Kaieteur News
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
WAKE UP
GUYANESE
BROTHERS & SISTERS R
Paid Ad
Our Mom and Dad die in an accident and leave 10 children. Robert, the eldest brother, is put in charge of all of our properties. Suddenly, we hear that two of the most valuable properties were secretly transferred to Robert’s wife’s sister and brother. As we dig deeper, we find out that the wife’s sister and brother sold PART of the properties for US$100M. What did Robert do to his siblings? Whose pocket is the US$100M going into? Will it be found in the hands of the wife’s sister and brother? Do you think Robert loves his wife’s sister and brother so much to let them have that US$100M? Think about it! That is exactly what has happened with Guyana oil blocks. They were transferred into the hands of ?? And some of them were sold for hundreds of US $$ millions. What have they done to the Guyanese people? Think about it.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 11, 2019
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Advertisements on Canje oil block misleading - Dr. Mangal By Kiana Wilburg
F
ollowing several newspaper articles on the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA)'s probe into the award of oil blocks, MidAtlantic Oil and Gas Inc. and JHI Associates, two industry unknowns, have been publishing almost daily, advertisements to defend the exploration licence which they were handed by former President Donald Ramotar for the Canje Block. While they got the licence on March 4, 2015, a mere two months before General and Regional Elections were held, the ad states that negotiations on the matter were in train since 2013. It also states that all laws were followed, that the companies' founders have decades of experience in oil exploration offshore
Guyana, and that they met the government's requirements for technical expertise and financial capabilities. Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal alluded that the ad is misleading to the Guyanese public as it fails to address the biggest issue at hand, which is, Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas Inc. and JHI Associates have no experience in deep water exploration, but were still given the Canje block licence. The former Presidential Advisor said that there are worldwide cases bearing a resemblance to the foregoing matter. He said that the one characteristic they usually have in common is the element of corruption. Dr. Mangal said, “It is highly suspicious and likely
illegal for government officials to award oil blocks to companies with no capacity to explore and develop the oil.” The Oil Consultant also took to his Facebook Page on June 8, last, to speak on the issue. There, the transparency advocate said that the objective with the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks probe is purely to return hundreds of millions, potentially billions of US dollars that were stolen from the people of Guyana. He said, “And we already know they were stolen, as no servant of the people (i.e. politician) gives away the people's property for nothing to companies that know nothing, as happened just prior to the election in 2015. The objective must be to rescind the blocks so the people of Guyana can see the true value.”
Dr. Mangal stressed that the objective cannot be a political witch hunt, as this will not result in the return of the assets to the people. Rescinding these awards and banning the companies (including ExxonMobil and Hess Corporation) will be sufficient penalty for the guilty politicians, he stressed. CANJE BLOCK OPERATORS The company to which former President, Donald Ramotar, signed away the Canje Block, was MidAtlantic Oil and Gas. JHI Associates Inc. farmed in (or bought in) right after. The block was awarded on March 4, 2015 to MidAtlantic. JHI was only registered in Guyana on May 4, and it bought into the block on May 15. It seems JHI was created from
nothing as its archived website only started working and listing managers, including John Cullen, on June 10. The general election was on May 11, 2015. According to documents held by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Secretariat, JHI was only incorporated on June 17, 2015, in the British Virgin Islands. That nation is under no obligation to provide countries like Guyana with tax information of companies registered there. And even though MidAtlantic Oil and Gas was incorporated here on April 8, 2013, both companies were in one-on-one negotiations with the PPP government for the oil block one month before — March 2013. This means that the individuals behind the companies were asking for oil blocks without
Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal having a company being formed.. What is also significant is that the Canje block is the only asset that these two companies have to date. Additionally, JHI and MidAtlantic, which participated in Guyana's EITI reporting process, failed to submit their audited financial statements for review. JHI also failed to submit information on its beneficial owners. The EITI report lists Kamal Dookie as the beneficial owner of MidAtlantic.
CCJ rulings for no-confidence appeals, GECOM chairmanship case, set for next Tuesday
T
he Caribbean Court of Justice ( C C J ) i s preparing to hand down rulings in the highly anticipated no- confidence and GECOM chairmanship appeals. The Court has since notified attorneys of the upcoming rulings set for next Tuesday at 10:00 am. As per normal, the rulings will be broadcast via the CCJ website. Last month, the Trinidad-based Court heard arguments in the consolidated no confidence matters as well as appeals in relation to the challenge over the legality of the appointment of the GECOM chairman. The panel of five judges, comprising President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, and Justices Winston Anderson, Jacob Witt, David Hayton and Maureen Ragnauth–Lee, had reserved their decision to decode, inter alia, the complexity of two major constitutional provisions arising out of the arguments presented in the no confidence appeals as well as legal arguments surrounding the GECOM chairman matter. The Constitutional challenge to the appointment
retired Justice James Patterson's appointment is now before the CCJ for final determination after People Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament Zulfikar Mustapha, who instigated a challenge against it, was unsuccessful in both the High Court and the Appeal Court. Last month, in his a rg u m e n t , Tr i n i d a d i a n Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes held that the President needs to consult with the Leader of the Opposition (Bharrat Jagdeo) and that they may, during open discussions, come up with a name they are both happy with. SC Mendes said that the President needs to be “open and transparent about his thinking.”
Mendes is representing the Opposition member in the case. Although he acknowledged that the President has the power to make a unilateral appointment, SC Mendes had argued that the Head of State ought to have provided reasons for his rejection of the lists, since the provision of that Article 161 (2) is to achieve an appointment that is acceptable to both the President and parliamentary Opposition. While this was SC Mendes's position, Queen's Counsel Hal Gallop, one of the lawyers representing the State, submitted that on appeal to the Court of Appeal, one of the Judges held that the President did indeed gave reasons for
rejecting the lists. Government-appointed Attorney and Queen's Counsel Ralph Thorne, who also represented the State along with Attorney General Basil Williams, reasoned that the Leader of the Opposition needed to submit a list for consideration and it was up to the President to determine if it is acceptable. “We are arguing that acceptability is not a joint exercise,” said Queen's Counsel Thorne. There is
nothing in the Constitution which provides for dialogue between the President and Leader of the Opposition. He said that such dialogue is held after the Leader of Opposition submits his list of nominees. But Justice Saunders questioned the worth of consultations afterwards. But Thorne reasoned that it was not required for the President to disclose which person on the list was not acceptable.
Meanwhile, the CCJ is said to rule on the case arising out of the no confidence appeals. In this case, the CCJ must determine among other things whether Guyana's National Assembly requires an absolute majority of its 65 members to pass a noconfidence motion and formula constitutes such a majority. Last December's noconfidence motion attracted (continued on page 15)
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Auditors and City Hall City Hall officials have been forced to go on the defensive. The usual games are evident: hedging, stonewalling, obscuring, scrambling, evading, denying, and (frankly) exuding an impression of being less than reasonably above board. They may even be concocting creatively. And all as part of a slippery effort at deceiving. The irony is that the more there is insisting at deceiving, the more suspecting is the population, the more revealing the antics. Shabby people look shabbier when these tricks are employed and perpetuated. According to the AG’s office, documents were requested since last year. There is admission that information asked for has been in short supply. That has to be many documents: bulky, as in stacks of them. Voluminous, as in can’t be missed. Not searches for singlepage pieces of paper. Some numbers ought to give a better idea of what is involved. The audit involved some $200 million spent on the restoration of Georgetown, of which over $131 million were for capital projects and a tidy $42 million plus on office equipment and furniture to total in excess of $173 million. That is a lot of cash on a lot of big-ticket items involving quotes and bids and all the rest. Surely, there is some amount of paper readily at hand. Well, not according to the AG. In the KN edition of June 7, this is what he had to say, “We are not getting information since last year to now.” That is a long time, even when counting ignores however early (or late) in 2018, the requests for supporting documentation were made. Using 2019 only as the starting point means five months have come and gone and nothing. On behalf of the City Council, the acting Town Clerk is reported in the same KN article to have “disclosed that the city administration has been cooperating with the Audit Office as that entity seeks to conduct a thorough audit of the books. It was noted; however, that some of the information requested has not been forthcoming.” It is not clear as to whether it is the acting Town Clerk, or the Auditor General who is saying “that some of the information is not forthcoming.” Regardless of who is the speaker, this contradicts what was shared at the statutory meeting of the City Council. For, on the one hand, there is the representation that “the city administration has been cooperating” and then (from somewhere) “that some of the information has not been forthcoming.” Which is really happening? Cooperating? Or delaying through not forthcoming? It stands to reason that the Audit Office’s position, as now made public by the Auditor General himself, is neither immaterial nor irrelevant. Or of frivolous pieces of paper missing, but of substantial shortfalls in delivery. Reason again dictates after almost a half year that much is lacking and there is little to no movement in producing what is missing. It could be a case where the responsible departments do not have documents which tell a straight story, or a persuasive one as to where, how, and with whom those tens of millions were spent. It boggles the mind, raises suspicions, and leaves municipal officials in a bad place, when the circumstances, as experienced by the auditors, come to the attention of the public. Too long. Too glaring. Too unsatisfactory. This is more than about any one official (now gone), but of many more still around, and operating in the same old way. Doing what they want, how they want. The attention and heat are not going away. People must be made to change their way of doing business; or be removed in the best interests of City Council operations and image, along with that of the public’s wellbeing. His Lordship has indicated problems with work performance. He is on to something. He should have grave concerns about integrity and values and standards. No subtitles needed.
If Guyana’s chicken is good enough for Guyanese to eat, how come it is not good enough for Trinidadians to consider? DEAR EDITOR, It was fowl play that prompted some overdue thinking. This chicken craziness on the part of Trinidad authorities is what brought me up short. There is this scrawny sanction embedded in an embargo best summed up in a few pithy words: no more chicken. Down with Guyana chicken. Kentucky chicken, yes; BeeGee birds, no. What is going on here? I think mischief is afoot. Because local poultry people have come out with wings flapping furiously while clucking loudly: there is no problem. Guyanese chicken is safe for consuming, according to the ads. USDA approved (well, the local equivalent); healthy to partake. Enjoy! Now if Guyana’s chicken is good enough for Guyanese to eat, then I must ask in my best neighbourly fashion: how come it is not good enough for Trinidadians to consider and include as part of their cuisine and dietary needs? To reinforce my point, I point to the prominent native born of the Land of the Humming Bird, now living in this Magnificent Province for many a year without any trace of avian anxieties, bird flu, or feathery fears. In fact, they
are healthier than a horse, and more robust than most Guyanese, truth be told. I do not think that they import foodstuffs from Trinidad; especially not chicken, be they of the live or frozen (or smuggled) varieties. Hence, I am at a loss. But wait! Not so fast. I am beginning to see the light, as I had cause to go public right here with this before. A while back, it was something along the same prohibitive lines, but in that instance, honey was the offending commodity. Now chicken is the latest bee sting. It is neither an affectionate nor brotherly peck, in the best spirit of Caricom. Not then, not now. Thus, I must ask: what is next on Trinidad’s radar that will not pass muster? Quite frankly, there is not much. And that is part of the problem in this uneven, unacceptable relationship. It is a one-way street. But more than that: it is the oneway street of an open road with no restrictions going downhill from the Trinidad side. A freeway, to be more precise, with neither speed limit not traffic sentinels. Of course, this means that Guyanese goods traveling north (to Trinidad) have to go uphill and with all these tollgates and watchdogs
along the way. It is an arresting combination. In contrast, coming and long established in these latitudes is one Trini commercial power after another. Think banking, beverages, and a barrage of builders, businesspeople, and brand names. They are welcomed. They are shopped at, partnered with, and red carpets rolled out in true regional hospitality tradition. But the shoe is on one foot only, with one hand cheering. Foot and hand are not here. It is time for the government and people of Guyana to come to a stark realisation: bad friends, bad deals. Even discounting (somewhat) speculations of allegiances and conspiracies relative to prior political relationships (and related generosities), there is still enough remaining to conclude that the Guyanese balance sheet and outgoing cargo manifests are empty. Meaning that nothing doing on the Trinidadian side in terms of some receptivity. Not equivalent treatment, simply more of a level and fair playing field. I readily recognise the exception of many Guyanese finding a home and jobs and future in the twin island republic. But that is as far as it goes, and it is far in this one respect. Only that, lest
anyone get carried away. When I think of all the ingredients in this nation to nation trade pattern, I do not see parity, and I fail to see either regard or returns. This is like a regular rich man, poor man arrangement with all the traditional and cultivated biases and disadvantages attached. Guyana is the poor relation disadvantaged in this setup. In many ways, I now summarise this relationship between Guyana and Trinidad, as paralleling that of Mexico and the United States. Guyana is not the United States in this picture that takes firmer hold by the minute. Indeed, some mental chicks coming home to roost. Here is a parting one: some schools of thought posit that Trinidad is unhappy that, in spite of its lengthy and proven oil history, it has been neither invited nor involved more in the local oil bonanza(s). Hence, a retaliatory shot across the bow. I suppose the chickens are the only ones rejoicing; a lease on life. I am not. Then another thought encroaches American Airlines and unwanted competition for regionals. Pondering. Time to go. Sincerely, GHK Lall
I have no automatic love affair with any party or government DEAR EDITOR, It has been brought to my attention that the Opposition Leader used part of a recent press conference to respond to comments I made in a section of the local media regarding reports that some members of the government service have been acting as political spies for the PPP. Prior to the reporter’s call, I had over time received reports from some ministries and other government agencies of this phenomenon. From all indications those engaged in this behaviour are generally persons who were specially placed in the public service by the previous government or are genuine public servants who were cultivated by the PPP. It is my understanding that this group of persons are not all Indian Guyanese; in fact, it is estimated that the majority of them are African Guyanese. Reporters who have dealt with me over the years will tell you I am usually very detailed with reponses to their
questions. Often some of it does not make it into the news report because of space or time constraint—media houses tend to concentrate on the aspects of comments that they deem newsworthy and/or which are in line with the objective of the story. For these reasons, the news story which caused Mr. Jagdeo much distress did not include all of my reasoning and the totality of my comments which would have given some more context to them. Hence the reason for this missive. I am in no way blaming the reporter because there was enough in the story for Mr. Jagdeo to understand what I was saying. The reporter asked for my comments and cited two instances which involved Ministers Patterson and Jordan respectively. In my response I made six major points. First, I said that the politicization of the public service is a post-colonial phenomenon that has hindered the efficiency of government service and has
encouraged corruption among other forms of bad governance. Second, I made a clear distinction between career public servants or whistleblowers and political spies or “moles” acting as public servants. The career public servant reposts malpractices to defend the integrity of government while political spies engage in leaking sensitive government information to their party bosses to be overtly used for partisan gains. Third, I made the point that I am in total support of public servants who expose corruption and other forms of government malpractice as a matter of conscience and principle. Such workers, whether they are called whistleblowers or other names are upholding and defending the dignity of government and doing their country a good turn. It follows that if public servants see instances of corruption by government big boys and girls, they should expose them to the media, to all opposition parties, to other civil society organizations and individuals like myself.
