Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

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Pensioner, 65, perishes

Saturday Edition March 02, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 09

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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Online readership yesterday 107,710

in Non Pareil fire Guyana Goldfields rapidly eroding EPA's trust in its operations - Dr. Adams Dead: Rovena Hassan

…Says issued permit is not to 'resume' underground mining, but to collect data

WASHED UP:

Springlands fishermen yesterday afternoon found debris from an Arianespace rocket on their foreshore. There was a launching from Kourou, French Guiana, on Wednesday morning.

Police, Childcare Labour Dept. 'invites' Rusal, union to conciliation meeting… Woman gives Govt: Status quo cannot birth while investigate sex continue; Granger, husband killed allegations against Region One Chairman ministers to be briefed by "junkie"

Jagdeo has enough time to rethink meeting with President - Harmon Appointing AG as External Auditor for Natural Resource Fund a wrong move - NRGI

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

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Guyana Goldfields rapidly eroding EPA's trust in its operations - Dr. Adams

By Kiana Wilburg

T

he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is alarmed, and disappointed to say the least, that Guyana Goldfields Inc. is allowing the nation's Ministers, its Shareholders and the public at large, to run away with the impression that it received a permit to resume its underground mining project.

Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, EPA Head, D r. Vi n c e n t A d a m s , categorically stated that no such permit was issued. He stressed that the company only got a permit to do prospective works which will allow for the collection of data.

“Despite what the media reports are saying, that is all they are allowed to do. There is no mining that can be done,” the EPA Head articulated.

The Environmental Engineer said that the data to

…Says issued permit is not to 'resume' underground mining, but to collect data be collected by the Canadian mining firm will be used to inform its final design for the planned mine. At the same time, Dr. Adams stressed that the company has to put together a proposal for underground mining which will include some of the world's most rigid regulations on underground mining. He said that this is essential since the country is without underground mining laws and regulations.

Dr. Adams said that this clarification on the permit was necessary after he saw comments from Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.

Trotman's comments were to the effect that the company received the permit for underground mining. “It is disappointing that the

company would mislead the Minister in this manner,” added Dr. Adams.

Kaieteur News also contacted Minister Trotman to ascertain the source of his information regarding the permit. He said that it was had from a press release by the company last week.

In the said release, the Canadian company said it has received environmental authorization from the Environmental Protection Agency “to resume construction and development work” on an underground exploration decline at its Aurora Gold Mine. The document continued, “The mine, which has been in commercial operation as an open pit since 2016, is anticipated to transition into an eventual

combined open pit and underground operation and would become the first modern underground mine developed in Guyana…

“The underground decline is intended for exploration and definition drilling in support of planned underground production.

The Company temporarily suspended work on the underground decline in November 2018 at the request of the EPA.” Today's authorization to resume operations follows the provision by the Company to the EPA of additional information concerning the application of internationally accepted codes concerning the environment, health and safety practices being proposed.”

Even though this was not explicitly stated in its statement, Minister Trotman clarified that the company's permit is only for prospecting and not for mining. (SEE LINK FOR F U L L G U YA N A G O L D F I E L D S S T A T E M E N T : https://www.guygold.com/ N e w s / N e w s Details/2019/GuyanaGoldfields-Inc-ReceivesEPA-Approval-to-ResumeUnderground-ExplorationDecline/default.aspx) Commenting further on the matter, Dr. Adams said he was disappointed to observe that the company failed to expeditiously clarify in the media, the purpose of its permit.

The EPA Head said, “This is the second run in that the EPA has had with the company on this underground mining operation. The first was when they went ahead with the project without our

EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams approval…

“It is really disappointing that a company which claims to be of international repute is operating in this manner. It does not speak well for its reputation. It does not speak well for them and it is rapidly eroding EPA's trust in its operations.”

Dr. Adams added, “I am deeply disturbed by the company's total misrepresentation and misleading information to the minister, the public and their shareholders.”

Jagdeo has enough time to rethink meeting with President - Harmon

O

pposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has refused an invitation extended by President David Granger for a meeting. But, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon says that Jagdeo's decision is not being considered final by government.

Harmon said this as he noted that Jagdeo is still to formally respond to the President's invite.

“A letter of invitation was sent to the Leader of the Opposition for a meeting with the President on March 6 at 11:00hrs. We made that public after the letter was sent to the Leader of the Opposition.

“One would expect that under normal decency and by virtue of democratic behaviour, the Leader of the Opposition would respond to the President indicating whether he would attend that meeting or not, but not to hear in the Media that he has said that he is not attending,” said Harmon.

Minister Harmon believes that there is enough time before the March 6 meeting for the Opposition Leader to reconsider his decision to accept the

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon President's invitation.

“We have always said that the President is prepared to engage with the Leader of the Opposition on any matter of national interest. We consider this to be one such matter and therefore that is why the President invited him.

“So it is our hope that after mature consideration, the Leader of the Opposition will change that stance which he has taken today and attend the meeting,” Minister Harmon added.

Jagdeo had long said that any further meetings with

President David Granger will be predicated on the issues listed on the agenda to be discussed. Jagdeo said that unless the President wants to discuss a possible date for elections, meetings are essentially a no, no as far as he is concerned.

Jagdeo said that none of the topics proposed by the President are appealing to him.

Jagdeo asked, “Why do I need to meet with President Granger next week? He wanted to consult with me on the National Assembly's constitutional role in the present situation, and that is clearly defined in the Constitution. He does not need to consult with me on that.”

Jagdeo suggested that instead of the President consulting with him on such an issue, he should just simply “read the Constitution and comply with it.”

The Opposition Leader said that the second issue President Granger wanted to consult on has to do with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)'s readiness for the hosting of

General and Regional elections and requirements for funding to enable GECOM to conduct such elections.

Jagdeo said that he also need not be consulted on those two issues.

Addressing the request to meet on GECOM's

readiness, Jagdeo said that it is a waste of time meeting with the president on that, simply because he believes that the government gave “directions to GECOM not to be ready. They have not even started preparations and the constitutional period is essentially expired.”

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

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

EDITORIAL

Guyana plight if Maduro leaves In 2015 Guyana awarded an oil exploration contract to ExxonMobil, former company of former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Exxon soon discovered an oil field estimated at five billion barrels, significant enough to change the economy of tiny Guyana once production begins next year.

Unlike the heavy and expensive oil of Orinoco/ Chavez, the oil found offshore Guyana is high quality, light. Oil analysts cite an astonishing 82 per cent success rate for Exxon drilling in frontier areas compared with industry averages of 35 per cent.

Wood Mackenzie’s analysts say the offshore region “will easily become the fourth largest oil producing nation in Latin America by the next decade, with chances to outperform the countries preceding it. If Venezuela and Mexico fail to address production declines, Guyana could quickly surpass them to number two.”

Keep in mind until now this entire Esequiba region, offshore and on, had been off limits to oil exploration by mutual agreement of the countries. The Exxon Guyana discoveries confirmed the belief that the Esequiba region holds enormous oil resources.

Here enters the complication of Venezuela’s Maduro government and the bizarre declaration of opposition National Assembly President Juan Guaido to be deemed legitimate president. The entire tragic drama now unfolding can be better understood if we look beyond Orinoco Belt oil to the huge untapped potential reserves of Esequiba.

Since the 2015 Exxon finds, Venezuela has launched complaints with Guyana and on occasion interdicted Exxon oil exploration vessels. Complicating the situation for the Maduro regime is the fact that a partner of Exxon offshore Guyana in the disputed waters is the state oil company of Maduro’s largest creditor, China’s CNOOC. Imagine a scenario where Maduro’s regime is replaced by a free-market Guaido who reopens Venezuela to foreign oil interests and reprivatizes the state PDVSA. Then Guaido, with help from his various international friends, aggressively asserts Venezuela’s claims to Esequiba.

Britain, France and Spain, all with major oil companies in the region, have joined the US in recognizing Guaido as interim president. So long as Venezuela was controlled by Maduro, it suited Exxon and their backers in Washington to recognize Guyana’s legitimacy to the offshore Esequiba fields.

Were Guaido to come in, that could easily change and a fragile Guyana could be arm-twisted to resolve the Esequiba issue to the benefit of Venezuela.

Right now we find Maduro with the open support of China and Russia, opposed by Guaido with the open backing of Washington, London, France, Brazil (also bordering on the Esequiba region) and others. Further adding to the explosive geopolitical cocktail of the region is the fact that China has formally incorporated Guyana into its Belt and Road Initiative and is building a highway link from Manaus in Northern Brazil through Guyana, giving Brazil far more efficient access to the Panama Canal, cutting thousands of miles off the shipping route.

Notable also are Chinese efforts in Panama, the central shipping crossing between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 2016 China’s Landbridge Group bought Panama’s Margarita Island Port, the largest port, on the canal’s Atlantic side, giving the Chinese company intimate access to one of the most important goods distribution centers in the world.

It doesn’t take much imagination to realize that the geopolitical stakes in the Venezuela crisis go far beyond issues of legitimacy or democratic elections and far beyond the borders of Venezuela. And this is only the oil.

GRA boss responds to deceptive, misleading and selective missive Dear Editor The mission of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is to promote compliance with Guyana’s Tax laws, administer tax legislation in a fair, transparent and consistent manner, and deliver quality services to all taxpayers.

We also aim to achieve confidentiality in taxpayers’ affairs in executing our mandate.

Recently, the governing bodies of the Banking Sector and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana (ICAG) expressed by way of press statements and releases, responses to national media articles and attributed to the Commissioner General, over the treatment of certain expenses and the application and relevance of the Income Tax Act in the determination of Chargeable Profits/Income for companies and business which they manage or audit.

On the issues raised by the Banking Association, the GRA has noted that stated therein, they sought and received opinions from the legal and accounting professions.

Being no stranger to either profession, I will not comment thereon since the said association and the GRA had and continue to have discussions

with a view of devising a way in which records can be kept to satisfy compliance with the relevant legislation. However, on the issues raised by the ICAG, of which I have been a member for the past 26 years, I hasten to respond only on the basis of ethical responsibility and “the public interest principle” by which the Accounting professionals should be guided.

An accountant in public practice has a responsibility to his clients, investors and creditors, as well as regulatory bodies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority. They are statutorily responsible to give an objective opinion on the reliability and objectivity of the financial statements of their clients and to provide reasonable assurance that such are free of material misstatements and errors and are in accordance with all relevant laws, applicable accounting principles, conventions and standards.

The public interest principle dictates that “Members should accept the obligation to act in a way that will serve the public interest, honor the public trust, and demonstrate a commitment to professionalism”. This means that the public, who rely on the ac-

counting profession, expect them to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, objectivity, independence, due professional care and consideration and a genuine interest in serving the public.

Further, in discharging their professional responsibilities, members may encounter conflicting pressures from various stakeholder groups.

In resolving possible clash of conflicts, members should act with integrity, guided by the precept that when they fulfill their responsibility, the interest of the public and all other stakeholders are best served.

That being said, the release by the ICAG is deceptive and apparently intended to deliberately mislead the general public and the clients that they serve, since they have taken selective excerpts of the Income Tax Act and the IFRS standards and deliberately chose to omit or made minimal or no mention to other relevant sections of the said Act, which must be read contextually and to give rise to the obvious nexus.

Further, the ICAG as a body or individual, influential members who comprised the Council, never engaged (or seemed inclined to) the GRA on this matter, with an aim to

have a meaningful discourse and attain clarity.

The GRA wishes to unequivocally restate that its actions and or inactions are always guided by and supported by legislation and other regulatory framework as well as accounting principles, conventions and standards such as the applicable IFRS / IAS in its treatment of bad debts and in its request for additional information to determine the validity and veracity of the expense claimed.

Section 16 (e) of the Income Tax Act states as follows: “bad debts incurred in any trade, business, profession or vocation, proved to the satisfaction of the Commissioner-General to have become bad during the year immediately preceding the year of assessment and doubtful debts to the extent that they are respectively estimated to the satisfaction of the Commissioner-General to have become bad during that year notwithstanding that the bad or doubtful debts were due and payable prior to the commencement of the year, provided that all sums recovered during that year (Continued on page 6)

Dr. Jagdeo has all along been extremely reasonable DEAREDITOR, Leader of the Opposition (LOP) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has been understanding and bending backwards since the passage of the NCM (No Confidence Motion) in our National Assembly on 2018-12-21.

Our Coalition Government has been taking for granted and has been exploiting our LOP’s concern for not endangering the cohesion, integrity and peace of our nation. He has been enduring the taunts of supporters of the PNC and our Coalition Government and the fears of some of our PPP/C supporters that he is being outfoxed and outsmarted.

LOP Jagdeo has all along been extremely reasonable – whilst holding that GECOM having held a successful LGE on November 18, 2018, should have had no problem in holding elections within the mandated period. He nonetheless has indicated on a number of occasions that once our Coalition Government was making good faith movements towards early elections he was open to discussions to accommodate good dates for our mandated elections.

Revelations of the two letters of the same date, 2019-

02-25, addressed to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) each with the signature of the President, now in the public domain, are the latest test of our nation’s patience and faith.

How are we to resolve the significant difference in the tones of the two letters? Let us look at the two in some detail.

In the first letter which was shared with our PPP/C GECOM Commissioners: President Granger · Acknowledges receipt of the letter of 2019-02-21 from the Chairman of GECOM. · Notes the Chairman’s statement that GECOM does not [now] have the capability to comply within the three month time frame commencing on 2018-12-21 (the day in which the No-Confidence Motion was passed.) · Affirms that the Government of Guyana is committed (now) to doing everything to ensure that GECOM has sufficient time and money to conduct credible elections. · Urges GECOM to commence preparations for the General and Regional Elections (GRE). · Asserts that the Government will initiate measures

to provide the funds and seek approval of the National Assembly to ensure that an agreement can be reached given both the Constitutional requirements and GECOM’s capability.

PPP/C supporters and indeed our whole nation could have read this and did read this letter as a belated move to get on to the path which our Constitution mandates.

This is the letter that our President should have sent to the Chairman of GECOM on the 23rd or 24th of December, 2018 and it would have been consistent with the initial response of the Prime Minister and many members of the Government immediately after the passage of the NCM on the night of the 21st December, 2018, and of our President in our newspapers the following morning.

