K
Bar Association NEWS condemns attack on CCJ ahead of ruling
Tuesday Edition
AIETEUR
July 07, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 27
p. Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 13
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
readership yesterday 147,130
Gazette shows NICIL manager received State land days after elections p. 7
ExxonMobil to move ahead with first well in Kaieteur Block p. 7
De facto Govt. forges Two cars with ahead with plans for identical number rice production new Wismar Bridge plates; man New traffic restrictions will hamper
p. 15
- Millers
p. 14
- holds virtual public consultation today
p. 15
faces charges
ERC urges political parties to help reduce tension p. 2
NICIL's forceful post - Chris election land deals Ram p.3
warrants full investigation
PAGE 02
Kaieteur News
ERC urges political leaders to reduce tension
A
s a result of the electoral impasse which has grappled the country for over 120 days, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is calling on political leaders to reduce the tension and unrest. “The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), once again, wishes to lend its voice to the call for peace and responsible behaviour as the nation awaits the final declaration of the March 02, 2020, General and Regional Elections,” a statement to the press yesterday read. It went on to say that there is no doubt that the historically long period it has taken for the declaration to be made has exacerbated tensions and discontent while unfortunately fostering ethnic strife, especially on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that public utterances, including the building of expectations by some officials and their political subjects, have and continue to contribute to the heightening of tensions and a further widening of unwanted division among our people. “This is not only extremely worrying due to the potential danger it poses as our electoral history so regrettably reminds” the statement said, “but woefully unhelpful to the daunting and crucial task of forging harmony so vital at this juncture.
The Commission therefore reiterates the need for all Leaders and stakeholder groups to act in a much needed responsible manner and to ensure those, whom they influence, do likewise. At the same time, it commends those who have and continue to act responsibly.” It is against this that the Commission plans on officially writing to the leaders of all political parties urging them and their constituents to work towards de-escalating tensions and adherence to law and order. “The desire for peace and good relations will take genuine and collective efforts by stakeholder groups and individuals. These efforts would also include acceptance of the elections results when they are declared by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM),” the Commission said. The Commission offered that, having been birthed out of political discord, it values and commends the efforts of all stakeholders who continue to work tirelessly in the interest of safeguarding peace and democracy in Guyana. In conclusion, the ERC stated, “Let us therefore work together in the best interest of our nation, for there can be no option to peace and unity which ultimately reside in our hands. With all hands on board, let us promote harmony and good relations.”
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Bus driver, two others arrested for attempting to pick-up Brazilians at illegal border crossing
The minibus caught picking up the Brazilian nationals at the illegal border crossing
P
olice swooped down on an illegal Guyana/Brazil border crossing and arrested a bus driver and two of his accomplices for attempting to pick up nine Brazilian nationals. The arrest was made at around 18:30 hrs on Sunday last at Sand Pit, Takatu River, Region Nine. Two men were reportedly packing a
minibus, bearing number plate BRR 4856, with luggage, when the ranks suddenly pulled up on them. One of the officers then decided to take a peek inside the bus and discovered that nine Brazilian nationals were already sitting in bus, waiting for it to drive off. The passengers, along with the driver, were immediately ordered to step
out of the vehicle. The officers demanded an explanation from the driver for his actions. In response, the driver, of Tabatinga, Lethem, told the ranks that he was hired to transport the passengers to Georgetown by one of the men who was seen packing the minibus. The Brazilian nationals (continued on page 14)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 07, 2020
PAGE 03
NICIL's forceful post-election land deals warrants full investigation - Finance Minister may be directing “mad rush” - Chris Ram
A
nti-corruption a d v o c a t e Christopher Ram is of the view that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) should be investigated for its conduct, as it relates to its forceful bid to sell off acres of prime lands to private developers despite not collecting full payments. “The conduct of NICIL,” the attorney-at-law told Kaieteur News, “raises serious questions of legality and legitimacy which warrant not an explanation but investigation and probably prosecution.” Ram's comments follow news that about 130 acres of land controlled by NICIL were signed away by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, all in a single day – June 6. The opposition, People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) had raised questions
about the sudden string of sales, calling it corrupt. The mad rush to legalise the land deals occurs within the context of a protracted electoral process, in which there have been several attempts to rig the results of the elections in favour of the governing APNU+AFC Coalition, even though the national recount has shown that the PPP/C won the elections by 15,416 votes in the General Election. “At the very least,” Ram said, “significant sections of the public are clearly concerned at the reports of NICIL seeking to force transactions on persons as a façade for the justification of other more substantial transactions.” Navigant Builders, a developer had last year entered into an agreement with NICIL for 30 acres of land for development by Wi n d s o r E s t a t e s , a t Plantations Goedverwagting
and Sparendaam on the East Coast of Demerara. However, after the electoral process became contentious, the company this year announced that it decided to suspend its plans until the electoral impasse is resolved. Despite this suspension and the company's consequent refusal to complete the payment, the Minister signed away the lands and gazetted the vesting order. When this matter was ventilated in the press, NICIL published what it said were three cheques from Navigant for initial payments. However, a senior officer with Navigant told Kaieteur News that it had suspended payments on all three. Kaieteur News had spoken to another developer, who is also a recipient as indicated by the vesting orders, of acres of prime lands on the East Coast of
Demerara. Under a request of anonymity, the developer said that the company did not make a full payment for the lands – only an initial payment earlier this year. Yet, the company was notified by media reports that the lands were vested to it. When concerns were raised about the matter, NICIL sought to excuse the sudden sales by reminding of the Government's commitment to bail out the aching Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). It said that it had started to collect initial payments late last year on the lands in question, and that since it recognised the urgency of GuySuCo's request for a bailout, it saw the need to regularize the vesting orders to make funds available. Ram said that the manner in which these deals are done, run the risk of Guyana losing “unquantifiable sums of money” which the country
No word on missing cop after - As three police departments three weeks conduct joint investigations Q
uincy Lewis, the police officer who went missing three weeks ago is still missing. Lewis, of La Parfaite Harmonie West Bank Demerara (WBD), had left his home for work in car he borrowed from a friend around 17:15 hrs on June 16. The cop never returned home. Police are currently carrying out a joint operation in hopes of locating the missing constable. The Missing Persons Unit (MPU) is being supported by ranks on the West Bank of Demerara and also by investigators along the East Bank and Georgetown areas. As the search for the missing cop continues, a source revealed that Lewis has had debt problems in the past. Kaieteur News was told that Lewis had owed a car rental company some money for a car he was renting at the time. A dispute had arisen over the owed money and Lewis was forced to return
Missing Constable: Quincy Lewis the car. It was revealed also that this issue led the constable to borrow his friend's car. This publication understands that an agreement was made between Lewis and the friend for the borrowed car. The officer was allowed use the friend's car to conduct personal business and work
taxi part time. Out of the money earned from the part time taxi job, Lewis would give a percentage to his friend. Kaieteur was able to confirm later that Lewis did owe a car rental company back in 2018. The cop had managed to secure a loan from a credit union to pay off the debt. Nevertheless, it was understood that Lewis had only paid part of the sum owed. The car rental company has since resolved the issue by writing off the debt because Lewis failed to make the necessary payments. On the day Lewis went missing, camera footage showed him driving across the Demerara Harbour Bridge towards the East Bank Public Road in a greycoloured lightly tinted Toyota Premio. This footage was captured not long after the cop had left his home to report to the Agricola Police Outpost where he worked. His colleagues at the outpost
have since told investigators that Lewis never made it to work that day. Anyone who might know the whereabouts of Constable Quincy Lewis can contact the following numbers: 677-6547, 6801436 or the nearest police station.
[from left] Anti-Corruption advocate, Christopher Ram and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan cannot afford. “The directors of NICIL,” he added, “can hardly justify their action as being in the public interest… NICIL seems like another untethered animal that appears completely oblivious to the lame duck nature of the Government and the Minister it serves.” NICIL had also sought to absolve the Finance Minister of blame for the deals, positing that Jordan had no involvement in the selection of the investors, “is not a
member of the NICIL Board nor is he involved in the day to day business of NICIL or the SPU.” H o w e v e r, J o r d a n ' s signature appears on all of the vesting orders. Of the minister, Ram said, “The troubling thing is not only that the subject Minister is doing nothing to prevent such behaviour but that the actions may actually have the support of and may have been directed by that Minister.”
CLARIFICATION ON TAX COLLECTION In Monday's publication, Kaieteur News carried a story with the headline, “Improved tax collection nets additional $240B in 2019.” It was not an additional $240B that was collected but rather, tax collection moved to a total of $240B due to a 10.8 percent increase in collection.
PAGE 4
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Lockdowns increase road dangers - fatal ones A number of measures deemed mandatory by both public officials, private businesses, and individual citizens, when taken together, have all meant less congested roads. Less traveled and congested roads translate to longer and more open spaces. And this tempts the unwise and reckless to speed and with, all too frequently, deadly results. This is what was headlined in the online Reuters edition of June 26, “Car crashes deadlier as drivers speed during lockdown.” Why not and how many are able to resist that standing invitation to give it some gas, a lot of gas, and the heady roar of engines pushed into the red zone? There is the wide-open road, with little in the way to interfere. Truth be told, few of us can be disciplined enough to manage the rush of blood that comes. Rather regrettably, many times that rush of blood is not a figure of speech, but literal, as in spilled when the life drains away from one of these speeding incidents. Curfews imposed by states, closures found necessary by businesses through lack of demand or what is deemed essential and non-essential, and the choices-sometimes compulsory-made by private citizens forced many to stay away from work, school, and the usual haunts of modern social life, viz: bars and restaurants, sports arenas and exercise gyms, and let there be no forgetting of places of worship and weddings and funerals, and so forth. In general terms, other than for the absolute necessities of life, such as replacement greens and vegetables from municipal markets, and food supplies from supermarkets, large segments of populations have been forced indoors and usually stay indoors. All of this means more road space available to race recklessly forward, or to one’s death, if not that of others, who just happen to be nearby at the time. Some statistics from the Reuters article referenced should help emphasize the message presented here, regarding the dangers embedded: “the ratio of fatal crashes to all collisions rose 167% in April from a year ago…292%...and 65%” in New York City, Chicago, and Boston respectively. Though in the United States, the vital lifesaving point in this, for all of us Guyanese drivers, is that little phrase, which should not be lost amidst those staggering numbers, and which is: “the ratio of fatal crashes to all collisions.” Reuters, and we at this paper, are not talking about fender benders and those accidents from which everyone walks away towards living another day. We are talking about dying here. Dying here from the extreme speeding that is irresistible from way less crowded roads. As Reuters noted, “in Britain, police documented instances of people driving at what they described as exceptionally high speeds of over 130 miles (209 km) per hour.” Now that is really speeding, and at anywhere near to those speeds, anything such as tyre problem, an unknown dent in the road, an errant pedestrian, or cyclists (or stray animal), could mean death for all involved. There is no thrill in such an end, and what it means for promise and family left behind to grieve at the unnecessary waste of it all. There is still another side to this, fewer people on the roads and less vehicular traffic should mean fewer accidents, and they do. It is that alarming rise in fatal accidents, one more time: fatal accidents that cause so many pains and agonies and, worse, funerals. In view of what we are discussing, they are most likely closed-casket ones. We think that this is especially relevant to our own Guyanese drivers, who have a history of dangerous speeding. Though we do not have the superhighways of other places, there are the alluring spots such as the Upper East Bank carriageway, the Linden Highway, the multi-laned East Coast straightaway and the emptier stretches beyond Mahaicony. Right on the edge of Georgetown, there is Homestretch Avenue with its temptation to speed at high rates. In addition to our known addiction to speeding, there is its devilish twin, alcohol. Though somewhat reduced now, alcohol is still too much part of our culture, and with that inhibitions at speeding vanish. For all these reasons, we urge our fellow drivers: be sensible, be careful, be aware of the fatal consequences that visit speeding on those inviting open roads made empty by the lockdown.