That these “reports” are given only or mostly to the PPP should raise eyebrows about the motive of the socalled whistleblowers. Fourth, I told the reporter that I am against punitive action by government even against proven political spies and moles. It is against that background that I called for an independent Commission of Inquiry aimed at determining to what extent this problem is embedded in the Public Service and eventually flushing such elements out of the service. Fifth, I called for revised guidelines for public servants aimed at ensuring that there is a clear distinction between loyalty to their job on the one hand and their political affiliation on the other hand. Sixth, I argued that the prevalence of PPP spies in the service would force the PNC to install its own counterspies which would have the effect of turning the public service into sites of party contestation. Finally let me say this. At no time the reporter asked me to comment on anything that (Continued on page 6)
Tuesday June 11, 2019
Commissioner Leslie James has taken a Tarzan swing in the right direction DEAR EDITOR, It was a real pleasure to see Commissioner of Police, Leslie James and some members of his Executive Leadership Team literally pounding the police beat at Stabroek Market Square. It was so nice to observe so many boots of various sizes and quality on the ground at a crime hot spot. Hot spots are specific locations with high crime rates. A hot spot can be a single address, a cluster of addresses, part of a block, an entire block or two or an entire intersection. Although the police may tell us that according to their figures on reported crimes at the Market Square, crime is not high and that there is a reduction of crime in that area as compared to the previous year, the reality is that crime is committed regularly there during the day and night. Most of the crimes are not reported to the police for diverse reasons particularly by victims living outside of Georgetown. The police should stop depending too heavily on their crime statistics to measure how well they are doing in the fight against crime. In his maiden address to the Police Officers’ Annual Conference, President David Granger urged, “Stop boasting about how many cases you made, find out how many cause you are able to discover, and let us stomp out the causes, you stomp out the cause, then you stomp out the crime. If you don’t know the cause then crime will continue to repeat over and over again.” I can recall the Head of the City Constabulary bemoaning the high incidents of reported crimes at that popular Square and being bemused how to
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Kaieteur News
deal with that sad state of affairs. Perhaps, the managing by walking about tactics adopted by the Commissioner and team and his subsequent interaction with the Head of the City Constabulary have generated some amount of actionable intelligence which will promote some intelligence led policing to bring about peace and tranquility to that hot spot. I cannot wait for such activity to be conceptualised, designed, developed, implemented and evaluated. Cohen and Felson’s Routine Activities Theory forms the basis for what is known as The Crime Triangle. According to them, there are three elements required for a crime to occur - a motivated suspect, suitable victim and adequate location. They posited that law enforcement officers must focus on all three sides of the triangle - the suspect, the victim and the location in order to reduce crime and the fear of crime. They argued that if the focus on any side of the triangle is removed or neutralised crime will not be suppressed. However, in most cases law enforcement officers spend most of their efforts on the victims and suspects while the locations are left untouched. In many instances, political, economical, social, technological, legal, and environmental (PESTLE) issues and concerns are not properly addressed, thereby, enabling crime to flourish at those locations. Police will dismantle one criminal gang and almost overnight another one will emerge. Braiden (1988) suggests another way to view the significance of locations -
“the hunt and the habitat.” “I can’t think of two special - interest groups more philosophically opposed to each other than hunters and animal rights activists, yet there are two things they totally agreed upon: the species will survive the hunt; it will not survive the loss of the habitat. How can policing learn from this basic principle of nature? Well, if the ultimate goal is to eliminate the criminal species forever, surely the best way to do that is to eliminate the habitat that spawns and sustains that species. Structured as it is, the criminal justice system puts 95 percent of its resources into the hunt while the habitat is left almost untouched. We can never win working that way, because the habitat never stops supplying new customers for the hunt.” In a subsequent article, I will address another triangle- the government, the police and the communities as it relates to crime fighting. It would appear as though Commissioner Leslie James has shifted the paradigm in relation to crime fighting strategies and tactics. At Stabroek Market Square, he took a Tarzan swing in the right direction. However, more such visits to other hot spots, working in unison with the various stakeholders and taking condign actions against criminals as well as deviant members of the GPF are useful tools required to reduce crime and the fear of crime. Such actions must be encouraged. Sustainability is the watch word. Yours faithfully Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)
The controversial nature of contracts at the Ministry of Education DEAR EDITOR, I pen this letter to highlight the controversial nature of how contracts are being handled at the Ministry of Education, particularly by the Head of Buildings Mr. Ron Eastman. Indeed, I find it ironic that after his troubled career as Deputy City Engineer including suspension by the council (in another section of the media, September 26, 2017), Mr. Eastman somehow found himself in charge of the engineering division of a much larger government agency. I t a p p e a r s t h a t M r. Eastman remains the same person when it comes to competence but with no oversight to sanction him. There have been several instances for example where other contractors and and I who have completed works at the Ministry scheduled meetings with Mr. Eastman only to turn up and have him walk past, making a loud statement that he is not meeting anybody. This is with him being fully aware that contractors are indebted to others, while he continues to withhold payments after months of completing (in my case payments for petty jobs done over five months ago) the job. What I have found even more questionable is the fact that these jobs are now primarily given to contractors who previously worked with
the Mayor and City Council and more than 60% of the contractors who worked with the Ministry of Education are now shut out of contracts from that agency. It’s not to say that I don’t expect other contractors to be given jobs but to shut out 60% of us when we have all the necessary documentation and accept new people because of seeming familiarity is a grave injustice being handed down to us. I solemnly believe that many of these issues are facilitated through poor management by the superiors of this Ministry. There is much talk about integrating Information Communication Technology (ICT) into teaching and learning processes of the Education System but wouldn’t a good place to start be with the staff of the Ministry? Currently, in trying to do business with them you walk from office to office before completing one transaction. Then there are the bills that this Ministry issues. I would suggest that the Minister take some time to set up a team to assess the type of bills leaving this Ministry because it is quite obvious that Mr. Hinds and his Procurement Department are not doing a proper job. What I have found with several bills is the fact that the bills are so flawed that upon purchase, on numerous occasions, staff of their Procurement Department would have to call you to collect a new bill
in exchange for the faulty document that they gave you initially. Now, mind you, these bills leave Mr. Eastman’s office and pass through Mr. Hinds office through rigorous processing yet still we read weeding and cleaning bills asking for VAT certificates and electrical compliance; or petty work bills asking for 15 years’ experience. I am not one to bash ministers or the government but I would close by recommending that Minister N. Henry pay a little more attention to her Ministry because quite a lot is spiraling out of control which would not have been the case if competent people were doing the work that we the taxpayers pay for. I now close by stating that I hope other Guyanese like me would spend some time shedding light on the injustices that we receive at the hands of our fellow Guyanese, for it begs the question with oil on the way, will it get any better for us? Regards, Concerned Citizen
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Has the politics of manipulative misinformation and alternative facts become entrenched in the mass and social media in Guyana? DEAR EDITOR, It would appear that the politics of manipulative misinformation and alternative facts have become entrenched in the mass and social media in Guyana within recent times with its insistent, and unsupported, claims of corruption, incompetence and the erosion of democratic government by the Grangerled administration. There seems to be two issues, in particular, which have generated the greatest concern and misrepresentations. These are the appointment of Justice James Patterson as GECOM Chairman and the developments surrounding the recent no confidence mention. Opponents of the appointment of Justice Patterson argue that his appointment was unilateral suggesting that it was deceitful, undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional. The simple facts are that the Constitution (Article 161.2) tasks the Leader of the Opposition with the responsibility to nominate qualified, fit and proper, persons not unacceptable to the President and it gives the President the sole authority and responsibility, to appoint the GECOM Chairman. Chairmen of GECOM have always been unilaterally
Tuesday June 11, 2019
Kaieteur News
appointed by the President, of whichever party, as mandated by the Constitution and this most recent appointment is not corrupt, unconstitutional or a prelude to rigging of elections as suggested by some. With regards to the NCM, the misinformed arguments of its proponents are as follows: Charrandass Persaud’s actions were democratic and patriotic. The refusal of the President and his Cabinet to resign immediately following the no confidence vote was in effect a coup d’état and a descent into autocratic government. The decision to appeal the Chief Justice’s ruling that the NCV was validly passed was an usurpation of democracy and the decision of the Appeal Court to overturn it was “prejudiced”. The fact is that Charrandass Persaud sat in the National Assembly as a representative of the APNU/ AFC list and cast his vote for the PPP/C - sponsored no confidence motion against the party he elected to represent. This conduct is neither democratic or patriotic, except in some alternative universe, but evidently treacherous and anti-democratic. His vote was intended to bring down a duly elected government outside of the ballot box and to deny representation to the thousands of Guyanese (20,824) who voted for the APNU/AFC in the last election. Secondly, the Constitution provides for the removal of the President on grounds of physical and mental incapacity and for violation of the Constitution or any gross misconduct, none of which was alleged in the no confidence motion, and establishes processes for
so determining. It also provides for a vacancy in the Office of the Presidency due to resignation or death in which case the office shall be assumed by the Prime Minister, as was the case with the deaths of former Presidents Burnham and Jagan. The constitution also provides for the seamless transfer of power from one administration to another by requiring that the President continue in office until the new president is sworn in following general elections. Were the President and Cabinet to resign following the no confidence vote as Article 106 (6) seem to demand then Guyana would have been forced to endure a period without a Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, executive and legislative bodies and without the possibility of early elections to supposedly resolve this matter. It would have been the most serious dereliction of duty and the President deserves the nation’s appreciation and gratitude for his dedication to duty and service to our country to remain at his post and to request that the courts clarify this difficult situation. It is not clear how elections could have been held had the President and his Cabinet resign e d immediately as there is no authority, other than the President, that has the ability to dissolve the N a t i o n a l A ssembly and proclaim a date for elections. Neither the Guyana Elections Commission, the Opposition Leader or the courts can issue such a proclamation. Finally, it must be made clear that the President had a duty not to create a void in the state and government and to forestall anarchy by inviting the judiciary to adjudicate in this matter and the decision of any court must not be disrespected when it does not support our interests. Sincerely Oscar Dolphin
Correcting some inaccuracies on the reportage of Andaiye’s celebration of life DEAR EDITOR, Your Sunday, June 9th report on the celebration of Andaiye carried the following inaccuracies which appear to have their origin in the Department of Public Information report of the previous day. 1. A “funeral service” was held.... A celebration of life was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.The proceedings had no religious content. 2. “Tributes were made by several members of the WPA...and members of the Opposition.” There was one tribute from the Working
Peoples’ Alliance which was presented by Tacuma Ogunseye. No member of the Opposition spoke. 3. The state owned newspaper in a return to the old party refusal to accept that women can organise separately from political parties even if some persons are associated with a party, dubbed Red Thread the “Women’s arm of the WPA”. Red Thread is not and has never been an arm of the WPA, nor have we ever had an organisational allegiance to the WPA or any other political party. 4. I have not been able to
find again the specific reference to “Andaiye Williams”, so am unsure if it was a news report or a letter. Andaiye had one name. On forms which insisted on the presence of two names she would insert nfn (no first name) Andaiye. If the Department of Public Information is going to be careless with easily checked facts, national newspapers should be wary of reproducing information from that source without fact checking. Sincerely, Karen de Souza, Red Thread
Beggars on the roads are increasing at a rapid rate DEAR EDITOR, I wish to highlight a situation which is getting out of control and needs to be addressed asap by the government and Ministry of Social Protection. I am a professional who works out in the fields visiting several areas on the coast on a daily basis. I will give a synopsis of one of my typical day at work and highlight the number of beggars and homeless persons I interact with. I would start out on the East Coast and head to Georgetown. At the Conversation Street stop
light, I would be greeted by two guys whose feet are amputated and begging. At Lamaha and Vlissengen, I would see at least 2-3 mothers and child/children at the junction begging. At Lamaha and Camp Streets, there would be another 2 begging. At Water Street or downtown parking, I would be greeted by at least 2 persons directing me into a parking space and expecting a tip when I return to my vehicle. They are usually unstable persons or junkies looking for a tip to buy drugs. At DSL junction, I would be greeted by at least 3-4 other beggars/homeless
persons. At the Eccles stoplight, I would be confronted by another 2 beggars. At the Demerara Harbour Bridge junction, I would be bombarded by another 3-4 persons on both sides of the road. This brings the total to about 15-17 beggars per day that I am being bombarded by. This does not include those who harass to clean my windshield daily for a little tip. I don’t have a problem giving a small change or tip but this is too much! This situation is getting out of control and I am calling (Continued on page 11)
I have no automatic love affair... From page 4 has to do with the WPA Minister. That was purely Mr. Jagdeo’s insertion which was obviously done to give the impression that my comments were driven by some personal or partisan motive. Mr. Jagdeo also revealed that his moles and spies are African Guyanese as if to say that the ethnicity of the spy makes the infraction less wrong. He knows that has been his approach when it comes to neutralizing the PNC—use African Guyanese as spies and enforcers within their communities—and he knows my opposition to, and distaste for that. I have also noted that PPP
supporters on social media and beyond have taken to their old ways—David Hinds is a racist. Only Sunday, these people were lauding this very ‘racist’ for criticizing the government. It is perhaps the sickest aspect of our political culture—the inability of our parties and their faithful to take criticisms and the readiness to cast the critic in ‘racist’ terms. It is why young people don’t bother to be critical, for they fear the vitriol that comes with it. It is why we continue to be mired in substandard governance because the latter are assured that they would not be held sufficiently accountable by their
supporters. And they do not take opposition seriously because even their most justified protests are clothed in partisan bad mindedness. But some of us would not be deterred from trying to bring reason to this political and intellectual chaos. I have said that the Coalition is my electoral preference—barring some political tsunami they will get my vote. But that’s where it ends. I have no automatic love affair with any party or government. My support has to be earned. Similarly, I am for Black Empowerment, but I am not for Black Slackness. That’s where I stand. David Hinds
Tuesday June 11, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Include ExxonMobils PSA in any probe - Chartered Accountant By Kiana Wilburg An investigation into the oil deals Guyana signed onto is a perfectly legitimate exercise. But it should not be narrowly focused on the Canje and Kaieteur oil blocks which were signed away by former President, Donald Ramotar days before the 2015 General and Regional Elections to industry unknowns. It must include the ExxonMobil Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that was revised in 2016 by the Granger administration, says Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram. During an interview with Kaieteur News, Ram stressed that there is a case for there to be a review of all contracts awarded to oil firms, so that the uncertainty about the circumstances under which these blocks were awarded can be put to rest. But while he supports an oil blocks or agreements probe, Ram was adamant that the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) is not fit and proper for the job. SARA is currently probing the award of the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks to three inexperienced firms. Ram said, “Any objective, impartial review of the agreements ought to be welcomed. But I have seri-
ous concerns about the politicians in SARA being selective about what they would and would not investigate. In any case, my contention is that the Director of SARA, Professor Clive Thomas, has been improperly or is improperly occupying the post, because he was not appointed by the National Assembly as stipulated in the SARA Act.” The Chartered Accountant added, “There are also too many portions of the SARA Act which are unconstitutional. For that reason, it is unsafe and risky for the investigation to be carried out by SARA when its own legitimacy is under challenge.” The auditor also expressed his disagreement with SARA being selective about which contracts or agreements it will investigate. Just a few days ago, Transparency International Guyana Inc. (TIGI) raised concerns about the deal ExxonMobil struck with the Granger administration, deeming it to be fraught with illegalities. But the State Asset Recovery Agency made it pellucid that it will not be investigating the ExxonMobil arrangement. Kaieteur News con-
firmed this with SARAs Special Assistant, Eric Phillips. Phillips is currently the lead person on SARAs probe into the suspicious award of the Kaieteur and Canje blocks by former President, Donald Ramotar. Phillips noted that SARAs focus on probing oil blocks at this point in time is narrow. It is fixed on the Kaieteur and Canje blocks he said. This newspaper then highlighted TIGIs points, one of which states that the Exxon Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) allows the subsidiary of the American operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), to hold more blocks than the law allows. But the SARA official said that these and other arguments were already laid out by critics such as Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram and Oil Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal. Phillips said, “I have heard these arguments before but it is not something we are looking into…” He also reminded that the law allows the Minister to grant permission for the company to hold onto the acreage in the case of special circumstances. He stressed that this
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram very point was already made by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Chartered Accountant and anticorruption advocate, Chris Ram, was one of the first legal minds here to point out the golden opportunity the government missed or ignored as it relates to the oil blocks being held by ExxonMobil. Ram had explained that during the PPPs time, ExxonMobil was given 600 blocks. This is ten times more than what the law stipulates. The nations rules and regulations also
specify that at every request for a renewal, the company is expected to relinquish half of the oil blocks it started with. But the PPP made an adjustment to the contract, thereby allowing the company to hold on to the 600 oil blocks. In the new agreement that was signed in 2016,
Ram said that Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, failed to address or redress the aforementioned problems. Ta k i n g t h i s i n t o a c count, Ram had characterized Trotman as a liability to Guyana. Ram had noted that unless the Minister can provide a satisfactory explanation for why he failed to correct the wrongs of the past, then he should be removed from office. Ram was also asked if in his opinion, there are enough grounds for the Guyana-ExxonMobil PSA to be challenged in the court. The Attorney-at-law had told Kaieteur News, “There are obviously things that are illegal in the contract. But listen, I really do believe that a system should not require or allow a government to engage in breaking the law and then saying to civil society oh take it to court if you want to see a change .” The auditor stressed that the law requires Government to be compliant.
