Kaieteur

Monday January 28, 2019

Tearing up contracts is dangerous DEAR EDITOR, I am writing in response to Jan Mangal’s recent letter in the newspapers criticizing the views of Mr. Timothy Jonas. Mr. Mangal makes some confusing and disingenuous claims about economic development, business sector stability and the terms of our current oil contracts. First of all, the notion that international companies thrive on instability is a falsehood – proven untrue by the many unstable countries that have lost investment opportunities and, as a result, fail to develop adequately. Tanzania, for example, passed laws on renegotiating mining and natural gas contracts in 2017, and almost immediately, investors were off-put by the unstable business climate. This cost the country over US$200 million in foreign investment in 2018 alone. With everything else that’s going on here in Guyana, we must be cleareyed about how detrimental tearing up our contract could be by scaring away investors. On the other hand, Singapore has managed to foster economic success by creating a stable investment environment. Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, built Singapore’s business reputation on consistent, fair policies that attracted foreign investment. When Mr. Mangal criticizes ‘blind adherence to the contract,’ he is casting this consistency in a poor light. Singapore succeeded because the rule of law didn’t

fluctuate with the political winds; Lee Kuan Yew made sure that investment terms were honoured, and contracts were upheld. This ensured transparency, stability and integrity. Hence, we need not look elsewhere to see the benefits of stability and contract certainty - we already see foreign investment entering Guyana. Recent headlines announced a new project at Craig on the East Bank. The investment is a joint venture between an overseas Guyanese and a United Kingdom offshore energy supply company that is expected to create 200 local jobs in the energy industry. Certainty and stability allow businesses to plan for the future and make new investments in Guyana. Last year was also a banner year for investment in Guyana. Trinidadian Process Components Ltd. partnered with locally owned Mines Services Ltd. to form a new oilfield services company in Guyana called Jaguar Oilfield Services Guyana Inc., which provides products and services to activities in the energy industry. General stability of the business sector has also encouraged local business expansion and further community investment. Local businesses like food manufacturer Sterling Products Ltd. and storage facility company, Falcon Logistics Inc., are expanding operations to take advantage of improving economic conditions. Mr. Mangal also misleadingly brands the

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contract as ‘unfair.’ While the streak of recent discoveries has brought international attention to Guyana, there is little to suggest that the contract we signed in 2016 is ‘unfair.’ The government take of approximately 60 percent is by all accounts on par with other frontier countries that were untested territory prior to discovery. Estimates from the International Monetary Fund put our take from Liza Phase 1 in the first few years of cost recovery at approximately US$300M annually, with a modest oil price of US$50 per barrel. After the costs of development are recovered, estimates for our take jump to over US$1B per year. We will receive this money even as the companies pay all upfront costs and take all the financial risk. As future project phases come online – like Liza Phase 2 – our revenue could double or even triple. On balance, Guyana makes out fairly well for a ‘frontier’ country. So, the suggestion that Guyana is losing money with our current contract is disingenuous. We aren’t losing money – in fact, we’re expecting a hefty influx of it. In expectation of receiving these funds we should proceed with planning for how this money will be managed and spent to benefit all Guyanese. Patrick Davis

Campaign promises and the convergence of interests DEAR EDITOR, The political campaign for election has evidently started. The parties, with the exception of the partners in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), have begun holding fora, rolling out messages and promises. The citizens/ workers are taking note, and not without guarded skepticism that having gone this road before where promises were made and not delivered, that time around it would be no different. It cannot be ignored, there exists the feeling in society that the welfare of workers/the masses get little or no attention and voting has become meaningless. The fight for the right to vote (universal adult suffrage) began with the trade union, and like with any other right trade unionists want it be protected and utilised. The AFC coming out of its Executive Committee meeting on Saturday, having stated its political positions, has notably agreed that the revenue from oil and gas be used for free education from nursery to university as well as housing for citizens. The re-examination of the deprival of these rights are noted. In 1926 when the Caribbean Labour Leaders met in Guyana and developed

a Labour Agenda, on this was placed universal public education and healthcare, and workers having the opportunity to own their own homes, among other prescriptions considered integral to improving their standard of living and working conditions. These remain abiding principles of the trade union community. In the Guyana Constitution, Article 27 ‘Right to education,’ clause (1) expressly states, “Every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university as well as at nonformal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.” Where this service is deemed a “right,” students are being expected to pay for their university education, which constitutes a transgressing of their right and violating of the extant article. The University of Guyana is a state-owned entity and students can access loans to pay for their tuition through the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry previously threatened to prevent those with outstanding loans from leaving the country. Article 26, ‘Right to housing’ states, “That every citizen has the right to proper housing accommodation.”

This range from rental to ownership, accompanied by the attendant services such as efficient waste management (sewage), drainage, access (roadways), utilities (water, electricity) and infrastructures befitting modernity. Both the AFC and PPP/C have expressed interest in housing. While the AFC has not made public any specific, the PPP presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, at a rally two Sundays ago reportedly said it will deliver 50,000 house lots. Where this convergence of interest exists, it would help if the parties could agree to expand the communities project presently underway through mechanisms that will ensure equity across the needed demographic and in the ten administrative regions. Society is ever reminded by the politicians of the heavy reliance being paid to expected revenue from oil and gas to propel the economy. In fact, this has become a major campaign rallying cry. When this revenue will directly impact citizens’ lives is still being debated. Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo is on record saying, “that it could take as Continued on page 6

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Monday January 28, 2019

Campaign promises and the... Counsellors need to be licensed From page 5 much as five years before Guyana starts to see major earnings when oil production starts in 2020” (Kaieteur News 17th August 2018). Going by his projection, it means until 2025. The Coalition Government has reportedly projected that from day one approximately US$300 million will be garnered per year, as others have expressed different estimates. What society needs is clarity as to how much and when revenue will flow, and if we are to wait for same until 2025, it suggests projects being proposed to be realised from the revenue stream will not come on board until six years from now. Even as there exists heavy reliance on oil to fund development projects and restore a right (which shouldn’t be), Guyanese are being forewarned by regional and internal persons of repute to rethink such position. An instructive preemptive commitment to avert abuse of this resource is Ali’s promise that “laws would be passed to jail persons who do not declare earnings from the oil sector.” It would be good for the PPP to collaborate with the APNU+AFC and the legal draftspersons in examining the present tax laws and

where necessary amend same or create legislation, for there is unanimity in society that this revenue must be properly accounted for. Labour has an abiding interest in full employment. Note is taken of Ali’s promise to create 50,000 new jobs in the first five years, should he win the presidency, from oil and gas revenue. He went on to say a PPP government will re-open the estates closed by the Coalition Government but was silent on what will happen to those estates closed by the PPP government. Society needs to know how these new jobs and reopening of estates will be made possible or such promises will be seen as campaign gimmicks. The sugar workers from all the closed estates, along with their families and communities, remain affected. As the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) stated receipt of expressions of interest for the recently closed estates, Jagdeo last week said a PPP government will not honour same. What isn’t known is where will the money come from to fund the re-opening of estates and sustaining the livelihood of the affected workers, in the absence of a clear plan to return them to economic viability.

Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?

