Kaieteur News
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Is Exxon Conning Its Investors? (Taken from The New York Times) New York State lawsuit charges that the oil giant has not properly accounted for the climate risks at the core of its business. In August, a lawyer for Exxon Mobil told a state court in Manhattan that New York's attorney general should either sue the company for misleading investors about the impact of climate change on its finances or drop the case. “They should put up or shut up,” the lawyer, Theodore Wells Jr., said of a tangled case that had dragged on for more than two years. The weary judge, Barry Ostrager, agreed. “This cannot go on interminably,” he said. Put-up time has arrived. Late last month, Attorney General Barbara Underwood filed a fraud lawsuit against the company. Exxon responded with a 38-page brief basically denying everything. And Judge Ostrager has set a trial date for October of next year. Much can happen between now and then. But the judge's decision to allow the case to proceed could provide a rare teaching moment that allows the public to see a powerful company grappling with the kinds of choices that all legacy fossil fuel companies will surely face in a carbonconstrained world. The case is not a rehash of the copiously documented charge that Exxon had for years subsidized climate change denialist groups even as its own scientists were acutely aware of the dangers of global warming. That charge is partly what inspired Ms. Underwood's predecessor, Eric Schneiderman, to begin investigating the company in the first place. But Exxon has since agreed that climate change is a problem, supported the Paris agreement and invested in cleaner fuels. Nor does the suit hold the company responsible for climate change, unlike several cases against the fossil fuel industry brought by New York City and other localities seeking damages from the rise of sea levels and other consequences of a warming world. Most of these suits have been thrown out of court. Instead, the suit is a straightforward shareholder fraud case contending that Exxon deceived investors by saying publicly that it had fully accounted for the risks of climate change while in fact deliberately minimizing and, in some cases, ignoring these risks when making its business decisions. These actions, the suit charges, inflated the company's value by making it appear to be on firmer financial footing than it actually was. The case is also numbingly complex, involving competing claims about arcane “proxy costs” — theoretical calculations of the expenses the company would be likely to incur when stringent government regulations kick in to limit the emissions of climate-altering compounds. The suit claims that even as Exxon assured investors that it was applying rigid accounting to operations and holdings, in practice it was not, thus avoiding painful write-downs on oil and gas reserves it might have to abandon if the true costs of regulation were taken into account. In one example, the suit charges, the company failed to apply publicly stated proxy costs to 14 oil sands projects in Alberta, leading to undercounting future regulatory expenses by $25 billion. To all of this, Exxon has two main responses. First, it says, the attorney general misunderstands the way the company calculates and applies costs. Scott Silvestri, an Exxon spokesman, said in a statement, “The company looks forward to refuting these claims as soon as possible and getting this meritless civil lawsuit dismissed.” Second, echoing what the company has said from the beginning, it claims that the inquiry is basically a witch hunt inspired by interest groups and Mr. Schneiderman, a politically ambitious Democrat.
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Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
I strongly believe that shared governance would be to the detriment of all Guyanese DEAR EDITOR, Messrs Sean Ori and Ruel Johnson wrote letters touting ‘shared governance’ as a benefit to Guyana. While they arrived at their conclusions on differing bases - Ori by his rejection of all political parties, and Johnson by hopeless pseudo-intellectual gymnastics to avoid saying that APNU+AFC is a miserable failure (too many writing workshops can lead to obfuscation) - both are hopelessly wrong. To ask any political organization to share governance space with a grossly and possibly criminally incompetent administration is to ask for expediency over principle; it is also to deny the people of the land a democratic right of choice. To list the misadventures of the APNU+AFC administration is an onerous task; one is always cognizant of length of missive versus the small booklet a complete listing would require. Suffice to say, many (myself
included) will strenuously resist any attempt to share governance with an APNU+AFC administration that has been and continues to be profligate from its first week in office to present day; an administration that has rendered useless all the prudent fiscal management that got us to healthy reserves in 2015 and brought us back to a 49% Debt to GDP ratio. An administration, who, despite five ever-increasing budgets which now total over a Trillion dollars, have begun no new projects and delivered none started under the PPP.The fallacy that APNU+AFC somehow represents ‘Afro-Guyanese’ and the PPP the ‘IndoGuyanese’ is one of those statements in Guyana’s politics that is repeated so often that it becomes pseudo-fact. I have spent the last three years putting my feet to pavement and doing my own investigations. I have found, for example, that the PPP is more than the ‘Indian’ party. Its leadership is diverse by any factor of examination. There are, for example, over 3000 black members
of the party, more than the WPA, JFAP, NDF, NFA and AFC combined, Indigenous representation is high and there is no ‘tokenism’. We do not need shared governance for all ethnicities to be represented, we possibly need more parties that encourage ethnic diversity of membership, but that is a matter for those organizations. I read an historical report which stated that at one time Guyana had 65 political parties, currently we have around ten active parties, no doubt more are being formed. I would like to ask proponents of shared governance if are we to include or exclude these from administration? Should we shelve GECOM, save the Billions and divvy the pie in backrooms?I suggest we are fortunate to be living in a healthy democracy and we should continue to have the right to chose who serve as Administrators for the foreseeable future. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. Respectfully Robin Singh
GTT – Do More, Charge More DEAR EDITOR, It is just possible that not many ‘customers’ would have noted that their GTT, albeit a monopoly, has applied to the Public Utilities Commission for approval of the following: 1) “to implement bundled packages for its wireline services; 2) to increase wireline access charges; and 3) to increase landline metered charges for intra calls.” Hopefully in their presentations
GTT would specify the various categories of consumers to whom the increases would apply: I) large corporate businesses ii) small to medium entrepreneurs iii) self-employed iv) pensioners v) Public Sector Agencies vi) Foreign Investor Organisations in order that the respective volumes of services would determine proportionate application of the increases.Such presentations should
encourage the Commission to invite responses of the aforementioned groupings.Additionally, it would seem reasonable for the PUC to arrange to have examined relevant financial data over a specified period in order to establish justification for the proposed monopolistic charges.Hopefully, civicminded accountants, as well as the Auditor General, can be invited to display an interest in such a moral exercise. A Pensioner
I look forward to the budget debates in the National Assembly DEAR EDITOR, Finance Minister Wi n s t o n J o r d a n h a s presented the 2019 Budget. It is commendable that he was able once again to do so before the end of the fiscal year. One clear advantage of an early budget is that it allows for a full year to implement the government’s capital programme, in p a r t i c u l a r t h o s e l a rg e projects under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). Given the size of the capital programme, my concern has to do primarily with the abilty of the administration to spend the money within the allocated period. Past experiences have demonstrated an extremely weak implementation capacity and a tendency to rush spending at the end of the year in order to avoid the money going back to the consolidated fund. This is fraught with all
kinds of dangers, including breaches of procurement procedures and a proclivity for corrupt practices. It is good to mobilize resources for developmental purposes, but it is much better to ensure that the money is well spent in keeping with the budgetary objectives.The introduction of Programme Budgeting under the previous administration allowed for monies to be spent in a much more targeted and focused manner. However, there is hardly any way of knowing whether or not the objectives of the several programmes were met, or to what extent. The national budget is in effect a national workplan for a given year and it is important that some kind of evaluation be done to determine the extent to which the workplan of the government is being met. Such analysis should be submitted to Parliament and
done by an external agency to avoid any conflict of interest tendencies. At a more fundamental level, the budget should contribute to a better life or what the administration refers to as ‘the good life’. It is difficult to see how this could be realized given the structure of the budget which is anything but pro-poor. Enough emphasis is not placed on job creation and on
poverty alleviation measures. I look forward to the budget debates in the National Assembly. The APNU-AFC government would have a tough time to explain its failure to grow the economy and create the requisite conditions to realize the good life it promised the Guyanese people. Hydar Ally
Diamond access bridge - Is it too narrow that causes it to be damaged so often ? DEAR EDITOR, The Diamond Housing Scheme access road has an important bridge that links to the East Bank Demerara highway and is of serious concern. The bridge’s metal rails are being damaged too often by vehicular traffic. The destruction is more or less done by heavy duty vehicles. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure engineers must sit and study this bridge and rails. Is it too narrow that causes the rails to be damaged so often ? On behalf of the residents, I hope to see the engineers come up with a new design to suit the bridge. Yours Co-operatively, Parmanand Ram
Wednesday November 28, 2018
MAKING GPHC A BETTER, SAFER AND MORE WELCOMING HOSPITAL DEAR EDITOR, Permit me in the capacity of a health professional to pen a few lines on an issue that desperately needs to be caught up or at minimum swept up in the present government’s tsunami of change. A recent newspaper article, brought to the fore the undercurrents of a likely financial scandal involving changes/ renovations that were due to be carried out over 32 months at Cheddi Jagan International Airport located at Timehri. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2018/11/20/us150m-andcountingis-guyana-gettinga-new-or-renovated-airport/ ) It is a well–known and well-shown fact, that anything of a fiscal nature involving the Guyana Government has always been shrouded in mystery and deception, and this case was no exception, even down to the surreptitious recipient of the tender China Harbour Engineering Company. To coin a well-known Guyanese adage, “Whah gone wrong ah morning, can’t come good ah night”. For what was originally decided on during the previous administration regarding the contractual terms have not materialized. While I am a great believer in change, I nevertheless felt that somehow or other the change agents were way off the mark, or perhaps in more direct terms – off location. However, this is not the crux of my discussion, as I endeavour to once again bring attention to places where changes are really needed. Changes that would considerably change the health and lifespan of the citizens— such as investing money in building or making GPHC a better, safer more welcoming hospital one which would significantly lower the mortality and morbidity rate . Currently the maternal, neonatal and general mortality rate in itself speaks volumes and stand as silent reminders of needed change, as attested by Dr. Lucio Pedro, Head of the Obstetrics and
Gynecology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Despite the opening of a new maternity wing, the hospital still faces its greatest and perhaps insurmountable challenge – that of decreasing both the maternal and the neonatal mortality rate towards attainment of Goals Four and Five of the United Nations Millennium Goals, which speak to the reduction of both maternal and infant mortality rates. (www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2017/11/25/gphc-maternityunit-still-hard-pressed-to-reduce-maternal-and-neonatal-rates-obgyn-head/) The former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, as far back as 1943 during the discussion in the House of Commons on the restoration of the Commons Chamber destroyed by bombs, stated thus, “ we shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us”. ( h t t p s : / / www.parliament.uk/about/ livingheritage/building/palace/architecture/ palacestructure/churchill/) Additionally, as humans we spend a great part of any given day in buildings, which can exert a deep-seated effect on our general well-being, be it for better or worse. Doctors and medical personnel the mainstay of any hospital, were also victims to unsafe and uninhabitable buildings, complaints about which fell on deaf ears for several years. In fact, in a newspaper report in 2013, one doctor who refused to disclose his identity said that 15 years prior, the doctors had written a letter to the hospital making them aware of the said situation. (https:// www.stabroeknews.com/ 2013/news/guyana/10/19/ doctors-refuse-to-give-upcrumbling-quarters/) Conclusively, another complaint in 2017 brought about the renovation in 2018 of the North and South Block of the Doctors’ Housing Facilities. Research conducted in the U.S.A has shown that effective building design is of remarkable importance especially in hospitals, the poten-
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tial of which is oftentimes omitted or forgotten. Operating Rooms or Theatres, (a seemingly fitting nomenclature) considered one of the most critical areas in any hospital, most of which although operational still do so on vestiges of the past, inadequately built to handle people, equipment and processes that a current operating room needs to house. Researched informed design of an Operating room can go a long way towards improving performance and safety. A fact to be borne in mind is that hospitalization is a need service and not a want service, and as such brings about considerable stress due to fear, diminished physical limitations, absence of needed medications , fear of medical interventions and uncertainty about future wellbeing. Hospitals that are noisy, drab, dark, possess outdated or absent equipment, unwelcoming to families, only serve as further stress inducers. There have been circulating rumors about the construction of a specialized hospital, and expressed concerns about the existing one. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2011/02/02/does-buildinga-specialty-hospital-meangphc-will-be-another-whiteelephant/). Here and now let it be said, such an idea was conjured up in a thoughtless head. The latter mentioned judgment proved to be right when Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited the company which won the bid for the construction of a Specialty Hospital in 2012., fled the coop with U.S. $4.2M (Continued on page 6)
Fossilization of Traditional Sectors: The Cost of Incompetence and Parochialism DEAR EDITOR, Our traditional sectors have been a major catalyst and foundation of our economy for decades. From the rice farmers to sugar workers to loggers, all have played a major role in foreign exchange generation and economic stimulation. Combined, the sectors are responsible for the provision of tens of thousands of employments. Over the past three years, however, Guyana has witnessed a major decline and contraction in four of its main traditional sectors. Sugar, rice, bauxite and timber have all plummeted, hence, one of the major causes for the
country’s depleting foreign reserves, and falling private consumption. From 20152017, the contraction in the sugar industry cost the nation in excess of US$506 million in foreign exchange. Specifically, sugar, rice, forestry and bauxite fell by US$63M, US$155M, US$37.8M and US$86.7M, respectively. Compounding this devastating performance, in 2018 total exports are projected to further contract by another US$167M. So, how did it affect our balance of payment and foreign reserves? Our current account recorded a humongous deficit
of US$287.4M in 2017, while foreign exchange plummeted by US$199M to US$449M. Given the decline in exports, it could be argued that, had the traditional sectors performed similar to 2014, our current account would have improved its position to US$121M. Thus, overall the corollary was far-reaching. Loans and advances to small businesses and manufacturers declined. As demand dried up, nonperforming loans increased to an all-time high of 12% to $29B, precipitating a decline in returns at commercial banks. Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Guyanese are caught between a rock and a hard place DEAR EDITOR, If the recently concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) is anything to go by, Guyanese are fed-up and disillusioned by the APNU+AFC Government of President David Granger. This disillusionment took just over three years to manifest itself. What are Guyanese to do? Do we give the Coalition APNU+AFC Government more time to continue their missteps? Or, do we give the PPP/C another chance (with Bharrat Jagdeo effectively at the helm)? Is there a viable Third Force out there which can effectively manage the affairs of State? Many Guyanese would say, as I do, a resounding “NO!” to all three questions asked above. The only alternative is for the PPP/C and for the PNCRled APNU+AFC (effectively, PNC) to stop fighting each other and start working together on solutions to
Guyanese problems which are many but not insurmountable. Solutions are needed immediately on the question of Security (namely, crime reduction), electricity woes, water woes, health and education to name a few. But foremost attention should be placed on job creation which needs investment. Investment needs political, social and economic stability to thrive. Guyana’s problems are not a money problem per se, in that if you throw US$100B at the problems they will not just disappear. It is a lack of political will and know-how. So while the Coalition APNU+AFC Government would like to pretend that by awaiting the “oil money” to flow to fix Guyana’s problems, they simply need to wise-up and get real. The ordinary Guyanese is not about to get rich and experience ‘The Good Life’ with the pittance oil money. In any event, waiting two to three years for this to
happen is unwise, as it may never happen. What Guyanese want and need is better Government so that our fledgling Democracy can flourish. Isn’t it time for the PPP and PNC to stop their childish fighting and work together for the betterment of all Guyanese under consensus politics? Yours Faithfully Sean Ori
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Assessing what happened on November 12, 2018 DEAR EDITOR, The way I’ve been educated to understand politics as practiced in Western society goes beyond my brain capacity at times. I say that to say, persons can or will use politics to advance a particular group’s interests. This most times works out to the detriment of the well-being of the state, since that particular group’s interest might not be what is, was, or will be, for the best of the nation as whole. Taken into consideration, the context in which I speak is that of a multicultural Caribbean society, whose division stretches far beyond economical boundaries. Ever since the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) became split and its two founding fathers went their separate ways ideologically and philosophically, Guyana has been made to suffer somewhat. Before I continue, even though that fact is known, the political parties (PNC and PPP) are still holding steadfast to the ideological positions of these two men. Insanity is the term they call it. Let us continue. Our politics have become so brutally and dangerously entrenched in our philosophical understanding of the realm of politics, that it manifests itself horribly. So horribly that an Indian is left to think “dem black man nah do nothing for we” whilst the African community takes the position of “dem Indians all for themselves”. My country, from my short experience on this earth, can sometimes feel as though we are going back and forth – politically. A total mess. Since these parties dominate our political franchise, they use the ‘local govern-
ment’ to further imprint their ‘deadly’ claws on our municipalities. Our local government ideally, in my estimation, should be an authority filled with politically-independent persons, chosen by the persons of the locale, seeking for and ensuring the community receives what’s best for the community. Any other way will lead to blatant corruption practices, regardless of what is being fed to us through the media and various mediums of communication.Local government has become a means by which political parties can further stretch their hands into our communities to either take away, give, and/or stifle whatever it is that so rightfully belong to us. But who should decide this for us? Why should the political leaders be, or have someone in charge, of deciding how much we need, must get, or want as a community. This question must and should be answered by ourselves. For if the community is one that is generally not in support of the ruling party, they can stifle the allocation of budgetary monies to that community, hindering development to that community, or if they are in support, excess spending in that community, at the expense of another community who may not be a supporter. Our decisions should be made by us – free of political interference. Our own independent candidates, who bravely contested the elections against these autocratic, totalitarian parties, who directly or indirectly try to influence the well-being of us Guyanese through our local municipalities. On November 12, 2018, a total of 36% of the total legal voters turned up to cast their
