Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 03, 2018

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

Brazil’s new president: a global danger (Republished from The Guardian)

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t is depressing to think that for the first time since the return of democracy in 1985, Brazilians have elected a far-right president of the republic. Jair Bolsonaro, a seven-term lawmaker and former army captain, represents a clear and present danger not only to his country but to the planet. At home he has defended dictatorship and torture and joked about killing his leftwing opponents. He has a history of denigrating women, gay people and minorities. The president-elect promises to bring order by spreading chaos with a relaxation of gun laws. This will cost lives in a country that already records more than 60,000 murders a year.In a familiar but chilling pattern, Mr Bolsonaro successfully pitched himself as the anti-establishment candidate, appealing to voters fed up with political graft and violent crime. There’s every reason to think that Brazilians who voted in haste for Mr Bolsonaro will repent at leisure. Mr Bolsonaro’s programme, if taken seriously, and his environmental utterances, if taken literally, amount to a threat to humanity.Brazil’s new president takes office in January, in charge of the world’s lungs, the Amazon, and the world’s breadbasket, the Cerrado savannah. He will be able to decide the course of the battle against climate change at a critical point. The signs are not good. It is thought that we have 12 years to prevent the dangerous destabilisation of Earth’s climate because of the way we live. Our patterns of existence have already led to widespread annihilation of wildlife, a disaster so large that it threatens civilisation. Yet Mr Bolsonaro’s key election pledge was to put his presidency behind Brazil’s huge agri-corporations. He favours business over biodiversity and calls for pro-market ways of exploiting Brazil’s natural resources, notably coming out against the policy of reserving 12% of the country’s land for indigenous tribes. The far-right president-elect has also promised to weaken the enforcement of environmental laws, while criminalising activism. It is a package of measures that will not reform the model of capitalism that is slowly boiling the atmosphere, but turbocharge it. Mr Bolsonaro says he will not scrap the Paris climate agreement, where Brazil set itself ambitious climate targets, as long as he gets assurances that his country would not cede sovereignty to native tribes or international jurisdiction over the Andes mountains, Amazon rainforest and Atlantic Ocean. This is a contradiction that will prove impossible to resolve: Mr Bolsonaro’s policies will help pave over the rainforest – with new highways and dams promised in the Amazon basin – and make it all but impossible for Brazil to reduce its carbon footprint. Until now Brazil has been, on balance, a moral force for the environmental good: largely resisting siren calls to exploit its vast natural resources for shareholder value, while bringing together rich and poor nations during climate talks. It was the frontrunner to hold the next UN climate talks. Now, instead of helping, the world’s fourth largest democracy looks like it will do irreparable harm. With the US administration run by climate-change sceptics and China backing away from its green stance, Europe must take a lead. The EU has a hand to play with Brazil. Deforestation is largely driven by demand for land to grow soybeans – exported to feed livestock – and to expand cattle farms.The EU is the biggest foreign investor in Brazil. Latin America’s largest economy is the biggest exporter of agricultural products to Europe. There is a strong case for new European laws to guarantee that no products or financial transactions linked to the EU lead to deforestation, forest degradation and human rights violations. If the EU acts, the UK should follow suit to curb Mr Bolsonaro’s worst environmental instincts, which are a menace to everyone on the planet.

The growth in the number of roadside vendors DEAR EDITOR, I would like to offer appreciation to a letter written by Deodarie Putulall titled “Itinerant bread vendor on East Bank poses traffic hazard. SN 2/11/2018. Such a letter has been a long time coming. I have personally experienced exactly what the letter writer experienced as a consequence of this bread vendor. Sadly, the bread vendor is not the only business that has popped up along our roadway, further impeding an already congested roadway. I highlight another area where numerous vendors have sprung up almost overnight and completely rendered the recently completed double lane East Bank road virtually useless. This area is around

the Diamond Road Junction, from just south of DDL to the Diamond road junction and now expanded into the Diamond access road. Firstly, there is the Diamond car park between, DDL and Guyoil, where free for all is the norm among the jostling taxi drivers who park however they please while soliciting passengers. For tired drivers and their families heading home after a hard day, this is but the start of the ‘gauntlet’ that needs to be run. Immediately after the Diamond Car Park, there is the intersection to Diamond public hospital where signs are clearly installed prohibiting U turns. Yet such turns are done with impunity and scant regard to other road users.

After this intersection, there is a stretch of road up to the Diamond junction where an array of stalls has been put up selling from provisions to fruits to dog food. Just a few months ago, there was one stall. Now there are many and the number keeps growing. At this point, traffic slows to a virtual crawl. Where are the authorities? Why is this vending situation allowed to expand with impunity? Why is the Diamond car park allowed to be so lawless? We frustrated road users have to inquire why so much money was expended to build a double lane road only for one lane to be usable during rush hour traffic? The authorities have to

take much of the blame for this ever expanding road side vending. They should have been proactive from the moment they observed stalls being erected and clamp down on it. Now, it is big business and certainly, there will be a big hue and cry and negative publicity if they decide to rein it in. But it must be reined in. If not, one day, there may be road rage or some tragic accident. The longer they take to deal with this problem, the bigger the issue will become. With the upcoming LGE, the prospective leaders should be made to answer about plans they have in place to deal with this problem. M. Abraham

FINGERING THE PPP FOR AN ACT OF ARSON DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese are now faced with the revival of the Burnham era not by the PNC but with the Alliance for Change, a political party in whom the electorate had placed their trust and confidence to make ‘the right turn’ away from corruption, cronyism, racial discrimination and vendetta politics. The AFC will bring in a new political culture, which will herald peace and harmony among Guyanese but since coalescing, it has continued to make all the wrong turns! Moreover, whatever minuscule shred of respectability had remained in the AFC is now gone forever and there is not even a glimmer of hope that this can be regained. The curse is now complete and the AFC is ‘dead meat’.

But what is ironic is the fact that the same man who prognosticated that the AFC will be ‘dead meat’ if it coalesced with the APNU is the same man who is instrumental in fulfilling his own prophecy! I had written to the media about the veiled threats issued by the Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, on a TV station in Berbice where he claimed on the ‘Alliance on the Move’ programme that PPP supporters were intimidating people from putting their names on the AFC’s candidate list. He further said that Guyana Police Force will be called in to deal with these PPP supporters. However, it was later found that people were tricked into signing the AFC’s backers’ lists at Whim/

Bloomfield, 51/Good Hope, and many other LAAs. This matter was subjected to a High Court hearing and the Public Security Minister again made a statement on television that the party will deal with the person who filed that petition. That person was Safraz Beekam, a PPP candidate from the Whim Bloomfield LAA. Unfortunately, the fact that the case went in favour of the AFC did nothing to allay the insecurity of the AFC. It was time for vendetta politics and to promote a campaign to get voters’ sympathy and to up its smear campaign against the PPP. This is the only way it can swing some votes in its favour. It must be noted that the AFC was thrown into the deep by the APNU and it is

now a ‘make or break’ situation. The AFC must deliver votes to retain its place in the Coalition, failing which it will be disgraced and unceremoniously kicked out of the partnership and mark the end of the Cummingsburg Accord as it is. It must be noted that the AFC got a bigger share of the pie than it should have gotten and that must now be rectified by the APNU. Fortunately, the melodrama now playing at Whim will not serve the purpose intended. The hasty press release by the AFC states that, ‘The AFC views this as a terror attack both on Ms. Permaul and the lives of her children and father and her home. This act is consistent with the old political tactics (Continued on page 6)

SEEKING TO BLAME THE COALITION PARTNER DEAR EDITOR, Amidst the jostling for voters by the PPP, AFC and the APNU in Linden, residents have noticed some interesting developments whereby the AFC is claiming to be the change Linden needs. The Coalition government dominates the present council and I recently learnt that the AFC councillor, Devin Sears, was in charge of the communications committee, the Linden Town Week Committee and is part of several others. One Deryck Collins was in charge of Agriculture and was on the Environment Committee. The latter, I understand, has since stepped down and was replaced on the council by a female AFC councillor. I was able to get a few copies of minutes of the council and recognized that the AFC councillors were party to many decisions of the council that were

unfavourable or selective. It seemed as though there was a gang in that council and the AFC councillors were part of it. Now at elections time, we see the AFC appearing in Linden as if it was never part of the municipality. It is blaming the APNU for everything wrong under the sun. This is insincerity at the highest. The biggest scandals in the council during the last Town Week involved AFC members and a representative of a senior government Minister was at the centre. Further, we see the AFC members on Facebook bashing the government especially one Fredco, who has always been blaming the Coalition, which they are part of for everything. If a fresh cold passes around in Linden, he will probably blame the APNU. He complained about slowdown in business and yet when I visited his business place earlier this year, it was in such a

horrible condition I wondered if it were a solar or a fast food outlet. How is that place given a pass by food inspectors? Fredco should look first at the standards of his business compared to the five-corner and see if he is doing anything to attract customers. The AFC Linden complained about lack of investments when their own Minister Gaskin is the Minister of Business. The party is promising better roads etc., and I’m wondering where was Minister Patterson all this while. We saw reports in the press, which states Minister Trotman had made some promises to Linden and Rockstone. I’m wondering if he fulfilled his promises. Agriculture is another sore issue where the AFC Minister has not done anything significant for Linden. The Infrastructure Minister at a forum with the First Lady and others in New York promised that Linden will

have the asphalt plant and roads since 2017. Nothing much was delivered by the AFC Ministers and councillors. I’m left to wonder if the lack of support to Linden by the AFC Ministers was intentional in order to make people blame the APNU for any dissatisfaction. Further, I am wondering if this was a ploy to win over support in Linden from its own partner APNU. If this is the case, then the AFC is being rather selfish and disingenuous. If that’s indeed a fact, then all it is doing is opening doors for the dreadful PPP or for Lindeners to stay away from the polls. The only change Linden need is for the AFC Ministers to stop holding back and deliver on promises and support the President’s vision for a good life for all, including Lindeners. Garth Nelson Lindener

Saturday November 03, 2018

AN UNTENABLE SITUATION DEAR EDITOR, Using your media resource, I would like to bring to the attention of those in authority, an untenable, exasperating and in fact a very hazardous situation that exists on the East Bank Demerara highway. For some inexplicable reason, the Eccles/Ramsburg NDC, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, the Guyana Bureau of Standards and the Guyana Police Force have decided to turn a blind eye to a pretty large bread vendor who operates on the shoulder of the eastern carriage way of the East Bank Demerara Public Road, just a few feet from the traffic lights that are positioned at the junction of the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the highway. This itinerant vendor gives hundreds of motorists traversing the East Bank Road, each day, the opportunity to stop for a minute, to choose whether they need tennis rolls, hamburger or hotdog rolls, sliced or plait bread, white sandwich or whole wheat bread, and a selection of cheeses, sausages

and condiments without ever having to park or get out of their vehicles. They just have to pull up in the eastern lane, ignore the honking vehicles behind, ignore the traffic lights and make their selection. It is like a bread vending version of the drive-thru supermarket, except drivers never have to leave the road. To make matters even worse, this vendor becomes more industrious during the rush hour when persons are trying to get home, as clearly he places his profits much higher than road safety and the need for motorists to get where they are going in a timely manner. Just think about it, for every sixty drivers that inconsiderately stops for a minute to purchase his or her breakfast supplies, one hour is added to the travel time of those motorists behind them. This situation forces many drivers to divert to the western lane, which is extremely dangerous because they are then entering the turning lane that leads to the Demerara Harbour Bridge even though it is not their in-

tention to turn. Sometimes, the traffic police would place temporary no stopping signs in front of this delinquent bread vendor, but this is far from good enough. He should not be allowed to squat there at any time of the day or night and there should be a permanent no stopping sign placed on that part of the roadway. Apart from the traffic hazard, I would like to express concern also about the failure of this vendor to adhere to acceptable hygienic and sanitary practices. It is obvious that this vendor never covers his head, handles money and food items at the same time and does not wear an overcoat/apron, but worst of all cuts cheese, handles bread and sausages with his bare hands. Clearly, these conditions make it much easier for the transmission of food borne diseases. I hope that the authorities are not waiting for a major accident to occur at this very busy junction to do something about it. Best regards Deodarie Putulall

GECOM is carrying out its mandate DEAR EDITOR, Manzoor Nadir still seeks to raise himself from the political backwaters of his party, the PPP/C to which he crawled on his knees for a ministerial portfolio. This was shockingly opportunistic, since to achieve his patently selfish end, he mortgaged the United Force(UF), the party which had been founded by the late magnate and former Minister of Finance, Peter D’Aguiar, and which had in its ranks honourable gentlemen such as the revered Stephen Campbell, the first Amerindian Member of Parliament; Randolph Cheeks, a former Local Government Minister; Mohamed Kassim, also a former cabinet Minister; Marcellus Feilden-Singh, a former leader and parliamentarian, and the respected leader, the late Eleanor Da Silva, among others. The above names were all genuine UF members who were principled in whatever

cause they had to represent. These were the great UF party leaders that Nadir shamelessly betrayed when he destroyed their party for a ministerial portfolio. Strange what the craving of political power does to some humans! Now, through Freedom Radio, he is making feeble, but misleading noises about his ever since adopted political outfit, the PPP/C having to perform the function of voter education, which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should be carrying out. This is another piece of cheap party propaganda, as are his other accusations against the national electoral body, not worthy of being repeated here. Editor, this is the continuation of the PPP/C orchestrated attacks to degrade the national electoral body, for reasons, which have already been made known. Voter education by GECOM got underway ever

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since; for I have seen material being distributed in my constituency, and others that are contiguous. In fact, at a press briefing some days ago, the electoral body’s PRO, announced that voter material has been given to returning officers who have been executing their own awareness programmes in the respective communities. Thus, this is another red herring by the PPP/C. As far as is known, there is nothing, which prohibits any political party contesting the Local Government Elections, from giving such guidance to its constituencies. It is a welcomed, as well as a sensible move. But that would not detract/prevent GECOM’s mandate to discharge its function, which it is doing; or as Nadir infers that the latter is not being done. That is the deceptive understanding that Nadir is attempting to convey. Regards Dillon Goring

