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Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 13, 2019
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 The local remedy of the international community In Guyana, the buck stops here. It is not with the headof-state. Instead, that would be the now ubiquitous international community, which ought to establish a permanent mission in this town of thorns. In this way, it could be on call. Right next door; save on the airfare. It is an exercise to nowhere to ask how did the nation get to this embarrassing point; no extra lessons are needed for wisdom. Rather, it is more constructive to focus on the trust and confidence invested in the foreigners. The first issue of relevance is: who forms the bulk of this international community? In general, it is Europe and America; at the core, it is the US and the UK. And somewhere on the edges are the brethren of Caricom. In view of the history of this country, it is mindboggling that the best that the leaders of this disfigured society can do is hobble around on the cane of the international community. Start with slavery and indentureship, and then throw in the Cold War and big power chess moves. Fears about tumbling dominoes, and the matter of containment impacted Guyana so piercingly that, three score years later, the peoples of this society walk around with the scars and hemorrhages. And as if those are not wounding enough, there are the memories; memories that still rankle, petrify, and paralyze. Yet it is this same self-serving community that is run to, bandied about, and brandished shamelessly. It is certainly revealing - and humiliatingly so - as to the kind of people and leadership that exist in this place, where the hostile domesticities and contentious ambience of the hearth can only be solved by outsiders - who are only too delighted to venture inward with their sullied records and the taint of sanctimonious condescension. Come to think of it, this smacks of a new kind of slavery; it is the tragedy of voluntary enslavement. Guyanese leaders are comfortable debasing themselves before the whole world through abdicating their decisionmaking and consensus-building responsibilities, and then begging for the alms of past masters, who did rack and ruin. The local passions and poisons are so gripping that the men of ships and chains are viewed as credible.This has to be the ultimate manifestation (for the worst reasons) of being a glutton for punishment. The political distrust and stakes are so high that those who inflicted decimation and division are now invited to be the first responders. This is what is making the rounds, and this is what is held aloft as the sanctuaries of authenticity and reliability. Clearly, this nation has fallen on its face. Today, there are these inextricable entanglements involving elections; yesterday, elections in this society were tampered with, influenced, and manipulated for the convenience and objectives of the same foreign principals now appealed to and leaned on for solutions. Apparently, invited internal meddling does not rub the wrong way like old-fashioned internal meddling, many times a bone of contention. A quick history lesson should help at this point: it is widely accepted that every election in this country has been influenced covertly or overtly by the same spirits summoned time and again to mediate. And an inherent aspect of the international train is the baggage of biases against socialism and communism, and a determined track record against protectors of traffickers and money launderers. Indeed, strange bedfellows in the same chambers and at the same table. Here is a country determined not to get things right on its own; and one addicted to return to the hands that whipped it. It could be the wisdom of fools.There is one last caution: to extrapolate Lord Palmerston: established powers have no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Think the local leader and group that provide the best channel to realize primary objectives. Afghanistan furnishes one case study; Venezuela is another. For the naïve and innocent, it is democracy at work. Guyanese politicians must grow up.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
GTUC disassociates itself from statements issued by Civil Society group DEAR EDITOR, Civil society has the opportunity to demand its seat at the table, but this demand is likely to gain more traction and respect when we are seen as honest and credible brokers, operating with respect for the very Constitution we demand others to uphold, and being unafraid to hold everyone, including ourselves, accountable in ensuring its adherence The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) as a member of the Civil Society Forum (CSF) dissociates itself from the two statements issued on Monday, 11th March, 2019, which in our belief do not satisfy the principles adumbrated here or the goal of the body. The goal of the CSF is to realise the Political Objective of our society as outlined in Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution, which speaks to an “inclusionary democracy.” The GTUC’s see the pursuit of this in building a society where tension, polarisation and divisiveness are defused and managed in a manner nurturing of the motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” Thus, the undermentioned represents our position on the issued statementsAnnouncing date for Election- It is on the advice of GECOM as to its readiness for an election that presents the President a ballpark to declare a date for election. In 2006, in response to public concern that the required constitutional fiveyear for General and Region Elections would not be held within the time frame, President Bharrat Jagdeo in a
televised address to the nation said: “The law says that GECOM shall define the form of verification of the List or may decide on verification and will decide on what form it will take. Not the PPP, not the PNC, not any party, GECOM. That’s a c o n s t i t u t i o n a l b o d y, independent just like the courts.” Most likely Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo was referring to Article 226 (1) and (7) of the Guyana Constitution and G E C O M ’s r o l e i n s o advising him was respected. The Chairman of GECOM - Retired Justice James Patterson was appointed consistent with the Constitution. Said appointment was challenged in the High Court and the Appeal Court. Both courts ruled the appointment was done in accordance with the Constitution. The matter is now before the Caribbean Court of Justice. While the incumbent is often labelled, “controversial,” Government or PNC selection, the title, as with his predecessors, comes with a casting vote. The casting vote has historically benefitted both the Government and Opposition. For instance, Patterson’s chairmanship saw a casting vote that allowed for the appointment of the Opposition Commissioners’ approved candidate for Legal Officer. Article 106 (7) & GECOM’s readiness - the extant article refers to a time frame of “within ninety days or such longer period”. Whereas the former time frame does not need the Opposition’s input and the latter needs by at least “twothirds” vote in the National
Assembly, the complete article stands. The conjunction “or” is of equal importance. Acting Chief Justice Roxane GeorgeWiltshire SC in her ruling on 31st January upheld the entire article. The minimum GECOM has been able to hold an election is 123 days, which was in 2001, an election that had its unique history and context. In 2019, the history and context have their own uniqueness; including being the first of its kind, and both parties/sides will have to work together again. This reality presents opportunity to intensify advocacy for giving meaning to Article 13 which was enshrined in the Constitution in 2001. GECOM’s functioning - GECOM has to have a quorum to function. Outside of the absence of the Chairman who was on sick leave for a period, walking out of meetings by commissioners hinders the opportunity of having a quorum and conducting the business of the organisation. Allegations of electoral malpractices - GTUC has an abiding interest in Guyanese having the right to one man one vote/universal adult suffrage, which the Labour Movement started the fight for. We want a credible Voters List and election, which include every eligible voter allowed to register, cast his/her ballot in an atmosphere free from fear and hindrance, the vote counted and properly declared. We want an election not only free and fair but also free from fear. All of our elections have had claims of impropriety, not reflecting
the will of the people, or conducted within an atmosphere of fear. Some have been proven and others remain alleged. That being said, the fact that the organisations that signed on to the statements saw importance only in the elections of 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985, it is incumbent on GTUC to note that the 2006 elections saw the AFC’s Region Ten votes, and by extension parliamentary seat, wrongly declared for the PPP/C, in the 2 0 11 e l e c t i o n s Commissioner Vincent Alexander prevented another miscarriage of the voters’ will. GTUC awaits the Court’s ruling on the 2015 elections based on a petition brought by the PPP/C, as it ruled on the 1997 elections based on a petition brought by the PNC. Our future - GTUC cognizant of our internal and external dynamics does not want the political conflicts of Venezuela to become ours neither do we want a State where some feel excluded or any think election is the panacea to solving all our problems or the opportunity to get “pan tap”. Guyanese have to put a system in place to manage the economy effectively and efficiently and our business in peace a n d t r a n q u i l i t y. T h e citizens/workers deserve to live and work in an environment where their welfare is placed first. It is our belief Article 13 presents the road map and opportunity Civil Society should seize now. Lincoln Lewis G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y, GTUC
A constructive solution to the current real or imagined crisis DEAR EDITOR, As the Guyanese nation awaits the outcome of various court cases and President Granger’s consultation with GECOM, some political actors have whipped themselves and their acolytes into a frenzy raising the spectre of some real or imagined dictatorship already in full swing or in the making. As someone who actively participated in the fight for free and fair elections, I am of the firm opinion that the current situation is not the same as that existing pre-1992. Moreover, the current political frenzy in some quarters could lead to unrest that the country can ill afford. A constructive solution to the
current real or imagined crisis is for an agreement to be reached between the government and opposition to return to parliament and pursue a legislative agenda that will find favour with the vast majority of Guyanese. When that agenda is completed, a credible election could be held in a peaceful and civilized environment. A possible legislative agenda could include the following: 1) a disproportionate assets and income act. This will augment existing integrity legislation and help in the fight against corruption, irrespective of who forms the next government; 2) A campaign financing act to limit how much could be raised and spent on elections. Again,
the intent should be to stamp out corruption, in this case, in the election process. A level playing field in this area will strengthen democracy; 3) A human rights bill with a firm commitment to establish a functioning human rights commission; 4) A revision of the constitutional provisions on the rights of Guyanese citizens to participate fully in the political process, irrespective of where they earn a living. Legislation such as outlined above will have lasting positive value for all Guyanese and will allay the fears of those who may find themselves on the losing side in future elections. Jang Singh
Wednesday March 13, 2019
Chances for a snap or surprise elections are slim DEAR EDITOR, I am thankful for Mr. Ralph Ramkarran letter, “No matter how you try, Mr. Duncan, you can mislead no one”, March 12, 2019. A response to mine. The honorable Mr. Ralph Ramkarran’s remembrance of me in former pursuits is kind even with his ad hominem retreat. My mind casts yet again to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, to turn a quote, ‘These couchings and these lowly courtesies might fire the blood of ordinary men...Be not fond to think that I bear such rebel blood.’ Our reading of history and lived experiences are on a collision course. But if the esteemed Senior Counsel and Former Speaker of the National Assembly finds irrelevant to current circumstances the Elections Petition/Ester Perreira Case, which he was unsuccessful at litigating as lead counsel and in which ruling the then Chief Justice Claudette Singh declared ‘she possessed no jurisdiction to tell the Executive branch of government to demit office; and that by Doctrine of Necessity there must be a government’, then I bow to his wisdom. Yet I find myself unable to genuflect before his submission, because what the Honorable M r. Ramkarran says in his missive is not as important as what he omits to state. He has gone from Caricom’s reluctance to intervene in periods past, “then eagerly doing so against a ‘then’ lawful Janet Jagan Government in 1999". Then the honorable and agile thinker somersaults to, “In 2001, a few months after, new elections were held. The Government did not seek to unlawfully and unconstitutionally extend its life in office, as the APNU+AFC Government is now doing.” The honorable Mr. Ramkarran omits that Herdmanston Accord, which governed the period facilitated by CARICOM was agreed to by both major political parties, being signed into law, Act No. 1 of 1999, by Janet Jagan, a process which mandated national elections
by January 17, 2001. The honorable Mr. Ramkarran omits to state that the PPP/C, to which he was then a political and legal force, did indeed seek to unlawfully and unconstitutionally extend its life in office. Why then did the allparty committee set up to deal with post January 2001 governance fail before it started its work to facilitate a smooth transition after the Herdmanston Accord expired? The honorable Mr. Ramkarran omits that when those mandated elections could not be held immediately in January 2001 it was the then GECOM Chairman Major General (rtd) Joe Singh in December, 2000 who advised the president that elections could not be held before March 19, 2001. In memory of more recent vintage, the GECOM Chairman Justice (Retired) James Patterson likewise has informed His Excellency election cannot be held by March 21, 2019. B u t t h e h o n o r a b l e M r. Ramkarran deems this as seeking to “unlawfully and unconstitutionally extend its life in office.” He will not let us know that in 2001 the then the Private Sector Commission had made known to the Commission that “there were important economic reasons why the elections should be held after the celebration of Mashramani and Phagwah festivals and the Test cricket match against South Africa to be played here was completed.” The honorable Mr. Ramkarran omits that Stabroek News of January 18, 2001, the PPP/C government
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declared, “Voluntary government limits on from today” and “the business of the government continues as normal”. Editor, finally, it has never been the intention of the APNU+AFC government to “unlawfully and unconstitutionally extend its life in office.” But as the PPP/C did in 2000 and 2006 the government, in my humble, personal view, guided by the realities on the ground as articulated by GECOM. As a matter of fact, in 2011 when the PPP/C lost its parliamentary majority there was talk about snap elections, which is what in essence a successful No Confidence Motion produces. Leader of the Alliance for Change Raphael Trotman stated in a comment to Stabroek News (December 25, 2011), ‘While the President has to authority to dissolve Parliament for elections, this power in interpreted in the context of G E C O M’s readiness for elections. The dissolution of the House is triggered when the Chairman informs the President that everything is in place for a national election. Unlike other territories, Guyana’s elections management agency does not have the capacity to maintain a position of readiness. ’ “This means that the chances for a snap or surprise elections are slim because Parliament would have to vote money, the list would have to be made ready, persons trained, etc.” Regards, Sherod Avery Duncan
Your Excellency, Our President: return to being valiant: return to that first 24 hrs after the NCM DEAR EDITOR, Late as it is, hopeless as it now seems, I will not let be dashed, my hope in our Guyanese people and the better future we could be creating.The unchartered waters of a Constitutional Crisis are truly on us. Our Ministers are no longer claiming that they are meeting as a Cabinet: first, themselves calling their meeting a caucus then soon after a plenary speaks loudly about the unchartered waters that we are already in; we are already in confusion. There are strong indications that Guyana would face various sanctions after March 21, 2019 - those sanctions with which Guyana was threatened in 2014 must once again be avoided. Our Leader of the Opposition is not the one steering our Guyana ship, he cannot avoid the Constitutional Crisis: he can only rail against it. It is our President and Prime Minister, their advisors and supporters who can still steer us away from it. We must call on our President and Prime Minister to be valiant and valorous. Return themselves to their initial positions within the first 24 hrs. of the passage of the NCM. Prevail on our Prime Minister to return to his words then: “We want our supporters in particular … to understand that we are going back to the polls...Guyanese must understand that the democratic process is sometimes unpredictable. You may have results that are not planned for…But the outcome has to be accepted…It is like cricket in some sense, what happened here today, a game of glorious uncer-
tainty.” Prevail on our President to return to his statement issued the following morning, “We will do everything necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections; bearing in mind the need for normal governmental functions to continue uninterrupted.” Our Leader of the Opposition approached the Honourable Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, for an early meeting, the Government having fallen, to work things out in some harmony. Those initial responses gave hope that the NCM needed not be a calamity, a disaster, but presented an opportunity for steps to a greater maturity in our politics; a perceived bad thing that might bring good results.The reversed positions of our President and Prime Minister have not brought them any glory. The Speaker was pushed but did not budge; he could not but did reassert his ruling that the NCM stood; and our Chief Justice issued a judgment overwhelmingly judged sound. The Chief Justice’s NCM ruling seems to be slowly and grudgingly accepted by the Government. According to the Guyana Chronicle of Tuesday, March 12, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan had sought to assure the public that in keeping with the Chief Justice’s ruling, Cabinet has resigned.
