Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR

GLSC Head Trevor Benn says... Saturday Edition

Jagdeo in possession of stolen Lands and Surveys documents ...Police called in

June 29, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 25

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Price $80

Online readership yesterday 99,405

Lands and Surveys Commissioner provides facts on Opposition Leader's land-grabbing claims Charles Ceres to take Jagdeo to court

Minimally invasive brain aneurysm surgery successful - First of its at GPHC kind locally

Man remanded for stealing brother's ducks Labels on Guyana's rums to soon have health warnings Gas prices reduced at GUYOIL pumps

Neurosurgeon Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi with the patient Paula Sampson and her son at the GPHC

GECOM Chairman replacement...

CJIA sexual assault allegations...

Airport official Exhaust all options at home before looking back on job, female abroad - WPA accuser remains off

Work obligation for Guyana's oil blocks almost nothing by industry standards - University of Houston Instructor

Kaieteur News

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Saturday June 29, 2019

Two Skyvans arrive for Army T

wo Skyvans for the army have arrived in the country. According to officials, the aircraft landed on Thursday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and were given the traditional water salute with the use of fire engines.

In May last year, the Government secured Parliamentary approval for an additional $484M representing final payment towards the purchase of four

fixed-wing aircraft – two Islanders and two Skyvans – for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The two Islanders are here, but have not been put into full operation as yet.

Former Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had told the National Assembly last year that the Islanders were first manufactured in 1976 while Skyvans were first manufactured in 1977.

Both models are no longer being manufactured.

The two aircraft being given a water salute on arrival at CJIA.

The Minister disclosed that the Skyvans, which were being used for troop transport and parachuting are being brought from Belgium through Liberty Aviation, an American company that operates from North Carolina.

The Islanders, according to Harmon, were purchased from Brazil who utilised the planes for passenger and cargo services.

“The Skyvans and Islanders are aircraft that people who have them don't sell them. It's like having a Rolls-Royce,” Harmon stated to justify the purchase of the aircraft.

Harmon pointed out that while they are not being produced, there are many countries around the world that operate these aircraft and therefore spares are not an issue; training is not an

issue.

“They are sought after aircraft because of the capability. They allow for short take off and landing.

They allow for the use of the type of airstrips which we have in Guyana; 90% of which are short types of airstrips. Therefore, these two types of aircraft are specifically suited for those circumstances,” Harmon had explained.

The Minister had stated that there are seven fully trained and certified engineers for the aircraft.

Training, according to Harmon, was done by the original aircraft and engine manufacturers.

He explained that while the aircraft will be assigned to the GDF, other joint services agencies will have access, specifically on (continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 29, 2019

PAGE 03

GLSC Head Trevor Benn says... Jagdeo in possession of stolen

Lands and Surveys documents ...Police called in T

he Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) has called in the police to conduct a formal in v es tig atio n in to th e acquisition of several documents noted to be property of the Commission, which are in the possession of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

During a press conference last Thursday, Jagdeo attempted to implicate several persons, whom he claimed were affiliated with government, in what he presented to the press as a massive doling out of thousands of acres of State lands in the six months after the No Confidence Vote.

Commissioner of GLSC, Trevor Benn, held a press conference yesterday, during which he refuted several of the accusations Jagdeo made.

What is striking to the Commissioner is the fact that Jagdeo conducted his presentation using several documents which are the Commission's property.

According to Benn, there is no record at the GLSC that those documents were requested or paid for.

“What is irresponsible

and reprehensible is when these personalities corrupt our staff to seek to gain political advantage.”

Benn told reporters that when he assumed leadership of the Commission, several attempts were made to increase the quality of service provided by the body, and to mitigate the likelihood of corruption.

“At the Commission, we exercise zero tolerance for corruption and our record speaks for itself. However, unfounded allegations of corruption continue to be levelled against me. I challenge anyone to come forward with evidence that would implicate me in any corrupt activity.”

While he said he can vouch that he is not corrupt, he said that he could not vouch for his staff.

But he said that the efforts by the Commission are being undermined by irresponsible persons in public office.

“Evidence of the Commission's property being on display at the press conference yesterday without any records in the commission to show payment was made for those properties, is clear evidence of how our staff is being

corrupted,” Benn said.

Asked whether he considers the documents stolen, “If you receive property that you didn't earn or was not formally given to you, how do you describe that? I don't know how else you describe that other than stolen. We have a system here [that] if you want to have copies of documents, that you can come and get it.”

He introduced the team of the GLSC to reporters yesterday. They were all seated, throughout the press conference “None of my officers who [are] seated here can attest to any requests being made to us,” Benn stated.

“And this is why I'm saying there are attempts being made to corrupt our staff.”

“It is no secret that we are operating in a very hostile environment. Some of our staff members are known to be in collusion with powerful forces to take control of the land and we are not going to allow it to happen, at least, not under my watch.”

The Commissioner called on the police to inquire about how the documents got into Jagdeo's

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo with two of the documents displayed on the wall behind him possession.

“It is against our HR Policy for staff members to be divulging information that they may come into contact with during work.

Staff members who are found to be in breach of this

Trial imminent for Captains in Mazaruni River crash that left 10 dead

O

n January 22, 2013, a boat accident in the Mazaruni River left 10 persons dead.

Now, six years later, the boat captains who were involved in the accident have been listed to go on trial for manslaughter.

They will appear at the ongoing session of the Essequibo criminal assizes at the High Court in Essequibo.

A c c o r d i n g t o information published by the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Devon Thomas called 'Beast' and Cabesh Persaud, called 'Dube,' have each been indicted on 10 counts of manslaughter.

Deon Moses, Ulrick Grimes, Christopher Ramnarine, Zahir Baksh, Brazilian National Francisco Olivera Alves, Kevon Ambrose, Keanu Amsterdam and his brother Ricky Bobb, Jermanie Calisto, and Jewan Seeram

are those who perished in the mishap.

It is alleged that on January 22, 2013, while being the captains of two travelling speedboats, Thomas and Persaud, killed 10 occupants who had been

on board the vessels, in an incident that occurred at Crab Falls in the Mazaruni River.

Based on reports, Thomas, the captain of the vessel called 'Matheran' which was carrying 13

persons and Persaud, the captain of another vessel called 'Dube', carrying six passengers, were traversing at Crab Falls in the Mazaruni River, when the boats collided, causing the deaths of the 10 persons.

policy will be condignly dealt with.”

He added that the

Commission will be guided by the findings and the actions of the police.

PAGE 4

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

How can Guyana go anywhere?

More and more, Guyana assumes the appearance and character of a thoroughly backward place. If that is considered too demeaning, then upside down is offered in efforts at soothing wounded national pride. Whatever remains of it.Yet the facts on the ground, as substantiated by the thought patterns swirling and taking root in the head, the unmoving outlooks of an overwhelming majority of citizens confirm an established fact: in this society, and almost everywhere in between, the few that strive mightily to turn the tide find themselves under attack. Be it race or corruption or standards; police or elections.

In sum: once prized untouchability of character, of conduct, of a certain kind of rare code, has been made to transform into the most wicked of negativities. There is nothing honourable around here anymore; the definition of honourable itself is open to all manner of intellectual sword-fencing and shared hypocrisies.

There are very few who rise to the level of the virtuous here; the chronically unprincipled visualise only evil motives in the hearts of those seeking to walk along a straight and narrow line; a mined, treacherous undertaking for the hardy of soul, the steely of sinew. It can be discouraging to the few, who hold the bridge. Virtue is vice of the worst sort; unforgivable in the eyes of the thwarted and exposed.

The many made to look miserably small and the meanest of misfits retaliate. The powerful in Guyana are not deterred by any absence of basis. They manufacture; agents rush to prostitute themselves in obedience. Thus, the Guyanese day rains through unrelenting assault on the conscientious and honourable. A reckoning comes. Hard lessons delivered.

It is that solitary bridgebuilder ignored (even despised), that clean cop disdained (even ostracized), that upright public servant disbelieved (even ridiculed) the few unsung toilers and the fewer unscarred citizens, who struggle against the cesspools of naysayers and saboteurs to personify and deliver an immaculate sheet and unimpeachable record of servanthood that are made leprous and stigmatised.Enormous swathes of this troubled, soulless society could be what Mark Twain once said of the jury system: it has placed “a ban upon intelligence and honesty, and a premium upon ignorance, stupidity and perjury.” Look closely. If that is not, to an overpowering degree, the Guyana of today, then what else is it? In all of its countless warts and scales and oozes?

As the Wall Street Journal once remarked on the cinematic version of that greatest (but misnamed) of American novels, The Great Gatsby: “it’s a spectacle in search of a soul.” To that, one could accurately add, a circus celebrating the macabre, piteous, foolishness of the treacherous and corrupted and utterly dirty desperately trying to prove that they are not what they appear to be.

The mere trying only adds to the overwhelming deceptions and calumnies. The professional ranks, the commercial universes, and the sprawling political and social barracks are all addicted to devastating that which is clean, progressive, and ethical.

Damn any who dare to stand in their way. Get them.

Taint them. Question them and implicate them from the shadows and through subtlety. Many are the droppings of malicious Harpies that spew forth.

The well-learned should recall one John Wilkes. He was an 18th century American politician and universal rake, who was quick and loud in appointing himself a champion of the people. Tellingly and now familiarly (to Guyanese) he succeeded in making a corrupt living through attacking corrupt activities in others. This is part of a growing trend domestically: wrap self in the silk of respectability of denouncing thievery as a camouflage for one’s own continuing roguery.Clean living invariably leads to revilement and persecution; a steely few remain committed to serving through the discouraging; Pyrrhic badges are earned in fields where honour matters not. The wiser shrink and flee from anything associated with public service. Or being near this society.

The use of legal force to muzzle an independent media entity is absolutely repugnant DEAR EDITOR, On June 27, it was reported by the Kaieteur News that PPP former president Donald Ramotar has moved to the courts in an attempt to silence that newspaper with regard to reports of the granting of oil licences. Editor, such actions are unacceptable.

Former President Ramotar, while in office, had given licences to two companies, JHI and Mid Atlantic to

operate in the Canje oil block in March 2015. Incredibly, neither of the two companies has any demonstrated experience in any sort of oil extraction processes, let alone the massive technical matter of deep-water oil operations.

The Kaieteur News simply reported the facts.

Therefore, for a former president to attempt to use legal force to muzzle an independent media entity is absolutely repugnant. Of course,

the anti-democratic nature of the PPP is well established; one need only remember the prorogation and suspension of parliamentary democracy under the Donald Ramotar regime.

The fact is that the matter reported by Kaieteur News is of massive national interest.

The issues reported, also, call into question the judgement of past and current PPP leaders, and call at issue their concern for the welfare and

wellbeing of ordinary Guyanese.

The entire matter, from the granting of the licences to the attempt to gag an independent newspaper, brings to the fore the questions of whether or not the PPP can ever be trusted to govern Guyana again? After all, if one is honest, does one need to try to fight an independent newspaper?

Sincerely, Mark DaCosta

NO RIGHTING OF WRONGS THROUGH THE DANGEROUS JAUNDICED EYES OF ETHNICITY DEAR EDITOR, It has to be the first time in the known history of the very senior echelons of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) that such senior a rank as a deputy commissioner of police has been sent on administrative leave pending investigations into allegations levelled against such a rank.

Indeed, these allegations are very serious, and if at the end of the current inquiry process now underway, it is found that they are credible, and substantive in both substance and proof, then it is expected that the necessary protocols are going to be activated, to have this officer removed from the police force.

However, there is an attribute, always noticeable, and which constantly reared its head in these particular situations, it seems, given Guyana’s polarized society.

One would have noticed the rush of comments from citizens in general, but more so from the East Berbice Corentyne, where this officer had once been based, demanding immediate action, after the whistleblowers’ rev-

elation. The latter category must be commended; but the fact that they spoke out, is testimony to their awareness that there are ongoing efforts to create a new kind of police force, with one of the objectives being to remove corrupt elements from within its precincts.

Editor, it is the right of every law-abiding citizen, who believes that the law must at all times be upheld, and that those who are its sworn representatives, be seen to carry out this important imperative, be of the highest integrity at all times.

In that regard, none must be faulted in this important demand of their police force, and its administrators.

However, it would seem that this expectation is subjected to ethnic consideration – which side of the latter is the alleged wrongdoer. I say this, without fear or favour, in referring to the case of the former SWAT Team Commander who was caught in a vehicle with what was reported to be contraband liquor, in a jurisdiction, at a time when he had not sought permission to be away from his

city base.

As far as is known, there were steps taken to investigate this officer who, based on a press reports, seemed to have had enjoyed the benefits of the intervention of former president Ramotar, pertaining to matters of a disciplinary nature.

The marked feature of this SWAT Team Commander’s matter was that during the early phase of investigation, there were numerous phone calls to the Minister of Public Security, requesting that “he be given a chance”, as reported by the former, in the media. However, there was never a voice that sought to question the conduct of that officer, much less to reprimand, despite the very strong evidence that pointed to an offence.

Editor, this is the dilemma of this kind of country where race is the measuring rod in determining which side of the divide must be excused or not.

In fact, in the former SWAT officer’s case, even Anil Nandlall was objecting to the manner of the officer being sent on leave, citing that it was a matter that should have

received the attention of the Police Service Commission. If memory serves well, that constitutional body was not in place at that material time.

To those, whose voices were raised, demanding that the allegations against Deputy Commissioner of Police Alves be investigated, they must be commended for their prompt social diligence.

But their hypocrisy has been exposed to stifling stinking levels, as a result of their deafening silence in the case of the former SWAT Team Commander, and in other matters that involve former senior officials of the PPP/C. No society, irrespective of whatever socio-political stresses that prevails, must adjudicate on matters that pertain to the integrity of its national senior decision makers, through the lens of obvious ethnicity.

It is a wholly cock-eyed and dangerously jaundiced lens for seeking to correct the wrongs/corrupt practices that still bedevil our society. Further, it is a recipe for an ugly kind of state that is immoral.

Regards Carla Mendonca

Guyana’s future is Nigeria’s past and present DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese who are waiting on the great oil wealth to solve all their problems should study the last 5 decades of Nigeria’s promise of their great oil wealth, and if these Guyanese have any thinking ability, would soon realise they are on a doomsday train with tracks running out.

