Kaieteur News

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Fly Jamaica makes NEWS staffers redundant; hopes for return in “couple” of months AIETEUR

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Saturday Edition March 30, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 13

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $80

Online readership yesterday 99,267

CCJ sets May 10 for hearing of No-Confidence motion cases LETHEM: Recently named a town, this is the municipal office or Town Hall housing the Mayor and Town Council

GRA calls on Financial Two charged PPP will not support Institutions to make for stealing more funds for GECOM's reports on accounts firearm in election readiness held by US Citizens churchyard - Opposition Leader National Assembly to sit on April 11...

All Govt. MPs with dual citizenships to attend

Kaieteur News

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Saturday March 30, 2019

National Assembly to sit on April 11...

All Govt. MPs with dual citizenships to attend

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he National Assembly will have a sitting on April 11 with all G o v e r n m e n t parliamentarians, including those who have dual citizenships, to attend, says Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

According to the minister, while there will be a sitting, it will be unlikely that the Members of Parliament (MPs) will be immediately dealing with matters of funding for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

GECOM has asked for $3.5B to carry out preparations for early elections, heralded by a December 21 no-confidence vote tabled by the Opposition that was deemed carried but challenged in the courts at the moment.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George had ruled that the vote of 33-32 was

properly carried.

It was found after the December 21 vote that quite a n u m b e r o f parliamentarians, on both sides of the House, had dual citizenship.

Justice George in her rulings also said that the G o v e r n m e n t parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, should not have been sitting as a parliamentarian, as having dual citizenship conflicts with the Constitution of Guyana.

The Court of Appeal last week, in a majority decision, deemed the vote not carried.

The dual citizenship issue was not challenged.

This and other cases involving the legality of the vote is being handled by the Caribbean Court of Justice at the moment.

The court is expected to hear the matter on May 10.

Yesterday, questioned about whether the

Government has taken a collective decision on the dual citizenship, Minister Harmon confirmed that the next date for the sitting of the National Assembly will be on April 11, 2019.

“The question of dual citizenship is a matter which is hot in the media right now and therefore, I believe it is important that we clarify this matter. I must say to you, that this matter has engaged the attention of the High Court of Guyana; it has engaged the attention of the Court of Appeal and it is also a matter which has been appealed to the Caribbean Court of Justice as one of the grounds for appeal.”

Harmon; Minister of F o r e i g n A ff a i r s , C a r l Greenidge; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and Minister Rupert Roopnaraine are among the government officials said to have dual citizenship.

According to Harmon,

Minister Joseph Harmon yesterday, the attorneys representing the state will advise the Government with respect to the situation with members of the Government who are dual citizens. “...So in that regard, I will say that this matter is still engaging the attention and Cabinet has not made a ruling on it. It is contemplated that on April 11, 2019 when the National Assembly sits, that all the members of the Government side will be there.”

Asked to explain the Government's reasoning for not wanting to uphold the Court's decision on dual citizenship even though that (continued on page 24)

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 30, 2019

PAGE 03

GRA calls on Financial Bosai's Matthew's Ridge Institutions to make reports on Manganese operation underway accounts held by US Citizens - 113 Guyanese employed

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he Guyana R e v e n u e Authority (GRA) is mandated under the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) to report accounts of United States (US) citizens to the US Internal Revenue Service (US-IRS) on an annual basis.

In fulfilling this obligation, the authority said via its website that Financial Institutions (FIs) with accounts held by US citizens are required to report such information to the GRA, the designated Competent Authority.

It said that reporting must be done through the Guyana Revenue Authority's AEOI Portal which can be accessed via the link : https://ides.gra.gov.gy/.

FATCA, which was enacted in 2010 by the US Congress, is designed to prevent tax fraud and evasion by US taxpayers using offshore banking facilities. It creates a new regime of automatic tax information sharing between financial institutions.

At the 2016 signing, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan had said Guyana chose to be involved in this important venture not only because it will help to reduce tax evasion in the United States, but also, in Guyana, through the exchange of information between the two countries.

To fulfill the potential of

FATCA to be a potent weapon in the fight against tax evasion and avoidance, the Finance Minister had said that Guyana would be required to undertake a number of measures to improve and strengthen its legislative and institutional arrangements.

“Thus, for example, Guyana amended Section 63 of the Financial Institutions ACT, Chap 85:03, Laws of Guyana, to designate the Guyana Revenue Authority as the competent Authority, on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

This will allow Financial Institutions to provide the GRA with customer information on reportable accounts,” the economist said.

The Finance Minister said that the sharing of information across countries is important for the enforcement of domestic tax laws.

He had said, “By working together to increase transparency, both Guyana

and the US will be able to detect and deter abuse of the tax system in both countries.

This will enable better accountability within the global financial sector. The FAT C A A g r e e m e n t represents another step in our countries' cooperation with each other, in order to combat money laundering and tax evasion and avoidance.”

Jordan continued, “Improving financial regulation and cooperation with international regulators has become an urgent priority in recent years, as the loss of correspondent banking relationships, due to de-risking, has put pressure on financial institutions in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean region.”

He added, “Healthy correspondent banking relationships are essential because they facilitate trade, foster economic growth; create legitimate avenues for growing remittances and providing access to financial services.”

Mom calls police on son who stashed rifle

The recovered gun

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he police in Berbice are currently on the hunt for a 15-year-old school dropout of Angoy's Avenue after the mother of the teen made contact with authorities and informed them that a gun was 'stashed' in an empty lot near her home in Angoy's

Avenue, New Amsterdam.

Reports reaching this publication stated that the teen, known as "Hot Skull" in his village, reportedly hid the gun in the lot near their home recently but his mother who was not about to cover her son's ill deeds, decided to call the police.

Police who arrived at the location shortly after and subsequently retrieved the firearm identified as a Nitro Piston Rifle that included a telescopic lens and a silencer component.

It was wrapped and hidden in a white cloth between the vegetation in the yard.

General Manager of Matthew's Ridge Operation Jason Wong explains a map of Bosai (GMI) manganese operations at Matthew's Ridge, Region One to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams

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o date, 113 Guyanese have already been employed with Guyana Manganese Incorporated (GMI), the local company formed by Bosai Minerals to head its operations at Matthew's Ridge, Region One. Yesterday, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams, visited the region to get a first-hand look at what's taking place thus far.

At their first stop, the ministers, along with a contingent including technical ministerial staff; a GGMC engineer and an

environmentalist inspected a washer plant where ore will be processed, all a part of the manganese operations.

At the site, Minister Trotman said in spite of delays, due in part to land slippage and environmental clearance, he was happy with the employment figures and prospects of the company.

“We intend to restart the manganese operations shortly; as you can see work is ongoing,” stated Minister Trotman The Minister will soon meet with the Company management about its actual startup date. “We intend, as government, to work with them to regain some ground,” assured Minister

Trotman Minister HastingsWilliams was also impressed with the employment figures - 113 locals to 23 expatriates.

She said it was important for the local community to benefit, however, there were still challenges.

“They (Bosai) need over 300 workers and they want to employ persons from Region One, which we are happy about. However, there may be a challenge based on the skills they would need here.”

The Minister said this issue would need to be looked at as a matter of urgency. “I'm looking at a collaboration with the Matthew's Ridge community (continued on page 24)

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Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

We do rise above our positions Many people grow up with poverty; it was and still is a constant companion. A few sturdy, purposeful souls grow out of it, as in above and beyond. NBA superstar, Lebron James, now worth tens of millions of dollars, perhaps well over a hundred, shares some lessons on how he and his family managed to survive a hardscrabble existence.

Guyana, whether rich or poor, should listen and could learn.

Lebron’s family survived by squeezing, skimping, sacrificing. Government was not seen as saviour; helping hand across the road yes; but traveling alone afterward.

All the great rags to riches sagas are of self-sacrifice; resistance to the enchantment of gaudy exhibitionism.

Think Oprah Winfrey, think immigrants seizing dream and converting to something— something above what was known, what came from; something for tomorrow. Serenity comes; and the self-confidence of having nothing to prove.

They are many: independents, street side entrepreneurs, vendors and contractors, sellers and arrangers and middlemen in the domestic arena. Men cleaning fish at the bustling pre-sunlight Meadow Bank wharf. Men selling on those mobile carts (the loud ones)— those rising when the music curfew descends to face the fire, to earn a hard, honest living.

Good stuff. Inspiring energy and vision from the multitude of earners, who are determined to make things happen. On their own. Paying the taxes might neutralize, but they have to scrape and sacrifice; and then still envision going to the next rung up the ladder—a second worker, a second stand, a second line of endeavour. Who needs government? These hardy folks do not. Sometimes they do.

Lebron can tell about the cushion and official hand of food stamps. Food was so plentiful that it was there: right on the top of the fridge. That is some loaded pantry. That is what stokes a burning fire in the belly, a fire that rages and drives toward the impossible.

The impossible cannot be achieved by getting up at close to noon. Daily. Or through turning a muscle and a straw (one only) so as to get enough beer money, and then that’s it for the day. At that rate, local content will inevitably lead to many summers of discontent; endless, tortuous ones.

The citizens who get up are the ones who double down: work ethic, pride, drive, and wanting to get somewhere.

Those who once long endured the harsh, bitter taste of pounding repeating hunger never want to be hungry again. They know when and how (and how sensibly) to treat themselves.

Lebron, a sportsman, the poor man’s hero, tells how he does it, how it should be done. The king likes cars. He can have any and many. Slowly goes it; carefully too.

Some of the richest people in the world practise thrift even though they are on top of the financial world: economy cars, own tea bags, frugal lifestyles. It is the art of thrift by those who can afford to splurge.

In a small society with so many easily accessed underground money wells, as well as the charity of overseas family, the temptation to display and live above means comes too smoothly; definitely unthinkingly.

Blaming government, reaching for and leaning on government, only goes so far. The pot is empty; so, too, is the fridge. Continuously.

If the rich, like Lebron, do not wish to prove anything, other than they have learned and grown, and are comfortable with who and what they are. Then, maybe, the armies of dependents and expectants in this country can summon the interest and will to rise above circumstances, even fate.

Fire in the belly. Bright gleam in the eye. And then do to be.

The PPP never claimed purity DEAR EDITOR, It is always more fun than a challenge to respond to published letters penned by Eusi Kwayana.

Some have questioned the timing and the purpose of Kwayana’s letter published in SN of 26 March 2019.

I have known Eusi personally during political struggles associated with the Movement Against Oppression (MAO) Dr. Walter Rodney, the three trials Arnold Rampersaud, the Mahaicony Three, the struggles of the bauxite workers in alliance with sugar workers, the Committee in Defence of Democracy (CDD) and the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) I concede that those are obviously not enough to really know Eusi Kwayana.

As far as his membership and association with the PPP is concerned, there is enough in the party’s and Red House’s archives that speak to what manner of man Sydney King now Eusi Kwayana was in the ‘Old PPP.’ I consider it necessary to establish these facts before proceeding to respond to his letter.

Kwayana’s political activism would, probably, stretch way back to the 1940’s. April 4, will mark his 94th birthday.

It is not unusual for Kwayana’s writings to be situated in a historical context, particularly as regards the ‘Old PPP’ which he had a strong relationship with in its early beginnings.

Since the PPP is made up of neither eunuchs nor saints it would be obtuse for anyone to claim that the PPP is a model of purity, electorally or otherwise.

In fact, any political party that sets itself atop a pedestal, pretending to be a paragon of virtue should be called out and made to answer for its pretentiousness and demagoguery.

Long before the transformation of the PPP from a loose mass party to a more disciplined type of party, the PPP has, at numerous party congresses, regional and district conferences and at party group meetings, conceded its deficiencies at the organizational and ideological levels.

Corrections and adjustments have been made along the way.

The Constitution of the ‘modern PPP’ states inter-alia: ‘The Central Committee shall take the initiative for the development of fullest criticism and self-criticism. All criticism must take place in the appropriate party bodies and meetings.’

Mr Kwayana is historically correct in his characterization of the 1953 electoral era and the legal age for voting at that time.

However, as regards Dr. Jagan’s urgings to crowds at that time, as per registration telling them “if you can marry at 18 and fight at 18, you can vote at 18,” I prefer to contextualize and make more precise what Kwayana chose to put in more popular language.

Ever since the PPP was formed in 1950, it has been advocating the vote for 18 years and over.

The party’s first demand for the vote at 18 was in late 1950, when a team of party representatives appeared before a Commission to prepare for the introduction of the Ministerial system of government.

Mr Forbes Burnham, the then Chairman of the PPP was a member of the delegation.

He supported the argument before the Commission for the vote at 18.

The 21 versus 18 voting age became a flash point during talks for an independent Guyana.

During those talks, Jagan called for a ‘A fully selfgoverning territory’ while Burnham countered with his call for ‘Full internal selfgovernment.’

Under pressure from his constituents and recognizing Jagan had a much more advanced nationalistic position reflected in his call for independence, Burnham changed his position and called for independence under the proportional representation system.

Burnham came under criticism from Sydney King now Eusi Kwayana, his party’s General Secretary, when he declared that: “... the Burnham statement is dangerous to the African people. I cannot be part of Burnham’s plan. His plan is to help Jagan win independence. A seat is reserved for him on Jagan’s plane.”

King was subsequently expelled from the party. Later, (Continued on page 6)

Guyanese things that startle DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese are endlessly innovative people, blessed with an expansive imagination. Those citizens that think less than cleanly, legally, and righteously come up with one concoction or involvement after another that tell how far people will go to get their way. Some of those ways are not so positive.

Black money - what is that? A 62-year old involved?

And all the way over by the Golden Triangle? I am surprised to learn that Guyanese are even aware that a place called Thailand exists, actually end up over there, and then are so clever as to seek to get one over by criminal action; prisons are reputed to be dungeons.

When these players come to light, I end up thinking: what a waste! For I am speculating how much they could have brought to the motherland if put to positive uses. Truly, with daring, talent, and tireless energy like that, this country would have learned something; not necessarily always beneficial, but something anyhow.

Think very good cyberhackers, who are recruited from the dark side to that of the light.

From Bangkok I make my way to Georgetown. To be specific, the bus park. Dante

Alighieri would have drawn a special circle for that hellhole. Police authorities must be commended for taking a look at an eyesore and eyepass. There is a low-grade racket - many of them - at work in plain view.

For the longest while, daily travelers have been subjected to one abuse after another; so, too, are those seeking to work at an honest living. I understand that the elderly come in for the intimidating; pictures, eyewitness accounts, and many shared individual experiences speak of routine lawlessness that squeezes simple, working class people trying to get from one point to another. Harassment, menacing, robberies, and the rest. Near a bustling, central marketplace, this is the harsh reality. It is one big brawl, because the perpetrators know that they have been given a free pass. That is, until now. That this could have gone on for so long without a determined effort boggles the mind. Yes, I understand lack of manpower; might be will, too.

