Kaieteur News
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Wednesday May 08, 2019
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
21st century coups
T
hey don’t do these things like before. Once upon a time, these exercises in regime change were smooth and seamless. Nobody knew anything was in motion until the deed was done. Those were the bad old days of Cold War wrestling, spheres of influence, oil control, and corporate interests that, every now and again, were all settled by an old-fashioned coup d’état. It was mainly apple pie, with the heavy aroma of vodka wafting in the air. When things all clicked into place and everybody behaved according to plan, they were bloodless; that was the best possible outcome. And if they were not, then that was part of the price to be paid. It was not the best for world power business and reputation, but people moved on and started over after the usual media sensations and official big power denials had faded. Whether violent and bloody (or bloodless), Latin America has had its share of both kinds and so too did South Vietnam, Cambodia, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and a few African republics, to name some of the old hotspots. Those were the days of a different kind of macho language: junta, caudillo, strongman, generalissimo. And of course, the usual sanctimonies about democracy and the will of the people coming alive and being put into action. On the other hand, the 21st century has turned out to be an altogether different bag of tricks. Since the latter decades of the last millennium, powerbrokers claimed to have discovered conscience, god, humanity, regard for human dignity, and regard for sovereignty. Taken on an individual basis, each of those discoveries represents an achievement by itself, and when blended together, they point to how far the ways of man and the ways of the world have traveled. Things are done differently these days. No more coups. No more internal meddling and interference. The problem is that the path to purgatory is paved with the best of intentions; a radioactive pathway is that one about no more coups, and no more superpower intrusions or impositions. For the reality has not quite measured up to the rhetoric and political religiosity. Too many messy ends. Too many players. Too many exposures and media moments and embarrassments. Iraq. Venezuela. Now Libya. And then Venezuela again. Too much talking and preening and image enhancing, while pretending at neutral distancing. The modus operandi might be superficially different, but the underpinnings and endgames are indistinguishable from the old ways. There are all these international political Kabuki masks that fit awkwardly. Nobody is fooled for a moment. Bolton tries to manage himself and fails at finding the brotherhood of Martin Luther King or Mohandas Gandhi. Muammar was knocked out, and Libya is on the ropes. Maduro covers up and hopes for a bell, any bell, to grant reprieve. Julio did pick himself off the floor from some remote island somewhere. Whoever heard of ousted leaders returning to haunt? Coups were final, as in leadership and political coup de grace. Kaput. Meanwhile, Vladimir says his hands are clean; had nothing to do with anything. Every world leader with a dog in the various fights pretend at being Lon Chaney: they are men with a thousand faces. It as if the involved are reading a manual and piously adhering to a fixed script. Coups in the hands of Keystone Cops are not a laughing matter.In the new world of a new kind of democracy, and one with clean new strokes: everybody wants clean hands, an international alibi. There are no multinational giants in the fray. Neither publicly nor nearby. In the age of CNN, WikiLeaks and cybermedia, all developments are domestically powered. No foreign fingerprints. No Oliver North, no Kermit Roosevelt, no United Fruit nor KGB. The will of the people. One problem: they didn’t know they had one; and if they did, how to exercise. Looks like the same coup story, just new covers.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Locals can benefit, despite huge profits being foreign investors’ game plan DEAR EDITOR, Time and again, columnists, letter-writers and other commentators across the media lament the fact that foreign investments aim not at benefitting the local economy, but rather, at facilitating great financial gains for the investment companies. While generally, this may be the case, studies on foreign investments across the globe over several decades have shown that the local economies and local populations have also gained. However, in the context of Guyana, the extent to which the populace would benefit depends on the political will of the government to enter into contractual agreements that include frameworks for local oversight, monitoring and enforcement, backed by infrastructural plans that would foster our national development goals. Without getting into the technical aspects/pros and
cons of foreign investments and the investors’ game plans, I have chosen to highlight some of the benefits/advantages that can be derived from Exxon’s oil and gas explorations in Guyana. As the pundits predicted, we will benefit from windfall cash, perhaps, in excess of US$15billion annually for the next several years. I take the informed view that a huge part of that excess should be used to our advantage through the building and strengthening of the capacity of the social sector, and through job creation projects, such as, long term physical infrastructural development of bridges across the major rivers, highways crisscrossing the country, airports, high-speed railway to Brazil, and a deep-water harbour, among others. These would afford Brazil and other South American countries closer links to
economies/markets in the Caribbean and across the Atlantic Ocean. Such projects would provide thousands of jobs for Guyanese, and upon completion, would derive additional revenues from Brazil and others for their usage. Additionally, these infrastructures will propel and transform Guyana into a vibrant south-south transportation and services hub. The biggest problem for Guyanese, however, has been the lack of transparency in the arrangements with Exxon. An Economist article (June 27, 2017), referring to the potential for oil-money corruption, stated that ‘[i]t will take better politicians to resist the corrosive power of petrodollars’. For example, most of us are aware of what happened to the first bonus of US$18 million from Exxon. Furthermore, the APNU + AFC government, to date, has no clear plan of action for
utilizing the windfall excess. It is therefore imperative that a comprehensive infrastructural development plan be devised to absorb the excess windfall over the next several years to advance the nation’s development and international stature as a successful oil economy in the world. It is worth mentioning that some pundits have opined that Exxon may very well close operations after pumping crude for four to five years. It is currently enjoying stocks/shares increase with every oil find off our shores. In other words, Exxon is already enjoying huge financial gains even without pumping/selling any of our crude. In essence, while Exxon’s, like any foreign investments, is aimed at facilitating the greatest returns for the investor(s), Guyanese can also derive huge benefits, such as (Continued on page 6)
REO Carl Parker responds to concerns over regional tender process DEAR EDITOR, I would like to put to rest once and for all any speculation that the tender process in the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Region was not above board. It is quite necessary since this country has a history of unchallenged untruths passing as facts. As Chairman of the Regional Tender Board, and Regional Executive Officer, I have always endeavoured to be ideal, even in the face of extreme difficulties. However, there are some detractors who are hell-bent on having things go their way all the time. The most recent such person is Rommel Harrinandan, the brother-inlaw of the Regional Vice Chairman and a teacher at the St. Ignatius Secondary School in his letter “Lethem AFC PR concerned about issues surrounding Regional Tender Board” (KN May 06 2019). He was on a cuss out trip which I will not dignify with a response except to say that as a teacher his presentation leaves much to be desired; and this is one of the challenges I am faced with. I am faced with teachers in the system who
are passing on that level of education to our children. Hence the challenges these children have in consistently doing well at school. The quality this teacher displayed is a hang-over from a time in the not too distant past. Better will come. To s e t t h e r e c o r d s straight: I am not, and have never been a pal of Mr. Rommel Harrinandan. I was never driven by his father in any part of this country. In opposition, I walked anywhere I went, until I was gifted a motorcycle by Mr. Joseph Harmon in 2011; or catch a bus if I were going to Georgetown. I was not on any campaign trail with Mr. Harrinandan nor have I slept in any house with him; unless of course, he slipped in while I was asleep. He had a brief affair with my daughter. I never knew about it until the relationship went sour. If that ever did happen, then it speaks volumes of his character. So Mr. Harrinandan is being delusional on this score. Secondly, the Procurement Act empowers Accounting Officers to award contracts in various categories. For Regional
Executive Officers, the categories are; up to $650,000 – 3 or more quotes without going to Tender Board; $651,000 - $10M – Selective Tendering. That is 3 or more persons are invited to tender competitively. The Award must be done by the Tender Board; Open Tender. This can be done for projects $651,000 - $20M. These have to be adjudicated by the Tender Board. Mr. Harrinandan would have done well had he researched the issue before, as he put it, “I made sure what I am saying here is factual…” Added to that is the fact that the law prescribes what should happen after awards. That includes posting the awards at prominent places for perusal by the public and sending copies to the Public Procurement Commission. Tenders are public business, and this REO has nothing to hide. Had he checked, he would have noticed that there was a copy of the awards at the Lethem Post Office Notice Board, where all and sundry could have taken a very long read. There was no need to have the document “leaked” as he put it.
Another issue is that, I and I alone as the Accounting Officer, determine whether or not to use the selective method of tendering. As a long-time resident of the Rupununi, I am aware that the rains, as we are presently having, will be on us and as such it is imperative to push in as much work as possible before that time. It is what is referred to as the “low hanging fruits.” Had he taken the time to research, Mr. Harrinandan would know of the time line between advertising and award. This he would realize would have been an impracticable proposition. I guess he is too bitter with hatred to realise the impact those selective tendering has had on the economy of the Region, which was somewhat stagnated as a result of the few contractors employed last year, some getting as many as 7 jobs in one go. This year, 7 jobs were given to 7 different contractors which resulted in more residents on the employment list. More families were able to benefit from the Public Procurement Process (no pun intended). As to calling persons (Continued on page 5 )
CHANGING WORLD AND THE FUTURE DEAR EDITOR, It seems as if we are living in a changing world. I came to this conclusion following recent events. The latest is the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has named a Sri Lankan to head the world renowned cricket body which is regarded as the headquarters of cricket. A half black, Meghan Markle, is now a member of the royal family; a negro, Barak Obama was elected to the White House, and now a few democrats are fighting tooth and nail for socialism to be introduced to the United States. MCC, which was founded in 1787 with headquarters at Lord Cricket Ground in London, during its long history was always headed by a white Brit, now an Indian (Sri Lankan) is elected to take over next year. Kumar Sangakkhara, former Sri Lankan captain, now a commentator was chosen to head the world renowned organisation, which raised eyebrows in many quarters. Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan, a black American, who was previously married, is now a member of the Royal family. The Queen is quite
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happy with Harry’s spouse and she is waiting to greet her mixed race great grandchild. Barak Obama whose father was from Kenya was elected the first black President of the US in 2008 and he was reelected for another four-year term in 2012, and now Senator Bernie Sanders, a strong advocate for socialism who wants inmates convicted of murder and other serious crimes to vote, is getting strong supports from three young lawmakers, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilan Omar. Omar made the ridiculous statement that “US policy helped to provoke the devastation in Venezuela”. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris also has strong views about the voting rights of felons. One wonders what’s next at this time in our history with rapid improvement in technology and radical thinking and attitudes of humans. The big question being asked in Guyana... will funds from the oil be trickled down to the ordinary man in the street? Moreover, will some of the money be used to improve the roads and infrastructure? Oscar Ramjeet
I will answer Mr. Kissoon’s questions if he confesses to lying about me DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Mr. Frederick Kissoon’s article in yesterday’s KN (“Questions that must be answered”) in which he directed a number of questions to me about issues dating back to 1992. I would be happy to answer Mr. Kissoon’s questions if he confesses that over the past twenty years he has deliberately, persistently and publicly lied about me by accusing me of suing him in court. I am not raising the other matters about which he has lied over the years. Ralph Ramkarran
THE ACTORS AND ARCHITECTS OF DR. O’TOOLE’S SHOOTING MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE DEAR
EDITOR,
Dr. Brian O’Toole, principal and owner of the School of the Nations, one of the best private secondary school of this nation of ours, was shot by a rogue criminal several months ago and to date no one was caught and charge for that heinous crime. That incident could have been fatal but Providence has decree otherwise! I have known Dr. O’Toole and his benign family for several decades now, and have known of their unique and highly significant contribu-
tions. They have so far contributed sacrificially to this nation in the field of primary, secondary and tertiary education and, also employment. They have given also, in many cases the opportunity for a better tertiary education to many children who otherwise would have none, due to poverty! Many Guyanese children of all racial backgrounds have benefited from their unique unalloyed kindness, given with no strings attached over the decades. To this nation’s children, Dr. O’Toole and his
kind and unselfish beautiful wife, Mrs. Pam O’Toole, have given. Mrs. Pam O’Toole is also a teacher and a kind humanitarian to this nation! Their two kind and generous boys have also emulated their parents, and have done their part of kindness too. Editor, not only me, but several thousands of Guyanese of all strata of our society and of all the races here, are concerned for Dr. O’Toole and his kind family’s safety in this nation. Their safety is also our concern and we all ask that the actors and architects of
that heinous and near fatal crime to be brought before the courts to answer for that heinous crime.Not only Dr. O’Toole is an educator but also his unique life is one to be emulated by others.In all three counties of this nation, they are admired and are emulated for their unique brand of education.Finally, we reiterate respectfully that the actors and perpetrators of that heinous and almost fatal crime be brought to trial as Justice is the best beloved of all things in the sight of God! Yours respectfully, Rooplall Dudhnath
Lethem is no longer a Coalition strong hold DEAR EDITOR, I would like to substantiate most of the contents of a letter written by Mr. Romel Harinandan in reference to the mismanagement of Region Nine by the REO and irregularities in the Tendering system and awarding of Contracts. However, I would like to add my bit. One of the so-called contractors who was given work at Mahdia when the same REO
was stationed there and was recently awarded contracts in Region Nine refused to pay his employees monies amounting to over $400,000.00 for work carried out on previous contracts. A complaint was made to the previous REO and sitting Regional Chairman by letters signed by the persons affected but was ignored by those officials. This same contractor worked on unfinished con-
tracts for the Region and his work had to be completed by other contractors designated by the Region as recently as last year. Editor, I would not lay the blame squarely at the feet of the REO after all he is just capitalizing on the incompetence of others responsible for the Tendering process in the country and by extension the Government. What amazes me most is
the inability of the Regional Chairman who is the head of the Region to put a halt to such occurrences. He also is incompetent. It is rumoured that the REO was brought back to Region Nine to win votes, but if the recently held local Government election is anything to go by, Lethem is no longer a Coalition strong hold. Boat already gone a f a l l s . Patrick Fitzpatrick
REO Carl Parker responds to concerns over ... From page 4 dunce exhibits his character. I have known many a men who can neither read or write, but have displayed aggressive business acumen. There will always be persons greater and lesser than us. That does not give us the right to denigrate them. Many persons, as he referred to them as dunce, would put him to shame in their field. I do not care about race, or any other categorisation when I do my work. I look at
the human side of things. This is exemplified in the number of villages, many of whom did not support the Coalition, which I h a v e worked with, giving contracts to the Village Councils to stimulate their respective economies. Some of these villages are: Surama, Toka, Shulinab, Mururanau, Masekeneri, Yarong Paru, Tiperu, and Taushida. From that list, Mr. Harrinandan can identify who
supported the Coalition and who did not. I will close by saying that Mr. Harrinandan was very contradictory when he referred to himself as an AFC candidate and an opposition member in the same breath. Maybe his brother-in-law, who has not attended a single
Te n d e r B o a r d m e e t i n g since I returned to the Region on the 7th January, is putting words in his mouth. I stand by my record. Respectfully, Carl Parker Regional Executive Officer Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo
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Remarks at the commissioning of the Indian Arrival Monument are both informative and helpful DEAR EDITOR, Sharing the commissioning of the Indian Arrival Monument in East Berbice on Sunday, May 5, 2019, proved to be both inspirational and instructive. Remarks by the Indian High Commissioner and Director General of Indian Council were relevant and useful as they both made a link between Guyana and a group whose foreparents who came from India are now constitute to form the largest segments of our society. The highlight of the event was the address by President David Granger whose analysis and historical references were par excellence. Here was a Statesman openly saying the praises of a group of Immigrants who continued to make an important contribution to Guyana. I marvelled at the perspicacity of David Granger when he identified two persons in each category of development in Guyana. No one could have done better. In particular, he identified for business, two very decent and honourable persons in business, Sattaur Gafoor and Mrs. Lyla Kissoon and other areas of law, medicine and diplomacy.In sports, he identified Rohan Kanhai and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Those who heard Shiv’s speech, when the roadway was named to honour him would understand my personal delight. I spent my formative years in the Charlestown, Albouystown, La Penitence areas, which allowed me to
learn much from mixing with the descendants of Indian Immigrants, who lived in large numbers in these areas. During the second World War, my father started the first Indigenous Bank in the City known as the People’s Benefit Scheme. There I developed a great respect for the Indo Guyanese who pooled their savings in the People’s Benefit Scheme. I marvelled at their penchant for deferred gratification and thrift. I was able to save two of those large Ledgers, which from time to time, the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of the early depositors come to identify the wisdom and ability to save of their fore bearers.Dear Editor, at any time you are free to bear witness to this initiative taken during the stress and tribulations of a British Colony during World War II. The Ledgers are available for scrutiny and you may very well find an old relative who used this unique banking system. It’s significant that the byline of the Monument is referred to as ‘Ram and Khan.’ The commissioning of this Monument ushered in the Holy Month of Ramadan, a significant time for Islamic community. I must have been twelve or thirteen years old but recall a very robust discussion with a group in my father’s Drug Store when an Indian Muslim Brother said he didn’t know why all Muslims in British Guiana were referred to as ‘Fulla Men.’ My research showed that