The “Winner Takes All” policy may be responsible for the seemingly desperate efforts to subvert the results of the recent elections DEAR EDITOR, I would like to suggest some reform of the system of government in Guyana which I believe can produce a permanent solution to the problems which we have been encountering among the major parties, which keep increasing with no sign of improvement in our governance, and which is continually maintaining this culture of division among our people, especially at times when we have to elect a new set of persons to administer our affairs. I had previously held the opinion that shared governance was not the answer in this regard, but have now rethought this and would like to propose that, no matter the outcome of the present impasse related to elections,
strenuous and urgent efforts be made to devise some revision of the constitution of our nation to accommodate this method. I expect that this would entail much effort and some amount of time, but feel that it would be well worth it when the result would be the only fair and effective solution to our ongoing deadlock in this horrible situation where the membership of the main political parties is basically divided along racial lines . I am first of all proposing that a task force be formed to include all the v a r i o us sections of government and community, and given the power, the responsibility and the resources to perform this essential mission of formulating a system by which, no matter which
political party holds the majority, all should have a real say in government. One of the present stipulations of the Constitution that needs to be urgently addressed is the term that is used to describe the minority party in Parliament, i.e. the Opposition. I have always proposed that this term be changed to one that suggests that this party be a partner rather that an adversary in the management of our affairs. I expect that the task force would consider this as one of the main topics to be attended to, so as to afford each party a continuous and meaningful bipartisan input in the management of our affairs. To further support my recommendation for the initiation of a system of shared governance, I firmly believe that this “Winner
takes All” policy is responsible for the seemingly desperate efforts to subvert the results of the recent elections, as we witness many persons who are thought to be otherwise reasonable and patriotic making ridiculous statements in pursuit of reelection, and I suggest that this is simply because they are afraid that their interests will not be served if the other main party captures the majority in Parliament. This stand will also be taken by the members of any losing party, which can escalate to violence, or at least lack of cooperation with the government of the day. I am also making a request at this time for your newspaper’s support of any movement towards the recommendation in this letter. Sincerely, Roy Paul
Freddie has not returned the same compliment to me DEAR EDITOR, I have long decided that I would not enter into a media brawl with Freddie Kissoon and I am not about do so now. It is not my style. I have never used my media privilege to assassinate p e o p l e ’s c h a r a c t e r. I d i s a g r e e w i t h p e o p l e ’s politics and their opinions without abusing them as persons. Freddie and I have been friends for a long time and have agreed to disagree on a host of political issues. As much as I am alarmed at Freddie’s dogmatic political stance on Guyanese politics over the last year, I respect his right to his opinions and have not even criticized him for it. It has never entered my head to try to diminish him or to question his commitment to the ideals we share. Freddie, however, has not returned the same compliment to me. He has intimated that I am racist, that I support rigging and that I am no longer a Rodneyite. Recently, he accused me of “cussing” down the CCJ when I actually said I disagree with those Caribbean countries, which have kept out of the CCJ because they fear the court would become a tool in the hands of politicians. When I wrote that systemic racism existed in Guyana, he accused me of racism and of trying to bring an
African American construct to Guyana. F i n a l l y, i n h i s J u l y 6 column, he wrote that were I to write a biography of Eusi Kwayana, I would “obfuscate serious wrongdoing Kwayana did to Guyana when he was Sydney King.” A few days before he wrote that Kwayana must apologize to Guyanese for the things he did when he was Sydney King. So, it is with great grief that I pen this letter with much love and respect but with equal disappointment. Freddie has shown that he cannot be relied on to respect friendships and comradeship. He does not draw the line. He has over the years displayed hatred for WPA leaders, persons with whom he once shared comradeship. He saves his worst beatings for the African Guyanese WPA leaders. One day he calls them icons, the next day when he disagrees with them on some issue, he uses the privilege of his column to assassinate their characters. He knows that most of them would not reply to him, so he crosses the line into abuse and libel. His recent target has been Eusi Kwayana. He wrote that Kwayana was not a hero to him because he is “secretive” and guarded in what he says. In other words, Freddie denies Kwayana hero
status because Kwayana does not engage in political gossip and “buss mouth” politics— characteristics that Freddie obviously admires. Well if Kwayana must become a political gossip and a “buss mouth” to earn Freddie’s hero-status, he can keep it. Kwayana is a hero to tens of thousands of Guyanese across generations. His moral standing is acknowledged even by his detractors. The problem is that Freddie thinks he knows Kwayana; he does not know Kwayana. Kwayana is too deep for Freddie’s time. He is not an easy target for Freddie’s tomorrow column. So, he invents a Kwayana. He is also taking the liberty to tell African Guyanese who their heroes should be. African Guyanese embraced and protected Freddie when his newfound heroes wanted him expired. Even now when he has betrayed their trust, they are still polite to him. So, he wants to make that love for him his permanent address. But I know that his obscene attacks on Eusi Kwayana have not gone unnoticed. Many persons have written to me about racial overtones and undertones of his attacks. Ye s , F r e d d i e h a s b e e n abusive to leaders of all races, but he saves the worst for African Guyanese leaders. His attacks on Kwayana smell different but familiar to us whose foreparents slaved for this c o u n t r y. We k n o w t h e
rancid attacks on us when they go for the conscience of our “race”. Kwayana represents the best gift of political morality to Guyana. It is one thing to criticize leaders, but it is another thing to assassinate their characters. In our fragile environment, Freddie is allowing himself to rapidly slip into the mode of racial attack dog. Freddie’s anger at Kwayana is that he has not allowed himself to become a “good negro” in the latest quest for ethnic dominance disguised as something else. So yes, Kwayana is my hero because his human qualities are worth admiring. He is not God, but he has done God’s work with distinction. Now Freddie has reintroduced an old PPP narrative about what Kwayana did “when he was Sydney King.” Freddie, the historian may help us. Yes, I am writing a political biography of Kwayana which will be devoid of political gossip. But I am willing to accommodate Freddie. I am willing to do two things. First, I want Freddie to publicly tell me the political gossip he has on Kwayana when he was Sydney King. Second, I will invite Freddie to come to Buxton at our next Emancipation activities and tell Buxtonians what he knows Kwayana did to Guyanese when he was Sydney King. We would have lots of Conkey, Mauby and Cook-up rice. David Hinds
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Praises for Mottley, Caricom, Gonsalves DEAR EDITOR, The New York Guyana Democracy Project (NYGDP) in a public statement praised Prime Minister of Barbados and former Chair of Caricom, Hon Mia Mottley, and PM Ralph Gonsalves for the principled stance taken in support of democracy and free and fair elections in Guyana, and condemned attacks on them and the Caricom recount team. NYGDP comprises of a group of Guyanese and others committed to protecting democracy in the former homeland. NYGDP is led by Dr. Tara Singh, former senior lecturer of UG. The organization expressed gratitude to and thanked PM Mottley for her unwavering support of the democratic process in Guyana and calls on the Government of Guyana to accept the will of the electorate as displayed in the Statements of Polls and Statements of Recounts as monitored by a high level Caricom Team approved by President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. “The entire Caricom body for the first time in its history took a united, decisive stand against electoral fraud in Guyana, and for this, we commend the body and condemn fraud.” NYGDP commends the professionalism of the threemember high-level Caricom monitoring team stating that it did a fantastic job in scrutinizing the official recount which showed that the PPP won the election by a margin of 15,416 votes. The release notes that the Caricom team stated, “It is our unshakeable position that the recount is an accurate reflection of the intention of voters, and that it constitutes
the basis for an official declaration of the outcome of the election”. As to assertions that there were dead or impersonation of voters who migrated, the NYGDP release pointed out that the Caricom team said such “allegations were a fishing expedition and that the catch would have been extremely small”, to impact the results. NYGDP praised the highlevel team for its professionalism in the execution of a very difficult task. “Because the recount shows that the PPP won the election, as indeed the original SOPs showed, the team as well as PM Mottley and new Caricom Chair Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent have come in for unwarranted attacks for their integrity and professionalism”, the release stated. The NYGDP criticizes the Coalition for unjustified and unwarranted attacks on PMs Mottley and Gonsalves, and the Caricom team. “Attacks have been the modus operandi of elements of the Coalition. Elements of the regime are bent on rigging if they feel their party can’t win through the expressed will of voters”. The Guyana Democratic Project says it fully supports the professionalism and integrity of the Caricom team, stateswomanship of Mia Mottley, and the strong statements of Dr. Gonsalves against electoral fraud. “The appalling abuse of the election count was soundly and appropriately condemned by Caricom,” says NYGDP. The NYGDP also apologizes to Caricom and the two PMs for the unwarranted
attacks, which they suffered for supporting democracy. Its release says that those who unduly criticize Caricom and the PMs are a small minority who were involved in rigging. “They don’t represent the voice of decent, overwhelming majority of people of Guyana”. The release notes that the team and the Prime Ministers were not influenced by racial appeals in the recount process and were at all times guided by professionalism. NYGDP reposes confidence in the new Caricom Chair, Dr. Gonsalves, saying, “He will carry out his duties in the tradition of Mia Mottley and will be a stout defender of democracy including free and fair elections”. The release also points out that there is one rogue state in the neighbourhood in the form of Venezuela. “The West will not tolerate another rogue state. In this context, we urge President Granger to concede defeat and allow the swearing in of President Elect, Dr. Irfaan Ali, to avoid the hardship that will follow if the caretaker regime continues to defy the international community with a fraudulent declaration. There is no end game other than to concede defeat”. The NYGDP says it eagerly awaits the ruling of the CCJ on some constitutional matters that would in no way alter the results of the recount. The release concludes: “Once again, thank you Honourable Mottley, Caricom high level team, and new Caricom Chair. Caricom’s action regarding the Guyana election reveals that it has a bright future”. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
Appeal to President Granger to concede defeat DEAR EDITOR, I write to appeal to President Granger to reconsider the obstinate position he has taken over the March 2 election. It is clear from the original count and recount that he lost. There is no way to ‘win’ this election by changing numbers like in 2015 when a reported defeat of 2200 voters was converted into a victory of 4500 votes. The President must concede to allow the country to exhale from the standstill of the last four months. The President’s action is contrary to the teachings of the bible and to normal political or human behaviour. The church teaches we must
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
not lust for power and we must love nation, and family before self. All of the President’s actions betray those principles. And it is being done for a pointless ideology of putting one group of people against another. The holy book tells us that we need to live together regardless of our racial background – and that government must not support one race against the other. The ideology of racial exclusion is contrary to the lord’s teachings and the holy books. The President has defied the appeal of his family to concede defeat. This has led to a nasty attack against his
own son-in-law, Dominic Gaskin, a man of integrity and democratic principle who has condemned the Mingo and Lowenfield fraud. The President’s daughter must be distressed that her husband is attacked and how people view her father. Mr. President, you have completed three scores plus 10 and more. The remainder of your life should be lived for good purpose to humanity and in following the democratic practices, which is akin to serving God. There must be an end to the election process. Various methods have only delayed the inevitable. President (Continued on page 6)
All eyes on the Caribbean Court of Justice DEAR EDITOR, I am certain that thousands of persons from Guyana, the Caribbean and the wider world are anxiously awaiting the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in next Wednesday’s ruling in the Guyana elections saga. The justices of the court last Wednesday heard arguments from several lawyers representing the main opposition PPPC, and two other opposition parties as well as the incumbent coalition APNU/AFC, and other interested parties. The main issue is whether or not the decision by the Guyana Court of Appeal on the issue is final and if the CCJ has jurisdiction to intervene. The argument is that the incumbent should have filed an election petition in the High Court and not move to the Appellate Court which had no jurisdiction to make the Order made. It seems as if they did not choose the election petition route because before they can do so there must be a declaration and Dr. Irfaan Ali, would be sworn in as President. In my respectful view, Presidential Candidate Ali and General Secretary Bharat Jagdeo had the right to appeal since the Court of Appeal was wrong to make the orders made especially when it ruled that “votes” means “valid
votes” This appeal will be a test for the CCJ because some feel that the apex court is not as firm as the Privy Council although the decisions of the Port of Spain headquartered Court are excellent and have been praised by many international organizations including the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime. One critic, Dr. David Hinds a member of incumbent coalition APNU/AFC government is very vocal against the Court and went so far to state that Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and a few other islands have no confidence in the court, hence the reason why they have not abolished appeals to the Privy Council and accept CCJ as the final court. It is regrettable that the outgoing President David Granger was critical of Chairman of CARICOM, Mia Mottley QC, when he said that the Barbadian Prime Minister appears to be designed to exert pressure on the regional Court. It was only a few months ago President Granger bestowed Guyana’s second highest award, Order of Roraima on Miss Mottley. One of the CCJ justices, a senior jurist, Jacob Wit, in a brief remark last Wednesday outlined the number of cases dealt with by the regional court and compared it with
the Caribbean cases disposed of by Privy Council. In addition to the disparity, I should state the costs are far less and the process is much swifter. Perhaps, I should mention at this juncture that the Guyana election issue has reached the CCJ on three occasions: the appointment of the Chairman of Election Commission (GECOM), whether 33 is, majority of 65, and now the jurisdiction issue. It should be stated that the Court dealt with the issues with rapid speed far much quicker than if they had gone to the London based Court. In fact, the current issue before the Court took less than 21 days for a full hearing in which several leading lawyers were heard some via telephonically. One of the main players, Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, was not represented. I have been following the operation of the CCJ even before its inception 15 years ago and have written scores of article, I am very optimistic about the future of the Court and hope that in the very near future Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Bahamas will join the Appellate Division of the Court. Oscar Ramjeet
