arabia, but has not yet been given any reply.

Speaking at a briefing in London, Blunt said the panel would publish its own findings on the allegations of tor-

ture if the Saudis did not cooperate by the end of the month.

Human Rights Watch claims there have been credible reports from members of the women’s family that they

have also been denied medical access, as well as being maltreated.

Blunt said: “These women are celebrities of the international women’s movement so there is an enormous global

focus on what is happening to them. There is a clear opportunity for Saudi Arabia to send a signal that things have changed and they could amplify that by engaging with our panel.”

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

Granger: Reserve troops to be $550M Cocaine in lumber…

50 percent of Army strength Stephen Vieira, Nazim Gafoor freed, The country’s reserve force will be built up to eventually account for 50 percent of the army’s force.

So said President David Granger yesterday as he addressed government officials and senior Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers at the Annual Officers’ Conference held at State House.

According to the President, it will be recalled that he had issued a directive for personnel to be brought up to authorised establishment levels, for operational readiness and infrastructure to be improved, and for the technical corps to be upgraded and for equipment to be recapitalised.

He pointed to the Reserve Force - the Guyana People’s Militia – which has been reformed. “Recruitment has resumed countrywide. Personnel strength has increased from fewer than 125 members in January 2015 to nearly 1,500 in January 2019. Recruitment must continue until it is 50 per cent of the strength of the regular force.”

He said that reservists, therefore, will constitute at least 50 per cent of the strength of regular force and will be deployed to enable them to respond readily to threats and emergencies c o u n t r y w i d e . ”The force is set to improve its physical infrastructure, to acquire drones for border surveillance, inshore patrol vessels and engineering and transport equipment through budgetary allocations in FY2019.”

The conference was held under the theme “Effective Transformation for Total and

-No place for soldiers who cannot be deployed for long periods National Defence”, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West were also in attendance.

The president noted that frontier villages - those which lie along the borders – are vulnerable to illegal incursions into the territory.

“Residents of these villages must be protected from these threats. Officers, the domination of our national territory cannot be taken for granted. Ground forces will continue to conduct longrange jungle patrols to the farthest corners and frontiers of our territory,” the president urged.

It was stressed that the army was never intended to be a ‘coastal’ force; it is, and will remain, a comprehensive national force.

“It must reach every corner of the country and must be competent in conducting long-range patrols, in any weather or terrain, by day and night and for long periods.”

Granger warned that officers and soldiers who cannot go on long-range patrols, in any weather or terrain by day or by night, for long periods have no place in the defence force.

Incursions have occurred not only in the maritime space, but also on land.

“Illegal mining, illegal log-

ging, illegal arms-, narcotics-, people- and wildlife-trafficking and the smuggling of precious minerals have continued. They have to stop. Citizens have been killed. Communities, particularly those living in our frontier villages, must be made safe from transnational crime.”

It was highlighted by the President that both neighbouring countries, Venezuela and Suriname, continue to lay claim to parts of Guyana, despite Guyana’s position being backed by the international community.

Guyana, he said, remains committed to letting the Caribbean and the continent of South America remain a zone of peace, subscribes to the peaceful settlement of disputes and will not compromise international peace.

He further called on the GDF Officers to always be in a state of readiness to ensure that Guyana is secured.

“The Defence Force, therefore, must maintain itself in a state of readiness to secure our entire country and protect it from present and future dangers. The Defence Act charges the Defence Force with the defence of Guyana. The force, therefore, is obligated to secure the state and safeguard the entire country from invasion, incursion and insurrection.

Incursions must be deterred, insurrections must be suppressed and the state must remain secure,” the Head of State emphasized.

Elections date in limbo as GECOM ...

From page 7 consensus”, this all changed after the meeting resumed at 16:30hrs.

“They (Government commissioners) insisted that there is need for the list of voters to be sanitized. That many persons would be disenfranchised. The point is GECOM has now added a life outside that 90-days period.”

According to Benn, the Government side also argued that it will take time to order supplies and other items for the election, using the established tendering

process.

“We told them that they can use an expedited process of procurement of supplies; that they had supplies too from the recent elections, but it seems there were other intentions.”

According to Benn, based on the Constitution and the little that was garnered from the briefing of Lowenfield, the PPP as the Opposition strongly believe that elections can be held in as little as 50 days.

The commissioner also disclosed that a meeting will

be held with the two Chief Whips, Amna Ally and Gail Teixeira of the Government and Opposition sides, respectively, at 1pm today.

For now, there is no date for what would be one of the most crucial elections in Guyana’s history. In a year, the country will be pumping its first oil.

PPP lost in 2015 because of early elections due to the proroguing of Parliament.

It would have been the first time in 23 years that the PPP had lost control of Government.

two others jailed for five years

Two of the four men who were charged after the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) discovered $550M worth of cocaine hidden in dressed lumber, have been convicted of the crime.

In her ruling yesterday, presiding Magistrate of the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, Rochelle Liverpool, told the Court that the main witness in the trial had presented credible evidence against Tazim Gafoor and former customs officer Sherwayne De Abreu for the offence.

She noted that the State could not provide evidence beyond reasonable doubt for the other two defendants, Nazim Gafoor and Stephen Vieira. In relation to Tazim Gafoor and De Abreu, she pointed to the evidence which placed them at the scene of the crime.

The two were therefore sentenced to 5 years in prison and fined approximately $178M each by the Court.

Their lawyers Glen Hanoman and Nigel Hughes served notice that they will be appealing the decision.

According to the particulars of the case presented by CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford, the four men aided one Hakim Mohamed to traffic 84.986 kilograms of cocaine. The drug was estimated to have a street value of

Freed: Stephen Vieira

Freed: Nazim Gafoor $550M. However, in her ruling, Magistrate Liverpool noted that the Court had no compelling evidence to convict

Freed: Stephen Vieira

Jailed: Tazim Gafoor the younger Gafoor and Vieira for the crime. The two were represented at by attorneysat-law Everton Singh-Lammy and Latchmie Rahamat.

Senior cop charged with rape of girl, 13 A senior member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who is accused of raping a 13year-old girl was yesterday charged and remanded for the offence.

Seecharran Singh, 31, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, was not required to plead to the indictable offence which stated that between June 17, 2018 and June 18, 2018, at Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of sixteen.

He appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Marcus-Isaacs in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The matter was held incamera and members of the public and the media were asked to exit the courtroom.

According to information, the teen was left in the care of Singh, who is attached to the Brickdam Police Station.

It was while the two were alone that he allegedly made advances to her. It was alleged that the officer took

Seecharran Singh the child in a room and had sexual intercourse with her.

When the child’s mother returned home, the minor confided as to what transpired and the matter was reported.An investigation was then carried out, and the officer was arrested and charged for the offence.

Singh was represented by Attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva, who in an unsuccessful attempt to secure bail for his client told

the court that client is a serving member of the Guyana Police Force and would return to court for the trial.

Police Prosecutor Adunni Inniss was not opposed to bail being granted to the defendant. However, the Magistrate denied bail citing the safety of the child and the fact that the child trusted the police rank. Singh was instructed to make his next court appearance on February 5.

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

Charrandass’ vote is irreversible - Lawyers argue

Attorneys-at-law, Anil Nandlall and Sanjeev Datadin have both argued that the noconfidence vote by expelled Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud, is irreversible.

The lawyers based their argument on specifically on Article 165(2) of the Constitution, which states in part that: “…the presence or participation of any person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the Assembly shall not invalidate those proceedings.”

The case filed by Compton Reid, a private citizen, is challenging the noconfidence motion against the Government, on the ground that Persaud, who voted with the Opposition, has Canadian citizenship.