some of the slaves extracted from parts of West Africa were from the Fulani tribe who were stout Muslims so when East Indian Muslims arrived with their Hindu Brothers, the rulers simply referred to all Muslims as ‘Fulla Men,’ a description which is hardly used today. During that very energized discussion, I remember a very dark Indian, very elegant contending that the system tended to trivialise the Madras people because they were the darkest of the groups, of course, this was before the American Civil Rights Movement coined the term ‘Black is beautiful.’ I wish to make two comments, first, that those who are identified as Leaders, and for whatever reason, didn’t make it to Palmyra on Sunday should get hold of the remarks made by the Director General, High Commissioner and the Statesman-like address by the President.They will find it both informative and helpful. Second, I suggest to the Berbice and Georgetown Chambers of Commerce that they can do well to prove their nationalism by having excerpts of the three addresses printed and made available to television and radio for the benefit of the wider community but in particular our young people. The two Chambers and the Media will do themselves proud if they accepted this as a duty and service to Guyana. Let us do things that are positive and can certify our unity and diversity. Hamilton Green
A solution to the paddy bug infestation DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the letters of Rudolph Singh (Kaieteur News 14 April) and Ganga Persaud (Stabroek News 3 May 2019) in which they complained about the lack of action on the paddy bug problem in the country. For what it is worth, I would like to share my limited experience on this subject. Some years ago, the Beacon Foundation carried out rice cultivation trials in Moco Moco, Rupununi. In the first
year, we experienced significant paddy bug infestation. However, following research on the internet, we identified a “neem-based” liquid, which we sprayed on when the paddy bug was at the nymph stage of development. There was subsequently almost zero infestation. We shared this information with the Guyana Rice Development Board and suggested that they might want to pass it on to rice farmers. It seems this was not done. Since ours was
Locals can benefit, despite ... From page 4 foreign exchange, skills enhancement and job creation. However, much would depend on our political leaders’ ability to negotiate the terms and arrangements, ensure such terms are incorporated into the legal instruments/contracts, and monitor and enforce those terms to derive the national benefits. In the final analysis, infrastructural development plans must be hatched to transparently use the excess oil windfall while passing on benefits to the populace through job opportunities. Yours sincerely, Ronald Singh
a one-off trial, we would like to pass this information on to interested farmers for further trials. Unfortunately, we can’t remember the name of the chemical, but this can be researched on Google. Very little is known in Guyana about the effect of neem on insects. It does not have a knock-down effect, but instead affects the reproductive system of harmful insects and thus reduces the population significantly. The amazing characteristic of neem is that it affects only pests, and does no harm to beneficial or pollinating insects. Apart from the wellknown fact that neem leaves put between rice, peanuts and beans reduces weevil infestation to almost zero, neem has many other health benefits. Best of luck to farmers in further experiments. Yours truly, Clairmont Lye
Wednesday May 08, 2019
LETHEM’S AFC CHAIRMAN RESPONDS TO ROMMEL HARRINANDAN DEAR EDITOR, Kindly allow me a space in your column to respond to a letter ‘Lethem’s AFC PR concerned about issues surrounding Regional Tender Board’ on behalf of the Lethem AFC family to the gross inaccuracies published in that letter. Mr. Rommel Harrinandan who proudly presented himself as an AFC PR for constituency #4 on the night of the Local Government Election abandoned the political party he is now claiming to be a part of. When he was asked to make a presentation on the night of the only rally held by the Lethem AFC group that individual shirked his responsibility. It was noticed by the group that Mr. Harrinandan publicly criticised the Coalition Government and their supporters, he publicly supported what Mr. Charrandass did. The Lethem AFC group now recognised that he was just a PPP mole. While he is attacking the REO Mr. Carl Parker on the issue of conflict of interest, it is obvious that he is losing his marbles, because his brother–in–law, the Vice- Chairman, Karl Singh, was a sitting member of the tender board when contracts were awarded to Mr. Harrinandan entire family including that very individual. Mr. Editor what is more puzzling is that Mr. Harrinandan mentioned and I quote from his letter the list is bloated with a bunch of first-timers and strong supporters from the APNU and not AFC who has no record of paying tax in this country, who has no record of work done in the respective field, who has no necessary tools and equipments and persons who are predominantly Afro Guyanese. My question to Mr. Harrinandan is ‘What kind of equipment, experience, and knowledge he and his sister possess in the field of contracting services, to be awarded contracts last year since he is a school teacher and she a clerk at an insurance company? It is in my take that
Mr. Harrinandan is being unfair and is now criticizing the young contractors. Experience and knowledge are not gained on first hand but comes with years of experiences. When these contracts were awarded last year there were no complains but now the tide is not going as he wants and there is a trace of bitterness. From Rommel’s writing, it is clear that this is a strategy of lies and confusion to cause discord among the strong coalition government. The Lethem AFC group wishes to dissociate its self from such manifestation in this accord. We wish to state category that Mr. Harrinandan ‘warishii’ of discord, inaccuracy, and ignorance will not be upheld by our party. The AFC has also noted the recent incidents of sabotage in the region by persons who are bitter and who do not want to see the coalition government show of love to the Rupununi people. The burning of a bridge and the damaging of the newly installed solar panels for the water system in a southern village, is so sad. It is also noted of frequent malfunction of the radio stations in Lethem and Aishalton. All these sabotage that is happening it is a question as to how and who are operatives of the radio station in Lethem and Aishalton. These bitter persons should note that the coalition stands strong, and we the Lethem AFC group, supports Mr. Carl Parker and his decisions in awarding contracts to young entrepreneurs who are educated and knowledgeable and with time they will evolve to be better skilled in this field. The Lethem AFC group would like to wish Mr. Rommel Harrinandan all the best in his future endeavours and we hope that he matures with time. Yours Respectfully, Ahrens Landry Chairperson- Lethem AFC Group
THE FUTURE OF MOST OF THE GFC STAFF SEEM BLEAK DEAR EDITOR, I must commend this Government for the great work they have done so far, and I am a big supporter of this Government, but I am very disappointed in Minister Trotman from the Ministry of Natural Resources. The staff at the Guyana Forestry Commission is in fear that they may lose their jobs after hearing that Guyana Forestry Commission does not have monies to pay staff and a restructuring of the Commission will occur. All I want to know why is Minister Trotman allowing the restructuring to happen when the proposed structure does not cater to the current 450 plus staff? Clayton Hall, the convenor of the restructuring task force, already told us that he cannot guarantee us that our jobs will be saved. Why can’t the Government cushion the Guyana Forestry Commission until the logging sector picks up? Why is the staff being punished from the loss of revenue from the closure of companies that generated high production? I must also remind you Minister Trotman, the
convenor of this taskforce was once the Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission who had implemented many failed policies where history will show that it was one of the most challenging times at the Commission. After the removal of Clayton Hall as Commissioner only then the Commission started to be recognised both locally and internationally for carrying its mandate of promoting sustainable forestry management in a very effective and transparent process. Since 2016, Clayton Hall has been placed on the board at the Guyana Forestry Commission and again many failed policies were once more introduced. His inputs on the Board only led to many bad policies, which had a direct impact on the revenue generation of the Guyana Forestry Commission. Many logging companies were closed based on Hall’s personal biases towards these companies. The closure of these companies like Barama and Bai Shan Lin came with no other revenue alternatives. This is why the GFC is having a hard time recovering financially.
Clayton Hall has referred to the staff at the Forestry Commission as ‘not bright enough’ but what I can tell you Honourable Minister is that the staff of the commission is bright enough to tell you this restructuring will give the Commission no revenue but rather it is a mechanism for clear witch hunting to fire staff that Mr. Hall personally dislikes or feel is a threat to him because of their genuine objection to his failed policies. Minister Trotman, restructuring the Guyana Forestry Commission during election time is a poor political move. The staff is highly negatively impacted as they are now even less motivated to do their jobs since they were told by Clayton Hall that their jobs are not secured at the moment. They are now worried about losing their jobs rather than focusing on completing their work. Minister Trotman, I really hope you listen to us and if you do not listen to us, we will have our final say during this upcoming election by casting our vote to whoever listens to us. Concerned Staff
Fiscal clauses in model oil contract to be reviewed by Finance Ministry, GRA – Dr. Bynoe
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efore it can be con sidered a finalised document, the fiscal clauses contained in Guyana’s model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) will have to be reviewed by two key agencies—the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance. This was recently noted by Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe. At his most recent press conference, Dr. Bynoe said the provisions within the PSA are very strong and will likely be the best model contract ever. But to ensure that it is not too stringent that it hinders investment, the official said that it would be shared with various agencies. Dr. Bynoe said, “There are certain clauses which have to be reviewed by the Ministry of Finance and GRA. Those are not clauses we in the Department can pronounce on. There will be need for others to have input and then refine the model PSA before another licensing round which is not possible until the first quarter of 2020 because of all the things we
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Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe need to have in place.” This move by the Energy Department would be in keeping with one of the key recommendations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which had stated since 2016
that the Ministry of Finance and the Guyana Revenue Authority should have primary responsibility for the wording and interpretation of fiscal and tax provisions of the model Production Sharing Agreement. The Fund which is assisting Guyana in preparing for the oil sector said it is necessary to have these two institutions involved in the aforementioned process so as to mitigate loopholes and improve and control the audit of recoverable costs. In addition, the Fund said that leadership on fiscal provisions and petroleum costs audit should be given to the Guyana Revenue Authority, which it stressed, has experience in tax audits.
CAL partners with UG for Diaspora and Entrepreneur Conference
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aribbean Airlines and The Univer sity of Guyana yesterday announced that Caribbean Airlines is the Principal Airline Partner for the Diaspora and Entrepreneur Conference being hosted by the University of Guyana from July 21 to 25, 2019. In making the announcement the airline’s CEO Garvin Medera stated: “Caribbean Airlines is about connecting the Caribbean and this goes beyond the thousands of people we transport daily. It extends into the communities we serve, and the Diaspora is one of the most important. We are happy to support this conference which will see aspiring and established entrepreneurs from the Diaspora meet in Guyana from July 21
Caribbean Airlines’ CEO Garvin Medera to 25 to collaborate and innovate, which is critical to the development of our entire Caribbean region.” On commenting on the partnership, Prof. Ivelaw Griffith, Vice Chancellor of
UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith The University of Guyana said: “Our partnership with Caribbean Airlines will help Diaspora members to participate in this important Diaspora and (Continued on page 8)
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Wednesday May 08, 2019
Guyana’s oil success hinges on well managed natural resource fund, robust local content policy – Energy Chamber President By Kiana Wilburg Guyana’s success with the oil and gas industry will be determined by a few key factors. According to President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), Manniram Prashad, these elements are a wellmanaged Natural Resource Fund, an impartial Petroleum Commission and a robust Local Content policy to benefit all Guyanese. Prashad made these remarks at the opening of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). The event is being held from May 6 to 9 in Houston, Texas, and Guyana is being represented with a government-private sector contingent. The Offshore Technology Conference is an event where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. Celebrating 50 years since 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park) in Houston. At the conference, the official said that the addition of oil to Guyana’s economy is
certainly the rising tide needed to lift all economic sectors. He stressed, however, that all must be cognizant of the crude realities of the resource curse and focus as a collective on the management of the windfall that will soon accrue. It is on this background that Prashad reflected, the Energy Chamber over the years has publicly stressed the importance of building a strong framework for the oil sector. With the crucial factors he mentioned, along with stakeholder participation, Prashad expressed confidence that Guyana will attain unprecedented and sustained socioeconomic development. He also made reference to the fact that Guyana is already on a commendable growth trajectory. In this regard, Prashad highlighted that Guyana is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that has been growing positively over the years. He pointed out, as well, that Guyana’s growth rate of 4.1 percent during 2018 is quite remarkable in comparison to the average of 1.1 percent in the region. The Energy President said that much of this growth,
Some of Guyana’s representatives at the OTC Conference. (From left): Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes; GCCI’s Senior Vice President, Nick Boyer; Energy Chamber President, Manniram Prashad; Government representative Basil Blackman, and GO-Invest Head, Owen Verwey. however, was concentrated in the areas of construction and the services sector specifically, real estate services, wholesale and retail trade and financial and insurance activities. Prashad said that most of the nation’s traditional sectors and manufacturing have recorded positive growth figures too while noting that much is still demanded from these sectors. The Energy Chamber President said that undoubt-
edly, Guyana’s economic health will improve drastically in the short and medium terms as oil production is slated to commence in a matter of months. He commented that factors intrinsic to the economy will evolve, thereby changing the nation’s structural dynamics through massive immigration and entrants to Guyana’s market along with rampant training and development in the area of oil and gas. Already, Prashad said, the authorities are seeing significant flows of foreign direct investments to the nation’s shores thus improving its external accounts whilst stimulating the economy. Along these lines, the Energy Chamber President said that conservative projections of economic growth have placed Guyana amongst the wealthiest nations per capita with at
least double digit growth rates soaring as high as 28 percent within the next five years. The official said, “Definitely, the local private sector is cognizant of these facts. Businesses are forming, expanding, learning and building capabilities necessary for the unimaginable amount of prosperity that will flow. Let alone investments, specifically geared for oil and gas servicing, our businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, to name a few, are positioning themselves to take advantage of the massively increasing demands as potential and committed investors along with employees and other experts flood our shores.” Further to this, Prashad said that the Oil and Gas Chamber realizes the need for critical investments in the so-
cial and physical infrastructure to advance the country. With the expected improvements in the transport infrastructures, investments to realize cheaper and reliable energy especially for manufacturing and value adding, investments in human capital and modernization of the regulatory and legal systems to boost efficiency, Prashad said that the Chamber foresees an investment haven, an ideal destination to do business. In addition to this, he noted that the essence for being a preferred investment destination lies in clarity and predictability of a country’s policies. On that note, he concluded, “We believe that through this inclusionary democracy, stakeholders will be able to assist our government to calibrate policies, programmes and projects that would be in the best interest of all.”
CAL partners with UG for ... From page 7 Entrepreneurship conference when they take advantage of the special fare being offered for conference travel”. He further stated, “This conference will facilitate dialogue and spark innovative collaborations and discussions, as we engage with the Diaspora. As an authentic Caribbean air carrier with strong links to the Diaspora, Caribbean Airlines is a natural partner for the University of Guyana”. Caribbean Airlines will provide special concessions to customers who register through the conference website [https:// diasporaentrepreneurship.uog.edu.gy/ ] for the conference. The airline operates a minimum of 6 daily flights to and from Guyana, including nonstop service to JFK International, New York and direct service to other North American and Caribbean destinations.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Free education is a farce There is one question for which a study will never be commissioned by the government. That question is: Why is it that the students of the five senior secondary schools outperform students in the rest of the educational system? The PPPC or APNU+AFC will never commission such a study, since it will burst the bubble on the egalitarian model of education which justifies the policy of free education. The answer to that question will expose the bogus model of education which has been practiced in the name of free education and which has shortchanged local students for more than fifty years. Free education was introduced as part of a socialist
system. The objective of free education was to have a more egalitarian system of education in the hope that it would raise the educational performance across the country and break the culture of elitism, in which predominantly students from select schools did far better than those from other schools. Free education has been in existence for more than 40 years. Yet, in direct contradiction to this policy, the top students at examinations continue overwhelmingly to originate from the top secondary schools, most of which are based in Georgetown If free education was serving an egalitarian purpose, then one would have expected that results would
have been more even, and that there would have been no longer the need to designate schools as senior secondary or junior secondary. There would have been no competition also for places at the top schools, because the performance gap between schools would have been narrowed or erased. Free education has not evened out educational performance. Performance is still dominated by the top five or six secondary schools. However, it is not that these schools enjoy any superior advantage in terms of their teaching methods. Their superiority is in the students. The old elitist system allows for the best of the primary schools systems to be assigned to these schools. As
DEM BOYS SEH
People living free in Govt house
When a man rent his house to people and dem give him trouble, he can’t throw dem pon de road. He got to go to court. Now de government in de same boat. People living in Government houses and dem ain’t paying a cent. De government want dem out. De way how dem trying to put out de people got dem boys laughing till now. De same government wha does jail people or at least mek people get charge now begging fuh help fuh get people out de houses. Dem send notice, dem ask de Ministry of Finance fuh help. Dem boys want to know why dem ain’t use de police to put out de people.