In oil blocks, contracts and concessions give away, Guyana just like Nigeria have already lost close to US$ 5 billion without any oil production as yet. The exploiters of Nigeria’s oil wealth bribed politicians with a few millions of dollars, gave them and their families safe passage out of the country, to turn a blind eye to principles and laws of the

sovereign protection of Nigeria, while the exploiters made off with the hog of the oil wealth (coming soon to Guyana, some have allegedly already begun). Only foreign companies and their subsidiary companies, not the locals, will get the affiliated opportunities from oil.

Many of these Foreign Companies have committed fraud and other crimes in other countries and cannot practice their business in countries with strict laws, so just like Nigeria, Guyana’s lax laws, unenforceable regulations and easily bribed politicians will provide the perfect money windfall for them.

Nigeria was a lush rich natural green land, with abundance of marine life and

an agricultural powerhouse, now oil pollution plus mining pollution, has resulted, in less and low quality fish, fruits and other agricultural produce (coming soon to Guyana, some have allegedly already begun).

With the influx of foreigners and foreign products, the local Guyana is all, but gone, Guyana once called a breadbasket is now importing lime and fever grass among other things, the recent generation of Guyanese now complains, they now live in a foreign country and can’t even hear their own language anymore.

This migration happened to Nigeria in their so-called oil boom; it brought more problems than benefits. The local agro economy, which

people produced for consumption and local markets, mostly disappeared with Nigeria’s oil production, in Guyana some people were able to subsidize their family income in local markets producing/selling local agro produce as a side business where they were able to subsidized their family income.

With foreign supermarkets opening all over Guyana this income will be gone. With oil wealth only going to a few in Nigeria, the masses became poorer, hence the only way to survive was to be part of an armed gang taking from others, mostly from their own people (coming soon to Guyana, some have allegedly already (Continued on page 6)

Saturday June 29, 2019

Granger, APNU+AFC have gone silent, ‘dissing’ CCJ – The world must condemn them DEAR EDITOR, It is coming up to two weeks since the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) made its definitive rulings - James Patterson was an illegal Chairman of GECOM, the No-Confidence Motion of December 21, 2018 was valid, the government was resigned by the parliament as of that date (it was not an option), the elections were supposed to be held by March 21, 2019; therefore, the government stands illegal today. The CCJ made it clear that it will issue consequential orders, based on the constitution, but gave the political stakeholders a week for dialogue before it issued those consequential orders.

The Granger-led APNU+AFC failed to initiate any dialogue.

The CCJ, after one week, met with the stakeholders and gave another almost three weeks for dialogue and hopefully avoid consequential orders from the CCJ. No such dialogue has occurred, even five days after the CCJ extended the dialogue period, and now more than two weeks since the rulings. It is an open, brazen contempt for the CCJ. The onus is on David Granger, the caretaker President, to initiate the dialogue.

The CCJ last Monday (June 24) heard Granger’s legal representative blatantly lied that the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, failed to respond to Granger’s invitation for dialogue. The CCJ is in

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

receipt of Granger’s letter, which simply informed Jagdeo that Granger will meet him after the consequential orders were issued on June 24. Thus, Granger, in writing, ‘dissed’ the CCJ, which offered the week between its ruling and June 24th for dialogue and, hopefully, agreement. But Granger arrogantly ignored the CCJ, only offering a meeting after the CCJ’s consequential orders.

On June 24, the CCJ, expressing its disappointment no dialogue occurred, gave another almost three weeks for constructive dialogue before it issues consequential orders. Based on the CCJ’s extended time, and not wanting to wait on Granger, the Leader of the Opposition immediately issued a letter informing Granger of his willingness and availability any time, even to meet every single day, anywhere, to seek a consensus way forward, avoiding CCJ’s consequential orders. It is now more than five days since the Leader of the Opposition wrote David Granger as the caretaker President. No response yet, ‘nada’, no word.

Granger and APNU+AFC have gone silent, totally silent. Their silence speaks loudly, signifying their defiance of the CCJ. Some of their sycophants have argued that Granger and APNU+AFC have initiated consequential actions, citing the demitting of office of Patterson, as GECOM’s Chair.

But Patterson was fired by the CCJ and Guyana’s constitution. It was not up to him to remain at GECOM and it was not up to Granger to fire him.

He was fired from the moment the CCJ issued its ruling. Had he stayed, he would have ignored the law and he would have been an imposter, which he was in any case since his appointment.

While Patterson was comfortable in his role as an imposter at GECOM, it was asking him to go too far in ignoring the CCJ. While he is aware that Granger is acting as a dictator and as a King, Patterson was not comfortable in personally ‘dissing’ the CCJ. That Patterson walked has nothing to do with Granger and APNU+AFC complying with the CCJ’s rulings.

Local stakeholders have urged the political parties to dialogue and give effect to the constitution and to the CCJ’s rulings.

Local stakeholders want the political parties to come up with consequential remedies and not be forced by CCJ consequential orders.

Even partners in the Coalition have urged timely action for the appointment of a new GECOM Chair and for elections within three months, in accordance with the constitution.

The trade unions have called on the political parties, the private sector has similarly done so. But the (Continued on page 6)

A suitable GECOM Chair Candidate could be elusive if ‘perfection’ is being sought after DEAR EDITOR, All eyes are now focused on who will be the picked for the new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

The choice of a Candidate could be elusive if ‘perfection’ is what is being sought after. The eighteen names proposed earlier by the Opposition Leader contained names of individuals who may not have been ‘perfect’ but who in my respectful view are not without honour and integrity.

All of that is now water under the bridge. The imperative is to move on and come up with a new list of names not unacceptable to the President.This is why the recommendation by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for a ‘consensual’ approach involving the Leader of the Opposition and President Granger in the search of a suitable Candidate has considerable merit.

This methodology will address the criterion of some-

one acceptable to the President while at the same time dispensing with the need to go beyond a first submission as was previously the case.

The constitutional clock is ticking and time is of the essence. Any further delay in the appointment of a Chair, apart from impeding the work of GECOM, will result in further harm to the body politic and to our image as a law governed and rules-based society.

Hydar Ally

What is stopping us from showing love to each other?

DEAR EDITOR, In my view, the world is the way it is today because of the influence of Satan. For those of us who believe in God and Jesus Christ, we also believe in the existence of Satan.

Satan has got people all over the world fearful of each other. To overcome fear, you need love.

Even where I live, people lead isolated lives and are unable to trust each other.

So what is stopping us from showing each other that we love one another? Is it fear

of being ridiculed and laughed at or is it pride?

Nowhere in the Christian Bible does it teach that Jesus’ Second Coming will bring about peace. What it does teach is that there will be trials and tribulations.

Why is it necessary to have these trials and tribulations?

So that ‘Good people’ can be rewarded for their deeds.

It is a way of separating the good from the professed good.

In the mean time, what is

the ordinary person supposed to do in a world conquered by Satan/evil?

Understand that there is hope through Jesus Christ and God will deliver us from the temptations of evil so that we learn to trust and love again.

Yours faithfully Sean Ori

PAGE 6

NOTHING LESS THAN EVIDENCEBASED FACTS WILL SUFFICE DEAR EDITOR, Obfuscation surrounds the statement from the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Mr. Trevor Benn who at a press conference on Friday assured the nation that he was not personally involved in any corrupt land transactions.

But is that the point? Former President Bharat Jagdeo highlighted some serious issues with regards to the mad haste to transfer State Lands using the machinery of the GLSC after the passage of the No-Confidence Motion on December 21, 2018. His statements are principally against the political influence on the leadership of the GLSC and how it is being used to allow people who are using their official positions to influence personal gains for themselves. Transparency International defines such a practice as plain and simple - corruption. The person Mr. Jagdeo seems to be holding singularly accountable for the state of affairs on these shady land transfers is Mr. Granger.

So, I see no reason for Mr.

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Benn to get hot under the collar.

At best, Mr. Benn should have come with his maps, his dates and his facts to help Mr. Granger prove Mr. Jagdeo incorrect and this he did not.

Rather he totally skirts around the crux of the matter in an effort to play down and distort what Mr. Jagdeo is saying.

And for dessert, he took the opportunity to inject politics into the matter which unfortunately placed Mr. Benn in a political position. Is Mr. Benn who was a former senior leader in the YSM, the youth arm of the PNC, reverting to his old role and has decided to throw professionalism to the wind?

It is extremely important to this nation that Mr. Benn refute all of these claims by Mr. Jagdeo factually, item by item in a surgical fashion. Nothing else but countering evidence-based facts will remove the perception now that the decision making process at the GLSC is corrupt. So this smokescreen of calling in the police is not helping Mr. Benn, rather it illustrates a feature in many Government of Guyana

when caught in a corruption probe, they put on their battle fatigue and in the most gruesome fashion, comments a cover-up operation by blaming all and sundry but themselves for the financial and administrative skullduggery unearthed. So, if Mr. Benn wants to help Mr. Granger, he better get down to work or shut up.

In the final analysis, Mr. Benn’s press conference was nothing else but a decoy that causes the facts to be lost in a scramble to get his points over without competently addressing the issues raised

by Mr. Jagdeo. It is unfortunately that Mr. Jagdeo information had to be met with disinformation by Mr. Benn since Guyana is now forced to choose sides based on the information in the public domain and from the way it is being assessed, Mr. Jagdeo’s information with his maps and dates is more authentic than Mr. Benn who came to the press conference totally unprepared.

I expected better from Mr. Benn.

Lisa Ally

I predict that in the coming days all efforts to discredit the GPF will intensify DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Police Force is under attack now more than at any other time in its history, and everyone and his dog is taking a bite. I would like to express a few thoughts about the current happenings. First Deputy Commissioner Alves is being tried and judged in the media. These daily doses of sweeping allegations are dispensed to a populace eager for any and every bit of sensationalism sometimes as an escape from their own realities.

Editor I will be blunt, I do not for one moment believe that Alves uttered words to the effect that the President sent him anywhere. I see a hidden manipulating hand behind all these leakages in much the same way there was a concerted attack upon former Commissioner Felix.

And the way I see it is that anyone with ulterior motives especially the disgruntled, would seize and capitalise upon the fact that Alves is a former head of the Presidential Guard, and weave it into their fabric of misrepresentation and outright distortions.

I do not see Alves spouting that claim.

In their attempts to discredit and bury the man, his daughter is dragged into the fray with insinuations that he interfered with a traffic investigation when the evidence would show that the deceased child ran into the path of the motorcar driven by Alves’ daughter.

The Director of Public Prosecutions recommended an inquest be held into the matter.

Editor, it takes no great stretch of imagination to see that there is an organised attack on the hierarchy of the GPF. One has to wonder if the dots connect to a wider plan to discredit President Granger because it was he who picked the current leadership line-up, or so I was led to believe.

During Alves time as Commander of ‘B’ Division, he achieved a significant decrease in serious crimes, a fact that begs the obvious question.

Moving on Editor, there are a few serving senior functionaries who can best be described as disgruntled at the way they were treated after the Coalition assumed office.

It is my belief that among them

are a few elements whose thirst for vengeance against the Force administration will not be easily slaked. Theirs is a cry for blood, nothing less, and they care not by what means.

As we are on the subject of corruption, we might as well inquire into who allegedly is an abuser or a female inspector stationed on the East Coast; next we might wish to check on who solicits sexual favours from female recruits.

We can go on forever, let us inquire into who drove a man wanted for murder (now fighting extradition in the US), to the airport after the crime was committed.

Editor, I predict that in the coming days, all efforts to discredit the GPF will be intensified to sow discord to damage the morale of the officers and ranks, and as a consequence affect their ability to respond to threats of destabilisation.

I am all for a professional investigation. I am also all for the adage, which says ‘when you dig a hole for someone, dig one for yourself’.

Yours faithfully Allister McClean

begun).

Nigeria with its so-called oil wealth, somehow, became one of the most corrupt and lawless country in the world, with senior military and police taking bribe, not to uphold the law, while politicians, signing agreements on behalf of Nigeria, took their pittance bribery money, sold the country out, then fled to nicer lands (coming soon to Guyana, some have allegedly already begun).

The under the table, bypassing parliament way,

property in Guyana, easily predict what Guyana will become, while the masses wait for this so called oil wealth.

Nigeria’s educated population couldn’t find jobs with their education and training, si n c e t h e o i l industry only hired a few people with specific skills, thus they became some of the world’s best scammers and con artists using the training from their p o s t - s e c o n d a r y education(coming soon to Guyana, some have allegedly

Nigeria as a comparison to Guyana’s new future, for although t h e y m a y b e differences between the countries like demographics etc. is that they both are trading away their Blessed Green Gold for the Polluted Black Gold, without sensible management or balance. So is there anyone or group of people who can, and will change the future of Guyana, which I just described to something better?

R. David

A non-Guyanese for GECOM Chair of statesmanship. WPA, Guyana’s future is Nigeria’s past and... again urges the should be a last resort therefore, business is done with state already begun). I choose leaders to rise to the occa- From page 4

DEAR EDITOR, WPA notes the apparent uncertainty over the procedure to be used in selecting a new chairperson of GECOM. It is critical for the deliberations by the parties to be guided by the court’s apparent embrace of consensus as the preferred mode of behaviour. WPA has already opined that the CCJ seems inclined to have the two sides come to a consensus rather than the court becoming unnecessarily entangled in the country’s politics via the issuing of consequential orders. It is our party’s view that the court may be cognizant of the risk of over-reach that accompanies consequential orders. Courts generally have been very reluctant to issue such orders given the risk of breaching the wall that separates the branches of government as part of the doctrine of separation of powers.

It is against this background that WPA reads the CCJ’s advice in relation to the appointment of the GECOM chair. Our understanding is that the CCJ has proposed a modification of the current formulae by requiring the two leaders to jointly participate in the compilation of a list of six nominees from which the president would eventually choose the chairperson in keeping with his constitutional mandate. WPA views this as a more acceptable approach since it greatly reduces, if not eliminate, the scope for unilateralism by both the president and the opposition leader.

But, the success of this approach assumes good faith on the part of the leaders. It requires them to find ways to subordinate their hardcore partisan interests to the greater good of the country.

This is ultimately the true test

sion—there must be some degree of give-and-take. Failure to arrive at a consensus could further hold up the preparations for elections, heighten existing tensions or force the court to intervene in a manner that could be interpreted as judicial overreach.

