Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR NEWS

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

Bedridden man travels miles to prove to NIS that he's alive

Tuesday Edition November 26, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 49

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday 136,625

Local businesses should be given tax waivers to compete with foreigners - Africa Energy CEO Duo found guilty of killing guard during 2013 robbery at Lethem Post Office

Opposition: Total collapse imminent at GWI … stores empty, creditors owed $1B, workforce almost double

Police find AK-47, pistol, ammo, drugs in North Sophia raid Guyanese pirates handed heavy jail sentences in Suriname

GUILTY: Alvin Kissoon and Calvin King

Europe's first 'narco-submarine' with 3,000 kilos coke believed made in Guyana

Ballast water to be dumped into Ocean from Liza Phase One Project an environmental threat - Int'l Lawyer

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Europe's first 'narco-submarine' with 3,000 kilos coke believed made in Guyana

S

pain (elpais.com)T w o c r e w members were arrested and a third got away during the joint operation on Sunday in the northwestern Galicia region. For Spanish narcotics officers, it had become something of a legend. But this past weekend, the legend became a reality.

O n S u n d a y, t h e authorities intercepted the first “narco-submarine” ever caught in European waters.

The vessel was seized off the

coast of Pontevedra, in Spain's northwestern Galicia region. It was carrying more than 3,000 kilograms of high-quality cocaine, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

These sources added that the groups behind this shipment must be “big, since just the submarine itself must have cost around €2.5 million.” The 22-meter-long submersible vessel had made the ocean journey from C o l o m b i a . Tw o c r e w members, both from

The port of Aldán, near the spot where the submarine was intercepted. EFE

Ecuador, were arrested by a joint team from the Spanish National Police, the Civil Guard and the Coast Guard.

A search is underway for a third individual who escaped.

The stories about the

existence in European waters of “narco-submarines such as the ones operating in the Pacific” had turned into

something of a legend for Spanish narcotics officers.

Since 2006, they had been (continued on page 20)

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

Ballast water to be dumped into Ocean from Liza Phase One Project an environmental threat - Int'l Lawyer

E

xxonMobil's Liza Phase One Project which is expected to produce at peak, 120,000 barrels of oil, will lead to a number of harmful fluids making its way into the ocean.

Th e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project notes for example that millions of barrels of ballast water will be discharged until the project comes to an end.

Highlighting this during a recent guest appearance on Kaieteur Radio's programme, Guyana's Oil and You, was International Lawyer, Melinda Janki.

Janki noted that ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), which is managing the Liza Phase One Project on the Stabroek Block, will see the dumping of ballast water into the ocean.

Ballast water is water

International Lawyer, Melinda Janki

ExxonMobil's Public and Government Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud

carried in ships' ballast tanks to improve stability. It is taken up or discharged when cargo is unloaded or loaded, or when a ship needs extra stability in poor weather.

Research conducted by this publication indicates that when ballast water is loaded by the ships, many microscopic organisms, toxins and sediments are

introduced into its ballast tanks. Many of these organisms are able to survive in these tanks.

If suitable conditions exist, these species that are discharged in often times new environments will reproduce and become invasive species. In some cases, there is a high probability that the organism

will become a dominant species, potentially resulting in the extinction of native species.

The ballast water also has effects on local and regional biodiversity, on coastal industries that use water extraction, on public health and on local economies based on fisheries.

A worried Janki added, “The problem with ballast water is that it carries a lot of pollutants in it, bacteria and other toxins, and it is one of the four biggest threats to the environment.”

Considering the harmful effects the foregoing could have on the ocean, Janki unambiguously stated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has let down the people of Guyana by granting approval for this project to go ahead.

Janki said, “I think on Liza One, the EPA did an absolutely atrocious job.

They have let down the

Elderly man struck down by speeding pick up, dies on spot

A

n elderly man met an untimely demise early yesterday morning, after he was fatally struck down by a speeding pickup, on the Coffee Grove Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

The now dead man has been identified by police as Raymond Cassal, a 55-yearold resident of Lot 72 La Belle Alliance, Lima Sands.

Reports are that sometime around 01:30 hrs yesterday morning.

The man was struck down by a motor vehicle, which was later identified as a black pickup. It was almost two hours later that the man's lifeless body was discovered by residents.

According to relatives, Raymond Cassal, who worked as a labourer, usually spends most of his time with friends in Coffee Grove, away from his family in Lima Sands. When interviewed yesterday, family members indicated that they have little knowledge of whom the man associates with, or where he was going at the time of the incident.

The now dead man's niece told this publication that she and family members were only made aware of the incident hours after it would have occurred.

puff.”

A c c o r d i n g t o information reaching Kaieteur News, police were able to identify a black pickup, which was picked up on a resident's surveillance camera. The pickup was heading south along the public road.

The footage allegedly shows three men exiting, then examining the vehicle after the collision. The men then fled the scene, heading in the same direction, which

The now dead man, Raymond Cassal “A party of police from the Anna Regina Police Station about 05:00hrs came at the home, inquiring about when last we saw Raymond and how we were related…

They told us that around 03:00 hrs. They found him lying motionless on the road and the body was at the parlour.”

Evelyn John, the wife of the now dead man, said that she observed injuries primarily to the right side of Raymond Cassal's body. In describing the condition of the corpse, the wife said, “The right foot like it almost break off, just a piece of skin really connect it. The head swollen like and he eyes jus

they did initially.

The body is presently at t h e m o r g u e i n Onderneeming, while police are still in pursuit of finding the black pickup. Family members said that their deepest desire is that justice be served. “We would be hoping the police can solve this.

“He was the sole breadwinner of the home and we hoping that they do something,” said one relative.

people of Guyana. They have not put measures in place to protect the environment and this is a constitutional issue. The Constitution says that we are entitled to an environment that does not put our health in danger.”

The lawyer added, “It says you have to protect the environment for future generations. How is it protecting the environment for the future when you are dumping millions of barrels

of ballast water into the ocean? People need to ask Esso about this?”

When contacted about the concerns raised by Janki, ExxonMobil's Public Relations Advisor, Janelle Persaud, was keen to note that all vessels supporting the company's operations comply with international ballast water management plans. She added that they are equipped with sewage treatment facilities that meet international standards.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Tuesday November 26, 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

Exxon the global colossus Maybe it is not such a bad company after all, with a set of people bent on exploitation of the weak, getting its way, and undermining life on the planet. Deserved or not, mighty ExxonMobil is scoring points where they matter: the investment world, and the world of innovative scientific research.

The American oil colossus stands well-positioned, when measured against all comers, from whichever sector they dominate.

Guyanese critics may not like to hear this, but Exxon did very well, according to an article dated November 22, 2019 in the Wall Street Journal titled, “Exxon is one of the most innovative companies.

But it still (mostly) shuns renewables.”

As found by the Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University, it “is the only nontech company among the five most innovative in this year’s Management Top 250" ranking.

The company’s emphases continue to be on how to make fossil fuels competitive, highly competitive and, to demonstrate the intensity of its seriousness, Exxon commits to “pouring money into making oil and gas as competitive as possible.”

Those are fighting words, as second place is not part of Exxon’s mantra. The engineers and scientists there “want to know the rules, then they go out and win.” That is all well and good, but angry Guyanese detractors may justifiably ask: how about pouring a little something more here in Guyana, which is inextricably tied to Exxon’s future plans?

Regrettably, Exxon has bigger elephants to hunt. A bigticket item for the corporation is research. When its peers hedge their bets through diversifying into renewables, Exxon goes for broke, since it believes that “the world will need fossil fuels for the foreseeable future.”

As an example of the innovation originating from the minds and visions in Exxon’s management and research laboratory, “Exxon has developed special fuel cells to capture gas from natural-gas fired power plants; the cells can then produce power without combustion” for cars or buildings.

In addition, the company has some extremely valuable patents that make it the envy of its corporate peers, in and out of oil. Two of its patents stand out: there is one lubricant intended to improve engine wear, and another aimed at separating oil from water. The eventual commercialisation of those could lead to significant monetary results for the company.

Yet it has to get all the way down to the last percentage point, the last dollar, as if to furnish proof of unbridled corporate and capitalist greed.

This paper makes no advocacy for Exxon; instead, it views the company as a leader in the corporate wolf pack that devours emerging and vulnerable Third World oil minnows, such as Guyana. Yet, in the interests of fairness and balance, there is recognition first of the achievements of Exxon, and then there is wondering as to how the company may be persuaded to share some more with an impoverished nation such as Guyana. Whatever the rationale (and almost all would be found unacceptable from a patriotic perspective), it could give back a few drops of financial blood to Guyana. Its very success makes that possible.

It has to be a few drops to Exxon returns and ledgers, when it could spend billions (US) in research.

Those few drops could translate to much here, much that could be spread out in so many areas of need. Without intending to dash the hopes of fellow Guyanese, the probability of Exxon seeing the light, and advancing with a generous handshake is not likely. While it did exceptionally through its research innovations, there are two other metrics from the scorecard that do not bode well for Guyana.

Interestingly, in two other dimensions of performance management, Exxon’s report card spoke volumes: in customer satisfaction and social responsibility, Exxon’s score was merely “average.” That means it is just like everybody else, every other corporate raider and reaper, which is not good news for this country. Translation: not budging.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

By the premature end of this Commission, Rodney was assassinated a second time DEAR EDITOR, On the evening of the 13th day of June 1980, the world stood still as the news of the death of Dr. Walter Rodney, blown to pieces by a bomb in South Georgetown, sank in. Dr. Rodney’s death and the circumstances under which he was killed invoked universal condemnation.

Expectedly, because of Rodney’s political activism, the accusatory finger pointed to the Government of the d a y. P r i m e M i n i s t e r Burnham’s calm reactionary statement that “sad as I am at his inglorious end, I know that somewhere therein there is bound to be a lesson for the misguided others”, exacerbated both suspicion and anger.

On the day of his funeral, and weeks after, thousands marched on the East Coast and in and around Georgetown. These marches were led by the likes of Eusi K w a y a n a , D r. R u p e r t Roopnaraine, Dr. Clive Thomas and others. The chant which bellowed from these marches was “Who killed Rodney? Burnham killed Rodney!”

The call, both nationally and internationally, for an independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) was echoed

since then. It was answered thirty-four years hence, when President Donald Ramotar commissioned an inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act, on the 6th day of February 2014. I was the Attorney General at the time and was privileged, along with the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, to be tasked with the establishment of this Commission and with its management to the end.

S o m e w e e k s p r i o r, during a trip to the United States of America, President Ramotar met with the w i d o w, c h i l d r e n a n d relatives of Dr. Rodney. I learnt that Dr. Patricia Rodney requested of the President to commission this inquiry to bring closure to this chapter in the life of the R o d n e y f a m i l y. T h e President acceded to this request.

When the preparatory work began for this Commission, I was privileged to have been present when many conversations took place between President Ramotar, Dr. Pat Rodney and her daughter, Asha. I was also privileged to communicate directly with both of these

persons. So what I write hereunder is first hand.

In our engagements, the Rodney family made a few requests. Firstly, they requested that the Terms of Reference (ToRs) be broad enough to capture the political climate at the time and the role that different State Agencies played in the politics of the day.

I got the clear impression that they did not want the To R s t o r e s t r i c t t h e Commission from getting at the truth. The family was obviously wary of contrived and farcical previous endeavours, for example, the inquest in 1988. They wanted assurance that the ToRs would confer upon the Inquiry the widest latitude.

Secondly, they requested that there be no involvement of any political party, including the WPA. I learnt that in 2005, a similar request, by the f a m i l y, w a s m a d e o f President Bharrat Jagdeo, who agreed to establish a COI into Rodney’s death.

H o w e v e r, D r. R u p e r t Roopnaraine, who was appointed by the family to liaise with the then Government, reported to the Government that the Rodney family was no longer

interested.

In discussions, with the Rodney family, I realized this to be an untruth. Thirdly, the family requested Commissioners of international standing and reputation to be appointed, preferably non-Guyanese.

And fourthly, they requested that the criminal charges instituted against Donald Rodney be dismissed or withdrawn.

Every effort was made to ensure that these requests were met, as far as was practicable. The ToRs were drafted and sent to the Rodney family, for their input and approval.

I wish to assure Mr. Eusi Kwayana that the ToRs were devoid of any form of political contamination as he suggested in a letter to the Press, recently. No political party was consulted with respect to the establishment of the COI, including the P P P, t h e p a r t y i n Government.

In selecting the Commissioners, the intention was to select persons from societies in which Dr. Rodney lived and worked most of his life: Guyana, Jamaica and Africa.

Persons from Africa were (Continued on page 5)

It remains distressing to see this cannibalistic approach to Dr. Walter Rodney DEAR EDITOR, It is easy in our society to escalate everything, thrive on conflicts, and lose sight of reasoning and the need to arrive at sensible conclusion(s). The Walter Rodney issue is often one of these.

If the Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death was laid before the National Assembly, a public institution, isn’t it by now a Public Document? Is it true the Report from the Inquiry was presented to the Parliament in May 2016 and debated in August 2016? If yes, why is there the continuous call to make it public?

As an aside, is it also true the Rodney family received a copy of the Report?

Now there is the issue of the National Archives, once ‘renamed’ the Walter Rodney Archives, and no longer so, as per the placement of the

original sign.

According to media reports, the name was never gazetted, which means the remaining exercise was never legal. In short, it was not an official name but a call name, and perhaps an act of deception by those who engaged in that ‘renaming’ exercise.

Apart from that. Dr. Rodney, a historian by education, would value the importance of naming, for such aids in identifying, giving meaning, context, structure and helping us to understand our lived experiences. I doubt the historian Rodney would be enamoured with a nation’s archives named after him.

For such would say by its very name it is Rodney’s archives and the body of work in that building that of Rodney, not the nation.

The historian in him would condemn such a name as ill-conceived and

misguided. The politician in him, the nationalist not the partisan, would ridicule such naming and mock those who seek to contrive issues that divide rather than unite us.

While it is not unusual to name places in a society after persons, an entity such as the nation’s archives, which stores a body of work from p r e - c o l o n i a l t o n o w, representing the nonpartisan collection of our history, should not be attracting controversy.

Thus the neutrality and factual name, “National Archives” is most fitting, because by its very name it says it belongs to all the People of Guyana - an emphasis on all.

It is also instructive how those who claim to love Dr. Rodney often seek to thrive on his name, and not necessarily what he stood for. There is a Chair at the University of Guyana in Dr. Rodney’s name where his

body of work is open for academic review and development. It would be interesting to know the state of that chair and the role or lack thereof of his comrades in giving true meaning to it.

The spot where Dr. Rodney died was converted to a memorial shrine by his comrades. It would be of interest to know what efforts his comrades have since made to maintain the site in pristine condition. And please don’t proffer the response that the City Council is responsible for its maintenance, because there exists doubt the Council would have refused support for its maintenance via adoption or some other means.

It remains distressing to see this cannibalistic approach to Dr. Walter Rodney, his name and his contributions to society, good and/or bad.

Minette Bacchus

Tuesday November 26, 2019

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Investors do not have confidence in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Investors do not have confidence in G u y a n a .

Despite the massive commercial oil discoveries made since 2015, Guyana is not attracting the level of foreign direct investment that accompanies Oil and Gas. As prospective businessmen poured in the country for the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit & Exhibition (GIPEX-2019) numerous possible business ventures and partnerships were discussed. The responses to overtures of Guyanese businessmen to investors shared a common theme.

The current climate in Guyana is not conducive to large-scale investment because of the actions of the incumbent Granger

administration.

The absence of parliamentary democracy and the factors that have led to this situation take pride of place for destroying investor confidence in Guyana.

Investors asked questions of locals such as; Why would the government not hold elections as dictated by your constitution?, How can a government openly violate the constitution with seeming impunity?

Are there no consequences? Will there be elections on the 2nd of March? What guarantee exists that Granger will respect the results of the elections in the event of a loss?

Other areas of great concern were the Rule of L a w, G r a n g e r a n d h i s

executive continue to rule by decree despite being deemed ‘caretaker’ and then violating all decency by refusing to hold elections by the most generous of timelines on or before 19th of September.

Investors noted that Cabinet was meeting weekly; decisions were being made and implemented. Investors are not partisan Guyanese, they are persons who have accumulated great wealth by being prudent, and they are all well versed with what constitutes a stable society. Guyana is not the first country to have a usurper executive in control; the oilmen have seen this play out on other stages before, always with the same disastrous results.

Many Guyanese

By the premature end of this...

From page 4 consulted, but time and commitment prevented them from taking up an appointment.

I recall making contact with a former Chief Justice of Kenya, but he requested six to nine months to complete current commitments. We could not wait. Instead, Sir Richard Cheltenham K.A. Q.C. PhD., a distinguished lawyer from Barbados was chosen to Chair the Commission.

Barbados was chosen because this was the country to which the Rodney family fled and lived for several years, after Walter’s death.

