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AIETEUR NEWS

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GGMC’s Company Secretary escapes execution attempt

Saturday Edition November 07, 2020 - Vol. 14 No.43

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Online readership yesterday 104,773

Kaieteur, Canje giveaway...

No laws broken; no corruption Govt. to close loopholes

says p.

VP 17 Jagdeo

Govt. to seek Three new out beneficial Covid deaths in Liza permits with owners of push death oil blocks safeguards from Payara toll to 134 p.

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Ex-cop Eccles couple was businessman extradited alive when deadly to face drug person of interest; broker arrested charges in US fire started - PM reports say Belgium's Atlantic Ville 11.5 tonnes of coke seizure….

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Govt. will soon identify evaluators for oil sale bids Jagdeo says ...

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Guyana still stuck on audit of $460M pre-contract costs owed to ExxonMobil p.

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Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

THIS

Sunday

Senior Jounalist Kiana Wilburg

R OO U E T II E KAI 9.1 RRAADD 9 .5 99

UIBO ESSEQ RA | A R E DEM ICE e BERB Differenc

The Radio

with a

T

The

Glenn Lall

K/News Publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall

Show:

Tell it Like it is!!!

Beginning this Sunday, Kaieteur Radio will be launching a unique programme called The Glenn Lall Show: Tell it like it is!

Its sole purpose is to discuss the plunder of Guyana's wealth.

Join us at 7:00PM where you will hear from the Publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall himself and Senior Jounalists Kiana Wilburg and Kemol King. The host of the programme will be Dr. Yog Mahadeo.

This programme will also allow you have your say.

Senior Jounalist Kemol King

See you then!

Stream us online www.kaieteurnewsonline.com or Download

My Tuner App

Radio Garden

Police investigating 2016 contract for new harbour bridge study

Kaieteur Radio

THE RADIO WITH A DIFFERENCE

Host, Dr. Yog Mahadeo

he Guyana Police F o r c e h a s launched an investigation into the award of the 2016 contract to LievenseCSO to conduct a feasibility study and design of a new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, made the disclosure during Friday's installation of the Board of Directors for the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC).

“There is an active police investigation as it relates to spending and actions to the last proposed bridge that was to be built, and the contract that was issued to that company, where there were concerns that due process was not followed,” Minister Edghill announced.

The Minister said he was recently informed of the investigation and that it follows a formal complaint to law enforcement.

“Some members of staff and previous directors have been asked to co-operate with

the police and to give statements,” he continued.

Minister Edghill's disclosure comes nearly three years after the life of the last Board expired.

In 2017, the then Opposition PPP/C had requested that the Public Procurement Commission investigate the contract.

They had sought to hold the former Administration accountable for sole sourcing the contractor for the massive undertaking, rather than following the procurement laws.

Among many of the Commission's findings was that there was no advertising for the retendering of the project by the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure, under the stewardship of David Patterson.

The Commission also found there was no evidence of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board's input prior to Mr. Patterson's submission of a report to the Cabinet for (continued on page 12)

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL TEL:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

National Self Determination: The White Man Had It Right Whatever the ulterior motives, and there were those, the white men from America and Europe were on the right track. Colonized societies were far from ready for the hard demands involved in national self-determination. The democracy afforded by numbers would quickly succumb to the lures of tyranny. If nothing else, that has been the case here, where Guyana stands as exhibit-in-chief.

Among other United States Presidents, James Buchanan and Franklin Pierce harboured heavy doubts about the Mexicans and their ability at managing themselves; that, given their bloody history, they didn’t have what it took to forge constructively ahead without the curses of revolutions, coups, countercoups, and virtual civil wars.

It was a sentiment that gained much traction at many levels of American society during the conflicts with that neighbour, which saw a significant segment of its territory lost to the United States under one arrangement after another.

Similarly, Theodore Roosevelt had serious reservations about the Filipinos’ ability to take charge of their own affairs at the national level. It was the usual Caucasian patronizing manifested, but with a different society involved in the Rough Rider’s case.

Closer to our time, during the run-up and actual formation of the League of Nations and the United Nations, there were those elites in the American power structure, who felt that the Latin Americans could not deliver on the essentials and promises of national selfdetermination.

To some degree, there appears to be some justifications for these American leadership positions that were seeped in racial underpinnings and outlooks. When the sorry record of Third World societies is reviewed, there is much that is found wanting from both those governing and the governed.

The British in both their misleadingly named House of Commons, aristocracy, and the House of Lords, a largely parliamentary pasture for its privileged peerage, felt that the Africans and Indians were not up to the grueling tasks of statehood and nationhood. All of them appear to be right many decades later, when judged on history and results and the restless plagues that have visited countries on those continents.

The sometimes shabby records of India and Pakistan, as well as Nigeria and Tanzania, and elsewhere, speak for themselves, as to how it has been a regular story of the tyranny of the few (the powerful well-placed elites) posturing at the virtues of democracy, while carving out a rich existence on the backs of their own people (the starving and exploited multitude).

This is strongly reminiscent of what the British aristocracy, through that country’s Colonial Office, used to mete out to the hapless natives of the colonies as viceroys, Governor Generals, and civil servants at the height of the old British Empire.

Fast forward to the present, and what has happened and is happening in Guyana provides a lengthening trail of evidence that point to more of the same ancient attitudes and bigoted mentalities.

The outlooks and postures that scorned and dismissed the prowess and strength of previously exploited societies to take charge constructively of their own governance responsibilities and flourish, once political freedom had been granted to their people is still there, only nowadays it is more nuanced. This is a telling indictment, which is no longer of what occurs in some other places, but has meaning right here.

For here is Guyana approaching close to sixty years after Independence, and the peoples of this country are still locked in the equivalent of an endless low-level tribal war. Governance is a stop and start proposition, while

Saturday November 07, 2020

Hamilton Green’s comments notwithstanding, I stand by my vote DEAR EDITOR, Having stated my reasons for taking a principled position on a motion, which sought to disregard the authority of the Local Government Commission, at the last Statutory Meeting of Council held, Monday, October 26, 2020, I made no further public comment on this matter, even in the face of the Mayor Ubraj Narine capriciously making false and inaccurate utterances against me.

(I will address those statements by the Mayor about me in a subsequent communication). However, a letter: “Councillor ChaseGreen should recall how PPP/ C government ran roughshod over the city,” in Stabroek News’ issue of November 5, 2020, by Mr. Hamilton Green, Former Prime Minister/ former Mayor, caught my attention.

After reading the contents of that letter, I am led to believe that Former Mayor Green might not have been ceased with all the facts of the matter, at hand. And while he has, facetiously, suggested in his letter, that I am suffering from a “lapsus memoriae” it

is clear to me that, Mr. Green has missed certain very critical points I raised in my letter to the press, October 26, 2020.

In fact, in his letter, Mr. Green failed to address the crux of the matter, which is a deliberate and illegal attempt, by some members of the City Council, by way of an improper motion, to disregard the authority of the Local Government Commission. My decision to go against the motion turns upon this very point; nothing else.

Considering more specifically the contents of his letter, three important points stand out: perception of me voting with the PPP/C, the Local Government Commission, and loyalty, I shall now comment on these: 1. My voting against the motion had nothing to do with PPP/C. I understand the intentionally deceptive strategy, by an insincere few, which is to create the perception that by my voting against the motion I voted with that political party.

Nothing could be further from the truth; it is not factual. The message from some

quarters that I voted with the PPP/C is a complete farce. But even if the members of that party (PPP/C) voted along a similar line what does that have to do with me? As I said elsewhere, I took a principled position on this matter.

2. Not the PPP/C or the Ministry of Local Government; the Local Government Commission. Mr. Green is attempting to put the improper action of the Council in the context of the turbulent environment that existed, in the past, which negative the relationship between the Council and the PPP/C government.

It does not fit well.

Whilst I can clearly remember the difficulties we have had with that political administration we should not want to use those difficulties as an excuse to flout local government laws. If we did that then we would be guilty of the same transgressions committed by those, whom we seek to criticize in the past and even now.

A more critical point is the fact that, this issue is not about the PPP/C; it is about the Local Government Com-

mission.

The Local Government Commission Act (2013), has conferred powers on the Commission to, inter alia, approve or disapprove recommended appointments by the Council.

To be clear, as far as I am aware, the PPP/C did not give any instruction whatsoever to the Council on this matter; the Local Government Commission did.

Ironically, at the time of its decision, the Commission was being chaired by a member of the APNU/AFC Coalition. If the actions of the chairman and at least three members of the Coalition, who sat as commissioners on the Commission and took the decision to suspend the recommended appointments, by the Council, were not called into question then why am I being unfairly and unreasonably criticized by some, for voting consistent with that decision?

This is not only nonsensical but very dangerous because we are disregarding one of the pillars that (Continued on page 5)

BIDEN WILL WIN US PRESIDENCY DEAR EDITOR, As I forecasted before the US elections after analyzing opinion polls and as I examined exit poll numbers of voting of various categories of voters as well as having examined voting returns from the counting on Tuesday evening, I concluded that Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger, would win the Presidency of the US. On three different seminars before the election, I was asked who would win, and I replied Biden and right after the voting I was asked again who would win and I responded “Biden.” I was also asked who would be better for Guyana and India. My response was it does not matter who wins the Presidency, US-Guyana and US-India relations would not be adversely impacted. Guyanese and Indian nationals who favored Trump were not pleased with my response and a few were very hostile.

I must confess, I am a labor activist having served as head of the branch of my union for some fifteen years.

(I also taught labor economics for over a decade). The UFT union historically supported Democratic candidates with rare exception backing a Republican or an Independent. I volunteered annually for every election campaign going back the last three decades. I towed the union line, canvassing votes for its endorsed candidates, almost all of whom were/are Democrats.

Occasionally, in my private capacity, I volunteered for a Republican candidate that served my community’s interests in Greater Richmond Hill.

And in 2020, my union supported the Biden/Harris ticket.

I was given a list of names and telephone contacts in battleground states to convince to vote Democrat. That is how it was done every year including for every Presidential election going back to Clinton in

clean governance and ethical leadership are both alien to local thinking and culture.

Now that Guyana has discovered oil, the unsaid can be gleaned from what has come our way.

There has been overpowering contracts and dealings. And, it is especially significant that when Guyanese leaders did signal a halfhearted attempt at standing up in resistance to Exxon, the dismissive quickly followed.

The Country Manager could not have been clearer in his contempt. Guyana would not know what to do with more money. So why give it more? If that was not demeaning, then what is? They want Guyana to cap its expectations, stay silent, and go along with being ridden and insulted. Our response: to hell with that!

1992. Be that as it was, my analysis of the 2020 election or of any election was/is not clouded by my support or campaigning for Biden or endorsed candidates. It is based on objective analysis of polls and of my own conversations with voters. I am professional and non-partisan. Like almost all other pollsters, I too was wrong in 2016 when I accepted the polls that Hillary Clinton would win the Presidency. She did win the popular votes by almost 3M votes but lost in the electoral college to Donald Trump.

For 2020, after examining the counting trends on Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday, that had Trump in the lead in most battleground states, I told inquiring minds that Biden would win the Presidency based on the mail in ballots. The gap between the two contenders was not too huge to overcome once the mail in ballots were counted. Mail in ballots tends to be heavily Democratic while in person ballots tend to be heavily Republican.

Mail in ballots are usually counted last after election day’s voting. Thus, Biden’s numbers kept rising after Tuesday when the mail in ballots were being counted.

I told the many people I spoke with in India, Guyana, America, Canada, UK, and around the Caribbean on Wednesday evening that Biden would win the Presi-

dency although many insisted it was over for Biden. I insisted that Biden had a very good chance of overtaking Trump once the counting of the mail in votes came in. And sure enough that is exactly what has happened. Except for North Carolina, which is up in the air, Biden should win all of the undeclared battleground states. However, a declaration would take some days because military ballots from overseas would still have to come in and be counted. The deadline for those ballots varies until next Thursday but they would have to be post marked latest on November 3.