Low level crimes, and quality of life travails, are some of the troubles what spawn serious felonies, give the thuggish reason to believe that they can and will get away with anything.

It is getting away with

anything that prompted the startling development of protest against the installation of surveillance cameras in that same heavily populated area. Somehow, I hear strains of America: privacy concerns, exposure traumas of suddenly shrinking violets. Say what?

For whom? What about the welfare and security of the many people who cannot afford taxis, exist on minimum wage, and must use that warzone called the bus park?

I suppose in a town where the order and discipline of parking meters unleashed one furor after another, then why not object to security cameras, too? I should have seen that one coming. I am still adjusting to the national mindset and culture of not wanting to pay taxes (unsettling); not liking governmental pressure on narcotics trafficking (mindboggling); not appreciating anti money laundering and its positives (disturbing); and not welcoming official anticorruption moves (stupefying).

It is stupefying (at least to me) that the very things that have devastated this society attract disfavour and run into heavy resistance.

The same people who feel the brunt of the disadvantages, shortages, pressures, and stringencies - the mass of the

smaller man and woman, are those who lend either oral or spiritual support to those who play profitable games with these fires. It is why I am not surprised that elections of the kind that have been known, governments and politicians of the calibre experienced, and a constitution of the specious character and quality endured have all continued to flourish for so long.

The smaller improvements (security cameras, traffic lights, parking meters) are routinely scorned, ignored, and dismissed. It should come as no surprise that the real heavyduty bigger ingredients that make for some degree of coexistence have failed to find a core of hearing, and solid traction on which to build for future momentum.

These matters should startle any sober and sane observer. Rather regrettably, I confess to becoming so acclimatized to the environment that I am not even surprised anymore.

Worse yet, I have reached that terrible state where I can anticipate the next oncedisturbing incident of the latest Guyanese creative irregularity and shrug nonchalantly, then move on.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Saturday March 30, 2019

Calamity at Guyana Goldfields DEAR EDITOR, Having read the comment attributed to the esteemed Minister of Natural Resources in yesterday’s newspaper on what is happening at Guyana Goldfields I cringed. Is this man serious?

What is going on in this company is not about internal squabbles, it is about bad management and endless lies upon lies by the operators.

When will this minister wake up and take these to task?

This Company is one of the main contributors to the GNP, and if it is failing in this regard, then it is an area of big concern for any government. Workers jobs are at risk. Just yesterday it continued laying off more workers.

“Not surprisingly, management’s missed guidance and underperformance for 2018 is reflected in its financial report. The disappointing revenues and earnings, as reported, heighten concerns about the board’s ability to provide appropriate oversight over the company’s operations team.

The new life-of-mine (LOM) plan for Aurora issued by the company — even though it only issued one last year is troubling — provides for a shorter life, a lower grade, higher costs and a dramatic 43-per-cent

reduction in production.

“This much gold just doesn’t disappear.

Management has yet to provide a credible explanation of why there’s been a catastrophic reduction in ounces from the resource model that they initiated and signed off on just one year ago. They were either misleading the market then or they are misleading the market now. …

“Over the past year, they’ve blamed everyone and everything, including mine rates, former employees, contractors and the resource model, for their performance.

Of concern is that the company’s 2018 mining reserve update, which was initiated and conducted under the review of Scott Caldwell, chief executive officer, and the technical committee, showed an increase of reserves of 500,000 ounces from 2017.

Now, in 2019, the company is claiming 1.7 million ounces of reserves have gone missing.

The out-of-control costs at Aurora will have a very dramatic impact on the open-pit reserves and life. For example, mining costs have been reported at $3.43 per tonne (which the company expects to reduce to $3.01 per tonne through contract mining), yet the 2017 feasibility study had estimated $2.11 per tonne — an overrun of 50 per cent.

The fundamentals of good journalism include the truth DEAR EDITOR, We at the Georgetown City Council are becoming very worried about the reports published in the print media about our statutory meetings.

Over the past weeks, as Public Relations Officer, I have received several calls about the stories carried about City Hall.

Our major concern is that many of the stories are not a true reflection of the issues that are debated at the statutory meetings. We are cognizant that the media has the right to carry a story from

any angle it chooses.

However, the fundamentals of good journalism include thetruth which citizens deserve the right to know. We are grateful for the publicity, but at the same time we are concerned about the objectivity, balance and fairness in stories on the (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur News

Similarly, general and administrative expenses have grown from an estimated $8.52 per tonne to now almost $11 per tonne.”

In the two days following the announcement of the new life-of-mine plan, the share price of Guyana Goldfields tumbled by 14.4 per cent to $1.13, a new 52-week low.

Analysts also reacted to the news with disappointment.

“We are disappointed by the significant loss in ore tonnes with no offsetting increase in grade. This could be partly a function of new and more conservative gradecapping parameters, but the details of the mine plan were not provided beyond the summary level. This is the most frustrating aspect of the update,” commented a representative of ScotiaBank.

“We had expected the company to lower its 2019/20 production forecast relative to its 2018 plan; however, the revision to reserves was more severe than we anticipated,” commented a representative of TD Securities Inc. “Guyana Goldfields is currently in the penalty box with investors for downgrading its 2018 guidance twice throughout the year and now completing a resource review and new LOM plan with large declines in reserves, production and valuation. We are moving our rating and target to ‘under review,’” commented a representative of Paradigm Capital.

E. Naughton

Stop harassment of small business hustlers DEAR EDITOR, After seeing a video on Facebook of a young single parent being harassed at the Bartica stelling, I ask that you help publish this ridiculous act by the Bartica stelling authorities and members of the Guyana Police Service.

The video clearly showed that she had two small boxes of fish worth four thousand dollars and is asked to pay 4,000 dollars landing fee. I was told that her two boxes of fish were kept at the police station and released till 5 o’clock that afternoon.

This issue raises a popular trend of harassment meted out to small hustlers who seek to eke out a daily bread. It is no secret that government has been making strides in infrastructure, health, education etc. On the question of job creation, it is woefully lacking.

Worst of all, to have people like this young lady with her fish, the plantain chip vendor with a little tray , the roadside vendor with 2 cases of water, a little 10 x 10 bottom house wood shop, and the list goes on, being harassed to extract more money out of a barely survival mode, is unconscionable and wholly unaccepted.

I listened carefully to Finance Minister, Hon Winston Jordan’s budget

speech and was quiet impressed with all the goodies he spoke about and nurturing small businesses.

My mind quickly raced to a popular verse in a Bob Marley song which said “the biggest man was once a baby in this life”.

Today, the story of Banks D.I.H, Gafoors Ltd. and Toolsie Persaud Ltd. are just a few who were once babies.

If we are to truly develop this country, we need not confrontation, harassment or any other act killing ideas and dreams. Every government institution, be it GPL, GWI, GRA and all the ministries must recognize a facilitating

role, even if is plantain chip we talking about.

I hope this letter catches the attention of all the relevant authorities. I hope to see specific instructions being given not to harass these small business or individuals. I hope we can see a change of attitude in the enforcement agencies and a more facilitating and polite approach to handle disputes.

I am looking forward with every confidence in this government taking all the necessary steps to facilitate the small man to become a big man.

Yours Sincerely C. Woolford

Not even a word of sympathy?

DEAR EDITOR, I am appalled and disappointed that I see nothing in the media to offer even a word of sympathy to the people of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

A cyclone which started last week has taken nearly a thousand lives and a million persons displaced.

We are a country that is making a fuss over a few Venezuelans.

Is it that our Civil Society, political or religious leaders don’t regard the people of Southern Africa as God’s children?

If Forbes Burnham was alive, he would have led a Caribbean response to this week-old human tragedy.

Hamilton Green

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Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

The Guyana Constitution must foster stability DEAR EDITOR, The constitution provides that, in order to be carried, a motion for the passing of ordinary bills simply needs more yeahs than nays in any sitting of the House. This means that a majority of at least one is required. It also provides that a no-confidence motion one that seeks to remove a sitting governmentneeds the participation of all the elected members of the house, with a majority voting in favour. Again a majority of at least one will do. Adherence to these criteria during the noconfidence vote on December 21, 2018, resulted in the motion being carried by a majority of one. This outcome, however, does

not take into consideration the wider intent of the constitution - that the vote should also help to foster political stability during the fiveyear term of the government by ensuring to the extent possible that the replacement government cannot itself be easily removed.

To accomplish this goal, the vote ought to be of a higher standard of difficulty. Indeed, there may be various standards (majorities) and, the Guyana constitution expects its operators to define its own, and to also select a formula for achieving it. On March 22, 2019 the court ruled that the formula for determining such a vote should be 65/2 rounded up + 1 = 34.

The difficulty of a vote attaining such a standard in Guyana is good for stability and should continue to be upheld by the courts.

Fitzroy Collins

I’m no jurist, but…

DEAR EDITOR, Whatever may be implied by the term, I’ll identify myself as apolitical. Further, and by a long way, I’m no jurist.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and having been inundated with wide-ranging positions related to Article 106 (6) of the constitution of our Cooperative Republic, I am all but able to resist making an input.

Considering the discussions by Peeping Tom - Kaieteur News, March 27, 2019 - and accepting that in the context of the specific article, a majority must be a number greater than 50% of 65, the value of 50% of 65 must be determined. Three options are offered a) 32.5 - the simple numerical value, or b) 33 - there being no half of a real person, or c) undefined - because numerically, 32.5 real persons (elected members) is non-existent; and because 33 is not - strictly and unamended - the numerical half (50%) of 65.

Of necessity, use of option 3 is untenable.

Determination must be made between 32.5 and

33 as being the value of 50% of 65 elected members. I’m no jurist. Exeunt me.

With warmest regards, Gavin Houston

The fundamentals of good journalism...

From page 5 Georgetown Municipality. At the statutory meetings several positive things are happening. However, very often this is not reported. Recently, there was an article about the Mayor and Town Clerk that hit social media captioned City Mayor “Feels Shoved around.” The content of the story is misleading. However, His Worship the Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine and Mrs. Sharon Harry Munroe would like to inform the public that the issue relating to the Driver/Chauffeur has been resolved.

Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer

Our young people need jobs DEAR EDITOR, The private sector, through its representative bodies, has been playing an increasing role in the body politic of Guyana.

This, in my view, is a welcome development. Gone are the days when the state owned and controlled what was regarded as the commanding heights of the economy.

Today the private sector is seen as the engine of growth and, taken as a whole, is the largest employer of labour.

The role of the state is primarily that of creating an enabling environment for the private sector to create wealth by providing the necessary infrastructure and at the same time ensuring that the rights of workers are protected as enshrined in the law.

The country can only prosper when wealth is created. This is why it is important that the environment for wealth creation is enhanced by way of sound economic policies and fiscal incentives. This is all the more necessary as we enter into a new era in our economic life, in which the main driver of economic growth will be oil and gas, as opposed to a narrow range of exports such

as sugar, rice and gold.

The private sector must be commended for taking a stand on the issue of good governance and respect for the rule of law. In fact, there is a positive correlation between private sector development and democratic governance.

Business and investment, both foreign and local, do not respond well to political instability. The country paid a heavy price during the days of undemocratic rule and we have a duty as a society to ensure that we do not revert to such a debilitating past.The days of state as the largest source of employment are long gone. The public sector is not in a position to absorb the growing number of out of school youths, many of whom are now forced to join the ranks of the unemployed.

The government cannot ignore the call of the private sector and other stakeholders for a politically stable and democratic environment. Our young people need jobs and it is the responsibility of the government to facilitate job creation efforts initiated by the private sector.

Hydar Ally

Guyanese things that startle...

From page 4 by a strange twist of events, Burnham and King joined up under the common slogan ‘No Independence Under Jagan.’

Both men were now tethered to an anti-PPP bandwagon in support of voting at 21. A position favoured by the colonial authorities.

The rationale behind the party’s demand for voting at 18 was based on the law that existed at the time in the colony.

Accordingly, a person was entitled at the age of 18 to be employed in the public service of the colony. That person could become a member of the police or military forces. Moreover, a male person at that age could have assumed responsibility for a wife and raise a family.

Thus it was felt that if a person is capable of assuming all these responsibilities, then surely he/she would be mature enough to exercise the vote with reason and good sense.

So, while I would not break a lance over Kwayana’s popular formulation as to how the PPP’s call to register was put to crowds, it was certainly not only a case of being able to marry and fight at 18, it was much more than that.

The point to note here, though, is that Burnham somersaulted from vote at 18 to vote at 21, because it was clear to him that the PPP would win elections outright, both he and Kwayana wanted to block that from happening.

As regards the imbroglio at the Houston constituency in the 1961 elections, this matter has been weaponized by others, just as Eusi did in this letter claiming that ‘The PPP was not a model of electoral purity.’

In his ‘West on Trial’ Cheddi Jagan wrote; ‘We had no direct responsibility for the conduct of the 1961 elections; it was conducted under the authority of a British official holding the office of Chief Secretary and under the direct supervision of an Electoral Officer who was an Englishman.

As regards the registration of voters, the Chief Electoral Officer took every care to ensure, scrupulously, fairness in registration. It was the PPP which called in the police when it became known that attempts were being made to pad the list for the Houston Constituency, for which a byelection was pending.

A statement made by the Attorney General on March 27, 1963, in connection with the registration of voters pointed out: ‘The investigations which are being made by the police into the supplementary Voters’ List for the Houston Constituency are not complete, but an interim report concerning 686 names already investigated discloses the following: ‘’The number of voters seen out of a total of 686 so far investigated amounts to 294.

Of the latter number, 15 persons are under the voting age. Of the remaining names, 79 were never heard of at all and 204 are alleged to have left the constituency.”

The police also stated that of the 686 claims investigated out of a total of 1,507 registered names, 109 (including 2 believed dead) could not be found at all.

Dr. Jagan concluded; ‘We did not object to changes in the arrangements for the registration of voters and the conduct of the election, but we deplored the attempt of the

British government to impute misconduct by insinuations and falsehoods in order to discredit us.’

In the midst of independence talks and country-wide disturbances resulting from violence unleashed on the basis of the PNC’s X-13 plan during the 1962 to 1964 period, some who have weaponized the Houston debacle, refuse to recognize that it was the British and not the PPP’s responsibility to offer an explanation to the public about the events at Houston.

But the more important question was: who were the culprits who had inserted the 109 electoral impurities on the Houston constituency voters list?

