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Monday May 10, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Leadership arrogance - the prices Arrogance, an overwhelming pride, makes men trip over their feet and fall with their noses flush into the sewers of discredit and disrepute. The arrogance of unhearing leaders is a different kettle of worms, since they are responsible for not just themselves, and maybe their captive families, but of the fate of a nation, sometimes small (as in Guyana), or in the hundreds of millions (as it is in the United States). America had one such leader up to a few months ago. The world breathes a long sigh of relief now that he is gone. But the five people gone in January, as a direct result of the U.S. Capitol Hill insurrection (rebellion, coup, what have you) are not going to any place on earth from which there is some hope of coming back. That was one of the prices paid by vulnerable citizens, which can directly be traceable to leadership arrogance, self-satisfying leadership smugness. To those can be added the deep racial, sectional, and partisan divide that rages throughout America; and the loss of prestige and standing of America before a suddenly disdainful world. Even hurling a loaded dirty kitchen sink in the lap of such a leader, for such a waste of leadership opportunity and leadership maturity, is not enough of an overkill, or nearly enough condemnation. In Brazil, a leader by the name of Jair Bolsonaro exposes the citizens of his country with his reckless arrogance. He may be the only leader in the world, who takes this stance: the coronavirus is not as big a deal as made out to be. He was and is a skeptic, and refused to implement social distancing measures, or purchase vaccines, among other necessary precautions that the rest of the world had been taking. Senor Bolsonaro’s postures and arrogance have led to the deaths of approximately 400,000 Brazilians and over 14 million confirmed cases, at last count. And yet this national leader of unparalleled hubristic stature is still in denial, still objecting, still not rolling out all the weapons at his nation’s disposal. According to a news broadcast from Al Jazeera dated April 27, last, “Brazil Senate opens inquiry into Bolsonaro’s COVID handling” and the accompanying subtitle, “Investigation into Jair Bolsonaro comes as Brazil is set to surpass 400,000 deaths…” Such is one of the prices of leadership arrogance and it couldn’t have been directed at someone who deserves it more. But as arrogant as Senor Bolsonaro has been in his overseership of Brazil’s COVID-19 pandemic response, he still comes up short for the most arrogant and most reckless head of state crown, and by a wide margin. It is because there is another leader (as incredible as that may sound), whose arrogant actions have tarnished his once bright star. He has handled the responsibility of his office so poorly and so carelessly (so unbelievably arrogantly) that even his own countrymen denounce him in no uncertain terms. The leader is India’s Narendra Modi, who has endangered his 1.4 billion people, when he didn’t do what any responsible and thoughtful leader would have, and should have, done. Prime Minister Modi, who may now appear in his own glazed eyes to be one sacred and holy man, has by his arrogant actions and inactions sown the wind and now reap the whirlwind in India. Elections rallies and elections themselves do not rise to life and death situations that just have to be had, regardless of the mortal dangers that both embody. Well, that was what arrogant leader Modi encouraged. And massed religious festivals call for the most sensible cautionary statesmanship, especially when a pandemic rages uncontrollably. On that occasion, leader Modi was content to stand back and sit down idly, in the decisions that he didn’t make, as though he was waiting for the hammer to fall, while hoping against hope. It doesn’t take any special genius to discern when a terribly perilous path is being barrelled along recklessly. Mr. Modi knew so, but did so, anyhow. Now he has condemned his country to beg for help. A lovely start was made by India in the early distribution of its vaccine supplies, of which Guyana gratefully received some. Then the arrogance in Mr. Modi grabbed hold of him, and India is shaken to the core. As we at this publication contemplate the costly arrogance of these leaders (the United States, Brazil, and
Congratulations to Sir Hilary Beckles Dear Editor, Despite pervasive comments of covert, threatening actions from a traitorous Darth Vader, on Friday April 30, 2021, ViceChancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles, secured a welldeserved second term in office. The renewal came as a heady climax after long, heated and controversial debates, commentary and speculation in the media and the public arena. But this may not be Sir Hilary’s last term. While there are limits to the terms served by the figurehead Chancellor which can be aborted if the Council so determines, the UWI’s Statutes do not stipulate any limits in terms nor age for the Vice-Chancellor and he can in fact serve a third term if it is the will of the Council and if he so desires. Sir Hilary has had a long and illustrious career both within and outside the UWI. Like Luke Skywalker from the popular Star Wars series, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest Jedi the UWI has ever known. He was born in Rock Hall, a peasant village in the most rural parish of St. Andrew,
Barbados. His father, a village tailor, passed at age 98, two years ago. His mother a housewife, now 91, is presently under the tender loving care of her ViceChancellor son, the visit perhaps a special gift for Mother’s Day. Poverty was his inspiration and motivation to succeed. Sir Hilary sometimes tells the story of how it took him years to get his mum to recover from the shame that he had walked to primary school bare-footed until he won a scholarship to grammar school. From the glimpses of his personal life rarely publicised by this humble but brilliant visionary, one gathers that his biggest challenge in life was learning how to be able run in shoes. In attempting to do so at age ten, he had fallen on his face countless times but got up again and kept trying until he mastered the feat – a practice that would come in handy as he confronted his many challenges thereafter. Later, determined to do justice to those shoes, he would become an avid runner with an impressive record as a cricketer. Sir Hilary first played cricket as a youth for
Warwickshire County while in school at Birmingham, England. As a student at the University of Hull, he also played as a semi-professional for Hull City and Bradford Town in the Yorkshire League. He was also captain of the cricket team at the Mona campus. His greatest cricketing accomplishment, however, was as a young lecturer at Cave Hill in 1994 when he took the most wickets and scored the most runs, swinging his bat like the Jedi’s lightsaber, determined then, to play for the West Indies team. Traversing the UWI’s regional galaxy for some fortytwo years, Sir Hilary obtained his PhD at age 24 from the University of Hull, UK and returned to the Caribbean where he promptly landed a job at UWI, Mona, at the lowest academic level as a temporary, part-time, evening lecturer. At age 36, he became the youngest scholar to be promoted to a personal professorial chair. Not long afterwards, he cupped the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in the field of research. Sir Hilary is also an exemplary scholar and academic having authored
thirteen books and edited six collections, published over 148 peer-reviewed articles/ essays and written eight acclaimed plays. He was knighted in 2007 for his contribution to Higher Education, sports and the Arts. Before assuming office as Vice-Chancellor in 2015, this “Knight of the Jedi” served as Professor of Economic History, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, Principal of the Cave Hill Campus for thirteen years between 2002 and 2015 and Vice-Chancellor of the UWI from 2015 until the present. He has also lectured in several universities around the world and received three Honorary Doctoral Degrees from Brock University in Canada; Glasgow University in Scotland and the University of the Virgin Islands. As Vice-Chancellor over the last six years, this Grandmaster has shown tremendous Force power as he dexterously steered the UWI X-Wing through the uncharted space of the global galactic empire, often challenged to make longrange jumps on hyper-drive. This became evident from his many achievements during (Continued on page 6)
I support the GOAL scholarship programme Dear Editor Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, noted that “Investment in education is the surest path to personal upliftment.” He made this emphatic pronouncement a few days ago, when he “… urged residents of Albion and nearby communities to take full advantage of the “20,000 Online Scholarship Programme” being offered by the Government.” I fully endorse this statement and I hope that the precious opportunities that are being offered will be fully grasped and appreciated by those eligible to do so. I have my good reasons for saying so. A quick footnote on eligibility is worthy of mention here. The programmes are free and we all know that
‘university education,’ at its cheapest is still expensive. So, no one is precluded in terms of affordability and more so, there is no contract to sign for service after completion. Also, for the many who do not quite meet the ‘entrance qualifications,’ there are the pre-university courses that can be used to fill the gap and ‘come up’ as we would say in education. The big word here overall is that the Government is extremely caring about the less fortunate and those stuck in an educational hole. My support for the programme adds to what the Minister detailed about ‘personal upliftment/fulfillment.’ It goes to the area of poverty alleviation. The programme strikes at the heart of poverty
India), we cannot help thinking about our own homeland, this Guyana right here. We are being led by arrogant leaders, who mismanage potential, and mangle the present. The present is how they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, which even the resident PAHO people have said that going the other way is better, hence recommended. But PPP leaders are so full of themselves, so struttingly arrogant, that they refuse to listen to anyone, but the sound of their own voices, while being impressed with their own shadows. In addition, they pretend to know all that there is needed to be known about this oil of ours, while dancing to the sound of their own foolish music. They do not need outside experts, they have themselves. They do not need independent authorities; they are just as good, if not better. Look at where we are today, and remember later when the prices of leadership arrogance have to be paid and in full. Of course, it is the people who must pay.
