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Kaieteur News
Friday June 25, 2021
Kaieteur News
Friday June 25, 2021
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Exxon now racing to pump 1.2 million barrels per day by 2025 - Hess boss reveals A
bout three years a g o , ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana, had told the local and international market that they would be using five ships to pump 750,000 barrels of oil from the Stabroek Block. They had said this would be accomplished by 2026, latest. Today, those figures have increased significantly. Head of Hess Corporation, John Hess has revealed that ExxonMobil is now racing to produce up to 1.2 million barrels of oil from the Stabroek Block. Even the timeline has shortened as the CEO noted that this would be achieved by 2025 via five oil projects. They are the Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two, Payara, Yellowtail, and Uaru/Mako. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) made this disclosure during his recent p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n J . P. Morgan’s 2021 Energy, Power and Renewables Conference that was held virtually on Wednesday. Also participating on the call was Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Hess Corporation,
Greg Hill. In providing the international audience with an update on the plans for productive capacity for the Guyana operations, Hill was keen to note that the Liza Phase One Project is already operating at nameplate capacity; in other words, it is producing 120,000 barrels of oil per day. This is taking place while the Liza Destiny’s flash gas compressor is undergoing performance testing before being operational by next month. Kaieteur News would have reported some months ago, that the flash gas compressor had experienced several mechanical issues which led to it being removed and sent overseas for repairs. As a result of the faulty compressor system, Exxon has burnt more than 14 billion cubic feet of gas which has released more than 250 toxic chemicals into Guyana’s airspace. Once the upgraded equipment is up and running, Hill noted that the capacity of the Liza Destiny will increase to 130,000 barrels of oil per day. He said that another capacity increase will soon
Driver robbed, car hijacked
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4 6 - y e a r- o l d male has been the latest victim of a hijacking and robbery that occurred early yesterday morning. This has been the second hijacking that has occurred for this week. According to a police report, the man was driving a silver Toyota Fielder Wagon, valued $2.8M, with registration number PZZ7156 at 1:10hrs along Leopold Street, when he saw a white Mazda motor car parked in the middle of the street, facing his direction and preventing him from proceeding further. The two suspects, one of which was armed with a
handgun and the other with a knife, exited the back passenger seat of the Mazda and walked up to the victim. The suspect with the gun then pointed it at the victim’s head and demanded that he exit the car. The suspect who was armed with the knife began to search the victim’s pockets and robbed him of one iPhone 7, valued $80,000, a silver chain valued $45,000, and one silver band valued $28,000. They then entered the victim’s car while the Mazda motorcar reversed, giving the suspects a clear path to escape. Investigations into the matter are currently ongoing.
follow when the vessel goes for a two week shut down in November for the installation of a new flash gas compressor system. Once this is done, the Liza Destiny would be able to produce between 140,000 barrels of oil to 150,000. With respect to future projects, he said once they spend about a year in operation, each ship will undergo an optimization or debottlenecking exercise which would see capacity increase between 10 to 15 percent. Adding to his colleague’s disclosure, the Hess CEO said, “And when you helicopter down you can have five ships by 2025 producing in excess of one million barrels a day and that
number used to be at 750,000 barrels, so it gives you an idea of the quality of the reserves and the producibility of the wells.” Hess even revealed, that ExxonMobil had told its investors that it plans to increase the capacity to have 1.2 million barrels being pumped out of the Stabroek Block in five years by way of five ships. He also noted, that the Stabroek Block partners are currently going through several regulatory processes to ensure the Yellowtail project gets the approval it needs. The Hess boss confidently noted that he had met with the government in May, specifically, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and he is
CEO of Hess Corporation, John Hess
confident from that engagement, that the P e o p l e ’s P r o g r e s s i v e Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration is desirous of having Yellowtail stay on track for first oil by 2025.
Hess noted that the approval is expected by year end latest. Once everything comes on stream, Yellowtail will be producing up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day in 2025.
Efforts underway to revamp SOCU, strengthen AML capacity - Anil Nandlall
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fforts are underway to i m p r o v e Guyana‘s Anti- Money Laundering (AML) capacity, even as steps are being taken to strengthen the operations of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) under the Guyana Police Force (GPF). According to a release from the chambers of Attorney General, the Government of Guyana has completed its second phase of Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) National Risk Assessment (NRA). In his opening remark in a two-day virtual workshop facilitated by the World Bank, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC., noted, that despite the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Guyana has completed its work. The Attorney General said too, that Guyana has already identified a legislative agenda, in order to remedy the deficiencies in the AML/CFT Act and related legislation as identified by the NRA.
between SOCU and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will also be improved, leading to an increase in the conclusion of money laundering related cases. Guyana expects to improve its supervisory framework, as well as enable the expansion of the AML/CFT financial and commercial sphere, in order
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, He further outlined, that the Government of Guyana has boosted the prosecutorial capacity, with a view to improving the effectiveness of investigations, prosecutions and convictions. To t h a t e n d , h e announced that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has recruited additional staff in the areas of law, forensic audit, accounting and investigations. He said too, that interagency cooperation
to bring unregulated entities under the sphere of compliance. The Attorney General further expressed his gratitude to the Members of the national working group, a n d e x p r e s s e d Government’s commitment to the prevention of the abuse of Guyana’s financial system from the illicit gains and motives of criminals.
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Friday June 25, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Sputnik V Almost 70 years ago, on October 4, 1957, the then Soviet Union, a decade into the Cold War, did the unprecedented and launched a small, shiny ball into space. For three months, that small, shiny ball would circle the earth, emitting radio signals before eventually disintegrating. That small, shiny ball was called Sputnik 1, ‘sputnik’ being the Russian word for satellite What followed was the frenzied competition between the USSR and its arch-rival, the USA, to be the first to dominate the undiscovered territory of space. A brief 12 years after the launch of Sputnik 1, the Americans would land the spacecraft Apollo 11 on the surface of the Moon, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin onboard. The benefits of Sputnik 1 being launched into space have been incalculable, with space age technology providing innovation that has benefited virtually every sector from technology to medicine. Recently, the name “Sputnik” has had a resurgence, with the launch of Sputnik V, not a rocket, but a vaccine, one designed by the state-owned Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology based in Moscow, Russia. With the vaccine registered in early August of last year, just months after COVID-19 was confirmed globally as a pandemic, the Gamaleya Institute beat out major American and European companies as well other state-supported efforts like those in India and China. The initial response was however controversial. An article published in the magazine Science on August 11, 2020 (the same day of the registration) noted the pushback against the vaccine: “Scientists around the world immediately denounced the certification as premature and inappropriate, as the Gamaleya vaccine has yet to complete a trial that convincingly shows it is safe and effective in a large group of people.” By February of this year, however, the scientific skepticism around the speed at which the vaccine was produced dissipated after the results of a trial study was published in the venerable medical journal, The Lancet, showing the vaccine was not only safe but had a high, 92 percent efficacy rate. According to the conclusion of the study: “The development of the Sputnik V vaccine has been criticised for unseemly haste, corner cutting, and an absence of transparency. But the outcome reported here is clear and the scientific principle of vaccination is demonstrated, which means another vaccine can now join the fight to reduce the incidence of COVID-19.” When the government of Guyana subsequently decided to use Sputnik V as the majority vaccine for its COVID-19 immunisation campaign, it was on the basis of not only the reality of the availability of the vaccine versus the scarcity of others, but also with the backing of sound clinical information. The fact that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had not yet approved the vaccine was incidental at best to Guyana and the over 70 countries now listed as using Sputnik V. As early as December of 2020 in fact, Hungary had signed a contract with Human Vaccine - the subsidiary created by the Russian state agency responsible for selling the vaccine, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) – for the provision of 1,000,3000 treatments of the Sputnik V vaccine. Today, the WHO and the European Union’s European Medicines Agency (EMA) are on the verge of officially approving Sputnik V. According to Dr. Peter Figueroa, a professor at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, and a member of the WHO working group on vaccines, the expectation is that the vaccine is going to get approval and an emergency listing. And according to a Reuters article published two days ago, the only concern expressed in a preliminary WHO report was that there seemed to be a mechanical issue with how vials are filled at one of the four Sputnik V filling plants. Says the article: “The issues did not relate to the safety or efficacy of the vaccine itself, Pharmstandard-UfaVITA said in a statement. The plant is responsible only for pouring into vials doses of Sputnik V vaccine produced elsewhere.” Much has been made by the political opposition here about the cost of the vaccines and the method of procurement through a middle man, even as other WHO-approved vaccines have been snapped up by rich countries. With WHO and EMA approval, Sputnik V will enter massive new markets that Guyana will be unable to compete with at all, as the real price – not a listing on some artificial index – will shoot up exponentially. Guyana has been strategic enough to have made a low-risk gamble upon a safe vaccine at a time when it
Govt. must be about the moral, ethical, legal DEAR EDITOR, Why it is that followers can be blinded to the truth? Is it because, as the poet Thomas Gray suggested, ignorance is bliss and knowledge is misery? Recently, the attacks on the Opposition Leader as it relates to his critique of the Sputnik vaccination seem to provide the answer. Not only are these attacks spawned from a camp which some believe has questionable moral practices on the one end of the continuum, but also these campers may now be working themselves towards the other end of intellectual bankruptcy. These attacks are from those who ignore the matter at hand. They ignore the Opposition Leader’s stance on the ethical, legal, and moral. Naturally, the mention of either the ethical, legal, or
moral will raise the ire of some. They will bring up red herrings such as the issue of election fraud, which I may concede, but I will ask them to stay on point. The point is the jab. From the ethical perspective, the government is asking its citizens to take a vaccine that was not approved by an accrediting body such as WHO and allegedly rejected by a few countries. In addition, the vaccine, at the time of initial distribution, did not pass scientific scrutiny. The ethics also lean toward the act of giving citizens a vaccine with a questionable chain of custody and purchased for an astronomical cost. The ethics also lean on whether citizens should partake in an act that the leaders themselves do not indulge. From the legal angle, all
reasonable citizens reserve the right to question the government’s purchasing practices in the dead of night and from questionable characters. The ordinary citizen should insist that the acquisition of goods and services be above board. Why should the people’s business be conducted with those whose backgrounds are entangled in international criminal law? The present intellectual architects know about the legal issues centered on fraud, bribery, and corruption. Why would they engage in actions that would have questionable appearances? From the moral perspective, the question is whether a government shamelessly uses its power and the purse to dictate social outcomes. Moral behaviour
theory and reasoning guide us here. The identity of members of an organisation is inextricably linked. It is difficult to tease apart the identity of followers from the organisation’s purpose, raison d’être, and its values. Organisations are moral agents whose outcomes are envisioned and evident through deliberate actions via values, purpose, practices, and processes. Governments are organisations. Those who currently serve in the government are obligated to envision what is moral, right, and just. The country’s current custodians should know that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. They should not expect the people to settle for just this. Sincerely, Les Archer
Ogle Airport Inc. violated members’ right to examine AGM meeting minutes DEAR EDITOR, Enshrined in Section 189 (1) (b) of the Companies Act, “A company shall prepare and maintain at its registered office records containing – minutes of meeting…”, and further in Section 194 (1), the law allows the members of the company access free of charge to examine the company records – which includes minutes of meeting(s) during the usual hours of the company; yet Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI), the company which is an integral part of the Public-Private Partnership arrangement of the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, has
continuously denied all of my formal requests and violated my rights as a member of the company to examine the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting (AGM). I understand clearly that although minutes only get approved until the next AGM, they should still be distributed and circulated amongst the members or at least, be made available upon any member’s request, within a few days of the AGM of which they are recorded, and not nearly one year after they were recorded as usually the case with OAI. The reason is very simple and logical. Members of the
company not only require the minutes to implement the decisions which were made, but to keep track of them throughout the year leading up to the next AGM. Almost always, these decisions are major and critical to the operations of the company. They involve policies, financial dealings, major infrastructural projects to be undertaken and so on. Therefore, it is necessary that the minutes get into the hands of the members fresh out of the AGM, and not a few days before the next AGM. Though the Companies Act gives a one-year timeline
to circulate the minutes between AGM’s, it is an abuse and breach of several provisions of the Act to delay circulation of the minutes while denying a member access to examine the minutes within a reasonable time immediately after the AGM. I call upon the Chairman, Company Secretary and directors of the board of OAI to immediately right this wrong since the next AGM is just a few days away. Yours faithfully, Capt. A. Mazahar Ally Managing Director for ASL, AMSL & GRSI Shareholders of OAI
Former President Ramotar didn’t answer the question DEAR EDITOR, It was difficult not to feel some sadness reading former President Donald Ramotar’s letter (Former President, Donald Ramotar, responds to Freddie Kissoon again - June 23, 2021). It is a letter that screamed attention for someone who once commanded this but is now placed in a corner by his party. Mr. Ramotar, who was a oneterm minority president, is now using the media to satiate the craving for attention. Poor chap. If I may advise him, the more he writes the more he exposes himself. A simple question was asked of him by me. He has not
answered it thus I repeat for him. Was his son, who reportedly knocked down Freddie Kissoon’s nephew in a motor vehicle accident, ever been charged, or did Ramotar compensate him? No amount of “I repeat that the car driven by my son did not hit Mr. Kissoon’s nephew...in fact, he, along with another man, was lifting a transformer out of a GPL truck and he stumbled on the side of the car...” would change what happened on that day, no Mr. Ramotar, no. In fact, the policewoman (Ms. Webster) who did the investigations and interviewed several eyewitnesses would take
was most readily available. That investment in Sputnik V is likely already paying incalculable dividends when it comes to the health and safety of the people of this country and our collective ability to emerge and thrive in the wake of the pandemic.
