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Procurement of Saturday Edition NEWS Feasibility Study for new Demerara River Bridge was legal - SOCU

AIETEUR

June 15, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 23

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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Harmon fails to address questions about controversial ExxonMobil agreement Biker dies after horrific collision with minibus near Botanical Gardens The motorcycle and minibus that collided at the intersection of Regent and Vlissengen Roads

Dead: Mark Sauers

CARICOM reiterates Sherod GPL to approve We are prepared Duncan condemnation of US 'still power purchase for whatever the CCJ decides embargo against Cuba dismissed' with Giftland - Govt. spokesperson

Dismissals at Dept. of Public Service - probe to may be linked to scholarships start Monday How did 4.8M acres offshore Guyana end up in the hands of four companies with no track record in the oil industry?

Kaieteur News

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Saturday June 15, 2019

Biker dies after horrific collision with minibus near Botanical Gardens

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gruesome a c c i d e n t involving a route 40 minibus and a motorcycle, which occurred in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens, at the intersection of Regent and Vlissengen Roads yesterday afternoon, has left the motor cyclist dead.

Twenty-nine year-old Mark Sauers, of Melanie, East Coast Demerara, was

the unfortunate biker who was said to be proceeding at a rapid rate, north on Vlissengen Road, when he slammed into the left side of the minibus driven by Mark Pancham. The bus was turning west into Regent Road at the time of the collision.

At the point of impact, Sauers's upper body apparently ripped along the back windows of the bus,

Anita Persaud, the distraught mother of the deceased, being consoled

which caused an arm to be severed and left inside the vehicle. The end result was his body being sliced in half.

The side of the minibus was badly dented, and the back windscreen was almost completely shattered. Blood could be seen on the back of the vehicle as well as a pool of blood on the road where Sauers landed.

The bus driver in an interview said that his son was conducting and there

Dead: Mark Sauers were four passengers in the vehicle. “You know how it feel to be goin' 20-30 miles a hour, and a man was coming at 100-120 and slam into me, and now I gotta be the one who gotta face the music, knowing that I ain't wrong at all. He was speeding, I had four passengers, two willing to come and share exactly what happen.�

Meanwhile at the Lyken Funeral Parlour the family of the deceased were wailing uncontrollably, except for the man's mother who sat (continued on page 23)

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 15, 2019

PAGE 03

Harmon fails to address questions about controversial Exxon Agreement T

he State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) is currently investigating the awards of the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, by former President Donald Ramotar, to virtual unknowns, made just days before the May 2015 election. Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon was keen to note, during yesterday's postCabinet press briefing, that government will take all necessary action to correct wrongdoing if such is found.

But contentions have also been raised about the Production Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil on the Stabroek concession. That PSA was signed on June 14, 1999 by former President Janet Jagan.

During the press briefing, Kaieteur News brought all of these issues to Director General Harmon's attention, asking whether they were sufficient to warrant an investigation into the Stabroek concession. He said that government would only act on the investigations' findings by SARA, and that the

result of grand corruption or grand incompetence.”

TIGI stated that the PSA is in contravention with the Constitution and the Procurement Act. The Institute also complained about the lack of ringfencing provisions in the contract. It stated unequivocally that a document which is “in breach of international practice as well as local laws” would be “invalid, void and of no effect.”

If that wasn't bad enough, the concession to Director General of the the American multinational Ministry of the Presidency, m e a n s i t c o n t r o l s approximately 600 blocks.

Joseph Harmon This is 10 times more than contentions raised were not what the law stipulates.

Asked about this during a enough to warrant any p r e ss conference on action.

T h e T r a n s p a r e n c y T h u r s d a y, O p p o s i t i o n Institute Guyana Initiative Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had (TIGI) is the latest party to said that the relinquishment criticise what it calls provision, as it is referred to illegalities in the Stabroek in the PSA, was supposed to concession. A contention by kick in when Natural TIGI is that the PSA Resources Minister, Raphael Government signed with Trotman revised the terms in Exxon's subsidiary, Esso 2016 with ExxonMobil. He Exploration and Production said that Trotman has no Guyana Limited (EEPGL) justification for not ensuring for the concession, is that the excess blocks were “ i l l e g a l , i r r e t r i e v a b l y relinquished.

All of these issues, flawed” and “either the

Dismissals at Dept. of Public Service may be linked to scholarships - Probe to start Monday

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inister of P u b l i c Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley recently dismissed three officials from the Department of Public Service, which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has been lamenting to the media that the dismissals were due to the release of information that millions of dollars were transferred from the said Ministry to the accounts of two of Minister Simona Broomes' children.

At a post-Cabinet press conference held yesterday, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon sought to set the record straight on this allegation. Harmon stressed that the money that was transferred to Broomes' children had to do with scholarship arrangements.

Further to this, Harmon categorically stated that unlike what took place in the

past, the APNU+AFC administration is not using the scholarship account as a slush fund.

With that aspect cleared up, the media called on Harmon to comment on allegations that a scholarship that was awarded to one of former Minister of Culture, D r. F r a n k A n t h o n y ' s daughters is under review. It is said that the young lady has not fulfilled her part of the contract which stipulates that she must serve her

country upon completion of her studies. There are also allegations that the officials dismissed had an involvement in this matter.

The Director General declined to offer any perspective or details on the matter, except to say that an inquiry will be launched into the matter on Monday. The probe is expected to last for a week. It will be conducted by Lance Carberry, who has expertise in resource management.

Harmon was reminded of at the press briefing. It was also brought to the Director General's attention that Trinidad and Tobago was successful in renegotiating its agreement with the shareholders of Atlantic LNG, a liquefied natural gas producer operating in that country. Prime Minister Keith Rowley had said that he advocated for the renegotiation because he wanted the country's people to get “more than crumbs that fall off the table”.

Harmon was also reminded that Ghana's President, Nana AkufoAddo, who recently visited Guyana and whose country will be providing technical support for Guyana's fledgling oil sector, also indicated his willingness to renegotiate oil contracts for his country, if it is necessary.

He responded, “First of all, we learn about these reports from the newspapers.

We have not had a report from SARA with respect to the nature and extent of their investigation.”

If SARA finds illegality, he said, “government will be prepared to throw its weight behind the agency to ensure that we have an outcome that is in the interest of the people of Guyana. Of course, it has to be based on evidence which comes before us.”

It was then pointed out to him that SARA is not investigating the Stabroek concession.

In response, Harmon repeated that government will only act on what SARA says.

“We are not saying whether this is right or that is wrong,” he said.

“This is information that

is in the newspapers. We will be guided by evidence which is produced by SARA or any other law enforcement agency in Guyana that speaks to wrongdoing, illegality, and that will determine in our view, the situation which amounts to a changed circumstance.”

According to Harmon, an investigation is what is required to inquire about the alleged illegality of the Stabroek concession. But SARA's Special Assistant Eric Phillips asserted last week that there is no investigation into that concession.

Even in this regard, Harmon was asked how government would treat with the myriad contentions that the Stabroek concession is illegal, if it will not initiate an investigation. He did not answer.

Domestic worker charged with $5M jewellery theft - placed on $250,000 bail

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domestic worker was yesterday released on $250,000 bail by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly after she was read a charge in which she is accused of stealing over $5M in jewellery from her employer.

Seeranie Singh appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, where she denied the charge which alleged that between May 1, 2019 and June 11, 2019, at Houston East Bank Demerara, she stole a quantity of jewellery, at a total value of $5,177,000 property of Deowattie Singh.

The defendant's lawyer, in an application for bail, told the court that Seeranie Singh is a 38-year-old mother of four, who hails from

Timehri, East Bank Demerara. The attorney mentioned that based on what she had learnt, Singh and other employees are normally checked before and after they leave the premises. She also indicated that the security guards and her client are not friends, therefore she has no way of smuggling out any jewellery.

Police prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objections to bail being granted to the defendant, however, he asked that conditions be attached.

Magistrate Daly then granted bail and adjourned the matter to July 26.

The conditions of the bail are that Singh is to report to the Criminal Investigation Department at the Ruimveldt Police Station and she is to lodge her travel documents with the court.

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Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Guyana’s contaminated elites

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riumphant Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi likes to stir the pot. He did so during the recently concluded monster of an elections season in the largest democracy in the world, India. During his campaign, the Khan Market Gang came in for much mention, and all of them scornful and dismissive. It is a cap that fits many a mustached, billiard-headed powerbroker in India, the disparaged elites, who partake of the finest fare in the finest places.

That disparaged Khan Market Gang has its own equivalent right here in Guyana. Political cabals, which are not of one kind only. Commercial gangs, that live for monopoly of trade, a certain variety of trade. Phantom partnerships, which are well-positioned to call the shots in Guyana. They do. Whichever way one deigns to describe them, they belong: Freaks and frauds. Hollywood reincarnations. Pigs at the trough. All fit. All are wellearned.

At the higher ends, the local gang dines by poolside and Atlantic Ocean; the same hustlers congregate in climate controlled high-rise exercise palaces to sweat off the toxins accumulated from picking the peoples’ pockets and treasury.

There they gather to swap war stories, and plot how to engage in more self-help and opulent deals.

Real estate, joint ventures, and other downstream opportunities made possible by the wide-open oil frontier, where the only rules are the ones that the gangs and cabals agree amongst themselves are worth observing, for the appearance of things. It is the Wild West of yore, all the way down south to Guyana.

They are present at every oil and gas confab, since this is where the sharks and shakers and shavers flock to ply their clever tricks. Got to be in it, to win it. And they do win: these sometimes educated, mostly connected, all related and overlapping layers of flesh-eaters and domestic predators looking to cash in on the action; there are the commercial hotshots with their hot money to spice up the action and make things richly worthwhile for the circle of brethren, who will do any dirty job to latch on to their share of the petroleum pie.

That is the nectar: oil action. Of necessity, that means political action, too. The English were renowned for their recognition of chums, through the old establishment lineages, school ties, and regimental ones. The ties that bind here in Guyana today centre around a different kind of colour scheme and tribal stripe. The accents are familiar to one another: they speak the same coded language, share the same oily, fishy embraces.

One of the intriguing subsets in local society is the never remarked upon, not-so-secret (as much as before) societies. It is one protective and vigilant brotherhood, where the entrenched financial stalkers, tainted politicos, and professional artists contribute a heavy presence to those assemblies.

These are neither ragged men nor menacing looking thugs, but the smooth, suited movers that have eye and nose for where the money and power are, and how to position themselves properly to be on the receiving end.

The mutual backscratching can be sourced to those halls.

The local network capitalises on many choices: choice of jobs; choice of influential friendships; choice of top billing. Choice of political recognition and access. They align accordingly, sometimes catering to both sides for their own nefarious purposes. Throughout, Guyanese elites and heavyweights wax loud and long about principles and ethics and corruption in government, while numbering among their comrades and clients the very scoundrels, who plunder and pierce the land.

A beautiful place, this Guyana, for the resourceful and loaded. Many load up on Johnnie Walker Black (and the costlier blends), while thirsty peasants must satisfy themselves with black tea and bush tea. As always, the poor multitudes are left to fend for themselves, stranded with their continuing traumas. It is about existence. Which of the local ‘bigshots’ have their welfare paramount?

THE CCJ’S IMPENDING RULINGS DEAR EDITOR, On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will deliver landmark rulings in the appeals emanating from the legal challenges filed against the NoConfidence Motion passed by Guyana’s National Assembly on December 21, 2018 and a challenge filed against the appointment of Justice James Patterson as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

These litigations have placed within the province of Guyana’s Judiciary, the very foundation of Guyana’s constitutional and electoral democracy. Sitting at the summit of the nation’s judicial hierarchical structure, the CCJ has the final say. This, it will do on June 18 from the seat of the Court in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The lawyers involved are invited to receive the decisions via SKYPE at the Guyana Court of Appeal, Kingston, Georgetown. The CCJ has informed via its website, that the proceedings will be streamed live, so that the world can view.

Through these appeals, the CCJ is afforded the unprecedented opportunity to pronounce, inter alia, upon the strength of the supremacy of Guyana’s Constitution and the efficacy of numerous mechanisms and devices that inhere in the Constitution, as checks and balances against Executive power conceived and designed by the framers of the Constitution to exact greater accountable, responsible and

democratic government.

The adversarial system of litigation, which Guyana’s legal process embraces facilitated a dichotomized presentation of legal arguments, with one side in the litigation, challenging the legality and viscosity of these safeguards and the other side, asserting their effect, vigor and impregnability. Sitting at the apex, as adjudicator, the CCJ will ultimately determine the extent and fortification of those facets of Guyana’s constitutional and democratic polity.

