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Wednesday May 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
IRI and Intervention Seven years ago, at the end of April 2014, the then Government of Guyana – the Donald Ramotar Administration – revoked the work permit of a man called Glenn Bradbury. Bradbury was at the time the Head of something called the Leadership and Democracy Project (LEAD), a US State Department initiative launched just a year earlier and executed by an agency called the International Republican Institute (IRI). A year before, the LEAD project was launched with ostensible buy-in by both the governing party of the day, the PPP/C and the then separate parliamentary majority opposition, the APNU and the AFC. Within a year however, things had broken down between the US Government at the time, led by Barack Obama, and the Ramotar Government. Two months after the attempted ouster of Bradbury (his revocation would ultimately be revoked), then (and now) Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, blasted then US Ambassador, Brent Hardt, during a Fourth of July celebration at the Ambassador’s residence, waxing woeful about the historical impact of US intervention in Guyana. IRI would remain and back a popular youth voter education drive called ‘Vote like a Boss,” one that was warmly welcomed by what would become the APNU+AFC 2015 elections campaign. Today, the IRI is back in Guyana, this time involved in two interlinked governance-related projects, one “Strengthening Democracy in Guyana through Polling Data and Peace Building” slated to last from February 2021 to January 2022; and the other, “Advocating for Electoral Reform in Guyana,” with a project duration from April 2021 to September 2022. Unlike seven years ago however, the PPP/C Government is in full support of the IRI’s activities, this week blasting not the IRI but, of all things, APNU+AFC and some civil society vehement opposition to IRI’s current projects, based on some tinfoil hat claim that the projects are part of some larger, clandestine imperial plan. The Vote like a Boss campaign, while it encouraged young voters to come forward and vote for the first time, was not the catalyst for regime change that the Ramotar Administration made it out to be or fancied that it was. What took place in 2015 was what happens in democracies the world over, without some nefarious external interventionist cabal wielding some inordinate influence over the will of the people; and it was the same thing that took place in 2020. IRI’s current two initiatives are at best useful as a small part of a grander scheme of movement that cannot and will not escape the role of the constitutional actors of this country. It is interesting that, in the era of social media and infometrics and big data and behavioural projection, any organisation would believe that any project with clandestine intent would show itself openly and announce itself, even as some benevolent aid. The PPP/C has clearly evolved from whatever feral manifestation it exhibited in 2014 while the Opposition which progressively supported a Vote like a Boss campaign that did not even tangentially pander to its partisan interests now, after a brief stint in government, has now regressed to opposed two projects that do not even directly have anything to do with any pending elections. Both IRI projects end three years before the next scheduled polls. As for the NGOs that have come out with claws bared against the IRI projects with an absurd and clownish ferocity, the most glaring thing is not the false sense of enlightened resistance to a straw man imperialism, but the blinding hypocrisy that comes with what pretends to be principled resistance to the projects. The same Guyana Human Rights Association, for example, that spoke about the IRI’s capacity for “fascism” was silent last year when, after losing an elections, the Granger Administration spent months using the tools of the State, including the Guyana Police Force, to artificially extend its time in office months after losing an election and the better part of two years after being defeated in a No Confidence Vote. Guyana needs electoral reform. Guyana needs constitutional reform. However, for both to happen, it needs principled consistency and integrity from both sides of the political divide, and from what passes piss-poorly for civil society, not the clownish theatre and hysterics that prevailed seven years ago and that has not only apparently been transferred but has amplified now.
Tacuma Ogunseye responds to Freddie Kissoon DEAR EDITOR, For some time, I have ignored Mr. Frederick Kissoon and his self-serving attacks on me, the WPA and members of its leadership. I have noted with great repulsion his cowardly and frequent abuse of Brother Eusi Kwayana in the most uncultured and uncivilised manner, even calling him at one point a “monster.” This degeneration in public discourse is unfortunately being facilitated by Kaieteur News. They allow Kissoon to pass his offensive writings as credible polemics and responsible public discourse. However, my concern in this letter is to respond to his Monday May 10, 2021 column, (KN) captioned, “This is what an “objective,
honest” take on race relations look like.” In that column, he concocted what could only be called “drivel” which he presents as objective analysis on my position on MP Amanza Walton-Desir’s controversy. Kissoon’s motive is not objective or fair, but driven by his unending desire to be recognised as an Indian “Bad man” and to satisfy his lust for public attention amid an inability to write beyond a few narrow and repetitive topics. In his column, Kissoon deliberately used a racial construct for his so-call analysis, which he framed as a dispute between an African woman vs. an Indian man, that is, MP Amanza WaltonDesir against Mr. Roshan Khan. This is revisionist
deception, since the matter was between PPP/C allies and Ms. Walton-Desir. Having framed the dispute falsely, he then presents my letter in defence of the MP as simply support of a Black woman. He writes, “A Black woman pens a most sordid and condescending racially volcanic statement. An Indian man denounces her for that output. Up comes Mr. Ogunseye, defends the Black woman and labels the Indian’s response as “racist propaganda.” Mr. Kissoon, for your information, we are Africans, not Black. Show the same respect for us as you are doing for Indians. In Kissoon’s mind, every position I take is coming from African political lens. He reduces African leaders,
activists and me as subhumans incapable of complex thinking. The context of my intervention in the WaltonDesir matter is clear. I responded to an orchestrated campaign by the PPP/C and its allies to twist the words of MP Walton-Desir. As I said in my previous letter, the controversy was not about establishing the truth of what was said but promoting racial/political antagonism. If the controversy was merely an exchange between Walton-Desir and Khan, I would most likely have let it pass. I will contend that if the remarks made by Roshan Khan on his Facebook page were made by an African supporter of the PPP/C and I would consider those (Continued on page 22)
What will Ambassador Lynch leave as her American legacy? DEAR EDITOR, When Paul Bremer departed stealthily from dangerous and devastated Iraq in 2004, the Bush White House trumpeted that he left behind a “free and sovereign” nation. I think he left the anarchies of full-blown disasters. As I ponder that torn nation, still struggling to fuse the pieces, I think of that irrepressible presence right here, one just like Ambassador Bremer; I speak of a parallel proconsul, who dictated how things must be here, just like Bremer did in Baghdad. I think of Her Excellency, Her Highness Sarah Ann Lynch, now approaching her hour of permanent flight, and contemplate the kind of legacy that this most unstoppable American leaves behind in her wake. For Iraq, it was ostensibly
freedom and sovereignty. Ask any Iraqi and absorb any objective work on that country, and those were definitely dubious, both largely of the imagination. For Guyana, if one listens to the likes of the Ambassador, the former Secretary of State, and another once in charge of hemispheric affairs, it is this abstraction, this toy with which we don’t know what to do, called democracy. Are we lucky, indeed! We have to be, since we have a leader, who is comfortable in his abandonments of duty; a Guyanese Flying Dutchman, a ghostly floater in continuous self-contradiction. That is, save for the ribbons and frills and gauzy embroidery. Our democracy, compliments of American insertions and incisions, has blessed us with another leader, who has never
seen a lie that he doesn’t embrace, cannot cherish. Or to say differently, any of many leadership truths that he does not hate passionately, because they rear up, like untamed horses, to object to the endless abundance of his trickeries, crookeries, and savageries. In the democracy that is Guyana’s, thanks to American hands and minds, we have men in leadership positions, whose noblest features are that they sometimes try to spare the populace by attempting to conceal the extents of their self-enriching corruptions. That they fail miserably is indication and confirmation of how much they have drained this society, how well they have diminished it. As concluded from such, American-sponsored democracy has left us more deeply divided, as usual. Be it in the time of Burnham or that of Jagan, it is the same sickening story of America’s
palm prints and guilt smeared across the conscience of this nation first, and then polluting its prospects. The likable Ambassador Lynch will leave; this Guyanesebeloved American will arrive at her Episcopalian sanctuary and her Council of Foreign Relations, to share condescending war stories from the racial battlegrounds of Guyana. Yes, this is the democracy she leaves behind: where the opportunity to imbue local leaders on the necessity of harmony and tolerance took a backseat to American calculations: subservient government, commercial interests, covert operations, and the projection of American power. These are but pips of the pyramid. I salute Ambassador Lynch: nicely done. Mission accomplished, and very well. As an American I should be proud. As a Guyanese, I differ. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Amanza Walton-Desir’s statement is regrettable DEAR EDITOR, One’s own thoughts are one’s world. What a person thinks is what he becomes— Maitri Upanishads (1500 BC). It seems that there is no end in sight over the controversy created by Ms. Amanda Walton-Desir, a leading APNU+AFC Member of Parliament. Her caustic remarks that PPP supporters, who are mainly IndoGuyanese, are mentally lazy and are not capable to think for themselves have opened deep wounds within the Indian communities throughout Guyana. A lawyer by profession and as a loyal supporter of the APNU+AFC, Ms. WaltonDesir should have been more sensitive to the divisive wounds on race. For her to
make such statement is not only inflammable, but such incendiary narrative has created turmoil between her proponents and her opponents in Guyana which remained a racially divided country, especially during elections. Instead of apologising for her comments, Ms. WaltonDesir has brazenly and shamelessly accused those who criticised her as acolytes of the PPP. Clearly, her statement is misguided and highly irrational. My hope is that she would express her profound remorse to those who she has offended and will refrain from making such statements in future. Ms. Walton-Desir’s statement could alienate
Indo-Guyanese support from APNU+AFC and jeopardise her rise as a young political star in the coalition. Most Guyanese are forgiving, so if she decides to apologise, I am almost certain that it would bring an end to the issue and keep her in good standing not only among Indo-Guyanese, but also among the entire populace. It is wise for her to do so. No credible and decent person would support Ms. Walton-Desir’s injudicious and intemperate assertions; to do so will simply cast them in the same mould as racebaiters. Their support for her would only serve to worsen race relations in the country and precipitate more racial division between the two main races.