offense to Mr. Ramotar’s misguided information of what exactly happened on the day his son (Alexei Ramotar) was accused of hitting Kissoon’s nephew, causing him serious injuries. Freddie did in a letter to KN (The road accident involving the President’s son and my nephew - Nov. 02, 2014) attested to what happened when his nephew was hit, how it was known who hit him, and that person he reminded Mr. Ramotar is his son. He also said he did not seek or receive any financial compensation for his nephew. Now over to you, please answer the question. Sorry Mr. Ramotar it is not for laymen Mark Benschop to prove your son was wrong. You know that too. It is for the magistrate to determine, but again Mr. Ramotar was your son charged and the magistrate ruled him wrong or not wrong? Please answer the question.
And as we are at it about poor Alexei, the cyber cable optic job his father’s government gave him was an abject failure. That colossal failure robbed taxpayers billions of dollars which his son was paid millions to do. It was grossly mismanaged and he should thank the APNU+AFC for salvaging what was left of a corrupt and badly executed project by his government. Poor Guyana could have lost much more leaving Alexei to swim in the ocean because he would have sunk and taken Guyana down with him. The Auditor General’s Report proves there was gross incompetence in the execution of the project. Daddy cannot bury or wash away the facts. (‘Auditor General blocked attempts to expose breaches of financial laws by Ramotar’s son’ (Continueed on page 6)
Friday June 25, 2021
Shouldn’t lowest bidder get contract? DEAR EDITOR, Bids were opened earlier this month and read for a tender contract (NDIA) to supply a fixed quantity of steel sheet piles. This is a retendering of a bid put out last November for sheet piling. No award was made last November although several bids were tendered for the correct grade of sheet pile at a competitive price by reputable bidders. There were complaints of the lowest bid not getting the contract last November. It is the norm that the lowest bid gets the contract once the company demonstrates the ability to carry out the work or supply the required materials. In this case, the re-tendered bid was awarded last Thursday in memo by Cabinet and not to the lowest bidder. It was granted at some $40M above the lowest bid to Dax contracting. Why? Taxpayers
have to fork out an extra $40 million during this tough COVID-19 time. This money could have been used to provide grants to the unemployed. Will there be an investigation? Coincidentally, a high official of the government has been residing in a house of the selected bidder on the East Bank. Is this a conflict of interest? Has the official purchased the house? Isn’t this fishy? The President and Vice President should go fishing in the daylight instead of night – they may catch a big fish. They don’t have to go to the Boerasirie to catch fish. Information available is that, all bidders supply the same grade and quality of sheet piles and they all qualify in the other areas outlined in the tender. Several bids were tendered to supply the sheet piles. The sheet piles were all
to be obtained by local contractors from the same company in Holland. Thus, the price for the sheet piles was not expected to vary. The lowest bid was from Roopan Ramoutar Investments for just over $172M followed by Jagmohan Construction for over $178M, followed by Original Generating Trading for almost $187M, followed by Yunus Civil Construction Services for almost $194M. Dax Contracting was almost $211M. There were also other bids lower than, as well as higher than Dax. Why was Dax chosen for this contract – costing government almost $40M more than Roopan? The country needs answers! Would decent Ministers like Anil Nandlall, Ashni Singh, among others, allow this gross abuse of funds? Yours truly, Sharmila Ally
Tacuma Ogunseye contests erroneous accusations against the WPA DEAR EDITOR, I am conscious that my frequent responses to letters/ columns in Kaieteur News may be stretching your tolerance, I am doing so to enhance public debate on national issues and to contest misrepresentations of people and organisations. Freddie Kissoon’s column is once again the reason for my response: “Interview with Leyland De Cambra, founder of WPA UK branch” (KN June 23. 2021) edition. Two initial points: I don’t know Mr. De Cambra personally (except that a couple of times he appears by Kissoon’s own admission to provide information to Kissoon from social media), and I am not questioning his role in the UK WPA group. My response to his interview with Kissoon is based on what he states. I wish to alert readers that Kissoon would have had a prior discussion with Mr. De Cambra - “a fielder” before he decided to interview him. Kissoon’s first question tells it all. He did not seek to establish De Cambra’s present relations with the WPA and his knowledge of the political situation in
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Guyana in the last decade. Kissoon: “I have been asked the question countless time since 2015 why the WPA, those in Guyana, and abroad, became so supportive of the PNC and rigged election, what is your take on that?” Not surprising the following is De Cambra’s answer: “I feel that for many people race is the main reason. For others it is opportunism, a selfish desire to gain office/benefits by associating with the APNU+AFC (Rupert Roopnaraine comes into this category). For others it was a historical dislike of the PPP.” De Cambra shows no concern/knowledge of the political situation WPA had to deal with from 2000 to 2020. Of more importance, however, are the deficiencies in his historical memory that are pervasive in his interview. For example, on ASCRIA/PPP relations. In the mid- 1970s I spoke on PPP public meetings representing ASCRIA. This was long before the Rodney crisis, that is, after Walter Rodney was banned from working at the university. The ASCRIA and Kwayana moved to involve Dr. Jagan and the PPP in Rodney’s defence, but
not on Walter’s instruction. And once again, for public information, the WPA was already established when Rodney returned and joined. The WPA’s declaration that once the PNC conceded free and fair elections, we will work with it to advance democracy also predates the Jimmy Carter intervention. The WPA’s later position was that the PPP/C has developed a “criminal state” characterised by an alliance with drug lords, phantom and state-sponsored killings, corruption and economic/ racial discrimination. This in short was the basis for working to build the APNU and later the coalition. While it is the right of Freddie Kissoon and Mr. De Cambra to give their views on the political situation and the WPA’s role, I invoke my right to contest their erroneous accusations against the WPA. Importantly, the (Continued on page 6)
Urgent need to rebuild integrity in the surveying profession in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, The United Nations, Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, stated that ‘Corruption is criminal, immoral and the ultimate betrayal of public trust’. One of the main reasons one ought to do the right thing as a public official or officer, is simply because people who provide public services, play an enormously important role in a democratic society and in maintaining peace, and the well-being of the people in that society. The actions or lack of any actions, or decisions or lack of decisions, by public officials/officers, can either assist members of the public to find solutions to their problems, or increase the severity of those problems. They can either assist in enabling the society to grow or to remain stagnant. Their decisions and actions can also make life extremely difficult for people whose resources are limited, as well as expose them to unnecessary abuse. Editor, I have heard many stories of surveyors who do all sorts of unprofessional things for their clients and the money, without giving thought to the difficulties which will be created for others. One of my relatives employed a surveyor to survey a portion of land, in drawing up the plan, the surveyor did not mention that people were occupying portions of the land, the plan showed as if the land was clear of any occupation. The person proceeded to acquire Prescriptive Title for the land and later served notice for the occupants who were there, even while the survey was being done, to be removed. The surveyor even included land that was previously surveyed and had an existing plan. Now had the surveyor acted honestly and professionally, the hardship
created for those persons might not have been created. Additionally, the surveyor included lands in the plan which the client did not even asked to be included, however, and they got Prescriptive Title and claimed ownership, however, though challenged. Surveyors are even shifting boundary lines without the knowledge of the owners of these properties, etc. Another situation that needs to be addressed is with regards, to transports. Editor, you have no idea some of the difficulties people are experiencing. Now if a matter is before the courts, for example, someone has filed a Petition for Prescriptive Title for a portion of land, and someone is posing as the authentic land/property owner; one would be of the view that if they do not have a copy of the title or transport, or lease, that it would be easy to acquire a certified copy from the relevant public office, and sometimes only to discover that the transport for example, has been torn out of the records. Nobody should accept any amount of money to tear out a transport from official records that is criminal. Editor, I can go on and on with the examples, but lets’ look what can be done. I believe that periodic assessments need to be done of the matters which are filed in the Land Court (Land Court Registry) for Prescriptive Title and analyse the frequency of instances where people would have filed Notice of Opposition and the nature of the Opposition, this will provide an indication of the extend of the surveying challenges, or the scale of the illegalities and what possible
reforms are needed. Another recommendation is that there is need for a massive civic education programme throughout the country and at all levels. Public and private officials, officers who engage in corrupt practices and members of the public who make these illegal requests of these individuals, have to give serious consideration to the fact that it does not end at the act of corruption or negligence, the implications in many instances are severe and can go on for decades. As in the case of the surveyor that was mentioned above, the surveyor leaves with his money but at least six people are now in court fighting to maintain their right to occupation; they had to find money for legal fees, take time off to attend court, etc. This matter will be reported to the Chairman of the Surveying Board, and the Guyana Police Force, if necessary, and the possibility will be explored for private criminal charges or taking the surveyor to court in a private action. Editor, in the more specific sense, the integrity of the surveying profession needs to be addressed immediately, and in the wider society, corruption at all levels of our society needs to stop ‘’corruption is criminal, immoral and betrays trust’. We need to ‘Stop Corruption in our Society! Yours faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas
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WPA & AFC could have saved the sugar estates DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to Mr. Kissoon’s column (June 24) in which he calls for public input on, among other issues, the WPA and Dr. Clive Thomas’s role (support) in the closure of GuySuCo estates, leaving tens of thousands without any income. I tried in my private capacity with encouragement from and working in tandem with Ravi Dev to preempt or forestall the closure of the sugar estates. We were motivated by an altruistic desire to save the jobs of the workers and the tens of thousands whose lives would be disrupted by the closure of the four estates. Ravi urged me to meet with GAWU officials and to approach potential investors to ‘take over’ the estates in order to protect the workers and save the affected communities from social anomie. On my personal expenses, I flew to India twice and to Trinidad several times to meet with potential investors to save the estates
from closure. Ravi Dev wrote President Granger requesting a meeting to discuss our plan to save the estates and jobs. Granger directed a group of Ministers to meet with him. Ravi met with government Ministers presenting our plan. He met with ministers Noel Holder and Gaskin (Winston Jordan was to join the meeting but for whatever reasons he did not attend). Ravi was accompanied to the meeting by Nigel Hughes and Dr. Surendra Persaud to discuss the Indian investors’ offer to take over Wales but it was rejected by the ministers. We also had proposals to save the other estates. The coalition government was not supportive of a plan to save any of the estates. And I found out from my meetings with local investors and private cane farmers that Clive Thomas was not keen at having local investors take over the estates or to stop the closure. Clive Thomas was from the WPA. I did not see any
statements from the WPA opposing the plan to close the estates. A few of its members penned letters in their private capacity opposing the closure of the estates without alternative employment in place. But as best as I know, Clive Thomas did not champion the continued operation of the estates. He supported and championed closure. Thomas was chairman of GuySuCo; he could have opposed the closure as his WPA colleagues pleaded or he could have resigned in protest. WPA could have opposed his position. It would therefore be deceptive or misleading to say that the WPA was on the side of the sugar workers when the government announced the closure of the estates. In an individual capacity, I held talks with some workers at various communities to query their interest in taking over the estates with support from private investors or even with GAWU as co-owner. They liked the idea that they
...Tacuma Ogunseye contests erroneous From page 5 interview demonstrates the futility of placing reliance on persons who live abroad for many decades and were for a greater part of that time not engaged in the politics at home on the ground. Unfortunately, some allow themselves to be victims of Kissoon’s entrapment in his anti-WPA crusade. Mr De Cambra not only trolls social media for information for Kissoon, now the troll has been elevated to the status of an ‘interviewee’. While penning this response I read Freddie Kissoon’s newest column, “Glem Hanoman writes about Rupert Roopnaraine and history is richer” where he is
celebrating what he sees as an indictment of Roopnaraine. But what counsel Hanoman wrote objectively can only be interrupted as noncooperation on the part of Rupert. I don’t think that he meant ill will to Rupert or the WPA. He stated what he felt was happening. However, is Hanoman’s perception the only explanation? Kissoon clearly feels so as he celebrates the “enrichment of history.” As Hanoman confirmed, Roopnarine was considered an important witness. Those of us in the WPA who were participating in the COI had worked out our strategy and tactics for the inquiry. We know that
Roopnaraine’s testimony (he had indicated that he would testify) was critical and both the PPP/C and the PNC/R would be seeking political advantage which we denied them. There were two procedural issues we had to work around. Submission of statements and the timing of appearance of our witnesses. While we had no control of the latter, we had control of whether or not Rupert would volunteer a statement or force the commission to subpoena him. The latter route would have allowed him to go into the witness box and narrate his testimony, denying the PPP/C and PNC/R prior knowledge of his evidence. Tacuma Ogunseye