For example, after these rulings, we will know the true nature of the constitutional supremacy doctrine; we will know whether, a No-Confidence Motion does, or does not exist in Guyana’s National Assembly; if it does, the impact and consequence of its successful passage and how and when is it successfully passed; whether defects in the qualifications of a member of the Assembly can affect its potency; whether GECOM is the master of, or subordinate to, the Constitution; and whether the President can capriciously reject nominees submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition for the appointment of a chairman of GECOM and instead, unilaterally appoint one of his own choosing. In short, the CCJ will ultimately determine, as my erudite colleague, Kamal Ramkarran puts it, whether the Constitution of Guyana is merely a piece of paper.

I know first-hand, that the CCJ cannot say that there was a paucity of legal submis-

sions, for legal submissions preponderated ad nauseam, ranging from the reasoned to the ridiculous and up until merely a few days before notices were received of the date of the rulings.

The importance of these rulings reverberates beyond territorial Guyana. Not surprisingly, the litigations have captured the attention of the entire Caribbean, North America, Europe and indeed, wherever Guyanese are domiciled.

In the Caribbean, it has been the subject of commentary of the media, politicians, academics and laymen alike.

Its importance to democratic norms and constitutional rule in the Region has been repeatedly underscored in opinion pieces published by media outlets throughout the Caribbean. Further, I am aware, that it is already the subject of articles and analysis currently being undertaken in academic circles not only in the Caribbean, but at universities in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

I have highlighted on a number of previous occasions that the mechanism of a ‘No-Confidence Motion’ exists as a common feature in Westminster-styled constitutions throughout the English Commonwealth.

Once successfully passed, its consequences are immutable. The Government against which it is passed, is defeated and must resign.

Regaining the confidence of the electorate at general elections to be held contemporaneously becomes mandatory.

This position obtained long before the advent of the concept of a ‘written constitution’ in the British Empire. It was birthed in the mid-17th century in England, where no written constitution exists until now. It was bequeathed

by Her Majesty’s Government to her former colonies in their Independence Constitutions and has become an innate part of their constitutional democracies.

Since Independence, the Union of India has witnessed over 50 No-Confidence Motions in its provincial Houses of Assembly and the LokSabha.

The Parliament of the Dominion of Canada passed three over the last two decades. In the Caribbean, I recall one being passed in Barbados against Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford and quite recently, one was moved in St. Kitts and Nevis but was defeated. In over 250 years of recorded history, in none of the instances where the motion was passed, has the impugned Government reacted in the manner in which the Coalition Government of Guyana did. This has certainly contributed significantly in titillating interests, expectations and anxieties alike, in relation to the impending rulings.

Additionally, commentators have expressed the view that these cases are a test for the Court itself and the rulings can have an impact on its future, if not its very survival.

Modern constitutional (Continued on page 24)

THE AFC IS HANGING ON A THREAD DEAR EDITOR, The little I know of Gobin Harbhajan is from the many newspaper reports. I recalled the folks who had visited his office complaining that a major case - the Marcus Bisram case and other high murder cases are being covered up in Berbice. He has been placed in a key position, newly created in 2015, to bring the government closer to the people. Since then, he seems to be everywhere.

However, we come back to Mr. Harbhajan.

The Alliance For Change (AFC), his party, is at a crossroad now. It gained popularity in the 2011 elections and was widely seen as the third force change that can hold the balance.

The popularity rise continued to 2015 where with the support of angry farmers and a disillusioned populace, the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic was swept aside.

It was not a surprise. The PPP/C had lost touch with the people. The ministers were

arrogant.

People will tell you stories about the Ministry of Housing and the nightmares, plain indifference from staffers and regional chairpersons who were kings within their lands.

For more than a year, the honeymoon continued with the Coalition Government especially with the announcement of a huge oil find.

Today, we have a party that has done poorly at local government elections and whose ministers are charged with key ministries. We can talk about agriculture and say that save for rice, we appear to be sailing. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure would have been lauded for some work done but the shadow of corruption has followed it around.

The AFC have not really connected to the people. I dare say they got caught up in the bureaucracy of the office. It would, perhaps, be the greatest failings of the AFC over the last three years. They should have visited their supporters a little more.

Counter to that is the fact that the Opposition, an old head at the game, has not given the Coalition Government a chance. From supposed corruption, to GPL suspiciously going down so often, the challenges have been uphill. So we come to that no-confidence vote of December 21st.

The AFC failed to arrest the situation and apparently knew something was going down.

It has itself to blame for doing little or nothing. One may argue now that there is little likelihood of a third force before elections, which could be this year, depending on what the Caribbean Court of Justice decides.

The ball therefore is in the AFC court. It received an excellent deal with key ministries under the power share agreement with the A Partnership For National Unity.

This weekend, a key vote will be conducted for the Leader, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, General Secretary and 12 Executive Members. There will be close attention being

paid to the optics.

Does AFC want to portray the same sorry lineup or does it attempt to play the card where it tells the populace that it is a party that is willing to adapt.

The debate of Gobin Harbhajan, as alluded to in a recent letter to the editor, is not about Gobin Harbhajan, I humbly submit. It is a about a party that can rise above the crowd and show that it is willing to adapt. That it can allow youngsters like Harbhajan to make a contribution.

The People’s Progressive Party is champing at the bit and would under value people like Harbhajan and the McAllisters and the Burkes and the Benschops.

These are people who understand how to connect to the people.

So yes, Editor, the AFC can be wise or they won’t see the forest for the trees.

The next elections would not be for play.

Yours sincerely, Esaur Khublall Retired Remigrant

Saturday June 15, 2019

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Kaieteur News

MY RECENT VISIT HOME – NEW LOOK, OLD THINKING DEAR EDITOR, No denying it, there are visible positive changes in Guyana today since 2012 when I left home. The amount of new business places would make one believe that Guyana has a population of at least one and a half million people.

New buildings are going up everywhere and the government seems to be doing a commendable job working at improving and enhancing the country’s infrastructure. But these visible, these commendable changes camouflage the continued presence of some disturbing/vexing old tendencies and behaviour.

In attempting to purchase foreign currency at any of the banks, one is met with the question “do you have a bank account with us?”

The take away from this is, he who cannot afford to have a bank account, has no right of access to foreign currency.

So, say a relative funds a holiday for you in the USA. He/she sends you money to cover cost of visa and ticket.

And, say one borrows money to ‘walk with,’ so as to bolster one’s pride by a show of a modicum of independence.

One cannot access foreign currency at the banks owing to not being fortunate to have an account. Other to being immoral, is this demand of banks legal?

Now, no such demand is made when changing US dollars into Guyana dollars, at the banks. So why should only bank account holders be able to access foreign currency, when we all (both account holders and none holders) contribute to the stock of foreign currency that banks hold? Why this obvious, this brazen discrimination against the poor? But the business community is not singular here, government departments and agencies also continue to hold on to and initiate silly procedures and practices.

On attempting to renew my driver’s license, I was given a form to fill, told to provide printed copies of my old driver’s licence and personal ID card. The form I can understand, but what is demanding the provision of copies of ID card and old driver’s licence all about? Can’t a note stating all these have been made by the staff at the licensing office? Why burden citizens with these added expenses, in a country in which all accept that wages and salaries are inadequate?

Then there is the behaviour of many of our government ministers. In conversation with a friend he demurred the fact that the Minister Of Education recently found time to be reading out

passes at CXC on television, as if she had nothing more meaningful to do. Shouldn’t reading out passes at exams; if deemed necessary; be done by someone in the education officers’ department/unit?

Why should the minister be thus occupied, when there is so much crying out to be done in a hurry, education wise?

Don’t our children need to be prepared for coping with the demands of oil, massive diversification in agriculture and the demands of managing a modern economy? But wait there is more of this seeming irrational behaviour.

I recently read of a minister travelling to one of our jails or prisons to deliver sporting gears for use by young inmates. Could someone please tell me why this delivery could not have been made by a coach working in the department of sports, on behalf of the minister? How is it possible that a minister with responsibility for youth development in Guyana, can find time for such menial tasks?

Many of our youths are apparently still leaving school functionally illiterate. Youths make up the bulk of the unemployed, and they also feature significantly among our prison population.

As I walked about Georgetown too many of our young males seem to see drinking beers with the empty bottles visible on their table, as a sign of being macho.

While many of our young women seem to place a high value on ‘bleaching,’ wigs and dawning revealing dresses, and monitoring when the next dance hall artiste will visit our shores.

Couple all this with the fact that there is no authentic, no democratically elected national youth organization in the land, to speak for and rep-

resent youth. I read about a National Youth Council, but I know of no presence of youth councils in the ten regions, from which, one would expect a national council will grow out of. So, since youths nationally did not elect the present National Youth Council, how was it created? It is in such an environment that the Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for youth, finds time for delivering bat and ball!

Then there is the obvious absence of an imaginative, intelligent, coordinated community development plan or programme. Government constructed infrastructural development activities in community is not community development.

The concept of community development rests on community participation/involvement, on the community doing for itself, with some assistance from government and private sector.

As I understand it, there is presently a unit with responsibility for community development in Guyana.

However, no one offered me the name of any qualified community development personnel employed in this unit.

Worse yet, the University of Guyana does not offer a course in community development. So, with the absence of trained community organisers in the unit, and the University of Guyana not offering training in this area, what would be the basis for citizens’ belief that the government is serious about community development?

Noting this neglect of our university, highlights the need for Guyana to pay some attention to the areas in which international organisations with a presence in Guyana are offering assis-

tance.

Peace Corps will leave Guyana soon. It is Peace Corps’ nature to leave when a country shows a glimpse of development. Peace Corps left Trinidad and Tobago years ago, and in 2013 left St. Kitts/ Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda, citing these islands development as justification for pulling out.

Guyana, with oil coming on stream can expect similar withdrawal of Peace Corps. I notice that recently a new batch of volunteers arrived in Guyana.

The release on their arrival informs that they will be mainly serving in Health (mainly carrying health education to rural communities) and in the Ministry of Education – emphasis here will be

life skills education.

With the likelihood of Peace Corps leaving, is this the best use of Peace Corps’ service? With an investment in transportation and support materials for presentation, would it not make more sense to leave health education to locals, who would likely make presentations more culturally acceptable to our people?

Isn’t this also likely true for our life skills education programme? There is simply no need for foreign help in these areas.

Peace Corps has a professional unit that can make highly skilled Americans available to countries in which Peace Corps have a presence. Shouldn’t the Guyana Government not focus on accessing this aspect

of Peace Corps? Shouldn’t we be requesting volunteers to help us in mining, oil, agriculture, making use of local material in housing so as to reduce cost of same, etc?

What is most depressing about the neglect is that none of it is new.

Placing a higher value on party affiliation rather than competence. Requesting the presence and assistance of foreign organizations for a specific purpose, then doing no assessment over time to ascertain if the initial purpose is still relevant. All this we have seen before – whether the government was PPP or PNC. So, what explains the present Government’s willingness to make the same mistakes?

Claudius Prince

Beware of Scammers and Imposters DEAR EDITOR, This is meant to alert the general public. Scammers and imposters are out plying their trade and the Lower East Coast seems to be the targeted area. The popular “church feeding programme” scam is being used again. The architects of this scam have placed their “programme” under the aegis of Redemption Tabernacle Church located in Victoria Village. Donation sheets are endorsed by Pastor Rodney and Pastor Smith. There is even a cell number: 639 – 0372. According to one of the young men, “this is for a good cause, the church is feeding children”. I trust the pastor and members of that local church would use the media to let it be known that there is no such programme. Churches that want to start feeding programmes, I advise that you approach the Food for The Poor Organisation. That

organisation can be of tremendous boost to such programmes.

Imposters purporting to be utility meter readers are also targeting homes. During this month, two guys on motorcycle called at my home and asked to read the water meter.

This was a few days after the regular known young women attached to GWI would have done that. I told them hold a while and picked up my cell phone. They took off on that bike like seasoned racers at the South Dakota Circuit.

Utility companies, particularly GWI and GPL, train your meter readers to be well mannered, respectful and to display their identification cards

at all times – not having it around their necks or pinned to the front with the main particulars turned inward and not displayed. Also, meter readers who are new to an area should let it be known to residents as they move around.

Persons at home, I implore you to be vigilant, be alert in light of the current trend.