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Local sugar quotas…
Despite malfeasance and dereliction of duty, GuySuCo failed to take action - Internal Report There are more indications that at the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), little attention was paid to wrongdoing and breaches of procedures. For example, with sugar a high demand commodity locally, and amid falling production, Guyana had to ensure it met commitments to its overseas markets. That meant that local distributors have been clamouring for a piece of the
pie. According to a number of internal documents of GuySuCo now coming to light, there were several red flags in the quota system for local distributors. For example, consecutive audit reports had found that at least one of the distributors did not even have a storage bond, one of the requirements. The audit report stressed that this and other instances
clearly demonstrated “a pattern of malfeasance and dereliction of duty” by Paul Bhim, the current deputy chief of GuySuCo. The report would only underline what has been known for years…that much attention to systems and procedures were not followed at the state-owned sugar company. It had been demanding billions of dollars in bailouts
annually from consecutive governments. The coalition government has closed four estates Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales and placed them up for sale and divestment. However, Bhim and a number of other senior management who have been around with the industry, are still there. The audit reported was said to have been prepared last year. It said that audits of the system of quotas, its management and awards are conducted by the companys audit department every two to three years. These audits are typically sample audits. Since the award of sugar quotas to Bhir and Sons Distribution Services, a De Willem, West Demerara located business, and Boodram Basdeo in 2011, three audit cycles were completed in 2011, 2013 and 2016. In the 2011 audit, the auditors visited the premises of Bhir and Sons Distribution Services and classified it as non-existent and not operating in the line of grocery or food business. This business and four others were categorized as such in 2011. Following the audit findings, the sugar quota was withdrawn for all others in 2011 with the exception of Bhir and Sons Distribution Services. According to a 2013 report, the quota for Bhir and Sons Distribution Services was retained after GuySuCos Security Manager verified a
GuySuCos Deputy Chief, Paul Bhim bond existed and there was sugar stored in it. However, in 2016, the audit findings categorised the businesses of both Bhir and Sons Distribution Services and Boodram Basdeo as nonexistent and not operating in the line of food. The audit report in the conclusion called for the quota allocation to be reviewed to determine the continuation of the quotas. “Notwithstanding multiple audit findings had negative reviews, to date, the two businesses remain as quota holders and are facilitated with the sale and purchase of sugars by the corporation.” The audit report lamented that no action was instituted against the “architect of the breaches” since in years 2012 and 2013 he was the CEO (ag). “In 2016 he was a member of the Interim Manage-
ment Committee headed by Errol Hanoman, the CEO whose stewardship of the organization was less than stellar and facilitated and accommodated wholeheartedly the reckless behavior of Paul Bhim.” According to the audit report, if a value of profit margin is to be determined it can be argued that the two business combined would have earned a total of approximately $56M in a six-year period from 2012 to 2017 by selling a bag of sugar for $5,500 after buying for $4,900 from GuySuCo. “The foregoing clearly demonstrates a pattern of malfeasance and dereliction of duty by the incumbent CEO (ag) (Bhim) and must be addressed swiftly by the authorities,” the report recommended.
City Hall still to finalise updated budget for new Council The Georgetown Mayor and City Council is expected to deliberate and finalise matters related to their updated 2019 budget this Friday. The announcement was made yesterday during a statutory meeting held at City Hall. Following the installation of new council, the M&CC has been deliberating on matters which include an updated budget. In its budget for 2019, the M&CC is looking at an estimated $130M for the rolling out of projects. Drainage and irrigation, solid waste management, and repairs and upgrades to market places are the priority areas for the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown when the council’s budget is completed, in a matter of weeks.
These will include the completion of upgrades to the Kitty and La Penitence Markets, upgrades to stalls at the Bourda Market and rehabilitation of the roads at the East Ruimveldt Market. Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore said that the Solid Waste Department was asked to recommend ways in which revenue could be brought into the council’s coffers. He pointed out that most of the council’s revenue is paid to persons contracted to handle garbage disposal, and to those hired monthly to clean drains daily and maintain the city’s environment. As such, he noted that “the more revenue the department brings in, the better the council will be able to utilise
these funds on other projects.” Mentore added that the engineering department is yet to submit plans on what priority areas they wish to have addressed before the wrapping up of the council’s budget. “Hopefully, we’ll have a general idea of all the various departments of the council, and out of that, I presume, a plan as to when we’ll have the full budget presentation by the chairman of the finance committee.” So far, a feasibility study has been completed by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and there are plans to finance the rebuilding of the Stabroek Wharf. The council may look at the newlybuilt wharf (when works are completed) as a tourist attraction, as the vendors have been/will be placed in other locations.
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Kaieteur News
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Cutlass-wielding bandits invade Cumberland business - woman, daughter beaten, robbed Two men armed with cutlasses barged into the business place and home of a woman and her daughter in broad daylight yesterday afternoon, around 13:30 hrs, and brutalised them while escaping with a quantity of cash, jewellery and electronics. Injured are Shakeela Sankar, 59 and her daughter Razya Somar, 27, of 121 New Street, Cumberland Village, East Canje. According to the husband of Mrs. Sankar, he was not at home when the robbery took place but recieved a phone call informing him that his business and home had just been robbed.
He stated that when he arrived home his wife was bleeding from her face while his daughter also had injuries about her body. His two grandchildren who were at home with the women at the time were unharmed. He said his wife told him that the two masked men invaded their grocery shop armed with cutlasses and tied up his wife and daughter with duct tape while hitting them about their face and bodies. The men demanded cash and jewellery and proceeded to ransack the shop and home. They managed to cart off an undisclosed amount of cash,
jewellery, cellphones and tablets before they escaped. A neighbour subsequently ran over to the shop owner’s assistance. Kaieteur News was informed that the police arrived shortly after and managed to arrest two persons who were loitering around the shop during the robbery, they are believed to be “the look-outs” since they were not known to the villagers. The woman and her daughter sought medical attention at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital and are currently at home resting.
Dem boys seh ...
Robert and Donald get smoke out When people want to hunt labba or acouri, dem does use smoke. Dem is animals wid more than one hole suh dem boys does put nuff smoke at one end. Dat does force de animal to run out at de odda end and get ketch. Jagdeo set up de whole thing about de oil blocks. He put Robert in charge of natural resources. Suh Robert was involve in all de gold mining and bauxite and things like dat. He set up de contract and he was de middle man between de investor and de government. When Exxon come and Janet gone, Robert pull in Donald. He didn’t tell Donald how Jagdeo is de man who was really whispering in he ears. Dat is how he get Donald to distribute two oil
blocks near to where Exxon find a ton of oil. All de time dem boys talking bout who own de oil blocks Robert and Donald ain’t saying nutten. Is when dem smoke out Robert dat dem start to hear something. Dem boys did plan to put smoke at both ends and lef Robert to suffocate but SARA want him fuh questioning. Robert is a man who like talk. If you ask him ‘bout anything, he start to talk about it even before you done ask de question. When dem boys ask him how come he give out de oil blocks to people who never even see a quarter pint of fry-oil. De Big Market paper been trying to question him since last year but he play stupid.
He refuse to talk. De question is how he can give oil blocks to people who know nutten bout oil and who don’t have money? Robert and Donald can’t answer dat question. How dem gon tell people dat de people who look like dem own it only fronting? How dem gon tell people dat de aim is to sell de blocks to Exxon and collect money to live like kings. Dat money should go to de national treasury. But some national leaders tek state property like when a man thief he mudda jewels and give somebody to hold. When he sell it, he mudda wouldn’t get de money. Talk half and realise is exactly dat wha happen to Guyana.
The home and business place that the bandits stormed yesterday afternoon.
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Two incidents in one week tell the story of Guyana’s demise Strong words like asinine, idiotic, etc., are not enough to describe the foolish thoughts of people about oil wealth bringing the good life to Guyana. A person or a few persons will be in charge of the money. Inevitably, they will be politicians. That person or those persons will decide if ten million goes to buying an expensive SUV for a party apparatchik who chairs a state board or to buying a fast-moving ferry to bring farmers’ produce from outlying areas. My bet is, the money will be spent on ostentatious things like fast cars and majestic buildings. When oil money comes, its usage will be determined by factors of friendship, party loyalty and ethnic sympathies, not love of country. Two incidents in one week prove this. First is the Sherod Duncan affair. Two AFC persons, Juretha Fernandes and Beverly Alert, did not approve of the dismissal of Duncan from the Chronicle. Both of these ladies belong to the same branch of the AFC where
Duncan is chairman. Fernandes and Alert put party loyalty and friendship above the interest of the country. The AFC and Duncan were their priorities, not the wholesomeness of the state-owned newspaper that is funded by taxpayers. This type of song has been playing since independence. Then there is the Ivelaw Griffith affair at UG. Only in a wasteland like Guyana could Griffith have done what he did with taxpayers’ money. And he, like Duncan, had his wellplaced supporters. What is the similarity between Duncan and Griffith? The Auditor-General investigated the financial spending of Duncan and found that he was guilty of serious mistakes in his spending habits, some of which were in double digits, not just two or three incidents. Juretha Fernandes, Beverly Alert and Moses Nagamootoo felt Duncan should still be the manager of the Chronicle, despite the Auditor-General’s discoveries. How that could be put-
ting country before politics has no explanation in human discourse. It would take several columns to analyse the financial directions of the just resigned Vice Chancellor (VC) of UG. It simply boggles the mind to know that people who have to live in a poor country like Guyana where human services is far below what it should be like in the 21st century could justify just one state institution spending dozens of millions of dollars on weekly foreign trips, first class airline tickets, accommodations at foreign five-star hotels, sponsorship of foreign conferences, and lavish entertainment, while labs are bare, the library is bare, there is no university bookstore, congested classrooms without air-conditioning. In the midst of an impending audit, there were persons on the university council that rejected a hold on the VC’s renewal of contract until the audit report was submitted. What happened if the audit report found that dozens of millions were unaccounted
Travellers to and from Suriname warned against flouting immigration laws Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix, is urging members of the public travelling to and from Suriname, through East Berbice – Corentyne (Region Six), that pursuant to Section 10 (3) and Section 7 (2) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 14:02, persons entering and leaving Guyana are obligated to present themselves to Immigration offices for processing. Minister Felix said the ab-
sence of the MV Canawaima from regular service does not preclude persons from observing the law. ”Persons arriving must first ensure that they check with the Immigration [office]on departing Suriname and report to the Immigration on arrival in Guyana. Failure to do so if caught, will expose you to prosecution,” he said. Immigration processing in East Berbice – Corentyne (Re-
Minister Winston Felix gion Six) is currently being done at Immigration offices located at Republic Square, Springlands or Port Moleson Creek. Section 10 (3) and Section 7 (2) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 14:02 respectively states: (a) “Where a person desires to depart from Guyana by crossing a land frontier, he shall before departing, present himself to the nearest immigration officer”. (b) “Where a person enters Guyana by crossing a land frontier of Guyana, he shall forthwith present himself to the nearest Immigration Officer”. As such, the Minister is calling on the public to observe the law. (DPI)
for and other dozens were wasted and you decide not to continue with the VC, then he could have sued you for a colossal sum? Was this putting country before friendship? This is exactly what happened at UG. It was worse at the Chronicle. In that situation, there was actually a submitted auditor’s report that called into question the continuation of Duncan’s status at the Chronicle. But Guyana’s future was not a priority for Moses Nagamootoo. Party politics was. It was the same at UG. All the Council members affiliated to the government voted to renew the VC’s contract. For them the country’s future was not a priority. This is what Guyana has been like since Indepen-
dence. Party politics, ethnic loyalty and personal friendship have dominated the exercise of power from Independence right up to this moment in time. There were no exceptions. I am not certain if the presidency of Desmond Hoyte was an exception. Hoyte wanted talented people in the system, regardless of party affiliation, but his record on that direction was not clean. I think he was prepared to victimise someone as immensely talented as Yesu Persaud, because of Persaud’s independence of mind Here is where the debate on oil money comes in. Why does anyone assume what happened with Duncan at the Chronicle and Ivelaw Griffith at UG would not happen again and again and again
Frederick Kissoon when oil money begins to flow? It will and it will be more perverted, twisted and morbid. The logic is there to examine in both situations. Duncan spent public funds recklessly and ostentatiously without any thought that Guyana is a poor country and those funds could have been used in some small way to better the lives of Chronicle’s employees. When it comes to Griffith, there are more columns to come on UG under him, I will stop here.
Youth who killed man with cricket bat gets 25 years Unable to console himself after learning that he would have to spend the next 25 years in jail for killing the uncle of his girlfriend with a cricket bat, 21-year-old Jonathan Budhan held on to his Bible as he left the courtroom of Justice Navindra Singh yesterday. About three weeks ago, a 12—person jury found Budhan guilty of manslaughter although he was initially indicted for the murder of 40-year-old Ramesh Manbodh. The verdict was in the proportion 10 guilty to two not guilty. The jurors found that on October 26, 2016, Budhan, of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, unlawfully killed Manbodh. According to reports, Budhan beat Manbodh of Lot 655 Best Village, West Coast Demerara, on October 20, 2016, with a cricket bat. After being admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, Manbodh died five days later. Budhan was on the run and later turned himself over to police. Following the presentation of a probation report, Budhan addressed the court. He expressed how sorry he was for his actions and begged the judge to have mercy on him. The convict’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes, asked the court to consider his client’s youthful age and also that he had no previous brushes with the law. According to the lawyer, Manbodh was in the habit of taunting Budhan. Hughes said that the evidence
Jailed: Jonathan Budhan
Victim: Ramesh Manbodh
showed that on the day in question, Manbodh called his client an “anti-man” and thereafter attempted to attack him. The lawyer added that it was clear that his client was not the aggressor. Hughes said, “I asked that you (Justice Singh) be merciful with him. He has regretted the death of Mr Manbodh.” Describing his client’s actions, Hughes said that he reacted emotionally and had a lapse of judgment. State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy asked the court to impose a sentence that reflects the nature and gravity of the offence. Prosecutor Hardy said that this was clearly a case where Budhan lost his temper. Hardy, however, asked the court to take into consideration that a life was lost, and that Manbodh was killed in front of his mother. On the other hand, Justice Singh said he believed that
the verdict of the jury was merciful. The Judge pointed out that from the evidence, it was clear that Budhan had planned to kill the man. “You went prepared,” Justice Singh told a teary-eyed Budhan who stood trembling in the prisoner’s dock. Justice Singh further told the convicted killer, “You are crying because you are sorry for yourself.” Despite Budhan’s tears and countless apologies, Justice Singh said that he was not genuinely remorseful for his actions. Although Justice Singh indicated that he had initially wanted to sentence Budhan to life imprisonment, he said he assessed certain mitigating factors in favour of him. Budhan could not contain his emotions. After he was escorted out of the courtroom, and rushed down to the court lockup, loud wailing erupted.
Tuesday June 11, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
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Parika NDC seeks help to remove illegal roadside vendors Out of frustration, officials at the Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Office are appealing to the police and other relevant authorities to assist in the removal of vendors that ply their trade illegally on both sides of the Parika Main Road, in proximity to the speedboat stelling. Yesterday NDC Representative Alicia Peters informed that for several years the entity has done all it can to remove the vendors, and relocate them to an area allocated to them behind the Parika Centre, but the vendors have always put up a fight. She explained that in some instances vendors became very vocal, and almost physical with NDC employees as they tried to effect their relocation. She noted that the staff in some instances in the company of police had dismantled structures, but the vendors always returned and rebuilt them. Peters noted that over the years the vendors have extended their stalls and some of them have even made permanent structures which take up space on the actual public road. She added that as time goes by the stalls are increasing, and in many cases are even blocking the entrances to some
The area in Parika where vendors are said to be plying their trade illegally
businesses. She explained that just lately they had served notice on a female vendor, but the woman has refused to move and keeps tormenting a business owner. The businesswoman was contacted yesterday and she said that the vendor leaves all her garbage after selling in front of the restaurant being operated on the ground floor
of her home, and would back up her tables at nights against the walls of the building. She said that at one time she approached the vendor who chased her with a piece of wood. Several vendors were interviewed yesterday and they argued that the area allotted to them by the NDC is not in close proximity to the
very busy boat stelling, but instead, is very desolate and not traversed much by residents. Their claims were that should they relocate, their sales would dwindle drastically, since over 85% of
their shoppers are persons en route to Georgetown, from Parika, as well as residents and persons travelling to areas like Charity and Supenaam, Essequibo Coast, and Bartica.
Vendors are contending that they will move willingly if the NDC provides for them a location closer to the Public Road, so as to ensure they net “proper sales” on a daily basis.
Fourth Director resigns over reinstatement of Chronicle GM Aaron Fraser yesterday became the fourth board member to have resigned since the reinstatement of C h r o n i c l e ’s General Manager, Sherod Duncan. Other board members who had already resigned were Board Chair Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Mervyn Wi l l i a m s a n d H i l b e r t Foster. Sources indicated that Fraser yesterday submitted his resignation amidst the controversy that surrounds Prime Minister Moses N a g a m o o t o o ’s decision to reinstate Duncan who was sacked in April of this year. Duncan was fired from the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL) following recommendations from an audit which found that there were several breaches of financial regulations. Meanwhile, sources have indicated that Duncan is off the job as he was ordered to leave the property since a new board did not reinstate him. That aside, it is said that he was given severance pay, and would need to return that to the company if he is seeking reinstatement As reported, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in a letter had informed G N N L’s Chairman, Geeta ChandanEdmond that the unilateral decision to terminate Mr. D u n c a n w a s a r b i t r a r y,
GNNL Board Member, Aaron Fraser, resigned yesterday capricious, unlawful and in excess of the jurisdiction of the Board. It further stated that the Chairman misled the Office of the Prime Minister with the claim that the Board of Directors came to this decision to fire Duncan. The Prime Minister had written that the Chairman deliberately sought to terminate Duncan without following the prescribed procedures and had misled his office. Duncan had served as General Manager of the GNNL from June 1, 2018 to April 1, 2019. The Board of Directors of GNNL had circulated a statement which indicated that Duncan was dismissed because of his alleged involvement in the
financial irregularities. In a special meeting, directors of the company had decided that numerous breaches identified in the report in all of the areas under review were of a serious nature and disciplinary action against the General Manager was necessary, especially since he was on probation. According to a statement, one GNNL Director had recommended one month suspension and an extension of probation for Duncan, while two Directors recommended an extension in the probation period, and three other Directors held the view that Duncan’s services be terminated with immediate effect for gross misconduct. It is said that a vote on the matter of Duncan’s termination was tabled and three Directors voted against, while three voted in favour. There was a tie and the Chairman Geeta Chandan-Edmond supported the termination of Duncan in accordance with Article 94 of the C o m p a n y ’s A r t i c l e s o f Incorporation. A special audit ordered by the Office of the Auditor General had found numerous violations during the short threemonth period under Duncan’s stewardship of the company.
