Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR Another Berbice Thursday Edition rank squeals on NEWS corrupt colleagues June 13, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 24

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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Price $80

- claims $1M collected by rogue cops to keep suspect out of jail, Ramjattan urges investigation

Online readership yesterday 115,049

GuySuCo questions close relation between SPU head, PricewaterhouseCoopers - claims delays in divestment process

First Lady's mom laid to rest

SARA to get special auditors to tackle corruption in oil sector Govt. must show more respect for Procurement Act - Auditor General

Labour Dept. probes electrocutions at Providence President David Granger, Mrs. Sandra Granger, relatives and others yesterday afternoon said their final goodbyes to the First Lady’s mother, Mrs. Edith Cicely Chan-A-Sue nee Pierre, who died on June 5, at the age of 94. (MOTP photos)

Bus drivers, conductors colluding with thieves - Unsuspecting commuters being robbed

State to pay out $28M Ghana prepared to review its contracts with oil companies for police killing of Shaquille Grant failing to honour obligations How did 4.8M acres offshore Guyana end up in the hands of four companies with no track record in the oil industry?

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Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

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GuySuCo questions close relation between SPU head, PricewaterhouseCoopers - claims delays in divestment process

T

ensions are m o u n t i n g between the stateowned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Government's investment arm, the National Industrial and Commercial I n v e s t m e n t s Limited/Special Purpose Unit (NICIL/SPU).

One week after NICIL/SPU and consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers, hosted a press conference criticizing GuySuCo for its sloth in the release of information for the privatization and divestment for four closed estates, the corporation hit back yesterday, insisting that it is all a smokescreen.

GuySuCo, which has three estates now under its wing, declared that it still trying to determine two key things - the purpose of the press conference and the motives behind the tactics used by NICIL. GuySuCo also slammed media houses.

“The reports emanating from the media have been extremely sensational, d i s h o n e s t a n d unprofessional to say the least. The Corporation is most disappointed that NICIL has chosen to conduct its business in the unprofessional manner in what has now become a norm for almost two years.”

GuySuCo, insisting that it manages a business, said t h a t PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was recruited as the consulting firm by the SPU to conduct the valuation of GuySuCo's estates Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara (Enmore) and Wales.

GuySuCo said that Wilfred Bhagaloo was legally contracted as the 'lead' consultant - as such, it is outside of the remit for him or PricewaterhouseCoopers to be discussing the corporation's business in public, moreso in the media, without its permission.

“The Corporation has observed that this has been occurring since early 2018 when the firm was recruited.

Mr. Bhagaloo and PricewaterhouseCoopers were selected to conduct the valuation based on what was perceived to be the distinguished reputation;

relative to professionalism and integrity with which they would have been expected to treat with information to which they have become privy, by their privileged position with c o m p a n i e s a n d organisations.”

H o w e v e r, t h e corporation said in the statement, it is alarming that a reputable firm such as PwC would allow its name to be discredited, judging from its “extraordinary enthusiasm” to participate in activities along with NICIL-SPU, even though PWC is aware that the core of its business is h i n g e d o n i t s professionalism and the integrity with which it conducts its business.

“It is with much interest that the Corporation observed Mr. Bhagaloo's eagerness to seemingly place his personal relationships above the professionalism of PWC, as well as to participate in acts which are injurious to GuySuCo and its business. Then again, it is no secret that Mr. Colvin HeathLondon and the 'lead' Consultant knew each other very well in Jamaica, prior to PwC's engagement by the SPU,” the statement said.

CONFIDENTIALITY BREACH According to GuySuCo, it views the disclosures as a gross breach of confidentiality and the standards of ethical conduct of the financial and investment industries by the consultant which might incur serious consequences.

GuySuCo said that contrary to NICIL/SPU and PwC's statements about GuySuCo's non-cooperation in providing information requested, it has evidence otherwise.

GuySuCo included a list of the information it has submitted.

“On the point of NICIL's professional connection to GuySuCo, the Corporation would like to remind the agency; there has been a confusion which started with the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) and now has consumed NICIL, as to its role. NICIL established the SPU to divest the assets of Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara (Enmore) and Wales estates…”

However, at some point, NICIL “indecorously” assumed the role of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Government agency with responsibility for GuySuCo. “…further, in an attempt to legitimise this position, NICIL had even speciously appointed its own Board of Directors in March of 2018, with Mr. Colvin HeathLondon as its Chairman.

This decision was quashed by the Government, however, NICIL has never a b a n d o n e d t h e misconception that, GuySuCo, an independent corporate agency, by law, according to the Company's Act, is neither a department, unit or owned by NICIL.” With regard to the $30B bond, GuySuCo said that the NICIL/SPU's single role was to divest GuySuCo's assets from the Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara (Enmore) a n d Wa l e s e s t a t e s . “…however, due to its slothfulness and less than credible 'divestment' tactics it has now placed at risk the retooling and restructuring of GuySuCo as it is clearly outlined in the Government of Guyana (GOG) State Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry.”

GuySuCo was harsh in noting that NICIL-SPU,

NICIL/SPU head, Colvin Heath-London (left) and PwC consultant, Wilfred Baghaloo

GuySuCo's deputy head, Paul Bhim

GuySuCo's head, Dr. Harold Davis Jr. having been unable to divest the assets in a timely manner, convinced its principals that the bond was an appropriate alternative as an interim financial arrangement; the divestment process is now approaching its second year and NICIL/SPU has not executed one significant investment.

A DISTRACTION “GuySuCo, therefore is of the view that NICIL/SPU

used the opportunity of the press conference on Monday 3 June, 2019, as a distraction from the fact that it's has not achieved even one of its mandates for which it was created. As a matter of fact, in an attempt to extend the life of the SPU, having been created for the specific purposes above and within a particular timeframe; the agency has now assumed the role and operates as a proprietor and landlord. This

is totally inconsistent with its intended purposes.”

GuySuCo also insisted that it “wishes to state clearly that NICIL/SPU are mere custodians of the Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales - all assets of GuySuCo for the specific purpose of facilitating divestments as envisaged in the State Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry”.

The proceeds of the (continued on page 16)

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Thursday June 13, 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

Governance blindness, governance failures Successive governments have failed to come to grips with changing realities. The previous government tried to power its way out of numerous political bushfires and governance shortfalls through stridency, confrontation, intimidation, and bringing to bear its own artillery. The current government is content with ignoring, distancing, evading, and similar kinds of nuanced strategies and tactics that have served it just as poorly as its predecessors.

The common denominator is the failure to recognise and adapt to the information and communication revolutions.

Some defining features of these revolutions impacting corporate, social, and political worlds are identified. Almost all are tuned in, or electronically alerted by friends, family, and likeminded. This forms the nuclei of objections, resistances. Right at the fingertips, on the cheapest phone: latest unpleasantness, outrage, proof of the irredeemably warped nature of governments, politicians, and peoples under their wings.

Very few are left out: Discourse and dissent are no longer the domain of elites and the educated, nor the privileged and powerful only, which in most societies form a distinct minority.

Everybody has an opinion, an axe to grind; or some passion and venom to be spat. All the animosities and prejudices, motivations and disputations, find outlets like streams becoming rivers. Unfailingly hostile narratives are generated.People who shied away from crowds, or physical confrontation, or intellectual engagement now have the channels to mix matters up with all and sundry, without being anywhere near the tempest and vortex. There is a simple and easily accessible word that describes this new universe of protest and pressure: networking. A parallel and altogether appropriate synonym is connectivity. Connectivity signifies numbers as in multitudes swarming to the scene of the crime.

In most instances, it is any governance mishap; a perceived policy shortcoming; a personal stumbling; a leadership inconsistency or breach. The word is out and the social media storms rage and batter.

Sometimes, there is neither merit nor meaning. It does not matter, as every voice is heard, and demands being heard, and on most occasions in the most scorching and aggressive manner. The power of the people; the chorus of voices; the irrepressible crescendos of the crackling electronic lightning.

Governance can no longer be of the centralised and vertical variety. That business of talking down, handing down, and passing down (through various intermediaries) decisions and directives to the wider, waiting constituencies is ancient and over.Through the compliments of unending technology advances, the flow of information and the feedback loop, since the 1980s and with mind-blurring rapidity, is now decentralised and horizontal. Nobody is left behind; and everyone wants to have a say, and will have it. Official censorship, through information blackouts, political coercion, and the wielding of the state’s power has limited reach, or will be effective for a limited time only. The baying beast has to be fed, and it will not be silent.

Thus, it is imperative that government leaders be of a mindset that is empty of the repressive (inclusive of the subtle) and be more receptive to the new realities that now are an intrinsic aspect of governance expectations as to standards and practices. Of necessity, those standards and practices have to be characterised by attentiveness, sensitiveness, and responsiveness. It cannot be one, or even two of those elements, for those will only go so far, and leave matters unchanged or suspended. There has to be all three ingredients.With those as foundation, governance approaches and mechanisms could exhibit on a consistent basis: openness, willingness to listen, readiness to engage and consult, seriousness to collaborate and compromise so as to arrive at consensus. Guyanese administrations insist on sticking to the muscle bound and top down. It did not work yesterday and imprisoning today. Lessons had better be learned.The technology revolutions underscore this irrefutable point: the old models of governance are now history; have lost relevance; are now found unacceptable.

Thus, governance paradigms must shift to absorb and adjust to the unfolding challenges.

LET US NOT LOSE ANOTHER PRECIOUS LIFE BY FAILING TO TAKE SWIFT ACTION DEAR EDITOR, I believe that notwithstanding the millions of lives lost in military and civil conflicts for centuries by purported civilised nations, the sanctity of life remains preeminent.

It follows therefore that the responsibility of every civilised society is to put in place rules and regulations to ensure that all of its citizens as far as possible are protected and given the opportunity to live a full life.

I read yesterday, with some concern that two young men were electrocuted on the East Bank of Demerara, with others hospitalised.

I don’t know if things have changed, but certainly when I

had ministerial responsibilities, it was insisted and we ensured that workers everywhere were equipped with appropriate safety gear.

Depending on where they were asked to function - helmets, gloves, boots, overalls, goggles, etc. were provided.

I believe the ILO Conventions subscribe to by our Government sets out very clearly the requirements and obligations of employer and employee.

I recall two separate incidents, one, where a worker refused to complete an assignment because he was not given the appropriate protective gear; he was threatened by the supervisor. I had the supervisor disciplined.

In another case, the worker claimed that the boots given to him and the helmet were uncomfortable and was seen working wearing neither.

I told the supervisor his duty was to ensure the worker have his protective gears on at all times.

I assume the above will be noted by the TUC and the Minister responsible for Labour. I expect them to take swift action.

It is reasonable to believe that contractors are obliged to ensure that all of their workers have protective/safety gear.

In those circumstances, the contractors should be hauled before the courts to answer for this dereliction of

duty.

Unless, we are serious, no one will treat us as a caring, concerned Government.

What about foreign companies and the likes operating in Guyana?

Emerson left us this riddle, which we can no more than ponder – “Life is a succession of lessons, which must be lived to be understood. All is riddle, and the key to a riddle is another riddle.”

Ministers, Members of the Cabinet, procrastination is something the nation can ill afford.

Let us not lose another precious life by failing to take swift action.

Best regards, Hamilton Green

ALL TALK AND NO ACTION IS USELESS DEAR EDITOR, The recent declaration by the Public Relations Officer of the Georgetown Municipality of an intention to commence a campaign to remove objectionable objects from parapets and reserves within the confines of the city, including derelict vehicles and the recent demand by the City Engineer for property owners of dilapidated buildings to either repair them or tear them down, has left citizens shaking heads in disbelief and frustration.

When one looks at the ruinous state of City Hall in which these persons are head-

quartered and work, where they spend hours pontificating and engaging in all sorts of frivolous, petty, and worthless activities, when one looks at the run-down City Constabulary Training School in Water Street which has almost been stripped bare, the collapsed wharf at the Stabroek Market, the rickety and perilous Abattoir, the decrepit Incinerator Compound better known as ‘Old Smokey’, the neglected La Penitence and Ruimveldt Markets, one has to wonder how the City Engineer could be so audacious, so imprudent and so satirical

to sit in a building which could give way at any moment and be making such demands. Is he not afraid that he and his colleagues will fall through the floors to which they sit?

One can understand that the Public Relations Officer is merely trying to earn her keep, by appearing to be working, by appearing to be keeping the citizens informed of activities of the Council and by just parroting what some of the technical officers say without checking the sagacity or logic of such statements.

She speaks about the parapets as though they are

always well manicured and maintained by the Council, and she speaks as though the Council landscapes, the city’s parapets are with beautiful flora from Guyana . The Council must stop trying to shift blame from them to the citizens. Why does the Council not talk less and do more. Many people are all talk, what they say and what they do are two different things. Come on PRO as the saying goes, talk is cheap.

Without actions behind the talk, it is all useless.

Sincerely, Mark Roopan

OIL BLOCKS AND PSA QUESTIONS DEAR EDITOR, The saga of oil exploration and speculation prior to May 2015 cannot be rewritten to suit our nation’s happy ending. Suffice to say many tried and failed to find oil in commercial quantity, most notably Shell which walked away from the same block now estimated to hold over five billion barrels in reserves.

Shell accepted one dollar for those exploration rights in what must be in hindsight, the worst deal since the Dutch traded New Amsterdam, Berbice for New York!

Dr. Jan Mangal ascribes knowledge of oil reserves to former President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Natural Resources at a time (April 2015) that would land ExxonMobil in hot water with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for failure to report an event that would have major impact on the price of the company’s publicly traded stock (XOM) on the New York Stock Exchange.

If ExxonMobil informed anyone of the discovery before making a public announcement, it would have opened the company to the

serious charge of enabling Insider Trading. I am sure ExxonMobil will speak to this allegation now that is made clear.

The SEC, which regulates the securities markets and facilitates capital formation, would certainly be interested in any legitimate, independent finding which provides irrefutable evidence of collaboration between those senior figures in the Guyana government and ExxonMobil. The impact of such findings would reverberate throughout the business world on a global scale and include billions in fines for ExxonMobil and possible jail time for executives of that company.

Editor, while we should not rewrite the pre-discovery period, we can certainly take a closer look at the actions of Dr. Jan Mangal who acted as adviser to the Government of Guyana during the Production Sharing Agreement negotiation period.

Strangely, during that period, Dr. Mangal was an unknown man, he was not making public statements nor was he having much success impacting the negotiations.

When all the dust was settled, Guyana did not emerge with a great deal on the Liza1 PSA, shortly thereafter another Mangal made oil news; Mr. Lars Mangal, Chairman, President and CEO of TOTALTEC Oilfield Services Ltd , a newly established company focused on the Guyana oil and gas industry, with the stated vision of “contributing to the development of the oil and gas industry in Guyana by providing technical support, engineering, partnerships and consultancy services to the local community, government and international operators and service companies in Guyana.” Surprisingly, this new company was able to secure the crown jewel of the ExxonMobil contracts, namely provision of the major Shore-base services to ExxonMobil.

Dr. Jan Mangal is quick to throw his thoughts on possible corruption into the public domain; I too have some questions that I would like to ask in the public interest: 1. Did Dr. Jan Mangal inform the Government of Guyana that his brother was bidding for

ExxonMobil contracts?

2. If so, what action was taken by the Government of Guyana to ensure sensitive information was not passed on deliberately or inadvertently.

3. Did Dr. Jan Mangal do anything to assist Totaltec in its negotiations?

4. Did any action/inaction on Dr. Jan Mangal’s part affect the outcome of the PSA negotiations?

5.

What were the reasons for the non-renewal of Dr. Jan Mangal’s contract as Advisor on Petroleum to President Granger?

I look forward to full explanations and examination of the obvious conflict of issues that existed with Dr. Jan Mangal, his role as consultant and the relationship of his brother ’s company to ExxonMobil for it is here I must paraphrase Shakespeare ‘the man doth protest too much” and my every instinct suggests that the conscience bothers.

Respectfully Robin Singh President Guyana Baseball League Inc.

Thursday June 13, 2019

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Kaieteur News

WPA recommits to continuing the fight for dismantling the authoritarian state DEAR EDITOR, WPA salutes the memory of our brother and comrade, Walter Rodney, who was senselessly assassinated thirty-nine years ago. This anniversary comes on the heels of the death of another party stalwart, Andaiye. Together, they represent the best of our country’s and region’s radical tradition. We remember Walter Rodney on June 13th every year not just to pay homage to his legacy, but also to remind Guyana of both its transformative and traumatic past. As we navigate our independence journey, it is imperative that memory stands at the very centre of our trajectory.

So, on this June 13, we use the opportunity to remind Guyana of Rodney’s place in our recent history and to recommit our party to its founding ideals which were at the core of Rodney’s activism. In remembering Rodney, we also remember other soldiers of the revolution who were cut down

by the vicious hand of the regime of the day. We remember Ohene Koama, Edward Dublin and Fr. Bernard Darke.