I published several such articles on the ICDN website as well as in the newspapers in Guyana and the West Indian website explaining why Biden would win based on voting trends.

President Trump could go to court to challenge the results and demand recounts, and there should be a recount in states with close outcomes. But the numbers won’t change. There is no evidence of fraud. The court won’t entertain requests to throw out ballots or stop counts. Trump has lost. The only issue I have is that mail in ballots should have been delivered or reached counting sites by Tuesday evening at close of voting.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Saturday November 07, 2020

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SUGAR STILL HAS A GREAT FUTURE DEAR EDITOR, I wish to thank my good friend Tony Veira for his letter in the Stabroek News November 1, 2020. This was in reply to an earlier letter of mine on the challenge in the sugar industry.

In the beginning let me say that I do not disagree with Tony on his “aqua culture” proposal.

My view is that it does not have to be at the expense of sugar. We can do both and aqua culture could be pursued in other areas of our country which will provide even greater employment and wealth creation.

Some or all the arguments

by Mr. Vieira against sugar are really managerial in content and the need to modernize the industry. I strongly believe that sugar still has a great future, its best days could well be ahead of it.

The biggest challenge in achieving a vibrant industry is fundamentally managerial.

For instance, Tony had told us about getting cut

canes to the factory within 48 hours. This is a logistical/ managerial issue, it should not be a determinant not to plant canes.

I do not agree with him that our high cost of production is as a result of our rainfall pattern. I think a lot of it has to do with the inefficiencies in the factories. A problem that could be solved with, again, management and some investments in the factories to enhance their extractive capacity.

Our rainfall issue is not a problem as Mr. Vieira implies but more of a blessing. We get two crops per year as compared to other countries due to our rainfall pattern.

Mr. Vieira hinted at the problems of mechanization, suggesting that it could not be done. However if you look at the industry in Louisiana, which has similar conditions as ours, we see quite a lot of mechanization there. The Louisiana industry found engineering solutions to soft soil condition.

We in Guyana can go to semi-mechanization. Skeldon, for instance, field design was done to do both mechanical and semi-mechanical harvesting. Enmore lands were converted to facilitate similar harvesting and also manual.

So we see that this is not re-inventing the wheel, it was being done, it has been done elsewhere in the world and it certainly could be done here.

Indeed we had gone a considerable way in this direction before the industry was struck by “PNC hurricane.”

I did mention in my earlier piece that we can produce ethanol, without sacrificing sugar production. My view is that we should arrange our factories to be able to switch quickly from sugar to ethanol depending on the prevailing prices.

Implicit in Mr. Vieira’s letter is the idea that ethanol price is stable. It is not. It is a function of the price of fuel.

That is why we should be able to switch from one to the (Continued on page 6)

Hamilton Green’s comments...

From page 4 underpins local democracy - the rule of law.

3. Loyalty. In his final paragraph, the former Mayor said that: “We are very disappointed that she is being disloyal to the group to which she belongs .., if her views were not carried she should remain loyal unless she has other options or opportunities which may or may not be so.”

I must make two comments here: (i) Loyalty is easy to be misplaced: I have always been loyal to the Council but it was and still is constantly betrayed. It is said that those, who don’t know the value of loyalty can never appreciate the cost of betrayal.

It is my considered view, and I hold firm to it, that one cannot breach personal and public trust and then raise questions on loyalty.

“If you cannot value a commitment made by someone else, your own commitments lose their value too.” Ram Mohan. If the council, of which I am a member, attempts to break the law or treat flippantly important administrative protocols, as it is attempt-

ing to do with the recommended appointments of individuals of whom we don’t even know their competencies because the recruitment process used to shortlist them was seriously flawed, then it is at the same time betraying my trust in it to do the right thing.

In the circumstance, I have no obligation to support wrongdoing but to be committed to doing what is right. (ii) Loyalty to whom? At the last Local Government Polls, I obtained thousands of votes from ordinary people, to represent them at the local level.

I must first be loyal to them.

One final point. I am surprised that Mr. Green has commented the way he did on this issue, trumpeting the virtues of loyalty.

The history of this country shows that in 1992, when the former Prime Minister had a serious disagreement with the leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, over the political governance of the party, he took a certain position and acted in a way that was out of sync with the position of the leader and the party, at that time. In

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

fact, that disagreement facilitated the formation of A Good and Green Guyana Political Party with Mr. Green as its leader and some of us (crossing over from the PNC/R) as members. No one publicly accused Mr. Green of being disloyal to the group. However, it does appear that there is one set of rules for some and a different set for others.

I close with this quote: “Loyalty is the highest virtue taught by abusers, and used as a control tool.” – Dr. Bill Tollefson. I stand by my vote.

Yours truly, Patricia Chase- Green Former Mayor of the City of Georgetown

The PPP and Vincent Alexander’s comrades are no different DEAR EDITOR, Elder Vincent Alexander recently wrote of “guiding principles” forming the basis for “enshrining of a national ethos” (SN and KN November 6).

I couldn’t agree more with that hymn, it resonates deeply.

Now, though Mr. Alexander made clear that he was not addressing the dual citizenship issue, and as much as I am one with him on “guiding principles” and “a national ethos” I must use the dual citizenship matter as basis for where my position(s) coalesce.

Though the underpinnings of the minister’s dual citizenship situation need the clearest ventilation, I maintain that currently it is a secondary relatively speaking issue; and that the coalition’s heat on it is, itself, a smokescreen, hence, troubling as to ethos prioritized.

Since there are concerns over the seemingly blatant

criminalities of the PPP leadership (and its telling silence) with Guyana’s oil wealth, I believe that that rises to a more potent ethical issue than dual citizenship, and should engage national attention and outrage for the same principles and ethos, which Mr. Alexander so earnestly emphasize.

On our oil and gold and governance and political leadership and individual cleanliness, “national ethos” must be front and center and reiterated repeatedly, building blocks savored.

What do we stand for, wink at, pooh pooh, overlook and, ultimately, pardon?

If the fundamentals of acceptable “guiding principles” are twisted to suit par-

tisan or personal purposes, then I daresay that such becomes the national ethos, which is what I insist is pervasive. As an example, I tender the return of the now Hon. Minister of Finance.

My principles and ethos do not permit me to offer Guyanese hospitality. For what Hon. Member Ramjattan states is “troubling” is a courteous understatement, since so much material wrongdoing did occur during the time and watch of the returning minister.

So, to consider and then actually bring him back flies in the face of the kind of national ethos of which Mr. Alexander speaks.

In fact, it is the kind of ethos that we have had enough of and should have absolutely no use for anymore.

As another, I am appalled that the coalition did not see it fit to comment sharply, when the Hon. Speaker reportedly said satisfaction on the dual citizenship issue.

As I gather, the Clerk of the National Assembly essentially certified publicly that there was the “acceptable.” I trust him.

Nonetheless, the Hon. Speaker should have invested his own time, interest, and intelligence to reassure himself similarly by examining related submissions himself, and then declaring his satisfaction.

On a matter that has deteriorated to this disputed intensity, and with due respect to the Clerk of the National Assembly, I would have peered.

My personal ethos would not allow me to rubberstamp anything, because it involves my people, my comrades.

A Speaker must go the proverbial above and beyond.

And now that it has been revealed that the minister in question was still a dual citizen when she took the oath of parliamentary office, she must do the honorable thing and resign.

The Speaker should apologize to the nation for sharing what has now fallen apart, given the latest disclosure.

Returning to what Mr. Alexander raised, and for his enlightenment, what we have here as a national ethos is the tragedy of a culture that lauds, applauds, and rewards the very opposite of the principles that he and I endorse, which I try to live.

More pointedly, the PPP is so far gone-through leadership, party, and settled rank and file modus vivendi - in embodying the corrupt that it cannot turn back, even it wanted to do so.

It doesn’t. And, we may part company, using the identical standards and realities, I assert that Mr. Alexander’s own group and comrades are absolutely no different.

So, the bottom-line issue and concern remains unaltered: how to get to that principled state?

Who is willing to make the sacrifices of time and treasure and talent?

Look at the feeding frenzies and yearnings, and there are the wretched answers and bodies.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

PAGE 6

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

Guyanese want principled politicians not opportunist politicians who abuse power DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese are dissatisfied with the way democracy is working. They want a new way of doing politics. In addition to regular, free, fair and transparent elections and freedom of expression, Guyanese want inclusive governance so that citizens, the press and the diaspora can participate in reviewing and implementing national policies, programs and plans.

In the 2011, 2015 and 2020 elections, many Guyanese changed the way they traditionally voted. It is estimated that at least 35,000 ‘swing’ voters (equivalent to 5 seats in the National Assembly) cast their ballots, not primarily for party or ethnicity, but for politicians who they want to practice power with good character.

This is significant because, in the new National Assembly, the difference is 1 seat and 1.38% of total votes between the PPP/C and the combined opposition of APNU/AFC and the small and new parties. In 2020, although most Indo-Guyanese voted for the PPP/C and most

Afro-Guyanese voted for the APNU/AFC, these parties could not have won, respectively, 33 parliamentary seats and 31 parliamentary seats, without significant support from voters in the Mixed and Indigenous communities who are now 31% of the population.

In future elections, more voters will cast their ballots, not on the basis of party loyalty or ethnicity, but based on the following concerns. Will politicians manage properly the new oil-producing economy? Will politicians ensure that Guyana will not be infected with the oil ‘Dutch Disease’ in the financial, political, economic and social spheres?

Will politicians smartly use the oil revenue to support a diversity of non-oil economic sectors to increase incomes for all ethnic communities in all the regions of Guyana? Will they implement policies to overcome the “preexisting conditions” of unfair ethnic and class competition, corruption, poverty, crimes and public insecurity? Will politicians end the culture of

impunity where elected politicians and public officials, who carry out illegal and corrupt activities, escape punishment such as sanctions, fines and dismissal?

Most politicians in the National Assembly are from the middle class. They are academics, doctors, lawyers, managers, engineers and teachers.

They have social status, post-secondary education, high skills, good incomes and pensions, and access to economic resources.

Without question, Guyana needs these full-time professional politicians from the middle class to use their authority, influence, skills, experience and power to successfully address the challenges of an oil-producing economy, a maturing democracy, climate change and pandemics.

But we need balance by including more politicians who are workers and farmers because, unfortunately, there are many examples from oilproducing countries where most middle class politicians acted like “a class for themselves.” They did not imple-

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SUGAR...

From page 5 other, as the Brazilians do.

Raw sugar price will not always be low since the amount of countries going out of sugar will surely create shortages which would send prices up again.

In any case, my view is that we should gear the industry away from producing raw sugar to the multitude of products that it can do. In my previous piece I mentioned some of the value added products we can pursue.

The issue is management on firstly. We have to have the right people for the jobs. I am not convinced that this is the case at the moment. We are not tapping into all the rich experience that we have avail-

able here, mainly highly skilled Guyanese are “kicking bricks.”

Instead we have some persons in place who seem woefully short or totally lacking in the skills needed for this major effort to turn the industry around.

I spoke about attitudes both on the side of the managers and workers. For the industry to go forward sacrifices have to be made in this period. The industry is almost on its back and therefore we should ask management and senior persons to take a salary cut, to show total commitment to our cause. We can’t pay the same salaries as when the industry was vibrant.

This is important since it

is clear that the workers would also have to be asked to sacrifice too in terms of wages at this time. We must not put all the burden on the workers.

Moreover we must not confine ourselves to one form of ownership. We can have a rich mix. State owned, the factories, joint ventures, private and cooperative ownership in agriculture and in the production of new products.

Joint ventures and or private in a new distillery, in a new refinery and other products.

There are many other forms that can be explored.

To conclude I believe that we need a strong technical team in the field as well as in the factory to improve processes and to cut costs.

Guysuco could save millions in switching to liquid fertilizers, which we can produce ourselves. Another area where we can save a lot is in procurement, from where we purchase inputs could create significant savings, which the industry badly needs.

Failing to tackle these problems the people’s problem being the most important now will only result at throwing money at the problem. It is a path to failure and to the demise of the industry.

