Kaieteur News

K

AFC prepared NEWS to go alone if talks with APNU fail AIETEUR

Saturday Edition November 16, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 45

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

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Jagdeo selective on oil contracts renegotiation Vehicles hit GPL pole at Bagotstown, E.B.D.

12 companies approved for mining

- local employment, reclamation plan mandated Who’s paying for the damage?

Repent in prison for stealing from - Magistrate church tells thief Mabaruma Mayor, Town Clerk at loggerheads over estimates

Woman sends son, 24, to jail

Liza I & II FPSOs are 'cash cows' for Exxon's builders …as Brazil places their FPSO order on hold

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 2019

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Liza I & II FPSOs are 'cash cows' …as Brazil places their for Exxon's builders FPSO order on hold D

utch floater specialists, S B M Offshore—the company that has secured a contract with ExxonMobil Guyana, for the construction of several Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading Ve s s e l s ( F P S O ) — h a s reported double digit profit margins, earning more than $1.4B already for this year.

This, in addition to a still to be accessed loan facility for another US$1.1B—the good news stemming primarily from its operations related to the Guyana

Stabroek Block, with the construction of two FPSOs the Liza Unity and Liza Destiny (for the Liza I&II oil fields.)

Plans and contracts are already underway for a third FPSO, the Liza Prosperity.

The Dutch company was contracted by ExxonMobil Guyana subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the operator of the Stabroek Block and has as its partners ExxonMobil (45%), Hess Corporation (30%) and CNOOC-Nexen (25%).

The company in its third

quarter financial report released on Thursday last, said that it generated US$1.47B over the first three quarters of 2019.

This represents an increase of 18 percent compared with the same period last year, entirely driven “Turnkey,” the company said.

The company's flagship projects are the FPSOs, Liza Destiny and Unity.

According to SBM Offshore in its public filings of its quarterly financials, “ y e a r- t o - d a t e Tu r n k e y revenues almost doubled

114 murders and 498 armed robberies in 2019

By Shikema Dey

R

e l e a s i n g statistics to support their reassurances of a drop in serious crimes this year, the Guyana Police Force reported a spike in murders, but a drop in gun-related robberies.

The Force also released statistics which showed an overall -2.5% decrease in serious crimes throughout Guyana for 2019, and a continuous drop in serious crimes over the past five years. This revelation was made on Friday at the Guyana Police Forces' Christmas Policing Presentation held at Eve Leary.

Acting Crime Chief, Michael Kingston, in his

- But Force reports steady drop in serious crimes in five-year period presentation outlined that for the past five years, serious crimes have seen a rapid decline from 3,925 in 2015 to 2,235 as of October 2019.

This, he attributed to the valiant collaborative efforts by all members of the Force.

According to the statistics, the GPF over the past year, has seen a steady decline in rape, robberies where a firearm was used, robbery with aggravation, break and enter and larceny.

There were no kidnappings.

However, the numbers for burglary, robbery with violence and larceny from the person still remain worrying.

According to the Force's statistics, there were 114

murders 2019, in comparison with 84 homicides for 2018.

The murders for this year included four execution style killings, 21 robberymurders, 12 domestic murders, 63 disorderly murders and 14 in which the motive was unknown.

For this year, also, there were 498 robberies in which firearm were used, compared with 509 gun-related robberies last year; 257 robberies in which instruments other than firearms were used, in comparison to 202 of a similar nature in 2018; 138 robbery with violence in 2019, compared with 129 (continued on page 24)

Statistics showing the decline in serious crimes for 2015 to 2019

compared with the same period last year to a total of US$498M.” Speaking to cash available to the company as a result of its projects, the company boasts that undrawn facilities at the end of the quarter totaled US$1.1B and are available for investment in major projects.

The monies represent project financing of the Liza Unity for a total of US$1.14 billion.

The project financing was secured by a consortium of nine international banks and the company had said it expects to draw the loan in full, phased over the construction period of the FPSO. It was reported that “compared with year-end 2018, net debt increased from US$2.4B to US$3.1B, as a result of the investment in the three new FPSO projects currently under construction.”

SMB Offshore said that at the end of the third quarter,

debt drawn under the billiondollar revolving credit facility amounted to US$40M The company reported too that US$560 million was drawn under the US$720 million project loan for FPSO Liza Destiny.

The FPSO Liza Destiny project loan, it said, will become non-recourse debt after the FPSO has reached the production readiness milestone and the precompletion guarantee has been released.

The Liza Destiny has already been moored some 126 miles offshore Guyana was anchored to its mooring system by SBM Offshore specialists using its partly owned Normand Installer installation vessel.

Risers connection, commissioning and start-up are in line with client's schedule, the company said.

It was reported too that the Company was awarded contracts for the Payara d e v e l o p m e n t o ff s h o r e Guyana, starting with front-

end engineering.

It said, the award was the first under the long-term FPSO “supply agreement with ExxonMobil and also secures the third Fast4Ward® hull under construction.”

It noted however that the next phase of the project, to deliver FPSO Prosperity, remains subject to government approvals, project sanction and authorisation.

The company's success rate in building its profit margin has not been the same globally.

Outside of its Guyana projects however, an FPSO ordered by the Brazilians have been put on hold.

The project has commenced and its progress is according to client's schedule.

According to reports, the Brazilian-owned Petrobras' had placed an order for the vessel for a 2022 start up.

This however, has since been delayed by at least a year by Petrobras.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 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

When an apology means little There are those few who are not on Facebook or anywhere near such channels; yet they know enough to sense the reach and power, even when supposedly contained or private. It is not; and if those are on the outside of social media know this, then so, too, should those who live on it.

The UG student should have known that somehow, sometime there would be fallout and some damage. When something is posted, it is no longer private or among friends or the likeminded only. Just don’t post things that could come back to haunt, because they do.

Because there are those, who are on the hunt for such moments of weakness, malice, or what may have started out in all innocence and with some humour intended.

The problem is that the objects of what is interpreted to be derision never see innocence or humor. In the now established, and much relished, state of ultra-sensitivities and political correctness, it as a terrible lapse of judgment for anyone to think that it could be seen as otherwise, or be given the benefit of the doubt, or that harmlessness was in mind. What may not have been intended to be hurtful finds mileage, much volume, lots of enraged company. One more time: be sensible; a lot of gullible (in love young ladies) ended up splattered all over the centerfold that is the world out there.

Apologies are good; genuine and heartfelt ones welcomed. But it is too late; just don’t go trigger the avalanche. And this goes for whoever is the source of such antics and unacceptable mistakes. Every side in the global conversation has a right to be offended by the mere appearance of such insulting behaviour, whatever it is, and regardless of the ancestry or station of the originator.

Here in overheated, storm-battered Guyana, matters of such nature furnish the fodder that feeds the racial and racist beasts lurking. In today’s world, no alleged perpetrators are spared or should be; and apologies only serve to revisit the scene of the crime. The incident lives on, takes on new dimensions and quickly descends to new depths.Also, apologies today are now so routine, so easily tendered that they have lost meaning; even the sincere, unqualified ones; exercises in damage control they have become, and no more, but forced rearguard action.

In effect, there is the pretense at contrition over being caught and exposed; a promise to not dive into the gutter again; and then retreat to disavow both in secret. It is the ultimate in deceptions. This papers cautions: do not go anywhere near the fires that can incinerate.

So, where does this leave us? With our jokes? Our casual bigotries? Our circumstantial animosities? Our scorching hatreds? Since the times compel surrender, these animosities and scorns buildup, without any outlet for expression. They can torment, and drive to the recklessness of lashing out, of baring inner convictions in the worst way possible. Since there is no discourse, then there are no healing developments. The sicknesses linger in simmering silence, in hurried retreat.

Rather unfortunately, many are at home with living a lie, by being active participants in what they discern as deceptive, and in some manner of assisting in the perpetuation of the falsehoods that abound.

Almost everybody engages in this universal game of avoiding speaking what they really think, of playing the fool, and making fools of others, through the artful and the innovative, with a disarming smile on lips. Let’s call a jackass a jackass and let the chips fall.

Things have gotten so terrible that a man can’t even make a joke with his friend, according to Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, who was hit with a one-game ban and a hefty 50,000 (sterling) fine for his comments about Benjamin Mendy. It was termed “racist” by the British FA Commission, which failed to find mirth in the posted contents. There was a time when that was given a pass, as many older Guyanese know. Bottom line is this: those who know better should do so. Those who don’t better do so quickly.

The Rodney family has been treated differently from other families of adjudged victims of State violence DEAR EDITOR, Recent publications show the existence of different accounts of the same events, centering on the Commission of Inquiry into the death of Walter Rodney. A speech made by Dr. Patricia Rodney, Walter’s widow and now head of their family, sparked responses.

As I argue in this letter, there is a righteous way of closing this matter, if it is not to run for another 39 years.

The first came from the Working People’s Alliance and, in response to it, came one from the PPP’s parliamentary Whip, Ms. Gail Teixeira. Ms. Teixeira’s letter served her party’s cause as she intended and also raised issues.

First, I question in passing two things that she said.

She claims that the Working People’s Alliance had said that it was accumulating arms.

Up to now, this statement has been reported as coming from Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, a coleader of the Working People’s Alliance, and not from the WPA. Her language is not an error of words, but it seems to me by choice.

Roopnaraine made that statement while speaking in a very personal capacity with a film-maker. I have written about a very provocative statement made by the PPP General Secretary and leader, Mr. Jagdeo, but I have not interpreted it as being made by the PPP. Even when there is a maximum leader, as in the

case of the PPP, the distinctions should, in fairness, be observed.

Next, the honorable PPP Whip claims that the PPP leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in public and in private, showed a high regard and respect for Walter Rodney. This was true up to a point, but it did not last.

During the last year of Walter Rodney’s life, the PPP leader personally warned some of his younger comrades against being attracted

by Walter Rodney. We have gone over this before. After Rodney, during the 1980 General Election campaign, actively boycotted by the WPA, PPP leaders let loose.

Dr. Jagan, speaking at a public meeting at Grove, East Bank, Demerara, openly jeered at Walter Rodney. A brief report of his comments appeared in the Chronicle and he denied the report. The next Sunday, the Sunday Chronicle published a longer word-for-word report of Dr. Jagan’s comments and he was silent.

At Leonora in the same campaign, Mrs. Janet Jagan told the crowd: “Ask Sidney King what he did in Wismar in 1964.” Aware that the unfortunate Wismar events had been the subject of a Commission appointed by the PPP, I invited Mrs. Jagan in writing to disclose, without fear of court proceedings, my alleged offences. She was silent.

I am not writing as a neu-

tral observer, because I am not.

Unlike many, I have supported the Rodney political mission, not because of his scholarship and celebrity, but because of his personal sincerity and his solidarity with sufferers at all levels up to the time of his removal.

I disagreed with the Rodney family on one issue, that is, when I refused to sign their petition to the Government of South Africa to deny the late President Burnham the Oliver Tambo Award. I have stated privately and publicly that if nothing is done to undo the injustices of the Rodney Inquest of 1988 and the trial of Donald Rodney in 1982, I will be available to approach the Courts of Law to deliberate on these processes and pronounce on them.

I should now add that the inquest into the fatal shooting of Ohene Koama on November 18, 1979 was such a farce that it ended without the police officer, who witnessed the circumstances of the shooting, even attending the inquest. He was absent from each fixture held near the victim’s car in the Eve Leary compound, on the excuse that he was in Cuba for medical treatment.

President Granger, as a mature person new to the political arena, was in a difficult situation when, on becoming President, the party he led apparently began to press for

the immediate closure of the Inquiry. Those who miss this point are missing a lot.

The PPP had, in mounting the Inquiry, treated the opposition parties as unworthy of being consulted. It ventured explanations which are not in keeping with parliamentary democracy, but tend to highhandedness. It was the National Assembly that carried a resolution in the year 2006, authorizing a Commission of Inquiry.

The PPP had abstained on the vote because the word “assassination”, in its original motion, had been wisely amended to read “death”, out of respect for a guarantee of fairness. This treatment of elected parties as things of a lower status angered the PNC in particular which, assisted

by Dr. Roopnaraine, had overcome its decades-long opposition to such an Inquiry.

Under the Commissions of Inquiry Act (Ch. 19:03), it is the President who creates a Commission, appoints the members, authorizes the Terms of Reference and sets the rules governing the Commission. The need for consultation is not written into the Act, but an enlightened political culture will advise it.

The public will recall the tension created when it became known that the Commission would not have the time it desired to finish its work.

You can tell a seamstress or a tailor that you must have your (Continued on page 6)

Granger’s ‘good life manifesto’ is exposed as platitudes bereft of careful thought or planning DEAR EDITOR, After four and a half years of David Granger’s hapless administration, Guyanese have lost belief in our ability to progress as a nation.

