Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 13, 2019

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Witness protection There are suspicions and fears. There are hopes that, even as circumstances narrow and reduce the possibilities, a loved one may not have met with a terrible end. If it proves accurate, and this paper wishes that it is not so, the reminder is that it is not just anyone, but a witness to the capital offence of murder, as well as the justice that is sought to settle debts due to society. For when our witnesses to judicial proceedings are tampered with, made examples of, and finished off, then there is so little room left for the survival of security, the extension of peace, and the confidence in our institutions that separate law from chaos, and man from monster. When our witnesses are forced to look over their shoulders, and live in dread for being in the wrong place at the wrong time around the wrong people, then justice is mocked and law enforcement efforts are reduced to naught. How to protect witnesses is the question? How to safeguard the crucial ones, bold enough to step forward and assist in the seeking of truth and dispensing of fair and equitable punishment is the similar severe challenge? In a country with a lot of land, there is little space in which to sequester individuals, who serve as witnesses. It is the most unsettling of ironies. In this society, the men and women at many levels in the Guyana Police Force suffer from a lack of trust, a material absence of confidence, in the minds of the widest cross section of the citizenry. And with those, there comes those dreads and woes that make law enforcement’s best intentions subject to every manner of speculation and second guessing. In this crucible of circumstances, hangs the many fates of the peoples of a country. The fate of the fallen, usually taken away with untimely and brutal finality, through handdelivered metal strikes or speeding, gas-powered metaljacketed missiles. The fate of families crying out for closure, through their pain and hurt. The fate of communities that feel vulnerable, and which reel from shock with every new assault. And, when all of those interrelated fates are taken into account, and absorbed most uneasily, there is still one more to be considered, and it is the one that brings the greatest of shivering. This paper believes this, because when the fate of the system of justice in this country, or any country for that matter, is imperiled by unknown hands, unmeasurable menaces, and unnerving considerations, then the welfare of one and all is seriously compromised. Instead of the rule of law prevailing, there follows the tyrannies of men, who will stop at nothing to inflict them upon those they determine to be threatening. And whoever is deemed threatening to interests will be taken care of, which just might have been the fatal fate of the person in that burnt out car. This is not about paying dues or debts or taxes. Although, it is feared that one young man, who worked for both the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Energy Agency did pay the ultimate price through first his disappearance, and then his suspected absence from life. It could be from the terrible hands of men committed to perpetrating every manner of injustice, without regard to limit or life. The same could be said was the fate of a young woman, who lived in Kitty, a public servant fulfilling her responsibility to her conscience, to her country. She, too, was sent to eternity in a rain of bullets and right at the gate into her home. If and when wicked men, criminal men, who may also be influential men of means and never lacking in methods, decide to take the law into their own hands and silence witnesses, then a road of scant return is the judicial reality. For when witnesses to serious situations cannot be protected, feel protected, or fail to gain protected status, then the justice system has just been subject to the worst of cave-ins, and from which collapse, the irrecoverable stares in the face. This country is in a bad place. It becomes increasingly obvious. The whirlwinds sown are now being reaped.

What a tangled web Mr. Ramkarran has weaved! DEAR EDITOR, Ralph Ramkarran, S.C. has replied to my letter captioned “Ramkarran’s misleading criticisms of Gecom exposed” published in Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, November 7, 2019 (see “would Maxwell E. Edwards accept that Justice Claudette Singh could have erred” Sunday Chronicle, November 10, 2019). Senior Counsel, here is my emphatic, unequivocal, dismissive response – NO. First of all, to be sure and clear: my point is not that article 159 (2) ( C ) is not in the 1980 Constitution. That could not be, and was not, my point. Of course article 159 (2) ( C ) is NOW in the Constitution in the Nandlall Edition (2012) print of the Laws of Guyana. My point, or argument, which is not, but which you have made disputatious, is that article 159 (2) ( C ) was not (by amendment or alteration) inserted into, and was not a provision in the 1980 Constitution, at the relevant and material date ie 15th December 1997 being the date of the 1997 GREs. It was on that state of our constitutional law, then, that Esther Perreira was decided. Relevantly, I quote: from my letter of November 7 “you see at the time of the 1997 GRE there was no article 159 (2) ( C) in our Constitution [only article 159 2 ( a ) and (b)….]. But after the 1997 GRE and perhaps because of its

vitiation that state of the law was changed when the Constitution was altered/ amended by the introduction of a sub article ( C ) to article 159 (2). THAT NEWLY INRODUCED article 159 (2) ( C )” [emphasis now added] “about qualifications of voters provides….”. True it is, that as MR. Ramkarran asserts I did “not say when it was enacted, nor did he identify the law”. I did not, because generality was sufficient; I could not have anticipated that the pure, simple, easily verifiable fact (no complication of law involved) that sub article “ ( C )” was not in the Constitution in 1997, was to be a source of dispute, contention and callous rejections of my thesis by the learned Senior Counsel. But truth be told, I am no practitioner of legislative history. So, identifying the particular “law”/amendment Act that inserted subartice”(c)” – that is much too boring, dull stuff for me. It was not necessary for the cogency of my argument. Secondly, since Mr. Ramkarran (as I understand his letter) seeks to convey in his November 10th letter the erroneous and misleading impression that article 159 (2) ( C ) was in the Constitution from the very beginning when it came into force, on 6th October 1980, here for informational purposes, is the legislative history: (i) the 1980 Constitution Bill as passed

(No 2/1980) was assented to by President A. Chung on 20 February 1980 and came into operation on 6th October 1980 by Proclamation No 2 of 1980 made by the President on 1st October 1980 and published in the official Gazette on the same day [(re) search as Mr. Ramkarran might, he would not find any sub article “ ( C )”only “(a)”, “(b)” in that OG print/ publication of 1st October 1980!] (ii) Between 6th October 1980 and 1995 there were some twelve(12) amendments to the Constitution – the last being the Constitution (Amendment) Act 1995 Act No 15 of 1995. [(re)search as Mr. Ramkarran might, he would not find in any of these 12 amendments any reference as to article 159 (2) ( C ) (up to that point there was, simply, no such amendment or change in the law.) (iii) after that 15/1995 amendment, the next amendment/change in the Constitution was in 2000 (Act 2/2000). (iv) So, there was no amendment whatsoever between 1995 and 1999 (the 4 year period within which the 1997 GRE falls). Third, Mr. Ramkarran makes the embarrassing mistake or error (as if responding to one of Freddie Kissoon’s political diatribe) of not appreciating, or recognizing, that the relevant law that Justice Claudette Singh had to apply in her determination of the legal question of constitutionality

of the qualification of voter ID card, was ONLY the law in force on the 15th December, 1997 date of the 1997 GRE. The Constitution does not apply retroactively so she could not apply the law as changed after 1997. (see Attorney General V. Mohamed Alli and others (1987) 41 WIR 176- the local Court of Appeal constitutional law case). For most lawyers, that non retroactivity is a trite proposition. Yet, Senior Counsel writes flippantly: “I am sorry to disappoint Mr. Edwards. Article 159 (2) ( C) was in the 1980 Constitution. I can fathom no reason why Mr. Edwards would falsely assert that it was not when a mere cursory glance of the 1980 Constitution would confirm that it was. It was indeed urged before Justice Claudette Singh that article 159 ( 2 ) ( C ) protected the constitutionality of the voter ID law”. Another error. Well, Senior Counsel, here is the obvious reason, yet, you cannot “fathom”! I have right here now, and before me, (as I did when I wrote the November 7th letter) an authentic, admissible copy of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (1980) “with Amendments Incorporated. Reprinted October 1996.” (And I emphasize that between the gap from 1995 – 1999 there was no amendment Continued on page 6

UG should publish a clear policy for on-campus and off-campus student behaviour DEAR EDITOR, I draw the attention of your readers to the matter involving the UG student recently accused of making “nasty” racist remarks against Afro-Guyanese on Facebook. Several, including the President of the University of Guyana Student Society and the university administration, have expressed their views on the appropriate way to sanction the student. I have not seen the student’s actual comments. Nor have I seen his reported apology. But even with that handicap, I wish to venture into the legal minefield to discuss the extent that such “racist rants” are protected by our constitutional right to freedom of speech and, therefore, the extent that the student is outside the penalizing reach of the university administration and the state. I rely heavily here on the verdict of a US circuit court, issued just last week, which conveniently summaries the

state of the law in the US regarding the limits to oncampus and off-campus speech by students (https:// www.courtlistener.com/ opinion/4675568/zulemalongoria-v-san-benito-indepcon-sch-dist/). US jurisprudence on the issue starts by recognizing that, as citizens, access of students to all constitutional rights (including freedom of speech) does not diminish when they pass through the campus gates or sit in the classrooms. Secondly, it recognizes that, apart from the general restrictions placed on such rights for all citizens, a student’s freedom of speech and other rights must be further tempered due to the fact that schools and campuses have a teaching and learning mission, which requires a special environment devoid of disruption and disorder. Taken together, these two considerations serve to outlaw certain activities and behaviours of students on US

campuses, such as noisy protest marches. Not that that has stopped such demonstrations. The on-campus legal situation is clear. The same thinking extends to schoolsponsored activities off-site. The education mission of the school continues to limit the rights of students. The more difficult question is the rights of students when they are offcampus engaged in their own activities on their own time. This is the case here with the UG student who was spouting racist remarks during his own free time on social media. Can the university penalize him? Alas, the US Supreme Court is yet to rule on this, with such cases left to the individual judgments of US circuit courts. A consensus, however, seems to have emerged in the US that should a student (offcampus and on his or her private time) say or do something, the impact of which disrupts or could

reasonably be projected to disrupt the teaching environment in his/her school, that student could face punishment by the school. The fact that social media allows hate and other deplorable speech to be widely circulated, such a law or university rule, if implemented, puts a tight noose around what students could safely post online. Of course, Guyana has the Racial Hostility Act “for preventing conduct tending to excite hostility or ill-will against persons by reason of their race.” But given what I am told about the level of racial nastiness on Facebook (as a non-user myself), our authorities apparently think it best to turn a blind eye. As for the university, it should first publish a clear policy for on-campus and off-campus student behaviour that respects the rights of students and its need to fulfill its own educational mission. Yours Faithfully, Sherwood Lowe

Wednesday November 13, 2019

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Kaieteur News

THD Parika: Where a call of nature at night is not permissible DEAR EDITOR, On Saturday November 8th I was accompanying a friend on a mission to transport a convalescing woman who had recently done knee replacement surgery on both knees to Essequibo. We arrived at Parika at 4 a.m. by car with intent on catching the ferry schedule to leave at 5am. There was a long line of vehicles, cars, SUVs, trucks etc, lined to board the vessel. Judging from the number of vehicles in the line, It

became apparent to me that it would be difficult for us to get on the vessel unless we could have gotten some form of preferential treatment. I was asked by my friend to purchase tickets for the three of us and the car. After some ten minutes in the ticket line, I reached the clerk’s booth and placed my request for tickets. I was asked the number of the car by the clerk, who proceeded to run her pen along a sheet of paper with vehicle numbers on it. After a while, she nonchalantly

responded, “this vehicle is not on the list.” I said, “ Ma’am I have a patient who recently did a surgery and cannot walk, is there any chance we can get on the boat.” She replied. “You have to talk to <r.(name of individual given).” “And where can I find Mr.——”, I asked. “Directing traffic on the boat.” She replied. After getting back to my friend with the sad news, off we went in search of Mr.

My Suggestions to Minister Ramjattan DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to make a suggestion to Minister Ramjattan. Firstly, I keep asking myself ‘Why is there no proactive method of safe guarding and educating our citizens of their basic human rights?’. Minister Ramjattan, I am not a supporter of your party nor am I politically influenced in any way. I am just a concerned citizen. First of all, your 2.00 a.m. curfew, I do not agree with it but, I applaud you for your bold stand. May I suggest to you, to make an additional effort to safeguard citizens from loud music and vulgarity. All bars/rum shops in rural or urban areas should be enclosed (once music is played). Neighbour and persons

passing by the said bars should be unable to hear anything in those bars; party goers and neighbours would be un-affected. Additionally, vehicles should be restricted from playing loud music in residential areas. Further, would you kindly make efforts to educate our citizens on how to appropriately communicate with police officers; how to speak and how they should be spoken to; whether it is legal to record them and appropriate measures to take if their basic rights are infringed upon. These are the polices that will find favor with the voter; these are the polices that will safe guard your people. Regards, Concerned Citizen

Response to Kaieteur News Article DEAR EDITOR, Please allow the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to respond to an article written by one of your regular columnists, in relation to infrastructural concerns highlighted by him. The author pointed out in his column on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 that traffic signals at certain strategic points on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara have not been functioning as they should when night falls. This has undoubtedly led to some confusion on these corridors, an issue the Ministry is well aware of.