British elections officials were in charge of elections at the time, but they never wanted to pronounce on the matter, since the objective was to have a weak and not a stable government, though the PPP, beyond all expectations, had won 20 out of the 36 seats.

Through the annals of history, the practice of rigged elections has plagued Guyana. And 7 out of every 10 every Guyanese at home and abroad know who the practitioners of electoral fraud in Guyana are. The culprit’s rap sheet is in the public domain.

Those who claim that the PPP was/is ‘not a model of electoral purity’ must provide incontrovertible evidence, whether from the British archives or from the reports of any of the international observer missions who observed elections in this country during the days of the old or modern PPP, to justify their case.

Yours faithfully Clement J. Rohee

Saturday March 30, 2019

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Kaieteur News

CCJ sets May 10 for hearing of No-Confidence motion cases Attorney General Basil Williams (third from left) formed part of the lawyer contingent

Justice Adrian Saunders (centre) alongside the two other Judges hearing the matters

By Feona Morrison All three cases relating to the No-Confidence Motion will be regarded and treated as urgent, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders, has said. He has fixed Friday, May 10, at 9:00hrs to commence hearing in all the matters.

During a case management conference (CMC) yesterday at the court’s Trinidad and Tobago headquarters, Justice Saunders, and two other judges fixed strict timelines for legal documents to be filed with the court.

They also fixed timelines for those which have to be served respective parties. The Case Management Conference was viewed via live broadcast from the court’s website.

The Conference was attended by representatives of the State, Attorney General Basil Williams, Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, and Senator and Attorney-at-Law Eamon Courtenay of Belize, who tuned in via video call.

Attorneys-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran and Sanjeev Datadin appeared on behalf of Christopher Ram and

Charrandass Persaud respectively.

Attorneys-at-Law Anil Nandlall and Roysdale Forde appeared for Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and Joseph Harmon in his capacity as a representative of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in that order.

Senior Counsel Neil Boston appeared for private citizen Compton Reid, while Attorney-at-Law Rafiq Khan is representing Barton Scotland, Speaker of the National Assembly.

After much deliberation, the panel of Judges invited the respective lawyers to file Notices of Appeal by next week Monday, April 1.

Also, the President ordered that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) be added as a party in the cases and that Notices of Appeal be served forthwith on the electoral body by Friday, April 5.

According to Saunders, “Now the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is a necessary party in these matters and therefore if no application had been made to join them by any of the parties, the court of its own motion is or-

Buxton man stabbed to death by countryman in Trinidad A Guyanese man is dead after an altercation, Wednesday night, with a fellow countryman. Dead is Kobina Andrews, 32.

According to a report in the Trinidad Newsday, Andrews of Caroni, Savannah Road, was stabbed to death during a quarrel on the Chaguanas Main Road on Wednesday evening.

Police said Andrews was walking along the Chaguanas Main Road near RBC at around 6.50 pm when he was confronted by another Guyanese man, whom he knew.

The two began arguing and during the exchange, the man pulled out a knife and stabbed Andrews several times before running away.

Andrews was taken to the

Dead: Kobina Andrews Chaguanas Health Facility, where he died while being treated.

Andrews is said to be from Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

His Facebook page says he worked in construction.

dering that GECOM be joined as a defendant.

“And (the court orders) further that personal service of the Notices of Appeal and documents that will constitute the records of appeal and the orders that we are making today be effected on the commission on or before the end of next week (April 5).”

Williams and lawyers were instructed to file cross appeals, if any, by Monday, April 8. The court ordered that written submissions be filed and exchanged on or before Wednesday, April 17.

Any replies to these submissions are to be filed by Tuesday, April 23.

All documents in relation to these matters will be filed electronically. The matter comes up for pre-trial review the following day, Wednesday April 24.

Khan, during his address to the court, said that the Speaker will not take part in the contested aspects and will not file submissions, but will abide by any orders made by the court.

“When we have the pre-

trial review we will address issues which have to do with the order and length of oral submissions. But I must warn that we are trying to discourage duplication and parties should co-operate with each other, so that you don’t have two parties addressing us on the same points and making the same arguments.” Justice Saunders urged.

Justice Saunders continued, “We have set down one day (May 10) for this matter and we are going to try to hear it that day. We will start at nine out of an abundance of caution. It would be appropriate that all counsel appear in person.

“This is a matter of extreme importance and we can’t afford hitches with the telecommunications and the slight disadvantage a party appearing by video might have relative to a party appearing in person.”

“We are setting aside May 10. We start at nine and we work till the end even if we are here until 4 or 5’o

clock,” Justice Saunders told the lawyers who all agreed to the date and timings.

On the night of December 21, last, 33 of the 65 members of the National Assembly voted in favour of a No-Confidence motion brought against the coalition government. The Speaker thereafter ruled that the motion provided for under Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana, was successfully passed.

Article 106 (6) reads, “The President including the cabinet shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

The successful passage of such a motion means that the President and Ministers of Government should resign and that elections be held within three months in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana.

According to that Article, “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, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

But Government has insisted that 34 votes were required for it to be defeated and that the vote of Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud, who voted in favour of the motion, was invalid since he held dual citizenship which contravenes Article 155 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Guyana.

That article states, “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”As such, the (Continued on page 24)

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Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

Partners on Orinduik Block identify second well for 2019 Drilling Programme

By Kiana Wilburg Partners in the Orinduik Block—Tullow, Total and Eco-Atlantic—have approved its budget and the location of the second well for its 2019 drilling programme.

According to the Eco Atlantic, the ‘Joe’ prospect has been selected as the second well location. The company noted that the Stena Forth Drill Ship was contracted to drill the Jethro Lobe well first with a spud date scheduled for early June 2019.

The rig will move directly after, to Joe and begin drilling this second exploration well in mid July 2019. The Joe Well is located in approximately 650 meters of water.

Eco Atlantic said that Joe potentially holds 150 million barrels of oil equivalent resource and is an Upper Tertiary target which has a 43.2% chance of success, as estimated in the recently published independent report produced by Gustavson As-

sociates.

The net cost to Eco for its 15 percent Working Interest in the Joe Well is expected to be approximately US$3 million.

Eco said that this is significantly less than the expected cost of the first JethroLobe well, which is estimated at approximately US$6.9 million, as the cost of mobilizing and demobilizing the drilling rig have all been incorporated into the cost of the first well.

As announced on February 27, last, Eco is fully funded for the 2019 campaign and beyond, having current cash of approximately USD $19 million. The second well is subject to customary review by the Department of Energy.

Colin Kinley, Chief Operating Officer of Eco Atlantic, said, “The approval at this stage of a second well is a clear indication of the Partners’ risking of Orinduik. All of the Partners support a two well drilling campaign target-

ing close to 370 million barrels of Gross Prospective Resources at 43.2% risking, which is well above industry averages anywhere in the world.

“Both the Upper Tertiary age, Joe and Lower Tertiary age, Jethro are excellent targets and have been selected jointly between our Geo-scientific Teams.”

He added, “Our recently updated Competent Persons Report included a billion barrel increase in Gross Unrisked Prospective Resources to 3,981.9 Million Barrels of Oil Equivalent resources.”

The Chief Operating Officer said that the evaluation of the Orinduik Block is ongoing and Eco is confident in its partners’ ability to prove up oil in the Tertiary aged section that has already been derisked by its neighbours on the Stabroek Block, being ExxonMobil with the Hammerhead discovery.

He added, “We have de-

veloped an excellent geological and geophysical model that we continue to build on together with our Partners.”

Also commenting on the matter was Gil Holzman, President and CEO of Eco Atlantic. Holzman said that with the selection by the Orinduik Partners of the second well target for its 2019 drilling campaign, they are now set for a transformational period in the life of the company.

He said, “With exceptional Partners, a strong cash balance, and an inventory of many high impact drilling targets in the most exciting oil province in the world, we hope to deliver significant value to shareholders in the near term. I take special pride in our ability to deliver and meet our professional objectives, bringing the company to such an exciting stage.”

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 seismic data set and interpretation.

The Company’s 2550 km2

Eco Atlantic CEO, Gil Holzman 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.

The Orinduik Block is adjacent and updip to ExxonMobil, CNOOC and Hess Corporation’s Stabroek Block, on which 12 discoveries have been announced and over 5.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent recoverable resources are estimated.

First oil production is expected from the deep-water Liza Field in 2020.

ExxonMobil’s Hammerhead-1 discovery is just 6.5km downdip from Eco’s Orinduik Block. Eco’s updated Competent Persons Report of March 2019 confirmed that Hammerhead-1 extends onto Orinduik, which significantly de-risks the Block.

Drunken woman allegedly attempts to kill husband A 40-year-old mother of five yesterday found herself facing a charge of attempted murder because she reportedly chopped her husband about the body following a drunken argument they had.

The accused, Marva Kenswil, stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the charge was read to her. She was not required to enter a plea as the charge was made indictable.

It was alleged that on March 27, 2019 at Kamarang Landing, Mazaruni River, with intent to commit murder Kenswil wounded her husband, Winston Lewis.

Facts of the charge presented by police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield indicated that the two shared a common law relationship.

On the day in question the woman who was at the time under the influence of alcohol got into a heated argument with her husband.

Kenswil later rushed out of the house only to return with a cutlass and dealt her husband several brutal chops about his head and face.

Lewis was later picked up from the scene, rushed to a hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and was sent away. Kenswil on the other hand was subsequently arrested and charged for the current offence.

After listening to the prosecutor and reviewing the medical report for the victim, Magistrate McLennan instructed that the prosecution should seek further advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the way

Marva Kenswil forward.

Moreover, the magistrate ordered that Kenswil should attend counseling sessions until the completion of her trial.

The accused was released on self bail as prosecutor Mansfield had no objections to bail. The matter was adjourned to June 17, next for the commencement of the trial.

Saturday March 30, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Principles of Convenience Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper, is fond of reminding us here at Kaieteur News that if you do not stand for something you will fall for anything. Well, if the response of the government to the courts’ pronouncements on dual citizenship is anything to go by, the government is performing one of great tumbling acts of all time.

The government challenged the no confidence motion on the basis that the vote of Charrandass Persaud, which swung the no confidence motion the Opposition’s way, was invalid. They argued that he was a dual citizen and therefore was ineligible to sit in the National Assembly. They went as far as producing evidence that he had renewed his Canadian passport and had travelled on that passport.

Under the Constitution of Guyana, a person who has sworn allegiance to a foreign state is prohibited from being elected as a member of the National Assembly. As such, the government argued that in the circumstances Charrandass Persaud’s membership of the National Assembly was invalid.

The Jamaican Constitu-

tion has a similar provision. It provides that no person shall be qualified to be appointed to parliament if that person “is by virtue of his own under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

In the Jamaican case of Dabdoub v. Vaz, Harris and the Attorney General, Chief Justice McCalla examined the relevant constitutional provisions relating to qualification for membership of the Jamaican parliament. The Chief Justice of Jamaica in her ruling asserted that there was no problem with dual citizens who obtained that citizenship involuntarily – that is by birth or the actions of their parents on their behalf.

However, she ruled that if a person by his own act is under any acknowledgement of obedience or adherence to a foreign power that person is disqualified from sitting in parliament.

The learned Chief Justice of Jamaica held that the positive act of renewing and travelling on a foreign passport constituted an act to acknowledge allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state, and there-

fore disqualifies the person from sitting in parliament.

What that ruling meant, was that it matters not if you were born overseas or received your citizenship while you were a child. So long as you took steps on your own accord to renew or travel on a foreign passport you are disqualified from sitting in Jamaica’s parliament.

Guyana’s Constitution has a similar provision as that of the Jamaican Constitution in so far as acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state is concerned. Therefore, so long as it can be established that the dual citizens in our National Assembly had either travelled or renewed their foreign passports, they are disqualified from being eligible to sit in the National Assembly.

There have been admissions by persons, on both sides of the House, that they are dual citizens. It is most likely, therefore, that most or all of them would have had foreign passports as adults, which they would have had to renew. It is also possible that they could have been travelling on these passports.

Any of these acts would dis-

Two charged for stealing firearm in church yard

Remanded Brenton Charles Brenton Charles and Quacy Sealy, who are no strangers to the courtroom, yesterday returned to answer a charge of stealing a firearm along with matching ammunitions from a church compound.

It was alleged that the men on March 24, 2019 at Brickdam Cathedral compound, stole one black .32 pistol valued at $270,000 and 14 matching rounds, property of Michael Jordan.

Both accused pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Charles, 31, resides at Moruca North West District.

Remanded Quacy Sealy

He is a vendor by trade. He was previously charged with robbery and also accused of attempted murder.

On the other hand, Sealy who is known for a number of traffic offences is a bus driver who hails from Kitty, Georgetown.

Police prosecutor Christopher Morris objected to bail based on the nature of the offence and the fact that the men are known to the police.

The charge stated that on the day in question, the victim was using his nephew’s motor car to attend church. He parked the vehicle in the church compound, leaving the articles mentioned in the car and

other valuables in a handbag in the motor car.

Upon his return he discovered that the window of the motor car was broken and the firearm and ammunitions were missing. From video footage Sealy was allegedly seen as the driver of a vehicle that transported the perpetrator.

Sealy was contacted and told of the allegation and under caution he admitted to the offence. Further investigations were carried out and Charles was arrested. Charles also reportedly admitted to committing the act..

Senior Magistrate Leron Daly then remanded the men to prison until April 12, 2019 for report into the matter at the next court hearing.

qualify them from sitting in Guyana’s parliament.

The Chief Justice of Guyana in her decision in the challenges to the constitutionality of the no confidence motion, ruled like her colleague of Jamaica. And her ruling was upheld by all three of the judges of Guyana’s Court of Appeal.

It therefore means that it is unconstitutional for persons who are under acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign state of power to be sitting in the National Assembly. As established in the Dabdoub case, the litmus test of that acknowledgement is whether that person renewed or travelled on a foreign passport.

What is perverse is that the APNU+AFC government brought an action against

Charrandass Persaud, questioning his eligibility to sit in the National Assembly on the grounds of his dual citizenship, yet are refusing to have their dual citizens resign from the National Assembly, despite the rulings of the Chief Justice of Guyana and the Court of Appeal of Guyana.

The government was successful in having the courts disqualify Charrandass Persaud’s membership of the National Assembly but see no contradiction in not demanding that its members who hold dual citizenship remove themselves from that body.

It may well be that none of the government parliamentarians who are dual citizens hold foreign passports or have ever as adults travelled on such passports. If this is the case, the government should ask these persons to

swear to an affidavit.

The APNU+AFC however is not seeking to establish who in their ranks should no longer be in the National Assembly. They are saying that they are studying the issue. All their dual citizens are expected to be in the National Assembly on April 11, 2019.

