Kaieteur News

K

Mahdia loses Thursday Edition confidence in NEWS Town Clerk weeks p. after appointment 15

AIETEUR

July 04, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 27

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

Online readership yesterday 113,540

Royalty will be higher in - Energy Dept. Head future contracts - Consultants stress the need to revise lopsided provisions p.

8

West Dem. Two public school pupils top NGSA 2019 Chinese restaurant orderedp. closed 21 Roger Khan scheduled to be released p. in days 13 Pres. Granger to meet with p.3 Jagdeo today “I can't do nop. hard work, 21 suh I thief” - man tells court, before slapped with two years

Dave Chowtie - 532

Venisha Lall - 532

Shirish Persaud - 530

Shivali Challu - 530

Sarita Somai - 529

Ajala Maharaj - 529

Aditya Sharma - 528

Umeshankar Singh - 528

Devine Amsterdam - 528

p.

3

Ethan Bianchini - 530

Jaaya Shiwraj - 528

Malene Crandon - 528

Strike action forces Labour City Engineer, Treasurer Minister, team to visit Aurora exhibit blatant disregard for Georgetown Mayor Gold Mines on Monday p.

16

p.

18

PAGE 02

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

2%

GUYANA'S VS 35 Countries!

There are 35 countries which demanded oil companies like ExxonMobil, Total, Tullow and Hess, pay royalties that go as high as 30%. Yet, Guyana continues to accept a mere 2% royalty for the Stabroek Block. Below is a chart showing the names of those oil-producing nations and the royalty they demand.

COUNTRIES 1.Abu Dhabi 2.Algeria 3.Argentina 4.Brazil 5.Bolivia 6.Brunei 7.Cameroon 8.China 9.Colombia 10.Congo 11.Eq. Guinea 12.France 13.Gabon 14.Ghana 15.Korea 16.Malaysia 17.Morocco 18.Myanmar

ROYALTY (%) 12.5 to 20 12.5 to 20 12 10 11 to 19 8 to 12.5 9 to 12.5 10 to 12.5 20 to 25 19 to 14.5 10 12 20 12.5 15 10 12.5 to 14 10

COUNTRIES 19.Nigeria 20.Pakistan 21.Peru 22.Syria 23.Thailand 24.T&T 25.Tunisia 26.Uganda 27.USA 28.Australia 29.Ecuador 30.India 31.Kazakhstan 32.Kuwait 33.Libya 34.Romania 35. Venezuela

ROYALTY (%) 12.5 to 20 12.5 5 to 20 11 12.5 to 15 10 to 12 10 to 15 12.5 16.6 10 to 12.5 12.5 to 18.5 10 to 12.5 5 to 18 15 16.67 13.5 20 to 30

WHEN WILL GUYANA START DEMANDING WHAT IT DESERVES?

PAID AD

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 03

Two public school pupils top NGSA 2019

T

wo public school pupils have emerged as the top performers of this year's National Grade Six Assessment, NGSA examinations.

Dave Chowtie, of Graham's Hall Primary, East Coast Demerara; and Venisha Lall of C.V Nunes Primary School, Region Two, both scored 532 marks.

They outperformed 14,300 pupils who wrote the exams, last April.

Both students secured a place at the nation's premier secondary institution--Queen's College, Participants of NGSA 2019 were tested in four subject areas--Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies.

The areas tested on each subject were for Mathematics – knowledge, algorithmic thinking, reasoning; Science – knowledge, comprehension, application; Social Studies –knowledge conceptual understanding, use of knowledge and English language –reading, comprehension, vocabulary structure mechanics, content language and organization.

In addition to the coveted top spot, a number of pupils tied with high scores in the top ten positions.

The other top performers were Shirish Persaud of Academy of Excellence; Ethan Bianchini of Marian Academy; Shivalli Challi of Mae's Under 12; Ruth Larson of Academy of Excellence; Sarita Somai of Success Elementary; Ajala Maharaj of Marian Academy; Sarah Johnson of Academy of Excellence; Jaaya Shiwraj of Academy of Excellence; Aditya Sharma of Academy of Excellence; Maaseiah Salikram of Success Elementary; Umashankar Singh of Novar Primary; Devine Amsterdam of New

Some of NGSA top performers and officials from the Ministry of Education at NCERD yesterday Guyana School; Marlene Crandon of Josel Educational Institute; Akaia Griffith of Success Elementary; Narindra Singh of Marian Academy; Janae Boucher of Genesis Early Childhood; Aryan Sugrim of Academy of Excellence; Stafani Rafeek of Success Elementary; Athalaiah Joe of Academy of Excellence; Raphael Shaw Mae's Under 12 and Yuvraj Tulara of Academy of Excellence.

Kaieteur News caught up with a few of the pupils who shared their thoughts and ambitions as this year's top performers. The list is as follows: Dave Chowtie, of Graham's Hall Primary School earned first place.

The lad noted his excitement. He said that he always knew he would do well but he was surprised to have earned the top spot.

“I feel very proud and grateful to my teachers, my parents and my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,” Chowtie said.

The Graham's Hall Primary student admitted that he did put in the extra hours of studying, which definitely helped.

“I usually would score second place in school, so this definitely came as a

surprise for me,” Chowtie who has his sight set on becoming a doctor, added.

T h e 1 2 - y e a r- o l d i s hoping that as a token for his hard work, he would be gifted an airline ticket to St Lucia for the summer.

“I don't know as yet but I have my fingers crossed.”

Venisha Lall of Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, is a pupil of C.V Nunes Primary. She also scored 532 marks. She expressed mixed emotions at her results.

“I am a bit nervous yet excited. Lall noted that her preparation for NGSA started in Grade Four. She said that her aim was to be among the top three. I didn't expect the top spot. The NGSA top performer is not sure what she wants to become when she grows older but she hopes to pursue a career in economics or political science.

Shirish Persaud, 11, of Academy of Excellence scored 530 marks. He said that he expected to get Queens College but “I did not expect to be in the top ten.”

He placed third in the country with a score of 530 marks. “I was nervous going into the exams but when I saw the test paper I knew I was going to do well.”

Pres. Granger to meet with Jagdeo today

P

resident David Granger is to meet Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, today on the selection process for a new chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Ye s t e r d a y, D i r e c t o r General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, wrote Gail Teixeira of the Opposition's office, informing her that President Granger proposed that a meeting be held at 15:00hrs at the Ministry.

The meeting will center on the appointment of a new chairman. The matter has been on the political burner for months.

Almost two years ago, Justice (ret'd) James Patterson was appointed Chairman of GECOM, after consultations between the President and the Opposition Leader failed.

Under the regulations, the Opposition Leader has to propose a list of nominees with consultations held.

None of the names on the

three lists had been approved

by Granger and Patterson was later announced as the new chairman.

However, a recent court ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice found that Patterson's appointment was flawed. He resigned last week after meeting President Granger.

The appointment would be critical as Guyana is facing early elections because of a no-confidence motion passed last December.

Ethan Bianchini, 12, Marian Academy was really happy and surprised to have been named among the top students.

He placed third along with three other pupils and dubbed the top performing student for his school.

“Before now I never thought I would have done so well I mean to secure a place in the top ten.” He said that his parents, teachers, and peers contributed to his success.

My mom and friends they really believed and pushed me to do this well.”

In the future, the young Bianchini wants to pursue a career in law.

Shivali Challu of Mae's under 12 School said that her preparation for the exams included “lots of late night and early mornings.

“My parents and teachers pushed me to do well at my work.”

Ajala Maharaj of Marian Academy scored 529 marks.

She said that while her preparation for the exams proved a little stressful but her results worth the stress.

The Marian Academy top performer told the media that although her favourite

subject at school is English, she hopes to one day pursue studies in architecture.

Sarita Somai of Success Elementary placed seventh in the country along with Ajala Maharaj of Marian Academy. Both of them attained a score 529 marks and a place at Queen's College.

Somai said, “Words can't express how happy I am, I am really, really, really happy.”

She explained that preparations for the exams were a bit difficult as she studied day and night because she had a lot of work to do. On weekends she went to school early to study with her teachers and peers.

As her study schedule was so packed there was no time for extras lessons. “I just attended regular school,” she said. When asked who was responsible for her success, she responded, “All of my teachers, my family and my very motivational friends.”

Jaya Shiwraj, a student of Academy of Excellence, Cornelia Ida, Region Three, was excited at the results.

She noted that it was challenging. “We would

have revision exercises for homework then I would push a little further to revise a little later in the night and wake up and do the same again.”

“I would like to thank my teachers, my parents and God for the strength to see this day.”

Aditya Sharma, 11, of Academy of Excellence placed ninth with three other pupils thanked his parents and teachers for their support leading up to the exams. He said that his family was supportive of his goals.

Sharma says that his heart is steadfast on finding a career path in the field of science.

Umashankar Singh attends Novar Primary all the way up in the Mahaicony District in Region Five was one of those who placed ninth amongst a few others.

“Not only did he top his school but the entire region as well. He seemed pretty confident and was glad to be interviewed saying that “I feel awesome so awesome really.”

In reference to the exams, Singh said that “It was quite easy actually but I was getting discouraged by people saying it was hard.”

He acknowledged that there may have been a few tricky questions but overall everything was a blow through.

Devine Amsterdam earned 528 marks. The New Guyana School pupil was really elated to be named among the top ten NGSA performers this year.

“God helped me and my parents and teachers. My friends also taught me some new things.”

She said that her results came as a surprise to her teachers, parents and peers.

“Everyone thought that I would do well but they didn't think that I would do so well.”

PAGE 4

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

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

The world has changed, Guyana has not In times before, regime change was brought about by agitation in the streets, or from the army, or through the economy. Well, those heady punishing times are gone.

Nowadays, the objectives may be similar, but the strategies are more nuanced.

There are no more big power-backed administration changes —well, not as openly as before. Now there is one tortured unending state: public homage to democratic processes, vigilant media listeners and watchers, open societies, groundswells of condemnation, shrewd adversaries, agitated social environments, and diversity and inclusion on the ascendancy.

But just don’t tell that to Guyana. Political leaders and extremist supporters settle for the hard lines of the old times. No compromise; no negotiation; no agreement. Let there be more of the same.

Second, in the working world, extend a well-meaning compliment with a comely figure and there is the great risk of creating an uncomfortable space, a hostile environment.

Women’s liberation and workplace freedoms are being taken to greater heights, new territory elsewhere. Though, at times, overblown, it is the way it should be.

Meanwhile, in Guyana, unwelcomed and forced attention leaves three options: forced submission; forced out; forced resignations. To some extent, local men and women are open to the abusive, the contributory, the imprisoning. No fallout for, and no fear from, predators.

Refer to CJIA. Third, the world reels from the perils of ecstasy, meth, opioids, and other highly addictive drugs; in the next instance, for young, supposedly smart Guyanese, those are cool, and the latest in sophisticated fashion.

Acceptance and experimenting are in; turning back and saying no out. School daze….

In responsible societies, political principals clamor for the cures of the highest courts, and then swallow the medicines no matter how bitter they are; regardless of how unmanageable are the side effects; be such at either the individual or group level.

The US election of 2000 stands as powerful testimony to such unselfishness and long-range sacrifice. In good old Guyana, when the higher courts do not deliver what is anticipated, then it is damn the messengers and back to the beginning of the starting line for yet another journey to nowhere.

Fifth, in other places, bodycams are gaining reluctant acceptance: about baring truth, justice, discrimination, professionalism, and either principle or best practices. In Guyana, local law enforcement is about delaying and obfuscating and, ultimately, watering down serious incidents of injustice, if not making them disappear completely.

Here the police force is adamant about investigating itself: same story: the dead end of insufficient evidence; or an isolated example and occurrence. The ancient fable of a few bad ones.

Sixth, in the real world when senior public workers (private sector, too) are subject to questions, interest, allegations, and pressure, they hasten to clear the air with truth or trembling confession. Not here. To hell with that.

Nobody is owed anything. Not explanations, not excuses, not facts. Ditto for leaders, taxpayers, and citizens. Who are they anyway? What is scandal and reputation and standard? Kiss my derriere all of you.

Last, the most revealing part about all of this is that anybody is called out for any wrongdoing, hauled over the coals, and shown the door. In real societies, there is such a thing as failure to supervise. Boils down to a situation of who should have known what and when did they; the buck stops here; and somebody has to take the fall. Not here.

And yet these are the same men that put on their best costume and most expensive paint and speak about transparency and accountability. The cheats and hypocrites carp about critics and those who dare to, call for heads to roll.

A plea for sanity and good sense to save Guyana DEAR EDITOR, The last few days presented a troubling omen which if there is no varying away will take us along a rocky road to self-destruction. The succeeding generation will curse us.

We heard the Jagdeo recent ‘feral blast’ about the Government giving away large tracts of land to its supporters after the December No Confidence Motion, with an insinuation of race. We noted the responses by Messrs.

Charles Ceres, Eric Phillips and Trevor Benn. They were accurate and instructive.

The first names reminded us of our history. This is very important. If we don’t know all of our past experiences, then we will be unable to understand the present and therefore be ill-equipped to forge a safe future.

Quite rightly, Mr. Ceres, as did Walter Rodney, reminded us that it was the blood, sweat and tears of the Africans during slavery which made our entire Coastal belt habitable.

Later, their descendants as ‘Porkknockers’ opened the interior and gold mining areas.

Allow me this caveat, we

must neither forget nor ignore the hard work and the culture of deferred gratification by the Indian indentured labourers. These Immigrants made great sacrifices.

The truth is the two majority groups today must accept the absolute need to work together to vindicate the horrors of slavery and even though under improved conditions, the challenges of Indentureship.

As Dr. Yesu Persaud quipped some time ago, we came in different ships but now we’re in the same boat.

What caused the problem need to be recited often if we are to bravely lead and bequeath to succeeding generations, a united safe and prosperous country.

Earlier, we had the colonial divide and rule policy; this divisive condition was put somehow on the back burner, when the Waddington Constitution gave every man and woman at 21, the rights for the first time to vote, therefore to elect a Government that truly represented the masses.

At the helm of this new deal, were our two heroes, Dr. Cheddi Bharat Jagan, an American-trained Dentist and Linden Forbes Sampson

Burnham, a brilliant Britishtrained Lawyer.

The new Government elected with a substantial majority in 1953 was rudely booted out by Her Gracious Majesty’s Government. The reason advanced was that the PPP Leaders were leading the Country to become a Communist State. This of course, was during the Cold War hysteria.

The events after the suspension of the 1953 Constitution are well known - the two Leaders taking a different approach to navigate a tricky international situation. What sort of bridge to build over troubled waters?

When the PPP split came at its Congress, it marked the significant turning point in our social and political history. At that time, the Chairman of the PPP was L.F.S. Burnham.

When the split came, the two senior Afro Guyanese Leaders came out in support of Dr. Jagan while the two top Indo Party Leaders came out in support of Forbes Burnham.

As a ‘young Turk’ in the Party, I sensed that this alliance rang alarm bells in certain quarters. There were those who saw division along

racial lines as being beneficial to them, a cynical and narrow approach – this can be discussed at any other time.

The result was that certain elements within the PPP Jaganites camp came out with that clarion call of “Apan Jaat,” meaning vote for your own race. Since then, this has been a heavy burden the people of Guyana have been saddled with for generations.

A sad and sorry situation.

I remain optimistic that notwithstanding those who seem determine to maintain this brutish breach, that we will overcome and fulfil the aspiration of the architects of our Independence, of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny.’

To put an end to the charade of two PPPs (Jaganite, Burnhamite) after the Elections on 12th August, 1957, some of us met and agreed to launch the People’s National Congress with the Leader being L.F.S. Burnham, the Chairman, Dr. Joseph Prayag Latchmansingh and General Secretary, Jai Narine Singh, Lawyer.

The time has come for the PNC and the PPP to sit, talk (Continued on page 6)

This is a senseless, fabricated charade to delay the sity there. the eve of the 2015 elections. used in respect thereof. elections He went on to prophesy Unsurprisingly, the Prime Conspicuously, Prime DEAR EDITOR, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is now the latest member of the Government’s orchestra synchronizing to distort and obfuscate the Caribbean Court of Justice’s recent rulings, in their desperate quest to delay elections, avoid the electorate like a plague, and continue to squat in Government.

Not being satisfied with his clumsy attempt broadcast on National Television, a few weeks ago, to explain and justify that 33 is not a majority of 65, the Prime Minister was at it again in his weekly column, ‘My Turn’, published last Sunday in the Chronicle Newspaper.

In that article, Prime Minister Nagamootoo abysmally failed in his attempt to make out a case for house-to-house registration as a sine qua non for Regional and General Elections, which he so frantically set out to do.

Clearly unfamiliar with the relevant statutory provisions that govern Registration and which mandate a cyclical form of continuous registration as opposed to house-to-house registration, Mr. Nagamootoo deliberately makes no reference to the law, but instead premised his arguments on certain statements attributed to Dr. Steve Surujbally, allegedly, made on

Minister Nagamootoo deliberately omitted to recall that there was no house-to-house registration immediately preceding the 2011 elections, which the APNU and AFC won the majority in the National Assembly, nor the 2015 General and Regional elections, in which APNU+AFC won Government as a coalition, nor the 2016, nor the 2018 Local Government elections, both of which were held under the Coalition Government.

