Kaieteur News

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FBI assisting NEWS police in solving West Berbice teen murders AIETEUR

Wednesday Edition January 06, 2021 - Vol. 16 No.01

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 106,472

Jagdeo laments liberal tax regime in Stabroek agreement but makes no commitment to fix it Man who gets Woman, 59, killed Bartica woman and children burnt alive…

by police vehicle on Suspect ‘buss head’ by cop, pedestrian crossing for court robbed Venezuelan - during three-lane EBD traffic system today moments before Four more officers Concerns raised over join court action over construction of chemical unfair police promotions warehouse at Friendship

Edghill, Patterson cross swords over asphalt plant See stories on pages 12&18

Guyana begged for USD$61M in C0VID aid - but gave away US$600M in taxes to oil companies in 2019 Past & Present Govts. are in high praise of the gas to shore project. But oil experts warn it can be a recipe for disaster. Listen to the facts today at 11am on 99.1/99.5FM Kaieteur Radio.

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL TEL:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Edison Cavani

T

hings took a nasty turn for Manchester United’s forward, Edison Cavani, last week. It was for one word posted that ended up costing the Uruguayan player US$137,000 and a three-game suspension by the UK’s Football Association.

We share this foreign story about what was originally taught to be a momentary oral mistake, only to learn that what is happening is less of an oral mistake, and more like one of those misinterpreted oral snafus. It is also intended to assist here, with our own sharp and sensitive racial issues, to get our wits about us, get real, and make reasonable determinations of what would be considered demeaning and worse, as in racially charged.

Airing this out should help get clarity and honesty with our own perspectives, conversations, and approaches.

Compliments of an article from an online vehicle named AFP dated January 1 and titled, “Uruguay language academy irate over Cavani ‘negrito’ sanction” (AFP, January 01), the following behind the scenes details have now come to light.

The combined fine and suspension is over the player’s inclusion of the word ‘negrito’ in a social media post.

The British FA found the comment was “insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute.”

That is certainly a mouthful, but which when put into the context of Uruguayan use among family and friends, adds a different sheen to all of this.

It definitely transforms Mr. Cavani’s sin, thought to be so extreme as to be cardinal, into something that looks more and more like it was blown to ridiculous proportions.

We now quote to some length from the same AFP article.

On Friday, Uruguay’s Academia Nacional de Letras said the words “negro” or its diminutive “negrito” — similar to “gordo” (fatso) or “gordito” and “flaco” (skinny one) — are commonly used as terms of endearment. Terms of endearment, indeed, which should make one Ms Meryl Streep wistful for her glossier days, which one would hope is not a firing offense.

“In the Spanish of Uruguay, for example, in couples or among friends, between parents and children, one often hears and reads expressions such as... gordito, negri, negrito...” the academy said in a statement.

As we take all of this in, and present them to this paper’s readership, we ask our fellow citizens to do several things.

To be truthful and frank; and not to pretend at some out of this world hypocrisy.

We think that the British FA in this specific situation involving Mr. Cavani acted hastily, that the prestigious football body overreacted.

In this country, we will not engage in the deception of pretending that racial slurs (way more hurtful than ‘negrito’) are no longer part of our daily exchanges. Words also beginning with ‘n’ spelt differently, enjoy heavy use among friends, especially of the younger, faster crowd, and others such as gang members or wannabee criminals.

Words that serve as part of our public exchanges, and form part of the daily give and take, especially among close relationships.

The exact same standard is at work when applied to those who followed slaves, came from another continent, and with the singular difference of no chains. In this instance, the word begins with a ‘c’ and still enjoys much usage here.

One hesitates to say popularity, because it is also considered to be disparaging when hurled at those outside of one’s inner circles, or by one of a different ethnicity, with every intention of being either demeaning or hurtful.

And in other Guyanese social contexts, there is still some humor to read of those identified by their aliases, which span a spectrum spanning from ‘fatman’ to ‘fineman to ‘stupidman.’

Then, there is that foreign import ‘deportee’ and the regular old wake house nightmare, as in ‘jumbie’ or ‘baccoo’ or ‘ole higue’ and so forth.

We are sure that there is a range of others that would cause doubling over, or giving offense (rightly or wrongly),

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Expect more nasty outbursts like that of Lincoln Lewis’ unless we can get onto a path of truths and reconciliation DEAR EDITOR, I refer to that awful, nasty, repugnant, reprehensible, abhorrent, outrageous letter from Lincoln Lewis which appeared in the Kaieteur News of December 30th, 2020 abusing columnist Freddie Kissoon.

I cannot and will not try to speak for Mr. Lewis, but it appears to me that the events from our NCM of December 21st, 2018 through to our Election Day of March 2nd, 2020 and onto the Declaration Day of August 2nd, 2020 have moved many of us, pro PPP/ C like me, pro PNC/R/APNU, AFC, pro “Shared Government” to points of explosive outburst. Many of us have been on edge.

They say that our social media has been awash with nasty things and our Ethnic Relations Commission after warnings has moved to prosecute a few who crossed its red lines.

Mr. Lewis says that he is a proud African. I too am a proud Afro-Guyanese, and proudly PPP/C. Like many Afro-Guyanese teenagers of the 1950s, I was going along with the common view amongst us, Afro-

Guyanese, that we were the ones prepared and knowing how, to step into the shoes of the departing English Governor and his team, at the time of our Independence. Cheddi and his supporters, largely Indo-Guyanese, were still immigrants becoming but not yet Guyanese, but who by their larger numbers and population distribution were “wrongly” winning our then Constituency based elections. We, Afro- Guyanese, were prepared to accept them as brothers and sisters, but they were younger brothers and sisters, they were not yet ready, this was not their time, they must wait; their time would come. Cheddi and his PPP must await their turn. In addition to that, we were the honest Christian people and would be the ones who would rule fairly and even handedly for the benefit of all – us and them.

I would admit that most likely because of my particular life story that view did not sit very strongly with me, and looking back I can see that I began to consciously depart from it in early 1962, as an 18 yrs plus living at the back of Hadfield St. Lodge (the area

of Sheriff and Mandela Streets then being bush) preparing for my A levels, hearing about the fires, the burning and the looting in the city, some AfroGuyanese beating IndoGuyanese they came upon, and seeing some of my fellow Afro-Guyanese people of Lodge hurrying by on their bicycles with a fridge or stove on the handle.

I felt strongly: this is not us Afro-Guyanese; this should not be us AfroGuyanese.

I silently disagreed with our rejection of Cheddi’s and the PPP’s budget that sought to start a fund for our own development from small taxes on better-off persons. I could not go along with the argument that Cheddi and his PPP wanted us to make savings and investments which should be for our children and grandchildren, and worse so, the proffering that this budget was not the cause of the war but the occasion for the war; the occasion to derail the prospect of Cheddi and the PPP receiving the keys of our Independence which for many of us Afro-Guyanese would have been a great travesty.

I was spared living through our gravest period of 1964, studying abroad at a University over 1963 – 1967.

As an Afro-Guyanese, I understand but regret how vulnerable we were to the so persuasive arguments to do a little wrong to compensate for and forestall greater wrongs being done to us, but for me as an Afro-Guyanese the resort to rigging from the 1968 election was our AfroGuyanese greatest undoing.

I know that many AfroGuyanese earnestly sought to make good of that prevailing view I put earlier, of us being good for our newly Independent Guyana, and by the elections of 1973 many of us Afro-Guyanese had begun not going out to vote, and embarrassed with the rigging of elections.

The Leadership of the PNC inevitably took themselves, us Afro-Guyanese and all Guyanese and our Guyana, into a world of makebelieve.

As I heard Walter Rodney admonishing in Linden in the late 1970s, too many of us Afro-Guyanese found ourselves feeling obliged to say (Continued on page 6)

Is it not time that the authorities take serious action against illegitimate business?

DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me some space in your newspaper to appeal to the powers that be that they should consider setting up a hot line for persons to call to report on ‘rogue operations’ that violate the pandemic restrictions and curfew.

The government has shown great leadership in its robust response to the Covid19 pandemic and should be commended for its dynamism spearheaded by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and other high-level government officials.

The government in its zeal to protect Guyanese from being infected by the virus has distributed free masks to thousands of Guyanese, encouraged the washing of hands, social distancing and has imposed a curfew for

night clubs and restaurants.

Admittedly, most legitimate night clubs and liquor restaurants in the city are adhering to government restrictions and to the imposed curfew.

But despite our government’s strenuous efforts to curb the spread of the virus by imposing a curfew on certain non-essential businesses, a few rogue ‘business places’ consistently violate, among other things, the 11:00 p.m. curfew in pursuit of making ‘a dollar’.

These ‘rogue business places’ apparently don’t pay any taxes and they get away with it.

Take the case of the ‘holein-the-wall’- literally, a hole in the wall - ‘shoe-box’ size socalled ‘business’ operation at Bourda. This supposed ‘business operation’ which is

or which brings about darker dreads due to closet lifestyle orientations.

This is real life, regional and Guyanese style. This is what can only be legislated against so far, this is what may have gone undercover to some extent but, again, cannot really be snuffed out completely.

We do not foresee the local ERC reaching for its handcuffs for those things that, when contextualized properly, are largely harmless.

The key is that it must be limited to friends and family. We think the British FA overreacted. This should be reversed, as Mr. Cavani’s compatriots are insisting.

apparently a ‘food and liquor business’ is, as far as I know, run by a set of Venezuelans and consistently violates the 11:00 p.m. curfew.

Contrast that with a legitimately established Brazilian night club immediately to the left side of this ‘knock-up’ liquor place.

As far as I know, the Brazilian night club has an official liquor licence to run a bar and restaurant, they adhere to the curfew, social distancing and the wearing of masks. In fact, they have remained closed during the entire nine months since the pandemic started. In other words, they have shown a sense of business responsibility to Guyanese society.

The ‘make-shift’ Venezuelan owned operation on the other hand, raises a number of questions.

First off, the owners of this ‘business’ have set up an apparently permanent ‘structure’ – a tarpaulin and sticks ‘shed’- what we Guyanese would call a ‘cow-shed’ - attached to the front of an unoccupied house which serves as the ‘serving’ area for their customers. The question is: Have the owners gotten permission from the Mayor and City Council to do so? Are

they not in violation of the city’s bylaws?

Also, does this ‘hole-inthe-wall’ operation have a licence to sell food and liquor?

This ‘make-shift’ shed serves as a ‘hang-out’ for all and sundry. In fact, it is a hot-bed for spreading the virus. Neither the owner and others involved and their customers wear masks, wash their hands and maintain social distancing and adhere to the 11:00 p.m. curfew.

In fact, neighbours on the block are subjected every single night to ‘loud and persistent’ music till the wee hours of the morning not to mention the vulgar and coarse behaviour of its patrons under the influence of alcohol. Persons living on the same block with the ‘bar’ have been complaining about the noise nuisance but apparently the authorities so far have taken no action. Complaining to the Alberttown Police Station has proven over the years to be ineffective.

Is it not time now that the authorities take serious action against illegitimate business operations? If not now, when?

Respectfully, Concerned Citizen

Wednesday January 06, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Lincoln Lewis has a pre-occupation with ‘Race’ DEAR EDITOR, In his response to my letter, Lincoln Lewis’ claims to be the “same progressive from the 1980s” (Jan. 3) is disputed by workers and trade unionists.

He is plain wrong on several issues and is too preoccupied with race. There have been several instances when workers’ rights were not enforced and when race of workers determined Lewis’ action, as he self-confessed in his writings. Lewis’ position on issues is simply too emotional and self-centered and therefore lacks objectivity.

On the question of ‘why my insertion in his exchange with Freddie Kissoon,’ aspects of Lewis’ comments against Freddie were disrespectful and distasteful and deficient in civility. As someone in the media for some 45 years, I tried to redirect the exchange towards issues rather on personality. My involvement has not helped as Lewis has dug deeper into personality. Today’s working class describes Lewis’ trade union activism as embracing elements of Burnhamism including his obsession with “race,” unlike his illustrious

predecessor Joseph Pollydore who focused on issues. Lewis’ entire response is reduced to “race” and personality and ignored the issues Freddie raised.

Lewis described me as seeking to become an “agent provocateur” or “inciting agent”.

It is French for someone who acts to entice another to commit an illegal or rash act or falsely implicate them in partaking in an illegal act, so as to ruin a reputation. I am not hired by anyone and not enticing either Lewis or Freddie to commit illegal acts.

Govts., party members and corruption DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the article titled, “Failure of Govts. to punish corrupt party members undermines governance - says Greenidge” (KN January 5).

After confirming that Mr. Greenidge, indeed, did say that, my reaction is: well said, sir!