The litigant is asking the Court to nullify the motion, since it is his contention that Persaud acted in contravention of Article 155 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, which basically forbids Members of Parliament from holding allegiance, obedience and adherence to foreign powers.

The applicant has asked the court to make a declara-

tion that Persaud is not qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly, by virtue of his own act and acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience and adherence to a foreign power – that is the Sovereign State of Canada, in contravention with Article 155 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana.

Further, the applicant is asking for a declaration that Persaud is the holder of a valid Canadian passport No. AC773625 issued by the Government of Canada on October 25, 2017, which will expire on October 25, 2022 and was a replacement of the previous passport, which was issued to him on January 29, 2013 and expired on January 29, 2018.’

The vote cast by Persaud is null, void and of no legal effect and by reason the unlawful “yes” vote cast by Persaud, the No Confidence Motion was not passed, is another declaration being asked for by the court.

However, lawyers refuted the claims by arguing that the Constitution provides for Persaud’s actions to be validated.

Datadin specifically noted

Attorney Anil Nandlall that it would take “legal gymnastics of Olympic proportions” for the court to rule otherwise.

Both attorneys shared the view that the act has some accompanying rules of court, that statutory procedural code provides for such a challenge to only be launched by way of an Elections Petition, which must be filed within 28 days after the declaration of the elections results.

In his submissions, Nandlall noted that “It mat-

Third child succumbs to cancer treatment at GPHC

Charrandass Persaud Attorney Sanjeev Datadin ters not if the deficiency is discovered outside of that 28 days period. The court simply has no jurisdiction to entertain any challenge outside of that period.

“Part of the special jurisdiction is that any breach of the procedure or any violation of the time frame prescribed is fatal. This matter was filed three and a half years after the 28 days period … by way of a Fixed Date Application [instead of] an elections petition, [and had expired].”

The lawyer further expounded that the case must therefore be deemed incurably bad in law and must be dismissed.

Nandlall noted further that every court in Guyana, and the Caribbean and the

rest of the Commonwealth which has a similar legal framework, has uniformly ruled that such application as the one filed by Reid must be dismissed,” He cited a number of cases from the Caribbean and Commonwealth, where litigants have tried to do exactly what Reid is attempting to do, that is, approaching the Court outside of the timeframe and not by way of an Elections Petition.

“And every single one of them, the matter has been dismissed.”

Nandlall stressed further that the matter is a classic case where legal proceedings are being used to address a political situation.

“There is no basis for these proceedings to have

been filed since the Constitution, in clear language and with no ambiguity, provides for each issue raised in the proceeding.”

In cases where a no-confidence motion is successfully passed, Nandlall told the Court that the law provides that Cabinet, including the President, shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

“Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

The lawyer further noted that 33 votes obtained by the Opposition on December 21, 2018, has always been considered such a defeat.

“Article 165(2), therefore, makes it inconsequential whether Persaud is a dual citizen or a disqualified Member of Parliament.

“It is absolutely irrelevant to the no-confidence vote used, that Government could still continue to function, save for the Cabinet - a nucleus of the Executive Government.”

Cop arrested in deadly West Dem motorbike accident

Roshnie Seegobin

Sherezer Mendonca

The third child has succumbed to cancer treatment which was administered at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Six-year-old Sherezer Mendonca reportedly took her last breath yesterday morning at GPHC after weeks on life support.

Mendonca is among three children who were administered with an injection prior to chemotherapy treatment. The child went into a state of paralysis and became unconscious as a result. She was placed in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital.

Mendonca’s death follows that of threeyear-old, Roshini Seegobin, who also succumbed to medication which was administered to her as part of treatment for leukemia at the hospital. She was cremated earlier this week.

Six-year-old Corwin Edwards was the first to succumb to complications following the treatment. He died on January 14 last.

On Monday, GPHC put out a statement calling on members of the public to resist the urge to speculate based on the information that is being circulated regarding the treat-

ment and adverse reaction of several children who are suffering from cancer in our Paediatric Wards after the administration of medication”.

The administration of the GPHC said that it is aware of this situation and has launched an investigation to determine the reason for the adverse reaction to the medication.

“That investigation involves the interviewing of all medical persons directly involved, along with an assessment of the medication administered. Further, the usage of that medication has been discontinued.”

“While the investigation continues, we advise members of the public to resist the urge to speculate on what is a sensitive matter and to await the findings of the investigation.

The GPHC reassures the public that every life is precious to its staff and every death is distressing. We continue to work closely with all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Health, the Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organisation and other agencies in an effort to improve the services we provide to our patients.”

A policeman was yesterday taken into custody for Wednesday’s horrific accident on the West Bank of Demerara which left a teenage pillion rider dead.According to officials, Orrin Parris, 26, is a police constable stationed at the Cove and John Police Station, East Coast Demerara. He was the rider on CH 4244, shortly before midday on Wednesday, when while banking a turn at Sister’s Village, he started to lose control.His pillion rider, John Walcott, 19, was killed after he attempted to jump off and fell under the wheel of a fuel truck heading south - the opposite direction.

Parris, according to reports, was treated at the West Demerara Hospital while Walcott was declared dead.While initial indications were that Parris was treated, there are also reports that he fled the scene. Walcott is said to be a father of a two-month-old baby and was only involved in another bike accident a few months ago.West Demerara’s police commander, Edmond Cooper said that it is being investigated whether Parris was supposed to be at work at the time of the accident.

Dead pillion rider: John Walcott aka Redman

Newborn dies after placed in toilet Police are to question a 25-year-old mother in connection with the death of her newborn, which was fished out of a toilet at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, yesterday.

Reports indicate that the woman discarded the newborn in the toilet in her yard.

Neighbours, alerted to the incident, took the baby boy from the toilet and rushed him to a hospital, but the newborn was already dead.A senior police official said that the woman has been hospitalized and will be questioned when she recovers.

PAGE 30

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

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676-0455

FOR SALE Black German Shepherd pups, Riumzeight Gardens WCD. #269-0671/688-1656 USED PARTS FOR 320/324 CATERPILLAR MACHINE. CONTACT 223-5273/74 One eight inch bearing block and water pump with 6x4 Y along with matching valves.

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Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501 Nissan Laurel Executive antique car, Nissan Pathfinder 4-door Jeep.

Superb condition. Price Neg. Call your price. Tel#6603415/609-7766 1 Toyota Raum in good condition. Price negotiable.

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Toyota Rav 4 L: 4x4, alarm system, music system, AC. $1.180,000. Tel#612-3365 LEARN TO DRIVE P. Outar and C. Persaud Driving School at Maraj Building. Call: 622-2872, 6150964, 681-2808 N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561

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

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WANTED 1 Shop assistant to work in the interior. Experience would be an asset. #669-3162

VACANCY Cooks, Handyboys, Roti/Puri makers, Apply at Shanta’s 225 Camp St

1 Experienced legal computer clerk. Good pay and credits.

Call 624-7087

One Tutor/Nanny to teach 3 year old boy from 9:50pm.

Salon for rental. Hair & nail Apply at Alabama Trading 65 stations available. New market Robb St street. 638-1106. Massage Urgently need dry Corilla room available Immediate vacancy exists for Bush.Any amount from 1lb to male operators to work shift Earn up to $5000 daily selling @ Del Ice Co. Training 1000lbs. #609-8281 hotdogs. Food handlers Provided. Call 231-1408/ 642Contract cars at City Taxi needed. Contact Sean #667- 8181 Service 8 Vlissengen Rd. Tel: 2189 226-7150 Chef, assistant cook and night Driver/Salesman, Security supervisor. Call us on 225One female domestic worker Guards, Handyman, 7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street. to work in Trinidad. Age 25- Bulldozer Operator, Part time 35. Contact 1868-386-5302 Mechanic. # 266 4427 Male factory worker needed.