We take this opportunity to inform the author and all affected commuters that the traffic signals are unable to effectively function, due to stolen parts. The responsible engineers informed the Ministry that the backup batteries were stolen, hence the sub-standard operation of the equipment. Editor, when potential drivers are preparing themselves to operate a vehicle on Guyana’s roadways, they are always taught to use common sense. In fact, it is one of the five C’s taught to drivers, as well as

another important one, courtesy. As the Ministry works to replace those batteries in the shortest possible time, we would like to urge all road users to be cautious, considerate, courteous and more importantly, careful. The Ministry would also like to urge citizens to remain vigilant and assist us in identifying the perpetrators of vandalism so as to maximize on taxpayers’ dollars. Thank you for cooperation, Davina Ramdass, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Public infrastructure

Bacchus. Out on the wharf we saw a character in a dark hooded jacket directing a container truck to reverse onto the boat. My friend made the approach. “Hi, we have a surgery patient in a car and we were told only a Mr. —— - can help.” The guy with the hood replied. “Mr. —— would tell you the same thing, read number 8 on the board at the gate,” and walked away. A minute later a THD worker in blue uniform passed by. My friend asked. “Hi, who is — —?. The worker pointed out the said hooded guy a little distance from us. My friend and I looked at each other, bewildered. “Let’s go to the gate.” I suggested to my friend. On the gate was a huge

notice board with instructions pertaining to vehicles boarding the boat, numbered 1 to 5, no number 8. Resigned to our fate, we went to his car to discuss with the woman, the possibility of us going on the boat without the car. The woman assured us that in her condition there is no way she could climb the two flights of steps to get to the passenger deck and that she would rather go with the first speed boat, loading from 6 a.m. That settled. I went back to the gate front to get my favorite bake and salt fish with coffee. As I was munching on my breakfast an argument ensued between two car owners close to the gate in the line and the gate security as two cars were

called up from further down the line to board the boat. I had just finished my breakfast when I saw my friend assisting the lady who was hobbling by the use of a four prong walking aid towards the gate. My worst fear was confirmed. The lady wanted to use the washroom and I had seen a padlock on it since I was in the ticket line. So I went to the security guard and told her that we have sick lady who wants to use the washroom. She told me to check with the ticket clerk for the key. The clerk said she didn’t have the keys. Voices were raised between the two of them over who controlled the washroom keys. After a while Continued on page 6

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Prof. Edward Greene is new UG Chancellor THD Parika: Where a... From page 5 the guard walked over to a tablet beside the wash room door, lifted a book and emerged with a key. She open the washroom door, our lady friend slowly maneuvered in, I breathe I sigh of relief. At that moment it began to dawn on me that the THD management seems to be of the belief that the commuters using the ferries have no right to have a call of nature before the sun rises or rather by 8 o clock when someone comes to Mann the washroom to collect $60 per person desirous of using the washroom. A notice on the wall explicitly states the price. I am aware that Guyanese are famous for misusing washrooms, this is a hurdle we have to get past. Maybe some photographic illustration on washroom usage posted on washrooms will help, but we should not lock our washrooms at night while people are commuting. Rudolph Singh

What a tangled web... From page 4 whatsoever to the 1980 Constitution; not one jot!) There is NOT in this October 1996 reprint at pages 86-87, any article 159 (2) (C) at all. This is my evidence, this is my proof. [update – I also now have the advantage of seeing the OG, “Legal Supplement – A 20th February 1980, page 80” (the Bill)] Show the readers yours. Readers, by a somewhat Ramkarranian illogicality, his argument proceeds on the erroneous premise or assumption, that the law as is in the Nandlall Ed. (2012) of the Laws of Guyana viz article “159 (2)” (a)”, “(b)”, “(c)”, is the same law as was in the Constitution in 1997. So, rather than do the logical thing and (re)search the Constitution that was in print in 1997, when, had he done so, he would have found only article “159 (2) “(a),” “(b),”, he instead takes a “mere cursory glance” (his words) at the extant Nandlall Ed (2012), and by a somewhat procrustean (as would procrusteas the monster in Greek mythology) method of deduction, torturously, and flippantly treats the extant 2012 state of the law, as if it was, necessarily, one and the same, as the 1997 state of the law. What an error! The issue is: was article 159 (2) ( C ) in the Constitution on the 15th December 1997 date of the 1997 GRE? I say, again, unapologetically, and without equivocation: IT WAS NOT. Editor, I only stir this other point (as this letter is no place for its elucidation): provisions as to qualifications for being registered as an elector for voting is not, and cannot be, as they are worded and provided for in article 159 (2) (a), ( b), ( C ) some matter of procedure. Such, is a matter of SUBSTANTIVE law which, if there is a change in that substantive law between the 1997 GRE, and Justice Claudette Singh’s decision some three years later in Esther Perreira, that new substantive law [ie article 159 (2) (c] has no retrospective applicability, generally. One final comment. Mr. Ramkarran writes in his November 10th letter: “ Now that Mr. Edwards has been shown the light of day, would he accept that Justice Claudette Singh could have erred”. A baiting, I dismissively reject. Subjecting Esther Perreira now to close forensic examination can serve no useful purpose as regards the present controversy about compilation of the OLE for the 2020 GRE. The “light of day”! Mr. Ramkarran has attempted to take us down a dungeon of deceit. His, is an obstinate persistence in incredulity, of a comedy of errors. What a tangled web of deceit Mr. Ramkarran has weaved. I will not be trapped. The article 159 (2) ( C ) amendment happened after 1999. The burden of disproof is on him. Regards, Maxwell E. Edwards, Attorney–at–law

The long search for a new Chancellor of the University of Guyana came to an end when the institution announced yesterday that its council has elected a new candidate to fill the slot. Professor Edward Greene, former UN Special Envoy and CARICOM Assistant Secretary General was selected, and will be installed during this year’s Convocation exercise at 10:00h on Saturday, November 16. His appointment comes following the end of Chancellor Emeritus Nigel Harris’ term in November of 2018. The new Chancellor is Guyana-born and attended Tutorial High School. He currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Global Frontier Development and Advisory Services (GOFAD), a Think Tank. Professor Greene also served as a former UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean 2012-2017. He was previously the Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, at the Caribbean Community Secretariat (2000-2010) and Senior Adviser, Public Policy, Health and Human Development, PAHO/WHO (1995-1999). He sports a distinguished academic career at University of the West Indies (UWI) which includes his service as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Development and Alumni Relations; University Director, Institute of Social and Economic Relations (ISER); Interim Director, Consortium Graduate School for the Social Sciences in the Caribbean (1984-1986); and appointments to the rank of Professor (1988), and Inaugural Professorial Fellow, ISER (1994). He has authored 10 books and over 60 articles in refereed journals. Prof. Greene also holds a B.Sc. in Economics (University of London), MSc Political Economy (Mc Master University), a Ph.D. (University of British Columbia) and held visiting

Rt. Hon. David Lammy Professorships at UCLA, University of Havana, and University of British Columbia. Professor Greene has played pioneering roles in the establishment of the Consortium of Graduate Studies in the Social Sciences in the Caribbean, an innovative multidisciplinary enterprise linking the Universities of the West Indies, Guyana and Suriname (1985); expanding Alumni Relations and leading successful fund raising campaigns at UWI (19891994); and expanding research collaboration and international partnerships with Universities and Development Agencies in North America , Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America (1985-1994). He is also credited with leadership roles in the establishment of major regional initiatives such as developing the blueprint for the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), designated an international best practice by the UN in 2004; the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Medical and other Health Professionals 2004; the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), 2013; the Every Caribbean

Prof. John Edward Greene

Woman Every Child Programme being championed by the Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) (2017); and the PANCAP Justice For All Programme engaging regional parliamentarians, faith leaders, representatives of the private sector, youth, civil society and key Populations (2013-2019). Professor Greene was Adviser in social policy development to many Caribbean governments and served on many prestigious Boards. These include: Director to the Canadian International Institute for Peace and Security, and Consultant to several international agencies including the World Bank, IDB, The European Union, UNDP, and UNESCO. He was a member of Member of the Commonwealth Secretariat High Level Panel for SouthSouth Cooperation in Higher Education, and the UNAIDS/ Lancet Commission on Defeating AIDS- Achieving Sustainable Health. He was also Chair of the CARICOM Steering Committee for Climate Change and Sustainable Development. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including national Honours, the Golden Arrow

of Achievement from Guyana and the second highest honour, the Yellow Star from Suriname. He also received the prestigious PAHO/WHO Award for Administration in Public Health (2011); the Sir Phillip Sherlock Award from the University of the West Indies and University of Technology, Jamaica for outstanding contribution to Health and Development (2012); the Institute of Caribbean Studies, Caribbean American Heritage Award for Public Service (2016); and the Honorary Doctor of Laws from UWI for outstanding academic and public service (2017). And it was also announced that the council has named Rt. Hon. David Lammy as the University’s First Envoy Extraordinaire Born to Guyanese parents, Lammy began serving in the British Parliament in 2000. He studied law at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. He earned an LL.M from Harvard Law School and has served as Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills and later as Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills. He had continuously maintained active interests in Guyana.

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Elections Commission explores media Unions deeply worried about monitoring partnership with ERC understaffed Labour Dept.

With a history of racial strife, election stakeholders are gearing up to act quickly if there is any incitement of racial division during the election season leading up to March 2, 2020. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has charged the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a partnership to be had between the two, according to Commissioner Vincent Alexander. The ERC had recently met with the Commission. Alexander approached reporters after GECOM’s latest statutory meeting yesterday, at GECOM’s Kingston headquarters, where he stated that the likely partnership will concern GECOM’s media monitoring division. It is to be noted, however, that all commissioners are not in agreement with the partnership.

Commissioner Vincent Alexander Alexander said that there are provisions of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act which suggest that there should be collaboration between the two Commissions on the matter of media monitoring, with a specific focus on ethnic relations.

The Act speaks extensively of the ERC’s role in fighting back at racial violence and division, including that it prohibits anyone to make or causes to be made or published, statements which can result in racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people. That law would see an offender being imprisoned for two years, and charged one hundred thousand dollars. Outside of GECOM, the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is exploring an offer from the European Union (EU) which could see the organization giving additional monitoring support to GNBA during election season. The EU is currently inspecting the broadcasting landscape to determine whether citizens have access to easy information, specifically with television, radio and cable broadcasting.

A number of unions have expressed alarm about the state of the Department of Labour when it comes to policing the workforce. Workers and employers alike have been complaining bitterly about the shortage of inspectors from the Labour Department. In fact yesterday, the General Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, said that it is difficult for inspectors to be out monitoring. “We have about five or so inspectors who are stuck in the office taking complaints. They are swamped. Who do you believe are going out? These are issues that are well known and needs to be fixed.” Lewis, who has been in the trade union business for decades, would know, as he has been complaining. Joining Lewis in his concerns is the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). That umbrella body said it is very much concerned that the Department of Labour, Ministry of Social Protection has been unable, in recent times, to adequately fulfill its mandate. “The department, as it were, followed the demotion of the full-fledged Ministry of Labour following the Coalition Government taking office in 2015. We hasten to remind that a Labour Ministry graced our national landscape since the 1950s until its unceremonious diminution.” The union body said that the department, it is well recognised, plays an important role to ensure that the rights of the nation’s workers are upheld and that they receive adequate protections at work.

