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Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Friday June 14, 2019
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Hospitals and ratings There are a small number of hospitals in this country. From time to time, there are alarming medical developments, usually fatalities, that trigger alarm and rage. Disappointment, pain, and resignation, too. There are not many options for either the strapped or nonpaying. And even when there is the luxury of paying, there could be the torture of failing to get what is due, what should be the norm of minimum standards. It may not be a smooth fit, but a decent reference could be an article from US News & World Report by Andrew Camarow dated August 14, 2018, titled, “The Best hospitals in 2018-19 Honor Roll.”This is public recognition of the premier medical facilities in America, and offers a guide as what should serve as some form of gauge here, as to how things are, and guide on how to improve. The word was that “too many hospitals fail” at the “relatively straightforward.” This is in the advanced US. Identified as straightforward were hip replacement, uncomplicated heart bypass surgery, and removal of a cancerous section of the colon. With the local exception of, maybe, heart bypass surgery, the other two are part of the “bread and butter” of hospitals with high standards expected.And yet, there are surprises even among the top names in the top 20 honor roll. Surprises, not as to why they made the list, but their scores. Ratings were from a maximum 480 points in sixteen different specialty areas, including (now run-of-the mill Guyanese needs as) diabetes, gynecology, cancer, and gastroenterology. Points accumulated based on death rates for challenging patients, patient safety, and reputational surveys of physicians, among other objective data compiled from 4,656 hospitals. The top three US hospitals on the 2018-19 honor roll were the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (414), Cleveland Clinic (385), and Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore (355). No surprises there. But what gives pause is that a stellar top three performer, such as Johns Hopkins scored only 355 out of 480 points. That is just under a revealing 75% score, and one not expected from prestigious Johns Hopkins. It could be a function of the complicated cases undertaken and the (literally) grave challenges posed. Conditions from which lesser facilities shrink. Rather surprisingly, in New York with the largest cluster of hospitals (and large contingent of Guyanese), the toprated facility, New York-Presbyterian Hospital came in at only number 10 with a meager 242 points, or just over half of the total at stake. Also in New York, at number 18 stood Mount Sinai Hospital with a scant 192 points, or 40% of the overall score. Guyanese facilities caring for the sick can learn. First, even recognizable names on the list did not feature impressively. The overall scores of the high-volume New York Presbyterian (50.4%) and Mount Sinai (40%) were average to troubling; likely failures on any regular academic examination. Yet they are among the best of the best. As the article confirmed, “It takes multiple years of progressive change to know if a hospital is truly improving…” It goes on to caution, that “For patients and their physicians, these rankings and ratings should be seen as just a starting point.” Matters are complicated in the local environment, since many patients dabble with competing treatment regimes, through prescribed medicines and touted natural cures; and the complication of so-called “bush medicines” which cloud the treatment picture. Further, highly skilled physicians are scarce, with green juniors, absent medicines and state-of-the-art technologies ever-present realities in domestic circles.The state institution bears the brunt of reputational fallout and media storms, especially for what should be routine, as in maternal cases and care culture. Nevertheless, local hospital managers should consider surveys, data gathering, and openness to appreciate where they stand and areas crying for curing action.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
It is time to rise up and demand that this massively flawed contract be scrapped DEAR EDITOR, Continuing my analysis of the Petroleum Production Agreement signed between the Government and ESSO, CNOOC and HESS, I would like to touch on a few more Articles in the contract. I recommend: Mr. President, this contract is massively flawed and MUST be renegotiated. As a matter of fact, the existing contract should be rescinded and a new contract be negotiated. Article 10 - Annual License Rental Charge; Article 15 - Taxation and Royalty; Article 33 - Signature Bonus Article 10 - This article stipulates that the Contractor will pay an annual rental charge of US$1 million. This article can be compared to the land usage tax imposed by the Lands and Surveys Commission and the Guyana Forestry Commission to lease holders. However, the Lands and Surveys Commission and the Forestry Commission calculate these taxes based on the acreage of the leaseholder area. The flat sum of $1 million is pathetic. The annual rental charge for the production of oil and
gas cannot be evaluated based on given areas, as is done with land. However, a more scientific and objective way is to impose an annual rental fee based on the projected production submitted and agreed to by both parties. In other words, if the work program is to produce 100,000 barrels per day, then using a 360 days year, the annual production would be 100,000 x 360 = 36 million barrels. Using a ratio of .5 of 1%, the annual rental charge would have been 180,000 barrels. With a selling price of $50 per barrel, the annual rental would be US$9 million. Production of 250,000 barrels daily, the annual rental charge would have been $22.5 million. We are really screwed in this contract. Article 15.1 Subject to Article 32, and except as provided in Article 15.2, 15.8, and except as otherwise set forth in this Article 15.1, no tax, value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or other impost shall be levied at the date thereon or from time to time thereafter on the Contractor or Affiliated Companies in respect of income derived
from Petroleum Operations…. 15.3 The taxable income of the Contractor arising in each year of assessment under this agreement for purposes of the income tax laws of Guyana……shall include the amounts of Contractor’s income tax and corporation tax paid pursuant to Article 15.4 15.4 The Minister hereby agrees: (a) t h a t a s u m equivalent to the tax assessed pursuant to Article 15.2 and 15.3 will be paid by the Minister to the Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority on behalf of the Contractor and that the amount of such sum will be considered income of the Contractor; and (b) that the appropriate portion of the Government’s share of Profit Oil d e l i v e re d … . . s h a l l b e accepted by the Minister as payment in full by the Contractor….. The above Articles, in this flawed agreement, is telling us that Exxon, Esso, Hess and CNOOC will not be paying any Income and Corporation taxes on their 50% share of “profit oil”.
This is not a normal tax holiday, but rather, for the duration of the contract. Article 11.4 states that “profit oil” shall be shared between the Government and the Contractor 50:50. What this means is that the Government will use our share of the “profit oil” to pay the taxes for the Contractor. The Guyana Revenue Authority will have to prepare a receipt for the Contractor as if the taxes were paid, but in fact, nothing was paid. It is only a paper entry. For example, if the “profit oil” for a year is $10 million, 50% of that amount will be retained by the Contractor and 50% will be for the Government. The Government will now use our portion of the profit (say $5 million) and pays the Income and Corporation taxes for the Contractor. The Contractor keeps their entire share of the profit oil. So if the Income and Corporation tax rate is 30%, Guyana will lose $5,000,000 x 30% = $1,500,000 in taxes. If the profit oil is $1 billion in any year, we will lose $500,000,000 x 30% = $150 (Continued on page 5)
What has Vice Chancellor Griffith done that so riled up the unions? DEAR EDITOR, Only in Guyana will people badmouth someone for successfully negotiating a good employment package. Only in Guyana will keen sense of dressing be ridiculed. Only in Guyana the smarts (intelligent) are seen as threats to be defeated. Only in Guyana people envy instead of understudy. These are my thoughts reading what has been happening with Professor Ivelaw Griffith at the University of Guyana (UG). In the age of Trumpian politics and alternative facts (euphemism for lies) Guyana is fast becoming consumed. I have blogged on UG and think it necessary to come to the Letters column. I need answers and think I speak for many alumnus of UG. I need answers to questions like:1 . W h a t h a s Vi c e Chancellor (VC) Griffith done that so riled up the unions? 2. Is it fair to ask the VC to be evaluated at the end of his contract? If his
employment conditions did not include an evaluation competent should the rage be directed at him? Shouldn’t he be credited for agreeing to an evaluation at the end of his contract even though none was there at the beginning? 3.Is it true lecturers are still not marking students’ papers on time and the VC has been trying to put a break on their delinquency? 4.The VC came to UG with a plan called “Project Renaissance.” How much of this was achieved? The university is 50 years old and has more than its fair share of challenges. Isn’t it a realistic gauge of performance to judge him on his plan? 5. Have lecturers worked with the management team to develop a plan to improve their performance or is their interest only in the VC’s performance? 6. Is it true the university unions can decide who should be appointed VC? I get this impression reading their statements. 7.When last the university unions negotiated
benefit and compensation packages for the staff? 8. Could not the unions’ accusations the VC was on a spending spree be proven at the completion of the audit? The Ministry of Education said it was going to do the audit. Why didn’t the unions wait for the findings to prove or disprove wasteful spending? As scholars is this not what they know and taught us? 9. How much does it cost to run a 21st century university of UG’s size? How much is this from students’ fees, government subvention and private grants? Cost includes physical maintenance, salary, providing for the student population, courses, state of the art libraries and classrooms, sanitation supplies, stationary supplies, utility bills, etc.? 10.How much does it cost to invest in UG to bring it respectability and improve its image internationally via direct and indirect spending? What did the VC achieve that lifted the image of the
university and help the students that his predecessors did not do or left outstanding? 11. I read the VC brought millions in investment to UG via new programmes, grant funding, private partnership, exchange programmes, guest lecturers from reputable international universities. Isn’t a dollar value being put to this and can a breakdown be provided? 12.The VC has an extensive record of scholarship, achievements and published work. How many of UG’s lecturers have similar accolades? Could they speak up? 13. Is the VC’s vision for the university too progressive for the lectures? Was he way ahead of his time and place in a Third World society, with third-rate lecturers and a third-rate university? Was he too demanding and expecting more from a team who may not have his energy, zeal and interest? 14.What does the (Continued on page 28)
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We need action not nice words from President Granger on the sugar industry DEAR EDITOR, The GAWU has considered several media reports about His Excellency, President David Granger’s visit on June 07 to Albion Estate. The visit which was described by the June 09 Kaieteur News as a “surprise”, we noted, saw His Excellency saying quite a lot, apart from the commitments he made. Notably, it was the first time that the President set foot on a sugar estate since he took office over four years ago. According to a statement of June 07, published on the Ministry of the Presidency’s website, President Granger is quoted to have said ”I am here to find out what your problems are. I have come to fix things”. The rational mind would have thought that the President and his colleagues, who collectively occupy the decision-making chairs of the nation, would have been well aware of the industry’s problems and how to go about fixing them. It appears, if President Granger’s utterances are anything to go by, that this was not the case. It, undoubtedly, brings into question what factor/s influenced then, the Administration’s policy toward the industry. The President went on to
say that he wants the ”…industry not just sustainable but profitable…” and that it must “thrive”. On the surface, it seems, the President is saying the right things, but we hasten to wonder if the President and his Administration were so interested in the industry thriving, as he says, why were the worthwhile suggestions that were advanced by the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI), among others, ignored apparently. Many suggestions, had they been implemented, would have helped to put the industry on firmer ground and well on the path to profitability. President Granger also said he wants ”…to guarantee employees’ livelihoods… to guarantee sugar’s position in the national economy… to safeguard the rural economy”. Again these are lofty sentiments. But they come after sugar workers remain the only group of employees covered by the State’s umbrella to have effectively had their wages stagnated at 2014 levels though we now live in 2019 when circumstances of life are vastly different. It came after 7,000 ordi-
nary, hard-working, decent, honest workers lost their jobs following their several expressions to draw attention to their plight. It came after the President’s men and women ignored the credible suggestions of the unions and the political opposition, to conduct a socio-economic impact assessment regarding its sugar policy. It came, too, after the IMF advised the Government to put in place adequate safety nets for displaced workers. It came after the aspirations of thousands have been shattered. It came after entire communities have been thrown into disarray. And, it came after millions of dollars in foreign currency receipts have been effectively lost. We also saw the President reportedly saying, his Government ”…since 2015 has been doing everything humanly possible to ensure the industry thrives”. Can we really take this statement at face value? We ask: - how can we? We recollect that the Administration recruited a certain ‘expert’ who had a long-held position to significantly reduce the scope of the industry. Or, how can we not remember that there was a sus-
It is time to rise up and demand that... From page 4 million in tax revenue. Some oil-producing countries are not paid royalties. Indonesia and Angola come to mind. Countries also set a lower “cost oil” before profits are shared. Angola “cost oil” is 50% of recoverable cost, while other countries like Qatar, Gabon and others limit its “oil cost” to about 30%. In Indonesia, the deduction of “cost oil” is almost the same as our contract, but the “profit oil” is shared 85% to the Government and 15% to the Contractor. We must do better for our country. Article 33 - T h e Contractor shall pay the Government a signature bonus of eighteen million United States Dollars (US$18 million).For a man in the street, this is a lot of money. When we look at a country with a tremendous amount of oil below the surface, it is another story. Did we get a fair deal in this signature bonus?Many countries have done much better than us. We now know that the estimated reserve of good quality oil in the blocks discovered is estimated to be about 4 billion barrels. We should have asked Norway, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria and other oil-producing countries to work with us in formulating the best deal for Guyana. Did we?
