Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The woes of the Integrity Commission

T

he list is out there in the public domain. At seventy-plus strong, it does not give any comfort from the last such exposure exercise. The gentle reminders style so prevalent in this country is not gaining much traction, or individual mileage as to bringing in their papers. If the US Consulate had such documentation and fulfillment issues, this nation would have a population of over two million today. Everybody is staying put. And that is precisely what has been manifested in the senior bureaucratic ranks in some areas of the public sector: people staying put. The word and attitude appear to be: Stop bothering. Cease and desist from embarrassing folks wishing to be left alone.This is tantamount to premeditated harassment, intimidation of the first order and capricious in nature. Do something about it because nothing doing on this side. To the law-abiding: shades of the outlaw don’t apply to me. Besides thumbing nose, raising that finger and shaking head in refusal, senior people are looking for sturdy pillars from behind which to find the bodily relief of a little time, a little space. Cumulatively, this amounts to more than that: it furnishes evidence of stellar disregard not only for the Integrity Commission, but for the call towards clean behaviour leading to cleaner stewardship and governance. What could be the problem on something that is so sensitive as to have implications? As to actual noncompliance and now the appearance and word (repeated) of failing to deliver? And why still after it is made public? It could be those plentiful Guyanese instances of men and women having so much that it takes an inordinate-and underappreciated-length of time to gather documents (and wits), to arrange memory (and caution) as to what is owned and involved, and which must now be put down on paper. The rest who have less do not have that limb on which to climb. It will not hold long. Even as that limb bows and prepares to crack, it creaks loudly and suspiciously. Judgment without the rush. Three-quarters of a century of bureaucratic seniors, the officially embarrassingly tardy, the state appointed stonewalling is a hard number to fathom, a terrible number to pardon and cut some slack, any slack. They may be busy and overwhelmed with the demands of a demanding state; so is everybody else, all those who ponied up. Neatly. Early. Does not look good. Smells worse. There are some very sensitive absentees in that list of not quite foes of the state, but not friendly to its strategies and plans either. No subtitles should be needed as to the crucial nature of incorruptibility and the appearance of that elusive standard in some of the positions and places identified; too glaring to be left alone for much longer. It is not unreasonable to wonder as to the value of any submissions at this belated stage of the game. Except that this was never meant to be a game, but all earnestness. Tell that to defaulters. Again. The hypercritical public would be justified in assigning the worse possible motives to these examples of studiously ignoring, clinically distancing. Not delivering. There should be no argument from the ranks of the noncompliant when all manner of conjectures arises as to calculated visions, as assisted by calculated actions, and characterized by calculated rejections. Silent protest; foot dragging; all of this subject the work and office of the Integrity Commission to contempt and, the objectives of those who made it happen. After so much lost time, disclosure may not mean much. Diluted and drained of possibly incriminating pus. There it is: compliance. What next? Ball and chain? More public flogging? Some may posit that it is draconian. It isn’t. It is pale and mild and timid.

Maybe SARA should first “clean up” its own act DEAR EDITOR, Several media houses reported that “SARA was awaiting additional information from Teixeira on signing bonus complaint” or similar such words. All reported that this emanated from the Deputy Director of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), Mr. HeathRetmeyer. For the record, I wrote three letters to the Director of SARA, Dr. Clive Thomas, in 2018. I have had no dealing with the Deputy Director. In the first dated April 16th 2018 l called on SARA to investigate a number of cases which I chronicled with regards to corruption, breach of the procurement laws and wastage of taxpayers monies and state resources:1. The Ministry of Public Health $620M purchase of drugs and medical supplies without any recourse to the procurement process; 2. The Ministry of Public Health contract for the rental of the Sussex Street House as a Pharmacy Bond without resort to any procurement process; 3. The construction of the Jubilee D’Urban Park facilities costing over $2Billion with no resort to public procurement. (The Auditor General to date cannot access required documents); 4. The pre-feasibility study of a New Demerara Harbour Bridge in violation of the procurement laws ( this matter was sent to the PPC and its report was sent to S.O.C.U. by me to bring criminal charges against the subject Minister and a copy shared with SARA); 5.The Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement with Exxon in 2016; 6.The $18M USD Signature Bonus deposited in

an interest bearing foreign currency account in the Bank of Guyana and not deposited in the Consolidated Fund as required by the constitution nor reflected in the country’s revenue; 7. Breaches of the FMAA identified in the 2016 Auditor General Report I received a reply from the Director of SARA, Dr. Thomas on April 19th 2018 in which he acknowledged “receipt of the complaints in your letter. SARA does not and cannot initiate investigations without first receiving a complaint such as yours....” I then responded in a 5page letter dated April 21st 2018, in which I made additional complaints which “fall squarely in your remit:1.The acquisition of a house and land in Bel Air Gardens, then state owned, below market value at that time and with no recourse to any procurement process by the former Minister of Finance of the PNC government and now 2nd Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Carl Greenidge of the APNUAFC Coalition. . 2. The PPP/C government responded to the Burnham family’s request for land and issued 5 acres of prime land in Georgetown at no costs to former Vice President and First Lady Mrs. Viola Burnham and widow of President Forbes Burnham in D’Urban Backlands. 3.The acquisition of a huge tract of land to the P e o p l e ’s National Congress for their party headquarters, Congress Place, in Sophia, at no cost and where sections have been sold over the years at market value and for profit, the most recent sale took place after the 2015 general and regional elections. ….” “As such, l am now

formally laying my complaint with reference to the cases regarding corruption, abuse in public office and violation of the constitution, Procurement Act, and financial laws listed in my letter dated April 16, 2018 and those listed above and call on SARA to investigate them. …. The most egregious case relates to the sale of our national patrimony in oil and natural gas well below what is observed internationally and “relatively favorable to investors by international standards,” as stated in the IMF report prepared for Guyanese officials. Follow the trail Dr Thomas, you will find the answers and the accounts of those who benefitted….. In closing l note your statement that “ the goal is to repel procurement fraud, stolen s t a te assets, corruption so that Guyanese of all walks of life can be assured their roads, national patrimony, gold and other state assets are used for the betterment of all Guyanese”. In other words all the cases l brought to your attention in my first letter and this follow up fall into that stated goal.” On June 5th 2018, Dr. Thomas responded to my April 16th, 2018 letter in which he listed 6 of the 7 cases l referred to excluding the $18M USD signature bonus requesting that “any evidence which you might have in relation to any unlawful conduct in this matter be forwarded to us to aid in our consideration and investigation.” I then responded on June 15th 2018, to Dr. Thomas advising that the information I referred to in my letters were all publicly available. Further l then advised Dr. Thomas where he could find the

information with regards to each case. That was the last I heard from the Director of SARA, Dr. Thomas, or, any one from SARA, until l saw Mr. HeathRetmeyer’s comment. What information is SARA waiting on with regards to the US$18M signature bonus? The letter from the Ministry of Finance to the Bank of Guyana advising it to deposit the US$18M in an interest bearing foreign currency account was published in the media in December 2017, a year after the government received the money. The US$18M has to date not been deposited in the Consolidated Fund, despite the matter being raised in National Assembly on several occasions and in the media on numerous occasions. Is SARA living in a bubble? An expensive bubble for the Guyanese taxpayers with budgetary provisions of $260M in 2018 and $285M in 2019, yet the Deputy Director wants to give the public the impression that SARA cannot investigate unless I, the complainant, provide more information on the US$18M ? This is his response on a serious violation of the Constitution?! What a pathetic whimper from SARA! Maybe SARA should first “clean up” its own act. The Act was assented to on May 4, 2017, more than two years ago, yet a Director has not been appointed and approved by the National Assembly within the 4 months of the commencement of the Act. Or, does SARA need a complaint to be filed and additional information on this matter too? Sincerely Gail Teixeira

DEAR EDITOR, As Guyana awaits the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice on the NoConfidence motion, it is prudent to consider the potential outcomes. Based on common sense alone, and in the face of the comprehensive assessment and ruling of the Chief Justice on the matter, we can expect the CCJ to confirm the No Confidence motion as valid. Granting the remote possibility of a decision in favor of the coalition, we can safely say we have another 12 months until the next general elections. Given that elections can be called before the end of the year as a consequence of the

CCJ’s decision upholding the no-confidence motion, as Guyana considers its future for the next 20 years, are we satisfied with what we can expect from government under the PPP with Mr. Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali at the helm, or the coalition administration? Factoring Granger’s health into the analysis, and this is something we must consider, what can we expect from any potential leader within the coalition? (Who will assume leadership of the PNC? What can we expect from him/her?) Is there anyone within the coalition in whom we can place confidence as a national leader? Who within the

coalition has demonstrated a national vision to which all Guyanese can appeal? Seriously, what does the coalition have to offer Guyanese as a president after Granger? Even if some of us consider that administration under Mr. Jagdeo and his team (Mr. Irfaan Ali will clearly not be the leader of his administration) has no real attraction, can we seriously expect a victory from the coalition? Additionally, given that it is seen by some that the PNC considers itself the ‘protector ’ of African Guyanese against what was previously experienced under the PPP, and in light of its own

penchant for unfairness at national elections, have we seriously considered such an outcome? What would be our response? These are some serious questions we need to consider and actively respond to. Where are the soldiers among us who are willing to stand up for other Guyanese against the bad government we are sure to expect from either the PPP under Mr. Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali, or the Coalition? It is easier to offer an alternative to their bad policies now than after national elections. Yours Faithfully, Craig Sylvester, Democratic National Congress

Is Guyana ready to embrace its future?

The unemployed youths of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is on the cusp of a sizable increase in its wealth from the extraction of oil. Although the estimates keep changing, what is evident is that the country will become materially rich. Hence, there is much discussion about preparing the country for this newfound wealth by ensuring that Guyanese are gainfully employed not only in the oil sector but in all sectors that are vital to the country’s development. My concern, however, is about many of Guyana’s youths. In particular, those youths who are not gainfully employed, who lack the education, training, skills and the self-discipline necessary to contribute. I am especially worried about those brazen, marauding gangs of young men who prey on people

every day. A few weeks ago, I mourned the loss of a friend and neighbour, Mr. Clairmont Telesford, who was robbed and killed just outside his business. Unfortunately, this ghastly act is not an isolated incident. There are many more victims. Our country must address this problem by giving youths the skills and discipline to positively contribute to our society. I was pleased to learn about the visit of the Honourable Minister Simona Broomes to the Timehri Prison where she offered hope and support to the inmates and encouraged them to become better young men. A practical approach is now needed to assist them while in prison and when they leave prison. In other words,

there should be attempts made to rehabilitate them. For example, they should be allowed to complete their secondary school education, they should be provided with vocational training in areas that will make them productive citizens. After paying their debt to society, I hope that we will accept them back into our society. Let us not forget these youths or create a revolving door where they are in and out of prison. As Guyana ushers in its newfound bright and rosy future, I hope that its citizens will be able to sleep comfortably at night, walk peacefully on the streets, and feel free to start and grow their businesses without fear of being robbed and killed. Sincerely, Donna Morrison

It is interesting to see how events will unfold in the upcoming period DEAR EDITOR, The APNU-AFC government has recently completed four years in office. Despite attempts by the government to chalk up its achievements, the fact of the matter is that the administration’s balance sheet is far from impressive. There are no major projects initiated by this administration since it took office. Most of the big projects such as the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the construction of the East Coast Demerara four-lane road and the projected construction of the bypass road from Ogle to Diamond, were projects initiated by the previous PPP/C government. Its major failing is in the

area of constitutional reform and its inability to take measures to foster national reconciliation. The Ministry of Social Cohesion has turned out be a waste of taxpayers’ money, as the country has been even more polarized along political and ethnic lines. From a governance perspective, this administration will go down in history as the first to be defeated by a no-confidence vote in Parliament, even though the matter is still to be definitively pronounced on by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The writing however is on the wall. Without trying to preempt the ruling of the CCJ, it is difficult to see how the administration can survive its full term in

office without trampling on the Constitution and the democratic principles enshrined therein. The Guyanese people are keenly looking forward to the ruling by the CCJ on the noconfidence motion and the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. Whatever the ruling, the political and constitutional landscape in this country will not be the same. Several Ministers and Members of Parliament were forced to resign from Parliament as a consequence of a ruling by the Chief Justice on the issue of dual citizenship. It is interesting to see how events will unfold in the upcoming period. Hydar Ally

THIS INCREASE SHOULD HAVE BEEN APPLICABLE TO ALL OF US DEAR EDITOR, Earlier in the year when the announcement was made by the National Insurance Scheme (N.I.S.) that pensioners receiving $30,000 monthly would have received a further $2,000 as from January 2019 on their monthly pension, it was reasonable to assume that this increase was going to be across the board calculated based on percentage. Like what has been done as regards the workers, the higher your salary, the less you get percentage wise. But from all indications and from information, those of us that are above the minimum pension rate are not going to get an increase on our pensions.

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While it did not escape my attention of the good work the Social Services Ministry is doing, by increasing the Old Age Pension, and Public Assistance over the last four years, when you compare with the increase given by the former administration, I am yet disappointed that all N.I.S. Pensioners were not given an increase. Remember that those of us who are far above the minimum level had to make more sacrifices by contributing more than those who are now at that lower level, whether we were selfemployed or employed by the state or the private sector. Most of us would have even requested that during our last five years we paid more to the N.I.S. with one

thing primarily in mind - that is, our pension would be at a certain level. While I feel that my fellow pensioners at the lowest level deserve the increase, it should have been applicable to all of us. Archie W. Cordis N.I.S. Pensioner

A deep sense of shame DEAR EDITOR, As the days pass, and the advocates and adversaries labour before the regional consuls of the law, all Guyanese should feel a deep sense of shame and pain. I do. Regardless of political affiliation or tribal identification, the remaining clear thinking, right thinking, and any kind of thinking Guyanese should shudder at how this nation is exposed in all of its political frailties, its intellectual perfidies, and its social barbarities. Neighbours, competitors, foes, and observers are having a field day; a long interval of awe and disbelief as to how backward, how limited, and how insignificant in character those people (Guyanese) must be. Starting with the tribunes in the CCJ, there has to be shaking of heads, and asking of selves: in this day and age, can any set of people be this left behind? Is there any equivalent of the tortured Guyanese nation-citizens, leaders, professional class, and thinking class - that is this far gone? This hopeless? I do not think so. For in the slurry of arguments, questions and postures, the scarred, bleeding nakedness, the wretched details of the dreadful nature of this country is bared before all, for they themselves to recoil in scorn at the utter senselessness of Guyana. It is where rudimentary issues of counting rise to the torture of illiterates wrestling with the demands of advanced rocketry; where domestic political consulting and converging for a marriage of minds is escalated to others supposedly wiser and more trusted; and where definitions and lists that impose different tyrannies and fears to different segments are so routinely lateraled to the judgment of nine recognized as saner and more sober.