The nation is unaware of any criticisms, whatsoever, from the Prime Minister, or his Government, regarding the integrity of any of those elections or the lists

Minister glaringly neglected to allude to the new and emerging circumstances and factors that precipitated his sudden clamour for house-tohouse registration.

Unfortunately, for the Prime Minister, to the initiated, the reason is clear: it is nothing but a recent and senseless, fabricated charade to delay the elections.

I am of the considered view that the article was intended to make an unethical and unsavoury pitch to the President of the CCJ, whom the Prime Minister knew was in Georgetown, to participate in a judicial colloquium.

The Prime Minister, however, did not end his perver-

that the CCJ “would make orders that are advisory and not coercive”. In my considered view, this is another malevolent attempt at influencing the Court.

Thankfully, most law students would know that Court Orders are declaratory, coercive or prohibitory.

In any event, none of the parties in the cases have approached the CCJ for “advice”.

Hence, the Court has adjourned the matter to hear the parties via written submissions, in respect of “consequential orders”, not “consequential advice”.

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP, Attorney-at-Law

I trust that the submission to the CCJ included this recommendation DEAR EDITOR, It is very refreshing to read of the submission of Attorney Lalu Hanuman to the CCJ. We need more visionaries like him in our country.

The recommendation of the Speaker of the National Assembly (maybe there should be no functional National Assembly now), to be the Interim President seems excellent. I would be more inclined for the Speaker to be

the interim Chairman of the Elections Commission.

Article 95 of our Constitution identifies the succession of President. The next office holder in line is the Prime Minister. However, if there is no elected President, then by extension there is no elected Prime Minister; hence the office of Prime Minister is also vacant.

Next in line is a Minister, who is an elected member of

the National Assembly as Cabinet shall elect. Well, according to Article 106 (6), the cabinet has resigned. With no cabinet in place, no Minister can be appointed President.

With no Prime Minister and Cabinet, the next person in line is the Chancellor.

I trust that the submission to the CCJ included this recommendation.

Sincerely, Charles Sugrim, CPA

Thursday July 04, 2019

And the flooding continues DEAR EDITOR, I am a long-standing resident of Kingston, Georgetown. I reside one building away from the intersection of Duke & Barrack Streets.

I write to once again call attention to the serious flooding situation which occurs in Kingston East, particularly at the corner of Duke & Barrack Streets. This situation is well known to the authorities of both the present and past administrations. It is a problem that has persisted for decades, causing severe damage to property for which no one in authority has to date been held accountable.

In 2009, a small group of Kingston residents (including myself) came together to seek redress, and have been continuously engaging the subject Ministry on this matter.

The frustrations encountered will require many days of writing. Suffice it to say that no progress has been made towards solving this problem.

The opening of the sluices to drain the city seems now to be the norm. This begs the question - whatever happened to internal drainage systems in areas where such systems exist?

As I understand it, Kingston East is supposed to drain via the Young Street Canal, which I know is not overflowing at this present moment.

Water therefore should have been moving freely towards the Canal, and not lodged anywhere, awaiting opening of the sluice. Can the internal drainage systems in Kingston East be activated, or have they been compromised?

Quite recently, a sevenstorey building has been erected in Duke Street, Kingston. Another building complex in Duke Street, next door to my residence, has been undergoing continuous renovations for some time now. Recent newspaper reports indicate that the seven-

storey building will house the offices of ExxonMobil, while the renovated complex will house the offices of the United Nations in Guyana.

This means that both entities will be located very close to the intersection of Duke & Barrack Streets where flooding is at its worst.

In light of these two important additions to the already long list of corporate entities housed in Kingston, can residents of Kingston East finally expect some action with regard to the problem of flooding in this area, particularly at the intersection of Duke & Barrack Streets, Kingston?

I cannot imagine occupants of our newest and most important entities having to traverse flood waters every time it rains, or when the koker attendant is negligent.

Kingston is a very small area – the problem cannot be that insurmountable.

Yours respectfully, Ranjana Williams (Mrs.)

Fly Jamaica has not refunded its passengers “by July 1” DEAR EDITOR, On May 5, 2019, Fly Jamaica had made a commitment to refund passengers by July 1, 2019.

As stated in a report by Kaieteur News, two parties – the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission and Fly Jamaica representatives met on May 2 and issued a press release on refunds to its consumers.

I certainly was not optimistic that Fly Jamaica would have honoured its commitment by July 1 due to its inconsistent and unreliable behaviour, hence July 1 has come and gone and refunds are yet to be paid.

What is most disheartening is no response from the untrustworthy Fly Jamaica representatives.

Where do we go from here? The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is apparently being silent on this refund issue, since I have not been aware of any public releases.

I however hold the view that senior government officials should now be address-

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

ing this scenario, since there is more uncertainty surrounding the future of this problem-plagued Fly Jamaica Airways.

Moreover, this airline has closed its operations in March 2019, yet the GCAA has apparently not closed or suspended its Operating Certificate in Guyana (I am subjected to be corrected).

It has been mentioned in the media that the Jamaican authorities have already done so.

Also, if a Bond which is lodged with the Government can only be disbursed when the Airline declares bankruptcy, what is causing this

bankruptcy delay since March 2019?

The stakeholders who are yet to be paid, need to now know whether this will be done, hence the relevant Government Agency (ies) has/ have a pivotal and urgent role to be involved.

Setting another date by Fly Jamaica to meet its financial obligations will now be turning into a comedy.

Sincerely John Seeram

The travelling public needs to be treated with some degree of courtesy DEAR EDITOR, Over the last four months I have commented about the culture of lawlessness, and bullyism displayed by the Mini Bus Operators, Conductors and Touts at some of the parks. Sometimes I wonder if the powers that be ever spend a few minutes at the Georgetown Mini Bus Park, and look at the pattern of behaviour that is on display.

I would say that this wrong was going on for so long that, even the right now would look wrong. While we must understand and appreciate how important a service they are providing, they must be made to understand that the travelling public needs to be treated with some degree of courtesy, and while the Code of Conduct is clearly defined and spelt out, it has to be enforced by the Guyana Police Force.

There are times I get the impression that it is because only a certain group of persons use this service on a daily basis that this unacceptable situation has been allowed to continue throughout the years.

I know Mr. Eon Andrews, I first met him when we were serving members of the Guyana Police Force and that was early in 1974. I appreciate greatly what he is trying to achieve as President of the United Minibus Union, but to my mind he is not getting the level of support he so desperately needs - he has his work cut out.

Most of the drivers and conductors believe that his aims and objectives are not

in their interest, hence the non-cooperation. They can only earn an amount of money on a daily basis by being lawless, disrespectful and disorderly, and last, but certainly not least, speeding.

The public would be unpleasantly surprised, should the Police Traffic Department release a figure stating over the last decade, how many lives have been lost by speeding mini buses.

A few weeks ago I was at the Anna Regina Mini Bus Park when a woman and her two school-aged children exited a minibus, and there was a heated argument between the conductor of the bus regarding the fare for herself and her children. She was on her way from Charity to Suddie, and all of this abuse she suffered at the hands of this conductor happened in full view of a Woman Police Sergeant, fully dressed in her Traffic Uniform.

I firmly believe that if there was a fare structure displayed in these mini buses that ply the #21 route, that embarrassing situation may have been avoided. What was totally surprising was that this Sergeant said nothing. When I enquired from her why this and many clauses of the Code of Conduct are not enforced she did not respond.

This is the third letter I have written pertaining to this fare structure not being displayed, I don’t want to sound as if I am being monotonous.

It was good news that the Police in ‘G’ Division carried out a campaign that netted several persons - namely mini

bus operators, and detained a lot of buses for violation of the Code of Conduct and other traffic-related offences.

It was certainly not too little nor too late.

These are actions that the Police in the region must be commended for.

On a related issue, it is difficult to understand why a police rank in uniform cannot be posted at the Supenaam Ferry Stelling daily, particularly during expected arrival and departure time of the ferry. Some of us will remember that several police ranks used to be always at the Adventure Ferry Stelling daily when that facility was in operation long before the scheduled time of arrival and departure time of the M.V. Malali.

On several occasions I had to - like many others - use that road leading to the Supenaam Ferry Stelling, and the confusion and lawlessness that took place there, mainly due to the absence of a Police in uniform.

This is one issue that the Sergeant (SO) at Police at Aurora Station needs to address immediately. I do not know the authorized strength nor the actual strength of this Station, but I think this may be a case of not properly managing what you have.

Archie W. Cordis Former Police Officer

PAGE 6

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

APNU+AFC and the PPP need to develop more sustainable leadership For example, to establish overtaken both administra- and otherwise for black a financial organization (bank) tions, and they both became people, because this is a real behaviour for the ‘New’ Guyana for its constituency to have

DEAR EDITOR, I believe that the Leader of the Opposition’s land-grabbing claims have opened up a door for frank and honest discussions on inclusivity and equitable distribution of the country’s resources to all of its peoples.

I think that many of the responses to the Opposition Leader’s claims have been emotional which I can understand, however, now that the discussion is in the public domain, let’s have the conversation so that the ‘New’ Guyana - the Oil and Gas Guyana, will see more equitable and inclusive management and distribution of the nation’s wealth and resources.

Editor, I will step out on water like ‘Peter’ here, but I believe in speaking the truth and the truth shall set you free. When the PPP administration was in office, it was felt by a large section of our society that they created economic opportunities for their support-base, most of whom are Indo-Guyanese.

During this period, many

black people felt marginalized and disenfranchised. I believe that an honest assessment of the business, economic and financial landscape of the country during the PPP administration, would give validity to this view, to some extent.

After 23 years, two generations of the PPP administration, this approach to governance had to some extent become institutionalized; which was one of the reasons why there was a sense of “liberation” in May 2015, when the APNU+AFC Government came into office.

The challenge with the APNU+AFC Government was to find a way to bring more balance in the business, economic and financial landscape of the country without the Indo-Guyanese feeling that it was a pro-black government.

Now this was and still is a challenge, how to allocate resources, create opportunities, employment and otherwise for black people who make up their main supportbase, without being seen as

practicing racial preferences.

So I understand the dilemma.

Now some persons would say that I should go back to the PNC’s 28 years and perhaps Indo-Guyanese were also disenfranchised and marginalized and when the PPP came into office in 1992; and they had to find a way to bring more balance in the business, economic and financial landscape for their main constituency.

However, I did not examine this aspect, since this is not an academic paper, but rather an effort to stimulate honest discussion, debate and commitment to a change in our approach to governance and leadership.

It is time for us to become more creative and innovative in finding solutions.

My disappointment, however, is that a more acceptable and sustainable approach by the APNU+AFC Government to ensure more equity and inclusivity for its constituency, would have been to make some structural, systemic and institutional changes.

You should call a spade, a spade, Mr. ing and sought to find agree- dence motion – or to use his Kwayana ment in issues. In the search influence to get the motion for common ground, we withdrawn. He was not preDEAR EDITOR, Mr. Eusi Kwayana, in a letter published in the ‘Stabroek News’ of June 22, 2019, stated that the PPP/C government of 2011 to 2015 prorogued the National Assembly ‘without explanation’. This is incorrect.

By way of background let me note that the ‘no-confidence’ motion of 2014 was moved by the smaller party in the National Assembly at the time, the AFC. In a public statement I said that I was proroguing the Parliament to give time for discussions. At that time, I thought that we could have found some grounds to keep moving forward. My expectations were based on the fact that the APNU, the larger of the two opposition Parties, did not move the motion.

That suggested to me that they may not have agreed with the move.

I invited the then Leader of the Opposition to a meet-

spoke of the need for Local Government Elections. Mr. Granger was calling for that.

I agreed that we should have it. For me it was not difficult to agree on that, since that was one of the things I had planned to do. Unfortunately, I had a one-seat minority in the National Assembly and the opposition was doing its best to sabotage all government’s efforts.

The opposition to the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the opposition to the AntiMoney Laundering Bill, the voting against many budget proposals, for example, against the whole Capital Budget for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the cut in the budget to pay contract workers, to name just a few.

I told Mr. Granger that to move ahead with preparations for holding Local Government Elections would require him not to support the no-confi-

pared to do so. He said to me that he had given his word to the AFC to support their motion.

It was clear, therefore, that we could not find common ground.

So, when the prorogation period came to an end, instead of renewing it, which I could have legally done, I decided to call the elections and seek a new mandate from the people.

Mr. Kwayana is wrong in implying that what I did was similar to what this regime is doing. It is as different as cheese and chalk. I respected, defended and upheld the Constitution at all times during my stint in the Presidency.

Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for this regime.

Casting blame on both sides will not solve anything, Mr. Kwayana. You should call a spade, a spade.

Donald Ramotar Former President

greater access to finances and business opportunities; establish more training institutions, such as the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GTI) and training institutions for services, such as the Carnegie School of Home Economics; as well as develop a policy for all young citizens when they complete secondary and high schools - if they do not proceed to university, they must enroll in these institutions and learn at least one trade.

However, what I see a lot of, is an attempt at equitable distribution of resources among the government and its close supporters and friends and families, I daresay that this is not sustainable leadership behaviour, particularly in a multi-ethnic society.

The PPP having not been in office for 28 years, experimented with a number of approaches, some benefitted the country and others hurt the country and its people.

The APNU+AFC coalition and I would even single out the PNC for this purpose, after being in Opposition for 23 years, experimented with a number of approaches, some benefitted the country and others hurt the country and its people.

When one examines the governance appro a c h e s used by both the PPP and the APNU+AFC governments, there are many similarities and they both hurt the country and people in much the same ways; for example, corruption had and has

reckless leaders.

One of my letters was published in the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News on 26 June, and in that letter I asked a question, ‘what will the APNU+AFC and PPP do differently if elected again?

That question was loaded.

Over the years through my writing, I have developed what I call an ‘Ad hoc Caucus of Professionals’.

These are professionals from all fields; judiciary, politics, government, Opposition, public, private and civil society sectors, international community, local community and religious leadership and numerous others, who would share information with me and this happens in the streets, the banks, shopping places, practically anywhere.

They would say can you write about this or that, so I have sort of become the voice for professionals.

There is a real fear among black people that if the PPP should return to office, they will be marginalized and discriminated against, again.

Judging from the results of the Local Government Elections, there is a real likelihood that the PPP could return to office.

My question again to the PPP is: what will you do differently to ensure that the wealth and resources of the country are distributed more equitably among Indo, Afro and all Guyanese?

Specifically, what will a PPP government do to create opportunities, employment

concern.

On the other hand, many Indo-Guyanese are of the view that the APNU+AFC government is pro-black and have a real fear that the callousness, pompousness and arrogance of many of the persons appointed by this government, and the way they treat with resources and administer their duties, will continue.

I think that many officials in this government did an injustice to the government with their less than acceptable behaviour. My question to the APNU+AFC government is: now that the honeymoon (this was an extended honeymoon) is over, when will we get down to the business of managing the country? What will you do differently to create a more inclusive and equitable society? One IndoGuyanese said to me ‘Audreyanna, I can’t help thinking how my vote is working against me and to abuse me’.

Finally, I would be disappointed if APNU+AFC and the PPP should attempt to defend their behaviour as described in this letter, rather, what would be appreciated is if they w o uld outline how they will develop more sustainable behaviour in governing and leading the country, particularly to ensure that all citizens have an equal chance to have economic and financial stability.

Yours Faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

A plea for sanity and good sense to ...

From page 4 and find a ‘modus vivendi.’

The truth is all of the other Political Groups have come out of the belly of either the PNC or the PPP. The only way to save Guyana, therefore, is for the PPP and the PNC to talk. Notice, I dismiss the civic component of the PPP and the reform label of the PNC. We need to remind this generation that the PPP-PNC tussle, what with its ethnic edifice, led to the madness of Maginot Lines, mayhem, the loss of life, the destruction of property and the dislocation of families.

Out of this at one time, came the request for partition.

It was out of a serious concern, when it appeared that we would not live as one people.

In any event, one asked after partition, where would the Basdeos live? Mother, AfroGuyanese, father, IndoGuyanese; where would the Ordersons live? Mother, Indo-Guyanese, father, AfroGuyanese, where would the santantones live and where

would the buffianos live and where would the mulattoes live? And the other delightful douglas?

Today, let us first forget the niceties of the Courts and the rulings of the CCJ and deal with the gut issues. The constitutional and political pundits have already consumed too much of our time, money, energy and patience.

I said consumed and I dare not say wasted. Guyana must now come first. .

With the help of a few elders and the very young, we must craft a menu of measures that will provide the guide for governance.

It must be like the commandments, an agreement that all those who govern must be scrupulous, and any deviation from the rules of propriety must warrant the immediate removal from office - Ministers, Administrators, Managers, Mayors, etc.

Next, the State should avoid the tedium of lengthy, sometimes, unreliable trials.

We must now invest money in up-to-date lie detectors with trained personnel so that once a report is made accusing a high official, that official must be required promptly to take a lie detector test.

A public official needs to be accountable to the public.

This would put an end to both bizarre and credible accusations.