If we were to get .1 of 1% on the estimated reserve in our basin, the signature bonus would have been 4 million barrels of oil. With an average price of $50 per barrel, the signature bonus should have been $200 million. What if we were to negotiate .2 of 1%, the bonus would have been $400 million. At .5 of 1%, we would have in our coffers a signature bonus of $1 billion. My countrymen, if we accept these pittances, we would only have to blame
ourselves. It is time to rise up and demand that this contract be scrapped, and get the needed help from Norway, Brazil, Ghana or wherever, to get a contract that is symbiotic to all parties concerned. Sincerely, Charles Sugrim, CPA
tained attack to reduce workers long-standing and hardwon benefits. Or, what about the billions channeled to the industry but we see sliding production? Certainly, if the President was serious, in our view, much of what has played out in the industry, during his time at the helm, ought not to have occurred in the first place. His Excellency is also quoted to say ”[w]e are in the business of sugar and we will produce sugar. We will not produce retrenched workers…” Again, we see the boisterous pronouncements by the President. While we are in the business of sugar, we cannot ignore that the President’s Government closed the Enmore Packaging Plant, which output attracted the highest prices according to the Sugar CoI. Or that the Skeldon CoGeneration plant, which raked in nearly $10B in revenues in 2016, is also suffering nowadays from a lack of bio-mass arising from the Skeldon estate’s closure. Or that the thousands retrenched by the Administration’s policy had their severance entitlements unduly and illegally withheld. Even, at this time, there is a certain segment of the displaced workers who, notwithstanding a Court Order, are having an aspect of their severance payments withheld. The President was also quoted by the statement to have said ”…that Government is going to put the relationship between NICIL and the Corporation on a firm footing”. Again, the obvious question that pops up is: why
did the President allow the relations between the two bodies to descend to the acrimonious expressions that have played out in the full view of the public. Why wasn’t the discord arrested earlier, rather than be allowed to fester and explode into a raging war of words? We nevertheless are hopeful that, indeed, the President, late than never, could bring the bodies to see eye-to-eye. Our Union was perplexed too when we saw President Granger being quoted as saying he ”…met with the sugar unions on December 31, 2016 and February 3, 2017 and, again, with the unions on January 19, 2018 because I am interested in working out with them how this industry will survive… I want them to understand our plans for the industry”. Our Union did meet representatives of the Government, not the President, on December 31, 2016 and February 03 and 17, 2017 regarding what was said to us was a ‘consultative’ exercise regarding the plans to divest Skeldon Estate and close Rose Hall and Enmore Estates. While we harboured fears about the genuineness of those engagements, our Union approached it with an open mind but, it appeared that the proverbial door was already shut on the other side. Nevertheless, the GAWU as well as the NAACIE did engage President Granger and leading members of his Administration, for the first and only time, on January 19, last year.A statement, by the Department of Public Informa-
tion, about the engagement quoted His Excellency as saying ”[t]he Government and the Unions should engage until the issue is resolved”. Though the GAWU engaged in good faith and put several suggestions to the Government at the meeting, we have not since heard from the President or his Administration about further engagements. While the President’s interest in securing the remaining state-owned sugar estates is a welcome sign, it is not a time for nice speeches, good words and photo opportunities. Whether the President’s apparent newfound interest is connected to other national happenings is left to be seen. However, we require serious and concerted action. There must be, in our view, collective discussions and the sharing of ideas and thoughts. The workers, an important segment in the industry’s turnaround, success and sustainability, can no longer be alienated or treated with scorn or derision, but they must be included and treated with respect. We will look in the coming times to see if the President’s utterances are reflected in actions and deeds. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
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The dysfunctional state of the City Council continues to prevail DEAR EDITOR, In a shocking move, the APNU+AFC majority on the Georgetown City Council voted at the Statutory meeting held on May 28, 2019 to immediately open a special bank account for the Social Development Committee which is headed by former Mayor Patricia Chase-Green. The PPP/C Councilors voted against the opening of this special bank account for important reasons which will be explained. It should be noted that Councilor Chase-Green is not only the current Chairman of the Social Development Committee but she has also been the Chairman of that Committee during the previous two Councils, meaning that she has been at the helm of this committee for more than a decade. This committee comprises seven Councilors as members with two of them serving as Chairman and Vice-Chairman. It was Mayor Ubraj Narine himself who introduced the subject of a special bank account for the Social Development Committee at the statutory meeting. He actually pushed for such an account to be opened which seems to indicate that he was probably ill-informed and did
not make any inquiries or do any research on the issue. The question of a special bank account for the Social Development Committee has always been a problematic issue since there are no provisions in the laws or by-laws sanctioning a special independent bank account for the Social Development Committee to be managed by certain Councilors. I argued against the opening of this bank account and referred to the Keith Burrowes Report which had recommended the closing of this account since 2012. I had also objected to a special bank account for the Social Development Committee at the previous Council where former Town Clerk Royston King seemed to have misinterpreted Section 148 (3) of the Municipal and District Councils Act Cap 28:01 which referred to maintaining separate (ledger) accounts for revenue and expenditures for money deposited into or spent from the authorized bank account for such purposes which was the general rate fund. The Municipal & District Councils Act (M&DC Act) also makes provision for loans taken out by the Council which are not considered as revenue and must be depos-
ited into a separate loan fund. To understand the structure of the Georgetown City Council, one must refer to the Municipal and District Councils Act 28:01 where the City Council consists of the elected Mayor and Councilors as the policy-making and oversight body while the administration of the Council is headed by the Town Clerk where decisions of the Council are executed and standard operating procedures are followed. The Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Act of 2013 outlines the duties of Councilors in Section 8A and it does not include any power to undertake administrative duties which are under the control of the Town Clerk or the City Treasurer. So the activities of the Social Development Committee relating to selling of Mashramani and Carnival spots, issuing loans and bursaries and maintaining a separate bank account appear to be outside of what is permissible by law and also beyond the scope of Councilors responsibilities.The responsibility for executing all revenue-garnering activities or executing payment decisions of Council falls under the offices of the Town Clerk and
An improved standard of living and better quality of life can’t be achieved overnight DEAR EDITOR, First, let me state categorically that his Excellency, President Granger and his Government are doing their utmost to see the people of Guyana improve their standard of living and have a better quality of life. Fellow Guyanese, this cannot be achieved overnight. I have also read that the contract with Exxon Mobil must be renegotiated. To some extent, I agree with Christopher Ram, but the contract has been signed and while we should adhere to it, we should also be open to restructuring the weaker parts of it for more beneficial impact for the Guyanese economy. Future contracts must be negotiated by people who have in-depth knowledge of the oil industry. To those who desire that this contract be renegotiated, I suggest that they go to the Canadian embassy and request to see the “Gray Report”. Then you would realize with whom you are dealing when you contract a multinational oil major, especially Exxon Mobil - you have to get the best possible to negotiate. When dealing with such a large multinational company, it will very arduous to
say the least, or next to impossible, to ascertain the costs for oil recovery. Let me give you some basic reasons: 1] Exxon Mobil may have shares in the companies making the pipes, valves or even the steel companies. 2] They may also have shares in the banks from which they are borrowing funds. 3] They may also have shares in the oil refineries. This is only the tip of the iceberg. What this implies is that in no uncertain circumstances can this government or any Government be able to obtain true costs. My other opinion is that our government should use some of the funds from the oil revenue to invest in alternative sources of energy. We should go ahead with hydroelectric, wind and solar farms. [We have started this but must improve production divestment across the board]. Please also bear in mind oil prices may not be the same all the time. In fact, it is my belief that by 2025, oil prices shall begin to fall. Right now, the American, German, Japanese and Chinese automakers are investing heavily in electric vehicles. Europe will no longer produce combustion engines for cars by 2030. This
is very good for the environment. More emphasis should be placed on agriculture. In fact, I believe all agriculture products sold should be tax-free, and also on agriculture and mining equipment . One only has to look at Venezuela and notice what occurs when a country fails to diversify its economy and depends on one source of income. People criticised our Founder Leader, Mr. Linden Forbes Burnham when Guyana was sanctioned and certain items were prohibited from entering Guyana, but in the end Guyana became [not one hundred percent] selfsufficient in terms of food. India was another country where agriculture was taxfree. This was implemented by the late Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Today, India exports some of its agriculture products. Guyana is still a relatively young country but we have the talent to get almost everything done right here. What is also ever more in our favour is that we have a young population and our Government must give our youths an opportunity to prove themselves. Sincerely, Anthony Kissoon
the City Treasurer, and not the Social Development Committee, which appears to be usurping the responsibilities of the Town Clerk’s office. Further, Sections 60-69 of the M&DC Act refers to the formation of Committees and rules governing such committees. No committee has the power to enter into contracts unless such authority is given by the Council. Selling of spots for Carnival and Mashramani can be considered as simple contracts which the Social Development Committee does not have the authority to undertake and this is an administrative task which should be performed by the Town Clerk’s office. If there was ever a decision made by the Council to assign such responsibilities to a Committee or to certain Councilors, no evidence was produced to substantiate such claim, such as the Minutes of a meeting where such decision was made. In addition, no such responsibility is assigned in the Terms of Reference for the Social Development Committee either. A Commission of Inquiry was authorized in 2012 to investigate the operations of City Hall due to accusations of corruption and mismanagement. The Commission was headed by Keith Burrowes and it made forty-five (45) recommendations which were to be implemented by the Georgetown City Council. It was reported that one of those recommendations included the closing of a number of bank accounts, including the Social Development Committee’s bank account which also existed at that time. The Social Development Committee has never produced any audited financial statements for any monies which were collected, spent, disbursed or loaned over the years even though the Committee had been involved in numerous activities and
events. Everyone is aware that the Georgetown City Council has been experiencing financial difficulties for many years and so it would have been expected that all activities would be geared towards garnering more revenue or reducing expenses for the Council. But according to reports, the Social Development Committee was giving away free spots for Mashramani, offering discounts and also paying certain Councilors for working Mashramani and Carnival, while Council workers also received extra pay in addition to their regular salaries. It should be noted that the Social Development Committee handles all Mashramani, Carnival and Independence activities for the Georgetown City Council in addition to other social events. Councilor ChaseGreen had openly said at a statutory meeting that all monies from the Carnival celebrations must be deposited in the Social Development Committee account. The stated purpose for this new special bank account for Social Development Committee which will be opened with immediate effect was to allow staff and other community members to have access to small loans outside the “bureaucracy of the treasurer’s department”. In other words, the APNU+AFC Mayor and Councilors are stating that they intend to bypass the City Treasurer’s office and also violate the laws and existing procedures. At a statutory meeting in September 2011, former Councilor Junior Garrett (deceased) “lamented the fact that the cash-strapped Council had apparently become a loan agency to certain senior members” (Guyana Chronicle 1/7/ 14). Citizens and former workers have alleged that the Social Development Committee
bank account was used as a slush fund with no accountability and that monies were spent at the whims and fancies of those who controlled it. Employees of the Georgetown City Council make contributions to their credit union which allowed them in the past to take out small loans from time to time from that institution. But those contributions have been illegally used for other purposes instead of remitting to the Credit Union and this has been going on for many years. As a result, the Council workers cannot obtain any loans from the Credit Union. The City Council has not yet brought the credit union accounts up to date, so workers continue to be deprived of the benefits to which they are entitled from the Credit Union. But the deliberate failure of the Council to remit employees’ contributions to the Credit Union is simply not enough reason to disregard or violate the laws and also the recommendations of that Commission of Inquiry, to open a special bank account which will be controlled by the Social Development Committee. So even with new Mayor Ubraj Narine and many new Councilors on board, the dysfunctional state of the City Council continues to prevail, with yet another unsound and detrimental decision to open a special bank account for the Social Development Committee to “bypass the bureaucracy of the Treasurer’s department”.I call on all citizens to contact Mayor Ubraj Narine and also the Councilors to reverse this decision in the interest of accountability and good governance. Sincerely, Bishram Kuppen Councilor – Georgetown City Council
Republic Bank should assume responsibility and reimburse all affected customers DEAR EDITOR, After all the media coverage on the fleecing of Republic Bank customers via the Visa Debit Cards, I decided to ascertain if my card was compromised. I was overseas the past few months and upon my return to Guyana, decided to check my debit card’s bank statements that were send via postal mail. My worst fears were realized when I noticed suspicious transactions that I had not made, appeared on my statements. On June 12, I visited Republic Bank Water Street branch and was directed to a department that handled cus-
tomers’ queries. The bank’s representative told me that they were only reviewing transactions that occurred within the past three months and which is part of Republic Bank’s pact with Visa International. Thus, my inquiry could not be reviewed, since the time for queries had elapsed (the suspicious transactions on my statement had occurred at the beginning of this year). This is unfair to the bank’s customers who have been unsuspecting victims to these cases of outright fraud. Whether the fraud occurred several months or years ago, the fact remains that it oc-
curred and the bank should take responsibility and not attempt to hide behind the veneer of its agreement with Visa. This is poor customer service, at best, on the bank’s part to dismiss customers’ legitimate evidence of fraud. The bank should assume responsibility and reimburse all affected customers. Absent of this, the government or central bank should intervene to ascertain what happened here in order to protect customers or customers should organize and file a lawsuit against the bank and Visa. Regards, Chontelle Sewett
Friday June 14, 2019
Kaieteur News
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17 charges, 3 convictions yielded from TIP Action Plan - 2019-2020 Plan of Action launched Seventeen charges and three convictions for persons involved in Trafficking in Persons (TIP), were some of the successes yielded by the TIP Plan of Action for 2017-2018. Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan disclosed this as the Ministerial Task Force launched its 20192020 Plan of Action for the prevention and response to TIP. Delivering the feature address, Minister Ramjattan revealed that the task force “has managed to investigate and prosecute. “Seventeen individuals were charged. We had three convictions for trafficking in persons, and we had another three convicted for other crimes arising from trafficking
in persons’ investigations.” The minister said despite the challenges, the government is taking the necessary steps to fight against this form of modern-day slavery. The hope is that with the launch of the ‘Plan of Action’, there will be more investigations, charges and convictions. However, it was highlighted by the minister that continued collaboration between local and international agencies is key to ensuring that the victims are rescued. The National Plan of Action was developed through collaboration by several Government agencies and ministries. Partnership, prosecution, protection and prevention are the four pillars on
Minister of Public Security and Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, Khemraj Ramjattan, with members of the Task Force at the launch of the National Plan of Action 2019-2020. which the plan is built. “We cannot win the battle alone at a law enforcement agency; it is never going to be won. There are going to be limitations in relation to law enforcement, but when we can have a variety of individual agencies locally and internationally, we think, of course, success can be at hand,” the minister stated. Similar sentiments were echoed by Deputy Director of Social Services, Ministry of Social Protection, Abike Samuels. According to Samuels, improving partnership is critical to fighting TIP. She noted
that the Social Protection Ministry is committed to leveraging resources needed to confront the threat, support victims and survivors while holding traffickers accountable. It was pointed out by Samuels that the Ministry’s Countering Trafficking in Persons Unit assisted 156 TIP
victims with 93 of them being referred to various facilities for support. Guyana has managed to maintain its “tier 1” status in Trafficking in Persons. Awareness sessions and training along with implementing the recommendations from the US Department of State’s TIP report for 2017
will all be ramped up through the Plan of Action. Some of the recommendations include more rigorous investigations, prosecutions and also increased emphasis on men and boys. Anyone with information on persons involved in TIP can contact the TIP Hotline on +592-227-4083. (DPI)
Police to seek Legal advice in comatose child case, …family distraught over issue
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ommander of “E” Division, Linden Lord, has said that the police are currently investigating the matter of Regma Primary School pupil, June Alexander, who is hospitalized, and is in a comatose state, following an incident at her school on Monday. “We’ve taken statements from the teachers and cleaners and we are putting these together, and we will be seeking legal advice on the matter,” the Commander said. The child’s relatives are at their wits end and are very distraught, following the incident at the School which left ten-year-old June Alexander, reportedly brain dead. According to the child’s grandmother, Sandra Sumner, her granddaughter was at school on Monday, when the incident occurred. Sumner said that teachers at the school are saying that June fell and hit her head, but
according to a doctor’s report, the injuries sustained are consistent with falling from “a height”, or being badly beaten. She added that reports were made to the police that the child had been skipping, and had tripped on her shoe laces and fell. However the grandmother insisted that the child’s shoe had no laces. “These teachers are lying and they are holding one head, because June shoes ain’t had no laces, and when the police went to the school, they couldn’t find the shoes.” There are other conflicting reports, suggesting that the child had been running and fell; but the most damning report, indicates that the child was pushed down the stairs by another pupil, after she, June, had pushed the child! According to Sumner, a child related to the Police that June was playing with another pupil on the school’s corridor, when June pushed the child. A teacher reportedly told the child “to push June back”, and so the child push June straight down the
stairs,” Sumner lamented tearfully. The woman further related that her granddaughter was only taken to the hospital after she started convulsing, as efforts were being made to resuscitate her, at the school. But the child subsequently slipped into a coma, and has not regained consciousness, she added. Sumner said that a CT Scan was done. It showed that her granddaughter is brain dead. The procedure was done after she was transferred, from the Linden Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, the very afternoon. The woman says that it is really hard on her daughter, Angela Hamilton, who has not worked since the incident, as she has to travel to Georgetown daily, to see June. Hamilton who is a single parent, and works as a security guard, has seven other children to take care of. A relative has meanwhile taken to social media, alleging that her niece had been suffering at the hands of a particular teacher, who often bullied her.
G
uyana’s oil is not going anywhere. So why hurry to start oil production when the country is being shortchanged because of the poor deal it got from Exxon? What is the rush about? The oil is not going to disappear. It will not evaporate or move deeper into the seabed. It will remain where it is, as it has been for millions of years. Oil is a fossil fuel. This means it was formed as a result of the death of previously organic material, and over millions of years eventually developed through heat, pressure and chemical reactions into what we now call oil. Oil is therefore not an overnight phenomenon. It took millions of years to be formed and it will not simply
disappear overnight if it is left at the bottom of the sea. Guyana’s oil does not belong to the government. It belongs to the people and they have a right to get a good deal for it. The government whom they elected had not gotten a good deal for Guyana’s oil. Exxon Mobil has discovered an estimated five billion barrels of oil worth at present day prices in excess of US$250 billion. The government got a pittance of US$18M. In any other part of the world, the government would have been out under pressure to resign over such a paltry sum. Then it took four years for the “Christopher Columbuses” within the government to discover that oil blocks were handed out to
individuals and companies which are not among the top oil and gas companies in the world. We are now reading about the interests in some of these handed-out blocks being farmed out to other investors. In other words, profiteering is already taking place within the blocks without any major exploration blocks taking place. Guyana was sitting for years upon hundreds of billions of United States dollars worth of oil. And now that the people should benefit from this resource, it is being discovered that the oil blocks have been handed out to some companies which are not major oil companies. Some of the present owners are operating like landlords.
