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AIETEUR

Death of Mae's student… Saturday Edition

Detained boyfriend admits to giving victim 'Ecstasy' to sell in school Finance Ministry, GRA should have key role in wording Model PSA provisions - IMF

NEWS

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January 26, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 04

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Royston King

SACKED You are Fired: Royston King

Nations student expelled after threat to shoot-up school Dead cancer victim's body goes missing, recovered en route to Bartica Alleged theft of Law Reports…

Nandlall fails to show up to lead defence Honouring FATCA Obligations…

GRA hires int'l firm to gather info on accounts held by US taxpayers Appointing AG as External Auditor for Natural Resource Fund a wrong move - NRGI

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

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Honouring FATCA Obligations…

GRA hires int'l firm to gather info on accounts held by US taxpayers

By Kiana Wilburg The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has hired international technology firm, Vizor Solution, to gather information on accounts held by US taxpayers at financial institutions (FIs). The company will also facilitate the production of an extract for transmission to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

This move is in line with Guyana's obligations under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

The F o r e i g n A c c o u n t Ta x Compliance Act requires Ta x A u t h o r i t i e s i n countries with a signed Model 1 Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the US, to report information to the IRS. Guyana signed its IGA with the USA on October 17, 2016. Signed at the Ministry of Finance in Georgetown, the US-Guyana IGA allows for the exchange of banking and tax information for citizens residing in both countries as foreign nationals and required the Government of Guyana to amend Section 63 of the Financial Institutions Act, to designate GRA as the Competent Authority, on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

FIs are thus required to undertake certai n d u e diligence and verification procedures to identify accounts held by US persons and report

information on these accounts to the GRA which will, in turn, report the information to the IRS. According to Vizor Software, the contract awarded by GRA is for its AEOI (Automatic Exchange of Information) Solution. The feature highlights of the Vizor AEOI solution include Financial Institution selfregistration and account creation; Extensive validation of FATCA data; Configuration options for running in “fully automated” mode; and Management reports for monitoring, tracking and reviewing information within the system by the competent authority and automated exchange of information with the IRS. Vizor Software is the global leader in cross-border information exchange solutions for Tax Authorities with over 15 jurisdictions having already implemented its solution to facilitate FATCA exchanges.

The company notes that its proven software platform can be implemented in as little as five weeks and is continuously upgraded to ensure compliance with any future changes to the standards. It has said that the extensive validation of all submitted data greatly reduces the administrative burden and risk for the Competent Authority.

FIGHT AGAINST OFFSHORE TAX

EVASION Guyana and the USA had signed the IGA as a commitment to fighting offshore tax evasion.

FATCA, which was enacted in 2010 by the US Congress, is designed to prevent tax fraud and evasion by US taxpayers using offshore banking facilities.

It creates a new regime of automatic tax information sharing between financial institutions.

At the 2016 signing, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, had said Guyana chose to be involved in this important venture not only because it will help to reduce tax evasion in the United States, but also, in Guyana, through the exchange of information between the two countries.

To fulfill the potential of FATCA to be a potent weapon in the fight against tax evasion and avoidance, the Finance Minister had said that Guyana would be required to undertake a number of measures to improve and strengthen its legislative and institutional arrangements.

“Thus, for example, Guyana amended Section 63 of the Financial Institutions ACT, Chap 85:03, Laws of Guyana, to designate the Guyana Revenue Authority as the competent Authority, on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

“This will allow Financial Institutions to provide the GRA with customer information on reportable accounts,” the economist said.

The Finance Minister said that the sharing of information across countries is important for the enforcement of domestic tax laws.

“By working together to increase transparency, both Guyana and the US will be able to detect and deter abuse of the tax system in both countries.

This will enable better

accountability within the global financial sector. The FAT C A A g r e e m e n t represents another step in our countries' cooperation with each other, in order to combat money laundering and tax evasion and avoidance.” Jordan continued, “Im p r o v i n g financial regulation and cooperation with international regulators has become an urgent priority in recent years, as the loss of correspondent banking relationships, due to derisking, has put pressure on financial institutions in Guyana and the rest of the

Caribbean region.” He added, “ H e a l t h y correspondent banking relationships are essential because they facilitate trade, foster economic growth; create legitimate avenues for growing remittances and providing access to financial services.” The Finance Minister had said that the adverse effects of de-risking on international trade, financial stability and growth, and money transfers (including remittances) have already been felt in many countries.

He said that if derisking continues unchecked, all Caribbean states can expect to experience some level of m a c r o e c o n o m i c i n s t a b i l i t y, f i n a n c i a l exclusion and, ultimately, economic collapse.

Kaieteur News

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Saturday January 26, 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

CONSEQUENCES U.S GOVT. SHUTDOWN ON THE CARIBBEAN The partial government shutdown in the U.S by President Trump over the building of a wall along Mexico’s border has entered its fifth week. It is the longest such in the history of the United States. Not only are some Government services no longer being provided to its citizenry, but undeniably, it has reduced tourism and remittances to the Caribbean and Guyana.

Unlike the Caribbean Islands whose economies and people depend heavily on tourism, Guyana’s is not.

However, remittances to Guyana, especially from the New York, which is the home to about 380,000 Guyanese nationals have helped to keep many afloat. Remittances are used for paying school fees, extra lessons, burials, medical expenses and buying groceries, as well as paying rent, mortgage or loans.

The fact that Guyana receives an average of US$440 million annually in remittances has prompted the Bloomberg Magazine, one of the world’s most influential financial publications, to surmise that Guyanese immigrants are doing more financial good for Guyana’s economy than the country’s private sector.

Data from the World Bank shows that remittances to low and middle-income countries reached US$466 billion in 2017, an increase of 8.5 percent over $429 billion in 2016.

The World Bank stated that global remittances, which include flows to high-income countries, grew seven percent to US$713 billion in 2017.

Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for nearly US$80 billion.

Should the US Government shutdown continues, it is safe to conclude that these countries will see a drop in remittance inflow.

A survey done in 2010 by the Oxford Economic Organization found that over the years, tourism has played a larger role in Caribbean economies than it did in any other region of the world.

According to the Caribbean Travel and Tourism Council, tourism from the United States alone accounts for more than 250,000 fulltime jobs or more than a quarter of the total employment in the Caribbean as well as over 50 percent of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017. It is estimated that 65 percent of all visitors to the Caribbean are from the United States, thus contributing US$12 billion to the region’s GDP. The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) shows a record 4.3 million tourists visited Jamaica in 2017, contributing US$3 billion to Jamaica’s GDP. This arrival figure represents a 12.1 percent increase over arrivals in 2016.

However, we are all familiar with the saying if the United States economy sneezes the economies of the region will catch a cold, which is just another way of saying that, whether we like it or not, we are in the same boat.

This is due largely in part to globalization, which has made the peoples and the economies of the world more interconnected now than at any other time in the history of mankind. Events and decisions happening in the major capitals of the world have a direct as well as an indirect impact for peoples far removed in the developing countries such as those in the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Undoubtedly, if U.S workers do not receive a pay cheque due to the government shutdown, obviously they are not going to travel, which has so far reduced tourism in the Caribbean by six percent.

Of the estimated 800,000 workers who are affected by the U.S government shutdown, almost 15,000 are Guyanese, which means that Guyanese at home could find themselves without financial support, especially if remittances were their only source of income.

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.

The No-Confidence Motion: Democracy is alive! Long live respect and loyalty to the Constitution!

DEAR EDITOR, The subject “Noconfidence Motion” has been topical recently.

Last week the Greek Parliament had before it, a “No-confidence Motion” which after discussion and debate resulted in the Motion being defeated by a one-vote majority, the Government survived.

Likewise, the British Parliament faced a Noconfidence Motion brought by the Opposition. That Motion was defeated; hence the Government was not required to resign.

During the said week in the British Parliament, a day before the No-confidence Motion there was another Motion on “Brexit” as presented by the Prime Minister. It was not passed!

Why? Because 118 members of the party in power with a significant majority in the house voted against the Motion.

The Motion failed. There was no vilification or derogation of those Government MPs who voted against the Motion. It was seen as a democratic process,

not a betrayal of trust.

Instead, it reflected a democratic process and the entrenched tradition of the British Parliament and its people.

In Guyana, when the Opposition moved a Noconfidence Motion on the 21st December, 2018 in the National Assembly and a member on the Government side supported the Opposition, it appeared to some persons as an act of infamy and repulsive to parliamentary norms.

After the Government member voted “yes”, hell broke loose in the Assembly.

There were efforts to halt the counting of the votes, also reported abuse, threats and assault of the perceived offending member. The Government members realized at that stage that it was the end of their tenure, as it would lead to a 33/32 vote which would be a majority vote. It signaled the premature end of the Government in office.

From behavioural patterns of the Parliamentarians in the Assembly on that day, it was

obvious that at critical stages the members of the Assembly knew, understood, recognized and accepted the implications of a 33/32 vote in favour of the Opposition.

The Motion was duly carried. This was confirmed by the Clerk of the Assembly and pronounced on by the Speaker. The Prime Minister conceded that the Noconfidence Motion was legally passed and he formally accepted that position and alluded to the various things which have to follow. He announced that the Government had fallen.

The democratic trees bloomed only a short while.

LAWS Laws are made for the security of citizens and the harmonious development of society so that each and every citizen will enjoy and preserve his/her entitled rights.

In like manner, institutions created under those laws, rules, regulations, traditions and conventions are equally embraced to assure the security and development of the citizens.

This goal is accepted by the leaders of the entire society.

The separation of powers in which three (3) branches of government are independently established being the Executive, the Parliament and the Judiciary ensure the effective working of a Democratic process.

The Nation is now confronted with national issues including Q U A L I F I C AT I O N o f sitting members of Parliament and what constitutes a MAJORITY. MAJORITY It will be naïve to separate the voting on the No-confidence Motion on the 21st December, 2018 from what has been the established historical norm and current practice that obtain in the National Assembly.

There is no ambiguity in stating that 33 is greater than 32. Those known 33/32 figures have guided the business and decisions in the Assembly over many years.

On the question of majority it is necessary to (Continued on page 6)

The ring of truth was conspicuously absent in this latest tale DEAR EDITOR, Soviet and Russian poet a n d a u t h o r Ye v g e n y Yevtushenko said: “When truth is replaced by silence, the silence is a lie.”

The truth which was published by Stabroek News on Sunday, 20th January, 2019 concerning the issue of appointment of Senior Counsel was replaced with five days of silence by the Executive.

But the truth did not go away. The issue snowballed, and the Attorney-General has now replaced his silence with a statement, couched in his inimitable style, which has been reported in the media.

In his statement, the Attorney General confirms (1) that the learned Chancellor had submitted my name to the executive among the list of Attorneys approved by the judiciary for the title Senior Counsel, and

(2) that the Protocol Officer from the Office of the President called me to inform me of my appointment. He suggested that Mr. Vic Persaud, the Protocol Officer, had ‘unwittingly conveyed to me that I was approved, when in fact I was only recommended, but still had to be considered by President David Granger’ for the conferral.

But of course, Mr. Vic Persaud did not contact all the people on the Judges’ List. He contacted only Fraser, Boston, Poonai, Shalimar-Hack, Ramcharran and myself. Therefore, the e x e r c i s e o f selection/weeding out had already been undertaken by the Executive before Mr. Persaud made his calls of congratulation to Counsel.

And of the six persons contacted and congratulated, only one received a second call from Mr. Persaud, revoking the appointment

and advising that the Executive had reconsidered.

In addition, Vic Persaud as Protocol Officer is the person mandated to contact recipients of awards, including the award of silk, to inform them of the honour and to congratulate them.

On Christmas Eve, he informed me of the honour and congratulated me.

On Christmas day, A N U G ’s l a u n c h w a s reported in Stabroek News, naming me as co-founder.

The following Sunday, five days later, Mr. Persaud called me for the second time to advise that the Executive had reconsidered my appointment.

Mr. Williams calls this coincidence.

He seeks instead to explain the removal of my name by introducing the novel concept that only lawyers with 30 years or more were being considered.

It does not appear that this

policy was communicated to the Chancellor before she sent her List. It also is unclear when the policy was adopted, since President Burnham, President Hoyte, Ian Chang, Ralph Ramkarran, and Chief Justice Roxane George were all appointed to silk with far less than thirty years at the Bar. It is strange that the Executive approved my name and instructed Mr. Persaud to communicate their approval before belatedly remembering this new policy.