As a precursor, I recommend this - all charges and accusations, whether before the Courts or other fora, be put on hold, and we agree to a period of amnesty, subscribing to the notion that forgiveness can characterize the road ahead and that the vilest sinner can return to be in the fold of goodness with God’s grace.

I am sending this letter also to the political leaders hoping they have no difficulty considering seriously the above.

Kind regards.

Hamilton Green

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

2019 NGSA...

Performance in Maths improves, English dips - Ministry yet to report on candidates who fail to meet benchmark The results of the 2019 National Grade Six Assessment [NGSA] were announced yesterday. According to Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, the performance in Mathematics has improved while that of English has remained stabled.

The results were publicly announced at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development in Kingston, Georgetown. The event saw the attendance of some of the top performers, their parents, education officials and media operatives.

A total of 14,300 candidates participated in the assessment this year. Yesterday the Minister shared an overall subject analysis of the four subject areas that made up the assessment – Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science.

In presenting the analysis, Minister Henry said the results this year indicate that 42 percent of the candidates secured 50 percent and more in the subject area of Mathematics, a noticeable improvement from what obtained last year.

Last year 38.3 percent of the candidates gained 50 percent and more improvement in the subject area.

“All administrative regions recorded improvements in Mathematics, with Regions Two, Three and Eight showing significant improvement,” said Minister Henry of the subject area.

The previous year [2017]

saw 45.6 percent of the candidates gaining 50 percent and more in Mathematics while in 2016 a mere 13.85 percent gained 50 percent and more.

It was in recognition of the daunting pass rate that President David Granger instructed that a tactical intervention be introduced to reverse the trend. Moreover, in order to prepare the candidates for the NGSA this year, Minister Henry said that the Ministry continued with the implementation of its Emergency Mathematics Plan which was introduced back in 2016.

“This plan entailed a number of aspects such as training for teachers in content and methodology, facilitating fortnightly cluster meetings in all Regions, recruitment of

Mathematics coordinators and monitors, training of Officers and School Administrators to supervise the teaching of Mathematics, administering a diagnostic assessment of pupils in the hinterland regions prior to training teachers, enhancement of public relations and parental involvement in the education of children,” said Minister Henry.

Turning her attention to English, the Minister informed that stability in this subject area this year translated to 57.4 percent of the candidates gaining 50 percent and more while in 2018 60.6 percent of the candidates gained 50 percent and more.

In 2017 45.6 percent of the candidates gained 50 percent and more while in 2016 41.62 percent of them gained 50

percent and more.

The other two subject areas saw candidates gaining 39 percent and more and 42.4 percent and more in Social

Studies and Science respectively. The three previous years saw 46.1 percent [2018], 47.6 percent [2017] and 46.11 percent [2016] of the candidates gaining 50 percent and more in the subject area of Social Studies.

In Science 46.8 percent [2018], 46.3 percent [2017] and 27.55 percent [2016] of the candidates gained 50 percent and more.

Minister Henry, presenting a concise analysis of the results shared the percentage of candidates securing 50 percent and more in the various subject areas across the 11 education districts.

In Region One this year, of the 978 candidates, 15.6 percent secured 50 percent or more in Mathematics; there were 29.8 percent in English, 11.6 percent in Social Studies and 14.5 percent in Science.

In Region Two this year, of the 913 candidates gaining 50 percent and more, there

were 38.3 percent in Mathematics; 50.7 percent in English; 32.8 percent in Social Studies and 38 percent in Science.

In Region Three this year, of the 1,836 candidates who gained 50 percent and more passes, there were 51.7 percent in Mathematics, 65.7 percent in English, 48 percent in Social Studies and 52.2 percent in Science.

Region Four this year saw a total of 2,893 candidates and among them securing 50 percent and more were 44.2 percent in Mathematics, 60.5 percent in English, 42.1 percent in Social Studies and 45.8 percent in Science.

There were 858 candidates in Region Five and those who gained 50 percent and more translated to 35.8 percent in Mathematics, 51 percent in English, 33.7 percent in Social Studies and 35.5 percent in (Continued on page 24)

PAGE 8

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Royalty will be higher in future contracts Energy Dept. Head - Consultants stress the need to revise other lopsided provisions

By Kiana Wilburg On the sidelines of a Guyana Oil and Gas Economic Summit being held in London, Head of Guyanas Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe, told Reuters yesterday that royalties for future contracts would be higher than the one to two percent that prevails in existing agreements.

But some industry analysts say that while this is a good sign, they remind that there are several other fiscal terms which have to be revised for in Guyanas model Production Sharing Agreement ( PSA) as well as existing deals.

University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, told this newspaper that it is always a good sign when Governments are continuously examining and trying to refine fiscal terms and Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) for the future.

Mitro said that royalty tends to be a relatively “easy

University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro

Oil Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal

Energy Dept. Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe

GGMC Commissioner General, Newell Dennison

to understand concept” and a “headline” issue.

The Petroleum Consultant said, “But I also think it can be good to examine other aspects of the arrangements with the companies such as production splits, taxes, decommissioning, and work obligations.”

Mitro said that another important aspect to consider is how to incorporate future

price and reserve uncertainties into the standard agreements. In many countries, the University Instructor who has over 32 years experience in the industry, said that royalty and production split are determined by a sliding scale which will vary with either the level of production or the rate of return earned by the investor.

In this way, he highlighted

that the agreements can cover a wider variety of future conditions that may be encountered without having to consider renegotiating.

Mitro noted that Dr. Bynoe s statements imply that he and his team would not be looking at existing agreements. If that were to happen, the official said it would normally have to follow a different, more consultative pro-

cess.

Also sharing his invited opinion on this subject was former Advisor to the President, Dr. Jan Mangal. The Consultant stated that Dr. Bynoes focus on future contracts is a red herring.

Dr. Mangal said, “Although we need future contracts to be more favourable, that is not going to solve the problem. All of the oil might

very well end up being in the Stabroek block or in the adjacent Kaieteur and Canje blocks...

“We need better royalty for the Stabroek Block and we need to rescind the Kaieteur and Canje blocks that were granted under suspiciouscircumstances.”

The Oil Consultant added that what Dr. Bynoe is doing is disingenuous; it does not address the real issue of getting more value for Guyana.

EXXONMOBIL WAS NOT OPEN Guyanas two percent royalty that is enshrined in the deal it signed with ExxonMobil and its two partners, Hess and CNOOC/ NEXEN, has been heavily criticized by local , regional and international consultants as well as respected financial institutions.

Yet, the company has been adamant about the nonrenegotiation of these and other terms.

Just a few months ago, Kaieteur News exposed that (Continued on page 24)

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Guyana’s backward educational system The results of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) for 2019 were released yesterday. For a small group of pupils who gained admission into the top five secondary schools in Georgetown and the two top schools each in Berbice and Essequibo, their results are reason to be happy.

But for more than 90% of the other pupils the results of the examinations and the schools to which these students will be assigned is disastrous.

Guyana’s educational system is notorious for producing a few high-flyers and massive numbers of low-performers. And it is the performance of the high-flyers which creates the myth of a top-class educational system.

The overall results of the examination represent, yet again, a catastrophe. It is reported that it is only in Mathematics that there was a marginal improvement in the pass

rate over the previous year.

For the three other subjects – English, Social Studies and Science —there was a decline with an average more children failing than passing.

One senior official had a ready-made excuse. That official stated that education is a gradual process and that it will take time for results to be shown.

Learning, rather than education, is a gradual process but this does not mean that improvements in educational performance should be gradual. It is possible for schools and countries to enjoy rapid improvements in their standards of education.

In the United Kingdom at the moment, there are evaluations taking place within the educational systems. The performance of schools is being assessed. Some schools have demonstrated the ability to have rapid improvements in performance.

Singapore is a noted ex-

ample of a country which h as transformed itself through rapid improvements, at all levels of its educational system. Singapore is smaller than Guyana and has very little resources. It was extremely poor.

It transformed itself into an industrial power. It was able to do this because from 1979 it transformed its educational system to deliver rapid improvements.

One of the systems which it introduced allowed it to track the progress being made by children. This system recognized that not every student developed at the same pace and so the smarter students who learnt faster were pushed ahead while others were given time to develop to their full potential. Technical education suited to the country’s needs was also introduced early in the school’s curriculum.

Singapore has proven that rapid improvements are

Dem boys seh ...

Aurora Gold Mines pelt a bluff Ants don’t run and lef sugar. In de same way, bees don’t lef honey. When Exxon come to Guyana and find oil, people start to talk about pulling back de contract.

But as soon as people talk like that, dem got de odda set who seh Guyana better behave because Exxon gun pull out and go away. Dem boys laugh when dem hear that because dem know Exxon would never run away and lef de oil wha Guyana got.

De same thing happen de odda day. De workers who wukking wid Aurora Gold Mines get vex because dem claim how dem want a union to recognize dem. De gold company seh it can’t

unionise de workers because dem wukking at different location and dem does get transfer steady.

De thing did start wid de workers from one location suddenly spread to de whole company. That is how de workers strike. As soon as dem walk off de job de company shutdown de plant and lef dem to starve. But everybody know that de gold company was pulling a bluff. Nobody didn’t believe that de company would run and lef all that gold.

Dem boys seh de plan was to starve de workers suh dem gun go back to work. Then dem shut down de plant.

Some people get nervous. De people in de Finance Ministry start to worry about de

loss of revenue.

But de workers ketch bus and come to town. That is how dem boys realize de gold company was bluffing.

It run behind de workers and agree that dem can form a union.

Is just like de prisoner who thief a man phone. He snatch de man phone and run. De man run behind him and ketch him. Of course de man had to put in some cuff.

Anyhow de man end up in jail. He tell de magistrate how he can’t do hard wuk.

He now in jail. De magistrate send him there fuh two years and dem boys sure that by de time he come out he gun know bout hard wuk and he can do hard wuk.

Talk half and don’t bluff.

possible within the education system. The United Kingdom has shown that methods of assessing the progress made by schools can force them to try to improve educational performance more rapidly.

These findings challenge the contention of a senior government official that education is a gradual process which takes time to show results.

This is simply not true.

Schools and countries have shown that it is possible for rapid improvements to be made but it has also shown that after these rapid improvements, progress tends to be stead r a t h er than continuously rapid.

Our children are not failing, they are being failed. The education system is failing

them.

The time has come for the government to stop excusing the mediocre performance. A new approach to education is needed. When the no student should be left behind policy was introduced it was severely criticized, including by those who now exercise control over our educational system.

But no special school for gifted and rapid learners has been introduced. Nor has the school system been adopted to cater for those who learn at a far slower pace than normal.

There is no serious attempt to grapple with the serious failures which are taking place at the primary level.

The same outdated approaches alone are taking place. The APNU+AFC has delivered nothing new or

novel to transform the educational system.

Unless there is paradigm shift in the way education is delivered in Guyana, nothing is going to change. The results of the NGSA will continue to be one of heartbreak for the majority of pupils. And we will remain a backwater country with backward educational system.

Some people feel that development will lead to improved education. It is the other way around: it is education that will drive development, as Singapore has proven.

PAGE 10

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The philosophical message behind the death of a dog When I moved into Turkeyen, next to the Caricom Secretariat, I fell in love with two phenomenally beautiful dogs that belonged to my neighbours. Gizmo was a boy that belonged to the sister of Bibi Shadick.

Many days, Gizmo’s owners didn’t know where he was; he was in my home.

I planned to spend plenty time with Gizmo.

One morning, very early, I looked out the window and saw John holding

Gizmo in his hand while his wife had a spade in her hand. I called my daughter to show her and we went downstairs to see what was happening. John said Gizmo died.

The other neighbour’s dog was K-Jay. I claimed KJay as if she was my own. I took care of her when her owners were out of the country.

I fed K-Jay most days.

Last month I bought a special tin of dog food for KJay but was holding it back

for a special occasion; maybe when my daughter returns from studies in Europe or Christmas or my birthday late December.

Yesterday K-Jay died.

When I went into the cupboard and saw the tin, like a bolt of lightening, I was struck by the thought of the unpredictable nature of life.

We don’t know what will happen tomorrow.

The future is shapeless; it doesn’t belong to any of us. In this existential life , do not wait to pursue your dreams.

Do not wait to go after your goals. Do what you want to do. Give what you plan to give to your children, relatives, and friends.

I was looking forward to giving K-Jay a special meal.

It never occurred to me while playing with K-Jay last week, she would never have that dinner.

I can remember one year Glenn Lall had given us a

bonus. I collected mine with Dale Andrews (deceased). Dale had told Glenn to keep his for him. I turned to Dale and asked him why.

I said to him; “Take your bonus.” Weeks later, Kaieteur News’s printery in Eccles was the victim of arson. In the midst of the confusion, Dale wanted his bonus.

I told him it would be unwise to go to Glenn who has to deal with a disaster to ask him for his bonus.

I don’t know what happened or how late or soon he got it but the story underscores the uncertainty of life.

Life is not guaranteed to any of us. What is sad about human nature is t h a t w e t h i n k i t i s . We think we can dictate the pace of our lives. Surely, we say it is my life and I choose to live it the way I want to.

That is an existential choice all humans face at some time in their lives but our functions are always constrained by the unpredictable nature of existence, the unpredictable role of intervening circumstances.

In no other sphere is this rule more powerful than in politics. Rulers always feel they have total control over the lever of the future. It is in their hand and they decide when to put it in overdrive or went to mash the brake. Then they wake up to a rude awakening.

I will never forget the image of Khurshid Sattaur holding onto the passenger window of my car as I drove through the street on which his parents live in Bel Air village.

It was inconceivable to Sattaur that his role as the boss man of the GRA would come to an abrupt end. It did in May 2015.

His willingness to use his office to victimize those who criticize the PPP government was over. Sattaur would not go away.

He clung to the car as I slowly drove and he kept repeating the words, “I had nothing against you; I was told to go after you.” I couldn’t get in a word even though I am an excessively argumentative person.

Sattaur was speaking to the daily columnist of the country’s leading newspa-

Frederick Kissoon per whom he felt may have some influence. I was speaking to the former boss of the GRA who no longer had any influence.

This is what the vagaries and vicissitudes of life do to people and the quicker they learn the lesson, the better position they would be to avoid the pitfalls of life.

I will never see K-Jay again.

I will never feed her that special dinner I bought for her. And the pain will take a long time to leave because I loved KJay immensely. But K-Jay’s sudden death has reinforced the belief I have had since younger days - life will never wait for you; you must not wait on it.

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Food and Drug Dept. being blocked from inspections The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has issued a public notice demanding compliance and support from establishment supervisors and proprietors. There is the push to strengthen further its regulatory oversight in fulfilling the mandate of trade facilitation and consumer protection.

In the notice that was dispatched on June 2, the GAFDD stated that it is taking measures to improve the efficiency and efficacy of its regulatory activities.

The notification outlined

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

the departments legal mandate as it relates to accessing and inspecting premises where food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices are manufactured, prepared, preserved, packaged or stored for sale.

It was highlighted that in recent months, it has been brought to the attention of the department, that several proprietors or representatives of establishments regulated by the GA-FDD would either offer resistance or prohibit the staff from conducting their legally mandated duties.

The GA-FDD strictly warned against this as inspectors have rights in executing their duties as governed by the law. Acts of resistance and refusal to comply with food inspectors requests are against the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act The Food and Drug Act states that an inspector has the right to conduct the following at any reasonable time: Enter any premises where food, drugs cosmetics and medical devices are manufactured, prepared, preserved, (Continued on page 24)

GuySuCo accuses NICIL-SPU of illegally in possession of its guns Rose Hall estate, East Berbice

The tensions between two state entities- the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)— and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited/Special Purpose Unit (NICIL/ SPU), is continuing unabated.

GuySuCo is in charge of three of the countrys sugar estates while NICIL/SPU was handed responsibilities to divest and privatize four others.

However, over the past year, a public spat has been ongoing with the Cabinet of Ministers reportedly getting involved.

Yesterday, in the latest

salvo, GuySuCo claimed that arms and ammunition which were acquired and issued to its Security Department as part of its resources to execute its mandate, are now “unlawfully” in the possession of the NICIL-SPU. “These arms and ammunitions are located at the Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates and are currently being unlawfully used by representatives and agents of NICIL-SPU.” GuySuCo claimed that these estates were vested in December of 2017, and since then NICIL-SPU has been refusing to return the firearms

and ammunitions.

NICIL/SPU has been arguing that the weapons were vested as a part of Skeldon and Rose Hall Estates.

GuySuCo refutes this.

“The Corporation would like to inform NICIL-SPU that firearms cannot be vested; and these weapons are licensed exclusively to the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. “Under the Laws of Guyana, Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05, Section 16 (1) it states that subject to this Act, no person shall purchase, (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 13

Roger Khan scheduled to be released in days

C

onvicted drug smuggler, Shaheed 'Roger' Khan, who was sentenced to 15 years in a US prison back in 2009, is set to be released in a matter of days.

According to the US Bureau of Prisons, Khan, 47, described as a “black” male, is in a Miami, Florida prison.

The release date is scheduled for Monday, July 8, 2019.

Recently, US ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, during a radio show, reportedly said that there is close

collaboration with the Guyanese authorities, on making sure that the arrival of Khan is as smooth as possible.