PAGE 6
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Kaieteur News
A total lockdown of the country may have to be the next step DEAR EDITOR, There has been a disturbing and alarming rise in the number of persons affected by the deadly COVID-19 in Guyana. We have a small populace and the record of a range of 5-21 cases each day is frightening. This is especially so since official numbers, I believe, underestimate the spread and extent of coronavirus throughout the population of Guyana. Sadly, a recent report included a three-year old child from Bartica being affected by the virus. The current number of cases among those tested is some 250 persons. There have been 14 deaths, two of which occurred within a space of four days. There is no adherence to the measures being stipulated by the public health officials in Guyana that persons avoid gatherings and socializing. Each day, there are
persons socializing without masks and without any distancing, the reasons for the surges in the United States. Persons are carrying on activities as if there were no deadly virus lurking around. It is shocking! Many persons have misguided and illinformed views about how the virus is spread, and they seem not to recognize their own potential to contract and infect others who may suffer greatly as a result. Their calculations of risk are flawed and they risk putting themselves, their loved ones and our entire nation in harm’s way. In the rural areas, there is a lack of knowledge by persons about this deadly virus. However, it seems even those who one would expect to be aware, are adopting a cavalier attitude towards it. Public education campaigns on the coronavirus need to be
stepped up throughout the country. The Chief Medical Officer recently flagged the reckless behaviour, especially from young people socializing on the seawall and at other venues, and urged Guyanese across the board to act in a personally and socially responsible manner. However, it is clear that the appeals by officials are not working so there has to be a mandatory imposition of rules. Every citizen of Guyana should be required to wear a mask to avoid infecting themselves and others. In Florida, there are over 10,000 cases, in Texas and Arizona, hospitals and ICU capacity is strained as there is a dramatic surge in numbers since persons have relaxed the precautionary measures. What of Guyana? We don’t have the resources to deal with an escalating outbreak here. In Guyana’s
under-resourced health sector, our health care workers who put their lives on the line every day should not be dealing with cases of persons who have wilfully and ignorantly put themselves in harm’s way. Our neighbour, Brazil, has the second highest number of deaths and cases after the United States. Yet persons are being allowed entry to Guyana from Brazil, one of the possible reasons for the increased cases in the outlying regions! The hurried recall of the proposed reopening of the airports that was set for July 1 is an indication that there is some recognition of the need to take steps to curb this. The European Union has issued a ban on American tourists entering Europe. We too should be implementing measures to protect our country. In all of the countries,
Guyana has been held hostage for far too long DEAR EDITOR, Many Guyanese are calling for help from the religious body here and abroad; we are calling on the Carter Center, OAS, CARICOM, the EU and whoever can help because we want an end to the elections process. Some people are starving due to this pandemic, along with the pressure of the election process. People are confused and are doing just about anything to provide for
their family – there are no jobs for some and therefore no money and no food. Some people are sick and are unable to pay for private transportation to go to the hospital and get medication because they are afraid to travel with public transportation. We are like Noah in the ark; we don’t know where we are going because we don’t have a rightfully elected government in place. On March 2, Guyanese went to
the polls to cast our votes. This was over a hundred days ago and still we cannot have a president sworn in. The coalition is fighting to remain in power and everyday there are new lies. It is as if they do not care that people are suffering and how long they have been suffering. The message, it would seem, is quite clear: the coalition is saying to the people in Guyana “if they win they win, and if they lose they
still win” and no other party can win an election in this country unless they agree to that. It is clear, this is not about democracy or the people’s right; it is about the coalition staying in power. We, as a nation, must pray for help from God if no one else will help us out of this crisis. God is fair and just and no weapon that is formed against truth, fairness and justice shall prosper. Ms. Merlin Williams
which have now been declared COVID free, there has been responsible governance at the helm which sadly is lacking in Guyana with the current political debacle. It is up to us as a people and a nation to take preventative steps. I urge all Guyanese to stay at home if you can and avoid social gatherings. It is a sacrifice which we must make to protect us all and especially to protect the most vulnerable
in our society. There are other ways in which we can remain socially connected to each other for the time. For those who cannot remain at home, please wear masks and physically distance from others. Everyone should practice good hygiene by frequently washing hands. Our future is grim. A total lockdown of the country may have to be the next step. Yours sincerely, Prabha Persaud-Kissoon
Do not discount a role for the Diaspora in this messed up affair DEAR EDITOR, It is fashionable for some Guyanese to think that because a Guyanese resides in another country that that person is not conversant with the crucial issues that face Guyana. I have heard it said on occasion, “Oh you people deserted the ship, but the rest of us stayed in Guyana and weathered the storm. You didn’t make the sacrifices; we did. And we struggled under very adverse conditions. Now, you want to come back and take the good jobs.” Editor, this is a summation of the arguments that were made. However, let’s take a look at the situation with Dr. Walter Rodney. Rodney was a Guyanese in the Diaspora and look at the impact that he made in Guyana when he came back. Under the dictatorship of Forbes Burnham, people lived in great fear. They couldn’t criticize the government because they were fearful of losing their jobs or they were fearful of being targeted by the government for victimization or some other form of punishment. Even the PPP under Dr. Jagan was very coy and subdued in their criticism of the government. During this time, Dr. Jagan had even agreed to give the government their critical support. The country was crying
out for a strong and courageous leader to challenge the dictatorship of Forbes Burnham. Well, Rodney not only challenged Burnham but he confronted him and told him in as many words, ”Let my people go. We need justice and democracy in Guyana. You have no right to treat people like this. Your time is over Forbes.” Rodney came from the Diaspora and did what Jagan couldn’t do or refused to do. In doing so, Rodney had become the de facto leader of the opposition and for the first time Burnham was forced to respect someone and he started to shake in his boots. He was afraid of Rodney and the rest is history. For his courage and daring, Rodney paid the ultimate price. Burnham and the PNC never quite recovered from Rodney’s vicious attack and it was only a matter of time before Guyana once again got free and fair elections. Thanks to Walter Rodney. He came from the Diaspora but he did a great service to Guyana and bequeathed his life in the process. So, there is a lot that Guyanese in the Diaspora can do to help the country of their birth—a country that they still love dearly. Respectfully, Rudy Vyfhuis
Appeal to President... From page 5 Granger, you cannot continue to defy the will of voters or of God. You must concede that you lost fairly and squarely. If you try to stay on defying the international community, the country will not function and we will all suffer like the 1980s. There will be tough sanctions beginning with the US that is compiling a list to cancel visas and confiscate money. Guyana’s economy is too small and dependent on other nations and therefore cannot survive in isolation.
Besides, we don’t wish to live like North Korea that is dependent on China for survival. The only option is to concede defeat and allow democracy to flourish. A fair demand from the incoming administration would be an undertaking to immediately look at constitutional reform to end the winner takes all doctrine to allow for some kind of shared governance. Yours truly, Bro. Joshua Emmanuel
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 07, 2020
PAGE 07
Gazette shows NICIL manager received State lands days after elections Benefitted: NICIL's Privatisation Specialist, Racheal Henry
D
ays after the M a r c h 2 General and Regional Elections, a senior official of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Inc. (NICIL), a state-owned company that handles privatization for government, received a plot of land in Region 10. According to the March 21, 2020 Official Gazette of Guyana, which records transfers of State properties, the land was transferred to Privatisation Specialist, Racheal Henry. Although Henry's address is listed as Campbellville, Georgetown, the property in question is located at Plantation Noitgedacht, in Linden,
Region 10. The property is described as 0.152 of an acre, bearing Lot number 7B, or Lot 43, located on the right bank of the Demerara River. The transaction was signed off on February 28, 2020, days before the elections but only published in the Official Gazette on March 21, 2020. Yesterday, Henry was called and asked about the transaction. She said immediately that she had no comments. She also said she is unhappy about the coverage of NICIL by a number of media houses. Henry was a key player in the much-publicised transactions involving prime
File photo: NICIL's Privatisation Specialist, Racheal Henry, with investors who are interested in opening a cold storage at Wales, West Bank Demerara lands at Ogle, which were once under sugar cultivation but now being divested by NICIL to raise money for the beleaguered Guyana Sugar Corporation. Listed as the Head of the Business Development Unit of NICIL, Henry would have been one of the point persons in striking deals with a
number of overseas investors. Three hotels were promised to be built in the area not far from Ogle airport. There was a flurry of sodturning exercises at Ogle shortly before the elections. The lands would be seen as strategic as they are located not far from a planned
highway that will link the East Coast to the East Bank of Demerara, to reduce the daily congestion. One of the transactions made the news last week a f t e r t h e b e n e f i c i a r y, Navigant Builders, which had developed the iconic Windsor Estates on the East Bank Demerara, reportedly
received the lands in their name although the transaction was not paid for and completed. The matters raised serious questions about NICIL's handling of the state lands, about 1,000 acres that had become opened between Ogle and Enmore for development.
ExxonMobil to move ahead with first well in Kaieteur Block I
n spite of the logistical and economical challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears ExxonMobil will still be moving ahead with plans to drill the first well in the Kaieteur Block. Making this disclosure was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, John Hess. His company is one of the partners in the Kaieteur Block along with Ratio Petroleum and Cataleya Energy Corporation (CEC). Hess disclosed that ExxonMobil, which is the operator of the block, will be drilling the first well in the second half of the year. With respect to the prospects of success, Hess said that he is encouraged by the geology. He highlighted that the majority of the discoveries in the Stabroek Block, which borders the Kaieteur Block, are found in the Campanian and Santonian layers. They are 15,000 feet and 18,000 feet deep respectively. Hess said that the partners see a lot of the oil-rich sand
channels flowing from the Stabroek into the Kaieteur. “So it is highly prospective but you have to drill to see what you have,� the CEO noted. Further to this, the Chief Executive Officer said he is confident about the possibilities for success given the technology that is available to the operator for deep water drilling. The Tanager-1 well is expected to be the first target as it is estimated to hold 256.2 million barrels of prospective resource according to Competent Persons Report (CPR) conducted by the Netherland, Sewell & Associates Inc. ('NSAI'). The report also noted that the coventurers have a 72 percent chance of success. The Kaieteur Block is located approximately 155 miles (250 kilometers) offshore and covers 3.3 million acres (13,535 square kilometers). Three-D seismic survey was completed in 2017 on this block. Results showed that it holds a gross estimated prospective resource of 2.1 billion barrels for nine prospects.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 08
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Shuman asks Court to grant orders against Attorney, Nigel Hughes P
residential Candidate of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman has written to the High Court requesting them to grant orders against Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, following what Shuman, the Applicant, considers to be conflict of interest on the part of Hughes. The application is for an order to direct Hughes of law firm Hughes, Fields and Stoby, his servants and any law firm, which he is associated with to be restrained and/or barred from continuing to act on behalf of any of the defendants in the proceedings; to provide the cost of this application to be payable by Hughes; as well as further appropriate orders to resolve the conflicted position of the attorney. According to the grounds of the application, on February 14, 2019, the
Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes
LJP Presidential Candidate, Lennox Shuman
application brought proceedings against the Defendants – Guyana Chronicle and its Editor-inChief, Nigel Williams – who was represented by Hughes in court action number 2019HC-DEM-CIV-SOC-4. The application claims
that seven separate publications over a period of approximately 16 days (December 30, 2019 to January 14, 2019), were intended of lowering his “character, morality and honesty in the eyes of the right-thinking members of
the public as the Guyana Chronicle Newspapers is in print circulation, electrical circulation and circulation on social media by direct and indirect means,” the July 3, 2020 application reads. In the application, it is stated that prior to this High Court action, the applicant in two independent matters sought and received legal advice, as well as assistance from Hughes. The first matter in which Hughes offered legal advice and wrote a letter related to an allegation of an assault. This matter, according to the application, was resolved following the letter from Hughes. The second matter, which occurred something in 2017, related to a charge of disorderly conduct. The document stated that there were allegations made against Shuman for missing items, to which Shuman was charged. The matter was heard in
the Mahaica's Magistrate's Court, in which Hughes acted on behalf of Shuman in those proceedings. Due to the unsatisfactory outcome of the proceedings, Shuman instructed his attorney to file an appeal to the Full Court, which is still pending. Due to the registry's current pandemic protocol, Shuman says he was unable to obtain copies of the case jacket and the Appeal to exhibit. Both Shuman and Hughes' client relationship “never expressly or implied terminated by either party,” as the document shows, while adding that Shuman the applicant, is aware that Hughes is still his Attorneyat-Law in the matter pending in the Full Court. Against this, the applicant is concerned that Hughes “has failed to comply and act in accordance with the applicable code of conduct',
“that Mr. Hughes failed to recuse himself from acting further for the defendants despite being aware that there is a clear conflict of interest; “more so, Mr. Hughes continues to act and be involved in the previous court hearings for the defendants without disclosing the existence of the conflict of interest.” The application also states that on May 14, 2020, the Applicant sent an email to Hughes in relation to the conflict of interest, to which the Attorney admitted that he acted for the Applicant, “but that there was no conflict because he acted on a pro bono basis.” “It is contended that Mr. Hughes cannot act at the same time for and against the Applicant, and his firm, Hughes, Fields and Stoby is in no better position,” the document said. Up to press time, calls to Hughes for a response were not answered.