However, Government continues to function. Perhaps it had to be this way, to provide examples that in this sixth or seventh decade of ethno-political insecurities, there be amongst us persons who would persevere in walking the straight path and we may trust ourselves to expectations of fair play. And when we think and note that the conflagrations that I feared would have followed after the passage of the NCM have not unfolded, we must wonder whether our people are not changing, and whether there are not possibilities for us politicians to develop new approaches. In his book on “Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, the Management guru, Peter Drucker, points out that the occurrence of unexpected things whether failures or successes must cause us to question our old assumptions - their period of validity is ending. Discern and come to terms with the change! Look for the new opportunities! Seize the opportunities! Innovate!Mr. President, let us go forward, name the date, let the campaigns begin, everyone campaigning on the basis of the next realistic steps that they can and will take were they privileged to win, to grow and develop Guyanese and Guyana, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. Samuel A.A. Hinds Former President and Former Prime Minister.
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NO COURT IS ABOVE THE CONSTITUTION DEAR EDITOR, The diplomatic and donor community must be looking on with bated breath at the developing situation in Guyana as it self-propels towards a constitutional crisis. The situation is made even more comical with a recent epistle by ‘one of Guyana’s leading legal minds’ who claimed: “... The court could rely on the doctrine of necessity and give such extensions as are required in the circumstances...far as I am concerned, there is no constitutional crisis except in the imaginations of one or another Charlatan who, at the end of the day are incapable of giving a rational and consistent construction of the Constitution.” The implication here is that those, including Ralph Ramkarran, Anil Nandlall, Christopher Ram and the Editors of independent media houses who, thus far, have alerted the nation to an impending constitutional crisis are ‘charlatans and incapable of giving a rational and consistent construction of the Constitution.’ Three cheers for Mr.
Maxwell Edwards, only he can, gloomy forecasts notwithstanding. To the layman, no court is above the constitution. The constitution is supreme. The court must follow what the constitution says. President Granger swore to uphold the constitution. He cannot arbitrarily ‘dis’ what the constitution says. He must obey what he swore to uphold. Since the constitution says elections must be held in 90 days, then so be it. And if GECOM has housekeeping issues that need to be resolved then it must solve those issues with the 90 day time frame allotted to it by the constitution. End of story! The President invited the entire Commission to meet with him because he wanted to telegraph to the public that the Commission is divided. He got exactly what he wanted and went away with a wry smile on his face. There is much talk about a day of reckoning come March 21, and questions are being asked whether those military veterans who currently hold office, and tend to be conservative, can rebalance an economy tilted
on the downside and, become believers in democratic governance. The preponderance of a phenomenon known as ‘Confirmation Bias’ has now become a potent weapon in the hands of the leadership of the APNU+ AFC, and is currently being used to mislead and misguide its supporters. When their followers are being told that the political opposition and others have it all wrong in respect to government’s obligations with the passage of the No Confidence Motion (NCM) as well as the prospects of a constitutional crisis, they tend to block out ideas, facts or data that don’t coincide with what they were told by Mr. Granger and company and as a consequence, fall victim to the ‘Confirmation Bias’ syndrome. Differences over the role and place of GECOM and its competence to produce a credible voters list has been around long before GECOM became GECOM. We only have to cast our minds back to Sir Donald Jackson’s and Sir Harold Bollers’ tenures at the then Elections Commission to
understand why Mr Patterson was appointed Chairman of GECOM by President Granger. Further, the documentary titled, THE TRAIL OF THE VANISHING VOTER’ and the tagging of the Elections Commission by Lord Avebury a ‘Toothless Poodle’ continue to be relevant even as we try to understand why we are where we are today. On top of this is the failure of the relevant authorities to implement the recommendations to be found in reports by the International Observer Missions and GECOM retreats following elections held in Guyana since 1992. The call made in an editorial of the Guyana Chronicle in September 2016, headlined, ‘Time to revamp GECOM’ was a wakeup call alerting the nation to the administration’s intention to ditch the Carter Center Formula for selecting a Chairman for GECOM. That call was a harbinger to the jettisoning of the constitutional provision by government causing it to ride roughshod over the supreme law of the land, and to appoint unilaterally, on November 19, 2017 Mr. James Patterson as chairman of GECOM. But this was neither the first nor the last of such unconscionable acts by the coalition administration to violate the Constitution. It is to be recalled that in mid-November 2017, the President, through Mr. Joseph Harmon had sent a letter to the Police Service Commission directing that all police promotions be halted claiming that ‘complaints had been received about the police.’ On November 23, 2017 the Chief Justice ruled that ‘the directive by the Minister of State was unlawful and a blatant disrespect for the Constitution; similar misdemeanours were committed by Ministers Ramjattan and Broomes. Broomes had written on May 28, 2015 to the Public Service Commission directing that ‘all interviews and meetings of the Commission are to cease forthwith until further (sic) as instructed by
his Excellency David Arthur Granger’s notice.’ Chief Justice Chang ruled that ‘the directive was in violation of Article 226 of the Constitution and as a consequence was unlawful, null and void and if no legal effect.’ In early June 2015, contrary to the rules of the Police Service Commission and the Constitution, Ramjattan wrote to the then Commissioner of Police instructing him to terminate the service of a senior rank of the Guyana Police Force for his alleged involvement in a torture case. Under pressure, Ramjattan withdrew his directive, which was proven to be misdirected. I highlight these examples not only to demonstrate the many instances where the coalition administration violated the constitution in order to achieve its selfish goals, but to emphasize how manipulative it can be, in its determination to achieve a particular outcome by violating the constitution as a means to an end favourable the coalition administration. The point is, when Mr. Granger invokes such a deceptive narrative that; “Government will not interfere or intrude in the work of GECOM,” his administration cannot be trusted on such matters precisely because his track record reflects quite the opposite as was illustrated earlier. To believe Mr Granger this time around would be to allow him to get away with saying things that don’t square with the facts nor reality, and to allow him once again, to throw dust in the eyes of the average person. Mr Granger will behave ‘fit and proper’ when it suits him and then turn around and behave deplorably in other situations. On the one hand, he would say; “My government would abide by the constitutional requirements following passage of the NCM” and that “My government would do everything to facilitate smooth elections.” Later, the same President would turn around and claim
that the Opposition is “All bluff” and that members of GECOM must go back and “settle their differences and try to come to some reconciliation over a bloated voters list.” This is cynicism at its best since Mr. Granger knows full well that the Chairman and the three government backed commissioners have instructions that coincide fully with his administration’s interest in dragging-out GECOM’S work plan using House-to-House registration as a subterfuge to achieve that goal which, according to Mr Alexander, “can be concluded by November 2019!” And as if the cynicism has no limit, only last year, on December 17 to be exact, the President told reporters, “I have full confidence in the elections machinery” and that “I would make sure that nothing is done to have any improperly conducted elections.” The President went on to say, “I have never rigged an election in my life. I have no intention of ever doing so.” Whether Mr Granger was in a position to rig past elections or not, the point is, there is still a lingering perception that as commander of the GDF in 1972, he was involved when the army took control of the ballot boxes. Forty-seven years later, Mr. Granger is President of Guyana and leader of the ruling APNU+AFC coalition, that puts him in an advantageous position to influence the outcome of the elections especially in light of a GECOM and an election machinery that is weighted in his favour and, more-so, given the suggestive day to day maneuverings Initiated by his administration.The coalition administration has publicly stated that the voters list used in the 2015 elections was ‘padded in favour of the PPP/ C and, had that list not been padded the Coalition would have won by a wider margin.’ The argument goes that, the new house-to- house registration envisaged will remove the padding favorable to the PPP/C and replace it with a list padded in favour of the APNU+AFC thus enabling it to win the upcoming election by a much wider margin! This is why the APNU+ AFC so desperately needs time. Guyanese must prevent this from happening using all legal and constitutional means of struggle through unity of action at all levels on the political, industrial and social fronts. Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
GRA, Central Bank, Finance Ministry strengthening capacity to execute NRF functions By Kiana Wilburg
W
hen it comes to robust prepara tions for the oil and gas sector, Finance Minister Winston Jordan recently assured that capacity is being developed in the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Central Bank, and his Ministry, so that their respective functions can be executed in relation to the Natural Resource Fund. In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, the Minister said, “The Ministry of Finance has worked to build capacity across key Government agencies with responsibility for collecting and managing revenues. We have put signal legislation in place - the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), which became law when the Bill was assented to by the President on January 23, 2019 - to ensure funds are collected and transferred to the national budget in a transparent manner, while nullifying the destabilizing effects of volatile oil prices; allowing for the frontloading of development expenditure; and saving for future generations.”
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Finance Minister, Winston Jordan The economist added, “Capacity is being developed within the Ministry of Finance, the GRA, and the Bank of Guyana to execute their functions and responsibilities under the NRF Act. Moreover, the required institutional strengthening across the entire central government is being prioritized and championed by the Ministry of Finance.” In this regard, the Minister pointed to the strengthening of procurement planning
and expenditure management, which are critical to effective spending of resources, whether they be from oil or non-oil sources. He said that other examples include the Ministry of Finance updating the economic forecasting model to include oil resources, while the GRA is strengthening its cost oil audit capability. The Office of Auditor General, which is led by Deodat Sharma, also has auditing responsibilities when it comes to the Fund. And to prepare for the task ahead, Sharma told Kaieteur News in a previous interview that he has been forging relationships with “the best of the best.”The Auditor General had said that Norway has been sharing key advice on this front with him. Elaborating further, the Auditor General had said that his Office began sharpening its skills for the oil sector, and in a sense, is already prepared for the audit of the Fund. He had said, “You have to bear in mind that this will be strictly a financial audit, because it is about money coming into the (Continued on page 8)
Criminal charges filed against GECOM Chairman, coalition Commissioners A vote in favour of a motion can land the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and three coalition commissioners in jail for one year. This could be the case if attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin wins a case that was filed yesterday. Datadin filed the charges with the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on behalf of Civil Engineer and businessman Marcel Gaskin. The respondents are the three commissioners Charles Corbin, Vincent Alexander and Desmond Trotman and the Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson. The particulars of the offence state that the chairman and the commissioners conspired to breach Article 106 of the Constitution which provides for the holding of elections in 90 days after the passage of a no-confidence motion.On February19, the Commission voted on three motions in the name of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Commissioner, Charles Corbin. The first motion considered was one calling for President David Granger to be informed that GECOM cannot be ready for elections within
the 90 days that the constitution prescribes in the event that a motion of no-confidence is passed against the government.Second, the Commission considered a motion that resolved to let it be registered that GECOM is not financially able to hold elections in the short term. Third, the Commission considered a motion that gave direction to the GECOM Secretariat for it to continue with its work programme for 2019, as it was before the passage of the no-confidence motion. The third motion would see GECOM preparing for houseto house registration as was called for by APNU and the Alliance for Change (AFC). In this period, until a contradictory decision is made, GECOM will not act in accordance with any work programme that responds to a call for elections in the short term.APNU commissioners voted in favour of the motions and so did Patterson.