We must avoid that, we can avoid that and Guysuco can take its place once again.

Yours truly, Donald Ramotar

ment policies to overcome the social and economic inequalities that are a burden on the overwhelming majority of the population who are working people, the unemployed, the under-employed, the dispossessed, the marginalized, the poor and the hungry.

Now, more than ever, Guyanese want principled politicians not opportunist politicians who abuse power.

Opportunist politicians come from all political parties, ethnicities, classes, genders, ideologies, ages, sizes, shapes and colours. While they appear to listen to people and they talk about democratic reforms, about fighting poverty and corruption, and about defending human rights, in reality, their actions expose their true character.

They are preoccupied with using power to serve their own self-interests, and on facilitating unfair advantages for their families through nepotism, and for their friends and associates through cronyism.

They participate in and accommodate grand and petty corruption and quietly justify the paying of bribes supposedly to avoid bureaucratic delays.

With impunity, they break or go around the rules. They discourage and obstruct investigations into how some politicians and officials have acquired wealth. They try to exclude or control how civil society organizations could participate in finding solu-

tions to the nation’s problems. They usually ally with foreign and diaspora ‘carpetbagger (dishonest)’ investors who want to take advantage of Guyana.

Most times, opportunist politicians get away with illegal behavior because some of their party supporters and some members of their ethnic community make excuses for them and do not call them out to be accountable for their wrongdoings.

Principled politicians, on the other hand, practice power for the benefit of the people. Although many have experienced social mobility into the middle class, they never forget where they come from.

They are admired because they are honest, caring, fairminded, humble, authentic, courageous and forward-looking.

When they see something is wrong, they do not look away but they do something to stop or change it.

They practice accountability and transparency and ensure that all laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.

They are preoccupied with addressing the needs, hopes and the interests of the overwhelming majority of the nation who are workers, famers, the poor, the unemployed and the dispossessed.

They work to create a diversified, sustainable and inclusive economy to provide more jobs especially for women and youth, to en-

hance public safety, to minimize corruption, to strengthen public institutions, to significantly reduce poverty and income inequality in all ethnic communities, to improve public services and to establish world-class education and healthcare systems.

Principled politicians work to implement Article 13 of the Constitution which mandates that all citizens’ organizations must be involved in the management and decision-making of the State.

They support the creation of a level-playing-field for all ethnic communities and classes to equally access government patronage, state land, tax incentives, public contracts, local services, public service jobs, fair wages, professional jobs,

business and educational opportunities, financing, markets, and drainage and irrigation services.

Principled politicians work to end the strained and confrontational relations between the PPP/C and the APNU/AFC. They believe in making the Guyana dream a reality when, all the sons and daughters of our ethnic communities and the diaspora, will sit equally, in sisterhood and brotherhood at the decisionmaking table, and use their wisdom and their good characters to chart the economic, social, political and constitutional future of the nation.

Yours truly, Geoffrey Da Silva

Govt. to close loopholes in Liza permits...

From page 3 flaring. It is also expected to establish a framework for a carbon price in line with international standards.

ExxonMobil had intended to preserve loopholes in its future projects which it exploits in the Liza Phase One permit to flare natural gas.

The Payara production license has put a 60-day cap on startup flaring, and includes emergencies, maintenance and restart as “special circumstances.” ExxonMobil will also be expected to report all instances of gas flaring within 24 hours, whether allowed or not, and explain why such flaring has occurred.

Notably, ExxonMobil has been flaring at its Liza-1 operations all year.

The other environmental issue which made headlines during the review of the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP) is that of the treatment of produced water.

Government said that it has required Exxon to include tie-in points and space for produced water injection equipment, in its base design.

Government intends to oversee a study to be conducted by Exxon by the first quarter of 2021 to examine the safe and efficient reinjection of the produced water, and determine the effects of the reinjection on the reservoir. The Payara licence states that the study will also seek to determine how the effects of dumping produced water in the ocean can be minimized.

Government said that this is in keeping with its commitment to preserve marine life and

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo water quality.

Notably, ExxonMobil has been dumping thousands of barrels of produced water into the ocean every day, at its Liza Phase One operations.

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PPP leaders secretly gave away our US$ billion dollar oil blocks free to persons who had no cash or experience in the oil sector.

And on top of this, Guyana owes hundreds of millions to these owners. Can somebody, anybody, answer that question?

PAGE 07

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Jagdeo says... Govt. will soon identify

evaluators for oil sale bids V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo has given his assurance that the government will release the identities of the evaluators under the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), who will select the trader to sell Guyana's share of oil. “ We d o n ' t h a v e a problem with releasing the names of the people. We'll get the names to you shortly,” the VP said during an engagement with the press at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), yesterday. The VP's decision to release the names of the evaluators comes after months of resistance from NPTAB. In fact, in May of this year, Kaieteur News had asked the former Deputy Chairman of NPTAB, Mark Bender, to confirm if guidance would be provided by international consultants who have experience in detecting fraudulent or corrupt traders.

Bender had declined to provide details on whether they are local or international, information on the experience of the individuals, and their qualifications, making it clear that he would not be answering those questions.

Anti-corruption advocates have argued that details on those tasked with

selecting the traders should be publicized, as it ensures that those evaluators are competent enough in selecting a winning trader.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

In its pursuit of a marketer for Guyana's share of the Stabroek Block oil, the Energy Department had said that it would be doing a thorough background check on all bidders.

When the Expressions of Interest was first released in February by the Energy Department for applications to market Guyana's crude, the procuring agency was keen to note that the applicant must demonstrate that it has at least five years of experience in crude oil marketing and trading, and provide copies of its Certificate of Incorporation.

Applicants were also required to provide details of their capabilities and the volume of crude oil trading and marketing done by geography, over the last five years.

The Energy Department also said it wanted to see details of previous experience in introducing a new grade into the market as well as the applicant's Code of Conduct Statement.

Significantly, bidders were asked to make provisions to allow the Department of Energy to

verify all claims made in submission, and also, to verify that the bidders' organization is not in receivership, or the subject of any form of insolvency of bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings.

A written statement confirming that the bidders do not have any director who has been convicted in any country for a criminal offence relating to fraud or any financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation or falsification of facts relating to any matter also has to be provided.

Accompanying that statement it said, should be details of any pending litigation the bidder may or may not have.

Kaieteur News understands that the successful candidate will be required to provide support to the Energy Department in all operating and back office responsibilities of managing crude sales and for each individual lift from the Liza Destiny, Guyana's first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The successful crude marketing agent would also have to support the Energy Department in the first year of introduction of the Liza grade in multiple geographies and refinery systems, and work closely

3 new Covid deaths push death toll to 134 - Moblissa toddler tests positive

T

he Ministry of Health (MOH) y e s t e r d a y announced three new COVID-19 deaths, pushing Guyana's death toll from the pandemic to 134.

It was reported that the first death was a 74-year-old woman from Moblissa, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), who died while receiving care at the Wismar Hospital.

Sources told Kaieteur News that the woman's entire family, consisting of 11 persons, were also found to be COVID-19 positive, after tests were carried out.

The family members

testing positive included her two-year-old grandchild.

It was stated that the woman was admitted to the hospital where her daughter was also a COVID-19 patient since October 29th.

The woman died right next to her daughter. She was recorded as Guyana's 132nd COVID-19 death. The 133rd death was a 56-year-old man from Region One (BarimaWaini), who died while receiving care at a medical facility.

The 134th COVID-19 death was a 58-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and is not reflected in the ministry's

daily dashboard update.

Additionally, 64 new COVID-19 cases was recorded yesterday, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 4,457 as indicated in the MOH's daily dashboard update.

Further, the dashboard stated that 11 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, 74 in institutional isolation, 770 persons in approved home isolation and 42 in institutional quarantine.

To date, 3,467 persons have recovered from the virus while 21,372 persons have been tested nationally.

The Liza Destiny FPSO, the vessel that stores Guyana's share of oil with the Department in understanding the behaviour and yields of the Liza Blend and how these affect pricing differentials.

Of note is the fact that it will have to conduct training sessions for personnel attached to the department in matters relating to crude oil supply and trading

fundamentals, and more specifically, those relevant to the Liza grade pricing.

Kaieteur News understands that the crude marketing agent would have to use all reasonable efforts to provide relevant information, documentation and/or training in a timely manner for Energy

Department personnel. The contract is expected to last for 12 months.

SOME ROTTEN TOMATOES Based on extensive research, Kaieteur News has already found that many of (continued on page 13)

Govt. to seek out beneficial owners of oil blocks

V

ice President, D r. B h a r r a t Jagdeo who holds an oversight responsibility for the oil and gas industry, disclosed yesterday that the government will be making efforts to ascertain the beneficial owners of Guyana's resources, with first priority being given to the owners of the nation's oil blocks.

During a press conference held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Dr. Jagdeo said that the government intends to have a greater understanding of the ownership structure of the companies with the said licences. He noted that this is important for transparency and for taxation purposes.

Jagdeo said that while a number of the companies which are operating Guyana's oil blocks are registered in tax havens, including Barbados and the Cayman Islands, the government will ensure it goes after their information to ensure they pay their fair share of taxes.

Further to this, the Vice President was reminded that Guyana as a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is required to make public, the names of the beneficial owners before

year-end.

Asked if Guyana will be able to meet this deadline, Jagdeo said it may be possible. He added that it would be problematic to get this done in two months for the mining sector but “first

The EITI further noted that its standard requires public officials, also known as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), to be transparent about their ownership in oil, gas and mining companies.

priority is oil and gas.”

Kaieteur News would have reported that the call for the release of information on beneficial ownership was made by EITI last month.

The international body had said it decided to crack down on this global problem since hidden identities in the extractive sectors only help to feed corruption and tax evasion. It also added that people who live in resourcerich countries are at particular risk of losing out when facing this problem as extractive assets are too often mis-allocated for corrupt reasons.

The international watchdog said that this information, once provided by its members, will be publicly available and will be published in EITI Reports and/or public registries.

Once published, EITI said, law enforcers, civil society and others have a responsibility to scrutinize the information, and take action to hold to account those who misuse anonymous companies. It should be noted that countries which fail to honour the requirements of the international body could face expulsion.

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Is Jagdeo the chief cook and bottle washer?

T

he PPP/C will h a v e t o eventually make a decision about the continued presence of Bharrat Jagdeo within the government. It does appear as if he is wielding too much power and influence and, unfortunately, this is being done to the detriment of the image of the President. Jagdeo's continued involvement in the government will undermine any good intentions of the incumbent President.

Ye s t e r d a y, Vi c e President Jagdeo called a press conference. He dealt with issues which he ought not to be addressing. He should not be making any pronouncements in relation on the question of the renouncement of dual citizenship of the Minister of Tourism. That is a matter which should have been left to the Attorney General.

Jagdeo should not be calling any press conference.

Even if he had the approval of the President to do so, it makes the President appear poor in the eyes of the public.

Jagdeo is believed to have been involved in the negotiations which concluded with the approval of the permit for the Payara Field Development Plan.

That was a major disappointment, and the outcome represented a major disappointment.

Even more frightening is the possibility that Jagdeo may have a role to play in the gas to shore project. This is a major infrastructural initiative which should be kept far from him. He is once again conjuring over-

Dem

boys seh...

D

em boys hear how de Son of Ram or Ram's Son used to play lil bat and ball. But dem boys nah consider he an expert in sport.

Dem boys did remember when he resign from de parliament and went and study oil and gas. When he come back dem boys feel that he would ah be the best person fuh head de Ministry of Natural Resources.

Instead dem give it to a teacher. Dah nah mek no sense.

Now dem boys learn how

bloated expectations that implementation can start next year and the project completed within three years. He must be dreaming like how he was in relation to that behemoth which was built under his watch: the Skeldon Sugar Factory.

The Skeldon Sugar Factory was a disaster from the moment it was conceived under Jagdeo. It was chiefly responsible for the closure of the Skeldon Factory and the bankrupting of private farmers in that area, the same farmers which the Minister of Agriculture is now trying to woo to return to the land.

