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Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Friday May 17, 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 promise of riches Guyanese can thank (or blame) Simon Maybin for planting a tantalizing tree in his BBC online article dated May 9 titled, “Will Guyana soon be the richest country in the world?” In double-quick time that qualifier “soon” could be gone. Too long. First time for this one about being the richest, though. Mesmerizing. Realizable, too. Per capita comes to mind; it can be; the divisor is small with a population of only 750,000. Former American Ambassador Perry Holloway was quoted as saying last November, “Come 2025, GDP will go up by 300% to 1000%. This is gigantic. You will be the richest country in the hemisphere and potentially the richest country in the world.” Say some more, please. As citizens get ideas, a word of caution, fears are that that this richness will not reach the poor. Crooked politicians and bureaucrats could see to that. The BBC article mentioned Sophia, with a telling note that the homes there are self-built. Fact. Not limited to Sophia, but can extend to all points across the regions, the schemes like Kaneville, South Cummingsburg (Tiger Bay), Albouystown , and the depressed communities in the hinterlands. The expectants are looking for the wealth effect to cascade down, not trickledown in meaningless droplets, to those needing a hand the most. Those specks of state largesse, barely visible to begin with, must be reduced by a heavy subtraction for the “rampant corruption” as identified by a contributor in the public fight against what is a national scourge. Everybody is an authority on how to spend the uncollected cash. Free gas and electricity. Free cash. Freedom from taxes. And on and on. Guyana has just won Powerball and Megamillions and the Sweepstakes and the rest with one ticket. From another corner, there is emphasis on education; a quality one. That one calls for money, and lots of it: infrastructure, quality faculty, and a pool of talented young students. The horizon darkens perceptibly with the latter. That pool is shallow as to quantity of the truly talented; it lags devastatingly in the demanded disciplines of mathematics and sciences. The word is engineering. People have to know their numbers. Smart phones are not much help; social media could distract and weigh down when used irresponsibly for the wrong priorities. Education suffers; too many clustered at the average level and below the excellence watermark. Can be telling on the next level that depends on the feeder system.It is a weak system that neither cultivates nor builds the type of student that can wrestle with and overpower the complexities of torque, compression, dynamics, and the rest. This is the future. This country threatens to be a welfare society. This leaves behind many idle natives to watch and curse outsiders, who have to carry the country and collect the cash. The locals are left with whining over their fate and relegated to waving the flag during national celebrations. Subsidies can make for a ready supply of such patriots. The riches come with warnings. The writer reminds of curse and the precipices of local politics. Nobody is listening. Great irony is that the potentially richest country is determined to remain divided and destroy its chances of reaching that rare and prestigious pinnacle. Guyanese prefer to be tribal and poor (and dumb) than national and prosperous (smart, too). No more energy; less oxygen to spend on a horse that keeps on losing. No bettors. No cheerleaders. No boisterous crowd for that nag named unity and cohesion and all the many false names that it has acquired over the decades. Nonstarter. Continue along the same defeatist tracks and get ready to kiss probability of being the richest goodbye. Mr. Maybin pointed to Venezuela. He didn’t have to. Guyanese know; their leaders do, too. The word is: who cares? Big deal.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Providing clarity on University of Guyana matters DEAR EDITOR, A wise man once told me “in the absence of credible information, there will be misinformation”. Allow me to provide clarity on the issues cited in letter titled “Appalling conditions at UG’s Turkeyen Campus” published in the May 14th edition of the Kaieteur News. The Cheddi Berret Jagan Lecture Theatre or CBJLT as its commonly called, was recently renovated compliments of funding emanating from the Yesu Persaud Foundation in conjunction with the Faculty of Social Sciences, to the tune of sixteen million one hundred and thirty-six thousand, eight hundred and ninety dollars ($16,136,890). This building in its current construct comprises five lecture halls, of which
two are used exclusively to f a c i l i t a t e t w o Commonwealth Masters Programmes in public and business administration respectively and in total, comfortably accommodates in excess of three hundred students at any one sitting. Therefore, in light of the foregoing, please note the following: 1. Back-up Power - this matter was addressed in scope of works issued contractually, as a critical component of the existing infrastructure was defective. Efforts made by the contractor to source this critical piece of equipment proved futile, as the then proposed available options were rejected on the basis of quality. Even further, while renovation works were being
executed on this building, several other improvement p r o j e c t s w e r e simultaneously being effected around the Turkeyen campus. Noteworthy and relevant at that time, was the road resurfacing and new parking lot project, mainly because during the parking lot construction aspect, excavation works would have damaged a subsurface feeder line, responsible for providing back-up power to the CBJLT, thus changing the scope of works required. Efforts have since been made to have these works done via a new concise contractual arrangement, which involves the public tender process due to estimated execution costs, and this is expected to be completed shortly.
2. Running Water - to say that there has been no running water on campus in any washroom area for periods spanning weeks at a time, is a very irresponsible and reckless statement to make. Imagine a situation where a public washroom facility is without water for weeks and is still being utilised by any number of persons. Even further, imagine such a situation in close proximity to a crowd gathering of any form or in this case a classroom setting. R e c e n t l y, Tu r k e y e n campus was battling an issue of low/no water pressure resulting from our sole feeder line to well connection being damaged as a result of excavation works done in the area. This issue has since been (Continued on page 6)
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
An approach to break the cycle of domestic violence in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Why did all those victims, our fellow Guyanese women, killed by those who were supposed to love and protect them, most at the hands of their partners, have to die in such brutality? What does it take to end the cycle of domestic violence in Guyana? So many questions run through my mind every time I read a horrifying headline that seems to repeat itself over the past months most commonly, “husband kills wife and then kills himself” – often in the most gruesome of circumstances. A pervasive problem in our society that cannot be dismissed or desensitized. Domestic abuse includes any attempt by one person in an intimate relationship or marriage to dominate and control the other. This outrageous act is committed for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain total control over its victim. An abuser doesn’t “play fair”, but rather, uses fear, guilt, shame and intimidation to wear its victim down and keep them under their thumb.
In order to approach realistic solutions to conquer domestic violence in Guyana, we must understand the various factors that contribute to this type of behaviour. Some of these factors that are associated with domestic abuse include poverty, lack of trust in partners, use and abuse of drugs and alcohol, mental health issues, and in my opinion, the most foundational root of domestic violence, gender inequality. Violence is often a way for men to reaffirm their masculinity. And behind closed doors, intimate partners are the easiest target. The solution to domestic violence is not black and white. Noticing and acknowledging the signs of an abusive relationship are the first steps to ending it. Sometimes it’s not as simple as just leaving. While there are many “success stories” of survivors who have broken free of the violence, not all the stories end well. In fact, it is shown that it takes seven tries before a survivor ends up
I had a little respect for you, Mr. Kissoon, not anymore DEAR EDITOR, Freddie Kissoon is unbelievably irrational. He is critical of people living abroad in his comment in an article in the newspaper on 05/16/19, where he says his problem with diaspora fools who do not live in Guyana, but criticize Guyana, when they do not live here. This man does the exact same thing when he talks about the USA. He does not live in the USA; he Googles fake news then writes as if he is knowledgeable as to what takes place overseas. Mr. Kissoon writes that the police in Guyana cannot put out their hands and stop a car in Guyana and ask to see documents, however they do that in the USA. Mr. Kissoon, you are so wrong, where did you get that foolish notion? You know about (PC) - that means probable cause. There must be a violation before the police can stop a vehicle, which must be articulated in the police report, or they can be sued, that is the first thing the police academy teaches recruits. Police are not often sued in Guyana, in America, people find all kinds of excuses to sue the police, they do not take that chance. I had a little respect for you, Mr. Kissoon, not anymore. Jagmohan
permanently leaving their abuser. In the end, no matter when that decision is made, the safety of a survivor must be prioritized. An entire network of people must be ready to support a survivor’s choice to leave. She must feel empowered, and constantly protected, along with her child/ children. It takes a village to get out safely. This may not be the convenient path, and it may take sacrifice – but it is the only way, especially when someone has voiced that they want to kill you. Most importantly, a survivor should never or in any way return or contemplate to face the abuser once more at any given time when she is being protected. Since we know that it takes so much for a survivor to leave their abuser, we must do more to promote healthy relationships and foster mental wellness. There must be a complete culture shift in the way women’s role in society is perceived by men in our wider community. This takes a heightened level of commitment from men, particularly men in positions of power and leadership. It takes undoing toxic masculinity and the notion that “boys will be boys.” Indeed, no relationship can continue to grow on any level of owner-
ship on the part of a dominating partner. Too often, the moment a man feels he is losing ownership of his wife, he takes it out on her through abusive language, violent behaviour, or even at its peak, murder. Therefore, as fathers, be intentionally and visibly vulnerable so that your sons can learn what that looks like, also communicate explicitly and constantly that masculinity is not synonymous with dominance, nor is it incompatible with empathy. Domestic violence thrives when we are silent. But if we take a stand and work together, we can end the cycle. We can end it by telling our friends and family that we will not tolerate domestic violence, and by asking them to take a stand with us. We can end it by supporting the programs and shelters that provide refuge and safety for survivors and those in need of help. We can end it by ensuring that our communities hold abusers accountable for their actions. It is important that every individual in authority who is placed to help and protect victims of domestic abuse should be fully trained to treat domestic violence as a high priority or a life-threatening situation. Men, stop thinking that you have some sort of power and control over your part-
ners. You do not own your wife. She is an equal partner in your union. Respect her, even when you don’t agree with each other. It’s also up to you to come to terms with any mental health issues you may have, including abuse you may have witnessed or experienced as a child, or pent up trauma that has yet to be addressed. This means a mental health professional can help you. Men - call out your brothers when they’re acting a fool – don’t turn a blind eye. If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, speak up! If you’re hesitating—telling yourself that it’s none of your business, you might be wrong, or that the person might not want to talk about it—keep in mind that expressing your concern will let the person know that you care and may even save their life. Talk to the person in private and let them know that you’re concerned. Point out the signs you’ve noticed that worry you. Tell the person that you’re there for them, whenever they feel ready to talk. Reassure them that you’ll keep whatever is said between the two of you, and let them know that you’ll help in any way you can. Remember, abusers are very good at controlling and
manipulating their victims. People who have been emotionally or physically abused are often depressed, drained, scared, ashamed, and confused. They need help getting out of the situation, yet their partner has often isolated them from their family and friends. By picking up on the warning signs and offering support, you can help them escape an abusive situation and begin healing. In conclusion, I leave you with a saying that has recently surfaced over social media stating “A divorced daughter is better than a dead daughter. When will our society understand this?” To all in our community, when one of our sisters is victimized, the first question we ask should not be: “What did she do?” Instead, it should be: “What could we have done to help?” As Guyanese, let us raise awareness about domestic violence and join in our efforts to end violence. Together, we can make a difference. The murder of Zaila Sugrim is the most recent death of a woman who suffered at the hands of her exhusband with years of domestic abuse and unfortunately laid to rest in the most horrific and dreadful way by the same perpetrator. Shahneeza Ally
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Kaieteur News
This gesture of our eastern neighbour augurs well for good relations DEAR EDITOR, We are so pleased to learn that our eastern Dutch-speaking South American country of Suriname says it stands ready to share its knowledge in oil and gas with us, its English-speaking neighbour Guyana, where preparations for oil production is underway.This benign gesture, we learnt, was made by newly-accredited Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana, Ebu Jones, when he presented his letters of credence to
Guyanese President, David Granger, on Wednesday in Georgetown. Ambassador Jones, we learnt also, offered Suriname’s forty years of experience in oil and gas knowledge-sharing with us in Guyana. The Republic of Suriname with forty years of experience in the oil and gas industry is willing to share this knowledge with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and, if necessary, to support the further development thereof, the
ambassador also offered. We are also pleased that our President indicated that Guyana looks forward to working with Suriname on wide-ranging areas of cooperation, including oil and gas production. This gesture of our eastern neighbour augurs well for good neighbourly relations and maybe far better than what the United Nations body had long laboured for. Yours, Rooplall Dudhnath
Create jobs through public infrastructure investments and small businesses, not ‘make-work’ gifting DEAR EDITOR, I have argued in previous letters, in support of other similar positions, that Guyana has lost thousands of jobs under the APNU+AFC administration due to bad policies/ programs. To date, there has been no serious effort by the government to reverse that trend. There appears, however, only a sham attempt, through ‘make-work’ jobs, more akin to the ‘scabs’ that were cutting canes during the sugar strikes of the late 1970s. I take the informed view that this is anemic to national development, and that correcting the job-loss malady requires concerted efforts by the government to craft job creation strategies that promote healthy national economic growth through public infrastructure investment; foreign investment, and supportive environment for small businesses, among others. In a previous letter, I advocated for government to devise plans for utilizing a significant portion of the windfall oil money on several
public infrastructural projects – bridges, highways, highspeed rail and deep-water harbour - which would not only create thousands of jobs at varying levels, but would also re-position Guyana as a major international player visà-vis the south-south hub for air and sea services that would easily link Brazil and other continental economies to African markets across the Atlantic. A University of Massachusetts study found that the most effective government spending in the US was on these types of projects, and that for every $1 billion, almost 20,000 jobs were created. Guyana must not fall prey to the Dutch Disease. At the moment, everyone’s interest, both local and foreign, seems glued to the potential of ‘bigmoney’ opportunities of the oil and gas sector. This can lead to overdependence on this sector to provide the magical answer to Guyana’s current economic woes. In my view, there should be an equal governmental interest in attracting other for-
eign investment with a view to broaden the national economic base in areas such as small industries, and by extension, hydropower to supply cheap and reliant electricity, telecommunication and related high tech fields, and agriculture/food processing. I note with interest GOInvest’s presence but apparent ineffective role at the recent Houston, Texas conference. Further, its role in attracting foreign investment is questionable. This institution needs some kind of ‘viagra’ to increase its potency. Finally, the government needs to encourage/provide a supportive environment for local small businesses through expansive monetary and fiscal policies which would also increase economic/employment opportunities for Guyanese. To such ends, reduced interest-rate policies should be re-introduced to encourage/ push commercial banks to offer business loans to start-ups. Similarly, reduced payroll taxes and other tax-holiday benefits should be introduced/re-introduced to encourage/help these small businesses to get off the ground. In fact, small businesses growth and sustainability provide a very potent means of creating and maximizing wealth for those in the lower echelons of society. In a nutshell, Guyana’s job creation strategies should promote healthy economic growth through investment in public infrastructure; foreign investment, and small business supportive environment. ‘Make-work’ jobs, while providing gains for mostly political comrades, provide little financial benefits to the economy. In fact, at a conference in Georgetown, Trinidadian Economist, Dr. Roger Hosein, cautioned against using oil revenue to create “make-work jobs”. Yours sincerely, Ronald Singh
Friday May 17, 2019
Some senior public figures have been allowed to serve while ignoring and disobeying the law DEAR EDITOR, It has been revealed that a very large number of some very senior people holding very important public positions, including Ministers and Parliamentarians, have been allowed by our government to continue to serve while ignoring and disobeying the law which requires them to submit declarations of their assets and liabilities to the Integrity Commission.The enforcement of this law is being ignored in exactly the same manner and with precisely the same contempt for the law, as shown by our political leaders to that of holding dual citizenship while serving in the National Assembly. The Chairman of the Integrity Commission has resorted to publicizing the names of these offenders on seven separate occasions but has not moved to enforce the law and prosecute the offenders. I ask why? The list of offenders includes heads and others in senior positions in government agencies such as the GRA, the Procurement Board, the Elections Commission, the Prison