However, the second letter studiously avoids any reference or acknowledgement of the NCM of 2018-12-21, and any Constitutional requirements, which are recognized in the first letter. This second letter reverts to the posture of, “Nothing happened on 2018-12-21…Business as usual.”

What are we to make of this second letter? Was the second

letter intended to supersede the first? Certainly, it raises the question whether different positions have been taken by different persons at State House, Ministry of the Presidency, Congress Place, and the Centre for Change? One must wonder what the positions are of the WPA, JFA and the other smaller parties of the coalition Government.

In the circumstances, Dr. Jagdeo and every fair-minded Guyanese must be troubled by the presence of these two letters. Mr. Harmon should not find expressed fears of fraud to be malicious, deceitful and bewildering as the Chronicle Headline of March 01, 2019 bellows.

At this time, dates for General Elections in 2019 consequent to the passage of the NCM should be the only subject for the discussions between Opposition Leader, Dr. Jagdeo and President Granger.

I differ with Audreyanna Thomas’s letter published in the Stabroek Newspapers on March 1, 2019, her concerns about our country descending into chaos should be better directed towards our President.

Yours sincerely, SamuelA.A. Hinds Former President and Former Prime Minister

Saturday March 02, 2019

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Local payment options emerging with Leslie James - A Fair and GTT MMG Services - Protect your Fearless Commissioner of Police EDITOR, vehicles that I noticed that not granted any non-emerI write with regards to a the “emergency vehicle” in gency vehicle such permisMMG wallet; Beware of scammers recentDEAR online article in which police mode were actually sion to operate strobes/si-

DEAR READER, Are you still scheduling your life around queues? Still frustrated by the time-consuming process to pay your bills? Are you facing feelings of misery when you miss bill payment deadlines and your services are disconnected?

And what about when you need credit? Isn’t it convenient to remain in the comfort of your home, in the cool of your office or wherever you toil and with your phone in hand, top up your account?

And there are times when it is not just your cell phone that needs top up, but you who may be encountering challenges– you may need

the help of a relative or friend.

Millions of dollars in transfers are sent to Guyana every year from the United States, Canada, England and the Caribbean, so you should be aware of international financial services.

What about locally? What if you are in Berbice and a relative in Lethem offers a monetary gift? Or in Essequibo and a friend in Georgetown needs help? While money transfers occur using the same financial services that operates internationally, it requires you leaving your home or place of work, journeying to a location and often having to wait again in line.

There is another option.

Though hundreds or thousands of miles may not separate you; you may be sitting near that relative or friend and instead of reaching into your pockets to give them cash, it can be done from your mobile phone through GTT Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) app.

There are risks associated with carrying cash in this time when desperate men roam the streets. While sometimes it cannot be avoided, with your MMG wallet, you too can benefit from using MMG. Registering for MMG is free and allows you more time for leisure, work and rest. It (Continued on page 6)

Why are Toshaos and Deputy Toshaos being treated this way DEAR EDITOR, I use this opportunity to express my frustration about the system in my region.

I am a taxpayer like anybody else in Guyana. I am a deputy Toshao in my village who works tirelessly to serve my people and village. My stipend is $15,000 while the Toshao’s stipend is $30,000 per month. What is frustrating is that we never receive it on a timely manner or on a monthly basis.

I would like to know if the government system is that Toshaos and Deputy Toshaos must be paid on a quarterly basis? Though complaints were made to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, nothing is being done for us, it seems as though no one cares.

Every time we ask about our stipend at our Regional Administration office (Region #8 Potaro-Siparuni) we are told that they have to see if

there is any leftover money to pay the Toshaos and Deputy Toshaos.

I would like to know if monies were not budgeted in 2019 which was passed in late 2018 to pay Toshaos and Deputy Toshaos?

The last payments were made in December 2018 and no payments were made for this new year Regards Frustrated Deputy Toshao Region #8

(Per-) Versions of Dual Citizenship DEAR EDITOR, It is interesting to note that all the related observers are insistent on holding to a position that there is one form of (conclusive) dual citizenship, regardless of various attendant circumstances.

The commitment to this stance appears so irrevocable as to suggest that, if asked, they would refuse to argue the proposition that there could be a type of citizenship that is legally defensible.

To date, all have deliberately avoided addressing the unavoidable situation of being born in a foreign country; and advising on the logic of having to refute the place of birth.

In the meantime, there is this too passionate assertion that for parliamentarians only, dual citizenship automatically connotes a substantive deficit in allegiance to one’s coun-

try; without any reflection about the implications for that individual’s character whenever he or she may transition into a private business domain.

In this connection, one wonders how decision-makers in the private sector who function at levels comparable to, and even higher than, the parliamentarians, while also enjoying dual licence, are to be evaluated in terms of trust.

Arguably, their individual and collective decisions also impact on the social and economic welfare of the community, and perhaps, at times, moreso than do parliamentarians.

Why, therefore is this insistence on rushing to judgement, judicial or otherwise, without taking, more cautiously or broadly, into account the extenuating effect of outlawing critical competencies from a population known for such scarcity?

However immediate is the political issue, there are those who would perceive it to be a more critical human resources dilemma for the not too distant future.

Who is prepared to staunch the potential depletion?

Yours faithfully E.B. John

the Police Force has decided to prosecute owners of nonemergency vehicles, who decide to utilize sirens and flashing strobes to their personal benefit and entertainment.

E a r l i e r i n F e b r u a r y, there was a bomb scare at M a e ’s School in Subryanville which my children attend. I recall the horror of receiving the call from their teacher mere minutes after dropping them off and kissing them goodbye.

As any concerned parent, I drove as fast as my vehicle permitted in an effort to get my children to safety.

En route to their school, I heard the ever familiar and distinct police horn/siren behind my vehicle.

While my paternal instinct prodded to drive with urgency, my moral instinct instructed me to pull over to the left to allow the “emergency vehicle” to pass. It is with shock and anger on observation of the passing

two black F150 pickup trucks with tint so dark that even a black hole pales in comparison. It would appear that these vehicles were on the same mission as I was, which was to uplift their children, since the vehicles were later seen in front of the school.

I proceeded to uplift my children, as this was the most important thing to me at that point in time, but my anger and need to justify my assumption that the two pickup trucks were not state-owned emergency vehicles led me to the gates of Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

My request to meet with the Commissioner without an appointment was truly remarkable. He agreed to see me even though he was scheduled to travel within a few hours and listened attentively to my concern. I recall his promise to look into the issue, as he was clear that the force does not operate such luxurious vehicles and further has

rens and such for their private use and entertainment.

Guyanese including myself have long lost their ability to hold leaders accountable and in this same regard have lost the ability to recognize public officers who discharge their duties without fear or favor, regardless of the influence or clout of the offender.

In my humble view, Mr. James could have very well treated this as another small issue not worthy of his precious time, but rather, he has the efficiency and vision of a true leader to fix the small issues knowing full well that this is the path towards correcting the major societal lawlessness plaguing our nation.

I wish Commissioner James a successful tenure and am sure that he is on the path of securing a legacy within his organisation of being a fair and fearless leader.

Sincerely C. Persaud

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Local payment options emerging with GTT MMG Services...

From page 5 brings about peace of mind; less worry about those desperate men who will snatch your bag, purse or wallet and those who may also try to snatch your dreams and life.

It means that your money can be safe in an electronic wallet as long as you possess a mobile phone.

In March 2013, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) unveiled this MMG service to the Guyanese people.

Approved by Bank of Guyana, it is the first and only mobile financial services provider in Guyana. You can pay bills, purchase credit, send and receive money locally and make deposits and withdrawals. You are in control and your money is safely protected by a fourdigit pin that you create, and that only you will know unless you decide to share with relatives or friends. But be aware though. Do not be lax

with your trust. To be absolutely confident that your account will never be exposed is more certain if it is only you who knows your pin.

Your MMG experience of comfort, security and peace of mind begins with a simple registration on any mobile phone enhanced with an electronic wallet.

Protecting Your MoneyScam Alert If you have been a customer using MMG for a while, if you are now signing on or planning to, our responsibility at GTT is to continue providing a safe, reliable and secure service. It is why we are alerting you about those who might make attempts to defraud you.

There are some important tips you need to keep in mind when using MMG. · GTT would never ask you to reveal your pin: there is absolutely no occasion when representatives of GTT

will call you to coerce or trick you into revealing your pin or ask you to change it. GTT will not ask you to reveal your pin to make a deposit or transfer money to another person’s account. Again, there is no agent representing GTT who will ever suggest you reveal your pin. You may hear voices in the background and telephones ringing, deceiving you into believing that the scammer’s call is authentic, but DO NOT fall for it. Your pin is your business. The choice to change it at any point is yours. It must be reiterated– NEVER reveal your pin to anyone who calls you even if they falsely claim to be representing GTT. · Beware of online fraud– it is no secret that people are not always who they claim to be online. Beware of fake profiles and fake offers – if someone offers to sell you an item for a fraction of the regular

price or promises you a profit if you spend a certain amount of money, be cognizant that it is most likely a scam. Spend time researching. And if you are not certain about the legitimacy of an online business visit mmg.co.gy to confirm Mobile Money Guyana business partners – Merchants, Agents and Bill Pay partners. · Put more thought into your pin – Birth years, birth dates, addresses, digits of your phone number, your license plate number and such, may be easy to set as your pin because they will be easier to remember. But for those with intent to scam you, such pins may also be easy to guess. It is our recommendation that you try to create pins that cannot be easily guessed. Pins like ‘1234’ require little effort or thought.

While you may want to keep it simple it is about your se-

curity and safety. It might also be wise to change your pin once in a while especially if you believe it has been exposed. You do not need anyone’s help to do this. You are in control. · Be cautious of those requests that seem strange– if you are asked to make payments in top up cards or told that to claim a prize you must send money or provide other valuables, it is not GTT contacting you. Be aware that the scammers have impersonated even ministers of government.

The criminals will go to any lengths to steal from you. If you are contacted and are told to purchase phone cards and to reveal the digits, if you are asked to send cash or any other instruction which requires you to use your money, end the call immediately and call our customer service agents on 0488 to enquire or report. Your calls to our cus-

tomer service agents are never too much. You are helping us to serve you and improve our services.

BE EMPOWERED Empowerment begins with awareness. Mobile Money Guyana empowers you. We are continuously working to improve our services. MMG is safe and secure. If your pin is entered incorrectly three times, your wallet will be barred. This measure protects you and your money. It is easily rectifiable by calling our customer service agents on 0488.

We at GTT encourage you. If you have not already registered for MMG, we invite you to come on board. We must work together to protect and improve this service so that the Guyanese people can continue to enjoy its full benefits.

Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company

GRA boss responds to deceptive, misleading and selective...

From page 4 on accounts of amounts previously written off or allowed in respect of bad or doubtful debts be treated for the purposes of this Act as receipts of this trade.”

The four (4) points articulated by the ICAG are correct!

However, with one caveat, they have failed to advise the public that the “bad debts claimed or the doubtful debts provided for must be proven/ estimated to the satisfaction of the Commissioner General to have become bad”, this, it appears is a deliberate omission with the intent to mislead and or misinform.

These very words “bad debts claimed or the doubtful debts provided for must be

proven/estimated to the satisfaction of the Commissioner General to have become bad” dictate that the Revenue Authority must be satisfied that the expenses claimed were reasonable, not excessive and incurred in the production of income.

Additionally, many institutions have related party lending/loans, whereby they lend to their shareholders and friends. Surely, any associated write-offs from these transactions should not be provided for and if it is, would not be allowed.

Further, in today’s world of diversification and portfolio investment, businesses have income from various sources (I sincerely hope that

all such sources are declared), some of which however, are exempt from taxation by virtue of the applicable law.

It would therefore be against all accounting and legal principles for bad debts associated with exempt income to be allowed as a deduction against taxable income.

In view of this, the Authority requested additional information to determine the basis for the provision for doubtful debts, or the allowance for doubtful accounts, the rationale for writing off the debt and the steps taken, including the specific factors considered before the debts were deemed irrecoverable or uncollectible.

Note should be taken that in order for a debt to be written off, the business must prove that it occurred in the operation of the specific trade or the business.

These include, but are not limited to, Loans to clients and suppliers, Credit sales to customers or Business loan guarantees. Bad debts can be deducted in part or in full, using either the specific

charge-off method or the nonaccrual-experience method.

Debts become worthless or un-collectible when the surrounding facts and circumstances indicate there is no reasonable expectation of payment, or the cost of collection exceeds the amount to be collected. To show that a debt is worthless, the lender must establish that they have taken reasonable steps to collect the debt, but were unable to do so.

The deduction should be taken only in the year the debt becomes worthless, and the businesses applying the prudent concept, do not have to wait until a debt is past due to determine that it is worthless / unrecoverable.

Financial Statements of companies are usually prepared in accordance with the relevant guidelines and accounting standards, albeit, there is a requirement to convert accounting profits stated therein into taxable income using the relevant tax laws.

Every Accountant is privy to IAS12 which advises on the methods used when “Accounting for Income Taxes”.

Basically, this standard

advises on the conversion of a company’s financial profits into taxable profits by utilising temporary and permanent differences based on tax legislation.

Consequently, notwithstanding the increase in the reserve and provision requirements of the Bank of Guyana, these have no relevance in arriving at taxable income.

A doubtful debt, like depreciation (temporary differences, favorable /unfavorable) is an account receivable that might become a bad debt at some point in the future, while an actual bad debt is an account receivable that has been clearly identified as not being collectible.

Since a provision is an amount that is put aside in the accounts to cover a future liability, the higher the provision that is determined by management of the business, and if accepted by the GRA, the less taxes payable by the taxpayer.

Hence the rationale that any provision for doubtful debts must be estimated to the satisfaction of the Commissioner-General to have become bad during the year.

During a recent press conference on February 1, 2019, I explained in response to a question from the press on the subject of the provisions for bad debts in the banking sector, that Commercial Banks must indicate what actions were taken to recover the debts before they were considered bad.

More importantly, in computing the bad debts, the value of the underlying collateral must be considered and provisions for bad and doubtful debts should not be claimed for tax purposes.

