Monday March 18, 2019
If the Govt. is confident, it should call elections now DEAR EDITOR, GECOM is always functioning and should always have mechanism in place to hold election at any given time, given our relatively small population. In other countries with larger population, election is held in a small timeframe and I am wondering if money is being spent on GECOM under false pretense or the body is naturally incompetent. Immediately after the results of the No Confidence Motion, GECOM should have already change its gear into election mode and await orders. Instead we see them sitting, awaiting all the running around the ruling Government is doing to prevent election and I personally believe many within GECOM are undermining the process and siding with the Government to prevent election on the legal stipulated time. Because of this action and the history of incidents during elections in Guyana, no doubt there will be disturbances should things not go the way it is supposed to. I’ve said it before and will repeat, with a Government that have not fully settled into its position, they have seen the benefits that come attached to their jobs and based on their actions, they are not prepared to give up power that easily. Indeed, they seem more corrupt and selfish than the previous administration and they are more obsessed in proving that they are better than the previous administration but the fact of the matter is that they are looking more racial and incompetent and while they are concentrating on that, their duties are being neglected or mostly wrong decisions are being made. Editor, no Political Party wins election by itself and many supporters invested heavily behind this present administration only to be disappointed. Immediately after swearing in, most of the best positions were offered to personal friends and retirees, some were even brought back from other countries they chose in front of Guyana. Today whilst their ability to perform is seriously lacking, money seems to be readily available to spend on them for expensive treatment overseas as they attempt to cheat death. After elections, this present Government embark on projects under the guise to develop/help communities but their concentration seems to focus mainly on one race, while at the same time, started to enrich themselves. Their actions have caused tremendous damage to their reputation and the Party as a whole. Within the party, their supporters feel neglected after seeing their actions, some even turn their backs on them, including many who vote for them are also upset at their actions. In many agencies when you conduct business or seek help, you are given a royal push around if you choose not to “grease any hands” and some people cannot afford to and out of utter frustration, they would seek Government’s intervention or someone they know within the party. Interestingly, their pleas would be ignored
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or again be push around or they bluntly refuse to help you and others who are closer to them could be seen getting some help. In Campbellville there’s a family well known for their support to the PNC/R. After the election, they sought audience with Members of the Government to resolve issue/issues they were having. After being pushed around, one visit to the Leader of the Opposition and a phone call, their problems were solved. Today the Opposition Leader is being given some of the best welcome into their area and the government is not welcome there. Another strong party supporter spent the whole day at the Office of the President to get free overseas medical treatment for her mother and didn’t get the support. Frustrated, she visited one former Minister of the PPP/C and with one phone call, her mother on an airplane heading for her treatment. I cite these two incidents because many know of them and many other supporters are being treated the same. It seems as if the PPP/C is more effective than those in and out of office. Finally Editor, after the election, supporters and activists seem to be forgotten and many either get push around or are being avoided. As a result, they seek audience elsewhere and are given a much better welcome. Look at the gathering of the various political parties all over and you will see the PPP/C has the most mixed races gathering to support them. You will see now many Africans openly support the PPP/C and accusation about them being bought circulating, but the reality is that they are frustrated with what is taking place and based on the facts/evidence, by comparison, the PPP/C is way better in managing Guyana. As the election mode comes around, many stats/figures would be circulating around to prove their competence and many would just glance but they should not take that easily. One of the main propaganda’s is that the increase of the minimum wage. The Chinese seemingly are the biggest employers of laborer’s/sales rep but most of these workers’ salaries don’t exceed forty thousand dollars a month. The hours are way more than the normal working hours. Apart from the Chinese, many other places practice similar tactics, and with the influx of Venezuelans, advantage is blatantly taking place. I know places employing Venezuelans where they have to start working from 7am, take lunch at 2pm and finish working at 6pm for $2,500 per day. Reports were made but nothing seems to arise from the matter. Similarly, expire or defective food items are easily available throughout Guyana but this incompetent administration cannot seem to come up with a tangible plan to combat this lawlessness and daily they are boasting of performances. If they are confident, call the election, don’t prolong it to put mechanism in place for rigging. Sahadeo Bates
Threats birthed from our dependence on the technological platforms DEAR EDITOR, Permit me a space in your publication to highlight some of the perils which organisations, both private and public in developing countries such as Guyana face on a daily basis. The threats referred to are those which are birthed from our dependence on the technological platforms which are designed to allow for, inter alia, structured communication, targeted marketing of products and services, archiving and reporting on information critical to executive-level decisions and overall enhancement of business processes which are intended to promote efficiency and efficacy at key levels. More recently, on 6th Feb, 2019, the Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL), through a press release informed of a “cyber-attack on the Company’s computerized systems” which affected their Customer Information System. The statement further alluded to the request of a “ransom of bitcoins (digital money) to remove all encryptions from within its network”. While the GPL Information Systems team should be commended for their quick response and initiating a quarantine to prevent propagation and invoking the disaster recovery mechanisms to restore the systems in a timely manner, I am of the view that such a threat should have never occurred in the first place. The issue here is that of ransomware which occurs when a network of systems is penetrated by one of a myriad of various ways to introduce a virus which propagates across that network insofar as
it is able and accesses files and performs an encryption on them. In simple terms, the only way to regain control of those files are through the decryption process which requires a decryption key. The perpetrators of ransomware attacks promise the decryption keys in exchange of digital currency, such as bitcoin, due to its difficulty in traceability. In January 2017, the Guyana Water Inc., suffered a similar attack which resulted in downtime of services. It should be noteworthy to mention also, that the Guyana National Computer Incident Response Team (GN-CIRT), in May of that very year, issued a cybersecurity alert warning of the “Wanna Cry” ransomware which exploited a vulnerability in the Windows Operating System which has since been patched. The Symantec Internet Security Threat Report (https:// resource.elq.symantec.com/ LP=6819 – Feb. 2019) reveals that worldwide ransomware attacks are down 20% during 2018 as opposed to 2017, enterprise ransomware attacks have surged 12%. This indicates a revolution in cryptovirology which is intended to target more advanced infrastructure rather than the regular “mom and pop shops”. In 2018, the report referenced the “chief ransomware distribution method” as being targeted email campaigns exploited due to dependence on the use of email. In my experience and
through studies, most ransomware attacks are as a result of some form of negligence on the part of network administrators whether directly failing to implement security and alerting platforms or indirectly, through the inadequacies of their systems. The ever-evolving threatlandscape must be constantly analysed and actions taken, insofar as it is affordable to organisations across the spectrum. Organisations and companies are urged to invest significantly in ensuring that their IT personnel are trained and implement mechanisms which constantly keep security best practices in check. The importance of the formulation of a detailed Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) should be as a result of careful studies of both the internal and external dynamics of any organisation, big or small, public or private. Brainstorming sessions intended to identify all risks and possible mitigative measures can also be of great utility to the formulation of a DRP. IT administrators are further urged to assess the risk at every level of staff (from the customer service representatives straight up to executive management and specifically IT personnel and the systems which they interact with to ensure coverage and implementation of usage policies. Regards, Aneal Giddings
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Please do not let our country descend into civil unrest DEAR EDITOR, Much anxiety is being created and in some cases being nurtured as we approach the March 19 date which marks the end of the 90 days since the No Confidence Motion was passed in the National Assembly. However, while many of us would like for the Constitution to be upheld, we will not and I repeat; we will not let our country be destroyed. I know that there is even talk in some corners of civil unrest but I would also like to state that we will NOT let our country descend into civil unrest. We are undoubtedly in an extremely difficult situation, however, while on the one
hand the Constitution must be upheld, we have to find other ways of finding solutions to this major challenge which we now face as a country. I was born after the sixty’s but I have heard of the civil unrest during that period. Many of us have seen the challenges of countries in the Caribbean struggling to recover after the hurricane season of 2017 or Haiti trying to recover after the earthquake in 2010, or challenges with recovery from the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami in 2004, challenges in the Middle East or the ethnic unrest in Rwanda in 1994 and we do not want to experience the
WHERE IS THE HUMANITY? DEAR EDITOR, The incredibly low turnout for the Saturday discussion on the “constitutional crisis” must have the RISE organisers deflated. It exposed the truth that the self righteous sound and fury of a handful of self anointed guardians of the constitution is being amplified by social media and news outlets. There is no mass concern. The reason for the utter lack of interest has its roots in the fact that the crisis was triggered by what was a devious act by Bharrat Jagdeo. As such the outcome is not considered morally or politically legitimate in the eyes of most Guyanese and indeed perhaps in private by some PPP/C supporters. There was no economic or political crisis requiring such a no confidence motion in the first place. It was and remains a naked power grab. And it’s worth noting all this was planned at a time when the President was and still is fighting a battle with cancer. Where is the humanity? That is not Guyanese. Yours Sincerely Albert Russell
consequences of civil unrest again; it is always the poorest of the poor who suffer the most. We definitely have a serious political and constitutional challenge but do we want to mash up our country to find a solution? Is that necessary at this point? Are we prepared to deal with the consequences and recovery from such? There are three factors to be considered in this matter the Government factor, the Opposition factor and now we must impose ‘the People’ factor at this point. The people of this country must decide that we will work with our leaders to find a solution to this situation but we will not work with them to destroy our country. What is interesting, is that, ninety percent of the people I have spoken to and who are talking about civil unrest are economically stable, some of them are very rich, therefore they are not the ones who will suffer if the country descends into unrest, it is the man and woman in the street, the poorest of the poor, who will suffer the most; yet the rich
and economically stable are the ones talking about civil unrest. All of our leaders – those from the APNU, PNC/R, PPP/ C and AFC, they have all sinned and come short; they have all done wrongs to this country and the people of this country, so while I agree that the constitution must be upheld, our leaders must start with asking us to forgive them for bringing this nation to the current state that it is in. They created this mess and they must find a way to solve it in a civilized manner but it is unfair to the people of this country for our leaders to expect us to destroy our country because of a mess that they have created or that was created at the political level. I challenge our political leaders, ‘yes who is without sin, cast the first stone’. ‘Is the APNU, PNC/R, PPP/C or AFC without sin? Then they can go ahead, and cast the first stone. What we would like to request is that our leaders from all of the political parties repent for the wrongs that have been done to us and this country and let’s find a way to move forward
together. We MUST find a way to move forward together! Do we need to have elections now? Will elections solve the problems which our country has been experiencing for almost 60 years? Or should we have a referendum instead, where representatives from the parliamentary parties and others, put a structure in place for a ‘One Party’ Government? Previously, I had stated the period for this government should be five years, however, many persons have indicated that five years would be too long, therefore three years would be better. Some persons have also indicated that we can have a ‘People’s President’, instead of the person coming from a political party, they can come from outside of the party, which provides them with some degree of autonomy. The current party structure and politics have not yielded the results we want; as a matter of fact it has failed our country for over 50 years, then let’s try a different structure if we are really serious about progressing.