When PPP Presidential candidate Irfaan Ali made a promise to create fifty-thousand new jobs, the immediate reaction of his opponents was to scoff at the idea, given that this was a conservative number, arrived at after lengthy planning sessions involving persons who had moved Guyana from lowly Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC1) to HIPC2, Middle Income (MIC) and then to Upper Middle Income Country. The idea that this job-creation plan is seen as unrealistic and/or empty campaign promise was sobering.

Just how much have we regressed under David Granger that the populace cannot accept we can create new jobs even with the discovery of billions of barrels of oil and production set to begin before the end of 2019?

It is instructive when

Irfaan Ali’s job-creation plan is juxtaposed with Winston Jordan’s statement: “If you really want to downsize government, you are talking about another fifteen (thousand) to twenty thousand workers to really make that saving to pay those who will remain and you know that cannot happen. Even if it can happen, it would not be able to happen overnight so to speak”.

The differences in vision and ability to execute plans become very clear. Jordan is struggling to keep an economy afloat, even as energy companies and their satellites pour onto our shores.

Economic prosperity is not reaching our masses.

Granger’s ‘good life manifesto’ is exposed as platitudes bereft of careful thought or planning.

When establishing a Public Service Staff College, David Granger said “It is my view that the public service is the engine of the executive, (and) it is essential to have an efficient public

service…We need a public service that is reliable, and I mention this, the relevance, the responsiveness, the resourcefulness and reliability, because I believe in having stronger regions.”

The fact that this same Public Service that was not good enough for Granger, had worked under the management and policy direction to move Guyana forward for over two decades was lost on David Granger. It is not that the Public Service has become inefficient overnight; the change has been due to David Granger’s administration of poor policy, paucity of management experience and skill coupled with rampant corruption and penchant for extravagance of his (Granger’s) Ministerial management team.

Style without substance; reliance on photo-ops without meaning; promises made as comfort to fools and glib retorts to serious questions on accountability have been the hallmarks of Granger’s incompetence as a leader.

Editor, Winston Jordan

was an employee of this Public Service during that period of much progress. Also, in 2003, the World Bank said “Guyana’s progress in implementing the reforms specified for reaching the completion point has been satisfactory, with all triggers met, except for two. These two triggers pertain to civil service reform - namely, the requirement to lay-off 1,000 core civil servants, and to complete a list of job descriptions and design a performance appraisal system. The authorities have requested that those two triggers be waived. The waiver requests are based on significant progress made by the authorities in implementing a more comprehensive civil service reform program with support from the IDB” (REPORT NO. P7607-GUA).

The Jagdeo administration fought to keep those Public Service jobs in 2003, an Irfaan Ali administration would do the same. Elections are on 2nd March 2020.

Respectfully Robin Singh

Saturday November 16, 2019

What constitutes an anti-suicide to work with parent teacher cent graduates of the US Psywithin the chology program. campaign? associations schools to train parents in *Sensitization for all poDEAR EDITOR, “Minister Broomes on ‘anti-suicide’ campaign at Linden schools” screamed the headline in a local newspaper.

But then the article proceeded to wax on the minister’s talk to the students.

So The Caribbean Voice (TCV) checked and found out that Minister Broomes is not a psychologist or counselor or suicide prevention advocate or activist. But as a minister, surely she would have been advised as to what suicide prevention entails.

In fact, TCV expected to read that the minister has provided at least one clinically trained counselor to each school and that staff would be trained to identify suicidewarning signs so they can quickly refer at-risk students to the counselors.

We also expected to read that the minister is planning workshops for teachers to strengthen them mentally and emotionally and to address their psychosocial needs.

Furthermore, we expected to read that the minister is planning suicide prevention workshops in Linden schools, focusing on selfharm in general, including stress management, self-esteem, coping skills to deal with challenges, handling peer pressure, building selfconfidence, learning self-forgiveness, saying no to drugs and alcohol, avoiding cutting, handling bullying, including cyber bullying…

As well, we expected to read that Minister is planning

basic prevention strategies such as emphatic communication and safe use/storage of pesticides and to provide them with easy and quick access to help, should that become necessary.

Perhaps the minister ought to note what experts, advocates and activists in the field have to say about preventing suicide. Among the strategies suggested are: * Strengthen economic supports * Strengthen access and delivery of suicide care *Create protective environments *Promote connectedness *Teach coping and problem-solving skills *Identify and support people at risk *Lessen harms and prevent future risk In effect, suicide prevention has to embrace a comprehensive approach of which talking to/lecturing people is not a recommended strategy.

In fact the Guyana Government’s National Suicide Prevention Plan (NSPP) does embrace a comprehensive approach and provides related specificities for all strategies. And because TCV knows that Minister cannot only be interested in suicide prevention in Linden, given who she is, we are certain that Honourable Minister will use the NSPP to launch a national suicide prevention campaign, and that among the measures that she would soon put in place are: * Counselors in every school, drawing from the re-

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Kaieteur News

lice officers and health care workers. *Total integration of mental health care into the physical health care system. * A program to tackle pesticide suicide, perhaps an adaptation of the Sri Lankan hazard Prevention model that has been so highly successful in that nation. *Speeding up the total renovation and equipping of the National Psychiatric Institution. * Ensuring that all public hospitals have psych wards and mental health specialists including psychiatrists, psychologists, and traumatists. *Establishing protocols for licensing of all counselors and piloting legislation to criminalize quack counseling. *Steps to decriminalize suicide *Making counseling easily and quickly accessible to all Guyanese regardless of their ability to pay. *Get the University of Guyana to embark on a comprehensive suicide survey, the results of which can then be used to drive prevention nationally.

Madam Minister, please know that The Caribbean Voice stands ready to join you in this effort to tackle suicide throughout our nation!

Sincerely The Caribbean Voice

Dr. Clive Thomas will be heralded as the man who broke the back of poverty in for the direct cash transfer, wife eat two meals, and he Guyana along with the pensioners of also grieves for his kids when DEAR EDITOR, When the history of this country is written post-oil, the name Dr. Clive Thomas will be heralded as the man who broke the back of poverty in Guyana. And whether the politicians like it or not, the people of this country will force them to share some of the oil wealth, be it 5% or 10% of the oil revenue, through Direct Cash Transfer.

I will say this, if the PPP or the Coalition hope to win the upcoming elections, they should spell it out clearly in their manifesto, how they will distribute the oil wealth to the poor and needy of this country through Direct Cash Transfer.

And do not underestimate the power of the silent majority, the poor and the needy, on elections day, they can hurt both parties badly.

According to the Guyana Poverty Reduction Strategy 2011-2015 report, more than 36% of Guyanese are living in poverty, surviving on an income of $1.75 US per day and 19% are living in extreme poverty, surviving on an income of $1.25 US per day.

Editor, that’s 55% of Guyanese who are living in poverty or extreme poverty, and these are the people who make up the silent majority, and who should be targetted

this country.

And to the naysayers and elite of this country who are against Direct Cash Transfer, I would like to give them some examples of poverty in this country, real people.

Aunty Sona was a pensioner who lived alone in my street. She was 80 years old and received a pension of $20,500 per month. Well you can imagine how she survived. People in my street, including yours truly, assisted her with three meals every day and also other expenses. She recently died a broken woman.

Persaud, who works at Albion Estate, earns about $12,000 per week.

He has a wife and three kids, two of whom are in Primary School and third is a baby. No matter how hard he tries, the money is insufficient to meet all his needs. Sad to say, neighbours help out from time to time.

Then I have a friend, and by the way he is afro Guyanese, who lives in Cumberland, Canje, and is a retrenched sugar worker of Rose Hall Estate. He has a wife and four kids who are all in school. He plants a kitchen garden and throws castnet to catch fish, and many days he does not catch anything. He told me some days he and his

he cannot meet their basic needs.

When you talk about poverty, these are some extreme cases of poverty of real people, and there are thousands and thousands of people like them.

This is a wakeup call to all the politicians of this country: education yes, infrastructure yes, health care yes, but the people are really suffering and they need help now, and therefore I join with true patriots of this country like Dr. Clive Thomas, Dr. David Hinds and Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, in calling on the political parties who will be asking the poor of this country to vote for them in the upcoming elections, to guarantee the people that when they get into government they will roll out the Direct Cash Transfer programme immediately to lift the people out of poverty.

Beware, I have put all the politicians of this country on notice, don’t mess with the people or you will regret it.

Thank You. Yours Faithfully, Imtiaz Baccus

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AFC prepared to go alone if talks with APNU fail The Alliance For Change (AFC) will not hesitate to contest solo in the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

The party has been locked in a power struggle with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) over the distribution of posts in a possible new APNU/AFC government after the March 2, 2020 elections.

Both parties have kept the details of those negotiations under lock and key, except for the AFC exposing a disagreement, over who gets to choose the prime ministerial candidate was a major point of contention.

Many had thought that the specific issue APNU had was with the AFCs choice for the candidacy, Khemraj Ramjattan. But President David Granger explained that his position was that the President has the sole constitutional right to appoint the Prime Minister.

The AFC had made it clear that its right to select the Prime Ministerial candidate was a non-negotiable tenet of the first installation of the Cummingsburg Accord, and that its position on the revision of the Accord would be no different.

During a press conference yesterday, AFC Treasurer, Dominic Gaskin, would not confirm media reports that the two sides have already settled on Ramjattan as the candidate.

It was only offered that the only matter that needs to be sorted out at this juncture is the formula for the distribution of ministerial parliamentary and local government posts between AFC and the APNU. Asked whether the party is willing to budge on the 60/40 allocation of seats agreed to for the previous election, Gaskin said that it would be open to making concessions if that meant that there would be a concession to them in another regard.

“Once something is on the table, were we to deviate from that formula, the question would be what we are getting in return or what are we giving in return,” Gaskin said.AFC Deputy General Secretary, Leonard Craig, said that that party would not only be ready to contest alone, but that it would do so in all ten administrative regions if needs be.

AFC Treasurer, Dominic Gaskin Even then, they maintained that a coalition is preferred.

They said that the party has already hammered out its manifesto, independent from the APNU, and if the final meeting slated for Monday with the APNU does not yield favourable results, the party is going to make its way into the election alone.

Deadlines have been pushed back before, but Gaskin said that this Monday, November 18, will be the final deadline.

GASKIN BOWS OUT OF POLITICS And former Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin, has made it clear that he will not be on the coalitions list of candidates contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

The AFC Treasurer said this as he was fielding questions on the partys preparedness for the election.

Gaskin was forced to resign from his ministerial post earlier this year, after the No Confidence Motion of December 21, 2018 led to a revelation to the public a law prohibiting dual citizens from holding Parliamentarian office.

After his resignation, Gaskin was reappointed to the Ministry of Business, this time as Director of Manufacturing and Marketing.

Haimraj Rajkumar assumed the Ministerial post.

Hearing of rape convicts appeal deferred

The hearing of an appeal for Hopetown, West Coast Berbice resident, Talbert McPherson, who was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for raping an eight-year-old girl, has been deferred to Monday, January 13, 2020.

When the matter came up yesterday at the Court of Appeal, McPhersons lawyer, Arnand Gossai, requested an adjournment to file submissions as he was unable to peruse the records of appeal since he only received them on Wednesday from another lawyer.

Senior State Counsel Natasha Backer raised no objections to counsels request.

Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud, will be hearing this appeal.

McPherson committed the offence against the young girl between Wednesday 12th August and Thursday 13th August 2009 at No. 30 Village, West Coast Berbice.

Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

RAPE CONVICT: Talbert McPherson McPherson was tried before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Berbice.

It was previously reported that the child lived with her mother aunt and a cousin and had known McPherson as he lived with her aunt and grandmother. On the day in question, her mother took the two children to her grandmothers residence to stay for the night, because she was attending a wake.

Early in the night, they watched a movie with her grandmother after which she and her cousin retired to bed.

She was lying on a mattress with others when she saw a shadow. The light from out-

side was shining in the room and she recognised the person to be McPherson who subsequently has sex with her.

The next day she informed her mother who reported the matter to the police. The child was taken to the hospital where it was observed that she had bruises on her vaginal wall and anus.

When asked by the trial judge if he had anything to say in response to the jurys verdict, Lancaster said, “Sir with all due respect, I am not a violent person. I did not take the life of a person and I am still in trouble. I did not do it.” The judge, however, indicated that he found Lancasters remark strange, and asked him if he were “sick” as he could not imagine why someone would want to do something like that to an eight-year-old girl.

Lancaster had claimed that the girls family “are always after me; they always after me”. During his trial, the prosecution called eight witnesses including the virtual complainant, her mother, grandmother, a doctor and police officers.

Naked and clear discrimination meted out to the nation’s sugar workers DEAR EDITOR, The lead story of the November 14, Stabroek News which addressed another imposed pay increase to public servants at its ultimate paragraph saliently said “While public servants have gotten increases since 2015, sugar workers have had their wages frozen and 7,000 have lost their jobs”.