General Secretary of the GTUC, Lincoln Lewis “While we know that the department continues to persevere, at the same time, it is hamstrung by a shortage of staff and skills. Over the years, many skilled and experienced staffers have ended their relationship with the department for varying reasons. This exodus has significantly impacted the department to be fully able and capable.” The department would be challenged now as Guyana enter into oil and gas. According to FITUG, the department’s legal skills have been reduced practically to zero following the departure of its legal officers. “Moreover, its out-of-town offices are particularly affected as well. It brings into obvious question where could workers turn to at this time. The FITUG has consulted the 2019 budget estimates which indicate that Programme 493 which relates to Labour Administration ought to have some 80 staffers at the various levels.”

However, in 2016, according to the Budget Estimates, the department had some 85 staffers. “The federation while not fully aware of the actual complement of staffers does not believe that the full complement is in place at this time…. Even if thefull complement were in place, the departure of many knowledgeable staffers, obviously, has not been helpful.” FITUG argued that the shortcomings in the department have serious implications for the Guyanese working men and women, especially those who belong to the unorganized sections. “The absence of seemingly critical skills to police the labour market to ensure that workers’ rights and conditions are respected, opens the doors to exploitation and unfavourable conditions-ofwork. It keeps out of the reach of the nation’s workers to benefit from their entitlements and to receive protection from unscrupulous employment practices and employers.” The body noted that the situation of course could not have come at a more inopportune time. “With the nation on the threshold of expectedly massive economic structural changes, the need for a robust, strong and fully functional Labour Department cannot be underscored or overemphasized. There is undoubtedly a clear need to proactively address the situation in the interest of the Guyanese workforce. They certainly would look to the Department to protect them and ensure that what was won by them and those who came before them is defended and maintained.”

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TOO MANY SELLERS The Peeper decided last Sunday to pay a visit to the other section of the Georgetown Seawall – the section near to the roundabout which links the Rupert Craig Highway. The situation there was distressing. The area just behind the “earth station” not far from the roundabout is overcrowded with vendors. The Peeper counted no less than fifty “cool-down carts” most of which were lined up next to each other on the northern side of the Seawall Road. All of these cool-down carts – which are really

thrown-away old refrigerators – were lined on the street, narrowing it further. There were numerous vendors’ stands and a few more cooldown carts on the southern parapet, including the section which is known as Hotel California, a favourite haunt for lovers. Lovers have little privacy now on that section of the seawall. They have to compete with the numerous vendors who have set up shop at that location. Not only was the number of cool-down carts astonishing, but even more amazing was that all of them were selling almost the same

beverages. How can more than fifty persons sell the same items on a narrow stretch of about 100 metres? The situation was quite chaotic. At some places, it was next to impossible for two vehicles travelling in opposite directions to get by each other. The police ought to make that section a one-way road. The massive number of cool-down carts, the greatest concentration of such carts anywhere in the country, really says what is taking place in the economy. It says that the small man is not doing well at all. He is punishing. The economic policies which

DEM BOYS SEH

Is thiefing all around Is always a problem when de government got to feed people in bulk. And de people who always need bulk cooking are de police, souljas, sick people in hospital and prisoners. And de people who cooking fuh these people always fat. Is like if dem alone does eat. At one time dem boys use to think that when people see so much food dem appetite does cut and dem can’t eat plenty. Of course that is not de case wid most of dem who doing de bulk cooking. Dem does eat when dem tasting de food; dem does eat when de pot finish; dem does eat when is time to share de food and dem does eat before dem go home. De hospital in G/T suddenly discover a problem. Dem boys seh that some hospital committee was forced to do a check of de food in de storage. De patients start to complain how de whole wheat bread short and when is time to fry plantain, only some patients does get. Right away dem boys suspect that is rats

does carry away de whole wheat bread and de plantain. One man seh that dem rats got to be travelling wid haversacks and back packs. De amount of bread and plantain that does disappear from de kitchen cause de hospital to increase de amount of bread and plantain it does buy. That is wha got dem boys wondering at de sense de hospital bigwigs got. If is de rats carrying away de food then get rid of de rats. But is like de hospital bigwigs decide to let de thiefing continue. Anodda thing that got dem boys shaking dem head is all dem policemen and souljas who getting involve in crime. Dem boys know is a thin line that separate de lawmen from de criminals. A soulja and he friends tackle a man and carry away US$9 million worth of gold. Some of dem get ketch and de people find some of de gold. De one who try to rob de gold dealer de odda was a former policeman. Is nuff of that going on. Talk half and don’t ask bout de thiefing.

are being pursued are benefitting the rich and middle classes and not the poorer classes. Those who wish to bury their heads in the sand are free to do so, but should not attempt to lecture anyone who has visited the seawall in recent times and seen the massive influx of cool-down carts each competing with the other for the sale of the same products. The situation there is symptomatic of what is taking place in the economy. People are hurting. They do not know where to turn to earn a living, and so they are trying their hand at vending, even if it means that they have to sell the same thing that so many others are selling. Guyanese have always been ingenious. The very emergence of cool-down carts from around the mid1980s came after round upon round of retrenchment of state employees who could not find alternative jobs after they were dismissed. These persons and others used their brains and turned unused refrigerators into money-spinners. It was then an amazing piece of ingenuity. Things were rock hard then. Import restrictions were in place. There were not many persons throwing away refrigerators. That has changed with economic liberalization. There are lots of derelict refrigerators around and the vendors are making use of them. Except it’s just too many old fridges and too many vendors. Too many sellers peddling the same products

means that everyone suffers, because sales are never going to be enough to help these persons make ends meet. It is doubtful whether any of these cool-down operators with their derelict refrigerators are making much money. Some of them should have tried selling ice-cream. The Peeper raised this with one of them, but he said that the capital costs would be just as high and once the ice cream melts, it is hard to resell it the next day. People are hurting. As you drive around many residential areas, you see an increase in vending. People are setting up little stands on their bridges and selling sweets

and bread and snack foods – anything to try to make ends meet. Others are erecting tents and selling things which they would have received in barrels sent by their overseas relatives. Dog food is big business. There is a little stretch on the East Coast Public Road between Sparendaam and Better Hope. People are risking their lives on that busy stretch trying to peddle dog food. You know a country is in serious crisis when so many people are being forced to sell cooked dog food for a living.

Two-day-old baby dies after falling from hammock Little Lance Douglas, after being born just a mere two days, died on Monday, one day after falling out of a hammock. According to information reaching Kaieteur News, the infant was with his mother at their Marabisi Creek, Mouth Island, Issano home in Mazaruni River when the incident occurred. The mother, Vinese Sutton told police that she was at home with the child on Sunday. She placed him in the hammock to lie when suddenly the strap burst causing the child to fall to the ground. According to her, she did not take the child to seek medical attention because he did not appear to be injured. The following day, both mother and child were again in the hammock when moments later, he became motionless. His body was examined and bruising was found on his shoulder and back. The family rushed him to the Issano Health Post where he was pronounced dead. His body was taken to the Bartica Hospital where an autopsy is slated to be done tomorrow. Meanwhile, Police Commander Linden Lord disclosed that they will be recommending charges as investigations into the incident continue.

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Wednesday November 13, 2019

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Kartik, a dead dog on the beach and a changed Guyana I grew up in a home with strong, practicing Hindu parents. My mom had a tiny Hindu altar in the living room. But I strayed far from religion as I went beyond sixteen years of age. By the time I became a UG freshman, I had lost contact with my parent’s religion, but still respectful enough to give my only child a Hindu name – Kavita. I did not know what the name of the day (yesterday) in the Hindu calendar was, so I had to call up a friend to find out for the purpose of this article. It is “Kartik.” This is the day when Hindus go to the river or ocean and offer

prayers. As usual, I was on the Eve Leary beach with my dog and there were dozens of Hindus on the beach with their religious articles offering prayers facing the Atlantic. Someone threw a beautiful dog right on the beach. It had died and was swelling. How can someone live with such a wonderful pet and not bury it when it passes away. Your pet deserves better when it dies. There is no question, absolutely no question in my mind that the person who did that to their pet is a crude creature far lower than the dead pet. Let me repeat what I have

written twice in these columns. I cannot support the unconditional removal of the death penalty. Some humans are savages who should be put to death by the state for insane murders they have committed. I won’t even think for a fleeting second of ever changing my mind on this subject. I write this sentiment unapologetically. There are several homeless persons I got to know from my endless visits on the Georgetown seawall. Two of them had gathered around the worshippers hoping to eat the fruits that were left behind. I approached two of them I know well and asked how much they would charge me for burying the animal, because the religious ceremonies were taking place literally yards away. One of them asked for a $1000 and I agreed. To supplement my $1000, I approached several Hindus who were going toward the water to ask if they could contribute to the cause. I was at pains to explain that the

ceremonies should not be done while a swelling dog was nearby. Do you know all of those families chose not to give to those two boys? For a moment, I wondered if it was a racial thing. But I quickly removed that thought from my mind because both homeless fellows were East Indians, though very dark from the sun they live under. I cannot speculate why they chose not to give. Maybe they didn’t have cash on them. Maybe they feel a dead dog on the beach doesn’t concern them, because they will not see the beach until another year. Maybe they thought that the seawall “bums” didn’t deserve the money. But I heard the angry words, from the two boys, though spoken quietly, each time I was refused. I honestly was expecting the incoming families to top up my $1000 because of the special day, “Kartik.” I don’t recognize my country anymore now that I am in my sixties. This is not the country

I grew up in. In my teenage years, I am certain that there would have been one or two persons that would have added to my $1000. I have sensed a long time ago, because of the nature of political culture in Guyana and its implications for social and cultural life, people have lost their sense of humanity in this tragic society. An incident occurred the other day and deep, piercing chagrin shook my soul. My psyche was lacerated because this was not the country I knew when I was a UG freshman. The incident revolved around a fine imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency on a multibilliondollar, super-rich family company. The family reacted in two ways. First it claimed that it did not have a million Guyanese dollars to pay the fine and asked for time. Secondly, it ceased operation out of vexation, putting over 500 working people out of employment. See my column of Wednesday, July, 24, 2019,

Frederick Kissoon “Coconut shells and Movie Towne: This shithole country.” Not one NGO, political party, newspaper writer, individual politician made a statement on this cruelty and the pomposity, hauteur and hubris shown by these extravagantly rich people. This is not the Guyana I recognize anymore. Back in my days as a UG student, that family would have been picketed with angry denunciation. Really! Why did Walter Rodney give away his life so senselessly? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

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Cops capture gang after Matthew’s Ridge gold heist - Joint Services rank, businessman among suspects - AK-47 assault rifle, gold bars recovered Police have detained a joint services rank, a businessman and three others suspected of being part of an AK-47 brandishing gang that had pulled off a movie-style gold heist on a Brazilian and his crew at Matthew’s Ridge, North West District (NWD). The attack occurred at around 13:00 hrs on Monday. Two of the suspects were apprehended at around 09.00 hrs yesterday in a vehicle at Arakaka, NWD. Police said that a quantity of raw gold, suspected to be part of the loot was recovered. The suspects reportedly led police to a location where the investigators recovered an AK-47 assault rifle with magazines; two 9mm handguns with magazines; a camouflage jacket and a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

Police later apprehended a Joint Services rank. An individual, who is said to be involved in mining, was apprehended last night in the area where the attack occurred. Divisional Commander Wendell Blanhum told Kaieteur News that the alleged mastermind owns a shop that is located near the area where the Brazilian gold dealer transacts his business. It is believed that this businessman had knowledge of the Brazilian’s schedule, and mobilized the joint services rank and others for the robbery. Commander Blanhum said that police have set up a “robust intelligence” network, and this led to the swift apprehension of the suspects. Monday’s drama began at around 13:00 hrs at

The unbelieving man can have no peace, and how can there be happiness for one who lacks peace of mind.

Matthew’s Ridge, while the Brazilian and two of his workers were heading to the Matthews Ridge airstrip. According to reports, the Brazilian and the two employees were travelling in a pickup, en route to the airstrip, when a gang of masked men, brandishing an assault rifle and handguns, emerged from the roadside and held them up. The gunmen dragged their victims from the pickup. While two of the gunmen stood guard over their captors, two others removed a bag containing the gold bars from the pickup. The gang then escaped into nearby bushes. Ranks from the Matthews Ridge Police outpost were immediately contacted, and, acting on information, managed to round up the gang. Up to late last night, Kaieteur News was unable to ascertain whether the joint services rank is a member of the Guyana Defence Force, and if the AK-47 weapon is an army-issue rifle.