This year we also mark the 40th anniversary of the Civil Rebellion of 2019 when over a period of approximately six months the WPA, with Rodney as the chief inspirator, inspired sustained mass demonstrations and other related forms of protests that rocked the foundations of the country’s post-colonial order.

The Civil Rebellion was the culmination of a decade of public education, resistance and political mobilisation by the WPA and others, which simultaneously sought to shape an alternative independence order and to dismantle the post-colonial authoritarian state that had gone out of control. For the WPA, there could be no true independence within the context of party paramountcy and dictatorial governance.

During his six years of activism, 1974-80, Walter

Rodney etched his name in the annals of Guyanese history as an apostle of self-emancipation who exhibited the rare capacity to absorb the revolutionary energies of the masses of people. He gave leadership to the emerging multiracial and multiclass energies and, along with the WPA, channelled them into a decisive movement for change and liberation. That intervention forever changed Guyana as it reintroduced the revolutionary praxis into the mass consciousness. It is why Rodney continues to live in the hearts of those who were touched by his sacrifices and example. He still stands today as a pillar of hope for a better Guyana in which all its citizens regardless of ethnicity, social class or sex are guaranteed an equal place and equal opportunity to live with dignity.

It was this pursuit of equal justice that would push the maximum rulers of the day to resort to state and para-state

Correcting an inaccuracy Dear Editor, Kaieteur News (12/06/19) reported that the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo laid a floral tribute at the monument to the founders of the Non-Aligned Movements, and listed the founders as Josip Tito of Yugoslavia; Jawaharlal Nehru of India; Julius Nyerere of Tanzania; and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. The insertion of Julius Nyerere is incorrect and highlights our lack of knowledge regarding our own history and development. The other bust at the site where the visiting President laid his floral tribute is that of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt’s second President and a great revolutionary PanAfricanist, who provided early support for the liberation movements fighting apartheid

and Portuguese colonialism in Southern Africa.

Julius Nyerere was also a great leader, but he does not belong there. Getting it right is extremely important, especially for this generation, who, due to our sadly lacking school curriculum, already know very little about these great freedom fighters. What they must know is that if these leaders were around today, they would certainly have held their ground against the bullyism and international lawlessness of the Empire.

Our former president, Forbes

Burnham, had these busts erected because of his support for, and active involvement in the historic NonAligned Movement. That was when Guyana was a leading and influential force both regionally and internationally.

The Hon. Marcus Garvey reminded us: “If we as a people realised the greatness from which we came, we would be less likely to disrespect ourselves”.

Yours faithfully, Gerald A. Perreira Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP)

violence, which eventually led to Brother Walter’s assassination. That assassination brought our country face to face with its ugly political side, which has remained a central feature of our politics. Although the use of state violence against political opponents has abated in recent years, the violent nature of the State has not been obliterated.

In this regard, the memory of Rodney still haunts the conscience of our nation.

For the WPA, the current government’s non-treatment of the findings and recommendations of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry was shortsighted. Despite the imperfections of the COI, its findings should have been better engaged. The government missed a great opportunity to demonstrate to the country and the world that it has transcended the crippling politics of old. It means, then, that as far as the WPA is concerned, the Rodney affair is unfinished business.

Therefore, as we remember Walter Rodney, WPA recommits itself to continue the fight for the dismantling of the authoritarian state. As it was forty years ago, so it is today—there can be no genuine democracy and development without a State and a governance praxis that centres respect for dissent and for human dignity.

On this day and in honour of Rodney’s legacy, WPA

draws attention to the need to arrest at all levels the dangerous descent into zero-sum ethnic fear-mongering. While such an approach may bring short-term benefits to the perpetrators, the long-term consequences for all ethnicities are devastating. As Rodney taught us, our historic ethnic problems are best engaged when our people struggle together in pursuit of their just rewards. Unwarranted ethnic hostility is one of the most potent forms of underdevelopment in societies like ours.

In this regard, WPA pledges on this Rodney anniversary to expend more energies in the search for national reconciliation. We reiterate our commitment to a Government of National Unity as a necessary vehicle for such reconciliation and regrets that the government of which we are a junior partner has not been more forthright in working for its realisation. Our party continues to believe that no single party regardless of its electoral might could successfully manage this country. WPA therefore lends its voice again to the clamour for constitutional reform aimed at bringing our political arrangements in line with the needs of the country.

As we enter the electoral season and the political anxieties that come with it, WPA takes this opportunity to categorically state that it is vehemently opposed to elec-

toral malpractice as a route to power. This is a fundamental principle of our party that is non-negotiable—WPA will not be part of any overt or covert plan or action to rig elections. To do so, would be a dishonour to the legacy of Walter Rodney and the other stalwarts of our party who gave their lives and sacrifices for free and fair elections that are free from fear.

Towards this end, our party is vigorously opposed to those in the opposition and other circles who are spreading false alarms about intentions to rig elections. WPA sees or knows of no plans in that regard.

WPA is conscious of the feeling in many quarters, including among government supporters, that the current government has not satisfactorily discharged its promises.

As a partner, we take our fair share of responsibility for such acts of omission. In the coming months, WPA will (Continued on page 6)

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Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

GuySuCo responds to Kaieteur News’ Price-fixing and inventory articles DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) is disappointed that the Kaieteur News has allowed its media agency to be used repeatedly by forces whose motives seems to be intended to destabilize the Corporation, bring the management into disrepute and cause irreparable damage to the business.

Since December 2017, and particularly, over the past weeks, the newspaper has been publishing information which is being twisted and manipulated for the purpose stated above.

On 16 May, an article was published titled ‘Probe launched into price-fixing racket at GuySuCo’; then on 17 May, another was titled ‘Tip of the iceberg…Local sugar distribution was manipulated to favour GuySuCo friends’, another on 20 May, titled ‘In four years, GuySuCo spends over US$11M on outdated spare parts’ and on 22 May, ‘GuySuCo has over $3B in outdated Fiat tractor spares in stock-growing evidence of massive procurement fraud over time’. The Corporation has absolutely no difficulty

with the publishing of its information; however, it is concerned as to the source and intention of the source of the information, as well as, the fact that the Kaieteur News seems not to be interested in seeking clarity from the Corporation before publication.

It was reported on 16 May, that a probe was launched into what the newspaper calls a ‘price-fixing racket’, the Corporation would like to state that no probe was launched, since there was no illegality done relative to price or any other aspect of the business.

It is important to note that GuySuCo manages a business, and makes decisions based on the best available prices and also to secure longstanding markets based on the capacity and other considerations relative to its distributors and customers.

Pricing is dependent on market conditions and volume and at times in order to secure a market, temporary adjustments may be required to remain competitive, globally and regionally.

Regarding local sales, given the prices that could be

obtained elsewhere, it makes better business sense at times to increase our local sales. For example, the Corporation may decide to sell more sugar on the local market than on the World Market.

For instance, the current World Market prices are less than 50% less of what the Corporation would get on the local market; the World Market price per tonne of sugar on 22 May, was US$255 per tonne while on the local market the price is over US$500 per tonne.

With reference to the article published on 17 May, titled ‘Tip of the iceberg…Local sugar distribution was manipulated to favour GuySuCo friends’, which stated that one of the Corporation’s distributors does not have a bond at De Willem, this information is grossly inaccurate, the bond is in existence at De Willem.

In relation to the articles which stated that ‘In four years, GuySuCo spends over US$11M on outdated spare parts’ and ‘GuySuCo has over $3B in outdated Fiat tractor spares in stock- growing evidence of massive procure-

What has become of landscaping in ever seen our national this country?many instances, all the eyes have flower aside from the printed DEAR EDITOR, I confess that I cannot look at anyone with a straight face or without the blink of an eye and say to him/her that the grounds of many of our state properties are well kept (I do not speak here of having bushes or being untidy).

Have we become so politically minded that we have repudiated the finer things of life, things that enhance the aesthetics of our surroundings?

What has become of landscaping in this country? In

see on these properties are wood and concrete and a few patches of gra s s , w h i c h might be considered to be lawns.

We boast that Guyana is rich in flora, but show me the evidence of this on the grounds of , for example, the Public Buildings, the Umana Yana, the 1823 Monument, the National Aquatic Centre, the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument, to name a few.

How many Guyanese

version on the Coat of Arms?

Maybe a few of our technical institutes may want to offer a course in landscaping. Maybe for our observance of the 50th anniversary of attaining Republic status, the planners should have included a competition for the best landscaped public and private properties in Georgetown. (Just thinking aloud) Arise Guyana!

We need to do better. Can we do it?

Yours faithfully, Bernel L. H. Wickham

ment fraud over time’. These articles are erroneous and mischievous, to say the least, and exposes the limited knowledge of the source of the information, on the scale of the operation of GuySuCo; as well as the limited research done before publishing same.

The Corporation’s total inventory is G$3.6 Billion of which G$61M is Fiat spares, therefore the US$11M (G$2.6 billion) and the G$3 billion in outdated Fiat tractor spares reported, is ridiculous and highly malicious.

The article on 20 May, stated that ‘Kaieteur News recently perused the inventory list of spare parts that GuySuCo bought during 2008 and 2012…according to the list, GuySuCo spent over $2.3 billion on various pieces of spare equipment’, the same article stated that ‘the majority of the outdated spares were bought in 2008’.

If the Kaieteur News had given GuySuCo the courtesy and enquired, it would have been discovered that in 2008, the Corporation changed its computer system to ‘Oracle’ Inventory software, hence in 2008, entries of the items which were in the inventory at the time, were made into the new software, as such, if one looks at the list of inventory, it reflects 2008 for receipt of these items, reflecting the entry onto the software and not

when they were bought, as stated by the newspaper article.

Another point to note is that when an estate closes, the inventory of that estate is transferred to another estate; thus in 2012 when the La Bonne Intention (LBI) estate closed, a large amount of spares were transferred to the Enmore Estate inventory.

Over the years, spares were also transferred from Leonora and Diamond estates, to the inventory of other estates.

Further, on the point of spares, it is important to note that the parent company Case New Holland (CNH), produces Case harvesters, New Holland tractors and Ford tractors, all of which are included in the Corporation’s fleet of machinery, hence the need for Fiat spares which are compatible with and are used in the New Holland tractors as well as in the Fiat tractors. In addition, the industry still has Fiat tractors, which are operational in cane transport, mill dock operations and drain digging, contrary to what is reported in the Kaieteur News articles.

Also, it is important to note that in any industry such as ours, in engineering, it is recommended that 10% running spares are available in inventory for effective maintenance and operations; this

is 10% of the capital cost of the equipment. Based on the scale of the operations of the Corporation, the G$61M in Fiat spares in the inventory of GuySuCo, is well below that 10% required.

The management of the Corporation is well aware that its information is being twisted and manipulated and this is causing irreparable damage to the business.

Since the publication of sensitive pricing information on the Corporation, a price reduction is being sought by another large customer, citing the same reasons as the previous customer reported in one of the articles.

The Management wishes to note that it is trusted with the responsibility to manage a business, also the Corporation has over 11,000 employees and is currently in a challenging transition period and they intend to manage and lead the Corporation and its employees during this difficult period into a resilient and sustainable business and will not be deterred or become distracted.

Yours faithfully, Audreyanna Thomas Corporate Communications Manager Communications Department Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo)

WPA recommits to continuing the fight for ...

From page 5 present to the public its assessment of the government’s tenure. For now, we wish to state that given the challenges it has faced, the government has performed creditably.

There is much to be applauded even as we acknowledge that mistakes were made, some of which could have been

avoided.

Finally, as we approach “First Oil,” WPA is clear about its priorities in that regard.

Whatever economic benefits come our way must be invested directly and indirectly in lifting the material circumstances of the citizens, especially the working poor. It is with this in mind that our party has proposed cash transfers to households as one direct way of ensuring this outcome.

We also believe that direct and indirect investment in education from nursery to university must be a priority.

Elimination of fees at university is a good start, but the university itself should be targeted for a complete overhaul to bring it in line with similar institutions in the region and beyond. Equal priority should be given to the lower levels

including upgrading remuneration for teachers along with improvement of skills.

School buildings should be modernised and equipped with modern facilities. WPA is adamant that this is the most effective path to economic liberation. Finally, WPA challenges the youth to step forward and claim their rightful place in the struggle for change. Young people must demand the mantle of leadership—not beg for it. Walter Rodney and most of his comrades in the 1970s would be deemed youths by today’s standards. Yet they were leading a defining movement for change. WPA stands ready to support any youth movement aimed at social and political transformation.

David Hinds For WPA Executive

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 7

Labour Dept. probes electrocutions at Providence - Worrying questions raised over absence of safety gear

The technicians on the scene Tuesday, shortly before tragedy struck.

Dead: Oliver Anton

Dead: Krishna Chand

The Department of Labour has launched a probe into Tuesday s incident at Providence, East Bank Demerara, where two workers erecting security cameras were electrocuted.

Among other things, the department will determine whether the staffers were properly outfitted with safety gear and whether the company involved was adhering to labour laws.

There are photos taken shortly before the incident occurred which raise worrying questions about safety. It appeared that no one had gloves.

They were working for an outfit named Smart Tech Solutions of Kersaint Park, La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara.

According to records, the business has a sole owner, and is not a company. It is owned by Sean Sookra. It had

been given the contract to install a number of security cameras under the Government s Smart City Project.

The cameras are being placed around the city and at strategic points on the outskirts.

According to the police, a report was lodged shortly after 13:00hrs on Tuesday that two men were electrocuted.

On scene, police ranks found the remains of Krishna Chand, age 21, a technician of Lusignan Pasture, East Coast Demerara, and Oliver Anton, 36, of Buxton.

According to Aftab Umrao, a technician of Smart Tech, they hired a Canter truck, driven by Anton, and with a porter, Brian Culley, to transport them to the National Stadium to install security cameras.

Umrao told police that Chand had the wire for the job wrapped around his neck.

Anton and Culley both helped in holding the metal pole which was attached to a crane on the canter that was lifting it.

According to Umrao, the top of the pole came into contact with a high voltage GPL wire.

Both Chand and Anton took the brunt of the high voltage power that flowed.

Umrao received minor injuries while Culley was burnt on the palm of his left hand.

Chand was burnt beyond recognition. He received burns on the torso, arms and face while Anthon showed no sign of visible injuries.

Both Chand and Anton were declared dead on the scene.

There has been an increasing number of complaints of workplace breaches, with the Labour Department announcing more checks and engagements with employers.

High Court Marshal charged with theft of Army Officer’s wallet, $93,000 A Marshal attached to the New Amsterdam Supreme Court was yesterday charged with the theft of a wallet with money belonging to a Lieutenant attached to the Guyana Defence Force.

Dexter Fraser, 26, of Lot 59 Stanleytown is accused of stealing a black wallet and $93,000 - property of Garvon Douglas, a Lieutenant attached to the GDF. The alleged incident occurred on May 10, last, at a Sports Bar on Coburg Street, New Amsterdam.

Fraser appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge of Simple Larceny. He pleaded not guilty and was placed on his own recognizance. He is being represented by attorney at law Tanya Warren-Clements.

According to the prosecution, about 22:35 hours on the day in question, the men were among a number of persons at the bar.

Douglas received a phone

call and went outside to answer his phone. He left his wallet with the money and a number of other items inside on the counter. He spent about six minutes outside and upon his return his wallet was missing. He decided to ask around and was told that a wallet was picked up and handed to the barman. The barman stated that he gave the wallet to Fraser, who claimed that he had lost his wallet. When contacted, Fraser, who was with some friends, admitted to collecting a wallet, but stated, it was a

brown wallet, which they showed to the victim.

The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. The following day a black wallet was found not too far from the bar. It was drawn to the attention of the police and Douglas. The wallet, which was claimed by Douglas to be his, did not have the $93,000 in it.

Following further investigations a file was prepared and sent for advice and Fraser was subsequently charged. He will make his next court appearance on June 17.

PAGE 8

SARA to get special auditors to tackle corruption in oil sector The State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) will be placing much emphasis on tackling corruption in the oil and gas sector, says Special Assistant to the autonomous body, Eric Phillips.

Speaking with Kaieteur News recently, Phillips said that agency already has inhouse resources dedicated to the cause, but efforts will be made to hire more professionals.

The SARA official said, “The State Asset Recovery Agency has been set up under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). With that as its base, the agency has three objectives: retain or recover stolen or misappropriated state assets, prevent corruption, and examine laws for gaps or loopholes that would allow for resources to be mismanaged.”

He added, “Since SARA is the legal anti-corruption body in Guyana and oil is our largest asset in years to come, then SARA must be involved in oil. It is a sector that is known for attracting corruption.”

Phillips said that for the time being, SARA has a chemical engineer, an investment banker, forensic auditors, who are focused on oil and gas. He said too that special accountants and auditors will also be sought out to examine technical issues in the sector.