From Jamaica, Jaquelin Samuels-Brown Q.C., a respectable jurist, was chosen. At the time, she was the Chairperson of the Council of Legal Education of the West Indies. She also added gender balance to the Commission.

The President decided that the Commission must have a Guyanese. However, care was exercised not to choose someone who may be perceived to be affected by the current political environment. So an eminent Guyanese lawyer who has been residing and practicing in Trinidad and Tobago for over thirty-five years, was chosen.

Seenauth Jairam S.C. was a former Judge of the High Court of Trinidad, as well as, the then President of the Law Society.

His appointment added ethnic balance to the Commission, as Rodney was a forceful advocate of racial unity in Guyana.

As regards the request t o D o n a l d R o d n e y, m y inquiries revealed that he was tried, convicted and

sentenced in his absence and that an appeal filed on his behalf, was dismissed.

It was therefore impossible (and still is) for the charge against him be dismissed or withdrawn.

In the circumstances, I advised President Ramotar to pardon him and this was done.

In terms of compensation, a decision was made for the Commission to make its findings first and if it was found that the State was responsible for Dr. Rodney’s death, then compensation would be discussed with the Government and the family.

By the time the Commission completed its work, the Government changed. By that time the evidence adduced was leaning overwhelmingly in the direction that the PNC Government of the time was responsible for Rodney’s death.

The new Government, APNU/AFC, as expected, immediately instructed the Commission to wind down its work. It was a tragic mistake.

Shortly after, the Commission was forced to bring its work to an abrupt end.

During the course of the COI, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine proffered a litany of excuses for not testifying. It is an omission for which history would harshly judge him.

At the time, when the Commission was forced to halt its work, a number of important witnesses were scheduled to testify and be cross examined. Additionally, “Salmon Letters” were to be issued to a number of persons whose names appeared on several important documents tendered in evidence and whose names were

mentioned by a number of witnesses.

In the end, upon the evidence available, the Commission found that “the State organised the assassination [of Walter Rodney] with the knowledge of Prime Minister Burnham”.

By the premature end of this Commission, the PNC would have assassinated Rodney a second time.

It is true that a reporter was specially hired to cover this event and to write a book on it. It is true that the Government’s Newspaper carried the widest coverage of this Commission. It is true that the Commission hearing was streamed live to the world.

The State of Guyana owes Rodney no less; nay, much more.

Mohabir Anil Nandlall MP, Attorney-at-Law

provided potential investors with land leases signed after 21st December 2018, some furnished agreements with NICIL, all for prime lands, and yet none were able to attract finance because for all the local politics and attendant bravado, Investors know that those leases are not worth the paper they are printed on.

GIPEX was also notable for its absentees as much as who attended; The US Energy Secretary was an early cancellation, but others such as Bank of America, Citi Bank, and Morgan Stanley sent a strong signal that all is not well with Guyana by their late absence. As a result, no big financial institution was present, the kind required to lend to project developers, the local lending cap is US$18M, it limits development.

The failure of the Granger administration to pay the court-ordered settlement of US$2.2M to DIPCON has given such institutions cause to reconsider doing business in a lawless jurisdiction.

Granger’s pardon of his Finance Minister was an ‘unpardonable’ act in the eyes of those who believe stable societies are based on the Rule of law.

To t h e i r c r e d i t , n o member of the Granger administration made any proposal of a Public/ Private Partnership on any infrastructure project.

Given that investor confidence in such arrangements in Guyana has evaporated following the de facto nationalization of the Berbice Bridge Company and Granger’s men would have been laughed out of the room.

The news of the acquisition of Hampton Court airstrip by executive O r d e r, m a d e u n d e r t h e Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act, has not helped to foster an image of a country that has great respect for individual property rights. That the order has been signed by a caretaker minister lends more fuel to that pyre. The job-loss debacle at Troy Resources caused by unthinking actions of a junior minister was noted by savvy company executives.

David Granger is seemingly oblivious to all the obstruction to development his actions continue to cause, day a f t e r d a y, d e c i s i o n s o f ‘Cabinet’ are announced, appointment of persons to serve on the Boards of state entities, mining land allocations, land leases, all of which are not envisioned as legalities for an executive in Caretaker status.

Do the persons who are appointed to State Boards know the consequences for any decisions they make going forward? I would suggest they seek nonpartisan legal advice before accepting such appointments.

Citizens, in general, should also do the same

before entering into any arrangement with government, all businessmen should be aware that any deal made now will be overturned later, the PPP certainly has made it clear that any arrangement made since 21st December 2018 will not be respected as legally binding. That is the crisis of confidence facing potential investors.

The International Oil Companies do not want to be cozied up by an executive, they want a stable country where the citizens are well informed and satisfied that there is equity. A real partnership where local content grows as the nation develops skills and capabilities.

Companies and investors want to know their money is safe and will earn a healthy rate of return, and that they and their money are protected by the rule of law.

Guyana will not see real growth until investors can h a v e c o n f i d e n ce in our Executive to adhere to Rule (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Let us be genuinely respectful of each other…A life free of violence is everyone’s right DEAR EDITOR, Help & Shelter joins in the observance of International Day against the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and 16 days of activism under the theme “Orange the world: Generation Equality stands against Rape”. However, in Guyana, violence against women continues to be the biggest obstacle in achieving gender equality.

As we observe another year of working towards the elimination of violence against women and girls, it is evident that there is much to do in Guyana.

According to the “Women’s Health and Life Expectancy Survey” recently conducted, 55% of respondents have experienced some form of intimate partner violence during their lifetime, with 38% experiencing physical and or sexual violence within the past twelve months.

The report identifies infidelity, alcohol and physical

fights among the major characteristics of perpetrators and a general lack of respect for each other as major contributors to violence against women.

Persons in the 15-24 age group are reported to be at a higher risk for experiencing violence and 50% of affected persons never report acts of intimate partner violence. At the root of the problem is personal and community beliefs defining roles for men and boys and social norms and expectations that endorse violent behaviours.

The report further states that 20% of respondents experience non-partner sexual abuse (NPSV), 13% of which occurred before age 18. The most important risk factor for NPSV is being young and the acts perpetrated include rape/ attempted rape, sexual harassment and unwanted sexual touching.

Sexual violence continues to be the most underreported form of violence, either due to a lack of understanding of what constitutes the offence or the shame and guilt experienced by

victims for a crime committed against them. While we applaud the judicial system on the increase in convictions for sexual offences, greater efforts should be made towards the prevention of such violations, as those who are most often affected and suffer in silence are our nation’s children, of which 20-30% have reported acts of sexual violence committed against them.

Women and girls in rural communities appear to be most affected due to the lack of services or knowledge of available services and helping agencies, given that most CSOs are located within the urban areas.

Guyanese women continue to lose their lives at alarming rates, with in excess of twenty women being killed in 2019, the majority being victims of intimate partner violence - a phenomenon which disrupts families and traumatized the wider society. As a result of such acts, children are being left orphaned, which places added pressure on a system that is already struggling to address issues of children’s welfare.

Help & Shelter continues to address all forms of violence

The telltale signs that people should ponder before making a choice DEAR EDITOR, For a second time in the Coalition reign, controversy in the procurement of books by the Ministry of Education (MOE) is brought to the attention of the public, and justifiably so. A KN article, “No work for local printers GNPL again goes to Trinidad for books”, on November 22nd, clearly states that, “Under the laws, GNPL and other state entities and ministries have to advertise for goods and services.”

The article clearly gives the reason for the law, “This is to ensure that the contracts that are awarded are done in a transparent manner in accordance with proper procurement procedures and in order to ensure the people of Guyana receive value for their tax dollars.”

The contract for the printing of books is not in the vicinity of a medical emergency, that the MOE should sole source same to GNPL. When there is a shortage of books, parents purchase books for their children. The fact that the MOE had done this twice, rather than advertise the contract for public tendering is indicative of the MOE’s disdain for the state’s orthodox or lawful procurement procedure.

The local printers, having found out that the cost for printing the books by the Trinidadian company was much higher than they could have done the job for, had sought

clarity from Office of the President (OP) when it had happened last year.

I do not recall hearing any explanation on the matter from OP. A second occurrence essentially places OP as a colluder with MOE, in depriving the people of Guyana from receiving “value for their tax dollars.” The contract having been handed on a platter (sole sourced) to GNPL and because of GNPL’s inability to deliver, it would have been a show of goodwill or a patriotic gesture for GNPL to seek to subcontract the job on home soil - amongst the local printers.

Are there any Patriots left in high places? The fact that GNPL did not attempt to subcontract the job on home soil, but went directly to “John Dickinson and Co (West Indies) Limited,” in

Trinidad, makes the entire issue now look like a three-pronged conspiracy.

There is an old adage,” We should learn from our mistake”. To have MOE, GNPL and silence from OP, involved in the repeated sourcing of the printing of books at a higher price, from a foreign company, while it could have been done cheaper locally, reeks of lawlessness and lack of patriotism towards country.

With general elections set for March 2nd, these are the telltale signs that the people should ponder on before deciding on their choice of Government. The people must at all times be mindful of the wastage of their tax dollars. It is the ultimate source for corruption.

Rudolph Singh

Investors do not...

From page 5 of Law, in our Judiciary to be impartial adjudicators and a return to parliamentary democracy as our governance model.

Guyana also needs highquality leadership, to foster a healthy investment climate and to ensure growth is across the board and not in the government coffers only.

Jobs, housing, construction and revitalization of the other pillars of our economy, are vital to our well-being.

The PPP grew Guyana without Oil and Gas, given a chance it will take the Guyanese standard of living forward in great leaps and bounds, Foreign Direct Investment, International Financial Institutions, and confident investors are v i t a l t o o u r n a t i o n ’s development - all of those are dependent on a change in direction on the 2nd of March 2020.

Respectfully Robin Singh

through the various services that we offer. Along with other civil society organizations, considerable efforts are made towards combating this scourge on our society, often with enormous challenges and very limited resources, which impedes our ability to reach the most affected regions of our country.

To this end, there needs to be better collaborations, a more cohesive and collective approach, stronger networking amongst NGOs and greater institutional and government support if we are to effectively address not just domestic and sexual violence, but the many social ills plaguing our society.

At the governmental level, urgent attention must be given to making appropriate services

available within all communities to address the needs of citizens.

Greater awareness and sensitization, with a focus on prevention of the many social issues, are needed; better response mechanisms and ensuring systems, structures and policies that are in place are equipped/upgraded and fully functional to appropriately respond to the needs of affected persons.

We call upon all Guyanese to each do our part in contributing to the prevention and/or elimination of the use of violence in all its forms, to examine and address our own attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence, educate ourselves on alternative ways of handling conflicts, and seek help

where available and speak out against violence in all its forms.

We wish to acknowledge the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), the Government of Guyana, our networking partners and private sector companies and organizations for their continued support of the services we offer to the public.

Finally, let us begin to LISTEN to each other and be genuinely RESPECTFUL of each other.Alife free of violence is everyone’s right.

Kevin Massiah Danuta Radzik Josephine Whitehead Colin Marks Linda Hustler-Gray Help & Shelter

The ‘winner takes it all’ approach to governance is the root cause of our underdevelopment DEAR EDITOR, There is a positive correlation between democracy and development. This is true for Guyana as it is for any other country in the world. The records would show that the best years the country enjoyed were during the post-1992 period and, for a limited time, the 1957-1964 period, even though the country was at the time under British colonial rule.

This is why it is so important to ensure that our democracy is not only preserved, but further consolidated and deepened. This is all the more necessary as we prepare for one of the most transformative events in our history, namely the discovery of oil. A democratic, united and stable Guyana is an important prerequisite for the optimization of our oil resources estimated to

be worth billions of dollars.

No democracy is perfect.

However, despite its imperfections, any departure from democratic norms and values is by far worse and could be disastrous.

Democracy in ethnically diverse societies such as ours is particularly challenging and requires some measure of constitutional engineering to ensure that all Guyanese, regardless of race or political preferences, do not feel marginalized and alienated from the process of national development.

The task of any government in a democracy is to ensure that there is participatory and inclusive governance. This can only become a reality in an environment where the political preferences of all Guyanese are accommodated in the

governance structure.

In a true democracy, no segment of the voting population should be fearful of political victimization because of the electoral choices they make.

This regrettably is not the case in Guyana, which is why the political stakes are so high. It is the zero-sum or ‘all or nothing’ mentality that makes electoral outcomes so intensely intimidatory. For many, it is tantamount to a life or death situation.

I remain convinced that the ‘winner takes it all’ approach to governance is the root cause of our underdevelopment and should be replaced by a new governance paradigm in which the principle of governance for the good of all should be the bedrock on which our governance structure rests.

Hydar Ally

It is business as usual at Republic Bank while thousands suffer DEAR EDITOR, My employer informed me that my salary was paid into my bank account at Republic Bank around Thursday, November 21st. I kept checking my account throughout the weekend, but no money was cleared into the account. I contacted my colleagues who also have their salaries paid into the said bank, and they all said that no money was cleared in their accounts either.

This has never happened to us before.

We are completely in the dark as to why this has happened.

Our management informed us that the problem does not rest with our place of employment, since relevant payments were forwarded to the bank.

We are assuming that this non-payment is directly related to the recent “upgrade” effected

by Republic Bank. Further evidence of problems at the bank has been seen on Facebook posts complaining of multiple problems. Pictures were also seen of extremely long lines in and around the bank branches.

What is most frustrating is that this situation has been going on for over two weeks. Yet updates from the bank have been nonexistent. Not a word! Not a release! Not even an update on our phones as they usually do when they swamp us with their ads. One would have assumed that since the bank knows that all these problems are completely of their doing, they would have gone all out to appease the many disgruntled customers.

Banking hours still seem the same. With the magnitude of customers affected, the bank should have immediately put contingency measures in place.

Adjust working hours to ease the suffering. Closing time for the banks should have been adjusted. Banks should have opened during weekends.

Whatever was necessary to ease the suffering of the customers.

But nothing of the sort!

It is business as usual at Republic Bank while thousands suffer. And where is the regulatory body? Will they wait until customers cannot take the suffering anymore and take drastic public action before they intervene?

When will our country ever put customers first?

M. Abraham

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 7

Guyanese pirates handed heavy jail sentences

Seven pirates sentenced to 35 years imprisonment in Suriname

Photos of the killed and missing fishermen.

Seven pirates will each have to serve 35 years for the deadly piracy act committed on the High Seas in April 2018. Twelve fishermen are still missing as a result of that attack, according to a Suriname news source.

Chris Parsram, Rameshwar Roopnarine, Madre Kishore, David Williams, Ramdeo Persaud, Ray Torres and Ganesh Beharry, all Guyanese have been jailed for 35 years.

Three others, Sureshdien N., Premnath P. and Doodnath M. were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

The Public Prosecution Service had made a five-year sentence proposal against the latter. They were present, but due to circumstances, their

share in the legal and convincing evidence was not provided.

“It seems obvious to me, but I also need the solid proof.

Then I should acquit the group of three,” the judge said, according to the Suriname news.

The Magistrate, Marie Mettendaf, delivered the verdict on Friday.

The convicted Feroz Bikash was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with a deduction and Terry Durga was sentenced to five years.

The seized boats, shotguns and cutlasses were forfeited by the magistrate.

“Paddy”, a boat captain, was shot dead in March 2018. After his death, various robber-

ies and murder cases took place at sea.

Statements from witnesses indicate that many of the grisly acts that were carried out, took place after “Paddy’s” death.

Victims were tied to anchors and thrown overboard with batteries. Others were forced to jump overboard.

The victims were robbed of their fish, food and other goods.

Evidence presented to the court showed that 10 of the suspects were present when the act was carried out on April 27, 2018 while two were not.

Meanwhile, two other suspects Nakool “Fyah” (Continued on page 21)

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Guyana officially de-recognises UK in trade pact with EU The Guyana Government shares a historical trading relationship with the European Union (EU) but developments in that section of the world, namely the likely United Kingdom’s (UK) exit from

the union—Brexit—has since been concretised to no longer recognise the former colonizer as a part of the EU. The order which was made under the hand of Minister of Finance,

Winston Jordan, amends the existing Customs Act, to create a distinction between UK and the EU when it comes to the Economic Partnership Agreement EPA) that was inked with the EU and CARIFORUM.

Guyana as a member of CARICOM is a CARIFORUM country and a signatory to the EPA. According to a November 1, 2019, order made by Jordan and since published in the Official Gazette, “any reference to the United Kingdom in the CARIFORUM-European Community Economic Partnership Agreement” has

been deleted.

The order de-recognises the EU as part of the agreement effective October 31, 2019—the date the UK was expected to have officially left the EU—deal or no deal.

Several CARIFORUM countries, following the UK’s vote to exit the EU, had signed onto a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK for a separate trading

agreement.

