K
AIETEUR US court allows NEWS Bisram's appeal
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Tuesday Edition January 29, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 05
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80 US-based Guyanese, Marcus Bisram
Online readership yesterday 139,213
Get clear definitions of eligible costs, conduct regular audits to maximize oil revenue - IMF School of Nations head PSAs are a great source of was ambushed opening general disrespect for law … Transparency Body urges Guyana his front door - police to consider inherent flaws
Opposition meets Diplomatic community on no-confidence vote
A team of party officials led by General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, today briefed the diplomatic community on the noconfidence motion and the likelihood of constitutional crisis if elections are not held within specified time-frame.
By 2050 China may dominate Guyana's oil sector - CSIS Appointing AG as External Auditor for Natural Resource Fund a wrong move - NRGI
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 29, 2019
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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PSAs are a great source of general …Transparency Body urges disrespect for law Guyana to consider inherent flaws T
h e r e a r e considerable pros and cons to Governments using Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs). But the latter could very well outweigh the former especially if domestic laws are obsolete. This was recently pointed out by Revenue Watch, an international transparency body which encourages disclosure in the management of oil, gas and minerals. The organization pointed out that in PSAs, a host government grants oil companies a say in the enforcement of environmental and other standards. Revenue Watch stressed, however, that these contractual provisions can be easily contested, and even violated. It said that this is especially so when the nation's laws are archaic or worse yet, when no statute or regulation exists that speaks to the best practices to be maintained in the oil sector. It noted that breaching the provisions of the PSA, even an environmental provision, is only a contractual violation. And based on the consequences, if any at all are included in the PSA, the violating party would only be required to rectify the breach, or perhaps, pay damages. Revenue Watch said that when the laws are robust and in sync with the PSA, then the violation of a legal
production, bonuses, income taxes and indirect taxes to the state, while contractors receive a share of the production according to the percentage agreed on in the contract.
statute would attract approved sanctions and penalties and even public condemnation. But when the legal structure is weak and outdated, the body said that PSA is only a form of favoritism for the oil companies with the net result being legal confusion and a general disrespect for the l a w. G i v e n t h e aforementioned, it said that emerging producers like Guyana should seriously consider the inherent flaws versus the advantages that come with using PSAs.
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram
LOCAL ACTIVIST URGES Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, has also called for the government to carefully examine the pros and cons of Production Sharing Agreements before moving to design a model that would be used in the future. His comment in this regard, came on the heels of a US$11.64M loan that was granted to Guyana by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) last year so that the authorities can improve governance systems for the oil sector. One of the terms of the loans is for Guyana to design a model contract for future Production Sharing Agreements (PSA). Ram stated however that the government by accepting this term from the IDB makes itself appear unthinking and unwilling to
learn. In his recent writings, Ram said, “After months of rambling now that Guyana has been de-risked in oil and gas, (and) a new approach to the development of the upstream oil and gas sector is necessary, we return to the same concept that will see us lose at the very least, hundreds of millions of real dollars annually.” Ram continued, “It ought to be reasonably evident that there are about 12 key variable elements in the profit oil model of PSAs and that this so called exercise for which part of the loan is to be expended, can be done by way of a desk exercise in a matter of days by any reasonably competent person.” The Chartered Accountant reminded that several countries are moving away from this type of profit oil production sharing
agreement into a gross production sharing agreement. He stressed however that Guyana seems committed to a backward model. Ram said, “And there are other models as well such as the concession type of agreements which would be consistent with the statutory type of ownership of petroleum resources. I had on more than one occasion accused the PPP/C Government of taking any l o a n o n o f f e r. T h i s Government is showing how similar to the PPP/C it really is.” INDONESIA ABANDONS PSAs Indonesia is said to be the nation that gave the world Production Sharing Agreements. This arrangement stipulates that the host country will receive its profits after the oil company deducts its operating expenses. The Government of Indonesia thought that this was a wise move in the beginning. But with each passing year, it soon noticed that its cut of the spoils got smaller, the taxes from the oil sector began to shrunk and the operators' claims of deductable expenses was
US court allows Bisram's appeal
I
n an ongoing saga, a New York court has a l l o w e d a n extradition appeal by USbased Guyanese, Marcus Bisram. According to court documents of January 24, the US Court of Appeals ordered that the extradition be stayed during the appeal. The Clerk of Court was directed to place the appeal on the expedited calendar. Bisram is in the custody of US authorities, after being arrested on July 2017 based on a request of the Guyana government. He is being accused of ordering a hit on a Berbice carpenter , Faiyaz
Facing extradition: Marcus Bisram
Narinedatt, a guest at a party he hosting back in late 2016. Narinedatt was alleged to have been beaten by several men, a t the behest of Bisram. He was pushed into the trunk of a car, taken to the Berbice public road, dumped and run over to make it appear as if it was a hit-andrun. Bisram was a close friend to Berbice police, contributing significantly to community policing. After the incident, police had said, Bisram flew to New York and was not arrested until months later, in July 2017 at a New York beach front property. The Guyana government had asked the US
authorities for his extradition. He was ordered to be sent back last year but he immediately appealed. Bisram migrated to the US years ago, and struck it rich there, travelling back and forth and becoming involved in charity. His case is being closely watched as it may be the first time in years that someone with US citizenship would be extradited back to Guyana to face charges…in this case it is murder. Five other persons were charged for the murder of Narinedatt and have been sent to the High Court for trial before a jury.
increasing by the millions. The aforementioned convinced the Government that petroleum companies were inflating costs. The Government tried everything they could to keep oil companies from exploiting this loophole in the Production Sharing Agreement. But every accounting or auditing effort proved futile against the oil giants. Earlier this year, the country took the decision to move away from the very agreement it piloted. Chris Ram who also studied the case of Indonesia, recently wrote that Guyana may find lessons from that country in relation to Production Sharing Agreements to be a serious wake up call. It was in January 2018 that the Indonesian Government actually walked away from the Production Sharing Agreement approach. It is now using the “gross-split” method. The gross split rules make contractors bear all the costs in turn for a higher share of the output. The base split for oil blocks is 57% to 43% for the government and contractors, respectively, and 52% to 48% for natural gas fields. This is in contrast to the conventional cost recovery PSCs which cater for the sharing of profits after deduction of the exploration and production costs. The economic benefit from the gross split PSC is that it awards the share of
INFLATED COSTS Indonesia's move from Production Sharing Agreements to the new model in January last was long in the pipeline. In several media reports i n t h a t c o u n t r y, t h e Government said that under cost recovery, contractors inflated costs to increase their share of production, the result being that Government's share is reduced. In fact, the Supreme Audit Agency of Indonesia found that several oil and gas production sharing contractors inflated their operating costs claims to US$300M. The Agency also noted that many of the costs claimed by the company were not even in keeping with the rules and regulations of Indonesia. By moving to a grosssplit, the Government argued that contractors are forced to bear the costs of operating themselves. The Government believes that the new method will encourage the oil operators to spend more efficiently since there is no way to recover them. The Government of Indonesia feels justified in doing away with a cost recovery mechanism for oil operators. The citizens there also believe that for too long, they have been abused by oil operators. In this regard, the Government revealed that in 2016 alone, cost recovery by oil operators climbed up to $13.9B. This was more than the sector even contributed in revenues for that year.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 29, 2019
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
ANOTHER SHOCKING SUICIDAL DEATH Suicide continues to be a major problem in the country. Last week, the Ministry of Education had to provide councilors to help many shocked and disarrayed students at the privately owned Mae’s School where one student committed suicide. Vanica Schultz, 15, a sixth form student at Mae’s school, had sent suicide notes to several of her classmates and some teachers before falling ill. She subsequently died at the Woodlands Hospital. The student had earlier posted on social media platforms her intentions to take her life, but it appears that those who saw the postings did not take them seriously. Suicide among youths remains a national epidemic in the country. It affects everyone directly or indirectly. It is not only about the loss of a life of one individual, but also a tragedy for relatives and friends who are left to grieve. It seems to be a common practice and a serious social problem in Guyana which has one of the highest suicide rates in the world based on per capita. According to the World Health Organization, Guyana has a suicide rate of 44.2 per 100,000 person and that for every female suicide, there were 3.2 male suicides. By comparison, our neighbours, Suriname has a suicide rate of 27.8 per 100,000; and Venezuela’s rate is 26 per 100,000, the lowest in the region. There are several reasons that can explain the shockingly high rate of suicides in Guyana. They include alcohol and drug abuse, easy access to poisonous substances, rejection in a love affair, family pressures to marry young, and arranged marriages. Studies have shown that mental health-related issues including sadness, hopelessness, despair, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety have led to alcohol and substance abuse, and ultimately suicide. Depression in its own right has driven many to kill themselves. It is a mental health problem but Guyanese have not been known to deal effectively with mental health problems. This is due to the paucity of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and even psychologists. People in the 14 to 35 age group are the vast majority of persons who commit suicide in the country. Most suicides are by hanging or the ingestion of poisonous substances. Due to a shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health specialists and trained social workers in the country, there are limited options for those contemplating suicide to seek help. Committing suicide is not a new experience in the country. It has happened in previous generations but not as frequent as today. However, suicide remains a major problem for the nation and the authorities. But no matter how unsolvable it may seem, there is a solution. Suicide is viewed as a taboo subject, and even though some have been linked to witchcraft, the unnerving silence about suicide has done nothing to solve it. Vanica Schultz’s death by suicide should be a matter of concern for all of us. We can no longer cower on the issue of suicide, because to do so would be an indictment and failure by both society and government to address it. They must be proactive to start constructive discussions to end the stigma and misconceptions associated with suicide. We as a nation must do all we can to find ways to reduce the high rate of suicide. There have been hotlines for people crying out for help but the hotline needs the support of people associated with the victim. The suicidal death of Vanica Schultz is one too many. We must end this scourge on society.
Perplexities and contradictions that abound in this paradise in purgatory DEAR EDITOR, This Guyana is always a perplexing place; troubled, too; and riddled with contradictions. These are polite words from me, and indicative of a careful control of the caustic that comes easily. Thinking has to be measured, phrases temperate; after all this is public space and public sharing. Amidst all of this, there are these developments that point to the unfathomable and the enraging. The deformity of continuity. Take the matter of Lance Corporal Mr. Quacy Baveghems of City Hall. According to the Kaieteur News report dated January 27th, and titled, “City Hall prosecutor who testified before COI banished to guard incinerator.” From many years at the main office, this man is now banished to the career wilderness and humiliation of guarding the incinerator. What was his incompetence? To where can his failure be tracked? How and why did matters come to this demeaning, dismissive state of affairs? Before going further, and in the interest of full disclosure, I must mention that Mr. Quacy Baveghems is my first
cousin; I must have shared a moment or two with him less than a dozen times since my return to this paradise in purgatory. Still, I am duty bound, conscience-driven, to offer a word in his defence; and while doing so, castigate and scorch those who preside over such daily barbarisms (out of sight and soundlessly) in this society. Mr. Baveghems’ error, unforgivable sin, and hence fatal failure, was to testify before the COI. Testify to truth, and facts and circumstances, as they were, and not as those with power and position desired him to do. To do so as cover and cosmetic for the sake of their own leprous skin and toxic bloodstream and cancerous minds. This was to cover for not merely conduct unbecoming of a sexually predatory nature, but to speak out against the accumulated evils of an institution and its vested useless, shameless, and inherently characterless people, who first plundered its taxpaying constituents, and then hurled the place and themselves beyond precipices of indecency and immersed all in abysses of irretrievability. It cannot be left unsaid
that there is an army of defaulters out there, who are protected by these venal officials. One man is gone. Sacked. Is that all there is going to be? Was he the only sawdust Caesar responsible for the accumulated atrocities? What about the many left behind and whose first work of art (and revenge) is to send this worker to the incinerator. It is a masterpiece of bureaucratic rage, of personal vindictiveness and retribution, and of uncaring, unfettered (perhaps unmanageable) arrogance. Institutionalized ignorance, too. Sometime back, I wrote that the whole sick, sorry, sordid bunch ought to be sent packing. The incinerator would have made a lovely retirement home. It works just as well as a sinecure. Thus, the beat goes on: unchanging, unmoving, uncaring. One man is sent packing; it is far from enough. Another one (Mr. Baveghems) is given marching orders: face the fire. Or be fired. The hard word and harsher lesson are: Keep mouth shut. Do not speak. Give away nothing. Or else… There are many incinerators,
dumpsites, and back alleys waiting for the hard of hearing and the uncooperative. Unsurprisingly, as part of the unending contradictions in this dirty, unearthly, ungodly society, there is the opposite to Mr. Baveghems’ circumstances. A man, a senior servant, is removed following looking and inquiring and probing. He was gone. Well, he is mysteriously back. I know not the man. Nor the context(s) which compelled that decision. Still, I submit that it had to rise to a sufficiency of satisfaction through a preponderance of the telltale weighty chain, which resulted, at the inception, in a decision of immense proportions and hard finality. Except that it was not so final. It was not so terminal; the penalty of the cat-o-nine is rendered null by cats with more than nine lives. It is from a hot tin roof to the cooling ambience of airconditioned welcome. Just don’t tell that to the departed Elizabeth Taylor; or the very present Quacy Baveghems consigned, and in effect castrated careerwise, to the comradery of a stilled incinerator. He too has (Continued on page 6)
The time is now for a full out war on drugs and drug usage in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Firstly permit me to offer condolences to the grieving family of 15-year-old Vanica Schultz, and also to a nation that should certainly be in mourning for one of its potential future leaders. Needless to say her demise has brought many issues to the fore, issues that not only highlight the modus operandi of current governmental agencies in Guyana, their lethargic molasses-type manner of action, but above all reflects the country’s level of social progress. Just a mere three months ago on September 18, 2018, the Deputy Head of Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Leslie Ramlall, sounded the clarion, making the nation aware that the drug Ecstasy was gaining a strong foothold among the young population especially children attending schools. He further asserted that the drug was readily available at many night clubs and parties, which was a new trend, but an extremely worrisome one for the nation. Investigations into several schools in Regions Three and Four revealed the use of Ecstasy among students of Regions 3 and 4, as well as pop-
ping up in several schools across the nation. Also throwing in his two bits to further strengthen this admonition, the Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said, “To see it in schools means that we are losing the battle. It is a bad thing.” He implored parents, religious institutions, and communities to assist law enforcement agencies in the fight against the illicit and licit drugs. We’ve become too individualistic and even don’t care about some of our children.” An old adage runs thus: ‘If shark seh sea deep, believe he, he live ah sea’. The premonitory words were being uttered unbridled from the horse’s mouth, why was credence not applied. Now here we are four months later surrounded by increasing sensationalism over something that we had been prior forewarned and should have acted upon if we wanted to forestall harm. Were any of the aforementioned recommendations acted upon? If so what form did the follow-up take? The nation should hang its head in collective shame, as this case emphasizes and
strengthens Ramjattan’s plea. Now drug education should be made compulsory for all schoolchildren, for the less children comprehend the effects of drugs, the more likely is a recurrence of such incidents. The death should galvanize public debate. In 1912, a chemist attached to the German pharmaceutical company Merck created Ecstasy, originally known as “Methylsafrylaminc,” and in close social circles as “Molly”, with the intent being to amalgamate medications that control bleeding. The drug proved to be a failure and was relegated to a shelf life until the 1950’s, when the government experimented with it and other drugs. In the 1970’s and early 1980’s, it gained a small following among psychiatrists, despite not having been tested or received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in humans. It was the belief by some psychiatrists that during patient sessions the drug improved communication and permitted the patients to gain insight into their problems. It was also during this time that the drug became more widely
available on the streets. In 1985 the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) declared an emergency ban on the drug, and placed it on the list of Schedule 1 drugs, which are defined as substances with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. From since then it remained a Schedule I substance, with the exception of a brief period of time between 1987 and 1988. In the early 1990s, the FDA approved the first human trial exploring whether Methylsafrylaminc could help relieve pain in terminally ill patients, as well as serve as an appurtenance to psychotherapy. Many associate Molly’s resurgence to the return of electronic Dance Music and pulsating Euro Beat that has infiltrated the sound of famous pop radio acts. The nation cannot allow parents to undergo further higher personal losses, with a resultant diminution in the number of future leaders. The taxpayers should lobby immediately for changes in the way the seemingly laughable courts operate. This case may be used as (Continued on page 6)
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Article 106 (6) and (7) are inconsistent with Articles 1, 50 and 65. DEAR EDITOR, In my respectful view, article 106 (6) and (7) cannot lawfully be mandatory provisions in a constitutional democracy where it is a government by the people and for the people. Such legal concept has its origin in the unwritten constitution of the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, it has been and still is the Queen’s government. The House of Commons and the Prime Minister administer the affairs of the realm on behalf of the Crown. Therefore, a defeat on a no confidence vote, or a confidence vote in the United Kingdom, is really a message from the House of Commons that the House no longer has confidence in the Prime Minister and her cabinet to administer the affairs of the Queen’s government.