For the WPA, another key to the workability of the formulae is avoidance of the temptation to “pack” the list with candidates that are overtly aligned to the political parties or are openly hostile to them. This would be a non-starter. Although WPA prefers the leaders to jointly agree to all six candidates, it would have no objection to them each nominating three.

Finally, WPA notes the Opposition Leader’s suggestion that non-Guyanese Commonwealth citizens be considered for the position.

While it is an attractive proposal, WPA thinks it should be a last resort. We should exhaust all options at home before looking abroad. If the suggestion is embraced as a first resort, it would send the wrong message to Guyanese about our leaders’ confidence in their ability to be impartial and just. Ultimately, it is the will of the political leaders that is being tested.

David Hinds For WPA Executive

Granger, APNU+AFC have gone silent, ‘dissing’ CCJ – The world ...

From page 5 government remains silent, unmoved.

The ABCE countries have been forceful and quick in urging compliance with the CCJ. Disappointingly, CARICOM remains totally silent. Anytime Guyana is in need of support from CARICOM, CARICOM chooses to be MIA, missing in action.

CARICOM which boasts it has always stood on the side of democracy for developing countries, never once has stood up for democracy in Guyana.

In any case, the appeal from the ABCE countries simi-

larly have fallen on deaf ears when it comes to Granger and APNU+AFC. The time has come for all those who stand for true democracy to speak up, stand up for right.

As of this time and per the problem we face, the Leader of the Opposition and the PPP have shown patience and their readiness to engage Granger and APNU+AFC. The time is now for all stakeholders to demand Granger meet with the Leader of the Opposition to select a GECOM Chair, even if an interim Chair, and to decide on an election date sooner than later, keeping in mind the con-

stitutional requirement of three months, which expired since March 21st. The three months timeline has to be a non-negotiable timeline, since the government has already run down the clock and illegally held on to power for more than three months already.

We must call a spade a spade.

Granger and APNU+AFC ‘dissed’ the parliament and the constitution, ‘dissed’ the Chief Justice and the High Court and now is ‘dissing’ the CCJ. We are officially in a dictatorship. Surely, none of us wants this.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Saturday June 29, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Charles Ceres to take Jagdeo to court

Businessman and prominent engineer Charles Ceres has announced that he intends to take Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to Court over claims he made against Ceres at a press conference last Thursday.

The Opposition Leader attempted to implicate Ceres in what appeared to be a massive land-grabbing scheme by the government of thousands of acres of land through the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), following the No Confidence Motion.

Ceres told members of the media yesterday “I intend to have a suit filed against him for him to retract that statement, and all of the people who have made that statement.”

The Opposition Leader had cast the situation as an attempt to steal state assets for personal benefit in the oil sector as, during his intended exposé, he said that the individuals he mentioned could perhaps sell land to oil companies. He’d added that if any of these lands are resold to oil companies, a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government would treat those as stolen assets.

In an attempt to link Ceres to President David Granger, Jagdeo had said that Ndibi Schwiers, wife to Ceres, works at the Department of the Environment which comes under the Ministry of the Presidency.

To this, Ceres said “I don’t work for the government of Guyana.”

Providing file numbers for the businessman’s land allocations to be sourced, Jagdeo stated that Ceres got 1,297.1 acres in the Canje Creek, Re-

gion Six, and 112 acres in Bohemia, Region Six. He said that Ceres got a further 5,000 acres, but did not say where the land is located, and another plot of land at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, for which no further details were provided.

Commissioner of Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Trevor Benn, held a press conference yesterday to respond to the claims made by Jagdeo. He had responded to Jagdeo’s claims immediately after the press conference, calling it distasteful misinformation.

Benn addressed the claims made against several of the persons Jagdeo had mentioned, asking reporters to be respectful of the confidentiality of GLSC’s clients, for information not shared at the press briefing.

He only said that Ceres had obtained land at Liliendaal, Turkeyen, and that when this government took office, most of the land in that area had already been given out to persons with low fees.

He added that, for the land Ceres was allocated, he was paying much higher fees than many others in the area in control of larger tracts of land.

Nearing the end of the press conference, Ceres came to speak for himself. He provided a lengthy account to members of the media, accompanied with documents to verify his leases, and made several statements about land allocations by the previous PPP government, particularly during Jagdeo’s tenure as President.

While Jagdeo claimed four separate allocations were made to Ceres, the businessman categorically refuted

Businessman, Charles Ceres that, providing that he was only allocated two plots of land.

The first tract was of 1,297.12 acres in the Canje Creek Area. Ceres provided photocopies of a letter from former Manager of the Land Administration Department of GLSC, Devrajh Brijraj, to Ceres.

It shows that the businessman’s application to lease the land was approved since November 8, 2004.

Ceres further stated that he relinquished the lease to the 1,297.12 acres of land in the Canje area, since several part-

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

ners on the lease were unable to afford the development costs, and he was unwilling to absorb the costs.

Kaieteur News is in possession of two letters which detail his correspondence with Commissioner Benn in 2017, when he requested the relinquishment.

Ceres added that the PPP, under Jagdeo and former President Donald Ramotar, granted land to China Paper

for $50 per acre per year, while he paid $1,000 per acre per year for land in the Canje Creek up to the time of relinquishment.

The second tract Ceres was allocated is of 4.5 acres of land, which was granted to Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Incorporated (GSEC), a company owned by Ceres and his children. The Liliendaal tract, according to a photocopy of a GLSC docu-

ment (File no. 413342) provided by Ceres, was applied for on April 3, 2017 and approved on June 9, 2017 for work to commence with effect from May 1, 2017.

Ceres was keen to note that the circumstances of this allocation are on public record, as he delivered a copy of his documents to the Opposition Leader’s office before he approached the press at GLSC. Ceres noted that he pays $200,000 per acre per year on that land, which is being beneficially utilised as dictated by the terms of the lease.

Ceres said that he paid more per acre for land in Liliendaal which was reclaimed from swamplands, than Jagdeo and others had paid for lands “developed at the expense of taxpayers for their lands in Pradoville 1 and 2”.

During his meeting with reporters yesterday, Ceres said that Jagdeo should be upfront with him.

“So if Bharrat wants to know anything about me, he can call me. I welcome his call.” Ceres said.

PAGE 8

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Lands and Surveys Commissioner provides facts on Jagdeo’s land-grabbing claims Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Trevor Benn, made strong refutations to the claims made by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo that there was a massive landgrabbing scheme during the six months following the No Confidence Motion.

For several months, the Opposition Leader has been making unfounded claims about land giveaways, but he brought illustrations with him, last Thursday. Those illustrations in Jagdeo’s possession are, according to Benn, stolen, because there are no records showing that they were requested or paid for.

Benn indicated to the press that the police are expected to mount an investigation to determine the nature of the acquisition of those documents. Staffers of the commission are likely to be implicated in that investigation.

Benn stated yesterday

that the persons who are complicit in corruption are known, and that the commission will take action according to police findings.

The Opposition Leader made a series of accusations of several persons, whom he claimed are affiliated with government, providing varying amounts of details on each case. (Further details on those accusations can be read in our June 28, 2019 edition or online, under the headline: “Jagdeo claims massive land giveaway, Lands and Survey refutes it”.)

After the allegations were made, Benn had responded swiftly, labeling Jagdeo’s claims as misinformation.

During a press conference yesterday, he sought to refute the claims made by Jagdeo, and to provide information as liberally as his clients would allow.

In addressing the claims, he noted that he could not have spoken on every single claim Jagdeo made, since the confidentiality of those persons must be respected. But of the details given, he explained that those individuals had already contacted the commission, granting permission for the information to be shared.

ERIC PHILLIPS First, he addressed Jagdeo’s claim of lands being allocated to Special Assistant to the State Assets Recovery

Agency (SARA), Eric Phillips.

“I want to say very clearly that, as Commissioner, I had nothing to do with the approval of Mr. Eric Phillips’ lands. It came long before my time.”

In a release, Phillips has indicated that he will file a complaint with the police, because the manner in which the Opposition Leader obtained his file from GLSC is “criminal”.

KEITH LOWENFIELD On Jagdeo’s claim of Keith Lowenfield, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s Chief Elections Officer, being allocated lands, Benn said that he was given permission to say that the application in question included four persons; that it was headed by Charles Ceres, not Lowenfield. Jagdeo had said that he hopes Lowenfield wasn’t granted lands to influence him to act unfairly in his capacity at GECOM. Benn said that Lowenfield’s name was conveniently the only one featured by Jagdeo on that particular tract, because the Opposition Leader was politically motivated to present it that way.

He went on to state that the application was filed by the Commission for that tract in 2004, and that it was also approved before this current government assumed office.

Kaieteur News is in posses-

sion of documents provided

by Charles Ceres which prove these statements to be true.

Benn said that the only thing he did was to have the already approved allocation issued.

He added that Lowenfield has also indicated that he wants to have a lease granted for another area and that request is being acquiesced to.

CHARLES CERES Of Jagdeo’s mention of Charles Ceres, Benn gave brief details on his allocations. Jagdeo had attempted to link Ceres to the President by saying that his wife, Ndibi Schwiers, works at the Department of the Environment, under the Ministry of the Presidency.

Benn said that Schwiers has no interest in the land mentioned, and that whether she’s married to Ceres is unnecessary. He asserted that it is unfortunate that someone like the Opposition Leader would attempt to drag a good person’s name through the mud for political gain.

But it was Ceres who showed up nearing the end of the press conference to refute Jagdeo’s claims. The Opposition Leader had made the claim that Ceres got four separate allocations. Ceres said that he only received two tracts of land. One of those is of 1297.12 acres in the Canje Creek and 4.5 acres at Liliendaal, Turkeyen. He pro-

GLSC Commissioner Trevor Benn at the press conference yesterday vided documents to verify his claims of those lands.

In his address to the press, Ceres made several accusations against Jagdeo and former President Donald Ramotar about land allocations done in his time as President. He also said that he will be taking the Opposition Leader to court to force a retraction of his statements.

(More on that matter is detailed in another article on page 7 of this edition titled “Charles Ceres to take Jagdeo to Court”).

MARIAALLEN Next, the Commissioner referred to Maria Allen, someone who he said was allocated 2,912 acres of land. Benn provided that Allen had acquired the land in the 1980s, but the lands were taken from her under the previous administration. Because of that, Benn said that Allen had gone to court to have the lands re-issued to her, and won. Benn added that, when the court ordered the People’s Progres-

sive Party (PPP) government to return the lands to her in 1996, the government refused. He said that all that he, as Commissioner, did was to have those lands issued to Allen, as the court had ordered.

UNNAMED EX-PNC MP The situation is quite similar for another person, who Jagdeo described as an ex People’s National Congress (PNC) Member of Parliament. Benn also declined to name the individual, but said that, like Allen, the PPP government took two tracts of land – 6,400 acres and 1,200 acres – and when it was challenged, the court ordered the lands returned. He said that the government had refused to return the lands, and that all he did recently was to have the already approved lands issued to the rightful client.

AUBREYHEATHRETEMYER Benn did not provide details on Jagdeo’s mention of (Continued on page 24)

Saturday June 29, 2019

I

f you drive through most of our farming areas, you will notice persons cultivating large tracts of the reserves which separate the farmlands from the drainage canals, other farmlands or roadways. Poor households are desperate for land on which they can cultivate to earn an income.

In 1993, there were about 25,000 farm households cultivating about 400,000 acres of land. An average household was therefore dependent on 16 acres of land for its survival.

Sixteen acres cannot adequately provide for a household. This is why you have many farmers having sidejobs. Their farm size is too small to being in an income that would be sufficient to feed their family. Out of those 25,000 farming households, more than 90% were involved in cultivating less than 50 acres each.

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Kaieteur News

There are many small rice farmers today who are cultivating less than 10 acres per crop. And this cannot support their families. Small rice farmers need a minimum cultivation of 50 acres if they are going to enjoy the benefits of economies of scale. The rice sector will remain limited if there is a preponderance of farmers cultivating small plots. These small plots may work for other crops but not for rice.

Micro-farmers dominate the agricultural sector. In 1993, 44% of the farms in Guyana were cultivating less than 5 acres. That is how ridiculous agricultural land distribution was. Another 41% of the farms were between 510 acres. The remaining 15% cultivate farms greater than 10 acres each. Land distribution was skewed against the poor and landless. Nothing much has changed since then.

Farm size is constraining the development of agriculture. Small farmers need larger plots.

When the PPPC took over in 1992, there were about 5,000 land applications pending.

The PNC government had only been issuing an average of 500 per year. There is still a large backlog.

The people who need land are not being given land because the waiting list is too long and because there is no policy for land for the landless and poor.

Burnham had inserted, in the 1980 Constitution, a provision that stated that land belongs to the tiller. It is not an enforceable provision, but it highlighted his intention that land should only go to those who would make use of it, not use it to become landlords or for speculation.

A person should not be allotted any lands unless he or she demonstrates the ca-

Dem boys seh ...

Jagdeo can get he brain surgery in Guyana Guyana improving every day. Things dat dis country had to get from overseas, it now getting right here. Dem boys remember de time when people use to seh Guyana can’t even mek a bicycle spokes and it still ain’t mekking bicycle spokes but it mekking more important things.

Some doctors perform a big operation dat no doctor ever do in Guyana all dem years.

Some woman had a problem wid an artery in she head. Most times when things like dat happen is like when people set a time bomb.

When dat artery burst in people head, dem does dead; a few does get a stroke dat dem never recover from.

De doctor do a powerful job. He do more than save de lady life. In fact, he gon save Guyana a lot of money.

Jagdeo is a man who does travel overseas fuh everything. De time when he had some diarrhoea, he jump pon a special plane and go to Florida. To dis day, nobody don’t know who pay fuh he and Babbie. And dem never talk. In fact, Soulja Bai suh decent dat he never release dat information.

On Thursday, people suddenly realize dat

Jagdeo sick; and he sick bad. He got a serious brain problem. He get Kwame and some acolytes to set up a map pon a wall he got in de office. Then he start to call de name of people who get de lands.

De thing sound nice, especially when he seh dat all de land give out after de No confidence motion. Dat mek people see corruption in Soulja Bai camp. But is when de reporters check dat, dem realize Jagdeo dream up everything.

Some of de land give out since he time; some give out in Donald time. But de brain problem Jagdeo got, mek he believe dat everything give out dis year.

De surgery woulda cost Guyana a ton of money. Just to fix one of Jagdeo people teeth, de government spend $2 million. Dem boys seh dat you can’t imagine how much it woulda cost to fix Jagdeo brain.

