Kaieteur News

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Investment firm NEWS plugs US$30M into - Reuters Kaieteur Block ownerexclusive

Thursday Edition

AIETEUR

November 26, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 47

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

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 109,606

Stabroek Block over 1,000 times bigger than a single Gulf of Mexico block p.

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Coalition/PPP ministers had used discretionary powers to go beyond legal limit

GLSC yet to identify Ogle lands given out under Coalition 37 years after first applying… Cuyuni farmer continues to wait for lease PPP councillor suspended from City Council meeting Govt. receives recommendations from local content panel p.

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Accommodating the tainted No leader should be given a pass, given the madness and corruptions that are going on with this oil of ours. Alison Redford, QC, is the first case in point.

The PPP contracted Canadian Alison Redford to review the US$9B Payara oil project, and do right by us.

This was expected from a woman, who couldn’t do right in her own business.

Her already tainted record is now worsened by disclosures that Exxon money contributed to her political coffers. This is how cozy and i n c e s t u o u s E x x o n ’s relationships are, and this is how Guyana gets raped.

What could this so-called world class expert do for us that was clean and reliable?

This is the garbage that PPP leaders dump on Guyanese,

while telling us how lawfully and cleanly they are overseeing the nation’s oil.

The second instance is that of Baker Hughes, Inc. to be partnered with for onshore capacity development.

Baker Hughes has compiled a record of bribery and corruption the world over.

Now our leaders are about to greenlight the company to corrupt Guyanese, especially Custom Officers, by spreading its poison and getting its oil business done its usual way.

These are the types of people, the Canadian Redford and the American company, Baker Hughes Inc., that PPP leaders welcome here. This is how corrupt leaders corrupt our oil oversight and corrupt our people.

GLSC transferred Sports Commission lands to private individual - says AG p.

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Listen to how oil deals transpiring among your leaders are wrought with corruption and conflicts of interest, on a rebroadcast of The Glenn Lall show at 11 AM today.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 26, 2020

GLSC transferred Sports Commission lands - says to private individual AG

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s t h e investigations continue into the giveaway of prime state lands by the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC), it was discovered that the Commission transferred lands belonging to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to a private individual.

According to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, that individual later subleased the large plot of land to a fast food chain outlet, garnering millions in revenue.

“One portion of land that was given to someone else by the GLSC was not even owned by or under the administration of the Lands and Surveys Commission. It is owned by the National Sport Commission and given to a businessman who has sublet it to a food chain outlet drawing tens of thousands of US dollars in income per month,” Nandlall disclosed.

A competitive bidding process should have been

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engaged, the AG explained.

However, no evidence was found that this was done.

Not only that, Guyana's State Lands Act has provisions to prevent the subleasing of state lands.

“All these transactions are going to be made public in due course because they are state property, public lands and the state lands act imposes certain restrictions on how to deal with state lands,” the AG added.

Guyana's State Lands Act clearly stipulates that whenever State lands are leased, the lease agreement must indicate that the lessee “SHALL NOT” part with lands (possession) or “SHALL NOT” assign the interest in the said agreement without the consent of the State.

It states too that in the event that there is going to be a transfer to a third party, the State reserves to right to step in and repossess the lands, reverting ownership back to the State.

But this feature seemed to have been disregarded by the Commission, as was done by

the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) also under investigation.

With the NICIL land leases, a specific clause was altered to state “the lessee may divest the land, may part with possession, may assign it to a third-party interest” – an insertion that saw hundreds of acres of prime lands being resold and transferred with the State acquiring zero revenue from the transactions. The thing is in a horrible mess,” Nandlall continued “and it stinks of unaccountability and lack of transparency.”

Under the previous administration, the NSC was chaired by Ivan Persaud and included Christopher Jones, Nigel Hinds, Seon Erskine, Lavern Fraser, Igna Henry, Edison Jefford, Aliann Pompey along with Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Notably, also on the Sports Commission was James Bond, who is currently at the center of investigations regarding his involvement in the giveaway of state lands at Peter's Hall.