President Granger Challenges “Dead Meat” AFC to show its Electoral Support at the Local Government Elections DEAR EDITOR, President David Grange, leader of PNC and APNU, enjoys a wise decision on separate local government election for the AFC. This is a challenge for the AFC to establish its support. The Cummingsburg Accord, after its initial three years of generous political benevolent parliamentary and executive gifts, undeserved to the AFC, should be reviewed. The rewards, concessions should be based on electoral support, which may mean downgrading ministerial portfolios, and reducing its numbers in the National Assembly, and Cabinet. The national community recalls that Khemraj Ramjattan had predicted shortly before the 2015 national elections that his political party, the AFC, would become “dead meat” should it team up with PNC/APNU. Well it subsequently con-

tested the elections under the banner of APNU-AFC and with the active campaigning by the party’s leaders, Ramjattan, Nagamooto, Trotman, Patterson and others of the Party. Having teamed up with APNU, the AFC claimed that it brought in some 11% of the votes; and the AFC leaders and members were given some 40% of parliamentary seats and ministerial positions in the Granger-led government. The AFC faction was given large and important ministries, including Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Public Safety, and the Prime Minister position with attractive and substantially enhanced remuneration packages, which motivated them, at every opportunity, to sing loudly for their supper without rocking the government boat. This gives the facade of a powerful partnership with

ministerial titles and parliamentary seats; but the PNC kept them in their places so that they support without a squeak of opposition to all the actions of the PNC leader and President. The latter is dominantly and totally in control of the grouping, having remunerated them well, and with the magnificent ministerial and job titles. However, their conduct and performance of their lawful public duties can only be evaluated as third-raters. Their campaign was deceptive, fooling part of the PPP base, offering them “a good, and even a better life”. The AFC sold out to the PNC. The rice farmers, and the thousands of sugar workers who were vindictively, spitefully, racially and politically discriminated, dismissed and placed on the bread line as their 2017 Christmas gifts for (Continued on page 6)

PAY BACK TIME? DEAR EDITOR, An announcement on Friday November 2, 2018 by the Regional Executive Officer (ag), and former RDC chairman, Mr. Knights, of RDC # 7, that a contract was signed on the same day for one phase of the One -toFour Mile stretch of the Bartica- Potaro Road valued at $8M to BK International is of interest. It is instructive that the contract is expected to last 10 days. First of all, this is a mere election gimmick as this is basically a hurriedly done contract for patch work on a section of this road on the eve of the local government elections. One doesn’t know if this was publicly tendered. But one does know that the roads within the Bartica township are in deplorable condition and nothing has been done by the government, the Regional Admini s t r a t i o n o r t h e To w n Council, despite the cries of the Barticians. In spite of a Parliamentary Opposition, a motion was

brought in July this year calling on the government to treat with urgency the abominable state of the interior roads especially Bartica to Lethem and Mahdia. The issue was treated with scorn by the Minister of Public Infrastructure and little or no work was done afterwards. Now at this last minute, patchwork will be done to try to pacify Barticians and bring them back home to the APNU. This is a case of too little too late. Most Interesting is who got the contract; BK International, the same company who got a multi-billion-dollar settlement by the government in 2016 for the Haggs Bosch project for work that was not done. Now the township is buzzing that BK vehicles are being prepared to fetch people

out from the quarries and the township to attend the APNU Rally on November 3 in Bartica. As our national poet, Martin Carter wrote, “the mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it”. So BK to the APNU rescue once again in election time? Is this “pay back time”?People aren’t fooled anymore. Sincerely Gail Teixeira, M.P.

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The coalition took the country forward DEAR COMRADES, It is time for me to remind the Guyanese people why the PPP should not be elected to office for a very long time, be it Local Government Election or General Elections. The APNU took office for three years and has accomplished a lot. Yes, APNU would like to do more as they had promised. However, the APNU has not provided enough information of their accomplishments disseminated to the people. Therefore it is justified if some speak negatively of the present government. For 23 long years, the PPP in Office have used the sugar

workers with their propaganda against the PNC and now uses them against the APNU coalition. What have they done to improve the lives of those poor people? When the PPP left office, many schools were in deplorable conditions. The hospitals were decorated (so much so that cats and dogs were sleeping in the hospital beds in West Demerara Hospital), roads were left in a deportable state, many wharves and stellings were left unattended and fell apart. Most of all, there is a large presence of discrimination in the country. May you be reminded of the death squad,

the four hundred young, innocent black children that were murdered? We all see what happens to those who were given house lots like Pradoville 1 and Pradoville 2. Honestly, it is not about the country or the people; rather, it is about how they can fill their own pockets, and the oil that is supposed to be the big thing that gives them sleepless nights. I can go on and on, but in the upcoming days and weeks I will send to you reminders and facts little by little so they can be digested. Sincerely yours, B. Rayman

Fingering the PPP for an act of arson From page 4 of fear which is resorted to by certain political entities’ clearly implicates the People’s Progressive Party. “Why will the AFC go to such a length when the police had not even initiated an investigation into the alleged arson?” It is also too suspicious when it is considered that it was the alleged victim who actually posed as a GECOM staff and tricked

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Kaieteur News

Beekam to sign the backers form and it was Beekam, a PPP candidate, who filed the petition in the High Court. The AFC must understand that the accusation it is now making against the PPP marks a period when Nagamootoo and Ramjattan were executive members of the PPP. Therefore, if they are correct in their conclusion, then there should be a commission of inquiry wherein these two former PPP stalwarts must testify to these allegedly nefarious criminal activities. Furthermore, they are now accountable to the Guyanese people to give examples of these ‘acts of terrorism’ alluded to in the press release. In addition, it can also be assumed that these two former PPP members can now be deemed to be experts in the use of ‘threats and terror’ and therefore have the compe-

tence and the power (one is the prime Minister and one is the Public Security Minister) to unleash these as is evidenced by Ramjattan’s threat to ‘fix’ Beekam. Mr. Nagamootoo and Ramjattan should focus on the trickery, which is now being perpetrated within the AFC against its own members. At the 51/Good Hope LAA, a pastor who is an AFC member filled out a backers form with 30 names as the constituency candidate but his Form 13 was scrapped and his backers list was attached to the Form 13 of a woman who was holidaying overseas and came into the country after nomination was long closed. The pastor has since engaged the leaders of the party but was told that it was GECOM’s ‘error’. It is sad and disappointing that the AFC has no qualms and moral scruples and would resort to even trick and deceive its own! No doubt the AFC seems to have now perfected the art of deceit and trickery! Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

GAWU SUPPORTS THE PLAN FOR CO-GENERATION DEAR EDITOR, The GAWU has obtained a copy of the responses of Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, to questions posed by PPP/C Member of Parliament, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, regarding the utilization of the $30B bond secured by GuySuCo. The Finance Minister advised that the bond is aimed mainly “…to acquire two cogeneration plants; to upgrade existing factories to produce plantation white sugar; to build storage and packing facilities; and to contribute to two years of general operational costs…” Interestingly and conspicuously absent, were any mention of investments in the cane fields to improve productivity. In April, this year, then GuySuCo CEO, Paul Bhim, in a GuySuCo/SPU engagement with GAWU told us that $11B would be spent on capital works across the three estates with about 70 per cent of that sum being utilized in the fields. While we are supportive of initiatives in co-generation and white sugar, their success is largely predicated on having sufficient quantities of canes available. We, therefore, ask what is the purpose of having shiny, new plants but inadequate canes? The Minister next informed that the GuySuCo has presented a plan to the Administration to engender its viability. This is indeed noteworthy news from the Honourable Minister. We recognized that President David Granger in his address to the National Assembly on October 18 said “[a] plan is being developed to boost production in the remaining East Berbice, West Berbice and West Demerara estates”. We hasten to ask that between October 18 and October 31, a span of 14 days, GuySuCo was able to develop its plan and present it to the Administration, using the Minister’s term, “…for con-

sideration”. That plan, we may add, according to the Minister was “[u]nderpinned by a 10-year supporting cash flow projection…” This is simply an amazing feat and we urge the Government to quickly share the plan with the stakeholders and the public. The planners must also be complimented recognizing that our Union, among others, for some months has been speaking about the absence of a plan. We also wonder whether it is that the Administration has, at this time, approved the plan for implementation.Bearing in mind that it took nearly half a year to appoint a GuySuCo Board, we wonder when the Government, given that we expect the plan to be technically-oriented, will give its seal of approval.The Minister also said that feasibility studies found that white sugar and co-generation plants were viable. This is pleasing news. On the white sugar matter, in April the GAWU was told that the feasibility study was yet to commence but it seems, from all appearances, that empirical work has now been concluded. While not wanting to throw cold water on the ideas, we ask, like we did in April, whether the CET will be applied to extra-regional imports of white sugar. As far as we recollect, no announcement has been made in this regard. Or, is the Government, together with its Jamaican and Belizean counterparts, representing this matter in CARICOM. Not too long from now, we are aware, that a special meeting will be held on the CSME in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, it may well be an op-

portune time for such representations to be made. Regarding the co-generation facilities, again like we did in April, how do the planned co-generation plans mesh with plans by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) which has been speaking about solar and natural gas plants? Minister Jordan also informed that in view of the viability of the plans for co-generation and white sugar, the design for the respective plans has already been completed. In view of this admission and given the lead time to invite prospective bidders, evaluate proposals and ultimately construct the plants and taking into account that billions have been borrowed and attracting interest, wouldn’t it be prudent, at this time, to begin the process of seeking proposals. Maybe there is a good reason for not doing this now, though it’s hard to see why not and the ‘efficiently prepared’ plan may shed some light on this. The GAWU remains supportive of plans that would secure the sugar industry and safeguard its viability. However, our support is predicated on sound, credible and well-though-out plans. The seeming secrecy shrouding the plans for the bond borrowed with a sovereign guarantee is something that causes us to feel uneasy and worried. If it is there is a plan, as the Minister of Finance says, we urge those in authority to share those plans with a view to having full discussions as all stakeholders are desirous of having a successful sugar industry. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary

President Granger Challenges... From page 5 themselves, their families, and surrounding communities, now agree and confirm the “dead meat” status of ‘political prophet’ Ramjattan. Let Trotman tell the nation of his half-hearted campaign; how many votes he brought to the Coalition and the secret Nassau understanding with Granger. Many, like prophet Ramjattan, predict that Trotman is easing his way back into the PNC with an eye on a leadership position in the PNC. The declared results of the 2015 elections gave the combination a one-seat majority with a one vote win of the seat for Region Eight. Some people argue that we have a government with a one-seat, which was won by one vote and consequently a one-vote majority government. The reported declaration by Trotman and other AFC leaders that the AFC was considering contesting the 2018 local government elections independently is welcome news. The reality of this is good and will confirm their status as “dead meat” or otherwise. It would be useful information for Granger’s assessment. The voters may be required to bury the “dead meat” AFC party or freeze the meat. The voters will not be fooled again.Mr. President let the National Assembly and the Cabinet reflect the electoral strengths for the parties through radical changes - cabinet reshuffle and review of composition of the National Assembly. Yours faithfully, Joshua Singh

Saturday November 03, 2018

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City Hall hires contractors PPP calls on PM to detail on credit – Town Clerk Secretariat’s spending

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own Clerk, Royston King has told Com mission of Inquiry into City Hall that contractors conducting work on behalf of the Council do it on a line of credit. King was at the time responding to questions about monies owed to XL Engineering. Approximately $135M is reportedly owed to the company which King entered a verbal agreement with, to conduct clean up works to Le Repentir Cemetery. However, according to King the amount being claimed by the Company is in dispute. T h e To wn Clerk explained that because the council does not have the capacity or resources to carry out the works in the city, on its own, it opted to have contractors conduct works on a line of credit. “This is not the only contractor with which the council had established a line of credit, there are a number of other contractors who chose not to appear before this commission, but who did work based on their own civic consciousness, and a line of credit was established with them,” King said. “But is it true that you took representatives of the company around the area and pointed out what you wanted done?” asked Commission Chairman Justice Kennard. “No, that was not done,” said the Town Clerk. King however noted that it was the City Engineer who instructed the contractors to

conduct the work. He said too that it was the City Engineer who was responsible for ensuring the work agreed upon was carried out. “The City Engineer is still to verify the works carried out,” added King “But Mr King, it has been a long time since,” said Kennard. “This line of credit I don’t agree with it. I think it would have been prudent to enter into a formal agreement, there would not have been any dispute over the amount owed.” King told the chairman that the verbal contract was entered into by himself, the City Treasurer and the late Chairman of the Finance Committee with XL Engineering. When questioned about a basis for the contract, King said that there is no source document to supplement the verbal contract. “These are responsible positions,” the chairman told King. “And you’re going to agree on what to be done without a written contract? I find it unusual.” Justice Kennard said. K i n g s tated that the amount proposed by XL Engineering is currently in dispute, and the city will pay the company after the City Engineer conducts a technical assessment on the works done. Finance Manager of XL Engineering Aysha Harrop had told the Commission of Inquiry on October 15 last, that the works were conducted during a city-wide cleanup campaign in 2015. The work, she had said, cost a total $150M. Harrop however explained that the

company did not sign a contract with City Hall, since the Town Clerk told them the work was an emergency. Harrop spoke of one contract the company shared between the Council and the Ministry of Communities for $15M. Of the funds provided by the Ministry of Communities, she had noted that the company only received $9M from that contract. Harrop said: “Wh e n w e i n q u i r e d about the payment, Mr King told us that he no longer had the money.” When asked whether he believes the funds were misappropriated, King said that he would first need to find out why the funds were not paid in completion, in order to answer that question. However, Harrop had told the commission on October 15 that King gave her company a letter stipulating how much is still owed to the company. The amount stipulated, apart from the initial $15M, Harrop claimed, is $135M. J u s t i c e K e n n a r d a sserted that a “word of mouth” contract is not sufficient for works of such magnitude. The Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the Mayor and City Council is headed by the Local Government Commission. Its purpose is to examine, advise and report on irregularities of the administration, its operations, and the managements of its financial affairs.