We need to heal, design a sound economic pathway, strengthen our institutions, re-orient the mindset of the people around a ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ motto; while providing strong national, regional and international leadership. This is our finest hour Guyana. The three tasks for the ‘One Party’ Government will be to: complete the Constitutional Reform process; develop a sound economic and development policy and mechanisms for its implementation through a consensus approach; and develop a strategy to implement same through institutional reform and mobilizing the society around the policy. My appeal to our people is to please do not let our country descend into civil unrest, please, please; we the people will suffer the most. Finally, my question is, will elections at this point, really solve our almost 60year-old problems? May God’s purpose and will prevail in our beloved country! Yours faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas
The ‘Suicide by Cop’ phenomenon DEAR EDITOR, There is a phenomenon in American life called ‘Suicide by Cop’ where young and not-so-young Americans (men and women) lose their lives at the hands of lawenforcement. In general, this situation arises when a person who commits a crime chooses to die rather than go to jail and/ or a person who is already suicidal exploits the predictable eagerness of lawenforcement to use lethal
force against them by deliberately provoking the use of that force. These people, in some perverted way, think that they remain blameless for their actions and that lawenforcement bears the whole blame, hence the term ‘Suicide by Cop. There is a similar phenomenon that has recently reared its head here in Guyana that has to do with the move by Jagdeo to unlawfully install Ali as the
PPP’s next presidential candidate. It seems that Jagdeo has only now come to the realization that he will never again be president of this country. He has eventually lost his ‘Cognitive Dissonance’ psychological term for being out of touch with reality which prevented him from grasping that fact, so he has decided that if he can’t be president, no other member of the PPP can be president, hence the PPP must commit ‘Suicide by Cop’ or set events in motion that will guarantee its fall from grace. In other words, by unlawfully installing Ali, Jagdeo has forced Dr. Persaud, Nandlall, Teixeira, etc. to withdraw their candidacies thereby deliberately fracturing the PPP to the extent that it will never be able to contend at the level it has been
accustom to contend politically in the past. Here, the suicide plan is executed - unlawfully installing Ali - and the predictable, eager, lethal force will be the understandable disaffection shown by Dr. Persaud (who, by the way, is by far the most talented of them all and very pure and fertile presidential material), Nandlall and Teixeira, among others, resulting in the certain implosion of the PPP and either its long-term or permanent inability to contend politically. That, my friends, is Jagdeo’s version of ‘Suicide by Cop’. He prefers to engineer the demise of his party rather than go to jail (never be president again) and that clearly suggests that he is either criminally inclined or is suicidal. Either way, he is not good for our Beautiful Guyana. CONCERNED CITIZEN
Monday March 18, 2019
Guyana owes US$114.7M to Venezuela but US sanctions stalling payments When it comes to Guyana’s financial relations with Venezuela, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan has confirmed that at the end of 2018, Guyana owed the Spanish speaking territory US$114.7 million. In a brief interview, the economist said that since September 2017, Guyana has been unable to make cash payments to Venezuela, given the US imposed sanctions. He said that a special account was established into which these payments are transferred on a monthly basis. “As soon as the situation normalizes, we will transfer the accumulated amount in the account to Venezuela,” the Finance Minister expressed. In his 2017 report, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, had highlighted some of the debt Guyana owes to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe deal. The Auditor General noted that several agreements related to PetroCaribe which were entered into during 2015, were not laid in the National Assembly at the time of reporting. He said that these include Compensation agreements between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; and a draft sales agreement for oil shipments to Guyana through the PetroCaribe Agreement for the year 2015 with a total value of $5.293 billion or US$25.632M.
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- Finance Minister
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan Sharma said that the compensation agreements between the Governments of Venezuela and Guyana provided for the cancellation of the oil debt in compensation for white rice and paddy under the Guyana/Venezuela Rice Trade Agreements. According to the agreement, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) would supply rice and paddy to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. During 2015, there was a cancellation of $9.038 billion or US$43.766M of which there was no official agreement signed between the Government of Guyana and Republic of Venezuela for the said cancellation of the debt. In response to this matter, the Finance Ministry had said
that in 2015, the seventh Oil Debt Compensation Agreement between Guyana and Venezuela was not concluded. The Ministry said that this Agreement specified that in 2015, the white rice and paddy shipped to Venezuela from Guyana was intended to compensate Guyana’s Oil debt to Venezuela. It noted that oil shipments under the PetroCaribe Agreement from Shipment ?. 33 of 2013 to Shipment ?. 27 of 2015 are included in the Seventh Oil Debt Compensation Agreement. The Ministry said that there has been no contract concluded between the Government of Guyana and Venezuela for the 2015 Sales of Oil Shipment ?. 1 of 2015 to Shipment ?. 27 under the PetroCaribe agreement. The Ministry said that promissory Notes were prepared reflecting shipments made in 2013 to 2015 through the sales contract. It said that the terms and conditions outlined in the promissory notes are still valid and enforceable. The Ministry further noted that money representing repayments to Venezuela for oil shipments are currently being placed in an account held at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). It said that all such funds will be placed on fixed deposits with BIS until sanctions against the Government of Venezuela are lifted.
Almost nine years after tragedy…
Inquest into death of boat captain to start next Friday Almost nine years after boat captain, Ganesh Roopnarine fell overboard and died when another vessel slammed into his, an inquest to determine if anyone should be held criminally liable is scheduled to commence next Friday before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrates’ Court. Those expected to testify are Mohamed Khan of Goed Success, Wakenaam Island; Rampaul Drepaul of Lot 16 East Meter Meer Zorg, West Coast Demerara; Ryan Chandler of Lot 39 Parika, East Bank Essequibo; Namdeam Chatergoon of Goed Hope, Essequibo Coast and Jagdeo Looknaught of Lot 33 Wales, West Bank Demerara. The others are Pulmattie Persaud of Lot 5 Bensford, Wakenaam Island; Kamala Lekram of Lot 83 half San Souci, Wakenaam; Balram Salik of Marisa’s Pleasure, Wakenaam; Christine Ayub of
Parika, East Bank Essequibo; Denise Wolfe of Aurora Police Station; Detective Corporal Hamechand Singh and Detective Corporal Terry Beharry both of Suddie Police Station and Lakeram Deochand of Anna Regina Police Station. On June 14, 2013, Ganesh, 32, formerly of Barnwell, West Coast Demerara was reportedly repairing his boat engine when he was hurled overboard after another vessel rammed his. According to reports, Roopnarine had loaded his vessel, ‘Water Girl,’ from the Supenaam Stelling. However, when the vessel was some 500 yards from the stelling, it developed engine trouble. Roopnarine was reportedly trying to fix his engine when another boat, named ‘Wakenaam,’ slammed into his. It was reported that the boat’s bow struck Roopnarine
DEAD: Ganesh Roopnarine and he was hurled into the water. Reports suggest that the pilot who crashed into Roopnarine’s vessel tried to flee after the mishap, but was captured. Roopnarine, on the other hand, died on his way to the Suddie Hospital.