Instead of removal by the Crown (powers which the crown still has but is hardly ever exercised) the Prime Minister, following convention (unwritten laws or customary practice) will resign. In Guyana’s context, there is no crown or Queen who is sovereign as is the case in the United Kingdom. The people of Guyana are the sovereign authority (see articles 10 and 50). The people exercise this sovereignty through the democratic institutions of the state. The institutions are the President, the Parliament and the Cabinet. Sovereignty therefore is a primordial right, inalienable from the electoral process and the electorate. It is a right that can never be removed from the people and placed absolutely in any single person or institution to exercise. Article 106 (6) seeks to re-
move this sovereign right from the people and place it directly at the centre of parliamentary affairs. This is wholly inconsistent with and an abridgement of article 65 of the Constitution. Article 65 of the constitution clearly specifies that Parliament is that body responsible for making laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Republic. In order to be efficient, it is dignified sovereign; that is, those with sovereign power that must elect the parliament to make laws to govern their affairs. In other words, the efficiency of parliament and the source of parliamentary authority are founded in the people, who gave parliament the sovereign right to make laws to affect their daily affairs. This is the true meaning of article 10. That the people exercise the sovereign power through the parliament which makes laws. Similarly, it is those with the
Our Politicians should suffer the same fate as ‘professionals’ DEAR EDITOR, Our Politicians should suffer the same fate as ‘professionals’ in all other organisations. They should not be allowed to continue in positions they discredited. For incompetence, gross misconduct, illegal acts, disrepute, dishonesty, abuse of trust...people with high-level relevant qualifications and skills are got rid of for the betterment of the organisation they work for. Sports clubs replace bad managers, captains, players; businesses replace chief executives and directors who underperform; committees get new Chairman and officers...yet political parties recycle individuals who have repeatedly let us down.
Political parties are responsible for ensuring that those promoted to leadership roles, always have in their minds that we trust them to do their best for all us and not just the preferred few; promises must be kept and not used to exploit our loyalties. AFC members should seriously consider if any of its MPs deserve to be put forward as candidates for the upcoming elections. Would those same guys miraculously transform and deliver
the politics-for-Guyanese the AFC was birthed for? PPP/C and APNU also have many in their numbers who do not deserve our faith. We must change the mantra from we get the politicians we deserve to our politicians should always respect the faith and trust we put in them. The significance of our politics in delivering better lives for all of us should not be allowed to degenerate any further. I faiyaZ
sovereign right that elect a President to execute the laws implemented by parliament. And it is for the judicial arm of the state to interpret these laws for the people to understand. This is how democracy works. Nowhere in the Constitution, was Parliament given sovereign powers other than to make laws. The exception to this is at article 106 (6) which allows Parliament to usurp what we can consider the inalienable sovereign right of the people to elect a President to execute the laws passed by the Parliament which the people elected. This could not have been the intent of the framers of our constitution when they spoke of democracy. This cannot be democracy. It is Parliamentary dictatorship. It is a system whereby the Parliament is as powerful as the source where it derived its powers and efficiency from (the people). It is a system whereby democracy is made weak, in that the people can elect today and the Parliament can conveniently check the sovereign right of the people by removing the President that the people elected once there is a majority (simple or absolute). On this basis, I make bold by saying that the entire case turns on the validity of the Constitution Reform Act no. 17 of 2000 which implemented Article 106 (6) and (7). In Cedric Richardson v AG of Guyana (CCJ) (third term case), Richardson challenged the validity of a certain section of the said Act. Richardson argued that the Act weakened democracy.
The CCJ disagreed and held that a third term restriction enhances democracy. The said question asked then must be asked again in relation to the said Act, but two separate and independent paragraphs. Whether the sovereign power of the people to elect and remove a President at a “Presidential election” (see article 60) weakened, undermined, made of little or no utility and/or removed altogether by the powers purportedly conferred on the Parliament by article 106 (6) and (7) to remove a President elected by the people and for the people? Further, could a Parliamentary motion as opposed to a Bill which introduces a law affect the ordinary affairs of citizens, in light of parliamentary powers under article 65? Can a motion affect the ordinary affairs of citizens? Are motions only intended to regulate the internal affairs of Parliament? Is the passing of a motion the same as passing of a Bill to make law? Is this kind of motion inconsistent with the powers of Parliament under article 65? Has the Parliament undermined the Executive arm of the state? “It was widely believed that to remove the President, impeachment proceedings have to be filed under Article 180 of the Constitution. However, impeachment invariably requires a weighted majority of two-thirds and threefourths of the elected members of the National Assembly. It was never contemplated
that the President, together with his whole Cabinet, could be removed from office by a simple majority on a motion of no-confidence.” Moreover, unlike Article 180 (3) (a) which speaks to due process, whereby the chancellor appointments a tribunal to investigate and report to parliament on its findings of an investigation into constitutional breaches by the president, Article 106 is void of such basic constitutional safeguards, which speaks to the principle of due process and fairness. Article 106 cannot be legally applicable in its current form. In conclusion, the people of Guyana exercise their democratic sovereign rights by choosing a government to represent their affairs through democratically enshrined processes under article 60 and 160. It is the people who are also responsible for the removal of a government from office through the electoral system. It has long been held in our Courts that a power to appoint normally carries a power to remove. Our constitution gave the people the power to elect a government and to remove that government under articles 60 and 160. The same cannot be said of the Parliament. Attorney At-Law
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
Kaieteur News
The hypocrisy of Freddie Kissoon has no limit DEAR EDITOR, I am the person that Freddie Kissoon referred to as “a high-level PPP leader” in his Kaieteur News column of Sunday, January 27, 2019. Veteran Trade Unionist and political commentator, Lincoln Lewis, wrote in his Kaieteur News column of Sunday, January 27 that, “Election is inevitable, be it now or later. Of grave concern is whether the ordinary people, the working class will ever be able, through self-action or their representatives, to participate in the management and decision-making processes of the State on matters that affect their wellbeing”. As you are aware, in recent Press Conferences, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has extended an invitation to all Guyanese to submit ideas they would like to see implemented by a new PPP/C administration. A notice on facebook was also widely posted to this effect that includes an email address which allows the participation of ordinary Guyanese. In addition, we are targeting stakeholders in every sector, thorough a consultative process, to ensure our manifesto reflects the will of the people. It is with this purpose that I wrote Freddie Kissoon to get his views on an institution he is always complaining about, the University of Guyana. This clearly demonstrates the PPP/C’s willing-
ness to work with everyone, even our adversaries, in the best interest of all Guyana. In the past, Freddie has been very critical of the joint APNU+AFC for not reaching out to either himself or his wife with job offers, after winning the 2015 elections. He thought they were an ungrateful bunch. He also complained bitterly about things he believed to be a violation of one’s freedom and expressed concern about the perceived corruption taking place at UG. He often criticized the APNU+AFC government he campaigned for and helped put in power, for not doing anything about it. Freddie complains a lot, but only about things that affect him personally. It’s all about Freddie Kissoon! My letter was meant to address his concerns about the University of Guyana as a national issue, one that affects every current and aspiring UG student. But this latest column of his clearly demonstrates how selfish and deceitful he is, by demanding an apology from me or the PPP/C for his participation. This is in contrast to his willingness to participate as will be seen in his response to an email I sent to Freddie Kissoon on January 13, 2019. The following are my edited email to Freddie Kissoon and his edited response: “Dear Freddie, Happy New Year to you and your family. I read your article in
today’s Kaieteur News with interest and concern. I noted your 26 years of service to the teaching profession at the University of Guyana, and I thank you for your years of dedicated service, on behalf of all Guyanese. Freddie, I am aware of your grievances with the former PPP/C administration and some of its leaders. I cannot do anything about that. I can, however, address your concerns about the functioning of the University of Guyana, and with your guidance, commit the PPP/C to bring these changes, or most of it, to fruition, if your ideas appear as part of our manifesto. As you are aware, Guyana will soon be heading to the polls no later than April 30, the date the current GECOM Voters’ List expires. I am a member of the People’s Progressive Party 2019 Manifesto Committee. We are in the process of having consultations with persons of interest in all sectors of society that can help us to shape policies we can pursue as a government after winning the upcoming elections. We need your input as it relates to the University of Guyana to include in our Manifesto as a campaign promise to the nation. Of course if you agree, whatever material you submit will be scrutinized by members of the Manifesto Committee and a
The time is now for a full out... From page 4 the test case. It is my expressed hope that whoever is the individual responsible for Vanita’s access to the drug, in some way be held accountable. The school’s director has announced that the students will now be subjected to random drug testing, following prior parental authorization. While such a gesture may appear as a move in the right direction, nevertheless it pales in comparison to other moves that should precede it. The home environment is of
prime importance as well as those in immediate contact with the student within the home environment. Psychologists claim that if teens are in a place where they are looking for acceptance and a sense of belonging, then they are most likely at a greater risk of abuse. The hapless female was reportedly in a relationship with an alleged pusher from since she was 13 years. How aware were the parents of this blossoming but twisted relationship? When did they meet? Was the day of her
Perplexities and... From page 4 been stilled for speaking. This is the deepfreeze, the lifeless Stygian mortuary reserved for truth and candor in this country. What protection for whistleblower? What price whistleblowing? Finally, the greatest irony, a continuing one, in this dear land, is that that there are many more getting away with murder (sometimes literally),
being rewarded and elevated for doing so; while the unconnected, unrecognized, and undesired peasants languish in the heat of their anguish. They live in and with the combustion of their own personal incinerators daily. It is called truth. It is named conscience. It is of silent suffering patriots. Sincerely, G.H.K. Lall
death, the date of her first encounter with Molly? If not, is there any adult who can truthfully and conscientiously claim that in the case of the deceased they have observed strange behaviours or deviation from the norm whether attributable to drugs or not? Are her peers now guardians to a big secret, or victims of missed intervention? The Guyanese taxpayers should lobby for changes in the way the useless and laughable courts work and in addition bring pressure to bear on the appointed Judges, holding them more accountable and not allowing gangsters and criminals with 50plus criminal convictions off on minor technicalities when they are arrested and charged. The time is now for a full out war on drugs and drug usage in Guyana, with no stone left unturned and no pusher left unpunished. If the nation has to start from the cradle then so be it. Example is the best teacher and knowledge is power. Y. Sam
decision taken in keeping with what we can realistically and practically commit to. I trust that you would confine your suggestions to what’s best for the students and policies that would greatly improve academia and the efficiency of the University’s administration. The PPP/C is concerned that the lack of jobs, high cost of living, high interest rates and lack of disposable income are contributing factors to the difficulties students and their parents encounter fulfilling tuition obligations and student loans. As a result, immediately upon gaining office, we will reverse the increase in tuition fees for UG students imposed by the APNU+AFC government. Also, by 2025 the latest, the next PPP/C government intends to provide FREE tuition to all Guyanese students attending UG. Of course, this timeline can be advanced if fiscal space allows from the revenue government receives from the sale of oil. You and I have not seen eye to eye in the past on the political front, but I do respect your opinions and admire your courage and patriotism. Guyana is on the thresh-
old of greatness. But we need the political will and inclusiveness of all our people for this to happen. I can assure you, the PPP/C stands ready to work with everyone to accomplish this noble task. Please note, this letter is private and not intended for public discussion or publication. Respectfully yours, HARRY GILL, MP” Freddie’s response is as follows: “thanks for writing. i will respond with suggestions. give me some time but i want to start with a framework. i will not digress from this ideological demand. here it is. wherever in guyana, we have a candidate that is equal or ALMOST (emphasis mine) to an overseas guyanese, the local must be invited to take up the position and the position must not be advertised but a committee will select from the local applicants. this is my demand. thanks for writing. will be in touch. i hope the PPP is a completely changed party. i have my doubts but people can change. regards.” (Edited version) Editor, I made a genuine effort to solicit the views of a critic and invite his participation in the consultation process. He deliberately omitted
the part that says the PPP/C will bring these changes, or most of it, to fruition, “if your ideas appear as part of our manifesto.” He also deliberately omitted the section that reads, “Of course if you agree, whatever material you submit will be scrutinized by members of the Manifesto Committee and a decision taken in keeping with what we can realistically and practically commit to.” My email to Kissoon was meant to be private as indicated in my letter, but he chose to betray this trust and publish selective sections to distort my intention. I now question the accuracy of the many times he quoted conversations he has had with persons who are now deceased and are unable to challenge the accuracy of what was actually told to him. To make matters worse, it would appear that he may have shared my letter with his friends in the AFC, for coincidentally, News Room reports in its Sunday edition that “AFC touts free education from oil money.” But what else can you expect from a party on life support that is bankrupted of original ideas. Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament
It is time for true patriots to be at the helm of the national affairs of this land DEAR EDITOR, The Charrandass Persaud affair has highlighted Guyana’s very real constitutional crisis, namely, that in breach of the constitution, many politicians and presidential aspirants possess dual citizenship and are citizens of the so-called ABC countries. These politicians, regardless of which side of the political divide they find themselves, are all compromised. Their dual citizenship necessarily leads to an obvious conflict of interest. Since their patriotism is conflicted, they cannot be trusted to defend the national interests of Guyana. It is no wonder that they remain silent when the representatives of these imperial countries meddle in our domestic affairs, as though we are still a colony.