This country doesn’t provide unemployment benefits and laid off workers cannot expect any financial relief, notwithstanding promises. It does not mean unemployment benefit cannot be looked at but it requires a guaranteed source of funding and strong regulations to prevent abuse and safeguard the Fund. A percentage of oil revenue could be channelled to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) that already has within its remit provision for unemployment, to pay those who have been laid off from their jobs. The intent of what are being proposed is good for the society. Conversations of such nature need to be had, including with non-political stakeholders as required by the Constitution (Articles 13, 23, 38, 149C), as we seek to navigate the proper exploitation and management of the nation’s resources in moving forward. Where all the political parties have expressed interest in pursuing a politics of inclusion, now is the time to start. As I have said elsewhere, there is no need to be elected to Government to honour or demand what the Constitution mandates of inclusionary democracy. There is no need to make a Constitutional requirement a promise or await election to make the promise a reality. Procrastinating on this fundamental tenet of our system of governance is not only a violation, but most importantly, depriving the people of what is rightly theirs, i.e. a seat at the table to determine how our resources could best be exploited with our interest as primary. Lincoln Lewis

DEAR EDITOR, In 2014, the number of clinical counsellors in Guyana could have been counted on the fingers. Today that situation not significantly improved, but at least there are now quite a number of graduates in Psychology with more on the way. While it is generally accepted that a counsellor should have a masters, at a minimum, as well as clinical experience before being dubbed a counsellor, those with a first degree may be able to provide a level of counseling after gaining

clinical experience and adequate supervision. However, there are quite a number of individuals who dub themselves counsellors without even a first degree in psychology, much less clinical experience. The Caribbean Voice and other concerned stakeholders are calling upon the Ministries and Health and Social Protection respectively to please act on this situation to protect vulnerable citizens. Such actions must include a mentoring framework for first-degree holders, as well as a set amount of supervised

hours of practice and a licensing exam. Just as importantly, those without the minimum requisites should be held accountable for claiming to be and/or practising as counsellors. The Caribbean Voice has among our Diaspora members, a mental health consultant who has experience in licensing protocols, having worked with the International Registry of Counsellor Education Programmes. She has indicated willingness to help set up a licensing mechanism in Guyana. —The Caribbean Voice

The Senior Counsel Discussion DEAR EDITOR, I have been following the various views expressed in relation to the withdrawal of Silk from Timothy Jonas. I recall a similar occurrence, which my late father, Benjamin Gibson, had to suffer and which can shed light on our understanding of the political process. In 2002, the then Chancellor, Desiree Bernard, informed my father that she had recommended him for Silk. She had also nominated, to my knowledge, Mursaline Bacchus. However, the then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, used his power and denied the recommendations. He did not want my father to have Silk – I assume because my father often fearlessly fought cases against the government and invariably won. Thus, the decision by the President not to offer Silk was a political one. And if Benjamin Gibson could not get it, then neither could Mursaline Bacchus (Mr. Bacchus has still not received the honour). I recall there was a flurry

of activity around 2013 about the offering of Silk. – I assume there was a person or persons to whom the then government wanted to give such an honour; and note that their then Attorney-General did not have Silk and still does not. But the stumbling block to the awarding of Silk during the Jagdeo/Ramotar period was the Bar Association, which held the view that Gibson must be a recipient if others are to receive such an honour. In 2013 my father’s office received a call from the then Chancellor’s office asking if he were a recipient of Silk and the office was told that he must not apply since they already had an application. Thus, it appears that no one received Silk during the Jagdeo-Ramotar period due to the political stance against my father and other legal minds who did not find favour with the regime. Offering Silk was resumed in 2015 with APNU/AFC

attaining office. Some people thought that Gibson would have received the honour posthumously, but that did not happen. I assume the thinking is that since he was dead, they would be wasting the award – rather than looking at his contribution to law. In 2000, a Barbadian judge told me that in her opinion, Gibson was the best Administrative lawyer in the Caribbean. My fear at the moment is that so many people are being offered Silk, that very shortly it will lose its efficacy. Decisions to confer awards are very often politically driven. Similarly, obtaining promotion in academe has been described as “walking through a minefield.” I recall being denied promotion and told my father. His response, in his usual insightful and tight style, was “It’s theirs to give.” Best Wishes Professor Kean Gibson

Monday January 28, 2019

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Jagdeo again calls out Dr. Hinds for debate on PPP’s treatment of Afro-Guyanese By Abena RockcliffeCampbell He has been accused of marginalizing Afro-Guyanese and sponsoring a “death squad”, which “killed over 400 black people.” It was even said that under his rule, Guyanese of African ancestry were “stifled.” But former President Bharrat Jagdeo is saying that this is not true. In fact, he is calling for a “fact based” debate with African leaders on his record regarding the treatment of AfroGuyanese. Jagdeo said this at a recent press conference. The former President, who now operates as PPP’s General Secretary, said that A Partnership for National Unity, which has as its main party, the People’s National Congress—knows that it cannot now return to young people—“after three years of neglect—and tell them how much the partnership cares. Jagdeo said, “They cannot talk about corruption, they cannot promise jobs so they are coming with racial rhetoric.” Jagdeo made reference to an article in the State media

stating that during his tenure, “some 400 Afro-Guyanese were killed in an alleged statesponsored death squad and a number of black communities marginalized.” “So this death squad killed the policemen, the people who were massacred in Lusignan, etc. was state sponsored? If you look at the logic of the Chronicle, we sponsored ‘Fine Man’ and the others to kill the people in Lusignan, kill the people in Bartica, kill them in Agricola, Lindo Creek etc because those people’s name are on the list, even policemen.” He said too that almost 70 people on the list are IndoGuyanese. Jagdeo noted that later on in that very article, AfroGuyanese Activist and Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), David Hinds said given Jagdeo’s record, “I am very skeptical.” When Dr. Hinds was quoted, he was responding to previous utterances made by Jagdeo about inclusion of blacks. Jagdeo had said recently, “My job as General Secretary of the party has many folds. It is to grow the

party, and I have said how we will do that is that I have set myself the task of greater inclusion in the party, changing the face of the party, more Afro-Guyanese in our party at every level, because we are strongly represented by IndoGuyanese and Amerindians, and that’s one of my tasks as General Secretary”. Dr. Hinds thinks that before Jagdeo attempts inclusion, he must, “first apologize for the atrocities he allegedly meted out to that segment of society and, that his party should pursue a more lasting solution with the representatives of the black community.” Dr. Hinds said that he has mixed feelings about Mr. Jagdeo’s intention, to include more African Guyanese in the PPP. Dr Hinds said on the one hand, one must welcome any serious move by one of our major parties to reach across the ethnic divide, but said he is skeptical given Jagdeo’s record. He said that in the past, efforts by the PPP amounted to “ethnic window dressing”, something that has not contributed to national unity. Dr. Hinds said, “We remember how the PPP used the

State and other institutions to embed fun and frolic in the African-Guyanese community, rather than introduce serious policies aimed at economic and cultural empowerment. We remember the PPP ignoring the wishes of the African-Guyanese cultural leadership and unilaterally making decisions on sensitive cultural issues like the 1823 Monument.” The same article made mention of the fact that during a court hearing in 2011, the former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, had said that no AfroGuyanese was qualified to be an ambassador, save and except Elizabeth Harper, who later became that party’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2015 elections. Harper had held the position of Ambassador to CARICOM and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nevertheless, Jagdeo wants the debate. Jagdeo said that nevertheless, Hinds “until now, David Hinds nor Eric Phillips or anyone cannot take us on in a factual debate about in which period in Guyana’s history Afro- Guyanese made the

most progress. I can defend, in any debate, the period in the post 92 to 2015. According to Jagdeo, it was in that period that there was “serious growth of the Afro-Guyanese community in terms of housing development, in terms of access to land, in terms of AfroGuyanese owned businesses, in terms of vehicles, assets acquisition, we can go down the long list in a factual way.” He said, “They are scared of facts, their biggest worry is what we are doing that the PPP

will start to be attractive to Afro-Guyanese and they will have no space in the landscape any more. If David Hinds and the others are so concerned, bring all the people to us, we are prepared to subject ourselves to any questioning. David Hinds and all others can come to Freedom House, bring 50 people—the biggest skeptics—and we will answer every accusation they have made of us in this regard.” Jagdeo continued, “They (Continued on page 8)

CORRECTION Banks DIH objects to additional $534,000 corporation tax Kaieteur News wishes to correct an error carried in our Sunday edition, yesterday, titled ‘Banks DIH objects to GRA’s additional $534,000 corporation tax’. The Notice of Assessment from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) requested Banks DIH to pay off an additional corporation tax, after it rejected the company’s claim for impairment losses on financial assets as determined under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and in accordance with Section 16(I)(e) of the Income Tax Act. The amount GRA requested is $534.416M, not $534,000. Kaieteur News apologises for this error.