reduction, since no government can ‘feed the hungry’ interminably. Studies abound where the link of ‘education (or lack thereof) and poverty’ is inextricably formed. I recall an academic paper, “The role of education in poverty alleviation and Economic development: a theoretical perspective and counselling implications.” By Omoniyi, M.B.I. (Ph. D), from the Department of Guidance & Counselling Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, making this telling point. The gist of the paper is that poverty is a major threat to the very existence of humanity in modern times especially in the developing world. To combat this, the author argues that “Education in every sense is one of the fundamental factors of achieving sustainable economic development, through investment in human capital.” Overall says the article is that “Education fosters selfunderstanding, improves quality of lives and raises people’s productivity and creativity, thus promoting entrepreneurship and technological advances.” In addition, it goes on, is that “Education plays very crucial roles in securing economic and social progress thus improving income
distribution which may consequently salvage the people from poverty.” So, when the Minister and others here are pushing this programme, they are really combating poverty now, where it now exists and in the future, where and when it is likely to surface. I further explain that this offer to Guyanese is indeed vital. Why? Poverty and education are inextricably linked, because people living in poverty may stop going to school so they can work, which leaves them without literacy and numeracy skills they need to further their careers. Research has shown repeatedly that with additional year of schooling income can increase by at least 10%. In fact, the paper mentioned that with just two more years of secondary schooling, millions of people worldwide could get out of poverty. So as Guyana forges ahead in the 21st century, we need to remind ourselves that education plays a significant role in attaining a quality life individually and so collectively the nation is the beneficiary. Kudos to the Dr. Irfaan Ali led PPP/C Government for this GOAL initiative. Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton
Monday May 10, 2021
Indians did not have an automatic right to practice their culture under indentureship Dear Editor, Hamilton Green in his S.N. May 9th letter seems to be rambling of someone who on one hand demands that his kith and kin be given their rightful respect and at the same time sought to put down Indians. He writes about Indians retaining their Sanskrit names. And infers that it is because they were paid Indentured servants. He conveniently ignores the efforts to shame the “Coolies” that started from the British, then continued under the PNC. Indian-shaming still exists till today in subtle forms where Indians are constantly being told in public spaces that we must not call ourselves Indians but Guyanese. From saying that roti and curry is Guyanese and not Indian, or Buxton Spice mango is Guyanese even though it is Himasagar mango that came from India along with so many fruits and vegetables that came with the Indians. That it is “civilised” (sic) to say dholl and not dal and corila not Karaila even though both of these are the real words for both. That there is a language called Guyanese Creolese but this very language is really the language that the Indians created when they were shamed into discarding their ancestral languages. This very Creolese language is full of Hindi words yet no one has sought to give it its rightful identity. Slavery and Indentureship cannot be equated and should never be viewed as who suffered more than whom. How can one judge suffering? By what scale or criterion? Who got
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more lashes than whom? Like when “five Indians had run away to Berbice from Vreeden-Hoop. They were apprehended, confined temporarily in the hospital, tied to a post and in the presence of fellow workers, flogged with a cato’-nine tails by the interpreter, Henry Jacobs, a Eurasian. Afterwards, ‘salt pickle’ was rubbed on their backs.” “To detail the whole of the iniquities practiced on the wretched Coolies, remarked Scoble, “would fill a volume.” Dr. William Nimmo, Medical Attendant at Belle Vue and a relative of Gladstone, had reportedly struck an Indian patient with a horsewhip and had also inflicted corporal punishment on several others.” “January 9, 1839 several cases of ill-treatment and flight from Vreed-en-Hoop and Belle Vue. Two Indians, Jummun and Pulton, who fled from Belle Vue, were never seen again, though the bodies of two strange men were discovered at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. An Indian girl of ten was reportedly raped and killed.” Basdeo Mangru S.N. May 4th 2013. I will never compare and contrast on the inhumanity meted out to our respective ancestors since they arrived in Guyana. However, when commentators call for education and respect, they need to show same. Many refer to the Indians and their preservation of their Culture and attribute this to the fact that Indians were Indentured and thus imply that this gave them (Indians) the automatic strength to practise their Culture. How dishonest is this
generalisation! It dismisses the sacrifices, blood, sweat and tears of the Indians of Guyana. Why did the Indians especially Hindus keep their Dharma from the time they arrived till today? This is the crux of their strength. Indians were not protected from brutality. Commentators do not explore why the Indians held onto their way of lives. The British tried and failed and so did the PNC under the leadership of the despotic dictator Forbes Burnham. Indians especially Hindus who did not sell their souls to them, were time and again faced with the situation where their very existence was under threat. I will tell Hamilton Green our strength. The names of Ram and Sita of Hanuman Ji. The love of Sri Krishna. The mercy of Lord Mahadev and The Shakti of Devi Ma. The 40 Verses of Hanuman Ji has carried us though every trial and tribulations. That is why every Hindu household does the Jhandi puja and flies the Jhandi/flag of Hanuman Ji in front of our homes. It is our strength, it is our identity - this is how we have retained our ancient Culture in Guyana and now in various parts of the World where Indians from Guyana fled as a result of actions of Hamilton Green and his acolytes, past and present. At Times Square last August my brother and I led the singing of the names of Ram and Sita. We were asked by the Press about our passion for Ram and Sita and we explained that it is the name of Ram and Sita and Hanuman Ji that have kept us alive.