Real patriots and nationalists do not hold dual citizenship, nor do they negotiate contracts that allow rapacious and unscrupulous corporations such as ExxonMobil to plunder Guyanese resources. Real patriots and nationalists jealously and zealously protect the sovereignty, independence and natural resources of their country from imperial entities and corporate predators. It is time for true patriots to be at the helm of the national affairs of this land. Only then will Guyanese get the leadership they long for. Sincerely, Gerald A. Perreira Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP)
An attack on something symbolic of he better part of our collective nature DEAR EDITOR, The shooting of Brian O’Toole and the circumstances surrounding it constitute this surreal circumstance, a confluence of escalating events that feels like too much of a portent than I am comfortable with. Yes, we live in a society that has been visited by ultraviolence in the recent past, but we’ve taken, granted, cold comfort in the criminal and political circumstance of it, something that needs urgently to be addressed
in itself. This however is something that is yet harder to process, even by those heinous standards of acceptance. O’Toole as I’ve known him has always been that rare thing in this society, a fundamentally decent human being, someone who has not only successfully invested in education in this society, but is passionately invested in education and philanthropic work. His shooting therefore reads not only as an attack on a singu-
lar person but an attack on something symbolic of the better part of our collective nature. I pray that this is something that is an anomaly, and that the person or persons responsible are dealt with swiftly by the justice system. I’m relieved to hear that Mr. O’Toole is stable and his wounds do not appear to be life-threatening, and wish him the best on his recovery. Regards, Ruel Johnson
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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As Venezuelan migrant situation widens...
Region One Chairman lobbies for support Region One is faced with many concerns. These have been escalating by the day and Regional Chairman, Mr. Brethnol Ashley, believes that Government must take urgent action. The concerns are directly linked to the influx of migrants from neighbouring territory, Venezuela. Even as he commented on the concerns which he claims have residents uneasy, Ashley said that he is calling on government to, among other things, set up security patrols capable of taking necessary action at the borders should the need arise. This is warranted since, according to the Regional Chairman, of recent there have been an increase in the number of threats. “These should be taken seriously by the country’s security forces.” He disclosed, too, that the Regional Democratic Council [RDC] is very concerned about these threats. He added, “The Venezuelans will act on those threats and… all stops should be pulled out in ensuring that Guyana can effectively defend itself.” “We have heard that there is a plan to hijack the ferry. This resulted in the ferry having to be escorted a few weeks ago. There were reports that the Sindicatos were planning an attack,” the Regional Chairman divulged. Ashley warned that Government as well as residents must recognise that because of Venezuela’s grave economic challenges, they are evidently desperate. This comes at a time when the number of migrants continues to increase, Ashley added. “There is a need for a holistic response by the government of Guyana so as to alleviate a number of fears and concerns.” Currently, there are reportedly in excess of 600 migrants spread across
Region One Regional Chairman, Brethnol Ashley, engages stakeholders about the migrant-related concerns. Region One. Among those recorded are about 70 in the community of Imbertero; 40 in a new community under the radar called Black Water Barima; 101 in Khan Hill; 65 in Kamwatta; an additional 64 in Yarakita, among others. “The numbers tell their own story that indeed there is an increase of these migrants,” Ashley said. The Regional Chairman said that several of the Venezuelans are also involved in the sale of illegal fuel which, he said, has caused added concerns from the business community within the Coomaka area. He said that the RDC had constructed living quarters for several of the migrants but with the prevalence of illegal activities he foresees various challenges that will pose danger for not only the migrants but residents as well. Ashley also spoke about the reported increase in the number of persons being infected with various
diseases. Several residents have expressed these concerns in this regard. “I am saddled with having to hear families coming to me telling me that they are worried that their husbands may contract some of the diseases and infections. We are very concerned about the increase also of malaria with several villages indicating its prominence in the community,” Ashley shared. The health threat has been amplified by the lack of good sanitation practices perpetrated by the migrants, Ashley said adding that
“several residents have complained about the Venezuelan migrants defecating in and around the community. “This poses great challenges to several business owners who would see the migrants committing these acts openly.” This state of affairs is compounded by the fact that many migrants deprived of sufficient nutrients have been seen rummaging through garbage bins in search of food. Moreover, Ashley said that the Region is appealing for support at the national level to address the daunting
concerns prevailing there. Response to the Region’s appeal thus far has come from Region Four through its Regional Executive Officer, Ms. Pauline Lucas. Lucas accompanied by a team from her Region recently visited Region One to lend support. On the heels of that meeting Ashley met with stakeholders of his Region
including representatives of agencies and programmes. At that meeting he disclosed that his Region severely lacks human resources and went on to share that there continues to be a shortage of drugs and medical supply as a result of the increased number of Venezuelans seeking medical attention.
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
School of Nations head was ambushed opening his front door - police Principal of the School of the Nations, Dr. Brian O’Toole, who was shot twice Sunday night, appears to have been ambushed. According to the police yesterday, there have been no arrests. The school remains closed again today following another meeting between management and worried parents. O’Toole was shot hours after he met parents on Sunday to talk about social media threats by an expelled student to shoot up the school. The threats were made last week and the student expelled hours later. However, worried parents met the principal and other officials Sunday and it was agreed that security would be beefed up. The alleged threat was reported to the police who were said to be investigating last week. The principal was shot hours after that meeting on Sunday, after he returned from dinner. Police did not immediately confirm that they were seeking the expelled student yesterday, although it was initially reported so. According to the police, O’Toole, 64, the director of School of the Nation, of Lot 1
Director/Principal, School of the Nations, Dr. Brian O’Toole Bel Air Promenade, Prashad Nagar, was shot about 21:45hrs at his home. “Enquiries disclosed that the victim came home, entered his yard and secured his gate. Upon opening the front, the victim was approached by a male who pointed a gun at him and discharged three rounds, two of which hit O’Toole victim on both of his forearms.” Police said that the educator’s wife, Pamela O’Toole, 62, also a director of the school, heard what sounded like gunshots and upon checking she observed blood running down both of
The closed gates of the New Market Street school yesterday.
her husband’s arms. “The victim was rushed to Woodlands Hospital where he is presently receiving treatment. His condition is regarded as stable. No other person was injured.” Yesterday, O’Toole in a statement, said he was still at the hospital, and getting the best possible treatment. “There were three bullets fired at me. I was struck by two of them. One did minor damage on the right arm and the other was more serious on the left where the bone was badly damaged. I am getting (Continued on page 22)
Dr. Brian O’Toole being wheeled in the Woodlands hospital compound Sunday night.
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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The AFC is comfortable being a utensil of the PNCR The Cummingsburg Accord was fatally flawed. It was an agreement which was mainly intended to remove the PPPC from office and not one intended to promoted consensus within government. The APNU, using the 2011 elections as a benchmark, knew that it could not by itself win the presidency. Under Guyana’s elections laws, the party or grouping with the plurality wins the presidency. At the 2011 general elections, the PPPC secured 48.6% of the total votes cast; the APNU 40.81% of the votes at the 2011 elections; and the AFC 10.23%. Though a minority in the National Assembly, the PPPC won the presidency. The APNU needed the AFC to boot the presidency away from the PPPC. Without the AFC, the APNU would have continued on the opposition benches. The two groupings, the APNU and the AFC, decided to come together to contest the 2015 elections as a coalition. Within the 2011 parliament, the two sides frustrated
and in cases curtailed the PPPC’s ability to govern. The two seized control of critical committees in the National Assembly and even tried to silence a PPP Minister within the Assembly. The decision to form a preelection coalition to contest the 2015 elections came at a late hour, a mere three months before the May 2015 elections. It was a hurried arrangement and its focus was mainly about removing the PPPC from government. The agreement was centered on the division of spoils – how Cabinet, parliamentary seats and ministries were to be split and who would Chair Cabinet. These were intended to give comfort to the AFC supporters so that they would not fear that their party would be marginalized by the larger APNU. The reality for the AFC turned out to be different. The AFC has become a footstool of the APNU. The missing element of the Agreement was how decisions were going to be made. The agreement was silent on how the Executive presidency with its enormous powers would be tamed and how decisions would
be made within Cabinet. Under the Constitution, all executive authority rests with the President. Cabinet is just a deliberative body which is collectively responsible to the National Assembly. The President therefore can use his or her executive. Some persons were reportedly identified for senior appointments within government without prior discussion with the APNU. The portfolios of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Security and the Minister of Natural Resources suffered diminution and there was nothing in the Cummingsburg Accord which could reverse this. And even after the passage of the no-confidence motion there were reports of high-level meetings which excluded the AFC leaders within the Cabinet. The AFC has found itself shacked by Cabinet. AFC Ministers are bound by the principle of collective responsibility within Cabinet. It means that these AFC Ministers – some of whom have railed against the almost identical principle of democratic centralism – have to go along
Dem boys seh ...
Anodda American come to rob Guyana People does always capitalize pun others. People does use nuff taxi during de Christmas season when dem shopping. Of course some of dem does got a big small piece and that is when dem does frighten that dem get rob. Under normal conditions, de taxi does charge a ordinary fee. But when is Christmas all de fares does go up. Taxi drivers does even mek styles. Dem does refuse passenger if dem same passenger don’t pay de new fare. By de time Christmas done all dem taxi drivers smiling because dem pocket full. That is wha happen last Christmas. It gun happen again when is Mash. If de taxi fare is $500 in de normal
season, when is Christmas de fare gone up two times. De driver does get two fuh one. Dem boys use to believe that is only in Guyana this thing does happen. Is when dem see de advertisement bout American Airlines. This plane company got a fare that can carry people to de moon and back and is only to carry people to Miami. When dem boys examine de situation dem realize that Guyana getting that thing that does mek women pregnant. De plane charge this high fare fuh certain people who wukking wid de oil company. Is like a man who get a chance to eat at de best hotel fuh free every day this man gun eat at de hotel. Somebody
paying. De same thing happen when a man buying drinks fuh dem boys. De one who don’t have to pay drinking de most. That is why American Airlines can charge US$4,000 fuh a ticket to Miami. But is only people who wukking wid Exxon got to travel in dem expensive seats. And that is because Guyana got to pay. That alone mekking money fuh de airline. De few tickets done mek a profit fuh de flight. If is only ten Exxon people travel, de plane can carry everybody fuh free and still mek a profit. This is a story that dem boys got to talk about in de coming days. Talk half and watch that air fare.
with decisions of Cabinet. The AFC is outnumbered within Cabinet and therefore has been forced to go along with the majority. The APNU has the majority and therefore has used this to sideline the AFC. The Cummingsburg Accord has not prevented the AFC from being dominated within the government. As such, coalition politics has been lopsided. It is surprising therefore that the AFC would still today be arguing for a retention, rather than a renegotiation of the Cummingsburg Accord. If the AFC was serious about consensus politics it would insist that executive authority should take
account of consensus within Cabinet and that decisions of Cabinet be arrived at only by special majorities. This would allow the AFC a greater say in the running of the country. The AFC is electorally weaker than the PNCR. But without the AFC, the PNCR will be locked out of power. The AFC therefore should not be negotiating from a position of weakness. It should not cheapen the value it brings to the coalition. But that is exactly what it is doing by refusing to call for a major overhaul of the Cummings Accord. The AFC now seems comfortable with the perquisites of power rather than the prin-
ciples which should guide the use of that power. What the AFC has failed to realize is that as far as the PNCR is concerned, the Cummingsburg Accord is dead and buried. The AFC will have to be part of any APNU coalition on PNCR’s terms. It will therefore continue to be reduced to a utensil of the PNCR once the coalition returns to office by whatever means it does so.
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Clifford Reis of Banks DIH and how dictatorship is born During the 2019 annual general meeting of Banks DIH, its CEO, Mr. Clifford Reis told the attendees a sad story. It is sad because it graphically demonstrates how dictatorship is born. From every corner of the globe over centuries, dictatorship consolidated itself because citizens were afraid to speak on the wrong and terribly unjust things the government did to them, their families, their fellow citizens, national institutions and the country as a whole. As I write, there is one country on Planet Earth whose citizens aren’t going to let dictatorship blossom. It is France. Already weeks of huge demonstrations have resulted in the French president reversing many unpopular policies. The United States isn’t going to become a dictatorship even if Trump wins a second term. The people of the US are not going to let Trump do whatever he wants
and whatever his administrators want to do. Tyranny grows and becomes a monster that devours you if you do not speak up. This is the lesson of history that humans just do not want to learn. Reis told his audience that his company’s profits take a dent whenever the National Assembly is in session because the Banks DIH outlets in the vicinity of parliament suffer. He went on to add that the Christmas season is the best time of the year for those outlets but last month it was badly hit by the parliamentary sessions. Why is that so? Because when Parliament meets, six streets are condoned off. The restrictions overflow way into Sussex Street in Albouystown and the Bourda Market area. This is not what I have been told. This is what I have been caught in. This
is what is obvious to anyone going downtown when parliament is meeting. What Reis went on to add is going to shock you if you are a stranger to Guyana and you come from a democratic country. He said repeated attempts to the relevant authorities to have the situation eased were without success. Now here is the part you need to reflect on. Banks DIH is one of the Caribbean’s enduring private companies. In Guyana its managers are well known to the corridors of power. Historically, the company has always been close to the PNC. In fact, this columnist knows that historically, too, the company has always been generous to the PNC during election campaigns. Now if they can ignore a powerful entity like Banks DIH, imagine how contemptuous they are of small business people.
This columnist makes no apologies and will make no apologies for his support of the no-confidence motion (NCM). This columnist makes no apologies for accepting that the NCM was validly tabled and is a legal process. This columnist makes no apologies for wanting to have the power of the PNC and APNU+AFC reduced by a configuration in parliament that prevents majority rule by PPP or APNU+AFC. This columnist makes no apologies in his use of the terminology of clowns and jokers in reference to many of those who rule Guyana. All of the above is premised on my belief that the previous set and now this present group are not fit to govern this nation. I watched on television where the media was camped out for the vote on Brexit in the British Parliament and traffic flowed as normal. Why was that so? Be-
cause the Parliament cannot restrict the vehicular movement of millions of British citizens because parliament is in session. There are ways to provide security yet allow for the flow of traffic. During the reign of the PPP these extensive street cordons did not exist. But the Guyanese people have allowed this government to do what it wants, a government which has many leaders, just as in the previous one that have foreign citizenship. I am typing this article at 3.55 PM, Monday. I live on the Railway Embankment. It is a cemetery at the moment. This is because the CRIC 17 conference is on at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre and all traffic is banned on the Railway Embankment from UG Road to Conversation Tree Road from 7AM to 5PM. This is unprecedented asininity. During the morning hours, you can restrict the traffic but allow free flow un-
Frederick Kissoon til an hour before the conference ends where the traffic ranks can perform their operations. The conference will last for three days. For three days Guyanese drivers cannot use the Railway Embankment from morning to near sundown. And some of the foreign citizens who run our country are allowed to institute this tyranny because we are a nation of sheep. Guyana is a nation of sheep run by a cabal of clowns.