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Mining union questions ‘secrecy’ of Rusal meeting The Ministry of Social Protection is being called on by the National Mine Workers Union of Guyana (NMWUG) to answer for what appears to be inefficient handling of the current labour issue concerning Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), the local subsidiary of the Russian company, Rusal. Workers have refused to leave Aroiama, a housing area in Region Ten under the company’s control, after they were fired in February, over their objection to an arbitrary one percent increase in pay. The latest action concerning that matter is a meeting, which occurred on Friday last at the law office of Hughes, Fields & Stoby, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown. The na-
ture of that meeting’s execution is being questioned by Sherwin Downer, President of NMWUG, who is concerned that it did not sufficiently involve relevant stakeholders. One concerned Aroiama worker, who was among the first to be fired by BCGI, reached out to NWMUG and told Downer that he is worried that the meeting, held on March 15, was done in such secrecy. The workers would like to know why the meeting was kept at the private lawyers’ office, and not at the Social Protection Ministry’s boardroom. Reportedly present at the meeting were Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU) President Leslie Gonsalves, General Secretary
Lincoln Lewis, Assistant Secretary Sheldon Thomas, and BCGI branch leaders Ephraim Velloza and Sheldon Thomas. Vladimir Permyakov, Mikhail Krupenin and Mohamed Akeel represented BCGI. The union, after the meeting, had sent out a release that the parties met in “an amicable environment” to hold discussions, where the union advocated for the dismissed workers to be reinstated and for the barricade in the Upper Berbice River to be removed, since it prevented the movement of the company’s barges. The union noted that it laid out a set of terms for the situation to gradually return to normalcy, and another meeting is scheduled for March 19. The company’s represen-
tatives related that they have to consult with officials from BCGI’s parent company in Russia, before they could declare on whether they would accede to any of the union’s demands. Some workers are unsure whether they can trust the union to operate in their best interests. Downer told this publication that it was a challenge for the union to get a meeting with representatives of BCGI in the first place, and now, it is unfortunate that a meeting was held without the involvement of labour or other government officials. Downer said that though BCGI has indicated that it needs to consult with its mother company in Moscow in its considerations of the workers’ demands, he believes that the BCGI representatives are not being honest. Downer is calling on the labour department and the Ministers of Social Protection to answer for what appears to be lackadaisical handling of such a matter. He asked, “Whose idea was it that the
Sherwin Downer, President of NMWUG meeting be held at the lawyers’ office instead of the ministry boardroom?” He said that the people of Guyana have been invested in this issue since it started being carried by major media outlets, and that the people still “have a right to know what was discussed there”. He is calling on the two social protection ministers, Amna Ally and Keith Scott, as well as Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, to tell the country why they chose to out of
such an important meeting, and to answer why the meeting was held at a private law firm, specifically that law term too, instead of at the ministry’s boardroom. On behalf of the workers, the NMWUG is questioning the secrecy surrounding the negotiations. “We must be honest and sincere in our endeavours to represent these workers’ interest,” Downer said, “Whose interest was represented [in that private meeting]? The workers are now left in the dark?” He said that the government should stop taking baby steps and take strides, and further, that all of the workers at Aroiama deserve humane working conditions, acceptable remuneration, and respect for their rights. He said that NMWUG stands firmly with the workers. “The National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana calls on BCGI/Rusal to reinstate all dismissed workers without conditions, and show respect for the labour laws of Guyana.”
Monday March 18, 2019
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GUYANA IS GETTING SHAFTED The multinational corporation, both in the periods before and after Independence, has been the symbol of that exploitation. Bookers in sugar, Reynolds and AlCOA in bauxite defined the exploitation of Guyana’s natural resources. Later there was OMAI, Today there is BOASI and RUSAL in the bauxite sector and a number of powerful large scale mining firms in the gold industry. Tomorrow it is going to be the oil companies. The age of multinational corporations is far from ended. Guyanese have become inured to exploitation. They have been fed the idea that it is only through this exploitation that wealth can be created. They have been fooled. It is one thing to believe that the foreign multinational corporation will bring investments and jobs; it is another thing to be complicit in allowing foreign multinationals to bleed the country dry. In the 1970’s, Burnham began to fear the rise of Black Power in the Caribbean. He was petrified by what he saw in Trinidad and by the Rodney riots in Jamaica. He felt that the discontents would lead to social unrest since the old relations of
production had continued after Independence. Burnham calculated that unless there was a radical change, he would face a backlash from the Black Power Movement. As such, he moved to radicalize the economy by nationalizing the bauxite and sugar industries. The results was mass mismanagement of these cornerstone industries. Jagan supported the nationalization of the commanding heights but for ideological reasons. Even though Burnham was critical of foreign private enterprise in Guyana, he began secretly negotiating with foreign companies to extract gold in Guyana. One such investment which had its origins just before he died was Omai Gold Mines. When the deal was made public, there was both outrage and hope. There was shock at the time about the pitiful royalties which were negotiated and the overly generous tax holiday and other fiscal concessions which were given to the Canadian company. However, there was singing and dancing. The eyes of Guyanese lit up when they heard how much gold would be extracted. They
wrongly assumed that the investment would make every Guyanese a millionaire overnight. Omai never delivered the riches which people expected. Like most foreign multinationals, past and present, this company extracted millions of tonnes of ore, exported hundreds of millions of US dollars in gold bars enjoyed tax holidays and massive fiscal concessions, yet never declared a profit throughout the entirety of its gold mining production. And the only real benefits which Guyanese got from the billions which were forgone in taxes were about 1500 jobs and the taxes which these workers paid. The PPP in 1992 inherited a bauxite industry on its knees. After bailing out the industry to the tune of billions of dollars, it opted to privatize the industry since local management could not stem the losses. Russian and Chinese multinational companies became the new owners Guyana had come full circle from nationalization to denationalization. As was reported in yesterday’s newspaper, RUSAL, now caught up in an industrial dispute, enjoys generous fiscal concessions.
DEM BOYS SEH
Child molesters getting a real prison welcome
Two years go Ram Jattan see de jails was overcrowded. He talk to Soulja Bai ad dem decide that dem can’t build more jails. But that didn’t mean people must pack up inside more and more. Dem prisoners start one fire and bun down a block one year. Eighteen of dem dead. De next year dem bun down de jail. Ram Jattan call fuh an inquiry and de conclusion was that de jail had too much people. Right away Soulja Bai ad Rum Jattan decide that dem gun send fewer people to jail. That is how people start to talk bout alternative sentencing. That mean instead of sentencing people to jail give dem anodda penalty. Of course dem men who like trouble li’l children jump to de conclusion that dem wouldn’t go to jail. But this country don’t have alternative sentencing fuh such people. In some country de law woulda allow people to cut off de thing that dem use pun dem li’l children. Guyana got a human rights commission even if it is only one person suh de
country still sending such people to jail. Going to jail is one thing but is wha does happen in de jail. Dem boys hear bout a reception committee inside de jail. De committee got some big strong man who ain’t had a woman fuh years suh dem thirsty. Dem does welcome de new inmate wid a smile. Of late nuff of dem children molesters been going to jail suh dem big strong men ain’t thirsty no more.
De news don’t come out but nuff of dem men actually tun hen. Some of dem wish dem was never born. Dem does swear not to trouble no more Ii’l children but of course dem got to live in de jail till dem really can’t trouble no body. Dem boys see one de odda day. He spend so long in de jail that he can’t even recognize de outside world. And at de same time he can’t complain about constipation. Talk half and lef people children alone.