The sound of truth carries a distinctive ring. One does not often hear that decibel in pronouncements by our political leaders, and the ring of truth was conspicuously absent in this latest tale by the Hon. Attorney- General, Mr. Basil Williams, Senior Counsel.

Yours sincerely, Timothy Jonas

Saturday January 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

We MUST continue the fight for PPP/C’s Democratic Centralism righteousness in Guyana!

DEAR EDITOR, I wish to respond to Mr. Winston Mars’s letter in another newspaper on 24 January, 2019 about my writings in the media as a citizen.

I would like to make two points in response to Mr. Mars’s comments: Firstly, I have made a decision a long time ago to serve Guyana and Guyana only. What that means, is that for most Guyanese like me, who do not have dual citizenship or even a residency in another country, Guyana is our only home.

So Guyana has to work for us, it has to!

I am also a member in this democracy and as members we have a responsibility to participate.

Secondly, I have given consideration many times to refraining from this space (the newspapers’ columns, as a citizen) but every time I attempt to do that, I think of all of those people who meet me in the streets and say thank you for writing, thank you for expressing our views.

Some say to me that I am the only female voice in the political and other critical governance discourse.

Winston Churchill said that ‘if I was able to see far, it was because I stood on the shoulders of giants’; we, the women in the Guyanese society are the giants upon whose shoulders the society stand.

Our women hold the Guyanese society together, yet they are not necessarily playing a main role in deci-

sion-making.

For sure, they are in leadership positions, but they have less influence in the real critical and serious decision-making in the country.

So is it that Mr. Mars is hinting that I should not continue to be that female voice on political and governance matters in this hardcore masculine society? Or should our people stop being citizens while they contribute in other areas of the society?

Albert Einstein said that ‘the world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything’.

Maybe if I had the option like many others and I can shuttle off to another home in another country, I might not care so much, and would remain silent and support the status quo.

Honestly though, had I been quiet, and supported the status quo, both now and previously, I would have been more economically stable and more comfortable, enjoying the finer things in life, but definitely not happier.

The bible says that ‘For creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed’ (Romans 8:19).

And Proverbs 29:2, ‘when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn’.

We MUST continue the fight for righteousness in Guyana, so that the people will be happy! We should not remain quiet, because people who are in leadership look like us, that is one of the main reasons our country is in this state after 53+ years.

Yours faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

Schizophrenic Populace DEAR EDITOR, Taxi-man again, complaining about his child mother overseas with their only child.

“He going to have to grow up there, go to school, get citizenship, before he come back home to help me out. Should he give up his overseas citizenship if he wants to go into politics? Because he would be showing greater allegiance by coming back home.

What about all the others like him, who have to go abroad to pursue their educa-

tion and might have to spend a long time and might have to become citizens there?

Are you calling this ‘allegiance’, when all they really want to do is come back home and contribute?

Which is more important to our development, allegiance or competence?

Right now and in the future, we are going to have a whole lot of new technology, systems and equipment. How are we going to learn to manage and use these things? We (Continued on page 6)

DEAR EDITOR, The post-nomination reactions of some PPP/C key players, those who were unsuccessful in their nomination bid, particularly their statements, were a mix of great disappointment, disenchantment and pain at the end result of their party’s charade that presented Jagdeo’s desired choice of Irfaan Ali for party nomination.

Dr. Frank Anthony’s immediate departure in the company of Central Committee member Indra Chandarpal, signaled all three of the human emotions mentioned above. Add this to the absence of the above two, to another former hopeful Dr. Vindhya Persaud, at Ali’s public meeting at Leonora, and one will have an understanding of muted protests from party high fliers.

The same can be applied to another front runner, Anil Nandlall, absent also who, based on his numerous public statements for and on behalf of the party, and his many legal representations for the party, and as well as for private citizens, presented a case where he believed that he had more than done enough for the nod from El Patron. His subsequent statement which included the word “disappointment”, said it all.

Such reactions are quite human and normal from the

‘losers’, particularly given the archaic and undemocratic system of Democratic Centralism that guided the process, and which usually subserves all dissenting voices to the line of party unity which the latter ideology enforces on its members in such circumstances.

It was Chandarpal who reflected this conundrum mostly, when as a central committee member, she supported Anthony’s candidacy in the contest, and expressed the sentiment “You are the epitome of decency, integrity and commitment… never change those values it is who you are”, she also said that he was a “great human being” and was happy to have supported him.

Such are accolades that sought not only to highlight the kind of qualities that she, and I suspect, other party members believe an ideal candidate ought to have, but also clearly pointing a finger that such are deficiencies in the person of Ali. However, when asked whether she supported the latter as the nominee, she answered in the affirmative, thus adhering to the process

of Democratic Centralism.

It is a great contradiction for a political party that has sought to accuse the coalition government, especially its largest component, the PNCR of being undemocratic, to continue to conduct its affairs in what can be described as totally unrepresentative of the wishes of its supporters.

But in a party that has built a known reputation for being markedly vindictive towards those who dissent its collective decision, the enforced silence towards criticizing the party’s eventual choice, and their unmistakable communist-style chant of unswerving support for Ali, has caused supposedly party grandees to be reduced to mere children. What a tragedy! What a shame!

Regards Dillon Goring

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Kaieteur News

This govt. is totally disinterested while rice farmers struggle DEAR EDITOR, It is an understatement that rice farmers across Guyana have no confidence in the APNU+AFC government. The No-Confidence motion of December 21st 2018, in fact, wholly captures the sentiments within the rice industry and within the agriculture sector. Rice farmers and millers have played a significant role in helping to keep Guyana’s economy afloat in the midst of under-performance from every other sector in the country. In the midst of a stagnant economy, gross mismanagement and incompetence from the APNU+AFC government, the rice industry has continued to shine bright. But the APNU+AFC government has only been visible in its policies and programs to stymie the rice industry. This government has been missing in action when it comes to helping the rice industry. At this very moment, rice farmers are struggling to irrigate their rice fields in Region 6, with almost 600 acres of rice fields under threat of being entirely lost.

Similar struggles are evident in Region 2. Rice farmers in Region 2 are still struggling with non-payment, as are pockets of rice farmers in other regions.

Rice farmers across Guyana are struggling to cope with rising lease and D&I fees.

The Minister of Agriculture has remained totally silent, seemingly totally oblivious of the struggles of these rice farmers. For rice farmers across Guyana and for rice

millers, this Minister has essentially been missing in action since May 2015, always seemingly unavailable, always absolutely disinterested.

While rice farmers have ensured they sustain high production of rice, the potential for expansion is being squandered by an incompetent APNU+AFC. In 2014, Guyana produced 640,000 tons of rice and was set to achieve 700,000 tons in 2015.

In the first crop of 2015, Guyana produced almost 400,000 tons of rice and, therefore, was set to easily achieve the 700,000 tons target for 2015. Guyana failed because of the sabotaging policies of APNU+AFC. It failed to achieve the 700,000 tons target in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Yet no one can dispute that if the Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture support the rice farmers, Guyana can easily surpass 700,000 tons.

At the end of 2014, Guyana maintained only a small deficit because we managed to earned as much $US in exports as we spent on imports. Yet in 2018, the deficit has ballooned to almost $US100M. This is because export earnings have been reduced by almost $US300M. Most of that export earnings losses have come from reduced sugar, rice and fish exports. The Minister of Agriculture has been shamefully silent.

Agriculture has always been the strength of Guyana’s economy, the sector that employs the largest number of

Guyanese. It is the sector that feeds our nation and is responsible for Guyana being a food-secured country. We need an active, attentive Minister of Agriculture, interested in every problem that plagues the sector. As rice farmers struggle, they need the interest of their minister. They don’t have that. This is why rice farmers and other farmers have no confidence that APNU+AFC can manage Guyana.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Saturday January 26, 2019

Schizophrenic Populace...

From page 5 might very well have to bring in people from overseas with their own citizenships to mind our businesses.

Running the government is an important part of our business.

With this ‘two-bit’ population Guyana has, the chances are that we are going to have to exclude too many qualified dual citizens from public office.

What about our Caricom friends and neighbours? I hear we have something called the CSME.

If we can’t get work here why should they offer us work in their country?

Somebody tell me about putting country first. What about the country putting its people first?

So that our people don’t have to hide their conscience, why not make them pledge allegiance first to our country? Don’t we need the talent? Anywhere you look, it is scarce like hell.

Look who we getting for President – an ‘online’ graduate. Is this not the type of in-

firmity resulting from our current crop of schizophrenics?

How you like that word?”

“Me, I have to search it up in the Parliamentary dictionary. But I think it means split in half: 33-32.”

“But last thing, you think that when this ‘discrimination’ clause was put in the constitution, the writers anticipated such a fallout? If so they would have made the majority 3432 out of 66.”

You must be kidding!

Yours faithfully E.B. John

The No-Confidence Motion: Democracy is...

From page 4 determine what happens in the Assembly when there is an equality of votes.

Article 168(1) and (2) of the Constitution states: “(1) Save as otherwise provided by this Constitution, all question proposed for decision in the National Assembly shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting.

(2) Except as provided by the next following paragraph, the Speaker or other member presiding in the Assembly shall not vote unless on any question the votes are equally divided, in which case he shall have and exercise a casting vote.

(3) A Speaker elected from among persons who are not members of the Assembly shall have neither an original nor a casting vote and if, upon any question before the Assembly when such a Speaker is presiding, the votes of the members are equally divided, the motion shall be lost.”

The vote being 33 to 32 carried as pronounced by the Speaker was a majority.

INELIGIBILITY Arguments have been made claiming that the vote of the Government member who supported the Opposition Motion should be disregarded. The rationale given is that the said member of Government Bench is a citizen of a foreign country and ought not to have been in the National Assembly.

However, Article 165(2) of the Constitution states: “(2) The Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership (including any vacancy not filled when the Assembly first meets after the commencement of this Constitution or after any dissolution of Parliament) and 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.

That Article negates the argument that a perceived disqualified member who participated in the proceedings and voted that such a vote lacks validity.

In law there is the established maxim which addresses

the presumption of regularity and it appears that Article 165(2) above preserves that concept.

Recent reports in the media suggest that members of the Government, including Ministers, fall into the same category of that member of Parliament whose vote they want to nullify.

Assuming but not admitting that the vote of the questioned member is a nullity, what is the legal consequence in relation to the volume of laws passed in the said Assembly, in which members of identical status of the questioned member voted ‘yes!’?

It is inviting anarchy if all of those laws are to be annulled, especially the budgetary laws.What is the consequence of a No-confidence Motion with which has been properly passed and validated by the speaker?

The consequence is captured by Article 106(6) of the Constitution which states: “(6) The 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.”

The honourable Speaker of the National Assembly is worthy of the highest commendation for being fair, firm, fearless and resolute in his refusal to rescind the decision pronounced by him in the National Assembly on the 21st December, 2018 that cannot be changed.

As the poet observed: “The moving finger writes and having writ moves on nor all thy piety nor writ shall lure it back again to cancel half a line or all thy tears wash out a word of it.”

(Simply put, what’s done cannot be undone) This matter has now moved away from the legislative arm of Government to the judicial arm.

The citizens, politicians, various organizations, the international community, Caricom and the world at large await the pronouncement of the Court.

Democracy is alive!

Long live respect and loyalty to the Constitution!

Jailall T. Kissoon and Vibert Parvatan, Former Ministers of the Government

Saturday January 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Granger should not get a free pass; he allowed the wrongs - Jagdeo The building Government rented for $12M per month

D’Urban Park

By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, is accusing the media and civil society of exhibiting double standards.

Jagdeo said that it is time the public stops sheltering President David Granger and hold him accountable. He said that the President must share responsibility for the wrongs committed by Ministers under his watch.

Speaking at a press conference hosted at his Church Street Office on Thursday, Jagdeo said that many credit the President for not directly being fingered in any corrupt act, “but he knew of them. We brought it to his attention; he did nothing to resolve these issues.”

The Opposition Leader said that by virtue of knowing and allowing certain matter to prevail, President Granger should not “get free pass.”

Jagdeo then moved to point out some of the “wrongs” to which President Granger turned a blind eye.