Here is a magnificent nine removed from the putrid racial politics of Guyana appealed to, paid homage to, surrendered to in abandonment of the mental and spiritual faculties granted to Guyanese leaders, Guyanese voters, and Guyanese jurists. Nine strangers are asked to do what this country cannot do, adamantly refuses to do: to vote. To lay down the law to these warring children. Nine must vote for a society so handicapped in integrity, so destitute in reciprocal trust that it runs shamelessly before others for the wisdom of their charity, their judicial handouts. It is one thing for people who, when by force of circumstances, are hurt and weak, fall short; it is altogether another thing, an unpardonable one, for any people to be so stubbornly, chronically dumb. To never learn. To refuse to grow. To trample upon its dreams, its potentials, its opportunities. Because if a society is so paralyzed that it cannot appreciate nor address those fundamentals placed before the CCJ then how can it have a candle of a hope to manage, capitalize, and utilize constructively its natural blessings? To rise out of the stench-filled gutters of its terminal sicknesses? Editor, that is the rawness of Guyana’s shallowness indeed, its bottomless emptiness -that is on full humiliating exhibition before a perplexed and incredulous CCJ, before a condescending diplomatic world, and before the whole world as to the pathetic straits of a lost people. On a personal note, this is the ultimate wounding. It is abdication and betrayal of

pride and dignity, and palpable indication of the infantilism and retardations of this country. In many respects, it is still a colony in its mind, its outlooks. To crown all of this off, most Guyanese observe the proceedings before the CCJ and take in stride. They go about their business, and embrace what humiliates and tarnishes every Guyanese, as if it is the most ordinary matter in the world. That Guyana is due the alms; like the homeless and hopeless, who sometimes aggressively make demands. The mentality is that it is the way it should be; and through the morbid fascinations with the outcomes of the CCJ, as if there is absolute ignorance that what has been sent there represents an autopsy of country and society; a post mortem on a Guyana paralyzed from birth, and in creole: people who head ain’ good. At this rate, outsiders will have to be summoned to help count ballots. Maybe even make that ‘X’ for Guyanese, too. To the national shame, to my own disgust, Guyanese reject the wisdom of the Chinese and insist on prostration before others to beg for fish (decisions); there is identical rejection and insistence on learning how to fish for self. Kowtowing shamelessly before others bears no stigma, brings no anathema. It is the ultimate in abject dependency. I cringe. Sincerely, GHK Lall

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The GTU must lead efforts to change the direction of our cultural evolution DEAR EDITOR, Although the public education sector has been awarded significantly increased budget allocations within recent years, the sector continues to underperform. As the years go by there are increasing numbers of school dropouts, violent incidents, teenage pregnancies, bullying, student suicides, drug abuse, teenage crime, and lawlessness. This evolving culture ought not to surprise us, as what we are witnessing is in reality a reflection or microcosm of what is taking place in the wider society. Of all the stakeholders involved in the delivery of education in the public sector, I am of the opinion that the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), whose motto is: “We mould the nation”, is in the best position to assist this nation to change the direction of our cultural evolution by doing much more than it

has to develop the teaching profession. Great teachers are the most critical input in any effort aimed at transforming our school system into a quality education system. And, a quality education system is the most powerful weapon at our disposal that can help to fully emancipate us, and to achieve cultural transformation. A major development in the delivery of public education in Guyana took place in1976 when all schools were nationalized, and all fees from the nursery to the tertiary levels abolished. This act by the Government of the day heralded the era of mass education in Guyana. To say that this era was pregnant with a host of new and unfamiliar professional and social issues would have been a gross understatement. It is probable that the most challenging issue was the fact that hordes of children from a vast variety of

backgrounds, and unprepared for learning in middle class institutions, were about to be absorbed by the public school system. Teachers in the public schools at that period were predominantly of middle class background, and very few, if any, of them were prepared to deal with the issue of mass education. One would have thought that given the context of a newly independent underdeveloped nation, the GTU – the only officially recognized union of public school educators – would have been in the vanguard of institutions endeavouring to become development oriented in their modus operandi so as to give added impetus to Guyana’s development thrusts. After the establishment of mass education, it had soon become evident that new types of professionals with greater repertoires of experiences and competencies were needed in the classrooms of the public schools.

This situation, most surely, had serious implications for the several aspects (recruitment, education and training, remuneration, etc.), of the teaching profession. Teaching in today’s classrooms has become more challenging and complex. On one hand there are the knowledge and literacy explosions, which mean that there is much more to learn. On the other hand there have been tremendous strides in information technology which has spawned the internet, and several social media networks, all of which compete with schools for the attention, and minds of students. In addition, schools and teachers no longer have the support of the kind of parenting that was available when the student clientele was restricted to middle class families. Further, many institutions within the wider society that assisted in the upbringing of youth have lost their influence, or no longer exist. The widespread expectation of society now is that schools will fill this void, I am confident that the GTU is very aware of: a) the new non-traditional professional and social responsibilities that confront our teachers; b) the expectations of the wider society as far as the purposes of schools are concerned; c) that existing (inherited) school systems do not serve the Caribbean well; and, d) the challenges of building a Guyanese nation of one people with a common des-

tiny. Most politicians and bureaucrats, usually, are not very knowledgeable about the processes of education. I therefore, urge the GTU, a union of educators, to rise to the challenge of actualizing its motto (let it come alive!), and to lead the charge to change the direction of our cultural evolution. Time is not on our side. It must leave no stone unturned in its efforts to improve the image and effectiveness of the teaching profession in Guyana. It must work collaboratively and cooperatively with the Ministry of Education, the Faculty of Education, University of Guyana, the Cyril Potter College of Education, and Civil Society to raise the standards throughout all aspects of the teaching profession, and to reorganize education practice in Guyana If we are serious about changing the direction of our cultural evolution, and of achieving the goal of one people with a common destiny, then the various crises with which Guyana is confronted demand a minimum of at least five crucial initiatives in the education sector. They are: 1) Policies to attract a higher caliber of female and male candidates (future role models), to the teaching profession; 2) Teachers must now benefit from a university education that is holistic. In addition to a major emphasis on

Developmental Psychology, the program must be ecological (emphasizes the interconnectedness of things – how people relate to one another, and to natural systems), generative (reproduces itself through social interaction – especially adult/youth contacts and relationships), and transformational (engenders a sustainable view of the world); 3) Current policies and practices that reinforce inequalities must be abolished. Sponsored mobility must be replaced by contest mobility. All students and teachers must experience success at school, and enjoy better mental health; 4) An Intermediate level should be established so as to offer some protection to pre-, and younger teens from the vices of older teens; and, 5) The school population particularly in underserved and underprivileged areas (Education Priority Areas), should be limited to approximately 300, and 480 students at the Primary and Secondary Levels respectively, and class sizes to 15 students, so as to permit frequent interaction between adult role models and students. We must accept: 1) that no education system can be better than the quality of its teachers; and, 2) that the quality of the education system is a reflection of the quality of the society to which it belongs. Yours truly, Clarence O. Perry

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CJIA renovation adds another $122M for parking lot F

our key facilities were omitted from the original US$150M design for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) by the Jagdeoled People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 2011.

One of those, the parking lot, is estimated by an engineer attached to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to cost Guyana $122,166,075. During yesterday’s opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Ad-

ministration Board, 10 contractors cast bids. The highest of those is from S&K Construction, Consulting Services & General Supplies ($178,742,600), while the lowest came from XL Engineering ($72,765,650).

The current parking lot

Apart from that, there is an office area for airlines, a cargo facility and a commercial centre awaiting bids. They are yet to be priced. Last week, Opposition

Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, accepted some of the blame for the omission of those key airport facilities, claiming that the idea was to give local contractors the opportunity to

benefit. He said, however, that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) isn’t to blame at this point for what it left out of the plan, when the government

didn’t even achieve the construction of the facilities that were on the plan. The plan that was passed from the PPP to the Coalition Government in 2015 included a brand new terminal and eight air bridges, among other things. The Coalition Government claimed an assessment found that seven percent of the project was completed, and that there were claims for US$90M, when it took office in 2015. It claimed it found major problems and that major changes needed to be made.

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 a n d t h e f a n c y, e n e rg y – saving glass roof that CHEC promised is now zinc sheets. Both the Opposition and the current government have given less than forthcoming explanations about the parts

they played in the botching of this project, and have resorted to blaming each other for various aspects of it. Contractors have come forward saying that what the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company, did could have been done for US$5M. How US$150M was spent on this project, is yet to be justified. Both designs, original and modified, are yet to see the light of day. And Jagdeo has said that it’s doubtful Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, would ever release them.

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Local musical composer found not guilty of rape

A local musical composer is counting his lucky stars. He was acquitted of a rape charge at the High Court yesterday. Cliff Semple was found not guilty of rape by a mixed 12-member jury at the Sexual Offences Court of the Georgetown High Court. He had been charged with rape of a female on August 9, 2016. Semple had pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was represented by Attorney- at law, Adrian Thompson. The case against him was presented by a team of State Attorneys including Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Tiffany Lyken. However, after deliberating on the evidence presented in the case, the mixed panel returned to the courtroom with a unanimous verdict of not guilty. Justice Brassington Reynolds, who presided over the case, had a few choice words for the accused before setting him free. The Judge noted that although the jury has pronounced a verdict, only God knows what really took place in August 2016. “And he will judge us all in the fullness of time… You should nonetheless count your lucky stars. You came very close to a sentence of life imprisonment. You should live now to please your [Creator] whosoever you perceive him to be.” Justice Reynolds advised the man further to live a life which serves his community and

Cliff Semple family. The Judge also lobbied for the complainant in the case to receive some form of counseling and help. The court was previously informed that Semple composed music with his daughter—he was credited for lyrics to the song surrounding the ‘Pope London’ scandal. The judge also advised Semple to place thought in his music as an artiste.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Lawyers granted time to file submissions in Irfaan Ali Pradoville matter The parties involved in the case for which People’s Progressive Party, Civic (PPP/ C) Presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, was charged for the sale of lands, have been given more time to file responses in the matter filed to challenge the charges against him. The High Court hearing into the matter continued yesterday. However after a brief closed door hearing the matter was adjourned to May 29, 2019. Following the hearing, lead Attorney for Ali‘s legal team, Anil Nandlall, explained that the State was expected to serve their respective submissions. “However, the Commissioner of Police and Chief Magistrate served their submission late. So because of that, we have been granted more time to respond to their submissions.” Nandlall said that the submission will be filed and the matter will come up for oral arguments on May 29 at 9:15 hours. Ali, of Lot 38 Saray, Leonora, West Coast Demerara, was hauled before the court where he was slapped with 19 fraud charges. He had been accused of defrauding Government of over $174 M, by selling several plots of State lands, below the market value, to former ministers of the then PPP/C government. The charges against Ali stated that between the period 2011 and 2015, he conspired with persons unknown to defraud the Government, when he acted recklessly by selling19 plots of State Lands at Plantation Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast

Demerara. The lands which were sold for a mere $39.8M, are valued at $212.4M, according to SOCU. Ali is accused of ‘greatly underselling’ the 19 plots of State Lands to former President Bharrat Jagdeo, former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon; Luncheon’s wife, Floreen Ramnauth; and former ministers Priya Manickchand, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Robert Persaud and Clement Rohee; Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack; former army chief-of-staff Gary Best, and Fortune Developers Inc. Guyana. Ali is also accused of selling lands to former General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board and daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, Lisaveta Ramotar; former President of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo; and the son of former Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul, Dr. Ghansham Singh; former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer, Rajendra Singh; and former president of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Compton Bourne.He is also accused of selling lands to Former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission Safraaz Khan; former CEO of Guyana Water Inc, Shaik Baksh; along with George Halla and Dave Narine. After the charges were read, Attorney Kissoon, petitioning for his client, requested for Ali to be released on his own recognizance, citing that he has been a public servant for the past 20 years. He added that Ali held the

post of shadow Minister of Finance. Charges against Ali were recommended by SOCU after a forensic audit report was conducted and revealed that Ali acted illegally with the manner in which he distributed several large and expensive plots of land. It was reported that after five months of investigation, SOCU completed its investigation into the allocation of lands at ‘Pradoville Two’ to Cabinet members of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration and their close associates. The investigation into the lands came after a special investigation of the Sparendaam Housing Project referred to as ‘Pradoville 2’ was completed. The investigation was part of a larger probe of the financial operations of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), which was conducted by accounting firm Ram & McRae. The investigation revealed that the allocation of the lands was a clandestine arrangement that was handled personally by former Housing Minister Ali, and it was concluded that a criminal case for misfeasance can be made against the PPP/C Cabinet members who benefitted. The forensic audit found that awardees grossly underpaid for the lots by a total of nearly $250 million, while the state-owned National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, National Communications Network and Guyana Power and Light Inc. were never reimbursed for millions of dollars spent to execute preparatory works.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Woman bound remains found in shallow grave near husband’s business place

Detectives search for Mrs. Sugrim’s remains

A battered Zaila Sugrim in December, 2018 As she lay in hospital with a blackened eye and swollen face, 36-year-old Zaila Sugrim told a young Kaieteur News reporter last December that her husband had threatened to kill her and leave her “in a shallow grave.” Yesterday, a team of detectives dug up what they believe to be Mrs. Sugrim’s bound, wrapped, and decomposing remains from a shal-

Zaila Sugrim

low grave behind a Crane, West Coast Demerara gas station that her husband, Ryan Sugrim, operates. Sources said that the victim, who was wearing a flowered dress, was bound hand and foot with strips of cloth. Kaieteur News understands that she appeared to have been badly beaten. Her features were reportedly too decomposed to al-

low for a positively identification. The killer had set a fire over the grave, apparently in an attempt to obliterate the spot. As detectives worked at their gruesome task, a handcuffed Ryan Sugrim sat a short distance away in a police vehicle. Some of the victim’s close relatives were among the

A section of the crowd at the scene

DEM BOYS SEH

Foreigners tekking over Guyana Guyana deh in a position wheh everybody looking at it. A British reporter come and spend couple days. When he lef he write how Guyana can be de richest country in de world. And from de time people read that is suh dem coming. If de census people was to do a count now, dem gun find that Guyana got two million people. If dem check de language dem gun seh most of de people talking Chinese, followed by Portuguese followed by Spanish. Anyhow, while people coming to enjoy de benefits dem oil people studying how to rob de country. De Waterfalls boss man like dem oil lady who don’t trust nobody. Since you put foot in Guyana he peeping to see if you bring any money and wha kind of investment you do. A gold company decide to cut out Guyana from de hustle suh it buy it own plane. Dem boys didn’t vex. Dem seh it wouldn’t last long because dem couldn’t service de plane in Guyana. De insurance seh suh. Every time

dem got to service de plane dem had to fly it to Canada. Yesterday dem boys hear dem sell de plane. And dem ain’t sell it to any Guyanese. Now don’t ask wha dem gun do fuh plane. Old people always seh de same stone de builder reject does be de key cornerstone. Dem tun back to local air services. That is one turnaround just like de man who deh in de lockups because de police believe he kill he wife. Nuff people married; nuff people and dem spouse quarrel but most people know when to shut dem mouth. Couple of dem does beat dem wife because dem can beat she. But if she got a big strong brother nobody don’t touch her because touch got touch back. But this man use to beat he wife. She move out; then she go to court and tell de magistrate how she don’t want problem. De same man she refuse to jail mek sure she can’t even point a finger in he face. Talk half and watch how Guyana getting tek over.