vote for their local leaders. Absolutely ridiculous! I really don’t see how any political party can claim victory, I just can’t. We refused to collectively go out and elect our local leaders, indicative of the fact that we are somewhat tired of the way politics is practiced in our dear land. Sadly, while the ruling party has been made to suffer some huge blows in key stronghold areas, the PPP was highly praised (via votes received). Imagine that the PPP would’ve have denied Guyanese this constitutional right of selecting local leaders for 23 years! In just three years in office, the coalition has held two local government elections.The same Mr. Jagdeo that is seemingly proud of his party’s showing at the recently concluded election should be asked “If you are so proud, then why did you deny us this constitutional right in your 11 years as President?” Very Simple. We can blame the politicians how much we wish to, and rightfully so. They are accountable to us. After all, it is we who would have gotten them there. In a democratic society, that is how it supposed to be – idealistically. It then begs the question, who are we accountable for? To whom are we accountable? We must provide ourselves with the answers to those questions. How can we expect change in this great land, when we keep recycling the same parties, the same political leaders, whose philosophical and ideological standings have remained the same? Entrust our people to run our communities. Get well Mr. President. Jafar Gibbons
MAKING GPHC A BETTER, SAFER... From page 6 belonging to the Guyana Gvernment. (https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2017/05/15/billions-squandered/). I am calling on the government to use whatever remaining that they have got, using it to give GPHC their best financial shot— one that would benefit hospital staff, patients, patients’ families and all stakeholders. It is crucial that prior to any renovation undertaking that the government carefully research and use all available empirical evidence to guide any likely design, especially the use of well-qualified architects. Evidence-based design has recorded how to make hospitals safer and less stressful, and operates in tandem with architect and designer imagination, creativity and judgment by providing empirical data on design elements that actually work. Some facets to be considered are: staff visual access to patients, easy-to-clean surfaces, sound-absorbing flooring, ceiling and walls, wayfinding, including the building entrance, floor plans and information desk, patient control of light, family support spaces, such as comfortable waiting areas, an over-
night bed in the patient room in cases of very sick patients, acuity adaptable rooms to avoid moving patients as their condition changes. Staff support spaces, such as decentralized nurse workstations, immediacy of supplies and medications, and comfortable break areas, medical staff support spaces, such as the quality of meeting rooms, sound quality of operating rooms, and quality and location of workstations. Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is the country’s largest hospital, and though built 180 years ago, still has a rich history to show. Let us now respectfully lay to rest the dead, as we strive towards the mark ahead. The government should now invest money for the nation to see that healthcare remains a top priority. Hospitals will never be places that patients enjoy. However, when ill, the building design can assist in maintaining their morale still. Create and/or renovate the GPHC, making the building in general, safer and less stressful for patients, more welcoming to families, improving the quality of work and work life of the staff, and improving environmental sustainability. Y. Sam
Wednesday November 28, 2018
A tsunami of corruption has inundated and paralyzed the economy DEAR EDITOR, The Auditor’s General Report 2017 continues to demonstrate that the Coalition Government is not ‘fit and proper’ to govern this country and the ‘good life’ is a figment of the Finance Minister’s imagination. In every department of Government the massive fraud, gross mismanagement and blatant and downright thievery of public funds have gone entirely out of control. The tentacles of corruption have completely engulfed this nation and there is now an urgency as never before to be freed from this strangulation. The Audit Report is replete with examples of these. One would expect that the Guyana Defence Force and the Ministry of Public Security would exhibit a high level of accountability, but unfortunately this was not the case. In 2017, the Budgetary allocation for the procurement of goods and services for the Guyana Defence Force was revised to $4.366 billion with a total of $4.361 billion being expended. However, the Audit Report flagged many instances where assets bought cannot be located. For instance, an Ultra Sound Cleaner machine purchased for $608,000 could not have been located for physical verification at the time of the audit. Then in the current expenditure, there are some insanely high figures which are hardly believable. For instance, $569.949 million was expended on fuel and lubricants for Senior Officers, and it was seen that one motor car actually consumed $3.07 million in fuel, amounting to $256,242 per month! In addition, the Stores Regulations were severely breached while a huge quantity of assets and numerous expense vouchers cannot be traced. What is also alarming is the fact that many contractors
are actually given the capital investment financing to provide the items contracted and yet failed to make timely delivery of the items. For instance, the sum of $64.734 million was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to a supplier for three Stallion 4x4 Truck Troop Carriers. The agreement was signed on 27th October, 2017 and the supplier was immediately paid $45.314 million. This is 70% of the contract cost! Therefore, it is seen that this is a clear case of financing. But lo and behold! The delivery which is supposed to be in three months was yet to be done 10 months after! The Ministry of Public Security is a mirror image of what took place in the Guyana Defence Force. For instance, there is an overpayment of staff who severed employment of which $1.123 million is still to be recovered along with deductions of $889,691. Another case of financing the supplier is the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the Guyana Forensic Services Laboratory. Another case is the award of a contract to purchase one multi-purpose Fire Rescue boat. This was sole-sourced for $307.457 million and the contractor was paid $131.354 million or 43% of the contract price. After 10 months this capital item is still to be delivered. Also the sum of $16.947 million was awarded and fully paid to the supplier but materials valued $10,818 million is still to be received. Then there is overpayment for maintenance work, overpayment for capital works, breaches of the Stores Regulations and missing log books for vehicles. The above scenarios reflect what is happening in all the Government departments at the Regional and Central
Government levels. The tsunami of corruption has inundated and paralyzed the economy. Therefore, we as Guyanese need to question ourselves: Whither are we going as a Nation? The Budget gets bigger each year but what is trickled down to the average person continues to be lesser with each passing year. Will it be too much to ask that this government give back the cash grants to students? Or the subsidies to the pensioners? Or a living wage increase to all Guyanese including the sugar workers? Or to reduce the numerous taxes? Or the removal of VAT on water and electricity? Or an increase in the old age pension and the public assistance? Or to create investments and job opportunities for our young people? I do not think so. Everyone needs to have a taste of the ‘good life’. Monies to ease the sufferings of the masses can be found if proper budgetary allocation and control are done and there is proper accountability and financial management. It is evident that if the corruption is reduced, then more monies can be made available. The excesses can be trimmed to give a taste of the ‘good life’ to the downtrodden of our society. The Auditor General’s Report has unearthed so many areas where value for money is lost, hence the solution is not bigger budgetary allocations to these Government entities. In fact these can be cut to facilitate fiscal space and spending in vitally important areas. I am sure the ‘good life’ has not even begun for the masses, so the theme of this year’s budget is now a platitude. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councilor Region 6
I’M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SITUATION AT BOSAI DEAR EDITOR, I’m really concerned about the situation at Bosai Bauxite Company. The first issue is the low payments and the amount of years you have to work without getting a salary adjustment, especially in certain departments. Another thing is that the bosses treat workers according to what their friends tell them about
those individuals in the company. They also have people working other places in the company that they were not assigned to work, and underpay them, and that’s also bad for safety. I think the government needs to look into these issues, because we as young people are the future and I would never encourage a young person to come and work here at Bosai.
Why are there people in places to look into these issues and yet nothing is being done? I’m concerned, because most of us here have a family and this will affect Linden and Guyana in the long term. We vote to put the government in there so they should take our concerns at heart and let something be done. Yours truly, Bosai worker
Wednesday November 28, 2018
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Republic Bank “agrees” to take over Scotiabank operations
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he owners of Trinidad-owned Republic Bank is to take over the local operations of Scotiabank, ending what would have been decades of stay for that Canadian banking institution in Guyana. However, the Government of Guyana has cautioned, warning that it has to assess the implications. Scotiabank announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement to sell its banking operations in nine non-core markets in the Caribbean (Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent & the Grenadines) to Republic Financial Holdings Limited (‘RFHL’). The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. According to its statement, Scotiabank said the agreements are part of its strategy to focus the bank’s efforts on its core markets with significant scale. As part of this strategy, Scotiabank’s subsidiaries in Jamaica (Scotia Group Jamaica Limited, ‘Scotiabank Jamaica’) and Trinidad & Tobago (Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago Limited, ‘Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago’) announced that they will enter into a 20-year distribution agreement with Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited (‘Sagicor’) through which an enhanced suite of marketleading insurance products and solutions, underwritten by Sagicor, will be offered to Scotiabank customers in Jamaica and Trinidad& Tobago. As part of this partnership, Scotiabank Jamaica and Scotiabank Trinidad & To-
…Not so fast- Finance Ministry warns
bago have entered into agreements to sell their respective insurance subsidiaries: Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance Company and ScotiaLife Trinidad and Tobago Limited to Sagicor. As Canada’s most international bank, Scotiabank has been operating in Guyana since 1968, with five branches across the country. Scotiabank insisted that the agreements are subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. “Scotiabank is proud to work with the Republic Group and Sagicor - both leaders in financial services in the Caribbean who are well positioned to invest and grow these businesses,” said Ignacio (Nacho) Deschamps, Group Head, International Banking at Scotiabank. “Due to increasing regulatory complexity and the need for continued investment in technology to support our regulatory requirements, we made the decision to fo-
cus the bank’s efforts on those markets with significant scale in which we can make the greatest difference for our customers,” continued Mr. Deschamps. “Scotiabank is committed to the Caribbean as demonstrated by the Bank’s ongoing investment in products, services and processes to provide an enhanced banking experience to customers across the region.’ Sagicor is a leading financial services provider in the Caribbean, with operations in 22 countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, the United Kingdom and the United States. RFHL is a leading financial group based in Trinidad & Tobago with operations across the Caribbean and Ghana. As part of the proposed agreements, impacted employees of Scotiabank in the nine countries will join the Republic Group and employees of Scotia Jamaica Life Insur-
ance Company and ScotiaLife Trinidad and Tobago Limited will join Sagicor, or a new licensed insurance sales entity that will be created as a result of this transaction. “Scotiabank is committed to working closely with RFHL and with Sagicor to provide the smoothest transition possible for all customers and employees,” the bank said in its statement. Republic Bank has been growing in strength, with several branches in Guyana. It has been actively participating in several public/private partnerships projects, including the Berbice Bridge and Marriott Hotel. However, the sale may not be so clear-cut for Republic Bank and Scotiabank. According to the Ministry of Finance, it has taken note of the announcement of the agreement for control of Scotiabank by Republic Bank in nine Caribbean territories including Guyana. “The Ministry emphasizes
that this move is not Guyanaspecific and is part of a region-wide refocussing by Scotiabank. “The Ministry of Finance notes the statement by Republic Bank that the agreement is “subject to all regulatory approvals”, according to the ministry. It explained that the Financial Institutions Act (FIA) has clear stipulations regarding “acquisition of control” and requires approval of the Bank of Guyana following the submission of an application and due diligence being conducted. However, the ministry warned that it will thread carefully. “Further the FIA addresses as well the issue of ‘fundamental changes’ as it
relates to mergers and transfer of assets or liabilities. The agreement raises a number of issues for the banking sector in Guyana and for the public which the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Guyana and the Government of Guyana will need to carefully consider.” The issues the ministry include the fact that Republic Bank currently holds 35.4% of the banking systems assets and 36.8% of deposits. The acquisition will up this to 51% of both assets and deposits. “This raises concerns about an over-concentration of banking services, market domination and the ‘too big to fail’ risks.” According to the Finance Ministry, it will have to (Continued on page 13 )
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Four firefighters to be charged for theft from crash-landed plane
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harges have been recommended against four firefighters, including a senior rank, for stealing valuables from the Fly Jamaica aircraft that crash-landed on November 9 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The recommendations were made by the Police Legal Advisor who returned the file yesterday to the police. The accused ranks are scheduled to appear in court this
week.Fourteen firefighters were initially detained. One of the ranks who served in a supervisory capacity had admitted to taking two cell phones. He handed the items over to the police.Although other stolen articles were found in a fire truck, the other ranks had reportedly denied stealing anything. Investigators had said that they needed the victims to identify and estimate the
value of the items, which included cash, jewellery, tablets, cell phones and colognes.The theft came to light after the pilot reported that items were missing from the cockpit.A flight attendant also reported missing perfume.One of the firefighters then returned two cell phones that he had already stashed in his vehicle. Other items, including colognes, were then found in a fire truck.
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Bitter, sweet budget for Private Sector Commission
While commending Minister of Finance Winston Jordan on yet another early budget, the Private Sector Commission has noted that it makes no provision for relief on energy costs which are “stifling businesses.” It says that also worrying is the impact of Budget 2019 upon the foreign reserves of the Central Bank. In a missive to the press, the Private Sector Commission said, “An impact that does not appear to have taken cognizance of the need to cushion against external shocks to which the country and its currency are vulnerable.” According to the Commission, it was in consultation with the Finance Minister as the Budget was being crafted, and made a number of recommendations. Chief among which was the gradual lowering of the Corporate Tax rate over a period of ten years to 20%. The Commission said that it is pleased at the reduction to 25% which was announced for 2019. It signals a commitment to this mutual goal.“We are happy, too, that Budget 2019 contains several measures such as the raising of the tax threshold, which the Commission had proposed for the relief of the tax burden upon employees, and the monies earmarked for hinterland airstrips. Also gratifying is the
provision for the differently able, a demographic which is often neglected.”“The Commission is cognisant of the need to incentivise the manufacturing sector but would have hoped that, given the substantial contribution of the services sector to our Gross Domestic Product, consideration would have been given to reducing the tax rate for commercial businesses from the draconian 40% as this is having an adverse effect on legitimate businesses,” the statement added.Nevertheless, it expressed that it is also pleased that plans have been announced for the construction of the Linden-Lethem road which will ease the woes of businesses and residents who depend on this corridor for their livelihood. “The dire need for the East Bank road, which had been proposed by the Commission, has also been addressed and the Commission is heartened that the development of modern Port Georgetown is being addressed,” the Commission said. It is concerned about the level of proposed overall tax revenue on businesses and individuals as Budget 2019 projects a 9.9% increase in revenue while the economy is projected to grow by 4.6%.
Wednesday November 28, 2018
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The Budgets of Jagdeo and Jordan have a lot in common
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hen you are in Opposition, you are at a disadvantage in criticizing the Budget because you do not have access to all the data necessary for a complete analysis. But the Opposition can offset that liability. It has had no input into the preparation of the Budget and therefore it does not have the burden of defending it; it can make heavy weather of the measures which the government has announced. This year, the Opposition does not have a difficult task. The Budget is tailor made to be ripped apart at the seams. It was a lengthy Budget speech but was short in terms of answering the fundamental issues relating to the management of the economy, and preparation for first oil. In fairness to the Minister of Finance he was at a major disadvantage because the Green State Development Strategy is buried in slothful consultations. By the time it digs itself out of that quag-
mire, it would have to be updated to cater for the numerous changes which have taken place since it was first conceptualized. The government also does not have a renewable energy strategy and this makes the Minister’s job even more difficult. As such, on major issues such as the environment and energy, the Budget consists of patchwork of measures. This represents a major challenge for other sectors since, for example, without cheap energy, manufacturing simply cannot take-off. Without a green development plan, the government will lack the basis of properly incentivize tourism.Budget 2019 resembles the many Budgets under former President Jagdeo. It is Budget of crunched numbers and collaged measures lacking any coherence, direction and focus. The Minister was of course very familiar with those PPPC Budgets since he
would have had a hand in their development and even used to appear on television to explain the Budget. He therefore ought not to have fallen into the practice of producing Jagdeo-like Budgets. He should have avoided those same missteps. Like the Budgets under the PPPC, the 2019 Budget is not part of any major developmental strategy. It is balancing act of trying to please a number of stakeholders without offending too many constituents. Were there a renewable energy plan, the Minister could have said that in 2019 the announced measures were intended to achieve certain aspects of that plan. But instead what we have are initiatives thrown in for good measure with only minimal impact on overall renewable energy development. It is a problem of planning. The Minister should have a target and to say that in 2018 the Budget will ensure that so many kilowatts or in whatever
DEM BOYS SEH
Once you meet 50 you got to watch you step
Due to the current financial situation caused by the slowdown in the economy, the Government decide to implement a scheme to put workers of 50 years of age and older on early, mandatory retirement. This will create vacancies but de government would not fill dem. At de same time it gun reduce unemployment because de old people gun be retired rather than unemployed. This scheme will be known as RAPE (Retire Aged People Early). Persons selected to be RAPED can apply to the Government to be considered for the SHAFT program (Special Help After Forced Termination). Persons who have been RAPED and SHAFTED will be reviewed under the SCREW program (System Covering Retired-Early Workers). A person may be RAPED once, SHAFTED twice and SCREWED as many times as the Government deems appropriate. Persons who have been RAPED could get AIDS (Additional Income for Dependents & Spouse) or HERPES (Half Earnings for Retired Personnel Early Severance). Obviously persons who have AIDS or HERPES will not be SHAFTED or SCREWED any further by the Govern-
ment. Persons who are not RAPED and are staying on will receive as much SHIT (Special High Intensity Training) as possible. The Government has always prided its self on the amount of SHIT it gives our citizens. Should you feel that you do not receive enough SHIT, please bring this to the attention of your Parliamentary Representative, who has been trained to give you all the SHIT you can handle.