That said I would like to see the leaders of both parties put an end to this regrettable narrative. For more than 60 years, race-bait politics have divided the nation and I am hoping that it will come to an end sooner rather than later. It has stymied the country’s development and has dampened the spirits of our youths who are 65 percent of the country’s population. We are in the 21st century and I must say that it pains my heart to see that our political leaders continue to saddle our youths with this type of ethnic division as a political scheme to gain power. Sincerely, Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Racial and gender equity must be a priority at regional institutions and all State agencies DEAR EDITOR, I thank Chris Persad for his missive “Why not promote the Indian Deputy Secretary General to head CARICOM?”(KN May 17). Race should not be a factor in the selection of a Secretary General of CARICOM, but the perception among many, Indians in particular, is that race influenced the nonselection of a very qualified, experienced Indian Surinamese. It is pointed out that there are also racial inequalities in hiring and promotion at the Caricom Secretariat; such inequalities also exist in government employment around the region. Mr. Persad specifically drew attention that the deputy is a female Indian who was not offered the top position. Instead she was by-passed. Since CARICOM’s founding on August 1, 1973, no Indian was ever chosen as Secretary General. There was an Assistant or Deputy SG in the form of Surinamese, Dr. Albert Ramdin, about a decade ago. He was not promoted to SG. Ramdin also served as Dep. Secretary General of OAS in Washington.
So he had experience and skill to be SG of CARICOM. The current Caricom Deputy SG, Dr. Manorma Soeknandan, is also an Indian Surinamese. Mr. Persad rightly queried why Dr. Soeknandan was not promoted. This is the second time an Indian Deputy SG, has been by-passed or not selected for the top position. Dr. Carla Barnett of Belize was selected last week for the position. No doubt it is great to have a woman at the helm and it is the first time that a female has been selected to head the body. Dr. Soeknandan has had the experience for the position and she has been engaging Caricom member states. She was the perfect choice. It is critical that Indians are appointed at senior-level positions at Caricom and other global institutions. Racial and gender equity must be a priority at regional institutions and all state agencies. State and Caricom employment provide job security. We must ensure there is fair and balanced employment based on ethnicity and gender. Equity and diversity enhance problem-solving
Russians repeatedly yanking Guyana’s chain DEAR EDITOR, The Russians are at it again with breaching our labour laws, but this time not alone but in consort with our own (“Russian/ Guyanese mining company admits to labour breaches Hamilton” News Room, May 13). Our experiences with this group of foreigners have not
been pleasant and we await the outcome of this latest episode. Sincerely Shamshun Mohamed
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Kaieteur News
effectiveness. It is critical to have an inclusive workforce by recognising and utilising the talents of all; no group must be marginalised. Caricom must ensure that its hiring is adaptable and innovative and reflects the racial composition of the region; it must also reflect the composition of Guyana’s diversity. There must be equal opportunity for all and elimination of racial discrimination in government. Indian women have been under-represented in state employment in Guyana and also at the Secretariat at Caricom for decades. In addition, there has not been Indian women in senior roles at Caricom. The regional body must root out racial bias from their hiring and recruitment processes and the overall mindset of those who oversee the organisation. Race must never be a barrier to hiring and advancement of career staff and the selection of someone to lead the organisation. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Looming parking problem in Peter Rose Street DEAR EDITOR, The nights are cool and breezy, but residents should prepare for uncomfortable nights. The impressive looking apartment complex nearing completion at Peter Rose Street is going to be a little thorn in our sides. There appears to be six apartment residences, with not enough accommodation for “general” parking. Granted, there appears to be garages at the street level as part of the structure for about three cars. As it appears today, parking spots for about five cars in front of this complex are being made available next to the road that is, say, about 20 feet wide. Hypothetically, let’s say the complex becomes fully occupied, and each apartment has two adults with cars; that add up to 12 vehicles. Passing vehicular traffic is not even brought into this equation yet. The bigger picture is lack of foresight in urban planning in Guyana. Obviously, the individual(s) that approved the structure omitted basic concepts of adequate
parking, including parking for guests coming to this site, or ordinary vehicular traffic passing this complex, or others visiting neighbours. I have a feeling that sooner than later, this narrow street will be avoided unless necessary, due to sheer congestion. The individual(s) that approved the submitted pre-construction blueprint are placing us on a continuing trend of urban planning chaos. It is why downtown commercial Guyana, Regent Street and surrounding roads, is a vehicular madhouse. Approvals for buildings occur without any short or long-term insight for public parking. Using this location as a backdrop, we wait to see how much parking will be provided for all the hotels to be developed, hotels that normally require a considerable amount of parking space. May I suggest at this time that residents bring out their calculators. They may need to charge a fee for anyone, which includes visitors and anyone else, who can’t find
adequate parking and may need to park in front of the gate. Think of it as a second or third source of income, a little extra to purchase more fruits and vegetables at Stabroek Market. Looking ahead, the fees collected will build up if the residents start holding large parties and individuals need parking spots. As for the DCC Grounds, just a few minutes (walking) away, the hope is that it is never converted to a parking spot or anything else. Hopefully it remains as is - an open historical site. In conclusion, the government is applauded in its development vision in many areas, but it is also critical to point out areas in urban planning that are flawed. Sincerely, Chi Kansi
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Wednesday May 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
GHRA has no moral rectitude to pronounce on anything electoral DEAR EDITOR, Let me preface my views on the Guyana Human Rights Association’s call about abandoning the International Republican Institute’s project. Overall, this GHRA is not just a failed entity; it is biased and pro-opposition to the core. “The blow-blow still blowing,” on Nov 11, 2020 (Peeping Tom) emphatically states that “The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is a blow-blow organisation … (as) During the election crisis, not a whisper was heard from the GHRA. It did not condemn the attempts to rig the elections - a human rights issue. Its deafening silence led to the assumption that the GHRA had become defunct.” In “Trumpism or Burnhamism” (Nov. 17, 2020 Freddie Kissoon), the author states that “Guyana has a group named the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and an organisation titled, Guyana Transparency Institute. These two entities were completely silent for those five months. A country goes through one of its
deadliest moments in its evolution and these two bodies just barefacedly refused to discuss the danger of rigged elections for democracy and the country’s future. After the factual election results were accepted by Guyana and the world, the GHRA arose from its slumber.” Wow! This is incontrovertible rhetoric that gets worse. Why? The said GHRA took to the press in its call for forensic experts to come from Argentina to investigate the murder of the three youths in Cotton Tree in Region Five,” in such a way, as though the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) were to be blamed and were responsible for some kind of heinous racial crime. Shame on the GHRA. Now readers, I repeat a most obvious question, “How can any society show any respect to the GHRA? How can any young mind tolerate such a deeply disturbed entity?” So now, the toothless and voiceless GHRA, in a most anti-Government and
undemocratic gesture, is questioning the IRI in its requested role to help in ‘Electoral Reform in Guyana,’ an area which needs buttressing, as was seen when the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) sought to rig the March 2020 Elections. I thoroughly condemn the GHRA. Its notion is fallacious too, saying that “… if (the 18month project) launched prematurely, the reform process will inevitably become embroiled in the endless bipartisan recrimination over the last elections rather than address the decades of structurally dysfunctional elections.” First, how can this project be prematurely launched? Why wait? Was the GHRA blind during the five-month election impasse? What the Coalition Opposition ‘carried on with’ was so disgusting to one and all, locally, regionally and internationally, that Electoral Reform, to preclude such a repeat is not only necessary, but urgent. Secondly, this project is
not an in-closet operation conducted by some overnight entity. The Opposition members were invited and still they are not satisfied, even with being a part of initial talks, seemingly wanting to be the architect of such a venture. Then the International Republican Institute (IRI) is not some mediocre body. It is a toprated international democracy-development organisation, noted for being non-partisan and nongovernmental. Its history is most illustrious, having done highclass work in more than 100 countries, going back to 1983. It has contributed significantly to Electoral work in places like Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, and currently has offices in 40 countries worldwide. Preposterous indeed are the remarks of the GHRA. Now the GHRA, in the role of the Opposition, in wanting to be the crafters of the Electoral Reform, says
that “If external electoral assistance is needed in Guyana, CARICOM in general and Jamaica in particular, would be the place to start.” Well let me do a bit of revisiting back to June 2020. Guyana’s then caretaker David Granger-led administration had publicly denounced the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) national vote recount report, during its participation in a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS). During the same period, then Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Karen Cummings, in reacting to remarks by the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Prime Ministerial candidate, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, had said that the CARICOM recount did not reflect the overall scrutiny of the 2,339 boxes of ballots. “In our estimation, it was not a representative sample even though the CARICOM team of scrutineers had stated that despite some reservations, the votes counted could be used to declare the results as