Thursday November 26, 2020

Man abducts ex-lover's baby at gunpoint

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man on Tuesday held his exlover, 19, at gunpoint at her home located at Tuschen Squatting Area, East Bank Essequibo (EBD) and abducted her one-dayold baby.

Fast action resulted in him being arrested within a short time and the baby rescued.

According to a police report, the suspect, identified as a resident of Herstelling, went to his exlover Jennifer Goberdan's home around 20:45 hrs. The man reportedly walked into the house and demanded she hand over the baby.

The woman refused and the man whipped a handgun and pointed it at her.

Goberdan told investigators that she

became fearful and handed over the baby.

He grabbed the child and left. The matter was reported to police and a short time later he was intercepted in a minibus at the Vreed-enHoop junction.

Ranks reported that a woman was also found with the man and was at the time holding the baby in her arms.

She, however, told detectives that she was only given the baby by the suspect just minutes before police stopped the bus.

Nevertheless police arrested them both, but released the woman sometime after while the man remains in custody. The baby was handed over to its mother. It is unclear from the report whether the child was the man's own.

Kaieteur News

US$15 million Sure Stay Plus Hotel soon to be constructed

The soon to be constructed Sure Stay Plus Hotel

World Bank provides $7.5 million to support Guyana's COVID-19 response WA S H I N G T O N , November 25, 2020 — The World Bank approved today, the US$7.5 million Guyana C O V I D - 1 9 E m e rg e n c y Response Project, to support the country in tackling the current pandemic and strengthening the country's health system.

“The World Bank is working with member countries in the Caribbean to help them respond to COVID-19 and prepare for a resilient recovery. This financing for Guyana will help the country tackle the current crisis and handle future emergencies,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. “The project will strengthen care for COVID19 patients, improve the country's ability to identify

positive cases, and enhance the health system's capacity to deliver critical care to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with chronic conditions.”

The Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project will strengthen laboratory capacity, support screening and surveillance, improve contact tracing, and equip healthcare facilities for more effective treatment and care of COVID-19 patients.

The project will also include activities specifically targeted to reach local communities across the country and in the hinterland regions through expansion of contact tracing and psychosocial support to vulnerable households. Risk communication materials

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will be translated into local languages to ensure that vulnerable groups have access to reliable information about the virus and its spread. Finally, the project will also contribute to preparing the health system for the effective deployment of a safe and approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Guyana received interest-free financing from the International Development Association (IDA), with a maturity of 40 years, including a grace period of 10 years. In late July 2020, Guyana also benefitted from a US$1 million grant through the World Bank - administered Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF), which was disbursed to PAHO/WHO.

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nother project now joins the rest of the soon to be constructed hotels that have been announced in the past two weeks.

According to a press release by Arimu Investments, the company is now joining the plethora of foreign stakeholders, who are investing heavily in accommodation facilities in Guyana. The company noted that their shareholders are

completely 100% Guyanese and of a family with numerous real estate investments.

Arimu Investments would soon be constructing US$15 million (G$3B) Sure Stay Plus Hotel by Best Western, a well-known decorated and awarded franchise.

The first of its kind franchise hotel would be built ideally in the center of the city of Georgetown. The

hotel would span eight stories; it is set to house more than a 100 bedrooms; dining and restaurant facilities; executive bar and lounge; gym; executive taxi with valet parking; and a conference hall.

The release further states that the hotel is expected to create 150 jobs during construction and 50 jobs during its operation. The project would begin in the first quarter of 2021.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 26, 2020

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

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

EDITORIAL

All the President’s Men The recent land scandal featuring James Bond – a prominent current member, former Parliamentarian and former party executive of the People’s National Congress – is from all observations the outer fringes of a web of public corruption, enmeshing oil industry players both major and minor, local middlemen, government employees both former and current, and several others whose identities are yet to be revealed.

While this paper, and others, have recently liked former President and current PNC leader, David Granger to his current American counterpart Donald Trump, with both septuagenarian gentlemen having engaged in asinine and macabre postures of defiance of the will of their respective peoples after having lost a first term election, there is another US president that the recent scandals link Granger to – Richard Nixon.