The way I see this is that how both the PPP and PNC governments function in terms of addressing corrupt party members goes beyond failure; it is that both parties embrace closely such members. They cherish such known financial (and other) predators; they do more than condone such members who have earned tremendous and longstanding notoriety for ripping-off the system, though not a minor lapse in judgement, but major assaults that cost the public purse in the zillions. They salute them quietly. There are several reasons that I see as being responsible for this, which I now proceed to share.

First, everybody duz doo it, and nonbady dee giv up anybady from deh side. So why should we giv up one of our own? There is a lot embedded in that ‘one of our own’ thinking and position.

That one most likely is an insider. That same one most likely did a lot of dirty work for the party over the years.

That one, therefore, is a sacred cow that has to be protected at all costs. And that is what has happened, where in time, the number of sacred cows multiply, and the sacred calves, of course, are there to nuzzle around for their own

little scraps of the action, which they usually get to plunder and enjoy.

Second, which is somewhat incorporated into the above, soon enough what started out small a lifetime ago mutates into party culture since everybody is having a go at the rich irresistible fruits of office, and when government (party) changes, then the mentality, as I have expressed it not too infrequently, is that it is ‘wee tun fuh teef’ which now results in the level of pervasive corruption that is reality and the national culture.

Third, the mentality towards corruption in Guyana is best summed up this pithy phrase: ‘ah maan, wha is a lil corruption’. It is why offering and receiving a ‘gratuity’ or contract arrangements, etc. have become so ingrained in the national psyche. And when there is no offer forthcoming willingly, then it escalates into a hard demand.

It must be remembered that in the system at work, and insisted upon in this society, is that when a party is in power, it is omnipotent. And if that word is too fancy, then try these few for size, as made famous by one LFS Burnham: the party is paramount. Indeed, comrade! And who in this lovely country will tell me that today’s PPP functionaries (czars) are not the equivalent of those long-ago potentates from the glittering East?

Editor, in effect, this translates to men with unlimited presence and reach, which leads to swagger, a mini base of sycophants rushing to pol-

ish shoes and the like, and who are a law onto themselves. These are the people in those vaunted and scorned ‘kitchen cabinets’ where they all have a good laugh over who made a killing, who is sleeping with whom, and who pulled the latest fast one on the next big one.

Hey, it is a wonderful life, and who is going to touch them? Who is going to make an example of them, whether the serial scoundrel is at the top, in the middle, or lower down? Remember that one about a fish rots from the head? Well, there it is, because the leader himself does not have to have a reputation for chronic roguery (though they usually do), but when they turn a blind eye and do nothing (as they always do), then I submit that the head is rotten, and just as good as if their hands held the smoking gun.

Last, after a bruising elections struggle, the victorious PPP members in sensitive positions that control a ton of money (which seems to be just about everywhere), it is party time, time to reap the rewards, time to reward self.

And with oil here, that only adds to the rush of projects and the grand opportunities to make a high pile of dough.

Now, how many honest do anyone see among them? Go anywhere, in any direction, and there is the answer. Time to get down to the business of rearranging governance for fulfilment of objectives. Anybody want to know whose….

Sincerely, GHK Lall

However, union leaders must uphold ethical standards among some trade unionists.

Freddie says he briefly served in union leadership; not even a Toyota Cressida or race could compromise his activism.

I too led my teachers union for nearly two decades without compromising my integrity. I sacrificed my promotion so workers can rise. I allowed the staff of hundreds to choose the union leadership. I was re-elected several times as leader in democratic elections. For years, unions and workers have been calling for democratic elections in TUC and in bauxite and other unions. When will they be held? Democratic elections will determine credibility of leaders.

Overall, workers in Guyana feel let down by TUC claiming that they are in dire need of better contracts and benefits.

TUC did not defend earn then sufficient gains. Coincidentally, some brought up issues or raised questions about Guyana’s (TUC) representatives at the Caribbean Congress of Labour. Was there proper accountability?

Was anyone’s finger caught in the till?

On labour activism, during the 1980s there was a principled labour position against electoral fraud and support for workers among the big four - GAWU, NAACIE, CCWU, UGWU (led by Fr. Malcolm Rodrigues). Bauxite union leadership was pushed by militant workers to join the movement after they were tear gassed by the Burnham regime. Desmond Moffett and Malcolm Thompson were considered as workers’ heroes. When Hoyte shut down bauxite, workers complained that the union let them down.

Militancy was missing then but Lewis was very militant against PPP government that tried to assist bauxite workers. He became an inciter against Indians, accusing the PPP of committing “economic

genocide against Black bauxite workers and favouring Indian sugar workers” when it wasn’t even PPP that shut down the bauxite operations.

He never used that term genocide against the coalition that fired over 7000 Indian sugar workers and when Hoyte’s PNC government shut down bauxite.

It was Jagan and Jagdeo that injected money to help bauxite workers; they were not influenced by race but by humanitarian principles. Also, Lewis supported the rigging of the March elections and condemned those who sought to protect democracy.

He couched his undemocratic position as “defending black rights”. No party or race or person must have a right to rig elections. He asked the President to cancel the 2020 elections, but only when he realized that the PNC/R had lost the elections.

Racial superiority or defending fraud on account of race is abominable. One can be proud of one’s race or ethnicity without putting down others.

We must never be so obsessed with our own race like Lewis. I don’t hear Whites, Turks, Indians, and Chinese, who discover vaccine for Covid-19 say they do it in the name of their race. African and Latin countries are also working on vaccine development and with time may also get there. They all couch their achievements in the name of humanity.

We must be proud of achievements, efforts and contributions to humanity of all peoples regardless of ethnicity.

I was not the one who played down the role of Kamala Harris’ father in her life.

It is a fact that Kamala’s father is a Mixed race Jamaican

who for whatever reasons left his family. Kamala ran for several offices in California and the Presidency and Vice Presidency of America. In all of her speeches, she did not mention her father. Even in her victory speech for the Vice Presidency, she only paid tribute to her mother, Shyamala Gopalan.

Kamala and sister Maya grew up with their mother and mother ’s siblings, the Gopalan’s who were there helping the mother with the kids. Kamala praised her mom for being an inspiration during very difficult times and of sending the kids to spend time in India. Siring a woman to produce children does not make one a father; anyone can do that. Being there for one’s kids is fatherhood. (Lewis, should go and read or listen to Kamala’s speeches).

Lewis engages in self adulation for his work in trade unionism and for championing the rights of Blacks. One must also praise the work of people of other races. Workers are not happy with Lewis’s trade union activism and lack of support for democracy. Too many of them lost their jobs under his tenure including the 300 Rusal workers who were slaughtered as a result of an inflexible Lewis’ position.

Freddie’s record in championing the rights for others and democracy speaks for itself; it is public knowledge and not duplicitous. My record for championing democracy in Guyana is well known and documented going back to the late 1960s. It’s for others to judge my contribution. I will continue to fight for racial equality, fair play, marginalization and workers’ empowerment.

Yours truly Vishnu Bisram

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Kaieteur News

Gas pipeline issues DEAR EDITOR, I can appreciate the recent comments in the news concerning the lack of confidence in making a gas pipeline profitable when compared to renewables. Those involved in the panel discussion should be thanked.

Given the presence of a new administration we should not expect a continued lack of thorough evaluation for the projects being considered in the upcoming budget.

Having the Ministry of Finance review multiple bidders to re-evaluate the feasibility of the gas pipeline never hurts when creating their financial models. The maintenance of gas pipelines has been an issue in other countries and the total lifecycle costs will need to be included in the financial modelling with the

multiple pricing and economic scenarios considered. A comparison to alternative energy options including renewables (such as wave, solar and wind) will also ensure a thorough evaluation of the energy mix within our Nation’s portfolio.

We must continue to raise the bar on our project selection process especially when considering the current global economic environment. Every dollar spent counts and having a clear view as to the expected return on investment continues to be of utmost importance.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Set up a new sugar factory at Wales DEAR EDITOR, I can recall when the PNCAPNU/AFC government shut down Wales Sugar Estate in December 2016, the then Opposition Leader Cde. B harrat Jagdeo cautioned the government not to dismantle the factory nor sell out properties and plantation lands, however his call was never heeded to by the

APNU+AFC government.

The closure of Wales Estate was totally uncalled for as a going-concern to the industry si nce the

APNU+AFC government Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry never pinpointed closure of any estate but r ather recommended rehabilitation and modernization of the busi-

ness.

As such, I call on our current government to review its initial stance (whilst as opposition) on Wales Estate with a view of building a new sugar factory at Wales.

This venture should supersede any other developmental plans for the site.

Sincerely yours, Paul Ramrattan

NO PUBLIC SCRUTINY 1) Hurriedly arranged the highly favours his friend

DEAR EDITOR, The gas to shore project at Wales would be by far the biggest venture in Guyana’s history and we learn about it in an offhand remark from second vice president Bharrat Jagdeo. No public scrutiny.

Jagdeo says that’s where it’s going to go and like lemmings we accept. Everyone still thinks he’s some genius but he’s the same man who:

Chinese funding for the $150M CJIA project that ended up being mostly used on a huge pile of sand because no one bothered to do a geotechnical study for the runway extension.

2) The Berbice River Bridge being paid for by exorbitant tolls ($2200 for a private car) as part of a deeply flawed BOOT contract that

Bobby Ramroop 3) The High Street building where the old NCN radio station used to be - unfinished because the ceilings were too low.

4) and FINALLY his masterpiece, the US$200M Skeldon White Elephant that ruined the sugar industry Yours sincerely Francis Newton

Wednesday January 06, 2021

The APNU+AFC is struggling to gain relevance and respect in a modern Guyanese Society DEAR EDITOR, The life and times of The APNU+AFC Coalition is enacted as a plagiarized script taken from the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. Like The Orwellian story which started out with the jargon “all animals are created equal,” they too started out with the grand theme offering all Guyanese a “good and happy life.” That life, whatever that was, later evaporated into a big hoax; quite an embarrassing feature. So, from the very inception we knew they were not the party whom they portray themselves to be. The Coalition made a mess of themselves squandering every available opportunity they had at governing this country, marking up one failure after another. It was a horror story we would never want to relive here again.

Having failed miserably as a government they have now embarked on a campaign to regain some credibility and respect in a rapidly changing Guyanese Landscape, but they are going about that task in the worst possible way. I am talking about trying it the Old PNC way in exploring ev-

ery bullying tactic in the book, in the words of the creole proverb being “wrong and strong.”

But what The PNC fail to realize is that respect and relevance are qualities that are earned, they are not characteristics that can be foisted on the people. Trying the strong-arm route will not bring them any success, in essence, every time they try that method they would only come away looking more backward than ever.

It is like a death row prisoner who keeps repeating a mantra that they did not do it, in the same way The Coalition keeps up a slogan of doing well while in government when they did not, but they keep persisting with the hope that someone, somewhere will come to believe it.

This is their way of freeing themselves from the shackles of guilt that keeps bogging them down every step of the way.

We can also see that strategy on vivid display in and out of parliament as they keep repeating silly questions over and over again in an appeal to their supporters, that they are keeping The PPP/C in con-

trol or under pressure. By doing this they assume the posture of a “strong opposition.”

Whether that strategy would bring them any success is yet to be seen, my summation is it will not. A case in point is Minister Ferguson’s vain repetition of the word overdraft (as if she is not knowledgeable of its meaning) or Patterson’s verbiage that really amounts to empty rhetoric. In all of this, they are trying to appear useful and relevant to the Guyanese people.

The Coalition, as it stands, is morphed into one single entity called The PNC, for them to gain any respect or relevance, they must first clean up their act and begin to operate as a normal opposition. They must give due recognition and support to the government where and when it is necessary and constructively oppose when it becomes necessary as well.

From this moment onwards it is an inclusive arrangement of government all meant to bring peace, prosperity and progress to our nation.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

Expect more nasty outbursts...

From page 4 we never had it so good when we may have had nothing but water to put into our pots. Many of us AfroGuyanese found ourselves in a dilemma of which the only way out for many, was to be out of Guyana.

For me as an AfroGuyanese this has been a poignant period for us and my hope is that when the history is written there would be some research and writing on the life of someone who was of great assistance to my family and me, a benefactor of me and a number of others, who I think typifies the poignancy of that period – Mr. Frank Denbow husband of the recently departed Dr. Enid Denbow – an Afro-Guyanese, a T & HD Trade Unionist of the 1948 Col. Tare Strike, colleague of Joseph Pollydore and Boysie Ramkarran, Lionel Luckhoo, Balwant Singh, Edward Beharry, Ashton Chase, Eusi Kwayana, Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. Frank, in the early 1980s was openly lamenting that Guyana had been taken to the dogs and that he had helped take Guyana there, he himself preparing at his dining table 5000 votes for our 1973 elections and who by all appearances was silenced on the eve of Republic Day, 1983.

Our road from the 1950s has been a difficult, bitter, tormented one for us AfroGuyanese. I know that the majority of us meant well: but we did much wrong and suffered much; paid quite a price, as is often the case when one succumbs to doing a little wrong to avoid a bigger wrong.