This newspaper spoke to Datadin last evening. He said, “The passing of a no confidence motion by the National Assembly on the 21st December 2018 meant that General Elections had to be held in 3 months. The government had fallen. The obligation to get Guyana ready for an election is GECOM. It is a full time body charged with functions under the constitution. Instead, its leadership gave excuses and explanations what this could not be done.”He continued, “Confusion is abound as to who should give the instructions and what was required for the preparations for elections. The three commissioners and the chairman voted on 19th February to continue with business as usual in violation of the constitution and in violation of its constitutional mandate. The charges are to hold those who seek to break the law and breach the constitution accountable.”
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EPA, Energy Dept. show room exists to amend Exxon contract - This contradicts govt.’s nonsensical approach - Dr. Mangal By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell While the APNU+AFC government has taken a position that it will not trouble the “strangling” provisions of its contract with ExxonMobil, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy have taken steps that are tantamount to amending some of the provisions that are deemed stacked against Guyana. According to the Produc-
tion Sharing Agreement (PSA) between Guyana and ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the Minister, through his duly appointed representatives, must give the company seven days notice before making a visit. EPA would be categorized as one of those “duly appointed representatives”. However, that agency has refused to be relegated to such long notices. EPA Head, Dr. Vincent
Adams is on record as saying, “I am aware that the agreement calls for seven days notice, but the EPA will not be bound by this. The agency has the authority to visit the site and they (Exxon) have agreed that our designated officer will be granted entry at all or any time(s). This provision was included in their permit for Liza Phase Two. This is not something out of the ordinary for regulators of the sector. In fact, it is in keeping with international best practices, which
Exxon is very much familiar with. So when we put it to them, there was no objection from Exxon, they said they understand.” Dr. Adams, who has years of experience in the business, holds the view that the element of surprise is paramount when executing functions as an oversight body. He said that with seven days notice, the government would be giving oil companies—in this case EEPGL—ample time to make things appear to be well in order.
That is not the only change. Currently, the ExxonMobil-Guyana contract allows the oil giant to self-insure. This means that the company has given the nation some level of assurance that it will handle the liabilities that come with any possible oil spill. But, the Energy Department has initiated discussions with Central Bank to ensure oil companies comply with the nation’s laws on having a recognized insurance policy. This was confirmed by Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe. He said that there will be no approval from the Department of Energy for companies to self-insure. Dr. Bynoe said, “The contract speaks to the fact that the minister can have a waiver and allow a company to self-insure, That is at the discretion of the minister, but we are taking a position which says that we will not be allowing self-insurance, because it would go against Guyana’s laws.” These two moves show that there are ways around the strenuous provisions, and that ExxonMobil is willing to comply with certain changes. As it seems, the main changes that the oil company is against would be those that have to do with the financial regime. This is the area that will affect Guyana’s share of the revenues. The APNU+AFC government has long been under pressure from foreign experts and patriots alike to renegotiate the deal to secure a better share for Guyana. But the government has resisted this, citing utmost respect for the sanctity of contracts. Kaieteur News contacted former presidential advisor on oil and gas, Dr. Jan Mangal for his take on the fact that the agencies have been able to secure better provisions without actually amending the contract.
Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal The Oil and Gas Consultant maintained his take that government’s bid about the sanctity of contracts is just an excuse. He said, “There is no such thing in the natural resources sector, especially when you have deals between governments and private companies. When government goes on about this, it is quite silly. It is not based on evidence. Trinidad is renegotiating their contracts. Liberia renegotiated theirs and I have been supplied by Colombia with examples of this around the world. So the excuse is nonsensical. These politicians are afraid of Exxon; hence there is a need for pressure from the media on the government on this matter.” Dr. Mangal acknowledged that indeed, if the EPA can take a stand, then surely Government can do the same. He reasoned that Exxon perhaps did not fight the EPA because for them, in the grand scheme of things, it is inconsequential. Dr. Mangal noted however that changing the royalty, from two to more, would see Exxon putting up a fight. He said that it may want to take Guyana to arbitration, but Guyana still needs to bite the bullet and do it. Dr. Mangal insisted that Guyana needs to withhold the approval of the Liza Two Permit and subsequent projects until the fiscal terms are revised; until the nation gets what it deserves.
GRA, Central Bank... From page 7 fund. Let us say you get $300M in the Fund, then you have to audit and see how it was spent, and that is a normal financial audit and we have been doing that…” Even though his office is familiar to an extent about what is required, Sharma had said he is leaving nothing to chance, hence steps were taken to contact Norway’s Audit Office for advice. The Auditor General said, “I have been checking with the Audit Office of Norway in terms of how they audit their Sovereign Wealth Fund
(SWF) and other aspects, and that is an ongoing process…So basically, we are contacting the best of the best. In fact, I went there (Norway) for a meeting, but I reached out and interacted with the Audit Office myself on this matter…” In spite of international advice, Sharma had said he does not foresee the need to hire any person or firm to assist his office with the new responsibility. He said, “We do have some capacity issues but right now, I don’t think there is a need for that…,” the Auditor General had stated.
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The political crisis is being compounded by economic jitters
W
ith all the focus on the impend ing constitutional crisis, it is to some extent understandable that the political situation is going to eclipse the grave concerns about the economy. As much, however, as the constitutional crisis will stay in the forefront in the next few weeks, it should not detract from the concerns about the state of economic management. There has been a slowdown in commerce. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at the end of last month, reported that based on a survey it conducted, there had been a significant slump in business activity, ranging from 15% upwards. The Chamber attributed the decline to the unfavourable political situation.
The Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association at its Annual General Meeting held soon afterwards also expressed concerns over the decline in business environment, noting that the rate of growth of manufacturing had declined in 2018. It suggested that an unfavourable political climate will not help. One financial analyst has revealed the shocking decline in Guyana’s net financial assets, indicating either growing external debt on increases in consumption of foreign goods or both. This decline in the foreign assets of the country coincides with an unofficial devaluation of the Guyana dollar. Notes are now trading for as high as G$221 to US$1. This will mean higher prices for imports and more pressure on consumers. The government however does not seem too worried.
The Bank of Guyana insists that it has $50M in US dollar notes to sell to the commercial banks. But even this is not making it cheaper or easier for businessmen to source notes. Many businessmen prefer to deal with notes, because they get a better deal overseas. There are no associated bank fees, both local and foreign, when dealing with cash, unlike when using wire transfers. Businesses are more willing to give large discounts for cash transactions than they are if they have to wait for their payment through wire transfers or via a line of credit. GO-Invest says that it facilitated billions in investment. But it has provided few details as to these investments. It has not stated how many billions in investment have been foreclosed. The real sectors are likely
DEM BOYS SEH
Family does tek sides in crime A man deh in he hospital bed right now. He lost couple teeth and he can’t talk good. And all because he had a spliff and he run when he see de police. Dem boys seh from de time he run he know that he shouldn’t have de spliff; he know it illegal but like everything else and everybody, people like tek a chance. De story lopsided. De man family claim how de police beat him and knock out he teeth. De police claim how a man behave like a public spirited citizen see de odda man running from de police and he pelt de man wid a piece of iron. Of course that stop de running away. A man was behaving bad
at he home after he drink and get drunk. Dem boys seh de man behave so bad that he own sisters get frighten and move out dem house. Although de woman move out, de man go pun he verandah and continue to behave bad. He even pelt he sister wid bottle. De police was passing and de man pick up he cutlass. Dem warn him, but he continue to advance and he get shoot in he foot. He dead. Now de relatives telling how de police should use less force when dem confronting people. Dem boys seh people want de police to walk wid a tamarind whip and lash dem bad man who got gun or who pelting dem. De bottom line is that dem
same relatives who talking about de force wha police does use should talk to dem own about behaving in a certain way. De odda day a woman stand up while she son beat away pun a blind man and when people ask she to stop him, she claim when he drunk nobody could talk to him. But if a man did run in and put a lash pun him it woulda be a different story. Dem boys don’t have a solution, but dem know fuh sure that no matter how bad a man is, he family gun always find excuse why nobody should do him anything. Talk half and pray de police don’t tun dem back when there is crime.
to be affected this year. The Budget projections for the mining sector are likely to be affected because of the industrial problems in the bauxite industry. And other areas of mining are also encountering exogenous problems having to do with shareholder confidence. Guyana may well find itself, at mid-year, having to revise downwards its growth and revenue projections. In the meantime, the overbloated state will have to be fed, and this means that taxes are not likely to be reduced to compensate for any decline in the real sectors of the economy. Guyana is therefore heading into choppy economic waters. And the government, which is navigating the ship of state, is placing all its hopes on oil production, com-
mencing in the first quarter of next year. One government official said that production by 2025 is likely to be about one million barrels of oil per day. Exxon however contradicted that estimate soon after by stating that production is likely to be more than 750,000 barrels. There is a subtle distinction which economists will understand. But it is hard to imagine how production can rise from 120,000 barrels in 2020 to one million in 2025. The government is hedging its bets on oil. But it should note that Norway has decided to divest the oil and gas investments of its sovereign wealth fund. This, the Norwegians say, is strictly a financial decision, but observers believe it has to do with Norway’s projections
about the future of oil prices. Oil may not save Guyana. As this is being written, crude prices are dipping. And this is not a healthy development for a country like Guyana whose policymakers seem bent on placing all of the country’s eggs in the oil basket. A political crisis is brewing. But when this is coupled with economic problems, it means that Guyanese have to be more than concerned about elections . They have to be concerned also about from where their next meal will be coming and what it will cost.
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Wednesday March 13, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
DONALD RODNEY SPEAKS!
I consider Donald Rodney a friend. Donald, my wife and I were holed up together in my home during the American invasion of Grenada. I got to know the inner thoughts of Donald during that one week of being hostages in a war zone in a foreign land (not exactly foreign, because Grenada is part of the Caribbean, and the Caribbean is one united land named CARICOM). After a prolonged hiatus, because he was often out of the country for the past twenty years, we renewed our acquaintance in a two-hour conversation over the phone
two weeks ago. He jokingly said to me, I might not recognize him, because he is hairless. I guess he may not recognize me, because my hirsute canopy is becoming grey. We talked about so many things that I think we exhausted our topics. But the many political grievances Donald has about the past in this country in which his brother, Walter, was murdered, still resonate. Donald is unhappy, and has every right to be, about the way the report of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry was consigned to the shelf. In the Stabroek News yesterday, Donald Rodney
wrote of some of the things that are on his mind. It is an absorbing analysis from the brother of an iconic Guyanese, the great Walter Rodney, who gave his life for the future of his country, a struggle that must be engraved on the collective psyche of the present generation and future ones. I would advocate that Guyanese read Donald’s letter, because it breaks down the sordid dimensions of politics in this land, that preserve the drowning chasm of pessimism that this country has been living with since
Burnham’s visionary and transformative highways turned into a huge cul-de-sac of authoritarian repression. Here’s hoping we read more from Donald in the coming weeks. And here’s hoping that Donald and I can share the same political platform in the forthcoming election, so we can shape a future for Guyana that will see the end to one-party domination and one-race control. I remind readers that this man almost died in the car with his brother when the device that Gregory Smith gave them exploded (it was Donald’s car that they were in) and was charged by the Burnham Government for committing a violent act and convicted in a sham trial of being in possession of the explosive that killed his brother - a conviction which still stands against his name, despite an appeal by the WPA to the Attorney-General, Basil Williams, to initiate proceedings to have the conviction removed; the same WPA which recently took the decision to retain its membership of APNU for the forthcoming national election. Here are my areas of interest in Donald’s missive. He reminds readers that the PNC has had a sordid legacy of rigged elections and
postponing national elections. He used a word that I find incredible, to describe the twisted politics of the WPA, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan. Let’s quote him; “Other notable features are that the PNCR has managed to bring into its bloc former elements of the PPP/ C, (Prime Minister; Minister of Public Security) as well as the entire WPA: moves which are remarkable.” Donald obviously didn’t want to come over as acidic or quarrelsome. But I don’t think perverted transformation of politicians who once fought for freedom and have now become sickening opportunists and power drunkards, such a metamorphosis can be described as “remarkable.” The word “remarkable” is not out of place here, since the word has the unique feature of having an oxymoronic quality. The unexpected shocking action of a person can be described as “remarkable”, because it so stunning that it captures wide interest. In that context “remarkable” is germane. But “remarkable” is more applied in positive situations. A batsman at age forty-two making a T/20 hundred against a top team is remarkable.