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Factory workers male & Experienced salesman 40-45 For more info call: 223-0090 female. Apply in person to: yrs with driver license. Must R.P’s Enterprise Area ‘K’ Le know to write bills/calculate. Opening soon - Restaurant @ Resouvenir E.C.D. 220-2818 or Keyyfood McDoom Village.

Parika E.B.E. Looking for 3710 Indian & Chinese cook & waitress. Contact# 650-0402, General Domestic with Live in or live out babysitter/ 260-4124, 260-4018 cooking experience for East domestic- Call: 223-7500 Bank. #614-4358 Monday to Saturday 8:15amCook and waitress needed to 4:15pm Vacancy for skill carpenter. work in a bar. Contact# +592 Apply at Alabama Trading at 676-7884 Office clerk, Senior/Junior 65 Robb St Bourda CXC English/Mathematics, PROPERTY FOR SALE Computer knowledge an VACANCYFOR PART/FULL asset. Call: 223-7500 TIME WAITER/WAITRESS House and land available at One hair dresser and one nail TO WORK AT AAGMAN Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond Contact Pacific technician to work. Contact# RESTAURANT. CONTACT etc.

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Email: bicycle and cellphone. 227- and divahairbvi@gmail.com or Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 5536/ 223-0504 3 toilets and bathrooms call: 1-284-543-1410 enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642Wanted land to buy. Parfaite Urgent 1 male with cooking 0391/ 001447587233657 Harmonie, Farm, Providence, experience to work in multiple Tuschen, Diamond, areas. Contact X’s Grill & House lots for sale, 200k Herstelling, Eccles, Uitvlugt, Cuisine # 695-6550/656-9313 downpayment, 20k monthly Zeelugt. Call: 666-2326 #622-1957 Natural Beauty Salon & Spa TM & Model M truck drivers needs an experienced hair Commercial Property, double for interior. Call 223-5273/4 dresser & professional make- lot next to Harbour up artist. Contact#652-5800 Bridge,East Bank... must go Driver/purchasing clerk. Car/ #622-1957 van/lorry license. Call 616- Cashier for the interior. #2237165 6988 Large 3 bedrooms classic Minibus Driver for Route 42 Camp Manager for the house in solid condition- all amenities, huge yard, security. interior.#223-7165 Bus #646-8748 Price negotiable, Versailles WBD. Call: 660-3415/609-7766 Vacancy for sales girls.

Apply Truck driver wanted in to Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Georgetown. #227-1717 St. Bourda 6 bedrooms house on Live in shop assistant and transported double-lot, all attractive experienced Vacancy for one female cleaner. amenities, private yard/ waitress.

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ACCOMMODATION Apply at 65 Robb Street, 2 Storey Building @ Prime Air condition room $3000 per Bourda location in Georgetown. Ideal day fully furnished apts $5000 for business & residence. 89 & $6000 per day. 223-0994/ One puri and roti maker. Apply Robb Street, Bourda. #44-208678-5827 with written application to 737-1598/ 225-8427/264-1130 Beacon Cafe. For more HEALTH information call 225-9409 PEN PAL Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750

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Cashier (Shift 7am-3pm & 3pm-11pm) Submit Application to: Shell Service Station Providence EBD or Email:Shellramsburg@gmail.com

Guyanese/Canadian male seeking female career oriented 24-28 in marriage. Tel# 6641966 Continued on the next page

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

Ali vows to resuscitate E’bo rice industry Presidential Candidate of People’s Progressive Party Civic [PPP/C], Irfan Ali met with supporters in Region Two [Pomeroon/Supenaam] yesterday, in anticipation of what may be an early election in March.

Ali, who was elected presidential candidate of the party just weeks ago, remains confident that victory will be secured, as he met with scores of supporters yesterday for a community meeting in Anna Regina.

Since rice is of particular interest to most persons on the Essequibo Coast, it was no surprise that it was at the forefront of discussions yesterday afternoon. Among the issues raised was the huge sum of outstanding money owed to farmers by rice millers for paddy.

One rice farmer who was present at the meeting yesterday stood up and voiced his complaint saying, “One million dollar in all me get for two crop money… this is all I get for two crops rice from the miller. As a farmer I am suffering at this time to run two crops in succession. When you go to buy the fertilizer you gotta lef it, because the cost plenty. In a desperate bid for intervention, the farmer told Ali who was seated at the head table, “At this time see how ayo can help out.”

Since quite a number of farmers are owed by millers, acquiring finance to continue in the industry is often a challenge for most - especially those who borrowed money from various lending institutions. Ali, who reflected on LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres.

Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 (1) Fenced land Parfaite Harmony - $2M. Uitvlugt $2.5M Neg. Zeelugt $1.5M Neg. Zeelugt $2.3M Neg. Tel: 697-6311/642-1252 Parfaite Harmonie 2M 1.3M. Farm 4.5M 5.5M. Providence.

Tuschen. Herstelling. Eccles.

Uitvlugt. Call: 666-2326

the PPP/C time in government told supporters yesterday, “Many times when the farmers had to get pay the PPP government would’ve advanced resources so that they would get payment and then we would wait for the money to come back then. We must not forget, we dealt with this issue before.”

Ali however accused the government of being responsible for the industry’s failure in Region Two, noting that the administration “added VAT to pesticides, fertilizers and a number of input that is necessary for the rice industry.”

A number of farmers related to this publication that the cost of production has risen in the industry. They are claiming that over the past months the price for fuel, fertilizers, pesticides and seed paddy have all risen, making it difficult to stay afloat in the industry.

The presidential candidate in giving his response yesterday said, “We had created an environment… one of the things that the PPP was going after was what you call bulk purchasing using the Rice Producers’ Association.

If an individual farmer has to buy 10 bags of fertilizer and you have an organization that can buy 10,000 bags, the 10,000 bags can come in cheaper so that it can go back to the farmers at a cheaper rate.”

Ali in conclusion said that his government will look at initiatives and plans that will reduce the input cost for farmers.

PPP’s Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali (third from left) meeting with supporters during a community meeting on the Essequibo Coast yesterday

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

US-Guyana explore areas for deeper cooperation on energy, security Officials from Guyana and the United States of America recently met to explore areas for deeper cooperation on energy and security. This was outlined in a missive to the media yesterday.

According to the document, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge met with John J. Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America, in Washington D.C on Wednesday.

The two officials committed to further strengthening the US- Guyana bilateral relationship and to exploring areas for deeper cooperation, with particular regard to the energy, security and development sectors. The Foreign Affairs Minister and the Deputy Secretary also discussed preparations for upcoming national elections in Guyana.Further to this, the Deputy Secretary of State reaffirmed US support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in light of Venezuela’s recent interception of an ExxonMobil contracted vessel conducting seismic surveys in Guyana’s maritime space.Since the Venezuelan incursion, ExxonMobil has modified its deal with Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), the Norwegian firm it hired to provide two vessels to conduct seismic work offshore Guyana. Exxon opted to keep one of the two Ramform Titan-class vessels following the incursion by a Venezuelan military ship on December 22, last. According

area for at least three months.

Speaking with Kaieteur News recently, Exxon’s Head of Government and Public Affairs, Deedra Moe, confirmed that there are plans to deploy the PGS-operated vessel to the Turbot area to acquire 4Dseismic data similar to the 4D campaign conducted in the Liza area in 2017. “We are evaluating future seismic plans,” Moe added. She noted, too, that safety and security remain top

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge

US Deputy Secretary of State, John J. Sullivan

to international media reports, ( h t t p s : / / www.offshoreenergytoday.com/ exxonmobil-drops-one-pgsvessel-from-guyana-surveyafter-incident-withvenezuelan-navy/), the deal for the two Ramform Titanclass vessels to conduct the 3D survey in South America was announced on November 14, 2018. The vessels Ramform Atlas and Ramform Tethys mobilized in early December 2018 for this survey.