Sincerely, The Senate committee on Economic Value of Individual Lives (E.V.I.L.) This is de reality and is this society Jagdeo was wukking toward. Every time dem boys talk bout de plan he eye does light up. He done retire and getting a hefty pension. De difference wid this scheme is that others who retire wouldn’t be able to live on dem pension. Talk half and watch out fuh RAPE
unit it is measured, will be generated using renewable energy and it will save the economy X dollars and reduce foreign exchange usage by Y dollars. Instead what we have is talk about piloting an electric car? How much is that going to impact on renewable energy?It is the same rigmarole with taxation. Each year we read about increasing the threshold and reducing taxes. A comprehensive tax bill is needed which treats with major tax concerns. This patchwork approach to tax reform simply will not suffice as Guyana prepares for first oil. The Minister is fully aware that Guyana does not have the absorptive capacity to spend the oil revenues which will come our way from 2020. As such, the past few
years should have been devoted to building that capacity. But not much of that is happening and one has to ask what is going to happen to the oil revenues? Will the revenues be parked in the Sovereign Wealth Fund in the same way as the G$30b which was supposed to be used to put the sugar corporation in a state of readiness for privatization? The communities which depend on the sugar industry have been devastated by the dismissals of almost 5,000 sugar workers. The sugar workers have not received an increase since the APNU/AFC came into office. Even their severance to which they were entitled was doled out in piecemeal fashion. Admittedly, the industry with which they work is un-
dergoing a crisis and is suffering losses. But are these workers any less productive and efficient at what they do than public servants who chalk up an increase each year without any way of measuring whether their performance on the job is ‘loss-making’? Even if the government feels that the sugar workers do not deserve an increase what about the social costs caused by the retrenchment within the industry? Why were there no measures aimed at stimulating the rural economy so as to be able to absorb the large numbers of dismissed workers?
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Nihilistic and dysfunctional: A nation breaks down All over the world, even in the mega rich USA, people will take valuable from crime scenes. I remember in the US, a Wells Cargo armoured carrier crashed and money spilt out. People rushed onto the scene and carried it away. I believe in many rich islands, some citizens
would steal from a crashed airplane. One doesn’t expect that firemen that went to the disaster to save lives would steal from the victims. That is hardly likely to happen in the real world. Name a country where that diseased action would happen and if you know Guyana, it will head your
list. Something eerie, inexplicable, irrational has taken over this land. My theory is after the exodus and demise of the post fifty/sixty generation because of the zero sum battle between Burnham and Rodney in the year 1980, that post 1980 generation is a soulless nation that has no clue
whatsoever what life, justice, s y m p a t h y, empathy, courage, love, and philosophical values are. The post fifty/sixty generation embodied these priceless instincts. That era and its people are gone. Guyana since 1980 hardly exists. From firemen exhibiting inhuman attitudes toward plane crash victims by stealing from helpless humans who thought they came to rescue them, we have policemen being accused of pilfering model planes from last week’s aviation convention. Now mind you - not the coffee lady, not the gardener from the Arthur Chung Centre where the conference was held, but the police who were there to preserve law and order. Do these things surprise you? Only if you do not live in Guyana. I am not a middle class man who has no contact with life in and around Guyana. On the c o n t r a r y, t h e o p p o s i t e obtains. On Monday morning, I was walking on the beach with my dog and because it rained early that morning, the beach was wet. I felt a strange sensation under my feet. It was getting wet. The bottom of my right side shoe fell off. I went immediately to the cobbler group that operates on the pavement outside Bourda Market on Bourda Street. I am a regular visitor to these guys whose conversations are always interesting. The guy said it is better
to stitch both shoes and it will take 20 minutes. To kill the time, I went into a popular nearby supermarket. I took my items and went to the empty cashier. She said she is tending to a customer who has gone back to the shelves. The only other cashier had a line of Cuban purchasers. I figured the customer would take literally seconds so I will wait. I have done the same thing umpteen times – you reach the cashier and you rush back to the shelves very quickly to pick up an item you forgot. Four of us keep waiting. Guess what happened. The customer she was attending to went back to the selves do more shopping and she had us waiting. I voiced my strong disapproval. She went to the supervisor who came and cleared from the computerized cash register, the purchase from the original customer so others in line could be served. I told her to her face, this could only happen in Guyana. I believe in my heart only in Guyana, would a supermarket cashier keep a line waiting while another customer goes searching for more stuff. It was so unbelievable that it was the first thing I greeted my wife with when I went home. The fault is not confined to that young l a d y. I t i s a p s y c h i c breakdown in the post 1980 generation in Guyana. If I was to pick out examples of the nihilistic
Frederick Kissoon and dysfunctional nature of this land as a media practitioner and citizen, they would literally run into the thousands. Two stand out in my mind. It is hard to believe that the two examples I will list below are routine stuff you find in other countries. In 2016, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure created exasperating traffic confusion by painting road signs on the very first day school reopened in the month of September. What happened in July and August when traffic was lighter? (See my c o l u m n o f We d n e s d a y, September 7, 16, titled, “ G u y a n a : B eyond the incredibility of absurdity.”). In 2016, owners of puppies at the Correia Airport at Ogle who couldn’t produce proof of where their dogs came from had the dogs killed right there and then. This went on for two weeks. See my columns of December 14 and December 16, 2016. In any other normal civilized, country, airport officials would have stolen the puppies for themselves. They killed them in Guyana. Only this newspaper showed sympathy and empathy. Do people live here?
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
Reconstruction of Bridges attract 26 $$ multi-million dollar bids The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NTPAB) yesterday opened 26 bids which were vied for the reconstruction of two bridges. The bridges scheduled for reconstruction are Area ‘J’ Industry Bridge, E.C.D and Little Diamond Bridge, E.B.D. The bids opened were as follows: Ministry of Public Infrastructure –Procurement of Works – Bridges 2018 Lot 1 – Reconstruction of Area ‘J’ Industry Bridge, E.C.D, Region 4 Lot 2 – Reconstruction of Little Diamond Bridge, E.B.D, Region 4
Ministry of Public Health – Supply and Delivery of Pharmaceutical Cold Stores (Refrigerator)
Regional Democratic Council, Region 5 – Procurement of Security Services
Ministry of Agriculture – Consulting Services for the review, design and supervision services
EU decries femicides within the country, 28 so far for 2018 The board also opened multiple multi-million-dollar bids for infrastructural work in the commercial area of Providence. The bids opened were all above $40M and were as follows: Central Housing and Planning Authority – Infrastructural works at Providence Commercial Area, E.B.D Region 4
Other tenders opened by the board included the following: Ministry of Business – Consultancy for design of export and investment strategy and implementation plan for Go Invest
Guyana Lands and Survey Commission – Rewiring of GLSC Head Office
National Communications Networks Inc. – Servicing and Maintenance of Air Conditioning Units 2019
Femicides- the intentional killing of women — has permeated the social atmosphere of not just the Caribbean region but Guyana as well. The ill, in just this year has caused the lives of 28 women in the country. There were over 2,000 in the Caribbean in the previous year. In a recent panel discussion, the European Union decried the global issue that is femicide within the region; perpetrators who are closely or intimately related to women were said to have committed the majority of femicides. Aptly, this discussion comes just three days after the “International Day towards the Elimination of Violence against Women and Femicide”. Gender-based violence refers to any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will, but more importantly, it is an act that is perpetrated based on one’s gender. This is often due to socially ascribed gender norms, which dictate how men and women should behave. According to reports by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), at least one in three women in Guyana is a victim of gender-based violence. While, this is quite alarming, one can attribute these statistics to the normalization of unequal power dynamics in relationships between men and women worldwide. Notably, it was also found that 58% of child abuse cases, both physical and sexual, were girls. Clinical psychologist, Raiza Teixeira, presenting at the EU’s panel discussion, elucidated that gender-based violence is often perpetuated within society by these very unequal power dynamics. Teixeira commented on the normalization of the gender roles that society would project on individuals. She attributed this “social conditioning” as the main contributing factor in the cycle of domestic and gender based violence. It was stated that gender based violence, the root cause of femicides, is often not treated with much concern by members of society. Akin to this, Teixeira stated that the culture of aggression that Guyana’s society
has often regards gender-based violence as if it were a part of the country’s culture itself. Gender-based violence, a catalyst for femicides, crosses all social and cultural barriers. With this being said, the discussion brought out many of the misconceptions of the ill by society, including the fact that it can happen in a plethora of ways. It was stressed that the root cause of the issue can undermine the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its survivors, causing unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, HIV and even the loss of lives. This form of violence stymies the fundamental right of freedom for women, negatively affects their social and physical wellbeing and furthermore affects that of their families. However, despite of the various policies and laws in place, women in Guyana and in the Caribbean region are still being posed with the struggles that come with gender disparities. Teixeira explained that victims and perpetrators both are sometimes not aware that forms of gender-based violence are being portrayed. She added that it is the little thingsthat might not be depicted through violencethat should raise red flags. Further, adding that victims often lose themselves in their perpetrators. “Persons lose themselves in their perpetrators, you ask them what do they like, what are their interests, what drives them… but they can only say what they as a couple like… that sense of self is lost…” Teixeira stated that the dissonance that is often seen between what victims were before they were with their perpetrators is usually quite evident. The phenomenon that is gender-based violence can often have emotionally debilitating effects on survivors. Linkage between socially ascribed gender roles and perpetrators, survivors It was recognized that Guyana’s “children should be seen and not heard” culture has acted as a major influencing factor in the current affairs of gender-based violence. Teixeira attributed this social conditioning as a predisposing factor for the number of femicides within the region. She explained that children are forced to conform from a very young age to projected Continued on page 14
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Govt. contemplates road from Parika to Bartica …and a list of feasibility studies Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, announced the government’s intention to build a road corridor linking Parika and Bartica, during his budget speech on Monday last. Jordan said that Bartica will be a prime investment spot in the future. It has the capacity to link the coast to the hinterland region. He said that Bartica should become a “self-sufficient enterprise” and a prime territory for business. In anticipation of this, Jordan said that the government is in talks with international financiers and development partners for the construction of an all-weather transportation road corridor from Parika to Bartica. The project is expected to be executed in three main phases: Parika to Goshen, Goshen to Monkey Jump, and Monkey Jump to Bartica. The works that the government had undertaken to fortify the 30km of roads on the West Coast of Demerara Highway Road Improvement Project, made way for more work to be done on this pathway between Georgetown and the Hinterland. The Minister announced a feasibility and design study to be done in 2019 for the upgrade of the Parika Stelling to a modern, marine, transport hub. Jordan also mentioned plans for road linkage between East Bank Essequibo to the West Bank of Demerara and to port Georgetown, by way of a Goshen to Free n Easy linkage as part of the planned Parika-Bartica corridor project. The government also has plans to give the coast a link to Brazil, by way of a super highway. Jordan announced plans to construct about 6km of paved roads between Wisroc and Mile Zero, then the commencement of a feasibility study for 125km of road from Linden to Mabura, as well as a bridge across the Kurupukari River. The minister said that this highway will stimulate
business and eco-tourism opportunities, and form a commercial link with Northern Brazil. The government is currently in talks with the government of Brazil on the construction of the MaburaLethem road. Yet another feasibility study is also slated for 2019, on the expansion of the Lethem Aerodrome to a regional airport. $134M has been allocated to study the design of a rehabilitation project on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. The government also intends to prioritise the East Bank/ East Coast linkage project, so that it could create an alternative route from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to the Eugene Correia International Airport. The original estimate for this bypass, a few years ago, was $50M, and that funding was secured. However, Jordan said that the bypass is now projected to cost some $70M more. In total, the government has allocated $38.5B to expand and maintain Guyana’s infrastructure, with 71.9% to go to upgrading or adding to capital stock, while the remainder will go to maintenance and repairs. The budgetary allocation for infrastructural projects amounts to about 12.8% of the total budget. At a press conference after the reading of the budget, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, told the media that the Parika to Bartica road was not going to happen. He said that Dr. Cheddi Jagan had proposed this (Del Conte) road since the 60s, and that the government is only creating the impression that it will happen, to lift the optimism of the Guyanese people. Jagdeo maintained that most of the projects are only meant to give the impression that Guyana will experience significant infrastructural development. Most of these projects are not going to happen, at least not in the near future.
Republic Bank “agrees”... From page 7 consider the effect on competition and the potential for Republic Bank to have too much influence on pricing of banking products and rates. Also to be considered are the burning issues related to correspondent banking options. The Finance Minister also expressed worry over the loss of jobs with Republic Bank with the likely consolidation of branches. The ministry also questioned the timing of the decision. “The Scotiabank decision, which is made when Guyana’s economy is on the cusp of financial transformation with the onset of a massive new oil and gas sector raises concerns and is regretted. “The Ministry of Finance wishes to assure that it will continue to stay abreast of this matter, will act in the best interest of the Guyanese people and will issue subsequent updates as necessary.”
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
Increased Scrutiny of Development Plans for oil sector a small step in right direction - Ram By Kiana Wilburg The decision of the Energy Department to increase its scrutiny of ExxonMobil’s Field Development Plan (FDP) for the Liza Phase Two Project marks a small step in the right direction. This was the comment of Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atLaw, Chris Ram. Ram told this newspaper that he welcomes the steps by Government to impose some kind of order in the oil and gas sector and “bring an end to this culture where Exxon could do as it feels.” Be that as it may, the Chartered Accountant who has written extensively about the failings of the government in this sector, expressed concern that at least one of the horses has already bolted and that is the Liza Phase One FDP. He insisted that every effort must be made to rein it in. Ram said, “It must be subject to the same degree of accountability and we need to do the work that we ought to have done. It is not too late. We still have 20 months to go and we have much at stake…But that is not to take away from the fact that I welcome that something is being done by the government. It is a little step in the right direction.” NO IMPACT Even though the coalition Government has taken a decision to increase its scrutiny of ExxonMobil’s Field Development Plans it will have no impact on plans for the Liza Phase Two project
as envisioned by Exxon. Specifically making this point to Kaieteur News recently was ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Deedra Moe. The official said, “We’ve been in close communication with the government about the development plan timing and will continue to work closely with them throughout the review process. We remain on track for first oil from Liza Phase Two in 2022.” Asked to say if this move by Government will delay the company’s investment for Phase Two, Moe said, “We will make our final investment decision following approval of the development plan.” Speaking on the Government’s decision to increase its scrutiny of FDPs was Head of the Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe. The official said that the Government is interested in ensuring that its approval is premised on the knowledge of experts in the field. He said, “We are reviewing a FDP for Liza Two…We have been advertising in the local media for some time now for experts in the area of FDP and cost recovery. As I indicated, Government wishes to make decisions based on knowledge…” Dr. Bynoe added, “But there is a lot of misinformation and people not seeking to understand processes…I heard some people complaining about why we are taking so long to review a FDP but these things (review of the FDP and cost recovery audits) are being financed by
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram multinational institutions. They require us to go through a process of Expression of Interest then we shortlist and ask companies to provide technical and financial proposals and so forth. Procurement has a process by which we follow and if we sole source we are going to be torn to shreds again about why you sole sourced…” The issue of Exxon’s investment in the Liza Phase Two project being delayed by Government’s review process came to light by an article published by Upstream Online. The media outfit said, “ExxonMobil has delayed a final investment decision on the second-phase development of the giant Liza play off Guyana as President David Granger’s government tries to reconcile an aggressive development schedule with domestic complaints about terms granted to the US super major.”
It noted that ExxonMobil said in July that it was aiming to sanction the Liza 2 development by the end of this year, chasing first oil by mid-2022, but the final investment decision target has slipped back to the first quarter of 2019. Upstream Online attributed this to “industry sources.” Upstream said it understands that the delay actually relates to the first Liza floater, already under construction following a contractual award to SBM Offshore. The media outfit said, “This first phase of development, featuring a floating production, storage and offloading unit with a production capacity of 120,000 barrels per day of oil, has already received government approvals and project sanction, and is expected to start producing in 2020. “Cost recovery arrangements for Liza 1 were never fully reviewed, however, and this element continues to come under scrutiny. “The Granger administration recently put out a tender for consultancy services in order to obtain an independent analysis of this aspect of the cost oil aspects of the production-sharing agreement that governs the Liza development, slowing the approvals process on Liza 2.” (SEE LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE https:// www.upstreamonline.com/ hardcopy/1637799/liza-2sanction-slips-as-guyanaworkload-grows)
Health facilities reluctant to adhere to Licensing Act — MoPH Director of Standards Director of Standards and Technical Services within the Public Health Ministry, Dr. Julian Amsterdam, has noted that despite a law that clearly spells out the need for licensing, several health
facilities have been reluctant to adhere to the Health Facilities Licensing Act of 2007. Dr. Amsterdam was at the time responding to concerns raised over health facilities
EU decries femicides... From page 12 gender roles that often have double standards for women. In fact, Teixeira asserted that gender role socialization does not serve in favour of women; it only sets them up as the recipients of potential abuse and victimization. She added that the concept of using violence as a corrective measure for children can cause them to grow up thinking that violence is the correct approach to deal with issues in their other relationships. Therefore, Teixeira conveyed that there is need for society to not only provide support for the victim but for perpetrators as well. Efforts are currently being made by the appropriate governmental organizations to combat gender based violence and femicide statistics within the country. The European Union has also stated their support in advocating against the issue within the country. Femicide remains one of the most oppressing and extreme forms of violence against women.
operating outside the ambit of the law. The issue was recently highlighted by former Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. Dr. Ramsammy had accused the Public Health Ministry of adopting a nonchalant approach to licensing hospitals and medical centres, although the law stipulates that every health facility operating in Guyana should be licensed. The former Minister noted that the whole idea of a licensing process was to lift standards and to protect patients. As a consequence of the non-issuance, Dr. Ramsammy explained that many health facilities operated by the government and the private sector are operating illegally. He said that the law permits the Ministry to send inspectors at any time. “Usually, the inspectors
Dr. Julian Amsterdam will flag certain deficiencies and a provisional license would be issued, until the flagged deficiencies were remedied, then a full license was issued. “Each year, therefore, hospitals and laboratories operated with either a Continued on page 29
Wednesday November 28, 2018
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2019 NATIONAL BUDGET...