Services, the Guyana Energy Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Finance, and that is to name just a few. All of these offenders continue to act in authority, every day, make decisions every day on our behalf, spend our money and cause us, the ordinary citizens, to conform to the law which they enforce or be prosecuted. We also pay their salaries. I ask, therefore, why should we respect or obey or conform to any decision that these persons who presume to govern our lives make or seek to impose on us, the ordinary citizens, who pay our taxes and obey the law? I ask, have they no sense of civic duty, no conscience? Perhaps our President, whom I have always held in great regard, would do us all the favour of explaining why this illegal practice and behaviour is allowed to continue in his government without restraint or restriction or punishment, that is, when next he asks us to elect him to be our President. Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento
The first step in solving this domestic violence crisis is we must learn to respect life DEAR EDITOR, Almost every single week we read in the papers - and it seems to be a very reoccurring story - where women are victims of domestic abuse which leads to if not murder, then permanent (physical or mental) damage. What bothers me mostly is how many persons are trying to solve this problem, but nobody seems to have a realistic solution. Everybody is just passing on advice they have read or heard about from somewhere. While the advice comes with a genuine sincerity of making this problem become a thing of the past, it still lacks one basic horrible habit Guyanese have been practicing for generations. The first step in solving this crisis is we must learn to respect life. When I say “life” I
mean the life of every single living thing. There is one particular religion that respects the life of a cow, but that’s about as far as it goes. I don’t want to dwell on it too much, because it will cause a lot of unnecessary arguments. In Guyana it’s a normal thing for people to beat animals. They have no sympathy for them. The typical Guyanese person (both male/female) believe these animals have no feelings whatsoever. The reality is they feel everything we do. They feel pain, hunger, loneliness, cold, hot, itchy, tired etc. If we start showing respect for our animals and stop beating them. I think the Guyanese will start a new culture of less violence. This is just one of my many solutions for making Guyana a better place. John Cooper
Providing clarity on University of ... From page 4 resolved. However, during this period, alternative arrangements were made to ensure the impact of this situation on students and staff alike was either not felt or significantly reduced. These arrangements included the bulk purchase of water from third party suppliers, which was then distributed to areas across campus where tanks and other such storage units were present (95% of the campus) or the filling of drums and placing them in areas where tanks were not present (5% of the campus), for the purposes of hand washing and flushing toilets. Additionally, in some cases, staffers from the maintenance division were deployed periodically to assist with the flushing of toilets, just to bring ease to a situation that was beyond our control as an institution. 3. Washroom Closure - It is in fact true that one washroom on the ground floor was closed out. However, what was not mentioned, was the fact that a new larger facility was constructed on that same ground floor as part of the renovation scope and not only did it include a single washroom closet like the original, but two additional urinals were installed, as this was the male washroom which was affected. Even further, it should be noted that the original washroom closet was closed out and repurposed as an electrical panel room due to a need for space to safely house additional
electrical panels, consequent of electrical upgrade done as part of renovation works completed. Campus-wide improvements from 2016 to present have been steady and total in excess of half a billion dollars or more specifically five hundred and fifty-six million eight hundred and forty-five thousand seven hundred and eightyseven dollars ($556,845,787) and US eight hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars (US$822,000) as of March 2019. These monies were spent to improve facilities for both student and staff experiences and have ranged from the erection of completely new buildings to the installation and commissioning of brand new generator sets for the purpose of back-up power, and were all made possible compliments of Guyana government, private sector, donor agencies and University of Guyana funding. One can choose to view the glass from two commonly known perspectives, however, for one to choose to ignore the glass even exists while we drink of its content is to be dishonest with one’s self. Finally, a special invitation is extended to those reading this letter to come visit the Turkeyen campus (if you have not done so already) and judge for yourselves the realities that exist. Regards, Mr Bjorn Williams Director, Estates Management University of Guyana
Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
With production 10 months away... Govt still to decide if Guyana will have National Oil Company, Refinery By Kiana Wilburg Guyana is a mere 10 months away from commercial oil production, yet, the government is still to say what will be the way forward for Guyana with regard to having an oil refinery and a National Oil Company (NOC). This was confirmed with Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, yesterday afternoon during a post-Cabinet press briefing. Considering the fact that Harmon is also tasked with helping President, David Granger manage the Energy Department, Kaieteur News asked Harmon to say what would be the way forward for the country as it relates to having an oil refinery as well as an NOC. Harmon declined to give any details and said this newspaper should direct its questions to Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe. The Director General said, “What we have instituted is a system where the head of the Department of Energy faces the media, interacts with the media and answers these questions. I know there was a press conference only recently by the department. “I am quite aware that Dr. Bynoe, the head of that department, is prepared to answer any questions that are relevant... So I would refer the questions to him.” Harmon said that if this newspaper is experiencing difficulty in getting access to
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Undercover cops to monitor nightclubs
Ranks from the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station on Patrol duties at the Aracari Resort environs yesterday Ministry of the Presidency’s Director General, Joseph Harmon the Energy Department, he is prepared to facilitate same. In spite of this, Kaieteur News continued to press for a definite answer, this time, asking Harmon to say specifically if the issues had been deliberated at the level of Cabinet. Harmon noted that when the matter is discussed at that level and the President has deliberated on it, the nation will be informed. OIL REFINERY Since the discovery of oil in 2015, the discussions have been unending about whether Guyana should pursue an oil refinery. In fact, the APNU+AFC administration had hired Mr. Pedro Hass, Director of Advisory Services at UK based firm, Hartree Partners, to conduct a study on the feasibility of an oil refinery here. His report categorically stated however that this was not practical. Even though reserve estimates of the block
have jumped to 5.5B barrels of oil, Hass maintains that a refinery is just not economical in Guyana’s case. On the other hand, regional industry analysts advocate that Guyana should not close the door to an oil refinery. They believe that those who make the case against it based on market conditions, are ignoring the economics of small scale refining and the value of energy security and regional integration, particularly in the context of small island state economies. Several Ministers as well as local and regional analysts have often weighed the pros and cons of having a National Oil Company (NOC), which would participate in the booming petroleum industry. But the government is yet to decide if it will move forward with this initiative much less to say what model would be used.
Police in ‘D’ Division have extended the fight against the criminals, according to Divisional Commander, Edmond Cooper. Just recently, the Commander vowed to up the ante against criminal elements in the West Demerara district. He particularly emphasized that he would seek out and apprehend nightclub owners guilty of human trafficking and prostitution of females. Hence just recently plainclothes detectives were deployed to investigate alleged cases of Westside businesses trafficking in young girls with promises of a better life and eventually luring them into prostitution. The Commander was acting on allegations that there were nightclubs on the Westside that were taking young girls to work as waitresses and then enticing them into prostitution. It is said that some of the women are lured from hinterland locations, and many were Cubans,
Brazilians, or Venezuelans staying illegally in the country. Cooper over the past weeks have beefed up security considerably, particularly in crime populated areas on the Westside. Bicycle patrols have been expanded in villages of La Parfaite Harmonie, Vreed-en-Hoop, Crane, Wales and other areas. While this seemed to have been quite effective during the day, Cooper explained that his division has seen a significant decrease in crimes since January 2019, citing that this was as a result of increased vehicular patrols in location more prone to criminal activities. He added that ranks will also be looking out for persons trading in the ‘ecstasy pills’ used by some persons to heighten sexual prowess, or decrease inhibitions. He said that there has been an increase in cases of young girls being given the pills unknowingly (in
alcoholic beverage) and being raped and taken advantage of in several other forms. Just three nights ago a group of young men liming around the Demico Stabroek Outlet placed the same pill in a beverage which was given to a female security guard, one of them had befriend. After about half an hour after, the woman began acting strangely. She stripped off her clothing, and walked around the entire Stabroek block, fully in the nude. While the men had disappeared while this occurred, public spirited citizens had to summon an ambulance. When the ambulance arrived, attendants wrapped the woman in sheets and took her to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Commander Cooper has vowed that his division will work assiduously to ensure the West Demerara District becomes one that is safe for citizens and visitors as well.
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Kaieteur News
Corpse in shallow grave...
Cops granted extension to further detain confessed killer The High Court has granted police a further 72 hours to detain Ryan Sugrim, who allegedly buried his wife in a shallow grave after shooting her in the head. Crime Chief Lyndon Alves confirmed this development, which comes in the wake of comments by another senior official of the need to ensure there is a solid case before police institute charges. On Wednesday, police said that the 38-year-old businessman had confessed to killing his wife, Zaila Sugrim. A postmortem revealed that she had been shot in the head. A .32 warhead was reportedly extracted from the corpse during the autopsy. Police confirmed that the slain woman’s spouse owned a licensed .32 revolver, which he lodged at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Headquar-
A battered Zaila Sugrim in December 2018 ters, Eve Leary, on Monday. Crime Chief Alves was unable to say whether ballistic tests have established a match between the warhead and Mr. Sugrim’s firearm. On Tuesday, detectives dug up Mrs. Sugrim’s bound, wrapped, and decomposing remains from a shallow grave
Ryan Sugrim behind a Crane, West Coast Demerara gas station where her husband is employed. The victim, who was wearing a flowered dress, was bound at the hands and feet with strips of cloth. Mr. Sugrim was taken into custody on Monday after (Continued on page 29)
Govt. appoints new Boards of Directors Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, revealed yesterday that Cabinet approved the appointments of several new Boards of Directors. At the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Berkley Wickham was appointed as the Chairman with his Vice Chair being Mark Bender. The other members are Trevor Baird, Bernard Lord, Duane Griffith, Thomas Nestor and Anala Grant-Williams. With respect to the Value Added Tax
(VAT) Appellate Tribunal, Ronald Burch-Smith was appointed Chairman. He will be supported on the Board by Pamela Briggs, Nizam Ali, John Seeram and Trevor Bowen. Harmon also revealed that the new Chairman of the Guyana Power Light is Economist Rawle Lucas. He will be joined by Reggie Bhagwandin, Kirk Hollingsworth, Morsha Johnson-Francis, Gillian Pollard, Elena Trim, and Komal Ramnauth. GPL he said has a seat that is reserved for a nominee of the parliamentary opposition.
Friday May 17, 2019
Jagdeo flip flops on Greenidge’s appointment .. says Roopnaraine and Gaskin don’t have technical expertise for their appointments Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo does not seem to have made up his mind about whether former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, has a role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During a press conference last week, Jagdeo said that he had read about the President’s intention to retain Greenidge at the Ministry, and that he agreed with the decision. He had noted that with Guyana’s current qualm with its neighbour Venezuela, and the country’s newfound wealth depending on the protection of its territorial integrity, it would be best to keep Greenidge at the Ministry.Even this week, he said, “I supported his retention for the purpose of ensuring continuity on the border matter, which is a matter that we don’t treat in a political fashion.” But, this week, the Opposition Leader sang a different tune. He said, “[Greenidge] has become the Foreign Secretary with responsibility for the Department of Frontiers and Territorial Integrity, and Department of Trade and Economic Cooperation.” “So what is the portfolio of the Minister?” he asked. “And what happens to the Director General? What is that
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge
person’s portfolio now?” “In the UK, the Foreign Secretary is the Minister,” Jagdeo said, referring to the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jeremy Hunt. Jagdeo expressed his concern that Greenidge’s appointment clouds the portfolios of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Director General. As for the recent appointments of the other two dual citizens, Dominic Gaskin and Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, he is not satisfied with their positioning either. Gaskin has been appointed Director of Manufacturing and Marketing within the Ministry of Business.
Jagdeo asked, “What are his skills to be a Director of Manufacturing and Marketing? As far as I know, he has absolutely no technical qualification there. There should be a technical position.” He said that appointments in a technical position should be done with a competitive process, and that that’s not what happened.Roopnaraine has been appointed Director of Public Service Training. On that appointment, Jagdeo said, “We have the same issue here. Rupert has not functioned a single day in government, just another sinecure position. This is precisely what we’re saying. This cabal looks out for itself.”
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIGHT CRIME A man was brutally attacked in his home at La Parfaite Harmonie. He was left in a bloody state and was only saved when one of his attackers pleaded with his accomplices not to kill him. It is alleged that calls to 911 went unanswered. This is not the first time this type of report about the 911 line has been made. A few weeks ago, thieves broke into the home of a popular public relations professional. He tried calling 911 but did not get through. It was only after he posted his ordeal on social media that he got a response from the police. Social networks therefore are proving more effective than the emergency hotlines run by the police. Social media is also providing the gory details of criminal attacks on citizens. Last Saturday, a person who operates a Chinese restaurant was robbed in the Bourda Market area. The man was put in a vice by two bandits and robbed while persons looked on either afraid or unwilling to come to his rescue. One day earlier, a family at Alness, Corentye was assaulted and robbed by bandits. A 76-year-old pensioner was left in a critical condition.
His wife was gun-butted to the head. Some of the attacks have been caught on CCTV cameras. Video footage of robberies committed on a girl outside Bishop’s High School, a schoolboy walking along Garnett Street and a man in the vicinity of the No. 44 Bus Park near Stabroek Market, have all gone now viral on social media. It is hard to imagine that there are no persons who can look at the video of those schoolchildren being robbed and not know the identity of the culprits. The video footage should be shared widely with an appeal for information on the villains. So are the police monitoring social media and seeking to use the available footage to bring the culprits to justice? In the case of the attack on the schoolboy in Garnett Street, the culprits can be identified clearly from the footage. In the other cases, enhancement of the footage can help identify the perpetrators. So why are the police not using social media to ask the members of the public to help them find those who committed these crimes? In other jurisdictions, the police even without video evidence send out advisories calling on per-
sons with information to come forward. But something as basic as that that is hardly, if ever done in Guyana. And it shows how backward policing in Guyana is. While it is not known if the police are using social media to help bring criminals to justice, what we do know is that there is a campaign against touts. So far more than 125 persons who it is alleged were touts have been arrested since the police contend that soliciting of passengers is against the law. Also going viral on social media is a video of two traffic police ranks seemingly shaking down a motorist. One of
the ranks could be seen receiving something from the driver after he had been searched by the other rank. This evidence can be used against the ranks, but that can only happen if the police have a system of monitoring social media.The mainstream media was quick to report on the campaign against touts but no one has yet reported on just how many of the more than 125 arrested have been charged and placed before the courts. The police are also undergoing training in digitally mapping crime hotspots. Not only has this technology been available for years but
it has been known to the police who have been mapping crime for years now. The police should let the public know just how many of the arrested touts have been charged. They should also let the public know how they intended to use the digital mapping of crime hotspots. Right now, the entire country is a crime hotspot. Mapping crime is not going to help when crime is so pervasive. Using the media may be a more effective strategy. The more crime is publicized the greater the chances of arrest if the police develop a strategy for using social me-
dia in crime-fighting. In the absence of such a strategy, the public should use social media to seek to obtain information which can be helpful to the police. The media – both social and mainstream— should be inducted into the fight against crime. That would be much more productive than place pins identifying hotspots on Google Maps. After all, what is the use of identifying hotspots when little or no action is going to be taken?