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Bribery scandal forces UK oil firm to abandon Congo oil block Soco International, an oil company based in the United Kingdom, was forced to cease its exploratory operations in an oil block granted to it by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amidst a scandal involving bribery and intimidation of Congolese citizens. The scandal brought to light in a Netflix documentary and a brave British journalist, Mélanie Gouby, shows just how far some oil companies will go for the crude. The 3,000 square miles Virunga National Park in DRC is said to be Africa’s oldest national park, and the most biodiverse zone, not just in DRC but on the continent. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had designated the park a World Heritage Site for its rich scientific significance to humanity’s collective interest. But even though the park holds a beloved endangered species, the Mountain Gorilla, Soco and another oil company, Total, were awarded the rights to explore for oil in about 85 percent of the park in 2007. The Congolese Government awarded the concession against the warning of the UN, who pleaded that World Heritage

Sites are protected by international treaties. After the award gained international media attention, the French multinational Total, said that it would cease its operations in the park, but Soco didn’t. Soco had said that the ‘Block V’ which it was granted did not pose any direct threat to the safety of the Mountain Gorillas. Yet, several publications have reported that that area is the most biodiverse zone in the park. In 2014, an international non-governmental organization (NGO), Global Witness, released proof that got Soco embroiled in a bribery scandal. The evidence involved a paper trail and other details that armed rebels had resisted the company’s operations were paid off. The evidence also exposed how the oil company benefited from fear and violence fostered by State military forces in the Eastern Congo. The New York Times reported that villages who opposed the project had been beaten by Government soldiers. It became clear that the oil company was using state forces to intimidate dissidents as it sought access to Virunga for oil exploration.

The oil block is on a National Park, home to an endangered species, the Mountain Gorilla.

Soco paid off US$42,250 to a Congolese military officer Major Burimbi Feruzi who is said to have tried to bribe dissidents, the Global Witness stated. It is said that that was only the tip of the iceberg. Feruzi was caught on camera in the filming of an Oscar-nominated documentary Virunga,

offering a $3,000 bribe to a senior park ranger. The company had denied paying him before the exposure was made. Four years ago, Soco told The Guardian that it never denied funding the State’s army as it provided a security escort for the safety of its staff and contractors as they conducted seismic

operations in the biodiverse park. It stated “However, we strongly refute any suggestion that this funding was in any way improper or connected with alleged acts of intimidation or violence.” In response to questions about the cheques and receipts published, Soco deputy Chief Executive

Officer (CEO), Roger Cagle, had told Global Witness that Feruzi had been assigned to Soco following a requirement to have a military liaison in the region. After its pay-off of the military officer was exposed, Soco had announced that it finished its seismic studies in the area. But it had not immediately relinquished its right to the block. After Soco and other oil companies were asked by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Global Witness to make a clear commitment not to explore nor exploit oil and gas in any w o r l d heritage site, the company made a joint decree with the WWF that it would not drill without the permission of UNESCO and the Congolese Government. That commitment was tepid, as the company reportedly assured the Congolese Government that it had not pulled out. Reports had been made that the company was hoping for the government to redraw the boundaries of the park. The company appears to have felt it necessary to rebrand itself. If ‘Soco International’ is searched on Google, the results would show Soco’s new name, Pharos Energy.

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Poll – Part 2: Nation Losing Confidence in handling of Oil, GECOM & Parties

An opinion poll conducted in October by Dr. Vishnu Bisram for the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) finds that the population is losing confidence in the handling of the nascent oil industry and in Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom), the chairperson in particular, to hold credible elections. The poll also finds that people are losing faith in the political parties to economically, socially, and politically transform Guyana that is on the cusp of becoming a major

oil-producing nation. They say politicians make promises to win votes and when they get into office most promises become unfulfilled. The poll suggests that the population is increasingly losing trust in politicians, viewing them as prone to corruption and other vices, and they are losing hope that the parties can improve peoples’ lives. People see a bleak future pointing to government’s (politicians) reluctance to reopen negotiations on the oil contract that provides a potential for government to more

than quadruple revenues that will fund development, create jobs, and eradicate poverty. They overwhelmingly want government to revisit the oil contract. The poll reveals that the population is disengaged and tuned out from politics because of the endless bickering between the two major political forces (parties) following last December’s no confidence vote and the failure of Gecom to constitutionally prepare the nation for timely elections that were due last March.

Many voters say they want to punish the two major forces (parties). And a majority of the population feels it is best for the country that neither major party (force) be rewarded with a majority of seats in parliament so that there can be an effective balance of power in parliament to hold any government accountable. In fact, the findings of the poll reveal that neither major party (force) is attracting majority support, and if elections

were held now there would be a hung parliament. The youths are disillusioned with the government’s failure to fulfill promised economic opportunities. And in general, people complain about almost every issue including rising joblessness, poverty, prices, and corruption and the government’s handling of the developing oil industry. They feel the country is cheated on oil royalties and revenues. As small as the oil revenues are, people feel

oil funds should be used to create jobs and help the poor in the struggling economy. They also express a lack of confidence in the future of the country saying ‘things not going well’. The voters complain that they wield no influence in the party they support and or in its selection of (Presidential, Prime Ministerial and parliamentary) candidates. They don’t feel this is good for democracy describing (Continued on page 24)

Defence to make submissions in PI of hotel owner, alleged hitman As the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) draws to a close for Mark Grimmond and Chatterpaul Singh, who were charged for conspiracy to commit murder, the men’s counsel is preparing to make a no-case submission on their behalf. The submissions were originally to be made yesterday, however attorneyat-law Bernard DaSilva who is representing Grimmond and attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman who stands for Singh, told the court that they were not yet ready to do so. The lawyers told the court that they were faced with some challenges and they were not prepared to make the submissions yesterday. As a result they asked for an adjournment in the proceedings. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan is presiding over the hearings in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. She granted the request of the attorneys and adjourned the matter until November 18. Both defendants are currently out on High Court bail.

CHARGED: Chatterpaul Singh

CHARGED: Mark Grimmond

They were not required to plead to t h e i n d i c t a b l e charge which stated that between April 1, 2018 and June 7, 2019, at Georgetown, they conspired with each other and persons unknown to murder Dwayne Grant, a businessman from Lethem. According to the facts of the charge, Grant received certain information that the men were plotting to kill him and he reported it to the

police. The police ranks acting on the report went to a hotel where they made contact with Singh. Singh was arrested and at that point in time he was reportedly found with a firearm. Based on information received, Grimmond was subsequently arrested and the allegation of conspiracy to commit murder was put to him. The charge was later instituted.

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Kaieteur News

Man who shot dog food vendor to face High Court trial

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Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus yesterday committed 21-yearold Naresh Samaroo to the High Court for trial. He is accused of shooting a dog food vendor last year. Samaroo, who is a welder, of 97 James Street, Albouystown, was on remand while his Preliminary Inquiry (PI) was being conducted in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. On his first appearance before the court, Samaroo was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on September 24, 2018, at Stevedore Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, with intent to commit murder, he caused grievous bodily harm to Shane Cooper. After the completion of the PI, Magistrate IsaacsMarcus ruled that she was of the opinion that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for a

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For High Court trial: Naresh Samaroo conviction and as such the defendant should stand trial at the High Court for the offence. As a result, Samaroo will make an appearance at the High Court for trial at the next practicable session of the assizes. He remains on remand until that time. The facts of the case stated that on the day in question, around 21:15 hrs, Cooper was at his business place situated at Stevedore Street, when he was approached by three men. The court heard that the men walked up to the dog food vendor and demanded that he hand over his jewellery. Cooper, fearing for his life, tried to escape but was shot in his leg and back. The injured man was then picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he underwent surgery. The matter was later reported, an investigation was carried out, and Samaroo was arrested. The court heard an identification parade was then conducted and Samaroo was positively identified by the victim as one of the persons who attacked him.

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City workers to receive outstanding retroactive pay by Dec. 30 City workers, who have been owed retroactive salaries, since last year, are expected to cash in on those payments by December 30, 2019, officials of the Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) said. The matter came up at the statutory meeting of the Mayor and Councillors yesterday. Acting City Treasurer,

John Douglas explained that officers of the council met with the Guyana Labour Union, (GLU) and members of the Local Government Commission, (LGC). According to Douglas, the collective decision was taken by officials, including General-Secretary of GLU, Mr. Carvil Duncan. Douglas said once again the lack of funds at City Hall

can be blamed on taxpayers who owe billions of dollars in outstanding debts to City Hall. He said due to this, the Council is barely finding funds to pay its employees. Kaieteur News understands however that the Council retrieved some of the monies owed by taxpayers and other stakeholders during the third quarter of the

FIRE DESTROYS

Queenstown residence The house that was destroyed.

A mother and her two children have been forced to seek an alternative dwelling place after their home of ten years went up in flames yesterday around 17:30hrs. The family was unable to save anything. The owner of the home has been identified as 34year-old Debra Pereira. Kaieteur News understands that yesterday afternoon the home owner was sitting in the bottom flat of the two storey building

located at 14B Oronoque Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, when a fire erupted in the top half of the concrete structure, destroying everything in its path. A neighbour, who would only identify herself as ‘Shelly’, related that she was in her kitchen cooking when she saw smoke coming from the front of the building. “When I see this smoke I start to shout for Debra and when she answered me, I tell

Fire officials at the scene.

she about the smoke. But before we could have done anything there was a loud noise and the entire top of the building went up in flames.” When contacted for information in relation to the circumstances of the incident, the owner of the home was in a very emotional state, and was unable to provide same. Fire Chief Marlon Gentle stated that initial investigations have ruled out arson.

year. Efforts were also made to garner funds for the payment of the workers, by writing to the Ministry of Finance and the Evaluation Unit, so that the Council can know the amount to be paid to the workers. City Mayor Ubraj Narine noted that the monies will be put aside to pay council workers the eight percent retroactive salaries. Mayor Narine had previously stressed that the shortfall in their budget, which should not be, causes the Council to always be in a

struggle to pay its workers. In some cases, Narine noted that the Council has to weigh their options when it comes to paying other entities such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). The Council awarded its workers a pay package across the board in 2015 a 5% increase, in 2016, 2017, 7% and 2018, 8% across the board to all of its workers. However these increases were based on anticipated revenues which were not realized by the council.

Acting City Treasurer, John Douglas

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GECOM to construct registration office in Kamarang The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday opened 94 bids for 13 major governmental projects. One notable project included the construction of a registration office at Kamarang, Cuyuni- Mazaruni, Region 7. Other noteworthy plans included the reconstruction of the Licence Revenue Office building, situated at Princes and Smyth Streets in Georgetown, and the construction of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications’ Command Centre at Liliendaal. Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Construction of registration office at Kamarang, Region 7

Procurement of new vehicles

Ministry of Public Telecommunications Construction of Ministry of Public Telecommunications Command Centre at Liliendaal

Supply and delivery of uniform materials, gents’ shirts and jackets for 2020

Ministry of Public Security Capping of yard, Parade Street - Guyana Prison Services (GPS) The Supreme Court Installation of stand-by generators at the Linden Magistrates’ Courts, Region 10

Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MOPI) MOPI - Government buildings in Regions 3 & 4 Lot 1: Construction of mess mall and kitchen at Den Amstel Training Centre, Region 3 Lot 2: Construction of mess hall and kitchen at Coldingen Training Centre, Region 4 Lot 3: Upgrading of classroom at Kuru Kuru, Region 4

Extension of storage bond (GPS)

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Reconstruction of Licence Revenue Office building, situated at Princes and Smyth Streets, Georgetown, Region 4

Ministry of Legal Affairs Support for the Criminal Justice System – Procurement of goods and civil works for the police prosecutors Lot 1: Computer hardware, software and accessories Lot 2: Computer hardware, software and accessories Lot 3: Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Office, cubicles and accessories, office equipment and furniture, civil works- Court Superintendent Office, Brickdam

Construction of living quarters (lower flat) #2 Corriverton, Region 6

Ministry of the Presidency (MOtP) Procurement of stationery, office supplies and printer ink in lots one and two

>>>> Continued on page 34 <<<<

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Wednesday November 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