Things have changed dramatically since Khan, on the run from authorities here, was arrested in neighbouring Suriname and then flown to Trinidad where US agents took control of him. He was taken to New York and charged.

There is a new government in place. The police force has a new look with closer collaboration with

the US embassy.

Khan, who was jailed in October 2009 for up to 15 years, asked the US court earlier this year to release him e a r l y, b a s e d o n n e w regulations.

Khan told the Southern Florida court that he is entitled to additional good time credits, in keeping with the enacted First Step Act passed last year in the US. Khan is making the petition via a writ of habeas corpus.

He is seeking an order from the court directing the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to award

Minister of Finance Appeal of contempt order...

AG withdraws summons at Appeal Court; files in full Court

T

he appeal filed on behalf of Finance Minister Winston Jordan has been withdrawn and a fresh summons filed at the Full Court. Jordan is represented by Attorney General in the matter while Dipcon Engineering is being represented by attorney at law, Timothy Jonas.

Jordan had appealed the decision of High Court Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to issue a contempt order, to have him imprisoned for 21 days, if he fails to honour a judgment of US$2.2M, which is to be paid to Dipcon Engineering Services Limited by Saturday, July 6.

In a notice of appeal filed on Tuesday, Jordan asked the Court of Appeal to set aside and reverse the order of the Supreme Court Justice.

According to court documents seen by this newspaper, the Finance Minister is challenging the authority of the Supreme Court to issue such an order against him.

He is appealing the entire decision on the grounds that the judge erred and misdirected herself in law when she exercised

jurisdiction to hear the application of contempt against him in his private and personal capacity as Minister of Finance for alleged monies owed by the State and Government of Guyana.

The application noted that inter alia Justice SewnarineBeharry erred and misdirected herself in law when she failed to appreciate that contempt proceedings were coercive in nature and such order could not be made against Jordan in his private capacity, since no act was committed by the Minister in his private capacity.

The Minister is asking the Appeal Court to set aside and reverse the orders of Justice Sewnarine-Beharry.

On Monday, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry ruled that Minister Jordan will be imprisoned if he fails to comply with the court's order to pay out the outstanding monies by the specified date.

Justice SewnarineBeharry, in her ruling, pointed out that Minister Jordan had failed to comply with a judgment handed down sometime back by Justice

Rishi Persaud, who ordered that the monies are to be paid to the company.

Justice SewnarineBeharry pointed out that the Minister had also failed to comply with a writ of Mandamus issued by the Chief Justice for the monies to be paid.

Furthermore, the judge also awarded cost to the engineering company in the sum of $3M, which she ordered be paid by the Minister.

According to the High Court Judge, there was no stay of proceedings granted on the two court orders, and the Minister, through his lawyers, has told the court that the National Assembly had approved monies to honour the judgment.

Back in 2015, Justice Persaud, who was then sitting at the High Court, granted judgment in favour of Dipcon.

The matter had stemmed from a multimillion-dollar contract dispute between the Trinidad-based company and the State. The ruling was originally handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice, (CCJ).

Guyana Trade Show for Antigua postponed

A

two-day trade show from July 19 and 20 which will see local agroprocessors and manufacturers on display at the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre in Antigua has been postponed until further notice, says its o rg a n i z e r s t h e G u y a n a M a r k e t i n g Corporation (GMC).

According to the GMC, the 2019 "Guyana on Show 3" postponement was necessary to allow more agro-processors and manufacturers an opportunity to be a part of

this event.

The decision has been made after much deliberation from the organizers who thought that there is a need for a bigger Guyanese representation to showcase the wide variety of products made in Guyana.

“The Management of the Guyana Marketing Corporation sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience caused and will make an announcement on the new show date within a month from today (July 2),” GMC said in a statement.

him the credits.

Khan was sentenced to 40 years' imprisonment on three separate charges by US Judge, Dora Irizarry, in 2009 after she accepted the plea bargain agreement he had reached with prosecutors.

However, two of the sentences, 10 years for an illegal firearm possession charge, and 15 years for witness tampering, would have run concurrently with the other 15-year jail term.

Khan, who was arrested in Suriname and escorted to the United States of America in 2006, had entered a plea bargain deal with US prosecutors on March 16, 2009.

In addition to the jail time, Roger Khan will have had to undergo supervised

Due to be released: Shaheed 'Roger' Khan release for five years although according to the judge, he is likely to be deported.

He was well-known in Guyana for allegedly working with the late Ronald Gajraj, a minister of the People's Progressive Party, to execute a number of criminals who were terrorizing the country.

However, Khan was also accused of executing competitors in the drug trade.

He was deeply feared and owned several properties. He even built a housing scheme at Farm, East Bank Demerara.

He fled to Suriname in 2006 after the authorities issued a wanted bulletin for him.

He was reportedly nabbed there with drugs and cash.

His case in New York was closely watched with his lawyer, Robert Simels, later jailed for witness tampering.

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 15

Mahdia loses confidence in Town Clerk weeks after appointment

T

he Mayor and Town Councillors of Mahdia, Region Eight, has refuted allegations that race or youth influenced the decision to terminate the services of 21-year-old Town Clerk, Hakeem Wong.

Wong, who happens to be the stepson of Mahdia businessman, Roger Hinds, was hired on April 1, last to be the Town Clerk of that brand-new town.

Within days, he was clashing with the council, Mayor David Adams.

It was not long before the Local Government Commission was involved and asked to intervene.

Wong reportedly claimed that he was targeted because he was young and that he was an Indian.

However, Adams, who hails from the farming islands of Wakenaam, Essequibo Islands, was adamant that those factors played no role.

He explained that Mahdia To w n C o u n c i l s t a r t e d operations on January 1, after being named a town last year.

The administration immediately advertised for staffers, including for a Town

Clerk. “We had little resources.

The qualification for a Town Clerk position is a Bachelor's Degree.

The Town Council took a deliberate decision to recruit persons from the township of Mahdia itself as then we did not have to find accommodation. The idea was that we would train and build capacity.”

Adams said that a number of the persons hired for the Town Council did not meet the criteria.

Wong was one of them.

During his first week, the Town Clerk was tasked with organizing a special meeting to discuss a number of internal matters of the council.

He, however, went ahead and invited the public.

According to Adams, the Town Clerk insisted that the public be invited because the laws say so.

However, the Mayor noted that the laws also allow for the public not to be present when certain matters are being discussed.

During that meeting, there was a clash, in the presence of a Member of Parliament, Gloria Bancroft.

Mayor David Adams “I called him the next week and guided him in his responsibilities and he said he won't do it again. The very next week, there was another meeting and there was the same attitude of defiance and disrespect. We told him if this is the disrespect so early in the tenure then we would be unwilling to work with him. He asked on what grounds.”

According to Mayor Adams, Wong was unable to comprehend that he was still on his three months of probation.

“He continued in the attitude. He even refused to carry out instructions of the council. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I

Mahdia Town Clerk, Hakeem Wong, being welcomed earlier this year by Mayor David Adams was in Georgetown to tie up our financing arrangements.

He was asked to prepare a document. He refused saying he is suspicious. We lost an entire week on that matter. He approached council the next week, and apologized.”

However, according to Adams, by then, the new council was exasperated.

They sought advice from the Local Government Commission which provided copies of the termination laws for workers.

“Armed with that, we called a statutory meeting, and moved a motion to have him removed.

The vote was 5-3 for the services of the Town Clerk to be terminated. The minutes and covering letter were sent to the Local Government Commission.”

According to the Mayor, the commission asked Wong to respond. “He did and the Commission found him culpable. On 28th June he received his letter of termination.”

According to Adams, the issue that Wong claimed that youths are being stifled is far from the truth.

“The fact is that the majority of staffers we hired for the township are below the age of 30. We look for ability.

We wanted to build capacity.

I am from Wakenaam. We grew up not knowing race.

The fact is that I recommended this guy against reservations of Councillors who were nervous about him. I had to apologise about that.”

Adams said he overlooked the fact that Wong had even been let go by his parents who run a hotel in Mahdia.

“We believe in youths. I thought to give him a chance.

Discrimination because of race did not play a role. He was let go because of his inability to carry out the functions on behalf of the Town Council of Mahdia.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Thursday July 04, 2019

Strike action forces Labour Minister, team to visit Aurora Gold Mines on Monday

M

inister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, will lead a delegation to the Aurora Gold Mines of Guyana Goldfields on Monday.

The visit is to investigate the complaints made by workers.

For two days, some 250 rank and file workers attached to the Mines and Mechanical Division of Aurora Gold Mines Inc. had been on strike, due to several concerns over treatment they deemed to be abusive of their rights. They have agreed to resume work on the condition that Government works toward having their issues swiftly rectified.

The administration at AGM had turned off the internet connection at the mines shortly after the strike started, so that the workers could not contact the general public. But with the help of the National Mine Workers Union (NMWU), Kaieteur News was able to contact

Workers striking in the rain, on Tuesday

several workers and report the matter to the public.

According to a worker, what prompted the strike was the fact that the company hadn't paid severance after their contracts ended with AGM Inc. Back in March, Guyana Goldfields signed an open pit contract mining

agreement with STRACON, a Peruvian contractor, focused on open pit and underground mining.

STRACON's work, according to the contract, commenced on July 1, last. It was expected that the mine workers would be rehired by STRACON. A worker at the Aurora Gold Mine told Kaieteur

News that it was agreed that they would be paid severance, but no one was paid.

When this publication contacted several workers, the lack of severance shed light on a much bigger issue: the fact that none of the workers are unionised.

There are several units, including Aurora, Tapir on

the West Bank of the Cuyuni, and Buck Hall on the Essequibo. There's also a G e o rg e t o w n o ff i c e a t Turkeyen.

Kaieteur News understands that since 2016, NMWU President, Sherwin Downer, has been making efforts to have the workers unionised, but there has been resistance by the company.

Several persons claiming to be workers there have been contacting this publication throughout the past year with claims of workers' rights abuses. They refused to go on record for fear of persecution by the administration.

A worker, yesterday, said that the company's Human Resources Manager, Peter Benny, is not considerate of their concerns. He and other workers have described the Human Resources specialist as disrespectful.

Usually, with issues like these, workers would be pointed to the Department of Labour.

Recently, Downer had made another attempt to have the workers at the Buck Hall unit unionised. But when the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TUR&CB) requested that the company provide several documents pertinent to the recognition process, Human Resources Manager at Guyana Goldfields, Peter Benny, met with a Senior Labour Officer and brought the process to a halt.

He told Kaieteur News that recognising Buck Hall as a bargaining unit would provide a complication, since workers are regularly transferred from unit to unit, based on the company's needs.

Downer doubted that that

is sufficient reason to halt the process, since the application process provides for multiple locations to be registered.

Guyana Goldfields failed to keep the workers from complaining to the Labour Department. So the company was forced to make a statement yesterday.

The company's statement blamed the strike on a 'misunderstanding' by the workers.

To give effect to the strike, the workers had blocked the delivery of ore to the mill. The company announced its decision to suspend service until a resolution is reached with the striking workers, and that it was in the process of evacuating all non-essential personnel from the site.

The workers said that they had camped out in the rain, and that on Tuesday, the company refused to feed them, save for one meal.

The workers started traveling to Georgetown early yesterday. Several buses were lined up at the E u g e n e F. C o r r e i a International Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, to transport the workers from the port.

One team of workers arrived in the afternoon for a meeting with several government officials.

They arrived at the Department of Labour, where they were met with Minister Scott; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; and Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle.

After the meeting, Minister Scott told Kaieteur News that the workers outlined most of the issues affecting them. “We have promised them (continued on page 17)

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 17

Portion of oil money to help reform sugar industry - Finance Minister

I

n order to avoid the Dutch disease—a phenomenon that sees the rapid development of one sector and the speedy decline of others—Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, said he could definitely foresee a portion of the nation's oil wealth going towards reforming the ailing sugar sector.

During an exclusive interview, the economist said that in the context of the nation's need for diversification, the APNU+AFC Government would not only push for the sugar production to be more efficient, but also for the development of its byproducts.

Jordan said, “So sugar is not dead and it is not about to die. But we have to think differently than we did before about the future of this industry. This sector has to become competitive lest it become a drain on our oil resources. We have to move away from the historical dreams...The way sugar was configured, we can't continue that way...”

The Finance Minister said that the current sugar production is selling to some extent but there still remains a serious gap between the high cost of production and the little revenues earned.

Hopefully, the cost of production and inherent deficit, will be reduced with the introduction of new equipment.

REOPENING ESTATES Since the government closed the Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales estates, the People's Progressive Party (PPP) has been promising its supporters that if elected to office; it will reopen the

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo Jordan said, “Sugar is not going to get out of the red in a hurry. The public has to be aware that notwithstanding the opposition's cries, the government and NICIL are paying a heavy price to have 10,000 workers in place in the sugar industry. “We are subsidizing the workers and the bond is paying for day to day operations, retooling of the industry and so forth. So sugar is on life support at the moment.”

Jordan said it is envisioned that the three estates, Blairmont in the West Bank Berbice, AlbionRose Hall in East Berbice and the Uitvlugt-Wales estate in West Demerara, will stabilize at about 147,000 tonnes by 2022 or thereabout.

West Berbice man on trial for rape

A

West Berbice man who along with another took advantage of a woman whilst they were out together and raped her at knife point is on trial.

Khemraj Persaud, called “Hot Dog Boy”29, of Lot 3 Cotton Tree Village; West Coast Berbice, is on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a

mixed jury in the Berbice High Court.

The man is accused of committing the act on October 15, 2017 at R o s i g n o l , We s t B a n k Berbice. He is being represented by Attorney at Law Latchmi Rahamat.

Attorney at Law Mandel Moore is appearing for the state. The matter is being tried in camera.

Strike action forces Labour...

From page 16 that we will speak with the principal [of Aurora Gold Mines Inc.] and we've ensured that we will deal with the issues that are brought to the table, and to fast track the recognition for a union of their choice.”

The workers who took part in the meeting indicated that they have an interest in being recognised under NMWU. They said that getting a union to represent them is their main concern. The

Department of Labour will now have to conduct a survey of all the workers to determine their union of choice. Minister Scott said that the discussions will consider all issues faced by all of the units.

Minister Trotman said that it is in the government's interest to have normalcy restored. He said that he'd like to see production resumed as quickly as possible, but not at the expense of workers and their rights.

estates and make sugar great again. But Jordan said that such promises would not materialize. Jordan noted that the closed estates were being cannibalized by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) prior to their closure. He said that efforts had to be made to stop that too.

Jordan even disclosed that some of the investors who were being courted to buy the closed estates were no

longer interested, and even walked away after seeing the aging state of the factories. “...All of this proves that we cannot continue the same way with sugar and if (Opposition Leader, Bharrat ) Jagdeo thinks he will take oil money and frizz it away or have his acolytes frizz it away the same way he did with (taxpayers money) on the (US$200M) Skeldon (Sugar Factory) then he has another thing to think about.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan “I don't think the society is in any mood for that,” the Minister concluded.

(Kiana Wilburg)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Thursday July 04, 2019

Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital fails to secure injunction against 'Melly Mel'

A

n attempt by Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital to stop social media personality, Melissa 'Melly Mel' Atwell, from posting negative reviews by alleged patients of the medical facility has been halted after High Court Judge Fidela CorbinLincoln refused to grant a request by the hospital for a permanent injunction against her for libelous posts.

The granting of the injunction was refused yesterday during an inchamber hearing at the High Court in Demerara. Apart from seeking the injunction, the hospital is suing Atwell for in excess of $100 million over a string of complaints against the hospital through Facebook posts.

In its Statement of Claim, the hospital had asked the court to order Atwell to remove the post and to publish a suitable correction and apology on Facebook within seven days of the court order. The hospital is also seeking special damages for libel at not less than $5,000,000; aggravated and exemplary damages at not less than $5,000,000; special damages at not less than $100,000; costs and such other directions that seem fit by the court.

Last Month, Atwell was arrested by police and detained for about 12 hours and then released on

$200,000 station bail following posting on Facebook a series of comments against the hospital and its Director, Dr. Madhu Singh, alleging mistreating, misdiagnosing and misleading and in some instances overcharging parents.

D r. B a l w a n t S i n g h Hospital has since refuted the allegations, and through its lawyer Devindra Kissoon, moved to the High Court where it filed the multi-million dollar lawsuit against Atwell who is known for her advocacy against sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Atwell's lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin and Associates, contend that the lawsuit against their client has no merit since the onus is on the hospital to prove that the claims are untrue.

I n a n A ff i d a v i t i n Response to the hospital's Claim, Atwell said that she is aware of several complaints against the treatment and services provided to persons by the hospital.

She said that persons sent the complaints to her as messages and she has communicated with each individual for confirmation.

She swore that while the persons who sent the complaints to her are in no way related, it's inevitable that all their stories have common threads in that they all spoke negatively about their treatment at the medical

institution.

According to Atwell, she has personally witnessed adverse comments on the hospital's Facebook page placed by persons who alleged they were patients and that the administrator of the Facebook page subsequently removed the comments.

The activist contends, “I am advised by Counsel and verily believe that without a single particularized allegation of falsity by the (hospital) the public has a right to know and hear of the experiences at a medical facility offering services to the public.”