-told only 20% of $109M used as of August

P

eople’s Progressive Party/ Civic Mem ber of Parliament, Odinga Lumumba, has questioned Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s spending. At the last sitting, Nagamootoo had to provide an answer to the question, “Could the Honourable First Vice-President and Prime Minister inform this National Assembly with regards to how much of the $109.2M allocated in sub-head 6284 – Other in Agency Code 02-Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Programme 021 in the 2018 Budget, has been spent and what has it been spent on as of August 30, 2018?” Nagamootoo response showed that only about 20 percent of his allocation has been spent up to the end of August. Nagamootoo said, “Of the 109.2M allocated in the sub head 628- other in agency code 02- Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Programme 021, $21.4M has been spent as of August 2018.” Nagamootoo indicated that $5M was spent on constitutional reform activities. Then there was the lunching of Regional radios, Aishalton, Orealla and Bartica, training of regional radio personnel and Prime Minister’s “outreach activities” that attracted a cost of $5.5M. Supervisory consultancy (regional radio project) attracted another cost of $4.6M; while Information Technology (e-mails and web services)

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

cost another $1.2M The furniture at the Nagamootoo’s Official residence needed repairs. Repairs to furniture and cleaning and replacement of carpet cost $1.4M. Events and functions at Nagamootoo’s office and

home cost another $1.6M Other expenses include purchasing tickets, books and paintings, framing pictures, purchase of cell phones and stipend for work study students and cleaning services, cost a total of $ 2.1M

Assistant pharmacist charged for $1.2M fraud Jarad Humphrey, an assistant pharmacist, found himself in a tight position yesterday as he was made to answer to a charge of fraud. It was alleged that between September 2015 and November 2017, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, solely being entrusted by Shawn Budnauth with the sum of $1,200,000 for the purpose of purchasing a house lot, Humphrey fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit. Humphrey pleaded not guilty to the charge that was read to him by Magistrate Peter Hugh in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The Police prosecutor had no objection to bail, and Humphrey was granted same to the tune of $75,000. He was instructed to return to court on November 23.

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Saturday November 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

$280M more for supervision of CJIA expansion project Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson has indicated that the expected completion date for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project remains December 31st, 2018. Patterson was grilled by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Wednesday in the National Assembly regarding the project. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure secured House approval for an additional $280M payment for supervisory project consultant, MMM Group & CEMCO Incorporation. In response to PPP MP, Juan Edghill, Patterson indicated that the sum represents an interim payment, as the consultant has to return for the defects liability period. The Minister indicated that Government had already paid over US$5.9M to the consultants. It was previously indicated that the Supervision Consultancy Services was US$3M. PPP MP, Irfaan Ali stated the minister had indicated during the 2018 budget process that the budgetary allocation was to take the project to final payment. “What we are seeing is a total reversal, because the

Ongoing works on the refurbished CJIA which was undertaken with a US$150M loan from China.

Minister is seeing additional funds,” Ali highlighted. He questioned what would be the liquidated damages for the overrun of the airport project which was expected to be completed in December 2017. Patterson would not

budge from his position that the new completion date is December 2018. “The fact that the supervision contract is being increased means that the actual contract has also extended itself. The supervision is only needed to go beyond a cer-

tain time if the contract has extended itself, and as a result the contract extending itself, the defects liability period has also extended itself, and all of this has a cost to the treasury,” Ali argued. Ali stated that the cost of the project must have increased, since the Government was in fact seeking additional funds for the supervision. “All we are doing is adding, spending , a d d i n g , spending, and there seems to be no end to this. So I would like the Honourable Minister to say what the final contract sum is,” Ali stated. Patterson replied that the contract for the civil works was extended for one year without cost. He stated that the civil works on the project remains at US$138M. “I can only give you the facts. You can interpret it any

way you like,” Patterson outlined. There have been growing concerns about what Guyana is getting after committing itself to spending US$150M that came largely from a Chinese loan. There are only two passenger bridges installed, with government receiving approval from the National Assembly earlier this year for $346.5M to buy two more. The project was controversially inked by the PPP in late 2011, in the last days of the Bharrat Jagdeo presidency.There is a view that the monies would have given Guyana a brand new terminal building, several passenger bridges, a longer runway, car park, generator rooms and other modern fixtures. However, instead Guyana is getting refurbished terminal buildings and a smaller arrival area built next door to the old one.

The project started off on the wrong foot when Guyana learnt that a deal with China Harbour Engineering Company had been secretly signed in Jamaica. Guyana only learnt of it through the Jamaican media. The fact that the project never went to tender also raised alarming questions. The Coalition Government had plugged higher material costs and other factors that caused the project to run into difficulties. It was also claimed that the contractor had collected about 70 percent of the monies in 2015, when the Coalition Government entered office, with only 30 percent of the work done. There have been no talks whether CHEC has been sanctioned for the project being delayed. It was supposed to be finished in 32 months. It is now almost five years.

Voir Dire ongoing in ‘Shoelace’ murder trial

A Voir Dire is ongoing in the trial of Phillip Paul called ‘Shoelace’ who is accused of the December 2012 murder of Kamal Ramsahoye. The trial continued yesterday before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member mixed jury at the High Court in Georgetown. According to reports, Ramsahoye was found dead at his residence with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds about his body. A post mortem examination later concluded that the man died from haemorrhaging and shock due to massive blood loss. The charge against Paul alleges that between December 8 and 9, 2012, he murdered Ramsahoye during the course of a robbery. The murder accused, who is being represented by Attorney-at-law Brandon DeSantos, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The case for the State is being presented by Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Orinthia Schmidt.

Kamal Ramsahoye

Saturday November 03, 2018

T

his time I was in one of the yellow cabs proceeding eastwards along Church Street. At the junction of Camp Street, the driver braked and rolled to a stop as the traffic signal was red. It was a long wait which allowed the roving eye to take in the beautiful tree-lined avenue on Camp Street, cool and inviting for a stroll in the afternoon. Ahead lay the Indian Monument Gardens caged behind a huge fence and inaccessible to the general public in the Garden City. There were not many cars at that time of the day, but those that passed did so at a fast pace. Just as the light directing the cab was about to indicate green, a bicycle came darting along Camp Street heading north across the junc-

tion. Instead of proceeding across the road, it swung behind the yellow cab. The rider showed great dexterity, but it was not his skill that caught my eye, but rather, the fact that he had a passenger on the tow bar. It was a young girl, no doubt his girlfriend. You do not see that very much in Guyana – boy towing girl on a bicycle. The girl seemed happy to be with the boy, never mind her behind must have been sore from sitting so long on the cycle. They went along their merry way and I went along mine, but the incident never quite left my thoughts. With the high prices for fuel and a city over congested with vehicles, bicycles would seem to be a better option to get around the heavy vehicular traffic. Instead, however,

of increased cycling, the very opposite is happening. More and more persons are using public transport to get around. More and more persons are buying their own cars, even though bicycles can be had very cheaply. The few cyclists you see are usually young boys. You hardly ever see, not even in the villages, anymore, boys towing girls. And yet that used to be a feature of our growing up in Guyana in the day. Girls were never ashamed to hitch a ride on a bicycle, and in fact, many of them owned their own bicycles and would go for enjoyable rides to the foreshore each afternoon. The sight of that young man towing his girlfriend on a bicycle was therefore a flashback in time. It rolled

Dem boys seh ...

Moses photos fully bulletproof Everybody know you got to protect youself at all cost. But it look like de coalition got to hire a rocket scientist to mek dem understand dat. A foreigner come fuh tell dem boys dat Guyana ain’t got no protection against de oil people. There is no rules or regulations set out, no guidelines to curtail lawlessness. De man seh, de country got to do background checks on all dem banks and investors who running to Guyana to put dem hand pon de oil money. Dem boys want to know why foreign people got to come fuh lecture de govt. Now, if you got you house and you expect some people to come and spend some time wid you, de fuss thing you gon do is protect

wha li’l you got. If is money, you gon put proppa lock pon de wardrobe; if you got girl children, you does put on bolt pon de bedroom door. Well three years now Guyana know dat a set a oil people gon be here and de govt ain’t do nutten to secure de country. If dis continue, it gon be a free for all and all de foreigners might end up having more rights than Guyanese. And dem boys don’t want to believe de politicians, including Jagdeo and ee PPP, don’t know bout protection. All of dem protecting dem private lives and dem wealth. Nuff of dem got security guards and electronic gate. Some of dem got grill round dem window. One of dem even protecting he pictures of ee self. Dem

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Kaieteur News

boys couldn’t believe wha dem hear yesterday. Dem know politicians does spend nuff taxpayers dollars pon dem health, dem teeth, dem eye and dem pickney. But dem never hear so much tax dollars spending pun photographs. Moses spend de bulk of ee budget protecting ee pictures. Dem boys hear ee tek a selfie, print it then put a iron frame around it. When he done, he order and pay fuh bulletproof glass to cover it. Nobody woulda know if parliament didn’t question ee budget money. Moses spend $2.1M to frame dem photographs.If he spend dat amount, dem boys don’t want to see de bill fuh Soulja Bai photos.Talk half and hope Greenidge ain’t tek out nuff photos because he don’t have a nice face.

back the years to an era when this was a regular sight in Guyana. A few days later after the sight of the couple on the bicycle, I was chatting with some fashionably dressed young ladies, none of whom was in their twenties and none of whom was married. I asked them generally whether they ever rode on a bicycle bar. They did not seem to know what I was talking about. When I explained that on male cycles, between the saddle and the handle there is usually attached a metal bar which acts as a passenger seat, this was news to all of these young ladies. They never knew about this. It was a revelation to them. They also did not know that there used to be a time

when girls would move around with their boyfriends on these bicycles, even traveling miles to go to a wedding on a bicycle. They found it very interesting and amusing, and wanted to hear more about the old days when bicycles ruled the local transportation world. I told them what I could have remembered and asked them to question their parents. They excitedly said they would. I then asked them whether they would allow their boyfriends to transport them around their neighbourhood on a bicycle. “Noooooo!” was the unanimous answer. I told them it was fun and they would enjoy each other’s company. They looked at me as if I was nuts. I then asked them if the

American singer Usher came to Guyana and offered them a ride on a bicycle, if they would accept. One of them said, “Usher would ride in a limousine, not a bicycle.” They asked me to tell them some more bicycle tales. So I told a tale I had read before about a man who was towing his wife on a carrier behind the saddle, which meant that she was seated behind him. Suddenly, a police patrol pulled up and the cop inside said, “Hey Buddy, your wife fell off about a mile back.” “Oh,” said the man, “for a while I thought that I had gone deaf!”

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Saturday November 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Wishing a nice president a quick and full recovery It is now public knowledge that the President of Guyana is having some health issues. The Government said on October 22, he went on an emergency flight to Trinidad and based on that finding, he made the decision to go to Cuba for further investigations. All Guyanese, I believe, hope that his health is not in bad shape.

David Granger is a very pleasant, likeable Guyanese president whose pleasing personality is only rivaled by that of Cheddi Jagan. Despite his visionary leadership, Forbes Burnham was many times a crude person. One recalls veteran journalist, Cecil Griffith’s description of what President Burnham did to him and his junior at the

Chronicle, Henry Josiah. While Burnham was in Cuba, Josiah wrote an article on Burnham that upset the president. Back home, Burnham summoned both men. The place was the swimming pool area at Burnham’s residence at Castellani House. Griffith said Burnham was having a poolside drink with Hamilton Green and

when they entered, Burnham greeted him and Josiah with the words, “I summoned you to roast your balls.” Former police inspector, Dennis Gordon told me when he was a constable posted at Castellani House, he witnessed an incident. Another constable had picked one of the hanging mangoes and when Prime Minister Burnham

returned and saw the luscious fruit missing, he enquired. After the culprit was identified, Burnham in a fit of rage told the policeman; “put it back.” I could never see Granger doing that. Too many persons told me that while public servants were doing grass cleaning at Hope Estate, Burnham would be on horseback and when he passed your way, you had to scamper out of his way. If Granger spends a thousand years in the presidency he would never do such a thing to a State-employed journalist and speak to him/ her like that. President Jagdeo was videoed backballing with a soldier on Old Year’s Night at Camp Ayanganna. It was a terrible image. It was an embarrassing moment for Guyana. Jagdeo’s successor learnt nothing from the foolish mistakes of his predecessor. Ramotar did the exact thing – backball in public. It was another Old Year’s Night party. This time it was a private one at the Sleepin Hotel on Brickdam. A woman went up to President Ramotar, put her backside in front of him, and Ramotar began to do a backball gyration with the woman. The image went viral the next day. Can anyone imagine David Granger engaged in such appalling nonsense? Never! President Desmond Hoyte had the shortest fuse a nation’s leader ever possessed. He could fly into uncontrollable rages that were really intimidating to those he directed his remarks to. Despite his commitment to democratic governance, Hoyte had an uncanny impatience about him that boiled over many times into irascible displays of torrid temper. Granger is the opposite of this. He is really a pleasant president to work with. Then, there is President Janet Jagan. Perhaps the most humourless and cold-hearted national leader this county produced, Mrs. Jagan was a president of few words. If she

Frederick Kissoon liked you, there may be a few smiles coming your way. If she disliked you, your days were numbered. She came across as a vendetta-driven leader, because she saw life in black and white frames. Such a perspective of life has countless problems. The only president whose likeable personality can challenge Mr. Granger for the number one spot is Cheddi Jagan. There can be no question about it – Cheddi Jagan was a civilized, courteous gentleman who attracted the admiration of even those who didn’t like his politics. Given the nature of his character, David Granger is someone who brings a certain civilized style to the Guyanese presidency after the mess and damage Jagdeo and Ramota r l e f t . O n e would hope that when he comes back, he seeks large moments of peaceful administrative duties in which he doesn’t have to exert too much energy. The talk around Guyana when Cheddi Jagan took ill was that the nonsense his ministers were doing took a toll on his health. One hopes Mr. Granger is not in the same situation. Guyana is not an easy country to administer, despite its enormous potential wealth. One of the reasons for its stagnation is visionless leadership. Mr. Granger is surrounded by such people. All of Guyana wishes this nice gentleman a very quick recovery. Stay good, Mr. President and have a delectable Christmas with your fellow Guyanese.

