Kaieteur News
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Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Laying down the law to law enforcers
T
he words, hard instructions from the head of the Traffic Department to police drivers were blunt and sharp. Observe speed limits studiously, stay in lane patiently, and minimise carefully the use of ‘blue lights.’ Then, above all, reserve the use of sirens for emergency situations, emergency situations only. All of this and more were emphasised in what amounted to an emergency seminar, that lasted an entire day, and which means there were costs incurred from feeding a contingent of officers, utilising some necessarily vital training from scarce budget monies, and removing those same ranks from immediate road duties. It was management of the Guyana Police Force in action, after a series of troubling public developments involving traffic ranks. The seminar unfolded before an assembled choir of its ranks, which is now forced to listen to the directives from above, and then follow them to the fullest. It took a long time and after much destruction to taxpayer assets, as well as loss of life and limb. The announcements from police brass were unambiguous and signified serious intentions at cracking down hard, with the aim of stamping out malpractices authoritatively. We shall see. This paper is of the impression that the seniors are serious, and they mean business, with dependence on time to be the best judge of all. This is all good news for harried daily commuters, who all toe the line, wait in line at lights, and stay in their lane, while praying for help (or swearing) before the unyielding traffic gods. Suffering members of the public do so without having access to sirens, or anything resembling the stateempowered clout of mainly men in uniform, or the power and pull of seniors wearing stripes or stars, or the camouflaging tint of officially sanctioned vehicles. Like friends and neighbours and fellow impatient, angry, and disgusted drivers, regular citizens line up, wait their turn, and bear their chafe. They are in no hurry to arrive early in the mortuary (or in the hospital or courts). The police people must be the same way, too; with juniors and seniors showing some regard for standing procedures (if not the law itself), while extending some respect and courtesy to a tortured, dismayed public. This publication is desirous of knowing the reasons for constant shows of swaggering force. Why there is the almost uninterrupted abuse of state facilities, and misuse of statedeposited power? For when these occur, the wreckages to man and machine multiply, the image and reputation of the GPF collapse before what is safe, professional, even ethical. For there have been consistent individual and GPF contributions to the scorn attracted, perhaps detestations of, those members of the Force, who fly past the ordinary man uncaringly, arrogantly, and dangerously. Of necessity, the same questions from before must be repeated: where are they going in such an ungodly hurry? Why the high-speed haste to not be late, when there is the infinitely higher risk of ending up as the late constable this, or the departed corporal that, or the mourned Inspector so and so? The requisite training has never been lacking, merely the intentions to obey and practice as a matter of routine. And to be very candid, only the administrative will higher up, to enforce discipline on one’s own with the severest of stripes inflicted for these ongoing traffic shortcomings. Because of the latter, it is unsurprising that care and discipline fell by the wayside and, increasingly, perilous recklessness took chronic hold. Nobody in charge was doing anything of substance, while some of those in charge, were part of the problem, through their own abuses and misuses of lanes and sirens and speed limits. As should be expected, safety suffered, with fear and disgust surfacing and refusing to leave the public’s consciousness. People had to die before the madness registered, before the red lights of official realisation, and the related required reaction took belated root. The circumstances pointed to new vehicles damaged, expensive taxpayers’ property wasted, only to be followed by casual consignment to the growing pile of vehicles in (Continued on page 7)
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Our oil discovery may offer the last chance for the major political parties to stand up for our people Dear Editor, The humble fruit vendor selling at Bourda Market understands the difference between price and value. She grasps the value of her golden apples and sweet mangoes. She prices them at or above their fair value. She knows the prices of inferior produce and how far potential customers would have to travel to purchase her quality offerings. Hence, she prices her produce to reflect the premium they are worth. But in Guyana’s case, the price negotiated for our lucrative oil resources would cause the humble vendor to shake her head in disgust.
In terms of extraction cost, we are among the world’s cheapest. Our oil is cheaper to extract than shale oil—even if one excludes the cost of earthquakes caused by fracking. As Hess notes, in its investor material, the Liza field has the lowest break-even cost for global offshore and share resources. We don’t have a high sulfur content like the Alberta’s tar sands, which in 2020, will trigger new shipping regulations that will impose taxes on high sulfur content fuel. Our oil is not landlocked and subject to 40% discount to market prices which is the current situation in Alberta. Ours is the top-quality light sweet crude that can be quickly shipped to the refineries in Texas. More importantly,
Guyana may be become a key producer of high-quality oil that is cheap to extract. Investment analysts have recently started questioning the depletion of the Saudi Arabia oil fields. Saudi Arabia in its bid to raise funds, using its oil fields as collateral, is starting to reveal the state of those fields. Its crown jewel, Ghawar oil field, has investment analysts concerned. That field may have already passed the halfway point of depletion. Its production has dropped from 5 million barrels/day in 2004 to about 3.6 million barrels/day. Simple demand and supply economics would tell us: The more the Ghawar field depletes, the more the price of our oil increases. The Guyanese people
are waking up to the unfair Oil Contracts where we are getting little (a miniscule 14.25 barrels out of every 100 barrels) will be clawed back by questionable precontract costs and Operating Expenses we are incapable of verifying. There are about 500,000 Guyanese living abroad. But our country has enviable attributes for healthy living: 1. In New Delhi, people wear face masks to protect themselves from pollution. Our fresh sea breeze is rejuvenating. 2.We can eat a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In North America, the mangoes and bananas arrive green and then ripen in the stores. Yes, stale foods compared to freshly picked. (Continued on page 7)
Sunday November 10, 2019
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The UGGS President has made light of this student’s nasty racist rant
Sit down and have this matter resolved
DEAR EDITOR, In last Thursday’s issue of the Kaieteur News, you published a letter in which the President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS), Jafar Gibbons made this plaintive refrain: “How can we effectively and aggressively combat the issue of racism?”Mr. Gibbons was responding to the quite nasty racist rant, on social media, by a young UG student, (with a silly grin on his face, as if he were delivering the world’s funniest joke) against African Guyanese. According to Mr. Gibbons, “It was very disturbing and unsettling to see and hear how the Africans are depicted by an Indian student on an Instagram post. I became angry instantly, even worked up. Is this what someone of another ethnicity thinks of mine?”He continues: “Is this what he thinks of me? Most of the administrators of the University of Guyana are of African descent, is this how he views them? Why? His apology saved him not, if anything, it made matters worse!” I was expecting Mr. Gibbons to state that condign action would be taken; that he would issue a report to the UG hierarchy, and some disciplinary action would be recommended, and taken, against this student. But alas! Gibbons then waxed philosophical: “As we continue to force this young man into isolation and ridicule him, making threats to his family, have we thought about using the opportunity to
spread unity through these same social institution mentioned above? We all have erred in the past, can we not forgive him for his actions, using this as a platform to edify the fellow Guyanese, hence eradicating any such thoughts that may remain?We may never get the chance to eradicate racism, but at all opportunities, we must be willing and able to educate our populace, which will then enable us to “judge not a man by his color but by the contents of his character” (Martin Luther King, Jr.).I was aghast: Was that it? Here was a UG student, no less, spouting these vile thoughts on social media, in this elections season of all times, and all we get is this tepid response from the Representative of students?Nothing demanding a REAL APOLOGY, perhaps to the African students and his AFRICAN TUTORS? Nothing
about disciplinary action, such as suspension, or possibly expulsion? Will the African students on campus and African lecturers let this pass without a protest, while uttering the sheepish Guyanese refrain, “Is wha yuh gon do?” Should the African lecturers who are helping to educate this “student”, refuse to teach him? Or are they to “turn the other cheek, smile, and go on as if nothing happened? So, to answer Mr. Gibbon’s question: “How can we effectively and aggressively combat the issue of racism?” My answer: By not brushing them off, as Mr. Gibbons and others seem to have done, but by strongly expressing our intolerance to racists such as this ‘student’, in thought, word and DEED! Awaiting your response, Mr. Gibbons. Yours sincerely Mark A Lewis
DEAR EDITOR: In seeking resolution to any issue, the facts have to be identified and the truth has to prevail. Let me from the outset make known that no government should be using state advertisements (ads) to muzzle any media house. In the issue of what is being touted as a withdrawal of ads by the Department of Public Information (DPI), a Government of Guyana agency, efforts have to be made in identifying the facts towards finding a resolution. In the specific case of Stabroek News (SN) where it is being alleged that the government is denying the papers ads for political purposes such must be examined and laid to rest. The nation was told that
the present impasse emanated from non-payment by DPI for ads published by SN. It is in the public space where it is established that SN had said to the DPI that it will not carry any ad for the agency until the debt is cleared. It should be said in normal business arrangement one of the first steps that would have been taken was engagement between the parties and a payment plan agreed upon which the customer would be expected to honour. At the same time, it is being noted SN’s stated skepticism of the debt being honoured in the no-confidence environment and should there be a change in government. In the meantime, the DPI, wanting to continue its work,
found alternative avenues to advertise as it sought to honour its debt, which the nation was told has since been cleared. No government has the right to get involved in the internal affairs of employers’ organisation, be it newspaper, manufacturing or any nongovernmental business, for the right to non-interference is protected under international conventions. In this specific case, it is a business transaction between two parties that created an impasseand it has to be dealt with using the tools in negotiating normalcy, but taking the facts on board. The facts in the public domain are:i)The contract between (Continued on page 7)
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Sunday November 10, 2019
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For the WPA, investigation of Rodney’s assassination is unfinished business DEAR EDITOR WPA notes that the Stabroek News in its Friday, November 1, 2019 edition carried an article under the caption, “Pat Rodney calls again on gov’t to make Col report on Walter Rodney public.” The paper reported that Mrs. Rodney was speaking at an event, “Guyana Speaks,” in London on Sunday, 27th October 2019. She is reported to have repeated the call for the Government of Guyana to formally release the report of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry and for the authorities to act on the recommendations therein. The newspaper report appears to suggest that the WPA is against the release of the report and is somehow in a conspiracy with the government to suppress it. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is no secret that the issue of Walter Rodney’s assassination and the abrupt termination of the COI by President Granger upon his assumption of office in May 2015 remains one of the sore points in the relationship between the WPA and the leadership of the PNC and the government. The WPA has tried hard not to allow the President’s partisan attitude to the Rodney Col and its findings to undermine the stability of the Coalition. In so doing, some people have misread our attitude and feelings on the issue. WPA has never wavered on its firm belief that our brother was murdered at the direction of the government of the day and by forces
aligned to the State because of its political activity. His assassination was part of a reign of terror by the then regime against progressive and revolutionary forces, in particular the WPA which had openly and courageously challenged it. Two other WPA members, Ohene Koama and Edward Dublin, along with Catholic priest, Fr. Bernard Darke, were also cut down by the regime during that period. The findings of the COI confirm what we know to be the truth. It is an undeniable fact that Rodney has been victimised both in life and death by the actions and inactions of successive Guyanese governments. This is a painful reminder of the coarseness of Guyanese politics and a political culture that is hostile to mature and civilised human relations. When the COI was terminated, WPA leaders berated the President and the government for what we saw as a narrow partisan act that was unbecoming of a leader of a multi-party government. At the urging of Mrs. Rodney, WPA again adds its voice in support of her call on the Guyana Government to formally make public the report of the COI. We also support her call for the implementation of the recommendations. Whatever the feelings of the President and his party about the findings, they should no longer hide the report from the Guyanese people. By continuing to suppress the report, they are unnecessarily prolonging this sad chapter in our country’s history. We reiter-
ate our historical position that all outstanding issues relevant to this matter that negatively affect the Rodney family be addressed by the government and the State. Towards this end, the WPA intends to formally engage the President on this issue. For the WPA, the matter of Rodney’s assassination is unfinished business. WPA takes this opportunity to address the cheap criticisms of our party on the issue of Rodney and the WPA’s membership of the APNU and the APNU+AFC Coalition. WPA frowns on those who have sought to use Rodney’s name for cheap political gains. Rodney has in death become a plaything for a group of political hypocrites. Many who today sing praises to Walter Rodney never joined his cause when he was alive or in the difficult period following his assassination. Some dismissed him as an adventurist while others taunted him as an “ultra- leftist and a “Black Intellectual”. The then leader of the PPP went as far as telling supporters that Rodney promised Guyana Christmas present, but they instead got his body on a platter, These same people today maliciously try to tie WPA’s membership of the APNU and the APNU+AFC government to a fictitious betrayal of Walter Rodney and our party’s core principles. They have made that line part of their narrative aimed at breaking up the Coalition. WPA will not allow its critics to misrepresent what Rodney stood for. We wish to
remind Guyana that in 1979, Rodney was one of the key architects of the WPA’s proposals for a “Government of National Unity and Reconstruction” which was aimed at putting an end to one-party governance. He spent a lot of time on the political platform arguing for mass support for such a government. The WPA at that time did not see a role for the PNC in such a government on the grounds that it was not a democratically elected government. However, in 1985, Brother Eusi Kwayana, on behalf of the WPA, announced that our party would join the PNC in a unity government if that party agrees to free and fair elections. As we know the PNC in 1990 in negotiations with the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy, which included the PPP, WPA, the DLM and other forces, under the mediation of President Jimmy Carter agreed to free and fair elections. WPA’s movement, therefore, towards partnership with other political forces with which we differ ideologically and politically is consistent with the ‘Rodneyite principle’ of national unity and reconciliation. WPA continues to believe that ultimately only a broad-based government of all political forces under a power sharing government could bring the desired healing that our country cries out for. But in the meantime, we are prepared to work with all forces that are committed to incrementally work towards that end. We see the APNU and the APNU+AFC as avenues to a genuine Govern-
ment of National Unity and Reconstruction. WPA has not joined any party; we have joined with other parties in pursuit of one of the core principles of our party—national unity and reconstruction. WPA’s membership of the partnership does not diminish our independence. Far from it, our independent praxis is now needed more than ever. But we will not allow others to dictate for us how that independence should be manifested. Some of our leading members have publicly and consistently taken the Coalition to task on key issues over the last five years and they will continue to speak out against wrongdoing and in support of a wholesome politics. WPA has never discouraged such critiques because they are consistent with our traditional values. We are the only party in the Coalition whose members have spoken out against the wrong turns made by the Coalition Government. That the President has on more than one occasion tangled with our leaders in the public domain is glaring testimony to that fact. WPA’s participation in the Coalition is not grounded in blind loyalty to any other party—our loyalty is to Guyana and the pursuit of a wholesome politics. More recently, the issue of the Cash Transfer proposal has brought to the fore the WPA’s independence of thought and the ideological difference between the WPA and its partners. Our stand with the poor and the powerless is not premised on cheap electoralism, academic abstraction or political gimmickry, but on a deep commitment to a humanist politics. But our ideological difference does not blind us to a larger need for national consensus.
We respect diversity and plurality as key components of Guyana’s political and socioeconomic reality. It was one of our leaders, Professor Clive Thomas who in 2005 opined that the real test of a party’s mettle is not how well it works with those with whom it agrees, but by its ability to find common ground with those with whom it does not share the same values and culture. WPA cherishes its independence and will never sacrifice it in the name of political expediency. WPA has recommitted to the Coalition as a matter of national duty. Our relations with our partners going forward would be governed by a convergence of mutual respect, consensus and our right to take independent positions on overarching matters that have to do with defence of the poor, democratic values and political morality. In other words, WPA will be guided by a praxis, which is grounded in the synthesis of consensus and independence. WPA’s role in the current election campaign will be more visible and in keeping with our understanding of our place in contemporary Guyanese politics. We will articulate within the Coalition and beyond the views and aspirations of the critical mass in the wider population who share our political culture and positions on issues. We will lend our voice and ideas to the collective Coalition platform, but we will also use the opportunity to rally the country to a more uplifting political culture that is bigger that electoral contestation. When we speak, we will be speaking with the voice of the people, especially the poor and the working classes of all races and ethnicities. David Hinds (For the WPA)
My rights as a passenger were abused by this Airline DEAR SIR/MADAM, I am an international artist who returned home to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the Caribbean, Queen’s College. My confirmed flight with COPA Airlines was not only cancelled without my being informed, but I also had my rights as a passenger excessively abused and then denied the opportunity to fly with my confirmed ticket the next day. These events of incompetence and unprofessional handling has led to many thousands of Euros in damage since many of my performances had to be cancelled in Europe. You have no idea how much problems Copa
has created not only to me but to third party theaters and educational institutions abroad. It is really a shame. It could all have been avoided by Copa employees and representatives being competent and responsible. I implore you to give me the chance to be the voice of so many passengers who may have suffered such treatment from this airline. My story may not be “sensational” by the standards of journalism in Guyana but my story is “real” and it addresses real problems and issues in Guyana. I am not appealing to the journalist in you. I’m appealing to the humanitarian and to your empathy. Sincerely yours, Andy Ninvalle
Sunday November 10, 2019
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Jadgeo as Vice President? Not Again Guyana!
Shuman exposes his penchant for respond to Shuman’s vitriol can attest to the immediate attention I gave to any visiting since he singled me out. callousness His reported comments Toshao / village representaDear Editor,
DEAR EDITOR: I read with much consternation the plan on the PPP’s Presidential candidate’s Ali wish list of appointing Bharrat Jadgeo as his Vice-Presidential Candidate. I am a firm believer based on his performance as a former President to have him in control of Guyana again would be nothing short of a disaster for our country. One would have to be born on Mars not to see Jadgeo’s hand in this; he is so obsessed with his questionable ambition of being in control of Guyana regardless of the price or cost to the citizens, that this masquerade is nothing short of his doing. Notwithstanding the Presidential candidate Ali is inexperienced, Jadgeo spells just one
scenario for our beloved country: disaster. Jadgeo tried through the courts to hold on to the position of President and justifiably failed, this is another blatant attempt to realise his goal, that of proxy President. Ali will be nothing but window dressing the proverbial power behind the throne will be his boss Jadgeo. This move is not only an affront to the Constitution but a resounding slap in the face of all Guyana. Will we as patriotic Guyanese allow this person to thumb his nose at our laws again? I would think Guyana has had enough of the corruption under the Jadgeo administration of the past. With the coming of oil, corruption will be the order of the day under the
Laying down the law to... From page 4 the junkyards. Then, and only then, it became unacceptable and maddeningly deafening from the proliferation of acute lapses of judgment and responsibility. The time was way past for action, for laying down the law, for setting expectations, for drawing the line. Also, the time came for warning that the book would be thrown at those, who could be made examples. Thus, matters boiled down to this: pay attention, listen and hear, then go out on the roads and do one thing: be like the people, while trying to understand their road woes, through identifying with their daily grind.So matters finalised at this point: slow down, turn off sirens, remain in lane, or else. Emergencies are understood and understandable, with the clear message from Traffic Chief, Linden Isles, being that they had better be bona fide ones, lacking in tricks or gimmicks. Lives are spared and assets have longer, more useful lives. The public would observe and, in time, even applaud a new standard of professionalism as practiced by the Guyana Police Force, whether on or off duty. Appreciation is earned, and respect could come, given time and consistency. There are other by-products, mostly favourable to the public’s mental picture of the police. Disciplined police drivers blending in with traffic flows are better positioned to monitor those who are breaching safety rules and regulations, endangering others, and masquerading under the cover of illegal tints. In the larger schemes of police operations and police reputational enhancements, siren misuse, speeding violations, and lane ignoring are not insignificant concerns. When addressed timely and authoritatively, however, they represent fresh, constructive building blocks on which to approach the thornier matters that plague. Such as endemic corruption, lifestyle alarms, and asset extravagances. When a determined start is made with some of the more blatant matters at hand, then there can be emerging hope that a new order of things is about to dawn, and that it furnishes the opportunity to grasp the day and all the looming challenges which follow. When the rank and file and higher ups are essentially summoned on short notice to a one-day training seminar, then it is clear that intense pressures had built up and the dam finally overflowed. When the language from Traffic Chief Isles is sharp and unsparing, then there should be awareness that the damning writing is on the wall, and that those guilty of dereliction of responsibility can get their goose cooked. Officers who play at stupidity are putting their careers (and more) on the line, when they test the will and seriousness of management. When officer pretend that ‘deh ears hard’ then they will be forced to learn the hard way. This is a test for listeners and watchers to focus on the resolve and credibility of police brass. And, finally, it is a test that just could bring some positive results out of a bad situation, through rising public goodwill.The patience and trust of the public is at stake, which a special positive in-the-waiting. This publication joins with the populace in waiting and watching, if only to ascertain how successful things will be. Traffic Chief Isles cautioned his audience about arriving early, possible reassignment, and a best driver award. All good things intended to prohibit the bad things from coming to pass. It is timely to start over, and it is never better than now.
PPP. I’ve asked this question before in this paper, What has Jadgeo done for the common man woman a child of our country? Just recently, I wrote about the jailed Cash Jet pilot and the latitude he was allowed under the PPP administration until he was caught by the US Justice System and sentenced to 13 years prison time for drug dealing and money laundering. This move by Jadgeo and Ali is instructive and points to their disregard for our constitution and disrespect for the Guyanese people. Not Again Guyana! NOT Again! Respectfully, Claudeston G. Massiah
In reference to an article published in the Guyana Chronicle on November 8, 2019 and titled “PPP abused, exploited Toshaos” Lenox Shuman, Chairperson for the Liberal and Justice Party (LJP) made remarks disparaging about me and the office I once held. Whilst it is the stated position of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) that it will not engage in attacks on the smaller emerging political parties, for we feel there is space in the PPPC to accommodate these smaller parties, it will be remiss of me not to
towards me and the office I once held, including staff with whom I served, majority Amerindians, are wholly false, totally malicious and patently disingenuous. Shuman is reported as saying “many of the chiefs, many of the Toshaos who visited the Ministry of Amerindian People’s Affairs during the PPP tenure were cursed and chased out, and verbally abused by the then Permanent Secretary, Nigel Dharamlall,” Editor, during my tenure, which ended in May 2015, anyone who worked with me
Our oil discovery may offer the last... From page 4 3.We can eat a wide selection of fish from our oceans and rivers. The Japanese would pay magnitudes more than we do to eat our fresh fish.We also have some of the most enviable resource deposits in the world from gold to oil. To the outside world, it is incomprehensible, given our apparent abundance, why 40% of our people would choose to live outside Guyana.We squander our resource riches – and our country remains undeveloped and poor – while the Guyanese people continue to seek unfriendly shores to survive. Our major political parties have let foreigners raid our gold. But our 6 billion barrels of oil are worth magnitudes more than our raided gold. Thus, this is another chance, and maybe the last one, for the major political parties to stand up for our people. But their current silence on renegotiation of the oil contracts is deafening. Are they
acting in the best interest of our people or the oil companies?We have few new political parties trying to correct the situation. One political candidate stands out in his call for renegotiation. He is Nigel Hinds. Over the last few years, he has written, presented, and walked the streets to protest the oil contracts. We need more Nigel Hinds, that is, we need political leaders that would stand up for our people.We need the oil contracts renegotiated. Turning a blind eye at this pivotal moment in our history is unacceptable. The street vendor’s children and grandchildren should live a significantly better life than hers. We have the oil resources to make it happen if we get a Fair Deal Contract that reflects its value. Ask your local candidate if renegotiation is a top priority for their party and why they are not talking about it in the media? Darshanand Khusial (On behalf of OGGN)
Sit down and have this matter resolved From page 5 the two parties was severed/put on hold by SN when it refused to publish any more ads until the outstanding debt was cleared; ii) The DPI in the intervening period took its business elsewhere; iii) When the debt was cleared, the DPI was advised by SN that it can resume the placement of ads, which is a return to the status quo; iv) The DPI to date, based on its (non)placement of ads in SN, has signalled a disinclination to renew the relationship on term(s) set solely by SN.There existed a contract, written or unwritten, for the newspaper to publish ads and the intervening incidents have created an atmosphere of loss of confidence between the parties.The issue of state ads is not a right but what needs to be considered is the environment within which we live. It is for
this reason the parties need to sit down and have the matter resolved.As an aside, on the issues of fair and accurate reporting, the media as the fourth estate shoulders a responsibility to always strive for the truth. This responsibility in our polarised society is particularly needed if we are to prosper, live in peace and harmony; and is not unfair to state that since the no-confidence vote some sections of the media have made it a trying time for the society in deciphering fact from fiction, lies from truth doing more harm than good to the body politics. Correspondingly, where government or anyone feels there is inaccurate or unfair reporting on any given issue, civic duty necessitates a response to set the record straight. The responsibility goes both ways. Lincoln Lewis.
tive to my office. During my time in office, Shuman was not a chief or Toshao. As a matter of fact, I only first met Shuman in 2016. As such, his utterances are a figment of his imagination. The recent announcement by Shuman though, that he held talks to join his party, LJP, with the PNC-led APNU, is probably the raison d’etre of his unhinged comments. Personal attacks are a well-known political strategy of the APNU/AFC perpetuated by its mouthpiece, the much-maligned Guyana Chronicle. It was only last year this very Guyana Chronicle carried articles detailing Shuman’s mismanagement of his village council and village affairs during his unsuccessful tenure as a one-term Toshao. Now, the Guyana Chronicle has become the trumpet of Shuman, which clearly establishes a formal link between Shuman and the PNC-led APNU. So whilst Shuman wallows in the unsuccessful modus operandi of the APN/ UFC, I will remain on the high ground with the PPPC and continue to serve my country with unwavering distinction. Editor, I will not indulge in a tit-for-tat with someone who is not yet qualified to stand for public office in Guyana. I do wish Shuman well and I remain hopeful that the renunciation of his Canadian citizenship will be successful to allow him to contest the upcoming national elections. Yours faithfully, Nigel Dharamlall M.P. PPPC
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Guyanese gets 52 years in Brazil for setting fire to two families
A Guyanese national will spend the next 52 years in a Brazilian prison for the attempted murder of two Venezuelan families. On Friday, Gordon Fowler also known as “Jamaica”, was condemned by the Jury Court of the State of Roraima, Brazil. On February 5 and on February 8, last year, in Boa vista, Fowler with the use of a lighter and alcohol set two Venezuelan families ablaze while they were asleep. The first family to be attacked was a man and his wife. They were sleeping in the balcony of their house when Fowler approached and doused them with the alcohol and set them alight. The entire ordeal was recorded by
nearby security cameras.The second family was also asleep when Fowler sneaked through an open window, and repeated his actions. This time apart from a couple being injured, a three-year-old child and a one-year-old baby were also set on fire. According to investigations carried out by the relevant authorities, it was learnt that Fowler had taken his revenge on the families because of an alleged theft of his motorcycle.The attempted murder charge was supported by Justice Carlos Paixao de Olivera and Fowler was tried in the Jury Court. The 52-year sentence was handed down by the Judges of the court at the request of the Public Prosecutor.