She argues that her right

Dr. Madhu Singh to freedom of speech, as well as that of the hospital militates against the granting of an injunction.

Atwell swears that she

Melissa Atwell has done nothing wrong and that the public has a right to be made aware of the events for their own information and

guidance. She maintains, “I have done nothing illegal. I have shared the stories verbatim as I have received them.”

City Engineer exhibits blatant disrespect for GT Mayor

T

he Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine made reference to an issue that was floating around in the media with regards to the City Engineer's responses to his letters.

The Mayor noted that the engineer indeed dropped by after he made mention of his actions at the last statutory meeting. The Engineer was supposed to do a handing over letter in order for his duties to be transferred to the Deputy Engineer who would act in his designation. It has been over a week and the letter is yet to appear to the Mayor.

The Mayor said that “It seems that I am being

victimized, where he [the engineer] came to me with the Deputy Mayor, asking the correspondences sent, replies were needed and I did it in good faith because we need to work together to serve our people in the city.”

A letter was sent to the mayor who then decided that he would deal with it internally, however it was published by another media house that the report was already presented to council when in the truth of the matter no such act was carried out. When the document was eventually submitted it was backdated and sent to the Town Clerk's office instead of directly to him, the mayor said.

Mayor Ubraj asked “Now if [you] write me, can I be a dreamer to know it's at the Town Clerk's office. If I write you, you ought to send that correspondence directly to me and if you want to copy it to other officer that's fine, I have no problem or objection to that.”

Requests for notices to be issued to address a number of issues and copies to be sent to the office of the Mayor were ignored and when asked, all he received were flimsy and evasive responses.

The mayor made it very clear that he will not engage in any hypocrisy which will stifle the people he had g o v e r n a n c e o v e r. T h e engineer has not been

Fishing industry mourns as Single Seafoods owner dies

T

he fishing industry is mourning the passing of Suresh Singh, 56, who was credited as contributing significantly to the business sector.

Singh, the proprietor of the Ruimveldt-based Single Seafoods, had been deeply respected establishing longterm US and Caribbean markets for his marine products.

Singh, according to his family, fell ill and was rushed to a city hospital where he died from suspected heart-related complications.

His tentacles in the business arena included rice cultivation, gold mining,

Died: Suresh Singh mariculture, real estate, private security and even a protein recovery plant.

According to his family, he was working to create a fish farm in anticipation of a long term drop in marine

catches. In early years, at Kitty, he was a farmer and a trader before venturing into the fishing industry.

At Ruimveldt, behind the police station, he carved out an area, building a fisheries area including wharves.

Singh established a strong relationship with e s p e c i a l l y Ve n e z u e l a n fishing boats, purchasing red snapper and seabobs.

He involved his children in the family business.

By age 30, Singh, a father of eight, was well established in his own right as a successful exporter of seafood and fresh produce.

At the time of his death, he was employing over 150 persons in his ventures.

Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine working in the best interest of the people and if he can't do this it is best he resigned.

There were several areas where things went wrong under Venture's watch with regards to projects not being completed and it needed to be addressed. . He said that there are several other issues that will be tackled and emphasised the need to put a “full stop” to any malpractice.

“The 30 people who sat around this table, we are here to make policy, we are here to create by-laws, we are not here to micro-manage. When our instructions and decisions are made by the council, those decisions and instructions ought to be followed for the betterment of the City,” he stated.

The mayor admonished that these level of nonsense needed to stop as the council means well for the citizens of Georgetown. As he will be on the ground to point out to the media where instructions were given and ignored.

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday July 04, 2019

Irfaan Ali fraud charges stalled, Magistrate awaits High Court ruling

T

he 19 charges a g a i n s t Presidential Candidate for the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Irfaan Ali, has been stalled as the Magistrate presiding in his case awaits the decision of the High Court as it relates to the said matter.

Ali moved to the High Court to quash the charges brought against him in relation to the controversial Pradoville Two scheme. He was arrested and slapped with 19 charges in late November last year by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyana Police Force.

He is currently before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts for the matter.

Ali is being represented by attorney-at-law, Davindra Kissoon, while Special Prosecutor Patrice Henry, an

attorney for SOCU, is representing the state into the matter.

Yesterday when the matter was called in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate McLennan, Ali's lawyer told the court that they are awaiting a notice of decision as to when ruling is to be done, which is expected to come from Justice Franklin Holder in the High Court.

The notice is slated to be sent out on or before July 15, 2019. As a result the attorney asked for the matter to be adjourned so that the court can hear the decision of the Judge. This was granted and Magistrate McLennan adjourned the matter to August 26, next.

The presidential candidate is accused of defrauding Government of over $174M, by selling several plots of state lands, below the market value, to former ministers of the then

PPP/C government.

The charges against Ali stated that between 2011 and 2015, he conspired with persons unknown to defraud the Government, when he acted recklessly by selling 19 plots of state lands at Plantations Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

The lands which were sold for a mere $39.8M, are valued at $212.4M, according to SOCU. He has since been released on self bail in relation to the matters.

In hearing Ali's application, Justice Holder granted an order halting the Magistrate's Court from proceeding with the matters, until a ruling is made by the High Court.

Ali is asking the High Court for an order of Certiorari quashing the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to

charge him with the offence of conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law, on the basis that it was irrational, biased, and influenced by improper considerations and motives. He also wants an order of Certiorari quashing the information of oath of Munilall Persaud, Corporal of Police at SOCU, on the 19 charges.

Further, Ali wants a declaration that the particulars of the charges do not constitute an offence known to law, and that there is no statutory or common law duty to obtain a valuation prior to the sale of the property. Ali is asking the court to issue a declaration that the charges are vague and constitute an abuse of process.

According to SOCU, Ali is accused of 'grossly underselling' the 19 plots of s t a t e lands to former President Bharrat Jagdeo;

former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon; Luncheon's wife, Floreen Ramnauth; and former ministers Priya Manickchand, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Robert Persaud and Clement Rohee, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack; former army chief-of-staff Gary Best, and Fortune Developers Inc. Guyana.

Ali is also accused of selling lands to former General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board and daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, Lisaveta Ramotar; former President of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo and the son of former Labour Minister Dr. N a n d a G o p a u l , D r.

Ghansham Singh; former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer, Rajendra Singh; and former president of the

Presidential Candidate for the PPP, Irfaan Ali Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Compton Bourne.

He is also accused of selling lands to former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission Safraaz Khan; former CEO of Guyana Water Inc, Shaik Baksh; George Halla and Dave Narine.

Ali was arrested and charged after a probe of the financial operations of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), was conducted by accounting firm Ram & McRae, and forwarded to SOCU for investigation

West Dem driver and passenger rob victims at bars - police nab driver after setting up road block

R

esidents of La P a r f a i t e Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, are particularly fearful of a taxi driver, who drives around in the company of an armed

accomplice, robbing unsuspecting victims at bars on the Westside.

Reports suggest that the duo also targets taxi drivers.

On Tuesday night they robbed a taxi driver and two

men having drinks at a La Grange bar. There was a onehour time frame of each incident.

Just yesterday, a La Parfaite Harmonie businessman, who prefers

not to be named, reported that around 23:00 hrs he was having a drink with a colleague at a La Grange Liquor Bar when a white wagon car (PKK 5818) pulled up and a young man

The car that was used in several robbery sprees on the Westside

exited.

The businessman said he observed what he thought to be a passenger from the car going up to the bar counter as if he was going to make a purchase, so no one was ready for what transpired after.

Sources indicated that the man who exited the car suddenly whipped out a gun and stuck it to the head of the La Parfaite Hamonie businessman, demanding cash and valuables.

The assailant then yanked the man's wallet from his pocket, which at that time contained $30,000 and a national identification card. Before the bandit left, he reportedly snatched the car keys and the cellular phone of another man, before making his escape in

the car that was waiting.

The two men who were robbed at the La Grange Bar visited the Police Patrol Base at the Demerara Harbour Bride to make a report and were told that the said car and its occupants had only an hour ago robbed a taxi driver at La Parfaite Harmonie, after trailing the taxi for a considerable period.

Police at the harbour bridge then alerted the La Grange Police Station and they set up a roadblock to wait for the car which had driven off in that direction after, the men were robbed in La Grange.

Soon after police nabbed the car at the road block but found only the driver inside.

He was taken into custody and is assisting ranks with investigations.

Thursday July 04, 2019

“I cant do no hard work, suh I thief” - man tells court before slapped with two years A man yesterday found himself before the courts after he could not run away or fight back after stealing a mans phone. He was sent to prison after he told the court of his temptation to steal, an explanation he used as justification for his injuries.

Oswald Cumberbatch, an unemployed man told the court that, “I cant do no hard work, so I thief.” He was hauled before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty who read him his charge in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. He first denied the charge which alleged that on Tuesday, last, at Croal Street, Stabroek Georgetown, he robbed Ansar Abdul of one cell phone and a phone case.

At the said time he used personal violence on the victim.

Cumberbatch told the court that he is 22 years old.

He stated that he is the father of one and they reside at Lot 86 Laing Avenue, Georgetown.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that on the day in question about

08:00hrs the victim was walking along Croal Street when the accused approached him and threw him to the ground.

Cumberbatch then relieved Abdul of the articles mentioned in the charge and he then attempted to make good his escape.

However, the victim got up and gave chase. Abdul was able to apprehend him and kept him under arrest until the police arrived. The articles were recovered and lodged with the police.

Prosecutor Blackman objected to bail being granted based on the prevalence of the offence, the nature of the offence, the punishment the offence attracts and the fact that Cumberbatch was positively identified by the victim.

After the prosecutor read the facts, Cumberbatch opted to change his plea. He said, “First of all I want to apologize to the court for wasting its time. I got juk the other day and I cant do any hard work. I know its wrong but my daughter birthday is tomorrow so I decided to take a

chance.”

Cumberbatch told the court that his child mother would usually look out for him. However, she is in Suriname and he needed money. On the day in question he left his daughter with an adult and went out to look for money. He stated that he gave in to temptation and decided to commit the act.

Police prosecutor Seon Blackman then addressed the court saying that a strong message should be sent to the defendant so that he can curb his ways. He added that after that is done the defendant will understand that stealing is an offence and not an employment.

The magistrate in handing down her sentence as Cumberbatch was begging for leniency stated, “I will not tap you on the head and say go and sin no more. You stated about temptation but the Lords prayer says lead me not into temptation.”

Cumberbatch was then sentenced to two years imprisonment for the offence.

Venezuelan women forced into prostitution at gunpoint Trinidad Express - Seeking to arouse the consciences of senators, National Security Minister Stuart Young yesterday spoke of the harrowing experiences of young Venezuelan women forced into prostitution by their captors, whom he described as “animals”.

Speaking on the Firearms Amendment Bill in the Senate, Young said he sat in a meeting with police officers who described statements taken from young Venezuelan women and the beatings they endured. He said the “animals”, the human traffickers, were able to keep the women in check because they had illegal firearms.

“One of the scourges we are dealing with right now is prostitution and young girls from Venezuela being forced in prostitution and human trafficking, and whatever is the most derogatory of terms you could use to describe a human being, use that term and think of these men because I use colourful language but I can’t use it here

Minister Stuart Young (in Parliament).

“Over the weekend, based on intelligence, we picked up some of them and I am determined and I have told persons under my responsibility, I don’t want the women because they are the victims—

we must help them—I want the heads and that is what we are building out right now because they use illegal firearms,” Young said.

He said firearms were the single worst tool being used in criminality.

MP supports police lie detector tests NEWSDAY - SSt Augustine MP and former legal affairs minister Prakash Ramadhar is backing Police Commissioner Gary Griffith in his call for police officers to be polygraphed, and said those who did not want to be tested should come forward

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

and say why. Ramadhar made the remarks in a statement yesterday in which he said polygraph testing would weed out errant officers and encourage transparency and accountability within the police. “Polygraphing should also be expanded to include

all officers of the State under the purview of National Security,” he added. “It can have an effect, in a large part, of restoring confidence and respect for law enforcement which is crucial to the confidence of our citizens and our country’s future.”

West Dem Chinese Restaurants ordered closed

The China Chef Chinese Restaurant that was ordered to be closed for operating under insanitary conditions

By Alex Wayne Several Chinese Restaurants in the West Demerara District have been given closure notices when public health inspectors from the Westside swooped down on facilities that were rumored to be operating under insanitary conditions.

Amongst them is the China Chef Restaurant at Bagotsville Public Road, West Bank Demerara, where inspectors deemed is a health hazard after visiting it on Monday last. This newspaper was told that when inspectors visited the China Chef Restaurant, inspection revealed tainted meat, unsatisfactory and insanitary cooking , prepping and storage conditions.

There are reports of drains behind the facility being clogged with fatty residue (with a terrible stench), while rather large rats were seen scurrying across the floor even as the inspection was being conducted.

Inspectors reported that the observed food utensils riddled with flies while cockroaches were running on the kitchen walls and even on food storage containers.

The China Chef Chinese Restaurant is located at the busy intersection of the Bagotsville Bridge, and is always flocked by scores of youths from near and far, all

rushing to purchase food items which are sold at strangely low prices than other restaurants. From time to time persons have been complaining about the ‘wish wash’ manner in which the operators have been preparing food which is always lacking the customary salads and seasonings that normally comes with Chinese meals.

That aside, this newspaper has been reliably informed that three other Chinese Restaurants have been given warning letters dictating closure to their facility if they do not ‘clean up their act’ or get their business functioning within the realms of Health and Safety Regulations.

Just last month a Chinese Restaurant on Sherriff Street, Georgetown was temporarily closed after being inspected by officers of the Mayor and City Council’s Public Health Department.

Acting Chief Meat and Food Inspector, Onika Alleyne, had informed that the restaurant was asked to immediately close its doors and do some clean-up works, since it was found to be in an unsanitary state.

The Government AnalystFood and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has also been investigating claims of insects being present in food

GuySuCo accuses NICIL...

From page 12 acquire or have in his possession any firearm or ammunition to which this Part applies unless he holds a firearm licence in force at the time.”

GuySuCo said that several months ago, it reported to the Commissioner of Police and other relevant authorities but is still awaiting the return of the firearms and ammunitions.

“The Corporation is requesting that the relevant authorities act speedily to ensure that the weapons and ammunitions are returned.

The Corporation, its officers, employees, servants and agents shall not be liable for any injuries, loss of life, damage to property or any other claims resulting from the use and/or misuse of the said firearms and ammunitions at the abovementioned two estates from 31 December, 2017 to the date when they are returned to the corporations possession.”

sold to customers at a Chinese restaurant located in Providence, East Bank Demerara This restaurant was exposed by an angry customer who took to social media after discovering what appeared to be cockroach legs in his food. At this restaurant it is said that operators were observed operating in what appeared to be floodwaters, because the kitchen is lower than the rest of the building.

PAGE 22

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Provocation of spirit sends man to jail FOR RENT

SERVICES

FOR SALE

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

(1) Excavator CAT 315BL (1) Roller/Compactor CAT CB434C (1) Skid steer CAT 277B. Call for information, Rayman #615-2346/500-1600/ 628-0200/652-8505

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610, 290 Massey # 695-2220

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Corregated steel rods 1/2(12mm)- $960 per 6m length, 5/8-(16mm) $1680 per 6m length. Call: 623-1615

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Hair Stations/ Makeup/Nails & Barber, Available for rental, New market street. #699-6505 One bedroom apartment, Middle Rd, La-Penitence.

Contact #666-9534/614-7225 One Four bedroom concrete cottage, unfurnished for rent, located at 26 Continential Park, Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara. Tel#233-5808 (1) One bedroom apartment to rent single person preferably.

Contact Lisa #697-8867

Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 LAND FOR SALE CAR RENTAL

Farm road front E.B.D. Behind Park Vue hotel. High income land. Tel#669-5781, 696-7777

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Friendship $30M Sarah Johanna, Supply $35 M (River), Loo creek 35 acres, Canaan $9M US (River), South 100 x 100 GME #2312199/618-7483

1 Honda CRV. includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crash bar, Low mileage. PTT Series (First Owner) Contact #6490956

Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public road #2 Village W.C. B/ce 5 mins from B/ce Bridge. Contact# 686-4818/ 648-7109

Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501

Farm main road (East Bank) $6.8M Schnoord $3.6M (100ftx50ft) Dairy $2M Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M Tel#648-1635 Parfaite Harmonie transferable $1.9M, $1.5M Business spot $2.5M with foundation, transferable $3.5M, Farm $4M, $4.5M, $5.5M Call: 6662326

1-Toyota Tundra 4 wheel drive $2.2M, 1-BMW 318 $1.6M, 1 Audi convertible $2.9M, 1-Honda S2000 $2.5M Contact#650-0402/603-1402 Honda CRV, Low mileage, PWW series, year 2012, excellent condition, price $5.8 neg. Contact# 638-5828 For Sale- (1) 2005 Extra cab manual Toyota Tacoma, (1) 2005 BMW mini cooper, prices negotiable. Contact #673-3988

DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’sPER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 6435122,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM TO LET Office space to let.74 Brickdam opposite GT&T, 2 Floors fully Air conditioned, Generator, parking available.Call:226-6771/2264537.