The latest announcement by the caretaker Granger Administration represents yet another step and epitomizes the perpetuation of the naked and clear discrimination meted out to the thousands of the nation’s sugar workers.

Several rationales have been expressed for the continuing discrimination against not only the sugar workers and their families, but also affecting their villages, and those economically dependent on sugar workers’ consumption. That notwithstanding, it appears, the Administration is unfazed and simply unconcerned about this section of the Guyanese people.This latest pay rise announcement follows not too long after thousands of sugar workers petitioned President Granger for an increase which the Stabroek News reminds, has been withheld since 2015 when the Coalition took office. It appears that petition and the expressions of the workers have no bearing on the President and his ministerial cadre.

The discriminatory approach, in our view, is clearly expressed by the Stabroek News

which said “…it had been expected that the caretaker government would announce a significant hike to solidify support from what is seen as key part of its constituency”.

The newspaper, which we also know is a victim of Governmental discrimination, is only repeating what is generally known, and that is the Granger bunch is concerned with only a section of the working people. Clearly, the sugar workers and the industry are not in the Government’s good graces, which explains its lackadaisical attitude and approach to them.

This is a marked departure from past experiences and practices.

Governments, as far as we know, are elected to govern fair and treat all citizens equally. The important tenets are reiterated in our Constitution, yet the caretakers-of-today are clear violators.

As we have pointed out before, even PNC founder and former President Forbes Burnham never was so crude and crass and he ensured workers were generally treated equally. President Granger who idolizes his party’s founder, should well be guided by such an example.

We say that all workers should be treated fairly and equitably.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine, General Secretary GAWU

The Rodney family has been treated...

From page 4 job by 5:00 p.m. But you cannot tell a surgeon how long to take for a surgery, or a panel of judges to finish their deliberations within a time frame not chosen by them. You can give these orders, but then you must take responsibility for any deficiency.

The Chairman of the Commission felt impelled to speak out in these circumstances.

He said among other things that the new Government had the right to close down the Commission, or to issue a time limit.

He gave instances in which new Governments had closed down the work of a Commission. He added, however, that if the Commission did not have enough time to finish its work, the fairness of the report could be affected.

Previously he had announced that he was assigning special parts of the report to particular members. Members of the public will have various opinions about whether the Commission had enough time to study, with the required care, the drafts of each of its members.

All in all, although the PPP, in mounting the Commission, filled a gap in the human rights and democratic process, the chief beneficiary of the Commission was not the aggrieved Rodney family, but the PPP. The ruling party was able to delight itself with the testimony that revealed and brought back to public attention the numerous violations of law and order and of the political process in the period reviewed.

Many citizens do not know that the Chairman of the Commission, in answer to a question at a forum in Barbados, said “it would have been better if the Opposition had been consulted on the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Commission.” He did not expand this answer he made to a question put to him.

The TOR contained a direction to identify “the intellectual author” of the crime that removed Walter Rodney from among us. The quoted phrase originated with Fidel Castro after the bombing of Letelier of Chile on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. It was placed in the TOR to show how loyal the PPP is to the rhetoric of celebrities.

Notably absent from the TOR was any reference, direct or indirect, to redress for the losses imposed on the Rodney family with its very young children.

The consideration of redress could not be absent from the President’s mind. In 2012, there were mass demonstrations in Linden and the police opened fire, which resulted in the unfortunate deaths of three citizens and injuries to many.

It is noteworthy that the TOR of the Wolfe Commission of 5, appointed after this incident, contained a direction to consider necessary compensation for the victims.

No such direction appeared in the TOR of the Rodney Commission.

Finally, the PPP Whip, Ms. Teixeira, has gone on record in her reply to the WPA by reminding us that she attempted to move a motion,

asking that the report be sent to a Select Committee of the National Assembly for scrutiny. Sending the COI report, already signed without dissent by the three Commissioners to a Select Committee, would have resulted in more talk, more paper, more minutes, without touching the outstanding issues.

The PPP, as well as the WPA and others present at the debate of the report, could have moved a motion, especially after the 2012 Linden Commission, requesting Parliament to appoint an expert committee of jurists and financiers to study the highly relevant issue of redress, such as compensation, in the light of the involvement of the State in the tragic event of June 13, 1980.

The quality of the PPP’s concern is also revealed in the fact that instead of directing its legal officers to seek remedies through the courts, they offered Donald Rodney a pardon, which for him would mean an admission of guilt.

Without taking legal advice, I am persuaded that means are open to people of good will to find appropriate means for just pursuit of the outstanding issues of redress and justice.

In addition to all the wrongs they had suffered, I am willing to argue, subject to informed wisdom, that the Rodney family has now been treated differently from other families of adjudged victims of State violence, contrary to constitutional guarantees against discrimination.

Yours respectfully, Eusi Kwayana

Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 7

Mabaruma Mayor, Town Clerk at loggerheads over estimates

Mayor of Mabaruma Chris Phang A major disagreement has erupted between the Mayor of Mabaruma Region One, North West District (NWD), Chris Phang, and the Acting Town Clerk, Maria Basheer, over estimates.

Phang said that he had summoned Miss Basheer to a special meeting with the Mabaruma Town Council to present three things.

The mayor requested that Basheer present a detailed financial statement of income and expenditure for the fiscal years of 2016-2019, a status report on all Mayor and Town Council projects for the years, 2018-2019 and a submission of the estimated income and expenditure (budget) for the fiscal year 2020.

Mayor Phang said that his reason for wanting a special meeting with the Acting Town Clerk is solely because allegations made against her.

He claimed that he wanted her to produce these documents, to “free herself” of the allegations.

But a conflict ensued between the two after three letters were sent to Basheer and she failed to comply.

Miss Basheer on the other hand, prior to becoming Acting Town Clerk was the town treasurer and is in possession of these records.

She claimed that she did respond to the Mayor in a letter, stating that she will be available for a meeting according to the Laws of

Guyana. This, she said, displeased the Mayor and sparked a major disagreement between the two individuals.

The Acting Town Clerk added that according to the law, she cannot hold two positions and is in the process of resolving this matter.

Basheer said that she had already conducted an interview with someone to fill the vacant position but was disrupted and will have to redo the process.

Secondly, she stated that the Constitution of Guyana Chapter 28:01 Part 5 Sections 155(1) says “The City Council and the Town Council shall not later than November 15 in every year cause to be submitted to them estimates of revenues and expenditure of the Council for the next financial year”.She said that her response was not intended to disrespect the Mayor in any way, “All I was doing was following the law”.

The Mayor has since written to the Local Government Commission requesting an intervention into the matter.

Copy of Marias letter responding to the Mayors request.

Copy of the letter sent to Miss Maria Basheer

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Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

12 companies approved for mining -local employment, reclamation plan mandated A dozen prospective concessions have been approved for them to be developed into production mines.

However, Government has set conditions including how the companies have to operate.

Following almost two years of planning and preparation, the Ministry of Natural Resources yesterday said it has agreed with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), to a number of mining properties being converted from prospective to mining permits.

“These conversions apply to lands previously held, for a number of years under prospection permits and now

clear the way for them to be developed into production mines.”The mining companies and miners to benefit from this facility are Queensway Inc.; Aranka Gold Inc.; Innovation Mining Inc.; Major Miners Inc.; Cuyuni River Ventures Inc.; Sun and Sand Mining & Minerals Inc.; Saratu Phillips; Clarence Grannum; Alfro Alphonso; Guiana Shields Resources Inc.; Precious Metal Mines Inc. and Adamanitum Holdings.

It was explained yesterday that the GGDMA had requested this facility in 2018 for a few of its members who had desired to have their mining properties that would be converted from prospection

Miners and Minister Raphael Trotman meeting yesterday. to mining.

However, there are conditions.The operators will have to utilise new technologies that reduce the use and impact of mercury; employing 50% of labour from areas near to the mine; providing scholarships for training and other

socio-benefits for communities contiguous to the mines and formulating an approved reclamation plan for the mine after closure.

“This measure is expected to increase mineral production and boost direct foreign investments into Guyana’s

economy. The two sides met (yesterday) to finalise the process and to discuss matters of concern and interest such as continued engagement with President Granger, the functioning of the Closed Area Committee, maintenance of roads and public infrastruc-

ture, and mercury use.”

Currently, there are only two large scale mining operations- Aurora Gold Mines and Troy Resources.

The latter is facing major problems after a fatal mining pit accident halted operations.

Jagdeo selective on oil contracts renegotiation Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, wants unfavourable oil contracts renegotiated, but consistently refuses to renegotiate the one contract that at this juncture promises to make Guyana money.

That contract is the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that governs operations on the Stabroek Block.

During a press conference on Thursday last, Jagdeo criticised with much fervency the APNU/AFC Government for not renegotiating “some” of the oil contracts which have been pointed out as lopsided by a myriad of critics.

He used this Governments refusal to renegotiate oil contracts as reason to prop up his assertion that it is incompetent and incapable of properly managing the sector, even going so far as to say that President David Grangers promise that the oil wealth will trickle down to the working people is not one that would be kept.

The Opposition Leader pointed to the PPP as a group that would manage the oil sector well if it is elected to Government on March 2, 2020. He has said that it would look to revisit lopsided oil contracts all except for the Stabroek PSA with ExxonMobil and its partners, that is.

He had, for instance, noted the Orinduik PSA as a contract that he is interested in revisiting when it was pointed out that Guyana will effectively be getting no royalty for operations done on that block. Tullow Oil and its partners had boasted that the contract al-

PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo lows them to pay the meager one percent royalty with one hand, and take it back with another.

Yet, the consequentiality of that matter pales in comparison to the Stabroek PSA, as the Stabroek Block is already a-go for production. Liza-1 and Liza-2 have already been approved and First Oil could be on Guyana by next month. For the Orinduik Block, on the other hand, two discoveries have been made, but Tullow has announced that the “heavy oil” found there is causing the contractors to reassess just how commercially viable production would be for them.

So, despite the fact that other contracts (Continued on page 22)

Another politician relinquishes citizenship Four senior ministers were forced out of their parliamentary seats earlier this year.

They were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vice President Carl Greenidge; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; and Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine because of their dual citizenship status.On Thursday during a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of Presidency; former Minister of State and Director General at the Ministry of Presidency, Joseph Harmon, announced that his US citi-

zenship has been officially renounced.

This paves the way for him to continue his political career in Guyana. In April, the High Court ruled on barring persons with dual citizenship from sitting in the National Assembly. This stemmed after former coalition MP, Mr. Charrandass Persaud who held a second citizenship voted in favour of an Opposition tabled No-Confidence Motion against the Coalition Government.

Attorney General Basil Williams filed a court case ar-

guing that the No-Confidence Motion was invalid since Mr. Charrandass Persaud was a dual citizen. Mr. Compton Reid challenged the vote in the High Court. There was a ruling eventually upheld in the Court of Appeal which found that persons with dual citizenship cannot sit in the National Assembly. The former MPs vote was valid since he had a valid parliamentarian.There are also three PPP/C parliamentarians who hold dual citizenship; Adrian Anamaya, Odinga Lumumba and Gail Teixeira.

Saturday November 16, 2019

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Kaieteur News

GNBA collaborates with GECOM for upcoming elections

Executives of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) met with the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday to discuss collaboration for the upcoming elections in March of next year.

Furthermore, the executives of GNBA present at the meeting include the Chairman, Mr. Leslie Sobers; Board Member and Chair of the Monitoring and Compliance Committee, Ms. Jocelyne Josiah; Board Secretary, Mrs. Violet Boyer; Head of the Monitoring and Compliance

Department, Ms. Christina Bianchini; and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joel Ally.

The Chairperson of GECOM, Justice Claudette Singh; Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield; and Public Relations Officer, Ms. Yolanda Ward represented the Guyana Elections Commission at the meeting.

In his introductory remarks, the GNBA Chairman gave a synopsis of the mandate of the GNBA and the scope of the Authority with respect to its monitoring parameters and capacity.

The Board of GNBA along with the Executives of GECOM discussing their collaboration for the elections in March GECOM has a wider mandate as it relates to monitoring during the elections period.

It is the intention of the Authority to collaborate with

Dem boys seh ...

Some bareface people walking around Scampishness can never done, especially in Guyana.

When dem politicians wanted to give some of dem supporters something, instead of giving dem money, dem give de people land.

Some people get more land dat dem could handle.

Who had nuff land tun round and rent out a good piece to rice farmers and vegetable farmers. Dat is how dem mek money. But Jagdeo know dat most of he supporters worship land. One man get de land fuh next to nutten and mek a profit because one house lot cover de money he pay fuh de whole plot.

When dem boys talk, Jagdeo tell dem everything was above board. He always

insist he did nutten wrong.

Was de same thing wid radio licence. By de time Jagdeo lef office, some of de people who get radio sell out de licence and mek a pretty dollar.

Soulja Bai tell de country how he ruling fuh all de people.