82 deliberate/snap operation conducted for 2018
A
total of 82 deliber ate/snap opera tions were conducted by CANU during the reporting period of 2018 as against 47 for the same period in 2017. This was according to their Deputy Head, Leslie Ramlall. Many of these operations were conducted in the Administrative Regions. They resulted in the seizure of narcotics, arrests and prosecution of traffickers as well as the seizure and subsequent forfeiture of their assets, according to Ramlall. For those operations that were conducted in Regions One, Two and Nine, the officers were deployed for the duration and these operations required careful planning and proved to be costly. However, some of these operations were successful while others enable the officers to have a better understanding of the environment they will have to operate in the future. In the area of Joint Operations, Ramlall said that the Unit’s ability to conduct joint operations with other agencies such as the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force testifies to the level of cooperation among the agencies. Several such operations he said were conducted during 2018 which would have resulted in the seizure or eradication of narcotics and the seizure of arms and ammunition. Additionally, joint operations involving other stakeholders were conducted at their International airports through OP PALEHORSE. Narcotics Seized A total of 171.58 kgs of cocaine, 543.256 kgs of cannabis, 532.8 grams of ecstasy, 304 grams of heroin, 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 39 grams of cannabis seeds were seized in
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CANU Deputy Head, Leslie Ramlall 2018 as against 291.089 kgs of cocaine, 123.799 kgs of cannabis and 1.602 kgs of heroin seized for the year 2017. While there was a reduction of the seizure of cocaine,
it must be noted that two reasons contributed to this. Ramlall indicated that the vast increase in cannabis seized during 2018, this was mainly due to a substantial (Continued on page 12 )
Guyana-born murder convict recaptured in Suriname hotel Suriname prison authorities have recaptured a Guyana-born murder convict after he escaped. According to the De Ware Tijd online newspaper, the escaped prisoner, Ramesh Persaud Mohes, 40, was arrested between Wednesday and Thursday night. The report said that he was arrested at a hotel in Combé by a special unit of the Penitentiary Corps. Mohes and Shailesh Orie, 39, managed to escape from the Santo Boma Central Criminal Court on Saturday morning. The two would have used a wooden beam to climb over the prison wall. Orie was arrested Sunday afternoon by a mixed police unit in a residence in
Ramesh Persaud Mohes Charlesburg. Mohes was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend in 2016.Orie is in prison for robbery using violence.
So why could Guyana not have been its own landlord? Why could not have a state owned oil compnay been established that would tender for rights to leases within our Basin? The United States Geological Survey estimated that the Guyana- Suriname Basin contained more than 15 billion barrels of oil. That is about one trillion United States Dollars. This means that from oil alone every Guyanese is worth about $200 million. Now if you ask the average Guyanese how he or she would manage with $200 million each, he or she would tell you that neither they nor their children grandchildren, great grandchildren and even their great, great grandchildren would ever have to work again for the rest of their lives. And mind you, the US Geology Survey was conservative. Guyanese therefore cannot afford to wake up tomorrow and find that its oil blocks have all be handed out without any real returns to the country. Well, they really do not need to wake up and discover that. They only need to be reading the Kaieteur News which over the past few days has been reporting on the
offloading of some of these oil blocks. What Guyana needs is to put a pause on oil development and begin a thorough investigation into who got what, was paid and what was done to those blocks subsequent to them being signed over to others. The oil within the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur blocks is not going anywhere. It is not to float away to another country. It will remain there. Guyana is not going to lose therefore it should place a one-year moratorium on all oil exploration and production, pending an independent and impartial investigation into the distribution of these blocks. Guyana must not be in such a hurry to commence oil production. Eric Williams,
flush in petro dollars, once boasted that money is not a problem. This was paraphrased as oil don’t spoil. Well, Trinidad’s oil did not spoil but it also did not last forever. The oil almost done and Trinidad is quickly going broke. This makes it all the more important why Guyana should ensure that it gets the best deal for its oil reserves. Guyana should demand a better deal so that it does not end up in the mess in which Trinidad, once the moneywell of the Caribbean, now finds itself.
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Friday June 14, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Dead meat selling next to my house tomorrow I would argue that two periods after Independence offered hope for a transformative, all-embracing, liberated Guyana – the Rodney revolution in the seventies and the rising popularity of a third force, the AFC that offered itself as an alternative to the PNC and PPP. I would not include the 1999 ascendency of Jagdeo to the presidency even though he was young and had no baggage at all. He could not have been different because he was a captive of the dinosaurs in the PPP’s hierarchy. When he did break free of them, their influence was still there and Jagdeo became a perverted failure. The Rodney revolution died when he was killed in 1980. The AFC came upon the scene when Guyanese were virtually tired of the two Leviathans. Between them, they ruled Guyana since 1953. They were the only two parties the younger and older
generations knew. By 2010, the AFC’s acceptance as a major player in Guyanese politics was assured. It was a done deal. As the AFC grew larger with the passage of time, its newness and multi-racial credentials catapulted it into the imagination of the Guyanese people. To understand the magic and melody of the AFC from 2010 onwards, you had to be in its midst. I campaigned for the AFC in 2011 and 2015 at a hectic pace, going all over Regions 2, 3, 4. 5, 6 and 10. I saw for myself how people across class, age, culture, religion and ethnicity rushed to embrace the AFC. I honestly believe the AFC is dead as a door nail but I honestly believe that if the AFC had remained as an alternative third force they could have won a plurality of the votes at the 2020 election and form a minority government and displace both the PNC and PPP by 2025. We know now this will never hap-
pen. Acknowledging that it would be dead meat (the two words its leaders used from 2006 onwards to justify its distance from the PPP and PNC) should it ever join the PPP government or form an alliance with the PNC, the AFC ran the risk of becoming dead meat when it broke its promise and did seek an alliance with one of the Leviathans in the 2015 elections. Voters were cruel to the AFC in the 2015 poll even though it did not run on its own so we could ascertain how many votes it got in specific areas. But even in the hometown of Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, the PPP won handsomely. Even if we cannot count the votes the AFC got in 2015, its showing in PPP strongholds that it took in 2006 and 2011 were shockingly poor. I went through the GECOM polling station results that it usually releases after each general election. The AFC was humiliated in the 2015
poll. Its poor showing didn’t mean it had become dead meat as yet. The 2015 GECOM data revealed that traditional AFC strongholds did not want the merger with the PNC. But once in power the AFC did nothing to show that it was an independent party in a coalition with another party and it will assert its character and identity. The AFC did not have to become dead meat when it acquired power in May 2015. It could have used the deterministic nature of coalition government to carve out its own policies. But from day one, as soon as the ink was dried on the swearing in documents, the AFC ministers were content to act as second fiddle to the PNC.
As the years went by, the AFC appeared in the eyes of countless numbers that it was not the maverick, transformative party it once was. The 2006 magic moment is gone. The businesses people who gave generously are gone. The enthusiastic youths who flocked to it are gone. The vast sections of the Guyanese population who saw it as the country’s future are gone. In 2018, the death was there for the entire world to see – a party in government couldn’t win just one NDC in the local government elections. It is this columnist’s deeply held analytical position that the AFC is so battered and tattered that contesting the next election on its own, it will not win one parliamentary seat.
Frederick Kissoon Tomorrow it holds its congress at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre where it will put on display what its leaders said the AFC will become if it ever teams up with the PPP or the PNC – dead meat. My study window overlooks the Convention Centre. After the congress is over, I will peep hard to see if a hearse or a meat van would be driving out.
DEM BOYS SEH
Prison is like a merry go round
Life is a merry-go-round fuh some people. One day dem up and anodda day dem down. Of course that is mainly fuh people who does gamble although some old people does experience de same thing. Dem boys seh dem got some prisoners who does be in and out. Dem sit down in de court when de police bring in two young men who thief a lady phone. When de prosecutor read de charge and explain to de court, it tun out that just last week de two men been in jail. As soon as dem step out is time fuh dem go back. It look like if dem does deliberately
thief fuh stay in jail. Of course dem getting place to sleep and dem getting three squares. But dem got odda things that no ordinary person does want. People got to tell you when to sleep, when to wake up when to eat and things like that. That is wha gun happen to some politicians. De Waterfalls paper talk bout de oil blocks that some people thief and give dem friends to hold. Jagdeo done seh he don’t mind an investigation but he wouldn’t like people fuh tek back de oil blocks. Dem boys know why. All over de world politi-
cians heading to jail. Leaders getting arrest fuh corruption. Dem boys seh it hard to imagine a man is president one day and a prisoner de next. Is only in Guyana politicians don’t get jail. Dem try a thing wid Westford and Ashni. Dem trying wid de Chat-3 and Irfaat but de people dem should try wid sitting pretty and spending money dem never wuk for. If Jagdeo was in Brazil he woulda be in jail like Lula because he couldn’t explain he house. That is how life go. Talk half and look how de jail tuna merry go round.
Friday June 14, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday June 14, 2019
Toshaos, loggers to deal with Europe market directly …moves to remove middlemen
T
oshaos and repre sentatives of com munity logging associations of Regions One, Two, Seven and Ten are benefitting from a capacity building workshop in management, monitoring and evaluation. The workshop is to ensure adherence to the European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (EU-FLEGT) process. The two-day workshop, which opened at the NTC’s Hadfield Street office on Wednesday, is aimed at building the administrative and managerial capacity of the participants who will ultimately play a leading role in ensuring adherence to the EU-FLEGT process within Indigenous communities. Training is part of an agreement between the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations under the FAO EU-FLEGT programme and the NTC for promoting sustainable forestry in Indigenous peoples’ communities through capacity building and direct participation in the EU-FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) process. Toshao of Kimbia and
Toshao of Karrau Village, Lower Mazaruni, Region 7, Romeo Smith. Chairman of the Region Ten Council, Ricky Boyle, noted that the programme has already made a difference within the Upper DemeraraBerbice Region (Region Ten) community. The NTC has already conducted a scoping meeting in the area. Toshao Boyle told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the villagers, many of whom are involved in the forestry sector, are very interested in the project since
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, FAO Country Representative, Gillian Smith and the EU Delegation Representative, Frederico Suarez and Executive member of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Toshao Russian Dorrick. they are seeking markets for their produce. “If they can get a direct market to EU instead of going through a middle man that would be of great benefit to my village…The people are dependent on the forest.” He explained that the loggers are hopeful that through the EU-FLEGT VPA project, EU buyers can have a direct exchange with them. Hence, he noted the importance of the training to ensuring the right products are supplied and that the buyers’ requirements are met. Romeo Smith, Toshao of Karrau Village, Lower
Mazaruni, Region Seven, noted the importance of training like this to ensure that the village council understand the EU-FLEGT process and sustainable forest management. Smith said he will be engaging the loggers in his village about the programme.
The FAO EU-FLEGT programme promotes the implementation of the FLEGT Action Plan by improving forest governance, providing technical assistance and building capacity through funding for projects in eligible countries. Guyana received some
$104M (US$49,990) for the project. Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, FAO Country Representative, Gillian Smith and the EU Delegation, Representative, Frederico Suarez were also present at the event. (DPI)
82 deliberate/snap operation conducted ... From page 9 increase of smuggling of narcotics from Berbice and Linden to Georgetown for onward destination to some CARICOM countries. This spike was seen mostly during the June to August period which coincides with the Summer vacation. It is known that a lot of social activities usually occur locally and there is always an increase of tourists to the
Caribbean during this period. The Unit managed to dismantle the main ring that was involved in this activity from Berbice and also effectively curtailed the smuggling from Linden. As it relates to the new phenomena of synthetic drugs in Guyana, Ramlall said this is a very worrying situation. CANU was required to conduct several investigations in schools in Regions
Three and Four in relation to the sale and use of ecstasy. This situation, Ramlall said, is certainly very disturbing and while there were some level of intervention by the various stakeholders in providing educational and counselling sessions for teachers, students and parents, much more needs to be done to arrest this situation. He said it should be noted that it was established that most of the synthetic drugs are coming through the ports shared with Guyana’s eastern neighbour. The Unit has been in collaboration with relevant counterparts to address this development.
Friday June 14, 2019
Kaieteur News
EMS - a success story laced with some daunting challenges - Director appeals for public support to keep service going Since kicking into motion in November 2016, the national Emergency Medical Service [EMS], headed by Dr. Zulfikar Bux, has responded to close to 9,000 medical emergencies, provided this number is not surpassed by the time of publication. These, however, are enough cases to indicate that the service which has seen many persons with life threatening conditions being stabilised enough to be rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital, where they are afforded advanced life-saving medical attention. “This service has essentially been helping to save lives,� said Dr. Bux who disclosed that trained Emergency Medical Technicians [EMTs] who are dispatched aboard ambulances are tasked with providing basic medical care and are supported en route [via cell phones] by GPHC specialists when the need arises. The gamut of cases that the EMS system has catered to since becoming operational range from heart attacks to difficult pregnancies. In fact, according to Dr. Bux, about four deliveries, all successful,
EMS Director, Dr. Zulfikar Bux were carried out by EMTs en route to hospital. But even with all of the success the initiative has racked up in the few years it has been in existence, there have been some daunting response and the EMTs have felt the brunt of these, said
the national EMS Director. He was at the time making reference to the fact that a number of EMTs have been the subject of physical assaults and verbal abuse while trying to carry out their duties in the public (Continued on page 14)
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Diverse Education System to Explore Negative Internalized Attitudes and Stereotypes The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Cohesion held a two-day Diversity Education and Inclusion Training for the Heads of Departments in Social Studies. The partnership was established in July 2018 and has been taken across the country. The programme is aimed at addressing stereotypes which govern society today as well as negative internalized attitudes which may stem from these stereotypes. It is the view of the ministries that the education system be inclusive of all kinds and that all be seen as equal. Ms Tiffany Roberts, the Quality Assurance Officer and Senior Education Officer, Georgetown, said, “The Ministry of Education fully embraces the implementation of a diverse education system. Diversity goes beyond color, ethnic background, custom, culture, religious experience, political views and even sexual orientation. As you the heads of departments are sitting
among us today it is important to impart this knowledge and to ensure that a diverse education is implemented and monitored throughout Guyana. It is our belief that this programme will allow students to be exposed to a wide array of ideas, culture and individuals. She added that in her opinion it’s much easier if there is a diverse education system as it’s easier to impact students because they get to interact with basically all kinds of people and experiences are shared. This type of education system will not only have effects on the secondary level but the tertiary level as well. She said that she hopes that all participants of the workshop would have acquired the necessary knowledge to take back to their schools and to train the relevant persons to implement and pass the baton on. Programme Coordinator, Natasha Singh-Lewis, gave
The Heads of Departments in attendance with the officials of the ministries seated. her remarks on behalf of the Minister of Social Cohesion
Dr. George Norton saying “Educators all, today I feel very happy to be with you this morning as we continue our partnership. “This partnership started in 2018 as a more organized relationship with the Ministry of Education. The Department of Social Cohesion started out training in 2017 at a community level in the regions, and at [every] training we would have had teachers from the various schools, within the commu-
nity we were executing our training”. She went on to say that that two-day session was particularly targeting the heads of departments for Social Studies. It was a strategic move for them to make the heads of department and the Social Studies teachers the key stakeholders for the year 2019. She said that they will be in Region Two in July. However they know that across the region they will not be able
to gather 40-45 heads of department because of the geographic location but they would be able to extend the training to the Social Studies teachers including those at the primary level involved. She wished those in attendance well and informed them that she is looking out for the community projects that will come out as a result of what they would be learning over that two day period.