MAHAICONY LAND RENTAL DISPUTE…

Farmers walk out of mediation

Farmers yesterday walked of the Mahaicony Court after the Rice Assessment Committee rejected arguments that it was illegal. Several farmers are being sued by the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Development Authority (MMA-ADA) for their nonpayments of rents for lands in the Region Five area. After 2015, when the Coalition Government took office, a revamped MMAADA started moves to collect arrears. They were later written to with the matter now before the Rice Assessment Committee (RAC) of Region 5. Yesterday, the hearings continued at the Mahaicony court. According to attorney-atlaw, Anil Nandlall, the Chairman, Omadatt Chandan overruled the legal submissions, which he made. Among other things, the lawyer argued that the committee was not properly constituted; the Chairman was not properly appointed and not qualified to chair the Committee and that he (the Chairman) suffers from institutional bias. “In short, the Rice Security of Tenure Act provides that the Chairman, once not a Magistrate (this Chairman is not a Magistrate), must be appointed by the Minister of Agriculture upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and must possess such qualifications prescribed by the Minister and approved by the JSC.” It was explained that Chandan was appointed on

Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall with rice farmers yesterday. the June 27th, 2018. “At the time, there was no JSC. The last JSC expired on the 12th September 2017, nearly a year before. Significantly, the Chairman produced no evidence of any interaction between the Minister and the JSC. Yet he claims that he was properly appointed.” Nandlall said that as it regards bias, the Chairman is the Corporate Secretary of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), an agency that falls within the purview of the Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture. “So does the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Development Authority (MMA-ADA), the agency that sued the farmers. Until recently, this Chairman operated out of an office located in the Ministry of Agriculture Head Office, where the Minister’s office is

also located. Further, the Chairman drives a motor vehicle that bears the emblem “Ministry of Agriculture”.” Nandlall said that on his Facebook page, Chandan said that he is an “Employee of the Ministry of Agriculture”. “All of this was put in affidavit evidence and supporting photographs before the Committee. So, the Minister of Agriculture appoints either an employee, or an associate of his Ministry, who holds a position in an agency within his Ministry, to preside over legal proceedings filed by another agency within the same Ministry. Yet, the Chairman feels that he is not afflicted with bias.” The lawyer said after being overruled in his submissions, he requested the Chairman to adjourn the proceedings on the ground

that the decisions will be challenged in the High Court. “The Chairman refused to adjourn the hearing and said, “I can do what I want” and boldly proceeded to deal with the cases before him. The farmers and I immediately left the precincts of the Committee.” Meanwhile, according to a government statement, in an earlier interview, General Manager of the MMA/ADA, Aubrey Charles had given some insight into the constraints faced by the authority due to the nonpayments of fees owed. “Farmers have not been paying MMA/ADA. There was a period when we were carrying out all the necessary works, and we were not receiving any money [rental

fees]; however, the Ministry of Finance has made it clear to us, that we have to collect the money owed from the farmers to carry out the necessary maintenance work.” According to the MMA/ ADA, the farmers have been notified on numerous occasions; however, some have refused to pay. On the claim that the committee is unlawful, illegal, and has no jurisdiction to hear and determine any application. Chandan stated: “No written application in acceptable form was made to this committee regarding this issue. What was submitted to this committee were written submissions and a

subsequent affidavit by counsel for the tenant rice farmers.” However, according to the Rice Farmers (Security of Tenure) Act, Section 9(8), each committee has the power to regulate its own proceedings. Chandan made it clear that there was no request by the committee for submissions to be made. Additionally, by Nandlall making these submissions is to attempt to “oust the authority of the Committee” by attempting to initiate its’ own procedure. This claim was therefore dismissed by the committee on the grounds that the procedure requested by Counsel was deemed bad in the sight of the law and is dismissed as being wholly inappropriate”. Chandan further stated that it also “amounts to an abuse of the court’s process.” A declaration was then made that the committee is lawful and legal, with the jurisdiction to hear and determine applications from the MMA/ADA. Regarding the second claim which alleged the current committee is biased, it was determined that no evidence was provided to this effect. Therefore, it was established that the allegation was baseless and nothing of fact or in law. The farmers owe the MMA/ADA over $1Billion in drainage and irrigation fees.

GECOM to construct registration... From page 33 Construction of living quarters (lower flat) #1 Corriverton, Region 6

Construction of living quarters (lower flat) #3 Corriverton, Region 6

Wednesday November 13, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Superb Mokoena goal gives South El Dorado Golf Classic... Africa win in Olympics qualifier AFP - A brilliant Teboho Mokoena free-kick goal gave South Africa a 1-0 victory over the Ivory Coast yesterday in a 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games qualifier in Cairo. Mokoena, a late arrival for the eight-nation competition because SuperSport United refused to free him ahead of the November 10-19 international window, struck on 79 minutes. The free-kick was in the middle of the pitch, but well outside the penalty area, and Mokoena lifted the ball over a wall of players and goalkeeper Ira Tape Eliezer.

Victory lifted South Africa to the top of Group B with four points, one more than the Ivory Coast and Nigeria, who defeated Zambia 3-1 in the second match of a doubleheader. In a wide open group with one round to play this Friday, bottom team Zambia can still qualify while South Africa might miss out on a top-two finish and a semi-finals place. Zambia, who have only one point, face the Ivory Coast and South Africa meet Nigeria in matches that will be played simultaneously at the Al Salam and Cairo International stadiums.

Success was particularly sweet for the South Africans as they arrived in Egypt last week with only 12 players for a tournament which doubles as the Africa U23 Cup of Nations. - ‘A disgrace’ By the time they played Zambia the squad have grown to 15, six players short of the permitted number, as some domestic and European clubs refused to free players before the FIFA window. “It is a disgrace,” said South African football legend Neil Tovey, who captained his country to victory in the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.

Wednesday November 13, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today, Aries, you will probably have a ton of energy at your disposal for getting into all kinds of activities. Finish any work that still needs to be completed. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) This is an excellent day to express your natural creativity, Taurus. The arts will likely be very important to you. You may find that nothing brings you more pleasure on days like this. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you're feeling tired, Gemini, you may need to lie back, close your eyes, and listen to some soothing music. You work hard most of the time, so it can do your body and mind good to just relax and listen to your favorite music. CANCER(June21–July22) Today may bring up strong feelings. This may not be new, as you have a tendency to feel things deeply. But it may be a bit tough to find a way to express this. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today, consider that artistic expression can happen in many ways. It isn't always about drawing a picture, singing a song, playing music, or acting. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may find that today brings great physical strength and energy to you, Virgo. Given this, you may really want to do some tough, challenging physical work. This is certainly the day for it, so why not go for it?

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Libra, it's prime time to get busy. Activities that require focus or creativity will be supported. Physical strength and energy will encourage you to do something active. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Some intense, revealing communications with a close friend or lover could reveal wonderful new things about your relationship. Perhaps you have more in common than you thought. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) If you've been feeling tired or sick lately, this will probably turn around for you, Sagittarius. You may often experience moodiness, and this can be a real drain. Your emotional state can affect how your body feels. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You will probably be very busy today, which may suit you just fine. This can work in your favor if you have some work to catch up on. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today, Aquarius, your ability to stand up for your decisions and not let others sway you may be enhanced. This will be especially true if you've arrived at a resolution that solves a problem. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may feel a real need to get moving today, Pisces. Almost everyone prefers quiet activities, books, art, and even just sitting around to physical activity at times.

“It is downright diabolical that they cannot have the best players. This is a sad state of affairs — begging clubs for players.” Nigeria needed 93 minutes to seal victory over Zambia and keep alive hopes of an eighth appearance at the Olympics, where they won gold in 1996 and silver in 2008. Zambia goalkeeper Mangani Banda raced out of his area to clear in stoppage time, but Taiwo Awoniyi got to the ball first and his angled shot trickled into the net. Patson Daka had given Zambia an early lead that Orji Okwonkwo swiftly cancelled and Kelechi Nwakali, once on the books of Arsenal, nudged Nigeria ahead off a secondhalf free-kick. On Thursday, alreadyqualified Group A leaders Egypt tackle second-place Cameroon while Ghana must defeat Mali to have any chance of finishing runnersup. The top three finishers in Egypt will represent Africa in the 16-nation Tokyo football tournament.

From page 39 of Demerara aged rums with dairy cream and natural flavors to produce a lightly toasted coconut aroma with a creamy coconut taste and a hint of vanilla custard. This is a limited edition product which will be introduced to the market on November 13th. Long acknowledged as the Caribbean’s premier rum, continuously winning major awards over the past decade, El Dorado 15 Year Old Special Reserve is viewed as a fine, cognac-like rum possessing the most intriguing and complex character in its class. A combination of specially selected aged rums, some as old as 25 years, from the Enmore and Diamond Coffey stills, the Port Mourant double wooden pot still and the Versailles single wooden pot still, it is blended to perfection and aged in old bourbon oak casks. El Dorado rums are available at all stores and supermarkets nationwide and at the

duty free shops at the international airport. The tournament at Lusignan Golf Club is usually one of the top events of the year and as of both golf and El Dorado brands are treated to a sample of the best that the partners can offer. Current Men’s Champion Avinash Persaud is expected to thrill fans along with over 40 of the country’s top players including Dr. Joaan Deo, Mike Mangal, Alfred Mentore, Patrick Prasad, Dr. London, Shanella London, Troy Cadogan, Guillermo Escarraga, Miguel Oviedo, Jordi Pinol, Brian Hackett, Max Persaud, Robin Tiwari, Pur Persaud, Gavin Todd, Kassim Khan, Munaf Arjune, Avinda Kishore, Richard Hanif, and Aleem Hussain. For more information on DDL or El Dorado, please visit their website theeldoradorum.com and for golf, Facebook lusignangolfclub, stop by or call 220-5660.

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Wednesday November 13, 2019

Seahawks’ OT field goal ends 49ers’ perfect run Jason Myers kicked a 42yard field goal as time expired in overtime Monday night, allowing the visiting Seattle Seahawks to hand the San Francisco 49ers their first defeat of the season, 27-24. After rookie 49ers kicker Chase McLaughlin missed a potential game-winning 47yarder in the extra session, Russell Wilson set up Myers’ heroics with an 18-yard run into San Francisco territory. The win allowed the Seahawks (8-2), unbeaten on the road this season at 5-0, to move within a half-game of the first-place 49ers (8-1) in the NFC West. San Francisco had been the NFL’s last remaining unbeaten team. In a mistake-filled game that featured defensive touchdowns by linemen Jadaveon Clowney of the

Seahawks and DeForest Buckner of the 49ers, San Francisco’s McLaughlin, signed earlier in the week off the scrap heap to replace injured Robbie Gould, forced the overtime when he made his third field goal, a 47yarder with one second left in regulation. The score matched a 46yarder by Myers to 1:45 to go. The 49ers trailed 21-10 early in the fourth quarter before Buckner’s 12-yard fumble return, a two-point conversion pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Kendrick Bourne and a 39-yard field goal by McLaughlin produced a tie with 6:21 to play. Buckner’s momentumswinging play capped a wild sequence in which Wilson, in the process of being sacked by Arik Armstead and

K’Waun Williams, bobbled the ball into the hands of his teammate, guard Germain Ifedi. The offensive lineman attempted to advance the ball but was stripped by Fred Warner and fumbled, with Buckner picking it up and racing 12 yards for a touchdown with 12:12 remaining. The 49ers then forced a punt on Seattle’s next possession, after which the NFC West leaders drove 48 yards in eight plays to set up McLaughlin’s second field goal. Clowney’s touchdown came in a more conventional manner. He scooped up a rolling football after a sack by Jarran Reed had forced a Garoppolo fumble and took it 10 yards for Seattle’s first score with 2:51 remaining in the half.

