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March 09, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 10

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NO HEADWAY…

Election date depends on consensus in GECOM - President Granger tells commissioners

The meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday.

Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos passes away at 80

Bernard De Santos, SC

Dismissed sergeant gets nine charges for travel allowance fraud

Tamesh Dhanraj

High court grants Commission study on offshore - Industry bail to jailed Experts Cuban couple

reserves before any bid round

Appointing AG as External Auditor for Natural Resource Fund a wrong move - NRGI

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 09, 2019

PAGE 03

No headway…

Election date depends on – Granger tells consensus in GECOM commissioners T

he engagement b e t w e e n Government and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday to determine a date for elections ended without one.

The Chairman and six commissioners who met President David Granger and team at the Ministry of the Presidency were told to find common ground and come back. With a March 21st deadline that the Opposition says will throw Guyana into a crisis situation unless a resolution can be met, the ongoing back-and-forth is not spelling good news.

It will hold at bay a country that is about to enter oil production for the first time. Following the meeting, Granger and the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, were clear that the ball is in the court of the commissioners.

“The Government had a very enlightening and useful engagement with the Guyana Elections Commission this morning. The Commission was invited by the Government to examine the ways and means of having credible elections in as shortest time as possible, and we sought guidance from the Elections Commission as to what they would need. It appeared to the Government side that there are some differences,” Granger said in a statement.

It was not believed that the differences are irreconcilable, but rather, there is a need for a fresh search for agreement between the competing opinions in the Commission.

“Much attention was focused on the (Voters') List.

Naturally, the list is central to elections. We feel that elections are a normal part of democracy, but we don't want any citizen to feel disenfranchised, and it is evident from the evidence provided in the meeting this morning that the list is bloated… given the size of our population, and much attention is focused on sanitising that list.”

At the meeting, the President was accompanied

by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan;

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Tr o t m a n ; M i n i s t e r o f Indigenous People's Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally and Attorney- General, Basil Williams.

According to the President, as far as the Government was concerned, it did not receive the sort of guidance that we need to enable him as President to make a proclamation to actually announce a date.

DRAWING BOARD “But we have kept the door opened and we have asked the Guyana Elections Commission to go back to the drawing board to examine how quickly and how easily they could arrive at an consensual position; merge the various approaches; ensure that the preparations for elections, which have already started, continue, and that we could have an agreement as quickly as possible.”

However, he still was convinced that the meeting was productive. “So as far as the Government side is concerned, this has been productive, it has been edifying and we feel we have the basis for moving quickly towards having elections in Guyana.”

He said that the “unfortunate thing” is that there is still not a date.

“And I am confident that if the Guyana Elections Commission resolved or reconciled the different points of view, which exist in t h e C o m m i s s i o n n o w, Guyanese could look forward to having elections at an early date as possible.”

According to Harmon, it was made clear that there are there are four matters which are to be considered in addition to the work programme for GECOM that there is a need for Government to continue to function in its “legitimate manner”; that the court processes are going on at the same time while there are discussions with GECOM, and that the outcomes of the matters are also going to impact on whatever it is that is being done.

He also said that it was stressed that GECOM as an independent body has to

The meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday.

ensure that in its decisionmaking processes, that it takes into consideration the approaches and views expressed by the Commissioners. “…but at the end of the day it is the decision of the Commission upon which the Executive branch will have to rely on and, therefore, it is decision of the Commission that would inform His Excellency in whatever decisions or pronouncements he would make.”

According to Granger, the Government is in no way interfering or intruding in the constitutional role and duty of the Commission.

“It is for the Commission to advise me that it is ready and I will then proclaim a date.” He said that once the Commission says it is ready, he will announce a date. “…and I hope that date is as early as possible. So the question of the ball being in the President's court is not a credible position to take. I have to be advised by the Commission and we had two hours of, I would say, gruelling discussions, and I am very confident that when the Commission goes back to High Street and goes back to the drawing board, they will be able to give the Guyanese people or give the President, the type of guidance that I need to make that decision.”

NO URGENCY IN ELECTIONS Meanwhile, the Opposition was not happy. It said that there was not any urgency to discuss a date for elections.

The three commissioners for the Opposition on GECOM who were present at the meeting were Bibi Shadick, Robeson Benn and Sase Gunraj.

In a statement, the Opposition expressed surprise that such a large delegation was fielded by Government as it is a fact that none of them have any “statutory or other function” related to the conduct of elections.

“The meeting degenerated into one of the usual statutory meetings of the Commission, where no urgency is ever given to the holding of elections as is constitutionally mandated, but instead, focus was placed on a house-to- house registration exercise.”

The statement said that the Opposition-nominated commissioners attempted to submit a written proposal which contemplates the holding of elections in the shortest possible time, that

is, before the expiration of the current Official List of Electors on April 30, 2019.

“This submission was not allowed. Instead, the Government-nominated Commissioners insisted that house-to- house registration was necessary before the conduct of elections.”

The Opposition said that it is appropriate to note that any house-to-house exercise will take in excess of nine months. In fact, Government nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, himself stated at the meeting, that with house-to-house registration, elections could be held next February.

“To our surprise, the President then asked each of the Ministers present to share their views. Almost all of them spoke of the need for house-to-house registration.

Instead of the expected consultation with GECOM to determine its readiness, the engagement manifested into an obvious attempt to

pressure the Oppositionnominated Commissioners and GECOM into adopting the position being advocated by the Government and the APNU, AFC regarding House-to-House Registration.”

Elections were not constitutionally due until n e x t y e a r, b u t a n o confidence motion tabled last year saw the vote carried after a Government parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, joined with the Opposition.

The vote triggered early elections, which are mandated to be held within 90 days. However, Government has asked the courts to examine the legality of the vote. It is being appealed at the moment. The Opposition has threatened to complain to the international community to ask for sanctions.

It insists that after March 21st, the government will be illegal.

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Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

This Is Where a Nuclear Exchange Is Most Likely (It’s Not North Korea) (Republished from The New York Times) The current focus on North Korea’s growing arsenal obscures the fact that the most likely trigger for a nuclear exchange could be the conflict between India and Pakistan.

Long among the world’s most antagonistic neighbors, the two nations clashed again last week before, fortunately, finding the good sense to de-escalate. The latest confrontation, the most serious between the two nations in more than a decade, gave way to more normal pursuits like trade at a border crossing and sporadic cross-border shelling.

But this relative calm is not a solution. As long as India and Pakistan refuse to deal with their core dispute — the future of Kashmir — they face unpredictable, possibly terrifying, consequences.

The current crisis dates to Feb. 14, when a Kashmiri suicide bomber killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary officers in the deadliest attack in three decades in the divided region that both nations have claimed since partition in 1947.

The militant group Jaish-e-Muhammad, which seeks independence for Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan, took responsibility. While it is on America’s list of terrorist organizations and is formally banned in Pakistan, the group has been protected and armed by the Pakistani intelligence service.

Last week, India sent warplanes into Pakistan for the first time in five decades. Indian officials said they had struck Jaish-e-Muhammad’s “biggest training camp” and killed a “very large number” of militants, although those claims have been called into doubt. Pakistan counterattacked, leading to a dogfight in which at least one Indian jet was shot down and a pilot was captured by the Pakistanis.

The situation could have easily escalated, given that the two countries have fought three wars over 70 years, maintain a near-constant state of military readiness along their border and have little formal government-togovernment dialogue.

Adding to the volatility, India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is waging a tough re-election campaign in which he has used anti-Pakistan talk to fuel Hindu nationalism.

With Pakistan’s Army most likely shaken by the Indian raid and unwilling to slide into protracted conflict, Prime Minister Imran Khan returned the pilot to India, in what was seen as a goodwill gesture, called for talks and promised an investigation into the bombing. Mr. Modi took the opportunity to back off further escalation.

The next confrontation might not end so calmly.

Pakistan has never seriously cracked down on militant groups that attack India and the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir. In recent days, Pakistani authorities said they detained 44 members of various armed groups, including a brother of Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Muhammad, and planned to seize assets of militants on the United Nations terrorist list. But Pakistan has rarely followed through on such promises.

Without international pressure, a long-term solution is unlikely, and the threat of nuclear war remains.

China is a major ally and lender to Pakistan, and if it stopped blocking moves in the United Nations Security Council to add Mr. Azhar to the United Nations terrorist list, it would signal to Pakistan that it has to curb the militant groups.

While the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations aggressively worked to ensure that India-Pakistan confrontations in 1999, 2002 and 2008 did not spiral out of control, the Trump administration has done little but issue a few statements urging restraint. It’s hard to see a role as a mediator for Mr. Trump, who has shifted the United States more firmly against Pakistan and toward India, where he has pursued business interests.

Govt. has to show mettle in dealing with RUSAL or be deemed incapable DEAR EDITOR, It is instructive the attempt being made by the Government to resolve the impasse between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI), the Russian management has demanded from the Government the media not cover the issues and the unions not be involved. This information was shared by Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally with Stabroek News (8th March, “Ally signals arbitration for BCGI disputes”). The demand is preposterous and speaks to the height of RUSAL’s effrontery! What next-will Russia want to determine who must be Guyana’s president, opposition leader, the leader of political parties, religious organisations, etc.?

Citizens and workers need no more evidence of the

contempt being shown for Guyana’s sovereignty by a foreign company hosted under our laws, expected to respect same, and abide by international good corporate practices. Instead, we bear witness to the intensifying of the contempt for the labour laws and constitutional rights of workers (Article 147), to now that of seeking to trample on Article 146 of the Constitution.

Article 146 guarantees the right to freedom of expression, the sharing of information and knowledge.

This right protects citizens and the media in our day-today activities and its utilisation critical in seeking resolution to conflicts, including that of the present industrial impasse. The Russian management is seeking to prevent us from telling our stories, articulating our reality. This attitude is symptomatic of those not

respecting that basic human rights and freedoms are universal and protected.

As BCGI management seeks to deny the Government of Guyana and her people, Russia is spreading misinformation on the impasse and about Guyanese via its Sputnik news agency.

This misinformation is being utlised by international media, such as the USA Bloomberg News, and even reported in at least one of our online news outlet. Guyanese did not fight for freedom of expression to have it denied to us by those who know or care not for our historical struggles, achievements and development as a people.

As this is being written recall is made of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s 28th February press conference.

At that conference he was derisive of the government for allowing the media access to its

meeting with BCGI and the unions, and on the ministry’s visit to Aroaima, a site of BCGI. Jagdeo has to be mindful that as the Russians seek to deprive Guyanese freedom of expression and the unions the right to association/solidarity on matters than affect workers across the board, his refusal to condemn BCGI’s growing contempt for the nation’s sovereignty is not perceived as consent. He is well aware silence is also a position.

GB&GWU remains resolute in its call on Government to activate arbitration under the Labour Act (98:01) and consistent with the Collective Labour Agreement. Government has to be mindful that it has to show mettle in dealing with RUSAL lest it be accused of being incapable.

Lincoln Lewis General Secretary, GB&GWU

Attempting to resist an unstoppable phenomenon DEAR EDITOR, For those who are acquainted, and those who are not with our country’s electoral history they should by now recognize, as the time draws near for the electorate to decide who will govern the country for the next five years, that political tensions tend to surface.

But the circumstances are never the same, each situation throws up its own specific challenges.

As we approach elections within the meaning of article 106 of Guyana’s Constitution, the situation this time around is fundamentally different.

Triggered by the passage of the no confidence motion (NCM) in the National Assembly, the electoral process has been thrown into a tailspin.

Given the lingering fears, real or perceived, a significant

section of the voting population holds the view that plans were being hatched by the APNU+ AFC to remain in office beyond 2020. However, passage of the NCM and its validation by the court, must have sent the governing coalition darting helter-skelter, and back to the drawing board to revisit whatever electoral master plan they may have had in mind prior to December 21, 2018 in readiness for an elections in 2020.

It would not be unreasonable to assume therefore that the shenanigans we are currently witnessing are part and parcel of a revised or improvised APNU+AFC master plan, which calls for more time to gear themselves up so that they can shore up their electoral fortunes.

Having regard to the depressing and oppressive economic, social and political

But the United States needs to get involved. It could help India strengthen its counterterrorism capabilities to prevent future attacks, and it could encourage India to modify its approach to those opposing its rule in Kashmir, which the United Nations and other groups say involves widespread human rights abuses that simply spawn more militants. And while it’s good when India and Pakistan decide to walk back from the brink, as they seem to be doing now, the United States should be ready to assist if they cannot.

A solution to a conflict that touches so many religious and nationalist nerves must ultimately come from within, through talks among India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir. It’s a long shot, and the protagonists have shown no serious interest, but that’s the reality nonetheless.

The two countries have crossed into dangerous territory, with India attacking Pakistan and engaging in aerial duels.

The next confrontation, or the one after that, could be far more unthinkable.

conditions obtaining in the country, it is clear that, cumulatively, these conditions present gloomy forecasts for the ruling coalition’s vote-getting strategy.

Many find it amazing that in just four years the ruling coalition has stumbled and fell irreparably in a sea of corruption and malfeasance. And, just as they clamored for change in 2015 in the same way, the clamour for change has swung a full circle, and resonates irrepressibly throughout the country.

Notwithstanding, its Sisyphean efforts, the ruling coalition must have recognized that to hold back the rising tide for a change in government is like resisting an unstoppable phenomenon.

The big question therefore is what can they do to save themselves from drowning as they clutch to a handful of straws?

Addressing a North American conference of the PNCR held in Georgia, USA in early November 2017, Mr. Granger said, “A big question for members is how the party will retain office after 2020 when elections are to be held.”

Mr. Granger urged his comrades to recall the party’s struggle for power in the 1960’s and the maintenance of political power up to 1992. “You have to ask yourself how the PNC gained office in 1964; ask how did the PNC remain in office and what did it do during that year? Ask yourself how the PNC regained office in 2015; and ask yourself how the PNC would retain office after 2020.” At that time, neither Mr. Granger nor his kitchen

cabinet had anticipated passage of a NCM, which effectively brought about an abrupt end to his administration and, as a consequence, a dramatic change in Guyana’s elections schedule and by implication, the ruling coalition’s own.

David Hinds was among the first to comment on Granger’s remarks at the Atlanta gettogether which he classified as ‘some Burnhamite red meat thrown at the party faithful ‘ According to Hinds, ‘Unlike other commentators, I am very clear that President Granger’s comments in Atlanta are a tacit acceptance that the PNC never fairly won on its own. What can be concluded from that acceptance, of course, is open to debate.’