Should these scammers and imposters present themselves at your homes and you realise, then, do not hesitate to summon the police.

Concerned citizen

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Saturday June 15, 2019

Saturday June 15, 2019

Sherod Duncan ‘still dismissed’

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ired Chronicle Gen eral Manager Sherod Duncan is still not reinstated, according to Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon.

That’s despite reports that Duncan went back to work last Thursday, since being ordered reinstated at the Guyana Chronicle – Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) – as Publisher and General Manager, by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Kaieteur News understands that since that day, Duncan has not returned to work.

The matter all started when GNNL’s Board of Directors made a decision on April 2, to fire Duncan, after an audit report found that over 20 transactions did not follow financial regulations.

Nagamootoo had later corresponded with GNNL Board Chair, Geeta ChandanEdmond, giving instructions to the Board to rescind the decision to fire Duncan, and claiming that the board had not voted to fire him.

The letter from PM Nagamootoo has resulted in the matter becoming a public spat, with a number of board members quitting as a result and several staff members resigning.

During the post Cabinet press briefing yesterday, Harmon told reporters that the government’s position is that Duncan is still dismissed, meaning that Nagamootoo’s order was not implemented.

Even though Nagamootoo had ordered the board to rescind its dismissal of Duncan, Harmon said yesterday that government re-

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Kaieteur News

Sherod Duncan

spects the independence of the boards it appoints. He further said that the matter will be addressed by Cabinet during its next sitting.

Nagamootoo yesterday stated that he is currently in the process of reconstituting the Board of Directors, since three members have resigned.

He said that the newly constituted board will consider

Procurement of Feasibility Study for new Demerara River Bridge was legal – SOCU

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and make a decision on Duncan’s status.

Nagamootoo noted that his position is that the decision on Duncan’s status should be based on due process and procedural fairness.

He added that the explanations given by Harmon yesterday, do not contradict nor do they “negativise” his directive.

he investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has been concluded, and it has been determined that there was no wrongdoing in the procurement of consultancy services for the feasibility study and design of the new Demerara River Bridge.

Months ago, the People’s Progressive Party had requested that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) flag the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, because the party believed that he had broken the law by solesourcing the project, instead of having it processed through the Procurement Board.

The PPC had reported last August, that 12 bidders had been shortlisted for the project. It had also stated in its report on the matter that only two of the 12 companies had made proposals.

That caused the process to be reset.

But while the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board approved the move for the project to be re-tendered, it wasn’t.

The $148M project was

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson awarded to a Dutch company, LievenseCSO, by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

As a result of the findings, the Opposition had asked SOCU to investigate the matter. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had even made calls for criminal charges to be in-

stituted against the Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson.

Though the PPP was adamant that the bypassing of the procurement process was illegal, SOCU stated that it has sought legal advice, and that there is no evidence that a criminal offence was committed.

The PPC report had noted that monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (Asphalt Plant Accounts).

Jagdeo had been saying for months that this constituted a misuse of funds. But even on that front, the SOCU investigation cleared the Ministry of Public Infrastructure of that accusation.

SOCU said there was no misuse of funds.

It also stated that there is no evidence of collusion between LievenseCSO and personnel from the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

PAGE 8

National footballer gets six months in prison for wounding cop

J

obe Caesar, a 19-yearold national footballer, was yesterday sentenced to six months in prison by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly who found him guilty of wounding a policeman.

The accused was on trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the charge which alleged that he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Police Corporal Kerry Joseph on September 3, 2018 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The facts of the charge indicated that on the day in question, Caesar went to visit his girlfriend who lives at Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Upon his arrival he saw Joseph who is the father of his girlfriend’s children.

An argument ensued between Joseph and the woman and Caesar got involved.

However, he was ordered to leave the premises and he did. As Joseph was heading to his car he was attacked from behind by the teen who dealt him a cuff to the face.

Yesterday Magistrate Daly ruled that the prosecution was able to

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

-PPDI refutes claims of Chinese parts being used for maintenance

Jailed: Jobe Caesar

prove every element of the case and as such she sentenced Caesar to serve six months in prison for the offence.

Caesar is also before the courts for allegedly stealing from his girlfriend and damaging her car.

He denied the allegation which stated that on November 25, 2018 at Lot 178 Albert and Charlotte Streets, he unlawfully and maliciously

GPL board to approve Giftland power purchase agreements

damaged one motor car valued at $3.5 million property of the woman.

Also, it was alleged that on the same date and at the same location, Caesar while being armed with a gun, robbed the woman of one J2 Samsung cell phone valued at $30,000.

He is before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for that matter.

With the recent and constant power outages having an adverse effect on the citizenry, as well as on production, the Government of Guyana has recently been able to secure power purchasing agreements with the popular business establishment, the Giftland Mall.

This is in an attempt to assist and provide an efficient and consistent supply of electricity to the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).This new information came from the Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon at his Post Cabinet Press Briefing, yesterday, at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Harmon related that the power purchasing agreements form part of the many corrective measures that GPL has instituted to address the issue of the damaged submarine cable which linked the Vreed En Hoop power station to the Kingston facility. The damage resulted in the loss of 14 megawatts of power that would normally be trans-

ported to the eastern section of the inter-connected Demerara-Berbice system.

Harmon stated that arrangements for the purchasing of excess power by the Giftland Mall are being finalized, and those contracts are to be submitted to the GPL

completely false,” according to the PPDI. The PPDI in a press release stated that, “As a matter of fact, our Operations & Maintenance Agreement with our sister State entity, the Guyana Power & Light Inc., specifically states the use of Original Equipment

Board of Directors for approval. Giftland Mall will provide 5 megawatts of power to GPL. Furthermore, Harmon stated those agreements with Giftland Mall and a proposal to purchase two Caterpillar generators units from MACORP are both expected to be approved by Monday, June 17.

Discussions were held with the local beverage manufacturer and distributor, Banks DIH Limited in order for them to also supply power, but the excess capacity is not available at the moment.

In addition to the news of power producers and electricity, a voice note has recently been circulating on social media with various claims specific to Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI). “The claim of Chinese-made spare parts being used in the execution of our maintenance activities is

Manufacturer spares and supplies and explicitly prohibits any such attempts. Our governance structure, particularly the Board Tender Committee, includes independent personnel and a management representative of The Guyana Power & Light Inc. who must approve all major acquisition of spare parts.”

In addition, the two major suppliers of PPDI operations are Wartsila and ABB Turbochargers. They say that as a new company, they are often required to make advance payments for spare parts and supplies, in some cases 100% and other 50%.

“Purchases with these commercial terms guarantees us early delivery of spares and supplies. Currently, the PPDI has one engine that is down for a major overhaul at the Kin 2 plant, which has started and is expected to be completed within a month.”

Saturday June 15, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

How to be honest in a dishonest world

A

young policeman was explaining how difficult it is to be an honest officer in an organisation in which corruption is rife.

He asked you to imagine you’re working with others as part of a team but when the majority of them are on the take and you are not, then you are likely to be seen as a threat and can be harmed.

This, he said, is how some very honest officers become corrupt.

It is not that they do not wish to be honest.

It is that they cannot afford to be honest when all around them there is dishonesty. If they stand alone like ‘Serpico’, they stand to end up facing the same fate as he did.

If you try to stay honest, you will be shunned, alienated or victimised, or even worse.

The young policeman then asked how to stay honest when all around there is

dishonesty. It is a question, which many have had to face but few have been able to answer.

The world is the way it is.

And not the way it should be.

And therefore how can one survive with one’s values intact in a world in which these values are under threat.

The answer to that question is not simple.

The honest individual, the person who is trying to be true to things he or she believes in, should not get frustrated with the decay that he or she sees all around.

The way to live is to live one’s life by the values, which one holds dear. We have to live our life the way we want the world to be and not the way the world is. That is how you make a difference in life.

The first rule is not to give in to pressure. Those who are exceptions are exceptions because they are different and do not have to conform to the behaviour or values of others. You do not have to fol-

low the crowd.

You do not have to give in to pressure. You do not have to conform to values that are alien to your own. You can change society by living the life you want to live, and not the life that others are pressuring you to live.

The second way to make a difference is to do what is right.

Live the way you want the world to be by doing what is right.

You do not need to do wrong. You do not need to steal. Stay on the straight and narrow path and do what is right and the world, for you, will be the way you want it to be.

Third, remember that your job is not to try to change people. Your success or failure in life should not be judged by how many persons you have changed, but how true you are to your own values. As such, do not set out to influence people. Let your example be the influence,

Dem boys seh ...

Don’t tek Guyana fuh granted There is a saying dat people never miss de water till de well run dry.

Recently, when dem boys sit down to talk dem realize how much people miss Guyana. These are de same people who announce how dem leffing dis country because dem ain’t got no future here.

Of late, nuff of dem coming back on vacation.

Dem is de people who talking how Guyana gone up since dem lef. It got nuff things. In fact, it got everything people can get in de States or in Canada.

Dem boys see a man who come home fuh de Carnival and every time dem see him, he smiling. He was to leave de Sunday, he didn’t leave

till de Wednesday.

Is after he leave, he get de news dat fire tackle he favourite place, G3.

De man call dem boys to find out if is true dat G3 get burn down.

Dem boys tell him a part get burn. Then he ask if de strip club burn.

When dem boys tell him no de man seh, “Thank Gawd.” He is just one of dem who coming home and enjoying dat kind of service.

But while he tekking liberties in a club, some people tekking liberties in dangerous ways. Some of dem going in people house like if dem live deh and tek wha dem want like if is dem own.

Then you got anodda set who does use de road like if

dem is de only person pon de road. A man crash and dead yesterday. He speed past wheh Soulja Bai does wuk and he speed past a place wheh de traffic lights wasn’t wukking.

If dem lights was wukking, he woulda been alive today unless he decide to jump de light. In any case, he jump de junction, didn’t see as minibus till it too late and get he chest separated from he legs.

He was a man who move cocaine like ants moving leaves. People go to jail because of him.

They gon come out of jail but he ain’t coming back from wheh he gone.

Talk half and simply accept and bless.

which others can draw from.

Fourth, try to be the best that you can be.

Live your perfect life by seeking perfection and by aiming to be the best you can be without having to please others. You are going to make a difference without realising it.

The world is how it is. It will not change for you. You have to change the world by being you.

Even if it means being

alone, being without friends, you should not be worried, because you will be in good company. Some of the greatest names in human history have been persons who were seen as loners and even outcasts, but they possessed one quality which all those who to live the way they want to live should have.

That quality is perseverance.

No matter how tough the going gets, do not quit. Once

you have staying power, you will find that the world has changed far more than you have changed.

PAGE 10

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Machiavelli meets Khemraj Ramjattan today at Vryheid’s Lust I take the street I live on – Railway Embankment – to get to town. The Railway Embankment leads into Railway Street where the AFC’s head office is. So I pass the AFC’s headquarters daily. Last Saturday, on my way to walk my dog in the National Park, while passing the AFC building, I saw Khemraj Ramjattan standing on the parapet chatting with AFC’s General Secretary, Marlon Williams.

I pulled up, put my dog to the window, and laughingly showed her Khemraj with the words; “Look the next Prime Minister of Guyana.”

Khemraj came up to the car, but unlike most humans who have done so with my dog in my lap, he didn’t talk to the dog or play with her. People always touch her or speak to her when they are at the car window. Maybe Khemraj is not an animal lover. I need to remind him of that powerful, philosophical statement; “The soul is never complete unless one loves an animal.”

I told him about information I have as to what will happen at the AFC’s congress today (changed at the last minute from the Convention Centre to St. Paul’s Retreat at

Vryheid’s Lust). There is a motion nominating Khemraj to be the prime ministerial candidate in the election coalition with APNU. If the motion is voted on and a majority approves him, then if in the renewed Cummingsburg Accord, the PNC accepts the PM slot will go to the AFC, then, a victory will see Khemraj as the PM. But I told Khemraj what I know. And what I know was given to me by solid sources through my contacts. There will be a formidable attempt to prevent the motion from being put to the floor. So I placed a bet with Khemraj. If I am wrong today, then he tells me what I can do. If I win the bet, he buys a car for me. I told him, I saw one for 2.9 million dollars at the car store next to the Rubis gas station at Liliendaal.

His smiles were larger than the venue where war will break out today. His yells were so loud, they scared my dog. He shouted out; “nah, I’m not betting” to which I

replied, “come on, bet if you think I don’t know what I am talking about.” Then I looked straight into his face with rising decibels and said, “I really don’t care if you or Nagamootoo win or lose, both of you have destroyed my country.” He reacted; “what have I done, what have I done.” I was too angry with a tinge of contempt to reply to that pathetic nonsense that came out of his mouth.