The 49ers built a 10-0 lead in the first quarter on a 43yard field goal by McLaughlin and a 10-yard touchdown pass from Garoppolo to Bourne. Down 10-7 at the half, the Seattle grabbed a 21-10 lead in the third quarter on a 3-yard pass from Wilson to tight end Jacob Hollister and a 1-yard plunge by Chris Carson. Wilson finished 24 of 34 for 232 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 53 yards on six carries. Carson was the game’s leading rusher with 89 yards on 25 attempts. Garoppolo went 24 of 46 for 248 yards, also with one TD and one interception. San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel had eight catches for a game-high 112 yards. (Field Level Media)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Spurs retire French NBA star Parker’s number in ceremony AFP - French NBA star guard Tony Parker was given an emotional tribute Monday by the San Antonio Spurs, who retired his number nine jersey in a post-game ceremony after a loss. Parker won four NBA titles in 17 seasons with the Spurs, joining the club in 2001 and becoming a starter as a 19year-old European newcomer after only four games. He averaged 15.5 points, 5.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds over 1,254 career NBA games, playing a final campaign last season with Charlotte after making his fame with San Antonio. “Thanks for all those years,” Parker said. “It was a crazy ride.” Parker helped spark the Spurs to NBA crowns in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014 and was named the 2007 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player when he averaged 24.5 points a game in San Antonio’s sweep of Cleveland in the best-ofseven final. After Memphis beat the Spurs 113-109, the ceremony saw several former teammates and coach Gregg Popovich pay tribute to Parker, who led

Retired San Antonio Spurs star guard Tony Parker waves to spectators during a ceremony Monday at which the NBA club retired his number nine jersey. (Getty Images North America/AFP / Ronald Cortes) the AT&T Center crowd in a final cheer before watching his number unveiled among the others in the arena rafters. “I want a big ‘Go Spurs Go.’ Can we do it one last time for me?” Parker exhorted the

spectators, who reward him with a memorable final cheer. The most emotional moments came when Popovich spoke about the player he doubted at first, then helped mold into an NBA

US athletes slam World Athletics... From page 33 we see that you do not have the athletes as partners in this process. Consequently, the decisions being made appear self-serving and biased.” Although several of the downgraded events would continue to feature at Diamond League meetings, they will not have the same prize money, effectively relegating them to second tier status. “The United States athletes have grown exhausted of accepting the

unfavorable decisions made by the IAAF, which are typically made with minimal input from the athletes,” the USATF’s athletes council added. “It is our hope that you would immediately reverse these actions to remove the events from the Diamond League schedule, and bring athlete representatives to the table to correct this major misstep.” The group said it supported athletes like Taylor who were trying to create a coalition to protect athletes’ interests.

superstar. “Tony, I want to apologize for all the physical and mental abuse I gave you the whole time you were here,” Popovich said with a smile. “I’ve been the luckiest guy in the world to see you from age 19 to this point. I feel fortunate I was there to see it all. I love you.” - ‘You’ve done amazing things’ Popovich expects Parker soon to be named to the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Pretty soon we’re going to be there when you enter the Hall of Fame,” he said. “That’s pretty amazing. You have done amazing things. You’ve made my life richer” although he joked, “I spent

any money on wine you taught me all about.” Parker appreciated the lessons he learned about the NBA and life from Popovich. “You are always the boss but on this night I am,” Parker said with a smile. “For me, the impact you had in my life — you were the unbelievable second dad to me, the way you taught me stuff and made me better. “Thanks for believing in me. You inspire me. You taught me a lot and I’ll be thankful forever.” All spectators received a black “Merci Tony” T-shirt, the silver lettering accompanied by a drawing of Parker going up for a shot. Fellow Frenchman said of

Parker: “There’s no way you can talk about French basketball without Tony.” Argentine star guard Manu Ginobili, who recalled being showed around as a newcomer by confident teen Parker, said, “It has been a pleasure man. I wish you all the best.” Ex-Spurs star Sean Elliott called Parker “an absolute master in the open court with his speed only matched by his heart.” Australian guard Patty Mills, a current Spurs standout, looked to him as an idol growing up. “As a small point guard coming from overseas, he’s someone I watched and looked up to — he has been an inspiration for sure.”

Wednesday November 13, 2019

Coach forced to make changes for Mexico trip HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Bermuda’s national football coach Kyle Lightbourne has been forced to make three changes to his squad for their final group game against Mexico in League A of the CONCACAF Nations League in Toluca next week. Bermuda face a daunting task having lost last month’s home leg 5-1 and are on the verge of relegation to League B as their goal difference is four worse than secondplaced Panama’s. The Bermudians lost 4-1 at home to Panama before springing a shock by winning the away leg 2-0. Missing from the 23-man squad are Tre Ming, Jaylon Harvey and Calon Minors, who have been replaced by the recalled Kilian Elkinson and Jahkari Furbert, while Eusebio Blankendal has earned his first call-up. “Calon can’t make it because of school commitments and Jaylon is injured from the Mexico game and he’s not recovered from that,” Lightbourne said. “Tre has asked to be excused for personal reasons.” Lightbourne said of the three new faces, two are leftfooters who replace two leftfooters, adding:. “Eusebio is more of a utility player. He can

play defence, can play in midfield, but we’re looking at him more of a defender.” Bermuda will warm up for next Tuesday’s match against Mexico, the Gold Cup champions, during the international break with a friendly against Major League Soccer side DC United in St Croix, US Virgin Islands, on Friday. English-based professionals Nahki Wells and Reggie Lambe, as well as non-League players Justin Donawa, Osagi Bascome, Milan Butterfield and newcomer Knory Scott, are also in the Bermuda squad, along with winger Zeiko Lewis, who plays in America for United Soccer League side Charleston Battery. Wells, 29, who equalled his club tally of last season when he scored his ninth goal of the term at the weekend for English Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers, where he is on loan from Premier League club Burnley, scored both goals in Bermuda’s 2-0 win in Panama and also fired the consolation goal in the 51 defeat against Mexico. Bermuda secured a top seat at the Nations League table by finishing fifth in the qualifiers, which also led to them reaching the Gold Cup for the first time last summer.

US athletes slam World Athletics over Diamond League reform AFP - USA Track and Field’s athletes grouping yesterday lashed out at World Athletics plans to cut several events from next year ’s Diamond League series, accusing the sport’s global governing body of being “out of touch”. In an open letter to World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, USATF’s Athletes Advisory Committee called on the global body to reverse plans to axe the triple jump, the 200 meters, steeplechase and discus from the Diamond League program. The IAAF, which changed its name to World Athletics this week, announced the overhaul on November 6, claiming the moves would help streamline Diamond League events in an effort to make meetings more attractive for television audiences. However the moves have been greeted with howls of protest across the athletics world, while American triple

jump star Christian Taylor has announced the launch of a global group aimed at giving athletes a bigger say in the sport. In its letter to Coe, the USATF athlete’s grouping said it “wholeheartedly condemned” the Diamond League reforms. “The IAAF and Diamond League organisers have shown themselves to be completely out of touch with the sport they are entrusted to grow and protect,” the letter said, accusing world authorities of shutting athletes out of the reform process. “We understand changes need to be made in order to attract the appeal of a global audience, but the IAAF has shown no desire to include a sufficient number of athletes in the thought or decisionmaking process and this is where our frustration lies. “By eliminating the opportunity for discussion, (Continued on page 32)

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DaSilva, Harding silence Volcanoes TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Joshua DaSilva struck a maiden hundred in only his third List A appearance as West Indies Emerging Players produced a polished all-round performance to stun Windward Islands Volcanoes by 107 runs in the Regional Super50 Cup here Monday. The 21-year-old righthander gathered an unbeaten 103 off 124 deliveries as Emerging Players, opting to bat first at the Brian Lara Stadium, piled up 261 for three off their 50 overs. Left-hander Gidron Pope hit exactly 50, Roland Cato carved out a pulsating unbeaten 49 off just 29 balls while Justin Greaves chipped in with a valuable 46. Fast bowler Keon Harding then snatched four for 45 and new-ball partner Kevin Sinclair, three for19, to wreck the Volcanoes innings and send it tumbling to 154 all out off 38 overs. Shane Shillingford, batting at number nine,

resisted with an unbeaten 41 while number eight Kerron Cottoy got 33, but Kavem Hodge with 28 was the only specialist batsman to pass 10. The victory, their second in three matches, put Emerging Players in a threeway tie on eight points in Group B but they lie third behind hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and Guyana Jaguars on net run rate. Volcanoes, meanwhile, are rock bottom without a win in two outings, following their opening defeat to Red Force. DaSilva took centre stage over the first 50 overs, hitting eight fours and two fours as he inspired a series of partnerships to put his side in the ascendancy. He lost opening partner Kimani Melius in the third over for 10 with as many runs on the board but put on 89 with Pope for the second wicket and a further 96 for the third wicket with Greaves.

Pope faced 70 balls and struck seven fours and a six while Greaves counted five fours in a 63-ball innings. When Greaves was bowled by medium pacer Bhaskar Yadram in the 44th over, Cato arrived to inflict more misery on Volcanoes smashing a four and five sixes in an unbroken fourth stand with DaSilva worth 66. DaSilva eventually reached three figures in the penultimate over with a single to deep point off fast bowler Sherman Lewis. Emerging Players then maintained their dominance through Harding and Sinclair who combined to wipe out Volcanoes’ top order to reduce the innings to 45 for six in the 11th over. Hodge and Cottoy put on 26 for the seventh wicket before Cottoy and Shillingford added a further 51 for the eighth, but Harding returned to claim the last two wickets and give Emerging Players an emphatic win.

Joshua DaSilva celebrates his maiden hundred against Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Federer rebounds with win over Berrettini LONDON (Reuters) Roger Federer got back on track at the ATP Finals with a 7-6(2) 6-3 defeat of Italian Matteo Berrettini yesterday. Defeat by Dominic Thiem in his opening round-robin match on Sunday has left the six-time champion facing an early exit, but he responded in emphatic fashion. Berrettini was also coming off a heavy defeat by Novak Djokovic in his first appearance at the event, and the 23-year-old showed why he has made such an impact this year as he pushed Federer hard in the opening set. He saved a set point at 5-6 but Federer squeezed the accelerator to win 10 of 11 points as he cruised through the tiebreak and broke to love at the start of the second. Berrettini, the first Italian to qualify for the tournament since 1978, had three break points in the eighth game but Federer served his way out of trouble and the 38-year-old Swiss then broke to claim

Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his group stage match against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini. (Action Images via Reuters/Tony O’Brien)

victory. Incredibly Federer is now 17-0 in second roundrobin matches at the tournament but he is likely to need a victory over Djokovic on

T hursday to reach the semi-finals. Only once in his previous 16 appearances at the year-ender has Federer failed to survive the group stage, in 2008.

Djokovic, who is bidding to equal Federer’s record of six titles and claim back the world number one ranking from Rafael Nadal, faces Thiem later at the O2 Arena.

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Wednesday November 13, 2019

NBA roundup: Leonard, Clippers top Raptors Lou Williams scored 21 points off the bench to help the Los Angeles Clippers post a 98-88 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors on Monday night. Kawhi Leonard, who led the Raptors to their first NBA title last June, scored just 12 points on 2-of-11 shooting in his first game against his former club since leaving as a free agent. Leonard also had 11 rebounds, nine assists and three steals but committed nine turnovers. Montrezl Harrell contributed 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots for the Clippers. Patrick Patterson scored 12 points, and JaMychal Green had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Pascal Siakam recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Raptors. Norman Powell scored 15 points, Fred VanVleet had 14 points and eight assists, and Chris Boucher added 13 points. Rockets 122, Pelicans 116 James Harden scored 39 points and Russell Westbrook added 26 as visiting Houston won its fourth consecutive game, beating the injury-depleted New Orleans. Harden scored 13 straight points as the Rockets took command midway through the fourth quarter. Eric Gordon

LA Clippers guard Lou Williams (23) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (4) and forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the first half at Staples Center. (Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports) came off the bench to add 17 points, and Clint Capela had 11 points and 20 rebounds. JJ Redick scored 24 to lead the Pelicans, who played without Brandon Ingram (knee), Lonzo Ball (groin) and Zion Williamson (knee). Josh

Badminton: Mauritian Foo Kune loses African silver medal after doping violation (Reuters) - Mauritian Kate Foo Kune has been stripped of her silver medal from this year’s All African Badminton Championship after she was found to have breached antidoping regulations, the sport’s governing body said yesterday. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) doping hearing panel ruled Foo Kone committed an anti-doping violation, resulting in the disqualification of her singles results at the tournament held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The panel, however, chose not to impose any

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period of ineligibility on the 26-year-old after it was found that she “bore no fault or negligence”. The BWF said in a statement it would appeal the panel’s decision, with Foo Kune cleared to participate in international and national competitions until the final decision on the case. “The BWF has decided to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport as it touches upon the interpretation of fundamental principles of the World AntiDoping Code and the AntiDoping Regulations,” it said.