In their book, ‘All the President’s Men,’ detailing their investigative reporting work that eventually forced Nixon to resign, Washington Post’s journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, showed how the burglary at the Watergate Hotel and the subsequent conspiracy to cover up the crime unraveled a thread that went straight to the heart of the Nixon administration.

The key difference is that while Tricky Dicky had an aggressive PR pushback for troublesome news during his presidency, Mr. Granger, as President, employed a very effective – if cowardly – method of avoiding public questions: he simply ignored the media or any other form of open public questioning. By that method, he has avoided direct commentary on the corruption scandals which gripped his campaign from early on, from the unilateral and immediate salary increase, to the Exxon US $18 million signing bonus, to the Larry Singh drug bond rental, to Durban Park.

For its part, the media has adopted a sort of Douglas Adams logic to holding him accountable; if he refused to make himself available for public comment, then perhaps he was not obligated to comment. This practice of press avoidance has been transitioned into his post-presidential life with the PNC getting rid of press conferences altogether, and Granger not featuring in any of the party, or the Coalition’s, verbose pronouncements on every conceivable issue, except of course corruption under its tenure.

This is interesting considering that he is personally directly in charge of the political opposition in Guyana. He is the Leader, the highest functionary of the PNC, and of the now practically defunct APNU. He is the primary player in the admittedly nebulous APNU+AFC coalition, and, finally, as leader of the list that went into the 2020 elections, he has control over the entire APNU+AFC list of parliamentarians.

Despite having run from the public responsibility of a Parliamentary seat and the embarrassment of losing a previously historic incumbency, he is nonetheless in charge of a significant political machinery from wherever he is currently holed up and hiding.

To be clear, it is that political machinery headed by David Granger that is at the center of the spider web of corruption currently being exposed in the land giveaways, both at Ogle and at Peter’s Hall and elsewhere. Look at every single significant hustler behind the graft and you will find a Granger party apparatchik or political appointee, all the President’s men conspiring to defraud the state of valuable assets. It is his right hand, Joseph Harmon, that is listed as being part of trio (that included another two of his appointees, Horace James and Colvin Heath-London) that changed a critical element of NICIL’s standard operating procedure that allowed a prominent member of his party, Bond, to benefit more than $1 million US from flipping valuable state lands at Peter’s Hall. It is his Finance Minister, Winston Jordan that signed off on vesting lands at Ogle, after an election that he had lost, to persons who did not even pay for the lands.

And it is, as is covered in the story in today’s issue of this paper, the National Sports Commission, led by party executive, now Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, under his administration that was involved in the transfer of lands to a private businessman. Many of these corrupt transactions involve state lands, lands which by law come under the Presidency, a position occupied at the time of the transactions by David Granger – it is only under his direct

UG must play the lead role in the ‘partnership’ with UWI Dear Editor, I wish to comment on the letter by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of UWI, and to also put a few questions to him about President Ali’s doctoral research.

Professor Beckles letter was titled ‘Emerging relationship between UWI, Guyana can only positively affect inter-university partnership’.

I would propose that the approach to this partnership is that the University of Guyana (UG) must lead and the UWI play the supporting role.

Professor Beckles indicated that the project is a partnership with the Government of Guyana, this is really a partnership with the Government and people of Guyana.

There is no way that we should agree for our government to spend our taxpayers money to fund a project with UWI, and UG is

not the lead institution. That is one adjustment that ought to be made.

Chancellor Professor Eddie Greene and ViceChancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, and their team at UG, are quite capable of leading this effort.

Professor Beckles also stated that: “UWI is keen to participate in “rekindling Guyana’s economic and social development””.

I wish to state that it is the responsibility and duty of UG to position Guyana for economic and social development, through research, education and training, so as to realize the country’s potential and UG must not abdicate this responsibility to UWI. Partnerships add value, I therefore see UWI as the added value, not the value and that must be clearly understood and determined.