many who rushed to the area after news of the discovery spread. The body was subsequently taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home, while the slain

woman’s husband was taken to a police station for further questioning. Kaieteur News understands that Mr. Sugrim was taken into custody on Mon-

day after police received reports that his estranged wife, a mother of five, was missing. She was said to have been last seen alive on (Continued on page 28)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Four years of APNU+AFC: Contextualizing the failure of politics

T

he APNU+AFC en tity has achieved 4 years in power in recent days. Analysts, commentators and political observers in assessing those years have made an almost forgivable methodological lapse. You cannot compare the contents of a 23-year-old regime with those of a fouryear-old formation. It is not possible conceptually. For example, in those 23 years, the regime would have achieved a certain latitude because of its constant oppression that made it more inclined to do unpalatable

things. Simple put; there would be more violations under bad governance that lasted 23 years than under an entity that is just four years old. Two useful perspectives that would yield more insightful evaluations include the use of context. First, situate the four years of APNU+AFC in the context of the kind of society it met when it came to power. The second framework would be to compare the first four years of APNU+AFC with some of the previous governments since Independence – Burnham -1966-1970;

Cheddi Jagan 1992-1996; Desmond Hoyte 1985-1989; Bharrat Jagdeo 1999-2002; Ramotar 2011-2015. Let us examine the first approach, that is, context. The APNU+AFC administration has proven to be a very undemocratic regime with huge potential for oppressive behavior in its four years of existence. In the context of what Guyana went through under Jagdeo and Ramotar and the rising levels of emotional ejection by the citizenry for the following - race discrimination, bad governance, irresponsible government, secret

negotiations, police insensitivity, ministerial misconduct, opaque and reckless governance etc. - the APNU+AFC was extraordinarily courageous and barefaced to engage in such perverted use of power after 2015. In other words, because of the prodigious levels of expectations after 2015 of good governance and modest caring leadership, it was just natural for Guyana to have one of its better governments since self-rule was restored in 1957. This was not to be and in the context of these expectations, one could easily clas-

sify the APNU+AFC regime as perhaps having the worst four-year-old record of any past administration. It was unthinkable for any citizen to envisage a post2015 administration that would do things that Guyanese hated the PPP for. Just weeks after possessing power, the rulers gave themselves a whopping salary increase. What made it morbid were the surreptitious circumstances that accompanied the payout. Secondly, even if the sugar industry had gone past its life, there was no way you could close down a vital industry and not plan for two things; giving workers what financial sums they were legally entitled to and searching desperately for alternative employment for them. One year into its rule, the APNU+AFC did none of the two. Compare this with the electricity hike in Linden in 2012 when protest led the PPP leadership to back down. There were incredible items in successive budgets that made the APNU+AFC an unelected regime. New taxes went up that did not benefit the majority of the working classes. Taxes were increased on things that made people feel that the old saying is right – “whom the gods wish to destroy they first made mad”. For me the tax on animal drawn vehicles was sick. I could never vote back for such politicians. If one was living on another planet and heard that the government in Guyana in 2018 was imposing an arbitration chairman on a striking union and it was a chairman employed by the state, that

Frederick Kissoon person would have exclaimed; “Oh my God, the PPP is still in power.” Such cruel use of power caused people to hate the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabals. The alternative to the PPP got into power and used the same big stick in trying to settle union disputes. For me, it is flawed framework to compare 23 years of PPP rule with four years of APNU+AFC authority and declare that there were no dismissals, torture, victimization etc. The PPP did those things in 23 years. The indications after four years of the APNU+AFC are colossal signs on the face of this nation that if given 23 years they will engage in those very things that analysts and commentators said are missing since 2015. The signs of authoritarian directions are there. They have been there since day one. One’s analysis of the contents of the four years of ANPU+AFC tenure depends on your political perspective and the methodology you use to research those four years. My analysis cannot give credit to the APNU+AFC for not jailing, killing and victimizing critics and anti-government activists. The habits are there waiting to come out. Give them 23 years and they will come out. Power does that you know.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Farmer gets14 years for UG Council payment in lieu of leave for Vice-Chancellor almost decade-old killing

At the April 15, 2019 meeting of the University Council, the subject of the treatment of the Vice-Chancellor’s leave was considered. The Council agreed that the Vice-Chancellor should be formally requested to proceed on leave with effect from May 13, 2019. Subsequently, on May 2, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, wrote to the ProChancellor requesting reconsideration of the Council’s decision of April 15, 2019, citing among other things that “extenuating circumstances” oblige him to forgo proceeding on leave effective from that date. He requested to be paid for ‘30 of the 35 days’ due to him. Following the Vice-Chancellor’s request, Pro-Chancellor Major General (retd) Joseph Singh, who is also Interim Chairman of the University Council, requested a review of the Council’s decision by round robin of all members of the Council. Members were also asked to indicate their support or otherwise of the Vice-Chancellor’s request for payment for a portion of his leave entitlement. According to Pro-Chancellor, “It is my understanding that the round robin practice has been in place over the years and has been utilised by Council and other Statutory Organs of the University. “Therefore, it should not be interpreted as a special dispensation for the incumbent

Vice-Chancellor.” Thirteen Council members participated in the process, with seven members supporting the Vice-Chancellor’s request, four members felt that the matter should be deliberated upon at an Extra Ordinary Meeting of the Council, one member was opposed to the ViceChancellor’s request and one member felt that a meeting of the Council should be duly convened. Three members did not participate as of May 10, 2019. The Vice-Chancellor and Council members were duly informed by the Secretary of the Council on May 10 that a clear majority of members had approved his request of May 2, 2019. Council members were also informed that the amount of pay in lieu of leave the ViceChancellor was entitled to would be based on the advice of the Bursar and Personnel Officer. The Unions have since issued threats of possible industrial action arising out of the round robin process. The Pro-Chancellor is urging all members of the university community to “be responsible and ensure that the administration of our final examinations is not disrupted. “I urge that our students, the primary stakeholders, be accorded the highest priority in this season of Examinations.”

A 47-year-old farmer who admitted, yesterday, to stabbing his neighbour to death during a fight has been sent to prison for 14 years’ for the crime. Godfrey Dass, of Port Kaituma, North West District, appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown where he pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. Initially indicted for the capital offence murder, Dass, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Mark Conway, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. He admitted that on June 5, 2009, he unlawfully killed Kenneth Kennedy, his neighbour. State Prosecutor Teriq Mohamed told the court that the two men were imbibing when a fight broke out between them. Prosecutor Mohamed told the court that Dass armed himself with a knife and stabbed his neighbour to the head, resulting in his death. Lawyer for Dass, Mark Conway, in a plea in mitigation begged for Justice Singh to extend leniency towards his client. According to the lawyer, his client has been extremely remorseful for his actions. Conway further asked the court to take his client’s early guilty plea into consideration when arriving at a sentence. The lawyer told the court that Dass has been making the most of opportunities being offered by the prison. The lawyer pointed out that his client has been attending church. In a statement, the dead man’s wife told the court that her children are still grieving for their father. In that same statement, one of the man’s daughter said she wants Dass to be locked away for a very long time because she does not want to see him ever again. In addressing the court, Prosecutor Mohamed asked that

JAILED: Godfrey Dass the sentence reflect the nature and gravity of the offence. Before Dass was taken away to begin serving his jail time, he was advised by Justice Singh to contribute meaningfully to his community when he is released back into society. He was also advised by the judge to stay away from the deceased’s family whenever he is released from prison. The Judge also urged him to stay away from alcohol, since he still has time to do good with his life given his age. The prison authority was ordered by the court to deduct the almost 10 years Dass spent on remand pending trial from the sentence.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Window-crasher Do you know this man? A man, dressed in Muslim clothing, was caught on camera, recently breaking the showcase windows of an East Coast Demerara clothing store. According to the owner, the man came twice and broke the windows at the MoneyGram location, LBI, on the East Coast Demerara. The incidents occurred Sunday, April 21 at 5:33am and then again on Wednesday, April 24th at 4:00am. The female owner is asked persons with information to contact her.

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Kaieteur News

Post kidney transplant patients voice concern over ‘revocation’ of isolated space at GPHC - in wake of suspected infection-related death Although it isn’t unusual for a patient to die while undergoing medical care, some people are of the firm belief that measures should always be in place to avoid, as far as possible, a renal failure patient dying from an infection while hospitalised. This notion was recently amplified by a few post kidney transplant patients who have been receiving care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC]. Their concerns were recently amplified after a fellow post transplant patient succumbed at the premier public health institution, reportedly due to an infection. But according to the surviving patients, this should never be the case since they were long informed that the hospital administration had designated two rooms for the admission of post transplant patients, who may need to be hospitalised for some reason, owing to their susceptibility to infections. But the patients told this publication that they recently learnt that the hospital has been utilising the dedicated rooms for their care of other patients. They said this is not only unorthodox but life-threatening to the post transplant patients. “We are heavily drugged when transplanted and so we are always in danger of being

Kiran Haridyal was forced to seek care at a private hospital for fear of being exposed to infections at the GPHC infected from regular healthy persons much less sick people in a hospital,” said Henry Brandon, one post-transplant patient. But even ahead of the recent death, the patients claimed they had raised concerns about moves to share their admission rooms with other patients. This issue came to the fore recently when post transplant patient, Kiran Haridyal, developed some complications and was rushed to the GPHC for care. However, when it was discovered that he would have been exposed to other patients, since the dedicated rooms were not available, he opted to seek care at a privately operated hospital in-

stead. Haridyal, like the other surviving patients, are convinced that he too could have succumbed to his complications had he not been financially able to seek care at the private institution. “They are not taking this thing seriously; they are not taking it seriously at all. There is only so much the transplant surgeon can do for us,” said Brandon. His sentiments were echoed by Haridyal who revealed that he needed to be hospitalised after he began feeling unwell about a month ago. “I was having some stomach problems...so I went to the (Conitnued on page 14)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Conflict in Region Two RDC triggers third adjournment in three months

“Councilors in the RDC Boardroom following the adjournment.” There appears to be an increase in tension between the

Regional Executive Officer [REO] of Region Two, Denis

Jaikaran, and Councilors of the Regional Democratic

“The vacant seat of the clerk minutes after the adjournment.” Council [RDC]. The RDC statutory meet-

ing came to an abrupt halt yesterday, after talks between Jaikaran, the Clerk of the RDC, and an RDC councilor spiraled out of control. Councilor Nate Ram, who sits on the Government’s side of the house, was at the time expressing his sentiments on April’s adjournment of the statutory meeting. In April, the RDC meeting was adjourned by the REO who is the clerk, reportedly due to the absence of the Regional Chairman. Councilors have since questioned such a decision especially since the Regional Vice Chairman, Juliet Coonjah, was on the seat as the Regional Chairman [acting]. The criticism of such an action continued yesterday, when councilor Nate Ram rose to speak in the chambers. “The act states that in the absence of the Chairman the next person to act in his capacity will be the Vice Chairman. If the vice chairman is not present then the councilors may vote on someone fitting to carry through the meeting.” The Clerk then rose from his seat and hurled remarks across the floor to the Councilor, shortly before walking out of the meeting. Regional Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, told the press yesterday, “The REO’s action at the last statutory meeting was unacceptable. The councilor was on the floor. He was granted permission before he stood to speak. “The REO on the other

hand was in total breach of protocol when he stood without permission to speak out against the councilor. Such actions cannot be tolerated by a public official. His action was uncalled for.” For the past three months, the statutory meetings had been adjourned for various reasons. As a result there are a host of key developmental matters, which are not being discussed. A few councilors who spoke to this publication following the adjournment, said, “I believe that the REO was disrespectful to the council. Whatever he has demonstrated today was totally reckless.” “The clerk was very disrespectful to all the councilors and we need an apology.” Following the lead of the Regional Chairman, Ramdatt, the council has decided to write the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, on what recently transpired within the council. “We will write a letter to the Minister of Communities. There have been a number of issues within this region that we were unable to discuss due to these adjournments. We will write those issues to the Minister of Communities and to the President. Councilors will then sign on their names to the letter.” Councilors representing the coalition Government, said that they believe that the clerk should offer an apology to the council, for what they describe as a reckless move.

Post kidney transplant patients... From page 13 public hospital and called Dr. Kishore [Persaud – the transplant surgeon]...They were trying to find space for me in the hospital but all of the rooms were occupied. “Even if they had gotten the patients out of the room, the room still wouldn’t have been sanitised enough...so instead of putting my life in danger I decided to go private,” said Haridyal.In an invited comment to this publication on the accommodation dilemma of the post transplant patients, a senior official of the hospital said that “this is a challenge that we cannot avoid. We always have people coming in for care and we cannot turn people away so space is likely to be always limited.”The official shared that the hospital is constantly advocating for families to remove their relatives who have been abandoned, sometimes for years, at the public health institution. “If families remove abandoned patients, we will have more space for those who really need it,” the official added.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Phone found guilty of manslaughter Prison chief proud no Guyanese in St. Lucia jail in Black Bush truck driver trial …Sentencing deferred

Murder accused, Navendra Basdeo, called ‘Phone’, 24, of 14 Johanna North, Black Bush Polder,who was on trial for the unlawful killing of Karan Sukhdeo was on Tuesday found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. Basdeo was on trial in the Berbice High Court before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a mixed Jury. He killed Sukhdeo, called “Vishal”, 30, a truck driver and father of one, of 101 Johanna North, Black Bush Polder on Saturday August 23, 2014. Attorney at law Mursalene Bacchus is appearing for the accused in association with attorney at Law Surihya Sabsook. State Prosecutor Mandel Moore is presenting the state’s case. The incident reportedly occurred around 23:45 hrs at Johanna North, Black Bush Polder. Basdeo and Sukhdeo had an altercation at a wedding house at Black Bush Polder, Corentyne Berbice. When the matter continued Justice Barlow summed up the evidence to the jury. She directed them on the issues of the law. The judge cited a number of inconsistencies during the trial. The jury after their deliberation at first had a not guilty verdict on the question of murder. On the question of manslaughter they returned with an 11-1 verdict of guilty.

murder accused, Navendra Basdeo

Dead Karran Sukhdeo

Defence lawyer Bacchus then asked for an adjournment for a probation report which was granted by Justice Barlow.Mr. Bacchus had submitted that there were many omissions and inconsistencies in the prosecution case. Ganesh Sookdeo, who testified to seeing the accused stabbing his brother, gave four statements, but never mentioned in any who stabbed his brother. There was a period of 23 minutes, in which no one would have seen the deceased after the incident. Government Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan testified that from the injuries received the deceased would have died instantly. However Ganesh testified that his brother ran 300M before he collapsed.