The agreement was said to be of significant importance to Guyana particularly since the UK is Guyana’s largest trading partner in Europe and its sixth overall in CARIFORUM. Furthermore, the UK is an important market for the export of Guyana’s sugar, rice and rum.

At the regional level, absorbing about a quarter of exports from the Caribbean, the UK is the largest trading partner for CARIFORUM. The MoU served as a direct response to the impending exit of the UK from the EU since the existing trade arrangement governing G u y a n a ’s exports to the British market lapses as long as that State formally leaves the regional body.

Additionally, the move serves as the culmination of an approach agreed between CARIFORUM and the UK in March 2017 to ensure continuity in the existing preferential trading relations, including duty free quota conditions, among others.

Eight other C A R I F O R U M M ember States — Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — signed the Agreement, while others have signaled their intention to do so shortly.

Guyana, through its Customs’ Order is among the first in CARIFORUM to take the necessary domestic steps that will allow for the Agreement to come into effect as soon as t h e latter leaves the European Union.

Tuesday November 26, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

THE WPA WILL ACCEPT THIS LATEST HUMILIATION IF ONLY TO REMAIN IN GOVERNMENT Guyanese are experts at making up excuses. Whether it is cricket, football, boxing, politics or governance, Guyanese can concoct reasons to excuse their poor performance.

A few years ago, a Guyanese boxer fought for a world title and lost. The excuse offered was that the promoters did not provide proper food for the boxer and this led to her loss. No one bothered to ask how it is that someone is going to fight for country and adequate arrangements were not made for food. They accepted the excuse because it was what they wanted to believe. A wicked act was recently exposed. Walter Rodney’s name has been unceremoniously erased from the name of the archives. And the shameless mouthpieces of the government have come up with an excuse.

They are claiming that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPC) administration which changed the name of

the archives to the Walter Rodney Archives did not gazette the name change. The gullible and those who continue to excuse the mistakes of the government have latched on to this excuse.

None of those who are contending that the original name change was not gazetted has pointed out under which law a name change is required to be gazetted. But persons are running with this excuse as a defense of the change in the signage outside of the archives.

But assuming there is a lawful provision which requires that a name change of a public entity being gazetted, why then instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars to replace the signage could the name change not be gazetted?

The National Archives was created as a department of government in 1982. In 2007, then former President Bharrat Jagdeo supported a private initiative aimed at re-

storing the Theater Guild.

During a tour of the facility, he announced that the National Archives would be renamed after Walter Rodney.

The PPPC also established a Chair for Walter Rodney at the University of Guyana.

A new building to house the archives was then being constructed on Homestretch Avenue. The new building was opened and the signage, up to recent, advertised it as the Walter Rodney Archives.

APNU has acknowledged all of these initiative aimed at memorialising Guyana’s most renowned historian. The APNU never protested the naming of the archives. The International Directory of Archives noted the change of name of the National Archives to the Walter Rodney Archives in 2008.

This latest assault on the memory of Walter Rodney has taken place while the party, which he founded is cuddling with the party which was responsible for his as-

Dem boys seh ...

Jordan is public enemy De worse thing anybody can do is to keep back people pay. Tell some people dat dem gon be paid weekly and dem gon smile.

Change de pay day to monthly and you gon have a riot pon dem hand.

Jordan tell de world dat he giving public servants back pay. People clap and nuff of dem smile till dem mouth nearly tear.

But when November month-end come and de people didn’t see de back pay Jordan nearly end up in trouble. In fact, from de time he announce de pack pay, people did expect de money. Some security guards nearly strike because de boss didn’t even mention anything about pay increase.

At dat stage was two sets of people who was vex wid Jordan—de workers in de public service, and de employers in de private sector.

And is only because de shop people know dem gon get de biggest share of all mek dem didn’t join in de protest. One shop man actually start marking up he price. When

a shopper see him and ask him wha he doing, he tell she how he adjusting de expiry date pon de goods.

Christmas coming and everybody know dem gon get dem pay by then. De thing wha got dem boys puzzled is if dem same public servants don’t remember. Every January is hard time because people does get pay early in December.

Dis time dem getting some extra money. Dem boys willing to be dat January gon he hard as usual because people gon spend every cent without thinking about January.

Dem boys also tekking a bet, dat in February dem same public servants gon strike fuh more pay because by then de shop man done tek almost every cent. And dem shop man is Jagdeo supporter. Jagdeo done tell dem to put a good lash pon dem public servants before de elections.

Talk half and watch how Jagdeo planning fuh Jordan.

Tabatinga Creek Murder Murdered Venezuelan identified but was buried immediately.

A few weeks ago, a Venezuelan national who was murdered and dumped into the shallows of the Tabatinga Creek near the Brazil-Lethem border, was found by two residents who live close to the creek. With those making the discovery were some policemen who were made aware of the incident. According to reports, the man had an argument with another, which led to a scuffle.

A resident who overheard

the argument around 2:00am could not relate the situation since the men both spoke another language however, he heard noises, which he believed was a scuffle then a dragging, which made him suspicious to investigate what was happening.

He reportedly saw two guys dragging something and throwing it into a creek which seems to be unusual.

He immediately informed the police.

Upon police investigation, they found a trail of blood leading to the creek.

There the body was discovered with several stab wounds to the neck and lower body.

About a week and a half ago, the fiancée of the Venezuelan national identified him. A post mortem examination and burial was done immediately after the Commander received a call from the Regional Chairperson that the mortuary freezer had seized working.

However, several persons were arrested shortly after the incident and released. The perpetrators are still at large.

sassination. In fact, Rodney’s party, the Working People’s Alliance has become the staunchest defender of the APNU+AFC government, despite that same government aborted the Commission of Inquiry into his death.

The WPA has assumed the role of campaign director for the APNU+AFC’s reelection. The WPA has abandoned its original demand for shared governance involving both of the main political parties. It is now the principal cheerleader of winner-take-all politics so long as the PPPC is kept out of government.

The politics of the WPA has undergone a metamorphosis.

The WPA has said that it will inquire into the name change. In so doing, it should ask whether the old sign, which bore the name of Walter Rodney and was elegantly carved in wood had deteriorated or whether the change in signage was a provocative act intended to remove any association of the archives with Walter Rodney.

“A History of the Guyanese Working People: 1881-1905” was published after Walter’s assassination.

The book was completed prior to his death – a truly remarkable accomplishment given his hectic political schedule while it was being

researched and written. He spent hours researching in the National Archives.

What has been done is a travesty, one which should not be excused, particularly by his party. But you can bet that the party he founded is going to find some reason to excuse what has happened.

And it has done with everything which has been done to his memory under the APNU+AFC government.

PAGE 10

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Did Finance Minister Jordan mislead the nation?

Someone wrote a reply to the following statement by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan; “By the time we are finished with salaries for this year, I can guarantee you that between July 1, 2015, and January 1, 2019, it will be over 75 percent increase.”

The Minister in announcing salary increases for public servants said that between 2015 and 2019, the government would have given public servants an accumulated increase of 75 percent. For reasons we may never know, the letter-writer opted not to sign a name.

In Guyana, one resorts to anonymity to evade victimisation. Of course, the aficionados of the APNU+AFC regime would say that the era of looking behind your back is gone so

why think the government will victimise you if you criticise state power.

I would advise you to be careful how you embrace those words of governmental supporters.”

The reply to Jordan was published under the title “Cumulative salary and wage increases for public servants since 2015 varied depending on their bands” in the Stabroek News of Saturday, November 16, 2019.

I would recommend you read this missive for two reasons; it shows the importance of context. Context is everything in life. Everything has a basis in context.

This columnist has argued in more than a dozen articles and will continue to argue that I support the no-confidence vote in the context of the fail-

ure of the APNU+AFC to transform this blighted nation, an expectation that perhaps the whole world had of the Coalition Government.

The anonymous writer had this to say about Minister Jordan, “The claim that salaries and wages increased by 70 (sic) percent is as disingenuous as the arguments advanced by his colleague Basil Williams regarding the majority of 65. It is also an insult to the intelligence of public servants who know they did not receive increases anywhere close to 70 (sic) percent.”

The letter writer produced two tables of statistics covering public servants’ increases from 2015 to 2019.

Here is where context becomes extremely important.

The tables revealed that dif-

ferent categories of public workers received different levels of increase. And when you take the variations into account many public employees did not touch anywhere near 75 percent.

The missive argued that it was misleading to announce that public servants receive 75 percent increase within a four-year period because the generalisation does not apply.

The second reason for my recommendation of this rebuttal to the Finance Minister lies in the protection of the recording of history. Let us say that someone is writing a book about the economics of the APNU+AFC’s first term in office. He/she reads about the Finance Minister ’s pronouncement. No one replies to the Minister. No one factually proves the Minister was wrong and the Minister’s figures faulty. The Minister’s figures then become part of the book and goes into history.

It is for this reason, I urge people in this country not to let propaganda, fake news, and self-serving narratives go unanswered. The most egregious example of recent times is the statement of the WPA that the Granger Government in the only administration in the history of British Guiana and post-colonial Guyana where no critic was physically attached. This was depraved fiction. This was unsavoury propaganda.

Shortly after a picket exercise was mounted outside the Kaieteur News criticising the newspaper’s report on the lack of transparency of Joe Harmon’s trip to China, there was a grenade attack on the publisher. Now the two incidents may have absolutely nothing in common and there is no proof of such a connection. But the fact remains that the publisher of the leading newspaper could have died if that device had exploded. The WPA’s fact is no longer fact.

It is fiction and that fiction will

Frederick Kissoon not find itself in the history books because others have replied and proved that it was not factual.

The paucity of rejection of the accusations of treachery against Charrandass Persaud is disturbing. Why can’t someone vote against their own government for reason of conscience? There is not a sufficient number of people coming to the defence of Charran as against those who vilify Charran daily in the Chronicle.

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Police find AK, ammo, drugs in North Sophia raid The drugs recovered and ammunition recovered in the raid

A joint intelligence operation lasting for more than seven hours unearthed a large cache of cannabis, foreign and local currency and two weapons. Two persons, a construction worker and his wife, have since been taken into custody. 1The operation began around 22:30hrs on Sunday and ranks worked straight through until the next morning.

Acting Crime Chief

Michael Kingston said that the ranks recovered one unlicensed AK-47 and a pistol along with 66 matching rounds. The police also found more than 32 kilograms of cannabis.

Investigators are also seeking a third suspect in relation to guns recovered.

According to Acting Crime Chief, the guns will be cross checked to link them to any recent crimes.

PAGE 12

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Over 1,000 received legal aid in first half of the year The Guyana Legal Aid Clinic has provided its services to 1,592 persons spanning four regions within the first half of 2019.

This is according to statistics published by the Clinic, which has operations in Anna Regina, Region Two; Georgetown, Regions Four; Fort Wellington, Region Five and New Amsterdam, Region Six. The information said that persons were either interviewed by the Legal Aid Clinic, while in some cases, persons were given advice or both advice and representation in court.

The information shows that 1,169 persons from Region Four benefited from its legal services. Of this number, 661 were women, the other 508 were men.

The persons who visited the organisations Georgetown office located in Maraj Building, sought assistance with civil and criminal matters.

Of the 1,035 persons who were interviewed for civil matters, 609 of them received advice and representation. The remaining 426 received advice only.

Of the various civil matters, persons were mostly in-

terviewed for divorce and custody and access.

Some 453 persons were interviewed in relation to divorce matters, 356 of them received advice and representation.

The other 127 were only given advice. Of the 146 persons who were interviewed for custody and access matters, only 21 of them received advice and representation; the remaining 125 were only given advice.

Persons were also given advice and representation on matters pertaining to property disputes, maintenance, domestic violence, division of property, estates, injunction, adoption, bigamy, landlord and tenant, nuisance, trespass, employment, etc.

When it comes to criminal matters, of the 65 persons interviewed, 52 received advice and representation. The remaining 13 received advice only.

Some 34 persons were interviewed for assault related matters, 10 for robbery and theft, nine for threatening language, five for murder/manslaughter, four for rape/carnal knowledge, two for narcotics and only one for disorderly behaviour.

From the 34 persons who

were interviewed for assault, 27 of them received advice and representation; the others were only given advice.

Nine of the 10 persons who were interviewed for robbery and theft received advice and representation.

Eight of the nine persons who were interviewed for threatening language received advice and representation.

Of the five persons who were interviewed for murder/ manslaughter, two of them received advice and representation. Three of the four individuals who were interviewed for rape/carnal knowledge were given advice and representation.

Apart from these criminal matters, the one person who was interviewed for disorderly behaviour received advice and representation.

Meanwhile, during the first half of the year, 196 persons visited the Guyana Legal Aid Clinics office in Region Two106 men and 96 women.

Thirty-two of them were interviewed for criminal matters; 29 of them received advice and representation, while the remaining three only received advice.

All 12 persons inter-

Photo credit: Adam Smith Institute viewed for assault were given advice and representation. Of the 12 persons interviewed for miscellaneous matters, 11 received advice and representation.

The two persons interviewed for murder/manslaughter were both given advice and representation.

Four of the five persons interviewed for robbery and theft were given advice and representation. Two other

persons were also interviewed, one each for rape/ carnal knowledge and theft.

Only the individual interviewed for threatening language received advice and representation. One hundred and sixty-four persons were interviewed in relation to civil matters for this region.

One hundred and thirty of them received advice and representation, 31 of them were only given advice. The re-

maining three were ineligible for legal aid; as such, they were referred to the private bar for assistance.

Of the 164 persons, 39, were in relation to Deed Polls and Affidavits; 38 were given advice and representation. Of the 26 persons interviewed for divorce, 25 of them received advice and representation.

Persons were interviewed in relation to other matters.

These include 25 for property disputes, 19 for estates, 13 for maintenance, six for custody and access, four each for late registration births/deaths and personal injury/death claims, two for power of attorney, eight for domestic violence, among others.

When it comes to Region Six, 180 persons visited the Legal Aid Clinic 111 women and nine men. Some 170 persons were interviewed for civil matters of which only 39 received advice and representation.

The remaining 131 were given advice only. Most of the persons, 77, were interviewed for divorce matters of which 32 received advice and representation; the remaining 45 were given advice only.

Three of the 39 persons (Continued on page 21)

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

D'urban backlands residents benefit from medical outreach

O

ver the past w e e k e n d , hundreds of residents of D'urban Backlands and neighbouring communities benefited from a free medical outreach programme sponsored by R&S Investment Inc. in collaboration with the 15th Chinese Medical Brigade.

Ten specialists from the Chinese Brigade offered services that included Internal Medicine, Gynaecology, Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery and

Citizens of the community during the outreach

traditional Chinese Medicine.

According to R&S Investment Inc. 's General M a n a g e r, M s . I l e a n a Boodhoo , the company is closely knitted to the community and saw it fit to conduct the second outreach within the community.

As such, the company will continue to work with the community to make this a yearly event.

She also noted that the company holds an annual Christmas toy distribution for children within the community, which is now a tradition.

Head of the Brigade and General Surgeon, Dr. Yang Yun, said the experience thus far has been a positive one.

He said that the majority of Guyanese suffer from Non Communicable Diseases (NCD). Medical outreaches like these allow the team to meet with persons who are unable to access healthcare without the hassle or wait, according to the organisers.

Dr. Yang said patients were given a full check up and those beyond their care were referred to a hospital for further check up. He underscored the importance of a regular check up and hopes their visit to Guyana can improve access to healthcare facilities and

assist Guyanese in living a healthier lifestyle.

Community Leader, Kyle Solomon, said the medical outreach is a timely one. Solomon expounded concerns about the poor living conditions and deemed it fit for persons to become aware of their health status. “People are here and the response from the community is satisfactory.

They are welcoming the services,� Solomon stated.

He noted that R&S Investment Inc has played an integral role in the development of the community and heartedly thanked them for their continuous support.

D'Urban Backlands resident, Nirvonne Smith, 41, expressed satisfaction at the outreach and said the visit is always welcomed.

Smith called on the corporation to continue to support the community with hopes the outreach can grown bigger as the years go by. A n o t h e r r e s i d e n t , Richilene Heyligar, 29, said she was relieved to receive the free medical checkup.

Over the last 50 years, Guyana and China have bonded through many collaborative ties, especially the medical sector, thus welcoming the 15th Chinese Medical Brigade in July 2019.

One of the doctors sharing a light moment with the children from the community

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Businessman charged for attempting to export $7.3M in raw gold - Being investigated for money laundering

B

usinessman, Vibert Marks, yesterday found himself before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to a charge in which he is accused of attempting to export $7.3 M in raw gold on an international flight.

The 44-year-old defendant who was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him.

It is alleged that on November 18, 2019 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), he had in his possession a quantity of raw gold amounting to 974.13 grams, which is said to be valued at $7.3M. He

Vibert Marks allegedly did this without an export licence.

Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman represented the defendant and he entered a bail application for his client.