When one reflects on the actions of the RO of Region Four, Mr. Clairmont Mingo, the Chief Elections Officer, Deputy Chief Elections Officer and a number of others in GECOM one can only think that they were acting as prisoners of that Country-view of many Afro-Guyanese of the 1950s. My hope is that their actions as the undeniable visible tip of sentiments that have beguiled and misled many of us Afro-Guyanese since the 1950s, may well lead to the catharsis that rids us all, of all of it.

For the good of our country, the good of us all – PPP/ C, PNC/R/APNU + AFC, the good of our Nation, those errant GECOM officers must be brought to account for their so public doings. It is good that fellow Afro-Caribbean persons, the late Owen Arthur, Bruce Golding, and the persistent Chairpersons of CARICOM - Mia Mottley followed by Ralph Gonsalves

denounced those actions and took the strong positions they took.

We AfroGuyanese could and should learn from them and I am so entreating Mr Lincoln Lewis.

They were not against us.

They were and are for us, for all Guyanese and for Guyana.

Reflecting once more on the actions of RO Mingo, CEO Lowenfield, Deputy CEO Myers and others, they seemed seized with a perverse conviction that it was their honour and duty to do as they did, to save the day. Elections 2020 demonstrated that many Afro-Guyanese taking leadership of us Afro-Guyanese were still holding to the page of our 1950s and 60s. For me, the criminal case is minimum, minimalist. It is much less a question of what was done, (are their lawyers going to argue that what so many saw done, was not done), but more a question of why they did what they did – what country-view was motivating them and the other silent, hidden and not so silent and hidden protagonists. My hope is that this criminal case would lead somehow to a process of Truths and Reconciliation, and all of us old and young and not so young Guyanese, including Mr Lewis, turning to a new page.

Samuel A.A. Hinds

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Woman, 59, killed by police vehicle on pedestrian crossing - during three-lane EBD traffic system woman 59, killed Struck down and killed: Dulmatie ‘Aunty Dolly’ Deochand

A

59-year-old woman was yesterday morning struck down and killed as she was heading to work by a Guyana Police Force (GPF) vehicle.

The incident occurred on the Nandy Park Public Road, East Bank Demerara, while the

rush hour three-lane system was in place.

The dead woman has been identified as Dulmatie Deochand called ‘Aunty Dolly,’ of Section ‘C,’ Block Y, Golden Grove, EBD. According to information received, the accident

The Guyana Police Force yesterday visited the family of Deochand.

occurred at around 07:26 hrs.

Kaieteur News understands that the woman was heading to her workplace, M.S. Hack & Sons Supermarket, which is located a short distance from the pedestrian crossing.

Reports are that minibus,

PWW 7172, owned by the GPF, and driven by a police constable at that time, was heading north along the western side of the eastern carriageway. At the time, the traffic was converted into a three-lane system heading to the city.

The incident would raise alarm bells about a similar accident not far away, a few weeks ago, in which a man unaware of the three-lane system, walked in front of a truck and was killed.

The police constable reportedly told police that he

was driving at a slow rate when he was saw Deochand approaching the pedestrian crossing. He further stated that as he was about eight feet away from the crossing, the woman started to cross the road, on the pedestrian (Continued on page 12)

Wednesday January 06, 2021

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

JAGDEO IS CONFUSED Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, is the representative of government. He is not the representative of Exxon within the government.

His first and foremost responsibility therefore is to secure the interests of the government and not that of the oil companies.

Judging from his comments, on 23rd December 2020 on Kaieteur Radio (99.1, 99.5 FM), the Vice President needs to be reminded of these facts, especially as they relate to the auditing of pre-contract and other costs.

The Vice President is confused about what his government is required to do in relation to these audits. And, if he is confused, imagine the muddle in which the government finds itself.

In answering a question posed to him by Kiana Wilburg, he conceded that there is much work to be done in relation to building capability for conducting oil audits. But like the APNU+AFC he commits the error of believing that it is the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) mission to undertake such audits.

The GRA is not the government’s auditor. The GRA is a tax collection agency. And while Exxon’s agreement with the government grants it sweeping exemptions from taxes, the GRA still receives some taxes, little as it may be, from Exxon’s operations.

Exxon expenses are required to be audited by the government.

The GRA would be in a conflict of interest if it were to be the government’s auditor and at the same time the assessor of taxes from Exxon.

The Coalition, APNU+AFC, and now the PPP/C, seem unable to grasp this fundamental principle.

The GRA therefore, while a government agency, should refuse to be involved in un-

dertaking audits for the government, the same audits upon which it will be required to pronounce upon for tax purposes.

The GRA has to build its own capability to undertake audits of oil operations but not as the government auditor.

Jagdeo needs to reread the Petroleum Agreement, which was signed with the oil companies. Then, he needs to revisit some of the ill-informed comments he made on Kaieteur Radio on 23rd December, 2020.

Among those comments was one in which it was stated that the audit firm, contracted by the APNU+AFC, is required to submit three audit reports – a interim report, an intermediate report and a final report.

According to Jagdeo, the interim report was submitted but the intermediate report was bypassed and a final report submitted.

According to Jagdeo, the intermediate report has to be sent to Exxon for their explanations before the final report is issued and as such the final report, which was prepared, has been treated as draft report and sent to Exxon.

This three-prong process reveals the source of Jagdeo’s confusion.

He is confusing the audit process of the oil operations with the audits, which are usually done, of government accounts, by the Auditor General.

The Audit Act of Guyana empowers the Auditor General to conduct audits of government accounts. The Act itself requires the Auditor General, at the conclusion of any audit, to provide the agency audited with a draft report, including his findings and recommendations. This requirement provides the agencies with a right of response.

The government agency is given 30 days to provide such a response. Most agencies do respond and when they do, the Auditor General is statutorily required to incorporate the responses in the Report, which he submits to the National Assembly.

The Production Sharing Agreement signed between the Government of Guyana, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EXXONMOBIL), CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited makes no provision for any draft audit report to be submitted to the oil companies.

The Production Sharing Agreement gives to the Petroleum Minister the right to audit the accounts of the petroleum operations in accordance with laid-down accounting procedures within Annex C of the Agreement.

Article 1.5 (b) of the said Annex requires that at the conclusion of the audit, a written report will be issued to the contractor. This report shall include all claims arising from the audit.

There is no requirement for an interim audit report to be sent to the oil companies.

Jagdeo therefore is hopelessly at sea when he believes that Exxon is required to give explanations before the final audit report is completed.

The legal procedure is that on the basis of the audit, the government generates a report, which must include its claims.

This constitutes a legal demand. The oil companies are then given two months to indicate either their acceptance or rejection of the government’s claims and, where there is a rejection, to explain why they are contesting the specific demands.

This idea therefore that there has to be three audit reports is unfounded.

Dem boys seh ...

We out de blocks slowly Guyana know since last August that it would be receiving vaccines when one was developed and approved. But is only now that a 20-person team has been established. And is only this week dem call dem first meeting. Other countries done start preparing months ago and India just had a dry-run.

But Guyana out de blocks slow.

But is suh we stay. We like confusion. We like see people line up. It does mek some officials feel powerful that people gat fuh line up and wait pun dem.

Dat is a legacy of de

days of Guylines. Dem had cashiers at dem government place wah selling things who used to be like Queen. Everybody bowing to dem because is dem gat to give you a slip fuh get a two-pint of cooking oil.

When yuh go to de beef shop, de butcher used to put nuff bone in yuh order. And yuh gat fuh tek and mek soup wit it because he could refuse to sell yuh.

Dem had grocery shop owners who used to holler pun yuh and threaten to put yuh out de shop. When yuh go to de bank fuh a loan, dem officials used to gat you wait-

ing whole day fuh see dem.

Is dat same mentality we pass down today.

Dem government people does like push yuh around and gat yuh pun a run-a round. So nah surprise if when de time come fuh de vaccine, dem gat people line up for hours.

But dem boys seh dat starting late gat it benefits.

We can learn from de mistakes of dem other countries. Right now things moving very slow with de vaccination and dat is something we can look at and try to avoid when we turn come fuh get de leff-leff vaccines.

The government audits and then generates its report including any claims. The oil companies then have two months to either accept or reject the demands made and, if

so, to say why.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

PAGE 10

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Fact-checking Frederick Kissoon, Vincent Alexander and Forbes Burnham I wanted to ignore Vincent Alexander’s last letter on me in KN (Jan. 4) because I told myself who in this country would believe Alexander after five months of election rigging in which Alexander was one of the most conspicuous personalities voicing words and shaping his behaviour in support of electoral tampering.

I have changed my mind.

I am now responding to Alexander through an open challenge. Once he answers my questions here factually, I will resign as a columnist from this newspaper, and consolidate my disappearance by asking the Kaieteur News management not to entertain any further correspondence

from me in the future.

Alexander wants KN to factcheck my columns and go so far as to ask editors to do fact checking as a policy. No doubt that would apply to the alternative facts that Alexander publishes in all four daily newspapers quite often.

Here is a plethora of questions, which Alexander must answer truthfully when juxtaposed with the facts and realities in contemporary Guyanese history and current impulses in Guyanese society.

1-Do you agree that Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham, had no legal authority to deny Walter Rodney a teaching job at UG because he, Burnham, was not legally elected in the

general election of 1973 to be the prime minister?

2-Between the years of two general elections - 1973 and 1980 - you held the post of leader of the youth arm of the PNC, YSM, do you accept the fact that both elections were rigged by Forbes Burnham?

3-Do you agree with the fact that Burnham became a dictator when at his party’s congress at Sophia in 1974; he announced that his party was now the paramount institution in Guyana with jurisdiction over and above all state institutions?

4-Given all that President Burnham did to Guyana, do you not accept the fact that you are seen in vile ways by

the Guyanese people by being the chairman of the Burnham Foundation?

5-Is it not a fact that Burnham was involved in the assassination of Walter Rodney and covered up the murder of Education Minister, Vincent Teekah?

6-On March 4, Region Four’s Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, was using false numbers which did not correspond with statements of poll (SOPs) in the possession of the APNU+AFC party, nine other opposition parties and the international observers. Yes or no?

7-On Friday, March 6, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) wrote GECOM to convene a meeting for a declaration (only stopped by an injunction). There was an obligation by you to stop that meeting because the declaration was illegal. You did not join the other three PPP commissioners in opposing what the CEO did. Yes or no?

8-On Friday night of March 13, Mingo ignored the ruling of the Chief Justice and repeated his mumbo jumbo at the head office of GECOM in

Kingston. It is not factual that Mingo continued his rigging?

9-You tabled a motion to GECOM to accept the declaration as it stood by the March 13 tabulation. Wasn’t that your acceptance of rigging as you saw and knew from your days in the YSM. 10-As a GECOM Commissioner whose obligation was to conduct transparent and legal elections with the acceptance of legal results, you wrote to the five visiting CARICOM Prime Ministers in your capacity as head of the Year of the People of African Descent requesting them to understand that Guyana’s problems go way beyond election and that must be their focus. They rightly ignored you because they viewed your intervention as hypocrisy. While asking them to help Guyana you were at the same time, as a GECOM commissioner, helping to destroy Guyana. True or false?

11-In a letter on me dated November 1, 2020 (KN) you wrote that National Service was not compulsory. It is just another example of my untruths. It was compulsory for

Frederick Kissoon UG students, trainee nurses and successful scholarship holders. I am accusing you of being an unmitigated, excessive, compulsive liar.

12-In that same November 1 letter you stated that in 1973 you were a student in Moscow so you couldn’t have held the position of chairman of the YSM. In your letter on me dated January 4, you informed readers from 1979 to 1985 you were in Moscow as a student. How many years were you then a student? You must be Russia’s most enduring student - 13 years. So when were you head of the YSM with the man we nicked named “Bowtie Jesus” as your deputy? “Bowtie Jesus” was President Granger’s personal friend whom he installed at UG. 13- Did you see the SOPs of the APNU+AFC? They lost the 2020 election.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Damning audit findings into the state-owned asphalt plant…

Fmr. Minister Patterson says Audit Office selectively examined records - says GM Adams innocent until proven guilty Former Minister of Public Works, David Patterson, is accusing the Audit Office of omitting or selectively examining the records, as it regards the alleged racket at the state-owned asphalt plant at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara.

His comments come on the heels of damning revelations from an audit into the operations of the asphalt plant controlled by the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) management.

The audit revealed among other things, poor supervision of the costs and corrupt practices associated with purchasing materials from the plant.

As a result, the former Minister under whose purview the plant fell, noted in comments on his Facebook page, that while he has no doubt about the

professionalism of the members of the audit team, the report was commissioned to examine the functioning of the asphalt plant from 2015.

Patterson emphasized on what he termed glaring oversights by the investigating team on matters concerning the asphalt plant.

He noted the report only targeted the period for which the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) was in governance, 2015-2020.