I wanted to get personal, but the little sanity left in me prevailed and I drove away. I wanted to remind him that he led the picket at UG when my contract was terminated. The Ombudsman ruled the termination was not legally done, yet when Ramjattan became a Vice President, he or no one else asked me if I wanted to return to UG, and no one has sought compensation for me.

This was the same Ramjattan that was perambulating the corridors of parliament shouting out support for the Hamilton Green Pension Bill which made Mr. Green’s prime

ministerial pension retroactive to the time he was PM. Thursday night, I was walking my dog on the sprawling concrete lawns of the MovieTowne complex when I got a call from Abel Seetaram, AFC councilor for Region 5.

He yelled into his phone, “Freddie, yuh see de video Imran post up attacking Khemraj?” Using pellucid language I told Abel I don’t give an F about the battle between Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan; they are both useless.

I know there is going to be a formidable attempt to derail the motion today.

Khemraj is up against a very competent strategist – Raphael Trotman. He is one of the most brilliant strategists politics has produced in Guyana. Trotman is the man planning the Nagamootoo campaign.

Nagamootoo is an old fox gaining oceanic experience in Machiavellian cunning from his forty years in the PPP where each congress was ma-

Frederick Kissoon nipulated since Jagan moved against Balram Singh Rai in favour of Brindley Benn at the 1962 congress (see, Baytoram Ramharack’s, “Against the Grain: The Politics of Balram Singh Rai”).

Machiavelli will cast a long, huge shadow over the AFC delegates at today’s fateful confabulation. But despite the guns that Ramjattan and Nagamootoo will be firing at each other, the war will be in vain. Two reasons explain. The PNC isn’t going with a PM candidate from the AFC and the AFC is already dead meat.

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Suspect in fatal Charity hit-and-run in custody Police on the Essequibo Coast have confirmed that 16year old Renalzo Adams died as a result of a hit-and-run incident on the Charity Public Road on Wednesday night.

The teen’s body was picked up from the main carriageway by an ambulance driver. The young man succumbed to injuries, primarily to his head, while being rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital.

After viewing CCTV footage, police were able to confirm that Adams was hit.

Based on reports reaching Kaieteur News, part of one set of footage, which was taken from a mall, showed a white wagon leaving Charity.

A second bit of footage, which was taken from a gas station some 500 metres along the roadway, picked up the same wagon striking the young man.

Family members told this publication yesterday, “They [police] showed we some evidence from two cameras, they show we the picture and everything what they take off from the camera.

The white wagon was in front the mall and that was the only vehicle on the road at the

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

Dead: Renalzo Adams time.

The wagon was driven by a fella from Dredge Creek.”

Though police have not yet revealed the identity of

the driver, they have confirmed that a white wagon has been impounded at the Anna Regina Police Station, and the driver is in custody.

CARICOM reiterates condemnation of US embargo against Cuba The Caribbean Community has unequivocally condemned, once again, the embargo that the United States of America has placed on the Republic of Cuba.

This was iterated during the Sixth Meeting of Foreign Ministers of CARICOM and Cuba yesterday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The Donald Trump administration has imposed heavy new restrictions on travel to Cuba by US citizens.

It includes a ban on cruises, in an attempt to pressure the country to rescind its support for Venezuelas President, Nicolas Maduro.

A release from the US State Department on June 4 states “The United States holds the Cuban regime accountable for its repression of the Cuban people, its interference in Venezuela, and its direct role in the man-made crisis led by Nicolas Maduro.

Despite widespread international condemnation, Maduro continues to undermine his countrys institutions and subvert the Venezuelan peoples right to self-determination. Empowered by Cuba, he has created a humanitarian disaster that destabilises the region.”

It is important to note that this is only one in a history of actions taken by the US since the 1960s to cripple the Caribbean island CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador LaRocque was keen to note that CARICOMs member states appreciate the

CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque during yesterdays meeting Credit: DPI close relationship forged with Cuba, and nurtured over the past 47 years. LaRocque reminded how Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, in 1972, established diplomatic relations with Cuba despite the tensions of the Cold War. “Recent actions against Cuba revive memories of that period,” he said.“The community reiterates its call for an immediate and unconditional end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo against imposed by the government of the United States of America against Cuba.”

Ambassador LaRocque also condemned what he called the “extra-territorial” nature of the

embargo, referring to Americas citing of Cubas support for President Maduro as the reason for it. He said that recent developments have not just affected Cuba, but CARICOM member states as well.

“This has made even more important our practice of mutual support in hemispheric and international arenas.”

And Guyanas Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, lauded Cuba for its work in the region “in human resources” for the development of the region, particularly scholarships for students to train in the medical sciences.

Saturday June 15, 2019

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

New schools and IT Lab commissioned in Regions Five and Six - Over $128M expended Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, and the Departments of Education for Regions five and six, yesterday commissioned four new schools and one Information Technology laboratory.

The schools in Region Five are Perth Nursery, Calcutta Nursery and Champagne Primary, and in Region Six, No. 36 Primary.

At the commissioning ceremonies, Minister Henry reiterated the commitment of the government and the Ministry of Education to providing education for all Guyanese.

She said that every child in Guyana must have access to quality education whether they live in the city or in rural communities.

She said that the construction of the new schools is in keeping with the Ministry’s vision and goal to reduce the disparity that exists between the coastal communities and rural communities. This point was of great importance, particularly at the commissioning of Champagne Primary.

According to Minister Henry, “each and every child in the school system must have access to quality education.”

She expressed her happiness that all the schools have met the standards recognized by the Education Ministry, and added that she is confident that great things will happen within the walls of the new schools.

Minister Henry applauded the officers within the Department of Education and the Regional Administration for their great work to

improve the quality of education in the region.

She stressed that education is important since it can take a nation and its people from poverty to prosperity.

According to the Regional Education Officer (REdO), Ms. Deon Lyn LewisClarke, modern facilities not only improve the physical environment but also the learning culture.

And Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Mr. Sherwin Wellington, informed that the cost to construct the Perth Nursery School was $40M; Calcutta Nursery was built at a cost of $33M and Champagne Primary School totalled $13M. Head teacher of Perth Nursery, Ms. Patricia Rutherford, said that over the years, teachers and children were accustomed to a building owned by the Perth Burial Society which was most uncomfortable.

On behalf of her staff and students she thanked the government, the Department of Education and the Regional Administration for providing a building to house the school.

She made a commitment that the building will be used to mould the minds of the children in Perth Village.

Ms. Candace Griffith, Head teacher of Calcutta Nursery, said that it was indeed a happy day in Calcutta Village.

She said that the school was previously housed in the bottom flat of the Primary School which she also described as uncomfortable.

She said that now, her teachers are able to deliver the

curriculum in an environment that is conducive.

The head teacher of Champagne Primary School, Ms. Suzette Dubisette thanked the government and the Regional Administration for providing the new edifice for the teachers and pupils to ensure that quality education can be accessed.

Meanwhile, over at the No. 36 Primary School, Minister Henry said that an investment in people is an investment in the country. She said that notwithstanding the new building, there is still a lot of work that has to be done.

She said that the new building represents progress and growth and thanked the Regional officials for their contribution to the project.

According to the Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Ms. Kim WilliamsStephen, the construction of the school was made possible through collaboration between the government and the private sector.

She explained that the land on which the two-storey school sits was donated by the Nand Persaud Group of Companies. She said that the project started in October 2016 and was completed in March 2018 at a total cost of $42.642M. Moreover, the IT Lab that was commissioned at the Courtland/Gibraltar Primary School was another example of collaboration.

The computers were donated by a former student of the school and resident of the (Continued on page 20)

Minister Henry interacting with one of the pupils of Gibraltar/Courtland Primary School in their new IT Lab

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 15, 2019

Minister still to provide court with facts on govt.s takeover of Berbice Bridge - PCCL

The Berbice River Bridge

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson is still to provide the court with facts on the Toll Order for governments takeover of the Berbice River Bridge, despite being ordered to do so. This is according to a statement by Public Communications Consultants Limited (PCCL) which said that the matter comes up for Case Management Conference on Monday before Chief Justice Roxane George. “It is anticipated that the matter of the Minister failing to respond to the Order served upon him to provide the Court with statement

of facts on the Toll Order for the takeover of the Bridge by the government, will be raised before the Court,� the statement added. Last November, the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) moved to the High Court asking for the reversal of the decision of government to takeover maintenance and operation of the Berbice River Bridge.

Kaieteur News had previously reported that sometime in February, Justice Gino Persaud directed the minister, through his lawyer Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran to (Continued on page 23)

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 15, 2019

We are prepared for whatever the CCJ decides - Govt. spokesperson

C

ome next T u e s d a y, t h e Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is expected to hand down its decision on several matters, one of the most important being whether the opposition's NoConfidence motion was valid or not.

Yesterday at a postCabinet press briefing, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon said that the government has no fear about the impending decision. He told members of the media that the government is prepared for whatever the court will decide and will honour and obey same.

Lending the opposition's thoughts on the matter was PPP Executive Member, Anil Nandlall.

In his column called the Unruly Horse that was distributed to the media yesterday, Nandlall said that the Caribbean Court of Justice will deliver landmark rulings in the appeals emanating from the legal challenges filed against the No-Confidence Motion passed by Guyana's National Assembly on December 21, 2018, as well as a challenge filed against the appointment of Justice James Patterson as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Through these appeals, Nandlall contended that the CCJ is afforded the unprecedented opportunity to pronounce, inter alia, upon the strength of the supremacy of Guyana's

Constitution and the efficacy of numerous mechanisms and devices that inhere in the Constitution, as checks and balances against Executive power.

The former Attorney General said that after these rulings, the citizenry will know the true nature of the constitutional supremacy doctrine; whether a NoConfidence Motion does, or does not exist in Guyana's National Assembly; if it does, the impact and consequence of its successful passage and how and when is it successfully passed; whether defects in the qualifications of a member of the Assembly can affect its potency; whether GECOM is the master of, or subordinate to, the Constitution; and whether the President can capriciously reject nominees submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition for the appointment of a chairman of GECOM and instead, unilaterally appoint one of his own choosing.

“In short, the CCJ will ultimately determine, as my erudite colleague, Kamal Ramkarran puts it, whether the Constitution of Guyana is merely a piece of paper,” Nandlall noted.

In addition to this, the politician said, “...The true test lies in how far the Court will be prepared to go in its consequential orders, in giving effect to the intent of the framers of the Constitution, once it finds that the Constitution has been violated.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 15, 2019

Multi-disciplinary team to help thwart potential measles outbreak

G

uyana has established a joint multidisciplinary team to help thwart the likelihood of measles outbreak among vulnerable communities spread across the country's vast border.

The team comprises officials from the Civil Defence Commission; Guyana Defence Force; Ministry of Citizenship; Ministry of Public Health; International Organisation on Migration; Immigration Department of the Guyana Police Force; and Pan A m e r i c a n Organisation/World Health O r g a n i s a t i o n [PAHO/WHO].

Maternal and Child Health Officer [MCH], Dr. Oneka Scott, said the team has drafted an emergency plan outlining different components of the blueprint i n c l u d i n g r i s k communication, immunisation coverage, cold storage and International Health Regulations [IHR] to ensure Guyana remains “measles-free�.

The Public Health Ministry and PAHO/WHO have teamed up and over the last two years hiked vaccination coverage countrywide targeting entire families and not limited to the country's under-five population in Regions One [Barima/Waini]; Seven [Cuyuni/Mazaruni]; Eight [Potaro/Siparuni] and Nine [ U p p e r Ta k u t u / U p p e r Essequibo].

The spike in vaccination and surveillance activities has been focused on the country's border communities, Dr. Scott said.

This is a tactical move since, according to the MCH Officer, WHO reports show that last year, 98 countries reported an increase in cases of measles with 136,000 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, where Guyana is geographically located, a measles outbreak started in Venezuela, west of Guyana's border, in July 2015. The ongoing social and economic hardships in Caracas, served to pushed many nationals to seek refuge in neighbouring countries such as Guyana to restart their lives.

Between June 2017 and October 2018, some 7,500 suspected cases of measles were reported in Venezuela.

Thousands of Venezuelan refugees now flock these

MCH Officer, Dr. Oneka Scott shores. In fact, in 2017, the WHO declared an Emergency Response for Guyana following the outbreak of Measles in Venezuela and a subsequent spread of this re-emerging disease to Brazil, another South American state.