340 applications made by returning Guyanese in Region Seven
Officials from the General Register’s Office and Ministry of Social Protection assisting returning Guyanese Over the past four days, a multi-stakeholder team was deployed to Eteringbang, Cuyuni Mazaruni, Region
Seven to assess a number of undocumented Guyanese returning from Venezuela. The team comprised rep-
resentatives from the General Registrar’s Office, the Ministry of Social Protection, Civil Defence Commission, Immi-
U.S. charges China’s Huawei with bank fraud, stealing trade secrets WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - The United States yesterday charged China’s Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, its chief financial officer and two affiliates with bank and wire fraud to violate sanctions against Iran in a case that has escalated tensions with Beijing. In a 13-count indictment filed in New York, the Justice Department said Huawei misled a global bank and U.S. authorities about its relationship with the subsid-
iaries, Skycom Tech and Huawei Device USA Inc, in order to conduct business in Iran. In a separate case, the Justice Department also accused two Huawei subsidiaries of 10 counts of stealing trade secrets, wire fraud and obstructing justice for allegedly stealing robotic technology from carrier T-Mobile US Inc to test smartphones’ d urability. Those charges were filed in the western district of Washington state.
Huawei did not respond to requests for comments on the charges. T-Mobile had accused Huawei of stealing the technology, called “Tappy,” which mimicked human fingers and was used to test smartphones. Huawei has said that the two companies settled their disputes in 2017. The charges in both cases add to U.S. pressure on Huawei, the world’s biggest telecommunications equipment maker.
Returning Guyanese waiting in line to make their applications for birth registrations gration, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force. Acting Civil Defence Commission Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, in an invited comment, said that a report was sent to the National Coordinating Committee which indicated there were a number of undocumented migrants in the Eteringbang area. “That report caused the establishment of a mobile multi-stakeholder team to assess the situation,” the CDC head stated. The team carried out the assessment at Eteringbang Landing, Arau and its environs. He disclosed that the report initially stated there were 95 Guyanese in need of documentation however, there
were approximately 340 applications made. Craig explained that the majority of these were late applications. A definite timeline was not given for the completion of the registration process as the information would have to be manually verified. Lieutenant Colonel Craig explained, “All the information that was collected would be taken back to Georgetown where they will conduct a verification process...review all the records to ensure the information provided by persons are in the system before birth certificates are provided.” It was however noted that there will be “incremental updates and provision of documentation as they go along.” The outreach also served to assess the number of
people eligible for benefits such as Old Age Pension. A total of seven were identified as being eligible. In addition to the assessment, the Civil Defence Commission distributed a total of 266 sanitary kits to migrants. The items were donated by the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints. Over the past few months, the National Multi-stakeholders Committee headed by the Ministry of Citizenship has been working closely with several organizations, both local and international, to monitor the migrant issue. Guyana has seen an increased number of people crossing the border at Regions One and Seven in an effort to escape the economic and political crisis in neighbouring Venezuela.
Tuesday January 29, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
Guyana's court receives 10 digital recording equipment
T
he Judiciary of G u y a n a y e s t e r d a y received 10 digital court recording units from the Government of Canada and the Judicial Reform and Institution Strengthening (JURIST) Project. J u s t i c e Yo n n e t t e Cummings-Edwards, Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana, explained, “We have started the transitioning to the digital recording of proceedings in our court. And the JURIST Project has donated time and resources to that process. To this end, they have donated 10 recording units to the Supreme Court and we expect some 35 more to come.” She added that training
began last No v e m b e r. “During that period we encountered minor teething issues which were rectified.” During her remarks, at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana, Justice CummingsEdwards thanked the stakeholders for the recording equipment, highlighting that this will make the works of the courts more efficient and less timeconsuming. The Chancellor said, “We have to advance and embrace change. This equipment will transform the judicial system in Guyana.” She said it is her hope that all courts will soon be outfitted with such equipment. High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Lilian
Project Director of Jurist Project Gloria Richards-Johnson and Canada's High Commissioner to Guyana Lilian Chatterjee handing over a plaque to Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings – Edwards. Also, in the photo CEO of Collins Ijoma and Associates, Collins Ijoma Chatterjee, said that Canada is proud to partner with the JURIST Project to aid Guyana's Judicial system. She echoed the Chancellor's words noting that the support system in place now, will lead to more efficiency in the courts. Chatterjee also pointed
out that the units will assist in cases being resolved in a timely manner which will, in turn, improve public confidence in the justice system. Project Director of Jurist Project, Gloria RichardJohnson explained that the JURIST Project is a regional
judicial reform initiative funded by the Government of Canada. She noted that the ultimate goal of the project is to establish a judicial system that is more responsive to the needs of women, men, youth and the poor. The JURIST Project
commenced on April 1, 2014, and is working with judiciaries in the Caribbean region to support their own efforts to improve court administration and strengthen the ability of the courts and the judiciary to resolve cases efficiently and fairly. (DPI)
Accused in murder of Meten-Meer-Zorg shop keeper was convicted for armed robbery - prison official tells jury
A
llan Dorsett, called 'Baird', the number one accused in the murder of Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara shopkeeper Zulfiker Namdar, was previously convicted for robbery-under-arms, says a prison official. The official was testifying, yesterday, in the trial of Dorsett and six others accused of committing the murder on September 10, 2013 in the county of Demerara. The other accused are Delwayne Croft; Esan Lawrence called 'Muscle'; Jermain Williams called 'Yankee'; Andrew Chandler called 'Sonic' or 'Sowie'; Samuel Bacchus called 'Kirk' and Casindra Dorsett also known as 'Cassandra Singh-Dorsett', the wife of Allan. They have all denied the charge before Justice Navindra Singh. Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Ashley Henry are appearing for Allan Dorsett. Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson is appearing for Lawrence, Croft and Casindra Dorsett, while Attorney-at-Law George Thomas is representing Williams, Chandler and Bacchus.
MURDERED: Zulfiker Namdar Presenting the case for the prosecution are State Counsel Tuanna Harding, State Counsel Abigail Gibbs and State Counsel Teriq Mohamed. According to previous reports, Namdar was shot and killed after heavily armed gunmen intruded his Lot 76 Meten-MeerZorg, West Coast Demerara home where he resided with his parents. The gunmen shot at Namdar while he was in the shop he operated, leaving him lying in a pool of blood, before escaping with a large sum of cash and a quantity of jewellery. Namdar was
rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead. When the trial continued yesterday at the High Court in Georgetown, the prison official testified that Allan Dorsett was previously convicted for robberyunder-arms and was sentenced to 36 months' imprisonment. The trial continues tomorrow when the defence counsel and prosecution are scheduled to present closing arguments. Last week, one of the prosecution's star witnesses, Nick Skeete, who said that he is a cousin of Allan Dorsett, told the court that he resided about 200 yards from the Namdars. Skeete, who was deported to Guyana in 2012, fingered the seven accused in the robbery/murder. He, too, was arrested by police as a suspect in the murder, but was later released. According to the witness, he is in protective custody. The court heard from Skeete that he came to know Bacchus, Lawrence and Croft through his cousin. He added that Chandler was a childhood friend of the Namdars. Further, he told the jurors that on the evening of
September 3, 2013, the male murder accused bought marijuana from him and smoked it under a tree, from where he overheard them planning to rob the Namdars. According to him, on the night of September 10, 2013, he saw Croft, who sported dreadlocks holding a long gun, while the others had smaller firearm. He said that five minutes after the men left his residence he heard gunshots and later learnt that Namdar was killed. Disclosing that he was arrested six days later in relation to the crime, Skeete said that police held confrontations between him, Croft, Dorsett and Chandler, who all denied involvement in the robbery/murder. After giving his evidence in chief, Skeete faced intense cross examination from lawyers for the murder accused. The lawyers suggested to him that he had fabricated the story of overhearing the men planning to rob the Namdars. However, Skeete denied the suggestions, but admitted that he had inquired from one of the Namdars' workers if his boss had money in the house. Furthermore, Skeete denied a suggestion put to him by
one of the lawyers that police did not charge him after he provided information on the whereabouts of the murder accused. In many instances, it was put to Skeete by the lawyers that he was lying. But the witness maintained that he was telling the truth, even as the lawyers pointed to several inconsistencies in his police statement, deposition from the preliminary inquiry, and at the trial. Earlier this week, one of the prosecution's witnesses testified that Cassandra Dorsett provided her coaccused with head ties to cover their faces. Previously, the parents of the deceased were among the witnesses called by the prosecution. During her time in the witness box, Namdar's mother emotionally recounted that he was her
only child. The mother recounted how gunmen stormed her home and gun-butted her, before she found her son lying in a pool of blood inside the shop. As for the father of the deceased, he told the court that on the night of the attack he went to use the bathroom after which he heard loud gunshots coming from outside. Further, the father told the court how he hid in a bedroom from where he heard one of the gunmen conversing with his wife. Both of them testified that they could not recognize any of the men who invaded their home, since their faces were covered. In court, both parents pointed out C h a n d l e r, w h o m t h e y testified to knowing for decades.
Postmortem inconclusive
P
lease be informed that the post mortem examination of Vanica Schultz done on Monday, by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, is inconclusive. The cause of death is undetermined. Body contents, blood and urine samples were extracted to be tested and analyzed. The body has been handed over to relatives for burial.
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Kaieteur News
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First Lady launches ICT training programme at LEN
F
irst Lady Sandra Granger yesterday launched the Linden Information Communication Technology Training for youths at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) Resource Centre. The programme is being hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and is specifically geared to equip youths with ICT Skills. Apart from the ICT content participants will also be exposed to Literacy and Numeracy skills, sexual and reproductive Health, micro Enterprise and Stem Robotics. The First Lady spoke of the importance of acquiring ICT skills as it is a prerequisite to finding a job in a technologically driven world. "We keep going after ICT because this is where the jobs lie.” It is estimated that ninety percent of women's jobs will be done by robots. That is why I'm all fired up about ICT." The 40 participants were reminded by the First Lady, that the world revolves
Participants at the ICT launch
around ICT. She exhorted them to acquire such skills to increase their marketability. The First Lady said that she has been pushing for similar programmes across Guyana. “The young people of Guyana are a major part of our population and so it is a fact that you are the ones that have to take us forward. Ensure that you are equipped!” she emphasized.
She expressed optimism that the participants will enjoy the programme which is broad-based. Regional Chairman Rennis, Morian, in addressing the youths posited, "This journey doesn't start today; it started when the coalition Government took office!" Referencing a biblical verse, Morian said that the birthing of a new nation is
built on young people. He added that going forward in building the nation, much emphasis would be placed on the young people, who are the future leaders of Guyana. "Just don't see this as a one off, or that we're teaching you ICT, but the whole business is to ready y o u r m i n d f o r developmental work, programmes and jobs that
would be coming your way." Morian challenged the coordinator of the programme, to prepare and submit proposals to both the RDC and Mayor and Town Council, to have their files digitized, as most of the records pertaining to the Region, are only available in hardy copy. He added that a lot of those files were destroyed in the Christianburg Court
House Fire and when the Linmine Secretariat was burnt in 2012. The overview of the programme was given by Chief facilitator Fitzroy Young who thanked the First Lady for the ICT initiative which was made available to the most vulnerable group...youths. Quoting the First Lady, Young said, that ICT fosters (continued on page 18)
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
Lotto company launches sports betting product
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he Guyana Lottery Company is about to launch its sports betting product called Let's Bet Sports. The product will be launched on Friday, February 1, 2019. “Over 200 of our authorized agents countrywide will sell prematch tickets for a number of games- Basketball, Football, Baseball, Cricket, Tennis to name a few and in addition 50 agents will sell virtual gaming,” the Guyana Lottery
Company said yesterday. The Guyana Lottery Company has been in operation for over 22 years and the official lottery company of Guyana. “Our gaming product portfolio of Lottery & Instant ticket games has been extended to Video Lottery Terminals (VLT's) under the brand known as BLAST and our Sports Betting product, Let's Bet Sports, completes the needs of our players.” The company said that it has paid millions of dollars in
prizes, contributed millions of dollars more in sponsorships and donations, has continued to extend its reach to outlying areas and has launched one of a kind promotion. “Our integrity and commitment to Guyana speaks for itself and we are proud to stand by our motto of “Every Ticket You Buy Benefits Our Country”. To date this has totaled over $7B towards social projects as well as youths, sports and culture.”
Appeal court to commence hearing arguments from manslaughter convict
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he Court of Appeal has fixed March 15 to commence hearing arguments from Andrew Albert who was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in jail for manslaughter in 2015. Initially, Albert was charged with the August 13, 2010 murder of Nandlall Bhopat, a fisherman. The incident took place at a culvert corner at De Groot, U i t v l u g t , We s t C o a s t Demerara. It was reported that Albert stabbed Bhopat during an argument over a bicycle. An autopsy revealed the
cause of death to be perforation of the spleen and blood vessels due to 14 incised stab wounds. However, after a trial, the jury convicted Albert of the lesser offence, manslaughter. Being dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence, Albert, through his Attorneyat-Law George Thomas, is appealing the decision of the High Court. The sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown. Albert had denied stabbing Bhopat and had told the jurors that he acted in self defence.
The convict does not become eligible for parole until after serving 15 years.
Andrew Albert
Tuesday January 29, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 29, 2019
Woman accused of killing 73-year-old lover - DPP assigns Special Prosecutor to handle case
Dead: Deonarine
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S p e c i a l Prosecutor has been assigned to prosecute the case involving a woman who is charged with the unlawful killing of her 73-year-old lover. This is the latest action taken by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) who recommended that the woman be charged with manslaughter. Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva will prosecute the case. This move to assign a Special Prosecutor instead of a Police Prosecutor comes after relatives of the deceased complained about several alleged discrepancies involving the manner in which the case was being handled by the police. Radha Sukwah, of 363 Charity Housing Scheme, is currently out on $400,000 bail after being charged with manslaughter. It is alleged that on
Charged: Radha Sukwah August 3, 2018 at Grant Maria's Delight, Lower Pomeroon River, she killed Deonarine, also known as 'Russian'. The Preliminary Inquiry (Pl) into the matter is expected to commence on March 5, before Magistrate Esther Sam in the Charity Magistrate's Courts. It was reported that Deonarine was shot by a 'masked man' with a 'long gun' after answering a call at his front door. However, a police release stated that Sukwah had grabbed a knife that the intruder had, and also held onto his gun. But police said that the woman later told investigators that Deonarine was accidently shot during an argument. It was alleged that Deonarine sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach when the victim and his wife struggled over a shotgun he had picked up.