The public must now join actively in that debate and, based on the PNC’s elections track record, decide whether elections will be free and fair with the APNU+AFC in office.

Further, Guyanese must decide whether the platitudes expressed from time to time

by Mr. Granger himself in respect to constitutional democracy and upholding the rule of law are believable in today’s context.

In so doing, Guyanese should reflect on the APNU+AFC’s efforts to continue their exercise of power over the people of Guyana, irrespective of the consequences of their actions, and the ruling Coalition should realize that they may very well lose it over themselves.

Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee

Saturday March 09, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Addressing the Fomented Primeval Fears Expressed by MP Figueira DEAR EDITOR, I have been deeply disturbed, troubled and sitting dejected on reading the letter entitled, “Jagdeo’s system of apartheid,” in the Daily Chronicle of Thursday, March 7, 2019, submitted by Mr. Jermaine Figueira, PNC Member of Parliament for Region 10.

For quite a while, I was torn in mind whether we PPP and PPP/C should respond to his repeating and so propagating the preposterous historical allegations arising out of fomented primeval fears amongst us Afro-Guyanese, of the so called “Indian” PPP and PPP/C, herein Jagdeo and Ramotar “not liking black people,” “discriminating against black people,” “wanting to dominate black people”, “instituting a system of apartheid against black people” and so on.

Mr. Editor, we of the PPP and the PPP/C of all races have been responding numerous times to these allegations. We stand on our historical record of material achievements and of embracing Guyanese of all races, of all religions and from all regions from the time of the founding of our Political Affairs Committee (PAC) in 1946 to today. Nonetheless, I go once more to the battle line. I do so cognizant that a number of my Afro brothers and sisters are still vulnerable to such preposterous charges. I start as one airline safety routine begins, to remind those who have heard these sentiments before and to inform those who are encountering these allegations for the first time, that these allegations generate lots of emotions but there is much of substance to the contrary.

I write also responding directly to Mr. Figueira – for I sense some playing to the gallery, some tentativeness in his opening line, as printed: “Fasten your seat belts, as I thread on delicate grounds.”

Mr. Editor, Mr. Figueira’s letter seems to call for a response at a number of levels from specific/ particular/tangible as well as general historical, social/ economic/intangibles viewpoints. Taking account of the limitations of space and time, I will here and now address mainly the specific allegations.

I contend contrary to MP Figueira that during our PPP/ C period in office, October 1992 to May 2015 that: All groups of Guyanese throughout Guyana, experienced similar levels of growth and development, in improved housing, supply of electricity, water, telephones, education and health services. If vehicle ownership is taken as a proxy for improvement in living standards and aspirations, Afro-Guyanese and AfroGuyanese areas did no less well than other areas.

Addressing Linden and Region 10 specifically, as we have stated a number of times before, the PPP/C entered office in 1992 meeting an International Manager (MINPROC) installed in LINMINE by the departed PNC administration, in the course of covenants and conditionalities of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP). There was the covenant that after two years MINPROC would declare whether it could see LINMINE becoming profitable or not. If profitable, LINMINE was to be sold, if not it was to be shut down

forthwith. No more monies from the nation’s treasury were to be thrown away in subsidizing LINMINE. If we PPP/C had really disliked Linden, and Afro-Guyanese areas, all that we had to do was to conform to the PNC covenant. We did not; I reiterate we did not: we squeezed and with blood in our eyes found ways above and below the table to resume and maintain subsidies to that company and community for many years into the future.

We PPP and PPP/C would welcome a review and audit of our relationships with the Georgetown M & CC during our period. The recent COI, which included looking into the actions of the former Town Clerk should have opened many eyes to the likelihood that the criticisms of our Ministers and Government were not of bad mind, nor anti-Afro Guyanese.

Recall the recent Parking Meter debacle. In 1992, my Ministerial Responsibilities included Local Government and Regional Development which included Georgetown.

The same Parking Meter proposal and some thirty proposals for municipal incinerators were brought to me by teams including some overseas Afro Guyanese and native New Yorkers. Inherent, often buried deep in all of them were assumptions of payment fee-structures much the same as in New York – not surprising as all the equipment and installations were as in New York, but very far from affordable by Guyanese in the mid-1990s and even now. Our public has already heard much about the Parking Meter proposal and overwhelmingly rejected it. The incinerator proposals would have incurred charges of about

G$800 million/year when the Municipality of Georgetown was collecting then about G$200 million per year in taxes.

The early charges by then Mayor and Council of Georgetown of our PPP/C Government’s intransigence, and stymieing of proposed revenue generating initiatives of the M & CC, and with overtones of us not liking black people and wanting black people to fail and to look bad, flowed from my unwillingness to give the goahead to those unsound projects.

On the question of the alleged biased support to our various municipal areas, MP Figueira, it appears, is referring solely to the publicly stated schedule of direct grants to Municipalities and NDCs. That does not take account of the very much larger cash flows from Central Government’s overall budget from which those people and communities benefit – for example the over G$2 billion/ per year to subsidize electricity in the Linden area which works out to more than about G$20,000: per household per month, which we did not bring to the nation’s attention until forced to; nor does it consider the approximate G$900 million spent in constructing well surfaced roads and concrete drains in Bartica, and so on. I mention these instances to say that we tried as much as humanly possible to treat even handedly and equitably with all our communities whether mainly Afro

Guyanese, Indo Guyanese, Amerindian Guyanese, or nonation Guyanese.

On the question of Dr. Roger Luncheon’s answer on the appointment of Afro Guyanese as Ambassadors, one must see his answer in the context of the series of questions by lawyers demanding yes/no answers.

A number of persons appearing to me to be AfroGuyanese were being considered and not long after were promoted to the level of Ambassador.

On the question of SOPHIA and the adjoining squatting areas, Mr. Figueira forces me to recall the policemen and persecution inflicted on the squatters by the PNC in the years before we PPP/C took office, and that the PNC had earmarked SOPHIA in particular for high end housing developments.

We PPP/C regularized the squatting we met in Sophia and neighbouring areas granting the land to those ordinary Guyanese, overwhelmingly Afro Guyanese, and we sought by finding more land to grant house-lots, to get ahead of the pressure for further squatting.

Concerning MP Figueira’s charges “that during Jagdeo’s twelve year imperial rule, 468 AfroGuyanese men were killed by an alleged state-sponsored death squad and phantom gang.” Former president, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has spoken to these charges a number of times and has been calling for a COI of that period. The lack of take-up on Dr. Jagdeo’s call,

is an indication of uneasiness somewhere in so doing. I have been maintaining that that period started with the run up to our 1997 General Elections and the “slow fiyah, mo’ fiyah” marches and real fires as elitists fomented many ordinary Afro Guyanese to reject that second PPP/C win.

They were encouraged to loot, burn and vent their frustrations on IndoGuyanese, who were once again as I said then made to pay the price for Guyana remaining whole. I encourage MP Figueira, all AfroGuyanese and indeed everyone interested to put hands on and read Mr. Eusi Kwayana’s letter as he left Buxton and Guyana, on the calamity that had befallen Buxton.

On the reports of Ms. Gay McDougal, UN independent expert, and Daudon Dienne UN Special Rapporteur, I do not know what Mr. Figueira might have been privy to but in his quotations, I read a report written in much measured statements with which I would not contest, not charges of apartheid. As an example, let us consider this quote from Mr. Figueira’s letter: [She (Ms. McDougal) also said that, “Ethnically based division and politics have created two separate (Continued on page 6)

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Robotics and STEM in primary schools is bigger than one company or individual DEAR EDITOR, I am one who follows what is happening on the international and more importantly the local front. I noticed on Thursday of this week the Ministry of Education announcing that robotics for all primary schools is almost a reality.

I thought wow! Finally, we have a government and a Minister of Education who is serious about transforming and moving education forward using Information Communication Technology (ICT). Editor, I said to myself thank heavens that as a country we are willing to embrace modern technology to drive education.

No sooner had those thoughts settled I saw one someone posted this on his Facebook page “So in an election cycle, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Guyana rolls out a Robotics component with a white man as instructor when we have a Guyanese in country currently teaching Robotics through STEM G U YA N A .

Utter foolishness! I support this Coalition Government and its vision for Guyana. But we need better, qualified, culturally aware people, competent people, visionaries, to implement the vision. This is unacceptable at many levels.

Again, I wholeheartedly

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

support this coalition government. But I can’t support such nonsense!

Is Minister of Education Nicolette Henry Aware of this?”

Editor, I must admit I did not read the entire article emanating from the MoE regarding the robotics. And so I thought to myself thank you Mr. Usual Suspect for highlighting this. But through it all a still voice admonished me to read the article in its entirety and I did. Reading the article was extremely enlightening and I asked myself the questions did this individual and his followers read the article?

From the outset, let me say this for this individual to label the man, who came here legitimately to potentially offer his services to this country, a ‘White Man’ was reprehensible, distasteful and is tantamount to racism. All right-thinking Guyanese should speak out against this kind of language.

Editor, let me return to the contents of the MoE’s article that seem to have upset so many persons. Firstly, it is clear in that article that the MoE has not rolled out the programme as was stated, so that part of the post is incorrect. It went on to say that the man is an instructor for the MoE, from what I have read David Antar is the President of A+ Technologies and Solutions and he wanted

to showcase what his company can offer via that demonstration. Nowhere in that article did I see a contract was awarded. In fact, the article was pellucid when it said the MoE is engaging ‘potential’ partners.

With regards to the Guyanese teaching robotics through STEM Guyana, I am sure like David Antar that Guyanese will have that time to showcase what he/she has to offer. I get the impression from the utterances of this individual and his crew that somehow the MoE should not look elsewhere apart from this Guyanese individual and STEM Guyana. That cannot be the approach of any responsible leader to sign off on such an approach. The introduction of Robotics and STEM in primary schools is bigger than one company or individual. I urge the MoE not to be bullied by these individuals and allow the tendering process to determine who is deserving of this contract.

The MoE is embarking on a new initiative and therefore should not be limited to interfacing with one individual or company whether they are Guyanese or otherwise. The Ministry must be allowed to do its work and not have individuals serving as ‘gobetweens’ for persons who have a self-serving interest in that project.

Editor, where are we going as a country? How can people who are supposed to be educated behave in such a manner? They have clearly missed the most significant part, which is for the first time Guyanese children will have robotics in their classroom.

They can only see this ‘White man’ coming to take over the project.

Yours Respectfully, Elizabeth Williams

Police ranks should be an example of the law DEAR EDITOR, Today I write this letter because I am unable to travel to Georgetown at the moment, to meet with the Commissioner of Police. I need to highlight that we need better policing. I will be making an appointment to engage the Commissioner on some very disturbing matters.

Some policemen at Port Kaituma Police Station need to execute their duties in a professional manner. We the citizens of this country need to adhere to the Rule of Law and this also goes to the policemen who ought to know that they are not above the law and they themselves are citizens.

Policemen need to serve without fear and favour, because they took an oath to do so. No fear and favour must come within the boundaries of their duties because of some friendly affair.

In the years gone by, citizens used to befriend the police and yet Law and Order was carried out. I remember those old days when we heard that a Commander or Officer-in-Charge of our area is expected to visit; we used to be so happy.

Everyone was glad to meet, greet and interact.

Today, the police and the people do not have that relationship. I can say this because I had some encounters with them and as an elder in my community, I have been given several reports (allegations) against the police.

From my observations and common sense, I do know that the police and the people need to have a better relationship where the people must upkeep the Law, so should the policemen. Policemen ought not to be bias in their decision in respect to the Law, which oftentimes result in them being arrogant and brutalizing their detainees and victimization is extended to the family members and it never stops.

This results in a standoff between the police and the community. I was once told by a police officer that he did not come here for people to like him. That is his choice, but the Police need to know their duties and responsibility to serve and protect. The public should not feel afraid or fearful of approaching the police when they are in need of the police’s services.

Police and the people must have respect for each other. The police should not be thought of as enemies of the people likewise the people should not be viewed of as enemies of the police.

In everything there is good and bad, positive and negative.

If we break the law, the police are there to make sure that we face the judgment, not for them to break the law too and trump up charges against the detainee after brutalizing them. It only makes matters worse and sends the wrong message to the detainees who may have in some way broken the Law.

Our youths need rehabilitation not brutalization.

Policemen should be an example of the law, council those who have broken the law. Attempt to make them understand why they were detained so that they can be aware in the future. Being brutal does not bring about good results; they may want to return that favour in some way if given the opportunity. It may cause them to lose all faith in the justice system.

The influential is easily influenced by their environment and their upbringing can take second place. This is how the Police and the community come into play as a guide for our youths and some older folks. The professionalism and diligence of the Police will bring about less negative confrontations.

Yours truly, Lorraine McIntyre (Walcott) Arakaka, North West District Region 1

Addressing the...

From page 5 and conflicting narratives and perceptions of reality in Guyana.” On the part of Afro Guyanese, Ms. Dougal said there is a widely held belief that they are discriminated against by an Indian dominated and supported Government that puts Indian interests to the fore, particularly in resource allocation, government contracts and employment.]

Mr. Editor, we PPP/C are aware that that narrative exists. It is exploitative of instances where any of our PPP/C leaders, members or supporters being themselves humans and members of our turbulent society, falls short of what we demand of our people - those instances are overblown. Further, we would charge that there have been persons all along, considering themselves as elites, who have fomented and cultivated the narrative which Ms. McDougal refers to and which MP Figueira is perpetuating. I am prepared to argue as I have maintained on a number of occasions that much of the problems of us, the Afro Guyanese group, flow from the inability of our leaders to find good, positive answers to our perceived problems. Editor, let me end repeating a position I have written before: “A big part of the confusion and frustration of ordinary Afro-Guyanese would be the historical seeming preferment of AfroGuyanese in the Public

Service and nationalized industries in the earlier years of that 28 year period, which backfired when that administration had to accept the ERP programme with its medicine of retrenchments, shrinkings and closures in the public service and nationalized companies, and future work being contracted out to the private sector. During that 28 year period, AfroGuyanese were steered away from private business and into the Government sector, then, later, being largely salary and wage earners, pauperized by an effective devaluation of about 1,000 over that period.”