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Whistleblowing Berbice cops accuse colleagues dead Black Bush Polder bandits of helping criminals had- claim policemen's numbers stored in phones By Malisa Playter-Harry
A
few ranks of the Guyana Police Force's 'B' Division are speaking out against some of their colleagues who they claim have been engaging in several corrupt acts in Berbice. While the ranks have asked to remain unnamed due to fear of victimization or losing their jobs, they have highlighted cases where policemen have been in collusion with questionable characters committing acts of terror in the Ancient County. As alarming as it sounds, the GPF whistleblower said that they are now coming forward with the information because "the situation has gotten out of hand". One of the ranks who sat down with Kaieteur News
has made some damning allegations against junior and senior officers within the force. It was disclosed that a detective rank had close connections with the criminal network that had wreaked havoc across Berbice recently. The source disclosed that the detective (name given) was associated with now dead criminal Kelvin 'Kelly' Shivgobin, who was recently shot and killed in the backlands of Black Bush Polder during an alleged shootout with police. Their connection dates back to when Shivgobin was arrested and charged for the murder of a businessman. The source claimed that the detective was one of the investigating ranks in that matter. The matter was dismissed in April 2018, and Shivgobin was set free after the Magistrate stated that
there was not enough evidence to keep him in custody. But some months after his release, there was new evidence to have Shivgobin rearrested. It was disclosed that Shivgobin was never rearrested "because (the detective) helped him avoid getting arrested. He went to Shivgobin house where he lived with his baby mother in Albion and struck up a deal. The man tek $800,000 from 'Kelly', so that he nah gon get arrested. Every time the police get information where 'Kelly' deh, … (the detective) does tip him off so that he can be one step ahead of the police. A man that does drive hire car on the road that use to deh in dem criminal activities was the man that carry …(the detective) to the house, maybe he tek more money over time, but I know
of the $800,000 payment". According to the police source, the alleged corrupt rank is “being covered” by a high-ranking officer who is not in 'B' division. When asked about what he means when he says 'covered', the source explained, "where …(the detective) works is near a few business people that does carry out a lot of illegal activities, they smuggle alcohol, have Venezuelan women carrying out prostitution acts, and gambling and so …(the detective) gets a cut from the business people so that they can continue doing what they are doing, but this senior police now is a very good friend of the business people who does do these things, he collects his free liquor, and also gets his cut. So is a partnership with the senior police…” The whistleblowing cop
claimed that the detective was transferred to Georgetown over a gunrelated incident, but made immediate contact with the senior police officer to have him transferred back to Berbice. The cop said that the detective in question, who publicly boasts about this incident, had stated several times that he paid the senior rank $120,000 to have him remain in Berbice, and that the money was handed over to the senior rank at the business place where the gambling takes place. In that gun-related incident, the detective had threatened someone with the force's firearm and the person filed a report. His gun was taken away and the detective was transferred to the city. He was then brought back to Berbice and was reissued the firearm, the
source said. In an explosive revelation, the whistleblowing cop said that a man who is currently on remand for murder was not connected to the crime. Shockingly, the source detailed that the very detective was one of the detectives leading the investigations into that matter. "The boy never confessed although they claimed that he confessed. He did not confess, he did not do it. Normally when there is a confession, they video it, but that one with (name stated), there is no confession video.” In that matter, this publication from inception had done groundwork and reported that the alleged perpetrator was seen on surveillance footage (continued on page 20)
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Mexico eyes Brazil for U.S. asylum deal as Trump revives tariff threat MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico and the United States may explore additional steps next month to restrict illegal immigration from Central America, with the threat of tariffs hanging over Mexico if it does not do enough to satisfy U.S. demands, officials said yesterday. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Brazil, Panama, and Guatemala may need to be brought in to help if a deal unveiled last week between Washington and Mexico fails to reduce the numbers of U.S.-bound migrants crossing Mexico. The deal struck on Friday averted import tariffs on all Mexican goods, which U.S. President Donald Trump had vowed to impose unless Mexico did more to curb migration. T h e T r u m p administration said on Monday it could still apply tariffs if it judged that Mexico had not done enough, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo telling reporters it expected
to see results within four to six weeks. The deal cut between the two nations last week means Mexico will expand a program under which migrants applying for asylum in the United States wait out the process in Mexico. Mexico also pledged to reinforce its southern border with Guatemala with 6,000 members of its National Guard militarized police. A major sticking point in last week's talks was a U.S. demand that Mexico be declared a “safe third country” for asylum seekers, requiring them to seek refuge in Mexico if they passed through the country on the way to the United States. Mexico rejected that demand, though Ebrard revealed it would go back on the table if Mexico could not stem the flow of migrants heading to the U.S. border. “If we don't have results on what we're doing (in 45 days), we'll start conversations on what they want, which is that Mexico
will be a safe third country,” he told Mexican radio. Such a step would require the Mexican government to consult the Senate on how to proceed, Ebrard said. Trump said yesterday afternoon Mexico would soon announce an “undisclosed portion” of the deal that would have to be taken up by the Mexican Congress. He did not offer more details. “They have to get approval, and they will get approval. If they don't get approval, we'll have to think in terms of tariffs or whatever,” he told reporters at the White House. U.S. stocks were higher yesterday after the deal, easing worries about the impact of another trade war on the global economy. The Mexican peso rose more than 2% against the dollar. BRAZIL, PANAMA, GUATEMALA Ebrard said that if Mexico could not contain the migrant flows, other countries might also need to be involved. Asylum seekers
from El Salvador and Honduras first pass through Guatemala when fleeing their homes, while Cubans and Haitians often fly first to Panama before heading to the United States through Mexico. Migrants from African countries regularly fly to Brazil before making the arduous journey north. “If the measures we are proposing are not successful, we have to discuss with the United States and with other countries, like Guatemala, Panama and Brazil,” Ebrard said. “If we have to participate in a regional model like the one I have just described, we would have to present that to Congress.” While he did not go into detail, Ebrard suggested that asylum seekers might have to seek refuge in the first country they reached after leaving their homeland. The governments of Brazil, Panama and Guatemala did not i m m e d ia t e l y r e p l y t o requests for comment. U.S. border officers
Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard gestures as Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador looks on during a news conference at National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico June 10, 2019. REUTERS/Gustavo Graf apprehended more than 132,000 people crossing from Mexico in May, the highest monthly level since 2006. Trump, who has called the surge in migrants an “invasion,” had threatened to keep raising duties up to 25% unless Mexico did more to curb it. Mexico had no specific target for the reduction of migrant numbers, Ebrard said. Still, Martha Barcena, Mexico's ambassador to Washington, told CBS News at the weekend there had been discussion of reducing
the numbers to levels of around 2018. Ebrard also said there was no agreement between the United States and Mexico to purchase more agricultural products under the accord, despite Trump saying over the weekend that Mexico had agreed to buy “large quantities” from U.S. farmers. Ebrard said he thought Trump might be making a c a l c u l a t i o n b a se d o n Mexican agricultural imports when freed from the threat of tariffs.
North Korean leader's slain half-brother was a CIA informant: Wall Street Journal WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who was killed in Malaysia in 2017, had been an informant for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. The Journal cited an unnamed “person knowledgeable about the matter” for the report, and said many details of Kim Jong Nam's relationship with the CIA remained unclear. Reuters could not independently confirm the story. The CIA declined to comment. The Journal quoted the person as saying “There was a nexus” between the CIA and Kim Jong Nam. “Several former U.S. officials said the half brother, who had lived outside of North Korea for many years and had no known power base in Pyongyang, was unlikely to be able to provide details of the secretive country's inner workings,” the Journal said. The former officials also said Kim Jong Nam had been almost certainly in contact with security services of other countries, particularly China's, the Journal said. Kim Jong Nam's role as a CIA informant is mentioned in a new book about Kim Jong Un, “The Great Successor,” by
FILE PHOTO - Kim Jong Nam arrives at Beijing airport in Beijing, China, in this photo taken by Kyodo February 11, 2007. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS Washington Post reporter Anna Fifield that is due to be published on Tuesday. Fifield says Kim Jong Nam usually met his handlers in Singapore and Malaysia, citing a source with knowledge of the intelligence. The book says that security camera footage from Kim Jong Nam's last trip to Malaysia showed him in a hotel elevator with an Asianlooking man who was reported to be a U.S. intelligence agent. It said Ki's backpack contained $120,000 in cash, which could have been payment for intelligencerelated activities, or earnings
from his casino businesses. South Korean and U.S. officials have said the North Korean authorities had ordered the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, who had been critical of his family's dynastic rule. Pyongyang has denied the allegation. Tw o w o m e n w e r e charged with poisoning Kim Jong Nam by smearing his face with liquid VX, a banned chemical weapon, at Kuala Lumpur airport in February 2017. Malaysia released Doan Thi Huong, who is Vietnamese, in May, and Indonesian Siti Aisyah in March.
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
CCJ rulings for no-confidence appeals, GECOM chairmanship... From page 3 33 votes when then g o v e r n m e n t parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, voted with the opposition. The vote was accepted by Parliament. However the CCJ is considering government's argument that an absolute majority of 65 is 34, an argument that was upheld on March 22, 2019 by the Guyana Court of Appeal to invalidate the noconfidence motion that the Guyana High Court had ruled had been validly passed by 33 votes. In a split decision, Chancellor of the Judiciary Yo n e t t e C u m m i n g s Edwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory held that 34 votes, which constitute an “absolute majority” of all members of the National Assembly, were
needed for a motion to be successfully passed. The Appellate Judges held that in calculating the “absolute majority”, the 65 members of the National Assembly had to be divided by two, which would result in 32.5, but since the .5 represents half and there is no half-member, that number needs to be rounded off to 33, and add one more, making the majority 34—an absolute majority—which is needed to topple a government. The Court of Appeal essentially reversed a ruling made by Chief Justice Roxane George who held that 33 votes were needed for the motion to be successfully passed. The Chief Justice had ruled that its passage should have triggered the immediate resignation of the President and Cabinet.
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Heeding men's health needs high on Ministry's agenda By Dr Dennis Bassier - Men's Health Coordinator, Ministry of Public Health
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he Ministry of Public Health acknowledges the link between gender and health as this week we celebrate with the rest of the world, International Men's Health Week, under the theme 'The Impact of Inequality and Deprivation on Men'. We admit that, as a consequence of their gender, men and women have different health needs and dissimilar health outcomes. Based on this fact, we have created a separate unit in the public health sector that concentrates specifically on our male population. The interdisciplinary and multisectoral strategy of the Ministry's Health Vision 2020 is the blueprint to help us address the health needs of our men and boys. S a d l y, o u r m a l e s , generally, have poor healthseeking behaviours. They seek help only when their illnesses have gone too far. Prostate cancer is taking a toll on our men and is one of the leading causes of cancerrelated deaths among Guyanese men. AfricanGuyanese men are 5 times more likely to die from cancer of the prostate than other men in our society. Other cancers are wreaking havoc among our male population too: colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death for Guyanese males in Guyana, followed by lung cancer and testicular and other cancers. Our men are also vulnerable to cardiovascular (heart) diseases and mental illnesses such as depression. Suicide among our men is also high, so are diabetes and obesity. Men are also at increased risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Men living in the remote parts of Guyana (hinterland areas) are more likely to die prematurely, and from causes classified as 'avoidable'. Nine of the top 10 determinants of health risk are behavioral, and therefore preventable. These are risks linked to smoking, high body mass index, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of physical exercise, alcohol abuse, use of illicit drugs, and diet low in fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Dennis Bassier (DPI Photo) Men living in rural communities also have greater difficulty accessing healthcare although they need it more badly than their coastal counterparts. Sadly, indigenous men will live almost 19 years less than men of other ethnic groups in Guyana because of their poor diet, loss of identity, trauma and depression. To help reverse these trends, the Public Health Ministry is taking steps to mainstream men's health in its programmes to ensure more positive and effective ways to reach and engage men, especially those with the poorest health (generally in hinterland areas), so that they have the best opportunity to reach and maintain optimal health. We are on target to establish at least one 'male friendly' health facility in each of the 10 Regions by 2020. These will offer comprehensive, demanddriven health services to help satisfy men's the needs. We know this is an ambitious plan that will not happen overnight. Getting men to change their health behaviours will not happen in a hurry either. “One, one dutty build dam!� We will persevere though with sensitisation programmes through multi-media programmes, medical outreaches and partnerships with other government and private sector bodies. We in the Men's Health Unit envision healthy communities throughout Guyana. In our blueprint the male must be the pivot around which this dream is fulfilled, because today's boys are tomorrow's men.
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Almost one year after COI…
Relatives of Lindo Creek victims no closer to closure
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ore than 10 months after a report into the shocking killings in 2008 of eight miners in a Berbice River mining camp was handed over to Government, relatives are again calling for some attention to the matter. The Commissioner of Inquiry (COI) report had recommended that relatives be compensated. In early August, President David Granger received the report from head of the COI, Justice (Ret'd) Donald Trotman. Since then, there has been little word. Visiting the offices of Kaieteur News yesterday were Onika Butts, fiancée for Dax Arokium; Kellisa King, daughter of Cedric Arokium and 81-year-old Carmen Gittens, sister of Compton Speirs. The women said that they are anxious for the matter to be brought to closure. For Butts, her two children with Dax Arokium are asking hard questions about their father. “We want closure and this matter to be addressed,”
Waiting for answers: Relatives- Kellisa King, Onika Butts and Carmen Gittens
COI chairman Justice Donald Trotman handing over his report to President David Granger Butts said. The women said they had attempted to meet Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and were told by a senior security official at the Ministry of the Presidency compound that they would be contacted. Butts said that the office of Minister Simona Broomes had called her about her children and other details. But since then, nothing. The (continued on page 20)
Photos of the eight men on display at the Brickdam Cathedral last year June.
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Liza Unity's hull launched in China An artist's rendition of Liza Unity along with the hull that was launched over the weekend
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h i n a ' s Wa i g a o q i a o Shipbuilding has launched the Liza Unity FPSO hull. According to Eworldship.com, the hull hit the water on Saturday, June 8, 27 days ahead of schedule. Once completed, the Liza Unity will be SBM's first operational FPSO built under its Fast4Ward program – a standardized FPSO designed to systematize the FPSO construction and delivery process, thus reducing cost and speeding up the time to the market. The Dutch company ordered the hull from the Chinese shipyard in on speculation August 2017, without a contract in hand at the time. However, just last month, SBM Offshore confirmed the FPSO contract award with ExxonMobil for the deployment of the Liza Unity in Guyana for the
development of the second phase of the Liza oil field. SBM is also supplying an FPSO for the first phase – the Liza Destiny – scheduled to depart for Guyana soon. This FPSO is being built by Singapore's Keppel, converted from a Very Large Crude Carrier. Back to Liza Unity, once fully completed, the FPSO will be able to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day, will have associated gas treatment capacity of 400 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day. The FPSO will be spread moored in a water depth of about 1,600 metres and will be able to store around 2 million barrels of crude oil. The Liza field is located in the Stabroek block circa 200 kilometres offshore Guyana. ExxonMobil is the operator and holds a 45
percent interest in the Stabroek block. Hess holds a 30 percent interest, and CNOOC holds a 25 percent interest.
Drill ship on its way for two-well exploration in Orinduik block
TORONTO (offshoremag.com) – The drillship Stena Forth is sailing from West Africa to Guyana for a two-well exploration program on the offshore Orinduik block.
According to Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas, a partner to block operator Tullow Oil, the vessel should arrive in the next fortnight and will then spud the Jethro Lobe prospect on or around
The drillship Stena Forth
June 26. This will be followed by a well on the Joe prospect, a few miles distant. Eco (Atlantic) COO Colin Kinley said: “We understand this play well and we are confident in our interpretation as supported by a relatively high chance of success, estimated at over 40% for both the Jethro and Joe prospect… “We know that there are
hydrocarbons on the block, and good quality sands like those on [the ExxonMobiloperated] Stabroek, therefore the main risks are the quality of the seal and the presence of a trap… “The two wells will test both the Upper and Lower Tertiary aged turbidites, while Jethro will also be drilled down to the Cretaceous section.”