EMS - a success story laced with... From page 13 domain. According to the EMS Director, “What we have found, when there are big accidents and these guys [EMTs] have to go to the scene, some people are not always accommodating and this might be because our EMTs are young people...we have given them a job but they are not the best in the world but they know what they are doing and people need to understand this.” Although they are trained to carry out basic medical responses, Dr. Bux noted that EMTs have however been lacking conflict resolution skills, a state of affairs that he is currently working to resolve. “When there is an accident for instance there are usually a lot of people on the scene and many of them suddenly become medical experts and want to tell the EMTs what they should or shouldn’t do. “Many people verbally abuse them as if they are not doing their work properly. But the public needs to understand that these people are trained to do what they are doing,” reiterated the EMS Director. In addition to instructing the EMTs, Dr. Bux said that “many people take out their smart phones and start videoing them
and that puts additional pressure on them to do their work...anybody for that matter, even well experienced medical professionals with years of service, it is very difficult for them to focus on patient care with all that pressure.” Compounding the dilemma faced by EMTs, is the fact that they have even been subjected to physical assaults, Dr. Bux said. He revealed that not so long ago this was the case when an ambulance arrived at a scene where a number of irate residents had gathered. Upon arrival, this publication was told that residents started to hit the ambulance and proceeded to do the same to the female EMT who exited the vehicle. “Our population is getting more and more aggressive and I don’t know if it is because of alcohol or drug use but this is being reflected even in the cases that are coming to us...there is an increasing number of violence-related injuries and medical conditions that we are seeing. People are harming the very medical personnel who are coming to give them assistance and we need this to stop if the EMS system is to continue being effective,” said Dr. Bux. He shared his belief that the aggression on some occasions
might be linked to the delayed arrival of ambulances but attributed this to the time wasted trying to follow directions which may not always be precise. “We don’t have any GPS system to use to find a particular address, so it’s just the verbal directions that that the EMTs have to follow in order to respond to emergencies,” Dr. Bux explained. In voicing an appeal for people to be more cooperative, Dr. Bux said, “Members of the public must at least try to understand that we are doing our best and therefore they should not put additional pressure on our EMTs who are already working under pressure to help stabilise patients in order to help save their lives and keep the service going.” Members of the public can access the emergency system by dialling 912 which also doubles as the national fire response number. In fact the EMS service is a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and the Guyana Fire Service and is poised for expansion to the East Coast and East Bank and the West Coast of Berbice by year end a move, Dr. Bux is confident will help to save even more lives.
Friday June 14, 2019
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After one year overpass elevators still not commissioned
- officials still mum on deadline failure and new commissioning date By Alex Wayne It has been one year now since the Infrastructure Ministry promised to commission and make operational the overpass elevators located at four different locations on East Bank Demerara. These elevators are still not commissioned and are like white horses at Houston, Eccles, Providence and Diamond. That’s not all. Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, had promised that the elevators will be commissioned before the May 26 Independence celebrations, but all Guyana is still waiting to see that happen. After the May 26 deadline, Kaieteur News again contacted the ministry’s, Public Relations Officer, Krest Cummings for an update on the situation, and she could not come up with a reason for the delay, nor could she say if a new date has been set for commissioning. Our reporter made several attempts, but Krest, always mentioned that Minister Patterson has not given her any new information regarding the issue. That aside, Krest had promised through her minister that the elevators would have been manned by trained personnel (around the clock), but this too has not materialized. This newspaper has consulted with sources inside the Transport and Harbours Department/ Maritime Administration Department who said they are
not aware that employees from within their operations were trained to man the elevators as indicated by Krest. Cummings had indicated that locals will be trained shortly by engineers from the ministry who have already been trained at an international level overseas. She had also promised a better surveillance system that will be implemented, and will be connected to the existing one at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, to ensure ‘round the clock viewing’ of what goes around the bypasses. The elevators at the Eccles, Houston, Diamond and have been installed since June 2018, and were expected to be operational one week after. That has not happened and the ministry in April 2019 had reported cases of vandalism on the Diamond and Providence overpasses in which electrical, and solar panel lights, no cycle and disable signs, corrugated electrical wire c o v e r s , earthing connection, and protective covers were stolen. Camera wires were also disconnected at the Diamond bypass as well. The cost for supply and installation of each elevator is tabled at USD$61 000, and were bought from Cibes Lifts Group AG, OF Sweden. They were supplied and installed by their authorized dealer RBP Lifts, Trinidad. One might want to consider that the elevators and overpasses left standing would have been
the overpass elevators are way past their June 2018 expected commissioning date
the perfect target of thieves since they never attended on supervised by security ranks of any sort. Today the ministry has failed to provide information on the brand or model of the elevators, and from where they have been sourced even though the question was raised in several instances. Kaieteur News has been given the ‘royal run around’ since we attempted to sources information on the overpasses earlier this year. In late March Kaieteur News attempted to get a comment on actual date for commencement of operations, and was first told by Senior Engineer, Jermaine Braithwaite, that he could not
comment on such matters, and would have to consult with another engineer w h o i s authorised to comment. He was contacted some time later (on April 24), and then reported that he had made contact with the other e n g i n e e r, w h o m h a d indicated that he preferred to have their PR Representative comment on the issue. Several attempts after by this newspaper had gone unanswered as his phone rang out repeatedly.
The following day he mentioned he was unable to come up with any information of significance. Contact was then made with the ministry’s PRO, Krest Cummings, who at that time had indicated that she was not in a position to comment on an operational start time or commissioning of the elevators. The overhead walkways at Providence and Diamond villages were each said to be built at a cost of $77M. Contracts for the other three walkways (Houston,
Eccles and Peter’s Hall) were awarded to B & A Civil Works. Trinidad Company, RBP Lifts Limited, had installed elevators with RM Engineering overseeing the process. The elevators are said to have a one year warranty and a quarterly maintenance system in place. The elevators also have a screw drive system which a more simplified and more robust system, so there is no cable as in the case of normal elevators.
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Kaieteur News
Action plan launched to combat Trafficking in Persons in Guyana The Government of Guyana through the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking In persons, Ministry of Public Security, yesterday launched their National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Response to Trafficking in Persons, for the period 2019-2020. The Coordinator (ag) of the Technical Arm of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Oliver Profitt, said during the welcome that they wanted to make this an official public document, as it is a document that has been guiding their activities from the beginning of the year, so they taught it necessary to make it officially known to the public. He went on to say that the action plan is based on the 4P paradigm (pattern) of Trafficking In persons (TIP), which are Prevention, Protection and Reintegration, Prosecution and Partnership. Each paradigm was represented, as the individuals present were all part of entities that were involved in carrying out them.
The participants at the ceremony yesterday. Overall partnership prevailed and was very important as they all had to work together to get the job done. Profitt further noted that time out is taken to meet monthly. Plans are being implemented at these meetings, with the blessings of the ministers on the task force to fight TIP in Guyana.
The task force has been put together, headed by the Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan , who is also the Chairman. He said that a combination of ideas and agendas are put forward, but they all have one aim and that is to significantly reduce TIP in the coun-
try. Resources and thoughts are pooled with that goal in mind. Ms Abike Samuels, the Deputy Director of Social Services at the Ministry of Social Protection, apologised for Minister Amna Ally’s absence. She said, “In this life we only have two choices, to do something or to do nothing. Today the task force on trafficking in persons chose to do something; they are launching their plan of action. As stated in the copy of the 2017-2018 action plan many sub committees became operational and the implemented anti TIP initiatives for the first time with varying degrees of success. The Ministry of Social Protection is proud to be part of this initiative in preventing and responding to Trafficking In Persons. She added that TIP is just one of the social areas in which her ministry is actively involved. It is also involved in training and awareness, sensitization programmes and just as importantly the protection and reintegration of vic-
tims. The said efforts will be continued in the 2019-2020 plan, with particular emphasis on improving partnerships with local and international agencies. She said, “The work of the unit will continue to be felt not only in the capital city but also in the length and breadth of Guyana. Our best case scenario is when a report for 2019-2020 is recorded there will be a significant reduction, if not total elimination of these cases.” Vice President, Minister of Public Security and Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking In Persons, Khemraj Ramjattan, expressed his satisfaction with the attendance of the collaborating partners of the Task Force so that they could launch the 2019-2020 leg of the National Plan of Action. “We know the dangers of human trafficking and because of the work of this task force that is coming down more and more to wider sections of the Guyanese public, and it is as was said by other persons before me that it is
modern day slavery. We know in the historical context it took about 200 years to traffick about 10-15 million out of Africa. Today we see over 30 million bring trafficked over the last 15 years from countries unto other countries” the minister said. He went on to say that they have to continue the enhancement of these partnerships to combat TIP and so it has been a very successful two-year plan that they have now gone past and they have to now ensure that the further two year plan of 20192020, they implement successfully. Resources will come and they are in the sight of great things in just a couple of months’ time and so it is going to happen, but they just have to hold fort at his moment as the darkest moment if just before dawn and they are just about to reach morning now. He congratulated the members of the task force and encouraging them to keep pushing as they still had a lot of work left to be done but they will get there.
Lance Corporal allegedly beaten by colleague…
Family is still waiting on action from police It has been five weeks since Special Lance Corporal, Don Carlos Alleyne, succumbed to his injuries at a city hospital. Since then, no immediate actions have been taken to provide justice for Alleynes family. Jocelyn Ambrose, the mother of Alleyne, and Terrence King, the grandfather of the victim, related to Kaieteur News that since Alleyne passed they have been pushing to achieve justice. Alleynes grandfather stated, “Every other day we back and forth from the DPP and the police headquarters. The other day we went to Brickdam and they told us that they have to wait for the DPP to make corrections on the report.” King stated that he contacted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and he was informed that those corrections were completed, but he says that somehow there still seems to be a hold up.
Allyene, 25, succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital on May 4, 2019, after he was allegedly beaten by another rank while he was stationed at the Special Constabulary Headquarters, Princes Street, Wortmanville. It was alleged that Alleyne was beaten by his superior officer, and despite this information, it was disclosed that the Sergeant was still on the job and performing duties as per normal. Family members stated that when they went to the hospitals mortuary and they recalled noticing marked of violence around Alleynes body. His face, skin and parts of his hands were black and blue and swollen as a result of the beating. According to a post-mortem examination, the inspection revealed that Alleyne died as a result of blunt trauma to the brain and haemorrhaging of the brain.
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Livestock Authority gets tough on illegal importation - imports 1400 ducklings for breeding stock
The imported ducklings
O
n Wednesday, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) imported 1400 white Muscovy ducklings from the United States of America (USA) to augment its current production levels. This was according to Chief Executive Officer, Nigel Cumberbatch, who said the ducklings would serve as breeding material for the authority. “These ducklings were imported from the USA and they were declared free of any infectious or contagious disease such as Duck Virus Hepatitis, Duck Virus Enteritis, Cholera, Salmonella and other such diseases by the United States Department of Agriculture. The hatchlings from this importation would be sold to the farming community for rearing for meat production,” Cumberbatch noted. The Muscovy ducks are used primarily for meat production as the meat is less greasy and contains less fat than the other breeds of ducks. Additionally, male Muscovy ducks can attain as much as 5.5 kg within 12
weeks once proper animal husbandry is practised. GLDA has, according to the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday, the responsibility to ensure it continues to support a vibrant livestock industry which provides safe food for the population and generates income for rural and urban households, all while making optimal use of available resources and competing with producers beyond its borders. “The general public and all livestock farmers in particular, are reminded that the illegal importation of livestock and livestock products into Guyana poses serious risks to the health of humans and animals as it prohibits GLDA's ability to ensure that whatever is imported is free from exotic diseases.” GLDA asked for persons to cooperate with the Ministry to safeguard the health of the nation by reporting any and all instances of illegal animals & livestock product imports (smuggling) to the authority on telephone numbers 2206556, 6557 or via email at glda1910@gmail.com or the nearest Police Station.
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IDB executive directors' now official connoisseurs of El Dorado Rums
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ashington, DC- --Six key members of the Board of Directors of the I n t e r- A m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) are now official connoisseurs of the internationally acclaimed award winning El Dorado Rum of Guyana. They were presented with official certificates last Thursday at a simple ceremony in the bank's boardroom by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Chairman, Komal Samaroo. The executive directors earned their certificates as a result of their visit to the operations of DDL at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, during an official visit to Guyana, which is a borrowing member of the bank. While at DDL the directors-Eliot Pedrosa, the USA's director; Bosco Marti Ascencio, director for Mexico and the Dominican Republic; Eric Mudueno; director for Canada; Malcolm Geere, director for the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Croatia and Slovenia; Jose Guilherme Reis, director for Brazil and Suriname; and Ambassador Selwin Hart, director for the Caribbean--participated in an organoleptic testing exercise of a range of the El Dorado and other brands of Demerara rums distilled, blended and bottled by DDL.
Prior to the organoleptic testing exercise the directors, accompanied by IDB Representative in Guyana, Sophie Makonnen, and DDL officials, toured the distillery, warehouses and bottling plant and were particularly impressed with the centuries old wooden still which is among the stills currently in use at the distillery. The visitors were also brought up to date on the e x p a n s i o n a n d diversification plans currently underway at DDL including the proposed solar farm to supply energy to the Diamond Complex which is to benefit from funding from the IDB. Last week DDL Chairman, Komal Samaroo, and Government Affairs Advisor, Wesley Kirton, were here for the Caribbean Legislative Forum on Capitol Hill and an energy meeting at the bank. They were received by five of the six directors in the office of the US Executive Director. The Caribbean director, Selwin Hart was not present since he was in Trinidad and Tobago for meetings of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). While visiting with the Bank's directorate Mr. Samaroo took the opportunity to further d i s c u s s D D L ' s diversification and expansions programs.
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Ailing PPP stalwart, Dr. Roger Luncheon, hospitalised at GPHC
D
r . R o g e r Luncheon, a P e o p l e ' s Progressive Party [PPP] Executive member, was yesterday morning rushed in an ambulance to the country's premier public health institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC], in need of urgent medical attention. According to reports reaching this publication, Dr. Luncheon who might have developed medical complications early yesterday morning, arrived at the institution some time after 08:00 hours. He remained there up to press time after being admitted. Reports suggest that he is currently warded in th e h o s p ital' s C ar d iac Intensive Care Unit [CICU] where he has been receiving close attention from medical experts. Dr. Luncheon, who has had a long career in politics, held the position of Head of the Presidential Secretariat/Cabinet Secretary under the PPP/C regime which held office for 23 years ahead of the APNU+AFC ascension to office in 2015. According to information obtained by this publication, Dr. Luncheon, a trained medical practitioner, had developed some form of ailment which had manifested previously. For instance back in 2012 a number of tests were performed on him by medical practitioners at the very GPHC to determine the nature of the ailment. This was confirmed by then Presidential Advisor under the PPP/C regime, Ms. Gail Teixeira. She was at the time
Hospitalised: Dr. Roger Luncheon filling in for Dr. Luncheon at a weekly post Cabinet press briefing where she said, “He is in a stable condition and he is undergoing further tests. He is also conscious…We hope that he will be able to rest and to have all the medical attention required to get to the bottom of some of the medical problems he has been encountering...” At the time of his hospitalisation then [December 2012], Kaieteur News was informed that Dr. Luncheon was rushed to the hospital because he was experiencing difficulty in breathing and was admitted at the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Moreover, scans were done on various parts of his body especially his heart and lungs. Days before that hospitalisation he was rushed to hospital after suffering injuries he reportedly sustained from a fall. However, based on recent reports, Dr. Luncheon had not required hospitalisation for some time and had remained stable up until his receive bout of complications. The 70year-old Dr. Luncheon is described in many quarters as a party stalwart.