In March this year, Ukraine, the Philippines and Brazil were listed as the three leading global measles hotspots.

In Ukraine, 11 people have died and more than 30,500 have been infected this year with the infectious ailment.

In the Philippines, 315 people died, and there were 21,396 cases of measles reported during the first three months of 2019. In neighbouring Brazil, 12 people died and some 10,300 confirmed measles cases have been reported so far this year.

Governments around the world and international media earlier in the year warned of a potential worldwide measles outbreak, and a growing number of confirmed cases have been reported in Canada, England and the wider European continent.

In the United States, between January 1 and May 31, 2019, there were 981 confirmed cases of measles in 26 States. In the Caribbean, the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, and St Lucia have all reported confirmed cases of imported measles.

The influx of Venezuelans into Guyana, coupled with free and open travel among Guyana, North and South America, and the Caribbean, further increases this country's risk of importing measles.

In light of the current situation, the Public Health Ministry has been appealing to all Guyanese to comply with public health regulations and ensure that all family members receive two doses of the Measles vaccine. :

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Kaieteur News

Saturday June 15, 2019

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Kaieteur News

E’bo youths march against Child Labour

Students of the Charity Secondary School as they marched against Child Labour yesterday.

In observance of World Day Against Child Labour, held every year on June 12, the Ministry of Social Protection will be embarking on a number of activities across the country, during this month.

A march was hosted yesterday on the Essequibo Coast. The march consisted primarily of students from Charity Secondary, who traversed the environs of Charity, shouting ‘no to child labour.’

Labour Officer of Region Two, Jason Narine, said that the march was the region’s main event for awareness on child labour. “The reason why is because we found the most incidents which we encountered at the ministry

are coming out from Charity. We are marching here this morning to say stop child labour not only to Charity residents but to everyone. It is illegal even if parents keep home kids,” he added.

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Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

Witness unable to identify men New schools and IT Lab... who escaped after Sophia bread vendor was shot Prosecution witness Paulburn David said he was unable to make out the facial features of two men, both of whom hopped onto a motorcycle and made good their escape, after 42-year-old Sophia bread vendor Andre Alexander was robbed and shot.

David was called to testify earlier this week when the trial of Shaquille Grant and Neville Forde, who are charged with the May 5, 2017 murder ofAlexander, continued at the High Court in Demerara. Testifying before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12member jury, David explained that he lived in close proximity to the stand where Alexander, popularly called Bread Man, sold bread. He added that he and Alexander attended the same school. According to him, on the night in question he was at home watching television when he heard two explosive sounds. Curious about what was happening, David said he peeped outside where he noticed a man sitting on a “CG-type motorcycle”.

The witness said that seconds after, another man ran and jumped onto the motorcycle and they rode off.

Questioned by State

Killed: Andre Alexander Prosecutor Teriq Mohamed as to whether he was able to identify either of the mens facial features, David replied in the negative, but said that they were not wearing masks. He said, too, that one of them was “slim built.” The witness recalled that the men wore dark-coloured clothing and that the motorcycle was probably black or dark blue.

Another prosecution witness, ONeil Bovell, a bus driver, also of Sophia, said

that on May 5, 2017, he was driving out of the community in his minibus when he was stopped by a group of people who told him that somebody had just been shot. He said that persons placedAlexander, whom he knows, inside of the bus, and he transported him to the Georgetown Public Hospital. He said that while on the way to the hospital, Alexander complained of “feeling weak.”

According to previous reports, Alexander of Lot 394 C Field Sophia died during surgery.

He was attacked by two men on a motorcycle at his bread stand which is situated about four doors from his home. Police said that two men rode up on a motorcycle and the pillion rider requested three loaves of bread.

He then paid with a $5000 note.

While Alexander was in the process of making change, the customer whipped out a gun and demanded cash. When Alexander put up a fight, the robber discharged two rounds, one of which struck the vendor in the abdomen. The two men then relieved him of his cash and also escaped with three loaves of bread.

The trial continues on Monday.

No. 36 Primary School From page 13 community, Ms. Merlyn Crandon.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Ms. Crandon was Rev. Ingrid Peters who said that the new IT Lab marks the beginning of a journey for the children. The children were encouraged to “seek out every opportunity and go for it”.

Rev. Peters noted that computers are a wonderful tool to reach horizons that are available to others in schools that are better equipped.

The Education Minister highlighted again the importance of partnerships. She said that

computer learning is very important for 21st Century education.

Head teacher of the school Ms. Melanie Thomas said that the IT Lab will enable students to reach their full potential. She said that the computers will help to break the passive learning model that the children are exposed to daily.

Ms. Thomas added that the students and teachers of her school embrace the opportunity as they strive to make a positive difference.

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

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Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

1 Honda CRV. includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crash bar, Low mileage. PTT Series (First Owner) Contact #6490956 New model premio, pearl white 2009 registered, Toyota Vitz 2010 Black not registered.

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Seamstress. Contact: 6911918. Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm LEGALNOTICE 2019-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-531 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-531 BETWEEN (SOOKDEO) INDRA PERSAUD nee SRIPERSAUD Petitioner – and- (SOOKDEO) RAMDEO Respondent To the RespondentRAMDEO SOOKDEOLast Known AddressZeelugt Squatting AreaWest Coast Demerara Guyana

LEGALNOTICE

LEGALNOTICE

TAKE NOTICE that on the 18th day of April 2019 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by INDRA PERSAUD SOOKDEO nee SRIPERSAUD the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 20th day of May,2019 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issue of the Kaieteur News Newspaper, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online)

Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 22nd day of May, 2019

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorneyat-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FUTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry) Answer and/ or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28(twenty-eight) days after the date of the second and final publication of this Notice TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 15th July,2019 at 10:00am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtizious in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts, [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to

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Saturday June 15, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Minister still to provide court... Fisherman’s fingers chopped off during argument over cigarette

From page 14 provide the court with an explanation of the Toll Order.

Then, Senior Counsel Ramkarran had said that Minister Patterson was given 28 days to comply with the courts order.

In its application, the BBCI had noted that Section 15 of the Judicial Review Act provides as follow: “It is the duty of any person or body making administrative decisions, if requested in accordance with this section by any person adversely affected by the decision, to supply that person with a statement setting out the findings on material questions of facts, referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and giving the reasons for the decision.”

Amid a 360% increase in tolls, which was demanded by the BBCI, the Government on November 5, last, announced that it was taking temporary control of the bridge in the safety of the public. According to court documents filed by the BBCI, on November 1, Minister Patterson caused to be issued and advertised in the Official Gazette the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018 No. 42 of 2018, made under Section 11(b) (i)

of the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06 ordering that the functions of the concessionaire, (BBCI), to maintain and operate the Bridge shall be exercised by Government.

The Official Gazette also said that having determined that the exercise of those functions by the Government is necessary and expedient in the interests of the public, the Minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety. It also said that the tolls will be levied and collected and any exemptions shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the said order.

According to the bridge company, by a Concession Agreement dated June 12, 2006, entered into between the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the company, it is made clear that BBCI shall be obliged at its own expense to operate and maintain the Toll Bridge. The company s a i d t h a t B e r b i c e River Bridge Act also provides that it has the right to specify different toll amounts in relation to the use of the bridge by reference to such circumstances or combination of cir-

cumstances as the BBCI may, after consultation with the Minister, determine.

The bridge company argued that in a public statement on July 10, 2018, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Surendra Persaud, announced that a toll adjustment was an essential requirement to ensure that it can continue to execute its mandate.

In fact, it had applied to the Government for an adjustment on three occasions- March 2015, August 2015 and January 2016, but had received no replies. Further, the BBCI has now accumulated a loss of $2.8B and now faces bankruptcy.

The Chairman said that discussions with the Minister had not achieved any success in achieving any adjustment to the tolls. It was then announced by the Chairman that such adjustment would take place.

On October 11, 2018 the bridge company announced increases upwards of 365 percent. According to the court papers, an increase in tolls by the BBCI is not a threat to public safety.

The bridge company had said it wrote the Minister on November 6, 2018 asking for details that would have helped those findings.

A 53-year-old fisherman is currently a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital after his fingers were chopped off during an argument with a drinking buddy on Wednesday.

Hospitalised is Ramnarine Latchman called ‘Ravo’, of 108 No.72 Village while his alleged attacker, a fellow villager, is presently in police custody.

According to reports, at about 14:30 hrs at the home of Latchman, himself and the suspect were imbibing at an activity held in celebration of Latchmans birthday. However during the merriment, both Latchman and his buddy became highly intoxicated, and an argument erupted over a cigarette, which angered the visitor.

He then reportedly picked up a

Biker dies after horrific...

From page 2 staring blankly into space.

In her state of shock she kept repeating “That is not my son. You reporting the wrong news, my only son Mark would never do this to me!”

His mother in law Sumintra Balgobin known as 'Janet' was in a slightly less traumatised state and was willing to speak to Kaieteur News. She said that

his wife, Marcia Lovell, is not in the country, but they had recently moved into a house in Melanie on the East Coast. They were then called away to identify the body.

The dead man's sister reflected that “My brother was a nice person, but God always takes the best first. I only hope that he gave his life to God; I know that he is in a better place”.

cutlass and dealt Latchman a chop to his right hand, severing four of his fingers, a chop to his left hand and to the shoulder. Latchman then ran out of his yard , raised an alarm and alerted neighbours who came to his assistance.

The matter was later reported to the police.

The suspect is expected to be charged on Monday.

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PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 15, 2019

Saturday June 15, 2019

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

THE CCJ’S IMPENDING RULINGS From page 4 purists and protagonists view the Constitution, not as an inanimate instrument but as an organic, living organism.

Those who are charged with interpreting it, are admonished against an interpretation that is pedantic, sterile and legalistic and are encouraged to employ one that is liberal, purposive, expansive rather than restrictive and one that breathes life into the language of the Constitution,

in order to decipher the true intent of its framers.

The CCJ itself, has embraced this enlightened approach. In the case of Cedric Richardson vs. the Attorney General of Guyana, it discarded volumes of technical legal doctrines and dogmas and ruled that the clear intent of Guyana’s Parliament was to prohibit an Executive President who completed two successive terms in Office, from being elected a third time.

Expectations are high

that the Court will adopt a similar jurisprudential interpretative lens in construing the provisions of the Constitution that are the focus of the appeals.

The true test lies in how far the Court will be prepared to go in its consequential orders, in giving effect to the intent of the framers of the Constitution, once it finds that the Constitution has been violated. In this regard, early elections is the prize.

The time by which they

were to be held has long gone.

Within the timeframe, one must insert the appointment of a chairman of GECOM, for it is impractical for elections to be held without a chairman.

Hopefully, the consequential orders will embrace these various tenets.

All we can now do is wait for Tuesday.

Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP Attorney-at-Law

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Man delivers wife in Kwakwani trail

Ricky Hernandez who delivered his son

V

anessa Courtman, an Arima, Kwakwani woman, reportedly delivered her baby in the middle of a trail on Thursday morning last at around 03:00hrs.

An eyewitness, 69 year old Angela Roberts, who was attracted by the wails of the woman, said she came out to i n v est i g a t e a n d u p o n realizing what had occurred, decided to remain on the scene. She said it was the woman’s common-law husband Ricky Hernandez who ‘in great fear’, steeled himself and conducted the delivery.

Roberts said she was scared and could not do much, but stood aside in awe as the husband in beads of perspiration (with no experience) successfully delivered the baby boy who arrived into the world with his wailings piercing the early morning stillness.

Sources said the woman had apparently waited too long to signal that she was having pains and cramps, which resulted in her having the baby as she awaited the arrival of an

Vanessa Courtman resting peacefully at the hospital with her baby boy. ambulance that was summoned.

Attendants from the ambulance and the nurse that arrived were reportedly greeted by the scene of the father lovingly hugging his wife, with the baby lying on her stomach, wrapped in a

blanket.

The nurse then reportedly proceeded to cut the umbilical cord, heaping praises on the very brave father, before taking, wife and baby to the Kwakwani hospital where they are resting.

Saturday June 15, 2019

Saturday June 15, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Sri Lanka complain to ICC about pitch, hotel MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - The Sri Lanka team have complained to organisers of the World Cup about the pitches rolled out for their games and are also unhappy with the quality of their accommodation.