He stressed it is therefore not surprising that the team found no records for 2013 and 2014. The former Minister noted that the board members of 2013 - 2014 are a matter of public record, yet there is no evidence that the audit team contacted these members to ascertain why no records were available during their tenure.

Former Minister of Public Works, David Patterson.

Additionally, he noted that DHB is audited every year, the report is laid in the Parliament, and that the auditing firm is appointed by none other than the Auditor General of Guyana, Deodat

Sharma (not DHB or the Minister). Yet, Patterson argued, none of these issues were highlighted in the publicly available financial reports, which would have served as a red flag to the board, management and ministry.

Further, Patterson disclosed that in 2015, the Guyana Institute of Accountants was requested to submit a representative to

sit on the DHB board.

He explained that their nominee, “a very professional young female accountant should be given kudos for instituting and implementing systems from scratch.”

Acknowledging as the report stated, that the systems could be strengthened, Patterson pointed out that no reference was made that this was a work in progress.

On the question of the procurement and payment to the supplier of the cold mix before the company was established, the former Minister said, that the management and Board needed to address this matter.

Patterson explained that cold mix asphalt has been around since the 1830s - it has been used extensively worldwide since the time. It is as its name suggest, the alternative to hot mix (asphaltic concrete), and it is used extensively as a solution, particularly during the rainy season when most potholes develop.

With regards to findings of the report, which said that payments was made to a Trinidad company even before it was registered, Patterson said that it would be interesting to find out what name the cheque was issued, since it is claimed that the company received the cheque before it was registered.

In this regard, the Minister said: “With the antimoney laundering laws, it is would be impossible to cash a cheque without a bank account, if it was written in a company name.”

Additionally, Patterson claimed that while not included in the audit report articles about the new asphalt plant not being operational are not true.

He said that he has been reliably informed that the plant is fully functional.

Meanwhile, concerning the purchase of the $897,000 gold band for General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), Rawlston Adams, using (Cotninued on page 19)

Woman, 59, killed by police vehicle on...

From page 8 crossing. Upon seeing this, he claimed that he tried to swerve to avoid a collision, but ended up hitting the woman. As a result of the hit, Deochand fell. She was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.

The constable is currently in custody as investigation continues.

Speaking with this publication, the woman’s

niece related that her aunt suffered a broken neck, broken arm, bruises to her face and a hole was seen on the left side of her face.

The woman stated that only the night before the accident, her aunt and her three sons had visited them and they were all laughing and having a great time.

She stated that the last conversation she had with Deochand was her saying that she has to take time off from work to do some checkups at the hospital, because she wasn’t feeling

well.

She described her aunt as a very hard working, quiet and helpful woman.

Deochand leaves to mourn her four children and other relatives.

Yesterday, also the Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, along with the Commander of Region 4 ‘B’, Linden Isles, and the other members of the force, visited the family of the woman and assured them that a thorough investigation would be done and that no stone would be left unturned.

Wednesday January 06, 2021

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

Antigen tests, travel restriction Region One schools reopen with COVID-19 protocols help curb Region 7 COVID cases in place - REdO says

Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) Regional Chairman, Kenneth Williams, has said the COVID-19 antigen tests administered by the Ministry of Health, and the restriction on travel to and from the district during December, has led to a reduction in positive cases.

During December, the Gazetted COVID-19 precautionary measures only permitted essential travel to and from Region Seven.

While the other Gazetted measures remain in place until January month end, the region lifted its lockdown on travel for the New Year.

In an interview with DPI on Monday, the Regional Chairman said the travel restriction helped to raise awareness about the importance of individual responsibility in curbing the transmission of the disease.

However, he was quick to praise the region’s frontline workers for their service during the pandemic.

Region Seven chairman, Kenneth Williams “While the lockdown did help in some sort of way to bring persons to the realization that they cannot take the current situation for granted, we have to give our frontline workers much props for a job well done and weathering this storm without any complaints. They managed to increase testing extensively.”

The antigen test provided

results within 20-30 minutes, and allowed for faster diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19 patients, which enabled a normalizing for other care and services provided at hospitals.

Previously, healthcare workers had to wait days sometimes for results from a COVID-19 PCR test before admitting or treating a patient.Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman said over the holiday season many residents flouted the COVID19 measures, but the administration remains resolute in enforcing them.

“For the last few days, I must admit that it was not the sight anyone wanted to see, especially during Christmas.

While the administration will remain vigilant to ensure that instances do not reoccur, it is also our residents’ responsibility to adhere to the guidelines given,” he said.

As of January 3, the Region reported 542 COVID19 cases.

Education officials in the North West District, Region One, have said all COVID-19 preventative measures are in place to ensure the safety of students and school personnel as schools reopen nationwide for the Easter term.

In a telephone interview with DPI yesterday, Nigel Richards, Regional Education Officer (REdO) in Barima-Waini (Region One), said checks are being made continuously to ensure safety at schools.

At the time of the assessments, the REdO was in the company of Marti DeSouza, who is performing the duties of Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development.

“All schools opened that were set to be reopened [for] Grades Ten and Eleven. They have all their protocols in place.

They have their hand washing stands, they are testing temperature when they come in and so on, the normal (social) distancing and the normal protocols that were there last

term (are being observed),” he said.

Richards also said during checks at schools, both he and Mr. DeSouza engage students on the importance of adhering to the preventative measures.

School restarted for face-to-face interaction for senior students on November 9, 2020, following a more than six-month closure due to Covid.

Meanwhile, the lower levels remained engaged through instruction via radio and television, through social media platforms

and with the use of printed worksheets.

The Ministry is re-employing those methods of engagement for the various levels.

The initial decision to restart in-person learning was taken to ensure that students set to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination, as well as those at technical institutions are efficiently engaged for the 2021 exams. (DPI)

Joint Services, health workers to receive $25,000 cash grant Those individuals who benefited from those increases or bonuses will not get the cash grant.

The President, on Old Year’s Day announced that more than $2 billion would be paid to over 60,000 workers within the Central Government, statutory bodies, sub-

der Ministerial control, Regional Administrators, and Public Service-related agencies i.e.

Commissions Secretariats and those who are engaged

on the contract positions reflected in the inventory of authorized positions of the traditional Public Service and persons on contract outside on the inventorized positions.

This includes teachers and healthcare workers, all members of the Disciplined Services, Government, Police and Guyana Defence Force Pensioners.”

The circular said, however, that the cash grant does not apply to agencies that granted salary increases or bonus payments during 2020.

The Government had last year advised heads of agencies against increasing salaries or granting bonuses.

However, some agencies went ahead and did so.

From page 2 amidst the violent protest, his grandson, Haresh Singh, 17, was also killed in an apparent retaliation.

In a few days’ time, it will be four months since they were killed and their killer (s) are yet to be charged. Help was received from regional investigators (RSS).

Police offered a $3M reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. A number of suspects were arrested, but subsequently released.

The Director of the Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology (EAAF), Dr. Luis Fondebrider, was also brought in by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) to assess whether or

not his team can help.

He conducted a four-day visit, where he visited the crime scene and family members of both Singh and the Henry cousins.

Well-placed police sources had told Kaieteur news that local pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, had advised that the EAAF director could be provided with a video of the autopsy conducted on the teens. With a copy of the video, he would be able to form his own opinion or conclusion. Sources said that investigators had communicated this to Fondebrider, but he is yet to respond.

Nevertheless, the police force said it is positive that the FBI will play a key role in helping it crack the case.

The FBI is equipped with special agents, support professionals such as intelligence analysts and scientists.

The agency has successfully solved a number of high profile cases in its homeland such as the 1993 World Trade Centre Bombings.

FBI agents had also worked in the past with Guyanese lawmen in investigating the 1978 murder of a US congressman, Leo Ryan Jr., and the mass suicide in Jonestown.

The agency was successful in extraditing, Larry Layton, one of the men involved in what is known as the Crime of the Century.

Layton was later convicted in the US and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Members of the Disciplined Forces along with healthcare workers are among the more than 60,000 public servants set to receive the $25,000 one-off cash grant announced by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali last Thursday.

A circular from Finance Secretary, Mr. Sukrishnalall Pasha, to heads of budget agencies today, stated that “all traditional public ser-

vants, defined to mean those employed in Ministries, Departments not un-

vention agencies, public corporations, teachers, medical workers, members of the joint services, government pensioners and staff of the University of Guyana to assist them with the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Ali said the initiative also extends to current workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

FBI assisting police in solving...

Students of North West Secondary School listen as Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development (AHED), Marti DeSouza (first left, standing) addresses them. Regional Education Officer (REdO) for Region One, Richards is also pictured, first right, standing.

PAGE 14

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Policeman loses $260,000 in bogus oil and gas training …female union official faces over 17 charges Dozens of persons are at their wits end after investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into bogus oil and gas training that was offered in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The men jumped at the opportunity, after the courses were advertised on a local television station.

They were convinced that at the end of the training, they would have been employed in the oil and gas sector.

However, months after completing two courses, they never received any certificates. The courses advertised were, Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) and Lifting and Banksman courses, with a requirement of $260,000 to complete both courses. One course was $160,000 while the other cost $100,000. Upon completion, they were told that certificates would be issued for both courses. The men were trained in five batches.

However, Kaieteur News understands that the first two batches received certificates, but the last three batches comprising of 30 persons never received.

Region Six Police Commander, Jairam Ramlakhan, confirmed that a probe was launched, and a woman is expected to be slapped with over 17 charges today at the New Amsterdam Magistrate Court. The woman has been identified as Simone Fortune.

The woman led the training sessions in the two courses, and has been identified as General Secretary of the Guyana Seafarers and General Workers Union.

One of the persons who invested in the training and who is a member of the Guyana Police Force stressed that he has had many regrets after it was exposed that the training may have been bogus.

“I have a lot of regrets…I heard rumours that she was a fraud and I have had many opportunities slipped through my fingers because of this…she told us we are guaranteed a job if we complete the training,” the policeman said.

He added that her assurance made him believe that what he was investing in was for his own good and that he would reap the benefits in the future. He disclosed that the money he invested, he had borrowed and was repaying monthly from his salary.

Odwin Sinclair, of Kortberadt Village, East Bank Berbice, said after seeing the advertisement on the

Several Berbicians claimed they were duped in fake oil and gas training. television, was interested because it was being offered right in Berbice. He trained in the fourth batch and stated that he visited the woman’s home to find out more about the courses and it was there that she told him that “she is a training and recruiting agent for ExxonMobil and the two courses that she was offering at the time was STCW and Lifting and Banksman courses. She said $160,000 for the STCW and $100,000 for the Lifting and Banksman course.”

The STWC course ran for one week and commenced on 27 January, 2020.

“We wrote two exams and she said six weeks after we would be receiving our certificates.”

Six weeks later, there were no certificates.

Sinclair said the woman

kept telling them that it was on its way, but he was concerned and so he opted to visit the Transport and Harbours Department to inquire about the length of time it would take to issue a discharge book (a document that is given to sail upon completion of the course).

To his horror, he was told that the only school accredited in Guyana that deals with seamen affairs was located in Georgetown and nowhere else.

He further disclosed that the woman told him and others that the company which “usually issue the certificates had closed down,” and that she was sourcing the certificates from another company.

He was later informed that contact was made with the company that the woman

claimed was closed, and they indicated that she was not authorized to do such.

“We did the course on January 27, (2020) and then she tried to give us a next certificate which was dated August 11, 2020,” he said.

A number of persons from the first and second batch found out that the certificates they received were not legitimate. “So with that, we went back to the station showing them the receipts and the emails and everything and we filed a report.”

Another person who invested was Carlos Reed, a father of two of Sandvoort Village, West Canje, Berbice.

He said that he did the two courses commencing in December 2019 with another friend, but while on the course, the woman requested

Facing the court: Simone Fortune

that all the money be paid before the course was completed. “…and I paid all my money and collected my receipts - $160,000 cash,” Reed said. The woman kept ignoring them and had excuses when she answered

her phone after the completion of the courses.

The woman reportedly told the persons inquiring that the original certificates were coming from Honduras.

“She tried to give us a different certificate, so we did (Cotninued on page 19)

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Policeman loses $260,000 in bogus...

From page 14 a background check and they sent us an email that the certificate is not valid… it is fake and when we tell her that, she send us a voice note stating that the certificate is legit and is the highest certificate than the one that we need and the one we need is not coming anymore,” Reed said.

He added that he is presently unemployed, and has been applying to

companies but was unsuccessful. They are among the many left in limbo after being lured into what is now believed to be fraud scheme.

When Kaieteur News attempted to contact the woman in question, calls to her phone went unanswered. This publication was told that in the first batch, there were 10 persons; the second had 13 while the third comprised of nine. Batch four had 16 and there are disclosures of yet a fifth batch.

Fmr. Minister Patterson says Audit...