The contract had an estimated total duration of approximately 13 vessel months and an estimated value in excess of US$75 million.

However, PGS said recently that due to unresolved issues affecting the survey, both vessels have been on paid standby from December 23, 2018. PGS confirmed that while the Venezuelan incursion forced Exxon to pause the

seismic exploration activities, drilling and development operations offshore Guyana were unaffected.PGS said it was also informed by ExxonMobil that the Ramform Atlas was no longer required.

The Norwegian firm said it will receive payment for mobilization, work performed, standby and demobilization. PGS said, too, that it expects to deploy the vessel on a MultiClient programme or contract survey shortly, but will incur idle time relating to steaming and possibly standby before starting an alternative project.

PGS said it also understands that ExxonMobil plans to deploy the Ramform Tethys to acquire a 4D survey offshore Guyana. PGS said that the vessel will continue on paid standby until it starts the redefined programme. PGS expects the vessel to be operating in the

priorities for Exxon.

US STATE DEPT. REJECTS AGGRESSION The U.S Department of State has made it clear that it has taken note of the fact that a Venezuelan Navy ship “aggressively” stopped ExxonMobil-contracted vessels from operating under an oil exploration agreement with Guyana in its Exclusive Economic Zone.On this premise, Department’s Deputy Spokesperson, Robert

Palladino said, “We underscore that Guyana has the sovereign right to explore and exploit resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone.” He also called for Venezuela to respect international law and the rights of its neighbors.

The APNU+AFC Government has also rejected, and labeled as an illegal and hostile act, the Venezuelan navy’s interception of research vessels that were contracted by ExxonMobil.

PAGE 34

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

UK rescuers end search for missing NBA roundup: plane carrying soccer player Sala Harden nets 61...

London (Reuters) - Rescuers ended their search yesterday for the plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala, which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, after saying there was little chance anyone aboard had survived.

Sala, Cardiff City’s new signing, and the plane’s pilot, David Ibbotson, have been missing since Monday night.

Rescuers have scoured about 1,700 square miles but have found no trace of the aircraft or those on board. ”We reviewed all the information available to us, as well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the difficult decision to end the search,” Guernsey Harbour

Master Captain David Barker said in a statement. ”Next of kin have been informed of this development, and my thoughts go out to the family of the pilot and passenger at this most difficult of times.”

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan said in a statement that everyone at the club would continue to pray for Sala, Ibbotson and their families. ”Monday evening’s news shook everyone at Cardiff City FC to the core,” he added.

“We were looking forward to providing Emiliano with the next step in his life and career. ”Those who met Emiliano described a good-natured and humble young man who was eager to impress in the Premier

Tributes left outside Cardiff City Stadium for Emiliano Sala, January 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden League. “The response from the football community has been truly touching and we place on record our sincere thanks to

Friday January 25, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) The day may be somewhat trying for you, Aries. You may have a speech to deliver or a private performance to put on for your beloved.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can look forward to a busy day, Taurus. Don't schedule any additional tasks. Your home, family, or mate is likely to demand a great deal of you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're likely to spend time with someone who energizes and rejuvenates you today.

With luck, this meeting won't occur too late in the evening, or else you will have a problem going to sleep, Gemini.

CANCER(June21–July22) You may feel an urgent need to use your physical energy.

This need will raise the issue of how to incorporate more exercise into your life. This would be an ideal time to join a gym.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A day such as today should demonstrate an old truth people remember the good and forget the bad. You will be brimming with energy.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Do you have a desire to go away on a trip? Would you like to live in Europe or Asia?

These are desires that you may well have at the moment as you begin the process of widening your field of vision.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) What's happening in your personal relationships, Libra? It seems as though you're looking for a fight.

Could it be that someone has stolen a leadership position out from under your nose?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) At certain moments you can feel where your destiny lies.

Today will be such a moment for you, Scorpio. You may want to shift your fundamental orientation.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The day ahead will reenergize you after these last few days of apathy, Sagittarius.

Anyone who tries to hold you back today had better watch out, because you won't be in the mood to tolerate any objections.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today you may be touched by a person who exudes the kind of determination produced by a combination of spiritual and intellectual strength and faith.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Have you been lethargic lately? If so, today is your wakeup call. You will be alert and clear about the task at hand.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The day will be fairly eventful, Pisces. There's some likelihood that you will feel s u d d e n l y compelled to settle a tedious matter once and for all.

those who have sent messages of support.”

After the plane disappeared, a recording emerged of a fearful voice message Sala apparently sent in which he expressed concern about the single-engine Piper Malibu aircraft he was flying in.

The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward was en route from Nantes in western France to make his debut for Welsh team Cardiff City.

Barker said the search had involved 80 hours combined flying time by three planes and five helicopters, with two lifeboats and other ships in the area also helping. ”Although we are no longer actively searching, the incident remains open and we will be broadcasting to all vessels and aircraft in the area to keep a look out for any trace of the aircraft. This will continue indefinitely,” he said.

Jaikaran’s XI overcome...

From page 40 figures as Vickash Jaikaran’s XI managed 184 all out in 39 overs.

Brandon Jaikaran was the pick of the bowlers with 4-27 while Areeb Ali had 2-39.

Vickash Jaikaran uprooted the stumps of skipper Navindra Persaud (10) to hand his team the breakthrough in the third over with the score 15.

Pacer Sukhnandan then uprooted the stumps of Brandon Jaikaran (05) and picked up a few more quick wickets and together with skipper Vickash Jaikaran restricted their opposition with consistent bowling.

Navindra Persaud’s XI never recovered and was sent packing for 85 in 20.2 overs.

Reuel Prashad made 24 (5x4) while Gary Ross made 13; Vickash Jaikaran picked up 415 and Sukhnandan 3-21. The game was organised by Queen’s College.

From page 35 though, was scoreless in the second half.

Hawks 121, Bulls 101 John Collins scored a careerhigh 35 points to pace visiting Atlanta to an easy win in Chicago, ending the Hawks’ two-game losing streak.The second-year power forward was 14-for-16 from the floor and 4-for-4 on 3-point attempts. Collins added eight rebounds and two assists to help Atlanta end a five-game losing streak against Chicago.

The Bulls got 23 points from Zach LaVine, the 31st time he’s scored 20-plus points this season. Lauri Markkanen scored 22, the third time in four games he’s scored at least 20, and added six rebounds. Kris Dunn had 16 points.

Nets 114, Magic 110 D’Angelo Russell broke a late tie with a 15-footer and DeMarre Carroll added two key hoops down the stretch to lift host Brooklyn past Orlando. The fourth period featured four lead changes and six ties, the last of which occurred when Jarrett Allen converted a layup with 4:02 to go, creating a 104-all deadlock. Russell gave the Nets

a lead they never relinquished with his jumper with 3:37 to go.

Nikola Vucevic had a 21point, game-high 14-rebound double-double for the Magic, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

Jazz 114, Nuggets 108 Donovan Mitchell matched his season high of six 3pointers while scoring 35 points to lead host Utah to a win over Denver. Ricky Rubio recorded 17 points for the Jazz, who won for the seventh time in their past eight games. Rudy Gobert had 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots, Jae Crowder also scored 15 points, and Joe Ingles had 14 points and eight assists for Utah.

Nikola Jokic registered 28 points and matched his career high of 21 rebounds, and Will Barton contributed 22 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Nuggets, who lost for just the fourth time in their past 14 games.

Gary Harris tallied 16 points; Trey Lyles added 12 and Monte Morris scored 10 for Denver, which dropped its eighth straight game in Salt Lake City.