His first case in point was

the infamous US$18M signing bonus that the government surreptitiously collected from oil giant, ExxonMobil.

“Granger knew that they received the bonus but when they hid it for over a year, he did not say a word.”

Jagdeo’s next reference was the controversial renting of the Sussex Street Drug Bond.

Following three years of public criticism, it was only in August last year that the Government finally exited the bond at Sussex Street but not before racking up a bill of $314.6M. The issue of the bond surfaced in 2016 when it was learnt that the $25M bond had been rented under very lucrative terms to businessman, Larry Singh, during the tenure of former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton.

It was pointed out that at the cost of $25M, the Government could have built 12 bonds using the $325M it paid to Singh.

The controversy intensified when it was discovered late 2016 that the facility was

merely storing items such as lubricants and condoms.

“He (Granger) knew about the drug bond. In fact, he put together a committee that endorsed it.”

The Opposition Leader then went on to point out yet another concern to the public—spending for the D’Urban Park project.

The D’Urban Park project was smeared after there was little transparency regarding the financing of the initiative.

Almost $1B was expended on this project but there seems to be little trace as to how the monies were spent and how contracts were tendered.

The Auditor General had launched a special audit into this project but he hit a major stumbling block when he could not find records of transactions during the early stages of the project when it was handled by Homestretch Development Inc. – a special purpose company which was established to oversee the completion of the facility in time for Guyana’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Jagdeo said that even with knowing the lack of transparency, “(President Granger) said nothing is wrong; he came out and defended it. “ Jagdeo said that were it a

People’s Progressive Party President, “It would have been that the President must be collecting money from Larry Singh and the others but in this case, it is President Granger so it is okay.”

Jagdeo continued, “(Citizens will say) that happened at another level of his government but when we were in office, the President got blame for anything. If a policeman (Continued page 12)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

Finance Ministry, GRA should have key role in wording Model PSA provisions -IMF

By Kiana Wilburg The Ministry of Finance and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) should have primary responsibility for the wording and interpretation of fiscal and tax provisions of the Model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that is being pursued by the Energy Department.

This is according to the I n t e r n a t i o nal Monetary Fund (IMF).

The organization is assisting Guyana in preparing for the oil sector. The Fund said it is necessary to have these two institutions involved in the aforementioned process so as to mitigate loopholes and improve and control the audit of recoverable

costs.

In addition, the Fund said that leadership on fiscal provisions and petroleum costs audit should be given to the Guyana Revenue Authority, which it stressed has experience in tax audits.

Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe, had told Kaieteur News that his office will be revising Guyana’s model Production Sharing Agreement to ensure the country gets the “biggest bang for its buck.”

Dr. Bynoe had said, “We currently have a PSA and it is what we used in the case of Exxon.

As you would understand, we want to ensure we review that in its entirety because there will be things that

will need tweaking and that goes without saying. T he idea is to have a model PSA, which is more contextual to our current reality and where we are going.”

The official added, “That model PSA, once it is in place would be looked at by the Department (continuously) and it will be applied and tweaked where necessary.”

Dr. Bynoe had also sought to stress that the PSA would not be a one-size-fitsall approach.

He said that there would be times when it will need to be amended depending on the context of the situation that obtains.

He had elaborated, “What I am saying is that it will depend on the context of the

situation. Let us say, for example, you have inland wells that you have no interest coming forth, except for one person who wishes to pursue some exploratory action there.

“Do you think an open market tender is the best route to go? (No) So that is all I am saying. It will depend on the situation, location, context and everything.”

Dr. Bynoe had added, “What we are interested in ensuring is that Guyana gets maximum returns on its resources and that those resources or the benefits derived there from would redound to Guyana.

The entire focus is to ensure we are getting the biggest bang for the buck.”

JORDAN AGREES Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, is also of the view that the existing template for Production Sharing Agreements must be revised.

He made this position quite clear during his reading of budget 2018.

The Finance Minister had said that the discoveries by ExxonMobil have de-risked the basin and has resulted in the significant ramping up of

exploration activities in other already-allocated offshore blocks.

In light of the discoveries, the economist said that the Government also anticipates significant interest in exploring the unallocated blocks of Guyana’s de-risked, offshore basins.

As such, the Finance Minister said it is imperative that the Government safeguard the rights of the nation to a fair share of resource wealth.

He said that in order to do this, the existing template of

the Production Sharing Agreement must be revised to be more accommodating to changing commodity prices while maintaining a level of progress that is responsive to profitability.

The Finance Minister had said that while the Government strengthens its ability to negotiate more equitable PSAs, key agencies within the recently established Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on petroleum will continue to coordinate capacity building and interactions with the industry.

Saturday January 26, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Detained boyfriend admits to giving victim ‘Ecstasy’ to sell in school

Death of Mae’s student…

The probe into the apparent suicide of a Mae’s Secondary School student has now spiraled into an investigation into the alleged distribution of the ‘date rape’ drug, ‘Ecstasy’ in the elite private school.

Kaieteur News has confirmed that police have detained the 15-year-old victim’s 20-year-old boyfriend.

He has reportedly told investigators that he had occasionally given the sixth former ‘Ecstasy’ pills to distribute in her school.He was still in custody last night, and police are awaiting a postmortem to ascertain what exactly the victim ingested.

A senior police official confirmed to Kaieteur News that investigators are questioning the boyfriend.

Asked if they were looking at reports that the individual had been giving the

student drugs to sell, the official said, “We are investigating something like that.”

Kaieteur News understands that relatives have told investigators that the sixthformer alleged that she was in a relationship with a man who gave her “drugs” to take to school.

The relationship reportedly started last April.

“She said he used to give her drugs to take to school, something like a tablet to sell to kids,” source said.

Information provided to investigators suggests that the relatives notified at least one educator about the allegations. The girl’s parents had reportedly contacted an attorney about the matter.

However, during a press conference on Thursday, a senior school official denied reports about the drug ‘Ecstasy’ being circulated in the

school. The 15-year-old is believed to have ingested a poisonous substance around noon on Thursday, shortly after distributing two suicide notes to her friends and teachers. It is alleged that during the lunch break, students observed the sixth-former vomiting and raised an alarm.

She succumbed at the Woodlands Hospital.

Yesterday, a Department of Public Information report stated that the Ministry of Education conducted counselling sessions for students of Mae’s Secondary School.

Those in attendance during the counselling session included guidance and counselling officers, along with the Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry, Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson and Chief School Welfare Officer.During the visit to the private education institution,

Dem boys seh ...

It easier to ketch people than fowl When dem boys was young and dem want to mek ‘bush cook’, dem use to see who fowl dem could ketch. And ketching fowl is not easy. Sometimes it easier to ketch people.

When dem boys want ketch fowl, dem would throw rice pon de ground and lead it to a trap. The fowl would follow and pick de rice grain till it reach de trap. Is de same thing wid people. When some politicians want to trap people, dem does play music and de people does follow till de music stop.

Jagdeo was a country boy, suh he know bout rice grains to ketch fowl and he know bout music to lead people. He so smart dat he done cast rice grains and playing music fuh dem sugar workers. He tell dem dat if dem vote fuh him, he gon open back dem sugar estates wha Soulja Bai close.

On Thursday a reporter ask him how he can open de sugar estates knowing dat dem can’t mek money and dem gon drain de economy. De man remember dat is dem sugar estates dat give him most of his money. He collect de lion’s share from the US$200 million

dat go to build de Skeldon factory. Dat is why de factory can’t wuk to dis day.

At de same time, de treasury keep pouring money into de sugar industry like when water flowing over Kaieteur Falls.

Thursday, Jagdeo tell de reporter dat he know dat de sugar can’t mek money but it mek more sense, at least to him, to keep de sugar factories open. He she, he gon tek de oil money and keep pouring it into sugar.

Normally, people does pour sugar into things to mek it sweet.

Well dem boys want to know if dat is not wasting money. Is like if he lining up dem cane cutters every week and sharing out money fuh nutten. De truth is dat it wouldn’t happen but dem people don’t know dat.

Jagdeo ain’t stupid to throw away money.

Dat is why he throwing out dat gaff like rice to fowl and music to people who like tramp.

He know it easier to ketch people because there is nutten like big promises.

Talk half and wait fuh a promise from Soulja Bai.

Minister Henry and her team met with, listened to, and offered support to the administration and students.

She told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that her Ministry plans to address this issue in a holistic way.“Based on all we have heard so far, there are a lot of social issues that ought to be addressed. I believe what we saw.

“There is a symptom of a larger problem, at the level of the Ministry of Education, we have undertaken several initiatives under the broad umbrella of the school health programme and therefore I would want to see stronger collaboration with the public and private education system,” she explained.

The Minister expressed her concern for the safety, health and delivery of education to every child across the country and assured that her Ministry will assist in every way possible. She also urged students to consult with the relevant officials attached to their school concerning the loss of their colleague.

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson said, “We at the Ministry of Education also feel this loss because at the end of the day as a Ministry, we are responsible for the school system and those children within the walls of various schools.

“It is quite sad that something of this nature would have happened…We feel that it is important to come here

and address our students.”

He also expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased for their loss.

As part of the Ministry’s effort to transport welfare officers to areas in which persons are in need of counselling, the mobile psychosocial unit was present at the school to help the students.

Launched in 2018, this unit aims to help to reduce stress levels and provide a quick response to trauma.

The Unit is fully equipped with a refrigerator, stove, air condition, bathroom and other facilities to benefit the officials who will be travelling to hinterland areas, among others, to provide counselling.

PAGE 10

Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The AFC meets today; thinks the PNC is a set of stupid people

A

t today’s meeting at the Umana Yana, AFC leaders will repeat ad nauseam what Khemraj Ramjattan told the media last week. If you do not want to be shocked then don’t read it. I carried it in my Thursday column and here it is again.

He said that he would expect the same shape of power

between the AFC and APNU as outlined in the Cummingsburg Accord for the next general election.

He indicated he saw no reason for an alternative arrangement and he cited the continuing strength of the AFC. The local lingo in bars and rum shops is when one says something that is incom-

prehensibly idiotic and something that is so absurd it should not be said, you are told that you are smoking konga pump. Was Ramjattan smoking konga pump when he uttered those laughable beliefs?

When the election results were officially declared in May 2015, the shape showed that the coalition won parliament

by one vote. Yes one vote.

There are ten parliamentarians that come from the ten Regions.

The PPP lost Region Eight by one ballot, and state power by less than 5000 votes. From the time those facts were made known, uneasiness crept into the relation between the AFC and PNC. Why?

The 2015 election results showed the massive reversal of the numerical support of the AFC from the last election in 2011.

In the 2011 contest, it pulled in 11 percent of the vote with roughly 30,000 votes. GECOM’s 2015 report of the votes from each district revealed that the AFC may not have received more than five percent of the national cake.

The humiliating revelations were that Nagamootoo and Ramjattan lost in their own home villages.

One suspects it was for that reason that there was a splitting of authority in each AFC ministry, the creation of a ministry of the presidency and that the long list of jurisdictions for Minister Harmon and an abbreviation of the portfolios of the Prime Minister as spelt out in the June 2015 gazette.

If from 2015, the PNC did not make up its mind that the AFC insertion into state power in the next national poll had to be prodigiously cut, then it had completely and absolutely shaped its future attitude to the AFC after the horrific defeat of the AFC at the November 2018 local government elections (LGE).

Conscious that it is useless to contest in all 88 local government authorities (LGA), the AFC only competed in 38. A party with 40 percent of ministries, including the prime ministership, and twelve parliamentarians out of 65, had to be a major electoral player. But the LGE showed that the AFC was not.

In one of the most disgraceful showings for a major party in any country in the entire world, the AFC did not win one, I repeat one LGA. So the AFC wants the prime minister slot for the next election in its coalition with APNU. There isn’t one, I repeat one, major PNC leader that is going to concede that.

Mr. Granger, unless he refuses, will be the APNU’s candidate.

The whole world knows Mr. Granger is not in 100 per-

Frederick Kissoon cent health situation. If APNU wins, there is always the question as to whether declining health would allow him to endure five years of grueling leadership.

If Mr. Granger takes a back seat or resigns then a party with less than five percent of the support of the national electorate becomes the president.

It is not only a monstrous caricature but a possibility than the PNC will not contemplate.