The local entity, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCG) was exempt from the payment of income, corporation and property taxes for its first five years. It was also exempt from the payment of withholding taxes on interest, dividends and lease payments for the entirety of its life. It also enjoys exemptions from import taxes on its operational equipment. This means it does not pay any customs duties, and taxes including purchase taxes on equipment, machinery, motor vehicles and supplies. These tax benefits when
aggregated would amount to billions. And what does Guyana get from it? It gets a few hundred jobs for workers. The common denominator in all of these deals with multinationals is that the foreign companies cart out Guyanese riches in exchange for providing a few jobs. It is a most lopsided arrangement. What is compounding the problem is that these carte blanche concessions can be easily abused. The import a concessions, for example, are uncapped. They are not linked to either the number of jobs created or the volume of
ore produced. As such, the government has no control on the amount of concessions which the company can claim. Forget about the corporation taxes. There is nothing to get here because the companies are not declaring any profits. Guyana is being recolonized by large multinational corporations. What really has changed since Independence?
Monday March 18, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Cops to up patrols in crime-ridden W.B.D. communities The crime rate in the West Demerara District (La Parfaite Harmonie/Dairy/ Onderneeming) continues to escalate, much to the fear and discomfort of residents. But police are taking the fight to the criminals through a number of proactive measures in the affected communities and other areas on the West Bank of Demerara. To date, bicycle patrols have been implemented in a number of villages, especially in areas where criminal elements are more likely to attack. Completion of a police station at La Parfaite Harmonie is said to be just a few months away. While there has been a notable police presence in some areas in the form of vehicular patrols, villagers are of the opinion that such patrols need to be intensified at hours when gangs and their affiliates are more prone to attack. TAXI DRIVERES FEARFUL According to sources, such elements would normally
strike after 23:00 hrs. Their targets are often unsuspecting taxi drivers who they hire to drop them at specific locations. The ‘passengers’ sometimes have accomplices who are waiting at the drop-off point. Just recently, taxi driver Dereck Mangal of Phoenix Taxi Service (Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara) had the most harrowing experience in his life when he attempted to drop a customer at ‘Last Bridge,’ Onderneeming. Mangal said as he was returning from the area around 22:30 hrs when a group of youths suddenly ran onto the road and blocked his path with what appeared to be the remains of a coconut tree trunk. He said he accelerated and managed to drive over the object, rupturing one of his tyres. But then the men began to chase after the vehicle. Mangal said he kept driving until he arrived on the New Road leading out of
Parfaite Harmonie. He said it was then he was able to contact his taxi base for some assistance. Many taxi drivers have declared that they are avoiding areas like ‘Last Bridge’, Onderneeming because of daring attacks such as this. Some villagers are taking the precaution of closing their businesses and homes early in the evenings, while taxi drivers operating in the area are quite adamant about avoiding some locations, or not plying those routes at all after the evening hours. BRAZEN GANGS There are several reports, confirmed by police sources, about criminal gangs that operate brazenly in the open, surprisingly with no interference or intervention from onlookers, who would disappear from the scene out of fear for their own safety. One roadside vendor from La Parfaite Harmonie indicated that to “Open yuh mouth in dis place about anything yuh see in dis place is
to sign yuh own death warrant.” Some residents feel that the police need a more aggressive approach in these areas to put a halt to criminal activity. There were complaints that some of the ranks appear to be over friendly with individuals who are suspected affiliates of these criminals. Others alleged that some bike patrol ranks are not vigilant enough, and can be seen more often ‘liming’ than patrolling. Some residents of Onderneeming, and Dairy related cases where residents were forced to abandon houses after being robbed and terrorized. They would then rent out to tenants. And it appears that the gangs operating in the area are spreading their wings to surrounding villages. Several residents occupying rented apartments in Roraima Housing Scheme, Versailles, West Bank Demerara, have relocated because of repeated burglaries. Kaieteur News was told that bandits from the Dairy/ Parfaite Harmonie area would use the dams aback rice fields close to these villages and make their way to the apartment building (which is mostly
Police patrols to be stepped up in the West Demerara District unoccupied during the day) and break in while the occupants are out. A popular businessman once residing at Roraima Housing Scheme, just late last
year was forced to immediately abandon his lavish property when in broad daylight gun toting bandits invaded his home, making off with millions in cash and articles.
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Early budgets, more measures to improve private sector and labour among notable achievements - Finance Minister Since being appointed Minister of Finance in 2015, economist Winston Jordan says that there are a number of achievements of which he is proud. During an interview with Kaieteur News, he said that restoring an early budget to the National parliamentary agenda and being able to afford budget agencies a full 12 months for implementation of the national budget rank high on the list. In addition, the Finance Minister said that the legislative agenda that he tabled in the Parliament for the financial sector and the public finance reform initiatives, most importantly the Natural Resource Fund Legislation (NRF), are particularly high on the list of accomplishments too. “As far as I am aware, we
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan are the first country to put NRF legislation in place ahead of first oil,” expressed Jordan. “I have also prioritized within my Ministry, capacity building for staff to ensure we
build a cadre of competent technical (and administrative) professionals who are able to provide sound technical advice on the range of matters that fall within the Ministry of Finance’s remit. And we have established good working relationships with the private sector that sees us sitting for hours together, each month, discussing ideas and solutions to boost competitiveness and enhance production. “I am also proud of the fact that as Minister of Finance, I have implemented more measures aimed at improving private sector and labour than any other Minister of Finance at the similar period in Office; have kept the economy on a growth path, in the context of negligible inflation, and manageable debt and fiscal
Police on the hunt for Westside knife yielding terror gang Police are trying to track down a gang that seems to be targeting West Coast and West Bank Demerara communities. The same gang is believed to have struck yet again at around noon on Saturday, terrorizing staffers and customers inside a Chinese variety store at Evergreen Street, West Bank Demerara. At around 12: 55 hrs, four men brandishing knives and cutlasses stormed the People’s Choice Chinese Variety at Evergreen Street, West Bank Demerara. The store was said to be packed with midday shoppers getting weekend supplies..
Eyewitness related that the men were apparently observing their target for a while. Sources said that the men shouting loud obscenities and threats held shoppers and employees at knife point demanding cash, jewellery, cell phones, and other valuables. Some shoppers who resisted were reportedly beaten. The Chinese nationals were reportedly also beaten and forced to hand over cash, and other valuables. The robbers reportedly made off with over $1M in cash, and other valuables. The matter was reported to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station.
deficit. All of this accomplished within a fiscal space that was narrowed by the reckless expenditure of the previous administration in projects such as Skeldon Estate, Marriott Hotel, Berbice Bridge – not forgetting the CLICO debacle and the payment of costly inherited court decisions.” Jordan added that there are still more reforms that are
needed to ensure more effective public financial management. In this regard, the Finance Minister stated, “We want results based performance and for every sector to be results-driven and for service delivery across central government to be effective and efficient. That will require greater investments in human capital as well as
infrastructure across every region of this country.” Further to this, the Finance Minister said that he wants to drive a professional public service that is accountable. He concluded, “We would still like to pay better wages we are working to create the fiscal space by ensuring that our public enterprises do not continue to drain the public coffers.”
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As constitutional deadline looms…
Appeal Court can provide legal light on way forward – Ramkarran
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With the decision of the Court of Appeal on the Government’s challenge to the no-confidence motion unlikely to come before Thursday’s March 21 constitutional deadline, it is expected that the judiciary will provide some legal light on the way forward for the nation. In his weekly blog, Attorney-at-Law, (S.C) Ralph Ramkarran expressed his views on the role of the judiciary, at a time when the nation faces what is being seen as an impending constitutional crisis. According to Ramkarran, the Court ought not to ignore the impending crisis nor avoid dealing with the consequences of the failure of the Government to call elections in accordance with the Constitution and the decision of the High Court. Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George had ruled that the noconfidence vote cast on December 21, 2018 by expelled Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud, is irreversible. She upheld the argument that the 33-32 vote is a majority of all the elected (65) members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence. Quoting the constitution, Justice George noted that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” With no agreement between the Government and Opposition as it relates to an extension of the current Government’s time in office, politicians have been looking to the Court for a solution. However, Ramkarran, a former Speaker of the National Assembly noted while the Court has been tasked with providing clarity on constitutional matters related to the no-confidence cases, it should offer guidance as it relates to the country’s future. As such the Political Commentator and the leader of the recently formed party,
Attorney-at-Law, (S.C) Ralph Ramkarran A New and United Guyana, (ANUG) said that should the ruling of the CJ be upheld at the Appeal Court, then the Court must acknowledge the possibility of extending the life of the National Assembly by a two-third majority. “But it [the Appeal Court] ought not to merely acknowledge that possibility and wash its hands of the matter by ignoring the unlikelihood of it happening. It will therefore need to go further and express its view as to the consequences of the failure of achieving that objective. “What happens next? If the Court of Appeal does not wish to abandon the nation to constitutional darkness, as some would say is its duty, it would have to give us the answer and appropriate guidance,” he added. Ramkarran stressed that if the Court of Appeal gives its decision after March 22, it will be doing so in the circumstances outlined above, where the Government no longer has any legal status. “There would be a huge gap in its decision if it does not address the absence of lawful, governmental, authority in Guyana. If the Court is of the view that, as a result of the Government’s failure to hold elections within the stipulated time, it is holding office illegally, it must say so boldly and fearlessly. It cannot merely uphold the decision of the Chief Justice (ag), if it feels that her decision is sound, and walk away from the most serious constitutional crisis facing Guyana since its life began as an Independent nation in 1966.”
Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?
Monday March 18, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Govt. condemns EU’s new tax haven list
Prime Minister Dean Barrow delivering budget to Parliament last Friday (CMC Photo) BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – The Belize government has described as “outrageous” the decision of the European Union to place the country on a new list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions which the Europeans said was based on an “an intense process of analysis and dialogue steered by the Commission”. “So we are once again forced to eat injustice and perform the usual contortions to satisfy a new set of unconscionable dictates,” Prime Minister Dean Barrow has said. Early last week, the EU Finance Ministers said that based on the Commission’s screening, they had blacklisted a total of 15 countries including several Caribbean countries namely, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Dominica and Aruba. “The list has proven a true success with many countries having changed their laws and tax systems to comply with international standards,” the EU said, adding that over the course of last year, the Commission assessed 92 countries based on three criteria: tax transparency, good governance and real economic activity, as well as one indicator, the existence of a zero corporate tax rate,” the EU said in a statement. But as he delivered his administration’s BDZ$1.25 billion (One Belize dollar=US$0.49 cents) national budget to Parliament last Friday, Barrow said “this is outrageous” recalling that in October 2017, Belize was cited in an Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD’s) Forum on Harmful Tax Practices (FHTP) Report. He said the charge then was that the country’s International Business Companies (IBC) Regime contained potentially harmful tax features.
“In response, the government of Belize gave an undertaking to the OECD, that the regime would be amended to remove any such features. In December 2018, this Honourable House passed a number of amendments to the International Business Companies Act; the Income and Business Tax Act; and Stamp Duty Act. At the same time it also passed a new Designated Business Processing Act to replace the Export Processing Zone Act about which the OECD had also complained.” Barrow said subsequently, the FHTP after reviewing the action taken by Belize reached a new conclusion that the Caribbean country’s IBC regime was no longer harmful. “And that, Madam Speaker, was the end of that. Or so we thought. Because lo and behold in a parallel assessment and subsequent conclusion, t h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n ’s Code of Conduct Group found that Belize’s IBC regimes still contained harmful tax features.” Barrow said that the EU “demanded, under pain of being “black-listed”, more action on the part of Belize. “Now it must be stressed that all this was despite the fact that EU Code of Conduct Group is itself a senior member of the OECD Forum. The same OECD Forum that just a few weeks before, with the full involvement of the Code of Conduct Group, had given Belize a “Clean Bill of Health,” Barrow said. Barrow, who is also the Finance Minister, said that the power disparity in international relations is all that counts. “And thus the EU treats us with nothing but rank contempt in these matters. And there is no point in troubling deaf heaven with our bootless cries. So we are once again forced to eat
injustice and perform the usual contortions to satisfy a new set of unconscionable dictates.” He said his government “will therefore be introducing at this sitting of the House further amendments to the IBC and IFSC Acts to try to bring them into compliance with the new moving targets”. Barrow said that another undertaking visited upon Belize by the OECD and the Global Forum is the development of a standard for the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) between tax authorities. He said this provides for the regular provision of bulk information using a common reporting standard, rather than the provision of information in response to specific requests. “Belize has, perforce, signed on to this initiative. And in the course of this year, albeit at great financial and human resource expense, established a fully functioning and well-staffed AEOI Unit in our Income Tax Department,” he told legislators. Last month, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders at their 30th Intersessional summit in St. KittsNevis said the blacklisting of CARICOM countries by the European Union (EU) has brought considerable reputational damage to the Community. “Despite all member states, with the exception of one, being removed from the EU blacklist, the damage inflicted is irreparable and has consequential implications for building Member States’ economic and climate resilience given their inherent vulnerabilities,” they said in the communique issued at the end of the two-day summit. The regional leaders said in this regard they viewed the EU’s approach to “tax good governance” as inappropriate”.
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Under pressure, Britain’s May scrambles Black boxes show ‘clear similarities’ with Indonesian 737 MAX crash, Ethiopia says to win support for Brexit deal LONDON (Reuters) British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government was scrambling yesterday to get support in parliament for her Brexit deal at the third time of asking, aiming to persuade doubters with threats and promises to avoid any move to oust her. After parliament backed a move to delay Brexit, May still has only three days to win approval for her deal to leave the European Union if she wants to go to a summit with the bloc’s leaders on Thursday with something to offer them in return for more time. Stepping up the pressure on the prime minister, Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said he could trigger another confidence vote in May’s government if she fails again to get her deal approved by parliament. Almost three years since Britain voted to leave the EU in a referendum, the country is no clearer about how and when it will leave the bloc, with several outcomes possible, from exiting without a deal to Brexit never happening at all. May’s warning that if parliament again votes against her deal — which has already been crushed twice by lawmakers — that Britain could face a long delay and
Prime Minister Theresa May would need to take part in European elections in May seemed to be winning some over. But her finance minister, Philip Hammond, said she was not in the clear yet. “What has happened ... is that a significant number of colleagues ... have changed their view on this and decided that the alternatives are so unpalatable to them that they on reflection think the prime minister’s deal is the best way to deliver Brexit,” he told BBC’s Andrew Marr programme. Asked if the government had enough numbers yet, he replied: “Not yet, it is a work in progress.” Many Brexit supporters in
May’s Conservative Party say the key to whether they will back her deal is the agreement of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up the prime minister’s minority government in parliament. May needs 75 lawmakers to change their vote after it was crushed first in January by 230 lawmakers and then by 149 on March 12. The DUP’s 10 lawmakers could sway a large segment of a pro-Brexit Conservative grouping, several lawmakers say, but even then, she would still probably also have to get some Labour lawmakers on board as well. Hammond said talks were continuing with the DUP to find ways of reassuring the party that any future border arrangements with EU member Ireland would not mean that Northern Ireland might be split away from the rest of Britain. He denied the government would offer the DUP money to back the deal. Until it is clear that the support is there, trade minister Liam Fox said, the government will not have the vote, which is widely expected to be held on Tuesday. “It would be difficult to justify having a vote if we knew we were going to lose it,” Fox told Sky News.
Zimbabwe death toll rises to 64 after Cyclone Idai pounds country HARARE (Reuters) Cyclone Idai has killed at least 64 people in eastern Zimbabwe and destroyed homes, bridges and roads, making rescue efforts difficult, a government minister said yesterday. The tropical storm has already pounded neighbouring Malawi and Mozambique. The latter has cut electricity exports to South Africa, which led to rolling blackouts in A f r i c a ’s most industrialized economy. “The death toll has risen from 31 to over 64 now. Some of the bodies have been found floating along the rivers,” July Moyo, the local government minister told reporters. “There are a number of people who are missing.” The government has declared a state of disaster in the eastern Chimanimani district, which borders Mozambique, allowing authorities to release funds to assist affected families. President Emmerson
President Emmerson Mnangagwa Mnangagwa, who faced criticism from citizens and the opposition for traveling to the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, said he was cutting his trip short to make sure he was “involved directly with the national response.” Joshua Sacco, a member of parliament in Chimanimani, told Reuters by phone he had “never seen such kind of
destruction before”, adding that rescuers were struggling to reach those affected. The ministry of information said access to the rescue operations was slowed by damaged infrastructure, including power and communication. Air force helicopters began carrying injured people to hospitals after the weather improved later on Sunday. Some citizens started crowd funding on Twitter to help those affected while the government sought assistance from individuals, private companies and international aid agencies. Pictures shared on Twitter and television footage showed the extent of the damage, with rock falls and mudslides blocking roads and some houses submerged in water. The storm is the worst to hit the country since Cyclone Eline in February 2000, which devastated eastern and southern Zimbabwe.