From page 12 funds from the company, Patterson said Adams should be deemed “innocent until proven guilty.”According to him, the management, in particular the GM needs to provide a solid response to this issue, including the circumstances and decisionmaking process behind this procurement. He expressed confidence that the DHB team will

provide a full and frank response.

At the interim, the former Minister said that the DHB has been operational for over 40 years, the challenge to keep it afloat is widely published, and the management and staff of DHB should be congratulated and encouraged for their efforts in ensuring that 18,000 vehicles and 20 ocean-going vessels access the bridge daily.

PAGE 19

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Emergency drainage works ongoing in Black Bush - as several areas remain flooded A number of areas located in three of the polders in Black Bush, including Mibicuri, Johanna and Yakusari, still remain flooded, as emergency drainage works continue.

Residents of Black Bush Polder had complained to the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, who visited the area last week.

They appealed for help in clearing their drainage system, as several parts of the residential areas were flooded.

Minister Mustapha had ordered that emergency works commence to clear the drains to allow for the water to recede.

Several farmers were gathered yesterday at the NDC office at Mibicuri.

According to Surajpaul Hemraj called ‘Rishi,’ a former Chairman of the Water Users

Association in Mibicuri, while there are many causes that contributed to the flooding, the increase land usage is one reason.It was disclosed that “Black Bush Polder was 25,000 acres but the lands dem attach to Black Bush Polder now is around 60,000 acres. At that time Black Bush Polder could a drain like an inch and quarter water per 24 hours, so if you check 60,000 acres to the 25,000 you got to improve the drainage capacity.” However, while a permanent solution is needed, immediate relief in necessary, it was pointed out.

He suggested pumping some water into the Canje Creek…this would help drain the savannahs.

The current drainage system would take care of the residential areas.

CAL cancels flights to Cuba Daily Express - Caribbean Airlines advises that its commercial service to Havana, Cuba is suspended with immediate effect until further notice.

This follows correspondence from the Instituto de Aeronáutica Civil de Cuba

(IACC) advising of the country’s latest protocols and restrictions re: inbound commercial flights to combat COVID-19.

Persons with bookings to Cuba are asked to contact the airline’s Reservations Sales and Service Centre.

Floodwaters are still bothering farmers in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne.

Region Six Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain, was present at the meeting with Black Bush farmers yesterday.

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

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WASHINGTON, United States - (AFP) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has hinted that he wants to redesignate “evil” Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, a late-term move that would pile pressure on the communist island.

In an interview released yesterday, Pompeo confirmed that the State Department was looking at taking the major step before he leaves office on January 20 — throwing a wrench into any diplomatic outreach to Cuba by President-elect Joe Biden.\“We don’t get out in front of decisions that will be made on designations, but the world knows Cuba’s evil hand in so many places,” Pompeo told the WANTED One skilled line / GPS man to track out and cut road Call 696-9854 Boys & girls for the interior & live in domestic in Georgetown. Tel#670-1641, 660-9093 Vegetarian gardens Driver salesman/ Porter Tel#2277714/ 223-3448 One male to work on chicken farm in the interior. Must have knowledge of poultry farming. contact: 680-2702 Puri roti cooks apply @shanta's 225 camp & Newmarket Security Officers, persons from Yarrow Kabara, Ex Army / Ex Police must have police clearance and ID. Call 592629-0999 Experienced cashier, counter server, roti/ puri cook, cleaner, apply Hack's Halaal, 5 Commerce St One female domestic cook not older than 40 yrs, Call 2318737 between 8am - 4pm

Bloomberg television show of investor David Rubenstein.

Pompeo pointed to Cuba’s staunch support for Venezuela’s leftist leader Nicolas Maduro, whom President Donald Trump’s administration has unsuccessfully tried to oust, saying Havana has caused “massive pain” in the economically ravaged South American nation.

“It is completely appropriate for us to consider whether Cuba is in fact sponsoring terrorism,” Pompeo said.

“And if so, just like any other nation that is providing material support to terrorists, they too should be

designated such and treated in a way that’s consistent with that behaviour that they’re undertaking.”

Then-president Barack Obama in 2015 delisted Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism — a designation that severely impedes foreign investment — as he declared a half-century US effort to isolate the island to be a failure.

Trump has reversed many of Obama’s overtures to Cuba and slapped sanctions on Venezuela, winning him support in the crucial electoral state of Florida.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in a tweet described the bid to place Cuba back on the terror

watch list as Pompeo’s “whimsical personal campaign”.

Following through on it, he added, would “confirm that in the US the corrupt loyalty to minority interests is stronger (than) the commitment to fight this international scourge” of terrorism.

Biden has indicated he wants to return at least to some engagement started under Obama, including allowing Cuban-Americans to visit family and send money.

Biden could remove Cuba from the terror list but not immediately, as the State Department would need to undertake a formal review.

Concerns raised over construction of ...

From page 15 Further, the operation will also involve the development of two treatment ponds lined with High Density Polyethylene Geomembrane liners and contained by 91.4cm berms. In addition, four existing structures will be repaired and developed into administrative units, laboratories, storage areas and homes for caretakers. A screen will be constructed to separate the office area from the treatment ponds.

While no EIA is required for the project, the EPA is still allowing the general public a

30-day period to lodge any objections or concerns about the project.

Appeals and objections can be submitted to the

Environmental Assessment Board at the EPA’s Sophia, Georgetown office. That deadline will end on Friday, January 8, 2021.

Edghill maintains ...

From page 18 asphalt plant are the drying, heating and cleaning of aggregates facilitated by the burner thermal energy, through communication with the BLS 3000. The BLS 3000 is the asphalt plant operational software.

Due to aforementioned issues (software and electronic

components), the plant is not fully functional to date,” Edghill stated.

Additionally, the Minister made it clear that the findings were reported to the factory and the Germans will stand the expenses of the components, given that the structure has not been commissioned as yet.

Guyana begged for USD$61M in COVID...

From page 15 that bill is what Guyana would be left paying from its share of the profits.

A simple calculation of that figure over the 40-year life of the agreement, considering ExxonMobil’s plan for five oil vessels by 2026, would see Guyana losing USD$40B in taxes throughout the deal.

However, the US$653M projection is based on the early years of ExxonMobil’s

oil production in the Stabroek Block, when it is recovering most of its investment in the development of the fields.

ExxonMobil’s profit will increase to a large extent after it has recouped those investments, therefore, higher taxes would be due, and the actual loss of tax revenue for Guyana will likely be much higher.

Meanwhile, industry analysts as well as global organizations such as the IBD and

the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have said that Guyana should have taken more than a 50% split of the profits made from the Stabroek Block since it is satisfying the tax obligations of the oil companies.

Both institutions had acknowledged that Guyana is shortchanging itself by opting to pay the oil companies’ taxes without increasing its stake.

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Guyana closer to joining global group to battle money laundering - will widen information sharing to clamp down on financial crimes Guyana is closer to having its membership to the renowned Egmont Group approved, as it has already satisfied several requirements.

Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Matthew Langevine, said Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, has already reviewed certain elements of the FIU legislation, which is a major requirement for the country’s application to move forward.

The Egmont Group is a united body of 166 FIUs. It was created to provide units around the world a forum to exchange information confidentially, to combat money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other predicate offences.

While Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed with regional FIUs that allow Guyana to share information, becoming a member of the Egmont Group will allow the country to exchange information with larger countries in Europe and Latin America.“Once we become a member of the Egmont group, it is a very important requirement and we continue to make it a priority in the FIU and I know the Government is committed to supporting our efforts in that regard,” Langevine told DPI in a recent interview.

Guyana’s two sponsors, Trinidad and Tobago and the British Virgin Islands, have

Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Matthew Langevine

also reviewed Guyana’s FIU Legislations, competency, organisational function, and staffing.

“They have done preliminary review. We had a visit in the past from a representative from the Egmont Group as well as one of the sponsors. In fact, we received an update from the recently-held FIU heads forum where a report was provided by the group’s

regional representative.

Being a member of the Egmont Group is a very important part of ensuring that the FIU is able to function in an effective manner. As a member of the Egmont Group, we are more effectively and efficiently able to share and exchange information like FIUs across the world.”

Application to the Egmont Group was first made in 2014. (DPI)

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Gayle targets third World Cup title with Windies SportsMax - West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle has made it clear that he is looking forward to the T20 World Cup, with high hopes of helping the regional team win a third title.

Gayle’s last appearance for the Windes, a One Day International match at the Queen’s Park Oval last year, was a dramatic affair as he walked off the field to applause from both sets of players and fans. The special occasion was thought to be his retirement from international cricket.

Following that match, Gayle turned down the selection to an ODI series against India, after insisting that he needed some time off to figure out his future. Since then, however, Gayle has had a complete reversal of thought when it comes to the idea of

Chris Gayle

retirement.

The big left-hander recently showed that he remains capable of producing plenty of fireworks, after an outstanding season in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

After being left on the bench at the start of the tournament,

the insertion of Gayle into the line-up fueled an impressive run for Kings XI Punjab who narrowly missed out on making the playoffs. During the tournament, Gayle became the first player to reach 1000 T20 sixes.

Having found himself in

Wednesday January 06, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Close relationships should grow closer today, and new relationships become close ones.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Relations with family or other members of your household should be especially warm now.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You should feel loving today toward just about anyone you like and respect.

Clear communication with friends, lovers, and children could enhance your understanding of them, and vice versa.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Powerful feelings of love well up today, particularly toward family members.

Communication between you and those you love is likely to be heightened, Cancer, as you learn to speak your mind while not being too blunt.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Messages from close friends expressing their love and admiration for you may seem to arrive out of the blue. Your accomplishments over the past few weeks may have caused them to see you in a new light. .

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22) You're always one to face things logically, Virgo, and today you turn that logic, along with your intuition, toward reassessing some of your values.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're likely to feel especially friendly and outgoing today, Libra. People you meet, particularly through groups, are likely to be strongly attracted to you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You should be in a warm and romantic mood today, Scorpio. You will want to schedule an intimate evening with your partner, but you probably won't feel like staying in.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The mutual exploration of spiritual and intellectual ideas could bring you closer to friends and lovers. Fascinating discussions open new horizons to all participants.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You feel especially sexy right now. A powerful feeling of love and a need to physically express it could be with you all day. If you're involved, you want to spend a romantic evening with your lover.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Close relationships could lead to a feeling of spiritual unity today. In fact, Aquarius, you might feel as if those who share your interests are actually your family now.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Love, sex, and romance are on your mind today, Pisces, so you will want to spend as much time as possible with your lover. You could also grow closer to your friends.

that type of form, retirement is understandably now the furthest thing from the batsman’s mind and he is ready to take that kind of form into international cricket.

“I’m enjoying my cricket, to be honest with you. I just recently played the IPL in Dubai and did well. Now I have the T10, honestly, I’ve been feeling good, I’ve been putting in some work,” Gayle said.

The player admits that he already has one eye on the ICC T20 Championships, which will be held in November of this year.

“I’m just getting myself in condition. I still have a lot of cricket to play. I’m looking forward to the World Cup and hopefully giving the West Indies another T20 title.”

Gayle has not played in a T20 international since March of last year but intends to be part of the squad in lead up matches to the tournament.

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Rahul out for India; Australia’s Warner set for comeback SYDNEY (AP) — KL Rahul has been ruled out with injury, denting India’s stock of backup batsmen.

David Warner is set for a comeback and Will Pucovski has been given the all clear, meanwhile, in potential boosts to Australia’s struggling top order.With a series lead on the line at the Sydney Cricket Ground, there’ll be changes in the personnel when the third test starts tomorrow.The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday said Rahul had sprained his left wrist during batting practice on the weekend and would return to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for rehabilitation on the injury.Rahul hasn’t played a test match since 2019, but was factoring in calculations for a return with the series tied 1-1 and two matches remaining. Rohit Sharma seems set to make his

Australia’s David Warner prepares to bat in the nets as they train at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, ahead of their cricket test against India starting Thursday. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) return from injury, with the only doubt over where.

With Mayank Agarwal tallying just 31 runs in four innings this season, it could be a straight swap at the top.

India’s batting depth is being tested. Skipper Virat Kohli played in the first test, which Australia won by eight wickets, before returning home to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple’s first child this month.

Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane posted a century that was instrumental in guiding India to an eight-wicket win in the second test at Melbourne last week.Both teams are in Sydney, weighing up the best formulations for starting XIs on a wicket that traditionally takes spin.Australia coach Justin Langer indicated Warner would return following almost six weeks on the sidelines with a

groin injury, saying the veteran opener was “very, very, very likely to play” on his home ground.An independent neurologist gave 22year-old Pucovski clearance from a concussion sustained in a tour game, an assessment that put the young opener into the frame for a test debut.Both openers went through batting practice on Tuesday, along with former skipper Steve Smith who is struggling for runs in this series. Joe Burns was cut from the Australia squad after the second test, leaving a vacancy in the opening pair, and makeshift opener Matt Wade could easily return to the middle-order to create another spot.“All the concussion protocols ... have been passed. He’s been cleared and that would be very heartening for him,” Langer said of Pucovski. “There’s no reason why Will can’t be selected now. It’s just working out the balance of our team, where we’re at in the series ... we weigh up whether this test match is right, or the next test match is right.”