Ganesh also testified that his brother was found about nine minutes after the incident. He and the others left and went home to get his parents. He returned to the scene about 15 minutes later. There was no evidence as to what happen during those 15 minutes. Prosecutor Moore in the submission relied on the evidence of the prosecution witnesses. He said that there was a scuffle between the accused and the deceased. The deceased was injured on his left side which was confirmed by the doctor.Navendra Basdeo gave an unsworn statement from the dock in which he denied killing anybody.Government Pathologist Dr. Brijmohan testified to conducting a Post Mortem examination on the (Continued on page 26)

St Lucia (St. Lucia Times) - Guyana’s Acting Prison Director, Gladwin Samuels, who is currently in Saint Lucia, says he is proud to know that none of his countrymen is incarcerated at the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF). “Fortunately, I found out that there are no Guyanese in the prison here,” Samuels said during an interview while visiting the BCF. “There is a saying that wherever you go you are bound to see a Guyanese,” he stated. However the visiting Guyana prison official disclosed that of the 504 inmates, he was ‘proud’ that despite the high number of Guyanese living here, there are no Guyanese nationals at the BCF.“Fortunately for Saint Lucia as well, we currently have in the vicinity of 2,150 prisoners back home and we have no Saint Lucians, so I guess it is a plus for both countries,” Samuels told St Lucia Times. Currently, 16 foreign nationals are incarcerated at the BCF including three Venezuelans and 12 citizens of countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). “There is the saying that foreign prisoners have the

Prison chief, Gladwin Samuels potential to bring new cultures to a prison environment which can result in very aggressive behaviour from the local prison population,” the Guyanese visitor told St Lucia Times. “So despite our limited resources currently in terms of being able to adequately segregate those prisoners, we do pay attention in terms of preventing that inbreeding or that bad culture from coming into our system,” Samuels told St Lucia Times. He disclosed that there are a number of foreign nationals in the Guyana prison system. “We are bordered by Ven-

ezuela and Brazil – we have a number of those nationals in our prison. We have persons from the US, Colombia, Cuba – and some of those countries are deemed to have persons who are very bad in terms of their ability to influence others,” the Guyana official observed. He told St Lucia Times that as a result, Guyana officials are constantly working to ensure that they keep the situation under control. This was Samuels’s second visit to Saint Lucia. He revealed that the first time he came here was in 2004 for a British-sponsored training programme.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Campbellville double murder Second defendant charged defendant to stand High Court Trial for Norton Street murder As the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) for the double murder of a Campbellville Pandit and his son ended, the defendant is to make an appearance at the High Court for his murder trial. Yesterday, the PI was completed in the Providence Magistrate’s Courts when Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman ruled that there was sufficient evidence against the defendant, Orlando Douglas, for him to be convicted for the murders. The defendant was on remand while the PI was being conducted. Douglas, 30, of Campbellville, Georgetown was not required to plead to the two charges, which alleged that between July 7, 2018 and July 10, 2018 at Craig Street, Campbellville, he murdered the two men during the course of a robbery. In handing down her decision, Magistrate Latchman stated that she is of the opinion that the prosecutor, Shellon Daniels, presented sufficient evidence against Douglas to aid with her ruling into the matter. According to reports, Deonarine Liliah, a 61-yearold Pandit and businessman, and his 28-year old-son Gopaul Liliah, were found

Charged James Fraser Dead Deonarine Liliah and his son Gopaul dead last July, in their Lot 25 Craig Street, Campbellville home, with multiple stabs wounds about their bodies. The father and son were discovered after a tenant who lives downstairs made a report at the Kitty Police Station after neighbours complained about a stench coming from the upper flat of the home. The bodies were subsequently discovered and an autopsy revealed that the victims had been stabbed 66 times. Police reportedly recovered Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage,

Accused Orlando Douglas which showed a man jumping the western fence and entering the home, through the northern front door.

A second man has been charged for the murder of Marlon Seon Rodney, called ‘George’. Yesterday, Osafa Grundell, called ‘Safo’, was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the charge was read to him. The charge which was read by the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan alleged that between April 25, and April 30, last, at Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, Grundell murdered Marlon Seon Rodney, called ‘George’. The defendant was not required to plead to the offence after it was read to him as the charge was made indictable. Attorney-at-law Mark Waldron and attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes will be representing the defendant in the matter. Attorney Waldron stated that his client is 39 years old, from Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown. James Fraser, 21, called ‘Dab’ from Garnett Street, Georgetown appeared last week when the charge was read to him. He also appeared

Charged Osafa Grundell in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before the Chief Magistrates Ann McLennan. According to reports, Rodney, a 35-yearold taxi driver of Lot 71 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was involved in a heated argument with Grundell, Fraser and another man called ‘Curl Up.’ The defendants reportedly pulled out guns and discharged several rounds at Rodney, who was hit in the left leg. A passerby, identified as 24-year-old Shaquille Dion, of Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, was also shot in the process. The injured men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where Dion was treated and sent away, while Rodney was admitted in a critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries. Magistrate McLennan remanded Grundell to prison and instructed that he should return to court on May 21, 2019 for the continuation of his matter.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

A SALUTE TO INDIAN GUYANESE

By Donald Ramotar, Former President May 5, 2019 marked the 181st year since Indian indentured labourers set foot on the soil of the then British Guiana. It was a Saturday, but I am sure that when they saw the conditions that they had to dwell and work in, their hearts must have been heavy. Slavery was just about to be officially ended and Indian indentured labourers were brought in to fill the vacancy that was being created by the freed African slaves. It should be recalled that slavery ended due to the coming together of many factors. Firstly, the resistance, reflected in the revolts by the enslaved against the system; secondly, the work of the Humanitarians in the UK, the Anti-Slavery society, which produced people like Buxton and John Edwards Jenkins, among others. The combination of those struggles made slavery as a system too expensive to continue. Therefore, it had to be replaced with a system that would be cheaper. The colonial power struck on the scheme of indentured labour. True, the indentured were not completely owned by the plantations forever. They were contracted for five-year periods. However, they had to live in the logies, and they had to find their own food and clothing. In reality they were owned by the plantation for a specific time. A new form of slavery The colonial power did not only exploit their labour in the cane fields, but set-up shops to sell them food, clothing and whatever else they could afford. The plantation owners were freed from supplying these necessities, which they had to during slavery. From their meagre earning stores like Bookers Stores flourished. Indian labourers, like the enslaved before them, were beaten in the backdams. Jenkins, in his book ‘The Coolie’ and other writers in that period, described the dehumanisation that those people had to endure. Tied to post, stripped naked, male and female, were flogged with the whip often. The ‘Coolie’ according to narrative of the period, was either at work, in hospital or in jail. While in jail he was often forced to work for free on the plantations. Like the slaves before them, the Indian labourers did not only cut and load the canes, but had to dig the canals. Walter Rodney, in one of his epic works “A history of the Guyanese Working People 1881 – 1905” noted that, “When Indian indentured labourers were added to the Guyanese population…

they had to face up to the steady work diet of mud and water in the maintenance of dams and the cleaning of trenches. “For a long while, Africans remained the specialist shovel men, but a report on the digging of the new canal aback of the Plantation Annandale in 1895 drew attention to the…fact that the task was accomplished by Indian immigrants...”. In the process they had to move hundreds of thousands tons of water logged clay with shovels. At times of low prices of sugar on the international market, the planters solved the problem at the expense of the bound Indian indentured labour. Wages to them were cut. In the same book, cited above, Walter Rodney brought attention to a notice signed by the attorney of Non-Pareil plantation, Harry Garnett, informing the workers that their wages were being cut. Here is how it read in part “Owing to the exceedingly LOW price of SUGAR…it is absolutely impossible for us to pay the OLD RATE OF WAGES and carry the estate on; I am aware that even the Old Rates were a reduced rate, but under the circumstances there is nothing for it but to still further reduce all round...” (September 1896). Obviously those repressive conditions forced the Indian labour to resist and resist they did. In 1872 the Indian labourers at Plantation Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast went on strike and protested against low wages. The police opened fire on them; seven were severely wounded. Those described as “ring leaders” were punished. They were whipped and jailed. In 1873 workers at Skeldon, Uitvlugt and other areas struck, protesting low wages and the importation of cheaper labour from Barbados. For this, three of the leaders were given five-year jail sentences, of course with hard labour, inevitably in the cane fields. In 1879 riot broke out at Plantation Skeldon, again protesting low wages. Sixteen workers were badly injured and were hospitalized. In 1894 strikes and protests occurred at Plantation La Bonne Mere, Success, Leguan, Farm and Skeldon. Once more, they were brutally suppressed. Identified leaders were fined, flogged and jailed. In 1896, the cut in wages due, as noted above, to the fall in international price led to disturbances at Non-Pareil. Police shot and killed four workers and wounded eleven others.

In 1899 strikes were widespread at Melville (Wakenaam), Golden Fleece, Blairmont, Goedverwagting, De Kinderen, Mon Repos, Cane Grove, Success, Cornelia Ida and Nismes. The main cause was low wages. Those strikes also occurred widely in 1900. In 1903, the strikes assumed widespread proportions affecting all the estates once more. In 1905 sugar workers from the East Bank walked towards Georgetown to give solidarity to striking waterfront workers, while raising their own plight of low wages and terrible conditions of work and living conditions. They were stopped at Ruimveldt and police opened fire on them killing eight and wounding fifteen others. One hundred and five were convicted of rioting and punished in various ways. In 1912 the Manager, R. E. Brassington shot and killed a worker at Plantation Friends. Later that same year during a protest, a shot fired from the Manager ’s house at Lusignan injured Nankoo, a worker on the estate. The next year, 1913, police shot and killed fifteen workers and seriously injured fourteen. This occurred at Rose Hall, Canje. In 1924, sugar workers from the East Bank once more marched towards Georgetown to join striking workers in Georgetown and once more they were stopped and shot at Ruimveldt. This time thirteen sugar workers were killed several others injured. From 1935 to 1939 the dissatisfaction with wages and working conditions led to the struggle for the recognition of a union. The MPCA, then led by Ayube Edun, a distinguished Trade Unionist, won recognition for that union to represent them. In 1948 the strike which began as a protest against the changing of the system of work evolved into the demand for the recognition of the union of the workers choice, GIWU. By then the workers had lost confidence in the MPCA which was recognised after the strike of 1939 after four workers were shot to death and four others seriously injured at Leonora. In 1964, many workers died in a general strike in the industry fighting for the recognition of the GAWU. Kowsilla, a female sugar worker, was run over by a tractor driven by a scab. She was cut in half. Many others were injured. Mr. Harry Lall and Philomena Sahoy rose to prominence as President and General Secretary of the GAWU. That recognition did not come in 1964. It took many other struggles to force the

sugar lords and the government to hold a poll in 1975. The GAWU won with more than 95% of the votes cast. Recognition was finally wrested from the Sugar Producers Association and Government in 1976. The struggle of Indian Guyanese since the first arrival in 1838 benefitted all the peoples of our country. While many of the protests began due to local issues, they quickly developed national characteristics and made a hefty contribution in advancing the cause of the nation as a whole. The strike at Leonora in 1939 that saw the unionization of the workers was of great importance in the evolution of our trade union movement as a whole. It was the most important event in promoting Trade Unionism since the 1905 Water Front movement that gave birth to Trade Unions in Guyana. The strike and struggles of 1948 developed into the call for political independence. The workers and the masses recognized that the brutality would continue and get worse while colonialism existed. Sugar workers were in the forefront in the fight to end colonialism and for freedom for all our people. The battles from 1948 to 1976 for union recognition were not only for sugar workers benefit but for industrial democracy in Guyana. The 177 days strike in 1977 was for the protection of a fundamental trade union principle; the right of collective bargaining. Here the cause of workers as a whole was being taken up by sugar workers. The PNC government had reneged on their argument to pay public servants $14 per day. The sugar workers fought courageously for 177 days to defend this principle. The struggles from 1905 and 1924 were for the unity of the working class. It was Indian indentured labourers at the time with no central leadership, that took the initiative to push for working class unity, crossing all artificial barriers of race etc. The fight for democracy began long before the advent of our present day political parties. Those positions were ably represented by people like Ayube Edun and others as they tirelessly worked to wrestle concessions from the hands of the colonial powers. The British Guiana East Indian Association (BGEIA) was the first organisation to raise the call for universal adult suffrage. At that time the ordinary working people of all races in this country did not have the right to vote. This was a demand to get working people involved in the establishment of the government. It was an important

early call for workers and farmers to influence political developments. That struggle was won by the PPP in 1953 under the leadership of Cheddi Jagan, a son of Indentured labourers. The real reason for the disturbances in the 1960s which culminated the ethnic cleansing of Mackenzie, now Linden is often masked by some historian still infected with a colonial mentality as a racial problem. It was not. The attack on Indians and the violence meted out against them at that time was a colonial project in which the PNC collaborated to create conditions to prevent Guyana from becoming independent. An examination of that period would show that the police, headed by a colonialist, Peter Owen, was used to protect those who were creating the riots and not the victims of the violence. The record would show from 1962 to 1964 very few arrests were made during the riots in Georgetown and Mackenzie. However during the strikes on the estates hundreds of workers were jailed. Indeed so glaring was the partisan nature of the colonial police that they made it illegal for anyone to have and expose the PNC terrorists X13 plan that was discovered when a raid was made on the hotel room of a PNC terrorist. In the post-independence period the PPP at first, later joined by other forces, fought for the restoration of democracy at the heart of which was ‘one person one vote’. That was necessary because it was lost due to rigged elections practised from 1968 until 1985. Today, the signs are that this behaviour of rigged elections is being prepared by the APNU/AFC once more. We can go on listing the contributions Indian indentured labourers and their descendants made to agriculture, industry, business commerce and culture as being very significant and laudable. While we recognize these sterling contributions, we must not ignore the desperate plight which Indian Guyanese have had to confront from the time of their arrival 181 years ago. From that time Indians have been the most discriminated against in Guyana. This was first done by the colonial powers who treated them as second class citizens. Later they became objects of abuse by the undemocratic PNC regime and now by this PNCled regime. The PNC was first supported and protected by the Colonial powers to prevent Independence. When the PNC took power in 1964 they adopted the positions of the old Colonials and ruled in a similar manner. While all our working people suffered

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greatly Indian Guyanese suffered doubly, as working people and because of their race. Under successive PNC and PNC-led regimes racial and political discrimination against Indian Guyanese continued unabated. This was again evident in May 2015 when the APNU/AFC took power. The public service has been systematically cleansed of Guyanese of Indian origin. The vast majority have been dismissed simply because they are Indian Guyanese. They are the victims of a vicious regime that promotes and practices racism as a political weapon. The APNU+AFC regime has trampled on the Constitution and the fundamental human rights of all Guyanese but of Indian Guyanese in particular. The shutting down of sugar estates in which some 70% of the employees were Indian Guyanese, with no real justifiable reason, is a reflection of the way all Indians are treated in our multi-ethnic society. The leadership of the Government has made a mockery of our national motto. Since the arrival of Indians on our shores they have been deliberately barred from some sectors of the society. This is in the public service and in the security sector. This is not an accident but a deliberate, racist policy, continued from the time of colonialism. They were denied places in the security forces in the colonial times because they worked in the most important section of the economy, sugar. The colonial masters did not want them there since they were brutally exploited in the fields and factories in the sugar industry. Today they continue to be excluded because the colonialist before and the PNC now, succeeded in creating fear in the AfricanGuyanese population. The message is that Indians are a threat to their jobs and wellbeing. It is the old tactic of divide and rule. A small elite, in colonial times a white elite, and now a mainly Black elite live the ‘good life’ at the expense of both Africa and Indian working people. All Guyanese, including the Afro-Guyanese population, must fight against all forms of racial discrimination. This is necessary, not only because racism is morally wrong but also because in the final analysis the whole country will suffer the negative consequences of such a policy. There is no way that any government can discriminate against one section of the population without hurting all (Cotninued on page 27)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

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

FOR SALE

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

Porcelain tiles. Huge reduction. 12x12, 12x24, 10x14, 24x24, 716 & 3/8 thickness.Tel 695-4785/643-1000/265-3541.