Even today Hindus from Guyana still greet each other with Ram Ram, Sita Ram, Jai Sita Ram. Hamilton Green demands respect for his race and that is his right. This Hindu woman, who grew up under his party’s rule, will never find it in her heart to give him a single modicum of respect. Even though his demand is about a race of people, that he chooses to speak on behalf of; he is more like a stain for Hamilton Green needs to own up to his part in the hell hole that the Indians in Guyana lived in while his party was in power and even when they lost. Would the day ever come when he will apologise to all of us Indians and to Guyana for his part for what we endured under his party and as a result of his destructive actions? Also, will Hamilton Green ever explain why he has never sought to educate the people of Guyana as to why the National Cultural Center has not a single tribute to the very people whose money was purloined by his leader to build? Respect is earned and he is one person whose role in Guyana’s sordid history makes him one of the last to chide anyone or demand respect. Instead of wasting time lecturing on others he should follow his own advice of “Let us share knowledge and information so we can truly educate to liberate.” Yours truly, N. Sahadeo
Will the free press stand its ground in light of this assault by a former President? Dear Editor, I am reminded constantly of the saying of Nelson Mandela that, “a free press is a pillar of a democratic society.” Then I am also reminded of Barack Obama’s saying before he left the Office of US President that, “we have to uphold a free press and freedom of speech – because, in the end, lies and misinformation are no match for the truth.” This was my mood as I read that former President David Granger filed charges against the Guyana Times, Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News for defamation and libel they allegedly published about him during and after the 2020 March 2 elections in Guyana. I know that I can’t say much about the case because it is sub judice but I must say that this case cannot stand the test of reasonable scrutiny and facts. The former head of state
has made yet another mistake, perhaps the biggest - to single-handedly sue the media in Guyana - and there is a plethora of evidence to be called in support of the media’s case. I, like all Guyanese, will watch this case closely as the media’s freedom to report and tell stories based upon what they know to be fact is being attacked and threatened. The courts were assaulted first and they stood their ground. The political party in power was attacked and they stood their ground. Now, it’s the media – the fourth estate that has come under attack with allegations of spreading fake news, libel and d e f a m a t i o n . Wi l l t h e y s t a n d t h e i r g r ound and deliver an unrestrained blow to the former president or will they break under pressure. Yours truly, Erin Northe
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Two men are Guyana’s latest COVID-19 fatalities The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday reported that two persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. Their deaths now bring Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll to 325. The latest fatalities are an 82-year-old from Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica) and a 60year-old from Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo). According to the Ministry’s press release, both persons died on Saturday
while receiving treatment at a medical facility. The Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 159 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 14,362. The dashboard also shows that 16 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 101 persons are in the institutional isolation, 1,766 in home isolation and 16 persons are quarantined institutionally. To date, 12,154 recoveries have been recorded.
GRA should conduct a study to determine factors, which influenced increased tax returns in 2021 Dear Editor, It is with much interest that I read Mr. Godfrey Statia’s letter in the Stabroek News on 8 May 2021, titled, ‘Astounding number of tax returns filed both manually and electronically.’ In the letter, Mr. Statia indicated that, ‘In comparison to 2020 and previous years, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has received an astounding number of tax returns filed both manually and electronically. When compared to 2020, there was increased compliance of over 100%.’ This is very significant information and I would like to request that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) explore this further by conducting a study to determine what factors have influenced or is influencing
this increase in compliance. As someone who works in the behavioural sciences, more specifically in behavioural change and change management, this is an interesting indication, but of what, is the big question? Is the behaviour of citizens generally with regards to tax compliance, increasing? Which categories have improved in compliance - was it private sector employers or employees, self-employed persons, etc.? Are self-employed women more tax-compliant than selfemployed men? Is there an increase in compliance among young self-employed persons? Is the overall promise of a growing/ booming oil and gas economy a factor and to what extent? Is it that more organisations are requesting tax compliance as a pre-requisite for business
engagements? Is this a result of specific capacity building at GRA? Is this a result of more userfriendly electronic tax returns process (es)? Is this as a result of institutional strengthening at GRA? This information is important and may be an indication of a changing behaviour relative to compliance, not merely in tax compliance but in other areas in the wider society. Additionally, the findings from this kind of study will enable the GRA to determine what is working and perhaps what is not and what they can build on, that is working. I do hope that the study will be done. If GRA sees the wisdom in this suggestion, then I look forward to reading the findings of the report. Yours truly, Audreyanna Thomas
...Congratulations to Sir Hilary Companies engaging in shadow operations gravitate towards countries like Guyana Dear Editor, While the nation seems to be consumed by which individual is more racist than the other is, or the neverending bitterness of slavery, or indentured labour; people from the outside are reemphasising a global narrative, that we non-whites are no match for a lot of these predatory foreign businesses or even have the confidence in taking them on. Rather, we seem more comfortable posing comfortably in leather chairs for a picture for the print media, another pose for ribbon cutting events, yet more poses for contract signing. Guyana is being
eaten up from within and can’t beat certain predator foreign entities at their game or go toe-to-toe with them. Who in government will see exactly what is happening with this company, Superior Concrete Inc., doing business on Guyanese soil without the necessary permission, as reported by KN on May 8, “Foreign controlled companies sets up concrete factory with no permission...” Companies engaging in operations in the shadows keep gravitating to countries, like Guyana, that historically have allowed covert business operations to occur. They
know our weaknesses. They truly see local bureaucrats as totally out of their depth on an international playing field that depends a lot on an enormous amount of daytime and sacrificed nighttime hours paying attention to details including which foreign company is doing what and not playing by acceptable rules. Add Guyana being on the hook to pay the oil companies bills before any arbitration, or unable to renegotiate the contract without Exxon’s consent - A contract, which was done in bad faith. Yours truly, Chi Kansi
...Illegal foreign concrete factory linked to From page 2 under the cloak of weak laws. One crucial question being asked by local stakeholders is whether the foreign officers of Superior Concrete Inc. are conducting business in Guyana on a visitor’s visa, which contravenes the limitations of this
visa classification, or have these companies been adequately vetted and been issued work permits to their foreign employees? If the latter is not correct, local stakeholders told Kaieteur News that it would be an apparent breach of the local laws. They also note that it is an issue which should engage the attention
of the relevant authorities. In the meantime, Kaieteur News understands that residents in the area are preparing to petition the authorities about the illegal operations. Other stakeholders have also filed legal proceedings seeking a resolution. Kaieteur News will continue to follow this story.