Wednesday January 06, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Pic - The victorious Boyz team accepts their prize from Orrin Boston.

-Coordinator Orrin Boston (left) with second place Executive team.

The victorious Boyz team accepts their prize from Orrin Boston.

Coordinator Orrin Boston (left) with second place Executive team.

Boyz dominate to win Boxing Day/ Last Sunday dominoes competition After seven rounds of dominoes over two days, Boyz - a combination of players from Gold is Money and Quiet Storm, played a dominant game in the final to emerge winners of Boxing day/ Last Sunday competition, which was contested at the Turning Point Sports Club on December 26 and 27.

On the opening day, the rounds point system was played and following this stage, the nine qualifying

teams were: Phantom, F& H, Pickups, Spartans, Executives, Boyz, Players, Mix up and Providence.

In the first knock out round, Providence, Players and favourites Mix up fell to the way side.

In the quarter-finals, Pickups and favourite Spartans were eliminated while in the semi-final round, Phantom were knocked out. The Final was then set up between F&H, Boyz and Executives

who drew the bye.

After scoring the maximum 18 games in the first sitting Boyz never relinquished the lead and went on to comfortably win the competition.

However, the second place was only decided in the last round with Executives clinching that spot.

The final results were Boyz 85 games, Executives 78 games and F& H in the cellar with 75 games. Boyz received a trophy and $150,000 dollars,

NBA roundup Giannis Antetokounmpo...

From page 27 season-high 15 3-pointers.

Nikola Vucevic had 23 points, Terrence Ross added 15 and Khem Birch collected 12 points and a career high-tying 12 rebounds for Orlando, who snapped a two-game losing streak.

Cleveland’s Collin Sexton scored 24 points and Cedi Osman added 18. Damyean Dotson had 16 points while playing in place of Darius Garland, who sat out while nursing a sprained shoulder.

Miami Heat 118 - Okla-

homa City Thunder 90 Kelly Olynyk, making his first start of the season, had 11 points during a 20-0 thirdquarter run, leading host Miami past Oklahoma City.

Bam Adebayo led Miami with 20 points on 9-for-10 shooting.

He added eight rebounds and four assists. Olynyk finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, making 7-of-9 shots, including 5-of-7 on 3pointers. Jimmy Butler finished with 18 points and six assists, and Tyler Herro

notched seven points to go with game highs of nine rebounds and eight assists in just 29 minutes.

Oklahoma City was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 18 points, and Darius Bazley, who had 16 points and eight rebounds.

In other results: Boston Celtics 126 Toronto Raptors 114 Indiana Pacers 118 - New Orleans Pelicans 116 New York Knicks 113 Atlanta Hawks 108 (Field Level Media)

Motor Racing also suffers severe hit in 2020...

From page 29 up to the race. Chattersingh wheeled away with two wins while Caesar picked up one.

In the Superstock bikes, Kevin Persaud was on top with two wins, while Raveiro Tucker, who made a return to South Dakota after a short racing hiatus, won the other race.

2021 Calendar The executive committee of the GMR&SC is optimistic that 2021 will be a smoother ride with the 2021 race calendar being confirmed with a

total of 13 events beginning with round one of the Endurance Championship on January 24. The second and final round will boost off in May. Drag racing has been slated on boost off on February 14 while the International 1420 heat will burnout on August 15 before the drag racing season concludes with its third and final meet on October 3. The GT MotorSports Karting Championships will have four rounds this year with the dates set being March

13, April 24, July 17 and August 21.

Round one of the National Race of Champions (Circuit meet), is slated for March 28 at South Dakota. July 4 is the day for Round Two of the circuit championship while the popular International Circuit Meet which usually serves as the final round of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) will have high octane energy on November 7 to close off the season.

while Executives received a trophy and $75,000, F & H took home $35,000 and a trophy while Phantom carted off

the $20,000 and a trophy.

John Chance from Boyz was named Man-of-theMatch.

Coordinator Orrin Boston congratulated the winners and expressed gratitude to the sponsors.

Vitality Legends Series between Sunshine Girls/England Roses postponed

SportsMax - The fourTest Vitality Netball Legends Series between the Sunshine Girls and England Roses has been postponed because of extended restrictions to international travel between the UK and Jamaica because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, according to Netball Jamaica, they are discussing with England Netball, the possibility of having the series in November 2021.

The series was to have got underway on January 22 and was to have been shown live on SkySports in the United Kingdom.

“We are hugely disappointed that the series cannot happen in January, but with the extended restrictions to international travel between the UK and Jamaica, it isn’t possible for the fixture to go ahead as planned,” the statement from England Netball said.

“We would like to thank the Jamaican national team and the Vitality Roses for their collective efforts to plan and prepare for the series to date, and their support in making this decision.”

Netball Jamaica President Tricia Robinson explained that it was a collective decision based on the extension of travel restrictions from Jamaica to the UK until the end of January 2021 brought about by the ongoing spikes in the UK and the emergence of the variant strain of the virus that makes it easier to spread.

“We are naturally disappointed as this is a second postponement,” Robinson said. “The players are going on a little break now and will resume training in February.”

Robinson said that talks are ongoing between the two federations with a view to having the series later this year, with November being proposed as an appropriate time to resume. This is in light of the fact that players from both teams have been signed by teams in the Suncorp Super Netball League that gets underway in Australia in March.

The Vitality Netball Legends Series between the Sunshine Girls and England Roses has been postponed.

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 06, 2021

GFF proposes 2021 competitions calendar, subject to covid-19 task force approval

T

he Guyana Foot ball Federation (GFF) has proposed a comprehensive competitions calendar for 2021, subject to conditions and approvals from the National COVID19 Task Force, following a successful trial run of fan-free matches at the year-end “Bounceback Football Classic” tournament.

Under the proposals, competitive matches could kick off as early as mid-January with an official GFF futsal tournament, while full leagues and tournaments for men, women, boys and girls are provisionally slated to commence in March.

All competitions are contingent on a safe and secure playing environment and can only proceed with the approval of the authorities.

Many countries around the world have resumed sports activities despite the ongoing pandemic, via spectator-free or partiallyattended events with rigid health and safety measures such as social distancing, masks, squad bubbles and testing in place.

Careful planning for this year’s proposed competitions has formed a crucial part of the 100day “Bounceback” initiative under the UEFA Assist programme, in which football administration experts from European associations have supported the GFF team in its preparations for the responsible resumption of football.

“Following the huge success of the year-end tournament, where we were able to show that football can be staged safely once the correct measures are in place, we are now hoping to move to the next phase of ‘Bounceback’ as we progress towards the careful return of competitive football in Guyana,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still causing great suffering and disruption around the world, it is vital to emphasize that these competitions will only take place once the conditions allow and as the authorities feel it is safe.

When we do move forward, we will ensure that all the necessary measures are in place to protect the wellbeing of our commu-

nity.”

The GFF’s own COVID19 Task Force will continue to oversee and implement the Federation’s “Bounceback” strategy, with regional associations and private entities required to submit proposals for tournaments for review to ensure appropriate health and safety protocols are in place.

The year-end tournament, which featured three matches played without fans and with strict health measures in place, was staged as a dry run for the return of football in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation.

If all goes to plan, under the GFF schedule, this year

will feature seven months’ of sustained competitive football for senior men and women, with a similar tournament duration for each layer of youth football, in line with FIFA guidelines for funding and optimal development.

“In order to give our homegrown talent the best chance to reach its full potential, especially after the disruption of 2020, we will make every attempt possible with the support of the authorities to complete as much of this ambitious programme as we can,” said Forde.

“If any competitions cannot be completed as scheduled for any reason, we will find new dates when conditions allow.”

Past & Present Govts. are in high praise of the gas to shore project. But oil experts warn it can be a recipe for disaster. Listen to the facts today at 11am on Kaieteur Radio

Wednesday January 06, 2021

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

NBA roundup Giannis Antetokounmpo nets 43 for Bucks in win Curry hits another 30 Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 43 points — including a career-high 30-point first half — as the Milwaukee Bucks downed the visiting Detroit Pistons 125-115 on Monday.

He added nine rebounds and four assists, while Khris Middleton contributed 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Jrue Holiday had 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals and D.J. Augustin added 11 points and six assists. The teams will play once again in Milwaukee today.

Derrick Rose had 24 points and eight assists to lead Detroit. Jerami Grant also scored 24 points, while Svi Mykhailiuk, Sekou Doumbouya and Wayne Ellington added 13 apiece.

The Pistons played without starter Blake Griffin, who was rested with the team playing its third game in four days.

Point guard Killian Hayes departed in the third quarter with a hip injury.

Dallas Mavericks 113 Houston Rockets 100 Luka Doncic produced a 30-point triple-double, his first of the season, while Tim

Hardaway Jr. repeatedly drilled timely perimeter shots as Dallas held off host Houston.

Doncic, who sat in a loss at Chicago on Sunday with a quad contusion, finished with 33 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists to pace the Mavericks.

Hardaway scored 30 points off the bench on 8-of-10 3point shooting.

Christian Wood led the Rockets with 23 points and seven rebounds, but the guard trio of James Harden (21 points, 10 assists), Eric Gordon (20 points) and John Wall (14 points, four assists) shot a combined 14 of 39.

Philadelphia 76ers 118 Charlotte Hornets 101 Tobias Harris scored 22 points to lead seven players in double figures — including all five starters — as host Philadelphia defeated Charlotte.

Joel Embiid added 14 points and 11 rebounds, Danny Green contributed 13 points, and Ben Simmons had 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Sixers, who won their fourth in a row and 13th straight over the Hornets.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scoring against the Detroit Pistons at the Bradley Center. (Nick Monroe/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Chase Center. (Nivelle E. GuardUSA TODAY Sports) Seth Curry and Tyrese Maxey added 11 points each and Dwight Howard grabbed 13 rebounds off the bench.

Shake Milton scored 10 points.

Golden State Warriors 137 - Sacramento Kings 106 Stephen Curry followed up a career-best 62-point ef-

fort with 30 more in just 31 minutes, propelling host Golden State to a second straight run-away win while ending a three-game losing streak to Sacramento.

Seven Warriors, including three reserves, scored in double figures. Golden State tied the franchise record for

points in the 2-year-old Chase Center — set one night earlier.

Harrison Barnes, a member of Golden State’s 2015 championship team, had 18 points for Sacramento, sharing team honors with De’Aaron Fox. Orlando Magic 103 -

Cleveland Cavaliers 83 Aaron Gordon highlighted his 24-point performance by sinking a career high-tying six 3-pointers to lift host Orlando to a victory over Cleveland.

Gordon added 11 rebounds and Orlando made a (Continued on page 25)

South Africa seal victory and 2-0 series win despite Dimuth Karunaratne’s battling hundred ESPNcricinfo - Any momentum Sri Lanka had gained on day two, they squandered within the first 90 minutes of day three, losing their last six wickets for 35 runs as South Africa’s quicks hunted relentlessly.

Very briefly, there was the joy of Dimuth Karunaratne getting to his

first hundred in South Africa, but this soon gave away to despair.

Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

and Lutho Sipamla each produced menacing spells to ensure Sri Lanka would make no

more than 62 in the morning session, leaving South Africa with just 67 to get.

They hurtled to the target in 13 overs either side of lunch, with all ten wickets intact, sealing an emphatic 2-0 series victory.

Having begun in credit after their efforts the previous afternoon, there was mild hope that Sri Lanka would set a tricky target, particularly with Karunaratne appearing assured in the early overs.

He started on 91, and struck consecutive fours in the third over of the day to raise his first century outside Sri Lanka since 2017, and his tenth overall.

But he had been occasionally troubled by the bounce Nortje was generating, at a rapid pace, and it was this extra bounce that brought his downfall on 103.

Nortje pitched one just back of a length, and angled it into Karunaratne from around the wicket.

The batsman attempted to swat it to the leg side, and the ball sailed off the top edge into the hands of square leg.

Overnight partner Nirsoshan Dickwella had been far less secure during his innings and was himself out the next over, a ball from Ngidi ballooning off his leading edge to cover as he attempted to work it to leg.

He was out for 36, and the remaining wickets didn’t take long to follow.

Dasun Shanaka spooned Wiaan Mulder to mid-on. Wanindu Hasaranga played a startlingly awful heave against Sipamla and was bowled.

Then in his next over, Sipamla claimed the two remaining wickets in the space of three balls.

Ngidi finished with 4 for 44, having also been excellent in the third session on day two.