Thanks to Dr. Dookie, Jagdeo don’t have to go overseas fuh brain surgery. And is a good thing Dr. Dookie deh now. Jagdeo woulda never mek it overseas.

Talk half and watch wait fuh Jagdeo brain surgery!

pacity to put those lands almost immediately into production. If someone is going to be granted hundreds of thousands of acres, then the lease should be conditional on the land being put almost immediately into production.

If that does not happen, the land reverts to government.

The government has to be absolutely certain that when it issues leases for large acreages, the beneficiaries will not use them for speculation or rental.

Land distribution should be guided by a land use policy. APNU+AFC has promised such a policy, but this is yet to be completed. It is

quite a ridiculous situation that the country is going “green” but there is no land use policy in place, apart from the land use plan left by the PPPC. It is unjust and unreasonable that while there are thousands of applications for land pending, we have a situation for a few individuals to be granted thousands of acres of land. Given the large demand for agricultural land, the government should place a moratorium on granting new leases until such time as it can develop a land policy which will ensure land for the landless and the poor as a matter of priority.

Land is in short supply.

The idea that Guyana has unlimited arable land is a myth.

Only about 15% of Guyana’s lands are considered good for cultivation and much of this requires extensive infrastructure to make it cultivatable. With the many land giveaways that have occurred over the years, what is going to be left for the poor and landless?

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Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

So who is going to be the PM candidate for APNU+AFC?

D

avid Patterson and Khemraj Ramjattan are living in hope and will end up in insane depression. When Ramjattan was voted by the AFC congress to be the prime ministerial candidate, Patterson said the AFC will put Ramjattan to APNU to be the PM candidate for the next election.

He explained that the Cummingsburg Accord, which has validity until May 2020, stipulates that the PM candidate will come from the AFC. What Patterson does not know, or maybe he knows it but is trying to kerfuffle the PNC, is that the Cummingsburg Accord is a 2015 election covenant. If there is a 2019 general election, the contents of the 2015 covenant cannot be applied

to another alliance pact. Both parties will argue that more than four years have passed; developments have taken place that need profound analysis, therefore the Accord has to be reworked.

One of the crucial factors that have evolved in a huge way since 2015 is the electoral status of the AFC. When the PNC and AFC decided to form an electoral alliance, the leadership of the PNC accepted that it needed the strength of the AFC which, objectively, was a large third force.

But the results of the 2015 poll revealed that the ten percent of the electorate that the AFC possessed was no longer there. The 2015 statistics showed that just one ballot; just a single vote in Region 8 gave APNU+AFC a

parliamentary seat for that Region. And the PPP lost the general contest by just under 5,000 votes.

If the 2015 battle manifested a huge decline in the electoral physiology of the AFC, the last nail in the coffin was the 2018 results of the local government election.

There now stands in Guyana, 88 local government authorities consisting of national democratic councils and municipalities.

The AFC administers not one of them. But in fairness to the AFC, it did not participate in 88 election battles; only 38.

It chose to fight for control of 38 NDCs because it felt those were the enclaves in which its strength could be found. It turned out to be a mirage for the AFC. It lost in

all the 38 NDCs. It has to be a generosity only found in science fiction movies, where a political party which cannot win one local government seat could ask its senior partner to give it the Prime Minister’s position after the general election is won.

Khemraj Ramjattan and David Paterson are grown-up people.

They have got to stop dreaming silly dreams.

Whoever is the person advising the AFC, his name is like mine, Fred, but his last name is Flintstone.

As the general election draws closer (and we will have an election before 2019 ends) the PNC war room is going to be a scene of phenomenal consensus. No one from the PNC, in or out of Guyana, will accept that the PM slot should go to the AFC. One of the reasons for this is the state of health of President Granger.

The PNC big wigs will not take the chance of putting Ramjattan as PM, because if

Granger resigns, the PNC knows Ramjattan will not do a Sam Hinds.

For those not familiar with what “doing a Sam Hinds’ means, briefly, when President Jagan died in 1997, Sam Hinds the PM became president, but he agreed to the covenant between the Civic Component and the PPP that he would step down and give the presidency to a PPP leader.

If the PNC leaders drag Ramjattan in the war room and get him to commit orally or on paper that he will give over the presidency in the event of a Granger resignation, influential PNC mandarins will scuttle the arrangement, because they do not think Ramjattan is reliable enough to stick to the deal.

The major factor in killing Ramjattan’s chances is that PNC leaders feel that the AFC will demand that Ramjattan sit out his tenure as president.

So it is a done deal – the PNC is not going with an AFC candidate.

Frederick Kissoon The PNC is most likely to go with Nagamootoo, who agreed to do a Sam Hinds when Granger took ill and pledged to do a Sam Hinds in the future. Nagamootoo will not be recommended by the AFC. The PNC will choose Nagamootoo in his own right.

But even here some PNC hardliners in the hierarchy still feel it is a risk with Granger’s health to go with someone who is not from the womb of the PNC or from a world of long friendship with the PNC. Nagamootoo’s chances are not guaranteed. He too must stop dreaming.

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

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Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Replacement of GECOM Chairman...

Exhaust all local options before looking abroad WPA If it comes to that, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said that he is prepared to find a suitable nominee from one of the Commonwealth nations for the post of Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). But the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) wants all local options to be exhausted first before the Opposition Leader, or even the President, David Granger, considers an individual from the Commonwealth.

In a missive that was issued to the press, the WPA

said if the suggestion is embraced as a first resort, it would send the wrong message to Guyanese about leaders confidence in their ability to be impartial and just. “Ultimately, it is the will of the political leaders that is being tested,” the party asserted.

Furthermore, the WPA said it noted the apparent uncertainty over the procedure to be used in selecting a new chairperson of GECOM. The Party said it is critical for the deliberations by the parties to be

guided by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)s apparent embrace of consensus as the preferred mode of behaviour. WPA has already opined that the CCJ seems inclined to have the two sides come to a consensus rather than the court becoming unnecessarily entangled in the countrys politics via the issuing of consequential orders.

It is therefore the partys view that the court may be cognizant of the risk of overreach that accompanies consequential orders. It said that

courts generally have been very reluctant to issue such orders, given the risk of breaching the wall that separates the branches of government as part of the doctrine of separation of powers. It is against this background that WPA said it reads the CCJs advice in relation to the appointment of the GECOM chair.

The WPA said that its understanding is that the CCJ has proposed a modification of the current formula by requiring the two leaders to jointly participate in the compilation of a list of six nominees from which the president would eventually choose the chairperson in keeping with his constitu-

tional mandate. WPA said it views this as a more acceptable approach since it greatly reduces, if not eliminates, the scope for unilateralism by both the president and the opposition leader.

But, the success of this approach it says, assumes good faith on the part of the leaders.

The WPA said, “It requires them to find ways to subordinate their hardcore partisan interests to the greater good of the country.

This is ultimately the true test of statesm a n s h i p . WPA , therefore, again urges the leaders to rise to the occasionthere must be some degree of give-and-take.

Failure to arrive at a con-

sensus could further hold up the preparations for elections, heighten existing tensions or force the court to intervene in a manner that could be interpreted as judicial overreach.”

For the WPA, another key to the workability of the formulae is avoidance of the temptation to “pack” the list with candidates that are overtly aligned to the political parties or are openly hostile to them. WPA said that this would be a non-starter.

Although the WPA prefers the leaders to jointly agree to all six candidates, it said that it would have no objection to them each nominating three.

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

CJIA sexual assault allegations…

Airport official back on job, female accuser remains off

Just a little more than a week after a senior official at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) embroiled in sexual assault allegations was suspended, pending a police investigation, he is back on the job. However, strangely enough, the security clearance of his female accuser who worked at a duty free concessionaire at the airport has not been approved for her to return to work.

This latest development would raise more questions about the airports position on the matter.

The issue is reportedly being investigated by the police, with a picket exercise even being held Thursday in front of the Ministry of Social Protection.

On Thursday also, airport sources indicated that the senior official was back on the job. The female accuser yesterday said she remains at home and has not been asked to return to work at the airport.

Her employer has offered for her to work in the city offices, but the traumatised woman, in her 30s, asked for some time off.

Yesterday, Alex Graham, a public relations representative for CJIA, confirmed that the senior official was back on the job since Thursday.

He said that at this time, there is an active police investigation and the airports management would not be commenting on the womans security clearance or any other issues relating to it.

The answers would be strange, as it was the woman who filed the police report last week, sparking awareness of the sexual harassment at work places.

Until now, the matter has not gathered much attention.

The Ministry of Social Protection is reportedly entering the fray now. It wants to know why the airport failed

to officially write the womans employer telling them the reasons for withdrawing the womans security pass. Even if the womans pass was withdrawn and the airport official placed on suspension, it would have been understandable.

“So you have an alleged victim who filed a police complaint after the airport management dragged its feet on the matter, and you retaliate by taking away her security clearance? We intend to take up this matter,” a Ministry of Social Protection official said yesterday.

The airport came under the spotlight a few weeks ago after the woman complained that the senior official allegedly held her and kissed her twice in his office after she visited him on an issue.

The alleged incident took place July month-end, last year.

She complained the next day to CJIAs head, Ramesh Ghir, about the alleged sexual assault.

Ghir promised to look into the matter. The police were not summoned, in what should have been an automatic criminal investigation.

For several months, the woman did not hear anything.

She reportedly demanded an answer and it was only a few weeks ago she received the courtesy of a text message telling her that the matter was being addressed. She was not given details.

After the matter came to light, the woman filed a police complaint about two weeks ago. She was called to the airport the next day where security officers took away her pass and escorted her off the premises.

Since then, another woman came forward accusing a very senior official of inappropriately touching her in his office in 2012 and promising her gifts and help in getting her a US visa if she

had relations with him.

There are other women who said they are preparing to come forward.

The airports board of directors took days before it issued a statement last Sunday.

The board said it has initiated steps to immediately tackle the issue of sexual harassment and assault in the w o r k p l a c e . ”The interventions reflect the boards deep concerned about the allegations of sexual misconduct recently published in the news media.

The CJIA board condemns any behaviour which creates an unsafe environment for staff, concessionaires, contractors, suppliers and passengers using CJIA. The board is fully committed to ensuring that the CJIA is a safe workplace for all, especially women and other vulnerable social groups.”

The board also said it has called for an immediate review of all policies, protocols, regulations, and practices that govern conduct and engagements in the workplace, and has taken steps to hire external consultants and specialists to conduct the reviews.

“The board wishes to assure the public that all allegations of improper conduct will be taken seriously and there will be prompt investigations. The board will ensure that there is follow through on any investigations that are conducted, and any allegation that is found to be credible will result in the immediate appropriate action.”

The CJIA board said it expects to have the external human resource management and gender affairs consultants in place by the end of this month.

Reportedly, the police file has not been completed and has not been sent for legal advice.

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Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Minimally invasive brain aneurysm surgery successful at GPHC - First of its kind locally Guyanas lone Neurosurgeon, Dr. Amarnauth Duhki and the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) here in Guyana have recently and successfully completed a minimally invasive brain aneurysm surgery on a local patient.

This has been the first time that this type of surgery has ever been executed locally.

A brain aneurysm is a deformed vessel that develops in within the brain, most times in deep and technical areas.

If it is ruptured the chance of

fatality is very high, because in 40% of cases when an aneurysm ruptures the patients die, and 15% of them actually die before they receive any medical attention. Sixty percent of them who survive suffer from neurological deficits.

The patient, 56-year-old Paula Sampson, suffered from her first rupture roughly six weeks ago.

Sampson survived, but she was diagnosed with an Anterior communicating artery, deep within the brain.

Unfortunately after diagnosis

the woman suffered from a second rupture.

“Just to note that on the second bleeding of an aneurysm, 80% of persons die,” the neurosurgeon related.

Fortunately Dr. Duhki and his team were able to perform surgery locally.

“We had to import the medical instruments and the consumables that were used.

A radiologist, Dr. Thairouz Yorkis, who is based in Miami, flew into the country to guide in the radiological aspect of the surgery,” Dr. Duhki

noted.

In terms of performing the surgery, there are two ways in treating a brain aneurysm; the surgeons would remove

a piece of the skull, get into the brain and then put in place a metallic clip on the artery; that way you clip it out of the main circulation of the brain.

Dr Duhki noted that that procedure is very risky, anywhere in the world. He added that todays surgical world is (Continued on page 24)

Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi with the patient Paula Sampson and her son at the GPHC

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Saturday June 29, 2019

Labels on Guyana's rums to soon have health warnings

L

ocal and regional rums will soon have warnings on their labels about the dangers todriving and health.

Rum producers from around the region met in Barbados this week to discuss how to promote responsible drinking and to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

According to the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers' Association (WIRSPA), the harmful use of

alcohol has been recognised as a contributing factor to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and in recognition, the industry set up a task force in 2018 to see how best the industry could support the efforts of the regulatory agencies and health sector to encourage responsible drinking as part of a balanced active healthy lifestyle.

Guyana's two major companies, Demerara Distillers Limited and Banks

DIH, are makers of the El Dorado and XM lines of rums respectively.

According to WIRSPA, coming out of that meeting they have announced a major initiative to introduce new labels in domestic and regional markets that contain visual guides against drinking and driving, underage consumption and drinking during pregnancy, all areas of concern both for producers and for the health

L-R: Raphael Grisoni, Managing Director of Mount Gay Distilleries; Hon. Sandra Husbands, Barbados' Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade; Vaughn Renwick, Chief Executive Officer of WIRSPA

sector.

Announced by Raphael Grisoni, the Managing Director for Mount Gay Distilleries and the Barbados Director for the WIRSPA, the new provisions will also provide responsible drinking messages and calorie per serving information to assist consumers in making the right choices about how they drink.

“In addition to the regional initiative on labelling, the producers also announced the adoption of a new code of practice for the

advertising and marketing of their products.

This comprehensive revamp of their existing 10year-old code sees major new guidance on the responsible use of social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram that correspond to international best practice,” W I R S PA s a i d i n i t s statement yesterday. “ It gives me great pleasure to make this announcement” said Grisoni.

“We have worked hard over the past year to achieve these commitments, which, while already in place for some companies, will see an across-the-board upgrade in the way we communicate these issues to consumers.”

He added, “We are also intensifying our collaboration with other producers and distributors of alcoholic beverages and hope these initiatives can be adopted by the entire sector, as this is the only way we will achieve the full impact.”