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CARICOM/USA Relations: What of CBI? By Elizabeth Morgan KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC Feature) The Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) comprises the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBPTA). CBERA's duration is indefinite, but CBPTA, which amends provisions of CBERA, will expire on 30 September 2020 and would need to be extended. CBERA/CBPTA, which are US legislation, allow the now mainly Caribbean beneficiary countries, including Jamaica, to export goods to the US duty free. The USA is the principal trading partner of all Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and has a significant merchandise trade surplus with the region, which was US$7.1 billion in 2018 from US Census statistics. Of CARICOM's total exports to the USA in 2018, valuing US$ 6.2 billion, US$1.5 billion entered under CBERA/CBPTA. A s C B E R A / C B P TA provide non-reciprocal market access to a limited number of countries, in the World Trade Organization (WTO), it requires a waiver from the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle. The current waiver sought by the USA in 2014 will expire on 31 December 2019. Note that regular reports are required on performance and compliance under CBERA/CBPTA; under the WTO waiver decision, by the US Trade Representative (USTR) under CBERA Section 212, and by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) under CBERA Section 215. The US ITC's 24th biennial report to the Congress and President on the impact of CBERA on US industries and consumers and the economies of beneficiary States is now due by September 30, 2019. A public hearing, in which the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the USA, Sir Ronald Sanders, participated, was held on May 14 and written submissions are to be provided by June 3. I would expect the CARICOM Secretariat, other CARICOM member states, including Jamaica, and interested parties, such as Caribbean private sector bodies, to make written submissions to ensure that their views on the benefits are filed supporting their
advocacy for the extension of the CBPTA and a new MFN waiver at the WTO. You will also recall that a bipartisan Bill to extend the CBTPA and its provisions to September 2030 was introduced in the US Congress in February. It was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee where it remains. It does not appear to be high on the Congress' agenda. I would hope that consideration of the CBERA/CBTPA extension Bill in Congress could be completed by September. This would mean that it has to pass the House and Senate and be signed into law by the President. Should this happen, the US would then be able to present a request in the WTO for a new MFN waiver. This could be considered at a scheduled meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods in October or November and, if adopted, would go to the December Meeting of the General Council for adoption. September is only four months away. June in the USA is designated CaribbeanAmerican Heritage Month. It was first proclaimed in 2006 under President George W. Bush. President Trump signed the 2019 Proclamation. During this month, Americans of Caribbean heritage and permanent residents from the Caribbean are recognized for their contribution to the country. It also provides an opportunity to highlight
issues of interest to the region, the US' third border. Caribbean American Legislative Week ends on June 7 and on June 5, the f o c u s w a s o n CBERA/CBPTA and the US/Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act and its Strategy when legislative briefings will be held at the Congress on Capitol Hill. The Washington based Institute of Caribbean Studies is providing valuable support. The support of Caribbean Central America Action (CCAA), which has closed, will be missed. Hopefully, the Caribbean is taking the opportunity of
this Month to accelerate its lobbying efforts in Washington DC in support of the extension of the C B E R A / C B P TA . T h e regional private sector should be actively involved. This will provide further support to work already being done by the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors in Washington DC. I believe trade issues were mentioned when a group of CARICOM Heads met with President Trump in March. I understand that the US/CARICOM Trade and Investment Council (TIC), operating under the 2013 US/CARICOM Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA), will be meeting, June 6-7, in Miami, Florida. CBERA/CBPTA and the US/Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act and Strategy should be on the agenda. I noted that the 2019 US/Caribbean Business Conference organized by the US Commercial Services and Florida bodies will also be held in Miami, June 5-6. It was sold out. CARICOM is a lucrative market for US goods exports which were valued at US$13.3 billion in 2018. CBTPA extension should also be raised at this Conference. It seems the TIC was organized to coincide with it.
If the CBPTA extension Bill cannot be adopted by September, the Caribbean will be hoping that the USTR is amenable to seeking an MFN waiver at the WTO for t h e e x i s t i n g CBERA/CBPTA bearing in mind that it expires in September 2020. This CBI regime, at this point, remains of benefit to Caribbean exporters into the US market. Evidently, there is a significant imbalance in US/CARICOM trade. (Elizabeth Morgan, who writes for CMC, is a specialist in international trade policy and international politics)
Rape trial ends in hung jury
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he trial of Sareshwar Lall called 'Andy', who was accused of raping a 16year-old girl has ended in a hung jury. Lall was on trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a 12-member mixed jury at the High Court in Demerara. It was alleged that on December 24, 2016, he engaged in sexual penetration with the teenager, without her consent. After some two hours of deliberations, the jury foreman indicated that they were unable to reach a verdict. When questioned by Justice Reynolds as to whether the panel needed further guidance on the law or
facts of the case to break the deadlock, the foreman responded in the negative. Justice Reynolds further questioned if the panel needed more time to deliberate, the foreman again responded no. In the circumstances, the judge informed Lall that he was discharged and “free to go for now.� As it is, Lall will face another trial at a subsequent session of the Demerara assizes. The rape accused was represented by Attorney-atLaw Rachael Backer. The case for the State was presented by Prosecutors Seeta Bishundial and Lisa Cave.
Sareshwar Lall (at left) being escorted to the courtroom
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
British candidates for PM take aim at favorite Johnson
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O N D O N (Reuters) - A host of candidates to replace Theresa May as British prime minister launched their campaigns yesterday promising to solve the turmoil of Brexit and taking shots at frontrunner Boris Johnson. May stepped down as leader of the ruling Conservative Party on Friday, having failed three times to win parliament's support for a European Union divorce deal that was supposed to steer the country smoothly out of the bloc and deal with Britain's biggest political crisis in a generation. Nominations to replace her had to be submitted yesterday, and the party's 1922 Committee, which is running the contest, said 10 candidates had achieved the required support of at least eight of the Conservatives' 300-plus elected lawmakers. An 11th, Sam Gyimah, withdrew shortly before the announcement saying he had not been able to build sufficient support. He was the only one to support holding a second Brexit referendum. Conservative lawmakers will hold their first round of
voting on Thursday to begin narrowing the field. The public campaign launches on Monday all set out domestic agendas, but it was Brexit that dominated, with overt and thinly-veiled digs at former foreign minister Johnson. “If I get through, which I am sure I will actually, to the final two against Mr Johnson, this is what I will say to him: 'Mr Johnson, whatever you do, don't pull out',” said environment minister Michael Gove, who scuppered Johnson's 2016 leadership bid by pulling his support at the last moment to run himself. “I know you have before, and I know you may not believe in your heart that you can do it, but the Conservative Party membership deserve a choice'.” Nearly all the hopefuls promised they could solve the Brexit conundrum which eluded May in three years of EU talks - in just three months, between the new leader being chosen at the end of July and the current exit date of Oct. 31. “From my conversations with European leaders, it is clear to me there is a deal to be done; they want us to
'THE BREXITEER YOU CAN RELY ON' Dominic Raab, who quit as Brexit minister over May's divorce deal, said he too could secure a new agreement but promised that the United Kingdom would leave the EU on Oct. 31, even if that meant reverting to basic World Trade Organization trade terms. “I'm the Brexiteer that you can rely on,” he said. Others, including Johnson, have made the same promise to leave on time even if it means giving up on a deal with the EU that would smooth the transition. Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn told a meeting of his lawmakers on Monday that Labour would never accept a 'no-deal' exit. “We will work on a crossparty basis to block a 'nodeal' outcome,” he said. The differences between the candidates reflect Conservative disunity on the
Whistleblowing Berbice cops accuse... From page 13 shopping at a supermarket in the village during the same time of the murder. Adding to the list of corrupt activities, the wellplaced source also named two other ranks who he said are directly involved in corrupt acts in Berbice. He said one of the ranks is "maybe a good cop in many person's eyes, but he does a lot of things that people are not aware of". According to the source, this cop and another Detective "are both involved in this drug trade because these men know where to go and find who when they doing drug bust. I noticed a few things, but nobody
listened, so I am letting the media reveal it. When dem man go on drug busts, they take a part of it and lodge the rest...” Additionally, the police source told this publication that when the three bandits were shot and killed in Black Bush Polder recently, the cellphones that were found on the men had numbers of police ranks in the call logs and the contact lists of the phones. He revealed that some of the numbers found in the phones were the three ranks mentioned in this article, along with two others. However, although it was mentioned in the initial story about the shooting, there has been no word from
another frontrunner who was trying to get his own campaign back on track after admitting taking cocaine when he was a young journalist. Critics accused him of hypocrisy, noting that, in a previous role as education minister, he had signed off on rules to ban teachers for life for taking cocaine.
come up with proposals,” current foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said. If the issue was not sorted out, he said, the party would be annihilated in an election and socialist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn would take power.
the Guyana Police Force to deny or admit to the allegation. The phones were sent to Georgetown but according to the source, "it gone to GT so you know what might happen there? Nothing might come out of it, because you got big police covering tracks". The source along with a few other ranks who also confirmed the information given, are calling for an independent investigation to be launched into what they deemed as "barefaced acts of corruption within the force". They altogether related that the senior police rank has been involved in corrupt acts for many years but remains untouched.
Former British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who is running to succeed Theresa May as Prime Minister, leaves his home in London, Britain, June 10, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay issue, which has meant that, three years after the United Kingdom voted by 52% to 48% to quit the EU, it remains unclear how, when or even whether it will indeed leave. The uncertainty has hit Britain's economy, which shrank by 0.4% in April, official figures showed on Monday - a bigger drop than any economist had forecast in a Reuters poll last week. Johnson is not only the bookmakers' clear favorite but, according to polls, the most popular with the
160,000 party members who will ultimately make the choice. He did not hold a highprofile campaign launch on Monday, but his rivals lined up to take potshots at him and his pledge to raise the point at which workers begin paying a 40% income tax to 80,000 pounds ($102,000) annual pay from 50,000 pounds. “One thing I will never do as prime minister is to use our tax and benefits system to give the already wealthy another tax cut,” said Gove,
'WE NEED A SERIOUS LEADER' Others took aim at Johnson, a flamboyant former London mayor, alluding to past criticism that he favored style over substance and failed to grasp details. “We won't get a good deal with bluff and bluster,” said Raab, one of the most hardline Brexit advocates. Hunt, another of the favorites, said “a serious moment calls for a serious leader”. “We need tough negotiations,” he said, “not empty rhetoric”. Hunt's own campaign received a significant boost on Monday when two ministers with opposing views on Brexit - pensions minister Amber Rudd and defense minister Penny Mordaunt - endorsed him. While the battle unfolds, May remains prime minister. Her replacement is due to be in place by the end of July.
Relatives of Lindo Creek victims... From page 17 women met the minister on December 21st, the same day of the no-confidence vote in the National Assembly. The men – Bonny Harry, Horace Drakes, Dax Arokium, Cecil Arokium, Nigel Torres, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee and Compton Speirs – were killed, then burnt at a mining camp at Lindo Creek, upper Berbice River, on or about June 21, 2008, almost 11 years ago. The incident was described as a stain on Guyana's history, with the Coalition Government ordering an inquiry into the findings of which have not yet been made known. There were debates whether the men were killed by mistake by personnel from a Joint Services group or by the gang of the now dead Rondell 'Fineman' Rawlins, a wanted man who was killed in Timehri. The COI Report stated that ranks of the Joint Services were the most likely individuals to have committed the crime. The report recommended that the criminal investigation into the
massacre be reopened to determine who are really responsible for the murders. It also recommended compensation for the relatives of the slain men. Additionally, some of the recommendations included offering scholarships to the children of the murdered miners, providing counselling for family members, and financial compensation. The report was handed over to President David Granger last August and relatives have been anticipating a response from the authorities. Based on the report, eleven public officials were implicated for failing to properly execute their duties “before and after” the killing of the eight miners. These persons were identified as then President and current Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, along with former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee. The report stated that the identified officials “failed and/or neglected to perform their duties in all material respects”. The other individuals were the Director of Public
Prosecutions, the then Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Commissioner of Police, the Crime Chief, Deputy Crime Chief, Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility, Head of Police Major Crimes Unit, Police Commanders of the 'E' and 'F' Divisions, and Divisional Detective Inspectors of 'E' and 'F' Divisions. Justice Donald Trotman, who chaired the COI, had noted during the public hearings that there were several gaps in the testimonies of police officers and those who were tasked with investigating the murders, as well as the allegations of the involvement of the Joint Services. Justice Trotman said the investigative teams were all negligent in carrying out their duties. “There was some investigation but that investigation in the estimation of the Commission was not adequate, was not competent, and could not have brought about accurate results,” he was quoted as stating.
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Conviction of attorney on theft, Migrants: ‘Venezuela is a bad place’ a wakeup call – BBA president BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – President of the Barbados Bar Association (BBA), Liesel Weekes, says persons involved in the justice system are above the law, adding that the recent conviction of an attorney on theft related charges should serve as a wakeup call. Weekes said that so far as it could, public confidence in the system is boosted to the extent that people would now see that lawyers are not above the law. “I am sorry that Ms Pile had to be the method of example but the public can feel reassured that whether it is a lawyer or a man with a nail clipper, we are all the same. “Once a jury finds that you are guilty of a criminal offence, whether you are lawyer or former prime minister’s brother, you are not above the law,” she added. Attorney Vonda Pile is now in jail awaiting sentencing, after she was found guilty last week on a majority verdict of stealing BDS$191,416. 39 (One Barbados dollar=US$0.50 cents) from her
client. Madam Justice Pamela Beckles has said that the maximum sentence for such an offence was “a lengthy one” which must be considered under the circumstances. “We have to be very careful in the precedence that we set,” the judge said as she remanded Pile to prison pending sentencing. Pile has maintained her innocence throughout the trial, declaring: “I am going to thank the jury for their decision. I am going to maintain even though the jury brought back a seven – two verdicts of guilty of theft… that at no time have I ever or at any time been guilty of dishonesty or theft.” Weekes told reporters that the conviction of a fellow attorney is a wake-up call for all attorneys practising in Barbados to better manage their businesses. “I don’t necessarily believe that lawyers set out to steal clients’ money, but there are things that may happen. For example, we have accounts rules and by those rules you may establish a client ac-
count, but you are meant to disaggregate your money from your clients’ money, so that there is no confusion. What can happen if you are not an attorney who also is a businessperson, who is well organised and manages money well, you can actually put all the money in the account and not separate it,” she said. “A client may write you a cheque, part of the money is your fee and the other is to pay something and you put all the money in there and you don’t get the chance to sit down and transfer and whatever else, but you start to spend from what you think is yours and you don’t realise when you’ve started overspending. “You’ve spent all of yours and you are now into somebody else’s money and until you take stock, until someone calls and asks for the money and you then go into the account and wonder why am I short, where did the money go and then you can’t put it back.”
Police launch investigation after video of alleged police brutality goes viral PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti CMC – Police have launched an investigation after a video has gone viral on social media allegedly showing police officers stoning a man who was among thousands of people protesting calling for the removal of President Jovenel Moise from office. “Such practices do not do honour an institution that guarantees democracy and the rule of law and whose mission is to protect and serve,” said the Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), Michel Ange Gédéon. “Consequently, the General Inspectorate of the PNH has been instructed to launch an investigation to identify the suspect police officer(s) and to apply the law and the regulations of the institution until the last rigor. They will be brought to justice according to the law,” he added. According to the video, the incident occurred near the official residence of President Moise as the
Michel Ange Gédéon protestors moved towards the Palace in their quest to have him step down from office. On the video, one man is seen on the ground, unable to react while men in PNH uniform throw stones at him with and later takes the bleeding man to another location. Throwing stones vio-
lently to him without being worried, then train their victim in blood towards another It is not known whether the man was killed but the police had confirmed that two people had been shot and killed during the protest that had been sparked by the release of the 612 page report of the Superior Court of Accounts and Administrative Litigation (CSC/CA) on the management of projects financed by PetroCaribe, an oil alliance of many Caribbean states with Venezuela to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment.
Venezuelans lined up in the rain outside the Achievor’s Banquet Hall registration centre in San Fernando on Sunday. Photo: TREVOR WATSON NEWSDAY – Some Venezuelans have been trying to get registered for up to three days at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. Hundreds of men, women, and children were using clothing and pieces of cardboard yesterday morning to shelter from the sun. Many have no money, food or water. Some migrants also said they do not have access to the bathroom facilities at the
Oval, and cannot use them unless they officially enter the registration venue. It is the final week of registration for Venezuelan migrants in TT, which is due to end on June 14, with many calling for an extension owing to the number of people yet to be registered. While most of the adults expressed frustration about the registration, some children say they feel sad about what is happening in their
home country. Ten-year-old Eduardo, who has been in Trinidad since October, says his family shares a house with 16 people, and many of his family members are still in Venezuela. He says he is thankful he is away from the crisis. His two eight-year-old brothers, however, say they do not enjoy living with so many people, since most of them have to sleep on the floor.