Our problems my dear Afro-Guyanese brothers, (to paraphrase from Shakespeare somewhere) lie not in our stars, nor with others, but with we ourselves and with those we countenance to become our leaders, who take themselves and our Afro group down paths that that are not progressive as they propagate narratives that keep us tied to the past and to them with them in office.

MP Figueira may be earnest in his call encouraging “Guyanese from all ‘walks of life’ to come together for a national and truthful discourse on ethnic relations in Guyana”; however, his letter is no starting point.

Yours truly, Samuel A.A. Hinds Former President and Former Prime Minister

Saturday March 09, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Commission study on offshore reserves before any bid round - Industry Experts

By Kiana Wilburg Before first-time oil producers like Guyana rush into any bid round, it would be wise to commission an international study on its offshore reserves.

This is according to Oxfam America. The entity is a confederation of 20 independent charitable organizations, which seek to fight some of the factors that lead to poverty, one of them being the poor governance of extractive wealth.

Industry experts at Oxfam advised that commissioning international studies on the geology of reserves is also in line with international best practices and will put the country in a better position to prepare the relevant documents for the bid round.

To further cement its case in this regard, Oxfam America noted that before Peru launches a bid round, it commissions studies from international consultancies on the geology, reserves, risks, production levels, and development and operating costs of the block.

Oxfam America said that the South American nation uses this information to pre-

pare the bid process and to review subsequent bids. As part of their bid, Oxfam said that companies are also required to share information on their operations elsewhere to give an idea of what it will cost them to develop the field.

The transparency advocate said that once the contractor is selected, the information gathered is used to set the royalty rate and monitor costs. Further to this, Oxfam America said that bid rounds provide opportunities for countries to increase their pool of benchmark data.

In the meantime, Guyana’s Energy Department has said that when it initiates another licensing round for offshore blocks next year, background checks will be done on all competing companies.

This assurance was given by the Energy Department’s Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe. He had said that the Department is still working through how it will do the licensing round which would likely be an open bidding process.

The Department Head had stressed, nonetheless, that the requisite safeguards would be in place for the licensing round scheduled for

the first quarter of 2020.

Several local and international transparency advocates have also called for Guyana to ensure due diligence is done on oil companies for any future licensing round.

The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) for example, has warned that a company involved in the award process which has a reputation for, or a record of participation in, corruption or other misconduct, should be seen as a major red flag by governments.

NRGI said this could suggest that the company has a propensity to engage in problematic business practices, or that officials treated them with favoritism.

“Of course, some companies may be wrongly accused by their rivals. (However), the level of scrutiny prompted by this red flag should depend on factors such as the reliability of the evidence or how often the company …has been accused.”

As for the Global Witness, this anti-corruption NGO has stressed time and again, on the importance of countries doing proper due diligence before handing over its oil resources

for exploitation to the best bidder. The Global Witness has stated that selecting the best companies with good track records on environmental and social protection, and the financial and technical capabilities to extract the maximum amount of oil with the minimum of harm is essential.

It said, “Poor or corrupt allocation processes can lead to companies without the relevant expertise, or with no intention of extracting themselves, gaining rights to exploit a country’s natural resources. In the worst cases,

Oxfam America Director, Ian Gary rights can be handed to companies which represent corrupt interests leading to poor

contract terms, delayed production and lost revenues for the host government.”

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 09, 2019

Saturday March 09, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Who will pay public servants after March 21, 2019?

Who will pay public servants after March 21, 2019?

Why would the President of Guyana have to meet with the entire Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in order to discuss that body’s readiness to hold general and regional elections? And why only now?

There was no need for that meeting which took place yesterday between GECOM and the President. It is outside of the norm for any Presi-

dent to host the entire Commission at a meeting None of the other Presidents of Guyana, as far as one can recall, ever had reason to meet with all the Commissioners in order to be apprised of GECOM’s preparedness to hold elections. Not Burnham, not Hoyte, not Cheddi Jagan, not Samuel Hinds, not Janet Jagan, not Bharrat Jagdeo and not Donald Ramotar.

Meeting with the entire Commission is not the stan-

dard way in which the President is updated on GECOM’s readiness to hold elections.

The normal way is that the President writes to the Chairman of GECOM, indicating an intention to hold elections soonest, and asks to be advised as to the earliest day by which GECOM will be ready to do so. Or alternatively, the President can in advance signal to GECOM that he intends to call elections on a specified day and enquire into

Dem boys seh ...

A man tell de court how he ganja was achar Dem magistrate does got to have patience. Dem does got to have tolerance and dem does have to learn to control dem temper. Dat is because some of de things dem does hear would either mek dem laugh—and de court is a place wheh people shouldn’t laugh.

Dem does also hear things dat does mek dem have to tolerate people and some things dat does mek dem get vex because people does tek dem fuh fools.

Yesterday, a man end up before a magistrate pon a ganja charge. In Guyana, these days if you got a li’l bit fuh smoke de court does give you a chance. Instead of jail, dem does give you community service or mek you pay a small fine.

But dem have some people who does get a lawyer fuh talk all kind of stu-

pidness. If was stupidness only, dem boys didn’t mind.

But is eye pass.

A man get ketch wid a quantity of weed and he lawyer had de nerve to tell de magistrate how de man think was achar in de bottle. Of course achar does have oil, but dis particular bottle didn’t have no oil. Then achar got a smell and ganja got a smell.

But de two smells don’t even resemble.

Imagine de man lawyer then had de nerve to tell de magistrate dat wha de man had was something dat does change from one thing to de next.

Is things like dat mek de politicians change. All of dem was Guyanese till Charranrass bruk up de coucou party. From then, is nuff dual citizens. People would believe dat nobody is pure Guyanese. And dem

boys willing to bet dat if dem have to go to court, dem would tell de magistrate dat dem didn’t know people did apply fuh citizenship on their behalf.

One thing though; de magistrate de planning to send de man to jail till de ganja in de bottle tun achar, but she stop at three years. Dem boys remember de time when couple people get arrest. One man get charge wid thiefing a fowl cock. He tell de magistrate dat he had de fowl cock since it was a li’l chicken.

De magistrate send him home.

Anodda get charge fuh stealing a rifle. He tell de magistrate how he had de rifle since it was a pistol. De magistrate tell him he gon send him to jail till de rifle tun a cannon.

Talk half and don’t try to mek people a fool.

whether the election body can meet this timeline.

The media and the public are becoming tired of this circus which is taking place in terms of holding the elections.

The outcome of the meeting was as predictable as the sun rising each morning.

There was no need to wait until the most unholy hour, a mere two weeks before the Constitutional deadline to hold elections, before GECOM should have been asked about their readiness.

This should have been formally done since December 22, 2019, the day after the no confidence motion.

But it is understandable that the President was not in the country and could not have done so then. But at least when he returned he should have done so at the earliest opportunity, notwithstanding the legal challenge which his government and a private citizen has launched against the validity of the NCM. In early January and before the Chief Justice’s ruling on the NCM, the Leader of the Opposition got duped into agreeing to have the respective Chief Whips agree to meet with GECOM on its readiness. Nothing much also

came out of that process.

Why then did anyone expect anything concrete to emerge out of yesterday’s meeting? It is public knowledge that the Guyana Elections Commission is divided on the issue of the holding of elections. One faction – and there and have always been factions – wants to drag out the holding of elections until after April 30, 2019 and wants house-to-house registration after that.

House-to- house registration realistically will push elections back until April next year.

House-to-house registration cannot be completed in time for elections this year.

The other faction wants elections by the constitutional deadline of March 21, 2019, or latest one month after that. The public, and no doubt the government, is fully aware that on this issue the Commission stands as a divided house.

The President therefore should not have met with the Commission unless the Commission itself had decided on when it feels it can hold elections. No agreement was likely to have emerged from such a meeting, because the Commission itself has not settled the issue as to where

it stands.

The Leader of the Opposition is not going to be strung along by the government.

He will not agree to any election based on house-tohouse registration, because he knows that realistically this cannot be achieved and will not be in compliance with the Constitution.

Guyana therefore is about to enter a constitutional crisis. Foreign loans will not be disbursed; international aid will be frozen; visas for official travel will be restricted because the government will be illegal; problems are going to arise as to the legitimacy of the government in representing the country internationally; investors are going to be circumspect; government would not be unable to pay its workers and its suppliers or issue new contracts.

And more importantly the political enemies of Guyana will be looking very closely to see how they can take advantage of the constitutional crisis which will erupt.

PAGE 10

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The John Wayne infamy: Victims of slavery and the holocaust

H

ow would the Jews feel about the lega cies of Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Bob Marley, John Lennon, Mahatma Gandhi, Whitney Houston, Kofi Annan and others that made huge contributions to the world, if research unearthed nasty and vile comments they made about the Jewish race, never mind how old the statements were?

As night follows day, Jewish organizations and powerful Jewish voices around the world will attempt to question the legacies of

these great people.

Their standing will never be the same. I can see radio stations in Israel and countries where Jews own entertainment companies boycotting the work of Lennon, Marley, Houston.

Do you blame them? The answer is no.

When you are as talented and knowledgeable as the names listed above, how can you conceive making hate statements, never mind if it was thirty or forty years ago.

What about the same accusation against those who occupy prominent places in the

world today?

The list includes Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Paul McCartney, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams. Can you imagine what will happen to these personalities if anti-Semitic sentiments were once uttered by them?

The Jewish people suffered terribly in Nazi Germany.

You cannot insult the memory of these departed souls by anti-Semitic ramblings. A sacred belief I have is that the two most brutal line faults and fault lines in the entire existence of civilization was first slavery then the holocaust.

Slavery was far, far worse than the holocaust.

For any human to justify slavery or to even utter flippant words about slavery is not something that should go unpunished. You cannot escape condemnation and resulting decisive action against you when you insult the Jewish people in American and European societies, likewise the same damnation should greet you when you speak the same insults about slavery.

In 2016, the US had an Afro-American president, Barack Obama. When the daughter of John Wayne, the

Hollywood cowboy idol, endorsed Donald Trump for the presidency, it was revealed that in the year, 1971, John Wayne gave a sickening, hate-filled, racist-laced interview to Playboy magazine.

Among the things he echoed was that he was an avowed white supremacist, had no regrets about slavery, White America was right to take the lands from the native Indians and that Africans in the US were still behind whites in civilized values. A Google search will make the item available.

This interview surfaced in 2016 during the election campaign. President Obama chose not to get involved.

Wayne’s 1971 diseased semantics were not widely publicized during the election campaign.

Last week, the interview was in the news again. Some people are calling for an airport in Los Angeles named after Wayne to be changed.

There is also a nine-feet statue of Wayne.

He is also the recipient of a presidential medal of freedom and a congressional gold medal.

Why should White America be concerned about Wayne? They were not vic-

tims of slavery. Why should white Americans denounce the iconic status Wayne has in Hollywood? Wayne did not issue a hate-filled speech against white Americans. But it is for the countries that experienced slavery to initiate action to remove the legacy of Wayne.

This is where the obligation falls on the descendants of American slaves.

There is no airport named after Wayne in any country that endured slavery.

There is no statue of Wayne in any non-white country. But there are such things in the US, that was built on slave labour. It is for Black America to do what Jewish America would have done – denounce hate speech against the Jewish race.

Wayne did not lavish his hate for the Black race in the 19th century. Not at the beginning of the 20th century.

But in 1971, almost thirty years after the world saw what race poison can lead to – the German massacre of European Jews.

In 1971, the hippie counter culture, the liberating music of John Lennon, Bob Marley, Joan Baez, the antiracism campaign of Martin Luther King Jr., and the Inde-

Frederick Kissoon pendence struggle of the colonies, were dominating the world stage.

This was not the time or place for a Hollywood star to denigrate the descendants of slavery and the native people of the US. How could America still retain the glorious image of this sick Hollywood character? One hopes that this resurgence of the Playboy interview galvanizes public opinion around the world against Wayne.

His movies should not be played in any cinema where the descendants of American slaves live. No Black American should use that airport that bears his name. Wayne’s legacy should be removed from the world.

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

‘Strip club’ owner on suspended sentence accused of human trafficking The Diamond night club owner, who was recently sentenced to a four-year suspended sentence for an illegal gun, has been charged again, this time for human trafficking.

Freeman Fordyce, 41, of Lot 99 Collingswood Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara, is accused of trafficking two Venezuelans for sexual exploitation at his club.

Yesterday the matter was called in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

However, Fordyce was not present to answer to the charges; hence a summons was issued for him to attend court. Hence, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that Fordyce’s whereabouts is presently unknown.

He added that Fordyce was released on his own recognizance (self-bail) in relation to the new charges, and was instructed to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), pending his arraignment in court.

The court heard that Fordyce failed to show up at CID and police are now looking for him.

The matter has been adjourned until March 14.

According to information, police carried out a raid at the club in Diamond last month, which lead to the arrest of 15

Freeman Fordyce women, all said to be foreign nationals.

This was after a video circulated on social media, showed a woman jumping over a locked gate to get into the Diamond Hotel and Night Club compound.

The woman was being assisted by four of her friends who were on the other side of the fence. They were holding up the security barbed wire so that the woman could have gained entry.

Hours after the video hit social media, police raided the compound and detained the 15 women, whom investigators suspected to be victims of trafficking in persons (TIP).

The woman, Dailyn Garcia, 25, a Venezuelan, who

was seen climbing the fence, was later charged for overstaying her time in Guyana. She was fined $30,000 for the offence or in default six months imprisonment.

Upon paying the fine or spending the time, Garcia will be escorted to the nearest port of exit and deported to her homeland. In January, Fiona Hopkinson, an employee of the night club, was charged for trafficking four Venezuelan women and forcing them to work as strippers. She was also charged for withholding the women’s travel documents.

In 2018, Hopkinson and Rodwell Dempster, another employee of the entity, were jointly charged for trafficking five Venezuelans for sexual exploitation at the same night club and hotel.

Fordyce was handed the suspended sentence recently

by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty on the illegal gun and ammo charge, after he was found guilty. The Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions has since appealed the Magistrate’s decision.

Fordyce is also currently on trial for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

He was charged after a video footage showed him (Fordyce) resisting being searched and then punching Inspector Prem Narine in the face.

The police subsequently removed a number of women, including Venezuelans, from the premises. The ranks reportedly searched Fordyce’s club while conducting a TIP investigation.