Sipamla picked up three, continuing a habit of wiping out the lower order in this series. It was Nortje’s key wicket of Karunaratne, though, that swung the game definitively in South Africa’s favour.

Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram then set South Africa confidently on

track to their target in the five overs before lunch.

Markram, who had the majority of the strike, did have one scare, when he edged Vishwa Fernando low towards the slip cordon. Kusal Mendis dived across to make what initially seemed like a good catch, only for replays to show that he may have grounded the ball briefly.

The third umpire ultimately ruled it not out.

After the break, the pair cruised happily to the target. Elgar’s batting was especially sprightly, as he made 31 not out off 27. Markram finished unbeaten on 36 off 53.

Sri Lanka may take very mild encouragement from the fact that they made South Africa bat twice for the first time in three matches at the Wanderers, and that their secondinnings 211 was their highest total at this venue.

The overall vibe from the tour, however, will be one of frustration that so many of their best players were injured, and disappointment that they could not scrap as hard as they had on their previous Test tour to the country.

Scores: South Africa 302 (Elgar 127, van der Dussen 67, V Fernando 5-101) and 67 for 0 (Markram 36*) beat Sri Lanka 157 (Perera 60, Nortje 6-56) and 211 (Karunaratne 103, Ngidi 4-44).

Lungi Ngidi claimed the first wicket to fall © AFP via Getty Images

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 06, 2021

IKO Karate Academy of Guyana announces major plans for 2021 for all Guyanese The International Karate Organization’s (IKO) Academy of Guyana, a notfor-profit organization with the objective of promoting, organizing, and popularizing the sport of karate all over Guyana, has just released its foremost plans for the year 2021, that will see a major recruitment campaign being kicked off this month, the hosting of Karate Camps during the year, the opening of several new dojos across the country, the attendance of a team from the Academy of Guyana at a World Karate Tournament abroad where they will represent Guyana and the coordination of a youth development and empowerment programme in the 10 regions of Guyana.

Karate is a martial art that was developed in Japan for the purpose of defending one’s self whilst unarmed, against an assailant by using one’s whole body and employing techniques such as takedowns, thrusts, blows and kicks.

Karate consists of two disciplines: in “kumite”, competitors actually engage in a fight that is regulated by rules and try to win more points than the opponent; in “kata”, competitors perform movements according to a designated form and are evaluated based on the tempo, power, speed, accuracy and other aspects of their techniques.

The term “karate” (or “karate-do”) can be translated as “Way of the Empty hand”; it designates both a traditional martial art and a modern combat sport which was originally developed in Okinawa (Japan).

Karate was disseminated across the globe during the 20th century,

and very quickly became an extremely popular activity even in Guyana, thanks to the numerous benefits, healthy lifestyle and wholesome values which it promotes. It is currently estimated that there are approximately 100 million karate practitioners worldwide.

The IKO Karate Academy of Guyana ‘the newest karate kids on the block’ literally, only got started at the end of February of 2020, when it had its grand and official launch at the New Thriving Restaurant on Main Street, where the keynote address was given by the Hon. Deodat Indar, the current Minister within the Ministry of Public Works. That is where the Guyanese public got their introduction to this new martial arts body in Guyana which is accredited by the world governing Karate body, the International Karate-Do Organization that is headquartered in Florida, USA and is also proudly affiliated and sanctioned by the World Karate Martial Arts Organization (WKMO).

It should be noted however that its senior instructors have been training since the 1970’s and its younger instructors have been training for many years, many of whom are International champions and gold, silver and bronze medalists at world tournaments.

The IKO Karate Academy of Guyana is extremely proud of its achievements since its launch in spite of the COVID19 pandemic which has occurred causing the most significant disruption to the worldwide sporting calendar since World War II. Among some of their achievements subsequently are the

launching of its official website and social media platforms, the opening of two dojos in Georgetown, along with one in Berbice and one on the West Coast of Demerara, and most recently engaging in a major charity activity that saw the donating of gifts and linens which brought Christmas cheer to the Sophia Care Center.

Chairman and Chief Instructor of the IKO Karate Academy of Guyana, Shihan Jeffrey Wong 7th Dan Black Belt, informed that his administrative committee has decided that this year the Academy shall be hosting a Karate Summer Camp where Karatekas from all of IKO’s dojos across the country and even those from other Karate Organizations will be invited to participate. Attending the camp, which will be held at one of Guyana’s beautiful nature resorts, shall be a Japanese master of Shotokan karate who will be conducting morning and afternoon training sessions, alternated between physical and mental training days.

He said that they will also be hosting another camp which will not just be for Karatekas but which will be for an inspiring, enjoyable, and effective way for ordinary persons to kick-start a more active and healthier way of life. It will feature apart from Karate training, mountain biking, CrossFit, hiking and swimming.

Vice Chairman and Vice Chief Instructor of the Academy Professor Aubrey Mendonca who resides and lectures in the USA but who visits Guyana every four months to play his part in administering the academy, revealed that other plans for the institution for the new

Premier League records 40 new COVID-19 cases, highest in a week (Reuters) - The Premier League said yesterday that a total of 40 individuals tested positive for COVID-19, the highest number of cases in a week this season, in two rounds of tests conducted last week.

Since the new season kicked off, 171 individuals in the English top-flight have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in 19 rounds of testing.

The league, which is now conducting tests twice per week, did not name the people who tested positive but said they will self-isolate for 10 days.

“The Premier League... can today confirm that between Monday 28 December and Thursday 31 December, 1,311 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, there were 28 new positive tests,” the league said in a statement.

“Between Friday 1 January and Sunday 3 January, 984 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19 and of these, there were 12 new positives.”

Last week, Fulham’s games at Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur were called off due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the west London club, while Manchester City’s match at Everton was cancelled due to fresh COVID19 cases reported at the Etihad club.

The United Kingdom has recorded more than 2.7 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 75,000 deaths, as per a Reuters tally.Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new national COVID-19 lockdown on Monday due to surging infections in the country caused by a new variant of the virus, but the Premier League will be allowed to continue.

year include embarking on a comprehensive student recruitment campaign all across Guyana including in the school system, in rural communities, and with the adult programmes targeting companies, government departments, public corporations and NGOs. This he said will be complemented by the opening of at least nine other dojos in places like Linden, Timehri, East Coast Demerara, Parika and at Bartica this year as they prefer to decentralize.

The Academy which has already been having meetings with several government functionaries, apart from teaching karate, intends to, in collaboration with the government, engage in a

number of youth development and empowerment projects such as encouraging skill acquisition, engaging youths as volunteers, social entrepreneurship and community projects and social action.Another major

activity Professor Mendonca said the Academy will be engaged in shall be branding and merchandising, as they are in advanced discussions with martial arts uniforms and equipment suppliers to market their products in Guyana.

Berbice Cricket Board enjoys productive...

From page 31 and the RHTYSC. Clubs also benefitted from donations of scorebooks, Law of Cricket books, facemasks, educational materials and stumps.

The BCB and the RHTYSC also invested in the publication of educational posters, youth information booklets, COVID-19 posters and a Say No to Crime information sticker. Sixty-nine youth cricketers received school bags, while six outstanding cricketers who did well at the CSEC, received a financial stipend of $10,000 each. Former West Indies player Ramnaresh Sarwan also donated a $100,000 coaching kit to the BCB to aid in the development of youth players. Jerry Karim of Blairmont received the Brian Ramphal Father of the Year, while Veronica Cecil was named the Brian Ramphal Mother of the Year. The vibrant Upper Corentyne Cricket Association obtained twenty eights sets of coloured uniforms for its members from the popular businessman’s entity, Price is Right Supermarket. Former President Anil Beharry also raised funds to obtain a $320,000 cricket pitch covers that is currently been stored at the Albion Ground.

An additional nine new cricket clubs were formed in 2020 while the BCB also coorganised a children Mash Parade on Mash Day to promote the Say Yes to Education, Sports and No to Drugs, Crime Message. The board also worked with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS in a Covid-19 response programme which saw the distribution of over 6000 food hampers, 2000 lbs of chicken products, face

masks, cleaning detergents and sanitizers.

On the cricket field, Berbice Cricket had a lot to celebrate as Shemaine Campbelle became the fourth West Indian to play one hundred 20/20 matches, Gudakesh Motie reached his one hundred first class wickets in his 28th game, Shabika Gajnabi scored the first female double century at the inter-county female level and Veersammy Permaul earned a welcome recall to the West Indies team.

Kevin Sinclair and Nial Smith made their first-class debuts for Guyana, while Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond and Kevlon Anderson represented the West Indies at World Cup tournaments in Australia and South Africa.

Other Berbicians to either represent Guyana, Amazon Warriors or the West Indies in 2020 were Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Shimron Hetmyer, Shabika Gajnabi, Motie, Permaul and Romario Shepherd. Shepherd became the latest Berbician to score a first-class century when he blasted 133 vs New Zealand ‘A’ for West Indies ‘A’.

Other highlights for 2020 included the induction of Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat as the board’s first Honorary Patron, the launching of Mortimer George book “Know Your Heroes”, hosting of the Brian Ramphal Special Awards Ceremony and meetings with several Key Government Minister including Attorney General Anil Nandalal, Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jnr, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister of Labour Jo-

seph Hamilton. The pro-active board also created history when it awarded its first ever educational scholarship to the University of Guyana with sponsorship from the Ministry of Agriculture. The year ended with a donation of $1.5M worth of cricket gears and uniforms from former West Indies Opener Clayton Lambert.

The BCB also played a major role in the funeral arrangement for the legendary Basil Butcher by hosting a Night of Reflection at the Port Mourant Ground and coOrganising his funeral service. 2020 also saw Berbice Cricket mourning the death of umpire Ganga Persaud Shivdyal and players Jerome Andrews and Sherwin Murray.

Foster hailed the cooperation of his executives, the Berbice Umpires Association, the Regional Democratic Council and sponsors of Berbice Cricket. Special mention was made of Brian Ramphal, Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, Dr. Puran Singh, Nand Persaud Co. Ltd, Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, Price is Right Supermarket, Ansa Mcal, Trophy Stall, Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4R Bearings, Mike’s Pharmacy, Lewison General Store, Office of the Prime Minister, Busta, Raffik Construction, Chandradat Chintamani, Clayton Lambert, Sarishwar Persaud among others. The board would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the media especially Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, Guyana Chronicle, Guyana Times, DTV-8, LRTVS CH10, NCN, NTN and News Room.

Wednesday January 06, 2021

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Motor Racing also suffers severe hit in 2020 review Motor racing fans and competitors would be grateful that two events got underway last season before covid19 put a halt on social activities since other sports like Rugby and basketball didn’t get any play.

More so, ‘Ravi’ Singh who narrowly escaped his motorcar that spontaneously caught fire during the first round of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Endurance Championship round one at the South Dakota Circuit last year January, would’ve been more grateful.

Following the incident he had shared with the media that he is currently in a stable condition as he nurses back to health. “Everything is okay.

It’s a lot of pain but I am trying with it. Thank God that I am still alive, I had to think fast and get out the car while it was still driving just to save myself and it’s an experience that I will never forget. I must also thank everyone who was

there to help me.”

Singh was in third overall in the race meet that saw 20 cars starting and he was seeded in first place of the unlimited class before the incident, which he was lucky to survive with just a first degree burn to his left thigh and hand.

According to unofficial results, before the accident, defending champion Adrian Fernandes was leading the race with Danny Persaud in second place, followed by Singh in his Miracle Optical sponsored motorcar. The endurance race began with Shairaz Roshandin leading for the first few laps before lap record holder Rameez Mohamed took over with some blazing times, including a 1m 18s lap.

However, front runners Mohamed and Roshandin were derailed before 20 completed laps and Roshan Ali led momentarily before Clint Seebarran took the reins of the contest.

The 2021 season speeds off on January 24 with round one of the endurance championship.

Only two events got underway last season but the GMR&SC executive is optimistic of a smooth 2021.

Earlier in the day, 2019 rookie class bikes’ champion, Dowayne Caesar edged John Bennett in a 30-lap bikes’ race.

National Race of Champions round one The second and final meet of 2020 was the National Race

Australian Open players to be shifted to new quarantine hotel MELBOURNE (Reuters) Australian Open organisers have been forced to tear up a quarantine accommodation plan for international players a month before the Grand Slam following a threat of legal action from apartment owners at a luxury hotel in Melbourne.

Tennis Australia and government authorities had arranged for players to serve a 14-day mandatory quarantine at the Westin Melbourne ahead of the Feb. 8-21 Australian Open.

Yesterday, the plan was scrapped after apartment owners at the Westin complained they had not been properly consulted and would seek an injunction against it.

“Following consultation between the owners of The Westin Melbourne, the hotel’s existing residents and

Tennis balls are pictured in front of the Australian Open logo before the tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, January 14, 2018.