Young: V’zuelans not major cause of crime NEWSDAY - National Security Minister Stuart Young has accused the Opposition of a plot to promote xenophobia towards Venezuelan migrants. He was responding to an urgent question in the House Sunday from Oropouche West MP Vidia GayadeenGopeesingh on what measures had been implemented to address the increase in robberies involving Venezuelans. Young replied: “There is a very disturbing occurrence from those members on the other side. There is no doubt
in our minds whatsoever (that) what they are promoting is xenophobia.” He said Sunday morning in his meeting with the heads of national security he told them, “There is a specific plot by certain persons....” Naparima MP Rodney Charles stood on standing order 48:6 (imputing improper motives), but Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George allowed Young to continue. Young pointed out three of the four urgent questions Sunday afternoon were about Venezuelans.
“The Venezuelans are not the major cause of crime in TT,” he said, adding that one of the issues at the heads of national security meeting was how to deal with continued suggestions that Venezuelans are the source of all crime. “We are also targeting human trafficking and those elements of organised crime, and we are also targeting those elements who may be involved in criminal activities and are of a Venezuelan nationality. But they are not the only ones involved in crime.”
Social media alert Daily Nation - Parents are being cautioned to monitor their children’s social media activities. Police are alerting parents to the fact that some young girls might have fallen prey to men they have met on the Internet. Public relations officer for the Royal Barbados Police Force, Inspector Rodney Inniss, has, therefore, urged
young girls who might have been lured onto the social media platform by these men to come forward and make a formal complaint. While Inniss said they did not get many complaints of hook-ups on social media, particularly with minors and older men that have gone awry, he suggested that a lot of this activity was indeed occurring in Barbados.
“When things like that happen, it is really by consent of the individuals concerned. We don’t get parents complaining about it because most of the time they don’t know, or when they find out it is something long gone. However, I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but we don’t have major complaints about it. There have been one or two in the past,” he said.
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Kaieteur News
Miner allegedly stabs woman for attempting to break-up his home
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A miner was yesterday granted bail after he was slapped with an unlawful wounding charge in which he allegedly stabbed a woman about her body with a broken bottle for attempting to breakup his home. Hillary George, a 40-yearold miner, pleaded guilty to the charge which was read to him in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts by Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus. It was alleged that on June 8, 2019 at Port Kaituma, North West District, the defendant unlawfully and maliciously wounded Julianne James so as to cause her grievous bodily harm. Police prosecutor Shellon Daniels related the facts of the charge. On the day in question, Georges stepdaughter invited James, who is her friend, over for a drink of alcohol. During that invitation, James allegedly told the mans wife that George hustles her. An argument then ensued between George and James. George reportedly became annoyed, broke a bottle and dealt the victim several stabs about the body. The victim was rushed to the Port Kaituma Hospital where she received medical attention. Requiring further treatment, she was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she remains a patient. George was arrested and charged. When given a chance to address the court, George said, “She trying to break-up my living by telling my wife things about me. She hit me in my
Hillary George head first as I was walking down the stairs.” The prosecutor then confirmed that when George was arrested he had a laceration on the back of the head. However, prosecutor Daniels objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence and the fact that the victim is still hospitalised. She added that George was lucky that he was not charged for attempted murder as James is now left with several lacerations about her body. Moreover, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus decided to enter a not guilty plea on behalf of George after his explanation. The request of the prosecutor was denied as the magistrate granted bail to the tune of $150,000. She adjourned the matter until August 16, 2019, when he is expected to make his next appearance at the Matthews Ridge Magistrates Court. He was instructed to report to the Matthews Ridge Police Station every Friday pending the outcome of the matter.
Tuesday June 11, 2019
Education Ministry can now diagnose learners with special needs Students living with disabilities now have a greater boost in their access to learning facilities, geared specifically for them, through several educational interventions. One such intervention by the Ministry of Education is the use of the Regional Special Education Needs/Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, to specifically diagnose the learners disabilities. This will allow the students to be provided with appropriate education delivery tailored to their individual needs, according to a government statement. This programme comes as the Education Ministry continues to make provisions for Special Education Needs within the mainstream education system. In this provision, all teachers at mainstream and Special Education Needs (SEN) schools are trained in the delivery of SEN content and approaches. National Special Education Needs Officer, Savvie Hopkinson told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the ministry is making strides to ensure all learners have equal access to educational opportunities. “Even though their needs are identifiable, [previously] they were not given an official diagnosis but with the Regional Spe-
National Special Education Needs Officer, Savvie Hopkinson cial Education Needs/Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre students are now able to have their diagnosis, so that they can be provided with the right treatment with the right educational plans to support those needs,” Hopkinson explained. Currently there are 10 SEN Schools and 3 SEN classrooms across Guyana. The SEN classrooms are located in Region 3 at the Wales Primary School, in Region 5 at Number 8 Primary and in Region 4 at the Beterverwagting Primary School.
New Amsterdam, Linden and Georgetown have several SEN schools catering to the needs of all learners with special needs. Hopkinson added that private schools also benefit from partnership with the Ministry of Education, in relation to SEN programmes. “We do not limit our training to schools that fall directly under the Ministry of Education. In our programme we include privately-owned schools,” she said. “Later down the road we will see, having all these in place, that the right support is put in place within the classroom, and that programmes are developed to match those needs so that our students can become more successful,” Hopkinson related. There are SEN Officers in the Regions 3, 4, 6, 10 and Georgetown educational districts. “We envision that the whole process of providing education that is suitable for students to develop to their full potential and all that [is needed] would come in place,” she stressed. These initiatives are aligned with the objectives of the Ministry of Education which are eliminating illiteracy, modernising education and strengthening tolerance.
Guyana-born Venezuelan in TT: I wasn’t allowed to register Trinidad (Newsday.co.tt) Born in Guyana, Venezuela citizen 43-year-old Greensley Lael Edson Henry is hoping to register today at the San Fernando centre for immigrants, two days after he said immigration officials denied him from doing so in Port of Spain. Henry said: “I am here not because I want to be here, but because of the political situation in Venezuela. I am a citizen of Venezuela and I want to register like other Venezuelans.” But, he added, “They told me to go back Guyana because things are looking good now for that country.” Henry and scores of other Venezuelans waited outside Achievors Banquet Hall in Duncan Village yesterday to register in the amnesty drive. The father of four told Newsday that on Saturday, he and his family went to the Port of Spain centre, but he was the only one not allowed to register, because of his birth country. Showing his Venezuelan passport and identification card, Henry said he moved to that country as a child. His wife and two of their four
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Guyana-born, naturalized Venezuelan, Greensley Lael Henry is hoping he can be registered along with other Venezuelan nationals in Trinidad. Photo: Lincoln Holder children are Venezuelan by birth. “I was living there, went to school and everything there and became a naturalised citizen. There were many other people born
in Caribbean countries, became citizens of Venezuela and could register. What about me?” Henry works as an airconditioning technician and lives at Santa Cruz.
Fifty youths graduate from leadership programme A two-week Youth Leadership Training Programme conducted under the Department of Social Cohesion, has been dubbed successful, after 50 youths from eight different regions across Guyana, on Sunday, graduated with honours in their 20-hour contact courses. The module two leadership programmes prepared the participants for Leadership and Management in Youth Work, Youth Organization, Organizational Development, Group Dynamics, Team Building, Communication, Effective Public Speaking, Meeting and Procedures, and Events Planning. The graduation was held at the Madewini Training Centre. Senior Administrative Manager for Youth Empowerment, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, Fayonne Marshall, related that the programme had been initiated since 2015, but actual work did not commence until 2016. Since then, she said, the ministry was focused on consultation with various regions with the aim of establishing new youth organizations, with its main focus being the grooming of persons for leadership. Marshall further elaborated that those students who would have displayed exceptional leadership skills and potential in the first Module one program were given the opportunity to visit the USA as Youth Ambassadors to the United Nations Conference in 2017. Youths who would have
Department of Social Cohesions Fayonne Marshall handing out a certificate to one of the graduates graduated would be given the opportunity to practice the opportunity to practice their leadership skills through managing another of the Ministrys existing programmes, the Night
School. Module three of the Youth Leadership Programme is expected to commence soon, with a packed schedule of practical exercises for the youths.
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Tuesday June 11, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Psychiatric patient killed defending belongings from other inmates The relatives of a patient who was killed at the National Psychiatric Hospital located at Fort Canje, Berbice, are furious at health officials in the region after they could not be provided with an official report of the incident some twelve hours after it occurred. The now dead patient has been identified as Stephan Francis of Kitty, Georgetown, while his attacker who is currently in police custody was identified as Jason James, also a patient at the institution. According to the aunt of the now dead man, Samantha Young, she received a phone call from a social worker at 12:38 am Monday, informing her that there was an incident at the institution which stemmed from an episode in which some items were about to be stolen from her nephew. Young said, “when he tried to defend his property he was attacked by two other inmates resulting in him getting injured and he subsequently died”. She added that when she called back about half an hour after receiving the message to inquire more about what transpired, she was told by the social worker that “she did not have the details of what took place but promised to gather the information later that day and let us know. She said if I needed more information I can contact the matron, but when I
Dead: Stephan Francis contacted the matron she said that there was a push and a push back and he fell and he hit his head and he died. I asked if the attacker was arrested and she said that he was locked up at the institution and awaiting the
police”. The aunt explained that in the latter part of the morning she was contacted by the police in Berbice and was asked if she could make a trip to Berbice, since she lives in Georgetown. She
Beggars on the roads are... From page 6 on the government and Social Protection Ministry to get these persons off the streets and into a home. Some of them are mentally unstable and can cause harm to ordinary citizens. They can also be easily involved in an accident since they are usually at main junctions where traffic is very heavy. This also paints a very bad picture on our city and
country. Imagine a tourist coming to Guyana for the first time to explore and is approached by 20 beggars on his first day tour. What will he think about Guyana? I’m calling on the authorities to have some pride in Guyana and get these minor things sorted out which is having a major impact on our image as a country. Kind Regards, R. Ramkhelawan
Mother: Maylene Prince
The accused - Jason James - in confinement at the institution
then asked the police why the suspect was not in their custody as yet, but were told by the ranks that “they were prevented from making an arrest because they were told by the hospital administration that they have to follow SOP (standard operating procedure) “. According to Young , when she arrived in Berbice with the mother of the dead patient, they met with the Regional Health Service Director Jevaughn Stephen sometime around 15:30 hrs Monday, but were unable to have a full report of what had happened, and this was more than 12 hours later. She argued, ”an incident
occurred more than 12 hours ago and you don’t have the facts nor any report, is saying something is very, very terribly wrong with the system. If you are the man on this ground in charge and 12 hours after you have to be asking persons here who was the person that did this, and who was the person that did that, then something is definitely wrong. He should have had all the reports on his desk, he knew the family was on their way up and we would need to have a proper report, why would you throw back and relax, 12 hours after, and not have a proper report of what happened?” The woman furiously
shouted, “this is slackness, this is slackness. When that fight broke out last night they were supposed to have systems in place, they have persons in there saying that they did not even render simple first aid. This person involved is known to be a bully at this facility for as long as I know. I have had patients who came to our care who complained that he sexually abuses them and nothing has been done to address the issue. The fact remains, my nephew is dead and the system in here could not protect him from that”. The mother of the dead patient, Maylene Prince confirmed with this publication that her son had been at the institution for only a week and would have celebrated his birthday on Sunday. She stated that she brought clothing and goods for her son and he was being bullied for the stuff he had. Meanwhile, when reporters contacted the Director late yesterday afternoon he only confirmed that the incident had occurred and stated that there was a scuffle between some inmates and Francis “fell and hit his head” resulting in injuries that subsequently led to his death. He could not state how long the individual had been a patient at the institution when asked. A post mortem examination is expected to be conducted today.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 11, 2019
Tuesday June 11, 2019
Reifer rues missed chance to hurt struggling Proteas... Frrom page 28 was a] 90 per cent [chance of] rain today. So there is nothing we can do about it. We just have to take the one point, like I said before, and look forward to the other games.” Not for the first time, West Indies were aggressive early on and were rewarded when left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell knocked over veteran Hashim Amla (6) and Aidy Markram (5) cheaply. The Caribbean side have used their fast bowling attack to good effect in the tournament, blasting out Pakistan in their opening game in Nottingham before also having Australia on the
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Kaieteur News
run in their second game last Thursday at the same venue before tasting defeat. And Reifer said with the current confidence in the camp, there was no opponent the Windies feared. “The way that we are playing cricket, we are playing fearless cricket so it doesn’t matter who we play,” he pointed out. “When we play them (any team), we want to play the same brand of cricket that we are playing, what we executed in the past couple of games.” The washout saw each team take a point, leaving West Indies fifth in the standings on three points
after three matches. However, Monday’s disappointment also brought sharply into focus the missed opportunity against Australia, when they failed to chase down a moderate 289 for victory. And Reifer said while the defeat had been a difficult one to take, he backed the players to learn from the experience. “It was a chase that we should have won. We kind of made some mistakes at key points in the game and it happens in cricket, but you learn from it,” he noted. “I’m sure next time most guys will be in that position and will make better decisions.”
Tuesday June 11, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your heart should feel quite generous today. You're most likely feeling the need to keep everyone smiling. Spread your radiant sunshine everywhere - it will be appreciated on a day like this. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may feel the urge to get up and go today. Follow this instinct and get to work. You're anxious to get the ball rolling on certain projects. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may find that there is some opposition from other people today, Gemini, especially concerning emotions. You may feel threatened in some way. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're terrific at following through with projects, Cancer, but perhaps not so great at starting them. Today is the perfect time for you to prove this theory wrong. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your self-esteem is apt to be quite high today, Leo, and you may feel an extra bit of fire helping you throughout the day. Take the lead on projects that seem to be going nowhere. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There may be a bit of tension and conflict in your world today, Virgo. Be prepared for mild contention that could turn into an all-out war if you aren't careful. Don't take things too personally.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) There may be tension in your heart today that could be difficult to shake, Libra. You might find it hard to relate to people or that others aren't hearing you very well. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Try not to be impatient today, Scorpio. This could be one day in which you feel restless, and everything seems to take much longer than you'd like. Try your best to go with the flow. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) To fight or not to fight may be the question of the day. Your sensitive, feminine side is likely to say one thing while your masculine, combative side says another. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Be careful that you don't put your foot in your mouth today. You may have a tendency to jump the gun, so be conscious of how you use your energy. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This could be a highly productive day for you if you approach it in the right way. You will find that you have an added burst of energy that could help you conquer just about any task you set your mind to, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may feel a bit anxious today, and it may be hard to settle down. You probably have many irons in the fire right now, and they're all starting to heat up at once.
“Safety is paramount”... Frrom page 29 to transmission issues. Over 100 competitors are expected to register for the event which will see the driver with the fastest reaction winning $20,000. More importantly, DEL Ice Co have sponsored cash prizes for the fastest 10second ($200,000), 11-second ($150,000) and 12-second ($100,000) cars. Sponsors for the event include Platinum Car Show, KFC, Supreme Bets, R. Kissoon Contracting Services, Deryck Jaisingh Trucking Service and Machinery Rentals, Del Ice Co., Mohamed’s Enterprise, B.M. SOAT Auto Sales, Prem’s Electrical, E-Networks, Motor Trend, Nexus Machine Shop, Power Line, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Wind Jammer Hotel, Cyril’s Taxi, A&R Jiwanram Printery, Blue Spring Water, Choke Gas Station, Miracle Optical, Special Auto, First Class Auto Spares and Sales, GT Tuners, West Coast Customs Wash bay and Imran Auto works. Tickets for adults cost $1000 and children $500. Action starts at 09:00hrs on race day. (Calvin Chapman)
Deonarine, Kippins steer... From page 31 united to see their team home without further hiccups. The duo rotated the strike well and was quick to dispatch the bad balls, picking the gaps with precision as Regal Masters won the encounter with three overs to spare. Deonarine clobbered one four and 10 sixes to finish on 95 which came off 54 balls, while the right-handed Kippins slammed five fours and four sixes in scoring 60 off 43 balls as their team ended on 165-1. De Franca had 1-30. Deonarine was named manof-the-match, while Regal Masters collected a trophy and $53,000 and Wellman Masters received a trophy. The competition was sponsored by Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Trophy Stall Bourda Market.