Finally, I am not sure whether Professor Beckles has received this information.

Dr. Vibert Cambridge in a letter that was published in both the

Stabroek News and Kaieteur News on November, 20, 2020, and titled ‘Ignoring of UG in UWI release seen as disrespectful’, stated that ‘Professor Opadeyi who is in some way associated with President Ali doctoral work at UWI, St. Augustine, was recently appointed Special Projects Officer in Guyana’s Ministry of Education’.

Also, in a Stabroek News Editorial on November 22, titled ‘UWI training programme’ it stated, “Dr. Cambridge raised an issue of a different kind. Towards the end of his letter, he asked whether the “engagement” with UWI was associated with Professor Jacob Opadeyi’.”

Further, the editorial stated, “The Professor is now a faculty member at UWI’s St. Augustine campus, but from 2013-16 had been the ViceChancellor of UG.” Additionally, it was indicated “Dr. Cambridge goes on to say that Professor Opadeyi had “in some way [been] associated with

President Ali’s doctoral work at UWI, St. Augustine” and had recently been appointed as Special Projects Officer in our Ministry of Education’”.

The editorial continued: “While he was ViceChancellor, the Professor “was awarded a US$193,000 contract for the digitization of immovable property records and the establishment of an electronic database with linkage to the sub-registries of the Deeds Registry.”

These statements are of great interest, especially at a time when the Government of Guyana is working hard on rebuilding the integrity of the country - institutions and people.

My questions to Professor Beckles are: To what extent was Professor Opadeyi associated with President Ali’s doctoral work?

And is Professor Beckles aware of whether anyone or persons from UG was also associated with the President’s doctoral work?

Audreyanna Thomas Citizen

Fewer than 300 workers sent home Dear Sir, The hiring of political advisors, political operatives and contract workers when a new government assumes office is a normal and customary practice as illustrated by the ‘transition’ between the outgoing President Donald Trump and the President-elect Joe Biden administrations.

In Guyana, however, this transition, including the hiring of workers, has become an area of contention which has been precipitated by the GPSU (Guyana Public Service Union) and the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change) political parties (which will henceforth be referred to as PNCR).

These entities had contended during the PPP/C administration (pre-2015) that the system of appointments of political appointees,

advisors, and contact workers also undermined the role of the Public Service Commission (PSC), whose responsibility is to hire, promote, examine work conditions of public servants and to discipline those who are errant. They also alleged that the hiring of contract and political-type employees had placed traditional public servants at a disadvantage.

The latter have been getting lower salaries compared with contract and politically appointed workers for doing similar or even higher-level jobs.

However, once in government, the PNCR bloated the public service employment roll with over 10,000 new employees (during 2015-2020), says a top PPP/C government official on a recent Globespan programme.

A significant percentage

instruction that these transactions could have been completed. As usual, when comment was sought from Granger on these issues, he could not be made contact with – he remains, as he did for much of his presidency, in hiding.

When we consider the timeline of all the developments with these corrupt deals, how they coincided not only with legal challenges to the No Confidence Motion but also with Granger’s indecent refusal to concede after clearly losing the elections in March of this year, it becomes increasingly clear that the obstinate insanity with which his administration governed was less about political entitlement and more about shielding and facilitating corruption. What many might have attributed to self-righteous delusion (“I have done nothing wrong. I have always abided by the Constitution”) is now better understandable as just basic graft, and the protection of it. Even Nixon eventually regained some level of credibility by being man enough to face his mistakes – no one would be faulted for expecting differently in Granger’s case.

of the new employees were (i) on contract and/or (ii) were party supporters/members.

The GPSU and others kept quiet on this issue as well as on the massive firing of thousands of workers (1,972 Amerindian CSOs, several hundreds of Indo-Guyanese in the public service, and 6,000 Indo-Guyanese sugar workers who were thought to be supporters of the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party, Civic]).

According to a PPP/C government functionary, “the public service (under the PNCR) was embedded with many political appointees that were found in all the Ministries and who were on contract and receiving high salaries, had few qualifications, if any, and not working except doing open political work for the PNCR. Their services were terminated but they were given their leave and benefits.”