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

36 new Immigration Officers complete six-week course Thirty-six young Guyanese were taken strategically from the Ten Administrative Regions of Guyana to train and become the Force’s next batch of Immigration Officers. The six-week course which concluded yesterday and covered several critical aspects as it relates to the unique day-to-day demands of an Immigration Officer such as: Records Management, Data Protection, Profiling, Interview Techniques and Trafficking in Person to name a few, consisted of 10 males and 26 female ranks, and was Coordinated by Woman Corporal 20510 Gonsalves.

Force Training Officer Assistant Commissioner, Clifton Hicken began his address by positing that Customer Service is demanded at all levels of any organization.

Hicken who has enjoyed a praised tenure as Commander ‘A’, and who understands the worth of unparalleled service, continued as he highlighted

the criticalness of the department and commended the new Officers whom according to him, have transformed over a short period of time; even under new and challenging circumstances.

Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Mr. Paul Williams, DSM, cautioned the new Immigration Officers of greater challenges ahead.

“As leaders you will make mistakes, but it’s about what you do when you fall down that matters most”.

“Do not bring yourself from a Police to a Criminal”— warned the Deputy Commissioner who recently in February last, completed A Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management.

Williams who was also part of the team of facilitators for Immigration Course 1/ 2019, taught extensively on Ethics in Law Enforcement and Social Media among others, and has a wealth of knowl-

edge stemming from academic studies as well as encompassing experiences gained from serving in several Offices in the Guyana Police Force.

In 2018, the Central Immigration Office issued 150,000 passports to citizens locally and abroad and through screening has recorded over 800,000 persons on entry and departure.

Through decentralization, the Office has seen much more effectively managed operations, living up to the Force’s mandate to Serve and Protect.

Also present at the Officers’ Training Centre, were Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Superintendent Ewart Wray, Second-in-Charge Immigration Deputy Superintendent Ms. Fradella Boyce, Officer In-charge of Port of Entries Assistant Superintendent Ms. Janice Prince and other Senior and Junior Ranks of the Central Immigration Office.

Man tells court he took ganja for ‘achar’, gets jail time An unemployed man who claimed to have taken ganja for ‘achar’, found himself behind bars after making an appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday to answer to a charge of being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Robert Baijnauth was brought before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly where the charge was read out to him.

The court heard that on March 6, last, at Charlestown, the accused had in his possession 12 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. He denied the charge after it was read.

Baijnauth told the court that he mistakenly took the cannabis for achar. “I just pick up the bag from the side of the road and when I open it the thing look like achar, so I keep it.”

The magistrate then probed for more information by asking if he indeed had the illegal articles in his possession when the police found him and the defendant admitted to same. As such the magistrate found his explanation to be a guilty plea.

Police prosecutor Christopher Morris presented the facts of the charge which indicated that on the day in question, at about 18:00 (Continued on page 19)

The new batch of Immigration Officers pose with (sitting from left) Force Training Officer Assistant Commissioner, Clifton Hicken, Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Paul Williams and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Superintendent Ewart Wray

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 09, 2019

Canefield Power Plant generation boosted with new 5.5MW engine Commissioned at a cost of US$8.5 million, an extension on the existing Canefield Power Plant will boost power generation by 5.5 Megawatts (MW), says Projects Manager at the Guyana Power and Light, Linden Edwards, at the commissioning ceremony yesterday.

The power station, he explained, is a part of the Demerara/Berbice interconnected system, which is a series of power stations linked by 69,000 volts, transmission lines from Sophia - Skeldon.

Edwards detailed that in the consumption of the project, Canefield had a capacity of 4.5 Megawatts, “this was provided by a 40 plus year old Mirrlees Blackstone engine, the unit had accumulated running 130,000 hours and it’s reliable

operation could not be guaranteed”.

He noted that the supply of electricity to Berbicians was heavily dependent on the power transferred from other stations on the Demerara Berbice inter-connected system and “as a consequence on the integrity of the 69 KV transmission lines”. He stated that the situation could be alleviated with the addition of the spanking new 5.5 MW engine.

The Projects Manager stated that they were tasked with preparing the necessary documents, which was followed by the bidding process. He mentioned that international bidders were invited to tender for an engineering procurement and construction contract for the construction of the additional

5.5 MW heavy fuel oil power generation system at Canefield, East Canje, Berbice in June 2016. There were six international bidders in the project, however it was awarded in June 2017 to ESD Engineering and Service SRL, a company based in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic.

He explained that works on the ground for the project commenced with pile driving in mid-December 2017, followed by foundation work to accommodate the 5.5 MW engine, switch gear and other components. It was executed by local contractor, Home Designs and Associates, under the stewardship of Dwayne Ferdinand, it was also supervised by ESD Construction Manager Anthony Blanco.

Edwards also pointed out

The Canefield Power Plant

that factory testing of the engine was done in South Korea in March 2018, and was done in the presence of GPL personnel.

Edwards however noted that there were some challenges encountered during the process of getting the engine up and running, he added, “seasonal weather, clearing containers at the port of entry and storage of containers in Canefield were some of the difficulties faced” but the focus on the completion date never wavered.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson while delivering the feature address, noted that the decision to install the plant was made in 2015. He added that an examination of the current stock (generating sets in the country) was evaluated and assessed and the Canefield site was identified as one of the areas that needed strengthening.

Patterson disclosed that the Canefield Plant is the first of three plants that will be commissioned in 2019, “in a week’s time we will be

commissioning a plant in Anna Regina, Essequibo and then shortly after that we will be commissioning a plant in Bartica, in keeping with our commitment”. He noted that the generating plants are only a part of the Guyana Power and Light’s overall program to upgrade the electricity sector.

The Minister also mentioned that there is an ongoing power utility program along with upgrades to sub-stations around the country “which entails tackling one of our weak spots (Continued on page 24)

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 09, 2019

PAGE 15

Jagdeo claims he met with High Court grants bail to jailed Granger because diplomatic Cuban couple corps lobbied him to take “lead” …but refuses to name persons, countries

By Abena RockcliffeCampbell

A

Businessman Nazar 'Shell' Mohamed

W

eeks after being jailed for tendering forged passports, a Cuban couple has been granted bail by the High Court pending an appeal. Yesterday, the application for bail pending appeal was granted by Justice Navindra Singh. He placed 38-year-old Dr. Alexey Vazquez and wife, Yuliet Sanchez, on $50,000 bail each.

The case, after being highlighted in the media last month, generated sympathy for the couple.

Gold trader, Nazar 'Shell' Mohamed, of Mohamed's Trading on Lombard Street, was one who said he wanted to do something.

Their lawyer in the appeal process is Latchmie Rahamat.

Appeal filed: Alexey Vazquez In the application for bail pending the appeal, Mr. Mohamed is listed as a friend of the couple.

It was stated that the couple do not speak English and that a police sergeant was sworn in without any evidence being taken as to her qualifications and competence as an interpreter.

Mohamed said that the two had no lawyer and were told to plead guilty and they would be sent home.

It was stated that the couple did not know that by pleading guilty that they would be jailed.

According to the court documents, based on the explanations of the couple, they should not have been sentenced, as those explanations amounted to

Appeal filed: Yuliet Sanchez not guilty pleas.

In fact, nowhere did the couple acknowledge that the passports were false.

The documents said that Vazquez is a Doctor of Urology and he and his wife have three children. The court documents also said that Mohamed was “touched” by the reported stories of the couple and is willing to provide a home while they are on bail pending the appeal.

The businessman also committed to help the couple apply for work permits so they could be employed during the appeal.

On February 14, the couple appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, and pleaded (continued on page 21)

ccording to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, were it not for the pleadings of the diplomatic community, churches, private sector and Government supporters, he would have held firm in his decision not to honour the invitation of President David Granger for a meeting. Jagdeo said this at his press conference Thursday. However, when this newspaper asked the politician for names, he declined.

In his opening statement, Jagdeo said, “I did not want to go to the meeting with the President. I thought that given the track record of this government and the president, this would become another opportunity for them, without addressing the key issue, which is holding election within the period imposed by our constitution.”

Jagdeo said that his mind was made up that unless a date for election was given by President Granger, there was no reason to meet, moreover to consider extending the life of the government via a vote in the National Assembly.

But then, the pleadings of many,

Jagdeo said, forced him to change his mind. He told the media, “A number of people spoke with me, I have seen many people, including supporters of APNU, the private sector, church organizations, civil society, the labour movement, saying that you have a role as Leader of the Opposition.

“Since our government is not taking the lead, can you take the lead on this matter. Some members of the diplomatic corps also suggested this because it does not seem as though the government will even move forward on the issue. So they suggested to me that we make one last good faith attempt to see how the government would respond.”

Neither the private sector, the religious community, the labour movement or the diplomatic community made public any statement to the effect that they see the need for Jagdeo to be the bigger force and take the lead. Therefore, clarifications were sought.

This newspaper specifically asked Jagdeo to name members of the diplomatic community who would have lobbied him, but he refused to so indicate.

He said, “I will leave it at diplomatic corps.”

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Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 09, 2019

PAGE 17

Findings on GPHC Cancer deaths…

Doctors failed to follow protocol; shortage of trained medical personnel highlighted and duties.

As a result, a senior doctor was not there to supervise the administration of the medication, though this is what is considered

Roshanie Seegobin (left) and Sharezer Mendonca are two of the three children who died as a result of misadministration of drugs at GPHC

By Kemol King

T

he deaths of three children, all cancer patients, who received treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) were due to failure by doctors to follow the protocol necessary for the administration of the drugs, Vincristine and Methotrexate.

At a press conference yesterday, the media was briefed on the investigations' findings by a committee of officials from GPHC and the Ministry of Public Health. It was revealed by that committee that the failure to follow hospital protocol was due to a shortage of trained medical personnel.

The three patients were treated from the period January 3-4, 2019.

F o l l o w i n g t h e administration of these drugs, all three children suffered adverse reactions, which the medical staff of GPHC noticed on or around January 5, 2019. Kerwayne Edwards, 7, died on January 8 while in the Pediatric Ward, while Roshanie Seegobin, 3, and Sharezer Mendonca, 6, died on January 18 and 24, respectively, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). They were treated by the same team of medical doctors.

Chairperson of GPHC's board of directors, Kesaundra Alves said that, following the passing of Edwards and the

deterioration of the other two patients, the hospital's administration launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the treatment of the patients, and their adverse reactions.

She said that GPHC had also immediately suspended the use of the two drugs as a precautionary measure.

Doctor Fawcett Jeffrey, the Director of Medical and Professional Services, spearheaded this investigation through the Offices of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Head of the Pediatric Department, the Pharmacy Manager, and other relevant departmental heads.

The investigation included the collection of statements from all parties, directly or indirectly involved, and other witnesses otherwise privy to personal information, Alves said.

Dr. Jeffrey submitted his final report to the Chief Executive Officer, George Lewis, on January 28, 2019.

Alves said that that report blamed “human deficiencies and systemic challenges” for the children's deaths. Asked to expound on these deficiencies and challenges, the Hospital's head of Quality Management, Ms. Holder, said that the hospital faces a shortage of staff which, at the time, caused the available personnel to be spread thinly across patients

ideal. The doctor who administered the drugs, administered Vincristine, an intravenous drug, intrathecally (to the spinal canal). This is what caused

adverse reactions. It is important to note that the drug is marketed with instructions not to administer it intrathecally, because it is highly

dangerous to do so.

Alves said that the committee executed a factfinding mission through the review of each patient, their (continued on page 24 )

Kaieteur News

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Saturday March 09, 2019

New US ambassador arrives to begin tenure

G

uyana has a new US envoy.

Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch flew in this week.

On March 1st, she was sworn at the State Department in Washington, DC., by US Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, who, in his remarks, highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between Guyana and the United States.

Lynch, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, has arrived here, bringing with her over 25 years of experience with the

New US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), having most recently served as Acting Assistant Administrator for USAID's Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, says the Embassy of Guyana, in Washington.

Lynch was confirmed by the US Senate on January 2, 2019 as the new ambassador to Guyana.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Lynch has been with USAID since 1993, and served overseas in Bangladesh, Peru, Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Washington, she has served in the regional bureaus of the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, and the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan

Affairs (OAPA).

Lynch has received numerous awards, including USAID's Distinguished Honor Award in 2010, the Agency's highest performance award, for her service in Afghanistan and (continued on page 21)

RUSAL reports 40% surge in net profit despite US tariffs & sanctions Russia (RT.com) - Net income of Russia's major aluminum producer RUSAL soared $1.698 billion in 2018, marking a significant year-on-year growth of 39 percent, the company said in its report on annual results.

Revenue increased 3.1 percent to $10.28 billion against $9.969 billion for the same period the previous year.

Growth was reportedly due to a 7.2 percent increase in aluminum prices at the London Metal Exchange. In 2018, a ton of the metal was priced at $2,110 compared to $1,968 in the previous year.

The reported recurring net profit saw a 7.8 percent yearover-year surge in 2018 and amounted to $1.695 billion.

“The aluminum market in 2018 was seriously affected by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions as well as the trade wars and imposed import duties that resulted in significant growth of premiums and prices,” the report reads.

In April 2018, RUSAL, the world's second-largest

aluminum producer and one of the biggest global supplies, was included in an extended blacklist of enterprises and individuals hit by US economic penalties.

The company's shares plummeted to an all-time low on the news, with analysts expressing doubts over the producer's ability to keep up operations.

Moreover, Russia was included in the list of the nations slapped with 10 percent aluminum exports to the US. Moscow introduced retaliatory measures and appealed to the WTO to resolve the metal tariffs dispute.

“Despite the OFAC Sanctions, RUSAL's robust full year results demonstrated skillful crisis management alongside the ability to adapt to a new operations' environment.

“It maintained its strong market position through its high managerial competence and operational flexibility,” the company's CEO Evgeniy Nikitin said, commenting on the 2018 results.

Saturday March 09, 2019

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Kaieteur News

GTU defends schools that disallow HPV vaccination of students - says decision linked to lack of parental consent The Guyana Teachers’ Union [GTU] on Thursday rubbished allegations that public school teachers have been undermining the Ministry of Public Health’s Human Papillomavirus [HPV] vaccination campaign. There have been reports which suggest that the teachers have been dissuading students from taking the vaccine and have even cited some adverse effects associated with the vaccine. However, based on reports out of the Public Health Ministry, the vaccine is intended to help safeguard the

targeted population from HPV, which is known to cause cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer has been listed among the leading cancer deaths in this country, thus the Ministry’s desire to bolster its fight against cancer with the vaccination campaign.