After the Marriot model was exposed, Jagdeo should have been kept clear of involvement in any major projects. The model and that of the Berbice River Bridge should have disqualified Jagdeo from any future involvement in any major infrastructural project.

Another of his pet projects was the Amalia Falls Hydroelectric Project.

That too was still-born. The developers walked away after they were unable to gain the support of the Opposition. No developer is going to come on board to resurrect this project. Not for a government which holds a one-seat majority in the National Assembly. Jagdeo must again be dreaming if he believes that this project will get off the ground.

That ship has sailed a long time ago. Technology has overtaken that project.

Electricity can be generated and distributed far cheaper from solar power and it can be generated in the same

quantities. And there will be no need for any BOOT model. Private investors will come and install solar farms which will generate all the energy the country needs and at a cheaper cost than the beleaguered Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project.

No Minister of Finance was initially appointed, something unheard of in a country. And none has been appointed because Ashni Singh, a Jagdeo protĂŠgĂŠ, is a Senior Minister within the Office of the President.

Why the President would have to revert to Ashni Singh is beyond comprehension.

Was there no one else who was suited for this position? I sense that many Guyanese are uncomfortable with old Ministers returning, especially after they would have taken up appointments outside of Guyana. My sense is that the majority of people feel that others should be given a chance. They want someone with fresh ideas rather than the same old persons and their tried and tested methods.

President Ali is not in touch with how persons in the country feel about the involvement in his government of persons who were ministers under Jagdeo.

The handing of the post of Permanent Representative to the United Nations to a former Minister of Foreign Affairs under Jagdeo, and the appointment of Robert Persaud as Foreign Secretary have both attracted strong criticism on social media.

During the preparation of the Budget. Jagdeo was publicized in discussions

Bat and ball nah mek yuh suited fuh Minister wuk de Short Man come back too.

And is like he get back he old wuk.

So dem boys asking what so special dat he can get back he old wuk and de Son of Ram or Ram's Son could not have been appointed as the Minister of Natural Resources.

Dem boys certain that if de Son of Ram or Ram's Son did get responsibility fuh oil and gas, dat Guyana would have gotten a better deal from de negotiations about Payara. Instead we gat to suck salt. And all because the power is being held in a

small circle of persons.

Dem boys watching Prezzie though! He mek a smart move. He hold on to the Minister of Finance wuk.

He nah allowing Short Man fuh tek orders from nobody other than he. And you know and me know who is capable of trying fuh pass orders pun de Short Man. De Prezzie mek a chess board move deh. But it would ah be best if he castle de other King wah deh pun de chessboard.

Talk half and wait fuh see weh de Short Man office gan be located!

with staff of the Ministry of Finance. This suggested that he was the main mover behind the Budget.

However, when the time came for the Budget speech to be read, the honour (or dishonour) fell to the Minister of Infrastructure, Juan Edgehill. Why did the Vice President not present the Budget seeing that he was photographed scrutinizing numbers?

One of the most important positions, that of Natural Resources, is being held by a newcomer to

ministerial office. Now, instead of Ashni Singh being made the substantive Minister of Finance, he has been given the title of a Senior Minister within the Office of the President.

Since when there are senior Ministers and junior Ministers? There is supposed to be a Minister and a Minister within the Ministry. To make Ashni Singh a Minister within the Office of the President means that the President is the substantive Minister of Finance.

If the President is the substantive Minister of Finance, then what role is Jagdeo playing in the financial affairs of the country? Is he the government's chief cook and bottle washer?

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Saturday November 07, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Lewis, Kwayana, Alexander: The facts and the truths of Guyana I

n response to me, Lincoln Lewis wrote in the October 20th edition of the Kaieteur News, in its letter pages that: “At no time have I called on President Granger to investigate [Justice Claudette] Singh and GECOM for improprieties.”

Here is what Lewis said in an interview with Mr. Benschop on Benschop Radio on July 28th when the entire country knew that the election drama had come to an end and the PPP will be

declared the winner: “The Constitution spoke about a President. And that President h a s E x e c u t i v e responsibilities and duties if the Elections Commission's actions are inimical to the interest and intent of the Constitution and the ethos of this country, then he will have to take action.

Whatever form it is. We can't have an election that is marred with discrepancies that we consider as rigged.

Mr. Granger will have to take action, if the Elections

Commission fails the people of the country.”

Even the most foolish mind once they understand the English language would understand that should the President take action against GECOM, his dragnet has to include the Chairperson of GECOM. This was the same Lewis that since March 4th had used superlative vocabulary to praise the GECOM chairperson, Claudette Singh.

On July 28th, he was urging the President to take

action against Singh. It is not incorrect to single out Singh because action against GECOM would start with Singh who is the head.

I write this reply not because I want to engage Lewis. I have no regard and respect for Lewis. Lewis is a footnote in Guyanese h i s t o r y. I p e n t h i s clarification here so young minds can see the type of dangerous minds that drive an equally dangerous narrative that if not countered will eventually destroy this country.

Next is Eusi Kwayana. Categorized as one of the most racially divisive characters Guyana birthed, Kwayana has shades of barefacedness about him.

In this newspaper on November 2nd in response to my criticism of him, Kwayana wrote: “I strongly disagree with anyone who suggests that as a nonresident I have the same vantage point.”

This is the nonsense and barefacedness he has repeated four times in his published letters to me. His stuck record goes this: “I do not have the facts from where I sit to comment on if the election was rigged.”

M r. K w a y a n a i n shameless ways has commented on several events since March 4 when Mingo started his nonsense.

Since March to November, Kwayana has written about 8 letters more than he has ever written in the five years the APNU+AFC held power.

Kwayana doesn't know what went on with the elections but he knows almost everything else including what Joe Harmon

accused two current ministers of; foot-dragging in the investigation of the two cousins killed; inappropriate comments by GECOM chairman, PM Ralph Gonsalves on the election; the reason why the

Frederick Kissoon U n i t e d States supported the election results in favour of the PPP/C and several other subject-matters. This is the Kwayana we all thought was an icon.

F i n a l l y, Vi n c e n t Alexander. Readers need as much exposure on the deceptive politics of this GECOM commissioner.

Alexander wrote in the November 1 edition of this newspaper that he refuses to engage me on my criticism of former President Forbes Burnham.

But as usual, Alexander thinks that Guyanese are fools; they won't detect his warped attitude.

Here is Alexander's glaring, sickening propaganda: “That Burnham made National Service compulsory is another of Freddie`s untruths. National S e r v i c e w a s unapologetically compulsory for those who were benefiting from free

university education.”

This is morbid deception. Burnham introduced National Service at UG in 1976 at a time when UG education was paid for. I was a student then, paying my fees. What Burnham did is that he scrapped paid education and in lieu of payment introduced compulsory national service.

That Alexander can defend this psychotic decision of Burnham exposes the totalitarian mind set. My denunciation of Burnham's dictatorship to which Alexander replied in his November 1 missive was ensconced in the theory that Burnham had no moral and legal authority to introduce fundamental changes in Guyana because he could not win a mandate from the Guyanese people.

I further argued that in rearranging Guyanese society, Burnham refused to consult major political stakeholders like the PPP which responded to compulsory national service by producing an excellent booklet on national service,

by Mrs. Janet Jagan denouncing it in harsh terms.

Alexander will reply to this column but he will never comment on who gave Burnham the right to introduce compulsory national service at UG, ban Walter Rodney from teaching at UG and the creation of PNC paramountcy. Each time he propagandizes, I will expose him.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

MACORP to supply 10MW of power by month end - five new Wartsila generators arrive

The current PPDI-managed power plant at Garden-of-Eden, EBD that has been there since the 90's

The new Wartsila generator sets that have arrived at Garden of Eden

B

y the end of November, the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) is expected to supply an additional 10MW of electricity to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

These and other details w e r e s h a r e d b y Vi c e President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press engagement yesterday.

The VP reminded the reporters of the US$50M generating complex that Finnish company, Wärtsilä,

was selected to build at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara.

The power plant, which is set to supply 46MW of energy to the grid, will operate on five of Wärtsilä's 34DF dual-fuel engines that will initially run on liquid fuel, and on natural gas when that becomes available.

Unfortunately, however, it will take another five months before the country can utilize those US$50M engines, the VP indicated to the press at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

“Right now,” Jagdeo articulated, “the 46MW engine is here in the country, but it will have to sit and wait for as much as five months, while the civil works are being done to accommodate the foundation works for the engines. A lot of work has gone into that; to sort out the pieces.”

He went on to indicate that at that juncture, the government realized that there was not power in the system, “because when you take away some of the units for maintenance you'll

remain with a capacity that almost mirrors peak demand,” Jagdeo added.

It is in wake of the power inefficiency that the VP justified the reasoning for the additional supply of 10MW by MACORP. “ We s t a r t e d w i t h Giftland for 5MW of power,” the VP reminded, while adding that the recent move for additional power supply is to ensure that the country has enough power

for the Christmas holidays and the New Year, pending the establishment of the major base-load capacity.

Meanwhile, the stateowned Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) yesterday announced the arrival of five of the 9.3 Megawatt (MW) Wartsila generators.

GPL explained that these are for the new Garden of Eden power plant that is currently under

construction.

“The arrival of the new units is in keeping with our company's commitment to boost generation capacity and provide customers in the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) with reliable electricity.

The new plant is on schedule to be completed and become operational during the second quarter in 2021.”

Police investigating 2016 contract for...

From page 2 consideration.

The PPP/C Government has since moved to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the design and construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

That bridge will have a lifespan of at least 50 years and will be a four-lane, highspan, fixed bridge from Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara to La Grange, West Bank Demerara.(DPI)

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Eccles couple was alive when deadly fire started - PM report says T

he post mortem examinations of the Eccles couple whose burnt bodies were discovered Tuesday night, have found that they were alive when the fire started.

According to a police statement, Dr. Nehaul Singh performed the PMEs on Cindy Moses, 36, and Leeroy King, 34, both of Lot 1139 Block EE, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, whose deaths occurred at the same address.

The PMEs were conducted at the Memorial Gardens and Crematorium Mortuary.

“The bodies were shown to both family members respectively as the two persons who would have perished in the home,” the police said.

Family members identified King by a tattoo on the right leg. However, Moses was burnt beyond recognition making identification difficult.

“The cause of death was given as smoke

inhalation and burns about the body, also both persons were alive when the fire started.

The bodies were handed over to relatives for burial,” the police said in its statement. King owned and operated a barbershop while his spouse, Moses, owned a stationery shop at Diamond.

The two were reportedly together for two years and had only recently moved into the Eccles new scheme neighbourhood.

They have been building their home.

Neighbours had seen the couple's two-storey unpainted house on fire at around 20:45 hrs.on Tuesday and alerted the Fire Department.

Fire fighters, along with police ranks, arrived at the scene shortly after.

About an hour later, the blaze was put out.

Police then entered and found the bodies of King and Moses lying on a bed in one of the bedrooms on the

Dead: Cindy Moses upper flat of the building.

The man was said to be holding Moses in a tight embrace.

In a report, sent out by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the incident is being labeled as an alleged murder/suicide case.

B a s e d o n investigations, it was reported that King arrived home at around 19:15 hrs. that evening. Shortly after, one of the neighbours recalled hearing screams, suspected to be that of Moses.

Govt. will soon identify evaluators...

From page 8 the companies bidding to market Guyana's oil have a troubling history of corruption. Companies including Gunvor, Shell, Petrobras, Sinochem, Vitol SA, Glencore PLC, and Mercuria Energy Group are just a few of the companies

with a notoriously corrupt past that submitted bids to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.

Public documents show for example that three of the world's largest commodities trading firms – Vitol SA, Glencore PLC and Mercuria

Energy Group have used intermediaries to funnel over US$31 million in bribes to corrupt Petrobras employees in order to win massive contracts, along with acquiring other benefits. Many other companies share similar troubling stories.

Dead: Leeroy King There was then a brief period of silence followed by a loud explosion and flames were seen coming from the upper flat of the house.