The government is being disingenuous. What was right for Charrandass Persaud, should not be wrong when it comes to others in the same or similar situations.

The government has to stand on principle. Otherwise, it will fall for anything.

Dem boys seh ...

Soulja Bai see people got problem People got problems but if de government didn’t go pun de road and set up tents at 1763 Square dem woulda never know how many people got problems. That is why dem set up de tents. One man seh if dem did know dem woulda try something else.

Hundreds of people tun up and dem same government people sit down there whole day dealing wid people. Some of de Ministers look strange because people never see dem in three years. One woman look at a female Minister and seh how she look fair. That was because de sun never touch she skin in years.

When Soulja Bai see de crowd he wonder if people

don’t wuk. That is when he realize that when people talk about unemployment dem really serious.

Most of de people who tun up at de Square had problems wid house lots. Some claim how Irfaat tek down dem name ten years ago and up to now dem can’t get a house lot. And of course, de word go out that Irfaat sell de house lots. Is when de Chat3 seh he gun sue people that dem stop.

Anyhow, dem boys seh people stay at de Square whole day. Is a good thing dem wasn’t sharing food because by now people was still lining up. But was to hear problems. People write till dem hand hurt dem and de

problem ain’t done yet.

People had problem wid dem light bill. Nuff people decide that dem wasn’t paying fuh any lights. When de people tun up to cut off de lights de people just use to gang up to beat dem. One man who climb a pole had to beg because de people remove de ladder and lef him swing up by the power pole.

GPL now change de system. It promise that it would never gout and cut off lights again. De company got people who gun sit down in de office and flick a switch.

That too was part of de problem people carry to de meeting at de Square.

Talk half and watch to see anodda meeting.

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Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Eureka! Eureka! I know Charran was bribed!

T

hey say the hope for this country lies in its large young population. Almost eighty percent of Guyana is under 45.

That is good for the future.

For some reasons, the folks in the sixties and seventies are becoming arch conservative with age and in some cases downright reactionary.

Some of these people are regarded as icons. When I read the accusations against Major General Joe Singh and the positions he take as ProChancellor of UG it is depressing. These are accusations coming from lecturers who have not an ounce of political or ethnic connections whatsoever.

There are Clive Thomas, Rupert Roopnaraine, Moses Nagamootoo among others who have destroyed their

legacies . Prior to 2015, the history book writers would have situated these three men on the pages designed for heroes.

Today, they can best be regarded as faded, jaded mandarins.

Once I have my pen, I will further push these men down the dustbin of corrugated footnotes. Of course, there are too many of them to be mentioned here but the historian owes it to Guyana to shine a candle in dark corners.

Some of these lost souls go to extreme limits to selfdestruct. But maybe because of their psychology in which they cannot differentiate a spoon from a cup, they can’t recognize self-destruction.

First Nagamootoo. Can there be another politician whose barefacedness exceeds

Bharrat Jagdeo?

My bet is on Nagamootoo. Before I proceed to analyze Nagamootoo, I noted twice before the local elections in November last year he said the folks in Whim where he was born were planning to pick his bones.

A contact in Whim told me that after the ignominious defeat of the AFC in the local government contest in Whim and the loss of the no confidence motion (NCM) (remember Nagamootoo shouted “bring it on” when Jagdeo suggested postponing the NCM to January of 2019?), the action to pick his bones was in planning stage, now it has started.

So I will go up to Whim this weekend to see how Nagamootoo will be turned

into a skeleton.

Let’s return to Nagamootoo’s rivalry with Jagdeo for the crown of king of barefacedness.

The Whim son defended press freedom when the Guyana Press Association (GPA) denounced the Opposition Leader for insulting Nazima Raghubir.

He scolded Jagdeo but stayed away from a more repugnant violation of press freedom that he committed that was far more sickening than Jagdeo’s unruly words to Raghubir. Since last year June when the Whim son ostracized David Hinds and Lincoln Lewis from the column pages of the Chronicle, Nagamootoo has not uttered one, I repeat, ONE word on the issue. But more than that the two men directly accused him of press nastiness and he is still to respond.

I think if the Whim man continues in politics he will steal that crown from Jagdeo. But wait!

Nagamootoo has a soul mate at the Chronicle. His name is Barrington Braithwaite who is a columnist at Nagamootoo’s newspaper. Braithwaite had done

a stupendous feat for Nagamootoo.

He has turned the Chronicle into a source of credible, intellectual, researchable material.

Braithwaite writing on Charrandass wrote that Charran took a bribe to cast a ‘yes’ vote in the NCM. And the Chronicle actually printed that statement while the KN and SN left out that part of Braithwaite’s correspondence. Braithwaite of course was only echoing what the “owner” of the Chronicle said, that is, the son of Whim.

Three times Nsagamootoo wrote in the newspaper he “owns,” that Charran took money to vote.

A friend of mine in the AFC told me that when Nagamooto was asked at an AFC meeting the following question; “How you can say that man?

You not afraid Charran sues you?” The Whim man replied; “Well it is the Chronicle that will pay, not me.”

So how did Braithwaite know that Charran took bribe money?

He said his source was the Chronicle. Braithwaite noted that the Chronicle wrote

Frederick Kissoon that Charran was a compulsive gambler and loser. We are in bad shape in Guyana but we are not over the cliff as yet because Braithwaite is not a judge.

So if you quarrel daily with your landlord, all the landlord’s enemy has to do is kill him and you will be charged because you quarreled every day, so you must be guilty.

Now Braithwaite wrote the actual words that Charran took a bribe and apart from his Chronicle source, he said he believed Charran did take a bribe because the police are investigating him “for bribery and gold smuggling.” So Braithwaite knows Charran took a bribe because of what the Chronicle wrote and what the police said.

Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 30, 2019

PAGE 13

6 juveniles escape from New Opportunity Corps

O

n Tuesday four Juveniles escaped from the New Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast. This occurred about two weeks after 24 juveniles escaped from the said facility.

Based on reports reaching this publication, some time around 08:00hrs last Tuesday, four males escaped from the correctional facility by climbing over the fence. About 17:30 hrs the said date two other males escaped, this time by crawling through a koker which ran dry.

Just two Saturdays ago, twenty four juveniles escaped from the facility by jumping the fence and crawling through the koker. These escapees were later recaptured in the vicinity of the Onderneeming Community, which is located behind the NOC facility.

Woman charged for circulating nude photos of a fellow villager Charged: Yougita Etwaru

A

woman of Number 79 Village, Upper Corentyne, Berbice, on Tuesday, appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court before Magistrate Alex Moore to answer to the charge of exhibiting obscene photographs tending to corrupt public morals under the criminal law offences Act 8:01.

Yougita Etwaru was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was placed on $100,000 bail. She was represented by Attorneyat-law Adrian Anamayah.

A request to have her passport lodged at the Springlands Police Station was made and upheld. The matter is set to be called again in May. According to the facts of the case, Etwaru is accused of sharing and circulating nude photos of a woman who lives in her village. The woman is said to be the ex-girlfriend of

Etwaru's current boyfriend Rayon Anthony Singh, also of Number 79 Village.

Singh who is also said to be a part of the act has not been located and has reportedly left for the United States of America.

The victim who spoke with this publication stated that she was grateful for all the help she received from social media and the media to have her story made public.

She added that although it has been tough for her, having someone charged and placed before the courts for the disturbing act, gives her some peace of mind.

The woman's nude photographs were sent to villagers, students and friends by Etwaru and Singh.

This prompted her to act and file a report at the Springlands Station earlier this year. Etwaru was arrested shortly after at the Springlands Market and was subsequently charged.

The New Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 30, 2019

29 cases disposed of at January Demerara criminal assizes

T

he chamber of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has reported that 29 cases were disposed of at the January session of the Demerara criminal assizes which commenced on January 8, at the High Court in Georgetown.

During this time, Justice James Bovell-Drakes, Justice Navindra Singh and Madam Justice Jo-Ann Barlow were rostered to sit.

Of the 260 cases listed to be heard at this session, 29 were completed. 28 were presented by the DPP, while one was nolle prosequi.

Of these 28 cases presented, 13 were for murder, one for manslaughter and 14 sexual offences. There were six guilty pleas, seven convictions, nine not guilty verdicts by jury, five formal verdicts of not guilty and one hung jury.

Of the 28 cases presented in the High Court, 12 were prosecuted by State Counsel Tuanna Hardy, Abigail Gibbs and Teriq Mohamed before Justice Navindra Singh. Of these 12 cases, 10 were for murder and one case for sexual activity with a

child by abusing a position of trust. There was another for manslaughter. ln four of these 10 murder trials the accused persons pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and were sentenced to 14, 16, 12 and 20 years' imprisonment. In another three trials, the jury returned unanimous verdicts of guilty for the accused who were respectively sentenced to 30, 100 and 80 years' imprisonment.

One of these accused was found guilty for manslaughter. In three other murder cases the accused persons were acquitted. ln the lone sexual offence matter, the accused was sentenced to 45 years' imprisonment after the jury found him unanimously guilty.

There was one case for the offence of manslaughter in which a no-case submission was upheld by the trial judge.

Thirteen sexual offenses cases were prosecuted by State Counsel Lisa Cave, Seeta Bishundial and Sarah Martin in the Sexual Offences Court before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

Of these 13, one was for Rape, two for Carnal knowledge of a girl under 15 years, four for the offence of sexual activity with a child family member and six for rape of a child under 16 years.

In three of these sexual offences cases, the trial judge directed the jury to return formal verdicts of not guilty because the complainants did not attend court or testified that they did not wish to proceed with the evidence against the accused. ln one other case, the accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment. While another accused was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment after he was found guilty by the jury for two counts of sexual activity with a child family member.

In the other cases, the accused were acquitted by jury verdicts of not guilty.

There was one hung jury in a case for rape of a child under 16 years. In two other matters, the jury returned guilty verdicts for both accused.

In both cases, the court (continued on page 14)

Courtesy Call

From left : Principal Radiographer, Donna Bowman; (IAEA) Programme Management Officer, Saskia Frater Smith; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings and National Coordinator , Laboratory Services & the National Liaison Officer-GUYANA for IAEA Joyce Whyte Chin.

I

nternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Programme Management Officer, Saskia Frater Smith, on Thursday, paid a courtesy call on Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings at her Lot 1, Brickdam Office.

During the engagement, their discussions focused primarily on the Country

Programme Framework which is currently being drafted and reviewed by policy makers and relevant stakeholders.

This Country Programme Framework (CPF) was prepared by Guyana in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Secretariat under its Technical Cooperation Programme (TC) for the period 2020-2025.

Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Saturday March 30, 2019

10,000-plus to benefit from modern Moruca bridge slated to open in 3 weeks

A

fter enduring y e a r s o f h a r d s h i p traversing an old wooden bridge that was below water level and deemed unsafe, the residents of Moruca, Region One, have said they are delighted with the construction of a modern $110M bridge that links Kumaka and San Jose.

Over 10,000 persons are expected to benefit from the concrete and steel structure which is almost complete and will be open to vehicular traffic within three weeks.

On Thursday, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson along with P e r m a n e n t S e c r e t a r y, Kenneth Jordan; Deputy Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Indigenous People's Affairs, Samantha Fede; a team of engineers along with representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Security, inspected the works done on the bridge.

Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Toshao

The $110M bridge

of Santa Rosa, Whanita Phillips, said that the concrete structure is a plus for the community since about 5,000 persons including students, teachers and nurses cross the bridge daily.

Philomena Torres, a

vendor who sells clothing at her shop located just off the approach to the bridge, said that the residents were suffering for 23 years with the wooden bridge; they were forced to walk through muddy water during the rainy season and high tides.

“The old bridge? My daughter even got a big scar from a bottle walking over and we did a lot of self-help on that bridge. Plenty people fall from that, and now in just three years, we get a nice bridge and I know it will last longer.”

To r r e s e x p r e s s e d satisfaction with the work done on the bridge and is happy with the level of support Moruca is receiving from the government.

Stevens Leung, a resident living in Santa Rosa for over 30 years, said that the new feature added to Moruca is very significant.

“Persons will now walk with ease to sell at Kumaka and even use taxis to take

A resident walks across the bridge.

their stuff over the bridge.

This is really good for the community.” Following the inspection, Minister Patterson expressed his satisfaction with the quality of work done on the bridge to date.

“This is a promise we made to the people and yet again we are delivering. This is a solid bridge that will last for about 40 years or even longer… a perfect example of what we should do for bridges for these communities.”

However, the Minister noted that these works cater for just Phase One of the project. Phase Two will involve the rehabilitation of the roads on the approaches

on both sides of the bridge; while Phase three will be the continuation of the road network in Santa Rosa.

Further, following a request from the residents, Minister Patterson has committed to install an arch to demarcate Kumaka and San Jose. He noted that these additional works were not part of the project, but efforts will be made to deliver on the promise.

The minister warned that no track machines, including bulldozers, should be allowed to traverse the bridge.

“You must stop anybody from doing this. This is your property and you must protect it,” he warned.

Minister Patterson reminded that the previous administration had spent some $58M on the old bridge, which is about half of what the APNU+AFC Government spent on the current structure. The original wooden bridge was built in 2013 and by 2015, was deemed 'dangerous' for residents to cross.

When the Coalition Government took office in 2015, it met with the Santa Rosa Village Council and the bridge was their number one priority. “We promised them this and we delivered,” Minister Patterson emphasised.

The new bridge was built high enough to allow cargo and other boats to navigate below with ease.

There is also a walkway for pedestrians. It will be outfitted with safety features for the elderly and children, solar lamps, and warning lights for boats traversing the water at nights.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 30, 2019

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US Report on anti-money laundering and drug trafficking “fairest” - Ron Sanders

A

ntigua and B a r b u d a ' s Ambassador to the United States of America, Sir Ronald Sanders, has described the 2019 US International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) on Antigua and Barbuda as 'the fairest report he has seen in years”.

Every year, the US State Department compiles, for the US Congress, a report in two Volumes of drug trafficking and money laundering in jurisdictions around the world.

Sir Ronald has been a critic of past reports which relied on unverified information from undisclosed sources and therefore reached inaccurate and damaging conclusions. The reports, in addition to being sent to Congress, are made public by

the State Department on its website.

According to Sir Ronald, “The 2019 Report is far fairer and more balanced than previous reports.”

He said it takes account of scrupulous assessments of the Antigua and Barbuda jurisdiction conducted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force that found the country to be one of the top performers in the Caribbean its anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing regimes.

The report states that in its first sentence: “Antigua and Barbuda has improved its AML regime”. It also recognizes that, “The government has developed a national action plan to address the issues” noted in a National

Risk Assessment, and that “the National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee and other relevant agencies are also amending their policies and procedures accordingly”.