But yesterday, GTU President Mark Lyte made it clear that based on the reports filtered to the union, teachers have not been preventing the children within their charge from receiving the vaccine, but rather, they have been

prohibiting the process if the consent of parents is not forthcoming.

“All our teachers have been doing is ensuring that the health officials have permission from the parents before they go ahead and vaccinate these children. What we have is the Ministry agreeing that the HPV vaccine can be given to the children, but since the teachers are not the guardian of the children they cannot give the go-ahead,” Lyte shared.

In fact, he added that teachers are particularly cau-

Accused in fatal stabbing for trial soon Kevin Garraway, who is accused of the June 3, 2016 fatal stabbing of 28-year-old Orrett West, is scheduled to go on trial before Justice Navindra Singh, who will soon set a date and empanel a 12-person jury at the High Court in Georgetown.

Garraway, formerly of Calendar Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, has been indicted for the capital offence, murder. The killing occurred at a popular liming spot in Vigilance, East Coast Demerara.

Man tells court he...

From page 13 hrs, the police were conducting patrol duties in the area.

They observed Baijnauth, who had a grey haversack on his back, acting in a suspicious manner.

As a result he was stopped and searched. A black plastic bag was found in the haversack he was carrying.

The plastic bag was opened in his presence and it revealed a quantity of stems, leaves and seeds suspected to be cannabis.

Baijnauth was told of the offence, taken into police custody where the narcotics were weighed in his presence and he admitted ownership.

Magistrate Daly sentenced him to three years in prison and a fine of $30,000.

According to information, on the day in question, Garraway and West’s girlfriend had a misunderstanding during which the woman walked up to Garraway and inquired of him if he wanted a problem. A confrontation ensued and West of Tucville, Terrace, Georgetown, walked up to Garraway and pushed him away.

A scuffle reportedly ensued between the men, and it was alleged that Garraway knifed West about the body,

causing him to fall to the ground. The injured man was later rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

It is reported that Garraway fled after the committing the crime, and was only captured some three months after detectives in Police ‘A’ division captured him at a house in Albouystown. A post mortem revealed that West died of shock and haemorrhage due to stab wounds to his neck.

tious, since “we are not aware as to whether a child had a vaccine of that similar nature.

So at many schools where the head teachers and teachers are alert, they are actually saying to the nurses, whose only intention is to administer a certain amount of vaccines and leave, that we would like you to have permission from the parents that they are agreeing to have their child take that vaccine”.

Taking this approach has been premised on the fact that a number of children who were administered the vaccine developed adverse reaction.

“There are cases where the children, after receiving the vaccine, end up reporting ill...some of them develop fever and other side effects, and the school is not in a position to indicate what side effects there might be,” said Lyte.

He revealed that based on the reports from several of the union’s membership, some of the schools have not been furnished with consent forms to be sent home to the parents on which they can state their objection to the vaccination process.

But according to Lyte, this has not been the situation that obtains at all schools targeted for the vaccination campaign.

“These health workers,

GTU President, Mark Lyte we understand, have just been turning up at the schools, and [they] inform that they are there to administer the vaccine and they expect the schools to comply...but what we are saying there must be consent coming from the parents first,” Lyte reiterated.

He continued, “We cannot allow them to do as they please, because we only have custody of the children for six hours a day, and the parents must be the ones to give the

permission. All the teachers at some schools are saying is let us do the consent forms, send it to the parents and once they agree to have their children vaccinated, the schools will have no issue allowing that,” said Lyte.

“We have had a number of complaints that the schools are not allowing the children to be vaccinated, but all we are saying is, we can’t allow that unless the parents give consent,” the GTU President stressed.

PAGE 20

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

Region Four parents urged to work with children as NGSA nears Before a gathering of over 450 parents and teachers, Senior Officials of the Ministry of Education on Thursday hosted a forum at the Beterverwagting-Quamina Primary School to address issues related to education, primarily at the Grade Six level.

Addressing the parents and teachers were the Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Ms. Carol Benn, and National Parent Teacher Association Coordinator, Ms. Nadia Hollingsworth.

The Education Minister congratulated the parents for showing the commitment to their children’s welfare by attending the forum. She said that such engagements will allow them to understand and know what is happening in the education sector and how they can benefit.

Minister Henry informed the attendees that currently, the Ministry is undergoing a Curriculum Reform process, something which has not been done since the 1970s.

Another highlight articulated was the Ministry’s procurement of its first Mobile Counselling Unit, which will serve to provide psychosocial support to both children

A section of the parents gathered at the meeting and teachers.

She said that the Ministry is positioning itself to deliver 21st Century quality education to the nation’s children.

Further, Minister Henry advised the parents that the Ministry of Education alone cannot improve students’ performance. She said that the input of parents is important and encouraged them to take their responsibility seriously.

As the nation’s children at the Grade Six level are preparing to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), this initiative is timely.

Speaking to the gathering, Benn told the parents that they must take away from the forum that they have to work with their children to see improved performance. She advised parents to ensure that

children complete their homework, spend time studying and are given an appropriate diet.

She reminded the parents and teachers that government has been plugging a lot of money into the education sector. As a result of such large investments, Benn said that it is expected that teachers too will work harder to ensure that there is improved academic performance.

Benn said that with the extent of work that is being done in the sector, it is expected that every child writing the NGSA scores over 50 percent of the marks in each subject area.

“We want to know that every boy and girl earns a place at a general secondary school,” Benn remarked.

Encouraging the parents to become more involved in the welfare of the school their child attends, was the National PTA Coordinator. She said that forums such as the one held yesterday are designed to expose parents to strategies and techniques that

Education Minister, Nicolette Henry can be used to enhance the performance of children.

Hollingsworth reminded the parents that it is their role to ensure that their children receive the best possible education. “This can be done by monitoring what is done at your child’s school,” she advised.

According to the PTA Coordinator, every parent is an automatic member of the school’s PTA by virtue of their child or children being enrolled in the school.

While recognising that for various reasons, parents may not be able to allow their children to participate in every activity, efforts must be made to ensure some level of participation which is in the child’s best interest.

Following the presentation, parents were given the opportunity to express their concerns, recommendations and ask questions; all of which were addressed by the panel of education officials.

The 2019 NGSA will be written on April 17 and 18.

Saturday March 09, 2019

High Court grants bail to jailed... .From page 15 guilty to charges. They were sentenced to 12 months each.

The charge against them stated that on February 13, 2019, at Moleson Creek, Berbice, with intent to defraud, they uttered to an immigration official, two forged Republic of Cuba passports, purporting to show that they were issued by the Immigration Authority.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield, the couple came to Guyana on

February 11, via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

On February 13, while they were at Moleson Creek attempting to cross over to Suriname, they were asked by an immigration officer to present their passports for examination.

The officer upon examining the passports observed that they were forged. The court heard that the Cubans were then arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where they

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

told officers that they wanted to travel the world.

They further disclosed that they paid a lawyer US$5,000 and he acquired the passports for them.

The couple spoke through an interpreter and told the court that they came to Guyana to buy clothing for their children.

The Magistrate after considering the couple's early guilty plea and the fact that they did not waste the court's time, sentenced them each to 12 months' imprisonment.

New US ambassador arrives to...

From page 18 OAPA.Before joining USAID, Lynch worked in both international business and for a non-governmental organization. Lynch also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco where she taught English at the secondary level.

She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and holds masters degrees from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and the National War College.

She replaces Ambassador

Perry Holloway, who proceeded on retirement a few months ago and is now employed by the Guyana Goldfields Inc.In her submissions to the US Senate last year, Lynch promised to promote her country's values and support Guyana as it emerges as a petroleum producer. She said she will help this country leverage its newfound revenues to expand economic opportunities and social services for all its citizens.One of her priorities is to help Guyana build upon gains in democratic gov-

ernance, the rule of law and citizen security. “This is a particularly momentous time for Guyana, a country the World Bank currently identifies as middle-income. However, the discovery of significant reserves of oil in recent years could alter the equation for this small nation.”She warned that one has only to look to Guyana's west – to Venezuela - to see how poor governance and corruption have destroyed what should be one of South America's most prosperous economies.

PAGE 22

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

VACANCY Accounts clerk. Apply in person at Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street, Bourda

SERVICES

FOR SALE

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Piles for sale- 40-45ft $1000 50-55ft $1,100 60-65ft $1200 Tel#699-6505

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Jay’s Welding Est specialized in: Grills, Gates, Rails, Fencing, Razor wire, Repairs etc. Tel#698-0501

Original pure breed rotweiler pups for sale. Price $150,000.

Tel: 609-2815, 696-4659 Prime Business Spot, opposite Gafoors in Parika.

Contact# 650-0402/603-1402 Pure breed german shepherd puppies, 7 weeks old, fully vaccinated and dewormed.

Contact No# 619-9203 1-45 Leyland Daf truck without engine & gearbox $800,000, 1-60 Kva generator (English made) with Perkins engine $2M Contact#6500402/603-1402

EDUCATION Electronic Course, Registering now, limited space available, Abdul Electronics Tel#226-6551/ 687-9992 ACCOMODATION Fully Furnished apts $5000 and $6000 daily, air condition room $3000 per day #223-0994 or 678-5827 PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/604-4909 House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657 Property for sale, 32 James St, Albouystown. #682-8236 Property for sale, located on 18th Street on the 8th Cross St Diamond. Contact# 6805944/656-4211 Norton street $16M, Atlantic Ville $17M, Roxanne Burnham $18.5M, Diamond $14M, Stewartville, Campbellville $40M, Durban. 231-2199, 618-7483

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

FOR RENT

WANTED

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Wanted experienced hire car drivers, bus drivers and dispatchers at Ramada Princess Hotel. Contact on #256-7075/616-5419

Spacious 2-bedroom apartment in Festival City.

Asking $70,000 monthly. Call 619-2141 3 bedroom apt, unfurnished, can be used for storage.

Rent Negotiable, $55,000 Lusignan ECD #695-6550/ 656-9313 Newly renovated apartment for rental at Peters Hall. 2239677,698-5800/648-1391 Salon for Rental- Hair stations, Nail stations, Barber stations available for rent. Tel#6996505/615-1872 New Market Street 1 Self contain room, South Ruimveldt Park. $32,000 monthly. 622-5521/668-5296.

Single male/female (working)

1 Experienced cook. 1 counter staff wanted. Call 623-8654 Experienced cook/chef.

Apply to the Manager Herdmanston Lodge 1 General domestic (housekeeping) Ages 30-45.

Tel 673-5300

Minibus driver for 42 bus route. #664-0802

House lots for sale. New development. 200k down.

20k monthly. www.jobfairworldwide.com 233-6997/622-1957

Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750

Parfaite Harmonie (transferable) 2.3M, Parfaite Harmonie 1.8M, 1.6M, 2M, Lust-en-Rust Corner Lot 1.2M Call 666-2326

N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561

1 Electrician. Must have experience in both domestic & industrial wiring. Please contact Keith on 644-9084 or 664-9635

LAND FOR SALE

Fabs Rental, Beterverwagting ECD Cars from $4000 #604-0883

LEARN TO DRIVE

Live in or Live out, Domestic worker. Call from MondaySaturday between 8:154:15pm #223-7500

1 Working female to share an apartment. #672-3445

Parfaite Harmonie $1.6M Dairy- with Foundation & Fence $2M Schnoord $4M Farm (East Bank) $3.5M Tel#656-0701/651-1969

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP R AT E S , S P E C I A L OFFERS! . CALL: 6906494

Male and Female Counter Staff, Kitchen Assistant, Apply Shanta’s 225 Camp St

4 bedroom newly built house 5th Avenue Diamond EBD. Fully grilled, hot & cold water system $180,000 per month. #696-3915

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

1 Live in domestic between 3540 yrs. Must know to cook and wash. Contact 673-1131

Tuschen phase II 1.4M, Province (incompleted house) 6M, Farm 3.5M, Herstelling 5.5M Call 6662326 Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 House lot for Sale.

Providence high income area. 60x100. Price 5.5mil.

Contact 602-1749 Land for sale at public roadside. 161x45 feet. Call/ Whatsapp: +597-862-9044

PEN PAL Man seeking a female. Age 30 up for serious relationship.

675-2046

VACANCY One (1) seamstress to work for an established company.

Must have experience. Call 672-4695 for more information Surveyor Technician. Must know to use GPS. Contact 2235273/74 General domestic with cooking experience for East Bank. #614-4358 2 Experienced welder fabricators & 2 riggers with experience to do height work urgent. Contact 697-4258 One cleaner. Apply at Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street Vacancies exist at Nirva Superstore for cashiers and supermarket helpers. Apply in person with written application. Tel#227-5775 Vacancy for mason. Apply at Alabama Trading. 65 Robb St Bourda Sales girl. Apply at Alabama Trading 65-67 Robb Street Bourda Receptionist. Ages 25-50. #225-0198. 233 South Road Lacytown Male factory worker needed, must have police clearance.

For more info, call: 223-0090 Outdoor salesman. Apply at Dharmendra Variety Store.

Lot B7-9, Avenue of the Republic, Lacytown, Georgetown. 675-3440, 6708862 Urgent 1 male & female with creole cooking experince to multitask, flexible hours.

Contact X’s Grill and Cuisine #695-6550/656-9313 One experience truck/tractor driver to drive distribution vehicle. Apply @ 65-67 Robb Street Bourda

VEHICLE FOR SALE Bedford TL Truck GHH 6776, engine in perfect condition. Tacoma 2005, excellent condtion GTT 1295. Tel#687-3146 Honda Suv, PTT Series.Call: 623-0368/225-9230/225-1005 HEALTH HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924

1 qualified female teacher/ tutor to teach/care for 3yr old boy. Apply 65-67 Robb St Bourda Alabama Experienced accounts clerk.

Must have passes in maths & english. Apply @ Alabama Trading 65-67 Robb Street Bourda 1 Cook and 1 domestic at University Garden. Workers needed from surrounding area. Call 231-8737 Start a new career. Free training. Earn 5k-20k daily.

233-6997/622-1957 www.jobfairworldwide.com

Urgently needed: one office assistant. Age 25-30. One live in domestic. Age 28-38.

Attractive salary offer.

Tel:603-2590 Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email resume: vacancy@josarltd.com One waitress & cook needed.