From page 4 the current Covid-19 pandemic. Whizzing through the constellation of academic institutions, Sir Hilary assumed a pivotal role in forging healthy and lasting collaborations akin to the Jedi’s Rebel Alliance, from Glasgow to Guyana, SUNY to Suzhou and Coventry to Columbia, among others. This quintessential Caribbean man has managed to boldly go where no Caribbean personalities have gone before as he penetrated the cosmos of international and regional organisations, even those controlled by Imperial Storm troopers. He has served as an inaugural member of the UN’s Science Advisory Board on Sustainable Development on the invitation of Former Secretary General, Bank Ki Moon. He also served as a consultant to UNESCO’s Cities for Peace Global Program and was an advisor to the UN World Culture Report. In addition, he serves as the Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Committee on the invitation of Caribbean Heads of Government and was asked by Cricket West Indies to serve on its Governance Reform Commission. He was also invited to the Congress of the USA as a special guest during its Reparations Hearing; addressed the British House of Commons during its reparations debate
and currently serves as Chairman of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC). Moreover, the State of Connecticut in the USA proclaimed March 1 as “Hilary Beckles Day,” in recognition of his phenomenal contribution to social justice. Among his latest accolades are the prestigious Dr. Martin Luther King Award and an invitation by the United Nations to serve in a five-member panel as an expert for its Futures of Higher Education Project led by the UNESCO Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite these exemplary accomplishments, the Grandmaster still faces numerous challenges in the next six years (or more) as he traverses the macrocosm and microcosm of the Caribbean Galactic Republic and the constellation of stars, which constitutes the UWI campuses. While he has successfully achieved many of his goals at the macro level, such as the “Triple A Strategy” and the revolution in reputation by catapulting the UWI into the international arena with top global rankings and amongst the best in the West, some of the campuses are bubbling like a mud volcano, at the brink of eruption at the microcosm. The toxic environment prevails unabated with low morale among staff members;
threat to the UWI’s democracy by interference of regional governments in its internal affairs and the unwelcomed return of an incompetent co-pilot to one of the campuses. As this Knight of the Jedi plods on, fearlessly speaking truths to power, he may now have no option but to ignite his lightsaber and hone his Force with the assistance of the Rebel Alliance, even as Darth Vader’s Empire Strikes Back with a powerful darksaber. However, there is no doubt that this fearless Grandmaster is up to the task. In his multifold role as scholar, academic, sportsman, advocate and activist, Sir Hilary has demonstrated that like Luke Skywalker, he possesses the heroic heart of a lion for his adoring students and fans; the courage and purpose of a rebel for his combatant allies; the strength, vision and skill of an exemplary leader for his ardent followers; and the loyalty, steadfastness and solidarity of revolutionaries for his fellow advocates, activists and comrades. These will all serve in good stead for his challenging tasks ahead. Congratulations Sir Hilary on securing a second term as ViceChancellor of the UWI! Yours truly, Anthony Gafoor Alumnus/Part-time Lecturer UWI, St. Augustine
Monday May 10, 2021
Greed is groovy. But does this make it right or best for all concerned? And is this what the people want. Today’s column examines these issues. Since the capitalist system is based on accumulation of wealth, greed is seen as being good since it is this greed (or need) that drives the capitalist to produce more and more goods and to consolidate capital towards this goal. Thus, if greed is good, one would expect that under capitalism unhindered greed would be the mantra: the more profits and surpluses made, the better for all concerned. After all, if greed is responsible for the expansion of capital formation and the increase in the production of goods and services, then the more greed the better. So long as wealth is acquired through legitimate means, then under the capitalist system, there should be no criticism to persons making a financial killing in the market. The fact is, however, that the vast majority of citizens are uncomfortable with the notion of wealth being concentrated in the hands of a few. They are equally unhappy with persons making an obscene profit, for example, through buying cheaply and selling through the roof. They see this form of speculation, strictly lawful and legitimate, under capitalism as being wrong. They also see as wrong the concentration of capital leading to monopolies. When this sale involves a resource of the State, then people will feel disrespected. Right now in Guyana we are seeing a movement toward financial consolidation within the
communications market in Guyana. Steps are being made to corner the market and eventually to place it under the financial control of a few individuals. Regulation is weak – antitrust legislation is virtually absent – and therefore existing legislation is unable to adequately safeguard the public interests. The print media is not exempted from this and it is evident that one particular newspaper is enjoying a disproportionate number of government ads which effectively translates to it being floated by the government. These are worrying trends. Wi t h i n the manufacturing sector there are developments that need to be followed closely because they can also result in the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals with strong political connections. Then there is the financial sector where interest rates on deposits are low and spreads high, resulting in massive profits for the major banks in Guyana. This, too, is something that needs to be looked at closely because while the banks are complaining that because of risk and reserve requirements dictate high costs of lending, their profits are soaring higher and higher each year. People are also not happy when benefits and concessions are doled out in a less than even handed manner. People are not happy when too much resources end up in the hands of a few individuals. People are not happy when they see things that cause them to question the
transparency of government privatisations and the award of contracts. I n s u m m a r y, m o r a l prescriptions are made about the market. These moral prescriptions place limits on the need for greed. T h e market must be guided by more than just greed. It must also be guided by moral considerations. After all if there were no such considerations, then the survival of the fittest would mean the extinction of the weak. Without the weak, there will be no viability of the market. Therefore the very existence of t h e m a r k e t depends on injecting moral prescriptions. This issue of morals and markets was the central theme of last year’s Reith Lectures, which made some valuable points about the need to redesign markets to serve the best interests of society. Markets cannot be left to run on automatic pilot. They have to be remade to serve the interests not just of the rich but also of the poor who invariably represent the vast majority of society. But even if markets are unable to extricate themselves from class interests; if they are unable to break free of the vice of the bourgeoisie class, there is still a need for safeguards against the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. The dangerous concentration of wealth becomes, as mentioned yesterday, particularly acute in poor countries where there are small markets and competition for limited resources. And it is, particularly in these small economies that political patronage and connections can play a
Dem Boys Seh…
Too much holidays does cause hullabaloo A lot of de confusion over wat Prezzi talk is not of de man own making. It gat deeper roots and part of dat is dat we gat wan holiday which does observe two events – Arrival Day and Indian Arrival Day. So he gat in wan single message fuh talk about everybody and den at de same time talk about de events of May 5, 1838. Is dat cause de problem. He should ah do what Soulja Bai do. Have one day as Portuguese Arrival Day. One Day as Chinese Arrival Day. And May 5 as Indian Arrival Day. And August 1 as Emancipation Day and September 1 as Indigenous People’s Day. But nah ask me wah day we gan use fuh commemorate de Dutch, English, Scottish and French presence in
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Guyana. In dat way Prezzie gan gat fuh mek plenty message but he gan avoid any mix up. It mek dem boys remember a story about Albert Einstein de great scientist. He used to get invite to nuff conference. One day he was going to give a speech at a science convention and he noticed dat he driver resemble he. He tell de driver, “I’m sick of all these conferences. I always say the same things over and over!” De driver agree by saying: “You’re right. As your driver, I attended all of them and even though I don’t know anything about science, I could give the talk in your place.” “That’s a great idea!” Einstein tell he, “Let’s switch places then!” So dem switch place and
de driver, dress up and looking like Einstein, went on stage and start fuh give de usual speech, while de real Einstein, dress up as de car driver bin sitting in de audience. But in de crowd, it had wan scientist who bin want impress everyone. And he decided fuh ask Einstein wan very difficult question, hoping he won’t be able to respond. De guy stand up and interrupt de conference by posing he very difficult question. De whole room bin silent, holding dem breath, waiting for de response. De driver look at he, dead in de eye, and say: “Sir, your question is so easy that I’m going to let my driver explain it to you.” Talk half and see wat hullabaloo gan happen next.