Frederick Kissoon There is nothing “remarkable” about the degradation and degeneracy of the politics of the WPA, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan. Power does that to overambitious politicians. I quote the final paragraph of Donald’s instructive letter; “Objective consultation has generally not occurred across the political divide in Guyana, and if it happens, it will be a welcome (sic) watershed. However, equally if there is no consultation, it would be a new watershed of a precedent of one party wielding unchecked (sic) power over others.” Donald was referring to the obligation of APNU+AFC to consult the Opposition on the postponement of elections, which in the opinion of this columnist is legally due this month. It was good to hear from Donald. The memory of our friendship in Grenada reminds me of politics’ once glorious past in Guyana.
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Orinduik wells will be relatively cheap - Eco Atlantic CEO By Kiana Wilburg Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eco Atlantic, Gil Holzman has confirmed that there is enough cash in hand to support the drilling of two wells in its Orinduik Block, while noting that a third is
...says partners have enough cash to now drill three very possible. In a recent interview that was posted to his company’s website, Holzman noted that the Orinduik partners, being
Eco, Tullow and Total, have contracted the Stena Forth drillship for the job. The Eco Atlantic CEO also disclosed that the first
well will be drilled in first week of June at its Jethro Lobe prospect. He said that the second well will be drilled right after. Holzman said, “We are at the drawing table with Tullow and Total trying to identify which of our many targets we are going to drill second. And hopefully for me, for our shareholders, in four-five months from now, we will have a big oil discovery.” So far, the CEO said that the partners have US$20M at its disposal. This money was had from allowing Total to acquire a 25 percent interest in the block. He explained, “The way we structured it is that we included all the cost of the mobilization of the rig, the demobilization of the rig ...the well heads, we included everything on the first well. The first well was budgeted very conservatively. We estimate over 40 days of drilling...So the first well, in December, we quoted it at US$7.6M net to Eco.” However, since then, Holzman said that Eco managed to make some modifications and secured some deductions. Eco, he said, is now looking at a
Eco Atlantic CEO, Gil Holzman US$7M ticket. He said, “However, if we manage to drill it in a few days less, it would probably (cost) a bit less. The second well, we will use the same drill ship and we already amortized the mobilization costs and it is probably going to be much cheaper. On average going forward, and from the experience we have seen from ExxonMobil, we (All the Orinduik Partners) could probably drill wells of US$35M each in our block.” Holzman added, “...So on average, each well going forward is going to cost (Eco) US$4 to $5M net to the company. These are very cheap wells, relatively, for an
offshore environment.” At this point, the Eco Atlantic CEO said that the company is running a very lean company and costs at the moment, on an annual basis, are about US$1M. ORINDUIK JV PARTNERS In January 2016, Eco signed a Petroleum Agreement and is party to a Petroleum Licence with the Government of Guyana and Tullow Oil for the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana. Tullow Oil as the Operator of the Block, paid past costs and carried Eco for the first 1000km2 of the 2550km2 3D Survey. Further, Tullow contributed an extensive 2D Continued on page 14
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Rusal agrees to recognise union; bilateral talks to begin A three week-old standoff between staffers and Russian-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) appears to be nearing a solution. Yesterday, an under-
pressure BCGI, which controls bauxite mining operations in the Upper Berbice area, Region 10, agreed to sit down later this week with the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union
(GB&GWU) to discuss issues. It would be a major breakthrough, as the bauxite company has been for 10 years now refusing to treat with the union, a major issue
which has led to a breakdown in labour relations in the Aroaima and Kurubuka area. Yesterday, after weeks of government intervention, and meetings and plane flights by ministers to the mining area,
a conciliation meeting involving Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, saw some good news coming out. A government statement said that the management of the BCGI and the executive of the union have agreed to commence bilateral discussions to restore normalcy at the mining operations. The talks are scheduled to commence on Friday morning after both parties submitted a written list of proposals to be discussed. The Ministry of Social Protection said it “appreciates” that the parties have begun to place confidence in each other and have both expressed the need for and usefulness of dialogue. “The Ministry is hopeful that the parties would use the time between today (Tuesday) and Friday as a period for further cooling down, so that they can conduct their bilateral discussions calmly. Should the parties encounter difficulties in their bilateral talks, the Ministry stands ready, willing and able to assist.” GB&GWU’s General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, who was one of those at the
conciliation meeting told reporters that it is good news. He said that both sides will now submit a number of issues that they want addressed as early as today so that the situation could come to a resolution swiftly. “We have made a breakthrough. This is first time since 2009 when 57 workers were fired that the company has engaged us.” Three weeks ago, workers at the Kurubuka mine site clashed with management after they noticed a one percent increase. After a standoff, the company fired 91 workers and ordered them off the Aroaima area. However, for three weeks now the workers have been refusing to move from Aroaima, forcing government to step in. The workers have blocked the Berbice River, refusing to allow bauxite and other vessels to pass. The situation has been generating much annoyance as it has now come out that the company has not, since coming here in the mid-2000s, declared a profit. BCGI has hired former Chief Labour Officer, Mohamed Akeel, to advise them.
Orinduik wells will... From page 12 seismic data set and interpretation. The Company’s 2550 km2 3D seismic survey was completed in September 2017, well within the initial four-year work commitment the Company made for the initial 1000km2. In September 2017, Eco announced that its subsidiary, Eco Atlantic (Guyana) Inc. entered into an option agreement on its Orinduik Block with Total, a wholly owned subsidiary of Total S.A. pursuant to the option. Total paid an option fee of US$1 million to farm-in to the Orinduik Block. An additional payment of US$12,500,000 was made when Total exercised its option to earn 25 percent of Eco’s working interest in September 2018. Following the exercise of the option by Total, the Block’s working interests became: Tullow – 60% (Operator), Total – 25% and Eco – 15%. In October, last, the Government approved of the Total farm-in on the Orinduik Block, which has the potential for almost three billion barrels of oil equivalent.
Govt. brings Grenadian... (From page 3) distinct parliamentary devices. According to him, there are three bases on which a motion of no-confidence is properly construed. Those he outlined in court; one of them being that the executive must be accountable to the House. Forde said that in Guyana’s case, the President is elected by the people. He argued that Article 106 (2) does not set out these three principles and that the motion debated and purportedly passed is not provided for under Article 106 (6), which he argued, does not invite or permit a motion of no confidence, but rather a vote of confidence. Forde told the panel of judges that the government is allowed to bring a vote of confidence in the National Assembly to test its stability and strength, and if government is defeated, the consequences of Article 106 (6) kick in. Winding down, Forde argued that Justice George erred when she failed to read Articles 106 (6) and 106 (7) disjunctively, rather, he said, she read them conjunctively which made them inconsistent with Articles 178 (1) (c) and Article 183. Article 178 (1) says, “The Office of the President shall become vacant if the person holding it: (a) dies; or (b)resign it by writing under his hands addressed to the Speaker; or ceases to hold it by provisions of Articles 92, 179 and 180. This matter is continuing.
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GRA clears the air on driver’s licence renewals in outlying areas The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it has noted reports in the press about drivers on the Essequibo Coast experiencing delays in licence renewals. The drivers are forced to travel to Georgetown to access GRA services. For renewals in outlying areas, the respective region’s integrated offices will be handling applications, the GRA explained. According to the authority, it has recognised that persons in the outlying regions sometimes are inconvenienced when there is a need to conduct business with the GRA. According to GRA, starting this year, it collaborated with the police force to standardise the Driver’s Licence system - the authority was the single agency responsible for the sale and issuance. The Integrated Regional Tax Offices (IRTOs) at Parika, Anna Regina, New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Bartica, Linden and Lethem have all been upgraded to process applications for the Plastic Card/ID-type Drivers Licences. “Therefore, applicants living in the vicinity of Anna Regina, Leonora, Cove and John, Fort Wellington, New Amsterdam, Whim/
Corriverton, Bartica, Lethem and Linden will no longer be required to apply to the Guyana Police Force Certifying Offices,” the authority disclosed. Prior to implementation, numerous discussions were held between officials of the GRA’s Licence Revenue Office and the Traffic Department of the GPF for a smooth rollout of the system. The authority said that drivers whose licences are due for renewal are not required to travel to GRA’s headquarters in Georgetown to access the service. Under the new system, persons who were successful at the practical driving test at the Police Certifying Offices Anna Regina, Leonora, Cove and John, Fort Wellington, New Amsterdam, Whim/ Corriverton, Bartica, Lethem and Linden - would have their Provisional Driver’s Licence endorsed with the Competence number or issued with a certification slip by the respective Certifying Officers. The Certifying Officers would then refer the persons to the nearest GRA/IRTO. At the GRA offices, the applicants will be required to submit a completed Driver’s Licence Application form, copy of valid identification (ID Card or Passport), one passport sized photograph
and their Provisional Driver’s Licence endorsed with the Competence number or certification slip issued by the Certifying Officer. The GRA officer in the lodgment area would verify and process the application, in which the applicant will have his/her photograph taken and issued with a lodgment slip. “The applicant will then be directed to the Cashier to make payment. The Cashier will accept the lodgment slip along with the required fee of $5,000 and issue a receipt with a date to return (same two weeks previously given by the Police Certifying Offices) and uplift the Driver’s Licence.” During the two weeks, the Traffic Officer at Headquarters would receive the Competencies from the various Certifying Offices verify/approve same and submit to the GRA Headquarters within three working days.The GRA Headquarters, on receipt of the Competencies, would verify, approve and batch print the licences. The printed licences would then be dispatched to the IRTOs for issuance. “This process will take approximately three days.” According to GRA, drivers who have the ‘Cardboard Cover’/ ‘Red Book’ licences
An applicant for the plastic card licence being processed at the Skeldon Integrated Regional Tax Office in their possession and are seeking renewals in the form of the plastic card licence will also be able to do any of the
IRTOs. The Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act of 2019 provides for an extension of the
duration of the Driver’s Licence from three years to five years and an increase in fees from $4,000 to $5,000.
The Integrated Regional Tax Office at Skeldon one of several locations processing the plastic card drivers licence.