they reflected the will of Guyanese. And let us not forget Chief of the OAS Electoral Observer Mission to Guyana, former Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, who actually chronicled the electoral process had declared that the recount confirmed that efforts had been made to inflate the declaration for Region/ District Four. “These results, but for minor adjustments, reflected the results contained in the original statements of poll and conclusively established the extent to which the figures for Region Four were altered to give the APNU+AFC coalition an overall majority.” Now since even the OAS and CARICOM were objects of derision by the APNU+AFC Coalition, then Guyana has to move ahead. The incumbent is the legally chosen and declared governing body running the country and it must not stop at every bit of time-wasting effort by the Opposition. Sincerely Todd A. Morgan
We are calling on CARICOM to unequivocally condemn Israeli violence in Gaza DEAR EDITOR, The Caribbean PanAfrican Network (CPAN), the Network for Defense of Humanity, Caribbean Chapter, Organisation for the Victory of the People (Guyana), The People’s Empowerment Party (Barbados) and the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, condemn what can only be described as a
campaign of ethnic cleansing by the settler-colonial, Zionist and racist entity known as Israel. The occupation of Palestine by those who subscribe to the racist ideology of Zionism, and the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland is illegal and constitutes a crime against humanity. The current situation is part of an ongoing campaign of dispossession,
terror and murder of Palestinians that began in 1948, and is referred to by Palestinians as the Nakba, which means disaster or catastrophe. Only 150 miles long, Gaza is the most densely populated territory in the world, with a population of 2 million. It can literally be described as an open air prison or concentration camp, since the residents cannot leave and therefore cannot escape the lethal bombardment by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). It has been reported today that a teenager, suffering from severe trauma, committed suicide in Gaza. He watched as his younger brother was killed while playing football in an airstrike during the 2008 Israeli war on Gaza. His older brother was killed in the 2012 war on Gaza
and he lost his father in the 2014 war. His mother was killed yesterday in a bombing raid by the same Zionist war machine that killed the rest of his family. This current attack is the continuation of an ongoing war, as illustrated by the tragic story of this teenager and his family, a story that epitomises the story of all those who reside in Gaza. The children of Gaza are traumatised – those men, women and children that are not being murdered, and are not having their homes and businesses demolished, are literally starving, without access to food and water. Enough is enough. We are calling on CARICOM to unequivocally condemn this crime against humanity, and to call for a region wide trade and cultural boycott of Israel. We call on any Caribbean nations that have relations
with the State of Israel to halt all ties and trade immediately. We are calling on the US and West European powers to stop their attempt to perpetuate the false narrative that refers to this as “a conflict” with two sides that are equally to blame. One side, the Israelis, are occupiers, who have established a settlercolonial state and have one of the most sophisticated and heavily armed forces in the world, possessing an arsenal of nuclear weapons, while the Palestinians are a displaced people, refugees in their own land, the victims of this illegal and brutal occupation. They have no state, no army, no control over airways or ports, and are defending themselves against the Israeli onslaught, with an array of medium and long range missiles. If there was ever a
David and Goliath scenario – this is it. We call on the US, Britain and the EU to reign in their ally, Israel, which is only able to survive and persecute the Palestinians because of the ongoing support of these imperial powers. The world is watching, and as you witnessed during the recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations, the youth of this world are united and more determined than ever in their resistance to tyranny. The people of the world, despite the cowardice and hypocrisy of so many of our governments, who are afraid to stand up to Israel and their imperialist backers, will not rest this time until the Palestinians are free from this inhumane occupation. It is time for action. Yours truly, Gerald Perreira
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
Rougher days lie ahead COVID-19 testing levels in Guyana are still low and times are inefficient. The result is that one cannot effectively gauge the true incidence of the virus in the country. There has been a tremendous increase in the number of recorded cases over the past few months. In February, there were 944 positive cases recorded. In April, this more than tripled to 3,034. These numbers do not appear to be fudged since the accompanying deaths have also been staggering. From a low of 13 in January, the number of deaths increased to 66 deaths in April, a more than 400 percent increase. Yet, this did not prompt the government to tighten the restrictions. And given the fact that people are happing making money, very little pressure is being placed on the government to move towards tightening the restrictions in place. The government appears to be tying its hopes on increased vaccination in order to achieve herd immunity of 85 percent - the government’s estimates. As has been pointed out repeatedly in this column, it is impossible for herd immunity to be achieved in Guyana because of the high percentage of under 18s who do not qualify for vaccination. More than 30 percent of the population fall in this age group and therefore a herd immunity threshold above 70 percent cannot be achieved. More importantly, if the government is aiming for herd immunity of 85 percent, it means that this is based on a basic reproduction rate of 6.7 – a level that would overwhelm our hospitals. However, does Guyana need such a high threshold of herd immunity to bring the vaccine under control? Herd immunity occurs when the virus cannot find enough persons to infect – because these persons are immune – and this is unable to be transmitted. The key to determining herd immunity is the
calculation of the reproduction number – or the number of persons which one person can infect. The government has not made known what is the country’s basic reproduction number. But during the early days of the pandemic, it was estimated as high as 3.5 but this is to be expected in the early stages of a pandemic before behavioural changes resulting from lockdowns and curfews. If at best, we assume that the basic reproduction number is two then it will mean that Guyana would need to vaccinate 50 percent of its population of 375,000 persons in order to achieve herd immunity and not the 85 percent which is being projected. It is for this reason that far more important than the number of new cases is the number of persons who are susceptible to being infected by one carrier. But that is a data which the Ministry of Health is keeping secretive, if it does have it. And it is the most important piece of information needed for herd immunity. The Ministry of Health has demonstrated a glaring reluctance to reveal epidemiological information, which is necessary for the public to make an informed assessment of the local coronavirus outbreak. No doubt realising that it cannot achieve even 70 percent herd immunity, the government is reframing its vaccination numbers to now emphasise the percentage of the adult population, which has been vaccinated. As at yesterday, it was stated that 36 percent of the adult population has been vaccinated. But this is only 23 percent of the total population which has received a first dose. Less than four percent of the population has been fully vaccinated. This is nowhere near 50 percent of fully vaccinated persons, which may be required for herd immunity, on the assumption that the basic reproduction number of the virus is
two. Some persons believe it is far higher. There is therefore no light as yet at the end of the tunnel. And given the high levels of vaccine hesitancy, Guyana is likely to struggle to immunise half of its population. There are educated people in Guyana who are offering the most spurious and absurd reasons for not taking the vaccines. Given also the reluctance of the government to tighten social and workplace restrictions, the next best option would be to ramp up testing. But this has been the area of greatest failure by the government. It is a public scandal that persons still have to wait two or more days for their test results when since last September, the government has been projecting increasing testing capabilities. A good indicator of whether sufficient testing is being undertaken is the positivity rate. Anything less than five percent is considered fair. Less than one percent is good. Guyana’s positivity rate is 11 percent. It means that the country is not testing enough persons and that one of every 10 persons tested is giving a positive result. Efforts therefore should be made to ramp up testing and to reduce the time for results. But considering the efforts at increasing testing capacity over the past nine months, there is not likely to be much improvement in this area. As such, the battle will be long and hard to bring this virus under control. And the situation is not being helped by those who are refusing to take the vaccine for all manner of silly reasons. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Dem Boys Seh...
Afternoon serenading! Caller: “Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello!” Announcer: “Good afternoon, you are on to the afternoon request show. Go ahead!” Caller: “I been trying fuh get on this show since yesterday. I calling since yesterday and de phone always engage. Even after de show done, ah can’t get through.” Announcer: “Well you are on the air now. Go right ahead.”
Caller: “I would like to send out greetings to my sister on the death of her husband. Also give my regards to her and all the family of the now deceased.” Announcer: “What song can we play for you this afternoon?” Caller: “I would like you to play ‘Don’t cry for me’ by CeCe Williams.” Announcer: “Ok I will line that one up for you.” Caller: ”What about the previous announcer who
used to be on the show.” Announcer: “I really cannot tell you.” Caller: ”Ok please play a song for him too. The one entitled ‘Soon you will get better’ by Taylor Swift.” Announcer: ”Sorry only one song per person.” Song begins to play Announcer: “We have run out of time and have to cut short the selection. See you tomorrow. Be ready w i t h y o u r c a l ls and greetings!”