decisive role in determining how wealth is accumulated and in whose hands the greatest share ends up. Thus it is to the politicians that the people must look to ensure that the appropriation
of wealth is not concentrated in the hands of a few. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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For Sale local made Aluminum fence and gate designing and amount free delivery Call 6662326
Drawing of Building or house plan (Architectual) and also Estimate Call 2160671, 692-8464, whatsapp 622-0267
2 year old 52 Banga boat with 452 lb sein 160hp and 140hp Yamaha Contact 649-1512 Pure breed german shepherd ( Black, Tan, Pure White) for sale. Contact 665-9140
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 6105846 or 661-8158
WANTED FOR RENT 3 and 2 bedroom apartment, newly renovated, at 266 New Market street Contact Prem 651-1630 Office space for rent furnished and unfurnished starting at $120,000 on Croal street Call 691-1564/ 6972167 Ransom (Concrete mixers), Scaffolding, Power washer, compactors, hire truck service etc, free delivery. Telephone: 610-5360. Email:dmdscaffolding@yahoo.com One bottom flat two bedroom Herstelling new scheme, $40,000 per month Tel#265-7435/ 647-1719 One bedroom apartment for working couple or single person $36,000 monthly light and water included Call 6388858 1 Cafeteria to rent 2748 old road Land of Canaan Tel#668-0306/ 676-0506 great for starting new business PROPERTY FOR SALE For sale by owner. Property located in Atlantic Gardens ( Public Road) E.C.D perfect for residential or commercial use Call 657-0902 for more details One unfinished house and business at Kaneville E.B.D price $10M. Contact 6997546, 600-4292
One family to work and live on farm on the Linden Highway attractive salary Contact 6239944 Security guard apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb street Bourda Farm workers in Timehri living accommodation provided Tel#661-1585/ 6172032 One female sales clerk Contact 225-2313/ 226-1497 Experience cashier, counter server, kitchen assistant, handy boys Apply @ Hacks Halaal 5 Commerce st Male factory worker apply in person at RP Enterprise area K' Leressouvnir E.C.D Tel#220-2818 1 kitchen staff. Tel#689-9278 Experience & able bodied cook responsible for preparing breakfast & lunch Contact 684-4508
The projects Minister Rodrigues outlined. Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, has outlined 21 Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) projects that she embarked on since taking office last August. This is in keeping with her plans to restructure GWI, expand water treatment and bring access to potable water to unserved communities countrywide. This publication had reached out to Minister Rodrigues regarding the number of GWI projects so far and the cost for each project. Kaieteur News later received a document titled, “Completed/Ongoing Projects and Signed Contracts from August 2020May 2021.” According to the aforementioned document; 15 of the 21 projects are completed; three are 50% and more completed; one to VACANCY Auto Electrical apprentice Age 19-25yrs apply in person Lot 120 forth street Albertown G/Town or Call 610-0340 Vacancy exist for labourer between age 18-30 interested person can make contact 6915777 or 694-8968
One clerk for Eccles office EnIn Parfaite Harmonie Eccles , glish & Mathematics, grade 1 Providence, farm, Zeelugt, or 2 Email application to Tuchen, Uivlugth, CI and else- techserigy@yahoo.com where Call 666-2326 Vacancy for a domestic experienced maid Call 645-5676 Female cleaner for office Call 642-9823 Male cleaner for workshop Call 642-9823 Vacancy exist for water delivery driver East Coast Maid to cook and clean for the Demerara. Tel#692-6768/ 676East Bank area Call 615-9132 1316 VACANCY
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues. commence later this month; one project is awaiting the recommencement of the drilling process while the first half of the final project expected to be completed later this month and the latter part is ongoing. Earlier this year, $4B was allocated to the Housing and Water Ministry to enhance wells and water supply systems across the country. The Ministry has since spent $688,074,077 of the allocated funds. The document shows that the most costly project so far is the $315M project for the installation of water meters for customers in Eccles, Friendship, Providence, Mon
Repos, Beterverwagting and Diamond. That contract was awarded in December 2020 but is still awaiting a shipment of materials to commence. The second most costly project is the replacement and relocation of transmission lines along Vlissengen Road, Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue. The document
highlights that the Vlissengen Road project costs approximately $100M, while the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue project costs approximately $16M along with funding from the Ministry of Public Works. Moreover, the cost for the other projects ranges from $800,000 to $94M.
Monday May 10, 2021
Man who robbed sleeping gold miner in hotel room released on $300,000 bail One of the suspects who was arrested by police for stealing from a gold miner while he was sleeping in his hotel room was on Friday released on $300,000 bail after he was charged with simple larceny. The defendant, Lenard Surrey of Bartica, made his first court appearance in the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate, Crystal Lambert, via zoom to answer to the charge. Surrey pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on May 3, last, at Sheriff Inn Hotel, Second Street,
Bartica, he committed simple larceny on 62-year-old Paulio DeJesus. He was placed on bail and the matter was adjourned to May 28, 2021 for trail. It was reported that on the night of May 2, DeJesus, a Brazilian national had checked into his room and later retired to bed. Sometime after 02:00 hrs. the following day, the man had reported to the police that he woke up, checked on his valuables and discovered that his passport, some documents, $300,000 in cash and 320 grams of raw gold
valuing some $3.2 million were all missing. According to the police reports, upon investigating, there was no sign of forced entry to the man’s room. Police sources had told Kaieteur News that they were able to capture one of the suspects who admitted that he stole from the man. That suspect, police sources said, claimed that he did not steal the amount of gold DeJesus said was missing. An investigation was launched and police are still in pursuit of the other suspect.