The GRA admits that unfortunately it was contributory negligence where bad and doubtful debt provisions were allowed/accepted without question for years.

This will be taken into account when resolving this issue with all companies, and not only the Financial Institutions.

We are in the process of improving the administration of taxes hence all taxpayers are reminded to comply with the tax laws, as this takes precedence over the guidelines and accounting standards.

Godfrey Statia

Saturday March 02, 2019

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Kaieteur News

March 12 set for hearing of appeal in no-confidence motion cases Was the no-confidence motion validly passed in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018? Was it carried by a majority of all 65 members of the National Assembly? These questions emerge from two cases in relation to the no-confidence motion which the Court of Appeal will commence hearing on Tuesday, March 12 and again on Thursday, March 14 respectively.

Presiding over the cases are Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory.

The hearing dates were fixed yesterday when the matters of the Attorney General vs. Christopher Ram and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo; and the Attorney General vs.

Dr. Barton Scotland, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and Mr. Joseph Harmon, a representative of A Party for National Unity (APNU), were

called up.

The Records of Appeal in these two matters have already been filed with the registrar at the Court of Appeal.

In relation to the case of Attorney General vs.

Christopher Ram and the Leader of the Opposition, Attorney General, Basil Williams was granted seven days to file skeletal arguments and serve them on Ram, who is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Komal Ramkarran, who asked for four days thereafter service to file skeletal arguments. “My submissions are ready and I am prepared to argue. I will put in submissions by Monday (March 4),� Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall who is representing Jagdeo, told the court.

Roysdale Forde, Attorney-at-Law for Harmon, made a request for his client to join as a respondent in this case. But despite objections

from Nandlall and Ramkarran, the Chancellor granted the request citing that the case is one of national importance.

The parties will return to court on March 12, to present arguments.

Forde was granted three days from yesterday to lay over submissions. As it relates to the matter of the Attorney General vs. Dr. Barton Scotland, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and Mr. Joseph Harmon, this comes up for hearing on March 14.

The court is yet to hear the matter of private citizen, Compton Reid vs. Scotland, expelled Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud, Harmon, Jagdeo and the Attorney General.

Records of appeal in this matter are still outstanding, and the Chancellor indicated that notices for hearing will be sent to the parties once the documents are received.

In this case, Chief Justice Roxane George, had declared

that despite Persaud, who voted in favour of the noconfidence motion against the Coalition Government, is not qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly on the basis of dual citizenship by virtue of his

allegiance to Canada, a foreign power. However, his dual citizenship does not invalidate his vote on the noconfidence motion.

The Chief Justice had made it clear that by swearing allegiance to another state, in

accordance with Article 53 of the Constitution of Guyana, a dual citizen is not eligible to be elected to serve in the National Assembly. She stressed that this is applicable to other Members of (Continued on page 21)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

Special committee to review GTU’s newest salary increase proposal A special committee has been appointed to review a multi-year salary increase proposal submitted early last month to the Ministry of Education by the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU].

This is according to

information released by the Ministry yesterday.

On February 5, 2019, the union submitted its proposal intended to cater to increases for a threeyear period [2019 - 2021] for its 10,000-odd membership.

GTU President, Mark Ly t e , h a d s a i d t h a t t h e union was hoping for timely feedback from the Education Ministry. In fact he shared his expectation that the feedback would be forthcoming no later than

this month end.

In response to the proposal, the Ministry said that a high level committee on public education has been reactivated to examine the GTU proposal.

Additionally, it noted that an invitation has been extended to the union to attend a meeting in the second week of March, 2019 to initiate the negotiation process.

In its proposal the union is aiming for, among other things, a 25 percent across the board increase for public school teachers.

The union is also proposing conditions for the re-employment of retired teachers; the need for grants for schools which are often subjected to inadequate stock; incentive for teachers with additional qualifications and those qualified in areas of physical education and special needs education.

“Some of the things we have fine-tuned. We still have things like duty-free concessions, continuation of the Whitley Council [leave]...We are proposing adjustment to Whitley Council; we have clothing allowances; we have house lots for teachers still on the cards and we do have other things like class size issues.

“The class size for special needs schools, we are requesting a smaller number or in cases where the number cannot be

GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte. smaller we are recommending a teacher’s aide for the teachers so at all times there will be two persons to the class,” said the GTU President.

The proposal, ahead of being submitted, had its content approved by the membership of the union.

Lyte noted that although the u n i o n h ad initially planned to submit the proposal much earlier, a decision was taken at the level of its General Council to ensure that its 10,000-odd membership from across the country had the opportunity to give their input.

The last [three-year] agreement the Union had

with the Education Ministry expired at the end of last year shortly after it was signed.

This was o w i n g t o t h e slothful approach taken by the ruling administration to deal with the union’s proposal which was submitted since the end of 2015. A fall-out between Government and the union had resulted i n industrial action before an amicable resolution was eventually realised.

Given the recent experience, Lyte said, “I believe that both parties have learnt from the previous experience on how we would want to go forward. I hope that those lessons will serve to propel some urgency with the whole process.”

Saturday March 02, 2019

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Kaieteur News

The government should put its house in order RUSAL’s actions against the bauxite workers have been brutal but not unlawful. The company punitively dismissed 61 workers but in so doing it has not breached any of the country’s labour laws.

Yet, we keep reading about the need for the government to take action to demand that RUSAL respect our labour laws.

But no one is pointing to which specific laws were breached by RUSAL. The workers stopped working to protect a 1% salary increase which was paid to them.

They have no negotiations with the company nor did they give any notice about the action which they took.

The union which represents the workers then took up the workers’ cause. But RUSAL is contending that it does not recognize the union since the Board which is required to certify the recognition of the union was

deemed by the courts not to have been properly constituted.

In so far as RUSAL is concerned, the union has no locus standi. In so far as the government is concerned, the union should be recognized. But the law is not on the side of the union and the government knows this.

The government has had three years to resolve the weaknesses in our labour laws. These laws are not on the side of workers. As such, workers only weapon is their solidarity.

Years ago, when labour was in its heyday, solidarity strikes would have been launched in support of the workers. But all the unions in the country are weak and RUSAL seems to be acting defiantly. At the least it should concede that its dismissal of the 61 employees was harsh.

The government cannot logistically hope to intervene to solve every labour dispute. And

since the government knows or ought to know that these disputes often conclude with workers on the receiving end, they should tilt the labour laws in the worker’s favor.

As mentioned before, employers have the right to terminate workers for cause and with notice. The workers cannot afford to challenge such terminations in court because it is a costly and lengthy process. And even if they do approach the court, the common law position is that an employer cannot be forced against its will to reemploy a terminated worker.

The only workers who enjoy such protection are statutory employees. The government should therefore consider a number of actions which can strengthen the hands of unions in their relations with employers.

For one, what constitutes cause for termination should be clearly

Dem boys seh ...

Two passport nice but it got trouble There was a time when everybody want to go to farrin. And when somebody get a visa de whole family use to celebrate. Dem use to have a party like how people does keep birthday parties these days. When de day come fuh dem to lef de country, was anodda big thing. Everybody want to go to de airport suh de family use to stay up whole night and cook. Dem pack de food in baskets and was one picnic at de airport.

Dem boys use to like see when de people leffing de country. Tears use to fall like when dem got funeral. People use to bawl and roll up pun de ground. But there was a lot of benefit. People use to send back nuff things like clothes and money.

Everybody use to want to go to farrin after de clothes and de money come. That is how dem have dual citizenship these days. People got two passport. In case Guyana get hard dem same people pack up and lef to live elsewhere. Now de constitution got a problem wid people who got two passport. Nuff people in de coalition got two passport and because of de court action wha

Basil de Willie file, from now, dem can’t sit in parliament again. Of course, dem boys know that Basil de Willie was trying to get rid of he competition. Li’l Joe was one of dem wid two passport.

Carl also got two passport but there is a difference. Li’l Joe swear to anodda flag but Carl never swear. He mudda and fadda is de people who mek he get citizenship. He can sit in parliament because he never pledge allegiance.

Li’l Joe is anodda problem. And who know him know he wouldn’t give up he citizenship to Uncle Sam. He is one of de people who can vote in Guyana and vote in Uncle Sam elections. He got two presidents.

Dem got others like him. Gail got a problem and she tell Jagdeo that she will give up she Canadian citizenship. How people gun know if she give it up? De Canadians don’t publish a notice.

Suh she got two Prime Ministers and she can vote in two countries.

Talk half and dem boys watching to see how this story gun end.

defined so as to make it more difficult for workers to be terminated for frivolous reasons as long as notice is provided. Secondly, the government should fix the problem with the Trade Union Recognition Board. If the courts have ruled that it is not properly constituted, it should be properly constituted so that no company can refuse to recognize a union which has won a recognition poll. Thirdly, it will not cost the government a fortune to pay a stipend of $25,000 per month to each of the terminated employees, until such time as they are reinstated. Hampers are not enough. Years ago, when there was a boiler explosion at Barama and a number of workers had to be laid off, Bharrat Jagdeo paid each one a stipend for a period and also funded a retraining exercise. And so, apart from the immediate short-term action to tilt the scales in favour of workers,

what is needed is a comprehensive revamping of Guyana’s labour laws to root out unfair dismissals. The government is just as guilty of wrongful dismissals and unnecessary termination of the contracts of its employees as are private companies.

Persons have been unfairly dismissed from the public sector; the contracts of others have been allowed to expire rather than be renewed and some workers have reportedly decided to leave because they are not comfortable. Those affected number far more than those now on the breadline because of the actions of RUSAL. There has been a most inexplicable case within the health sector in which a person was appointed to a senior position and was performing in that position for years. When the term of his contract expired, instead of offering to renew it and allow the person to continue in his

post, the position was re-advertised. If this does not amount to constructive dismissal what does? And no one protested how a person in an established post has to reapply for the job which he was doing for years simply because his contract ended. The fact that the person’s contract ended does not create a vacancy.

The government has a lot of skeletons in its closet when it comes to unfair dismissals. It cannot be a credible arbiter if it is guilty of doing the same thing to public sector workers that RUSAL did to those sixty one workers. The government must put its house in order before throwing stones as RUSAL.

PAGE 10

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Sadly, there is no commonsensical voice to intervene There is a recent published letter in KN by a person named, Michael Abraham. I was delighted to read it. I smiled when I read it.

But underneath my satisfaction was raging anger. These things do not happen in the real world. These things do not happen in a nation where lots of people are educated.

If they do, then an eerie thing explains this country.

Abraham makes a valid complaint about a lack of commonsense, not on the part of some foolish ten-yearold child but a Government

agency. Here we go.

Carifesta Avenue has now been bifurcated into two with one way traffic on each lane.

Naturally there is a concrete division in the middle called a median. The National Park on Carifesta Avenue has two gates – eastern and western.

If you come from the east, you enter through the eastern gate. If you come from the west, you enter from the gate that also serves Burrowes School of Art. Here now is high stupidity as perpetrated on this country by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Bear up with a small digression. I opposed the performance of Robeson Benn as Minister of Public Works.

Benn even threatened to sue me over a critical column on his ministry. One Sunday night, tempers flared between us when he came into Kaieteur News. Adam Harris came between us (I think I would have lost the fistic encounter.)

I would never have believed that there could have been more imbecility and irrationality practised by that same ministry after Benn’s party lost the 2015 elections.

I state unambiguously, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has the smallest amount of commonsense among all the ministries.

Back to Carifesta Avenue.

Now naturally there has to be an opening in the median for drivers to enter the park and Burrowes School.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure did not put the cut in the median there. The passage was placed up the road not at the western gate of the National Park but east of Burrows School; at the entrance to the eastern gate of the National Park.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the cut being at the eastern gate. So you are traveling east on Carifesta Avenue, you turn into Burrowes School and the park at the opening which

leads to the eastern gate. Remember the western gate is not accessible because of the median. Here is more stupidity for you. The eastern gate of the National Park is permanently closed. And how do I know this? I use the place every morning.

So you turn into the opening in the median but you cannot enter the eastern gate; it is locked. So you have to do a dangerous thing. You have to make a wide turn into the southern lane of Carifesta Avenue and drive unto the parapet to get to the western gate to enter Burrowes School.

Mr. Abraham puts it this way; “… They constructed a median which made it impossible for east bound traffic to enter the gate of the car park without making a sharp U turn into the westbound traffic.

Those who use this road regularly know the high speed at which vehicles travel here. It is an absolutely high risk to manoeuvre this turn.

The amount of glass shards on this turn is testimony to the risk to life and limb to make this turn…Why can’t both gates be opened?

The simple act of opening that second gate will make life immeasurably easier and safer for users of the National Park.” This is just another manifestation of a country where you have to look hard to find rationality.

Why the ministry did not put the cut in the median at the entrance that leads into the park and Burrowes School? That is stupidity number one. Stupidity number two - why not open the other gate? This is just one example of the horror show this country was, is and will be.

Why close off a main street in Georgetown to paint road signs at the rush hour? I would like to remind you of an action that I once wrote about last year. This one will never occur elsewhere on Planet Earth.

Frederick Kissoon The very ministry closed off traffic on the Railway Embankment for three months to rehabilitate the Liliendaal bridge.

Two days after traffic was allowed on the completion of the bridge, they closed the roadway again. Guess for what? You are never ever going to believe the reason - to clean the trench. So why not when the road was closed?

Because commonsense, logical thinking and rationality most tragically have disappeared.

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

Labour Dept. ‘invites’ Rusal, union to conciliation meeting…

Govt: Status quo cannot continue; Granger, ministers to be briefed The Department of Labour has asked the workers’ union and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc., which is controlled by Rus-

sians for the conciliation meeting on Monday.

The meeting comes as Government confirmed yesterday that the Ministry of

Natural Resources have ordered the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to conduct a technical and legal assessment of

all of the bauxite operations in the Upper Berbice, Region Ten area.

The report from the assessment will be discussed on Tuesday during a meeting between President David Granger and his ministers.

Speaking to reporters during a tour of Bosai’s operations in Linden yesterday, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, disclosed that currently being studied are the legal and other consequences, including Rusal/BCGI closing its operations or government closing it.