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Friday May 17, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Trotman put a jumbie lash pon Ramjattan
I
grew up very rough in south Georgetown. Fights were common. I don’t think I ever won one. A scrawny kid like me could never win a fight in those days. All the boys on D’urban Street know that if you beat up someone, you better look out for a jumbie lash coming when you least expect it. In Wortmanville, despite your show-off behaviour, you never would want to get a jumbie lash. Jumbie lash is a serious man. Every bully in the ghetto is afraid of a jumbie lash. You will never recover. Last Monday, Raphael Trotman put a jumbie lash pon Khemraj Ramjattan that, dem boy seh, Ramjattan ain’t come off his bed since. “On the front page of Jagdeo’s newspaper, “The Bobby Times,” for Monday, May 13, is a photograph of the two percent royalty man with the caption; “Multiple contestants for PM slot counter-productive –
Trotman.” The article quotes Trotman as saying, “For the record, we have an incumbent Prime Minister and at least one person expressing interest in the same position. I don’t believe that it would serve the coalition’s interest if there were multiple aspirants for what is essentially one position,” There was more to come with Trotman directly pointing his finger in the direction of Ramjattan. Trotman went on to say; “The AFC has not put forward an alternative name to Moses, and right now I am not sure if anyone feels that he or she can do a better job by winning more votes nationally and has national acceptability.” Surely, this is a jumbie lash. Trotman is not implying but overtly stating that there is no one in the AFC that has more political capital than Nagamootoo. Then Trotman hit below the belt with this observation;
“The no-confidence motion was a direct challenge on the Granger/Nagamootoo leadership. In my view, if we were to jump to replace either gentleman in an emotive way, we would be openly conceding that the motion and vote were justified and valid.” This is a colossal acrobatic leap by Trotman but it is essentially a direct confrontation with Ramjattan. By tying the no-confidence vote (NCV) to any challenge to Nagamootoo, Trotman is accusing AFC aspirants of betrayal. This is a strategy that could backfire for both Trotman and Nagamooto in the context of people’s right to want to achieve higher office. Many in the AFC could argue that in tying the NCV to the right to challenge Nagamootoo, it means, then, that the AFC has to accept Nagamootoo whether he performs or not and has no right to rotate the prime minister position under the Cummingsburg Accord. But
there are more conspiratorial dimensions to this drama. In February 2015 when the Accord was signed, Nagamootoo, at the Georgetown Club, told the gathering that he was interested in one term only. As the AFC settled into office, it was generally accepted in the AFC hierarchy that Nagamooto would only serve one term. His health deteriorated in 2018 and that further confirmed the thinking of one term. It is against this background that Trotman surprised the AFC membership when after its national executive meeting in February, Trotman told the Chronicle that the meeting has endorsed Nagamootoo for a second term. Some top AFC persons were enraged and that is putting it mildly. They said there wasn’t even a word at the meeting about the PM slot for
the 2020 election so they could not understand where Trotman got the idea from. But Trotman knew what he was doing. In making that announcement in February, Trotman had started his campaign for Nagamootoo. The AFC will have its congress in a month’s time and from what this columnist has been told conspiracy to tamper with the delegate selection process has already began. There have been three elections in Berbice for leadership of the Berbice branch with fights and battles between pro-Ramjattan supporters and pro-Trotman people. Derek Basdedo of the Region Six executive of the AFC told me that I can quote him as saying that Trotman bandwagon bussed in people who were ineligible to vote. There was a repeat of the Beribce war in Bartica where two elections have already
Frederick Kissoon been held. Abel Seetaram of the AFC in Region Five told me he is fearful that the delegate selection process will not be fair. He said it wasn’t free and fair for the January 2017 congress in Vreed-en-Hoop. Gobin Harbhajan, AFC point man in Region Six, told me his name was deliberately omitted for the January 2017 congress. More on why Trotman is backing Nagamootoo against Ramjattan later. The AFC is yesterday’s news.
DEM BOYS SEH
A dead man talk in vain
If is one time de whole world does believe a man is when he dying. Anything he do all he life is only when he close to dying that people does really listen. Of course, when a man got money anything he talking when he dying does got people listening. Dem want hear who name he gun call because dem want to know about who getting what. If de man is a criminal de police does listen really keen because dem want to hear wha he got to say about a certain crime. Dem boys see police question a man who dem shoot just to get him to talk. In this case de police tek a statement from a man who was dying. Dem decide to use de statement against a man who did stab de man and lef him to die. De sick man talk and talk. De police didn’t use tape recorder; dem use notebook and paper. In de end de man dead suh he never get to know that he waste he time talking to de
police. De whole story is about a man who get vex wid he colleague in de bush. De camp was lying down in dem hammock when this man walk in wid he gasoline and throw it pun de men in de hammock. Three men get away but one get bun so bad that he dead. Is he statement dem use in court. But was a time wid de accused and he lawyer. When dem tender de statement, de lawyer argue that de statement wasn’t signed. De dying man didn’t sign. Dem boys want to know if de man bun up bad how he can sign. De man hand woulda stiff. Anyhow, de judge shy out de statement . Wha surprise everybody is how de man still get off. De people who get away coulda testify. But this same statement wha de magistrate pass fuh mek de man end up in de High Court. Talk half and watch wha you seh when you dying.
Friday May 17, 2019
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Friday May 17, 2019
Former NFMU head responds to … miner walks free of murder charge Govt statement Death bed statement collapses
A miner walked free of a murder charge yesterday after the death bed statement produced on behalf of the victim failed to stand up in Court. The case was dismissed by Justice Navindra Singh. Rajesh Roopnarine, also known as ‘Boss Man’, appeared before Justice Singh at the High Court in Georgetown on a charge of murder. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on December 6, 2014, at Mabura, Upper Demerara River, he murdered David Campbell. However at the commencement of his trial yesterday, the court was informed that the main evidence against Roopnarine, was not enough to convict him of the
David Campbell offence. The Prosecution led by State Attorney, Tariq Mohamed and Tuanna Hardy, had presented a statement purported to be the victim’s
dying declaration as the chief evidence in the case. However upon examination of the document, the Court found that the statement did not contain the elements to satisfy the legal definition of such a declaration. The Prosecution had called three witnesses in the matter. Among them, the policeman, who secured the statement from the victim, a day before he met his demise. However since the Court rejected the statement as dying declaration, the miner who was represented by Attorney- at -law Nigel Hughes, was freed of the charge. Based on reports, the now dead man was a chainsaw operator in the Mabura area. He sustained third degree burns about his body and died at the Georgetown Public Hospital seven days after he was reportedly set alight at a mining camp. Campbell resided at Old Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara was at the time with his colleagues, Jason Persaud, Etwaroo Karran and Tyron Campbell, who were also in the camp when it was set alight. The three men, however, managed to escape without injuries.
Former Managing Director of the now defunct National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), Valmikki Singh, has responded to a statement that the Ministry of Public Telecommunications sent out, implying that he is not interested in working for the Telecoms Agency, the body that has replaced the NFMU. The statement read that the terminated staff members of the NFMU are subjects of a process designed to give them hiring priority in the Telecoms body. It also stated of the 18 former NFMU staffers, two of them had not indicated their interest to be rehired, and that that duo included Singh. Singh has explained that he means to provide clarity about the statement by Government which seems to say that he did not heed recommendations by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and apply for a position in the Telecommunications Agency. He said that he met with the Permanent Secretary of the Telecommunications Ministry, Derrick Cummings, and the staff of the NFMU on March 27, for the PS to announce the dissolution of the NFMU slated for May 10, as well as positions they could express interest in. Given his “20+ years of regulatory experience”, Singh said that he asked the PS, “Do
Former NFMU Head, Valmikki Singh you see a role for me in the Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Agency?”Cummings reportedly responded, “I need to discuss t h i s w i t h t h e Minister.”“After some discussion on this response, it was agreed that we would meet in two days,” Singh said. W h e n he met with Cummings on April 29, he said Cummings informed him that he still has not got a chance to discuss his role in the Telecommunications Agency with the Minister. “To date, the PS of the MoPT has not indicated if he has since had that opportunity to discuss the matter with the Minister.”Singh said that
he had a discussion with the Director of the Telecommunications Agency with its Director on May 10. His potential role in the agency was raised, and he said that that is currently being explored. The development of the Agency is finally in motion after the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill was passed in 2016 to liberalise the fixed line telephone market, among other things. A number of telephone and cable companies are getting ready to take advantage of the liberalisation, and the telecoms sector is expected to be a key driver of the economy, when liberalisation comes into play.
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GPHC continues celebrations for Nurses Week - Outstanding nurses rewarded The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday continued its celebrations for International Nurses Week, with an Award Ceremony and Lunch at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street. Seated at the head table were the members of the board including Board Chairperson Ms. Kesaundra Alves; Chief Executive Officer, Retired Brigadier George Lewis; and Deputy CEO Ms. Elizabeth Gonsalves. The programme commenced with Ms. Althea Bristol-Ward, the Manager, giving the welcome and going straight into the programme. Remarks were delivered by Assistant Director of Nursing Services Ms. Celeste Gordon and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Ms. Nalini Dass. Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gonsalves, said that “hand washing is one of the greatest ways of making sure that good hygiene is practised in your care
delivery.” She went on to say that documentation was important as it kept an order to things. “Today the delivery of healthcare continues to change and you can help that change by proper documentation.” The nurses were encouraged to work hard and to always be courteous and kind to their wards as patients may not always be cheerful but they can change that. They were also reminded that it is their duty to nurture, and in doing so they may just be there with a patient for a minute but they would make a lifetime impression. Following her were Cleopatra Burke, Principal Tutor Georgetown School of Nursing; Kesaundra Alves, Chairperson of the Board of Directors; and Dr. Holly Alexander and they all echoed the previous sentiments. Following all those words of encouragement and wisdom, was the awards cer-
The awardees posing for a picture. emony and quite a few were awarded from the Medical Block, Nalisha Thornhill and Carissa Banfield received a cash voucher and a gift voucher respectively for their hard work. Carol Trotz was awarded for aiding the delivery of the triplets in 2019, and Angelica Marks was awarded the Most Improved Nurse in the Maternity Section.
Amendment makes Local Call Centre Industry competitive
Qualfon Guyanas Providence Branch The Interception of Communications Act, section three, states that a person who intentionally intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunications system commits an offence. There are certain exceptions to that law, and the Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill 2019 provided five more exceptions to it. That Amendment was read by the National Assembly, last Wednesday. The first exception is when the person has reasonable grounds for believing that there is consent from the person to whom or by whom the communication is being transmitted, when the communication is intercepted as an ordinary incident in the course
of employment in the provision of telecommunication services. Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, said that many persons, when calling a customer service line, receive a recording that lets them know the conversation is being recorded. “And therefore, you have a choice at that point in time to end the telephone conversation or to proceed. Internationally, its accepted that once you stay on the line and proceed, you are consenting to the communication being recorded.” She said that the primary purpose of that is to ensure the quality of the service being provided. The Minister noted that Guyana has developed a se-
ries of competitive advantages over other large scale providers of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, due to the language the majority of persons speak, the time zone it operates in (relative to the US), and the relative calm of its climate when compared to other BPO competitors like the Philippines, as climate tends to affect connectivity, the Minister explained. “The call centre industry is emerging and rapidly growing in Guyana. Internationally, it is now a $156B industry. We recognise that to remain viable, we must be able to attract a major international clientele.” She said that, recently, Qualfon Guyana won two of four awards handed out at a (Continued on page 30)
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Dipcon returns to Questions surface over contract court to secure US awarded to ExxonMobil’s employee $2.2 M judgment against the State Sole Sourced or Open Tender?
In February, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, had announced that Oil Consultant, Dr. Michael Warner, was hired for $22M to complete Guyanas draft Local Content Policy. But several concerns were subsequently raised since Dr. Warner is also an employee of DAI, the contractor engaged by ExxonMobil to manage the Local Content Centre for Development located on South Road, Georgetown. There, the official provides training on how local businesses can fit themselves into the supply chain. Kaieteur News learnt that there are other local content experts who have no current attachment to an oil company and are not on an oil firms payroll but were not approached about the tender. In light of this, questions are being raised on whether Dr. Warner was sole-sourced for the project. If he was not, and there was an open tender, who were the other individuals who sent in applications. Transparency advocates also want the Government to say when the tender
Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon for this project was made available, since the Ministry of the Presidencys website has no such information about the contract nor does the Procurement Plan for the World Bank funded capacity development programme, which is managed by the Department of Energy. At the Ministry of the Presidency, yesterday, Director General Joseph Harmon,
Energy Dept. Head, Mark Bynoe was asked to provide answers to the aforementioned questions since he is responsible for helping President, David Granger manage the Energy Department. But Harmon was quick to pass the buck to Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe. Harmon said, “...These are matters that are dealt with by the Department of Energy and I cannot comment on the intricacies of whether it went to tender, sole-sourced or was based on specific qualifications of that person...I cant
Local Content Expert affiliated with ExxonMobil, Dr. Michael Warner give you a precise answer but the processes which are engaged by the Department of Energy are transparent...” Asked to say if he can assure that answers can be provided for to the questions later yesterday or before the end of the week, the DirectorGeneral said he could not. Harmon said that he will pass on the questions to Dr. Bynoe. This newspaper tried several times to contact Dr. Bynoe for a response on this matter yesterday but all efforts proved futile.
DIPCON Engineering has returned to the Court. This time, the company has approached the High Court in a bid to secure the judgment which it won against the State over three years ago. Dipcon had filed legal proceedings against the State for failing to adhere to a 2015 order which compelled the State to pay some US$2.2 million to the Trinidadian company. In 2017, the Caribbean Court of Justice, (CCJ) also awarded costs to the Engineering Company which had previously secured a judgment against the State. The case stemmed from a matter in which the Court of Appeal refused to allow an out-of-time appeal against the US $2.2 M judgment that was granted in favour of Dipcon Engineering, back in 2015. According to the history of the case the current Attorney General, (Williams) claimed that he was unaware of the judgment in the matter which was filed during the PPP/C administration. After discovering the judgment against the State, the AG filed the appeal at the Court of Appeal. This was about six months after the le-
gally prescribed time for doing so. The out of time appeal was consequently thrown out by former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh. But the AG, obviously dissatisfied with the Court of Appeal, applied to the CCJ to have the matter heard. In support of the case before the CCJ, the lawyers for Attorney General pointed out that there was good and substantial reason for the belated appeal. The lawyers noted that the matter was handled by a private attorney and the State was not informed of the judgment until months after it was handed down. The CCJ in the ruling outlined that given the circumstances, the State should have applied for special leave under the CCJ rules. “The appellant filed no application for special leave. It is a fair inference that the appellant equally appreciated that he would also need to apply for an extension of time within which to apply for special leave, since the refusal of the Court of Appeal …requires an application for (Continued on page 30)
Friday May 17, 2019
Rape and robbery suspect nabbed hours after escape from police station Robbery and rape suspect, Kevin Wilkinson, was back in custody last night, hours after a brazen escape from the Cove and John Police Station. The 23-year-old from Lot 271 Hope East,/ Enmore, East Coast Demerara, had escaped around 07.30 hrs after being arrested on suspicion of robbery and rape. Kaieteur News understands that police were preparing to place him on an identification parade
when the suspect requested to use a toilet. While in the washroom, Wilkinson reportedly removed a few boards from a wall and slipped out of the station. The Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wilkinsons escape. A sergeant and constable are presently under close arrest.