Commenting on the initiative, Chairman of

WIRSPA and head of the Guyana conglomerate Demerara Distillers, Komal Samaroo, stated: “As indigenous brands firmly rooted in the communities in which we serve, we have a responsibility to do the best we can in ensuring persons consume our products responsibly.

This initiative goes some way towards that.”

He further added: “As we work to implement these commitments over the next 24 months, we hope that we can continue to work in partnership with our governments to reduce harmful drinking and its impact on society.”

WIRSPA is one of the oldest private sector trade associations in the Caribbean.

It represents rum producers in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Haiti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 29, 2019

PAGE 17

Replacement of aged city water pipes…

GWI to mapping technology on its distribution lines

G

u y a n a Wa t e r Incorporated (GWI) has been working to upgrade the aged pipe infrastructure in the capital city of Georgetown in order to further improve the level of service and quality of water customers receive.

According to the company, it has been speaking to the issue for the past two and a half years and has been working to incrementally replace the pipelines in the Georgetown network.

“The Cast Iron and Asbestos Cement pipes which are being replaced have become encrusted over decades and have exceeded their lifespan. Many of the pipelines are over 100 years old, and due to this, there is also a high iron content being released, thereby compromising water quality.

They are being replaced with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes which present a much lesser chance of encrustation.”

GWI said that customers can be assured that upon completion of works in respective areas, there will be an improved level of service and water quality.

“As further work is executed in adjacent communities, the full benefits will be experienced in the entire area.”

Pipelines are being replaced on Sheriff Street, forming part of the ongoing road expansion works. Some 500 metres have been installed thus far and upon completion, the pipelines from the junction of Sheriff Street and the East Coast Demerara Public Road to Cross Street, Alexander Village would have been replaced.

GWI said that the Albouystown community is also one which has old asbestos mains which are porous and tuberculated.

“Tuberculation is the development of small mounds of corrosion products on the inside of iron pipes.”

GWI has also installed new pipelines on James Street from Saffon Street to the clinic in the area and a new phase of the project is scheduled to commence on July 9, 2019.

Works for the new phase, the state-owned company said, entails the installation of pipelines along the remainder of James Street and the cross streets.

Meanwhile, works are ongoing to improve the level of service to customers through the installation of new transmission mains and replacement of distribution mains in a number of areas between Lamaha Street and GWI's head office located on Vlissengen Road.

GWI is also working to replace transmission mains on Church Street, a project which is in its planning stage and will entail the installation of some 2000 metres of pipelines. “ D u r i n g t h e interconnection of the pipelines, customers of Central Georgetown will

The replacement of aged pipelines is currently ongoing on Sheriff Street, Georgetown. experience a reduced level of service for a short period in order to facilitate these works. The replacement of the pipelines allows GWI to place the new lines closer to the fence line as opposed to under roadways, making them more accessible for repairs in the future.”

Upon completion of the installation of the pipelines in the various areas, GWI said will be utilising Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies to map all of the assets, including gate valves and pipelines so that the company has precise information on their location

for future use and access.

“An essential aspect of pipeline rehabilitation is the maintenance of the integrity of water quality during and following completion of the works. During the excavation and laying of pipelines, there is the possibility of an open end through which contaminants may enter.”

During the actual placement of the lines this may also occur. However, there are approaches to ridding the lines of whatever contamination may have entered, GWI explained.

“Flushing of the pipelines is commonly

employed as a means of expulsion of sand and clays.

Shock Chlorination (disinfection at high dosages) is also done to target microbial contamination. This entails filling the lines with heavily chlorinated water for a period of eight (8) to twenty four (24) hours.”

This is then flushed out until a free chlorine residual of 1 milligram per litre is achieved and a sample taken to assess the microbial quality.

“Once there is no indication of contamination, the laboratory approves the (continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Gas prices reduced at GUYOIL pumps

T

he Guyana Oil Company Ltd (GUYOIL) yesterday announced that it has reduced gas price by $10. According to the stateowned company, which runs a number of gas stations countrywide, the reduction will also be on diesel (Gasoil). The reductions took effect from yesterday.

Gas prices were reduced to $214 per litre from $224. Diesel prices will be $203 per litre from $217.

“These price reductions were possible due to lower acquisition cost and we are proud to pass on these reductions to our valued customers. Gasolene has been reduced by $10.00 per litre while

Saturday June 29, 2019

The new prices at the GUYOIL station on Regent Street yesterday.

Gasoil (LSD) has been reduced by $14 per litre.” GUYOIL said it is always cognizant of its role in the Guyana economy and continuously strives to ensure that quality petroleum products are provided at excellent prices.

“Our vast network of service stations will continue to ensure that our quality products are made available to you our valued customers along the entire coastland all the way to Lethem.”

The last time that gas was reduced by GUYOIL was back in February.

Starting from February 4, gas was sold at $218.00 per litre and $217.00 per litre for diesel.

Dr. Garvin Cummings confirmed as Chief Hydromet Officer

D

r. Garvin Cummings has been confirmed a s t h e C h i e f Hydrometeorological Officer (CHO) with effect from May 23, 2019.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, his confirmation comes after being appointed Deputy CHO in July, 2011 and serving as acting CHO since 2015.

Dr. Cummings joined the Hydrometeorological Service in 1997 as a Hydrological Technician within the Water Resources Section.

“His outstanding performance in the field and

constant academic advancements made way for him to soon be promoted to several supervisory and managerial positions. While serving as the acting CHO, Dr. Cummings successfully attended and represented Guyana at a number of national and international weather, water, climate and ozone related conferences including the 30th Meeting of the Parties of the Montreal Protocol and the recently concluded 18th World Meteorological Congress all while effectively managing the day to day operations of the Hydrometeorological Service.”

According to the ministry, over the years, Dr. Cummings has also worked with many local and international agencies and stakeholders to further build and develop the Hydromet Department's research, monitoring and regional and international network development capacities.

“The new CHO is the holder of a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Genoa, Italy, a Master of Science Degree in Natural R e s o u r c e a n d Environmental Management ( Wa t e r R e s o u r c e s Management) from The University of West Indies, a Master of Business

Administration (MBA) from the University of South Wales, United Kingdom and Bachelor of Engineering Degree (Civil), University of Guyana.

He has also attended several weather, water and climate related professional training exercises in Germany, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Jamaica and Thailand, to name a few. Dr. Cummings holds the distinction of being one of the first staff members of the Hydrometeorological Service to attain a doctoral degree.”

When asked to comment on his appointment, Dr. Cummings said that he

Confirmed: Chief Hydrometeorological Officer Dr. Garvin Cummings remains committed to providing outstanding service to the people of Guyana through the Hydromet Department.

“I'm indeed humbled by this opportunity to serve the people of Guyana through the Hydrometeorological Service. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously, especially given Guyana's vulnerability to hydrometeorological hazards.

I look forward to continue working with the

team here at Hydromet and our partners to advance Guyana's thrust towards climate resilience and disaster risk reduction, while ensuring that the Service adequately responds to demands for high quality climate services,” Dr. Cummings said.

Dr. Cummings currently sits on several national and international policy development boards and committees, while also serving as the current Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI). He has also functioned as the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Dr. Cummings also worked as a lecturer at the Guyana School of Agriculture in 2007 to 2008 and 2010 to 2011 and the University of Genoa in 2014. Additionally, Dr. Cummings has also coauthored several p u b l i c a t i o n s i n p e e rreviewed journals in the areas of flood nowcasting, remote sensing, flood risk management and weather research and forecasting.

GWI to mapping technology on its distribution lines From page 17 interconnections to the existing network. The aged infrastructure in the city has been the cause of numerous breakages within recent years, costing GWI millions of dollars.”

When these breakages occur, there are lengthy disruptions to the water supply since the successful repairs require the Shelterbelt Water Treatment Plant to be shut down during that period.

“Further to water supply, breakages can also compromise water pressure and water quality. As the water production is increased in the city, the way is paved for the water pressure to be increased, which can cause breakages as well. Thus far for 2019, there have been 34 major breakages in Central Georgetown, 19 of which can be attributed to the aged infrastructure and 15 due to external parties.”

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Call records of murdered taxi driver provided to police within days - GTT T h e G u y a n a Te l e p h o n e a n d Te l e g r a p h Company (GTT) on Friday revealed that the company has been in full compliance with the Guyana Police Force, with efforts to solve the investigation of murdered female taxi driver, Indira Bipat.

Bipat who died as a result of strangulation, compounded by blunt trauma to the head on May 19, last, was said to be seen leaving her Samaroo Dam, Klein, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara home after receiving a phone call.

Responding to reports that GTT has been slow to cooperate, Officer- in-Charge at GTT, Travis Piggott, explained that the company has been in full support of the GPF investigation in this matter.

“I am quite appalled at the information coming out of the D Division, We s t Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo. We received the request from the GPF on May 24 and we related the necessary information to them on the

Case still unsolved: Murder victim Indira Bipat same day,” Piggott said.

“The force did not request additional information and I am quite distraught that it has brought GTT into such spotlight, stating that they are still awaiting information from the company.”

Piggott further expressed frustration with

another daily newspaper since the entity did not reach out GTT to confirm the information stated

by Commander of the Division, Edmond Cooper.

Demanding an apology from the newspaper, the GTT official said that the telephone company is committed and will continue to provide full support to the Guyana Police Force in future investigations. No suspects have been charged.

Bipat, of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, reportedly left a Goed F o r t u i n , We s t B a n k Demerara taxi service at around 16:00 hrs on Saturday, May 18, after receiving a call on her cell phone. She reportedly told the dispatcher that she would not be returning to the base for the rest of the night. Her body was found at around 09:00 hrs the following day in a desolate area in La Parfaite H a r m o n i e , We s t B a n k D e m e r a r a . H e r c a r, a w h i t e To y o t a P r e m i o , PXX 4114, was missing.

A post mortem revealed that she had been strangled and struck on the head.

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Appeal Court to hand down decision Guyana ranked fastest growing economy in the world in Hetsberger rape case on July 24 Guyana has taken the lead as being the country with the fastest growing economy in the world. This is according to a report by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations Incorporated (NASDAQ).

The NASDAQ stock market is known to the world as a popular American stock exchange market. It is in fact, the second largest stock exchange corporation in the world by market capitalisation, just shadowing behind the New York Stock Exchange.

Guyana has had a projected growth rate of 16.8% during the four- year period of 2018-2021, which has led investigators of the stock exchange giant to the conclusion that the country is currently the fastest growing

economy in the world.

The country currently has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) size of $3.63 billion (2018 Rank: 160), a growth rate of 4.1% in 2018 and 4.6% in 2019.

According to the report, the economy is expected to grow by 33.5% and 22.9% in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

With a per-capita income of $5,194, Guyana is described in the report as a middle-income country with a dense forest and is home to fertile agricultural lands and abundant natural resources. Gold, bauxite, sugar rise, timber and shrimp are among its leading exports.

According to the article, Guyanas economic growth increase is due to its newfound oil wealth; “ExxonMobil (U.S), Esso (U.S), Hess, Repsol (Spain), Anadarko (U.S), Total

(France), Tullow Oil (U.K) and CGX (Canada) have been a part of the exploration and drilling activities over the years. ExxonMobil Guyana has made 13 discoveries since 2015 and plans to begin to producing up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day.”

The country is also projected to be among the worlds largest per-capita oil producers in 2025.

The report follows an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, which indicated that the growth trend would stay on course once driven by continued strength in construction and services sectors, ahead of oil production in 2020. The report also revealed that inflation remained in a concrete position at 1.6% at the end of 2018, on the back of stable food prices and exchange rates.

Initially scheduled for ruling on Wednesday, the matter of the State v Andre Hetsberger, who is appealing a 25-year jail sentence for raping an underage girl, has now been deferred until Wednesday, July 24.

In 2016, a 12-member jury found Hetsberger guilty of the crime, and he was thereafter sentenced to the term of imprisonment by High Court Judge Navindra Singh.

The offence was committed on October 17, 2014 and came to light after the girl, then 13, had alleged that Hetsberger had sexually molested her.

Hearing the appeal were Chief Justice Roxane George and Justices Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud at the Court of Appeal in Kingston, Georgetown. During a hearing in May, Hetsberger’s lawyer Dexter Todd had argued that the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence to prove its case.

Added to that, Todd argued that the trial Judge

Andre Hetsberger (Navindra Singh) admitted evidence by the prosecution which was highly prejudicial to his client, and more so, refused to admit evidence which supported his client’s defence. The lawyer further argued that Justice Singh failed to put his client’s case adequately, or at all, to the

jury for consideration.

In light of these, Todd insisted that the verdict of the jury was unreasonable and cannot be supported with regard to the evidence, and that the sentence was unduly served. In this regard, he is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside and/or reverse the decision of the High Court. In addressing the court, Todd said that the trial Judge erred in certain findings.

For one, Todd pointed out that a medical certificate, which indicated that the victim showed no signs of penetration was tendered into evidence by the prosecution.

On the other hand, he said that there was the victim’s account of what transpired, in that, she was penetrated. According to Todd, the victim’s testimony was inconsistent with the medical certificate, and as such, the trial judge should have relied on the latter.

But State Prosecutor Natasha Backer was in (Continued on page 22)

Saturday June 29, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Work obligations for Guyana’s oil blocks almost nothing by industry standards - University of Houston Instructor

U

pon considering the work obliga tions companies have to fulfill when they acquire a licence for one of Guyana’s oil blocks, University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro says he can only describe it as being “almost nothing” by industry standards.

His comments in this regard, follow an examination of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed onto with ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and its two other partners, Hess and CNOOC for the Stabroek Block which is 6.6 million acres.

Mitro said, “For a block this size the minimum work obligations under Section 4.1 are almost nothing - only one exploration well is required every three to six years to justify extending the permit for up to 10 years.

That is a very minimal level of commitment by industry standards, especially for a permit of this immense size.

For much smaller licences, there is usually a requirement of at least one well every one to two years in order to maintain the licence.”

Kaieteur News examined several PSAs between ExxonMobil and Liberia as well as Hess and Ghana and just as Mitro stated, the work commitments by far exceed what is within Guyana’s PSA with the Stabroek Block operators.

The same poor work obligations can be found in several PSAs Guyana has with other firms.

The Canje Block Production Sharing Agreement is another prime example in this regard.