Health sector’s allocation to eliminate drugs shortage, emergency purchases – Minister Jordan Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence
A person who is prescribed treatment at a public health facility should not have to resort to a private pharmacy to procure medication. Finance Minister, Mr. Winston Jordan, when he delivered a marathon budget speech on Monday in the National Assembly, said the $300.7B national budget will cater to the affairs of the country in 2019. The budgetary allocation for the health sector, the Minister said, will help Government put systems in place to strengthen procurement planning and ensure cost-effective purchases of drugs, in order to eliminate shortages and emergency purchases. Government, for 2019, has allocated $35.9 B for the health sector. Within this allocation, Jordan said that a sum of $3.2 billion is for the
construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of health infrastructure across the country and another $7.8 billion will be used to procure drugs and medical supplies. “The availability of drugs and medical supplies continues to be of concern to the Administration.” In the coming year, too, Minister Jordan said that the Government will be advancing the improvement of its health infrastructure to strengthen and complement its delivery and expansion of services. “We will aim to complete the construction of the Kingston bond and the upgrading of the bond in Diamond, to facilitate effective storage and distribution of drugs and medical supplies.” He noted that provision has been made to commence
- New A&E facility and state-of-the-art trauma centre on the horizon construction of a new laboratory for the Food and Drug Analyst Department that will improve government’s capacity to certify relevant imports and exports. With regards to regional facilities, he said that the Port Kaituma Hospital Complex is also anticipated to be completed. It will serve as an additional district hospital for Region One. Additionally, in order to reduce the number of referrals “we would be strengthening our workforce across the country; however, this requires investment in appropriate living facilities for, and incomes of, our health professionals, especially those serving in hinterland, remote and riverain areas.” He said that in 2019, too, efforts will be trained on the construction of living quarters in key areas such as Kamarang, Kaikan, Lethem, Wiruni, Mabaruma, Leguan and Mabura. Also, Government will examine the issue of allowances for health workers, Jordan shared. The Finance Minister divulged that that Government will be seeking to make a significant improvement to the national referral hospital – Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation – as the construction of a new accident and emergency facility can no longer be delayed. He disclosed that
discussions have commenced with interested development partners to build a modern, state-of-theart trauma centre that will allow for better managed emergency cases, including addressing patient flow, isolation and capacity. This development will materialise even as the disease profile of Guyana shows that noncommunicable diseases [NCDs] remain the biggest public health challenge, Minister Jordan noted. The data indicate that NCDs, such as diabetes and hypertension, are on the rise.
These can also cause further complications, and even death, if left unchecked and untreated. “There is a reason why NCDs are referred to as ‘silent killers‘. We must all recognise that a large contributor to this issue is our lifestyle, including lack of exercise, poor food choices and inadequate medical checkups,” said Minister Jordan. He noted that while the Government will continue to expand its public awareness and education programmes, screening and treatment, “the decision is ours to make in terms of lifestyle choices.
“This year we have taken initial steps to incentivise atrisk individuals to make healthier choices by increasing the taxes and duties on cigarettes, thereby discouraging their use.” Recent trends in NCDs, Minister Jordan said, warrant additional efforts, in 2019. With regard to tuberculosis [TB], there has been a noted increase in incidence of the multi-drug resistant strain of this disease. In response, the Minister said that Government will be revitalising its DOTs programme, to ensure Continued on page 25
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
Court to rule on GGMC‘s right to award road contract to mining company
T
he Appeal Court is set to rule on a mat ter in which the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, (GGMC) is accused of breaching the procurement process and awarding a private mining company a multimillion-dollar contract for rehabilitation works to a road at Aremu in Region Seven. The matter is premised on a fall out between Managing Director of BK International Inc., Brian Tiwarie over a contract which was awarded to CB&R Mining which is owned by Chunilall Baboolall. In documents filed in 2013, Tiwarie claimed that award of the contract was made in violation of the pro-
visions of the Procurement Act 2003 and was procedurally improper and unlawful. Tiwarie had noted that the handing out of the approximately $385M contract to CB&R mining failed to submit any information required by the Procurement Act as it relates to general experience, specific experience, personnel capabilities, equipment capabilities, evidence of cash in hand, lines of credit etc. His contentions were upheld by former Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang. In a ruling in 2014, the Chief Justice (CJ) noted while GGMC contended that it was not bound by the Procurement Act; GGMC was indeed an agency of the executive Government and is
therefore a “procuring entity” for the purposes of the Act. However, this month, in a bid to overturn the decision lawyers representing Baboolall presented arguments contending that the arrangement with GGMC is purely a private law arrangement which is not amendable by Public Law relief and therefore should not have been rendered null and void by the former Chief Justice. Among his contentions, the businessman noted that the CJ ignored the private citizen’s contractual rights and the Court Order put the GGMC in breach of the contract. He noted that the former CJ’s decision was against the weight of evidence presented in the High Court trial. Further, he contended that the proceeding is an abuse of the Court and should have been dismissed. In addition to setting
aside the Order of the CJ, the businessman asked the Court to declare the agreement between GGMC and CB&R Mining is valid and legal. In his original writ, Tiwarie, claimed in an affidavit that four bidders were invited to tender for the rehabilitation of the Aremu Road Phase 1, Emergency Works Region Seven. He said the companies invited to submit their sealed bids were Mekdeci Machinery and Construction Inc., BK International Inc., R & A Construction, and CB&R Mining which is owned by Chunilall Baboolall. The special invitation sent to BK International outlined that the bidding will be conducted through the National Competitiveness bidding (NCB) procedures, specified in the Procurement Act 2003. Of the four companies, three responded. The bids made by the companies were as follows; CB & R Mining -$385,562,188, MMC Inc.- $525,413,240 a n d B K International$379,707,900. Firstly, according to the Invitation to Bid (ITB) 5.4 of the Bidding Data Sheet, it or-
ders that bidders in order to qualify must submit their NIS and GRA Compliance Certificates. However, Tiwarie claimed that the mining company failed to submit these certificates. In addition, the mining company did not submit any information required by the Procurement Act as it relates to general experience and other requirements. Tiwarie said, too that a check at the Deeds Registry in Georgetown and Suddie, Essequibo exposed that CB & R is not a company registered in Guyana nor is it registered as a business name under the business names (Registration Act). Tiwarie says that under the Act, the evaluation committee is supposed to use only the evaluation criteria outlined in the tender documents. The tenders are supposed to be evaluated and the lowest tender determined. The Act also says that the evaluation committee may regard a tender as responsive only if it confirms to the requirement set forth in the tender documents. BK International had ini-
tially complained to the GGMC and according to the company, nothing was done. Further, in a letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the businessman said, “There was a meeting on July 22, between the representatives of BK Quarries Inc. and the Ministry of National Resources and the Environment. The two after discussing the issues regarding the evaluation of the Aremu Road, requested an investigation to be done by the Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Inc., (CEMCO) before the commencement or continuation of any said works by the mining company on the project.” “CEMCO, after their investigations, reported that CB&R Mining does not qualify to even be considered as a bidder and that the contract should not have been awarded to them.” According to the findings of CEMCO, the mining company did not provide twelve of the requirements as specified by the Procurement Act, hence BK has taken to the high court to seek justice.
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Bandit gets two years for robbery A pleading 21-year-old Steve Williams found himself being slapped with three charges yesterday for robbery under arms. Williams who made an appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts pleaded not guilty to all three charges that were read to him. It was alleged that on November 23, 2018 at Bamboo Landing North West District, being armed with a handgun, he stole three ounces of raw gold valued at $660,000; $320,000 cash, a cosmetic valued at $20,000 and one bottle of rum valued at $12,000 property of Debeish Stoll. It was further alleged that on November 24, 2018 at Hell Hill, Matthew’s Ridge Williams had in his possession one 9mm pistol while not being the holder of a firearm licence. Also it was alleged that on November 24, 2018 at Hell Hill, Matthew’s Ridge Williams had in his possession 9mm ammunition while not being the holder of a firearm licence. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that on the day in question Williams entered the business premises of Stoll at 06:00hrs via a back window. While armed with a handgun he demanded the victim to hand over all gold and money she had in her possession. In fear, the victim handed over the articles. After collecting the articles Williams made good his escape into nearby bushes. Stoll later made a report at the Matthew’s Ridge Police Station. Police ranks acting on information arrested Williams the following day, November 24, and questioned him after which he took them to Hell Hill where $86,600 in cash and 28 penny weights of raw gold along with the firearm and one round of ammunition were recovered. Further investigation was carried out and the charges were instituted. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan asked Williams whether he had anything to say before sentence was passed. Williams responded in a pleading voice, “Please see with me because I have my mother to take care of and as you can see I didn’t waste your time.” Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan then sentenced Williams to two years’ imprisonment for the robbery charge, two years’ imprisonment and $50,000 fine for the possession of firearm and two years’ imprisonment and $50,000 fine for the possession of ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently.
Health sector’s allocation... From page 15 adequate detection, treatment and monitoring. The Minister also disclosed that the incidence of HIV appears to be rising, with the 20 - 29 age cohort showing the highest incidence – 32 percent of all newly reported cases – in 2017. “Similar to NCDs, this disease also relies on our lifestyle choices, specifically, our decision to use protection, commit to continuous testing and diligently follow treatment prescribed. The Government will continue its public awareness, surveillance and follow up programmes. “We have committed to the international 90/90/90 Treat All Policy towards the eradication of HIV,” Minister Jordan quipped. It is a fact that Guyana’s geography can make service delivery difficult and, according to Minister Jordan, the health sector is no exception. He said, “We have prioritised improving our maternal and child health [MCH] programme, with two new maternal waiting homes to be constructed in Moruca and Long Creek, and the refurbishing of the one, in Lethem, in 2019.” “We will undertake
capacity building of the MCH Unit and procure related equipment, amongst other initiatives. Within the realm of life cycle health management, we have recently formalised the establishment of a men‘s health unit and an elderly health unit, both of which will aim to promote targeted interventions for their respective groups. Overall, we have budgeted about $1.6 billion for family health care services, in 2019,” the Finance Minister added. Essentially, the Finance Minister said that Government is aiming to empower the population while at the same time seeking to build sustainable communities on the foundation of a healthy population. “We will continue to invest resources in the health sector to ensure that the public healthcare system is maintained and upgraded, in order to deliver adequate and efficient care to improve the quality of life of all Guyanese,” assured Minister Jordan. He noted that the allocations for the health sector in 2019 will translate to 11.9 percent of the national budget, $2.6 billion above the 2018 allocation, and 4.3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product [GDP].
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Pandit among possible choice for new G/T Mayor FOR RENT
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CAR RENTAL
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Parfaite $1.2M $2.2M $2.3M Farm $5.5M Providence $4M $3.5M Herstelling (3rd Bridge) Double Lot $$5.5M (2nd Bridge) $3.5M Call: 666-2326 35 acres land at Yarrowkabra, situated next to the Soesdyke Linden Highway. Tel#2612553 Farm (East Bank) $3.2M Eccles $7M Herstelling $4M & $5M Schnoord $2.8M Dairy $1.6M & $2.6M Tel#656-0701/6481635 Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 687-8445
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Mayor Patricia Chase-Green First past the post winner for Constituency #1 in the Georgetown Local Government area, Pandit Ubraj Narine is among the possible candidates being considered as a replacement for Patricia Chase-Green for City Mayor, a source attached to the People’s National Congress has confirmed. The source noted that the Party is looking to take a more fresh and youthful approach to local governance. As part of the strategy, the source explained that party is looking for a new Mayor who will have to be someone to
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Pandit Ubraj Narine represent that. The source noted too that although she will not return as Mayor, Chase- Green remains a strong member of the party and she will have a big role at the Council. “However the two top positions must represent a new start,” the source added. Meanwhile Kaieteur News understands that the new Mayoral Candidate, Pandit Narine is the grandson of PNC/ R Member of Parliament for the People’s National Congress Preetam Singh. Another candidate being considered for the top post in the Council is First time candidate who contested under the APNU, Denroy Tudor. Patricia Chase-Green’s stint as Mayor and the overall management of the APNUdominated City Council has attracted sharp criticisms from citizens. Following the recently held elections, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) regained control of Georgetown, despite losing ground to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) at the Local Government Elections (LGE). Party chairperson and Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, noted that the PNC/R, the largest party in the APNU, secured 21 seats on the 30-member council; PPP, seven seats; and Alliance for Change (AFC), two seats. Lawrence had noted that there are no formal discussions on whether the party has plans to have Chase-Green, who won her C o n s t i t u e n c y comprehensively, re-elected Mayor. “ We have not discussed that but I am quite certain that when we do and we decide on who we would like to be the Mayor, all Georgetown will be pleased,” Lawrence said. She added, “Each and every one of our candidates is eligible to be the Mayor.”
Wednesday November 28, 2018
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Kaieteur News
E’bo rice miller hauled before court after blocking airfield access A prominent Essequibo rice miller was arrested Monday at Hampton Court for allegedly blocking access on the reserve plot of land leading to aerodrome. Yesterday, Wazeer Hussein, appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, before Magistrate Esther Sam to answer 10 charges, including resisting arrest and obstruction. According to reports, Hussein is the owner of the Hampton Court rice mill. Next door is a privately owned aerodrome. Between the two properties is a reserve. The only access from the road to the aerodrome is via the reserve. However, the rice miller reportedly blocked the reserve. Over the weekend the
CHARGED: Wazeer Hussein matter escalated. On Friday, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, and a
government team to the area, were forced to use an alternative exit, through another property, after the plane landed. On Saturday, police were forced to escort an ambulance to the airfield to take a baby on a medivac flight. On Monday, the situation escalated further. Police and officials of Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission descended on that Essequibo reserve but were prevented by Hussein to remove pieces of metal and other equipment that were placed across the reserve. An excavator had to be used. Hussein was arrested shortly after and allegedly resisted arrest. The GL&SC had written
the rice miller to quit the reserve, noting that he is trespassing. “Please take notice that you are required to give up immediate possession of the said parcel 440 which is a reserve to which you are occupying upon receipt of this notice,” the commission said in Notice to Quit to Hussein and his wife. According to police, the blocking of access to the aerodrome was highly dangerous and it is the key airstrip on the Essequibo Coast. It is used regularly to fly out sick mothers, babies and officials. Hussein made the news over the past few months after he was hauled in by the police Special Organised Crime Unit over linkages to questionable payments relating to the Venezuela rice-oil-deal. The rice miller was reported placed on $50,000 bail yesterday and was due back in court next month.
Police were grappling to arrest Hussein on Monday.
STEMGuyana provides training for out-of-school youths
Police was reportedly forced to escort an ambulance with a baby for a medivac flight at Hampton Court, over the weekend.
Youths in Region Two through Six and Ten will soon receive a programme from STEM Guyana, aiming to equip them with skills for the working sector. The ground-breaking programme which is scheduled to begin in December targets youths who are out of school and are unemployed. They will learn a series of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Robotics and Coding/computer programming. This is an initiative of STEM Guyana in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and Ministry of Education. The objective is to equip more young people with marketable skills that will render them employable. In the long term, organisers also expect that these youths should teach their skills to others. A major factor of the programme not only caters for someone being able to become employed, but it caters for entrepreneurs. The Scratch programme allows students to learn the programming language and online community where technology students can create their own interactive stories, games and animations. Organisers intend to use the Regional ICT hubs as
training venues and would have included that the volunteers be responsible to ensure participants are transported to the venues. Throughout the year, STEM Guyana has trained and certified youth leaders, teachers and many other representatives to encourage them to start technology clubs in their communities.