Kevin Wilkinson
Hairdressers stealing electricity right under the nose of GPL A recent hairdressers’ brawl was what revealed just recently that several salons were illegally obtaining electricity, and just a few meters of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) office at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara. Credible sources yesterday told this publication that hairdressers who operated salons in the location have been stealing electricity for months now, a fact none of the GPL employees close by seemed to be aware of. One source informed that the illegal wires were set up behind the salons, and were well concealed. Kaieteur News was informed, however, that the illegal connections can be accessed by opening a well concealed gate behind
the structures. Some sources noted that hairdressers there had paid a group of experienced young men to hook up the illegal wires. One source even indicated that amongst them was a man who was directly affiliated to the GPL entity at Vreed-en-Hoop. According to reports, a rivalry recently erupted between the hairdressers when one refused to share electricity with the other. This sparked a heated argument. It was then when one very angry woman spilled the beans. This led to the woman directing onlookers, and reportedly one GPL employee to the wires behind the buildings. Yesterday when the Vreed-en-Hoop GPL office
was contacted for a comment, a representative there informed that while she was not too acquainted with the matter, there would be an immediate investigation. Over 1,300 Berbicians were caught stealing electricity in 2014 according to reports from GPL. The theft of electricity is widespread, especially in the rural areas of the country where there is hardly any proper monitoring of the system. A report issued some time ago stated that electricity theft along with power losses due to line resistance was costing GPL an estimated US$2 million per month. Reports had also suggested that estimated more than 50,000 homes and about 20 percent of businesses are fuelled by electricity theft.
ILO head says Caribbean must adapt to changing labour market BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC Director General of the International Labour Organisation, Guy Ryder, says Caribbean countries need to move quickly to adapt to the changing labour market. Ryder was speaking on the heels of the 11th Caribbean Labour Ministers meeting which ended here on Wednesday. He told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that technology, demographics and climate change are quickening the pace of change in the labour market, and the Caribbean needs to keep up. “I think above all, in this era of digitalization we have to look at the question of skills and capacities. One of the issues which is being discussed, I think more probably than any other in our meeting here in the last two days, has been the issue of skills development and the notion of lifelong learning. “The fact [is] that the pace of change is accelerating in the world of work. I believe it is no longer logical or possible to think in a sequential way that at the
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beginning of our lives we learn and are educated for 20 or 25 years and then we work. That wont last any longer because whatever you learn at the beginning of your life it wont last you your full working life.” Ryder stated that the region needs to put in place mechanisms for retraining throughout peoples working lives. “Everybody recognises this but weve not been very good so far in working out the delivery mechanism: who pays for it? Whos responsible for it? Is it government? Is it employers? Is it the individual worker? And this is going to become more and more an issue,” he said. Ryder also pointed to the impact of climate change on the labour market, saying that climate change is induced by human activity, most of which is work related. “And the Caribbean faces a dilemma as much as an injustice. Collectively the Caribbean produces one per cent of carbon emissions and yet
the consequences are felt here in extreme weather events and other phenomena probably more acutely than any other part of the world. “I therefore believe that it is part of the responsibilities of the international system to do much better than it is currently doing in assisting small island developing states… in building climate resilience and opening pathways to the types of sustainable development which is what people need .” On the issue of mobility and migration, Ryder lamented that although there is a skills and labour shortage around the globe, there is growing resistance to migration. “Here is one of the paradoxes of our time, and we re seeing it across the world. At a time when the economic case for more liberal migration has never been stronger, the political and social obstacles to migration seem to be growing.
Cops smash US counterfeit ring -foreigner among four held Police have smashed a counterfeiting ring that has been circulating counterfeit US currency. Crime Chief Lynden Alves confirmed, yesterd a y, t h a t p o l i c e h a v e seized a quantity of the counterfeit notes and that a foreigner and three others have been detained at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. Tw o o f t h e s u s p e c t s were held earlier in the week and the other two were detained on
We d n e s d a y. Alves said that the victims that have come forward so far are from Georgetown. “We have to seek legal advice and hope to have a response by (today),” he said. According to the Crime Chief, once they are charged, police are likely to release the photographs of the alleged fraudsters. It is hoped that other victims will recognize
them and contact the police. The scam appears to have been going on for several weeks. A vendor recalled being approached by a woman who offered to pay her in US currency. She later discovered that the notes were counterfeit. Some of the victims were fleeced millions of dollars. The police action will see some of the fraudsters heading to court today.
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Minister Broomes pledges support to at-risk youth Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility f o r Yo u t h A ff a i r s , M s . Simona Broomes, paid a special visit to the Volu n t e e r Yo u t h C o r p s (VYC) Incorporated, yesterday. The visit is part of her plan to strengthen existing institutions that are geared towards youth development. The visit and interactive session was held at t h e V Y C ’s L o t ‘ E ’ Luckhoo Street, Durban Backlands location. Minister Broomes reiterated that the Government remains committed to supporting institutions aimed at developi n g t h e n a t i o n ’s y o u t h . She also underscored the importance of the programmes like those offered by the VYC as it “provides a chain of hope” for vulnerable youth. “I am committed to working towards the goal of training, employment and equality… and there is an institute here that the Government can work with and support. We r e c o g n i s e a s a Government that there is a challenge with our
Minister of Youth Affairs, Ms Simona Broomes receives a token of appreciation from Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC)’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Goldie Scott and volunteers, at the close of her visit to the centre. young people and that is why we have focused on youths since President Granger’s assum p t i o n t o office and now it is reflected in my role as M i n i s t e r o f Yo u t h A f fairs,” she said. During the interactive session with the youth, the Minster encouraged them to be positive examples in their own communities a n d t o focus on achieving their goals.
VYC’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Goldie Scott, thanked the Minister for her pledge to aid the organisation, which has existed for 24 years. She noted that the VYC has hosted an after school interactive Math and Science Programme and is now hosting STEM workshops in 12 schools in partnership with the Ministry of Education and ExxonMobil. Ms. Scott also said
that the ‘Big Brother, Big Sister’ Mentorship programme, one of the o r g a n i s a t i o n ’s i n i t i a l programmes, has netted tremendous success over
the years, noting that several graduates from this programme are now volunteers. She also said that the organisation intends to
continue to equip young persons with the necessary skills and techniques that will help them to achieve their full potentials. (DPI)
Jagdeo promises to release information on govt. corruption … creates Facebook page to get info on corruption from public servants
PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo Bharrat Jagdeo, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, has claimed that he is sitting on information about instances of corruption by the current coalition government, and that the party will release them to the public, soon. He was, at the time, responding to an accusation by Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, that the PPP hired US lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs LLC, to interfere with the integrity of Guyanas electoral progress by creating targeted advertisements and spreading fake news on social media. To the accusation, Jagdeo said, “Of course we will ad-
vertise, and we will advertise online. But it has nothing to do with Mercury.” “I made it clear why we had to hire the firm,” he said, “to counter Government lies in Washington and to lobby for free and fair elections.” Jagdeo said that there have been “hundreds of manifestations” of corruption in the four years this government has been in office, and that the PPP has played a role in exposing them to the public. He said that the PPP exposed the Conflict of Interest scandal involving former Housing Minister Valerie Adams-Patterson and her husband a contractor
Godfrey Yearwood. He also sought to take credit for “exposing (David) Patterson breaching the law” in relation to the procurement of a feasibility study on the potential Demerara River Crossing. “So that is why we had to hire a firm abroad. But we will advertise and they know that we have a ton of information on the corrupt activities that theyre engaged in, which we will release over time. So theyre saying now that its fake news.” Further, the Opposition Leader has announced that the PPP is working to create avenues through which persons, especially public servants, could report corruption by government, in confidence. “A lot of them come here [at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition] and drop off stuff, from the public service.” He said that persons may contact the PPP through the Facebook Page the party created, entitled “Corruption Watch 592” “and the information received will be treated with anonymously”. The Opposition Leader also provided a number through which persons could reach them on Whatsapp: 6536637. He said that this is all important because people have been asking how they can share information on some of these purported corrupt practices, which “seem to have gotten worse after the No Confidence Motion” was voted on, the night of December 21, 2018.
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National Ophthalmology Hospital back to full swing
W
ithin one week of the National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, beginning to conduct major eye surgeries, more than 300 Guyanese have benefited so far. Since surgeries began on a full scale basis on May 6, persons from Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo have all been flocking the Hospital to have their eyes fixed. Residents are befitting from free cataract
… 300 Guyanese get free eye surgery within a week surgeries. The free eye surgeries were made possible through the United States Army's New Horizons team. The team started operations on May 6. The able doctors and other members of the teams were happy to be part of such an intervention, restoring something as valuable as sight to many in need.
Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, recently visited the facility to offer well wishes to patients as they prepared to enter the surgical theatre or complete the surgery. A number of residents have been expressing their sincere gratitude and jubilation for the improved quality in their vision
Patients being prepared for cataract surgeries following the free eye surgery. A number of patients are diabetic which complicated their eye conditions. Some were diagnosed with cataract some years ago. They are happy that their wait is over. The residents were more than happy. They told the media that their families were unable to fund the cost of the surgeries or travel overseas following their diagnosis. According to a resident, “I went to one doctor and the doctor said I have to get $70,000 and that I have cataract and let me go to Port Mourant Hospital. I thank God and bless all who work.” Another resident was overjoyed at the completion of the surgery and the fact that she would be able to read
again. She loved to read her bible, but was being affected over time. A number of other patients expressed their appreciation to the government for their foresight in helping them to get back their sight. They noted that the simple key to recovery is to do what the doctor says and to obey the rules. While some patients were affected in one eye others have cataract in both eyes and will have to do subsequent surgeries. Most of the happy patients had their own unique stories to share. Some called the initiative of free surgeries “an act of love and kindness”. They recognised the hospitality provided to them by the medical team.
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Kaieteur News
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President Granger, First Lady bid farewell to Magda Pollard
P
resident David Granger and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra G r a n g e r, j o i n e d w i t h relatives, friends and close associates to bid farewell to Magda Lois Muriel Pollard, AA, CCH, yesterday. The President and First Lady were joined by Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Mrs. Catherine Hughes as well as former Prime Minister and Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Hamilton Green and Chief Justice (acting) Mrs. Roxane George -Wiltshire. Ms. Pollard was the Principal of the Carnegie School of Home Economics from 1957 to 1978 and Women's Affairs Officer at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat between 1980 and 1991. To celebrate her work in women's advocacy and empowerment, in 1992 she was bestowed with the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) Award for Women.
She also received two national awards, the Cacique's Crown of Honour and the Golden Arrow of Achievement.
Ms. Pollard was also bestowed the honour of the fourth CARICOM Triennial Award for Women in 1993. During her tenure at
CARICOM, she strived for the creation of Women's Bureau in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and spearheaded a
three-year programme, 'Management for Development: Effecting Change' which also targeted s e n i o r w o m e n
administrators. She has to her credit also, two publications on Home Economics which she coauthored.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
THE
Entertainment POLICE
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E P
Stag Beer launches the ultimate
RIDE OUT
Posh multi-million
'Paradise Resort' opens tomorrow
Promotion
A
WHATZ
nsa McAL's Ambassadors for the beloved Stag Beer are back again with a unique 'Ride Out' Promotion that is poised to see citizens winning thousands of dollars, television sets and even a sleek motorcycle. The promotion which kicks off in Georgetown and its environs will also be heading to Berbice, Bartica, Linden and the Essequibo Coast so the chances of not winning are remote. Every area will see a fortnightly draw with a Honda 125CC motorcycle to be won at every drawing in Georgetown. The bike is also up for grabs at the last fortnightly drawing in Berbice, Linden, Bartica and the
Essequibo Coast. Other prizes which are up for grabs at every drawing include: two coolers filled with stag beers, US$200, and one 50 inch television set. To enter, drink the stag beers, save the crowns, enter six of them in an envelope with your name, contact number and address, and place it in the entry box. For Georgetown, the boxes will be at several locations which include: Sweet Point, the Garage, Wings and Things, White Castle Fish shop and Green Paradise. There is no limit to how many times you can enter or win. The drawing dates are May 10 and 24 and June 7 and 21.
HOTTT
this weekend!!! 704 Sports Bar to host 704 Sports Bar presents the ultimate De-stresser Build Your Bucket every weekend for the ladies Wednesday and Friday The legendary Destiny's Child famously said, “Ladies it ain't easy being independent.” And at 704, the management and staff understand just how hard the ladies work to take care of themselves hence the reason this unique establishment is inviting all ladies to head on over to the 704 bar to indulge in their simply tantalizing Destresser cocktail. The first 30 will get this signature cocktail for free. See you there!!!
Aura Bar and Lounge at Pegasus Hotel pres. club night Saturdays Every Saturday, the Management at Aura will be providing an ambiance filled with quality service, delicious food and great music. Every Saturday should be a party to remember and the Aura is determined to give you that experience. The Lounge will be open from 8pm. Music will be provided by Guyana's most popular DJs. For reservations, you can make contact with management on: 225-2853 or 600-6912.
At the 704 Sports Bar, there will always be an opportunity to evolve your choices. And every Wednesday and Friday, party-goers will get a chance to build their bucket. This interesting concept allows you to pick any combination of six beers to Build Your Bucket (BYB) and get it at a special price. This offer is available from 5pm to 7pm! See you there.
Escape the after work traffic today at Palm Court As the Great Caribbean Singer, Father Fox says, "Who does go to work on a Thursday or even a Friday?" Well, unfortunately, most of us do! But that shouldn't stop you from "ducking" every once in a while when the pressure seems too much and you desire to have a little fun. Every Friday, one of Guyana's number one entertainment spots, Palm Court will be offering a light celebration called "Escape the after work traffic. The event gets started from 4:00pm to 7:00pm so see you there.
It's Heineken Fridays at 704 Sports Bar If you are a die-hard fan of the Heineken brand then 704 Sports Bar is where you need to be this and every Friday. According to management, fans can get six Heinekens for just $2800 between 7pm and 9pm. Be sure to take advantage of this offer guys!