Although their two mostrecent matches were washed out in Bristol, Sri Lanka began their campaign on two bowlerfriendly pitches in Cardiff, where they lost to New Zealand and clinched a narrow win over Afghanistan.

Heading into today’s match against Australia at The Oval, Lankan team manager Ashantha de Mel believes they will face another green track which will aid their opponents.

“What we have found out is that for the four matches

we have played so far at Cardiff and Bristol, the ICC has prepared a green pitch,” he told Daily News.

“At the same venues, the other countries have played on pitches are brown and favourable for high scoring.

“The pitch being prepared for our match against Australia on Saturday here at The Oval is green. It is not sour grapes that we are complaining.

“But it is very unfair on the part of the ICC (International Cricket Council) that they prepare one type of wicket for certain teams and another type for others.”

The Sri Lankan camp were also disappointed with the standard of training facilities and accommodation,

according to de Mel, who said the concerns were officially brought to the ICC’s notice.

“Even the practice facilities provided at Cardiff were unsatisfactory,” he added.

“Instead of three nets they gave us only two, and the hotel we were put up at Bristol did not have a swimming pool, which is very essential for every team - for the fast bowlers, especially, to relax their muscles after practice.

“The hotels that Pakistan and Bangladesh were put up at Bristol had swimming pools.”

The ICC confirmed they received the complaint but dismissed allegations about pitch and unfair treatment.

“We employ an

independent pitch advisor to work with the host curators at all ICC events and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 is no different,” the governing body said in a statement.

“We are happy with the wickets that have been produced across the event so far in English conditions.

“At the heart of our planning is the philosophy that all 10 teams are treated equally to enable them to have the best possible preparation for the event,” it added.

“As part of the four year planning process to deliver this event, we have liaised with all teams to ensure they are happy with their set up and are available to work with them should any issues arise that have not been previously anticipated.”

GCA’s Captains workshop set for this morning at MYO The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) will hold a Cricket Development Programme for Captains and Coaches today from 09:00 hrs to 13:00hrs at MYO ground in Woolford Avenue.

All Coaches and Captains from clubs are invited and participants are asked to dress in track pants, white tops track shoes.

The Objectives of Workshop are to provide Coaches and Captains with

practice in preparation structures and plans to improve their players.

The Programme will include Fitness Guidelines, Nets options, Remedial and skills development in batting, bowling, Fielding, Wicketkeeping, Mental and tactical aspects of the game.

Some 20 participants are expected to attend and former Guyana First-Class cricketers Roger Harper, Mark Harper, Clyde Butts, and Neil Barry are the instructors.

Clyde Butts

Roger Harper

Raptors’ Leonard...

Saturday June 15, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your self-confidence will get you out of any sort of pickle you might be in today. Try not to get too emotional about any issue. Make sure that you keep things light and energetic.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Try not to get too worked up over other people's actions that don't concern you. Recent events may have triggered responses from others that now have a serious effect on you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Emotionally, you should feel good today, Gemini, so don't let this confidence go to waste. Do things with your sweetheart and turn the dial up on romance.

CANCER(June21–July22) As much as you try to explain things, Cancer, others simply aren't going to see them with your same intensity and door-die urgency. Be careful that you don't contrive a series of far-out stories that only partially reflect the truth.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Feel free to ignite your passion with the help of the people around you. Join with those who share similar dreams and make a plan for accomplishing whatever you choose.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may get caught up in gossip if you aren't careful, Virgo, and people may find this offputting. The maturity level of the conversation is apt to drop significantly if you insist on talking about others like they're soap opera characters.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your enthusiasm is contagious, Libra, and you should do what you can to share this feeling with others. In matters of the heart, have confidence that you know exactly where you stand.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may be at a high point right now and feeling very excited about things to come, Scorpio. You probably anticipate but have only a vague notion of what's just over the horizon.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Let your heart be the reassuring force in your life today if difficult emotional issues come to the surface, Sagittarius. Your feelings are apt to be at a climactic point in your month.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Be open and communicative about your feelings today.

Most people find it easy to share facts or concrete information. The challenge is to share from your heart.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) When you enter a room, Aquarius, the dynamic suddenly changes. Your presence has a powerful impact on other people. Don't take it lightly.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) When it comes to issues of love and romance, you're likely to be in a tough situation, Pisces. The problem is that it may seem like there's an element of detachment developing.

From page 29 them to their first final in the franchise’s 24-year history.

After being presented with the MVP award, Leonard was asked how winning a championship would shape his pending free agency decision.

“I’m about to enjoy this with my team mates and coaches and I’ll think about that later,” he replied.

PAGE 28

Japan back on track with 2-1 win over Scotland RENNES, France (Reuters) - Strikers Mana I w a b u c h i a n d Yu i k a Sugasawa were on the scoresheet as Japan got their women’s World Cup campaign back on track with a 2-1 victory over Scotland in Rennes yesterday.

Japan, champions in 2011 and finalists four years ago, were coming off a uninspiring goalless draw with lowlyranked Argentina in their opener but looked much sharper in the attacking third against Scotland.

They got a breakthrough

when striker Iwabuchi controlled a poor headed clearance from Scotland captain Rachel Corsie before unleashing a powerful strike high into the net from 20 meters.

Sugasawa doubled Japan’s lead from the spot in the 37th minute after another defensive error from Corsie, who was penalized for tugging back the forward in the box.

It was one-way traffic at Roazhon Park as Japan continued to launch wave after wave of attacks, with midfielder Hina Sugita coming

closest when her shot crashed into the crossbar just before half-time.

Shelley Kerr’s Scotland responded with a physical approach going forward in the second half and pulled one back through a curling effort from substitute Lana Clelland but Japan held on to the advantage to seal their first win of the tournament.

It was a second consecutive defeat for World Cup debutants Scotland, following a 2-1 loss to England in their opening match.

Out-of-favour Powell among five internationals for training camp ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Out-of-favour limited overs all-rounder, Rovman Powell, has been named in a 15-man group for a high performance training camp starting here next Monday.

The 25-year-old, who has played 34 One-Day Internationals and 20 Twenty20 Internationals, was part of West Indies’ World Cup qualifying campaign in Zimbabwe last year March but subsequently overlooked for the ongoing showpiece in England.

He also captained West Indies in a three-match ODI series away to Bangladesh last December when Jason Holder was injured, but has not featured in an ODI since.

Powell is one of nine players recently selected for the upcoming West Indies A series against touring India A, who will feature in the 13-day camp set for Coolidge Cricket Ground here.

He is joined by 23-yearold fast bowler Shermon Lewis who played Tests against India and Bangladesh last year, and 20-year-old allrounder Sherfane Rutherford who featured in a single T20 International against Bangladesh last December.

The camp follows on the heels of a similar initiative for emerging white-ball players which ended Wednesday, and high performance manager, Graeme West, said it was yet another move to expand the talent pool in the

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

Girelli treble helps Italy to thrash Jamaica to reach last 16 REIMS, France (Reuters) - Italy’s Cristiana Girelli bagged a hat-trick and substitute Aurora Galli struck twice as they thrashed Jamaica 5-0 to qualify for the last 16 of the women’s World Cup yesterday.

Back in the tournament after a 20-year absence, the Azzurre top Group C with six points ahead of Brazil and Australia who have three.

Jamaica have yet to earn a point.

Girelli opened the scoring with a retaken, VA R - a w a r d e d p e n a l t y before netting again either side of the interval.

Galli rounded off the victory with two goals after coming on midway through the second half, capping a second win after Italy defeated Australia 21 in the opening game.

“We wanted to move on in the group phase and to do this after two matches is a great satisfaction for us,” said Italy coach Milena Bertolini after her players achieved what the Azzurri failed to do in the last three men’s World Cups when they went out in

the group phase in 2010 and 2014 and failed to qualify for the 2018 finals.

“The girls were awesome, to stay with their feet well planted on the ground, considering all of the attention and coverage we’re getting back home.

“These women are a very close-knit group and have reached a high level of maturity.”

Her Jamaica counterpart drew positives from the experience after the result followed a 3-0 defeat to Brazil.

“This is bigger than the World Cup; this is just part of the journey; this is a learning experience,” Hue Menzies said.

“I’m telling you, if we keep these players together, it will be different.

When you come here, you see excellence, and that’s what we have to be.”

Schools from around Reims brought their students to the game, giving the atmosphere an upbeat feel.

Three days after the United States thrashed

Thailand 13-0, the Stade Auguste Delaune crowd were treated to more champagne football.

Italy went ahead after 12 minutes when Girelli converted a penalty on her second attempt, having had to retake it after keeper Sydney Schneider had stepped off her line.

The penalty was awarded following a VAR review after Allyson Swaby brought down Barbara Bonansea.

Girelli doubled the tally in the 25th by latching on to a corner before securing her hat-trick shortly after the restart, jumping higher than Schneider to head home.

Galli added the fourth shortly after coming on for Va l e n t i n a B e rg a m a s c h i with a thunderous 25-metre strike in the 71st.

Ten minutes later, she rounded Schneider before tapping the ball into the net to wrap up an impressive win.

Italy next play Brazil, with Jamaica facing Australia.

West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell. region.

“This camp is another opportunity for the CWI selectors to recognise and reward players that have impressed in regional cricket,” West said.

“Many of the players selected have come through the CWI talent pathway and have benefitted from our investment in Youth, Under19, High Performance and ‘A’ Team programmes over the last five years.”

He added: “Four of the players selected also participated in the recent emerging players camp which focused primarily on their white-ball skill development, but this camp will focus on red-ball skills with every player involved having produced performances of great quality in the West Indies Championship.”

With opener Chandrapaul

Hemraj and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre – both of whom have represented West Indies in white-ball cricket – also attending the camp, West said knowledge transfer would be important.

“It will be great to have five players with full international caps to their name attending, enabling them to pass on some of their experiences to the younger players in the squad who have only just been introduced to the first-class arena in the Caribbean,” he said.

SQUAD – Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Dominic Drakes, Akim Fraser, Keon Harding, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kavem Hodge, Chemar Holder, Brandon King, Shermon Lewis, Marquino Mindley, Khary Pierre, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jeremy Solozano.

Italy’s Cristiana Girelli celebrates scoring their first goal. (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)

Exciting Pre-Fathers’ Day Golf Classic at Lusignan today Following hard on the heels of the Macorp Golf Extravaganza of June 9th, the Lusignan Golf Club will today, be another buzz of excitement as golfers compete for top honors in a Pre-Fathers’ Day Classic. Kudos to President Aleem and his Grounds Crew that for the first time in the Golf Club’s history of over 50 years, huge tournaments are being played, under Ground conditions that are very welcoming and encouraging, despite the rainy season.

Tee-off time is scheduled for 12:30p.m. and the format is Medal Play in 3 Flights,

with prizes being awarded by the Survival Supermarket, for 1st and 2nd best Net in each Flight, along with Nearest The Pin and Longest Drive.

The public is invited to spectate at this event free of cost, and to even begin to learn about the game of golf while there. For more information on the LGC, on how to become a member, how to learn the basics of golfing free of charge, how to contribute to the Club, or how to use the facilities, please visit the LGC’s Facebook page at lusignangolfclub or call 220-5660 or 668-7419.

Saturday June 15, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Raptors win Canada’s first NBA championship OAKLAND, Calif.

(Reuters) - The Toronto Raptors delivered Canada its first NBA title with a 114-110 victory over the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors on Thursday that set off a country-wide celebration.

With a nation hanging on their every shot, Canada’s only NBA team put the finishing touches to a remarkable 4-2 series upset that denied the Warriors a fourth championship in five years.

“I can’t really think right now, this is crazy. This is awesome man,” said Toronto guard Kyle Lowry. “Toronto!

Canada! We brought it home baby! We brought it home!”

When the final buzzer sounded, jubilant Raptors fans flooded the streets of downtown Toronto for a night of celebration not seen in the city since Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays last won a World Series title in 1993.

Toronto forward Kawhi Leonard, who arrived in a blockbuster trade with the San Antonio Spurs last July after an injury limited his season to nine games, was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after averaging 28.5 points during the series.

“Last summer I was going through a lot. I had a great support system, I just kept working hard, working hard and had my mind set on this goal right here,” said Leonard, who last season was limited to nine games due to a quadriceps injury.

“I came to a team, a new coach, and that mindset was the same as mine. This is what I play basketball for, this is what I work out for all summer,

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives past Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the second half of the NBA Championship game six of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports) during the season and I’m happy that my hard work paid off.”

UNFLAPPABLE RAPTORS Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam each had 26 points for Toronto while sharpshooting Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who left the game with an injury in the third quarter, had 30 points.