Dem does use police to break up strike. De people who living in dem Government house move in when Jagdeo party win de elections. Some of de original people was Government officers and dem dead. Is dem children or some family who got nutten to do wid Government living in dem house. Some private people don’t rely on de court. Dem does do dem own thing. Some people does hire men to remove de step. Some people does tek off de roof. But dem got odda people who does paint de house black. Dem even got people who does do more cruel things. Dem does set de house pon fire. De government can’t do
dem things but fuh certain dem could go to court because dem can prove de people who live in de house don’t have no contract. Dem got nuff bailiff who would glad fuh de small piece to put out dem people. Fuh sure, if Jagdeo did want dem out, he had people who would go straight and put dem out. He had people who beat people who put up party banner. One of dem threaten people wid gun and dem boys sure de people who live in dem house frighten gun.It got to be dat people right about Soulja Bai. Dem believe he soft. And he proving dem right. Talk half and watch how people living free.
such, the best students end up at these schools and it is the students and the environment, which is mainly responsible for the superior performance, not free education. The policy of free education was well-intended, but those who were responsible for its formulation were too stepped in elitist values. As such they tried to impose egalitarianism on an elitist model of education. And the result has been an education system that has been an absolute disaster. Each year, we read about the excellent performances of students, mainly at the top schools. What we do not read about are the large numbers who perform poorly at examinations and therefore leave school functionally illiterate and innumerate. One would have assumed
that with the large numbers of failures within the secondary school system that efforts would have been made for revamping the education system. But this is not happening, because the middle class, which traditionally has exerted influence on both the PPPC and APNU, is not interested in changing a system which works for their children. The middle class does not want an even education standard across all schools. It wants an elitist system in which the crème de la crème of primary school children can dominate the places awarded for the senior secondary schools.This system perpetuates a system of educational apartheid. It is not racial apartheid; it is a system of class apartheid, because if a random sample is done of the top
students at the primary-leaving level, it will be found that only a minority are from the poorer classes. And that is how the poor people of Guyana have been shortchanged by the socalled system of free education. Free education, has for the majority of the poor people, amounted to nothing other than a second class education.Why has free education failed? It has failed because it has retained the old elitist model of competition for school placements, which allows the better students to get the better schools and the poorer students to have to settle for a second class education.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 08, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Illogical or incestuous: The politics of President Granger Two factors have erased from my mind any possibility that David Granger could be the right person to lead Guyana beyond oil. The first was his choice to head the oil sector. Not content with selecting someone not possessed with the relevant skills. He did a silly thing by announcing that the appointee will search and find the necessary qualified personnel. Surely, no president should make such unnecessary mistakes. The second one was UG. It was clear to the academic community, and should have been so to the leadership of the government, that reckless spending of money at UG was taking place, and pressing areas of development at UG were being neglected.
In such circumstances, since taxpayers’ money was being wasted, the presidency had to urgently take an interest. Those two factors decide my choice for the president of Guyana after oil, and it is not David Granger. Now we have a replacement for the resigned Minister of F o r e i g n Aff a i r s . T h i s commentary here is not an assessment of the character and personality of Dr. Karen Cummings. I g o t t o k n o w D r. Cummings during the 2015 election campaign when she spoke at the same meeting at Tuschen. Her husband, Emmanuel, and I knew each other well when I was a lecturer at UG. Dr. Cummings’s skills
are in medicine. The foreign ministry portfolio is always filled by a lawyer if an international relations expert or an experienced business person or a social sciences academic is not available. Burnham had two lawyers; Sir Shridath Ramphal and Fred Wills, and an experienced diplomat, Rashleigh Jackson. President Desmond Hoyte selected a professor in international relations, Cedric Grant, to guide him i n t h e F o r e i g n Aff a i r s Ministry. Despite what criticism we may have of Clement R o h e e ’s qualifications, he was m a d e C h e d d i J a g a n ’s Foreign Minister after a long stint as the shadow Cabinet spokesperson for foreign affairs. President Jagdeo went for an experienced diplomat similar to Jackson, Rudy Insanally. After Insanally, Jagdeo went for a woman, Caroline Rodrigues, who was trained in business management at a Canadian university and had Cabinet experience for seven years in areas that touched on
international affairs, before she was appointed to Takuba Lodge. Granger ’s choice for Foreign Minister is bizarre, inane, silly and nonsensical when context is considered. That context is Raphael Trotman. Trotman has a Master’s Degree in diplomacy from one of the top international relations schools in the world – Fletcher School of Tufts University. His eligibility becomes commonsensical when you add his legal training. He has been a lawyer for more than ten years prior to entering politics and would have done service for international companies. Then his status as Minister of Natural Resources would have exposed him to international business transactions. How could a president leave a senior Cabinet minister with that impressive background and choose a medical doctor with junior Cabinet status to become the Foreign Minister is not only appalling, but antidevelopmental. Is this the man that Guyanese want to
lead them when oil revenues come pouring in? David Granger has demonstrated the past four years that he completely lacks 99 percent of the skills that a nation’s leader must possess. How does the analyst explain Carl Greenidge’s replacement? My opinion is incestuousness. Granger has exhibited a large penchant for giving high-level state jobs to people he knows up, close and personal. When he selected Dr. Mark Bynoe for the Energy Department, Dr. Tarron Khemraj, in the Stabroek News wrote that; “Dr. Bynoe appears to have a long running relationship with the President.” Granger is a close friend of UG’s Vice Chancellor. The decision to fill the slot at our embassy in Cuba was shocking. Halim Majeed was one of the persons that did assignments for President Burnham in the socialist countries during the heyday of the Non-Aligned Movement. When Hoyte succeeded Burnham, he sidelined all the socialist/Marxist personnel Burnham had in sensitive positions. Majeed migrated and was forgotten for almost
Frederick Kissoon 35 years. Granger made him ambassador to Cuba in 2015, at a time when most of the socialist/Marxist presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers in the world had either grown old in retirement or had died. In 2015, Majeed would have arrived to a new Cuba where he would have been an unknown. Granger left all the qualified, experienced foreign service officers at Takuba Lodge and resurrected Majeed. And why? They worked closely together when Granger was responsible for socialist education in the army and Majeed taught the soldiers such literature. The question is; does Granger know Cummings over a long period of time and that is why he made his bizarre, foolish choice? I can only offer my opinion. My answer is yes.
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday May 08, 2019
Kaieteur News
Thousands of pensioners flock NIS for increases Thousands of pensioners yesterday flocked the Brickdam compound of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to receive an increase that was announced by Government last year for the 2019 national budget. According to NIS’ General Manager, Holly Greaves, the crowd had been coming the entire day. In fact, at around 12:00hrs, some 5,000 pensioners had visited the office to collect their pension books. “…apart from it being pension day, we are paying out the arrears…the pension is tied to the minimum wage, which automatically raises it to 50% of the minimum wage, so actually we’re paying out that increase today. But so far, we have been doing well. The office was opened at six this morning serving persons. We have extra cashiers onboard, so we were prepared for the crowd that came in this morning.” NIS has about 30,000 pensioners.
A tent was set up, with coffee and tea, snacks and crackers available for the pensioners, Greaves disclosed. Questioned about how NIS was performing in collecting revenues and now having to pay an increase in pensions, the GM was upbeat. “Well we are managing it and paying attention to our collection, as well as we are paying the benefits that are required by law. But we are managing the situation.” In recent years, the social insurance programme has been raising alarm bells with declining revenues amid noncompliance. The minimum pension was increased from $30,000 to $32,100, a welcome raise for pensioners. Greaves disclosed that this year, the entity is celebrating 50 years. “…and part of our objective this year is to satisfy our customers. So we’re making sure this year to tighten up the value of
The pensioners came in their numbers. customer service. So we have been trying to reach out. We have been the government in their outreach programs, and well as we have our own outreach programmes that we are doing.” Recently, NIS has been
stepping up its efforts to have non-compliant employers pay up workers’ dues. The name-and-shame publications appear to have had a positive impact. “It has been a positive effect for the NIS because a lot of them are actually coming up to pay on time now for their employees and actually we have a lot of complaints from persons on a daily basis. They have been contributing to the scheme and there’s no record, so we have started to use this. The
board has made the decision to use this initiative to make sure that employers comply, and it has been working out in our favour.” According to Operations Manager Yvonne Williams, there has been an increase of the number of employers complying. The campaign to reign in those non-compliant companies is now underway. It does not only involve security companies but others as well. “I mean, many people don’t like it, but I believe that
NIS General Manager, Holly Greaves, assisting with the crowd yesterday.
the NIS has to try to see how we can best assist the insured persons,” Greaves said. NIS prefers to work with employers but it has been taking companies and others to court. “Firstly, we ask you to bring in your documents, submit your documents. We would send you notice, advising you on the procedure, if not heeded, then the next step we take is court,” Williams said. Many of the employers and self-employed have been settling.
Wednesday May 08, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Hundreds occupying Govt. quarters for free refuse to leave Despite efforts of the Region, hundreds of persons continue to occupy government quarters for free and are refusing to leave. Giving an update on the issue, Regional Executive Officer, (REO) of Region Four, Pauline Lucas has said that the State is now considering taking court action against the unwelcomed boarders. Lucas noted that the Region has been working with the other agencies to try and remove the squatters. Their efforts have so far yielded minimal results. The REO said that State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) was asked for assistance to have the occupant leave the premises. According to Lucas, the Region has issued hundreds of warning letters to occupants. However, out of a close to 100 households, the REO said only six households have heeded the warning and moved out. The Region Four official said that many of occupants do not pay a rent and are basically freeloading off of the State for decades. Lucas said that squatting in government living quarters has been an incessant problem, which she inherited. In many cases, Lucas said the current occupants are descendents and relatives of retired/deceased government employees, who refuse to leave the State’s living quarters. At this juncture, the REO said, the State is relying on a multi-stakeholder approach to remove the squatters. She said that among other things, the State is considering taking the persons to court to recover the properties. In 2016, Auditor General Deodat Sharma found that out of 300 buildings owned by the Region Four Administration, 132 were occupied. However, only 26 of these occupants were actually paying rent, and the SARA has since been called in to assist in the eviction of those not paying rent
- Region Four Chairman revealed that 27 Region Six officers lived rent-free in Government quarters for over a year when they should have been paying rent. In a bizarre twist, one of the officers has taken the Region to court to continue living at his quarter for free. He questioned why it has taken so long for the matter
REO Region Four, Pauline Lucas In his report, the Auditor General had noted that the squatting continues unabated. Sharma flagged the issue in his 2017 report, detailing that over $1 million in rent remained outstanding. According to the report, the issue is of particular concern with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. The Ministry had a total of forty-two flats available for rental to public officers during that fiscal year. According to the report from a perusal of the rental file, rental register and other supporting documents, the AG was able to determine that 37 flats were rented, five flats were vacant, and 14 were rent free. “In addition, it was noted that, as at December 2017, the sum of $1.444 million. This includes the sum of $669,000 for 2016 and $775,000 for 2017. It should be noted that some tenants have rents outstanding since January 2016.” “This contradicts clause two of their rental agreement, which states that the tenant agrees to pay to the landlord in advance the monthly rental,” the Auditor General reported. Meanwhile in his capacity as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Irfaan Ali has expressed dissatisfaction with the situation after it was
to be addressed. He had called on Lucas to say how the Region has been responding to the issue. The REO had revealed that in addition to the guidance from the Auditor General’s findings, she asked SARA to get involved in the matter since the previous year. The issue was also
flagged by the Auditor General’s Office in 2015. During an audit of the region’s affairs, it was found that 72 residential buildings were occupied by officers of the Region, however the Regional administration was not in receipt of rents from the occupants. Additionally, regional officials could not say if any of the properties were furnished, neither could they verify who were eligible to live
rent-free. This issue had raised serious questions of accountability by senior officers in the Regions, and why under the watch of a Regional Executive Officer and a Deputy Regional Executive Officer such an issue was not known. It is believed that this issue may have cheated the government’s purse of over $7M over that period on nonpayment.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Office space, commercial and cargo area not included in US$150M airport price tag The contract the Government of Guyana signed with China Harbour Engineering Company
(CHEC) in 2011, to modernise the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), did not cater for office space.
In fact, there seems that there were no provisions for roads and even the commercial area.
- Govt. to fork out more money
A section of the tarmac at CJIA.
CJIA is now moving to build an office area, a commercial centre and a cargo area. Yesterday, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) opened bids for projects which from all indications would add to the US$150M price tag. It would raise questions as to why the three features were not included in the contract. The CJIA project has become a major scandal, with Guyana getting a fraction of what it signed up for. Nobody is taking blame. Instead of a brand new terminal building for the Arrivals and Departures along with a longer runway, there was renovation of the old terminal buildings and a smaller structure for the Arrivals. The number of passenger bridges has been reduced from eight to four and the fancy, energy–saving glass roof that CHEC promised is now zinc sheets. The Coalition Government claimed it found major problems when it entered office in 2015 and assessed the project. The Chinese contractor, which seemed above the law, claimed for US$90M with only seven percent of the work completed. A significant portion of that money was paid out. The contract was supposed to be completed in 32 months after being signed in 2011, but has dragged on to 2019. The Opposition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic, which signed the contract in Jamaica secretly without
going to tender, had accused the Coalition Government of drastically modifying the project, although this was not allowed for in fixed-price agreements. The Audit Office has announced that it will be launching an audit to determine how the money was spent and whether Guyana received value for its dollar. The Scope of Work according to the 2011 contract which was signed by the then government included: SCOPE OF WORK 3.1 Scope of Work 1) Design for the Contractor’s works which is mentioned from Clause 2) to Clause 10) followed. 2) Design for New Car Park, Internal Road Area and Handing Equipment Area whose construction will be undertaken by Employer and the Contractor shall be responsibility for the design; 3) Mark the position of new Cargo Area and Fuel farm in Layout Drawings and have no responsibility to make the detail design and construction both of which will be undertaken by the Employer and not included in the project scope. 4) Land Backfilling work in Runway Extension Area and Airport Terminal Area excluding the resources fees imposed on the backfilling sand and other borrow material. “The Employer will provide the sand and other fill material (sites) to
the contractor for free, and the distance from material source to the project site shall be within 12 km, but if the distance is more than 12 km, the transportation fee will be increased according to actually distance. The Employer shall be fully responsible for the quantity, quality and timely supply of the abovementioned sand and other fill material. Provided the Employer fails to satisfy this requirement, the Contractor shall be entitled claim expense and time extension accordingly. The acceptance, inspection, care, custody and control of the material supplied by the Employer shall not relieve the Employer of liability for any shortage, defect, or default of the material. 5) New Airport Terminal Building including Civil Building and relative systems inside of Civil Building Power which are comprised by Power Supply System, Communication Engineering System, Water Supply and Fire Control System, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System. 6) Pavement of New Apron 7) Layout structure and systems 8) Oil tank 9) Existing Ground Foundation Treatment in Runway Extension Area. 10) Water Supply and Drainage for Runway Extension Area 11) Water Supply and Drainage for 2# Fire Pump Station 12) Power Supply Line for Runway Extension Area.