By Alex Wayne
R
esidents are already clamouring with excitement as they anticipate the lavish opening of the multimillion dollar 'Paradise Resort' tomorrow, located at Lot 18, Inner Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara. Yesterday, Kaieteur Entertainment sat with the proprietress, USA based Binka Charles, who with pride gave our reporter a grand tour of the facility. The 'tourist's special' as she chose to call it, is a resort that caters for the vocational and recreational needs of both locals and foreigners. The Paradise Resort has fifteen air conditioned, and fully furnished apartments, with all amenities (gas stove, microwave, bathtub, and refrigerator etc) The resort also caters for the hosting of weddings, birthdays, and the like. A tour of the facility revealed extremely sophisticated rooms, with furniture that seemed to have been whisked from another dimension. The bedrooms reeked of a certain sensual aura
that seemed to speak volumes of blissful memories to come. The kitchens to the apartments were just endearing, that one could not help to play around with ideas of cooking sprees, and lots of home styled baking. The dining area was just electric, from the posh furniture, to the breath-taking décor and ornaments, many of them antique pieces. It was the bathrooms that had me gasping in amazement, and for a moment, I was transformed into believing that I was having a moment in a room at one of the international five star facilities. The outdoor pool was just inviting in hues of blue and silver, quite close to an outdoor banquet hall and poolside bar. Then there were the sprawling camping grounds where a mininature park was in progress. The Paradise Resort opens its doors to the public tomorrow and interested persons are urged to call phone numbers 613 4361 or 718 629 7132 for bookings or more information. The public is invited to the grand opening, according to management.
“SOCA BLOCK PARTY” set for May 17
I
f you enjoyed last year's inhale block party then you don't want to miss this one as Guyana Carnival & Inhale presents its “Soca Block Party”. It is the ultimate kick- start event and after work lime for Guyana Carnival on May 17th transforming Main Street into a fire breathing, stilt walking, visually breathtaking carnival zone. Inhale will also be launching new carnival hookah flavors titled “Carnival LOUD!” Some of the top international and local DJ's lined up are DJ Blank, DJ Jus Jay, Gully Ras, Selector Diamond, DJ Akelo, DJ Shizzle, Selector Biggs, DJ Energy, DJ King Keev and Seen Up. Stay tuned for more details on ticket prices.
Game of Thrones Finale for viewing at 704 on Sunday
T
he final episode of Game of Thrones Season 8 is all set for viewing at the exquisite 704 Sports Bar this Sunday at 9 PM. There will be a lineup of unique Game of Thrones cocktails such as, “Winter is Coming,” “Ours is the Fury”, “Fire and blood”, and “The Red Woman” for you to indulge in. Show up in your Game of Thrones Costume and you can get a free drink too. See you there.
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Security guard charged with fraud Akeem Bacon, a security guard, was yesterday granted bail when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus on a fraud charge. He was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates Courts after an arrest warrant was issued for him when he failed to appear the previous date to answer his charge. It was alleged that between February 15, last, and February 17, last, at Mandela Avenue, Bacon, being solely entrusted by Oscar Schultz with $120,000, he fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit. Bacon pleaded not guilty. The unrepresented defendant told the court that he is 28 years old and hails from Lot 506 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD). In 2018, Bacon was slapped with charges of assault and simple larceny.
Friday May 17, 2019
Kaieteur News
Akeem Bacon He was accused of assaulting Patrima Isaacs, so as to cause her actu a l b o d i l y harm on October 13, 2018 a t We s t R u i m v e l d t , Georgetown. The other charge against him stated that on the same date and location, he stole one Android cellular phone val-
ued $60,000, property of Isaacs. P o l ice prosecutor Vishnu Hunte had no objections to bail in relation to the fraud charge and as such bail was granted in the sum of $50,000. The defendant is expected to make his next court appearance on June 3, 2019.
Prosecution closes case in matter of bar owner charged for TIP Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield yesterday closed his case into the matter of the Liquid Love Bar owner, Savita Persaud, who was slapped with several counts of trafficking in person. The 33-year-old woman was not required to plead to the five charges when she first appeared before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. The first two charges stated that between January 31, 2019 and March 8, 2019, a t St a t i o n St r e e t K i t t y, Georgetown, she engaged in trafficking in persons, in that she recruited, transported and harboured two Venezuelans, for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It was further alleged that, during the same period, Persaud unlawfully withheld the identification cards of two Venezuelan nationals in aid of trafficking in persons.
The last charge stated that during the same period, she employed a 17-year-old child to sell liquor at her premises. Persauds lawyer is contending that his client rented the Venezuelans, including the 17-year-old, an apartment on her premises. However, the lawyer said that the Venezuelans were unable to pay the rent. Hence, the woman told them to leave. He said they went and reported to the police that they were being held against their will. Moreover, it was reported that the businesswoman employed the Venezuelans to work at her business place as prostitutes, and she confiscated their travel documents. The matter was adjourned until May 21; next where Persauds attorney will lay over a no case submission against what was presented to the court.
Charged Savita Persaud
East Ruimveldt man committed to High Court for sexual penetration trial Mario Heywood, 30, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who was out on $250,000 bail, was yesterday sent to the High Court for trial for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl. The defendant was informed of the committal by the Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. She made this decision on the basis that there was sufficient evidence presented to the court by police prosecutor Richard Harris into the matter against Heywood. As a result, Heywood will make an appearance at the High Court for the commencement of his trial at the next sitting of the assizes. Heywood was not re-
quired to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that between October 1, 2018, and November 20, 2018, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16. According to information, the child is known to the defendant. During the period mentioned in the charge, the child was left in his care. It is alleged that Haywood raped the child while her parents were out. The child then confided in her mother about what had transpired and the matter was reported to the police. An investigation was carried out and Heywood was arrested and charged for the offence.
Committed Mario Heywood
Friday May 17, 2019
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Kaieteur News
City Hall sets vendor rates for Independence Day- Carnival By Mikaila Prince The Mayor and City Council, in collaboration with the Guyana Carnival coordinators and Hits and Jams Entertainment, yesterday hosted a press conference to facilitate the vending of spots for the Independence and Carnival celebrations. The members and coordinators are pleading with vendors and patrons to keep their city clean, during and after these cultural festivities. Speaking at yesterdays event, Deputy Director, Solid and Waste Management, Mr. Floyd Rawlins, said, “Persons just shouldnt enjoy the festivities but they must be able to earn,” through the way of vending, and as such, the Mayor and City Council is making space for persons who might be interested in vending at the events. There are 800 available spots, each of them ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. These spots measure at10 x 10 ft. Vending will be facilitated at Station Street Kitty, along Irving Street, Church Street, in the vicinity of the 1763 Monument, and within Jubilee Park. Representatives stressed
that no vending shall be done within the Guyana Defence Force compound, along Homestretch Avenue, and along Hadfield Street on Independence Day. On the Day of the Carnival celebrations no vending shall be done on Carifesta Avenue or Vlissengen Road. Those persons who are found vending on the day of the events without permits from the Mayor and City Council will be removed. Members of the Council are looking at ways to strengthen their solid waste management because of the challenges created by people discarding their waste. The council is pleading with vendors to keep their allocated vending areas clean, both before and after the Independence and Carnival celebrations. Furthermore they are asking for patrons not to discard their garbage in an “irresponsible manner”, but instead, to use the waste receptacles that will be stationed at different parts of Georgetown. Vendors will also be provided waste bags to empty their waste in. This is all being insisted on in an attempt to keep Georgetown
Berbice family search for a missing relative Relatives are in search of a missing person after he walked out his home at Yakusari South, Black Bush Polder, between last week Thursday night and Friday morning. Missing is Chandrabohan “Lionel” Ishmail. According to Sarswattie Ishmail, a sister of the missing man, her brother who does kitchen gardening and occasionally some fishing, left his home without anyone knowing but has not been located since. However, relatives received information that the man was seen in the 52-55 Savannah area where persons who tend to animals and their crop camp out. He reportedly asked for a glass of water and left. “Dem bai pick him up at Yakasari three bridge and carry him down at the back by the creek side where the people dem plant garden and mind cow. He ask them for a drop, so come we know he gone down there because people know him well,” she said. According to the man’s sister, prior to the day when her brother went missing a neighbour had told him that he has five years to live in the home and on the land and that “dem go tek the land from him”. She, however, indicated that the plot of land belongs to their family. It was passed down through generations. This, she said, may have been the cause for her brother leaving, “Like he tek on that and
leff”. The woman stated that since she lives at Whim Village she opted to file the report at the Whim Police Station but was deterred by a rank and told that the report has to be made where he was living. A report was subsequently filed at Mibicuri Station but relatives incurred a cost to do so. She disclosed that relatives had to pay $6000 taxi for the police to visit relatives home and take them back to the station to facilitate the report. “We are still searching for him”, she said. Anyone who has seen the man can make contact with his sister Sarswattie Ishmail 3372285 or cell number 6151050.kai
“Members of the Mayor and City Council and Carnival representatives.” “clean and pristine” during these auspicious events. In addition, they are asking for vendors not to distribute beverages in glass
bottles or to use any illegal substances within the areas because they want it to be remained a child-friendly environment and
to promote a cultural aspect. Potential vendors are asked to visit the Councils Office Clerk this upcoming Monday, make
their interests heard, purchase the vendors permits and after such is complete spots will be allocated to them.
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Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
Cabinet finally approves GRA’s issuance... (From page 3) 2018) with one teacher being eligible from Region One; 24 from Region Two; 58 from Region Three; 41 from Region Four; 18 from Region Five; 48 from Region Six, seven from Region Seven; two from Region Eight; three from Region Nine, 11 from Region 10; 78 from Georgetown and nine from the Cyril Potter College of Education and the Government Technical Institute.The eligible recipients of the concessions include all heads and principals and deputy heads of Grade A and B schools; all headmasters and head mistresses of Grades C, D, and E schools after three consecutive years of their appointment and within three
years of retirement. Also eligible are senior masters and mistresses and heads of departments as well as lecturers II of the Cyril Potter College of Education [CPCE] and technocrat institutions who would have remained in the same position after their respective appointments after six years.According to Harmon, “In granting approval, Cabinet noted the need to create a favourable working condition for teachers…[and] continues to work with GTU to improve conditions of service.”All of the eligible teachers for the duty free concessions, according to Harmon, must be members of the GTU for no less than three years and have at least three years remaining before retirement.
Cops granted extension ... From page 8 police received reports that his estranged wife was missing. She was said to have been last seen alive on Saturday, when she entered her husband’s vehicle.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.Investigators later received information about a shallow grave near the gas station at Crane that Sugrim operates.In late December, Zaila Sugrim was hospitalized for five days after she was allegedly 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. She alleged that while choking her, he said, “I will kill you and leave you in a shallow grave.” Sugrim was later charged, but Zaila Sugrim later stated that she had dropped the matter after being compensated.
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Friday May 17, 2019
Kaieteur News
Dipcon returns to... 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
1 (250) Gen set power by NT55.Cummings.Contact#2690603/609-2350/644-1190. 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 Vegetable seedlings at Apsol Garden Centre, Lot 2 Independence St, La Grange. Tel#500-1564 Cell: 670-8840
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 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 LAND FOR SALE 36 Best Village transported land. $6/7M. Contact #6839027/223-4087 Uitvlugt $2.3M. Tel#697-6311
1 bedroom apartment, self contained room, Georgetown. Price $45,000. Contact #6999380 1 bedroom apartment to rent in Diamond H/S. Tel#668-8403 (1) Spacious (3) bedroom upper flat apartment, (1) masterbedroom, Bent St between Camp & George $100,000 monthly. Tel#6097826 or 218-1688 1 & 2 bedroom apartment with private bathroom. 10 mins walking distance in Independence St La Grange WBD. For Inquiries Call: #6631280 2 bedroom apartment @ Nandy Park, recently renovated 2 bedroom apartment. Eccles $45,000. Contact #629-1805
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
3 bedroom & 1 bedroom apartments for rent in Providence. Call: 660-7716/ 682-6238 or Whatsapp #1246-833-9739
PROPERTY FOR SALE
CAR RENTAL 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 DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM TO LET Business space to rent. No restaurant.Serious enquiries only. 233 South Road 2250198/615-0317 Queenstown: Top flat, three bedrooms, unfurnished. $70,000. #621-4802 or 269-1080 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561
House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657. yashardabhola4@gmail.com Lot 89 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size- 3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 617-5323, 6668052. One 3-Bedroom concrete upstairs at 18th Street Diamond $18M Neg. Contact 216-1390/610-0515. David St: Front propertycommerical/residential. Excellent location. #621-4802/ 269-1080 Non Pariel: One sturdy, one flat concrete residence $16M #621-4802/269-1080 Success: ECD- Land100’x100' with an old building $25M #621-4802/269-1080 PEN PAL An Adult male seeks single female 40-45 yrs, adventurous, residing in Guyana. Text or call #672-8844
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
From page 14 special leave to be made within 42 days of the date of the judgment from which leave to appeal is sought.” “The result is necessarily that this Court has no jurisdiction to allow the State to appeal to this Court against the Court of Appeal’s refusal to grant an extension of time for appealing the High Court
DemBake @ Land of Canaan is seeking distributors & experienced drivers & sales agents. Email CV: admin@demerarabakery.com / 266-5848 Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied.Key Food McDoom Village. General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank.Call#614-4358. Female cleaner office & home. Age 25-50.Call#642-9823. Room attendant, Desk staff receptionist.Age 25-40yrs.233 South Road Lacytown/2250198. Assistant cook preferably Carnegie trained & Cashier/ waitress.225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street. Sales Person, 5 subjects, must be computer literate, sales clerk experience. Apply @ Trophy Stall, Bourda Market Vacancy for experienced Salesgirls. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda Vacancy for experienced Carpenter, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda
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 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 Kitchen Assistant-Male/ Female, Snackette AttendantMale /Female, Snackette Cleaner’s- Male/Female, Age 18-30. Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St Experienced Cashier, Pastry maker, Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with H/written Application, 5 Commerce St
Cook #624-0033
Driver for route #42 Minibus #646-8748
Driver and Porter for Water Delivery Truck #680-3863
One live-in female housekeeper for Georgetown. Tel: 223-0654/ 225-0605.
Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Car/Van license. Call #642-9823 Immediate Vacancy exist for one cashier. Must have Maths+English & workers @ Del Ice Co.Call 231-1408/ 642-9191. Ta x a t i o n P e r s o n n e l : 3 yrs experience.Minimum qualification C AT / Diploma in A c c o u n t a n c y. Send ap p l i c a t i o n to b s . v a c a n c y @gmail.com. Sales Representative Indoors. Must have a sound secondary education. For more info please call #223-0090.
1 welder, gas welding on exhaust and arc, Broad St, Charlestown #223-5595/6439125 Ages 25-35 Auto body/spray paint technician. To apply call #2271717 1 maid. Tel#225-3234 Wanted experienced hire car drivers at Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel. Contact 6165419, 265-7075 VACANCY Miners (Pit workers) to work in Konawaruk location. Call: 618-2020 1 truck & car driver #223-9677 8am-5pm Mon to Friday
decision.” Additionally, the CCJ stipulated that the appeal is solely a procedural issue which does not fall within section six of the Guyana CCJ Act. “This appeal does not fall within section 6, because the matter in dispute on this appeal is solely a procedural issue that is whether the appellant should be granted an extension of time within which to appeal.” The CCJ stated, further, that while this Court may in a proper case grant an extension of time for compliance with the rules or excuse delay, it does so in order to avert a clear miscarriage of justice. “Litigants are not free to ignore time limits and then seek refuge behind the ‘overriding objective.’” The appellant’s grounds of appeal make perfectly clear that the State appealed against the alleged error of the Court of Appeal in refusing to extend time for appealing. The matter in which judgment was given against the appellant on October 21, 2015, and which would have brought an appeal within section 6, is not any longer in dispute,” the court said.