(2) Bedroom upper-back apt, C/ville $60,000. Tel#619-5357/ 650-0716 WANTED Tyre repair technician and wheelie bin repair technician, 1 security guard. Tel#227-1717

PROPERTY FOR SALE

One male able-bodied clerk.

Contact#231-2029/616-5954

Whole day & Half day Nursery. Phonics & Aftercare Services (12-6pm) Register for Rising Star Phonics School. #690-9378

House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657/ yasharabhola4@gmail.com

Experienced live-in waitress to work in a bar, must have ID card. Age 18-22 yrs old #2212785/659-1930

Summer School (4-14yrs) Common Entrance Lessons, Phonics, Reading, Aftercare (3yrs-6yrs) High School (Forms 1&2) Preparation. Call: 677-0296

Roxanne Burnham $20M, North $18M, Norton $17M, Durban $16M, Parfaite $7M, Russle $22M, Thomas $240M GME #231-2199/618-7483

EDUCATION

Minibus driver, 44 route. #2253234 Wanted experienced hire car drivers at Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel. Contact 6165419, 265-7075

A welder was yesterday sentenced to jail, after he was brought before the courts for assaulting his friend whom he WANTED complained would provoke his spirit on a regular basis.

Cooks, Counter Staff/Server, Twenty-eight-year-old Supervisor, Baker/Pastry Raphael Burnett, of Lot 25 Maker. Tel#225-6255/226-9000 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, appeared in the Attractive live in waitress- Georgetown Magistrates Call: 327-0252/674-4665/649- Courts before Principal Mag3750 istrate Faith McGusty who 1 Experienced cook to work in read the charge to him.

The charge stated that on a bar. Contact Tel#679-2612 June 25, 2019, at North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he asWelder/Fabricator for interior saulted Rene Somerset in orlocation. Applicants must der to cause him actual bodily experienced. For further harm. information. Call: 618-2020 The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge and of1-house & land (4300 sq ft) with 4 master bedroom, gated fered to give an explanation community located @ to the court for his actions.

“Over a period of time this Schoonord WBD. Contact man has been provoking my #650-0402/603-1402 spirit; he always troubling me We buy land in Parfaite and saying things about me.

Harmonie, Eccles, Providence, Every time he sees me he Herstelling, Farm, Uitvlugt, would throw hints at me.”

He added, “The day I cut Zeelugt. Tel#651-1969/656him I had a shaving blade in 0701 my hand which I was using VACANCY to cut my beard and he had a School Assistant/Teachers, spade, and after he started Nursery, Lower & Upper troubling me we got into a Primary needed. Call: 690-9378 fight and I managed to get the upper hand at him and cut Immediate vacancy exists for him.”

Principal Magistrate male workers @ Del Ice Co. Tel#231-1408/642-9191 Vacancy exist for one Female to work @ Crystal Ics House in Blairmont, must have Maths & English #231-1408/618-3800 General domestic. 3 Days work. Must know to cook.

Apply with 2 references.

KeyFood McDoom village

VACANCY

Driver, Bond Clerk, Factory ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR- worker, must have CSEC. for DELIVERIES, sound more information, please call: education, honest. Telles 223-0090 Steel, 74 Hadfield St. #2266771 Experience Goldsmith needed at Jacob’s Jewellery and General Domestic to cook & Pawnshop. Address 16 Pike clean for East Bank. Call: 614- St, Kitty Georgetown.

4358 Tel#227-8748/622-4970 Vacancy for experience tractor/ lorry driver, Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St, Bourda

Female cleaner office & home.

Call: 642-9823

Vacancies @ Nirva Superstore Vacancy for Female cleaner, for Cashiers/Supermarket Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 helpers, Apply in person with written application @ 49 Robb St, Bourda Sheriff & Craig St. Tel#227Industrial Sales 5771 Representative, 5 Subject CXC Vacancy exist for the following: Age 25+ Experience in Sales, 1 esthetician, 1 Masseuse, 1 must own vehicle, email nail technician, 1 tutor for a 3 r e s u m e : yrs & a 5 yr old. Tel#603-2590 vacancy@josarltd.com LABOURERS- Honest and One Receptionist, night shift hardworking. Telles Steel, 74 only, come in with application, Hadfield St. 226-6771 43 Hadfield & Camp street, LORRY DRIVER/porter, Millenium Manor Hotel. basic education, honest.

Furniture installer, Telles Steel, 74 Hadfield St. supervisory experience, five 226-6771 years experience, drivers’ Looking for a job & license, good communication educational services? skills.

Email: Contact The Job Centre 43 starcomm36@yahoo.com Croal & Alexander Street or Tel#227-7995 call 502-4002/600-8457

Jailed: Raphael Burnett McGusty then said that she found his explanation hard to believe, given that it sounded like someone having a gun and the other person having a knife, but the person with the knife managed to win.

Police prosecutor Annalisa Brummell then stated the facts of the charge.

The prosecutor first highlighted that the defendant and virtual complainant are close friends.

On the day in question the virtual complainant was at work, which is located in North Sophia. The defendant passed the location and started to throw disrespectful hints at Somerset.

The victim answered the defendant with disrespectful hints of his own. This annoyed Burnett who later left the premises and headed home.

The defendant subsequently returned with a shaving blade in his hands. He then asked Somerset if he was speaking to him and the victim replied in the negative.

However, the defendant (Continued on page 23)

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Region One communities’ benefit from improved Sanitation - As GWI collaborates with UNICEF

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is working along with funding partner, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to improve access to safe drinking-water, adequate sanitation and good hygiene practices in several Region One communities.

What commenced as the Migrant Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Programme, has now been expanded to see both the Venezuelan migrants and local communities gaining access to improved facilities and conditions through innovative and sustainable solutions.

The prevailing economic crisis in Venezuela has resulted in an influx of migrants to Region One, leaving many vulnerable and placing strains on the local population in which they integrate. The majority of persons within the migrant population are women and children who occupy make-shift accommodation and have no access to basic amenities.

The WASH Programme is designed to ensure all have access to safe drinking-water, curbing open-defecation and ensuring facilities and awareness exist to encourage good hygiene practices.

This is pivotal for the safeguarding of the health and

well-being of the migrants as well as protecting the environment.

The company’s collaboration with UNICEF under this programme has thus far seen some 129 migrants at Khan’s Hill benefiting from a newly installed rainwater harvesting system, Jerry can water filters and safe drinking-water storage containers.

Additionally, 138 local residents of the Khan’s Hill community benefitted from equal interventions.

Open-defecation was terminated across both the migrant and local populations with the construction o f n i n e Ve n t i l a t e d I m proved Pit (VIP) Latrines, with special provisions for child use.

The VIP latrines were also designed with features to enable hand washing with soap, as part of the hygiene promoting aspect of the project.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van WestCharles, recently visited the community, where residents expressed gratitude for the facilities which have improved their day-to-day lives significantly.

K h a n ’s H i l l To s h a o , Ernest Santiago, who has been residing in the community for some 20 years,

Provocation of spirit...

From page 22 then took the shaving blade and cut the virtual complainant on the right side of his back when Somerset turned to walk away.

Somerset made his way to the police station and made a report and Burnett was later arrested and charged for the offence.

Prosecutor Brummell then stated that it is clear that the defendant could have made a report to the station after Somerset uttered words to him that he didnt like, but he had other intentions and took the matter into his own hands.

After listening to the facts presented by the prosecutor and the defendants explanation, Principal Magistrate McGusty sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment.

said this is the first time he has seen such an improvement in the community and the residents are very pleased.

Priscilla Francis, a resident for some 18 years, expressed similar sentiments.

“I so very glad about this what going on right now. So much years we in Region One in Khan’s Hill, we never get all this help. I so very glad for all those things we seeing from GWI and UNICEF. “For 23 years we never see all these things what happening right now in we community,” she noted.

The intervention will significantly reduce the burden of water collection through precarious terrain to unprotected ponds.

This is often done by women and children. Additionally, the Jerry can water filter and water storage containers will provide an improved quality of drinking-water to both migrants and local residents.

Currently, the project team is undertaking adequacy assessments of the completed WASH interventions to ensure that there are universal benefits, while examining

means to strengthen and sustain access to WASH for the Khans Hill community.

Dr. Van West-Charles has promised that the company will continue to provide support to the residents of Khan’s Hill as part of GWI’s mission to ensure all communities across Guyana have access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

In close collaboration with UNICEF, efforts are also underway to improve access to drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene in Imbertero, Smith Creek, White Water, Kamwatta, Morawhanna and Yarakita communities of Re-

gion One. Continuing its work in the region, GWI has also facilitated the construction of a sanitary block complete with water trestle at the Mabaruma Post office to provide some relief to pensioners and other users of the post office during long waiting periods.

Prior to this, these persons had no sanitary facilities.

The Region One Administration lauded the willingness and commitment of GWI to respond to a need that will not only see an improvement in the comfort and convenience to the elderly, but also to their dignity.

PAGE 24

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Visitors’ arrival rise even more

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced an almost 10 percent increase in the

number of visitors.

For the first five months of the ye a r, G u y a n a recorded 122,967 visitors.

“This is a 9.2% increase in comparison to the January - May, 2018 period which received 112,578

Performance in Maths improves...

From page 07 Science. Further, the Ministry revealed that in Region Six there was a total of 1,701 candidates and those who secured 50 percent and more was evident by the 37.7 percent in Mathematics, 52.1 percent in English, 33.8 percent in Social Studies and 37.2 percent in Science.

The Ministry also revealed that for this year too, there were 574 candidates in Region Seven and those who secured 50 percent and more were reflected by 26 percent in Mathematics, 45 in English, 21 percent in Social Studies and 25.4 percent in Science.

In Region Eight there were 350 candidates and those who secured 50 percent and more were evident by 19.1 percent in Mathematics, 33.1 percent in English, 13.7 percent in Social Studies and 13.4 percent in Science.

The total number of candidates in Region Nine amounted to 728 and those

who gained 50 percent or more were reflected by 19.2 percent in Mathematics, 38.9 percent in English, 18 percent in Social Studies and 19.7 percent in Science.

In Region Ten there were 849 candidates and those who secured 50 percent and more translated to 47.1 percent in Mathematics, 65.6 percent in English, 47.4 percent in Social Studies and 52.7 percent in Science.

In Georgetown [district 11], a total of 2,620 candidates participated in the assessment and of those who gained 50 percent or more, there were 58.8 percent in Mathematics, 74.6 percent in English, 56.5 percent in Social Studies and 60 percent in Science.

The NGSA is an examination which guides the Education Ministry’s placement of pupils at secondary level schools.

Although the Ministry officials shared the positive performance of the pupils,

they, however, were not at liberty yesterday to readily share information about the candidates who failed to reach the assessment’s benchmark.

However, Senior Education Officer, Ms. Carol Benn, who has the coordinating mandate to deal with pupils who failed to the meet the benchmark, said that information in this regard can be sourced from the Ministry at a later time.

Pupils who failed to meet the mandate are catered to through a six-year transitional programme.

Benn had revealed last year that more than 2,000 NGSA candidates did not meet the benchmark and as a result were inducted into the programme.

The Senior Education Officer was also asked yesterday to give an update on the programme to which she said, “we are going to review that programme and you will be informed.”

Royalty will be higher in future...

From page 08 the multi-billion dollar companys would not be open to Guyana securing a royalty. This was revealed in a brief on the technical meeting between ExxonMobil and officials of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

The meeting occurred in April 2016. The document was prepared by GGMC Commissioner General, Newell Dennison.

In his report on the meeting, Dennison said it was put on the table that there were some fiscal reviews being done and while they would not be concluded before finalizing the new agreement and licence (which were both signed in June 2016), it would be necessary to include certain principles.

The GGMC Commissioner General said, “A provision for a royalty in a contemplated hybrid PSA (Production Sharing Agreement) was mentioned and in the context of ensuring that Guyana is not at a disadvantage in a high oil price environment in the future.

Esso (ExxonMobil) was not at all receptive to that. However, it was left on the table.”

He added in the document, “I have the view that there may be a fair chance to model some notional improved royalty to kick in, but I also speculate that in the environment of deep water, deep target development, the price of oil would have to go up significantly before the departure of the financials that prevail now and what could materialize becomes of material consequence.” (The entire brief can be seen by following this link: file:/ //C:/Users/k.wilburg/Downloads/ GGMC%20Brief%20on%20Esso%20April%2015%202016.pdf).

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had said that Dennison and other GGMC officials were the lead negotiators for Guyana when the ExxonMobil contract was being tweaked in 2016.

Dennisons suggestion, however well intentioned, apparently fell on deaf ears since no such provision made it into the modified contract.

visitors,” the GTA said yesterday. “ Vi s i t o r s f r o m t h e Caribbean account for 49.4%,

while those from the United States and Canada account for 31.1% and 7.1% respectively.”

For the entire year, GTA had said that 286,732 visitors were recorded, up from 247,330 in 2017.

Boat captain accused of fuel theft found with unlicensed gun

A boat captain is in custody after he was picked up for theft and was found with an unlicensed gun.

According to the police, the boat captain was wanted for simple larceny of a quantity of fuel which

occurred at Morawhanna, North West District.

He was detained on Tu e s d a y, J u l y 2 , 2 0 1 9 , about 13:20hrs at the Mabaruma Police Station.

A search of a haversack in his possession revealed

an unlicensed pistol along with a magazine and 11 live rounds.

The 64-year-old suspect who resides in Bent Street, Georgetown, is assisting with the investigation into both matters.

Food and Drug Dept. being blocked from inspections From page 12 packaged, stored or sold for examination or sampling purposes; examine and make copies of any books, documents or other records relevant to the enforcement of their inspection activities and seize and detain for so long as may be necessary for the purpose of examination, investiga-

tion, trial or inquiry any food, drugs, cosmetics or medical device that contravenes the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act. Under the Food and Drugs Act, any person who contravenes the provisions of this act by doing the following is guilty of an offence- obstruct an inspector in the

carrying out of his duties under this Act; knowingly makes any false or misleading statement either verbally or in writing to any inspector engaged in carrying out his duties under this Act and remove, alter or interfere in any way with any article seized under this Act without the authority of an Inspector.

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

GMR&SC Race of Champions Round 2

First ever ‘Time Attack’ races set for July 21 race date

T

he second-round of the Guyana Mo tor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) National Race of Champions has been scheduled for July 21st at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

The competition is expected to be well attended by racers with cash prizes up for grabs for the respective championship winners along with the best performing novice rider.

Those respective championships are the Choke Starlet Cup, Miracle Optical Street Tuner Cup and Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner Cup. At the end of the three leg season, the top driver from each of the sponsored classes will pocket

$500,000 each.

However, a prerequisite for entry to any of these categories indicate that the sponsor’s logo for the category must be attached to the hood of the vehicle used for participation.

A total of $100,000 is up for the biking newbie that registers the fastest lap time; sponsored by Mohamed’s Enterprise.

In addition, fans are anticipated to flock to the track since it will be the first time in the history of Motor Sport in Guyana that a ‘Time Attack’ event will be contested. Note: Time Attack racing is a type of motorsport in which the racers compete for the best lap time. Each vehicle is timed

through numerous circuits of the track.

The racers make a preliminary circuit, then run the timed laps, and then finish with a cool-down lap.

The top mechanic was recognised for the first time last year and the club will continue to do that this year.

Balram Ramdeo of Balram Auto Mechanics is the current holder of the ‘Top Mechanic’ trophy.

After round one, Raymond Seebarran and Shan Seejattan were most outstanding behind four wheels, while Rameez Mohamed and Motilall Deodass shared the spoils in the Starlet Cup. The anticipated Group Four battles proved to be an-

Thursday July 04, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you've decided to change things around you, Aries. You're about to make radical changes to your life.

You feel that you're almost invulnerable, that nothing can resist you.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Taurus, you will have the opportunity to set the record straight with some of your relatives. Sometimes some of them take advantage of your kindness, and you serve without even a thought for yourself.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your philanthropic side is fading. You're used to thinking about others before thinking about yourself, but today, things are about to change. I CANCER (June 21–July 22) Haven't you wondered how it would feel to be omniscient, Cancer? Well, today you're about to have this experience.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today could provide an interesting opportunity to show your assets in a professional setting. People will be impressed by your personality and may even offer you a new job or exciting business proposal.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you may have to commit to some values close to your heart, Virgo. As a child, you were aware of the role you had to play in society.

You were greatly concerned about others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may feel your life is full of uninteresting people.

You think they're all alike and fit perfectly within a conservative society.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You might think you're the most intelligent person in the world. You hover over the notions that bind us.

You're transformed into an artist who's able to have great ideas.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Everybody knows that you're very strong willed.

You've always had a very active disposition.

You have the ability to surmount all obstacles and soak up all the energy that comes to your aid.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your family life will give you a lot of work today. Some of your relatives may express a desire for independence and some might even try to rebel.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You aren't the kind of person who likes to lead an ordinary life. You aren't afraid of the unknown.

You like to open up to new worlds and cultures.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You shouldn't try to stay alone today, Pisces.

Once in a while you need to spend some time alone t o p o n d e r your life, to dream and wish for better things to come.

Shan Seejattan leading Rameez Mohamed during group two action during round one of the National Race of Champions. ticlimactic with two-time CMRC Champion, Andrew King the only finisher in the first group-four race with

Kevin Jeffrey, Rupie Sewjattan and Keith Evelyn all falling out the contest.