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Oil contracts will not have enormous tax benefits under PPP Govt.- Jagdeo Under a PPP administration, the enormous tax benefits that are being enjoyed by oil companies now would not make its way into future contracts. This assurance was provided yesterday by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. The PPP General Secretary was at the time, responding to a Kaieteur News question with respect to renegotiating the ExxonMobilGuyana Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) so that the people and not the operator would get the lions share of the oil wealth to come. Further to this, the Opposition Leader said that a PPP government would not only curtail the benefits that are granted to the companies now, but also ensure that there is transparent auction of the remaining offshore blocks. Additionally, Jagdeo said that while some folks might be calling for renegotiation to increase the distribution of
the share for Guyana, the country can save millions of US dollars without touching the contract. In this regard, he posited that this could be done through vigilant management of pre-contract and production costs as these are known to be inflated. The Opposition Leader said, too, that he is of the firm view that the lions share must go to the people. FAIR TRADEOFF University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, in previous interviews, has stressed that governments must demand fair tradeoffs for the concessions granted to oil firms. In fact, Mitro pointed out that there are various tactics employed by oil companies with the sole aim of getting these exorbitant concessions. Mitro noted that some companies, in particular some American companies, will fly people in for negotiations. He said that ExxonMobil, which is
much more centralized in its management, does this. Mitro said that for a “flyin” headquarters team, time is of the essence as this type of team typically plans on being in country for a limited amount of time and wants to avoid spending weekends in the country. For this reason, Mitro explained that they will have pressure to achieve results quickly. The Senior Fellow said that Governments need to be aware of this phenomenon and not yield to time pressure. He said that quite often, delays in meetings or in reaching agreement, can work to the advantage of the government too. He said, “Some companies will also fly in the CEO with the objective of shortcutting the technical negotiation process through some political outreach, such as meeting the President, the Prime Minister, or Energy Minister. “With this in mind, the technical teams should pre-
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo pare the President or the Prime Minister to ensure that undue concessions are not granted or promised without a full understanding of the details.” He stressed that there must be a proper or fair tradeoff for any concession being granted.
In addition to this, Mitro said that there are tactics which the government could employ to get better tradeoffs. In this regard, he said that international firms will bring different types of expertise to the table: geologists, engineers, lawyers, tax experts,
and economic analystsall who work in professional silos without any broader perspectives or mandates. Mitro said that typically, the company would attempt to isolate each issue and to negotiate and settle them individually on a narrow technical basis. To counter this approach, he said that governments should generally avoid agreeing on issues individually and instead, require all of the relevant issues to be considered as one whole package by focusing on tradeoffs between unrelated issues. For instance, Mitro said that the government could say: “We wont agree to accelerate depreciation on your project capital expenditures unless you implement an ambitious local procurement plan,” even though the two issues are quite unrelated. Mitro said that this type of conversation and linkage of issues could serve to mitigate the often narrowly focused technical strength of the other side.
Miner charged for raping woman after wake house visit A miner was yesterday brought before a city magistrate accused of having sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent, after a wake house visit. Charged is 46-year-old Odingo Emanuel, called Dingo. He appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. The matter was heard in camera therefore, members of the public and media operatives were asked to exit the courtroom. Emanuel was not required to plead to the charge which
alleged that he had sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent on August 10, 2018 at Barmadai Landing. According to information, the victim was at a friends wake. When the wake was finished she was unable to find her reputed husband and she started to make checks for him. After her efforts went futile she saw the accused who advised her to check her reputed husbands home, which is a short distance away. When she got to the home, the victim saw the front
door slightly open. She went in and headed to the bedroom when she subsequently heard a noise coming from the direction of the front door. As she headed to investigate the source of the noise the victim was allegedly confronted by the accused. He reportedly threw her to the floor and had sexual intercourse with her. The victim recently had the courage to make a report and hence the charge was instituted. Emanuel was released on bail in the sum of $250,000. The matter was adjourned to June 25, next.
Odingo Emanuel
Bus drivers, conductors colluding with thieves to rob and highjack passengers Commuters are in great fear since bus drivers and conductors are reportedly colluding with thieves to rob passengers plying La Parfaite Harmonie/Dairy route. Passengers are reporting that at least two buses on the Dairy/La Parfaite Harmonie Bus Parks are used to transport thieves who are picked up at various areas. They would enter the vehicles under the pretext of being paying passengers. These criminal elements would choose opportune moments to rob passengers at knife or gun point of cash and valuables. Reports are that last week Tuesday, around 23:50 hrs., a minibus conducted by a
deportee called ‘Yankee’, 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 turned out later to be a robbery, indicated that when the bus was in the vicinity of Westminster, all three men whipped out guns and robbed several passengers of valuables. Credible sources said that the bus conductor, ‘Yankee’, was strangely not attacked by the thieves in the entire ordeal. At one point he ran from the bus abandoning the driver and passengers. Sources however reported
that after the robbers exited the vehicle and disappeared in the dark, ‘Yankee’, as he is called, returned to the vehicle and he did not appear to be flustered at all. Pleas by the traumatized passengers to drive to the nearest police station were said to have fallen on deaf ears. Persons said the driver of the bus appeared way too calm despite what had occurred. Reports again suggested that that a similar incident occurred on the same bus Thursday night. Two men robbed three passengers of valuables. The La Grange Police Station has confirmed that neither the bus driver nor conductor has reported such matters. There are reports that
at least two buses are engaged in what seems to be a new way of robbing citizens. Persons have indicated that some bus drivers plying these routes are avoiding routes populated by people and are taking alternate directions that are desolate en route to destinations requested by passengers. Yesterday ‘D’ Division Commander, Edmond Cooper, when contacted, said that he will by no means tolerate such actions by minibus operators, and that his department would fully investigate the matter. He said that persons found guilty of harassing passengers in this manner will receive the full force of the law.
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Court refuses DPP’s application One week later duo back in prison to transfer Essequibo trial to G/T Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George–Wiltshire, SC, has dismissed an application by the DPP to have an upcoming manslaughter trial against two persons, Lennox Baharally and Rondell Edwards, moved from the High Court in the Essequibo to Georgetown. The Chief Justice ordered the DPP, represented by State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings, to pay costs in the sum of $60,000, to the co-accused in the matter. The Chief Justice in her Judgment held that the DPP failed to show sufficient grounds for the Application for transfer of the trial to Demerara. She ruled that such a transfer would be more prejudicial to the coaccused persons who reside in the County of Essequibo. Lennox Baharally and Rondell Edwards were originally charged with the Capital offence but, at the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry, Magistrate Sunil Scarce, presiding at the Charity Magistrates’ Court, committed Baharally and Edwards to stand trial at the High Court for the less offence of manslaughter. The grounds for the application made by the DPP were that one of the accused is from a wealthy and well known family in the Pomeroon area; and one of the persons selected for a jury panel was found to have a close connection with the accused. Both Baharally and Edwards were represented by Jerome Khan Law Firm, who contended that the DPP’s
Charged Lennox Baharally claims were unsubstantiated, in that the said accused is a small boat builder amongst a family of labourers. The lawyer said that there was no evidence of witness tampering as alleged. Priyanka Sookraj, counsel appearing for the defendants, argued that the DPP application could lead to sensationalism in the media. Her contention was shut down by the court. In 2016, Baharally, 34, a father of three, and Rondel Edwards, 19, both of Reg i o n Tw o w e r e j o i n t l y charged with murdering B a h a r a l l y ’s uncle, Mohamed Abdool Shameer, on April 26 at Jacklow, Pomeroon. Baharally , a boat maker was accused of killing his uncle and burying him in a shallow grave with the help of Edwards who was an apprentice boat maker. It was reported that Shameer, a farmer, left his home on April 25, 2016 in a
paddle boat to visit a friend. He was reportedly on his way back home in the boat when he was run over by a larger boat reportedly piloted by Baharally. The nephew and two other persons, including Edwards, were allegedly in that boat. However, it is alleged that after the collision occurred Shameer’s body was pulled out of the water and later found buried in a shallow grave. Back then, Attorney Jerome Khan who is representing the accused highly criticized a daily newspaper of “sensationalist-style reporting” on the unfortunate situation. According to Khan, a boat collision had occurred and his clients had no intentions of killing the man. He expressed shock that a murder charge was laid against Edwards and Baharally. He said that there is no evidence to charge them for the indictable offence. Khan explained that Baharally was sailing the boat when the mishap occurred. He said that his clients rescued Shameer after the incident but instead of taking the injured man to the hospital they took him to a river bank. “It was a boating mishap. This happens all the time,” Khan pointed out. Back then, Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers said that the police file is still incomplete. He stated that the post mortem report and a statement from the investigating rank are still outstanding.
Two youths who were recently convicted, on Wednesday, appeared in the city court to answer to a robbery charge. Noel Osborne, 20, and Denzil Charles, 18, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Court before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus where they
pleaded guilty to the charge that was read to them. It was alleged that on June 7, 2019 at First Street, Bartica, Region Seven, they stole a Samsung Galaxy worth $100,000 from Shakina Healis. Both men pleaded guilty to the charge that was read to them. Police prosecutor Adduni
Inniss objected to bail to be granted to the two defendants based on the grounds that they were sentenced before and that both admit that they stole the phone. Acting Chief Magistrate then remanded both men to prison until June 21, 2019 at the Bartica Magistrates Court.
Duo fined, sentenced to community service for 11 grams of cannabis. Two men, who were charged for the possession of narcotics, were yesterday fined $16,500 each, and sentenced to one month community service. The defendants, Ron Norton and Rajkumar Singh, were first charged on May 20, 2019, but pleaded not guilty. Yesterday, however, they thought it best to face the truth and plead guilty to the charge, when they were
brought before Magistrate Esther Sam in the Suddie Magistrates Court. The court heard that on May 17, 2019, the men had in their possession 11 grams of cannabis. Both men told the court yesterday that the illegal substance was for their personal use. The prosecution read that on the day in question, a party of policemen patrolling the
Sand Pit district, observed Singh and Norton with a black plastic bag. Norton first took the bag to his face, where he appeared to be sniffing the substance. The bag was then handed to Singh and he did same. The defendants both agreed to the charge brought to them, and were fined, $16,500 each, along with one month community service.
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My support is for country, not party -Ghana’s President tells Jagdeo The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, met with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday, during his brief visit to Guyana. And during that visit, he pledged to help Guyana’s fledgling oil and gas industry develop, by sending a team of experts with Ghana’s wealth of technical experience. The only thing that Guyana would have to do is to find accommodation for that team. Director General Joseph Harmon informed reporters of this during a luncheon at State House, just hours before President Akufo-Addo’s meeting with the Opposition Leader.Jagdeo said that during the meeting, he expressed thanks to the President for the offer to help. But the Opposition Leader seemed to be unsure whether that offer extends, even if the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wins the next General and Regional Elections.So he took it upon himself to remind President Akufo-Addo about the relationship Guyana has with Ghana, particularly when the PPP interacted with former Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah in the ‘50s to “help overcome some of the ethnic tensions in that period,” Jagdeo said. He also spoke to the President about democracy, and the history of shaken democracy that both countries have in common. “I related our similar circumstances in Guyana of three decades of undemocratic rule here. And the President made a statement. He said ‘I support democracy. Democracy is the basis for stability in any country.’” The President then asked Jagdeo about his perspective on the political situation, as he must have been briefed on
President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, after being conferred with the Order of Excellence the No Confidence matters. So Jagdeo said he pointed out that the timing of elections depends on the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) next week. At that, Jagdeo said that he asked President Akufo-Addo, ‘Should the PPP emerge [victorious], we would like to work with Ghana and we would like to take up the offers that you made at the State Luncheon about sharing experience with the fledgling oil and gas industry.’In response, Jagdeo said, President Akufo-Addo explicitly stated
“The promise I made was not to an individual or to a party. It was to the country. So whoever prevails at elections, we will be happy to work with.” Jagdeo said that he is happy the Ghanaian President took time out of his very brief visit to sit with him; that “we can only benefit from leaders around the world coming to our country, learning of our challenges.” For Ghana, in particular, he said that that relationship is crucial because “a lot of our people have come from Ghana in the period of slavery.”
What has Vice Chancellor Griffith... From page 4 Students’ Society think about the VC and what he has been doing for the university? Do their views matter? 15. What is the opinion of the Council members? Do they agree the VC was not performing, wasting money and his contract should not be renewed? 16. UG is state-owned. It would be good to hear the thoughts of the APNU+AFC government. Can we hear from President David Granger or Minister of Education Nicolette Henry? 17. UG has about 1000 staff, approximately 400 lecturers. Was a scientific survey done to determine the percentage of approval and disapproval who of the VC’s job or do union leaders Dr. Jewel Thomas and Bruce Haynes speak for the majority? It is rumoured some think the VC is class-driven and has an attitude speaking with people. This is not a handicap to management and performance. Some businesses see these as positive qualities and would gladly hire him. Answering these questions is important to having an objective take on what is happening at UG. The lecturers who taught me would have expected me to think this way. Another thing before I take my leave. Management is a tier system. Someone is always the head. Has the UG Council given any thought to this when it appointed a three-man management team to do the work a VC should be doing? With much thanks, Dennis Paul
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Essequibo miners remanded for stabbing drinking partner
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Two Essequibians were on Wednesday charged and remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge. Shameer Mathias, 23, and Leonard Bennett, 20, both miners from Henrietta Village, Essequibo Coast, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and were not allowed to plead to the indictable charge. The charge stated that on June 4, 2019 at Aranka Backdam, Cuyuni River, with intent to commit murder they wounded Vicky Williams. Police prosecutor, Shellon Daniels, objected to bail based on the seriousness of the matter and both accused are from Essequibo and if granted bail they wont return for trial. Prosecutor Daniels stated that both the defendants and the victim and are known to each other. On the day in question around 22:00 hrs at Aranka Backdam, the three men were consuming alcohol when an argument ensued. One of the defendants then armed himself with a VACANCY Vacancy for domestic cleaner. Location: Queenstown. 5023886. Call within 8:00am to 6:00pm
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glass bottle and dealt the victim several stabs causing him to fall to the ground. The two defendants then continued hitting the victim with a piece of wood. The victim was then rushed to Suddie Public Hospital where he was treated and then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where hes still a patient. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched, both defendants were then arrested for the offence. The defendants allegedly told the ranks that they were acting in self defence. Acting Chief Magistrate Marcus, after listening to the facts remanded both defendants to prison until June 26, 2019 where they are expected to make their next court appearance.
Alleged phone thief granted bail A man, who is suspected to have robbed a reporter and his wife a few weeks ago, was arraigned in the Suddie Magistrates Court yesterday, before Magistrate Esther Sam. The accused, Elvin Norton, 27, of Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was charged, yesterday, with larceny from person. It is alleged that on May 27, 2019, Norton, who is also a miner, stole from Juliet Marks one black shoulder bag, valuing $4,000, along with $5,000 and one black Iphone valuing $272,000, property of Shawn Marks. The man was not required to plead to the charge, and made an application for bail. The prosecutor did not object to bail being granted, and Norton was subsequently bailed in the sum of $100,000. He is expected to return to court on July 22, 2019.