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Monday January 28, 2019

Reopened sugar estates may not be profitable - Jagdeo Explaining the People’s Progressive Party’s plan to reopen three sugar estates, if the party wins the next General Election, Bharrat Jagdeo said that the cost to close the sugar estates is far greater than the cost to leave them open and subsidise them. The PPP general secretary said that, prior to the government’s decision to close the estates, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had indicated that several studies should have been done, and that the PPP had advocated for those studies to be conducted. “Irfaan Ali led our team that met with the government in the short time; they said they wanted to consult [with the opposition]. [Although] they had already made the decision, they [met with the opposition] for PR purposes.” He said that the opposition had advocated for a feasibility study, a social impact study, and a diversification study on the estates. “We said this is not clos-

ing a small shop. Thousands of people’s lives are involved. The wellbeing of our economy is involved because sugar is so integrated into so many other aspects of our lives that we sometimes don’t see.” “Had they [conducted the studies], they would have recognized that the cost of closure is greater than the continuation, the transitional subsidy, and I say transitional [because it is until you can] find more jobs. Use the oil and gas money in the future to find other alternative jobs and then you can move out, or you bring in private participation into the sugar industry. Eventually, you can, without losing the sugar industry, shutting it down, you get a new owner. That was our approach to the whole matter. And it’s still a viable one.” Benefits of the estates He stated the importance of the estates to certain communities, including that they were keeping canals open through proper drainage and

...But says cost of closure outweighs cost of subsidy irrigation, which was beneficial to the populations in Berbice and on the East Coast of Demerara. “[Secondly, it helped the farmers tremendously, because they got water to their lands, who were farming, not necessarily sugar cane, but other crops. So you had to factor that in.” “Look at the National Insurance Scheme, if you took several thousand workers out of making contributions to NIS, so they now become a beneficiary but not a contributor, you can help to bankrupt the scheme by taking away seven thousand subscribers almost immediately.” He said that sugar workers also contributed significantly to taxation from personal income tax, and foreign currency earnings, which he said is important for macroeconomic stability, balance of

payments, and the exchange rate. Lastly, he said the social impact of the industries on communities, and the jobs. This, he said, is not just confined to the 7,000 laid off sugar workers, but would also be extend to another 7,000-10,000 by the multiplier effect their spending creates. “And [by closing the industries], you lose those jobs too because their spending creates the demand for the fisherman, for the taxi driver, for the hairdressing person, all of that. When they lose that, they can’t use those services anymore.” He said that the government should judge itself, not just on how it handles the fiscal deficit but whether it can provide jobs. But the estates were haemorrhaging billions… Despite the benefit of the sugar estates to communities, they were haemorrhaging billions of dollars before they were closed. Asked how he would make the estates profitable, he said, “You may not. You may have to do subsidies for a while.” “If you help people through a difficult period, the bottom line may not be profitable immediately but at least, you’re getting these multifunctional benefits from sugar. It keeps the country buoyant

and growing, and people working and sending their kids to school.” He said that it would be affordable if the government had not been spending so much money on administrative costs, referring to a report from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) that found the APNU/AFC government spending $12B of $17B in new taxes it collected, to shore up the bureaucracy, “instead of better aligning public investments with social and economic needs.” Jagdeo said “… it’s affordable because, if you can spend a billion dollars more on that rental, and $1.6B more on dietary needs, and over a billion dollars more on domestic travel, that alone could have kept the [thousands of jobs lost because of the closure] [those expenses that the government uses.] “So let’s say, they didn’t have money. How can they borrow $30B at 4.75% interest now? That could have kept the entire sugar industry going for nearly five years without closure of any estates if

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo you kept the production up. That was the level of subsidy that they needed, and they borrowed it already. And they’re sitting on it.” He questioned the government’s motive to privatise the estates at this time, and whether any foreign company would want to sign a deal with the government, just after a motion of no-confidence was carried against. He said that a PPP government would not consider such a deal valid.

Jagdeo again calls out... (From page 7) are not going to deter us…We are not going to be defined by those rumours anymore. We are going to be defined by what we say here about a party of inclusion and about our programmes… People are looking more of betterment instead of race, look at Local Government Elections. In Linden, 21 percent turnout, it means that out of every five persons who live in that town, four did not show up to the polls.”

Monday January 28, 2019

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A NATION OF HUSTLERS All across Guyana, the poor are setting up little trays, ice coolers and tents at road corners and on parapets. They are selling anything, which they feel will provide them with an income to help take care of their families. The hustle is on. Poor people are struggling to survive. They have mouths to feed at home. Jobs in the formal sector are scarce. And even in the government, too many of the vacancies are being filled without a competitive process. Jobs are being handed out to cronies, family and friends. The poor always suffer in such circumstances. And as such, they have been been forced to return to something which was quite prevalent in the 1980’s when the economy hit rock bottom and when job losses in the state sector was so acute that the unemployed took to the road corners and pavements selling mints, chewing gum and cigarettes just in order to survive. Poverty was so high then that begging was not an option. People had so little for themselves that there was little left to help others The national symbol in those ‘hard guava days’ became a vending tray. Poor people, men and women, sat all day in the baking sun hoping to make a few sales so that they earn a few dollars

to can put something on their tables for their children. No one should wish a return to those hard times. But there are signs at present that the poor once again are being left behind while middle class pen pushers in government offices, many of whom owe their fat salaries to cronyism, can wine and dine in the finest local restaurants, send their children to private schools and jet off to Miami on American Airlines to shop. While the fat bureaucrats are enjoying the good life, the poor are risking their lives selling frozen water from ice coolers at street corners. Bread and fruit stands are being erected on residential bridges. This is happening in every town and village without exception. The struggles of the poor are real. Jobs are simply not there. Poor people are forced into vending on street corners and roadsides to vend just to put food on the table. Over the past few years, the cooked dog food, consisting of scraps of leftover meat cooked in large quantities of low-grade rice, became a burgeoning industry. The dog food market is now saturated. There is glut of dog food vendors and their sales are diminishing because of the competition from each other. The latest trend is the vending of bottled water at

major street junctions. This is a business, which puts the vendors’ lives at risk but it is a risk, which the poor feel they have to take in order to survive. The government will continue to delude themselves into thinking that all this vending represents the vibrancy of selfemployment and small businesses. They should do a survey and speak to those involved. Only then will they realize how tough things are for the poor. Government’s economic model, like the so-called Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) of 30 years ago, is not working. The contraction of the economy from 1973 and the corresponding retrenchments and import restrictions saw many poor people taking to artisanal professions and to vending in order to survive. Young artisans took old tin cups and made all manner of appliances, including stoves, which they offered for sale on the pavements. The then government saw this as a case of the poor showcasing their skills. When the ERP liberalization was launched, it wiped out the market for the goods of these craftsmen, who then had no choice but to go into the interior where they battled malaria, spent months prospecting and