According to the minister, what is clear is that the current “status quo” stalemate just cannot continue.

In total, Rusal/BCGI has been issued three licences and these are being examined, Trotman said.

Bauxite-rich Region Ten is facing major labour challenges at the moment after the company, 90 percent of which is owned by Rusal, fired more than 90 workers for objecting to a one percent increase in pay.

Some 61 workers who asked to meet management to query the increase had their services terminated and then more than 30 received their termination letters, a few days later.

The company had since ordered the fired workers off its Aroaima premises, where the workers are housed.

However, the workers are refusing to, with government forced to send in food supplies after Rusal told its kitchen to stop cooking for them.

Several meetings between Government and workers and the unions and representatives of the BCGI have failed to end the stalemate.

Rusal is one of the biggest aluminium companies in the world.

However, its track record in Guyana when it comes to labour has been woeful.

In 2009, it also fired 57 staffers, including supervisors, for protesting for better

Minister Raphael Trotman pay and conditions.

That matter is unresolved.

According to Trotman, yesterday, while Government is happy that the performance of Bosai, a Chinese company that is operating bauxite facilities in Linden, he is disappointed, distressed and disturbed by matters taking place with Rusal, right in the region.

With bad experiences in the 70s and 80s, it is the thinking of Government of increasing its stakes in the natural resources operations. “…And as we review Rusal’s operation whether they want to continue or we want them to continue, this has given us rise to review the entire matter if government have a greater say or stake in mining in Guyana.”

He said that among other issues for Government are the workers.

According to Trotman, it is a fact that Government stuck with Rusal when the US slapped sanctions on that company last year.

Rusal has not declared a profit since coming here a decade and a half ago.

Rusal is reportedly still running the operations, but its attempts to ship the mined

bauxite has been halted as workers have blocked the Berbice River, at the Kwakwani waterfront area.

Government has told Rusal that its actions will not be condoned.

The trade unions of Guyana in an unprecedented move have banded together to fight what they say is a worrying threat.

Yesterday, it was announced that the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, has invited the company along with the Union (Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU) to a meeting scheduled for 9:00 am on Monday, March 4, 2019 at his office.

“The Chief Labour Officer is optimistic that at Monday’s meeting he would be able to convince the management of the Russian company that in the interest of all stakeholders normalcy be returned without further delay.”

Yesterday, representatives of the unions were in Kwakwani to assess the situation.

On Thursday, they picketed the Rusal office in Queenstown.

(Continued on page 21)

Union officials meeting with Rusal’s workers at Kwakwani, Region 10 yesterday.

Saturday March 02, 2019

Arson suspected in Corentyne blaze

The remains of the properties Despite eyewitnesses claiming that they noticed the sparking of wires on the three-storey business which was formerly known as “Countryside Cinema” mere minutes before the fire began on Thursday, sources within the Berbice Fire Service have indicated that based on preliminary investigations it appears that the fire was deliberately set.

Kaieteur News was told that the inferno began on the second floor of the building where the cinema once occupied.

According to the source, more than one person may have committed the act, but the Fire Service in Berbice has teamed up with B’ Division Police to execute the investigation.

Proprietor of the newly renovated business complex, Dave Subnauth, told the media that a female who operates her business in the bottom flat, told him that she heard an explosion in the building after crediting the GPL pre-paid meter for the building.

He explained that he was at the Police Station at Albion dealing with his brother’s issue when he received the call informing him about the fire.

Subnauth said that his business was robbed several times in the past, however the persons were arrested and charged.

He added that he could not pinpoint exactly who may have wanted to destroy his business, but he is hoping that investigations into the incident will bring justice.

The businessman, who is also the owner of Channel 19 in Skeldon, said that he was in the process of liquidating his businesses and move to the city.

Subnauth’s business complex which included a hardware store and restaurant at Number 64 Village, along the public road, went up in flames Thursday just after 13:30 hrs. A house adjacent to the business whose owners are overseas was also completely destroyed by the blaze from the business place.

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Kaieteur News

Firefighters in Corriverton received the first call informing them of the fire, just minutes after it began. However when they arrived the three-storey building was already engulfed in flames.

The fire tender had to go nearly 400 meters away to source water but when they returned to the scene the other house had caught fire.

The Rose Hall Fire Service and the New Amsterdam Fire Service arrived shortly after.

They managed to contain the fire to the two buildings, saving the other buildings in close proximity. Millions of dollars have been estimated in losses.

Renovations had been done to the business complex sometimes ago which once had a cinema, however the building was closed for over a year now. The owner, Dave Subnauth had stated that a female had been operating her business in the bottom flat.

ERC joins with Hindus to observe Maha Shiv Ratri The Ethnic Relations Commission says it will join thousands of Hindus across the country on Monday, March 4, 2019 in observances to mark ‘Maha Shiva Ratri’- the “Great Night of Shiva”. The annual auspicious occasion on the Hindu calendar is marked by fasting, prayers and paying homage to Lord Shiva, a central figure of the Hindu Trinity.

ERC Commissioner, Rajkumarie Singh, representing Hindus on the Commission, extended greetings to all Guyanese, especially the Hindu community on behalf of the ERC. “The Commissioners and staff of the ERC send warmest greetings to all our Hindu brothers and sisters on this occasion. As you surrender to the Divine Force of Lord Shiva and you seek to recognize Him inside of you, may each of us move away from conflict and move towards truth, beauty, peace and benevolence.

A most peaceful and blessed ‘Maha Shiva Ratri’ to all,” Commissioner Singh concluded.

Hindu devotees hold overnight vigils, worship the Shivalingam, and make offerings of fruits, flowers and milk to the Hindu deity.

There are several stories explaining the event, ERC said. ”…Some say that it was on this day that Lord Shiva drank the poison that came out of the churning ocean in the epic ‘Samudra Manthan’ involving the Devas and Asuras, while some say that Maha Shiva Ratri marks the marital union of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Some ancient scriptures also say that Lord Shiva performed his ferocious dance or tandav on this particular day and his devotees remember him as the God who destroys evil and listens to his true devotees with an open heart.”

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

Pensioner, 65, perishes in Non Pareil fire

Dead: Rovena Hassan, 65

R

ovena Hassan, 65, was killed in a fire yesterday morning at her home at lot 22 Non Pareil Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

The blaze which started after 00.30hours is suspected to be electrical in nature according to fire officials who conducted preliminary investigations. The twostoreyed concrete structure was owned by a couple but Ms. Hassan has been living there for a number of years according to her relatives and other persons who spoke with this newspaper.

Persons living in the area reported that they were awaken by crackling sounds, heat and shattering glass.

When they looked outside they observed that the house was on fire and from all indications, it appeared to have started inside.

The fire service and 911 were immediately contacted.

The fire service did respond promptly and that prevented the fire from spreading to two nearby buildings that did suffer some damage as a result of the heat.

We were told that the

charred remains of the woman was picked up from the lower flat of the building and what appeared evident is that she might have been attempting to retrieve the keys for the doors to free herself from the burning building.

One woman said that Ms Hassan was not well and was spending some time with another relative but later returned home. She was last seen alive by her son who is a businessman. He would normally ensure that her meals are provided for on a daily basis.

When Kaieteur News arrived at the location at day break the property was secure with police caution tape and smoke could still be seen coming from sections of the gutted building.

Nothing appeared to have been saved from the building. Motorists who were accustomed to seeing the building standing between the two business properties reduced their speed as they sought to get a glimpse of the destruction that was left in the wake of the fire.

PAGE 15

The remains of the building

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Saturday March 02, 2019

Harmon refutes allegations of fraud M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon has rejected claims by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, that the government, including President David Granger, committed fraud.

On Thursday, Jagdeo said that President Granger's issuance of two letters to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the same day when he only made one public is tantamount to fraud.

The letters sent by President Granger were addressed to the Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson, on February 25.

The following day, the Ministry of the Presidency announced that President Granger had written to GECOM in response to a letter GECOM had sent, informing of the constraints being faced by the Commission, causing it to not be ready for elections.

The Ministry released a copy of the letter sent by the President.

The letter read, “I have noted that GECOM, as a constitutional agency, would require a new appropriation of funds approved by the National Assembly for the conduct of General and Regional Elections.

“I now write you in that context for us to initiate

consultations on the readiness of GECOM for the conduct of General and Regional Elections.”

It turns out that that was not the only letter sent by Granger.

Another was sent to the GECOM Chairman, and this is the one that PPP members on GECOM have in their p o s s e s s i o n .

That letter reads, “The Government is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the Commission is provided with the financial resources and has sufficient time to conduct credible elections.

“I urge the Commission, therefore, to commence preparations for the conduct of GRE (General and Regional Elections). The Government will initiate measures to provide the funds required and to seek the approval of the National Assembly to ensure that an agreement can be reached, given both the Constitutional requirements and GECOM's capability.”

Harmon thinks that Jagdeo has descended to a new level of disrespect for the Office of the President and the Government.

Harmon said that the President received Justice Patterson's letter on Monday, hours before he departed for medical treatment in Cuba.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

President David Granger

He responded promptly in his first letter, which states in its opening paragraph, “Dear Chairman, I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 2019.02.21. I have noted your statement to the effect that the Commission does not have the capability to deliver credible General and Regional Elections (GRE) within the three-month time frame commencing 2018.12.21 and that additional funds, appropriated by the National Assembly, need to be provided.”

Harmon said that in that same letter, the President also assured the Commission that the Government is committed to doing

whatever is needed to ensure that it is provided with the financial resources and has enough time to conduct credible elections.

In the second letter, the President begins by stating, “Dear Chairman, I wrote you earlier acknowledging receipt of your letter dated 2019.02.21 and the documents enclosed. I have noted the requirements stated by the Guyana Elections Commission herein, for the preparation and delivery of General and Regional Elections in 2019.”

It continues: “I have noted also, that GECOM, as a Constitutional agency would require a new appropriation of funds approved by the National

Assembly for the conduct of General and Regional Elections.

“I now write you in that context for us to initiate consultations on the readiness of GECOM for the conduct of General and Regional Elections in 2019.”

Harmon said that the second letter refers to the need to consult because the Chairman of GECOM raised issues of time and the lack of financial resources. It was aimed at finding out the amount of money needed to conduct credible elections.

The Minister of State stressed, “So there are two letters. The first letter is an acknowledgement of the Chairman of GECOM's letter. The second letter

refers to the first letter. So how could you now say that this is something that is doctored when you, the a u t h o r o f t h e l e t t e r, acknowledges that you sent one and this is the second one I am sending.”

Harmon said that never before has President David Granger ever faced allegations of fraud.

He said, “If you were to check on the definition of fraud, there are several definitions… but the ordinary usage of the word fraud means that it is an act of deceiving or misrepresenting.

“Now this is what the Leader of the Opposition is seeking to say, that the President did after two letters were released that were addressed to the Chairman of GECOM, not to Mr. Jagdeo. We have not heard the Chairman say that he felt deceived or that there was any misrepresentation in what the President said.”

Minister Harmon said that at no time has the President or any member of his Government stooped to the level of disrespect that is demonstrated by the Leader of the Opposition and his actions and utterances must therefore be condemned.

“The Leader of the Opposition should avail himself to sound advice and respond in a manner that is befitting the office and not to go about running people down, berating them, berating the high office of the President.

“The President has never descended to that level to describe Mr. Jagdeo or anybody in that way that he is now seeking to describe the President with disrespect.”

He continued, “This is something that not only the Government will take very seriously but all Christians, all people of religion across the world must recognise that this is an attack on the religion of the President, an attack on order and good governance and he must be condemned in the strongest possible terms for this level to which he has sunk in this press conference.

“I am also calling on all right-thinking Guyanese to condemn the Leader of the Opposition for this level to which he has sunk and for which he is trying to take the society, into the pit to which he has descended.

With the Leader of the Opposition stating that he will be engaging the international community (continued on page 24)

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

PAGE 17

Port facilities' linesmen benefit from safety training Participants during the recent training

RDC to discuss way forward for long silted Friendship Canal The Friendship canal

H

elp may finally be on the way for the residents of Friendship, Pomeroon now that the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two has announced its intentions to commence discussions on the way forward in desilting the canal.

Based on reports, the region recently paid a preliminary visit to the area where the Regional Executive Officer, Dennis Jaikaran, was given a firsthand experience of the harsh circumstances, which exits in the area.

The region said, yesterday, that following the visit, some 'negotiations' were done. A follow up is scheduled for a second visit to the area this month.

Undertaking the project will

be a collaborative venture between the RDC and the new NDC from within the Pomeroon.

For years the residents of Friendship and those communities that use the

canal have bitterly complained about the silted state of the canal.

It is believed that the canal runs parallel to the Pomeroon River from Charity to the mouth of the

river.

The Pomeroon being a riverine region, will therefore mean that the canal is the primary means of access in and around the area.

T

he Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) recently facilitated a training session for linesmen from several port facilities.

The session was held Tuesday at the Transport and Harbours Sports Complex.

Twenty-five persons from nine port facilities participated in the session, according to MARAD. The port facilities which participated included BOSAI Inc, China Zhonghao Inc, John Fernandes Limited, Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC), Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL), Rubis Guyana Inc, a private contractor, and MARAD. Presentations were done by the Harbour Master, Michael Tennant, and MARAD's Senior Pilot, Lindsay Baird.

Among the areas covered in the session were, 'Safety', Attire and Deportment' and 'Effective Communication'.

Coordinator of the training session was Dwain Nurse, MARAD's Chief Port Security Officer. Nurse said that the session was aimed at improving the safety of linesmen, and to ensure that effective communication is maintained between them and pilots.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

Kwakwani launches Women’s Group Approximately 40 women in Kwakwani, Region Ten, have embarked on empowering themselves and have established a Women’s Group there.

The women proudly launched their group recently with several pieces of beautiful handmade craft on display.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who has direct responsibility for women, children and youth attended the launch, was high in praise of the women who possess remarkable talent.

The Minister in encour-

aging the women noted that “it is always good to add more to our household, because we always want to see our children look good, feel good, because naturally we are women and we are the foundation of any home”.

She added that a fundamental aspect of growing as a group is that “you should bond with each other, look out for each other and support each other. I know you can do it”.