Someone in the AFC swallowed monkey apple seeds when they drank the juice (first drink I made after I got married and moved into my marital home was monkey apple juice, which my wife flatly refused to drink; when you see her, ask her) when he/she said the prime ministership must come from the AFC. This is my prediction. I wrote on it before. I will repeat it in forthcoming columns as the election campaign begins. The AFC and APNU will retain their joint slate. There will be no renewal of the Cummingsburg Accord.

There will be no binding agreement on power distribution between the AFC and APNU before the elections.

APNU will name a prime ministerial candidate and he/ she will not come from the AFC. If the Coalition wins, the AFC will not get more than two senior ministers and possibly one minister of state.

The AFC will not be allocated more than five parliamentarians. It is only fair that what you get must be based your performance in the election.

Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

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Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Policing of Marijuana has racist, classist undertones - Report The efforts of Governments and law enforcement to police the use, possession and trafficking of marijuana creates a system of disadvantage for certain races and classes, according to findings listed in the Report of the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana 2018.

The report states that the law is inconsistently applied, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of other substances proven to be harmful, such as alcohol, which are not similarly prohibited, criminalised and demonised. Persons, the report detailed, spend long periods in prison for the possession of small amounts of

marijuana, even persons who use for medical reasons. Additionally, persons arrested and convicted end up with harsher penalties than those who commit violent victimbased crimes.

The report posits that the propensity to incarcerate has led to a wasteful and costly system where many potentially productive lives and families have been destroyed without benefit to society.

It is in this regard that the report notes the legal and social dimensions on the issue of marijuana, which it states, are wide, varied and compelling. A discernible disadvantage is that persons are arrested and convicted at dis-

proportionate rates from a certain race and class. This “does not correspond to the many who actually use it,” according to the report.

Findings indicate a diminution of social, economic and cultural rights, and civil and political rights such as equality, constituting the wide-reaching impact of law enforcement efforts. “Yet, law and policy remain blinded to these unequal paradigms and prejudices, revealing a structural and systematic defect of equity in the criminal justice system.”Every level of the criminal justice system, the report states, has displayed biases and inequality, particularly to poor, marginalised and

Rastafarian people.

“Stereotypes and prejudices remain even in our courts. Because of how Caribbean societies are stratified, such inequity often translates into underlying race biases.”

The commission, in its report, took the position that legal policy toward marijuana should be informed, not by punitive approaches but by public health rationales, within a human rights, social justice and developmental perspective. It notes that there are deep rationales for law reform of harmful, ineffective and unjust prohibitionist legal regime that currently informs cannabis, supported by strong public opinion, as well as credible scientific and em-

pirical data and analysis.

Data suggests that drug usage is often, for poorer communities, a coping mechanism to deal with lack of opportunities. The drug doesn’t cause violence but it causes criminal activity in the context of a society where the drug is illegal and frowned upon, through turf wars and gang violence. Some of the violence occurs as a result of heavy-handed policing in eradication efforts, where millions of black market profits are lost each year, the report stated. The commission accepts evidence that the original classification of the drug as a dangerous drug with no value was made without the benefit of scientific research

Granger should not get a ....

From page 7 took a bribe, we took the heat for it.“They say it got to be Jagdeo or Ramotar or Janet Jagan or Cheddi Jagan. But in this case, it had to be at another level of his government.

Granger has nothing to do with it; this is the double standard that we have.”Jagdeo said that Granger basically encouraged operations to allow a little cabal “to feed off of the resources of the country at the expense of the masses.”

or data. This classification, spearheaded by the US, and automatically followed domestically. The history of the criminalisation of the drug in the US was also allegedly constructed to destabilise communities of colour.

CNN reported, in 2016, a quote from John Ehrlichman, the domestic policy chief of former US president Richard Nixon. Ehrlichman was quoted in an interview as saying “The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin.

And then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Saturday January 26, 2019

Lawyers discuss legal issues stemming from passage of no-confidence motion It was an afternoon of lengthy submissions, yesterday, when lawyers for the government, Speaker of the National Assembly Barton Scotland and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo addressed the court on several legal issues arising since the passage of the no-confidence motion against the government last December.

Acting on behalf of the government, Attorney General Basil Williams is challenging Scotland and Jagdeo and he is asking the court for its determination on the issues. Chief Justice Roxane George is hearing the matter.

Williams sought to address the issue of whether Resolution 101 is constitutional and effective and passed in accordance with Article 106 (6) of the Constitution.

According to Williams, Resolution 101 issued by the Speaker is unlawful. Citing a case law, he said, “You cannot certify an illegality.”

He said, too, that once a

resolution by parliament is inconsistent with any law, the High Court has jurisdiction to declare it null and void.

“It is respectfully submitted that the High Court of Guyana has jurisdiction to entertain this Application. The Court is the guardian and protector of the Constitution.”

The Attorney General submitted that the failure to obtain 34 or more votes breached Article 106(6) of the Constitution and was unlawful and the certification by the speaker by issuing Resolution 101 could not be conclusive.

Referencing a certain section of the Constitution, which Williams says makes provision for the government to run its fiveyear course, he maintained that the government was not defeated since the passage of the no-confidence motion is unlawful.

According to him, “Resolution 101 cannot lawfully abridge or curtail the five-year term of office

of the APNU+AFC Government and to the extent that it is inextricably connected to and intertwined with the mandatory requirements of Article 106 of the Constitution.

That the Cabinet and President resign no later than March 31, 2019, purports to curtail or abridge the APNU+AFC term, which constitutionally expires no earlier than May 2020, and to that extent that it has the effect of reducing the fiveyear term in terms of Article 70(3), it is pro tanto inconsistent with Article 70 (3) and invalid for such inconsistency.”

On the issue of majority vote, Williams told the court that for the government to be defeated on a vote of confidence, 34 or more votes of all elected members in favour of the motion was required instead of 33. He said that this assertion is grounded in established Parliamentary precedence and practice and case law in the Commonwealth.

Stressing that the vote on

the no-confidence motion was illegal, Williams said that the ordinary and legal meaning of a majority is a number greater than half.

And that according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary (1828), “majority rule” is defined as, “A political principle providing that a majority usually constituted by fifty percent plus one of an organized group will have the power to make decisions binding upon the whole.”

This definition of m a j o r i t y, Wi l l i a m s contends, is applied in no confidence cases to both even and uneven numbers Parliaments and in the latter case where fractions are involved the rounding up of the fractions require at least a majority of two clear votes.

On the government's side also is Attorney-at-Law Maxwell Edwards who addressed the court on whether Section 5 of the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2000 (No 17/2000) is constitutional and not inconsistent with Article 70 of the Constitution.

Arguing that Article 70 (3) of the Constitution guarantees an elected government a five-year term of office, Edwards said that Article 106 (6) which states, “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected,” truncates the government's five-year term.

However, Nandlall who is appearing for Jagdeo has argued that the government's application is bad in law and should be thrown out by the court.

Addressing the court on the issue raised by government that 33 is not a majority of 65, Nandlall cited several definitions for majority by the Blacks' Law Dictionary and the Oxford Dictionary and the Webster's third new International Dictionary.

According to Nandlall, the Blacks' Law dictionary states, “A majority always refers to more than half of some defined or assumed set.

In parliamentary law, that set, may be all of the

members or some subset, such as all members present or all members voting on a particular question.”

Furthermore, Nandlall said that the Oxford Dictionary defines a majority as, “The state or fact of being greater, the number by which in voting, the votes cast on one side exceeds those cast on other.”

W h i l e t h e We b s t e r Dictionary states that a majority is “The quality or state of being greater: number greater than half of a total: the excess of such a greater number over the remainder of the total.”

Nandlall, a former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, is arguing that the definition for majority put forward by Williams is not logical. He is contending that where a government was formed on the basis of the support of only 33 of the 65 elected members, it means that in order to implement any legislative measure, it must get the vote of at least one opposition member.

Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Opposition briefs CARICOM delegation on no-confidence vote

The Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, MP, yesterday met with the Chairman of CARICOM, Dr. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and team, including CARICOM-Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

The meeting took place at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, 304 Church Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.

The meeting discussed the no-confidence motion against the current Coalition Government, among other things.

Also at the meeting were PPP Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali; Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira; and MP, Juan Edghill.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

HEYS businesses in Deep South Rupununi receive a significant boost

Youth of Achiwib receiving their Resource Kits Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, on Sunday handed over resource kits for the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme to participants in

S h e a , Aw a r a u n a u a n d Maruranau during a Ministerial outreach in Region 9.a Speaking at public meetings, participants said that they are excited about receiving the resource kits,

since this will significantly boost their various businesses established under the Youth programme.

The villages will also benefit since they lack such resource kits, hence, the use of the kits will be shared with

the village Council.

Minister Garrido-Lowe said the Government is faithfully keeping its promise to the indigenous peoples and more so the youth. It is ensuring that they are empowered enough to

provide for themselves and their families.

Minister Garrido-Lowe said, “This is the APNU/AFC Government showing you how much, as a Government, we care for our indigenous peoples. It is our

duty, if we care for our people, to build the capacity of our youth… to give them the knowledge and skills in different areas.

“HEYS youth were trained in different (Continued on page 20)

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Fire partially destroys Charity's Sky Bar The Fire Department in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast is still investigating the source of a fire, which destroyed a section of the prominent A&S complex, at Charity yesterday morning.

Based on information sourced, the five-storey building is owned by prominent businessman, Alfro Alphonso.

This publication understands the ground floor of the building is been used as a supermarket, while the fifth floor houses the popular 704 Sky Bar. According to reports, the fire started on the third floor of the building shortly after midnight yesterday. The third floor of the modern shopping complex houses electrical appliances and

other household items. This publication understands that an alarm was raised by a security guard, who was stationed at the location at the time of the fire.

The security guard said that she smelled burning wires, and upon investigating, she realized that the third floor of the building was on fire. After a prompt response by the Fire Department, the fire was brought under control, preventing further damage to both the exterior and other floors of the building. When contacted yesterday afternoon, the Anna Regina Fire Department indicated that investigations are still ongoing to determine the source of the fire.

The partially burnt A&S complex

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

HEYS businesses...

From page 17 areas – building selfe s t e e m , a n g e r management, a little math a n d E n g l i s h , business/budgeting, ecotourism, agriculture and at least two vocational skills; these skills include garment construction, carpentry and joinery, masonry, catering, information technology, small engine repairs and electrical installation.

“This means that you can earn money with the skills you have gained; you will be able to raise your standard of living and that of your families. The entire community will benefit in the end.

“And this is what the APNU/AFC Government is all about – ensuring that our indigenous people receive the opportunities that you deserve so that you too will have a chance to enjoy the good life”.

The Minister added, “We have made sure we have touched 215 villages catering for 20 youths in each village, providing $30,000 per month to assist them while they learn the different skills including

how to do business, how to identify business opportunities in your villages and how they can be successful.

“Instead of depending on their parents to clothe and feed them, the business is there to take care of that.”

To date, the programme has achieved its desired outcome. Participants have b een v o cal ab o u t th e positive impact it continues to make in their lives.

Daniel Charlie, of Maruranau said, “I do pig rearing.

That is what I started off with and now I have eleven pigs. Early next year, I will have more.”

Sylvin Robinson who is also into pig rearing said, “I have three mother pigs (Sows) and they are ready to drop and so I expect to have plenty more.”

Other participants are involved in snackettes, joinery, gardening and poultry rearing which are positively contributing to their lives and their respective village economies.

Addressing some of the challenges experienced,

Minister Garrido-Lowe applauded the youth for their efforts. She said, ´We know that the economy is slow but you are still with your business. You have not given up and that is a testimony to your character.

“That is a really good attitude when you want to achieve your dreams but it takes effort, dedication and patience”.

M i n i s t e r Va l e r i e Garrido-Lowe also assured participants from these villages that this year ( 2 0 1 9 ) , t h e i r existing businesses will also be receiving an additional boost from Government—a $50,000 grant.

This grant has already been approved in the National Assembly and youth will soon begin to receive their disbursements.

Over the last two years, 3,795 youth in 215 villages were able to benefit from training in life skills, vocational interests and entrepreneurial skills.

The APNU/AFC Government has invested more than $2 billion in indigenous and hinterland youth development.

Saturday January 26, 2019

Heart blamed on death of E'bo carpenter in police custody A postmortem e x a m i n a t i o n conducted on the late O m S i n g h , a carpenter from the Essequibo Coast who died on last Sunday night while under a r r est, has revealed that the deceased died as a result of a heart failure.