Saturday November 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Poor turnout, but smooth process for Joint Services voting in Berbice By Malisa Playter-Harry A smooth process of voting was recorded yesterday for the joint services in Berbice as they turned out at the respective polling stations to cast their votes for the Local Government Elections 2018. Representatives of the three main parties, A Partnership for National Unity, the Alliance for Change and the P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party/Civic, all expressed that there were no hiccups during the voting process which commenced at 06:00 hrs and concluded at 18:00 hrs. Visits to the some of the polling locations in Berbice saw a poor turnout from ranks of the disciplined services. They were expected to cast their votes at the New Amsterdam Town Council, the New Amsterdam Prison, Whim Police Station Compound, Springlands Police Station Compound and the Fort Wellington Police Station Compound. It was however noted by some of the ranks in New Amsterdam, that their names were not on the list in that particular voting location, and this prevented them from casting their votes. They were however confident that they would be given the opportunity to exercise their right on November 12th.

Commander of ‘B’ Division Paul Langevine The media caught up with the Commander of ‘B’ Division Paul Langevine as he exited the polling station at the N/A Town Council, he stated that the process was “easy and smooth”. He however walked away while reporters were attempting to ask further questions on the voting for his ranks for the day. Meanwhile, the country’s crime chief, Deputy Commissioner Lyndon Alves told this publication via telephone that for the ranks whose names were not on the joint services list, provisions are in place to allow them to vote on November 12. He

Members of the New Amsterdam Prison checking to see if their names are on the list to vote

AFC representative Derek Basdeo said, “all the policemen who were unable to cast their ballots today in the country that will be tabulated, they will be permitted to go home to cast their ballots on the 12th”. Additionally, Kaieteur News spoke to representatives from the three main parties contesting the Local Government Elections throughout the country, and they expressed that they were pleased with the smooth flow of voting. They were however disappointed with the turnout. A volunteer from the

Alliance for Change, Derek Basdeo was visiting the New Amsterdam Prison polling station when the media spoke with him. He stated that, “Whim is good, there were polling agents there, Springlands was good as well, but there was a poor turnout to me. It was a very smooth operation throughout the day and I believe that we will get a substantial number of votes, even though we are running along, but I am positive”. Kirk Fraser, Party head for APNU in Berbice, stated that they were pleased with the turnout and confident that “we should touch at 80-90 percent by the time poll closes”. He also added, when questioned on if he was satisfied on the voter education provided by GECOM, that, “we would have been doing our own voter education exercise in our constituency, because we would have had printed material that we would have used and distributed to all constituencies and all the areas that we are contesting. So we don’t find voter education as a problem, but I think GECOM can up their advertising and ensure that more

persons are aware about local government elections”. Zamal Hussain, the party head in Berbice for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic expressed similar views to Fraser as it relates to GECOM and their voter education. He stressed that GECOM “lapsed” in that area, “it is evident that if you go to Number Two Village, you will see even the signboard of the Ordnance/Fortlands NDC has not been rectified as yet. Instead of eight constituencies, we have seven, and the board hasn’t been changed as yet, so this is the level of PR that we are seeing from GECOM and I think it is very poor. I think we need to step it up between now and November the twelfth”. Hussain also highlighted that the voting process for the disciplined services yesterday “went well” and they would have noticed 39% voting in terms of the number of persons listed on the voters’ list and the number that turned out to vote. In his opinion, the turnout was “very poor” since they were expecting somewhere between 80-85% turnout

from the ranks. He said, “There are a lot of constraints, because come November 12th, I predict that we will also see a low turnout in the voting population unless the government decides to give that day as a public holiday to accommodate persons, those who are in Georgetown… and the logistics. We have to look at the logistics and ensure that we have persons to come down and pay more attention to this local democracy. If we want to see persons partaking in these local government elections coming, today is an example to show that the percentage turnout is very low”. Some 100 ranks were listed to vote at the Fort Wellington Polling location with only 40 casting their votes. At the New Amsterdam Town Council, out of 277 that were listed, 77 voted, while 38 voted out of 108 listed at the New Amsterdam Prison. Whim had 113 ranks listed to vote but only 33 turned out and cast their ballots, while 25 out of 50 voted at Springlands Police Station. Those were the figures recorded up to 16:00 hrs yesterday.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 03, 2018

Govt.’s laid back approach is encouraging free for all in oil industry - Ramson By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Attorney-at-law, Charles Ramson is worried that if the Government of Guyana does not buckle down soon and put things in place, Guyana will become—in local parlance— the “eye pass” of international oil companies. Ramson recently told Kaieteur News that Guyana’s preparedness is not in keeping with what is expected of a

nation so close to first oil. He said that the number of needed policies and pieces of legislation are still not in place, “and quite frankly, this state of affairs is overwhelming for anyone who knows what can be the consequences. But, on the other hand, it is a haven for oil companies who are kept on their toes in other more watchful host countries. Ramson noted that gov-

ernment is yet to make a decision about having a National Oil Company; there is no local content policy; no national oil spill response plan, no modern law for the protection of the environment; no Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Environmental Protection Agency still needs strengthening and the Guyana Revenue Authority is still in early training for its oil and gas unit “and that is just a few things

I pointed out there.” Ramson said that it is never a good idea to allow oil companies to self regulate, “and that is basically what we are allowing now.” Further, Ramson said that in addition to the policies and pieces of legislation that government needs to put in place, to force oil companies to act right—like the local content policy and updated environmental regulations—”we still

need to put things in place to help ourselves manage the money, like the Sovereign Wealth Fund, which they are calling the National Resource Fund.” Ramson said that there is enough information available about the fate of countries that are not prepared to deter government from being “so slothful, but they continue; I cannot understand why. The lawyer noted that Guyana’s regulatory bodies still need to be adequately strengthened. He pointed to the fact that a few months ago, three years after oil was discovered, the government admitted that low capacity at the Environmental Protection Agency ( E PA ) c a u s e d t h e m t o award a contract to Ramboll US Corporation to effectively evaluate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Esso Exploration and Petroleum Guyana Limited (EEPGL). That EIA focuses on the Liza Phase Two Development Project of ExxonMobil and its partners. EEPGL is a subsidiary of USA oil giant, ExxonMobil. Ramson noted that it was the same EPA that approved EEPGL’s first EIA, even though it lacked the capacity to properly analyze the document. “I am telling you, there is no regulatory regime”, said Ramson. Ramson then turned his attention to the absence of a Local Content Policy. He said, “I think that Guyana needs more than a policy to guide local content; we need legislation. But this government still cannot get a

completed policy in place, and this is three years later.” Ramson continued, “…then there is a Sovereign Wealth Fund, where is the policy? Then there is the National Oil Company that they still cannot decide on at yet, this is something we need to decide on soon”. Ramson noted that there are different versions of oil companies. He said that, “Guyana has to figure out quickly if it wants to become an operator itself, like Norway has Statoil, which is a fully integrated oil company that explores and produces. It will take us about 10 years to take our self up to the level of expertise to be able to be operators ourselves, employing mostly locals. Or does Guyana want a company focused mainly on having a share in oil blocks distributed?” He said that in the latter choice, “you do not need employees to do a lot of things that we are not capable of doing at the moment. But, you have more say. Not sitting at the table when they are making decisions for exploration or drilling leaves us in a disadvantageous position. We are not able to have a say. There is economic information that we would not have by virtue of not being a partner on that block. But my point in all this is to note that having a state oil company has been mentioned by this government as being explored, but there is no decision as yet. We need decisions and actions on this and other matters in the oil industry; that is the only way we can protect it.”

Saturday November 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

Be cautious of investors and banks interested in - Expert warns managing Guyana’s oil fund By Kiana Wilburg If Guyana wants to avoid being becoming just another “horror story” in the oil industry, then it will conduct thorough due diligence tests on all investors and banks with an interest to partake in the investment decisions of Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF). This was noted by Andrew Bauer, an expert on the subject of how NRFs are to be managed successfully. He is also a consultant with the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving countries’ governance over their natural resources. During an engagement with the media last month at Moray House, Bauer shared that many countries have paid dearly for their naivety. He said, “There are several horror stories I can tell you about when it comes to these Funds. In Libya for example, they had US$67B that was put into their oil fund and they had investment firms coming from every angle…The Fund was ‘informally’ managed by the President’s son and he (the son) met with the officials for an investment firm.” The NRF Expert added, “The officials told the inexperienced son that they have derivatives to sell but the President’s son didn’t even know what this is… But, they went ahead and guess what? The Fund lost US$1.58B in six months…The government did not do its due diligence.” Citing the case of Angola, Bauer said that the Government went ahead an investment firm that was able to persuade the administration into investing in hotels. Bauer said, “I suppose hotels make money…but guess what they later found out? The country’s money was used to invest which hotels happened to be on the land that was owned by the investment manager…”

Economist and NRGI Consultant, Andrew Bauer The NRGI Consultant said that these are just two of the many stories which emphasize the need for Guyana’s authorities to do due diligence on all investment managers and banks which are interested in Guyana. Bauer said that the citizenry should also push for there to be rules to guide the interactions between the authorities and investors/ banks. The economist said, “I don’t know the full history of Guyana, but what I would say is that there needs to be strict rules on how you interact with these banks and even all investors. When you become oil-rich and they see you have a Fund, every bank or investor will be here knocking on your door offering amazing deals, but you are going to have to be careful.” Bauer concluded, “I would set rules on how government should interact with these persons or assign any contract to these persons.” SHORT TERM, POLITICAL GAINS In spite of the potential economic benefits that would flow from the introduction of a Natural Resource Fund,

there remains the substantial risk that future Guyanese governments will use resources of the fund for shortterm, political gain. This was noted by NRF Analysts, Asim Ali and Patrick J. Schena. In a special report titled, “Harnessing Oil Wealth in Guyana via a Sovereign Wealth Fund: Look Before You Leap,” the duo notes that while a NRF would provide a useful framework for capture and management of resource wealth, its impact is fully dependent on the commitment of future governments to elevate the fund and its mission above short-term political expediencies. It stressed that too, that the quiescent, but longstanding, territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela certainly increases the challenges of introducing a NRF to Guyana. They contended that while flare-ups may have as much to do with Venezuelan domestic politics as with the oil exploration issue, a political-cum-economic framework between Guyana and Venezuela is necessary – perhaps with the support of regional partners - for long-term realization of oil windfalls.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 03, 2018

Council had no knowledge of Town Clerk‘s lease of Sussex St. riverfront property - Chairman questions King’s authority Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, (CoI) retired Justice Cecil Kennard has questioned the authority of Town Clerk, Royston King to lease the disputed Sussex

Street riverfront property without council’s approval. During a line of questioning at the CoI, King admitted that the Council was not notified about the lease

for the Sussex Street property which he granted to Quick Shipping Incorporated. Information had previously surfaced that King had leased the riverfront

property -reportedly not the property of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) - to a shipping company. King had been collecting a yearly rent of $625,000 from the tenants, despite claims that the State’s holding company– National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) owns the property. The CoI is being presided over by retired Justice Cecil Kennard who asked specific questions about the leasing of the Lot 1 Mudflat, Lombard and Sussex Street,

Georgetown property. At the hearing yesterday, Chairman Kennard inquired from the Town Clerk whether he had told the council about the lease to the facility. “Whether this lease was brought to the attention of the council, nobody seems to know, because in your affidavit you seem to have done it on your own,” Justice Kennard told King. King admitted that the 40year lease, entered into in 2016, was not brought to the attention of the Council. “It wasn’t taken to a (Continued on page 19)

Town Clerk Royston King

Saturday November 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Attempted murder accused charged for chopping father to head Two years after a North West man was charged with attempting to murder his brother, he was back before a City Magistrate, this time for allegedly chopping his father to the head with a cutlass. Twenty-seven-year-old Seon Obermuller appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where an unlawful wounding charge was read to him. Obermuller pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on August 12, 2018, at 42 Miles Backdam, North West District, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Keith Obermuller, his father, with intent to maim,

Prosecutor, Neville Jeffers stated that on the day in question, the Obermuller and his father were consuming alcohol together when he (Obermuller) turned to his father and told him “ two big men can’t live in one house” and picked up a cutlass and dealt his father a chop to his head. The injured man fell to the ground in an unconscious state and was rushed to the

Remanded to prison Seon Obermuller disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm. Facts presented by Police

Council had no knowledge of Town... From page 14 meeting, but the lease was signed and lodged at the Council‘s Registry and monies were paid to City Treasury for which there are receipts,” King said. Questioned on what authority he rented the facility without council’s permission, King noted that he relied on sections of municipal law Chapter 28:01, which permit him to be the sole signatory on such matters. “I am trying to get from you under what authority you are allowed to grant the lease. But that section of the law you have read doesn’t give you the authority to lease property without the Council,” Kennard emphasised. At this point King’s lawyer, Maxwell Edwards interjected. Edwards said that it is possible that the Town Clerk could have misinterpreted the law in relation to the issue. “Judges misinterpret the law, much less the Town Clerk,” Edwards stated. The attorney had earlier raised concerns over the two transports that were produced in relation to property; one by the State Holding company, National Industrial Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) and another by the Council. He claimed that fraud was perpetrated on the part of NICIL. In-house Attorney and Company Secretary NICIL, Arianne Mc Lean, had however produced documents to show that the State-owned privatization unit has ownership of the disputed wharf facility located at Lot 1 Mudflat, Lombard Street. Included among the documents which Mc Lean supplied is a supplemental deed of lease agreement dated January 2002, between Guyana National Engineering

Corporation, (GNEC) and Guyana National Industrial Company, (GNIC). She explained that GNEC had a transport for the plot of land since 1985. The property was nonetheless leased to GNIC for a period not exceeding 15 years. Mc Lean told the commission that NICIL acquired the property in 2002 by virtue of a vesting order. She explained that a vesting order is a legal method of transferring legal title of a property from one party to the next as part of an equitable remedy. She explained, too, that there is no transport in the name of NICIL, only details of the transfer which are in the vesting order. According to Mc Lean, GNEC was dissolved in May 30, 2002 and transferred to and vested in NICIL. To this day, she said, NICIL is still the owner and has not leased the riverfront property to any other company. The lawyer explained further that GNIC, the current leaseholder, has been in default - the company had continued to occupy the place but stopped paying rent since 2010. NICIL is said to have raised an objection over the Town Clerk’s leasing of the Wharf front land. NICIL noted that King had no authority to lease the land. The shipping company subsequently wrote NICIL requesting permission to rent the land, but King never revoked his lease to the company. As a result, NICIL filed a complaint with the Local Government Commission, (LGC) over the matter. Earlier this month, proprietor of Quick Shipping Inc, Paul Sandy, admitted that the riverfront land he leased from City Council is being claimed by at least two other entities.

hospital where he was admitted a patient. The Prosecutor made serious objections to bail being granted to the defendant citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. The Prosecutor added that the defendant was charged in 2016 with attempted murder after he tried to kill his brother and wounded another individual.