Linden woman raped, sodomised after attending wake Linden police are searching for a man who last Friday evening, reportedly raped and sodomised a Linden woman at the Bamia creek. The woman who is said to be in her twenties, reported the incident at the Amelia’s Ward Police Outpost where she detailed that after attending the wake of the late
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Shonette Dover (the young woman who was shot to the head and buried in her boyfriend’s back yard), she along with a friend, were driven by the perpetrator to Bamia, on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, where the acts were performed on her, without her consent. A relative of the
perpetrator was also an occupant of the car and allegedly witnessed the ordeal. Commander of Region 10, Hugh Winter, said the woman was then taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where a medical examination was conducted. Winter said that the perpetrator has been identified and he is a known character. Police are aggressively searching for him.
Convict remanded for attempting to kill cop, taxi-driver
Remanded to prison, Samuel Allen.
The taxi-driver, Troy Roberts.
Lance Corporal Bertland Scotland.
Brazilian miner and had the charge acquitted against him by a jury in 2019, was recently remanded to prison again, this time, for attempting to kill a taxi-driver and a police officer. Allen appeared before Magistrate, Dylon Bess, in the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court via zoom where he was slapped with two counts of attempted murder charges. He was not required to plead guilty to the charges, which alleges that on September 11, 2020, he attempted to kill 40-year-old Troy Roberts, a taxi-driver and on September 14, 2020, while resisting arrest he attempted to kill Lance Corporal Bertland Scotland. Both incidents reportedly took place in Port Kaituma,
Region One. Magistrate Bess remanded Allen to prison and the matter was adjourned to August 3, 2021. It was reported that on the night of September11, Roberts had to run for his life after he was stabbed to the neck in his car by Allen who was a passenger at the time. According to police reports Allen, along with a gold miner had joined Robert’s car late that afternoon to head to a location within the Port Kaituma community. While journeying on the Airstrip Road, Allen who was sitting in the back seat pulled out a knife and stabbed the 40-year-old man to his neck. Roberts immediately stopped his motorcar, jumped out and started running. Allen, reportedly move to
the driver seat and sped off with his accomplice, the gold miner, but later ended up crashing. Following this, he fled the scene leaving the gold miner behind. Roberts who was later rescued and the gold miner who was nabbed by police had to be air lifted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical treatment. Allen was on September 14, apprehended by police hiding out in a two-storey house right in the community. During his arrest, he reportedly attacked and stabbed Lance Corporal Bertland Scotland to the left hand, left eye, left hip, lower abdomen and left buttocks. Scotland too had to be air lifted to the GPHC for medical treatment.
Jamaica to introduce new housing City Mayor says lack of funds hampering municipality work policy KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of housing, urban renewal, environment and climate change, Pearnel Charles Jr., says the new comprehensive National Housing Policy, which will address Jamaica’s complex housing challenges, will soon be placed before parliament. The National Housing Policy was tabled in parliament as a Green Paper in 2019. Approval of this policy will mark the adoption of the first-ever comprehensive Housing Policy to govern the housing sector in the history of Jamaica. Minister Charles Jr., gave this update during his contribution to the 2021/22 sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 4. “For the first time, we will be able to say in this parliament that we have a comprehensive national housing policy that can address our complex housing challenges. This will be coupled with the necessary regulatory guidelines and operational procedures to introduce innovation and efficiency in our building designs and systems as we
Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Pearnel Charles Jr (right), and General Manager of the Jamaica Mortgage Bank, Courtney Wynter, (March 31). [Photo: Michael Sloley] move towards sustainability,” the minister said. “For too many Jamaicans, the safe, legal [and] affordable solutions that we seek are out of reach. As a government, we have a responsibility and we are focused on ensuring that we design the framework to provide the opportunities for our people to access affordable housing,” he
added. The minister reiterated that the Draft National Housing Policy being developed by chief technical director, Doreen Prendergast and her team, specifically seeks to address the issues relating to access to finance, improving the supply of housing options and enhancing affordability, while integrating climate resilience and sustainable building practices in how Jamaicans design and construct houses. “We are moving quickly to have this policy tabled as a White Paper before the end of this fiscal year. We are engaging all of Jamaica in this conversation. Last month, the ministry hosted a series of consultations under the theme ‘Let’s Talk Housing’. We engaged various stakeholders, including youth leaders, developers and mortgage institutions. The draft policy will include the information and recommendations from those consultations,” he pointed out. Through the leadership of prime minister, Andrew Holness, the government has built the most housing solutions in any term, with more than 20,000 solutions.
In light of recent criticism regarding the lack of work that is being done by the Georgetown municipality, City Mayor, Ubraj Narine, has come forward to clear the air as he stated that lack of funds to his municipality is hampering the work that needs to be done. In a letter shared with this publication, Mayor Narine highlighted several issues his municipality is facing. Some of the issues resulting from the lack of funds are the deplorable state of the Le Repentir cemetery; the halt of the municipal markets repairs; not being able to fog the city to protect against mosquitoes; not being able to repair walkways and bridges; the abattoir being without upgrades; the increase in garbage on the streets and flooding. The Mayor stated that unfortunately, the revenue generated from the collection of rates and taxes is not enough to address the foregoing issues. With this in mind, the Mayor called on the respective agencies to work with the Council to rectify the issues in order to achieve a glorious Garden City. The Mayor noted that in order to fulfill the mandate of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), citizens must intervene and raise
Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine. their concerns. Kaieteur News had reported that since October 2020, the Government has been withholding the City Mayor’s $75,000 stipend, while out-of-town Mayors confirmed that they have been receiving their stipend on a monthly basis.
Monday May 10, 2021
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...Hamilton wins Spanish Baylor freshman Ackera Nugent wins 100mh/100m double at Aggie Invitational GP ahead of Verstappen
Ackera Nugent
SportsMax - Baylor University’s Ackera Nugent continued her impressive freshman season on Saturday with a pair of wins at the Aggie Invitational at Bryan-College Station in Texas. Nugent, who turned 19, on April 29, won the 100m hurdles and 100m dash in a 30-minute span during another outstanding outing notwithstanding the windy conditions. The World U18 100m world-record holder eased to a comfortable victory in the hurdles in 12.95, a time aided by a generous wind of 3.4m/ s. She defeated the Texas A&M duo of Kaylah Robinson and Summer Thorpe, who clocked 13.05 and 13.15 for second and
Monday May 10, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Something you read today could have a dramatic effect on your life. Pay particular attention to dream psychology. You may find an explanation for a recurring dream. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you will likely be in the mood to nest with loved ones, Taurus. Encourage children and partner to stay home with you. Make some popcorn and pull out the board games. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today an article or TV show may set your mind spinning in the strangest directions. You could finally acknowledge your fascination with the occult, or perhaps discover an interest in dream interpretation. CANCER(June21–July22) If you've been thinking about writing a novel or taking up oil painting, today is the day to begin. No excuses. You have just as much talent as anyone else, so why not use it? LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You clean house like someone with an attention problem, Leo. You never stick with one task. Your bathroom mirrors and counters will get cleaned, but not the floor. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you may need to be more selfless, Virgo. You may moan about the obligations and expectations placed on you, but you do what's expected. Much to your surprise, you actually find that you get more out of the experience than you put into it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may receive a letter or phone call that spurs you into action. You might realize how close you are to reaching a long-term goal, and harness your energy for that final push to the finish line. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This may not be your preferred way to spend the day, but it would be an ideal time to finish up tasks that have been piling up at home. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're a dedicated soul to spend precious personal time doing household chores, but certain things need to get done. If you still haven't done all the laundry or read all the magazines, then tackle these first. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You're an avid reader. Today you may come across some ideas that inspire ideas of your own. Perhaps you read something gives you an idea for a short story. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You can expect to have a confusing encounter with a friend or colleague today, Aquarius. He or she may come to you for advice but hesitate to reveal the specifics of the problem. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You're feeling strong, energetic, and likely to be inspired to get some real work done around the house. Focus on the most mundane chores, such as reorganizing bookshelves etc.