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. I N S TA L L AT I O N S , REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE ETC. CALL NICK 627-3206, 630-1600 Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966 Design a Website for your Business that can be viewed on any device.Contact Computing Core@600-1096. Professional Repair Service: Computers, Tv’s (LCD & LED), Cellphones & Other Electronics.Ph#629-6470/ 696-2843.Email:akinscott @outlook.com REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 Bookland Gardens is the new outdoor place for social/ special events. On facebook. Email:booklandguyana @gmail.com #680-7354 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561

Methai, Sirnee & Dhal Puri etc.@ affordable prices.Call: Hafiz/Alsiani 689-3745.We cater for any amount & occasions. 1 (250) Gen set power by NT55.Cummings.Contact#2690603/609-2350/644-1190. Toyota Avensis in Excellent C o n d i t i o n . We l l maintained.Call#645-0240/ 685-0942. Supercustom and local minibus seats, shortbase RZ minibus for parts, Household items #664-0802 Plants for Bookland Gardens on sale: Foxtail, Manilla Palms 1 to 4 ft tall, plus ornamental plants. Call: 680-7354 Small Bus/Van- Ideal for small business/vendor $380,000 neg, Left hand drive, Toyota Corolla $360,000 neg #6803863

DemBake @ Land of Canaan is seeking distributors & experienced drivers & sales agents. Email CV: admin@demerarabakery.com / 266-5848

3 bedroom & 1 bedroom apartments for rent in Providence. Call: 660-7716/ 682-6238 or Whatsapp #1246-833-9739

Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied.Key Food McDoom Village.

1 bedroom apartment, self contained room, Georgetown. Price $45,000. Contact #6999380

DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’sPER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 643-5122,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N TA L @YAHOO.COM AIDAN’SCAR RENTAL: PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FORAIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT,CHEAP RATES, SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494

General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank.Call#614-4358.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Female cleaner office & home. Age 25-50.Call#642-9823.

House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657. yashardabhola4@gmail.com

Room attendant, Desk staff receptionist.Age 25-40yrs.233 South Road Lacytown/2250198.

Lot 89 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size- 3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 617-5323, 6668052.

LAND FOR SALE

CAR RENTAL

One Manager to work @ Hotel PurpleHeart.Send Applications/CV’s to email: innovationsamericamng @gmail.com

One flat concrete 2-bedroom property at Herstelling New Scheme.$35,000 monthly. $40,000 Deposit.Tel#6961680.

One 3-Bedroom concrete upstairs at 18th Street Diamond $18M Neg. Contact 216-1390/610-0515.

TO LET Business space to rent. No restaurant.Serious enquiries only. 233 South Road 2250198/615-0317

For lease. 253L X 50W. Commercial Land, Public Road Agricola.Call/ Whatsapp +1-647-572-3378.

VACANCY Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email r e s u m e : vacancy@josarltd.com

Tuschen Phase2 $1.5M, $3.5M Parfaite Harmonie Transferrable, $3.5M Parfaite Harmonie, $2.5M Providence, Herstelling $5.5M, Farm, Eccles. Call:666-2326

Assistant cook preferably Carnegie trained & Cashier/ waitress.225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street. Immediate Vacancy exist for one cashier. Must have Maths+English & workers @ Del Ice Co.Call 231-1408/6429191. Taxation Personnel: 3 yrs experience.Minimum qualification C AT / Diploma in Accountancy. S e n d ap p l i c a t i o n t o bs.vacancy @gmail.com. Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Streets or call 5024002/600-8457

36 Best Village transported Representative land. $6/7M. Contact #683- Sales Indoors. Must have a sound 9027/223-4087 secondary education. For Uitvlugt $2.3M. Tel#697-6311 more info please call #2230090. VACANCY Vacancy for experienced Salesgirls. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda Vacancy for experienced Carpenter, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda Cook #624-0033 Driver and Porter for Water Delivery Truck #680-3863 Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 2545, Car/Van license. Call#6429823

Experienced Cooks needed. Apply in person at the Coffee Bean 133 Church Street. Tel#223-2222. WANTED Wanted experienced hire car drivers at Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel. Contact 6165419, 265-7075 Driver for route #42 Minibus #646-8748 One live-in female housekeeper for Georgetown. Tel: 223-0654/ 225-0605.

Dead Mark Narine A farmer from Richmond Hill, Leguan, was yesterday slapped with a murder charge after he allegedly lashed a man off of his motorcycle and into a trench. The 46- year-old defendant, Philip Jhagroo, did not plead to the charge which was made indictable after it was read to him by the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It was alleged that be-

WANTED 1 live in or live out domestic worker.Call from MondaySaturday between 8:15 - 4:15 PM 223-7500. Salesgirls & porters. Apply with written application at Best Buy Food Supplies 1E Dennis & Middleton Sts, Campbellville Wanted Land to Buy: Eccles, Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Farm, Tuschen, Uitvlugt, Zeelught and Herstelling. Call: 666-2326 Annabel Bistro located @ La Grange WBD seeks experienced cooks with exceptional baking skills. Apply in person / Call #6413400 Wanted one Salesgirl from GT or EBD $16,000 weekly. #2239677 Auto body/spray paint technician. To apply call #2271717 Kitchen Assistant-Male/ Female, Snackette AttendantMale /Female, Snackette Cleaner’s- Male/Female, Age 18-30. Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St Experienced professional soup cook- good pay & work environment, can handle big pots & a team player. Call #225-6927 for Tonya

Charged Philip Jhagroo tween March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019 at School Dam, Richmond Hill, Leguan, he murdered Mark Narine, called ‘Marko’. Police prosecutor Stacey Gittens told the court that during the period mentioned in the charge, the 22-year-old victim was riding his motorcycle heading home. While on his journey, the defendant allegedly lashed Narine off of his motorcycle. The victim’s body was subsequently found the next day in a trench. According to an autopsy, Narine died from drowning but he had wounds to his head consistent with being lashed with something. After listening to the information presented to the court, Magistrate McLennan remanded the defendant to prison. The matter was adjourned until May 30 next where the hearing will continue at the Leguan Magistrate’s Courts. Relatives of the deceased claimed that Narine did jail time for someone over drugs. It is believed Narine was killed because he was owed and had been demanding his money. According to the family it is believed that the police were reluctant to make arrests because the people involved were in ‘bad businesses’. They said that the police were treating the issue as a drowning even before the autopsy was carried out.

Phone found guilty of ... From page 15) body of Sukdeo at the New Amsterdam Hospital and gave the cause of death as multiple injuries. He received stab wounds in the region of the heart and about the body. Testifying during the trial were the brother of the deceased, Ganesh Sookdeo; the father Deochand Sookdeo; his mother Yowattie Hardat, Rice farmer Hemchamd Budhoo at whose place the weeding was being held; Rajendra Ragnauth who was a member of a search party, the brother of the accused Vishnu Basdeo; and two cousins Harold and Tameshwar.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Venezuela security forces block opposition lawmakers from entering parliament CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuelan security forces prevented opposition lawmakers from entering the parliament building for a session yesterday, a week after the top court stripped several lawmakers of their immunity amid a political crisis in the South American country. Members of the Sebin intelligence service, wearing masks and carrying long guns, together with members of the national police and the military blocked the entrance and were investigating the possible presence of an explosive device inside the National Assembly building, lawmakers said. Last week, one opposition lawmaker was arrested and several took refuge in foreign embassies in Caracas or fled the country as President Nicolas Maduro cracked down on allies of opposition leader Juan Guaido, following a failed effort to convince members of the military to rise up against Maduro in late April. Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled Assembly, in January invoked Venezuela’s constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro’s 2018 re-election was illegitimate. More than 50 countries have recognized him as the country’s rightful leader, and say the assembly is its last remaining democratic institution.

A SALUTE... From page 25 people, including those they claim to represent. Fighting to end all discrimination is in the interest of all oppressed, unemployed, underemployed and poor people in Guyana. Racism robs our nation of the skills of almost half of our country’s population. It condemns us to poverty and is a great waste of human resources. Now is the time for all decent minded and democratically inclined people to take a stand to rid our country of this great scrooge, this impediment to progress. On the occasion of the 181st anniversary of Indians’ arrival we should redouble the efforts of making the slogan, coined by the then Minister of Education Brindley Benn, of One People, One Nation, One Destiny a reality!

Kaieteur News

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Gay teen granted bail on simple larceny charge Denzel Benjamin, a 19year-old unemployed youth who lives with his aunt at Robb Street Lacytown, yesterday appeared before the Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he was granted bail on a simple larceny charge. It is alleged that on May 6, 2019 at Robb and King Streets, Georgetown, he stole from Savita Singh, one Samsung S7 cell phone owned by Shavindra Ramraj. The defendant pleaded not guilty. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield informed the court that the defendant was charged on more than one

occasion for similar offences. However, at the point in time of the hearing he could not say if Benjamin was ever convicted on any of the charges. According to the facts of the charge, on the day in question Ramraj, who was in the company of his fiancée, Singh, stopped their motor car at the corner of Robb and King Street where they exited the vehicle. Singh allegedly exited the vehicle with the cell phone in her possession. Benjamin, who was reportedly standing at the corner of the streets, approached Singh and snatched the phone from her. He then ran in a southern direction making good his

escape.On May 10, 2019 the defendant was pointed out by Singh as the person who robbed her and as such he was charged for the present offence. When asked what he had to say for himself, the defendant stated that he is gay and the places he applied for a job usually deny him work. Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan then stated, “You need to work and get your life together, instead of depending on your aunt, only.” He was then granted bail in a sum of $50,000 under the condition that he does not leave his home from 6pm to 6am. The matter was then adjourned to May 20, 2019.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Wife’s bound remains found in shallow grave near husband’s business place From page 9 Saturday, when she entered her husband’s vehicle. But a senior police official said that the detained husband has given no statement that has implicated him. The official stressed that investigators had a lot of work to do before they could consider the case closed. “(The husband) has told us nothing up to now, and no relative has identified the remains. We will have to build a case; we will have to do a postmortem and do DNA tests.” According to reports,

Mrs. Sugrim visited one of her sons on Saturday. She reportedly later left with her estranged spouse. When she failed to return home, relatives reportedly tried to contact her. After several futile attempts they reported her missing. The official who spoke to Kaieteur News said that investigators received information about a shallow grave near the gas station at Crane that the missing woman’s spouse operates. In late December, Zaila Sugrim was hospitalized for five days after she was alleg-

edly beaten by her spouse, from whom she had separated last August.She had left him allegedly over his abusive behaviour. She had claimed that her spouse had also bound her with duct tape. The assault allegedly occurred in his car. She alleged that while choking her, he said, “I will kill you and leave you in a shallow grave.” Ryan Sugrim, 37, was later charged for unlawful restraint and causing grievous bodily harm.However, Zaila Sugrim later told Kaieteur News that she had dropped the matter after being compensated.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Ministry of Communities rolls out multiple projects The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday opened tenders for a range of projects. The Ministry of Communities had quite a number of

projects being tendered for such as, the Construction of Doctor’s Living Quarters at Kamarang Upper Mazaruni,the Rehabilitation and Extension of Kamarang District Hospital Upper Mazaruni and the completion of the Tempie/ Seafield

NDC Building to name a few.Other notable projects were the Construction of the Alliance Road at Timehri E.B.D and the Supply and Delivery of 10,000 feet Anchor Chains for the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation amongst others.

Ministry of Communities CIIPCompletion of Tempie/Seafield NDC Building East Berbice Corentyne

Rehabilitation and Extension of Kamarang District Hospital Upper Mazaruni

Procurement of Office Materials and Supplies Lots 1-2Guyana Police Force

Construction of Plegt/ Korthberaadt NDC Building East Berbice Corentyne

Construction of Primary at Iteringbang Upper Mazaruni

Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation Supply and Delivery of 10,000 Feet Anchor Chains Procurement of New Tires and Batteries Lots 1-2Guyana Police Force

Rehabilitation of Goed Fortuin Community Center, Essequibo Islands, West Demerara.

Construction of Alliance Road Timehri, East Bank Demerara

Rehabilitation of Liverpool Community Center, East Berbice Corentyne

Regional Democratic Council Region 7Construction of Doctor’s Living Quarters at Kamarang Upper Mazaruni

Ministry of Public SecurityProcurement of Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies- Guyana Police Force

Procurement of Medical Supplies Lots 1-12Guyana Prison Service

Coca-Cola heir, friends held in St Kitts for cannabis plants NEWSDAY - Coca-Cola heir Alki David and his billionaire business partner Chase Ergen have been arrested in St Kitts after landing a private jet carrying cannabis plants worth US$1.3 million. David and Ergen were accompanied by actor Jonathan Rhys

Meyers and his family on the private jet. According to an article in the Daily Mail Online, the trio was held with 5,000 cannabis plants. Although the Cannabis Bill in St Kitts and Nevis is set to be passed sometime this year, it is not law as yet.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Estate worker previously charged for molesting horse jailed 29 years for raping girl, 9

A

worker attached to the Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara sugar estate was yesterday sent to prison for the next 29 years following him being found guilty by a jury for having sexual intercourse with an underage girl. The man, Gingesh Khan, 52, of Vergenoegen, East Bank

Essequibo appeared at the High Court in Georgetown before Justice Brassington Reynolds who imposed the sentence. About three weeks ago, a 12-member mixed jury found him unanimously guilty of the crime which was carnal knowledge which he committed on a nine-year-old

JAILED: Gingesh Khan

girl between August 1 and August 31, 2008, in Demerara. Khan, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law, Rabindra Mohabir, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge. Kaieteur News understands that Khan went into the little girl’s home while her parents were not at home and molested her. The child

later complained to her parents about what had happened and a report was lodged with the police. Investigations were carried out and Khan was arrested and charged for the crime. Following the presentation of a probation report, the court was told that Khan still insists that he did not rape the girl, who is now an adult. According to a probation officer, residents in the man’s community said that he was in the habit of sexually molesting their livestock. He was at one time charged for bestiality. The probation officer told the court that although the incident happened over a decade ago, the victim told her that she still has

flashbacks, and that the incident has affected her relationships. According to the victim, she still feels hurt, ashamed and embarrassed. She told the judge that everyone in the community knew of the incident and this led to her relocating. According to the probation officer, Khan growing up in a broken home was no excuse for him committing such an act. She said that persons like him should be separated from society to avoid them from preying on the vulnerable. The victim said that Khan was someone known to her family and she still does not understand why he would want to hurt her in that way. She said, “I am now

involved in church activities to get over what happened. I need justice. I need him to be locked away so he cannot do what he did to me to anyone else.” She said that the incident has brought about suicidal tendencies in her. While Khan did not address the court, his lawyer Rabindra Mohabir told the court that his client has no previous convictions. The lawyer was keen to point out that while his client was charged for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a horse, he was never convicted; the matter was dismissed. Noting that the penalty for this offence attracts a life sentence, Justice Brassington Reynolds told Khan that he was a “very sick” man. According to the judge, Khan expressed no remorse whatsoever and to top it off he was accused of bestiality. The judge said that the victim’s impact statement was a very painful and emotional one. The judge pointed out that Khan was known to the girl’s family, but instead abused his position of trust when he groomed and violated the child in the vilest manner. Nevertheless, Justice Brassington advised the convict to use his time in incarceration to reflect on his wrongdoings. The case for the State was presented by Prosecutors Lisa Cave, Seeta Bishundial and Sarah Martin.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday May 15, 2019