Hart scored 19 points, and Jrue Holiday added 18 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Jazz 122, Warriors 108 Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell combined for six 3-pointers in a fiveminute flurry late in the

second quarter, helping Utah build a commanding lead en route to a victory over Golden State in San Francisco. Rudy Gobert recorded 25 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, and Mitchell added 23 points and Conley

22 for Utah, which won its third straight. Coming off 52- and 30point games on the road, the Warriors’ D’Angelo Russell led all scorers with 33 points. Returning from a five-game absence caused by a ligament injury in his left hand, Draymond Green had four points, seven rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes. Celtics 116, Mavericks 106 Kemba Walker sank eight 3-pointers and scored 24 of his 29 points in the second half to lead host Boston past Dallas. Jaylen Brown had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Marcus Smart scored 17 as the Celtics extended their winning streak to eight. Boston played its first game without forward Gordon Hayward, who will miss six weeks after surgery to repair a fracture in his left hand. Luka Doncic scored 34 points for the Mavericks, who lost for the first time in five road games. Grizzlies 113, Spurs 109 Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a season-high 24 points and Dillon Brooks added 21 as visiting Memphis outlasted San Antonio on the night the Spurs retired the jersey number of longtime standout Tony Parker. Jae Crowder’s secondchance 3-pointer with 1:48 to

play gave the Grizzlies a 111108 lead, which it did not relent. Jonas Valanciunas had 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Brandon Clarke scored 14 points off the bench as the Grizzlies snapped a two-game losing streak. Aldridge led the Spurs with 19 points, with Rudy Gay hitting for a season-high 18, Derrick White adding 15, Bryn Forbes scoring 14 and DeMar DeRozan contributing 12. Timberwolves 120, Pistons 114 Andrew Wiggins poured in 33 points, and Minnesota spoiled the return of Blake Griffin with a win at Detroit. Wiggins, who surpassed the 8,000-career-point mark in the first half, added six rebounds and five assists. Karl-Anthony Towns supplied 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists while Jake Layman contributed 16 points off the Minnesota bench. Treveon Graham added 13 points and six rebounds. Griffin missed the first 10 games of the season due to hamstring and knee injuries. He had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 24 minutes. Luke Kennard led the Pistons with 25 points and seven rebounds. (Field Level Media)

Boyz refuse to lace up over poor hotel conditions in Antigua Jamaica Observer DICKENSON BAY, Antigua – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz refused to suit up for an early morning training session yesterday in protest of sub-standard hotel accommodations here. Apart from the aged furniture and malfunctioning equipment at the Starfish Halcyon Cove Resort on Antigua’s north-west coast, the delegation here is concerned with the “high health risk”. The Boyz arrived in the Eastern Caribbean country for their Concacaf Nations League (CNL) B match against the hosts, and immediately after being assigned their rooms on Monday evening after arriving from Kingston, the deplorable conditions became evident. ”Based on the current situation the players in protest have decided not to train and this is one of the times we have to

sympathise with them based on the conditions at the hotel,” team manager Roy Simpson told OBSERVER ONLINE. The team official said Dr Bersha Cole, who inspected many of the rooms assigned to players, expressed concerns with what he found and the potential risk exposure. “After a staff meeting here, the doctor expressed some serious concerns with the state of the rooms. Also of concerns for the doctor, is when we went for breakfast this morning the majority of the other guests were showing clear signs of influenza as they were coughing and sneezing, so our doctor is very concerned about that as well,” Simpson noted. After engaging Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Vice-President in charge of international affairs, Bruce Gaynor, the players were said to have demanded “assurances” that the

situation will be addressed as a matter of urgency. “Our superiors back in Kingston have been made aware, and they are trying their best to get it rectified… But after talking with vice-president (Bruce) Gaynor, the players have demanded assurances that the situation is remedied,” said Simpson. Meanwhile, Dr Cole confirmed that what he has found in most of the rooms that he inspected on Tuesday is alarming to say the least. “So far the rooms that I have inspected have faulty air conditioning (AC) units that are leaking and have led to the accumulation of stagnant water and that provides areas for mosquito breeding and mosquitoes are already in some of the rooms and this presents a risk for mosquito borne illnesses. “And because these AC units are not in good condition they present the

risk for respiratory tract infection… I will be carrying out further inspections, but the rooms that I have inspected so far are of great concern,” Cole said. Jamaica, who are on top of Group C of League B of the CNL with maximum 12 points and have virtually secured promotion to League A, are due to take on Antigua and Barbuda on Friday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at 8:00 pm (7:00 pm Jamaica time). On Monday, the Boyz will complete their CNL fixture against Guyana in Montego Bay. “Hopefully, we can get this matter with the hotel sorted out because we are aware of the importance of these two games and what we want to achieve… but we are confident that our superiors will get it rectified so we can get on with the business at hand,” stated Simpson.

Wednesday November 13, 2019

Topco Juice Junior Rapid Chess Tournament

Aravinda Singh prevails After seven rounds of chess, Aravindra Singh and National Junior Champion Andre Jagnandan both former classmates at Queen’s College, ended on 5.5 points to end on top of the points table. Singh was awarded the overall winner on the tie breaker method as they both drew in their one vs. one encounter and both suffered one loss each at the hands of Jaden Taylor of Saints. In third was Ricardo of Queen’s College. He ended on five points after suffering two losses at the hands of his former school mates (Aravindra Singh and Andre Jagnandan) but managed to

avenge their losses to Jaden Taylor with an upset victory. Jaden Taylor ended in fourth also on 5 points and was the tournament leader heading into the final round against 9-year-old Mahir Rajkumar who pulled off a victory much to the surprise of everyone present. Jaden, who was in a superior position in the game, fell victim to a trap that no one expected Mahir to know and were even shocked that he was able to do it. Mahir ended in fifth position on four points and was adjudged best under-12 player. Oluwadare Oyeyipo finished sixth on 3.5 points, while four persons ended on

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Kaieteur News

three points (Anasie Fredericks- who won Best Female Player, Arysh Ragnauth, Guleon Jacobs and Leonard Marcello). Chess continues this weekend at the National Aquatic Center with the National Junior Qualifiers which gets underway on Saturday. The top five players will participate in the 2020 National Junior Chess Championship in January. The tournament will consist of seven rounds with each player being allotted one hour per game. Interested persons can contact the Director of Tournaments (Shad) on 6816000 for more information.

TWT/GUYOIL Schools football League

President’s College, Lodge record latest wins

Action in the 2019 Guyoil-Tradewind Tankers under-18 schools’ football league.

From left, Anasie Fredericks, President Frankie Farley, Andre Jagnandan, Aravindra Singh, Ricardo, Arbiter Shad Phoenix and Jaden Taylor pose with their accolades following Saturday’s Topco Juice junior tourney.

When the TradeWind Tankers/GUYOIL School football league continued on Monday, President’s College railroaded Charlestown 4-1. A breezy Monday afternoon at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue saw the out of town men run circles around the Georgetown lads. Allister Henry (23rd), Jushawn Bayley (27th), Shalom Chisholm (48th) and Breon Allicock (60th) were the scorers for the PC side, while Charlestown pulled one back

with Tariq Pryce in the 58th. In the other game, Lodge Secondary outplayed St John’s College 4-0, thanks to some fancy footwork from Troyston Louisy who scored in the 32nd and 64th minutes. The other two goals came from Nicolas Trotman (24th) and Joshua Denny (30th) to conclude a decent afternoon of football. Play will resume next weekend as the event will take a break for the National Schools’ Championships. The winners of the

tournament along with runners up will qualify for the end of year goodwill tournament that will include a school team from Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), a hinterland team and an all-star team. The winners will also pocket $200,000 towards a project of their school’s choice with second place getting $100,000, third $50,000 and fourth place $25,000. The tournament will be played on Sunday’s and Monday’s and will end on December 8.

WDFA Senior league

Trophy Stall Junior Badminton Western Pumas thrash Tournament 2019 set for Saturday Hurry ATE 4-1 on Monday

The Guyana Badminton Association will be running of the Trophy Stall Annual Junior Tournament on Saturday at the National Gymnasium from 10:00am to 3:00pm. It is hoped that this tournament attract players from around the schools and will be played off in the Under9, 11, 13, 15 & 17 age groups to get more upcoming players in the Badminton movement and to further help with the development and identify players who can represent Guyana one day. The GBA would like to thank Mr. Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall who has made it possible for the Tournament to be played off yearly. All players who have not entered already can still do so before Friday. Entries must be submitted by Thursday to the GBA at National Gymnasium between the Hours of 5:00pm 7:00pm, or Telephone: 592610 9510 and or Email: gokarnnr@hotmail.com.

Sixteen matches have been contested in the West Demerara Football Association’s (WDFA) senior league following Monday’s play at the Uitvlugt Community Center ground where Western Pumas thumped Hurry ATE 41 while Uitvlugt drew 1-1 with Eagles FC. Scoring for Pumas were Darrel Alexis (11), Kelvin Kujal (16), Akeem Hopkinson (50) and Steffon Colemon (62) while Nashua Livan scored the lone goal for Hurry ATE in the 30th minute. In the drawn encounter, Adrian Adolphus had fired Eagles ahead via a penalty kick in

Badminton Champion Priyanna Ramdhani receiving the prizes from Ms. Crystal Sunich of Trophy Stall on behalf of the GBA.

the 15th minute but the scores remained deadlocked after Shomal Smith equalised for the home side in the 39th minute. The league continues with two matches each on Saturday and Sunday. Leaders’ Pouderoyen FC will match skills with Crane Rovers Saturday at 14:00hrs, while Beavers FC will be pitted against Golden Warriors at 16:00hrs at Goed Fortuin ground. Sunday’s play will feature Eagles FC playing Wales United in the opening game at 14:00hrs, while Uitvlugt Warriors will play Hurry ATE in the feature game at 16:00hrs.

Western Pumas’ scorers’ L-R, Darrell Alexis, Kelvin Kujal, Akeem Hopkinson and Steffon Colemon.

PAGE 40

NA United FC secure wins in contrasting style

Tyrick Ogleton ( L ), Sherwin Thomas ( C) and Sceon Johnson In the first match of Monday’s double header in the Berbice leg of the GFF NAMILCO FLOUR POWER U17 LEAGUE, played in sunny conditions at the Esplanade Park in New Amsterdam, Monedderlust FC edged out Corriverton Links FC two goals to one in a keenly contested affair. Raynel Ross of Monedderlust opened up the scoring as early as the 7th minute, which would be the only first half goal. After the resumption Monedderlust went further ahead from an Esan Flatts strike in the 47th minute. Both teams battled it out spiritedly with success

Wednesday November 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

coming for Corriverton Links off the boot of Akeem Blades in the 65th minute to close the gap 2 - 1. However, except for some close calls on both sides, no further damage was done, ending in victory for Monedderlust. The second match between Hopetown Rangers and NA United resulted in a five nil routing of Hopetown Rangers by a relentlessly attacking NA United team, which forced Hopetown onto the defensive for most of their afternoon’s encounter. The goal scorers were Tyrick Ogleton and Sceon Johnson with a brace of goals each, backed up by one from Sherwin Thomas, who

actually opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Sceon Johnson then made it 2 - nil at half time with the first of his double in the 36th minute. Upon resumption Ogleton added his double strike in the 53rd and 69th minutes then Johnson crowned it off with his second goal in the 72nd minute, to complete the 5 - nil drubbing of Hopetown Rangers. The third place game between Corriverton Links FC and Hopetown Rangers FC and the championship match between Monedderlust FC and NA United FC is expected to be another double header feature this weekend.