Despite playing against a more playoff-seasoned opponent, the Raptors proved unflappable throughout the series and whenever the Warriors looked set to seize momentum Toronto would use some smart passes and precise shooting to maintain control.

“I thought they really fought hard, they were tough-

minded,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said of his team.

“They didn’t seem like this was wearing on them at all.

Two months of playoff basketball, they never seemed tired to me.”

The Warriors, who lost Kevin Durant to a ruptured Achilles in Game Five, were dealt another crushing blow late in the third quarter of a tight game when Thompson came down awkwardly after a shot attempt.

Thompson, who was fouled on the play, was in obvious pain and headed toward the locker room but suddenly reappeared to shoot his free throws, which if he did not shoot would have made him ineligible to

New Zealand fired up by cruel Netherlands defeat (Reuters) - New Zealand’s heart-breaking defeat by the Netherlands in their women’s World Cup opener had ignited an even bigger fire in the bellies of the Football Ferns ahead of their next encounter against Canada, midfielder Katie Bowen said.

New Zealand kept the eighth-ranked Dutch at bay until a Jill Roord header in the 92nd minute sealed the three points for the European champions.

“You can’t dwell on the Netherlands game,” Bowen said in Grenoble ahead of Saturday’s game. “ We p u t i n a g o o d p e r f o r m a n c e , unfortunately it was heart

breaking conceding in the 92nd minute but in a tournament like this you can’t dwell on it.

“We have a bigger fire in the belly after that loss.

“We have to focus on Canada. We want the three points.”

Bowen expected Canada to be just as tough as the Dutch but Tom Sermanni’s team are convinced they can get a result.

“They have been playing together a long time. They’re very structured,” the 25-yearold said.

“They’re top five in the world, they’ll give us a go but I think we can meet them head on.”

New Zealand qualified for four previous women’s World

Cups but have never advanced beyond the group stage and have set the last 16 as a minimum target in France.

They came into the tournament on a high after a 1-0 win against heavyweights England in London and goalkeeper Erin Nayler said the Netherlands performance had only built on that.

“We are very happy with the way we are playing, so we just have to keep going forward,” said the 27-yearold, who plays her club football in France.

“It is do-or-die but we can’t focus on that. We just have to focus on the way we play and try to get three points against this team.”

come back later in the game.

But after making both free throws Thompson went to the Warriors locker room and was later seen walking on crutches.

“When Klay goes down

and is out for the game, it’s just sort of a, you got to be kidding me, like this has to stop,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

“But it’s just the way it’s gone. I don’t know if it’s related to five straight seasons of playing a hundred plus games and just all the wear and tear, but it’s devastating.”

The loss sends the Warriors into an offseason of uncertainty given some of their top players, including Durant and Thompson, are eligible to become free agents.

‘IT’S TOUGH’ The Raptors made a furious start to Game Six and nailed seven three pointers to build an early nine-point lead but the Warriors responded and cut the deficit to 33-32 by the end of a first quarter in which both teams flexed their offensive muscle.

The teams continued to throw everything they had at each other in a basketball version of a heavyweight prize fight that saw 14 lead changes during a wild first half in which Lowry had 21 points to put Toronto ahead 60-57 at the break.

Toronto kept up their torrid pace after the half but the Warriors, a team known for their third-quarter dominance, refused to be buried and were starting to take control with Thompson leading the charge until he went down suddenly.

When healthy the Warriors are a nearunstoppable group, one that has been a fixture in the NBA Finals for the last five years but injuries ultimately proved their undoing.

Despite the injuries, the Warriors were in it right up until the final minute where Stephen Curry missed a threepoint jumper with eight second remaining that would have put his team ahead 113111.

“We’ll be thinking about this one, it’s tough,” said Curry, who had 21 points in the loss.

“But our DNA and who we are and the character that we have on this team, I wouldn’t bet against us being back on this stage next year and going forward.

“So really proud of the way that we fought until the end and this five-year run’s been awesome, but definitely don’t think it’s over.”

Semenya receives ‘late’ invite to Morocco race - agent

Caster Semenya of South Africa before the Women’s 800m at the Diamond League Meet in Zurich. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo)

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Caster Semenya has been invited yesterday to run in an 800m race in Morocco tomorrow - after previously saying that she

had been denied the right to participate in the event - but the invitation has come too late for her to get there, her agent said.

“She was invited today,

but that was too late,” Jukka Harkonen told Reuters by phone. He pointed out that it takes more than 20 hours to travel to Morocco from South Africa, where Semenya lives.

PAGE 30

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

KFC Senior Nat Squash C/Ships

All top seeded Ladies win on Thursday night

Morian Baskh (right) in action against Robert Fernandes during Thursday night action.

The 2019 KFC Senior National Squash Championships continued on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Club squash courts with play in the Men’s Open, Women’s Open and Men’s Over-50 categories.

The four semi-finalists in the Ladies Open were decided as all of the tops seeded players won in straight sets.

The most competitive of the quarter finals was the match between national Under 17 & 19 Junior champion Abosaide Cadogan and her former junior teammate Sarah Lewis.

The first two games were really close with Abosaide eventually winning the match 11 - 8, 11 - 9, 11 - 5.

Number one seed Ashley Khalil easily disposed of Lydia Fraser 11 - 2, 11 - 1, 113, while her Pan Am Games

teammate No 2 seed Taylor Fernandes had a slightly tougher time but defeated Madison Fernandes 11- 2, 11 - 8, 11 - 2.

In the last quarter final match former junior player Gabby Fraser outplayed national Under 15 junior champion Kirsten Gomes 11 5, 11 - 5, 11 - 0.

In the Men’s Open round of sixteen there were no upsets as all of the seeded players progressed to the quarter finals.

Number two seed former national champion Nyron Joseph defeated Samuel InceCarvalhal 11 - 4, 11 - 6, 11 – 7, while both 3rd and 4th seeds, former national champion Regan Pollard and current national Junior Under 17 & 19 champion Shomari Wiltshire advanced easily.

Lydia Fraser (right) was beaten 3-0 by a much younger Ashley Khalil on Thursday night.

Regan defeated national junior Under 15 champion Michael Alphonso 11 - 2, 11 4, 11 – 6, while Shomari beat Adam Alves 11 - 3, 11 - 3, 11 5.

Former national junior player Damien Da Silva beat Ian Mekdeci 11 - 8, 11 - 3, 11 – 7, while former national player Robert Fernandes disposed of national Junior Under 13 champion Mohryan Baksh 11 - 7, 11 - 6, 11 - 2.

Nicholas Narain and Javed Ali had an intense battle with the second game proving to be the crucial game in the match. Nicholas easily won the first game 11 - 3 but had to pull out all the stops before eventually winning the second game 13 - 11.

Nicholas then won the third game 11 - 6.

In the final match played,

Windies sticking with wounded Russell: Holder SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – Captain Jason Holder said yesterday West Indies had no intention of ditching Andre Russell, even though the injuryplagued all-rounder yet again failed to complete a game at the World Cup here.

Russell appeared in discomfort during his 16-ball 21 and two overs of seam during the England run chase, and eventually left the field as the hosts and tournament favourites cruised to a comfortable eight-wicket win at the Rose Bowl.

“It’s been difficult so far for him. We have been trying our best to keep him on the park, but it is proving difficult,” Holder told reporters afterwards.

“Going forward, we have to persist. He is here for a reason. We think he can be a

match-winner for us. We have just got to cope with him. Got to do everything we possibly can with him to keep him on the park.”

Russell suffers with a chronic knee problem and arrived at the World Cup with question marks over his fitness, especially after he was ruled out of the limited overs series against England in the Caribbean earlier this year.

He shone in the Indian Premier League prompting his inclusion for the World Cup but has so far taken just four wickets from 13 overs and scored 36 runs, from his three outings. Questioned on if Russell was worth the risk despite the impact his lack of fitness was having on his performances, Holder responded tersely: “Yes.” West Indies were once

again let down by their batsmen as they tasted defeat for the second time in four outings. Sent in, they crumbled for an inadequate 212 in the 45th over, which England chased down with ease with nearly 17 overs remaining.

Worryingly for West Indies, they much vaunted pace attack seemed muted as Joe Root dominated with exactly 100 not out, but Holder put the performance down to “just one of those days”.

“It’s just one of those days. I felt the sun came out in the second half and the wicket flattened out,” he explained.

“We just didn’t get newball wickets today and it is one out of four games that we have played and we haven’t got new-ball wickets so it is just one of those days.”

Peter Michael De Groot used all of his experience to withstand the challenge of promising junior player Nicholas Verwey.

Peter Michael easily won the first game 11 - 2 but Nicholas came out with a different game plan in the second game and won it 11 5.

The third game was

Joe Mekdei (right) beat Tony Farnum 3-0. crucial but Peter Michael prevailed with a 12 - 10 win.

Peter Michael would finally close out the match with an 11 - 6 fourth game win.

Top seeded Jason Ray Khalil did not have to break a sweat as his opponent Josh Abdool gave him a walkover.

There were two matches in the veterans Over-50. Joe Mekdeci defeated Tony

Farnum 11 - 2, 11 - 7, 11 – 7, while Garfield Wiltshire beat Medhi Ramdhani 11 - 3, 11 4, 11 - 8.

Play was scheduled to continue last evening with two more Over-50 Men’s matches, one Men’s Over-40 match was scheduled, Men’s Open quarter finals and plate matches in both the Men’s and Women’s Open.

GMR&SC Drag Championship round 2

IBet Supreme is the official betting partner of event Ibet Supreme is the latest entity to join the sponsorship team for the highly anticipated Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Drag Championship 2019; round two.

Billed for the South Dakota Drag Strip on June 23, the event promises to be a spectacle for both fans and racers.

Representative Dustani Barrow acknowledged this, saying that the company is more than happy to support the venture.

“We’ll (Ibetsupreme) see you at the drags,” he said when handing over the company’s contribution.

Meanwhile, President Rameez Mohamed told the media that he is pleased to have a company like Ibetsupreme on board with the event. “ We c a n n o t t h a n k these guys enough for coming on board with this venture. We want them as a sport betting company to see the potential that motorsport has in their line of work.”

“They will be up there promoting their business with brand ambassadors next

Dustani Barrow of Ibet Supreme (left) hands over his company’s contribution to GMR&SC representative, Cheryl Gonsalves.

Sunday but I also want to show them areas where GMR&SC and the company can work in the future.”

Sponsors for the event include Platinum Car Show, KFC, Supreme Bets, R. Kissoon Contracting Services, Deryck Jaisingh Trucking Service and Machinery Rentals, Del Ice Co., Mohamed’s Enterprise, B.M. SOAT Auto Sales, Prem’s Electrical, E-Networks,

Motor Trend, Nexus Machine Shop, Power Line, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, WindJammer Hotel, Cyril’s Taxi, A&R Jiwanram Printery, Blue Spring Water, Choke Gas Station, Miracle Optical, Special Auto, First Class Auto Spares and Sales, GT Tuners, West Coast Customs Wash bay and Imran Auto works.

Tickets for adults cost $1000 and children $500.

Saturday June 15, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

GFF-KFC National U-20 Championships

Playoffs kick off this weekend at NTC The playoffs of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with fast food giant KFC, National Under-20 club championship, gets under way this weekend with round-of-sixteen action at the National Training Center (NTC) at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Four matches each will be played today and tomorrow with games kicking off at 09:00hrs.

Today, East Bank Football Association’s (EBFA) winners’ Timehri Panthers will clash with that division’s runners’ up Soesdyke Falcons in the first last-sixteen match at 09:00hrs. Panthers will fancy their chances after having already beating the Falcons to win their zone championship.

In the second match at 11:00hrs, Botofago of Linden will match skills with West Demerara’s Den Amstel FC, while Potaro Strikers of Bartica will play Dynamic FC in the penultimate match at

The captains of the respective teams who will be in action this weekend in the GFF-KFC National u-20 championships playoffs.

15:00hrs. Potaro Strikers were scheduled to do battle in the feature match according to the fixtures, but head of the GFF’s competitions committee; Ian Alves, disclosed with Kaieteur Sport that the youngsters match has been brought forward to facilitate their

early departure back to the region seven town.

The feature game today will see Amelia’s Ward Panthers of the mining town pitted against New Amsterdam United of the ancient county of Berbice.

Tomorrow, the four matchups will see Fruta

Conquerors against Cougars FC at 09:00hrs, Buxton United versus Queenstown United at 11:00hrs and Pouderoyen FC playing Santos FC at 15:30hrs.