Trump expected to sign order paving way for U.S. telecoms ban on Huawei WASHINGTON (Reuters Exclusive) - President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order this week barring U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, paving the way for a ban on doing business with China’s Huawei, three U.S. officials familiar with the plan told Reuters. The order, which will not name specific countries or companies, has been under consideration for more than a year but has repeatedly been delayed, the sources said, asking not to be named because the preparations remain confidential. It could be delayed again, they said. The executive order would invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The order will direct the Commerce Department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement, the sources said. If signed, the executive order would come at a delicate time in relations between China and the United States as the world’s two largest economies ratchet up tariffs in a battle over what U.S. officials call China’s unfair trade practices. Washington believes equipment made by Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, the world’s third largest smartphone maker, could be used by the Chinese state to spy. Huawei, which has repeatedly denied the allegations, did not immediately comment. The White House and Commerce Department declined to comment. The United States has been actively pushing other countries not to use Huawei’s equipment in nextgeneration 5G networks that it calls “untrustworthy.” In August, Trump signed a bill that barred the U.S. government itself from using equipment from Huawei and another Chinese provider,

ZTE Corp. In January, U.S. prosecutors charged two Huawei units in Washington state saying they conspired to steal T-Mobile US Inc trade secrets, and also charged Huawei and its chief financial officer with bank and wire fraud on allegations that the company violated sanctions against Iran.The Federal Communications Commission in April 2018 voted to advance a proposal to bar the use of funds from a $9 billion government fund to purchase equipment or services from companies that pose a security threat to U.S. communications networks. Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai said last week he is waiting for the Commerce Department to express views on how to “define the list of companies” that would be prohibited under the FCC proposal.The FCC voted unanimously to deny China Mobile Ltd’s bid to provide U.S. telecommunications services last week and said it was reviewing similar prior approvals held by China Unicom and China Telecom Corp. The issue has taken on new urgency as U.S. wireless carriers look for partners as they rollout 5G networks. While the big wireless companies have already cut ties with Huawei, small rural carriers continue to rely on both Huawei and ZTE switches and other equipment because they tend to be cheaper. The Rural Wireless Association, which represents carriers with fewer than 100,000 subscribers, estimated that 25 percent of its members had Huawei or ZTE equipment in their networks, it said in an FCC filing in December. At a hearing yesterday, U.S. senators raised the alarm about allies using Chinese equipment in 5G networks. The Wall Street Journal first reported in May 2018 that the executive order was under review. Reuters reported in December that Trump was still considering issuing the order and other media reported in February that the order was imminent.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

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Slovenian Skomina to referee Champions League final

Referee Damir Skomina during the Champions League Round of 16 First Leg between Ajax Amsterdam and Real Madrid. (REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay)

(Reuters) - Slovenia’s Damir Skomina will referee the all-English Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham H o t s p u r a t M a d r i d ’s Wa n d a M e t r o p o l i t a n o Stadium on June 1, UEFA said yesterday. The 42-year-old Skomina, an international referee since 2002, has taken charge of four Champions League matches and two Europa League games this season. Skomina officiated the Europa League final between Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United in 2017 and the Super Cup

Wednesday May 15, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If you're concerned about the love that certain close people have for you, you shouldn't try to compensate by being clingy or overly affectionate. This period is about keeping your distance and putting your relationships into perspective. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) This isn't the time to make any more of a commitment to your relationship, Taurus. You aren't satisfied with your attitude toward things lately. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might want to think about getting things straight with the people close to you. It's possible you haven't dealt with any problems you had in your relationships last month. It's time to look at things again. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may be asking certain questions about your feelings. Do you know about the trap that many people get caught up in - feeling so close to their partners that they often forget themselves? LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Nothing can hold back your flame for long, Leo. You have a hard time resting your body and recharging your batteries. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can be known for needing a lot of love, but you will never admit that to yourself, much less anyone else. Sometimes it seems as if you like feeling emotionally frustrated. Today is the perfect day to meditate about whether or not this is true of you. Do you talk to other people about your emotional needs?

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You probably aren't worried about being conventional in your relationships, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may not be very precise. Your motto seems to be "everything is relative." However, paying attention to details doesn't necessarily mean that you lose sight of the fundamentals. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) This isn't a good time to make any big relationship decisions. If you're thinking about starting a relationship, moving in together, or getting married, you may feel a bit troubled by your decision. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you may feel like something is holding you back, Capricorn. Everything was going just fine until now. If you believe the stream of chatter in your head today, you will be regressing in every area of your life! AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You may be looking for some new values in your personal life. You're no longer interested in superficial or frivolous relationships. You need to meet different kinds of people and select friends who are really worth keeping. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may want to take a little trip into your past to visit some old friends, Pisces. You could f i n d y o u r s e l f daydreaming through your good and bad memories.This is an excellent period to break w i t h s o m e of the more negative ties to your past.

between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in 2012. At the final in Madrid, Skomina will be assisted by compatriots Jure Praprotnik and Robert Vu k a n , w i t h S p a i n ’s Antonio Mateu Lahoz named as the fourth official.

More Inter-County games should... From page 37 local cricket fans. Foster, who played a role is getting Handin-Hand to play this game at Albion, made these calls on the Public Address System which was set up by the BCB to inform the spectators of the state of the game after each over. Every 15 minutes the sponsors were mentioned and Barbicans told that Hand-in-Hand had branches in Region five and six. Floodlights were installed at the venue in July 2014 by a project funded by the Government of Guyana in partnership with the Berbice Chambers of the Commerce and the Berbice Cricket Board.

Anthony out duels.... From page 39 cross the finishing line were Narine, Sewnarine and Clement Doris. The sprint prizes were shared by Hicks and Anthony three each, Deoraj Goberdan two, and Balram Narine and Dey one each. In addition to his winnings, Anthony received an addition $5,000 from Mrs. Arokium for his sprinting at the end. The Managing Director stated that she was very impressr with the way the event was organised and the performance of the cyclist and has promised to sponsor an even bigger event in December. The event was coordinated by Coach Randolph Roberts and cycling official Joseph Britton. (Samuel Whyte)

Inter Ministries/ Agencies dominoes set for Friday Veteran Sports Organiser James Lewis and Georgetown Office Assistants group have collaborated to stage a number of sporting activities for ministries and Government Agencies in an effort to foster social cohesiveness. A number of trophies and medals were donated by Ministers of the Government for the programme which has been dubbed the Social Cohesion Games 2019 under the theme, uniting Guyana’s work force with peace, harmony and co-operation. The activities will get underway on Friday with a

dominoes competition at the Ministry of Agriculture Canteen from 17:00hrs. Entrance fee is $12,000. The games continue on Sunday with the Tapeball competition at Durban Park tarmac starting at 09:00hrs. Entrance fee is $15,000. The curtains will come down on the activities on Monday at St. Stanislaus College ground on Carifesta Avenue with football, softball cricket and athletics commencing at 09:00hrs. Organiser James Lewis can be contacted on 6281656 or 666-5857 for registration.

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‘I want to officiate in Women’s World Cup final’ - GS Lakshmi ESPNcricinfo Who is GS Lakshmi? An outswing bowler for Railways, the most successful team in the women’s domestic circuit in India, GS Lakshmi shared a dressing room with the likes of Diana Edulji, the former India captain, and Hemlata Kala, the former India allrounder who’s currently the India women chief selector. Lakshmi never played for India, but was part of the national squad during India’s tour of England in 1999. Born in Rajahmundry in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Lakshmi grew up in the steel city of Jamshedpur (in present-day Jharkhand) where her father was posted. Due to “terribly poor marks” in her 10th board examinations, Lakshmi was denied direct admission at the Jamshedpur Women’s College, in 1986. Upon trialling at the college nets, at her father’s behest, the institution granted her admission under the sports quota, convinced she could be their frontline fast bowler. The most memorable phase in her career On her wedding day in

GS Lakshmi with captains Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of the final. (BCCI) 1991, Lakshmi received a callup to the Rest of India team. “As a girl born in a Brahmin family, even if I wanted, I could by no means have gone and played just after my marriage,” Lakshmi recounts. After taking a sabbatical, Lakshmi resumed her cricket career and played a key role in South Central Railways winning the inter-Railways title for the first time. “That was one of the most memorable moments of my

playing career.” How did she end up as a match referee? After retiring in 2004, Lakshmi moved to coaching, taking charge of South Central Railways until 2014. In 2008, the BCCI introduced female referees, albeit only in women’s domestic games, for the first time. Lakshmi was among the pioneering group of five female referees to make their debut that season, the

other four being former India cricketers Rajani Venugopal (also Lakshmi’s best friend), Rajesh Nayyar, Nilima Joglekar and Gargi Banerjee. In 2014, the BCCI conducted a first-of-its-kind qualification exam for 120 match referees. Lakshmi, along with the other four women referees, was shortlisted in a pool of 50, from where she qualified to stand in boys’ and men’s

domestic games. Laksmi has since officiated in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy - where she issued her first ever Codeof-Conduct penalty in a game between UP and Bengal - and women’s domestic games across all categories, has overseen three women’s ODI matches and three women’s T20I matches, and was the match refreree in all four games at the recently concluded Women’s T20 Challenge. The challenge of being a female match referee “Prejudice about the cricketing acumen of women is the biggest and the only challenge,” Lakshmi says. “You could sense that apprehension among the boys and the male match officials. Something like, “Aurat hain… kar payegi bhi ya nahin (She is a woman. Can she even do the job)?’ But after observing me in the first few games, and how I go about my job, all those doubts dissipated. I don’t think now when I walk out to officiate in men’s games, I don’t sense that “aurat-mard” (manwoman) kind of

discrimination.” Lakshmi also says there are no special perks for being a female match official. “Whether you’re a man or a woman, doesn’t matter. It’s all about how well you’re doing your job. I have had nothing come easy to me just because I’m a female match referee.” What is her next ambition? “I want to officiate in the Women’s World Cup, both the ODI and T20I tournaments, especially in the final. Cricket, and more specifically women’s cricket, has got me to where I am today, so my heart is still with the women’s game. But having refereed in men’s games, too, I’d also love to officiate in a men’s multi-team tournament run by the ICC.” That’s not all. Lakshmi has a “bigger goal” too. “Through my example, I want girls to realise that there’s a life after marriage, after childbirth, and retirement. There are several opportunities for women to explore even after curtains come down on their playing career. If the passion remains alive, nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams.”

Zverev crashes out as Goffin, Kyrgios advance in Rome ROME (Reuters) - World number five Alexander Zverev continued his poor recent form as he crashed out of the Italian Open in the second round after a 7-5 7-5 defeat by home favorite Matteo Berrettini yesterday. In first-round action, David Goffin produced two blistering sets to fight back and beat Stanislav Wawrinka 4-6 6-0 6-2 while Nick Kyrgios treated the crowd to an array of his antics in a 6-3 3-6 6-3 victory over Russian Daniil Medvedev. In the women’s draw, Serena Williams was forced to pull out due to a persistent knee injury, throwing into doubt her participation in the French Open which begins this month. Roared on by a partisan home crowd at the Foro Italico, Berrettini took the opening three games against Zverev, before the 2017 champion and last year’s runner-up regained his composure. Berrettini then saved five break points to take a 6-5 lead before the rattled Zverev, who beat the Italian in the same

round last year, threw away the opening set with two unforced errors and a double fault. They traded breaks early in the second before Zverev, who saved a match point in the 10th game, committed another flurry of errors, capped by a forehand into the net to hand Berrettini a memorable win. Zverev has not gone past the quarter-final at any tournament since reaching the Acapulco final in early March. The flamboyant and unpredictable Kyrgios again treated the fans to his best and worst as he combined spectacular shots with some poor behavior. The Australian won the opening point of the match with what is fast becoming a trademark underarm serve and breezed through the first set before cheers from the crowd turned to jeers amid a second-set meltdown. Having dropped serve to hand Medvedev a 5-3 lead, Kyrgios blasted a ball over the stands, turned his back to Medvedev and exchanged

words with the umpire before the Russian held to force a third set. As if nothing had happened, Kyrgios got back to bus i n e s s as he hammered aces and winners, having also capped some good forays to the net with confident volleys to book a second-round clash with Norwegian Casper Ruud. Goffin dropped the opening set against Wawrinka before he blew away the Swiss in the next two, the decisive moment coming in the second game of the third when the Belgian saved a double break point at 1-0 down. He won the next five games and although Wawrinka briefly delayed the inevitable, Goffin was able to celebrate after his frustrated opponent blazed a forehand into the crowd. In the women’s draw, Kristina Mladenovic brushed aside French compatriot Caroline Garcia 6-1 6-2. The evening’s standout encounter pits holder Elena Svitolina against Victoria Azaraneka.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev in action during his third round match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini. (REUTERS/Eric Gaillard)

Woods sets sights on Olympic gold... From page 34 fifth Green Jacket when he won the Masters in April, his 15th major title and first in more than a decade. He also has won three Claret Jugs awarded to the British Open winner. Woods will go for a fifth Wanamaker Trophy at this week’s PGA Championship and next month he will bid for a fourth U.S. Open trophy at Pebble Beach.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Serena pulls out of Italian Open with knee injury

Serena Williams of the U.S. in action with Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova. (REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo) ROME (Reuters) - Serena Williams pulled out of the Italian Open yesterday due to a persistent knee injury which casts doubt on her participation in the French Open which begins this month. The 37-year-old American world number 11 had been due to face sister Venus in an eagerly-awaited secondround clash in Rome. Venus received a walkover into the

third round. Serena, a 23-times Grand Slam singles champion, has struggled with injuries since reaching the quarter-finals of this year’s Australian Open, although she had breezed through her opening match against Swede Rebecca Peterson. “I must withdraw from the Italian Open due to pain in my left knee,” the four-times Rome champion said. “I will

miss the fans and competition at one of my favourite tournaments. “I’ll be concentrating on rehab and look forward to seeing you all at the French Open and next year in Rome.” Williams’ knee injury also forced her to pull out of her last tournament in Miami in March. The French Open will begin on May 26.