DEM BOYS SEH

Dem got nuff jackasses who willing to argue

People always arguing and ever since Charranrass vote fuh de no confidence motion in de parliament, more people arguing about everything. Sometimes when people stop to listen, dem got to wonder why dem have an argument in de first place. Dem boys remember de argument between a tiger and a jackass. Dis was de argument. De donkey said to de tiger, “The grass is blue”. Tiger seh, “No. De grass is green.’ De discussion get heated. Both of dem holding to dem view. Nobody giving an inch and nobody listening to de reasoning. In de end, dem decide to go to de King of de Jungle—de Lion. De Lion was sitting on he throne in de middle of de jungle. De Jackass start yelling before de Tiger could seh anything. “Your Highness, de grass is blue, isn’t it?” Lion seh, “Yes de grass is blue” De Jackass seh, “Dis Tiger

does not believe. He get me vex; he should be punished properly. De King declared, “Tiger would be jailed fuh a year.” De Jackass hear de verdict and he start to jump up in de jungle, shouting at de top of he voice all de time. De Tiger get jail fuh a year. He tun to de Lion. “Why Your Highness? De grass is green. Isn’t it?” Lion seh, “Yes.” “Then why you sending me to jail fuh a year?” Lion tun and tell him, “You

not going to jail because de grass is green or blue. You going to jail because you debating wid dat stupid jackass. Brave and intelligent creatures like you have argued wid a jackass and then come to me to get a decision.” De moral of de story is in 2019 give yuh vote to de best candidate. Just don’t debate wid jackasses or you will be punished fuh de next five years.” Talk half and always look who you arguing wid.

mining for gold and then spent most of their hard-earned earnings at the shops and brothels in interior landings. Many of them are broke today. The economic model, which has been pursued since the end of the ERP may have reduced absolute poverty. But it has also intensified the gap between the rich and the poor. The solution of the government is to expand the size of the government, rather than energize the private sector to increase demand for the goods and services, which the poor can produce. Today, the state sector is a drain on public finances and is stagnating private enterprise. The pen pushers who live off the taxes of the

poor can go the fast food joints, bars and cafes and spend thousands of dollars on unhealthy food and drink, while the desperate poor have to hustle with their trays to earn a dollar. A larger Budget or the prospects of oil will not change the fortunes of the poor. It will continue to feed a parasitic bureaucratic class, allow the rich to get richer and put more distance between the rich and the poor. What Guyana needs is not only a political solution. Guyana needs an economic solution. It needs a pro-poor government. Shared government will not bring any respite to the poor. The PNCR and the PPP are both peas in the same pod. Both pursue liberal

economic policies, which lie at the heart of the problems of the poor. The WPA, the Alliance For Change and all the new parties are no different. They offer no new economic model but instead the same old discredited neo-liberal approach, which is turning Guyana into a nation of roadside vendors. There is no hope for the poor from the established p o l i t i c a l o r d e r. T h e i r tragedy is that vending has never lifted the poor classes out of poverty and never will. The poor therefore will get poorer.

Monday January 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

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School of the Nations heightens security after third shooting threat In the past week, School of the Nations has been subjected to three separate instances of threats from students of the school. The first threat, coming from a remigrant of the US, was a threat to ‘shoot up’ the school. It resulted in the student’s expulsion on Thursday last.

The most recent threat circulated included a photo of a gun, as well as photos of water, sodium and chlorine. The message stated that the student has been looked down on by the school all year and that students should not show up to school in the coming week. The school called a meet-

ing yesterday, with parents, to discuss the way forward. Even before the meeting, information circulated on social media that someone also threatened to show up to harm the parents. This resulted in a heavy police presence at the meeting. The school has announced that it is working

with cybersecurity experts to track down the sources of the threats, and that they have reported the threats to Facebook. The police are also investigating the matter. In the meantime, school will continue as normal for the New Market Street institution, but not without a heightened security presence. The school will benefit from the services of the police as well as that of a private security firm. It has put emergency security plans in place, set to activate if the students are put in harm’s way, Also present at the meeting was Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Marcel Hutson, who was not invited, but showed up out of concern after receiving word of the meeting from social media. Hutson told the gathering that the Education Ministry will be working along with the school’s officials to provide counseling and support services to students.

Khashoggi inquiry seeks access to Saudi consulate, kingdom A United Nations Human Rights investigator leading an international inquiry into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Saturday she requested access to Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, and to visit the kingdom. Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on executions, who begins a week-long mission to Turkey at government invitation on Monday, said she had not yet received a reply from Saudi authorities. On Thursday, she said the three-member legal and forensic panel would seek to establish “states' and individuals' responsibilities" for the killing. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist living in the United States, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 where he had gone to collect documents for his planned wedding. US intelligence agencies believe Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) ordered an operation to kill Khashoggi, who was a critic, and say his body was dismembered and removed to a location still publicly unknown. Riyadh denies the crown prince had any involvement in the murder. "I have requested access to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and a meeting with the ambassador of the King-

UN investigator, Agnes Callamard dom of Saud Arabia in Turkey," Callamard said in an email to Reuters news agency. "I have also sought permission to conduct a similar country-visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." The Saudi mission in Geneva and government media office in Riyadh have not responded to Reuters' inquiries about the international investigation. A Saudi public prosecutor's spokesperson said last year that 21 Saudis had been taken into custody over the case, 11 of whom had been indicted and referred to trial. The prosecutor said earlier this month his office was seeking the death penalty for five of the 11 indicted suspects. "I conceive of this inquiry to be a necessary step, among a number of others, towards crucial truth telling about and formal accountability for the

gruesome killing of Mr. Khashoggi," Callamard said. Last Thursday, Callamard said that a legal and forensics team comprising three international experts would try to find out "the nature and extent of the responsibilities of states and individuals" in relation to Khashoggi's killing. In its report to the UN Human Rights Council in June, the inquiry will make recommendations about how to ensure "formal (criminal) accountability", she said. Callamard said she had requested information from other authorities, including in the US. "It is hoped this will help ensure accountability and transparency in this case and may open new avenues for the prevention and protection of the right to life in other cases, including of journalists and human rights defenders, and accountability for their killings," she added. Turkey wants Saudi Arabia to extradite those accused of carrying out the murder to be tried in Turkish courts. Late last year, Turkey briefed the US on the findings of the Turkish public prosecutor's investigation, repeatedly confirming that Khashoggi's murder had been issued by the highest levels of the Saudi authorities and that the Saudi assassination team had not acted on its own.

Monday January 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

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FOR RENT

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. House plan drafting from $13,000. Sean #667-2189 For hire. Canter truck service. 676-0455

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Monday January 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

3 Bedroom bottom flat apartment W.B.Dem. 689-3699 PEN PAL TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 Parfaite Harmonie 2M 1.3M. Farm 4.5M 5.5M. Providence. Tuschen. Herstelling. Eccles. Uitvlugt. Call: 666-2326 Measurement 61’x125, transferable and clean. Price $8.5M in Diamond. Call: 6674867(Ram) 7 acres located in Garden of Eden. Price $45 Million , just off main road. Call: 672-1920 Continental Park. Land size 208x97. Price $40M neg. Call llewellyn & llewellyn Real Estate #672-1920

WANTED 1 Shop assistant to work in the interior. Experience would be an asset. #669-3162 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750 Urgently need dry Corilla Bush.Any amount from 1lb to 1000lbs. #609-8281 Contract cars at City Taxi Service 8 Vlissengen Rd. Tel: 226-7150 One female domestic worker to work in Trinidad. Age 2535. Contact 1868-386-5302 Factory workers male & female. Apply in person to: R.P’s Enterprise Area ‘K’ Le Resouvenir E.C.D. 220-2818 or 3710 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Office clerk, Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset. Call: 223-7500 One hair dresser and one nail technician to work. Contact# 698-3018 Relief guard 2 days a week. Handyman. Must have a bicycle and cellphone. 2275536/ 223-0504 Wanted land to buy. Parfaite Harmonie, Farm, Providence, Tuschen, Diamond, Herstelling, Eccles, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt. Call: 666-2326

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TM & Model M truck drivers for interior. Call 223-5273/4

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Guyanese male seeking female partner to be in a relationship. Call# 638-9806 PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657 Diamond EBD, 2 storey concrete, 6 bedrooms, secured parking etc. Ready to move in. Price negotiable, serious enquiries only. Call: 625-3435