Wi t h r e g a r d t o d r u g trafficking, Antigua and Barbuda was assessed as part of the Eastern Caribbean which, the report states, “have strong working relationships with the United States on drug control operations”.

The report points out that, during the first nine months of 2018, “Antigua and Barbuda reported 142 drug-related arrests with 70 prosecutions and 66 convictions”.

Ambassador Sanders said: “The 2019 US INCSR confirms that Antigua and Barbuda, as a jurisdiction, is

aggressive in enforcing both its drug interdiction policies and its anti-money laundering

regime”.

The Ambassador said that he has written to the US State

Department, commending the authors “for a fairer and more balanced report”.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 30, 2019

PPP will not support more funds for GECOM's election readiness - Opposition Leader

P

resident David Granger had assured that the funding to ensure the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is ready for General and Regional Elections, will be made available, but the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that the parliamentarians aligned with the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) would not support such a measure.

With the recent decisions by the Court of Appeal, Cabinet meetings have now restarted, and the government intends to push for those funds to be made available to GECOM via a Bill in the National Assembly. Asked whether he would support such a Bill, Jagdeo said “No, because it's unnecessary.”

It is uncertain whether the Speaker of the House will allow dual citizens to sit in his chambers.

Jagdeo said that the PPP will reject the Bill because he doesn't believe that GECOM needs more money for elections. During the weekly press conference at the Office of the Leader of the

Opposition on Thursday, Jagdeo sought to explain why he thinks that such a Bill would be a waste of time.

“We don't believe that they need funds. We have gone through this argument,” the Opposition Leader said.

In budget 2019, he said, $5.3B was provided for GECOM “to use as they see fit”. He explained that “to hold elections, they need under 3B”. The situation could unfold in one of two ways, Jagdeo said. Firstly, “Let's say they win the no confidence motion at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) then GECOM doesn't need more money because you don't go to elections this year. They would argue for elections next year.”

Secondly, “If we win the no confidence motion at the CCJ, they have to go to early elections.” In this case, Jagdeo said that there would be no time for house to house registration if the government has to move to early elections.

So, in that case, GECOM would not need additional funds. “You have the money there. So it's as simple as that.”

GPL launches probe into electrocution of contract worker

T

he Guyana Power and Light Inc. says it has launched an investigation into the death of Andre Fullerton, who was electrocuted last Thursday.

A release stated that at the time of the incident, Fullerton was performing duties in the employ of Ramoutar & Sons Contracting Services, a sub contractor for the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP).

“The matter is currently under investigation. GPL extends sincere condolences t o t h e f a m i l y o f M r.

Fullerton.”

While the release stated that the 21-

year-old was working at Ann's Grove, East Coast Demerara, police had stated that the incident occurred at Section 'D', Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara.

According to a police report, Fullerton, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, was on a GPL utility pole doing 'wire cleaning' when one of his colleagues heard him scream. The colleague then saw the worker, who had suffered burns, dangling by his utility belt from the pole.

The colleague and others unstrapped the youth and took him to the Nabaclis Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 30, 2019

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Guyana launches National Youth Corps …500 young people to begin training in April “This country needs youths more than ever. Our economy is about to experience high levels of economic growth in the advent of petroleum production next year.

The development of a diversified economy will expand opportunities and generate increased employment. It will demand, however, more skilled individuals.”

President David Granger delivered this charge at the launch of the National Youth Corps at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre on the Soesdyke- Linden Highway.

With the commencement of the Youth Corps, 1,000 young people from across the country will now be provided with the opportunity to empower themselves.

The young people between the ages of 16 and 35 were drawn from various training programmes and initiatives under the government such as the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS), Sustainable Livelihood and

Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) and the Youth Innovative Project of Guyana (YIPoG) among others.

They will begin training in April in various programmes that will see them either becoming employable or establishing their own businesses.

In his address, President Granger described the four pillars of the corps as e d u c a t i o n , e q u a l i t y, empowerment and employment.

Education, he noted, is the foundation of achievement and a country will fail if its young people are not developed.

The Youth Corps, the Head of State said, will provide skills training for young people in every sector whilst equipping them with the knowledge and attitude to become productive citizens. They will be able to provide not only for themselves but also their families while at the same time enhancing national and community development.

The launch of the

National Youth Corps is one of many training opportunities provided by the government to empower young people and foster entrepreneurs.

The launch was also attended by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry; Ministers of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; and Ministers of Finance, Winston Jordan and Jaipaul Sharma, all of whom lauded the initiative.

The National Youth Corps was first launched on January 1, 1968.

It was aimed at addressing the challenges young people faced, among them such as poverty and lack of vocational education.

The corps lasted for seven years and was deemed a massive success having instructed 1200 persons in agricultural and industrial skills. (Isaiah Braithwaite).

Preparations to be finalized as Guyana's contingent gets ready for Carifesta

W

hilst meetings are being held b y t h e Regional Cultural Committee (RCC) in Trinidad and Tobago with regards to Carifesta XIV 2019, Guyana has b e e n d o i n g s o m e preparations of its own for the event.

A n o f f i c i a l correspondence has been received from the Carifesta committee inviting Guyana to be a part of the festivities this year.

Locally, invitations were being sent out to the public for those interested in taking part, provided they have what it takes to join a team, as meetings were held regarding the submissions.

During an interview y e s t e r d a y, w i t h R u e l Johnson, the Cultural Policy Advisor at the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, it was made known that Guyana will be taking part this year, and the teams are currently being assembled.

Cultural Policy Advisor, Ruel Johnson When asked about the different aspects of the event being ventured into, he said that the department is currently looking at the performing arts, visual arts and the literary arts, amongst others.

“It is obvious that this is a time consuming and vigorous task especially in the case of the performing arts, as Carifesta is a regional event.

“We would not want to put mediocre work out there, as the eyes of the entire

Caribbean would be on us,” he said. With regards to the performing arts, schedules will be put in place to facilitate adequate rehearsals.

Mr. Johnson assured that since the event is scheduled for August, the teams would be more than ready to perform. A budget is yet to be finalized as the department has to look at the cost of tickets, prices of rooms for comfortable accommodation and also the number of persons that will be embarking on the journey to Guyana's continental neighbour.

A meeting is to be held on Thursday to, at least, get the final number and get the budget in order that preparations can stay on track, Johnson said.

President David Granger, and Dr. George Norton at the site of the National Youth Corps

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Saturday March 30, 2019

$20M Cotton Field Nursery School commissioned It is believed that the delivery of nursery education within the Pomeroon/ Supenaam region has undergone significant improvement. The commissioning of the Cotton Field Nursery School, yesterday highlighted this fact. This modern building, which will aid tremendously in fostering learning, was commissioned and declared open by the Regional

Executive Officer of Region Two, Denis Jaikaran.The overview of the project was given by the School’s head teacher, Ms. Reshonna Welcome, who expressed gratitude to the Regional Democratic Council and the Government of Guyana for implementing the project. Ms. Welcome explained that enrollment has increased over the years and the need for an expansion

cottonfield nursery “The $20 million School.”

was necessary. She said that in 2017, the school’s enrollment was 58. In 2018 and 2019 the enrollments climbed to 71 and 75.“The Cotton Field Nursery School for a number of years was housed in a building that was uncomfortable. Some of the reasons were that the building was very low, which was a major contributory factor for it being hot and making learning and teaching ineffective.

There were numerous sanitary problems.”

Miss Nichola Matthews, who is currently acting in the capacity of the Regional Education Officer [REDO], said that the expansion of the Cotton Field Nursery was a priority for the Department of Education. She added that

the $20 million expansion of the school was integral, since space and a child friendly environment aids significantly in learning.The REO, Mr. Denis Jaikaran, also pointed out that the nation’s investment in its young population is most important. “Today we are witnessing the commissioning of an important institution that will carry our children to where they want to go. The nursery education programme will provide an opportunity to give the intellectual background, and create the capacity within our children.” The REO also noted that teachers who are engaged in delivering the nursery curriculum must be credited for their efforts.

“The ribbon cutting to the new Cotton Field Nursery

Saturday March 30, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Fly Jamaica makes staffers redundant; hopes for return in “couple” of months Fly Jamaica has told its staffers that it is experiencing cash problems and are making redundant effective tomorrow.

Fly Jamaica is also hoping to start flying again in a few months but, in the meantime, a sloth in processing refunds continues to upset passengers who were left in limbo. According to a letter yesterday to staffers, Chairman, Captain Ronald Reece, said that a lack of an aircraft and the impact on the finances has caused the decision.“It is with great sadness and remorse that we have arrived at this juncture.

We are hoping for funding but that has been slow in coming, therefore for the time being, no other resources or options exist.”

The airline asked staffers for patience as it still owes them and will pay.

Fly Jamaica, he said, is finding difficulty in finding financing. Reece opened the possibilities of rehiring of the staffers at a later time.On November 9, Fly Jamaica’s Boeing 757 aircraft ran off the runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, after experiencing hydraulic

problems.On board were 128 persons.Since then, the twoplane airline which is based in Jamaica and partially owned

by Guyanese has not been operating to New York and Toronto destinations.

Passengers have been complaining of delays in their refunds.

Scores of passengers had pre-booked flights before the crash.

Many of them are claiming that their monies are in limbo.

Fly Jamaica said that some passengers had claimed back from the credit card companies and had also filed claims with the airline.

On Thursday, Captain Ronald Reece, Chairman of Fly Jamaica, said that the company has been providing refunds to valued customers.

“All requests for refunds are being honoured.

However, it is a process that has to be checked by our reservations and accounts staff. Some passengers would obviously like to see the process move faster, but we have to be constrained by our cash and credit card business safeguards,” Reece said in the statement.

“Fly Jamaica Airways Limited is not currently

Captain Ronald Reece

The plane crash landing in November operating any aircraft.

However, we hope to restart flight operations in a couple of months.”

Earlier this month, the regulator, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which is tasked with licensing, said that there is little that can be done at the moment as the company has not been closed.

Rather, company officials were called in, where according to Director-General

Captured female drug dealers squeals, male supplier jailed The three women, who were nabbed in a car at the police check point with a quantity of narcotics about 23:30 hrs on Monday, have revealed to police how they got the drugs.

After interrogation by ranks of B division, the women told investigators that they were given the 14.5 pounds, (6.539 kilograms) of cannabis to transport by a male who lives in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The police subsequently went to the man’s house on March 26 where they arrested the man and seized a quantity of narcotics; 267 grams of

cannabis was found at his home.

The man, Timothy La Fleur, 34, of 288 Errol’s Ville, New Amsterdam, Berbice, has since denied that he gave the women the drugs to transport. He has since been charged with two counts of being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

One of the women was arrested and charged, while the other two were not. Nandi Barker, 36, a market vendor of Lot 70 Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, who was the driver of the silver gray (Runx) motor car No PNN 9408 was

charged with being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

La Fleur and Barker appeared on Friday before Magistrate Peter Hugh in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court. They pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and were remanded to jail until April 9.

Meanwhile La Fleur pleaded guilty to the separate charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and was sentenced to two years in jail and fined $240,300.

Miner shot twice chasing after bandits during Wismar attack on neighbours Police are investigating a robbery under arms committed on Omeanna Davis, Jermaine Adams and Fidel Smith which occurred about 20:00hrs Thursday.

According to police, the bandits struck first at Davis’s residence, located at Back Street, One Mile Wismar, Linden.There were three of them—three males, one armed with a handgun and the others with knives.

Police said that investigations revealed that the victims

were all in the lower flat of the house when the men pounced and relieved them of an IPhone 8-plus, two gold chains and a sum of local currency.

The three victims were locked inside a bathroom, The bandits proceeded to an opposite house where they reportedly encountered fierce resistance from a male occupant which caused them to flee empty-handed.

An alarm was raised and Marvis Edwards, 33, a miner

from the said community, who was nearby, pursued the suspects and during the process, was shot in his right ankle and leg.

The perpetrators managed to escape in a waiting motor car which was later found at a location in Canvas Street, Wismar.

Police said that two men are in custody assisting with the investigation.

The stolen IPhone was recovered at an abandoned house in Amelia’s Ward.

Lt. Colonel (Ret’d), Egbert Field, the “displeasure” of the authority was made known.

Travel agents, especially in New York, have been complaining bitterly of passengers demanding their money, almost four months

after the crash left the airline scrambling to find an aircraft.

Questioned about a mandatory $40M cash bond that the company would have had to deposit, Field had said that it cannot be touched unless the company closes.

“We cannot give them a timeline unless they decide to close. When we need various documents from the home base and if they cannot submit them to us, then we can declare that they no (Continued on page 25)

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Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

Nations students continue Jagdeo says: I do not trust gov’t to excel at ABE exams with “carpetbagger” oil companies The Leader of the Opposition has said that the current A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) cannot be trusted to steer the country’s oil resource well, with certain oil companies, which he describes as “carpetbagger” companies.

In American political history, the term ‘carpetbagger’ was used by former Confederates to describe persons or companies who came to exploit the local populace, and saw business or political opportunities because of the chaotic state of the local economy or society.

Jagdeo said that there is large scale theft of resources occurring by direction of this government, and that its dealings with certain oil companies are yet another slew of issues to worry about. He was, at the time, talking about the government’s collaboration with Chevron.

“So, we’ve seen all kinds of activities. I’m not saying Chevron is one of those [carpetbaggers but] Chevron is collaborating with Critchlow Labour College to do a threeday training with the kids from the area,” Jagdeo said.

“The government is saying, ‘after the three days, we’ll guarantee you a job’. Now, how could you – with three days of training – guarantee a job in the oil sector? I don’t know who is funding this but that’s what they’re telling the kids.”

“This government is very tight with some of the oil companies, particularly the carpetbaggers who came now, to get some help here, and I don’t trust them.”Jagdeo voiced his worry that the government is not competent enough to guard against corruption by those oil companies.

The Global Witness, an anti-corruption NGO, had stressed time and again, on

the importance of countries doing proper due diligence before handing over its oil resources for exploitation to the best bidder.

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

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

“In the worst cases, rights can be handed to companies, which represent corrupt interests leading to poor contract terms, delayed production and lost revenues for the host government,” the NGO had stated.

CCJ sets May 10 for hearing of...

From page 7 Government filed action in the High Court.

Chief Justice Roxane George ruled that the No-Confidence Motion was successfully passed and that the vote of Persaud was valid despite his dual citizenship. In essence, she held that 33 votes were required to unseat the gov-

ernment.

The Chief Justice further ruled that Persaud’s vote was preserved by the provisions set out in Article 165 (2) of the Constitution which states, “The Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership … (even) after any dissolution of Parliament and the presence or par-

29 cases disposed of at...