BHS and St. Rose’s book... From page 27 10 points, five steals and three rebounds and Omario Ganeshdin added eight points and six rebounds. Peter Thompson led Tutorial with nine points and five boards in another U-18 clash, a game-high 23 points, which included seven threes, 10 rebounds and two steals from Shamar Hercules, failed to save Plaisance Secondary School from going down to Marian Academy 34-53. Akili Haynes and Josiah Daniels scored 17 points each to lead the Georgetown school. Haynes also pulled down 11 rebounds and made two steals, while Daniels finished with seven rebounds and three steals.
In the other U-18 clash of the day, Chase Academy got past Queen’s College by a score of 55-45. Lugard Mohan Jr. led QC with a game-high 27 points and seven rebounds, while Shakell Bobb-Semple added 10 points and nine rebounds. Chase Academy were led by Stephan Deleon (16 points and five rebounds), Jamal Nicholas (12 points and 12 rebounds) and Omari Kewley (11 points and nine boards). The tournament, which is sponsored by Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, The National Sports Commission, Banks DIH LTD and Exxon Mobil, continues on Friday at the same venue.
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Kaieteur News
Golden trio tightening grip on men’s game
Spain’s Rafael Nadal poses with the trophy after winning the final against Austria’s Dominic Thiem. (REUTERS/Charles Platiau) LONDON (Reuters) - It has been more than 15 years since Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic began their collection of Grand Slam titles and the bad news for anyone eyeing tennis’s big prizes is their stranglehold on men’s tennis is as tight as ever. Nadal, a few days after turning 33, proved unstoppable at Roland Garros for a 12th time on Sunday as he crushed Dominic Thiem with the same frightening intensity that he displayed when beating Mariano Puerta to win his first French Open in 2005. Federer, who will be 38 in August, played dazzling tennis to reach the semifinal before Nadal and a Parisian gale did for his
Roger Federer waves to the crowd as he leaves court after his game against Rafael Nadal at the French Open. (Susan Mullane-USA Today Sports) hopes of a recordextending 21st Grand Slam title. The 32-year-old Djokovic, meanwhile, is stuck on 15, three behind Nadal, after falling agonizingly short of
holding all four majors at the same time for the second time. Between them they now have 53 Grand Slam titles from the last 64 played dating back to Federer ’s first Wimbledon triumph in
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts after his semifinal match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) 2003 when he was aged 21. What is more, the trio have shared the last 10 between them in their third era of total domination, having won 11 in a row between 2010 and 2012 and 18 in a row between 2005 and 2009. Austrian Thiem, ranked fourth in the world but still without a Grand Slam title, is now 25. By that age the three players above him were already multiple Grand Slam champions. Thiem said that he will strive to get better and better, but knows they will too. Their relentless desire to stay ahead of the chasing pack is why only seven other men have won a Grand Slam title in the last 16 years. With the exception of Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka who have won
three apiece, four of them have been one-Slam wonders. Marat Safin won his second major at the Australian Open in 2005 but that was before either Nadal or Djokovic had begun their count. After watching Nadal for the past two weeks, seventime Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander believes the Spaniard is still improving his game. “The way he hit his backhand against Thiem tells me he’s still working at his game, developing another way of playing,” the Swede, working for Eurosport, said. While chiefly motivated by his rivalries with Nadal and Djokovic, Federer says his enthusiasm to keep evolving as a player comes from watching the likes of St e f a n o s Ts i t s i p a s a n d Alexander Zverev and the
new challenges they bring. “It never gets boring, because every day plays different, every opponent plays different, every guy gives you different struggles,” Federer said last week. The way things look right now it might be Old Father Time that finally brings down the curtain on the current era, rather than the young pretenders stuck in the shadow of arguably the greatest three players ever to swing a racket. “Being in this era, it seems like it’s going to be hard for anyone to kind of do something the same that three of us did,” Djokovic said last week. “I don’t know what the future will bring, but I’m sure it will be bright.”
Barbadian Archer holds no terrors for Windies: Reifer SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – England’s Barbadian fast-bowling sensation, Jofra Archer, has already set the ICC World Cup alight with his fearsome pace but West Indies coach Floyd Reifer said yesterday he held no terrors for the Caribbean side as they prepared to face the tournament hosts in the next fixture on Friday. A last minute call-up to the England side after playing just three One-Day Internationals, Archer topped speeds of 95 miles per hour in the 108-run victory over Bangladesh in Cardiff last Saturday and he picked up three wickets to move his tally in three matches to six. In fact, he was recorded as bowling the fastest-ever opening spell by an England bowler in an ODI after averaging nearly 91
mph on a helpful wicket. R e i f e r, t h o u g h , s a i d We s t I n d i e s w e r e n o t rattled by the prospect of facing Archer. “To be honest, we knew Jofra for a long time. He is from Barbados, where we are from. We knew him from the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 [level] so he is not new to us,” Reifer told media here. “ Ye s , h e ’s b o w l i n g q u i c k l y, b u t t h e r e ’s nothing that we are not a c c u s t o m e d t o . We a r e looking forward to the challenge so we will see how it goes on Friday.” The 24-year-old Archer could have easily represented West Indies but after playing a handful of matches for the Windies Under-19s and then being snubbed for the 2014 Youth World Cup, he turned his attention to representing England.
He was born and raised in Barbados but always held a British passport through his father who is a UK citizen. Archer initially faced a wait up until 2022 to turn out for England but saw his dreams fast-tracked earlier this year when the England and Wales Cricket Board reduced the eligibility criteria from seven years to three. He debuted last month against Ireland and was subsequently fast-tracked into the England side. Describing Archer as a “tremendous talent”, Reifer said his development had not been surprising as he had been always blessed with pace. “I knew him from the Under-17, Under-19 days. I actually played club cricket against him as a young guy,” Reifer explained. “So Jofra is a tremendous
talent, we all know that. Like I said, we are looking forward to the game on Friday.” He added: “He obviously had the pace. He had a few injuries as a young guy but I’m guessing though he’s fully over those injuries and he is bowling very well for England.” Archer, in partnership with fellow speedster Mark Wood, has added a new dimension to England’s pace attack, making the hosts a feared side. And with West Indies fortunes having fluctuated over the past two decades, there is no doubt Archer would have been an asset to the regional side. But Reifer reiterated that the issue of Archer’s allegiance was no longer up for discussion. “He made his choice,” the former West Indies captain smiled.
England’s Barbadian fast bowler Jofra Archer.
Tuesday June 11, 2019
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Vettel fully deserved his Japan begin World Cup campaign with goalless draw against Argentina Montreal penalty, says Rosberg (Reuters) - Japan’s quest to reach a third consecutive women’s World Cup final began with a dull goalless draw as Argentina claimed their first-ever point at the tournament yesterday. Asako Takakura’s Japan, ranked seventh in the world, kept almost two-thirds of ball possession in Paris but struggled to find a way past a disciplined Argentine centreback pairing of Agustina Barroso and Aldana Cometti. Japan’s only meaningful chance came just after the interval when forward Kumi Yokoyama’s long-range effort forced goalkeeper Vanina Correa into her first save, before Yuki Sugasawa blasted the rebound over the bar. The result ensured Carlos Borrello’s Argentina avoided defeat for the first time in a World Cup match, having lost each of their previous six games in the competition. They finished bottom of their group on both previous occasions they had reached the World Cup finals in 2003 and 2007, and captain Estefania Banini believes this result can act as a springboard for the rest of the campaign. “This point is really important for us. I think we’re able to reflect upon what Argentina is and what it
Japan’s Kumi Yokoyama in action with Argentina’s Miriam Mayorga. (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson) means as a team,” the forward said. “We had to run all the time, be focussed all the time because we were facing a team that - in terms of their gameplay - were superior to us. “We believe that we can continue fighting and we can get more points on board, and not go home with just one.” Japan, who lifted the World Cup in 2011 by defeating the United States, will be disappointed with their
sluggish display in the final third after recording just three attempts on target. “We don’t set out to be defensive against any team,” coach Takakura said. “But the players were cautious today. The other game in Group D took place on Sunday, with England taking top spot after beating Scotland 2-1 in Nice. Japan meet Scotland in their next match at Rennes on Friday, while Phil Neville’s England take on Argentina in Le Havre on the same day.
YBG/NSBF Georgetown/East Coast Zone
BHS and St. Rose’s book semifinal spots
Bladen Hall (on offence) versus St. Rose’s High in the under-14 division. Bishops’ High School and St. Rose’s High School advanced to the U-14 semifinals of the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) Georgetown/East Coast Regionals on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Bishops’ made light work of Bladen Hall with a whopping 47- 02 win, while St.
Rose’s eased past Tutorial High by a 35-13 margin. Bishops’ High were led by A. Matthias, who finished with a game-high 15 points to go with nine rebounds and five steals, while J. Payne added eight points and six steals. In the other clash, Chris Perez just missed a doubledouble as he finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.
He also had three steals. Perez’s scoring partner was Carmelo Man-San-Hing, who scored nine points and made five steals. Martin Edwards led Tutorial with six points and five rebounds. In the U-18 division, Saint Stanislaus College got past Tutorial High School 40-29 after Mustapha Kadir scored (Continued on page 25)
LONDON (Reuters) Sebastian Vettel fully deserved the penalty that cost him victory in Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, 2016 Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg said yesterday. Rosberg, who won his title with Mercedes, defended race stewards after they drew a storm of criticism from fans and former drivers. He also criticized Ferrari’s Vettel, a four-times champion, for making the mistake that led to the five second penalty and then complaining afterwards. “Vettel was screaming ‘I have dirt on my tyres, I was out of control, where do you want me to go... I was struggling to control the car, and I couldn’t see Lewis (Hamilton)’,” Rosberg said on his YouTube channel. “OK great. But Lewis is there. So the rule says when you go off the track, you need to rejoin safely. “It’s very, very clear that unfortunately it was an unsafe return to the track. That is the rule... a penalty is deserved in that case,” added Rosberg. “Absolutely a fullydeserved penalty.” Vettel led from pole position to chequered flag but the five seconds added on, for running wide and returning to the track in an unsafe manner, handed victory to Mercedes’ Hamilton, Rosberg’s former team mate.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel during practice for the Monaco Grand Prix. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) Vettel said the race, which had been shaping up as a thrilling battle between him and five-times world champion Hamilton, had been stolen from him and suggested the stewards were blind. Rosberg said he had spoken to his father, 1982 world champion Keke, who felt the decision had been 6040 in favor of a penalty. The former Mercedes driver recognized fans wanted to see exciting racing but rules were necessary because “some of those guys are just too crazy out there.” “If you just leave it completely up to them (the drivers), it’s going to be gloves off out there and at some point it gets too dangerous,” he added. Rosberg criticized Vettel
for mistakes under pressure and wasting energy complaining. “I wish I could say how awesome Sebastian is, like I did after qualifying but I can’t,” he said of his fellowGerman. “Instead of complaining on the radio when the decision is made, which he knows he can’t influence any more anyway, he just keeps complaining and complaining rather than focusing on the driving and trying to get those five seconds out. “So that was a weakness. He has such strong selfbelief, and always thinks he is in the right and then always wants to blame other people and just loses focus in those moments and doesn’t make the most of it. So that was not great to see from him.”
Turning Point, Providence and All Season’s Racing Service chalk wins Turning Point, Providence and All Season’s Racing Service registered victories when the Lodge Kyk-over-al and Lodge Frenaeus four-game dominoes competition commenced on Sunday at the Georgetown Cricket Club, Bourda. Turning Point marked 42 games to beat Mix Up with 41 and Medi Care who made 30 in their encounter. Turning Point were led by June Watts who made 11 and Sandra Welch with 10, while Rawl Peters and Steven Sankar scored eight and seven respectively for Mix Up. Providence chalked up 45 games to win their match up ahead of All Season’s Racing Service who made 43 and Spartons with 38. Marson Beaton top scored for Providence with 12 games, while Troy Dos Santos contributed 11. S. Rooplall and Ronald Beharry made eight and seven in that order for All Season’s Racing Service, while Spartons
Players in action on Sunday night at GCC. leading players were Tyrone Ambrose 10 and Shawn McKenzie with eight. All Season’s Racing service rebounded to beat Providence and Phantom in another meet. Spearheaded by 10 games apiece from Amanda Singh and Ronald Beharry, All Season’s Racing
Service made 45 games, while their closest rival Providence ended on 42 and Phantom on 31. Shawn Beaton led Providence with 12 games while Junior Smith contributed nine. Colin Cave made 10 and Lyall Gittens eight for Phantom.
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Kaieteur News
Rain frustrates Windies in Rose Bowl washout SOUTHAMPTON, England, Jun 10, CMC – Persistent rain quenched another fiery West Indies start and forced the abandonment of their ICC World Cup contest against South Africa at the Rose Bowl here yesterday. Opting to bowl first with rain in the forecast, West Indies had the Proteas tottering on 29 for two in the eighth over courtesy of strikes from left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell before rain intervened after just half an hour. A steady drizzle then engulfed the venue and frustrated match officials before they called time on the encounter following a couple of inspections. Both teams were awarded a point, leaving West Indies fifth on three points from three outings and South Africa one from bottom of the 10-team standings on a single point from four matches. “It’s unfortunate in that you can’t do anything about
the weather situation. In terms of the point, we’ll take the point and move forward in the competition,” a disappointed West Indies head coach, Floyd Reifer said afterwards. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis also lamented the washout. “We wanted to play a full game today,” he told media here. “I think it’s pretty obvious that when you play a team like the West Indies you want to play a full 100-over game – just the make-up of their side. So it’s disappointing the fact we didn’t get a game.” Not for the first time in the tournament, West Indies started aggressively and were rewarded when Cottrell claimed the out-of-form Hashim Amla in the third over for six, caught by veteran Chris Gayle at first slip cutting at one with extra bounce and pace. Aiden Markram never settled and he fell to Cottrell in the seventh over for five,
gloving a short delivery angled into his rib cage for wicketkeeper Shai Hope to take a well-judged catch diving to his left down the leg side. Opener Quinton de Kock, given out caught at the wicket off seamer Kemar Roach for one in the second over before gaining a reprieve courtesy of DRS, finished unbeaten on 17 and was partnered by du Plessis who was yet to score. Cottrell end with two for 18 from his four overs. West Indies made two changes from their last match against Australia, recalling Darren Bravo for the injured Evin Lewis and bringing in Roach for the rested Andre Russell. The Caribbean side will now turn their attention to hosts and tournament favourites, England, who they face here on Friday. Scores: South Africa 29 for 2 (de Kock 17*, Cottrell 2-18) v West Indies (No result).
Golden Jaguars’ CONCACAF Gold Cup camp continues in Costa Rica - Haiti friendly set for Tomorrow Costa Rica: Guyana’s senior team, The ‘Golden Jaguars’, have arrived in Costa Rica ahead of their second and final friendly international match before heading to the USA to finetune preparations ahead of its historic debut appearance at the Concacaf Gold Cup, later this month. The team, led by Head Coach Michael Johnson and his Technical staff, commenced an important period of encampment, which is designed to ensure that the team is properly prepared and peaking in time for their Group D matches against the USA, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago. Team bonding has been getting better by the minute and following their first match against Bermuda on Thursday last in that country, Team Guyana made a long journey to Costa Rica, arriving in the wee hours
of Sunday morning. The first training session was held Sunday afternoon at the CAR Turrucares Playfield in San Jose. Johnson informed that despite just getting a few hours rest, everyone is fit and well and the session was satisfying: “We had to do something today, we knew the lads were tired but we knew we had to do something, bearing in mind that we have a game in 48 hours. So yes it was a long journey but we got some good work in, a bit on how we want to play defensively without the ball, so it was a good session all in all, players have enjoyed it and now we are looking forward to (Monday’s) training session.” Touching a bit on team bonding, Johnson said it is getting better as the days go by: “I think the most
important thing we see in camp is the unity. I’m not with all this local-based and international-based, what I’ve seen over the last week coming together is a unified group; a group that interacts well no matter where they’re from, we all pull on the same shirt to play for one common cause and that’s for Guyana.” Come the Haiti game, Johnson said they are looking to see improvements on a collective scale reminding that it is not about the result at this juncture of preparations. “If it were about the result, I’d play the strongest team, I’d play everybody where they should be playing but for us it‘s about learning and trying to keep something back and just making sure that the players are taking on board all the information we are giving them. The journey continues.”
NSC to host Special Schools Teachers training from today The National Sports Commission will be hosting the second of three Special Schools Teachers’ Training at the National Gymnasium from today June 11 to 14 commencing 09:00am daily. Disciplines in
focus are Cricket and Football. Two (2) of each disciplines will be conducted by Coaches, Mr. Garvin Nedd and Mr. Gordon Braithwatie respectively.The training is organized by Sports Organizer Mr. Wilton Spencer.