However, Police

Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail for the defendant based on the grounds that the defendant is currently being investigated for money laundering. Also, Marks is expected to return to court tomorrow as the police are bringing a corrupt transaction charge against him. He reportedly attempted to bribe a Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) rank.

The fact of the charge stated that on the day in question, the defendant who is a permanent resident of the United States of America (USA) was an ongoing passenger on a flight at CJIA destined for the USA. It is alleged that while a CANU rank was checking

the suitcase of the defendant, he observed a darkish object in it. Upon asking the defendant some questions, Marks stated that he was only carrying 20 ounces of raw gold. However, the checks revealed that it was more than 20 ounces and the defendant reportedly used the opportunity to attempt to bribe the CANU rank.

The court was told that the rank refused the bribe offer and reported the incident to his superiors.

Nevertheless, Magistrate McLennan upheld the bail application made by the lawyer and granted same to the tune of $200,000. Marks is expected to make his next court appearance on November 26, 2019.

Trigger happy security arrested

The security guard shooting into the air

- Other colleagues likely to face dismissal

T

he Sheriff Security Services guard who was recorded shooting his work-issued shotgun into the air has since been arrested. According to police sources, the man was arrested on Monday and police are investigating the matter.

A senior official from Sheriff Security relayed to Kaieteur News that the other guards in the video are yet to be identified. He stated that once they are, their services with the company will be terminated immediately.

The security company took swift action and fired the trigger happy security guard who was caught on camera recklessly firing his weapon while on duty, as his colleagues cheered him on.

In the video posted on Facebook, the security guard, clad in black, was seen telling his colleagues to 'cork their ears' as he prepared to fire the company-issued shotgun.

The security guard fired one shot while his friends could be heard in the background saying “Customs hot…Duh is how the thugs does wuk…six!”

The senior security official at the company confirmed to Kaieteur News that the guard was fired on the spot, as soon as the company viewed video of the incident, which was widely circulated online on Sunday.

The video was made months ago and only surfaced when his friends posted it on social media to celebrate the disgraced guard's birthday.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

PAGE 17

Port Kaituma protests electricity crisis Protests carried out by residents yesterday at the Port Kaituma Power Station

R

esidents from Port Kaituma, N o r t h We s t District (NWD) demonstrated, yesterday, in front of the Port Kaituma Power Station over electricity crisis.

Angered persons were seen marching with placards and chanting for the

management of Port Kaituma Power and Light (PKPL) to step down.

One of the protestors said that Christmas is approaching and they are still unsure as to whether electricity will be restored to the community in time.

The protestor said that it has been over a month of

silence from the management of PKPL. “We asked them when we gon get back light but them silent. They ain't giving a definite answer.”

Others said that they have resorted to buying “salted meats” as a result of the crisis.

It has been over a month

since the Generator suffered a mechanical failure. One of the mechanics who works with PKPL said that the “engine head” was damaged and sent out to Georgetown for repairs.

But since then he was never notified by his superiors, if the necessary repairs were done.

The community was informed by the management about the mechanical issue and was told that the repairs will take two weeks.

A month later residents became outraged after four bodies became decomposed in the community mortuary.

Businesses are also greatly affected and have suffered major losses.

Ice which was used an alternative for many

businesses became scarce.

Those who have generators are limited to using them once or twice a week because of high fuel cost.

“Only last week gasoline was $2000 a gallon; today it gone to $2500… It look like we gon have a dark Christmas,” said one of the protestors.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) was contacted on Friday. No response was forthcoming.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Tuesday November 26, 2019

CJIA's washrooms were closed for mandatory disinfection

T

he closure of the washrooms at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, Friday evening for several hours, was a planned affair.

According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), in a statement, the washrooms were under “procedural sanitation” for the domestic cold water pipelines system.

“Due to this, the washrooms in the terminal building were closed for approximated six hours,” the

Ministry explained.

On Friday evening, passengers and staffers alike complained about the inconvenience which they blamed on the toilets' clogged lines.

The situation had raised eyebrows as one of the major reasons advanced for the building of new terminal building back in 2009 was the old sewage lines, which were unable to handle the volume of traffic at the airport.

The Bharrat Jagdeo government had gone ahead and signed that US$150M

The signs on the doors of the toilets at the airport on Friday evening.

deal with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which started works in 2013 that should have ended in late 2015. The deadline has passed time and again and instead of a new terminal building, a renovated one is to be handed to the people of Guyana.

With regards to the “sanitisation”, the Ministry said that following specification/contract requirements, under the supervision of the airport project consultantsMMM/CEMCO Inc.- and in conjunction with Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), China Harbour Engineering (CHEC) undertook the sanitation/disinfection of the domestic cold water (DWC) piping system installed in the terminal building.

“This process commenced weeks ago with the submission of the proposed methodology by the contractor to the consultants and GWI. The methodology was reviewed and accepted. Following the requirements set forth under ANSI/AWWA C651-14, the airport corporation made available a window period of six (6) hours (from 16:00 to 22:00) on Friday, November 22, 2019 to carry out the process.”

The Ministry said that prior to this, two trial procedures were undertaken on Saturday, November 9 and Thursday, November 21 respectively, in order to go

through the various testing steps, as well as to identify any shortfalls and to plan for unforeseen circumstances that may hinder the proper execution of the disinfection process. “In order to warrant the non-stop airport operation, during this low use window period, temporary washroom facilities were made available for the travelling public especially persons with disabilities in both the arrivals and departures terminal buildings. “Temporary signage was also installed at all public areas for guidance whilst personnel were deployed at strategic locations to guide persons and ensured a smooth process.”

The Ministry said that it is noted that all newly constructed or repaired water systems, finished water storage facilities or wells serving a public water system must be disinfected/sanitised after the construction process by methods accepted to the Guyana Water Authority and in accordance with international standards.

“As the local governing body, GWI were engaged from the start and played an integral part in the review of the proposed disinfection methodology submitted by CHEC. They also played an important role in monitoring the quality of the water before, during and after the disinfection process which was successfully completed on the aforementioned dates.”

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Fisherman found hanging in lockups after arrested for threatening wife

A

49-year-old Fisherman of lot 18 Bennet Dam, D' Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, was discovered hanging in the Blairmont Police Station lockups on Sunday around 18:10 hrs.

Chandatt Yodha was found hanging from his two pieces of underwear by ranks making a check on him. He was in custody for threatening

language and behaviour against his reputed wife, Angela Roy, earlier that day and was expected to appear in court on Monday.

He was reportedly the only person in the cell. Yodha was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fort Wellington Hospital. The body is presently at Bailey's Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Tuesday November 26, 2019

GCCI slams Govt. over policy imbalance …says clear advantage to GTT, T&T favouring foreigners operators shows need for local content laws

By Gary Eleazar

T

he inability of l o c a l companies—larg e and small—to effectively compete with the plethora of foreign counterparts that are flooding Guyana in light of its emerging oil and gas industry was glaringly illustrated in articles carried in Kaieteur News over the weekend.

The reportage further demonstrates the need for government to take a serious look at the way the domestic business community is faring, through action or inaction on the part of the administration, according to President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer.

He was at the time responding to reports that the American-owned Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) experienced a 500 per cent increase in its demand in two years.

This, in the absence of a liberalised sector, which the

GCCI President argues has placed local companies at a disadvantage.

He argued further that the status quo in the telecommunications sector has even prevented other foreign players from benefitting from and inherently improving the industry.

The GCCI President noted that had the local telecommunication industry been fully liberalised, local companies such as ENetworks which has begun landing fibre optic cables, would have also been able to benefit from the exponential increase in demand for bandwidth services.

Equally concerning, according to Deygoo-Boyer, were the reports that a number of Trinidad and To b a g o ( T & T ) - b a s e d operators were given an unfair advantage while operating in Guyana using more than just loopholes.

He said the absence of a local content policy creates situations “where the local

GCCI President, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer c o m p a n i e s f e e l disadvantaged either because the contracts are bundled or because the requirements list conditions that the locals cannot meet at this time; but could very shortly with the assistance of the operators once they are willing to build that local content.”

Kaieteur News reported that at least three T&T based

companies were benefiting from tax waivers provided to oil companies and passed on.

Investigations by this publication found that it is the duty free and other waivers which are handed to the Oil Companies in the PSA, that allow for companies to now be listed as affiliates in the process being exempt themselves making the payments.

What this has led to is that companies do not even have to apply for a waiver of duties, since by virtue of being an affiliate or contracted supplier of the oil company, the waivers are automatic.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ramps Logistics, Shaun Rampersaud, in an interview with Kaieteur News had denied being an importer of commodities for the oil companies.

Rather, the company is involved in the shipping, brokerage and other logistics for the oil company that contracts the company.

According to Deygoo-

Boyer, given the historical presence of the oil companies in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago and experience and relationships that they built up over time— it is hard for the local companies to break into the supply chain without assistance in building capacity from government and the operators.

The GCCI President explained, too, that regional, American and other companies are also able to access credit facilities at far cheaper interest rates, lower than the eight to 14 per cent being offered in Guyana, which further reduces the competitiveness of local companies.

He said that the articles highlighted just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the litany of disadvantages faced by local companies and service providers that are made to compete unfairly with the foreign operators.

He said the situation clearly demonstrates why there is need for a robust

Local Content Policy with accompanying, enforceable laws in order to protect Guyanese companies and business.

“So they can be able to compete fairly in their own countries and not be impeded by the action or inactions of its own government which appears to be failing to protect the local private sector,” Deygoo-Boyer said.

Despite calls for increased local content, domestic suppliers have repeatedly lamented that there is no level playing field.

“Local companies cannot compete since the playing field is not level in terms of rules and in terms of the players.”

One supplier told Kaieteur News, “…We are not against foreign companies entering the market, but what we are against is the policy of the government that allows these companies to come and take advantage through unfair competition fostered by the uneven playing field.”

Agricola execution… Relative of injured teen denies altercation allegations …claims grandson was innocent bystander

T

he grandfather of the 15-year-old injured in Saturday's executionstyle killing of an Agricola resident has denied that the teen was involved in any altercation with the shooters, as was reported.

Police has said that the teen, Daniel Webster, and Seon Bobb, allegedly had an altercation with two suspects called 'Plucking' and 'Big Life', which resulted in them being shot.

Webster was shot to his right side shoulder while Bobb, who was shot below the chin, succumbed to his injuries.

However, the teen grandfather, Collin Forde, refuted these allegations and claims that his grandson was merely 'an innocent bystander'.

According to him, the teen of Lot 105 hird ancelled football game with another friend

when the incident occurred.

“His friends had to call me to beg for him to go to the game and like the game cancel and they was coming back to Third Street when this thing happen but he ain't had no problem with these guys. I don't think he even know the guy that was shot.”

“It publish as though this child deh in some gang or something. This is a child; he going to school,” Forde relayed. He further stated that the teen is cleared from danger and is currently recovering.

So far, police have arrested one 30-year-

old suspect for the shooting while still on the hunt for the aforementioned suspected shooters.

The shooting is suspected to be related to an ongoing gang war between two groups in the troubled community.

According to reports received, one gang member had gone against the orders of another individual, who had asked that bandits discontinue targeting Agricola residents, since that individual had a relative who had started a business in the community. The gang members also reportedly had disputes over the sharing of stolen items. Investigations are continuing.

Europe's first 'narco-submarine'...

Injured: 15-year-old Daniel Webster

From page 2 hearing about drug-laden semi-submersibles making the trip to Spain and Africa.

But no one had ever caught one.

An international tip-off put investigators on the trail of a submarine carrying 3,000 kilos of cocaine from Colombia to Galicia, a region with a long history of drugsmuggling activity. The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Aldán, within the municipal bounds of Cangas do Morrazo, in Pontevedra province.

The same sources said that the submarine was made in Guyana in South America, and had been in operation “for years”. It was able to make “at least two trips a year.”

The operation has put a new spotlight on the drug trade in Galicia, which had been hard hit by numerous raids against its leaders.

“They've taken advantage of the recent silence and worked discreetly while attention was focused on southern Spain,” said an investigator. This source added that the submarine “probably works with two of the strongest drugtrafficking groups that still operate in Galicia.”

This is not the first time that anti-narcotics raids have targeted submarines.

P a b l o E s c o b a r, t h e notorious Colombian drug lord, was said to own a remote-controlled, 11-meter submersible that he allegedly

purchased from the Colombian army.

The vessel was ultimately located in a river in the middle of the jungle.

Galicia has a long history as a drop-off point for drug shipments because of its curving coastline filled with secluded coves. The police have carried out numerous raids in the region.

In August 2006, a homemade narco-submarine was found in an estuary in Vi g o , i n P o n t e v e d r a province.

It was loaded with fuel and the engine was turned on. Judicial authorities later handed down two-year prison sentences to six individuals for attempting to bring cocaine into Galicia.

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Local businesses should be given tax waivers to compete with foreigners - Africa Energy CEO Ghanaian businessman, Kwame Jantuah, is the most recent person to join calls for local companies to be given first consideration for duty free waivers which will to help them be more competitive with foreign businesses o p e r a t i n g i n the local market.

Jantuah, CEO Africa Energy Consortium recently made a presentation on local content policies at the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX) 2019 held at the Marriott Hotel last week.

Sharing his views on the local content, Janutauh noted that the oil and gas industry is big enough to take care of everyone if local content is practised in favour of the people and there is trust, transparency and accountability.

Above all, Janutauh stressed the long term national development plan must help increase t h e c o u n t r y ’s r e v e n u e equitably.

The businessman added, “There should be deliberate action where local companies should be given the first consideration of refusal, duty waivers to help build their capacity...”

The Ghanaian b u s i n e s s m a n ’s a p p e a l comes months after Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia,

Ghanaian businessman, Kwame Jantuah made a request for local companies being given a fair opportunity to compete alongside foreign enterprises for contracts to supply goods to the oil sector.

The Co m m i s s i o n e r General revealed that locals will be given tax breaks on those supplies being imported for the industry.

Statia noted that he is aware of the Kaieteur News article which highlighted that the subcontractors for ExxonMobil as well as its affiliated companies enjoy tax breaks for their imports.

With that in mind, the Commissioner General said he supports calls that Guyanese should enjoy this privilege too.

The tax chief noted however that he is not going to sit around and wait on a policy or piece of legislation to level the playing field.

“We are not waiting for a policy, we are trying to do what we can. We are being proactive,” the Commissioner General added.

Statia said that the only problem he is perhaps fearful of is dual purpose suppliers, meaning those firms which divert the tax free goods that are meant for the oil sector, to other local market streams.

“So you have to devise a way to show that you are importing just for Exxon…There are some firms, you know from their supplies that it is strictly f o r E x x o n ’s o p e r a t i o n s so that is easy.

“They are bringing in specialised equipment and machinery, pipes etc for the sector…But the local companies have to be truthful because if they are caught, that tax break would be removed,” the Commissioner General expressed.

Back in 2016, Trinidadian Local Content Expert, Dr. Anthony Paul, had advised that exemptions for only foreign subcontractors is discriminatory to locals and should be addressed, whether by law or the review of contracts.

In a report that he wrote on the request of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Paul stressed that such exemptions could actually undermine Guyana’s local content efforts.

Over 1,000 received legal aid...

From page 12 were given advice and representation in matters pertaining to property division, two for custody and access and one each for damage to property and contract.

In addition, 10 persons were interviewed concerning criminal matters of which four of them received advice and representation. The remaining six were given advice only.

Of the 10 persons interviewed, six of them were for murder/manslaughter of which only one of them received advice and representation.

Three individuals were interviewed for assault of which two of them received advice and representation, while the sole individual interviewed for robbery and theft also received advice and representation.

Forty-seven persons visited the organisations Region

Five office. Thirty of them were women.

Of the 47 persons, 46 of them were interviewed for civil matters, while the only persons interviewed for a criminal matter, assault, received advice and representation.

Of the 46 persons interviewed for civil matters, 16 of them received advice and representation. This included 12 for divorce and one each for custody and access, domestic violence, maintenance and miscellaneous.

Government is currently looking to expand legal aid services to the hinterland regions.

This was revealed last month by Attorney General Basil Williams, S.C, during an interview on the programme “Insight” aired on the Voice of Guyana.

Williams had said that with the judiciary extending its reach to the Hinterland re-

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

gions, the widening of legal aid services will ensure greater delivery of justice.

The Attorney General noted that the provision of legal aid is link to restorative justice.

The Guyana Legal Aid Clinic (formerly Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic) which opened its doors in March 1994 is a non-governmental, non-profit making, non-partisan organisation that provides legal aid to persons who cannot afford to employ the services of a member of the private bar.

Its objective is also to increase public knowledge of basic legal rights and duties and of the legal process.

Since its opening, it has been primarily supported by the government through annual subvention, the provisions of attorneys-at-law, rent-free space, etc.

It also receives donations from other bodies.

Bedridden man travels miles to prove to NIS that he’s alive

… Pleads for scheme to visit remote areas A 76-year-old bedridden Sebastian Edmund pleaded with authorities of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) yesterday to visit remote areas.