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

NBA roundup: Harden nets 61 to keep streak rolling Reuters - Houston superstar James Harden continued his historic streak Wednesday night by scoring a careerhigh and franchise-record 61 points, but it was Eric Gordon who drained the biggest shot, a 3-pointer with nine seconds left that gave the Rockets the lead for good in a wild 114-110 win over the host New York Knicks.

Harden has scored at least 30 points in 21 consecutive games, the fourth-longest such streak in NBA history (behind only three authored

by Wilt Chamberlain). “Wilt the Stilt” scored 30 points in 25 straight games during the 1960-61 season, in 31 straight games spanning the 1961-62 and 1962-63 seasons and in 65 straight games during the 1961-62 season.

The 61 points are the most by a player in an NBA game this season — Kemba Walker scored 60 points for the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 17 — and tied for the most scored by a Knicks opponent at Madison Square Garden.

Kobe Bryant scored 61 points for the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2, 2009.

There was little suspense regarding Harden’s streak Wednesday as he scored 19 points in the first quarter, finished the first half with 36 points and ended the third quarter with 49 points. He missed six consecutive shots before reaching 50 points with a jumper with 4:22 left.

Pacers 110, Raptors 106 - Thaddeus Young scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 15 rebounds as Indiana held off a late rally to defeat visiting Toronto in a game that may prove very costly in the long run.

The Pacers lost guard Victor Oladipo with 4:05 left in the first half.

He left on a stretcher with what the team termed a serious right knee injury, and he is headed for an MRI exam Thursday. Oladipo, Indiana’s leading scorer on the season, had four points, three rebounds and one assist.

Darren Collison added 17 points, and Bojan Bogdanovic had 16 points for the Pacers, who won their third game in a row. Serge Ibaka had 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Raptors, and Kyle Lowry added 20 points and seven assists.

76ers 122, Spurs 120 Joel Embiid scored 33 points and grabbed 19 rebounds to lift host Philadelphia past San Antonio. Ben Simmons secured his eighth triple-double of the season with 21 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds as the Sixers won their second

in a row.

DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 26 points while Patty Mills and Rudy Gay added 17 apiece. Marco Belinelli had 16.

Celtics 123, Cavaliers 103 - Terry Rozier, starting in place of the injured Kyrie Irving, scored 22 of his 26 points in the first half to spark Boston to an easy win over visiting Cleveland.

Irving sat out with flu-like symptoms but was hardly missed. Rozier, who played high school basketball in Cleveland, was perfect in the first two periods, going 8-for8, including connecting on a buzzer-beater from 31 feet to give Boston a 65-50 lead at halftime.

Boston has won 10 straight at home and five straight overall while Cleveland, the NBA’s worst team with just nine wins in 49 games, lost its fifth straight despite 19 points from former Celtic Ante Zizic.

Hornets 118, Grizzlies 107 - Kemba Walker scored 22 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, and visiting Charlotte added to Memphis’ misery.

Earlier Wednesday, Memphis ownership confirmed that veteran stars Mike Conley and Marc Gasol were on the trading block. Then came an afternoon fire in the Grizzlies’ locker room that forced everyone to evacuate the FedEx Forum and eventually caused the Grizzlies to change locker rooms.

Nonetheless, Conley finished with 31 points on 10of-17 shooting while Gasol had a triple-double with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists.

Pistons 98, Pelicans 94 Blake Griffin scored 37 points and visiting Detroit held off a rally by short-handed New Orleans. Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans with 29 points, Jahlil Okafor had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Julius Randle had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Nikola Mirotic added 11 points before a strained right calf sidelined him in the fourth quarter.

The Pelicans played their second consecutive game without All-Star forward Anthony Davis, who sprained his left index finger in a 128112 loss at Portland last Friday. Coach Alvin Gentry estimated that Davis would miss one or two weeks, though he said before Wednesday’s game that it could be “as much as four weeks.”

Clippers 111, Heat 99 Tobias Harris continued his breakout season with a gamehigh 31 points to lead Los Angeles past host Miami. It

was Harris’ fifth 30-point outing this season, continuing an exceptionally consistent first season with the Clippers.

He has averaged more than 20 points every month this season and also against the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference.

Counting Wednesday’s game, Harris is averaging 21.0 points this season, and he has 31 games with at least 20 points.

Miami was led by Hassan Whiteside’s double-double (22 points and 16 rebounds).

Josh Richardson added 17 points, Tyler Johnson had 15 points and Dwyane Wade had 13 points for the Heat. Wade, (Continued on page 34)

New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (3) defends against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

PAGE 36

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

Osaka on track for 2nd straight Rafael Nadal blitzes Stefanos Tsitsipas Grand Slam; beats Pliskova in thriller to reach his fifth Australian Open final to reach Australian Open final Mailonline - Naomi Osaka underlined her status as a genuine star when she backed up her US Open title by giving herself a shot at winning a second Grand Slam in succession. On a day of soaring temperatures, the roof was shut on the Rod Laver Arena as the Flushing Meadows champion edged her way past Serena Williams’s conqueror Karolina Pliskova, 6-2, 4-6, 64 in an hour and 53 minutes.

In the last 12 years multiple female players have suffered a letdown after claiming their first Major but not the cosmopolitan Osaka, who is the authentic article. She now faces Petra Kvitova, who overcame American outsider Danielle Collins 7-6 6-0.

Kvitova is in her first Grand Slam final since Wimbledon 2014, and for the first time since she suffered a knife attack in her home just over two years ago. Whoever wins tomorrow will become the new world No 1. If it is Kvitova she would become the ninth straight different women’s singles winner at one of the big four tournaments. ’I kind of expected her to come back, I was expecting a really hard battle and I told myself to regroup in the third set,’ said Osaka after the match, before admitting: ‘I was so scared serving second serves I was like “Oh my God please!”’

She was disappointed that the roof was closed, despite temperatures being into the forties.

‘I like the heat so I was kind of sad about that,’ she said. ‘They had the roof open and I thought it’s my time to shine.’

This was the first day the southern hemisphere heat re-

Naomi Osaka beat Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to reach Saturday’s Australian Open final. ally bared its teeth with temperatures going over the 100 mark. The heat index in use requires it to reach an extreme ‘five’ to cause the closure of the roof, and it soared beyond that, hitting 5.9.

Junior matches were suspended outdoors and the roof was closed during the first set of the CollinsKvitova match at 4-4 – to the American’s chagrin – and for the duration of Osaka’s encounter against Pliskova.

In a match featuring two powerful servers, Osaka did not face a break point in the first set but created six against her long-levered opponent, two of which were taken.

Osaka’s returns were excellent, as it was not the case that the Czech’s serve was off at the start, three of out of four first serves landing in during the opener.

She did, however, toss in three double faults in the first set, and could not register any aces.

Watched by Australian

showbiz royalty Nicole Kidman and British fashion icon Anna Wintour, Osaka’s forehand was doing plenty of damage and she broke to extend her lead at the start of the second set.

The winners kept coming from her racket, but there was an increase in errors that allowed Pliskova straight back in and she levelled the match when Osaka played a particularly erratic game at 4-5 when serving.

It looked like Pliskova had the momentum at the start of the third and she missed three break points to take a 2-0 lead in the decider.

As so often happens, the disappointment of not taking them weighed heavily, and she was immediately broken to love herself.

The Czech threatened to come back as she had done against Serena Williams, and forced a break point at 3-4 but the Japanese player determinedly held her off, and hid any nerves as she closed it out.

Rafael Nadal roars in celebration after confirming his place in Sunday’s Australian Open final.

Mailonline - Rafael Nadal slammed the door shut on the future when he emphatically ended the run of Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Australian Open and silenced his hordes of new fans.