Dem boys ask him if he ruling fuh Jagdeo too and he seh every family got ownway pickney and he might have to send Jagdeo to jail.

Dat ain’t happen yet but Jagdeo still trying to mek Soulja Bai look like a corrupt person.

He tell people how Soulja Bai tek money and pay heself and he friends. Dat was a big story and fuh months people keep talking ‘bout it. When dem get tired, dem start to find

fault wid de oil contract. Dis is wheh dem boys see bold face people.

Jagdeo refuse to release de contract because he know wha stupidness he do.

Of course he gon blame Janet but is he who was talking to de oil people.

De odda day, he seh he wouldn’t renegotiate de oil contract but he want Soulja Bai to do it. He give some foreign companies so much concessions dat Guyana bleeding till today. Now he want Soulja Bai to reel in dem same concessions.

Dem boys seh dat he is one bareface person who would pee on de floor and seh is somebody else do it.

Talk half watch out fuh mo’ scampishness.

the Guyana Elections Commission and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) during such important period was alluded to by the Chairman.

Besides, Mr. Sobers explained that the Authority, similar to ERC and GECOM, monitors for content that may incite racial hatred or crime and public disorder, with respect to broadcasting.

He pointed out that enshrined in the Broadcasting Act, there is a fairness doctrine which means that broadcasters when dealing with controversial issues must cater for balance and fairness with respect to treatment, time and space allocation.

In addition, Board member, Jocelyne Josiah, of GNBA informed GECOM representatives that there is an entire department at GNBA that monitors content.

She proffered that the

Code of Conduct for GECOM needs to be reviewed and updated in preparation for the upcoming elections, which GECOM representatives agreed.

Public Relations Officer of the GNBA, Mr. Joel Ally, noted that the populace is gradually moving away from the mainstream media.

To that effect, he noted that Social Media is continuously growing. He added that reporters, in addition to signing on to the Media Code of Conduct, should also reflect those principles stipulated in the Code of Conduct, when posting content and opinions on social platforms; being cognizant of the fact that they have influence on their followers.

Most importantly, the GNBA will soon be allocating its representative to work in collaboration with GECOM

and the ERC. According to GNBA, this will develop and operationalise a collaborative framework to ensure that the proposed tripartite engagement is successful and beneficial to all parties involved.

It further stated that it will most significantly create an environment that is peaceful and conducive for citizens before, during and after the upcoming elections.

PAGE 10

Built from scratch…

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 2019

DemBank stands tall at 25

The top officials with staffers at the DemBank’s Corporate Headquarters, Camp Street yesterday.

In 1994, Demerara Bank Limited (DemBank) opened its doors on Camp and South Roads. It was described as the country’s first truly, fully indigenous bank. There was the Guyana National Co-operative Bank which was the first indigenous Bank. These were followed by the Guyana Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank and Today, DemBank is celebrating 25 years…with much to shout about.

Not only has the bank been continuously making profits, and set to approve a 140 percent dividend for shareholders for the last financial year, but it is planning its eight branch for next year…at Mahaica.

Yesterday, iconic businessman, Dr. Yesu Persaud, whose brainchild DemBank was, admitted that it was never easy starting a bank and breaking into a market that was closely guarded.

Today, the newest kid on the block has just under 15 percent of the banking pie.

The big players were mostly foreign controlled, in the 80s.

Today, DemBank has over 200 staffers.Three of its facilities are fully solar-powered and off the grid of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. Both Persaud and his Chief Executive Officer, Pravinchandra Dave, disclosed yesterday, that back in the early 90s, the idea of an

DemBank’s Corporate Headquarters on Camp Street. indigenous bank was deemed a difficult taskThe technical, financial and managerial challenges all had to be overcome.

“In last 25 years, I can claim we are the most successful bank in Guyana,” said the CEO emphatically yesterday.Dr. Persaud was not a businessman of ordinary means. He was the Chairman who helped build the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and El Dorado rums into the household and worldwide-renowned names.

He has been making moves to start a bank since the 70s but was brushed aside and even cautioned by friends and business colleagues. But he persevered and turned a deaf ear to the negativities.Today, it has paid off. In the beginning, the customers were slow in coming.

DemBank turned its attention to Stabroek Market, pleading with businesses there, and one by one, brought them on board.

Today, a number of the biggest businesses have taken their accounts there and are in no hurry to leave anytime soon.According to Dave, DemBank’s profits had never gone down in the last eight or so years.

In the last year alone, the bank has paid over $1.2B in taxes, one of the items on its balance sheet.The CEO also boasted yesterday that the share price of the bank has

On top of things: DemBank’s CEO,Pravinchandra Dave and Chairman, Dr. Yesu Persaud.

grown strongly from a lowly $3 in the 90s to $68 now, one of the safest wealth creators in Guyana.

He paid kudos to Dr. Persaud’s stewardship as chairman. Over 90 years old now, the businessman’s other initiatives like the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED).

Pointing to the recent challenges of the anti-money laundering laws that were passed, Dave said that DemBank managed to overcome the hurdles.

It was not that hard as the bank had a very robust compliance system.“We have services where you can send money to 134 countries in their own currencies.”

Dave also insisted that DemBank also has about the best rates in the country when it comes to lending and on savings.

The last year has been excellent again with deposit growth tagged at 16 percent.

The bank is now looking at how it can play a role in oil and gas, targeting small entrepreneurs.

“It will not be easy in the oil and gas market. You don’t create business overnight.

You must have a plan… what to produce; where, whether you have you got the skills,” the Chairman said.

According to Dave, DemBank is continuing to play its role to reduce cash by pushing more use of its ATMs, the use of cards in the supermarkets, the use of debit and Visa cards and other online transactions.

“Starting from scratch in the Guyana society was a task out of this world,” pointed out Dr. Persaud.

When all the other banks were facing high non-performing loans, Demerara Bank managed to keep its losses down to single digits in this area, well below the industry average.The bank is (Continued on page 24)

Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 2019

Police unveil plans to tackle crime, traffic for Christmas

By Shikema Dey With the Christmas season approaching and the city abuzz with activities, the Guyana Police Force on Friday unveiled plans to combat the expected hike in criminal activities and to ease traffic congestion during this period.

Common throughout the Christmas holidays is the influx of visitors to Guyana. This results in a build up of traffic which can lead to mishaps that

sometimes end in a fatality.

So far, there is a recorded 3,712 cars traversing the city on a daily basis.

To address this, the Traffic Department has put in place arrangements to ensure that citizens can traverse our roadways with minimum obstruction, congestion and accidents.

“We know that one death is far too many so we are looking to have a reduction dur-

- Crime hotspots to be targeted, increase patrols ing this Christmas period. We know this is a period when all seems normal and dry...”

Traffic Chief, Linden Isles, stated that the capital city will be divided into four sectors.

This, he said, will maximise police presence on a daily basis and aid response time.

“Special emphasis will be placed on the areas connect-

ing East Coast and Berbice bus and car parks and Stabroek Market Stelling area.”

The Traffic Chief outlined that the city will see an increase in motor cars, motorcycles and foot patrols throughout the country.

He also stated that, “in Georgetown, crash trucks will

be used for towing vehicles which are illegally parked”.

The wheel clamping system will also be used.

The Traffic Department will be placing special focus on several common offences, which include driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding also the overloading of minibuses and cars.

For Christmas Eve day, one of the busiest days in Guyana, several arrangements will be made to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

East-bound vehicular traffic will be denied entry between Alexander and Light Streets, Regent Street and North Road and also Avenue (Continued on page 24)

Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 2019

US Ambassador to Guyana offers support to Lethem Police

The US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and her team along with Superintendent Keithon King exploring the facilities under construction

U

nited States Ambassador to Guyana, Ms. Sarah-Ann Lynch, along with a team from the United States Embassy, visited Commander of Regional Police Division Nine, Superintendent Keithon King, on Thursday at the headquarters in Central Lethem.

According to the Guyana Police Force, the meeting presented the security challenges that are faced by the police with respect to the prevalent crimes in Region Nine. These challenges were discussed as they relate to postures to be adapted to combat the

prominent crimes.

The welfare and wellbeing of the ranks were also discussed.

The United States Ambassador pledged the support of the Embassy to assist the police in areas that would aid the police within the Division to execute their mandate of service and protection, the Guyana Police Force stated in a post.

Superintendent King led the team on a tour of the facilities which were currently under construction, including the Mounted Branch among others.

Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Boats, streetlights, new roads for Aroaima Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.

Residents at the meeting.

The community of Aroaima, in Region Ten, Upper Demerara-Berbice, over the next few weeks will see more development, following commitments from Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.Among these is a boat to transport schoolchildren. Additionally, the community will have streetlights and floodlights, and the diversion of a central road in the area.During a brief stop in the area on Sunday, Minister Trotman assured that the requests made by residents that could not be immediately met, would be addressed at the earliest possible time.However, the appeal for a boat for schoolchildren was immediately answered by the Minister, who promised to have the transport ready for the community.

Residents had for some time been requesting that a

central road in the community be positioned in another direction, making for a more trouble-free commute. Minister Trotman said that could easily be done at this time, utilising the services of the same contractor currently maintaining the Linden to Kwakwani road.Several flood and streetlights will also be sent to the community this week.Added to the boat, residents had requested a bus for schoolchildren. However, Minister Trotman promised that that request will be addressed in the new year.

An appeal was also made for assistance to be given to aid the functioning of a private school at Hururu that is currently functioning at a “loss�. Minister Trotman promised that the request would also be examined.

He reminded of the governments commitment to

equally provide every available service to all, regardless of political persuasion and personal preferences.The logging community was also allotted concessions to the Berbice area, granted to the community under the last vacant list. The Guyana Forestry Commissions (GFC) Corporate Secretary, Attorney Jacey Archibald, said contracts are expected to be issued as early as the new week along with the demarcation process.

On Thursday during a Post Cabinet Press briefing, Director General of the Ministry of Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon stated that a sum of $942.5M was allocated by procurement agencies to upgrade the conditions of five police stations.

Divisional headquarters, Mabaruma, Region One will attract $215.6 M for a contract awarded to Z & H Investment Inc.There would be the rehabilitation of Leonora Police Station, in Region Three for the sum $72.7M by way of a

contract was awarded to KP Thomas and Sons Contracting Inc.Divisional headquarters, Diamond, Region Four will be rehabilitated for the sum of $199.8M, a contract awarded to PC contracting.

The rehabilitation of Cove and John Police Station, Region Four, for $47.5M by way of a contract was awarded to A. Organsein & Sons.

Divisional headquarters at Fort Wellington in Region Five attracts $201.7M for a contract awarded to Doodnauths Construction

and Supplies.The fifth police station would see the reconstruction of the Divisional headquarters at Anna Regina, Region Two for the sum of $215.2M, contracted to Builders Hardware & General Supplies and Construction.These Divisional Headquarters in Regions One to Five are being upgraded to appoint the Regional Commanders and Deputy Commanders to be physically present in their respective divisions with adequate space, and to facilitate their functioning effectively.

Five police stations for upgrade

Handyman charged for sexually assaulting 6yr old girl

A pensioner was yesterday granted bail after he was charged and is now facing a sexual assault case in which he reportedly engaged in sexual activities with a child under the age of 16.Reuben France, a 66-year-old handyman, was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates Court where the matter was heard in camera before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and members of the public along with media operatives were asked to exit the courtroom.

According to information, France was not required to plead to the allegation as the charge was made indictable. It read that on February 15, 2019 at Supply, East Bank Demerara, he engaged in sexual activities with a child under the age of 16.

Further information disclosed that the man is known to the victims family as he would normally clean their yard.

On the day in question, the childs grandmother made contact with the defendant and

asked him to visit and clean their yard.

While he was carrying out his duties, the woman went upstairs in her home, leaving the six-year-old child to play in the yard. France then reportedly left his duties to go sit in a chair where he called the child over and placed her on his lap.It was indicated that the defendant allegedly used this opportunity to fondle the childs vagina. The child subsequently told her grandmother and the incident was reported to the police.France was arrested following investigations hence the charge was instituted against him and he was processed for court. The defendant was granted bail in the sum of $75,000 under the condition that he is to not go within 50 feet of the victim and her family. Also, no contact is to be made with them. He is to report to the Timehri Police Station every Friday pending the outcome of his matter before the court. The case is expected to be recalled on November 20, next.

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Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

Kitty Market vendors calling for reduction in rentals After City Hall spent over $27 million for the renovation of the Kitty market, vendors are refusing to occupy the new stalls due to the high prices attached to them.

Vendors are complaining that due to the number of years that the market has been deteriorating, business has been on the decline. And as a result, paying over $25,000 per month to occupy a stall, to them, is unreasonable.

When Kaieteur News visited the Municipal market yesterday morning, vendors were at their wits to have their distress and concerns heard.