Edmund fell ill a year ago and became confined to a bed and wheelchair.

Just to prove that he is alive, he was made to travel miles from Paruima in the Upper Mazaruni to Georgetown with the aid of his nephew.

Edmund had authorised his nephew who resides in Aishalton, North Rupununi, to uplift his pension book and monthly pension at the NIS office in Lethem.

The man’s nephew told Kaieteur News, yesterday, that he has been uplifting his uncle’s pension since 2015 and had only recently renewed the legal P4 form in Lethem.

However, on Friday last he visited the Lethem’s NIS office to uplift his uncle’s pension book and was unable to do so.

He was told by the supervisor that NIS suspects that his uncle might be dead and will commence an investigation.

Edmund’s nephew then argued that his uncle is alive and there is no need for an investigation but the supervisor responded that Edmund will have to travel to prove that he is alive.

The man then requested that a nurse be sent in to visit his uncle and issue the life certificate to avoid the fatigue of air travel for his sick uncle but that was also denied.

Edmund who receives $30,000 monthly from NIS was left with no choice but to pay a return ticket to Georgetown, which costs $50,000 plus hotel fee to receive his life cer-

Sebastian Edmund arriving at the Ogle International Airport on Sunday tificate. Edmund arrived on Sunday and was given his life certificate yesterday and is scheduled to return to Paruima today.

While at the NIS office yesterday, Edmund and his nephew pleaded with the authorities to implement a system whereby officials can visit remote areas across Guyana to issue life certifi-

cates and if possible make payments.

This will greatly assist a number of senior citizens from these areas that suffer from various illnesses and disabilities.

Kaieteur News was also told of an old man who rides the dusty Lethem road on his bicycle for four days just to receive his NIS pension.

Seven pirates sentenced to 35...

From page 7 Manohar and Premnauth “Sinbad” Persaud were committed to stand trial in the high court in Guyana recently.

Manohar is said to be the mastermind behind the attack in retaliation for his brother’s death. A third suspect Alexander Denheart still has his Preliminary Inquiry ongoing in the Magistrate’s court in Guyana.

According to the facts of the case, the four boats with 20 crewmembers were attacked by sea pirates that Friday evening in Surinamese waters in the vicinity of the Wia Wia bank.

Only four of the crew members, including a captain of one of the boats, managed to make it to shore. The rest are believed to have perished.

The attack was in retaliation by pirates from Guyana for the shooting death of their leader, a Guyanese pirate called “Paddy” a few weeks before the attacks last year April.

The pirates blamed the fishermen. The pirate leader was reportedly shot dead during an attack on fishing vessels. The fishermen were thrown overboard or had to jump into

the water themselves.

One of the crew members could not swim and he disappeared.

Another person’s hands were tied, and a car battery was attached to his feet, after which he was thrown overboard.

Still missing are Tilaknauth Mohabir, 50, also known as ‘Kai’; Dinesh ‘Vickey’ Persaud, Ralph Anthony Couchman called ‘Burnham’, 19; Ramesh Sancharra, 48; Glenroy Jones, 21; Ramnarine Singh; Bharat Heeralall also known as “Record”, 49; Lalta Persaud known as “Paddock”, 42; Mahesh Sarjoo, 35; Rajkumar Bissessar; Looknarine Persaud; and Lokesh Decouite, 50.

Four fishermen survived the attack while four bodies were found.

The attacks had galvanised the authorities in Guyana and Suriname with visits made by investigators and increased cooperation.

Under the Dutch system, which Suriname operates, there is very little opportunities for the convicts to be paraded in public and for photographs as is the case in other jurisdictions.

PAGE 22

SERVICES

FOR SALE

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040

1 CAT 215 Excavator, 1 CAT 428 Backhoe, 1 Mack concrete mixer 8 CU YDS. Tel# 275-0367/ 683-7225

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 HOUSE PLAN TO DRAW OR YOU JUST ESTIMATE. CALL: 216-0671/692-8464.

WHATSAPP #622-0267

1 Double Steel wheel roller, 19 Wheel Pneumatic roller, 2 Bitumen kettle. Tel# 275-0367/ 683-7225 German Shepherd pups.

Riumzeight Gardens, WCD #269-0671/688-1656 Copra Meal for sale. Tel# 2235273/223-5274 Li Hong Fa Aluminium CoDoors, Glass cases, Shutters, automatic doors, stainless works. 26 Public Road, Bagotstown. #669-1516/6599999

Power tool repairs. #648-1326 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1.8M, Zeelugt $2M neg Tel# 6976311 PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale at 15A Craig Village EBD, house 3 bedroom (1) self contain house #6177691/718-213-6496

EDUCATION

WANTED Admin/Accounts Clerk, Cashier,Cook, Counter Server, Driver, must be able to work shift. Call: 225-6255/226-9000

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Tyre repairs technician to work in Georgetown. Call: 2271717 Email: andre@cevons.com

3 bedroom semi furnished apt @ Avenue B Diamond, EBD, 2 bedrooms, a/c, parking, hot water shower $100,000.

Tel#624-0118 3 bedroom semi furnished apt @ Laluni St, Queenstown Georgetown, Parking, Hot water shower, 1 bedroom a/c, US$1000. Tel#624-0118 One bedroom apartment for couple, Middle Rd La Penitence #686-4564 TO LET

LEARN TO DRIVE CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

Lot 89 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 617-5323, 666-8052 3 bedroom flat house at Cornelia Ida, Tiled, Grill, Big Shed - Side & Back $11M #671-2474/661-3659

FOR RENT Furnished Apt for rent, 1 bedroom, two bedroom, Providence & Diamond. Call: 672-1906/682-6238/216-2299

1 bedroom apartment for working couple/single person $35,000 monthly, light & water included. 2 months security.

Tel#623-0076

Installation, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing Machine, Stove etc. Call Nick 630-1600, 627-3206 Jacob’s Jewellry and pawnshop, friendly money lenders. 16 Pike Street Kitty, Georgetown. Tel#227-8748/ 622-4970

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Honda CRV. includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crash bar, Low mileage. PTT Series (First Owner) Contact #6490956

Care for elderly, care for children. First Aid & CPR. Allion, Premio, Fieldwagon, #227-4881 Raum, Bluebird, Sienta, Spacio, Rz, 212 Carina, Pitbull ST JOHN ASSOCIATION bus. #650-7501 FIRSTAID/CPRAND HOME NURSING CLASSES WILL Model M Bush truck, good COMMENCE JANAURY truck $2.5M Tel# 678-2216/ 2020. TEL #225-9082 688-7296

N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package.

Call: 644-5166/691-2561/6812808 WANTED Experienced Waiters, Drivers, Cleaners, Apply at Hack’s Halaal with H/written application, 5 Commerce St Minibus driver to work with company #646-8748, Driver for route 42 minibus #6640802 Lorry Driver- Apply in person to R.P’s Enterprise Area K Le Resouvenir ECD. Tel#2202818/3710 1 Security Guard, Waiter, Waitresses, Servers. Apply at Herdmanston, Anira & Peter Rose Sts, Queenstown Tel#225-0808 Ex-100 Contract cars, Trace’s Taxi & Transportation Delivery Service. #219-0400/502-3989/ 680-7482

Handyman- Contact #2235273/223-5274 VACANCY Vacancy exist for Experienced Pharmacy assistants to work @ reputable pharmacy in G/ town. Interested persons call # 696-5098 between 8am-4pm Hick’s Ville Hotel: Receptionist/Hotel attendant. #231-0951-5/223-3448 Immediate vacancy exists for male workers to work shift @ Del Ice Co. Call: 231-1408/6429191 1 Secretary, 25-35, must be computer literate Tel# 2310655/683-8734 Experience Goldsmith needed at Jacob’s Jewellery and Pawnshop. Address 16 Pike St, Kitty Georgetown.

Tel#227-8748/622-4970 Plumber, must have certificates & handyman/ security guard, fit & healthy, willing to gardening & others.

Tel# 223-4159 Vegetarian Gardens: Delivery driver #227-7714/223-3448 info@vgiworld.com One (1) Clerk for TSI Eccles Industrial Site Office. English -1, Mathematics-2, Quickbooks. Call: 615-9132 Desk Staff, Room Attendant 25-45 yrs, 233 South Road Lacytown/225-2304 Cashiers/Supermarket helpers at Nirva Superstore.Apply with written application 49 Sherrif Str.Tel#227-5771.

For experienced carpenter.

Apply in person at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St

For one experienced teacher who will read love to read and teach a 4 yr old boy. Call: 6231615

Wanted Salesperson with van license and cashier with CXC result. Tel# 227-6659/627-5726

2 Vacancies- Clerk & Domestic, live-in facilities for Berbicians and Essequibians #219-5354

(1) Sales girl. Tel# 602-3673

The final activity to mark CARICOM Energy Month, the Caribbean Renewable Energy Statistics Workshop, will be held in Bridgetown, Barbados. It will be convened from November 27 at the Accra Beach Hotel.

The event is being hosted in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) and the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE).

It is being held with the acknowledgement that high quality energy statistics and information are critical if the sustainable energy projects in CARICOM Member States are to be implemented. The absence of quality data is one of the key hindrances to decision-making in the Region in general, and specifically with respect to challenges on effective energy planning and tracking of renewable energy deployment.

Its primary objective, therefore, is to build capacity within countries to collect, validate and analyse energy statistics, including renewable energy, following international best practices and the regional and internationally agreed definitions and methodologies used for energy statistics.

The format of the workshop will be a combination of highly technical lectures and practical exercises. The target audience includes national statisticians and government officials who hold responsi-

Experienced cook from the vicinity of ogle, live in female shop attendant (18-25yrs) (Salary starts @ $25,000) #648-7866

bility for energy data particularly, renewable energy.

Among the topics that will be covered in the sessions are the classification and structure of renewable energy statistics; the construction of energy balances; strategies and methods for renewable energy data collection; data validation, estimation and dissemination; and target setting and monitoring. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to share their experiences of energy data collection in their respective countries to identify challenges and good practices. Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas and Suriname will make presentations which will focus on the challenges they experience with energy statistics.

Belize and Haiti will place emphasis on the status and availability of statistics, while Barbados, Guyana and the Dominican Republic will provide some insight into their institutional frameworks for energy statistics.

Cuba and Dominica will deal with data collection methods, while Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago will zero in on energy targets.

CCREEE, IRENA, OLADE and the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) will also lead presentations and discussions.

CARICOM Energy Month is being observed under the theme ‘Empowering People, Building Resilience’.

Police rank killed in Brickdam accident A 29-year-old police officer attached to the Brickdam Police Station met his demise yesterday morning after he was involved in a collision with a car.

Driver/Expediter.

Contact#223-5273/223-5274

Male/Female, Office duties, computer literate, knowledge of PAYE/NIS deduction. Live in optional. Tel#227-1830

Wanted land to buy anywhere on the East Bank, Parfaite Harmonie or on the West Coast #642-1252

Renewable Energy Statistics Workshop brings curtain down on CARICOM Energy Month

VACANCY Security Officers to work, preferably ex army,police or disciplined services. Age 2440. Contact #223-4172/6396648 Accounts Clerk, General Labourers, Security Guards, Handyman. Preferably from EBD. Tel#647-4427

He has been identified as Carl Roach, of Bagostown, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The incident occurred around 00:30hrs, in the vicinity of Brickdam and Lime Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

At the time of the accident, Roach was riding a red and black Ducati motorcycle.

Kaieteur News understands that at the time of the accident, Roach was proceeding west on Brickdam when a black car PMM2528 that was proceeding in the opposite direction attempted to turn south onto Lime Street. Instead, the car slammed in Roach’s motorcycle.

The car was driven by a 34-year-old woman of Norton (Continued on page 23)

Tuesday November 26, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Norton Street murder PI…

Victim’s sister cross-examined by defence lawyer The sister of Marlon S e o n R o d n e y, c a l l e d George, was yesterday cross-examined by the defence lawyer in the murder Preliminary Inquiry (PI) of her brothers death.

Rodney was shot and killed earlier this year.

Osafa Grundell, 39, called Safo of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown; and James Fraser, 21, called Dab of Garnett Street, Georgetown, are on remand for the murder.

The men are before Sen i o r M a g istrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates Court where the PI is being heard. They were not allowed to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that between April 25, and April 30, last, at Norton Street, Lodge,

Collin Rodney Georgetown, they murdered Rodney.

Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, who represents Grundell, cross-examined the witness in relation to her involvement in the

Police rank killed in...

From page 22 and Haley Streets, Wortmanville.

Roach was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

When this publication arrived at the scene, Roach, who appeared to have suffered head injuries, was found lying in a pool of blood. Roach is survived by his wife and two-year-old daughter.

Recently, the police released statistics indicating that 90% of road deaths are caused by drunk driving and speeding. Last Sunday, the police also kicked off the observance for road safety

week which is being held under the theme ‘Accidents Can Be Deadly, Use the Road Safely, Drive Defensively and Stay Alive.’

The Guyana Police Force in Collaboration with other organisations will be working together to ensure that certain penalties are enacted and road safety instruments such as road signs are in place.

This will be done at the aim of educating the younger population about safe usage of the roadways.

Since the kick-start of Road Safety Week, there have been two fatal accidents, including Roach’s.

case. The womans crossexamination is incomplete and s h e i s e x p e c t e d t o return on December 9, next for continuation.

Police Prosecutor Dominic Bess, who is representing the state in this matter, is expected to call four more witnesses to testify. They all will be recalled on the adjournment date.

According to reports, Marlon Rodney, a 35-yearold taxi driver of 71 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was involved in an argument with three individuals.

The men had reportedly pulled out guns and discharged several rounds at Rodney, who was hit in the left leg. A passerby was also shot in the process.

The injured men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where the passerby was treated and sent away, while Rodney

was admitted in a critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries.

On October 25, last, 36year-old Collin Rodney of 70 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, went missing along with his silver grey Toyota Allion bearing registration number PRR 1076. He is the cousin of the deceased and also a key witness in relation to the murder.

One week after Collin Rodney went missing, the police made a gruesome find of the burnt remains of a body in the trunk of a car which was found torched.

The discovery was made at a desolate and swampy area at Letter T b a c k l a n d s , M a h a i c o n y, East Coast Demerara, an area that is surrounded by coconut estates and rice fields. This was after an anonymous caller contacted ranks at the

Osafo Grundell called Safo

James Fraser called Dab

Weldaad Police Station to say that a car was being torched at the location.

Police have since confirmed the chassis number on the burnt vehicle to be that of Rodneys car.

Following an “inconclusive” post mortem examination done on the re-

mains found in the burnt car, the police are conducting DNA testing from samples taken from the corpse.

This is to be matched against samples taken from Rodneys family members to be able to ascertain if the corpse is his.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Cassava Festival set for December 14 in Kwebana …ahead of Commissioning of Cassava Flour Factory The Farmers’ Group along with the Hand-in-Hand Women’s Group in Kwebana Village, Moruca sub-region, Barima/Waini, Region One, successfully concluded a one-week training in preparation for the first ever Cassava Festival scheduled for December 14.

The training which was conducted by Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) Catering Facilitator, Margaret Cornette, saw 50 women participating in the five-day training.

The training targeted members of the two groups in order to creatively experiment with the Cassava Flour before the commissioning of the much-anticipated Cassava Flour Processing Facility. It will ensure the standardised amount of ingredients (mixture) in preparing

several delicious foods to meet local and international standards.

Chairperson of the Women’s Group, Barbara Peters, after the training said, “We had a real good time; we had 50 persons from Monday to Friday because you know we getting ready for the festival on December 14.”

Expressing great excitement, Peters said, “We had things made out of the cassava flour and the cassava meal and the cassava starch.

We made starch custard, starch pie, starch muffin, seasoned plantain coated with starch, cassava fruit cake, cassava ginger/cheese sticks, cassava puff, seasoned cassava, cassava surprise, quenchers; so the training was very successful and I’m happy that the turnout was good.”

Leandra France, a participant said, “I was in the Golden Apple Group because they put us in six groups and it was exciting, very interesting. I learnt a lot of things with the cassava flour. It will help us to prepare not only for the local people but for people who will be visiting our community in the future.”

Lorna Wilson from the Pineapple Group said, “I can tell you, we had a very wonderful time with our teacher using the cassava flour and we had a sale at the end and most of the group had sold out. “So now we waiting on the Cassava Festival and we had to put our hand in a bag and pull out a piece of paper and we will be making that for the festival.”

Speaking about the knowledge imparted by Ms. Cornette, Wilson said, “We

Duo found guilty of killing guard during 2013 robbery at Lethem Post Office Alvin Kissoon and Calvin King were yesterday further remanded to prison after being found guilty of the January 2013 murder of security guard, John Friday, who was shot and killed during a robbery at the Lethem Post Office.