Rise in sea turtle mortalities worrying - conservationist
D
uring the last week, the number of endangered dead sea turtles being washed ashore has become a great concern for the local conservationists and president of the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS), Annette Arjoon-Martins. Speaking with Kaieteur News on Monday morning, Arjoon-Martins noted that although Guyana is fortunate to be the nesting place for four of seven species of sea
turtles, the sudden increase in the number of dead sea turtles washing ashore has become startling. The conservationist noted that on Wednesday last, the remains of a badly decomposed 1,000-lbs leatherback sea turtle washed up behind the Kitty sea wall. She added that due to state of decomposition, determining the cause of death would pose a challenge to the GMCS. Meanwhile, just three
days after the remains of the leatherback sea turtles washed ashore, the GMCS was again alerted of a similar instance. This time, the remains of the green sea turtle was found adjacent to the COVID-19 sanatorium (former Ocean View Hotel). Arjoon-Martins said that investigations were carried out by representatives of GMCS, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Guyana Wildlife Management Commission (GWMC) as well as Conservation International Guyana, who all collaborated in the removal operation. “The GMCS is of the opinion that cause of death was by vessel strike due to the left side of the turtle being intact and the right side burst open,” ArjoonMartins said. The remains of green sea turtle were collected and taken to the University of Guyana (UG), where additional investigations will be carried out. Furthermore, ArjoonMartins noted that she was
thankful for the sea turtle monitoring programme at Shell Beach which has been in operation for the past four decades and praised the efforts of the sea turtle rangers access and ability to d e t e r m i n e “straightforward” causes such as entanglement in fishing nets and vessel strikes. However, she noted that the country still has a far way to go in terms of providing essential marine services, which she added, was presently absent. Additionally, ArjoonMartins said that a number of young Guyanese have completed studies in marine biology and related fields. Once provided with the relevant equipment and facilities, she believes that they will be an asset in delivering the appropriate services. She said, also, that there are several regional networks, which can be tapped into. She has begun to works with graduates of the Caribbean Mammals Preservation Network
UG's Calvin Bernard examining the remains of the turtle (CARIMAM) with the expectation that they will benefit from relevant training and advice from the pool of technical experts at their disposal. The International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has placed the leatherback turtle as well as green sea turtle, also known as the Pacific green turtle, on their red list of endangered species.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 07, 2020
PAGE 09
Undermining democracy will result in sanctions
T
he United States i s o n a n irreversible course of sanctioning those Guyanese who have been involved in undermining Guyana's democracy should mischief continue. There will be sanctions if the APNU+AFC continues with its attempts to steal the elections. Last week, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said: “ It has now been four months since Guyana's elections…it is long past due for a peaceful transition of power. CARICOM and the OAS have certified the recount results. They should get on with it. I have instructed my Department to ensure that those who undermine Guyana's democracy are held accountable.” It is the firmest signal so far from the Americans that it will not condone the rigging of Guyana's 2020 elections. More importantly, the United States has moved from saying that there would be implications for those who benefit from rigged elections to now saying that it will hold accountable those who undermine Guyana's democracy. This means that the sanctions' net, if and when cast, will be wider. It will go beyond imposing restrictions on the political elites of the APNU+AFC.
The widening of the net to include those who undermine democracy effectively covers three main categories: those who engaged in electoral fraud; those who benefit from electoral fraud and those who support electoral fraud or an illegitimate government. Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom are likely to impose their own sanctions, using the same benchmarks as the Americans. They have done this in other countries even though they have acted independent of the Americans on other occasions. Should an illegitimate government assume officesanctions will be imposed on those who engineered the manipulation of the elections' results. This would include persons within the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) who were complicit in rigging the results of the elections or frustrating the process. They, along with their families – wives and children – are likely to be subject to visa restrictions and the freezing of all financial transaction with western countries. One year ago, the United States imposed personal sanctions against electoral officials of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These
officials were accused of obstructing and delaying the holding of credible elections. The United States government did the same in February of this year against Iranian officials. These officials were complicit in blocking the participation of thousands of candidates for elections. The European Union had imposed sanctions last October on 85 individuals in Zimbabwe. This includes government officials for transgressions which include electoral offences. Zimbabwean officials have been subject to international sanctions for more than 15 years and it is beginning to hurt many of them and their families. Canada is part of a number of countries, which have imposed economic sanctions against Venezuela and its government officials for human rights violations and for alleged problems with elections. Canada has gone as far as spearheading a regional grouping, which included Guyana and is called the Lima Group, in order to isolate Venezuela within the Region and to bring pressure to bear on Maduro. Earlier this year, Canada imposed sanctions on six electoral officials in the Crimea. The United Kingdom has also imposed financial sanctions on individuals. It
.......................................................... Dem boys seh...
Taxes like iron weight pon we shoulder
D
e workers overtaxed. Every month, plenty money coming out of people pay packet. De money going straight to de taxman. De tax burden too heavy. Last year alone de guvment revenues, inclusive of taxes, increase by $24B. When dem boys learn how de guvment spend dat money, dem boys feel it would ah been better if de workers spend de money demselves. It would a do de country mo good. People woulda gat more spending power. De guvment seh how dem spend de money mostly pon maintenance, infrastructure and rentals. Dem boys know dat when guvment talk about maintenance, dem does
mean 'bruk down and build back'. A lot of kan-tractors does glad fuh 'bruk down and build back'. When de guvment talk about infrastructure, dem boys does remember de airport project, wha nah done 10 years later, and de sea defence at Danzig and de infection hospital. Dem boys know about kan-tractors wha does throw couple truckloads of sand and stone and call dat infrastructural works. And some of dem foreigners does change tile and plaster wall and call dat a new building. And a run-down hotel does get renovate fuh mo than a billion dollar. As fuh de rentals, dem boys believe dat is a case of penny wise and pound foolish.
De guvment like rent building but dem especially like fuh rent tents. Some agencies paying as much as $20,000 per day fuh rent one tent. Dat mean every 10 days is more than half million fuh rent 3 of dem big tent. Dem boys can buy three ah dem big tent fuh less than de same million. After digging out all of de tax out of de small man pocket, de guvment still have a foreign debt of US$1.3B. Dem boys wan know why if de guvment collecting so much extra tax why dem nah using it to reduce de foreign debt. Or dem could use de extra tax fuh build de airport rather than borrowing from China. Talk half and remember dat mo tax mean less money in you and me pocket.
has done so over the illegitimate elections in Donbass in Ukraine. These sanctions have been in place for more than five years. The second category of persons likely to be sanctioned along with their families relates to the political elites who benefit from electoral rigging. This would most likely extend to all the government ministers of any illegitimate regime as well as new appointees accepting positions within the new government. Three weeks ago, the United States imposed sanctions on 39 individuals in Syria, including the President and his wife. It has also placed sanctions on anyone doing business with
that country. The final category of persons likely to be sanctioned is those who offer support to electoral rigging or an illegitimate government. So long as someone's actions contribute towards undermining of democracy, it is likely those persons and their families will be subject to sanctions. This group can include persons who are word or action, are seen to be supporting the rigging of elections or perverting the democratic will of the people. T h e G r a n g e r administration will not be recognized by the A,B,C and EU countries. It will not be recognized by the
Commonwealth and CARICOM has made it clear that it will not condone rigged elections. Sanctions when it comes will affect all those who aided and abetted, directly and indirectly, the undermining of elections. Guyanese must therefore not be deceived into believing that if sanctions come it will only affect the political elites. It will affect many others. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Tuesday July 07, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Desmond Trotman, Westmaas, Bhagwan and the ubiquity of evil
T
he current attempts to rig the 2020 election, which have gone on for four months now have produced the incredible exposure of certain Guyanese we have long come to admire. These Guyanese have now become subject to revisionist interpretations given their dishonest and hypocritical attitude to what has taken place in this country since March 4. I have long dismissed the entire school of WPA survivalists, those in and out of Guyana, but four of them I still had hopes of believing they had some Rodneyite qualities left – David Hinds, Eusi Kwayana, Nigel We s t m a a s a n d M o s e s Bhagwan. Hinds has completely abandoned Walter Rodney's legacy. Kwayana's endorsement of
the action of the election riggers has called into q u e s t i o n h i s historiographical account of this country's contemporary political evolution. That leaves two Westmaas and Bhagwan. I functioned very closely with both in the seventies when the WPA appeared to be the answer to Guyana's future. I have long regarded Bhagwan as the most solid Rodneyite the WPA produced. Sadly I am not sure about my previous positive and admirable portrait of these two gentlemen. In a recent conversation with Donald Rodney, I offered my thesis for the morbid acrobatics and graphic degeneration of the WPA survivalists. He has offered a different interpretation but his paradigm is not essentially in
opposition to mine. This column is not about my interpretation of the horrific decline in the political culture of the WPA survivalists. It centers on the demonic politics of Desmond Trotman, a GECOM commissioner, and his claim (which he was unhappy to use the adverb, “unapologetically”) that his actions in GECOM would have been supported by Rodney and would have the backing of Westmaas and Bhagwan (Stabroek News, letter columns. June 24, 2020). Disgusted at the despicability of Trotman's barefacedness, I contacted b o t h We s t m a s s a n d Bhagwan to solicit a response from them because Trotman has literally said that in his participation of rigging the 2020 election, Westmaas and Bhagwan
would stand by his action. Both men acknowledged my email and that was all. Bet your last dollar, they are going to reply to this column and find convenient adjectives to describe me while staying billions of miles away from Trotman's views on them. So what has Trotman done since he became a GECOM commissioner that the two WPA survivalists – Westmaas and Bhagwan would eagerly support? Let's trace the degeneracy in the politics of this questionable human. Trotman wrote; “I was appointed a Commissioner of GECOM by President Granger about one week after WPA issued a statement that said under no circumstances will it support or condone the rigging of elections. That to my mind says a lot about
President Granger's posture on elections in Guyana.” This statement to my mind says a lot about the nature of Trotman and Granger. My description would be oxymoronic – comically evil. Trotman supported Granger's violation of the constitution in Granger's unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson as GECOM chair. Trotman voted in GECOM against the contract renewal of Vishnu Persaud, Deputy Chief Election Officer in favour of Roxanne Myers. It turned out that Persaud was more qualified and had more experience in GECOM work. Trotman said he voted for Myers based on Chairman Patterson's negative assessment of Persaud during the interview. The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) contradicted Patterson in that Patterson misled the ERC when he told the ERC he interviewed Persaud. He never spoke with or even saw Persaud. My sources told me that in GECOM, Myers relies on Trotman and Trotman always consult Myers. Both Patterson and Trotman should be investigated for their conduct. They are both an embarrassment to Guyana. Maybe Westmaas and Bhagwan may get the
Frederick Kissoon urge to let us have their views on Trotman's deception. Trotman has never said publicly what Mingo did was fraudulent. On the contrary, Trotman voted for the position tabled in a statutory meeting of GECOM that GECOM accepts Lowenfield's report and make a declaration. It was Claudette Singh who tilted the balance by voting against Alexander's motion. The big, angelic Rodneyite by the name of Desmond Trotman swore that he will never be involved in rigged elections. But there is a report by Lowenfield that – if GECOM accepts it –will see 116,000 votes, including this columnist, will be discarded. Would Trotman like to tell us how he feels about that? The family of Walter Rodney should chastise Desmond Trotman for his ugly justifications using Rodney's name. As for Westmaas and Bhagwan, the young generation in Guyana never will not forgive them. Evil is in the air. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
PAGE 12
Mentally ill man sets house on fire
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Founder of women's law body, Sheila Chapman, dies
Passed away: Sheila Chapman
G
The remains of the home that was allegedly set on fire at Second Alley, Wismar, Linden
A
22-year-old man, reportedly of unsound mind, is now in police custody for setting a twostorey wooden and concrete house on fire last Sunday at Second Alley, Wismar, Linden. The building was allegedly set on fire at 22:30 hrs while the suspect and his
mother, 39-year-old Jenelle Smith were at home. According to reports, the young man had a mental break down earlier that day which led him to commit the act. Luckily Smith became aware of the fire before it spiraled out of control and managed to escape the blaze unhurt along with the suspect. Contact was
immediately made with the Fire Station in Mckenzie but by time fire fighters could have arrived, the house was completely gutted and partially destroyed. Residents said that the fire trucks could not make it in time to save the home because of the distance and the bridge, which separates Wismar from Mckenzie.