Strikers FC of Rupununi have been given a bye.

The quarterfinals of this nationwide youth tournament will blow off next weekend at

the same venue with the curtains set to drop on the event on July 1st.

Alves has noted that during the playoffs, there will be a total of 20 minutes extra time after any drawn match before kicks from the penalty mark if needed. Teams will be allowed a total of five (5)

substitutions.

At the culmination of the tournament, there will be a grand presentation of prizes to the top three (3) teams to the tune of: 1st - $500,000 + Trophy + Medals, 2nd $300,000 + Trophy + Medals 3rd - $200,000 + Trophy + Medals.

Raptors’ Leonard joins National Pool Team completes successful tour of Trinidad & Tobago elite company by winning The Guyana National Pool Team has just completed their tour to Trinidad & Tobago with the series Drawn 2-2 and have returned home following the outing.

The Tour kick-started with a victory for the Guyana Team who played Trinidad’s All-Star National Team on the 6th June 2019 with the score ending 8-7 in favour of the Guyana Team. Guyana’s Team then played the Trinidad’s Under 30 National Team and lost 9-2 on the 7th June 2019.

They then went on and played a 2 days match against the Trinidad National Team & Lost 11-3.

On the 10th of June, the

Guyana Team then traveled to Tobago and played their National Team and won with the final score ending 4-3.

That match concluded the Guyana Tour to Trinidad & Tobago and drawn the series between the 2 countries with the final score being 2-2.

The Guyanese Players captured all of the MVP Awards with Sean DeSouza winning the Award for the Most Valuable Player twice, defeating two of Trinidad’s Best Players in Aaron Raghoonanan and Lyndon Ramkissoon.

Anthony Xavier from Guyana captured the award for the Most Outstanding

Player in the Tobago Leg of the tour.

The Guyana Team played exceptionally well since they were at a major disadvantage due to the games being played on 9 feet tables and Guyana does not have any 9 feet table said the Team Manager, Mr. Ryan Baksh.

He also went onto say that they were up against a Country whose pool level was far ahead of us with players traveling to different countries playing Pool Professionally for many years.

He said he is proud of his team and its accomplishments for putting up a fight against

fierce competition and to draw the series 2-2.

Mr. Baksh also said that the Trinidad Team will be visiting Guyana for their tour of Guyana in May 2020.

The Guyana National Pool Team would like to thank their Sponsors: Grand Central Sports Bar (Jerries Grove), Target Hardware Store, Jagroop Auto Electrical, Seepaul’s Sports Bar, Royalty Billiards, Peerless Solutions, Skippers Jewelry, Seeta’s bar, X-Clusive sports Bar, Jai sign & Auto design, Narine Wholesale liquor at Grove, Shaquille Williams, Maria Chin, Shameeza Ramnauth and Yolande Semple.

The Guyana National Pool Team with their silverware won in Trinidad.

Finals MVP award

OAKLAND, Calif.

(Reuters) - Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard joined elite company on Thursday by winning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for the second time after his team’s championship victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Leonard, who also won the award in 2014 while playing for the San Antonio Spurs, joins basketball greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to win Finals MVP with two different franchises.

“This is what I play basketball for,” said Leonard “This is what I work out for.”

Playing in his first season with Toronto, Leonard averaged 28.5 points during the best-of-seven Finals, leading Canada’s only NBA team to a 4-2 series upset of two-time defending champions Golden State.

Playing against a Warriors team with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, two of the NBA’s most feared shooters, Leonard dazzled in the spotlight and left his rivals in the shade.

The focal point of the Raptors offense throughout the Finals, he took the

playmaking responsibilities on his shoulders and shrugged off Golden State’s efforts to slow him down.

The Raptors became a legitimate contender when they dealt DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio as part of a blockbuster trade to acquire Leonard last July.

When Leonard arrived, he was coming off a season in which he missed all but nine games with a quadriceps issue and it was no great secret that his preferred destination was his birthplace of Los Angeles.

“I just came in with the right mindset, let’s go out and win ball games,” said Leonard.

“I texted Kyle (Lowry) probably a day later — or the day that I got traded and told him I said let’s go out and do something special. I know your best friend left, I know you’re mad, but let’s make this thing work out. And we are here today.”

With no assurances that Leonard would re-sign with the team beyond 2019, it was a high-risk trade for Toronto.

The rewards, however, have been huge.

Leonard led the team in scoring all season and carried (Continued on page 25)

PAGE 32

Saturday June 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

Root stars as England coast to 2019 edition kicks off today at noon World Cup win against West Indies ExxonMobil U-14 schools football tourney

Round one of the ExxonMobil under-14 schools’ football tournament kicks off today at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue with 12 matches from 12:00hrs. Two matches will be played concurrently with the first two 6/15/2019 12:00 hrs 12:00 hrs 12:50 hrs 12:50 hrs 13:40 hrs 13:40 hrs 14:30 hrs 14:30 hrs 15:20 hrs 15:20 hrs 16:10 hrs 16:10 hrs

games being contested between Richard Ishmael a n d L o d g e S e c o n d a r y, while the other opening match will see Plaisance Orphanage and North Ruimveldt Secondary.

There will be a new champion crowned in this

edition since 2018 champions Chase Academic Foundation are not a part of this 2019 edition.

The full fixtures for the tournament that is also being supported by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) are listed below.

Round 1 Ministry of Education Ground Match # Richard Ishmael v/s Lodge Secondary 1 Plaisance orphanage v/s North Ruimveldt Multi 2 St Mary v/s Annandale Secondary 3 New Campbellville v/s Ann’s Grove 4 Carmel Secondary School v/s Uitvlugt Secondary 5 President College v/s Marian Academy 6 Cummings Lodge v/s Golden Grove 7 Kingstown v/s St John’s 8 Tutorial v/s East Ruimveldt 9 Queens Town Secondary v/s St Stanislaus College 10 Dolphin Secondary v/s Tucville 11 Brickdam Secondary v/s Charlestown Secondary 12

FACC 3rd Annual Father’s Day Cycle Road race set for tomorrow in New Amsterdam The Flying Ace cycle Club (FACC) is doing all in its powers to keep cycling going in Berbice and also to keep its riders fit and ready for major upcoming events. The club has organised their third annual Father’s Day Cycle race. The 10 laps cycle road race is set for Sunday around the Town of New Amsterdam.

The event will be for cyclists of the club only. The riders will pedal off from in front of Rainbow Bar, Charles Place and Republic Road, New Amsterdam, turn left into Vryheid Street, left into Main Street, left into Philadelphia Street, another left into Republic road ten times before finishing at its place of origin. The cyclists will be

sent on their way by Her Worship, the Mayor of New Amsterdam Winifred Haywood. The race will pedal off at 1300hrs.

Prizes will be awarded to the first five finishers, the top three juveniles, the first four 12-14 riders along with eight sprint prizes. The prizes will be presented to the winners by Mayor Haywood immediately after the race.

Coach of the FACC Randolph Roberts expressed his gratitude to all sponsors on board including Mr. Lloyd Roberts, Station Sergeant Philbert Wilburg, Glilz Collection, Poonai’s Pharmacy, attorney at law Murseline Bacchus, Gossai and Gossai law Firm, Hilbert

Foster, Jokewsans Restaurant and Fix it electronics among others.

During the week Mayor Haywood presented a sponsorship check to Balram Narine, Captain of the FACC at a simple ceremony held at the Rainbow Bar located at Charles Place and Republic Road, New Amsterdam.

Mayor Haywood also shared her sentiments about the event and expressed her appreciation for the work being done by the FACC and Coach Randolph Roberts.

Roberts expressed his appreciation to Mayor Haywood and the other sponsors for the continued supports to the FACC over the years. (Samuel Whyte)

Mayor Haywood presents the sponsorship check to Balram Narine, Captain of the FACC at a simple ceremony held at the Rainbow Bar in the presence of club and other officials.

AFP - Joe Root scored his second century of the World Cup as England crushed the West Indies by eight wickets in Southampton yesterday with 16.5 overs to spare.

The host nation won the toss and made the most of favourable bowling conditions on a day when the rain finally relented, bowling the West Indies out for 212.

But by the time they came to bat the sun was out and tournament favourites England rarely looked troubled, with Root in particular timing the ball beautifully during his 100 not out.

Test captain Root opened alongside Jonny Bairstow in place of the injured Jason Roy, who had limped off the field with a tight hamstring during the West Indies innings.

Root, who made 107 in England’s defeat against Pakistan, made batting look easy, scoring a run-a-ball 50 without having to take unnecessary risks as he and Bairstow tamed the West Indies quicks.

Shannon Gabriel had Bairstow caught by Carlos Brathwaite for 45, leaving England 95-1, but Chris Woakes was quickly into his stride, drilling a four back past Gabriel off his third ball.

With the end in sight, Woakes was dismissed for 40, caught by Shimron Hetmyer off the bowling of Gabriel.

Root reached three figures off 93 balls with 11 fours and is now the tournament’s topscorer — with a total of 279 runs in four innings.

- Injury fears Earlier, England contained the West Indies well but at a cost, with Roy and captain Eoin Morgan limping off the pitch.

Despite occasional flurries, the Caribbean side were never able to mount a sustained assault on England’s bowlers after Woakes and Jofra Archer conceded just eight runs off the first five overs of the match.

Fuelled by three wickets each for Archer and Mark Wood, England dismissed their opponents with more than five overs to spare.

Opener Chris Gayle, dropped early by Wood in the deep, briefly threatened, hitting Woakes for 10 in two balls, but was caught by Bairstow on the square-leg boundary for 36 off the bowling of Liam Plunkett.

During the course of his innings Gayle, who has previously indicated this will be his last World Cup, overtook Viv Richards as the

leading scorer in one-day internationals between England and the West Indies.

Two balls after his dismissal West Indies were in deep trouble at 55-3 when Shai Hope was trapped in front of the wicket by Wood.

Nicholas Pooran and Hetmyer (39) combined to put on 89 runs for the fourth wicket before Root struck twice, holding on to catches off his own bowling to remove Hetmyer and Jason Holder.

Andre Russell shone briefly but was caught by Woakes off the bowling of

Wood for 21 and the last four wickets tumbled for just 10 runs.

Morgan hobbled off the pitch in the 40th over, struggling to make his way up the pavilion steps and it was later confirmed he had suffered a back spasm.

Wood finished with figures of 3-18, while Archer took 3-30. England are now second in the World Cup table with three wins and one defeat, one point behind New Zealand, while the West Indies have won one, lost two and had one no result in their four matches.

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 15, 2019

GBTI Open

Defending Champion Fraser win on Thursday under lights

Gavin Lewis (left) beat Ronald Murray.

As the Guyana Bank of Industry and Commerce (GBTI) the tenth annual O p e n L a w n Te n n i s Tournament heads into the weekend which will see all day action on the Court today, defending Champion Kalyca Fraser beat Kizzy Richmond Thursday night on the road to a possible successful title defence.

The first match of the day saw Devon Gonsalves and Adesh Khayyam playing a controlled game before Gonsalves emerged victoriously’.

The match between Gavin Lewis and Ronald Murray featured hard-hitting

exchanges with big serves as they battled each other with passion.The fair size gathering watched as Lewis went on to eventually take the match 6-2, 6-1.

Results: Devon Gonsalves beat Adesh Khayyam 6-1, 6-1 Anthony Downes/ Leyland Leacock beat Orlando Dainty/ Wayne Barker 6-0, 6-0 Rafael Nunez beat Harry Panday 6-2, 6-1 Kalyca Fraser beat Kizzy Richmond 6-2, 6-1 Andre Lopes beat Steven David-Longe 6-0, 6-1 Gavin Lewis beat Ronald Murray 6-2, 6-1

PAGE 33

t r o Sp

Raptors win Canada’s first NBA championship

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard lifts the Larry O’Brien trophy after defeating Golden State Warriors for the NBA Championship in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kevin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

Root stars as England coast to World Cup win against West Indies Nicholas Pooran plays a shot, England v West Indies, World Cup 2019, Southampton, June 14, 2019 © Getty Images

England’s Jofra Archer took three wickets against the West Indies in their World Cup match in Southampton.

(AFP/Adrian Dennis)

England’s Joe Root bats against the West Indies in the World Cup match in Southampton.

(AFP / Adrian Dennis)

GFF-KFC Playoffs kick off this National U-20 C/Ships weekend at NTC Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.