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Cooks, Handyboys, Roti/Puri One Tutor/Nanny to teach 3 makers, Apply at Shanta’s 225 year old boy from 9:50pm. Camp St Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Salon for rental. Hair & nail stations available. New market Immediate vacancy exists for street. 638-1106. Massage male operators to work shift @ Del Ice Co. Training room available Provided. Call 231-1408/ 642Earn up to $5000 daily selling 8181 hotdogs. Food handlers needed. Contact Sean #667- Chef, assistant cook and night 2189 supervisor. Call us on 2257933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street. Experienced salesman 40-45 yrs with driver license. Must Male factory worker needed. know to write bills/calculate. Must have police clearance. Keyyfood McDoom Village. For more info call: 223-0090 General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank. #614-4358

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VACANCY

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Monday January 28, 2019

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Kaieteur News

School of the Nations principal, Dr. Brian O’Toole, shot twice

Principal of the School of the Nations, Dr. Brian O’Toole

Hours after a major school meeting yesterday to discuss security issues stemming from an alleged threat by a student last week to “shoot up”, the Principal of the School of the Nations, Dr . Brian O’Toole was shot at his city’s home. The private school owner reportedly met someone around 9pm at his Bel Air Promenade home and three shots were heard after. A car shortly pulled off. Unconfirmed reports said that Dr. O’Toole was shot by the expelled student who was waiting on him to return home.

AFC wants to secure meaningful involvement of youth in next Coalition Govt. On Saturday last, the Alliance For Change (AFC) held its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for 2019 at the Umana Yana Kingston, Georgetown. In a statement released to the media, the party said that the meeting was expanded to include regional, municipal and Neighbourhood Democratic Council councillors and saw over 110 delegates in attendance from all ten administrative regions in Guyana along with the Diaspora. The NEC reportedly “unanimously” approved a motion for the APNU+AFC Coalition to be maintained as per the Cummingsburg Accord for the next General and Regional Elections. AFC also said that the NEC renewed the party’s commitment to constitutional reform and “recognised the need for greater and meaningful involvement and participation of young people in the next Coalition Government. Further, the party recognized the need for greater empowerment and the provision of more opportunities for the young people of Guyana.” The party also “unanimously approved a motion to support free education from nursery to university and facilitate housing for all Guyanese with

Chairman of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan

Leader of the AFC, Raphael Trotman

revenues to be derived from oil.” AFC recalled that the Constitution of Guyana provides that “every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university as well as non-informal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.” Leader Raphael Trotman, in his address meeting, stated that the party “has listened to the people and has heard what they have had to say. He related that the Guyanese public holds the AFC to a different political standard than that of the traditional political parties and acknowledged that the AFC did make some mis-steps in government and that the

party must work harder to deliver for the Guyanese people. The Leader also reaffirmed his confidence in the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo leadership to guide the Coalition Government in the period ahead.” Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, in his address, outlined for the NEC meeting the legal matters pertaining to the vote of December 21 and “underscored that the APNU+AFC government is legitimate, credible and proper and will not engage in the dereliction of duty by not pursuing the matter to the fullest extent of the law.” The AFC did not make any report of an address from Nagamootoo.

- police reportedly hunting expelled student The principal reportedly was at dinner at the Marriott with his family. Dr. O’Toole was shot at thrice after the student reportedly confronted him. What is known is that the principal was taken to a city hospital.

He was shot twice in his arms. He was said to be stable. Yesterday, the New Market Street private school which also offers MBA classes, announced it has beefed up security in wake of the threats by the student who posted it on social

media. The security assurance was made to scores of parents who turned up for a meeting with the school’s administration. The police were said to be investigating the threats. (More details in tomorrow Kaieteur News)

Growing security concern as some.... (From page 19) situation in Venezuela, they came to Guyana to get a better life and to work and provide for their families. The court heard that the defendants came to Guyana and were staying at a hotel in Georgetown. On the day in question, they were heading to Mabura to work. The magistrate after listening to defendants fined them $30,000 each. Failure to pay the fines will result in four weeks imprisonment. Upon paying the fine or spending the time, the court ordered that the women be deported. Police Prosecutor Suemile Evans, told the court that on the day in question; ranks stopped a minibus, which was travelling to Mabura. The Venezuelans were asked to present their passport to the officers and they told the officers that they had no passports. As a result, they were arrested and taken to Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters (CID). Also before the court is 21-year-old Moses Chappell, who was slapped with two counts of simple larceny. The first charge alleged that on May 31, 2018 at Moruca, North West District, he stole one outboard engine valued $631,550, property of Orlando Charles. It was further alleged that on May 31, 2018 at Aquaro, Moruca, North West District, he stole one boat valued $300,000, property of Terrence Henry. The court heard both articles were recovered; however, the prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the defendant citing that he is not a Guyanese. The prosecutor added that if bail is granted to the defendant, he will not return to court for the trial. The defendant was allegedly staying at relatives in Guyana when he committed the offences. A teenager who admitted to stealing a quantity of cash from a businesswoman to purchase clothing was sentenced to six months imprisonment. The 17 year-old will be deported to his homeland after serving the jail time. Louiz Marques appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He admitted to the charge, which stated

that between July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2018 at Water Front, Port Kaituma, North West Magisterial District, he stole $410,000 cash, property of Sabrina Johnson. The court head the victim is the proprietor of a general store at Water Front Port Kaituma. The prosecutor said that on the day in question, Marques went to the woman’s store to purchase a haversack. While the woman was attending to Marques, someone called out for her and she left and went outside. The woman returned a few minutes later and the defendant paid her for the haversack and left the store. The woman then proceeded to a shelf where she had left the money mentioned in the charge. It was then she discovered that the monies, which were the previous day’s sale, missing. She reported the matter to the Port Kaituma Police Station. The matter was then investigated and the Marques was arrested and taken into custody. After being cautioned, he admitted to the offence stating that he took the money to buy clothes. The prosecutor added that there is no document to prove that the defendant entered the country legally. Marques, who spoke through an interpreter, told the court that he stole the money to buy clothes. The Magistrate added that upon serving the jail term, he will be escorted to the nearest port of exit back to Venezuela. Just recently, the Immigration Department recorded almost 2,800 Venezuelans who have entered Guyana for refuge, as a result of the political and economic crisis in their home country. Guyana has been organizing to identify the needs and vulnerabilities of this population. According to the, International Organisation on Migration (IOM), the Venezuelans’ needs include documentation, food, employment or income-generating activities, and healthcare. Since the arrival of the first group of Venezuelan refugees, Guyana has been providing relief. However, this situation is unusual because it is compounded by another issue, a border dispute between the two countries, which has hindered relations for over a century.

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Kaieteur News

Monday January 28, 2019

Monday January 28, 2019

Code for Prosecutors advises…

The younger the suspect, the less likely a prosecution is required Very often, young persons are placed before the courts charged with varying offences. However, many factors should be taken into consideration when deciding on whether a prosecution is necessary. One such factor is the age of the suspect at the time of the commissioning of the offence. This is outlined in the Code for Prosecutors, which was launched last November. It is a booklet containing a set of rules that encapsulates how prosecutors, including police prosecutors, make decisions. According to the Prosecutors’ Code, “The criminal justice system treats children and young people differently from adults and significant weight must be attached to the age of the suspect if they are a child or a young person under 18.” It is explained in the booklet that in every case where there is sufficient evidence to justify a prosecution, prosecutors must go on to consider whether a prosecution is required in the public interest. The question as to whether the suspect is under 18 at the time of offence is just one of the public interest factors. As stated in the Code for Prosecutors, “Prosecutions do not automatically take place once the evidential stage is met. A prosecution will usually take place unless the prosecutor is satisfied that there are public interest factors tending against prosecution, which outweigh those tending in favour.” It is stated in the book of guidelines that the best interest and welfare of the child or young person must be considered including whether a prosecution is likely to have an adverse impact on his or her future prospects that is disproportionate to the seriousness of the offence. “Prosecutors must also have regard to the obligations arising under the Constitution, the Protection of Children Act, Chapter 46:06, the Juvenile Offenders Act, Chapter 10:03, all other legislation pertaining to the rights of children and persons and the United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child.” So, as a starting point, the younger the suspect, the less likely it is that a prosecution is required, advises the Prosecutor’s Code. However, it was pointed out that there may be circumstances which mean that notwithstanding the fact that the suspect is