First Lady launches ICT training ... From page 15 poverty elimination, as it is the new frontier for change. "To this end the immense
potential of ICT can never be overemphasized." The objective of the programme is to empower not only young adults, but also the unskilled and vulnerable groups in the community, Young said. The initiative was applauded by Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood, who delivered the vote of thanks. She also exhorted the youths to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
Aishalton women now producing soap The Aishalton group with Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe
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h e Wo m e n ' s Association of Aishalton Vi l l a g e , D e e p S o u t h Rupununi, Region Nine are now producing soap, using organic materials presently available in their village. Accompanying Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Va l e r i e G a r r i d o -L o w e during a recent Ministerial Outreach to the Region, was Mr. Owen DeSouza, of DeSouza Estate Establishment in Linden. He imparted his knowledge to the women folk there. They were taught the process of producing a variety of Soaps using their h o m e g r o wn f r u i t s, vegetables, legumes,
lemons, coconuts and other materials. Immacaulata Casimero, Chairperson of the Aishalton Women's Association, said the women are elated to have shared in this experience since they were empowered to becoming independent and potentially an outstanding soap producer. “Having so much raw materials in my village, there's so much that can be done with it because we have never learnt. Minister is here a n d s h e b r o u g h t M r. DeSouza. That is something that is good and a great initiative that we can start in our community where we can have women having an income for their own selves. “I am looking forward to
try it on my own with my women's group and we can start and see how we can make soap,” Casimero assured. Owen DeSouza, who hosted a one-day session, said he was pleased with the overwhelming response from the women and the general village population who turned out in their numbers to take on this challenge and share in the experience. “Aishalton has so much raw materials. It's amazing that the people are so rich in raw materials and the soil is so fertile they have so much fruits and food on the whole. I would like to give back to the community by teaching them to make soaps and other products.
“They have lemon and that is a big product and I already taught them to make lemon oil and lemon soap,” DeSouza said. Speaking of opportunities available, DeSouza noted that “Aishalton is a promising place with potential and it only needs the people to exploit their resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood”. He was also pleasantly surprised by the women who experimented with their own creation and were able to present mango soaps to him a day following their session. DeSouza thanked Minister Garrido-Lowe for making his visit possible, and for her unwavering
commitment to indigenous peoples' development, especially women, children and youth. DeSouza's Establishment produces several “Sensational Skin Care Oils” and Creams using organic materials such as fruits, vegetables, coconut among others. Minister Garrido-Lowe said she was pleased to be able to create avenues for economic empowerment of the women folk who will in turn be able to provide for their families and bring the good life promised by the caring David Granger led coalition Government. “This is what this Government is doing for you, sharing knowledge with you so that you in turn can
use your knowledge to uplift your standard of living, which means you can make money out of the knowledge that you have gained”. Similar exercises are planned for other villages in the respective regions. Just the week before, several youth from Mora, a satellite village of Santa Rosa, benefitted from training in leather work through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs HEYS Department. They learned to make shoulder bags, purses, wallets and male pouches. They plan to have their first sale on Republic Day at the Kumaka Waterfront where Market Day is held every Saturday.
HEYS programme helping to boost economic standing of families
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reated with a vision to increase employment among youths, the Hinterland Employment Youth Service programme [HEYS], has been proving to be a crucial driver of the economy. This notion was amplified recently by long standing educator and District Education Officer, Lesmel Thomas, when he addressed a gathering of youths in Region Ten who make up the first and second cohort of the programme there. Thomas in his deliberations to the youths shared his belief that youths throughout Guyana should maximise the opportunities available through the HEYS programme. The programme, he advised, provides the ideal opportunities to enhance and further develop their entrepreneurial skills.
He told the youths, too, that the programme should not be seen as political, stressing that irrespective of which Government is in office the imprints of HEYS will continue. According to Thomas, the programme was designed with the youths in mind and as such it will continue as it is, solely intended for the youths. “I have been working with young people for most of my life and I can tell you that the youths are wonderful, they are a great set of people but unfortunately society sees the youths differently, because they do not understand the youths... I am blessed with that knowledge and today I am happy that I can share some of that,” he said. HEYS is a good programme which, Thomas said, has the potential of propelling the development
of the economy through the establishment of several businesses. He said that the programme which is a financial one is also contributing to the strengthening of families. “HEYS is making better mothers, because we are learning that some of the young mothers are using the same HEYS booklet to teach their children reading, phonics, countenance, problem solving and what have you,” Thomas told the participants. He urged them to emulate such behaviours if they haven't yet started. He pointed out that while the programme is packed with predominantly females, several men who are unemployed are now being employed by their spouses. This, he said, is helping to boost the economic standings of several families and by extension serves to aid economic growth.
Longstanding educator, Lesmel Thomas “We have found that many men are now accepting the challenge as instead of being home doing nothing they can utilise their skills or labour and earn as well,” he said. He noted that the mining industry provides one of the greatest challenges to the programme in terms of attracting more men because of the large amount of money consistently earned through the HEYS programme provides them with stability. “Many young men are not interested in HEYS as
they claim that they can earn the $30,000 monthly stipend within two or three days. However many are beginning to find out that mining is not stability because there are times when you earn nothing, but with HEYS you are guaranteed the $30,000 each month and that is a big plus,” he said. Thomas warned that the culture of gaining fast money is not always the best approach as in many cases it brings no positive benefits. He noted that while the programme may be seen as being “slow” by some people, he is pleased generally with the overall response of others. Thomas confessed that like any initiative there are some evident challenges, noting that in due time several of these challenges would be eradicated. Among some of the major challenges are transportation to some outlying areas, stressing that entrepreneurs are tasked with significantly high transportation costs in
transporting their goods and other supplies. He added that some persons have even been forced out of business because they are unable to cope with the exceptionally high transportation cost. He, however, noted that some persons owing to their ability and skills in managing effectively are rising above the challenges. “There are some who are able to be on top of the situation because they can manage effectively,” he said. As he reminded the youths that the programme has numerous benefits, Thomas reminded them that the opportunities being made available should be utilised. “HEYS is making a big impact on communities as what you learn will not only transform your community but the whole country. Don't see HEYS as a business for yourself but for your country and you will be a better person for your children and grandchildren,” Thomas asserted.
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
Kaieteur News
School of Nations... FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. House plan drafting from $13,000. Sean #667-2189
1 Shop assistant to work in the interior. Experience would be an asset. #669-3162
Rottweiler & Mastiff pups for sale, 8 weeks old #6986796
Bottom flat 2 bedroom apartment to rent situated at lot 229 Section A Block X Diamond Housing Scheme. Contact 696-6463/673-6222
Urgently need dry Corilla Bush.Any amount from 1lb to 1000lbs. #609-8281
1 foreign used komatsu excavator for sale, 2010, 3,103 hrs. Serious enquiries only. Call/Whatsapp #6778104
Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290
FOR SALE Copra meal. Call 223-5273/74
Iphone case with screen protector & free cable $3000, 3000 watt fusion inverter $25,000 #621-9604
One bedroom apartment, Middle Rd La Penitence $40,000 monthly. Contact #666-9534 Preferable Bachelor
Andriod Tv boxes fully loaded over 1000 channels plus on demand movies & Tv shows $14000 #621-9604
3 Bedroom upstairs, fully grilled, master bedroom, fenced concrete yard, parking space in Tuschen. Contact# 692-5525, 266-3973
Forklift for sale $3M Contact#661-7777/660-3698
For hire. Canter truck service. 676-0455 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600
Newly constructed 2 bedroom apt in a safe and healthy environment. Call# 698-6496, 622-6512 1 bedroom apt for working couple/single person $35,000 monthly. Light and Water included. Lodge. Call: 6230076
Toyota Rav 4 L: 4x4, alarm system, music system, AC. $1.180,000. Tel#612-3365
ACCOMMODATION TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
HEALTH HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924 TO LET House to rent. 76 Kuru Kuru road side. #227-1042/6918420
Contract cars at City Taxi Service 8 Vlissengen Rd. Tel: 226-7150 One female domestic worker to work in Trinidad. Age 2535. Contact 1868-386-5302 Factory workers male & female. Apply in person to: R.P’s Enterprise Area ‘K’ Le Resouvenir E.C.D. 220-2818 or 3710 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Office clerk, Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset. Call: 223-7500 Relief guard 2 days a week. Handyman. Must have a bicycle and cellphone. 2275536/ 223-0504 TM & Model M truck drivers for interior. Call 223-5273/4
Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501
FIRST AID/CPR COURSE. ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE to commence later in January, 2019. TEL: 225-9082
Air condition room $3000 per day fully furnished apts $5000 & $6000 per day. 223-0994/678-5827
Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Live in shop assistant and attractive experienced waitress. Must have secondary education. Salary $20,000 wkly. 610-3974
1 Toyota Raum in good condition. Price negotiable. Contact: 615-1762
EDUCATION
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Reliable Rentals: Top quality cars, SUV’s at very low rates. Call: 227-2322/601-2622
LEARN TO DRIVE
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
Wanted experience hire car taxi drivers at Ramada Princess Hotel (Providence) Tel: 616-5419, 265-7074 1-Male able-bodied clerk. Contact #231-2029/616-5954 1 sales girl, 1 truck driver. Call: 223-9677 1 Holler truck driver, over 1 year experience. #225-8645/ 223-5180/671-0245 PEN PAL Guyanese/Canadian male seeking female career oriented 24-28 in marriage. Tel# 664-1966
VACANCY Cooks, Handyboys, Roti/Puri makers, Apply at Shanta’s 225 Camp St Salon for rental. Hair & nail stations available. New market street. 638-1106. Massage room available Earn up to $5000 daily selling hotdogs. Food handlers needed. Contact Sean #6672189
From page 8 better and will likely be in the hospital for a few days.” O’Toole said that the management is in the process of reflecting again on the security at Nations. ”We thank you most sincerely for so many people coming at short notice and for coming in such a companionate manner.” The New Market Street school has implemented a number of security measures, which it says it will be testing.
Experienced salesman 40-45 yrs with driver license. Must know to write bills/calculate. Keyyfood McDoom Village. General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank. #614-4358 Vacancy exists for experienced Pharmacy assistants to work @ reputable pharmacy in G/ town. Call: 628-8811 between 8am-6pm Natural Beauty Salon & Spa needs an experienced hair dresser & professional make-up artist. Contact#6525800 1 Cashier needed. #223-7165 Camp Manager for the Interior #223-7165 Vacancy for Delivery Clerk. Apply at 65 Robb Street, Bourda One puri and roti maker. Apply with written application to Beacon Cafe. For more information call 225-9409 Cashier (Shift 7am-3pm & 3pm-11pm) Submit Application to: Shell Service Station Providence EBD or Email:Shellramsburg@gmail.com Vacancy for one shop attendant #618-3575/691-7123 Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 6008457/683-8765 One security guard. Apply to the Manager, Herdmanston Lodge, Lamaha & Peter Rose St
35 year old male, looking for a female companion. Tel# 6723445
Driver/Salesman. Cook - Age 30-45. Submit application to Survival Supermarket. 16 Vlissengen Rd. & Duncan Street, Newtown
Guyanese male seeking female partner to be in a relationship. Call# 638-9806
Cook and waitress needed to work in a bar. Contact# +592 676-7884
VACANCY One Tutor/Nanny to teach 3 year old boy from 9:50pm. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Immediate vacancy exists for male operators to work shift @ Del Ice Co. Training Provided. Call 231-1408/ 6428181 Chef, assistant cook and night supervisor. Call us on 2257933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street. Male factory worker needed. Must have police clearance. For more info call: 223-0090 Opening soon - Restaurant @ Parika E.B.E. Looking for Indian & Chinese cook & waitress. Contact# 650-0402, 260-4124, 260-4018 PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Port Mourant chicken outlet robbed for the fifth time in three months For the second time this year, and the fifth time in three months, owner of the Gabbar Chicken Outlet at Lot 13 Clifton Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was once again robbed. Doodnauth “Gabbar” Tekarpersaud, 54, who has become frustrated with the constant robberies, told reporters that due to the situation, he has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars on security systems. He said that he lives in his home with two female relatives who also work with him at his chicken business located at the front of the building on the said lot. He said that they all retired to bed around 22:30 hrs Saturday night but a few hours later one of the female relatives awoke and informed them that something or someone was walking on the zinc shed attached the house. “I hear one of dem girls like dem seh that something walking on the zinc. Then the other sister call out and seh ‘Uncle Gabbar somebody walking on the zinc’. Me open one of the windows in the hall and me watch at the back and me na see nobody but I still hearing the zinc on the eastern side. I noticed that they start pulling the window and I tell dem put on the room light. “I got my cutlass and start broadside the cutlass. I tried to go in back the room now with the cutlass and dem a brace the door and me ah tell dem gyal “gimme me gun, gimme me gun,” he said. According to the poultry businessman, he decided to open the main door to the house and himself along with the two relatives stepped out on the verandah and locked the doors with the men inside. However, the men jumped out back through the window and on the shed. He said he ran down the step with his
The robbed Port Mourant chicken farm
Doodnauth “Gabbar” Tekarpersaud cutlass in hand and at that moment when the men jumped down from the zinc shed he recognized one of them. “Me recognize one ah dem and me she, “Prem, again you come in meh effin yard and he tell the other bandit to shoot me,” By that time “Gabbar” ran back towards the step and ventured up back into the house. According to him, the men escaped after he went back upstairs with his relatives and opined that the well lit yard may have warded them off. Tekarpersaud suggested that the robbery may have stemmed from an issue involving the said “Prem” and the co-op society they are associated with. He added that it is not the first time. “The same Prem pelt down my house in November last year and the police dem lock he up but there is no case made out against him to date. The man is a relative of this man that formed this new coop here and they have lease to the land but myself and some old members of the old
co-op had filed a case in the courts to oppose the lease,” Takerpersaud explained. Kaieteur News understands that the police arrived approximately half an hour after the incident took place but two persons have since been taken into custody for questioning. The businessman revealed that the men allegedly escaped with over $300,000, a gold chain, a gold ring, five gold bangles and two cellular phones. Eighteen chickens were also bagged off but the perpetrators while trying to escape, left the bag of chickens behind. Tekarpersaud was also robbed a few weeks ago. However no-one was arrested and charged for that incident. He noted that he was robbed three other times late last year as well.