Woods primed for return to site of greatest performance (Reuters) - Tiger Woods returns to the scene of his greatest performance for this week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, no longer necessarily the man to beat but a definite threat to win his 16th major title. Woods’ form at the recent Memorial tournament, where he tied for ninth, combined with his love for and knowledge of Pebble Beach suggest he will not be far away come Sunday on the fabled California coast. When he won by a record 15 strokes in 2000, Woods could smash his drives further than pretty much everyone else, though that played only a minor role in his emphatic runaway success, so otherworldly was he in every facet of the game. But distance off the tee should not matter at Pebble Beach, a short course by modern standards where accuracy off the tee will be more important than length. Woods is arguably the greatest iron player ever, an asset that will be so important at Pebble Beach, where the tiny, sharply-sloping greens require precise approach shots. Even though his iron play was not of the highest order at the Memorial, a week off to hone it should make all the difference. “Each day I got a little more crisp,” Woods said after the Memorial as he turned his attention towards Pebble Beach. “I knew going into (the final round) I was never going to win the tournament, but I was hoping I could get something positive going into the Open, and I was able to accomplish that, which is great. “I hit a couple of loose iron shots, and my fairway bunker game wasn’t very good. Those are loose things that you can’t afford to have happen in an Open. If I can clean those up, I should be all right.”
Tiger Woods waves to the crowd after putting on the 2nd green during the final round of the 2019 Memorial golf tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. (Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports) MASTERS WIN After he won the Masters in April, ending a decadelong major victory drought, talk immediately turned to whether the 43-year-old could add to his major tally this year. L a s t m o n t h ’s P G A Championship was always going to be the least likely of the other majors to suit him, due to the length of the course, some 400 yards longer than Pebble, and damp to boot after heavy rain. Added to that, Woods was not fully prepared either physically or emotionally, having not played a tournament between Augusta and Bethpage. But there is about as much chance of his not being prepared for Pebble Beach as there is of it raining during the tournament — namely next to zero. With a victory Woods would join Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus with a record four Open victories. He would also move
within two major titles of catching all-time leader Nicklaus on 18. That mark seemed almost a formality for Woods a decade ago after he won the 2008 U.S. Open for his 14th major title. A well-documented sex scandal and then a subsequent potentially career-ending back injury, however, kept him from adding to his tally for more than a decade. But just when Nicklaus’ record seemed safe, Woods put it back into play with his Masters triumph. To win his 16th major he will have to regain the assured putting touch he displayed in 2000 on Pebble Beach’s bumpy poa annua grass greens. “With his iron play and the reduced number of drivers to be hit, Woods should feature at Pebble,” Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo told Reuters. “To win he has to putt well on poa again. He’s not been iron clad on the surface for a few years.”
Reifer rues missed chance to hurt struggling Proteas SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – West Indies head coach Floyd Reifer believes yesterday’s rainabandoned encounter was a missed opportunity to take advantage of South Africa’s current poor run of form at the ICC World Cup. The Proteas entered the contest on the back of three successive defeats and under
heavy pressure of expectations to turn around their failing campaign. And sent in at the Rose Bowl, they were tottering on 29 for two in the eighth over before rain intervened and eventually forced a no-result. “We were looking forward to the game, especially the start that we had in the game,” Reifer said
afterwards. “And planning for the game last night, we were really looking forward to this game. After they lost the first three games their confidence as a team will be a bit low, so we wanted to take a big advantage of that. “Like I said, it’s the weather. It’s England – [there (Continued on page 25)
Tuesday June 11, 2019
LBFCC 4th Annual Albert Rose Memorial Classic
Red Hot Jamal John takes top prize in senior showdown; Ajay Gopilall is top junior Just back from campaigning on the North American circuit and competing at the Under-23 Pan American Elite Road Championships in Mexico last month, Team Coco’s Jamal John topped the field to win the 90-mile senior race on Sunday last when the 4th annual Albert Rose Memorial Classic Cycling event took place. Organised by the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club (LBFCC) and sponsored by the Rose Family, the race which had a loop start, commenced and ended at the Linden/Georgetown Bus Park, Republic Avenue in the Bauxite Mining Town. Riders made their way to Linden Soesdyke Highway where they turned back at Silver Hills. Seniors traversed the course three (3) times, Veterans Under-45 did so twice whilst Veterans Over-45 along with the females and juveniles made the trek, once. When the race was completed in 3:39:23, John was the first to cross the finish line followed by Curtis Dey of Trojan/PSL Cycle Club, Walter Grant-Stuart (Continental CC), Paul De Nobrega (KFC/Team Evolution), Michael Anthony (LBFCC) and Ajay Gopilall (Trojan/PSL CC) closing out the top six. Gopilall was also the winner of the Junior category. There was a clean sweep of the female category for the organising club with Clivecia Spencer ending first and Moreisa Gilbert, second. In the Juvenile contest, Jonathan Ramsuchit of Trojan/PSL Cycle Club of Berbice was the winner and he was followed to the line by the LBFCC duo of Mark L e w i s J n r. a n d E l i s h a Rutherford. The Veterans Under-45 race was won by Warren McKay of We Stand United Cycle Club ahead of Paul C h o o We e N a m ( Te a m Alanis) and Stephen F e r n a n d e s ( K F C / Te a m Evolution). And the Veterans Over45 clash saw Ian Jackson of Flying Stars Cycle Club taking the top spot from Andrew Spencer (KFC/ Team Evolution) and Junior Niles (Team Coco’s) in that order. Cash prizes and trophies were handed out to the respective category winners and other top performers.
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Jamal John flanked by the top six riders during the presentation of prizes.
Mahaica and Clonbrook Primaries share honours in latest Windball Cricket Mahaica and Clonbrook Primaries shared honours as play continued in the Upper East Coast Demerara AL Sport & Tour Promotions NSC 22nd Annual End of School Year “Edward Cobenna Memorial” Primary Schools Windball Cricket Champions Trophy at the National Gymnasium. Organised by A. Munroe, the action saw Mahaica Girls after been invited to bat making 75-0, with Juanita Lynch hitting 29 and Ashana Pellew 19. Clonbrook in reply were restricted to 67-2.
Among the Boys - Mahaica batted first and rattled up 85 - 2, Darrell Benjamin made16 while Rene Lewis 2 wkts for Clonbrook who replied with 86-2. The Region 4 finals were scheduled for yesterday at the National Gymnasium. Boys teams: Harurani, Supply, Saint Anne’s, Craig, Clonbrook and Mahaica. Girls Teams: Supply, Timehri, Saint Mary’s, New Diamond, Craig, Mahaica and Clonbrook. He Region 3 Schools were also set to be in action yesterday.
Students before the start of play.
GMR&SC Drag Championship round 2
“Safety is paramount” – Hansraj Singh; Club VP
The female winners after collecting their prizes.
Workers rehabilitating a fence at the South Dakota Circuit recently.
The outstanding Juveniles after collecting their rewards.
The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) will host the second round of their much subscribed drag championship on June 23rd at the South Dakota Circuit drag strip. Kaieteur Sport had the opportunity to speak with the vice-president of the club Hansraj Singh, who noted that this event is expected to be bigger due to the works that have been done on the strip. “We would have extended the strip to a full quarter-mile and what we saw in round one, we are expecting to have faster cars to participate because they can have more power generated because of the
Hansraj Singh GMR&SC Vice President. lengthened track and better breaking and with the installation of the launch pad, better starts,” Singh shared. As the sport grows, which Hansraj believes it will benefit
Guyana greatly, the GMR&SC, he pledged, will maintain their safety standards. “Once the cars are going faster, then definitely safety becomes a bigger issue. Safety is of utmost paramountcy at this time and we are constantly upgrading the facility (South Dakota) to make it safe for everyone including the fans, racers and marshals. Meanwhile, last week, President of the GMR&SC, Rameez Mohamed, confirmed via a correspondence to the media that Team Mohamed’s newly acquired white Nissan GT-R is set to finally make its competitive debut at the event after missing out in March due (Continued on page 25)
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Tuesday June 11, 2019
Imtiaz is champion at MACORP’s annual Golf Extravaganza - Company’s Meet and Greet occasion a success Despite initial drizzles and rain threat which dissipated shortly after play began, over 60 eager golfers took to the Course in a staggered start from 10:45am to vie for honours in what was the largest and most successful Macorp Golf Extravaganza on Saturday last. The occasion was a great one for Imtiaz Subhan to make his mark of distinction as he set a net score of 64 enabling him to walk away with the champion’s trophy. CEO of Macorp, Mr Guillermo Escarraga noted with delight, that the game of golf requires high standards, integrity, commitment and care – things that Macorp is pleased to offer all its customers in Guyana. And the presence of so many Macorp customers as to fill the accommodation to capacity at the Meet and Greet session which followed the tournament, was a resounding testimony to their satisfaction and pleasure, supportive of Mr Escarraga’s comments, about the great services Macorp has been offering them. Special visit was made by former CEO, the phenomenal Mr Jorge Medina, who was awarded Life Membership by the Lusignan Golf Club before the end of his tenure last year. Also present, was her Excellency the Ambassador of the Embassy of the United States, Madam Healy, who like Mr. Medina, congratulated Club President Aleem Hussain for the outstanding development being forged by the LGC. The atmosphere was electric! The camaraderie and
competitiveness of the golfers was refreshing and encouraging. The social environment created by Macorp for the day – free drinks, food, plenty of giveaways, many prizes for the golfers and opportunity for customers to learn and practice putting, in addition to promotion of Macorp and ISG products on great display – was a tremendous one. “The occasion,” according to one Macorp Manager, “is a major event on Macorp’s calendar of events for the year”, and they were satisfied that it was a huge success. This tournament results beg for tabular presentation, so top scores in each Flight are indicated in tables for each of the 4 Flights played – Ladies Flight, and Men’s Flights of handicap 0-9 (‘A’); 10–18 ‘(‘B); and 19–28 (‘C’), giving clear expression to the keenness of the competition in each Flight. A fifth table ‘Rookies’ was added to celebrate the new golfers who, now learning the game, yet persisted to complete the tournament. Prizes only for 1st and 2nd place were awarded in the Ladies Flight (Shanella Webster-London and Joaan Deo respectively), while prizes for 1st to 3rd places were awarded in each of the Men’s Flights. In the ‘A’ Flight, 1st to 3rd were Aleem Hussain; Avinash Persaud (reigning Guyana Open champion); and Patrick Prashad (former Club Captain) respectively. In ‘B’ Flight, 1st to 3rd were Satrohan ‘Robin’ Tiwari; Lakram ‘Panko’ Ramsundar; and Patanjilee ‘Per’ Persaud
From left: Patrick Prashad, Jorge Medina, Club PRO Guy Griffith for Dr Philbert London, Avinash Persaud, Chatterpaul Deo, Lakram Ramsundar, Dr Joaan Deo, Aleem Hussain, Imtiaz Subhan, David Harry (hidden) for Per Persaud, Haresh Tewari and Satrohan Tiwari. respectively. ‘C’ Flight winners were Imtiaz Subhan; Haresh Tewari; and Dr Philbert London – 1st to 3rd respectively. Tournament champion was Imtiaz Suubhan for his overall Best Net score of 64. The Best Gross (74) and Longest Drive (310 yds) prizes were both won by Avinash Persaud. Macorp has been a fantastic support to the development of the Lusignan Golf Club since Mr Jorge Medina became involved in the game in Guyana some 23 years ago. But even more significantly has been Macorp’s contribution for some 25 years to the country’s development with technical support and
equipment supply to the most important productive sectors – Mining, Agriculture, Road Construction, Basic Industry, Marine, Forestry and Electric Power Generation. Among the outstanding national contributions of MACORP are: Being the first company to bring the most advanced equipment technologies like ACERT engines which meet Tier III or Stage III environmental regulations; Being the dealer with the high value in equipment and parts inventory for immediate delivery in the country; and Being the only dealer to supply testing services of components with Hydraulic benches and dynameters with a capacity up to 2.000 HP.
GBTI Open Night matches
Gentle leads winners on Sunday night A mixed doubles contest and a couple of Men’s doubles were played on Sunday night, while Afruica Gentle was also in winner’s row in the night matches of the Guyana Bank of Industry & Commerce (GBTI) Open Lawn Tennis tournament at the GBTI Court in Bel Air. Gentle, the National U18 Girls Champion, also a member of Guyana Women’s Cricket squad this year, and playing under lights, she was all over Akilah Jones; beating her 6-0, 6-1 in dominating display. In Sunday Evening’s matches, Anthony Downes and Rebecca Mitchell
registered an emphatic 6-0, 6-0 win over the pair of Philbert Clark and Diana Bharat. In the Men’s doubles, Gavin Lewis and Daniel Lopes won a hard fought encounter against Mark McDonald and Ronald Murray, 6-4, 7-5. The last match of the night had to be stopped before its conclusion and was scheduled to be completed yesterday when action was due to start at 4:00PM. In the action on Sunday night, Joshua Kelekyezi and Viraj Sharma against Vadeannand Resaul and Jeremiah Kelekyezi ended for the night with the score reading 6-4, 2-1.
Afruica Gentle dominated Akilah Jones 6-0, 6-1 at the GBTI Court.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 11, 2019
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Guyana Jaguars claim inaugural UDeCOTT T10 title in T&T
G
uyana Jaguars defeated North Tobago by 26 runs to win the final of the inaugural UDeCOTT T10 four-team cricket tournament which culminated on Sunday night at the Brian Lara Stadium, South Trinidad. Having won their final preliminary round game against the Windward Islands to book their spot in the final, Guyana Jaguars batted first and posted 130-7. Openers Trevon Griffith and Chandrapaul Hemraj added 36 before Griffith was dismissed for 18, while Hemraj who struck Narine for two sixes and a four was caught off Kieron Pollard for 27. Christopher Barnwell came in an immediately got into his strides with boundaries off Rayad Emrit and along with Anthony Bramble propped up the total with purposeful batting. Barnwell was bowled by Emrit for a top score of 44 in the seventh over with Guyana Jaguars on 98 for 3.
The victorious Guyana Jaguars with their hardware. But Bramble continued to gather runs and rallied the Jaguars to 130-7; he made 25. Sunil Narine, who picked up three wickets in
the final over, was the pick of the bowlers, while Emrit had two. Seamer Clinton Pestano produced a tidy first over, but Narine threatened as he
clobbered Barnwell for two sixes to take the score of 19 without loss at the end of the second over. Narine and Mario Belcon took the 58 in five
overs before Romario Shepherd handed Guyana Jaguars the breakthrough with the wicket of Belcon for 22 and later removed Narine for 44.
Pollard was dismissed by Keemo Paul for 25, while Dwayne Bravo made one as North Tobago finished on 104-5. Paul took two wickets for the Guyanese.
Deonarine, Kippins steer Regal Masters to GSCL Inc Independence Cup title
Ramesh Deonarine accepts his man-of-the-match prize from GSCL Inc President Ian John. By Zaheer Mohamed Regal Masters have sounded a stern warning to their rivals who will be competing in the upcoming New York Softball Cricket League tournament with a comprehensive victory over Wellman Masters in the final of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc Independence Cup on Sunday. Led by an unbroken 158run second wicket stand between Essequibian Ramesh Deonarine and Troy Kippins, Regal Masters won the encounter by nine wickets at the Everest Cricket Club. Earlier, Regal Masters earned their berth in the final with a 44-run victory over Ariel Masters, while Wellman Masters booked
their passage to the last two following a 15-run win over Fisherman Masters, who will be making their debut in the NYSCL competition, which is set to commence on June 28. Batting first in the grand finale, Wellman Masters posted 164-7 from their allocation of 20 overs. Openers Mahase Chunilall and Greg De Franca added 56 before De Franca was dismissed for 25 which came off 19 balls and contained one four and two sixes. Chunilall struck one four and three maximums before he departed for 35 off 31 balls. Wellman Masters then lost Lloyd Ruplall (04) and Latchman Kallicharran (03); however Nandram Samlall, Eon Lovell and Wayne Jones propped up the total with
Members of the victorious Regal Masters with their accolades. useful contributions. Samlall slammed four fours and one six in scoring 30, while Lovell scored 23 including two fours and a similar number of sixes and Jones made 18 with two fours. Fazleem Mohamed captured 2-30; David Harper had 2-37, while there was one wicket each for Roy Persaud, Parsram Persaud and Kippins. Regal Masters suffered an early setback in the chase when they lost Eon Abel (00) caught off De Franca with the score on seven in the second over. But fellow opener Kippins and the left-handed Deonarine (Continued on page 27)
The runner up Wellman Masters.
t r o Sp
Rain frustrates Windies in Rose Bowl washout
Fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell prepares to salute in celebration after removing Aiden Markram in yesterday’s World Cup game against South Africa at the Rose Bowl.
Rain forced the abandonment of the World Cup match between South Africa and the West Indies. (AFP/Glyn KIRK) First training session in Costa Rica on Sunday afternoon.
Golden Jaguars’ CONCACAF Gold Cup camp continues Haiti friendly in Costa Rica set for Tomorrow
First training session in Costa Rica on Sunday afternoon Goal Keepers’ Session.
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