To decrease the level of contract and/or political appointees, and to enhance workers’ productivity, their professionalism as well as make them responsive to the requirements of the government’s policies, the PPP/C administration, as did the PNCR government before but on a much lesser scale, terminated several of those contract and politically appointed workers to clear the way to have their (PPP/C) own political appointees, contract workers, and technical advisors to fill some of those positions. The

terminations were not carried out ruthlessly as were done by the PNCR in 2015, but rather in a measured way to ease the level of disruption.

The President, under the constitution, has the power to appoint and terminate Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers (REOs).

Accordingly, President Irfaan Ali terminated the services of eight Permanent Secretaries (PSs) and six Regional Executive Officers (REOs) who were on contract.

Three of the PSs were on the fixed establishment and have been sent on accumulated leave and would be reassigned to other positions with same level of remuneration and benefits.

Some 20 CEOs (Chief Executive Officers) of state entities have been terminated.

Some of them have been linked to corruption and are under criminal investigation.

I have learnt that 60 staffers comprising personal assistants, confidential secretaries, and drivers who were hired on contract by the former President and his Cabinet have been terminated. Other staffers hired by the PNCR have been placed on the fixed establishment and therefore remain in the system.

A number of the staffers hired by the PNCR administration were terminated because their positions have become redundant consequent upon (Continued on page 5)

Thursday November 26, 2020

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Kaieteur News

GuySuCo’s future hangs in balance without the articulated tractors Dear Editor, Since taking office almost four months ago, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government has been moving ahead with its plans to reopen three of the four sugar estates shuttered by the Coalition government. The process has already begun with the rehiring of almost 700 employees to carry out preliminary work on the sugar factories in preparation for the grand reopening in 2022.

So far, 270 workers were rehired at the Rose Hall Estate, 226 at Skeldon and 194 at Enmore at a cost of $126 million. According to the CEO of GuySuCo, Sasenarine Singh, by midto the end of 2021, the state entity will provide employment for some 3,000 of the 7,000 workers that were laid off—about 1,600 at Rose Hall and roughly 1,400 at Enmore.

The Rose Hall factory will be the first to re-open followed by Enmore and Skeldon. Today, only three estates are in operation— Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion estates. It is estimated that the reopening of the three sugar estates will cost GuySuCo approximately $6.3B— $2.8B on Rose Hall, $2.1B on Enmore and $1.4B on Skeldon.

GuySuCo, once the principal earner of foreign currency and still the largest employer in the productive sector, with more than 9,000 employees, is a key pillar of the country’s economy. It fell on hard times for a variety of reasons and had to rely on subsidies from governments to keep it afloat.

This was due largely to a lower price and a lower demand for sugar on the world market, loss of the preferential market and corruption. However, the Irfaan Ali administration has vowed to re-open the estates, rehire most of the laid off workers and make the estates stable again.

Indeed, I am sure GuySuCo would have been thrilled to provide employment for more persons but it cannot do so at this point in time since the corporation does not have the field equipment, especially tractors required to advance its work. The closing of the sugar factories three years ago has resulted in major damage to machinery and the factories and there was no tractor on site on some of these estates as NICIL operators carried out a great plunder between 2017

and 2020 on these estates.

Key equipment have vanished from the factories.

In addition, the cane lands have been left abandoned and are teeming with bushes which need to be cleared, tilled and planted but one cannot plant sugar cane with their finger nails, but powerful ploughing implements to be pulled by powerful 200 HP tractors like the articulated tractors to get the job done.

As a result, the burden is now on the state-owned entity and its CEO, Sase Singh, to get the machinery back in working condition and to purchase the suitable tractors required to till the land in preparation for planting and hence for the reopening of the factories.