Wednesday May 08, 2019
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Kaieteur News
“I am innocent of this crime” US seeks extradition - Accused in murder of mechanic tells court
Murder accused Kenkossie Lynch has ended his testimony in the Georgetown High Court by denying that he killed 23year-old Mocha, East Bank Demerara mechanic, Terrence Lanferman. Lynch, 24, who faces a murder charge, maintained his innocence as he took the stand yesterday. Lynch has also denied the charge which alleged that on June 01, 2015, at Nelson Street, Mocha, he murder Lanferman. “I am innocent of this crime…” the murder accused told a 12-member jury when his trial continued before Justice Navindra Singh. During his unsworn testimony, Lynch denied ever giving a caution statement to Police Inspector Prem Narine. In fact, he told the court that at the time of his arrest, he could not read nor write. He said, “They (the police) did not caution me and tell me anything about my rights. I did not get no call to my family.” This was the evidence of the accused right after State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs closed her case, by calling Narine and Police Inspector Devon Lowe to the witness box. Earlier on in the trial, Justice Singh admitted a caution statement police said Lynch gave. The Judge said he found that the statement was freely and voluntarily
MURDER ACCUSED: Kenkossie Lynch
MURDERED: Terrence Lanferman
made. Justice Singh is expected to sum up of the evidence and put the matter to the jury for deliberation on a verdict by the end of this week. Lynch, a welder, formerly of Lot 110 CC Eccles, East Bank Demerara, is alleged to have killed Lanferman on June 1, 2015 at his Lot 27 Nelson Street, Mocha Arcadia home. Lynch reportedly confessed to police that he and his cousin plotted the crime. Lanferman was shot dead by a lone gunman who came and knocked at his door. At the time of the shooting, Lanferman was in the bottom flat of the twostorey house, which he shared with a sibling. His lifeless body was discovered lying on the floor in a pool of blood. He received gunshot wounds to the neck and chest and was pronounced dead at
the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, East Bank Demerara. Among the witnesses called by the State was Orville Stuart, who told the court that he had pursued the accused following the shooting incident at Mocha. Stuart told the court that he was hanging out at the corner when he heard what sounded like an explosion. A few minutes after the explosion, the witness said a man ran past him. He said that the man was wearing a hoodie, and had what appeared to be a gun in his hand. Stuart said that he mounted his cycle and pursued the accused. However, the witness said that the perpetrator jumped on the back of a CG motorcycle and made good his escape. Questioned by Defence Counsel Adrian Thompson
about the description of the alleged perpetrator, the witness noted that he had not seen the man’s face, but he could tell that he was dark in complexion because he was clad in a three-quarter pants and he could see his legs. The victim’s mother, Ulice Lanferman, also took the stand. She provided the court with an emotional testimony of identifying the body of her son after he was executed. The woman became emotional even as she told the court that she was working as a pump attendant at the Guyoil Gas Station at Providence when she was informed of the incident involving her son. The woman said that as a result of the call, she rushed over to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where she saw her son’s lifeless body— he was covered in blood. Ebon Booker recalled that she lived at the upper flat of the house in which Lanferman and his girlfriend once lived. She said that on the day of the incident, she was at home. The witness told the court that she had just finished cooking when Lanferman’s girlfriend came to visit her upstairs. A few moments later, she said two loud explosions were heard. They rushed downstairs to see what had happened. There, they discovered, Lanferman lying in a pool of blood.
of ex-cop in narcotics matter
Shawn Neblett, an exmember of the Guyana Police Force, appeared yesterday before a city magistrate, and was informed that an extradition hearing will be carried out against him. A wanted bulletin was issued for Neblett in the United States in connection with a matter involving trafficking of narcotics through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri. Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty presided over proceedings in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The court heard that on February 2, 2017, the police had issued a wanted bulletin for Neblett. However, much mention was not made to the court about the narcotics matter in the U.S. Attorney-at-law, Stacy Goodings, who is representing the Government of United States in the matter, mentioned that she is in possession of an indictment charge and an arrest warrant for Neblett. She also stated that Neblett had been evading the police, but was arrested only eight days ago at Moleson Creek, Berbice, while illegally attempting to cross over to Suriname. The attorney pleaded that based on advice from the
Shawn Neblett Director of Public Prosecutions, the defendant should be remanded to prison, pending the hearing and determination of his extradition matter. In contrast to what the attorney mentioned, Neblett told the court that he was not aware of any allegations against him for narcotics. He further stated that it was eight days that he was in custody; however as far as he knew, his attempt to travel to Suriname was being carried out legally. Magistrate McGusty upheld the submission made by the attorney and remanded Neblett to prison until June 6, when he is expected to make another court appearance.
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Kaieteur News
Guyana hosts regional road modernisation confab The forum is being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre
T
he International Road Federation is hosting its 8th Regional Congress in Guyana at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. The three-day convention starts today and will see Ministers of Infrastructure and Transport from across the region, representatives of regional banks, and other stakeholders such as ExxonMobil and the University of the West Indies., participating in the discussions. On today’s schedule are topics such as road asset management solutions, diag-
nosing road safety risks, and the importance of maintaining updated and current standards. The following two days will include discussions on road safety audits, green pavements, innovative road procurements and financing solutions for the region, and infrastructure in oil and gas economies. The IRF Chairman, Abdullah Al-Mogbel, said that the project is meant to “present innovations across a range of industry challenges, from resilient road designs to public partnership
models”. IRF is centered in Washington, DC. It serves a network of public and private sector members in over 70 countries through the provision of advocacy services, education programs and other resources. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said that the government “fully intends to leverage the policy and technical expertise gathered to strengthen the institutional capacities of Guyana’s public agencies and better manage our ever-expanding project portfolio”.
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Subryanville hotelier committed to stand trial in High Court for murder Forty-five year-old hotel owner Erwin Bacchus, of Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, is expected to make an appearance in the High Court at the next sitting of the assizes, having been committed to stand trial for the murder of Jason De Florimonte. Yesterday as the Preliminary Inquiry for the matter was completed at the Providence Magistrate’s Court before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, the ruling was that the prosecution was able to present sufficient evidence against Bacchus for the matter to be tried in the High Court Bacchus was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on August 4, last, he murdered Jason De Florimonte. Attorneys Glenn Hanoman and Nigel Hughes are representing Bacchus in the matter. The lawyers are
Erwin Bacchus contending that their client was trying to defend himself after he was attacked by De Florimonte who was at the time allegedly armed with a knife and a rolling pin. Attorney Dexter Todd represented the state in the matter. He was assigned to the
case by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) instead of a Police Prosecutor. This was after De Florimonte’s relatives complained to the Police Complaints Authority and the Crime Chief about several alleged discrepancies involving the manner in which the case was being handled by the police. According to reports from the police, on the day in question, around 01:00 hrs, De Florimonte, 30, of Lot 96 Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, was seen abusing a female. A handyman from Bacchus’s went to part them. Soon after, an argument ensued between the handyman and De Florimonte. The latter was subsequently shot in the hotel’s compound, allegedly by Bacchus.According to information, an autopsy conducted on De Florimonte, revealed that he was shot three times about his body.
Two more held for Albouystown businesswoman’s murder -sleuths check puzzling aspects of robbery Two new suspects were yesterday subjected to intense questioning as detectives seek the killers of Albouystown businesswoman Nalinie Persaud, and the true motive for her murder.The suspects are reportedly from the East Coast of Demerara and West Bank of Demerara. Police were reluctant to say why the men were taken into custody and what information they might have provided. However, an official revealed that a James Street, Albouystown resident who was originally deemed to be a suspect has been released. Police have put together a team, including ranks from the Major Crimes Unit, who appear to be looking at a number of motives and suspects. BAFFLED Of interest to the investigators is the fact that none of the woman’s close neighbours reportedly heard her screams. Persaud’s reputed husband, Mahendra Rampersaud, has said that the
Nalinie Persaud
intruders held his spouse down on the bed, because she was screaming continuously. He suggested that neighbours, including the woman’s stepson, might not have heard her screams because it was raining at the time.Investigators also seem to suspect that an individual who was familiar with the victim’s premises may have assisted the killers. The door to the upper flat where the couple lived is only bolted from the outside.
Persaud, 56, who operated Nalo’s Variety Shop at Lot 161 James Street, Albouystown, was found dead in her bed at around last Thursday. A rope tied around her neck and a post mortem revealed she had suffered compound injuries to the neck and blunt trauma to the head. Her spouse was found strapped with duct-tape and lying on the floor.Rampersaud has said that he awoke after someone touched him. He then saw four masked men in their bedroom. He said two of the intruders had guns. He alleged that the men ‘lassoed’ him around the neck with a length of nylon rope. While two of the bandits held his reputed wife down on the bed, two others took him into the shop. He said they kicked and gun-butted him and strapped his eyes, mouth and limbs with duct-tape. They reportedly then escaped with cash and jewellery.
Wednesday May 08, 2019
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Kaieteur News
How a Chinese venture in Venezuela made millions while... (From page 21) head of the National Assembly, is the country’s rightful leader. Last week, in a failed uprising, Guaido unsuccessfully sought to rally Venezuela’s military, the lynchpin of support for the unpopular government, against Maduro. The political crisis was prompted by an economic meltdown of hyperinflation, mass unemployment and an exodus of desperate citizens. Venezuelans suffer regular shortages of food, power and water – basics that were meant to improve through projects like the one in Delta Amacuro. The dire scarcities and dysfunctional projects, the opposition alleges, illustrate how corruption and crony capitalism helped impoverish the once-prosperous country and many of its 30 million people. After an ambitious 2007 agreement between China and Venezuela, Chinese companies were announced as partners in billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure and other projects. Since then, China invested over $50 billion in Venezuela, mostly in the form of oil-for-loan agreements, government figures show. In a 2017 speech, Maduro said 790 projects with Chinese companies had been contracted in sectors ranging from oil to housing to telecommunications. Of those, he said, 495 were complete. Some developments have stalled because of graft, people familiar with the projects said; others were derailed by incompetence and a lack of supervision. In Delta Amacuro, even government officials say a mixture of both ruined the rice project. “The government abandoned it,” says Victor Meza, state coordinator for Venezuela’s rural development agency, which worked with CAMC. “Everything was lost. Everything was stolen.” Prosecutors in Andorra, where secretive banking laws long made it a tax haven, launched their investigation into Venezuelan laundering amid a broader effort to clean up the local financial sector. The indictment is part of a much larger case in which the prosecutors allege Venezuelan officials between 2009 and 2014 received more than $2 billion worth of “illegal commissions” from contractors, state companies, and other sources, often for enabling transactions with the government. The payments, the indictment alleges, passed through accounts held at Banca Privada D’Andorra, a local bank known as BPA. Andorra’s government, after the United States accused BPA of money laundering, took over the bank in 2015. Courts there since then have charged 25 former BPA employees with money laundering in a series of cases, including the one probing the Venezuela contracts. A spokeswoman for Andorra’s government declined to comment for this article. In addition to the agricultural projects by CAMC, the Andorrans examined two power-plant projects by the company and four other power plants built by Sinohydro Corp, another state-owned Chinese engineering firm. None of those plants ever became fully operational, leaving towns near them subject to regular blackouts. Sinohydro wasn’t charged in the indictment. The company didn’t re-
spond to calls, emails and faxes seeking comment. During a recent visit by Reuters to Delta Amacuro, the CAMC rice plant remained unfinished. Only one of its 10 silos, half full, held any grain. Some machinery was running, but processing rice imported from Brazil. The nearby paddies lay fallow, the laboratory incomplete, the roads and bridges unbuilt. “WE DON’T PRODUCE ANYTHING” Tucupita, a town of 86,000 residents, is Delta Amacuro’s capital. It hugs the banks of the Cano Manamo, an offshoot of the Orinoco, one of South America’s biggest rivers. Once, Tucupita was a stop for vessels shipping goods from inland factories to buyers in the Caribbean and beyond. In 1965, the government dammed the Cano Manamo. Boat traffic stopped, fresh water receded and seawater seeped inland, degrading soils. By the time Chavez became president in 1999, little farming remained. “When I was a kid, there was rice everywhere,” recalled Rogelio Rodriguez, a local agronomist. “Now we don’t produce anything.” In 2009, Chavez and Xi Jinping, China’s vice president at the time, expanded a joint fund the countries had created with the 2007 development agreement. “Aren’t we grateful to China?” Chavez said at a ceremony with Xi at the presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. Promising to supply Beijing with oil “for the next 500 years,” Chavez pointed toward Delta Amacuro on a map. “Look, Xi,” he said, announcing an effort to rehabilitate the region. In attendance were CAMC Chairman Luo Yan and Rafael Ramirez, a Chavez confidante who ran PDVSA and the oil ministry for a decade. Soon, businesses jostled to get in on the development. Diego Salazar, a cousin of Ramirez, was well-positioned. Salazar’s father was a communist guerrilla and author who later became a legislator and Chavez ally. His family ties and connections to lawmakers gave the younger Salazar a valuable address book he wielded at a consulting firm he operated in Caracas. The firm, Inverdt, was owned by a Panama-based holding company he had established called Highland Assets, according to testimony Salazar gave investigators in Andorra when they first began probing his BPA account. From an office a few blocks from PDVSA headquarters, he met often with Ramirez and other top officials, according to people familiar with his activities. Ramirez left the ministry in 2014 and was Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations until 2017. Since then, Maduro has publicly accused him of unspecified corruption, but Ramirez wasn’t indicted in Andorra and hasn’t formally been charged with any crime in Venezuela. He now lives abroad as an opponent of the government. Ramirez didn’t respond to Reuters emails seeking comment and couldn’t be reached otherwise. At the time of the ceremony with Xi, Chavez was making PDVSA a hub for a growing array of developments, many of them unrelated to oil. A newly created unit known as PDVSA Agricola, for instance, was tasked
with boosting food supply. The diversification made PDVSA the conduit through which contracts, and a growing sum of money administered by Venezuela’s national development bank, were awarded. By 2010, the filings say, the bank had received $32 billion from the China Development Bank and another $6 billion from an infrastructure fund created by Chavez. China Development Bank didn’t respond to Reuters requests for comment. Salazar began reaching out to Chinese executives, offering his services, as a well-connected consultant, to help broker business in Venezuela. He traveled to China monthly and began paying Venezuelan officials there to forge ties with companies including CAMC. “My work was to convince them, through meetings, trips, and promotion, to sign contracts,” Salazar told Andorran investigators. People familiar with the case said Salazar and his alleged associates, before the indictment, agreed to testify in Andorra because they hoped to clear their names. In his testimony, Salazar told the Andorran investigators he chose BPA as an offshore bank because he knew other wealthy Venezuelans had done so. Nestled in a quiet valley of the Pyrenees, BPA had a reputation as a discrete money manager for clients from high-risk countries. After Andorra submitted information requests for its case to Caracas, a Venezuelan court in 2017 ordered Salazar arrested on suspicion of corruption, money laundering and conspiracy. Citing the Andorran probe, the Venezuelan arrest order said Salazar sought to “give legal appearance to funds originating from numerous contracts with Venezuelan state institutions.” A trial date hasn’t been set and Salazar remains jailed in Caracas. A lawyer for Salazar in Venezuela denied the charges before the court. Gimenez, Salazar’s lawyer in Andorra, in an email to Reuters said Chinese authorities decided which companies would receive funds and that neither Salazar nor his alleged intermediaries could sway that. Inverdt, Salazar’s consulting firm, offered “professional” and “technical” services to many Chinese companies, Gimenez wrote in the email, and that “only a handful of those companies were chosen to carry out works.” One of Salazar’s intermediaries, the indictment alleged, was Francisco Jimenez, a career engineer who was PDVSA’s envoy in Beijing and who the Andorrans indicted along with Salazar. Salazar first contacted him during a trip to China in 2010, according to testimony Jimenez gave in Andorra. That March, Jimenez signed a “strategic alliance” with Salazar to promote Inverdt in China. Under the terms of their contract, reviewed by Reuters, Salazar agreed to pay Jimenez $7.38 million in a BPA account that Inverdt helped open. Bank records in the case files show Jimenez later received another $7 million. Jimenez, who now lives in Panama, didn’t respond to phone calls or text messages from Reuters. Salvador Capdevila, his lawyer in Andorra, declined to comment. Another official who prosecu-
tors say helped Salazar was Rocio Maneiro, Venezuela’s ambassador to China and now the country’s ambassador to Britain. Maneiro wasn’t charged in the Andorran indictment; numerous court documents, including a filing by prosecutors in relation to her testimony, refer to her as “under investigation” for payments they say she received from Salazar and for her alleged role helping him make contacts with Chinese companies. In 2010, bank records contained in the court documents show, Salazar made a transfer of $30,000 to a Chinese account in her name, citing “services provided by Mrs. Maneiro.” Later, Salazar made deposits totaling $13 million into a BPA account owned by a Panama-based company that Maneiro, in a disclosure document linked to the account, said belonged to her. An internal report from BPA’s anti-money laundering committee, reviewed by Reuters, also listed Maneiro as its owner. Maneiro, through a lawyer and in a text message to Reuters, denied helping Salazar and receiving payments from him. “Those are assertions with no basis,” she wrote in the message. She told an Andorran judge that the signature on the form about the Panamanian company is forged. The court has ordered an analysis of the signature. “A BRIEFCASE FULL OF CONTRACTS” By early 2010, Salazar’s outreach bore fruit. Sinohydro, the engineering firm, that March signed a $316 million contract with PDVSA to build a power plant near the city of Maracay. In the contract, Sinohydro agreed to pay Salazar a 10 percent fee for helping it “gain a favorable and positive position to pursue the contract.” Bank records in the case files show the company paid $49 million into Salazar’s BPA account and another $72 million after Sinohydro secured additional power plant contracts from PDVSA. Sinohydro eventually built four plants, but none met full contract specifications, engineers say. The plant near Maracay, for example, was meant to generate as much as 382 megawatts, the contract shows. Instead, the plant is producing no more than 140 megawatts, according to Jose Aguilar, a former director at Venezuela’s state power company. Soon, Salazar’s company was earning over $100 million a year, according to testimony by him and several aides. “He had a briefcase full of contracts,” Luis Mariano Rodriguez, a Salazar deputy also charged in the indictment, told Andorran investigators. “We made deals with every company possible,” he added. “Some of these companies never actually carried out the projects.” Reuters was unable to reach Rodriguez, who like Salazar has been charged with money laundering and conspiracy to launder. Gimenez, Salazar’s attorney in Andorra, also represents Rodriguez, and in the email said that Rodriguez, too, is innocent. As money poured in, Salazar splurged, paying tens of thousands of dollars for hotel stays and spending millions on gifts. For $1 million, he bought 83 Rolex and Cartier watches at a Caracas jeweler, according to an invoice in the filings. In a
Rodriguez email to BPA justifying the purchase, he said the watches were “gifted to relatives and friends.” In April 2010, Andorran police began investigating Salazar. French investigators had asked them about a recent transaction: From his BPA account, Salazar had transferred $99,980 to a Paris hotel employee as a “tip for providing services.” It’s not clear what those services were. By May, talks for the rice project began. That month, Rodriguez met with Wang Hong, a CAMC vice president, in Caracas, according to a contract the men signed. In the contract, they agreed that CAMC would pay Salazar’s company 10 percent of the value of the rice contract to help it “win.” Within months, PDVSA Agricola awarded CAMC the contract, valuing the rice development at $200 million. CAMC signed another agreement with Salazar for help securing additional projects. That June, CAMC made the first of several deposits totaling $112 million to Salazar’s BPA account, bank records show. Workers broke ground in Delta Amacuro. By 2012, project documents show, CAMC had received $100 million from the Venezuelan development bank for the undertaking, half that agreed upon. The company shipped excavators, steamrollers and other equipment from China. But progress was slow. An excavator bogged down in mud and stayed there. Chinese foremen spoke little Spanish and struggled with local crews, according to engineers who worked on the project. That November, an Andorran court, on suspicion of money laundering, froze BPA accounts of Salazar, his aide Rodriguez and six other Venezuelans. In 2013, the prosecutors began a years-long effort to interview Salazar and others. In 2015, the U.S. Treasury Department began pressuring Andorra over alleged money laundering. In a report at the time, the Treasury wrote that BPA facilitated laundering of money from Russia, China and Venezuela. That March, the Andorran government took over BPA. Oil prices, which had recently exceeded $100 per barrel, that year fell by more than half. Venezuela’s economy foundered. CAMC pulled its team of 40 employees from the rice site, people involved in the project said. Locals looted scrap abandoned by CAMC. Jobless workers sold leftover cables and lightbulbs, former managers said. Still, Maduro has sought to make something of the unfinished project. In February, Agriculture Minister Wilmar Castro inaugurated the “Hugo Chavez” plant, snipping a ribbon in front of rice sacks emblazoned with Venezuelan and Chinese flags. No one from CAMC attended, according to a person present at the ceremony. Instead of machinery able to process 18 tonnes each hour, workers are packing imported rice by hand. “There’s not a gram of rice growing anywhere here,” said Mariano Montilla, a 47-year-old local who lives off the few crops he can coax from nearby scrubland. “It seemed like a revolutionary idea,” he said of Chavez’s initial promise. “Now we’re starving.”