Charge read to TB victim in court lockup Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus left her Chambers at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, yesterday, to go down to the courts lockups and read a charge of simple larceny to a Tuberculosis victim. The charge was read to Gary Kanhai, an unemployed man from Lot 254 Thomas Street, Cummingsburg. The 41-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that
on January 24, last at Lamaha Street, Georgetown he stole two Samsung tablets valued at $65,000 and other articles all to the total value of $154, 727. Police prosecutor Adduni Inniss had no objections to bail being granted to the defendant, so Kanhai was released on bail of $75,000. Before the accused was led back to the holding cell he was instructed to return to court on February 11, 2019.
Gary Khanhi
Diamond man nabbed at Stabroek Market with counterfeit $5,000 bills The seized $5,000 bills
A Diamond man is due in court after he was n a b b e d with counterfeit $5,000 bills. According to the police, an intelligence-led operation last Saturday resulted in the apprehension of Alston Pires, 23, of Lot 16 Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. He was detained at the Stabroek Market with a quantity of counterfeit Guyana $5000 currency, the police said yesterday. Pires has since been charged and will be arraigned before a magistrate today at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Also on Saturday last about 21:15hrs police ranks conducting a mobile patrol in Charlestown, Georgetown, arrested
This seized pistol has landed an Independence Boulevard man before the courts. Akelo Nurse, 18, of lot 273 Independence Boulevard with an unlicensed pistol
with no rounds. He too has been charged and is due for court today.
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Kaieteur News
Guyana opens CRIC ‘17… now equipped to welcome global community Guyana opened the first day of the CRIC 17 conference yesterday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The Seventeenth Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation (CRIC) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) saw over 400 delegates from all across the world attend the first session of the inaugural CRIC to be held in the Anglophone Caribbean. A major issue for the 197 parties to the UNCCD is the link between desertification, land degradation and climate change. According to UNCCD, CRIC 17 will review the first global assessment of land degradation based on Earth observation data reported by governments. The assessment, which was conducted by reporting countries using a harmonized approach, shows the trends in land degradation between 2000 and 2015, based on data provided by 145 of the 197 countries that are party to the convention. That assessment will provide a baseline for assessing progress in the reduction of land degradation globally, going forward. It will also contribute to individual efforts to achieve land degradation
neutrality, which is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will continue to involve plenaries and deliberations on the process of combating desertification and land degradation, until its end, tomorrow. The conference will set the tone for the Conference of Parties (COP 14) to be held in India, later this year. The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the national focal point for the UNCCD and the National Planning Committee for their planning of the conference, is working along with the support of the government of China and CARICOM. In his opening address to the participants, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said that the land represents a link between people and the environment and that it “connects economic, social, cultural and geographic spheres.” He told the gathering of the various measures Guyana has been taking to ensure that it sustainable manages its land resource, for the best interests of its people and the environment. Harmon noted that Guyana recently ascended to the position of Vice President
17th CRIC of the UNCCD
of the Conference of Parties, and that Guyana aspires to be “a success story,” as well as an example for other countries in its sustainable land management efforts. Harmon, in a press conference held during the con-
vention, said that Guyana is learning a lot from the conference and that it is now in a position to continue utilizing the international best practices it has adopted from its international partners, with regards to hosting interna-
tional conventions of this magnitude. “For Guyana, this is the second largest conference we hosted, since 1972, when we hosted the foreign ministers of the Non Aligned Movement. Since then, we have learned quite a few
things. Hosting the CRIC 17 has provided us with the opportunity to ensure that our conferencing facilities are upgraded. We are extremely pleased to be hosting this conference.”
Lawyers, investigators exposed to further training to tackle financial crimes State Prosecutors and investigators have been exposed to further training to help sharpen their skills in tackling money laundering and other types of financial crimes. The two-day training held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, last week, was facilitated by a team of legal experts from the United States and the Eastern Caribbean. The seminar was designed to promote best practices in the successful investigation and prosecution of the money laundering cases among personnel from the Guyana Police Force, (GPF), the office of the Director of Public Prosecutor’s (DPP), Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Financial Intelligence
Unit (FIU), State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and the attorneys from Attorney General’s chambers. DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack noted that the training is useful particularly to help strengthen Guyana’s investigative capabilities in tackling money laundering crimes. The DPP noted that not many money laundering cases actually reach the level of the court. “That‘s why there is the need for strengthening investigative skills. I can only recall a few years ago one case which I prosecuted. The cases being brought are quite minimal.” Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC,
noted that the training exercise is crucial because money laundering threatens a country’s economic integrity. “It is an honour to open this workshop as it is an opportunity to bring together investigators and prosecutors and other relevant persons so that we could enhance our capacity to investigate and prosecute money laundering,” AG Williams said. “Once money laundering is allowed to run rampant the end result leads to the erosion of the integrity of our financial institutions, development policies and the morale.” Meanwhile, participants of the workshop were given
valuable insight into the criminal enterprise that cloak illegal proceeds through financial transactions, and purchase of assets to convey legitimacy. The programme also shed light on the best approaches to asset forfeiture including managing and disposing of assets through criminal and or civil proceedings. The seminar’s faculty which comprised of highly experienced Prosecutors , Investigators and legal analysts who through lectures and case studies, demonstrated effective strategies and techniques for investigating and prosecuting simple and complex schemes carried out by
criminals enterprises. The team of experts demonstrated, further, the need for collaboration between law enforcement agencies , prosecution offices and financial institutions while providing a comprehensive overview of legal frameworks utilize in the unraveling webs of criminal activities that are a national and transnational in nature. The workshop also featured a special interactive programme conducted in a peer to peer learning environment. To a c h i e v e t h e programme‘s goals, the experts utilised reading materials, plenary lecture, small working groups and
actual case scenarios. Participants were given first hand opportunity to apply apprioparate Guyanese laws to factual scenarios. The team assisted too in identifying gaps in legs; framework or operational mechanisms that enhance cooperation between the respective organization. Upon conclusion the programme, facilitators hoped that the State Prosecutors and Investigators would be further equipped with the skills and practical experience that is needed to enhance capacity to conduct effective and efficient investigation and prosecution of money laundering cases .
Banks DIH, E’bo racks up 68.7% increase in profits under new management The year 2018 was another year of tremendous progress for Banks DIH, Essequibo Branch. The company recorded an increase of 68.7% in profits for the commercial year. This announcement was made on Thursday by the company’s chairman, Clifford Reis, who was delivering at the Company’s 63rd Annual General Meeting at the company’s Airy Hall Branch, Essequibo Coast. According to Reis, during the financial year 2018 the Company’s Essequibo Branch accumulated total sales of $1.5 billion as compared to $1.3 billion in the previous year [2017]. This, the chairman said, indicates an increase in sales by $175 M. Commenting on the profits in the previous year, Reis added, “We made $18 million profit for 2017, however, we made $30.4 million profit in 2018. We also sold 842,000 units in 2017. Last year we sold 952,000 units.” Reis also announced last Sunday afternoon that the manager of the Airy Hall Branch, Premaul Ritney, has won the chairman’s award this year. Ritney who is considered the ‘new kid on the block,’ assumed duties just last year after former branch manager, Gavin Jodham.
“Share holders at the Annual General Meeting on Last Sunday at Airy Hall, Essequibo Coast.
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By 2050, China may dominate Guyana’s oil sector – CSIS By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Evan Ellis has predicted that within 30 years, China will be a force to reckon with in Guyana’s Oil and Gas sector. This, he said, is likely to be the same in other jurisdictions in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ellis is a senior associate (non-resident) w i t h t h e Americas Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. He is a research professor of Latin American studies. Last year November, he published a paper titled “The Future of Latin America and the Caribbean in the Context of the Rise of China.” The paper examines China’s “strategy” in Latin America and the Caribbean. It points out what the superpower has already achieved and what it is likely to achieve within 30 years based on its current trajectory. While examining the implications of China’s “greatly expanded position” as banker, employer, and military and political partner in Latin America and the Caribbean, Ellis considered some of the possible dynamics by sector. He looked at agriculture, fishing, mining, construction and logistics, manufacturing and retail, finance and banking, electricity infrastructure, telecommunication infrastructure and petroleum. Guyana was mentioned in the professor’s examination of China’s interest in Petroleum as well as construction and logistics. Ellis said that even as
the United States increases natural gas exports to Asia through the People’s Republic of China (PRC)dominated Panama and (new) Nicaraguan canals, PRC-based “petroleum companies are likely to have significantly expanded their positions throughout the region, with major production operations in Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, and Guyana (offshore), as well as Ecuador, Uruguay (offshore), Bolivia (gas), and Peru.” Already, China has a stake in Guyana’s oil industry. All of the major discoveries of high quality oil that have been made in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. That block is controlled by ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC Nexen. CNOOC is owned by China. Ellis said that by 2050, Chinese companies such as CNPC, Sinopec, and CNOOC will have substantially increased their technical capabilities (in conjunction with advances in the industry in general), in part through the acquisition of multiple smaller
companies with claims in Latin America and a number of major commercial petroleum companies already operating widely in the region, including global giants whose acquisition by Chinese counterparts is currently unthinkable, such as ExxonMobil, and Chevron. Ellis said that in the process of such acquisitions, the Chinese petroleum companies will have absorbed the technical and other capabilities of those it has acquired. The acquisition of the technical and “other capabilities” to which Ellis referred means that China will no longer have the need to partner with other companies as is the case now with its partnership with ExxonMobil. Ellis said that by 2050, the PRC’s “world-class petroleum engineering and other services companies will dominate the region, leveraging contracts to the larger Chinese National Oil Companies to expand their position; and, perhaps buying or beating out rivals such as Schlumberger and Halliburton, to the point that
it will be difficult for surviving national oil companies in the region such as Pemex, Petrobras, Petroecuador, and Ecopetrol (among others) to function unless they partner with Chinese firms, receive investment funds from Chinese banks, and employ PRC-based petroleum service companies.” Ellis said that it is likely that Chinese companies will emerge with substantial con-
trol over Venezuela— Guyana’s neighbour—44 oilfields, and that by 2050, “the PRC’s long game in Venezuela will have paid off through a strong position in a functional government dependent on the PRC.” Ellis said too that as already seen in Ecuador and elsewhere, “The Chinese style of managing its petroleum operations—cutting
corners regarding salaries, employee and community benefits, and work conditions—will obligate Latin American governments to repress protests in the service of Chinese oil and petroleum service companies. “These companies will control important parts of petroleum exports, jobs, and access to credit for the countries of the region tied to oil production.”
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson National 2017/2018 Playoffs... From page 33 changes; halftime substitutions would not count towards team’s allotment. In the qualifying phase, no player must play less than 20 accumulated minutes over the course of the two first round games. Should any player fail to achieve the minimum accumulated minutes, the defaulting team will be severely penalized by the coordinating body. The respective champions clubs would be required to wear the uniforms that were presented to them as part of the winner’s package. Trophies would be presented to the top four teams of this historic championship. OVERVIEW The Guyana Footbal Fed-
eration (GFF), in collaboration with the Pele Almni, will host the GFF-Pele Alumni “Frank Watson” National U15 InterAssociation Club Tournament over the period 2nd - 16th February, 2018. PARTICIPANTS The nine (9) Regional Member Assocation (RMA) champions along with a team from Region 1 will be participating in the Tournament. These are, namely: Corriverton Lynx FC (BFA), BV/Triumph United FC (EDFA), Santos FC (GFA), Timehri Panthers FC (EBDFA), FC Eagles (WDFA), Milerock FC (UDFA), Dartmouth Dominators FC (EC/PFA), Rising Stars FC (Bar. FA), Atkinson Brothers FC (Region 1), and Tabatinga
FC (RFA). STRUCTURE Clubs / teams will be divided into three (3) clusters (as indicated below) to contest a round-robin phase at the venues identified. Cluster champions will then engage in a one-day round-robin playoff to detrmine the overall champion of the National Tournament. Cluster 1 - Providence Cluster 2 - Providence Cluster 3 - Anna Regina Final Play-off - Providence Corriverton Lynx FC Timehri Panthers SC Dartmouth Dominators FC Tabatinga FC BV/Triumph United FC WDFA Champion Rising Stars FC Winner of Cluster 1 Santos FC Milerock FC
Tuesday January 29, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Love, passion, romance, and marriage - your mind will focus on these matters all day even if there's no special person in your life right now.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A group of friends may invite you to attend a festival or workshop involving the creative arts or metaphysical studies, or perhaps both.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The approach of a very special visitor might cause you to thoroughly clean your house, Taurus. Afterward, you could look for new and interesting ways to dress it up with some new plants.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) If you've considered a career in healing, psychic, or spiritual studies or the creative arts, Scorpio, today the opportunity to make that dream a reality could come your way. A close friend could open the door for you.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Romantic novels and movies could be more appealing than usual today, Gemini. You're in an especially intense mindset.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Romance could be on your mind today, Sagittarius. This could be due to a recent wonderful encounter with a love partner.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your financial situation could get a strong boost today, Cancer. This might be due to a contract you've just signed, perhaps involving some work you will do on your own rather than for an employer.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A very beautiful, romantic dream could inspire exalted artistic activities today. You might want to paint, draw, write, compose music, sew, or cook up a new recipe.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you may decide to study healing, Leo. You could read about alternative methods regarding diet, herbs, aromatherapy, massage, or acupuncture. You might decide to learn some hands-on methods. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might decide to sign up for an advanced course of some kind, Virgo. This might include world religions or perhaps meditation. Stay out of bookstores, both physical and online.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A rush of intense love and romantic passion for a special someone might turn your mind toward marriage. The wedding of a friend may contribute to these thoughts. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you could experience a strong desire to clear your psyche of past traumas that limit you. You may decide to register for a seminar or workshop of some kind. If you sign up today, all signs are that you will not only attain the results you want but you will also meet some interesting new people.
Atkinson Brothers Winner of Cluster 2 Winner of Cluster 3 2. Match Days will be as follows: a. Cluster 1 - 2nd February - NTC, Providence b. Cluster 2 - 3rd February - NTC, Providence c. Cluster 3 - 9th February - ARCC Ground, Anna Regina d. Final Phase - 16th February - NTC, Providence DURATION 1. The tournament will be launched on 2nd February, 2019 and will run over a period of four (4) days, namely, 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 16th February, 2019. PRIZES Prizes for the tournament include: 1st Prize Trophy
Jones guides Wellman... From page 30 softball competition continued on Sunday at GNIC SC. Jones slammed one four and five sixes in a top score of 58 not out as Wellman Masters successfully chased 102; finishing on 104-6 in 18 overs. Lloyd Ruplall and Ramesh Deonarine supported with 14 and 12 respectively; Tyrone Sanasie claimed 3-16 while Throy Kippins and Eric Thomas had one each. Earlier, Regal Masters lost eight wickets with Mahase Chunilall scoring 29 including three fours and two sixes while Thomas made 28 (1x4,2x6) and Mahendra Hardyal 20 (2x6). Greg De Franca took 2-15. Regal Masters managed 162-5 in 15 overs, taking first strike against Fisherman Masters. Thomas slammed one four and seven sixes in a top score of 61 while Rudolph Baker made 34 with one four and four sixes. Zameer Hassan claimed 332. Fisherman Masters responded with 162-8. Unnis Yusuf struck one four and five sixes in scoring 40, while Troy Ramsaywack contributed 37 with two fours and four sixes. Thomas captured 2-6 and Kippins 2-35.