In the second Group Four

showdown, none of the competitors managed to finish the race.

Raymond Seebarran won two of the three races in the Miracle Optical Street Tuner Cup, to get a fantastic start to the championship trophy and $500,000 cash prize.

In the Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner, Shan Seejattan won two of three races while Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr. won the other. Seejattan, who is also the defending Group -two champion got off his title defence positively with a win in the only race held in that class.

The championship winner of that class will receive a round trip to Miami, USA. Sponsors already confirmed for the event include E-Networks, Tropical Shipping, B.M. Soat Auto Sales, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Miracle Optical, Choke Gas Station, Special Auto, Prem’s Electrical, Nexus Machine Shop, Blue Spring Water, Motor Trend Service Center, Ramchand’s Auto Body, Power Line Automotive and KGM Security Services.

(Calvin Chapman)

PAGE 30

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Netherlands reach first World Cup final with extra-time rocket Lyon, France (Reuters) - A long-range strike from Jackie Groenen sent European Champions the Netherlands into their first women’s World Cup final as they edged Sweden 1-0 after extra time in their semi-final yesterday.

The 24-year-old midfielder scored in the 99th minute when she collected a deflected pass outside the box and struck it expertly into the bottom right corner of the goal to put the Dutch into Sunday’s final against holders the United States.

The game marked the first time a women’s World Cup semi-final had gone to extra time and it proved a tight contest between the two sides, who last met in the quarterfinals of Euro 2017 when the Dutch won 2-0 before going on to win the competition.

The match build-up had fo-

cused on the talented Netherlands forwards such as alltime top scorer Vivianne Miedema (60 goals) and the pacy attack of 2016 Olympic silver medalists Sweden, featuring Stina Blackstenius who had scored the winner against Germany in the previous round.

However, it was the goalkeepers who found themselves the busiest players throughout the regulation 90 minutes. Sweden were the brighter side in the first half but could not find a way past Netherlands stopper Sari van Veenendaal.

The captain routinely tipped over dangerous inswinging corners and instinctively saved with her foot a close-range toe poke from Lina Hurtig shortly before halftime. The match opened up a bit more in the second

half. Sweden defender Nilla Fischer hit the post 10 minutes after the restart and Miedema had her header tipped on to the bar by the fingertips of Hedvig Lindahl.

The 36-year-old keeper, who most recently played for Chelsea in England, was equal to the threat of a Dutch side who grew in confidence, particularly with the introduction of Shanice van den Sanden who flew down the right wing.

Lindahl tipped over a fierce strike from the pinkhaired Van den Sanden in second-half stoppage time. However, her resistance was finally broken by an excellent quickfire strike from Groenen in the first period of extra time.

The midfielder, who will feature for Manchester United in England’s top flight next season, chose the perfect time to

European Champions the Netherlands celebrates entry into their first women’s World Cup final. register her first shot on target and first goal of the tournament. Despite playing in

only their second World Cup, the Netherlands keep their incredible journey going with a

final date against the record three-time world champions on Sunday.

Wimbledon 2019 Novak Djokovic through after Coco Gauff beats Magdalena Reilly Opelka knocks out Rybarikova to reach third round Stan Wawrinka BBC Sport - Coco Gauff ’s fairytale introduction to Wimbledon continued with a second-round victory that belied her years over Magdalena Rybarikova. The 15year-old American qualifier needed just one hour nine minutes to beat her Slovakian opponent 6-3 6-3 under Court One’s new roof.

Gauff, who beat five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams on Monday, will play Slovenia’s Polona Hercog next. “I’m still shocked I am even here,” Gauff told BBC TV. ”I played well on pressure points, she was serving amazing. I’ve not been able to relax, there is so much going on. “I believe I can beat anyone across the court.”

She becomes the youngest player to reach the last 32 at Wimbledon since fellow American Jennifer Capriati, who, also at 15, reached the semi-finals in 1991.

At such a tender age, Gauff is only eligible to play 10 tournaments at professional level between her 15th and 16th birthdays yet she appears to be taking the grand occasion of Wimbledon in her stride.

Earlier on Wednesday (yesterday), she had trained briefly under the gaze of 18-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal before being approached for a chat by Roger Federer, an eight-time winner in these parts, more than six hours before she finally got to play.

After a late court switch, the match finally got under way just after 20:00 BST, but Gauff looked at home straightaway against the world number 139, who reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon two years ago.

She broke 30-year-old Rybarikova’s serve to love to go 4-2 up, losing just five points on her own serve throughout the entire first set.

Rybarikova, somewhat unsettled by

The 15-year-old American sensation looked in control throughout and deserved the win. the crowd’s fierce support for Gauff, had her serve broken once again early in the second set.

But, showing glimpses of the form that saw her formerly become the world number 17, Rybarikova started to rally, twice defying Gauff on break point. Yet this was always to be Gauff’s night, seeing out the win by breaking serve once again in front of a delighted packed Court One crowd and in front of her ecstatic parents Corey and Candi.

Seventh seed Simona Halep survived a scare to beat fellow Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-3 4-6 6-2 and book a spot in the third round.

The former world one dominated early on but her form dropped dramatically in the second set as world number 53 Buzarnescu broke serve in the ninth game en route to levelling the match.

They broke each other in the third before Halep broke twice more to win. The 27-year-old will next play two-time semi-finalist Victoria Azarenka. The Belarus player de-

feated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 6-0, earlier yesterday.

Elsewhere, Eastbourne champion and third seed Karolina Pliskova, who has yet to venture beyond the fourth round, saw off Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig 6-0 6-4 to reach round three.

But there were two late upsets when American 17th seed Madison Keys lost 6-2 6-4 to Slovenian world number 60 Polona Hercog and Latvian 12th seed Anastasija Sevastova was beaten 4-6 6-4 6-3 by American world number 34 Danielle Collins. Russian Margarita Gasparyan’s hopes of claiming the scalp of seeded Elina Svitolina came to an abrupt end when she landed awkwardly after serving.

The world number 62 was a set up and had outplayed the Ukrainian before the incident at 5-5 in the second set that resulted in the tearful player retiring with the score 5-7 6-5. Eighth seed Svitolina will now play Maria Sakkari in the third round.

Top seed Novak Djokovic cruised into the Wimbledon third round after three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka lost to American Reilly Opelka. Serbia’s Djokovic, 32, needed just one hour and 33 minutes to beat American Denis Kudla 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Ex-world number three Wawrinka had the upper hand against 2015 boys’ junior champion Opelka after three sets. But 6ft 11in Opelka fought back with ferocious serving to edge a three-hour match 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4 86 .

Djokovic is the defending champion at SW19 and once again considered the man to beat as he chases a fifth title at the All England Club. The 15time Grand Slam winner was never threatened against Kudla, producing another efficient performance on Centre Court against the world number 111.

Djokovic, who has added former champion Goran Ivanisevic to his team for the tournament, played a high level throughout as he moved well and relentlessly tested Kudla.

“I’m pleased with my game overall.

There were some moments in the match where I could have done better, I dropped my serve a couple of times,” said Djokovic, who also beat Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets on Monday. ”But it was a solid performance, I was returning well, mostly I was serving well and I was holding a high percentage of first serves.” Djokovic will play Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz little over a month since the Serb beat him in the French Open first round - next on Friday (tomorrow).

Opelka is the joint-tallest-ever ATPranked player, along with Ivo Karlovic. His 142mph (228kph) serve against Wawrinka was the fastest of the Championship so far. After the

Novak Djokovic celebrates beating Denis Kudla match the Florida-raised player, who won his first ATP title in February with victory at the New York Open, bristled when asked how tall he was.

Opelka, 21, will face Canadian Milos Raonic in the third round. The 2016 finalist, who is seeded 15th, defeated Dutchman Robin Haase 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 7-6 (7-4). South African fourth seed Kevin Anderson, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s final, advanced with a 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-4 victory over Serbia’s Janko T i p s a r e v i c .

Russian Karen Khachanov got through a tricky test against Queen’s champion Feliciano Lopez.

The 10th seed came from a set down to win 4-6 6-4 7-5 6-4 and make it through to the third round for the third year in a row.

Fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev, the 11th seed, defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 6-4 6-4, while Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime progressed by beating France’s Corentin Moutet 6-3 46 6-4 6-2.

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup

Hosts reach World Cup semi-finals

BBC Sport - England surged into their first World Cup semi-final since 1992 with a comprehensive 119-run defeat of New Zealand at Chester-le-Street.

The hosts are set to finish third in the group and will meet India or Australia at Edgbaston next Thursday for a place in the final.

Needing to defeat the Black Caps to be sure of progressing, England were led by Jonny Bairstow’s dominant hundred, his second century in the space of four days.

Though they were checked as the New Zealand bowling improved, the England total of 305-8 seemed imposing on a pitch that gradually got harder to bat on.

And they were boosted by the run outs of both Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor Williamson unluckily undone when backing-up - that left New Zealand 69-4. From there, the Black Caps sucked the life from the spectacle with a limp attempt to defend their net run-rate, eventually being bowled out for 186 with Mark Wood taking 3-34 on his home ground.

Williamson’s men have now suffered three successive defeats and slipped to fourth in the table. They will be caught if Pakistan beat Bangladesh tomorrow, though it would need an almost impossible swing in run-rate to deny them a place in the semis.

Back-to-back defeats by Sri Lanka and Australia left England on the brink of an unthinkable exit, but they have responded with impressive wins over India and New Zealand, two fellow members of the top four.

Whereas Sunday’s victory at Edgbaston was played in front of a crowd ferocious in its support of the Indians, here they were willed on by a loyal following in the Durham sunshine. Eoin Morgan once again had the benefit of winning an important toss. Not only did batting seem easier early in the day - though that could have been due to the excellence of Bairstow and Jason Roy - their three losses have come when chasing.

With a score on the board, England, again fielding four frontline pace bowlers, were a constant threat with the ball and superb in the field. Jos Buttler took a wonderful diving catch to remove Martin Guptill and Adil Rashid’s bullet throw accounted for Taylor.

England began the World Cup as the top-ranked side and favourites. Now they are playing well enough to justify both tags they will be feared in the semis, especially if they bat first.

It is no coincidence England have got back to winning ways since Roy returned from a hamstring injury to resume his dependable opening partnership with Bairstow. Indeed, there was a sense of inevitability about the result from as early as the first over, when Roy hit left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner through the covers for four.

On Sunday, they added 160 for the first wicket, here it was 123 and, just as at Edgbaston, it was Bairstow who went on to make the more telling contribution.

So often Bairstow favours the leg side, but here he crunched the ball through the

covers, played delicate late cuts and launched a mighty straight six down the ground.

The Yorkshireman has now made two centuries since attracting controversy for saying people were “waiting for England to fail” - comments he has since rowed back from - and celebrated with a leap into the air.

England slowed after he dragged on to his own stumps off Matt Henry - they were actually 111-7 over the course of the last 20 overs - but Bairstow had already done enough to lift them to a winning score.

New Zealand won five of their first six games - the other rained off - but they now find themselves stumbling into their semi-final at Old Trafford on Tuesday against whichever team tops the group. Disadvantaged by the toss and an injury to pace bowler Lockie Ferguson, they started poorly with the ball, especially Santner and the returning Tim Southee, who was punished by Bairstow.

As England ran hard, New Zealand’s fielding was sloppy, but the Black Caps gradually adjusted to the conditions and their improvement was led by the variations of medium-pacer Jimmy Neesham.

New Zealand’s real problem is a reliance on the batting of Williamson - before today he had scored more than 30% of their runs in the tournament.

For that reason, the freakish way he was dismissed was a huge stoke of fortune for England and a mortal blow to the Kiwis.

As Taylor drove straight,

YBG-NSBF National Playoffs

Kwakwani on top after third days play

T

he third day of play in the Youth Bas ketball Guyana (YGB) National Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF) on Tuesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue witnessed group round-robin play in the Under-14 and Girls’ Divisions.

Kwakwani Secondary enjoyed big wins in both categories which confirmed them as title contenders.

In Under-14 play, Kwakwani steamrolled Saint Stanislaus College 50-9.

Gevon Ross was outstanding with a double-double (14

points, 15 rebounds) while Kelon Philips (10) and Matthew David (9) supported well.

Jamie Bascom managed five points for the Saints and Jaban Lovell, 4.

Other results in the U-14 category saw St. Rose’s High disposing of the YBG Cluster 27-10 and The Bishops’ High beating Marian Academy 1512. In the Girls’ Division, Kwakwani dominated Queen’s College (QC) 29-17.

Holly Grimmond (8) and National footballer Jalade Trim (7) were the main contributors in the easy win. Noami Barkoye scored 8 points and

grabbed an incredible 21 rebounds from QC but it wasn’t enough to stave off the high flying Kwakwani side.

In the other girls’ division match up, Saints were on the losing side once more, going down 31-2 to Marian Academy. Kelliann Sauers (14) and Angelique Foo (6) were the main tormentors of Saints while Madison Chichester scored the lone Field Goal (FG) for the losers.

The NSBF is sponsored by Edward B. Beharry and Company Ltd, the National Sports Commission, Banks DIH, ExxonMobil and Bounty Ltd.

Ross Taylor is run out by England wicket keeper Jos Buttler as New Zealand came up short.

bowler Wood got a finger-end to the ball before it crashed into the non-striker’s stumps, with the desperate Williamson short of his ground. In the

next over, Taylor foolishly chanced Rashid’s arm attempting a second and the contest was as good as over.

Scores: England 305-8 (50

overs): Bairstow 106, Roy 60, Neesham 2-41. New Zealand 186 (44.5 overs): Latham 57, Taylor 28, Wood 3-34. England won by 119 runs.

All Saints Anglican Church donate Monkey Bars and Swings to Esplanade Recreation Park

Member of All Saints Anglican Church with New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Haywood following the presentation ceremony.

The All Saints Anglican Church in New Amsterdam, Berbice which is one of the pillars of Anglicanism in Guyana is presently celebrating its 180th Anniversary. The church, which was consecrated on June 30th, 1839 is marking the occasion with a series of activities which included a Celebratory Mass at the Church attended by His Excellency, President David Granger and Bishop Charles Davidson.

The Church also donated a number of Monkey Bars and Swings to the New Amsterdam Town Council to be placed at the Esplanade Recreational Park. The Esplanade Recreational Park is used for football and cricket among other sports.

It is presently undergoing some rehabilitative work and the Monkey Bars and Swings will be used to enhance the aesthetics of the facility.

Jamaica hurdles champion, Rushell Clayton headed to AP Invitational Current Jamaican National 400m hurdles champion Rushell Clayton will be at the Aliann Pompey Invitational set for this Saturday from 15:00hrs at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Clayton recently won the 400m hurdles at the Jamaican National Trials with a time of 54.73s and is also the defending 400m hurdles champ of the AP Invitational. With Guyana now developing its 400m hurdles acumen,

having the Jamaican national champion in attendance is definitely going to be a big boost to the AP Invitational. Further, Clayton is also ranked number 29 in the world and improving as she competes; a big win could mean rising in the world ranking for Clayton. Nevertheless, Guyanese athletes will be able to compete against a class performer and the ability to pick the brain of Clayton will foster development for that particular event.

PAGE 32

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

The Art Form of Acrobatics Still Alive

By Zaheer Mohamed

A

crobatics is the performance of ex traordinary human feats of stability, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, sporting events and martial arts.

Acrobatics can be beneficial in many ways including helping to inculcate discipline and maintaining a decent fitness level and Guyanese Acrobat Owen Stewart is keen to make this knowledge and skills live on.

Fifty year-old Stewart of West Ruimveldt has made a name

for himself in this field which he terms, Sport Acrobatics.

He has performed in several countries including the USA, St. Maarten, French Guiana, Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Jamaica, England and Suriname.

He usually performs at live shows in Georgetown and entertains members of the public mostly on weekends at Sweet Point on Orange Walk, Fish Shop at Hadfield Street and Nicky’s Bar in Kitty.

Included in his stunts are Yoga, balancing of a bicycle on his forehead and plunging through a bicycle rim laden with fire. Speaking with

Wiltshire, B 13 Dominoes Team Tourney for Sunday Following the completion of the Caricom Day dominoes tournament, Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association, Mark Wiltshire and B 13 Dominoes Team will be hosting a one-day tournament on Sunday at ‘C’ Field Sophia.

Entrance fee is $10,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $120,000, runner up a trophy and $60,000 and third place $20,000. Double six time is 14:00hrs and interested teams can contact Wiltshire on 659 8672 for registration.

Kaieteur Sport on Monday last, Stewart said the response from the Guyanese public is very encouraging so far and it is important that his performances be publicised so that the youths can be encouraged to try their hands at it.

Stewart informed that he developed a passion for Acrobatics at the age of 13 and took classes under the guidance of Baskian Sankar in Berbice, mostly after school. ”Being able to witness other acrobats performing at school motivated me to learn the trade and I am willing to pass on the knowledge to the youths,” he added. Stewart performed at several schools locally, but that was halted due to overseas commitments.

However, he is hoping to gain permission from the Ministry of Education to continue so that the knowledge can be handed down to generations following his retirement.