In this case, the contractor is expected to carry out a minimum work programme in the initial four-year period of having the licence.

University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro That four-year period is divided into two phases.

Phase one consists of 18 months and requires the contractor to get all available geological data and conduct research at the local and regional level to better understand the complex features of the Guyana-Suriname basin.

In addition to this, a minimum of 1500 line km of 2D seismic is to be acquired, processed,

and interpreted to define possible prospects.

Phase Two consists of 30 months.

During this time, the contractor is expected to merely acquire, process, and interpret a minimum of 500 square kilometres of 3D seismic to identify drilling targets and

complete a geotechnical/predrilling survey.

The Canje Block PSA states that at the end of the initial four years, the Contractor shall elect either to relinquish the entire contract area or relinquish 20 percent of the contract area which spans 6021 km.

That is comfortably, more than two times the size of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

Furthermore, the renewal period was due since March 4, last. However, the relinquishment provision is yet to be enforced by the government.

PAGE 22

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Man remanded for stealing brother’s ducks

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“I dont eat duck, I dont eat rank. This man always coming up with a set of lies about me,” 48-year-old Joel Stuart, told a court yesterday as he stood in the prisoners dock.

Stuart, a weeder, of Lot A 72 East La Penitence, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty who read the charges to him.

The first charge stated that on June 24, 2019, at East La Penitence, Georgetown, he stole three live ducks valued at $15,000 property of Godfrey Stuart. And the second charge read that on June 25, 2019, at East La Penitence, Georgetown, he used threatening behaviour towards Godfrey Stuart.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges and said “He just wants to see his brother in jail. I dont know why he keep lying on innocent me, I dont do that man anything” Police prosecutor Seon Blackman made objections to bail being granted to the defendant based on the prevalence of the offence, and the fact that the defendant doesnt have a fixed place of abode he usually sleeps under a bottom house.

Prosecutor Blackman then related the facts of the charge to the court which read that on June 24, 2019, the virtual complainant (Godfrey Stuart) and his sister were at home when they heard a squeaking noise coming from the back

Joel Stuart of the yard.

When he went to see what was making the noise, he saw his brother with his ducks in one hand and a cutlass in the other. The man then made a report the following day at the police station.

On his way home, he was confronted by his brother who had a cutlass in his hand and threatened to chop him.

The alleged victim feared for his life and decided to make another report to the police station.

Joel Stuart was then arrested by the police and taken into custody.

After the prosecutor presented the facts and the defendant addressed the court, Principal Magistrate McGusty remanded Stuart to prison until July 12, when he is expected to make his next court appearance.

Appeal Court to hand...

From page 20 disagreement. She argued that the victim’s testimony cannot be discredited since the Sexual Offence Act allows for evidence of such nature. According to the prosecutor, it is possible for someone who was sexually penetrated to not show signs of injuries.

In relation to the sentence,

Todd contended that it was severe. In support of this argument, he took issue with the fact that no probation report was prepared on his client’s background.

However, Prosecutor Backer told the court that she was not aware that a probation report could have caused Hetsberger to receive a lighter sentence.

Two Skyvans arrive...

From page 2 matters of aerial surveillance.

According to Harmon, the decision for the purchase was made at the level of the Defence Board “They are being purchased with a national plan in mind and not just the GDF, so most of our aerial surveillance is done jointly by the police and the army as well as other elements of the state, but certainly these aircraft were purchased with a national character,” Harmon had pointed out.

He assured that the aircraft will not be used for commercial purposes and will not compete

with private service providers.

An initial payment of $213M was made by the GDF to the companies. Some $73M was budgeted for the military's transportation-related expenditure.

Harmon explained that to fill the gap to the initial payment, monies were diverted from capital projects, which saw government deciding to scale back on buildings and water supply projects.

To cover the full purchase, Government moved to Parliament to secure approval for supplemental expenditure.

Saturday June 29, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Hab Int’l moves to Fogarty’s building - zero commission on online purchases up to today

The recently opened Hab International Fogarty’s location All week long customers of Hab International [Hab.it] Fogarty’s location have been benefiting from zero percent commission on everything that they purchase online. However, the company’s Miami Manager, Tina Beharry, yesterday disclosed that this offer will come to an end today [Saturday, June 29] and customers are being urged to take full advantage.

Beharry said that the Water Street location will open its doors at around 09:00 hours [9am] today and will continue to serve

customers until 17:00 hours [5pm].

On Monday [June 24] Hab.it, formally opened its operation at the Fogarty’s building which represented a relocation from the Ashmin’s Building. This, according to Beharry, was a tactical move aimed at offering customers an enhanced service at a location likely to target a greater number of customers. Speaking of this development yesterday, Beharry made reference to the varying types of businesses

such as banks, insurance companies, among others, from which many customers can be drawn and well catered to by Hab.it. “The new facility is mainly set up as a boutique facility and basically what that means is that it caters to [shipping of] the small packages, online shopping...it is all about convenience. It is a more central location in regards to us being more in your face...” said Beharry. At the new location, staffers are ready and willing to

Man threatened over relationship proposal; accused fined $10,000 A 24-year-old bond clerk was yesterday fined for cursing a 52-year-old man who wanted to have a relationship with him. Terrence Thomas was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts where he admitted to the charge which was read to him by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

The charge stated that on June 1, 2019 at 137 Lamaha Street, Georgetown, Thomas used threatening language towards Keith McKenzie.

After pleading guilty to the offence, the accused told the court that, “He turn and tell me that if I aint deh with he, he will do all kind thing to me, so I cuss he up.”

Thomas was then fined $10,000 for his actions or in default, he is to spend two weeks in prison.

According to information, the two parties live in the same yard. They were on speaking terms until Thomas brought his girlfriend to stay with him.

The girlfriend during her stay had damaged property of McKenzie and was sentenced to eight months in prison. On the day in question, McKenzie had put his

Terrence Thomas

Alkelvin Pratt

relationship proposal to Thomas and that is when the accused cursed him. A report was made and Thomas was charged for the offence.

Meanwhil e , A l k e l v i n Pratt, a 42-year-old electrician, of 337 East Ruimveldt was also fined after he behaved in a disorderly manner. His charge read that on J u n e 26, last, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, while in a public place, Pratt behaved in a disorderly manner.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $10,000

or in default, he is to spend two weeks in prison.

The facts of his charge indicated that on the day in question, police ranks attempted to search his premises for guns and ammunition. However, Pratt began to behave in a disorderly manner.

Nothing was found on his premises but, although he was warned by the police ranks, Pratt still continued with the disorderly behaviour.

He was then taken into custody and charged.

lend support to customers who need to source item[s] they may have difficulty finding and also help them to make needed purchases as well.

With its head office at Eccles

Public Road, East Bank Demerara, Hab.it was established in 2001 as a supporting company to Swiss Machinery.

The shipping company embraces the motto ‘’If you have it

hab.it’, and has over the years been offering services including: air freight, ocean freight, online shopping, online account, procurement, supply chain and many more.

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Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Lands and Surveys Commissioner...

From page 8 SARA Deputy Director, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer.

Kaieteur News contacted Retemyer after the Opposition Leader’s claims. While Jagdeo said he got possession of 10 acres on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and one acre at Mocha, Retemyer said that he had applied for land in 2014 during Donald Ramotar’s presidency, and that it was approved in 2017.

Yesterday, HeathRetemyer showed Kaieteur News the documents of proof of those claims. Those 10 acres at Yarrowkabra, according to the lease document (File 411212/22B), were approved on December 6, 2017, not in the last six months as the Opposition Leader had presented.

Heath-Retemyer showed Kaieteur News two separate lease documents, for which the total area amounts to less than two acres.

The Opposition Leader had also made a claim that several tracts of land were allocated in key positions where shore base facilities could be constructed. When asked whether the persons in possession of those tracts indicated the desire to utilise the lands for those purposes, he said that they didn’t.

Commissioner Benn went on to bring up the longstanding issue of lands being allocated by the former PPP government at startlingly low prices. Ceres, in his address to the press, detailed many of those issues.

Benn had also said that Guyanese people from all walks of life are allocated land but that the persons named by the Opposition Leader seem to carry a certain description, but he did not elabo-

rate.

Ceres stated that Jagdeo’s utterances are racist, and that that is shown in his selection of a series of only AfricanGuyanese recipients of the land. That opinion was echoed by Eric Phillips.

The Commissioner, in the latter part of his address, said that constant irresponsible attacks on the Commission by persons in public office, result in threats being doled out to him on a regular basis. In some instances, Benn said that he is even accosted by persons who are not happy with their business with the commission. He said, candidly, “I fear for my life.” But what he was keen to note to the public is that he is not buyable, and that he will make every effort to stamp out corruption at GLSC.

Minimally invasive brain ...

From page 14 moving towards minimal invasion of the brain.

He expressed that, “Now, we treat these cases through endovascular coiling, and this was the method performed in Guyana. It was the first time and it was executed using cutting edge technology.” “With the help of the CHI, we were able to use their CAT Lab, where we analysed, and then entered the femoral artery at the thigh, though the heart, and then directly through to the brain.” According to Duhki, this procedure in the United States would usually cost $200,000, “but we were able to perform it here at a small percentage of that cost”.

Forty-eight hours after the surgery Ms. Sampson was responsive and well. She is scheduled to be discharged today and will be required to do necessary follow- ups.

Dr. Dukhi related that, “This patient will be able to move forward with her normal life and daily activities.”

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Kaieteur News

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Argentina see off Venezuela to set up titanic AC Milan banned from Copa clash with Brazil Europe over financial...

Venezuela’s Jhon Murillo in action with Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso. (REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez)

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Argentina delivered a much-improved performance to beat Venezuela 2-0 in the Copa America quarter-finals yesterday and set up a mouthwatering last-four meeting with Brazil.

Striker Lautaro Martinez scored for the second game running to put Argentina in front in the 10th minute with a clever back-heeled finish, diverting in a shot from Sergio Aguero following a corner swung in by captain Lionel Messi.

Lionel Scaloni’s side had to weather a series of attacks from Venezuela in the second half and it took a strong save

Saturday June 29, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Put the pedal to the metal today and have confidence in all your actions. There's a great deal of power in your words.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Something about silence doesn't seem right to you today. Keep talking. Eventually someone will say something meaningful. Latch on to lucrative ideas and keep your ears open for new opportunities.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Despite all your rage, you're still just a rat in a cage. Get out of your box. Influences from other people may cause some serious transformation in your mindset.

CANCER(June21–July22) You may be anxious to say what's on your mind today.

Words are on the tip of your tongue and you aren't afraid to let them spill out. Be careful. There's a danger you will put your foot in your mouth.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your mind is extra clear today, Leo. Make sure you're helping yourself as well as others.

Take care of any tasks that require a great deal of brainpower.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Do your thing today, Virgo, and don't take garbage from others. Take control of the issue when you see that something needs to get done. Others may be acting rashly and see things differently than you do. Don't change your point of view just to make it easier on others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You will be able to think clearly today. Do the best you can with what you have to work with. Do your thing and let people do theirs. Don't dwell on others' dramas.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't wait for an invitation to speak your mind. No one will ask what you think. Express yourself.

You've given other people plenty of time to have their say. It's now time to chime in with your opinion.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your mind is sharp as a tack today, Sagittarius. There's a great deal of power behind your thoughts, so use it wisely. Take this energy to work and see how much you can accomplish.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) What are you waiting for, Capricorn? You aren't going to meet anyone new by staying inside all the time. You aren't going to become a rock star if you never pick up an instrument.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't waste time today, Aquarius. Act with courage.

Tap your primal nature and throw caution to the wind.

Your wit and keen mind provide you with opportunities that you should jump on.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's a powerful force urging you to act today. Someone may be working counter to your aims and trying to rub you the wrong way.

from Franco Armani to prevent Ronald Hernandez from levelling.

Substitute Giovani Lo Celso scored Argentina’s badly-needed second goal in the 74th minute, passing a loose ball into an empty net after another shot from Aguero squirmed through the hands of Venezuela goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez.

Lo Celso’s tap-in sealed a therapeutic win for Argentina in their first game back at the iconic Maracana stadium since their 1-0 extra-time defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, which began a cycle of three consecutive losses in major finals.

They had scraped into the last eight with a nervy 2-0 win over Qatar in their final groupstage game after losing to Colombia and drawing with Paraguay, but they expected a sterner test from Venezuela.

Venezuela once lost 11-0 to Argentina in the 1975 Copa America but they have made remarkable advances in recent years despite a backdrop of political turmoil, reaching the 2017 under-20 World Cup final under current coach Rafael Dudamel. They were unbeaten in their last three games with Argentina which included a resounding 3-1 win in a friendly in March, and captain Tomas Rincon said ahead of the game it was time his side “made a statement”.But they failed to live up to the hype and barely got into Argentina’s area before halftime. Venezuela then took the initiative with a spell of sustained pressure but Argentina showed a resilience and sense of maturity that was lacking in their shabby displays in the group stage.

Their reward is a first Copa America clash with eternal rivals Brazil since the 2007 final, which they lost 3-0.

The tournament hosts edged Paraguay in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw on Thursday.

Mackenzie Sports Club...

From page 30 members will get a chance to participate in the long waited elections which will certainly chart a new lease of life into this club which has the potential to be great again and lead the sports thrust in the mining town.

It is hoped that while there has been a drop in membership due to several factors, that members would show up and ensure the AGM is held and the elections come off because of its importance in steering the way for sports in this sports mad community.

From page 26 spending curbs in recent months designed to return its finances to a better state and which saw the departure of coach Gennaro Gattuso.

The Serie A giants, who missed out on a Champions League spot by one point to city rivals Inter, are one of several clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, to have been investigated for breaching UEFA’s rules, whereby clubs cannot spend more than they generate by their own means.

AC Milan have fallen foul of UEFA’s financial rules since they spent 200 million euros ($225 million) on transfers in the summer of 2017.

The club insist however that their finances should improve under American hedge fund Elliott Management Corporation, who took control last summer when former Chinese owner Li Yonghong defaulted on the loan he had taken to buy the club in 2017 from former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

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Kaieteur News

National Ruby team leave for Cayman Islands on Tuesday - Face T&T in first game at 12:20 PM on Saturday

From left - Akeem Fraser (Phyiso), George David (Asst Manager), Sherlock Sam (TD), Petal Adams (General Secretary GRFU) and John Lewis (Manager).