Apply in person at the coffee bean 133 Church Street #2332222 Female cleaner office & home age 25to 50 Tel# 2332745 Looking for a job & educational services?

Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 502-4002/683-8765 Tutor/Nanny to work from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Chef & assistant cook preferably Carnegie trained. #225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street Experienced salesgirls with 2 yrs experience. CXC maths & english. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529 One experienced female shop attendant. 18-25 yrs from E.C.D. Salary $20,000 wkly.

610-3974 2 General house keeper. Must be good with children. Ages 35-50. Please call 641-7586

Saturday March 09, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Damage to roads…

Importers, buyers now required to affix tyres on heavy equipment Farmers and contractors who own heavy equipment are facing some tough new measures to protect the country’s roads. Among other things, importers of rice harvesters and other machinery will have to ensure that buyers are also given tyres.

This came out of a meeting with the police on Tuesday.

In recent times, there has been a growing awareness of the damage to roadways by especially farm equipment.

This problem is more evident in the countryside area.

Recently, the Minister of Public Infrastructure complained that it had cause to stop equipment after noticing them abusing the roadways.

This was especially true for the new roadways in the West Coast Demerara area.

In the rainy season, the problem of mud on the roadways has been a source of anger for residents and even accidents, but with no action taken to correct the situation.

On Tuesday, a delegation from the Ministry, with permission from Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, met with Police Commissioner Leslie James, DSS, and Traffic Officer, Senior Superintendent, Linden Isles, to discuss a plan of action to address the matter of own-

The MPI and police officials pose following the meeting ers and operators of heavyduty machines, who are damaging and blocking traffic on public roads in areas across the country.

The representatives from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure were Patrick Thompson, Chief Transport Planning Officer; Kester Hinds, Manager -Traffic/ Safety/Maintenance; Andrew Weekes, Public Communications Officer and Dr. Sewnauth Punalall, Coordinator, National Taskforce Commission.

The Ministry said it has made several attempts over the years, to curb the situation involving operators with heavy duty machinery, but

the “blatant disregard” by many operators to the damages made to public roads continued.

Commissioner James, in his contribution to the discussion, advised that while the force can arrest and prosecute those who failed to adhere to Chapter 51:01 of the Road Act of the Laws of Guyana, careful consideration should be taken in addressing the matter.

A number of decisions were taken.

The parties agreed to launch a public relations campaign to educate farmers and owners of heavy-duty machinery about the dangers of leaving their equipment on

the roadways during the day and night, which can and has caused a number of injuries and deaths.

“Additionally, the campaign will focus on educating those individuals about the damage caused to the roadway when traversed by the equipment. This campaign will take the form of printed and electronic media, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), Social Media etc.”

It was also decided that sensitization meetings will be held between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Guyana Rice Development Board, the Farmers Association of Guyana and the Guyana Rice Producers Association and other stakeholders.

Town Hall meetings will be held in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

According to the ministry, permission has been

granted by Commissioner James for MPI to meet with Commanders of the Divisions within the aforementioned regions, to educate them about the dangers to life and limb and the need for their support to discourage farmers and owners of heavy-duty machinery from damaging public roads.

“Importers of heavyduty machinery must provide to buyers a toolkit which will allow farmers to attach safety mechanisms (tyres) to the wheels of those machines to prevent damages to public roads.”

The awareness campaign timeline will run from March 8th to September 9th 2019.

“Upon the expiration of the timeline, farmers who are found culpable will be prosecuted with the full penalty of the law according to Chapter 51:01 of the Road Act of the laws of G u y a n a . H o w e v e r, t h i s timeline will not overlook farmers and owners of heavy-duty machinery who are found blatantly destroying public roads with their heavy-duty equipment between the periods.”

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Kaieteur News

Canefield Power Plant generation...

From page 14 in the electricity sector”.

According to him, the current transmission and distribution network is in need of upgrading, so that all the new plants put into place will still continue to function effectively.

The Minister highlighted that they are looking at replacing all aging engines as well as installing additional generating capacity that will be powered by natural gas. He said, “it is anticipated that this will be done in the next eighteen months to two years, and that will increase our installed capacity by 180 MW and of course with natural gas there will be a reduction to the cost to our

consumers”.Patterson in the same breath made mention of a few renewable energy projects slated to take shape in the future, that includes 30 MW of solar with storage into the Demerara inter-connected grid along with 10 MW of wind into the grid, “we would like to disperse this into different areas around the country, so we are looking at three different locations at 10 MW each”.

He stated that 4 MW of solar will be placed at Kuru Kururu.

The Minister also announced that they are currently exploring the idea of installing solar street lights with wifi capabilities, “this is a pilot project that we are

trying to unveil, so we are working with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications so that we can not only brighten up your life but we can also lend connectivity, particularly to remote areas”.

The Canefield plant commissioned yesterday was put into operation on September 24th, 2018.

Minister Annette Ferguson, Members of Parliament Jennifer Wade, Barbara Pilgrim along with the CEO of GPL Mr. Albert Gordon and other GPL executives were also present at the commissioning and gave brief remarks. There was a simple ribbon cutting and unveiling of a plaque exercise after the program concluded.

Saturday March 09, 2019

Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos dies at 80 Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos died last evening at a city hospital after he was taken to the institution having complained of feeling unwell. He was 80.

A legal luminary, Mr. De Santos served for five years as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs in the Dr. Cheddi Jagan-led PPP government.

After becoming AG, he held several appointments which included Member of the Constitutional Reform Commission, Member of the Sub Committee on Governance, Member of the United Nations Permanent Court of Council, and Member of the Sectoral Committees on Constitutional Reform and Foreign Relations.

After resigning as AG, De Santos returned to private practice.

Born on April 27, 1938, to parents Bernard Celestino De Santos Sr. and Hilda Beatrice De Santos, the legal standout spent his first 50 years in the village of Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara.

De Santos began his primary education at the St John’s Roman Catholic School, in 1943.

In 1952, De Santos successfully gained entry into Central High School.

After high school, he began working at the Guyana Revenue Authority as a Customs Officer. This was a job he did for almost five years.

After years of hard working De Santos, in 1962, was finally able to pursue his dreams of becoming a lawyer.

Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos Through tireless work and perseverance De Santos managed to complete his law degree at the Inns Court School of Law of the Honorable Society of the Middle Temple London England, in 1965.

Upon his return to Guyana he took up a job with the legendary law firm of “Luckhoo and Luckhoo”.

However his tenure there was brief, he moved on to his own private practice.

In 1968, De Santos accepted a job offer to become an Acting Magistrate at the Georgetown Magisterial District. He spent one year on the bench. De Santos went back to private practice in 1969 and he started his own law firm.

He named it after his prominent legal inspiration JOF Haynes. The name was “Haynes House of Legal Practitioners.”

In 1991, then President Desmond Hoyte appointed De Santos as a senior counsel. Also in 1991 Dr Cheddi Jagan requested that De Santos join the civic component of the People’s Progressive Party. In 1992 he was put forward as a candidate in the party and helped campaign.

After the PPP/C’s victory in October 1992, De Santos was appointed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.

Kaieteur News extends sincerest condolences to the De Santos family on the passing of their loved one.

Doctors failed to follow protocol; shortage...

From page 17 charts, interviews with involved staff members of the hospital, as well as the parents of the patients.

She said that the committee submitted its preliminary report on February 22, and its final report to the Chief Medical Officer on February 28. It is this final report which concluded that the GPHC protocols for the delivery of chemotherapy, were not adhered to. She said that the report recommended a number of measures to prevent this from reoccurring.

Consequently, the medical practitioners involved were “relieved of their duties” and sent on administrative leave on January 29, pending further

review of the report and possible disciplinary action. On the same day, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, acted on instructions from the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, to launch a second investigation into the circumstances surrounding the children's deaths, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). This time, Dr. Karen GordonCampbell, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, spearheaded the investigation. The committee noted that there were no differences in the findings of the two investigations.

Yesterday, officials from GPHC and the Ministry of Public Health formally in-

formed the families of the patients on the findings of the investigations, and apologised for their deaths.

The committee informed the media that the next stage is for the hospital administration to engage with its Board of Directors about the reports. The board will decide whether disciplinary action is to be taken against the medical personnel involved, and whether the families will be compensated.

Additionally, the PAHO office in Guyana is currently conducting an evaluation to identify the additional deficiencies in terms of building the human resource capacity of the hospital.

Saturday March 09, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Immigration Order for Haitians is not an election-rigging scheme – Citizenship Minister

M

inister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix, has condemned what he says is misinformation being peddled in the public domain, particularly on social media, labelling the Immigration Order for Haitians as an “election-rigging” mechanism.

He said these allegations are “wicked and unfounded and are intended to mislead, as well as create the inaccurate impression that Haitians are being treated differently from other foreign nationals coming to Guyana”.

The Minister reminded that this Immigration Order is in keeping with a unanimous

decision that was taken by CARICOM Heads of Government at their 39th Summit in Jamaica in July 2018, to allow Haitians an automatic of six-month stay in all CARICOM Member States.

“This arrangement is not confined to Guyana, it is being implemented by all signatories to the CSME [Caribbean Single Market and Economy] … Haitians are members of the Caribbean Community and we have to treat them as such,” he said.

Responding directly to claims that this order is being used by the Government to “pad the Voters’ List”, Minister Felix explained that Haitians arriving in Guyana,

Dismissed Sergeant gets nine charges for travel allowance fraud A dismissed member of the Guyana Police Force was yesterday slapped with nine fraud charges in relation to allegedly granting himself travel allowances that he was not entitled to.

Thirty-five-year-old Tamesh Dhanraj, of 371 Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast, is alleged to have taken close to $500,000 in travel allowance, while being a Sergeant and financial officer at the Anna Regina Police Station, where he was stationed.

Dhanraj was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The nine charges alleged that between July 4, 2017 and May 4, 2018, at Anna Regina Police Station, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $477,470 from the Guyana Police Force, by falsely pretending that he was entitled to travel allowance to conduct official duties for the Guyana Police Force.

Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that Dhanraj was the financial officer at the Anna Regina Station, and it was during the periods mentioned in the charge that he allegedly took the money.

The Prosecutor said that an audit was conducted in 2018, and that showed the discrepancies which prompted an investigation.

He added that Dhanraj left Guyana and went to the US, knowing that he was being investigated by the police.

The court heard that Dhanraj was instructed to report to investigators at Essequibo, but he did not.

Charged: Dismissed Police Sergeant Tamesh Dhanraj This was while he was still a member of the Guyana Police Force. Hence, he was dismissed from the Force on January 29, after he absconded from duties.

It was only recently that he returned to Guyana and was arrested and charged for the offences.

However, the man’s lawyer, Latchmie Rahamat, in a successful bail application to the court, said that her client resigned from the GPF last September. She added that her client has since submitted a written statement denying the allegations.

The Magistrate after listening to the facts released Dhanraj on $225,000 bail and ordered him to make his next court appearance on March 13, 2019, at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

are not granted any form of citizenship; instead, they have to qualify by their residency status. As such, the impression that the Government is handing out citizenship to Haitians upon arrival so that they can be registered as voters is patently false and without merit.

“This is a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation about a legitimate agreement being executed by the Government of Guyana as a member of

CARICOM… Guyana is an open country, we have immigration laws and our immigration laws are used to deal with all persons arriving from different nations,” the Minister affirmed.

Moreover, towards the end of 2018, neighbouring Suriname made the necessary adjustments to its immigration protocols regarding Haitians, so they no longer have to travel through Guyana get to Suriname, French Guiana and other jurisdictions.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 09, 2019

Saturday March 09, 2019

Jaguars 69-2 need 93 more runs...

From page 33 consecutive sixes before launching into the left-arm spinner in his next over and clobbered him into the stands.

But with their stand worth 32 runs, the pugnacious Smith hooked a bouncer from Shepherd and was taken at long-leg by Rutherford diving forward after he had hit three sixes in a 16-ball 21 to leave the score on 1407.

Pierre tried to hook a short ball from Reifer from high above his head and only managed a top-edge to the Keeper just when he seemed set for another big score, following his century in the last round, to throw his wicket away with the score on 158.

Bryan Charles (8) was trapped LBW to Shepherd and Red Force were 172-9.

Daniel St Clair drove Reifer majestically through the covers for four and along with last man Phillip frustrated the Jaguars, who have lacked the killer instinct to blow away the tail after bowling well to the top and middle order.

The Red Force’s lead crept to 150 before the pair brought up the 200 and at the Dinner

break the Trinis were 204-9 with St Clair on 30 and Phillip on 20 and the 159.

Permaul struck eight balls after the break when he had Phillip (21 with 2 fours) LBW to finally end the last wicket stand.

When the Jaguars began their chase Chanderpaul Hemraj was bowled off the inside edge for duck by Anderson Phillip and Vishaul Singh got a leading to Daniel St Clair and was taken at point, the Jaguars were 12-2.

But Johnson, who has had a poor season with the bat, is still there and would be keen to lead his team to victory today. With him is Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who has also struggled for runs in recent times, on 518 runs and the only batsmen in the team with 500 runs.

They have both batted with refreshing positivity, especially the Skipper who is leading from the front with counter-attacking shots on both sides of the wicket as the lefthanded pair has put together 57 runs in an entertaining unfinished 57-run third wicket partnership.

Today is the penultimate day and play is scheduled to commence at14:00hrs.

Saturday March 09, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may be a bit aggravated today, Aries. People seem to be more of a hindrance than a help to you. Don't be too accusatory until you make sure that you're operating honestly and productively.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You have a unique opportunity to review plans and foundations that you've recently put into place, Taurus.

As carpenters say, "Measure twice and cut once."

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your laziness isn't making it easy to get out of bed. In fact, all you may want to do today is absolutely nothing.

Unfortunately, this may not be possible.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may but heads with someone who's equally unwilling to budge Use this conflict as a lesson in perspective.

Understand the motivation of the opposite side.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may run into roadblocks today, but don't worry. These are things you are capable of working around.Try not to take this barricade personally.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your mind is sharp today, and your willingness to work is equally strong. Use this powerful combination of forces to your full advantage. You will find that your brain is like a powerful steel trap.