The post mortem examination was c o n d u c t e d o n Thursday by Dr. Nehaul Singh.

On Sunday night, Singh was taken into

p o l i c e c u s t o d y following reports of a d o m e s t i c disturbance. It was alleged that during a f i g h t w i t h h is wife, Singh was hit to the face. It was initially suspected that the blow might have killed him.

Last Thursday's autopsy report, which revealed that Singh died of a cardiac arrest, resulted in the release of his wife f r o m p o l i c e c u s t o d y.

The deceased Om Singh

Saturday January 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Police Public Relations personnel, others undergo training as reform continues The participants

The Guyana Police Force’s Public Relations Department is among the first to undergo training as part of the Force’s reform process.

On Tuesday, ranks of the department took part in a workshop in Media Relations and Communications Skills, which was facilitated by two high ranking Media Relations and Communications Specialists from the United Kingdom.Dr. Joan Boyd and Ms. Susan Corbett traveled to Guyana a week ago.

They met with the Force’s Top Brass and shortly after began working with the PRO (Public Relations Officer) and his team, in efforts to advance their capabilities in the disciplines of communication and Public Relations as well as highlighting necessary departmental upgrades, which would coincide with best practices of modern policing.

The training consisted of the fundamentals of reporting as well as guidelines for effective communication aimed at internal and external audiences. The ranks also received advice from Senior Crime Journalism Mr. Rabindra Rooplall of the

Guyana Chronicle.

Dr. Boyd and Ms. Corbett who are here through the auspices of the British High Commission have worked as journalists in Northern Ireland and have also worked very closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and are reputable Media Consultants spanning the areas of Public Relations, Communications, Crisis Communications, Journalism, Media Relations, Corporate Communications and Social Media.The programme concluded on Wednesday at the Officers’ Training Centre where the Force’s Community Relations Officers, the Divisional correspondents from all Policing Divisions and two representatives from the Guyana Prison Service will undergo a similar type of training in communication skills.Last October, Commissioner Leslie James promised a reformed Police Force by March. This was corroborated by President David Granger at the opening of the Annual Officers’ Conference. He reiterated the need for incorruptible, professional and unbiased policemen and women.

Alleged theft of Law Reports…

Nandlall fails to show up to lead defence Former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall, yesterday failed to show up in court to lead his defence in the matter in which he is accused of stealing 14 LexisNexis Law Reports of the Commonwealth from the State.

Yesterday, when the matter was called in the courtroom of Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore, Neil Boston, one of the lawyers representing Nandlall, stood before the Magistrate and asked that his client’s absence be excused.

The lawyer added that Nandlall was involved in a Constitutional matter before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire in the High Court.

The lawyer went on to tell the court that Nandlall was delivering submissions in one of the cases filed as a result of the passage of the no confidence motion. The lawyer noted that Nandlall’s absence does not show any disrespect to the court.

The Magistrate after listening to the lawyer adjourned the matter until February 13 for Nandlall to lead his defence.

It is alleged that Nandlall, between May 18 and May 29, 2015, being a bailee in the then capacity of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, fraudulently converted 14 Commonwealth Law Reports valued at $2,313,853, property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, to his own use and benefit.

Nandlall has pleaded not

Charged: Anil Nandlall guilty to the allegation and is out on self-bail, pending the hearing and determination of the trial.

On the last occasion, the Magistrate ruled that sufficient evidence was led against Nandlall in relation to the alleged theft of 14 LexisNexis Law Reports of the Commonwealth.

In the circumstances, she called upon him to lead a defence in the matter.

The Magistrate ruled that Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) Prosecutor, Patrice Henry, was able to prove every element of the offence.

In addressing the courtroom, she said that after spending hours of perusing the evidence led by Prosecutor Henry, she was left with no option but to overrule the defence no case submission,

which was presented by Attorney-at-law Glenn H a n o m a n .

Nandlall’s lawyer, in addressing the court, said that his client will give a sworn testimony.

He added that they will also try to get former President Donald Ramotar, to testify on Nandlall’s behalf.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs is contending that there is no evidence of the agreement between Nandlall and Ramotar. And even assuming that there was such an agreement, the use of public funds in this manner is a flagrant violation of the Financial Management and Accountability Act. Nandlall was charged after SOCU, an arm of the Guyana Police Force, completed investigations.

We will disregard privatizations post no-confidence motion- Jagdeo The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is adamant that the Coalition Government fell since December 21, last, due to the passage of the no-confidence motion. Therefore, Government is in caretaker mode and should only be operating routinely, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo contends.

But, the government is not subscribing to that notion. Citing its concerns about the manner in which the motion was passed, the government has turned to the court and insists that it is “business as usual” until such time as a court ruling is made.

As such, the government continues to follow its agenda.

An issue of contention on Government’s agenda is the privatization of closed sugar estates. While Government is deliberating on proposals submitted since last year November for the sale of the three estates belonging to GuySuCo, Jagdeo, the PPP General Secretary is saying that any sale affected would be considered null and void by a PPP government. At his weekly press conference held on Thursday, Jagdeo told the media, “(PPP) would not recognize any deals that are not the routine. When I speak about the routine function of government, it doesn’t involve privatization now.

“Any privatization done in this period with a government that should have resigned; a government that is operating in a caretaker

capacity would be seen as an illegal arrangement.”Jagdeo was asked specifically if the PPP would consider honouring the sale of GuySuCo estates.

He responded in the negative citing his same “caretaker” point.

Jagdeo said, “This is only making money for a few people and they know this.”

He then questioned, “Which investor is going to want to come now and sign a deal with a fallen government? Unless you are one of those underhand types of people who think you can get a quick lucrative deal before a new government gets into office.”

The Special Purpose Unit (SPU) of the government holding company, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), has been entrusted with responsibility for four shuttered estates: Rose Hall, and Skeldon, East Demerara (Enmore) and Wales. With the exception of Wales, the others were put up for sale.GuySuCo is still operating the Albion, Blairmont, and Uitvlugt estates, which it has been charged with turning around.The move to privatize some of the sugar estates in Guyana gained momentum last November after several bids were received and 10 envelopes had been publicly opened.The position being taken now by the PPP to not honour the transactions is one that was taken by former President, Dr. Cheddi (Continued on page 23 )

Nations student expelled after threat to shoot-up school A School of the Nations student has been expelled and is now being questioned by the police over a threat to shoot up the learning institution.

Parents reportedly kept their children away from the New Market Street school yesterday out of fear.According to reports, the accused, said to be a third or fourth form student, had returned from overseas.

In a social media post this week, he purportedly had this to say: “Glock hold 16 shots If you value your life, don’t come to school friday (sic)”.

However, persons who saw the post on Thursday were not taking it lightly. They complained to the school’s management.

He was expelled later in the day and security beefed up.

According to Dr. Brian O’Toole, Director of Nations, the student allegedly made the threat on Facebook but “…posted another one of aggressive act and we (since) put it in hands of police.”He said that the school’s management met with the Parent/Teacher’s Association and that the matter is being investigated.“Whether in jest or temper, we can’t tolerate that. It is serious.”

O’Toole did not offer any motive for the threats by the student.

“As it is now in the hands of the police, we have been advised if there is any request from the media, the requests should be referred to the police.”

PAGE 22

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Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561

Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban) unfurnished (1) bedroom $50,000, (2) bedroom $60,000.

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Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

ROYSTON KING SACKED

He clawed his way into one of the most powerful positions at City Hall. Sitting as the Town Clerk, in essence the Chief Executive Officer of the office that runs Georgetown, he then was forced to fight to keep his place.

On Thursday, he was fired by the Local Government Commission (LGC).It was the rise and fall of a man who started at City Hall, as the Public Relations Officer.King was the centre of major revelations last year in a Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice (Ret’d) Cecil Kennard.

The hearings riveted the nation.The findings of the inquiry pointed to significant fraud at City Hall.

The tenure of King had been a rough road for him.

He had come under fire for his defence of the parking meter contract, and a number of land deals which were highly questionable, to say the least.He was seen as the focal point of growing anger against a City Hall that was doing little for Georgetown yet sucking hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

The findings of the report were suppose to determine his fate at City Hall and possibly see a police probe into what are supposed to be criminal actions during his tenure.

Sources close to the Local Government Commission confirmed a decision was taken to sack him Wednesday.

The letter was delivered Thursday.

The commission is charged with regulating the local government entities, including city and town halls, regional democratic councils and neighbourhood democratic councils. It has author-

ity to hire and fire employees in the organs.This would be the first major case for the commission.The report of the inquiry, with recommendations for criminal charges and all, was handed over last year to the LGC, headed by chairman, Mortimer Mingo.

Several persons were supposed to be called before the LGC to answer the charges in the report. One of them was King.Kaieteur News was told that a week ago he appeared before the commission and asked for more time. He was given a letter from the commission granting him until Wednesday.

King was told to respond to the charges in writing.

However, on Wednesday, when he came, the former Town Clerk had no written response. He wanted more time and said that his lawyer was absent.However, the LGC was having none of it and told King he must answer the charge. He was also told clearly that it was not an inquiry.

King reportedly said that he had nothing to say and asked to be excused.

According to sources, the commission deliberated, in the absence of the Opposition commissioners, and took a decision to fire King.

The inquiry by Kennard last year had found grounds to terminate the embattled Town Clerk and recommended criminal proceedings to be instituted against him.

The explosive findings are contained in the final report from the Commission of Inquiry into the operations of City Hall. In light of the findings, the COI recommends that there be further investigations in the form of a foren-

Causing death school teacher gets $300,000 bail A school teacher who has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $300,000.The accused Usham Changa, 23, of Suddie Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was arraigned before magistrate Esther Sam in the Suddie Magistrate’s Court yesterday. It is alleged that on January 18, last on the Onderneeming Public Road Essequibo Coast, the accused drove motorcar PSS 7038 in a reckless manner resulting in the death of 19-year-old Rajendra Anauge.Changa was not required to plead to the charge, yesterday, and was granted bail in the sum of $300,000. On Monday while in the Charity Magistrate’s Court, Changa was also charged Sam for driving under the influence, and driving a tinted vehicle. The accused is expected to return to court on March 1, next.

We will disregard privatizations...

From page 21 Jagan. In the run up to the 1992 elections, Dr. Jagan vowed not to honour the deals made by the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government regarding Barama, Omai and GTT. However, upon assumption of Office, Dr. Jagan continued relations with the companies. He was compelled to honour every agreement. He even revisited the agreements to see if the agreements were weak. They could not have been better. Further, in the run up to the 2015 elections, the APNU+AFC had promised to take back plots of land and buildings the PPP/C Government sold to businessmen men like Eddie Boyer, Ed Ahmad and Gerry Gouveia. That is still to happen.Another election is around the corner and those properties remain with the businessmen.

sic audit to be conducted by the Audit Office of Guyana.

The report calls for officers to be disciplined even as that audit is being conducted.

The senior officers listed included King, who was sent on leave to facilitate the CoI. King is cited for gross misconduct, abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds.Also listed in the report are Acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe who is cited for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Assistant Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Internal Auditor, Omodele Umojo-Newton for incompetence and conspiracy; Chief Constable, Andrew Foo for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Human Resources Manager, Paulette Braithwaite for incompetence; City Engineer, Colvern Venture for incompetence and dereliction of duty; and Rashid Kelman for conspiracy.Further, the report noted that City Treasurer, Ron Mc Calmon should proceed on early retirement as he is unwell.Kennard posited that it would only be fair that the COI recommend a detailed forensic audit be done into all transactions between April 1, 2015, and October 31, 2018.

“I have found that there is prima facie evidence to support skullduggery. Moreover, where there is evidence of such activities, criminal and or civil proceedings should

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commence forthwith,” Kennard outlined.

As it relates to King, the CoI report stated that while it is ‘the easiest of recommendation to make’, he should be terminated, and criminal charges should be laid against him in respect of his actions.

The report recommends that the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) and the Guyana Police Force should lead a joint probe to ascertain the relevant criminal charge(s) to be laid.