For the time being, the State Asset Recovery Agency is investigating the award of two oil blocks to three inexperienced firms by former President, Donald Ramotar just days before the 2015 General and Regional Elections were held.

It is also exploring the possibili-

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

SARA Special Assistant, Eric Phillips ties of licence revocation if corruption is proven by its probe.

On this issue, Phillips had told Kaieteur News, “We have to look at everything.

We want to ensure we understand what happened, meet with the stakeholders involved, and if there were unlawful things at play, we have to figure out how we get them (the Canje and Kaieteur blocks) back.”

Phillips added, “We know one of them had an IPO (an Initial Public Offering, where shares of a company are sold to investors) a year later that rose US$40M. So we have been quietly gathering information, speaking with Oil Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal, and doing our own scanning...”

Just recently, Dr. Mangal took to his Facebook page to comment on the topical issue.

The official reminded that he has been pursuing this matter since 2017.

He had said, “I recall telling ExxonMobil in one of my meet-

ings with them that I believed they used Mid-Atlantic, Ratio, etc, as their proxies, to do their dirty work for them.”

The Oil Consultant believes that there is already sufficient evidence in the public domain for President David Granger to rescind the Kaieteur and Canje awards. He stressed, however, that going after officials is not the objective.

The former Advisor to President Granger said that the objective is purely to earn Guyana the hundreds of millions and potentially billions of US dollars that were lost by these two awards.

Dr. Mangal had said that the blocks need to be taken back, split up into smaller blocks, and auctioned off properly. He added, “And all those who have had interests in these blocks must be banned from participating in any way in these blocks for the next 10 years (including ExxonMobil, Hess, etc).”

Duo freed of 2016 murder The two men who were on trial for the murder of Haribol devotee Citanya Kishundyal have been freed.

Sadif Persaud, called “Guitar”, 21, of Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, and Daniel Mc Clennon, called “Dutty”, 22, of 163 Second Street, Rose Hall To w n , Corentyne, Berbice were freed following not guilty verdicts by the jury.

They were on trial before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a mixed jury in the Berbice High Court. The two men were accused of killing Kishundyal, called “Haribol”, 22, of Lot 28 First Street, Swamp Sect i o n , R o s e H a l l To w n , Corentyne, Berbice. The man was shot and wounded around 22:00 hrs on February 3, 2016, by armed intruders, as he was about to enter his home.

After being shot, Kishundyal was picked up and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital and then the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed on February 5, 2016, while receiving emergency treatment.

The Prosecutions case was presented by attorn e y a t l a w, M a n d e l Moore. The two men were represented by Att o r n e y a t L a w, S a s h a Roberts, of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic.

Justice Barlow took the morning session to sum

Murdered: Citanya Kishundyal up the evidence to the jury. She directed them on aspects of the law and some of the strong points that they should look for in their summation.

The jury after their deliberating returned with unanimous verdicts of not guilty of murder for both accused, when asked by the court registrar.

Justice Barlow before sending them on their way told them that they are young and have their entire lives before them. She admonished them to stay away from trouble and make the best use of their lives. “Dont get into trouble, whenever you see trouble keep as far away as possible. Do not find yourse l v e s i n t h e d o c k s again”.

The men before exiting the court thanked their Lawyer, the jury and the judge before running and hugging their families. They expressed elation at being freed and stated that they were confident all along that they would have been exonerated.

The prosecution called a number of witn e s ses including the deceased mans mother Serojnie Kishundyal , his father Linahar Kishundyal , a relative Mahendra Ramkissoon, and a villager Joel Khan, who testified to being present when certain things were said.

Police witnesses in-

40

cluded Detective Sergeant Kester Moriah, Sergeant Philbert Wilburg, Corporal Reynolds, Detective Corporal Emanuel Davidson, Detective Constable Chetram and Constables Clive Gopaul and Howard Barlow.

Davidson testified to being present when Persaud gave a statement which was taken by Detective Sergeant Lawrence Thomas. He said the man had stated that he was in company with Mc Clennon, Oracle, Ringo and two others, when Kishundyal was shot by Mc Clennon. He acted as the lookout.

Government Pathologist Dr. Neal Singh had testified to performing a post mortem examination on the body of Kishundyal and gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhage d u e t o g u n s h o t i n j u r y.

He said six pellets were removed from the decease body.

Defence Attorney Sasha Roberts had called Detective Inspector and Crime Scene Investigator Curtis Cort and female Prison Officer Virgin Richmond to the witness stand.

Persaud had told the court from the dock that he “doesnt know about the story”. Mc Clennon gave evidence from the witness stand and also denied knowing anything about the matter. He maintained that he was at home with his brother at the time of the shooting.

Thursday June 13, 2019

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Kaieteur News

All oil blocks should be investigated Kaieteur News has exposed enough information to establish a basis for an impartial and independent investigation into the award of oil blocks in the Guyana Basin. The public is entitled to know the basis upon which all blocks were awarded, the transparency of the process, and the bona fides of the companies to whom these blocks were awarded.

An investigation will clear all lingering doubts about the award of the blocks. But it would be unwise for the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) to be asked to undertake such an investigation.

The State Asset Recovery Agency is not the fit and proper agency to do so. In my opinion, the unit is highly politicised, it is manned by persons who have been accused of having axes to grind, and the units legality is being challenged in the Courts.

SARA is headed by a former co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance. One of the persons connected with the agency is a strident critic of the PPPC. Another one has been involved in exchanges in the media with the Leader of the Opposition. Against this background, it will be hard for any investigation launched by SARA to overcome the concerns that it has the potential to be infected with bias.

Another agency, the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) has faced allegations of being used for a witch hunt. That unit has also been a palpable failure and is now the subject of an audit of its operations following accusations of lack of accountability.

SARA, like SOCU, faces a crisis of credibility. Its recovery of stolen or misappropriated state assets is far from stellar. It has had limited success thus

far. The agency is funded by taxpayers, who would no doubt wish to see value for their money.

SARA is at risk of becoming a bureaucratic creature, absorbing public funds with little returns to show.

SARA’s creation was based on a false theory – the notion of the criminalized state. The state of Guyana is corrupt, but no more corrupt than many other states.

But the state has never and is not likely ever to be captured by criminal elements. The theory of the criminalized state, on which the existence of SARA is justified, is based on propaganda.

The principal function of the State Asset Recovery Agency is to recover property unlawfully obtained from the State. SARA is not empowered to determine whether sweetheart deals were made, whether persons had inside information - unless that information or deal would have

Dem boys seh ...

Thief man always got a reason fuh thiefing De more you live is de more you see. And when dem boys want to hear Nancy story all dem got to do is go in de court, especially de Magistrates’ court.

Dem had de old story about a man getting ketch wid a goat pon he shoulder.

According to de story, when de police ask de man about de goat, de man ask ‘Which goat?’

When de police point to his shoulder, de man look surprise and he ask, ‘Wha you doing up deh? Is true wha dem seh. Goat like high places.’

Yesterday dem had a better story in de magistrates’ court. A man get arrest fuh

choke and rob. De excuse he give de magistrate nearly mek de lady faint. He tell she how he see a man choking anodda man suh he push he hand in de man pocket and tek de phone.

When de magistrate ask him why, he tell her how he tek de man phone to call 911 to report de robbery. But he never give back de phone to de victim. Dat is when dem boys seh, he tek de phone to prevent de choke man from tekking it.

Dat does happen when a store burning down. People does see de fire and run to de store to help. Most people does get blame fuh helping dem self but as dem boys seh,

help is help.

So at de store, people does rescue the things from getting bun up and carry dem home fuh safe keeping. Is save people does save de things otherwise dem woulda bun up in de fire. But dem boys know de store owner don’t be thankful although he know insurance gon give him back he things.

In de case of de man who tek out de man phone, de magistrate send him to jail.

He gon be one honest man who gon spend time in jail.

And of course, is only he did see de man who choke de odda man.

Talk half and be careful who you helping.

constituted an illegal act.

There was never any need for SARA to be created to recover assets. Guyana laws and civil jurisprudence provide more than sufficient remedies for the recovery of any stolen assets.

The forfeiture laws of Guyana are adequate to allow for recovery of assets. There is nothing preventing the Attorney General from instituting civil procedures to recover state assets which were illegally acquired. As such, there is absolutely no need for SARA. The timing of SARA’s investigation into the alleged investigation is suspect. SARA seems to have awakened from a long slumber. It has had four years to

determine the owners of these oil blocks and how they were awarded, but it only now, close to elections, decided that an investigation is necessary.

SARA is being selective. It has made it clear that it will not be investigating the oil blocks awarded to Exxon Mobil. But why not? Why not investigate whether the signing bonus was below market value, and if so, what sums need to be recovered from Exxon Mobil. SARA will be seriously pressed to explain how it is that it is willing to investigate the Kaieteur Block and the Canje Block, but not the Stabroek Block. The government should do what the PPPC did when it faced concerns over the OMAI

deal twenty years ago. The PPPC commissioned an independent review of the OMAI deal.

Any investigation that SARA launches, especially with the busy bodies around it, will be tainted with allegations of partisanship. It is better for an international, independent and impartial firm to be used to investigate all oil blocks, including the one awarded to Exxon Mobil.

PAGE 10

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

On June 13, 2019, Walter Rodney’s party has power Today marks 39 years since Walter Rodney was killed. At the time of writing, the WPA, the party Walter headed, is now in government and strategically placed too. After the 2015 election victory of APNU, the WPA was given a parliamentary seat and a Cabinet post, both held by t h e s a m e p e r s o n – D r.

Rupert Roopnaraine.

Clive Thomas was made head of SARA. Dr. Maurice Odle took the chairmanship of NICIL. That was the WPA’s quota. Since then, the WPA’s presence has increased. WPA’s executive member (there are only five executive members and that number constitutes the party’s general membership), Desmond

Trotman, was selected by the President to be a GECOM Commissioner.

Roopnaraine has been replaced as Minister of the Public Service by WPA chairman, Tabitha SaraboHalley, but Roopnaraine is still there holding the position of Director of Public Service Training.

So on this, the 39th ann i v e r s a r y o f Wa l t e r R o d n e y ’s p a s s i n g , t h e WPA has extended its influence in government since the last death anniversary. In 2018, the WPA did not sponsor the death anniversary event. The advertisement in the newspapers, listed “Friends of Wa l t e r R o d n e y ” a s t h e hosts. At the time of writing this piece, I haven’t

seen any notice if there is going to be a celebration of Walter’s life for the 39th anniversary of his death.

For the time he was Minister of Education (June 2015 to July 2017), Roopnaraine did not attend any of the death anniversary ceremonies. Clive Thomas has not spoken at any of these gatherings, though I can recall I saw him at one of them.

There has never been governmental input into the organizing of the event.

Will it be different today, assuming that there will be an observation of the 39th anniversary of the passing of the great revolutionary?

I doubt it, and we can look no further than in the direction of David Hinds. He writes; “Here in Guyana, Walter Rodney and the WPA are generally forgotten—the party has been relegated to the fringe of the political landscape. The WPA, the only Radical Left party of

the region that survives, has ceased to be radical.

Our party is now part of a government and coalition which do not share our traditional political agenda.”

Is it a question that the WPA has ceased to be radical or has there been a shocking decline of political integrity of many of its leaders, a decayed process that is far more putrid than the similar occurrences in the PPP and PNC? I saw Roopnaraine at the cremation of Andaiye last Saturday, and couldn’t bring myself to say hello. I have not spoken to Clive Thomas since 2014, but I did last Tuesday.

I contacted him for the column I did on SARA yesterday. I asked him how someone with his ideological background, could have SARA renting its office from a multi-billion family business. He said they couldn’t find similar accommodation. I didn’t tell him then; I am saying it now – I don’t believe him.

I asked him what the rent was, since I know it is in the millions. Thomas, the head of SARA, works out of a building and doesn’t

know how much rent his outfit is paying. Thomas thinks I am a fool. Is it a cessation of radicalism or pathetic decline?

Ta c u m a Ogunseye wrote a letter in the press three years ago, in which he noted that Roopnaraine informed his party executives that he could not discuss Cabinet business with them. One of the leading members of the group named the “Overseas Friends of the WPA,” told me that he, along with David Hinds and Dr. Alissa Trotz, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Education Dr. Roopnaraine, and after the meeting, he felt that the WPA should have expelled Roopnaraine.

The remnants of this revolutionary party of the seventies now endorse and support perhaps the most shameful neoliberal government Guyana has had.

The Jagdeo regime was neoliberal, but many of the PPP ministers retained their working class credentials and did positive economic things for poor people. Forbes Burnham is turning in his grave. They weakened Burnham’s grip

Frederick Kissoon on power, but look at the mediocre government these remnants support.

In another column on the WPA, I will quote the glorious statements of Roopnaraine and Thomas on their participation in the revolution against Burnham from the book, “Walter Rodney: A Promise of Revolution”.

I end with the reproduction of part on an email Andaiye sent me not long before her death. She wrote of the remnants of the WPA; “Although I retain friendship with some leaders here and overseas, I don’t agree with what they’re doing politically and I don’t want to be associated with it. Regards, A”.

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

Govt. must show more respect for Procurement Act - Auditor General Upon reflecting on the numerous infractions documented in his 2017 report, Auditor General Deodat Sharma is of the firm view that there needs to be more respect for the Procurement Act by the government and its respective agencies.

During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News re-

cently, Sharma called for there to be more training in the area of procurement, for disciplinary action to be taken against those who fail to respect the law of the land, as well as for efforts to be made to recover overpayments.

Sharma said, “My 2017 report shows instances where

contracts above $1.5M were awarded using the threequote method, when this should not be the case. There are instances where contracts were being awarded without advertisements and works which were done but had no evaluation report...”

His biggest grouse, however, is with the spending on

the D’Urban Park Stadium.

F r o m 2 0 1 7 t o n o w, Sharma said he is yet to receive critical documentation that would support the transparent spending of millions of dollars for the project. Sharma said that he has never witnessed a case of this magnitude before. The Auditor General said, “They should not have sole sourced. They knew Independence Day was coming up and they should have planned for it... To date, I don’t have information on the spending of millions of dollars...

I even wrote a letter to the private company that was created, Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI), for the implementation of the project and it came back as not accepted...”

Further to this, Sharma reminded that his 2017 report notes in detail, the number of anomalies he came across during his examination of the financial situation involving the controversial D’Urban Park Jubilee Stadium.

Sharma had said that at December 31, 2017, amounts totaling $1.150B were expended on the project.

H o w e v e r, P a y m e n t Vouchers to support the expenditure of $107.119M were not produced for audit examination. As such, Sharma said that the completeness, accuracy, and validity of this amount could not be determined.

In addition to this, the Auditor General pointed out that the amount of $500M was

Auditor General Deodat Sharma paid to Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI), the private company that was created to implement the D’Urban Park Project. This was paid over to the company so that it could meet its obligation to its creditors.

However, Sharma found that there was no documentation attached to the Payment Vouchers to indicate the works done or that supervisory checks were carried out on the works. He highlighted too that there was no certification to show that the works were satisfactorily completed.

Further to this, Sharma said that the list of HDI creditors and Government’s proposed payment allocation to each creditor was attached to the Payment Vouchers. In the circumstances, the Auditor General said that the cor-

rectness, accuracy and validity of the payments made could not be determined.

Sharma in his 2017 report said that his Office wrote the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure on July 19, 2018, requesting documentation detailing the works done, supervisory checks of the said works, as well as certification that works were satisfactorily completed.

The Head of the Budget Agency later explained that the Ministry was not involved in the operations of HDI, hence, it did not have any information detailing supervisory checks or their methodology of determining that works were satisfactorily completed.

Sharma told Kaieteur News that his Office is still conducting its investigations into the case.

Mayor frustrated with Engineer’s Dept. over state of manholes in the city Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine expressed frustration at the City Engineer’s Department over the state of manholes in the city.

During a Statutory meeting on Monday, the Mayor noted that councillors complained about several manholes around the City which have no covers.

Last month, Councillor Heston Bostwick told the council that three children fell into a manhole at James Street, Albouystown.

The councillor complained that it was “due to our negligence, limbs can be lost.”

In response to enquiries from the council, City Engineer Colvern Venture said that there are some nine manholes around the city currently without covers.

“You know something

named fed up? The Mayor is fed up of the Engineer’s Department,” Narine said responded.

This is not the first time that the engineer’s department has come under fire for manhole incidents.

The M&CC has received a number of requests for compensation from citizens, claiming millions of dollars in damages as a result of falling into manholes. Former Mayor Patricia Chase Green had noted that staff of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council had to be more careful in carrying out their work and dealing with the public.

“I’m tired of complaints against the Engineer’s Department involving senior building inspectors. You’re dodging the people, hiding from them, telling them to

come back over and over. The attitude of those in the Engineer ’s Department stinks; their attitude towards citizens is unacceptable,” Chase-Green had lamented.

She said it was high time that some officers from that department go home, because they are at work doing absolutely nothing.