The STEM certification programme was the beginning of many outreaches which has been in support by The Office of The First Lady, Sandra Granger, various ministries and private companies. STEM Guyana is led by Mr. Leon Caleb Christian, Ms. Karen Abrams, a start-up Inclusion Consultant, and Ms. Ima Christian.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Ogle airport trace robbery
Second car found with police radio sets inside On Monday afternoon, police acting on information, went to Princes and High Streets, where they intercepted a silver-coloured Toyota Premio bearing registration plates, HC6573. The car was parked close to the Infiniti Gas Station. They arrested three males who were interrogated. They led police to a second car which had radio sets that would have allowed them to tune into police radio frequencies. This car was found in Peter’s Hall next to the Guyana Water Inc facility. It has been detained after the police found out that it was linked to the robbery, probably owned by one of the men in custody.The police action came in the wake of a robbery of a businesswoman who was tracked by bandits from the Ogle Airport and then robbed of a package that she had just collected at the airport. The businesswoman, who operates a taxi service in Seaforth Street, Campbellville, received a call on Monday morning from her mother in Region One to collect a package from the Ogle Airport. The woman said she arrived at the airport around 10:40 hours and spent about five minutes before collecting the package and leaving. She said that she then drove to her home at Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara. The woman claimed that she was in the vicinity of Pigeon Island, when she noticed a silver-coloured car following close behind. She said she stopped to let the car pass,
but the vehicle came up alongside and stopped in a position that did not allow her to move. A man quickly exited the other car with a gun in his hand, and discharged one shot at her car window that was closed at the time. Immediately after doing so, he shouted, “Wheh de package wid de money deh?” The woman said the package contained two letters, one bottle of cologne, and approximately $90,000 in cash. The driver of the silvercoloured Premio was Casey Chapman, a 27-year-old taxi driver of South Sophia. The other occupants were Adam McDonald, a 30-year-old miner of South Amelia’s Ward, Linden; and Sheldon Andrews, a 24-year-old taxi driver of West Ruimveldt. They are all in police custody. When they were arrested at Princes and High Streets a search of the car unearthed one black and silver 9mm pistol with twelve rounds of matching ammunition, and a black .32 Taurus Pistol with seven matching rounds of ammunition. There was also a pair of ‘paste on’ car tags (PRR 4987). The woman was convinced that the whole incident was a set-up, since CCTV footage from the airport showed a Silver Toyota Premio going to the airport at 10:30 hours. The woman’s car came in at 10:40 hours and spent five minutes then left. One of the men arrested on Monday, Adam McDonald was formally charged on October, 2, 2015 for committing a robbery at Parade Street, Kingston.
The car and guns the suspects were found with.
The three men arrested on Monday afternoon.
Eight police band members under close arrest for theft of model planes Band concerts by the Guyana Police Force have become a popular feature of Christmas, but those concerts appear to be in doubt this year.That’s because several members of the renowned Guyana Police Force Band are under close arrest for allegedly stealing a number of
model planes during the recent hosting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air transport meeting. Police, responding to a Kaieteur News story, stated that “a thorough investigation was conducted by members of the Criminal Investigation Department, during which eight members of the Police Band were placed under close arrest.” The case file has since been dispatched as police seek legal advice.The planes were among others on display last week at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, where Guyana was hosting the 2018 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air transport meeting.
- three Berbice ranks questioned about ganja allegedly taken from crashed car It is believed that the band members swiped the planes while performing at a cocktail at the same Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara venue. A lance corporal is among the detained ranks. Some of the policemen are said to have told investigators they planned to give their nephews and other young relatives the items for Christmas.Kaieteur News understands officials only realised that the planes were missing when the event ended. According to a source,
the ranks initially denied stealing the models. However, footage from the security cameras reportedly showed some of the band members removing the expensive models. But even as the band members await their fate, police officials have launched an investigation into another scandal. Crime Chief Lyndon Alves confirmed, yesterday, that three ranks from West Berbice are being questioned about the alleged theft of marijuana from a recently impounded vehicle. On November 17, a taxi driver abandoned his car on the Number Six Public Road, West Coast Berbice after crashing into the rear of another vehicle. Police announced that they found 47 pounds of compressed marijuana stashed inside the suspect’s car. But police officials were subsequently informed that the ranks who responded to the accident made off with some of the parcels. The matter is being investigated at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. The ranks under investigation are being kept at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).
Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Kuru Kururu man brutally chops Child mother then kills self Melissa Andrews, 30, of Swan Village, Kuru Kururu Soesdyke/Linden Highway is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation after being brutally chopped yesterday by her partner, 39-yearold Ian English of 11 Kuru Kururu Squatting Area. Her assailant then committed suicide. An eyewitness to the brutality told Kaieteur News that English and Andrews had an argument around lunch time, over infidelities in their relationship. One neighbour at the time was talking to the couple, when English armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Andrews a number of chops about her body. The woman fell to the ground and English made good his escape. Andrews was rushed to the Diamond Regional Hospital where she received initial treatment and was then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was admitted in a critical condition. Andrews was accompanied by one of her sisters to GPHC. When Kaieteur News caught up with the woman’s sister, this publication was informed that Andrews had a gaping wound to the back of her neck and also had chops to her hands. The woman’s sister said, “I think she lose some fingers. He chop she up bad.” When asked what might have triggered the brutal attack, the sister claimed not to know a reason for the attack. Police investigations revealed that the Andrews and English shared a relationship for about four years. That relationship saw the birth of one child. Yesterday English armed with a cutlass
Dead Ian English inflicted several chops about Andrews’s body. Andrews fell to the ground and English left. He was later found with a cement sling around his neck, hanging from a tree about 200 meters in the bushes with the cutlass near to him. The scene was photographed by the Crime Unit. Several persons were interviewed and statements taken. English’s body has been taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour where it is awaiting a Post Mortem Examination. Up to press time Andrews was undergoing surgery. She was still listed as critical.
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Health facilities reluctant to adhere ... From page 14 provisional or a full license. “For example, when I was Minister, a team visited a private hospital where a patient’s family queried the high bill they received for a minor surgical intervention. The patient’s bill was close to $800,000 for the amputation of a toe. “The clinical audit found that the bill was inflated and the patient’s bill was adjusted. “But the inspecting team also queried a number of actions of the hospital pertaining to quality of care.” Ramsammy had explained. Contrary to the contention of the former Health Minister, Dr. Amsterdam said that it is the health facilities that are responsible for the late issuance of licenses. “Many health facilities have submitted their documents “very late” for processing. More than 30 of the 55 entities approved for licensing submitted their documents between October and November,” Amsterdam confirmed. Dr. Julian Amsterdam said the tardiness of the applicants, coupled with the numerous flaws in their documentation which must be corrected, means that the process of licensing approval is “still being finalised” coming to the close of the year. Nevertheless, the MOPH Director of Standards has been forcing many institutions to adhere to the law. The Standards and Technical Services, the Central Board of Health and other Public Health agencies are in a flurry of end-of-year activities to help regularise these vital health institutions. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud noted that the Public Health Ministry has commenced processing applications to license health facilities for 2019. Persaud said so far “four completed applications were received for consideration for licensing in 2019” up to last week.According to the CMO, for this year 55
health facilities “were recommended for licensing by the Central Board of Health (CBH) on submission of Inspection Report and Score Sheets from each facility”. The 55 institutions, the highest number in the past eight years, include 10 public hospitals, four private hospitals, 10 medical laboratories, four optical centres, 17 health centres, three medical/surgical centres, two dialysis centres, two nursing homes, two imaging centres and one radiation therapy centre. Persaud said the 55 entities “were invited to complete the payments of all fees before the licence can be issued by the Minister of Public Health”to operate by November 2018. He said licensing caters for health facilities operating as Blood Bank, Diagnostic and Imaging Centres, Dialysis Centres and Dialysis Clinics; Health Centres; Hospitals; Human Tissue Banks including Blood Banks; Maternity Centres; Medical Laboratories; Nursing Homes; Oncology Clinics and Radiotherapy Centres; Pathology & Clinical Laboratories and Surgical Centres.According to the CMO, 12 health facilities were “recommended for provisional licensing and two facilities were reviewed and upgraded to provide additional health services to the public.”Dr. Persaud stressed that health facilities covered by this process “are required to develop and maintain acceptable standards of health…and ensure that a total number of 26 essential requirements and an additional 64 areas of competence for health care delivery sites,” are adhered to.“The Public Health Ministry provide supportive guidance in a wide range of areas including waste management, sanitation and hygiene, maintenance of records, licensing and competence training of professionals, quality assurance and management,” Dr. Persaud said.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Many people still unaware of their HIV status - new UNAIDS report highlights
A
lthough there has been an increase in the number of people who know their HIV status, a recently released UNAIDS report suggest that 9.4 million people living with the disease do not know they are living with the virus. They urgently need to be linked to HIV testing and treatment services. The new report shows that intensified HIV testing and treatment efforts are reaching more people living with HIV. In 2017, for instance, three quarters of people living with HIV or 75 percent, knew their HIV status, compared to just two-thirds or 67 percent in 2015. Some 21.7 million people living with HIV or 59 percent had access to antiretroviral therapy, up from 17.2 million in 2015. The report, ‘Knowledge is power’, reveals that although the number of people living
with HIV, who are virally suppressed, has risen by around 10 percentage points in the past three years, reaching 47 percent last year; 19.4 million people living with HIV still do not have a suppressed viral load. To remain healthy and to prevent transmission, the virus needs to be suppressed to undetectable or very low levels through sustained antiretroviral therapy. And to effectively monitor viral load, people living with HIV need access to viral load testing every 12 months. “Viral load testing is the gold standard in HIV treatment monitoring,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “It shows that treatment is working, keeping people alive and well and keeping the virus firmly under control.” The report outlines that access to viral load testing is mixed. In some parts of the
world, getting a viral load test is easy and is fully integrated into a person’s HIV treatment regime, but in other places there may be only one viral load machine for the entire country. “Viral load monitoring needs to be as available in Lilongwe as it is in London,” said Mr Sidibé. “HIV testing and viral load testing should be equal and accessible to all people living with HIV, without exception,” he added. Viral load testing is particularly important for newborns, as HIV progresses much faster in children. It has been found that mortality for children born with HIV could be within two or three months of life. Standard rapid diagnostic testing is ineffective up until 18 months of age, so the only viable test for HIV for very young children is a virological test, which they need to receive within the first four to six weeks of life. However, in 2017, only half [52 percent] of children exposed to HIV in highburden countries received a test within the first two months of life. However, important advances are being made, the report highlights. This is in light of the fact that new point-of-care testing technologies—testing that takes place in an environment as close to the person as possible—have been shown to shorten the time it takes to return children’s test results from months to minutes, which is saving lives. The report shows that
Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS
one of the biggest barriers to HIV testing is stigma and discrimination. Studies among women, men, young people and key populations have revealed that fear of being seen accessing HIV services, and if the person is diagnosed; fear that this information will be shared with family, friends, sexual partners or the wider community, was preventing them from accessing HIV services, including HIV testing. For key populations— gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, people who use drugs, people in prisons and other closed settings and migrants—these barriers can affect access to an even greater extent. Stigma and discrimination,
from society and health services, can deter members of key populations from accessing health care, while criminal laws can compound that discrimination, increase rates of violence and create additional barriers, including fear of arrest and harassment. Other barriers include violence or the threat of violence, especially among young women and girls. Also, parental consent laws and policies are also a barrier, since in some countries young people under the age of 18 years need parental consent to take an HIV test. In addition, services are often too far away and difficult to access or too expensive. There can also be delays or failures in returning HIV
test results and delays in treatment initiation. In some countries, people do not seek HIV testing as they feel they are not at risk. The report, moreover, highlights how providing a variety of testing options and services, such as communitybased testing and homebased testing, can help mitigate many of the logistical, structural and social barriers to HIV testing. They offer testing options for people who live far away from health services, do not have the constraints of inconvenient opening hours, which is particularly important for men and people from key populations, and do not come with the stigma and discrimination often perceived in traditional health and HIV services, the report underscores.
Wednesday November 28, 2018
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Guard against malicious, vexatious prosecution - Prime Minister urges at launching of Prosecutors’ Code
MEMBERS OF THE HEAD TABLE: From left, UN Representative Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, Deputy Commissioner of Police Paul Williams, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack By Feona Morrison “The job of the prosecutor is not to secure a conviction at all cost, it is to be able to ensure justice. And justice would require the prosecution to be fair to the defence and the accused,” said Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, yesterday. He was addressing the launch of ‘The Code for Prosecutors’ yesterday, at Pegasus Hotel. He urged the gathering that comprised predominantly State lawyers, to guard against malicious and vexatious prosecution. He said, “More often and I see that as a politician you could take certain initiative that are vexatious and a waste of either judicial or legislative time. “The outcome is not to bring justice but to respond to certain pressure… You (feel) the need to prosecute someone because everyone else says the person should be prosecuted. It doesn’t happen that way.” The Prime Minister said that in delivering justice the court cannot accept evidence that is secured by coercion, threat, torture, inducement of any kind, as being credible. According to Nagamootoo, who is also an Attorney-at-Law, it is known that anytime a prosecutor discovers that the evidence on which he/she may rely on for conviction has been secured by unlawful means they must recommend that the trial be discontinued. The Prime Minister reiterated that prosecutors should show the highest respect for the Rule of Law. They should always ensure that cases are made out on the basis of the objective test— the strength of evidence. In giving an overview of the Prosecutors’ Code, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack explained that it is a booklet containing a set of rules that encapsulates how prosecutors, including police prosecutors, make decisions.
She expressed happiness with the launch, pointing out that it is nothing new to prosecutorial bodies, and that some jurisdictions have enacted the legislation. She said that the Prosecution is an integral part of the criminal justice system and it must be done in an effective, impartial and fair manner. The Prosecutors’ Code, the DPP disclosed, was drafted by an English Attorney-at-Law with assistance from the United Nations Anti- Corruption (UNODC). She added, “This is all a part of us serving the people of this nation and justifying our budgetary allocation.” The DPP cautioned that a decision of whether to prosecute must not be influenced by a person’s race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, gender, financial circumstances, or political affiliation, or any other personal factor. She stressed that great care must always be taken by those who decide on these issues, “recognizing that incorrect decisions to prosecute may undermine the confidence in the criminal justice systems.” “Accordingly, a decision to prosecute should only be taken after all the evidence and the relevant circumstances have been considered properly. This is done if the investigations are completed timely and legal advice sought before a charge is instituted.” She explained that the early disclosure of statements to defendants will see them pleading guilty to the offence for which they are charged,
or to a lesser offence and to bargain for a sentence. This, she noted, will save the court from conducting trials and will also ease the backlog of cases. COMPLY Noting that the Guyana Police Force is the main investigative body, the DPP urged ranks to comply with the Prosecutors’ Code. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams, a former Police Prosecutor, said that the Prosecutors’ Code is critical to the performance of the law enforcement agency. He reminded that GPF is the leading investigative body which works along with other agencies like the Customs Antic Narcotic Unit (CANU), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), to institute charges. The Senior Police Official urged investigators and prosecutors to work together since every matter whether successful or unsuccessful has a cost on the State. The Prosecutors’ Code was drafted in collaboration with the United Nations AntiCorruption (UNODC) and sets out the tests that all prosecutors in Guyana will be expected to apply in determining whether criminal charges should be instituted. It is based on the Constitution of Guyana, the Legal Practitioners Act, as well as the 1999 Standard of the International Association of Prosecutors. A similar Code has already been implemented in the Caribbean Islands of Antigua and Barbuda, St.
Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St. Lucia and Dominica. Also present at
yesterday’s launching were Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette CummingsEdwards, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, Police Legal
Advisor Senior Counsel Claudette Singh, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, and members of the diplomatic corps.
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
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United qualify after controversial late Fellaini winner MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini struck a controversial stoppage-time winner to bring blessed relief to Old Trafford after a laboured 1-0 win over Young Boys edged them into the last 16 of the Champions League yesterday. United’s struggles at home and their fans’ disenchantment had looked set to continue as it seemed that, for the first time in their history, they were going to fail to score at their own ground in a European tie for three matches in a row. Yet, after largely dominating the match while being betrayed by a blunt edge up front, Belgian Fellaini turned to shoot home in the 91st minute, despite the ball appearing to come off his hand as he swivelled to strike it.
“For me it was not a handball,” Fellaini told BT Sport afterwards. “If it touched my hand, it was not on purpose.” United, though, were also grateful for the right hand of goalkeeper David de Gea, who made a truly remarkable second-half save at full stretch from a deflected Ulisses Garcia strike, clawing the ball off the line at full stretch. That save came as the Swiss champions grew in confidence in the second half, encouraged by the prosaic efforts of Jose Mourinho’s side, who struggled to create chances and sqaundered the few they did fashion. Marcus Rashford, one of their livelier players, was also their most wasteful, missing five opportunities, including an outstanding one in the opening five minutes. The relief around Old
Trafford when Fellaini turned to fire his effort through the legs of defender Loris Benito was so pronounced that United’s emotional manager Jose Mourinho picked up and hurled the pitchside drinks holder to the ground. The late win after another sub-par performance at least ensured United qualified from Group H as they moved on to 10 points, two behind leaders Juventus who beat Valencia 1-0 to eliminate the Spaniards who have five. Young Boys are on one. “The most important thing is to qualify and for some of my lovers, and those that like stats, I am 14 seasons in the Champions League and 14 times my teams have qualified through to the group stages,” Mourinho told BT Sport. “The season I was not in
Wednesday November 28, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) What an odd day, Aries! You feel like you've been given a one-way ticket to a faraway place. Departure is imminent, leaving you no time to pack or say goodbye.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Expect to be torn between two seemingly paradoxical urges today, Libra. Part of you wants to spend the day wrapped in a cocoon, playing with your toys.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) When the day is done, you will look back on it as an unusual one. Wild ideas sprouted in your head like mushrooms. You may have imagined leaving immediately for a trip around the world
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're often called the "cleanup crew." Whether it's the home or the unconscious, you enjoy preparing nests for all sorts of births, real and figurative.