A mourner of victims of the crashed accident of Ethiopian Airlines touches a portrait on a coffin during the mass funeral at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AFP) — Black box data recovered from an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed last week shows “clear similarities” with a recent crash in Indonesia of the same type of aircraft, Ethiopia’s transport minister said yesterday. While declining to give details, Dagmawit Moges told journalists the parallels would be the “subject of further study during the investigation,” with a preliminary report issued in “30 days”. The announcement came a week after Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 plummeted into a field southeast of Addis Ababa minutes into its flight to Nairobi, killing all 157 people onboard. The disaster caused the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft involved after aviation regulators noticed similarities with the October crash of an Indonesian Lion Air 737 MAX 8 that killed all 189 passengers and crew. Both planes reportedly experienced erratic steep climbs and descents as well as fluctuating airspeeds before crashing shortly
after takeoff. Questions have honed in on an automated anti-stalling system introduced on the 737 MAX 8, designed to automatically point the nose of the plane downward if it is in danger of stalling. The pilots of Lion Air Flight 610 struggled to control the aircraft as the automated MCAS system repeatedly pushed the plane’s nose down following takeoff, according to the flight data recorder. In the case of the Ethiopian flight, the black boxes have been handed to France’s BEA air safety agency, which is working with American and Ethiopian investigators to determine what went wrong. The disaster in Ethiopia left families in 35 nations bereaved. Yesterday, Ethiopians gathered at Holy Trinity Cathedral in the capital Addis Ababa to bury 17 of their citizens killed in the crash, including the eight-person flight crew. Relatives of the deceased sobbed and held portraits of their loved ones as an Ethiopian Orthodox priest said the last rites.
India, Pakistan threatened to unleash missiles at each other – sources NEW DELHI/ ISLAMABAD (Reuters) The sparring between India and Pakistan last month threatened to spiral out of control and only interventions by U.S. officials, including National Security Advisor John Bolton, headed off a bigger conflict, five sources familiar with the events said. At one stage, India threatened to fire at least six missiles at Pakistan, and Islamabad said it would respond with its own missile strikes “three times over”, according to We s t e r n d i p l o m a t s a n d government sources in New Delhi, Islamabad and Washington. The way in which tensions suddenly worsened and threatened to trigger a
war between the nucleararmed nations shows how the Kashmir region, which both claim and is at the core of their enmity, remains one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints. The exchanges did not
get beyond threats, and there was no suggestion that the missiles involved were anything more than conventional weapons, but they created consternation in official circles in Washington, Beijing and London.
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Kaieteur News
Toucan Distributors Junior Skill Level Tournament
Wilshire keeps top spot in Category ‘A’ The final day of the Toucan Distributors Junior Skill Level Tournament closed off yesterday with Shomari Wiltshire keeping the top spot of Category A. Samuel Ince-Carvalhal earned runner up with Michael Alphonso and Nicholas Verwey taking third and fourth respectively. It was a busy afternoon at the Georgetown Club and the crowds were not disappointed as some close matches captivated the audience. The Alphonso/ Verwey anticipated battle played out with both boys exhibiting a superior level of squash. Passions were as high in the audience as on the court as they rallied through a 4 set match. Each of the boys executed a whole range of shots that tested the other and pushed them beyond their usual capabilities. It was a pleasure to watch the outstanding performances from the youngsters as Alphonso managed to keep ahead for a 7/11, 11/8, 11/8, 11/8 victory. The most thrilling match came from Category C as Zachary Persaud and Louis DaSilva battled for first and second place. Persuad seemed to come into his own during this tournament as his previous training manifested itself and he turned out a solid basic game of good lengths and sharp drops. DaSilva rose to the challenge and showed improved retrieval skills as he answered Persaud. The five-game match showed both boys enhanced level of play but it was Persaud who reigned
Most outstanding Girl Shriya Persaud collects her reward. triumphant in an 11/9, 11/7, 9/ 11. 9/11, 11/8 result. Cousins Grant and Christiana Fernandes had another close bout in category F. They went on court with a mission and it was a real fight for the win from the young athletes. Grant just pipped the post for a 9/11, 11/ 9, 11/9 win. Special awards were given to out to commend some of the players; Most Improved Girl Christiana Fernandes, Most Improved Boy Kayden Pynaendy, Most Outstanding Girl Shriya Persaud, Most Outstanding Boy Zachary Persaud. The GSA thanked Toucan Distributors for their longstanding sponsorship of the sport in Guyana. Category A Samuel Ince-Carvalhal
defeated Gianni Carpenter 11/ 3, 11/3, 11/7 Michael Alphonso defeated Nicholas Verwey 7/11, 11/8, 11/8, 11/8 Category C Zachary Persaud defeated Louis DaSilva 11/9, 11/7, 9/ 11, 11/9, 11/8 Category D Lajuan Munroe defeated Nathan Rahaman 13/11, 4/11, 11/8, 4/11, 12/10 Joshua Verwey defeated Teija Edwards 11/4, 11/0, 11/1 Category E Dhiren Persaud defeated Rayad Boyce 5/11, 12/10, 11/ 4.0 Category F Kaden Pynaendy defeated Safirah Summer 13/15, 11/6. 11/7 Noah Rahaman defeated Mailia Maikoo 11/8, 8/11, 11/ 6
Most outstanding Boy Zachary Persaud collects her reward. Grant Fernandes defeated Christiana Fernandes 9/11, 11/ 9, 11/9 Category G Romero Muniram defeated Brenno DaSilva 11/9, 11/1 Abhinav Singh defeated Tristan Seereeram 11/6, 8/11, 11/6 Category H Mathew Daby defeated Tianna Gomes 10/12, 12/10, 11/8 Shriya Persaud defeated Solomon Ince-Carvalhal 11/3, 6/11, 11/3 Jnae Singh defeated Eli Goveia 11/4, 11/3 Shriyah Persaud defeated Eli Gouveia 11/4, 11/3 Overall Results Category A WINNER Shomari Wiltshire SECOND PLACE Samuel Ince-Carvalhal THIRD PLACE Michael
King’s century not enough to prevent Red Force victory
TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Brandon King blasted an aggressive century, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Jamaica Scorpions from going down to the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 85 runs in their final match of the Regional Four-Day Championship yesterday. Set an unlikely target of 337 runs for victory after the home side was dismissed for 295 early in the morning session, the Scorpions were bowled out for 252, with King’s 133 being the only real form of resistance. Apart from his knock, only one other batsman scored more than 20 as spinner Imran Khan and medium pacer Odean Smith each took three wickets to restrict the visitors. Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel struck first when he had Garth Garvey caught by Kyle Hope for eight with the score on 23. Anderson Phillip then trapped John Campbell lbw for 25 and three balls later he dismissed Jermaine Blackwood for a duck as the Scorpions slipped to 52 for three. Assad Fudadin only lasted four balls before he too was bowled for a duck by Smith. With the Scorpions in trouble at 67 for four, King and Paul Palmer came together in a fifth-wicket partnership that yielded 75 runs. So dominant was King that Palmer only contributed 18 runs during that stand.
But just when it seemed the Scorpions would stage a fightback, Smith struck again, having Palmer caught by Joshua Da Silva. King kept on battling though and was extremely aggressive throughout his 119-ball innings. During that time, he struck 14 boundaries and four sixes, as wickets continuously fell around him. By the time Khan accounted for his wicket to leave the Scorpions’ 218 for seven, the result was already on the cards. Khan wrapped up the match by dismissing Akim Frazier and Nicholson Gordon, while another spinner in Khary Pierre snagged the wicket of Kennar Lewis. Earlier, Jason Mohammed’s unbeaten 110 was the backbone of the Red Force’s second innings total of 295 all out. Scores: RED FORCE 389 (Jason Mohammed 94, Kyle Hope 64, Jeremy Solozano 63, Denesh Ramdin 41, Khary Pierre 31; Nicholson Gordon 7-70) and 295 (Jason Mohammed 110 not out, Kyle Hope 47, Odean Smith 30; Jermaine Blackwood 3-39, Akeem Fraser 3-56, Nkrumah Bonner 2-72). SCORPIONS 347 (Jermaine Blackwood 66, Nkrumah Bonner 61, Brandon King 59, Paul Palmer 30; Anderson Philip 5-74, Shannon Gabriel 3-51) and 252 (Brandon King 133, John Campbell 25; Imran Khan 3-48, Odean Smith 3-56, Anderson Philip 2-54).