“You have officers in the yard liming whole day,” she charged, and when they are picked up and taken into the fields, they produce the reports months after; and worse yet, give the excuse that they have to revisit the location before submitting the reports.

The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown was expected to compensate at least two people in relation to manhole incidents.

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

PAGE 13

Education overhaul must be Traffic lectures conducted to priority for oil money - WPA raise Road Safety Awareness

W

ith first oil q u i c k l y approaching, conversations about getting value for the exploitation of the resource are rife in public discussion. It's already decided that a portion of the revenue from production will go to the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

But of what will be spent in the short term, the Working People's Alliance (WPA) says that government's priority must be an overhaul of the education system.

To d a y i s t h e 3 9 t h Anniversary of the death of Walter Rodney, a prominent historian and academic who was assassinated in 1980 for his activism. In the spirit of advocacy, the WPA has issued a statement to honour him, and to demand betterment for society.

One of the strongest recommendations made by the WPA is that direct and indirect investment be made into education, from nursery to university level.

It notes that equal priority should be given to the lower levels (primary and secondary schools) including upgrading

remuneration for teachers along with improvement of skills. “School buildings should be modernized and equipped with modern facilities. WPA is adamant that this is the most effective path to economic liberation.”

“The public education system has been failing, at the primary and secondary levels to produce grades that prepare students to compete on the international stage. In 2018, the percentages of passes at the end of secondary school were 67 percent and 43 percent for English A and Mathematics, respectively.

At the primary level, those were 60 percent and 38 percent, respectively.

The Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 has laid out a series of recommendations to be made at different levels, including acquiring international accreditation for teacher training schools, and embracing indigenous cultural methods to teach those communities.”

As for tertiary education, the WPA has recommended elimination of tuition fees. Even then, it states that the university

has to be targeted for a complete overhaul “to bring it in line with similar institutions in the region and beyond.”

The call for tuition fees to be abolished started earlier this year when a movement led by Elson Low, the Free UG Movement, announced its formation.

Since then, a number of trade unions and the University of Guyana Students' Society have called for same. Both government and opposition have also indicated that they are considering removing tuition frees from tertiary education, ahead of General and Regional Elections.

“Finally, WPA challenges the youth to step forward and claim their rightful place in the struggle for change.”

The WPA called on young people to demand – not beg for – the mantle of leadership.

By all indicators today, it notes, Walter Rodney and his comrades in the 1970s would be deemed youths by today's standards. “Yet they were leading a defining movement for change.” The party stated that it stands ready to support any youth movement aimed at social and political transformation.

A traffic rank delivering a lecture to students

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force attached to the Suddie Police Station recently visited the Riverstown and Golden Fleece Primary Schools, where they conducted traffic lectures.

A numbers of topics were discussed inclusive of the curb drill, which side of the road to work on, colour of clothing to be worn at night, rules of the road and many others.

A total of 200 students and 27 teachers

from both schools were in attendance and demonstrations were given to ensure that the students understood exactly what they were being lectured about.

These lectures are in keeping with the Traffic Department's mandate to raise awareness of road safety and to educate those who are more vulnerable on the roadways, about the steps and measures they could take to protect themselves while using the country's roadways and pedestrian crossings.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

Judge to rule on legality of charges against Irfaan Ali

T

he High Court has concluded hearing arguments in an application brought by former Minister of Housing Irfaan Ali, who is asking for several fraud charges against him in relation to the controversial Pradoville Two scheme, to be quashed.

Following a final hearing yesterday at the High Court in Demerara, Justice Franklin Holder indicated that notices will be sent to the lawyers involved in the case as to when a ruling will be given.

Ali was arrested and slapped with 19 charges in late November last year by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyana Police Force. He was hauled before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. The former minister is accused of defrauding government of over $174M, by selling several plots of state lands, below the market value, to former ministers of the then PPP/C government.

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

The lands which were sold for a mere $39.8M, are valued at $212.4M, according to SOCU. He has since been released on self bail. In hearing Ali's application, Justice Holder granted an order halting the

Magistrate's Court from proceeding with the matters, until a ruling is made by the High Court.

Ali is asking the High Court for an order of Certiorari quashing the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge him with the offence of conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law, on the basis that it was irrational, biased, and influenced by improper considerations and motives. He also wants an order of Certiorari quashing the information of oath of Munilall Persaud, Corporal of Police at SOCU, on the 19 charges.

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

According to SOCU, Ali is accused of 'grossly underselling' the 19 plots of state lands to former President Bharrat Jagdeo, former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon; Luncheon's wife, Floreen Ramnaught; and former ministers Priya Manickchand, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Robert Persaud and Clement Rohee, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar AliHack; former army chief-of-staff Gary Best, and Fortune Developers Inc. (Guyana) Ali is also accused of selling lands to

Ex-Minister Irfaan Ali

former General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board and daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, Lisaveta Ramotar; former President of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo and the son of former Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul, Dr. Ghansham Singh; former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer, Rajendra Singh; and former president of the Caribbean Development B a n k , D r. C o m p t o n B o u r n e .

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

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

East Berbice man charged with kidnapping wife

T

he man who is accused of kidnapping his wife has been remanded to jail after he was slapped with four charges.

Martin Baker, 50, a labourer of Warren Village, East Coast Berbice, is accused of abducting Dhanmattie Sumara, 29, his wife, on June 5, with intent to cause her to be secretly confined.

He was also charged with common assault and threatening behaviour committed on Sumara, on June 4. He is further charged with malicious damage to property, also on June 4, after was alleged that he damaged a door belonging to Jaipaul Jaimaul.

Baker appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore in the Albion Magistrate's Court and was remanded to jail until July 12, when the matter is expected to come up for report.

According to Prospector Inspector Althea Solomon,

Charged: Martin Baker the man and the woman are known to each other. They lived as husband and wife and have two children.

Following a number of disputes, the woman moved out of the man's house and was staying by a friend.

Baker subsequently turned up where the woman was staying, broke down the door, and reportedly dragged

Dhanmattie Sumara her out of the house by her hair, while lashing her with a cutlass. He subsequently forced her, against her will, into a vehicle, and took her to the Berbice Bridge entrance and then to Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The police were notified about their location and the man was arrested and brought back to Berbice.

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Thursday June 13, 2019

State to pay out $28M for police Youth, 22, pleads guilty to raping two minors, woman killing of Shaquille Grant

A

multimilliondollar lawsuit filed against the State by Shonette Adams, the mother of Agricola, East Bank Demerara teen Shaquille Grant, who was shot and killed by police just over six years ago, ended abruptly on Monday with the State agreeing to pay $28M. High Court Judge Gino Persaud continued hearing the matter, when lawyers for the State agreed to pay the sum, although a formal order is yet to b e p r epared by the court.

The mother was suing the State for in excess of $300,000 over (a) the wrongful death of her son, (b) breach of his fundamental right under Artic l e 1 3 8 of the Constitution of Guyana, not to be deprived of his life intentionally, and for (c) assault and battery.

For each of the abovementioned claims, the mother is asking for damages in excess of $100,000. She is also asking the court for (d) exemplary damages, (e) costs, (f) interest and (g) such further or other order as seen just by the court.

In a writ dated December

18, 2014, filed on behalf of Adams, Attorney Nigel Hughes stated that she is the administratrix for the estate of her deceased son and that Hughes along with Attorneysat-Law Andrew Pollard, Elizabeth Deane-Hughes, Donna Bailey and Jed Vasconcellos, are authorized to act on her behalf.

Apart from Attorney General Basil Williams being listed as a defendant, former policemen Warren Blue, Jamal Lewis and Terrance Wallace were also listed as defendants.

Grant, 17, formerly of Lot 110 Caesar Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, was fatally shot after police ranks on mobile patrol swoopeddownon a group of youths in the community on September 11, 2012.

Police in a press release said that on the day of the shooting, the ranks came under fire and they returned fire, fatally wounding Grant.

Police said a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver was also recovered at the scene.

According to the police, they had received information that a gang in Agricola was

- to undergo psychiatric evaluation

F

Shaquille Grant

ollowing his admittance to raping two under-aged girls and a woman, 22-year-old Leon Jordan was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation

by Justice Brassington Reynolds who noted that the serial rapist needs “specialized help.”

Jordan appeared at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara where he pleaded guilty to three rape charges.

According to the first indictment, on February 02, 2012 in Demerara, Jordan engaged in sexual penetration with a sevenyear-old girl. The second charge stated that on January 13, 2013, Jordan engaged in sexual penetration with a 14-year-old girl. The last charge stated that on October 25, 2016, he engaged in sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent.

In addressing the court, Jordan said, “Is good to talk the truth before you regret it.

Prison is not a nice place for people who committed certain offences.” Responding, Justice Reynolds questioned Jordan as to whether he used drugs. Jordan responded in the affirmative, stating that he used “herbs” before his incarceration for the offences.

Apart from the psychiatric evaluation, Justice Reynolds ordered that a probation report be compiled on Jordan, who was remanded to prison until June 26, for

planning a robbery on a business entity located near the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. Police ranks Terrence Wallace, Warren Blue and Jamal Lewis were subsequently charged for the murder of Grant.

After a lengthy trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown, a 12-member mixed jury acquitted Wallace of the murder.

While Lewis still remains at large, Blue was shot and killed on December 15, 2015 during a botched robbery at Montrose, East Coast D e merara. He never appeared in court to answer From page 3 to the murder charge. divestments must be remitted to GuySuCo in order to fund its strategic plan. The corporation made it clear that NICIL/SPU ought not to be the beneficiaries of the proceeds as currently obtains.

Confessed rapist, Leon Jordan

sentencing. Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs and Seeta Bishundial appeared for the State, while Attorney-at-Law Maxwell McKay represented the confessed rapist.

GuySuCo questions close relation between...

“Additionally, GuySuCo is still awaiting a full report from NICIL/SPU on all and any transaction(s) which were completed or are in progress in relation to its immoveable and moveable assets, including the scrap metals,

m a c h i n e r y, p l a n t a n d equipment. GuySuCo would also like to be informed by NICIL of the extent of the valuation done by PWC. Were all four estates including cultivations and other assets valuated?”

With regards to the $7B which NICIL claims is not b e i n g a c c o u n t e d f o r, GuySuCo said it is appalled by these statements, since NICIL is well aware that the corporation has several layers to ensure financial accountability.

“These include the procurement process by use of a credible tender process and annual financial statements among others.

NICIL/SPU is once again invited to review the company's financial records within the legal requirements.”

GuySuCo also denied it is using or wants to use NICIL's money to buy vehicles.

“Finally, the Corporation has indeed requested duty free concessions to purchase appropriate vehicles to conduct its business, however, no SUVs or luxury vehicles as reported in the press were requested.

The vehicles include double and single cab pickups for agricultural/farming use (to be used in the backdam/cultivations).

Additionally, contrary to reports in the media, the funds from the bond were not used to purchase the said vehicles.”

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

Venezuelan woman loses part of arm in row over gold

T

ifanny Daniels, 21, a Venezuelan national who migrated to Guyana, encountered an unexpected ill fate in Cuyuni when one of her co-workers chopped off part of one of her arms over the disappearance of six pennyweight of gold.

Around 9:00 p.m. on Friday last, Daniels and her boyfriend Daniel Gobin, 19, were reportedly imbibing with 'Bull', a fellow worker, at a shop close to their camp.

It is alleged that 'Bull' was in possession of six pennyweight of Gobin's gold, but denied that he had the gold, after which a fight broke out between the two men.

Daniels and her boyfriend subsequently left that shop and returned to the camp at which they were stationed.

Later, around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, Gobin was suddenly awoken by a scream from his girlfriend.

He recalled seeing the woman jump out of bed and running around the bedroom.

He related, “I see me girl on the ground and she hand cut off. Blood all over de place, and when I turn, I spot Bull with a cutlass and he start chopping me around me body. I jump out of de bed and snatch de cutlass from he, and dats how I get this cut pon me hand. After I grab de cutlass from he, he dash run out of de room.”

Daniels was airdashed to

the city, where she was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital and remains a patient of the Intensive Care Unit.

Gobin was also admitted to the hospital after receiving several shops around his body, but he was discharged on Saturday.

The police have reportedly moved into the area and ordered the miners to vacate the location.

Investigations are currently ongoing.

GPL's inefficiency sparks mini-protest outside Minister's office

P

ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson yesterday received an unannounced visit from several persons, including activist Don Singh, who gathered in front of his Wight's Lane, Kingston office, to protest against the frequent power outages currently being experienced.

The protestors expressed their frustration with the incompetence of Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) – which they labelled 'GPHELL' - and the company's constant efforts to hoodwink the public by using technical terminology such as 'line maintenance' and 'load shedding' to describe the l e n g t h y, m a d d e n i n g blackouts that are being experienced on a daily basis.

They also stressed that electricity is a right, not a privilege.

Minister Patterson in response expressed empathy with those present and gave

assurances that urgent steps are being taken to address the situation.

PAGE 17

Venezuelan national, Tiffany Daniels

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

8 prisoners graduate from anger management course

(From left, front row) Officer-in-charge of the Georgetown Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, Facilitators Denise McKenzie and Hubert Jack, along with six of the eight graduates of the Anger Management programme.

“The programme carried a massive effect on us,” related Mohammed Ali - a prisoner who completed 12 weeks training as an Anger M a n a g e m e n t Tr a i n i n g programmer. He was one of eight prisoners who graduated from the programme.

Ali said that if it were not for the initiative by the Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels and the various facilitators, they would not have the knowledge they have acquired.

“We learnt well from the programme. We learnt more about anger and how anger could affect people. Anger could be good, and anger could be bad, it all depends on how you decide to relate

it,” Ali stated.

The Director of Prisons, in brief remarks, noted that the training is part of a rehabilitative drive that held under the theme 'Revitalising a purpose-driven organisation'. The training is the third such programme conducted at the Camp Street Prison.

Director Samuels pointed out that in the prison environment, anger management is sometimes the key to survival and the thin line between freedom and continued imprisonment.

“It is through such training that we intend to build capacity so that those persons who are sent to be with us for a particular period of time, they will be able to

effectively deal with angerrelated issues during that period and come out of prison at their prescribed time and not have to do other sentences…For the time that we have reconstituted this training, we have seen a significant reduction in terms of the prisoner to prisoner violence… we are seeing a significant change in prisoners' behaviours across the prison service.”

He explained that many persons who were once deemed the 'bad eggs' are now advocates for other prisoners to conduct themselves in a respectable manner. Samuels indicated that one of the reasons for the lack of larger batches is due to space constraint and not

the lack of funds.

Nevertheless, he said that the prison directorate remains confident that as the prison infrastructure continues to be developed, more prisoners will benefit from such rehabilitative training.

Samuels made it clear that rehabilitation of prisoners is an ongoing process, stating that “we are adequately preparing them whether it is with skill or educational training so that when they are released back into society, they are productive citizens.

We have many persons who would have left these walls, and they are now gainfully employed as a result of the skills they would have acquired.” (DPI)

PAGE 19

“High and frustrated” man jailed for robbery at gas station “I was high and frustrated because I'm unemployed, that's why I robbed the man,” an unrepresented accused told the court yesterday.

Shawn Bascom, who was charged for robbery with aggravation appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Principal Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty and pleaded guilty to the charge that was read to him. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

Bascom robbed Zheng Teng Fei of $500,000, property of Cheng Ming, the Chief Executive Officer of Falls Gas Station, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, on June 9.

According to Bascom, he wanted to see his fouryear-old daughter for Father's Day and he needed money to help his sick father.

Police prosecutor Seon Blackman then stated the facts of the charge that on

June 9, at Falls Gas Station, Zheng Teng Fei who is the supervisor of the gas station , exited the western door with a black plastic bag in his hands containing the cash.

Bascom along with an accomplice then approached Te n g F e i , a n d t h e accomplice choked Teng Fei while Bascom took away the bag with the money and attempted to escape. While attempting to escape he was apprehended by the security guard of the gas station.

The police were then summoned and Bascom was arrested. He still had the money in his possession. His accomplice managed to escape. Bascom was then taken into police custody.

“No risk, No reward” Bascom told the court.

Principal Magistrate Mc Gusty after listening to the facts and what Bascom had to say, sentenced him and left him with a quote “he who takes the benefit must also take the burden.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday June 13, 2019

Another Berbice rank squeals on claims $1M collected by rogue corrupt colleagues -cops to keep suspect out of jail - Ramjattan urges investigation

W

ith a number of damning revelations made against several Berbice cops by two of their own, another one has mustered the courage to speak out.

According to the cop, there is significant evidence of the connection between several of his colleagues and the criminal network in the Ancient County.

Speaking under the condition that his identity will not be revealed, the rank disclosed that two others , collected $1M, in two parts, from the now dead bandit, Kelvin 'Kelly' Shivgobin to ensure that he would not be re-arrested in connection with a murder case that was dismissed in 2018 due to lack of evidence.