The Chief Magistrate after listening to the Prosecutor’s facts remanded Obermuller to prison. The unrepresented man was instructed to make his next court appearance on November 6 when he will appear in the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court where the trial will be conducted. In 2016, Seon Obermuller appeared before the same Magistrate where he was

charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Kenrick Obermuller with the intent to commit murder. It was also alleged that Seon Obermuller unlawfully and maliciously wounded Lyndon Hall. The then 25year-old was not required to plead to the two charges, which were based on incidents that occurred on March 19 at Eclipse Top, North West District.

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Herstelling man who allegedly drowned reputed wife to stand High Court trial A porter who allegedly submerged his reputed wife in a gutter last May was on Thursday committed to stand trial in the High Court in Georgetown, for the murder. Thirty-eight-year-old Daniel Wa t s o n , of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, is accused of the capital offence. It is alleged that on May 21, last, at Herstelling

New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, Watson murdered Lowtie Atwaroo also known as Mona At the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on Thursday, Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore ruled that there was sufficient evidence against Watson for him to stand trial before a judge and jury. Watson will go on trial at the next practicable sit-

ting of the Demerara Assizes. According to information, Atwaroo was involved in an abusive relationship with Wa t s o n , a n d h a d ended the relationship some eight weeks before she was killed. It was reported that on May 21, last, Atwaroo went to reconcile with Watson, but the two got

into a heated argument. After Atwaroo failed to return home, her relatives went in search of her and they were told by

neighbours that they saw her arguing with the accused on the road. A search was conducted for Atwaroo and her

lifeless body was found in a drain near the roadside. The matter was reported and the accused was arrested and charged for the offence.

Order for Khashoggi's killing came from... From page 3 body was destroyed in acid. NETANYAHU: KHASHOGGI KILLING HORRENDOUS BUT IRAN A BIGGER PROBLEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the murder of Khashoggi "horrendous" but said preserving stability in the region and confronting Iran were more pressing matters. "What happened in the Istanbul consulate ... should be duly dealt with. Yet at the same time I say ... it is very important for the stability of the world, for the region and for the world, that Saudi Arabia remain stable," Netanyahu said. "I think that a way must be found to achieve both goals. Because the larger problem is Iran." NORWAY SUMMONS SAUDI AMBASSADOR OVER KHASHOGGI MURDER Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide said in a statement his country summoned the Saudi ambassador to Oslo on Thursday over the killing of Khashoggi. "We have raised the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and presented our point of view to the Saudi ambassador several times after it was known," Soereide said. "We underlined how seriously we take this issue again

yesterday, when he was at the Foreign Ministry for a discussion." Khashoggi fiancee calls on international community to act, prosecute those behind killing Hatice Cengiz, the slain journalist's fiancee, urged the international community to take action and hold those responsible for the crime to account. "Today, I am inviting the international community to take serious and practical steps to reveal the truth and to prosecute those involved in a court of law," Cengiz wrote in an opinion piece published by the Guardian newspaper. "I am not naïve. I know that governments operate not on feelings but on mutual interests. However, they must all ask themselves a fundamental question." "If the democracies of the world do not take genuine steps to bring to justice the perpetrators of this brazen, callous act - one that has caused universal outrage among their citizens - what moral authority are they left with? Whose freedom and human rights can they credibly continue to defend?" MBS DESCRIBES KHASHOGGIAS 'DANGEROUS ISLAMIST ' IN CALL WITH KUSHNER, BOLTON Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (commonly referred to as

MBS) described Khashoggi as a dangerous Islamist after his disappearance in a phone call with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and National Security Adviser John Bolton, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. During the alleged phone call, which took place prior to Saudi Arabia admitting to the killing of Khashoggi, bin Salman said the journalist belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood, which was outlawed by Saudi Arabia and its allies in the wake of the Arab Spring protests. He also urged Kushner and Bolton to preserve the US-Saudi alliance. "The attempt to criticise Khashoggi in private," the Post noted, "stands in contrast to the Saudi government's later public statements decrying his death as a 'terrible mistake' and 'terrible tragedy'". The slain journalist's family issued a statement to the paper denying the crown prince's characterisation as inaccurate. "Jamal Khashoggi was not a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. He denied such claims repeatedly over the past several years," the family said, "Jamal Khashoggi was not a dangerous person in any way possible." "To claim otherwise would be ridiculous."

Five bids for sugar estates From page 16 be based on the market price of individual assets driven by age, functionality and manufacture type, among other valuation criteria. Baghaloo and his team intend, prior to the evaluation of each offer, to determine whether the bid proposals are in-keeping with the terms of the Information Memorandum that they were provided with. He noted that a pre-bid meeting was held on September 25, 2018, where he explained the evaluation process for the applications; “a technical proposal will carry 70% of the score and the remaining 30% will focus on the price (valuation) and economics to country”. The technical assessment will consider the financial capacity of the bidder, its experience in the sugar industry,

quality of corporate governance, quality of management, extension programme for cane farmers, timing of attaining full capacity, quality of development plan including financial projections, and the linkages the plan proposes with and support of other industries in Guyana. The financial evaluation will consider the degree of positive contribution to the physical budget, of the present value of the offer and the future economic impact, including taxation. Shawn Persaud, Privatisation Specialist of NICIL, said that the bids will be considered on the premise that they intend to utilise the estates for works in the cane industry, not limited to sugar, This, he explained, is because it is hoped that the successful awardee(s) of the leases will re-employ the

skilled workers who were laid off after those estates were closed. The entire evaluation process of the offers, set to begin in a week, is intended to be completed in about 45 days, according to Baghaloo. After that, PWC will make recommendations to the steering committee and NICIL, who will, in turn, make recommendations to Cabinet. Baghaloo said that the government could reopen the bidding process if it is unsatisfied with the current bids or has not found any of the current bids suitable. So far, PWC has received requests to extend the process by three potential bidders. The estates, after the selection is done by Cabinet, are expected to be leased for 25 years, with an option to renew.

Saturday November 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

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LEGAL NOTICE contd

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

Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, 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. Repairs at low cost: fridges, air conditioners, washing machines, freezers,sale of ac’s Tel:6294946,225-4822. Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966 Down to any kind of satellite dishes, Antennas & TV channels. Tel#683-7167/6097363

Cat 320 DL Excavator, MWM 6 cylinder turbo, Stihl Fogging machine, 1 Stihl weeding machine, 1 Oxygen bottle. Call: 613-5062 25 Yamaha HP, stone separator ( Wash plant for gold), Diamond Lavrador. Metal Detector 30x50, Rubberized Tarpaulin. Call: 613-5062 1 Caterpillar DL320 Tel#2654455/667-8852. Contact Lall Supply boat, Steelhull engine CAT3412 can transport 50,000 gls diesel, Built in 2012 #227-0605/ kbenterprise@telsnetgy.net Ratchet strap and chain etc. Call Dexter #676-3982 One two bedroom, wooden house at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Call: 676-1542 Short base super custom bus without engines & gearbox #664-0802

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

WANTED

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

1 Air compressor 5HP 3 Phase 230/220 volts. Call: 628-1486/ 698-1134

Salon for rental & Hair/ Stations makeup for rental, New Market Street Tel#6381106/699-6505 Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290 Business place to rent 114x18, 114x15, 114x10 located at first street Bartica. Contact #6500402/603-1402 2 storey concrete 3 bedrooms house for rent. Including garage $85,000, located at Diamond Grove Housing Scheme. 1 three bedroom upstairs house for rent in Station Street Kitty. Tel#687-6876/225-5977 NEW 4 STOREY BUILDING AT PARIKA (GUYANA’S GATEWAY) NEAR STELLING, WILLING TO DIVIDE. CALL: 699-4513. Ransom cement mixer. Tel/ Whatsapp #676-6667 1 bedroom apartment in La Penitence, near to East Bank Public Road, preferably working couple. Call: 225-2351 LAND FOR SALE

EDUCATION First Aid/CPR & Home nursing courses at St John Association. Tel#225-9082 TRAINING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES- CARE FOR ELDERLY/CHILDREN GUYANA TRAINING COLLEGE. #227-4881

CAR RENTAL

FOR RENT

FIRST AID AND CPRCONTACT GUYANA TRAINING COLLEGE #2274881 GOOD FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES COURSE, REGISTER NOW $15,000 GUYANA TRAINING COLLEGE #227-4881 BECOME FSPCA CERTIFIED- FOOD SAFETY PREVENTIVE CONTROL ALLIANCE ACCESS THE U.S FOOD MARKET. GTCIS #227-4881 FOR SALE/RENT

ACCOMODATION

American Pool table. Tel#2770578

ShortTerm: Furnished 2 bedroom in Section K Campbellville AC,TV, Wifi #688-9020

Property for sale located Canal #2, 6 large pens, fruit trees and farm house. #688-7291/6502172

Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 Farm (East Bank) $3M & $3.5M Dairy (100ftx50ft) Semiconcrete fence $2.8M Schnoord $2.8M Amelia’s ward $1.2M Tel#651-1969/6560701 Tuschen (Phase 2) $1.2M Neg Parfaite Harmonie $2.6M. Tel#681-8746 Dairy, Parfaite Harmonie; Best Village WCD. 45x110- 1.300 #672-0416

Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm 1 Driver to work interior location. Must have Motorbus licence. #225-1429/ 641-5075 One maid/cleaner to work @ Hardware store in G/town. Experience & valid police clearance necessary #2269768/500-5923 Wanted Female worker. Just write CXC 2018. Call 622-5518 Urgently need one land in Eccles, Herstelling, Parfaite Harmonie & Amelia’s Ward. Tel# 648-1635 Office clerk, Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset. Call: 223-7500 Domestic help wanted. Female @ Vreed-en-hoop, light housekeeping $3000 daily. Call 682-5230/615-4414. 2 Experienced counter staff. call: 226-0554/265-3111/6238654 Bike Mechanic. #628-9268 One experienced cook. MonSat. Tel#225-6927. Ask for Tonya, serious enquiries only. Wanted urgently (1) electrician, knowledge of both industrial & domestic wiring. And (1) Motor rewinding. Tel#664-9635/644-9084 Welder & Fabricator, must have 5yrs & over experience to work in Georgetown. Call: 690-6053 Wanted Carpenters and Masons. #602-9469/660-6385

MASSAGE & HEALTH Ultrasound of pregnancy, breasts, gallbladder etc. Pharmacy, Doctor diagnosis & treatment. Call: 691-5960 Lot 3 Charles Street (Giddings Pawnshop Building) HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924 Relaxing Massage Service. #674-8147

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) VEHICLE FOR SALE One DAF 60 working condition. Contact #6584655/618-4457 Tractor (foreign used) MF excellent condition 165 $1.4M MF 135 $1.50M MF 265 $1.8M 165 loader, tractor $1.9M @ Vreed-en-Hoop. Call 682-5230/ 615-4414.

VEHICLE FOR SALE

you must file and Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28 (twentyeight) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

Pickup truck from Canada, extra-cab 2005 Tacoma $1.950, Ford F150 sport $1.3M, Ford ranger sport $1.1M. Call: 682-5230, 615- TAKE NOTICE that the 4414 divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 17th 1 Suzuki carry truck, price day of December, 2018 at $600,000 Tel#661-9447 9:00 am before the 1 Toyota 200 Bubble back Honourable Madam Justice Tundra. Price $2.5 Mil. Sandra Kurtzious in The Direction Hearing Room of Tel#661-9447 the High Court at 5 Flatbed Leyland DAF Lorry Georgetown. tray 30ft long, in excellent IN DEFAULT of your filing condition. Owner migrating. and Acknowledgement of #228-5655/615-6683 Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross LEGALNOTICE Petition the Court may 2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FD- proceed in your absence and may make any Order it 1289 appropriate, IN THE HIGH COURT OF considers THE SUPREME COURT OF including granting the JUDICATURE FAMILY, Divorce. DIVORCE AND The Registry of the Family M A T R I M O N I A L Division of the High Court is JURISDICTION FAMILY located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The DIVISION. office is open to the public PETITION NO.FD-1289 BETWEEN (JACOBO) between 8:00am and 3:30pm BLANCA nee PATTERSON Mondays to Thursdays and Petition/Applicant -and- 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays (JACOBO) OSCAR except on public holidays and on such other days as the ENRIQUE MANCEBO Registry is closed. Respondent Dated the 25th day of To the Respondent OSCAR ENRIQUE October,2018. MANCEBO JACOBO Lot 7 Front Road East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme Georgetown Guyana TAKE NOTICE that on the VACANCY 27th day of September, 2018 a Petition for Divorce was filed C a s h i e r s / S u p e r m a r k e t against you by BLANCA helpers. Apply in person with JACOBO nee PATTERSON, application @ Nirva the Petitioner in the Family Superstore 49 Sheriff & Craig Division of the High Court in St #227-5771 Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE One experienced female NOTICE that as part of an accounts clerk, apply at Order made on the 24th day Alabama Trading 65 Robb St, of October, 2018 the Petitioner Bourda was directed to effect service 2 Grillmen (Driver’s license a of her Petition on you by plus) to grill burgers. 1 live publication of this Notice in in help from Berbice/ two (2) consecutive Saturday Essequibo. Contact X’s Grill issues of the Kaieteur News, & Cuisine. 675-2550/656a daily Newspaper printed, 9313 published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Receptionist, Security guard, Worldwide Web. Gardener. Apply in person to AND FURTHER TAKE the Manager Herdmanston NOTICE that if you desire Lodge, Peter Rose & Lamaha you may attend or appear in St, Queenstown. person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney- One Nanny. Contact #223at-Law at the Registry of the 5273/74 Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, One Cleaner. Contact #223Demerara where you will be 5273/74 issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with Driver for route 42 minibus, related documents. Taxi drivers, Experienced AND FURTHER TAKE washbay staff, Experienced NOTICE that if you desire to cook for snackette. #646-8748 Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified Continued on the next page copy of the Petition,

Saturday November 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

President’s College hosts 28th Graduation

P

resident’s College, on Thursday last, hosted its 28th Graduation Ceremony. One hundred and twenty-eight students received certificates – attesting to their completion of secondary education along with awards and trophies for outstanding performances. The graduation ceremony was held under the theme “Embracing our school’s culture, holding steadfast to the spirit of excellence” with the guest speakers being Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Dr. Colleen Bovell, Psychiatrist and former student, along with the School Board’s Chairman, Clement Corlette. Beginning the formal proceeding was Deputy Principal Samantha Success who called the event to order, after which there were inspirational performances by the school’s choir, dance groups, and steel orchestra. In her report, Ms Success told the gathering that the academic year 2017-2018 was a “phenomenal and historic” one, as the college would have yielded a stunning one hundred percent pass rate in Mathematics and an overall pass rate of ninety-five percent. The deputy headmistress commended the students, teachers and other participants, while adding emphasis to the quote “excellence is a habit and not an act”. She further stated that no one should trivialize their (the school’s) accomplishment since it did not happen by chance, but through hard work, commitment and dedication. The deputy head teacher

Education Minister Nicolette Henry, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, join the graduands and teachers for a photo op. then handed the podium over to Board Chairman Clement Corlette who urged the students not to cease their studies but to continue to develop themselves. He also encouraged the graduands to consider utilizing their knowledge in their country of origin. “I trust that our graduands would find it fitting to consider placing their knowledge at the surface of our country… I think it is only fair that you consider your country” were some of the sentiments shared by Corlette. Dr. Colleen Bovell then addressed the gathering, sharing unforgettable moments with the graduands and attendees of her days at President’s College. She then charged the students to take it upon themselves and posit the question: “what are the five things I want people to remember about me?”