A 13-man squad was announced yesterday at the National Park ‘old’ Ruby field to represent Guyana at the Ruby Americas North (RAN) Seven Championships in the Cayman Islands July 6 - 7.

The championships will also serve as an Olympic qualifier for the 2020 Games in Tokyo and the touring party, which includes three overseas based players, will depart these shores on Tuesday.

Guyana go into action at 12:20 PM (local time) next Saturday when they come up against Trinidad & Tobago.

The Guyanese then face host Cayman Islands and Jamaica in first day action which will see the final game staged just after 5PM. Technical Director Sherlock Sam said the team, which will be reduced to 12, has been hampered in their

preparation due to inclement Weather but did indoor and tactical work.

“While we would have liked to have more outdoor work here, we will have a twoday camp in the Cayman Islands.

Jamaica is expected to our toughest opponent but I am confident we will give a good account of ourselves,” said Sam. The TD explained that Claudius Butts has been selected as Player/Coach as the team banks on experience.

Manager John Lewis informed that the experienced Butts is a full time Coach in Trinidad, while his contribution as a player is still needed.

The Manager disclosed that Richard Staglon plays in Trinidad and Tobago, Dominic Lespierre is based in the United Kingdom and

Vallon Adams plays in the United States of America.

Meanwhile, Ryan Dey, Selwyn Henry, Breon Walks have been named as the reserves.

Sam said the players were asked to be at the Park but because Monday is CARICOM Day they were busy with final travel arrangement and other personal matters, Butts among those absent yesterday.

The team is: Richard Staglon Peabo Hamilton, Dominic Lespierre, Vallon Adams, Patrick King, Jamal Angus, Ryan Gonsalves, Godfrey Broomes,Avery Corbin, Dwayne Schroeder, Ozie McKenzie, Claudius Butts (Player/Coach), Sherlock Sam (Technical Director) and Akeem Fraser (Physiotherapist). (Sean Devers)

“Things are shaping up nicely,” - Synthetic Track Consultant tells Minister Norton Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, on Thursday last, received a status update on works being executed on both sites of the Synthetic Tracks Project.

The primary updates were provided during a meeting with the project’s external supervising consultant and engineer from BSW Regupol, Mr. Patrick Heinen, who recently conducted the third of four scheduled inspection visits.

The meeting, hosted at Minister Norton’s Main Street, Georgetown office, also included Permanent Secretary, Ms. Melissa Tucker; Assistant Director of Sport and project manager, Ms. Melissa DowRichardson, the Ministry’s maintenance inspector, Mr. Oswin Crawford, along with local consultants from AquaSun Designs – Mr. Orin Boyce and Mr. Jason Baptiste.

The engagement follows a series of inspections and evaluations carried out by the project management team,

consultants and engineers, over the past week.

According to Mr. Heinen, the Linden aspect of the project is “shaping up nicely,” while there have been some minor glitches, occurring at the Berbice site.

“We looked at works that have already been done, works that are ongoing, as well as works that are projected to be done,” Heinen informed the meeting.

He explained that works being executed by Builders Hardware in Linden are on par with the projected timeline of the project. Heinen estimates that the Region 10 track will be ready for the laying of asphalt materials within the next two months.

“That part of the project will take approximately 20 days, so it should be completed by September,” Heinen pointed out.

The engineer noted that the asphalt would require two weeks to cure, after which, the facility would be ready for the installation of synthetic material, thereby completing

the track.

“Other works will still continue during the asphalt curing phase,” Heinen posited.

In the meantime, the team is working to address some of the minor challenges tied to the project, so as to ensure that the year-end timeline remains intact.

Prior to the meeting, Minister Norton paid a spontaneous visit to the construction site in New Amsterdam, Berbice to inspect the works executed thus far.

Dr. Norton remains hopeful that both sites of the Synthetic Tracks Project would be completed before 2020.

The Minister remains committed to providing local athletes with state-of-the-art facilities that can not only be used for adequate practice, but for the hosting of prestigious meets such as the Carifta Games, as well. The next edition of the Carifta Games is set for 2021, right here in Guyana.

(From Left) Assistant Director of Sports, Melissa Dow-Richardson; Supervising Consultant and Engineer, Patrick Heinen; Permanent Secretary, Melissa Tucker; Hon. Minister, Dr. George Norton; Local consultants from Aqua Sun Designs, Mr. Jason Baptiste and Orin Boyce; and the Ministry’s Maintenance Inspector, Oswin Crawford.

AC Milan banned from Europe over financial fair play violations AFP - AC Milan were banned from European football for next season yesterday over breaches of financial fair play rules, CAS, the top court for sport, announced.

European football’s governing body UEFA had accused the club of violating financial fair play (FFP) regulations over the past three seasons and the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in their favour.

“AC Milan is excluded from participating in UEFA club competitions of the sporting season 2019/2020 as a consequence of the breach of its FFP break-even obligations” for the past three seasons, the court ruled.

UEFA initially found the Italian giants, who had qualified for the Europa League next season, guilty in June last year of violating financial rules which broadly limit club expenditure to club

income in any given year.

However, CAS referred the matter back to UEFA judging that an European ban was disproportionate.

Ultimately UEFA action against the club was suspended pending the outcome of arbitration, resulting in Friday’s decision following agreement between UEFA, the club and CAS. The announcement follows the club’s adoption of (Continued on page 25)

Minister Norton inspects works being executed at the Berbice site of the Synthetic Track Project, during a spontaneous visit to the facility on Wednesday last.

Saturday June 29, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Noble House Goals Galore Indoor Hockey C/ships

GBTI GCC Tigers, Bingo GCC Spartans, YMCA OPHC Champs, Hikers Generals, Pepsi Hikers triumph

Action between Bounty GCC and Hikers Generals.

By Zaheer Mohamed Three teams remain unbeaten when the 2019 Noble House Goals Galore Indoor Hockey Championships continued on Thursday night at the National Gymnasium. The Hikers continue to dominate the men’s division as the Hikers Generals and PEPSI Hikers each secured their third victories, while in the female division, the Bingo Spartans managed to upstage Saints to keep their perfect record intact.

Playing in the female category, GBTI GCC Tigers secured a hard fought 4-3 victory over GBTI GCC Spice, despite a double from Gabriella Xavier. Xavier slotted home for Spice in the 5th minute before her teammate Trisha Woodroffe

scored a penalty corner in the 26th minute as the teams went to the break, with Tigers who started on positive three, leading 3-2. Marzana Fiedtkou netted in the 28th minute - a penalty corner - to extend her team’s lead before Xavier scored her second, a penalty corner, in the 40th minute.

YMCA OFHC Wolves and YMCA OFHC Bellatrix played to a draw with the former securing the equaliser in the 37th minute through a field goal from Romichelle Brumell as the contest finished 9-9. YMCA OPHC Bellatrix started the fixture with a positive handicap of nine goals and it required a collective effort from YMCA OPHC Wolves who started with positive five handicap goals, to stay in the hunt.

Madison Fernandes scored twice for Bingo GCC Spartans.

They did not disappoint as Cassie Campbell fired home a field goal in the 14th minute, while Minsodia Culpepper slotted home a penalty stroke in the 17th minute before Jasmine Assanah reduced the deficit one minute later as the Wolves trailed 8-9 at half time.

Bingo GCC Spartans defeated Saints 8-5. Both teams started on positive five and Bingo GCC Spartans hammered in three goals, while their defence stood firm to deny their opponents.

Abosaide Cadogan handed her team the advantage in the 3rd minute before Madison Fernandes scored a double; her first, a penalty corner, came in the 17th minute to hand her team a 7-5 lead at the interval, while her second was netted in the 39th.

In the male category, YMCA OPHC Champs defeated SHC Slick Sticks 1413. Baraka Garnett opened the account for SHC Slick Sticks with a field goal in the 4th minute before scoring his second through a penalty corner in the 10th. Ascofu Simon fired home a field goal in the 13th minute for YMCA OPHC Champs who led 13-10 at the break. SHC Slick Sticks, who began the game on positive eight handicaps, were handed two more goals as Edmond Chinian scored a field goal in the 26th minute and netted his second three minutes later. Daniel Woolford fired home in the 35th minute to stretch the lead for YMCA OPHC Champs who started with positive 12.

Baraka Garnett completed his hat-trick in the 40th minute.

Hikers Generals overcame Bounty GCC 10-9. Bounty GCC started the game on positive three while their opponents began the contest on positive nine. Lennox Carrol fired home for Bounty

Action between GBTI GCC Tigers and GBTI GCC Spartans.

GCC in the 14th minute before his team mate Steven Xavier netted in the 17th minute as the teams went to the break with Hikers Generals prevailing 9-5. Xavier gave his team another in the 21st before Mark Sargeant slotted home one minute later to further reduce the deficit. Devin Munroe found the back of the net for Hikers Generals in the 28 minute, while Kevin Spencer netted in the 31st and Meshach Sargeant added another for GCC Bounty in the 39th minute.

Pepsi Hikers were all business as they took the court against GCC Vintage.

With GCC enjoying a 5-goal handicap, they seemed intent on defending their advantage and packed their defensive area.

The Hikers managed to chip in three goals by half time with Leon Bacchus, Robert France and Jamaraj Assanah finding the back of the net in the 3rd, 5th and 6th minutes in that order. GCC picked up

Abosaide Cadogan a goal in the 4th minute through a Dwayne Scott effort.

Pepsi Hikes added four more in the second half to come out with a 7-6 victory

thereby retaining their position on top of Pool A. Their goals came from Randy Hope (5th), Aroydy Branford (35th), Jamarj Assanah (36th) and Leon Bacchus (37th).

Ashley DeGroot of GBTI GCC Spice controls the ball as she tries to evade her opponents.

PAGE 32

Ansa Mc Al, Patterson and Associates support Caricom Day dominoes tourney

From left Roderick Harry of Strikers Sports bar, Lennox Lee of Big Boss Transportation Service, Minister David Patterson and Neville Cadogan of Dynasty Sports bar share a moment; on display are the trophies.

Ansa Mc Al under their Stag beer brand and Patterson and Associates have thrown their support behind the Caricom Day Dominoes tournament which is set to commence tomorrow at The Garage Grill, Aubrey Barker Road, South Georgetown.

The tournament which will be played on a six-game, six-sitting, two-in-one-out basis and is set to commence at 13:00hrs, is being hosted

by Big Boss and Boscah Transportation Service and senior organising secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association, Mark Wiltshire.

At a simple presentation

ceremony held on Thursday night at Strikers Sports bar, Wiltshire expressed gratitude to the sponsors and said an exciting tournament is anticipated.

Entrance fee is $12,000 and the winning team will take home $300,000 and a trophy compliments of Ansa Mc Al, the runner up team will received $200,000 and a trophy sponsored by Genequip/Farm Supplies and third place $100,000 and a trophy courtesy of Patterson and Associates. The most valuable player will take home $10,000 compliments of Big Boss and Boscah Transportation Service.

According to Wiltshire, there will be zero tolerance on indisciplin e and the tournament is expected to attract some of the top teams in the city including Mix Up, Rage, Spartons, Providence, Transport SC, All Season’s Racing Service, All Season’s Racing Service Angels, Thunder, TNT, C7, Gold for Money, Black Gold, Up Setters, Players, Travellers, OPKO and Ravens.

The tournament will conclude on July 1 at Dynasty Sports bar. Teams can contact Lyndon Boston on 644-8025 or Wiltshire on 659-8672 for registration.

Rastafarian Core Group to stage family fun day on Monday The Rastafarian Core Group will be staging a family fun day on Monday July 1 at the Golden Grove Playfield on the East Coast Demerara starting at 10:00am. The event is being staged in collaboration with the Ministry of the Presidency, who has given their blessing and support.

Several ministry and government officials have

Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

promised to be present at the event and will interact with the youths and residents of the village.

The day’s programme will see football, cricket, basketball, athletics and other events being contested.

Youth teams from the Golden Grove, Haslington, Nabaclis and Paradise and other neighbouring areas are invited to participate.

Persons can also interact with the officials on hand which will include Ministers Basil Williams, Raphael Trotman and Simona Broomes and Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon.

There will also be activities for the children according to Vice Chairman of the organisers Percy Bristol.

Amla, Du Plessis cruise as South Africa...

From page 29 Mathews (11). De Kock (15) struck three crisp fours before he was bowled by the wily Lasith Malinga (1-47), but Amla and Du Plessis played a patient game and nudged the ball for singles and twos.

Amla took 56 balls for his half-century and Du Plessis 70, but they were always ahead of the runrate.They sped up when the target narrowed to under 30, but Du Plessis ran out of runs to reach a deserved captain’s ton.

“All departments went wrong, especially the batting,” a rueful Karunaratne said. “We struggled to even get singles and that was key. You get put under pressure and start going for big shots.

“The wicket was a bit slow but they bowled really well. We could not build the same pressure.”

Scores: South Africa 206 for 1 (du Plessis 96*, Amla 80*) beat Sri Lanka203 (Avishka 30, Pretorius 3 for 25, Morris 3 for 46) by nine wickets.

Struggling Windies back down to number nine DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – West Indies have slipped to number nine in the ICC One-Day International rankings, compounding their misery of being eliminated from the ongoing World Cup in England.

In the latest rankings released Thursday, West Indies lost three ratings points to slip to 77 points, below Sri Lanka who regained eighth spot with 78 points.

The drop comes on the heels of a poor showing by the Windies at the World Cup where they have lost five of their seven games and won just once.

They lie eighth in the 10team standings on three points. Their 125-run defeat to India on Thursday at Old

Trafford ruled out any chance of them reaching the semifinals.

India have, meanwhile, returned to the top of the standings with 123 points following their unbeaten run at the World Cup while previous number ones, England, have slipped to second on 122, after losing three matches in the tournament.

West Indies had last month finally moved out of ninth place in the ICC rankings, following their impressive 2-2 draw in the five-match series against world number ones England in the Caribbean.

They had previously spent several years at number nine, causing them to play a qualifying tournament in

Zimbabwe last year March with the likes of Nepal, Papua New Guinea and United Arab Emirates, in order to qualify for the World Cup. Hosts, England and the remaining top seven in the rankings at September, 2017 gained automatic qualification.