In that matter, businessman Patrick Mohabir was murdered during the course of a robbery at his home and business place at Belvedere Village, where Shivgobin was arrested and charged.

One of the 'corrupt' cops was said to have struck up a friendship with Shivgobin during that time.

After the matter was dismissed from the courts, with Shivgobin allowed to go free, advice was given shortly after to have him rearrested and charged.

However, according to the new whistleblower, somebody tipped off Shivgobin.

According to the source, a deal was struck and it was agreed that $500,000 would

have to be paid by Shivgobin. That money, the source said, was collected by the two rogue cops.

The numbers of both men were found in the phones of Shivgobin, who along with two others, was killed in the backdam of Black Bush Polder during a police operation, after a number of robberies in the area.

A hire car driver who had linkages to criminal activities in the past was named as the person who transported the two ranks to uplift the money from Shivgobin at a location in Albion.

However, after that amount was paid, not long after Shivgobin was contacted again by one of the 'dirty' cops and told that money that he already paid was not enough and another $500,000 would be needed to keep him from being arrested by his colleagues.

"I know he had the file for the case in his possession and he say that advice was given to re-arrest this man, but when we went on patrol a time I know he take the money and we never hear back about the file. The file went in he possession for some time.”

The source said one time he overheard a conversation between the rank and someone on the phone.

He said he heard the man telling the person on the phone that the $500,000 was not enough because he had to pay his "boss-man" some from it and as such, he needed more.

The informant said that he confirmed that it was Shivgobin the rank was speaking to because he got a chance to see the number on the phone screen.

DIVERSION According to him, at that time the patrol was already on the hunt for Shivgobin, but the detective directed the patrol vehicle to the hire car driver's house, while he (whistleblower) and the other rank said they were heading somewhere else.

The informing rank stated that the money was purportedly uplifted then from Shivgobin.

A legal source yesterday said that it is not unusual for legal advice to be missing from police files.

Kaieteur News also confirmed that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was awaiting the deposition in case to be sent and that has not been done.

Meanwhile, adding to the list of allegations brought forward, the 'rogue cop' who has made it known many times that he is being covered by a senior cop in Georgetown, had asked a murder accused while he was in their custody, under questioning, to "bring forward $400,000 fuh leh he go free".

H o w e v e r, t h e m a n reportedly told the detective that he did not commit the crime they were accusing him of, and as such he would not be giving any money.

The mother of the

accused confirmed the information and stated: "He tell me son fuh give he $400,000 fuh the matter go away and me son keep on saying he nah do nothing so why he go pay any money".

T h e m a n w a s subsequently hauled before the court for the murder and the police then had claimed that he confessed.

Another police whistleblower had insisted that the teen never confessed.

In fact, confessions are done on video but in that case, there was no video confession. That matter is currently ongoing.

The second police informant said: "If he had confessed, they would have had it on video, they don't have it. We heard that a friend of 'Kelly' paid the detective fuh pin the crime on somebody for that murder.”

In that case, a wanted bulletin was issued for the now dead Shivgobin for questioning in connection with the murder.

It was only a few days ago when a police rank in Berbice came forward with the damning allegations that the numbers of several of his colleagues were found in the call log and contact list of one of the dead bandits killed in Black Bush Polder during a shootout.

The first whistleblower had also stated that the rank is being protected by a high ranking police from Georgetown whom he once allegedly paid $120,000 to

Paid cops to stay out of jail: The now dead, Kelvin Shivgobin have him sent back to Berbice after he was transferred to the Tactical Service Unit in Georgetown for a gun-related matter.

STILL IN CHARGE Kaieteur News was also told that the said senior policeman is often seen imbibing at a popular gambling spot on the Corentyne, a location the source had said is a haven for questionable characters.

T h e s e c o n d whistleblower also confirmed that the senior cop received that payment to have the "dirty cop" transferred back to Berbice.

“Is everybody who you ent really expect involved in certain things and it got to stop man. Is the whole force looking bad when it got some bad characters tainting the image. The big ones dem doing it and they linking some junior ones to keep it going.”

He too is calling for an independent investigation to

be done into the allegations leveled.

They are of the firm belief that if the said senior police from Georgetown is heading the investigation then "nothing will come out of it". Both ranks had said that the numbers of four ranks were found in the cellphones of one of the bandits, Meanwhile, q u e s t i o n e d y e s t e r d a y, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, said that while he has not been briefed by the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, it is not surprising.

He acknowledged that in almost every country, one would expect some collusion between law enforcement and criminals.

“If that is the case here well I won't be surprised. I would want further investigation to verify its truthfulness and authenticity, and of course, to get those who would might be involved criminally prosecuted.”

Region 10 Regional Chairman vows to take action against river obstruction

R

egional Chairman, Mr. Renis Morian, has made it clear that he and his Council will not sit by and allow the actions of a few to create undue difficulties for residents of Region 10. The Regional Chairman was at the time speaking at the most recent sitting of the Regional Democratic Council statutory meeting, where he issued an ultimatum to have a dragger (a water dredge that is used to do mining) removed.

The dragger in question is positioned in the vicinity of Surapana Farm and according to Morian, if moves are not made swiftly to address this issue those responsible will have to face the ire

Region 10 Regional Chairman, Renis Morian of affected residents.

According to the Regional Chairman, a great deal of the

region's agricultural activities are done along the river and creeks, thus the presence of the dragger has had a negative impact. He noted too that a number of residents depend heavily on the river water to take care of their farms which are being obstructed.

He said that while the dragger near Surapana Farm is somewhat hidden, he and others are nevertheless aware of its presence in the river.

“If you look for them (draggers) by the bridge, you wouldn't see them.

We went through this same thing last year. I am appealing to the powers that be to address this

matter, because when I was coming in - and this is the part that is disturbing me - some persons told me that they are not coming to me again on this matter,” he said.

Morian revealed that he was told that there is a plan being hatched by some residents to take matters into their own hands. “I can't repeat what they said they will do, but what we want is to keep the peace in Region 10.

I know what they plan to do will result in the peace being disturbed, but it boggles the mind to know that even after bringing this situation to the attention of the GGMC and the Ministry of Natural Resources, since last year, we are having the

problem again,” he noted.

“The people will do things that we don't want them to do.

We don't want the peace that we have to be eroded,” said Morian, adding that he would not repeat the actions some residents have threatened, but warned that if implemented they can have some serious consequences which he would rather prevent altogether.

This is in light of the Regional Chairman's desire to see Linden embrace a reputation of being a peaceful community, although he did share his willingness to help “defend any actions or inactions that seek to place the (continued on page 22)

Thursday June 13, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Ghana prepared to review its contracts with oil companies failing to honour obligations – Investment official While investment in the oil industry is important, ensuring that the citizens of an oil-producing country yield the benefits of the resource is even more critical. This is according to Yofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, (GIPC).

The investment official, who accompanied Ghana‘s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his just concluded State visit to Guyana, shared briefly his nation’s take on the growing oil industry.

While acknowledging that the two nations are at different stages when it comes to oil production, the Ghanaian official said both nations must utilize all avenues to safeguard the valuable commodity. He emphasized that it is very important that the people of Guyana benefit from its resources. Grant asserted that “while oil needs a lot of investment there must be balance. So there are terms and conditions attached to the agreements and contracts, and if the oil companies fail to develop the blocks then there are consequences at some point if you haven’t developed it… then of course it will be taken away because the resources belong to the State”.

He added that “It is critical to note that this is an asset that really belongs to the people; you would expect the resource to benefit Guyana more than those who have come to export the resources …. So you must leave renegotiation of blocks as an option…”

Grant said that Ghana‘s experience with oil has led the country to develop a comprehensive

President David Granger in discussion with President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo during his recent State visit.

legal regime to deal with issues from the industry.

He noted that in order to support the implementation of the key laws in the sector, Ghana’s Government, through the Minister of Energy (the Minister) and the Petroleum Commission, has enacted a number of regulations and guidelines, and developed policies for the sector.

The establishment of the state oil and gas corporation, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, (GNPC) and the passage of key legislation have laid the foundation and provided the framework for activities in the industry.

Grant noted that the coun-

try has adopted a model petroleum agreement based on international best practice to attract suitable investment. He stressed that his country wants the best deal for its people.

Last October, Ghana’s President had charged the Energy Ministry to review critically existing oil exploratory activities and petroleum agreements, as part of efforts to ensure efficiency and transparency in the management of its oil and gas resources.

According to the Ghana NewsAgency (GNA), the review was to determine oil fields that are sub-optimal, and possibly lead to the termination of the contracts of operators, who persis-

tently fail to meet their minimum work obligations.

“The Ministry of Energy will engage with the operators, after the review, on the adoption of best methods for increasing oil recovery rate,” the President said

The Head of State had also initiated the first Ghana Oil and Gas Licensing [Bidding] Round which would permit the allocation of new petroleum rights.

“For Petroleum Agree-

ments that are dormant, the Ministry will encourage the operators to consider inviting stronger partners to join them or risk the termination of these Petroleum Agreements, should they persist in failing to meet their minimum work obligations,” he stressed.

President Akufo-Addo further asked the Ministry, the Petroleum Commission, GNPC and the Licensing Rounds Committee to co-operate and ensure that activities under the oil and gas licensing round are carried out in a transparent and efficient manner.

He said the move is in keeping with the 2016 manifesto of the New Patriotic Party’s pledge to “improve transparency in the management of our oil and gas resources.

President Akufo-Addo had noted that the countries that had benefited immensely from their oil and gas resources are those that implemented policies to accelerate value addition activities in their economies, through the development of forward and backward linkages, and by investing oil revenues in strategic social and economic programmes.

PAGE 22

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

Bus drivers, conductors colluding with thieves - Unsuspecting commuters being robbed

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Transported houselots for sale- payment plans available, 200k downpayment, 20k monthly #233-6997/622-1957

Cook, Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St

TO LET

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Lot 89 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown.

Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 6175323, 666-8052.

Experienced cook & Waiter/ Waitress, Apply @ Parika 2nd Flat Boodhoo’s General Store.

Contact#650-0402/664-4663

MASSAGE & HEALTH

Need two men to make cement blocks #693-9999

CAR RENTAL

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! .

CALL: 690-6494

WANTED

Parfaite Harmonie- Front land $1.8M Tel#697-6311

House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657/ yasharabhola4@gmail.com

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’sPER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 6435122,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM

FOR RENT

1 cleaner for fish processing plant, 1 fish processing plant supervisor, 1 truck driver, Experienced Fish processing plant workers #227-5672/5002661

Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 5024002/600-8457 Driver/Expediter. Contact# 223-5273/74 Driver/Salesman, Experience is an asset. Call: 663-5800 Female cleaner office & home.

Call: 642-9823

1 shop assistant to work in ther interior experience would be an asset. #669-3162

Persons needed for Interior.

Age 21-40. Phone #674-1767/ 661-7265

(1) 2002/2006 Toyota Allion or Premio. Contact #685-8980

Deskstaff, Receptionist 25-45 yrs 233 South Road Lacytown/ 225-0198

1 - Male Ablebodied clerk.

Call: 231-2029/616-5954 Vegetarian Gardens- Driver, Salesman and Porter #2277 7 1 4 / 2 2 3 - 3 4 4 8 info@vgiworld.com Urgently need one land to buy in Herstelling new scheme.

Tel#648-1635

Experienced Male Porters & Salesgirls with 2 yrs experience. CXC maths & english. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529 Supervisor for Xenon Hotel in Essequibo. Contact#2235273/74

General domestic. 3 Days work. Must know to cook.

Apply with 2 references.

Labourer to work on cash KeyFood McDoom village crop farm. Experience - 5yrs.

Salary - $5000-$6000 per day. One male Janitor, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Tel#695-6139 Street Bourda Bus Driver. 225-3234

Commuters are now in great fear for their lives and safety, as recent incidents have revealed a disturbing development - bus drivers and conductors are reportedly colluding with thieves to rob passengers.

Passengers are reporting that at least two buses on the Dairy/ Parfaite Harmony Bus Parks are being used to transport thieves who are picked up at various areas, and who would enter the vehicles under the pretext of being paying passengers. These criminal elements would choose opportune moments to rob passengers at knifepoint or gunpoint of cash and valuables.

Kaieteur News understands that last week Tuesday, around 23:50 hrs, a minibus conducted by a conductor, said to be a deportee, picked up three men on the Mc Doom Public Road. It is said that a female joined the bus at Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, and began chatting and fooling around with the three men.

Victims of what eventually turned out to be a robbery indicated that when the bus was in the vicinity of Westminster, all three of the men whipped out guns and robbed several passengers of valuables.

Credible sources indicated that strangely, the bus conductor was not attacked by the thieves in the entire ordeal, and at one point ran from the bus, VACANCY Experienced Nail tec & Hairdressers, Apply at West Shore Plaza, 15 Public road, Riumzeight. Tel#269-1524/ 1602 or 656-3561 Vacancy for domestic cleaner.

Location: Queenstown. 5023886. Call within 8:00am to 6:00pm General Domestic to cook & clean for East Bank. Call: 6144358 Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied.Key Food McDoom Village.

Office Clerk. Requirements: CXC Math & English.

Experience in DacEasy & Excel an asset. Telles Steel & Hardware. Call: 226-6771/2264537 Pump attendant & Cashier, shift rotated weekly (6am-3pm & 3pm-11pm) send to shellramsburg@gmail.com 1 Filter machinist. Must know to operate milling machine.

E&N Beck. 3 Princess & Ketley Streets, Charlestown Waiter/Waitress & Chef preferably carnegie trained.

Contact #225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff St

abandoning the driver and passengers. It was after the robbers had exited the vehicle, and disappeared in the dark, that the conductor returned to the vehicle. He did not appear to be flustered.

Pleas by the traumatised passengers to drive to the nearest police station were said to have fallen on deaf ears. Persons said the driver of the bus also appeared way too calm, despite what had occurred.

And reports have reached this publication that a similar incident occurred on the same bus on Thursday night last, when two men robbed three passengers of valuables. La Grange Police Station has confirmed that the neither the bus driver nor conductor have reported any such matter. Sources have indicated that at least two buses are engaged in what seems to be a new way of robbing commuters.

Some bus drivers plying these routes are avoiding heavily populated areas, and are taking alternative paths that are desolate, en route to destinations requested by passengers.

Yesterday, ‘D’Division Commander, Edmond Cooper was contacted, and he said that while he had no knowledge of the aforementioned incidents, he will by no means tolerate such disgraceful and unlawful acts by minibus operators. He said that his department would fully investigate the matter. He said that persons found guilty of terrorising passengers in this manner will feel the full force of the law.

Region 10 Regional...

From page 20 region at a grave disadvantage.”

“They (residents) plan to do things which (could) involve police, but we don't want that, because we are a relatively stable community. Some people complained before I knew about the dragger and some people said 'Chairman watch it!' but I allowed it to slide,” he lamented.

Moreover, the Regional Chairman said he is hopeful that by next Wednesday the matter can be finally resolved, even as he added that “if it's not addressed, then the public can expect to see the reactions of residents.”

“So I am hoping that by now and next week Wednesday, because I am going there myself with the police, some form of action will have to be taken.”

He added, “We want to maintain peace, stability and tranquillity as it is only then that you will get development and we the residents of Region 10 will get that, because we will do whatever it takes to ensure that.”

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

Trinidad relents, allows Guyana-born Venezuela to register T r i n i d a d ( N e w s d a y. c o . t t ) Guyana-born Venezuelan Greensley Lael Edson Henry, 43, has registered at the San Fernando centre of the amnesty drive.

“I am very happy. The immigration officers were very pleasant and everything went smoothly. In Port of Spain, the officers were also very nice except for one woman.

Thank you,” Henry said late yesterday.

His wish came true hours after the National Security Minister said the decision to allow or not allow to him to register lies in the hands of immigration officers.

“I rely on the immigration officers; they do this on a daily basis at all our legal ports of entry.

The immigration officers are the ones who will make the decision. I do not have the papers in front of me, I only saw what was reported in the m e d i a , ” S t u a r t Yo u n g told Newsday yesterday during a visit to the Duncan Village registration centre. Young said he trusts immigration officers, who were professionals and the people who have been dealing with

Guyana-born Venezuelan Greensley Lael Henry has now been registered in TT . Photo: Lincoln Holder such situations before the registration process.

He believes they will do what is right. On Saturday, Henry and his family went to register at the Port of Spain centre but he was the only member of the family whom immigration officials rejected.

Instead, Henry said, they suggested he go and live

i n h i s b i r t h c o u n t r y, where “things are looking good now.”

The father of four s h o w e d h i s Ve n e z u e l a n passport and identification card and explained that he moved to Venezuela as a child and lived there. His wife and two of his children are Venezuelans.

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Thursday June 13, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Hong Kong police declare China extradition protest ‘a riot’ as rubber bullets and tear gas fired at crowd Hong Kong (CNN) Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters in Hong Kong on Wednesday, hours after tens of thousands of mostly young people surrounded the city’s government headquarters and postponed the debate over a controversial bill that would allow fugitives to be extradited to China.