The 32-year-old Spaniard gave his challenger an object lesson in the standards he needs to reach with a brilliant, relentless performance in their semifinal that saw him win 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in just an hour and 46 minutes.

Nadal was utterly unforgiving from the off, and was left awaiting the winn e r o f t o d a y ’s s e c o n d semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Frenchman Lucas Pouille in what will be his fifth Australian final.

It has been a remarkable performance from Nadal at this event so far, especially as he came in not having played an official event since the US Open due to

various ailments, including stomach strains as well as his knees.

This turned out to be something of a schooling.

Asked if he could play any better he replied: ‘Hopefully yes.

It has been a great tournament I have played very well every day. ‘After a lot of months without playing this court this crowd gives me unbelievable energy. ’It feels good. To start the season like this when a few weeks ago in Brisbane having to take a tough decision not to play there, in that moment I would not have thought I would be here today.’

He denied he was trying to lay down a marker to the younger generation that he has been cuffing this fortnight. ’They don’t need any message, they are good and they are improving so it’s always a big challenge

Thirteen umpires named on ICC Americas panel Hamilton, Bermuda, CMC – Five Bermuda-based umpires, including two Barbadians, are among 13 umpires appointed to the ICC Americas Regional panel, the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) has announced.

Bermudians Roger Dill, Steven Douglas and Oscar Andrade as well as Barbadians Emmerson Carrington and Melvin Best are now eligible to officiate at matches in the region.

Andrade and Best are on the panel for the first time, with the 13 umpires also including representatives from the United States, Canada, Belize and the Cay-

Lloyd Smith – President Bermuda Cricket Board. man Islands. Dwight Gabb represents Belize, while the Caymans’ representative is Courtney Young.

Representing the US are Sameer Bandekar and Vijay Mallela, while Harry Grewal, Brijal Patel, Vishal Sudhalkar

and Arnold Maddela are the team from Canada. “On behalf of the officers and members of the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association, I would like to congratulate those who are selected to serve on the panel,” said Douglas. ”These selections are a testament to the hard work done by training officer Roger Dill. Special congratulations to Oscar Andrade and Melvin Best as this is their first time on an umpire panel. ”I trust that we will represent Bermuda well and will be sure to use this experience to give back to the aspiring umpires looking to develop their career further.”

BCB president Lloyd Smith added: “It is with great pleasure to note that five out of the 13 umpires chosen to be on the new panel are from Bermuda. ”This is a fantastic opportunity for our umpires to gain valuable international experience and use this new pathway created by ICC Americas to assist them to be selected to the ICC International Umpire panel. ”On behalf of the board, I congratulate the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association and all five of the umpires on these appointments and hope others will aspire to follow in their footsteps.”

to play against them.

‘There is a young, good new generation coming. I wish all of them a very successful career.’

He had particularly warm words for Tsitsipas: ‘He has everything to make that happen, good serve, good shots from the baseline, he has everything to become a multi Grand Slam champion. ’I hope to face him in important rounds the next couple of years.’

All of Tsitsipas’s previous matches had involved four arduous sets and that was bound to have taken a toll, especially when facing a player who works opponents so hard.

The punishing temperatures of earlier in the day had subsided sufficiently to allow the roof to be opened, even though they were still nudging 100 as the sun began to set.

Tsitsipas showed admirable enterprise in mixing up his game, but faced with an onslaught from the baseline that pushed him into every corner he had no answers and lost the first set in 31 minutes with the Spaniard playing like Zeus.

When he tried to pull him into the net that did not work either.

We also saw the effects of the slightly flatter service trajectory that has underpinned Nadal all fortnight.

He broke for 5-4 in the second set, embarking on a run that took him to victory in just an hour and 46 minutes, after what was a sobering experience for the Greek, of whom much more is sure to be heard over the coming years.

Friday January 25, 2019

PAGE 37

Kaieteur News

FIFA, UNESCO and the World Food Programme agree innovative partnership On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and UN World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley signed a letter of intent to strengthen the collaboration between the three organisations in support of their common goal to enhance children’s access to sport and promote important life skills.

FIFA’s new Football for Schools Programme aims to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into physical education curriculums (or as an extracurricular pursuit), thereby contributing to the education, development and empowerment of children.

As part of FIFA’s strategic roadmap FIFA 2.0: The Vision for the Future, the design and implementation of the programme contribute to the development of the game at the national level while placing it at the service of local communities.

It will provide support through tangible actions and tools, such as the provision of education and instructional materials (including apps and an online platform) for teachers. Through this initiative, 11 mil-

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay © FIFA.com lion footballs will be distributed to schools in territories of FIFA’s 211 member associations, reaching more than 700 million children, and an online platform will be created to inform teachers on how to incorporate football into education.

In particular, the programme will benefit from FIFA’s extensive track record in technical football development, UNESCO’s long-standing experience in education and sport, and

the success of the WFP’s school feeding programme, which runs in more than 100 countries.

School feeding helps to ensure that every child has access to education, health and nutrition by providing children with meals while in school – an important foundation for sport and physical education.

The three leaders stressed the importance of partnerships between international organisations, govern-

Tickets to the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup in Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Park go on sale today Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) has announced that tickets for the June 26 Group D doubleheader, featuring the United States National Team, will go on sale today, January 25.

The 2019 edition marks the third time the continental tournament will be played in the Kansas City area, with Gold Cup action previously taking place at the home of Sporting Kansas City in the 2011 and 2015 editions. This summer’s expanded Gold Cup, set to kick off on Saturday, June 15, will be the largest Gold Cup in history.

Alongside the group doubleheader Kansas City, 14 additional U.S. metropolitan areas, Costa Rica, and one yet-to-be-announced Caribbean venue will welcome the 2019 edition of the tournament this coming summer.

The complete groups and schedule will be announced later this year, once all nations have qualified for the Gold Cup via the Concacaf Nations League Qualifier, with the final round taking place March of 2019.

To date, six of the 16 na-

tional teams scheduled to participate have qualified for next year’s tournament, those being the countries that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal qualifier round: Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

Tickets to the Gold Cup doubleheader in Children’s Mercy Park will go on sale today via www.thisisour.goldcup.org or by visiting www.seatgeek.com.

Tickets for all other Gold Cup matches in the U.S. are available by visiting

www.GoldCup.org or calling Ticketmaster at 800-7453000. Fans can also contact their specific venue or visit venue websites for box office hours and information.

The 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup is sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company, Cerveza Modelo, Nike, Scotiabank, and Toyota.

The tournament will be broadcast nationally on the Univision and FOX family of networks and transmitted on radio in Spanish by Fútbol de Primera Radio Network, and broadcast by television partners in countries around the world.

ments, national football associations and FIFA to enhance access to sport as well as increasing the contribution of sport – and notably football – towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

During the signing ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated: “Following my initial meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in early 2018, during which we agreed to work together on promoting positive values through football, today’s formalisation of our partnership is a key milestone and marks the starting point for a new era of cooperation between FIFA, UNESCO and the UN World Food Programme.

Using the power of football to foster social change and education is our shared interest and the three organisations now joining forces are uniquely placed to bring this potential to bear.”

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay added: “UNESCO is proud to be part of this innovative partnership with FIFA and the WFP. This initiative highlights the powerful role played by sport as a pivotal tool for education. Teaching football in schools will help to disseminate sporting values such as team spirit and respect. This

programme will also help to develop life skills such as self-confidence and foster equality between girls and boys. Promoting education through sport contributes to UNESCO’s mission, as the UN agency for education.”

“What a difference today will make for the future of boys and girls around the globe,” said World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley. “FIFA will tap into the WFP’s logistical expertise to bring the world’s most popular sport to more schools, helping boys and girls develop important life skills.