Amendment makes Local Call Centre... From page 13 recent international business process outsourcing conference held in Curacao this is a testament to Guyanas performance in the industry, she said. The other three exceptions in the amendment are when the telecommunication is not private, when the interceptor has a right to control the operation or the network in use, and when there is express or implied consent of the person to whom or by whom the communication is being transmitted. After the Amendment was read a second time, at the request of Minister Hughes, the Amendment was read a third time and passed. Hughes said that it “is a small amendment, but [that it will have a] big impact”.
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Kaieteur News
GRO takes services to riverine communities The General Registrars Office took several of its services to riverine communities in the Essequibo. The outreach started during the weekend and has seen a large number of persons being registered for the very first time. The outreach came after repeated pleas by residents in the various communities including Bonasika, Leguan, Fort Island, Wakenaam and Morashee, asking that they be visited and serviced. A number of persons also sought to renew their birth certificates and gain information on other GRO services such as death and marriage registrations. The initiative was a result of Region Three Regional Executive Officer Jennifer Ferreira-Dougalls engagement with the various communities. The REO made representation on the residents behalf to the Department of Citizenship within the Ministry of the Presidency. Dougall noted that a birth certificate is the first important document that is
Residents benefitting from the outreach. necessary and from that the others will follow. So it is not just about knowing your identity but also enabling you to con-
duct business in your country of birth hence empowering you. The outreach will continue to see that unmet
GTA on the road to developing Regional Destination in E’bo The Guyana Tourism Association [GTA] is now one step closer to developing tourism within the Essequibo Circuit, following the recent introduction of the Regional Destination Management Organization [RDMO]. The programme was introduced to Essequibians last Wednesday during a meeting hosted in the Regional Democratic Council Boardroom. As outlined in the background of the project, the Essequibo Region is home to amazing wildlife, rich cultural heritage, pristine coastline and friendly locals, which
makes it an excellent candidate for tourism development. It was noted, however, that a key factor in a successful destination development depends not only on natural attractions, but also on a functioning RDMO. In developing the RDMO within the Essequibo Circuit, the GTA has partnered with Target Euro. Development of the RDMO will include strategy, action plan, business model, brand and micro-website. The specific goals of the project last Wednesday, included the development of a detailed situational analysis,
of the current tourism situation in the Essequibo circuit. A tourism product inventory, which included the primary and secondary products that can be developed, for the Essequibo Circuit, is also an aspect of the project. The project also allowed participants to build on existing stakeholder collaboration within Region Seven and Region Two, thus linking the lower Essequibo and Essequibo Coast. These linkages, it is believe will create markets for the promotion and commercialization of the Essequibo circuit.
needs are met. Other areas to be visited are the Great Troolie Islands, Lanaballi, Saxacalli and Karia Karia amongst others.
Jamaica to host hemispheric disaster risk reduction meeting GENEVA, Switzerland CMC The head of the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Ronald Jackson, says the hemispheric conference on disaster risk reduction to be held in Jamaica next year presents an excellent opportunity for Caribbean voices to be heard on the issue. Jamaica will host the Seventh Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas in Montego Bay bringing together key stakeholders and actors involved in disaster risk reduction (DRR) from throughout North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. It is a multi-sectorial participatory forum that reflects the commitments and concerns of governments (national, subnational and local), intergovernmental
organisations, international organisations, nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisations, community organisations, scientific and academic institutions, the private sector, donors and the media. Jackson, who is attending the Global Platform for Disaster Risk reduction here, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that CDEMA was very instrumental in lobbying the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) for the event to be held in the Caribbean region. “The Caribbean is itself a living laboratory and even as much as we still require external assistance, we have advanced quite a bit in our disaster risk imperatives, and so in the global space, sometimes the voice and the experience of the Caribbean gets lost.
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Friday May 17, 2019
Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
Overseas based Linden Company bullish on development
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… condemns NICIL’s pussyfooting on Lease issue. By Enid Joaquin
T
he Guyana Initia tive Against Cli mate Change (GIACC) Inc. in an ambitious developmental project at Kara Kara, Linden, is aiming to employ at least 500 Lindeners in its first six years of operations. GIACC conservatively estimates that it will provide 20 permanent positions by the end of the first year of operations at the Kara Kara site, 100 permanent positions by the end of the third year, and 500 permanent positions by the end of the sixth year. CEO of the company, Sharon Benjamin- Fauconier, expressed optimism that within another two months, employment could commence. The multi-million dollar enterprise which would be powered exclusively by renewable energy will encompass a 500-acre solar farm. It is expected to produce a variety of products and services for both local and overseas markets. However, the biggest hindrance to commencing this project, executives complain, is the sloth of NICIL to notarize the lease for the Company’s property at Kara Kara. ‘’This man (Calvin HeathLondon), after claiming that the non-notarizing of the lease was an oversight, had his property manager Joel Freeman invite us for a meeting, set for Friday April 15 at 9:30. He did this on April 6,” said one company member The member, Everton Forris, said that his team subsequently flew down to Guyana, for the engagement. The members were called that morning and told that London was ill. He however later found out that London was at another engagement at Watooka House. He pointed out that his team found that
grossly disrespectful and unprofessional. According to Everton Forris, the issue of the ‘nonnotarized lease’ has created an unnecessary and costly setback for the Company. “Right now we have over $20M in equipment waiting to be shipped, but we cannot do that unless we secure our site, and that cannot be done without having our lease notarized. “We have waited months for this to be done, all the while paying NICIL every month-so what is causing the hold up? We need to move this project forward, and this lack of movement on the part of NICIL and other stakeholders is costing us money, “Chief business strategist, Everton Forris, lamented. Forris said that apart from the setback, GIACC is losing money paying for storage of its equipment in the US. “We’ve lost some US$5000 in storage fees alone. We cannot continue like this; we need to move forward with this project.” The notarized lease would allow for infrastructural works to commence at the Company’s property at Kara Kara Linden, in the vicinity of the popular Blue Lake. GIACC has written letters and has engaged important stakeholders, including the Linden Mayor and Town Council, regarding the issue and demanding an early resolution to the problem. This has so far been to no avail. “All we’ve been getting is the royal runaround,” an executive of the Company complained. Renewable energy GIACC is expected to produce fertilisers for both local and export markets, using strictly renewable energy, with air and water forming part of its base raw materials. The Company will also produce fuel cell systems in-
cluding the electronic control modules for those systems. A bus service that will run exclusively on hydrogen fuel cells powered by solar and wind energy is also on the cards. Another energy derivative would be cooking gas for local consumption. GIACC is headed by USbased Lindener Ms. Sharon Benjamin-Fauconier, owner and chief executive officer. Ms. Benjamin-Fauconier has an M.B.A. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, U.S.A., and a B.S. degree in industrial engineering from Polytechnic University (now the Tandon School of Engineering of New York University), New York, U.S.A. Ms. Benjamin-Fauconier has over 20 years’ experience in industrial engineering, project management, information systems technology and business process re-engineering for energy companies among other things. The GIACC technical team is led by Dr. Richard Fauconier, a former high school physics teacher, and has been an adjunct professor of computer communications at New York City Technical College. He is also an adjunct visiting lecturer in renewable energy systems at the University of Technology in Papine, Jamaica. Dr. Fauconier is also the author or co-author of seven technical papers and reports. He is currently the Secretary of the New England branch of the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation (CADSTI-NE). Senior Business strategist, Everton Forris, said that GIACC had obtained the lease for the property competitively, by submitting a detailed business plan. According to Forris, the Company commissioned a certified survey of 503 acres of unused, mined out land,
which it submitted as part of its lease application. He further noted that the “wasteland,” which was unsuitable for agriculture or significant building structures, had been abandoned for years, until 2016, when the Company’s Research Team, determined that the site with proximity to several water sources, such as the Kara Kara Creek and nearby Blue Lake, and the adjacent hills, was ideal for GIACC clean energy initiative. In another letter to NICIL written by the company’s CEO to NICIL’s CEO Calvin HeathLondon, Benjamin-Fauconier, said that she only learnt that the lease was not notarized and filed with the court, when GIACC’s Senior Business Strategist, Mr. Everton Forris, went to NICIL’s Property Manager, Mr. Freeman to uplift a copy. She added that on the day the lease was signed, in the presence of witnesses and NICIL’s lawyer, Ms. Arianne McLean, former CEO, Horace James, had promised that NICIL would stamp and send
the document to the court to be notarized He said that a copy would have been sent to GIACC’s business address. However, to date, this has not been done. Benjamin-Fauconier is now demanding a regularised lease for the property, in order to proceed with ‘ancillary efforts, such as application for building permits et cetera’. In an invited comment NICIL’s CEO, Heath-London, said that the issue is engaging officials at the inter-Ministerial level. He added, “This issue is more than meets the eye;
however it is not a project that’s going to be lost because Government welcomes these types of developmental initiatives.” Mayor of Linden, Wanneka Arrindel, said that the Council welcomes all such initiatives. She expressed optimism at meeting the team at the earliest opportunity to discuss the developmental plans.
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Mentality, managing body key to World Cup success: Gayle NEW DELHI, India, CMC – Veteran West Indies opener Chris Gayle believes mental toughness, rest and proper management of his body will be key to his success in his fifth ICC 50-overs World Cup which bowls off in England at month end. At 39-years-old, the lefthander will be one of the oldest players on show and with 289 One-Day Internationals under his belt, will be the second most experienced player at the showpiece – only behind India’s MS Dhoni. “Age catches up as you ain’t getting any younger but the most important thing for me is the mental part of the
game. It is not so much for the physical side of the game anymore. I have not done much fitness in the last couple of months,” Gayle told the Press Trust of India. “I use my experience and mental aspect. I have not done gym for some time. Like I said I am just taking a lot of rest, getting a lot of massage, lots of stretching, just trying to stay fresh for games. I know what is required to keep me going on the field.” There were some doubts about Gayle when he returned against England earlier this year but he quickly silenced his detractors with a Man-of-the-Series 424 runs which helped West Indies
draw the five-match rubber, 22. He has since been named in the Windies’ 15-man World Cup squad where he will serve as Jason Holder’s vicecaptain. Gayle, who has amassed 10,151 ODI run along with 25 hundreds, said his experience would also be critical during the upcoming May 30 to July 14 World Cup campaign. “It is a funny game you know. When the World Cup comes, hopefully, the runs would flow. I have a lot of experience so I know what it is like. I am just happy with the way I am batting right now and hope to carry on,” Gayle noted.
Friday May 17, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Money matters could prove obsessive today, Aries, as you might be trying to make an important purchase and need to revise your budget in order to do so. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you should be looking especially good and feeling particularly passionate and sensual. This is a great day to buy new clothes, as your fashion sense is probably right on target.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A friend you may not have seen for a while could awaken strange new feelings for which you're unprepared, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The formation of a new business partnership might transform your working life, Scorpio. The benefits may not appear for a while, so don't quit your day job.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your imagination should be flying high today, Gemini. Words, images, melodies, or whatever your artistic media are probably popping into your head faster than you can keep track of them.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Unfinished job tasks might have you wanting to pitch in and get them done no matter what it takes, Sagittarius. This is likely to earn you a few brownie points with your colleagues, but take care that you don't stress yourself out.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your financial goals are probably on the verge of becoming reality, Cancer, but it might seem as if the few tasks remaining are too monumental to face right now.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you're apt to feel very sensual and passionate, Capricorn. Sexy clothes, racy novels, and romantic movies could be more appealing than usual.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Conversations with a friend whose good sense you trust could open your eyes to new career possibilities, Leo. You might think about transforming your working life.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A powerful desire for a current or potential romantic partner might come over you today. This person could live far away or be on a trip, so you might have to be satisfied with a phone call
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Strange dreams, insights, or visions could upend your spiritual orientation, Virgo. These new ideas could have your mind going a thousand miles an hour and shake up concepts that you've embraced for most of your life.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A powerful need to reach someone either for business or personal reasons could have you spending a lot of time on the phone that may come to nothing. You might call every place that you can.
“I could never dream of playing so many World Cups but it has happened. It shows consistency in the career. That keeps you going and earn a lot of praise. “Hard work in the last couple of has years paid off. People want to see you more and you are trying to deliver as much as possible.” In the twilight of what has been a stellar career in all formats – he has played 103 Tests and scored two triple centuries – Gayle said his major motivation now was keeping fans happy. “Honestly [I do it for] the fans, I am not going to lie. Maybe couple of years ago the thought did cross [my mind of retirement]. Then the fans came out and said ‘don’t go’. They actually drive me to go on,” the Jamaican said. “I know nothing lasts forever and and hopefully I can give them a few more games and it also pushes you to win the World Cup.” Gayle announced earlier this year he would retire from ODIs following the World Cup.
GAPLF Intermediate... From page 38 as they strive to out power each other. Flight A will lift off at 10:00hrs, while Flight B will commence at 14:30hrs. Also among the new additions would be a podium sponsored by Banks DIH Limited under their Tropical Mist brand, while there would also be Ju Jitsu demonstrations during the course of the day’s happenings. Trinidad and Tobago’s International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Category Two Referee, Gabre McTair would be special guest of the GAPLF for Sunday’s activity as the local body continues to seek ways of collaborating to uplift the sport.
GFF/KFC U-20 Independence KO Cup – West Demerara FA
Pouderoyen collide with Den Amstel on Sunday to decide #1 club The champions of the GFF/KFC Independence Cup under-20 tournament in the West Demerara Football Association would be crowned on Sunday when old rivals, West Bank Demerara’s Pouderoyen FC throw down the gauntlet to West Demerara’s Den Amstel from 16:00hrs. The two clubs earned the right to tangle for the lone spot to be the WDFA’s representative team in the
National Playoffs when they took care of business in their respective semi finals. Pouderoyen got past Eagles FC by the slimmest of margins, 3-2, while Den Amstel also triumphed by a similar margin, 2-1 over Uitvlugt Warriors. The two losing semi finalists, Eagles FC of Stewartville and Uitvlugt Warriors would battle in the third place match from 14:00hrs.