As violent clashes erupted between protesters and the authorities late Wednesday afternoon local time, Hong Kong Police Commissioner Steven Lo Waichung said the demonstration was being considered a “riot.”

Rubber bullets, pepper spray and hand-thrown tear gas were used to push back protesters who had occupied the city’s main thoroughfare near the government headquarters, as well as the roads around it, Lo confirmed.

He added that police had been left with “no choice but to start to use force.”

Ambulances were seen rushing towards Harcourt Road, the main site of

Wednesday’s protest, amid reports of people being removed from the scene on stretchers. Lo said the number of officers injured was still being tallied.

The city’s legislative council had been due to hold the second reading of the controversial bill Wednesday morning local time.

But in scenes reminiscent of the 2014 democracy demonstrations known as the Umbrella Movement, protesters began arriving outside the Legislative Council buildings on Tuesday night, where they were greeted by a heavy police presence and bag searches.

Up to 5,000 police in riot gear were deployed to guard the building. Protesters were seen wearing helmets, goggles and h e a v y - d u t y w o r k m a n ’s gloves, and pulling bricks from the sidewalks.

Hundreds of businesses, parents and teachers called for a boycott of works and school on Wednesday to show their opposition to the bill.

Police officers use a water canon on a lone protester near the government headquarters in Hong Kong

By Wednesday morning, tens of thousands of mainly young people had arrived in the area, blocking streets and bringing central Hong Kong to a standstill.

Indian man gets life in prison for jet hijack hoax (CNN) An Indian businessman was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for a fake hijack threat on a domestic flight in 2017 that resulted in an emergency landing. Birju Kishor Salla, a resident of Mumbai, was arrested and charged for posing a threat to the safety of passengers and crew on board a plane. He was also fined 50 million rupees ($720,000), which a special court ruled would be given as compensation to the crew and passengers.

The 2017 incident, on a flight from Mumbai to New Delhi, resulted in the grounding of the plane belonging to the now-defunct Jet Airways airline.

Each pilot will get compensation of 100,000 rupees out of the fine amount, while each member of the cabin crew will receive 50,000 rupees, and each passenger will be paid 25,000 rupees for the “misery” the incident caused, according to a statement released by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Salla’s case was the first one registered under India’s new anti-hijacking

act passed in 2016.

The latest law has tightened previous legislation and expands the scope of the expression ‘hijacking’ to include threats.

The NIA stated in court that a female flight attendant “found a threat note in the washroom of the business class of the plane which stated that, ‘There are hijackers on board and explosives on the plane.’”

The plane immediately called for an emergency landing. Initially picked up on suspicious grounds, investigators were able to trace the note to Salla and charged him last year for attempting to seize control of an aircraft and for making threats.

It was later established that accused Salla intentionally committed the offense of disrupting the operation of aircraft, jeopardizing the safety of the passengers and crew members on board, the NIA said.

The new law also adds the death penalty along with stronger sentences for not just a hijacking but for an attempt or threat to do so.

An Indian flight was last hijacked in 1999 when a plane flying from Nepal was re-routed to Afghanistan by five terrorists. The Indian government released three militants in exchange for more than 190 passengers and crew members.

In a statement on its website, Legislative Council President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen said Wednesday’s meeting would be “changed to a later time to

be determined by him.”

Although Hong Kong is part of China, it has separate laws that follow the UK system and no capital punishment, unlike mainland China.

Many people fear that the proposed extradition law means they could be taken from Hong Kong by Chinese authorities for political or inadvertent business offenses.

Algeria’s ex-PM, former minister detained over alleged corruption: state TV ALGIERS (Reuters) Algeria’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia be held in custody after he faced a judge over a corruption investigation, state TV reported, sending some Algerians onto the streets in celebration.

The court later also detained former transport and

public works minister Abdelghani Zaalane after a hearing over al l e g e d i n volvement in corruption, the channel said, without giving more details on his case.

Ouyahia and Zaalane are the most senior politicians to be detained since mass protests broke out earlier this

year demanding the removal of the ruling elite and the prosecution of people demonstrators see as corrupt.

Hundreds of people celebrated outside a prison where prominent businessmen are also being held over corruption allegations, private television channels showed.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Outcomes from CWI Directors’ Annual General Meeting ST. JOHN’S, Antigua Members of The Board of Cricket West Indies (CWI) gathered for their quarterly series of meetings at the Sandals Grande Resort in Antigua, last Saturday and Sunday.

At the two-day Directors’ Meeting, the following reports were received and decisions made: ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2019 An update was given by Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams, and CEO Johnny Grave, on various matters related to the preparation and operation of Team West Indies, including the pre World Cup tour to Ireland to participate in an ODI Tri-Series with Bangladesh and Ireland. Directors expressed overall pleasure at how the team and its management had been working together and

performing. President Skerritt expressed pleasure in receiving positive feedback from numerous and varied stakeholders about the apparent commitment and aggressive style of play of our players.

He said that fans and past players alike were relieved to see the team name had been rebranded as “West Indies”.

Women’s Cricket Update Mr. Adams also reported on the Women’s team tour to Ireland and the UK. He said the Ladies had performed impressively in Ireland, but as expected were encountering much more of a challenge against the highly-ranked England women’s team. Directors expressed the need to find funding for further investment in Women’s cricket development so as to uncover and prepare a wider pool of competitive female cricket talent.

High Performance Centre and Team Selection System Review Vice President Dr. Kishore Shallow reported on his trip to Ireland as guest of the TriSeries organizer where he engaged with Irish cricket officials, and the West Indies Team Management, Captain, and players. He expressed pleasure at his visit to Cricket Ireland’s High Performance Centre which he felt was employing some useful best practices for possible adoption here. The Vice President also updated the Directors on progress made at two meetings already held by the Team Selection System Review Task Force.

Emerging Players Camp The Director of Cricket expressed satisfaction with the impact of the three-week High Performance Camp for out-

Thursday June 13, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may be shy when it comes to expressing your emotions today, Aries. This could be a rare thing for you.

Other people may wonder if something is wrong.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may not know which way to turn, Taurus. You may be emotionally weighed down by sentimental feelings and memories that bind you to the past.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Money matters might be weighing on the mind of a close friend or lover, Gemini, and he or she might seek your advice.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your mind may be going in many different directions, with fantastic ideas about how things should be done, Gemini. The difficulty is communicating these ideas in a way that makes sense.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You should be in a good mood, Leo, although you might have a hard time fully expressing yourself. Perhaps you feel like there is someone keeping an eye on your every move.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may get the feeling that despite all the hard work you've accomplished, something is still missing, Virgo. There's still a long road ahead, regardless of the goals you've attained so far.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Freedom may be a theme for you today, Libra. You're beginning to question what it is you're trying to free yourself from. A person? Job? Commitment?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're the liquid that takes the shape of its container, Scorpio. Even though this may seem like the most nonconfrontational way to do things, you may find that it's actually a cause of great frustration for you and others.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may feel like a puppy that has been let outside for the first time, Sagittarius.

The air is warm and you're full of energy.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may feel a strange tension. It seems that nothing you say or do is quite right, Capricorn. As much as you may try to do the correct thing, you can't make things click the way you'd like.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) It may be hard for you to maintain your self-discipline, Aquarius. Your childlike nature wants to go out and play.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you're unclear about the topic of discussion, say so, Pisces.

Asking questions is an important part of learning. You shouldn't be afraid to ask. heated.

standing young players.

President Skerritt reiterated the new Board’s policy of giving greater priority to, and increasing investment in cricket development. He expressed pleasure in his recent visit to the camp and his interactions with the youngsters.

Upcoming India Tour The Directors received a report from CEO Johnny Grave on matters related to finalization of venues and approved the proposed Tour Schedules for visits of both the India senior and India A teams.

India will play three T20, three ODIs, and two test matches to be hosted in Fort Lauderdale, Guyana, Trinidad, Antigua and Jamaica.

India A will play five oneday and three four-day games. These fixtures will be hosted by Trinidad and Antigua.

Annual West Indies U19 Tournament

This year’s tournament has greater significance as it is will be used to select the squad for the ICC U-19 World Cup to be played in South Africa in January 2020. The tournament will only feature 50-over cricket and in addition to the six matches to be played, the top 24 “future stars” will play an additional three 50over games, “The Best vs The Best”, which will assist the selectors in naming the World Cup squad. Due to the importance of the tournament together with the continued legal uncertainty with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Directors approved the proposal for this year’s event to be hosted in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and to postpone the previously agreed hosting by Guyana, to 2020.

Commercial Director Dominic Warne updated the Board on efforts to implement the new policy of rebranding and uplifting public aware-

ness of the youth tournaments, and to seek major sponsorship in order to achieve greater investment and sustainability.

Commercial Matters The Board also addressed a wide variety of commercial matters including the future of Ticketing and online sales, Team Kit supply and merchandising, the media rights market, potential sponsors and improving communications with fans and the media.

Governance The Board approved the terms of reference and composition of the Governance Review Task Force as presented on behalf of Task Force Chairman Don Wehby.

The following four persons will join Mr. Wehby on the task force: Charles Wilkin QC, Deryck Murray, O. K. Melhado, and professor Hilary Beckles.

Other board committees were also approved and an announcement will be made to the media. Organizational Matters The Board also received an update on the revised strategic plan, negotiations with WIPA, a draft MOU with professional franchise teams, and the hosting of a proposed Global Cricket Conference which it is hoped will become an annual event.

The Guyana Situation The President and CEO reported on their visit to Guyana, during which they met with various stakeholder groups, including the Government. The Board also received an update on the status of various legal matters concerning the Guyana Cricket Board.

Special Auto ...

From page 33 to have their entries in the system. A lot of time was lost at the last event on sorting through entries. We don’t want that this time around.”Other 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, First Class Auto Spares and Sales, GT Tuners, West Coast Customs Washbay and Imran Autoworks.

Tickets for adults cost $1000 and children $500. Action starts at 09:00hrs on race day.

PAGE 28

Le Sommer penalty puts France on brink of last 16

France’s Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates scoring their second goal with Amel Majri. (REUTERS/ Eric Gaillard) NICE, France (Reuters) France took a big step towards the last 16 of the women’s World Cup after Eugenie Le Sommer’s penalty earned the tournament hosts a 2-1 victory against Norway yesterday.

Le Sommer struck from the spot after Wendie

Renard’s own goal had cancelled out Valerie Gauvin’s opener for France at the start of the second half.

The victory put Corinne Diacre’s team top of Group A with a maximum six points.

Norway, the 1995 champions, are second on three points, ahead of Nigeria on

goal difference after the African champions won 2-0 against South Korea, who are bottom with no points.

Norway play South Korea in their final encounter, while France need a draw against Nigeria in their last group game to advance as group winners.

Chris Froome: Team Ineos cyclist in intensive care after suffering serious injuries in crash BBC Sport - Britain’s Chris Froome is in intensive care and “not in great shape” after suffering serious multiple fractures in a high-speed crash, his team principal Dave Brailsford told BBC Sport.

Froome took his hand off his handlebars to blow his nose and was travelling at 54km/h when a gust of wind caught his front wheel, causing him to hit a wall.

He was airlifted to St Etienne University Hospital for surgery.

“Time is of the essence in these situations,” said the Team Ineos boss.

The four-time Tour de France champion, 34, has suffered a fractured right femur, a broken hip, a fractured elbow and fractured ribs and lost consciousness following the crash.

Speaking to Radio 5 Live’s BeSpoke podcast, Brailsford said: “He’s been operated on to make sure that first phase of medical care is as optimal as possible and we will manage it from there. It’s an evolving situation. It is concerning, there is no doubt about that.

“He’s not in great shape.

There are crashes and bad crashes and this was a bad crash.”

The crash occurred during a practice ride before stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine in Roanne,

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

Froome won the Dauphine in 2013, 2015 and 2016. (Getty Images) France, yesterday Froome was riding with Ineos team-mate Wout Poels when he crashed next to a parked ambulance into a house.

Describing the incident, Brailsford said: “He came down a technical descent and on to a straighter piece of road with houses either side. He signalled to Wout that he was going to clear his nose, he took his hand of the bar to do that and a gust of wind took his front wheel, he lost control and went straight into the wall of a house.“We have had a look at his data, he went from 54km/h to a dead stop.”

Froome would have been chasing a record-equalling fifth victory in the Tour,

which starts in Brussels on 6 July, but has been ruled out of the race.

Brailsford said the focus is now on Froome’s recovery and his wife Michelle has been flown to the hospital to be with him.

“Instead of channelling his efforts into the Tour, he will have to channel everything he has got into his recovery,” said Brailsford.

He added: “He had just come back from Tenerife. I have seen how hard he has worked, the amount of sacrifice and effort to try and win that Tour this year. He was really on track, in really good shape and would put final touches on his conditioning and go for the Tour again.”

2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Group stage doubleheader in Houston sold out Miami (Concacaf) – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) announced that the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup group doubleheader at Houston’s BBVA Stadium is sold out.

Additionally, Group C doubleheader in Los Angeles’ Banc of California Stadium, as well as the Group D doubleheader at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City are nearing sellouts.

BBVA Stadium joins Minnesota’s state-of-the-art Allianz Field as a sold out venue. Minnesota officially sold out in December of last year, the fastest sellout in tournament history.

The doubleheader in Houston on June 21 will feature the national teams of Honduras, El Salvador, Jamaica and Curaçao in the crucial second game of round-robin group play. El Salvador will face Jamaica at 7:00 pm ET, followed

by Honduras taking on Curacao at 9:30 pm ET. The same teams will head to Banc of California Stadium on June 25 to close out the group stages.

The Group D doubleheader in Kansas City will feature the United States vs.

Panama, while Trinidad and Tobago open the day’s play against Guyana, as all four teams battle to head to the next stage of the tournament.

Taking place every two years,

the Concacaf Gold Cup is the region’s premier national team competition, which includes North, Central America and the Caribbean, and crowns the region’s best national team while celebrating soccer, sportsmanship and culture.

The 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup is sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company, Camarena Tequila, Cerveza Modelo, Nike, Scotiabank, Toyota, and Valvoline.

The tournament will be broadcast nationally on the Univision and FOX family of networks and transmitted on radio in Spanish by Fútbol de Primera Radio Network, and broadcast by television partners in countries around the world.

Twelve international players, led by prospective top-10 pick Sekou Doumbouya of Guinea, remained in the NBA draft at the final deadline to withdraw on Tuesday.

Doumbouya, an 18-yearold power forward who plays for Limoges in France, is rated the ninth-best draft prospect by both ESPN and CBS. The NBA released the names of 47 international players who withdrew from the draft Tuesday. Also, two U.S. college players pulled out of the draft, North Carolina State junior Sacha Killeya-Jones and TCU sophomore Kouat Noi. May 29 was the deadline for U.S. college players to withdraw from the draft while retaining NCAA eligibility.

Two other international players who are potential firstround selections also remain in the draft. ESPN and CBS have Goga Bitadze, a Georgian national who plays in Montenegro, as the 17thranked prospect, and ESPN has Luka Samanic, a Croatian who plays in Slovenia, listed

as the 28th-rated prospect.

The NBA draft is scheduled for June 20 at Barclays Center in New York.

The full list of international players who are earlyentry candidates for the 2019 NBA Draft, with height and birth year, as supplied by the league:

12 international players available in NBA draft

Goga Bitadze, Buducnost (Montenegro), 7-0, 1999 Yago Dos Santos, Paulistano (Brazil), 5-10, 1999 Sekou Doumbouya, Limoges (France), 6-8, 2000 Matas Jogela, Dzukija (Lithuania), 6-6, 1998 Marcos Louzada Silva, Franca (Brazil), 6-5, 1999 William McDowell-White, Baunach (Germany), 6-5, 1998 Adam Mokoka, Mega Bemax (Serbia), 6-5, 1998 Joshua Obiesie, Wurzburg (Germany), 6-6, 2000 David Okeke, Fiat Torino (Italy), 6-8, 1998 Luka Samanic, Olimpija (Slovenia), 6-10, 2000 Deividas Sirvydis, Rytas (Lithuania), 6-7, 2000 Yovel Zoosman, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel), 6-7, 1998 (Field Level Media)

Oshoala goal helps Nigeria beat South Korea 2-0 Nigeria put itself into position to advance to the knockout stage with a victory at Grenoble, France, that likely eliminated South Korea’s chances to advance beyond Group A play.

Nigeria took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute on an own goal when South Korea’s Kim Do-yeon attempted to clear a long ball and put it into the back of her own net instead.

South Korea appeared to tie the game 1-1 in the 58th minute, but an offside call nullified the goal. Nigeria added an insurance goal in the 75th minute on a score from Asisat Oshoala, who went on a counterattack from midfield before working her way to a sharp angle where she was able to score.