They detailed that this has been the case on numerous occasions where fires have destroyed homes and even claimed lives in other densely populated areas of Linden. Lindeners who Kaieteur News spoke to are calling on the relevant authorities to address this situation urgently.
uyana's legal fraternity was plunged into a state of mourning after the passing of founder member and past president of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), Ms. Sheila Chapman, on Sunday. She was 82-yearsold. In a statement yesterday, t h e G AW L e x t e n d e d sympathy to her children Anande Trotman-Joseph, past president of GAWL, Raphael Trotman, Attorneyat-law and Minister of Natural Resources and Vanya Trotman. The association spoke of her past achievements, where she championed women's
and children's rights and was on many committees and participated in many consultations that led to the enactment of progressive legislation that ensured that women's rights are human rights. She attended the UN International Women's Conference in Beijing, China in 1995 and provided valuable advice for the content of the children's legislation that came on stream in 2009. “Wherever she went, she ensured that GAWL was well represented. Ms. Chapman has left us with many cherished memories. Her court stories were legendary. She was indeed wonderful to be around,� the GAWL said.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 07, 2020
PAGE 13
Bar Association condemns attacks on CJJ ahead of ruling
T
he Bar Council of the Guyana Bar Association yesterday condemned the attacks on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ahead of their ruling on the Jagdeo, Ali et al appeal case. With the Caribbean Court expected to hand down their ruling tomorrow, there has been frequent attacks on the court, warning against ruling in a certain way. The Bar Council, in a statement, pointed out that they have observed that parties on all sides of the pending litigation, including main contenders from the Opposition People's Progressive Party (PPP) and incumbent A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change Coalition (APNU+AFC), and “including parties outside of the litigation”, have resorted to multiple forms of media, providing commentary and
information in an attempt to advance their respective cases. Those attempts also include peaceful protests actions by the APNU+AFC Coalition held yesterday in Linden, Berbice and Georgetown. The small groups of protestors held placards saying “Respect our Sovereignty”, “No Foreign Interference” and “The CCJ must respect Guyana's Constitution.” According to reports, the protestors did not receive permission to host the protest and were quickly disbursed. Additionally, the attempts to sway the ruling of the CCJ, according to the Bar Council have escalated to the point where a full-page ad was placed in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian on July 4. “The continuous, pervasive and escalated actions observed in both Guyana and most recently by
way of a full page advertisement have made it necessary,” the Council said, for them to speak. “This conduct,” the release stated, “is unreservedly condemned. Of even greater offence is the use of social media by members of the society to launch unnecessary, malicious and contemptuous attacks on sitting members of our Apex Court.” The Council denounced all conduct and actions regarding pending proceedings which they said are calculated to interfere with the administration of justice; are intended to prejudice the administration of justice; are made with the deliberate intention of interfering with the course of justice; are made carelessly or negligently without due regard for the integrity and processes associated with the pending proceedings; create a serious risk that the
A copy of the ad in the Trinidad Guardian on July 4 course of justice may be interfered with; prejudge the matters in issue before the Court; and undermine public confidence in the Court and or administration of justice. The Council further, that the course of justice and the administration of justice in
Coalition protestors in Region 10
legal proceedings are “critical pillars on which the rule of law rests.” “The pillars of justice are intended to stand robustly after many of us are no longer of this earth, let not our conduct today cause harm to the administration of justice that it
will take generations to remedy.” They also called on all parties involved in the case to “hold their voices, respect the processes of the administration of justice and thereby cease your injurious conduct.”
Kaieteur News
PAGE 14
Tuesday July 07, 2020
New traffic restrictions will hamper rice production - Millers R
ice millers are worried about the new road restrictions that the Guyana Police Force is seeking to implement which will restrict motor lorries and container trucks from traversing the main roadways at a specific time. Recently, the Guyana Police Force announced that they will soon roll out a new strategy, one which will restrict drivers of motor lorries and container trucks from using roadways in Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, East Coast
D emerara, Wes t Bank Demerara and West Coast Demerara. The restrictions will be between 07:00-09:00 hrs; 11:00-13:00 hrs, and 15:00-17:00 in order to ease traffic congestion during those hours, which are referred to as 'peak hours.' The release stated that the Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles said during a meeting with owners and drivers of motor lorries/container trucks at the Soesdyke Junction that the one of the major causes of traffic congestion is the increasingly high volume of
vehicles that are being imported and registered every year. Isles also said that the apparent inability of drivers to cope with overcrowded environments and overburdened infrastructure is indicative that our roadways are in a state of constant catastrophe and that the limitations of our roads force drivers to manoeuvre their vehicles of all classes, especially large motor lorries, in an often dangerous manner to other road users. During an interview with Kaieteur News, several rice
A Lorry transporting rice along a Public road
millers said that the timing of the restriction would hamper their rice distribution based on the distance they have to travel from Corentyne, Berbice to Georgetown on a regular basis and also they have to accommodate the working of the mills that supply the trucks with goods to transport. Rajindra Persaud, the owner of Nand Persaud & Company, which is the leading rice producing company in Guyana, said “Something really needs to be implemented…this new restriction that they are trying to implement will severely affect exports.” Persaud added that the
wharf opens at a certain hour and to keep in line with the road restrictions would be impossible and to make matters worse, his trucks travel to Georgetown from Monday to Friday. Another concerned miller said, “What will happen when we have deliveries to make? They really need to come up with a better plan than that… and the hours that they want us off the road, that's going to affect our businesses.” Other millers that traverse the roadway using trucks to deliver rice shared the same views and they are calling on the authorities to review the restrictions.
Bus driver, two others arrested for attempting to pick-up Brazilians... From page 2 were immediately transported back to Bonfim in neigbouring Brazil and handed over to the Brazilian Federal Police while the bus driver and the two men were taken into police custody. The men have been since been released on bail, pending the completion of investigations. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused Guyana to close it borders with Brazil to curb the spread of the disease. However, there have been many reports of persons entering Guyana through illegal crossings such as these. The border with Brazil is
about 1,000 miles long. Local medical officials are deeply troubled by the developments. Such illegal entry poses a risk of infected persons entering Guyana unknown to authorities and spreading the disease continuously. Brazil is ranked second in the world when it comes to COVID-19 cases. In fact, according to the latest figures, as of yesterday, Brazil had 1.6M cases, with 979,000 recovered with over 65,000 deaths. The US has 2.98M cases with 132,000 deaths. Guyana has so far recorded 15 deaths, 273 confirmed cases with 120 recovered.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 07, 2020
PAGE 15
De facto govt. forges Two cars with identical number plates; man faces charges ahead with plans for new bridge at Wismar - to hold virtual public consultation
T
he Ministry of P u b l i c Infrastructure (MPI) is moving forward with plans for the construction of a brand new bridge at Wismar, Linden, with public consultations set for today, despite its caretaker status following the December 21, 2018 No Confidence Motion. It would come despite its de facto status, following a victory by the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), as indicated by the national recount of votes. A public notice on the Ministry's Facebook page indicated that the consultation will be done via Zoom meeting, a consequence of the COVID19 guidelines which restrict public gatherings. The public is invited to tell of “how the project might impact you and your environment,” “provide input into the bridge design for consideration,” and “ask questions”. Persons will have the opportunity to present
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson alternative bridge designs. Politecnica – Building for Humans, a consultant company involved in architecture and urban planning is branded on the poster. The Caribbean Development Bank is also branded, indicating that the Government intends to fund the project with offerings from the bank. An August 2018 article from the Department of
Public Information had stated that the amount would be $919.3 million (US$4.4 million). On June 8, the Facebook page posted a video of the concept art for the bridge, with the caption: “Preliminary Design of the Linden Wismar Bridge, Region Ten. Big things coming your way Linden.” At the time of this post, the results of the recount had just been released, showing the PPP/C to have won by 15,416 valid votes. In contrast, plans for the new bridge were announced two years ago, and National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) records show that bids had been made since early 2019. Politecnica had asked for US$700,000 to conduct the feasibility study and prepare the design. Minister David Patterson sought authorisation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the construction of the bridge, in September 2019.
A section of the public notice on the Ministry of Public Infrastructure's Facebook page
The car on the left is the one with the false number plates. The other one is correct
A
SoesdykeLinden highway man is likely to face charges after police found a false number plate on his car. According to a Mr. Michel Pereira, he owns a Mitsubishi Galant, bearing licence plate, PJJ 966. He said that over the weekend, a friend alerted him to the fact that another vehicle was seen bearing that same number
plate. Pereira disclosed that he was sent a photograph in which it was clear that a Toyota model car was also carrying a number plate bearing PJJ 966. A complaint was immediately filed with the Ruimveldt Police Station. “I understand,” Pereira said, “that they alerted the police at Madewini (East Bank Demerara) and sent a team.” Kaieteur News was told
that the owner of the Toyota car claimed a mistake was made by the person who did his number plate. The car was seized by the police and the man, said to be from S oes dyke-Linden Highway, was arrested, pending charges. It is known that stolen and smuggled cars have been using numbers from wrecked or sometimes existing vehicles.
Businesswoman robbed at knife point in front of parents' home
A
48-year-old businesswoman, J e n n i f e r Cipriani, was yesterday held at knife point and robbed of her belongings in front of her parent's home. The robbery took place just after 15:00 hrs at the junction of the East Bank Public Road, Agricola. Cipriani was retrieving empty bottles from her car trunk parked on her parents' driveway when a man walked up and threatened her with a knife. The knife bandit then demanded that she hand over a bag that was strapped across her shoulder. Cipriani begged the man for a little time to take out her
Robbed: Jennifer Cipriani personal documents before handing over the bag. Despite her pleas, the
bandit forcefully removed the bag from around her shoulder by slicing through the strap with the knife. The man also relieved the woman of her cell phone before running away with an accomplice into Brutus Street, Agricola. The stolen bag contained between $15,000-$20,000 in cash along with Cipriani's driver's licence, ID card, bank cards and other loyalty cards. Kaieteur News was told that the incident is a constant thing on the Agricola Public Road. Bandits would approach persons who step off the minibuses, stick them up and rob them before escaping.
PAGE 16
SERVICES Visa Forms Preparer. Tel#626-7040, Publish your Death Annoucements & In Memoriams online. Email: dthmemo@gmail.com ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Affordable construction and renovation services Telephone#603-5124. Appliance repairs, spares & Service to refrigerator, washing machine / d r y e r, t r e a d m i l l , s t o v e , d i s h w a s h e r, d e e p f r y e r. Call#694-9733.