Testimony to working together, the Minister told the Kwakwani women, is the North Pakaraima Flavours out (Continued on page 21)

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

GTT hands over $300,000 to cancer fighting foundation The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) on Friday handed over a cheque for $300,000 to members of the Giving Hope Cancer Foundation.

The donation, at the Brickdam telephone house, comes as part of GTT’s 2018 Pinktober payout to several cancer organisations.

Vice-President of the Giving Hope Foundation (GHF), Kirtley Williams, expressed gratitude. She said the money will go towards aiding the younger cancer patients and cancer survivors.

“We do appreciate this because we have children who are in need; so I must say a special thank you to Mr. Nedd and the GTT Company.

I am happy that Pinktober has not forgotten childhood cancer.”

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTT, Justin Nedd, reminded that while Pinktober started with a focus on Breast Cancer, the initiative has broadened its concentration on all types of cancer beginning in 2018.

Nedd said: “We are happy that we are able to help you in this form. Though it is a start, we will continue to drive the Pinktober initiative with the assistance of our sponsors to make it greater every year as we aim to educate the public on cancer, and assist the cancer society.” In October, 2018 GTT hosted its Pinktober calendar of activities which was aimed at raising funds for several cancer-related organisations including the Giving Hope Foundation.

The initiative which was aimed at increasing awareness of breast cancer and pushing for more action to be taken in the fight against the disease accumulated some $11 million last October.”

Approximately 8,000 persons participated in the walk/run as a way of showing their support to cancer victims. Last year the CEO revealed that the company has plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Health to build the Oncology Unit at the GPHC, where persons

GTT’s Chief, Justin Nedd with the foundation’s officials and others yesterday. suffering from the disease can be treated. GTT’s Pinktober 2019 events are promised to be more interesting as plans are underway to introduce new activities.

All Saints Primary wins literary competition The All Saints Primary School took home the winner’s trophy from the ‘Annual Regional Reading Competition 2019’ staged last week.

The event was planned as part of Mashramani activities by the Region Six Department of Education. It was held at St. Aloysius Primary School, New Amsterdam.

Several schools including All Saints Primary, No. 36 Primary, Rose Hall Town Primary, Corriverton Primary, Gangaram Primary, New Market Primary, Cropper Primary, Overwinning Primary, Cumberland Primary, Mibicuri Primary, Edinburgh, McGowan Primary and Leeds Primary participated in the competition.

Each pupil was given a passage to read. The passages were taken from various texts in areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Current Affairs at the Grade Five level.

The participants, after completing the reading, had to answer questions based on the text read to a panel of three judges. The judges of the competition were all functioning members of the ‘Regional Literacy Committee’.

They were Ms. Roquel Saul, Ms. Fazeela Hussain and Ms. Neesha Deoroop, who was the chief judge. There was a tie between No. 36 Primary and All Saints Primary. This was broken by tie breaker questions that were given to

Winner of the competition, Varshnie Mulla of All Saints Primary the two contestants causing a winner to emerge.

In announcing the judges’ decision, Literacy Coordina-

tor, Ms. Vanessa Williams, awarded Varshnie Mulla of All Saints Primary the top prize; Kaneesha Campbell of No. 36 Primary, the runner up position; and Jemima Moseley of Rose Hall Town Primary the third spot.

The pupils were awarded certificates, trophies and other prizes for their achievements.

Saturday March 02, 2019

March 12 set for hearing...

From page 7 Parliaments holding dual citizenship in the National Assembly.

Among other things, on January 31, last, the Chief Justice ruled that the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed since its resolution was carried by a majority of 33 to 32 elected members of the National Assembly, and this should have caused the immediate resignation of Cabinet, including the President, in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana.

The, Government, however, maintains otherwise. Williams contends that the NoConfidence Motion was not validly passed since it needed the support of 34 members, which according to him, is an “absolute majority.”

Williams has since moved to the Court of Appeal where he is also requesting a Conservatory Order, preserving the previously existing state of affairs that the President, Cabinet and all Ministers of the Government remain in office until the hearing and determination of the appeal filed in regards to the judgments, and an interim stay of the Chief Justice’s decision.

However, at a hearing on Thursday, Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud said that he was not mindful of granting an interim stay as he would move to grant an expeditious decision after hearing the oral arguments in the applications.

In a summons requesting the stay, State Counsel Raeanna Clarke, said, “It is contended that

the effect of the ruling of the Chief Justice that Cabinet ceased with immediate effect on the night of the no-confidence motion on 21st December 2018.

“This will mean that the government will be unable to introduce any financial bills for passage because, in accordance with Article 171 of the Constitution. These bills require the recommendation and or consent of the Cabinet signified by a minister.”

“In these circumstances, the government will be unable to fund the preparation and holding of elections by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) if the effect of the ruling of the Chief Justice is not stayed as prayed for herein.”

According to Clarke, “I am advised by my Attorneys-at-law and verily believe that the Conservatory order is necessary to preserve the status quo ante as the period for the hearing and determination of the matter may expire before that time prescribed in Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, which requires that the President and Government remain in office and hold elections within three months.”

Clarke further said, “That I will contend that the appeal has good prospects of success and the Honourable Court ought to grant a stay and a conservatory order in order to ensure that if the appeal is successful, it is not rendered nugatory.”

Clarke, in the affidavit, stated that the Court of Appeal has held that it has jurisdiction to grant a stay of execution of a declaratory judgment in matters that would affect the public interest.

Kwakwani launches ...

From page 19 of Region Eight that has seen the women there, significantly contributing to the success of this lucrative initiative, which today sits on the shelves of several supermarkets in Georgetown.

Minister Garrido-Lowe said 80 percent of the farmers who supply the factory with organic tomatoes, are women, and that the numbers continue to grow annually.

Similarly, Minister GarridoLowe said the womenfolk of Kwakwani can follow suite and can not only encourage other women to participate, but also the youth and men folk as well.

The women have already signaled their intentions of ensuring the Group remains productive and has since produced beautifully woven, knitted, crochet and embroidery towels, chair covers, pillow cases among other handmade items which will be available to local and regional markets.

Minister Garrido-Lowe also assured the group, that Government will support their efforts to ensure the longevity of their business venture.

Residents of Kwakwani depend heavily on bauxite mining, logging and cattle rearing as their main economic activities, and with the women now establish-

ing what will be a lucrative craft producing industry, additional revenue will be in circulation.

The Minister said the Government remains committed to bringing the “Good Life” to all. In the past, villages could not have realized such economic and social empowerment so they remained stagnant economically and socially.

“What I saw was the previous administration giving villages a tractor, an ATV, and every year they get one million dollars or so to do a community project but, their lives remained the same. Villages were getting no uplift; their standard of living remained stagnant.

“They couldn’t think of their future because they never had the opportunity to do so. This wasn’t a guarantee for development of self, of young people and of community. And not because you are far, the Government has committed to meeting you no matter where you are, so all across the country we have been trying to do that”, the Minister assured.

Kwakwani, she said, will continue to receive Government’s support and once proceeds from the oil and gas sector begin, residents will receive further benefits.

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Former police rank charged for fraud A former police rank who was also a court prosecutor, found himself slapped with three fraud charges after he allegedly took $300,000 by falsely pretending that he could have the magistrate dismiss a case against a man charged with the possession of an illegal firearm.

Kerry Bostwick appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly to answer his charges. He denied all after they were read out to him.

It was alleged that on January 19, 2017 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Bostwick obtained from Oxcarine Hardy the sum of $100,000 cash by falsely pretending he was in a position to have the charge against her son, Tyrone Kennedy, dismissed by the magistrate.

Also, it was alleged that on January 31, 2017 at East Ruimveldt Georgetown, with

intent to defraud, the defendant obtained from Tollecia Odle, the sum of $100,000 cash by falsely pretending he was in a position to have the charge against Tyrone Kennedy dismissed by the magistrate.

Finally, it was alleged that during December 2016 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, the accused obtained from Moreine Kalli the sum of $100,000 cash by falsely pretending he was in a position to have the charge against her brother, Tyrone Kennedy, dismissed by the magistrate.

The 34-year-old man who hails from Lot 16 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown was represented by three attorneys at law, Bernard Da Silva, Eusi Anderson and George Thompson.

According to attorney Anderson, his client is a single parent who has full custody for his five-year-old son as the whereabouts of the

Charged Kerry Bostwick mother is unknown.

He said that Bostwick clearly denies all charges and as such they are asking for reasonable bail to be granted.

Police prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objections to bail for the defendant. Magistrate Daly placed Bostwick on $150,000 bail and in-

structed him to return to court on March 22, 2019.

Reports indicate that Tyrone Kennedy was charged in 2016 for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm.

The charge alleged that on November 25, 2016, at Georgetown, Kennedy had in his possession one Glock .40 pistol without being a licensed firearm owner.

Bostwick who was the prosecutor for Kennedy’s matter, told the relatives that he can have the magistrate dismiss the case if they pay him the sum of $300,000. On the separate occasions mentioned in the charges the victims met with the defendant and handed over the monies.

However, Kennedy was still sentenced to prison and as a result the family moved to reclaim their money. A police report was made and thus the present charges were brought against Bostwick.

Police, Childcare investigate sex allegations against Region 1 Chairman Authorities are said to be probing a serious allegation involving a senior regional official.

According to sources of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), it is probing a report involving allegations against the current Chairman for Region One, Brentnol Ashley.

The agency was

tightlipped but Kaieteur News was told that the allegations center on a 22-year-old man from Region One who came to the city reportedly under Ashley’s care.

The man is said to be intellectually impaired.

He was supposed to see Dr. Bhairo Harry for his troubles for a possible referral to the psychiatric depart-

ment of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

However, while in town, the man was plied with alcohol and things happened, the source said.

Yesterday, the man was medically examined for possible signs of abuse.

According to officials, the man is being treated as a child because of his condi-

tion.

The police are said to be investigating also.

The man was said to be in state care, pending the investigations.

It is unclear whether Ashley was questioned.

He is said to be a senior regional official of the People’s Progressive Party.

Govt: Status quo cannot continue; Granger...

Kwakwani residents and Rusal workers continued to block the Berbice River yesterday to stop bauxite from leaving.

From page 12 Joining the unions in lending support yesterday was the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).

The union said that the labour laws are clear...that where the employer fails to meet with the employee’s

representative, this constitutes an offence, and that for every additional day that they fail to meet, a fine is imposed.

“RUSAL, in arbitrarily imposing a one percent increase, changed the conditions of service of the em-

ployees and this is a blatant disrespect to the employees’, the employees’ representative, and total disregard for the laws of Guyana.”

The GPSU said it s t r o n g ly condemns this action by Rusal for disre-

specting and violating the workers’ rights and breaching the laws of Guyana.

“The GPSU calls on the Ministry of Social Protection to enforce the Laws immediately by taking the necessary legal action against the employer.”

PAGE 22

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Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

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LEGAL NOTICE 1

LEGAL NOTICE 1 CONTD

LEGAL NOTICE 2 CONTD

2019-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-117 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND M AT R I M O N I A L JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-117 BETWEEN:- (MARS) DENITA ANDREA nee Mc KENZIE Petitioner –and(MARS) DERON ALPHIE DENTON Respondent TO: DERON ALPHIE DENTON MARS (Last Known Address) Lot 283 Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara, Guyana.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts (Georgetown, Demerara). The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28 (twentyeight) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 25th day of January, 2019 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by DENITA ANDREA MARS nee Mc KENZIE, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 12th day of February, 2019 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) Consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

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

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), an Answer and/ or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28 (twenty-eight) days from the Second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday 3rd day April, 2019 at 9:00am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/ Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

Dated the 13th day of February, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE 2 2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FD1614 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-1614 BETWEEN:- (MOHABIR) SEETA SATTIE nee SANKAR Petitioner –and(MOHABIR) RAMANOOJ Respondent TO: RAMANOOJ MOHABIR (Last Known Address) 70 Clay Brick Road, Canal #2 West Bank Demerara, Guyana TAKE NOTICE that on the 13th day of December, 2018 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by SEETA SATTIE MOHABIR nee SANKAR, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 11th day of January, 2019 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) Consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorneyat-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday 12th day March, 2019 at 9:45am before the Honourable Mr. Justice Gino Peter Persaud in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/ Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts (Georgetown, Demerara). The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 15th day of January, 2019

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Saturday March 02, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Woman, son accused of trafficking narcotics A woman and her son were brought before a city magistrate and granted bail on two charges in which they were accused of trafficking narcotics.

Champadi Lawson, 52, and Edgar Lawson, 26, appeared yesterday before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The first charge alleges that on February 25, 2019 at Lot 173 Charlotte Street, Georgetown, they had in their possession 132 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

It was alleged that on the same date and at the same location, the defendants had in

their possession 23 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Both persons pleaded not guilty to the charges after it was read out to them.

Champadi and her son were represented by attorney at law Eusi Anderson who entered an application for reasonable bail for his clients. In his application the attorney claimed that the narcotic was found in a communal bin which is about 45 feet away from where the defendants resides, and four feet away from the street. He also stated that the yard in which his clients live has four apartments with about eight adults living in

them.

Attorney Anderson highlighted that the yard is unsecured without a padlock. The bin in which the suspected narcotics were found is always open. He added that there are no statements from the two accused accepting the charges however, they have been cooperating.

Furthermore, the attorney informed the court that Champadi suffers from Kidney Stones and she is current patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Police prosecutor Sanj Singh presented the facts of the charges which indicated that on the day in question

around 17:00hrs, police ranks acting on information went to the home of the defendants, a two-storeyed building with a well fenced yard.

A search was later conducted on the premises and the suspected narcotics were found in separate containers near a garbage heap.

Champadi and her son were taken into police custody and the charges were later made out against them.

After listening to both sides Senior Magistrate Leron Daly granted bail totalling $100,000 for the two defendants for both charges against them. The matter stood adjourned until April 5, 2019.

Man gets 30 years for fatal shooting When the Demerara criminal assizes continued yesterday, 30-year-old Kevin Junior Francis was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury and was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by trial Judge Navindra Singh.

Justice Singh ordered that the prison authorities deduct from the sentence, the time Francis spent in pre-trial custody.