(REUTERS/ Thomas Peter)

COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria the decision has been made to accommodate players and their support teams arriving in Melbourne for the upcoming ATP at an alternate hotel location,” the Westin said in a statement.Graeme Efron, a lawyer representing the owners, told Reuters the quarantine plan was “never going to get through”.

“It was the epitome of hubris that they thought people would go along with it without being consulted,” he said.International players at the Australian Open are expected to arrive in Melbourne from mid-January.

Victoria state Police Minister Lisa Neville told reporters yesterday an alternative quarantine hotel had been secured for the players, which would be “stood up today or tomorrow”.

Many of the world’s top

players are planning to compete at tournaments at Melbourne Park in the week before the Grand Slam.

World number one Novak Djokovic and second-ranked Rafa Nadal are scheduled to play at the team-based ATP Cup, meaning they would need to arrive in Melbourne at least two weeks before the Feb. 1-5 tournament to complete quarantine in time.

Melbourne, capital of Victoria state, was the epicentre of Australia’s largest second wave outbreak of COVID-19, which started at two quarantine hotels for international arrivals.

More than 18,000 infections were recorded in Victoria during the outbreak and nearly 800 deaths.

Victoria recorded four new cases of COVID-19 in Melbourne yesterday, including one in hotel quarantine.

of Champions (NROC) round 1 in which the then re-elected head of the GMR&SC, Rameez Mohamed, stole the show after finishing on the podium an incredible eight times inclusive of six wins and two second place finishes.

Mohamed, who debuted in Group four in front of the fair-sized turnout at the Timehri track, drove away with two wins in the battle of the ‘big engines’ en route to

sweeping all three races in the torque packed Starlet Cup. Motilall Deodass; 2019 Starlet Cup champion, led the first race of the class for almost five laps but the Motor Trend Service Center driver’s race was derailed after his championship winning car caught fire during his blistering run. Fortunately, Deodass, escaped without any injuries and in an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport,

he posited that he will come back stronger next meet despite this hiccup but covid19 didn’t allow that.

Mohamed’s sixth win came in the group three while Chet Singh dominantly swept group two.

In the street bikes class, Shem Chattersingh upstaged reigning champion Dowayne Caesar who was very outspoken in the media days leading (Continued oin page 25)

CWI President Skerritt mourns passing of Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, “a true West Indian legend”

Ricky Skerritt has described the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart (left) as a true West Indian legend.

SportsMax - CWI President Ricky Skerritt has described the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart as a true West Indian legend following news of the latter’s passing on Monday.

The 79-year-old hotel and business mogul passed away in the United States after battling an undisclosed illness. Stewart was the founder of the Sandal Resorts chain, that for the past two years was the primary sponsor of the West Indies cricket teams.

Skerritt said CWI was saddened by the news.“CWI mourns the passing of The Honourable Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart OJ and sends our sincere condolences to his family. He was a life-long West Indies cricket

fan, a fierce champion of the Caribbean and a major commercial partner,” Skerritt said.

“He was also a true West Indian legend in his own right. He established unique and very successful Caribbean brands and created many opportunities for young men and women across this region to grow.”

CWI described Stewart as an “outstanding Jamaican businessman and entrepreneur, the founder and Chairman of Sandals International Resorts Ltd - the long-standing and valued partners of West Indies cricket.

“Stewart was a stalwart of the Caribbean society, an iconic figure across the region, and a true supporter of the game of cricket at all levels.”

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Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Williamson’s 238 puts NZ on top in 2nd test against Pakistan AP - Kane Williamson scored 238, the fourth doublecentury of his career and his second of the summer, as New Zealand declared with a 362run lead over Pakistan on the third day of the second cricket test.

Williamson’s nine-hour innings and a 369-run fourthwicket partnership with Henry Nicholls, who made 157, propelled New Zealand 659-6 on Tuesday in reply to Pakistan’s 297 before the declaration at 6.18 p.m. local time, with 11 overs remaining in the day.

Williamson briefly delayed his declaration to allow allrounder Daryl Mitchell, son of former All Blacks rugby coach and current England assistant coach John Mitchell, to reach a maiden test century.

Mitchell put on 133 with Williamson for the sixth wicket. He was 69 when tea was taken after a rain-affected second session and returned knowing he had only a handful of overs to reach his hundred.

He was 93 when he came to the fifth over which Williamson indicated was positively the last of the New Zealand innings.

With a single, a pair of twos and a boundary, he reached his century and remained 102 not out.

“I was pretty grateful to him for giving me a couple of extra overs to get the job done,” Mitchell said.

Pakistan openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali went to the crease at 6.30 p.m. in gloom lifted a little by Hagley Oval’s new floodlights which were switched on for the first time just before 4 p.m. on an overcast day in Christchurch.

They had been in the field for 158.5 overs, almost two full days, and the task of facing New Zealand’s fresh attack before stumps was a daunting one.

Masood fell for a duck in

Daryl Mitchell’s aggressive innings extended New Zealand’s lead © Getty Images

Henry Nicholls steers the ball into the leg side © Getty Images

the eighth over and Pakistan went to stumps at 8-1, still 354 behind.

Williamson also had been a feature of almost all of the second and third days. He went to the crease in only the 20th over of New Zealand’s innings early on the second day when it was 52-1 and he left 130 overs later when it was 585-6.

Unflappable, he was 199 when the second and shorter rain break of the day occurred Tuesday and returned to post his double century from 327 balls. In doing so he became only the second New Zealander after Brendon McCullum, his predecessor as captain, to post four test double centuries.

And at 123 he surpassed 7,000 runs in tests, following Ross Taylor and former captain Stephen Fleming as the only New Zealanders to achieve that mark.

Williamson’s partnership with Nicholls, which occupied 398 minutes or just under 90 overs, took New Zealand from 71-3 to 440-4 when

Nicholls finally was out early in the second session.

Nicholls, who resumed Tuesday at 89, batted for at least the second half of his innings with an injured calf which made his more than six and a half hour innings more notable.

The partnership at first was New Zealand’s highest against Pakistan, then its highest for the fourth wicket against all nations. At its end it was the third-highest by a New Zealand pair for any wicket against any team.

That Williamson went on to form another century partnership with Mitchell before his dismissal underlined the relentless nature of his innings. Calmly, quietly he batted his team into a position of invulnerability.

Many fans on the banks of Hagley Oval wear sailor caps, now a popular accessory at Black Caps tests, which bear the legend Steady the Ship, a tribute to Williamson’s indefatigable performances. This season alone he has had innings of 251, 129 and 238 in three tests — a record-breaking achievement by a New Zealander.

Williamson’s latest innings came after his elevation to the No. 1 ranking among test batsmen, announced as this match began. Williamson accepted the accolade with typical diffidence, suggesting that none of his achievements match those of his predecessors atop the ranking list, India’s Virat Kohli and Australia’s Steve Smith.

“For me to sneak up, perhaps, in some way is very surprising and humbling,” Williamson said. “But at the same time I think there’s other rankings somewhere that quite clearly state the successes of these other two (Kohli and Smith).

“Year in and year out those two players, in all formats, are moving the game forward.”

Any reasonable analysis would seem to support Williamson’s elevation. The first test against the West Indies this summer, in which he scored his career-best 251, was New Zealand’s first in nine months.

He missed the second test to be with his wife at the birth of the couple’s first child, then returned to make 129 in the first test against Pakistan.

His latest innings, perhaps the best of his career, marked him as a player of extraordinary concentration and technique.

No home track hero, he also has centuries or better at

Ahmedabad, Colombo, Bulawayo, Chittagong, Kingston, Jamaica, Sharjah, Lord’s, the Gabba and the WACA. Stumps Pakistan 297 and 8 for 1 (Abid 7*, Abbas 1*, Jamieson 1-1) trail New Zealand 659 for 6 decl (Williamson 237, Nicholls 157, Mitchell 102*) by 354 runs.

Valtteri Bottas won the 2019 Australian Grand Prix. (Getty Images)

Australian Grand Prix: F1 season-opener under discussion because of Covid-19 restrictions BBC Sport - The seasonopening Australian Grand Prix could be postponed because of Covid-19 restrictions in Australia.

It is due to take place in Melbourne from 19-21 March.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the Australian government and Formula 1 bosses are in talks over the Albert Park race.

“The government will continue to prioritise public health considerations while protecting our major events calendar,” a Victoria spokes-

man said.

“Discussions between the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the government and F1 management about the F1 calendar for 2021 are ongoing.”

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation said it would provide “further detail upon finalisation of arrangements with all parties in the coming weeks”.

An F1 spokesman said on Monday that the sport looked forward to racing again in March but did not specify where, with the Bahrain Grand Prix meeting scheduled

for 26-28 March.

Australia continues to maintain strict quarantine rules on international arrivals.Last year’s Australian Grand Prix was called off, only hours before first practice was due to start, when a McLaren team member tested positive for coronavirus.

The season eventually started in Austria in July, with the calendar heavily rescheduled and reduced from an original record 22 races to 17 in Europe and the Middle East.

Wednesday January 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

Berbice Cricket Board enjoys productive 2020 despite Covid-19 pandemic - 2021 promises to be most successful in board’s history Romario Shepherd is honoured for scoring his maiden first class century.

T

he Berbice Cricket Board under the Presidency of Hilbert Foster continues to be the forerunner of the game in Guyana. The board has described the year 2020 as highly successful despite been able to actually play the game for only the first three months of the year. After taking a break during the month of April, the BCB was able to achieve great success off the cricket field via its charity works, coaching programmes, award ceremony, pro-educational campaign and investments in clubs and youth players.

Foster, who was elected President in February, 2018 stated that unlike the other cricket boards in Guyana, the BCB has much to celebrate as it continued to work hard despite the pandemic.

Thirteen Cricket tournaments were either started or completed between January to March, while several others are also awaiting the restart of the cricket season to be

completed. Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour defeated arch rivals Albion to win the Busta Champions of Champions 40 overs, Ivan Madray 20/20 Cups in January and also got past Tucber Park to win the Stag Beer 50 overs tournament.

Albion won the Raffik Construction 100 balls Second Division and the Ramnaresh Sarwan Under17 titles, while Rose Hall Town Bakewell won the Lower Corentyne Let’s Bet 20/20 tournament.

Rose Hall Town Metro Female lifted the 2020 Nand Persaud female title, while N o 7 3 w o n t h e BCB/UCCA/Trophy Stall Under-19 title. The BCB/UCCA Inter Primary School tournament was won

by No71 Primary School.

The Premium Asphalt/TR Construction 20/20 for teams in the Lower Corentyne area, which started in January, 2020, is at the finals stage, while the Lewison’s General Store and Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 tournaments are also at the

Members of some clubs poses after receiving their donation of cricket balls.

Albion Cricket Club - Winner of Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17. semi-finals stage r e s p e c t i v e l y. T h e BCB/UCCA Price is Right tournament is also at the final stage with Dukestown and No72 Cut and Load scheduled to battle for championship honours.

Other tournaments on hold due to the ongoing

Covid-19 pandemic are the Banks DIH Ltd two days (Semi-final Stage), Let’s Bet Sport County Wide (finals), Friends of New Amsterdam 20/20 (Semi-finals), and N B S 4 0 o v e r s (Quarterfinals).

The BCB also invested heavily in coaching and the

hosting of several trial matches to select intercounty teams. Overseas based Guyanese Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh and Brian Ramphal sponsored a combined nine trial matches for the selection of the Berbice Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 teams, while a

The Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt team poses after winning the Ivan Madray 20/20 Memorial.

wide range of coaching clinics were held for fast bowlers, batsmen, spinners and wicketkeepers.

The BCB panel of coaches also visited over twenty clubs to conduct coaching sessions including No73, Port Mourant, RHTYSC, RH Canje, Achievers, Mt. Sinai and Edinburgh.

The BCB with support from the RHTYSC also invested heavily into the development of players with over two hundred youths benefitting from donation of gears, uniforms, bicycles and educational materials under a wide range of programmes including the Basil Butcher Trust Fund, Dr. Tulsi Dyal/ Puran Singh Fund, RHTYSC Patron Fund, BCB Patron Fund and Brian Ramphal Trust Fund.

Over sixty clubs benefitted from the donations of cricket balls with sponsorship from former Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, the Basil Butcher Trust Fund (Continued on page 28)

South Africa seal victory and 2-0 series win despite Dimuth Karunaratne’s battling hundred

Dimuth Karunaratne led from the front in Sri Lanka’s second innings © AFP via Getty Images

Australian Open players to be shifted to new quarantine hotel Premier League records 40 new COVID-19 cases, highest in a week

General view of Nike Flight balls inside the St Mary’s Stadium before the match Southampton v Manchester United. (Pool via REUTERS/Naomi Baker)

rt o p S New Zealand’s Kane Williamson bats during play on day three of the second cricket test between Pakistan and New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Jan 5.

2021. (John Davidson/Photosp ort via AP)

Williamson’s 238 puts NZ on top in 2nd test against Pakistan

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