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Kaieteur News
Cops hunt escapee from Station lockups at Whim
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
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PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
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Self contain rooms for working couple/single person $32,000 monthly light & water, S/ Riumveldt. Call: 623-0076
HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924
VACANCY Accounts Clerk. Apply in person at Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street, Bourda
One experienced female shop attendant. 18-25 yrs from E.C.D. Salary $20,000 wkly. 610-3974
Start a new career. Free training. Earn 5k-20k daily. 233-6997/622-1957 www.jobfairworldwide.com
Tutor/Nanny to work from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street
Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109
1 Cook and 1 domestic at University Garden. Workers needed from surrounding area. Call 231-8737
Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email resume: vacancy@josarltd.com
House lot for Sale. Providence high income area. 60x100. Price 5.5mil. Contact 602-1749
Experienced salesgirls with 2 yrs experience. CXC Maths & English. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529
LAND FOR SALE House lots for sale. New development. 200k down. 20k monthly. www.jobfairworldwide.com 233-6997/622-1957
WANTED Experienced wash bay attendant, driver’s license would be an asset. #646-8748
Chef & assistant cook preferably Carnegie trained. #225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street
Female cleaner office & home age 25to 50 Tel# 2332745
Ranks attached to the Whim Police Station in Corentyne, Berbice, were yesterday placed in a predicament, after a remand prisoner waiting in the lockups to be transported to the New Amsterdam Prison escaped. The hunt is on for the escapee who is said to be from Friendship Village, Corentyne. According to a police source, the fugitive, Dinesh Sookram, had just been charged at the Whim Magistrate’s Court for a break and enter and larceny offence, was placed on $200,000 bail, but could not afford to post same. He was subsequently escorted to the Whim lock-ups in the compound of the court to be transported to the prison, but Sookram had other plans. Outsmarting the ranks attached to the station, Sookram reportedly waited until the coast was clear and removed a board from the top of the wall at the back of the lock-ups. With his petite frame, the police source said, it would have been quite easy for Sookram to slither through the opening he created for himself. It is unclear how he managed to walk out of the compound without ranks noticing, since it is normal for Community Police and other junior ranks to be walking around on a regular basis. The Commander, who was informed of the incident shortly after it occurred, visited the station and spoke with his ranks. The station Sergeant along with other police men and women were given instructions to provide statements detailing the events prior and leading up to the time of the escape. Just last week, a prisoner also escaped from the Blairmont lock-ups but was recaptured shortly after.
VACANCY One waitress & cook needed. Apply in person at the coffee bean 133 Church Street #2232222 Cashier. 2 Shift - 7am-3pm & 3pm-11pm. Apply to: Shell Service Station Providence or Shellramsburg@gmail.com
Body work Technician to work in Georgetown to spray Looking for a job & truck #227-1717 educational services? Truck Driver to work in Contact The Job Centre 43 Georgetown. Tel#227-1717 Croal & Alexander Street or Experienced male cook for call 502-4002/683-8765 interior #688-3844
Wednesday March 13, 2019
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Three ranks under close arrest, cops still to question injured Rasville youth Three police ranks are under close arrest as the investigation continues into the circumstances that led to Rasville youth Shamar Tanner suffering a broken jaw and losing some of his teeth. This was confirmed by ‘A’ Division Commander Marlon Chapman, who also said that investigators are still to question the hospitalised youth. “We are still to hear from the victim himself,” he said. Tanner and his relatives
allege that he was beaten with a gun on Friday night by one of three plainclothes ranks who attempted to arrest him. However, the police are contending that a civilian, whom they can identify, threw a metal object at Tanner as he was fleeing from the cops. Police have said that the ranks had tried to apprehend the 19-year-old while investigating incidents of robbery near the bus parks. Tanner, who is a casual
labourer, claims that he panicked and ran because he had a marijuana ‘joint’ in his possession. Tanner’s version of events is that he had visited a barber shop earlier in the evening, and was standing in the vicinity of America Street at around 20:00 hrs on Friday, when three plainclothes ranks approached him. The youth said that he knew that the men were cops because they had searched a friend of his earlier in the
afternoon. Knowing that he had a ‘joint’ in his possession, Tanner said that he ran. He alleged that the ranks pursued him and one of the policemen, whom he described as being “short and dark”, kicked him and caused him to fall. He said that the same “short dark-skin” rank then struck him in the face with a gun until be blacked out. The youth said that he regained consciousness in
the Georgetown Public Hospital. Relatives said that he was informed that his jaw was broken. Some of his teeth were also knocked out during the altercation. The relatives said that persons who witnessed the incident can corroborate the youth’s version of the incident. Tanner and his relatives insisted that he had never been in any trouble with the law.
Shamar Tanner
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Wednesday March 13, 2019
Wismar Bridge project receives new financial proposals The Wismar Bridge project, announced by the Government of Guyana in August last, received more financial proposals during the reading of bids, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday. The project has received proposals before, but was stalled due to issues surrounding design feasibility. The 50-year-old bridge is falling apart, and there have been concerns for years about its deteriorating condition. The structure connects Wismar and Mackenzie. The bridge is a critical gateway to the hinterland. Other notable projects include an Upgrade of Access Roads for the Haags Bosch Landfill and the rehabilitation of roads at Bartica. Ministry of Public Infrastructure Consultancy Services for Conducting a Feasibility Study and Preparing Detailed Designs for the Construction of a New Bridge at Wismar
Ministry of Agriculture - NAREI Installation of 200m Geotextile Tube along the Foreshore of Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region 2
Lot 1 - Construction of 120m Rubble Mound Groyne at La Bonne Intention (LBI) ECD Lot 2 - Construction of 120m Rubble Mound Groyne at Beterverwagting (BV) ECD Consultancy Services for the Development of a Strategic Plan (2020-2024)
Ministry of Public Health Procurement of Accommodation for Participants - Biannual Training of Female Sex Workers
Ministry of Education Extension of Building - David Rose Special School, Thomas Lands
Ministry of Communities Upgrade of Internal Access Roads Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill
Ministry of Public Infrastructure - HECI Supply of Line Hardware Materials for Lethem Power Co. Inc.
Rehabilitation of Science Laboratory - Plaisance Secondary School
Ministry of Legal Affairs Procurement of Furnishings, IT and related equipment
Minor Repairs and Painting of Ministry of Legal Affairs Building
>>>> Continued on page 29 <<<<
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Wismar Bridge project receives... From page 28 Central Housing & Planning Authority Upgrading of Recreational Facilities, Lots 1-3
Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Roads at Four Miles, Bartica, Region 7
Supply and Installation of LED Street Lights, Lot 1&2
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Regional stakeholders meet in Trinidad to plot furtherance of HIV fight The Region has made progress in responding to the HIV epidemic but there is yet more to be done, particularly in relation to the implementation of innovative activities to achieve prevention, retain people in treatment and care, reach key populations with services and create an enabling environment. This notion was recently amplified by Director of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS [PANCAP], Mr. Derek Springer at the start of the Seventh Meeting of National AIDS Programme [NAP] managers and key partners. The meeting which commenced in Trinidad on Monday was hosted 22 months ahead of the end of the 2020 deadline for reaching the UNAIDS 90–90–90 Targets — 90 percent of people living with HIV diagnosed, 90 percent of diagnosed people on treatment and 90 percent of those on treatment virally suppressed. In opening remarks, Springer highlighted that PANCAP recently evaluated the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (CRSF) 2014-2018 and will be using the results to inform the development of the
Participants of the Seventh Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners. new CRSF 2019-2023. “Compared to 2013 when it felt as though we were in the midst of winter, we are now a much more united partnership. We are all PANCAP,” said Director Springer as he added, “the Partnership is much stronger and more resilient because of the work being done by everyone.” “We have demonstrated an indomitable will to overcome the many challenges including financial and human resources in our effort to serve the people of the Caribbean. PANCAP has restored its goodwill; the presence of over 135 partners here today is testimony of this goodwill and a recognition that the PANCAP brand is synony-
mous with good leadership, respect for partners, meaningful engagement and accountability. There is no other partnership for health like ours,” he asserted. The Director stated that there is renewed confidence in PANCAP and this has been achieved because the Partnership has placed people at the heart of the matter. “We have made them central to the Partnership, influencing policy and actively contributing to the decision-making process,” he added. In fact he pointed out that, “Our priority was to ensure that those of us within the leadership of the organisation did not become remote and
Businesswoman charged with trafficking Venezuelans, employing minor Savita Persaud, the proprietor of the Liquid Love Bar, which is located at Station Street, Kitty, appeared before a City Magistrate yesterday to face several trafficking in persons charges. The 33-year-old woman was not required to plead to five charges when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The first two charges stated that, between January 31, 2019 and March 8, last, at Station Street. Kitty, she engaged in trafficking in persons, in that she recruited, transported and harboured two Venezuelans, for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It was further alleged that, during the same period, Persaud unlawfully withheld the identification cards of two Venezuelan nationals in aid of trafficking in persons. The last charge stated that, during the same period, she employed a 17-year-old child to sell liquor at her premises. The woman’s lawyer, George Thomas, in a failed attempt to secure bail for his client,told the court that his client rented the Venezuelans, including the 17-year-old, an apartment on her premises.
disconnected from the views of the people whom we serve – the people who know best what their needs are and what needs to be done to meet them.” He further disclosed that the Partnership is now more visible, pointing out that, “We are sharing our knowledge, we are improving coordination – both alignment and harmonization.” He made it clear that, “We are demonstrating our added value to the Caribbean region. Our strategic regional approach to HIV builds on a strong history of collaboration in public health to overcome the challenges inherent to the unique geography, economy and culture of the Caribbean”. The Director highlighted that a key objective of PANCAP is to achieve value for money by promoting economies of scale, as the region’s small developing states may provide limited capacity for developing the complex programmes needed for a comprehensive response to HIV.The partnership marked 18 years of its existence on February 14, 2019. From its inception in 2001, there have been notable successes, including the fact that HIV incidence and AIDS-related deaths have been reduced, and seven countries have been certified as having
achieved the dual targets for the elimination of mother-tochild transmission of HIV and Syphilis. Strengthened national programmes have improved capacity to implement prevention, treatment and care activities. “We have built the capacity of civil society and positioned them to access their own funding,” Springer stressed, even as he noted that, “substantial investments have been made in strengthening health systems and in scaling-up services for increasing numbers of people who are living longer with HIV.” Regional public goods and services, he said, have facilitated this by lowering costs and reducing inefficiencies inherent in building capacity in multiple countries.” He further noted that countries contribute to, and benefit from, more affordable access to medicines and the sharing of technical skills, operational capacity, information, advocacy and specialised services. PANCAP has supported the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement System under the Global Fund Round 9 grant, which has now expanded. Technical support is sourced within the region and is implemented through peer-learning methodologies and virtual and face-to-face knowledge
sharing events. “We continue to respond to the needs of the region and we are actively mobilising resources from our development partners such as PEPFAR, the Global Fund and UN agencies, albeit in an environment of scarcity while leveraging the technical expertise of our development partners to support our national governments to increase domestic resources for HIV” the Director shared. He moreover urged participants to use the meeting to review progress, learn from each other, explore innovative approaches and commit to implementing and scaling them up. “Let us make our voices heard so that we can inform the priorities and strategies for our new CRSF,” said Springer as he urged the regional participants to, “Let us be bold. Let us not fear the future, instead let us identify and embrace the many opportunities that present themselves for us to renew, refresh, streamline and refocus. Let us find within ourselves, our invincible summer. I am confident that this Partnership will build upon this solid foundation over the next years and will provide the leadership required for achieving the vision of ending AIDS in the Caribbean region.”
Vergenoegen robbery suspect remanded Savita Persaud However, the lawyer said that the Venezuelans were unable to pay the rent. Hence, the woman told them to leave, and they went and reported to the police that they were being held against their will. However, it was reported that the businesswoman employed the Venezuelans to work at her business place as prostitutes, and she confiscated their travel
documents. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted to the woman, on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. He also objected on the grounds that the Venezuelans are in protective custody. Hence, Persaud was remanded to prison until March 15.
The driver that was arrested after being caught in the getaway car following an armed robbery at Vergenoegen was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared in court to answer to five charges. Kellon Thom was slapped with three counts of robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. At the time the charge was read, Thom was arraigned in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court. The first three charges
Kellon Thom alleged that on March 9, 2019 at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, Thom, while being in company of others and
armed with a gun, robbed Rakesh Persaud, Jenny Persaud and Keisha Persaud of articles amounting to over $4M. Also the final two charges alleged that on the same date the accused was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and six matching rounds. The 32-year-old father of two denied all the charges after they were read to him. He was represented by attorney at law Tiffany Jeffrey. Thom was remanded to prison and was instructed to return on April 1, 2019 for the next court hearing.