Friday June 14, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Trotman has no justification for More applications for extension of stay in 2019 - Head of allowing Exxon to hold 600 Immigration and Support Services blocks - Opposition Leader - Insists relinquishment provision should have kicked in during 2016 review On June 14, 1999, former President, Janet Jagan, signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil which saw the American multinational being granted approximately 600 blocks. This is 10 times more than what the law stipulates. But Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, says that this is justified. At a press conference yesterday at his Church Street office, the PPP General Secretary said that the generous award was made in light of the fact that during those times, it is hard to attract in-
vestors to Guyanas basin. Jagdeo said that had it not been for that decision, no one would be talking about oil today; hence he has no apology to make for the unconventional approach in that regard. Further to this, Jagdeo noted that at every stage of contract renewal, the oil company is expected to relinquish some of the blocks. He said that the relinquishment provision, as it is referred to in the PSA, was supposed to kick in when Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman revised the terms in 2016 with ExxonMobil. While the PPP is able to
provide some form of explanation why Exxon was granted the excess blocks, Jagdeo said that Trotman has no justification for his actions. In fact, the Opposition Leader argued that Trotman essentially weakened the relinquishment provisions of the contract. “This government weakened the relinquishment provision so it means they (Exxon) can explore and find and sit on the blocks for a long time. That is one of my concerns about the agreement,” the PPP General Secretary concluded on the matter.
Charity lad, 16, found dead on carriage way
“The location where the body was discovered.” Police on the Essequibo Coast are puzzled, as they seek to determine whether they have a hit and run, or a murder on their hands. They found the body of a 16-yearold male, last Wednesday night on the Charity main public road, Essequibo Coast. The body has since been identified as Renalzo Adams, of lot 737 Charity Extension Scheme, Pomeroon. Based on reports reaching this publication, some time around 22:30hrs, the body was spotted by an ambulance driver, who was heading to Charity. The body was picked up and rushed to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, Charity. Family members when contacted yesterday, told this publication that Adams left home some time around 18:30 hrs on Wednesday. They pointed out that the young man, who lives with his grandmother, would usually go out at nights during which he will imbibe. Aunt of the deceased,
Evon Adams, told this publication yesterday that family members were made aware of the incident around 23:30 hrs. on Wednesday. She added, “When we went down to the hospital he was still alive. We notice that he head had some injuries and the doctor tell we he had a fractured skull and nothing can be done, unless we take he to Suddie. “During that time he de deh bad… he de bleeding through he mouth, ears and nose... Eventually he die on the way to the hospital.” This publication understands that Adams was still alive and well around 20:15 hrs. on the said night, since a witness said, “I saw him at the mall in Charity. He was there sitting alone outside and he appeared to have been intoxicated. “I tell he go home and he get up and he say he going home. He went up the road, towards the direction of home and that was the last I see
he.” It is still not clear whether the incident was a hit and run, or an act of murder. Relatives and residents of Charity, however, are already concluding that foul play was involved. Residents, who live within the vicinity of where the body was discovered, said that they heard no impact during the night. “One resident told this publication, “With the amount of blood on the road deh, if that li’l bai was hit at least somebody would’ve hear something. It got security guards at all them schools nearby. They would’ve hear something.” Residents also pointed out that no tire skid marks were seen, nor was any broken vehicle parts recovered. This publication understands that a postmortem examination was done on the body yesterday. The results may be exactly what the police need to figure out what happened to Renalzo Adams.
... immigration sector to pardon emergencies upon entry into Guyana In a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Head of Immigration and Support Services attached to the Ministry of Presidency, Carol Lewis-Primo said that there is an increase in the number of extension of stay applications by foreign investors and visitors for this year. She added that the increase is a positive sign that Guyana is getting more visitors and that the business sector is booming. However, she stressed the importance of persons entering Guyana for business purposes, applying for their ex-
tension of stay early, in keeping with the immigration laws of Guyana. “We have a one-month processing period, and persons would wait until a month, some of these nationals would be here and their time would expire in two months, I want to say do not wait until you reach a month to apply. Last year, the Immigration Department did not have the number of applications as of this year - so you can imagine the volume of work,” LewisCarol mentioned. She explained that visitors who have an urgency for staying in Guyana must write to the Head of Immigration, stating what the reason of stay is and they would be
pardoned. “The Department of Citizenship is conscious of what is going on in our country, and there must be proper sensitisation on the regulations when applying for the relevant documents when entering the country.” The cost of an Employment Visa is $28,700 per person, Business and Employment or Students Visa $ 28,700 and the Visitors Visa is $5,125. For persons who are not fully aware of how to apply for their relevant Visitors Visa or extension of stay, contact can be made on telephone numbers: 226-2221, 223-7867 or 2235210 or email carol.lewisprimo@doc.gov.gy. (DPI)
PPP supports action against any wrongdoing in award of oil blocks Jagdeo The Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) has already indicated its support for three credible investigations into the oil sector: the awards of the Canje and Kaieteur blocks, and whether the terms of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek block are beneficial enough for the Guyanese people. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo reiterated his support for those investigations to be done by a credible, independent, international firm, this week. During a press conference, yesterday, Jagdeo said that such investigations should be done, if it is necessary, into all oil blocks. Moreover, he believes that the investigation should involve all parties. “Ive seen some really wild calls in the public domain. Some to ban ExxonMobil and the other [oil companies] for 10 years…” This is due to the fact that multiple experts have studied and concluded that the contract with Exxons subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is illegal. The basic contentions raised are that it contravenes the Constitution and the Procurement Act. There have also been arguments about missing provisions (like ringfencing) that could save on costs for government. “Ive seen [SARA Special Assistant] Eric Phillips saying that there is enough in the public domain about two blocks Kaieteur and Canje for President Granger to rescind the licences.” On that issue, the PPP, mainly former President Donald Ramotar, is under
scrutiny for the award of the two oil blocks just days before the 2015 election. The awards were made to companies that do not have a proven track record or the experience that oil companies like Exxon and BP have. The companies dont even have the technology needed to conduct the drilling required for those oil blocks. Responding to calls for rescinding, Jagdeo said, “If thats what you want, we will go with it.” But it shouldnt be sanctioned by the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), he maintained, because he believes that that body is too political. “What SARA is doing is a political game.” He raised a suspicion that he had had years ago that Eric Phillips had some interest in one of the oil blocks, a few years ago. “I gather he was part of one of those groups that was applying [for the award of the block].” Jagdeo said. But if the investigation is done by an international, independent firm, he said,
40
“Wherever the chips fall, well deal with it. If that leads to recommendations to rescind, well have to go with the recommendations.” Asked what would need to be in place for such an investigation to be deemed credible, Jagdeo said it should be about “all of our actions in this oil industry.” “I think we should work out national terms of reference. Get everyone together. Get the private sector, the political parties, and do clear terms of reference so that everybody is keen about this. So the scope of the investigation, should it cover everyone? I think it should cover everyone.” Jagdeo was keen to note, “We [the PPP] have nothing to hide about this matter.” He said that once the investigation is credible, if it is found that there is wrongdoing, the PPP will support action against the wrongdoers, “whichever side of the political spectrum they fall on.” “But not a single thing has been proven about wrongdoing so far.” He added.
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Friday June 14, 2019
Friday June 14, 2019
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National blood bank projects Hotel owner, contracted hit man collecting 12,000 units today charged for plotting murder -as International Blood Donation Day is observed Today is International Blood Donation Day and the National Blood Transfusion Service [NBTS] has projected collecting at least 12,000 units of blood. This is according to Dr. Pedro Lewis, who heads the NBTS. He said that he expects receiving the predicted number of units from volunteers across the country as part of their contribution to the observance of International Blood Donation Day. Dr. Lewis said, too, that he expects that 80 percent or 9,600 units of blood will be given by volunteers residing in Demerara/Mahaica [Region Four]. International Blood Donation Day is being observed this year under the theme: ‘Safe Blood For All’. The theme speaks to the importance of the global bid to raise awareness of the universal need for safe blood in the delivery of health care and the essential role of voluntary donations in achieving the goal of universal health coverage. The theme was also chosen to “encourage more people around the world to become voluntary donors and to make regular donations, actions that are the cornerstone to create a solid base on which to establish a sustainable blood supply at the national level that will allow the transfusion needs of all patients.” Dr. Lewis explained that the NBTS is in a very privileged position, especially in the Caribbean, because the country maintains “an excellent 100 percent record of voluntary donation”. The NBTS Director attributed this to the strong sense of empathy among Guyanese. “It’s a cultural thing,” said Dr. Lewis as he explained the longevity of volunteerism among the thousands of annual voluntary donors who back the country’s ongoing blood donation drives. Lewis called for “more community involvement” in the process since the country is moving towards establishing a trauma centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC] where the NBTS is housed. “We will need more blood to sustain a trauma unit,” Dr. Lewis said, making his pitch for a spike in grassroots support for the NBTS.
NBTS Head, Dr. Pedro Lewis He lauded the 450 collaborators who help organise the year-round, nation-wide blood donation drives that have become necessary to maintain a sufficient blood supply and achieve universal and timely access to safe blood transfusions in the nation’s health system. According to the World Health Organisation [WHO], “an adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors. These donors are also the safest group of donors as the prevalence of bloodborne infections is lowest among this group.” Also the World Health Assembly [WHA], an arm of the WHO, on its website, “urges all member states to develop national blood systems based on voluntary unpaid donations and to work towards the goal of self-sufficiency.” The global body has also made it clear that the risk of transmission of serious infections, including HIV and hepatitis, through unsafe blood and chronic blood shortages brought global attention to the importance of blood safety and availability. “With the goal of ensuring universal access to safe blood and blood products, WHO has been at the forefront to improve blood safety and availability,” the website also highlights.
An alleged hit man and the owner of Rockies International Hotel on Light Street, Georgetown, were yesterday brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after they were busted in the plotting of a murder. Charged are businessman Mark Grimmond, 57, from Lot 320 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and Chatterpaul Singh, 36, a miner who resides at Lot 1 First Street Cummingsburg. Grimmond was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard Da Silva and Mark Waldron while Singh was unrepresented. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge. It was alleged that between April 1, 2018 and June 7, 2019, at Georgetown, the defendants conspired with each other and persons unknown to murder Dwayne Grant, a businessman from Lethem. According to the facts of the charge, Grant received certain information that the men were plotting to kill him and he reported it to the police. The police ranks acting on the report went to a hotel where they made contact with the number two defendant, Singh. Singh was arrested and at that point in time he was reportedly found with a firearm. In a detailed conversation with the police Singh admitted that he was contracted by Grimmond to kill Grant. Grimmond was subsequently arrested and the allegation of conspiracy to commit murder was put to him. Telephone conversations between the two defendants
Charged Chatterpaul Singh
Charged Mark Grimmond
were obtained by the police. Based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) the charge was instituted. Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence and the strength of the evidence the police wishes to present. After listening to the facts of the charge, the defendants were remanded to prison until their next court date on June 18, 2019. The plot may have stemmed from a transaction between Grimmond and Grant
leading to Grimmond being indebted to the tune of $30M. Grant moved to the courts to recover his money and was granted judgement. In fact, on June 24 a Light Street property that Grimmond owns would be put up for sale to recover Grant’s money. Money changer Bridglall Persaud, was shot and killed on America Street in 2014. There was not enough evidence to link Grimmond to the killing although the police wanted him for questioning in connection with the murder. Grimmond had owed Persaud some $40M.
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Friday June 14, 2019
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Chris Froome: Briton has successful surgery, says Team Ineos doctor BBC Sport - Chris Froome’s six-hour operation following a high-speed crash on Wednesday has been described as a “success” by his team. Britain’s four-time Tour de France champion, 34, suffered a fractured right femur, a broken hip, a fractured elbow and fractured ribs and lost consciousness following the crash. Froome is awake and doctors are “very happy with his progress”. Team Ineos said he will remain in hospital for the next few days. The crash occurred during a practice ride before stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine in Roanne, France.
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 Hospital for surgery. “First things first, the surgery was a success,” said team doctor Richard U s h e r. “ T h e o p e r a t i o n , which lasted for six hours, went very well. “Chris woke up this morning and was reviewed by the intensive care consultants and the orthopaedic specialist who operated on him and they’re both very happy with his progress to date.
“Chris will remain in hospital for the next few days for observation, but he is already actively engaging in discussing his rehabilitation options, which is very encouraging.” Chief surgeon Remi Philippot told AFP that Froome faces a “long recovery”. “The surgery was carried out as a semi-emergency to try to avoid any early complications that can develop from that sort of trauma,” he said. “Now recovery is going to be long. Roughly speaking, you are looking at a minimum of six months out of competition. “The objective is not just
Friday June 14, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) When did you last spend real quality time with your family not counting regular chores? If it's been a while, today is a good day to do it. If you have children, play with them or go to the park or zoo. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) How do you preserve your family history, Taurus? Do you keep mementos in a box, display heirlooms, or make scrapbooks? GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Overdue apologies can be made today. It isn't easy to admit you're wrong, but the planetary aspects can boost your courage. Rather than stew with regret, meet with the person to make amends. CANCER(June21–July22) Your dreams are more than just random firings of neurons. They can indicate unresolved issues, stress, deep desires, and lost memories. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you've been tired lately, Leo, it may be due to stress. Today's aspects bring an added energy to communication. It would be wise to talk about some of the stress. Worry, anxiety, and fear are huge drains on physical and emotional health. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It's a good day to express your thoughts and feelings. Whether it's a loved one who'd appreciate affectionate words or a colleague who requires instruction, communication will come more easily than usual.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Spread goodwill and affection today, Libra. It's been a while since you let people know that you care about and appreciate them. Cards, phone calls, letters, flowers, and hugs are ways to express your feelings. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) If a problem comes your way today, look for the simplest solution. Not every problem is complicated. Often the most obvious answer is the best one. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It's a good day to speak your mind, Sagittarius. Not that you generally have much trouble with this. But even you can face situations where you feel intimidated and hesitant to speak up. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Expect a boost to your communication skills today. If you often experience difficulty expressing your true feelings, this will be a welcome change for you. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If something has been bothering you, Aquarius, today is a good time to work it out. Your excellent communicative ability will be even stronger with today's energy. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You can be quiet and reclusive when it comes to expressing feelings, Pisces. Today may be the exception. The aspects can bring real strength to your communication abilities.
about getting back on the bike, but on rehabilitating himself for the future. “On a sporting level, he will need to make an exceptional recovery with the mental capacity required to recover and then get fit again.” Meanwhile, cycling’s governing body the UCI has announced that 2011 Vuelta a Espana champion Juan Jose Cobo had been found guilty of an anti-doping violation. That could see Froome, who finished second in the race, retrospectively awarded the victory.
CWI announces West Indies... From page 33 the Tests against the Indian senior team.” ONE-DAYSQUAD; Roston Chase (Captain), Sunil Ambris, John Campbell, Jonathan Carter, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Akeem Jordan, Kjorn Ottley, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Rovman Powell, Raymond Reifer, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd And Devon Thomas. 1st & 2nd “Tests” Squad, Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Jermaine Blackwood, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Chemar Holder, Shermon Lewis, Raymon Reifer And Jomel Warrican. 3rd “Test” Squad; Shamarh Brooks (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Jermaine Blackwood, Miguel Cummins, Akim Frazer, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Chemar Holder, Brandon King, Shermon Lewis, Raymon Reifer, Jeremy Solozano And Jomel Warrican. SCHEDULE OF MATCHES; Thu, Jul 11 1st One-Day Match Coolidge Cricket Ground Antigua, 9:30 am; Sun, Jul 14 2nd One-Day Match Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground Antigua, 9:30 am; Tue, Jul 16 3rd One-Day Match Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, 9:30 am; Fri, Jul 19 4th One-Day Match Coolidge Cricket Ground, 9:30 am; Sun, Jul 21 5th One-Day Match Coolidge Cricket Ground, 9:30 am; Wed, Jul 24 to Sat, Jul 27. 1st “Test” Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, 9:30 am daily; Wed, Jul 31 to Sat, Aug 3, 2nd “Test” Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad 9:30 am daily; Tue, Aug 6 to Fri, Aug 9, 3rd “Test” Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad, 9:30 am daily.