Another COVID-19 death reported, with five new cases An elderly Georgetown woman is the latest COVID19 casualty, bringing the current number of this country's fatalities from the global pandemic to 16. Additionally, the total number of positive novel coronavirus cases in Guyana has leaped to 278, VACANCY with five new ones reExcavator Operators, Cooks, corded yesterday. Miners, GM. Contact#600Kaieteur News learnt 2455 that a 76-year-old woman, Handyman needed. Contact M a y P o r t s m o u t h o f 7 3 Brickdam Street was rushed #223-5274/227-5003. by relatives to the Experienced Baker,Junior Georgetown Public HospiB a k e r , B a k e r s tal in a critical condition a assistant,Bettencourt’s Diner few days ago. 38 Durban Street,W/Ville. She was immediately Tel#231-1368/223-1938. admitted and doctors soon Air Conditioning Technician. realized that the woman had Contact#223-5274/227-5003. a chronic respiratory illness. Noting that most of Tutor.Contact#223-5274/227Portsmouth's symptoms 5003. were consistent with the Vacancy exists for one infection, health officials Manager to work @ Hotel & d e c i d e d t o c o n d u c t a Club,located at Charity COVID-19 test. Miss PortsEssequibo Coast. Contact mouth, however, passed #502-8587. away on Sunday last, beBond Clerk/Supervisor-Basic fore the test results came CXC,1 Yr work experience.Mima Decor 8 Sherrif Street.227-0176/ 86.mimadecor12@gmail.com
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Medical personnel at the Ogle Airport awaiting a suspected Covid-19 case back yesterday. Meanwhile, health official are still working to save
the lives of the 10 infected persons who remain in the Covid-19 Intensive Care
Unit (ICU). Guyana now has a total of 142 active covid-19 cases.
COVID-19 a blessings for fruit vendors, businesswise Stabroek Market
WANTED
FOR RENT Newlybuild bottom flat, two bedroom, 166 Collagen E.C.D.Tel#676-5742/685-5154 Preferably Christian Couple CAR RENTAL
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Kaieteur News
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS & SUV’S CALL :656-0087/643- 5122 E M A I L : P R O A U T O R E N TA L @YAHOO.COM
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE: PICKUP, 9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE # 698-7807.
1 bedroom apartment for working couple/single person $32,000 & $35,000 monthly,light & water included, 2 months security. Tel#623-0076.
Cook, Georgetown. Boys & Girls for the interior. Tel#6609093 One housekeeper.Must be able to speak Spanish and English.Age 45.Tel#624-8591. One handyman.Must be able to paint,carpentry,masonry etc.Tel#694-7817. One Bodywork spray painter to work in Georgetown. Call#227-1717. Bodywork Guy.Tel#668-7033. Wanted: Land to Buy:Schoonard,Tuschen, Providence, Herstelling, Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt. Best Price Pay Cash Call #6993357. HEALTH Herbal Remedies- Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyplori, Gall & Kidney Stones, Respitory illness, PCOS etc. Contact Sparman# 676-5924
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call #649-0956. LAND FOR SALE FOR SALE
Parfaite Harmonie $1.6M, $3.2M,Schoonard $5M,Providence,Herstelling $4M Call#666-2326.
For sale Deer Brand Camphor. Call#628-0016.
TO LET 1-2 Bedroom Apartment. Call#225-0033.
6x6 Army General Truck & Log Trailer-$6M,JCB 410 4X4 Leader $5M.Call#665-3676/ 673-4002.
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE.24 HRS CALL: 219-5000; 2272100,225-7878 or 227-1982
Local market vendors have been boasting high sales in fruits since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana on March 11. These high sales in fruits stem from health advisories being shared across Guyana, which is entailing that certain fruits can build your immune system and possibly prevent individuals from being tackled by the virus. Kaieteur News spoke with a few vendors from the Kitty, Stabroek and Bourda Markets who expressed that they were very impressed by the sales they received for certain fruits, mainly lemon, lime, pineapples and oranges. A 56-year-old vendor at the Stabroek Market said that in her 25 years of vending, this is the most she has ever sold within three months. She added that, “I know many people who are out of a job currently. I'm not sure how bad
the economy was affected but what I know for a fact is that we fruit vendors got to be grateful.” A few other vendors told this paper that even though there are limited hours for market sales, they are still making out quite well. While vendors of other products explained that the limited hours can be of some inconvenience at times, they understand that upholding the COVID-19 guidelines is the only thing they can do to prevent further spread of the virus. They further added that whether business is booming or not, they are still grateful for being able to come out and sell. Another vendor of the Stabroek Market who gave her name as “Joycie” claimed to have sold over 500 pounds of lemons and oranges since March to now. In speaking with Kaieteur News, she said,
“Out of all the people that come to my stall is just a few that wouldn't ask for orange or lime. I think everybody wanna eat good right now cause you never know until it's too late.” She also added that even though she carries her items in a sanitary manner, she still encourages her customers to wash their items when they get home. Even with all the positivity, some expressed that the wearing of masks has taken a toll on them. They also complained that the police force has been making their jobs a bit harder because some of them are being harassed. One vendor said, “you cannot even take your mask off to drink some water. They are ready to pounce on you and arrest you”. While it has brought some sort of discomfort for the vendors, they concluded that they are fine with the situation nevertheless.
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 17
PAGE 18
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 19
PAGE 20
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Tuesday July 07, 2020
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
Djokovic’s event taught us to be cautious: French Open director
Tournament director Guy Forget during a press conference for the ATP 1000 Masters Series. (REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo)
MUMBAI (Reuters) French Open organizers are taking every precaution to ensure the Grand Slam does not meet the same fate as Novak Djokovic’s Adria Tour, which was abandoned after several players tested positive for COVID-19, tournament director Guy Forget has told Reuters. Djokovic has come under fire after the charity event was played in front of packed crowds in Serbia and Croatia and saw players hugging at the net and posing for pictures together. Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki have all tested positive for the new coronavirus. The French Open will
Tuesday July 07, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Hobbies and diversions are wonderful; no one will argue this with you. But there comes a time when you use your hobbies as a way to avoid other responsibilities. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) There is no question about it, Taurus, change is in the air! Perhaps you can't feel it because you have allowed yourself to become bogged down in disappointment. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) All living things benefit from your gifts, Gemini. Nurturing has always been part of your nature, and is especially so today. CANCER (June 21–July 22) At some point, popularity becomes a burden rather than a blessing. Your bulletin board is cluttered with invitations to lectures and parties, Cancer, but your eyes begin to glaze over at the thought of attending all these events.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) We are all gullible to a certain extent. And you are no exception. You can expect to receive some financial offers today. They may come via the mail or an in-person sales pitch. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You have heightened sensitivity right now, Scorpio, and you know just how to use it. While it can be difficult to be so needed by others, right now it is your place to give help where it's needed. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your warmth and good nature draw people to you like a magnet today. Of course, you're used to this occurring, but today these aspects of your character are especially enhanced. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) There's no question, this has been a long time coming. But today the change you have been hoping for so long is likely to occur.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) It's another fortuitous day for finances, Leo, so be sure to take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This is a time to take care of yourself in the truest sense of the word. This doesn't mean indulging in excesses, but rather just the opposite.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You are seeing a new side of yourself today, Virgo, and what a lovely side it is! Normally so conservative, today you find yourself considering purchasing clothes with stylish details and expensive fabrics. And why not?
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It's another potentially anxious day ahead. But you have the power to soothe your ruffled feathers. Physical activity of any sort will calm you down considerably. Even a quick walk around the block will be of benefit.
allow up to 60% of the usual capacity inside the Roland Garros grounds when the rescheduled claycourt tournament starts on Sept. 27 and Forget said there was no chance of them repeating the mistakes of the Adria Tour. “Maybe some people were overconfident there,” Forget said by telephone. “Luckily no one got hurt really bad but even a few cases is too much and we want to avoid that as much as we can. “We want to reassure everyone that having people getting ill will be terrible for us. Let’s be really careful, really cautious.” France began easing restrictions in May but has been reporting over 500 cases daily in recent days. Protective masks will be mandatory for anyone on the move inside Roland Garros and they will be recommended for those sitting courtside. T h e F r e n c h Te n n i s Federation (FFT) expect some 20,000 spectators a day during the early stages of the two-week tournament and about 10,000 per day on the final weekend. Forget said a successful event needed to have some kind of a crowd. “We all see soccer on television, it’s wonderful but something is missing without the crowds,” the former world No. 4 said. “ We a r e w o r k i n g closely with the administration, the government, to make sure we can provide some crowd while still following very strict security measures.” MORE FLEXIBLE The U.S. Open in New York, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 31, will have no spectators and operate under
KFDA continues to... From page 21 contribute to the ongoing COVID-19 Kingston food drive, please contact 6960658. The KFDA is also asking persons to continue supporting these businesses. Another distribution exercise of hampers (50) is planned for Sunday 12th, July. For more information, individuals are asked to contact organisers Junior Forrester (592-6960658), Andy Atkinson -(592 639 9542) or Aubrey Denny (592-6987194).
strict health protocols, including limiting the size of each player’s entourage. Forget said French Open organizers were not planning anything as strict and were even hoping to ease restrictions. “Luckily things are a bit more flexible in Europe and in France, especially,” he said. “Hopefully, what we’re going to announce will probably be even more flexible than what we did.” The FFT drew heavy criticism in mid-March when it unilaterally moved the French Open to September from its scheduled May start amid the COVID-19 crisis, placing it in the middle of the hardcourt season. Forget said he understood why some were unhappy about it but thought saving one of the most prestigious and lucrative tournaments in tennis was
worth it. “We’re not going to celebrate or congratulate ourselves for the decision we took,” the 55-year-old said. “We thought it’s a risk worth taking. Of course we’ll make people unhappy. “But in mid-October, if we’re able to come together and we’ve been able to provide revenue for 600 people, I think we will be very satisfied as a federation and I as a former player.” Forget was reasonably confident the tournament would be a success but would not relax until after the men’s final on Oct. 11. “I don’t want to shout ‘victory’ before the tournament actually happens,” Forget said. “As the tournament director I’ll only be happy once the men’s winner shakes the hand of the finalist. “We will all together be able to say, we did it.”
PAGE 22
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Kaieteur News
Teams selected for Hero CPL 2020
Shimron Hetmyer (left) turned the match Guyana’s way when he punished the bowling. (CPL) The six Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchises have selected their teams for the 2020 tournament which is scheduled to take place from 18 August to the 10 September. The draft was carried out remotely and the six teams have successfully filled out their rosters with both Caribbean and overseas players with Rashid Khan, Marcus Stoinis, Ross Taylor, Pravin Tambe and Carlos Brathwaite all being signed up. Defending champions, the Barbados Tridents, have signed
superstar Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, powerful English opener Alex Hales and Australian allrounder Marcus Stoinis. Their other overseas players are Englishman Harry Gurney and Afghani Rahmanullah Gurbaz. They have retained the core of their championship winning side from last year and they have signed Kyle Mayers to join a strong set of Caribbean players. Trinbago Knight Riders have signed Pravin Tambe, and the spinner will become the first Indian
Slimmed down Sibley ready to tuck into West Indies LONDON (Reuters) - A slimmed down Dom Sibley will open the batting for England in the first test against West Indies this week after admitting he needed to go on a diet during the lockdown. Sibley, nicknamed ‘The Fridge’ by team mates, has lost 12kg since experiencing a “wake-up call” while in Sri Lanka earlier this year for the series that was aborted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Training in that heat, I saw some of the lads running after a big session and it was a bit of an eyeopener for me,” the 24-year-old, who will likely open alongside Rory Burns, told reporters from the Ageas Bowl yesterday “I was sitting on the plane home thinking that I needed to do something.” Sibley is averaging 40 in six tests since making his debut against New Zealand in November and be hoping to get stuck into the West Indies
bowlers as he tries to nail down his spot at the top of the problematic England upper order. The Warwickshire right-hander hopes that shedding some excess baggage will help him achieve that goal. “I’ve always been someone that hasn’t been the fittest in the squad,” Sibley said. “Whether it’s been at Surrey or Warwickshire, I’ve always been coasting a little bit. “For the first time in my career I felt a little bit self-conscious about my physique and my weight. I saw how fit some of the guys are, especially the senior guys, and how impressive they are in their training. “I’ve been working hard. I don’t feel that’s it’s made much difference to my batting. People say I look different which is nice but in terms of batting it’s about doing the same thing, batting as long as I can. “Hopefully this will allow me to do that.”