From page 14 ordered probation reports and these will be presented on April 5, when the two accused will be sentenced.

State Counsel Tamieka Clarke and Tiffini Lyken completed three matters for the offence of murder before Justice James Bovell-Drakes. In two of these matters the accused were both acquitted by jury verdicts of not guilty.

In the one other case, the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment.

One matter was nolle prosequi by the DPP. The accused in this matter was indicted for attempt to commit murder, discharging a loaded firearm with intent, wounding with intent, unlawful possession of ammunition and setting fire to a public building.

The indictment was nolle prosequi pursuant to a court order granted on October 13, 2017 by a High Court Judge and entered on October 17, 2017, but was never served on the DPP. The Demerara criminal assizes will commence next Tuesday, April 2. Justice James Bovell-Drakes, Justice Navindra Singh and Justice Brassington Reynolds have been rostered to sit. A total of 259 cases are listed.

ticipation of any person not entitled to be present or to participate in the proceedings of the Assembly, shall not invalidate those proceedings.”

On appeal, the Court of Appeal in a majority ruling invalidated the passage of the No-Confidence Motion on the ground that 34 votes, which constitute an “absolute majority” of all members of the National Assembly, were needed for its successful passage.

In the majority ruling by Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory, the Judges alluded to submissions proffered by Queens Counsel (QC) Dr. Francis Alexis, a former Attorney General of Grenada, who was hired by the State.

According to the Queens Counsel, in calculating the “absolute majority”, the 65 members of the National Assembly had to be divided by two, which would result in 32.5, but since the .5 represents half and there is no halfmember, that number needs to be rounded off to 33, and add one more, making the majority 34 –-an absolute majority.

Bosai's Matthew's Ridge Manganese ...

From page 3 and the project for training and employment.”

GMI/ Bosai has set a timeframe of July 2019 to develop the mines, plant and factories to begin extracting the mineral.

During the first phase of construction, the mined ore processing plant, washing plant, warehouses and factory will be established.

The company is investing approximately US$100M in this stage of development.

Guyana Manganese Incorporated purchased four prospecting licences that cover an area of 45,729 acres, exploration results, mineral agreement, certain properties and infrastructure from Reunion Manganese .

(DPI)

The largest provider of the Association of Business Executives [ABE] courses in Guyana is Nations School of Business and Management.

The New Market Street, Georgetown institution yesterday announced that it is currently tasked with offering to the public the full range of papers at Levels 4 and 5.

The institution’s Director, Dr. Brian O’Toole, by way of a statement, said, “Nations’ students have excelled at every examination sitting outperforming their Caribbean counterparts on many occasions.”He disclosed that in the June 2018 examinations, Ms. Laushell Downes was awarded the Top Paper Award worldwide for the Level 5 unit – Analytical Decision Making; Shalena Callender was awarded the Top Paper Award worldwide for the Level 5 unit – The HR Professional, and Rhajcoomar Nare was awarded the Top Paper Award worldwide for the Level 6 unit – Contemporary Developments in Global HRM. Last December, Ms. Rayann Huggins was awarded the Top Paper Award worldwide for the Level 5 unit – The HR Professional; Selena Bacchus was awarded the Tope Paper Awardworldwide for the Level 5 unit – Societal and Social Marketing; Mr Gopaul Ramgobin wasawarded the Top Paper Award worldwide for the Level 6 unit – Organisational Design, Development and Performance and Mr Aravinda Singh was awarded the Top Paper Awardworldwide for the Level 5 unit – Managing Agile Organizations and People.

“Nations warmly congratulates the outstanding performance by our lecturers especiallyMr. Shamar Quintin, Mr Terrence Jaskaran, Ms Anjanie Hackett, Mr Antonio Yhan, Ms Ashme Singh, and Ms Anna Mohase,” said Dr.

Shalena callender

Rayann Huggins

Selena Bacchus

Aravinda Singh

Laushell Downes

Rhajcoomar Nare

O’Toole as he added, “Many exciting developments are taking place at Nations.”

Nations, he said, “will continue to offer the ABE Diploma in Business Management during the day in addition to our usual evening classes. This development will be particularly suited to school-leavers and those persons who are free to study during the day.”

He added, “We are excited to say that we now offer a

Bachelors Degree in Business Administration through the University of Bedfordshire in the UK for persons that would have completed their level 5 ABE qualification and also for University of Guyana students who have a diploma and would like to upgrade their qualification within a year to gain a UK degree,” said Dr. O’Toole.Enrolments are under way for the next intake beginning July 2019.

All Govt. MPs with dual citizenships...

From page 2 under appeal as is the passage of the no-confidence motion, Minister Harmon had this to say about being “duplicitous: “Well you know the Opposition Leader (Bharrat Jagdeo) has accused us of many things that he himself is guilty of, but I am not sure that those labels accurately describe us as an administration.

I see nothing duplicitous about it. “The fact of the matter is that that Court of Appeal has dealt with the matter and the matter is now under appeal at another level. In so far as we are concerned, the Court of Appeal has made a determination on all of the matters before it and so we will

abide by what the Court of Appeal has said.”Harmon said that if at the level of the CCJ these matters are dealt with and they are definitively pronounced upon, then certainly Government will abide by what the court says.

Asked pointedly, “When did you realise that you were sitting illegally in the National Assembly by virtue of being a dual citizen,” Minister Harmon replied: “What kind of question is that? I am not illegal. I am representing constituents. I do not sit there on my own.

“Members who are in the National Assembly sit there as representatives. First of all, you are extracted from a list

and that list is made up of persons who would have actually been elected within their parties When you sit there, as a matter of fact, our Parliament in its present configuration you sit there and represent close to 5,500 persons so you cannot on your own, get up one day and say no I am not sitting here anymore.”

Harmon insisted that he is a representative.

“I am a representative of a list and a list that represents people so I cannot tell you I am illegal or if I am going to do this. These are matters that have to be discussed at the level of the Government, at the level of the parties and then those decisions are made.”

Saturday March 30, 2019

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REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 I N S TA L L AT I O N S , REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE ETC. CALL NICK 627-3206, 6301600 Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158

1 250 KVA Onan generator powered by Cummins #2690603/644-1190

1 Double Steel Wheel Roller, 1 CAT 428 Back-hoe, CAT 215 Excavator spare parts, 2 Bitumen spray kettle. #2750367/683-7225 One 14" dragger. Scania 6 cylinder engine. 663-0742

German shepherd pups. 10 weeks old. Fully vaccinated and dewormed. Contact number 619-9203 475 acres of transported water front land @ Hogg Island, Essequibo River. Suitable for farming, cattle rearing etc.

Contact: 617-4004 Mixed blue pit for sale. 9 Weeks old. 698-6796 EDUCATION Private custom brokerage.

Training course/ AW lecturer with 30 year experience. April 29. Call 694-8322,690-4225.

Reg now & save

LAND FOR SALE

Parfaite Harmonie transferrable 2.5M, Parfaite Harmonie 1.6M, Farm 3.5M, Herstelling 5.5M, Diamond 11M. 666-2326 Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M Schoonard $3M Dairy with foundation & Fence $2M Farm $3M Tel# 656-0701/651-1969 Transported land 11.6 acres.

Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109

VACANCY

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

Vacancy for truck/hauler driver to drive both trucks & hauler. Apply Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street

One business place in Durban St W/Ville available from June 1st. Tel 616-2445 Two bedrooms fully furnished and secure apartment at Farm E.B.D. Call 616-7635 Spacious comfortable flat @ Houston McDoom. Open floor plan. Ideal for office, single/double occupancy.

Call 664-8150/233-0547 1 Fully furnished 3bedroom.

2 fully furnished 2 bedroom Diamond & Providence. Tel: 216-2299, 672-1906, 682-6238

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Fabs Rental, Beterverwagting ECD Cars from $4000 #604-0883

1 Cleaner/ domestic. 5 Days per week. $25,000. Contact: 617-5700 Receptionist. 25-50 yrs. 233 South Road Lacytown or call 225-0198 Vacancy for 1 male janitor.

Apply Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email r e s u m e : vacancy@josarltd.com Vacancy for porter. Apply at Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street Bourda DemBake @ Land of Canaan is seeking distributors & experienced drivers & sales agents.

Email CV: admin@demerarabakery.com / 266-5848

One 4 wheel drive canter truck.

Series GPP. Contact 663-0742

HOUSE PLAN TO DRAW UP OR ESTIMATES? GIVE US A CALL 216-0671, 6928464, 622-0267

House lots for sale. 40x80 transported $3,000,000 cash.

200k downpayment. 20k monthly. 233-6997/622-1957 www.jobfairworldwide.com

FOR RENT

WANTED Cashier/waitress, night supervisor, assistant cook.

Apply within 172 Sheriff Street or call 225-7933 (1)Diesel Mechanic to work in the interior. Interested persons can call cell#6255136 Monday-Friday 8am4pm Waitress to work in Bar #6614863 One ice machine operator needed. Call 223-7165

Driver for office in Eccles. Age 25 to 45. Call 642-9823 Wanted for Soesdyke area.

One head master as team leader. Good remuneration package. Call 612-1848 Vegetarian Gardens: Accountant Clerk. info@vgiworld.com 227-7714/ 223-3448 Hick’s Ville Hotel Receptionist, hotel attendant, washer/ pressure. info@vgiworld.com 231-0951/ 3

Porters. Apply with written application @ Best Buy Food Supplies, Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville

Hardworking, physically fit, team player. Perform with minimum supervision, willing to learn. Plant Shop# 648-1821 (8am-5pm)

Skilled carpenters to work in Linden. 602-9469, 660-6385

TO LET

Land to buy. Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling, Farm, Eccles, Province, Tuschen, Diamond. Best price and cash.

Call 666-2326 Handyman. Tel# 628-9268 Attractive waitress wanted.

Speaking spanish would be an asset. Call# 615-0915 1 Experienced cook wanted.

Call 623-8654. 8 - 4pm Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750 Mechanic and trainee mechanic needed in Kitty. Call 623-0318 One experienced cook needed. Call 223-7165

Business space to rent. No restaurant. Serious enquiries only. 233 South Road 2250198/615-0317 Camp St ground floor for commercial purpose. Enmore mall. Commercial space available. Richard 608-7675, 674-1705, 233-2614 Lodge Apartments (Vlissengen/Durban): Unfurnished studio $40,000, Two bedroom $60,000, Furnished studio (For visitors) US$600 p/m #6779638/668-7687 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561

2019-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-187 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND M AT R I M O N I A L JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.FD-187 BETWEEN: (LALL) HAZEL nee PATTERSON Petitioner and(LALL) HEMRAJ Respondent To the Respondent HEMRAJ LALL (Last known Address) 668 Kuru Kururu Soesdyke, Linden Highway Guyana TAKE NOTICE that on the 8th day of February, 2019 a petition for Divorce was filed against you by HAZEL LALL nee PATTERSON, the petitioner in the family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an order made on the 13th day of March,2019 the petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issue of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

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

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

TAKE NOTICE that the Divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 14th Day of May, 2019 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court, Georgetown.

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

Fly Jamaica makes staffers...

From page 23 longer have the approval of authority to fly.

We have not reached that stage yet.”

After that November 28 crash, passengers recounted that upon touchdown, the aircraft sped past the airport terminal, past the end of the existing runway and onto the newly extended portion of the runway, which was not officially opened. It is being said that the pilot experienced brake failure when he touched down.The aircraft careened into the chain linked fence before coming to rest in the trap at the end of the runway with the front of the plane perched above a ravine.

The right wing of the aircraft was broken along with the engine.

Government had appointed Paula McAdam, a former senior official of GCAA, to investigate the crash.The absence of Fly Jamaica would be hard felt in a market that needs the seats for especially the New York destination.

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

Dated the 13th day of March, 2019

VEHICLE FOR SALE Foreign used 6x4 sinotruck Howo dump truck & excavators for sale. Tel: 5023408/677-8104 Honda SUV PTT series.

Contact 225-1005, 225-9230, 623-0368 Toyota caldina wagon (PLL) Price - $875,000 negotiable.

Any good offer accepted.

Tel:658-4021 Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501 PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc.

Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657. yashardabhola4@gmail.com Barrack St Kingston. Call 6018895, 681-8926

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 30, 2019

Saturday March 30, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Blaze Regional T20 Women’s

T&T beat W/Wards on DLS in 10-over game

Stacy Ann King top scored to help T&T win by DLS in the truncated match.

After beating Guyana on Thursday, Trinidad and Tobago made it two in two when they beat the Windwards by seven wickets on DLS system in a truncated contest at Providence in the second game yesterday of the Blaze Regional Women’s T20 Cricket Championship.

A heavy shower just after the Windwards won the toss and elected to bat, delayed play for an hour and 20 minutes and the overs were reduced to 14 per side. More rain after play commenced resulted in another reduction, making the game a T10.

Julianna Nero top scored with 19 while Stacy Ann

Saturday March 30, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Examine your emotions, Virgo, and trust your instincts.

Unexpected forces may try to disrupt the flow of things.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is one of those days in which you might not be fully appreciated for the wonderful breath of fresh air you bring to the group, Libra.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your emotions will feel stable today, Taurus, although there may be an unexpected element trying to sneak into the equation. Be aware that people will be a bit more volatile today.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't be surprised if things don't go exactly according to plan today, Scorpio. Unexpected events are likely to pop up and disturb the course of action.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Explore deeply your innovative, irrational side today, Gemini. Your emotions may run counter to this principle, but instead of letting this put a damper on your progress, use the energy to spur you to action.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your emotions could be a bit vulnerable today, Sagittarius, and it may be hard to find shelter from the storm.

Your umbrella is a bit too drafty and water seems to be leaking in from the top.

CANCER(June21–July22) You might want to stay in and not speak to anyone today, Cancer. If you decide to venture out, you're apt to run into opposition almost everywhere you turn.

Don't see this as negative.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Unexpected events may crop up and nudge you in the side, Capricorn. You could get the feeling that there are thorns poking out of nowhere whose sole purpose is to annoy you.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may not feel like you're exactly clicking with anything today, Leo. Adjustments will need to be made either by you or the people you're dealing with for any resolution to come about.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today you have the ability to make an important breakthrough in whatever project you work on, Aquarius. Try not to get bogged down by emotions, which may leave you feeling heavy and stale.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Examine your emotions, Virgo, and trust your instincts. Unexpected forces may try to disrupt the flow of things.

Keep in mind that you should have no problem keeping the situation under control as long as you stay solid

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may get the feeling that you're rubbing against sandpaper today. More than likely, this is a result of issues deep inside you. Some of these emotions concern the constant tension between old and new energies

Adams (14), Skipper Afy Fletcher (13) and Cordel Jack (12) all reached double figures as Windwards reached 59-3 in 10 overs.