‘Explosive’ Windies... From page 35 bowling has been effective],” he said. “Even when you go back to games that we played in the winter, the big games, the big contributions all had to do with the fast bowlers.” Earlier this year, England felt the weight of the Windies pacers when they were bundled out for an embarrassing 113 in the final ODI in St Lucia, as the hosts won to square the series. Despite that defeat, Morgan said they had learnt several important lessons from that experience. “Playing on bouncy wickets, our shot selection wasn’t great at all,” he explained. “Continuing to get out in the same way as opposed to showing better game awareness and trying to manage that because, with
the benefit of hindsight, getting some sort of score on the board would have allowed us to stay in the game and possibly win the game because opportunities to score are a little bit more difficult than we had come up against in that series.” He added: “It is not frustration because we learnt a huge amount about growing our game out in the West Indies. The fact that we are not getting carried away about some of the success we have had. “I think it’s important to have days where you are beaten or can’t beat a side because you then look even more into areas of improvement as opposed to beating sides convincingly, or even getting over the line showing good character and playing well. You almost look outwardly and say, ‘what were we missing today?’”
Friday June 14, 2019
Bayliss will have to live with the ‘Sheldon Salute’, says Holder SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) - West Indies bowler Sheldon Cottrell may have a special salute for England coach Trevor Bayliss when the two sides meet in the World Cup today, but Jofra Archer could rain on that particular parade. Archer, the young Barbados-born fast bowler now delivering for England after playing for West Indies under-19s, brings plenty of spice to the eagerly-waited encounter at Southampton’s Rose Bowl. The match will be his first against the country he was also eligible to play for and one that will give West Indies fans plenty of time to appreciate a talent that slipped through their fingers. Cottrell, whose flamboyant wicket-taking celebration involves a short march, stand to attention and salute to the pavilion, will meanwhile be doing his best to get on Bayliss’s nerves. The 56-year-old Australian told reporters on Wednesday that the ‘Sheldon Salute’ was enough to annoy anyone over the age of 40 and himself in particular. “But every team has their way of celebrating and I’m sure other teams might not like the way we celebrate,” Bayliss said. “In the end, it’s a young man’s game. It’s all entertainment. If it gets a bit of a laugh or a smile on people’s faces so be it,” he added. West Indies captain Jason Holder was asked on Thursday whether Cottrell had “a nice, special salute” lined up for Bayliss, and he
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India out to make fielding superiority count against Pakistan
West Indies’ Sheldon Cottrell celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff file photo) smiled. “I don’t think it will change, that’s just Sheldon. I guess Trevor will just have learn to accept it,” he replied. Watching the West Indies batsmen smashing Archer’s deliveries to the boundary might rank even higher on the satisfaction scale but Holder was keen to put the match into perspective. “It’s something that has been talked up in the press, in the media, and we are looking forward to the challenge against England,” he said. “I have seen Jofra over the years. He is obviously a Barbadian. He’s grown up in Barbados playing cricket so what I’m seeing of Jofra doesn’t surprise me. He is one of those guys who has
always had ability and talent,” added the captain. “It is just unfortunate how things went in terms of his decision-making but he is a good talent.” The match, he emphasised, was against England, the pre-tournament favourites, and not just about one man. Holder said the final team selection would be made on Friday, with all-rounder Andre Russell recovering well from a knee injury after being left out of the rain-abandoned match with South Africa. “He is just one of those guys where we give him as much time as he possibly needs, so it all boils down to how he wakes up tomorrow morning and feels,” said the captain.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Pat Cummins with MS Dhoni. (Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs file photo) NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters) - India’s fielders have been razor-sharp in their opening World Cup games but fielding coach R Sridhar said yesterday that they cannot afford a drop in their intensity against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday. Pakistan looked sloppy in their defeat by Australia in Taunton, where Sarfaraz Ahmed’s team dropped catches, one by the skipper himself, in a display plagued by misfields including overthrows. In contrast, India outfielded Australia in their victory at the Oval on Sunday. “Fielding, I’d say, is vital in every match,” Sridhar told reporters at Trent Bridge
after India’s match against New Zealand was washed out. “ We s a w t h a t a t t h e Oval on Sunday when we played Australia. Although we had a big total on the board, we had to field out of our skins to defend the total. “I think we should look to out-field opponents, not only in the next game, but also in all games, and we expect our opponents to do the same. We should go out there with our best intensity.” Sarfaraz has warned his team that they cannot afford to be so sloppy on the field against India. “If you want to beat the
CWI announces West Indies “A” squads for matches against India “A” ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The interim Selection Panel of Cricket West Indies has named West Indies “A” OneDay and (Four-Day) “Test” squads for the India “A” Tour of the West Indies, starting next month. The “A” squads comprise a combination of players with international match experience – headed by the likes of Kraigg Brathwaite and Roston Chase – and excellent performances in regional competitions over the last few years – led by the irrepressible Leeward Islands Hurricanes spinbowling all-rounder, Rahkeem Cornwall. The squads were chosen by the interim selection panel, chaired by Robert Haynes with the assistance of former West Indies opener Stuart Williams and
former Barbados Pride chairman of selectors Hendy Wallace. Additional input was provided by interim West Indies head coach Floyd Reifer and captain Jason Holder. With the series acting as a trial for a number of hopefuls for both teams and overlapping with the series duel between the senior teams of the two sides, West Indies “A” will make five changes to the squad for the final “Test.” Nine of the 15 players in the One-Day squad have played One-Day Internationals for the senior West Indies team; 10 of the players in the squad for the first and second “Tests” have played full international Tests for the senior side and six Test players will appear in the third match. The selection panel has
named Chase as captain to lead the One-Day side in the series of five One-Day matches, all set to be played in Antigua at the Coolidge and Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds. The captaincy of the “Test” squad will be split between Test opener Brathwaite for the first two of the three “Tests” and fellow Barbados Pride batsman Shamarh Brooks for the last match of the series, which will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. Brathwaite, fellow opener John Campbell, Chase, Cornwall and wicketkeeper/ batsman Shane Dowrich will leave to join the senior team’s preparation camp for the twoTest series between West Indies and India which starts on August 22 in Antigua. On the appointment of Chase as One-Day captain,
Haynes said: “The discussion was based on our desire to expose leadership in order to be able to have a wider pool of players with such experience. In our estimation, Roston is the right person to lead the team during this series as one of the players with significant international experience and we believe that the experience can be personally beneficial as well for his game.” On the appointment of Brathwaite and Brooks as Four-Day captains, Haynes said: “As the incumbent vicecaptain of the senior West Indies Test team, this will allow Kraigg to continue to get the opportunity to develop his leadership skills and he is best placed to galvanise the team during these vital games for our preparation. “Shamarh has been
captaining the ‘A’ team for some time now and as such it would be best for continuity that he gains more exposure in this role.” O n t h e “ A ” Te a m p l a y e r s f o r t h e “ Te s t ” series, Haynes said: “It was felt that the regular Test players who are available should play the first and second Four-Day matches of this series. This would be part of their preparation for the upcoming senior t e a m Te s t s a g a i n s t t h e Indian senior team, as they would have had limited redball match practice in recent times. “As such, the squad for the third Four-Day match will have five replacement players. This will allow the regular Test players to gain recovery time before they enter the preparation camp for (Continued on page 32)
big teams we can’t make such mistakes,” Sarfaraz said. “Our fielding is not up to the mark and we will work hard on that before the India match.” India have a safe slip catcher in Rohit Sharma, while skipper Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who fielded for injured Shikhar Dhawan at the Oval, are versatile enough to field anywhere. All-rounder Hardik Pandya is also supremely athletic but Sridhar was particularly happy with the commitment of quick bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who threw himself around even after bowling long spells. The only improvement Sridhar has targeted is greater accuracy with direct throws. “It is something which I have my eye on as well, and we practise a lot for that,” he said. “I’d say hitting, whether it’s an run-out or not, one in three or four throws is a good conversion rate. “In my opinion, if you’re hitting one out of four, you’re doing a good job as a direct unit, but we failed to do that in the last game. “We had over 10 strikes, and we hit only once. In some days we hit three out of five. It’s about practice and that is one area we work hard on in every session.”
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Friday June 14, 2019
Kaieteur News
Ketley upset Sophia; St. Margaret’s overcome Tucville
Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Alfred Mentore share a moment with the players before the start of play. Ketley upset Sophia while St. Margaret’s defeated Tucville when the Al Sport and Tour Promotions National Sports Commission 22nd Annual End of School Year “Edward Cobenna Memorial” Primary Schools Windball Champions Trophy continued recently with action in Georgetown zone at
the National Gymnasium. Ketley after been invited to take first strike scored 91-0 with Randy Collins scoring 40 with six fours and Christopher Nurse 31 including three sixes. Sophia in reply were restricted to 72-3; Raul Benjamin made 20 and Troy Agard 16; Jermaine Booker had 3-21.
Saint Margaret’s took first knock and managed 127-1. Nehemiah Singh struck six fours and seven sixes in a top score of 66 while Nathan Parang made 28 and Stephon Sankar 17. Tucville replied with 72-5; John Harry got 18 and Gray Griffith 16. In other matches, Saint
Agnes posted 113-2, batting first. Darius Chester slammed six fours and six sixes in a robust 61 while Trevon Mathias made 23. Enterprise made 113-0, in reply. Khy Atkinson led with 70 which included 11 sixes, while Moses Cordis scored 45 including five fours and four sixes.
PE Pollard made 53-2, taking first strike. Joshua Jackman stroked 26 and Kester Henry 12. Mae’s scored 56-1, in reply; Sachin James struck 42. Grahams Hall batted first and managed 84-2; TajPaul Mangar scored 35, Trilok Nanan 19 and Jhad Hughes 19. Winfer Garden replied with
85-3, winning the game off the last ball; Tyreese Beete made 29, Shane Prince 16 and Akeem Henry 12. Before the start of play Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Alfred Mentore had a talk with the players while former West Indies fast bowler Reon King was also in attendance.
KFC’s Snr Nat Squash C/Ships
Ince-Carvalhal, Verwey & Pollard among winners on opening night Backed by new sponsors KFC, this year ’s Senior National Squash Championships served off on Wednesday Evening at the Georgetown Club with some competitive first night action. This tournament, which will climax on Sunday with the finals, is being used as preparation for Guyana’s hosting of the Senior Caribbean Area Championships in August and the Junior CASA in Trinidad in July and among the early winners were Samuel InceCarvalhal, Nicolas Verwey, Adam Alves, Sarah Lewis and 41-year-old Regan Pollard, who beat Robert Fernandes 30 in an entertaining over-40 encounter. The talented 15-year-old Ince-Carvalhal, the grandson of National Squash Coach Carl Ince, produced some very good Squash to beat 27-yearold Jonathon Antczak 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 for 3-0 victory, while Verwey defeated Regan Rodrigues 3-0 after winning the first game 11-3, the second 11-5 and jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the third game to eventually win 11-4. Despite the 3-0 score-line, the match-up between Pollard and Fernandes was one of the fiercely contested matches of the night. Watched by spattering of spectators, the contest was punctuated by long rallies, good use of the Court and smart Squash from the experienced pair.
Samuel Ince-Carvalhal (left) outplayed Johnaton Antczak 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 on Wednesday night at the GT Club. Pollard won the first game 11-3 but in the second game the pair matched each other shot for shot with very long rallies before Pollard registered five unanswered points before Fernandes scored consecutive points to reduce the lead to 4-8. A clinically executed drop shot from Fernandes took score to 5-8 before Pollard ended the second game 11-6. The third saw intensified action as the players produced a riveting display as the pendulum swung back and forth before Pollard took a six-point lead to win 11-5 to win the match 3-0. In other results:
Adam Alves beat Gianni Carpenter 8-11, 11- 4, 11-5, 117. Sarah Lewis defeated Teija Edwards 11 - 0, 11- 1, 110 Madison Fernandes received a walkover from Tian Edwards. Play was scheduled to continue last evening from 5.30 PM when the Over-50 Men’s category began with two matches before players in the Men’s Over-40 match went into action. The Men’s Open and quarter final matches in the Women’s Open were also scheduled for last night. (Sean Devers)
Regan Pollard plays off the Glass in his straight sets 11-3, 11-6, 115 win over Robert Fernandes in their entertaining over-40 contest. Nicolas Verwey (left) pushed Regan Rodrigues hard on Wednesday night to take the match 3-0.
Friday June 14, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Guyana Badminton Dental Imports Guyana Inc. returns with support for Sport Shooting Foundation Association bids farewell to Lee Chong Wei on his retirement
Dr. Pravesh Harry of Dental Imports Guyana Inc. hands over sponsorship funds to Mr. Andrew Phang, Director/Asst. Secretary/Treasurer of GSSF. Also present were Dr. Kevin Jodah (on far left) and Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon. The Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation expressed delight at yesterday morning’s Handover and Presentation Ceremony hosted by Dental Imports Guyana Inc. Local practical shooters will for the second year be given an opportunity to participate in a Sport Shooting Competition which will be once again exclusively sponsored by Dental Imports Guyana Inc. (DIG Inc.) and hosted by the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation. Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer, Mr. Andrew Phang, in accepting the kind sponsorship, conveyed thanks to the Board of Directors of DIG Inc for making this an official event on the shooting Calendar,
expressed appreciation to DIG Inc. for their continued support of the G.S.S.F. Mr. Phang announced that the Match will be open to all experienced Practical Pistol Shooters of Guyana and advised competitors to preregister. He further noted that with sponsorship from DIG Inc. prizes for the Top Three Overall Shooters in each division will be up for grabs. Interested sanctioned practical shooters wanting to come out to have some safe shooting fun, can contact any Committee Member of the G S S F , visitwww.guyanasportshooting.comfor further details or email info@guyanasportshooting.com indicating their interest to participate. Also present at the
modest Handover Ceremony was Company Secretary of Dental Imports Inc., Dr. Kevin Jodah and Secretary of the GSSF, Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon. Dr. Pravesh Harry commented that Dental Imports Guyana (DIG) is pleased to continue to sponsor the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation’s Practical Shooting match and pledged DIG’s commitment to the Foundation and its safe sport shooting activities. DIG Inc., established by Dr. Pravesh Harry and Dr. Kevin Jodah, is a local, efficient, and reliable dental supplies company. The main focus of the company continues to be the supply to dentists in and around Guyana a wide range of dental materials at competitive prices.
Australia recover to beat Brazil despite Marta’s landmark goal MONTPELLIER, France (Reuters) - Australia came from two goals down to defeat Brazil 3-2 in the women’s World Cup yesterday, as an own goal from Monica capped a superb fightback and overshadowed a milestone goal for Marta. Marta, 33, became the first player to score at five different World Cups as she put Brazil ahead from the penalty spot with a recordextending 16th World Cup goal before Cristiane doubled the lead. A u s t r a l i a ’s C a i t l i n Foord reduced the arrears on the stroke of halftime before Chloe Logarzo equalised and Monica then headed past her own keeper, with the goal given after a VAR review, to hand Australia all three points. Brazil and Australia both
have three points in Group C as do Italy, who take on Jamaica today after beating the Matildas in their opening match. “Tonight is one of the finest Australian performances I’ve seen. The players deserve all the rewards they were given tonight. I’m really delighted for them,” said Australia coach Ante Milicic. “They never stopped believing, and the coaching staff never stopped b e l i e v i n g . We k e p t o n believing in our style and in our football and it’s an Australian performance to be proud of.” Marta opened the scoring after 27 minutes, converting from the spot after Leticia Santos was fouled by Elise Kellond-Knight. Marta had already scored
at the 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups. “It would feel much better with a win,” she said. “It’s one more detail written in the history of women’s football. I am honoured, but there’s more to do at this tournament.” Cristiane netted her fourth goal at these finals with a 38th-minute header to double Brazil’s tally but Foord gave Australia hope with a close-range finish. Marta, who missed the opening game against Jamaica through injury, was replaced for the second half as coach Vadao looked to rest her, but the decision backfired as Brazil lost control. Logarzo equalised with a long-range shot in the 58th minute, eight minutes before Monica’s own goal was confirmed by VAR.
Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei called time on a glorious 19-year career as he announced his retirement from international badminton yesterday. An emotional Lee, 36, said his dream of playing the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 would remain unrealized as he was advised by his doctor to avoid high-intensity training. Lee was diagnosed with nose cancer last year and has been undergoing treatment. “It is a very tough decision. I took the decision after my last medical checkup. I talked it over with my wife and with my doctors and decided to announce it after Hari Raya (festival). Badminton is my life. Now my health is the priority.” Lee Chong Wei, flanked by sports minister Syed Saddiq and BAM President Norza Zakaria, bid goodbye to the sport. “The doctor asked me to reduce my intensity of training. After my treatment last year, he told me there is a lot of pressure on my shoulders, and asked me to rest. I knew what he meant. I was back on court for six months, but my doctor called my trainer and encouraged me to take rest.” Frequently stopping to dab his teary eyes, Lee thanked his coaches Misbun Sidek, Hendrawan, Tey Seu Bock, his physios and support staff, and Badminton Association of Malaysia and other national institutions that played a role in his career. Lee will be remembered as one of the most accomplished players of all time. His glittering record includes three Olympic silver medals, three World Championships silver medals, 47 World Superseries/World Tour titles,
Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and Guyana’s Narayan Ramdhani at a tournament. two Asian Championships golds and four All England titles, besides an array of major tournament titles. He was also Malaysia’s spearhead in team competitions, inspiring them to the Thomas Cup final in 2014 and two Commonwealth Games team championships. Lee Chong Wei thanked the press for their coverage of his career and obliged them with a selfie. Asked if he had any regrets, Lee said: “I cannot say I regret this decision, because my health is important. I took a month to decide. My target was to play Tokyo 2020. “I do regret 100 percent that I could not win a gold (at the Olympics and World Championships). Now I cannot get to 2020, but I hope another Malaysian can and I will help towards that.” Lee made his debut in 2000, winning a bronze at the
World Junior Championships alongside another future great, Lin Dan. By the end of that decade he was one of the eminent stars of his generation, along with players like Lin, Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat and Denmark’s Peter Gade. For sheer consistency he had no equal in the sport, having spent 200 consecutive weeks as No.1 between 2008 and 2012. Lee received glowing tributes from Malaysia’s sporting establishment. BAM President Mohamad Norza Zakaria said Lee had inspired Malaysians and the country would miss its hero and icon. Malaysia’s sports minister Syed Saddiq hailed Lee as “a hero to all Malaysians of all ethnicities and religions” and announced that he would be Chef-de-Mission for the Malaysian contingent at Tokyo 2020.
‘Explosive’ Windies a challenge for England, says Morgan SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – England captain Eoin Morgan yesterday warned his side to be wary of an “explosive” West Indies, as the tournament favourites prepared to take on the World Cup outsiders in a fiery clash at the Rose Bowl today. With memories of the thrilling 2-2 draw in the Caribbean still fresh, Morgan said England were well aware of the Windies’ capabilities and would be taking nothing for granted.
“They are a strong outfit. We expect the exact same tomorrow,” Morgan told a media conference here. “They are explosive with the bat and a different challenge with the ball. A lot of their seamers are quite tall and look to hit the wicket and obviously the majority of the time they only play one spinner, so that is going to be the challenge here.” Based also on the recent series and West Indies’ three previous games in the ongoing World Cup, Morgan has taken special note of the
Caribbean side’s pace attack. The likes of Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell and Andre Russell have all shone in the tournament, bowling aggressively to put West Indies in strong positions, even if their batsmen have not always capitalised. And Morgan said he expects West Indies to once again target England through their battery of fast bowlers. “It’s still the same. Right from the first game that they have played in this tournament, [their fast (Continued on page 32)
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Friday June 14, 2019
Kaieteur News
Concacaf Gold Cup
Guyana arrive in Minneapolis ahead for final phase of 2019 CGC camp - Brandon Beresford replaces injured midfielder Warren Creavalle Minneapolis, USA: Warren Creavalle, an important part of the Golden Jaguars set up shouldering the midfield responsibility, has been officially ruled out of Guyana’s historic Gold Cup sojourn after picking up an injury in training with the Golden Jaguars during their first stage of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Camp in Bermuda. The Philadelphia Union midfielder was excited to play his part in this history-making journey for Guyana; qualifying for the first time ever, but unfortunately broke a bone in his foot during training. He has since been replaced by fellow midfielder Brandon Beresford who joined the team for the second leg of the camp, which took place in Costa Rica. Guyana’s Head Coach, Michael Johnson said that the entire team is gutted with Creavalle’s injury as he is a key part of the team, recalling the role he {Creavalle} played in Guyana’s 2-1 win against Belize to qualify for the Gold Cup: “When he came on we got back the control of the game, he is a clever player and uses the ball very, very well, puts his body into some terrific positions; we’ll miss that sort of experience with somebody who understands the MLS. Playing in America as well and going up against the Americans could have given us so much insight, so it’s a big, big loss for us and him because these tournaments do not come around very often for Guyana.” Johnson continued: “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, the most important thing is that he recovers well enough and maintains his club career with the
Philadelphia union.” While he’ll miss the Gold Cup, a medical assessment has indicated that Creavalle would need between four to six weeks to recover properly so he should be ready for the 2019/2020 edition of the Concacaf Nations League, which kicks off in September. Guyana will contest League B with its first match on September 6 against Aruba. Creavalle’s injury, Coach Johnson stated, opened the door for someone else and Brandon Beresford’s name popped up. Meanwhile, Beresford, who is well known to the Technical Staff and was included in the 40-man provisional squad submitted to Concacaf, was called up to the team and joined on the second stage of the Camp which took place in Costa Rica: “Brandon is someone we know very well, particularly from early on in my tenure when he came and played very well against Barbados and he’s been in other camps as well; so we knew what’s he is capable of. So there was an obvious standout candidate when we knew that Warren would be struggling to come back to the camp and it was Brandon.” According to tournament rules, “injury-related changes will be allowed to the final 23player rosters for the Group Stage until 24 hours before each team’s first match. Any injury replacements must come from the announced preliminary 40-player rosters and must be approved by Concacaf.” Beresford commented on his call up to the 23-man team: “It’s a surreal experience still, being involved with Guyana for the past nine years, it’s had its ups and downs and
Brandon Beresford
Warren Creavalle pictured with teammates in Bermuda, from left, Neil Danns, Matthew Briggs and Sam Cox. I’ve seen what it’s like from the youth level, U-20, 23 and I’m glad to experience all of that.” He noted that being at the point where the game’s at now in Guyana is a testament to what has been taking place
over the past nine years, the evolution of the game and is very appreciative of playing whenever he gets the opportunity to do so: “I’m so extremely blessed to be a part of this and have been able to be a part of it for the past nine
years; it’s a blessing, it’s still pretty unbelievable and I will be giving 100% plus.” Beresford is currently playing in the USL League 2 (USA 4th Division) competition with Peachtree City Moba.
Meanwhile, the Golden Jaguars’ first training session in Minneapolis is scheduled for this afternoon after the team took a rest day yesterday following their arrival from Costa Rica Wednesday evening.
GBTI Open (day five)
Campbell beat Richmond in Women’s Singles, Vincent early favourite for Men’s title After day four on Tuesday was completely washed out due to a flooded Guyana Bank of Industry and Commerce (GBTI) Lawn Tennis Court, the tenth annual GBTI Open Tennis tournament sprung back to life under sunny skies on Wednesday with number one seed Cristy Campbell playing her first game in the Women’s singles. Campbell, who had teamed up with top female Junior player Afruica Gentle to win the Women’s doubles on Monday, got the better of Kizzy Richmond, 6-0,6-1. Campbell broke Richmond’s first game of the first set and rushed through the set in about 25 minutes; moving her around the court with well executed drop shots, deep forehands before moving her to net for the volley. In the second set, Campbell, arguable the fittest female player locally, went up 2-0, breaking Richmond first game again
and holding serve. The third game went to deuce as the spirted Richmond retaliated when she hit some fierce down the line backhands to claim her first game of the match. But Campbell then held serve with some heavy top spin forehand shots to keep Richmond deep in the courts. Hard hitting and big serving Gregiore Vincent defeated Heimraj Resaul 6-1, 6-1. Resaul got into several rallies but Vincent ended the point first and consistently kept his opponent on the back foot with plenty of hard severing and power hitting from both players. Vincent’s performance makes him an early favourite for the GBTI title but he must get past other known power hitters like Gavin Lewis and Anthony Downes who are on the other side of the draw. Vadeannand Resaul beat Viraj Sharma 6-3, 6-1. Vadeannand, the younger
Joshua Kalekeyzi
Anthony Downes
brother of Heimraj Resaul, registered his first win over Sharma who beat him at the recently concluded Sheltez tournament. Resaul was the more aggressive player and forced the much older Sharma up to the net before lobbing the ball over his head in addition to several hard serves and vicious forehand shots. Joshua Kelekyezi beat Benjettan Osbourne 6-0, 6-2 as he clearly went into the match with a game plan and
executed it well. Targeting the backhand of Osbourne and eventually breaking him down to hit the ball to net or out of the Court. Orande Dainty got a walk-over from Johnathon Fagundes in the other scheduled match of the night. Action on day six was scheduled to commence at 4:00PM yesterday and conclude under lights weather permitting. (Sean Devers)
Kaieteur News
Friday June 14, 2019
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MoPH 2nd Annual ExxonMobil Sec Schools U-14 f/Ball tourney launched
Y
esterday at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifta Avenue the second annual ExxonMobil Secondary Schools U-14 Football tournament was launched in the presence of Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Health, Glendon Fogeray, Director Chronic Disease Unit MoPH Dr Kavita Singh and Co-Director Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca. According Petra representative Shaw E m b r a c k , t h i s y e a r ’s tournament is scheduled to commence with the march p a s t f r o m 11 : 0 0 h r s tomorrow at the MOE ground before Christ Church oppose Lodge Secondary and Plaisance orphanage
face-off with North Ruimveldt Multilateral from noon. “What we do, not only build the skill set of these youngsters, but we try to help their overall development,” Mendonca said. Dr Singh not noted that 70% of death in Guyana is linked to a lack of physical exercise, drinking alcohol, smoking and unhealthy eating habits. Fogeray noted that Sports and a Healthy life style make your life better and improves the development of bones, mental health and motor skills. “This U-14 Football competition is very good but even recreational sports like playing cricket or Football on the street or walking
From left MoPH staff, Petra Rep Mark Allyen, DPS MoHP Glendon Fogeray, Dr Kavita Singh & Co-Director Petra Org Troy Mendonca at yesterday’s launching of the Exxon Mobil Secondary Schools U-14 Football tourney. briskly around your community are great ways to aid physical and Mental health,” said Fogeray.
England beat West Indies women by 135 runs (DLS) – 3rd ODI CHELMSFORD, England, CMC – England Women defeated West Indies by 135 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the final One-Day International of the threematch series at Essex County Ground here Thursday.
Scores: ENGLAND WOMEN 258 for four off 39 overs (Amy Jones 80, Sarah Ta y l o r 7 0 , Ta m m y Beaumont 46, Heather Knight 40 not out; Hayley Matthews 2-52). WEST INDIES WOMEN 131 off 37.4 overs
(Kycia Knight 38, StaceyAnn King 26; Kate Cross 216, Sophie Ecclestone 2-17).
The tournament will include 24 School teams and below are the first round fixtures. 12:00 hrs Christ Church v/s Lodge Secondary 12:00 hrs Plaisance orphanage v/s North Ruimveldt Multi 12:50 hrs St Mary v/s Annandale Secondary 12:50 hrs New Campbellville v/s Ann’s Grove 13:40 hrs Carmel Secondary School v/s Uitivulgt Secondary 13:40 hrs President College v/s Marian Academy 14:30 hrs Bishop High School v/s Golden Grove 14:30 hrs Kingstown v/s St Johns 15:20 hrs Tutorial v/s East Ruimveldt 15:20 hrs Queens Town Secondary v/s St Stanislaus College 16:10 hrs Dolphin Secondary v/s Tucville 16:10 hrs Brickdam Secondary v/s Charlestown Secondary
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Friday June 14, 2019
Guinness Bartica Fixtures kicks off tonight
E
ight elimination matches will highlight the opening night of action in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Bartica Championship tonight at Bartica Community Center Tarmac. The community of Bartica will be a hive a c t i v i t y, a s p u l s a t i n g matches will get things underway in what is expected to be an enthralling competition. According to the coordinator Alden Marslowe, highly quality action was witnessed in the Playoff Round on Wednesday which indicates that the respective teams are well prepared and rearing to go in anticipation of securing the coveted title. The opening matchup will pit Mighty Ruler against Iteballi from 19:00hrs, with Falmouth opposing Prison Officers in the second fixture at 19:30hrs. In the third clash, Potaro Strikers battle derby rival Potaro United from
20:00hrs, while defending champion Disconnection Crew lock horns with Walking Boyz at 20:30hrs. The fifth contest at 21:00hrs will witness Almanac Kings battling Beacon, while Goal-Raiders take aim at Ballers from 21:30hrs. In the final two matches, Jones Avenue will tackle Police from 22:00hrs and former champion Rivers View match skills with Man City at 22:30hrs. The aforementioned matches were scheduled following the conclusion of the Playoff Round on Wednesday night at the same venue. The respective winners will advance to the group round on June 15th, which will feature two groups of four teams. The top two teams from each zone will then progress to semi-final round on June 16th. This will be followed by the third place playoff and grand finale. Meanwhile, the four teams that fail to advance
Flashback- Action from last year’s edition in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Bartica Championship at the Bartica Community Centre Tarmac.
from the group stage will contest the Guinness Plate Championship. This will also be staged on the final night before the third place matchup. Winner of the zone will collect $400,000 and the respective trophy. They will also earn an automatic place in the National Championship, which is pegged to start in August.
Meanwhile, the losing finalist will receive $150,000 and a trophy. On the other hand, the third and fourth place finishers pocket $100,000 and $75,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade. The victor of the G u i n n e s s P l a t e Championship will receive $60,000. The other major sponsor of the event is
Colours Boutique. Among the dignitaries expected to be in attendance at the matches are Guinness Brand Executive Lee Baptiste and Banks DIH Outdoor Events Manager and former National player Mortimer Stewart. Day-1 Fixtures Mighty Ruler vs Iteballi19:00hrs Falmouth vs Prison
Officers-19:30hrs Potaro Strikers vs Potaro United-20:00hrs Disconnection Crew vs Walking Boyz-20:30hrs Almanac Kings vs Beacon-21:00hrs Goal Raiders vs Ballers21:30hrs Jones Avenue vs Police22:00hrs Rivers View vs Man City-22:30hrs
Friday June 14, 2019
Kaieteur News
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t r o Sp Concacaf Gold Cup
Guyana arrive in Minneapolis ahead for final - Brandon Beresford replaces injured phase of 2019 CGC camp midfielder Warren Creavalle
Brandon Beresford (#21) listens attentively to Head Coach Michael Johnson prior to the start of the Haiti Friendly.
GBTI Open (day five)
Campbell beat Richmond in Women’s Singles, Vincent early favourite for Men’s title
Gregiore Vincent after his win against Heimraj Resaul on Wednesday night.
Vadeanand Resaul
Cristy Campbell just before her win against Kizzy Richmond on Wednesday.
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