2nd Prize Trophy 3rd Prize Trophy 4th Prize Trophy ANNEXA M# Cluster DATE TIME VENUE 1 1 2-Feb-19 Providence 2 2 3-Feb-19 Providence 3 3 9-Feb-19 ARCCG, Anna Regina 4 Final Phase 16-Feb-19 Providence Tabatinga, Cluster Winners Dominators, R/Stars, A/ Brothers Page 3 of 3 TEAMS Corr. Lynx, BV/Tr. United, Santos Presidents and Honorary Secretaries, Regional Member Associations From:
Rennella Bourne, General Secretary (ag) Date: January 25, 2019 Subject: RE: FRANK WATSON NATIONWIDE PLAYOFF Dear Members, I wish to extend greetings to you on behalf of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF). We are pleased to inform you that the first National Play Off of the GFFPele Alumni “Frank Watson” U15 Tournament is now officially scheduled to take place over the period February 216, 2019 at venues in Georgetown and Essequibo. The winning club from your regional association playoff is invited to participate in this wonderful developmental tournament with the aim of being crowned National Champion. Please see rules and fixtures attached.
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Bahrain closer to extradition of footballer held in Thailand DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain’s government has submitted documents for the extradition of Hakeem Al Araibi, a Bahraini refugee footballer held in prison in Thailand, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday. Araibi, who has refugee status in Australia and is a vocal critic of Bahrain’s government, was convicted of vandalizing a police station in 2014. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia and has denied wrongdoing. Araibi was arrested in November in Bangkok, where he had traveled for his honeymoon, on an Interpol notice issued at the Gulf Arab state’s request. Under the Thai legal system, Bahrain must submit the documents for his extradition by Feb. 8 or apply for an extension for another 30 days. Thai authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne had urged Thai authorities to release Araibi while rights groups have said he was persecuted for political reasons. Bahraini Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa said in a statement to Reuters that proceedings to extradite him to Bahrain are ongoing and criticized what he described as “external interference” in Manama’s internal affairs.
“Those who speak now of Al Araibi having been mistreated and those who question the integrity of Bahrain’s courts ignore the fact that Al Araibi was released on bail of 100 dinars by the courts,” the statement added. Bahraini authorities have said Araibi can return to appeal against the sentence, noting that others arrested with Araibi who have done so have been acquitted. The minister said Araibi, who was allowed to travel with the national soccer team while on bail, had fled to Iran from Qatar “never to return”. Araibi was granted asylum in Australia, where he now plays, in 2017 after fleeing Bahrain three years earlier. He was a critic of Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s ruling family and cousin of the king, when he contested the FIFA presidential election in 2015. Sheikh Salman is president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The AFC said last week that the president had been rescued from all matters relating to West Asia and AFC Vice President Praful Patel was working with global governing body FIFA “to find a solution” to the matter of
Hakeem Al Araibi, a former member of Bahrain’s national soccer team who holds a refugee status in Australia arrives at court after he was arrested last month on arrival at a Bangkok airport based on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain’s request, in Bangkok, Thailand December 11, 2018. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo) Araibi’s detention. Human Rights Watch said Araibi was tortured by Bahraini
authorities because of his brother’s political activities during the Arab Spring uprising in
2011. Bahraini authorities deny allegations of torture.
Patriots, Rams arrive in Atlanta for Super Bowl
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski arrives at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. (Brett Davis USA Today Sports) ATLANTA (Reuters) The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots have touched down in Atlanta after enthusiastic send-offs from their fans ahead of their Super Bowl clash on Sunday. An estimated 35,000 Patriots fans packed into Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to cheer on the team, which is looking to avenge their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in last year’s championship game. “This is the biggest sendoff we’ve ever had,” said
Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has been at the helm for all five of the franchise’s Super Bowl victories. “Appreciate your support all year ... hope to see you in Atlanta.” Quarterback Tom Brady took a shot at the team’s detractors, who thought this might be the year that the 41year-old started to falter and the team’s unprecedented run of success would finally come to an end. “We’re still here,” an animated Brady told the crowd
before tossing the microphone aside. In Los Angeles, throngs of Rams fans showed up for a rally at the site of the team’s future stadium in Inglewood. “I’ve been here for three years and seeing us go from 4-12 three years ago to going to the Super Bowl now is amazing,” said Rams quarterback Jared Goff. “We appreciate all the support and we’re ready to bring a Lombardi Trophy back to LA.” Rams running back Todd
Members of the Los Angeles Rams gets off the plane at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Super Bowl LIII. (Adam Hagy USA Today Sport) Gurley also told fans to expect the team to return from Atlanta with some new hardware. “We going to go back to the A and bring a chip back to LA,” he said.
The Rams’ lone Super Bowl victory came in 2000 during the two decade period of time when the team was located in St. Louis. The team returned to Southern California in 2016
and are set to begin playing in their new, $4 billion stadium in 2020. Players and coaches from both teams are scheduled to meet with the media all week ahead of the game on Feb. 3.
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Trevor Bayliss demands England show ‘guts’, hints at changes ESPNcricinfo - Trevor Bayliss has questioned the “guts and determination” of his England side after their chastening defeat in the first Test in Barbados. Bayliss, the England coach, described himself as “speechless” after the team’s second batting collapse of the game and suggested some frank words would be exchanged within the squad after a performance that lacked “mental discipline”. While he defended England’s preparations and selection, arguing that several players had simply not performed and that the batting errors gave the spinners little chance to bowl on a worn surface, he did acknowledge that Sam Curran had endured the “first bad game” of his career and that Keaton Jennings’ struggles had him worried. “I think it gets down to a bit of guts and determination to get through those tough periods,” Bayliss said. “It’s not the first time that we’ve succumbed in a short space of time. The boys are in the dressing room hurting and I’d be worried if they weren’t. “Do they lack mental discipline? Personally I think so. You don’t have to have perfect technique to be able to score runs or take wickets: it’s how you go about using it. On this occasion we’ve certainly been lacking in that
Moeen Ali fell for a pair just before tea. (Associated Press) department. I’m not sure I can repeat what has been said [in the dressing room].” Bayliss did acknowledge West Indies’ fine bowling especially in the first innings when Kemar Roach claimed a five-wicket haul - but felt England should have coped better throughout, especially when Roston Chase was on his way to an eight-wicket haul in the second innings. “They did bowl well, but every time a team does that we shouldn’t be expecting to get knocked over for 77,” he said. “In the second innings, the guys looked like they were trying, we made good
starts but at this level you have to be able to bat longer than that. “Chase bowled a good line and a good length. He didn’t give us any easy runs to get off strike. He built that pressure up, broke down our techniques on a couple of occasions and there were some poor shots on some occasions. That adds up to eight wickets. “It’s not the first time this has happened. Every time we lose a wicket it’s the beginning of a collapse. And to be honest, I don’t know how to explain it. There’s nothing that stands out in your preparation or the lead up to the
game that is any different to when we win. We have to work out what’s the difference between when we put on a partnership after losing a wicket and losing eight or nine quick ones.” The decision to omit Stuart Broad and play two spinners has been widely criticised in recent days, but Bayliss believes it was not so much the decisions that were wrong as the performances. He did suggest, however, that Broad had been missed and that his inclusion would be considered ahead of the second Test. “We made a decision in the belief that the five guys
we picked would go out and bowl as well as they can do,” he said. “Unfortunately, on this occasion, they didn’t. “When we saw the wicket we were going to go with two spinners. Unfortunately, we didn’t bat well enough in the first innings to get through to the fourth or fifth day, where the two spinners could take advantage. And I think they would be disappointed [with their performance]. Chase bowled very few short balls, but we let them off with easy singles so you can’t put pressure on the batsmen. “It was down to Curran and Broad [for the final seamer]. Our gut feel was Curran as he has done well for us over the last six or seven games. It didn’t work out like that, the young bloke has had his first bad Test in his career. It won’t be his last but he’s a good young player who will learn from it. “One of his advantages of playing someone like Stuart is that he doesn’t go for too many runs, hopefully picks up some wickets, but gives us control. That stood out in this match, with only [James] Anderson and [Ben] Stokes being able to provide that lineand-length bowling and a bit of pressure on the opposition. We’ll have to revisit that in the next match.” While Bayliss celebrated the performance of Rory
Burns, who made a careerbest 84 in the second innings, he accepted Jennings’ struggles against seam bowling were a worry and also suggested that, in a perfect world, he would prefer to see at least one four-day, firstclass games ahead of a Test series. “Burns has shown enough,” he said. “He looks like he’s been here for 20 or 30 Tests, not four. He’s still learning and will still get better. “Keaton is struggling a little bit. I’d be lying if I said we’re not worried about it and I’d be lying if I said he hadn’t been thinking about it. He’s one of the hardest workers we’ve got and he’s going to leave no stone unturned in making it better. “We prepared the same way as we did in Sri Lanka. Two two-day games. But we knew what we were going to get in Sri Lanka. Here we were a bit unsure. We were expecting it to be not as dry and go in with four seamers and one spinner. “Personally I would like to play some first-class games before the series, but you’ve only got four days scheduled, and if you want to give everyone a go, it is difficult. It’s the way of the world these days.” England flew to Antigua yesterday with the second Test starting there on Thursday.
Lewis slams hundred but Gayle struggles continues C H AT TO G R A M , Bangladesh, CMC – Lefthander Evin Lewis lashed a spectacular unbeaten hundred to end his barren run as his Comilla Victorians thrashed West Indies teammate Carlos Brathwaite’s Khulna Titans by 80 runs in the Bangladesh Premier League here yesterday. Sent in at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Victorians piled up an imposing 237 for five off their 20 overs, with Lewis finishing on 109 not out off 49 balls, to mark his fourth T20 century. Imrul Kayes chipped in with 39 while Shamsur Rahman got 28 and opener Tamim Iqbal, 25, but it was Lewis who took centre stage in an innings laced with five fours and 10 sixes. I n r e p l y, B r a t h w a i t e struck 22 off 13 deliveries and opener Brendan Taylor top-scored with 50 off 33 balls but Titans limped to 157 all out with seven balls left in the innings. Pakistani seamer
Wahab Riaz, who plies his trade in the Caribbean Premier League for Barbados Tridents, bowled brilliantly to take three for 14 while fellow countryman and veteran leg-spinner, Shahid Afridi, ended with three for 27. Lewis, who had managed only 79 runs from his four previous innings, returned to form in style, adding 58 for the first wicket with Tamim and a further 97 for the third with Imrul. When three wickets tumbled for 23 runs in the space of 10 balls, Lewis put on a vital 59 in an unbroken sixth wicket stand with Shamsur. Lewis spent 31 deliveries over his first fifty before racing to three figures off just another 16 balls, reaching his landmark in the final over with a six over long on off newball seamer Mohammad Saddam. In reply, Taylor struck five fours and a six to get Titans off to a grand start, in a 55-run opening stand off 33
balls with Junaid Siddique (27). But Afridi sliced through the top order to reduce the innings to 116 for four in the 13th over before Brathwaite resisted with a four and a couple of sixes in a cameo knock. Once Brathwaite holed out in the off-side off seamer Thisara Perera, however, Titans lost their last six wickets for 14 runs in a rapid collapse. In the other game, Chris Gayle continued to struggle but South African AB de Villiers produced a stunning 50-ball unbeaten 100 to fire Rangpur Riders to a thrilling eight wicket over the starstudded Dhaka Dynamites. Chasing a challenging 187, Riders were slumping at five for two in the second over, with Gayle removed by a combination of his West Indies teammates – caught at mid-on by Sunil Narine off seamer Andre Russell. But de Villiers – who smacked eight fours and six sixes – and England’s Alex Hales, who blasted 85 not out
West Indies left-hander Evin Lewis. from 53 balls, put on an astonishing 184 for the second wicket to put Riders over the line. Russell finished with two
for 30 while off-spinner Narine went wicket-less from his four overs which cost 45 runs. West Indies limited overs star Kieron Pollard had ear-
lier struck 37 from 23 balls while Narine added 28 as Dynamites, opting to bat first, reached 186 for six off their 20 overs.
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Bismah takes over Bartica FA host successful youth festival captaincy for Windies tour LAHORE, Pakistan, CMC – All-rounder Bismah Maroof will lead Pakistan in the upcoming limited overs series against West Indies Women starting Thursday in Karachi. The 27-year-old takes over from Javeria Khan who skippered the side at the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean last November. “It’s always a privilege to be appointed captain of your country but to be named captain in a home series against a tough side like the West Indies, that too when international cricket is making a steady return to Pakistan, is a huge honour,” Bismah said. ”We have a good side, a side that has matured and blossomed in the past few months. I am sure we will put up strong performances across both the formats.” Bismah has scored 12 halfcenturies, averaging 27 from 98 ODIs and has taken 41
wickets with her leg-spin. In 92 T20Is, she boasts a strike rate of 89 with seven fifties and has claimed 35 wickets. Pakistan will clash with the Windies in three Twenty20 Internationals before travelling to Dubai for three One-Day Internationals against the tourists from February 7-11. The tour follows one by the Windies men’s team last April when a weakened squad played three T20 Internationals to mark the first series in Pakistan by a major cricket nation since the deadly at-tack on a Sri Lan-ka team bus in 2009.Bismah expressed her gratitude to the Windies touring party, saying the relationship with the Caribbean side would only strengthen further. “I want to thank the West Indies women’s cricket team for agreeing to visit Karachi,” she said. “This visit will help them
see and understand the passion for cricket in Pakistan. We have great friends in the West Indies women’s team, and this relationship and respect will only strengthen now.” The squad, named last weekend, includes experienced off-spinners Sana Mir and Nida Dar. SQUADS: ODI – Bismah Maroof (captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Saba Nazir, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper), Omaima Sohail. T20I – Bismah Maroof (captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Irum Javed, Javeria Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Nida Dar, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper), Omaima Sohail
Potato Strikers defender, Kevin Reddy collects the U-15 winner’s trophy from BFA Vice President, Elwes Jones. The Bartica Football Association (BFA) in conjunction with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) last weekend ran off what has been deemed a successful two-day youth and female football festival at the Bartica Secondary School ground, Seventh Avenue, Bartica. Geared towards assisting clubs identify players at the various age groups, over 150 youngsters and 40 female players attended. On Saturday, the Under-
13 youths took center stage with Rising Stars Football Club overcoming River’s View FC in the final. It was the Under-15 boys who lit up the arena on Sunday in a series of exciting games. When the dust was settled, Potaro Strikers FC were too good for their counterparts from Mil Ballers FC when they collided in the final. On both days, the action concluded with female matches featuring teams from
Bartica Black Panthers, Rivers View and Falmouth. The Bartica Black Panthers ladies claimed overall victory as they over powered their opposition from the riverain areas. BFA President Alden Marslowe expressed thanks to the Guyana Football Federation for its assistance in ensuring that was a success. Marslowe informed that the registration process for the various clubs would be completed shortly.