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Wednesday May 08, 2019
Kaieteur News
Conservatives resume Brexit talks with Labour amid low expectations FOR RENT
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LONDON (Reuters) Britain’s Conservative government held what it called “constructive and detailed” talks with the opposition Labour Party yesterday as the two sides struggle to break a parliamentary deadlock over the country’s exit from the European Union. After Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal was rejected three times in parliament and she was forced to delay Brexit, the government has spent more than four weeks in talks with Labour - negotiations that have done little to soften positions in either party. So far, there has been no agreement. “Today’s meeting was constructive and detailed. The teams have agreed to meet again for follow-up talks tomorrow afternoon, recognising the need to resolve the current Brexit deadlock in Parliament,” said a Downing Street spokesman. However, Labour ’s business spokeswoman Rebecca Long-Bailey said the government had not offered any new concessions. “They haven’t moved on any of their previous positions as yet,” she told ITV News. The government also conceded yesterday that Britain would take part in European Parliament elections this month, a poll that could deliver more bruising results to both major parties. Almost three years after Britain voted to leave the EU, there is little clarity about how, when or even if Brexit will happen. David Lidington, May’s de facto deputy, said that despite the country taking part in the European elections on May 23, there was still time to avoid those elected taking their seats.
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“Ideally we would like to be in a situation where those MEPs from the UK never actually take their seats in the European Parliament, certainly to get this done and dusted by the summer recess,” he said, referring to parliament’s summer break that usually begins in the second half of July. May deeply regretted the UK having to take part in the elections, her spokesman said, describing the prime minister as determined to find a way to get a deal to leave the EU over the line. The Labour talks are an attempt by May to find a new path to what she calls “a stable majority” for a deal. ‘GET ON’ WITH BREXIT Earlier, May told her cabinet that last week’s local elections, when the Conservatives lost hundreds of council seats, underlined the need to get on with Brexit. “The prime minister said that while an agreement with the opposition had not been reached, the public had sent a clear message in the local elections that they want both of the main parties to get on with delivering Brexit,” her spokesman said she told ministers. However, many pro-EU lawmakers used the election results to argue the tide is turning against Brexit after the Liberal Democrats, who oppose Brexit and want a second referendum, gained many council seats. Taking part in the European elections is a further blow to May, who secured a divorce deal with the EU in November but has been unable to implement the agreement and faces growing calls to bring forward her decision to stand down as prime minister. She was to meet the chairman of the Conservative 1922 Committee, an influential party group that can make or break Conservative Party leaders, on Tuesday. A spokesman described it as a regular meeting, though some newspapers reported that its chairman, Graham Brady, would demand a firm timetable for her departure. May was not alone in wanting to avoid European elections. Like the Conservatives, the Labour Party fears voters will again punish them, and vote for alternative parties that have a clearer stance on Brexit. Conservative Brexit supporters might flock to the newly launched Brexit Party of former UKIP leader Nigel Farage. Pro-EU Labour voters could turn to Change UK, another new party, or support the Liberal Democrats.
Wednesday May 08, 2019
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Engineer’s estimate exceeds highest bidder by $25M for GRA warehouse construction The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board opened bids yesterday for a range of projects, most notably the Construction of a Warehouse Building for GRA, for which the Engineer’s Estimate exceeded the highest bid by a whopping $25 million. Kaieteur News has noted complaints from several contractors, that some engineers attached to central government agencies and local government bodies publish inflated estimates for construction projects. In some cases, contractors have reported being offered a deal, so that engineers could benefit from kickbacks. If not intentionally inflated, then this would suggest that the engineers are incompetent. Kaieteur News will continue to monitor these developments. Guyana Revenue Authority Construction of Warehouse Building, Phase 1-3
Design and Supervision of Office Area (CJIAC)
Design and Supervision of a Commercial Centre (CJIAC)
Ministry of Agriculture - ASDU Consulting Services for the Review Design and Supervision Services
Ministry of the Presidency Construction of Immigration Office, Lethem Region 9
Guyana Elections Commission Supply and Delivery of Office Furniture
Reconstruction of Starter’s Nursery School Dependants’ Pension Fund - Supply of Security Services
Guyana Defence Force Construction to Perimeter Fence, Agri Corps., Garden of Eden, EBD
Ministry of Public Infrastructure Consultancy Services for the Development of a Strategic Plan (2020-2024)
Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation Rehabilitation of NDIA Main Access Road
Ministry of Finance - Procurement of Motor Vehicle, Lot 1 &2
Procurement of Network Recabling
>>>> Continued on page 29 <<<<
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Wednesday May 08, 2019
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Salary increase for nurses before year-end % raise for all health workers expected
Nurses employed in Region 6. Following much deliberation and representation being made in the interest of nurses, they can now expect a pay raise before the end of 2019. This was hinted at by Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Public Health, Colette Adams who noted that this is ‘good news’ for the nurses. “The Ministry of Public Health takes nursing and the nursing profession seriously. We looked at all of the demands, and we try to fix what we can, and I want to bring good news to you nurses, and that is you will have your increase in salary.” Adams was at the time
speaking to nurses in Region 6 at the first of events in observances of Nurses week 2019. Adams assured that the Ministry has long sought to have this particular issue resolved. She added that while nurses stand to benefit, the increase will be applied to all health care workers in the public health system. “This increase is because we lobbied, we talked, we took your cases where it was ought to be heard and we were successful and I want to say this is not only for the nurses, but for all health care workers, because we are looking to spread the increases across the board for the doctors, the
nurses even to the Assistant Nurses and Patient Care Assistants.” Added to this, the PS said that this is just the beginning of a push to safeguard the future of the nursing profession in Guyana. More specifically, the Ministry is looking to have more specialised nurses in the system. Further, Adams noted that as the health sector develops that there is an increasing demand for complex nursing care, especially at secondary health care institutions and the only tertiary-main referral in Guyana, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. “When we put a nurse in
Canadian firm to continue judiciary, police training The Justice Education Society (JES), a Canadian institution, is slated to continue an educational programme it has been executing in Guyana, to strengthen Guyana’s crime fighting infrastructure. The firm has been working in Guyana since 2015, on the “Strengthen the Criminal Justice System” project. Its recent contract ended in February. In the past, the projects have been commissioned by the Canadian High Commission and the US Embassy in Guyana. For the first project (2015-2017), JES has worked on increasing the knowledge and skills of police investigators in crime scene processing and case management, police prosecutors and public prosecutors in criminal case preparation, magistrates in legal management and trial management techniques, and increase access to forensic video analysis and crime scene equipment The second project (2016-2019), developed on the first, and also worked on improving case preparation, trial advocacy, ensuring media and public support for justice system reform, and developing the capacity of the Guyanese criminal justice system to collect and effectively analyze CCTV camera digital evidence recorded at a crime scene. Due to a commitment by the US government to extend support to Guyana’s criminal justice system, JES will be continuing its service here until March 2021. The US
Embassy has indicated that it will support the renewal of that project with an additional US$850,000. JES has indicated that it “does not focus simply on training but approaches the justice system development holistically in a multiphase process involving: diagnosing needs and issues; training personnel, replicated in a “train the trainer” model; creating or enabling institutional structures and procedures; providing required equipment; and providing ongoing coaching, monitoring and evaluation.” A release from the US Embassy said that it notes the work of Guyana “to ensure the security of its citizens, counter transnational crime, and increase effective and t i m e l y prosecutions, and is pleased to collaborate with Guyana on these efforts.” Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has spoken about the efforts of the government to increase the capacity of the justice system. He has also said that the government hopes to attract persons with stronger academic backgrounds to the force, so that they could work more toward preempting and preventing crime, than catching and prosecuting criminals. The Minister said that, despite shortfalls, Guyana has a relatively low rate of violent crime, considering the region it is in (Latin America and Caribbean), and commended the police force for keeping it that way.
the theatre, that nurse would have had that training to perform all the theatre work. We are not looking at nurses generally anymore, the world is changing and we have to look to have a more diverse and developed nursing profession… nurses will be
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Colette Adams paid across the board according to their professional training.” It was stressed that even as the Ministry seeks to do
more for the nursing profession, a higher level of service is expected. “If we are going to pay you better, serve us better.”
Engineer’s estimate exceeds... From page 27 Ministry of Education Electrical Upgrades - University of Guyana - New Wing Library
Construction of Building - Information Technology Laboratory - Den Amstel Primary School
Supply, Delivery and Testing of Equipment, Secondary Competency Certificate Programme Lot 1-5
Construction of Waramadong Secondary School - Science
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Bus park murder accused for High Court trial West La Penitence resident Wayne Gilbert is slated to stand trial in the High Court trial at the next sitting of the assizes, after Senior Magistrate Leron Daly yesterday ruled that there was sufficient evidence for him to be tried for murder. The defendant, who had his Preliminary Inquiry conducted in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, was not required to plead to the indictable offence. It was alleged that on January 20, 2017, Gilbert murdered Rawle Rodrigues, during the course or furtherance of a robbery. Gilbert was the third person charged for the murder. He was jointly charged with Afibia Yankana, 27, of Hadfield Street and Akeem Haymer, who are currently on remand for the murder. They were also committed to stand trial in the High Court. According to information, Rodrigues, 43, of Lot 64, Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, was in the vicinity of the Dairy bus park, Parfaite Harmonie, around 21:30hrs, when he had an altercation with three men. One of the men later stabbed him in the chest. Reports indicated that the victim was waiting for a mini-bus when he was robbed of his iPhone before being stabbed to death. Rodrigues was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Twenty-five year-old Gilbert was the last of the three to be apprehended. He was ar-
Murder accused Wayne Gilbert rested in December 2017. He escaped from the Golden Grove Police Station by smashing out some concrete blocks that were located near the washroom. He was later handed over to the police by his father. Gilbert was also charged in 2012, and later jailed in May 2013, for an armed robbery in which a toy gun was used. He was wounded in 2015 by another inmate while incarcerated at the Georgetown Prisons.
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Capacity training for medical personnel and superintendents
The capacity training session hosted by the Ministry of Public Health at Grand Coastal Hotel. Regional health officers and senior medical personnel from Regions 1 to 10 yesterday commenced a capacity building training. The training, being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Health at the Grand Coastal Hotel, aims to aid regional health officers, medical superintendents and senior staff to acquire specialised skills to address all of the emerging challenges in the health system. These include patient care and staff management. ‘Collaboratively we build a resilient health care system that is acceptable, accessible, timely and appropriate to meet the needs of every person in Guyana’, is the theme of the training. Minister of Public Health,
Volda Lawrence, in her address, urged the health officials to use the four days of training to position themselves so when the training is completed, they are more aware of the issues, their approaches and the management of their behaviour as professionals. “The overarching factor for the next four days is education; the tools which our resource personnel will employ to make you more knowledgeable and aware of the task ahead of you and more importantly, the exchange of thoughts and ideas that you, as leaders, will bring to the table and through which you will bring a new dimension to the experience of those persons whom you interface with.”
Minister Lawrence also noted that communication is vital to the proper management of our health care institutions. The regional health officers and the medical superintendents were advised to listen to the suggestions made by their subordinates to promote a more functional sector. During the training, health officials will be enlightened in critical areas of health care such as Disability Awareness, Professional Ethics, Anger Management, Customer Service and situational practice. Minister Lawrence affirmed that by the end of the training, they will be more competent to deal with the various issues under their supervision. (DPI)
Opposition legislator on criminal charges resign
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar Monday welcomed the decision of Gerald Ramdeen to resign as a senator following his appearance in court on several charges stemming from an alleged scheme involving state briefs. “I think he did the right thing in that I did not have to request it. He sent it and I received it sometime today before I came here,” Persad-Bissessar told reporters during the tea break of the sitting of the House of Representatives, adding that she would have requested his resignation had he not done so. “It is in keeping with the manner I have always operated in public officer,” she said, adding that a replacement would be announced soon. Ramdeen, along with former attorney general Anand Ramlogan appeared before Chief Magistrate Maria Busby EarleCaddle in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court charged with conspiracy to contravene Section 3 of the Prevention of Corruption Act; conspiracy to contravene Section 45 of the Proceeds of Crime Act and conspiracy to misbehave in public office between October 1, 2010 to September 9, 2015. Neither Ramlogan nor Ramdeen were asked to enter a plea since the charges have been laid indictably. According to the allegations, Ramlogan
and Ramdeen conspired for the former attorney general to misbehave in public office by accepting sums of money representing a reward from Nelson for granting him state briefs It is further alleged that they conspired for Ramdeen to receive, conceal, and transfer criminal property which represented corrupt rewards given to Ramlogan by Nelson for the state briefs. The third allegation against the two is that they conspired for Nelson to give ten per cent of the paid legal fees to Ramlogan as a “gift” or “reward” for being granted those state briefs. They will re-appear in court on June 28. They have been released on bail totalling TT$2.7 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents). Director of Public Prosecution, Roger Gaspard agreed with the attorneys for Ramlogan and Ramdeen to have the matter expedited. Ramlogan served as attorney general between 2010-15 when the United National Congress (UNC) formed the biggest partner in the coalition People’s Partnership government headed by Persad Bissessar, while Ramdeen is a front line member of the main opposition United National Congress (UNC). Persad Bissesar told reporters “I trust that justice will take its course and both gentlemen have vehemently denied the allegations made against them and we will see in the courts of law how that transpires”.