Nigeria (1-1) and Norway

Korea Republic’s Ji Soyun in action with Nigeria’s Ngozi Okobi during the match. (Reuters/Emmanuel Foudrot) (1-1) each have three points ahead of the final group match, with Nigeria set to face France and Norway to face South Korea. France, which

has already clinched a spot in the knockout round, beat South Korea 4-0 in the opener, and Norway beat Nigeria 3-0.

(Field Level Media)

Thursday June 13, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Training progressing; Guyanese Warner hits century as Australia players adapting well beat Pakistan The three National players on a one-month pre-season training with Madureira Esporte Clube, the Brazilian second-division side: Sese Norville, Ryan Hackett and Kelsey Benjamin, are adapting well to the environment and sessions despite being exposed to new and challenging training routines.

This is the report from Brazil following a visit by President Wayne Forde on Sunday last to view the International Friendly match between FC Madureia and Qatar National Team, the latter preparing for the Copa America tournament.

In an invited comment, the players said training is progressing well even though intense and challenging as new regimens are being learned: “It is different and challenging from back home but we’re coming through and getting there,” said Norville and echoed by Benjamin and Hackett.

While the language has been another challenge, they are gradually learning it to aid their communication with the team and even showed off some of the words and phrases learned to date.

Even though part of the Madureira Esporte Clube squad, they did not play in the match, which ended 2-1 in favor of Qatar.

From left: Khalid Almansoori – Qatar Men’s National Team Manager, Saeed Almisnad – Qatar Men’s National Team Administrator and GFF President Wayne Forde.

The Coaching staff, however, is very pleased with their overall conduct and behavior of the players thus far. Following the one-month attachment, based on their performance, the players have the potential of landing a professional contract with the club.

This attachment initiative is a result of a visit by the Guyana Football Federation President to Brazil in May where he met with Brazilian Football Federation (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol – CBF) President Rogerio Caboclo.

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Bartica Zone kicks off this weekend The Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship will invade the community of Bartica tomorrow, when the 3rd edition of the Street Football Competition commences at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

The zone will feature 16 teams battling for the coveted title and a place in the grand finale on June 16th. The opening night features elimination matches, with the respective winners advancing to the group stage pegged for June 15th.

The two finishers from the two groups will progress to the semi-final round. The subsequent winners will then progress to the final, with the losers facing off in the third place playoff.

Similarly, the four teams that fail to make the semi-final stage will battle in the Guinness Plate Championship. This will be played on the final night.

The eight teams that have earned berths to the opening night are defending champion Disconnection Crew, Goal Raiders, Almanac Kings,

former champion Rivers View, Jones Avenue, Falmouth, Potaro Strikers and Mighty Ruler.

According to coordinator Alden Marslowe, “All systems are in place for a wonderful tournament, the teams have really caught on with the street football and everyone has really gotten into it. This is the third year and we have seen tremendous growth. We have had three privately run street football tournaments earlier and the teams are definitely catching onto the format.”

He further disclosed that the tournament has witnessed a record number of entries which supports the belief that the tournament is growing in popularity and overall interest.

“We have had more teams enter than previous editions especially from the outline communities which is great for the event. The anticipation is there from the public, Bartica is a football community and I expect another great tournament with quality action,” he added.

Similarly, Lee Baptiste, Guinness Brand Executive stated that everything is geared and ready for another great ‘edition’ to the phenomenon that is the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship.

He further noted that he anticipates three nights of exciting action as team’s battle for bragging rights and the chance to represent their zone at the coveted National Championship.

The winner of the championship will pocket $400,000 and the winner’s trophy. They will also earn the right to represent the zone at the National Championship.

On the other hand, the runner up will collect $150,000 and a trophy. Meanwhile, the third and fourth place finisher will walk away with$100,000 and $75,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

Winner of the Guinness Plate Championship will receive $60,000. Up to press time, several playoff round matches were underway. The other major sponsor of the event is Colours Boutique.

TAUNTON, England (Reuters) - David Warner scored his first century since returning from his ban as holders Australia ran out comfortable 41-run winners over Pakistan in the World Cup at Taunton yesterday.

The opener, back after serving a 12-month suspension for his part in last year’s ball-tampering scandal, struck 107 in Australia’s 307 all out in 49 overs.

Mohammad Amir took five wickets as Pakistan recovered from a poor start to limit Australia’s total, and they were well in contention as they reached 136-2 in reply.

When Imam-ul-Haq was caught down the leg side off a wide delivery having just reached his half century and Mohammad Hafeez fell just short of his when he hit a Finch full toss straight to deep square leg, Pakistan’s chances faded.

But a thrilling counter-

Australia’s David Warner celebrates his century against Pakistan. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge) attack started by Hasan Ali and continued by skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and Wahab Riaz put them right back in contention at 264-7 with six overs left.

Mitchell Starc settled Australian nerves when he had Riaz caught behind for

45 and two balls later bowled Amir before Sarfaraz was run out for 40 as Pakistan were dismissed for 266.

Scores: Australia 307 (Warner 107, Finch 82, Amir 5-30) beat Pakistan266 (Imam 53, Cummins 3-33) by 41 runs.

England unfazed by Windies pace battery SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – Hosts England are not having any sleepless nights over West Indies’ pace attack.

In fact, head coach Trevor Bayliss said yesterday the tournament favourites were quite capable of handling the hostility from the likes of Oshane Thomas and Sheldon Cottrell, when the two teams clashed at the Rose Bowl tomorrow.

“We can handle anything that is thrown at us,” he said.

“I have not seen too many with express pace here just yet but we have a couple of good ones too so I expect it to be tit for tat.”

Thomas, Cottrell and allrounder Andre Russell have all bowled aggressively in the World Cup with good effect, and have given West Indies excellent starts in their three games so far.

In their opener, they blasted out Pakistan for 105, reduced Australia to 38 for four in their second game and had South Africa on the run at 29 for two in their third outing before rain forced an abandonment of the fixture.

However, England also boast the likes of Mark Wood and Barbadian Jofra Archer, both of whom have consistently topped speeds of 95 miles per hour.

Bayliss said he expected to heated contest, especially after the 2-2 draw in the fivematch series in the Caribbean

Fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell celebrates after taking a wicket during the ongoing World Cup. earlier this year.

“We will have to play at our best to come away with a win. In the Caribbean, we were a little bit up and down. They bowled fast but then Mark Wood made a few of their guys jump up and down,” he pointed out.

“The wicket here is reasonably flat and it has been in the past. There have been a few more wickets in the World Cup then there has

been in the last few years so I expect the fast bowlers are rubbing their hands together.”

West Indies lie sixth in the 10-team standings on three points following a win, a defeat and a no-result in their three matches.

England, meanwhile, are second on four points after pulling off two wins and tasting defeat to Pakistan in three outings.

GCA workshop set for Saturday Due to the current suspension of the cricket season by the Competitions Committee of the Georgetown Cricket Association, the Cricket Development Committee of the aforementioned Association has scheduled a Cricket Coaches Workshop for Saturday at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), Woolford Avenue, Thomas

Lands, Georgetown.

The duration of the Workshop is from 09:00 hrs to 13:00 hrs.

All Cricket Coaches and Captains from member clubs of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) are invited to attend.

The Dress Code will be:White shirts or Polo Shirts, Track Pants and Sneakers.

PAGE 30

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

ICC defends no-reserve-day decision, blames ‘unseasonable weather’

NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday defended not scheduling reserve days for group matches at the rain-marred World Cup and blamed the disruptions on “extremely unseasonable weather”.

A record three matches have already been either abandoned or called off in the weather-hit tournament and the forecast is for further washouts this week.

The organisers have been criticised for not allotting reserve days in the group stage and outgoing ICC chief ex-

ecutive David Richardson said it was not a feasible idea.

“Factoring in a reserve day for every match ... would significantly increase the length of the tournament and practically would be extremely complex to deliver,” he said in a statement.

The knockout stage of the six-week tournament includes reserve days but it would post a massive logistical challenge at the group phase and inconvenience everyone, Richardson said.

“There is also no guarantee that the reserve day would be free from rain either,” he

said.

Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes criticised the organisers after his team’s match against Sri Lanka was abandoned on Tuesday without a ball bowled in Bristol.

“We put men on the moon, so why can’t we have a reserve day, when actually this tournament is a long tournament?” Rhodes quipped.

“I know logistically, it would have been a big headache for the tournament organisers... but we have got quite a lot of time in between games,

CWI announces dates for India’s tour of the West Indies 2019 sponsored by MyTeam11 West Indies will begin their bid to become World Test champions during the India Tour of the West Indies which starts in August and will be sponsored by MyTeam11 and co-powered

by Skoda and Kamla Pasand.

The Windies and India will play two Tests – from August 22 to 26 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua and from August 30 to September 3 at Sabina Park in Jamaica – during the fiveweek Tour, which also includes three Twenty20 and three One-day Internationals.

The two-Test series opens the new ICC World Test Championship, which will be played over the next two years.

This series has been introduced to give greater context and competition in the “Ultimate Test” of the game, combining strategy, skill and endurance.

“The West Indies and India have a long rivalry and the ‘MyTeam11’ Series will bring more thrilling competition across every format of the game,” said Cricket West Indies CEO Jonny Grave.

“We’ll be seeing some of the World’s best players go head to head in T20Is, ODIs and in the new World Test Championship as West Indies fans will have the opportunity to witness some incredible cricket.”

The Series starts with three T20Is, with the first two scheduled for the weekend of August 3 and 4 at the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, USA. Only one of the two T20Is produced a result when the two sides last played at this venue three years ago before sell-out crowds, with the second match ending in a no-result, due to a rain and technical delay.

Two games for Guyana August 6 and 8 In the first match of the series, India’s K.L. Rahul scored the second-fastest T20I century off only 46 balls, eventually finishing unbeaten on 110 to register the highest individual International score in the venue’s history.

The two teams also the posted the highest international innings totals in the venue’s history for a World record of 489 runs, with the West Indies winning by one run, thanks to an even hundred off 49 balls from Evin Lewis.

“We’re excited to bring two more T20Is to Florida, giving the West Indies Diaspora in North America the opportunity to watch the team play ‘live’ and in person,” said CWI commercial, marketing and communications director, Dominic Warne.

“This continues our plans of growing our audience and the game’s appeal in North America to increase participation and investment back into the West Indies.

The MyTeam11 Series will provide a chance for a growing audience in the United States, who follow the West Indies, to experience the fast-paced action of the T20 format.”

The last of the three T20Is in the MyTeam11 Series will be played on August 6 at the National Stadium in Guyana, where the series also transitions to the 50 overs-a-side format with the first ODI taking place on August 8, the first time in three decades the two sides will contest an ODI in the South American Nation.

The MyDream11 ODI series concludes with matches

– on August 11 and 14 – at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

Online sale of tickets for the matches will be available from June 24 via the “Buy Tickets” button on the CWI website, www.windiescricket.com.

Local box office sales start approximately two weeks in advance of each leg of the Tour.

MATCH SCHEDULE Sat, Aug 3: 1st MyDream11 Twenty20 International – Central Broward Regional Park, United States (10:30 am start) Sun, Aug 4: 2nd MyDream11 Twenty20 International – Central Broward Regional Park (10:30 am) Tue, Aug 6: 3rd MyDream11 Twenty20 International – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana (10:30 am) Thu, Aug 8: 1st MyDream11 One-day International – Guyana National Stadium (9:30 am) Sun, Aug 11: 2nd MyDream11 One-day International – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad (9:30 am) Wed, Aug 14: 3rd MyDream11 One-day International – Queen’s Park Oval (9:30 am) Sat, Aug 17 to Mon, Aug 19: Tour Match – Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua (9:30 am daily) Thu, Aug 22 to Mon, Aug 26: 1st MyDream11 Test – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua (9:30 am daily) Fri, Aug 30 to Tue, Sep 3: 2nd MyDream11 Test – Sabina Park, Jamaica (9:30 am daily)

Umpires inspect the pitch during a rain delay in the match Bangladesh v Sri Lanka. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge) and if we have got to travel a day later, then so be it.”

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne acknowledged the logistical challenge but still felt result days suited everyone.

“It’s not easy, but if they

can put on a reserve day, it would be good for everyone,” said Karunaratne, whose team’s previous match against Pakistan was also washed out.

Richardson, however, blamed the disruptions on an

“extremely unseasonable weather”.

“In the last couple of days we have experienced more than twice the average monthly rainfall for June which is usually the third driest month in the UK,” he said.

Lithuanian stripped of London 2012 canoe silver medal: IOC BERLIN (Reuters) - Lithuanian Jevgenij Shuklin, who won silver in Canoe Sprint at the London 2012 Olympics, has been stripped of his medal after re-tests of his sample were positive for a banned substance, the International Olympic Committee said yesterday.

Shuklin, who was second in the men’s Canoe Sprint C-1 200 meters event, tested positive for anabolic steroid turinabol, the IOC said.The IOC stores and regularly re-tests samples from past Games since the Athens 2004 Olympics, with methods that did not exist at the time or looking for substances that were not known, as part of what it says are efforts to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the competition.

More than 110 adverse findings have been found in Olympics since 2004 through re-testing of samples, including dozens from the London Games.

Lithuania’s silver medallist Jevgenij Shuklin holds up his medal during the victory ceremony for the men’s canoe single (C1) 200m event at Eton Dorney during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 11, 2012.

(REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo)

V Net Communications onboard for Father’s day domino in Wakenaam V Net Communications of Delph Street, Campbellville has committed to the Father’s day domino competition which is schedule to be played on Sunday at Carlosh Sports bar in Good Success, Wakenaam.

The entity has donated one of the trophies for the competition which is set to start at 10:00hrs. CEO of V Net Communications Safraz Sheriffudeen wished the teams well and said he is looking to a successful and exciting competition, while Nazeer Mohamed of All Stars thanked him of the support.

Among the teams set to battle for supremacy are All Stars, V Net, Underdog, Melville, Seawall Boys, East Wakenaam and Big Six. Teams are asked to be present at the venue at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time for play to start.

One of the prizes that will be up for grabs this weekend.

Thursday June 13, 2019

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Kaieteur News

WTA roundup: Top seeds advance Durant declares Achilles surgery in rain-delayed Nottingham event a success Caroline Garcia and Donna Vekic, the top two seeds, advanced yesterday at the raindelayed Nature Valley Open in Nottingham, England, a grasscourt tune-up for Wimbledon.

Garcia, the No. 1 seed from France and No. 28 in the world, smashed six aces in advancing over Australian Naiktha Bains 6-1, 6-2. Second-seeded Vekic of Croatia, who is No. 22, had a tougher match, turning back Slovenia’s Dalila Jakupovic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-0.

Fourth-seeded Maria Sakkari of Greece rolled easily over Great Britain’s Heather Watson 6-4, 6-3 in just 90 minutes.

Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic, the eighth seed, stopped Poland’s Magdalena Frech 7-5, 6-2. Mladenovic just won a second career French Open doubles title with Hungarian Timea Babos.

Also advancing yesterday was sixth-seeded Australian Ajla Tomljanovic with a 6-2, 6-3 win over American Danielle Lao. Rain on Monday and Tuesday slowed the tournament’s schedule.

Libema Open Unseeded Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium upset No. 4 seed Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine 7-6 (8), 7-5 in the grass-court event at ‘sHertogenbosch, Netherlands.

Also advancing to the second round were Greet Minnen

France’s Caroline Garcia in action during her first round match against Britain’s Naiktha Bains.

(Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

of Belgium and Russian Natalia Vikhlyantseva. Both beat Russian players.

Minnen topped Margarita

Gasparyan 6-4, 6-4, and Vikhlyanseva defeated Anna Kalinskaya 6-2, 6-3.

(Field Level Media)

Kenyan banned after positive test for rat poison substance NAIROBI (Reuters) Kenyan marathon runner Felix Kirwa has been suspended for nine months after testing positive for strychnine, a substance sometimes used as rat poison.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said Kirwa would be banned until Nov. 14 and was disqualified from his second-place finish at the Singapore marathon last December.

Kirwa, who won the Singapore marathon in 2016, said he had been taking herbal medicines that included the banned substance and the AIU said the presence of strychnine in his sample was consistent with that explanation.

Strychnine is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list because it is a stimulant. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was

T&T slip to defeat in final warm-up before Gold Cup LOS ANGELES, United States, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Canada in their final international friendly before kicking off their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign in seven days time.

In a match played behind closed doors at California State University, the Caribbean side conceded on either side of half-time to Canada captain Scott Arfield, who scored early in the contest and then again late on.

The result follows T&T’s nil-all draw against Japan in another international friendly in Aichi last week and head coach Dennis Lawrence said even though he was disappointed with the outcome, there had been encouraging aspects of his side’s performance.

“I was very, very pleased with a lot of the aspects,” he said afterwards.