The psychiatrist expressed agreement with a quote by motivational speaker Les Brown when he said that “if you do things the hard way your life becomes easy, but if you do things the easy way your life becomes hard.” Bovell also urged the graduands to create an achiever’s mind-set, put in the time to feed their minds with positive thoughts, and stand guard at their mind’s door or else people would dump garbage there. In closing, she reminded them that their dreams are possible even if not easy to achieve. Also speaking at the ceremony was Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry who congratulated the group of graduands and told them that where much is given, much is expected. She also expressed the expectation of an overall one hundred percent pass rate in

the coming academic year. “Education is near and dear to our hearts, and we believe that it is only through education that we can take this country from poverty to prosperity, and so congratulations as you continue your journey to greatness, the education ministry is particularly proud of you. I’m looking forward to attending this graduation next year and there must be one hundred percent passes in all the subject areas.” The final guest speaker was Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who congratulated all the graduands and shared the exaltation with their teachers and parents while urging the students to remember the grounding they would have received at President College. Nagamootoo shared his experiences of growing up in a small fishing village, start-

ing school barefooted, and saving pennies from selling fish with his mother for his first high school term. He urged the students to keep moving, whether they have to walk, run, fly or even creep or crawl, just keep going forward, making reference to the song of Guyana’s Children, which encourages the attitude, ‘onward, upward may we ever go’. Being awarded at the ceremony on the CAPE level, were the best graduating student and valedictorian Zawadi Collins, best CAPE student for 2018 Denisha Leitch, runner-up Sudesh Narine, along with the student who passed the most units in one sitting, Isaiah Canterbury. At the CSEC level, some of the awardees were Sakuntala Sookraj who copped the position of best graduating student and runner-up Lamon Friday.

Health sector records increased mental health diagnosis The public health sector has been able to diagnose an increased number of people, suffering from mental disorders. This is according to Resident Psychiatrist, Dr. Colleen Bovell, who, however, noted, “I don’t know if that is because before we had very few specialists and people were not being diagnosed as much or if there is an actual increase in the numbers.” Without giving specific figures, Dr. Bovell noted that it is reflective of both adults and youths alike. However, she did speak of plans in the pipelines to prepare a research proposal that will help to ensure Guyana has credible data regarding its mental illness situation. “I have noticed we often use data from all around the world, but we need our own data to structure our plan for treatment, and how we go forward based on what we have here. We might have some similarities, but I am

...but stigma continues to be a deterrent to treatment - Psychiatrist going to get our data,” Dr. Bovell assured. What Dr. Bovell was able to ascertain though, is that there continues to be a daunting stigma attached to the notion of mental illness. Operating out of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr. Bovell has seen one too many instances where persons who have been so diagnosed have opted to not be treated for fear of being ridiculed by society. But this dilemma, which has been hurting the health sector’s attempt at reducing the scourge of mental illness, must become a thing of the past, the Psychiatrist said. As she emphasised that “the stigma associated with mental health is still very high,” Dr. Bovell disclosed that the public health sector has embraced a tactical move to reverse this trend.

Dr. Colleen Bovell With education as the primary focus, she disclosed that deliberate efforts are being made to increase public awareness, not only about the disease, but also how it can be properly treated. In fact she underscored the importance of persons being able to quickly detect symptoms associated with disease, so that they can gain

the attention of medical experts at an early stage. This is particularly important since, according to Dr. Bovell, many mental health disorders are known to start during the teenage years.“Many disorders begin as early as 14 years and if you take that problem into adulthood it can impact the country economically. But

once someone with mental illness is identified early they can get help,” said Dr. Bovell. It was for this very reason, she noted that during the observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, last, focus was given to young people and mental health to emphasise the need to ensure that this faction of the population are properly targeted too. To achieve this goal, Dr. Bovell said that it is crucial for the public health sector to work in close collaboration with non-governmental organisations, since reaching people with mental illness could be more efficient through referrals. “We need to have persons who can refer patients; we need people out there, because it is not possible to have a psychiatrist or psychologist at each school,” said Dr. Bovell.

The college also honoured best performers in individual subject areas and performers who would have made the merit list. Among those were Lamon Friday, who was the best graduating Science student, best Geography, Chemistry, and Industrial Technology student, and Sudesh Narine, who is the best graduating Portuguese student in the Caribbean.

VACANCY DemBake at Land of Canaan is seeking experienced Drivers and Sales agents. Tel#2665848 Night supervisor, Handyman and Chef. Preferably carnegie trained. Call: 225-7933 or visit 173 Sheriff Street. Female cleaner office & home age 25 to 50. Call: 233-2745 Maid for East Bank area to cook & clean age 25-50. Call: 614-4358 Tool room clerk, Welder/ Fabricator, Male cleaner, Mechanic- Apply at Technical Services Lot 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles One general domestic, apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street, Bourda Truck driver to work in Georgetown. Contact#2271717 Waitress, Waiter, Bartenders. Contact #2235273 /74 PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 House and Land for sale, Land size 58 ftx850 ft, Land of Canaan. Tel#265-4455/6678852. Contact Lall

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Second annual Breast Cancer Futsal F/Ball concludes

T

he Finals of the ABSAA-NSCGFF Second Annual Breast Cancer Awareness hosted‘WE BELIEVE’ Cup Futsal Football Tournament in honour of Cancer Survivors was played last Wednesday at the National Gymnasium. The tournament brought the curtains down to the four days of fun football Activities under the tag line ‘Let’s create a World without Cancer and together we can make a difference’. “It was great as the girls played for Cancer Survivors who were there and those who not,”said Junior Forrester, the organiser of ABSAA’s events. InWednesday’s Final

which was watched by 40 ladies and supporters, Team Marlyn Dewar defeated Shirlean Alexander 3-1, while in the Ladies C o m b i n e F i n a l , Te a m Nicole Schultz/ Rosaline Clarke defeated Christine Jardim/Amina Hassan 2-0 with goals coming of the feet of Saicy Adams and Lekesha Pearson. “Big hugs and blessings to all our cancer survivors and a truly wonderful group of selfless servants of others from the ABSAA crew. We a r e O n e . A b i g thank you to Christopher Jones Director of Sports of National Sports Com-

mission (NSC), President Wayne Forde and GS Renita Bourne of Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Simone Basil and all the wonderful participants,” Forrester added. The sponsors were Christine Anita, Jardim of Outdoors PetShop, Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF), ABSAA Inc and Cancer Institute of Guyana all played a big role in making the tournament a success. “Our plan at ABSAA is to do an under-15 Boys and Girls Futsal before this month is over and in January, which is Cervical Cancer month, we will be doing an event,” Forrester concluded. (Sean Devers)

The Winners of the Breast Cancer Futsal Football tourney.

Guyana suffer 0-4 loss to Guatemala... From page 29 made another substitution, moments after conceding again, Nixon Robertson replacing Bevan Baker. The Guyanese were

Saturday November 03, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You could feel extremely passionate today, Aries. You might want to connect with a love partner but be prevented by circumstances. You might be attracted to racier novels or movies. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Electrical or plumbing problems with your house might come up. Call a professional, Taurus. Don't try to fix it yourself, because you could make it worse. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Stay close to home today, Gemini. Spending too much time in the car could lead to stress or, in extreme cases, minor accidents. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Money matters might take a turn for the worse today. Don't fly off the handle because of this, Cancer. Use every bit of financial savvy you have to put things straight. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Leo, check your house to make certain everything is in working order. There are indications that small hazards could exist that need correcting. Tension might run high among family members, and quarrels could result. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Short visits in your neighborhood could catapult you into some negative situations, Virgo. It's best to stay close to home if you can.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you might be a bit worried about your financial affairs, Libra. A past mistake could have led to some rather upsetting consequences. Now you need to harness every bit of skill you have in order to set things straight. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your physical energy is very high today, Scorpio. You're likely to want to get out and exercise, perhaps jog through the park or attend an aerobics class. Be careful! SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Uncertainty about spiritual matters and doubt about your insights might have you down in the dumps today. Don't try to force any solutions - it won't work. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) If a friend or acquaintance gives you advice about money or investments today, don't take it. To follow this unknowledgeable person's lead might prove to be disastrous. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Gossip and bad feelings among co-workers or in a group could occur today, and there might be some political shenanigans that it would be in your best interests to avoid. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Too much running around might have you feeling exhausted and under the weather today, Pisces.

awarded their first corner in the 68th minute but the resulting short pass that was taken was quickly intercepted by their opponents who were determined not to allow the

young Jaguars to score. Another shot from outside brought Guatemala’s fourth goal, Oscar Santis was the player adding his name to the score sheet to ensure his country commence group play on a positive note. The winners also made three substitutions. The other group F match yesterday saw El Salvador edging Curacao 2-1 in an exciting clash but it is Guatemala that sits at the top of the group on goal difference ahead of El Salvador. The other team in the group, Cayman Islands would open their account tomorrow when they face El Salvador from 17:30hrs at the IMG Soccer Stadium. Before that match however, Guatemala would take on Curacao, Guyana’s next match would be on Tuesday against the Cayman Islands on Field #2 from 10:30hrs which gives them a few days to recover.

‘Lara Croft’, ‘The Gold ... From page 28 and building of the sport in Guyana. The Board of Directors wishes to commend the Match Director, Range Master, Stats Officer, Range Officers and the shooters for ensuring an efficient event. Special thanks also to the Guyana Defence Force, Chief of Staff Brigadier Patrick West, Commissioner of Police Mr. Leslie James, OC Mr. Guy Nurse, the ranks of TSU and the Guyana Police Force, the Media, the Management of Clear Waters and GSSF members for their support in promoting practical shooting locally. Sincere thanks were extended to Mr. Rameez Mohamed of BM Soat Auto Sales.

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Saturday November 03, 2018

Former referee Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith appointed Hinterland sports facilitator

The Ministry of Indigenous People Affairs thru the HEYS programme has employed Mr Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith as the Sports Facilitator for the Hinterland Communities and since then, much have been achieved and accomplished.Mr. Griffith has visited several communities in Region 8 and had General Members Meeting where elections were held with Sports Clubs being formed in the respective Villages of Paramakatoi, Kato, Bamboo Creek, Mountain Foot, Monkey Mountain, Taruka, Tuseneng, Kurukubaru, Kamana, Itabac, Kanapang, Campbelltown and Micobie. During his visit he had discussions with the villagers on the Role and Functions of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Members. He also guided them on how to prepare minutes of meetings, how to prepare financial statements and how to

prepare monthly reports. They looked at the Draft Constitution that was prepared by FIFA and they made amendments, deletions and inclusions that would suit the respective communities. Mr. Griffith has served football for many years and was part of the Guyana Football Federation office staff which game him a wealth of experience on the running of the organisation. All of the villages visited had Election of Office Bearers with two (2) years term for the incumbents. An executive will be entitled to serve three (3), two (2) year terms. Every Hinterland Village expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Indigenous People Affairs, especially the Honorable Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People Affairs Ms Valerie Garrido-Lowe for her vision in employing someone with the knowledge and experience in

Sports Management to assist the Villages in fulfilling their full potential. With these Sports Clubs in the respective villages formed, persons will be given the opportunity to participate in organised sporting activities and be given the opportunity to show case their talents with the view of being selected to represent Guyana in whatever discipline that is being contested. COACHING COURSE: During the period Fri 8th to Wed 13th June 2018 a Beginners Football Coaching Course was held in Karasabai, Region 9. Former National Senior and Youth Coach and English FA “B” License Qualified Coach and Qualified CONCACAF Coaching Instructor, Joseph Wilson conducted the Course. Nineteen (19) persons took part inclusive of four (4) females. They came from Karasabai Village Sections 1 & 2, Tiger Pond Village, Tipuri Village, Cra-crana Village, Yurong Paru Village and Rukumutu Village. The coaches were taken through their paces both on the field and indoors. They were taught the tactical, technical, physical and theoretical aspect of football. A number of small sided games were played and all the coaches carried on a session. During the period Sat 20th to Wed 24th October 2018 a Beginners Football Coaching Course was held in St

Lawrence Griffith during his visit to St Cuthbert Mission.

Cuthbert’s Mission, Region 4. Joseph Wilson conducted same. Ten (10) persons including three (3) females took the training course. Both Indoor and Outdoor sessions were held with the participants all conducting outdoor coaching sessions with the help of students from the St Cuthbert’s Mission Secondary School.The Annual North Pakaraimas Football Tournament was played during the period Sun 19th to Sun 26thAUGUST 2018 in Kato, Region 8. Thirteen (13) male teams and nine (9) female teams participated in the Round Robin and Knockout Format.