Francis was initially indicted for murder. However the jury convicted him for the lesser offence in that, on August 5, 2015, he unlawfully killed 23-year-old mason, Akeem Yorrick, formerly of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.

According to reports, Yorrick was shot dead around 22:00hrs on the day in question, while he was on his way to visit his girlfriend.

Based on reports, a group of residents of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, had confronted a man, whom they accused of carrying out an armed robbery in the village.

During that time, an altercation ensued and at some stage, the man believed to be Francis, pulled out a gun and discharged a round into the group of residents, fatally wounding Yorrick. During the trial, the father of the deceased recounted that on the day in question he was at home when his daughter called and told him something.

As a result, the father said he rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where doctors told him his son had died. The father added that on August 7, 2015, he went back to the hospital where he witnessed a post mortem examination being conducted on his son who was later buried on August 13, 2015.

The murder accused was represented by Attorney-atLaw Maxwell McKay, while the case for the prosecution was presented by State Counsel Tuanna Hardy and Teriq Mohamed. This trial was heard at the High Court in Georgetown.

investigations.

Zaban Ali, the father-inlaw of the deceased, at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, told this publication that he had just left his home at Rosignol Village to come over to New Amsterdam when he received a worrying call.

“When I was halfway on the Berbice Bridge somebody give me a call that me son-inlaw was lying down and was bleeding on the street. I immediately swing around the car and went there and saw him on the ground bleeding.

“We took him to the hospital and they told us he died.

That’s all I know.” According to him the incident took place at approximately 11:00 am yesterday.

Another relative of the now dead man disclosed that he got the message

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tives of Arshad had caused the suspect to be arrested some time ago. He had served some time in prison and was released a week ago.

The neighbor said, “Dem mek the man go jail so after the man come out like he itate pon it, smoke up and then he tek out revenge”.

Attempts were made to contact the Commander of B’ Division Paul Langevine for a comment on the incident.

However, calls to his phone went unanswered and he was unavailable when this publication visited his office.

Despite the sad news, it was confirmed that the wife of the now dead man, successfully gave birth to a healthy baby yesterday afternoon.

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around noon that an accident had occurred involving Arshad.

H o w e v e r, w h e n h e showed up at the New Amsterdam Hospital, he was told “that a man lash he in he head with an iron bar and he died.”

He stated that the young man had reportedly just left his home to visit his wife at the hospital and was walking through Bennet Dam when “Karim” rushed up to him, armed with the weapon, and dealt him a lash to his head.

Eyewitnesses who were reluctant to provide any details only stated that after Arshad was hit, he collapsed and “Karim” walked away.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News was informed by a neighbour that the rela-

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Woman gives birth while “junkie” kills husband It was an afternoon of bitter-sweet news for the Ali family from the West Coast Berbice. A young laboratory attendant attached to the Blairmont Sugar Estate was killed by his neighbour, a drug addict (junkie) who was reportedly released from jail a week ago.

At the same time when the incident took place, the estate worker’s wife was hospitalized at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital giving birth to their first child. She was unaware of what had happened to her husband.

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PAGE 24

Guyanese delegation to attend Houston Energy Conference Members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and representatives of several government agencies will be heading to Houston, Texas to represent Guyana at an Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) from May 6 to May 9.

This was revealed to members of the media yesterday by GCCI’s Senior Vice President, Nick Boyer.

At the Chamber’s Waterloo Street Headquarters, Boyer said, that the aim of the trade mission is quite simple. He said that it is to be used as a learning experience and if possible, join forces with other companies.

Boyer said that GCCI was the first to note its interest in attending the conference but it was picked up by other agencies. He said, “It has now developed into a Guyanese trade mission…”

The GCCI Senior Vice President also noted that after having discussions with the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), it was suggested that in addition to attending, that there will be a Guyana exhibition b o o t h . Wi t h t h i s b e i n g the new directive, he said that seven of its members are already on board. A few more will be confirmed later on.

With respect to Government agencies which will be part of the delegation, Boyer said that the Ministry of Foreign Af-

fairs and Go-Invest are on board. GCCI is still courting the Department of Energy. The Chamber is also interested in having representatives from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) part of the trip.

Accord i n g t o i t s website, the Offshore Te c h n o l o g y C o n f e rence is an event where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters.

Celebrating 50 years since 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park) in Houston. OTC has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Te c h n o l o g y Conference, OTC Brasil, and OTC Asia.

O T C is sponsored by 13 industry organizations and societies, who work cooperatively to develop the technical program. OTC also has endorsing and supporting organizations.

The event will also have a special on Guyana.

The topic in this regard is, Guyana: Sustainable Development Goals for the Oil and Gas Industry. The OTC website states that the 17 goals of the United Nations Member States 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development represents a global vision for overcom-

ing poverty while protecting the planet and ensuring all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

It says that the 2030 Agenda emphasizes how social fairness and environmental sustainability accompany economic growth brought about by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It said that this necessitates unprecedented cooperation and collaboration between the commercial sector, governments, de v e l o p m e n t p a r t n e r s and non-governmental organizations.

Given the aforementioned, the OTC said that Guyana is a case in point. It said that the nation is on the cusp of an unrivaled oil revolution and a judicious path forward is needed to realize long-term democratic economic wealth creation while balancing the needs of environmental sustainability.

It said that a discussion on this matter will feature experienced representatives from the international oil and gas i n d u s t r y, n a t i o n a l g o v ernment and non-government organizations.

The officials slated for the discussion are Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe; Erik Oswald, Exxon Mobil Exploration Vice President-Americas; Becci Collacott, IPIECA Sustainable Development Head; and Valerie Marcel, Chatham House New Producer Group-Project Lead

Harmon refutes allegations of...

From page 16 and other organisations on the matter, Minister Harmon said that the Government can stand up to scrutiny and the letters are a matter of simple chronology.

“I believe that if he avails himself of good advice that he will understand his role in a better way and act in a more

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

mature manner. I cannot be responsible for Mr. Jagdeo's comprehension of simple chronology and simple English language.

“If he takes the time enough to read, he would be able to understand. So, taking it to the international community, taking it wherever you want to take it, you would

only be embarrassing yourself because people would be able to read and understand exactly what the President is saying,” he expressed.

Further, the Minister said that he has noted that the Leader of the Opposition has not chosen to respond to the President's invitation as protocol dictates.

Fire destroys Victory Valley Community Centre

THE beautiful Play Park in Victory Valley is now without it’s community centre which was ravaged by fire early yesterday morning.

The fire was the second to occur in Linden this week, and both has left in their wake, millions of Dollars in losses.

The Community Centre which housed an ICT Hub, was only last year equipped with computers, and provided residents with internet access, among other things.

Residents said the destruction of the facility was a major blow to the young people of the community who used it to do assignments and projects.

The community Centre was among several across

Region Ten to be turned into ICT Hubs.

The computers were presented to the CDC’s by the late Deputy Director of Community Development Council, Sandra Adams.

A community play park aback of the facility was last year commissioned by President David Granger.

The initiative was praised by residents who converged at the facility to witness the event.

Now residents are distraught that the community centre which has stood on its grounds for over a decade is now just a shell.

Many said that they were not sure what could have caused the fire.

“I’m at a loss. I passed this place earlier and everything was intact. Then the next thing I hear is that it on fire,” one resident said in disbelief.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, another fire at Amelia’s Ward destroyed the home of popular business man, Kissoon Dial, aka Kakarally.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that the fire was suspected to be electrical in origin.

The business man reportedly lost millions of dollars in the raging inferno.

However, while a nearby tool shed was completely destroyed, the Linden Fire Service was successful in preventing the blaze from spreading to the sawmill.

Jagdeo has enough time to rethink meeting with President- Harmon Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has refused an invitation extended by President David Granger for a meeting. But, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon says that Jagdeo’s decision is not being considered final by government.

Harmon said this as he noted that Jagdeo is still to formally respond to the President’s invite.

“A letter of invitation was sent to the Leader of the Opposition for a meeting with the President on March 6 at 11:00hrs. We made that public after the letter was sent to the Leader of the Opposition.

“One would expect that under normal decency and by virtue of democratic behaviour, the Leader of the Opposition would respond to the President indicating whether he would attend that meeting or not, but not to hear in the Media that he has said that he is not attending,” said Harmon.

Minister Harmon believes that there is enough time before the March 6 meeting for the Opposition Leader to reconsider his decision to accept the President’s invitation.

“We have always said that the President is prepared to engage with the Leader of the Opposition on any matter of national interest. We consider this to be one such matter and therefore that is why the

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon President invited him.

“So it is our hope that after mature consideration, the Leader of the Opposition will change that stance which he has taken today and attend the meeting,” Minister Harmon added.

Jagdeo had long said that any further meetings with President David Granger will be predicated on the issues listed on the agenda to be discussed. Jagdeo said that unless the President wants to discuss a possible date for elections, meetings are essentially a no, no as far as he is concerned.

Jagdeo said that none of the topics proposed by the President are appealing to

him.

Jagdeo asked, “Why do I need to meet with President Granger next week? He wanted to consult with me on the National Assembly’s constitutional role in the present situation, and that is clearly defined in the Constitution.

He does not need to consult with me on that.”

Jagdeo suggested that instead of the President consulting with him on such an issue, he should just simply “read the Constitution and comply with it.”

The Opposition Leader said that the second issue President Granger wanted to consult on has to do with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s readiness for the hosting of General and Regional elections and requirements for funding to enable GECOM to conduct such elections.

Jagdeo said that he also need not be consulted on those two issues.

Addressing the request to meet on GECOM’s readiness, Jagdeo said that it is a waste of time meeting with the president on that, simply because he believes that the government gave “directions to GECOM not to be ready.

They have not even started preparations and the constitutional period is essentially expired.”

Saturday March 02, 2019

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

After years of waiting, Linden receives approvals for TV station

Advisor to former Linden Mayor charged with fraud Carole Chester, 50, the advisor to a former Mayor of Linden, is accused of defrauding a man of $960,000, by falsely pretending that she was in a position to get him a house lot.

Chester, of 1893 Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that, between August 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018, at Georgetown, she obtained $960,000 from Ryan Ferrier, by falsely pre-

GNBA’s Chairman, Leslie Sobers and Legal Advisor and Assistant to the Minister of State, Geeta Chandan-Edmond hand over the letter to Jermaine Figueira.

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, Leslie Sobers, yesterday issued a letter of approval for Linden Broadcasting Network to be the recipient of a television broadcasting licence in the Secondary Zone.

The network has satisfied all the necessary requirements of the GNBA. The approval letter was received by Chairman of the Linden Broadcasting Network, Rennis Morian.

Also present at the ceremony was Legal Advisor and Assistant to the Minister of State, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, and Jermaine Figueira, a repre-

sentative of the town. “The authority hereby extends congratulations to the Linden Broadcasting Network and expresses optimism that this broadcasting entity will assist in the further development of broadcasting in Guyana, particularly in the mining town of Linden.” Linden has been saddled with receiving a daily dose of what the state television, National Communications Network, had to offer because of a feed.

Other more well-to-do residents of Linden, in Region Ten, have been able to access cable television. The town has been complaining for years for being limited in its news media access, including a va-

riety of the television.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, over the weekend announced that the GNBA has approved a television licence for Linden, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten). The Minister made the announcement at the Flag Raising ceremony, held at the Linden minibus park, to mark Guyana’s 49th Republic anniversary. ”This is historical for you, Linden. Things are happening here in Linden, and once we have worked out those issues, you can be assured that you will receive the licence within one week,” he told the large gathering.

tending that she was in a position to obtain a house lot for him, knowing same to be false. She pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh stated that the victim and the defendant are known to each other. The court heard that during the months of August and September, 2018, the victim went to Chester’s home and asked her if she can help him obtain a house lot, since he had applied to the Housing Ministry and was not getting any response.

The woman allegedly

agreed. The court heard Chester later contacted the victim and told him that she has someone who has a lot and he agreed to pay her the money. The victim later found out that the transaction was a fraud and a report was made to the police. An investigation was conducted and Chester was later arrested and charged.

With no objection to bail by the prosecutor, Chester was released on $50,000 bail.

The mother of two was instructed to make her next court appearance on April 5.

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

Saturday March 02, 2019

Construction of...

From page 28 also informed that Neil Hernandez was a classmate in Primary and Secondary School with Neil being the star in the class.

“Neil was that individual that every girl and boy wanted to be like. Where sports was concerned, he was very good in athletics and when it was time for you to choose which house you wanted to go in, everybody wanted to be in the house with Neil.

And then those lunch break football and after school sports sessions everybody wanted to be on the same team with Neil.

Mayor Marshall stated that Neil was a real model for himself and other students, citing the fact that it is not easy to take him out of their minds given the kind of

individual he was.

“We really believe that he had lots to offer this country but unfortunately he went way too young; but very talented, very gifted and this is just a small way in which we can say thanks for his contributions.”

It was pointed out by the Mayor that Neil Hernandez came from a family which has contributed meaningfully towards the development of Bartica.

“Most of his family members worked and toiled in various departments’ right here in the region to make Bartica a better place, so the family would have done their fair share in moving Bartica forward and like I said, Neil was like the fruit of the entire crop so we indeed, really miss him.”

CWI president hails Transformation work in full swing at CWI’s LBI... Becca as a “champion” From page 33 grass. This obviously would begin after the ground filling is finished and a drainage system of pipes laid to ensure quick removal of water.

The ground, or playing area, would be completed by August of this year, which is the first of three phases of the project,” Sanasie explained.

The Caretaker’s home and the players’ Pavilion are also a part of phase one, while the installation of lights, the concrete fence and the Media Centre should be completed by Christmas during the second phase.

The final phase which is set to be finished next year will see the practice facility, main stand and the dorms being completed.

Sanasie, who is very passionate about this project, informed that during last week, Sports Minister Dr George Norton visited the work site and appeared very impressed with the work being done.

He also stated that the Guyana Jaguars would now have a home ground to train and play.

The Local board is presently funding the project but once the playing area is completed Sanasie said prospective sponsors would be approached to assist with funding in exchange for branding.