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Wednesday May 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
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1- Caterpillar backhoe 3.5M Downpayment $2.5M Cantact 650-0402/ 632-9929 Pitbull minibus BWW series 2.2 million neg Call 639-4201 Affordable scania & Daf trucks Contact 649-8888 PROPERTY FOR SALE One unfinished house and business at Kaneville E.B.D price $10M. Contact 699-7546, 600-4292 Prime water front at Supply E.B.D 61.78width X 1000sq ft Tel#656-9774/ 661-5931/ 6612426/ 661-9518 Sheriff, Norton, Charlotte St, South Ruimveldt, L.B.I, Enterprise, Melanie, Diamond, Zeelugt & Uitvlugt, Contact Ray's Realty 627-9685 LAND FOR SALE Carmichael St, Mc Doom, LaPenitence, Qeenstown, Beterverwagting, Canal No.1, Soesdyke Highway, East Coast Contact Ray's Realty 627-9685 TO LET
FOR RENT Ransom (Concrete mixers), Scaffolding, Power washer, compactors, hire truck service etc, free delivery. Telephone: 610-5360. Email:dmdscaffolding@yahoo.com
2 bedroom unfurnished apartment in Eccles New Scheme and rooms in Albertown 2253234/ 628-1183
Space to rent 5000 SQ FT located @ 76 First Avenue, Bartica Contact #650-0402/ 260-4115 Business spot/ Bond space sandy Babb st Kitty $1500US neg Contact 6532774 2 Bedroom infurnished apt Sandy Babb St Kitty $60,000 Contact 653-2774 Business: South Road, Saffon, Hadfield, Wellington, North Rd, Residene: Meadow Bank, North Ruimveldt Ray's Realty 627-9685
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
WANTED Land Dredge workers with chain saw experience Call 6392219 Wanted female to work at bar in the interior Age 18-25 Contact 687-7638/ 674-1767 Cook/ Baker, Kitchen Assistant , Pitmen and Hauler operator for inteior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call 231-2250
Wanted female maid to work at hotel in interior 25years and over Contact 687-7638/ 6741767 Urgent: 1 experience kitchen assistant/ domestic live- in available 25-45yrs Tel#6956550/ 656-9313 Male factory worker apply in person at RP Enterprise area K' Leressouvnir E.C.D Tel#220-2818 Mason and Carpenter wanted Contact 657-5800/ 666-2887/ 602-9469
Region Seven man is Guyana’s latest COVID-19 fatality The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday announced that a 56-yearold man from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has died. His death has now brought Guyana’s COVID19 death toll to 345. According to the Ministry’s press release, the man died on Monday while
persons quarantined institutionally. To date, 13,252 recoveries have been recorded. A breakdown of new cases per Region shows that Region Four leads with 72 new cases, Region Nine with eight, Region Six with six, Region Three, Region Five and Region 10 with four each, and Region One and Region Seven with two each.
GRDB launches training programme aimed at improving yield
Wanted live in domestic for The Guyana Rice Georgetown location Contact Development Board (GRDB) 687-7638/ 674-1767 launched a training programme on the Essequibo Assistant cook must know to Coast yesterday, in an effort make pastry, roti, puri Call 609- to improve the yield of rice 3643 production in Region Two. One live-in babysitter needed The acting General Manager Contact Owen on 636-2310 or of GRDB, Mr. Kuldip Ragnauth, told Kaieteur 622-4576 News that the exercise will 3 chefs/ cooks 1 kitchen as- primarily target farmers who sistant, 1 handy man Tel#679- have had trouble improving 9449/ 689-9426 their yields. This publication Farm workers in a cash crop understands that it has been farm in Timehri living challenging for some farmers accomendation provided to improve their yields for a Tel#661-1585/ 617-2032 number of reasons. The acting GM revealed that in some cases, some farmers have produced less than 25 bags per acre. On that note, he said, the Government of Guyana through GRDB aims at doubling the yield for rice farmers. “We are going to work VACANCY with those farmers,” Maid to cook and clean for the Ragnauth said, “advise them East Bank area Call 615-9132 and give them the technical Female cleaner for office Call knowledge to help them improve their yields… The 642-9823 role of the board has to be in Male cleaner for workshop line with the mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture that Call 642-9823 One clerk for Eccles office English & Mathematics, grade 1 or 2 Email application to techserigy@yahoo.com
receiving treatment at a medical facility. The Health Ministry in its daily COVID19 dashboard recorded 102 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 15,454. The dashboard also shows that 14 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 111 persons are in institution isolation, 1,732 in home isolation and seven
Farmers during yesterday’s exercise. is why we are targeting these farmers.” Mr. Ragnauth said that the training will address some key areas, which will tremendously improve production, once applied. He said that access to improved paddy varieties is one way in which farmers can improve their yields. He added, “An improved variety should be matched with improved management in order for us to realise its yield potential. We want farmers to grow rice in a more scientific way… Fertiliser recommendations should be based on soil test. The nutrition of the rice plant depends on how much
fertiliser is used, when, the variety and time and condition of the day during which it is applied.” Reports are that paddy bugs, red rice and other diseases, are amongst some of the leading factors for poor production in Region Two. The General Manager of GRDB said that the extension officers are working closely with farmers, in an effort to mitigate these issues through research. “We are also working with how to reduce losses… Our research is focused on the areas on how we can better manage these issues, we want them to be reduced to a manageable rate,” said Ragnauth.
...Tacuma Ogunseye responds to Freddie
Receptionist supervisor room attendant 30-50 yrs 233 South From page 4 remarks as racist and Road Lacytown Tel#225-2304 poisonous. Back to Khan, this One truck Driver - full time gentleman is no stranger to Apply at lens 136 Sheriff Street controversy, be it racial or otherwise. But what is more C/ Ville Tel#227-2486 important in this matter is the One porter apply at Len's 136 fact that he was a member of Sheriff Street, C/ Ville Tel#227- the Ethnic Relations 2486 Commission (ERC) and dealt Farmers / farm workers Con- with accusations against tact: 621-4992 or 227-5289 Lo- other citizens for making racial He must cation Canal No:2 West Bank utterances. therefore, be held accountable Demerara to higher standards on race/ CXC Mathematics and En- racial issues. If as Kissoon is glish required 173 Sheriff VACANCY street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel#227-5286-9, Vacancy for cashiers to work E m a i l at superbet Tel#691-7123 survival.humanresources@gmail.com Vacancy exist for experienced Requirements: Valid Drivers water delivery driver and porLicense (With Motor Lorry) ter Tel#Tel 692-6768/ 676-1363 173 Sheriff street, Campbellville, Georgetown One bond clerk requirement 3 Tel: 227-5286-9, Email: CXC subjects Apply at Lens survival.humanresources@gmail.com Tel#227-2486
claiming that Roshan Khan’s Facebook utterances are not race poison, then none of the persons that appeared at the ERC in Khan’s presence engaged in racist remarks. There is another aspect of Kissoon’s construct which I have chosen not to address, his comparison of what I wrote with what he claimed was said by MP Jermaine Figueira. But I refer to Mr. Kissoon’s passionate comparison of his hairstyle with that of the British Prime Minister. How more trivial can this columnist get? What does his hairstyle and suits have to do with the matter under discussion? Apparently, in Kissoon’s world, it means a lot. No wonder a letter writer referred to his column as constituting “Stupidity and Foolishness.” I end by making this
observation: if the PPP/C and its allies were interested in objective discussions on what MP Walton-Desir had said, they would in the first instance, have honestly highlighted the exact words used by the MP. Instead, they chose to be wicked and at the same time bullies, displaying their wrong and strong attitude and playing dangerous political games with this sensitive issue of race. The PPP/C and its allies, having decided that MP Walton’s remarks will be propagandised as “racist,” with which Frederick Kissoon concurs, are seeking to redefine the reality or desiring others to accept their definition of reality. I reiterate my complete rejection of their efforts. Yours faithfully, Tacuma Ogunseye
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Wednesday May 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
Concessions galore in secret contract…
Chinese Co. gets waivers on all imports for self & sub-contractors
Climate Adaptation
World’s Oranges, Coffee at Risk as Brazil Runs Out of Water
The entrance to one of the underground mines that was being developed at AGM. The Chinese company – Zijin Mining Group – which acquired the largest gold mining operation in Guyana from Canadian owned Aurora Gold Mines enjoys waivers on all imports not only for itself, but any sub-contractor it employs as part of its operations in the CuyuniMazaruni location. The generous concessions come as a result of a contract that was inked in November 2011 with AGM’s original owners, Canada-based Guyana Goldfields, which sold to the Chinese owned mining company a little under a year ago. The company in 2019 had begun underground mining before it announced that it was selling its operations. The feasibility study for the project was completed in January 2013 and first gold was poured in August 2015, while commercial production was achieved in January 2016. The processing plant was commissioned in October 2015. The first gold sale also took place in the same month before it was later sold in August 2020 to the new
Chinese owners. A perusal of the contract illustrates at when it comes to imports, the company enjoys a wide range of waivers. For example, the company under the contract provisions is entitled to import into the country or purchase domestically, free of import duties, Value Added Tax (VAT) and any other direct or indirect taxes on all equipment, supplies and materials for the project. It also provided under the contract provisions that, for greater certainty, the company or any local or foreign contractor retained for the project purposes shall not be required to pay any licence fees, duties or other charges related to importing or purchasing materials in Guyana for the purpose of the project. Additionally, the company shall also be entitled to import free of customs duties, VAT and other direct or indirect taxes on necessary personal items, including electronic and household effects. These concessions come in addition to the arrangement that sees the company paying US$5 or G$1,000 rental for
every acre of land it has in its claim. The Aurora gold project was first developed by Guyana Goldfields, located in Cuyuni-Mazaruni, as an open-pit and underground mining operation spread across an area of 12 kilometres squared or 2,965 acres. Under the terms of the contract, upon the granting of the licence, the company would pay in advance the Guyanese equivalent to US$5 per acre for each acre included in the licence, and should the Government reduce those fees, then the company’s obligation to pay the rent would be similarly reduced. It would mean that the company pays just about G$3M in rent to exercise its right over, and mine for gold from almost 3,000 acres of land. Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. successfully acquired the operations of Guyana Goldfields Inc. (GGI) in August last year for US$238M and had committed to employing between 200 and 300 Guyanese workers. However, after the acquisition deal was finalised, the company had cut ties with a significant number of local businesses.