Paramakatoi won the male version defeating Kopinang in the final by 5 goals to 2 and Kato won the female title by beating Kanapang on Kicks from the penalty mark. FIFA Director Mr Umba and the GFF President Mr Wayne Forde attended the opening ceremony which saw the teams in a colorful march past with every team having a banner. President of the Association for Women’s Football, Mrs. Andrea Johnson and Mrs. Maxine Stewart, GFF Executive Member and Committee Member of the Women Association were also there. Honorable Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe also attended

and declared the games opened. PS Mr. Alfred King was also present along with other members of the Ministry Staff. Mr. Griffith also visited some communities in Region 1 and had preliminary discussion with them regarding him visiting the villages and establishing Sports Clubs there. Some of villages which were visited are as follows: Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Fall Top, Eclipse Fall, 4 Mile, Citrus Grove, Hosororo, Thomas Hill, Khan Hill, Sebai, Canal Bank, Barmanobo, Fitzburg, Oronoque, Smith Creek, Imbotero, Morowana, Tobago and Wanina.A Sports Club will be formed at the Amerindian Students Dorm at Liliendaal, East Coast very soon with the students participating in all aspects of Sports on a competitive basis.In 2019, the MOIPA Heys programme will continue to develop Sports in the Hinterland Region 8 area by conducting Football Referees Courses in Paramakatoi and Kurukubaru; Coaching Courses in Monkey Mountain and Itabac and Sports Medicine Courses in Tuseneng and Kanapang. A Football Coaching Course is slated for Mahdia later in 2018. Chess Sessions are scheduled for Moruca in 2018 and a Football Referees Course will be held at St Cuthbert’s Mission before the year concludes.

GTT National Indoor Hockey C/ships GCC Tigers yet to concede, Saints upset Supernova in men’s 1st Division The GBTI GCC Tigers continued to storm through the women’s First Division competition of the GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships with an 8 – 0 beating of Saints on Thursday evening as they maintained a three-game clean sheet streak. Meanwhile, the Saints men managed their first win of the men’s First Division competition by squeezing past Supernova by 2-1. Supernova, which comprises of a national under19 selection, was first on the score sheet against Saints when prolific goal scorer Warren Williams converted a penalty corner in the 3rd minute. Saints then drew even just before the half through the diminutive Hilton Chester before a field goal from Nickel Ashby in the 25th minute of the 40-minute clash sealed the win for the Robert Fernandes coached side.

GCC continued a dominant evening of ladies hockey when the GBTI GCC Spice defeated the Woodpecker Hikers 1-0 in the women’s Second Division competition, while the Bingo GCC Spartans got the better of Saints by 20. The Old Fort Mustangs continued their unbeaten run in the veterans division by burying Antonio’s Hickers by 7-4, while the GCC Pitbulls got their first victory in the men’s Second Division with a 4-2 win over the Hikers Cadets. After the first five days of the week long championship, PEPSI Hikers and Old Fort Lamborghini lead the men’s First Division table with six points each with Bounty GCC and Saints tied for third on three points each. GBTI GCC Ladies have nine points to top the women’s First Division table so far with the Woodpecker Hikers on six, while Old Fort 2.1.2 and the Bingo GCC Spartans share

GBTI GCC Tigers’ Aliyah Gordon (right) flicks home a goal during her team’s 8-0 rout of Saints on Thursday. third place with three points each.In the two-pool men’s Second Division competition,

Old Fort Top Form lead Pool A with six points, while Old Fort Rogue lead pool B with

four. GBTI GCC Spice lead the Second Division table with nine points followed by Bingo

GCC Spartans on seven, Saints on three and the Woodpecker Hikers on one.

Saturday November 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

NBA roundup: Celtics hand Bucks first loss The Boston Celtics nearly blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead Thursday night, but they took advantage of a missed free throw by Eric Bledsoe with 12.8 seconds left to hand the visiting Milwaukee Bucks their first loss of the season, 117-113. The Celtics used 3-point shooting to begin each half with dominant runs, allowing them to lead most of the way en route to their fourth straight win. Horford and Gordon Hayward had 18 points apiece and Marcus Morris 17 for the Celtics, who swept a twogame homestand that began with a win over Detroit on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the game’s leading scorer with 33 points and leading rebounder with 11 for the Bucks, who were playing just their third road game of the season. Trail Blazers 132, Pelicans 119 Damian Lillard scored 26 points as Portland beat visiting New Orleans, who were without big man Anthony Davis for the third time in four games. Jusuf Nurkic scored 20 points and collected nine re-

bounds, and Al-Farouq Aminu contributed a seasonhigh 17 points and 10 boards for the Trail Blazers, who won their third straight game. Evan Turner added a season-high 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists off the Portland bench. Julius Randle scored a season-high 29 points to lead the Pelicans, who lost for the fourth straight time after a 4-0 start to the season. Davis missed back-to-back games with a sprained right elbow before playing 41 minutes against Golden State on Wednesday. 76ers 122, Clippers 113 Joel Embiid had a seasonhigh 41 points to go along with 13 rebounds and four blocked shots to lift Philadelphia past visiting Los Angeles. It was Embiid’s sixth game this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. JJ Redick added 18 points, Ben Simmons had 14 points and 11 assists, and Landry Shamet scored 13 points for the Sixers. The Sixers have won 15 straight home games, the longest active streak in the league and their longest since they won 24 straight in the

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) blocks a shot by Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe (6) during the second half of Boston’s 117-113 win at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports) 1982-83 season. Nuggets 110, Cavaliers 91 Juan Hernangomez came off the bench to score 23 points and Paul Millsap had 16 points and six rebounds as Denver overcame a sluggish first quarter to beat host Cleveland. Gary Harris scored 14 as

Usain Bolt leaves Australia’s Central Coast Mariners football club BBC Sport - Usain Bolt’s trial with Australian football club Central Coast Mariners has come to an end. The Jamaican eight-time Olympic sprint champion, 32, joined the A-League side for an “indefinite training period” in August. He scored two goals in his first effort for the Mariners in a friendly, but did not play matches when the season began. Efforts to secure a “commercial solution” to keep Bolt at the club had failed, the Mariners said yesterday. Last month, the Mariners said they had made a contract proposal broken down into “football” and “commercial” terms. However, it hinged on a contribution from a “third party”.Despite meetings with “several promising potential partners” no deal could be reached, the club said.Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth thanked Bolt for his eight-week trial, describing it as a success. “He integrated very well into the team and made great strides as a footballer,” Mr Charlesworth said. The 100m and 200m world record holder has described it as his “dream” to play professional football. “I would like to thank the

head coach Larry Drew on the bench. Thunder 111, Hornets 107 Russell Westbrook narrowly missed his first tripledouble of the season with 29 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, and Oklahoma City rallied from a 19-point second-half deficit to beat host Charlotte. Westbrook scored 13 of his points in the fourth quar-

COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament

Final spots up for grabs today’s

Usain Bolt

Central Coast Mariners owners, management, staff, players and fans for making me feel so welcome during my time there,” he said yesterday.

the Nuggets won their third in a row and second in as many nights. Denver’s star center, Nikola Jokic, had only four points on 2-of-5 shooting, but his production was not needed. Jordan Clarkson scored 17 points and Cedi Osman had 13 for Cleveland. After winning Tuesday in the first game since Tyronn Lue was fired, the Cavaliers could not make it two straight with acting

ter as the Thunder stormed back after trailing 66-47 midway through the third quarter. Westbrook’s drive with 35.1 seconds remaining gave the Thunder a 108-102 lead, and the Hornets never got closer than three from there. Alex Abrines added 25 points for the Thunder, Dennis Schroder scored 21, Paul George finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Jerami Grant scored 10. The Thunder have won three straight. Kings 146, Hawks 115 Sacramento, behind a triple-double from De’Aaron Fox and 27 points from Buddy Hield, coasted past host Atlanta to increase its winning streak to five games. The Kings won in Atlanta for the first time since 2006, breaking an 11-game road losing streak. Sacramento also got 19 points from Nemanja Bjelica and 18 points and five rebounds from first-round draft pick Marvin Bagley III. The Hawks lost their fourth straight game. Atlanta got a season-high 23 points from Jeremy Lin, who was 8-for-13 from the field. Rookie Trae Young and Kent Bazemore each scored 14 for the Hawks. Young had 10 assists, but committed eight of the team’s 22 turnovers.

Bolt, who retired from athletics in 2017, has previously trained with Borussia Dortmund, South African club Mamelodi Sundowns and Norway’s Stromsgodset.

East Banks’ Gentle... From page 30 wickets each as Liverpool maintained her lead on top wickettakers list.West Berbice made a strong reply with 85 for 5 in 12 overs. Tia Isaac scored the only double figure of 14. Britney McAllyen grabbed 2-11 for Lower Corentyne. The action continues tomorrow at Bush Lot, Wales and two matches at Enterprise ground. Matches start at 09:00 hrs. Meanwhile in play on Thursday, West Demerara won the match in the super over. West Dem made 126-5 and Essequibo replied with 126-7. In the Super over Essequibo scored 5-1 and West Dem replied with 6-2. Upper Corentyne beat Georgetown by 5 wickets. Georgetown 96-6; Essequibo 99-5. East Coast (112-6) beat East Bank (47-9) by 65 runs and Lower Corentyne (161-8) won by 50 runs over West Berbice (111). (Sean Devers)

The finalists for the COURTS PEE WEE football tournament will be determined today when the semi-final kicks off at the Ministry of Education Ground. In the first of the matches, Tucville will play St Pius from 15:30hrs, while Semifinal t w o h a s We s t Ruimveldt vs Mocha from 16:30hrs. Before that however, there are several seeding games beginning at noon when Colaaco play S o es d y k e a n d The COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament will know Timehri p l a y the 2018 finalists today when the semi-finals are contested. Plaisance in the 1316 play off. Marian Academy and Mae’s clash from 13:30hrs on pitch one From page 31 with South Ruimveldt Representative of the LGC for the Guyana Open. The Trophy Stall v s E n t e r p r i s e o n has continued to sponsor and support the new executive of the LGC pitch two in the 12-9 and pledged that they will stand with president of the club as he playoff games. seeks to improve the game for women and children.It was noted that St A g n e s a n d this was their way of giving back to sports in Guyana and golf has Golden Grove are up become a visible player and they expect it to grow tremendously in from 14:30hrs playing the years to come. The business place noted that, ‘This year’s tourfor the 8-5 spots with St nament will be the largest in the history of the country and we absoAmbrose and North lutely had to participate.’Fans are encouraged to ensure that that Georgetown also look- obtain free complimentary raffle tickets with which they can win ing for seeding. prizes and entry to the event is free.

Trophy Stall continues its...

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Saturday November 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

GSSF BM Soat annual costume match

‘Lara Croft’, ‘The Gold Tooth Gangster’ create upset Halloween is traditionally about the fabled creatures of the underworld. Ghosts, Ghouls and Zombies take many forms in the imagination. Increasingly, it has become acceptable for Halloween costume design to move away from the traditional spirit, under world, fairy story and magical themes, and to move on to just plain having fun. And that’s just what Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation did last Saturday 27th October, when for the third year, BM Soat Auto Sales backed the GSSF in their Annual themed competition which was a very keenly contested one, all within the confines of the safety rules and watchful eyes of Range Master, Mr. Dallas Thomas and his Team of Range Officials. When the gun smoke had cleared and tabulations done in the Limited Division Pravesh Harry‘The Gold Tooth Gangster’ won ahead of David Dharry and Lennox Braithwaite; while in the Production Division Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon ‘Lara Croft’ beat her husband Ryan McKinnon and Dallas Thomas. The Timehri Range transformed just after noon as members turned out in their costumes, with appearances from the Hunter, a Sport-Shooter, a Construction Worker, a Rifle Shooter, the Black Panther, a Biker, Lara Croft, the GoldTooth Gangster and even Count Dracula risked the afternoon sun to come out and participate, all doing so within the safety confines of the sport. Shooters were placed in two squads shooting two stages simultaneously: ‘Related” with 9 IPSC Targets and 4 Steel poppers set out behind

various screens and “Big Barricade Mash Up” which consisted of 10 metric targets, 7 no-shoot targets, 5 plates and 4 poppers. On start signal, competitors were to engage targets 1-7 identified from behind a barricade and thereafter proceed to either shooting box set on the left and right of the barricade and engage the targets in front of that corresponding box. After doing so, the competitor had to proceed to the remaining box on the other side of the barricade and engage the remaining targets.The shooters came up with various strategies to engage these targets in both stages so as to beat the clock and register good hits to score. Participants then converged on the final and third stage for the afternoon ‘Quad Standards” which seemed like a final easy stage to end the afternoon with 4 targets set up down-range and 3 shooting lines set up at varying distances in front of them. Shooters started at the first line set up 120 feet away from the targets and had to engage the targets with only one round, make a mandatory reload and then engage again with only one round freestyle. Participants then had to proceed to Line 2, engage with only one round, make a mandatory reload and then engage with only one round strong hand only. Then finally participants had to proceed to Line 1 which was set 45 feet from the targets, engage with only one round, make a mandatory reload and engage with only one round weak hand only. The action continued as shooter after shooters took the sandy walk to reset the stages and disappointingly,

The 2 Division Winners: ‘Lara Croft’ (Vidushi) and the ‘Gold-Tooth Gangster’ (Pravesh) in action. zero-ed the stage because of the misses discovered after. Only 2 shooters managed to secure a positive hit factor in this stage thereby changing the dynamics of the possible match outcome: Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and Lennox Braithwaite. Scoring for practical shooting is done by recording the competitor’s time with an electronic device which ‘hears’ the shots and records the time from the audible beep which signals the start to the sound of the last shot fired. The targets are then checked, recorded and the total score

Hamilton Green football cup Nine matches at Den Amstel tomorrow The Hamilton Green 84th birth anniversary nine-a-side inter-ward/village knockout football tournament will continue tomorrow at the Den Amstel Community Center ground on the West Coast of Demerara from 17:00hrs with round-of-16 matches. In the first match, Plaisance will play Sophia (A) followed by Central McKenzie against Mahaica (17:30hrs), Newtown Kitty versus Wolves (18:00hrs), Sara Lodge versus Kuru Kururu (18:30hrs). The final four matches will kick off from 19:00hrs in the evening with West Coast’s Uitvlugt matching skills with