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Maximum Security out of.... From page 38 ordered the purse money to be redistributed. Forward Pass got the winner’s share. A subsequent court challenge upheld the stewards’ decision. West has said he realizes the appeals process will take ‘’months, if not years.’’ He remains bothered that his request to view replays with stewards after the race was denied. An appeal filed Monday morning was denied later in the day by the KHRC, which stated in a letter to West’s attorney that the stewards’ decision is not subject to appeal. The commission also denied a request to stay the disqualification ruling pending appeal. ‘’Based on everything that has happened so far, I’m not surprised,’’ West told The Associated Press in a phone interview after the
appeal was denied. ‘’We’ll file suit in whatever the appropriate court is. I don’t know the answer to that, but the lawyers that I have retained will know what the appropriate venue is.’’ Maximum Security was placed 17th of 19 horses after starting as the 9-2 second betting choice, ending his four-race winning streak. Stewards cited the rule that calls for disqualification if a ‘’leading horse or any other horse in a race swerves or is ridden to either side so as to interfere with, intimidate, or impede any other horse or jockey.’’ Chief steward Barbara Borden said in a news conference she and two other stewards interviewed riders and studied video replays during a 22-minute review after the finish. The stewards did not take questions from reporters.
Wednesday May 08, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Take extra care with your appearance today, and clean the house a bit this morning. You may have some visitors. Invite them in and make them comfortable. It's likely that they can be of great benefit in furthering your career.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're likely feeling a desire to do something different and a little crazy. Today you may fulfill that desire by attending a group event, perhaps a concert. Or you could indulge a childhood fantasy and go to the circus.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may feel wanderlust and crave something new and different in your life. You just can't help but be a bit bored by the dullness of the routine.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) - You have many talents, Scorpio. Today's astral energy indicates that your abilities will be rewarded. Congratulations! You've certainly worked long and hard to achieve your goals.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Keep your eyes and ears open today, Gemini. You may receive some important information on specific ways to increase your income. This is just one of the many wonderful things bound to happen to you. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may be privy to some important knowledge, Cancer. Perhaps an article gives you the impetus you need to invest in a promising stock. Perhaps you learn a famous person is coming to town to give a lecture. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A visit to a local museum or art gallery may move you to tears, Leo. Suddenly, you're aware of all the beauty around you and inspired to create some original works of your own. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There are no half measures today, Virgo. You feel every emotion to the nth degree. This could make for an intense day. Make an effort to calm down. Rather than inject your opinion into every conversation, make it a point to step away from the group.
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SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You're looking gorgeous today, Sagittarius, and have likely noticed the admiring glances you've received. Your passion is running high, and you may be able to spend this evening with a special someone. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) This could be your lucky day, Capricorn, especially in matters of the heart. You may feel particularly close to your special someone, as well as others in your immediate circle of friends. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Try not to do everything all at once today, Aquarius. Your social life is heating up and you may be in a frenzy preparing for all the gatherings you've been invited to. All this on top of your regular workload could send you into a tailspin. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It looks like your ship is about to come in, Pisces. The planetary configuration indicates that you can expect additional financial resources, perhaps a raise.
Tabatinga defeat... From page 35 Kunuku Harpies in the female clash from 13:00hrs followed by a male encounter between the home team and Jaguars FC. On Sunday at the Wadapna ground, Paiwomak females would play Gladiators in the lone fixture from 20:00hrs, while over at the Strikers FC ground from 10:00hrs, the home team would be entertaining Guyana Rush Saints.
Guyanese trio dominate Third... From page 36 Coach ‘Big’ John Edwards told me and execute what was planned. This event was mainly a warm up for the World Classic’s Powerlifting Championship which not only gives me a mindset but it helps me to set a deeper focus on what’s ahead at World’s. I believe the more exposure we athletes get the better for us not only in training but we’re able to see where we are at and what’s missing. I would like to also congratulate my teammates, Miss Junica Pluck on setting her mind and able to challenge herself in a higher level. I salute the champ, Sinclair and would like say thanks for the push and most of all, the great sportsmanship shown, salute to you too bro.” The competition was held under the auspices of the Barbados Powerlifting and Strength Association (BP&SA) in conjunction with Valley Fitness Gym.
WIPA conveys condolences at the passing of Seymour Nurse KINGSTON, Jamaica The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) would like to convey condolences to the cricket fraternity and the family and friends of former West Indies cricketer Seymour Nurse. Seymour MacDonald Nurse was born November 10, 1933 in St Michael, Barbados. It is said Nurse was a powerful batsman and excellent fielder. Nurse played 29 Tests with a high score of 258 runs and had an
average of 47.60 and was named Wisden cricketer of the year in 1967. Seymour Nurse later served as a selector and a team manager for Barbados. He was 85 years old at the time of his passing. “The executive, management and staff of WIPA extends condolences to the cricket fraternity and the family and friends of Seymour Nurse; we wish them all strength and peace at this time,” – wrote Wavell Hinds, WIPA President and CEO.
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Kaieteur News
Liverpool stun Barcelona to reach final with 4-0 comeback win
Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum scores their third goal against FC Barcelona at Anfield. (REUTERS/Phil Noble) LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) - Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history to beat Barcelona 4-0 yesterday, overturning a three-goal firstleg deficit and advancing to their second successive final with a 4-3 aggregate victory. Two goals each from stand-in forward Divock Origi and halftime substitute Georginio Wijnaldum left Lionel Messi and Barcelona utterly shell-shocked after a Liverpool performance full of passion, belief and determination. Juergen Klopp’s side will play the winner of Wednesday’s other semi-final between Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur, with the Dutch side leading 1-0 from the first leg in London. “It was overwhelming. I would say it’s impossible,” said Klopp, amid wild celebrations at the final whistle when his team stood in front of their famous Kop stand to sing ‘You’ll Never
Walk Alone’ with fans. “Playing against the best team in the world. Winning with a clean sheet, I don’t know how the boys did it. It’s unbelievable,” added the German. “I saw James Milner crying after the game on the pitch. It means so much to all of us. There are more important things in the world but creating this emotional atmosphere together is so special.” Liverpool became only the third team in the history of the European Cup or Champions League to come from three goals down after the first leg of a semi-final and progress after Panathinaikos in 1970-71 and Barcelona themselves in 1985-86. It was a night that will be remembered by Liverpool fans alongside their fifth European Cup win in Istanbul in 2005, when they came back from 3-0 down at halftime to win on penalties. For Barca, who went out
on away goals to AS Roma in the quarter-finals last year, after winning the first-leg 4-1, it was a bitter occasion that will raise many questions for coach Ernesto Valverde. MESSI SUBDUED Messi, whose two goals in the first leg had given his team a seemingly comfortable advantage, was unable to influence the game with an away goal that would have been decisive. The scoreline was remarkable enough in itself, but the fact that Liverpool overcame five-times European champions Barcelona without two thirds of their usual strike force made it extraordinary. With inspirational Egyptian Mohamed Salah and key Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino injured, Juergen Klopp had to play Belgian reserve Origi alongside Sadio Mane, with Swiss attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri also given a rare start. Klopp had said before the
Liverpool’s Divock Origi scores their fourth goal against FC Barcelona at Anfield. (REUTERS/Phil Noble) game that he wanted his side to “fail in the most beautiful way” if they were to go out of the Champions League Yet the Anfield crowd wanted glory — they roared their team on to the field and greeted Barcelona, especially their former Liverpool players Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, with boos. The Liverpool players responded, taking the game to Barca and then grabbing a seventh-minute lead when a poor headed clearance from Jordi Alba fell at the feet of Jordan Henderson, who burst goalwards. His low shot was parried out by Barca keeper MarcAndre ter Stegen but straight to Origi who slotted home. QUICKLY-TAKEN CORNER Barca had openings in the first half but when Messi twice got space around the box he fired wide of the target and when Jordi Alba burst through just before halftime, Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker was out quickly to
nullify the danger. Yet the game took a remarkable turn following the introduction at the break of Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for injured left back Andy Robertson. The Dutchman drove home a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, which Barca keeper Ter Stegen should have saved, to make it 2-0 in the 54th minute. Two minutes later Wijnaldum rose to meet a Shaqiri cross with a powerful header to make it 3-3 on aggregate. Liverpool then grabbed an extraordinary fourth goal with a quickly-taken corner from Alexander-Arnold, catching the Barca defence asleep with a low ball that was turned in at the near post by Origi. That sent Anfield wild and meant Klopp’s side suddenly needed to switch mindset and defend a lead as Barca slipped, belatedly, into their trademark possession game.
Yet with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip outstanding in the centre of defence and Brazilian Fabinho making some crucial interventions in midfield, Liverpool held on for one of their most famous wins. Klopp’s side, who lost to Real Madrid in last year’s final in Kiev, remain in with a chance of a double triumph as they head into Sunday’s final round of Premier League games trailing leaders Manchester City by just a point. After their defeat in Barcelona, Sunday was expected to be the conclusion of a Liverpool season that promised so much but would ultimately conclude with Klopp’s side finishing emptyhanded. Now their campaign has been extended until the June 1 final in Madrid where they will have a chance of a sixth European Cup — which would move them above Barca on the all-time winners list.
Osaka survives test to reach last 16 in Madrid along with Halep MADRID (Reuters) World number one Naomi Osaka withstood a firm test from unseeded Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo to reach the last 16 of the Madrid Open yesterday, while Simona Halep also advanced but Angelique K e r b e r ’s tournament was ended by an ankle injury. The Japanese was taken to a tiebreak in the first set by Sorribes
Tormo, ranked 73 in the world, and then lost the second before overpowering her opponent for a 7-6(5) 3-6 60 victory. The Australian and U.S. Open champion, playing in her first tournament since being forced to withdraw from the Stuttgart semi-finals last month due to injury, struggled for consistency, frequently following impressive winners with
unforced errors. Osaka was broken to love in the second set, one of three service games she lost, but came roaring back in the decider to set up a last16 meeting with Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus. “This match was on my racket because she (Sorribes Tormo) doesn’t really have the game. She wasn’t going for winners and I felt either the point was ended by me making an unforced error, or me making a winner,” Osaka told a news conference. “I feel like in the first set, I got a bit lucky there. In the second set I got a little bit unfocused and then in the third set I went
zombie mode and then just thought of everything that I had to do to win.” Romania’s twice Madrid winner Halep beat Britain’s Johanna Konta 7-5 6-1 and will play Viktoria Kuzmova in the next round, while France’s Caroline Garcia set up a meeting with last year’s champion Petra Kvitova after beating Sorana Cirstea 6-4 36 6-1. Wimbledon champion Kerber had to return home to Germany for medical treatment after hurting her ankle in a practice session ahead of her match with Petra Martic, who got a walkover into the round of 16 where she faces fellow Croat Donna Vekic.
Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates winning her round of 32 match against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo. (REUTERS/Susana Vera)
Wednesday May 08, 2019
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GFF/KFC U-20 Independence KO Cup –Rupununi FA Leg
Terminators expire Tabatinga as play kicks off
Hill, Bucks build 3-1 series edge on Celtics George Hill scored nine points during Milwaukee’s game-turning third quarter run — one generated with likely NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo on the bench due to foul trouble — and the Bucks took a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals by beating the host Boston Celtics 113-101 on Monday night. The Bucks now lead the best-of-seven series three games to one. Milwaukee will look to cement its first trip to the conference finals since 2001 on Wednesday when it hosts Game 5. The Celtics will try to become just the 12th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven set and the first since the Cleveland
Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals. The Bucks were clinging to a 59-58 lead when Antetokounmpo went to the bench after drawing his fourth foul with 8:18 left in the third quarter. A Marcus Morris free throw following the foul tied the game, and the Celtics took the lead at 6259 on a 3-pointer by Al Horford. Boston kept the Bucks a t b a y f o r t he next few minutes before Ersan Ilyasova’s put-back tied the game at 67-67 with 3:54 left. That began a quarter-ending 15-5 run for the Bucks, who took the lead for good on Hill’s layup 29 seconds after Ilyasova’s basket. Kylie Irving drained a free throw to cut the gap to one, but the Bucks scored the next nine points — a run Hill began with a 3-pointer and ended
with a bank shot — to extend Milwaukee’s lead to double digits for the first time. Antetokounmpo returned for the fourth quarter and scored 17 of his game-high 39 points as the Bucks put the Celtics away. “The Greek Freak” also finished with 16 rebounds and four assists despite playing just 34 minutes. Hill scored 15 points while Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe each had 13 points for the Bucks. Pat Connaughton added nine points and 10 rebounds. Morris (18 points, 14 rebounds), Jayson Tatum (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Kylie Irving (23 points, 10 assists) all had doubledoubles for the Celtics, who led by as many as 11 points in the first quarter. Horford scored 20 points while Jaylen Brown added 16 points for Boston. (Field Level Media)
Terminators Football Club of the RFA When play in the Rupununi Football Association leg of the GFF/ KFC U20 Independence Cup knock-out tournament commenced on Sunday last, the lone match saw Terminators Football Club ending the ambitions of Tabatinga Football Club by knocking them out of contention, 3-2. Terminators opened the
scoring in just the 2nd minute of play when Gibson Francis fired in the first of his double. Tabatinga equalised in the 37th minute when Stephen Mc Donald responded with the first of his brace to knot the score. Three minutes into the second half, Terminator reclaimed the lead when Clever Felix found the back of the nets in the 48th minute and doubled the advantage
on 60 minutes when Francis completed his double. Mc Donald completed his brace in the 77th minute as Tabatinga narrowed the advantage but they were unable to draw level again; Terminator going on to win, 3-2. The tournament was scheduled to continue last evening with a match between Rising Stars FC and Far East United Sports Club.
Late Nurse hailed as ‘true legend’ BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Cricket West Indies has hailed late former West Indies strokemaker Seymour Nurse as a “true legend”. Nurse, who played 29 Tests between 1960 and 1969, passed away here Monday at age 85 after a long battle with illness. He also served as a coach and administrator following his playing career, and remained a seminal figure in Barbados cricket. “Seymour was one of the greatest batsmen ever to play the game and typified all the best of West Indian batting – flamboyant stroke-play combined with powerful hitting and an insatiable appetite for runs,” said CWI president, Ricky Skerritt. “Like most of the West Indian players of his generation, he not only enjoyed playing internationally, but he displayed his batting artistry on every opportunity he got in club matches for his beloved Empire and for Barbados in the West Indies
first-class championship. “Seymour will be fondly remembered not only for the legacy he created on the field of play, but the way he represented the game off the field.” A stylish batsman, Nurse scored 2523 runs at an average of 47.60, along with six hundreds and 10 halfcenturies. He enjoyed a sparkling first class career, gathering 9 489 runs at 43.93 with 26 hundreds. His maiden Te s t hundred was a double – 201 against Bob Simpson’s Australia at Kensington Oval here in 1965. Nurse made three hundreds in his final four Tests, hammering a career-best 258 against New Zealand in Christ Church in his very last international innings before retiring prematurely at age 35. Skerritt also praised Nurse’s contribution to the game following his playing days. “On his retirement from the game, he served as a
mentor and coach to many great West Indies players and was an astute administrator and selector,” he said. “I was rather fortunate to work closely with Seymour when he was the liaison officer for the West Indies Under-19 team in the 1980s, and over the years, I always enjoyed our conversations about the game whenever we had a chance to speak. “He was always humble and helpful, and never hesitated to give support and advice to young players.” Legendary former West Indies opener, Desmond Haynes, also paid tribute to Nurse, labelling him a mentor. “My coach, my mentor … thanks for everything you have done for me,” Haynes posted on his Facebook page. Sir Everton Weekes, the only living member of the now fabled Three Ws also praised Nurse as a “fine gentleman and a great batsman”. Nurse is survived by twin daughters Roseanne and Cherylanne Nurse.
Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) controls the ball between Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Iyasova (77) and forward Gianns Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of game four of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)
Guyana complains of poor... From page 39 against Suriname and French Guiana. Guyana then took on French Guiana in the best in five final in a ding dong affair which they lost 2-3 to the host after winning the first set. The scores were 25-17, 18-25, 25-18, 1925 and 12-15. At the end of the contest, dissatisfaction was aired by most in the arena including the technical official of the French Federation
who promised that the next time around the competition will benefit from overseas officials. Guyana had earlier defeated French Guiana 25-21, 17-25 25- 19 and Suriname 2517 19-25 25- 21 in the preliminary matches to cop the runner up spot and take the trophy in that category. Guyana’s captain Andy Rohoman was adjudged best attacker and was presented with a trophy, while Guyana’s Jaleel Roberts was adjudged
best blocker and also received a trophy. The females showed a lot of inexperience and did not jell well as they were defeated in the preliminary rounds by the more experienced French Guiana and Suriname teams. The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) would like to extend thanks to the National Sports Commission for its support in making the trip the success it was.
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Kaieteur News
Madrid Open: Sloane Stephens beats Victoria Azarenka to reach round of 16
Harden scores 38 as Rockets level series with Warriors
Stephens lost her first three matches against Azarenka, which all came in the Australian Open from 2013-15. (Getty images) BBC Sport – American Sloane Stephens recorded her fourth successive win over former world number one Victoria Azarenka to advance to the round of 16 at the Madrid Open. The 26-year-old world number eight was broken twice as Azarenka, now ranked 52, took the match to a deciding set. Belarusian Azarenka, 29, spurned two break points at 1-1 and Stephens won 6-4 2-6 6-2 in two hours, six minutes. Stephens will face the winner of yesterday’s match between China’s Zheng Saisai and Alize Cornet of France.
Defending champion Petra Kvitova thwarted a fightback from world number 63 Kristina Mladenovic to go through 6-3 7-6 (7-5) in an hour and 55 minutes. The Czech second seed, chasing a fourth title on the Caja Magica clay, will face wild card Sorana Cirstea or Caroline Garcia in the last 16. Seventh seed Kiki Bertens and 12th-ranked Anastasija Sevastova recorded straightset victories over Jelena Ostapenko and Mihaela Buzarnescu respectively. In the men’s doubles, Britain’s Kyle Edmund, who plays 10th seed Fabio Fognini in the singles on Tuesday,
teamed up with Liverpudlian Neal Skupskito beat French pair Jeremy Chardy and Gilles Simon 6-2 6-3. Britain’s Dom Inglot, partnering India’s Rohan Bopanna, lost in straight sets, while Joe Salisbury, in partnership with American Rajeev Ram, also went out, losing the deciding set 11-9 against Argentine duo Maximo Gonzalez and Horacio Zeballos. Meanwhile second seed Rafael Nadal, who faces highly-rated teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime today, pulled out of his media conference with a stomach bug.
Cornwall focussed on conditioning with an eye on India tour ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA, CMC – All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall says he is working hard to raise his fitness levels as he eyes a call-up for India’s full tour of the Caribbean later this year. The 26-year-old is the region’s leading offspinning all-rounder but has been repeatedly overlooked for selection in all formats despite his success. He is a towering figure, weighing over 250 pounds and standing six feet, five inches, and selectors in the past have pointed to his “conditioning” as a reason behind his non-selection. However, Cornwall is hoping his ongoing fitness work with noted trainer Ronald Rogers pays dividends. “Training-wise, I am trying to get as fit as I can because I think I am preparing for India,” Cornwall told the Observer newspaper here. “It’s nothing in terms of getting to a particular weight but just to see how far I can get as quickly as possible between now and June.”
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) falls backward as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball during game four of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports) James Harden paired a game-high 38 points with 10 rebounds while Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker provided ample support as the Houston Rockets squared their Western Conference semifinal series against the visiting Golden State Warriors with a 112-108 victory in Game 4 on Monday. The best-of-seven series is tied at two games apiece ahead of Game 5 on Wednesday in Oakland, Calif. Gordon chipped in 20 points, and Tucker finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. While Houston shot just 17 of 50 from behind the arc, the volume of 3-pointers made a significant difference. The Warriors wound up just 8 of 33 from deep, including misses from Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in the waning moments with the Rockets leading by three after Harden
missed the second of two free throws. Chris Paul (13 points) sank one of two foul shots with 2.9 seconds to go, sealing the Rockets’ win. Houston led by as many as 17 points, claimed a 50-43 rebounding edge and allowed just 11 second-chance points. Durant led the Warriors with 34 points while Curry chipped in 30. However, Curry missed 10 of 14 3-point attempts while Klay Thompson continued his shooting woes, going 5 of 15 overall and 1 of 6 from deep. Draymond Green produced 15 points, 10 boards and five assists for the Warriors. Houston used another barrage of treys to surge to a double-digit lead in the second quarter, starting with a Harden 26-footer at the 7:12 mark that pushed the Rockets to a 39-37 lead. Harden and Iman Shumpert added 3-
pointers in succession before Gordon completed a threepoint play and Austin Rivers drained a trey that capped a 20-6 run from the Rockets. The Warriors fashioned a rally, and when Andre Iguodala drilled a 3-pointer just prior to the first-half buzzer, the Rockets led 61-54 at the intermission. When Houston threatened to run away in the third quarter following successive threes from Harden, Tucker and Harden again, the Warriors trailed 7760 only to respond with a 229 push that cut the margin to 86-82 on a Curry layup. From that point, the Rockets managed a reply whenever Golden State pulled close, including critical baskets from Harden and Paul after the Warriors surged down the stretch in the fourth quarter. (Field Level Media)
Off-spinning all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall. He added: “It’s really just the gym alone because we do gym in the mornings and then we do on-the-field work. In the afternoons I would do my cricket activities.” Cornwall was the leading wicket-taker in the just concluded regional first class championship where he ended with 54 wickets at an average 17, and also gathered over 400 runs with three half-centuries. The Leeward Islands Hurricanes talisman has also dominated at West Indies A level on both home and overseas tours, and currently boasts 256 first class wickets
at an average of 23. His List A batting average of nearly 36 has reinforced his contention for a Windies spot, at least in the limited overs formats, and he says he is prepared for whatever senior team opportunity came his way. “It is something that I am up for and something I am happy about so it’s just up to me now to put in the work.” India are expected to arrive in the Caribbean in August for two Tests, three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals.
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shakes hands with fans after defeating the Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Yadav rides his luck to help Mumbai beat Chennai, reach IPL final (Reuters) - Mumbai Indians batsman Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten half-century to help the threetimes champions beat Chennai Super Kings by six wickets yesterday and reach their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) final. Chasing 132 for victory in the playoff clash, Yadav scored 71 runs from 54 balls to help table-toppers Mumbai comfortably cross the finish line with nine balls to spare. The 28-year-old was dropped by Murali Vijay off Deepak Chahar early on in his innings and made Chennai pay with a match-winning knock that included 10 boundaries. “It was important for one of the top three to bat till the end,” Yadav said. “It was a big game and it needed a bigger performance.” Earlier, Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat but the hosts found themselves in trouble early on, losing three wickets with only 32 runs on the board. Vijay, who replaced the injured Kedar Jadhav, was dismissed after a run-a-ball 26 before Ambati Rayudu and Dhoni helped Chennai post a competitive total on a challenging M. A. Chidambaram Stadium wicket. The pair were unbeaten at the end of 20 overs, with Rayudu on 42 and Dhoni on 37 having struck three sixes in his knock. Spinner Rahul Chahar was the most successful of the Mumbai bowlers, claiming
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Kaieteur News
Ferrari bring forward engine upgrade to Spain (Reuters) - Ferrari are bringing forward to this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix an engine upgrade originally scheduled for Canada in June as they battle the early-season domination of Formula One champions Mercedes. Mercedes have won the first four races one-two with five times world champion Lewis Hamilton and his Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas, who leads the Briton by a single point, having two wins each. Ferrari were quickest in pre-season testing at Barcelona’s Circuit de
Catalunya, however. Team boss Mattia Binotto said Ferrari were “pushing hard to make up ground. “We will have a new power unit that we are introducing ahead of schedule, as the second specification was due to be brought to Canada,” he explained in a team preview of Sunday’s race. “It’s only down to a big team effort with everyone pushing hard to make up ground that we have been able to bring these developments forward.” The Spanish Grand Prix is the first round of the European season with teams
close to their factories again and set to bring some substantial upgrades. “We are currently behind in the championship and we have to catch up, which we know means that our development work will be the key to this season,” said Binotto. Ferrari took a new aerodynamic package to the previous race in Baku, with Sebastian Vettel finishing third and Charles Leclerc fifth. Vettel is 35 points behind Bottas in the drivers’ standings. Ferrari are 74 behind Mercedes in the constructors’ championship.
Suryakumar Yadav whips one off his pads © BCCI two wickets for only 14 runs in four overs. Chennai will have another opportunity to reach the final of the tournament when they face the winners of Wednesday’s clash between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. “Hopefully, we crack the code in the next game,” Dhoni said. “I feel we could’ve bowled better... once you don’t have
enough runs, every boundary hurts you. After a good start with the ball, we kept giving boundaries. The good thing is you have another crack after a top-two finish.” Scores: Mumbai Indians 132 for 4 (Suryakumar 71*, Kishan 28, Tahir 2-33) beat Chennai Super Kings 131 for 4 (Rayudu 42*, Dhoni 37*, Rahul Chahar 214) by six wickets.
GFF/KFC U-20 Independence KO Cup –WDFA Leg
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix race. (REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo)
GFF/RFA Champions League Quarter Finals
Pouderoyen, Eagles, Den Amstel and Tabatinga defeat Titans (male); Uitvlugt to contest Saturday’s semis Strikers trounce Titans (female) The finalists for the West Demerara Football Association leg of the GFF/KFC U20 Independence Cup knock-out tournament would be decided on Saturday at the Den Amstel Community Center ground. Set to face off are Pouderoyen who will
oppose Eagles, whilst the home team, Den Amstel will match skills with Uitvlugt Warriors. In the two matches that were played on Monday last at the same venue, Den Amstel trounced Beavers 5-0; Eagles advanced to the final four without breaking a sweat as their opponent, De Kenderen FC did not show up.
Tadius Edwards (right), Jumaul Robertson and Keswyn Fraser - Den Amstel FC
Tadius Edwards (right), Jumaul Robertson and Keswyn Fraser - Den Amstel FC
As the battle for semi finals places in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) / Rupununi Football Association (RFA)/male and female Champions League continues with quarter final play, the latest winners are Tabatinga males which blanked Titans 6-1, while the female encounter saw Strikers FC defeating Titans 3-0. For Tabatinga, Stephen Mc Donald led with a hattrick, netting in the 62nd, 63rd and 91st minutes. Travis Franklin scored in the 12th minute, while Jonathan Lima netted in the 31st and Nick Adams in the 59th minute. Quarter final play will continue on Saturday at the Kanuku Harpies Football Club ground. Flash FC will throw down the gauntlet to (Continued on page 31)
Tabatinga FC goal scorers, Jonathan Lima, Nick Adams, Travis Franklin and Stephen Mc Donald.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Ragged Windies taste defeat despite Hope hundred DUBLIN, Ireland, CMC – Stylish Shai Hope stroked his second straight One-Day International hundred and fourth in eight innings but his fireworks were negated by a ragged fielding effort, as West Indies crashed to an eight-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the second match of the Tri-Nations Series here yesterday. Opting to bat first at Castle Avenue in frigid temperatures which dipped below 10 degrees Celsius, West Indies were restricted to a disappointing 261 for nine off their 50 overs, with Hope top-scoring with 109 off 132 deliveries. Roston Chase chipped in with 51, while opener Sunil Ambris, who replaced the injured John Campbell, got 38 as West Indies found themselves well poised at 205 for two in the 41st over. However, fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza claimed three for 49, while left-arm seamers Mohammad Saifuddin (2-47) and Mustafizur Rahman (2-84) picked up two wickets apiece as West Indies lost their last seven wickets for 55 runs inside the last 10 overs to squander their early momentum. In reply, attacking openers Tamim Iqbal (80) and Soumya Sarkar (73) lashed half-centuries while veteran Shakib-al-
Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar fist-bump each other © Getty Images Hasan unveiled a classy unbeaten run-a-ball 61, propelling Bangladesh to their target with five overs to spare. The defeat for the Windies follows their impressive 196-run crushing of Ireland in Sunday’s opening match at the same venue. Hope, adjudged Man-ofthe-Match for another accomplished innings, gave the Caribbean side the early advantage when he put on 89 for the first wicket with Ambris. The right-hander, who made a splendid 170 on Sunday, struck 11 fours and one six while Ambris faced 50 deliveries and counted four fours. West Indies lost Ambris
and left-hander Darren Bravo (1) in successive overs to be 90 for two in the 18th over but Hope then combined with Chase to add a further 115 for the third wicket. Neither batsman really chanced his arm, seeking rather to rotate the strike as West Indies laid the foundation for a late charge. Hope reached his halfcentury off 63 balls in the 21st over when he worked Mehidy square for a single and became the fastest West Indies player to reach 2 000 runs in ODIs when he clipped left-arm spinner Shakib to mid-wicket for a single in the next over. The 25-year-old notched his sixth ODI hundred at the end of the 39th over with a
lovely punch of the back foot to the extra cover boundary off Saifuddin. Chase, who struck two fours and a six off 62 balls to record his maiden ODI fifty, perished two overs later when he top-edged Mashrafe to short fine leg. His dismissal triggered a slide with Hope following in the 43rd over, picking out extra cover off Mashrafe and captain Jason Holder (4) falling two balls later to a catch at the wicket. West Indies lost their way steadily and needed Ashley Nurse’s 19 to get past 250 in the end. Left-handers Tamim and Soumya then handed Bangladesh a superb start when they put on 144 for the first wicket to all but erase any doubt about the result. Tamim, dropped on one by a diving Chase at cover off seamer Kemar Roach in the second over, faced 117 balls and struck seven fours while Soumya counted nine fours and a six in an entertaining 68ball knock. When Soumya found Bravo on the ropes at mid-wicket with a firm pull off Chase’s off-spin in the 26th over, West Indies harboured thoughts of a late surge but Shakib quickly dashed those hopes with a high-quality knock. The left-hander hit three fours and two sixes, posting 52 for the second with Tamim
and another 68 in an unbroken third wicket stand with wicketkeeper Mushfiqur
Rahim whose 32 came from 25 balls and included a brace of fours and sixes.
Guyanese trio dominate Third BPSA StrongFit Barbados - Sinclair wins StrongFit, Petterson-Griffith takes Powerlifting, Junica Pluck 2nd in Powerlifting By Franklin Wilson Guyana has continued to exhibit its power lifting prowess in the Caribbean by making a huge impression at the just concluded Third StrongFit Barbados competition in the Land of the Flying Fish on Saturday and Sunday last. Reigning Guyana Strongman, Julio Sinclair was triumphant in the StrongFit competition and will reign as the best for the next year in the land of the ‘Flying Fish’. Carlos ‘The Accomplisher’ Petterson-Griffith powered his way to the gold medal in the Powerlifting competition stamping his authority. Both Guyanese males ended with bronze medals as well, Sinclair copped his in the Powerlifting competition, while Petterson-Griffith claimed his in the StrongFit showdown. And even while both Petterson-Griffith and Sinclair ensured that the Golden Arrowhead was kept aloft in both competitions, the story of the weekend was that the
lone Guyanese female on the team, Junica Pluck who competed with flair and determination and in the process became the first from the Land of Many Waters to compete in a StrongFit competition. Pluck took the bronze medal in this category whilst powering her way to the silver medal in the Powerlifting showdown. In total Guyana racked in six medals (2 gold 1 silver 3 bronze). The Strongfit Female event consisted of the tire flip, sled pull, yoke carry, farmers carry, kettle bell throw, sand bag carry, while the Powerlifting comprised the three traditional lifts – deadlifts, bench press and squat. Pluck informed that it was the open category which meant that she had to compete with women outside her weight class of 63kg making her achievement even more commendable. The Space Gym athlete commented on her
StrongFit Barbados male champion, Guyanese Julio Sinclair being rewarded. achievement: “It was a great experience for as it was my first time being the first female to ever enter a strong woman competition overseas which I consider an accomplishment. I believe that every once in a while you need to put your body and your mind to the test, don’t be afraid to fail. So in the
future I would like to enter more strong women competitions which will enhance my strength level for my powerlifting meets.” Sinclair in an invited comment said that he was very pleased with his performance: “I trained very hard for this, we received details on what the various
StrongFit Barbados Powerlifting winner, Carlos Petterson-Griffith receives his prize. challenges would have been so that helped us along the way. Obviously competing in another country would be difficult but we were able to band together as one and feed off of each other. I would now be setting my sights on competing in Suriname but that would be up to me garnering the necessary
sponsorship to attend and represent Guyana.” Petterson-Griffith also commented on his performance: “Firstly I would like to thank my sponsors, Fitness Express and Space Gym for believing in us. It was a great event, I was able to set a main focus on what my (Continued on page 31)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 08, 2019
PAGE 37
Commonwealth Bank Bahamas Triathlon National Championships
Guyanese Damani Davis 4th Independence Track meet launched wins 13-15 category Damani Davis shows off his medal and plaque.