The process of acquiring 44 articulated tractors is underway at a cost of some $1.2B (not the sorts of inflated figures as reporting in some media outlets). It has come to my attention that the first six tractors would cost about $26M each and each one of them is over 200 HP and are articulated sugar specific tractors rather than the generalist agriculture rice or fixed frame tractors that

...Fewer than 300 workers sent From page 4 the reorganization of a few ministries like that of Citizenship and the closure and movement of departmental units like Social Cohesion (SC).

The State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) was disbanded. The lowerlevel skilled staff will be reassigned elsewhere. The Energy and Environment Departments are being downsized. Contrary to some critics, a government source confirms that no one on the fixed pensionable establishment has been terminated, and that terminated workers have been given their benefits.

To define those terminations as “ethnic cleansing” is unfortunate and a reckless use of language.

What the PPP/C is doing is to clean-up the system so as to make it more functionally productive and responsive to the needs of the people.

PNCR operative Rickford Burke’s claim that over 900 of their PNCR supporters were fired by the PPPC is patently false.

He also castigated David Granger for sipping tea at Pearl and of remaining silent of this perceived travesty.

Well, Mr. Granger knows that the figure of 900+ is more than 3 times the actual terminations and he is also conscious that his PNCR administration fired thousands of workers, including 7,000 alone from the sugar industry, with 6,000 being Indo-Guyanese.

To avoid allegations of discrimination or ethnic cleansing, it is advisable that

the government considers bringing legislation to Parliament to determine the optimal level and type of political appointees, contract workers and technical advisors that any government can hire. And such appointees should only be given contracts for the duration of time that the government is in office. It should be left to the President of the succeeding government to determine if he/she wants to retain or terminate or extend any contract.

Dr. Tara Singh

have consistently failed the tillage programme of GuySuCo. While some inside of GuySuCo and others in the public have opined that the tractors are too expensive, the truth is, the articulated tractors are “sugar specific tractors” which means that they are tailored to the specific needs of the sugar i n d u s t r y.

They are different from the fixed frame and the crawler tractors.

The articulated tractors are very flexible and based on their engineering design, during operation, they “can turn into half” or “break into two” and they are powered on all their four wheels. Because real mechanical power is in all four wheels, these articulated tractors function much easier on the sugarcane fields.

In the final analysis, they are most suitable for the sugar-cane industry to enhance yield and meet production targets and this has been proven empirically both at GuySuCo and in the universities in the United States.

Whereas, the fixed frame tractors are considered generalist and rice tractors and are powered by its two rear wheels, while the crawler tractors are equipped with four large, same size wheels which make them very slow and heavy and more suitable for the forest industry.

That said, it is extremely important for the public and for those opposed to the purchasing of the articulated tractors to know that during the 1970s when Harold Davis, Sr. was the CEO of GuySuCo, the production of sugar was at its peak because the articulated tractors were used

to till the land.

However, in 2009, there was a substantial decrease in the production of sugar due to the fact that the stateowned corporation switched from using articulated tractors to the fixed framed tractors.

It was a colossal mistake to say the least that had cost the nation billions of dollars.

This brings me to the quote by writer, philosopher and Harvard Professor George Santayana who said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

We cannot and must not make such mistake again because thousands of lives and several communities are dependent on the survival of GuySuCo. It is time for us to once again cast our solid support for “King Sugar” and GuySuCo’s CEO, Sasenarine Singh, and his team.

Dr. Asquith Rose.

Questions about UWI and the University of Guyana joint venture Dear Editor, Like me, the Caribbean and the rest of the world must have been shocked on hearing the news last week that the UWI would train 20,000 Guyanese over a period of five years.

A release issued by the University of the West Indies (UWI) stated that negotiations are currently ongoing to finalise an agreement to develop the “human capital” of Guyanese.

What an insult to the University of Guyana (UG) and Guyanese people by the new PPP Government led by Dr. Irfaan Ali who has recently

obtained his Ph.D. from UWI. What an embarrassment to the thousands of UG graduates who could teach most courses on “human development” at home and so become gainfully employed at home.

This is all suspicious.

UG is the only national university in Guyana. It is 57-years-old and Guyana’s oldest institution founded in 1963 before independence.