The tragedy which has left family members of b o t h v i c t i m s dumbfounded, has also left King's three young kids orphaned.

King and his children in happier times

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

St. Cuthbert's shelves schools' reopening plans amid outbreak D

u e t o a n outbreak of COVID-19 cases in St. Cuthbert's Mission, Mahaica River, students who were set to return to school on Monday will be unable to do so.

This is because a full lockdown that will last for two weeks has been ordered on that indigenous c o m m u n i t y, e n f o r c i n g stringent social distancing protocols to curb the spread of the virus.

Schools were awaiting the green light for reopening from the Health Ministry, which was given in the Official Gazette of COVID19 measures for the month of November.

However, it was noted that this reopening will be conditional, meaning that strict COVID-19 measures must be exercised to ensure the safety of the returning students.

After receiving the goahead, the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, had announced that schools will be opening on November 9, which will see 21,000 students returning to school.

The re-opening targetted Grades 10, 11 and 12 students as well as technical vocational students, mainly because of the 2021 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency

…2-week lockdown ordered

St. Cuthbert's Mission has gone on a two-week lockdown after a COVID-19 outbreak Examination (CAPE) assessments which require face-to-face classes for specific components.

Before the news of the lockdown broke, many parents had already contended that they will not be sending their children to school since they feared them putting themselves at risk of contracting the virus and even bringing it home to other family members, especially the sick and the elderly.

A 41-year-old mother of three who gave her name as Sunita had expressed her alarm to this publication.

“When I heard that teacher get the virus I knew it was a no-no. I could never send my child to school like that.

It probably already spread to other teachers and if they get direct contact with my child that is more than putting her at risk,” the woman said.

She said that even though she'd be skeptical about sending her child, who is a fifth form CSEC student to school even after the lockdown, she understands the need for face-to-face classes to complete her School-Based Assessments.

Other residents have since shared that despite the lockdown they were encouraged by regional education authorities to ensure their children work assiduously while they are at home because the two-week setback can and will affect some of them.

Initial reports given to this publication by health officials stated that 58 persons tested positive for the virus within one week and of that number three were teachers, one was a village councillor and several health workers tested positive as well. This was before the lockdown orders

were issued.

The health officials disclosed that the number is expected to rise since the tests are being conducted in batches and the community has over 1,500 residents.

The first batch of tests conducted had shown 25 persons testing positive and the second batch revealed

another 33 cases.

Kaieteur News understands that the first person who recently tested positive for the virus is being housed at the Liliendaal Infectious Disease Hospital better known as the Ocean View COVID-19 Hospital.

Other persons that have tested positive for the virus

have been confined to home isolation and it was stated that if any of the isolation patients breach the “stay home” order, they will be sent to a facility at Madewini for institutional isolation.

Checkups will also be made by Ministry of Health officials to ensure these persons are isolating.

GPL launches WhatsApp complaints number for Prepaid customers

T

he state-owned Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) yesterday announced that it has launched its 'Prepaid Meter WhatsApp Service' to allow customers to make their complaints or send queries.

The idea, according to GPL, is to facilitate quick responses to issues.

“GPL will be introducing its WhatsApp Service on Sunday, November 8, 2020 to provide a forum for Prepaid Meter Customers' to

register their Prepaid Meter complaints and queries. The new feature will help our company to initiate actions, respond promptly to those complaints and ultimately reduce potential prepaid meter downtime.”

The complaints and queries must include the Customer Information, including the meter number, and can be sent to the WhatsApp number, 6994882.

The process is simple they explained. “Add our

WhatsApp number to your contact list” and “WhatsApp us your complaints or queries.” GPL noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it had introduced a plethora of services catering to customers.

For more information, persons can contact the Public Relations Unit on 225-1471, Call Centre: 2262 6 0 0 , We b s i t e : w w w. g p l i n c . c o m a n d F a c e b o o k : www.facebook.com/GPLIn corporated.

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

COVID-19 frontline workers to soon get risk allowance they have to employ. As far as I am aware, that procedure has not been put into action and, therefore, whatever they're doing is quite illegal,” Minister Anthony had stated to the Guyana

Health workers protesting in front of the GPHC

H

ealth care workers in direct contact with COVID-19 patients will be getting their risk allowance, which comes as compensation for them putting their lives on the line daily.

This was confirmed by a senior health official who also told Kaieteur News that Regional Health Officers (RHOs) are in the process of identifying these workers so that they can benefit from the allowances that will be paid out soon.

It was also confirmed by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony during a recent interview.

Dr. Anthony had said: “We are now compiling that list, because some of them have already responded.

When we compile that list, we'll start giving those allowances, once those persons are identified as frontline workers.”

The very statement was also made in September when the Health Minister

told frontline workers that the government had already started the process of paying health workers their risk allowances.

Minister Anthony had said that he wrote to all the different regions and their Regional Health Officers, asking them to identify all the frontline health workers so that the government can do the necessary computations and incorporate the risk allowance for them.

He also reminded health workers that the government had set out a $329 billion budget of which $150 million was set aside for risk allowances.

According to the Minister, there was a process that had to be followed before they started paying out the money.

The announcement was made in light of health workers engaging in protests in several parts of the country for their risk allowances and other benefits.

The protest action started in Linden when nurses from the Linden Hospital Complex staged a protest calling for better risk allowance, timely salary payments, and the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for them to properly do their jobs. Following that protest, nurses from the West Demerara Regional Hospital joined and eventually nurses from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) joined too.

The final stages of the protest action taken by nurses from the GPHC saw them going as far as staying away from work until their demands were met.

The protest actions were endorsed by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), however, the government maintained that it was unlawful and made no sense.

“I really don't understand their rationale. Because, first of all, if nurses want to protest, there is a procedure

GGMC's Company Secretary escapes execution attempt

A

senior official of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) traded shots with a gunman on Thursday in what appeared to be an execution attempt.

Nursing a gunshot wound to the right hand is Jacques Foster, 44, a father of one, of First Street, Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

The incident reportedly occurred while Foster was on his way home.

According to police, the incident took place at around

19:00 hrs.

Based on information received from the police, Foster had left his GGMC office, Brickdam, and was on the way to his residence.

Foster told investigators that upon reaching Montrose, he turned north into Broad Street, where he noticed a male standing some fifteen feet away from the corner facing east. The man appeared to be urinating.

Foster further reported that, as he drove past, the suspect turned around and pointed a hand gun at him

and discharged a round hitting him on the right hand and in the process shattering the right side of the front door glass.

As a result, Foster reported to the police, he pulled out his licensed firearm and discharged two rounds at the suspect. He then drove home.

His wife subsequently escorted him to the Woodlands Hospital where he was treated by a doctor on duty and was later sent home.

No arrest was made as investigation is still ongoing.

Chronicle.

It was also highlighted that several persons on the GPHC's payroll were already receiving their risk allowances before the onset of the COVID-19 virus in

March, however, these were staffers working in the infectious diseases and psychiatric wards.

The announcement was made by the Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, George Lewis, who also stated that 257 members of staff are currently being paid their risk allowance at the hospital.

PAGE 16

VACANCY

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Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

Excavator operators must have interior experience Please Call 644-2564 TO LET Rooms in Albertown appartment in Eccles. Call# 225-3234

Furnished lower flat at Vigilance North,E.C.D, 3 bedrooms, toilet & bath, Kitchen, etc. $60,000 light & water included. Tel# 639-9345 Furished 2 bedroom apartment-Issano Place, Bel Air Park. Parking available$150,000. Call:225-4708 from 8am to 4 3 bedroom botton flat $50,000 monthly south ruimveldt park Contact 603-2640 or 218-4636 Lot 6 Water Street Bagotstown 1 bedroon Apartment top back half Air Condition $ 45,000 1 Month security & Rent Tel#668-5835, 6998865 3 bedroom & bedroom 49 Durban Street Wortmanville 226-9560, Monday - Friday 10:00hrs - 15:00Hhrs LEGAL NOTICE 2020-HC-DEM-CIV -FD-562 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.: FD- 562 BETWEEN: MARTIAL (PAUL KEITH) Petitioner -andMARTIAL (VEDA JULIANA) nee PARRIS Respondent TO: VEDA ,JULIANA MARTIAL nee PARRIS (Last Known Address) Lot 66 Garnette Street, Kitty, Georgetown, Guyana

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

TAKE NOTICE that on the 19th day of August, 2020 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by PAUL KEITH MARTIAL, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 5th day of October, 2020, the Petitioner was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the World Wide Web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must tile an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday

8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the day of October, 2020

sworn to and filed herein on the 1st day of October, 2020 in support thereof AND UPON HEARING Attorneyat-Law for the Petitioner/ Applicant IT IS ORDERED that personal service on the Respondent of the Petition with Affidavit in support, Notice of Proceedings and Acknowledgement of Service by a person authorized by the Registrar be and is hereby dispensed with AND that a mode of substituted service of the said Petition with Affidavit in support, Notice of Proceedings and Acknowledgement of Service be effected on the Respondent by way of advertisement of a Notice of Petition in 2 (two) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the World Wide Web. AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Respondent be and is hereby granted thirty-five (35) days after the date of the final Publication within which to file an Acknowledgement of Service, a Notice of ‘Intention to Defend, an Answer and/or Cross Petition. AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that an Affidavit of Publication sworn to by the Attorney-at-Law for the Petitioner/Applicant with copies of the Advertisement exhibited thereto be deemed sufficient proof of service of the Petition herein. AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this matter is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 8th day

the 8th day of December, 2020 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown via Zoom Meeting 10: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between

LEGAL NOTICE MS. NIKITA EDWARDS GUYANA LEGALAID CLINIC ”Maraj Building” 185 Charlotte & King Streets Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel: 225-9238/225-9246 Email: legalaid@networksgy.com 2020-HC-DEM-CIV -FD-562 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.: FD- 562 MARTIAL (PAUL KEITH) Petitioner/Applicant -andMARTIAL (VEDA JULIANA) nee PARRIS Respondent BEFORE THE HONOURABLE MADAM JUSTICE SANDRA KURTZIOUS (In Directions Hearing) DATED THE 5TII DAY OF OCTOBER, 2020 ENTERED THE 6th DA Y OF OCTOBER, 2020 UPON READING the Without Notice of Application on the part of PAUL KEITH MARTIAL, the above named Petitioner Applicant filed herein on the 1st day of October, 2020 AND the Affidavit in Support of the said Petitioner/ Applicant

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 08, 2020

PAGE 17

Kaieteur, Canje giveaway...

No laws broken; no corruption V says VP Jagdeo

ice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the government intends to peruse briefing reports on the handling of the awards of the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks, to find any possible evidence of corruption.

He posited, too, during a press conference yesterday, that he does not believe any laws were broken, nor is there any evidence of corruption.

He was asked whether he would support an independent probe by a competent foreign investigator, into the awards.

When Kaieteur News first raised the issue of red flags surrounding the awards, in 2019, the then Opposition Leader had said that an independent probe would receive his support.

However, Jagdeo yesterday refused to commit to having said probe then. He said that he would not commit “at this stage.”

He continued: “We go sequentially, that’s how I work. I work sequentially.

I’m trying to find out [whether there is corruption].”

Preceding any investigation, Dr. Jagdeo said he has asked for internal documents to be prepared to give an understanding of the approval process for the awards of the blocks, the timelines for the incorporation of the companies which received the blocks, and the names of individuals involved.

“I want to make sure that the media also gets proper information from the petroleum department about their engagement.”

Jagdeo said. “I want to see how long they have been engaged with these companies before they got the licences.

Because if there was long term engagement with them, they were not new engagements that happened suddenly.”

Kaieteur News pointed out that this review being done by Jagdeo would be of his own party, which is a

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo conflict of interest.

In response, he said “that’s the first stage. I have to be satisfied.

That’s the first stage at this point in time. So that’s the first one I have to do. I am going in sequence to this.”

He further said that if reporters are listening to reason, then he can proffer a reasonable explanation for what transpired with the Canje and Kaieteur awards,

Former Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud and give them “a totally different picture of what’s taking place there.”