to play at the CPL. They have also brought back Australian leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed who was part of their Championship winning team in 2018. They have signed New Zealand wicket keeper Tim Seifert and Zimbabwean batsman Sikandar Raza. They Knight Riders have retained the core of their local players for the 2020 season. The Guyana Amazon Warriors have retained 13 players from the team that went unbeaten during the league stage of last year’s tournament and have added New Zealander Ross Taylor and Afghani
Kemo Paul exults after getting the wicket of Chris Gayle. (Getty Images) Naveen-ul-Haq. Imran Tahir, Chris Green, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford all return to the Amazon Warriors for 2020. The St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have signed Australians Chris Lynn and Ben Dunk and have also recruited Ish Sodhi and Sohail Tanvir. Rassie van der Dussen returns to the Patriots after a successful spell with the team in 2018 and they welcome back Fabian Allen, Evin Lewis, Sheldon Cottrell and their captain Rayad Emrit. The Jamaica Tallawahs are
Retained (R) Signed (S) Transferred (Tfr) Drafted (D) Jamaica Tallawahs St Lucia Zouks Andre Russell (R) Rilee Rossouw (S) S Lamichhane (D) Mohammad Nabi (D) Carlos Brathwaite (D) Daren Sammy (R) Rovman Powell (R Colin Ingram (R) Tabraiz Shamsi (S) Andre Fletcher (R) Glenn Phillips (R) Kesrick Williams (R) Chadwick Walton (R) Anrich Nortje (S) Oshane Thomas (R) Chemar Holder (D) Asif Ali (D) Obed Mccoy (R) Fidel Edwards (D) Rahkeem Cornwall (R) Preston Mcsween (D) Mark Deyal (D) Andre Mccarthy (D) Noor Ahmad (S) Nicholas Kirton (D) Kimani Melius (S) Jeavor Royal (D) Leniko Boucher (D) Nkrumah Bonner (D) Kavem Hodge (R) V Permaul (D) Javelle Glen (D) Saad Bin Zafar (D) Ryan Persaud (D) St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Chris Lynn (S) Ben Dunk (D) Evin Lewis (R) Fabian Allen (R) R Van Der Dussen (S) Sohail Tanvir (S) Ish Sodhi (S) Sheldon Cotterell (R) Denesh Ramdin (Tfr) Rayad Emrit (R) Dennis Bulli (D) Alzarri Joseph (R) Joshua De Silva (D) Dominic Drakes (R) Colin Archibald (D) Jon Russ Jaggesar (D) Sunny Sohal (D)
Barbados Tridents Rashid Khan (S) Jason Holder (R) Marcus Stonis (S) Harry Gurney (R) Alex Hales (D) Johnson Charles (R) Shai Hope (R) Hayden Walsh, Jr (R) Ashley Nurse (R) Jonathan Carter (R) Raymon Reifer (R) Kyle Mayers (D) Joshua Bishop (D) Nyeem Young (S) Justin Greaves (R) R Gurbaz (D) Shayan Jahangir (D)
looking to rebuild after a poor season in 2019 which saw them finish in last place in the table. They have recruited Carlos Brathwaite who was released by the Patriots. They have also signed Nepalese leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and South African left arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. They have brought in exciting Pakistani batsman Asif Ali and retained their leading run scorer from last season, Glenn Phillips. These overseas players will combine with a strong local contingent, which includes Andre Russell, Rovman Powell and Oshane Thomas. Trinbago Knight Riders Dwayne Bravo (R) Kieron Pollard (R) Sunil Narine (R) Colin Munro (R) Fawad Ahmed (S) Darren Bravo (R) Lendl Simmons (R) Khary Pierre (R) Tim Seifert (S) Sikandar Raza (D) Anderson Phillip (D) Pravin Tambe (D) Jayden Seales (S) Amir Jangoo (R) Tion Webster (R) Akeal Hosein (R) Muhammad Ali Khan (R) Guyana Amazon Warriors Imran Tahir (R) Nicholas Pooran (R) Brandon King (R) Ross Taylor (S) Shimron Hetmyer (R) Chris Green (R) Qais Ahmad (S) Keemo Paul (R) S Rutherford (R) Romario Shepherd (R) Naveen Ul Haq (D) Chandrapul Hemraj (R) Kevin Sinclair (S) Ashmeade Nedd (D) Odean Smith (R) Anthony Bramble (R) Jasdeep Singh (D)
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Cricket Administrators among those that bid farewell to Anil Persaud Several cricket administrators were among those that bid farewell to former Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board Anil Persaud. Persaud who resided at Enmore passed away suddenly on Wednesday last following a brief illness; he was cremated on Sunday on the East Coast of Demerara. Among those present at his funeral were Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, Anand Sanasie, former GCB President Drubahadur, Treasurer Anand Kalladeen, Lalta Gainda, Rahaman Khan, selector Nazimul Drepaul, Chairman of Competition’s Committee Colin Europe, Attorney at Law Arudranauth Gossai and a number of past and present cricketers from the East Coast of Demerara. Apart from serving on the GCB executive, Persaud was an executive member of the East Coast Cricket Committee and the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club. He had recently completed the Cricket West
The body of Anil Persaud being taken to cremation site on Sunday. Indies Levels 1 and 11 coaching certification programme, while he was undertaking the level 111 course prior to his demise. Persaud was also a member of the junior selection committee of the GCB and played an integral role in the careers of many talented young cricketers. He was
deemed by many as the ‘live wire’ of cricket on the East Coast and his services will surely be missed. The GCB, Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club, The Essequibo Cricket Board, Wakenaam Cricket Committee, Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc., Berbice Cricket Board, Demerara Cricket Board,
East Coast Cricket Committee, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, the Guyana Cricket Umpires’ Council, The Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association, Enterprise Busta Sports Club and the Queen’s College Old Students’ Association were among those organisations that paid tribute to Persaud.
GOA urging members to donate blood The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has planned a series of virtual activities to celebrate Olympic Day 2020 which was observed globally on June 23rd last. The first (an exercise challenge) was posted on the GOA’s facebook page on
Olympic Day - June 23rd, but up to date, no one has taken up the challenge. The second Olympic Day event is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the GOA is asking all of the members of its affiliates, if at all possible, to donate blood
at the Blood Bank at Lamaha & East Streets. The first donations will be taken today at 2:00pm, but persons can go any day thereafter. This Thursday, July 9th, the third event; a Zoom Fitness session, will commence at 18:30hrs using
the Zoom Meeting Platform. The session will feature half-hour of aerobics (Jazzercise) from in the first segment, followed by ten minutes of strength exercises. The link to the zoom meeting will be posted on the GOA’s facebook page.
CPL Draft: Tallawahs draft Carlos Brathwaite, Fidel Edwards sign plucky Tabraiz Shamsi Sports Max - Carlos Brathwaite will turn out for the Jamaica Tallawahs this season after the allrounder was drafted by the Franchise ahead of the August 18-September 10 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The CPL held its online draft earlier yesterday, with the Tallawahs also drafting Nepaleese leg-spinner, Sandeep Lamichhane. The Tallawahs team threatens to look very different from how it has in previous years, though they have retained the services of Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Glenn Phillips, Chadwick Walton, and Oshane Thomas. Brathwaite and Lamichhane will team up with fellow draftees Fidel Edwards, Asif Ali, Preston McSween, Nicholas Kirton, Jeavor Royal, Veerasammy Permaul,
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
and Ryan Persaud. The Tallawahs will also welcome the services of South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi, who was a hit with the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in a previous iteration
of the CPL. J a m a i c a Tallawahs: Andre Russell, Sandeep Lamichhane, Carlos Brathwaite, Rovman Powell, Tabraiz Shamsi, Glenn Phillips, Chadwick Walton,
Oshane Thomas, Asif Ali, Fidel Edwards, Preston McSween, Andre McCarthy, Nicholas Kirton, Jeavor Royal, Nkrumah Bonner, Veerasammy Permaul, Ryan Persaud.
KFDA continues to assist Covid-19 affected families Over the last month, the Kingston Football Development Academy (KFDA) reached out to some businesses and Kingston residents near and far on an initiative to help provide COVID-19 relief hampers for the Kingston, New Market Street, and Tiger Bay communities. Some immediately answered the call along with Banks DIH LTD, Mr. Ramdeo Kumar the CEO of Beacon Cafe, Kingstonians Ms.
Sherry Ann Sankar (USA); Ms. Donna Ann Knights owner of Donna Grocery Shop, Mr. Junior Forrester of KFDA and Mr. Andy Atkinson part of their corporate and community responsibilities. This is KFDA’s fifth wave of COVID19 community food hampers to families. Banks DIH Limited made a donation of Triskits Crackers to the Kingston F o o t b a l l Development Academy to
assist in its Kingston-Tiger Bay-New Market Food donation drive to residents in the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sunday, the KFDAKingston team distributed 50 hampers to families in the Tiger-Bay community, taking their overall tally to 170 distributed COVID-19 relief hampers. The KFDA will not be posting on social media photos of anyone collecting hampers. But a few will be sent to sponsors privately. Anyone, who wishes to (Continued on page 19)
Tests return with Stokes and Holder head-to-head LONDON (Reuters) When the players of England and West Indies walk out on to the lush Ageas Bowl pitch tomorrow it will be a landmark moment for international cricket after a 117-day hiatus. It will also be a milestone in the career of England’s talisman Ben Stokes as he captains the side for the first time. The circumstances will be surreal with the COVID-19 pandemic meaning no fans will be present in the bio-secure environment — the only sounds being the thump of leather on willow, the chit-chat between the players and some piped-in crowd effects. Once the strangeness of the ‘new-normal’ sinks in, however, an intriguing series looks on the cards between the sides ranked fourth and eighth on the ICC’s test list. With England captain Joe Root missing for the birth of his second child, Stokes will get to pit himself against West Indies counterpart Jason Holder. Holder, embarking on his 33rd test as captain, is first on the ICC’s all-rounder rankings while Stokes is second. Bothhavesimilar problems to solve, namely fragile batting lineups that could be at the mercy of top-class bowling attacks. West Indies won the last series between the sides in 2018-19 on home soil, but have not won a series in England since 1988. They will be buoyed by virtually the same pace attack that England found such a problem in the Caribbean with Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and Holder complimented by Bajan quickie
Chemar Holder. “It’s an exciting time for us. We’ve got a group of fast bowlers we think can challenge any team in the world,” West Indies assistant-coach Roddy Estwick said. “The fast bowling is key to us and we’re beginning to get blessed again.” The batting is more problematic and the form of Shai Hope, who scored two centuries when West Indies claimed a famous victory at Headingley two years ago, will be vital. Holder has barely made a run in the practice games while a likely top five of Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shamarh Brooks, Hope and Roston Chase managed just 29 runs between them in West Indies’ second intra-squad warm-up match. With Root missing, England’s shaky top-order will be under scrutiny. Rory Burns and Dom Sibley look set to open with Joe Denly or Zak Crawley likely to bat at four. Whatever the pairings, West Indies bowlers will fancy their chances. Stokes will have numerous pace bowling options with James Anderson and Jofra Archer, both of whom struggled with injuries in England’s 3-1 win in South Africa last winter, refreshed. One of the first tough decisions he will have to make, along with head coach Chris Silverwood, is which of his seamerswillmissout. Stuart Broad is close to 500 test wickets, the rapid Mark Wood has taken 18 wickets in his last three test outings and Chris Woakes revels in English conditions.
How ‘Lady Luck’ missed... From page 23 My memorable overseas moments were against a Trinidadian team named Sims in New York when I took 6 -24, a team that included former Trinidadian players, Boodie, Mangalie, and the Roberts brothers. I think they played for Trinidad some time back. In Canada I was able to bowl 10 overs for 22 runs and win the match for my team Tranzac against one of the best teams called Overseas,” Boodhoo said. When asked for his thoughts on the West Indies tour to England which starts tomorrow, he said competing will depend on how well our batsmen adapt to conditions. “To be honest I only catch up to internationally cricket periodically, I don’t have too much time. However, West Indies against
England is always challenging in English commissions, the ball swings a lot and all depends how our batsmen adapt, the batsmen need to apply more concentration and bat longer, also our fast bowlers should not try to intermediate too much but try to concentrate on a good line and length,” Boodhoo opined. He resides in New York, the hardest hit state by the Global pandemic in the United States of America and says the COVID-19 pandemic is a terrible experience. “Life has been different and not normal with all the preventative measures, truly speaking it is scary. As an essential worker I must be vigilant and careful, hopefully we are praying for a cure long before the vaccine is out,” Boodhoo concluded.