This WFP-FIFA partnership will raise the profile of our school feeding programme, and we believe that means more well-fed students who will be ready to learn and on their way to creating brighter futures for themselves, their communities and their nations.”

Implementation of the Football for Schools Programme is envisaged to start in mid-2019 with the roll-out of pilot projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America on the basis of interest expressed by national associations and the specific local sporting and football conditions in the countries involved.

A budget of USD 100 million has been allocated by FIFA to the programme, which will be implemented until 2022.

PAGE 38

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

Concacaf Nations League

Local based Golden Jaguars commence training for Belize clash following GFF Talent ID process An extended Guyanabased national squad will this weekend commence the Guyana Football Federation’s two-month preparations for the final round Concacaf Gold Cup and Nations League home qualifier against Belize on Saturday, March 23.

The squad of 35 players was chosen following a GFF Talent ID process and selection meeting involving GFF Technical officials and top local Coaches. Guyana is in a strong position to qualify for the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time in its history, with the top regional competition slated for June and July this year. The Golden Jaguars are 8th in the qualification table going into the final round of matches, with the top ten teams joining Mexico, USA, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama and Honduras at the Gold Cup. ”We are excited by the large, diverse pool of local talent that we have identified with the help of some top local coaches and GFF technical experts,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood. ”Each of these players now has the golden opportunity to work hard and prove their worth over the next two months as Head Coach Michael Johnson assesses local and overseas talent for

Technical Director Ian Greenwood chairs a meeting with national Team Coaches to select the Guyana based squad. the final squad.”

The GFF Talent ID Panel consisted of: Charles Pollard, National U20 Head Coach Wayne Dover, GFF Coach Mentor and Fruta Conquerors Head Coach Sampson Gilbert, Den Amstel Head Coach Oneal Heywood, GFF Technical Development Officer Eon DeViera, Western Tigers Head Coach Calvin Allen, GFF Youth Development Officer and Milerock Head Coach Bryan Joseph, GFF Coach

Guyana based Senior Men’s Training Squad Name Position Jason Cromwell Goalkeeper Jermaine Cumberbatch Goalkeeper Sese Norville Goalkeeper Akel Clarke Goalkeeper Ryan Hunte Goalkeeper Trevon Lythcott Defender Sherwin Skeete Defender Rondel Hutson Defender Kevin Dundas Defender Kevin Layne Defender Quincy Adams Defender Colin Nelson Defender Solomon Austin Defender William Europe Defender Deshawn Joseph Defender Delwin Fraser Midfielder Eusi Phillips Midfielder Daniel Wilson Midfielder Kestor Jacobs Midfielder Anthony Benfield Midfielder Vurlon Mills Midfielder Andre Hector Midfielder Ryan Hackett Midfielder Leo-orin Lovell Midfielder Jamal Haynes Forward Jamal Perreira Forward Pernel Schultz Forward Jamal Harvey Forward Trayon Bobb Forward Eon Alleyne Forward Kelsey Benjamin Forward Gregory Richardson Forward Dellon Lanferman Forward Delroy Fraser Forward Domini Garnett Forward

Education Director Wilson Toledo, GFF Head of Recruitment Faizal Khan, and GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

The local squad will be put through their paces in a series of fitness tests tomorrow and Sunday at the GFF National Technical Centre at Providence. The squad will then train three times per week to compete for places in the final squad for the Belize match on March 23rd, next.

Club Buxton United FC Den Amstel FC Milerock FC Fruta Conquerors FC Den Amstel FC Western Tigers FC Victoria Kings FC Den Amstel FC Den Amstel FC NA United FC Fruta Conquerors FC Western Tigers FC Fruta Conquerors FC Anns Grove FC Netrockers FC Guyana Defence Force FC Guyana Defence Force FC Western Tigers FC Den Amstel FC Fruta Conquerors FC Fruta Conquerors FC Den Amstel FC Fruta Conquerors FC Den Amstel FC Botofago FC Den Amstel FC Western Tigers FC Den Amstel FC Uitvlugt FC Fruta Conquerors FC Western Tigers FC Fruta Conquerors FC Den Amstel FC Guyana Defence Force FC Fruta Conquerors FC

Taylor out of Karachi T20s as Aguilleira returns to lead St John’s, Antigua, CMC – West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor has opted out of the Karachi leg of the upcoming Pakistan series over security concerns, with former Captain Merissa Aguilleira chosen to lead the side in her absence.

It means Taylor will miss the opening Twenty20 International phase of the tour but will return for the three-match One-Day International series being hosted in Dubai. Cricket West Indies chief executive, Jonny Grave, said while Pakistan Cricket Board had given assurances over the security risks, players were free to make their own decisions on the tour.”The security plan arranged by the PCB is the exactly the same level that the Windies men’s team had last year and Independent security advisors, Eastern Star International (ESI) have confirmed to both CWI and WIPA that they are satisfied that the risk is manageable and can be mitigated to an acceptable level,” Grave said. ”We made it very clear to the players and support staff that should any of them have any personal reservations about this Tour, that we fully understand and accept their position.”

A weakened West Indies men side toured Pakistan last April for three T20Is, marking the first time a major cricket nation had played a full series in the volatile south Asian country in nine years, following the deadly attack on a Sri

Stafanie Taylor Lanka team bus.

Grave said the women’s tour, which runs from January 31 to February 11, was another sign of CWI’s commitment to revival of international cricket in Pakistan. ”This tour is a further major step for our friends at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to bring their cricket back home, and we are pleased that our players and support staff have recognised this and agreed to play the T20Is in Pakistan,” he said.

Windies Women will also miss the services of leading opener Hayley Matthews who picked up a knee injury during the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia and is yet to fully recover.

She has been replaced by 24-year-old uncapped slow medium bowler Karishma

Ramharack from Trinidad and Tobago.

Uncapped 21-year-old Jamaican batsman Rashada Williams has also gained the selectors’ favour. ”After a decent and competitive ICC World T20, the Windies Women will be expected to build on that momentum going into the away tour against Pakistan,” said chief selector Courtney Browne. ”The team needs to improve its showing in ODI cricket especially and the panel is expecting to see marked improvements during the ODI series.

“The team has been based at our high-performance Centre in Antigua over the last year and we have seen improvements, as reflected in the World T20, particularly in their fielding.”

He added that Williams had “impressed the selectors with her solid technique and her ability to play spin” while Ramharack had been “rewarded for her consistency in regional cricket.”

The Dubai ODIs, which forms part of the ICC Women’s Championship, bowl off February 7.

SQUAD – Stafanie Taylor (captain), Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Natasha McClean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Rashada Williams.

Friday January 25, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 39

Kemar Roach claims the day as England are left stunned

by West Indies

Jason Holder claimed the first wicket of England’s innings ©Getty Images

England were entitled to stride off the Kensington Oval after less than an hour’s play on day two with their chests thrust forward and grins on their faces, a job well done. They had, after all, restricted West Indies to a total of 289 on a pitch both captains wanted to bat on first.

Three and a half hours later, the entrance to the field had become a dizzying turnstile for touring batsmen with shoulders hunched and jaws slack, trying to fathom what had just happened. What had just happened was an absolute demolition job as West Indies’ pace attack, led by Kemar Roach, bowled England out for 77, the lowest Test total to be posted in Bridgetown and 212 runs short of the home side’s

modest first-innings score.

Roach’s stunning spell of five wickets for four runs in 27 balls left England reeling at 486 and, with Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph contributing two wickets apiece, the scene ended in carnage for the tourists, who had only four batsmen reach double figures with none of them making it to 20.

On a day when 18 wickets fell, however, there was much more to come as England’s Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali combined to put West Indies under some pressure at 61-5.