Alphonso FOURTH Nicholas Verwey Category B WINNER Abosaide Cadogan SECOND PLACE Ethan Jonas THIRD PLACE Mohryan Baksh FOURTH PLACE Lucas Jonas Category C WINNER Zachary Persaud SECOND PLACE Louis DaSilva THIRD PLACE Shiloh Asregado Category D WINNER Nathan Rahaman SECOND PLACE Joshua Verwey THIRD PLACE Lajuan
Munroe FOURTH PLACE Teija Edwards Category E WINNER Dhiren Persaud SECOND PLACE Rayad Boyce THIRD PLACE Lucas Persaud FOURTH PLACE Arvin Seelall FIFTH PLACE Aishani Persaud Category F WINNER Kaden Pynaendy SECOND PLACE Grant Fernandes THIRD PLACE Christiana Fernandes FOURTH PLACE Matthew Spooner FIFTH PLACE Noah Rahaman Category G WINNER Romero Muniram SECOND PLACE Abinav Singh THIRD PLACE Brenno DaSilva FOURTH PLACE Tristan Seereeram Category H WINNER Shriya Persaud SECOND PLACE Matthew Daby THIRD PLACE Tiana Gomes FOURTH PLACE Solomon Ince-Carvalhal FIFTH PLACE Jnae Singh Most Improved Girl Christiana Fernandes Most Improved Boy Kayden Pynaendy Most Outstanding Girl Shriya Persaud Most Outstanding Boy Zachary Persaud
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Monday March 18, 2019
Kaieteur News
B/ce Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition
Trafalgar disappoint Kings fans, retain crown In front of a turnout that has become recogniseable with Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competitions, defending champions Trafalgar eased to comfortable 2-0 win over host New Amsterdam Kings to retain their title as the curtains came down on this year’s tournament on Saturday night, at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling. Playing in front of a partisan crowd that converged on the venue which resembled a Carnival atmosphere, the visitors never allowed the absence of senior members Kevin Layne and Delroy Fraser, who were on national duty in Suriname, to affect their pursuit of victory. Instead, the prolific Olvis
Mitchell took up the responsibility very well and opened the scoring in the final when he raced on to a pass from Delwyn Fraser to slot his effort between the legs of the Kings last stop in the 13th minute to silence the crowd. Both teams missed chances to score just before the half as Trafalgar took a slim 1-0 lead to the break. Coming out in the final period, the champions were in no mood to halt their offensive forays and three minutes into the stanza netted their second which gave them a well deserved cushion. It came from a counter attack that involved Layne and Mitchell who exchanged wonderful passes, before a sprinting Tevin McKenzie
swept home from close range much to the disappointment of the host band of supporters. Trafalgar, who had looked a much improved unit since last year, controlled the ball and tempo to perfection and dominated possession in the dying moments with the Kings fans urging them to go forward and attack. But apart from a few attempts by star player Jamal Butts no other player looked menacing and the final whistle came with the scores unchanged and Trafalgar walking away with the top prize of $400,000 along with the winning trophy and a spot secured in the national playoffs. Kings for their effort took home $150,000 and a
Action during Saturday’s Berbice Guinness final. trophy, but must have left the arena frustrated for not being able to keep the top prize in New Amsterdam;
especially with the support they were given. In the third place playoff, Gunners ensured that at least
one East Bank Berbice team represented when they defeated Lichfield 1-0 in a penalty shootout to capture $100,000, while the loser took home $75,000. Both teams received trophies. Earlier, in semi-final action, Trafalgar beat Lichfield 1-0 with Mitchell the player on target in the 8th minute, while Kings escaped with a 2-0 penalty shootout win over Gunners after regulation time failed to separate a 0-0 stalemate. In the Plate final, NA Kings (B) won the $50,000 winner-take all prize. Among the officials on hand to witness the final were Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, Outdoor Evenst Manager Mortimer Stewart and several top brass at the Berbice Outlet. Action in the competition now swings to the East Coast of Demerara next month. Also on board as a sponsor was Colours Boutique of Robb Street.
Sir Viv throws full support behind Skerritt and Shallow
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Former legendary West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards has endorsed Ricky Skerritt and his running mate Dr Kishore Shallow in their bids to become Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) new president and vice-president respectively. Last month Skerritt announced his intention to challenge current CWI president Dave Cameron in the upcoming elections slated to be held in Jamaica on March 24. In a press statement, Sir Viv, who is widely regarded as one of the West Indies’ best ever captains and batsmen, threw his full support behind Skerritt and Dr Shallow. “This is an excellent opportunity for me to have an input as a past West Indies captain and also from the representation that Leewards would have given to West Indies cricket. If we are now looking to make a choice for a new president, I also believe we have people in that particular department in Mr Ricky Skerritt who could bring some respectability back to the particular position,” Sir Viv said. “I honestly believe the time is right now for someone like Mr Skerritt, who I think is well respected in that particular fraternity to help make a difference in the
Ricky Skerritt has received the full support of Sir Vivian Richards. future.” Sir Viv said it was important for past West Indies players to speak up, especially on pertinent issues such as elections. “Why I am saying this is because we as past players who would have put our bodies on the line, we would have certainly represented West Indies 100 per cent [and] it’s a great opportunity for us to show that we are not insular. I hear people speaking about us being insular at times, this is a great opportunity to show that we are not in terms of the transparency with regards to West Indies cricket and its leadership,” Sir Viv maintained.
“If we speak to the legends who would have had a huge impact in making West Indies cricket become such a huge brand, we did not do this to make We s t I n d i e s c r i c k e t a t present an ATM machine. I don’t think so. We should not lose this opportunity in trying to get Mr Skerritt [elected] or giving him the opportunity to lead. I believe he will do a magnificent job.” In his response, Skerritt said he was honoured to have someone of Sir Viv’s ilk support his presidential bid. “I’m humbled by Sir Viv’s endorsement and it has inspired me, even more, to give my all for West Indies cricket,” he said.
Monday March 18, 2019
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Kaieteur News
The Robert & Ravi Birthday Golf Classic
Shanella storms to victory as ‘Max’, Clifford take other Flights With large golfer turnout and with the golf course in fine condition, former Guyana Open Female champion Shanella Webster-London dominated the competition to emerge tournament champion with her overall Best Net score of 66, while Parmanand ‘Max’ Persaud and Clifford Reis emerged as winners in their Flights in the Robert & Ravi Birthday Classic on Saturday last. Counselor Robert Hanoman & Pandit Rabindranath ‘Ravi’ Persaud, though not in the winners’ row, were delighted at the great support and performance of the golfers in this their first joint sponsored Golf Tournament. All three winners ascribed their great performances to others. Shanella attributed her victory to the encouraging words and particular blessing she received from her mentor and coach, Dr Philbert London – “Dr London’s words and blessing on Friday super charged my performance on Saturday.” Max reported, “The group I played in included the reigning Guyana Open Male Champion Avinash Persaud, Runner-up Kevin Dinanauth and as well as a very good senior golfer Aasrodeen Shaw, and they really inspired my play.” Each of the players in Max’s group won a prize. Clifford explained, “I played in good company – Hilbert Shields, Troy Cadogan and Paton George – where the intellectual conversation was very stimulating, it was more than golf, it was of refreshing management concepts and experiences.” The winners of Clifford’s Flight were from his group. While prizes in each Flight were only awarded to the first 2 places, of note are the performances of the top four
Club President Hussain and Ambassador Venkatachalam pose with the winners. From left: Clifford Reis, Patrick Prashad, Max Persaud, President Hussain, Robert Hanoman, Pandit Ravi, Ambassador Venkatachalam, Kevin Dinanauth, Shanella Webster-London and Aasrodeen Shaw. players in each Flight. They were as follows. In the 22 – 28 category: Clifford Reis (68/25) – 1st; Troy Cadogan (75/26) – 2nd; Paton George (77/22) – 3rd; and co-sponsor Robert Hanoman (82/27) – 4th. In the 15 – 21 Flight: Shanella Webster-London (66/16) – 1st; Aasrodeen Shaw (68/16) – 2nd; cosponsor Rabindranath ‘Ravi’ Persaud (71/17) – 3rd; and Brian Glasford (73/17) – 4th. In the 0 – 14 group: Parmanand ‘Max’ Persaud (68/13) – 1st; Patrick Prashad (70/9) – 2nd; Kevin Dinanauth (71/6) – 3rd; and Mike Mangal (72/9) – 4th.
Positive impact on...