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Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may get out of bed with a jolt, indicative of the fact that there are forces prodding you from almost every direction. It may seem like you're in high demand, so do your best to appease those who need your attention.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It isn't a good idea to blame your troubles on others. The only one that you really have to blame is you.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today it may seem like you're trapped in a power struggle that you can't get out of. The problem is that this struggle may have very little to do with you and your actions.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your solid, grounded, and steady approach may be challenged today. Someone with a strong ego could punch holes in the plan you've so carefully laid out.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Take care that your self-esteem doesn't depend on what other people tell you.

One minute a bit of flattery may send you high as a kite, and the next minute some criticism may have you feeling down in the dumps.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your self-esteem should be good now. You will find that you can make great strides on long-term projects. This is a good day to put your nose to the grindstone and get to work.

Action gets...

From page 30 Carfita Trials, Breanna Charles came closest to qualifying for her event, falling short by 16 hundredths of a second in the under-17 200m final.

Meanwhile, Sheama Tyrell from Linden in the girls’ open 3000m finished one second slower than the Carifta Standard (CS) time.

Hutson posited that he believes both sprinters in Deshana Skeete and Kenisha Phillips can qualify for the biennial event which will be held in the Grand Cayman Islands this Easter Weekend.

“If both these young women qualify, we will be able to field a team in the girls’ 4x100m relay. At the last Carifta Games, we finished with a bronze medal in the girls’ 4x400m and we are hoping to get another relay medal again this year,” Hutson explained.

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Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

Kassim Khan and rookie Eion Blue excel at Romel & Robin 9hole Golf Extravaganza Veteran Kassim Khan and rookie Eion Blue each put up a splendid performance at the Romel & Robin 9-hole golf tourney on Sunday 3, March at the Lusignan Golf Club. Played in 2 Flights of handicaps , 0 - 7 and 8 – 14 the tournament – part of a BBQ and Fun day activity – was as exciting as it promised to be with the participants enjoying great camaraderie yet keen competitiveness as they strove to be in the Winners Row. Prizes were awarded to 1st to 3rd places in each Flight, but there were also lots of incentive prizes for participants.

In the 0 – 7 Flight winners were: Kassim Khan (31/4) – 1st; David Harry (33/7) – 2nd; and J Dhanpat (33/5) – 3rd.

Other notable performances were received from Mike Gayadin (35/7); Avinash Persaud (36/1); Aleem Hussain (36/5); Mike Mangal (36/5); Patrick Prashad (36/5); Mohanlall Dinanauth (37/3); and Joaan Deo (37/7).

In the 8 – 14 Flight,

Some of the winners pose with sponsors Romel (Mahendra Bhagwandin) and Robin (Satrohan Tiwari) and the Club President. From left: Mohanlall Dinanauth, Mark Thomas, Eion Blue, Robin, Kassim Khan, Patanjilee Persaud, J. Dhanpat, Romel and Aleem Hussain.

winners were: Eion Blue (32/ 14) – 1st; Patanjilee Persaud (33/8) – 2nd; and Paul Uditt

(33/8) – 3rd. The close competitors were: Imtiaz Subhan (33/11); Videsh

Persaud (34/14); Satrohan Tiwari (36/8); Sugrim (36/8); Rohan Albert (36/13); and

Maxim Mangra (36/14).

Best Gross was won by Kassim Khan, Nearest The Pin

by J. Dhanpat, and the Longest Drive by Mark Thomas.

Spartans claim Mamboo bar Dominoes Trophy Stall supports WCC U19 tourney Spartans chalked up 49 Trophy Stall has games to win the final of the title supported the Wakenaam Mamboo bar dominoes title when the final was contested recently at Mamboo bar, Barr Street, Kitty. Providence placed second on 46 games while Mix Up finished third with 43.

Meanwhile, the Richard Mittleholzer 48 birth anniversary competition will commence at 16:00hrs today at Sparta Turf, behind Rubis Gas Station, Mandela Avenue.

Entrance fee is $15,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000, second place a trophy and $75,000, third place a trophy and $40,000, while the MVP in the final will receive $8,000. The male and female MVP in the tournament will be given one citizen watch each. Among the sponsors are Grill Kings, YK Pawn Shop, Moncherri Beauty Salon, John Lewis Fashion, Magnum, Campari and Sky Vodka.

Lalita Narine of Mamboo Bar presents the trophy to the victorious Spartans team.

Cricket Committee (WCC) for the staging of an U19 40-over tournament on the island.

The entity has joined Mike’s Pharmacy as the sponsors for the competition which is set to commence on Saturday next at two venues; Wakenaam Community Centre ground and Zeelandia.

Trophy Stall representative Eshwar Bharrat, on Wednesday last, presented the trophies for the winning and runner up teams and the MVP to former WCC Secretary Zaheer Mohamed who conducts coaching sessions there for the U19 cricketers from time to time.

The presentation took place at Trophy Stall location Bourda Market.

Proprietor of Trophy Stall Ramesh Sunich said he is happy to support the game on the island and is looking forward to a successful competition.

He is urging the youths to

Zaheer Mohamed (left) and Eshwar Bharrat display the trophies. make full use of the opportunities provided and to remain committed to the sport as well as their Education.

WCC Competition’s Committee Chairman Vickram Ramnarine expressed gratitude to Sunich for his input adding that this platform will give the players a chance

to hone their skills.

He informed that the competition will include four teams; Good Success, Sans Souci/Jaguars, Zeelandia/ Maria’s Pleasure, G Square Cavaliers and Noitgedacht Sports Club. The teams will face each other once before the top two battle in the final.

Hyde Park overcome Zeelugt by 91 runs Hyde Park defeated Zeelugt by 91 runs when play in the East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee Dwayne Stephens Auto Sale 40-over tournament continued recently.

Hype Park batted first and posted 218 all out in 37.3 overs at Zeelugt ground. D. Singh made 35, A. Mohamed and Travis Drakes got 32 apiece, Ricardo Adams 26, Ucil Armstrong and W. Mohamed 15 each. Extras c o n t r i b u t e d 3 0 a s V. Kissoon picked up four

wickets, while R. Chremotie and Keon Roberts had two each.

Zeelugt were bowled out for 127 in 30.2 overs in reply. K. Ramkumar made 40, T. Dass 29, R. Ramjattan 19; W. Mohamed captured 3-25, Adams 2-10 and I. Mohamed 2-11.

Saturday March 09, 2019

GABA/Let’s Bet Sports officially launches knockout tournament Just six days remain before the tip off of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA)/Let’s Bet Sports First and Second Division Knockout Tournament, which is scheduled to be contested over ten days at the Burnham Hard Court from March 15th.

Let’s Bet Sports, brainchild of the Guyana Lottery Company, which was recently launched, sees venturing out into the world of sport to be compulsory in today’s world. More interestingly, it gives fans who love the thrill of betting and sport, a chance to place bets on local games in different sport disciplines.

Brand Manager of Let’s Bet Sports, Rawle Toney, and Assistant Brand Manager, Joel Lee, were present at the launch along with GABA

President Adrian Hooper.

The sponsor’s reps noted that their company is pleased to be onboard with GABA, the most active of sub associations in the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF). Lee also mentioned the company believes in supporting local development and are looking forward to other sport ventures.

Hooper, who was quite appreciative of the partnership looks at the tournament as just more than whipping players into game mode but also the spotting of new talents.

Next Friday, March 15th, Sonics and UG Trojans will contest the opener, then Kobras take on Eagles in the second match of the night, both for a spot in the final four to battle Pacesetters and

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Plaisance Guardians, respectively.

The following night, March 16, the final four will battle for a spot in the finale, which is billed for Sunday, March 17.

For the 2nd division, it will be a 5-team single elimination with Sonics and Vikings trashing it out for a stake in the final four which already has Guardians, Pacesetters and Eagles already in the semi-final stage. Their leg of the tournament starts on March 19 alongside the 1st division and will run for seven days. However, the most senior division will see eight teams trash it out for top honours, but must get the Sonics/UG clash out of the way to see who makes the final eight.

On game nights, matches will be at 18:30hrs and 20:30hrs.

Milo Schools’ football tourney

Six matches on this weekend at MOE ground

Milo Schools Football action resumes this weekend.

Two days of action packed football in the MILO Schools Football tournament 2019 continues today and tomorrow at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

In the first of the triple header today, Annandale Secondary will play South Ruimveldt Secondary in the opening game at noon with Canje Secondary taking on St Joseph High in game two from an hour and forty-five minutes later.

Lodge Secondary School will also be in

At yesterday’s launch, from left, Adrian Hooper; President of the GABA, Let’s Bet Brand Ambassador; Rawle Toney and Assistant Manager, Joel Lee.

GCB mourns the passing of Mr. Roy Baijnauth The Guyana Cricket Board would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Mr. Roy Baijnauth, who passed away earlier this week after a brief period of illness.

Mr. Baijnauth was a very popular figure in the political and cricketing circles and had a distinct love and passion for the game of cricket in Berbice and by extension Guyana and the West Indies.

Roy was well respected in his community and known by all of Berbice as a very outstanding and active individual in community affairs in

Corriverton, Upper Corentyne, Berbice. During his distinguished lifetime, his dedication, loyalty and commitment helped to elevate him to serve as the Mayor of Corriverton for fourteen years. Roy is credited with improving the lives of all the residents in his community and was easily elected during his tenure as Mayor.

M r.

Baijnauth represented his county during the 1950s and was also elevated to serve as the President on the Berbice Cricket Board in 2000 until 2003. Roy also served as a Vice President

of the Guyana Cricket Board. His leadership qualities were evident from an early age when he captained the Skeldon First division Cricket team. His passion for the game knew no boundaries and was still actively involved in the game by sponsoring competitions in the Upper Corentyne area which has greatly assisted in the development of the youngsters in his area who had more than a passing interest in the game and to keep them gainfully occupied.

The GCB is eternally thankful for his invaluable contributions to the game of cricket and its administration over the years. May his soul rest in peace.

action on the day as they play President College from 15:30hrs.

Tomorrow, the day opens with Bishops High School playing Queens College from noon with St. Stanislaus College playing North Ruimveldt Secondary at 13:45hrs.

The final match of the day will pit M a r i a n A c a d e m y a g a i n s t St . M a r y Secondary.

The tournament is also sponsored by the Ministry of Public health under its ‘Stop Gender Based Violence’ campaign.

The day’s fixtures are as follows.

3/9/2019 Round Robin Round 3 Day 1 Ministry of Education Ground Match # 12:00 hrs Annandale Secondary v/s South Ruimveldt Secondary 25 13:45 hrs Canje Secondary v/s St Joseph High 26 15:30 hrs Lodge Secondary School v/s President College 27 3/10/2019 Round Robin Round 3 Day 2 Ministry of Education Ground Match # 12:00 hrs Bishop High School v/s Queens College 28 13:45 hrs St Stanislaus College v/s North Ruimveldt Secondary 29 15:30 hrs Marian Academy v/s St Mary Secondary 30

NSC/Cheddi Jagan Memorial Schools’ Windball tourney

Play continues this weekend at National Gymnasium The National Sports Commission (NSC) sponsored Cheddi Jagan Memorial Schools’ Windball tournament will continue this weekend at the National Gymnasium with some exciting fixtures.

During the previous match days, Vreed-enHoop Secondary, led by Tricia Singh with 34 runs, defeated Annandale by seven runs.

Results from other female matches saw Covent Garden Secondary chasing Goed Fortuin Secondary’s

score of 108-0, losing just one wicket with Mikhaila Agrippa top scoring with (40) and Finella Moore assisting with 36.

Meanwhile, Soesdyke’s tally of 103-3 was too much for Carnegie School of Home Economics who could only muster 99-2 from their allotted overs.

Stacy Flores smashed 80 runs as Camille’s Institute of Business tallied an impressive 132-0 but Tucville Secondary made light work of that total, chasing it with the loss of one wicket.

In the male division, Tomindea Singh top scored with 44 runs as Beterverwagting finished with 119-0, which proved too much for Camille’s Institute that fell short by 11 runs during their chase.

In other results Vreeden-Hoop 87-2 defeated Carnegie School of Home Economics 65-3, while Goed Fortuin Secondary 116-1, led by Satesh Persaud with 72, trounced Soesdyke Secondary who responded with 75-3 in their chase.

PAGE 30

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

Nayaran Ramdhani reach Singh, Williams, Pearce slam medal rounds of 2019 CCAA centuries as Digicel 10/10 National Badminton C/ships softball continues in E’bo Centuries by Greg Singh, David Williams and Andy Pearce highlighted the second round of matches in the Digicel 10/10 knock out softball tournament which continued recently at Golden Fleece Beach on the Essequibo Coast.

Die Hard Brothers defeated Crown XI by 109 runs. Winning the toss and batting, Die Hard Brothers rattled up 206 without loss from their allotted overs.

Singh blasted eight fours and 11 sixes in scoring 104, while Patrick Rooplall struck 88 with eight fours and eight sixes. Crown XI managed 977 in reply. Shannon Jagmohan made 28 as Kishore Smith, Shazim Hussain and Ganesh Mangal picked up two wickets each.

RG XI beat GT Warriors by 73 runs. Batting first, RG XI scored 198-4. Williams stroked 110 including three fours and 15 sixes while Dovindra Mohan made 61 with three fours and seven sixes. Darren DaSilva captured 4-25 including a hattrick. GT Warriors responded with 125-7. N. Sarabjeet made 30 and R. Sarabjeet 28; Deon Wallace took 2-16.

Greg Singh

David Williams

Young Warriors beat Sunrisers Masters by 81 runs.

Young Warriors posted 1872, taking first knock. Pearce stroked four fours and 11 sixes in an even hundred while Aron Tribowan made 49 with seven sixes. Sunrisers Masters were limited for 1063 in reply. R. Lall made 63 with two fours and six sixes.

Ariel Queenstown overcame Aurora Knight Riders by eight wickets.

Aurora Knight Riders made 125-4, taking first turn at the crease. Ravi Beharry scored 62 with seven sixes while Deoraj Dindyal contributed 27.

Brian Mangar took 2-25.

Ariel Queenstown got to 127-

2 in reply. Mangar slammed one four and nine sixes in scoring 71 and Daniel Mangar 38.

Hibernia defeated Ravens by three wickets. Batting first, Ravens mustered 76-6. Joel (only name given) made 31 and Celdon Monroe 21; Govindra (only name given) had 2-14. Hibernia replied with 78-7 in 9.5 overs. M. Basdeo made 26.