Who will amaze in... From page 35 the most deadly in the penalty shootout and while they would be eager to settle things in regulation time, they certainly would not feel any discomfort if it goes to penalties to determine the outcome. In the playoff for third place, dethroned champion Silver Bullets will no doubt be aiming to show the fans how unfortunate they were not to meet the final by closing the competition with a win. They face a good Capital Storm team that will also want to prove that their last four
loss was just as unfortunate. However, before that there will be a few exhibition games where the winner will take home $60,000 and this segment is the appropriate precursor for the championship game. Expected to be present are officials of Banks DIH Ltd including Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, Branch Manager Shondel Easton among others. Final Amazings vs High Rollers 3rd Place Silver Bullets vs Capital Storm
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Men’s big three and Osaka through to last 16 in Rome ROME (Reuters) - Former world number one Roger Federer marked his return to the Italian Open for the first time since 2016 with a 6-4 6-3 second round win over Joao Sousa yesterday as top seed Novak Djokovic and holder Rafael Nadal also reached the last 16. The Swiss had criticised organisers for doubling ticket prices after he confirmed his participation last weekend but the fans who had made their way into Foro Italico yesterday have been rewarded with a Federer, Djokovic and Nadal bonanza. With rain having washed out Wednesday’s play, Federer along with Nadal and top seed Djokovic all face playing back-to-back matches yesterday if they want to reach the quarter-finals. The backlog means that fans on the secondary Grandstand Court can also look forward to a blockbuster schedule as Federer will be back for an evening showdown with Croatian Borna Coric. Women’s world number one Naomi Osaka produced a solid performance to beat Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 6-3 6-3 in the
Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates winning his second round match against Portugal’s Joao Sousa. (REUTERS/Giuseppe Maffia) day’s opener. Fresh from winning the Madrid Open last week, Djokovic eased to a 6-1 6-3 win over Canadian Denis Shapovalov although he did not look entirely happy on the court in the
second set. Frustrated at one point that he was unable to race through it as quickly as he did in the opening set, Djokovic had to replace his damaged racket after slamming it
against his foot twice with the score at 3-3. It seemed to work for the Serb, though, as he broke serve in that game and then wrapped up the match to set up a last-16 clash with either Philipp Kohlschreiber or Marco Cecchinato. Djokovic was unfazed by the upcoming exertions of playing a double-header. “It’s not the first and probably not the last time that I’ve had to play two matches in a day so I am looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ve been playing well, feeling well, high confidence, and I want to keep on going.” Earlier in the day, Nadal had treated the Grandstand fans to a 6-0 6-1 demolition of Frenchman Jeremy Chardy and the Spaniard will be back in action on the main stage against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili. The 37-year old Federer moved around the court like his younger self as he rifled in 17 winners in the opening set, having broken Sousa in the seventh game before he saved a triple break point, the last one with a stunning crosscourt forehand. Having broken Sousa’s serve in
the opening game of the second set, the Swiss maestro was at his best again in the seventh as he saved a double break point and went on to wrap up the entertaining contest. “I came out of the blocks well and held serve throughout, so I am very happy to be in the next round,” said Federer. “I played today already and Borna didn’t. I don’t know whether it’s a disadvantage or not but either way it’s going to be tough.” After crashing out in the semifinals on home soil in Madrid, Nadal wasted no time in making a statement of intent as he blew away Chardy. Nadal won 80 percent of the points on both his first and second serve in the opening set as he tormented the Frenchman with a barrage of stinging baseline shots. Osaka made a slow start as the Slovakian broke the world number one in the third game of the opening set, but she regained her composure quickly. The Japanese served two aces to save a double break point in the eighth game and enjoyed plain sailing for the rest of the tie after clinching the game with a service winner.
Rested Bucks overtake Raptors in opener The Milwaukee Bucks had not played for seven days, and it showed early in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night. The Bucks found their legs, though, just in time and rode a dominant fourth quarter to a 108-100 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors. Milwaukee outscored Toronto 32-17 in the final 12 minutes. The Raptors needed a buzzerbeating shot for the ages from Kawhi Leonard in the seventh and deciding game on Sunday to get past the Philadelphia 76ers in their secondround playoff series. Toronto carried that momentum into Wednesday. The Raptors led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter and still held a 100-98 edge with 3:31 remaining in the game. “I think we always talk about our defense,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We start with it. I think the way that the guys competed and got after it defensively in the second half and particularly the fourth quarter just stands out to me. “The depth, Malcolm (Brogdon) coming off the bench and playing the way he did and all the different guys we got contributing. Then obviously a big game from Brook (Lopez) on both ends of the court. “We feel like we can get better. To get this win after pretty significant days without playing, I think hopefully we’ll be better between now and Game 2.” Raptors coach Nick Nurse did not feel that the difficult 76ers series caught up with his team Wednesday. “You can maybe think that, but we were right there,” he said. “We had some good looks down the
stretch.” Lopez scored a playoff-careerbest 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Bucks, who host Game 2 today. “In a big moment, that was a great Brook Lopez tonight,” Budenholzer said. Lopez said, “We just stayed with what we’ve been doing all during the playoffs. The shots weren’t dropping in early ... but we just kept grinding it out.” Brogdon added 15 points off the bench for the Bucks, Nikola Mirotic scored 13 points, and Khris Middleton had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Leonard led the Raptors with 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Kyle Lowry had 30 points, Pascal Siakam scored 15 points, and Marc Gasol had six points and 12 rebounds. “We didn’t finish the game well,” Lowry said. “Our pace wasn’t good enough in the second half. I think we need to play with the pace we played with in the first place for the whole game.” Lowry scored 14 of Toronto’s fourth-quarter points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field. The rest of the Raptors shot 0-for-15 in the fourth. “We had open looks that we didn’t make,” Leonard said. The Bucks scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to lead by one. They took a three-point advantage on Middleton’s 3-pointer with 7:50 remaining and were up by five on Brogdon’s running dunk with 6:33 to go. The Raptors tied the game at 98 on Lowry’s 3-pointer with 4:02 to
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to shoot against Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during game one of the Eastern conference finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports) play. Leonard’s two free throws put Toronto ahead by two with 3:31 left. The Bucks took a one-point lead on Middleton’s steal and Lopez’s dunk, and they led by four after a 3-pointer by Lopez with 1:55 left. Eric Bledsoe made two free throws to bump the lead to six with 42 seconds to play, and Middleton’s two free throws made the advantage eight points. The Raptors used a 16-0 run to
take a 34-23 lead after one quarter. Toronto had a 12-point lead during the second quarter before the Bucks battled back and pulled to within three on a Middleton stepback 17-footer that completed an 112 run. Leonard capped the first-half scoring with a dunk, and Toronto led 59-51. The Bucks opened the third quarter on an 8-2 run, drawing within two.
After the Bucks cut the margin to one, the Raptors went on a 9-0 surge capped by two free throws from Leonard with 6:33 left in the third. Siakam ended the third period with a 3-pointer, giving Toronto an 83-76 lead. The Bucks were 0-for-11 on 3-point attempts in the quarter, and they wound up 11 of 44 from long range. The Raptors sank 15 of their 42 3-point tries. (Field Level Media)
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Kyrgios thrown out of Italian Open after on-court outburst (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios was defaulted from his second round Italian Open clash against Norway’s Casper Ruud yesterday after the hot-headed Australian hurled a chair on to the court. World number 36 Kyrgios was given a code violation for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ after being broken early in the third set. Having already been handed a code violation earlier in the match, the latest outburst meant the umpire also handed him a game penalty. This prompted an angry Kyrgios to slam his racket into the ground, kick a water bottle before he tossed a chair towards the centre of the court. The frustrated 24-yearold shook hands with his opponent and the umpire
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in action during his Final match against Germany’s Alexander Zverev at the Acapulco Open in Mexico. (REUTERS/Henry Romero) before he strode off the court, effectively defaulting himself from the contest. Ruud was leading 6-3 6-
7(5) 2-1 when Kyrgios was disqualified and will face Juan Martin del Potro in the third round.
Top Ranked Table Tennis Player Dexter St. Louis Dies CCNTV6 TNT.com - National tennis player Dexter St. Louis passed away yesterday in France after battling an illness for some time. The 51-year-old was T&T’s highest ranked table tennis player. His attorney Mr. Matthew Gayle has issued this statement. “On behalf of the family of Dexter St. Louis, it is with great regret and sadness that we announce the death of Trinidad and Tobago’s most indomitable table tennis champion and two-time Olympic qualifier, Dexter St. Louis. Born 21st March 1968, Dexter first represented Trinidad and Tobago in Table Tennis in 1983, at the age of 15. In the early 1990’s after defeating France based players and winning the tournament in Martinique he received his first full professional contract to play with a club in France. Dexter continued to represent his country proudly, most recently at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Dexter notably qualified for the 1996 Atlanta, and 2008 Beijing, Olympics, the only Trinidad and Tobago Table Tennis player to ever qualify for the Olympics. Dexter will be remembered for his relentless work ethic, sense of humour and passion for justice, as well as for his honesty, fair-play
Dexter St. Louis and his open and transparent approach to sport and to life. Dexter died after a short illness on the evening of Thursday 16th May 2019 in Bordeaux, France, surrounded by his wife, Jeromaine and two daughters, Rheann (Chung) and Axelle. He will be dearly missed. The family welcomes prayers at this time, but ask that in this difficult time they be allowed to grieve in private.”
9th Rainforest water 11-stage cycle race meet set for tomorrow The 9th Edition of the Rainforest water, formally Powerade, 11-stage cycle race meet is fixed for tomorrow at the National Park. The event is Organised by Hassan Mohammed and sponsored by Banks DIH through its Rainforest Water Brand. Action starts at 09:30hrs and will feature several races for various age groups. Curtis Dey in a time of
Friday May 17, 2019
Kaieteur News
1:14:56.09 is the defending champion of the feature even having beaten Jamal John, Andrew Hicks, Christopher Griffith, Briton John and Silvio Inniss. The other previous winners are: Boys and Girls 12-14 three laps – 1st Steve Bhimsen, 2nd David Hicks, 3rd Jonathan Ramsuchit. Veterans U-45: 1st Junior Niles, 2nd Steve Ramsuchit,
3rd Clement Doris. Over 50: Shameer Baksh, 2nd Linden Blackman, 3rd Kevin Jeffery. Juveniles: 1st Briton John, 2nd Adealie Hodge, 3rd Hameswar Dhanai Mountain bikes: 1st Sean Budhan. BMX 6-9yrs: 1st Jahvin Henry, 2nd Jared Barrington, 3rd Dhanesh Bhimsen. BMX 9-12: 1st Jaheme Henry, 2nd Jared Barrington
Power Company gives donation for Independence Day Athletics C/Ship It is being termed ‘Old school versus new School but the rivalry will be there on Independence Day when past and present athletes from the premier track and field secondary schools, Mackenzie High School (MHS) and Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary (Multi) collide in what is being created by former athletes of the two institutions. The athletics championship is set for the Mackenzie sports Club by former athletes Shawn ‘Baldhead’ McNeil who attended MHS and Floyd Cameron from the ‘Multi’ and among the sponsors who are backing this inaugural meet is the Guyana power and Producing Inc. who through the Chief executive officer Aron Fraser handed over a cash donation for the promotion. McNeil said that things are going on as planned and others showing a positive interest so far are beverage giants Banks DIH, Star Party rentals and the Guyana Defence Force’s Medical Officer Nigel Langhorne and Easton Cordis. On behalf of the organisers Mrs. Haley Rutherford collected the cheque from CEO Aron Fraser and thanked the power people for their donation. McNeil recalled that the two athletes of the 1980s shared a common desire to give back to the schools they attended but now felt that
CEO of Guyana Power and Distribution Inc Aron Fraser at left presents cheque to Mrs. Haley Rutherford of the MHS/ Multi track meet. collectively they can make a bigger impression on the young athletes’ minds and at the same time include some former athletes from the two schools in taking to the field. “We decided to host a championship in our names and pit the two schools against each other. We are calling it the “Old School, New School” track athletic championship” McNeil quipped. Looking at what is at stake McNeil said in a release that “The only thing a school will get that the other wouldn’t is the bagging rights and trophy which is being
sponsored by Marilyn DeAbreu from the GIVE Foundation as she has sponsored the winning trophy.” The events will be for past athletes in the Over-20, Over40, Over-50 and the normal events for the athletes who are currently attending school. He said, “We are also giving each school nothing less than $100,000 that will go towards their individual track and field programme,” and hinted, “We also plan to recognise eight former athletes, two males and two females from each school.”
Bailey all-round heroics leads No 5 to comfortable win; Angel, Ramoo strike centuries The West Berbice Cricket Association, in collaboration with the Achievers Youth and Sports Club and Anil Lalsa Construction Company Intermediate two-day cricket competition continued recently with several matches. At No 5 Ground, the home team batted first and managed 309-9 declared against D’ Edward Sports Club. Former Berbice senior opening batsman Arthley Bailey struck the hundred of the competition, 154 which included 14 fours and five sixes, while Carlston Nurse made 50 and Gladwin Johnson 30. Bowling for D’ Edward, H. Harilall grabbed 4 for 82 from 18 overs. D’Edward were bowled out for 116 with Abdool Suban making 49 and S. Jailall
Arthley Bailey 34; Bailey returned with the ball and take 6 for 20 from eight overs, while Kenjie Sedock captured 4 for 45 from 8.5 overs.
No 5 enforced the followon and D’ Edward were bowled out for 82 with Abdool Suban scoring 37; Bailey and Kenjie Sedock bagged five wickets each as No 5 won by an innings and 111 runs. In the Round two action, Achievers opted to bat and posted 390 all out against Number Five. Shamar Angel stroked 14 fours and five sixes in scoring 137, while Krishundat Ramoo scored 105 with four fours and a similar number of sixes. The duo added 243 for the third wicket to steady the innings nicely. Kevin Sinclair assisted with 49. Bowling for No Five, Kenjie Sedock bagged 6 for 91 from 21 overs had Arthley Bailey 3 for 113 from 21 overs. This match will conclude tomorrow.
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Kaieteur News
Fourth Annual Independence Track & Field C/Ships
YBG NSBF Georgetown/ECD regionals
Gibbons and Ruralites track club Tournament resumes next weekend looking to shine this weekend Coach of the Ruralites Track Club, Raymond Daw and 2019 Carifta Gold medalist Anisha Gibbons, also of Ruralites, are both positive that their club will put in a stellar performance on May 18 and 19 when the Guyana Overseas-based Sports Association (GOBSA) host the fourth annual Independence Track and Field Championships at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), Leonora. Speaking to the media during the week, 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 in the two-day event.
The Championships will feature competition from all age groups from under-10 to open, competing for trophies and medals. In addition, the organising committee of the event have added a number of rewards to athletes that perform exceptionally well at this weekend’s track meet. Action runs off from 10:00hrs on both days and the competition has been sanctioned by the Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).