GEMINI(May 21–June 20) There's likely to be some tumult in your emotional life right now. You may feel a pressing need to have a heartto-heart talk with your partner. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Friends and family, while dear, can be irritating today, Cancer. Everyone around you seems upset and unable to communicate clearly. Fortunately, your temper has a long fuse. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) All dissatisfaction will be abolished today as you systematically confront and resolve all the little problems that have been bothering you. Your tolerance threshold is low to nonexistent. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You're rarely surprised or bothered by the occasional setback. Today, however, you should put a firm hand on any project you undertake.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Act without hesitation today, Sagittarius, especially if you're following unfamiliar directions or exploring new territory. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You're obviously struggling with something big, Capricorn. Recent comments about your irritability are well founded. But don't worry. They'll forgive you eventually. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Expect to be in a provocative mood today, Aquarius. For the past few days you may have been searching for an outlet for the overflowing energy you're so lucky to have. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your passions have been stirring like a caged animal for the past several days. Now is the time to let them out. Some of what you express may elicit surprise or disapproval, but that's no reason to stay silent.
Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini scores their first goal v BSC Young Boys at Old Trafford. (REUTERS/Phil Noble) the Champions League, I won the Europa League.” On a wet night at Old Trafford enlivened by the sight of 3,000 visiting fans all in yellow rain macs cheering on the underdogs, United began brightly, even with Mourinho having left Paul Pogba on the bench and omitted Alexis Sanchez. The Frenchman had scored twice in the corresponding fixture in Berne when United won 3-0 and it looked from the opening exchanges, as Rashford
Man City fight... From page 34 toughest teams we ever faced. We reacted so well after 1-0 and 2-1 and we are in the finals (stage) and this was our target,” Guardiola told BT Sport. “Always in my career when I play French teams they are so physical, that’s why they are world champions,” he added. Guardiola’s praise was echoed by the English club’s executives, according to Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas. “We must retain the positives. We put City in trouble tonight. We had a great game. The president of City loved our team,” he said. “We scored four goals against City in two games when they only conceded five goals since the beginning of the (Premier League) season.” The draw would have been enough for both sides to reach the last 16 were it not for Shakhtar’s late winner. Lyon travel to Ukraine in a final group showdown next month. Hoffenheim prop up the group on three points but can still clinch third place and a spot in the Europa League.
chipped over when one-onone with goalkeeper David von Ballmoos, as if it could be a similarly comfortable night for United. Rashford forced another sharp save from Von Ballmoos on the quarter-hour and fired another wide 10 minutes later but his exciting approach play was betrayed by his poor finishing as United began to perform in now-familiar stodgy fashion. Young Boys created barely an opportunity but could have sneaked the lead just before halftime if it had not been for Djibril Sow’s attempt at an over-elaborate
back-heeled finish. Rashford’s profligacy continued after the break when he sliced wide with his left foot before Fellaini hoiked another volleyed opportunity skywards. It all encouraged the visitors to come out of their shells and Garcia forced the incredible stop from De Gea as they looked increasingly dangerous. “We’re thankful for David pulling off an unbelievable save but we dug in there, kept going and, okay, it wasn’t pretty but we won the game.” said United defender Phil Jones.
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Postponed Libertadores final to be Guyana announce 31-man team to defend the land played outside Argentina in December
Keevin Allicock (red) lands a right on Jamal Eastman who will be in action for Guyana next month during national bout last year. Hosts of the 2018 Caribbean Boxing Championship (CBC) formerly the Caribbean Development Tournament (CDT), Guyana, have listed a heavy 31-person boxing contingent to contest the tournament that will punch off from the 6th-9th of December at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). In a correspondence to Kaieteur Sport, head of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle confirmed that the 31 boxers will be managed by four coaches inclusive of Terrence Poole (who is also the Technical Director of the GBA), Sebert Blake, Clifton Moore and Gregory Cort. Guyana’s team read as follows: Elite Boxers 49kg - Richard Subratee
52kg – Sean Griffith 56kg- Clairmont Gibson 60kg- Jamal Eastman 64kg – Colin Lewis 69kg- Emmanuel Sancho 75kgDesmond Amsterdam 81kg- Markenber Pierre 91kg – Aubrey Headley 91kg –Shamear Mingo Youth 49kg – Irfan Tewari 60kg- Shaquille Wright 64kg- Christopher Moore 75kg- Jevon Thomas Junior 46kg- Richard Howard 52kg – Francis Sukhu 57kg- Christopher Romeo 60kg- Mark Crawford 66kg- Kevin Mulling Novice 52kg- Jullius Kesney 56kg- Clinton Clarke 60kg- Delroy Fordyce 64kg Kevin Mc Kenzie
69kg- Quincy Boyce 75kg- Alex Murray 81kg – Astion Niles 91kg- Sheakeal Damon 91kg- Emmerson Farley Junior women Featherweight – Alesha Jackman Light Middleweight – Abiola Jackman Novice women Heavyweight- Debra Vanderstoop This tournament which is formerly known as the Caribbean Development Tournament (CDT) was first hosted here in the ‘land of many waters’ in 2015 and head of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, confirmed Kaieteur last week that all systems are in place for the successful hosting of the Caribbean’s premier boxing event.
ASUNCION (Reuters) The Copa Libertadores soccer final between River Plate and Boca Juniors will take place in early December and will be played outside Argentina after crowd trouble forced the game to be postponed last week, organizers said yesterday. The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said in a statement that the game - the South American equivalent of the Champions League final in Europe - should be played on Dec. 8 or 9, but did not specify an alternative location. After drawing the first leg 2-2, Argentina’s two biggest clubs were due to have met in the decisive second leg on Saturday at River’s Monumental stadium but the match was called off after several Boca players were hurt when their bus was pelted with rocks by River fans. “It will be played outside Argentina because the conditions do not exist for the game to be played in Argentina,” CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez told a news conference after meeting with the heads of both clubs at the confederation’s headquarters in Paraguay. The showdown between the fierce Buenos Aires rivals was billed as the greatest final in the competition’s 58year history. Both legs were sold out and fans and media came from around the world to watch what many consider to be one of the most bitter rivalries and impressive spectacles in world sport. However, Argentine football was disgraced after River fans threw stones and missiles at the Boca bus as it made its way to the stadium, breaking
President of the CONMENBOL Alejandro Dominguez speaks to the media after having a meeting with Daniel Angelici and Rodolfo D’Onofrio, presidents of soccer clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate respectively. (REUTERS/Jorge Adorno) windows and injuring players. Tear gas or pepper spray got into the vehicle, disorienting players and causing some to vomit. Boca captain Pablo Perez was taken to hospital with cuts to his eye and several other players suffered lacerations caused by shards of glass from broken windows.Even though the stadium was filled to capacity, Boca said they were in no state to play the game and CONMEBOL first delayed the match and then postponed it until Sunday. On Sunday, they called the game off once again after Boca complained that a fair contest could not be guaranteed if the game was played at the River stadium. The postponements of what was supposed to have been a gala occasion for South
American football was a huge embarrassment to CONMEBOL and Argentina, which this week hosts a summit of the Group of 20 industrialized nations. The Paraguayan capital of Asuncion has been suggested as one venue to host the rescheduled game, as has Miami. Cities in Italy, Brazil and Colombia have also reportedly offered to host the game. The new date will ensure the Libertadores champions can compete in this year’s Club World Cup, which starts on Dec. 12 in the United Arab Emirates. The CONMEBOL winners play their first match in the tournament on Dec. 18 and could face UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid in the final.
Man City fight back at Lyon to earn a place in the last 16 LYON, France (Reuters) - Manchester City progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League from Group F yesterday after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Olympique Lyonnais, a team Pep Guardiola hailed as one of the toughest he has ever faced. Goals from Maxwel Cornet were cancelled out by Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Aguero to leave City top of the group on 10 points. Lyon are second on seven points, two ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk who snatched a late 3-2 win at Hoffenheim to keep alive their hopes of reaching the last 16. Guardiola’s City side often found themselves on the back foot in France and
struggled to contain Ivorian forward Cornet who went close to scoring after half an hour but a heavy touch let him down right in front of goal. He also attempted an acrobatic scissor kick that hit the crossbar just before halftime, but finally got his reward in some style, giving the hosts the lead 10 minutes after the break with a fine leftfoot finish from the edge of the area. A few minutes later, Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes made a good save to keep out Sergio Aguero’s header from point-blank range. Yet Guardiola’s side soon equalised when Laporte headed in just after the hour following a flick on from David Silva.
The game was petering out until Cornet struck again 10 minutes from fulltime with a low angled finish after latching on to a through ball from Memphis Depay. Once again City quickly levelled with a header, this time Aguero making no mistake straight from a Riyad Mahrez corner to salvage a hard-earned point for his side. Guardiola had high praise for Lyon, who are the only team to have defeated City this season, having won the first group game 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in September, and the only side to score twice against the English champions. “We are so happy, so delighted. They are one of (Continued on page 33)
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero scores their second goal against Lyon. (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Texans topple Titans for 8th consecutive win Demaryius Thomas recorded two touchdown receptions, and Lamar Miller set a franchise record with his second-quarter dash as the Houston Texans extended their winning streak to eight games with a 34-17 victory over the visiting Tennessee Titans on Monday. Thomas posted his first multi-touchdown game since Week 15 of 2015 by finding the end zone for the first time with the Texans (8-3), who maintained their two-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts (6-5) in the AFC South. Deshaun Watson tossed both scoring strikes to Thomas and finished 19 of 24 for 210 yards. His 34-yard scamper in the fourth quarter set up the second Thomas touchdown, a 10-yard reception with 8:15 remaining that extended the lead to three scores. Miller provided the turning point of the contest. Trailing 14-10, the Titans (5-6) attempted to convert a fourth-
and-1 at the Houston 3-yard line, strangely opting to utilize tight end Luke Stocker on the play. Stocker was stuffed on what was his first career rushing attempt. On the ensuing snap, Miller broke contain and outraced the Tennessee secondary to the end zone, completing his second career 97yard touchdown run for a 2110 Texans lead. Miller also accomplished the feat in Week 17 of the 2014 season with the Miami Dolphins, making him the first player in league history with two runs of at least 95 yards. Miller finished with 12 carries for 162 yards. The Texans rushed for 281 yards, with Watson contributing a careerhigh 70 yards. Houston amassed 200 rushing yards in the first half. The Titans sprinted to a 10-0 lead, parlaying a 33-yard pass interference penalty against Texans safety Justin Reid into a Ryan Succop 31yard field goal before Marcus
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Mariota tossed a 61-yard scoring pass to Jonnu Smith at the 9:21 mark of the first quarter. That pass play represented a career long for Smith and a season best for Mariota, whose accuracy was pinpoint throughout. Mariota went 22 of 23 for 303 yards, completing his first 19 attempts. However, he was sacked six times as the Texans produced five-plus sacks in consecutive games for the first time in franchise history. Watson initiated the comeback with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Thomas before his 15-yard scoring run put the Texans ahead to stay with 14:53 remaining in the first half. Miller followed with his franchise-record run, and Houston was en route to a season-series split with the Titans. The Texans became the first team in NFL history to post an eight-game winning streak following a 0-3 start to the season. (Field Level Media)
Olympics: North Korean sports minister allowed into Japan for meetings
FIFA urged by own rights body to give Iran deadline for allowing women into stadiums ZURICH (Reuters) - Global soccer body FIFA has been urged by its own human rights advisory panel to give Iran a deadline for allowing women to watch soccer matches. In a report published Monday, the panel said that Iran’s ban on women fans violated FIFA’s own ethics code which “specifically prohibits discrimination including on the basis of gender”. Iranian women and girls have not been allowed to attend any men’s sporting events in the country for much of the 39 years since the Islamic revolution, and have not been granted access to matches involving top clubs since 1981. However, this month, Iranian news agencies reported that an unspecified number of local women were allowed to attend the Asian Champions League final between home side Persepolis and Japan’s Kashima Antlers at Tehran’s Azadi stadium. FIFA’s panel, made up of eight independent experts from the United Nations, trade unions and FIFA sponsors, also noted that women were able to attend screenings at the same venue of two of Iran’s matches during the World Cup. It described this as a “positive” development but
Iran Iran fans react after the match vs Portugal Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 25, 2018. (REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo) added that “these ad hoc decisions are obviously not the same as a formal end to the ban”. The panel said “FIFA should be explicit about the timeframe in which it expects (Iran) to align with FIFA’s human rights expectations”. It said FIFA should also be clear about possible sanctions should Iran not fall into line. FIFA statutes say that discrimination can be punishable by “suspension or expulsion” although its disciplinary code allows for lighter sanctions such as fines and partial stadium closures. The panel also recom-
mended that FIFA give more detail about decisions taken by its ethics committee, which has banned dozens of football officials over past few years including former FIFA president Sepp Blatter. At present, it said, FIFA only published “a few sentences that refer to clauses in the Ethics Code but do not give any detailed explanation about the merits of a case”. “This lack of transparency means that the public cannot understand the specific reasons for sanctioning, and decisions and sanctions cannot meaningfully be compared,” it said.
Mick Schumacher moves up to Formula Two
Kim Il Guk, North Korea’s sports minister and the president of the Olympic Committee of North Korea is greeted by North Korean residents in Japan upon his arrival at Tokyo’s Haneda airport in Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo November 27, 2018. (Kyodo/via REUTERS) TOKYO (Reuters) North Korea’s sports minister will be allowed to travel to Japan to attend Olympic meetings in Tokyo this week, the Japanese government said yesterday. North Koreans are banned from entering Japan as part of sanctions imposed for its missile and nuclear tests. Kim Il Guk, who also serves as the president of the North’s Olympic committee, will travel to Japan
to take part in the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly today and tomorrow. “International sports and the Olympics charter share this notion of no discrimination against any nationalities,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at his regular briefing yesterday. “On the basis of that, it is an exception that we have allowed minister Kim Il Guk,
who is planning on coming to this week’s General Assembly. We have allowed him to enter the country as an exception.” This is not the first time Japan has waived the ban in the name of sports. In February 2017, North Korean athletes and officials were granted permission to enter the country for the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo. North Korea also plans to attend the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
LONDON (Reuters) Michael Schumacher’s 19year-old son Mick has moved a step closer to following his father into Formula One after the Prema team announced that he will race for them in Formula Two next season. The series feeds into Formula One, and this year’s top three finishers - George Russell, Lando Norris and Alexander Albon - have all secured seats with grand prix teams for 2019. Mick Schumacher won the Formula Three European championship this year with eight wins, seven pole positions and 14 podium finishes. That title means he is already qualified to race in Formula One.“He is an extremely talented and dedicated racer, working with him is a pleasure and we can’t wait to begin this adventure together,” said Rene Rosin, principal of the Mercedes-powered team, in a statement on Tuesday. “This series is not an easy one due to its learning curve for rookies, especially with
Mick Schumacher before driving his father Michael Schumacher’s car before a race. (REUTERS/ Stephanie Lecocq/ Pool/File Photo)
the introduction of the new car, but we think that Mick has the maturity and skills needed to make it.” The young German said the move was “a logical step” on the ladder and would help him improve his skills and gain more experience. “I can’t thank the Prema family enough for what we achieved together as a team, especially this year, how we continued to develop together,” he added. The young Schumacher will be testing with Prema in Abu Dhabi later this week. Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton said in Octo-
ber that he expected Schumacher to go all the way. “There will 100 percent be a Schumacher back in Formula One, partly because of the name, but secondly because he’s doing a great job,” the Mercedes driver said then. Michael Schumacher won a record seven Formula One championships, including five in a row with Ferrari, and also holds the record for race wins with 91. The 49-year-old, whose privacy is closely guarded, has not been seen in public since he suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in France in December 2013.