would be owners of an estate or even of GuySuCo through their small joint investments — they would cultivate a fix amount of acres of cane land and be responsible for harvesting and getting it to the factory for grinding. GuySuCo or the estates won’t cultivate cane. The government or GuySuCo or private investors would be responsible for the factory and grinding the cane and for marketing. The land would belong to the workers or as shareholders. The workers would be paid for the cane produced. Thus, they would be self motivated to increase production. Private investors also endorsed the idea. It worked successfully in India and Africa. At the suggestion of Ravi Dev, I met with Komal Chand at GAWU office to discuss this idea of joint ownership by workers, government, and private investment that Ravi and I conceived. Komal said GAWU had no interest in investing in the estates or in being an owner of any of them or if GuySuCo. He also ruled out workers investing in and becoming owners of the estates. He stated that the workers lacked the funds and capacity to run the estates. I didn’t get the feeling that Komal wanted workers to be owners of the sugar industry. He suggested that I meet potential investors mentioning the names of Komal Samaroo of DDL and a private cane farmer on West Bank, among others. I met both for their interest and to hear he and Ravi’s ideas to save the estates and communities from degeneration. Komal Samaroo said DDL was interested in putting a bid for Enmore to produce molasses for its liquor operations, and in fact did subsequently offer a
proposal or a bid to the government to acquire Enmore; it fell apart for reasons of which I am uncertain, but I believe there was haggling over price and terms or conditions over acquisitions. At any rate, as I subsequently learned, government was not very interested in divesting the estate to DDL or to workers. The government simply wanted the estates closed. In my very long discussion with the businessman on the West Bank, he was very enthusiastic of the Dev/Bisram proposal to save Wales and other estates. He said his private production of cane was very profitable and that closure of Wales would ruin him. He also stated that he and a few businessmen approached the government to take over Wales but were rebuffed. He said Clive Thomas along with a team from GuySuCo and government held a meeting at Wales on the future of the estate. The businessman offered to save Wales by purchasing it thereby protecting government and GuySuCo of any further expenses. His personal offer to save Wales was also rejected. I also met with private investors who expressed an interest to take over Skeldon and Rose Hall to save the government costs of operations. They presented proposal to the government to take over the estates, and these were also rejected. The investors in India bought in to our proposal to manage the factories with workers cultivating the cane as owners and supplying the factories to produce sugar and various by products. They even offer to completely take over the estates if necessary and modernise the factories. Proposals were submitted for two estates. Dev and I had inputs in the
Indian proposals. There were no responses from GuySuCo or the government privatisation unit established to divest the sugar estates. I subsequently requested and received an appointment to meet Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. The discussion centred on saving the estates. He said investors in India and Trinidad showed interest and had put in a proposal; his son in law was mentioned as having some link with the investors from India. Nothing came of that proposal. I also met three groups of potential investors in Trinidad that expressed an interest in taking over GuySuCo or individual estates. They put in proposals, but apparently the coalition government did not respond to their or any other request. The estates, and by extension jobs of several thousands could have been saved had the coalition partners taken a principled stand against the government’s insistence to close the four estates. Clive Thomas, Rupert Roopnarine, and Nagamootoo had a lot of clout in the government. Had they, WPA and AFC, insisted that the government delay the closure until alternative means of employment were found and or threatened to walk from the government over the issue, the government would have relented. It clearly showed that the WPA and elements of other coalition partners were not very keen in protecting the sugar workers whose votes were responsible for their being in office. Five years later, they are yet to apologise to the sugar workers and the affected communities. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Why the hue and cry? DEAR EDITOR, To suggest the organisation does not have the right to determine when employees take leave accrued, over a period of time is suggesting employees
are lone rangers and above and bigger than the organisation. The edict passed, ‘you don’t use it, you lose it’ regarding leave, applies, regardless of status.
In a particular case it was reported the decision to send certain categories of employees on leave was unanimous. So why the hue and cry? Shamshun Mohamed
...Former President Ramotar didn’t From page 4 Guyana Standard - June 3, 2019) “The AG in his final report, claimed that millions of dollars spent on the project materials were verified even when the possibility of verification did not exist. In fact, the audit of the project which was conducted by Audit Officer, Marlon Leitch, found that numerous breaches occurred under Ramotar’s son...” A proud father seeks to hide and encourage his child
not to repeat the same mistake and would even chide him for wasting taxpayers’ money. This shame and disgrace is nothing to be proud of. It would have been better for this abysmal failure and incompetence was left in the past. But bringing Mr. Ramotar back to the issue. This is not the question about Alexei’s qualifications or anything personal against him. It is about an injustice allegedly committed by him against Mr. Kissoon’s
nephew who had to suffer for over a year without a fulltime job to take care of his family. I also take the opportunity to invite Mr. Ramotar, whom I’m sure has much time on his hand, to read Freddie’s Nov 2, 2014 letter, “The road accident involving the President’s son and my nephew.” His mind may be jolted to facts that aren’t hidden and cannot be hidden. Regards, Mark Benschop BS, MA, MS
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N B T . U . L . L T B . . N . U N U T L N B . U T . . L N N U T B . U . N . L U BL BLUNT B . . T . T T N N U . U L . . L B . T B . . . . N . T U T N N T U N U L L U B . L B . . . . B . T . . T . N N T U N L LU U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T U B . N L U T.. UNT...B L N B . . U . L T B . N L . . U B . T L . . N U NT LUNT...B L U B . L . . B T . . . N B . T . U . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U L . . N B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . UN .BLUNT.. UNT...BL T...BL N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T . U B . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . BBL T...BLUN .BLUNT. T...BLU . . N N T T L U U N L L U B U T...BLU B L . . N . B . T . . N T U N N N U L U U B L . BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday June 25, 2021
Kaieteur News
The people at Exxon really take their eyes and pass the Guyanese people. Exxon has been compiling financial statements for a hundred years, and complying with existing standards. Yet, with Guyana’s interests and monies at stake, Exxon is vague and dumps a lump of numbers on this country, that doesn’t meet international standards. It is as if the leaders of Exxon scorn us so much that they say: take that and go away. Don’t bother us for backup details, since we don’t have time to waste with Guyanese.
If we had leaders with some sense of pride, patriotism, and principle about their responsibility to Guyanese, their response to Exxon would have been: take these stupid financial statements and shove them… But we don’t have such leaders, either in the PPP government or the coalition opposition. Exxon knows that, since it has them in its pocket. No wonder it drops this busload of accounting gobbledygook on Guyana. The company thinks it can, and does, get away with murder.
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Friday June 25, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Guyana’s oil takes high priority in U.S Congressional briefing By Renay Sambach
W
h i l e discussing s e v e r a l critical issues that currently have severe impact on Caribbean countries, Guyana’s oil and gas sector was given priority by the Unites States of America (USA) Congress during the House of Foreign Affairs Committee briefing. During Wednesday’s briefing – which was focused on the Joseph Biden administration efforts to deepen the US engagement in the Caribbean – Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ), Chairman of the We s t e r n H e m i s p h e r e , Civilian Security, and Trade Subcommittee, during the first minutes of his presentation stated, that the
US government should work to ensure that every citizen of Guyana benefits from the oil revenues. The congressman further conveyed that the US government will engage Guyana’s government, the opposition, all businesses and civil society to achieve an advanced, inclusive economic growth. Sires was among a group of c o n g r e s s i o n a l representatives who had visited Guyana in January, 2020, where discussion was held with then President David Granger, and other representatives from Guyana on the then upcoming General and Regional Elections. Congressman Sires at the briefing stated, that the severe flooding Guyana has faced in recent months is a
reminder that climate change is having a devastating impact on Caribbean countries. As such he noted, “We need to step up our efforts to support climate r e s i l i e n c e a n d e n e rg y security in the region.” Fellow congressman Mark Green (R-TN) and Ranking Committee Member, in his presentation stated, that this year has proven to be a pivotal year for the Caribbean’s energy resources and highlighted, that Guyana’s oil sector is growing and will potentially provide an alternate to Venezuela’s. According to Green, Guyana’ oil and gas sector is critical, since it can transform the country from one of the poorest in the Caribbean to one of the wealthiest.
The American congressional focus on Guyana’s oil sector comes at a time when the deal between Guyana and American oil giant company, ExxonMobil has been placed under increasing scrutiny by industry advocates and observers, both local and international. Kaieteur News has reported that the concerns about Exxon’s deal have focused on the economic and environmental impact of the oil industry. For example, this publication had reported that international lawyer Melinda Janki believes that ExxonMobil’s relationship with Guyana amounts to an attempt at colonization. While speaking to anticolonialist Kingston University Professor, Andy
US congressman, Mark Green Higginbottom, Janki, in speaking about the Exxon contract, had stated during the online forum that, “the main point of colonization is to take a country’s resources and to pay little or nothing. The colonizing entity coopts the political elite, [then] the colonizing entity and the co-opted political elite rely on agents and accomplices. Together, you have an
US congressman, Albio Sires. unholy trinity that completes the colonization.” Additionally, former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, had also said that the US oil company, needs Guyana more than the country needs them, especially now that the oil company is facing some (Continued on page 22)
Kaieteur News
Friday June 25, 2021
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The dashboard should be dashed overboard The COVID-19 dashboard of the Ministry of Health has hardly changed its format over the past year. It really is astounding that despite the calls for the information to be made more meaningful, this type of incompetence still exists. Even more terrible is the absence of more information which can help in combating the pandemic. Not publicly reported for example are the number of active cases per Region, the number of deaths per Region, the number of new cases per Region (this has to be manually calculated by readers) or by The Citizenship Initiative Facebook page which has done an excellent job in making sense out of the daily dashboard. Because of the manner in which the data is being presented, the government’s epidemiologists may be missing something. The coronavirus death rate, relative to infected persons, has remained fairly steady despite an increase in cases and despite the government’s own claims that younger persons are becoming infected and are being hospitalised. In October 2020, deaths averaged 3.5 percent of total cases. This declined to less than 1 percent in January of this year but has held steady averaging just over 2 percent
since then. For this month so far 2.3 percent of the total reported cases have died. The Minister of Health is therefore correct when he states that for every 100 infections 2 persons are likely to die from the disease. But the more worrying statistic is the number of persons in the ICU. On average, one out of every four extremely severe cases end up on death bed. So, it is not a very nice thing to read about 21 cases in the ICU. You know that some of them are not coming out alive. If younger persons are becoming infected and sicker and considering younger people tend to have a higher recovery rate than the elderly, then the death rate relative to infections should be decreasing. In other words, if younger persons constitute an increasing percentage of infections and those severely sick, then the death rate should be declining. But this is not happening. In April, deaths accounted for 2.2% of total cases; in May it was 2.7%; and for June it is 2.3%. The daily reports suggest that those dying are mainly the elderly. So why then are these deaths not accounting for a low percentage of the total cases? It is worrying statistic. Some hypotheses should be tested. For example, is the failure to reduce the death
rate related to the treatment protocols? We do not know but surely one of the standard audits which should be undertaken should relate to the effectiveness of the treatment protocols. But this is not likely to happen for reasons which are not hard to guess. For some time now, the Ministry of Health has not been forthcoming about the treatment which is being administered. Sometime ago, there were experiments with convalescent plasma but that treatment option no longer appears popular outside of Guyana. Several studies have questioned the benefits of this treatment. Remdesivir was recommended as having had good results in helping patients to recover faster. But last November, the World Health Organization issued a conditional warning against the use of remdesivir in hospitalised patients, regardless of disease severity. The WHO said there was no evidence that remdesivir improved survival and other outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Increasingly in India, there is a movement towards the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients. But the F o o d a n d D r u g Administration does not recommend it and the WHO itself has said it should only
Everybody boys seh... Sue-ing Dem
Johnny Cash bin mek a big hit with his song called, “A Boy Named Sue”. Well right now is plenty sue-ing tekkin place. Dem politician like sueing. Yuh just gat to talk or write something which is not nice about dem, and dem sue-ing. One time one of dem politician been even sue de airlines fuh losing he luggage. De court tell he how he nah gat a case. One time a politician was involved in an accident with a truck. He sue de truck owner fuh millions claiming how he get injured. In court de lawyer fuh de truck company decide fuh cross examine de politician. He tun to de politician and ask him, “Didn’t you say, at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine.’”. De politician replied,
“Well. I’ll tell you what happened.” De lawyer interrupted he, “I didn’t ask for any details,” de lawyer interrupt, “just answer the question ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine!’”. De politician answer again, “Well, let me explain what happened.”De lawyer interrupt again and say, “Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Police officer on the scene that he was fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe this is fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question.” De judge was a fair man and tell de politician dat he would allow he to explain. So de politician say,
“was just about to load my horse into the back of my trailer when the truck came steaming down the road and smashed into the trailer. I was thrown to the left and the horse was thrown to the right.” De politician continue, “I was hurting real bad and didn’t move. However, I could see that the horse was badly injured. Shortly afterwards, a police man came and he too saw that the horse was badly injured.” De politician paused and den continue, “After the policeman looked at the horse, he took out his gun and shot it. Then he came across the road with the gun still smoking in his hand and said, ‘Your horse was in such bad shape, I had to shoot it. How are you feeling’?” Talk half before yuh get sue!