According to the report, the Town Clerk and other officers including former Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, appeared to have committed the tort of misfeasance and should be dealt with in that context.The CoI found that documents it received indicated that contracts were awarded to friends and associates of key officials of the

Council, such as the son of the Mayor, the son of the Chairman of the Finance subcommittee, the friend of the son of the Mayor, Ingrid and Brian Chase, who were embroiled in a land saga with the Town Clerk, and friends of the Town Clerk and the Mayor.Further, it also appeared from documents seen by the COI, which were provided by the Acting City Treasurer that the Town Clerk was reckless, in granting leases to several persons for below fair market prices.In some cases, he rented these lands for no fees to businessmen who can afford.“This to my mind is a fundamental breach of his duty of care for the Council, particularly given the state of the Council’s finances. This further warrants investigation and I believe the auditors of the State Asset Recovery Agency should be called in

PAGE 23

You are Fired: Town Clerk to probe further, the issuing of leases and contracts to ascertain whether the Town Clerk and other officers are benefiting from perquisite of office,” the CoI report stated.

Kennard stated that it appears that the Town Clerk has been acting beyond the scope of his Terms of Reference (TOR).“He seemed to be doing the work of the Treasurer, Engineer and HR Manager,” the report found.

PAGE 24

Dead cancer victim’s body goes missing, recovered en route to Bartica The family of six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca was already mourning her death.

Yesterday, they found that her body was missing from the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary.

Later, the hospital reported that the body was mixed up with that of another dead child and sent to the wrong family. Further, a post mortem examination was conducted against the family’s wishes.The family, heeding advice from their lawyers, Ganesh Hira and Chandrapratesh Satram, told staff at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday, that the post mortem examination on the child’s body should be postponed until Monday, when an independent pathologist from Trinidad would be available to witness the procedure. The family’s counsel had received word from the hospital that he would await the visiting pathologist. However, yesterday it was informed by the hospital that the GPHC mortuary’s refrigerating capacity had been compromised, and that the defect was interfering with the hospital’s ability to keep bodies from decomposing.

The family, who decided to move the body to Sandy’s Funeral Home to keep it intact, went to GPHC yesterday, only to be presented with the body of an Indigenous child.

The body before the Mendonca family was that of a Bartica child, and the body of Sharezer Mendonca was on a hearse on its way to Bartica. The hospital managed to contact the driver of the hearse, who drove back to Georgetown with the body.

Upon receiving the body, the family, who hail from Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, found cuts and stitches which indicated that a post mortem examination had already been conducted on the body. It was accidentally switched with another.

The CEO of the hospital said that the post

Saturday January 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Deceased: Sharezer Mendonca mortem was only conducted after Mendonca’s body was positively identified by two relatives as the child of the Bartica family.

This publication understands that a second post mortem is scheduled to be conducted on Mendonca’s body on Monday at 8:00 hours by Dr. Nehaul Singh, who also conducted the first examination on the body.

The hospital is under scrutiny as a result of three deaths linked to a form of cancer treatment administered to children. The hospital has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the deaths.

Rape accused on $150,000 bail A taxi driver, who is charged with rape, was on Monday granted bail to the tune of $150,000, after he appeared in the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

the Charity Magistrate Court last Monday.Patterson who works as a taxi driver was charged for rape of a 15-year-old girl between September 14 and September 18, 2018.

The rape accused Sherwin Patterson, 26, of 3 Zorg, Essequibo Coast, made his first appearance before Magistrate Esther Sam in

The accused who was represented by an attorney on last Monday was not required to plead to the charge.

Backing down, Trump agrees to end shutdown without border wall money WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump agreed under mounting pressure yesterday to end a 35-day-old partial U.S. government shutdown without getting the $5.7 billion he had demanded from Congress for a border wall, handing a political victory to Democrats.The three-week spending deal reached with congressional leaders, quickly passed unanimously by the Republican-led Senate and heading to the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, paves the way for tough talks with lawmakers about how to address security along the U.S.-Mexican border.The Republican president’s agreement to end the shuttering of about a quarter of the federal government without securing wall money - an astonishing retreat for a president who usually gives no ground - came three days after he had insisted “We will not Cave!”

But Trump vowed that the shutdown would resume on Feb. 15 if he is dissatisfied with the results of a bipartisan House-Senate conference committee’s border security negotiations, or he would declare a national emergency to get the wall money.

Democrats remained unyielding in their opposition to a wall, one of his signature campaign promises that they call ineffective, costly and immoral. Trump has said it is needed to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking.With polls showing most Americans blamed him for the painful shutdown the longest of its kind in U.S. history - Trump embraced a way out of the crisis that Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had been pushing for weeks. The shutdown, which pitted Pelosi against Trump - was her first test since assuming the post three weeks ago. She drew praise from fellow Democrats for what they said was an outmaneuvering of the president.Asked by reporters if she could guarantee there will not be another government shutdown in three weeks, Pelosi said, “I can’t assure the public about anything that the president will do, but I do have to say I’m optimistic.”A lapse in funding shuttered about a quarter of federal agencies, with about 800,000 workers either furloughed or required to work without pay. Many employees as well as contractors were turning to unemployment assistance, food banks and other support.

Others began seeking new jobs.Speaking in the White House Rose Garden on a chilly, sunny winter day, Trump said he would act to ensure that federal workers get their back pay “very quickly, or as soon as possible.”

Trump had previously demanded the inclusion of the money to help pay for a wall in any legislation to fund government agencies, but Democrats had blocked him.

An administration official, speaking on

condition of anonymity, said that stories of law enforcement officials not being able to do their jobs at full capacity helped convince Trump to agree to a short-term solution to reopen the government. The official said the White House ultimately would accept a deal with lawmakers if it includes wall funding, even if it is less than $5.7 billion.

‘NO CHOICE’ “We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier,” Trump said. “If we don’t get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on Feb. 15 again - or I would use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency.”

He previously has indicated he was considering an emergency declaration to circumvent congressional funding powers if lawmakers do not fund his wall, an action that almost certainly would be swiftly challenged by Democrats as exceeding his authority under the U.S. Constitution.

Trump triggered the shutdown, which began on Dec. 22, with his wall-funding demand after being criticized by conservative commentators for being willing to sign legislation funding the government without securing wall money.Conservative commentator Ann Coulter lashed out at Trump for capitulating yesterday, calling him on Twitter “the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States.”Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said he hoped the experience would be a “lesson learned” for Trump and his party that it is self-defeating to shut down the government over policy disputes. Schumer said Democrats and Trump have “so many areas” on which they can agree on border security but not a wall.“The walls we are building are not medieval walls,” Trump said. “They are smart walls designed to meet the needs of front-line border agents and are operationally effective.

These barriers are made of steel, have seethrough visibility, which is very important, and are equipped with sensors, monitors and cutting-edge technology, including state-of-theart drones.”“We do not need 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of concrete wall from sea to shining sea.

We never did,” Trump added. “We never proposed that. We never wanted that because we have barriers at the border where natural structures are as good as anything that we could build.”Pelosi said she would discuss with Trump “a mutually agreed date” for his annual State of the Union address, which she had effectively forced him to postpone amid the shutdown showdown. A senior White House official said the speech will not be on Tuesday, as originally planned, and it is up to Pelosi to reschedule it.

Vagrants remanded for stealing female undergarments Two vagrants, Leslie Ferdinand and Harry Bahamie, were yesterday remanded to prison after they allegedly stole a quantity of female undergarments.Leslie was brought to court without any shirt and had to be taken by police officers to be properly dressed to appear before a magistrate. They were arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.It was alleged that on January 23, 2019 at Stabroek Market Wharf, they stole a quantity of bras, slippers and panties all amounting to a total value of $391,000.Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge that was read out to them.Police

Leslie Ferdinand

Henry Bahamie

prosecutor Sanj Singh objected to bail being granted to the defendant on the grounds that they are unemployed and have no fixed place of abode.

Also it was noted by the pros-

ecutor that some of the articles were recovered in the men’s possession.Senior Magistrate Leron Daly then remanded the men to prison until March 1, 2019

Saturday January 26, 2019

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

Charandass was duty bound to vote for the list from which his name was extracted – SC Neil Boston

O

ral arguments on the Compton Reid court case challenging the validity of former Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud’s December 21, 2018 vote in the National Assembly continued before Chief Justice, Roxane George, in the Supreme Court.

Senior Counsel Neil Boston, who is representing Compton Reid, argued that Persaud’s vote was invalid because of his allegiance to a foreign country and that he voted against the list from which his name was extracted during the electoral process in 2015.

“We feel under Article 153 of the Constitution of Guyana since our electoral system is one of proportional representation and your name is extracted from the list of candidates, Charrandass’ name was extracted from the APNU+AFC list so he cannot vote against the list from which his name was extracted. There is no such

thing as a conscience vote,” Boston told the media after his submission.

Boston contended that Persaud’s vote on December 21 against the list from which his name was extracted is against Article 156 (3) of Guyana’s constitution, which states that a Member of the National Assembly elected on a list shall cease to be a member of the Assembly if he or she declares in writing to the Speaker or to the representative of the list from which his or her name was extracted that he or she will not support the list from which his or her name was extracted.

“So notionally, he is no longer an elected member of the National Assembly and therefore his vote cannot be taken into consideration. Notionally, his vote went, his seat went and it would have been 32-32,” Boston said.

Subsequent to his December 21 vote, it was also discovered for the first time, that Persaud was a dual citizen of

“Says there’s no such thing as ‘conscience vote’

Neil Boston SC Canada and Guyana. Boston told the court that Persaud has been a citizen of Canada since 1998 and renewed his passport on three occasions.

He also travelled in and out of Guyana on many occasions using his Canadian passport.

Rubbishing Anil

Nandlall’s argument against the Compton Reid case, also, was Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC. who said that the “court’s hands are not tied and so, they can properly proceed with the matter.”

Nandlall’s argument suggested that the matter was one of election petitions.

However, according to the AG, the election period has already passed and therefore the issue now is “what happens after that period has passed, can somebody who is disqualified remain and have to wait until another election period?”

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, was represented by Attorney-at-Law, Rafiq Khan.

The Speaker indicated that he will abide by the court’s ruling and therefore no oral sub-

mission was made on his behalf.

APNU General-Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, is being represented

by Attorney Roysdale Forde who also made submissions in support of Senior Counsel Boston.

The Compton Reid versus the Speaker, former MP Charrandass Persaud and the Attorney General matter heard on Thursday is one of three matters before the Chief Justice, following the December 21, 2018 vote in the National Assembly.

The Chief Justice will hear the matter involving the Attorney General Versus the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Opposition Leader on Friday, January 25.

The Chief Justice will make a ruling on all the cases on January 31.

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

Saturday January 26, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Djokovic destroys Pouille to set up Nadal showdown MELBOURNE (Reuters) - A rampant Novak Djokovic completed a stunning 6-0 6-2 6-2 demolition of Lucas Pouille yesterday to storm into his seventh Australian Open final and set up a mouthwatering title match with Rafa Nadal.

The six-times champion was at his devastating best in the one hour and 23 minute procession as he gave the hapless Pouille a brutal lesson in Grand Slam tennis and extended his perfect semi-finals record to 7-0 at Melbourne Park.

A day after second seed Nadal conceded only six

games to 20-year-old Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in their one-sided semi-final, Djokovic continued the next generation smackdown by coughing up only four.

Attacking the lines with machine-like precision, he broke the 28th-seeded Frenchman seven times yet never looked in danger of conceding a break point.

He struggled to remember whether he had played any better in his previous Melbourne semi-finals.

“It’s definitely one of the best matches I have ever had on this court, definitely. Everything worked the way I intended before the match,” said Djokovic, after Pouille

netted meekly on a second match point.

The score would suggest it was Djokovic’s most dominant semi, just edging the 6-2 6-2 6-1 humiliation of David Ferrer in the 2013 tournament.

Only five unforced errors came off his racket, 22 fewer than Pouille’s haul.

Bidding for his 15th Grand Slam title and a record seventh at Melbourne Park, Djokovic will meet Nadal in Sunday’s final seven years after edging him in a five hour 53minute epic, the longest Grand Slam final on record.

“I would definitely want to buy the ticket for the match, for those who haven’t yet,” Djokovic quipped in his on-

Saturday January 26, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you could feel a rush of sensual passion and desire, Aries. You may want to get together with a love partner in the evening, but not be able to do it right now.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Some problems might arise with equipment that you use at home or with the structure of the house, Taurus. Appliances might go on the blink or the plumbing or electricity could require repairs.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some disturbing news could come today, Gemini. This isn't likely to concern you directly. It's apt to be something about the world situation that might eventually reflect indirectly on you.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A rise in your income could lead to a transformation in your values, particularly where business is concerned.