Shimron Hetmyer, West Indies’ top-scorer with 81 in the first innings, threatened to steady the second with Shane Dowrich, until Sam Curran had Hetmyer caught by Jos Buttler at point for 31 late on

STATS. FROM ENGLAND’S COLLAPSE - The innings lasted just 30.2 overs.

- It was the lowest completed innings at the Kensington Oval, with the previous low of 81 shared by India in 1997 and Pakistan in 2017.

- England lost five wickets, their third through to their seventh, for five runs in 7.2 overs and 38 minutes.

- The highest partnership was just 23, between openers Keaton Jennings and Rory Burns. Jennings’ 17 was the top score of the innings.

- Kemar Roach starred with five for 17, bringing back memories of fellow Windies paceman Jerome Taylor’s five for 11 in England’s collapse in Jamaica in 2009.

- It is the sixth time this century England have been bowled out for under 100 they made 79 against Australia in 2002, 81 against Sri Lanka in 2007, 51 in Kingston two years later, 72 against Pakistan in 2012 and 58 against New Zealand last year. (Press Association)

a spectacular day of action.

Dowrich remained unbeaten on 27 at the close along with Holder (7 not out) as the West Indies held a lead of 339 on a day that, for entertainment value, featured right up there. After James Anderson had claimed 5-46 to move level with Ian Botham’s record of 27 five-wicket hauls for England, and Stokes’ 4-59, England looked to be in a comfortable position at the end of the West Indies’ first innings.

Then came Holder and Roach. West Indies captain Holder had Keaton Jennings caught cheaply, slicing a drive straight to gully to send England to lunch at 30-1. At the resumption, Roach cut loose. He flummoxed Rory Burns and Jonny Bairstow, forcing both to chop onto their stumps. Roach then claimed the wickets of Stokes and Moeen with consecutive balls, the first an lbw that withstood England’s review and the second a blazing delivery that Moeen top edged to Joseph at fine leg.

By the time Roach had Jos Buttler caught behind by

Dowrich off a short, sharp delivery it seemed as though mere moments had punctuated the West Indies quick’s haul and, in the scheme of things, they had.

Joseph combined with Dowrich to dismiss Ben Foakes for just two, while Curran was the last man out for England, caught by Shai Hope off the bowling of Shannon Gabriel for 14. A talking point before the match was West Indies’ decision to pick just one spinner and four quicks, while England opted for two slow bowlers and left out Stuart Broad. Given the success of the home side’s fast bowlers, it will remain at the forefront of England’s analysis.

Anderson added Joseph’s wicket to his four from day one and Stokes ended West Indies’ first innings with the wicket of Hetmyer but, by the time Hetmyer fell again, all that seemed so long ago.

Moeen finished the day with 3-41 off his 12 overs in the West Indies’ second innings, while Stokes had 2-31 off 11, but the day belonged to Roach.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 40

Friday January 25, 2019

Regal Sports U-19 Tourney to bowl off tomorrow in Wakenaam

Members of Regal Sport and WCC with some of the U-19 players during the launching of the tournament.

R

egal Sports and Wakenaam Cricket Committee Under19 40-over competition is set to bowl off tomorrow with two matches.

Good Success/Sans Souci and Jaguars Combined will take on G Square Cavaliers at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground while Zeelandia/Maria’s Pleasure will host Noitgedacht Sports Club. Both matches commence at 10:00hrs.

Among the players set to turn out

for Zeelandia/Maria’s Pleasure are Kevin Hemraj, Direndra Sitaram, Ryan Atkinson, Mohendra Jadookool, Ricky Persaud and Mahadeo Ramdeo.

G square - Romario Stephen, Sachin Dindyal, Marlon Dindiyal, Kumeshwar Persaud, Dequan Clarke, Toshall Surujpaul, Wayne Goocol, Tekeshwar Nankoo, Anesh Singh, Timothy Persaud, Venesh Narine and Deodat Persaud.

Good Success/Jaguars/Sans Souci Combined - Mahesh Ramnarine,

Mohandass Surujpaul, Beesham Moses, Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon, Devindra Hansraj, Gladwin Henry, David Chalitar, Rahul Dinban, Quasie Whyte, Wendel Osborne, Nkosie Dazzell, Ejaz ,Mohamed and Arshaad Mohamed.

Noitgedacht - Lorex Stewart, Cleyon Retimiah, Fitzroy Retimiah, Emanuel Poliah, Terrence Softley, Micheal Retimiah, Oquel Stephen, Andrew Binda, Chitram Rai and Steffon Madramootoo.

Jaikaran’s XI overcome Persaud’s XI in U-19 fixture

Vickash Jaikaran

Ronaldo McGarrell

Vikash Jaikaran’s XI defeated Navindra Persaud’s XI by 99 runs when the teams collided in a 40-over U19 fixture yesterday at the Gandhi Youth Organisation ground. Batting first, Vickash Jaikaran’s XI were off to a solid start with openers Ronaldo McGarrell and Yuvraj Ramnauth adding 78.

The duo struggled a bit early on, but blossomed nicely as they timed the ball well on an easy-paced pitch.

Ramnauth struck three four’s before he was taken off Areeb Ali for 22. Ali then removed Bhedesh Persaud for 14 before Vickash Jaikaran fell to Brandon Jaikaran for 13.

Mc Garrell slammed six fours in a top score of 44 while El Nathan Sukhnandan struck four fours in scoring 35 to prop up the total. Shemar Phillips (10) was the only other batsman to reach double (Continued on page 34)

Kaieteur News

Friday January 25, 2019

PAGE 41

Prizes presented to champions of GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers Football League T

he Guyana Oil C o m p a n y ( G u y o i l ) confirmed that the there will be a second s e a s o n o f t h e GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers school football league during yesterday’s prize giving ceremony for the inaugural tournament which concluded last month.

Guyoil’s Marketing and Sales Manager, Jacqueline James made the announcement during her address at the ceremony held at the company’s Kitty Service Station, Kitty Public Road. ”We at the Guyana Oil Company will be committed to this tournament in 2019,” she said adding that the company is interested in seeing bigger and better things emerging from local football while the company remains committed to the development of all sports in Guyana.

Champions, Annandale Secondary, have indicated that they will use the $400,000 first prize money to rehabilitate their school

GUYOIL’s Jacqueline James presents the winning cheque and trophies to Annandale Secondary’s Deputy Head Master, Deon Abrams in the presence of other officials of the company and organisers. ground while the other schools inclusive of league runners-up Christianburg Wismar Secondary School ($200,000), third place Lodge Secondary ($100,000) and fourth place Vergenogen ($50,000) were undecided on what project

they will embark on.

Troy Mendonca who is the Co-Director of the promoters of the league; Petra Organisation, noted that they have now opened up an avenue for companies to invest in schools. ”We would have created

the foundation in terms of school football. No one can say that they want to give assistance to school football and don’t know where to go.”

He further explained: “We have programmes from the pee wee level all the way

to U-18 and that in itself is development moving forward. To have players and officials and media and executive week in and week out coming out there, on the football ground is really a commitment from each and everyone.”

Makayah Smith of the Bishops High was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper while Tyrese Lewis of CWSS was the highest goal scorer.

Omari Glasgow of Annandale was named the M o s t Va l u a b l e P l a y e r (MVP).

t r o Sp

Kemar Roach claims the day as England are left stunned

by West Indies

Kemar Roach, who holds the ball in the air, claimed a sensational five for 17 in 11 overs@ Action Images via Reuters

Concacaf Nations League

Local based Golden Jaguars commence training for Belize clash following GFF Talent ID process Prizes presented to champions of GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers Football League

Regal Sports U-19 Tourney to bowl off tomorrow in Wakenaam Shimron Hetmyer marshalled the tail. ŠAssociated Press

Taylor out of Karachi T20s as Aguilleira returns to lead

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