Grace Stewart who has been selling at the market for the past 35 years stated that because the stalls were built relatively small, it has been difficult to pack groceries in one stall. This dilemma has forced her to rent another stall.

So in order for her to have enough space to work, she is now occupying two small stalls at the market for a whopping $40,000 a months in rental fee.

“Is 35 years since I selling at Kitty market and before this make over, we used to have a much bigger space for only $3,000 a month. Now they gone and put stalls that costing you more than what you earning. Imagine you have to pay so much and the stall dem don’t even have lights in them.”

Stewart further stated that after receiving the stalls from the Market Council, it was to her surprise that neither of the stalls has any sort of electricity. However, after inquiring about the electricity outlet, she was told by the Market Council that it is the responsibility of the vendors to install lights in their respective

stalls.“The only reason I does still use these stalls is because, I getting old and bringing out goods to the market every day to sell is not easy. And with the stalls now, all you have to do is open the stall door and that is it.”

Another vendor, who gave her name as ‘Shelly’

Thousands of GTT Blaze Customers without service for hours

- due to burnt high voltage cable On Friday evening, thousands of Guyanese who subscribed to GTT’s Blaze Internet service were left seriously inconvenienced after the service was disrupted for more than eight hours.

The disruption started around 11:00 hours on Friday.

Business enterprises that depend heavily on internet use to carry out their daily transactions were unable to do so because of that disruption.

Many were angry after

being forced to use mobile data in order to complete important tasks but even this service, was relatively slow.

GTT’s Public Relations Officer, Jasmine Harris, reported that the disruption was as a result of a pole plant exercise that went array.

According to her, a ‘high voltage cable’ burnt a GTT cable, which directly affected the blaze service in certain areas.

“GTT has now had to extend the reach of the outage

to facilitate a full restoration,” Harris explained.

Guyanese will now be without the Blaze Internet service from yesterday at 3:00pm to midnight.

The disrupted areas were North Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt Park, Festival City, Stevedore Housing Scheme, South Ruimveldt Gardens, East and West Ruimveldt, Guyhoc Gardens, Alexander Village, Industrial Estate, Riverview, Meadow Bank and Houston.

stated, “First is my father used to sell in this space and after my father get stroke, I take over and girl it isn’t easy. We used to have a bigger space than this for $5,000 a month and we accepted that; but now for my stall, I does pay $25,000 for a month because my stall is a big one.”

At the Kitty Market, the vendors are saying that another reason that they are refusing to take up ownership of the stalls is because when the construction of the stalls began, no one from City Council came and interacted with them on the design of the stalls.A clothes vendor, who gave his names as ‘Martin’ stated, “I was going and pay to rent one of the stalls you know, but when I went and check out the stall, it was a total disappointment because it is a way too small space for business.

“I refuse to pay so much money for something that cannot benefit me and then the place doesn’t have any lights.”

He further stated, “City

Kitty Market

Council has to understand that Kitty Market is a market that has been abandoned for over 15 years; customers give up on this market.

Vendors are finding it hard to sell more than $10,000 a week and then from that same little bit money, you have to pay so much in rental fee, it is a disgrace.”

Vendor ‘Sherry’

“Right now, the only people selling in this market are the clothes and food vendors and it is about six of them. People are not coming here to buy anything. The only time you would get a sale is in the afternoon and that is the time when the stall dem have to close up,” he further stated.

Saturday November 16, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Linden man found guilty of raping girl, 6, wants conviction quashed

P

ointing to several er rors in law and fail ures made by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall during his trial, rape convict Selwyn Lancaster has moved to the Court of Appeal where he is asking that his conviction and sentence to be quashed, as the verdicts were unreasonable and cannot be supported by the evidence led by State Prosecutors.

With the appeal filed, it is unclear whether Lancaster will be seeking bail. On October 9 last, a jury found Lancaster guilty of engaging in sexual penetration and sexual activity with a six-yearold girl. The offences occurred on October 8, 2018 and November 6, 2018 respectively in the County of Demerara.

In relation to the rape charge, Justice MorrisRamlall imposed a 15-year prison term. On the sexual activity charge, he was jailed for seven years. The judge ordered that the two sentences run concurrently. According to reports, Lancaster, of Linden, was a frequent guest at the childs home. It was reported that he made his way onto the verandah where the young girl was with an older sibling and placed his penis to her mouth, and also

fondled with her vagina.

It was reported that the older sibling complained to their mother, but by the time the woman could have reached the scene, Lancaster had already fled. He was nevertheless arrested. Lancasters lawyers, Gordon Gilhuys and Yondessa WelcomeMercurius, have now moved to the Court of Appeal where they complained that their client is dissatisfied with the verdicts.

The lawyers are asking that the judgment of Justice Morris-Ramlall be set aside and/or discharged and that costs be awarded to their client.

In court documents seen by this publication, the lawyers argue that the trial judge made an error of law in summing up the evidence to the jury, and as such the verdicts were unreasonable and could not be supported having regard to the evidence. According to the lawyers, the trial judge misdirected the jurors when she directed them that they can convict Lancaster solely on the evidence of the virtual complainant if they find that she is a credible witness.

This, the lawyers point out, was regardless of the inconsistencies in the evidence

RAPE CONVICT: Selwyn Lancaster

of other key witnesses. They further argue, “There was a miscarriage of justice since the defence was denied the opportunity of questioning the virtual complainant or any witness about the previous sexual activity of the virtual complainant which went to the credibility of the virtual complainant and the witnesses.”

“The learned trial judge failed to properly direct the jury on the inconsistencies in the evidence of the prosecution witnesses; and the trial judge did not direct the jury on the deliberate failure by the prosecution to admit medical evidence.”

The convict s counsel are further contending that the trial judge misdirected the jury in her assessment of the virtual complainants evidence and how the childs responses under cross examination does not affect her credibility.

Furthermore, it is being contended by the lawyers that the trial judge misdirected the jurors when she proposed to them that she will not read all of the evidence to them during her summing up and that the summing up was not balanced and favoured the prosecutions case.

Lancasters lawyers argue, too, that, “The learned trial judge misdirected the jury

when she failed to point out the recent complaint of the virtual complainant was elicited from the mother.”

“There was a miscarriage of justice since the trial for [Lancaster] was rushed [and he] was denied legal representation by an attorney of his choice at his arraignment and jury selection despite [his] pleadings.” At the announcement of the jurys verdicts, on October 9 Lancaster appeared shocked. Thereafter, his sentence was deferred until October 29, for a probation report.

When asked by Justice Morris-Ramlall if he had anything to say in relation to the verdicts, Lancaster, after consulting with his counsel said: “I really dont have anything to say.” Probation Officer, Simone Gaskin was tasked with presenting a victim impact statement she had taken from the young rape victim.

The young girl expressed that she still feels bad and would get angry every time she sees Lancaster. She confessed that she no longer trusts some people.

To this end, she added, “I want Selwyn to go to jail because of what he did to me.”

The rape victim told the probation officer: “I remember what happened but I do not

like to think about it. I want Selwyn to go to jail because I feel really sad when I remember what happened.”

The childs mother indicated to the probation officer that her grades have declined ever since the incident. Nevertheless, the family is coping with the ramifications of the incident.

In a probation report, Lancasters mother described him as a very loving and devoted son. However, persons in his immediate neighbourhood indicated that there were rumors that he engaged in activities of a similar nature for some time; but no formal reports were ever made to the police as he was considered to be a gentle and caring individual, the probation report noted.

According to the probation report, “It was also reported by several persons that [Lancaster] had been sexually inappropriate with them while they were children.” As such, persons in the wider community of Linden expressed no surprise at his conviction. Lancaster, on the other hand maintained his innocence.

He told the probation officer that the accusations leveled against him are as a (Cotninued on page 22)

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Jagdeo selective on oil contracts...

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VACANCY Licensed Broker. Contact# 223-5273 / 223-5274 LEGALNOTICE 2019-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-803 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-803 BETWEEN :(FRASER) YONETTE Petitioner/Applicant –and(FRASER) BRETNOL Respondent TO: BRETNOL FRASER (Last Known Address) Lot 31 Railway Embankment La Bonne Intention, East Bank Demerara TAKE NOTICE that on the 21st day of June 2019 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by YONETTE PATRICIA FRASER nee HUGHES, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 21st day of July ,2019 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issue of the Kaieteur News Newspaper, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorneyat-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FUTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry) Answer and/ or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28(twenty-eight) days after the date of the second and final publication of this Notice TAKE NOTICE that the matter is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 18th day December 2019 at 10:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtizious in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

from page 8 may be lopsided, too, the Stabroek PSA is the one that has caught flack since its release to the public. The Stabroek PSA, which governs operations for 14 significant discoveries there, has been criticised for its extremely low royalty at industry standards, its daunting lack of ring-fencing provisions, its gaping loopholes which could lose Guyana billions of US dollars in revenue, and many more issues. Some of the provisions in the Stabroek PSA have even been determined to be illegal by some, and will be facing a judicial review at the behest of Activist, Ramon Gaskin. Despite all of that, Jagdeo has singled out the Stabroek PSA as the one contract which his government will not touch, as he has said that Guyana could still claw back value with it as is. Why this contract is Jagdeos sacred cow is unclear.

Linden man...

From page 21 result of broken promises to the victim s mother, whom he knew. The probation report would further reveal that Lancaster is skilled in the area of Information Technology and had been employed with several private and Government agencies before his incarceration.

Prior to his conviction, he was employed for two years as a Master Trainee attached to the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS), a project executed by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs. The probation report highlighted that Lancaster was described as a “genius” in his trade and as someone who conducted himself in a professional manner at all times.

LEGALNOTICE IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts, [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 24th August, 2019

day of

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Woman sends son, 24, Suspect implicated cop in Matthew’s -Crime Chief says to jail for stealing $10,000 Ridge gold heist A 24-year-old man was yesterday ordered to spend the next six months behind bars for stealing $10,000, from his mother.Standing before City Magistrate Dylon Bess in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, Kevin Christopher, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on November 14, 2019, at 39 Houston Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, he stole $10,000 in cash of Michelle Balkarran.

According to information

received, on the day in question, Balkarran secured her money in a yellow purse and went to visit her mother.

The court heard that when the woman returned home, she saw her son with the yellow purse in which she placed her money.

Balkarran then inquired of her son how he came by her purse and he threatened to lash her and refused to return the purse with the money.

The matter was then reported, investigated and the

defendant was later arrested and charged for the offence.

The police prosecutor told the court that the defendant has several matters before the courts. He even appeared before Magistrate Bess after being charged in relation to his mother.The defendant, Christopher, was then sentenced and advised

by Magistrate Bess that when he has finished spending his six-month sentence, he should consider moving out from his mothers house.

Repent in prison for stealing from Church magistrate tells thief Thirty-five-year-old Raul Ramsawak was yesterday jailed after he admitted to breaking into a church and attempting to cart off a few items just before he was caught by the priest.

The defendant was charged and brought to the Georgetown Magistrates Courts where he was arraigned before Magistrate Dylon Bess to have the charge read to him.

It was alleged that between November 11, 2019 and November 12, 2019 at Waterloo Street Georgetown, Ramsawak broke and entered the Christ Church building; a place of divine worship with

the intent to commit a felony.

Following the charge being read Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris stated that the priest of the Church was in the process of securing the building around 01:00hrs. While making checks on the building, he discovered that a window on the eastern side of the building was open as was a door.

A bag was seen on the floor and upon inspection of the bag, the priest found some items of the church in it.Further checks were made and the defendant was seen running out of the compound.

The police were summoned and they were shown the area

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where the items were found and the direction in which the defendant was seen running away.Ramsawak was arrested and taken into custody where he was placed on an identification parade. He was pointed out by the priest as the individual who he saw running out of the church compound.

The prosecutor added that the defendant was previously charged and sentenced on a simple larceny offence.

In addressing the court, the defendant said, “Please see with me and give me community service because I wont do it again.”

However, in response Magistrate Bess said, “I cant give you community service because of the nature of the offence. Therefore, during the time in prison, I hope that you repent for your actions and ensure it doesnt happen again. Stealing from a church is not a good thing.”

Ramsawak was then sentenced to nine months in prison for the offence.

The TSU rank who was implicated in last Monday’s gold heist at Matthew’s Ridge was transferred from the Criminal Investigation Department some time ago.

Acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston made this disclosure yesterday after the Force had unveiled its policing strategy for Christmas.

“I know for a fact that he was removed.

There was an investigation and the investigation would have caused his removal...The issue was because of something with somebody threatening him and some firearm.”

Explaining why the rank was implicated in the gold heist, Kingston said that he was arrested “because one of the main suspects would have called his name.”

The Acting Crime Chief told Kaieteur News that the detained cop was absent from duty when the robbery occurred.

All the suspects were brought to the city on Thursday, and police have received clearance from the High Court to detain them for an extended period.