GMR&SC Clash of Champions

Allie and Mohamed Jr. hunting Seebarran The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Clash of Champions International race meet speeds off this Saturday and Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, and while competitors from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, North America and England are expected to scorch the tracks, there is much buzzing among the local daredevils. Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr. and Riaz Allie are two of the local competitors that will be dusting off their racing gloves this Sunday after not competing for a while. Despite having not competed for the year, both drivers are confident of dominating this weekend’s Miracle Optical local street tuner class. The overseas based Riaz Allie will sport a new Honda Civic with a B16 engine in the Street Tuner class although he will also be competing in the Choke Starlet Cup and

group 3 with a Toyota Starlet. Mohamed Jr. in an interview with Kaieteur Sport explained that he has, “A Toyota Levin and a Honda Civic, both in the street tuner class. I haven’t decided which one I’m driving as yet but the other one will be piloted by a surprise driver. Someone that is very well known in racing and it will be a treat for the fans.” Allie and Mohamed Jr. will face stern opposition in Raymond Seebarran who is the defending street tuner champion and c u r r e n t points leader. Seebarran in his Ramps Logistics sponsored Starlet was unfazed when he got word of the challenges that has been declared against him and he responded with his iconic tagline, “Taking no prisoners.” Also confirmed for the street tuner class are Azad Hassan and Troy Muir.

In addition to the Miracle Optical Street Tuner, a full field of SR3 radicals will line up at South Dakota in addition to the exciting groups four, three and two, while the local Choke Starlet Cup and Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner will provide excitement. Team Mohamed’s, Matthew Vieira and Stephen Vieira will thrill in the bikes’ class. The championship winners of the Choke Starlet Cup, Miracle Optical Street Tuner and Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner are set to pocket $500,000 each. Admission to the venue costs $2000 and fans will be able to access the goose neck grand stand for an additional cost of $2000. B.M Soat Auto Sales, Mohamed’s Enterprise, KFC, Tropical Shipping, Valvoline, Ansa McAl, Motul, ExxonMobil, Japarts and Air Services are the major sponsor of the event.

Raiz Allie and his Honda Civic.

Golden Jaguars readies for two International engagements Esan Flatts and Raynel Ross of Monedderlust

Links FC lone goal scorer Akeem Blades

The Guyana Golden Jaguars will be in action this weekend at home then on Monday in Jamaica as they continue their participation in the Concacaf Nations League (CNL) tournament which see participating teams battle in home and away fixtures. The side has been in

preparation mode for some time now, quietly going about their programme under the watchful eyes of Golden Jaguars Brazilian Head Coach Marcio Maximo and support staff at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence. Guyana will play Aruba here on Friday night from

9:00pm then travel to over the weekend to take on the Jamaicans on Monday in Jamaica. Match time on Friday is 9:00pm and fans are encouraged to come out and support the Jags. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will today release the team chosen to play Friday’s game.

Wednesday November 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 41

ASK-G Para Kata tournament a success

The awardees pose with their accolades at YMCA.

Jamal Williams won the open male category. The Association do Shotokan Karate (ASK) Guyana recently held the first Para Kata tournament at the Young Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christian Association (YMCA) on Thomas Lands. A press release from ASKGuyana described the event as an exciting and mesmerizing Kata tournament which saw the medals and trophies being presented to the top performers by Magistrate Dylon Bess. The Para event that had 59 competitors was

dominated majorly by children with 46 kids making it a youthful affair. The highlight of the event was the smooth performance of Jamal Williams with Heian Shodan. After training a little over four months, Jamal expressed his desire to participate in the competition. He let no one down with his excellent performance, showing that you can achieve whatever you desire in spite of your situation. The full results of the event are listed below.

ISA Islamic School Inter House sports set for November 21 The ISA Islamic School Inter House athletic sports will be held on November 21 at the Everest Cricket Club. The sports will consist of track races and novelty events and will commence with a march past at 08:30hrs. The houses that will be competing are Badr, Uhud, Quadisiya and Yarmuk. The school will host its Nursery sports on November

19 at Muslim Youth Organisation ground from 08:30hrs with the same four houses participating. On November 18, the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inter House male and female five-over softball cricket competition will be held at MYO and GNIC SC grounds, while the Guyana Islamic Trust Inter Jamaat futsal competition will be held at the National Park tarmac from 08:30hrs.

PAGE 42

Wednesday November 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

GUYSUCO wins 4th consecutive cricket title Another successful day of sport for agencies and departments within the Ministry of Agriculture went down on Friday last at the National Park in Georgetown with Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) retaining their cricket championship in the feature event. Playing in cloudy and humid conditions, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) won the toss and asked the defending champions to bat and after their allotted 10 overs, GUYSUCO reached an imposing 172-4. GUYSUCO started miserably when Adrian Singh was dismissed off the first ball of the match but his fellow opener, Troy Matterson and the stylish Andy Mohan added a match-winning second wicket partnership of 121 in just over seven overs. Mohan who began aggressively, smashed 73 from 28 balls with eight sixes and four fours, while Matterson accelerated after Mohan was dismissed scored on 80 from 27 balls with nine sixes and five fours. Keith Salroop who got the early wicket finished with 1/ 19, while Travis Fung 1/40 was the other successful wicket taker for GRDB. In reply, GRBD struggled

Champions! Guyana Sugar Corporation played unbeaten to win their fourth consecutive title. (John M. Ramsingh photo) to keep up with the required run rate and stumbled to 107/ 7 innings closed. Only Jared Persaud (40) and A. Sharma (30) offered any resistance to the skilled GUYSUCO bowling which was lead by Matterson (2/28) and Mohan (2/6). GUYSUCO won by 65 runs and took their fourth consecutive cricket title. At the presentation ceremony, Troy Matterson

was named Man-of-theMatch in the final and was a l s o t h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s leading run scorer with 238 runs, while Arnim Griffith of the Hydroment Service was the best bowler with six scalps. In other events of the day, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) retained their domino title after overcoming Mahaica

Factory Price honours five centurions at PMT20 Cup Factory Price General Store has honored five players who have scored centuries in the recently concluded Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc Prime Minister’s T20 Cup. Oswald Chandler of Parika Legends scored 145 against Marine Legends, Randolph Perreira of Savage Legends made 127 not out against the said opponents, Sunil Dhaniram of Parika Legends made 135 versus New York Legends, Rudolph Baker of Regal Legends struck 106 against Guyana Rockaway Legends; all in the over 50 category. Bhim George of SVC Corriverton scored 109 versus Success Masters in the over-45 segment. Proprietor of the entity, Toolsie Sahadeo presented trophies to those present at the simple ceremony held yesterday at the entity’s King Street location. Meanwhile, Farm XI has since extended congratulations to Suraj Boodhoo, Dianand Singh and Aftaab Shamsudeen on their

Mahaicony and Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMAADA) and GUYSUCO in the final, while MMAADA beat GRDB in the cards final for their fourth consecutive title as well. There was added excitement with the novelty games which saw good participation by persons from the various departments and agencies. Like the sporting events, the winners of the novelty events won trophies, medals, hampers and other tangible prizes that were presented at the closing ceremony. The day began with the march past of athletes from the agencies where Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Aretha Henry (Admin) and Dacia Ferguson (Finance) and

Technical Development Officer (TDO) of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Seon Erskine took the salute. In her welcome remarks, Henry encouraged the athletes be good ambassadors of their agencies and to take the opportunity to bond with colleagues from the other departments, while Erskine praised the Ministry of Agriculture for being the only government agency to have a day of sports. The NSC TDO further stated that sport unites a nation and was happy that so many different persons with so many different skills set professionally and from so many different parts of the country can come together because of sport.

The annual sports day wraps up Agriculture month which is observed annually in October and has seen increase in participation every year. At the closing ceremony, trophies and other prizes were presented to all winners including the Fisheries Department won the basketball competition, Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) were crowned champions of the volleyball competition, NDIA took the table tennis title, MMA won the football championship, Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the Fisheries Department were tied for first place in circle tennis and the Hydromet Service who won the march past.

Hamilton Green Cup reaches round-of-16

Randolph Perreira accepts his trophy from Mala (only name provided) of Factory Price. outstanding performances in the open category. Boodhoo made 119 against Bartica, while Singh and Shamsudeen

grabbed five and four wickets respectively in the said encounter which Farm won by 210 runs.

The nine-a-side inter-ward/village football tournament which is being coordinated to celebrate the 85th birth anniversary of former Mayor of Georgetown and Prime Minister Hamilton Green has reached the final sixteen following last Sunday’s opening play at the Den Amstel Community Center ground on the West Coast of Demerara. The fixtures for this Sunday’s play have been released by the organiser; Lennox Arthur, and some interesting matchups are scheduled to get underway at the same Den Amstel venue with matches kicking off from 16:00hrs. Den Amstel Kings will play Lima Dam in Sunday’s first match, while Wales will clash with Agricola in match two. Pouderoyen will take on Plaisance, while Crane will be pitted against Stewartville. The penultimate clash will see Uitvlugt playing De Kinderen, while the feature match will have West Site

Spartans that have Delon Lanferman and Trayon Bobb in their ranks playing Casa Coima of Venezuela. The winning team will take home $200,000 and the NAMILCO trophy, while second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $100,000 and Ministry of Communities trophy, $60,000 and the NAMILCO trophy and $40,000 and the Cummings Electrical trophy respectively. The winning and runner-up teams will also receive hampers from Ricks and Sari. The player with the most goals will get a Dinette chair from China Trading and a single bed from AH&L Kissoon. Among the sponsors to date are NAMILCO, Ministry of Communities, Cummings Electrical, International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), Guyoil, BK International, Gafoors, Ready Mix, Ricks and Sari, New Thriving, TecnoMills, AH&L Kissoon, China Trading, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ministry of National Resources, National Sports Commission and the Guyana Police Force.

Wednesday November 13, 2019

Kaieteur News

El Dorado Golf Classic set for Saturday at LGC

President of the Lusignan Golf Club Aleem Hussain accepts the cheque from DDL’s El Dorado Brand Manager, Maria Munroe and Management Trainee Sara Ramjohn. President of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Aleem Hussain said that not only the players but fans will receive prizes when the club stages the El Dorado Golf Classic on Saturday. The tournament, which will tee of at 11:00hrs, and will be played in the 0-9, 1018, 19-28 flights, was launched yesterday at Demerara Distillers Limited head office, Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Prizes will be given to the top three finishers in each flight, the Longest Drive and nearest to pin. The best aged golfer award for the first time in LGC history will be given out. Speaking at the launching ceremony, El Dorado brand manager Maria Munroe told the media that the Demerara Distillers Limited and their El Dorado Brand was pleased to extend it’s partnership with the Lusignan Golf Club to host the 2019 El Dorado Classic. “Golf in Guyana has always been supported by El Dorado and we intend to keep the major tournament on our calendar of main events. Our continued partnership is one of great importance, especially since we have seen tremendous growth in the sport,” Munroe stated. The Brand Manager said El Dorado brand is committed to the development and promotion of Golf as a healthy form of entertainment. “Our prestigious tournament has always seen both male and female players compete at a very high level over the course of a day to become the El Dorado Champion. Our team has and will support the development of the sport and we have seen tremendous strides to include women and

children in the sport by Mr. Hussain.” Munroe expressed gratitude to the media and added that they are very excited to be on board. “We see golf as a fitting sporting event for this brand. We are committed to sports development in Guyana and we will continue top support golf,” she posited. Munroe wished the players well and said they are looking forward to a successful and exciting tournament. President of the LGC Aleem Hussain stated that DDL has been supporting Golf for over 20 years. “Despite the fact that golf has grown to be amongst the

top recognised sport in the country, it is our partners’ loyalty that has given us the opportunity to rise to this level and we are committed to ensuring that they retain the top honours they deserve.” “One of the most prestigious tournaments, DDL and El Dorado has been supportive of the LGC and we expect a massive field of over 50 golfers for this competition.” Many of the award winning El Dorado Brands will be on display during the tournament, including their El Dorado Toasted Coconut Rum Cream Liquor, a blend (Continued on page 31)

PAGE 43

Golden Jaguars readies rt o p for two International S engagements

Brazilian Golden Jaguars Head Coach Marcio Maximo (hands raised) talks with his charges at the start of a training session at the GFF National Training Centre yesterday.

GMR&SC Clash of Champions

Allie and Mohamed Jr. hunting Seebarran

Raymond Seebarran in his Motul sponsored Starlet EP 81 car is leading the Miracle Optical Street tuner c-ship.

Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s honda civic.

El Dorado Golf Classic Spurs retire French NBA star set for Saturday at LGC Parkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number in ceremony Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.