One of the Crime Scenes and Jailed Gordon fowler (photo credited to G News Bartica Newsletter) and Fowler (photo credits Rabindra Rooplall Chronicle)
PPP/C promises criminalisation on non-disclosure of contracts…
Jagdeo is being hypocritical to make such a statement- Amna Ally Leader of the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, had announced at one of his recent press conferences that if his party wins the upcoming General election, the newly installed Government would make non-disclosure of oil contracts and receipts a criminal offence. However, Executive Member of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR), Amna Ally, laughs in the face of Jagdeos “disingenuous” remarks.During the PNCR weekly Friday press briefing, Ally stated, “The PPP has taken dishonesty and hypocrisy to new heights. “Jagdeo, while as President, never made public the contracts he signed. So, to tell the media that it should be made a crime to keep contracts secret is disingenuous, hypocritical and ridiculous. In and out of the office; the PPP cannot be trusted.” To this day, several contracts signed under the PPP Government with Jagdeo at the helm have not been released. These include, but are not limited to the Marriott contract, the Sanata Complex contract, the Berbice Bridge contract, and the Bai Shan Lin contract. “It is important to weigh Jagdeos promise against his record with contract non-disclosures. It appears the former President has learnt from his experience hiding contracts from the public, when he was head of state.”
PNCR Executive member, Amna Ally Ally, who also serves as the Minister of Social Protection, said, “There was no transparency when the PPP was in office. That was one of the reasons why the people of Guyana voted them out of office in May 2015, just four short years ago.” The PNCR is aware, she continued, that the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), is currently investigating the cause of how oil blocks offshore Guyana were given to companies with no oil and gas experience.
Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Security guard killed in Timehri hit-and-run “These drivers on de road, please y’all value people life”. That was the sentiment expressed by the distraught sister of a Patentia, West Bank Demerara security guard who was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Friday evening. The dead man has been identified as 54-year-old Harrichan Ramsundar, of Patentia Squatting Area, West Bank Demerara. Police reported that the man was struck as he was walking south along the western side of the public road allegedly by a speeding motorcar. The dead man’s son, 22-
year-old Handesh Ramsundar, explained to Kaieteur News that his father left their work site at 5pm for the shop, located a mere stone’s throw away on the Timehri Public Road. According to Handesh Ramsundar, at around 6:30pm, he heard a loud impact and immediately his neighbour screaming his name. “We just hear ‘blam’ and me neighba start holler fuh me and when I run out, I see me father lay down on de road.” The younger Ramsundar said that the last thing his father said to him was “Me going shop fuh buy bread and egg and come back.”
He revealed that persons at the scene claimed that they did not see what hit his father, as the driver had already escaped. Meanwhile, the dead man’s sister, Nalo Bacchus, in tears told Kaieteur News that her brother was a selfless person who worked hard to take care of his family. “He get a daughter; she husband dead and he does come every two-three months and help them. He just been shop fuh buy bread and egg and he dead. I know down deh, the area is dark and the road narrow but gosh man.” According to Nalo, her (Continued on page 73)
Dem boys seh...
Civil society can’t be de only watchdog Guyana is a strange place. It got civil society and it got every odda society. It even got burial society. Dem boys can understand how de burial society quiet but dem can’t understand how dem odda society does only mek noise when dem farrin people seh something. Guyana find oil. Up come some specialist who announce dat because dem two big political parties don’t knock glass together dem can’t control de oil sector. Dem boys want to know why de same specialist never seh dem big political parties can’t control sugar and bauxite. From de time de expert talk, some group calling itself civil society jump up and
seh how it ready to control de oil sector. Dis was de same group dat build de Berbice River Bridge. To dis day, de bridge can’t mek a profit. Dem boys know dat indeed de country need a watchdog fuh de oil sector. Somebody got to watch if Exxon gon tell Guyana it only pumping 1,000 barrels a day when it pumping 120,000 barrels. Of course, Guyana need more than one watchdog. Anybody wid sense would have more than one dog. Dat is because all de thieves got to do is ketch a bitch in heat and throw she over the fence. While de bulldog looking after he business, de thieves gon be looking after dem own
business. In de same way, civil society gon be looking after dem business. Dem boys already see all de societies dat would form civil society just like de politicians. Some only got one person and some of dem don’t talk to one anodda. One man was some anti-corruption watchdog. Reporters use to call pon him fuh everything. He was part of civil society. Now since Exxon slip a small piece in he corner, de man more silent than de burial society. There is need for a close look at Guyana’s wealth but civil society can’t look over. Dem boys got to do it. Talk half and watch dem specialist.
The discarded bread and egg Ramsundar went to buy
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Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
Works on Ituni internal roads to begin before 2020 Residents from the logging community of Ituni in Region Ten will soon experience a transformation to their standard of living, with the expected upgrades of all their internal roads that span 3.4km. Following a meeting at Ituni community ground, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, told the residents, “The contractor has started mobilising…In 4 weeks, you should have better internal
roads.” Under the same contract that was awarded, Minister Patterson noted that the drains in the community will also be rehabilitated. The residents responded in anticipation of the commencement of the contractual works that will be completed before year-end. Glen Naipaul told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he looks forward to a reduction
in maintenance costs to his vehicle with an upgraded road. Glen said the heavy-duty vehicles have contributed to the degradation of the community roads that are in dire need of a facelift. The resident also said the infrastructural works will lead to improved education. “The children are unable to walk to school in mud and these water ponds. So, when the road is done, it will greatly
Nicola Bennett, a resident of Ituni
Glen Naipaul, a resident of Ituni
impact our community…When the road is finished and the drains are finished, there will be no more potholes, no more pressure on the children” Glen Naipaul explained. Nicola Bennett, another
respondent, shared that the current condition of the roads is an inconvenience to her neighbours in Ituni. “Its bad. It has a lot of holes when it rains. It would cause some people yards to flood because of the [poor]
drainage... When the road is done, we wont have flooding because the water would move freely through the new drains…When it is May-June time, our children will be able to get free access on the road,” Bennett continued. In May 2018, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), through the Natural Resources Ministry, awarded the contract for repairs to the Linden/Ituni/Kwakwani road to International Imports and Supplies at a cost of $240M. While the road does not fall under the purview of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the Ministry provides technical support with the tender document and the specification of the works. Maintenance of the road has decreased travel time to both Ituni and Kwakwani many hours.
Stealing bicycle is my job teen tells Magistrate “She get back one of the bikes, just give me a chance,” said Kurt Robertson after he pleaded guilty to stealing two bicycles. Twenty-three-year-old Kurt Robertson appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, when the charge was read to him. The charge stated that on November 5, 2019, at Alberttown, Georgetown, he stole two bicycles valued $33,000, property of Adriana Hendricks. According to information received, on the day in question, the woman secured her bicycles and went to bed. The following day, she discovered her bicycles missing. She then reported the matter and when the CCTV footage in the area was checked, Roberts was seen removing the articles.An investigation was conducted and the defendant was later contacted, arrested and charged for the offence. Roberts was ordered to pay a $40,000 fine for the offence since he pleaded guilty or in
Charged: Kurt Robertson default, he would spend six months in jail.
Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Sunday November 10, 2019
Poll: Overwhelming Support to Reopen Oil Contract In a nationwide public opinion tracking poll conducted in late October by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association, the nation almost unanimously rejects the low royalty rate (of between zero and two percent), sweeties or handouts given to oil companies, and profit sharing agreement of the government with multinational Exxon/Mobil and other oil companies. People distrust Government and politicians on oil development matters and on the industry as a whole and on the handling of proceeds arising out of it. They lack faith and confidence on government and politicians as a whole on the industry and are not hopeful that government will share the oil money with them. The poll finds overwhelmingly support (82%) for renegotiation of all contracts with all oil companies to reflect global industry standard prevailing rates on royalty, deduction of expenses, profit sharing, taxation, local content, and all other aspects of production agreement and sale of oil. Some respondents also express opposition to oil drilling fearing risks of damage to the environment. They say the miniscule financial rewards given to the country are not worth the risks of damage to the natural habitat. With Guyana on the cusp of being the fourth largest producer of oil in the greater Latin American region, the findings of this poll underscore the fact that Guyanese are increasingly paying attention to the oil contract and the industry as a whole. Equally clear, as confirmed by this latest survey, is the people’s support for fair contract and family receipt of financial proceeds from oil. The poll was conducted by Dr. Vishnu Bisram who has been involved in opinion surveys for almost thirty years in Guyana and elsewhere. The latest poll interviewed 740 likely voters at random to represent the demographics of the population (39 Indians, 30% Africans, 20% Mixed, 10%Amerindians, and 1% other ethnic groups). The findings have a margin of error of 4% using the confidence level of 95%. This means that percentage views on a question can vary by 4% in either direction (up or down). The latest poll comes at a time when the country is preparing for general elections on March 2, 2020. A majority express doubts whether the elections will be free and fair and credible. The population seems tuned out on politics over the no confidence vote, voter registration, voters’ list and related matters. The poll queried voters whether they are aware that Guyana will soon be producing oil. No one replied in the negative. This is a sharp spike in positive response to the same question two years ago in a similar NACTA poll when just about half of the population was familiar with Guyana’s oil potential. Four years ago, few paid attention to oil drilling and discovery. And last February, in a similar survey, only 35% showed interest in the oil industry saying they will not be beneficiaries and that the proceeds from oil will end up in the pockets of politicians. Since then, people are increasingly wising up to the financial proceeds from the oil and gas industry. Asked whether they support cash transfer from oil revenues to (especially poor) families, a whopping 65% answered in the affirmative, 26% said no, with 9% not providing an answer. Those opposed to cash transfer; they feel the money should be used for developmental projects, skills training, and job creation rather than handouts. In general, respondents feel that it is the country’s money and that the people should share in it. However, many, among the poorer class in particular, are skeptical on whether they will get any of the oil money. They say there will be a lot of fraud and that “the politicians will full ‘deh’ pockets” and leave them out. Asked if they are economically better off today than under the PPP government prior to May 2015, 60% said no, 23% yes, and 17% about the same. Almost every voter expressed some concern about uncontrollable crime, the state of the economy, increased corruption, handling of the oil industry, rising racism, among other issues. Some also said they are worried about a potential threat to democracy over the handling of constitutionally due elections, withdrawal of state advertisements to the media, and other matters. The poll findings show that a large majority of the nation is not pleased with the job performance of the government and handling of various issues including the oil industry. President (David Granger) is found to have a substantially higher approval rating (45% approve versus 44% who disapprove with 11% neutral or not offering a rating) than his government. The Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo continues to have soaring approval ratings (60% approve versus 30% who disapprove and 10% a neutral rating) suggesting if he were allowed to run for office again, he would easily defeat any opponent. Asked to rate the job performance of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, 7% said excellent, 14% good, 15% satisfactory, 19% poor, 40% miserable or terrible, and 5% no response. The poll also asked several other questions including on confidence in GECOM to hold credible elections, party and Presidential candidate support, and alliance politics, among others. The findings will be released in a subsequent report. Do you support renegotiation of oil contract? In % Yes—82; No—5%; Not Sure—13 Do you support oil $ cash transfer to families? In % Yes—65; No—26; Not Sure—9
Sunday November 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Successful workshops conclude with Deep South Rupununi Villages - Indigenous Land Issues on the front burner
ents resid p . d n ho erla Hint e w o r k s h at t
The Communications component of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project on Friday wrapped up a successful week of workshops in Aishalton, Muraranau, Awaraunau and Shea Villages in deep South Rupununi, Region Nine. Scores of residents attended the workshops from the respective villages where pertinent information was shared on Demarcation and acquiring a Certification of Title, Application for an
Extension and the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). The project, which is executed by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’Affairs in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, saw a team comprising Special Assistant to the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs with responsibility for Community Development, Martin Cheong; Communications Associate, Tana Yussuff; Director of the GRM Orinthia Schmidt; Communications
Officer in the Ministry, Alethea Grant; and driver Conrad George receiving positive feedback during the sessions. Cheong said, “The Communications Strategy, which is why we are here today in the South Rupununi, seeks to give pertinent information to all the communities involved in this whole process from the time they apply for an absolute grant to the time they receive a certificate of title; from the time they apply for an
extension until they have a certificate of title for the extension. It is going good so far”. When the ALT Project commenced in 2013, nearly six dozen villages were earmarked. Cheong said while it remains crucial for Indigenous livelihood, it was a bit ambitious since a number of villages that were included had outstanding issues to be addressed prior to 2013, especially for the communities in the Upper Mazaruni. “Nothing can be done;
they have already decided that they would not talk demarcation or anything relating to their lands until the court case that has been going on for nearly 21 years now gets a ruling. So that in itself took away actually achieving the objectives from this project.” Cheong said, “We have tweaked it over time and we have excluded them from the last phase of this project and we have now included six other communities, particularly from the Rupununi area, that have interest in extension.” Communications Associate Tana Yussuff told scores of residents in Aishalton that, “Amerindian Communities are the major stakeholders of this project.” “It’s necessary that we hold workshops like this in all 68 villages so that you can understand the process and all the issues and concerns you can raise at this meeting too.” Following the conclusion of the workshop, Immacaulata Casimero, who is a vocal and active member of
the village said, “It’s something good for me. We are being educated on what is expected of us as community members… We have one goal and that goal is to ensure we have rights and full legal ownership to our lands. With this, it’s a way to move forward.” Another resident, Gavin Winter, said, “It’s informational in that we are able to hear what is required of communities to apply for title or extension. “There is something new that is being mentioned here to give us hope of getting our extension. I have learnt about the grievance mechanism. This is the first time that we are hearing about this so this is a forum where we can bring our problems or issues.” Keith James, another resident said, “It’s important to me and to everybody who is living in Aishalton. I know it will be a long process but nevertheless we are here. I learnt a lot from it but we need to be educated more on this part here because we will understand more about it”. Continued on page 69
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Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
Men trashed, hogtied after robbing hotdog vendor
The red Toyota 212 that was impounded
The captured men Two men got a sound trashing last Friday night, after they allegedly robbed a hotdog vendor in Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast. According to reports, the incident occurred sometime around 21:00hrs Friday night. The victim, Jonathan Banarsee, usually vends hot dogs along the roadside at Cotton Field, which is a heavily commercialised area. Banarsee said that two young men, who were both masked, stuck him up with a knife and demanded cash. The man told Kaieteur News that the men told him to lie on the floor, while they carted off some $200,000. There seems to be conflicting reports, however, as to how the men were
apprehended. One source said that the men were apprehended after being spotted in a red Toyota Carina 212, sometime after the robbery. When Banarsee spoke with this publication, however, he said that immediately after the men fled the scene, he sounded an alarm, which alerted persons who were just outside a nearby store. He added that he later pointed out his attackers and the trashing commenced. Videos that soon circulated on social media show the two men tied up by residents. One of them appears to be so badly beaten that he was at the point of near unconsciousness. Interestingly, when asked if
he had recovered his money from the alleged bandits, the man said no. Kaieteur News understands that no mask or knife was found on the beaten individuals. Banarsee went on to say that he reported the matter to the police, and left for home. Though the identity of the two young men has not yet been revealed, police did indicate that they are in custody. A senior police source went on to say, however, that there is no shred of evidence, which ties the two men to the crime. The red Toyota car, which bears licence number HB 7925, has been impounded, and investigations are ongoing.
Woman sends grandson to prison for stealing tablet A man was sent to prison on Friday after his grandmother refused to pay the fine imposed on him for stealing the woman’s tablet. Joshua Griffith was charged and arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He pleaded guilty to the offence which read that on November 2, last, at Duncan Street, Georgetown; he stole one Amazon Fire tablet valued at $12,000 from his grandmother, Joan Samuels. After his plea, the magistrate fined the defendant $20,000 or in default he is to spend six weeks in prison. The magistrate then asked the defendant what he did with the tablet and he said that he sold it. He was then asked if he has money to pay his fine and he responded in the negative. Moreover, the grandmother was asked if
Joshua Griffith
she would pay his fine and the woman declined. According to Samuels, she regularly sees her grandson smoking; however, she is not aware if he uses any other drugs. According to information, on the day in question, the defendant removed the tablet from his grandmother’s home
and made good his escape to sell the item. After making several checks for her device, Samuels made a report to the police that she was of the opinion that her grandson stole her tablet. Following an investigation by the police, Griffith was arrested and later charged.
Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
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No major changes as SOCU prepares to take new cases to trial The promised changes at the Special Organized Crime Unit, (SOCU) are still to occur. Yet officials attached to the unit are readying to take new cases to trial. Kaieteur News understands that at least four new cases are scheduled for trial, among them is the civil forfeiture matter involving Gabriella Reginia Artist, who was held and charged for having more than US$10,000 in her possession without a plausible explanation. This newspaper understands that Artist was travelling to Suriname when she was caught and her items confiscated by SOCU. Artist is among those charged in accordance to Sections 37 and 82 of the Anti – Money Laundering and Countering the Financing Terrorism Act Chapter 10:11. According to advertisements, recently published in the daily newspapers, the charges were filed against Artist on April 9, 2019. However, her last known address, according to the newspaper advertisement, is listed as the Sleep In Hotel, Brickdam Georgetown. The information contained in the ad notes, therefore, that failure of the defendant to enter an appearance or prepare an affidavit in response to SOCU‘s charge within the next 28 days after the
publication of the notice, will result in final judgment be granted against her. The matter is set to commence before Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court on November 15, 2019. Meanwhile, the Unit which falls under the purview of the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, has been widely criticized for lacking the capability to adequately prosecute cases taken before the court. Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan had conceded the fact that there is need for improvement by SOCU’s investigative and prosecutorial arm. Ramjattan said that the Government is therefore open to seeking international help to boost the work of the unit. The Minister nevertheless noted that SOCU has undergone some minor changes including installing a new acting Director, Althea Padmore. He said that Padmore has been tasked with assessing “what it is that we need in order to improve the work of the unit.” Ramjattan’s comments followed that of President David Granger. Granger had expressed his displeasure at the dismissal of several cases brought to the court by SOCU. President Granger had told the nation via a radio programme, that despite the
establishment of the States Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the administration has been experiencing some difficulties in investigations and in finding evidence. The problems, Granger said, are due to a number of circumstances, which hamper the prosecutorial process including the lack of proper investigative capabilities. It was noted that in one instance, a $362M case was thrown out because the special prosecutors failed to show up in Court. Ramjattan is not the only person to respond to the President’s comments, the Police Commissioner was quoted in another section of media saying that while he understands SOCU falls under his purview, the prosecutors were not hired by the Police Force and he has been doing some work to revamp the unit. “They were not necessarily recruited by the Guyana Police Force; however, I can tell you that I met with a few of the prosecutors and that matter I am currently addressing. “I can publicly say that since my accession as commissioner, I have met with all members of SOCU and the operations of SOCU are under scrutiny at the moment and actions are being taken as we speak,” he said.
CARICOM looks to eliminate roaming charges throughout region Ministers with responsibility for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have agreed to collectively approach the Region’s telecommunications providers to eliminate roaming charges throughout the Community. This is one of the priorities which they identified as an early benefit with respect to achieving a CARICOM Single ICT Space. At a Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (ICT) on Friday, by videoconference, the Ministers agreed that this would provide social and economic benefits to the people and to the Region. A number of regional and international organizations and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors also took part in the discussions. Chairman of the meeting, Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and Lead Head of Government for Science and Technology including ICT, said this was an issue which would give a
real boost to regional integration. It and had the potential to drive growth and development in the Community. CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Ambassador Irwin LaRocque concurred with the sentiments of the Prime Minister and stated that this should be viewed as a lowhanging fruit in achieving the Single ICT Space which should be realised as soon as practically possible. Priority projects that will propel the digital transformation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will engage the attention of Ministers responsible for technology
when they meet early in November. The Single ICT Space will allow for harmonisation of the ICT and other legislative frameworks in CARICOM, the removal of roaming charges, the encouragement of digital entrepreneurship, equipping all CARICOM nationals as digital citizens and looking at ICT financial solutions among other regional benefits. The Ministers emphasised the importance of cyber security in underpinning the Single ICT Space. The Ministers agreed on a Ministerial Understanding on the Single ICT Space in which they identified priorities as: developing the ICT sector as a catalyst to foster closer regional economic integration; enhancing the competitiveness of the Region through a vibrant ICT industry; and using the Single ICT Space as a driver of the CARICOM digital economy and the transformation of key sectors. (Continued on page 72)
SOCU’s headquarters at Eve Leary
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 10, 2019
Better Hope roads to be fixed - Harmon
Director-General Joseph Harmon Residents of Better Hope South, East Coast of Demerara (ECD) were assured that their roads will be repaired. This was among the many concerns addressed by Director-General (DG) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, during a community meeting on Friday. The Director-General was part of a larger Governmental
delegation that fanned out across the several regions on Friday to engage residents at the grassroots level. “I know that we have had road rehabilitation programmes and I understand all the roads in Vryheid’s Lust were done and some of the roads in Better Hope… I can say to you that we are going to fix all of these roads,” he assured.
Residents and others during the meeting with Director-General Joseph Harmon on Friday Harmon urged the residents to be patient as development is coming their way. “It’s not as if things have become static; development is coming.” The government official also assured that the canals surrounding the community will be cleared and cleaned before the end o f t h e y e a r. H a r m o n
committed to making contact with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority to ensure that this is done. While addressing the scores of persons gathered, Harmon reminded that since assuming office, the Coalition Government has made significant strides
towards the overall development of Guyana. He reiterated that the Coalition is “here to serve” and to deliver a better good life to every Guyanese. According to him, the “good life” takes on a different meaning for citizens in various parts of the country – for some it may mean receiving potable water
for the first time while for some, it was electricity, better roads, access to healthcare services – all of which the administration has worked assiduously to deliver to everyone. In every instance, Harmon emphasised, the government ensured that the needs were met and services provided.
Sunday November 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---
Emptiness and Nothingness: The Coalition is potentially the best vehicle to a minimum transformation The detractors of the APNU+AFC Coalition are hard at work on all fronts. There is a determined effort to prevent the Coalition from returning to office. At first glance, one could argue that there are justifiable grounds for removing them—they have made some terrible mistakes. Some of us have been pointing to these mistakes for a long time, but many in the leadership thought we were hostile to the government and sought to put us in our places. In the end the government was derailed by one of its own. So, here we are on the eve of the mother of all elections fighting to keep things in perspective. At a personal level, I have made what I consider to be one of the most important decisions of my political life. I have decided to support and campaign for a return of the Coalition to office. I do so cognizant of the past, the current and the future shortcomings of the leadership. There is a lot about my political culture and ideological outlook that is at odds with that leadership. But I do believe that sometimes one has to make critical decisions that go beyond fidelity to one’s ideals and take into consideration the very urgent demands of the moment. I believe strongly that government in these postcolonial outposts should be an agent of fundamental transformation of the society away from all the political, social and economic obscenities of the past. In that regard, I see government as the single most important institution at this juncture in our history. It is the government and the government alone that decides who gets what, when and how. So, it matters at any given point who governs. All of our big and decisive movements since Emancipation have in the final analysis been about who governs. Whatever we think about what has transpired thus far as it relates to the coming Oil and Gas dispensation, one thing is certain—Guyana would not be the same again.
Among other things, the country will get an opportunity to put in place the building blocks that are necessary to facilitate the transformation that is needed to correct the ills brought on by centuries of bondage and exploitation. The big question is whether we can throw up the leadership that is needed to inspire and oversee that transformation. My argument is simply this: Oil and Gas wealth by itself would not bring about transformation. Transformation has to be imagined, then implemented and managed. One of the major regrets of Guyana’s post-colonial experience is that it has not been able to throw up government leaders with the capacity and intentional desire to fundamentally transform the society in ways that lift it out of the state of dependency, want and institutional vice that are the legacy of its history. Our leaders, with a few exceptions, have generally not been students of history and human development. Their practice of politics has been driven by love and lust for power as an end in itself. Insofar as they conceive of and make policy, these are grounded in simplistic notions of the needs of the society. What passes for policy is no more than moves aimed at political expediency. This is why noble-sounding policies have not led to lasting transformation of the society. Our governments have spent billions of dollars on education, healthcare, infrastructure and other social programs since independence, but after six decades, the society is as underdeveloped as it was in the 1950s. Yes, external factors have played a role in this outcome, but lack of visionary leadership is to be equally blamed. It is so amusing to hear people talk about using the coming oil wealth to spend on these things as if we have not already spent a lot of money on them with minimum results. Those devoid of history on the mind can only be mindless.