Saturday March 02, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There's something in the air pushing you toward change or renewal. Is it time to change your wardrobe or redecorate your home? If so, today's the day.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The good news is this - it gets better. There could be some trying times in store. If you're a parent, the children will ask for something every five minutes, and you may feel pressure from all sides.

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may feel hemmed in by the role models society currently offers. As you struggle to reach your own definition of the truly innovative achiever, other people sometimes criticize your rather liberated attitude.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The results of the recent planetary influence are coming home to roost, Scorpio.

If everything went according to plan, you gained some insight into your ego.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today rethink all the social values you take at face value. Like the rest of us, you learned them at an early age and accepted them unthinkingly.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A small crisis is still a crisis, isn't it, Sagittarius? You can expect one in your personal life today.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today is an ideal day to shop for a new wardrobe. You may find your usual style too conventional or uncomfortably trendy.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Something has to change.

You knew it as soon as you woke up this morning. Your mirror provides the impetus for important resolutions today. Is it time to begin a diet?

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The topic of the day is knowledge and learning.

Did you study the field you really wanted to? Do you feel bad about not having attended such-and-such school or program?

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The only good thing about being on an emotional roller coaster is that you never feel the same way for long. One moment you're up, the next you're down.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The planetary alignment is favorable, and you're in the process of reaping the benefits. It was only a matter of becoming aware of and settling certain matters related to your need for social recognition.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might want to check your alarm clock to be sure it really woke you up this morning. Your tendency today will be to stay in the cocoon of your little dream world, deep in your own thoughts.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Cricket West Indies president, Dave Cameron, has hailed the outstanding late Jamaican cricket journalist Tony Becca as a “champion” whose body of work was virtually unparalleled.

Becca passed away Thursday in his native Jamaica at age 78, following a brief illness.

“West Indies cricket has lost a champion who spent his distinguished career chronicling the ups and downs of the sport he loved so much. Tony Becca has always made an effort to be fair in his writings about West Indies Cricket,” Cameron said in a statement.

“ To n y B e c c a l i v e d through the glorious years when West Indian bowlers swept all before them and gifted Caribbean batsmen battered the opposing bowlers. Driven by the glory his eyes had seen as the Windies juggernaut tore through world cricket in the 1970s and 1980s, Tony also agonized as our fortunes dipped and he lashed out at administrators and players alike.

“For over four decades he helped this region understand the game. His body of work is one which will be difficult to replicate.

Cricket West Indies along with other groups across the Caribbean region and in the USA Diaspora have paid tribute to him because of his work.”

Becca was a former editor of the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, who c o v e r e d We s t I n d i e s cricket extensively across the globe for nearly half a century.

In 2005, he was inducted into the Crick-et Hall of Fame in Hart-ford, Con-necti-cut, for his contribution to the development of the sport in the United States.

Pepsi backs GBA for...

From page 32 future. It’s been seven long years and we will continue to sponsor this GBA youth programme for years to come because the tournaments are always well organised and it is heartwarming for us to have an opportunity to give back to the community since this initiative targets so many youths,” posited Wills of DDL. The second Pepsi Mike Parris under-16 boxing tournament punches off today at the Andrew Lewis gym in Albouystown from 13:00hrs.

The competition will see the return of the Ve rg e n o e g e n Gym, formerly Essequibo Boxing Gym, after they missed out on the first held early last month. Other gyms expected to participate are Forgotten Youth Foundation, Pocket Rocket, Rose Hall Jammers, Young Achievers, Sophia Boxing Gym and Harpy Eagles. Cuban coach Francisci Roldan will be on hand to assess the young fighters.

PAGE 28

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

Construction of pavilion in honour of Neil Hernandez - His mom, Edna, showers praises on Mayor Marshall moving apace

Mrs. Edna Hernandez makes a point during the interview.

By Franklin Wilson The idea by the Mayor and Town Council of Bartica to construct and name a pavilion after the late former National Footballer and son of Bartica, Neil Hernandez has drawn loud plaudits from the former players mother, Edna Hernandez.

Mrs. Hernandez offered words of gratitude to the persons behind the gesture during a recent interview with Kaieteur Sport. She informed that Neil, who was an allround athlete was the third of four children; the others being Mark, Uziel and Claudine.

A talented and reliable midfield player at the time of his passing, Neil, a father of one girl, Akeelah, who attends Brickdam Secondary, passed away in fiery circumstances on December 17, 2007.

The impact that he had already made on the football landscape locally and internationally was already solid and despite him passing so early in what was destined to be a very bright career, the legacy that he has left would be lasting for many generations to come.

All the Hernandez siblings were associated with the sport of football, Neil and

Uziel were however the two stars, while their sister, Claudine, who was also a Referee, but did not continue.

The duo was dominant from the Under-11 age group and upwards.

Neil attended St. Anthony’s Primary and then Bartica Secondary where he was a leading player in the dominance of Bartica back in the then School’s Coca Cola championships. Zooming in more on the construction of the pavilion which will serve basketball and football fans, Edna expressed excitement.

“I feel good, I feel great, I’m really excited about it; it’s in his memory which would live on. I also feel good at the fact that at least somebody had the thought to put it into reality that you would have something to remember this outstanding young man. I just feel flustered about the whole thing, this is how I feel.”

Mrs. Hernandez recalls that during his former days in Primary school Neil was always called upon to lead in any if not all sports disciplines by his classmates.

He noted that he always had leadership qualities.

“His friends and fellow students would always call on him, Neil let’s do this, Neil

Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall (right) along with Bartica Football and Basketball Associations Presidents, Alden Marslowe (left) and Kenneth Williams inspecting the foundation for the pavilion which will service both sports.

Neil Hernandez let’s do that and he would be in the forefront to approach the head of the school with the proposals to play whatever and ensure that it is done. Sometimes they would say, well, we want to paint over the home economics department or do something in the technical drawing department, they decide what it is and it’s done with Neil leading the cause.”

Mrs. Hernandez, on behalf of her family is expressing heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Gifford Marshall and the Town Council for their brilliant move in recognizing the positive legacy of her son.

“I would say to the Mayor thanks for the fact that he has taught it wise, it’s so wonderful to know that he’s being remembered for his contribution to the sport and community.”

Asked what advice she would have for young people today, going after a career in

sports, Mrs. Hernandez said: “Let me refer back to an instance, there was some younger boys than himself, at one time they were selected to Georgetown for further selection for some game and they came one morning to ask Neil to take them to Georgetown because they did not know where they were going, will you go with us?

Neil then asked me if it was ok for him to accompany these youngsters and after I got the relevant info as to what it was, I said to him, yes, it is ok to go with them.”

She noted that Neil went and chaperoned the players very well, such was his personality among his peers who all wanted to be with him as he was a true leader, impacting positively on their lives.

“Whenever there was any game, whether it be circle tennis, cricket, football, whatever it was, they always

reached to where he was; we would like you to be a member of our team and he was always there, athletics, it was the same thing.

So I want to say generally to parents, they have a tendency to say, I don’t want my child to be involved in sports because of exams, I would say no. When you get involved in sports activities, you have to think, you have to be positive because you’re thinking that you have to devise a strategy for winning and so it gives you the thinking power.”

Mrs. Hernandez posited that playing sports is likened to a challenge you’re facing and you want to achieve the best positive outcome so you have to think and strategize how you’ll get the results you need.

“So like that you will think ahead how you will go over it, how you’re going to do it, so I think that sports on the

whole is something that would be an encouragement to young people. And to young people I want to tell you, don’t think about sports alone, think about having an education because with an education, you can be at a higher level and your thinking power increases.

Education gives you that inward ability to go forward, cast the negatives aside and let the positives always be in the forefront.”

Mayor Marshall commenting on the progress of works said that it is going according to schedule and is expected to be completed in three months time. He reminded that it is the vision of his Council to transform the sports landscape in the Town and by 2020; three grounds would be done to acceptable standards where the youths and others can hone their skills. Marshall (Continued on page 27)

Saturday March 02, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Regional First-Class cricket

Reifer’s unbeaten 54 gives Jaguars 125-run lead

By Sean Devers Barbadian Raymon Reifer continues to be a thorn in the flesh of his home team as his 14th First-Class fifty was followed with two wickets in the space of eight runs yesterday as Guyana Jaguars held the advantage when day two of their Regional FirstClass encounter against Barbados Pride at Providence concluded yesterday.

On a day in which nine wickets fell and two halfcenturies were scored the 27year-old Reifer carried his overnight 33 to an unbeaten 54 from 127 balls, 165 minutes with seven fours took the Jaguars, who began the day 162-7, to 201 for a lead of 125 runs.

Johnathon Carter (4-52), Marquino Mindley (2-35) and Miguel Cummings (2-51) did the damage as the home side were bowled out 49 minutes before Lunch yesterday.

By the Close the Bajans were 228-6 with a lead of 103 with four wickets standing.

Barbados, bowled out for their third lowest score (76) on day one, batted much better in their second innings on a slow track which is starting to keep low as Shane Mosley scored his eighth fifty and fourth for the season from 120 balls,149 minutes with 11 fours.

The 24-year-old left hander got support from Pride’s leading run scorer Carter who followed up his four-wicket haul with 47 from 72 balls and 87 minutes with seven boundaries.

Skipper Shamarah Brooks, the 30-year-old former West Indies U-19 World Cup Captain, stroked an elegant 44 from 102 balls, 108 minutes with six fours, while Keeper Tevyn Walcott is unbeaten on 28.

Reifer has so far taken 218 to follow-up his first innings 5-20, while left arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul has 2-56 to take his tournament tally to 37.

Watched by a fair size gathering in the Green Stand which included children from the Alness Nursery in Corentyne, Berbice on a tour of Demerara, Jaguars resumed in bright sunshine on 167-7 with a lead of 86 runs.

Reifer, on 33 and Romario Shepherd (7) carried the score to 170 before Shepherd (9) missed an on-drive to Mindley and was LBW at 1708.

Reifer, who made an unbeaten 108 and captured 540 against the Red Force in the final round of the last season, reached his fifty

when he clipped left-arm spinner Jomal Warrican to the ropes at square leg.

His half century took 118 balls and 159 minutes and was decorated with seven boundaries.

He and 22-year-old Ramaal Lewis, in his second First-Class game and first for the Jaguars, supported Reifer as he displayed good batting skills before he was taken at mid-on off Warrican at 191-1.

A Carter short ball to Permaul (4) had him in all sorts of problems as he attempted to hook and only managed to lob a catch to the bowler as the Jaguars were dismissed 49 minutes before Lunch.

By Lunch, the visitors had reduced the deficit to 106 as they reached 19 without loss.

After the Interval, Barbados Pride, who were blown away in their first innings for 76 (their third lowest First-Class total), got going in positive fashion with Rashidi Boucher pivoting and pulling Shepherd for four before he was bowled by Sherfane Rutherford for nine at 19-1.

Skipper Shamarah Brooks, opening the batting in place of Mosley who was off the field for 27 minutes on the previous day, again looked good and played some elegant shots and together with Mosely, who batted at number three, defied the Jaguars bowling on the flat track and lightning fast

outfield.

But well set for what would have been his 20th fifty, Brooks, who promised much since his youth days with ‘Carl Hooper’ like cover drives, again flattered to deceive when he played back to a ball that kept low and was bowled by Permaul to break the 74-run stand and leave Barbados on 93-2.

After Tea, which was taken with the score on 1152, Mosley lofted Permaul over the head of Reifer at mid-on to reach fifty which was posted from 89 balls, 117 minutes with nine fours.

With conditions becoming overcast and the track offering more help for the spinners, Mosley was trapped LBW to Lewis for his first wicket for Guyana at 1673.

Things got progressively worse for Barbados as sunshine returned to the Providence sward when Carter, Pride’s most prolific batsman with 540 runs this season, fell three short of his 23rd First-Class fifty and fifth for the season in which he also scored a century.

With the score on 177, the left-hander pushed forward to one that bounced from Permaul and Tagenarine Chanderpaul at short-leg demonstrated excellent awareness to pouch a brilliant reflex catch to give his team the ascendency.

Reifer has a penchant for performing well against his home Country and the left-

- But Bajans fight back with fifties from Mosley & Carter

Skipper Shamrah Brooks flattered to deceive today with 44. arm pacer with a solitary Test under his belt, removed Aaron Jones (15) LBW before bowling Shamar Springer (6) in quick succession to leave Barbados on 205-6.

Walcott and Warrican (3) have so far put together 23 crucial runs by the close to keep their hopes alive of a win for the first time in five years against the Jaguars.

The first session today could decide which way to contest will go since if the four remaining wickets can take

Barbados’ lead to anything over 200 runs they could force a win especially since the pitch could misbehave a bit today and Warrican, Pride’s lead bowler with 26 wickets, is expected to play a key role today.

Despite Guyana’s inconsistent top order, any total below 180 should be chased down successfully in a game which could end in three days today to give the Jaguars their fifth win as they move closer to a fifth

consecutive title.

Play starts at 10:00hrs.

Scores: BARBADOS PRIDE 76 (Chaim Holder 22; Raymon Reifer 5-20) and 228 for six (Shayne Moseley 64, Jonathan Carter 47, Shamarh Brooks 44, Tevyn Walcott 28 not out; Raymon Reifer 2-18, Veerasammy Permaul 2-56).

GUYANA JAGUARS 201 (Raymon Reifer 52, Vishaul Singh 33; Jonathan Carter 4-52, Marquino Mindley 235).

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

GMRSC National Race of Champions Berbice Volleyball Association to Seebarran, Seejattan and Mohamed hold awards ceremony today The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will be holding its annual awards ceremony today. The activity which will be held at the Guysuco Training Center / Port Mourant hostel, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice will be held for those outstanding performers for the year 2018. Starting time is 13:00hrs.

A number of awards including trophies and other incentives will be given to outstanding teams and individual players who would have excelled during the 2018 Volleyball season.

The BVA, which is touted as one of the very active sport

organisations in Guyana, has once again performed outstandingly.

A number of tournaments were organised for both males and females starting from the school level, up to the senior level. A number of clubs undertook trips overseas, while the BVA also visited Barbados, French Guiana, Suriname among other territories.

Also during the year, long-serving volleyball stalwart and president of the BVA Levi Nedd was unanimously elected to the presidency of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF).