Hamilton Green Stewartville which will be followed by Goed Fortune playing Agricola (19:30hrs), Crane versus Wales at 20:00hrs,

while Pouderoyen will be pitted against West Side Masters in the feature match of the night at 20:30hrs.The winners of tomorrow’s matches will advance to the quarterfinals that will be played on Sunday November 18th at the same venue.The winner of the competition will receive $400,000, runners up, $200,000, third place $60,000 and fourth $40,000. Other individual prizes are also on offer. Among the sponsors are Ministry of Citizenship, John Fernandes Ltd, Techno Mills, Courtney Benn Construction Services trophies, Ricks and Sari, AH&L Kissoon and China Trading.

gained is divided by the time recorded for that competitor the result of which is termed a Hit Factor. The highest HF will

win the stage, the total match points are an accumulation of all of the competitor’s stage points. All scoring at GSSF

pistol events are computed using scoring software specifically designed for the discipline since this is done atomically it aids in efficiency. Ultimately the scoring in practical shooting rewards the winners who can have a balance of accuracy within the shortest possible short stage times as against other competitors within the division. Below are the Overall Match Results. Thanks again to our sponsor, B.M. Soat Auto Sales. Limited Division 1st – Pravesh Harry (212.547 points) 2nd – David Dharry (209.0814 points) 3rd – Lennox Braithwaite (206.478 points) Production Division 1st – Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon (262.0026 points) 2nd – Ryan McKinnon (245.623 points) 3rd - Dallas Thomas (108.1096 points) Chairman of the Practical Shooting Committee and the Match Director for this event Mr. David Dharry, expressed appreciation to the Management of B.M. Soat Auto Sales of Lot 9 Croal Street, Georgetown for their continued support to the promotion (Continued on page 25)

Chris Gayle availability confirmed for MSL opening round ESPNcricinfo - CSA has confirmed that Chris Gayle will be part of the Mzansi Super League (MSL) opening weekend and will turn out for his team Jozi Stars’ first fixture against Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at the Wanderers on Saturday November 17. Gayle is also due to play for Kerala Kings in the T10 League in Sharjah from November 23 to December 2, but CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe set aside doubts about Gayle’s availability for Jozi Stars’ first round of matches at the MSL, which starts on 16 November and runs until 16 December. “We are excited to have Chris part of this tournament from the start and he is looking forward to linking up with his Jozi Stars teammates,” Moroe said. “Seeing the ‘World Boss’ back in South Africa and playing cricket - we and the fans could not have asked for anything better than one of the most popular players that have ever played the game.” Gayle, 39, is still an in-demand commodity in T20 leagues around the world, and in October he was part of the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League, where he helped Balkh Legends to the title with a string of fifties. Gayle has also had a previous stint in South African domestic T20 cricket with Lions, for whom he played in the 2014-15 Ram Slam T20 Challenge, topping the team’s run-scoring charts with 257 runs at a strike rate of 141.98 including a century against Warriors. Gayle’s homeground with Jozi Stars will be the 34,000-seater Wanderers in Johannesburg, where he scored the first ever century in the shortest format of the game in

Chris Gayle goes for the big one. (BCCI) the opening match of the World T20 back in 2007. He will join a line-up that also includes Kagiso Rabada, Reeza Hendricks and Beuran Hendricks.

Saturday November 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Guyana suffer 0-4 loss to Guatemala in opening Group ‘F’ match

Concacaf Under-20 Championship By Franklin Wilson in Florida, USA Compliments of Industrial Safety Supplies, Secure Innovation & Concepts and Fitness Express After holding off the more accomplished and well-oiled Guatemala team at bay for almost the entire opening 45 minutes, the Guyana lads let in the first goal on the stroke of half time when the two sides met in the first Group ‘F’ match of the Concacaf 2018 Under-20 Championship on Field #2 yesterday here at the IMG Academy, Bradenton Florida, USA. It was expected that the Guatemalans would have presented a tough test for the Guyanese who stood up to the task and fought to the best of their ability despite going down 0-4 when the final whistle was blown by Mexican Referee, Fernando Hernandez following approximately 95 minutes of exchanges. Head Coach Wayne Do-

ver did say that the young Guyanese were going to be as competitive as they could have and aim for a positive result but they were up against it as the Guatemalans showed their superiority form the start to end. The young Golden Jaguars however, frustrated Los Chapines which had been the dominant side piecing together passes in bunches whilst forcing a number of corners during the first half but they just could not get past goalkeeper Johnathan Vaughn and his quartet of defenders. Guyana had two early opportunities to take the lead but Thair Britton could not make those chances count, he was eventually the first player to be subbed when he was replaced by Leon Richardson

Guyana’s goalkeeper Johnathan Vaughn flies in vain as Guatemala’s Jose Ardon scores their second goal in the 53rd minute. (Franklin Wilson photo) on 26 minutes. And just before the break, the fight put up by Guyana was about to end in a match that was contested under grey skies and windy conditions. Guatemalan Captain Rudy Barrientos led with aplomb to break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime much to the relief of his colleagues and Coaching staff. Coach Dover and his

Technical team sought to review what transpired in the opening 45 minutes whilst preparing the players mentally, for the final 45 minutes. Seeking to build on their first half performance was what the young Golden Jaguars were aiming for but a much more aggressive Guatemala team had it their way once again, this time they fired in three more unanswered goals.

Eight minutes into the half, a long range shot from the right outside the box from Jose Ardon eluded the grasp of the back peddling Vaughn to beat him at the far corner; Ryan Hackett it was who failed to close down Ardon who made the Guyanese pay dearly for the lapse. Guyana made its second substitution in the 61st minute when Hackett was replaced

by Nicholas Mc Arthur who made some enterprising runs on his introduction to the match as he made his presence felt. However, four minutes later, another well built up play by the Guatemalans brought their third goal, this time it was Nery Cifuentes who put the ball past Vaughn in the 65th minute. Guyana (Conitnued on page 25)

Creditable showing for Guyana at Cup of Guianas Tennis Tourney in Suriname

Menikshi Jaikissoon receiving her prize. The Guyana Lawn Tennis Association was proud to send a team of twelve players and two coaches to the Cup of Guianas tournament in Suriname and they emerged as creditable performers despite setbacks in their preparation. Guyana recorded wins through: S i n g l e s Doubles Under 12 – Girls Under 12 – Girls Menikshi Jaikissoon (1) Menikshi Jaikissoon (1) Reshida Hardy (1) Reshida Hardy (1) Under 18 – Boys Under 14-Girls

Heimraj Resaul (1) Sekia Jones (1) Viraj Sharma (1) Under 18 – Girls Under 18 - Girls Africa Gentle (1) Africa Gentle (2) Kalyca Fraser (2) Kalyca Fraser (2) Under 18 – Boys Heimraj Resaul (2) Viraj Sharma (2) Preparation The team’s preparation before departure was a major concern since there is a continued lack of proper facilities which affects team performance hence the players are always depending on the private court(s) for extra prac-

Coach Orande Dainty hugging Menishki Jaikissoon. tice. Practice sessions were conducted at The National Racquet Centre, The National Park and the Le Ressouvenir Tennis Club. However, the lack of lighting facilities at the National Racquet Centre and the National Park continues to be major contributing factor affecting longer practice sessions. The team coaches were Shelly Daly and Orande Dainty. Some of the boys were also able to benefit from some coaching sessions with top senior tennis player Anthony Downes. The team manager was

Cristy Campbell Vice President of the GLTA. The GLTA is thankful to the parents and various tennis clubs for their support. Team Manager noted, “Although both the Dutch and French teams were more experienced on the international tour, our team was at no point blown off the court by any player. The guys rallied competitively. However, we didn’t capitalize on our break chance. I believe mental toughness won the tournament, and that’s where we were submissive. The games were highly contested and we can only use the experience as a barometer for enhanced

Heimraj Resaul and Viraj Sharma. performance next tour.” Coach Shelly Daly commented that the overall team played exceedingly well, unfortunately the scores did not reflect such and the finish wasn’t what was expected. As it relates to the U12 boys category there was a narrow chance of a great performance, since the players were relatively new to international competition. In conclusion it was a good exposure for the entire team. The team returned on October 29th. The GLTA is sincerely grateful to all of the sponsors for their contributions to-

wards the competition: Massy Industries, P & P Insurance Brokers, Power Producers & Distributors Inc., Hassan Tractor and Spares, Grand Coastal Inn Inc., Zeco Industrial Engineering, Rohan Auto Spares, Massy Gas Products, Amar Ally, Engineering and Construction Inc., Le Ressouvenir Tennis Club, Sheltez Tennis Club, Swiss M a c h i n e r y, John Fernandes Ltd, Pas Cargo, Jai Transportation, Service Guyana, Non-Pariel Tennis Club, Ms. Fiona Bushell and Mr. Sandeep Chand were among those who contributed.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 03, 2018

Elizabeth Styles / East Coast Cricket Board final at Buxton tomorrow

Buxton and Better Hope Clash as $450,000 and Trophies up for grabs

P

ulsating cricket ac tion is anticipated tomorrow at the Buxton Community Centre ground in the final of the Elizabeth Styles / East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) / 40 overs competition. The Chairman of the Competitions Committee Ray Barton said everything is in place for an action-packed day of cricket when the Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Cricket Club do battle with Better Hope Sports Club for Elizabeth Styles / East Coast Cricket Board crown. Defending champions Better Hope played undefeated throughout the tournament and will be looking to once again lift the prestigious trophy, while Buxton will be looking to captialise on their home advantage. The winner will take home three hundred and seventyfive thousand dollars ($375,000) and the Elizabeth Styles Championship trophy, while the runners-up will receive seventy five thousand dollars ($75,000) and a trophy. Player of the final will also be awarded.

Clive Andries Ray Barton informed that the anticipated large crowd will be entertained both on and off the field since in addition to what should be competitive cricket, the music and a well-stocked bar are part of the beyond the boundary attractions. Admission is free. All funds raised will be used to assist in the development of the Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Cricket Club. The ECCB is very grate-

Ravi Singh ful and thanked Elizabeth Styles of USA for their involvement and development of cricket on the East Coast of Demerara. Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Sports Club will be represented by Devon Benjamin, Marvin Cato (captain), Anthony McFarlene, Clive Andries, Marlon Thomas, Rawley Fredericks, Rawle Merrell, Quacy Douglas, Treon Hatton, Andre

McFarlane, Ryan McKay, Winston Edwards, Oslyn Ferrel and Marvin Cole. Better Hope Cricket Club will come from Ravi Singh, Clive Rampersaud (captain), Ray Persaud, Daniel Kowlessar, Bharratt Samaroo, Sachin Singh, Rasheed Rohaman, Rajendra Danraj, Rajendra Singh, Azad Mohamed, Mulchand Singh, Jayadev Manna, Prakash Debidyal, Ryan Pramchan,

Captain of Better Hope Cricket Club Clive Rampersaud (left) and captain of Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Sports Club Marvin Cato with the Prestigious Elizabeth Styles Championship trophy. Sylvan Kowlessar and Anand Persaud. Play is expected to start promptly at 11.00 hours and

the officiating umpires will be Omadat Samaroo and Gavin D’agiuar. The match referee is Charles Gibbons.

East Banks’ Gentle ‘roughs up’ GT at DCC with explosive 89 and 3-10

GCB/MoE U-17 Female cricket franchise Mae’s School’s and East Bank’s 17-year-old Afruica Gentle ‘roughed up’ Georgetown yesterday at the DCC ground in the fourth round of the Ministry of Education and Guyana Cricket Board’s U-17 female cricket Franchise to give her team an emphatic 88-run victory. The powerful right handed lass, who also plays Tennis, blasted 16 fours and two sixes in and explosive 89 and shared half century partnerships with Dalancy Seecharran (6) for the first wicket and Shamya Daniels (19 not out) for the fourth wicket as East Bank galloped to an imposing 157-3 off their allotted 15 overs. When the home side began their run-chase of the tournament’s highest total, only Neha Singh (15) reached double figures as the City Franchise fell for 69-9 innings closed after one of their batters could not bat due to an arm injury. Gentle, who performed Wicketkeeping duties, returned with ball to take 3-10 and support from Seecharran who operated with a perfect bowling action to finish with 2-2. GT won the toss and asked East Bank to bat first

MVP Afruica Gentle hit a six during her entertaining 89 before she returned with the ball to capture 3-10 at DCC yesterday. Neha Singh drives during her top score for GT at DCC yesterday. and was soon regretting that decision as Gentle played an array of brutal shots to dominate the opening partnership as Seecharran was the silent partner before she was run out at 50-1. Christine Ramdial (2) was bowled by Singh at 80-2 but that was to be GT’s last success as Daniels joined forces with Gentle who favoured the pulls. Gentle, who made 55 against Upper Corentyne at Albion, ripped the bowling

apart as she and Daniels feasted on the GT bowlers before Gentle, who batted from beginning to end was run out off the last ball of the innings 11 short of the tournament’s first century. GT began their reply badly slipping to 3-3 with Gentle picking up two wickets and Keiva Hernandes (1) being run out and when Aliya Clarke fell for the fourth duck of the innings to leave the score on 17-4 and they never recovered.Singh again looked

good but when the team’s best batter Emalissa Whyte (2) was LBW to Gentle for her fifth wicket in the tournament, no one else offered resistance.The overs have been reduced to 15 with noball rules from a ball bouncing more than twice and for illegal actions were not enforced with the wide law was altered with a wide being scored as two runs with the ball not being re-bowled. In the first of two matches at DCC, West Demerara won

by 7 wickets. Marissa Carroll took the MVP award. East Coast reached 99-3 from 15 overs with Athenian Nandan top scored with 21, while Temika Edward chipped in with 18. West Demerara, in reply raced to 100-3 in 11.4 overs with Carroll top scoring with an unbeaten 26 not out, while Varuni Pitambar supported with 24 not out. Shazana Majeed had 2-15.At Bush lot Essequibo posted 68 for 2 in a game reduced to 10 overs

due to rain fall with MVP Lisa Charles scoring 14 not out. Lower Corentyne were restricted to 65 for 2 from their 10 overs as Ashimini Munisar top scored with 15. West Berbice VS Lower Corentyne In the second game at Bush Lot, West Berbice won the match by 5 wickets. Lower Corentyne posted 81 for 5 from 15 overs, with Doneta Small and Renate Liverpool capturing two (Conitnued on page 26)