be used in clinical trials. However, increasingly other studies are suggesting that the anti-parasitic drug is effective against the coronavirus. The University of Oxford has begun to study this drug as possible treatment for COVID-19 patients in the United Kingdom. And a recent study published in the Lancet has shown some promising results but which it is recommended requires larger clinical trials. There is no shortage of
treatment options. What is now conclusive (or what is not being widely accepted as conclusive) is what works and what does not work. With lives at stake, doctors treating COVID-19 patients have to work with the best scientific evidence available and when this evidence is being disputed, it makes their task all the more difficult. So what exactly are the treatment regimens being used in Guyana? Perhaps the Minister of Health can use his next TV appearance to
enlighten the public on the treatment being administered to Covid-19 patients. He may also wish to try to hazard an explanation as to why the death rate remains as high as it is despite the fact that more young persons are becoming infected. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
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Friday June 25, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Do Guyanese buy locally produced items? One of the problems in the civilised world is the inherent flaws of Homo sapiens that make life difficult, overbearing and sad. One of the questions existentialist philosophers face all the time is, if there isn’t God to guide human action in decent and honest ways, then the world becomes a jungle. The existentialists argue that each human must understand that since there is no omnipotent eye overlooking people, then each one of us must take the place of God and become omnipotent, meaning do good things for others. The great French existentialist philosopher, Jean Paul Sartre, wrote that “the project” is the alternative to God in which human invents a project to make life meaningful for everyone. Society has never operated that way. What
humans want for themselves they do not give to others. I remember a few years ago, I went to the Brickdam Police Station to secure bail for one of my nephews after his employer, Afro Alphonso family company, accused him of stealing coconuts. The female sergeant in charge of the station for that night refused to discuss bail with me and was rude. She got into a big quarrel with two junior ranks accusing them of not doing their routine work and it will cause her to be late to get home to take care of her son. I went up to her and boldly told her that just as she is concerned about her son, others are concerned about their children. Here was a perfect manifestation of the inherent flaws of human nature. She didn’t care if the young man was remanded but she was interested in her son’s
welfare. Right in that station the night was another manifestation of the congenital insensitivity of humans. Alfro Alphonso’s guards had beaten up my nephew and there were conspicuous injuries on his face. I insisted if the police are going to charge my nephew then the guards have to be charged for criminal assault. The presiding officer at the time was Superintendent Marlon Chapman. He agreed that the guards could have beaten up my nephew and that both parties had to be charged. That was the end of that. This has been a very long introduction to the main subject of this column which I come to now but I am certain you will see the relevance. The Minister of Public Works recently met with travel agents. One of the
complaints that emerged was that, Exxon was not buying airline tickets from Guyana but from the US thus, denying patronage to locals. No decent human could agree with Exxon’s policy in this regard. One hopes that the wrong has been righted. This complaint brings into focus a tragic ambience in Guyana. We locals do not buy our own products. I see this tragedy each time I go into the supermarkets and it is painful to endure. Now here is the devastating irony. Even local manufacturers do not buy Guyana-produced goods. Go into the house of these people and see what jams, jellies, fruit juices, biscuits, etc. they have. Last week, I was right behind the wife of a prominent Guyanese manufacturer. She had three boxes of an American made orange juice in her trolley. Those imported juices have a number of chemicals in them that may be harmful. Her husband sells a local product but doesn’t buy Guyanese
stuff. DDL sells fresh orange juice. Barbados box juices are cheaper than the American made ones. Barbados is a country all Guyanese should be grateful
Frederick Kissoon t o . I ts a v e d G u y a n a during the 2020 election rigging drama. I make it my duty to look into the trolleys of shoppers because it expands my insight each day on the nature of the Guyanese nationality. We just do not like to buy local products. It is a self-destructive act for several reasons. First, it saves foreign exchange. Secondly, it expands the tax
collection base because more money for the manufacturers means more taxes collected. T h i r d l y, i t r e d u c e s unemployment. Most importantly it provides a livelihood for the working people of this country. I have a close friend who has two kids and an unemployed wife. He works for a local i c e - c r e a m manufacturing company. I don’t buy foreign ice-cream because my patronage keeps this gentleman employed. It is a sad state of affairs and it ravishes the wellbeing of this poor nation. I look into the trolleys of those customers and I feel that some nations are just lost souls. Why would we not want to buy the things we need that are made right here, made right here by our fellow Guyanese companies? I guess one day, this nation may be saved. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Friday June 25, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Friday June 25, 2021
Region Five gets over $3.5M in flood relief We s t e r n S c i e n t i f i c Company Limited (WSCL) last week donated over $3.5 million worth of care packages and infant disposal diapers to residents of Region Five who are affected by the severe flooding. The company in a release stated that 34,608 disposal diapers and 600 care packages were donated. The
packages include a number of sanitary products such as soaps, soap powder, garbage bags, hand sanitizers, bleach, sanitary pads, mouthwash, and disinfectants among other items. Edwin Mackoon, President and Founder of the company said that WSCL’s effort was fuelled by the company’s desire to render
assistance in this time of need in the country. “Upon hearing that the floods affecting the regions across the country were categorised as a level two disaster by His Excellency, D r. I r f a a n A l i , w e immediately sought to identify an affected region and provide our support and assistance in a tangible way,” the President said.
The donations made to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital. The company was alerted to the needs of residents along the Mahaicony, Mahaica and ABARY Rivers and made contact with the Regional Chairman of the MahaicaBerbice Region, Vickchand Ramphal indicating their intentions.
In a matter of three days, Mackoon highlighted that the company was able to procure and deliver the donated items and hopes that the items will help the families in need to get back on their feet. Prior to this donation, some 350 hampers were handed over by WSCL’s Manager for Southern Territories, Richard Ramlal to the Regional Chairman at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital and to Branch road, Mahaicony. According to Ramlal his company has always taken its social and corporate responsibility seriously.
“Having seen the floods first hand, l know we made the right decision to make our contribution. I know the people who the care packages are intended to benefit from will certainly make good and much needed use of them. I am happy l am a part of a team that gives back to our community,” he lamented. The Regional Chairman in expressing his gratitude said that the donation from the private company is t i m e l y a s t h e s t a t e ’s resources are stretched to cater to all residents and areas countrywide that are also affected by the flood.
Friday June 25, 2021
Kaieteur News
National Risk Assessment two-day workshop has commenced The Government of Guyana is currently engaged in a two-day virtual workshop facilitated by the World Bank, in completion of its second Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) National Risk Assessment (NRA). This workshop is facilitated in order to validate the findings of the Assessment. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC MP, provided the opening remarks, thanking the World Bank for their technical assistance in the conduct of the NRA. Mr. Nandlall additionally noted that, despite the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Guyana has completed its second Assessment. He noted, also, the importance of the Assessment relative to the oil and gas sector; as Guyana has become an oilproducing nation, it is critical to ensure that the AML/CFT apparatus is adequate in addressing the risks and threats that Guyana may face. Nandlall outlined that the Government of Guyana has boosted the country’s prosecutorial capacity, with a view to improving the effectiveness of investigations, prosecutions
and convictions. The minister announced that Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has recruited additional staff in the areas of law, forensic audit, accounting and investigations. Inter-agency cooperation between SOCU and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will also be improved, leading to an increase in the conclusion of money laundering related cases. Kaieteur News understands that Guyana has already indentified a legislative agenda in order to remedy the deficiences in the AML/CFT Act and related legislation as identified by the NRA. Guyana expects to improve its supervisory framework, as well as enable the expansion of the AML/CFT financial and commercial sphere, in order to bring unregulated entities under the sphere of compliance. The actions will further illustrate the intent to have a well-oiled machinery to protect Guyana’s financial sector. A representative from World Bank, Mr. Klaudijo Stroligo, congratulated Guyana for the methods employed during the NRA, given the challenges faced globally by the COVID-19 p a n d e m i c , t h e representative also
expressed his gratitude to the European Union for their financial contribution in funding the World Bank’s participation in the NRA process. Day One of the Workshop consisted of presentations on the money laundering threats faced by Guyana, also encompassing assessments of the oil and gas sector, illegal wildlife trade, terrorism financing and proliferation financing risks. Day One concluded with presentations by the Banking and Insurance S e c t o r, a s w e l l a s a presentation relating to other non-bank Financial Institutions. The presenters included staff members of authorities such as the Bank of Guyana, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l ’s Chambers.
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Presenters involved in the NRA workshop.
Kaieteur News
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Friday June 25, 2021
Men who are victims of domestic violence and abuse should speak out - Reg. Two Commander urges The Commander, of Region Two, (PomeroonSupenaam), Superintendent Crystal Robinson, is urging men who are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse to speak out and file police reports against their abusers, even if they are female.
Robinson was at the time being interviewed on the weekly ‘Police and You’ radio program hosted by Police Public Relations Officer, Stan Gouveia. She stated that the Police in her division are very responsible and protect the identities of victims. The
commander added that, throughout her entire career, only on two occasions had she seen men speak out against their female abusers. ”In my years in the Guyana Police Force,” Robinson said, “I’ve come across about two reports where females had raped
men. These matters went to court, but the men never turned up. I also know of a woman abusing her husband. He did go to court and she was fined, because he said, he doesn’t want her to be incarcerated. She was fined, and eventually, they separated,” she said. Robinson added that, in these situations, she is encouraging all communities to be supportive towards the men who show emotions. “When you’re coming
up as a youngster and you cry, people say, ‘Why you crying? Do you want to be a sissy? You’re a man, Stop crying, Stand up, men don’t cry. But we have to realize that we’re only human, and we have feelings, and there is nothing wrong with men crying, I think men don’t want to look small in society because they realize their peers would look down on them and say, ‘How you allow she to beat you up, boy?’ Because of those persons, men don’t want to
Reg. Two Commander, Superintendent Crystal Robinson. come out and talk when their rights are being violated,” the superintendent added.