Kissoon and King had initially denied the charge which alleged that they killed Friday between January 18 and January 19, 2013.

The State represented through Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs and Mandel Moore said that the men travelled to Lethem from Georgetown to commit the crime which left Friday dead. Based on previous reports, the men entered the post office where they tied up and physically brutalised two on-duty security officers, including Friday.

There, they stole a quantity of cash, phone cards and other articles after breaking into safes using a cutting torch. Other articles linked to the robbery were recovered in their possession.

Following the robbery, all police divisions were notified and later that day, police ranks at the Mabura checkpoint stopped and searched a motorcar during which over $4M was found hidden under the rear seat.

During their trial, Kissoon and King were represented by lawyers Lyndon Amsterdam and Adrian Thompson, respectively.

Justice Sandil Kissoon presided over their trial at the High Court in Georgetown.

In proving its case, the prosecution called several witnesses, including police ranks and civilians among whom were employees of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). In their defence, Alvin Kissoon and King

GUILTY: Alvin Kissoon and Calvin King opted to give unsworn testimonies.

Cecelia Austin was among the GPOC employees who took to the stand. She said that she has been employed with the GPOC as a Post Mistress for the past 29 years. Austin told the court that during January 2013, she was stationed at the Lethem Post Office. She recounted that on January 19, 2013 around 06:55am, a staffer of the post office came at her home and told her something after which she immediately contacted 911. According to her, she then went down to the Lethem Police Station where she saw police ranks conducting investig a t i o n s .

Austin said that she entered her office, along with a staffer, after the police wrapped up their work, and informed her that the post office had been broken into. She said that upon entering her of-

fice, she discovered mail scattered all over the floor and two safes, which stored money and other valuables were open.

She recounted that one of the safes contained $1,000 notes, while the other contained $500, $100 and $20 notes, stamps, a cellular phone and 41 $500 GTT landline phone cards. Austin added that when she left work for home on January 18, 2013, a total of $4.6M was in the two safes.

The monies were missing when she returned the following day. Asked by Prosecutor Gibbs to explain how the safes are secured, Austin said that a master key, an iron bar and a padlock were used to lock both of the safes. She also recounted that prior to the robbery; Kissoon had visited the post office to uplift a money order for $20,000, but was unable to do so as he had no form of identification.

really appreciate her and every moment spent with her, we don’t want to lose her.”

Fabian France, who is the Chairman of the Cassava Flour Processing Facility said, “The training was good and it would benefit the ladies. It will also benefit all the nearby villages of Manawarin, Santa Cruz, and Warapoka. They will all benefit big time.”

Cornette, who spent the entire week working along with the women said, “I am very excited for the ladies; it was very interesting and motivational and they worked among themselves and it was good to see maximum participation.”

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe said, “The farmers are enthusiastic about the cassava flour and wheat flour mixture and we want to ensure the correct mixture that would make excellent bread, cakes and past-

ries, will be packaged and marketed.”

“Ms. Cornette, who does an excellent job in this area, was sent with a mandate to work with the villagers to come up with the right consistency, come up with the right mixture that can guarantee that when people use it, they can produce delicious meals,” the Minister added.

It was also noted that new and delicious recipes were created and will be unveiled during the commissioning of the facility.

Some 30 farmers are currently planting cassava to supply to the facility. During the launch of the project in March 2018, Minister GarridoLowe had said, “Many of us plant cassava but how many of us earn properly from it?

So it is time that we balance it off.

We have to get our cassava out there and on the market and get paid for it.”

We will process the cas-

sava flour and mix it with wheat flour; 40% cassava flour and 60% wheat flour and get a mixed product of Cassava Wheat Flour.”

During the launch, Toshao of the village, Paul Pierre, noted, “In Kwebana, we have had our fair share of development happening; we have had tremendous support from the government so far and at this point we would like to thank Minister Lowe, the Government and the Ministry for doing what is best in the interest of us here”.

The one-day Cassava Festival seeks to further highlight the great potential of Kwebana and according to organisers, patrons will enjoy several delicious dishes prepared from by-products of the cassava.

Booths will be set up where local foods, drinks and craft will be on display, in addition to several sporting events among them football, cricket and volleyball.

Opposition: Total collapse imminent at GWI …PPP affiliated organisations should pay their bills- Van West Charles The state-owned Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is facing imminent collapse unless immediate actions are taken.

Yesterday, former Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, said that from figures coming out, expenditure at GWI has severely outstripped income, even though monthly revenues have improved from under $200M to $400M and over.

Listing a series of indicators, the former minister blasted GWI for not having a budget in over three years.

“Salaries are paid late every month since mid-2017 and the payroll is split between junior staff and managers. Managers are commonly paid on the penultimate or last day of each month.”

However, Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, in a response, was critical of the Opposition Member of Parliament.

“It seems that Mr Edghill is suffering from amnesia as since June of this year I

intervened to assist the PPP office in Linden with the reconnection for late payment. Instead of writing nonsense, he should see that all organisations with which he is affiliated should pay their bills on time.”

The GWI chief released the activities, wells dug and connections extended between 2015 and 2019 when the Coalition entered office, to highlight works of the GWI. According to Edghill yesterday, figures show that employee levels have now reached 1,100 and climbing. In 2015 the then Board of Directors had frozen employment at 597.

“Small contractors have been removed from providing services and are now left “unemployed”. Payroll has now climbed to approximately $20M monthly. In 2015 prior to the change in administration it was approximately $6M.” The situation is much worse when it comes to maintenance and spares. ”The stores are completely empty of supplies and spares.

The most basic of materials needed for service installations and repairs (saddles, poly fittings, repair bands, etc) are not in stock and have to be borrowed (on credit) from other suppliers.

Even ink for printing is in short supply.”

The situation is also deeply worrying when it comes to new connections.

“The waiting list for new service connections, especially on the East Bank, is so long, that the Manager now refuses to collect and process applications as he is unable to install any.”

Seaquest, a product used to sequester the iron and keep it in its soluble state, is being procured by sole sourcing from one man, at a monthly price of over $20M, the Opposition MP said.

“Total outstanding liabilities (to suppliers of goods and services) are now approaching $1B with no plans as to how to liquidate this debt. Reserves are somewhere around $ 400 million or so. A total collapse of the company is imminent.”

GWI is the company that manages and runs the countrys water well and treatment plants.

City Hall seizes expired goods in Stabroek Bazaar More than 30 market vendors at the Stabroek Bazaar were beyond their wits yesterday morning when officials from City Hall invaded the market square and removed a number of expired good. 1Kaieteur News understands that this act by city official is in line with the upcoming Christmas season; whereby several vendors at the municipal market are selling expired goods such as sweets, chocolate, milk and drinks.

Yesterday at the market, the vendors were arguing that although the original date on the goods shows that it is expired, the items still have three months shelf life attached to them.

Nevertheless, the market constables seized a quantity of expired goods from the vendors.

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

T&T defends decision not to enter into IMF programme PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Finance Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday that the Trinidad and Tobago government was being urged to adopt a structural adjustment programme more than two decades after the oil-rich twin island republic ended a similar programme with the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“Indeed, 25 years after we got ourselves out of an IMF programme, we were advised to embrace the same old sterile measures from 1990, focused on contraction without due consideration of the short- and long-term adverse effects on our citizens,” Imbert told a Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) seminar here.

Imbert, speaking on the theme, “Restructuring a Commodity Dependent Economy for Growth Without External Intervention” said that the adverse effects of the IMF’s structural adjustment programme created the necessity for a wideranging programme of economic and financial reform in Trinidad and Tobago.

“For the most part, monetary policy was

conducted within the framework of a stabilization programme, whose main focus was on restricting domestic demand and restoring external balance. However, the decline in government expenditure and in real wages, created considerable social and economic pressure especially among the most vulnerable income groups in the society.”

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

OAS launches White Paper…

Violence against women in Latin America and Caribbean WASHINGTON - CMC – The Organization of American States (OAS) yesterday launched a white paper detailing how violence against women in Latin America and the Caribbean is being addressed and calling on governmental representatives and society in general about situations of viol e n c e against women through cybernetic media.

The paper, titled “Combating Online Violence against Women. A Call for Protection,” was launched with support from the Canadian government as part of the activities marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary d e p r i v a t i o n o f l i b e r t y, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

The OAs said that the document incorporates and analyzes the methods most frequently used in violence against women in electronic media and how this problem is being addressed in Latin America and the Caribbean.

It also includes 10 measures to prevent and combat violence against women in

cyberspace.

“Eradicating violence against women in all its forms and manifestations is a common and priority objective in which all efforts are necessary.

The internet cannot be excluded from this fight, so it is very important to raise awareness about the violence suffered by many women, especially the younger ones, in cyberspace,” said Farah Urrutia, the Secretary for Multidimensional Security of the OAS. “With this publication that we launch today we join the call of the United Nations on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,” she added.

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Dominica’s PM accuses Al Jazeera of being agent of opposition Daily Observer - Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit has accused international news network Al Jazeera of being an agent of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) in that country.

Al Jazeera was releasing an investigative documentary on what it says is the sale of diplomatic passport in the Caribbean yesterday afternoon.

It is unsure if Dominica is the focus of the report but a trailer released by the news agency showed clips of a former Dominican diplomat from Iran called Alireza Zibahalat Monfared, who was accused of helping to embezzle billions of dollars while Iran evaded international oil sanctions.

Monfared is now in prison

in Iran after he was arrested in an international manhunt.

His status as a Dominican diplomat has been stripped and his diplomatic passport has been taken away from him.

Speaking to supporters at a rally on the weekend, Skerrit said leader of the UWP, Lennox Linton, is desperate as general election, slated for December 6, draws near and is using foreign agents to help make lies about Dominica legitimate.

He said Al Jazeera is now one of them.

“Linton is desperate,” he stated. “And this desperation means that he and his agents and supporters will do all in their power to legitimize their lies by using foreign agents and organizations and Al Jazeera is

now one of them.”

He said all of this is part of an attempt “to destabilize Dominica.”

Skerrit noted that the allegations in the documentary have been sent to him and he has noticed that they have been used before by Linton and his supporters for several years.

“It was clear to me, as it will be to you that either Linton, the UWP directly or their foreign collaborators provided this baseless information to Al Jazeera for political reasons,” he said.

Skerrit also threatened legal action in the matter.

“People who libel me will find themselves before the courts,” he stated.

Al Jazeera is based in Doha, Qatar and has 80 bureaus around the world.

Barbados to host regional energy statistics workshop BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Barbados will host the Caribbean Renewable Energy Statistics Workshop later this week as the region holds its final activity to mark Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Energy Month.

The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that the three day workshop, which starts tomorrow, is being hosted in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) and the Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE).

“It is being held with the acknowledgement that high quality energy statistics and information are critical if the sustainable energy projects in CARICOM member states are to be implemented. The absence of quality data is one of the key hindrances to decision-making in the region in general, and specifically with respect to challenges on effective energy planning and tracking of renewable energy

deployment,” the Secretariat said in a statement.

“Its primary objective, therefore, is to build capacity within countries to collect, validate and analyse energy statistics, including renewable energy, following international best practices and the regional and internationally agreed definitions and methodologies used for energy statistics.”

The Secretariat said that the format of the workshop will be a combination of highly technical lectures and practical exercises. The target audience includes national statisticians and government officials who hold responsibility for energy data particularly, renewable energy.

It said among the topics that will be covered include the classification and structure of renewable energy statistics; the construction of energy balances; strategies and methods for renewable energy data collection; data validation, estimation and dissemination; and target setting and monitoring. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to share their ex-

periences of energy data collection in their respective countries to identify challenges and good practices.

Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas and Suriname will make presentations which will focus on the challenges they experience with energy statistics.

Belize and Haiti will place emphasis on the status and availability of statistics, while Barbados, Guyana and the Dominican Republic will provide some insight into their institutional frameworks for energy statistics.

Cuba and Dominica will deal with data collection methods, while Grenada, St.t Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago will zero in on energy targets, the Secretariat said adding that several regional and international organisations such as the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) will also lead presentations and discussions.

CARICOM Energy Month is being observed under the theme ‘Empowering People, Building Resilience’.

Tuesday November 26, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

I had nothing left to give, says Nadal after Guyanese players finish second and third in...

Spain win Davis Cup AFP - Rafael Nadal admitted he gave everything he had left to lead Spain to their sixth Davis Cup success on Sunday after they beat Canada in the final in Madrid.

Nadal’s 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) victory over Shapovalov confirmed another triumph for Spain after Roberto Bautista Agut had earlier seen off Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (7/3), 63.

All five of Spain’s squad played a part over the course of the week but Nadal’s colossal effort in front of the home fans at the Caja Magica proved the difference.

The 33-year-old won eight out of eight rubbers, including two in the singles and doubles in a pulsating

win over Britain on Saturday and then the decisive match that clinched the title against Shapovalov.

“I played one of the toughest possible opponents at the end of a long and difficult week, physically too because I put into this whole event all the energy that I had inside me,” said Nadal.

“Honestly it’s the perfect end to the season for all of us. We know how difficult it is to win this and how difficult it will be to win it again. We knew we had to convert this opportunity.”

Feliciano Lopez, who played alongside Nadal during Spain’s doubles win against Britain’s Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski on

Saturday, said Nadal had been a “super-hero”.

“There are things you can’t describe with words,” said Lopez. “The things he produced in doubles yesterday and then today against Shapovalov are things only Rafa can do.

“If you ask me for my opinion, I will tell you he is a super-hero.

He can do things none of us can do. He is a great person and an extraordinary tennis player.”

At the end of his win, Nadal hoisted up Bautista Agut, who had returned to the team after withdrawing on Thursday due to the death of his father Joaquin.

“It was very difficult,” Bautista Agut said. “I took the decision to go home on Thursday morning and I was

Tuesday September 26, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Stop being an enabler to someone you care about.

You may let someone continue a dangerous addictive behavior simply because you want to avoid a confrontation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Stop hiding behind your intellectual barrier, Libra. Playing games will get you nowhere. True strength is standing up and demonstrating that you can say what you feel in any situation.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may have some issues with food, Taurus. Maybe your sense of self-worth isn't at its highest, and you're trying to make up for this by sabotaging your relationship with your body.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Stop trying to feel everyone else's emotions and focus on yours. Being empathetic is certainly laudable, but at some point you need to face the music and look in the mirror.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If there's an issue with your partner that needs airing, this is a good time to do it, Gemini. Don't hold back just to maintain the equilibrium in the relationship.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) The intensity of the day may bring unexpected opposition, Cancer. Whether it's verbalized or not, the confrontations are quite real.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Give your loved ones the attention they need today, Leo. Don't let another day go by without saying you love them. Life is short and getting shorter with each passing day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't run away from the tension today, Virgo. Any emotional stress you feel will be compounded if it isn't dealt with right away.

Be in the moment while the moment is here.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It may seem like neither side of the bed is the right side to wake up on today, Sagittarius. The only solution may be is to just go back to dreamland if you can.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may feel like you're being double-crossed by a loved one today, Capricorn.

Maybe your words are being used against you in such a way that makes you look like the bad guy.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may say one thing one minute and the opposite the next, Aquarius.

Most of the time you jump from one issue to the next with no hassle, but today people probably will call you on it.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The tension in the air might be what you need in order to become more aware of subconscious issues that affect your behavior, Pisces.

back yesterday (Saturday) afternoon to support the team.

“I had the opportunity to play today (Sunday) because all the team and all the players and the rest of the team have made an unbelievable effort since the first day. It was an amazing feeling on the court.”

- Tennis ‘hot’ in Canada Canada were playing in their first ever final in the 119year-old competition and with Shapovalov and AugerAliassime, aged 20 and 19 respectively, their Davis Cup prospects look strong.

“Tennis is really hot right now in Canada,” said Canada’s team captain Frank Dancevic. “It’s really wonderful to see this young generation is playing so well.

We have a really bright future ahead of us.”

“The Canadian team are amazing,” added Nadal.

“Probably they are going to be one of those teams that will be almost unbeatable in the next couple of years.”

Regal Masters claim Trophy...

From page 30 they put on 53 for the first wicket before Chunilall was run out for 16. Yusuf and Eon Abel then took the score to 83; the right-handed Yusuf slammed eight sixes in a top score of 60 while Abel made seven. However, following their separation, Regal Masters lost some quick wickets to be at 105-5 before Thomas and Rudolph Baker (09) added 30 for the sixth wicket; Thomas made 26 one four and three sixes. Wellman Masters then brought themselves back into the contest with a few quick wickets as Regal Masters plunged to 146-9, but Mohendra Arjune (04*) and Laurie Singh saw (00*) saw them home as they finished on 152-9 in 17 overs. Sheldon Perch and Samlall had two wickets each. Yusuf was named man-of-the-match.

Wellman Masters defeated Success Masters by 38 runs in another fixture which followed. Wellman Masters took first strike and posted 180-4 with Surajdeo Ramdeen scoring a fine century and was ably supported by Wayne Jones. Ramdeen struck three fours and eight sixes in his unbeaten 105 while Jones made 34 not out with two fours and two sixes.