The TSU rank and four others were detained a day after a gang of gunmen snatched a quantity of gold from a Brazilian and his crew at Matthew’s Ridge, North West District (NWD).

The attack occurred around 13:00 hrs on Monday.

Two of the suspects were apprehended around 09:00 hrs on Tuesday in a vehicle at Arakaka, NWD. Police said that a quantity of raw gold, suspected to be part of the loot, was recovered.

The suspects reportedly led police to a location where the investigators recovered an AK-47 assault rifle with magazines; two 9mm handguns with magazines; a camouflage jacket and a Global Positioning System (GPS)

TSU rank was transferred from CID

device.Police later apprehended a Joint Services rank and an individual, who is said to be involved in mining.

Divisional Commander Wendell Blanhum told Kaieteur News that the alleged mastermind owns a shop that is located near the area where the Brazilian gold dealer transacts his business.

It is believed that this businessman had knowledge of the Brazilian’s schedule, and mobilised the joint services rank and others for the robbery.

Commander Wendell Blanhum said that police have set up a “robust intelligence” network. This led to the swift apprehension of the suspects.

Monday’s drama began around 13:00 hrs at Matthew’s Ridge, while the Brazilian and two of his workers were heading to the Matthew’s Ridge airstrip.

According to reports, the Brazilian and the two employees were travelling in a pickup, en route to the airstrip, when a gang of masked men, brandishing an assault rifle and handguns, emerged from the roadside and held them up.

The gunmen dragged their victims from the pickup.

While two of the gunmen stood guard over their captors, two others removed a bag containing the gold bars from the pickup.

The gang then escaped into nearby bushes.

Ranks from the Matthew’s Ridge Police Outpost were immediately contacted, and, acting on information, managed to round up the gang.

114 murders and 498 armed robberies in..

From page 3 similar robberies last year.

Police also reported 229 incidents of rape this year, and 315 rape reports for the same period last year.

Region 4A, the crime hub From the statistics given, Region Four 'A' is seen as the central area for serious crimes with 41.3% coming from that area.

But the acting Crime Chief was happy to report that serious crimes dropped in this area from 254 in January to 208 in October 2019.

Murders in Guyana fell

into six categories, execution, robbery, domestic, disorderly, unknown and others with the disorderly category carrying the weight.

The acting Crime Chief said, “This is one of the areas...It is very worrying to us and therefore we are in the process of partnering with stakeholders to get this down.”From 2015 to 2019, disorderly murders went from 64 to 63, just off by one number.

For 2019, the Force saw 10.16% disorderly murders coming from Region Four 'A' with Region Nine following

closely behind with 9.14%.

For murders as per region this year, Region Four 'A' led with 21% followed by Four 'C' with 15%.

Robberies saw a rapid decrease over the past five years moving from 1,458 in 2015 to 976 in 2019 and Region Four 'A' saw the largest number in this area with a whopping 59% of gun robberies.The Acting Crime Chief reported that most of these robberies occur on the streets with the number climbing from 146 in 2015 to 336 in 2019.

Police unveil plans to tackle crime...

From page 14 of the Republic and Albert Street between 15:00hrs and 23:00hrs.

Further, motor lorries traversing the East Bank Demerara Corridor will be restricted from use of the road from 07:00hrs - 09:00hrs from Monday to Friday.

Meanwhile, the Crime Department under Acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston in his presentation revealed that the department will be targeting the ‘known crime hotspots’ as part of their strategy to tackle crime during the Christmas season.

He stated that the CID will be conducting frequent analysis of timings, items stolen, the modus operandi used and

the mode of transportation used by the criminals.

Along with that, there will be targeted Patrols (both mobile and foot), several cordon and search exercises, staggered road blocks within identified areas and several choke point controls to be outlined.

Kingston further highlighted that there will be several collaborative efforts and enhanced enforcement capabilities and public Co-operation through specialised training and community relations policing among others.

The members of the public were advised to take several precautionary measures during this season to ensure their safety. The acting Crime Chief urged members of the

business community “not to leave large amounts of cash in safes at their business premises, but should utilise the services of a bank to deposit their cash”. “They should make use of the reputable security companies when transferring large sums of cash”.

He pointed out that “citizenry conducting business/ shopping should be cognizant of their environment and should try not to carry around large sums of cash. They should utilise debit cards”.

“Leaving large amounts of cash and firearm in vehicles is not advised”.

“Persons are advised to be very careful with the practice of wearing large pieces of jewellery.”

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Saturday November 16, 2019

Saturday November 16, 2019

KKR release Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa; RCB let go of several overseas names ESPNcricinfo - Chris Lynn (Kolkata Knight Riders), Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals) and Varun Chakravarthy (Kings XI Punjab), the three-most expensive buys at the last two IPL auctions, have been released by their respective franchises. Also back on the auction block is South Africa allrounder Chris Morris, who had been retained by Delhi Capitals before the 2018 auction but was released as the IPL trading window closed on Friday evening India time.

Royal Challengers Bangalore released the most number of players (12) followed by the Knight Riders and the Royals (11 each), Mumbai Indians (10), the Capitals (nine), Kings XI

(seven), Chennai Super Kings (six) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (five).

Overall, Kings XI will have the fattest purse walking into the December 19 auction, to be held in Kolkata, with a kitty of INR 42.70 crore which they accumulated by shedding expensive buys from the last auction. This included Chakravarthy, the Tamil Nadu mystery spinner, who was the joint-most expensive pick along with Unadkat, at INR 8.4 cr, in the 2019 auction. Chakravarthy, who played just one game last IPL, was sidelined with an injury for the majority of this year, making it an easy decision for Kings XI to let him go.

The Mohali-based franchise also released Australia quick Andre Tye, who recently picked

an injury. Tye, one of the best death bowlers a few years ago, had struggled last IPL and had been bought by Kings XI in 2018 for INR 7.2 cr. The other expensive buys offloaded by Kings XI included England allrounder Sam Curran (7.2 cr in 2019) and young Punjab wicketkeeper-batsman Prabh Simran Singh (4.8 cr in 2019).

Another significant release by Kings XI was South Africa batsman David Miller (3 cr in 2018), who had spent eight seasons at the franchise since 2012. However, diminishing returns from Miller are likely to have gone against him eventually. Miller’s was not the only such case. Two other senior and long-time loyalists, Robin Uthappa and Piyush Chawla were released by the Knight Riders, who are

Saturday November 02, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A meeting may take place today that you don't want to attend. It could be long and boring, but you should still make the effort to listen.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A project could be successfully completed today, Taurus. Discussions may already be taking place about the next one, but you aren't inclined to think about that, at least not right away.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you're involved in the study of a particular subject, today you might want to bury yourself in your books and learn as much as you can.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) This isn't the day to make investments. You may read in the paper or online about some hot new stocks, but be very careful. If you're interested, consult a professional before investing money.

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your natural urge to innovate may seem to have vanished today, Libra. You may not feel like doing anything outside of routine tasks that you can do automatically.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The urge to stay in and rearrange your furniture might hit you today, Scorpio. You may want to clean out the shelves in your kitchen, add some new knickknacks, or rearrange your books into specific classifications.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Are you expecting an important communication, perhaps business related? If it comes today, it will probably come late.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A check you've been expecting to receive by mail will probably be delayed, Capricorn. It's nothing to worry about. Chances are it got hung up at the post office and will arrive soon.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Does a love partner appear to be moody today? One moment your friend may be enthusiastic and optimistic about the future, and the next moment overcome with gloom

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may not be your usual cheery self today. Gloom may have come over you.

You may doubt everything that happens in your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Are you working two jobs, Virgo? Today one could demand a lot of you, probably at the expense of the other.

You tend to be very conscientious and responsible, so this might bother you, but don't let it get to you.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Happy memories of a beloved grandparent may float to the surface today, and you may wonder why. Something or someone you've encountered in the past few days may have reminded you of this person.

believed to have not been impressed by the ineffective display from both players in the last two years.

Uthappa and Chawla were bought by the Knight Riders in 2014. In the 2018 auction the franchise had bought them back through right-tomatch cards: Uthappa for a handsome price of 6.4 cr and Chawla for 4.2 cr. However, the 30-year-old legspinner struggled last season and had his worst IPL year in 2019, in terms of economy rate, picking just 10 wickets in 13 matches and leaking 8.96 runs per over. Uthappa, once a matchwinner for the Knight Riders, too, was not at his best in IPL 2019: he managed just one half-century for his 282 runs in 11 innings at an average of 31.33 and strike rate of 115.10.

Another example of how much franchises wanted value for money was Lynn. The Australia opener, who was bought initially in 2014, was bought back in the 2018 auction by the Knight Riders for 9.6 cr, making him the most expensive overseas buy. The Knight Riders spent so much because they wanted an aggressive opener, which Lynn had proven himself to be with his explosive batting.

In 2017 Lynn played just seven matches for the Knight Riders, but scored 295 runs at an average of 49.16 and strike rate of 181, the highest for anyone who scored over 100 runs that season.

ECCB’s Elizabeth...

From page 30 Club (B) at Golden Grove Community Centre, Umpire will be Gavin D’Aguiar.

At Buxton Community Centre Ground, Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Cricket Club (A) verses Better-Hope Raptors – Umpire Omadat Samaroo will be officiating.

At Enterprise Community Centre Ground, Enterprise ‘Busta’ Cricket Club (B) will host Mon Repos Cricket Club ‘A’ – Umpire will be Ava Baker.

At Better-Hope Community Centre Ground, Better-Hope Cricket Club ‘B’ versus Lowland Cricket Club.

Umpire will be Imran Khan.

For further information, contact Competitions Committee Chairman Mr. Raymond Barton on 626-0223.

Also, the East Coast Cricket Umpires Association in collaboration with the East Coast Cricket Board will be holding Umpires Training Classes across the East Coast of Demerara. Please Contact Mr. Davteerth Anandjit on 617-8502 for further information and registration.

Team Mohamed’s looking to...

From page 31 in two races, while he crashed out in the third.

Harry’s brother, Matthew, who won the CMRC Superstock title in 2018, will not make a return this year, which paves room for the experienced Linfoot, who rides for TAG Yamaha in England.

Linfoot has been racing since 2002, and competes in the British Superbike championship aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1. He has progressed from 125cc bikes to Superbikes, riding in MotoGP 250cc, and World Supersport 600cc.

Speaking to the media during the week, Linfoot was quoted as being excited with the track as he outlined that, “It feels good. It is always nice to learn a new track. I did 15-20 laps just to get familiar with where the bumps are, where to break. It is quite enjoyable, it’s tight and technical.”

Matt Truelove had held the overall lap record of 33.3s before Calvin Ming and then Mark Maloney set faster times during last year’s radicals’ showdown and word out of Team Mohamed’s

camp is that they are looking to regain the track record.

However, with a field of competitors that will include the likes of Matthew Vieira, Kevin Persaud and Nikhil ‘Mad Max’ Seereeram, along with USA rider Ian Beam, the opposition will not be taken lightly.

In addition to the bikes, a full field of machines is expected for the local Choke Starlet Cup, Miracle Optical Street and Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner classes along with groups 2, 3, 4 and the SR3 Radicals.

The championship winners of the Choke Starlet Cup, Miracle Optical Street Tuner and Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner are set to pocket $500,000 each.

Admission to the venue costs $2000 and fans will be able to access the access the goose neck grand stand for an additional cost of $2000.

B.M Soat Auto Sales, Mohamed’s Enterprise, KFC, Tropical Shipping, Valvoline, Ansa McAl, Motul, ExxonMobil, Japarts and Air Services are the major sponsor of the event.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 2019

Hand-in-Hand backs Golden Jaguars Sanctioned Cricket must follow Structured Procedures ahead of today’s CNL clash with Aruba In a release submitted to the media, The GCB has noticed with much dissatisfaction, the recent and seemingly negative attention, being placed on sanctioned cricket within Guyana. As a result, the GCB would like to reiterate that CWI is the regulatory body for cricket in the West Indian region, and that this body has clearly outlined the procedures and policies required for the organization’s arrangement, promotion and conduct of cricket matches, tournaments and events.

As a consequence, all matches or cricket events held in the West Indies require approval of the CWI unless they are already pre-approved or specially approved.

Further, it must be acknowledged that the territorial boards are responsible for all domestic cricket played in their jurisdiction, subject to their approval, implementation, promotion and agreed levels of supervision that dovetails with CWI’s mandate. In this very regard, the GCB mandates its affiliate boards; Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice to organize, manage and promote cricket in their jurisdiction.

As a result, any planned cricket competition or cricket event to be held in any of the three counties must be

channeled through those mandated by the GCB to control cricket within these counties.

Among other factors, this procedure allows for the authentic and reliable audit of county board accounts and ensures the adoption of necessary safeguards to the structure of cricket established by the GCB, which are in keeping with its strategic objectives and goals.