Damani Davis during the athletic race. Multi talented Guyanese Damani Davis, who resides in the Bahamas, has once again showed his class as an emerging top athlete when he won the 13-15 age group at the Commonwealth Bank Bahamas Triathlon National Championships on Sunday last. The Bahamas Triathlon Association’s National Championships took place in part at the scenic Jaw’s Beach which provided a
spectacular backdrop for the triathlon season finale. David won his category in 38:51, covering the 400m swim, 10km cycle race and the 2.5km run. The top five finishers in David’s age group have been selected to represent the Bahamas at the CARIFTA Triathlon Championship set for Jamaica, later this year.
Following are the official results in the 13-15 Age Group. Place Name Age Time Swim T1 1 Damani David 14 38:51 6:40 1:15 2 Jason Cates 14 40:12 7:02 0:52 3 Akeil Smith 15 44:44 6:40 1:03 4 Jason Spurlock 15 45:45 10:44 1:12 5 Ragh Cordova 13 48:07 7:01 0:55 6 Benjamin Dupuch 13 51:10 9:50 1:10
Bike 19:33 19:27 22:33 22:29 25:02 25:13
T2 0:34 0:36 0:39 0:35 1:04 0:32
Run 10:51 12:18 13:51 10:47 14:08 14:27
National Sports Policy nears finish line - inputs gained through govt outreaches DPI, Guyana, Sportsmen and women have been using the government’s countrywide outreaches to become familiar with and add their suggestions to the development of the National Sports Policy, currently in its draft stage. Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa DowRichardson made this disclosure during the recent ‘Government comes to you’ outreach in Region 10. Dow-Richardson said that the response at the various outreaches has been exceptional. She noted that people have been asking questions and seeking guidance as it relates to the policy. Wi t h t h a t , D o w Richardson said that the National Sports Commission used the outreaches to circulate the sensitisation brochure which has all the information about the sports policy. “It says that there is a lot of interest. There is an expectation that we address this matter and people are very receptive about the
Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson. (Marceano Narine) information because there are concerns in sports that have been going on for some time, and now that the executives and memberships know about the laws and guidance that are available, the incentives that are possible, they are very receptive and even athletes are happy for it because they have the guidance that they need,” she underscored. Persons interested in adding their contributions can visit the website (www.nationalsportpolicyg uyana) where the document
is available for scrutiny. Several federations such as basketball, football and table tennis have already made their suggestions, according to Dow-Richardson. As it relates to the construction of the synthetic tracks underway in Regions 6 and 10, people seem eager to have both completed. The Assistant Director of Sport explained that “the Linden community has been very much a part of this particular project. They are very tied in, and all of the people who are employed are from the Linden community, so we have not had any inquiries thus far, but there is an expectation that we will be able to complete the project as soon as possible.” The tracks are being constructed at the cost of $320M. B.K International was awarded $141M for works in New Amsterdam, Burnham Park in Region 6, while $179M was awarded to Builders Hardware and Supplies for similar works at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground, Wismar.
From left, Esan Griffith, Linden Jones, David Thomas, Ann Hermonstine, Chris Jones and Aubrey Hutson pose for a photo during yesterday’s launch at the National Racquet Center.
T
he fourth annual Independence Track and Field Championships, which has become an annual event, will be run off next weekend on May 18 and 19 at the Leonora Track and Field Center. The Championship was the brain child of the Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association and since its inception has grown to be a highly anticipated event in the track and field community. Speaking at the launch yesterday at the National Racquet Center on Woolford Avenue, President of the Overseas Based Sports Association (OBSA), David Thomas, disclosed that the organisers have sought to make the event more inclusive by gathering athletes from all ten administrative regions. Head of the Athletics
Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, revealed that his association will stick to the usual age categories but the younger athletes will be encouraged to participate in multiple events. The age groups for the competition will be under-9, 9 – 11 years, 12-14 years, 1517 years, 18 years and above and the Masters: 35 years and over. Meanwhile, Director of Sport; Christopher Jones, was present at the launch and on behalf of the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport pledged the entities’ continued commitment to assisting the event. Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Linden Jones of the Guyana Committee of Services (GCS), while ensuring his support, commended the organisers
of the event, “We see this as an opportunity to make our presence felt, so we are going to be sponsoring one or more events along with Guybisco, to make this tournament an even bigger success. We want to congratulate the team that is organizing this event, we think it’s a timely venture and we look forward for a real competitive competition,” he shared. The GSC has been actively sponsoring sporting events and athletes in their respective ventures. Other members of the Committee are: Leslie Blacks, Eugune Noel and Joseph Ramkumar. Amongst the sponsors of the Independence Championships are: Forrester Lumber yard, Banks DIH, Guyana Committee of Services, Guybisco and Sybil’s of the USA. A small entrance fee of $300 will be charged on both competition days.
GFF Elite League 2018/2019
Fruta Conquerors assured of back to back title
D
efending Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Champions, Fruta Conquerors have assured themselves of back to back titles with two matches in hand following their 3-0 win over Western Tigers on Saturday last at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara. Latest Points Table Team Fruta Conquerors Den Amstel Western Tigers GDF Santos Guyana Police Force Buxton United Ann’s Grove United Victoria Kings Milerock
GP 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6
W 7 4 4 4 3 2 1 1 0 0
D 0 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 3
The Tucville based unit is currently on 21 points and is the only team to date that have not lost a match in seven (7) outings scoring a whopping 34 goals and only conceding 4. The only other team to concede four is the Guyana Defence Force, but the Army has only scored 11 in their seven matches played. Matches would continue this weekend. L 0 1 1 1 3 4 4 5 4 3
GF 38 18 15 11 7 7 3 2 7 3
GA 4 7 7 4 12 10 11 22 23 11
GD +34 +11 +8 +7 -5 -3 -8 -20 -16 -8
Pts 21 14 14 14 10 7 5 4 2 0
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday May 08, 2019
Arokium Funeral Parlour Memorial Guyana’s golfers perform creditably at Sir Garry Sobers Cycle Road Race set for Sunday May 12 Managing Director of the Arokium Funeral Festival of Golf Int’l Tourney Establishment- Pearl Arokium
Competing for the first time in Barbados and at the prestigious Sir Garry Sobers Festival of Golf International Tournament (SGSG) which annually attracts over 200 golfers from around the world, LGC President, Aleem Hussain, and former Guyana Open Ladies Champion, Dr Joaan Deo, both placed 6th on Net Score in their Flights. Aleem played in the Seniors Championship Flight (handicap 0-11), while Joaan played in the Ladies Championship Flight (handicap 0 – 14), while LGC overseas based member Mark Woosley placed 4th in his Flight. Despite not being in the top 3 in their Flights, the Guyanese considered the experience a very rewarding one in that their confidence was boosted to expect the LGC golfers to be in the Winners Row for 2020. President Hussain, who took the opportunity to also actively sell the development and vision of the LGC to those who participated at the tournament, indicated that “With upgrades to the LGC, including the new multimillion dollar MaCorp sponsored Driving Range and several other facilities, despite only being a 9-hole course, LGC golfers peformance will match and even excel over the competitors that golfed this year.” He noted also that “The greens on the course we played were much trickier than the fairly level greens in Guyana, and consequently we will ensure that the level
hands over the sponsorship cheque to Coach and organiser Randolph Roberts.
I
LGC President Aleem Hussain with Sir Gary Sobers. of difficulty on some LGC greens is increased so that golfers here will practice and play on greens comparable to those in Barbados.” President Hussain noted that Sir Gary Sobers was complimentary of the Guyana team, and reminisced about his glorious times playing golf at the Lusignan Golf Course with LGC honorary member Joe Solomon, former Guyanese and West Indian cricket legend. Countries which participated in the 2019 SGSG tournament included Antigua, Barbados, Canada, Curacao, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Italy,
LGC President Aleem Hussain with Dr. Joaan Deo in Barbados
Trinidad &Tobago, UK and the USA. It is President Hussain’s view that “With oil and gas discoveries continuing in Guyana, all eyes are focused this way, and tournaments such as the Sir Garry Sobers Golf Festival can easily be held here, In fact, with increasingly easy airline access to Guyana, with the absolutely beautiful flora and fauna of our country, with the great hospitality of the Guyanese people and above all, with the abundance of land space available, Guyana can certainly become the pristine golf destination of the Caribbean region.”
n honour of the late proprietor of the Arokium Funeral Establishment, Mr. Phillip Arokium, a 50-mile Cycle Road race would be held this Sunday, May 12th. His d a u g h t e r, M i s s P e a r l Arokium, Managing Director of the funeral establishment, handed the sponsorship cheque to Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) Coach and organiser Mr. Randolph Roberts, at the Lot 30 Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam Office. Ms Arokium stated that the family was pleased to host the event once again in her father’s memory and is happy to be associated with the FACC which has been doing a good job over the years. Meanwhile, Coach
Roberts expressed his gratitude to the business entity for honouring the late Parlour’s owner by way of a cycling event and to once again put their trust in the FACC. The race will commence at 10:00hrs with a cruise around the town of New Amsterdam from in front of Arokium funeral Parlour, left into Republic road into Ta c a m a t u r n i n t o Stanleytown. The race officially starts when the cyclists cross Alexander Street to the Nand Persaud Rice Milling Complex at No36 Village, Corentyne before turning back to finish at Main and Alexander Streets, New Amsterdam. Prizes will be awarded to the first eight finishers, first
three veterans, top three juveniles and top three females. The first three FACC riders to cross the finish line will also be given prizes. There will also be ten sprint prizes up for grabs. The prizes will be presented to the winners by the Managing Director and relatives immediately after the race. The race is expected to attract some of the country’s top cyclists including Romello Crawford, Balram Narine, Andre ‘Padlock’ Greene, Michael Anthony, Ralph Seenarine, Paul DeNobrega, Junior Niles, and Paul Choo-e-Nam, among others. Interested Cyclists can make contact with the organizer Coach Roberts on 628-8211 for further details.
Maximum Security out of Preakness; Derby DQ appeal denied LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Taken down as the Kentucky Derby winner, Maximum Security is now out of the Preakness. Maximum Security’s coowner said Monday he will not run the horse in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. The announcement came hours before his appeal o f t h e h o r s e ’s disqualification as Derby winner was denied by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Gary West told The Associated Press by phone there is ‘’really no need, not having an opportunity to run for the Triple Crown, to run a horse back in two weeks.’’ The 1 1/8-mile Preakness is May 18 at Pimlico Race Course. Though shorter than the Kentucky Derby, the race requires a quick turnaround. West didn’t want to burden
his colt with the Triple Crown off the table. Maximum Security was scheduled to leave Churchill Downs on Monday and arrive early yesterday at Monmouth Park, where trainer Jason Servis is based, the New Jersey track said. ‘’The horse will be better off long term with the rest,’’ West said. ‘’He ran a really good and a really hard race on Saturday. ‘’Really, there are a lot of other Grade 1 races the rest of the year for 3-year-olds. So we’ll let him gather himself and point to one of the other races. I don’t know which one that will be, but it will definitely not be the Preakness.’’ Maximum Security, the first to finish the muddy race by 1} lengths on Saturday, became the first Derby winner to be disqualified for interference. After an
objection by two riders, stewards ruled the colt swerved out and impeded the path of several horses between the far and final turns. Country House, a 65-1 shot, was elevated to first. Country House’s status for the Preakness is unclear. That race would mark his fourth start in eight weeks. Trainer Bill Mott has said there’s no rush to decide on whether he’ll run in Baltimore. But he acknowledged the race’s importance and added, ‘’The challenge of the Triple Crown is that there’s three races really close together, and it takes a champion.’’ The only other Derby disqualification was in 1968, and long after the race. Firstplace finisher Dancer’s Image tested positive for a prohibited medication, and Kentucky racing officials (Continued on page 31)
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Kaieteur News
PAGE 39
11th Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Schools U-18 Football Championship
Christianburg Wismar retains title with 2-1 victory over Linden Technical Institute - Jonathan Copeland is Most Valuable Player
N
ational Junior goalkeeper J o n a t h a n Copeland showed his versatility by striking on the forward line to net the most goals as his team, Christianburg Wismar Secondary ‘Multi’ School retained their hold of football at the schools level in Linden, when they stopped Linden Technical Institute 2-1 in the final of this year’s 11th Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Secondary Schools under-18 football championship, which was played at the Wisburg Secondary school ground. Copeland netted one of the goals in that final’s win and gained a brace as his team, after gaining a bye through the first round, were able to win another championship to add to their bulging trophy collection at this level. In the final they faced Linden Technical Institute where it was Copeland who once more demonstrated his scoring prowess to find the back of the net in a 2-1 win. The Linden Foundation
Secondary had to settle for third place in this championship as they won against Wisburg Secondary via sudden penalties after they were locked 1-1 after opening play failed to decide a winner. To advance to the final Linden Technical Institute after a 0-0 stalemate with Linden Foundation Secondary, advanced to face ‘Multi’ after bettering their semifinal opponents from the penalty spot 4-3. In the semifinals, C h r i s t i a n b u rg Wi s m a r Secondary defeated Wisburg Secondary 3-1 as Jonathan Copeland netted twice and Janeuve Waldron the other goal for the champions, while Linden Technical Institute edged Linden Foundation Secondary 4-3 on penalties after both sides were even after regulation and overtime play ended 1-1. The burly Copeland copped the Most Goals prize and Best Forward awards to go with the Most Valuable Player of the final prize with teammates Bani Dow collecting the Best Defender prize and Andre Mayers the
Jonathan Copeland was the best forward....MVP....Most goals.
Guyana complains of poor officiating at U-21 volleyball tourney in French Guiana The Guyana contingent complained over the poor level of officiating that robbed the male team their second victory at the recently concluded Inter Guiana’s U 21 male and female volleyball tournament which was held in French Guiana
on the 3rd and 4th May, 2019. The tournament which involved the three GuianasGuyana, Suriname and French Guiana, saw Guyana playing unbeaten in the two preliminary round matches (Continued on page 33)
Best Midfielder prize and Tyrese Azore walked away with the Best Goalkeeper award, while the Most Improved Player of the tournament award was won by the Linden Technical Institute’s Jamal Yaw and the Best Coach prize copped by t h e L i n d e n Te c h n i c a l Institute’s Joel Humphrey as Linden Foundation Secondary was adjudged the Best Dressed team.
2019 Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary.
t r o Sp Ragged Windies taste defeat despite Hope hundred
The Guyanese athletes at the Grantly Adams Airport in Barbados (from right), Junica Pluck, Julio Sinclair, Ms. Kathlyn Paul – Physio and Carlos Petterson-Griffith.
West Indies batsman Shai Hope … stroked his sixth ODI hundred.
Guyanese trio dominate Third BPSA StrongFit Barbados - Sinclair wins StrongFit, Petterson-Griffith takes Powerlifting, Junica Pluck 2nd in Powerlifting
GFF Elite League 2018/2019
Fruta Conquerors’ Nicholas McArthur battles with Western Tigers’ Andrew Murray on Saturday last at the GFF National Training Facility.
Fruta Conquerors assured of back to back title
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