...Man killed by police was carrying over From page 17 single gunshot injury. According, to a close relative, Headley was shot at close range from the front of his chest close to his heart – there was, the relative said, no exit wound.
In photographs of the car in which Headley was said to be shot, seen by this newspaper, the front passenger seat is shown to contain several bloodstains, but there is no damage to the seat itself, which calls into ques-
tion the initial police report that Headley was shot by the armed rank behind him in his car; this is in addition to the family’s claim that the man was shot to the chest. Headley’s body was handed over to his family and is currently at Merriman Funeral Homes Inc., while his family makes funeral arrangement. The Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation into the matter.
(Bloomberg report) Brazil, the world’s biggest exporter of coffee, sugar and orange juice, just had a rainy season that brought hardly any rain. Soils are parched and river levels are low in the nation’s Center-South region, a powerhouse of agricultural output. The drought is so severe that farmers are worried they’ll run out of the water reserves that help keep crops alive over the next several months, the country’s dry season. Mauricio Pinheiro, 59, started irrigating his arabicacoffee crops in March, two months earlier than normal, after his 53-hectare (131-acre) plantation got less than half of the rain it needed. He’s using so much water for the plants that there isn’t enough left for his home. In order to keep the showers and faucets running, he’s had to search for another well. “My irrigation reservoir is drying up now — that usually happens in August,” said Pinheiro, who lives in Pedregulho in the Alta Mogiana region, in Sao Paulo state. “I’m really concerned about running out of water in the coming months.” The prospect of withering orange trees and coffee plants is coming at a time when agricultural crops are rallying to multiyear highs, which has fanned fears of food inflation. Higher food costs
may exacerbate hunger, a problem around the globe that the Covid-19 pandemic has made more acute. Coffee and raw-sugar contracts on the ICE Futures exchange in New York have already touched four-year highs. If even irrigated areas can’t get enough water, Brazil’s coffee and orange output may decline for a s e c o n d y e a r i n a r o w. Brazil’s current orange crop shrunk 31% from the previous season, the most in 33 years, and production of arabica coffee, the highend kind used by chains like Starbucks Corp., is also dropping sharply. Brazil January-April 2021 rainfall compared with 2006-2020 average Rainfall was disastrously low for many areas in Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais from January to April, said John Corbett, Chief Executive Officer at aWhere Inc. The worst hit areas received less than half of normal precipitation, at a critical time when coffee plants need moisture for the beans to grow. It is also a period when the soil stores water to cope with the dry season. That came on top of adverse drier-than-normal conditions in some parts last year, notably in Sao Paulo and Parana, said Paul Markert, meteorologist for Maxar Technologies Inc. in Maryland. While a dry spell is typical
for this time of year in Brazil, it’s expected to last longer than usual, adding to concerns. Regular rains will return to the region between October and November, instead of September, said Celso Oliveira, a meteorologist at Somar Meteorologia. What on Earth? About 30% of Brazil’s orange crop and 15% of arabica coffee fields are irrigated. “The levels of rivers and lakes have been very concerning,” said Regis Ricco, director at Minas Gerais-based RR Consultoria Rural. Francisco Sergio de Assis, a coffee grower in Monte Carmelo, a municipality in the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais, started irrigating his fields a month early, and doesn’t think his water reservoirs will last if it doesn’t rain by September. The situation is becoming critical for orange groves. Emerson Fachini, an orange farmer who cultivates 45 hectares in Palestina municipality in Sao Paulo state, said he’s had irrigation systems turned on for most of the time since January. “Water reservoirs are drying up, depleted just ahead of the dry season,” Gilberto Tozatti, of Sao Paulo-based GCONCI-Group Citrus Consulting, said by phone. “The situation is affecting most of Sao Paulo state and still harming next season’s crop.”
...GPA expresses dissatisfaction on two-day From page 3 refusing to respond to questions and clarifications arising from press releases. She noted that a glaring case in point of the blackout concerned a policeman’s recent shooting of a robbery suspect in a car; she stated that operatives in the Force know how to make contact and have used the very media when they want to plant information and or use the media to get the public on its
side. She stated that the communication process cannot be one-way or conveniently two-way and that disappointment is also registered to the Police Commissioner, Mr. Nigel Hoppie. Raghubir further mentioned that it is most unfortunate that the Guyana Police Force has decided to cease the decades-old practice of releasing the names of victims of crimes, which evidently diminishes the credibil-
ity of news releases. Lastly, the President of the GPA noted that until and unless the GPA is satisfied that the Police Force, its agents and servants are responsive and transparent to its concerns as it seeks to better serve the public, it will not be aiding and abetting any process by making available its expertise for the sake of being a veneer that the law enforcement agency is transparent.
...Suspects in bus driver’s murder charged From page 11 and rumbling coming from his house. Not long after they recalled seeing his three in-laws fleeing the scene and Thomas staggering out of his house, calling for help. He collapsed seconds later and remained motionless in
his yard. Crime scene experts had observed that his remains bore what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. There was also a wound to the throat which led detectives to believe that it was slit. The suspects were arrested on
May 13 at Parika, East Bank of Essequibo (EBE), and it was later revealed that they had attempted to murder Thomas three times in the past. One of them had chopped Thomas before but had always managed to elude police.
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Serena Williams secures place in last 16 of Emilia-Romagna Open PA Media - Serena Williams overcame a shaky start to power into the last 16 of the Emilia-Romagna Open at the expense of 17-year-old qualifying wildcard Lisa Pigato. World number 572 Pigato produced three superb winners to break the 23-time grand slam winner in the first game of their first-round match in Parma but Williams soon recovered. The veteran American, who added the tournament to her French Open preparations after her early elimination in Rome last week, hit straight back to win 16 of the next 18 points and lead 4-1. Top seed Williams then eased to a 6-3 6-2 victory in
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Kaieteur News
Serena Williams 68 minutes. “Lisa played really well,” said Williams in her on-court interview. “The first game, she played really good and I needed to adjust to get back. “Her future is superbright. She handled the moment well, so I look forward to cheering for her in the
future.” Williams will next play Katerina Siniakova following the Czech’s 6-1 6-3 win over Clara Tauson. Her sister Venus Williams will go no further, however, as she was beaten 5-7 6-2 6-2 by Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia in a tough contest that lasted two hours and 39 minutes. Sloane Stephens edged her all-American clash with qualifier Caty McNally 7-6 64 while seventh-seeded Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo beat Bernarda Pera 6-4 6-2. Eighth seed Caroline Garcia of France saw off Argentina’s Paula Ormaechea 6-4 6-4. There was an upset at the Belgrade tournament as third
Wednesday May 19, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You will have to rely on your analytical skills and steely self-control to navigate the stormy seas you find yourself in today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A moment will come when you can no longer fight against the current transformation you're going through in your professional life.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The astral configuration indicates that you may be interested in pursuing some kind of training, Taurus. Assess where you are in your professional life.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You won't allow yourself to get sidetracked by minor things today, Scorpio. You will get straight to the heart of the matter.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Do you have some drawings in a drawer, Gemini? Since last month, or possibly before, you've been thinking about your creative ability. CANCER (June 21–July 22) One last, concerted effort and you will be able to get to the root of a problem that has been on your mind for a while now. The answer to the question concerning your identity isn't entirely to be found in your family history.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) About two weeks ago, it may have occurred to you that you should be making more of an effort to advance your career, Sagittarius. If so, it will be easier for you to accept today's constraints. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your light, breezy spirit may have some trouble harmonizing with today's prevailing mood. Usually when you're cornered, you're able to find a way to squirm to safety.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You've been doing a lot of cleaning up and clearing out. Since this project has been going on for several years now, you must be doing a particularly thorough job.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) What a day! Whether at work or at home, you may find yourself choosing between two options, both of which stem from anxiety! You may decide to vanquish your doubts by burying yourself in your work.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Sometimes you have to go back to square one if you want a situation to get better, Virgo. This can be frustrating or even humiliating, but if the goal is to have a solid foundation on which to rebuild, it's well worth it!