Such safeguards assist with the monitoring and controlling of the roles, responsibilities and function of the GCB, and can be likened unto such implemented international procedural safeguards as the Window period and considerations to the number of T/20 Tournaments that a player may play within a given period.

In addition, there is a reason why not all teams are considered clubs, and as such, those teams are not a part of the organizational structure

of the GCB. Within the requirements to become a structured club, is the need for all structured clubs to meet policy guidelines, which includes the mandate for the annual audit of their accounts. Therefore, all county boards, and structured clubs must adopt the necessary procedures required to make them compliant with the GCB, and by extension CWI. It must be acknowledged that the Guyana Cricket Board is the governing authority for cricket in Guyana and is duly directly responsible for all cricket matches arranged and played in Guyana and therefore, to determine whether or not a particular match or cricket event in Guyana should receive its approval to take place.

As a consequence the GCB will like to articulate the need for counties, clubs, groups and organizations to be respectful to the GCB’s mandate, and to follow established procedures and policies, when considering the planning, arranging, and conduct of matches within the respective counties and/or any part of Guyana. This is necessary, since it is prohibited for any club or individual to receive funds on behalf of county boards and not account for same through the audited accounts of that county board.

Hand-in-Hand Marketing Officer Ms. Shafeena Juman hands over the cheque to Kevin Layne in the presence of Matthew Briggs.

Insurance giants, Handin-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Ltd., has thrown its support behind the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Golden Jaguars ahead of yesterday’s allimportant Concacaf Nations League match against the visiting Aruba.

On Thursday, the company’s Marketing Officer, Shafeena Juman handed over a cheque to ‘Golden Jaguar’ Kevin Layne in the presence

of teammate, Matthew Briggs.

Ms. Juman expressed her company’s delight at being able to tangibly support the Golden Jaguars and the GFF in their quest to bring more glory to Guyana’s football. She said that Hand-in Hand has a rich history of supporting Guyana’s sportsmen and women and this latest contribution is testimony to their ongoing commitment in this regard.

She further extended her company’s best wishes to the team for another successful result in (yesterday’s) match against Aruba.

Layne in return, on behalf of his colleagues and the GFF thanked Hand-in-Hand and Ms. Juman for their support noting that it will certainly boost the team not only for the Aruba encounter but also their final match against Jamaica on Monday in the land of Reggae.

President Forde nominated to Organising Committee for Concacaf Competitions Following the recent show of confidence by the membership of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) by giving President Wa y n e F o r d e a n e w mandate for another fouryear term, Concacaf has shown similar sureness by nominating Forde as a Member to the Organising Committee for Concacaf Competitions.

Concacaf General Secretary, Philippe Maggio wrote to the President on November 12th confirming the nomination.

Forde who previously served on the Concacaf Governance Committee from November 2016, expressed delight at being able to continue to serve the sport at the highest level in the Confederation.

He said that his usual high level of service would continue as himself and colleagues work collectively

Wayne Forde

to bring out the best in all 41 Member Associations of Concacaf.

“I welcome every opportunity to serve Football and will bring the same energy and commitment I brought to the Concacaf Governance Committee.

During my tenure on the Governance Committee, we successfully piloted many

important policies which continues to inform the work of the Confederation.

As it relates to my goal for the Competition Committee, I would like to offer a Caribbean perspective of the impact and challenges, the welcomed increase in international competitions has had on the Countries within our Region.”

Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

Victoria 180th Anniversary InterBlock football kicks off today

Organiser Kurt Warren (left) receives the event’s first place trophy from Guy Oil’s Marlyn Lewis and Berkeley McCalmon.

The inaugural 180th Anniversary InterBlock football tournament will kick off tonight at the Victoria Community Centre Ground, featuring four Blocks – Belfield Scheme, Road Side, Middle Section and Back Dam, where the winner will pocket $100,000.

The tournament will be played in a Round Robin format, and the top two teams will advance to the finals.

Today’s double header will see Back Dam and Scheme

colliding from 18:00 hours, followed by Road Side vs Middle Section. The action will continue tomorrow with Middle Section taking on Scheme from 16:00hrs, followed by Back Dam vs Road Side.

Apart from winner’s purse, donated by the Ashton Luke Foundation and Magnum Tonic Wine, the second place team will pocket $50,000, compliments of MVP Sports, and the Giftland Malllocated store will also present

a pair of Nike Phantom Vision football cleats to the player named the Most Valuable (MVP) at the end of the tournament.

The Most Disciplined Team will also receive $20,000.

Guy Oil, George Clemenson Pharmacy, Dr Desmond Nicholson, Dr Karen Cummings, Dexter Whall, Samuel Francis, Park Square Fun City, Sign Art and the Victoria Ground Committee are the other sponsors on board.

Co-Organiser Lynton Luke and an MVP Sports Representative at the presentation.

PAGE 31

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 2019

Rio Indoor streetball tourney underway at Sparts Boss sound warning Action in the ‘Rio Indoor Streetball Championship’ got underway at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue Thursday evening with several matches and exciting play in the Three Peat Promotions coordinated event.

With a $1,000,000 first

prize at stake teams are expected to pull out all the stops to either win or get to the money round of the tournament.

One of the know favourites, Sparta Boss, enjoyed the biggest margin of victory on opening night with a 5-0 win over Melanie to

send a strong message to all pretenders for the title. While another favourite, Broad Street, also were on winners’ row in their match. Full results and fixtures for the next round are listed below.

The second night of the event is fixed for today at the same venue. The round-robin

competition, which lasts for the duration of eight nights, will conclude with the grand finale on December 14th.

The other playing nights are November 21st, 23rd, 28th, 30th and December 7th. The winner will walk away with $1,000,000, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

At the end of the group round, the top two finishers from each section and the best four third place teams will advance to the knockout round.

Complete Results Game-1 Alexander Village-1 vs Kingston-1 Alexander Scorer Shem Porter-12th Kingston Colin Clarke-15th Game-2 Buxton Diamond vs Spot7 Spot-7 won via walkover Game-3 Rio All-Stars-3 vs Back Circle-0 Job Caesar-2nd Jermaine Junior-12th Jahaal Greaves-14th Game-4 LA Ballers-1 vs BV-4

BV Scorers Akin Curry-12th and 15th Delroy Dean-5th Tyrice Dennis-19th LA Scorer Leon Richardson-8th Game-5 Broad Street-2 vs Tiger Bay-1 Broad St Scorers Akeem Sam-5th Andres Hince-12th Tiger Bay Scorer Wendell Austin-17th Game-6 Sparta Boss-5 vs Melanie-0 Deon Alfred-2nd and 13th Sheldon Shepherd-8th and 15th Gregory Richardson-7th Fixtures Day-2-Saturday November 16th Sophia vs Island AllStars-19:00hrs Alexander vs Melanie19:30hrs Albouystown-A vs Showstoppers-20:00hrs Future Stars vs Stabroek Ballers-20:30hrs Leopold Street vs Broad Street-21:00hrs Gold is Money vs Silver Bullets-21:30hrs Kingston vs Sparta22:00hrs

Saturday November 16, 2019

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

Colonial Medical Cup Super50

Barnwell’s 89 overshadows Smith’s 93 as Jaguars beat Volcanoes by 4 wickets

By Sean Devers A masterful 93 from veteran left hander Devon Smith was overshadowed by Chris Barnwell’s 89 as the Windwards Volcanoes were beaten by four wickets by the Guyana Jaguars last night in the final match of the first half of the Colonial Medical Cup Super50 at the Queen’s Park Oval to take them to 12 points.

The 38-year-old Smith returned to form with a magnificent 93 from 94 balls with 10 fours and a six and shared in half-century stands with Kaveem Hodge, who reached the boundary once in 24 and 77 with Emmanuel Stewart whose 51 lasted 52 balls and included three fours and two sixes.

Keron Cottoy who finished unbeaten on 45 from 28 balls with a four and four sixes, dominated an unfinished 50-run partnership with Shane Shillingford (12) to see the Volcanoes to 258-5 in their allotted 42 overs.

Veerasammy Permaul took 2-34 from nine overs, while Ronsford Beaton (1-40), Raymon Reifer (1-53) and Nial Smith (1-61) were the other wicket takers for the Jaguars, who won with four balls to spare when Ramaal Lewis lofted Bhaskar Yadram for six

Chris Barnwell’s 89 spurs Jaguars win over Volcanoes last Night. with five needed from five balls.

Barnwell led the chase with 89 from 84 balls with six fours and three sixes and featured in a 77-run stand with Chanderpaul Hemraj who contributed an attractive 40 from 42 balls aided by two four and two sixes.

The DCC right-hander who participated in the 2016 IPL, added another 53 with his Captain Leon Johnson who made a run-a-ball 34 decorated with five boundaries which included a six. Raymon Reifer also contributed with 45 from 49 balls with two fours and two sixes, while Jonathon

Foo was not out on 17.

After Kemol Savory, who opened the batting with Hemraj after Tagenarine Chanderpaul was dropped, was bowled by pacer Shermon Lewis for four, the Jaguars were 8-1.

But Hemraj who rekindled the fire in him that was seen in the CPL and Barnwell, who looked accomplished in every game he has played this season, joined forces.

Barnwell lofted Lewis, who has played two Test matches for West Indies, for a couple of effortless sixes in an over that cost 16, while Hemraj whipped Lewis for six to post to 50 in the seventh over.

But when Hemraj, the only batsman in this team with a Regional 50-over hundred, was 10 short of his third fifty at this level, he was taken on their attempt by out-of-sorts Volcanoes Captain Kirk Edwards at widesh mid-wicket as left-arm spinner Larry Edwards broke the 75-run second wicket stand.

Johnson joined the well set Barnwell and batted with a positive mind set and got going with a couple of nicely timed boundaries.

Barnwell, the Jaguars leading run scorer, soon

reached his ninth 50-over fifty from 49 balls before Johnson, who had dispatched a full toss from Cottoy for six got another full toss from the legspinner but could only find his countryman Bhaskar Yadram at long-on at 136-3.

Reifer was run out and Anthony Bramble, in his first game after recovering from a minor surgery to his head, played an impetuous swing with six runs to get, but Lewis’ six ensured the win.

Earlier, Jaguars, who left out Chanderpaul, Motie and Pestano, invited the Volcanoes to bat after the contest commenced 140 minutes late due to mid-day rain resulting in the overs being reduced to 42.

Smith and Darson Maloney got off to a rollicking start with Maloney clipping Ronsford Beaton behind square and hitting him over mid-on for consecutive boundaries.

Smith, with just 30 from his last three innings, dumped off-spinner Lewis, who shared the new ball with Beaton, over his head for four.

A spattering of spectators watched a Beaton removed Maloney for 24 with four boundaries at 37-1 in 5.2 overs on a slow track and damp and

sluggish outfield.

The left-handed Smith, whose highest First-Class score of 212 was made again Guyana in Grenada, cut Reifer majestically for four when he bowled short and wide and hammered him for four off the next ball which had the nonstriking taking evasive action.

Smith went after his unrelated namesake with brutal intent and cover drove him gloriously for four before driving him back past his ankles for bullet-like boundary to move to 49.

His 24th List ‘A’ fifty was brought up with a slap to sweeper and it took just 46 balls and was decorated with seven delightful boundaries.

Kaveem Hodge (24) whipped Reifer off his legs for four but he hit the next delivery to mid-on at 102-2 in the 21st over before Kirk Edwards’ poor form continued when got one from Permaul the bounced and turned and was at taken for a duck a run later.

Smith continued to feast on his favourite bowling attack; dancing into Lewis and hitting him for a onebounce boundary over cover, while Stewart began with a Dilscoop off Permaul and a pull for four off Reifer.

Smith who has been playing at this level for two decades, deposited Reifer over his head for six before clobbering the expensive 23year-old Smith for a massive six before he fell seven short of his 9th List ’A’ ton when he was taken at long-off as Permaul struck 187-4.

Stewart continued to play his shots before he was bowled by Smith just after reaching his second 50-over fifty to leave the score on 1985 before Cottoy,who hit a long-hop from Foo for six, launched into Smith, who had problems gripping the ball.

Cottoy smashed the Berbician Pacer for consecutive sixes of the first two balls of the 39th over in which Smith leaked 18 runs before Shillingford dumped Hemraj for six.

Another Cottoy’s six brought up the 250 and the 50 stand between him and Shillingford and he celebrated with six more as Shillingford was left unbeaten on 12 from 16 balls, while Cottoy was also not out as 58 runs were scored in the last five overs.

The Jaguars face joint leaders West Indies Emerging Players tomorrow at the Queen’s Park Oval in another day/night fixture.

Concacaf Nations League

Golden Jaguars survive Aruba scare with 4-2 win

By Calvin Chapman Guyana Senior men’s football team, the Golden Jaguars, as expected, got past a defensively weak Aruba team 4-2 after trailing twice in their vital Concacaf Nations League; B League group fixture at the National Track & Field Center, Leonora last night.