So here we are on the eve of First Oil. As I look around and listen to the various leaders, old and new and from small and big parties, I am yet to hear any inspiring vision for uprooting the roots of the old order and replacing them with one that frees Guyana and Guyanese from the shackles of underdevelopment. Not from the PPP or the Coalition or the host of other parties offering themselves up to lead. One hears slogans and doctrinaire economics, but not vision. The debate over the one imaginative proposal on the table—Cash Transfers—tells a sad tale of how much our collective political imagination has not matured. As I have said before, if all we can offer in a debate of big issues are abstract theorization and anti-poor narratives, then we are not ready for prime time. It is that state of play that has prompted the usually measured Professor Clive Thomas to describe the chatters in and out of government as “Ignars” and “Ignoramuses.” So, what are we putting before Guyanese on March 2, 2020, as far as plans for fundamental change is concerned? Unfortunately, nothing inspiring. The PPP demonizes the PNC and AFC every day. The PNC and AFC are locked in negotiations over who brings what to the table and deserves what. The new parties repeat an empty slogan—We will not coalesce with the big parties. The sad thing is they are all oblivious of their detachment from history and from the motion of the society as they seek to impose their emptiness on reality. What should the people do in the face of this nothingness at the top? I have had a lot to say, so I presume people listen to me and some may even look to be for validation of their ideas on how to proceed. This moment is too pregnant with possibilities to do nothing. So, for me, not voting is not an option. Think down the road twenty years from now when your child or grandchild, faced with a heart-
The Baccoo Speaks Some farmers would make a shocking discovery. They are going to find a body floating in a canal. The authorities would be hard pressed to make a determination because of the state of decomposition. It would turn out that the man did not die of natural causes. ** Another road accident would be recorded in the
western part of the country. Alcohol would play a role in this accident. It would be night and the inebriated driver would be
unable to detect the obstacle ahead of him. ** A fire would demolish a homestead. The cause of the fire would be attributed to an unattended lighted object. The blaze would be helped by a flammable material in the vicinity of the fire. Attempts to contain it would be futile, but nearby buildings would be saved.
less and callous oil-rich regime, asks what you did in 2020. You surely don’t want to say you did nothing. A novote on March 2, 2020 is a passive vote for emptiness and nothingness. I have had to contend with two ruthless regimes in my time. The architects of the old PNC regime have moved on— they do not wield power. But, the Gangsters of the immediate past PPP regime are very much alive—they steer the PPP ship. I fear what they would do to Guyana, were they to return to power. Some of them are good people, but most of them are ruthless political operatives who would not hesitate to return to the ways of the criminalized State. Lack of vision along with political viciousness is a bad brew. I cannot vote for that PPP and will not encourage Guyanese to vote for them. If the PPP wins in March, the government would be a runaway train with no checks and balances. The Oil and gas wealth will be fuel for that train. There is a host of new parties. Many of them represent the egos of the individual leaders. None of them offer an alternative vision. They will
all not join with the big parties but have no idea how to stop these parties. What a mess of a stance! A vote for them is an experiment with extreme and bizarre emptiness and nothingness. We come now to the Coalition. This current government is the most frustrating one in the country’s post-colonial history. My critique of it is well known, so I will not repeat it here. Under normal circumstances, I would have difficulty voting for this Coalition. As I stated above, I differ with its leaders ideologically and tactically. They represent more than small doses of the old politics. But in our fragile state of play, I have to gamble with them, because there must be something in place to work with, to squeeze some small dose of transformation from. Despite the dominance of the PNC, there is still more than the form of a Coalition. One lesson, I hope the Charrandass episode teaches the PNC is that it is vulnerable—it has to depend on others to get into government and for legitimacy in government. I doubt PNC leaders would say it publicly, but it is
Dr David Hinds this truism that demands the PNC negotiates with a very weakened AFC as if the latter was strong. It is this vulnerability of the PNC that in my estimation makes the Coalition the best choice at this time. We can potentially get a little transformational something from a coalition of parties than from a dreaded oneparty government. The Coalition is potentially the best vehicle to a minimum transformation. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his w e b s i t e www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 10, 2019
Murder near a melon farm By Michael Jordan There are at least three people who know for sure what happened ten years ago at Number 63 Beach, Corentyne. One of them is a girl named Susan Hernandez. The second is a mysterious killer. The third is a former New Amsterdam Multilateral School student named Vivian Singh Balrup. He’s the victim in this story. His father, Kirpaul Singh Balrup, doesn’t believe he’s being told the entire truth about how Vivian was killed, and on the tenth anniversary of his son’s death, he is still trying to find out who mur-
Murdered: Vivian Singh Balrup dered his boy, and why.
What Mr. Balrup has been told is that on Sunday November 8, 2009, a taxi stopped at the family’s Reliance, East Canje home. Vivian then asked his mother to allow him to accompany his cousin, Mark Persaud, to Number 63 beach. She was reluctant to let him go, but eventually relented. Mark Persaud, the cousin, confirmed that two girls joined them. One of the girls was 15-year-old Susan Hernandez. The taxi driver then took the friends to Number 63 beach. Persaud also confirmed that they then passed near to a fenced watermelon farm, and that Vivian
went into the farm and picked two watermelons. One version of this story is that Vivian was reluctant to enter the property, but the taxi driver persuaded him to, and even lifted the barbed wire to let him slip through. After eating some of the fruit, Persaud said that he and Vivian went to the waterside to wash their hands. According to Persaud, Vivian and Susan Hernandez then walked off together, while he, his girlfriend and the driver remained by the car. Mark said that he then asked the man to borrow his car. The driver consented and Persaud, accompanied by his girlfriend, drove along Number 63 Beach. But the ride ended abruptly when the vehicle got stuck. Some five minutes later the driver called Persaud on his cell phone to enquire about his whereabouts, and Persaud explained his predicament. The cousin claims that after about 30 minutes, the driver and two men in a goldcoloured AT 192 drove up. They were accompanied by Susan Hernandez, who was bleeding. There was no sign of Vivian Balrup. According to Persaud, Susan Hernandez alleged that she and Vivian Balrup were sitting under a coconut tree when someone came up and struck him. She reportedly said that the same person then struck her, causing her to fall. Persaud alleged that Susan Hernandez said she managed to get up and run away, while the man continued to strike Vivian Balrup. Police reports on the incident state that Susan Hernandez said that the attacker struck her and Balrup
with a length of bamboo. According to Mark Persaud, he had said they should all go to check on Balrup, but the taxi driver insisted that they would have to wait until his car was unstuck. He said that the driver and his two friends in the gold-coloured car went to a nearby residence and borrowed a tractor, which they used to pull out the stuck vehicle. They then went to the area where Vivian Balrup and Susan Hernandez had been attacked. Persaud said that Balrup was lying on the ground in a semi-conscious state. Reportedly, on the taxi driver’s suggestion, they took the unconscious youth to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Kirpaul Singh Balrup, the victim’s father, said he first learnt about his son’s injury when Mark Persaud’s sister contacted him by phone to say that Vivian had been struck on the head and was being taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital. When he arrived at the hospital his son was bleeding profusely from injuries to the head, but no doctor was present. He said that his son was being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital when he passed away. Mr. Balrup is puzzled that the driver had taken his son to the New Amsterdam Hospital rather than the Skeldon Hospital, which was much closer. He said that after his son’s demise, the police ques-
tioned the two girls and his nephew, Mark Persaud, at the New Amsterdam Police Station. According to him, Susan Hernandez, who had witnessed the attack, telephoned him and said: ‘Uncle, I will tell you everything.’ But Mr. Balrup said that he was so distraught at the time that he told her to talk to the police instead. It’s a decision he said he will forever regret. The information that investigators had collected led them to believe that Vivian Balrup and Susan Hernandez were attacked by someone on the watermelon farm that Vivian had entered. Four watermelon farmers from the Number 63 beach area were detained but then released, after Hernandez failed to identify any of them as the attacker. Mr. Balrup is convinced that some persons are not telling the entire truth about the circumstances that led to his son’s death. He is puzzled as to how a bamboo stick could have caused the injuries that his son sustained. He also noted that there were no injuries on his son’s arms to indicate that he had tried to ward off the blows. Mr. Balrup does not believe that the watermelon farmers did not kill his son. He also doesn’t believe that robbery was a motive, since his son still had his cell phone, gold chain, watch and $8,000 in his possession when he was found. And the still distraught man has a few theories of his own. One of these is that someone who might have been jealous about his son’s popularity with females inflicted the fatal blows. He believes that there are persons other than the killer and Susan Hernandez who witnessed the attack. “The beach is always packed with people, and from what I understand, on that day in question, a lot of people were on the beach. I think that people see, but they afraid to come forward and talk to the police. I am pleading with anyone who knows what happened to come to me. It would be confidential.” If you have any information about any unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 22-58465, 2258473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s kamarangnight@gmail.com
Sunday November 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
An appeal to Guyana youths - emulate Alexandria
O
ne of the most popular women around the world is American congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The press refers to her in their headlines as AOC. AOC is radical and feminist. But she did something that shut the mouths of feminists all over the world. Not one feminist uttered even one word of criticism against AOC when she declared she was backing Bernie Sanders to be president of the US. AOC is Latin. One of the popular contenders in the presidential race is Kamala Harris who is half East Indian and half Jamaican. But AOC chose Bernie. In a column months ago, I wrote that if Obama was running against Bernie or Elizabeth Warren, I would have voted for Bernie or Warren. In another column, I chose Bernie and Warren over Harris. I am East Indian and my country belongs to the integration movement of which Jamaica is close to Guyana. Harris should be my logical
choice, but she is not. I am an ardent supporter of Warren and Bernie because I believe they embrace a type of economic policy-making that is fairer in the distribution of wealth. They share a type of approach to class restructuring that I did not see Obama ideologically embrace. If Warren or Sanders win the American presidency, I think their legacy will eclipse that of Obama. Forty years after, you look at the achievements of President Warren or President Sanders and compare their legacy with Obama’s, it will be more admirable. Of course I am assuming that power will not derail what Bernie and Warren say they stand for. In any assessment of Obama’s legacy, I remind readers that he chose not to pardon Edward Snowden and he bailed out the largest corporations in the US using billions of taxpayers’ money after those very corporations created the financial crash of 2008. AOC did not use the gen-
der criterion for her candidate to become the US president; she went for philosophy over race and gender. She chose the person she thinks will lead America in political and economic directions that she, AOC would like to see. This is how people should select leaders. There has been a stunning silence from women groups around the world about AOC’s preference. Not one voice has asked her why not one of the leading female candidates. The reason is simple. They know the lady would defend herself and her preference brilliantly and they would be embarrassed. In life we have to and must judge humans on the basis of their essential qualities. We must appreciate the beauty of the creations of others based on their inherent qualities. I like two paintings by the French impressionist, Monet, because I think they are beautiful. I have prints of them hanging in my living room. Why should I frown on Monet because I am a dark-
skinned Third World man? I also love the creations of countless Third World humans, like the compositions of Bob Marley. The attitude of the popular American congresswoman comes at an important time in Guyana – we are months away from an election. This is my take on the event. Two ethnically-based entities are vying for power – the PPP and the PNC (forget about the AFC; it is an appendage of the PNC). A vote for each one of them is the preference of one race over another. We have been voting that way since 1957. We may deny it. We may say it is because I like the PPP or the PNC. But the Freudian monster resides in the deep recesses of our mind – race is the motive. We can break that cycle if
we emulate AOC. As a feminist woman, she chose philosophy over feminism when she selected Bernie. It is so simple to understand if we try to see how AOC reasoned it. She must have said to herself; “Shall I go for my own gender and put that before my country or shall I put my country first and embrace the better person? ”The same question is facing hundreds of thousands of young people as the March elections move closer. On Wednesday morning, I was walking my dog in the National Park when four female teenagers came up and began to pet her. Two were Africans, the other two Indians. They appeared to be closely knit friends. You are not going to believe this. I listen to music on a discman, and at the time the teens came
Frederick Kissoon up, Kenny G was playing sax to the vocals of Satchmo’ s worldwide hit, “What a Wonderful World.” I looked back as they walked away, hoping they would not vote race and hoping for a non-racial, wonderful Guyana. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 10, 2019
Future looks good for residents of Monkey Mountain Monkey Mountain’s traditional name is “Wandike”. It is nestled beautifully in the North Pakaraima Mountain Range and lies 1700 feet above sea level. The population hovers around 1000 and the main economic activities are traditional farming, hunting and fishing. Now a new vista of business ventures is open to them. Actually, for many years
the residents had been manually ‘mining’ and polishing many kinds of semi-precious gemstones found in and around their villages. A few years ago they made the decision to build a modern Lapidary and equip it with high-tech cutters, polishers and finishing machinery, and then to broaden their local and overseas markets for polished semi-precious gem-
stones. The residents themselves, from the villages of Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurukubaru, Maikwak and Tuseneng began construction of this modern Lapidary in 2018 and they have received monetary assistance from the Government through the intervention of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. A year later, the fac-
tory was finished and is equipped to cut and polish their stockpile of gemstones that include jasper, amethyst, agate, black pearl and green quartz. As the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has been saying for years, Guyana’s semi-precious stone resources have excellent potential for supporting manufacturers of jewellery, cabochons and household and other utilitarian artifacts. The $16M received from Government covered construction of a 30 x 20 ft concrete building; purchase of modern technical lapidary equipment; furnishing and the training of ten (10) youths at the National Service for Industrial Training (SENAI) in Brazil. They have learnt how to identify the stones, cut them to specification, intricate shaping and polishing to international standards. The opening of this Lapidary represents the convergence of some of the Government’s (President David Granger’s) plans for the next decade which combine
poverty reduction, employment and youth service, hinterland development, cultural enrichment and sustainable Tourism. The future certainly looks good for these determined people of the Pakaraimas. This Lapidary is the first of its kind in Guyana’s Hinterland, and it is going to provide the residents in the villages with a lot more job opportunities, ideas for self employment and scope for further training. To add icing to the cake, Internet connection was recently installed in Monkey Mountain as part of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications/UNDP’s ICT Access and e-Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities. At the end of October 2019, National Data Management Authority’s technicians set up a Satellite (VSAT) dish, and installed the Wi-Fi modems that now allow all residents to connect to the Internet on cellphones, tablets, computers and other devices. This opens up a world of information and opportunity to our people living around the Pakaraima Mountains. Guyana has only a few certified Gemologists, and it is expected that the training the 10 youths received in Brazil, and from Mr. Johnny Roth, who resides in the community, will lead to certified training in Gemology, a lucrative skill to have. Along with the opportunity to research gemstones and their properties, their uses and settings, the Internet presents opportunities for the residents to become computer literate and ICT proficient in a shorter timeframe. They could now find the organizations that offer scholarships to help fund local and overseas training. Our children in those Hinterland communities now have access to the same learning material as children in towns and the city, the same books, and the same opportunities to learn technological skills by first learning to write Co m p u t e r C o d e s a n d Programmes. On the Internet they will find buyers of semiprecious stones from anywhere in the world – Switzerland, Germany or New Zealand – who manufacture jewellery and artifacts. They will learn about international standards certification, and best of all, they will be able to advertise their products and locations on Social Media,
work out delivery schedules and take orders. Guyana’s Hinterland houses a crucial segment of our population, and is a natural environment for much of Guyana’s natural resources. We realize that the full list of natural resources resident on these shores is not yet known. Every Guyanese knows that Guyana is a land of many waters with hundreds of creeks and rivers, and many resources including gold, diamonds, bauxite, manganese (the main input in the production of steel), forests, petroleum, very fertile soil for planting food, and beautiful people. Some of the resources we know of are not yet being exploited, and some only minimally like Kaolin and Manganese. It is also not well known that there are ‘Rare Earths’ to be found in our soils which contain the minerals used in the industries that manufacture computers and the delicate components inside. The Pakaraima Lapidary Facility is among several Economic Projects being implemented by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs which are aimed at empowering our First Peoples. Among these projects are the Fish and Crab Processing Facility in Smith Creek; the Santa Rosa Ground Coffee Project; the Santa Cruz Fruit Farm and the Cassava Flour Processing Facility in Region 1; and the Paruima Fruit Farm in Region 7. In October, the residents of Monkey Mountain also received donations of a fourwheel All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), a tractor and trailer for the village farms, a quantity of medical supplies that include two wheelchairs and several walkers, compliments of the Ministry of Public Health, plus a cache of sports equipment. Minister of Indigenous P e o p l e ’s A ff a i r s , M r. Sydney Allicock said that it is all coming together for our First Peoples due to the existing partnerships between Government and citizens; between skilled professionals and communities; and through the determination of our Indigenous population and the Ministries that represent their interests and are bringing them into the fold o f t h e G u y a n a S o c i ety where they belong! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Sunday November 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
My column
Giving away too much to foreign investors Developing countries always try to attract investors by offering incentives. Sometimes these incentives defy logic. There are tax concessions, duty free imports, and tax holidays. BaiShanLin got concessions to the extent that Guyanese began to count how much money the country surrendered at a time when money was not at a premium. In the end BaiShanLin got the boot from the Guyana Forestry Commission. But it made money from the shipments of timber, some harvested under questionable circumstances. The company was buying timber from small loggers. Kaieteur News secured a shopping list submitted by BaiShanLin. The volume of paints required could have painted all of Georgetown, and that was just one item. For all the concessions, Guyana got little or no revenue. There were other companies that enjoyed huge concessions. They brought in huge vehicles duty free and some tried to sell some of these vehicles on the local market. One foreign entity that has come under focus is the Russian company operating in the bauxite industry. It came when Guyana’s bauxite industry had collapsed. The Russian company, Rusal, tool control of the Berbice operations. It turned out that despite being a shareholder in the operations, Guyana never got a cent. It got the PAYE that the employees paid, but no dividends. The workers complained about conditions and the company ceased operations. Just last week it began to ship equipment from the mining area at Aroaima. This did not go unnoticed. The Guyana Revenue Authority
decided to take a look. If the equipment were being disposed of then Guyana was going to collect every penny of the duty free concession that allowed these huge trucks and graders to enter Guyana. The man in the street calculated that Guyana surrendered millions of dollars and except for a few jobs that Guyanese secured, the country got nothing. This raises the question of the proposals that are submitted by the foreign company and the decision to grant the concessions. One is often left to wonder whether companies do not target Guyana for exploitation. When a company opts to invest in a developed country there may be some concessions, but nothing as huge as what Guyana offers. Tax holidays are almost out of the question. The United States does not joke with its taxes. Of course, most of what happens outside of the oil sector scarcely attracts national attention. The contract signed with ExxonMobil was made public, something that has not been done with any contract signed with the previous administration. In fact, this contract had a confidentiality clause. It meant that the government had to persuade ExxonMobil to agree to the release of the contract. When the release came people began to find all kinds of shortcomings. They questioned the extent of the royalty; they questioned the advance payments made by the oil company; they questioned the local content provisions. And all the while there were other foreign companies that were doing more than fleece Guyana. One argument is that the foreign companies create job opportunities for locals, but
the cost seems astronomical. There is the belief that with oil, Guyana will be sailing on top of the world as far as employment is concerned. The truth is that the oil sector does not offer many jobs. There will be jobs on the production ships. Most of the jobs would be found in the support sector. Those Guyanese seeking to invest in the sector will be offered concessions, but nothing like the concessions being offered to the foreign companies. The Guyana Revenue Authority says that concessions would be offered on a case by case arrangement. The people in the gold sector enjoy certain concessions. Because that sector is heavily dependent on fuel, there are duty free concessions for fuel imports. There are also foreign exchange concessions. These companies employ many Guyanese. In fact, at one time just about everyone headed for the gold bush—men, women and in many cases, children. The influx of foreigners helped the situation somewhat. The laws precludes any foreigner from owning claims for medium scale mining. The foreigners were up to the challenge because they allowed Guyanese to front for them. And we seem to be good at that. So we owned the claims, but the foreigners pumped the money into the operations. Guyana, however, gained because of the taxes paid and the royalties collected from the sale of the gold. This is more than could be said for Rusal which enjoys all the concessions and pays nothing. It could be that the company is headed by people from a developed country and who have come with the mindset that Guyanese are lesser people. There have been re-
ports of the Russians assaulting the local workers. That happens when people feel superior to others. The trade union operating in the system supported the workers but at the same time, it sought to pacify the foreign company. But one big problem was monitoring the operations. There are reports that the
bauxite company under-reported output. Sometimes I wonder at our ability to monitor and to enforce regulations. This is what has people looking at the operations in the oil sector with gimlet eyes. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Adam Harris
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 10, 2019
Guyana needs a leader of unblemished credibility
G
ood character, honesty, and trustworthiness are the three pillars upon which a person’s credibility is based. A leader’s qualifications, though important, are of far less importance than the questions about integrity and credibility. This is so because, at time in our transition to a petroleum-producing nation, Guyana needs a leader of unblemished credibility. Notably, there have been many heads-of-states around the world who have had little formal education. For example, former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, had no formal education; coming from a poor family, he borrowed books from friends and taught himself what he needed to learn. Zuma was later found to be less than credible and was forced to resign. Regarding Zuma, one
could say that qualifications are not a prerequisite to finding yourself in a position of leadership, but what is critical to maintaining a position of leadership is credibility. Zuma was found wanting on that front and consequently forced to resign, but the fact remains that without formal education, someone can become a national leader. The legendary Winston Churchill was Prime Minister of Great Britain, successfully leading that country through World War Two, even though he never went to a college or university. George Washington, the first President of the United States of America, did not complete his school-education owing to his father’s death. Clearly, those examples show that good leadership is not only about education, instead it is all about character
and credibility. The point is, education is an important prerequisite for leadership in the 21st century, particularly as Guyana will soon become an oil-producing state. Guyanese will demand a knowledgeable, experienced, and wise president. But, importantly, the country needs a proven leader who is honest, trustworthy, and of unquestioned character. If a person is shown to be dishonest, untrustworthy, and of questionable character, can we trust such a person to tell us the truth? How can we trust that person when laughably outlandish promises are made? How can Guyanese trust that person to manage our oil-money? How can we trust that individual with our children’s future? The 2020 general and regional elections will be about honesty, trustworthiness and
credibility, and our leader has easily met those requirements. President David Granger has proven to be entirely credible. His honesty has never been questioned, his trustworthiness is beyond doubt, and even his most ardent and zealous political opponents have respect for his unblemished character. Additionally, Brigadier David Granger is a proven leader, having served as the Commander of the Guyana Defence Force. As founder of a successful publishing enterprise, the president is an experienced businessman. David Granger is also an accomplished author. Moreover, his education credentials have never been questioned. Simply put, David Granger is credible and he is someone we can trust to deliver the good life to all the
people of Guyana. With elections on the horizon, Guyanese should bear in mind that the choice is a simple one. We may vote for David Granger, the honest trustworthy candidate whose character is beyond question, or, we can vote for a candidate who has zero credibility. The future is in our hands. And we must choose the candidate who will work in our interest, the interest of all Guyanese. In an address to the nation on June 18, 2019, President Granger said “Guyana since my election in 2015, has been moving in the right direction after 23 years of stagnation under successive PPP administrations. Significant progress has been made. But real change is neither quick or easy to come by. There is still a lot more to do. I will devote all my ener-
gies until the forthcoming election to serve or people and our country and deliver good governance. Guyanese can confidently expect to live in a country that is moving forward; with communities that are safer; in a society that is more cohesive; with better infrastructure, greater access to quality education and an economy that is more resilient-providing better jobs. We are on the right path. When the elections come (March 2, 2020), I urge all our people of whatever background, to support me and the APNU+AFC coalition to give us the opportunity to secure the best future for Guyana.” The choice is clear. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Sunday November 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Herniated disks: When back pain becomes dangerous By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine A while back I had written about cauda equina syndrome. Since then, quite a few persons have asked me about their back pain and have some difficulty understanding the term “pinched nerve”. A “pinched nerve” occurs from a herniated disk and today we will shed some light on this worrying condition. WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISK? The disks in your spine, called intervertebral disks, are thin, oblong structures that serve as cushions between the bones of your back (vertebrae). Each disk is made of a soft gel core surrounded by a tough outer shell. This structure allows the disk to be firm enough to maintain the space between the vertebrae, but soft enough to compress when the spine flexes during bending, leaning and turning sideways.In some people, mostly middle-aged adults, a disk’s tough outer shell develops an area of weakness or a small tear. When this happens, part of the disk’s soft inner core can bulge out of its normal position (herniate), producing a condition called a herniated disk. If the herniated disk presses on nerves in the
nearby spinal canal (pinched nerve), this can cause variety of nerve-related symptoms, including pain, numbness and muscle weakness. In the most severe cases, a herniated disk can compress nerves that control the bowel and bladder, causing loss of urinary and bowel control. WHY DO DISKS HERNIATE? Scientists do not fully understand why disks herniate. Most theories attribute this condition to a combination of the following factors: Disk aging – Herniated disks are rare in young people, but common among people aged 35 to 55. Of all the factors responsible for herniated disks, aging is probably the most important. With age, the disk’s outer shell appears to degenerate slowly, possibly because of decades of upright posture and back flexion. Genetic factors – In some families, several close relatives suffer from herniated disks, whereas other families are not affected at all. If the condition runs in a family, it may have an unusually early onset, even striking people younger than 21. Studies are beginning to identify specific genes linked to inherited forms of disk disease. Individual risk factors – You may be at increased risk
of a herniated disk if you work at a job or participate in a sport that involves heavy lifting or excessive twisting or bending. There are three distinct areas of the vertebral column where a herniated disk may occur: The cervical area between the vertebrae in the neck .The thoracic area between the vertebrae in the upper back, near the ribs The lumbar region between the vertebrae in the lower back, above the pelvis Herniated disks are most common in the lumbar region (lower back). WHATARE SOME SYMPTOMS O F HERNIATED DISK (PINCHED NERVE)? The first symptom of a herniated disk is usually back pain in the area of the affected disk. Some researchers believe this pain is a signal that a disk’s tough outer shell has been injured or weakened, not necessarily that the inner core has herniated. If the inner core does herniate and press on a nearby nerve, the resulting symptoms vary depending on the location of the herniated disk: In the cervical region – There can be pain in the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, arm or chest, together with numb-
ness or weakness in the arm or fingers. If the pain is centered in the chest and arm, it can mimic the chest pain of heart disease. Occasionally, frequent urination and headaches can occur. In the thoracic region – Symptoms tend to be vague, misleading and long lasting. There may be pain in the upper back, lower back, chest, abdomen or legs, together with weakness and numbness in one or both legs. Some affected people also complain of poor control of their bladder and bowel. In the lumbar region – Many people suffer from years of intermittent and mild lower back pain before a single triggering event (such as heavy lifting, sudden bending, abrupt twisting) aggravates their symptoms to the point that they seek medical attention. It also may develop without an identifiable triggering event. In most people with a lumbar disk herniation, severe leg pain is the chief complaint. This pain is called sciatica, because it comes from pressure on the sciatic nerve. It
usually begins in the lower back, and then spreads into the buttocks and down the back of one thigh and leg. Sciatica typically becomes worse if the patient coughs, sneezes, bears down or moves the back abruptly. While often relieved by rest, sciatica may become worse with driving or lifting. In addition, there may be numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the buttocks or leg on the side of the pain. In rarer and more severe forms of lumbar disk herniation, the nerve is compressed more extensively. If this happens, additional symptoms can develop, including pain around the anus; loss of bowel and bladder control; and numbness around the genital area, buttocks or backs of the thighs. ARE THERE TREATMENT OPTIONS? In most cases, a herniated disk (with or without sciatica) will respond to conservative treatment. This may include limited bed rest (generally no more than a day or two); warm baths; heating pads; and medications, such as aspirin
Dr Zulfikar Bux or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants. Spinal injections may also help some patients who are unresponsive to oral therapy. If you have lost bowel or bladder control, if you have evidence of progressive nerve damage, or if you have unrelenting pain that persists despite weeks of conservative treatment, more aggressive treatment may be needed, including surgery. In most cases, this means removing the disk (diskectomy), which may require major spinal surgery. If you suspect you have symptoms of a herniated disk, visit your doctor early so that you can prevent it from worsening.