Kaieteur News
Friday June 25, 2021
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Former GECOM legal officer contests Commissioner’s account of resignation -said former Chairman Patterson had authorized/commissioned external work
F
ormer Legal Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Excellence Dazzell, is contesting People Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C)-appointed GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick‘s account of her resignation from the post. Dazzell yesterday put out a detailed statement refuting the claims, after two newspapers and one online publication had published comments from the PPP/C commissioner that the former GECOM attorney’s resignation had to do with a breach of contract. Shadick told reporters on We d n e s d a y, t h a t b o t h Dazzell and GECOM’s Chief Accountant, Joseph Eastman, were found to be doing private work in their respective fields which is contrary to their contract arrangement with GECOM. Shadick said, while Eastman’s contract was not renewed because of the breach, Dazzell resigned before any action could be taken against her. Her statements about the former GECOM employees were published by three news entities; the Guyana Times, Guyana Chronicle and online news outlet, News Room Guyana. In response to the claims, Dazzell put out a detailed statement demanding a public apology and retraction for the “incorrect content” contained in the articles. In her statement, Dazzell provided copies of correspondence between herself and the Commission, and stressed that her resignation which was tendered earlier this month, was not due to any breach of contract, but owing to the fact that she had lost confidence in the Commission. She said her resignation from the post of Legal Officer at GECOM, followed the accusations and a request for her outstanding annual leave. In her statement, Dazzell alluded a letter from the Chairperson of the Commission, Justice (RT’d) Claudette Singh, in which she was asked to show
cause why the Commission should not take disciplinary action against her for allegedly breaching her contract. T h e C h a i r ’s l e t t e r outlined that the issue of her engagement in private practice was brought to the attention of the Commission by Commissioner, Shadick. Alluding to the schedules of her contract, Justice Singh in the letter reminded Dazzell, that in accordance with the arrangement, “you are not authorized to either directly or indirectly, be engaged or
Former Legal Officer of GECOM, Excellence Dazzell. be concerned, with any other service or business whatsoever, or receive commissions or profits of any kind, except with the written permission of the commission.” In a response to the Chair which was seen by this publication, Dazzell explained that she was given permission by the previous Chairman (RT’d) Justice James Patterson. The former legal officer claimed too, that the issue of her practice only came up because of a previous disagreement between herself and Shadick. Further, contrary to what was reported by Commissioner Shadick, Dazzell said it was “the Commission’s conduct” that led to her proclamation of a loss of confidence in the Commission, and consequently her notice of resignation, made on June 4, 2021. Among the breaches in conduct by officers of the Commission, the former
legal officer claimed there was a breach within the line of authority. According to her, while her contract of employment states that she is to act, in all respects, according to the
instructions of, and directions given by the Commission through the Chief Election Officer, when she went on board the Commission, she was told to report directly to the
Chairman, James Patterson. “I questioned this line of authority based on my contract, and even highlighted this fact on the a g e n c y ’s o rg a n o g r a m . Notwithstanding my
queries, I was told that I am to report to the Chairman….” Dazzell said in her correspondence. Added to this, Dazzell said that approximately one (Continued on page 23)
Friday June 25, 2021
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Tears flow as Region Ten Vice-Chairman laid to rest Draped in the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) party flag, was the casket of former Vice Chairman of Region Ten, Douglas Gittens, who was laid to rest on Thursday, in Linden. Two Sundays ago, Gittens passed away from COVID-19, after being hospitalised for three days. Scores of Lindeners flocked the Christianburg Community Centre to bid farewell to a man who was described as an indefatigable figure, a catalyst for human a n d c o m m u n i t y development. A man of many hats, he was lauded the many tributes by his comrades, colleagues, relatives and friends, who fought tears to speak of how valuable he was to the political arena and to the education sector in Linden, being a teacher for close to two decades at the Mackenzie High School. Leading these tributes was Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, who led a delegation of Opposition Members of Parliament to
Linden to bid farewell to a comrade. They all remembered him for his altruistic service to the region and who served with not looking for anything in return. In his tribute, Harmon said he is deeply grieved by the passing of Gittens and hailed him as a selfless servant of the people, during his political career. Gittens served as a regional councillor for two terms before being elected to the position as Vice Chairman a few months ago. He also served as Deputy Chairman of the PNCR, Region Ten Chapter. “Dougie was a very special youth, a loving, joyful, friendly and helpful person. This was a young man who loved people...he was always willing and ready to serve. Linden and Region Ten must be thankful to the Almighty God, for having shared a special human being. Douglas Gittens was a good young leader in this community, committed to the
development of the township and Region Ten,” he said Harmon posited that during the campaign, he personally witnessed the tiring efforts and far-sighted vision which Gittens brought to the role, as a young leader of Region Ten. “I was struck,” the Opposition Leader said, “by his courage and resoluteness, in his devoted determination to the principles of servanthood and service to people.”Regional Chairman Deron Adams, who was in contact with Gittens mere hours before he died, said the late Gittens was his childhood friend who became his campaign and office right hand in the last few months. “As a stalwart member of the PNCR, he worked tirelessly to advance the party’s mandate, to govern for and on behalf of all of the people of this country. His work and enthusiasm on the campaign trail, in ordinary party outreaches and in every other aspect of activities organized by the PNCR in
Region Ten, will be sorely missed,” he said. He noted that days before his death, Gittens brought relief to flood-affected residents of Sub-Region Tw o , b y d i s t r i b u t i n g hampers, supplies and moral support. “Douglas Charles Gittens left a memorable impact on everyone he came into contact with. I can say this without any fear of ontradiction simply because; this was the person he was. Always eager to be considered a man of the people. Always preferring the company of the average resident,” he relayed. Other persons who shared tributes of the late Gittens were, MP Annette Ferguson; Regional Executive Officer, Dwight John; and Regional PNCR Member Denise Belgrave ,who spoke on behalf of the National Congress of Women. Despite being a dedicated politician, Gittens was a teacher by profession and during his tenure at the Mackenzie High School, he
The casket of the late Douglas Gittens left an indelible mark on the lives of the hundreds of students he taught Technical Drawing, Information Technology, Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies and History. He was also a football and basketball coach. Eulogising the late Gittens, were two of his colleagues who related that he joined the teaching profession at the age of 19. “His success as a teacher is
well documented, having been named at least three times as the teacher with the best CAPE results.” At the time of his death, Gittens was a final year student at the University of Guyana. He was also a budding entrepreneur, a skilled computer technician and repairman. He was also a huge fanatic of the football team Arsenal. He was laid to rest at the Bamia Cemetery.
Kaieteur News
Friday June 25, 2021
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Fire destroys 3 properties in two separate fires, thirty homeless Scenes from the Durban Street fire. [Joseph Allen photos]
Scenes from Tucville fire. [ Joseph Allen photos]
Separate early morning fires yesterday, destroyed three properties in the City, leaving 30 persons homeless.Two of the three properties destroyed by the separate fires are a vulcanizing shop, and house located at Durban and George Streets, Werk-enRust. The third was another house located Lot 8 Tucville, Squatting Area, G e o rg e t o w n . T h e f i r e s occurred hours apart- the first at Durban and George Streets begun around 01:00Hrs while the second in Tucville took place around 08:57Hrs. According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) the fire that destroyed the vulcanizing shop and the house nearby, was caused by a suspected arson attack, while the second blaze at Tucville, was of electrical origin. Kevin Phillips, the owner of the vulcanizing shop stated that around
01:00hrs he was awakened by his barking dogs. Phillips further stated that upon checking, he noticed two persons riding away on a motorcycle from his home. Moments later the man said he heard his neighbour shouting, “fire, fire,” and that’s when he noticed his building was ablaze. According to the GFS report, the fire first gutted Phillips’ two-storey wooden building and resulted in the entire building and contents being destroyed – the losses are estimated in millions. Kaieteur News understands that firefighters managed to control the flames and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings, but not before it destroyed a neighbouring house which, displacing a Venezuelan family of 20. Two buildings that were saved are Elegance Jewelry and Pawn Shop, and Chris Auto Spares and Sales – both suffered minor damages on their western
walls.Kaieteur News understands that Phillips lived on the top floor of his vulcanizing shop, with his family of six others, meaning a total of 27 persons are homeless from that fire. As it relates to the second b l a z e a t Tu c v i l l e , i t completely destroyed a house and slightly damaged two nearby buildings. GFS reported that an electrical fan that was left plugged in and unattended, reportedly overheated, igniting combustible materials nearby to start a fire. As a result of the blaze, three persons were left homeless. Kaieteur News understands that Deon Richards, a mechanic with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), was at home when the fire started. Richards was only able to grab his son and rush out of the home before the fire spread. Investigation into both fires is ongoing.
Friday June 25, 2021
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Jagdeo moves to the Full Court to have $20M libel judgment award to Annette Ferguson thrown out
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ice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo, has moved to the Full Court in his bid to have the $20M default judgment awarded to former Housing Minister, and A Partnership National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson for libel, thrown out. Jagdeo had recently lost the libel case to Ferguson, because of his failure to file
his defence in keeping with the time limit and rules of the Court. F e rg u s o n h a d s u e d Jagdeo over some alleged slanderous statements he made about her owning house lots. The statements were published in the Guyana Times newspaper which Ferguson also sued. The case against the newspaper is however still ongoing. In the case against Jagdeo, a default judgment
was granted by Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the sum of $20M to Ferguson, after he failed to defend the case. Justice Kurtzious recently reinforced her decision, but set a date to review at the $20M award with the intention of possibly reducing it. That hearing was set for July 28, 2021. However, through his attorney, Devindra Kissoon, Jagdeo has approached the Full Court to ask that the
Former Housing Minister, Annette Ferguson
Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo. decision be set aside and reversed in its entirety. The VP also requested an interim order staying the enforcement of the decision and Default Judgment, pending the hearing and determination of this application He has since asked the court to grant him leave to file his defence to the action within seven days of the date, and extending the relevant case management timelines to allow him to properly defend the claim. Further, the Vice President is seeking an order declaring that Part 12 in particular Rule 12.02 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) or Court rules violates Article 144(8) of the Constitution. According to documents seen by this newspaper, Jagdeo through his attorney set out a number of grounds in which the appeal to the Full Court is made.
Among other things, he contends that the trial Judge erred by in law and in fact, by finding that he had no real prospect of defending the claim. Jagdeo posits specifically that Justice Kurtzious erred and misdirected herself in law, by entering a default judgment against him without considering all of the grounds of his defence, including the defence of justification. In his view, Jagdeo says that the trial Judge erred in law by failing to appreciate the overriding objective of the Civil Procedure Rules 2016, in ensuring justice between both parties— factors set forth in CPR 12:03 (3). He said too, that the Judge erred by placing undue emphasis on
F e rg u s o n ‘ s p l e a d i n g s , without giving similar regard to his defence. “…. The learned trial Judge erred in law, and in fact, by attempting to assess the evidence and conducting a mini-trial, as opposed to merely finding that the appellant [Jagdeo] had a real prospect of success, overlooking and failing to assess the facts averred in his pleadings which would be proved at trial..” the Notice of Appeal contends. Further, it states that the trial Judge erred by failing to find that Part 12 of the CPR, and in particular CPR 12:02, violates Article 144(8) of the Constitution by failing to mandate, that Jagdeo be given an opportunity to be notified and heard prior to the entry of a default judgment.
Bandits rob men at construction site
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wo individuals were the victims of a robbery that occurred on Wednesday night while at a construction site. According to a police report, the two male victims identified as a 41-year-old and 60-year-old, were in Orealla Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, at a building that is currently under construction. At 20:30hrs the two men were approached and attacked by two armed bandits. The bandits then pointed their guns at the victims and
ordered them out of the yard. The victims were then instructed to lay on the parapet facedown. The 41year old male was then searched and was robbed of a J2 cell phone valued $30,000, a LG cell phone valued $30,000 and $100,000 in cash The second victim was robbed of $72,000 in cash and a Samsung A30 cell phone valued $55,000. The suspects then mounted a black and red Honda XR motorcycle and fled from the scene. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Friday June 25, 2021
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Friday June 25, 2021
North Ruimveldt fire still being investigated; school’s alumni pledges to help rebuild While investigation to determine the origin of the fire at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School is still ongoing, the school’s Alumni Association on Wednesday said that it pledges to help rebuild and refurnish the school. The association, in a statement, said that it is “stunned and devastated by the June 19th fire which destroyed a significant section of the school.” It said that it recognized that the loss of equipment and access to the school, means that over 500 students will be unable to access learning opportunities, and that its loss amounts to an insurmountable amount which has an immediate impact on the school’s and the student’s progress. In this regard, the alumni stated, that they intend to provide financial assistance to the school, while contributing to its stability and facilitating an
environment of academic excellence. Further, the Association also highlighted that it will lead the effort of fundraising for the rebuilding of the school’s computer and science labs, also the home-economics department. They will also be launching a “GoFundMe” account to assist students with their education. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Education commenced work at the school, following a meeting held on Monday with the students and parents who requested to use the auditorium to sit their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations since it was not damaged by the fire. Also work is being done to restore electricity to the undamaged sections of the building. During Monday’s meeting, the Ministry was looking at alternatives for the 65 students to write their
exams. The students had requested to use the auditorium instead. The Education Minister, Priya Manickchand told them that the Ministry would have to acquire full clearance from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to ensure the space is safe. When contacted for a comment on Wednesday, the Fire Service told this publication that clearance will be given once they investigate that there will be no threat of a re-ignition. GPL stated that they are awaiting a GFS report, to show if it is electrical of origin before any clearance is given. To contribute to the rebuilding, persons are asked to visit https://gofund.me/1a69813a or for more information contact Audrey Fredericks Edwards at president@nrmssalumni.com.