third, respectively. Less than a half-hour after that win, Nugent raced to victory in the 100m in 11.21. She crossed the finish line well clear of Texas A&M’s Immanuela Aliu, who clocked 11.44, edging out Aniekeme Elim of William Carey, who was third in 11.45. Nugent’s winning time would have eclipsed the 11.25 facility record set by Arkansas’ Tiona Wilson that was established on April 10, but the wind of 4.2m/s rendered it illegal.
From page 20 finished outside the top five this season. Esteban Ocon in an Alpine and Pierre Gasly for Alpha Tauri took the final two points-paying positions. Health restrictions limited spectators for yesterday’s race to 1,000 local members of the circuit. There were 90,000 in attendance in 2019. “There are a thousand here, but we know there are hundreds of thousands watching from home and we hope we can have them back
soon,” said Fernando Alonso, who saluted those in attendance after the Spanish driver was honored. Alonso finished a disappointing 17th in his Alpine. The safety car went out once on lap seven when Yuki Tsunoda’s Alpha Tauri came to a stop on the edge of the track and had to be lifted off by a crane. Tsunoda was critical of his car on Saturday and later apologized for his remarks. Next up: The Monaco GP on May 23.
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Monday May 10, 2021
Hamilton wins Spanish GP ahead of Verstappen
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands takes a curve followed by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
MONTMELÓ, Spain (AP) — At least Max Verstappen made Mercedes work for the win. Verstappen got a great jump on Lewis Hamilton at the start of the Spanish Grand Prix to take an early lead over the seven-time world champion. But Mercedes stopped a Red Bull runaway by using strategy and fresh tires to push Hamilton to his 98th career victory yesterday. It was the third win in four races to start the season for Hamilton, who extended his lead to 14 points over Ve r s t a p p e n i n a championship fight already off to an intense start. Verstappen won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last month. “I am beginning to love this battle we are having,” Hamilton said. “Red Bull has started incredibly strong. With Max, they have a championship-winning car. We have to bring our A-game every week.” Mercedes outwitted Red Bull by using a two-stop strategy that helped Hamilton make it look easy: Verstappen led 54 of 66 laps and Hamilton still beat him by 15.8 seconds. Hamilton used a fresh set of tires to overcome a 22second gap and pass Verstappen with six laps remaining. He tied Michael Schumacher’s mark of six victories at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, including five straight. Ve r s t a p p e n w a s disheartened after leading 54 laps. But he said he didn’t have the pace that Hamilton had in the Mercedes once
Mercedes decided it would go with a two-stop strategy. Red Bull chose to make only one pit stop. “Of course we wanted to win but I cannot feel too disappointed as I did everything I could out there and maximized the opportunities,” Verstappen said. “Even if we had looked at another strategy and done a two stop and pitted before them, we wouldn’t have made the time up as they were just faster than us. “It was just a day where we lacked a bit of pace and second was the best result possible.” Hamilton started from the pole for the 100th time in his career but Verstappen pounced headed into the very first corner. He threw his Red Bull inside of the Mercedes and Hamilton had to back out to avoid contact and yield the lead to his rival. “As I went into turn one, I just gave Max as much space as I could. This is a race, not a sprint. I always have my mind on the long game,” Hamilton said. “As soon as I got past turn one, I switched into a different mode.” Ve r s t a p p e n w a s i n control of the race, but Hamilton never stopped stalking the Dutchman. Red Bull was committed to its strategy and so Mercedes did the opposite. When Verstappen pitted, Hamilton stayed on track. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had said before the race he expected to make just one pit stop, but as Verstappen led Hamilton around the circuit, Wolff must have changed his mind. Verstappen made the swap from softer tires for the
more durable mediums while Hamilton waited several laps before he made his stop. When Hamilton got back on track he radioed: “How far have I got to catch up?” “Twenty-two seconds. We’ve done it before,” was the reply. Mercedes was right. Verstappen was unable to put up a fight when Hamilton caught and passed him on the outside of a turn. “I was hunting,” Hamilton said. “It was a long way to come back from, 20odd seconds back. But it was a good gamble,” Hamilton said. Valtteri Bottas finished third to give Mercedes two drivers on the podium. But the Finn was again disappointed and at one point in the race was ordered by Mercedes not to slow Hamilton as his teammate was racing for the lead. Bottas said after he didn’t immediately slow for Hamilton. “I was doing my own race as well,” Bottas said. “They told me not to hold him up too much, but like I say, I was doing my own race and I’m not here to let people by, I’m here to race, so that’s how it goes.” Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari while Sergio Pérez came from eighth to finish fifth in the second Red Bull. Daniel Ricciardo was sixth for McLaren in his strongest race of the season. Carlos Sainz was seventh in the other Ferrari, followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris – the first time Norris has (Continued on page 19)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Lars Baron/Pool via AP)
Kaieteur News
Monday May 10, 2021
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Derby winner Medina Spirit tests positive for regulated drug, trainer Bob Baffert says he’ll fight it Yahoo Sports - Medina Spirit, the Bob Bafferttrained horse that won the 2021 Kentucky Derby, has tested positive for a regulated drug, betamethasone, and his Derby win could be in jeopardy. Baffert revealed the positive test at an impromptu news conference at Churchill Downs yesterday morning, calling it “the biggest gut punch in racing.” Betamethasone is a Class C anti-inflammatory, and while it’s not banned, it’s regulated: a horse must be off the drug within 14 days of racing. Medina Spirit tested for more than twice the allowed amount. Baffert claims innocence, vows to fight B a ff e r t c o n t i n u a l l y claimed during the news conference that no one on his
team gave Medina Spirit the drug. He said that he’ll be fighting the test and will be sending Medina Spirit to the Preakness, which is being run in less than a week. However, Baffert heavily implied that he believes he’s being set up or targeted — by who or what he wouldn’t say. Medina Spirit is the only horse that ran the Derby to test positive, which he implied was suspicious. Baffert also said that he “doesn’t feel safe to train” knowing something like this could happen. In a statement, Churchill Downs acknowledged the positive test and confirmed that Baffert intends to request a test of a split sample, which is when the horse’s blood sample is sent to an independent lab and tested more extensively. The statement also laid out the
consequences should Medina Spirit’s test results be confirmed: the win will be invalidated and second place finisher Mandaloun will be declared the winner. Additionally, Churchill Downs has suspended Baffert from entering any horses at the track. If the split sample results come back positive, Churchill Downs will be “taking further steps.” Not the first positive betamethasone test for Baffert This is the second time in seven months that a Baffert horse has tested positive for betamethasone. Gamine tested positive for the same substance in Oct. 2020. Baffert offered an explanation for that and didn’t deny that Gamine had been administered the drug. Baffert also mentioned
Fitness Express spots GBBFF for Mr. Linden bodybuilding C/ships
R
ecently, Jamie McDonald; o w n e r o f Guyana’s leading gym equipment and supplement supplier, Fitness Express, presented a sponsorship cheque to President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Keavon Bess. The sponsorship will go towards the hosting of this year’s Novices and Mr.