You could be opening up to the vast potential for prosperity that exists now.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Stress, strain, and a little conflict within a business, romantic, or creative partnership could have you toying with the idea of ending it. Don't do anything rash right now.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today, Virgo, you might feel a little insecure about your state of physical fitness. You could decide to make up for any lack of exercise over the past few weeks. This is fine, but take it slowly.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A friend may be going through some pretty big changes, Libra, and come to you for a sympathetic ear.

The problem is that you might be a little stressed yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Too many demands placed on you by others could have you feeling used, abused, and stressed, Scorpio. You might come close to losing your temper. That isn't necessary.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you might have thoughts of expanding your horizons, perhaps on a monumental level, Sagittarius. You might consider traveling or even moving to a distant place.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you may receive some information about how to increase your income in a short period of time. This information may or may not be valid. Be cautious.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Relations with partners of all kinds - business, romantic, creative - might be somewhat strained today, Aquarius.

You and the other parties involved may have been under a lot of stress.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Stress due to overwork might be causing your energy to flag somewhat today. You might even feel a little under the weather.

This is a great day to stay home and recover.

court interview.

“That (2012 final) was a once in a life-time event and hopefully the outcome will be the same for me.”

Before he and Pouille entered the court on Friday, all the signs pointed to a comfortable Djokovic win.

His quarter-final against Kei Nishikori lasted only 52 minutes before the 29-yearold Japanese retired, while Pouille slogged through more than three hours against Milos Raonic.

The Serb was unbeaten

by Frenchmen in 27 previous matches at the Grand Slams, his last defeat coming against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the 2010 quarter-finals in Melbourne.

UNDER SIEGE A nervous-looking Pouille felt the weight of history and was soon under siege, striking a double-fault to fall 2-0 behind.

That was all the head-start Djokovic needed as he roared to a 5-0 lead before many fans had settled in their seats.

The Serb smiled ruefully after wasting a set point with an ambitious drop shot from the baseline falling short.

But with another two in the bank, he could afford the luxury.

Pouille did little with the reprieve, smacking a wild forehand long, and the set was gone in 23 minutes.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

Anderson, Sinclair, Outar...

From page 32 boundaries and four sixes in his 137. Mahendra Gopilall 63 and Tyrese Sealey 33 both

clipped in with useful runs.

Pavendra Ganesh claimed 3 for 31 from 8.2 Overs to emerge as Albion Community Centre ‘B’ best bowler.

Albion Community Centre ‘B’ was bowled out for 96 in 23.3 Overs to lose by a massive 421 runs. Hemendra Gurdyal 27 and Damien Cecil 29 were the top scorers for Albion Community Centre ‘B’ as off spinner Junior Sinclair returns with the ball to take 4 for 6, Mahendra Gopilall 2 for 6 and Joshua Wilson 2 for 26.

3. At Edinburgh: Edinburgh Cricket Club defeated Mt. Sinai by 77 runs.

Edinburgh Cricket Club 154 all out. Lee David 61, F. Mingo 17. T. Sinclair 3 for 38, S. Giddings 3 for 25 and S. Lewis 3 for 50. Mt Sinai Cricket Club 77 all out in 20Overs. T. Sinclair 23, L. Sanichara 3 for 21, Trevon Wharton 6 for 15.

4. At Kendall’s Union: No. 19 Kendall’s Union defeated Edinburgh Cricket Club by 101 runs.

No. 19 Kendall’s Union 214 for 7 in 30-Overs. G. Hitnarine 57, H. Harris 53.

Kevin Henry 3 for 25, Trevon Wharton 3 for 39.

Edinburgh Cricket Club 113 all out in 17-Overs. Lee David 44. Henry Harris 3 for 35, G. Harris 3 for 6 and G. Harris 2 for 7.

GHB kicks off calendar...

From page 29 throughout the 2019 calendar.In the men’s division, Old Fort Carriers will try to defend their title despite losing its MVP Omar Hopkinson to the national Panthers side, while in the ladies’ division, GBTI GCC led by last year’s MVP Carina Moller will hope to continue to go undefeated to grab their ninth consecutive title.

Saturday January 26, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

BCB/Spready’s Snackette Second Division 100 Balls Tournament

Several teams advance to second round as tournament bowls off The Berbice Cricket Board as part of its quest to fulfill its committment to organise a minimum of 35 tournaments in 2019 has started another tournament. The BCB/Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Tournament for teams in the Lower Corentyne area bowled off on Sunday last with several matches. Chesney, Rose Hall Tigers, Whim National, Courtland and Fyrish recorded victories in the opening round to advance to the second round in the historic tournament, which is being contested by seventeen teams. Rose Hall Town Bakewell and Albion Community Centre, the two powerhouses in Berbice Cricket have been debarred from the tournament in an effort to allow other clubs the opportunities to win championships.

Scores from the matches played: 1. Chesney Cricket Club defeated Tamarind Root Cricket Club by two wickets.

Tamarind Root Cricket club 130 for 6 from 100 Balls.

P. Deonarine 65, V. Mangal 23, S. Bacchus 3 for 16, A. Deonarine 2 for 28.

Chesney Cricket Club 131 for 8. Imran Khan 26, Krishna Amoi 18, S. Subahur 28. D. Ramsammy 3 for 33, R. Deonarine 3 for 21.

2. Rose Hall Town Tigers Cricket Club defeated Albion Open Cricket Club by 18 runs.

Rose Hall Town Tigers 129 for 2 from 100 Balls.

Delbert Hicks 65 not out, Brandon Prashad 20, S. Dhanai 1 for 31, B. Mangal 1 for 18.

Albion Open Cricket Club 111 all out in 15-Overs. Andy Naidu 50, S. Dhanai 16.

Delbert Hicks 2 for 22, Rondell Lewis 2 for 25, Naresh Mahadeo 2 for 21, M. Goberdhan 2 for 15.

3. Courtland Cricket Club defeated Jai Hind by 27 runs.

Courtland Cricket Club 130 for 9 from 100 Balls. Jamal Cort 31, Leroy Bristol 16, John Percival 24. R. Mangal 3 for 8, D. Ramdat 2 for 33.

GSCL/Regal Stationery and Computer Centre softball continues tomorrow Matches in the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc/Regal Stationery and Computer Centre round robin softball tournament is set to continue tomorrow.

At 09:30hrs, Regal Masters will face Fisherman Masters at GNIC SC and HS Masters will take on President’s XI Masters at GYO. At 13:30hrs, Regal Masters will play Wellman Masters at GNIC SC and Success Masters will battle President’s XI Masters at GYO. The tournament is being organised as part of preparation for the Florida Cup which is slated for April 12-14.

GHB kicks off calendar with Bounty/Antonio’s Grille One Day Tournament The Guyana Hockey Board will officially kick off its 2019 hockey season at the Providence National Stadium tomorrow with its annual One Day tournament sponsored by Bounty Farm Ltd. and Antonio’s Grille.

This year’s tournament will see some tough competition as the level of new juniors joining the senior ranks in Guyana has grown through the Board’s efforts in developing both its senior and junior athletes in recent years. Tomorrow’s competition will feature senior national athletes who participated in the CAC Games last year in Colombia and will be a great launch to the outdoor sea-

son as both the men and women national squads hope to attend the PanAm Challenge later this year when it is announced.

The action will also see junior national athletes currently training on both junior and senior national squads in the men’s and women’s divisions.

The men’s division will feature the Panthers and Jaguars which are made up of only junior national players currently trying out for the Junior PanAm in 2020. These teams are a part of the GHB’s initiative to get these juniors used to playing together in competition and should be featured in tournaments (Continued on page 28)

Jai Hind 103 all out. T. Baldeo 53. John Percival 4 for 10.

4. Whim National Cricket Club defeated Toopoo Cricket Club by five wickets.

Toopoo Cricket Club 78

for 9 from 16.4 Overs. U. Narain 37, M. Shivmangal 13, V. Samaroo 3 for 13, D. Venkiah 3 for 9.

Whim National Cricket Club 81 for 5 from 11.1 Overs.

K. Deonarine 24, M. Basdeo

18, V. Samaroo 16, N. Mangar 2 for 26, A. Ramsammy 2 for 20.

5. At Fyrish: Fyrish Cricket Club defeated Kilcoy Cricket Club by 60 runs.

Fyrish Cricket Club 158

for 8 from 100 Balls. Monilall Shivdyal 58, Chandradat Roopnarine 31.

Kilcoy Cricket Club 98 all out from 92 Balls. Reeaz Ramcharran 5 for 20, Imran Ali 2 for 25. Saif Azeez 2 for 14.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

Windies captain Holder makes double ton to put England on ropes (Reuters) - West Indies captain Jason Holder and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich recorded the highest unbeaten seventh-innings partnership in test history as the hosts put England on the ropes in an extraordinary first test in Barbados yesterday.

England, set a massive target of 628 in their second innings, were 56 without loss at stumps on day three, a tidy start but still facing the daunting prospect of surviving two more days in Bridgetown.

After 18 wickets fell on

Thursday, there were none yesterday in a remarkable turnaround of fortunes for both teams on a Kensington Oval pitch that did not seem to have changed much overnight.

Holder etched his name into the record books with an unbeaten double century before declaring his team’s second innings at 415 for six wickets after tea.

His 202 not out, achieved at the healthy clip not far short of a run a ball, was the third highest by a number eight in test history, behind only the Pakistan duo of

Wasim Akram (257 not out) and ImtiazAhmed (209).

Holder and Dowrich, who made a more patient century with an innings of 116, put on an unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership of 295 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Their stand was the third highest for a seventh wicket in test history, and also surpassed the previous record for an unbeaten partnership, 259, set by VVS Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India against South Africa in 2010.

Holder prolonged England’s

agony in the field by delaying his declaration beyond what was necessary, perhaps in an effort to completely demoralise the visitors.

But England openers Rory Burns (39) and Keaton Jennings (11) survived 20 overs without many problems until stumps, though Burns must have had his heart in his mouth when he survived a vociferous lbw appeal by Alzarri Joseph in the third-last over.

Holder decided not to review it, a good decision as a replay showed the ball had pitched out-

side leg stump.

OUTSIDESHOT England’s untroubled start to the second innings was in stark contrast to their 77 all out in their first innings, the lowest ever test total by any team at Kensington Oval.

Yet the tourists still had an outside shot at victory when they reduced West Indies to 61 for five late on the second day.

But that was before Dowrich and Shimron Hetmyer (31) put together a half-century partnership, before Holder and Dowrich took the match completely out of England’s reach.

England pace bowler James

Anderson collected five wickets in the first innings, but toiled without success in the second (0-58), while off-spinner Moeen Ali had the best figures, 3-78.

He instigated the Thursday collapse, but could not add to his haul yesterday.

England captain Joe Root showed little faith in leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who came in for severe punishment, particularly

by Holder.

He had 0-61 off nine overs, while Root was more economical with 0-37 off 10 overs.

West Indies and England are playing a three-test series in the Caribbean.

Shane Dowrich played an elegant supporting role with a compact century ©AFP

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

PAGE 31

GTTA and NSC collaborate for Stosur, Zhang claim women’s talent spotting tournament doubles title at Australian Open The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and the National Sports Commission will host a National Talent Spotting Schools’ Novices and Elite, teams and singles Table Tennis Challenge, scheduled for the 1st -3rd February at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue, in an effort to promote the sport countrywide.

Also among the objectives of the three-day tournament is providing the opportunity for new talents to have an active platform to showcase and expose their talents and represent their schools, while re-establishing Schools’ championships as a basis for the GTTA’s development thrust by having more players actively participate in table tennis

activities both recreational and competitively.

According to a press release from the GTTA, the event will also seek to re-establish an active framework for school competitions through a School League Teams.

Most importantly, the competition will be used to identify, recruit and train studentathletes from participating schools who exhibit good potential, so that the best talents can benefit from the GTTA’s highperformance programmes and possible prospects for national team representation.

In addition, the aims of the tournament further detail fostering Camaraderie among students and the promotion/creation of healthy lifestyles through sport.