Jones guides Wellman Masters to victory, Regal and Fisherman contest tied Bismah Maroof … will lead Pakistan against West Indies.
‘Age is no obstacle’: Egyptian swimmer still a champion at 76 CAIRO (Reuters) - If dedication alone was a passport to glory, 76-year-old Egyptian swimmer Nagwa Yousef Ghorab would have won capfuls of medals by now. She first took to the pool at age four and became her country’s under-16 backstroke and freestyle champion at 14. She had to stop competing domestically at 18 because Egypt at that time ran no championships for adult swimmers - but she kept on
training through the decades. “I am proving to you and to everyone that age is no obstacle if you have the will, and if you have positivity in life,” Ghorab told Reuters. Adult competition finally resumed in Egypt in 2005, and she reached the international podium for the first time ten years later, winning two bronze medals at an event in Russia. “It had been inside me for 60 years, waiting to be released,” she said. “...I wanted
to excel at an international level. I did not want anyone to beat me. After all, I was competing in the name of my country.” Now in training for a championship in South Korea, her coach, Haytham Sabry, says she has the heart of a 20-year-old. “She is determined when it’s cold and when it’s hot. She still shows up every day to train. There is no championship that she does not wish to participate in,” he said.
A fine half century by Wayne Jones handed Wellman Masters a fourwicket victory over Regal Masters, while Fisherman Masters and Regal Masters played to a tie when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc/ Regal Stationery and Computer Centre over-40 20-over (Continued on page 27)
Zameer Hassan
Tyrone Sanasie
Eric Thomas
Wayne Jones
Unnis Yusuf
Tuesday January 29, 2019
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Rupununi FA U17 team set to compete in Manaus, Brazil from Feb. 1 - Cindy’s Bus Service sponsors uniforms; Fund raising match tonight The Rupununi Football Association (RFA) in its quest to have top quality exposure for its teams will be competing at the Water Falls Under17 tournament in Manaus Brazil from February 1-3, next. RFA President Ryan Faris has informed that the 18-man squad has already been selected and will be under the guidance of Head Coach Ken Grant and would be entering this fourth edition of the tournament with a view of winning and creating history. In an effort to raise much needed funds, the RFA would be bringing off a fund raising match tonight from 19:00hrs at the Wadapna Ground featuring the Select Under-17 against a Central X1 line up, all funds garnered from the bar and gates would go directly towards offsetting expenses related to the Brazil trip. The final 18-member team: Leston Smith, Eric Peter, Wayne Da Silva, Alexander Davidson, Howard George, Stephen Mc Donald, Nidison
RFA U-17 Head Coach Ken Grant (right) with members of the 18-man Team selected for Manaus, Brazil sporting the Uniforms donated by Cindy’s Bus Service. Sheliza Yarde, daughter of Cindy shares the moment. Daniels, Orvil Daniels, Junior Rodrigues, Carlos Dos Santos, Dereck Mentis,
Ofancy Winter, Cyril Miguel, Anthony Rudolph, Joram Thompson, Victor
Hernandez, Ken Salvador and Cleon George. The team was presented
with a new set of uniforms by Cindy’s Bus Service whose representative; Sheliza Yarde
(daughter) wished the team every success before the presentation.
GMRSC’s Endurance series round 1
Team Ramchand Wreckers steering towards perfect start
Anand Ramchand leans against his Toyota Celica during an interview last week.
Champion driver Adrian Fernandes (left) and Anand Fernandes.
The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) shifts out their racing calendar this Sunday with round one of the Endurance series, at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, and Team Wreckers’ champion driver Adrian Fernandes and Anand Ramchand are confident of a good start since their machines are 100% ready to go. Wr e c k e r s a r e u n d e feated for five consecutive years and during an invited comment, Ramchand confidently noted the team is looking to make it six years in a row. Despite Fernandes in his Gillete sponsored Toyota Levin motorcar being undefeated through the three rounds last season, his team mate Ramchand noted to Kaieteur Sport that he is wary of some of the opposition which includes former Champion Motilall Deodass, Rameez Mohamed, Sean Bacchus and Shan Sheejattan. Ramchand, who is the GMRSC’s 2017 and 2018, National Race of Champions, Starlet Cup title h o l d e r, s h a r e d w i t h Kaieteur Sport that he will be rolling out his Toyota Celica motorcar which re-
turned to the track for the 2018 endurance season’s third round, after a twoyear hiatus from the grueling contest at South Dakota. He explained that his reason from taking the Celica out the shop is mainly due to the fact that he expects stiffer competition compared to previous years with his former teammate, Rameez Mohamed, the closest rival to potentially upset Wreckers for
the win. “Rameez has been doing a lot of work on his Honda and there has been a lot of buzz going around with the power of that customized motor car and we will not be taking any c h a n c e s . I t ’s b e e n f i v e consecutive years we’ve won the overall title and we intend to make it six”, Ramchand posited. Rameez Mohamed set a new outer circuit record of 1 minute 17.026 seconds
during the final round of the 2018 season, breaking the previous record which was set by Eric Vieira back in 1972. This season, the endurance race will be for a total of three hours, the previous seasons it was two hours. Admission to the South Dakota Circuit will be free of cost for racing fans this Sunday and the race speeds off at 09:00hrs sharp.
Seven Guyanese Caribbean Karate Federation members get black belts Seven Guyanese who are members of the Caribbean Karate Federation (CKF) were presented with their Black Belt certificates by the World Union Karate Federation (WUKF) during a simple ceremony held at Banks DIH Sports Club recently. The recipients were first vice president of the CKF Darren Nurse (4th Dan), assistant coach Dennis Fiffee (3rd Dan), twelve-year-old Sadelle Britton, Manzoor Ali, Fazal Mohamed, Shay Britton and Samela Britton were all elevated to 2nd Dan. President of the CKF,
Sensei Compton Winston Dunbar (8th Dan) made the presentations to the outstanding students. Also present at the ceremony were CKF London-based Head coach James Holder (7th Dan) and CKF Guyana Secretary Sandra Britton. Meanwhile, the CKF is schedule to compete at the forthcoming WUKF World championships from June 2023, 2019 in Slovakia. The Caribbean Federation secured three medals at the last World championships in Scotland claiming one gold, one silver on one bronze medal. Eligible clubs desirous of
becoming members of the CKF can contact Sandra Britton at 600-7228 or via sanemail at britton@yahoo.com or CKF UK Secretary Michelle De Souza at michlammar69@gmail.com or Tyrone Jeffers (6th Dan – Second Vice President at ckf.uk.tyrone@gmail.com.
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Tuesday January 29, 2019
Kaieteur News
GRFU announces 23-man squad for RAN C/ship match The Green Machine, Guyana’s national men’s rugby team and Cayman Islands will clash for the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s title in the Cayman Islands on Saturday February 9th, and after weeks of rigorous training, the selectors have picked 23 players to represent the Golden Arrowhead. The Cayman Islands is currently ranked 52nd in the world, while Guyana are some six spots behind at 58th. As announced last week, the captain of the men’s 15s national team would be Panthers’ Jamal Angus. Set to make their debuts for Guyana are two newcomers in David Garnett and Glenroy Poole, while S e l w y n H e n r y, J a m e s Osborne and Jamal Darrell who made their first appearances last year, will retain their places from the Colombia tournament last August.
Guyana’s national men’s rugby 15s team the Green Machine after a previous outing. (File photo) The first batch of players will depart Guyana’s shores on the 6th with the second winging out on the 7th of February for the match that will be competed at South Sound ground.
The selected players are: 1. Jason Tyrell 2. Rondel Mc Arthur 3. Walter George 4. Richard Staglon TNT 5. James Osborne 6. Joseph Rahaman
7. Vallon Adams USA 8. Selwyn Henry 9. Jamal Augus—Captain 10. Godrey Broome’s 11. Cloyd Prowell 12. Osei McKenzie 13. David Garnett
14. Glenroy Poole 15. Lancelot Adonis 16. Jamal Darrell 17. Kevin David 18. Sean Phillips 19. Ryan Dey 20. Phibain Joseph
21. Ryan Gonsalves 22. Ronald Mayers 23. Grantly Adams. Coaching staff – Kenneth Grant Stuart, ManagerSolomon Austin, Physo – Barrington Brown
NBS 2nd Division 40-overs cricket Romeo Deonarain leads DCC to victory over Transport Sports Club Adams’ ton leads Everest
A fine all-round display by twelve year old Romeo Deonarain helped his club Demerara Cricket Club to crush Transport Sports Club by 5 wickets in a feature Under-15 30 Overs game played under lights last Friday at the home of legends, DCC, Queenstown. TSC won the toss and choose to bat first in lovely condition for cricket. R. Latif and A. Mohabir opened the batting for the visitors and put on a partnership of 26 before Mohabir went for 7. Deonarain was then introduced into the attack and spun webs around the TSC batsmen with only Latif offering resistance with a fighting 29 with his team making 82 all out in the final over. Deonarain finished with 4 for 10 off 5 overs. He got support from K. Caesar and S. Walters with 2 wickets apiece. In reply, DCC openers, Deonarain and N. Allen looked like they were on a mission scoring freely until they lost Allen for 6. DCC lost two more quick
to win over Diplomats
Romeo Deonarain wickets but national junior table tennis star Jonathan Va n L a n g e joined Deonarain and took their team close to victory with good batting and sensible running between the wicket before the former went for 21. Then came the aggressive J. Camphell who scored a rapid 18.
Deonarain retired for a solid 17 with DCC winning by 5 wickets with 10 overs to spare. Representatives from both teams thanked the organisers DCC and GFSCA for the opportunity for the players as they prepare for the Inter-County Under-15 tournament which is to be contested shortly.
An explosive 128 from Dwayne Adams powered Everest to a convincing win over Diplomats in a rain affected NBS Second Division 40-over contest at Everest over the weekend. Adams, who smashed 10 fours and eight sixes, featured in a 172-run opening stand with Mandrekar Bhola who reached the ropes eight times and cleared it once in a solid 61 as the host reached an imposing 263-3 in a game reduced to 33 overs due to rain. Kamesh Yadram hit four boundaries in 30, while Richie Looknauth’s 25 with a couple of sixes also contributed to the Everest total. Diplomats, set a revised target of 168 in 33 overs because of rain, were bowled out for 120 in 31.1 overs. Simone Hughes hit two fours and two sixes in 25 and was the only one to reach 25 as left-arm spinner Javed Rasheed captured 3-24 from seven overs, while Rajin Sookdeo
Dwayne Adams pounded 128 against Diplomats. (2-16), Raylex Payne (2-26) and Travis Mohamed (2-11) supported for the winners. (Sean Devers)
“2-Sharp” Allen seeks to be fifth Guyanese World Boxing Champion Guyana born, Brooklyn based, world rated Super Middleweight boxer, Lennox “2 Sharp” Allen (21-0, 14KOs) will face American Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster (28-1, 14KOs) on February 15 at the Grand Casino Hinckley in Minnesota, USA, for the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight Title. Allen will be aiming to be Guyana’s 5th male World champion and is already in top shape for this encounter. The undefeated rising star wishes to let everyone know that he has been waiting a long time for this opportunity to become Guyana’s 5th World Champion and intends
to come out victorious. Allen’s team intends to head to Minnesota early and includes trainer Aureliano Sosa, manager Steven Heid, promoter Lou Dibella and advisor Carwyn Holland. Director of Guyana’s National Sports Commission (NSC), Christopher Jones, has been invited to join the entourage as the Former West Front Road resident attempts to place Guyana on top of the boxing world. Looking ahead, if the Guyanese wins the title, Allen’s team is planning a victory celebration set for New York and a homecoming motorcade in Guyana.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 29, 2019
Dartmouth Dominators – Essequibo/Pomeroon FA/GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U15 Winners.
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Timehri Panthers FC - East Bank FA/GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 Champs.
GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson National 2017/2018 Playoffs set to kick off this weekend - Nine MA Champs and a team from Region 1 to battle The battle lines would be drawn from this weekend at the Under-15 level when the National Playoffs for the inaugural edition of the Guyana Football Federation/Pele A l u m n i / F r a n k Wa t s o n N a t i o n a l P l a y o ff s f o r 2017/2018 kicks off. The four days that these champions teams would be engaging each other would also see a welcome return to rivalry at the inter association level featuring the champion team from a tournament, in this case the Intra Association competition that was held. The nine (9) Regional champions would be joined by a team from Region #1 and have been placed into three clusters of three (3) teams each. Following round-robin play between the teams in the clusters, the top team would advance to the final playoff where they will meet Tabatinga FC (Rupununi FA) on February 16 at the National Training Centre Facility, Providence. Action will get underway on Saturday at the National Training Center Training Facility, Providence with the teams in Cluster One –
Corriverton Lynx (Berbice FA), BV Triumph United (East Demerara FA) and Santos FC (Georgetown FA). Sunday February 3 will see Cluster Two coming into the fray featuring Timehri Panthers (East Bank FA), E a g l e s U n i t e d ( We s t Demerara FA) and Milerock FC (Upper Demerara FA). Cluster Three will be played at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground on Saturday February 9 between Dartmouth D o m i n a t o r s (Essequibo/Pomeroon FA), Rising Stars (Bartica FA) and Atkinson Brothers (Region #1/Moruca). Matches in the qualification stages of this final playoff would be played for 70 minutes (two equal halves of 35 minutes), while in the final phase, matches would be played for sixty (60) minutes. Teams would be allowed to register 18-players and 4officials. A total of seven (7) substitutions would be allowed per team per match and there would be three periods of substitutions allowed per team per match to accommodate the (Continued on page 27)
t r o Sp “2-Sharp” Allen seeks to be fifth Guyanese World Boxing Champion
The captain of the Bartica Black Panther Female Team receives the winning trophy from BFA Executive, Curtis Joseph.
Lennox Allen prepares for his big shot in the gym recently.
Bartica FA host successful youth festival President of the CKF Sensei Compton Winston Dunbar (right) pose with the awardees and other officials of the CKF.
Seven Guyanese Caribbean Karate Federation members get black belts GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Rupununi FA U-17 team set to Watson National compete in Manaus, Brazil from Feb. 1 2017/2018 Playoffs set - Cindy’s Bus Service sponsors uniforms; Fund raising match tonight to kick off this weekend Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.