Thus far, he said he has found no breach of the law.

“So the key issue is – was it corrupt?

Can we find a link to any government official in this regard?”

He is not convinced, because “what has been raised [is] a lot of speculation.”

Former President and Minister of Petroleum, Donald Ramotar

The Vice President said that even Global Witness, with its strong reach and international presence, could not provide a single shred of evidence that there has been a corrupt or illegal transaction.

Furthermore, he expressed confidence in former President Donald Ramotar, who signed the Kaieteur and Canje agreements away in 2015,

just before he was ousted by the David Granger coalition in that year’s election.

“I’m convinced from knowing Ramotar,” Jagdeo said, “that there was no corruption.”

In his view, the issues raised by Kaieteur News can be explained away since in that time, before the discovery of oil, Guyana was liberal with the way it went about issuing licences.

He responded to the assertion that the blocks were given to companies which are not capable of developing them, positing that even oil majors like ExxonMobil and Total SA would take licences and flip them.

This is what the initial owners of the Kaieteur and Canje blocks did, without doing any work.

“So whether you have capability or not,” Jagdeo said, “that was never a requirement of the [Petroleum] Act, particularly in that period when you did not find oil… People would have to face a whole range of questioning, even with the transferral [of stakes].”

In today’s times, he said, there would be much more stringent measures to determine the capability of applicants before awarding licences.

In a series titled ‘The Fleecing of Guyana’, Kaieteur News has been exposing some of the red flags in the Canje and Kaieteur oil Blocks agreements.

The Canje block was awarded by the Donald Ramotar administration on March 4, 2015 days before the elections to local company, Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas. The Kaieteur block was awarded April 28th, 2015 – just two weeks before the elections – and like Canje – on the advice of former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud.

Two companies received the block with 50-50 stakesRatio Energy Limited (now Cataleya Energy Limited) and Ratio Guyana Limited.

The red flags which have manifested in both situations include that the awards were given to unqualified companies, that the initial owners quickly flipped the blocks without doing any work, that they are incorporated in secrecy jurisdictions, and that Guyana likely lost revenue due to the avoidance of an open, competitive bidding process.

Kaieteur News Denis Shapovalov

PAGE 18

Saturday November 07, 2020

Belgium’s 11.5 tonnes of coke seizure….

Atlantic Ville businessman person of interest; broker arrested As the Belgian authorities continue their probe, local investigators have arrested a broker and are looking for a businessman who is said to be a person of interest in one of biggest drug bust of that European country.

The probe is involving the Belgian authorities, the US’ Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Guyana’s Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU).

Giving an update yesterday, head of the CANU, James Singh, disclosed that two persons initially held on Thursday when the story broke- a broker and his mother- were released after new information came to light.

Another broker was then arrested. CANU is also actively trying to locate Marlon Primo, said to be the brother of local artiste, Jomo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo.

Primo is said to be the principal in a company call MA Trading, which has its business place at Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara.

MA Trading is the company that shipped the container. The container which was seized in Belgium was

ascertained to be the same one that left Guyana, Kaieteur News was told.

Belgian prosecutors said Thursday they have dealt a new blow to a recently disbanded drug gang led by a former Belgian police chief as they announced the largestever drug bust shipment “in the world,” after finding 11.5 tonnes of cocaine in a scrap metal shipment from Guyana.

Here, head of Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, James Singh, had initially disclosed that two persons have been detained.

Local investigators were trying to determine if the containers seized in Belgium are the same ones that left Guyana.

According to the story in the Brussel Times, counternarcotics prosecutors said they had tracked the transAtlantic journey of the cocaine from Guyana, and seized it upon its arrival at the Port of Antwerp.

The catch is “the largest overseas drug bust ever, worldwide,” federal prosecutors told Belgian media, estimating the street value of the drug load at €900 million. The massive load of cocaine left a

What Belgian authorities found.

port in Guyana on late October and prosecutors were able to track, following the dismantlement of a drug trafficking gang led by a former Belgian counter-narcotics chief , which revealed the existence of tight-knit links between criminal gangs and counternarcotics and law enforcement officials.

Three police officers, a

port manager and a lawyer were among some 20 other criminals arrested as part of the operation targeting the “well-structured” criminal organisation suspected of orchestrating large and “regular” drug shipments from South America to Belgium.

The record-breaking shipment was expected by law

enforcement officials as it is suspected it left the port of Guyana after the drug gang’s arrest in Belgium, with drug gangs unable to intercept it once at sea, De Standaard reports.

It was disguised as scrap metal and placed inside a steel container which was in turn packed into a sea container and loaded into a trans-

atlantic vessel. The dismantlement of the drug gang in late September led to the arrest and indictment of 22 people, with three people still in the Netherlands awaiting extradition. Following the bust on Wednesday, three others were arrested, including one person who is facing extradition to Belgium from the Netherlands.

Thousands still awaiting repayment from Accelerated

T

he repayment process for the persons who invested monies with Accelerated Capital Firm (ACF) Inc. is still stalled.

After weeks of uncertainty, the company yesterday spoke, raising hopes that they will finally be paid.

More than 17,000 citizens invested with investigator stating that in excess of US$20M is involved.

The company is warning its clients to beware of a man pretending to be compliance official, asking clients for copies o f their

contracts.

Two officials of ACF, Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael, are charged for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme in which billions of dollars were swindled out of the pockets of hundreds of Guyanese.

In a statement yesterday, ACF stated that: “It has been brought to the attention of [ACF] that an individual by the name of Rex with contact number +592 619 4545 has been contacting clients and other individuals purporting to be compliance (sic) and requesting copies of contracts and other documentation.”

The company noted that: “Rex” is in no way associated with them and all clients that are contacted by the individual should make urgent contact with the company.

Meanwhile, the repayment process is still stalled resulting in

only 27 out of the 17,000 investors being repaid.

The couple has also been slapped with two charges under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, last month.

That was the first time the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyana Police Force, has instituted charges under the AML/CFT Act. The AML/CFT Act, Chapter 10:11…the laws prohibit businesses from operating as financial Institutions without the necessary registration for regulation and supervision by the Regulatory Authorities, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Guyana Securities Council.

They were not required to plead to operating a Ponzi scheme in breach of the Consumer Affairs Act, No. 13 of 2011, and carrying on a business without registering with the Guyana Securities Council, in breach of the Securities Industries Act. Cap 73:04.

The couple denied the charges and were both released on $25,000, each on each charge; the matter was adjourned to November 2, 2020.

Attorney-at-law Dexter Todd, is representing the duo who are also currently before three different courts facing 80-plus fraud charges which allege that they obtain monies under false pretense.

They were released on $30M bail

after spending over a month in prison on remand.

According to reports, GarciaDominguez and Ishmael are officials of ACF Inc. and they allegedly lured hundreds of Guyanese claiming that by investing with their company, they would get at least 40% return on investment.

The investors were also encouraged to enlist additional investors on a 10% commission basis.

ACF Inc. is not registered with the Guyana Securities Council to conduct financial business either as an investment advisor and/or a broker.

In October, Garcia-Dominguez announced at a press conference that all 17,000, persons who invested with the company will be repaid from October 12.

The company had also planned on ceasing all operations in Guyana until a licence is granted for them to operate.

However, it was later revealed by Todd at a press briefing that ranks from SOCU, went to his clients home with a warrant to search and seize monies, electronics, and financial documents that would help with their money-laundering investigations.

The seizure of the electronics, Todd claimed, has put a halt to the repayment process, resulting in only 27 out of the 17,000 investors being repaid.

Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael.

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 07, 2020

PAGE 19

DUI driver with uninsured, uncertified car, assaults traffic cop - slapped with 12 charges; A

driver who claimed he was part of the Guyana People's Militia, has found himself in hot water in a matter of a few hours.

Not only did he end up on a video that went viral on social media, but he was quickly passed through the courts and slapped with several charges.

Keron Joseph, who told police he was a Staff Sergeant but failed to provide the documents, was yesterday fined a total of $177,500 for assaulting two police officers, resisting arrest, using indecent language and committing seven traffic offenses.

Joseph, of 181 Wisroc Housing Scheme, Linden, appeared before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, where 12 charges were read to him.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a peace officer; resisting arrest; using indecent language; two counts of failing to produce a driver's licence; uninsured motor vehicle; unlicenced motor vehicle; uncertified motor vehicle; driving under the influence; conduct of driver; and prohibition of tinted glass.

Magistrate Nurse fined Joseph a total of $177,500 for the 11 offenses or in default 4 weeks imprisonment respectively.

Joseph was also charged for interrupting the free flow of traffiche denied that charge and was released on $50,000 bail.

He is expected to make his next court appearance on January 7, 2021.

According to a police report, the incidents occurred about 17:00 hrs. on Thursday last at Cornhill and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

It is reported that Police Constable Giles was performing duties when he observed a heavily tinted motor car PSS 5836, driven

by Joseph, coming to a full stop on the road and in the process interrupting the free flow of traffic.

As a result, Giles approached Joseph and told him of the offense committed and asked him to produce his documents but Joseph refused to comply.

However, Constable Cummings, a rank who was in the vicinity, went to Constable Giles' assistance and also requested the driver to produce his documents to which he again refused.

Constable Cummings then cautioned Joseph and attempted to arrest him. Based on the video seen by this publication, in the process of the arrest an argument ensued and that resulted in a scuffle. As a result, J oseph as saulted Constable Cummings.

He was seen grabbing at the rank's throat.

Meanwhile, the two other occupants of the motor vehicle, Albert Grant and Paulette Grant, allegedly joined in and both ranks were subsequently assaulted.

The ranks then summoned assistance and the trio was arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on them and it revealed that they were over the prescribed limit.

Brazilian kills miner, injures another at Balamani Backdam

T

he police are c u r r e n t l y searching for a Brazilian man who allegedly killed a miner and wounded another at Balamani Backdam, Cuyuni River, on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

According to a police report, the deceased is still unidentified.

The injured victim has been identified as Vivian LaCruz, a miner of St. Ignatius, Lethem.

The report stated that the incident occurred around 03:00hrs on Tuesday last.

It is reported that the deceased, Lacruz and the suspect were at a shop at Balamani Landing, imbibing when an argument erupted between them.

As a result, the suspect whipped out a knife and dealt the deceased and Lacruz multiple stabs about their bodies before escaping on foot.

Public-spirited persons rushed the two to the Bartica Hospital, where the unidentified man was pronounced dead.

Lacruz was treated for his injuries and referred to the GPHC, where he remains a patient with wounds to his neck and hand. Police said they are trying to arrest the suspect who allegedly resides in Boa Vista, Brazil and Balamani Backdam.

The investigation into the murder and attempted murder are ongoing.

fined $177,500

The driver at the time of the incident with the traffic rank.

Keron Joseph in court yesterday

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 07, 2020

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 07, 2020

Saturday November 07, 2020

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Kaieteur News

49ers score with 4 seconds left to push the game over Yahoo Sports - It’s probably noble that the San Francisco 49ers didn’t want to give up long after Thursday night’s game was decided.

If you bet on the under, it didn’t feel so warm and fuzzy.

The 49ers, unable to do anything on offence all night against the Green Bay Packers, finally found life in the final few minutes. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan called a timeout instead of letting the final seconds run out. The 49ers ran empty sets and went to no huddle.

With 4 seconds left the game went over the total.

Troy Aikman and Joe Buck noticed.

Under looked safe most of Thursday night The over/under opened at 51, and was down to 48 at BetMGM by kickoff. Of all the

money bet on the over/under, 55.5% was on the under.

Those under bets looked great until about five minutes left. The depleted 49ers offence couldn’t move the ball.

The Packers started easing up, running the ball most of the fourth quarter. The Packers led 31-3 about halfway through the fourth quarter, and they had no reason to score anymore. Even when Mason Crosby barely hit a 53-yard field goal with a little more than six minutes left, it was 34-3 and bettors had at least an 11-point cushion.