Die Hard Brothers, RGXI and Ariel Queenstown are in group A while Adventure SC, Hibernia and Young Warriors are in group B. The top two teams from each group will contest the semi finals on March 31 at Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

AAG final CARIFTA Trials

Action gets underway this morning at NTFC The Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) final Carifta trials begins today at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), Leonora with over 200 athletes expected to be

part of the two-day action.

Today will host most of the field events and heats for sprints, while the finals will be contested tomorrow. Head of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, in an invited comment with

Guyana’s Badminton Champion Narayan Ramdhani represented the Kings University Eagles Badminton Team & Alberta ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) at the 2019 CCAA National Badminton Championships (Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association) in Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in Nova Scotia Canada March 6-9, 2019.

The Championship saw the Top Colleges/ Universities Badminton Players in Canada battle for National S u p r e m a c y.

Narayan made Alberta and Guyana Proud as he was t h e To p S i n g l e s P l a y e r representing them at the Championship when he won the ACAC Championship last Month.

The Group Play-Off is comprised of the Six Top Badminton Singles Players who will compete again each other and the top four advances to the SemiFinals and Medal Rounds.

In the CCAA National Championship Round Robin Group Play off results for Narayan Ramdhani are:

Narayan Ramdhani in action in Canada.

MEN SINGLES: DAY 1 (Thursday 07, 2019) Narayan Defeated Jonah Wilson of Holland: 21-8, 21-6 Narayan Defeated Ramnish Kumar of Humber: 16-21, 21-16, 11-21 Narayan lost to Nicholas Pittman: 13-21, 21-12, 14-21 MEN SINGLES: DAY 2

(Friday 08, 2019) Narayan Defeated Jaryd Morrissey of Mount Allision: 21-16, 17-21, 21-13 Narayan has made it into the Semi-Finals and MEDAL ROUNDS at his first Nationals in Canada being there at Kings University only 7 1/2 Months.

Farfan & Mendes Men’s 1st Division Hockey

Six matches on this weekend

Kaieteur Sport on Thursday, revealed that he expects the number of qualified athletes, which currently stands at nine, to increase.

Over the previous three (Continued on page 25)

Play in the Farfan & Mendes 1st division men’s hockey league continues this weekend at Saints ground.

GDF’s Akeem Stewart crosses the finish line first to win the open 100m race in 10.71 seconds at the first Carifta trials-development meet last month.

The Farfan and Mendes Men’s First Division Hockey League will have six matches being played over the weekend with three this afternoon and three tomorrow at the Saint Stanislaus College (SSC) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

Currently, Bounty GCC are top of the league with 16 points from seven games played, while Pepsi Hikers are second with 13 points from five games played.

In the first match today, Pepsi Hikers will

clash with Saints Hockey Club (SHC) followed

by Supernova against Old Fort, while the feature match will see Pepsi Hikers playing their second match of the afternoon against GCC Vintage.

On Sunday, Old Fort open the day’s play against Hikers who will be in their third fixture of the weekend before Supernova play Bounty GCC, while SHC will play GCC Vintage in the feature match of the weekend.

Saturday March 09, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Concacaf Nations League

GFF visit West Demerara Secondary to sensitize students about Guyana/Belize clash The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in its quest to ensure that every Guyanese is aware of the Concacaf Nations League match on March 23rd next at the Leonora Track and Field Football Pitch has embarked on a series of sensitisation initiatives around Guyana.

The first stop was the West Demerara Secondary School yesterday afternoon, which turned out to be, as GFF President Wayne Forde summed up, ‘awesome’.

Headmaster Harrinarine along with his Teachers were joined in the meeting area by their energetic students who were all attentive and waiting to hear what the federation had to say and offer.

Following President Forde’s address during which he explained the importance of the Golden Jaguars/Belize clash come March 23rd when Guyana can make history by qualifying for the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time, the students engaged in some entertaining ball juggling playoffs and shooting to a small goal for tickets; the response was ecstatic.

But even before the adrenaline began to flow as all the students wanted to get the opportunity to win match day tickets, President Forde took the opportunity to bring International Women’s Day Greeting on behalf of the

Federation to all the Women present.

He said that all women needed to be serenaded not only on this day but always, for their monumental contributions to the nation and by extension, the world we live in. National female football, Ms. Lakesha Pearson along with GFF Social Media Officer Keeran Williams and West Demerara Football Association President Orin Ferrier formed part of the GFF delegation.

Headmaster Harrinarine in brief remarks expressed thanks to the GFF for choosing his school to kick off such an initiative, boasting that it was the best move to have been made. He shared that the school has a history of producing rounded students as they have a huge focus on academics and sports.

Harrinarine reminded that Guyanese Middle Distance Runner Joanna Archer, who landed a scholarship to Munroe College in New York, USA last year to pursue Degree in Criminal Justice, is a proud product of the school.

President Forde and Ms Pearson took on the challenge of juggling the ball against the male students, while female students took on the challenge of kicking the ball into a small goal. In the end, a fantastic afternoon of

We’re All In! West Demerara Secondary School Headmaster Harrinarine (3rd left), GFF President Wayne Forde (4th left) and West Demerara FA President Orin Ferrier (right) pose with the students and teacher who won tickets to the March 23 match.

interaction was had by all with six females and four male students each receiving a ticket to the match on March 23rd.

HM Harrinarine was also presented with tickets to the match. There will be other such initiatives taking place around Guyana to keep the momentum going with a view of having the nation rally with their Golden Jaguars and cheering them on to victory against Belize.

Tickets are on sale at a cost of $1500 at the GFF Secretariat (Dadanawa Street, Section ‘K’ Campbellville), Guinness Bar (Durban Street),

This female student receives her ticket to the match from President Forde.

West Indian Sports Complex (Robb Street), Andrew’s Supermarket (Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt) and Da Sport (Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara).

Official Replica Jerseys are available at GFF

Secretariat at a cost of $5,000 each. Meanwhile, the Bartica Football Association would be having a promotion this evening at FUTU Hangout, Third Avenue, while the East Bank Football Association would be running off a

promotion tomorrow from 12:00hrs at the Soesdyke Junction where fans and players can compete in novelty events for attractive giveaways.

Tickets and Replica Jerseys will also be on sale.

PAGE 32

Bartica Cycling Challenge Trophy Stall on board inaugural event set for March 16 Trophy Stall has continued to exhibit its corporate and social responsibility in a tangible way and has agreed to be on board the inaugural Bartica Cycling Challenge, the first Road Race to be held there on Saturday March 16.

Yesterday at the entity’s Bourda Market location, Manager Ramesh Sunich handed over the three trophies he has agreed to sponsor to Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall in the presence of Assistant Racing Secretary of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Joseph Britton.

The Overall winner, along with the top Female and Juvenile will ride away with the trophies.

Mayor Marshall, passionate about the advancement of athletes across the sports spectrum in Bartica expressed gratitude to Mr. Sunich for his partnership for the event which is being sponsored by the Bartica

Saturday March 09, 2019

Kaieteur News

Town Council.

“We are very pleased with your contribution to this event which as you know would be the first such race in Bartica.

We are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the cyclists have a memorable time and fans are thrilled with the performances that we are told would be fantastic.”

Mayor Marshall also expressed appreciation to the Guyana Cycling Federation for approaching them to bring off the day of racing which would, apart from the top riders from the nation competing, see persons from the Town also having an opportunity to showcase their talent as well.

Sunich said that he had no hesitation in being a partner for this historical event which will see the cream of the nation’s cyclists from Berbice, Linden and the City matching pedals there for the first time.

“Like the cyclists who will be the main focus, we at Trophy Stall also want to be a part of this historical event.

We have always been supportive of athletes in every sport and therefore we had no hesitation in coming on board.”

Britton, on behalf of the GCF expressed thanks to Mayor Marshall, Bartica Town Council and Mr. Sunich for their collective efforts which would no doubt be appreciated by the cyclists for this event.

To date, well over 50 riders have stated they would be travelling to the Town of Bartica for next Saturday’s event. Over $400,000 in cash prizes would be up for grabs in the senior, junior, juvenile, female and masters categories.

Races for BMX riders in the 6-9 years, 9-12 years and Open Races for Residents would also form part of the day’s activities.

Windies rolled over for historic low 45 ESPNcricinfo - Sam Billings rescued England, while Chris Jordan’s fourwicket haul demolished West Indies for a paltry 45, handing the tourists a 137-run victory in the second T20I and a 2-0 series triumph.

Man of the Match Billings’ career-best knock of 87 off 47 balls and a return to T20I form for Joe Root (55 off 40) resurrected England’s innings from a dire 32 for 4 after 5.2 overs.

Then Jordan’s remarkable 4-6 off two overs meant West Indies were never in the contest and they fell for the second-lowest T20I total, behind Netherlands’ 39 against Sri Lanka at the World T20 in 2014. It was the lowest total by a Full Member nation, worse than the 60 posted by New Zealand against Sri Lanka at the same tournament and West Indies’ 60 against Pakistan in Karachi last year.

With the top order tumbling around him, Root produced a composed innings, sharing an 82-run partnership with Billings to reach 55 off 40 deliveries. It was the first time Root had reached double figures in four T20I innings and his 10th knock since he last reached fifty, in the World T20 final won by West Indies in Kolkata in April 2016.

When Root was run out, scrambling to the danger end for a second with the fleetfooted Billings as Fabian Allen threw the ball in to wicketkeeper Shai Hope, the rescue mission fell to Billings and he chose to accept it willingly.

Billings racked up 17 runs

Joe Root and Sam Billings scored fifties before Billings teed off at the end, scoring a T20I-best 87 as England reached 182 for 6 ©Getty Images off one Sheldon Cottrell over, including a six to bring up his 50.

Carlos Brathwaite had been economical through his first three overs, claiming 111, but he conceded 22 off his last over, including three fours to Billings and a six to David Willey. Billings and Willey put on a 68-run stand for the sixth wicket and Willey was not out 13 when Billings was dismissed on the last ball of the innings, but not before he had scored 22 off the over, bowled by McCoy. Billings was dropped by Shimron Hetmyer on the third ball of the over then scored a six thanks to a fumble by Brathwaite who was trying to save a four on the rope on the

Sheldon Cottrell struck an early blow for West Indies... ©Getty Images

next ball. Billings punished the next one for four before attempting another big hit and edging to the keeper.

By then, he had led England to a respectable total, especially given their early position.

Willey, who had questioned the noise around Jofra Archer’s World Cup prospects in the lead-up to the match, continued to press his own claims for a berth when he snared the wicket of Chris Gayle for just five, caught simply by Root at mid-on. Willey had West Indies’ other opener, Hope, out cheaply too with Eoin Morgan holding the catch despite colliding heavily with Tom Curran as he took the ball.

Then Jordan went on the rampage. He claimed the wickets of Darren Bravo, one of only two West Indies batsmen to reach double figures, and Jason Holder with consecutive balls. He then dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Fabian Allen a short time later.

By then the damage was done as Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett cleaned up the West Indies tail.

West Indies had won the toss and sent England in on a pitch that was expected to improve as the match went on. Unfortunately for them, they were not in long enough for that to play out as they were dismissed inside 12 overs.

Scores: England 182 for 6 (Billings 87, Root 55) beat West Indies 45 (Brathwaite 10, Hetmyer 10, Jordan 4-6) by 137 runs, win series 2-0.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 09, 2019

PAGE 33

Windies First-Class C/Ships

Jaguars 69-2 need 93 more runs for fifth title - Shepherd end as leading fast bowler with 37 wickets

By Sean Devers On a day designated International Women’s Day, 43-year-old Jamaican Jaqueline Williams, the only female First-Class Umpire in the Region, enjoyed a good one at the office as the keenly contested second day of the final round Day/Night pink ball PCL Regional First-Class battle between four-times defending Champions Guyana Jaguars and Trinidad Red Force ended last night at Providence intriguingly poised.

Set 162 for their seventh win, the Jaguars were 69-2, 93 runs away from making Skipper Leon Johnson the most successful Regional Captain.

Johnson is on 37 from 59 balls, 56 minutes with eight boundaries, while Chanderpaul is on 22 from 55 balls, 83 minutes and has reached the boundary three times.

The 24-year-old Romario Shepherd took 352 to follow his 5-72 in the first innings for match figures of 8-124 and end the tournament as the leading

fast bowler with 37 wickets as Red Force, with a deficit of 45, were bowled out yesterday for 206.

Raymond Reifer (2-43) and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who took 2-49 to finish with 44 victims, supported Shepherd, who fell two wickets short of joining Keemo Paul (10-129 vs Windwards 2019) and Reon King (10-95 vs T&T 2000) as the only Guyanese pacers with 10-wicket hauls in Regional First-Class Cricket.

Only Damion St Clair unbeaten on 31 from 58 balls with four boundaries, Khary Pierre with 30 from 89 balls with three fours and a six and Joshua DaSilva 25 from 88 balls with four fours reached 25, while a 34-run last wicket stand between St Clair and Phillip (21) extend the lead past 150.

Scores: Jaguars 165 & 69-2, Red Force 120 &206.

Red Force resumed on their overnight 17-2 in brilliant sunshine and DaSilva and Skipper Denesh Ramdin both looked good on the flat track and lightening

outfield and took the score 42 before Ramdin got a beauty that left him a shade as he was caught on the crease and bowled by Reifer.

Mohammed joined the 20-year-old DaSilva who lofted Shepherd over cover for four before he missed a sweep off Permaul and was LBW at 71-4.

Mohammed drove at a wide ball from Barnwell and was taken at second slip to see Red Force on 97-5.

Eleven runs later Imran Khan was run out for three at 108-6, but Pierre dumped Permaul for six and the big hitting Odean Smith deposited Permaul for (Continued on page 27)

Romario Shepherd has Bryan Charles fending at a short ball as he took his tally to 37 wickets.

(Sean Devers photos)

t r o Sp Bartica Cycling Challenge - Trophy Stall Windies rolled on board inaugural event set for March 16 over for historic

low 45

Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall (right) receives the main trophy from Manager of Trophy Stall Ramesh Sunich, GCF’s Joseph Britton displays the Female and Juvenile trophies.

Jordan collected career-best figures of 4 for 6 as West Indies collapsed in spectacular fashion ©AFP

Concacaf Nations League

One of the male students seeking to overhaul President Forde’s tally in the juggling showdown.

GFF visit West Demerara Secondary to sensitize students about Guyana/Belize clash 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.