Felicia Walters had 2-15 from 2.4 overs for the lasses from Carnival Country.

T&T, set a revised target of 58, reached 63-3 in 7.5 overs with Stacy-Ann King following her half-century against Guyana on Thursday by top scoring with 25 from 17 balls with three boundaries, while Britney Cooper, also with a fifty in the opening round, remained unbeaten on 23 from 18 balls with two fours and a six.

In the night match under lights, Barbados, the two times defending 50-over Champions, put themselves on course to take the ‘double’ when they mauled Jamaica by nine wickets.

The Bajans invited Jamaica to bat and the defending Champions lost wickets in a heap as Shabika Bruce (4-16) cut through the top order as Rashada

GFF participates...

From page 31 support the re-election of President Montagliani and wishes him well as he continues to invest in the growth of our game across the Confederation,” Forde said in an invited comment.

“The Concacaf Ordinary Congress is an important business meeting in which Guyana is always honoured to participate in the decision-making process that continues to shape the future of the game in our Region, under the One Concacaf vision of President Victor Montagliani,” Forde added.

Among the attendees of the Congress were FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino and guests from the international football community.

- B’dos hammer defending Champs Jamaica

Williams with an undefeated 28 from 32 balls with just a single boundary was the only batsman to reach double figures as Jamaica were bowled out for 95 in 17.2 overs.

Hayley Matthews, who captured the prised scalp of Stefani Taylor, followed up her 2-21 in the opening round with 4-25 for Barbados who responded with 96-1 in 11.2 overs.

When Skipper Taylor removed Daniel Small (13) at 58-1 in 7.2 overs the writing

was already on the Wall for the ladies from the land of Wood and Water.

Matthews pierced the field with several imperious shots, as she batted brilliantly to finish unbeaten on a classy 58 from 42 balls decorated with 10 boundaries including two sixes.

With her was Deandra Dottin on 22 from 11 balls with two fours and a six to set-up what should be an interesting third round of matches at Providence tomorrow. (Sean Devers)

GBA fund raising TakeAway lunch set for today The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Take Away Lunch will take place today at the National Gymnasium.

The event is being held to raise funds to send their team of boxers to Nicaragua for the Pan Am qualifiers which run from April 2 to April 11 in Nicaragua.

The fundraiser starts at 1:00pm and tickets are $1000 each. The GBA is encouraging the public to come out and support them. Beverages will also be on sale.

The GBA is scrambling to ensure they get the required funds after they did not get the anticipated funding. The general public is encouraged to come out and support the team of boxers shortlisted on their quest to bring Guyana glory in Nicaragua.

PAGE 28

Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

Stakeholders of Guyana Linden Mayor Cup Football Cricket congratulates Mr. to kick off Town Week Sports Skerritt and Dr. Shallow The ‘Guyana Cricket Stakeholders’ group as they are called, has extended congratulations to the new President and Vice President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Mr. Richard Skerritt and Dr. Kishore Shallow following their win at the elections of the board last Sunday.

Here’s the full text of the message: “We, the Majority Stakeholders of Guyana Cricket (the Berbice Cricket Board, the East Coast Cricket Board, the Georgetown Cricket Association and the Upper Demerara Cricket Association), offer our sincerest congratulations to Mr. Richard Skerritt and to Dr. Kishore Shallow on their

ascendency to the Presidency and the Vice-Presidency respectively of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

We are heartened and excited at this development as we know that their strong, progressive and impartial leadership will revive the fortunes of our great game.

Cricket lovers throughout the region and beyond now eagerly anticipate the return of the West Indies to the pinnacle of world cricket under their capable leadership.

We are firm in our belief that the entire region is elated with their appointments and will rally round them and their committee in the interest of West Indies Cricket.

Therefore, we look forward to an urgent resolution to the crisis in the administration of Guyana’s Cricket which has been ongoing since 2011. This includes the illegality of the current executives of the Guyana Cricket Board as stated in a sworn affidavit emanating from the Ministry of the Presidency (with responsibility for Sport).

Please be assured of our fullest support and cooperation as you commence to rebuild our beloved regional game both at the administrative and the playing levels.

Congratulations and best wishes for a highly successful tenure.”

The Linden Town Week Committee will begin its official sports activity tomorrow night with a double header start to its Mayor ’s Cup football tournament where twelve clubs have been invited to contest.

Mayor of Linden Mrs. Waneka Arrendell was there for the draw on Thursday in the Linden Mayor and Town Council Chambers where the c l u b

representatives witnessed the drawing of the fixtures which allowed the top four clubs from the most recent tournament a passage into the final eight.

They were the Senior Club champions of Linden: Christianburg’s Eagles United, Net Rockers, Winners Connection and Botafago.

The opening games are set for 19.00hrs with the first game between Amelia’s Ward Panthers and Capital FC and

the second from 21.00hrs featuring Blueberry Hill United and Hi Stars.

The other clubs in the tournament are Milerock’s B Side, Silver Shattas, Coomacka and Topp XX. While that will be the tournament games there will be a supporting East versus West Veterans game from 16.00hrs and a march past of the contesting clubs from 18.00hrs before the official opening.

61st Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships

Britton serves up silver medal in under-21 division

Joseph joins Pollard at Mumbai Indians MUMBAI, India, CMC – West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph will have his first stint of Indian Premier League action after being called up by Mumbai Indians as an injury replacement for New Zealander Adam Milne.

The 22-year-old will provide a massive boost for the three-time champions whose bowling stocks have been ravaged by injury, with

ace Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga also forced to sit out the early stages of the tournament.

Joseph has been in excellent form at domestic and international level in recent months, taking 10 wickets in the three-Test series against England last month and picking up 31 for Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the first class competition.

The Antiguan said the latest development was a dream come true.

“Playing in the IPL is something I always wanted to do for the experience. I’m happy to be here now,” he

tweeted on his arrival here.

Joseph is highly regarded in the Caribbean, making his Test debut as a 19-year-old just months after helping to guide West Indies Under-19s to the capture of the ICC title in Bangladesh.

He joins a plethora of young West Indies players already plying their trade in the IPL, with the likes of Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Oshane Thomas and Sherfane Rutherford all campaigning in the lucrative Twenty20 league.

West Indies T20 star, Kieron Pollard, is a fixture in the Mumbai line-up.

Shemar Britton (left) serves during his semifinal win against Tyrese Knight of Barbados.

Shemar Britton copped another silver medal for hosts, Guyana, last evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), after losing in four straight sets (11-9,-11-7,11-9, 11-9) to Livan Martinez of Cuba during the final of the men’s singles under-21 category.

Martinez, the number one seed in the tournament, was a cut above number four seed Britton but the Guyanese didn’t back down and it was evident after losing three of the four games in the match, 119.

On his way to the final, Britton eased past Josè

Perez of Puerto Rico in straight sets (12-10, 11-6, 11-5) in his quarterfinal collision before pulling off a come from behind 3-1 (811, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5) win against Barbadian Tyrese Knight (3rd seed).

After winning the first game, Knight had trailed the second 6-2 but he fought back to level it 88 but strong forehand play from Britton allowed him to close out win the second game 11-8 and he took control henceforth.

The Homestretch Av e n u e v e n u e s a w a decent turnout of home team supporters who

didn’t had much to cheer about all day besides B r i t t o n ’s s i l v e r m e d a l performance and Colin F r a n c e ’s b r o n z e m e d a l finish.

In the m a s t e r ’s singles first semifinal, Guyana’s Colin France lost 3-0 to his migrated countryman, Te d d y Matthews, who now represents St. Lucia.

The tournament c o n t i n u e s t oday at the same venue with preliminary rounds in the senior division while the curtains will fall on the event tomorrow. (Calvin Chapman story and photos)

Saturday March 30, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Ramps Logistics sponsors today’s Golf tournament at LGC Ramps Logistics, a world class logistics provider in Guyana and the Caribbean, has decided to partner with the Lusignan Golf Club to host a tournament today and by commencing with Marisca Jordan joining the Club as a member, to announce its support for the game and the club.

Ramps was founded in 1985 in Trinidad and Tobago by Mr. Ramnarine

Rampersad offering solely customs brokerage services. In 2003, due to increased demand, Ramps began offering Freight Forwarding services. This marked their transition from a brokerage company t o o n e o f t h e r e g i o n ’s leading logistics provider.

Now a leading provider of logistics solutions across Latin America and the Caribbean, their strength has been built on the

understanding of the complex market in which they operate.

According to the Managing Director, “We pride ourselves on our combination of world class professionals and cutting edge technology and the family spirit from our founding period over 30 years ago, still remains t o d a y. O u r s t r a t e g i c solutions are extensive and customized to meet

Rising Stars SC claim Canal Number Two SC T20 title

Members of the victorious Rising Stars team following the final.

Rising Star Sports Club emerged champions of the Canal Number Two Sports Club T20 tournament which was played recently at Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara.

Rising Star defeated Universal Sports Club in the final. Universal Sports Club won the toss and opted to bat first putting up a total of 123 all out in 19.4 overs with Randy Yankana scoring 17 including three fours.

Bowling for Rising Stars F. Karimullah captured 4-12 in 2.4 overs and Shane

Persaud 3-17 in four overs. In reply, Rising Stars reached their target in 18 overs with Marvin Cheong scoring 32 including two fours and a similar number of sixes, while Shaquille Brisport made 26 which contained three fours and one six. Bowling for Universal Sports Club, Brian Puran claimed 3-24 in four overs.

In the first match, Rising Stars beat Guyana Eagles of Berbice. Guyana Eagles won the toss and elected to take first strike and were bowled out for 116 in 19 overs. C.

Hope made 35 and J. Sinclair 23.

Bowling for Rising Stars, F. Karimullah took 2-5 off two overs; Shane Persaud had 212 off four overs, Michael Richardson 2-19 off 3.1 overs and Marvin Cheong 2-25 off four overs. In response, Rising Stars SC achieved the target in 13.5 overs.

Elroy Fernandes slammed five fours and six sixes in a top score of 68, while Imran Khan made 15 not out with one four and one six.

Reid, Khan guide Diamond/ Grove Masjid to 25-run victory Rawle Reid and Ameer Khan produced outstanding all-round performances to lead Diamond/ Grove Masjid to a 25-run victory over Tuschen Train Station Masjid when the Muslim Youth Organisation Inter Jamaat 15over softball competition continued recently at MYO ground. Batting first, Diamond/Grove Masjid managed 195-4 in 15 overs. Rawle Reid slammed eight fours and nine sixes in scoring 101 while Ameer Khan struck 70 with eight fours and four sixes. Adam Wajid took two wickets.

Tuschen Train Station Masjid responded with 168-9. T. Persaud slammed three fours and nine sixes in a top score of 92 as Khan picked up 4-27 and Reid 2-29.

Rawle Reid

your every need and our team can identify and create efficiency regardless of the size or urgency of your shipment. Ramps now offers a diverse range of services to markets all across the world.”

Marisca Jordan is no stranger to the LGC having attended fashion events hosted there by Sonia Noel, one of the nation’s leading designer and author. “Ramps Logistics was excited to hear about the proposed expansion of the LGC to include other amenities and services and wanted to be at the forefront of such development.”

President of the LGC Aleem Hussain along with Vice Captain Dr. Jooan Deo were on hand to announce the partnership at the company’s headquarters on Brickdam. Mr. Hussain noted that with the

strength of companies such as Ramps Logistics partnering with the LGC, many of the proposed additions – pool, tennis, restaurant and soon to be added driving range, sponsored by Macorp will be realized much sooner than expected. “We look forward to seeing members of the public along with staff and clients of the sponsor from the Oil & Gas sector coming out to enjoy the fantastic vistas and camaraderie at the LGC.” This event today commences at 12:30 pm with presentation, food and music starting at approximately 4pm. Prizes for the top two golfers in each category and Best Gross and Best Net player of the tournament will be awarded.

For more information on the LGC and how to learn the game or become a

Marisca Jordan member, please call 2205660/645-0944. To find out more about Ramps Logistices and their services, please email them a t info@rampslogistics.com or vist their offices located in Buddy’s Building on Brickdam.

PAGE 30

Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

Milo Schools’ football tourney Ogle CC receives boost from several businesses Quarterfinals kick off this weekend Ogle Sports Club of East Coast Demerara recently received a timely donation from several businesses to aid in their cricket development.

The club which participates in tournaments run by the East Coast Cricket Committee (ECCC), received cash from Builders Lumber Yard, Suresh Auto Body Workshop, Alim Mohamed and Romain Mangra Lumber Yard, to purchase uniforms and gears for the team.

Secretary of the club, Devendra Ramtahal expressed gratitude to the sponsors, adding that the uniforms will be used by members in the ongoing ECCC T20 tournament. He said the players are excited about the venture and this will serve as motivation for the youths.

The Seventh Annual Milo Schools’ football tourney is reaching the business end after over a month of riveting action at the host venue; Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

This year, a new champion will be crowned and after this weekend’s play, four teams will remain following two quarterfinal clashes both today and tomorrow beginning at 13:00hrs each day. Today, Charlestown Secondary will match skills with Annandale Secondary in the opener before Bishops’ High lock horns with 3/30/2019 13:00 hrs 15:00 hrs 3/31/2019 13:00 hrs 15:00 hrs

President’s College in the feature and anticipated clash.

Tomorrow, tournament favourites Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) will play Vergenoegen Secondary in the first match before Lodge Secondary plays St. John’s College at 15:00hrs.

Please see the official fixtures of the tournament, which is supported by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) through their ‘Stop gender based violence’ campaign, below:

Quarter Finals - Knock Out Ministry of Education Ground Match # Charlestown Secondary v/s Annandale Secondary 45 Bishop High School v/s President College 46 Quarter Finals - Knock Out Ministry of Education Ground Match # Christianburg/Wismar Secondary v/s Vergenoegen Secondary 47 Lodge Secondary School v/s St. John’s College 48

A young member of the Ogle CC display two pieces to cricket uniforms that were purchased.

Quarterfinal action of the Milo Schools’ football tournament kicks off today the MOE ground from 1300hrs.

Special Olympic Athletes rewarded

by DIGICEL and the NSC Communication giants, Digicel, teamed up with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to award the Guyanese athletes that attended the Special Olympics earlier this year in Dubai.

The games saw Guyana capturing five medals, two of which were silver, while three were bronze medals.

Abdullah Braithwaite got silver in the 400m, while Faith King and Dacia George won silver in separate 400m events. Calvin Thomas finished with bronze in the 5000m, while as the team also snagged bronze in the 4x400 event.