under 18, a prosecution is required in the public interest. According to the booklet, “These include where the offence committed is serious, where the suspect’s past record suggests that there are no suitable alternatives to prosecution, or where the absence of an admission means that out-of-court disposals, which might have addressed the offending behaviour are not available.” In giving an overview of the Prosecution’s Code at the launching, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack had cautioned that a decision of whether to prosecute must not be influenced by a person’s race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, gender, financial circumstances, or political affiliation, or any other personal factor. She had stressed that great care must always be taken by those who decide on these issues, “recognizing that incorrect decisions to prosecute may undermine the confidence in the criminal justice systems.” “Accordingly, a decision to prosecute should only be taken after all the evidence and the relevant circumstances have been considered properly. This is done if the investigations are completed timely and legal advice sought before a charge is instituted,” the DPP had stated. The DPP had explained that the early disclosure of statements to defendants will see them pleading guilty to the offence for which they are charged, or to a lesser offence and to bargain for a sentence. This, she had noted, will save the court from conducting trials and will also ease the backlog of cases. The Prosecutors’ Code was drafted in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and sets out the tests that all prosecutors in Guyana will be expected to apply in determining whether criminal charges should be instituted. It is based on the Constitution of Guyana, the Legal Practitioners Act, as well as the 1999 Standard of the International Association of Prosecutors. A similar Code has already been implemented in the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St. Lucia and Dominica.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Monday January 28, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Messi on target again as Barca overcome Girona

Cook blasts England’s preparations after West Indies defeat

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores their second goal against Girona. (REUTERS/Sergio Perez) GIRONA, Spain (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored for a sixth consecutive La Liga game as champions Barcelona saw off a gutsy Girona side 2-0 in a Catalan derby yesterday to go five points clear at the top of the standings. Portuguese fullback Nelson Semedo struck with his weaker left foot to send Barca into the lead in the ninth minute of the game, which was played on a rain-swept afternoon at Girona’s Montilivi stadium after La Liga’s ambitious plan to stage the game in Miami fell through. Girona missed a double chance to equalise shortly before the break, with Barca defender Gerard Pique clearing a shot off the line, and

the home side’s striker Cristhian Stuani was thwarted by the feet of German keeper MarcAndre ter Stegen early in the second period. Girona had defender Bernardo Espinosa sent off in the 51st minute for a second booking and their hopes of getting back in the game were dealt a fatal blow by La Liga’s top scorer Messi, who lofted the ball over keeper Bono in the 68th to net his 18th league goal of the season. The strike means Messi has now scored at every La Liga ground he has played at, with the Argentine still to visit Huesca later in the campaign. Barca top the table on 49 points after 21 games, holding a five-point lead over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid.

Holder joins illustrious company at top of all-rounders rankings LONDON, CMC – Captain Jason Holder yesterday became the first West Indies all-rounder since the iconic Sir Garry Sobers nearly half a century ago, to top the ICC all-rounders rankings. The 27-year-old, third on the charts behind Bangladesh’s Shakib-alHasan and India’s Ravindra Jadeja at the start of the game, stormed to the top position following his monumental unbeaten double hundred against England in the opening Test at Kensington Oval on Friday. Sir Garry, considered the finest all-rounder ever, was the last West Indies player to top the all-rounders rankings in 1974. West Indies crushed England by 381 runs in the final session on Saturday’s fourth day, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Holder struck a magnificent unbeaten 202 from 229 balls in a record seventh wicket stand of 295 with Shane Dowrich, who hit 116 not out. That effort saw Holder jump 25 spots in the batting rankings to a career-best 33rd while remaining 10th in the bowlers rankings. The double hundred was

Holder’s third triple figure score in Tests following landmarks against England four years ago in Antigua and against Zimbabwe two years ago. Holder’s performance was even more remarkable considering he missed the tour of Bangladesh last December with a shoulder injury, and only returned to action last month with a single four day game for his native Barbados Pride. “It was a really good match for me personally. To come back the way I’ve come back I’m really pleased,”

Holder said following Saturday’s win. “I have put in a lot of hard work over the last couple of months trying to get myself back to full fitness. I’ve had a lot of emotion bottled up for a long time.” Several other Windies players also enjoyed upward movement in the latest rankings. Dowrich climbed 14 places to 47th in the batting rankings while 22-year-old Shimron Hetmyer, who scored 81 and 31 in the Barbados Test, jumped 11 places to 40th.

West Indies’ Shai Hope stumps England’s Sam Curran to win the match. (Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs) (Reuters) - Former England captain Alastair Cook has questioned the team’s preparations for their West Indies tour, after the visitors crashed to a humiliating 381-run defeat in the first test in Barbados on Saturday. England came into the contest having drawn their two warm-up games in the Caribbean against a Cricket West Indies President’s XI team earlier this month but Cook said the two-day matches had not fully sharpened the instincts of Joe Root’s side. “Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail. That has become a cliche in sport but overuse does not erode its essential truth. Look at England over four days in Bridgetown,” Cook wrote in his column for the Sunday Times. “They didn’t have their fighting edge, and that is not surprising when you consider their pre-test schedule.” West Indies, underdogs in the three-match series, bowled out England for 246 in the second innings after dismissing them for 77

in the first to seal the match. “I know what it’s like at the start of a tour. Physically, you might feel a bit tired by the end of the first week after the fitness training and nets, but mentally you’re relaxed,” Cook added. “It’s imperative that you then undergo proper competition... England did not get that. However hard they tried in the two warm-up games, those fixtures added up to less of an experience than four-day first-class cricket would have offered. “At the bare minimum, they should have had a two-day game in which 15 players were used... followed by a four-day match featuring the probable test XI.” Cook, who retired in September as England’s most prolific batsman, said the tourists would be hurting ahead of the second test which begins in Antigua on Thursday. “If they weren’t match hardened before, they will be now. This side has a history of bouncing back,” Cook added.

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Kaieteur News

Thompson opens season with victory

Elaine Thompson (facebook)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Double Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson got off to a winning start in her season opening race at the 2018 Queen’s/Grace Jackson track meet here on Saturday. Competing in the 60 metres, the 26-yearold Thompson powered to victory in 7.24 seconds. Thompson, who struggled last season with an Achilles injury said the build up to the event felt more like training. “I feel great, give God thanks. For 2019, my main focus is just to stay healthy and pain free. Each race is a build up to prove strength and fitness, but this one wasn’t really a build up for me, but more like training to execute and see where I am at,” she told reporters after the race. “The injury is a hard one to deal with, and I’ve dealt with it for a long time, but it’s not like a muscle or tendon so it’s hard to deal with medical-wise, so I just treat it the best that I can and try to improve the best that I can. Right now I’m not sure what coach has in store but my focus is to get fit, put in the work and continue training.” Thompson holds the 60 metres outdoor national record of 7.02 seconds, which was set at the Queens/Grace Jackson Invitational meet in 2017.