The match kicked off at 21:00hrs sharp and one minute later Glenbert Croes rounded Guyana’s Goalkeeper Quilan Roberts who charged the forward but missed the attempt to gather the ball.

S i x m i n u t e s l a t e r, center back (CB) Briggs scored a volley from close range following a set piece.

Gregor Breinburg gave Aruba the lead for the second and last time in the match after successfully converting a penalty kick in the 27th minute, but former

Reading Winger Callum Harriott ensured that Guyana finished the first half on leveled terms with a shot from 21 yards out that beat A r u b a ’s c u s t o d i a n E r i c Abdul on his near post in the 44th minute.

Guyana could’ve been four or five goals up by the half but poor finishing and some questionable decisions by the match officials prevented that. However, a second half brace from Trayon Bobb in the 53rd and 73rd minutes saw Guyana prevailing 4-2.

Both of Bobb’s goals saw him keeping his cool to finish after being played through on goal; something that Aruba’s Croes couldn’t produce after having one such opportunity in the second half when Roberts stood firm to deny him.

So Guyana prevailed led by a double from Trayon

Guyana’s Clive Nobrega is challenged for possession during last night’s game that the Guyanese dominated against Aruba.

Bobb in the 53rd and 73rd minute alongside solitary strikes from Matthew Briggs and Callum Harriott in the seventh and 44th minute

apiece.

Although Guyana were in trouble by trailing twice, the reasonably sized crowd rallied behind the local side and it

was just complacency by the Guyanese that accounted for the two Aruba goals.

Guyana will conclude play in the group when they face

Jamaica away on Monday.

Jamaica maintained their perfect record after beating Antigua & Barbuda 2-0 last night in Antigua.

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 16, 2019

We have enough quality players to do well - Chinelle Henry - WI Women and India Women clash in 4th T20I tomorrow at Providence

By Zaheer Mohamed The West Indies Women will be looking to prove that they are better than results suggested in the previous game when they take on India Women in the fourth T20 International tomorrow at the Providence Stadium.

The home side went down to India Women by seven wickets in the 3rd game of the five-match series on Thursday night, and in spite of having already lost the series, West Indies Women all-rounder Chinelle Henry believes that despite the absence of two keys players, Deandra Dottin and Stefanie Taylor, they have enough quality players in the side to do better. “We are missing two key players yes, but we have enough key players in this squad to go out there and put up a fight and dominate this cricket,” she said following the 3rd T20 International.

The West Indies Women batting was way below par on a slow pitch and the batters will need to put a price on their wicket if they are to show fight against an opponent who will not be taking anything for granted, despite their dominance so far in the series.

“I think we took too long as a batting unit to assess the

Smriti Mandhana (Getty Images) pitch and then just going out there and giving away our hands pretty easily, I think that we need to look back and think deep. India have already won the series, but the next two games is a chance for us to come back and play the cricket that we know we can play,” stated Henry.

“The spinners were not really getting up, so it was just about getting the basics right, hitting through the line of the ball and applying ourselves.”

There is always room for

improvement and Henry added that they need to reflect and prove their worth.

“A lot of learning took place from the ODI series and the players need to reflect. The bigger picture here is the World Cup in Australia next year, so we need to continue to work hard, and definitely we have to go out there and play better cricket,” she posited.

India will be looking to continue their dominance and opener Smriti Mandhana told

the media on Thursday night that despite them winning the series they will not be relaxed heading into the last two games. “We are preparing for the World Cup and any match we get is a practice for us, and what ever we will be playing in the next six moths we will have the World Cup in mind so definitely for the next two matches we wouldn’t be relaxed,” she said.

She added that they are happy to clinch the series. “It was our first game here so it was really important for us to start well because the wicket is different from what we got in St. Lucia, so we are really happy to go over the line.”

Mandhana was pleased with the innings of Jemimah Rodrigues who top scored for India Women in the 3rd game with an unbeaten 40 of 51 balls. “She batted well; she knew what had to be done on this wicket and it was a really

mature innings from her.”

West Indies Women spinner Hayley Matthews had put the visitors on the back foot early in the chase with two quick wickets, but Mandhana said this is one area they will be looking to improve in. “We are doing really well in all Departments at the moment, but our batters could have applied themselves a bit more up front and this one area we will try to focus on and win the remaining games rather then trying to do anything extraordinary. The game commences at 13:30hrs.

Teams: West Indies Women - Anisa Mohammad (C), Shemaine Campbell, Cherry Ann Fraser, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Shakera Selman, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Stacy-Ann King, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Shabika Gajnabi and Sheneta Grimmond.

Indian Women’s ODI

Chinelle Henry © International Cricket Council squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Punam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Veda Krishnamurthy, Anjua Patil, Shika Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Mansi Joshi, Arundhati Reddy and Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper).

ECCB’s Elizabeth Styles Competition Continues tomorrow - Merrel, Dindyal, Singh’s fifties/Small’s 5-30 highlight last Sunday’s action Rawle Merrel hammered an unbeaten 81, Parmanand Dindayal’s 51 an aggressive 52 from Sachin Singh, who returned to take 4-34 along withRaymond Small’s5-30 highlighted last Sunday’s action in the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Elizabeth Styles 40-over Cricket Competition.

At Buxton Community Centre Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Cricket Club ‘B’ Vs Clonbrook Cricket Club It could be described as a disappointment for the small but vocal crowd at the Buxton Community Centre when Clonbrook Cricket Club (CCC) defeated the Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Cricket Club ‘B’ (BCCB) by 69 runs.

Winning the toss and on a placid wicket, CCC instructed BCCB to field first.

The visitors compiled a challenging total of 184 for 8 in their allotted 40 overs with John Campayne working up a neat 43 - 4 X 4 and 1 X 6, Royden Paul supporting with 33 including 3 X 4.

Also enjoying the BCCB bowling were Dorian Grenion 32- 3 X 4, Martin Rajmangal 28 – 2 X 4 and Raymond Small 20. BCCB in reply found it difficult to deal with the bowling of Raymond Small 5-30 and Dion Ferrier 3 – 20 as they were swept away for 115 in the 26th over.

At Enterprise Community

Centre Enterprise ‘Busta’ Cricket Club ‘B’ Vs Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Cricket Club This was the battle of two East Coast Giants as these teams have won many East Coast tournaments in the past.

The Enterprise Community Center saw a huge crowd as residents came out in full support of the Enterprise ‘Busta’ Cricket Club ‘A’ (ECCA) as they confronted defending Elizabeth Styles champion Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Cricket Club ‘A’ (BCCA).

The Buxtonians won the toss and elected to strike first. It wasn’t easy as Davanand Persaud 4 – 23 and Bishram Samaroo 2 – 24 bowled tight and steadily as BCCA were dismissed for 168 in 34 overs.

Rawle Merrel, the only batsman to silence the crowd with a brutal 81 not out which included 8 huge sixes and 3 fours. ECCA in response putup a strong chase which was led by their captain Parmanand Dindyal (57 – 2 X 4) who sought to set a foundation by turning-over the strike with the in-form Pradesh Ballkishun (23 – 2 X 4).

With 5 overs remaining and ECCA requiring 7 with 1 wicket in hand and the crowd in afrenzy, the ‘Busta’ club were bowled out in the 36th over for 165 to go down by 3

runs.

At Golden Grove Community Centre Golden Grove Cricket Club ‘B’ Vs Better Hope Cricket Club ‘B’ In a match that was reduced to 35 overs, 2017 Elizabeth Styles Champions, Better-Hope Cricket Club ‘B’ (BCCA) defeated Golden Grove Cricket Club ‘B’ (GCCB) by 4 wickets.

Batting first were GCCB after Better-Hope won the toss.

Randy Lindore 32- 6 X 4 and 1 X 6, Dexter George 31 with 2 X 4, 1 X 6 and Richard Woolford 26 – 3 X 4 and 1 X 6 were the principal scores as GCCB in the 30th over could only register 165.

Bowling for BCCA were Sachin Singh 4 – 34, Kevin Kowlesser 3 – 13, Ravi Singh 2 – 23 and Christopher Deonarine 2 – 31.

The boys from BetterHope in response chalkedup 168 in 23.4 overs but not before losing 6 wickets.

Sachin Singh 52, blasted 6 – 6’s and 1 X 4, Rajendra Singh chipped-in with 25 with 3 X 4, 1 X 6 and Kevin Kowlesser 23 with 2 X 6 and 1 X 4. Bowling for GCCB were Orin Gordon 4 – 51 and Richard Woolford 2 – 33.

Better-Hope Cricket Club ‘B’ won by 4 wickets.

Meanwhile, the competition continues tomorrow. Golden Grove Cricket Club ‘A’ will clash with Mon Repos Cricket (Continued on page 25)

Saturday November 16, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Andrew Moloney survives war with Elton Dharry to win interim WBA title

A

ndrew Moloney won the interim WBA super flyweight title in Melbourne, but beating Elton Dharry proved a tougher challenge than pretty much anyone anticipated.

The gutsy Dharry (24-61, 14 KO) had Moloney (210, 14 KO) in serious trouble in the fifth round, landing a beautiful right uppercut counter that stunned the 28year-old Aussie contender — in fact, Moloney’s right knee hit the canvas, and it should have been scored a knockdown, but it happened s o q u i c k l y t h a t i t ’s legitimately likely that referee Ferlin Marsh just didn’t see the knee touch down.

For the back half of the fifth round, Moloney was reeling as Dharry, 33, looked to close the show and score a serious upset. But Moloney, whose legs were pretty well gone, managed to hold and hang on through the round.

“You tried to knock him out,” trainer Angelo Hyder barked at Moloney in the corner between rounds.

“You didn’t listen to me, you disrespected him.”

Moloney refocused and bounced back with a nice

sixth round, where the tide really turned.

In that sixth round, Dharry’s right eye began to close shut due largely to the effective jab of Moloney. By the end of the sixth, Dharry clearly couldn’t see much of anything through that eye, but the officials appreciated his effort and gave him the chance to hang in there and fight back.

And he did fight back.

Boxing through one eye, basically, Dharry kept landing shots, but Moloney was able to really beat up on him in the eighth round, and at the start of the ninth, when the doctor took another look, the fight was reasonably stopped, awarding Moloney a TKO victory at 0:01 of round nine.

“This is unbelievable,” Moloney said of winning a claim to the world title.

“This has been so many years of hard work and sacrifices for this moment. I can’t believe it, it’s finally happened. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, I still think I’m dreaming, because I’ve dreamt it so many times.”

“I’m my toughest critic and I’m not really that happy with the fight, but I’m world champion,” Moloney added.

Of Dharry, he said, “He’s a

GMR&SC’s Clash of Champions

Team Mohamed’s looking to continue racing excellence Team Mohamed’s Dan Linfoot during testing at South Dakota on Thursday.

Ahead of successful testing during the week, multiple-time CMRC superbike champions Team Mohamed’s are all set to continue their two-wheel dominance when the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Clash of Champions two-day international race meet speeds off from today at the South Dakota Circuit,

Timehri.

British riders Harry Tr u e l o v e a n d R i c h a r d Cooper have returned to the ‘land of many waters’ and they are joined by countryman Daniel Linfoot, who will be competing in Guyana for the first time.

Last year, Harry Truelove recorded one first and one second place finish (Continued on page 25)

tough, tough man. World titles don’t come easy, and I was expecting a tough fight, and that’s what he gave me.

Thank you, Elton.”

Moloney also addressed the WBA world titleholder, KalYafai: “Bring on Yafai.

I’ve been chasing him for a long time now. Let’s make it happen.”

Moloney could well land a fight with Yafai or one of the other top fighters at 115 pounds, we’ll see.

As for Elton Dharry, this is a guy who came basically

out of nowhere to get this fight. He’d been unbeaten for 10 years, but he also hadn’t fought anyone of real consequence during that time.

But the 33-year-old, originally from Guyana and now based in Brooklyn, acquitted himself extremely well in this fight, and he should get more calls. He put in a tremendous effort in what turned out to be a war of a fight, raising his profile significantly in defeat.

(Scott Christ@scblh1)

Andrew Moloney picked up an interim WBA belt with a gritty, hard-fought win over Elton Dharry.

(Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Concacaf Nations League

rt o p S

Golden Jaguars survive Aruba scare with 4-2 win

Moments after awarding a penalty kick to Aruba, the referee turned down a good shout by the Guyanese which involved an alleged foul on Trayon Bobb.

Trayon Bobb (on the ball) scored a brace as the Golden Jaguars beat Aruba 4-2 last night at Leonora.

GMR&SC’s Clash of Champions

Team Mohamed’s looking to continue racing excellence

From Left; Dan Linfoot, Harry Truelove and Richard Copper after testing at South Dakota on Thursday.

Colonial Medical Cup Super50

Barnwell’s 89 overshadows Smith’s 93 as Jaguars beat Volcanoes by 4 wickets 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.