“Obviously disappointed to concede two goals, one so early in the game and then one late but in terms of a training exercise for the boys I

(Reuters) - Kevin Durant underwent surgery yesterday for a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Golden State Warriors player announced, as head coach Steve Kerr defended the decision to play the four-times NBA leading scorer in game five of the NBA Finals.

Durant said the surgery, less than 48 hours after he sustained the injury on Monday against the Toronto Raptors, had been successful.

“My road back starts now,” he wrote on Instagram in a post accompanied by a picture of him in a hospital bed.

“Like I said Monday, I’m hurting deeply, but I’m OK. Basketball is my biggest love and I wanted to be out there that night because that’s what I do. I wanted to help my team-

used in small doses as an athletic performance enhancer and recreational stimulant.

Kenya, known for its middle and long-distance running pedigree, has suffered serious damage to its reputation due to a number of doping violations in recent years.

In the past five years, about 50 Kenyan athletes have been sanctioned, including former Boston and Chicago Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo and 2016 Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong.

Three-times world 1,500 meters champion and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Asbel Kiprop was banned for four years in April for failing a doping test in November, 2017.

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles in front of Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second quarter in game five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena.

(Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports) mates on our quest for the three peat.”

Durant was referring to his long-awaited return for the NBA Finals, which lasted barely one quarter, before he suffered the injury.

The two-times NBA Finals most valuable player (MVP) had missed the first four games of the series with a calf injury, and the Warriors had been excited to have him back for a game they had to win to stay alive.

Despite losing Durant early, the Warriors won 106105 in Toronto to extend the best-of-seven series, which the Raptors lead 3-2 ahead of game six in Oakland, California today.

Kerr defended the decision to play Durant, saying it had been a collaborative one that included the player and his outside doctor.

“Would we go back and do it over again? Damn right,

but that’s easy to say after the results,” Kerr told reporters yesterday.

“Our feeling was the worst thing that could happen would be a re-injury of the calf.

“Once Kevin was cleared to play he was comfortable with that, we were comfortable with that, so the Achilles came as a complete shock.”

Durant, 30, will miss at least the start of next season, because complete recovery from his type of injury can take up to a year.

Where Durant will play when he returns is another question.

He becomes a free agent at the end of the season, and before Monday’s injury there had been feverish speculation about whether he would stay with the Warriors.

The injury could prompt other teams to re-evaluate plans to make a play toward acquiring him.

Gayle relishing taking on England quicks, says West Indies coach Trinidad and Tobago head coach, Dennis Lawrence. thought it was very good for us.

“It gave us the opportunity to try different players, to try different players in different positions because we are still trying to find the right balance.”He continued: “I was a bit pleased especially in the second half with the way we managed the game.

We got ourselves in a lot of good attacking situations but again we didn’t manage to convert. All in all it was a very pleasing exercise for us.”

Arfield put Canada ahead in the fifth minute with a pow-

erful right-footed volley from seven yards out after the T&T’s defence failed to clear their lines.

Down 1-0 at half-time, T&T struggled to find the equaliser and Arfield ensured the win for Canada in the 90th minute with another thunderous strike from the edge of the 15-yard box.

T&T are set to do battle in Group D of the Gold Cup alongside United States, Panama and minnows Guyana, in the tournament which runs from June 15 to July 7.

AFP - Chris Gayle will “relish” the chance to take on England quicks Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, according to West Indies coach Corey Collymore.

Gayle has hinted he could retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup and is eager to bow out on a high befitting his self-appointed “Universe Boss” moniker.

The 39-year-old proved there was plenty left in the tank when England toured the Caribbean earlier this year, smashing a record 39 sixes in a drawn five-match series.

The teams reconvene at the Hampshire Bowl tomorrow, when Gayle can expect to face a barrage from Barbados-born Archer and Durham’s Wood.

Both men have hit 95 miles

per-hour (153 kph) since the start of the tournament, but very little worries the big-hitting Jamaican.

“Chris thrives on that. I have known him since he was 16 and he has always loved a challenge,” said Collymore, the West Indies bowling coach.

“He has always enjoyed the challenge of fast bowling so I expect him to relish that. I have known Archer for a while and I saw Wood in the Caribbean.

“They are both very impressive, as we have seen throughout this tournament.”

Archer could have been bowling for the West Indies, had they persuaded him to pursue an international future with them, but even in his absence they are a frighten-

ing prospect.

In Oshane Thomas, Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell and Shannon Gabriel they have four seamers capable of making the batsmen hop, leaving Collymore to predict a fiery encounter.

“I did work with him (Archer) when he was a lot younger in Barbados. He was very impressive. The skills he shows now are ones he always had so we are expecting more of the same from him,” he said.

“But we have quick bowlers too so it should be a lively game.

“I don’t think many people like the short stuff, whether it is England or the West Indies. If you find a batsman that has a weakness to it, then you go after that.”

PAGE 32

Semenya hopes to inspire South Africa at women’s World Cup PARIS (Reuters) - Double 800 meters Olympic champion Caster Semenya hopes she can be an inspiration to the South Africa team competing at the women’s World Cup after paying a visit to their camp in Paris yesterday.

Semenya won a 2,000 meters event on the outskirts of Paris this week and dropped in on the squad ahead of their vital Group B clash against China at the Parc des Princes today.

“I thought I had to come here and be an inspiration,” Semenya said. “I don’t think I had to say much, but just being here, my presence, means a lot...

“This was just a token of appreciation from me to them to show that we are behind them each and every step.

They must just be strong.”

Semenya, an XY chromosome athlete with differences in sexual development (DSDs), is currently locked in a battle with the IAAF over rules that prevent her from running her preferred distance races unless she takes testosterone-suppressant medication. Her stance has made her a hero to many in South Africa and striker Jermaine

Thursday June 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

Caster Semenya of South Africa before the Women’s 800m at the Diamond League in Zurich.

(REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo) Seoposenwe believes Semenya’s time with the team did give them a lift.

“It was a super cool experience, for me personally I think the struggles that she is going through currently is such an inspiration, the way she is fighting it,”

Seoposenwe said.

“I think we can take that fighting spirit she has portrayed in the media and for everyone to see, into the next match.”

South Africa lost their World Cup opener 3-1 to Spain on Saturday.

National Chess Championships

Reggae Girlz overcome by moment: Donaldson REIMS, France, CMC – Reggae Girlz assistant coach, Lorne Donaldson, says the euphoria surrounding the Caribbean side’s FIFA World Cup debut was at fault for their opening 3-0 defeat to Brazil last Sunday.

Playing at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, Jamaica were toppled by a Cristiane hattrick, failing to recover after finding themselves down 1-0 at half-time.

“I think the moment got to us. We are a young team, and sometimes that happens,” the Gleaner newspaper quoted Donaldson as saying.

“It’s not a case where there was a lack of concentration, or it’s not that we weren’t playing hard, but sometimes when certain moments come up, they prove bigger than us.

“That one is behind us now. we know what to expect, and we just have to come out stronger in the next game.”

The game marked a piece of history for Jamaica as they became the first Caribbean side to make an appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. Ranked 53rd in the world, the Reggae Girlz were pitted against the more seasoned 10th-ranked Brazilians, and defender Lauren Silver said

Norway-based Reggae Girlz defender, Lauren Silver.

inexperience played a huge factor in the defeat.

“I would just say this is Brazil. They have been in the World Cup many times, so I think the biggest thing that was hard for us was really just the nerves,” she explained.

“It was our first game in the World Cup – you’re going to see mistakes that typically players don’t make. “[There were] also some organisation issues because it’s very loud in the stadium and it’s not always easy to communicate. But I would say because we are newbies, a lot of mistakes happened that wouldn’t normally happen.”

Jamaica face Italy in their

second game tomorrow at Stade Auguste-Delaune here, needing a positive result in order to keep their Group C hopes alive.Silver, who plays her football in Norway, said it was important Jamaica rebounded against the Italians.

“I am personally looking forward to the Italy game. We learnt a lot from Brazil, and going into the Italy game, first of all, we are playing a team that is very similar in terms of possession,” she noted.

“So hopefully we can take those notes and take it into the game against Italy, and maybe we will have a little bit more of an edge going into that game as well.”

Drayton wins but wanted to Germany beat Spain to close take on Meusa for the title in on next round With the absence of a longtime rival in Wendell Meusa, Anthony Drayton finally saw his dreams unfold before his eyes as he was crowned the 2019 Chess champion.

Drayton, who holds a 2007 rating and FIDE Master title, has dominated the Chess scene for the past two years.

He played undefeated in this year’s competition and although it was a great feeling to have outplayed his many opponents, the male Chess champion felt like his ascension to the title was missing one key factor: the former champion.

Taffin Khan bagged six wins in the Chess championships to finish in second place, while Loris Nathoo came third.

Nevertheless, Drayton credited his win to continuous hard work and dedication to the game, “It always feels good to come out on top, especially when you know you tried and did your best and your hard work pays off,” he stated.

Former male Chess champion Wendell Meusa was strongly against the hosting of this year’s championship until the Guyana Chess Federation hosted its election. Since the Federation has not done so as yet, the former champion opted to stay out of this year’s competition. For Drayton, this put a damper on the competition as he revealed that he would have been much happier with the title had he been able to play against Meusa. ”I’m a little annoyed by that; I really wanted to play him to get the title, so I’m somewhat disappointed.

The level of competition is always stiff, but like I said, without Mr Meusa, it’s not how it’s supposed to be,” Drayton explained.

For next year’s championships, Drayton has already made it clear that he is looking forward to a grand battle between himself and Meusa. ”It’s good to hold a title at least

once, so next year I’ll be open to representing this title. Let’s say Meusa plays next year, I’ll put up the title again, just to play him. Maybe an 11-round or a 9-round match between us,” the 2019 Chess champion said.

Looking towards his future in international competition, Drayton has a few objectives that he hopes to achieve before or during the 2020 Chess Olympiad, which is slated for August 1 to 15 in KhantyMansiysk, Russia, “My preparation will be strictly to improve my knowledge of Chess, so I can one day claim the title of international master and to also get my ratings over 2200. But for this year, I’ll be aiming to get over 2100.”

On the distaff side, the female Chess championships will conclude this weekend, and it already seems as though reigning champion Maria Verona Thomas is looking to retain her title.

VALENCIENNES, France (Reuters) - Sara Daebritz scored the only goal of the game as Germany beat Spain 1-0 in their women’s World Cup Group B match yesterday to all but secure a spot in the next round.

The two-times champions, who beat China in their group opener, are on six points, with Spain in second on three. China and South Africa, who play each other on Thursday, have no points.

Spain had more possession, but Germany looked more dangerous despite missing the injured Dzsenifer Marozsan.

Daebritz grabbed the winner on the rebound in the 42nd minute, sliding in to push the ball over the line after Spain keeper Sandra Panos had blocked an Alexandra Popp header.

Spain made the better start and went close to scoring early on but Nahikari Garcia failed to beat Almuth Schult when one-on-one with the Germany keeper.

Germany improved after the break, especially following the introduction of 18year-old Klara Buehl, who gave them more pace and at-

Spain’s Nahikari Garcia in action with Germany’s Marina Hegering. (REUTERS/Phil Noble) tacking options.

“We did not start well, we were nervous for some reason. We were lucky not to fall a goal behind,” said Germany coach Martina VossTecklenburg.“Thank God we scored and then we delivered an amazing-energy perfor-

mance in the second half. The important thing now is we have six points in this group.”

Germany are unbeaten in their last 14 matches, the longest run of any team in France.

Germany play South Africa next while Spain take on China.

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 13, 2019

PAGE 33

Wales, Patentia, Leonora and Tuschen triumph

W

ales, Patentia, Leonora and T u s c h e n registered victories when the Region Three leg of the AL Sport and Tour Promotions National Sports Commission 22nd Annual Edward Cobenna Memorial Primary schools Windball Cricket Champions Trophy continued recently at the National Gymnasium.

Playing in the female category, Tuschen managed 45-1, batting first with Julia Allicock scoring 22 and Sameera Ramkinsoon 14.

Malgre Tout responded with 45-1 to tie the game; Emily Daymon made 20 and Semonica Todd 14.

Wales took first strike and posted 75-1; Angelina Hodge made 18, Kezia Datson 17 and Kiyanna Daniels 11. Goed Fortuin made 41-2 in reply.

Chiyedza Heywood got 36.

Leonora got to 30-1, batting first against Patentia who responded with 32-2; Aaricia Sobers scored 14.

In the male category, Leonora piled up 112 with out lost, a record opening partnership for Region three; Shahid Bahadur slammed ten fours and six sixes in a top

score of 64 while Sachin Singh made 42 with six fours and three sixes. La Retrate reached 98-1 in reply.

Jonathon Pooranmal made with six sixes and Jonathon Forrester 36 including six sixes.

Tuschen took first knock and posted 101- 1 with Reon Dowlin scoring 54 with seven sixes and Omario Trotz 36 which contained six fours.

Patentia were limited to 49-5; Zaheer Khan made 18 as Fahien Ganie and Ronnel Ganie snared three and two wickets each.

Wales scored 108 with out loss, taking first knock.

Araf Arjoon stroked four fours and seven sixes in a robust 60 while Vickey Lallbeharry made 40 with six sixes. Malgre Tout responded with 64-5; Javon Roberts made 30 including five sixes as A. Arjoon took three wickets.

Tushen batted first and made 76-2; Christoff Decond scored 34 with five sixes while Owane Jones got 26. Goed Fortuin replied with 75-2; De Lessaudio Valenzuela got 32 including five sixes and Jaden Hinds 17.

Region three male teams and organisers prior to the start of play.

Members of the respective female teams and organisers before play commences.

‘Jumbie’ to host big Father’s Day GMR&SC drag C/ship round 2 Special Auto makes special contribution to event Domino tourney Domino players and enthusiasts are expected to converge at Turning Point Sports Club this Sunday to participate in a big Father’s Day Competition which is being organized by Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Domino Association Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire.

Wiltshire, who has been one of the key figures responsible for the growth and visibility of the sport, will stage the annual event in recognition of Fathers Day and teams from all across the country are being invited to partake in the one-day competition.

The competition has prize monies in excess of $200,000 up for grabs with the winning team set to receive $130,000, while second and third place finishers will take home $60,000 and $20,000 respectively along with hampers.

The Most Valuable player (MVP) of the finals will also collect one hamper.

Yesterday, during a simple ceremony that was conducted at Trophy Stall of Bourda M a r k e t , s t a f f e r Ta n d a Crossman present Wiltshire

L

Trophy Stall representative Tanda Crossman presents the winning trophy to Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire at the entity’s location yesterday. with the winning trophy compliments of Proprietor Ramesh Sunich.

Wiltshire in brief remarks thanked Trophy Stall for once again demonstrating its commitment towards the development of the sport, but more particularly sports in general.

Meanwhile, entrance fee is $10,000 per team and all domino teams and lovers of

the sport are being invited to celebrate the occasion.

Wiltshire assured that food and drinks will be on sale throughout the day, while teams are being asked to walk with a good pack of dominoes.

All GNDA rules will be in effect.Interested teams can make contact with Wiltshire on tele#659-8672 for more information.

ocal company Special Auto, “The Car Filter Shop”, that are the sole distributors of Luberfiner filters, yesterday confirmed its commitment to the upcoming Drag Race event of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) that gets underway on June 23rd.

The company’s representative, Kamini Seejattan, handed over its sponsorship to the G M R & S C ’s C h e r y l Gonsalves at its South Road office.

Known as The Filter King, Special Auto is the supplier of all local models of filters and other car spares.

Speaking on the occasion of the sponsorship receipt, GMRS&SC vicepresident Hansraj welcomed the input of Special Auto for the second round of the National Championships. ”We are always grateful to have guys like the Special Auto team onboard with us.

They have been involved with circuit racing for a number of years now and also endurance racing.

Special Auto’s Kamini Seejatan hands over sponsorship to the GMR&SC’s Cheryl Gonsalves for the second round of the GMR&SC Drag Race championship.

Their owner Shan Seejattan is a former endurance champion and a serious contender in the group-two action for circuit racing, so we hope to see him come out and try his hand at drag racing as well.”

Speaking the issue of readiness, Singh confirmed that all systems have

already shifted into gear, “We anticipate a good meet.

At the committee level, we have already commenced the required work to ensure a smooth event come June 23.For this event, we want to ensure also that competitors are registered early because we want them (Continued on page 27)

rt o p S National Chess Championships Training progressing; P.29 Drayton wins but wanted 32P. Guyanese players adapting well

to take on Meusa for the title

Two of the three national players in Brazil, Ryan Hackett (L) and Sese Norville.

CM Anthony Drayton

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Gayle relishing taking on Bartica Zone kicks off this weekend England quicks, says West Indies coach P. 31

P. 29

Chris Gayle is a dangerman for the West Indies. (AFP/ File / Glyn KIRK)

Flashback- Scenes from the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Bartica Championship at the Bartica Community Centre Tarmac. Hundreds are expected to descend on the venue to witness the enthralling nights of action.

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