Consistency key to success, says Holder BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – After leading his troops to a historic victory over England in the first Test, West Indies skipper Jason Holder believes once the regional team remains consistent in its efforts, success will follow. The Windies defeated England by a mammoth 381 runs, their third largest ever margin of victory, at Kensington Oval on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the threematch series. Holder led from the front with a fighting double century in the second innings, while Shane Dowrich scored an unbeaten century. Roston Chase then starred with the ball in England’s second innings, snagging eight wickets to help the home side to victory inside four days. “Yeah it was definitely special and I have to give credit to the boys. We asked for a really big effort today, we knew how important today was and the context of the game and the context of the series and it was very, very good to see that we could follow up the first few days of play with a day such as today,” Holder said in his post-match interview. “Consistency is something that we always speak of in the dressing room and I just want the guys to be consistent. I still think that we could still strive to be a little bit better in the first innings and solidify ourselves when we get starts and try to carry on as deep as possible.” “I expected a better

West Indies captain Jason Holder celebrates with Roston Chase after taking the wicket of Keaton Jennings. showing than the first innings for sure, but with the nature of the pitch I always backed our bowlers to bowl them out for a reasonable total. We knew it was the sort of pitch that if you got one wicket you could get two or three quickly and that happened for us today. It’s just a matter for us to continue being consistent, especially when we bowl so we can hit the areas that we really want to hit to cause trouble,” he added. Despite his team’s resounding victory, Holder said there were still areas which they needed to improve on. However, he admitted the

win would boost the side’s confidence ahead of the second Test which begins next month. “We had quite a few starts in the first innings and a few guys got half centuries but no one got a century, so I think if we can translate what happened in the second innings to the first innings I think it’d be a lot better for us,” the captain said. “It [the win] should definitely boost us, but I really don’t want to focus too much on England. They’ve got their stuff to work out and we just have to focus on what we need to do to close this series out.”

Monday January 28, 2019

Devastating Djokovic claims record seventh Australian title

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic kisses the championship trophy after winning his match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal. (REUTERS/Edgar Su) MELBOURNE (Reuters) Novak Djokovic claimed a record seventh Australian Open crown in devastating style yesterday as he condemned Rafa Nadal to the most stinging defeat in their long Grand Slam rivalry. Three years after thrashing Andy Murray for the 2016 trophy, the Serbian regained his Melbourne Park throne with a 6-3 6-2 6-3 procession, clinching his 15th Grand Slam title and third in succession. Moving past Pete Sampras into outright third on the all-time list of Grand Slam winners, Djokovic will head to Roland Garros looking for a second “Nole Slam”, having already swept all four majors in 2015-16. Only Federer’s 20 and Nadal’s 17 outstrip Djokovic’s tally of Grand Slam trophies, but on the strength of the champion’s virtuoso performance at Rod Laver Arena, they will be looking nervously over their shoulders. It was a win that left even Djokovic marveling, seven years after needing a record five hours and 53 minutes to fell the Spaniard in the 2012 classic at Melbourne Park. “It ranks right at the top. Under the circumstances, playing against Nadal, such an important match, it’s amazing,” the 31-year-old told reporters after needing barely two hours to extend his perfect record in seven Australian Open finals. The peerless Serb broke Nadal five times while conceding only a single break point, and coughed up only four unforced errors in the first two sets.

Sealing the win when a desperate Nadal fired a backhand long, Djokovic kneeled on the blue hardcourt and shook his fists at the sky. He moved past Federer and Australian great Roy Emerson’s six Melbourne titles, after two barren years Down Under with elbow problems. After raising the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup aloft, Djokovic said American Sampras had inspired him to pick up a racket. “It was definitely a sign of destiny to start playing tennis, to aspire to be as good as Pete. To surpass him with Grand Slam titles, I’m speechless,” he said. Blitzed from the start, Nadal could only congratulate an opponent that condemned him to his worst Grand Slam defeat in their long rivalry. “It has been very emotional two weeks. Even if tonight was not my best, I had somebody that played much better,” said the 32-year-old. “I am going to keep fighting hard, going to keep working hard to be a better player every time, for the good things in life.” TOTALDOMINANCE It was a greater humbling than even the quarter-finals of the 2015 French Open, when Djokovic thrashed Nadal 7-5 6-3 6-1 to end his six-year winning streak at his favorite claycourt tournament. Broken in his first service game on Sunday, it was clear not everything was right with the Spaniard when at 4-2, he swung a forehand and completely missed the ball. He was unable to take a

point off Djokovic’s serve until the ninth game, when the Serb was already serving for the first set. Nadal’s remodeled serve was clinically dismantled, and he punched his racket strings in frustration after giving up two break points in the fourth game of the second. The Serb threw a fiery glance at his players’ box after breaking to 5-2 and fired two aces to take a two-set lead. All business, Djokovic marched back to his seat in silence, without so much as a quiet fist-pump. Nadal battled on but every piece of magic he produced was outdone by the Serbian sorcerer. The Spaniard scrambled in to feather a sliced dropshot over the net, raising premature cheers but Djokovic simply swooped on it and sent an even cleverer drop-shot cross-court. After further baseline punishment, he broke Nadal for the fourth time, pulling him around like a puppet-master before tripping him up with another drop-shot. Nadal finally prised a break point in the fifth game of the third but it quickly disappeared in a maelstrom of power hitting. From there, Djokovic knuckled down to complete one of his most stunning victories. Firing a forehand down the line to bring up two championship points, he converted the second when Nadal struck a backhand long, and the Serb’s reign over Melbourne was restored with a thunderous chorus of Serbian cheers.

Monday January 28, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Bounty Farm/Antonio’s Grille one-day tourney

Hikers and GBTI take top honours The customary one-day tournament that is sponsored by Bounty Farm and Antonio’s Grille, which opens the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) calendar, got underway yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence with the Hikers men and GBTI GCC women winning their respective categories. The day’s play got underway at 09:00hrs with a total of 36 matches being contested. The women’s final was closely contested between GBTI GCC and Woodpecker Hikers, and it was GCC’s Shebiki Baptiste’s fourth minute field goal that proved to be the decisive strike in the match that produced no more goals after. Hikers came close to scoring many times but could not get past Old Fort’s Julia Gouvia (guest player) who was eventually awarded the female goalkeeper of the tournament award. The men’s final was contested between archrivals Bounty GCC and Pepsi Hikers and the clash wasn’t short of entertaining as it produced seven goals. Drawing first blood was Hikers’ Aroydy Branford who found the back of the net during his team’s first attacking run of play before Jamarj Assanah scored the first of his brace in the fifth minute to double the lead. Usual goal threat for GCC, Kevin Spencer pulled a goal back in the eighth minute before Assanah completed his brace two minutes later. Hikers’ and national skipper Robert France added some cushion to the score card with a field goal in the 11th minute which was good enough to make the late last ditch efforts of Kevin Spencer (17th minute) and substitute Philip Fernandes (19th minute) irrelevant as Hikers held on for the 4-3 win. The most promising junior player award went to Abosaide Cadogan of GBTI

Bounty Farm-Antonio’s Grill One-day female champions, GBTI GCC. GCC, while her team mate Ulrica Sutherland was awarded MVP of the competition. Christian Sumeer of Pepsi Hikers received the best goalkeeper accolade after only starting hockey a few months ago. At the conclusion of the event, head of the GHB, Phillip Fernandes gave thanks to the sponsors Bounty Farm and Antonio’s Grille for their continued support and thanked the players and volunteers for their hard work in helping to make hockey a success in Guyana. The next big event on the GHB’s calendar is the trination series in Canada in March where the men and women’s national teams will be in action. The tri-nation series will be followed by the Pan American Challenge cup which has not yet seen its date and venue being confirmed as yet but that tournament will see both the national men’s and women’s team playing to secure qualification for the Pan American Cup. (Calvin Chapman story and photos)

GCC’s Devin Hooper dribbles past Hikers’ Jamarj Assanah.

Jamarj Assanah slots home the Pepsi Hikers’ second goal in the final.

Hikers’ Skipper Robert France looks to make a pass.