From page 32 seek to develop their respective areas from a sports perspective also. Dozens of the senior citizens of Bartica also came out to be a part of the action with many spending the entire day to soak in all the action; this did not escape the eyes of Jones who said it was great to see that. “It tells you that in many communities people are longing for sports activities, there was an elderly woman who came out on the road and she was clapping and cheering along. We talk about the importance of sports in terms of lending to health; a body in motion stays in motion and these are activities that the elderly loves to be a part of; it helps them health wise and this too is why it should be taken on board by the other communities.” The DoS stated that any other Municipality that takes up the challenge to follow suit, the National Sports Commission would be on board to assist. “It doesn’t necessarily have to only be cycling, it could be any sports discipline of which you bring other regions into your domain and have competition taking place.”
Winners of four special prizes were: Nearest The Pin (4ft) - Aasrodeen Shaw; Longest Drive (280 yds) – Avinash Persaud; Best Gross (77) –Kevin Dinanauth; and Tournament champion from her overall Best Net score (66) – Shanella Webster-London. Counselor and member Robert Hanoman also received a Life Member Certificate for his great contribution to the Club over
the years. A highlight of the day’s activities was the appreciation and congratulatory speech by Counselor Robert Hanoman. Making full use of the occasion, Robert explained his dream for the Lusignan Golf Club - things he hoped would be accomplished in his lifetime. “I dream of a larger much greater used Bar and a fine Restaurant catering for
both local and foreign dishes, so that persons could travel away from the City and enjoy a great meal in a lovely atmosphere. I dream of a Massage Parlour where golfers can go immediately after a tournament and be refreshed,” he said. He added congratulations to the Golf Club Executive and especially current President Aleem Hussain
whom, he said, had done a fantastic job, and had done greater than any previous President at publicizing the Club and ensuring year-long readiness of the Course. Visiting Indian Ambassador Mahalingam Venkatachalam, friend of Pandit Ravi and himself a golfer, was a participant in the day’s tournament and assisted in the distribution of prizes.
Boyce’s 65, 3-Wkt-hauls from Walters, Mohammed... From page 32 with the local lasses on 138-8 from 40 overs. West Indies off-spinner Anissa Mohammed had 3-32, while off-spinner Felicia Walters took 3-21. The Girls from Carnival Country quickly lost Walters for a duck when she was bowled by Giddings, who also removed West Indies batsman Britney Cooper without scoring to leave the score on 2-1 in the first over in sweltering heat. Rachel Vincent (17) and elegant left-hander Stacyann King joined forces in ‘operation rebuild’ and brought up the 50. King, who lofted Frazer over cover and drove her royally down the ground for four and the partnership began to blossom before Vincent was trapped LBW to
Thompson at 61-3. A good size gathering of mostly females in the Green Stand watched as Thompson struck again when she bowled King after she had a confident LBW appeal turned down in the previous over. Skipper Mellissa Aguilera (7) was trapped LBW to spinner Sheneta Grimmond at 70-5 before the pugnacious Boyce, in her third tournament at this level, played some delightful shots and reached her maiden fifty with a powerful hit to the ropes at long-on off left-arm spinner Kaysia Shultz before celebrating the land mark with a disdainful pull when the 21year-old Shultz bowled short, next ball. Leeann Kirby (21) also attacked the Guyanese bowlers but with the stand worth 48, she was taken at
long-off trying to hit Phaffiana Millington for what would have been the game’s only six. Mohammed joined Boyce at 118-6 and played some nice shots before she missed a slog-sweep at Shultz and was bowled for 20. Boyce continued to go after the bowlers and found a useful partner in Bissoon as they took the score past 200; both remaining unbeaten. Guyana began their reply with dark threating clouds drifting over the Providence Stadium and soon lost Melani Henry (5); bowled by Mohammed who opened the bowling. But from 15-1, Campbelle and Grimmond batted positively to keep Guyana’s hopes alive. Campbelle drove Mohammed magnificently past wide mid-off for four,
while Grimmond flicked pacer Canesha Isaacs for another boundary before Grimmond departed at 72-2 to trigger a collapse which saw five wickets falling for 18 runs as the off-spin pair of Walters and Mohammed struck telling blows. But Campbelle was running out of partners and when Frazer (20) was removed by Walters at 123-7 and Campbelle seemed very unlucky to be given run out by Umpire Kelman Kowlesser at 132-8 it was all over bar the shouting. The rain delay only prolonged the agony and soon after the resumption Mohammed bowled Giddings (18) before the last wicket fell for a duck as Guyana, who face Barbados at Everest in their next match on Tuesday, were all out.
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Monday March 18, 2019
Kaieteur News
Andre “Padlock Green” whips field to take top spot in Courts Furniture Store Cycle race Andre Padlock Green was in sublime form as he once again put a lock on the field to take top honours when the Courts Furniture Store Berbice Branch held their annual cycle road in Berbice yesterday. The race was organised by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) and coordinated by Randolph Roberts and Joseph Britton. Green was in ripping form as he opened a wide gap on the second place finisher in whipping the field as he rode all alone for a major part of the downward journey to win the 50 miles race in a time of 2hrs: 6 minutes. 59.02 seconds (2:06.59.02). Riding in a distant second was Ajai Gopilall with Paul De Nobrega winning the sprint home from Balram Narine, Christopher Griffith and Brighton John to round out the top six positions. The race began around 13:30hrs with the 30 cyclists being sent on their way from in front of the Courts New Amsterdam Branch Store at Main and St Ann’s Street then proceeded to Nand Persaud Company Number 36, before turning back to finish at its place of origin. As the race began, a bunch the included Andrew Hicks, Michael Anthony, Akeem Wilkinson, Adrian Griffith, Narine, Walter Grant Stuart, Gopilall, De Nobrega and Paul Choo Wee Nam led the break away and it was a ding done tussle after.
Andre “Padlock Green” Green collects his winnings from Courts Berbice Branch Manager Stanley McKenzie as the other top performers pose for a group picture along with the sponsors and organisers. There were a number of mini breaks, for the advantage but the leaders were quickly roped in. Meanwhile, Green was
leading the chasing pack and he connected with the leaders just about the turn back stage. The two Berbician Green and Hicks, who are familiar with
the route immediately went on a break on the turn back and began opening a gap. The pack, meanwhile, was working hard to catch up. They were able to connect with Hicks, but try as they may were not able to connect with Green who continued to power away for the easy win in the end. In the veteran category, Junior Niles won from Paul Choo-Wee-Nam with Leer Nunes third. The Juvenile category
saw Mario Washington winning from Jeremiah Joseph and Sherwin Sampson. Among the females riders Shenika Tiexeira rode home ahead of Maria Carrington. Among riders from the FACC Balram Narine and Ralph Seenarine were the top two finishers. The sprint point prizes went to Green with three while one each went to De Nobrega, Anthony, Niles, Gopilall and Hicks.
Speaking at the simple presentation ceremony Berbice Branch Manager, Stanley McKenzie had words of thanks for the cyclists’, especially the winners, all the spectators and every one that participated and helped to make the activity a success. He also thanked the FACC and Coordinator and Coach Randolph Roberts for his efforts to make that even a success. (Samuel Whyte)
Mathews grabs 7 as defending champs B’dos crush Leeward Islands by 7 wkts Jamaica overcome Windward Islands
Andre “Padlock Green” Green receiving his prize from Courts Berbice Branch Manager Stanley McKenzie.
All-rounder Hayley Matthews grabbed seven wickets to hand defending champions Barbados and seven-wicket victory over Leeward Islands when the teams collided in the Cricket West Indies Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super 50 tournament yesterday at Everest. Matthews finished with 7-27 from 8.4 overs as Leeward Islands were bowled out for 88 in 27.4 overs after they opted to bat. Rozel Liburd, batting at number 11 top scored with 25 which contained three fours and one six, while Malissa Howard made 13 and Tiffany Thorpe 11 not out. Matthews returned to hit 23 with five fours at the top of the order, while Deandra Dottin
struck four fours and two sixes in a top score of 34 as Barbados responded with 89-3 in 12.1 overs. Liburd took 2-23. At Bourda, Jamaica beat Windward Islands by 80 runs. Batting first, Jamaica posted 236-8. Chinelle Henry stroked six fours in a top score of 54 off 40 balls, while Natasha Mc Lean made 40 with five fours, Stephanie Taylor 31, Rashada Williams 24 and Chedean Nation 19. A. Fletcher claimed 3-34 and C. Noel 2-36. In reply, Windward Islands were bowled out for 156 in 46.3 overs. Pearl Etienne made 47 not out while extras contributed 37; Vanessa Watts grabbed 4-25 and Henry 2-17.