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NBA roundup: Wizards overcome Rockets, Harden in OT John Wall had 36 points and 11 assists, Bradley Beal added 32 points, and the Washington Wizards rallied from an early 17-point deficit to defeat the visiting Houston Rockets 135-131 in overtime Monday. The Wizards overcame a season-high 54 points from Rockets guard James Harden. Washington started the overtime with an 8-1 run capped when Otto Porter Jr. picked up a steal and fed Beal for a dunk with 1:50 left, and the Rockets got no closer than within three points the rest of the way. Harden missed three consecutive shots and turned the ball over twice in the final minutes of regulation but fed Clint Capela for an alley-oop that tied it, 125-125, with 9.8 seconds left. Wall had the ball knocked away on a jumper attempt with 1.2 seconds left, and he then blocked Eric Gordon’s jumper at the buzzer. Warriors 116, Magic 110 Kevin Durant scored eight of his 49 points in the final 1:19, rallying Golden State to a victory over Orlando in Oakland, Calif. Durant connected on 16 of his 33 shots, four of his 10 3-point attempts and all 13 of his free throws en route to the fifth-highest scoring game of his career. The total of 49 points was his high since he poured in 51 for Oklahoma City at Toronto in March 2014. The Warriors trailed by as many as 18 points before chipping away in the third and fourth quarters, finally taking a 102-100 lead on a 3-pointer by Klay Thompson with 5:26 to go. After Orlando gathered itself to go back up by three, another 3-pointer by Thompson drew the Warriors even at 107-all with 1:45 left before Durant took over. Hornets 110, Bucks 107 Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb scored 21 points each, and host Charlotte held on for perhaps its most impressive win of the season by defeat-
Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) shoots the ball over Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (17) in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. The Wizards won 135-131 in overtime. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) ing Milwaukee. The Hornets trailed by 14 midway through the first quarter, but they dominated the second quarter, led by 13 at halftime, and then pushed the margin to as many as 25 points in the second half. The Bucks got within a point in the final minute and trailed by three with the ball with 7.1 seconds remaining, but Eric Bledsoe missed the potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Hornets snapped a two-game losing streak and got some revenge after losing 113-112 to the Bucks on opening night, Oct. 17, in Charlotte. The Hornets have not lost more than two straight this season. The Bucks have lost two of their past three. Spurs 108, Bulls 107 DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 — including five in a key late-game stretch — as visiting San Antonio came back to beat short-handed Chicago. The Bulls led 101-98 with 5:58 to play before the Spurs leapfrogged to the front via a 10-0 run, with Aldridge ac-
Transportation difficulties force Upper Corentyne River teams to miss engagements... From page 38 participate in the competition. No matches were played during the last weekend as the organisers seek to make some rearrangements. It is not clear if the organisers would grant a walk over of reschedule the games. Some 32 teams from across the country are
participating in this year’s competition which is in its second year. Matches are scheduled to be played on Friday and Sundays with the final set for Sunday January 5th 2019 at the same venue. The coordinator is Tito “Candy Boss” Sancho. (Samuel Whyte)
counting for half the points. Chicago pulled within 108-107 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Ryan Arcidiacono, but Zach LaVine (28 points) missed a 3-pointer with four seconds to play. After a foul and a steal in a last-gasp scramble, Arcidiacono (22 points) had a chance to win the game with a shot at the buzzer, but it was off the rim short. Pacers 121, Jazz 88 Doug McDermott scored a season-high 21 points off the bench while Myles Turner added 16 points in his first game back from an ankle injury to lift Indiana to a victory over Utah in Salt Lake City. Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in 15 points and Tyreke Evans added 14 for Indiana, which had seven players score in double figures. Derrick Favors scored 13 points and Rudy Gobert added 12 to lead Utah. The Jazz, who allowed Indiana to shoot 58.3 percent from the field, lost for the sixth time in eight games. Both teams played without their leading scorers. Utah’s Donovan Mitchell sat out a second straight game due to a rib contusion. Indiana’s Victor Oladipo was sidelined with a right sore knee for a fourth consecutive game. Celtics 124, Pelicans 107 Kyrie Irving had 26 points and 10 assists as Boston won at New Orleans in a matchup of struggling teams. Al Horford and Jayson Ta t u m a d d e d 2 0 p o i n t s each, Marcus Morris had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Terry Rozier came off the bench to score 14 for the Celtics, who won for the second time in three games, but that followed a
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) during their game. (Kyle Terada USA TODAY Sports)
three-game losing streak. Anthony Davis, returning from a one-game absence caused by a hip injury, had 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead New Orleans. The Pelicans lost their fourth straight, but it was just their second loss in 10 home games. Nikola Mirotic added 25 points. Timberwolves 102, Cavaliers 95
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Minnesota to a win at Cleveland. Robert Covington scored 24 points on 8-of12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 accuracy from 3-point range. Derrick Rose came off the bench and continued to shoot well, hitting 6 of 13 and finishing with 12 points and
four assists for Minnesota, which is 6-2 since trading away All-Star guard Jimmy Butler.Kyle Korver led the Cavaliers with 22 points off the bench. Rodney Hood added 20 points for Cleveland, and Tristan Thompson recorded his fourth straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. (Field Level Media)
BCB/Da Silva Motor Spares Under-13 Cricket Tournament
Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy and Port Mourant Cricket Club advance to Final The Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy Under-13 Team along with arch rival Port Mourant Cricket Club have advanced to the final of the Berbice Cricket Board/Da Silva Motor Spares Under-13 Cricket Tournament. Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy advanced to the final after edging past Blairmont Community Centre by first innings points at the D’Edward Ground, while Port Mourant Cricket club defeated Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club by nine wickets at the historic Port Mourant Ground. At the D’Edward Ground Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy batted first after winning the toss and were bowled out for 54 in twenty four of their allotted first innings 25 Overs quota. Taindra Doobay 13 and Tamesh Keueraj 11 were the principal scorers. Bowling for Blairmont Community Centre, Rawl Dindial 3 for 9, Romeo Deonarine 3 for 23 and Kahiem Ashan 2 for 12 were the best bowlers. Berbice Under-15 offspinner Matthew Pottaya then produced an outstanding bowling spell of 7 wickets for 10 runs as
Blairmont Community Centre were dismissed for 42 in 24.1 Overs. Romeo Deonarine was the only batsman to offer any resistance to Pottaya, who also had the distinction of claiming the first hat-trick in the Tournament. With a lead of twelve runs Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy reached 40 for 3 in the second innings when the game was called off by both teams. Pottaya returned with the bat to score 18. R. Gafoor took 2 for 18 for Blairmont. Rose Hall Canje batted first at the Port Mourant Ground and reached 81 for 5 from their allotted 25 Overs. Avishkar Persaud 12 and Romario Ramdihal 11 topscored as Saleem Khan took 3 for 20. Port Mourant Cricket Club in reply were given a solid 94 runs opening partnership by Rampertab Ramnauth and Saleem Khan. Ramnauth topscored with 55, while Khan offered solid support with 35 as Port Mourant Cricket Club ended on 119 for 3. With a deficit of 38 runs, Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club scored quickly to reach 99 for 4, with Sanjay Algoo scoring
an unbeaten 50. Needing to score 52 to register an outright victory, Port Mourant Cricket club reached 54 for 1 with Rampertab Ramnauth on 35 and his younger brother Rampersaud on 11. The final is scheduled for Saturday at the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town. The under-13 Tournament was contested by eight teams: Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy, Achievers Youth, Blairmont Community Centre, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Kendall’s Union, Rose Hall Canje, Port Mourant Cricket Club and Albion Community Centre. The top two teams in the two zones advanced to the semifinals. The Tournament would be the 21st to be successfully completed by the Berbice Cricket Board over the last four months, with several others on stream. Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster stated that the Da Silva Motor Spares Under-13 Tournament has unearthed several promising players. A squad of sixteen players would be named after the tournament to undergo special training.
Wednesday November 28, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Borussia Dortmund bus bomber BCB/Mogu Mogu Region 6 Cricket Tournament Garfield Benjamin smashes gets 14-year prison sentence 88 as NATI claims Title
Sergej W., suspected of detonating three bombs targeting the Borussia Dortmund soccer team bus in April 2017, arrives for his verdict at a court in Dortmund, Germany, November 27, 2018. (REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler) DORTMUND, Germany (Reuters) - A German court sentenced a German-Russian man to 14 years behind bars yesterday for a bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund (BVB) soccer team bus in 2017 as part of a money-making scheme. The defendant, 29, identified by authorities only as Sergei W., had admitted to setting off the roadside bomb in April 2017, which injured one of the club’s players, but said he wanted to make money rather than harm or kill anyone. He had been charged with attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm and causing an explosion. “The deed was planned meticulously over a long period of time,” Judge Peter
Windgaetter told the court. The defendant, he added, had acted out of greed and reckoned with the possibility that people in the bus could be killed. The team had been heading to the club stadium Germany’s biggest with a capacity of 80,000 - for a Champions League match against AS Monaco when the bomb went off. Spanish defender Marc Bartra and a police officer were injured and the match was delayed by a day. The defendant, who looked unmoved as the judge sentenced him, has expressed deep regret for the attack, saying he had not meant to harm anyone and made clear the aim was to trigger a fall in BVB’s share price from which
he could profit. The judge said he had decided on the attack in October 2016 and tried to mislead investigators by writing fake letters from supposed Belgian Islamists claiming responsibility. Prosecutors, who wanted him imprisoned for life, had argued that the defendant bought some 44,000 euros (39,010.74 pounds) worth of options on the day of the attack which he could have sold at a profit if the share price had dropped.In fact, BVB shares rose after the attack. Shares in the club also climbed 2.7 percent on Monday after the club’s latest victory in the Bundesliga took it to the top of the German table. Both sides left open the option of an appeal.
Dottin jumps to number two in all-rounder rankings DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Veteran West Indies star Deandra Dottin is now the world’s number two-ranked allrounder in Twenty20 Internationals. In the latest rankings announced yesterday by the International Cricket Council, the 27-year-old had jumped two spots to second, following her exploits in the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Dottin overtook West Indies teammate Hayley Matthews and Australia’s Ellyse Perry, and is now only 32 points behind her captain Stafanie Taylor, who tops the list with 353 ranking points. Barbadian Dottin was one
of the few consistent performers for the Windies in the T20 World Cup, making 121 runs and finishing as the jointleading wicket-taker with 10 scalps. Bowling her sharp rightarm seam, she produced career-best figures of five for five in the opening match against Bangladesh in Guyana. Perry, meanwhile, lies third in the all-rounders rankings while Matthews sits fourth and South Africa skipper Dane van Niekerk, fifth. In the batting rankings, Taylor remained steady at number two despite her poor form in the T20 World Cup while Dottin also remained unmoved at number four but the 20-year-old Matthews
slipped three places to 15th spot. Matthews, a rising star, struck 62 against Sri Lanka but mustered scores of only 6, 8, 1 and 5 in her other four innings. She also took a tumble in the bowling rankings, falling 11 places after taking just three wickets with her off-spin in the recent tournament – all coming in her stand-out game against the Sri Lankans in St Lucia. However, Matthews is the only West Indies player in the top 20 of the bowling rankings headed by Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt. New Zealander Suzie Bates remained top of the batting rankings.
A brilliant innings of 88 by Captain Garfield Benjamin and destructive bowling by medium pacer Bryon Persaud and left arm spinner Simon Naidu spearheaded the New Amsterdam Technical Institute to a crushing 173 runs victory over Lower Corentyne Secondary School in the Final of the Berbice Cricket Board organised Mogu Mogu Region 6 InterSecondary School Cricket Tournament. The Region 6 Final is the first of three finals that would be played, with the Region 5 Final played next and then the overall Berbice Championship. In bright sunshine and a sizeable crowd at the venue, Lower Corentyne Secondary School won the toss and elected to bowl. They lost opener R. Ramkishun for 04, caught by Vijay Gopilall off Tameshwar Mahadeo in the fourth over at 26 for 1. Garfield Benjamin and Brandon Stuart joined forces after Keith Simpson was bowled by Neil Tilkuram for 12 at 60 for 2. The pair added 103 for the 3rd wicket with Stuart contributing 40, which included only one boundary. Stephen Kamuladin supported with 21 down the order and Winston Roberts 12 not out. Benjamin was fifth out for 88 when he
mishit thirteen years of offspinner Damien Cecil to be caught on the midwicket boundary by Jeremiah Felix. NATI ended on 223 for 7 off their allotted 30 Overs. Damien Cecil took 2 wickets for 34 runs, while offspinner Vijay Gopilall claimed 2 for 35 from five overs. Needing to score 224 from 30 overs to win the Title, Lower Corentyne Secondary were never in contention as medium pacer Bryon Persaud bowled with a lot of bounce to leave them reeling at 17 for 4 in the 5th over. Among his victims were the promising Leon Cecil, who was caught at cover for 07. Apart from Neil Tilkuram who top scored with 10, no other Lower Corentyne Secondary batsman reached double figures. Persaud took 4 for 22 from six impressive overs, while Naidu, who is also the Asst Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS took 4 for 19 from six overs. Benjamin was named Man of the Finals for his majestic innings which included five massive sixes and four boundaries. BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the Region 6 Tournament as an overwhelming success and congratulated NATI on being
crowned the Champion School for the Region. The Tournament started with seventeen Secondary Schools and two Technical Institutes. The Region 5 segment of the Tournament has nine Secondary Schools and this would be completed shortly. One School would be crowned Region 5 Champion before going on to clash with NATI for the rights to be called Berbice Secondary School Champion. Foster hailed the contribution of Sueria Manufacturing and its CEO Frank Sancharia towards the development of Berbice Cricket. The Company also sponsored four Sub-Association 20/20 Cricket Tournament under the Magic Moments brand. Foster pledged to the youths, that as long as he remains President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Cricket would be played at all levels in the Ancient County and that Berbice would be the envy of every Cricket Association in the Caribbean. The Berbice Cricket Board in 2018 has started over twenty five Cricket Tournaments, completed eighteen on to the 23rd November, 2018 and in December, 2018, would be launching the 2019 Under17 and Under-19 Tournaments.
Russell, Pooran help Warriors to last-ball win SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, CMC – All-rounder Andre Russell grabbed two wickets and flopped with the bat but his fellow West Indies stars did just enough to ensure Northern Warriors won in the T10 League here yesterday. The dynamic Russell finished with two for 22 from his two allotted overs to help limit Sindhis to 91 for six off their 10 overs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Captain Australian Shane Watson blasted a top score of 50 from 28 balls but found no support as no other batsman passed 11. In reply, Russell fell cheaply for eight batting at number four but Warriors still managed to pull off an exciting last-ball, one-wicket victory. Left-hander Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 17 from 10 balls while opening partner Lendl Simmons and captain Darren Sammy both got 14, knocks which proved crucial to Warriors’ run chase in the end.
Andre Russell … grabbed two wickets but failed with the bat. Barbadian fast bowler Jofra Archer was brilliant in taking two for 14 from his two overs. In the other match of the doubleheader, West Indies Twenty20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite failed with the bat as the Dwayne Bravo-led Maratha Arabians defeated Rajputs by 10 wickets.
Brathwaite made just two in Rajputs’ 63 for seven off their 10 overs, with Bravo claiming a single wicket for 15 runs.In reply, Arabians motored to their target off five overs with openers Hazratullah Zazai (29 not out) and Englishman Alex Hales (27 not out) carrying the run chase.
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
Shah spins Pakistan to innings Will serve for one more year if needed - BCB President Hilbert Foster defeat of New Zealand (Reuters) - A recordequalling 14-wicket test haul from Yasir Shah gave Pakistan an innings and 16 run defeat over New Zealand in Dubai yesterday to level their threematch series. Veteran leg-spinner Shah took six second innings wickets for 143 runs to finish the match with a career-best 14 for 184 as New Zealand were bowled out for 312 after being forced to follow on a day earlier. Shah, who took eight wickets for 41 runs in the first innings, equalled the record for the most wickets by a Pakistan bowler in a test match set by Imran Khan against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 1982. “I came to know yesterday (about Imran Khan’s record),” the 32-year-old said after accepting the player-ofthe-match award. “The attempt was to put the disappointment of (losing) the first test behind and compete better.” Pakistan found themselves in a commanding position after day two, with centuries from Haris Sohail and Babar Azam allowing them to declare on 418-5. New Zealand scored only 90 runs in their first innings and, despite showing more fight in their second, lost wickets at key moments. “We batted better in the second innings, but that session yesterday when Yasir put us under tremendous pressure and put the ball in the right areas (defeated us),”
Yasir Shah was pumped after taking yet another wicket in the match - he took 14 in all ©AFP Kiwi captain Kane Williamson said. “It’s about improving and we showed that. The wicket had aged a bit more, and getting 300 batting last was a good sign, but they did set it up with the bat.” New Zealand won the opening test in Abu Dhabi by
four runs. The teams will return to the same venue for the final match from Dec. 3-7. Scores: Pakistan 418 for 5 dec. (Sohail 147, Babar 127*) beat New Zealand 90 (Yasir 8-41) and 312 (Taylor 82, Nicholls 77, Yasir 6-143, Hasan 3-46) by an innings and 16 runs.
Popular President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster has indicated that he would be willing to serve as President for one more year if he was needed as his first priority is his duty as Secretary/ CEO of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS. Foster made the announcement at a meeting at the Port Mourant Ground with players and cricket officials as they waited to take part in the washed out Pepsi 50-Overs Tournament. The Berbice Cricket Board President stated that he made the decision by countless requests from Clubs, Officials, Parents and Umpires who were afraid that the county cricket would once again become dormant, if he left. Foster, who reluctantly accepted the Presidency on the 18th February, 2018, took over a Board with only $42,000 in its account, while no major Tournament was completed for over two years. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS Secretary/CEO stated that the main reason he accepted the position as BCB President was to provide opportunities for youths to fulfill their dreams of playing cricket at the highest level and to use sports as an alternative to a life with Satan. He stated that it was depressing to see youths turning up at practise every day of the week and then have no cricket to play while they were denied opportunities to develop their cricketing skills with no developmental programme. The Berbice Cricket Board under Foster’s leadership in 2018 has successfully completed 18 cricket Tournaments while another four are awaiting for the finals to be played. A total of twenty six tournaments would have started over the last nine months at
Hilbert Foster the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Internal Zone, Second Division, Double Wicket and First Division levels. Those Tournaments that have not been completed in 2018 would roll over to the New Year. The Berbice Cricket Board has also started early preparation for the 2019 Inter-County Season by securing sponsorship for tournaments at the Under-15, Under-17, Female and Under-19 levels. The Under-15 Tournament for 2019 has already started, while the others would start shortly, weather permitting. Dozens if developmental programmes and award ceremonies have also been organised in an effort to make sure that every talent in the ancient county is identified and nurtured while making sure that every hero is recognized and honoured. Great effort has also been made to assist clubs with balls, stumps, raincoats, scorebooks, trophies among other items. The Berbice Cricket Board over the last nine months has also launched programmes such as financial stipends for National Junior and Female Cricketers, Inter-county Cap System, Inter-county MVP, Educational Posters among oth-
ers. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS has pumped over $1.5M if its own funds to assist the Berbice Cricket Board to fulfill its mandate over the last nine months. Foster urged the players and officials to remain focused on the task ahead as much work needed to be done. He stated that if reelected, he would work along with others to identify a leader of the future and also serve as a mentor. He stated that while it may be difficult to match the achievements in 2018, 2019 promises to be even better as many more sponsors are willing to come on board once he remains at the helm. This would result in more tournaments and developmental programmes. Special effort would be make also to play a Round Robin Two-Days First Division Tournament and obtain a modern indoor cricket facility for the county cricketers. Foster was quick to point out that he had received cooperation from everyone in the county, including clubs who had voted against him at the election. Every committment and promise had also been fulfilled as he strongly believed that his word/promise is his bond.