PAGE 24
Tuesday July 07, 2020
Kaieteur News
Hamilton reveals foiled strategy plan to beat Bottas MotorSport.com Hamilton knew that the only way to beat Bottas was to run a different tyre strategy. However, when the safety car came out Hamilton had no choice but to follow Bottas into the pits for a doublestacked stop, which ended any chance of running an offset strategy and going to a different tyre. Both drivers were given the hard compound for what was clearly going to a long run to the chequered flag, as the team believed that it was too early to fit the medium. Racing Point’s Sergio Perez was the only driver to take the medium at the stops. Soon after leaving the pits Hamilton said on team radio that he’d wanted to take the “opposite tyre” and do something different to Bottas. “The fact is here at this track you know that in order
to have an opportunity to pass the car in front of you always want to try and go for the opposite strategy,” Hamilton said when asked by Motorsport.com. “Now when you’re when you’re in a team like ours, the first car always gets the priority in the stop. And so if you both come out on the same tyres, you’re pretty much stuffed at a track like this, particularly where it’s very, very hard to overtake. “It’s something like eighttenths of a second advantage you need on the car ahead to have an opportunity at fighting with them. So I knew that on the same tyre, I would most likely be finishing behind. Then obviously the safety car came out and that really kind of messed with things, because I was gonna plan to try and extend my stint as long as I could then stop for
the opposite tyre, basically, and just take a risk, because ultimately [when I’m] behind that’s ultimately what I like doing, taking a risk. “But it didn’t work out that way, and I don’t think it was a big issue. I mean, there was so many other things that came into play.” Hamilton admitted that when heading into the pits he hadn’t reminded the team of his desire to do something different. “Well, you know, as the safety car came out, I didn’t know which tyre they’d be putting either,” he said. “I really just hadn’t thought of it, I assumed that they’ll put us on the hard, being that we were quite short and there was still a long way to go, and the hard tyre generally if you stop earlier, that’s the better tyre for the distance. “As I said, I’m a risk taker. But I didn’t prompt them, and
CWI Names Phizz as Official Hydration Tablet Partner SOUTHAMPTON, England – Cricket West Indies (CWI) is pleased to announce Phizz as the Official Hydration Tablet Partner to CWI and the West Indies teams. The partnership is set to launch on the pitch tomorrow, July 8 in the team’s highly anticipated first Test match of the Sandals West Indies Tour of England 2020 in the #RaiseTheBat Series at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The second and third Test matches will be at Emirates Old Trafford Bowl in Manchester on July 16-20 and July 24-28 Phizz is scientifically formulated to create the most comprehensive formula of hydration, vitamins and minerals. It was created as a hydration amplifier, ensuring players rapidly absorb two to three times more than drinking water alone, while also replenishing the main electrolytes lost in sweat. “Player nutrition and hydration is key in supporting performance, recovery and immune systems under stress from training and travel,” said Dr. Oba Gulston, CWI’s Sports Science and Medicine Manager. “We are pleased to bring Phizz on board. We feel that Phizz provides the ideal blend of hydration, essential vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to support our athletes.” Dominic Warne, Commercial and Marketing Director for CWI said: “We
West Indies players sample the Phizz. (CWI) are excited to have Phizz on board to support our athletes on the pitch and on the road as one of our technical partners. This great addition to our family of technical partnerships brings genuine benefits for our teams’ preparation and performance development.” Yasmin Badiani, Phizz Head of Sport said: “Phizz is proud to partner a legendary team such as the West Indies,” said “This is a big moment for our growing company, and we are looking forward to working closely with the team on this partnership.” Phizz supplies more than 60 professional sports clubs as well airlines, gyms and fivestar hotels around the world. For more information
on Phizz or to try it yourself, use discount code WINDIES20 at www.phizz.co. Fans around the world can watch the Test Series: Caribbean: ESPN Caribbean North America: DAZN/ Willow UK & Europe: Sky Sports (highlights and digital clips on BBC and ECB digital platforms) Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport Indian Sub-Continent: Sony Ten Middle East and North Africa: BeIN Sport South East Asia: Fox Sports Asia Australia: Fox Sports Australia New Zealand: Spark Sport
Hamilton’s strategy plan to beat Bottas was foiled by the safety car which forced an unscheduled pit stop. (Motorsport) normally before the stop, I would have prompted them,
but because of the safety car, there are other things that
came into play, and I hadn’t done it, so it’s totally fine.”
England to face Ireland and Pakistan in packed summer schedule LONDON (Reuters) England will host Ireland in a three-match one-day international series starting on July 30 before taking on Pakistan in a packed summer calendar, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced yesterday. The Ireland squad will arrive in England and set up their base at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton on July 18, before facing world champions England in three ODIs at the same venue. The second and third ODIs between the two sides will be on Aug. 1 and Aug. 4 respectively. Ireland, who last played an international against Afghanistan in March, have only beaten England once in their 10 ODI encounters. Visiting captain Andrew Balbirnie thanked the ECB for creating a bio-secure environment for the series, which represents Ireland’s first fixtures of the new World Cup Super League - the qualification process for the 2023 tournament. “... Playing international cricket is a huge honour - and not only do we have that to look forward to now, but we’ll be taking on the world champions in their own backyard. That is the ultimate challenge – and we’ll be ready,” he said. Pakistan, who arrived in England on June 28 to quarantine ahead of the bilateral series, will face the hosts in three tests and three Twenty20 internationals. The first test will be
Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien in action against England during the Second One Day International at Lord’s. (Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs Livepic) played from Aug. 5-9 at Old Trafford, before the teams head to Southampton for the second (Aug. 13-17) and then third test (Aug. 21-25). The three T20 matches will be played at Old Trafford, with the opening game scheduled for Aug. 28. England return to action following the COVID-19 stoppage with three tests against West Indies, with the first match scheduled to begin in Southampton tomorrow without fans in attendance. “It has taken significant effort and expertise to allow us to reach a position where cricket is now ready and able
to return to the field of play from the elite level to recreational cricket,” ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison said in a statement. “We owe a significant debt of gratitude to the players, staff and administrators of the Cricket West Indies, Cricket Ireland, and the Pakistan Cricket Board for their willingness and co-operation to get international cricket back up and running.” The ECB confirmed it was also exploring options to host England’s limited-overs series against Australia this summer.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 07, 2020
PAGE 25
How ‘Lady Luck’ missed Ex Inter-County leg-spinner Sammy Boodhoo By Sean Devers Fifty-eight-year old Sammy Boodhoo was one of the best leg-spinners in Demerara in the late 1980s to the mid-90s at a time when Demerara had a strong First Division system in which the six City teams were joined by East Coast, East Bank and West Demerara. Boodhoo played for East Coast, while Policeman Gillian Gomes and Desmond Butts who played for the newly promoted GNIC, were the other good leggies plying their trade at that time but Boodhoo, who played for Ogle in East Coast Cricket, suffered more than his fair share of ‘bad luck’ as a budding young cricketer. “Sunil Gavaskar wrote a book in which he listed his best cricketers and dedicated a chapter to each one of them. I was not surprised when he listed a few cricketers who never represented India despite having the potential to do so, I feel this is a situation that applied to me where playing
for Guyana is concerned,” noted Boodhoo. Boodhoo performed well for the Demerara U-16 and U-19 Schoolboys teams and was invited to the 1978 National U-19 trials. He recounted becoming ill with Jaundice and one year when he was again called to trials for BAT Regional U-19 series in his final year at that level he was forced to miss the trials due to appendicitis. “Hence, I was so unlucky and that’s how Rafik Khan made the 1979 team,” lamented Boodhoo who never got the chance to represent his County at the U-19 level. More misfortune was to follow him when he was first invited to senior National trials in 1987. During the fifth game he injured his toe and at that time the East Coast was going through administration problems so he took a break from the game for a while. Boodhoo was born on January 4, 1962 and grew up in a small village called
Industry on the East Coast of Demerara which produced Guyana players the Haniff brothers (Zaheer & Azeemul), and David Harper. He attended the Cummings Lodge Secondary School and excelled in cricket at the Inter-School and Inter-Zone level. “The Ogle Community Center was just next door. Hence my cricket career started there. As a small boy I remember myself and David Harper were the only two under-16 players who could have merit a place on the senior Ogle team playing Northcote (2nd division) cricket at club level,” said Sammy. “I played for the1987 East Coast First Division team which was captained by Guyana Wicket-Keeper Sheik Mohamed. It was one of the best teams ever and did really well. Sometime in 1990, Clyde Butt came and captained the East Coast team. I took a lot of wickets and was selected in the
Boodhoo, Harper & Butts were the spinners in the 1994 Demerara team which won the Inter-County tournament.
The Queens County team in America. (standing L-R) Guyanese Boodhoo, Seeram & David Fingal.
senior Inter-County Demerara team and we played against Berbice and won. I took three wickets including Daniram. I was called to National trials the same year. I was performing well in the trials and from all indications I was a good prospect. I was the only spinner against the likes of Arjune Nandu (who took five wickets from four First-Class matches for Guyana Between 1989 and 1992) who had the most wickets,” added Boodhoo during the time as the Berbice pair Nandu and Mahendra Nagamootoo. “Unfortunately, I quit the trials when I found that cricket was actually harder inside than outside. That was one of the biggest challenges to me. Being among senior players and not being treated properly was something I could not handle, especially as a youngster coming up. There were some players who try to get to you psychologically to bring you down. I did not have the mental gut, being young and a little immature. As a result, I just called it quits and that was my biggest regret ever in cricket,” revealed Sammy. In 1994 Inter-County game against Berbice he had captured three wickets including the wicket of Sudesh Dhaniram who he bowled just when he was well set to build a big innings. After that he was contracted to a premier league team (Tranzac cricket club) in Canada. Other Guyanese overseas players in the team were Michael Chinsammy and David Fingal. This was 1995 and he
Sammy (right) with wife and son at his son’s graduation in NY. was one of the leading wicket takers in the league and helped to save his club from a demotion. “During this time a lot of Guyana players were playing in Canada. Seeram for Cavaliers, Zaheer Haniff and Glenn Robinson for Victoria park, Mark Burnett for Grace Church. As faith would have it Queens county cricket club from New York was touring Canada. Their officials saw me bowling in a match. They had some discussion with me after and expressed their willingness to have me for the club the following year. I was taken by surprise when I was issued a visa specifically to play cricket in America. In fact, I was probably one of the first cricketers to have been issued a visa back in 1996 to play cricket in America. My annotation on visa was cricket. I played in America from 1996 to 1998,” said the former East Coast spinner. In 1998 his father passed away just as the season had started in America. “I returned home and did not rejoin the team. Instead I took the opportunity to capitalize and consolidate on CJIAC, the popular Lotus restaurant as their general manager until due to family commitments, I quit and settled in New York with my family in 2016,” Boodhoo continued. “During my cricket stint in America, I found the cricket to be reasonable competitive. There were so many players from all the regions in the Caribbean. In fact, during the 1997 season there was a local red stripe competition organized. The
players from their respective countries were selected to play for their country. I was fortunate along with my fellow teammate Rabindranath Seeram from Queens County to play for the Guyana New York red stripe team. I was one of the leading wickets takers in the league and I was selected in front of Derek Kallirichan. I remember bowling to people like Everton Mattis, Richard Stapleton” Boodhoo disclosed. He said Ramnaresh Sarwan, Sudesh Dhaniram and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are some of the best batsmen he has bowled to. “Being the leading wicket taker in the FirstDivision cricket in1992 there were some good match memories for me, 7-40 against DCC, 6 wickets against Malteenoes at Enterprise, 6 wickets against GCC and having the opportunity of dismissing Dhaniram several times in the inter-county matches and Red Stripe trials,” Boodhoo proclaimed. His most memorable performance was when he captured 5-11 as GNIC were bowled out for 28 which was lowest ever score in local First Division Cricket. “Some of my other most memorable performances included 7 wickets against DCC with my scalps including Keith Semple, Travis Dowling and Linden Joseph. I also took 6 wickets against GCC at Enmore that included about 7 national players in their team including Andy Jackman, Paul Persaud, Garfield Charles and Richard Jodha. (Continued on page 21)
Brandon King topscored for the Warriors with another half century. (CPL)
S
Imran Tahir celebrates in style after taking one of his 4 wickets. (Getty Images)
port
Teams selected for Hero CPL 2020
P. 20
Slimmed down Sibley ready to tuck into West Indies
England’s Ben Stokes during nets. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
P. 20
England’s Dom Sibley walks after losing his wicket. (REUTERS /Siphiwe Sibeko)
Tests return with Stokes and Holder head- to-head P. 21
West Indies’ Jason Holder speaks to the Media. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.