He is hoping that Guyanese can come forward and render assistance so that he can not only be provided with a classroom,

but a stipend as well. “Learning this trade can keep the youths meaningfully occupied and help them to go places.”

Stewart also informed that he had won the Heineken James Bond promotion which was held in Suriname in 2015, a feat which paved the way for his trip to London, England. “Winning the competition in Suriname was a plus for me; I competed with people from Suriname, Brazil, Argentina and Holland. I was told that discipline and dress code were factors that were taken into consideration by the judges.”

One year later, following one his performances in London, Stewart visited the James Bond movie studio at the request of the Manager there, where he was told that one of his performances would be featured in an upcoming James Bond movie.

During his stay in London, Stewart undertook a diploma course in dancing and exercises at Lamberth College. He is available to perform in Guyana can be contacted on 682 7958.

Owen Stewart balances a bicycle on his forehead during his visit to Kaieteur News.

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

Jimenez goal sends Mexico past Haiti and into Final

Brazil beat Argentina in Copa America semi-final

Action in the Concacaf Gold Cup semi final between Haiti and Mexico.

P

hoenix, Arizona – Raul Jimenez con verted a penalty kick in extra time to earn Mexico a 1-0 win over Haiti in their 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal on Tuesday night at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mexico had the majority of possession and chances in the first half, with the best scoring opportunity coming in the 35’ via a Jimenez header that forced Haiti GK Jhony Placide into a flying s a v e .

The Haiti defense was stiff in its resistance and by the hour mark the two teams were still locked in a scoreless duel. On 66 minutes, a curling free kick from Andres Guardado looked goalbound, but Placide again made a huge save.

Haiti looked to strike on the counterattack, but was turned away by a similarly resolute Mexico back line.

The whistle blew on regular time, so things headed to extra time where Jimenez was fouled in the area and converted the penalty to earn Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 93’.

Haiti threw everything at the Mexican defense in hopes of

an equalizer and were also kept in the game by some heroics from Placide.

Mikael Cantave had one last crack at a goal for Les Grenadiers, but his effort struck the crossbar with just minutes remaining, allowing Mexico to punch its ticket to Sunday’s Final.

Meanwhile, after a historic 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup campaign in which it reached the semifinals for the first time ever, the future is most definitely bright for Haitian football.

Les Grenadiers proved to be the revelation of the tournament, completing a perfect group stage campaign with three wins, followed by a comeback 3-2 quarterfinal victory versus Canada in which it faced a two-goal deficit at halftime, making it Haiti’s third comeback win of the tournament.

It is also worth remembering that Haiti did not concede a single second half goal in the 2019 Gold Cup. It all feeds into the idea that this Haiti team, with an average age of 24.33, is on its way to bigger and brighter things.

“I’m feeling proud for what the players achieved in the

last several weeks and tonight,” said Collat in his postmatch press conference. ”We played to our potential and we just need to improve our forward play because we missed some players, but I applaud my players and it proves Haiti had a fantastic tournament in reaching the semifinals,” added Collat.

Haiti’s emergence started a long time before the 2019 Gold Cup. Last September Haiti kicked off its 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League Qualifying slate with a 13-0 win over Sint Maarten before finishing with a sparkling 4W0D-0L record, with 19 goals scored and two conceded, earning a first-place finish in CNLQ.With Nations League A and Concacaf World Cup qualifying for Qatar 2022 on the horizon, Haiti is ready to make even more history in the Concacaf region. ”This defeat is disappointing but it has been a successful tournament for us.

I hope in September we can start anew. We must work harder to prove to everyone that Haiti was and can stay at this level in the future,” concluded Collat. (Concacaf)

LABA and MSC mounts metal backboard to have basketball played in Linden Clubs meet association to decide on way forward tonight After a long wait and no sign of assistance forthcoming, the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) has located the old metal backboard which replaced for the fibre glass set which were donated by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation some years ago, as they seek to have competitive basketball return to the Bauxite Mining

T o w n .

This evening, LABA will meet from 18:30hrs at the MSC Pavilion with the affiliated basketball clubs and President of LABA, Lawrence Simon will inform the affiliates of the plans to once again have the sport played after one of the two fibre glass backboards became damaged when personnel from another promotion sought to have it shifted.

Approaches were made to the National Sports Commission and the Regional Democratic Council for assistance but in the end, steps were taken to re-use the old metal back board until that situation changes.

Clubs are reminded that they must register players for upcoming competitions and ensure they attend this evenings’ meeting.

Gabriel Jesus (centre) and Roberto Firmino (left) both scored as Brazil beat Argentina 2-0.

BBC Sport - Brazil forwards Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino both scored as they beat arch-rivals Argentina 2-0 in the Copa America semi-final. Jesus opened the scoring after 19 minutes when he sidefooted in a low cross from Firmino.

Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi both struck the woodwork for Argentina, who have not beaten Brazil in a major competitive fixture since 2005. A Firmino tap-in secured the win to set up a final against Peru or Chile.

Brazil’s win came at the same Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte where they were thumped 7-1 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals. Argentina captain Lionel Messi felt a number of decisions went against his side as they failed to reach the final for only the second time in the last six Copas.

Messi was particularly aggrieved Argentina were not awarded a penalty by referee Roddy Zambrano before Brazil’s second goal. He said:

“Brazil were not better than us. They found the net early and the second goal came from a penalty they didn’t a w a r d . ”The officiating was crazy.

There were clear penalties, on (Nicolas) Otamendi, on Kun (Sergio Aguero). “He (the referee) was on their side. In every divided ball or dispute, he went their way. ”It’s not an excuse, but the truth is that, in this Copa, they kept on blowing for stupid things, for handballs, penalties. ”But they didn’t even go to VAR when there were clear plays that should have been looked at.”

Messi, who has won 29 trophies with Barcelona, has yet to win a major title with Argentina with his only success being a 2008 Olympics gold medal.

His next chance to change that will be when Argentina co-host the 2020 Copa America, with Colombia.

“Something new is on the horizon,” said the 32-year-

old, who quit international football after his country’s defeat by Chile in the 2016 Copa America before returning for the 2018 World Cup. ”I hope we are respected and not criticised. They should let the team be and let them grow.

“The truth is I have got on very well with this group of players and if I have to help in some way I will. This is a great group which is growing and if I can join them I will.”

Brazil have lost just twice in 42 games under coach Tite, who praised Manchester City striker Jesus after the match.

“Gabriel impresses all the professionals that work with him because he never gives up,” said Tite. ”People tell him ‘you just have to put up with the pain and run,’ and that’s what I asked him to do. ”He has to refine his solutions and he has to evolve because he’s young, but if I ask him to shoot 50 times, he’ll do 51.

“This capacity of persistence and his quest for something is his trademark.”

Duguid disappointed with turn-out for GCUSA lectures The low turn-out of Club Captains, Coaches and Players for the ongoing Lectures on the Laws of Cricket organised by the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA) every Tuesday and Thursday at the DCC pavilion is a major disappointment for International Umpire Nigel.

When Kaieteur Sport visited the lectures on Tuesday last at a flooded DCC ground, only five persons were present including the 49-year-old Nigel Duguid and First Class match Referee and Jaguars Coach, former West Indies pacer, Colin Stuart; the other three persons were all Umpires.

According to Duguid, the big-

gest turn-out since the lectures commenced last month, was 15 and it comprised mostly Umpires. ”I am disappointed that with this rainy season more players, especially Captains are not making use of the opportunity to get acquainted with the 42 Laws in Cricket” said Duguid who has so far done six ODI’s.

Duguid, who made his ODI debut in March 2017 when West Indies opposed England in Antigua, has also officiated in eight T20 Internationals.

He feels many times Umpires are blamed, especially at the local level, for what many feel are wrong decisions without knowing the Laws of

cricket which were updated in 2 0 1 7 .

Arliegh Rutherford, President of the GCUSA, feels these lectures which leads up to writing of the preliminary Umpires Exams caters also for those who want to learn the Laws but don’t want an Umpiring career, he called on club captains to attend sessions.

The next session is scheduled on Tuesday from 17:00 hrs at the DCC pavilion.

Meanwhile, despite their ground being under water due to heavy Rain and clogged drains around the Queenstown venue, players were practicing on the concrete All-Weather Practice Facility.

PAGE 34

Thursday July 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Windies hoping for strong finish against dangerous Afghans

L

eeds, England, CMC – West Indies will aim to prevent an already failed World Cup campaign from ending in a complete travesty when they take on dangerous minnows Afghanistan in their final outing here today.

After opening the tournament with a dominant win over Pakistan on May 31, the Windies have seen their campaign go off the rails with six defeats in seven matches, leaving them ninth on three points and only above their Afghan opponents who are still winless.

With little pride to play for after already recording their worst World Cup showing ever, Thursday’s contest at Headingley is a must win for the Windies if they are to return home with any semblance of dignity.

Assistant coach Roddy Estwick told media here Monday despite the wretched run

of results, players had not allowed their heads to drop and were looking forward to finishing the tournament with a victory. ”Surprisingly, driving down from Durham, after the loss, surprisingly the mood in the camp was still good,” Estwick said in reference to the 23-run defeat to Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Steet on Monday. ”The boys on the bus were still playing dominoes, the spirit in the dressing room was tremendous. And that can only serve us well going forward so we’re happy from that point of view. ”Obviously we’re not happy losing games but we started to build something and once we can remain patient and we can keep building, young players are coming through, and once that keeps happening then things will get a lot better.”

West Indies will need to

New Era/ExxonMobil Schools’ Futsal tourney set for tomorrow

The inaugural New Era Schools’ Futsal championship, which is being supported by ExxonMobil, will kick off tomorrow from 15:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club Basketball Court and will conclude with the finals at the same venue on July 13th.

A total of seven (7) school teams will compete in four games per night in the two-week competition which has been approved by the Ministry of Education. Those teams are Christianburg/Wismar Secondary, New Silvercity Secondary, Wisburg Secondary, Mackenzie High, Linden Foundation High, Linden Technical Institute and MC’s Educational Institute.The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will be conducting a two-day workshop during the tournament that will teach students the rules of the sport. There will also be seminars that will teach the young men basic life skills.

The first place prize is $200,000, second $150,000, third $100,000 and the fourth place finishers in the tournament will pocket $50,000. All of which will go towards a project of the school’s choice.

Left-hander Nicholas Pooran goes through his drills in a net session on Wednesday.

exercise an abundance of caution against an Afghan side coached by former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, who in the past served as the Caribbean side’s head coach.

In their five meetings to date, West Indies have lost three and more instructively, have lost the last two outings – at last year’s World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

Like West Indies, Af-

ghanistan have been guilty of squandering winning positions throughout the tournament. They squeezed Pakistan here last Saturday here before surrendering with two balls to spare, and were 104 for two in pursuit of 263 against Bangladesh before collapsing.

In Southampton, they held powerhouses India to 224 only to lose by 11 runs after seamer Mohammed Shami

snatched a final-over hattrick. West Indies are well aware of the danger posed by Afghanistan and Estwick said he backed his side to produce the performance necessary to win on Thursday (today). ”I remember our backs were against the wall against England [in the Leeds Test in 2017]. We had lost badly at Birmingham,” he recalled.

“Everybody was saying the final day that we were going to lose to England badly as well. We chased [324] down.

So hopefully tomorrow with backs against the wall we can come up with that kind of performance and we can finish on a high.”

The tournament has been one of near misses for the Windies. They were 190 for four in pursuit of 289 to beat Australia and lost by 15 runs at Nottingham and then failed to defend 322 against Bangladesh in Taunton after asking the Asians to mount a record run chase.

They came within five runs of beating New Zealand in Manchester and then also fluffed their lines against Sri Lanka.

Not for the first time,

Estwick acknowledged that West Indies had failed to properly negotiate the “big moments” during several games. ”Looking back over the eight games that we played, I mean I personally thought that we should have won four of those. We were very, very close,” he lamented. “We just didn’t play the big moments well and hopefully we can learn from that and we can move forward and we can plan for the next one.”

WEST INDIES – Jason Holder (captain), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.

AFGHANISTAN – Gulbadin Naib (captain), Asghar Afghan, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shinwari, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad.

BCB express thanks to Brian Ramphal and other sponsors for Award Ceremony support The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday June 23rd last hosted their 2nd Annual Award Ceremony at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground which has been deemed a huge success with 32 awards presented to the top cricketers, coaches and clubs across the Ancient County.

The event also featured the honouring of over 65 officials, umpires and sponsors along while cricket bats were presented to Isaih Thorne and

Rampersaud Ramnauth, the two Berbicians selected to tour England with the West Indies Under-15 Team.

The BCB also recognized their winning Inter County teams while a total of 13 clubs received $200,000 worth of cricket balls and raincoats.

Also taking place was the Upper Corentyne Awards Ceremony.

President Hilbert Foster who spearheaded the events along with Public Relations

Officer, Simon Naidu stated that the day’s events were tagged at $600,000.

Foster expressed gratitude to the main sponsor, Brian Ramphal for his massive investment into Berbice cricket.

Ramphal, Foster stated was one of the main reasons why the last two years of the game in Berbice has been so successful, hailing the overseas based Guyanese as a hero. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, over the last 17 months has also been a major supporter of Berbice cricket, investing millions of its own funds to assist the BCB to administer the sport. Some of the club’s assistance came in the form of support for the Awards, total sponsorship of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Awards Ceremony and the cost of the donated balls and raincoats.The Board would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Guysuco in allowing the uses of the venue,

providing security and preparation of the centre. Singled out for special mention were Guysuco Officials, Vemen Walter, Orvin Mangru, Roger Mc Donald, Moses Indardat and Teka Pooran.

Companies and individuals coming in for praise were Guyana Beverage Company, Demerara Distillers Limited, Vickram Suebarran, Apex Inssurance, Bissoondyal Singh, The Trophy Stall, Republic Bank, Mursalene Bacchus, A. Ally & Sons, Berbice Chamber of Commerce & Development Association, Berbice River Bridge, Region Democratic Council, Region 6, David Armogan, Dennis Deroop, Bakewell, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Port Mourant Cricket Club and Albion Community Centre Cricket Club.

Management of the BCB said it is recommitting to the continued development of the sport and is looking forward to working with all stakeholders in the future.

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 04, 2019

PAGE 35

GFF Youth Teams intensify preparations for CFU and CONCACAF tourneys Training for the various National teams will be intensified in the coming weeks as the countdown to their participation in key Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and Concacaf Youth tournaments in the July – September window draw closer.

Guyana is scheduled to participate in six youth tournaments: Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Qualifiers, July 13-21 in Guyana; the preliminary Round of Men’s Under-23 Olympic Qualifier (home & away match), July 21; CFU Girl’s Under-14 – August 112 (Group 5) to be held in the Dominican Republic; Concacaf Under-15 Boy’s Championship – August 4-12 at the IMG Academy; Concacaf Under-17 Women’s Championship - August 21- 25 and the Caribbean Football Union Boy’s Under-14, scheduled for S e p t e m b e r , n e x t .

Preparations, which began in May have seen teams engaged in a weekly schedule of training at the

Some of the U-14 Boys in training.

GFF National Training Centre, Providence: “The preparation is taking the form of two weekly sessions for all the youth teams utilizing week days from 16:00hrs – 18:00hrs and weekends when available for an additional two hours,” said Bryan Joseph, GFF’s Youth Development Officer. ”We have been implementing or applying the new strategy relative to how we prepare national teams so we’re not doing short, compressed preparation anymore.

We’re doing preparation over a longer period. While the number of sessions do not increase, what

increases is the period of time that we are actually spending in preparing the groups,” Joseph added.

Commenting on the composition of the technical squad, Joseph said this is being led by the Technical Department: “We haven’t yet been able to confirm the staff for the various groups even though respective individuals have been identified and have been working with the various groups.

There is some overlapping taking place but as we get closer to tournament date and encampment, we’ll finalize the respective staff.”

Players are taken from the various

Academy Training Centres (ATCs) as well as from scouting activities and those identified by the various Technical Development Officer (TDOs). Detailed lists of provisional squads will soon be available.

For the Concacaf Women’s

Under 20 Qualifiers, Guyana has been placed in Group ‘A’ along with Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname and St. Lucia.

Matches are scheduled for the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora (Guyana) and Warner Park, St. Kitts & Nevis.

The match schedule for Guyana is as follows: Date Team Team Time July 13 Guyana vs Bermuda 18:00hrs July 19 St. Lucia vs Guyana 18:00hrs July 21 Guyana vs Suriname 16:00hrs

rt o p S

Jamaica hurdles champion, YBG-NSBF National Playoffs Rushell Clayton headed to Kwakwani on top after third days play AP Invitational

P.31

P.31

Jamaican National 400m hurdles champion, Rushell Clayton

Play between Kwakwani Secondary (offence) and Queen’s College on Wednesday night in the Girls’ division.

Netherlands reach first World Hosts reach Cup final with extra-time rocket World Cup P. 30

P.31

semi-finals

Jackie Groenen scored with her first shot on target.

Bairstow and Jason Roy shared an opening stand of 123 at the Riverside on Wednesday.

GFF Youth Teams intensify preparations for CFU and CONCACAF tourneys

Windies hoping for strong finish against dangerous Afghans

P. 35

P. 34