Linden Bodybuilding Fitness Championships scheduled for Lichas Hall on May 29. Following the handing over ceremony at the Sheriff Street establishment, Bess thanked McDonald for being a continued benefactor of the sport and some of its elite athletes. The first bodybuilding and fitness competition for 2021 will be streamed live
on all major social media platforms. Amid the pandemic, this year’s event is to celebrate life, health and fitness whilst promoting a healthy lifestyle and healthy living. On the night of the competition there will be about 25 athletes competing in the three different segments of competition, Bodybuilding, Bikini and Men’s Physique.
Arrival Day Softball Cup postponed due to inclement weather
T
h e o rg a n i s e r s have postponed the K and P Pharmacy and Diagnostic Centre Arrival Day softball cup due to inclement weather. The tournament which was scheduled to be held on May 5 at Canje will be contested when weather permits. The competition will be hosted in collaboration with We C a r e C o m m u n i t y Services and Promotions and Grill Masters Softball Team of East Canje Berbice.
According to the organizers the one day limited overs knock-out competition will be played under strict covid guidelines and spectators will not be allowed in the venue. The organizers said that the day’s event is put together to commemorate Arrival Day in Guyana. The competition will be played by a limited amount of teams and they will be vying for trophies and cash incentives. This inaugural Arrival Softball Cricket Cup will be
played by mostly youths and several businesses in the New Amsterdam area have already thrown their support towards the competition. They are Office Express, Hanoman’s Dental, Mr. Murselene Bacchus SC, attorney at law, Raja Extreme Trucking Service, Ishwar Singh (GuyBiz) and F u r n i t u r e Wo r l d a n d Terminate Pest Control. Interested teams can register through 647-7507. Teams will be accepted on first come basis.
Justify, the horse he trained that won the Triple Crown in 2018. Justify tested positive for a regulated substance before he ran the Kentucky Derby, though it wasn’t
announced until later. The positive test was blamed on contaminated feed and dismissed, and it didn’t affect Justify’s eligibility. Baffert used that positive
test to again cast himself as the victim of some larger conspiracy, saying “It just seems odd, why am I the only trainer with these positives?”
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Monday May 10, 2021
Kaieteur News
Monday May 10, 2021
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Brian Ramphal /BCB Mother of the Year 2021 Award
Bibi Farida Shaw honored as Mother of the Year - Foster stresses the importance of parents in the development of youth cricketers
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he Berbice Cricket Board on Friday last honored Ms Bibi Farida Shaw of No 72 Village, Upper Corentyne as its Brian Ramphal Mother of the Year Awardee for 2021. Ms Shaw, a mother of two cricketers was selected based on her support of cricket in the area and also for the role she is playing in the career of her two sons, Seiraj and Devanand Chatterpal. BCB President Hilbert Foster and Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu visited Ms Shaw at her residence to honour her in the presence of the Treasurer of the Upper Corentyne Cricket A s s o c i a t i o n Vi c t o r Thakurdeen and her children. Foster stated that since the election of his elder brother Keith to the presidency of the BCB in 2009, the board has honored mothers and fathers of cricketers. The main reason, the BCB President stated was to recognise the important role that parents play in the lives of their children. He stated that all players usually joins cricket clubs at about eleven years old and as such, parents are usually their first role model, teacher and coach. The BCB boss stated it was at home that the virtues of discipline are instilled. He noted that in Berbice,
BCB Mother of the Year Bibi Shaw along with BCB PRO Simon Naidu, UCCA Treasurer Victor Thakurdeen and others present at the presentation. most mothers are housewives and as such are the parent who has regular contact with children in the home. The Guyana Cricket B o a r d Vi c e P r e s i d e n t congratulated Ms Shaw on her achievement and urged her to uphold her high standard as a parent and to continue her support of the game. Foster also hailed the outstanding work of Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and described it as the best organised subassociation in Guyana. M r. T h a k u r d e e n ,
speaking on behalf of the UCCA, congratulated Ms Shaw and urged other mothers to follow in her footsteps. He stated that her support for activities of the UCCA is unmatched by any parent in the area and she was always available to assist. Thakurdeen expressed thanks to the BCB for its outstanding stewardship of cricket in the ancient county. An emotional Shaw stated that she felt very humbled to be honoured and pledged that she would continue to
Hetmyer must take some responsibility
- mercurial talent partly at fault for missing out on CWI retainer
SportsMax - At his best, the fluid stroke play of Shimron Hetmyer typifies everything we love about West Indies cricket, but should any of us truly be surprised that he has not been offered an international retainer contract? If the contracts were offered on talent alone then Hetmyer would always be close to the front of the lineup. When it comes to recent performances, however, things are not so clear-cut. In Test cricket, where he has not played for the team since 2019, he averages 27.93 having played 16 matches. In One Day International cricket, where he last played in January of last year, he averages 36.66.
Shimron Hetmyer In T20 international cricket, he averages 18.95 with a strike rate of 116.97. A quick analysis of the above will tell you that except for T20I cricket, where he last played in November, Hetmyer will have missed the majority of Test and ODI matches the
team played over the last year. In addition, during the period, the player has failed not one, but two fitness tests. The first ahead of the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka last year and the second this year when Sri Lanka toured the Caribbean. In both cases, he missed out on selection due to falling below a wellestablished fitness requirement. As such, with all that has been stated above, it is not hard to imagine Cricket West Indies deciding the player has not done enough to merit a retainer. He must surely take some responsibility, in at least some respects, for the way he is grooming and developing his own talent.
support her two sons and the UCCA. Ms Shaw received a Plaque, Medal of
Excellence, Framed Certificate of Excellence and several special gifts. The programme was sponsored
by overseas based Guyanese businessman Brian Ramphal, a long time sponsor of Berbice Cricket.