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It's often said that your energy feeds on strong emotions. Situations that require some daring are an excellent source of such excitement. This is the key to understanding the day ahead, Pisces.
seed Shuai Zhang of China was beaten 6-2 1-6 7-6 by Colombia’s Maria Camila Osorio Serrano. Eighth seed Danka Kovinic from Montenegro also lost, 3-6 6-4 6-1, to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.
...Russell, Hetmyer, Cottrell returns to West From page 27 6. Fidel Edwards 7. Andre Fletcher 8. Chris Gayle 9. Shimron Hetmyer 10. Jason Holder 11. Akeal Hosein 12. Evin Lewis 13. Obed McCoy 14. Andre Russell 15. Lendl Simmons 16. Kevin Sinclair 17. Oshane Thomas 18. Hayden Walsh Jr T20I MATCH SCHEDULE: West Indies vs South Africa · June 26: 1st T20I, Grenada National Cricket Stadium · June 27: 2nd T20I, Grenada National Cricket Stadium · June 29: 3rd T20I, Grenada National Cricket Stadium · July 1: 4th T20I, Grenada National Cricket Stadium · July 3: 5th T20I, Grenada National Cricket Stadium West Indies vs Australia · July 9: 1st T20I, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia · July 10: 2nd T20I, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia · July 12: 3rd T20I, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia · July 14: 4th T20I, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia · July 16: 5th T20I, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia West Indies vs Pakistan · July 27: 1st T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados · July 28: 2nd T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados · July 31: 3rd T20I, Guyana National Stadium · August 1: 4th T20I, Guyana National Stadium · August 3: 5th T20I, Guyana National Stadium
...Mangal cops Genuine Auto From page 30 Mangal, a former Guyana Open champion, shot 74 gross and 67 net to take the title ahead of Jetindra Dhanpat with 80 gross and 72 net and Brian Hackett who registered 90 gross and 72 net. Mangal also took the best front nine trophy with 32 net, while Eureka Giddings was the best net back nine winner with a score 33.
...Fifteen more receive ‘Dolphin Award of Excellence’; overall From page 31 legal field as a former Attorney General of Guyana. Ananda ET Dharry (Posthumous) – For an outstanding career in the engineering sector and an outstanding resident of Rose Hall Town. Terry Holder (Posthumous) – The late Terry Holder played a major role in the development of the RHTY&SC. Holder was a positive role model, outstanding public and private sector official, cricket administrator and mentor of the club. Faizal Jaffarally MP – For being a defender of the less fortunate, outstanding man of the people and a friend of the club. Navindra Persaud (REO Reg. #6) – For an outstanding career in the Public Service, role model to youths and friend of the club. Dr. Cecil Beharry – For an outstanding career as a Medical Doctor and cricket administrator. Dr. Ghanshaam Sukhdeo – For an outstand-
ing career as a Medical Doctor, Hospital administrator and friend of the club. Esuan Crandon – For an outstanding career as a cricketer, National Coach who won five (5) Regional Championships and member of the RHTY&SC. Guyana Police Force Inspector Sonia Ward – For an outstanding career as a Law Enforcement Officer and long serving Secretary to the Commander of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). Romario Samaroo – For an outstanding career in journalism and a friend of the club. Brandon Corlette – RHTY&SC member who has performed well as a cricket journalist. Anasha Ally – For being a positive role model to youth, trailblazer and head of an Engineering Company. Bissoondyal Singh – For his long battle to restore law and order to Guyana’s cricket, successful businessman and cricket administrator.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday May 19, 2021
The Sheltez Independence Junior Tournament
Quarterfinals contested last weekend
Norella Jordan and Akilah Jones T h e S h e l t e z Independence Junior Tournament which was launched at the Le Ressouvenir Tennis Club last month, will conclude on Independence Day (May 26).
In the latest action over the weekend, Nathan DeNobrega defeated Elwyn Levius 2/4 5/3(10/6) in the Boys U12 to win that category. In the Girls U14 - Renola Jordan won and Paula
Madison and Naiesha Jaikissoon
Gerald Scotland and Hayden Mentore Kalekyezi being the runner up In the Girls U16 - Renola Jordan def Nandanee Ramdyhan 6/0 6/0 Norella Jordan def Akilah Jones 6/2 1/6(10/7) Saskia Persaud def
Renola Jordan 5/7 6/4 (13/11) In the Boys U14 - Gerald Scotland def Hayden Mentore to take that category 4/2 5/3 In the Boys U18 Quarterfinals Wayne Baker
def Gerald Scotland 1/6 6/4 11/9 and Adam Genofire def Isiah Cambridge 6/3 6/3 Donnie Anderson def Ricky Romascindo 6/2 7/6(7/2) In the girls U12 Madison def Naiesha
Wayne Baker and Gerald Scotland Jaikissoon 4/0 4/0 The tournament continues this weekend with the U-18, U-16 and girls U12 semifinals. The finals will be played on Independence Day when the closing ceremony will be held.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 19, 2021
PAGE 27
Russell, Hetmyer, Cottrell returns to West Indies - Sunil Narine squad for SA, Australia, Pakistan series still absent
E
SPNcricinfo Allrounder Andre Russell is back in the West Indies T20I squad for the first time since March 2020. West Indies’ 18member squad for their upcoming set of T20I series against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan also includes the returning duo of Shimron Hetmyer and Sheldon Cottrell, with Kieron Pollard continuing to lead the side following on from the 2-1 home win against Sri Lanka in the format in March. Sunil Narine,
meanwhile, continues to miss out, with Cricket West Indies revealing the spinner informed lead selector Roger Harper he wasn’t yet ready to return to international cricket. “If his position changes, then the selectors would consider him for selection,” a CWI spokesperson said. While the West Indies side retains at its core most of the players that helped them triumph in the series against Sri Lanka, there are a handful of changes, especially in the bowling department. Alongside
Cottrell, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh Jnr also return, while the 39-year-old fast bowler Fidel Edwards retains his place in the side. Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis remain part of the side, while Nicholas Pooran is vicecaptain. “The provisional T20I squad was put together with all T20I home series matches against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in mind,” Harper said. “This gives us the opportunity to continue to build towards the upcoming World Cup and to determine our best squad and
our ideal eleven.” West Indies coach Phil Simmons stressed the importance of the 15 upcoming T20Is, with two T20 World Cups scheduled to take place over the next 18 months. “These upcoming T20Is are crucial in terms of our preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup. We have assembled a very solid squad with experienced worldclass match-winners and some exciting young talented players, ready to explode onto the global stage and do great things for West Indies cricket.