The duo added 63 for the fifth-wicket to prop up the total.

Success Masters were bowled out for 132 in 18 overs in reply. Vishnu Baljit made scored 58 as Laurie Singh picked up three wickets and Nandram Samlall two. (Zaheer Mohamed)

From page 29 Ramdhani & Abby Leddis (Kings) defeated Priyanna Ramdhani & Troy Morgan (Olds): 21-15, 21-16.

Finals: Narayan Ramdhani & Abby Leddis (Kings) defeated Rylan Head & Jenna Kardos (Olds): 21-6, 21-9.

Mixed Doubles: 7th Place Priyanna Ramdhani & Troy Morgan (Olds) defeated Fits Galang & Erica Jorgensen (Kings): 21-12, 21-13.

The ACAC has established itself as the premier college athletic conference in Canada, fostering a rich

tradition of excellence. It all began in 1964 when the founding organization and predecessor to the ACAC, the Western Inter-College Conference (WICC), came into existence with a mandate to regulate, coordinate and promote activities in two major areas - athletics and fine arts.

Base funding for the operations of the ACAC are derived from its membership through a general and individual activity assessments.

This base funding is augmented by an annual grant received from the Government of Alberta through the Alberta Sports Connection.

PAGE 30

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Colonial Medical Super50 Cup

Patel’s 85, Netravalkar, Theron send Jaguars packing - WIEP clinch last semi-final spot

By Sean Devers in Trinidad In a game which was delayed by 30 minutes due to morning rain and three more stoppages resulting in the overs being reduced to 36, Guyana Jaguars lost to the USA by nine runs last night at the Brian Lara Academy to send debutants West Indies Emerging Players into the Semi-finals.

Barbados will face WIEP on Thursday, wh i l e R e d Force will play the Leewards Hurricanes on Friday with the winners meeting in the Final on S u n d a y a t t h e Q u e e n ’s Park Oval.

Led by an entertaining 85 with three fours and three sixes from 105 balls from Monank Patel the Americans reached 230-5 when their 41 overs expired.

Patel shared in a 79-run stand with Aaron Jones who made 37 from 58 balls with three fours and 59 with Ian Holland who finished unbeaten on 59 from 37 balls with two fours and three sixes.

Off-spinner Ramaal Lewis had 3-24 from four overs, while Raymon Reifer, back in the side after S a t u r d a y ’s a b s e n c e t o attend his wedding in Barbados, took 1-39, while Clinton Pestano took the other wicket to fall.

The Jaguars, with the news that Red Force had beaten We s t Indies

Emerging Players by 10wickets at the Oval, knew it was left to their batsmen to do their part and they did not as the South American Franchise, without a 50-title since 2005, reached 213-7 in 36 overs chasing revised score 222 to win on D/L/S system.

Anthony Bramble made 38 from 41 balls with three fours and six and added 54 for the second wicket with Leon Johnson who made 18 from 33 balls.

Chris Barnwell, who made 54 from 47 balls with a four and four sixes, to move to 351 runs, added 80 with Reifer who made 33 before Johnathon Foo smashed 41 from 22 with two fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Rusty Theron at 212 with two balls left in the innings and were knocked out of the semis.

Skipper Saurabh Netravalkar had 3-42 and Theron, who bowled an excellent last over, took 2-44.

When the Jaguars began their hunt they quickly lost Chanderpaul Hemraj (9) after hitting Elmore Hutchinson back over his head for six, he edged Skipper Saurabh Netravalkar to former Guyana U-19 Keeper Aksay Homraj to leave the score on 10-1.

Johnson joined Bramble, promoted to opener, and Bramble hit Netravalkar for six.

The pair saw the 50 posted in the 10th over and Bramble, who lofted Steven Taylor over cover for four, dominating the stand as Johnson played the supporting role.

But Johnson swept leftarm spinner Karima Gore and was taken at square-leg at 642 in the 14th over.

The demise of the Skipper for another low score made way for the arrival of the Jaguars’ leading run scorer Barnwell, but with the score on 71-2, more rain stopped play for the third time at 20:26hrs and after a 40-minute delay play restarted and the new target was set.

Bramble was run out two balls after the resumption at 73-3 to bring Reifer and Barnwell together.

Reifer got going with a couple of boundaries as the 100 came up in the 21st over and Barnwell swung Taylor for six before clobbering Nisarg Patel for third six.

Reifer cut Patel for four in an over which cost 13 runs before Barnwell brought up his 10th fifty and third for this tournament with a straight six off Theron which also posted the 150 in 28 overs.

His 50 lasted 45 balls and included one four and fours sixes before he fell to Netravalkar at 153-4 in the 29th over.

Foo arrived at the crease with 66 needed from 45 balls and Reifer was dropped on 32 off of Theron.

With 58 to win from 34 balls, Reifer pulled a high full

toss from Netravalkar and was caught at deep squareleg at 164 in 30.2 overs.

Jaguars needed 55 in the last five overs with five wickets in hand but just five runs were conceded by Theron in the 32nd over.

Foo smashed Netravalkar for a four and a six over extra cover off the first two balls of the 33rdover, Lewis was caught off a no-ball for height but the over cost 15 runs.

Foo hammered a four and a six to reduce the target to 22 from 12 and Foo finished off the penultimate over with a six off Holland leaving 11 to get from six balls.

Lewis faced a dot ball before being caught behind, Ali-Mohammed got a single leaving Foo to score 10 off two balls but Foo was bowled leaving Ali-Mohammed and Ve e r s a m m y Permaul unbeaten on one each.

Earlier, batting before empty stands, former West Indies Test batsman Xavier Marshall (7) stroked

Clinton Pestano elegantly to the cover boundary but was bowled next ball at 121.

Taylor joined Patel and took the score to 29-1 from 7:3 overs before rain stopped play at 14:36hrs and when played resumed after a 35-minunte delay, Patel hooked Reifer for four off the first ball.

Taylor cut Reifer for four and the 50 came up in the 12th over before Taylor (17) missed an arm-ball and was bowled by Jamaican Lewis at 51-2.

Aaron Jones joined the solid looking Patel but with the score 59-1 in the 17th over a downpour halted the match for the second time.

When play resumed at 17:01hrs the overs were reduced to 41 and Patel danced into Gudakesh Motie and spanked him past extra cover for four before hitting over long-off to post his fifth List ‘A’ fifty from 74 balls with a four and two sixes.

Jones hammered Motie for four and whipped

Renaldo Ali-Mohammed for a boundary as the partnership progressed nicely.

But with score on 129 in the 30th over, Jones edged Reifer to the Keeper to end their stand and bring Holland to the crease.

Patel, who scored his maiden hundred against Jamaica last year’s Super50 in Barbados, went after the bowling and along with Holland who dumped Hemraj for two sixes, pushed the score along with positive batting.

But when 15 short of his second List ‘A’ century, the Indian born Patel, was removed by Lewis at 188-4 in the 37th over but Holland kept going with some big shots.

Hutchinson, who hit a six and four in 12, provided Lewis with his second wicket with the USA on 212-5 with 2.2 overs remaining.

Holland soon reached his first fifty at this level and remained to the end as the Americans posted a challenging total which, in the end proved adequate.

Palmer hundred in vain as Marooners sign off with defeat BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Paul Palmer’s maiden List A hundred went in vain as reigning champions CCC Marooners said goodbye to the Regional Super50 Cup, with a 51-run defeat to minnows Canada here yesterday.

Asked to chase 253 for victory at Conaree, Marooners collapsed for 210 all out in the 45th over, despite a fine 105 from Jamaican Palmer.

Romaine Morris chipped in with 58 but other than opener Gian Benjamin with 10, no other batsman made it to double figures as left-arm seamer Kaleem Sana (4-24), off-spinner Harsh Thaker (329) and left-arm spinner Shahid Ahmadzai (3-37) combined to wreck the innings.

Thaker had earlier topscored with an unbeaten 68 of 67 balls batting at number 10 as Canada got up to 252 all out off their 50 overs, after they were sent in.

Opener Rayyan Pathan struck a lively 41-ball 46 while Kaleem Sana produced a busy 38 off 37 deliveries at number nine.

Pathan put on 44 for the first wicket with Jeet Metha (10) before speedster Jalarnie Seales (3-62) struck twice in

Paul Palmer the 10th over to reduce the innings 47 for two.

And though Pathan added 36 for the third wicket with Kanwarpal Tathgur (29), Canada lost a cluster of wickets courtesy of offspinner Larry Joseph (3-38) to slip to 149 for seven in the 38th over.

However, Thaker took command for the Canadians, striking halfdozen fours and two sixes in a 92-run eighth wicket partnership with Kaleem, to rally the innings.

In reply, Marooners were slumping at 17 for three in the fifth over after Thaker struck twice with the new-ball in the fourth over as Canada got the better of the early exchanges.

Left-hander Benjamin

played back and was trapped lbw, two balls later new batsman Jonathan Drakes departed without scoring, driving lazily to be caught at cover before Odain McCatty chopped on to Kaleem in the following over also without scoring.

Palmer then stitched up the innings in a 103-run, fourth wicket stand with opener Morris, as Marooners made a recovery.

Left-hander Palmer faced 123 balls and counted 12 fours while Morris belted a six and a four in a 59-ball innings.

Morris’s demise in the 25th over – tugging a simple catch to short mid-wicket off Ahmadzai – marked the final decline for Marooners as the last seven wickets fell for 81 runs.

The defeat was Marooners’ sixth in eight games and the victory Canada’s second also from their complement of eight matches.

Scores: CANADA 252 off 50 overs (Harsh Thaker 68 not out, Rayyan Pathan 46, Kaleem Sana 38; Larry Joseph 3-38, Jalarnie Seales 3-62).

MAROONERS 201 off 44.2 overs (Paul Palmer 105, Romaine Morris 58; Harsh Thaker 3-29, Shahid Ahmadzai 3-37).

Tuesday November 26, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Living Heroes of Athletics in the Rupununi -Walker and Barker - Plans to revamp the Region nine Athletics Association on stream

By Zaheer Mohamed The Rupununi has a reputation of producing outstanding athletes, despite the challenges that goes with staging an athletic event there.

The Region has a number of living heroes who are serving as mentors to the younger athletes and this has helped the athletes to develop.

Former Chairman of the Region nine Athletics Association, Kenrick Lewis told Kaieteur Sport recently that he is eager to resuscitate the Region Nine Athletics Association so that the talented athletes can be better harnessed and reach their full potential like those on the coastland.

Lewis said they are shortchanged because there isn’t a proper system in place as it relates to the movement of athletes from region nine to Georgetown for major competitions and also for them to be accommodated, adding that they cannot do it all by themselves, and support from the Government and business community is needed.

Lewis informed that there are a number of talented athletes there and the fact that they have excelled at the Schools’ National

Championships bears witness. Among those who have represented the region with distinction are; Samuel Kaitan, former schools nationals 3000m gold medalist, but unfortunately the challenges faced there would have driven him away from the sport, Beverly Ignacio and Simona Lawrence both 10k champions, Matrim Martin who won gold in the 1500m U14 event and Dereck Mentis Jr who captured in the boys U18 high jump with a record leap of 1.84m at the recently concluded 59th Guyana Teachers Union Ministry of Education National Schools’ championships.

Lewis said that the athletes there have the potential for long distance races and of recent there are a number of high jump athletes coming out which is good to see.

The Rupununi has long been producing top athletes and has over the years contributed immensely to sports in Guyana. The youngsters there are sometimes being assisted by former athletes of the Rupununi who provide the motivation which helps to shape the youths mentally.

Two names that readily come to mind are Derick Mentis and

Philbert Barker.

Mentis also known as Walker started schooling at La Adventure Government School in Canal # 1. At age 13 he won his first 880 yards. In 1969 at Schools’ Nationals in Skeldon he won 1500 meters representing West Demerara while Philbert Barker also called Buckboy from the South Rupununi broke the games record in the 1500m.

Barker earned himself a scholarship at Tutorial High School; he also broke the Gladstone Hopkinson Record.

In 1972 Mentis joined the Guyana National Youth Core and in 1973 he was engulfed into the world of athletics and became the youth core distance champion in 5000m.

In 1973 he gained recognition at the Guyana Defence Force Annual Athletics Sport (InterCompany Sports).

Mentis graduated from the Youth Core in 1974 and immediately joined the Guyana Defence Force. He commenced rigorous training as an athlete GDF. In 1974 Mentis went to the Guymine games; all athletics teams were invited with the longest race to be 800 m. They begged Mentis to take part; some top athletes present were Oliver Alves, Elton Barker and

Anthony October, Mentis finally accepted the challenge and gave them all a big upset in the mining town of Linden and made the sports page of the newspaper.

Mr. Barker joined the Guyana Defence Force in 1975. Mentis and Barker became training partners.

Both Mentis and Baker were transferred to Base Kanuku and they continued their training there. In 1975 Mentis represented Guyana in Barbados running a Marathon and came 7th among 52 athletes. He also represented Guyana in Trinidad at the TEXACO Games; came 4th in the 1500 m 6th in the 5000 m. In 1976 he represented Guyana in Grenada and came 2nd in both the 1500m and 5000m. In 1975 saw Mentis through to holding a National record in 3000m at Camptown Campbellville. In 1976 Barker went to Texaco games in Trinidad; ran half-marathon and came 3rd.

Subsequently both Mentis and Barker started families in the Rupununi.

Mentis wife gave birth to a handsome son whom they called Dexter and Barker jokingly said to Walker he needed to get a girl baby to be a life partner for Dexter.

Derick Mentis (left) and Philbert Barker (right) with Dereck Mentis Jr. Jokingly said and jokingly it came into reality. But little did they knew, that their respective union would have resulted in the birth of one of the Region’s top athletes.

Barker’s wife gave birth to a beautiful girl whom they called Ebony. Ebony and Dexter got married and gave birth to a champion athlete Dereck Mentis Junior, the National Schools U18 high jump gold medalist and also a champion athlete in the Rupununi.

Dereck Mentis Junior is the result of double athletics impact from Mentis and Barker. He would have

represented Guyana in the junior category at the Caribbean Union of Teachers Championship in Trinidad and Tobago.

Derick Mentis Senior and Philbert Barker are two former giant athletes within the Guyana Defence Force and who created widespread havoc in the athletics world.

They are living heroes and deserve due recognition.

Lewis stated that he is looking at the possibility of resuscitating an ongoing (throughout the year) athletics competition that can feed the AAG calendar of activities.

‘Chris Gayle never get no respect’ - An explosive MSL goodbye ESPNcricinfo - Don’t blame me, said Chris Gayle as he bid an explosive goodbye to the Jozi Stars and a disastrous MSL campaign.

The defending champions are yet to win a single game, which has led to some fingerpointing.

The 40-year old West Indies opener leaves South Africa with 101 runs from six innings; 54 of them came on Sunday. “As soon as I don’t perform for two or three games, then Chris Gayle is the burden for the team,” he said at the press conference after the Stars collapsed from a winning position against Tshwane Spartans.

“I am not talking for this team only. This is something I have analysed over the years playing franchise cricket. Chris Gayle is always a burden if I don’t score runs, two, three, four times.

It seems like that one particular individual is the burden for the team. And then you will hear bickering. I am not going to get respect. People don’t remember what you have done for them. I don’t get respect.

“And I am not talking about this franchise. I am talking generally. Even from players as

Chris Gayle takes a selfie with fans after the game. (Getty Images) well, I am talking. Players, management, head of management, board members.

Chris Gayle never get no respect.

Once Chris Gayle fails, it’s the end of his career, he is no good, he is the worst player and all these other things. I’ve generally overcome these things and I expect these things and I have lived with these things.”

Both Gayle and the Stars have had a tough time in this year’s MSL. The team has lost all six of their matches while Gayle

scored only 47 runs in his first five innings before scoring 54 off 28 balls in his final appearance, which was also his 400th T20 match.

He played in the game against the Spartans despite having a high fever overnight because he wanted to sign-off on a high. The Stars were well set on 122 for 3 in the 14th over, chasing a target of 156, but then lost 7 for 13 in 29 balls to crumble to 135 all out.

“It was bad, bad to watch,”

Gayle said. “Everyone will be hurt from such a thing. I am hurt from a personal point of view. I really wanted to win. I thought this was the one but it wasn’t meant to be again.”

While Gayle was critical of the team’s performance, he could not pinpoint why the dressing room environment is not creating a winning culture. “This is not a champion team. This is not how defending champions should play to defend the title. Most of the times it’s been a lot of

uncertainty from guys and I don’t know if it’s an off the field problem, I don’t know what’s happening. I think individuals, the franchise itself, needs to look at themselves and dig deep with what is happening. Something is wrong. I don’t know what it is but we need to find out what’s wrong.”