Instead of investing in local resources and personnel, the Government is selling its foreign exchange, ancestral soul and national

pride. The main campus in Georgetown looks like an overgrown cow pasture.

An angry public release from UG stated that it is now offering more than 1,000 courses online as part of ‘The University of Guyana Blueprint 2040’ strategy framework.

The release added that it has also routinely collaborated with over 100 regional and international institutions.

Something does not smell right here. It seems that Dr. Ali is taking Guyana down a “dutty” trail in the backdam.

Fatimah Mohammed

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Are the Pastors doing enough?

Dear Editor, Has the church lost its influence? Has it become weaker? Are the pastors hiding?

A shroud of darkness has enveloped the land, and I am yet to see the pastors make a historical stand. In 2015, I wrote an article denouncing the rising rate of femicide in Guyana, and called on, not only the government, but also the church, to make efforts to ensure that we stamped out the seeming Guyanese curse — that of our men being responsible for putting our women in hearses. (www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2015/12/05/guyanesewomen-find-themselves-in-acatch-22-situation-2/.)

To strengthen my point, I made an impassioned plea for a moratorium of sorts- a move that fell not only on deaf ears, but seemingly also on hardened and reluctant minds.

Now some are nursing another more intimate wound, the church’s inability to acknowledge their pain, along with its conspicuous silence on other deadly issues such as the increased road fatalities.

The church has always focused on the message of hope for a better future.

Consequently, ministers of

today must be strong, continue to lead respectfully and provide the leadership that is essential for a community to survive and flourish.

Like America, the country has recently extricated itself from the jaws of a very contentious and malodorous presidential election, a further reason why the preachers should be ready to give pulpit addresses on the things that affect and afflict the nation at large.

For many especially in the Black community, the church is the single most important institution providing a sanctuary for both their culture and their faith.

My question remains: Where is the clergy? Are they doing enough? Granted, there are some who are doing their godly best, but the numbers are too few. Are they concerning themselves with the issues? No chiding, but are they hiding, leaving the work to the dedicated few?

Preachers who look on Sunday as their day, and be invisible when it matters most, may eventually be regarded as spiritual ghosts.

To the pastors out there — Come out and be seen, and avoid being asked, “Where have you been?”

Y. Sam.

Thursday November 26, 2020

Self-sabotaging of performance in public office Dear Editor, I have read with interest the severance of contracts of high profile bureaucrats, one or two with long lists of academic achievements and prior professional work experience.

As reported, it appears that in the line of duty, decision(s) were conducted or overlooked which had an enormous negative trickledown effect in other areas.

Still, maybe individuals deliberately turned a blind eye to certain activities, or were oblivious of certain activities occurring on their watch.

Talk is cheap, but solid accomplishments are what matter. However, in the real world that we live in today; what sticks and what gets individuals dismissed or fired and even voluntary

resignations - from CEO’s of small and large organizations to mid-level employees - is just one act, bad decision or inaction. It just takes one occurrence in many cases.

I have lost count of the many high-powered CEOs and sterling mid-level employees of different organizations, in government and in the corporate world who have had to take the exit door, because of just one wrong act. Sorry, but this is the world that we live in. Bad decisions and inactions have consequences.

In well-run organizations, regardless of their location, effective bosses have absolutely no time for excuses or disastrous decisions or indecisions, made by any employee lower down the chain, no matter an

individual’s prior accomplishments. They would prefer individuals who can get things done like a well-oiled machine.

Without rehashing the key actions taken or not taken, proper decisions not made, items overlooked; as written in the print media, as it relates to these high-profile bureaucrats, I have noticed not one of the bureaucrats has directly or specifically clearly addressed these issues.

Not a single one. That alone speaks volumes.

Comments of defiance, is a side issue. Why wait for a court appearance?

Self-sabotaging one’s career in public office is selfinflicted and has nothing to do with the rest of the population.

Take Facebook- never been a fan: but we should remember that the young founder, Mark Zuckerberg- a billionaire several times over, dropped out of the elite of elite universities in the United States - Harvard University.