“We are at that point where we have identified those who we will look to be the core of the squad to defend our World Cup title, so we want to make sure the upcoming matches create that environment - the way we train, the way we plan, the way we execute and the chemistry within the group. We won five years ago, so the next few weeks and months will be major stepping stones on the road towards defending our title and being World Champions for a third time.” The series against South
Africa begins on June 26 and ends on July 3, with all five games taking place in Grenada. The five T20Is against Australia will take place in St Lucia, while the five matches against Pakistan will be held in Barbados and Guyana. FULL SQUAD SELECTED: 1. Kieron Pollard – Captain 2. Nicholas Pooran – Vice Captain 3. Fabian Allen 4. Dwayne Bravo 5. Sheldon Cottrell (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday May 19, 2021
Letter to the Sports Editor
Hetmyer’s continued snub is beginning to look personal Dear Sir/ Madam, Permit me a space in your newspaper to express my disgust and uneasiness to the continued snub of my countryman and world class performer. Over the years as a
student of this game we love so much and life in general, I have learnt to live with disappointments, dust it off and move on. However, I am beginning to believe that the continued snub of Shimron Hetmyer is
more personal than lack of fitness or lack of commitment to West Indies cricket. It’s no secret that West Indies will choose some of the most mediocre players to become administrators, where
jealousy and personality clashes abound. The underlying issue remains how successful these young lads would have become in comparison to men with 15 and 20 yr. careers. It’s no fault of theirs, life is not static, it remains dynamic, this is simply a different time. Let’s look at three of the top teams in the world and compare the careers of the some of the leading lights in the administration of cricket, India, Ganguly and Dravid, South Africa, Graeme Smith, England, Andrew Strauss. I deliberately left out Australia, none of the current crop of selectors and immediate past selectors headed by Courtney Browne had a consistent run in the WI squad. Roger Harper as chief Judge, Jury and Executioner has avail unto himself to single handedly destroy young Hetmyer to look good in Caribbean circles, where the notion of if I can do that to my own home boy, who else I can’t do this to? I have been following closely the statements attributed to my good friend Reds Pereira, one of our outstanding sons in broadcasting, I am in full support of his idea. Who in the hierarchy called young Shimron and spoke to him? The Master Blaster Richards was a bit more
subtle in asking the young man to look in the mirror, yes we are always contributors to our own downfalls. In this case where youthful exuberance abounds, the words of Jason Holder holds substance, counsel the players, not chastise and abandon them. The entire Caribbean is aware that this 30 man training squad has people in it that can’t come close to the talented young Berbician. The world is full of s m a l l m i n d e d administrators, that the simplest of things are held against you, these people will hound you down to halt your strides forward. I say without fear of contradiction, there is more in the mortar than in the p e s t l e i n H e t m y e r ’s continued snub. No wonder locally young Ramjattan has filed a noconfidence motion in an association where Harper plays an integral role in decision making. I know the President of Guyana, His Excellency Irfaan Alli, is an ardent cricket fan since in his University days, Sports Minister, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr., who has shown an inclination to continued progress thus far, GCB President Bissoondyal Singh and the proven and tested Hilbert Foster, being Vice President, needs to have some clarity, either directly
or indirectly about the future of this young Guyanese sportsman. To d a y i s H e t t y, tomorrow will be another Guyanese, when we are treated unkind by our own, how do we expect others to treat us? As is advised, improve your fitness Shimron, I patiently await to see the other flimsy excuse by the so called ‘EXCELLENT’ selectors who are so strict and straight up when there are no further doubts lingering. Reds alluded to the sterner test that lies ahead with the upcoming series with teams that are far more talented than Bangladesh, as we bask in the glory of the team’s success recently, we recognize how important this game is to Caribbean integration. Distinguished UWI Professor, Sir Hillary Beckles put it nicely, ’we took it from its Victorian mores, fused it into a single institution that defines us as a people, for cricket remains the only and single unifying force for us as a people’. Those profound words aren’t to be taken lightly; I challenge the incumbent Ricky Skerrit and Dr. Shallow to be objective and bring this issue of ‘ S E L E C T O R A L BLUNDERS’ to a halt for the betterment of West Indies cricket. Regards, Ronald Shepherd.
Daren Sammy relinquishes captaincy at St Lucia Zouks - Two-time World Cup winner joins Andy Flower as part of the backroom staff ESPNcricinfo - Daren Sammy has stepped down from his role as St Lucia Zouks captain to become the franchise’s “T20 cricket consultant and brand ambassador” for the 2021 CPL season. Sammy led the Zouks who had previously reached the play-offs once in seven seasons - to the final last year, after they finished third in the league phase and then bowled Guyana Amazon Warriors out for 55 in the semi-finals. Sammy himself faced 51 balls and bowled only three overs across his 12 appearances, and with his playing role increasingly limited, he will now join Andy Flower’s coaching staff instead. Sammy, a two-time T20 World champion, is yet to confirm his retirement from all cricket, but has not played since the 2020 CPL final, and is now head coach at his PSL franchise, Peshawar Zalmi. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to have led and been a part of the St Lucia Zouks from its inception,” Sammy said in a CPL media release. “Even though some may say good things must come to an end it will not be in
this instance: St Lucia Zouks and I will always be a team. “But since venturing into coaching, I realise I have a new passion that can allow me to still contribute and play a part in taking the franchise forward on its quest to winning a CPL title and developing future stars.” Flower, who called Sammy an “icon of West Indies white-ball cricket” and “the heartbeat of St Lucia Zouks,” said: “He’s decided to step away from playing after an amazing career both with the West Indies, where he led the side to two T20 World Cups, but also as a really inspirational leader, full of integrity, for the island. We want to continue our partnership with Daren coming in as part ambassador, part coach, part mentor alongside me.” The Zouks also announced the retention of seven players from their 2020 squad ahead of the upcoming season, which starts on August 28 in St Kitts: Andre Fletcher, Kesrick Williams, Rahkeem Cornwall, Roston Chase, Obed McCoy, Mark Deyal and Javelle Glen.
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
Sanmoogan aims to ‘Medal’ at her second Olympics in Tokyo By Sean Devers At 23, National Swimmer Jamila Sanmoogan will be aiming to ‘medal’ in the Tokyo Olympics from July 23 to August 8, 2021 after competing in the Women’s 50 meters’ freestyle in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil. Speaking about her experience in her first Olympics, Jamila said I was phenomenal one despite placing 63rd overall. “I got to meet some World class Athletes and also got to compete with some of them which is a big thing. I had fun in Rio,” added Jamila who, along with Hannibal Gaskin represented Guyana in Swimming in Rio. Sanmoogan and Andrew Fowler will represent Guyana at the Olympic Games in Tokyo after picking up the two FINA universality spots. Last month, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) wrote to the GOA and the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) informing them of the failure of any Guyanese swimmer to qualify for the Games in Tokyo, hence Sanmoogan and Fowler landed two universality spots. Universality spots allows a nation with no Olympic swimming qualifier to enter up to one male and one female in the Olympics – typically, those ‘universality’ entries require that the athletes competed in the most recent edition of FINA’s Long Course World Championships. While the Olympic period runs up to the Olympics, the pair of Olympic hopeful might not be able to capitalize on more important overseas experience due to a lack of funding. Since she is a ‘wild card entry’ for the Tokyo Olympics, Jamila will only compete in the 50m freestyle event in which her personal best time is 28:60. “I should be able to shave some seconds off if I get to continue training to improve my arm speed. If I can get that going, I’m quite sure I’ll be a force to reckon with,” stated Jamila who attended the Business School. Jamila said she is excited to be able to represent her
country at the Olympic Games once again and is working hard to improve. “I feel good. That’s because I’ve been training whenever pool time was available and putting in the land training when the gym was re-opened. I will now have the opportunity to test myself against the very best in the world. My first goal obviously would be to medal but if this is not possible then I would like to improve my time in the event I’m competing,” said the talented Swimmer, who first represented Guyana in the 2005 Goodwill Games among Caribbean Countries. Last month, Jamila and Andrew Fowler joined 17year old Leon Seaton, currently based in Florida on a FINA Scholarship and US based Guyanese Chase Thompson to participate the UAMA Olympic qualifiers in Clermont, Florida, USA. “Not being able to gain access to the pool for about a year due to the lockdown has affected my training, but I am working hard to improve,” stated Jamila, who represented Guyana at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, as well as the 2019 Wo r l d S w i m m i n g Championships. “However, I was able to train at home intermittently but my biggest challenge was training by myself at home. Also, being away from my club and coach (The Astros) in Cali, Colombia, there, the training was more focused and intense. Also, club politics were reserved for back-room discussions and not in front of athletes. There, you had to perform to be chosen to represent your club at competitions,” explained Jamila. “I think the standard of swimming in Guyana is not too high. We are not bringing home any medals or trophies, regionally or internationally. That speaks volumes about the standard of Coaching locally. No need to elaborate further,” Jamila pointed out. Jamila feels that Sports scholarships are important for an athlete to become well developed. “I am most thankful to Mr. Ivan Persaud, past president of GASA, for engaging the Colombian swimming fraternity in an
exchange programme that allowed me to study and train in Cali, Colombia under the tutelage of Coach Fabio Toro de Obando. The approach to sports there is very organized and disciplined,” informed Jamila. Jamila was born at Woodlands Hospital in Georgetown in 1997 to Ian and Debra Sanmoogan and has one brother, Keenan. “Sports was not a big thing in school, but me and my brother were always chosen to represent our school in swimming. We started swimming at five years old under the tutelage of Coach Vibert Charles of Dolphin Speed Swim Club,” informed Jamila who attended the Business school. “I enjoyed my time there i m m e n s e l y, e s p e c i a l l y competing against swimmers in other local clubs,” disclosed Amelia, who represented Astros in Colombia before returning to Guyana due to the pandemic. “I did not do well at school academically. But my parents were insistent on me taking extra lessons to boost my academics. This continued until I left for Colombia on a sports scholarship made possible by the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA),” posited the lass who loved dancing as a child. The young swimmer has attended several overseas Swim Meets, made possible by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) & GASA. “They were all very nice. Accommodation and food were always well catered for. I would like to single out Doha, Qatar as my favorite. My goal in life is to serve others. I have been continuing my studies in veterinary science online from Cali & hope that when I graduate, I will be able to contribute to the development of Guyana,” revealed Jamila. She thanked her parents, Coaches (local & overseas), S c h o o l Te a c h e r s , h e r extended family and friends, the management and staff of the GOA & GASA for the time and effort they expended during the development of her career. “A special thanks to all the coaches throughout my
career. And a special thanks to Mr. Charles Corbin for encouraging me to swim the Demerara River,” concluded Jamila.