Among the categories

that awards will be presented to include - male and female champion clubs, male and female volleyball players of the y e a r, m o s t p r o m i s i n g volleyballer of the year.

The BVA referee of the year and the most disciplined player of the year among others will be recognised.

Reports and remarks are expected to be made by representatives of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF), The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the President of the BVA. All clubs affiliated to the BVA are expected to be present. (Samuel Whyte)

Letter to the Sports Editor

Pooran’s non-selection in ODI squad Dear Editor, Having been advised by CWI to be available for selection to the West Indies against England in the current series, Nick Pooran has appeared in only one game to this point. The potential damage to a young player’s confidence plus the additional pressure to perform when next he is selected is hardly the recipe for a successful international career.

One notes that both Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were given repeated opportunities to make amends after numerous failures. So why not Pooran?

He was given a lucrative opportunity to take part in the PSL T2O tournament currently in progress in Pakistan. He must be wondering now if he made the right decision with the resulting financial loss that has now occurred.

Thank you.

Tony Boodhoo

confirmed for tomorrow’s showdown Shan Seejattan will be one of the busiest drivers at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) first National Race of Champions which roars off tomorrow at the South Dakota Circuit.

In addition to defending his group two title, Seejattan will try his luck in the Prem’s Electrical Sports and Miracle Optical Street Tuner classes. He also confirmed that he will be tossing his hat in the anticipated Choke Starlet Cup Class.

Seejattan will be in unfamiliar territory in the Street Tuner class and he will fine stiff opposition from the defending champion Raymond Seebarran. Seebarran had an impressive 2018 season, notching four top of the podium finishes and two second places in the six races he entered.

Also confirming his participation is Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr., who is revving to go in the Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner and Group two classes. Mohamed will be in his Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Spares sponsored Honda Civic.

In an invited comment to this publication, the motor racer signaled his intent to pull off a few upsets come race day and fans will have

Nasrudeen Mohamed’s Honda Civic.

to come out and see what unfolds.

There is an incentive up for grabs in the group two class with the GMR&SC confirming that, Ramchand’s Auto Body Shop and Wrecker Service, along with Executive Travel Service, have thrown their support behind the club to sponsor a return ticket to Miami in the United States (U.S.) for the champion Group 2 driver. In addition, the winners of the Choke Starlet Cup, Miracle Optical Street Tuner and Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner are set to pocket $500,000 each, while Mohamed’s Enterprise has sponsored in excess of $250,000 for the top novice bikers.

Other confirmed sponsors of the event include, Air Services Limited, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Truck Master, Special Auto, Nexus, Cyril’s Taxi, Motor Trend Service Center, Prem’s Electrical, Windjammer Restaurant, A&R Printery, Trans Pacific Auto Sales and Spares, N&S Fuel Pump and Injector Services, Choke Gas Station, Miracle Optical, R. Kissoon Contracting Services, E-Networks, Powerline, B.M. Auto Sales and Supreme Ventures Enterprise.

Admission to the venue on race day will cost $1000 for adults and $500 for children.

Saturday March 02, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

GFF Elite League Season 4 to start March 15; Rules adjustments made - capacity building sessions to be held with RMA’s The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Season 4 is scheduled to commence on Friday, March 15, 2019 even as preparations intensify to ensure the efficient operation of the new season.

This was announced yesterday by GFF’s Competitions Director, Ian Alves following a consultation with the Elite Clubs, including representatives from the two newest additions; Santos FC and Police FC, respectively who entered the League following an Elite League promotion playoff held in February 9 & 10, 2019.

According to Alves, Thursday’s meeting sought

to discuss the proposed fixtures and amendments to the rules of Season 4: “As a result of a consensus, adjustments were made to the rules and it was agreed that, for the most part, every club will contest at least one match each week and the current season of the league will be conducted over a period of nine weeks.

Western Tigers FC was unavoidably absent.

Notwithstanding Santos FC and Police FC were present and decisions were agreed upon and we look forward with enthusiasm for a grand start to the league on March 15.”

As a lead up to the League and with the increased

Golden Jaguars to play practice match against select team from Fruta Conquerors today As preparations intensify for Guyana’s final qualifier in the Concacaf Nations League against Belize on March 23 next at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, West Demerara, the Golden Jaguars will play its third Training match against a Fruta Conquerors Select side this afternoon from 16:00hrs at the GFF National Training Centre.

According to a release from the Federation, the game will continue to test the tactical and technical skills of the squad in preparation for the final shortlist of players.

scheduled of competitions expected during the year, a training session on competitions management and venue preparation inclusive of pitch marking will be held today for representatives of Regional Member Associations (RMAs).

This session is geared towards improved capacity of the RMAs to host and manage competitions at all levels. It will cater specifically to the Competitions Manager and Venue Coordinator of each RMA and is expected to have 30 participants. The session will be held from 09:00hrs – 15:00hrs at GFF’s National Training Centre, Providence.

The GFF Elite League is the highest form of competitive football played in Guyana and according to the Rules and Regulations of Season 4, the 10 clubs “will play one (1) round of football, resulting in the club acquiring the most points being declared the winner. Match Days will feature mostly doubleheaders at stipulated venues on Fridays and Sundays with a few Match Days being scheduled for Saturdays, and the overall league Champion Club will be awarded an automatic qualifying spot at the CONCACAF / Caribbean Shield Championships.”

The League is scheduled to conclude in June. Detailed fixtures will be made available soonest.

Club Representatives during the meeting held to discuss the Elite League Season 4 Rules, Regulations and Fixtures.

PAGE 32

Saturday March 02, 2019

Kaieteur News

NSC/Magnum Mash Cup

Pundits predict large turnout for best final matchup for some time -Captains assure fans of exciting action They won their semi-final matchups in contrasting fashion, but make no mistake they are both offensiveminded teams and that is why all the pundits are predicting that tonight’s National Sports Commission (NSC)/ Magnum Mash Cup final will be the best seen for some time.

These two teams have the biggest mass following and it is already being rumoured that residents from the respective communities where the two finalists are gearing to come out in huge numbers to support their beloved ballers.

Sparta Boss hails from North East La Penitence, while Back Circle comes from the East Ruimveldt environ, a little distance separating the two communities so bragging rights will be the one of the uppermost motivation for both teams.

This is not to say that the lucrative prize of $600,000 will not be a preoccupation of the players and respective managements so the combination of the two scenarios virtually guarantees a riveting finale.

The two teams have enjoyed plenty success in the format, but definitely Sparta Boss holds a distinct advantage over their opponents and judging from their semi-final demolition against ‘Gold is Money’ they must start as firm favourites to win the ultimate prize.

On the other hand, Back Circle’s resilience which was on display in at least two

matches, one being the semifinals against the defending champions Bent Street, coming from a two-goal deficit to win in sudden death penalty shootout, needs no more confirmation of their mental toughness, but will that be enough to stop the rampaging Sparta Boss side.

The Bosses have so much offensive potency it is difficult to fathom how Back Circle will be able to manage their explosive forays which has been led by the skilful Jermin Junor.

Then you add the experience of one of Guyana’s best known strikers in Gregory Richardson along with new acquisition Ryan Hackett and you immediately see the threat they pose to any defence.

Other players such as Sheldon Shepherd and Eusi Phillips are just as good, making them perhaps the most star-studded team in the competition.

However, Back Circle is not a team to write off easily and as everyone is aware, they have the most rabid fans in terms of support which is a vital component in sports.

Stephon McLean, who has performed outstandingly throughout the tournament, will again be the spearhead of their attack, Selwyn Williams and Jermin Beckles are the other players with quality to lend support.

The two styles are similar and fans can be assured that it will not be a dull affair and

worth every cent of admission.

Despite the two teams’ failure to reach the championship game, the third place playoff between ‘Gold is Money’ and Bent Street could also provide the fans with a fascinating contest.

Former champs Bent Street will be aiming to take advantage of ‘Gold is Money’ disappointing performance in their previous game and will attempt to detect immediately if there are any lack of confidence in their play.

They too must be feeling dejected from their loss after leading 2-0 going into the final period in their previous encounter as well.

Both teams will have plenty motivation to remind their supporters that it just wasn’t their night and might just put on a crowd pleasing display for the fans.

Daniel Wilson, Sheldon Holder, Solomon Austin, Pernel Schultz, Clive Nobrega and Sheldon Profitt will lead Bent Street’s pursuit for the win.

‘Gold is Money’ chances of victory depend on how well Colin Nelson, siblings Hubert Pedro and Randolph Wagner, Phillip Rowley, Cleon Forrester, Michael and Jamal Pedro perform.

Exhibition games will precede the two official engagements.

The Organisers are also promising plenty giveaways for the fans and the venue is the National Gymnasium.

Pepsi backs GBA for 7th consecutive year - 2nd Mike Parris tourney punches off today For the seventh running year, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) through their Pepsi brand will continue to stand in the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) corner, after it was confirmed yesterday, during a simple ceremony at the company’s Ruimveldt, DSL location, that DDL has renewed their support of the association’s under-16 programme.

Present at the ceremony was head of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, GBA’s Technical Director; Terrence Poole M.S. and DDL’s nonalcoholic manager, Larry Wills.

Ninvalle explained that there has been tremendous

spill off from the Pepsi Mike Parris under-16 tournaments including the conceptualisation of the Caribbean Schoolboy and juniors’ tournament and the emergence of Commonwealth Games Silver medalist, Keevin Allicock.

“The under-16 youth programme is very important and last year we had 12 competitions. The most we have ever organised in a year and we are looking to improve on that figure this year,” Ninvalle revealed. He further shared that, “Last August we won the Caribbean schoolboy’s competition and we are looking to stay ahead of the oppositions by being

active throughout.”

“I must say thanks to DDL for keeping the faith in us. It has been seven long years. And as we embark into another, we are positive that the programme will continue to grow from strength to strength,” those were the sentiment of the Poole, who was recently announced as a recipient of the national award; the medal of service (M.S.).

Poole signaled that it is the aim of GBA to eventually have their youth boxers reach to the elite level and hinted that an Elite tournament may be on the cards in the not so distant (Continued on page 27)

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 02, 2019

PAGE 33

Transformation work in full swing at CWI’s LBI facility - Ground and players pavilion to completed by August 2019

By Sean Devers While the focus is on the pitches and the ground, which is expected to be fully complete by August, closing off phase one of the project, the LBI facility on the East Coast of Demerara, when fully completed next year, should be transformed into a state of the art International Cricket Stadium equipped with International standard lighting.

This project is the b r a i n c h i l d o f G C B ’s Secretary Anand Sanasie who is also one of 12 Members Directors of the Cricket West Indies.

The Media was invited to tour the facility on Tuesday

by GCB and Sanasie informed that the ground, owned by GUYSUCO and which hosted senior InterCounty matches in the 1990s, has been leased by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for 99 years.

The LBI ground currently houses the Chetram Singh Hostel and indoor nets but when completed will have self-

contained refurbished dorms with a Kitchen, dining facilities and full internet access which could accommodate First-Class players.

According to the ‘handson’ Sanasie, a four-story stand will be constructed with a capacity of 7,000 fans with a Gym at the bottom and concession areas and the parking area at the back, constructed at the Northern end of the venue.

Grass banks for spectators would be built beyond the Eastern and Southern boundaries which is a minimum of 70 Meters from the Pitches which will be four feet above what it is presently, while the ground will be lifted by three feet at its lowest point to mitigate against flooding. It was explained that new drainage constructed along the new highway should allow for better drainage.

Sanasie said wood from the dismantled Lance Gibbs stand at Bourda was used to assist in repairs to the existing Players’ Pavilion

which will be named after Gibbs the first bowler to take 300 Test wickets.

A new two-bedroom home with tiled floor, toilet and bath, and all other necessities is near completion for a live in caretaker. It is envisaged that upon completion the LBI facility will provide employment for about twenty residents from the East Coast area.

On the top flat of the Players’ Pavilion each dressing room has a washroom area where ice tub, Bathrooms and other facilities are already in place.

An Umpires’ Room and a Stadium Manager’s Office are also on the top floor of the players’ Pavilion.

On the ground floor of the players’ Pavilion, there is a store room for Slashers,

The Players’ Pavilion is being refurbished and will be named the Lance Gibbs Pavilion. (Sean Devers photos) Rollers and other ‘ground preparation’ equipment, while there is a Canteen and Bar which is available for rent. The ground floor also houses a special area for the teams’ Physiotherapist to ply his trade.

The South/West of the ground will accommodate the practice facility which will have nets, a plastic roof and full bowlers’ run ups.

This will replace the present indoor nets where there is

not enough space for fast bowlers to run in. A car park for the players and officials will be constructed in that area.

The South of the ground will accommodate a media Centre with TV and Radio Booths, while below the commentary Booths will be a two coloured sightscreen for white and red ball matches.

The Electronic scoreboard and replay screen

will also be to the South of the ground while a stage will be built to cater for concerts etc. which would enhance the facility’s income earning capabilities.

Concrete fencing would be erected for sponsors to advertise their products and services and this will help to provide a revenue stream.

“We are putting in a special layer of sand on the ground before we plant the (Continued on page 27)

Work in process on lifting of the ground to avoid flooding.

A worker makes a point to GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie and its TDO Colin Stuart at LBI.

21

t r o Sp Regional First-Class cricket

Raymon Reifer, unbeaten on 52, misses a big drive off Carter. (Sean Devers photos)

Pepsi backs GBA for 7th consecutive year - 2nd Mike Parris tourney punches off today

From left, Larry Wills hands over DDL’s sponsorship to GBA’s Steve Ninvalle while Technical Director, Terrence Pool M.S., looks on.

Reifer’s unbeaten 54 gives Jaguars 125-run lead

Raymond Seebarran’s Toyota Glanza EP91.

- But Bajans fight back with fifties from Mosley & Carter NSC/Magnum Mash Cup

Fans have been promised a heaping helping of excitement in tonight’s action.

GMRSC National Race of Champions

Pundits predict large turnout for best final matchup for some time

Seebarran, Seejattan and Mohamed confirmed for tomorrow’s showdown Shan Seejattan leading Adrian Fernandes down the homestretch.

-Captains assure fans of exciting action 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.