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SUNDAY EXXON’S RECORDS AND EMAILS BEFORE 2015 VANISH – US COURT TOLD – GUYANA US$460M PRE-CONTRACT COSTS IN LIMBO A troubling disappearance of records vital to New York’s investigation of oil giant, ExxonMobil, could lead the New York Supreme Court to assume that those files held content which could have been damaging to Exxon’s case, and its record on climate change. It has also led a Canadabased engineer to question the implications the deletion of those files could have on Guyana’s ability to verify the US$460M pre-contract costs that the oil company has hoisted onto the backs of the Guyanese people. Guyana is still to verify the accuracy of that amount. In the New York case, the company has been sued by that US state for allegedly misrepresenting the cost of climate change on its operations. A court document seen by Kaieteur News said that the state had requested, by way of a subpoena, documents from ExxonMobil, at the outset of its investigation in 2015. The company’s then Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman, Rex Tillerson, was the custodian of those documents, including emails which the state thought it necessary to peruse. When the New York Attorney General’s office brought to the court’s attention an email account used by Tillerson – wayne.tracker@exxonmobil.com
Kaieteur News
– ExxonMobil revealed that it failed to preserve any emails from that account before August 18, 2015, the document states. The deletion from the “Tracker Account” was reportedly caused by the company’s failure to disable its automatic “file sweep” deletion program for the Tracker account, despite the fact that the company was able to successfully turn off that program for every other custodian, after the subpoena was served. The development has caused engineer, Darshanand Khusial, to question whether the documents were really accidentally deleted, arguing that a company as large and as rich as ExxonMobil is very unlikely to use such a faulty program to handle the automatic deletion of its documents, which just so happen to be vital to New York’s investigation. He further argued that even if the contents of that email account were deleted, a company like ExxonMobil would typically keep all records backed up on offline disks which a faulty program could not reach. “Recall that the precontract costs up to December 2015 was US$460 million and those costs have been incurred as far back as 1999,” Khusial wrote in a letter to this publication. In his experience, having worked at IBM (one of the world’s largest and oldest technology firms), deletion programs like the one employed by ExxonMobil are usually employed companywide, not just for emails controlled by the company’s executives. So the engineer poses the question – If this ‘file sweep’ program employed by
ExxonMobil is blindly deleting files before August 2015, then how will ExxonMobil prove its share of the US$460M precontract costs? I’M DISAPPOINTED; I HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH – PRESIDENT GRANGER “I have been very much disappointed that we haven’t been able to bring matters to prosecution… not only corruption matters but also matters of crime and murder.” These were the words of President Granger during an interview with Kaieteur Radio recently as he responded a question relating to the inability of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to find success in prosecuting major corruption crimes. Granger explained that SOCU is also a branch of the police force and his that government had inherited a corrupt police force that needed to be reformed. The president said that the reason why a number these cases have not been solved or brought to justice is because the process of reformation is still ongoing. “The process of reform has not been completed.” “As a result files have disappeared with key evidences and there have been cases where policemen have been biased,” explained Granger. The president said that his government wants to bring justice but with key evidence missing and law men not being honest, convictions cannot be made. Granger stated that it is important for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to be capable enough to get the evidence, brings the cases to
court and have the persons responsible for various atrocities prosecuted. However, due to the state of SOCU and the state of the police force, the going has been tough. The President explained that there are some cases where witnesses have been killed. But little has been achieved to find out who killed the witnesses and because of this, cases go unsolved and cold. A few examples of such cases, explained the president, – the killing of Kaieteur News pressmen and the slaughter of the former Minister of Agriculture, Satyadeow Sawh and his siblings. The president concluded: “We have not been able to go forward and as fast as we should.” A number of significant cases including senior officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board have been thrown out in the courts. GAWU WARNS… NICIL SELLING OUT SKELDON ASSETS The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is warning of an intended sale of certain assets belonging to the Skeldon estate by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Special Purpose Unit (NICILSPU). GAWU has warned of NICIL/SPU selling out assets below market prices. Through newspaper advertisements announcing the sale, the union learnt of the sale of ‘unserviceable’ motor vehicles and motorcycles. The union said it has
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raised concerns about previous sales of movable items from the sugar estates which appear to have been sold at “basement prices”. The sugar union is arguing that the very assets could have been divested at superior prices. The union is also unsure whether the sale prices resembled the valuation carried out on the assets. Even on the scrap iron sales, the union holds the same view that higher prices could have been affixed, positing that one buyer who bought the assets from the Wales factory made a considerable profit. The union is calling on the Government to ensure that the sale of the sugar assets is transparent and above reproach. MARK ON WINDSCREEN CONFIRMS CAR BELONGS TO MISSING COURT WITNESS BURNT BODY BELIEVED TO BE MY SON – MOM The torched car found on Friday last is confirmed to be that of the key murder witness, Collin Rodney. This is according to his mother, Jacqueline Hunter, who broke the news to this publication yesterday. The woman said that she was told by police officials that they found number markings on the windshield of the vehicle which matches with the registration number, PRR 1076, of her son’s car. Hunter also mentioned that she journeyed to Berbice to a funeral parlour where she was shown the burnt body which was found in the trunk of the car.
She said that DNA testing is likely to be conducted to confirm if it is that of her son. Once the testing and a post mortem examination are conducted, the body will be handed over to the family. One week after Collin Rodney went missing, the burnt remains of a body in the trunk of a torched car was found. The gruesome discovery was made at around 13:00 hrs on Friday last at a desolate and swampy area at Letter T, M a h a i c o n y, E a s t C o a s t Demerara. A senior police official told Kaieteur News that an anonymous caller contacted ranks at the Weldaad Police Station between 14:00hrs and 17:00hrs to say that a car was on fire at the Letter Kenny backlands; an area that is surrounded by coconut estates and rice fields. Upon arrival at the scene, the official said that they came across a badly burnt vehicle, which appeared to be a Toyota Allion. A stench was emanating from the vehicle. On opening the trunk, the ranks came across the horrible sight of a corpse, which had been burnt beyond recognition. Crime scene ranks from Georgetown also scoured the scene. They eventually assisted in placing the remains in a bag. The corpse was then taken to a funeral parlor. Thirty-six-year-old Rodney of 70 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge and (Continued on page 33)
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Fropm page 32 his silver grey Toyota Allion vanished on October 25. He was a key witness, in the murder of his cousin, Marlon Seon Rodney, called ‘George’. MONDAY BURNT BODY IN CAR TRUNK…WITNESS PROTECTION FOR OTHERS GIVING EVIDENCE IN MURDER TRIAL …AS CASE RESUMES TODAY With all evidence suggesting that a key witness in the murder of Marlon Seon Rodney is believed to have been brutally slain, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan said that the police will be seeking to place other witness in Government’s Witness Protection Programme. Despite not disclosing the full details, Ramjattan told Kaieteur News that police officials have briefed him on how they plan to ensure the safety of the remaining witnesses. On March 3, 2018, the Witness Protection Act of Guyana came into effect after being assented to by President David Granger. The Act is geared to safeguard persons who have information on or are witnesses to criminal activity. This is to safeguard these individuals from violent retaliation or persecution from the accused person(s) in the matter. One of the key provisions under the Act is for the establishment of a Witness Protection Programme. This programme allows persons to be protected while they are attending court. The Witness Protection Programme can also go as far as allowing the protected individual to obtain new identities. Judges and Magistrates are to be informed in chambers about “relevant
information” relating to the witnesses and they are prohibited from disclosing the information. Added to that, during criminal proceedings, parts that relate to the witnesses’ identity may be held in camera. Some offences under which witnesses could seek protection are murder, manslaughter, treason, sedition, piracy or hijacking, gun-related crimes, trafficking, sexual and domestic violence related offences and offences under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Anti-Terrorism laws. According to Part VI of the Witness Protection Act anyone, including participants or former participants of the programme are prevented from disclosing information in relation to the programme. In default of this provision, a person can pay a $1M fine and spend 10 years in prison. But protection appears to have come too late for key witness Collin Rodney, who vanished while on his way to court. One week after he disappeared, Rodney’s torched car was found in a desolate area at Letter ‘T’, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. A body, which was burnt beyond recognition, was found in the car trunk. MAN WHO RAPED AND IMPREGNATED TEEN FOUND HANGING IN JAIL CELL A man accused of raping a teenage girl and impregnating her was last Saturday night found hanging in the Whim Police Station lock-ups. Dead is Courtney Persaud, who is said to be from Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Persaud had fled to Berbice following allegations that he drugged, raped and
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impregnated a woman. He was captured by police from the Whim Police Station on Saturday at Manchester Village, Corentyne, Berbice. Police sources told Kaieteur News that Persaud was placed in the lock-ups with two other prisoners. He was later found hanging, with a vest tied around his neck. While there were no visible marks of violence on the body, the source said, “We are investigating to see whether this was an act done on his own or he had help.” In a detailed Facebook report in October, an individual claiming to be the victim alleged that Persaud drugged and raped her. After the matter was reported, several tests were done and it was discovered that she was pregnant. The victim, who wrote CSEC exams this year stated that after her alleged abuser found out she was pregnant, he fled to Berbice where he lived with another female. He was reportedly arrested after a senior police official in Region Six took interest in the case and
launched a search for the accused rapist. TUESDAY GOVT. SHOULD SAY WHAT IT WILL DO IF EXXON OVERSTATED US$460M PRECONTRACT COSTS – RAM Government must tell the people how it will treat with ExxonMobil if it is found to be overstating its precontract costs, says Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram. There appears to be no procedure detailing how Government will respond if this turns out to be the case. According to Ram, the pre-2015 US$460M costs are already stated in the signed Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). That means, he told Kaieteur News, that Government has effectively already agreed to pay the cost. And since that
contract can’t be revisited without Exxon’s consent, there seems to be no way to address any overstatements. Kaieteur News posed the question to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia. Both neglected to comment. Ram had said, last year, that Exxon’s claim of US$460M is overstated by at least US$92M. He had challenged the Government to justify the figure it agreed to pay. His calculation found that all figures supplied by the companies, even when one allows for all expenses and expenditures, amount to a far cry from the US$460,237,918 that Exxon and its partners, Hess and CNOOC Nexen, are claiming. Even then, Ram’s assessment was generous. He had said that it is overstated by “at least” US$92M, because not all expenditure is recoverable as pre-contract costs. CRACKDOWN ON ABUSE OF POLICE VEHICLES… SIRENS MUST ONLY BE USED IN CASES OF EMERGENCY – ADHERENCE TO SPEED LIMITS, RESPECTIVE LANESAMUST…EVEN WHILE PERFORMING ESCORT DUTIES – TRAFFIC CHIEF Police ranks are being warned to stop the abuse of the Force’s vehicles. This comes on the heels of a deadly smashup weeks ago involving a police car which left five dead. Last Saturday, Traffic Chief Linden Isles sounded the warning loudly at a special seminar held for drivers from the 10 regional
divisions. The ranks also included drivers from the Eve Leary headquarters, with the session taking place at the nearby Officers’ Training Centre. According to the police, the seminar was in keeping with President David Granger’s call for a thorough assessment of how the fatal accident occurred at Friendship, East Bank Demerara. The accident involved a police vehicle with siren and a private car. Isles instructed the drivers that siren must be used only in cases of emergency and not for ordinary duties or simply traversing as “abuse may cause the public to become dismissive”. It was pointed out that reports of police abusing sirens and forcing other drivers off the roadways are common. This, he said, must cease immediately, as drivers of the Guyana Police Force are to adhere to speed limits and remain in their respective lane, even while performing escort duties. “Police are not above the law,” he cautioned, “speed limits are erected throughout the country and force drivers must set the example for the public to follow.” REMOVALOFDUTY-FREE EQUIPMENT… GRA CLOSELY MONITORS SITUATION AT RUSAL Days after workers complained that the Russiancontrolled bauxite operations in the Upper Berbice area, Region 10, were shipping out equipment, it has come under the attention of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Last week, personnel from the tax collection agency (Continued on page 34)
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From page 33 descended on the Kurubuka mines area, staffers confirmed. GRA’s CommissionerGeneral, Godfrey Statia, disclosed that a team had indeed visited the area as part of the monitoring aspect of the authority. He said that a report is being prepared and will likely advise GRA on the way forward. The Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) is controlled 90 percent by Rusal, one of the biggest bauxite companies in the world. Since coming here in the mid-2000s, it has been granted hundreds of millions of dollars of tax concessions on equipment and vehicles. It also has concessions on fuel importations. BERBICE BUSINESSMAN EXCHANGES GUNFIRE WITH HOME-INVADING BANDITS – VICTIM BELIEVES AT LEAST ONE INJURED Neighbours were awakened to the piercing sound of gunshots just after midnight on Monday, when Gordial Balram called “Old Dog”, a 49-year-old Cambio Dealer, Rice Farmer and bus driver was the target of a brazen attack by bandits – two masked men had sledgehammered their way into his home at Lot 48 Number 69 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. When Kaieteur News arrived at the scene, one of the glass windows that enclosed the back porch was shattered, and just near the door to enter the house there was a gigantic hole in the wall left by the men who smashed through the concrete with sledgehammers. Still a bit shaken after the ordeal, the businessman managed to recount what
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took place while he was at home with his wife, daughter and two other children. Balram told reporters that it was after midnight, while they were asleep in their respective rooms in the upper flat, that he heard a shattering sound (glass breaking) and shortly after there was a bashing on the wall. “I heard hard sounds, glass breaking up…and knocking on the concrete wall, and when I come out of my room I was still hearing hard sounds. It had a hole on my wall from the back verandah, and they (bandits) come in and start fire shots,” Balram recalled. He said that at that point he retreated to his bedroom, grabbed his licensed .32 pistol and returned to the hall, firing shots in the intruders’ direction. As bullets rained in the home between the perpetrators and the businessman, the man said they began shouting “put on the effin’ light and dem start cuss up”. Balram disclosed that with the brief exchange of gunfire, it is believed that one of the men may have been shot, since there was bloodstains on the verandah wall that was busted through. There were also drops of blood on the terrace floor leading to the step. The men apparently abandoned their attempt to rob the businessman after they were shot at multiple times. According to Balram, he sustained no injuries during the shootout, but his home was riddled with bullet holes on the wall inside. The businessman stated that when the men ran out of his yard, he noticed that they were joined by at least four others as they made good their escape via a muddy dam located opposite his home. The bandits, he said, were
armed with “big and small guns and sledgehammer”. Balram said that the men made off with no loot, but the incident has left him and family fearful for their lives, since it brought back memories of a similar occurrence at his home in 2014, when armed men invaded his premises and opened gunfire, shooting his then 16-year-old son in his spine. The teen was left paralyzed from the waist down, and the attack was investigated as an attempted robbery – since nothing was stolen – but his daughter who was 18 at the time had related that when the men entered the home they had asked for her father. WEDNESDAY EXXON GOESAFTER UNDISCOVERED PARTS OF STABROEK BLOCK WITH THREE-WELL CAMPAIGN ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is juggling several developments offshore, all of which are aimed at getting billions of dollars in profits as fast as possible. Along with its Liza Phase Projects, ExxonMobil officials recently announced that they are steaming ahead with plans to drill the undiscovered parts of the Stabroek Block. Specifically, the Secretary and Vice President for Investor Relations at ExxonMobil, Neil Hansen, told shareholders during the company’s third-quarter earnings call that three wells, Uaru, Mako, and Hassa, are planned for drilling in the upcoming months. Hansen noted that a fourth drillship is expected soon so that the exploration
activity can begin before the fourth quarter ends. Hansen said that the plans for exploration are a good reflection of the project management capabilities of the company. But even as it deals with all of these activities at a fast pace, Hansen said that company officials still want to ensure they take time to ensure their plans do not compromise the optimisation of value. LIST OF 20,000+ UNVERIFIED REGISTRANTS WILL BE PUBLISHED BY WEEKEND – COMMISSIONERS The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will publish the names of over 20,000 persons who have not collected their identification cards, in the four daily newspapers. The persons on the list will also be written to by the GECOM Secretariat. Kaieteur News understands that this lot does not only include persons registered in 2008, but registration exercises as recent as last year. GECOM is exploring the possibility of including on the list when each person was registered. PROBE LAUNCHED INTO POSSIBLE ABUSE OF RUSALDUTY-FREE FUEL Authorities are not only looking at the duty-free concessions on equipment of the Russian-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), but there are indications that attention is also being paid to fuel. Over the last weekend, auditors of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) were in the Kurubuka mines, Upper Berbice River area, in Region Ten where BCGI operates.
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There they found the conditions under which the duty-free fuel was granted to the Rusal-controlled company were not being fully met. According to Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, on Monday, there were some irregularities found with checks on fuel at BCGI’s site. Statia said he is awaiting a report before speaking more on the matter. Foreign investors, involved in production, are granted fuel concessions to help the business become more competitive and reduce costs. However, a number of those businesses have been caught or suspected of selling that fuel. Under the conditions of the concessions, which are monitored by GRA, the fuel cannot be taken or used elsewhere. The fuel market is one of the most lucrative markets in Guyana with consecutive administrations very deliberate in allowing those taxes to be waived. In the case of Rusal, it is unclear exactly what kinds of irregularities were found. SEVEN MEN CART OFF EMPTY SAFE FROM JUMBO JET IN 4-HOUR OPERATION – GUARDS MADE TO LIE ON FLOOR DURING ORDEAL A seven-man team of armed burglars on Sunday evening stormed the Smyth Street location of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales with intent to hitting a big jackpot. But the thieves must have got the shock of their lives after finding out they spent four long hours looting the business, only to cart off a 300lb empty safe. Sources disclosed to Kaieteur News that the ordeal began at 1:35am. From CCTV footage, an unidentified man clad in a black shirt and a short khaki pants suspected to be the lookout was
captured casing the front of the business. That lasted for about five minutes. On the western side of the building, the thieves scaled the heavily barbed wire fence until they were all inside. The men then went to the eastern side of the building where they accosted the two guards on duty while the other team members scaled the fence. The guards were reportedly taken to the back of the building at gunpoint and placed to lie on the floor while one of the men kept watch. His five other friends made their way into the office located on the upper flat by cutting the heavily grilled back door. There, they spent four hours, ransacking the office, searching high and low for anything of value that they could cart off. The thieves removed a quantity of brand new truck parts, one 42-inch flat screen TV, one DVR, one laptop computer, two gas bottles, two old cell phones and one fireproof safe weighing approximately 300lbs. A source from the company relayed to Kaieteur News that the safe ‘fortunately’ was left empty, with nothing of value being held inside. “All that effort was for nothing because nothing was in the safe; it was an empty safe. We assumed that they thought much more valuable things were here but that’s not so.” After the ordeal, the guards alerted the owners and police were called on scene. According to the source, statements and fingerprints were taken that very evening. But no word has been received on the progress of the investigation. All of the men wore rags (Continued on page 35)
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From page 34 around their faces to shield their identity. The stolen items are valued at an estimated $1.2M. Investigations are ongoing. THURSDAY ENERGYDEPARTMENT TO SECURE EXPERT WATCHDOG FOR ACCURATE MEASUREMENT OF GUYANA’S OIL The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) will be the main agency tasked with ensuring the accurate measurement of Guyana’s oil from the Stabroek Block. In fact, the Energy Department is working with this agency to ensure it secures the requisite technical assistance for training on oversight of the oil measurement process, effective calibration and testing functions. This was revealed Wednesday by Energy Department Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe during a press engagement at the studios of the National Communications Network (NCN). There, Dr. Bynoe was fielding questions from Kaieteur News on the technological measures which would be in place for the accurate measurement of the oil. While he did not go into details, Dr. Bynoe said that this is covered within the Crude LiftingAgreement (CLA) in terms of facilities and technology that would be used and how the samples from the project will ultimately be stored on the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel. He said, too, that it is the desire of the government to pursue a third party verifier to preserve the integrity of the systems being used as well as to reduce potential value leakage. Dr. Bynoe added that this watchdog would be crucial in the event there is an issue whether with quality or quantity of the oil, Guyana would have its own evidence to challenge the operators. In the meantime, the Energy Department Head said that GNBS is receiving assistance from the American Petroleum Institute (API). Headquartered in Washington D.C, this worldrenowned organization on such issues is the largest trade association for the oil and gas industry in the USA. It claims to represent around 400 corporations engaged in oil production, extraction (including hydro-fracking), distribution, and other aspects of the industry. “I WILL MAKE THE CHOICE” – GRANGER ON PM CANDIDATE President David Granger has made it clear that he will choose the ‘best’ candidate
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to run beside him as Prime Minister for the upcoming 2020 General and Regional Elections. However, the Alliance for Change (AFC), which joined forces with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in 2015, has already chosen Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan as its Prime Ministerial candidate. This is per the agreement of the Cummingsburg Accord, which is currently being reviewed. The Head of State pointed out that the constitution does not allow for any party to pick a Prime Ministerial candidate, only he has such a privilege. “Once the President is elected, the President has the authority under the constitution to select a Prime Minster”, he said. President Granger noted that an agreement can be made outside of the constitution that the Prime Ministerial candidate, or rather, nominees for the position, could be named, but he is still the one who has the final say. “I will make the choice…that is why at this stage I don’t want to get involved in personalities, once the principle is agreed, we can move forward. I don’t want to name names now,” he stated. The President outlined that whoever is nominated for the PM candidacy will be subjected to scrutiny to ensure that Guyana gets the ‘best’. “I am a prudent and wise leader and I will make the choice which I feel will deliver the best results, the best outcome for the people of Guyana…If candidate A or candidate B is the best, I will choose”. Following the ongoing review of the Cummingsburg Accord, the AFC remains firm on their position that either Khemraj Ramjattan would become the PM candidate or the coalition will be no more. The APNU and AFC heads met on Wednesday and the President is hopeful that the talks will conclude before December 1. BURNT BODY IN CAR TRUNK… GUYANA FORENSIC LAB TO CONDUCT DNA TESTS ON REMAINS
enquire whether the GFSL can conduct deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests on the body, suspected to be that of missing eyewitness Collin Rodney. GSL Director Delon France told Kaieteur News yesterday that “the samples will be brought to the lab for analysis.” He said the laboratory is fully equipped to conduct the DNA tests to verify the victim’s identity. But to do this, they will also need samples from Collin Rodney’s parents, or other close relatives. He disclosed that the lab should be able to provide the results within a week of conducting the tests. FRIDAY
The Guyana Scientific Forensic Laboratory (GFSL) has been tasked with identifying the burnt human remains that were found in a car trunk at Letter ‘T’, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. Kaieteur News understands that police officials have contacted senior laboratory staff to
GECOM CHAIR SAYS… 20,000-PLUS UNVERIFIED REGISTRANTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO VOTE Persons who have not collected their identification cards from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) need not worry about being left out of the
March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. They will still be allowed to vote. Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair, Justice Claudette Singh S.C. sat down with Kaieteur Radio on Thursday, and provided clarity on this matter that had left many wondering whether they would be disenfranchised. What was being posed to the media by several Commissioners at GECOM was that persons who did not uplift their identification cards since 2008, or as late as last year, would be removed from the list and miss the opportunity to vote in 2020. But Justice Singh dispelled the misconception. She said that the unverified registrants will have their names published in a list, supplementing the Official List of Electors (OLE), adding that if they show up at the polling station, they would be allowed to vote. This would be, however, on the condition that they show up with some form of identification, such as a passport.