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Jamila Sanmoogan
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Wednesday May 19, 2021
Sports Minister happy with return of MCY&S/GCF Independence Three Stage Road Race By Zaheer Mohamed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. is happy to see the return of the Guyana’s premier cycling event- the Independence Three Stage Road Race. The event made a grand return last weekend after an absence of five years and generated much excitement among those involved in the sport. The showpiece, which was hosted by the Guyana Cycling Federation and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, culminated at Thirst Park with Briton John of We Stand United Cycle Club emerging as the overall winner in the senior men’s category in 6:56:57. The Masters’ segment was won by Alexis Mendes in 7:02:20, Susan Hamilton of Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club took the female title, while David Hicks of We Stand United Cycle Club captured the junior prize. Despite being on a lockdown for quite sometime, the cyclists showed immense determination and skills to conquer the journey and showed glimpses of what is to come next weekend at the Cycling Federation national road race. Sponsorship is of utmost importance in staging such event and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports must be commended for their input. Speaking with the media following the race, Minister Ramson Jr. said it is amazing to see the level of excitement the event generates. “The event was absent for five years and I have been dismayed that this race was even stopped in the first place because the previous administration didn’t give any sponsorship towards the sport and to this event. This is the marquee event for cycling and it brings much excitement and
encouragement. Just look at the kind of energy that is coming out of this, is amazing to see, it’s a real disappointment that it was stopped,” he added. The Guyana Cycling Federation got the approval from the National task force and the event proved a success, while the Guyana Police Force must be commended for their efforts. Minister Ramson Jr. noted the importance of sponsorship. “From the moment we had our first conversation with the cycling federation, I had committed that if this is your marquee event I am going to make sure that we set aside the money for it coming out of our new budget which is what we did.” “It’s a kind of touch and go situation whether they were going to get the covid a p p r o v a l , t h a t ’s n o t something that the Ministry gets involved in personally, because that’s more of a technical decision whether it could be done safely. But the moment that they were able to get the approval coming out of the task force we handed them the money. Had it not been for the sponsorship they would not have been able to stage this race, but I am really pleased about the excitement the sport brings and all of the people who are connected to cycling, it’s a pleasure to see,” he pointed out. The top six overall riders in the senior men’s division pocketed; $70,000, $60,000, $50,000, $40,000, $35,000 and $25,000 in that order, however when quizzed about an increase in the prize money in the future, the Minister explained that the core sponsorship comes from the Ministry, but companies have been far more tight with their budget for the past year. “When a company revenue isn’t as high, one of
the first things they do is that they spend less on advertising, so events such as this also goes on the chopping board. We want to make sure that the event happens, that’s the first thing, that’s when a lot more of these associations get to have the spring board and the leverage to go into companies and seek sponsorship, and once the Ministry gets involved it will be a plus for businesses to come on board, it will be a good look for companies to partner with the Ministry.” “We have had that conversation with a lot of companies because we want to let them know that developing the country is really about developing the people. The buildings and infrastructure work is going to happen, but the building of the people is about building talents, building corporation and the kind of qualities that we need that sport brings and also what is connected to culture,” said Minister Ramson Jr. He pointed out that there was a bit of uncertainty whether the event was going to take place and noted that companies do not operate in that such a way. “You need to plan in advance, a lot of sports that the ministry has classified as core sports, we have said that we want a single national event, something that they build up to, working towards every year and it’s something that signals to the private sector as well, that we are going to have smaller events moving forward along the year, but we lead up into one national event.” “One of the reasons we have been pushing our online platform is that when they have those national events, is for them be able to plug that into our online platform so that they can get that views and interest and it can be very national in
Mangal cops Genuine Auto Spares and Tools golf title Mike Mangal emerged champion of the Genuine Auto Spares and Tools golf competition which was contested on Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club. (Continued on page 25)
Mike Mangal (second from left) with other prize winners and representatives of the sponsors.
awareness, excitement and energy. Those things help form the sport and also help for the company because no other medium is going give them that kind of sponsorship benefit. We want to help them to make a business decision. We do not only want businesses to come in from the point of view looking at some kind of decision that they are making out of generosity of the heart, but we want them to also make a business decision. So if a company says which event or medium is going to give the biggest mileage, it’s an event that is connected to the Ministry through our platform and that’s when it’s going to be a business decision for them and we want to encourage them to make that decision,” the Minister posited. President of the GCF, Linden Dowridge welcomed the return of the event and stated that he hopes the Government continues with
The MCYS GCF three stage road race made a grand return last weekend. (Zaheer Mohamed photo) their sponsorship. He also said that they will be seeking assistance from corporate Guyana. He added that this event serves as a warm up for the national championship which starts with the
individual time trials on Saturday, followed by the road race on Sunday which will pedal off at Thirst Park and proceed to the highway before returning to the starting point for the finish.
Everest Cricket Club expresses disappointed over CWI Hetmyer snub The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel has named a 30-man squad for a three-week HighPerformance Red-Ball training camp in St Lucia which started Sunday, May 16, in preparation for the upcoming Test Series against South Africa. Talented, performing Guyanese batsman Hetmyer, who lost his retainer contract for the 2021-22 season, has again been snubbed and not been selected for the camp. The Everest Cricket Club (ECC) registers its dismay and disappointment at the non-selection of Hetmyer for the camp given the 24-year-old’s pedigree. Everest also supports the position of the GCB on the issue of criteria and consistency in the selection process. Hetmyer has been a tremendous talent for West Indies and it is bewildering how a player of his caliber is not among the top 30 in the Caribbean preparing for any international series. His fitness should not be used as a fault since it should be the intention of a High-
Performance camp to aid in t h e p l a y e r ’s f u r t h e r development. Given the pandemic and a load of limited-overs cricket for the West Indies on the horizon, most importantly, the defence of the World T20 title come O c t o b e r- N o v e m b e r, i t would have been wise to have one of your most destructive batsmen in a high-performance camp. The pros outweigh the cons of allowing Hetmyer simply to return home and possibly join the squad of the Twenty20 International series against South Africa rather than making the investment in him to help improve and in turn be more consistent for West Indies. His inclusion would also be a boost and motivation for the other players. Furthermore, the ECC is calling for CWI to have fairness in their selection criteria. The ECC will support any system which seeks to create one of meritocracy but it must be transparent and all should be held to the same standards. What raises further eyebrows is that the camp
has selected players who would have excelled at this year’s Super50 tournament in Antigua or are regular members of the West Indies’ white-ball teams in recent years. Hetmyer was the fifth leading run-scorer in the tournament with 300 runs from seven innings at an average of 50.00, and a top score of 113. Some names in the camp are those that have been under-performing tremendously at the Test level but have gotten an opportunity to improve their game. Why was Hetmyer not afforded that opportunity? I t w o u l d b e unfathomable to think that Hetmyer’s recent exclusion from the West Indies highperformance training camp is setting the stage for the casting away of another bright talent. We at the Everest Cricket Club call on Cricket West Indies and their selection panel to correct this injustice to the most talented batsman in the West Indies today, the club noted in a release to the media.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Patron of the RHTY&SC Minister Charles Ramson presents the award to his Mother Leila. He was also bestowed with a similar award. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Faizal Jaffarally MP is happy to receive his award from fellow MP and RHTY&SC Patron, Charles Ramson Jr. (Franklin Wilson photo)
RHTY&SC 31st Anniversary Awards Ceremony
Fifteen more receive ‘Dolphin Award of Excellence’; overall total stands at 67 By Franklin Wilson
T
he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS (RHTY&SC) continue the trend of recognising Guyanese who have made impacting contributions to the clubs’ existence over its 31 years as a household name in Guyana, impacting the lives of thousands of individuals as well and countless organisations. At a truncated yet impressive awards Ceremony on Sunday last at
the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Youth Club, Rose Hall Town a total of 15 more persons received the club’s highest award, ‘The D o l p h i n Aw a r d o f Excellence’ which now takes the overall figure to 67. Cub Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster MS informed that the initial number of persons the club wanted to present this award to was 30, but they later had to review that number and eventually agreed that it would be 100 persons. Included in the 67
already being bestowed with the award are Presidents and Prime Ministers of Guyana, business executives, lawyers, administrators and journalists. Following is the list of awardees on Sunday afternoon last: Leila Ramson – For an outstanding career in the field of education and assisting the less fortunate. Charles Ramson Jr. – For his outstanding work as Minister of Sport and a positive role model to youths. Charles Ramson Sr. – For Outstanding work in the (Continued on page 25)
Proud recipient, Anasha Ally. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Dr. Ghanshaam Sukhdeo collects his award. (Franklin Wilson photo) Guyana Police Force Inspector Sonia Ward is happy to receive her award from RHTY&SC Patron, Charles Ramson Jr. (Franklin Wilson photo)
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Stabroek News Sports Journalist Romario Samaroo (right) receives his award. (Franklin Wilson photo) Esuan Crandon collects his award from Ramson. (Franklin Wilson photo)