GT Beer, Candy Boss 8-A-Side Invitational Knockout Tournament
Transportation difficulties force Upper Corentyne River teams to miss engagements Pakistan were on top as soon as they broke into New Zealand’s middle order ©AFP
Some last minutes transportation difficulties with the boat that was supposed to ferry the Two Upper Corentyne River teams to the coast to participate in the ongoing GT Beer, Candy Boss and Antics Promotion 8-ASide Invitational Knockout Football Tournament forced the teams to miss the encounters with teams from the coast. Two teams Orealla Falcons and Siparuta were supposed to engage Hopetown Football Club and Monedderlust, both of West Coast Berbice, in the ongoing tournament at the All
Saints Scott’s Church Ground, Princess Elizabeth and Vryheid Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice. However, when all was ready and set to go the two teams failed to show up and information reaching the coast stated that the boat encountered last minute difficulties. Efforts to get a replacement vessel proved futile due to some prior engagements with that vessel due to a funeral and other activities in the area. The two teams which have always been a part of football activities on the coast were travelling over 60 miles to get to the venue to (Continued on page 36)
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Kaieteur News
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National Schools’ track and field C/Ships
Barclay strikes Gold again in Long Jump
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he National Schools’ Track and Field Championships resumed yesterday at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), Leonora after it had a break for the swimming and cycling championships that were competed at the National Aquatic Center and the National Park, respectively, on Monday. Ye s t e r d a y ’s p r o c e e d i n g s w e r e dominated with field events and heats in the more subscribed track events. In long jump, President’s College’s Annalisa Barclay (district 4), who set a long jump record in the girls’ under-16 last year, continued her leaping excellence in the under-18 category after winning with an impressive distance of 5.02 meters. Finishing with the silver was Tatyana Duncan of district 14 with 4.65 meters, while Jasmaine Assanah of district 12 finished with bronze after recording a distance of 4.60 meters. Meanwhile, Prudence Codrington of South Georgetown (district 13) broke the girls’ Open Javelin record after recording 35.38 meters in her first attempt. Codrington was in a league of her own as silver medalist in the event Denita Marks registered a distance of 18.99 meters, while Miriam Primo’s best attempt of 18.33 meters landed her in the third position. Among the confirmed winners of the track finals that were ran off yesterday were John Henry in the boys’ under-12 1200m in a time of 3minutes 35 seconds, Tiana Springer in the girls’ under-12 1000m with a time of 3minutes 31 seconds, and Akeela Dover in the girls’ under-10 800m. The official points standing after three days’ of competition was unavailable up to press time. The track and field championship resumes today with finals in the 100m and 800m events.
A close finish in one of the girls’ 4x100m relay heats yesterday.
Action in the boys’ U20 4x100m relay heats.
Hero CPL supports those affected by Trinidad & Tobago floods
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he Hero Caribbean Premier League has worked with Kids in Need of Direction (KIND) to deliver much needed supplies to those that have been affected by the recent flooding in Trinidad. Hero CPL will be funding mattresses, food supplies and play pens that will be delivered to those who need them the most. KIND is a charitable organisation located in Laventille that has been working for two decades with young people and their families in Trinidad and Tobago, ‘Empowering Children, Transforming Lives’. KIND supports disadvantaged families and their children with remedial programmes through their Kind Mind Initiative such as: literacy, creative writing and numeracy, music, dance and martial arts, life and social skills, and family integration. Their Sponsor a
Karina Scott, Chairperson of KIND and Natalie Black-O’Connor, Head of Branding and Hospitality, Hero CPL with some of the items donated.
Child to Learn Programme supports the wider communities in Trinidad & Tobago through their outreach programme with the distribution of food hampers, clothing and other much needed items. KINDs distribution of emergency supplies to flood victims was through their Acts of Random Kindness, the ‘ARK’ programme, which is a nation building initiative that was launched in 2018. Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Hero CPL, said: “We are blessed to spend as much time as we do in Trinidad & Tobago. It is an amazing country and we are hugely grateful for the wonderful support that the fans there give us. It was heart-breaking to see so much damage caused by the recent floods and we felt we had to do something to help out the community. We send our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by recent events.”
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Wednesday November 28, 2018
MOM, GTU Nat School’s Swimming C/Ships
Golds for Grant, Seaton & fastest female time from Persaud By Sean Devers eventeen-year-old Amy Grant and h e r N o r t h Georgetown (district 11) team mate 14-year-old Leon Seaton won three Gold Medals, while 12-year-old Aleka Persuad swam the fastest time of the championships when she finished the Girls U-14, 50 meters Freestyle in 28.68.
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According to President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Ivan Persaud his daughter ’s time is the unofficial record for the fast time by a Guyanese in any Girls’ 50 meters Freestyle race, bettering the 28.74 registered by Britney Van Lang. While North GT continues to dominate, East
Georgetown finished third which emphasises the fact that technique and proper facilities could easily override natural talent since the City teams with Guyana’s only International Swimming pool on the East Coast and several other Pools were better in terms of technique, especially turning off the wall. The Hinterland Swimmers learn to swim before they can walk and love the water but their training ground is Rivers and Creeks since they are no state of the art pools or Coaches resulting in mostly Amerindian youngsters lacking enough pool time when they get to Georgetown before the Championship commence. The qualifying time for the Olympics in 50-meter freestyle is 23.16 for Boys and 26 seconds for Girls and no Guyanese has ever reached those times with the last Guyanese Swimming to participate in the Olympics, getting there as a ‘Wild Card’. On face of it, Persuad, with at time of 28.68 and with the rule that, despite how fast you swim nobody under the age of 15 can be an Olympian, seems Guyana’s best bet among the females. But realistically that is not so since it can take as long as two years to shave off a second from your time and the fact that Swimming like all other sports struggle for funding from Government and the Corporate Community making it hard for local teams to be consistently successful at the international level. Both the past and present Government, gives the impression that developing and funding Sports in Guyana is the least most important issue on their agendas. Results from the meet: Girls U-16, 100m Backstroke: Donna Carter (South GT district 13), Giselle Crane (North GT district 11), Letty John (Rupununi district 9) Boys U-16, 100m Backstroke: Sekhel Tzedeq (East GT district 12), Trellis
Edwards (Cuyuni-Mazaruni district 5), Stephon Ramkelawan (11) Girls U-18, 100m Backstroke: Coleen Stephen (9), Selena Fiedikou (U/Demerara-Kwakwani 10), Sushana Williams (5) Boys U-18, 100m Backstroke: Johnathan Sookram (11), Shamar Duggin (10), Leon Evans (E’bo Coast-Pomaroon 2) Girls 100m Backstroke: M o n i q u e Wa t s o n 11 ) , Shakela King, Alicia George Boys 100m Backstroke: Fitzroy Thom 11), Nathan Allicock, Daniel Jeffery Girls U-10, 50m Freestyle: Jasmin Allen 11), Andella France, Megan Scott Boys U-10, 50m Freestyle: Eon McLean 10), Macaiah Enoe, Rayvan Kaublal Girls U-12, 50m Freestyle: Kayla Hardy E/Coast 4), Zara Crane, Andica Viera Boys U-12, 50m Freestyle: Jeron Sookram 11 ) , D a r i o n P e r r i e r a , Renaldo Smith Girls U-14, 50m Freestyle: Aleka Persaud 12), P atrice M ahaica, Shenessa Cornelius Boys U-14, 50m Freestyle: Rackwan Noel 12), Paul Mahaica, Ellion Williams Girls U-16, 50m Freestyle: Latisha Blair 13), Amber DeGoeas, Nikita Peters Boys U-16, 50m Freestyle:Leon Seaton 11), S i o n J e f f e r s , Tr i s t o n Lickerish, Trellis Edwards Girls U-18, 50m Freestyle: Amy Grant 11), Atiba Jeffery, Safiyah Foster Boys U-18, 50m Freestyle: George Telford 11), Leon Evans, Keon Sampson Girls 50m Freestyle: Nikita Fiedkou 10), Maiya Ifill, Shakela King Boys 50m Freestyle: Fitzroy Thom 11), Nathan Allicock, Bernard Sebico Girls U-16, 50m Butterfly: Latisha Blair 13), Giselle Crane, Nikita Peters Boys U-16, 50m Butterfly: Leon Seaton 11), Daniel Claxton, Sion Jeffers Girls U-18, 50m
- But Swimming still suffering from lack of support
Aleka Persaud swam the fastest time in the Girls 50m Freestyle, while Leon Seaton copped 3 Golds. Butterfly: Amy Grant 11), S a f i y a F o s t e r, S e l e n a Fiedkou Boys U-18, 50m Butterfly: George Telford 11), Keon Sampson, William Primus Girls 50m Butterfly: Bonita Viverios 10) Fazeena George, Emeka Eastman Boys 50m Butterfly: Nikhil Ramnarine, Nathan Allicock, Bernard Sebico Girls U-10, 50m Backstroke: Jasmin Allen 11), Megan Scott, Andella France Boys U-10, 50m Backstroke: Eon McLean 10), Macaiah Enoe, Rayvan Kaublal Girls U-12, 50m Backstroke: Kayla Hardy 4), Zara Crane, Kyra Soares Boys U-12, 50m Backstroke: Jeron Sookram 11), Renaldo Smith, Darion Perriera Girls U-14, 50m Backstroke: Aleka Persuad 12), P atrice M ahaica, Faustina Earnest Boys U-14, 50m Backstroke: Raekwood Noel 12), Jaleel Anderson, Paul Mahaica Girls U-16, 50m Backstroke: Donna Carter 13), Giselle Crane, Nikita Peters, Boys U-16, 50m Backstroke: Leon Seaton 11), Sekhel Tzedeq, Trellis Edwards Girls U-18, 50m Backstroke: Coleen Stephen 9), DeAnn Richmond, Vanicia Stephens Boys U-18, 50m Backstroke: Johnathon Sookram 11), Ramesh Lyte, Shemar Duggin Girls 50m Backstroke: M o n i q u e Wa t s o n 11 ) , Ronelle George, Bonita Viverios Boys 50m Backstroke: Nikhil Ramnarine 11), Veejay DaSillva, Vashon Browne Girls U-16, 100m Freestyle: Amber DeGoeas 11), Donna Carter, Alianna
Charles Boys U-16, 100m Freestyle: Daniel Claxton 3), Triston Kyckerish, Stephon Ramkelawan Girls U-18, 100m Freestyle: Amy Grant 11), Safiya Foster, Deliza Francis Boys U-18, 100m Freestyle: Ramesh Lyte 2), Keon Simpson Thrillroy Campbell Girls 100m Freestyle: Nikita Fiedtkou 10), Maiya Ifill, Charles Browne Boys 100m Freestyle: Fitzroy Thom 11), Vashon Browne, Ansar Peters Girls U-16, 50m Breaststroke: Latisha Blair 13), Amber DeGoeas, Kayanna Nedd Boys U-16, 50m Breaststroke: Sion Jeffers 13), Stephon Ramkelawan, Andrew Skeete Girls U-18, 50m Breaststroke: Selema Fiedtkou 10), Diana Thomas 7), Gem Gomes 12) Boys U-18, 50m Breaststroke: George Telford 11), Elijah David 10), Thrillroy Campbell North West 1) Girls 50m Breaststroke: Monique Watson 11), Nikita Fiedtkou 10), Shakela King 7) Boys 50m Breaststroke: Nikhil Ramnarine 11), Reagan Evans 13), David Scott 12) The Points Standing: North Georgetown – Champs 358 points Upper DemeraraKwakwani were again second with 319 points East Georgetown finished third with 213 points, followed by CuyuniMazaruni (189), South Georgetown (173), Rupununi (132), Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon (127), North West (107), East Coast District (63), Essequibo Islands/West Demerara (57), East Bank Demerara (45), West Berbice (9), Mahdia (8), Corentyne (7) and New Amsterdam (5).
Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 28, 2018
Four Guyanese Gyms/9 Athletes compete at Crossfit Paramaribo Throwdown
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BK Tiwari 60th Birth Anniversary Football Competition Winners receive prizes
- Tonica Archer cops silver in Female Scaled Class Tonica Archer
Prize winners pose with their hardware along with Brian Tiwari’s Daughter and grandson (stooping) at the Company’s Head Office on Monday.
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To n i c a A r c h e r o f Genesis Fitness Gym led the 9-member Guyanese contingent which competed at last weekend’s Crossfit Paramaribo Throwdown in Suriname, a two-day event which attracted athletes from the host nation, French Guiana and Guyana. Archer copped silver in the Female Scaled competition; the fortunes of the other Guyanese could have been much more attractive were it not for the many challenges
encountered with the scoring system. Athletes were required to compete against each other in five (5) workouts over the 2 day event; the full Guyanese contingent was Tonica Archer, Semonica Duke, Delice Adonis, Paul Meusa, Thurston Pearce, Radesh Rameshwar, Timothy Mc Andrew and Randolph Leitch. The Gyms represented were Genesis Fitness, Elite Fitness, Crossfit 592 and Elite Systems from Berbice.
Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/ Village KO Cup
Tonight’s matches postponed until Sunday Organisers of this year’s Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/ Village KO Cup has been forced to postpone tonight’s round of matches due to circumstances beyond their control. According to Coordinator Lennox Arthur, the scheduled round of matches which was set to be played this evening will not be played following a request from the custodians of the Centre who related that athletes and officials currently participating in the National Schools Cycling, Swimming & Athletics Championships are using of the Den Amstel Community Centre ground. Arthur disclosed that the new date for the penultimate round of games is now Sunday and eight exciting matches are scheduled to be played.Hosts Den Amstel
will headline the proceedings when they clash with Soesdyke in the final game of the night.In the opening encounter, at 18:00hrs, Zeelugt tackle Charlestown and many feel that this game is the perfect s t a r t f o r t h e n i g h t ’s proceedings.This clash will be followed by the game between Sophia and Central McKenzie, before Mahaica and Mahaicony square off for a place in the next round, but also bragging rights. Goed Fortuin then collide with Wales, before Crane and Sara Lodge take to the field for their matchup.Close to $700,000 in total prize monies are up for grabs.West Demerara’s Pouderoyen then look to repel the challenge of visiting Newtown Kitty, before another team from the West Side, Uitvlugt face Timehri.
inners of this year’s Brian Tiwari 60th Birth Anniversary Football Competition were rewarded with their prizes on Monday, during a simple ceremony that was conducted, at the Company’s Head Office on Water Street, Kingston. On hand to make the presentation to the winning teams was CEO Brian Tiwari in whose name the tournament was played, his daughter and grandsons. Speaking at the occasion, the successful businessman,
who is a leader in philanthropic undertakings, told the gathering that he is no stranger to football and sports, citing his involvement with Western Tigers as proof of his love for the sport. More popular for his business ventures that include infrastructural works and investment in the airline industry, Tiwari spoke of his Company’s seriousness when it comes t o t h e i r s o c i a l responsibility, informing that they would usually set
aside close to $20million annually to assist in sports, arts & culture and a host of other social activities. Hr promised to make the event an annual one and hopefully increase his involvement and the popularity of the tournament. “As long as my good friend Lennox Arthur approaches me I will continue to support the tournament and even try to make it bigger”, Tiwari stated. Meanwhile, Den Amstel
defeated Timehri Panthers 40 in the final to cart off the major prize worth $100,000, while Timehri Panthers took home $50,000. Teams’ representatives all thanked Tiwari for his kind gesture and his support for the sport and urged that he return in a meaningful way in helping the development the game. His grandsons Bradley and Kane Gabriel sponsored an exhibition tournament which carried a winner-takeall prize of $50,000 and a trophy.
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Four Guyanese Gyms/9 Athletes compete
Dottin jumps to at Crossfit Paramaribo Throwdown number two in all- Tonica Archer cops silver in Female Scaled Class rounder rankings
West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin.
The Guyanese contingent which competed at last weekend’s Crossfit Paramaribo Throwdown in Suriname.
National Schools’ track and field C/Ships Annalisa Barclay that won the under-16 long jump last year, found glory again this year in the under-18 category.
Barclay strikes Gold again in Long Jump
Winner of the long jump u-18 Annalisa Barclay (center) of dist. 4 flanked by second place Tatyana Duncan of dist. 14 (left) and Jasmaine Assanah of dist. 12.
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