Most teams at that point give up. They don’t want to take on any extra injuries — and the 49ers have taken on what seems like 100 injuries this season — and just want the game to end.

Shanahan didn’t want the

game to end.

49ers score in final seconds The 49ers’ first possession after the Packers’ field goal indicated they were still trying to move the ball and finish the game with some positive feelings. They ran an empty formation with Mullens.

The 49ers never let up.

They kept passing. Richie James scored on a 41-yard touchdown with about five minutes left. Uh oh. The Packers ran three times and punted. The 49ers needed a touchdown to ruin Thursday night for a few people. A sack by the Packers, which would have probably clinched the under, was nullified because of the defender initiated contact with Mullens using his helmet. Jerick McKinnon was

Saturday November 07, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This day isn't likely to be the highlight of your week, Aries. You may be aware of constraints at work or home.

You're quite likely to hanker for an appropriate reward for your labor.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) It may be that you've been a bit too stubborn lately.

You've been doing whatever you want, giving no consideration to financial constraints.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may find yourself in a situation where you need to choose whether or not to commit to a relationship, Gemini. Old demons could come back to haunt you, renewing doubts and creating fears about a lack of freedom.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today is going to be a great day for you, Cancer. You aren't one to embrace rules, constraints, or restrictions of any kind, preferring instead to reside in a fantasy world where no limitations apply.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) It's important that you abandon the myth that you don't have any gifts or talents, Leo. VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22) If you're waiting for someone to come and fill all of your needs, emotional ones in particular, you may have to wait a very long time!

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) If you have children, their difficulties may remind you of your own, Libra. Or it may simply be that their education brings back memories of yours.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't spend beyond your means today, Scorpio! If you happen to know some enthusiastic shoppers, it could be disastrous for your finances if you get caught up in the frenzy.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Minor tensions could arise today, S agittarius. People close to you, perhaps your mate or parents, seem to be trying to force you to

adopt a behavior that you aren't at all willing to follow.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The mood may be oppressive today, Capricorn. After meeting the challenges of the past several days, you're now in need of some well-deserved peace and quiet!

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This isn't a day for sensitive people like you, Aquarius. In fact, the one who shouts the loudest and bangs on the table the hardest is likely to come out the winner today. The air of violence will also have an effect

on you.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Some differences of opinion concerning your love life are likely to come up today, Pisces.

For example, you may find your beloved taking more liberties than you allow yourself.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon (28) scored a late touchdown that many bettors noticed. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

tackled near the sideline and the clock kept running, and instead of letting time run, Shanahan called timeout with 39 seconds left even though his team had no chance to win. At that point, under bet-

tors had to know what was coming.

Buck understood. The Fox play-by-play announcer made a joke about some people still being interested in what was going on, a refer-

ence to the over/under that was in the balance. NBC’s Al Michaels often makes similar cracks about people sweating bets late in games.

The 49ers got to the 1yard line and McKinnon punched in a touchdown with 4 seconds to go.

“You mentioned Al Michaels a bit earlier. Now I feel like Al Michaels,” Buck said, regarding his sly comments about the over/under.

“I thought you handled that very well,” Aikman said after a long laugh.

It’s nice those two could have some fun about it.

Plenty of bettors weren’t in the mood for a laugh.

PAGE 24

FIFA asked to review controversial handball...

From page 27 Bridge in their first ever season in the Champions League.

Rennes president Nicolas Holveck was livid after the defeat in London, calling referee Felix Zwayer “the man of the match”.

“I would like someone to clearly explain to me the rules for handballs in the box ... the score went to 2-0 without Alfred (Gomis, the Rennes goalkeeper) having to make a save.”

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

It was one of many penalty decisions which have angered players and managers and which Ceferin in his letter suggested was against the “spirit of the game”.

Ceferin wrote to Infantino as it is the FIFAcontrolled International Football Association Board which decides on the game’s laws.

FIFA has half of the eight IFAB votes, with the others belonging to the FA’s of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Stanton Rose officially at NCAA outfit St. Mary’s University Guyana’s electric senior men’s basketball team captain; Stanton Rose, has officially made his move to NCAA division II outfit, St. Mary’s University in San-Antonio, Texas.

Presently, he is a Global Studies student but he shared with Kaieteur Sport his intention of changing majors to Sport Science next semester.

The 20-year-old, who has experience with Jacksonville College, makes this move after a good stint with Panola College that are both based in Texas and in the NJCAA division. At Panola, Rose was an integral part of the team and in his last season, he led in rebounds, steals and assists.

With his move to the St. Mary’s and the NCAA his pathway to the pro leagues continues and he was quoted saying, “Thank you to coach Aaron Smith for allowing me to show my talent; Ann Gordon and Dave Causeway, you guys created something special. Thank you to Coach Christopher Jackson Charles, I’ve learned a lot from you in a very short time. I will never forget the teaching of Coach Willon Cameron, Junior Hercules, Lugard Mohan, Chris Bowman; special thank you to you guys because you all played a major role in my basketball career.”

He also thanked current president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Michael Singh, who also served as president of Bounty Colts basketball club, for moving him to Georgetown and allowed him to be part of his club.

Rose had created history in 2018 when he led Guyana to their first triumph in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) men’s championship in which he earned the MVP trophy.

And, Rose is determined and focused on creating more history for the ‘land of many waters’ with his aim of reaching the NBA.Going forward, he posited that he is just taking each challenge one step at a time, to the best of his ability. When quizzed on his thoughts of defending the John Yates trophy that Guyana won in Suriname in 2018 after beating Antigua & Barbuda in the CBC championship final, Rose revealed that although the Golden Arrowhead may have some great

Stanton Rose Jr. (Proof)

players developing including himself, Kevon Wiggins and Anthony Moe, the importance of chemistry should not be underscored.

“No matter how much exposure you get, it still comes down back to chemistry and that was what we had in 2018. I’m not saying that our chances will be slim going forward and I know with the personnel we have, once we get our chemistry, we will be hard to defeat and I can’t wait to play for Guyana again,” Rose mentioned.

Federer targeting ‘big’ Australian Open, says Ljubicic (Reuters) - Roger Federer’s recovery from a knee injury is going well and the Swiss great expects to be able to play a “big” Australian Open, his coach Ivan Ljubicic says.

Federer, 39, has not played a competitive match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-final, since when the COVID-19 pandemic and surgery has sidelined him.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer serves during the match against Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic.

(REUTERS/Issei Kato/file photo)

“He is in the recovery phase and I would say that things are going in the best way,” Croatian Ljubicic said in an interview with website OKtennis.it yesterday.

“He trains more and more and better and better, I’m curious to see how much we will be able to push in the coming months.

“There is a lot of confidence.”The 20-time Grand Slam champion is yet to clarify his schedule for next year but has committed to playing the Australian Open.“I certainly can’t tell today what we will do in April. I know we want to leave as soon as possible, play a big Australian Open and then evaluate step by step.“It is important to go step by step and observe rest periods. As we have always done.”

Saturday November 07, 2020

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

Williamson, Holder see through wobbly Sunrisers chase to knock out Royal Challengers ESPNcricinfo - Two Test captains saw a jittery Sunrisers Hyderabad chase of 132 through, and their shirts and hair had sweat to show for it. Brought into the side after they failed to chase 127 against the Kings XI Punjab, Kane Williamson and Jason Holder absorbed all the pressure from the spinners on a turning pitch, saw the asking rate of eight when they came together nudge 10, but finished off the game in calculated manner with two balls to go.

This was the Sunrisers’ fourth straight win in a mustwin game, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fifth straight loss after an excellent start to their season. The Sunrisers set up a virtual semi-final with the Delhi Capitals for the right to play the Mumbai Indians in the final.

Having recovered successfully from the injuries during the season to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mitchell Marsh and Vijay Shankar, the Sunrisers were now missing the man significantly responsible for their comeback, Wriddhiman Saha.

The Royal Challengers had to contend with their talisman Chris Morris’ absence, out with a quad injury. They made wholesale changes, punting on two legspinners and also getting Moeen Ali and Aaron Finch in.

An AB de Villiers special -carved over cover © BCCI

On a pitch that offered both seam and spin, the bowlers from both sides were on top of their games. Eventually, only AB de Villiers and Williamson rose above the conditions, and they had to score their runs without taking risks because they didn’t have batting cover behind them.

If Sandeep doesn’t get you, Jason will Sandeep Sharma came into the match with nine wickets in the powerplay this IPL, and Jason Holder none.

Opening for the first time this IPL - perhaps he wanted to try it sooner but his side couldn’t seal the playoff spot befire their last match - Virat Kohli was watchful in the first over, keen not to fall to Sharma an eighth time.

Holder, though, got a glove from him down the leg side with his extra bounce. He then cramped up Devdutt Padikkal on the pull, making it a third Padikkal dismissal to a short ball this IPL. Padikkal has scored just 46 off 50 such balls.

AB plays himself in, others play themselves out In as early as the fourth over, de Villiers had no choice but to eschew any risk. He would go 20 balls before hitting his first boundary and reaching a run a ball. It was imperative that Finch take the pressure off, but life at the

pitch was a struggle for him.

He struggled to adjust to the pace of the surface, and was stifled by the accuracy of the Sunrisers bowlers.

The first 10 overs featured just four boundaries, the joint-fewest in the tournament, all off the bat of Finch.

Just as he looked like he might be turning a corner with a big six off Rashid Khan, Finch holed out to deep cover with Shahbaz Nadeem defeating him with a wide one as he backed away early.

Ali walked out with a red carpet of a free hit rolled out for him, but he patted it to extra cover and ran himself out thanks to a Khan direct hit.

The Royal Challengers were 62 for 4 in 10.4 overs.

AB masterclass looms Between the Sunrisers and a facile chase stood the genius of de Villiers.

Having scored 20 off 22 so far, with one edged boundary, de Villiers was just entering the genius phase of the innings. Without taking risks - he couldn’t afford to - de Villiers still managed to score 36 off the next 21 balls he faced.

However, the Sunrisers were excellent against the others - Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar - bowling 19 balls to them without a boundary. The Royal Challengers were 111 for 5 in 17 overs.

The Natarajan masterclass There was still time for de Villiers to do damage. Teams know he can still win matches even from here, especially when he is 40-plus balls into an innings.

T Natarajan then had an unenviable task to bowl overs 18 and 20. He has had an unenviable task all season, bowling the really difficult overs for his side.

He came into the playoffs with 14 wickets to his name, 10 in the death overs. In the 18th he made it 12. Sundar was regulation, timing a chip too well and getting caught at deep cover.

The next one was one for the ages. A cross-seam yorker, dipping and beating the master and ripping the middle stump out of the ground. This just brought the total crashing down with just 20 runs coming off the last three.

Warner is sent off Mohammed Siraj removed Saha’s replacement, Shreevats Goswami, in the first over, but David Warner and Manish Pandey staged a recovery after playing themselves in against the seaming ball. Pandey broke free first,

The Virat Kohli as opener tactic doesn’t come off - Jason Holder with the key wicket, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2020, Eliminator, Abu Dhabi, November 6, 2020 ©BCCI and in the final powerplay over, Warner, too, cut Siraj for two boundaries.

Then he survived an appeal for caught behind. Or so he thought.

The Royal Challengers took the matter upstairs. Replays showed this delivery pass the bat and pad at the same time, and there was a spike on UltraEdge.

In a decision bound to cause controversy, the third umpire felt it was conclusive enough for him to overturn the on-field call. The Sunrisers 43 for 2 in 5.4 overs.

The spin choke is on That Warner wicket was huge not only because of Sunrisers’ middle-overs troubles, but because of the Royal Challengers’ attack composition. Warner feasts on legspin: he averages 61 and goes at 9.1 an over against legspin. Now they could unleash both their legspinners at right-hand batsmen.

Pandey soon fell to the pressure created. Fourteen bowls of legspin for seven runs later, he played an ambitious late-cut and toe-ended to de Villiers.

Priyam Garg faced 14 balls of legspin for seven runs himself. Then tried to drive over cover but holed out to the boundary rider. Six overs, 20 runs, two wickets.