During yesterday’s morning ceremony at the National Racquet Centre, the

team was rewarded by both entities with medals and prizes.

Communications Manager of Digicel, Vidya Sanichara, told those gathered that, “Digicel is pleased to have been a sponsor. We are here to give back to you for representing your country so well.”

Digicel was one of the main sponsors of the venture to the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Melissa Tucker, expressed delight at the performance of the unit.

“It provides us with a special occasion to unite in so many ways and with so many opportunities to see these

children,” she said.

She contended that their drive to do their best is unmistakable and their will to perform well is something that all of Guyana supports.

Also expressing his feelings was Director of Sport at the NSC, Christopher Jones, who while commending the team for their performance, reminded them of their importance as Guyanese ambassadors.

Apart from the medals and tokens given, the team which includes Coach Mark Scott and Chaperone Wilton Spencer will receive an all expenses paid trip via old Fort Tours with stops at varying islands in the majestic Essequibo River.

Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

AAG lauds work of IAAF Instructor, Oscar Gadea Carifta Games coaching camp on this weekend The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and the Guyana Olympic Association is of the opinion that IAAF Instructor, Professor Oscar Gadea’s, recent work with coaches that continues into the weekend came just at the right time.

At a press conference held at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) headquarters at Lilliendaal yesterday, President of the AAG Aubrey Hutson expressed his satisfaction with the work done by Gadea.

“What you might have found is that coaches would have been pushing some of

the athletes a bit too hard so what you will find here with Gadea especially in the future is that the transition of our athletes because of what the coaches learnt will be better and they will have longer careers but certainly we will see the impact in years to come,” Huston noted.

Professor Oscar Gadea, lauded the talent that exist in Guyana and the region and noted that it was a pleasure working with the coaches.

“Guyana is developing fast and we must aid that but I think all of the coaches are happy and we have done and

put the theoretical aspect into practice but we must have more of these programmes and not just have one maybe every five years, it must be consistent,” Gadea stressed.

Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer of the GOA, Dion Nurse, shared that the GOA was pleased to facilitate such a programme for the coaches and athletes, noting that it was part of the Olympic Solidarity funding.

The coaching programme will conclude this weekend with a training camp for all Carifta hopefuls at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Blaze Regional Women’s T20 cricket

Giddings, Millington, Grimmond bag 3 wkts each as Guyana beat Leewards by 23 runs

By Sean Devers In overcast conditions yesterday at Providence a handful of fans watched as Guyana, led by a Player-ofthe-Match performance from left arm pacer Erva Giddings led Guyana to less than conniving 23-run victory against the Leewards in the second round of the Blaze Regional T20 Women’s Cricket Championships.

The Berbician from Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) followed up her 2-14 on the previous day against Trinidad & Tobago with 3-17 to rip apart the top order.

The RHTY&SC off-spin pair of Plaffiana Millington (315) and Sheneta Grimmond (319) and East Coast Demerara off-spinner Mandy Mangru then conspired to spin webs around the batsmen as the Leewards, mainly due to their tail wagging, reached 123 all out, off the last ball of their 20 overs.

Rozel Liburg hammered two fours and a six in her 41 and added 38 with Terez Parker who made an 18-ball 26 with five fours and another 46 with last batsman Davinna Claxton, who reminded unbeaten on 18 with a couple of fours.

Guyana’s disappointing 146-7 in 20 overs was thanks to Skipper Shemaine Campbelle’s run-a-ball 31 with two fours, Grimmond’s 20 with three fours and Cherry-Ann Fraser who hit two boundaries in her 15 towards the end of the innings.

Claxton was the main wickettaker with 2-17.

The Leewards began their chase in horrendous fashion when Melissa Howard had her stumps dismantled first ball by Giddings before Shawnisha Hector hammered Tremayne Smartt for three consecutive boundaries in the second over which cost 18 runs.

But she was sent packing in Giddings’ next over after making 13 from six balls with three fours at 20-2.

Giddings stuck again when she bowled Saneldo Willett (1) at 24-3 and when Shebani Baskar (9), who thumped Smartt for a boundary, was stumped off Millington by Melani Henry who took over the gloves from her Captain, the Leewards were in dire straits at 29-4.

Millington and Grimmond combined to leave the Leewards facing an early finish at 36-7.

Liburd was joined by Parker who clobbered Akaze Thompson, who was having an ordinary game, for three fours in an over that cost 17 runs.

To compound Thompson’s woes, she dropped Liburg off Smart, who was also not enjoying her best day with the ball and Liburd celebrated the reprieve by pulling her for six next ball.

Parker was eventually removed by Grimmond at 779 in the 13th over before Claxton pounded Thompson to the mid-wicket boundary as the last pair added 46 runs in 7.2 overs before Mangru bowled Liburd to give Guyana their first win.

Earlier, Guyana elected to bat and Grimmond reached the ropes off the fourth ball of the contest off Melicia Clarke, while Smartt, again used as opener, hammered Clarke for four before repeating the dose when Willett overpitched as Guyana were off a wonderful start.

But with the score on 16 in the third over, Smartt, who made 13 from nine balls, fell to Clarke.

Grimmond continued to go hard at the bowlers and along with Campbelle who pulled Clarke for four before whipping her off her pads for another boundary, saw the 50 posted inside the Power-play.

Willett removed Grimmond at 55-2 in eighth overs and when Campbelle, who made 77 not out in the first game against T&T fell to Edwards at 99-3 in the 14th over, Thompson (8) was stumped off Liburg and Shabika Gajnabi, just when she was starting to flow, was run out for 13, two batsmen had departed in the space of a run as Guyana slipped to 105-5 in the 15th over.

Giddings (8) was bowled

by Claxon at 127-6 before Henry who has struggled with the bat and Fraser, who slashed Claxton for four to take the score to 146 before Fraser was stumped off Claxton off the final ball of the 20th over.

Guyana face defending Champions Jamaica in the third round tomorrow from 09:00hrs in the first game of another triple header.

From left, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of the GOA; Dion Nurse, Professor Oscar Gadea and AAG President, Aubrey Hutson.

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BCB/Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Cricket Tournament

Rose Hall Town Tigers crush Courtland Cricket Club to join Fyrish in the Final A brilliant half century from former national player Delbert Hicks spearheaded Rose Hall Town Tigers to a crushing eight wicket victory over Courtland Cricket Club in the Semifinals of the 2019 Berbice Cricket Board/Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Cricket Tournament. Playing at the Fyrish Ground in Lower Corentyne, Rose Hall Town Tigers were superior in all departments as they marched to their first ever final.

Courtland Cricket Club batted first and were soon in trouble when they lost Leroy Thomas for nought without a run on the scoreboard to the bowling of Khemraj Mahadeo. J. Cort and F. Crandon then added 50 for the second wicket to offer some hope for the home team. However, offspinner Turbo Jagdeo then took five quick wickets to totally wreck the Courtland innings. They were bowled out for 131 in 16 Overs with T. Cort 18, F. Crandon 28, Troy Mathieson 16 and Seon Crandon 26 were the principal scorers with extras contributing fourteen runs. Rondall Lewis 2 for 27, Mahadeo 1 for 15 and Delbert Hicks 1 for 35 supported Jagdeo in a good bowling display by the Rose Hall Town Tigers.

Needing to score 132 runs off 100 Balls to reach the final, Rose Hall Town Tigers lost

Saturday March 30, 2019

Kaieteur News

former national junior player Brandon Prashad for nought. However, fellow opener Mark Papannah batted well to score 35 with five boundaries and a massive six. Delbert Hicks and former Guyana Under-19 player Khemraj Mahadeo then powered Tigers to 133 for 2 with 4 balls remaining. Hicks was unbeaten on 52 with six boundaries and two sixes, while Mahadeo ended on 31 with one boundary and three sixes. T. Johnson and W. Crandon took a wicket a piece for 43 and 33 respectively.

The Final would be played at the Fyrish Ground on Sunday from 13.00 hours. BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that the Board would be using the Final to not only promote the game in the area but also as a fundraiser for the Board. The Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Tournament is being organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in the Lower Corentyne area. It is one of thirty tournaments expected to be organised by the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board at the Junior, Female and Senior levels. The Berbice Board blacklisted power houses Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Bakewell from taking part in the tournament in an effort to allow other teams a chance of winning a tournament.

Sports day set for Agricola today

From left: Clive Atwell, Malcom Corrica, Jamal Charles and Collin John.

The Evan Phillips Park in Agricola comes alive, today from 10:00am as they host the Agricola Family Fun Day and Sports day.

In a short interview with the organizers Collin John, Malcom Corrica, Jamal Charles and Clive Atwell at the Donald Allison Boxing Gym, they indicated how excited they were to have a successful Fun Day today.

These four positive minded young men are out to show a different image of the community and are looking to

clear the stigma many have of this East Bank Demerara Village.

This event targets individuals of all ages and sports enthusiast with football, cricket, a boxing tournament and track and field.

The children will enjoy trampoline, bouncy castle, Merry Go-Round and lots more. This all-day event will have lots to eat and drink and activities for the whole family.

Bar-b-que tickets sold in advance, allows those ticket

holders to enter the Park free of charge.

However, individuals without tickets will be asked to pay a small fee of $500 at the gate, children under 12 free.

The ‘Optimistic Crew’, as they call themselves, shared their appreciation for the support of the National Sports Commissions, Guyana Committee of services (sports charitable organization) and Mr. Shawn Dublin in making this event a success. (Sean Devers)

BCB/Elizabeth Styles Under-21 Cricket Tournament

Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets reach finals Since 2000, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS and the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club have been rated as the top two cricket teams in Berbice and have faced each other in numerous finals.

They would soon face each other again in the 2019 Berbice Cricket Board/ Elizabeth Styles Under-21 Final.

Albion Community Centre defeated Young Warriors Cricket Club by a whopping 247 runs at Albion, while Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets got pass Tucber Park Cricket Club by 63 runs at the Hampshire Ground.

At the historic Albion Ground, the home team batted first after winning the toss and amassed 284 all out in 49.2 Overs. Captain Adrian Sukwa topscored with a well played 70 to continue his rich vien of form.

He received solid support from Sarwan Chaitnarine 40, Kevin Umroa 46, Jeetendra Outar 23, Reyad Karim 21 and Ramesh Kasinauth 28.

Bowling for Young Warriors Cricket Club, Ricardo Ramdehol 2 for 33, J. Persaud 3 for 55 and J. Frank 3 for 34 were the successful bowlers.

West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevin Umroa 4 for 04 and Mahendra Chaitnarine 4

Kevin Sinclair

Kevin Umroa.

for 15 then combined to bowl out Young Warriors Cricket Club for a meagre 37 from 13.2 Overs as only Alex Algoo 15 and Ricardo Ramdehol 10 reached double figures.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, the 2018 Runner-up to Blairmont Community Centre, batted first after winning the toss against Tucber Park Cricket Club.

They were given a solid 100 runs opening partnership in 17 Overs by Kevin Sinclair and Junior Sinclair before the latter was dismissed for 33. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets eventually ended on 256 all out in 48.1 Overs.

Kevin Sinclair topscored with 69, while Jonathan Rampersaud 20, Mahendra Gopilall 24, Chanderpaul Govindan 17 and Sylus Tyndall 16, offered support.

Medium pacer Gevon Schultz

3 for 35 and offspinner Melvin Singh 2 for 37 bowled well for the visitors.

Needing to score at just over five runs per over, the visitors were restricted to 193 all out in 44.2 Overs as left arm spinner Keith Simpson took 4 for 29 and he was well supported by Kevlon Anderson 2 for 28, Junior Sinclair 1 for 21 and Jonathan Rampersaud 1 for 38. National Under-17 batsman Leon Swammy played a gem of an innings to end on 66 not out, while Steve Deonarine 15 and skipper Garfield Benjamin 43 all batted well.

The Final would be played at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground on a date to be announced.

The Tournament is being sponsored by the U.S.A. Based Cosmetics Company, Elizabeth Styles.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 30, 2019

PAGE 33

Police Commissioner B/Day Inter-Division T20 cricket

265 opening stand between Boodie & Lyght highlight latest action

D

ay eight action i n t h e Commissioner of Police Birth Anniversary Inter-Division and Branches T20 cricket Tournament at Eve Leary was highlighted by a double century opening partnership between Andrew Lyght Jnr and Kevin Boodie who scored centuries as Headquarters beat Officers by 82 runs.

In an exciting afternoon game Headquarters batted first and made 272-1 of 20 overs with Lyght making

134 with 10 sixes and nine fours and featured in a 265run stand with Boodie who scored an unbeaten 104 decorated with 11 fours and six sixes. Kevlon Anderson had the wicket of Lyght to end with 1-33 for the Officers who replied with 189-8 off 20 overs.

Ronald Ali made 91 with eight fours and four sixes, while Stephen Harris supported with 40 with a four and four sixes. Dwayne Dodson took 4-26 and got support from Boodie who took 2-22.

Kevin Boodie scored an unbeaten ton at Eve Leary.

GFF participates in the 34th CONCACAF Ordinary Congress

President Forde and Rayan Farias at the 34th Concacaf Congress

President Wayne Forde and GFF Executive Committee Member Rayan Farias, Thursday participated in the 34th Concacaf Ordinary Congress held in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

They attended the oneday Congress, which

constitutes the 41-member C o n c a c a f ’s M e m b e r Associations on behalf of the Guyana football fraternity.

Among the agenda items was the election of some key positions including that of the Concacaf President, Victor Montagliani.

“Guyana was pleased to (Continued on page 27)

In the morning game ‘G’ Division beat ‘C’ Division by nine wickets after ‘C’ Division batted first and were bowled out for 82 in 15.2 overs. Jamil Chisholm made 29 with three fours and a six as Kemol Savory took 3-10, Clain Dhanraj had 3-

15 and Fazeer Khan 2-20.

Khan top scored with an unbeaten 53 with nine fours and a six as ‘G’ Division raced to 83-1 in 8.4 overs.

The tournament continues tomorrow at Eve Leary with two matches.

(Sean Devers)

Andrew Lyght made a ton in a double century stand with Kevin Boodie.

t r o Sp

Special Olympic Athletes rewarded

by DIGICEL and the NSC

Front row (L-R): Athletes Abdullah Braithwaite, Faith King, Calvin Thomas and Dacia George. Back row from left: Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Mark Scott, Melissa Tucker, Wilton Spencer and Vidya Sanichara.

Guyana’s Shemar Britton (left) about to negotiate a serve from eventual Gold medalist, Livan Martinez of Cuba, during the men’s singles under-21 final last night at CASH.

61st Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships

Britton serves up silver medal in under-21 division Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.