PAGE 30

Naomi Osaka closing in on long-held ambition to become the new Serena Williams The Telegraph - When the latest world rankings are released today, Naomi Osaka – the freshly minted Australian Open champion – will become the sixth woman to stand atop the ladder since the spring of 2017, when Serena Williams stepped off the tour to have a baby. In that period, we have become used to turbulence among the leading players, all jostling to prove themselves the best. Simona Halep managed to hang on to the No 1 spot for 48 weeks. But she was never truly dominant, landing only one major in a sequence of eight different champions from as many events. Osaka, many believe, could change that pattern. On a statistical level, she already has, because on Saturday she became the first woman not named Williams to win backto-back slams since Kim Clijsters in 2010-11. But her impact extends beyond mere results. No one since Williams herself has developed such locker-room power. The assumption has long been that if Williams shows up fit and focused, and avoids any arguments with officials, she will outclass the field. Yet Osaka has changed that logic. She is the woman to beat now, thanks to a comparable weight of groundstrokes and superior movement. Only on her milk-float second serve does she show a chink of weakness. And if Osaka really is the true world No 1, both in her results and her intimidation factor, then she is closing in on her long-held ambition: to become the new Serena. According to Laura Penhaul, the British physiotherapist who spent time with the Osaka camp in 2017, this has long been the whole family’s goal. “That’s what she wants, the footsteps she wants to follow,” said Penhaul, who achieved her own sporting fame when she led a coxless rowing team on a nine-month crossing of the Pacific Ocean. “Naomi has always

Monday January 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

Brenessa Thompson shatters Guyana’s indoor 200m record Chance also in winners’ row last weekend Overseas-based student athletes Brenessa Thompson and Arinze Chance both notched victories last weekend in their favoured races, but Thompson’s win was more memorable as she smashed Guyana’s indoor 200m record by more than half a second. Competing at the 2019 Tech Classic for the Texas A&M University, Thompson blazed the indoor track in 23.02 seconds to win the 200m race ahead of Anglerne Annelus (23.16 seconds) of USC and her Texas A&M teammate, Diamond Spaulding (23.28 seconds). The previous 200m indoor track record of Guyana was held by Angela Corlette who ran 23.63 seconds in 2008. Thompson’s time is the second fastest this

Naomi Osaka – the freshly minted Australian Open champion – will become the sixth woman to stand atop the ladder since the spring of 2017. (Getty Images) idolised Serena, and when she beat Venus Williams in Hong Kong two years ago it gave her a lot of confidence, the feeling that she could do it against the top dogs. The whole family have set out to follow the Williams model. Even her coach, Sascha Bajin, is Serena’s former hitting partner. “That was the hard thing [about the US Open final between Osaka and Serena Williams],” Penhaul added. “It was so upsetting and emotional. It’s great that this time she could achieve the title on clear merit, so that it’s not overshadowed.” Penhaul’s reference was to the infamous conclusion in New York in September, when umpire Carlos Ramos’s three code violations against Williams stole the headlines from Osaka’s magnificent display. Without the pressure she applied on the court, there would have been no need for coaching suggestions from Patrick Mouratoglou in the players’ box, nor for the racket smash that sent the whole occasion into meltdown. It is to Osaka’s credit, then, that she has regrouped and effectively consigned that fiasco to history. Her eyes are already focused on the two surface-specific slams in Paris and London. Asked on Saturday night whether she had ambitions to match the “Serena slam” – the capture of four successive majors – she replied: “I’m not going to lie and say that thought hasn’t crossed my mind.” For Penhaul, who worked

with Osaka during tournaments in Stuttgart, Strasbourg and Hong Kong, it is a pleasant feeling to see her former client coming out of herself and speaking with growing freedom. “For some reason, Naomi has had a belief that she is different to everybody else,” she said. “She always thinks she has a weird sense of humour. She blurts things out, sometimes they’re unexpected, but it’s a good sense of humour too. She has a lovely heart, and I think she is becoming more confident in who she is. “It’s nice to see the snippets that come through in her interviews. It takes time to build a rapport with Naomi, but they’re the sorts of things you see when you have known her for a while. “She is a joy to work with, very focused and determined, and also good to her team. In my case, she showed her kindness by texting me to say that she had watched the documentary of our Pacific crossing, and saying that it had made her cry.” Penhaul’s appreciative comments echo the words of Bajin. “I believe the more open we are and the more honest we are and show vulnerability sometimes, the better this world is just going to be,” Bajin said, when asked about Osaka’s quirky personality during the US Open. “And all the fake emotions. I’m not a fan of it.” He didn’t explain who the last comment was aimed at. But it was possible to guess.

year and this augurs well with the athlete who is aiming to represent Guyana at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, Chance, who broke Guyana’s 400m indoor record last year, continued his good form as well, during last Saturday’s Dr. Sander Columbia track meet at the Armory Center in New York, where he won the 400m in a time of 47.40 seconds. During an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, Chance noted that his time in the final was some ways off his record breaking 46.15 seconds last week since he just cruised through and didn’t push his body. The quarter mile specialist is aiming at qualifying for the World Championships this September which will be held in Doha, Qatar.

Fraser-Pryce eyes return to peak form after winning start to season KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters) - Three-time world champion Shelly-Ann FraserPryce exuded confidence of returning to her peak form following an easy 7.21 second clocking over 60 meters at the Queen’s/Grace Jackson Invitational meet in Kingston on Saturday. “This year I’m just looking forward to putting the pieces together and try to get back to where I was and so far (coach) Stephen Francis and I have been working and I’m just excited about the outcome (of today’s race),” the Jamaican told reporters moments after crossing the finishing line. The 32-year-old Jamaican’s career-best 10.70 seconds in 2012 is the joint fourth fastest time ever over 100m along with compatriot Elaine Thompson. Fraser-Pryce, who ran in section two exploded from the block and pulled away for an easy win ahead of training partner and Rio Olympics 100m and 200m gold medalist Thompson who came second in her season debut at 7.24 seconds. Fraser-Pryce, who will be attempting to become to first athlete – male or female – to win four world 100m titles after victories in 2009, 2013 and 2015, said her preparation had been progressing well. “To be honest, it’s still a work in progress, last year was a bit choppy but nonetheless it was a success coming back from having my son,” the twotime Olympic 100m champion added. “I’m feeling good and I’m excited about the upcoming season and I’m putting in the work and trusting the process,” added FraserPryce, who return to

Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrates winning the women’s 100m final at the Diamond League - London Anniversary Games last July. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers) competition in 2018 with the season best 10.98 after taking 2017 off to have her first child. Fraser-Pryce’s 7.21 ranks as the joint third fastest over 60m under any condition this season. “It’s my first race so I can’t complain. There are many

more to come so I’m just praying that I can stay injuryfree and also I just wish all the best to all the athletes that will be representing Jamaica this year...” she added. Doha will host the 2019 World Championships between Sept. 27 and Oct. 6.

Wins for DCC, GCC... From page 33 trapped LBW to Ishmile (2-21) at 101-3 but Persaud who played several audacious shots in his unbeaten 50 with six fours and two sixes ended the contest in style. With four for his fifty and three to a swept boundary from Persaud formalised the victory. At Bourda, TSC asked GCC to bat and led by the extremely talented but temperamental Ali-Mohammed, who hit two fours and five sixes in 54, reached 200 all out in 38 overs. Winston Forrester (40) added 59 for the first wicket with Martin Pestano-Bell (23), while Timothy McAlmont (17) and Mahendra Dindyal (12) also reached double figures. Azeez grabbed 5-21 and got support from McPherson who took 2-29 for TSC who were restricted 138-9 despite McPherson’s even 50 decorated with a four and two sixes, but only Sunil Singh, who smashed four boundaries in 23, Azeez (18), Devaughn Nandan (14) and Oslyn Batson (10) reached double figures. Deonarine Seegobin had 4-5 after Ali-Mohammed removed Nandan and Singh to end with 2-21. GCC and TSCare in a four team race for the semi-finals.