Roger Federer criticises ticket prices in Rome BBC Sport - Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has criticised Italian Open organisers for doubling ticket prices after it was confirmed he would play. Federer, 37, is playing the clay-court season for the first time since 2016. The number three seed, who has a first-round bye and will begin his tournament against Portugal’s Joao Sousa, said the decision was “disappointing”. “They made it in a way like they rewarded the fans who bought tickets earlier, which is sort of strange.” Federer added: “I just really hope it doesn’t take away the fact I’m really happy to be here. There’s going to be good crowds hopefully, good atmosphere.” The Swiss was beaten in the third round by Dominic Thiem on his last appearance in Rome in 2016. Thiem saved two match points to beat Federer and progress to the Madrid Open semi-finals last week, but Federer was pleased by a strong performance and has

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Roger Federer has missed the last two clay-court seasons. (Getty Images) his eyes on a second French Open title in June. His only Roland-Garros title came a decade ago when he beat Swede Robin Soderling in straight sets. “I think I was playing well in Madrid, so I just said, again, ‘let’s come to Rome, a city I like so much as well’,” said Federer. “Madrid is a tough place to play. I felt like playing maybe more sea-level conditions would be good for

me. There would be excitement, more excitement than me coming to a practice court in Switzerland. “Regardless of what happens here, I just think it’s good for me to play matches at this stage.” Federer could come up against eight-time champion Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals in Rome, and Madrid Open runner-up and eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals.

Shadab Khan fit for World Cup, set to return to England ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan look set to confirm Shadab Khan in their World Cup squad, after the PCB announced in a press release that the legspinning allrounder had been cleared to join up with the squad after their ODI series with England. Their captain Sarfaraz Ahmed had already allayed doubts about Shadab’s fitness in comments ahead of the third ODI in Bristol. Shadab, who was struck down with a bout of hepatitis ahead of the England tour, has been recuperating back home since the start of the ODI series. But speaking at the toss in Bristol, Sarfaraz told Sky Sports: “We have good news about Shadab. He will be fit for the World Cup and we are excited to have him back.” He is now set to leave Pakistan for England on Thursday, where he will again see a London-based specialist, before joining up with the rest of the World Cup party on Monday. Shadab’s fitness to play a part in Pakistan’s World Cup warmup games will be determined nearer the time. Shadab was quoted by the PCB release as saying: “I am delighted to know that the blood tests are negative and I can now return to competitive cricket. I was always very confident that I would fully recover from the viral infection and will be available for the World Cup.” The development is a massive boost for Pakistan, who had selected Yasir Shah for this series instead. However, Yasir’s ODI form is a far cry from the quality that has marked him out as an elite Test match bowler, with an ODI average of nearly 50, and he was omitted from the Bristol match after a poor game at the Ageas Bowl on Saturday.

Shadab Khan took three wickets in four balls. (Getty Images) It effectively left Pakistan with two options: taking Yasir to the World Cup, or deciding to go in without a legspinner at all. Shadab’s all-round ability also gave the team more flexibility with the batting order and squad selection, and as a legspinner, he is far and away the premier choice for Sarfaraz’s side. Whether he will be fully fit right from the outset is unclear yet. The virus was discovered in his blood following routine medical tests that the PCB conducts on its players. However, its early detection is believed to have helped his recovery, and one day after Mohammad Amir’s diagnosis of chicken pox all but ruled him out of the World Cup, Shadab’s arrival will certainly be a fillip. “It is fabulous news and on behalf of the Pakistan cricket team, I look forward to welcoming Shadab back in

the squad,” Pakistan’s coach Mickey Arthur said. “Shadab is one of the finest of his generation and is an influential figure in the team. His presence in the dressing room and on the field of play keeps the side geared up and motivated. “Shadab’s inclusion also balances what is a young but extremely talented squad. I understand it will take Shadab some time to be back at his brilliant best as he has not played cricket for a few weeks, but our first game is on 31 May and he has got two weeks to regain complete form and fitness. “He is a brave lad and the way he has fought back to regain fitness is a testament to his attitude and approach, which gives us the encouragement that he will be hopefully available for selection for our World Cup opener.”

Gibbons, Daw expect Ruralites to perform at Independence Meet Coach of the Ruralites Track Club, Raymond Daw and 2019 Carifta gold medalist Anisha Gibbons are positive that their club, Ruralites, will show up and show out on May 18 and 19 when the Guyana Overseasbased Sports Association host their fourth edition of the Independence Track and Field Championships. Appearing on radio show, Sports Vybz on Monday evening, Gibbons was confident that she will

perform well at the event. “I have to compete mostly with the senior men because I don’t have much competition here, I don’t beat them but I try my best to do well and I expect to do well, “ Gibbons noted. Coach Daw shared that his club is ready and while some of his top athletes such as Osrick Pellew might not compete because of injury, he definitely believes that his club will match up well against their competitors over

the two days of competition. The Independence Track and Field Championships is an all age event, featuring kids from as young as under-10 who will compete for medals and trophies. In addition, the organizing committee of the championships has added a number of rewards to athletes that do well at the competition. The event will commence from 10 hours on both days.

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FIFA Development Conference facilitated by GFF, first of its kind in Guyana - Twenty-eight nations represented

Dr. George Norton during his presentation, flanked by GFF President Wayne Forde (left) and FIFA MA Development Director, Veron Mosgengo-Omba. By Franklin Wilson It was another watershed moment for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday when for the first time it its history, a FIFA Conference has been hosted here. The two-day FIFA Development Conference which would end today at the Marriott Hotel has attracted participants from 28 CFU nations. Host nation President, Wayne Forde, in his welcoming remarks expressed gratitude to FIFA for bringing such a conference to these shores, reiterating that’s it’s a historical moment similar to that of Guyana qualifying for the 2019 version of the Concacaf Gold Cup. Forde also noted that feedback from his colleagues visiting have been very warming, whilst also highlighting the positive partnership with the Government of Guyana through the department of

tourism and other partners within the tourism industry, as being exceptional. Honorable Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton in remarks welcomed the participants and officials, which included Belgium and Germany, on behalf of His Excellency President David Granger, the Government and people of Guyana. Stating that he is a football enthusiast as well as a past player, Dr. Norton expressed pleasure at FIFA’s decision to host a conference of such magnitude, here. “Football is a beloved national sport and over the years it has seen much progress here in Guyana with the assistance of FIFA and the delegation of local organizations and players. FIFA’s decision to host this important conference on these shores is a clear indication of its confidence in this ‘Land of Many Waters’; for that, we in Guyana are

elated and thankful.” Noting that Guyana has a population of just less than eight hundred thousand people, Minister Norton boasted that Guyana has been able to astonish the world in various areas and at various levels including sports. “In almost every aspect of our development including sports, the government has taken an approach to help build capacity through improved preparations. This is why we have embarked on upgrading and building new sports facilities including community and school grounds, notwithstanding the construction of two new synthetic tracks slated for yearend completion.” The Minister also noted his government had recognized the importance of preparing athletes from an early age: “As such, your decision to focus this conference on the implementation of a

Dr. George Norton is presented with a gift from FIFA by Mr. Veron Mosgengo-Omba in the presence of Wayne Forde. comprehensive regional schools football programme is most timely and very much welcome. At the level of this administration, we appreciate these undertakings and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with FIFA and all its confederations for the betterment of football as a whole and as yet another means of bringing people together and promoting social cohesion.” FIFA Director of Member Associations and Development – Mr. Veron Mosgengo-Omba brought greetings to those gathered on behalf of FIFA President Gianni Infantino who said that he is looking forward to their support which enables him {Infantino} to continue his work which kicked off in 2016. The GFF and Government of Guyana were both thanked for the support extended in making the hosting of the Development Conference a

success. “We all know that development means ‘the future’, the FIFA development programme, forward is essential for the future of our game, football.” Mosgengo-Omba shared that despite the progress made since the implementation of the Forward programme in a number of Member Associations (MA’s), giving the examples of Burundi and Mauritania, qualifying for the first time in AFCON as a result of the Forward resources, there are still considerable challenges in most segments of football organization. “The Forward Development Programme, an essential pillar of FIFA development, provides to all FIFA MA’s a great opportunity to improve their football and other important areas: administration, technical education, social responsibility, etc.”

He stated that to make all of this reality, MA’s must put in place proper administrative structures, define its objectives, implement a strategy and evaluate the impact of its actions. It also requires that FIFA and MA’s work hand in hand whilst enjoying the trust of the public and other organizations. Mosgengo-Omba opined that the basis of trust should not only be due to the good result of national teams but also due to our actions in the area of social responsibility. These areas and more he noted would be addressed during the course of the conference. Some of the areas being dealt with include, what is a project? Characteristics of a project? How does a project come about? Stages of a project: Conception – Evaluation and How can MA’s use football as a means for local development, among others.

Woods sets sights on Olympic gold in Tokyo FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (Reuters) - Tiger Woods has collected plenty of Green Jackets and Claret Jugs during his decorated career, but there is one shiny thing missing from his collection — an Olympic gold medal. That is about the only big thing worth winning that Woods does not have, and something he would like to take care of at next year’s Tokyo Games. “Would I like to play in t h e O l y m p i c s ? Ye s , ” Woods said on Tuesday

during a news conference at Bethpage Black ahead of this w e e k ’s PGA Championship. “I’m sure I won’t get many more opportunities going forward at 43 years old to play in many Olympics. “That would be a first for me and something I would certainly welcome if I was part of the team.” Golf returned to the Olympics at Rio in 2016 after a century-long absence, but many players who qualified stayed away

due to concerns about contracting the mosquitoborne Zika virus. Woods was battling a career-threatening back injury at the time and did not qualify for the United States team. He is healthy again now after a 2017 spinal fusion. Justin Rose won the m e n ’s g o l d m e d a l f o r Britain in Rio and while South Korean Park In-bee triumphed in the women’s event. The 2020 Olympic golf will be played at the

Kasumigaseki course in suburban Tokyo. Each country is restricted to a maximum of four players, and there is no guarantee Woods will qualify, though based on current form he has an excellent chance. “Getting there and making the team is going to be the tough part,” he said. “I just know that if I play well in the big events like I did this year, things will take care of itself.” Woods collected his (Continued on page 32)

Tiger Woods addresses the media during a press conference before the PGA Championship golf tournament at Bethpage State Park - Black Course. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

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Wellman Masters capture ECC Masters/ Trophy Stall softball title

Lloyd Ruplall (right) receives his man-of-the-match award from Rajesh Singh. Wellman Masters won the Everest Cricket Club/Trophy Stall 20-over softball competition which was contested on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club. Wellman Masters defeated Ariel by six wickets off the last ball of the final which was reduced to 15 overs. Ariel took first strike and managed 134-8. Shaheed Gittens struck six fours and five sixes in a top score of 78, while Clyde Hoyte made 22 not out and Randy Katwaroo 15. Wayne Jones and S. Cort took two wickets each. Wellman Masters responded with 138-4. Lloyd Ruplall made 51 with two fours and five sixes while Latchman

Kallicharran scored 47 which included one four and three sixes. Eon Lovell, who struck a six off the last ball with three needed to win the encounter, ended unbeaten on 13. Ruplall was adjudged man-of-thematch by adjudicator Rajesh Singh, the Captain of the Everest Masters. In his brief remark, Singh congratulated the winners and expressed gratitude to the teams for participating, adding that the tournament will be an annual event. Wellman Masters Captain Wayne Jones thanked the sponsors and Everest CC Masters for hosting the competition. (Zaheer Mohamed)

Captain of the Wellman Masters, Wayne Jones accepts the trophy from Everest Masters skipper Rajesh Singh in the presence of his team mates.

Saha, Pant to feature in India A’s Caribbean series MUMBAI, India, CMC – Out-of-favour Test batsman Wriddhiman Saha and rising star Rishabh Pant will both feature on India A’s tour of the Caribbean which bowls off in July. The 34-year-old Saha, who played the last of his 32 Tests nearly a year-and-a-half ago, was named in the 15-man squad for all three four-day “Tests”. He has been kept out of the senior side through a series of injuries. Batsman Shreyas Iyer, who has played six One-Day Internationals, will lead the “Test” squad, which also includes exciting 19-year-old opener Prithvi Shaw, whose only two Tests came against West Indies last year and yielded a maiden hundred. However, Shaw will only feature in the third and final “Test” Pant, meanwhile, who was surprisingly omitted from India’s World Cup squad, will be a part of the tourists’ 15-man squad for the five one-day matches. The 21-year-old has played nine Tests and averages nearly 50 with two hundreds. The one-day squad will be led by batsman Manish Pandey and includes Shaw and Iyer. India A’s series will precede the senior team’s tour of the Caribbean which is expected to begin in August and comprise two Tests, three One-Day Internationals and

Ariel Captain Oslyn Batson (right) collects the runner up trophy from Rajesh Singh.

three T20 Internationals. The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) said Tuesday Antigua will host the five one-dayers from July 11-21, with Coolidge Cricket Ground and the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground serving as venues. The Vivian Richards Cricket Ground will also host the first “Test” from July 24-27 before the series moves to Trinidad where the second “Test” will be played at Queen’s Park Oval from July 31 to August 3 and the third “Test” at the Brian Lara Stadium starting August 6. SQUADS: ONE-DAY: Manish Pandey (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishab Pant (w), Rahul Chahar, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan 1st “Test”: Shreyas Iyer (captain), PK Panchal, AR Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, Shivam Dube, Wriddhiman Saha (w), KS Bharat (w), K Gowtham, S Nadeem, Mayank Markande, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan 2nd & 3rd Test: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (w), KS Bharat (w), Shivam Dube, Mayank Markande, K Gowtham, S Nadeem, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan

Dutch Grand Prix back on F1 calendar after 35 years LONDON (Reuters) - The Dutch Grand Prix will return to the Zandvoort seaside circuit for at least three seasons from 2020 and after a 35-year absence from the calendar, Formula One announced yesterday. The race is sure to be well attended with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, 21, boasting a huge following a s h i s c o u n t r y ’s m o s t successful driver and Formula One’s youngest ever race winner. Dutch beer giant Heineken will be the title sponsors and the hosting agreement is with a partnership of SportVibes, TIG Sports and Circuit Zandvoort. “From the beginning of our tenure in Formula One, we said we wanted to race in new venues, while also respecting the sport’s historic roots in Europe,” said Formula One chairman Chase Carey in a statement. “Next season therefore, we will have a brand new

street race that will be held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, as well as the return to Zandvoort, after an absence of 35 years. “ We ’ v e seen a resurgence of interest in Formula One in Holland, mainly due to the enthusiastic support for the talented Max Verstappen, as seen from the sea of orange at so many races,” he added. Verstappen is third overall in the championship after finishing third in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, with plenty of supporters in attendance. “It’s just an iconic, historic track,” he said. “I have raced there before with F3 and it was a lot of fun. I compare the track a little bit with Suzuka... It’s a pretty quick track and it’s always good and exciting to have new ones on the calendar.” “It’s very cool, and with no run off, it’s quite hard to find the limit. On some other tracks it’s a bit easier but that also makes it more exciting.”

Next year’s race will be the 31st time the Dutch Grand Prix has been part of the Formula One World Championship, with Zandvoort making its first appearance on the calendar in a 1952 race won by Ferrari’s Alberto Ascari. The late British world champion Jim Clark won there a record four times. The last Dutch Grand Prix was in 1985. “I think a Dutch Grand Prix, with the popularity of Verstappen, is going to be immense. I think that’s positive for Formula One,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner told reporters at the weekend. The race deal is the second, after Vietnam, negotiated by U.S.-based Liberty Media since taking over the sport in 2017 and ousting former commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The French Grand Prix at the southern Le Castellet circuit returned in 2018 after a 10-year absence but that deal was done by Ecclestone.