Wednesday March 13, 2019
Terrifically fit Golden Jaguars to face.... From page 37 capacities because you want yourself to get in which is then propelling other players to their best game. I know it doesn’t mean anything right now, but everybody has a part to play in the bigger picture but of course we can only take 23 and of course out of the 23 you can only play 11. So it’s important for us going in to this Suriname game to have the opportunity to see players outside of their comfort zone now where they know everybody on the GFF Training Center, now we going to an international set up – Suriname – and we can judge them against better opposition.” Forward Delroy Fraser also offered comments on how he feels about being a
part of the team heading to Suriname on Friday and what he is looking forward to in this sojourn. “It’s a great experience for me and the players in this match on Saturday, as the coach said they are watching to see how we react outside of our comfort zone but my aim is to make it in the final 23 come the 23rd against Belize. The attitude in this team is positive and high; everybody has been pushing themselves because they would like to make the final cut because qualifying for the Gold Cup would be a very huge accomplishment for Guyana and would be historical.” Fraser noted that it would be sad to see that all the players would not be able to make the final 23, “But that is
how it is.” He is calling on the fans to come out and support wearing their golden Jaguars Replica jerseys on March 23rd, next. “My call is that we need your support, we cannot do it alone. You as fans is most important as the 12th-man and once you come out and support us it would motivate and drive us to do better. We are not doing this for us, we are doing this for our country and we really need you as fans to come out and rally around us.” Meanwhile, the local based squad engaged the East Bank Demerara Football Association select team on Saturday last in another training match at the GFF National Training Centre. Guyana-based Assistant Coach Charles Pollard in an
Wednesday March 13, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You're adapting to your changing environment as quickly as you can. You may seem a little preoccupied or distant to those around you, but this is because you actually need all of your energy to adjust. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your intuition and imagination are operating at their peak today. Don't be surprised if you get the urge to write or paint. Even if you don't have all the necessary equipment, get started anyway. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Welcome back to the land of the living, Gemini. You've been so preoccupied with your existential questions lately that you've missed the point about playing the hand that life has dealt you. CANCER(June21–July22) You may feel a little unsure of what you believe in now. Your mind is filled with questions and contradictions.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) There are many social demands on you now, in addition to the usual demands of home and work. This is when you need to be selfish and guard your time. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may feel a strong urge to run away from it all, but where would you go? The restlessness you feel may be in response to all the pressures on you now. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You take great pleasure in a neat, organized house. In your mind, cleanliness really is next to godliness. Today you may be dismayed by how rundown your home has become. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today you may feel out of sorts, Capricorn. You aren't sick, just exhausted from the effort you've been putting in at work lately.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may be obsessed with finding your true purpose in life. Although you may not like to admit it, this could occupy your thoughts a lot.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today is a domestic sort of day. You've been neglecting your home recently and now is a good time to make up for it. Clear out the clutter and get organized.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may feel rather introspective today, Virgo, and decidedly out of step with everyone else's frenzied pace. You're a thoughtful person with deep spiritual beliefs. It's understandable that you may sometimes feel disheartened by all the consumerism
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You're feeling extremely romantic and passionate today, Pisces. If you've experienced a rift with your spouse or loved one, this would be the day to make amends. Why not make reservations at an intimate restaurant?
invited comment said there were a lot of positives taken away: “We were working on possession from the last game (against Fruta Conquerors FC); from keeping possession to converting our chances. In the weekend game, the guys did well despite the opposition was not as strong as expected. We looked at our moments, the decision making and converting the chances; those were a plus, we were spot on in that regard.” Tickets for the match are being sold at $1500 at the following locations: Andrews Supermarket (Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt), The Guinness Bar (Durban Street), West Indian Sports Complex (Robb Street), Nice Restaurante (Status Hotel, Croal Street), Pegasus Hotel Guyana, KFC Outlets (Regent Street & Mandela Avenue), Dad’s Fish Shop (Den Amstel) and Patsy Food Court and Bar (Linden Soesdyke Junction). Fan jerseys are also available at the GFF Secretariat at a cost of G $5,000. Kick off time on March 23rd is 18:30hrs.
Former National... From page 41 in action and approached him to be his coach. Thereafter he boasted, he became national champion in 1982 after being the runner-up in 1981 behind Bissoon Parmadin. “But I took away his championship and then resigned at Bourda at the 1983 Inter Guiana Games. I won the first cycle race and after then Parmadin decided not to ride with me anymore at Bourda Cricket Ground and then I came to Bartica and worked speed boat.” One of the best riders that Belle would have seen in his times he noted was Joylyn Joseph along with Aubrey Gordon. Belle has expressed thanks to Mayor Marshall and his Councilors for teaming up with the Guyana Cycling Federation to bring off the historic event and he is urging all of Bartica to come out and enjoy a fantastic day of cycling where there would be keen rivalry in the senior, junior, juvenile, female and masters’ categories. Races for BMX riders in the 6-9 years, 9-12 years and Open for Residents of Bartica will also form part of the day’s proceedings. The top senior will pocket $150,000. Accommodation would also be provided for those cyclists wishing to travel up on Friday.
Manchester City to compensate victims of child sexual abuse (Reuters) - Manchester City have launched a compensation scheme for victims of historical child sexual abuse, the English Premier League champions said yesterday. The scheme applies to victims of City’s former youth coach, Barry Bennell, who was jailed in 2018 for 30 years on multiple counts of child sexual abuse. The club added an independent investigation had also revealed “serious allegations of child sex abuse” against another former junior coach, John Broome, whose alleged victims will also be eligible for compensation under the scheme. Broome, who worked with City from 1964-71, died in 2010.
City did not reveal financial details of the scheme, but British media, including the BBC, reported on Monday that the club were set to offer millions of pounds in compensation. Victims of the most serious crimes will receive six-figure sums in damages while those abused will also receive a personal apology from a senior club official, the BBC reported. “The club reiterates ... its heartfelt sympathy to all victims for the unimaginably traumatic experiences that they endured,” City said in a statement on its official website. “All victims were entitled to expect full protection from the kind of harm they suffered as a result of their sexual abuse as children.”
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College coaches among 50 indicted in college entrance exam scandal Nine current or former college coaches are among the 50 people indicted in a nationwide college admission scandal, according to court documents unsealed yesterday in Boston. The alleged scheme involved getting students admitted to some of the top schools in the country as recruited athletes — regardless of athletic ability — and helping those applicants cheat on their entrance exams, according to the documents. U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling called it the “largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the department of justice.” He said part of the
charges were related to securing admission to elite colleges by bribing coaches under false pretenses. “In return for bribes, these coaches agreed to pretend that certain applicants were recruited, competitive athletes, when, in fact, the applicants were not. As the coaches k n e w, the students’ athletic credentials had been fabricated.” The documents unsealed from the investigation — called Operation Varsity Blues — showed yesterday that Yale women’s soccer coach Rudy Meredith is alleged to have helped non-recruits get into the prestigious Ivy League school by claiming
they were recruits. The charges involved 33 parents “who paid enormous sums to guarantee their children’s admissions to certain schools through the use of bribes and fake academic and athletic credentials,” Lelling said. One of the schemes involved parents paying William Singer, the founder of a college prep business, $15,000 to $75,000 to have someone take the SAT or ACT for their children. He was expected to plead guilty yesterday afternoon, according to prosecutors at a press conference. The schools involved — Stanford, UCLA, Wake Forest, Yale, Georgetown, University of Texas,
University of San Diego, USC — are not believed to have taken part in wrongdoing. The indictment documents, for example, suggest Meredith accepted funds via a charitable organization and did not report any of the details of the plot to Yale officials, including payments. Other named in the indictment are current Texas tennis coach and former Kansas tennis coach Michael Center, Stanford sailing coach John Vandemoer, former Georgetown tennis coach Gordon Ernst, several USC coaches and UCLA men’s soccer coach Jorge Salcedo. Actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman are among the indicted, according to reports. (Field Level Media)
U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew Lelling is interviewed by Reuters in his offices at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., September 4, 2018. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
Holder likes Windies growth with World Cup looming BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Captain Jason Holder says he is pleased with the development shown by West Indies ahead of the World Cup, and hopes to use the TriNations Series in Ireland to put the finishing touches on preparations for the showpiece. Against all odds, the Windies twice came from behind to draw their five-match one-day series against world number one, England, producing several outstanding performances throughout. West Indies will come together again in May for their next ODI series involving Ireland and Bangladesh, a period which Holder believes will be integral. “If I look at our performances, we were pretty pleased with them but we’re still down at [number nine] so we just need to improve on that,” the all-rounder said. “There are a lot of points to be had in the World Cup. We’ve got a series before the World Cup in Ireland so hopefully we can gather some momentum going into the World Cup and gather some more points in the World
Cup.” Overall, West Indies exceeded expectations against England, especially in the Test series where they stunned the visitors by massive margins in the opening two matches, to regain the Wisden Trophy with a Test to spare. In the ODIs, the batting proved inspiring, with the hosts twice scoring in excess of 350. In the fourth match, they tallied a Windies record 389 in pursuit of 419 at the Grenada National Stadium. West Indies have been given little chance at the World Cup, which runs from May 30 to July 14, but Holder remained upbeat about the side going forward. “I’m pretty pleased as skipper, it’s just for us to keep building as a side,” he pointed out. “There were lots of positives throughout the entire series and lots that we can take away from the series, and a lot of learning that we can take away. I think we have all to play for in the future.”
Charles helps Sultans end disappointing campaign on high note KARACHI, Pakistan, CMC – West Indies batsman Johnson Charles extended his decent form to help Multan Sultans thrash Lahore Qalanders by seven wickets in their final preliminary round match of the Pakistan Super League here Monday. Chasing 141 at the National Stadium here, Sultans reached their target in the 13th over, with the righthanded Charles finishing on 41 not out. He put on 53 for the third
wicket with Pakistani lefthander Shan Masood who top-scored with 48 off 25 deliveries with eight fours and a six. Charles, who has not played for West Indies in three years, also faced 25 deliveries while striking five fours and a brace of sixes. Masood had earlier put on 50 for the second wicket with opener James Vince who blasted a 14-ball 25, with two fours and sixes. Sent in earlier, Lahore managed only 140 for eight
off their 20 overs, with opener Fakhar Zaman stroking 53 off 36 deliveries while David Wiese chipped in with 30 from 22 balls. Sultans finished fifth and Qalanders, last, to both miss out on the playoffs in the sixteam competition. In the other match of the doubleheader, Darren Sammy’s Peshewar Zalmi brushed aside Karachi Kings by 61 runs, to claim their seventh win and finish top of the standings on 14 points.
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GMR&SC Drag Championship
Team Trans Pacific backs event on and off the strip One of Guyana’s leading Auto Sales and Spare parts retailer, Trans Pacific, has readily thrown its support behind the motor racing community once again as they recently confirmed their sponsorship of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC), Drag Championship, round one. At Trans Pacific Auto Sales, Good Hope East Coast Demerara Office, Proprietor Sahadeo Ramsewack handed over his sponsorship cheque to GMRSC’s representative, Balram Ramdeo. Ramdeo, who is also Ramsewack’s mechanic, thanked his boss on behalf of the GMR&SC for his generous contribution. While being a patron, Ramsewack will also be looking to prove his machine’s power when Rameez Mohamed takes to the drag strip this Sunday in Ramsewack’s Toyota Alteeza which is the current ninesecond class champion. During social media platforms, Mohamed has
Team Trans Pacific Alteeza. been abuzz due to the fact that the strip has now been equipped with a launch pad and with the finishing touches on the project set to be completed this week and he explained that, “It’s going to help us put down a lot more power while giving us more control. Overall it will improve drag time and I expect the strip record to be crushed come next week Sunday.” Rameez further boasted that the only vehicles that he is wary of include Team Mohamed’s black Nissan
GTR that currently holds the strip record. However, Team Mohamed’s has added another GTR to their fleet of race machines which is sure to cause more problems come next Sunday. This new GTR, the third acquisition by owner, Azruddin Mohamed, only a couple months ago was ranked the fastest GTR in the world. The KOTS 3 will race off next Sunday from 09:00hrs and admission to the venue will cost $1000 for adults; $500 for children.