Osaka, Kvitova chase double delight in Melbourne final M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) - The rewards could not get bigger when Petra Kvitova takes on Naomi Osaka in today’s Australian Open final with one of them set to emerge as a fresh champion at Melbourne Park as well as the new world number one.

Four months after stunning 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in the final of the U.S. Open last September, 21-year-old Osaka is one win away from becoming the first player since Jennifer Capriati to win the next Grand Slam after her maiden major title.

The fourth seed, one of the cleanest strikers of the ball in women’s tennis, is not expecting it to be a cakewalk, especially being pitted against an opponent as aggressive as Osaka and also more experienced with two Wimbledon titles under her belt.

Osaka fought back from a set and 4-1 down against Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei in the third round at Melbourne Park and showed her determination in winning two more three-setters to keep a 13-match victory streak in Grand Slams running.

She will need all of that grit if she hopes to stop Kvitova, who is yet to drop a set en route to her maiden Australian Open final, in their first career meeting.

“I think to have the opportunity to play her for the first time in a final of a Grand Slam is something very amazing,” Osaka told reporters after her semi-final win. “I’ve watched her play the Wimbledon finals.

“I know what a great

Australia’s Samantha Stosur and China’s Shuai Zhang celebrate with the trophy after winning the final against Hungary’s Timea Babos and France’s Kristina Mladenovic. (REUTERS/Aly Song)

M

Japan’s Naomi Osaka serves against Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova. (REUTERS/Aly Song) player she is. It’s definitely going to be very tough for me.”

Kvitova is one match away from capping one of the most inspiring comebacks in the history of the sport, having had to undergo a nearly four-hour surgery on her playing hand in 2016 after being attacked by a knife-wielding intruder at her home in the Czech Republic.

She missed the 2017 tournament at Melbourne Park while recovering from the surgery and it was just not a case of overcoming a physical injury as the attack left an indelible mental scar too.

“I have been in the final of the Grand Slam, but this is a little bit different,” she told reporters yesterday.

“I’m not playing on the grass, but I think it’s just probably a little bit more special because it’s after everything I have been through. So I think it’s just different, but I don’t think it’s, like, more nervous.”

The 28-year-old, currently sixth in the rankings, won the Sydney International warm-up before arriving in Melbourne and has not looked back, having strolled past her opponents in a 11-match winning streak.

Saturday could,

however, be a different fight against the big-hitting Osaka, who hammered 56 winners and clubbed 15 aces to defeat another Czech player in Karolina Pliskova.

“I need to play my best tennis, what I can say. I think Naomi is on fire. She’s in very good form,” Kvitova said.

“She’s an aggressive player, which I am, as well.

So I think it will be about who gonna take the first point and push the other a little bit.”

With both players evenly matched in their aggressive play and ability to serve big, Kvitova’s coach Jiri Vanek believed the player with the bigger heart will win Saturday’s contest.

Va n e k ’ s o p p o s i t e number Sascha Bajin believes Osaka’s fitness and mindset will give her the edge in rallies.

The number one ranking will be the cherry on the top for the winner as she will unseat Romanian Simona Halep, who was ousted by Serena Williams in the fourth round, at the top spot of the women’s game on Monday.It will be a first-ever week as world number one for either players as Osaka is at her career-best ranking at fourth, while Kvitova climbed as high as second during 2011.

ELBOURNE (Reuters) Unseeded pair Sam Stosur and Zhang Shuai defeated second seeds Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic 6-3 6-4 to claim the women’s doubles title at the Australian Open yesterday.

Australian Stosur, who has a history of suffering attacks of nerves in front of home fans, struggled to serve out the match at Rod

Laver Arena and double-faulted on match point.

But she and China’s Zhang held on and claimed the win when Hungary’s Babos struck long in a baseline duel with Stosur.

Stosur claimed her third Grand Slam doubles title after winning the 2005 U.S. Open and 2006 French Open, while Zhang celebrated her first.

WCC Farmers Cup T-20 bowls off on Sunday The second edition of the Wa k e n a a m C r i c k e t Committee (WCC) Farmers Cup T20 tournament is set to commence tomorrow with Sans Souci facing G Square Cavaliers at 09:00hrs and Sans Souci Jaguars playing M a r i a ’s P l e a s u r e a t 13:00hrs. Both matches will be played at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground in Good Success.

Sans Souci will look to the likes of Wayne Osborne, S e o n Ve n t u r e , C l e o n Venture, Devon Rambaran and Kamal Khan to give them a positive start to the tournament, while G Square Cavaliers, which is based in Belle Plaine, will depend on Lokram Narine, Sachin Dindyal, Marlon Dindyal, Satnarine Sahadeo and Romario Stephen.

Sans Souci Jaguars will have Zameer Zaman, Nokta

Satnarine Sahadeo

Zameer Zaman

Cleon Venture

Leorayan Ramlakhan

Moses, Beesham Moses, Derwin Daniels, Safraz Mohamed and Gladewin Henry in their line up, while Maria’s Pleasure include

Kennard Lewis, Bernard Lewis, Marsh Singh, Mahadeo Ramdeo, Kurt Graham and Leorayan Ramlakhan.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Saturday January 26, 2019

GMRSC’s Endurance Series

Team MMR returns to race track for round one

WR Reaz (left) and the rest of Team MMR pose with the KFC car.

The KFC sponsored Team MMR Toyota Starlet.

Drivers and mechanics alike are working tirelessly to get their machines and skills in tune for the first round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) Endurance series which speeds off on February 3rd at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

This race meet will mark the beginning of the club’s calendar and a full field of competitors is expected to line up with the ultimate aim o f d e t h r o n i n g Te a m Ramchand Wreckers as overall champions.

Confirming their participation for next Sunday’s two-hour race along the outer track of South Dakota will be Team MMR and their KFC Starlet motorcar. This race meet will end Team MMR’s two-year hiatus from the race track and the team’s mechanic, Saeed Bacchus of Auto Works located on Success Public Road, East Coast Demerara, has confirmed that the car is working fine and ready for race day.

Sean Bacchus’ AE 91 - GT Ridez photo.

Team MMR’s driver, who is a popular radio host and promoter, is eager to get on the track and prove his worth in the 1600cc class, after going some 24 months without competitive racing.

Also confirming his participation for the Endurance race is Sean Bacchus, and he will provide added competition for Team MMR in his Toyota AE 91 motor car.

Team Wreckers’ Adrian Fernandes copped the 2018 champion driver accolade for the Endurance series after an undefeated year with his Toyota Levin car, edging out former champion Motilall Deodass by one lap.

In the Unlimited category, Romeo Singh is the

reigning champion driver, while in the 1601cc-2000cc, Roshan Ali and Shan Seejattan were in a threeway tie of 25 points with Syed Hassan, Mohamed Ali and Rameez Mohamed.

Rameez Mohamed, who is the incumbent president of the GMRSC, received a special plaque for setting a new outer circuit record of 1 minute 17.026 seconds during the club’s award ceremony last month.

Driving his Honda Civic in the unlimited class, Mohamed broke a record which was set by Eric Vieira back in 1972.

Admission to next Sunday’s Endurace race is free and action time is 10:00hrs sharp.

Anderson, Sinclair, Outar hit centuries as BCB/New York Business Group U-19 continues National Players Kevlon Anderson and Junior Sinclair along with Jeetendra Outar scored centuries as the 2019 Berbice Cricket Board/New Yo r k B u s i n e s s G r o u p U n d e r- 1 9 To u r n a m e n t continued recently. Sinclair and Anderson, who have represented Guyana at the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels, scored 213 and 137 respectively versus Albion Community Centre ’B’ for defending Champion Rose Hall Town Pepsi ‘A’, while the exciting Outar scored 109 to press his case for a Berbice Under-19 call up in the upcoming Intercounty Tournament.

Scores from matches played: 1. At Albion: The home team scored 388 for 5 from their allotted 50-Overs with Outar 109. Reyad Karim 84, Sarwan

Chaitnarine 69, Tameshwar Mahadeo 31 being the principal scorers. Bowling for No. 73 Cricket Club: S. Nahar took 2 for 81 and R. Jamaladeen 3 for 82.

In response No. 73 Cricket Club was bowled out for 85 in 30.1 Overs as only T. Budhan 22 and S. Nora 11 reached double figures. Rico Ramsammy took 4 for 24. Beesham Surujnarine 2 for 23 and Kevin Umroa 2 for 11.

2. A t H a m p s h i r e : Rose Hall Town Pepsi ‘A’ scored a massive 517 for 7 from their allotted 50-Overs versus Albion Community Centre ‘B’. Junior Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson put on a record 340 for the first wicket. Sinclair struck 23 boundaries and thirteen sixes in a brutal exhibition of stroke play in his 213, while Anderson struck 21 (Continued on page 28)

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2019

PAGE 33

Flashback! The Green Machine 15s team after beating Barbados at the national park in 2016.

Angus to captain Guyana in RAN eliminator against Cayman Islands

D

uring a recent p r e s s conference held by the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), at the Olympic House, it was revealed that Jamal Angus will lead the National 15s team that are slated to be in action in the Cayman Islands on Saturday, February 9.

The Guyana 15s Rugby team, popularly known as the Green Machine, will travel to the Cayman Islands under the watchful eyes of Coach Grant Stewart to play a Rugby North Americas (RAN) eliminator match.

The newly-appointed skipper expressed self belief in doing well in the leadership capacity and with

President of the GRFU, Peter Green. over 11 caps his game has improved rapidly through the years, which has resulted in him gaining selection as captain.

Coach Stewart highlighted that Angus has shown tremendous progress and the selection panel saw him as a suitable captain.

Angus posited during the

Guyana’s new 15s captain Jamal Angus (left) poses with his Panthers Rugby Club and national teammate Osei Mckenzie. brief, which was held last Thursday, that he is fully

equipped to lead the team to victory while noting that he

is ready to take on all challenges.

One of the challenges is that the local Rugby season is usually inconsistent but the teams have been training on a consistent basis.

Coach Stewart explained that his team is almost 100% fit and the players are fully aware of the mistakes made previously, since they have been doing extensive work on their weaker areas.

Although the GRFU has not released the final 23man squad, Coach Stewart noted that there are four overseas based players included in the lineup that will be looking to play very positively against Cayman Islands next month.

Head of the GRFU, Peter

Greene explained that the home team may be at an advantage with the match playing at home since their players would be more familiar with the conditions.

The President further noted that the GRFU has not raised enough funds and the players would wing out with Caribbean Airlines, but some eight players are expected to overnight in Jamaica owing to financial issues.

The names of final 23man squad will be released in early February; the four overseas players that are expected to join the team in Cayman Islands are Blaze B a i l e y, Va l a d A d a m s , Richard Stagnan, and Ronald Myers.

Bartica FA to host 2-day Youth Festival this weekend - GFF contribute balls

GFF President Wayne Forde hands over the balls to Bartica FA President, Alden Marslowe.

Following the installation of a new executive a few weeks ago, the Bartica Football A s s o c i a t i o n ( B FA ) i s moving full steam ahead to get the sport back to its glory days. The Alden Marslowe led association will this weekend host a youth festival that’ll attract Under13 and 15 players.

A release from the BFA also indicated that they would be playing some female matches with three teams expected to participate.Fuelling the resuscitation of the sport in the area is the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) which presented a number of balls and junior uniforms to the BFA on Thursday last towards ensuring a successful weekend.

Receiving the items on behalf of the BFA was President Alden Marslowe

who informed that the festival, today and tomorrow, would take place at the Bartica Secondary School Ground, the venue being used for some time now given the fact that the Bartica Community Center Ground is being done over.

Activities today would commence at 10:00hrs with the Under-13 boys from the various clubs engaging in a number of knockout matches. The Under-15s will play tomorrow. Marslowe

also informed that one female game will be played to bring an end to the day’s activities today and tomorrow. This Youth Festival the BFA President noted is geared towards assisting the clubs to identify their respective youth players in order to complete their respective registrations by this month end.

The BFA is working towards kicking off their 2019 season with senior and U15 Leagues, next month.

t r o Sp

West Indies’ Jason Holder celebrates his double century against England at Kensington Oval.

(Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Windies captain Holder makes double ton to put England on ropes

Angus to captain Guyana in RAN eliminator against Cayman Islands Dowrich and Holder put on a record seventh-wicket stand for West Indies against England of 295 ŠAFP

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