Play between Chase Academic Foundation and GTI (defence) in the under-14 category last Friday of the YBG NSBF Georgetown-East Coast Demerara regionals at CASH. Youth Basketball Guyana’s National Schools’ Basketball Festival which is currently in the Georgetown/ East Coast Demerara regional zone, will resume next weekend following a break from play this week. The tournmanet is being played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and will be
Osrick Pellew (winner) if fit will be a force to reckon with for Ruralites Athletics Club in the under-18 boys’ sprint events.
contested predominantly in the girls’ development and under-14 categories when play resumes next Friday and Saturday with four matches on each day. These days will see initial play in the girls’ development category, while at the last game day, Bishops’ High, St. Rose’s High and defending
FIXTURES – MAY 24 TO JUNE 1, 2019 Friday, May 24 Category Match Up TIME VENUE U14 President’s College Vs Tutorial High 15:30hrs Girls’ D St. Stanislaus Vs Tutorial High 16:20hrs Girls’ D Bladen Hall Vs Queen’s College 17:10hrs Girls’ D Marian Academy Vs Plaisance Secondary Saturday, May 25 Category Match Up TIME VENUE U14 St. Stanislaus Vs Bladen Hall 14:30hrs CASH U14 St. Rose’s High Vs Marian Academy 15:20hrs U14 The Bishops’ High Vs Tutorial High 16:10hrs U18 Plaisance Secondary Vs Chase Academy 17:00hrs Friday, May 31 Category Match Up TIME VENUE U14 President’s College Vs Ybg Cluster 15:30hrs CASH Girls, D Bladen Hall Vs St. Stanislaus 16:20hrs Girls’ D Plaisance Secondary Vs Queen’s College Girls’ D Marian Academy V Tutorial High 18:00hrs Saturday, June 1 Category Match Up TIME VENUE U14 Bladen Hall Vs Marian Academy 14:30hrs CASH U14 St. Rose’s High Vs St. Stanislaus 15:20hrs CASH U14 Ybg Cluster Vs Tutorial High 16:10hrs CASH U18 Queen’s College Vs Plaisance Secondary 17:00hrs
champions Marian Academy; all registered victories in the the under-14 division. The fixtures from May 24 to June 1 for the tournamnet that is being sponsored by Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, the National Sports Commission, Banks DIH and ExxonMobil, are below.
CASH CASH CASH 18:00hrs CASH
CASH CASH CASH
CASH 17:10hrs CASH CASH
CASH
Carifta Gold medalist, Anisha Gibbons of Ruralites is confident of a dominant performance at this weekend’s Independence track meet at Leonora.
Linden Zone Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition
GFF/KFC U-20 Independence KO Cup – East Demerara FA
Who will amaze in tomorrow’s final?
Nine clubs to battle from tomorrow at Golden Grove Ground Nine clubs affiliated to the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) will be locked in battle this weekend when play in their leg of the GFF/KFC Under-20 Independence knock-out Cup, commences. From 12:00hrs tomorrow at the Golden Grove Ground, the first game of the triple header match-day will bring together Buxton Stars and Victoria Kings. This would be followed by a clash
between Melanie and Mahaica Determinators from 14:00hrs with the main attraction between Ann’s Grove and new comers, Dynamic FC. On Sunday at the same venue, Victoria Scorpions will engage Golden Stars in the first of two matches from 14:00hrs with Buxton United facing off with the winner of match one between Buxton Stars and Victoria Kings.
The fact that a new champion will be crowned is enough motivation for the two combatants, High Rollers and Amazings, to give the anticipated large turnout a fitting conclusion to this year’s Linden Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition. Set to be played tomorrow evening at the Mackenzie Market tarmac, the two survivors of penalty shootouts in their respective
semi-finals are promising a riveting showdown for the coveted title that goes with $400,000, winning trophy and an automatic berth to the national playoffs later this year. The loser will go home with $150,000, trophy and a spot in the national playoffs, while the third and fourth place finishers win $100,000 and $75,000 respectively along with trophies. High Rollers, slayers of
defending champion Silver Bullets in their semi-final clash, should be brimming with confidence following their impressive performances. Jehu Regis and Shane Haynes will most likely be the key for victory for High Rollers and they would be hoping to duplicate their form and win in regulation time. On the other hand, Amazings have proven to be (Continued on page 32)
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Woodpecker Junior National Squash Tournament
Only seven matches played on third night Wednesday night saw the first five setter of the Woodpecker Junior National Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club in the Boys under-13 match between Dhiren Persaud and Chad DeAbreu. After identical scores in the first two games of 11/6, the first going to Persuad and the second to DeAbreu, neither player was willing to let go in the third as they fought to 19/17 (player must win by two clear points). DeAbreu took an early lead of 6/1 before Persuad climbed back up. DeAbreu had game ball at 10/6 but Persuad refused to back down and powered 5 clear points to edge ahead. The boys went point for point, shot for shot right up to 17 all, but it was the lion’s heart of DeAbreu that pushed past the finish line with a 19/17 game victory. The effort took its toll on DeAbreu, though, as Persaud came back to dominate in the
fourth and fifth with two 11/3 wins to take the match. Older brother Demetrius DeAbreu controlled his Under-15 match against Zachary Persuad. Despite a spirited fight from Persaud, DeAbreu defeated him 11/7, 11/6, 11/1. A passionate game played out when Shiloh Asregado and Joshua Verwey took to the court. The two under-13 boys showed great promise as they displayed improved skills. It was Asregado who came out on top, however, with a 3/0 triumph. Mohryan Baksh suffered his first defeat of the competition at the hands of Nicholas Verwey when he played up into the Under-15 Category. Verwey was too strong for Baksh who made a valiant effort but succumbed at 11/5, 11/3, 11/1. In the only girls’ match of the evening, Kirsten Gomes unsurprisingly made light work of Angel Rahamin 11/1, 11/2, 11/1 for the Girls under-
15 Category. Gomes will see her only real challenge of the tournament when she plays up in Under-17 & 19 against long time on court rival and title holder Abosadie Cadogan on Saturday evening. Games continue today at 6:00pm and Saturday at 11am and 6pm. Results: Mohryan Baksh defeated Matthew Spooner 11/0, 11/0, 11/1 S. Asregado defeated Joshua Verwey 11/2, 11/5, 11/ 9 Dhiren Persaud defeated Chad DeAbreu 11/6, 6/11, 17/ 19, 11/3, 11/3 Demetrius DeAbreu defeated Zachary Persaud 11/ 11/7, 11/6, 11/1 Nicholas Verwey defeated Mohryan Baksh 11/ 5, 11/3, 11/1 Michael Alphonso defeated Gianni Carpenter 11.8, 11/4, 11/5 Kirsten Gomes defeated Angel Rahamin 11/1, 11/2, 11/ 1
Coach Daniels looking to develop sporting facility in E’bo With the aim of keeping the youths meaningfully occupied and producing quality athletes, the Daniels family, has embarked on developing a sporting facility at Zorg, Essequibo Coast. Apart from an indoor and outdoor cricket facilities and table tennis, the venue is expected to host other recreational activities and according to cricket Coach Forbes Daniels, members of the community are already using the facility. Daniels informed that the land which is measured 152’x74’ and is owned by the Daniels family has been donated for the project, which is the brain child of his daughter Debra Daniels, who acted upon the Government initiative of youth innovative ideas in 2018. He stated that the land has since been back-filled with sand and earth and they
Friday May 17, 2019
Kaieteur News
are looking to build three outdoor pitches in addition to the indoor facility. He said that they are also looking to use the venue to aid in the development of life skills for both male and female. He informed that National youth cricketer Orlando Jailall and national female U19 cricketers Anna Lisa Charles and Anna Lisa D’Aguiar are among those who have benefited from the facility so far. But while Daniels informed that members of his family have pooled their resources to develop the facility, they are in dire need of assistance to fully develop the venue which is for public use. He said that due to the expenses incurred, they went to the bank with the hope of acquiring a loan, but was told that they must fund 20% of the project before the loan can be approved. He informed that his family is
willing to pay the mortgage if this 20% can be met and is calling for assistance from the business community and the Government of Guyana. Daniels who have worked with players such as Anthony Adams, Norman and Norwayne Fredericks, Royston Alkins and Dillon Heyliger, and currently coaches at the inter county level, indicated that he had encountered some problems with the management committee of Suddie ground and as a result his family decided give up the land for the construction of the facility. Anyone willing to render assistance can contact Debra Daniels on 655-5020. Kaieteur Sport was informed that an all weather practice facility was constructed at Suddie through a community project, but that is now a white elephant.
Fitness Express powers GABBFF Novice C/ship set for tomorrow at Theatre Guild Some 25 athletes drawn from 13 Gyms across the country will face off tomorrow in the various categories when the 2019 edition of the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation Novice championships comes off. And once again, Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie Mc Donald has sponsored the event which he has been doing for many years, maintaining support of the athletes despite the guards being changed at the helm of the federation. GABBFF President, Keavon Bess made the trek down to Fitness Express, located at Sheriff and John Streets, Campbellville to accept Fitness Express’ contribution for the event which features first timers and those athletes who did not
made the cut last time around and believe they have what it takes to make it, second time around. McDonald, in an invited comment said that his company is more than happy to be sustaining its support for the athletes as they would be providing trophies and hampers inclusive of shaker cups and samples for each athlete. He also informed that the Overall winner would benefit from a three months supply of supplements sponsored by De Sinco Trading and valued at $15,000, monthly. “It’s indeed an honour for Fitness Express to continue supporting our athletes, and in this case, our body builders. Ever since we have opened our doors for business some nine years
ago, we have maintained partnership with the GABBFF and will continue to do so. It’s these same athletes and others who support the business and as part of our social responsibility, we give back to them.” Bess expressed thanks to McDonald on behalf of the federation for his committed support in fueling the sport which has been one of the main reasons for its existence. Athletes would be coming from Power House Gym Berbice, L & I Fitness Gym – Essequibo, Space Gym, Fitness 53, Tower Gym, Body Alive, Total Fitness, Perry’s Gym, Upper Demerara Barbel Club, Benjamin’s Gym, Fitness Paradise, Extreme Fitness Club and Life Gym. Flexing time tomorrow evening is 19:00hrs. (Franklin Wilson)
GFF/KFC U-20 Independence KO Cup – East Bank FA
Timehri Panthers clash with neighbours Soesdyke Falcons to decide champs tomorrow Eleven clubs had originally signaled their intent to vie for supremacy and it is now down to the final two but only one will emerge champions of the East Bank Football Association leg of the GFF/KFC Under-20 Independence Cup tournament. The championship match is set for 10:00hrs tomorrow at the recently commissioned FIFA Forward Project Pitch National Training Center at Providence, East Bank Demerara. En route to this final hurdle, Timehri Panthers got past Agricola Red Triangle in the first match of the tournament after which they took care of business against Herstelling Raiders and Grove Hi Tech in the lone semi final match. The Panthers would be relying on the likes of forward Tyrone Burnett, national U-17 defender Shannon Samnauth, national U-17 goalkeeper Ronaldo Blair, midfielder Ishmael Pulsaram and utility player Prince Forde who has been outstanding in goal, whilst Blair was on duty with the national team in Florida. Soesdyke Falcons which drew a bye to the final after coming out of a draw involving the final three clubs, had in earlier matches,
defeated Mocha Champs and Diamond United led by the leading goal scorer in the tournament to date, their Captain and fast paced forward Tyrone Khan. Support will come from Mark Barker who will control midfield alongside Nickozi Hope and Raymond Khan. A mouth watering match is anticipated with the winner earning the right to represent the EBFA in the GFF/KFC Independence KO Cup National Playoffs.
Prince Forde - Timehri Panthers FC
Tyrone Burnette - Timehri Panthers FC
Tyrone Khan - Soesdyke Falcons FC
Patrick Edwards four-team softball set for Sunday at MSC Veteran cricket umpire, Patrick Edwards will be staging a four-team Masters softball cricket competition on Sunday at the Malteenoes Sports Club, Thomas Lands. The action gets underway at 10:00hrs and
the opening fixtures will be played simultaneously. Edwards informed that a take away lunch will be on sale at $1,000 per ticket. Lunch will be served from 12:00hrs.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
GPF and Harpy Eagle conclude Martial Arts event
T
he Guyana Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with the Harpy Eagle Martial Arts Academy recently concluded a ‘Best Martial Arts Championship’ at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue and Princes Street. The GPF finished the competition with a total of 47 medals inclusive of 29 Gold, seven Silver and Bronze medals each. The names of the
participants are as follows: The Harpy Eagle Martial Arts Academy: -Zion Summer 1st -Dillon Weekes 2nd -Michael Pams 1st -Jamal Smith 3rd -Anthony Cyril 1st, 1st , 3rd -Joshua Rodney (Two Gold) -Paul Wilson 2nd -Daquan Bradshaw 1st & 2nd Guyana Police Force - Kwanza Thompson 1st - Ryan Beaton 1st, 2nd - Sensei Troy Bobb 1st, 1st - Dellious Small 1st
Members of the Guyana Police Force that took part in the Martial Arts competition.
- Kareem Simon 1st - Troy Bobb Jr. 1st, 1st, 1st - Ejaz Cave 1st, 3rd - Trevlon Clarke 2nd - Canesha Phillips 1st - Nigel McKenzie 1st - Victor Fernandes 3rd - Elizabeth Clement 1st, 2nd -Travis Grant 2nd, - Elijah Seraphin 3rd - Dione Bobb 1st - Paul Ignatius 1st - Shawn Nurse 1st - Courtney Williams 1st - Dexter Bobb 1st, 1st - Nyesha Carrington 1st
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 17, 2019
GAPLF Intermediate & Masters C/Ships receives Fitness Express backing By Franklin Wilson Fans and athletes are in for a treat come this Sunday when the Fitness Express sponsored Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation Intermediate and Masters Championships are held at the Saints Stanislaus College Auditorium. There would be a total of 24 lifters taking to the platform to outdo each other in the three lifts, squat, bench press and deadlift. According t o a n o ff i c i a l o f t h e federation, fans can look forward to an improved ambience at the venue as they seek to lift their levels with the patrons in mind. Sponsors too would be enjoying a new experience as the body seeks to ensure more visibility for their corporate partners. L o n g t i m e p a r t n e r, Fitness Express through its Manager Jamie McDonald has for the 9th successive year maintained support of the athletes and the federation for these competitions. McDonald in handing over the cheque to Treasurer of the GAPLF,
Treasurer of the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting and Fitness Federation, Andrew Austin (right) receives the sponsorship cheque from Fitness Express’ Jamie McDonald. Andrew Austin, commended the efforts of the federation in ensuring that athletes are afforded the opportunities to express themselves as they know how. “The fact that you guys have been working towards upliftment of the sport yearly is commendable and we here at Fitness Express is more than happy to play our part in your success. We wish every athlete success at Sunday’s
event and be assured of our continued partnership.” Austin conveyed the federation’s gratitude to McDonald and company on behalf of President Ed Caesar and executive for their sustained support, nine years and counting. The Masters competition will feature the likes of Edwin Spencer, Frank Tucker and Noel Cummings (Continued on page 34)
Friday May 17, 2019
Kaieteur News
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t r o Sp Woodpecker Junior National Squash Tournament
Only seven matches played on third night
Fitness Express powers GABBFF Novice C/ship set for tomorrow at Theatre Guild
Michael Alphonso (right) defeated Gianni Carpenter 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 at the GT Club on Wednesday night.
Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie McDonald (left) hands over sponsorship to GABBFF President, Keavon Bess.
Coach Daniels looking to develop sporting facility in E’bo
The facility in its current state at Zorg, Essequibo Coast.
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