The North Ruimveldt Multilateral School on fire on Saturday.
Kaieteur News
Friday June 25, 2021
Three arrested for Haresh Singh’s murder
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ine months after he was brutally slain in the No.3 Village backdam, West Coast Berbice, ranks from the Major Crimes Unit arrested three persons on Wednesday for the murder of teenager Haresh Singh. Up to press time, none of the men had given a confession, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed. On September 9th, 2020, during the riotous protest actions that took place on the West Coast Berbice over the vicious murders of cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry in the Cotton Tree backdam, Haresh Singh, 17, was found unconscious in the No.3 backdam. He was on his way to take water to his relatives who were working further down the backdam and was doing so on his motorcycle but the teen was attacked. He was killed and his motorcycle was burnt. Singh’s grandfather was among the several that were initially arrested, questioned, and released for the murders of the Henry boys. Relatives, who had spoken with Kaieteur News via telephone, had
stated that after the grandfather was arrested, they were targeted by persons connected to the Henry boys, and their home was stoned. His sister had told this publication, that shortly after her brother left for the backdam she noticed smoke coming from the said location and upon further checks, her brother ’s battered unconscious body and burnt motorcycle were found. He was picked up and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he died shortly after. A post mortem examination that was conducted on the body of Singh, revealed that he died from brain haemorrhage caused by blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compression injuries to the neck. That post mortem was conducted by government pathologist Nehaul Singh. The teenager was laid to rest on September 23rd, 2020. E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, U S l a w enforcement, the FBI was assisting the Guyana Police Force with its
Haresh Singh investigation into the murders of Joel and Isaiah Henry, and Haresh Singh. Three persons have also since been charged and remanded to prison for the murder of the Henry boys.
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Friday June 25, 2021
Kaieteur News
Ministry of Health recorded 4 more COVID-19 deaths, 206 new cases LAND FOR SALE 1 40x80 land located third corner over Parfaite Harmony Bridge.Transferable 7 million.636-5496. SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Hello! The doctor is back! Have your Gas Stove r e p a i r e d a n d serviced.Tel:601-0595. Repairs at affordable prices:Fridge,Air c o n d i t i o n e r, Wa s h i n g machines,Dryers,TV,Microwaves & Freezer.Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.
FOR SALE 1 6 cyl Doosan Marine Engine, complete- gearbox, propeller & shaft 5 million neg Tel#627-8898 Massey Ferguson Tractor( Foreign used). MF165$1.5M, MF 135-$1.1M, Pickup Ford Ranger-$1.1m, F150-$1.2M. 682-5230, 6154414. 1 Toyota Allion PWW Series $1.8M & 1 Honda CRV $3.2 negotiable.Contact 649-0956 for more info. Allion,Premio,Field Wagon,Spacio,Sinter,Allex,212,Blue Bird,Advenis,RZ and Pitbull.650-7501.
FOR RENT 3 bedroom,fully furnished North & Oronoque St.Bourda bottom flat.Contact 226-7012,6240041. One bedroom semi furnished apartment in Eccles.Call:660-8200 between 4-9PM, single/ couple only. Fully furnished house situated at 15 Victoria Road Sparendaam E.C.D.Contact Christine Tel#220-7598/ 681-1565. Two bedroom apartment to rent on E.C.D.Tel:601-2515. VEHICLE FOR SALE Honda CRV Ptt series 2002 Model,1.9m neg.Serious inquires only,Call:6817798.
WANTED Wanted one experienced Gold Smith, Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn shop 16 Pike street Kitty Tel#6224970 Experienced Cooks and Servers,Cleaners, Handyman. Call:626-7285 to book interview. Male able bodied sales representative.Contact Tel#227-3580 for more info. Female sales representative experience in P.O.S system would be an asset.Contact Tel#2273580. 1 general domestic to work in Providence, from age 30.Please call:673-5300. Domestic must know to cook and bake, salary $25,000 weekly.Call:6103974. Looking for honest & reliable person for cleaning job.Age between 45 & up.Tel#231-4933. Cook for the interior.Call#687-7638/6741767. 1 Domestic worker,preferably from E.B.D,Monday to Friday 7:30AM to 2:00PM.Tel#696-1680/6733260. Handyman to clean up yard 1-2 times per week.Good pay.Call:226-2322. Female live-in for elderly,preparing indian dishes,light duties.Over 40 yrs old.Call#638-4111.
VACANCY Auto Electrical apprentice age 19-25 yrs.Apply in person, Lot 120 Forth Street Albertown G/Town or call 610-0340. Pitmen for interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call:2312250. Experienced masseuse/ cosmetologist required. Nalini's hair salon,225 New Market Street (opposite Maggies). 226-6705/6096259. E x p e r i e n c e Seamstress.Call#691-1918.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday revealed that four persons, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died. As a result of this, the country’s COVID19 death toll now moves to 458. According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of a 58-year-old man from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), an 85-year-old woman from Region One (Barima-Waini), an 81-yearold woman and a 54-year-old woman both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). All four persons died over a two-day period June 22 to 23, while receiving treatment at a medical facility. Further, the Health Ministry in its daily COVID19 dashboard recorded 206 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 19,565. Out of the total confirmed cases, 10,004 are women and 9,561 are men. The dashboard also revealed that 18 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 112 persons are in institutional isolation, 1,572 are in home isolation and nine are in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 17,405 persons have recovered from the virus.
VACANCY Labourers and maintenance worker to work with P.S.G.C.S.Serious enquiries only.Contact:6216969,615-7784. Porters.Apply at:Lens 136 Sheriff Street C/ Vill.Tel:227-2486. Male Bond Clerk.Apply at:Lens 136 Sheriff Street C/Vill.Tel:227-2486. Maid to cook and clean for East Bank call: 6159132. J a n i t o r , P o r t e r, M e a t p r e p , C o u n t e r s t a f f , K i t c h e n assistant.Apply:38 D u r b a n Street,Wortmanville.Call:2311368/223-1938. Assistant baker,Bakery table clerk,Part-time domestic.Apply:38 D u r b a n Street,Wortmanville.Call:2311368/223-1938. Factory workers.Must have a sound secondary education.For more information,please call:223-0090. Truck Driver.Apply at:Lens 136 Sheriff Street C/Vill.Tel:227-2486.
...Guyana’s oil takes high priority in U.S From page 8 financial challenges. Dr. Adams had underscored during his presentation on a virtual Moray House Trust discussion, the need for Guyana to stop being intimidated by ExxonMobil and demand favourable terms as the American multinational’s standing in the future is highly dependent on the successful outcome of its projects here. In Thursday’s edition,
this publication reported that local activists told Exxon shareholders that an oil spill from Payara project could reach Jamaica but Guyana remains without full coverage insurance to offset an oil spill. In a letter to the shareholders, the activists noted that Exxon is drilling in the Amazon-Orinoco Influence Zone, an area rich in marine biodiversity, with species that are rare, threatened or endemic. It was outlined that a
well blowout would have a tragic impact on the region’s marine ecosystems. The activists also stated that it could destroy the livelihoods of people in Guyana and the Caribbean who depend on those ecosystems. The American company has also been facing international criticism and internal pushback due to the environmental impact of its operation.
Friday June 25, 2021
Kaieteur News
...Former GECOM legal officer From page 15 month after she commenced her employment with the Commission, she was to appear in court for the decision in a private matter, and asked the Chairman if she may attend. She said that she informed Justice Patterson that she needed a letter to do so, as per her contract, and he provided it. But after that, she said Patterson himself had some matters that were not GECOM-related that he wished to be attended to, one of which was before the Land Court for a Church. She said that he requested that she do the matter, but when she asked him for a letter as was done previously, he said that it was not necessary. According to the lawyer “When I showed up in Court, I saw Commissioner Shadick and she saw me. This was someday in February 2019, approximately two years ago. To my mind, the Commissioner’s conduct of saying or doing nothing gave credence to the Chairman’s words: that it was not necessary.” Dazzell claimed that was
not the only time that she was asked to conduct private business on behalf of Justice Patterson. She also referenced a matter in which he wanted her to assist in the purchase of property but she did not complete that case. As such, the former legal officer said that in her view, based on the conduct of the Commission, “the contract of employment is but a formality, and the real contract is evinced by the behaviour of the Commission; which behaviour implied the permission of my doing other legal work apart from that of the agency.” Additionally she said, “I have also found during my tenure at the Commission, that to maintain an apolitical posture, as is required by the said contract, is to suffer discrimination, abuse/victimization and intimidation in various forms by the Commission.” Further, the lawyer said that in her view, the Commission has failed in its duty and consequently did not enjoy her trust and confidence. As a result her resignation was tendered.
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Friday June 25, 2021
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Kaieteur News
2021 Concacaf Gold Cup
‘Golden Jaguars’ hold first training session ahead of July 3rd clash with Guatemala By Franklin Wilson in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida compliments of the GFF After touching down in Miami, USA on Wednesday at varying times, Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Team (SMNT), the ‘Golden Jaguars’ engaged in their first training session yesterday afternoon at The Gardens North County District Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Head Coach Márcio Máximo along with his Assistants, Wilson Toledo, Charles Pollard and Wayne Dover took the players through the paces during a session that allowed the players to get back in the
groove after a long day of travel from varying parts across the globe. Máximo revealed that the session went well given the circumstances of long travels by the players but that the intensity will be back to its usual from today. The team would also be engaged in two warm up matches as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) seeks to ensure that the team is well prepared for the Guatemala hurdle come July 3, next. “I think that the session is normal because some players coming from cold temperatures and some hot and it’s their first session after a long trip so I think they all reacted well considering the
First training session for the ‘Golden Jaguars’ yesterday at The Gardens North County District Park, Palm Beach, Florida. (Franklin Wilson photo) circumstances.” Once again, the leading
Friday June 25, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today is a day of reckoning in some ways, Aries. Attention to detail is important, but make sure it doesn't become your only focus. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Be more sensitive to other people's space today, Taurus. Respect their feelings and give them room to breathe. This is a great day to pursue creative projects. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Think about old times and people with whom you've had strong connections, Gemini. Remember the good times you shared with people of common interests and similar hobbies. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may have to make some serious adjustments to your approach today in order to chime in with the energy of the group, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You should feel a renewed sense of confidence today that will help anchor your emotions and give strength to your thoughts and ideas, Leo. Don't take a pessimistic attitude toward everything around you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Many people spend their whole adult lives trying to discover their true self. A great deal of social conditioning by parents plays a role in shaping our minds. Realize that many of these influences don't necessarily ring true with your inner self.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today is an extremely creative day for you, Libra. You should allot time and space to pursuing an artistic goal. You're like a magician who has the power to bring fantasies to life. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There's nothing worse than last-minute details, Scorpio. Concentrate on an important upcoming event. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your intuitive side is aligning with your rational side today, Sagittarius. Listen to your emotions. Take a sensitive approach to all people and situations. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Slow down the pace today. This is a day to sit back and observe and contemplate. Your mind may go in a hundred different directions, and you may be unsure which route to take. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your nurturing instincts are strong today. This is an excellent day to reveal your opinions. You've probably been sitting in the background, quietly observing and collecting data for quite some time. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Things aren't necessarily going to go well today, Pisces. There is the potential for conflict. You may feel a bit lost in the fog. Strap on your compass and you will be fine. Realize that you will make it through this day much better.
tactician of the team expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment being shown by his charges underscoring that this is the best team that is available to Guyana, a mixture of young and exciting players along with some experience. “They all have real desire to represent Guyana, they want to show something knowing that the times are very challenging but they are committed to the programme. We go to the pitch to compete, it’s a tough test but it’s good for us and important for our players. We will never give up, we will maintain the intensity and compete, this is our target.” The warm up matches, set for June 26th and 28th are very important according to
...Naomi Osaka motivated to From page 29 U.S. citizenship in 2019 to represent Japan in the Olympics. This year’s tennis matches will be played on hard courts, where Osaka has won all four of her major titles, according to Forbes. Free from the press: Osaka expressed her excitement to represent Japan during the Tokyo Olympics after skipping major tournaments — including the Wimbledon championships — to spend time with loved ones, NextShark previously reported. Osaka withdrew from the French Open earlier this year after being fined for refusing to attend press conferences. She cited her struggles with depression as her reason for backing out. The Japanese Olympic Committee confirmed on Friday that athletes will not be penalized for refusing to attend press conferences. Originally scheduled for 2020, the games were pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be held this year from July 23 to Aug. 8.