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the Commissioners aligned with it, had raised concerns about people being disenfranchised. They had also pointed out that there was an irony in Justice Singh making a decision to remove names from the OLE, when it was she who had ruled that it was not necessary to produce ID cards to vote. During Thursday’s interview, Justice Singh said that the issue is not about the ID cards, but about the fact that persons didn’t collect them. Further, she said that persons don’t have to collect the cards, but that they just have to claim their identities. It is important to note that the registrants’ names will not be removed from the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB). Just in case those persons still want their names to be on the OLE, the Chair has made provisions for that. The 20,000+ names will be published in the four daily newspapers very soon. They
would also receive a notice, by way of mail. From the first day of publication, those persons will be given 21 days to claim their identities. If they do, their names would be moved from the supplementary list to the OLE. The Chair was keen to note that it is not the intention of GECOM to disenfranchise anyone, despite what has been said otherwise, because she is very mindful of anybody being disenfranchised ENERGYDEPT. INTENSIFIES SCRUTINY, SLOWS DOWN EXXON’S RUSH TO DEVELOP THIRD OIL FIELD For months now, the Stabroek Block licence holders had been hopeful of securing Government approvals by year end to move full steam ahead with investments for the development of Payara, the third oil field project on the Stabroek Block. But ExxonMobil and its partners, (Continued on page 36)
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From page 35 Hess Corporation and CNOOC/NEXEN, will have to hold their breaths a little while longer. During a press conference that was held recently by Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe, the media was told that a third party reviewer has to be hired to assess the development plans for Payara. He said that such an expert for increased scrutiny of the development plans is needed, even though an initial assessment was done by the Energy Department as well as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). He said that the agencies’ preliminary assessments were done based on the experience gained from the evaluation of plans for the Liza Phase One and Two Projects. The Director said that the Department of Energy is progressing with the expedited procurement process for a third party reviewer with the help of the World Bank, one of Guyana’s international development partners. Additionally, Dr. Bynoe said that the Department is targeting the first week of December for the third Party Reviewer contract award and subsequent third Party Review into the first quarter of 2020. It is hoped that the completion of the review process would also be completed early next year. While the Energy Department is handling those matters, ExxonMobil has moved ahead with plans for the third Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for the Payara Project. In a press release Thursday, SBM Offshore, a Dutch firm, announced that it was awarded a contract to perform works for a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) for the Payara project. But ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud was keen to clarify as well that this was not the full contract that was awarded. In an invited comment, Persaud said, “We are working closely with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Government and regulatory reviews for the Payara project.” The official added, “As part of our preparations for the project, we have awarded an initial contract to SBM for a limited release of funds to begin Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) activities and secure a hull for the Payara project FPSO.” Similar to the Liza Phase Two project, Persaud explained to Kaieteur News that this will allow initial work to begin but the final award is conditional on Governmental approval. THOSE TOUTING IMF’S PROJECTED 86% GROWTH RATE GIVINGGUYANESE THE WRONG IMPRESSION – SAYS JAGDEO It is the view of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, that news of an 86 percent economic growth for Guyana after the first year of oil production is not painting the whole picture for the Guyanese public. During a press conference at his Church Street office Thursday, Jagdeo said, “I’ve seen another set of so-called positive news which says the gross
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Kaieteur News
domestic product (GDP) of Guyana will increase by 86 percent next year and within, say five years, we can triple the size of our economy… That sounds really good… [But] does it mean it’s all great news for Guyana?” The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a report months ago, after its Article IV consultation here in Guyana, speaking of significant projected growth in Guyana’s economy when the oil starts pumping. But it was only a week ago that Bloomberg reported on this matter, and certain local publications ran with it. What those reports failed to shed light on is a caveat in the IMF’s report: that most of the revenue accrued from Guyana’s oil-rich Stabroek Block, specifically for Liza-1 and Liza-2, will not directly impact this nation’s domestic economy. In its report, the IMF stated that the gross total oil revenue, as a percentage of Guyana’s 2018 GDP, is calculated to be 1,178 percent. Of that, 1,007 percent is projected to go to the private oil companies, 171 percent is projected to go to the Natural Resource Fund and to the budget. That means a total of 86 percent of the total value of the reserves of Liza-1 and Liza-2 will go to the oil companies, while Guyana will get only 14 percent. SATURDAY 650,000+ REGISTERED TO VOTE IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS … FORMER CHIEF ELECTION OFFICERS OF CANADA, INDIA, GHANATO ADVISE GECOM Recent estimates of Guyana’s population tend to place it at 750,000. Sometimes, it hits 800,000 if those doing the assessment are generous. It has not gotten much higher because Guyana’s emigration rate is unusually high. That’s why it would raise quite an alarm that the Revised List of Electors (RLE) is shaping up to have more than 650,000 eligible voters, calculated based on information shared with the media by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Friday. That figure doesn’t even consider new registrants from the House-to-House data, which are likely to add tens of thousands more. The Chair, Justice Claudette Singh S.C. held a press conference at the Commission’s Kingston office, joined by Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward and Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield. Speaking on the operational matters of the Secretariat, Lowenfield provided an update on the Houseto-House data cross-matching. It is known that the first of two tranches of that data was already returned from the international supplier, Gemalto, who had been awarded the contract to cross-match the data. Lowenfield said that, of that batch, about 150,000 are duplicated registrations. That means that they already appear in the National Register of Registrants (NRR). As for new registrations, the CEO said that they number 29,082. It should be noted that this figure includes, not just adults, but persons aging from 14 to 17. The second tranche, which is even bigger than the first, is due back soon with the likelihood of adding thousands of new voters
to the mix. On the Claims exercise which recently ended, Lowenfield said that the Secretariat received 6,394 new registrants. That number may change, as he explained that it is subject to cross-matching. The CEO did not, however, disaggregate how many of those transactions were based on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and the House to House data. The PLE already has a total of 646,625 registrants. The objections received by GECOM are not expected to substantively relieve that list. The number of unverified registrants has been watered down to 18,124. The names of all those persons, along with their addresses, are published today in this newspaper. An attached order from Lowenfield noted that the publication of the names and the procedure in which it is entrenched is provided for in accordance with a proviso to section 6(6A) of the National Registration Act, Cap 19:08, as amended by Act 14 of 2005. That act requires all persons whose names are listed in the Schedule attached to this notice to be verified. Those persons are expected to take their birth certificate, certificate of registration of a foreign birth, or valid Guyana passport; and any other supporting documents which may be requested by the registration officer at the GECOM Registration office serving their area. If they fulfill this requirement, their names will appear in a special section, supplementing the Official List of Electors (OLE) on Election Day, while the verified registrants will have their names listed in the main section of the OLE. Lowenfield provided that 12,079 of the uncollected ID cards were from the 2008 registration cycle, while the two phases of continuous registration in 2018 account for 364 and 1,040 of those uncollected cards. Singh also said that a folio will be provided for those voters so that the voting process for them is made clear. Justice Singh explained that it is necessary for those unverified registrants to be subjected to additional scrutiny because of their unverified status. They appear as 29 separate lists, divided into towns/villages. Justice Singh told the press that three international advisors have been agreed on, thus far. These include Jean-Pierre Kingsley who has served in Canada as a Chief Elections Officer. The Commonwealth has also promised,
Singh said, to send two senior electoral advisors, from Ghana and India. She added that both of them have served as Chief Election Officer in their respective home countries. CIVIL SOCIETY DEMANDS OVERSIGHT ROLE IN OIL & GAS SECTOR…SAYS CURRENT STATE OF UNREADINESS A MATTER OF MAJOR CONCERN ‘First Oil’ in Guyana, comes at a time of intensified political polarisation, fostered by the upcoming General and Regional Elections, and this rules out political bi-partisanship at the level of political actors. As such, Civil Society members have begun to ramp up calls for an interim mechanism or initiative to oversee the decision-making process with respect to Guyana’s oil and gas industry. This, since the intended safeguards engendered in the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC) under the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Act, cannot be fully achieved prior to elections. ‘First Oil’ is due in a matter of days, while General Elections is slated for March 2, 2020, and according to civil society members, the prevailing circumstances dictate the urgent need to find a formula which will encourage civic and business as well as political energies “to both preserve the progressive intentions of the NRF Act.” The civil society organizations that have begun consolidating their efforts include Policy Forum Guyana (PFG), the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA), the East Coast Clean-Up Committees (ECD), the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the Guyana Organization of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), Red Thread and Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI). In a joint statement Friday, the grouping said “any attempt to implement the legal provisions of the Act in their current form with respect to the PAOC, risks alienation of a significant sector of the business, civic and political sectors.” It was pointed out that at a recent meeting, senior members of the Ministry were in favour of a proposal that an interim arrangement would be superior to having nothing in place. “We understand this to mean the Act could be viewed as aspirational, rather than be legally binding and approached flexibly in the interim period…This approach in the opinion
of Policy Forum Guyana is realistic and should be pursued.” It was noted that the difficulty in creating a successful interim public interest and oversight mechanism in an electoral atmosphere should not be underestimated. The group suggests, “that same electoral context provides space to seek public endorsements of a national civic consensus from contending parties.” It was pointed out that “recognizing the historical and current price being paid for the failure of bi-partisan politics in the past, particular care must be paid to developing collective forms of decision-making in both the interim and substantive mechanisms.” According to the grouping, the state of unreadiness for the advent of ‘first oil’ in Guyana in both technical and political terms is a matter of major concern. ACCUSED PIRATES CHARGED WITH MURDERS OF FOUR FISHERMEN The two men who were captured by Suriname authorities and handed over to law enforcement officers in Guyana, appeared on Friday at the Albion Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charge of murder committed on four fishermen. O’Brian Fraser of Epsom Village and Anonth Boodridge of Belvedere Village, Corentyne, Berbice, stood before Magistrate Renita Singh. The charge read that the men, between October 5th and 6th, murdered Kawal Ajai Kissoon, Vishnu Seeram, Lamar Petrie and Marvin Tamasar, in Corentyne waters. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge and were remanded to prison until the 14th November, when they will make their second appearance at the Whim Magistrate’s Court, with the three other men that were previously charged for the said crime. Fraser and Boodridge, before being handed over to local authorities, were charged in Suriname for an immigration offence. The men are accused of attacking the SARA-1 fishing vessel with crewmen Kawal Ajai Kissoon, Marvin Tamasar, Lamar Petrie and captained by Vishnu Seeram called “Kevin” approximately 8 miles from the Number 58 foreshore. Fraser and Boodridge in the company of three others, Narine Dhanraj aka “Chu-Chu-bai, Suresh Sumdatt aka “Buckman and Lennox Grimmond called “Breeze” are accused of attacking the vessel, chopping the men, tying them up, and dumping them overboard before stealing their fish that was caught. Dhanraj, Sumdatt and Grimmond were charged with murder and remanded to prison.
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Sunday November 10, 2019
I’m developing zero tolerance for this type of reasoning... (From page 39) by giving me a political tag Though the Constitution of Guyana guarantees the right to freedom of association, which includes belonging to a political party of choice, some believe this right is only for those who associate with the PPP. This is underpinned by arrogance that others do not have a right to freely associate or can only associate with a particular group. In their minds, you cannot be PPP and support a PNC person or his/her position (as with Belgrave/Denny). Or you
have to be PNC to take a position that differs from theirs or may not reflect negatively on the PNC. I can’t stand the nonsense any longer. For them there is no space for principled position, objectivity, independence of thought or value in working across the aisle. Were Jagan alive he would have been disappointed in the very people who profess admiration for his beliefs and work. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Review: Arts and Culture... (From page 43) RL: I do not know if I am in the position of giving any advice, given the fact that I am not a popular artist, and still working on making this a full time thing. However, I can share lessons from my mistakes. - The earlier you take the risks, the easier it will be later on. - And do whatever you want, however you want, and take responsibility for your actions. If you fail, at least you know whose fault it is and what needs to be done. - Share, share, share your music. Especially nowadays, with all the online tools. - The more you communicate and share your work, ideas, the more people you meet, and the better. Mostly in any industry, or aspect of life, it is about who you know
rather then what. At least in this order: 1. who? 2. what? Therefore, I started my #meet1000strangers challenge that has helped me encounter so many people that have shown interest in my music. I am very grateful! GA: What’s next for Roman Lupu? RL: Oh, I do not know. Moreover, I do not know if I want to know. Life is full of surprises, and I kind of like that. However, if you ask about my artistic plans, I look forward to my Big Show at PlayStation Theater in Times Square. I will keep writing music, keep evolving and growing as a human being and an artist. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Sunday November 10, 2019
Chinese Medical Team brings needed health services to Kwakwani By Shikema Dey Over 130 residents of K w a k w ani in the Upper Berbice River benefited from a medical outreach which saw them receiving the needed health services they are not able to access.
The event was hosted by Rong-An Inc., a forestry concession operation in the Upper Demerara region, in collaboration with the Upper Berbice Forest and Agriculture Producers’ Association. The medical team comprised 16 doctors who specialized in gynecology, pediatrics and general medicine. Residents there took full advantage of the event which
included diagnosing, treating and dispensing medication, free of cost. A representative from the company, Sarah Huang, said, “Since Rong- An Inc. has an existing relationship with the Kwakwani community, our company recognizes that there is a great number of people who are unable to receive the medical attention they need in Kwakwani.” “In order to bridge the gap in medical services, Rong- An
Inc. reached out to the Chinese medical team to organize the outreach with the hope that it will provide great benefits for the residents,” she stated. Head of the medical team, Dr. Yang, expressed his team’s commitment to provide quality service to the community. He pointed out the need for residents to focus on prevention rather than treatment of certain
conditions. Dr. Yang referred to Guyanese suffering with hypertension and diabetes and encouraged the residents to take action and pursue early detection. He further urged them to make lifestyle changes that would reduce the risks of these conditions in cases where it is detected, to take action to prolo n g t h e i r lives. Meanwhile, the
President of the Upper Berbice Forest and Agriculture Producers’ Association expressed their gratitude to the company and the visiting Medical team for their initiative. At the conclusion of the outreach, the residents were presented with a large supply of pharmaceuticals by the Chinese Medical team to address the need in the community.
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Sunday November 10, 2019
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ANSA McAL launches massive Home Entertainment... “Naughty is nice” Christmas Promotion Five easy cocktails to make with
Grey Gosse
Acting Brand Manager for Magnum Tonic Wine; Rayan Lutchman (middle), Corporate Communications Officer; Treiston Joseph (left) and TMA Supervisor; Yannick Jordan (right). ANSA McAL on Wednesday under the Magnum Tonic Wine brand launched its massive Christmas Promotion under the tagline, “Naughty is nice” at the 704 Sports Bar and Lounge. The grand prize will be a trip to Spain for two to witness Real Madrid take on Atletico Madrid on February 2.All consumers will have to do is to buy a three-pack Magnum, full out the form that comes with three pack, drop it in the box and have a
chance to win at the grand drawing on December 21 at a venue to be announced. Instant prizes will also be available when you purchase a three pack at any of the participating stored by peeling the marked area of the form that comes with the three pack. Some instant prizes include, fanny packs, bags, cups, footballs and much more.Acting Brand Manager of J. Wray and Nephew Brands, Rayan Lutchman expressed excitement ahead
of the promotion, noting this is one way of Magnum giving back to its loyal consumers while attracting new ones as well. Lutchman noted that persons will be able to “tek charge” this Christmas and win big.In addition, Lutchman mentioned, that Magnum is always “proud” to be associated with Dancehall and sport. The promotion will comment on November 1 at all participating Supermarkets across Guyana.
Wine of the week THE FUEGO AUSTRAL MERLOT: IT S ELEGANT, WELL-BALANCED AND VELVETY-SMOOTH
T
he Fuego A u s t r a l Merlot features ruby tones and offers an intense and attractive aroma that is packed with red fruit, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and cassis. It has a balanced acidity with ripe tannins as well as a good balance between fruit and oak. It has aged for six months in stainless steel, then bottle-aged for six more. This masterpiece can be found at the Wine Vault located at the Marriott Hotel. It is being sold for $2500 VAT inclusive. You can also find it at the Hibiscus Restaurant, Nice Restaurant and Bar, Palm Court and other leading hotels and bars.
Vodka is one of the most essential cocktails ingredients its subtle taste makes it a great way to add alcohol to fruit juices or other mixers without overwhelming their flavours. But just because vodka is a delicate flavour, doesnt mean that it doesnt effect the taste of your cocktail! A quality vodka will be smooth and just a little bit sweet and will make for a finer tasting drink in the end. Today, were sharing recipes for some simple, fruity vodka cocktails with one of our favourite vodkas Grey Goose. Grey Goose (which is distributed by Ansa McAL Trading Limited) is known for being one of the classiest vodkas, with a crisp and clear taste and a subtle hint of almonds. It makes for great cocktails, so try it in one of the drinks below and youre sure to be delighted. Cosmopolitan This tart, fruity classic is always a hit at a party. The combination of sweet orange Cointreau and sharp cranberry juice is delicious with smooth Grey Goose, and the little hit of citrus adds an acidic note. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a Cosmo. 3 parts Grey Goose Vodka 1 part Cointreau 2 parts Cranberry juice Squeeze of lime juice Orange rind twist to garnish Pomegranate Martini This variation on a Cosmopolitan uses pomegranate juice for a distinctive sour, slightly floral taste which complements the sweetness of Grey Goose. If youre feeling really fancy, you can even get a fresh pomegranate, chop it open, and drop a few of the seeds
into your drink. This cocktail can be mixed in advance, so if you have a bunch of vodka lovers coming round you can prepare a pitcher of this ready for drinking. 2 parts Grey Goose Vodka 1 part Cointreau 2 parts pomegranate juice Squeeze of lemon juice Orange rind twist to garnish Caipiroska This is a twist on a Caipirinha, the classic cocktail of Brazil but this version uses vodka in place of the Brazilian cachaça. A vodka like Grey Goose is less sweet than cachaça, so you might want to up the amount of sugar that you use if you have a sweet tooth. You need to muddle the lime with the sugar that means that you put them both in a class and crush them together to release the lime juices, before adding crushed ice and pouring the Grey Goose over the top. Grey Goose Vodka Lime wedges Brown sugar Vodka Gimlet
Gimlets are usually made with gin, but this version uses vodka for a crisp flavour. You can add more or less simple syrup depending on how sweet you want the final drink to be, but weve found that using less syrup allows the almond flavours of the Grey Goose to shine. 3 parts Grey Goose Vodka 2 parts fresh lime juice 2 parts simple syrup Lime wheel to garnish Sea Breeze This cocktail is a summer classic; just as refreshing as its name suggests and ideal for a hot day. Now spring is finally here were getting ready for the warm weather, and this drink is at the top of our to-do list! Grab the Grey Goose and start mixing pitchers for those summer picnics. 1 part Grey Goose Vodka 1 part grapefruit juice 1 part cranberry juice Lime wedge to garnish Happy Mixing this weekend Guys and remember to drink responsibly. (https:// www.urban-drinks.co.uk/)
ENETWORKS TO AIR HBOS WATCHMEN EVERY THURSDAY Every Thursday, Enetworks will be showing one of HBOs latest hit series called Watchmen. For those who are unfamiliar with all things superhero, the Watchmen is an upcoming American superhero drama television series, inspired by some characters from the DC Comics limited series of the same name created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, created and developed by Damon Lindelof for HBO, with Lindelof serving as executive producer and writer. The series takes place in an alternate contemporary reality in the United States, in which superheroes and masked vigilantes were outlawed due to their violent methods, but some of them gather around to start
a revolution while others attempt to stop it. According to Lindelof, the TV series will not be a direct adaptation of the original source material, instead, being “remixed”; aiming to tell an entirely new story set in the world where the events of the original storyline took place. The series will also showcase different points of view, with the only characters from the original storyline confirmed to appear in the series being Doctor Manhattan, the former Silk Spectre, and former hero Ozymandias. The series will also focus on a detective named Angela Abar who becomes a vigilante called Sister Night. (See link for additional info on the show: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Watchmen_(TV_series)
Sunday November 10, 2019
Early Puberty in Girls May Take Mental Health Toll A girl who gets her first menstrual period early in life — possibly as young as 7 — has a greater risk for developing depression and antisocial behaviors that last at least into her 20s, a new study suggests.“Girls who go through puberty earlier than peers tend to be more psychologically vulnerable during adolescence,” said study lead author Jane Mendle, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of human development at Cornell University. It hadn’t been clear, though, whether that vulnerability extends past the teen years. That’s where the current study comes in. Mendle and her colleagues followed a group of almost 8,000 young women into their late 20s. “Girls who went through earlier puberty are still showing higher rates of depressive symptoms and antisocial behavior than their peers well over a decade past adolescence,” Mendle said.An early first period is a sign of early puberty.Mendle said there’s no consensus on what constitutes an early first period, but girls in the study got their first period at age 12, on average. Some girls had their first period as early as 7 years old, though that was rare: Less than 1 percent of the girls had a first period that young. However, nearly 7 percent of the girls had their first period at age 10, and 19 percent at age 11, according to the study, published online Dec. 26 in Pediatrics. The cause of early puberty is generally not known, said Dr. Ellen Selkie, an adolescent medicine specialist with the University of Michigan and author of an editorial accompanying the study. There’s also no proven way to prevent early puberty, she said.Mendle said that other research has suggested that obesity or exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may play a role. Such chemicals are found in plastics and flame retardants, she said. Whatever the cause of early puberty, the new study found that it appears to have lasting consequences. “Puberty has repercussions for virtually all domains of life,” Mendle said. “Even though it’s a biological transition, it’s accompanied by dramatic changes in social roles and relationships, emotions and how kids think about themselves and others and their place in the world.” That said, she added that early puberty likely plays only a small role in contributing to depression and antisocial behaviors. And the current study was not designed to prove a direct cause-and-ef-
fect relationship. “Even if a girl goes through earlier puberty, it doesn’t mean she will necessarily struggle as an adult in the ways shown in our study,” Mendle said. “It’s an added risk, and one worth paying attention to. But depression and antisocial behavior are complicated and determined by many different factors, aside from when puberty happens.” Dr. Victor Fornari, director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, N.Y., said that antisocial behaviors are those that “deviate from the social norms — like violating rules, lying, cheating and other not socially appropriate behavior.” He was not involved with the study.So how might early puberty contribute to these types of behaviors and depression?Selkie said the connections are probably biological and psychological. “There’s some thought that early estrogen exposure might increase the risk for depression, but there are also the factors of being different physically from other kids if you experience puberty at an earlier age,” she said. Carole Filangieri, a clinical neuropsychologist at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., who was also not part of the study, warned against thinking that early puberty might actually cause the behaviors it was linked to in the new research. “The danger is thinking that early puberty itself is predictive of these antisocial behaviors,” she said. “Environments growing up, social pressures growing up as women at a much earlier age and being treated in a more adult-like fashion are all part of the larger picture, and we need to look at what’s going on in a girl’s life.” As an example, Filangieri said, “for a 9-year-old girl, getting wolf-whistled on the street is confusing and upsetting.” As Fornari said: “This study brings attention to the fact that early menarche isn’t just about a girl getting her period. It helps educate parents that they should look for mood and behavior disturbances and get necessary care.”The earlier treatment is started, the better, he said — no matter what the cause of early puberty might be. Selkie agreed. “I think the major take-home message for parents about this study is that kids may start developing puberty as early as age 8 or 9, although this is not all children,” she said. https://medlineplus.gov/ news/fullstory_170623.html.
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The Midas Touch Happy that his wish was granted, Midas went around touching random things in the garden and his palace and turned them all into gold. He touched an apple, and it turned into a shiny gold apple. His subjects were astonished but happy to see so much gold in the palace.
In ancient Greek, there was a king named Midas. He had a lot of gold and everything he needed. He also had a beautiful daughter. Midas loved his gold very much, but he loved his daughter more than his riches. One day, a satyr named Silenus got drunk and passed out in Midas’ rose garden. Believing that Satyrs always bring good luck, Midas lets Silenus rest in his palace
until he is sober, against the wishes of his wife and daughter. Silenus is a friend of Dionysus, the god of wine and celebration. Upon learning Midas’ kindness towards his friend, Dionysus decides to reward the keg. When asked to wish for something, Midas says “I wish everything I touch turns to gold”. Although Dionysus knew it was not a great idea, he granted Midas his wish.
In his happiness, Midas went and hugged his daughter, and before he realized, he turned her into a lifeless, golden statue! Aghast, Midas ran back to the garden and called for Dionysus. He begged the god to take away his power and save his daughter. Dionysus gives Midas a solution to change everything back to how it was before the wish. Midas learned his lesson and lived the rest of his life contended with what he had. Moral Do not get greedy. Be happy and content with what you have
The Boasting Traveler (Aesop’s Fables) A man came back from a tour and boasted about his adventurous journeys. He talked at length about the different people he met and his amazing feats that got him fame and praise from people everywhere. He went on to say that he went to the Rhodes where he had leaped to such distances that no man could ever match his feat. He even went on to say that there were witnesses who would vouch for his
words. Hearing the man boast so much, a smart bystander said, “Oh good man, we do not need any witnesses to believe your words. Imagine this place to
Sunday November 10, 2019
Junior page EASY DIY SNOW GLOBES supplies: · A jar, wide rimmed bottle or Snow globe form · Figurines for your globe. · Super glue · Soda bottle cap (optional) · Glitter · Water Instructions: The first thing you are going to do is glue your figurine to your lid with water safe super glue and let that dry for at least an hour. If you are using a mason jar this it. Next add a generous is where the soda bottle cap amount of glitter to your jar/globe and fill it with water. Drop in your figurine and screw it in place. Your globe *shouldn’t* leak, but you can add a thin layer of clear glue around the seal if you want to make extra sure. Now turn it over, shake it up and enjoy!
comes in – glue it to your lid and then glue the figurine to
Isn’t it lovely? I must admit, I will probably cry a little when I give it to Kaia on Christmas morning because
the tradition means so much to me. Hopefully one day she will grow to treasure the meaning behind it, but for
now I’m sure she will love watching all the glitter swirl around!
be Rhodes and leap for us”. The lying traveler didn’t know what to do and went away quietly. Moral
FUN WITH POETRY
Help others and you help yourself I know I feel nice when someone gives me something, And when others help me in some way; I know it feels good when people smile at me, And tell me words that make me feel gay. This means that I should also try To do the same for others what I can, I should not only seek to get for myself, But do my best to help everyone. First I must obey my parents at home, And try to keep brothers and sisters happy, Next do what I can for my friends, And then seek ways to help anybody. The great thing is that when I try To help others and make them feel the best, I find that I myself gain so much That it makes me feel the greatest.
by Uncle Roy
BINOX
The finished puzzle should be filled with Xs and Os. Horizontally and vertically, there shouldnever be a continuous run of the same symbol longer than 2. There are an equal number ofXs and Os in each row and column. All rows are unique. All columns are unique, too.
Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
Make your Life Matter by Helping Others to improve themselves Over the past few months we have shown how anyone of us can improve ourselves by following the advice given on each aspect of our lives – Physically, Mentally, Socially, Emotionally and Spiritually. It would be of added benefit to your own personality if you can help others in this effort. This is also certainly the way to make your own life improve. Let us take an instance where you can do so effectively. Can you remember some time in your life when you felt that life was not being fair, and you want to condemn someone for treating you badly? Then you are not alone, for all of us
at some time or another have the same experience. Some people may take the high road and give the benefit of the doubt to the other party and work to make the situation better. But there are many others who would give in to the idea that lashing out is the way to deal with the problem, and would get themselves in trouble for doing so. In fact, when they behave in this way, they would not be doing anything to improve the situation but only making it worse. If and when you experience any friend, relative or other acquaintance wanting to retaliate for some wrong they felt was done to them, you
would be doing everyone a favour if you advise them to desist. Make them see, as you have, that there is a much better and effective solution to the problem than yielding to the temptation of revenge. You may advise them to face the situation and confront the person who they perceive has wronged them. If this does not work, then you need to do your part to let them believe that they should give the benefit of the doubt, and move on with their lives. There are also other ways in which you can reach out to your friends and lead them into understanding your approach to the proper solution of the problems they
would be faced with in their everyday lives. You can start a discussion group in which you get them to interact and spread your ideas of good behaviour. You can also single out anyone who seems to be having problems, and try to show them the right course to follow. You can get someone from the church or other organisation to speak to your group on this matter. Just believe that you can make a huge difference if you are willing to take the trouble to help. No act of kindness goes unpaid, and it will always come back to you in the end and give you the satisfying feeling that your life really matters.
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A Life of Service A life of service really is a thing that you should treasure, For you will make a difference to this world that lasts forever; For those who are around, someone whose life has good intent Will always and forever be affected by their scent. While you may humbly fail to see the permeating heat That comes from all your kindness to the people that you meet, Yet others do appreciate the blessings that you bring; It adds a glow to life, just as the sunshine does in spring. You may not ever notice it, you may not ever know, The beauty of your life’s work, when humbly put on show;. So, never feel resentment, guard your heart as if it’s gold; Just wear the belt of kindness, and let God’s truth unfold. Don’t rely on gratitude for all the things you do, But ask the Lord for grace to help you see them through; Enjoy your special role and know the privilege is yours: God chooses workers carefully to compliment His cause. Be assured that many of the seeds you sow will root, And in your absence will go on to flourish and bear fruit, So live in humble servitude, content that God above Is watching with a father’s pride to shower you with love.
The best feeling you could get is when others appreciate what you have done for them.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Cross figures
Can you complete the numeric crossword? Goodluck
Tough FlSolution to last week's puzzle: Pairs in Rhymeoret Slitherlinks
1. Tried and true 2. Cheese and crackers 3. Nutts and bolts 4. Bread and butter 5. Song and dance Red-Scarlet Ocean-Sea Bill-Tab Equal-Even Really-Very Tree-Elm Loud-Noisy Origin-Source Use-Operate Idea-Notion
AUTHOR: ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
Matchmaker
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Tips for healthy skin 1. Protect yourself from the sun One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer. Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring. Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays. 2. Don’t smoke Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow and makes skin paler. This also depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. 3. Treat your skin gently Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle: Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water. Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers. Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it. Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin. Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF. 4. Eat a healthy diet A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn’t clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated. 5. Manage stress Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Get enough sleep, set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
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Standards In Focus
Examining the new age of tourism – Tourism Month 2019 During the month of N o v e m b e r, Guyana celebrates Tourism Month. The theme for this year is ‘Tourism is a force for good in Guyana’. The following article published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) sought to examine the evaluation of Tourism and international standards, which are aiding its sustainability. According to the Director General of the S p a nish Standardisation Association, Javier Garcia, “Tourism is older than it might seem to most.” Take, for example, the “Grand Tour “, undertaken by young men in the 17th century to complete their education, or the water cures, mud and sun baths prescribed by doctors in the 16th century. In addition, after the Second World War, taking a vacation became more mainstream for a variety of reasons, including legal aspects and the advent of increasingly affordable means of transport. From then on, tourism took on global proportions, its development featuring all major activities. Those three factors helped drive the creation of technical standards that respond to the major challenges faced by the
tourism sector in each phase of its development. For example, the creation of International Standards for the safe practice and training of recreational scuba diving showed that far from being restricted to products, standards also had a use and relevance in services, a sector that today represents more than 70 % of the world’s GDP. ISO’s technical committee ISO/TC 228, Tourism and related services, led successfully by UNE (Spain) and INNORPI (Tunisia), and which, was the proud recipient of the 2017 LDE Award, features 70 participating members with another 33 as observers. It has been a pioneer in the development of standards for services, with 29 to date. These standards define international best practice in areas such as accommodation, tourist information offices, management of beaches and basic services for marinas. Today, tourism standards have evolved into real tools that help organisations better position themselves on the market (ISO 20488, online consumer reviews), increasing their competitiveness (future ISO 22525, medical tourism) and contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations blueprint for a more sustainable world.
Standards such as the ISO 21416 (environmentally sustainable practices in recreational diving), ISO 21401 (sustainability management systems for a c c o m m o d a t i o n establishments) and ISO 20611 (sustainable practices for adventure tourism), are key to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030. These SDGs include SDG 14 (Life below Water), SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). All of this reminds us that tourism is intimately linked to our enjoyment of nature, yet at the same time, it has an environmental impact of such magnitude that it can put at risk the very aspect it holds most dear. Fortunately, tourists (1.4 billion in 2018) have now realised that either tourism will be sustainable, or it will simply not be. Generally, the tourist of today is permanently connected and demands customised services, but he/ she is also a responsible traveller, concerned about the use of resources at the point of destination, compensating carbon emissions and connecting with local communities. Standards can also become indispensable allies with which to
successfully address the new challenges and transformations facing the sector: over tourism, the c i r c u l a r e c o n o m y, n e w online platforms of the collaborative economy and the digitalisation of the sector due to data use and management. By way of example, in accordance with the United
Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the future ISO 21902 on accessible tourism for all will serve as a guide to all organisations wanting to offer accessible tourism services, fostering collaboration among all stakeholders in the tourism value chain and delivering a better experience for all concerned: tourists,
residents and people with disabilities. Surely, at the end of the day, tourism, just like ISO standards, is a vehicle for the exchange of culture and values , promoting respect for diversity, contributing to the mutual understanding of communities and fostering security and peace worldwide.
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CONSUMER CONCERNS
Sunday November 10, 2019
Guyana/Venezuela border controversy...
Media needs to fully apprise itself of Guyana’s position BY PAT DIAL Towards the end of last month, Foreign Secretary Carl Greenidge addressed the Guyana Press Association at their Media Awards function which took place at the Pegasus Hotel. The Foreign Secretary
called for the Media to be more responsible in their reporting on Guyana/ Venezuela issues relating to the 1899 Arbitral Award especially now that the matter was before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). A generation ago, most Guyanese were reasonably
well-informed of all aspects of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the outrageous Venezuelan claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory just at the time Britain was preparing to grant Independence to British Guiana. It was felt at the time that the Venezuelan claim arose to delay Guyana being granted
its Independence because of Cold War considerations. At this point, we will give a very brief synopsis of the Arbitral Award: In the last quarter of the 19th century, Venezuela began to claim most of the territory of British Guiana. Just at this time, the United States was enthusiastically supporting its Munroe Doctrine which declared that no further European colonies would be tolerated in the Americas and those European colonies which existed could not be expanded. Venezuela asked the United States to champion its cause and the Americans readily undertook to do so. Eventually, it was agreed that the matter would be decided upon by International Arbitration. The Arbitration consisted of the best lawyers at the time and the Archives of Spain, Holland and Britain were thoroughly investigated. The British claim was for territory to the mouth of the Orinoco River and much of the present Venezuelan province of Guayana while the Venezuelans claimed most of British Guiana except Berbice. The Arbitral Award was made in 1899 and was accepted internationally and by all parties. The Venezuelans celebrated the Award as a great victory and there was
much jubilation in Caracas. They even had celebratory postage stamps issued and fully participated with the British team in demarcating the boundary in 1905 and for 60 years they accepted the boundary. In 1962, when Britain decided to grant Guyana its Independence, Venezuela raised its present claim which was meant to delay Guyana’s Independence. When however, it was realised that Britain would not unduly delay Guyana’s Independence, Guyana, Venezuela and United Kingdom came to the Geneva Agreement whereby Guyana would receive its Independence and talks to end the controversy would take place. If there was no solution in a reasonable time, the matter would then be referred to the Secretary General of the United Nations who would then decide by what mechanism the controversy would be settled. The Secretary General decided that the issue would be referred to the International Court of Justice. In pursuance of the Secretary General’s decision, Guyana brought its case to the ICJ. Venezuela claimed in a letter to the Court that the Secretary General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement and as such, the ICJ lacked
jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter and as such Venezuela would not participate. On 19th November, 2018 Guyana submitted its Memorial to the Court refuting Venezuela’s arguments and demonstrating that the Court had jurisdiction. Whether Venezuela participates in the Court proceedings or not, the Court will proceed to decide, under well-established precedent, whether it has jurisdiction on Guyana’s claims. Guyana’s case before the ICJ will come up in March next year. If the Court decides it has jurisdiction, it will rule on the merits of Guyana’s case and decide whether the validity of the 1899 Award and the border between Guyana and Venezuela should be confirmed. Guyana is seeking a judicial decision rather than a mere advisory opinion since Venezuela would have to abide by the judgement of the Court though it would not have participated in the proceedings. If Venezuela does not abide by the judgment of the Court, it would open itself to further action by the United Nations Security Council. Finally, we would point that the entire nation, including the Opposition Parties and the Governmental Parties are fully committed to defending Guyana’s territory and are Continued on page 69
Sunday November 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Successful workshops conclude with...
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From page 12 Elizabeth Andrey said, “We will benefit from it. I’m happy that my mother is still alive and I’m sure, she would feel much happier to hear that we get through with our land extension so what you people did here is very interesting and it ‘kinda’ open our thinking.” Richard Kaitan, a resident and the Health Worker of Shea Village, said, “The workshop was very successful. I learnt a lot and I know the people of Shea Village learnt a lot, too. “Now they know how to report problems or issues we have in the village. For example, overlapping and them things. At least the villagers understand how they would strike to that end.” Mr. Bernard Ritchie, a 66year-old resident who has been actively involved in Shea Village lands, said, “The most important thing is that we are here together to say something, to air our views concerning our lands.” Land Ownership for the Indigenous Peoples remains the primary focus of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. Cheong reminded, “If you have followed the manifesto of the APNU/AFC Coalition Government one of the things we had promised is that we would deal with Amerindian land issues in a very definitive way. It’s the President’s desire to see all these communities land issues are addressed in a very comprehensive manner.” Villagers were given the opportunity to compose songs and perform poems that reflect the importance of land ownership, which will ensure sustained livelihood. Additionally, a technical team will be returning to the Region in the coming weeks to conduct an investigation visit in villages that requested extensions.
Media needs to fully apprise... From page 68 supportive of Foreign Secretary Greenidge’s advocacy. We would also underline Foreign Secretary Greenidge’s appeal to the Media to be always accurate when reporting on the Border Controversy since whatever is written on the issue is read by those who represent us at Court as well as by our adversaries. Guyana still hopes that Venezuela will participate in the Court proceedings since by so doing it will indicate its respect for the Court and the Rule of International Law, its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and to its promotion of long-term friendly relations between our neighbouring countries.
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Sunday November 10, 2019
Youman Nabi, 2019
Eid Meeladun Nabi Message From President David Granger from the President of the CIOG
I extend greetings to all Guyanese but, especially, to the Islamic community, on the sacred occasion of Youman Nabi. The Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (On whom be Peace) birth is commemorated on the occasion of Youman Nabi. It is a day when Muslims and non-Muslims recall his life and labours and reflect on his total obedience to God as
evinced in his ideals, teachings and service to humanity. The Holy Prophet (On whom be Peace) taught by example. He preached mutual understanding and respect. He showed compassion, kindness and love towards others. These virtues strengthen human relations and foster happy
households, happy families and happy communities. The Holy Prophet’s (On whom be Peace) exemplary life of working together to build a gentler more genial world – characterised by the values of compassion and grace and in which differences are respected – should be contemplated by all Guyanese, on this sacred day.
PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM Youman Nabi Greetings The People’s National Congress Reform extends Youman Nabi Greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters and to all Guyanese. Youman Nabi is a celebration of the Birth Anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The day is marked by sermons, recitation of litanies, honouring of religious dignitaries, gift giving, and a
feast. The occasion also serves as a reminder that whatever trials and tribulations we face, the prophet of God faced even greater and yet he never allowed anger and hatred to determine his actions. We, in Guyana, can benefit from the legacy by using it as an instrument, not only for promoting understanding among our various ethnic, religious and social groups, but also, and
more importantly, for bringing a healing towel to dilemmas and challenges which affect the nation as we usher in our 50th year as a Republic. As we all celebrate Youman Nabi 2019, we need to recommit ourselves to the achievement of the ideals of a truly multi-cultural, multiethnic and multi-religious society where there is unity in diversity. Happy Youman Nabi to all Guyanese!
A MESSAGE FROM THE PPP ON THE OCCASION OF YOUMAN NABI Youman Nabi is very sacred to Muslims across the world since both the birth and death anniversaries of Islam’s Holy Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH), are observed. It is also a time when they would gather in worship and reflection on the exemplary life and teachings of their Holy prophet. On the observance of this auspicious occasion of Youman Nabi, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes
this opportunity to extend best wishes to all Guyanese, particularly the Muslim communities here in Guyana and across the Diaspora. Like all of our national religious observances, the significance of Youman Nabi offers many pertinent lessons in humility, contentment, respect and love among mankind. The PPP firmly believes that the messages offer guidance and if heeded, will help forge a collective
effort to aid in the universal realisation of peace, togetherness, forgiveness and tolerance. The occasion therefore presents an opportune moment for reflection and introspection. As our Muslim brothers and sisters congregate across our dear country in observance of this auspicious occasion, our Party extends greetings and for much success for the various activities planned.
IAC YoumanNabi Message 2019 The Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes to extend greetings to all Guyanese especially those who are adherents of Islam, on the occasion of Youman Nabi, a national holiday, which commemorates the birth of (and the death) the Holy Prophet Muhammad (On Whom Be Peace). The IAC recognises that followers of Islam were present in this country since the days of slavery, as many of the enslaved Africans were Muslims. The IAC also recognises that new influxes of Muslims to this occurred during the period of indentureship, as
approximately one out of every five East Indian immigrants was a follower of the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Whom Peace Be Upon). The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to remember the moral pathways outlined by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Whom Peace Be Upon) in which he called upon all mankind to the way of peace and to the belief in supreme being, and thus reminded them of the importance of principles such as faith, repentance, honesty, simplicity, equality and concerned for the dispossessed and the poor.
The IAC, in this significant commemoration of one who arguably is the greatest human who ever lived and who preached the value of love, sacrifice and compassion, to be positively influenced, so that our everyday interactions with each other, irrespective of ethnic religious and class origins. The IAC is therefore pleased to join with Muslims here and worldwide to observe this auspicious day, and urge that special prayers be offered for peace, so that our country can move forward with prosperity. Happy Youman Nabi from the IAC.
In the name of Allah (SWT), The Merciful, The Compassionate O Allah bless our beloved Muhammad, the light of lights, the secret of secrets, the antidote for depression and the key to the door of ease, Muhammad the selected one, and upon his family the pure ones, as much as the bounties of Allah and His blessings. Asalaamu-AlaikumWaRahmatullahiWaBarakatuh. May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah (SWT) be with you all. Hadhrat Ubayy ibn Ka‘bRadiyalláhu Anhu relates: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I send much blessings on you. What proportion of my dua should I devote to you?”He said, “As much as you like.” I said, “A quarter?” He said, “As much as you like, and if you increased it would only be better for you.” I said, “Then a half?” He said, “As much as you like and if you increased then it would only be better for you.” I said, “Then two thirds?” He said, “As much as you like and if you increased it would only be better for you.” I said, “I’ll devote all of my Dua to sending blessings on you.” RasululláhSallalláhuAlayhiWasallam said, “In that case it will suffice you from your worries and your sins will be forgiven.” ~ Tirmidhi My brothers and sisters in Islam and humanity, on this most auspicious occasion of observing the birth and life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘AlaihiwaSallam), I extend to you on behalf of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana greetings on the Mawlid. I pray that Allah (SWT) continue to bless us and accept all our devotion and service. Ameen. Perhaps the greatest mercy that Allah (SWT) bestowed upon humanity was sending His Blessed Messenger Muhammad (SAWS). God Almighty describes His best Creation thus: And you are of the highest standard of character (Quran 68:4) The Prophet’s (SAWS) character was of such high moral excellence that Allah (SWT) Himself mentioned its greatness. The Prophet (SAWS) was destined to be the best human being ever to live on Earth— the most virtuous, the most patient, the most loving, the most courteous, the most merciful among men, the best to his wives, the best to his friends, the best to his family, the most
honest, the most trustworthy, and so much more that even his enemies testified to it. We a r e r e m i n d e d i n many narrations that when the Prophet (SAWS) was born the thrones of kings shook, palaces crumbled, idols in the Kabaa fell, and fire that was worshipped extinguished. The Prophet (SAWS) was of such a high and sublime character that, after years of persecution, he marched triumphant into the city of his birth at the head of the largest army ever assembled in Arabian h i s t o r y. Wi t h h i s h e a d bowed in humility, He declared a general amnesty and granted war criminals refuge. The P r o p h e t ’s ( S AW S ) magnanimity was so powerful that it led to a mass conversion among the citizens of Makkah. Even Abu Sufyan, his archenemy, embraced the religion of Islam. In the months that followed, almost all of Arabia dispatched representatives to swear allegiance to the Prophet (SAWS) and to enter into the faith of Islam. During a period of twenty-three years, Muhammad ( S AW S ) , Peace be upon Him, had succeeded in uniting a feuding people trapped in cycles of violence into one people with a sense of destiny and a mission that would transform the world. He (SAWS) elevated the low, and he lowered the elevated that they might meet in that middle place known as brotherhood. He (SAWS) infused in them a love of learning, unleashing a creative power that would lead to some of the most extraordinary scientific breakthroughs in human history. T h e spirituality He (SAWS) inspired in his people led to the construction of seven hundred mosques in the Spanish city of Cordoba in the West, and a restoration of Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem in the East. In its precincts, h i s f o l l o w e r s built the Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra), as a testimony to the oneness of God. The Prophet (SAWS) died on the same day he was born, in the same house he had lived in for ten years in Madinah, on a small bed made of leather stuffed with palm fibers, in the arms of his beloved wife Aisha (RA). His dying words were, “Treat your women well, and do not oppress your
servants, the prayer, the prayer, don’t be neglectful of the prayer. O God, my highest companion, my highest companion.” The occasion of celebrating the birth and life of our Master and Guide Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) should be used to strengthen our will to follow His (SAWS) example. We oftentimes pride ourselves on the strictness of our adherence to the way of this blessed Messenger (SAWS) in various aspects of our lives. However, are we emulating Him by trying to be merciful to our fellow man? If we aren’t, we should understand that our adherence to His Sunnah is wanting. Would the Prophet (SAWS) approve if he witnessed division amongst us that is tearing us apart? Let us practice mercy on issues where differences are valid and avoid harsh words and work together in accordance with our sacred law. O mankind, truly we have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may recognise one another (Quran 49:13). If we follow our Creator’s directive to learn about, appreciate and respect each other, we will replace ignorance and prejudice with understanding, sensitivity, mutual respect and unity. We should remember that our love for the Prophet (SAWS) will be a means of our being with Him (SAWS) Inshallah. Let us spend these days in increased Salawat upon the Prophet (SAWS), his family, and pray for all of Humanity. Let us repent to Allah (SWT) and renew our commitment to following the Laws of Allah swt by following the middle way; the way of Rasoolullah (SAWS). I ask Allah (swt) to bless all of you and join us in praising our Beloved Prophet (SAWS). O Allah, bless our Master Muhammad, who opened what was closed and sealed what was before. He makes the truth victorious by the truth and he is the guide to Your Straight Path. And bless his Household as it befits his immense stature and splendour. Oh Allah! Bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is remembered, and bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is not remembered. May the Peace and Blessing of the Most Merciful be upon each and everyone one. Wa-Alaikumus-Salaam WaRahmatullahiWaBarakaatuh.
Sunday November 10, 2019
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After 61 years of oil, Nigeria still suffers extreme poverty
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il-rich Nigeria has been producing oil for more than three decades, yet the country still holds most of its population living in poverty. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report of July, 2019 stated that the multi-dimensionally poor remained just over 50% over the past decade. What this means is, almost half of the country has been living in poor health, lack of education, inadequate living standards, disempowerment, poor quality of work, the threat of violence, and living in areas that are environmentally hazardous, among others for more than 10 years now. This raises serious questions as to why the African nation ranked as the top producing country cannot eradicate poverty, despite receiving a royalty of 4%, which was deemed as low by Nigerians. Furthermore, the UNDP report highlighted that the number of people who are multi-dimensionally poor increased from 86 million to 98 million over the same period. Also, important to note from the report is that when compared to the national poverty line which measure income/consumption, a larger proportion of Nigerians (51%) are multi-dimensionally poor than those that are income poor (46%). THE CAUSE OF POVERTY IN NIGERIA The biggest oil exporter in Africa, according to the World Bank, has a growth that is too low to lift the bottom half of the population out of poverty.
In its report just last month, the World Bank indicated that the reasons for the poverty include weakness of the agriculture sector. It weakens prospects for the rural poor, while high food inflation adversely impacts the livelihoods of the urban poor, the instability in the North and the resulting displacement of people contribute to the high incidence of poverty in the North East. It also stated that oil prices continue to influence Nigerias growth performance. Just in May, the Nigerian Government was changed through elections. In hopes with change for the better, the World Bank reported that the new government has the opportunity to speed up structural reforms. Such reforms must build an institutional and policy framework that is capable of managing the volatility of the oil sector and supporting the sustained growth of the nonoil economy. On the other hand, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) did an investigation that revealed that the oil sector was contributing to losses in the countrys crude. Consequently, Nigeria loses 138,400 barrels per day of crude, around 7% of its total production, to theft, spills or shut-in production. In other words, Nigeria has lost more than 505M barrels of crude, and 4.2M litres of products, from 2009 to 2018, according to NEITI. The cost to the country comes to US$40.06B and US $1.84B respectively, equivalent to US$11.47M per day for
Police to ensure greater security in schools PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says steps will be taken to ensure greater security in schools in the wake of reports of violent incidents. During a meeting on Friday, with Education Minister Anthony Garcia and other Ministry officials, Griffith said it is imperative to establish a School’s Security Unit to provide social intervention and enforcement where necessary. Under this new unit, there will be a number of police involvement in schools both covert and overt. Recently, based on reports submitted to the Ministry of Education by principals, several schools have been red-flagged. Meanwhile, Min. Garcia said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to be drafted following consultations with relevant stakeholders. The MOU will detail the
terms and conditions and standard operating procedures for the officers who will be a part of this new School Security Unit. Griffith explained that the Police Service has been placing greater emphasis on youth development through sports and mentoring to assist in steering them in a more positive direction. One initiative is called – Street Talk- which is a mentoring programme similar to ‘big brother’ where officers will mentor young people by providing advice and guidance. The Police Commissioner said this programme will target ‘at risk’ youth from homes and schools, young men who have been released from prisons or rehabilitation centres, students who are on suspension and those who may have broken the law. There are close to 10,000 officers in the system who can assist with the community mentorship programme.
10 years. These findings indicated that there was continuous lack of transparency in Nigerias oil sector. The government relies on operators to provide data and there is no independent verification. The country launched a case in 2016 accusing companies of under declaring oil shipments and seeking US$12.7B in compensation. To step down on this issue, Nigeria has tried a number of strategies to tackle its oil loss problems. Various laws have been passed in an attempt to stem the flow, including a 1975 Act sanctioning the death penalty for pipeline sabotage, although only on lines carrying products rather than crude. At the other end of the scale, a 1984 law banning ships from unauthorised loading gives a penalty of just 100 naira (US$0.28) or six months in prison. However, the question lies in the enforcement of these laws, while many Nigerian academics as well as the NEITI indicated that regulations are essential. Apart from losses in crude oil, the NEITI reported that in 2015 that the auditors revealed that Star Deep did not pay any royalties in 2012, even though it owed US$66.5M at the time. Interestingly, there are several other alleged instances where the oil company has failed to remit royalties as well as revenues. In addition, the giant oil exporter
lost from the oil industry whereby oil companies artificially inflate their costs. Therefore, it reduces any pretax profits from the oil ventures, which, in turn, reduces the royalties. Besides, there is no surprise that corruption played a prominent role in Nigerias poverty even though the major oil producing nation was gaining revenue, profits and royalty from crude production. This problem resulted from political turbulences. Therefore, it was the dignitaries who stashed away billions of dollars from national treasuries in foreign bank accounts. By some estimates close to US $400 billion was stolen between 1960 and 1999. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Sani Abacha alone is estimated to have stolen the equivalent of 3% of the country’s GDP for every year that he was President. The UNODC report expressed, “That is a staggering - almost “astronomical” amount of money because if you were to put 400 billion dollar bills end-to-end, you could make 75 round trips to the moon! Concretely, those 400 billion dollars could have translated into millions of vaccinations for children; thousands of kilometres of roads; hundreds of schools, hospitals and water treatment facilities that never came to be.”
Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil exporter, but its natural resources make it particularly vulnerable to corruption, the report stated. The oil-rich Niger Delta, it noted, is a case in point. The UNODC further explained corruption deters much-needed foreign investment, which keeps countries mired in poverty and its people deprived. Huge revenues from oil or gas reserves mean low taxes, but also low accountability and a lack of transparency, as well as limited public services, the report
stated. However, Nigeria is moving forward in fighting corruption, according recent publications. Guyana is projected to have oil production for almost 40 years or less. Will it improve its standard of living or gain the wealth of its oil resources or like Nigeria will it succumb to economic downfall? The future of Guyana and its oil industry lies not only in the hands of the leaders, but also in the hands of Guyanese.
Vessel intercepted with 60 Haitians onboard NASSAU, Bahamas CMC – Members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Police Force and local fishermen, on Friday intercepted a vessel with 60 undocumented Haitian migrants of the coast of Long Island. It’s reported that the vessel – a 40ft sailing sloop was spotted approximately 16 nautical miles west of deadman’s Cay. After receiving information, the HMBS CASCARILLA under the command of Senior Lieutenant Samantha Hart was dispatched to the area to investigate. The migrants were taken aboard the Defence Force vessel to be handed over to the relevant authorities. Last month The Bahamas deported more than 100 Haitian nation-
als less than after Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis warned illegal migrants they should either leave the country voluntarily or be “forced to leave” following the passage of Hurricane Dorian in September. The issue of illegal immigration from Haiti to the Bahamas has been a long standing problem with Haitians being stigmatized in the country.Apart from the island of New Providence, Abaco is believed to have had the largest population of Haitians, many residing in informal shantytowns. The largest two, The Mudd and Pigeon Pea, in Abaco’s capital, Marsh Harbour, suffered severe damage when Hurricane Dorian swept through the archipelago.
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Murder suspect claims, he killed Known culprits get four years for armed robbery wife in self defence Floyd Rodrigues is claiming that he accidently killed his common-law-wife, Gwenette Alexander, in an act of self defence. This is according to someone who knows Rodrigues well. Six years ago in Tinapu Backdam, North West District (NWD), an argument erupted between the suspect and Alexander. The suspect claimed that he was attacked by Alexander with a knife. He said that he was stabbed three times by the woman and in fear for his life, he allegedly pushed Alexander and ran. When he returned, he noticed that Alexander was lying face down on the floor. The suspect then proceeded to turn Alexander over and realised that the knife was stuck in her abdomen.Rodrigues then panicked, grabbed their seven-month-old baby boy
and escaped. Since this time, Rodrigues hid from the police until he was captured Tuesday last by ranks that operated on intelligence-led information, in Mahdia, Region Eight. In 2013, Alexanders body was discovered by a neighbour who owned a mining camp close to the victims shop, which she owned with her common law husband. The man contacted the victims mother and told her of his shocking discovery. Police Ranks from the Arakaka Police outpost were contacted. They entered the “Backdam” and found Alexanders body lying on a bed with the throat slashed and stab wounds to the abdomen. But Rodrigues was nowhere to be found. Police began their investigation and learnt that
Murder suspect Floyd Rodrigues Rodrigues had paid a 53-yearold farmer to take him and his two children to Red Hill Barima Waini. The Community Relations Officer of Region one, Inspector Mark Smith told this publication yesterday that Rodrigues was transported to Georgetown and questioned. He said the file has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.
Man jailed for Chinese Supermarket robbery One man who was arrested following the recent robbery of a Chinese supermarket at No.2 East Canje Berbice has been jailed. Maryo Bissoondyal, 30, an unemployed man of Lot 141 Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, on Friday appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate Court’s on a charge of robbery under arms. He was accused of robbing Zhou Chumin, Cheng A Fu and Imtiaz Azeez of
Maryo Bissoondyal $300,000 and two cell phones at the China Town Supermar-
CARICOM looks to eliminate... From page 15 The Understanding notes that the realisation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be greatly advanced by the strategic application and increased usage of ICT and applying a whole-of-government approach. The Ministers recognized the ICT Space could only be developed with partnership and commitment of all stakeholders in the public and private sectors, civil society and International Development Partners.
ket on November 2, last. This supermarket is located at No.2 Village, Canje, Berbice. At the time Bissoondyal, was with others who were armed with guns and a cutlass. The man pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on each count, which will run concurrently. The police had issued wanted bulletins for three men. Jason Isaacs, of Lot 18 Bristol Street, East Canje, has so far turned himself over to the police. Police are still on the hunt for two men including Ravindra Punwasie, called ‘Rajin’, 36, and Doonauth Bissoondyal, called ‘Lil Budhan’, 22; all of East Canje, Berbice. It was previously reported that bandits armed with guns and cutlasses stormed a No. Two Village, East Canje Supermarket, and escaped with cash and other valuables.
Two men who are known to the authorities have been sentenced to four years in jail for robbery under arms. Sylvester Joseph, called “Squeaky”, 33, a labourer of Victor Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice and Christopher Rampersaud, 40, a taxi driver of Canefield, East Canje, Berbice had previously pleaded not guilty, but subsequently changed their plea to guilty.The men appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court. They were accused of robbing a 54year-old businesswoman, Tarmattie Seelochan, and four others at her business – Indra’s Grocery and Beer Garden –at Canefield, East Canje, Berbice on April 13, 2019.During the ordeal, they reportedly robbed the occupants of cash, cell phone, watches and other valuables. They are accused of robbing Taramattie Seelochand of valuables worth $520,000; Premchand Seelochand of $206,000; Neil Seelochand of valuables worth $190,000; Andrea Beerbajhan of a motorcar worth $2.1M and other valuables; Fizal Latiff of valuables
Christopher Rampersaud and Sylvester Squeaky Joseph worth $35,000 and Rohan seph and under intense grillDoenarine of valuables worth ing, he implicated the others. The bandit then led the po$320,000. The two men and an ac- lice to a location where he complice stormed the busi- handed over an unlicensed ness, armed with cutlass and firearm.Subsequently, the guns about 22:00hrs on the men were arrested and day in question and relieved charged along with 22-yearthe victims of their cell old Ashley Bonita Drepaul of phones, cash, jewellery and Main Street Cumberland, car keys.After committing the Canje, Berbice who is said to act, the bandits escaped in a be Joseph’s girlfriend. One car belonging to one of the of the missing cell phones victims. The vehicle was re- was also found in her covered the following day in possession.The men have a a community on East Bank number of other cases pendBerbice.Acting on intelli- ing in the courts.Drepaul’s gence, the police arrested Jo- case is still ongoing.
Mismanagement blamed as GPL skates on thin ice ... (From page 3) suppliers on the East Bank of Demerara, including Guyana Oil Company and Sol.However, it was not HFO that GPL was acquiring. Rather, it was buying the more expensive Light Fuel Oil. The faster-burning, more expensive fuel was also proving a major logistical problem for GPL- it could not get the fuel fast enough to the power plants.By the time, the trucks offload their fuel and reach back to the suppliers on the East Bank, the fuel stock would run low.Crunch time hit earlier this month and Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson, learnt of the situation suddenly. “There was deep anger by the Minister over the situation. The Board was not told. Management knew,” a source close to the company disclosed.GPL had been forced to introduce a number of emergency Caterpillar sets, using the more expensive but accessible diesel, to ease the
outages.According to sources, GPL was forced to employ the use of police escorts for the trucks to its power stations- all the while nothing was being told to the Board.It was disclosed that Minister Patterson called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where an emergency call was made the Foreign Affairs officials in Suriname. “They sent out an SOS to state that look we have this problem- the country is gonna shut down, and the Minister used some leverage. Staatsolie immediately agreed to send two vessels that weekend, earlier this month, averting what could have been an unthinkable situation.“We have fuel now but it is still a touch and go situation. This situation could have been avoided had the relevant people been informed. Suriname is doing what they can, but situation is not good.”In a statement earlier this month of the fuel shortage, GPL said it is experienc-
Kamla passes through PNM rally PORT OF SPAIN – Police officers were kept busy in Siparia in south Trinidad after a motorcade led by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar passed by a People’s National Movement (PNM) public meeting being held in the stronghold of the United National Congress (UNC).Along the route of the motorcade, police officers jostled with supporters, in an attempt to keep the road clear.As the motorcade neared the Thick Village Community Centre, where the PNM meeting was under way, police officers stopped the UNC motorcade and spoke with Persad-Bissessar about the use of loudspeakers that were disrupting the meeting.The loudspeakers were turned down. Member of Parliament for Fyzabad, Dr Lackram Bodoe, and Member of Parliament for Oropouche East, Dr Roodal Moonilal were part of the motorcade.“Rowley must go” screamed supporters along the way. (Trinidad Express)
ing a shortfall in generation as a result of an inadequate supply of HFO.This has resulted from delays in delivery by the contracted HFO supplier. “Consequently, we are operating some of our generating sets, which are dual fired, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and Light Fuel Oil (LFO). Unfortunately, some of the generating sets are not achieving the expected output on the LFO.” GPL said that the reduced output from the generators has adversely impacted the company’s ability to reliably meet demand.“GPL expects to receive supplies of HFO this weekend, which will lead to an improvement in the situation. GPL apologises for any inconvenience that may be caused to our customers as a result of this temporary situation. “The company will publish any areas that would be affected.”The situation over the fuel came as news spread that GPL’s board on Friday met in an emergency session to discuss the sacking of two members.Deputy CEO, Renford Homer and Bal Persaud, Human Resources Manager, were told this week by Gordon, a Jamaican national hired last year, that they were no longer needed. The Board in reversing the decision said it was not aware of the decision sackings.Homer had performed the duties of the CEO for months before Gordon was hired.GPL is under fire to improve its performance and increase generation but it will take millions of US dollars for this to happen.
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Guyana paying Rusal to abuse bauxite resources T
CONTRACT DEAL SHOCKING… he Russia-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc.’s (BCGI) unchecked exploitation of Guyana’s bauxite resources is being done at the expense of taxpayers, through billions of dollars in waivers of taxes, exemptions and concessions provided by Government. This, since the country is unable to ascertain the quantity or quality of bauxite being shipped out of country and at what price. Compounding the situation is the fact that the country’s regulator—the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)—is made to rely on voluntary reports by companies operating locally. BCGI was granted a range of exemptions from the payment of taxes locally, including payments on Income,
Corporation and Property taxes. These have been waived until 2020. Further no Royalty is being paid. According to the pact inked between the parties in the 2005 Fiscal Incentives Agreement, BCGI shall also be exempt from the payment of withholding tax on interest, dividends and lease payments to its affiliates.The company has also been exempt from payment of all and any duties and taxes on equipment machinery, motor vehicles and supplies. Economic Activity The generous conditions were handed to BCGI with the understanding it would invest more than US$30M to establish the new economic activity in mineral exploration and extraction through investments in the bauxite industry of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
She start hustle me, so I tell she move -Court hears A bus driver on Friday explained to the court why he got charged for assault and for using threatening behaviour towards a woman. The man, Dellon Foster, who was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, pleaded guilty to the assault charge but denied the other charge. One charge stated that on November 5, 2019, at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown, he assaulted Tina Basdeo. The second charge stated that on the same date and at the same location, he threatened Basdeo. “I went to the wash bay cleaning my bus, and she start hustle me so I tell she move from here... She return with she man and she slap me and throw Guinness on me,” Foster explained. He added that after Basdeo assaulted him, he approached her but a woman intervened and said “Shes a woman, dont hit her; go to the station.” The court heard that
Charged: Dellon Foster when Foster went to the station, he got charged. No objection was made by the prosecutor to bail, and bail was granted by Senior Magistrate Daly in the sum of $20,000. The matter was adjourned to December 14, 2019. Senior Magistrate Daly also highlighted that the virtual complainant was also charged.
Security guard killed... From page 9 brother might have had the chance at life if the driver had shown some remorse and taken him to the hospital. “Them ain’t even seh, they gon stop back and pick he up and carry he to the hospital. Alright man, yuh frighten, but why yuh nah pick him up and carry he hospital to see if he could live li’l more...You gon just hit them and left them there to die and go way? Is not that me brother is a criminal or he did something wrong or something. He went and buy egg and bread and then go home.”The security guard was picked up from the scene and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostics Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are investigating.
A ‘Policy Brief’ that was undertaken by the Ministry of Natural Resources and completed at the end of June, found that a typical monitoring exercise is conducted, “at best, once a year,” at the two bauxite mines in Guyana, Alarmingly, the Ministry’s field-based monitoring— once a year—does not include measurements of volumes or sample collection and testing of raw or processed
material, at any point of these operations. This means Government is unaware of the exact quantity or quality of bauxite ore being produced and shipped out of Guyana. In fact, BCGI is only made to, voluntarily, submit monthly production statements on the tonnage of material mined, processed and shipped. Failing this attracts no penalties.
Millions Lost The Ministry has since determined that there was a potentially high financial benefit to Rusal from undervaluation. Guyana’s bauxite exports in 2017 were valued at US$102M but reached as high as US$150M in 2012. It was determined that if these exports were undervalued by as little as 10 percent, the country would have lost
US$10.2M in 2017 and US$15M in 2012, “which are not insignificant numbers for our small economy.” BCGI’s bauxite is barged 240 km downstream from mines near Aroaima, using 20 purpose-built covered barges of 3,000 tonnes each, and six tugs. The cargo is then transferred from the barges to ocean-going ships, using floating crane, as well as the ships’ own gear.
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U.S. women’s team granted class action status in equal-pay lawsuit (Reuters) - The members of the U.S. women’s national soccer team who sued the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) in March over allegations of gender discrimination can pursue their claims as a class action, a California court ruled on Friday. The decision comes two months after the group filed a motion for class certification seeking to include all women called up to the national team over the multi-year period specified in the lawsuit, in addition to those originally named. “This is a historic step forward in the struggle to achieve equal pay,” Molly
Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. and team mates celebrate winning the women’s world cup with the trophy. (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo) Levinson, a spokeswoman for the players, said in a statement.
“We are so pleased that the Court has recognized USSF’s ongoing
Sunday November 10, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you might decide to host an impromptu party, and a lot of merry and interesting people could attend. You will have a lot of fun, blow off steam, and feel pleasantly exhausted when it's over.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A strange conversation could take place with someone you don't know well, Libra. He or she could be an acquaintance from work or someone who's just arrived from far away.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A long phone conversation could take place between you and a romantic partner, Taurus. You could discuss philosophy, current events, the weather, and your opinions.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Learning is apt to be your primary concern today, Scorpio, probably metaphysics, philosophy, history, or some other division of the humanities.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) - Creativeworkcould require more focus and concentration than usual today. You might need to do some in-depth research, intricate detail work, or another type of intense process that could strain your eyes and overstimulate your mind.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Some intense conversations could take place between you and a group of friends.
CANCER(June21–July22) Some young visitors may come to your home today, Cancer. You could unexpectedly find yourself called upon to entertain them. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you might receive intense telepathic communications from someone you don't know very well, Leo. This might be symptomatic of strong ESP abilities VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some intense work you've done in the past that you might have forgotten about could have caught the attention of someone in authority. Some long-overdue rewards for that work might come your way today.
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CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today you might concentrate on some very close work, Capricorn, perhaps a drawing or painting, sewing, jewelry making, or creating a new recipe. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This morning , you could see nothing but piles of papers that you have no use for. You might go through them like a house afire, wanting to clear out as much clutter as you can. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A study of a philosophical or metaphysical concept or perhaps an ancient or foreign culture could take up a lot of your time today, . Your mind is especially sharp and penetrating now, so you should notice morelearn more quickly, and retain more of what you read.
discrimination against women players - rejecting USSF’s tired arguments that women must work twice as hard and accept lesser working conditions to get paid the same as men.” U.S. Soccer did not immediately respond when asked in an email by Reuters to comment on the decision made by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The governing body for soccer in the United States has maintained that the men’s and women’s teams are paid differently due to differences in their collective bargaining agreements. In granting class status, the judge essentially rejected U.S. Soccer’s claims that many of the women named in the lawsuit had earned more than their top-earning male counterparts over the same period. According to the judge’s written ruling, agreeing with U.S. Soccer’s argument could yield an ‘absurd result,’ in which a woman could be paid half as much as a man as long as she negated the disparity by working twice as many hours. All 28 members of the U.S. squad sued U.S. Soccer with allegations of gender discrimination just three months before they opened the successful defense of their World Cup title in France this year. The players, a group that includes stars Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan, said they have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts even though their performance has been superior to the men’s team.
Eyeful Entertainment, Kingston Football Development Academy Football festival on today Eyeful Entertainment and Kingston Football Development Academy will stage a Football Festival today at GFC Ground. The event has been sponsored by the Outdoor Store and Pet Shop, GFF, Trophy Stall, West Indies Sports Complex and ABSAA. Inc. Action today will see Teams in action from 12:00pm. Fixtures show: Game 1: Santos Ladies vs
Eastvedlt Ladies at 12:00PM Game 2:Lady Panthers vs Fruta Ladies at 1:00PM Game 3: GT Masters vs Ballers FC Veterans at 2:00PM Game 4: GFF Staff vs West Dem Masters at 3:00PM Game 5: Over 50 - Santos vs Pele at 4:00PM Game 6: Santos FC vs GDF FC at 5:00PM Game 7: Fruta CFC vs U20 President X1 at 6:30PM
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Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 2-0 for 6th straight win LONDON (Reuters) Second-half strikes by Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic earned Chelsea a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace and a sixth consecutive Premier League victory that pushed the Blues up to second in the standings yesterday. Abraham, who spearheads Chelsea’s newlook young side, broke Palace’s defensive line in the 52nd minute after a first-touch pass from Brazilian midfielder Willian and he sidefooted past goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. Chelsea coach Frank Lampard praised Abraham for weathering a tough first half, when he struggled to make an impact, to claim his 10th goal of the season, making him joint top scorer with L e i c e s t e r C i t y ’s J a m i e Vardy. “It might not be his best game on the show-reel,” Lampard said. “When you
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic scores their second goal against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. (Action Images via Reuters/Tony O’Brien) think about tough games and you come and get the goal which puts you in front to help you win the game, that’s just as important.” Pulisic capped a fine
display on the wing by making it 2-0 in the 79th minute when a shot by substitute Michy Batshuayi was blocked by former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill
and looped invitingly for the American to head home. It was Pulisic’s fifth goal in three league games, repaying Lampard’s confidence in him after a
tough start to his time in England. “He’s scoring in and around the six-yard box which I think is a huge thing for any wide player,” Lampard said. Lampard fielded the club’s youngest-ever Premier League line-up at kickoff, giving 19-year-old defender Reece James his first league start as he replaced Cesar Azpilicueta. “I am proud of the squad that we have got, but I also realise it’s still a snapshot in what is the big picture which is the long-term future here,” he said. “We have got so much improvement to do because the gap was too big last year between us and the top two, and we want to try and close that.” The return of N’Golo Kante after a groin injury, in for Jorginho who was suspended, strengthened Chelsea’s midfield as Lampard’s men recorded only their third clean sheet of the
season. Chelsea leapfrogged Manchester City and Leicester City, who have yet to play this weekend. They are five points behind leaders Liverpool, who have also a played a game less. Palace manager Roy Hodgson said he had hoped Chelsea would be jaded after a dramatic 4-4 Champions League draw with Ajax on Tuesday. “The second goal, I thought, was a little bit unfortunate for us. We were starting to grow into the game,” Hodgson said. “Obviously after that it was going to be very difficult for us to get back in it.” Saturday Results Chelsea 2 - Crystal Palace 0 Burnley 3 - West Ham 0 Newcastle 2 – Bournemouth 1 Southampton 1 – Everton 2 Tottenham 1 - Sheff Utd 1 Leicester 2 - Arsenal 0
Colonial Medical Super50 Cup
Webster, Phillip give Red Force 6-wkt win against Jaguars By Sean Devers in Trinidad A masterful 87 from Tion Webster and a four wickethaul from pacer Anderson Phillip led Trinidad &Tobago Red Force to a six-wicket win against last year’s runners-up Guyana Jaguars last night at the Queen’s Park Oval to notch up their second win and move to top of the points table with eight points. The Jaguars remain of four points for the win against the West Indies Emerging Players last Thursday in their opening match. Watched by a disappointing crowd on Saturday night in Port of Spain, Guyana Jaguars reached 188-9 in a match reduced to 43 overs as six batsmen got into the 20s, only Johnathon Foo reached 30 with his top score of 36 from 31 balls with two fours and two sixes. The Berbician added 49 for sixth wicket with Bajan Raymon Reifer who hit 26 from 42 balls with two fours. Ramaal Lewis hit two sixes and two fours in 17-ball 28, while Christopher Barnwell (24), Skipper Leon Johnson (22) and Chanderpaul Hemraj (21) were the other batsmen to reach double figures in another below par batting performance. Fast bowler Anderson Phillip had 4-44 from nine overs for Red Force who replied with 191-4 in 36 overs as the 24-year-old Webster hit
Red Force’s Tion Webster deposits Permaul for six to post his fifty from 24 balls. 14 glorious boundaries which included three sixes in a masterful 87 which lasted 60 balls. Man-of-the-Match Webster and Solozano, who made 39 from 54 balls with four fours, featured in a record 124run partnership against Guyana for any wicket in 50overs cricket to break the 100
for the second wicket between Phil Simmons & Brian Lara at Hampton Court in 1995. Chasing Guyana’s 189, Webster, who made five in the match when Red Force beat the Volcanoes by eight wickets in their last match, cashed in last night and played an array of
scintillating shots. He started the demolition job with three glorious boundaries off Hemraj and followed it up with a nonchalant straight six off Pestano and two imperious fours to finish the over. A sweep for six off Permaul was followed up by an effortless six over long-on to bring up his second 50over fifty from just 24 balls decorated with six fours and three sixes. Solozano, on the back of a maiden unbeaten ton in the last match, played the supporting role before he was removed by Veerasammy Permaul in the 19th over, while Webster fell to Ramaal Lewis six runs later to leave the Red Force on 130-2. At 138, Kyle Hope (4) provided Permaul with his second wicket before first game centurion Daren Bravo (26) and Jason Mohamed (28) joined Forces to see the Red Force to within seven runs of victory. Ottley (0) was there with Bravo when victory was achieved. Earlier, Red Force asked the Jaguars to bat and Tagenarine Chanderpaul took 16 balls for his seven and with lightning flashing and thunder rolling from dark ominous clouds, Chanderpaul played a loose drive at one that left him from Phillip and edged a catch to second slip with the score on 11 in the fifth over. And when rain stopped
play on Chanderpaul’s dismissal at 13:50hrs, Red Force’s Coach Mervin Dillion must have had a sigh of relief since he was struck by lightning in the 2003 Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica. After a delay of 120 minutes and the sun back in full glory, Hemraj pivoted and hooked Phillip to break the shackles but after finding it difficult to get the ball away on a far better track than the last game at the Brian Lara Academy, he miscued a pull off Yannic Ottley and was taken at deep mid-wicket. His 21 took 46 balls and his demise left the score on 36-2. Kemol Savory got off the mark with an edge to third for a boundary off Odean Smith and was just beginning to look good when Barnwell pushed a ball to Tion Webster at cover and Savory (9) failed to beat the direct hit at 48-3. Johnson, desperate for runs, joined Barnwell who looked confident. The DCC right-hander swivelled and pulled Smith for four but with the score on 72 in the 24th over, he was caught off Webster for 24 from 51 balls as the Red Force maintained the pressure. Johnson cut Webster for four and along with Raymon Reifer added 21 before Johnson failed to build on a start and threw his wicket away with an unnecessary slog off Jason Mohammed
and was taken by Smith, running in from deep midwicket as the Jaguars slipped 91-5. Foo, who last played in West Indies Cricket in September 2017 for Jamaica and against Guyana in the CPL, took a liking to legspinner Imran Khan; smashing him for two sixes and couple of fours in two overs, while Reifer pulled pacer Phillip for four as their partnership gathered momentum. But the 29-year-old Foo, trying for another six, lofted Phillip to long-on as yet another Jaguars batsman fell when well set for a big score as they stumbled to 140-6 in 37 overs. Ramaal Lewis deposited John Russ Jaggesar for consecutive sixes as the Jaguars increased the tempo in the last five overs. Reifer hit Phillip for four past point and Lewis, with both off the ground, upper cut the pacer for four before Solozano dropped him at long-off next ball. Phillip removed Rifer for 26 in the same over as Solozano redeemed himself and the Jaguars were 174-7 with two overs remaining. Lewis was run out and Permaul (1) fell to Phillips at 183-9. Ronsford Beaton (1) and Clinton Pestano (4) ensured their team was not bowled out. The Jaguars play their third game tomorrow against the USA in Port-of-Spain.