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Wednesday May 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

Nand Persaud Group of Companies Prime Minister Region 6 Softball cricket staged

Kaieteur News Senior Staffer Leonard Gildharie makes the presentation to standout Ravi Lootawan. The Softball Cricket competition organised by the Prime Minister Region 6 Representative Gobin Harbajan in collaboration with the Nand Persaud group Of Companies was successfully held recently at the No 56 ball field, Corentyne, Berbice. Six teams participated in the competition namely Union (No 53 Village), N0 55, N0 57, N0 59, N0 60 and N0 71 Village and Unstoppable (combined team). After a day of exciting cricket, Unstoppable and No 57 made it to the final which

was played on a six over basis due to time constraints. In the final, Unstoppable were unstoppable as they skittled No 57 for a mere 26 runs. In reply they raced to 27 in 3.1. The Man of the Match in the final was Ravi Lootawan from the Unstoppable team. Unstoppable won the Nand Persaud Foundation Trophy and Cash Prize which was presented by General Manager of Nand Persaud Group of Companies Mr. Mohindra Persaud. No 57 collected the runner

The winning unstoppable team receiving their incentives from General manager of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies and Foundation Mohendra Persaud. up trophy from Global Access and cash incentive compliments of the Nand Persaud Foundation. Kaieteur News Senior Staffer Leonard Gildharie travelled from Georgetown to be a part of the activity and contributed financially on behalf of the Company to the incentives won during the day. Speaking at the presentation ceremony Mr. Mohindra Persaud had words of encouragement and appreciation for the initiative. He said that Mr. Harbhajan

has done something good to organise such an activity, which he envisage will have a positive impact on the communities. He said that the Company is always happy give back and be a part of anything that will make a positive impact on the Community, especially youths. Gildharie, while making the presentation on behalf of Kaieteur News, stated that the Company was more than happy to join in the venture which they see as a good one.

Mr. Harbhajan praised the Nand Persaud Foundation and Mr. Persaud for their unstinted support and jumping on the idea as soon as he mentioned it. According to Harbhajan, the idea is not just to play cricket but to support youth enhancement in the community. He said that from moving around he has seen and heard of a number of young people committing suicide, domestic violence and imbibing alcohol/drugs. He felt by making a start

and taking the lead will help the youths to use their spare time to do something constructive. He also had words of commendation for Kaieteur News and Globe Access. He was overwhelmed by the generosity of Kaieteur News who contributed financially and sent a senior representative from Georgetown to be a part of the day’s activity. The event was well attended with many families in attendance. (Samuel Whyte)

RHTYSC Cricket Teams and DTV-8 host Annual Tribute to Mothers Programme The ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club for the 13th successive year joined hands with long term partner Dave Television Station to host the Annual RHTYSC/DTV-8 Berbice Mother of the Year Award Ceremony. Three outstanding mothers: Kamaldai Panday, Canesha McKenzie and Indira Indarsingh were honoured as Mothers of the Year for being outstanding role model parents and mentors to their children. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that DTV-8 and RHTYSC since 2007 have hosted the popular Award Programme and over the last thirteen years, dozens of outstanding mothers have been honoured. The main objectives of the Berbice Mother of the Year Award are to recognise the contribution of outstanding mothers, to provide role model mothers for younger mothers to emulate and to promote the importance of motherhood. Foster stated that

Motherhood is the most important job in the World, as it is no simple task to conceive a child, carry it within your body for nine months at great health risk and then nurture it to become an adult. The bond between a mother and her children is unbreakable. Mothers, Foster noted are God’s representatives on earth and he praised the three mothers for being outstanding parents. With today’s modern world with so many distractions such as social media, it is very difficult to be a parent it was noted. The RHTYSC Secretary/CEO urged the parents to share their experiences with the younger generation of mothers. One of the main problems in Berbice today, he stated is that teenagers are making children and most of them are not looking after their children like the older generation of parents. He decried the lack of involvement of grandmothers in the development of children, unlike the past where grandparents were

actively involved in the day to day development of their grandchildren. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Secretary/CEO hailed the contribution of his mother Claudette and Grandmother Josephine who were the main reasons why he and his brothers are so successful because they made sure that the three brothers understood the importance of hard work, education and faith in God. He urged the parents to preach a daily gospel of personal discipline, importance of education and family unity to their children and urged the attentive children to always respect and cherish their mothers. DTV-8 Managing Director Anita Rambarran noted that the Television Station was proud to once again work along with the RHTYSC to honour mothers in Berbice. DTV-8 popularly known as the Family Station, she stated was dedicated to the development of families across Berbice and would continue to work along with

The Three outstanding mothers, their children, RHTYSC and DTV-8 officials pose for a photo after the presentation. the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club in the future. Each of the Awardees received a trophy, medal, framed certificate and a special gift from the Club. The

winners were chosen after children across Berbice were encouraged to submit an Essay on the Topic: “Why I love my Mother”. The ten cricket teams of

the RHTYSC also provide snacks and refreshments to Old Age Pensioners as they wait to uplift their monthly pension at the Rose Hall Town Post Office.

Wednesday May 15, 2019

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Kaieteur News

More Inter-County games should be played in B’ce - Foster has been advocating for this since he became BCB President

BCB President Hilbert Foster (left) at last Monday’s match at Albion. Says Sean Devers The return of InterCounty cricket to Berbice for more than a decade produced the largest turnout for a match between two Counties in the last 11 years, created an absolutely fantastic atmosphere, provided the sponsor excellent ‘mileage’and was a resounding success. The Hand-in-Hand 50over U-19 Inter-County contest between host and double defending Champions Berbice and Essequibo was played on Monday last at the historic Albion ground, with Berbice beating Essequibo by six wickets in a match that was done and dusted before 16:00hrs. Had the game not been set on a working and school day and played between Berbice and Demerara or the National U-17s which includes Berbicians instead of Essequibo, was properly

promoted and was not completed so early, the estimated 400 vocal fans would have swelled to a much larger number. This fixture in itself gives the impression that the competitions Committee of the embattled GCB do not fully understand Marketing and Guyana’s cricketing culture. Albion which hosted the first ever ODI in the West Indies in 1978 when West Indies beat Pakistan, has five pavilions including four ‘double deckers’ in addition to the main pavilion and can accommodate close to 8,000 fans. Load Music from a group among the partisan crowd, the agriculture settings with Coconut trees around the venue swaying in the breeze, hucksters selling nuts, Channa, biscuits, ice cream and juice among other things, added to the ambiance last

Monday as they set up trays or walked around the stands. It was also a great opportunity for Berbicians to rally round their team and for the youngsters from Essequibo to gain the experience of playing in an environment outside of Demerara where such tournaments are consistently held and the sights and sounds of the way people live in Berbice. My trip to Albion was highlighted by two main things. The cricket history spurting out of the mouth of semi-intoxicated old men and the amazed look on the faces of the two young and eager cricket Journalists who had crossed two Rivers to reach the Corentyne and the Nostalgia of being in the dressing room when West Indies players Shimron Hetymer and Devendra Bishoo spoke to the young

These fans walked with their chairs to the venue.

The Hucksters selling their products to the large and noisy crowd at Albion. Berbice players where I stood once as Berbice player. The Biggest crowds that I have played before in Senior Inter-County cricket were at Albion and Blairmont in Berbice and Hampton Court in Essequibo. And those were the days when fans in

Demerara showed great interest in matches at that level. Last Monday’s turnout was the biggest I have seen in recent times even at Providence for Regional FirstClass matches (only CPL has larger crowds).

Hilbert Foster became BCB President in December 2017 and is in his second and final year of his first term. He also called for more such matches in Guyana’s second largest County and the home of the biggest population of (Continued on page 31)

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Wednesday May 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

GFF/KFC U-20 Independence KO Cup – Bartica FA D’ Andrade captures Cleavon Murray’s hat-trick ‘FingerSiparia Regional Licking Good’ at start of tournament Corporation half marathon in T&T Guyanese Lionel D’ Andrade won the Siparia Regional Corporation half marathon which was contested on Sunday last in Trinidad and Tobago. D’ Andrade clocked one hour 22 minutes, 24 seconds to win the events ahead of Errol Williams in 1:23:48 and third place Jedidiah Granger in 1:26:36. D’ Andrade placed

seventh overall and first in his category in the Cocrico 5k which was held on Saturday morning; 752 athletes finished the race. On Saturday afternoon, the Guyanese placed 14th overall and first in his division when he competed in the Costaat 5k; 431 athletes completed the event. D’ Andrade next assignment is the Tobago 10k on Saturday.

Archery Guyana continues to move closer to Olympic qualifier with Devin Persaud Archery Guyana has announced of the participation of its 29 year old member, Devin Persaud, at the Hyundai World Archery Championships 2019 in the Netherlands. Persaud has his roots in Rose Hall Town, Berbice, but is currently residing and training in Canada. He has been involved in the sport of Archery for the past 5 years during which time he became so passionate about the sport, that he

started Canada’s first online Archery Shop. This is a platform from which he shares his passion whilst assisting with the continued growth of the sport as he continues to pursue his passion of representing Guyana at the highest level. This top flight competition represents his first opportunity to secure a spot for Guyana in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The dedication of the Rising Stars FC coaching staff and players continues to return dividends, as their Under-20 players put on a show to defeat Wolves United FC 7-0 at the start of the Bartica Football Association leg of the GFF/ KFC Under-20 knockout tournament on Monday afternoon last at the Bartica Secondary School ground. Following a brief opening ceremony, Rising Stars went on a rampage that resulted in a hat-trick from Cleavon Murray in the 7th, 17th and 40th minutes; a brace from Joshua Jones in the 14th and 44th minutes along with one each from Ziggie Edwards (22nd) and Mark Subratie in the 60th minute. Yesterday, Potaro Strikers FC were scheduled to come up against Beacon FC at the

Mark Subratie, Joshua Jones, Cleavon Murray and Ziggie Edwards - Rising Stars FC same venue. Eight clubs are competing in the tournament in Bartica,

with the grand final set for this Sunday. The winning club will

represent the Bartica Football Association at the national playoffs.

Woodpecker Products Junior National Squash Tournament commences The first day of the Woodpecker Products Junior National Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club began on Monday night instead of customary Tuesday Night start. Mohryan Baksh defeated Shiloh Asregado 11/2, 11/3, 11/1 in the Boy’s U-13 division

before beating Chad DeAbreu 11/0, 11/3, 11/0. In another Boys U-13 match, which is the largest category in this years’ competition, Joshua Verwey dominated Matthew Spooner with improved placement and tactical play. Despite Spooner being able to retrieve some

great shots, Verwey earned an 11/5, 11/6, 11/1 win. The fourth Boys U-13 bout saw a spirited effort from Dhiren Persaud against a strong Louis DaSilva. After an 11/1 defeat, Persuad pushed to squeeze five points in the second game. DaSilva’s calm and calculated placement moved back into gear in the final game for an 11/0 finish. Michael Alphonso and Demetrius DeAbreu took to the Court for the first U-15 match. The rapid pace and varied shot selection heated up the evening as these two skilful youngsters used each corner of the court. DeAbreu succumbed to the stronger Alphonso in three straight games, only managing to secure a few points in each game. Top seed Alphonso was triumphant 11/ 2, 11/2, 11/3. The only U17 game of the evening between the lefthanded pair of Gianni Carpenter and Samuel InceCarvalhal began with a close first clash that Carpenter recovered from a 3/7 deficit to edge ahead to a 9/8 lead before

Ince-Carvalhal finished up 11/9. Ince-Carvalhal warmed up in the second and third to dominate with powerful target shots and secured 11/ 2, 11/3 wins for the match. Matches will continue throughout the week starting at 18:00hrs with two sessions on Saturday from 11:00hrs and 17hrs. Results: Monday 13th May 2019 Under 13 Boys Mohryan Baksh defeated Chad DeAbreu 11/0, 11/2, 11/ 0 Mohryan Baksh defeated Shiloh Asregado 11/2, 11/3, 11/1. Louis DaSilva defeated Dhirren Persaud 11/1, 11/5, 11/0 Joshua Verwey defeated Matthew Spooner 11/5, 11/6, 11/1. Under 15 Boys Michael Alphonso defeated Demetrius DeAbreu 11/2, 11/2, 11/3 Nicholas Verwey defeated Zachary Persaud 11/1/11/2, 11/2 Under 17&19 Boys Samuel Ince-Carvalhal defeated Gianni Carpenter 11/ 9, 11/2, 11/3

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 41

Anthony out duels Hicks to win Arokium Memorial Cycle Road Race in Berbice Michael Anthony of Linden made sure that his close to 100 miles sojourn to Berbice to compete in the Phillip Arokium Memorial 50-Mile Cycle race in Berbice on Sunday last was not in vain as he out dueled the rest of the field to emerge victorious. Anthony won in a time of two hours, 12 minutes and 11 seconds in a fierce battle from Berbician Andrew Hicks. The cycle race, which was staged in honour of late proprietor of the Arokium Funeral Establishment, was organised by the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC). The cyclists pedaled off at 10:00 hrs from Main and Alexander, Street New Amsterdam, after the riders were sent on their way by Managing Director of the Arokium Funeral Establishment Mrs. Pearl Arokium. The riders then proceeded to the Nand Persaud Rice Milling Complex at Number 36 Village, Corentyne, before

turning back to finish at its place of origin. There were a few mini breaks, until Anthony and Hicks took over. The two cyclists then led for most of the event until their fierce duel to the end of the contest, which had most spectators at the finish line on their toes. Two more Berbicians, Andre ‘Padlock’ Greene, and Balram Narine occupied the third and fourth spots. Marcus Keiler was the fifth to cross the line with Christopher Griffith sixth, Ajay Gopilall seventh and Ralph Sewnarine eighth rounding out the top finishers. In the veterans category, the ever green Junior Niles won from Paul Choo-WeeNam and Jaikaran Sookhai. Mario Washington was the first juvenile to cross as David Hicks and Steve Bhimsen occupied the next two spots. Aronraj Narine was the top rider among the U14 competitors with Shazim Ya k u b a n d M a l a c h i

Devanand occupying the other two spots. The females had their own duel as Shemika Teixeira won from Deancea We l c h a n d M a r i a Carrington. They rode from Benjamin’s Sports Store at Fyrish Corentyne to the finish line. There was a special category for riders of the FACC and the first three to (Continued on page 33)

Champion Rider Michael Anthony collects his winnings from sponsor Mrs. Pearl Arokium as other top performers, family members and organisers share the moment.

t r o Sp

FIFA Development Conference facilitated by GFF, first of its kind in Guyana - Twenty-eight nations represented

Participants from the nations represented at the FIFA Development Conference facilitated by GFF take time out for a group photo yesterday.

Archery Guyana continues to move closer to Olympic qualifier with Devin Persaud

D’ Andrade captures Siparia Regional Corporation half marathon in T&T

Woodpecker Products Junior National Squash Tournament commences

Devin Persaud at the US Nationals 2018 during the 70m Qualification.

Saha, Pant to feature in India A’s Caribbean series

Lionel D’Andrade in action

Samuel Ince-Carvalhal

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