Máximo who expressed gratitude on behalf of his team to GFF President Wayne Forde and Executive for the hard work they have been putting for the team. He noted that the matches would allow the Technical Team the opportunity to use all the players they have here with a view of selecting the best for the immediate challenge ahead.
“Our main objective is for everybody to get some competitive playing time, I cannot use just one set of players in these matches, I need rotation to put everybody to play because against Guatemala, we would only have five subs so we have to give everyone the chance to get some competitive time in these matches to test them.”
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Friday June 25, 2021
An American soccer star responded to her Djokovic, Barty are Wimbledon top seeds, Olympics team snub with 2 Federer, Serena 7th goals in 6 minutes for her club
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n s i d e r - Ly n n Williams isn’t letting her US Women’s National Team snub hold her back. The star striker - who has spent much of the past year playing for the USWNT was not named to head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s 18person squad for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics, fans learned Wednesday. But even with the disappointment of missing the national team roster fresh in her mind, Williams still managed to dazzle in her National Women’s Soccer League game mere hours after the news broke. The 28year-old recorded a brace to lift her North Carolina Courage over Racing Louisville on the road at
Ly n n F a m i l y S t a d i u m Wednesday night. Williams netted an absolute stunner to kick off the scoring in the 27th minute. She launched a rocket across the goal and into the upper 90 after cutting the ball at the top of the 18-yard box. Just six minutes later, she found the back of the net once again. After the Courage earned a corner kick, defender Carson Pickett delivered a cross to the back post, where Williams rose over the home team’s back line to head the ball in. Williams was named the player of the match for her two-goal performance, and it’s safe to say she hasn’t missed a step with her club
Lynn Williams was left off of the 18-person USWNT Olympics roster announced Wednesday morning. Hours later, she erupted offensively for her NWSL club. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) team. Though she wasn’t one of the 18 players named to the active USWNT roster, Williams will still head to Tokyo with the team as one o f A n d o n o v s k i ’s f o u r alternates. Williams will be eligible to fill their vacant position if someone suffers an injury and needs a replacement.
The USWNT embarks on its journey to becoming the first team to earn gold directly after winning the World Cup with a grudge match against Sweden on July 21. The US will round out the group stage with games against New Zealand on July 24 and Australia on July 27.
Novak Djokovic
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ssociated Press WIMBLEDON, England — Defending champion Novak Djokovic was named as the top seed at Wimbledon on Wednesday as he seeks a 20th Grand Slam title while Roger Federer and Serena Williams will begin the grass-court tournament next week seeded seventh. Top-ranked Ashleigh Barty is seeded first on the w o m e n ’s s i d e . T h e Australian hasn’t played since retiring from her second-round match at the French Open due to the flareup of an upper-leg injury. The draw is today and the tournament begins Monday. Eighth-ranked Federer has the seventh seed because third-ranked Rafael Nadal is sitting out Wimbledon to rest and recover after his loss to Djokovic in the French Open semifinal. Daniil Medvedev is the second seed, followed by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem, although the Austrian retired from a match in Mallorca on Tuesday because of wrist pain. Defending champion Simona Halep is seeded second, ahead of Aryna Sabalenka and Elina
Svitolina. Second-ranked Naomi Osaka is not playing. At Roland Garros, Djokovic earned his 19th Grand Slam title to leave him one short of the record coheld by Federer and Nadal. Federer, a record eighttime champion at the All England Club, said earlier this year that he would build up to Wimbledon as he returned from two surgeries on his knee. But the 39-year-old Swiss great hasn’t been in top form, pulling out of the French Open after a grueling third-round match and failing last week to reach the Halle Open quarterfinals for the first time. Federer was tantalizingly close to a ninth Wimbledon title in the 2019 final, holding two championship points before eventually losing to Djokovic in a fifthset tiebreaker. It was Djokovic’s fifth Wimbledon title. The 39-year-old Williams’ latest bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title ended in a fourthround loss at the French Open. Her most recent major title came in early 2017. Wimbledon was canceled last year for the first time since 1945 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Away goals rule scrapped in Uefa competitions including Champions League BBC Sport – The away goals rule in European club football is to be abolished from the start of next season, governing body Uefa has confirmed. The rule, used since 1965, decided drawn twolegged games by favouring the team that scored the most away goals. All ties level on aggregate at the end of the second leg will instead go to extra time and potentially penalties. “It is no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight,” said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin. Uefa’s club competitions committee made the proposal in May and it has now been approved by the body’s executive committee. It means games in the Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference L e a g u e a n d Wo m e n ’s Champions League will no longer use the rule. Uefa says there is now a smaller gap between the number of home and away wins as well as home and away goals scored in European competitions compared to when the rule was introduced, reducing home advantage. It says that is down to a number of factors including pitch quality, improved stadium infrastructure and new technology such as the video assistant referee. “The impact of the rule
now runs counter to its original purpose as, in fact, it now dissuades home teams especially in first legs - from attacking, because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage,” Ceferin added. “There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of obliging the home team to score twice when the away team has scored. “It is fair to say that home advantage is now no longer as significant as it once was.” Five famous Champions League away goals wins in recent years May 2019: Ajax 2-3 Tottenham (3-3 on aggregate - Tottenham win on away goals) Tottenham reached their first Champions League final in the most dramatic of circumstances in May 2019. Trailing Ajax 1-0 from the first leg, Mauricio Pochettino’s side trailed 2-0 at half-time of the return game in Amsterdam and looked all certain to be knocked out. Step forward Lucas Moura, who scored two goals in four second-half minutes to bring Spurs level on the night, before firing home a 96th-minute winner to complete his hat-trick and send them through to the final. April 2019: Man City 4-3 Tottenham (4-4 on
Fernando Lorente’s goal sent Tottenham through a Champions League/ European Cup semi-final for the second time in their history. (Getty Images) aggregate - Tottenham win on away goals) Wi t h To t t e n h a m protecting a 1-0 lead from their quarter-final first leg against Manchester City, the two sides shared five goals inside a chaotic opening 21 minutes of the second leg. Sergio Aguero made it 4-2 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate in the second half to put Pep Guardiola’s side on course for the last four, before Fernando Llorente’s header edged Spurs ahead on away goals. To add to the drama, Raheem Sterling saw his stoppage-time strike ruled o u t b y VA R , l e a v i n g Guardiola on his knees in despair. March 2019: Paris SaintGermain 1-3 Man Utd (33 on aggregate - Man Utd win on away goals) Manchester United became the first team in C h a m p i o n s
Porto beat Juventus on away goals in the 2020-21 Champions League. (Getty Images)
League/European Cup history to overcome a 2-0 or greater home first-leg deficit when they stunned Paris Saint-Germain in March 2019. Marcus Rashford was the hero with a nerveless 94thminute penalty to level the tie at 3-3 on aggregate and send the Red Devils through on away goals, arguably securing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the manager’s job on a permanent basis in the process. April 2018: Roma 3-0 Barcelona (Aggregate 4-4 - Roma win on away
goals) Another thrilling secondleg comeback, this time from Roma as they overturned a 41 first-leg deficit to progress past Barcelona and go through to the semi-finals. Defender Kostas Manolas scored the crucial third goal, heading in at the near post with eight minutes remaining to spark scenes of delirium inside the Stadio Olimpico. May 2009: Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona (1-1 on aggregate - Barcelona win on away goals) A stoppage-time strike
from Andres Iniesta cancelled out Michael Essien’s early goal and edged Barcelona past Chelsea and through to the final on away goals back in 2009, sparking scenes of chaos inside Stamford Bridge at full time. It was all too much for a furious Didier Drogba who, frustrated at a number of refereeing decisions, launched a verbal tirade to referee Tom Ovrebo after the final whistle before swearing directly down a TV camera as he made his way off the pitch.
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West Indies players confident ahead of T20 series against SA - VC Pooran
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he provisional West Indies 18man squad is presently based in Grand Anse, Grenada where they are having training sessions at the National Cricket Stadium in the buildup to the CG Insurance T20 International Series against South Africa which will be played at the same venue, starting tomorrow. Speaking with media yesterday, Pooran said the players are confident going into the series. “The preparation is good, the confidence in the group is good, we have our senior players back and with the inclusion of Russell we have the most exciting T20 players in the world back together. The players are gelling well, we have had three good sessions and the weather has been kind to us for which we are thankful.” Pooran said he didn’t have a good outing in the IPL, but he is just keeping it simple and want to enjoy the
game. “I am thankful for the opportunity and I am full of confidence in my ability and want to make the fans happy. Once we can play our roles exactly what the team is required from us, we can put some good scores on the board.” Pooran stated that they have the best 18- man squad in camp and they are trying to get their momentum going. “We want the full support the Caribbean people. We are building towards the world cup and we have to function as a team. Everyone knows how good Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Russell are, as well as the other guys, but at the end of the day if we can believe in each other is important. It’s been a while since we have been together so we have a chance to gel and learn about someone better. It’s not all about the cricket but how much we can support each other, he added. Pooran said the team has been putting in a lot of work
and they are looking forward to winning the series in preparing for the world cup. “You don’t win a world cup by one or two persons performing, you win by everyone playing their part and that’s our key, which is to look after each other, be honest with each other and the results on the field will take care of itself. We all want to perform and want to win. The team is putting in a lot of work, we are focused on what we can control and that’s to be honest, work as hard as we can and support each other,” he pointed out. Fans support is important and Pooran said they are looking forward to playing in front of their home fans. Fans are going to play an important role, it’s been a while since we have played in front of our home fans and we need that support. Hopefully we can put on a show and put a smile on their faces.” He stated that he is thankful for the opportunity of being Vice Captain and
it’s a wonderful learning experience. “I always look up to Bravo, Gayle, Pollard and others. It’s nice to learn about different people culture,” he said. Pooran indicated that are working to get the right balance and to improve in certain areas The 18-man squad reads; Kieron Pollard – Captain, Nicholas Pooran – Vice
Friday June 25, 2021
Nicholas Pooran hits Mujeeb Ur Rahman down the ground for six © Abu Dhabi Cricket
Captain, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh. Match Schedule 1st CG Insurance T20I at National Cricket Stadium:
June 26th 2nd CG Insurance T20I at National Cricket Stadium: June 27th 3rd CG Insurance T20I at National Cricket Stadium: June 29th 4th CG Insurance T20I at National Cricket Stadium: July 1st 5th CG Insurance T20I at National Cricket Stadium: July 3rd
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National women’s hockey team arrive Naomi Osaka motivated to in the USA for Indoor Pan Am Cup win Olympic Gold to inspire uyana women’s to now rely on our young Fernandes indicated that,
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national team arrived in Philadelphia (PA), USA, Wednesday afternoon to begin their quest for qualification to participate in the Indoor Hockey World Cup scheduled for Liege, Belgium next February. Before the team could take the court for its first game, Guyana suffered two significant setbacks with the late ankle injury of prolific striker Sonia Jardine and the contraction of Covid-19 by Captain Gabriella Xavier. The loss of two of the team’s top players will leave a huge void on the forward line and midfield as their experience will be difficult to replace. National coach Philip Fernandes expressed great frustration and disappointment at this development saying, “These girls have put in so much time and effort that it is unfair for them to be left out at this late stage. As far as the team goes, we will have
inexperienced players. While they are skilful and energetic, you cannot rush experience and it will be a challenge for them to play with the discipline and consistency under pressure that is required for this level of competition.” The team had one practice session yesterday on the playing facility of The Training Center in Spring City, PA. At this practice, Fernandes noted that the focus was on making some structural adjustments to the role of some of the players in order to cover for the loss of Xavier and Jardine. “Not much can be changed tactically at this late stage. Tactical changes, especially among young players need time and repetitive practice to be successful. This means that we will make a few structural changes by moving players around the floor in different roles to what was originally intended.”