The Stars came into this season with several changes to their set up. They were forced to find a new coach after Enoch Nkwe was appointed interim national team director and promoted his assistant from 2018, Donovan Miller, to the role.

Miller is the only foreign coach in this year’s MSL. They also had a change of captaincy after last season’s skipper Dane Vilas was picked up by the Durban Heat. Temba Bavuma, who is being tipped to lead at national level, is their new captain and although he is the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, he has not been able to spearhead any wins.

As a result, the Stars have looked more dejected with each game which is a complete contrast to their feelgood vibe from last year which Gayle had been hoping

to come back to.

“I had so much fun last year. I didn’t plan to come to play this year but because of the spirit last year, the dressing room environment was so fantastic, I just wanted to come and play. It wasn’t about money at all, there was no negotiation, I said ‘just sign it up but I won’t play the full tournament’. I will play six games because I want to share one more moment with this dressing room and that’s what I did. Normally I would take a break right now but I really, really wanted to come here.”

Asked if he would come back to the MSL, Gayle joked “never say never,” and although he plans to take the rest of 2019 off, he indicated that his playing days are not done just yet. “It’s important to take a break from the game as well. For me, I have played so many games that I know what I need to do to prepare for a tournament. The mental part is not an issue for me, it’s more the physical side of things. Once I get the physical side of things right, I can still carry on for however long I want to play this game.”

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

West Indies ICC U-19 CWC Jofra Archer racially abused as World Cup squad named England slump to innings defeat - Team set for Rising Stars U-19 Tri Series against England and Sri Lanka St. John’s, AntiguaCricket West Indies yesterday announced the fifteen man squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup that takes place in South Africa in January 2020. Captained by Kimani Melius, this exciting young squad will firstly be facing the England U19s and Sri Lanka U19s in the West Indies Rising Stars U19 TriSeries to be held in Antigua in December.

The squad will aim to recapture the trophy that West Indies U19s won in 2016 and features three team members who played at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018: Captain Kimani Melius, Ashmead Nedd and Nyeem Young. Other notable names include Leonardo Julien and Jayden Seales who are part of the West Indies Emerging Players squad that is performing strongly in Zone B of the current Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup. This squad of potential future West Indies stars will host the England and Sri Lanka U19 teams in nine matches to be played in Antigua at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and then the Coolidge Cricket Ground starting on December 6. These matches will be used to work on game strategies and finesse their plans before the top two teams face off in the Final on December 21.”

The West Indies U19s will then travel to South Africa after Christmas to finalise their preparations in advance of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup which will take place from January 17 to February 9.

At the start of their quest to add to the momentous 2016 world title, they will face three time winners Australia, 1998 winners England and tournament debutants Nigeria in Zone B. West Indies U19 Head Coach Graeme West said, “I would like to congratulate the fifteen players selected to represent the West Indies in both the upcoming U19 TriSeries and the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. The Tri- Series was always a key component to the team’s preparation and it will be used to establish our game strategies and reinforce the key messages that the

support staff have identified as essential to playing successful white ball cricket.”

“Everything we have been working on over the last twelve months has been designed to prepare the team for the opening World Cup games against Australia and England on January 18 and 20.”

The U19 squad members have been building their game experience and gaining match practice having been integrated into their regional Franchise squads and attending specialist U19 training camps during past 12 months. West continued, “We have seen in our trial games and practice matches the huge potential that this squad of young players possess and the areas that needed further development.

I am very grateful to those Franchises that have integrated many of the players in their Super50 Cup preparations and the regional Franchise coaches that have been providing additional support on a daily basis.”

“I am now looking forward to watching this young team move forward over the next three months. It’s going to be an exciting journey for every member and one that I hope provides them with some great memories and experiences but, equally, the confidence and skills to move into the professional game.”

Newly appointed Talent ID Manager, Robert Haynes elaborated on the squad selection. “The majority of players have been in the programme for twelve months and the Tri-Series represents the first competitive action for all bar three of the squad, Melius, Nedd and Young all featured in the 2018 World Cup and the experiences they gained in New Zealand will be tapped into and filtered through the team,” said Haynes. Haynes also addressed how the squad was selected with regard to the conditions that the West Indies U19s face in South Africa. “We have looked to develop a strong seam bowling attack and the five seamers selected all offer something different. Seales and Forde were successful in the U19s Rising Stars Regional Tournament that

took place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines while Simmonds was the surprise package with his extra pace and bounce. We have also looked for batsman that are comfortable on the back foot and are prepared to play with a positive intent; Mbeki Joseph was a late addition to the squad but fully deserved his call up with a string of big scores.

“The Tri-Series will provide the perfect preparation challenge with a mix of styles likely to be displayed by England and Sri Lanka, the six group games will provide the players with opportunities to build confidence and get their game in order before the attention turns to the World Cup.” CWI President Ricky Skerritt congratulated the selected players, “I want to congratulate all who have gained selection. These young talented cricketers are the best of our U19 Rising Stars. I call on all West Indies cricket stakeholders and fans to give them our full support and best wishes now and in the future.”

The Rising Stars U-19 TriSeries Fixtures: ODI 1, December 6th: England vs Sri Lanka, Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground ODI 2, December 7th: West Indies vs Sri Lanka, Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground ODI 3, December 9th: West Indies vs England, Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground ODI 4, December 10th: West Indies vs Sri Lanka, Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground ODI 5, December 12th : England vs Sri Lanka, Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground ODI 6, December 13th: West Indies vs England, Coolidge Cricket Ground ODI 7, December 15th: West Indies vs England, Coolidge Cricket Ground ODI 8, December 17th: Sri Lanka vs England, Coolidge Cricket Ground ODI 9, December 19th: West Indies vs England, Coolidge Cricket Ground ODI 10, December 21: The Final, Coolidge Cricket Ground

ESPNcricinfo - New Zealand Cricket says it will apologise to Jofra Archer after the fast bowler received “racial insults” from a member of the crowd following his dismissal during the first Test against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui.

Archer made 30 from 50 balls on the final afternoon of the match, but was unable to prevent New Zealand from sealing an innings-and-65-run win to go 1-0 up in the twomatch series.

However, that achievement was overshadowed shortly after the finish, when Archer tweeted about the treatment he had received as he left the field at the end of his innings.

He said: “A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team, the crowd was been amazing this week except for that one guy, @TheBarmyArmy was good as usual also.”

In a statement, NZC said that the perpetrator had not been located, but that the board would be in touch with Archer to apologise.

“New Zealand Cricket will be contacting, and apologising to English fast bowler Jofra Archer, who was racially abused by a spectator as he left the field at the conclusion of the first Test at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui,” read the statement.

“Although security providers at the venue were unable to locate the perpetrator, NZC will be examining CCTV footage and making further inquiries tomorrow in an endeavour to identify the man responsible.

“NZC has zero tolerance towards abusive or offensive language at any of its venues and will refer any developments in the case to police.

“It will contact Mr Archer

Jofra Archer bats during the fifth day at Mount Maunganui. (AFP) tomorrow to apologise for the unacceptable experience, and to promise increased vigilance in the matter when the teams next meet in Hamilton.”

Archer later confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that the abuser had been a solitary New Zealand spectator, making comments “about the colour of my skin”.

He also claimed that the same person appeared to have contacted him via Instagram with further insults. “I don’t think it would happen in England,” Archer said.

It was a tough match for England, but particularly Archer, who was required to bowl a marathon spell of 42 overs in New Zealand’s solitary innings, and came in for criticism for an at-times lethargic display.

He picked up a solitary wicket, that of BJ Watling who top-scored with 205, but also served a reminder of his menacing attributes when he struck Henry Nicholls a

heavy blow to the helmet on the second evening.

The ECB later confirmed that an investigation into the incident was ongoing, in conjunction with NZC, “NZC and ECB ensure that clear guidelines are in place at every venue so that watching a cricket match is safe and enjoyable for everyone,” said the ECB in a statement.

“Whilst this is a relatively isolated incident there is absolutely no place for antisocial or racist behaviour within the game and it is vitally important that all spectators feel able to come forward to report such behaviour and feel safe in doing so.”

Scores in the match: New Zealand 615 for 9 dec (Watling 205, Santner 126, de Grandhomme 65, Williamson 51) beat England 353 (Stokes 91, Denly 74, Burns 52, Southee 4-88) and 197 (Wagner 5-44) by an innings and 65 runs.

Victory Valley Royals win GABF U-18 3x3 The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) hosted the 2019 boys’ under-18 3x3 one-day tournament at the Burnham hard court on Sunday night to select the team that will represent Guyana at the regional tournament in February 2020 in Guadeloupe.

Sixteen teams were drafted into four groups with the winner of each group advancing to the semifinals.

The final two teams in the tournament were Blazers that lost to Victory Valley Royals of Linden 15-10.

Kobe Tappin, Captain of the Royals, led from the front with a starring role for his side from the beginning of the tournament. Although there was an MVP trophy he would have copped it if it was on offer.

However, in addition to the National Under-18 3x3 trophy the youngster copped the three-point shootout accolade after demonstrating his superior skill to sink six

three-pointers in 30 seconds.

The full Royals team consisted of Tappin, Immanuel Larose, Shemroy Green and Delroy Belle.

The GABF will now turn their focus to the Guyana versus Grenada friendly three-match series that will bounce off on December 6 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) which is all part of the senior men’s team preparation for the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) championships next year.

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Brian Tiwari birthday tournament set to conclude Sunday at Den Amstel

Guyanese players finish second and third in Canada badminton tourney Guyana’s top male and female player Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani over last weekend took part in the 2019-2020 ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) Badminton Tournament held in Olds Alberta Canada.

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is the governing body for collegiate sports in Alberta, Canada and was founded in 1964.

Narayan Ramdhani playing for the Kings University Eagles won the Second Place in the Men Singles and Fifth Place in Mixed Doubles.

Priyanna Ramdhani playing for the Olds College Broncos won the Third Place in Women Singles and Seventh Place in Mixed Doubles.

Both players performed very competitive and in the first time in their Badminton

- Action promises to be explosive

P

Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani at the recent Canadian tournament. career they played against each other instead of with each other as they attend different University and College. On Court the Shuttle comes first so they had no problems giving their all.

The Results are as Follow: Men Singles Narayan Ramdhani (Kings Eagles): Quarter-Finals: defeated John Li (Nait): 21-13, 21-17 Semi-Finals: defeated Tayler Walsh (Nait): 21-15, 21-17 Finals: Lost to Nicholas

PAGE 33

Pittman (Concordia): 19-21, 21-13, 16-21 Ladies Singles Priyanna Ramdhani (Olds Broncos) Quarter-Finals: defeated Connie Juang (Nait): 21-10, 21-18 Semi-Finals: lost to Johnna Rymes (Concordia): 17-21, 7-21 Third Place: defeated Abby Leddis (Kings): 21-17, 21-18 Mixed Doubles: 5th Place: Semi-Finals: Narayan (Continued on page 25)

lay in the Brian Tiwari birth anniversary 9-aside Inter-Ward football Tournament is set to conclude on Sunday at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground starting 4:00pm. The competition is set to be explosive with the home teams gunning to keep the prize money on the Westside.

The tournament has been organized by former national coach Lennox Arthur and it’s down to the final 12 teams following action last weekend. Seven of those teams come from the West Demerara area and they are set to represent well. Two

Georgetown and one each from East Bank and the Venezuela lads are all set to play to get into the money round of the tournament in honour of the businessman.

The first prize is $200,000 and the Bradley G a b r i e l t r o p h y, w h i l e second, third and fourth place finishers will take home $100,000 and the Kane Gabriel trophy, $60,000 and $40,000 respectively.

The winners of the opening salvo of games starting at 4:00pm on Sunday will advance to the respective quarters and semis then the final and third place playoff.

Sunday’s fixtures are as

Brian Tiwari follows: Sunday December 1 Wales vs. Soesdyke Gaza vs. Plaisance Pouderoyen vs. Hurry Ate Den Amstel Kings vs.

Timehri Den Amstel vs. Crane West Side Spartans vs.

Casa Coima

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Guyana Mixed Marital Arts Karate Association holds final grading exam for 2019

The students who took part in the GMMAKA exams recently take time out for a photo.

The Guyana Mixed Marital Arts Karate Association held its final exam for the year 2019. A total of 45 students from the various martial arts academies took part in their exam on Sunday, while three special students were given their black belt exam. These students are Daniel Chandler, Shiloh Sydney and Roman Pollard who all put an excellent performance and earned their ranks.

Master Lloyd Ramnarine expressed gratitude to all the students who participated and encouraged them to keep working hard because with hard work no goals are achievable.

Persons wishing to join any of their branches: The Iron Fist Marital Arts Academy Located at the New Grove/Diamond Primary School, The Invisible Kicks Marital Arts

Academy Located at La Parfait Harmonie on the West Bank, The Red Dragon Marital Arts Academy Located at the Bell West Primary School and The Vreed En Hoop Marital Arts Academy Located at the Vreed En Hoop Primary School can contact Master Lloyd Ramnarine on 6986727/698-7456/673-0823 for information.

The Alberttown Marital Arts Academy Located at 71 light street Alberttown Georgetown can be contacted through Instructor Roman Pollard on 668-6952.

The a newly formed Martial Arts Academy Located at The Park Vue International Hotel is in operation and contact can be made with Master Lloyd Ramnarine on 698-6727/698-7456/6730823 or Instructor Raul Joseph on 266-2869/6388707 for any details.

Regal Masters claim Trophy Stall Champion of Champions softball title Regal Masters registered a narrow one run victory over Wellman Masters to win the inaugural Trophy Stall Champion of Champions T20 softball competition which was contested Sunday at GNIC SC. Batting first, Wellman Masters posted 151-9 with opener Surajdeo Ramdeen leading the batting, scoring 39. Ramdeen and Lloyd Ruplall added 25 for the opening stand before Ruplall was removed by David

Harper for 12 while Ramdeen was taken off Eric Thomas for 39 which included three fours and two sixes. Rawl Reid struck three fours and three sixes in a rapid 38 while Wayne Jones and Troy Lewis chipped in with 20 and 19 respectively.

Harper captured 3-19 while Unnis Yusuf and Thomas picked up two wickets each.

Yu s u f a n d M a h a s e Chunilall provided Regal Masters with a solid start as (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Turbo knockout tournament

F

ans witnessed two gritty wins by Pouderoyen FC and Buxton Stars respectively when the 2019 Tu r b o E n e rg y D r i n k

Pouderoyen and Buxton win on Monday knockout football tournament continued at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue on Sunday night last with a double header.

Pouderoyen got past Pele FC 2-0 in the feature match of the night.

Both goals were scored in the first half; a strike from Stephen Jupiter in the 7th

Action between Buxton Stars (possession) that needled Camptown on Sunday night.

Champion of Champions 2 dominoes tourney set for Dec. 1

A number of top teams are set to battle on December 1 at Ogle.

Organising secretary of the Guyana Domino League (GDL) Mark Wiltshire in association with the GDL will be hosting a dominoes competition on December 1 at Rona Place, Ogle.

Dubbed Champion of Champions 2, the competition is only open to teams that brought first in 2019 tournaments. Among those listed to take part are Gold is Money, Mix up, Spartons, Phantom, C6, C7, Gangster, Fresh Cash, All Season’s, Angel’s, Ponter’s,

PAGE 35

B13, Royal Kings, Turning Point, Killers, T and T, Players, Providence, Lions and OPKO as well as a number of guess teams; Big Boss, Strikers, Beacons, Pace Setters, Quiet Storm, Undercover, Orange Walk, West Side, Ravens, One Love, Travellers and In time.

Entrance fee is $12,000 and at stake are cash prizes, trophies, medals and hampers. Teams can contact Wiltshire on 659-8672 for registration.

Double-six time is 14:00hrs.

minute, while Sean Taylor turned one into his own net in the 15th minute.

In the opener, the Stars needled Camptown with their Captain Jumanci Mayor leading from the front with the winner in the 35th minute.

First round action in the tournament continues tonight with another doubleheader featuring Uitvlugt against Buxton under-20 at 19:00hrs and GFC versus Mahaica Determinators at 21:00hrs at the same MOE venue.

The winning team of the tournament will receive $400,000. Second place will pocket $200,000, while third and fourth will receive $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. The promotion is sponsored by Guyana Beverages Inc.

Victory Valley Royals win GABF U-18 3x3

rt Spo

From left, GABF head Mike Singh, Kobe Tappin, Delroy Belle, Shemroy Green, Immanuel LaRose and coordinator Andrew Hercules.

West Indies ICC U-19 CWC World Cup squad named

Kimani Melius (left) and Ashmead Nedd in action during the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup. (CA-Images/CWI)

- Team set for Rising Stars U-19 Tri Series against England and Sri Lanka

Colonial Medical Super50 Cup clinch last Patel’s 85, Netravalkar, Theron send Jaguars packing - WIEP semi-final spot 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.