West Indies have two remaining matches at the World Cup against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

ICC ODI rankings 1 India 123 2 England 122 3 New Zealand 114 4 Australia 112 5 South Africa 109 6 Pakistan 96 7 Bangladesh 92 8 Sri Lanka 78 9 West Indies 77 10 Afghanistan 60

India’s national 110m hurdles record holder confirmed for AP Invitational India’s national record holder at the 110m hurdles Siddhanth Thingalaya has been confirmed for the Aliann Pompey Invitational set for July sixth at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Thingalaya, who hails from Mumbai, holds India’s national 110m hurdles record at 13.48s that he broke in 2017.

Thingalaya has represented his nation at the Commonwealth Games twice (2010, 2014)

and has participated at the World Championships once in 2017.

The 28-year old is also an Asian junior silver medalist (2010) in the 110m hurdles event and also competed at the World Junior Championships as well.

Founder of the AP Invitational, Aliann Pompey is extremely happy to have Thingalaya compete at the event which will only add more quality to the championships.

ExxonMobil Schools’ football tournament

20 matches scheduled for today The second annual ExxonMobil Schools’ football tournament that is also being supported by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) continues this morning at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue with 20 matches scheduled

amongst the boys’ and girls’ teams beginning at 10:00hrs.

The young ladies will be in action first with a total of eight matches scheduled.

Defending champions Charlestown Secondary will be looking to continue their winning form from last week

when they match skills with East Ruimveldt at 11:30hrs.

Twelve matches are scheduled to be battled amongst the young men, with the first of their matches which will be battled between St. Mary’s High and Plaisance Boscoe at noon.

The full schedule of today’s matches can be seen below.

Girls’ fixtures Ministry of Education Ground 10:00 hrs Ann’s Grove vs Richard Ishmael 10:00 hrs Annandale vs Dolphin 10:50 hrs Uitvlugt vs New Campbellville 10:50 hrs Lodge vs Tucville 11:40 hrs East Ruimveldt vs Charlestown Secondary 11:40 hrs St Mary vs St Stanislaus 12:30 hrs Ann’s Grove vs Dolphin 12:30 hrs Annandale vs Richard Ishmael Boys Fixtures 6/29/2019 Round 3 Ministry of Education Ground 12:00 hrs St Mary v/s Plaisance orphanage 12:00 hrs Richard Ishmael v/s New Campbellville 12:50 hrs North Ruimveldt Multi v/s Annandale Secondary 12:50 hrs Cummings Lodge v/s Brickdam Secondary 13:40 hrs Ann’s Grove v/s Lodge Secondary 13:40 hrs Tucville v/s St Stanislaus College 14:30 hrs Carmel Secondary School v/s President College 14:30 hrs Marian Academy v/s Uitvlugt Secondary 15:20 hrs Charlestown Secondary v/s Golden Grove 15:20 hrs East Ruimveldt v/s St John’s 16:10 hrs Kingstown v/s Tutorial 16:10 hrs Queens Town Secondary v/s Dolphin Secondary

Match # 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Match # 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Saturday June 29, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Rapinoe double takes U.S past France into semi-finals PARIS (Reuters) - Megan Rapinoe struck twice as the United States beat hosts France 2-1 in the women’s World Cup quarter-finals at the Parc des Princes yesterday to set up a last-four clash with England.

Rapinoe, who was involved in a spat with U.S. President Donald Trump during the build up to the game, opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a lowstruck free-kick from the left that went in untouched through a crowd of players.

The 33-year-old Rapinoe added their second goal in the 65th minute and although France got back in the game with a Wendie Renard header in the 81st, the U.S held firm to maintain their record of never missing out on the World Cup semi-finals.

A night which showed just how far the women’s tournament has grown, with thousands of travelling American fans in a sell-out 45,000 crowd, ended in disappointment for the hosts.

Corinne Diacre’s French

Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. in action with France’s Marion Torrent. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) team played attractive, passing football but, while their style was more contemporary and aesthetically pleasing, it was the killer edge of the experienced Americans that proved decisive.

“You have to give it up to the French team. They outplayed us for sure with the ball today,” said Rapinoe.

“But we were so good defensively, so strong. We hit them where it hurt, we took our chances. This team has

GFF Independence Cup semifinals on today Two exciting matches will be on today to decide the finalists of the GFF–KFC National U20 “Independence Cup” when Dynamic FC face off with Botofago FC at 13:00hrs and Fruta Conquerors FC play against Santos FC at 15:30hrs at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence.

The semifinalists were decided following last weekend’s quarterfinals with the respective teams

triumphing over their equal number from respective Regional Member Association (RMA) including Strikers FC from the Rupununi Football Association.

Each team will be looking for glory as they had comfortable victories in their quarterfinals matches: Fruta Conquerors 5 – 3 over Buxton United, Santos FC 3 – 1 over Strikers FC; Dynamic 3 – 0 over NA United and Botofago

3 – 2 over Timehri Panthers respectively.

Prizes for the inaugural tournament are as follows: 1st Prize - $500,000, trophy and medals; 2nd Prize $300,000, trophy and medals; 3rd Prize - $200,000, trophy and medals and 4th Prize will be a trophy and medals.

The third-place and finals are set for July 1 at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence.

Play between Dynamic FC (on the ball) and New Amsterdam United last weekend.

an unreal amount of heart,” she added.

Heart and brains too.

Seeing the French defence had put just two players in the defensive wall for the early free-kick, Rapinoe accepted the invitation and her low

drive flew through a crowded area and past unsighted goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi.

FEW OPENINGS The U.S have scored in the opening 12 minutes of every game in this tournament and they also could draw on the fact that they have never lost after taking the lead in a World Cup game.

F r a n c e ’s h o p e s o f turning the match around depended on them opening up the American defence with their clever passing but while they impressed in build-up play they created few openings.

France right winger Kadidatou Diani put left-back Crystal Dunn under intense pressure with her frequent dribbles down the flank, while on the left Amel Majri pushed progressively into an advanced role to the consternation of right-back Kelly O’Hara.

Yet despite all that promising play in the wide areas, the French struggled to provide striker Eugenie Le Sommer with real quality service and, having survived

a wave of pressure after the interval, Rapinoe struck again.

Alex Morgan’s clever through ball put Tobin Heath into space on the right and her low cross, pulled back behind the French line, found the hovering Rapinoe who slotted home her fifth goal of the tournament with confidence.

H e a t h ’s e ff o r t t h a t would have wrapped up the game was ruled out for offside, and France responded with one last push.

With nine minutes of normal time remaining, the home side finally got some reward when Renard rose above the American defence, whose marking was unusually sloppy, to glance in a header from a Gaetane Thiney freekick.

Jill Ellis’s U.S. side may not have the quality of passing and movement shown by the French but they certainly are not a side that are going to give up a two-goal lead.

Next up for the holders are England on Tuesday in Lyon.

Amla, Du Plessis cruise as South Africa dent Sri Lanka hopes CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (Reuters) - Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla struck unbeaten halfcenturies as South Africa cruised to a nine-wicket victory at the Riverside Ground yesterday to put a major dent in Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.

After putting Sri Lanka in to bat, South Africa were set a target of 204 as seamer Dwaine Pretorius took 3-25 off 10 overs in an innings that was interrupted by a swarm of bees that invaded the pitch and sent the players and umpires to the floor.

After the early loss of Quinton de Kock, alreadyeliminated South Africa never looked troubled as Amla (80 not out) and Du Plessis (96 not out) put on 175 for the second wicket, reaching their target with 76 balls remaining.

Sri Lanka needed victory to move level with fourthplaced England in the race for semi-final places, but struggled with bat and ball against an opponent who have now beaten them in 17 of their last 19 meetings.

“It’s been a long time coming,” South Africa captain Du Plessis said of his side’s second win of the tournament.

“We finally did ourselves justice with the talent we have in the dressing room. But

South Africa’s Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla in action against Sri Lanka.

(Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith) it feels bittersweet, it doesn’t feel like it means so much because it has come too late.

“We showed the basics of batting, we have not had guys score big runs and build partnerships by going all the way through the innings. It made a huge difference today.”

Sri Lanka produced a fast start to their innings that was halted by the immaculate line and length of Pretorius as South Africa limited their opponents to 203 all out three

balls shy of 50 overs.

After overcoming the loss of captain Dimuth Karunaratne with the first ball of the match, Kusal Perera (30) and Avishka Fernando (30) raced to 67 inside the first 10 overs, taking the attack to the South Africans.

But Pretorius picked up both their wickets and slowed the run-rate, with seamer Chris Morris (3-46) also collecting key scalps, including that of Angelo (Continued on page 28)

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Saturday June 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

National Senior Athletics Upcoming West Indies, India T20’s C/Ship runs off this weekend in Florida break ticket sales record The country’s top athletes will converge for the 2019 Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) sponsored National Senior Championships today and tomorrow at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC) on the West Coast of Demerara with events running off at 10:00hrs each day.

Head of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, in an invited comment with the media had posited that, “The National Senior Championship is one of the most anticipated events in Guyana’s sports calendar.

There are many athletes, overseas and local, who are trying to gain the time and attention of the AAG to get a chance to go to the Wo r l d Championships this year.”

The AAG will

National record holder, Leslain Baird, will be part of the action this weekend. simultaneously be holding a fundraising barbecue along with the meet.

Any patron purchasing a

barbecue ticket for $1200 will be afforded entry to the event, while regular tickets to the event would cost $300.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket fans in the United States are excited about the upcoming two MyTeam11 Twenty20 Internationals between West Indies and India on August 3 and 4 at the Broward County Stadium in the American city of Lauderhill in the state of Florida.

Cricket West Indies ticket solutions provider, Zoonga, reported record gross ticket sales for a single West Indies match over a 24-hour, online sales period.

“Nearly all of our premium seats and mound access seats have been sold with over 8,000 tickets sold across the two T20Is in just over 24 hours,” said CWI commercial director Dominic Warne.

“Such has been the demand that we’re releasing almost another 5,000 tickets for each day’s play, with 4,600

additional covered and uncovered bleacher seats on sale today. We’ve also extended the mounds area to fit in another 300 places. Fans will continue to have the opportunity to buy a doubleheader bundle for the two matches at a 10 per cent discount to individual day tickets.”

Tickets for the India Tour of the West Indies 2019 – sponsored by MyTeam11 and co-powered by Skoda – went on sale to the public last Monday. Fans can get their tickets to all eight matches for the Tour via the “Buy Tickets” button on the West Indies website – www.windiescricket.com – including the two MyTeam11 T20Is in the United States and the two MyTeam11 Tests which jump starts the two teams’ participation in the ICC World Test Championship.

Local box office sales in the host territories start approximately two weeks in advance of each leg of the Tour with the list of opening dates being: • United States: July 15 to August 4 for 1st and 2nd Twenty Internationals • Guyana: July 22 to August 8 for 3rd T20I and 1st One-day International (ODI) • Trinidad: July 29 to August 14 for 2nd and 3rd ODI • Antigua: August 15 to 26 for 1st Test • Jamaica: August 19 to September 3 for 2nd Test “We’re also seeing promising early ticket sales in Trinidad and Guyana for the ODIs and T20Is,” said Warne.

“This is going to be an exciting series against the No.1 team in T20Is, ODIs and Tests. We’re urging our West Indies fans to come out and

rally behind the team to create the legendary Caribbean atmosphere which our #MenInMaroon thrive in.”

Tickets for children aged 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket for the mound and fan zone areas at all matches.

Senior citizens – aged 60plus – on presentation of a form of national photo identification at local box offices are also eligible for free tickets while stocks last for all matches, except the two MyTeam11 Twenty20 Internationals in the United States.

MATCH SCHEDULE Sat, Aug 3: 1st MyTeam11 Twenty20 International – Broward County Stadium, United States (10:30 am start) Sun, Aug 4: 2nd MyTeam11 Twenty20 International – Broward County Stadium (10:30 am) Tue, Aug 6: 3rd MyTeam11 International – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana (10:30 am) Thu, Aug 8: 1st MyTeam11 One-day International – Guyana National Stadium (9:30 am) Sun, Aug 11: 2nd MyTeam11 One-day International – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad (9:30 am) Wed, Aug 14: 3rd MyTeam11 One-day International – Queen’s Park Oval (9:30 am) Sat, Aug 17 to Mon, Aug 19: Tour Match – Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua (9:30 am daily) Thu, Aug 22 to Mon, Aug 26: 1st MyTeam11 Test – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua (9:30 am daily) Fri, Aug 30 to Tue, Sep 3: 2nd MyTeam11 Test – Sabina Park, Jamaica (9:30 am daily)

Mackenzie Sports Club to stage its Annual General Meeting and elections tomorrow After a decade without staging its annual general meetings the Mackenzie Sports Club Management Committee has planned its Annual General Meeting and Elections for tomorrow at the MSC Lounge in Greenheart Street, Mackenzie Linden.

This institution is the centre of sports in Linden and remains the main sports facility because of its vastness.

The MSC led by incumbent President Avery

Trim has had some tough years of recent but are looking to re-establish its place among the best clubs in Guyana.

Current President Avery Trim is expected to present his report to the membership as well as the General Secretary Marlon Pearson, while the treasurer’s report is anticipated even with the absence of Treasurer John Trim who is currently out of the country. However, the (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Saturday June 29, 2019

PAGE 35

Ministers Norton, Rajkumar engage residents in Table tennis games on Region 6 visit

Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton showing his skills at a game of Table tennis.

Minister of Business Haimraj Rajkumar in action as the crowd pays keen attention.

M

inister of Social Cohesion, Honorary Dr. George Norton and Minister of Business, Honorary Haimraj Rajkumar took time off to show their mettle and their all-round ability. Despite being decked out in suits, tie and shoes and other apparel fit for the office, the two ministers despite their apparel engaged

residents in a number of games of Table Tennis.

The Ministers were part of the contingent of Ministers and Government officials that participated in the one day Harmony Village, activity which was held at Scottburg Community Center, Ground, Corentyne Berbice, Region 6.

Serving, smacking, chopping, looping their way to many points, their table tennis skills were very apparent as they held their own in many of the encounters.

The Harmony Village activity is organised by the Ministry of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport. (Samuel Whyte)

t r o Sp

Struggling Windies back down to number nine

West Indies have slipped to number nine again following their poor World Cup run.

India’s national 110m hurdles record holder confirmed for AP Invitational

Siddhanth Thingalaya France’s Wendie Renard scores their lone goal against the US yesterday. (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. scores their second goal against France.

(REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

Rapinoe double takes U.S past France into semi-finals Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.