although the loss is great, team morale remains high and the players are excited to apply what they have learned and trained against foreign competition. The pandemic had prevented international hockey competition for over a year and this is a welcome return for the players. The competition is being held under strict Covid-19 protocols which include no spectators at the facility and the team being confined to a bubble with no outside contact for the duration of the competition. The team has benefitted from the support of major sponsors GTT, the Ministry of Sport, the Guyana Olympic Association, Bounty Farm Ltd and received a donation of training vests from MVP Sports. Guyana will face tournament top seed and defending champions, USA, in their first match set for 11:30am today.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce confirmed for Diamond League’s Bislett Games in Oslo, July 1 Sportsmax - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is set to make her first appearance in a Diamond League race in Oslo on July 1. The four-time Diamond League champion will be chasing her 20th victory on the Diamond League circuit when she goes up against Marie Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast and Jamaican compatriot Natasha Morrison as well as the USA’s Javianne Oliver, who was second in the 100m at the USA Olympic trials last weekend. Fraser-Pryce is expected to come up against Morrison, who has run a season-best of 10.87, at the Jamaican national trials that began yesterday at the National Stadium in Kingston. The four-time world champion is
down to contest the 100m and 200m. The two-time Olympic 100m champion is the fastest woman in the world this following her 10.63 run at the Olympic Destiny Series meet in Kingston on June 5. It was a new national record and the first time she had ever run under 10.70 seconds. The 34-year-old also got her Wanda Diamond League campaign off to a strong start. In her two previous Diamond League meets this season, Fraser-Pryce was fourth in Gateshead and then won in Doha in her then season-best time of 10.84. As it is, Merlene Ottey’s stadium record of 10.88 is under threat.
younger generation in Japan
Naomi Osaka hopes to inspire younger generations and make Japan proud. Nextshark - Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka hopes to inspire younger generations and make her home country proud by winning an Olympic gold medal. Going for gold: The 23year-old athlete, who will
represent Japan during the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, told Business Insider that such a feat would mean the world to her. “To be able to win a gold on my country’s soil, knowing the youngest generation is watching — it
makes me emotional to know I have the opportunity to make an entire generation inspired and an entire country proud,” Osaka said. Born in Japan to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother, Osaka gave up her (Continued on page 25)
Veronica Campbell-Brown, who led Jamaica’s golden sprint revival, retires NBC Sports - Veronica CampbellBrown, who won back-to-back Olympic 200m titles to lead Jamaica’s ascent to the top of global sprinting, announced her retirement on the eve of her nation’s Olympic Trials. “As I take off my spikes never to put them on again, this girl from Clarks Town walks away happy and contented with a race well run,” was posted on the 39-year-old’s social media. “Through the grace of God, I have climbed from a small town in Trelawny, Jamaica up the ladder of success to become one of the most decorated women in the Olympic Games and World Championships history.” Campbell-Brown sprinted at five Olympics from 2000 to 2016, earning eight medals, one shy of the Olympic women’s track and field record. In 2004, she beat an 18-year-old Allyson Felix for gold in Athens, becoming Jamaica’s first Olympic flat sprint champion in 28
years. She repeated in 2008, again relegating Felix to silver. Campbell-Brown also excelled at 100m, winning a world title in 2007 and Olympic bronze medals in 2004 and 2012. She was honored with a statue in a park outside the National Stadium in Kingston, along with other champions from her era — Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Asafa Powell. Past Jamaican Olympic sprint legends Herb McKenley, Don Quarrie and Merlene Ottey were previously feted with statues. Campbell-Brown came from the same parish as Bolt and the same high school as Ottey. “I realized in primary school, around 10, that I had a chance,” Campbell-Brown said years ago. “I would run a lot, and I would win. I would beat the girls, I would beat the boys, and I realized there was something special about this gift that I had.”
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Friday June 25, 2021
England v Sri Lanka: Hosts wrap up T20 series with five-wicket win
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BC Sport E n g l a n d recovered from 36-4 to beat Sri Lanka by five wickets and win the series with a game to spare in a rain-affected second Twenty20 in Cardiff. After a 40-minute rain break at 69-4, England chased a revised 103 to win with 11 balls to spare. Sam Billings fell for 24, but Liam Livingstone, batting at six rather than opening like for Lancashire, hit 29*. Sri Lanka made 111-7, with Kusal Mendis making 39 and Mark Wood and Adil Rashid taking two wickets each. The final game in the three-match series takes place at the Ageas Bowl on Saturday. England impress in field England made two changes from their eightwicket win on Wednesday,
with Jos Buttler rested as a precaution with a calf strain, while David Willey, playing his first T20 international in more than two years, replaced Chris Woakes. Willey started well, but it was his new-ball partner Sam Curran who got the early breakthroughs as he ran out Danushka Gunathilaka with some nifty footwork, before Avishka Fernando picked out deep square leg. Mendis and Kusal Perera put on 50 for the third wicket, but in nine overs, as both struggled to find the boundary on the same pitch that was used on Wednesday. Adil Rashid, who ended with figures of 2-24, broke that partnership when he had Perera caught in the covers, before Mark Wood, who impressed in taking 2-18, dismissed Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella in
successive balls. Until the final over, when number eight Isuru Udana hit a four and six off Chris Jordan, Mendis was the only Sri Lankan to find the boundary. England were impressive with the ball and in the field, bowling 52 dot balls, while Sri Lanka became only the 16th team in history to fail to hit a boundary in the six-over powerplay, when they only reached 26-2. Billings & Livingstone aid World Cup case Having chased 130 with the minimum of fuss just 24 hours before, England’s chase was expected to be a formality but Jonny Bairstow was bowled in the second over by Binura Fernando before Dawid Malan was given out lbw on review. Malan, who is the number-one ranked T20 batsman in the world,
averages 48 in the format, but has struggled in 2021 against India and now in this series, with his average down at 26.50. Captain Eoin Morgan then cut a wide ball straight to point to leave the hosts 31-3 at the end of the powerplay - their lowest score in the six overs since 2015, and the first time they have lost three wickets in the spell in a home international since 2013. Their struggles continued as Jason Roy danced down the track and picked out long-on to leave them struggling at 36-4. B i l l i n g s a n d Livingstone, who are likely competing for one slot in England’s squad for the T20 World Cup due to take place in India in October, showed maturity and calmness before the rain break. Both manoeuvred the ball around before the rain
delay, before breaking the back of the 34 needed from six overs with a boundary apiece. Billings was bowled as he looked to cut Wanindu Hasaranga away, before Curran made 16 off eight deliveries, including hitting
Liam Livingstone was unbeaten as England got home after a wobble. (AFP/Getty Images)
a straight six to win the game. Scores: Sri Lanka 111-7 (20 overs): Mendis 39; Wood 2-18, Rashid 2-24; England 108-5 (16.1 overs): Livingstone 29*, Billings 24. Result: England won by five wickets on DLS method.
Casemiro scores late Brazil winner after controversial Firmino leveler against Colombia
Ten minutes of stoppage time were indicated after a lengthy stoppage while Colombia players remonstrated with the referee. (EPA)
BBC Sport - Casemiro scored deep into stoppage time to give hosts Brazil a controversial win over Colombia in the Copa America. An acrobatic volley by Luis Diaz gave Colombia an early lead in their final Group B game in Rio de Janeiro. Roberto Firmino’s late equaliser was allowed to stand despite the ball hitting the referee moments earlier, sparking lengthy protests by Colombia. And in the 10th minute of added time, Casemiro headed in from a Neymar corner to maintain Brazil’s 100% record. Brazil were struggling to draw level when Neymar’s wayward pass forward struck Nestor Pitana, who took charge of the 2018 World Cup final. The Argentine referee put his whistle to his mouth but allowed play to continue once Lucas Paqueta had played the ball wide to Renan Lodi, whose firsttime cross was headed in by Liverpool forward Firmino. There was a lengthy stoppage as Colombia players remonstrated with Pitana, before and after the
video assistant referee let the goal stand. The rules state that if the ball touches the referee and goes directly into the goal, results in a change of possession or a promising attack, a dropped ball should be awarded. Neymar’s pass would have been intercepted by a Colombia player had it not struck the referee, yet six seconds later the ball was in their goal. “It’s sad that with all the effort we made against one of the best teams in the world, we lost the match on a call like that,” said Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado, who crossed for Diaz’s stunning opener. “A referee with that much international experience, who’s refereed at the World Cup, makes a mistake and hurts the match. We never got past that play.” Despite the defeat, Colombia will still progress into the quarter-finals along with Brazil, who stretched their winning run to 10 games and have already qualified as group winners. The hosts play their final group game against Ecuador in Goiania on Sunday (22:00 BST).
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Warner Brothers, Slayers XI “Thanks for leading the way.” confirmed teams for playoffs Fraser-Pryce lauds retired VCB Warner Brothers and Slayers XI have confirmed their teams for playoffs of the We C a r e C o m m u n i t y S e r v i c e s a n d Promotions inaugural Independence InterRegion Softball Cup. The playoffs will be contested on Sunday at NOC ground, region two. Teams; Warner Brothers – David Lukenauth, Kishar Gangaram, Eon Hooper, Mahendra Singh, Andy, Narine, Martin Singh, Devin Haimchandraji, Chandrashekar Arjune, Bisham Permaul, Keion Sinclair, Anthony Arjune, Kishar Durga, Ramnarine Jugisteer and Randy Baichan. Slayers XI- Boventure Realine, Michael Mathura, Ricardo Christiani, Andre Seepersaud, Salim Janat, Devanand Persaud, Lincoln Leander, Vickram Sharinga, Mahendra Persaud, Marine Show, Avinash Jagasar, Asif Ousman and Avaskar Jagasar. There are over $200,000 in cash and other prizes to be awarded to the winner, runner-up and man-of-the-match in the final among other outstanding performers. The competition is also being supported by NOVAD Investments and Gen Contractors Computer Resources.
Carmeleta Gomes displays some of the prizes.
RAN Sevens 2021 set for October - GFRU signals interest to participate The Guyana Rugby Football Union, GRFU, has signaled its interest in participating in this year’s Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament, to be held in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event is slated to for October 16 & 17, at Meridian Fields. The two day event is open to all RAN Members and will also act as a qualification tournament for the World Rugby Challenger Series, which is scheduled for Q1 2022. The Guyana Rugby team, popularly know across the Caribbean as the ‘Green
Machine’ will be looking to exact revenge on arch rival Jamaica, who bested them in the last tournament. President of the rugby union, Mr Ryan Dey says preparation is being made for training to commence for eligible players. He noted that he looks forward for the National COVID-19 Task Force to greenlight local competition, in preparation for the much anticipated regional tournament. Presidents and coaches of the local clubs are asked to submit the names of five eligible players to the GRFU, by next Friday.
Reigning sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has paid tribute to Veronica Campbell-Brown.
SportsMax - Reigning sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has paid tribute to Veronica Campbell-Brown, who announced her retirement from the sport on Wednesday on the eve of her bid to qualify for a sixth Olympic Games. The 39-year-old VCB, the only woman to win a medal in five consecutive Olympics, in a post on social media said the time had come to hang up her spikes. “As I take off my spikes never to put them on again, this girl from Clarks Town, Trelawny, walks away happy and contented with a race well run,” VCB said in her post, indicating that a career as a mother, entrepreneur and motivational speaker awaits. In response, Fraser-Pryce, who like VCB is a two-time Olympic champion, thanked the track and field icon, who has
helped pave the way for so many other Jamaican women. “Thanks for leading the way @VCampbellBrown!! Carrying the torch and continuing the legacy for Jamaica,” the Pocket Rocket tweeted Wednesday. Fraser-Pryce was a member of Jamaica’s team to the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan where she was a relay alternate. However, the following year, VCB effectively passed the torch to Fraser-Pryce when the latter booked her place on Jamaica’s team to the Beijing Olympics, by finishing second at the national championships in Kingston, clocking 10.82. VCB was fourth in 10.88. Since then, Frater Pryce has been Jamaica’s leading female sprinter winning Olympic 100m titles in 2008 and 2012 as well as four World titles in the 100m.