Gonsalves, CARICOM hopeful after ICC meeting BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – A productive recent meeting with the International Cricket Council’s chief executive, Dave Richardson, has left chairman of CARICOM’s subcommittee on cricket, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, hopeful that Cricket West Indies governance reform can he pushed through in the near future. Gonsalves met with Richardson on the sidelines of the recent ICC board meeting in Dubai, laying out CARICOM’s concerns about the current CWI structure and also articulating the restructuring process that needed to be undertaken. “The ICC appreciated that I came to talk to them,” the veteran St Vincent and the Grenadines leader said. “They agree also that you can’t have a board being in a hostile relationship with governments or several of the governments. That doesn’t make any sense and that is not good for cricket generally. “He (Richardson) was appreciative of what we are trying to do and appreciative of the fact that we are not going to undermine the ICC statutes about the independence of
management from any political direction or control.” The Dave Cameron-led CWI has had a strained relationship with CARICOM in recent years, as it has stoutly resisted the regional nation grouping’s recommendations to undergo governance reform. A CARICOMcommissioned Governance Review Report in 2014 criticised CWI for having an “obsolete governance framework” which did not “prioritise accountability and tran s p a r e n c y ” , and recommended “immediate dissolution” of the board. In pushing back on CARICOM’s intervention, CWI has argued that as a private e n t i t y, governments did not have the right to determine its operations. However, CARICOM has maintained that cricket in the Caribbean constituted a “public good” and as such, oversight and accountability was required – a point Gonsalves said he made clear to the ICC. “I … outlined to him our position, that is to say that, cricket is a public good and it ought properly to be regulated and ought not to be operated by a private
sector entity,” Gonsalves continued. “That we want to pass appropriate legislation so that we can … the State will not be involved, the governments will not be involved in the management but we will have the structure of this public good reflecting constituencies other than the current one to ensure that it is more transparent, that the organization is more transparent and more accountable to the region, reflecting this public good.” Gonsalves said CARICOM’s legislative approach would ensure the regional people became active stakeholders in the game. “We intend to abide by all ICC statutes, we would incorporate best practices, and that’s basically the message, it’s the same we have been preaching all the time,” Gonsalves pointed out. “It is not an anti-Cameron message, it is a pro-West Indies cricket message. The people in the region will have an opportunity to discuss the briefing that we will prepare for the legal draftsperson and then we will discuss this bill among the people of the region and then take it to our respective Parliaments.”
Team Mohamed’s third GTR is one of the fastest Drag Cars in the world.
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Wednesday March 13, 2019
Location being sought for Guyana Sports Hall of Fame building - Selectors to be named shortly
Some of the Directors of the Guyana Sports Hall of Fame at the launching last year. By Sean Devers Unlike most parts of the Caribbean and further afield, Guyana’s culture is not to name Sporting venues after their sports heroes or the erect statutes or monuments of past iconic Sportsmen and Women. But establishment of the Guyana Sports Hall of Fame (GSHF) could see a change in how Sporting Greats of the past are remembered by this generation. O u t s t a n d i n g Sportspersons are more recognised internationally and do more to promote their Country than Presidents and Prime Ministers do and this concept of launching a Sports Hall of Fame for Guyanese is the brainchild Raymond Williams, a former Sports Administrator and member of the Guyana Cricket Board. GSHF Chairman, Canadian based Guyanese Williams says the Privately run GSHF, which was launched in April last year, should be fully functional by the last quarter of the year when the first batch of Inductees are named. But presently, finding a location for their building remains their biggest worry. Williams disclosed that discussions were held with Sports Minister Dr George Norton who promised to help with the location for the proposed Hall of fame, adding that selectors, who will be tasked with picking the inductees, will soon be known.The Selectors is the authorized body as provided for in the constitution, to perform the task of nominating and electing eligible candidates for the Hall of Fame. “We will start with
installments of maybe 10 going back to the early days and moving forward from there,” explained Williams. Attorney Raj Poonai, former National Senior Cricket Selector Claude Raphael, GCB’s Match Referee and Trade Unionist Grantly Culbard, Businessman Vick Insanally, Ray and Ronald Williams along with Deputy Director of Sports Mellissa Dowe-Richardson are the seven Directors of the privately incorporated Company. For a person to be eligible they must have been born in Guyana but consideration may be given to a candidate who is a National of another Country but are of Guyanese parentage and choose to represent Guyana in Internationally recognized Sports tournaments and have performed with distinction and at a level to have achieved significant results and recognition. Williams informed that any eligible candidate, from any sport discipline, who has a criminal record or has been charged with a felony (including spousal abuse in Guyana or overseas), will not be elected or inducted into the Guyana Hall of Fame. To be eligible for induction, candidates must have ceased to be active participants in their sports at least five years prior to their election, but may be otherwise connected to that sport or any other sport in a capacity of Administration, Coach or Manager. The inductions will be divided into four eras which will be from beginning to 1930, from 1930 to 1960, from 1960 to 1990 and from 1990 to 2020. This rule may be modified or expanded as the years evolve and it defines an era as 30 years. The candidates may be elected by performing in the following events: Olympics, World Championships, Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, Carifta Games Regional Competitions and Championships, InterContinental Events and Tournaments, International Sporting events and annual National tournaments and Championships. St Lucia based Guyanese Joseph ‘Reds’ Perriera, Guyana’s internationally renowned Cricketer
Reds Perriera has a wealth of Sports history. Commentator who has a wealth of historical knowledge, feels this a great concept. Perriera turns 79 in May and said that the aim of the Hall of fame is to honour those who performed outstandingly for Guyana in Sports as a Player, Administrator, Match official or Media personnel. Pereira disclosed that a Hall of Fame was established in Trinidad in 1984 and sponsored by First Citizens Bank. Hasely Crawford, Ato Boldon, Ian Bishop, Learie Constantine, Russell Latapy, Dwight York and Brian Lara are among the inductees in the Hall of Fame in Trinidad. The former Adviser to former Sports Minister Shirley Field-Ridley during the Forbes Burnham Government said the Providence Stadium, constructed for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, is the only International cricket ground in the World that does not have names on its stands. Both the Collation Government and PPP/C Administrations have been reluctant to name the stands after cricketers who have helped to put Guyana on the Map. Reds, whose name could be placed on Media Centre at Providence while he is still alive, spoke of the importance of honoring Guyanese stalwarts. “When you put up their names for the public to see it might spark the interest of this Google generation to search for those names and get know who they were and what they did to deserve such an accolade,” Reds concluded. The Stadium has been in existence for 12 years and the stands at Providence are named Green, Red and Orange.
Wednesday March 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
17 local athletes qualify for CARIFTA Games 2019 Head of the Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, had disclosed with the media last year that he was looking to have at least 20 athletes competing at the Caribbean Free Tr a de Association (CARIFTA) games and his dream will surely be a reality
with a total of 17 local stars registering Carifta Standards (CS) which ultimately means they have booked their place in this year’s regional games. Prior to last weekend’s final trials for the games that will be held this Easter weekend in the Grand Cayman Islands, only nine athletes had registered CS.
However, in a last ditch effort, over 200 athletes registered for the two day event last weekend at the National Track and Field Center and an additional eight lads made the final cut. The full list of qualified athletes along with their club and event is listed below. Females
Concacaf Nations League
Terrifically fit Golden Jaguars to face Suriname on Saturday in the Dutch speaking nation
Golden Jaguars vs East Bank Seniors The competitive nature of the Golden Jaguars Camp which has been going for well over one month has seen the players becoming a fitter unit as they continue to battle for places on the final 23-man team for the Belize Concacaf Nations League clash on Saturday March 23 next at the Leonora Track and Field Facility. But before the March 23 date, Guyana will be facing their Dutch neighbours Suriname on Saturday in Nickerie in a warm up match
that will further test the players as the Technical Staff further assess them against more potent opposition. Head Coach Michael Johnson, who returned to Guyana on Monday, in an invited comment yesterday following another of the team’s training sessions at the Guyana Football Federation Training Facility at Providence, informed that the shortlisted team is a fitter bunch from the first time they did a fitness test at the beginning of the training.
Aiming for the Summit! Michael Johnson, Golden Jaguars Head Coach.
Johnson offered his take on what the game against Suriname set for the Pierkhan Stadium, Nickerie, Suriname from 16:30hrs or 15:30hrs (local time) on Saturday. “The game against Suriname allows us to look at a lot of formations, look at a lot of players and to just see how the players will gel against a stiffer opposition, which is another international set up, which would allow us to then judge them against another better opposition before naming the final 23man squad to take on Belize.” The former Jamaica international, who also played at the Gold Cup, noted that the based on the depth of training that has taken place thus far, it has presented a terrific base for teams and players going into the next Elite League Season, noting that were it not for the camp, the players probably would not have been as fit as they are now. Citing that it is always tough when you have to trim squads, Johnson said that he spoke with the players not going forward, pointing out that they have all had a significant role to play in the entire process thus far in the competitive nature of the camp. “So you are pushing players beyond their (Continued on page 33)
1. Brianna Charles – Running Brave (100m) 2. Deshana Skeete – Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) – 200m 3. Keliza Smith – Running Brave (400m) 4. Adriel Austin - Running Brave (800m) 5. Shaquka Tyrell - CWSS (800m & 1500m) 6. Princess Browne Running Brave (Triple jump) 7. Jahaziah Copeland Upper Demerara (Shot Put) 8. Anisha Gibbons Ruralites (Javelin) Male 1. Osrick Pellew Ruralites (100m) 2. Loneil Marks Hopetown Flames (100, 200m)
3. Osa Blair - Police (100m) 4. Daniel Williams - Upper Dem (200m) 5. Cordell Charles – Super Upcoming Runners (1500m) 6. Daniel Melville - Police (800m) 7. Matthew Gordon Hopetown Flames (3000m) 8. Melon Lowenfield – Guyana Defence Force (High Jump) 9. Tremaine Browne CWSs (long jump) Speaking to Kaieteur Sport on Saturday, AAG boss Aubrey Hutson was confident of his a s s o c i a t i o n ’s a b i l i t y t o secure sponsorship for all of the qualified athletes, while signaling that the Government of Guyana
(GOG) played a big role in their last couple overseas trips and he is grateful for their support. He mentioned that their continued support will be welcomed not only as they prepare for next month’s Carifta games but, as he disclosed, the AAG is putting together a bid document to host the 2021 Carifta games. In 2017, Guyana achieved their biggest medal haul, a total of eight, from a team that had consisted of just 12 athletes, so the potential this year is greater, with the overseas athletes yet to be confirmed. (Calvin Chapman)
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Wednesday March 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
Guyana Squash Association holds Camille’s Institute, Beterverwagting, Vreed-en-Hoop among Windball victors Annual General Meeting - David Fernandes remains at the helm
Players celebrate following the fall of a wicket in one of the matches.
The executive members of the Guyana Squash Association which was elected last Friday take time out for a photo. The Guyana Squash Association held its Annual General Meeting at the Georgetown Club Camp Street on Friday 8th March 2019 last, and David Fernandes has been re-elected to head the association for another term. The Executive Board voted in comprised of: · President – David Fernandes · Vice-President – Owen Verwey · Treasurer – Garfield Wiltshire · Secretary – Lorraine InceCarvalhal · Asst. Secretary/Treasurer – Anabelle Singh · Chairperson for Clubs Committee – Robin Low · Chairperson for Junior Affairs Committee – Juanita Fernandes
· Chairperson Of competitions and tournament – Tiffany Solomon And Sub Committee Chairperson for FundraisingSuzanne DeAbreu At the meeting, President Fernandes reported on the Year ’s activities and highlighted the dedication of the National Coach Carl Ince and assistant coaches; Tiffany Solomon, Nyron Joseph and Taylor Fernandes. He championed the commitment of the players and families of the fraternity, along with expressing gratitude to the Guyana Olympic Association for its significant contribution to the international tours of 2018. Other sponsors: ExxonMobil, Bounty, Toucan,
Woodpecker, Banks, Ansa Macal, Farfan and Mendes and the National Sports Commission were also thanked for their support. Fernandes described a busy year ahead; “2019 promises to be another great year for Squash in Guyana…… the GSA will be hosting the CASA Senior Squash Championship in early July, preparing for Junior CASA in Trinidad and sending the Women’s team to Peru.” The returning President acknowledged the hard work of the m e m b e r s o f t h e committee and forecast that as Guyana Squash continues to develop, they can look forward to a successful year.