Test captains come together With 64 required off the last eight overs, came together Williamson and Holder, two of the calmest players in international cricket, two players used to carrying their sides with them.

They kept picking the singles, not worrying about

the rising asking rate. Kohli had to eventually take the legspinners off.

With 59 required off 38, Williamson tried to hit his first boundary, slog-sweeping Sundar as he overpitched.

That took him to 19 off 25.

Back came the legspinners.

Back came the boundary drought. Back it went to 41 off 25. Out came the slog sweep again as Chahal overpitched this time.

Williamson reached a run-aball 32 with this. Now Kohli had to go to pace.

The dew began to play its part too.

Navdeep Saini and Siraj took the high-risk route of

bowling yorkers with both third man and fine leg up.

While it provided them cover down the ground, a deft batsman such as Williamson kept finding the boundaries and twos behind square to never let the asking rate go past nine.

And Holder then killed it off with two fours in the last over. The 65-run partnership comprised just two sixes and five fours.

Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 132 for 4 (Williamson 50*, Holder 24*) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 131 for 7 (de Villiers 56, Finch 32, Holder 3-25, Natarajan 2-33) by six wickets.

Kane Williamson goes high and handsome, off Washington Sundar © BCCI

PAGE 26

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

Ducati fears “dangerous precedent” set by Yamaha MotoGP engine ruling Autosport - Ducati fears a “dangerous” precedent has been set by the decision to penalise just Yamaha and not its MotoGP riders for racing illegal engines at the Spanish Grand Prix.

An FIM investigation into the use of non-homologated valves in the engines of Maverick Vinales, Valentino Rossi, Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli at the opening round at Jerez concluded on Thursday that Yamaha contravened the rules.

The sanction centred on Yamaha having not gained unanimous approval from the manufacturers’ association to change the valves from the ones it had submitted with its sample engine design for homologation pre-season.

Yamaha was docked 50 constructors’ points, amounting double that of what it scored for Quartararo’s Spanish GP win, while both the works Yamaha and Petronas SRT squads were docked 20 and 37 teams’ title points - the latter for points scored at the first Jerez race and the Styrian GP, where Morbidelli used his Spanish GP engine and fin-

ished 15th.

However, no points were deducted from either of Quartararo, Vinales or Morbidelli’s riders’ standings tally, meaning they remain within 25 points of championship leader Joan Mir. The Japanese manufacturer blamed an “internal oversight” for it using the illegal parts, but insists there was no “malintent” in what it did as the valves it used from two suppliers were designed to the same specification and accepts the ruling.

But Ducati boss Paolo Ciabatti - who also accepts the decision - fears the FIM only punishing Yamaha could lead to manufacturers in the future contravening the rules and claiming a similar case of oversight to that of Yamaha.

“I think the FIM stewards thought it was Yamaha’s mistake and made this decision, which we accept because no one will complain,” Ciabatti told Sky Italy.

“It is a bit of a dangerous precedent, however, because the riders, [though] not their fault raced with bikes that were not regular.“A precedent

has been set that could be risky in the future, because you then enter into the area of mistakes made in good faith or involuntarily and other kinds of evaluations that could possibly create problems in the future in terms of regulations.

“But we said we would accept this decision, so we will not make any protest.”

Suzuki boss Davide Brivio admits the situation is tricky, because a decision to punish the riders could “put a shadow over the championship” for whoever ultimately wins it.“We respect the situation, it’s a difficult situation,” Brivio told MotoGP’s world feed.“Whatever you do under this circumstances, with what’s happened, you would put a shadow over the championship.“If you penalise the riders, then whoever is going to win - if it’s not them - you might say: ‘Ah that’s because of the disqualification’.

“With this sentence it might put a shadow on their championship, because they scored a lot of points, heavy points, in the race where the

Ducati fears a “dangerous” precedent has been set by the decision to penalise just Yamaha and not its MotoGP riders for racing illegal engines. engine, it looks like, was not regular.“It’s a difficult decision, from our side we respect the decision, we’re happy to continue to fight on the track and I like the situation that the riders’ situation remains like this, because we don’t want any shadow.

“If we win or lose, we like to do it on track.”

West Indies contingent in New Zealand clear second Covid-19 test

Jerome Taylor took out Martin Guptill early. (Getty Images/file photo) ESPNcricinfo - All members of the West Indies team and support staff, who are currently on tour in New Zealand, have cleared the second of their three Covid-19 tests yesterday.

They will undergo their final test next week, just before their two-week quarantine ends.

The players and support staff have been lodged at the NZC’s High-Performance Centre at Lincoln University, on the outskirts of Christchurch.

The contingent can train, attend gym sessions and socialise within three bubbles comprising a maximum of 15 members until Saturday. From Sunday till the end of their 14day quarantine next week, the camp can split into two bubbles comprising a maximum of 20 members each.

Seven members of West Indies’ 35-strong playing contingent - T20I captain Kieron Pollard, Test captain Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran

and Oshane Thomas - will only arrive in New Zealand after the conclusion of the IPL, which ends on November 10 in the UAE.Out of them, Pollard, Holder, Allen, Hetmyer and Paul are part of the teams that have made the IPL playoffs. These seven players - of whom six are part of the T20I squad - will only end their quarantine on the eve of the first T20I in Auckland, which is to take place on November 27.

The rest of the tour party arrived after a 54-hour journey, including transit, from the Caribbean West Indies will play three T20Is in all, followed by two Test matches in Hamilton (December 3-7) and Wellington (December 11-15).

West Indies are the only international team to have embarked on two overseas tours since the Covid-19 pandemic brought a worldwide pause in global cricket. Before this tour of New Zealand, they played three Tests in England in July.

Maradona sedated to help ease recovery from alcohol dependency Diego Maradona during his presentation as new coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima.

(REUTERS/ Agustin Marcarian/ file photo) BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina soccer great Diego Maradona has been sedated by doctors to help him cope with withdrawal symptoms from alcohol dependency, his personal doctor said yesterday.

Alfredo Cahe said Maradona, who underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday for a subdural haematoma, a blood clot on the brain, had been sedated after suffering from “episodes of confusion” linked to withdrawal symptoms.

“He has to have treatment to stop drinking alcohol and all his family is in agreement that Diego as he is now is unmanageable,” Cahe told TyC Sports, an Argentine TV channel.

“We need to take the bull by the horns.”

“He has liver problems, cardiovascular problems. It’s not his brain on one hand, his liver on another, his stomach, it’s a mix of things. We need to clean Diego up and then we’ll see. He is still a complicated patient.”

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in

1986 and is considered one of the greatest players of all time, has suffered frequent periods in hospital over the years, often due to his extravagant lifestyle.

The 60-year old former Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors player had argued to leave the Buenos Aires clinic where he was operated on but Cahe said Maradona was in no fit state to be on his own.

“What Diego’s future is going to look like is a mystery and it worries me, he can’t go home like this,” said Cahe, who has treated the wayward star for decades.

Maradona needs to be in a place “where he has permanent help,” Cahe added.

The former coach of the Argentine national team is currently manager of first division club Gimnasia y Esgrima but he looked weak and ponderous on his last public appearance before the operation, ahead of his club’s game against Patronato.

Maradona received a plaque and a cake to mark his 60th birthday but did not stay for the game and concerns over his health grew.

Saturday November 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

February 2021 earliest for Regional Super 50 with Sri Lanka shortly after - CWI CEO SportsMax - Like the CPL, the 2021 Regional Super 50 competition will likely be held in one country as Cricket West Indies attempts to get competitions back up and running in the Caribbean. And, like the CPL that was held in Trinidad in late August, there will be no spectators.

CWI CEO Johnny Grave provided some insight as what this hybrid form of the competition could look like during an interview on Sportsnation Live on Nationwide Radio in Jamaica on Saturday.

“I think at this stage it looks like flying in the six regional teams to one country to host the tournament across two v e n u e s . We t h i n k realistically for us to put on the best tournament that we possibly can then we need at least eight weeks of preparation in order to make sure that the training pitches, the practice pitches, and the grounds are in the best possible condition so that we can sustain as many games as possible in a short period of time,” Grave said.

The CWI said he didn’t see where it would be possible to get crowds into the stadia but they would be working closely with the host

The 2021 Regional Super 50 competition will likely be held in one country.

board and the host government from the ministry of sport and ministry of health perspective to make sure that the players are safe and that the community and country are safe.

Grave said it was too early to say what the medical protocols would be but it is likely the matches will be played behind closed doors.

That said, he is not completely ruling out having people in the grounds.

“We know Caribbean cricket fans are desperate for entertainment, desperate to watch some high-class cricket, so if we can get crowds into the stadiums, working with the government and going

before 13:30hrs on the competition day will be allowed to pay $12,000.

Wiltshire indicated that $60,000 will be added to the prizes.

The tournament will be played under strict covid-19 guidelines and will take a four-game six sittings two in one out format. Action will commence at 14:30hrs.

Among others sponsors are All Season’s Racing Service, Merriman’s Funeral Home, Spartans, Gold is Money, Linden Niles, Mr. Graford and F and H Printery.

The best female player and most valuable player in the competition will receive $5,000 each.

Te a m s c a n c o n t a c t Wiltshire on 659-8672 for registration.

committee and the board of directors to put forward their recommendations about where to host the Super50 and after that, hopefully host Sri Lanka for three T20s, three ODIs and two Test matches.

FIFA asked to review controversial handball rule, UEFA confirm

Lenders Jewellery and Pawnshop supports ‘Sunday in the Country’ dominoes Lenders Jewellery and Pawn Shop has thrown their support behind ‘Sunday in the Country’ dominoes which is set for tomorrow at Pouderoyen Wash Bay, West Bank Demerara.

T h e e n t i t y ’ s representative Triscilla Beaton presented the third place trophy to organizer and Senior Organising Secretary of the Guyana Dominoes League (GDL) Mark Wiltshire. The presentation was done on Thursday at the entity’s location in South Road, Bourda.

Beaton wished the teams well and said they are pleased to be associated with the competition, while Wiltshire thanked them for the support.

Entrance fee is $15,000, however, any team that enters

through the current protocols to so, then absolutely we would try and get crowds there.”

He said that over the next few weeks CWI would be working with their international fixture list

Mark Wiltshire accepts the trophy from Triscilla Beaton.

AFP - UEFA have asked F I FA p r e s i d e n t G i a n n i Infantino to change the handball rule to stop “growing frustration” following a spate of penalties awarded for the offence, E u r o p e a n f o o t b a l l ’s governing body confirmed on Thursday.

In a letter to Infantino, UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin asked that football’s lawmakers adjust the handball rule — which has been in place since March last year — so that referees can once again judge whether there is intent when a player handles the ball.

“The attempt to strictly define the cases where handling the ball is an offence has resulted in many unfair decisions which have been met with growing frustration and discomfort by the football community,” said Ceferin’s

letter, which was sent on October 27.

The contents of the letter were confirmed to AFP’s sister sports agency in Germany, SID. The news of the letter comes a day after the latest controversial spot-kick award, which put Chelsea two goals ahead in their 3-0 Champions League win over Rennes on Wednesday.

Rennes defender Dalbert, who had already given away the first penalty which had put Chelsea ahead, was sent off for a second booking following a VAR review when a Tammy Abraham shot bounced off his foot onto his arm.

The decision, and Timo Werner’s cool finish from the spot, effectively killed off the Ligue 1 side’s chances of getting a result at Stamford (Continued on page 24)

Williamson, Holder see Stanton Rose through wobbly Sunrisers officially chase to knock out Royal Challengers at NCAA Kane Williamson and Jason Holder, international captains both, hug after seeing their team home, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2020, Eliminator, November 6, 2020 © BCCI

outfit St. Mary’s University

Stanton Rose Jr. has completed his move to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. (Proof)

t r o Sp All members of West Indies’ touring party in New Zealand have now cleared the second of their three Covid-19 tests. (Windies cricket facebook)

West Indies contingent in New Zealand clear second Covid-19 test Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.