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Kaieteur News
BCB/Let’s Bet Sports 100 balls tournament
RH Canje defeat Guymine to lift New Amsterdam Canje title - Toney hails Foster’s outstanding leadership of BCB
Winning Captain Ameer Rahaman receives the championship trophy and financial prize. Rose Hall Canje on Sunday last won the New Amsterdam/Canje leg of the Berbice Cricket Board/Let’s Bet Sports 100 balls cricket tournament. The team under the inspirational leadership of Ameer Rahaman defeated the Guymine Sports Club by sixteen runs to lift their first Berbice Cricket Board title in over three decades. Playing at the historic Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Ground infront of a sizeable crowd, the home team played as a collective unit to hold off the challenge of Guymine, who was also seeking their first title in over two decades. Guymine won the toss and elected to insert the home team to take first strike.
Openers Michael Campbelle and Jermone Andrews added 24 for the first wicket before Campbelle was caught at the wicket off left arm spinner N. West for 13 in the fourth over. Moonsammy Veersammmy soon departed for 03 at 32 for 2 as two more wickets fell in quick succession to leave RHC reeling at 38 for 4. Zameer Hussain struck a massive six in scoring nine but was soon bowled by left arm spinner Rocky Hutson. Skipper Ameer Rahaman and the ultra-aggressive Sasenarine Sukhu then added 65 crucial runs for the sixth wicket with Sukhu hitting six sixes and two fours in a wellplayed 69. He was bowled with one ball remaining by Joel
Representatives of Let’s Bet Sports pose with the RH Canje team. Seitram. Rahaman ended on eight not out as T. Suknanan was run out off the last ball for 1 as RH Canje recovered well to end on 128 for 7 from their allotted 100 balls. Former Berbice youth player Joel Seitram and Rocky Hutson were Guymine best bowlers with 3 for 16 and 2 for 37 respectively. Guymine in reply, started like a house on fire with openers Devon Clements and Charles Grimmond blasting 34 in just three overs. Opening bowlers Raymond Vankenie first over was taken for 22 runs as Guymine were on course to finish the game early. Sukhu then returned with the ball to bowl Grimmond for 30, which included five boundaries and one six at 36
for 1. Forty-eight years old left arm spinner Charran Singh then dismissed Kuacy Sinclair (05) and former national junior player Devon Clements (12) to pull back the scoring rate. Boodram Ramsarran and Rocky Hutson struggled to get the ball off the square against the spinners. Canje, sensing a victory, fielded superbly and bowled well as the run-rate swelled to twelve per over. Marlon Sheperd 12 and Jorim De Freitas 15 batted well but were dismissed, trying to up the run-rate. Guymine were eventually dismissed in the last over for 112 to lose by 16 runs. Sukhu completed a dream Man of the Finals performance by taking 3 for 17 and Charran Singh
Over $2million in prizes for Inaugural Rio - fans to win cash Indoor Tournament The lucky twenty-four teams that were offered invitations to participate in the inaugural Rio Indoor Ye a r e n d Extravaganza has more than one million reasons to prepare to provide fans with the kind of excitement that has become synonymous with the indoor format. Organisers of the yearend spectacle, which will be held at the National Gymnasium, is offering teams the opportunity to win close to $2million in cash and trophies, easily surpassing any that has been given in the past. It will be the biggest payout that teams will receive in 2019 or even in recent memory so every incentive is being provided for teams to be motivated to thrill fans
with breathtaking performances. The teams were meticulously selected by the Organisers who ensured that the best exponents of the format will be in action over the eight days of competition. It therefore means that fans are guaranteed a high quality of play, while they too could enjoy give backs by entering a competition that will see ten (10) of them win $2000 each night. The tournament kicks off on November 14 and run through to December 14 when the final will be played. The other playing days are: November 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 and December 7. The winning team is set to receive $1million, while second, third and fourth place finishers will be rewarded with $400,000,
$200,000 and $100,000 respectively along with some beautiful trophies. The Organisers are aiming to make the tournament a memorable one for fans, while also rewarding teams and their supporters for the Christmas season. The teams invited include: Gold is Money, Bent Street, Back Circle, Sparta Boss, Leopold Street, LA Ballers, Future Stars, Avocado Ballers, Tiger Bay, Sophia, Albouystown A and B, Showstoppers, Alexander Village, Rio All Stars, Melanie, Buxton Diamond, BV, Stabroek Ballers, New Market Street, OlSkool Ballers, Island All Stars, Broad Street, and Silver Bullets. The Organisers are asking teams confirmed to participate to be on time for
a prompt start at 19:00hrs, while both members of the Guyana Police Force and Private Security have been retained to ensure that fans in attendance feel secured. The teams will be divided into six groups of four with the top two gaining automatic qualification, while the four best third placed teams will join them in the round of sixteen when the knockout phase commences. Giveaways and other incentives for the fans will be a feature every night of play. Meanwhile, the Launch of the tournament i s s e t f o r M o n d a y, November 11, at the Rio Night Club on Forshaw and Ornoque Streets in Queenstown, starting at13:00hrs.
supported with 2 for 13. BCB President Hilbert Foster at the presentation ceremony stated that his board was on course to complete the historic tournament within three months. The Let’s Bet Sports tournament includes the hosting of four different tournaments in West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne. The four champions would then play a fifth tournament to decide the overall Berbice Champions. The hardworking BCB President praised both teams for providing a high-class final and hailed the work of Ameer Rahaman and the RH Canje and Gregory Crandon
of Guymine. Both clubs were dormant recently but are now among the top players in Berbice at the second division level. Brand Ambassador Rawle Toney expressed delight at the high standard of cricket played in the finals and the organizing skills of the Hilbert Foster led BCB. Toney stated that Foster’s leadership was one of the main reasons why the brand came on board with the BCB. The Brand Ambassador encouraged the board and clubs in Berbice to uphold the high standard of cricket that is currently taking place in the Ancient County. The winning team, runner up and Man of the Finals received a trophy and a financial prize.
Smalta Girls’ U-11 Peewee football tourney underway The 2019 edition of the Smalta Girls’ Under-11 peewee football tournament for Primary Schools in Georgetown kicked off yesterday at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue with six matches. Grabbing three points in the group-round robin stage yesterday were Redeemer Primary that needled Tucville via a Timairra Reynolds strike in the 20th minute of the match, while Smith Memorial also got past St. Margaret’s Primary by a similar scoreline thanks to Fiona Gibbs’ winner in the sixth minute.
Of all the winners, North Georgetown was most dominant with a sound 7-0 thrashing on F.E. Pollard. Martha Chance netted four goals, while Jasmine Burke, Kendra Moore and Bianca Skekel each scored once. St. Stephen fired three unanswered goals past Marian Academy with Caitlyn LaRose leading the charge with a brace while Blessing Thompson added the third. South Primary gained a walkover against Timehri while Genesis Harmony and defending champions West Ruimveldt played the only draw of the day; a nil-all stalemate.
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Chase to the fore as Windies seal series win Omnisport - Roston Chase came to the fore again for West Indies as they beat Afghanistan by 47 runs to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in their ODI series. Having starred with the bat in the opening sevenwicket win, scoring 94, Chase showed his talent with the ball as he took 3-30 from his 10 overs in Lucknow That came after Shai Hope (43) and Evin Lewis (53) put on a 98-run opening partnership for the Windies, with Nicholas Pooran adding 67 down the order to take his side to 247-9. Afghanistan came up well short in reply, succumbing for 200 to leave them facing a series whitewash with one game to go. After winning their first match under the new captaincoach partnership of Kieron Pollard and Phil Simmons last time out, the Windies looked assured from the outset on Saturday. Hope and Lewis laid a solid platform but when they fell in consecutive overs, Afghanistan sensed an opportunity. Indeed, there were only two other notable contributions from the Windies’ batting line-up, Shimron Hetmyer making 34 to play his part. It was Pooran who provided the most telling
Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
Evin Lewis finds a way to avoid the bug infestation at the Ekana Stadium. (Ekana cricket media) knock, though, as he held firm until the final over for his eyecatching 67 from 50 deliveries. That helped guide his side to a credible total and Pooran even put in a shift at wicketkeeper when Hope went off for treatment midway through Afghanistan’s reply. It was a reply that faltered almost immediately, Javed Ahmadi out for a duck having faced only four deliveries. The Asian nation struggled to build any momentum, with Rahmat Shah run out for a 33-run knock that soaked up 54 balls, increasing the required run rate. Chase accounted for Hazratullah Zazai (23), Ikram Alikhil (19)
and Asghar Afghan (3) to keep the Windies well on top. Najibullah Zadran (56) and Mohammad Nabi (32) provided some lowerorder resistance to extend the contest, but they fell to consecutive balls in separate overs as Afghanistan’s hopes faded away. Scores: WEST INDIES 247 for nine off 50 overs (Nicholas Pooran 67, Evin Lewis 54, Shai Hope 43, Shimron Hetmyer 34; Naveen-ul-Haq 3-60). AFGHANISTAN 200 off 45.4 overs (Najibullah Zadran 56, Rahmat Shah 33, Mohammad Nabi 32; Sheldon Cottrell 3-39, Roston Chase 3-30, Hayden Walsh 3-36).
GFF ExCo re-elected unopposed - Concacaf rep confirms election’s validity The current Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Executive Committee (ExCo) which was first elected in 2015, was reelected yesterday unopposed with Wayne Forde at the helm, when the GFF held their Extraordinary Congress and elections at the Pegasus Hotel. The elections process was overseen by Concacaf’s Chief Officer of Member Associations; Marco Leal, who during a press brief following the elections, refuted claims in a newspaper publication that questioned the legality of having an election at an extraordinary congress. Leal expressed his surprise when reading the article and noted that, “There is a specific provision in the (GFF) statutes in the section of the extraordinary congress that speaks of elections at an extraordinary congress so it’s (yesterday’s election) is in conformity with the statutes.” “We (Concacaf) usually recommend that elections be held at extraordinary congresses because the agenda are usually smaller and more focus can be paid to the election process,” Leal concluded. The article which Leal was referencing quoted the former Chairman of the GFF Normalisation Committee as saying that the Wayne Forde
Wayne Forde (left) and Concacaf Rep Marco Leal. administration was reducing their tenure by 7 months. This was also confirmed as inaccurate by Leal who explained that since the current GFF ExCo was first elected in November 11th, 2015, it meant that their mandate would have ended on Monday November 11th, 2019 (tomorrow). The newly elected President was asked what might be Mr. Urling’s motive for lessening such inaccurate information - President Forde responded by saying he would have to clarify his motives. Apart from the 2020 budget being passed, a sexual harassment policy was approved unanimously during the congress which is
a monumental first not only for Guyana but for the region. During his remarks, President Forde explained that among his priorities of this new term in office will be the completion of the national training center. In addition, great emphasis will be placed on having organised football across Guyana. “We accept that there has been tremendous reduction in organised football across Guyana so during the first six months of my (new) tenure, we will be making tremendous investment, financially, resource-wise and in capacity building so that the various member associations will be able to get up and running their respective leagues,” Forde posited.
Sunshine Snacks/Farfan & Mendes Junior Indoor Hockey C/Ships
Old Fort, Saints and GCC among Friday’s winners
Nicholas Pooran topscored for the West Indies with 67 © IDI via Getty Images
Claysia Bobb amassed four of the five goals scored in the SHC Sensations 5-0 victory over YMCA Old Fort in the Farfan & Mendes girls U16 division. Charlia Webb joined Bobb as top-scorer for her match by scoring both of the SHC Supreme’s goals in their 2-0 win over the Bingo GCC Her-ricanes when the tournament continued Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). In the boys U16 division, the GCC War Dogs had a tough evening when they began the evening with a loss to YMCA Old Fort by 4-0. Shaquon Favourite led the score sheet for Old Fort with a double while Daniel Woolford and Nkosi Saul scored one each. The War Dogs would experience their second loss of the evening in as many matches when the Joseph Warriors
managed to sneak in a 1-0 victory through Narendra Persaud. Shakeem Fausette bagged a brace in the remaining boys U16 match as SHC Shockwave defeated SHC Silencers by 2-0. In the Sunshine Snacks Girls U21 division, the YMCA Old Fort fought bravely against the rapidly improving Saints. Claysia Bobb would be the difference between the two teams, however as she managed to score a field goal for Saints in the 10th minute, which would be the lone goal for the match. The GBTI GCC Spartans faced YMCA Old Fort later in the evening and continued their unbeaten streak with a 4-0 victory. Abosaide Cadogan was the leading scorer with a double while Sarah Matthias and Haley Carpenter completed the tally. The lone U21 boys match of the evening saw YMCA
Old Fort outlast a determined Saints by 4-3. After a Shakeem Fausette goal in the opening minute, Old Fort seemed to take control of the game, scored three unanswered field goals through Omar Hopkinson, Donnel Alleyne and Warren Williams. With the halftime score standing at 3-1 in Old Fort’s favour, a Tivesard Garnett penalty corner goal would pull Saints back within one in the opening minute of the second half. With five minutes remaining and the tempo at fever pitch, Shaquan Favourite scored a field goal with five minutes remaining to give Old Fort its second two goal cushion of the match. Baraka Garnett would bring Saints within one two minutes later but Old Fort held on for the 4-3 win at the final whistle.
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Sunday November 10, 2019
Banks DIH launches 15/15 inter club softball cricket competition in Berbice
B
everage giants Banks DIH limited, the pacesetters, continues to be involved in sports and other Community activities in a major way. The Company on Friday launched a 15/15 softball cricket league for teams in East Berbice. The launching ceremony was held at Letter Kenny, Corentyne and will involve 32 teams vying for over $700,000 in cash, trophies and other incentives. The winning team will collect $150,000 trophies and other incentives, second place $100,000, third $75,000 and fourth $25,000. There will be other incentives for outstanding individual players. The teams have been divided into two zones with Zone ‘A’ comprising of teams from the East and West Canje, East Bank Berbice and New Amsterdam areas. Zone B will be made up of teams from the Corentyne area including Lower, Upper Corentyne as far as Molsen
- 32 teams competing, over $700 000 in cash and trophies up for grabs
Banks DIH Regional Manager Reginald Matthews (right) and Sales Manager Nandram Basdeo (third left) among the teams at the launch. Creek and the Black Bush areas. The competition will have three playing days. It will bowl off today Sunday November 10 with preliminary matches at Rose Hall Canje Community Center Ground. Another set of preliminary matches will be played on the 17th at the
Port Mourant Community Center ground. These matches will begin at 09:00 hrs. The grand finale is set for Sunday December 8th under floodlights at the Albion Community Center ground. Present were Banks DIH Limited Berbice Regional Manager Mr. Reginald
Matthews and Banks BIH Berbice Sales Manager Nandram Basdeo among others. At the launching ceremony they spoke of Banks DIH’s commitment to giving back to the community from where it garners its support. It is Banks DIH Commitment in
helping to develop Guyana’s most valuable resource which is the human resource. They noted that the Human Resource is most valuable in any country. They pledged the c o m p a n y ’s c o n t i n u e support on behalf of the Managing Director and Executives of Banks DIH
Limited. They also took the opportunity to wish the teams the best of luck and shared words of encouragement to those in attendance. A well stocked bar and fun activity for children will be at the venues. Admission is free. (Samuel Whyte)
GCC take first innings from Ace Everest CC in comfortable position against GNIC SC Warriors Host Georgetown Cricket Club are in a comfortable position for an outright victory over Ace Warriors when play in the Georgetown Cricket Association/Noble House Sea Foods second division two-day tournament continued yesterday. Ace Warriors were sent packing for 38, batting first. Steffon Wilson bagged 4-7, Devon Lord had 3-15 and Winston Forrester 2-1. Georgetown Cricket Club were 127-3 at stumps. Forrester made 35, while Mavindra Dindyal is unbeaten on 37 and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed not out on 13. M. Iniss has so far taken two wickets. At Queen’s College
A
Rayson Gill ground, Diplomats posted 215 all out after they were inserted. Rayson Gill stroked 97, while Adrian Foster made 25 and Andre Foster 20. Renei Gransult grabbed 6-54 while Basheer Khan had two wickets. In reply, Rubis Bel Air “2” were 178-5 at stumps. Hardeo Jailall is not out on 64 while Mahendra Jairam is on 12; earlier Keon Franklin scored 43. Play continues at 10:30hrs today.
Renei Gransult
mir Khan grabbed four wickets to put Everest Cricket Club in a comfortable position for first innings points against GNIC SC when the first day’s play of their Georgetown Cricket Association/GISE/Star Part Rentals/ Trophy Stall first division two-day fixture ended yesterday. Richie Looknauth struck 70 and got
valuable support from Ronaldo Renee 45, Khan 37 and David Williams 30 as host Everest CC amassed 256 all out, batting first. Premchand Sookdeo picked up 3-62 and Jeremiah Benjamin had 2-46. GNIC SC were 96-4 at the close of play. Quincy Ovid Richardson made 26 and Dwain Dick 19. Play continues at 10:30 hrs today.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday November 10, 2019
Hammie Green Birthday Inter-Ward Youth Enhancement 10/10 Cricket set for today football kicks off today at Den Amstel
Tyrone Khan
H
The organisers with trophies on offer today. The third edition of the Youth Enhancement 10/10 Cricket tournament is set for today at the Number 56 Village, Community Centre Ground on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice. The first edition was staged in May and the second in August. The eight teams set to compete in this tournament are: Letter Kenny, Union, East Berbice Community Policing Group (CPG), Number 55 Village, Number 57 Village, Number 59 Village, Number 64 Village and Unstoppable. Tournament Organiser Gobin Harbhajan, the Prime M i n i s t e r ’s R e g i o n 6 Representative, has said the idea is not just to play a cricket match, but to support
youth enhancement in the community. He said that, moving around, he has heard of a number of young people committing suicide, and has encountered a number of them with idle time, who get themselves involved in alcohol drinking and using illegal drugs. “Making a start and taking the lead will help the youths to use their spare time to do something constructive,” Harbhajan said. “My objective, as the PM’s Regional Rep. and RDC Counsellor, is to do something about the situation, because too many youths and adults have idle time, and we have so many abandoned playgrounds all over.” Since the first
tournament was held, several villagers have been asking for a repeat, and the business community has contacted him to indicate their interest in supporting similar initiatives. The sponsors of this initiative include Mr. Suraj Ishwardiyal A/K Stanley (64 Village), Mr. Dhankumar Bhowan A/K Vishal (USA), Mr. & Mrs. Lasaran & F a m i l y A / K S h i r l e y ’s Supermarket (58 Village) & S & N Gumani & Son A/K S i t a ’s L u m b e r y a r d (Crabwood Creek) & Nand Persaud Group of Companies & other. Admission to today’s event, which will be played on a knockout basis, is free. The first game is expected to bowl off at 10:00hrs.
is birthday was celebrated yesterday, but the annual 9-a-side InterWard Football Competition to commemorate the 85th Birth Anniversary of former Mayor and Prime Minister Hamilton Green will spring into action today with sixteen matches, at the Den Amstel Community Centre g r o u n d , We s t C o a s t Demerara. The annual event will see teams from East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Georgetown and West Berbice join those from the host community in a straight fight for prize monies in excess of $400,000 and bragging rights for the next year. According to Coordinator of the tournament former national coach Lennox Arthur, this year’s competition is expected to provide riveting action from the start as teams have intensified preparations to ensure that the fans are given
Jamal Harvey a treat. The opening games, which start from 4:00pm today, will see: Sara Lodge versus Kuru Kururu, Goed Fortuin vs. Plaisance, Wales vs. Timehri, Bagotville vs. Soesdyke, Bourda Blues vs. Durban Backlands, Charlestown vs. Gaza, Casa Coima FC vs. Hurry Ate, GT Kanaimas vs. Crane, Agricola vs. Lima Dam, Sophia vs. Farm FC, Mahaica vs, Stanleytown, Mahaicony vs. Den Amstel Kings, Uitvlugt vs. Vreeden-Hoop, Pouderoyen vs. De Kinderen, Den Amstel vs. South Ruimveldt and West Side Spartan vs. Stewartville. The winners of the games listed will clash next Sunday as they attempt to advance to the latter stages of the competition. The quarters, semis, third place and final will be played on Sunday, December 1 at the same venue. The winning team will take home $200,000 and the
Trayon Bobb NAMILCO trophy, while second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $100,000 and Ministry of C o m m u n i t i e s t r o p h y, $60,000 and the NAMILCO trophy and $40,000 and the Cummings Electrical trophy respectively. The winning and runnerup teams will also receive hampers from Ricks and Sari. The player with the most goals will get a Dinette chair from China Trading and a single bed from AH&L Kissoon. Among the sponsors to date are NAMILCO, Ministry of Communities, Cummings Electrical, International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), Guyoil, BK International, Gafoors, Ready Mix, Ricks and Sari, New Thriving, TecnoMills, AH&L Kissoon, China Trading, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ministry of National Resources, National Sports Commission and the Guyana Police Force.
Sunday November 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Guyana Boxing team named for C’bean C/Ships A 20-memberGuyana Boxing team and four officials have been already named to participate in the Caribbean Boxing Championship in Trinidad from December 4-9 the Pleasantville Sports Complex in South Trinidad. However, according to President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Steve N i n v a l l e , t h e t e a m ’s participation is in limbo due to a lack of response to a request for funding from Guyana Government. Ninvalle explained that defending Champions Guyana will most likely lose their Title if a depleted team is sent to Trinidad. The team was named by the GBA selection panel headed by AIBA Three-Star coaches Sebert Blake and Technical Director (GBA) Terrence Poole following the conclusion of the Terrence Alli National Open. Current Caribbean Elite champions in Middleweight Desmond Amsterdam and Bantamweight Keevin Allicock just back from the Pam Am Games in Peru have been included for the trip to Carnival Country. “At this time we can only turn to the Government for such support as our usually reliable option the Guyana Olympic Association has already committed three million dollars to assist in preparing a team for the Olympic Qualifiers.” The cost for airfare and accommodation and meals for one person is approximately US$950. Ninvalle said that the association wrote the National Sports Commission (NSC) on October 21 and disclosed that repeated calls and text messages to the Director of Sport Christopher Jones have gone unanswered since. “I hope to hear soon from the NSC as soon as possible as airfare prices increase with each passing day,” a frustrated Ninvalle told Kaieteur sports yesterday. “Guyana won the Schoolboys and Junior titles earlier this year and will be seeking to add the senior crown in Trinidad,” Ninvalle concluded. The Jackman sisters are two females in the touring party which includes Bantamweight USA based Azeem Al Azeem who lost to Jullius Kesney in Final of the Terrence Alli Open which was used to select this team,
while Super Heavyweight Steven Chan, the other USA based Guyanese who returned home in hope of representing the County of his birth, is one of the Stand byes. According to Ninvalle Allicock, Amsterdam, Lewis and Thomas participation will depend on their availability. The Boxers and officials set make the trip to Trinidad are as follows: Team Guyana: Youths 1. Mark Crawford ——Lightweight—60 Kg 2. Richard Howard ——Bantamweight—56 Kg 3. Abiola Jackman —Welterweight—69 Kg 4. Alex Butcher —Junior Welterweight—63 Kg 5. Emanuel Pompey ——Middleweight——75 Kg 6. Patrick Harvey ——Lightweight—60 Kg (Junior) 7. Kevon Mullin ——Welterweight—69 Kg 8. Alesha Jackman Elites Junior Flyweight—49 Kg 1. Quacy Abrams —Champion 2. Richard Subratee —Runner-Up Flyweight—52 Kg 3. Seon Griffith Bantamweight—56 Kg 4. Jullius Kesney —Champion 5. Asheer Al Azeem —Runner-Up Featherweight—57 Kg 6. Keevin Allicock ——Champion 7 . Te u s i m a r P e t e r s —Runner-Up Lightweight—60 Kg 8. Delroy Fordyce —Runner Up 9. Shemar Halley —Standby Lightweight—63 Kg 10. Colin Lewis —Champion 11. Dewani Lampkin —Runner-Up J u n i o r Welterweight—64 Kg 12. Orlando Grenville Welterweight—69 Kg 13. Kevin McKenzie —Champion 14 Cranston McAllister ——Runner-Up Middleweight—75 Kg 1 5 . D e s m o n d Amsterdam ——Champion 1 6 . A l u k o Bess—Runner-Up L i g h t Heavyweight—Kg 17. Dennis Thomas —Champion 18. Markember Pierre —Runner-Up Heavyweight—91 Kg 19. Daren France
—Champion 2 0 . O m a r Sukhdeo—Runner-Up S u p e r Heavyweight——+91 Kg 21. Kevin Hunte —Champion22. Anthonio Williams —Runner-Up 23. Steven Chan —Standby Coaching Staff 1. Terrence Poole (Td) 2. Sebert Blake 3. Steele Crawford 4. Joseph Murray N.B These named boxers
Alesha Jackman w i l l depend on their availabi lity
GBA President Steve Ninvalle 1. Keevin Allicock 2. Desmond Amsterdam
- But team’s participation in limbo says GABA Head
Christopher Jones 3. Colin Lewis 4. Dennis Thomas
t r o p S Sunshine Snacks/Farfan & Mendes Junior Indoor Hockey Championships
Old Fort, Saints and GCC among Friday’s winners
Chase to the fore as Windies seal series win Left-hander Nicholas Pooran goes on the attack during his half-century on Saturday.
Young GCC striker Paige Fernandes shoots at net during Friday night’s play at CASH.
GFF ExCo re-elected unopposed - Concacaf rep confirms election’s validity
The new GFF Executive in photo with the members of the federation who attended yesterday’s meeting.
Hammie Green Birthday Colonial Medical Super50 Cup Inter-Ward football kicks Webster, Phillip give Red Force 6-wkt win against Jaguars off today at Den Amstel Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.