Camille’s Institute, Beterverwagting and Vreed-en-Hoop were among the winners when the National Sports Commission sponsored Cheddi Jagan memorial five-over Windball Cricket tournament continued recently at the National Gymnasium. Playing in the male category, Camille’s Institute defeated Goed Fortuin Secondary by 10 wickets. Batting first, Goed Fortuin managed 81-2 with Satesh Persaud scoring 34; Enkosi Morris claimed 2-26. Camille’s Institute responded with 83 without loss. John Pillay scored 49. Beterverwagting overcame Soesdyke by 10 wickets. Soesdyke got to 73-2, taking first strike. Kobe Robertson made 28. Beterverwagting replied with 75 without loss. Kapil Dev made 32. Vreed-en-Hoop beat Queenstown by nine wickets. Queenstown scored 78-5, taking first strike. Colin King made 40; Saif Ali had 2-1. Vreen en Hoop replied with 80-1; Ajat Khan got 20 and Ali 27. In the female segment, Annandale Secondary overcame Camille’s Institute by 18 runs. Batting first, Annandale Secondary managed 118-1. Dellic Chandrashelhar struck 60, while Avril Prashad made 26. Camille’s Institute were restricted to 100-2, in response. Anessa Barker made 28. Covent Garden beat Queenstown
Secondary by eight wickets. Queenstown Secondary made 90 without loss, batting first. Keisha Bawlins got 46 and Aaliyah Peters 38. Covent Garden Secondary responded with 952; Tehia Suegrim scored 38 and T Duncan 26. Soesdyke Secondary defeated Vreed-enHoop by seven runs. Soesdyke Secondary took first turn in the middle and scored 103-2. Tenisha Hunte slammed 50, while Shenika Rodney made 32. Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary mustered 96-1 in reply. Trica Singh made 38 and Faatimah Wilson 36. In other matches, Goed Fortuin Secondary managed 83-5, taking first strike. Celine Liverpool got 32 as Indera Amardeo picked up 3-25 and Shania DeFreitas had 2-23. Carmel Secondary responded with 86; I. Amardeo stroked 56 and Siana Abrams 28. Queenstown batted first and made 56-1 with A. Peters scoring 26. Goed Fortuin Secondary replied with 58-1; Ashley Yard hit 28. Annandale Secondary scored 64-3, taking first knock. Shamika Edwards made 30; Alicia Henry took 2-0. Soesdyke Secondary got to 65-1 in response. Covent Garden batted first and posted 106 without loss. Nikhaila Agrippa slammed 56 and Tehira Suegrim 38. Vreed-en-Hoop made 48 without loss in response. Tricia Singh made 30.
Ill Zverev beaten by compatriot Ninvalle up for AMBC Vice Presidency Struff at Indian Wells President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, has been nominated to run for the post of Vice President of the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC), a position once elected, will open many doors for the Caribbean boxing fraternity. In an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, Ninvalle said that being nominated to run for such a prestigious position reiterates that the Caribbean continues to have a unified approach to boxing as his nomination was made during a meeting of the recently formed Caribbean Steering Committee which he chairs. The AMBC Congress and elections are scheduled for March 22 in Panama and Ninvalle explained that his chance is as good as any of the other vice presidential candidates. A total of six persons are contesting the three vice presidential positions at the Congress. Last month, Ninvalle was appointed Chairman of the AIBA Youth Commission.
Steve Ninvalle
(Reuters) - A sick Alexander Zverev was sent packing from the BNP Paribas Open with a 6-3 6-1 defeat by fellow German JanLennard Struff in the third round at Indian Wells, California on Monday. The night match between world number one Novak Djokovic, who is playing his first tournament since his Australian Open triumph in January, and Philipp Kohlschreiber was suspended with the top seed leading 1-0. Struff saved all four break points he faced and took barely an hour to clinch his first career win over Zverev in five attempts. “I have been sick for a week. That hasn’t changed unfortunately,” third seed
Zverev told reporters. “I think I just got unlucky, got a virus somewhere and that’s how it is.” Zverev lost to Nick Kyrgios in the final of the Acapulco tournament in Mexico nine days ago. He said his main focus was to recover for the Miami Open that starts in Florida next week. Next up for 55th-ranked Struff will be Canadian 13th seed Milos Raonic, who had his hands full before prevailing against American qualifier Marcos Giron 4-6 64 6-4. “He came up with the goods and definitely pushed me to the brink there where I was getting a little bit frustrated,” Raonic told reporters after converting three of his 12 break
points. “I think I created a lot of chances and a few maybe I didn’t take the way I would have liked but he also stepped up well on his chances.“I just kept missing opportunities. I could have drifted off a few times mentally.”Giron rued what might have been after failing to capitalize on a winning position. “Even though he’s a big favorite, it still hurts to lose, being up a break in the third,” said the world 217. “He really stayed disciplined. He kept fighting and putting ball in the court and I made a few mistakes. I think he showed why he’s one of the best players.” Seventh seed Dominic Thiem beat Gilles Simon 6-3 6-1 while Croat Ivo Karlovic defeated Indian qualifier Prajnesh Gunneswaran 6-3 7-6(3).
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 13, 2019
Marzana Fiedtkou (on the ball) found the back of the net on Monday night with a well taken Penalty Corner.
Woodpecker Products Women’s Hockey League
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Dominique DeGroot (on the ball) scored on Monday night.
GBTI GCC beat Bingo Spartans again
G
B T I Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), who are top of the points table, defeated their B side, Bingo Spartans for the second consecutive game, this time 6-3, to extend their lead in the Woodpecker Products Women’s Hockey League at the GCC ground on Shivnarine Chanderpaul Drive. In their previous match last Wednesday at the same home venue for both sides, GBTI had steamrolled the Spartans 9-0 but the young women showed more r e s o l v e i n M o n d a y ’s encounter. A brace of field goals (FG) from skipper and star forward, Sonia Jardine, set the tone for GBTI, while National player of the year Marzana Fiedtkou made no
mistake in firing home a powerful penalty corner past Spartans’ custodian Jessica Mittelholzer. The following goals for GBTI were all FG and they came off the sticks of Shebiki Baptiste, Carina Moller and Dominique DeGroot, who all slotted home one goal each. For the Spartans that are made up of many multitalented athletes, National Squash players in Abosaide Cadogan and Kirsten Gomes scored one goal each, while former Junior Tennis Champ, Sarah Klautky, scored the third goal. The league which is being organised by the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), continues this weekend at the Saint Stanislaus College (SSC) ground. (Calvin Chapman)
Annual Toucan Distributors Junior Skill Level Squash Tourney starts today The annual Toucan Distributors Junior Skill Level Squash Tournament will begin today at the usual hosting venue, the Georgetown Club, Camp Street. A total 44 players will compete in 8 categories over 5 days of competition. The juniors range from 7 to 16 years of age and they will be competing in skill level groups. Caribbean Champions Shomari Wiltshire and Michael Alphonso will compete in
the top Category, A, with Samuel Ince-Carvalhal, Nicholas Verwey and Gianni Carpenter. Other top junior players competing include Abosaide Cadogan, Kirsten Gomes, Mohryan Baksh, Lucas Jonas and Ethan Jonas. Up-coming youngsters in Categories C to H will be fighting for their place in the trophy winners line-up on the final day at the presentation which will take place on Sunday.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday March 13, 2019
Guyanese athlete Kcaysha East Bank and East Coast triumph Medas-King to be honoured in NY East Bank and East Coast registered first round victories when the Demerara Cricket Board inter association U-17 50-over tournament commenced yesterday. At Wales, East Bank Demerara thrashed West Demerara by a 191 runs. Led by a fine 59 from Mavindra Dindyal and an even half century from Matthew Nandu, the son of former national all-rounder Arjune Nandu, East Bank Demerara rattled up 238-9 off their reduced quota of 46 overs. Zachary Jodah supported
K
caysha MedasKing, daughter of Andy MedasKing; the founder of the Pansy MedasKing Classic Road Race and Youth Olympics, has be selected for an award from the United States of America Track and Field Association’s (USATF) New York branch, next Sunday when the sports body host’s its fifth annual awards Banquet. The grand occasion will be hosted at the White Plains Crowne Plaza in White Plains, N.Y. and Kcaysha who trains with the Midas Touch track club, has been nominated for the overall female track athlete award, a monumental achievement, considering that she is an under-11 athlete. In an invited comment to Kaieteur Sport, Kcaysha’s father, Andy, gave thanks to the Almighty for his daughter’s achievement and he pledged that he will continue working with her to see positive and constant
with 28 not out as Daniel Roberts claimed 2-35. In reply West Demerara crumbled for 47 all out in 10 overs. Nicholas Rajpat was the only batsman to reach double figures with 14 as Rivaldo Phillips captured 36 and Darrius Andrews 3 for 11. Over at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara defeated Georgetown by 39 runs. East Coast won the toss and elected to bat, but despite their cautious approach, found it difficult to score, falling for a merger 94 from 44.1 overs. Edmond Person
Kcaysha Medas-King curve of improvement in her career. Also as part of the ceremony, a total of nine officials will be inducted into the USATF New York’s hall of fame, those officials are as follows: Fred Adler Leon Bailey
Stella Cashman Joe Caruso B r e n t L e e (posthumously) Alan Steinfeld (posthumously) Dick Mann Mary Onken D o r i s W a h l (posthumously)
Mavindra Dindyal (left) and Matthew Nandu
Shafeek Khan
and Reynaldo Mohamed scored 25 and 24 respectively, while Ezekiel Wilson grabbed 3 for 18 and Niron Bissu 3 for 23. In reply, Georgetown struggled, falling short by 40 runs. Chad Shivrattan made 17 and Bissu 12; Shafeek Khan turned in amazing figures of 3 for 8 while Romel Datterdeen and Jagdesh Dowlatram took 2 for 13 and 14 respectively. The competition continues today with Georgetown facing East Bank Demerara at Wales, while East Coast Demerara will battle West Demerara at Lusignan.
Wednesday March 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Trophies up for grabs donated by The Trophy Stall - Bourda Market.
Bartica Cycling Challenge
Former National Upright champ Ralph Belle excited about Saturday’s race By Franklin Wilson “Well it would be a very good event because since I am here, they used to have cycling at first among our local people here in Bartica but this event is a historical one because the people here never witnessed national riders in action.” The words of former national upright cycling champion Ralph Belle as he offered his take on this Saturday’s historic Bartica Cycling Challenge which has attracted the best cyclists in Guyana in every category. Sponsored by the Bartica Town Council and Trophy Stall which has provided three trophies (senior, juvenile, female), the event is being organized by the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF). Belle boasted that he was a champion (upright and grass track) in Guyana in 1982 and would have competed in Berbice, Linden and the City against the best Guyana had to offer in those days. “Berbice had Russell Allen, Crawford and in Linden had Baker and Lance Ross, I beat all of them. On the road, I had Bissoon Parmadin, who was the champion of Guyana at the time to contend with but he
used to hardly ride grass. He used to only come when they had Inter Guiana Games and I caught him and beat him in front of the then President Guyana, Forbes Burnham at Bourda.” Belle said that Saturday’s event, which has over $400,000 in cash prizes at stake, will kick a love for the sport amongst the youths in Bartica who will see the nation’s best live in action. “This event here will kick start and get some of the youths to know what cycling is about and they can move on from there with good coaching.” He informed that Hassan Mohamed M.S was his coach back then. “It was hard training in those days; I had to get up at 4 o’clock to go behind the national park at Kelly Dam where he would give you the warm up laps, 10 sprints from Monday to Friday. Saturday is rest to service and Sunday is races, so we had a tight schedule.” During the week rides would see them doing a 28mile distance beginning from the National Park to Melanie Damishana (13/14mile pole) and return with Sunday’s being the long ride to the first toll Station on the Linden Soesdyke Highway and return.
Ralph Belle - Former National Upright and Grass Track Cycle Champion.
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“Cycling is a very good sport, it can take you places as long as you train hard and remain disciplined but you have to be top class. Upright cycling which I used to do cannot take you overseas you have to go on the racing bike; I never went on the racing bike but I used to train with racing bike people like
my best friend Randy Toussaint who used to encourage me, Aubrey Gordon, Neville Hunte, Arnette ‘Berbice’ John and James Fowler who brought me into cycling after seeing me sprint at my school then, Tutorial High.” The 59 year-old Belle reminisced that after he linked up with Fowler, Hassan Mohamed saw him (Continued on page 33)
t r o Sp Concacaf Nations League
Head Coach Michael Johnson chatting with his charges following the conclusion of yesterday’s session at the GFF Training Facility.
Terrifically fit Golden Jaguars to face Suriname on Saturday in the Dutch speaking nation
National Champion, Princess Browne, qualified for the triple jump event.
17 local athletes qualify for CARIFTA Games 2019
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