To put things in perspective, he does not even have a bachelor’s degree.

I can’t picture one of the richest men in the universe, without a degree, putting up with work sloppiness of any kind within his global organization, regardless of the person’s race.

Most likely; one reckless slip, depending on the gravity of the situation and you’re asked to gather your personal items from your office and leave - the same day. This is the world of today.

Chi Kansi

President Ali in Parimaribo Dear Editor, I note with interest the news reports of the fruits of President Ali’s visit to nextdoor neighbour Suriname. I read of the positives, which I find encouraging.

I laud His Excellency for some good work that must now fling open wide the doors between Guyanese and the people on its eastern front.

When that happens through an energized supporting bureaucracy on both sides, the public officers who make such things come to life, then the results are reaped where they count: in the trenches.

As examples, private commercial businesses are sure to capitalize and benefit, and new ventures spring up to take advantage of the new developments.

Also, transportation does not have to be as much as a trial as such has been the norm for a while now. Then, I learned of bilateralism and a collaborative mechanism serving as underpinnings for economic flights. Though I have compressed matters, these are all good things, and again this should inspire both sides, but especially Guyana, which has been languishing behind most neighbours to move up and ahead.

For these, I commend the president and his government, and look forward for some details (if touched) and developments (to follow) on some things that I would like to see being built on the headline items from the visit.

The media pointed to the

leadership agreement(s) reached for a collaborative approach to characterize interactions. I agree, for whatever the endeavour, and wherever the watermark, the collaborative is what moves things forward past bottlenecks that come from disputes and which lead to impasses. And as I agree, I urge that the same standard and vision and vigour be applied here in our political and social (racial) spheres, where the collaborative is not just missing, but actually abhorred.

Interesting, close on the heels of the collaboration laid out, was identification of dialogue between partners. I interpret that to mean at every level, be such government to government and/or sector to

sector.

I agree again and exhort again that dialogue, so glaringly absent within our boundaries, be prioritized as an integral component of our own internal relationships here. I do not elaborate or specify, because I am certain that none needs any enlightenment from me as to what is sadly missing. And, as always, I continue to insist that despite all the praiseworthy developments that signal a country that could be on the move unless we can speak to each other in our home (meaning Guyana) in civil and honest terms, genuine ones, too, then we are proceeding on one foot only. We are fooling ourselves, and to wax biblical, (Continued on page 22)

COVID-19 ravages Guyana, PPP/C band plays on Dear Editor, The PPP/C Government, when it was in Opposition, had much to say about the APNU+AFC’s management of COVID-19. They even boasted their own COVID-19 task force.

Thrusted to the helm of governance and it is clear that there were no policies developed by the PPP/C’s shadow task force. Its current Task Force members are a

secret. And even with two former Ministers of Health, Leslie Ramsammy and Bheri Ramsaran as advisors, within the Ministry of Health, the government is no closer to having a handle on COVID19.

The continuing outbreaks, in places like Siparuta, Region 6 and Bartica, Region 7, are a constant reminder that the Government does not have

the pandemic under control.

Far from it. Bartica has been re-designated a COVID-19 hotspot.

Worst, we commensurate in grief with friends and family mourning the loss of Deputy Mayor, Rudolph Williams, of Anna Regina, Region 2, who died recently after reportedly being hospitalised with COVID-19.

It is clear as day that it was a colossal miscalculation and very bad judgment on the part of the Irfaan Ali administration initiating the rapid re-opening of the country and economy.

They must not, however, allow shame to prevent a reversal of policy.

Arrivals at the airports have registered as COVID-19 positive; prisoners have tested positive; far-flung communities have not been spared the ravages of COVID19; students who have

returned to classrooms are rapidly testing positive, as well.

COVID-19 infections and deaths in Guyana over three months have proliferated, and the spread, pervasive.

It is perhaps understandably why recently: “In its latest travel health notice, the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and P r e v e n t i o n (CDC) has listed Guyana as a country where there is a very high risk of contracting COVID-19 and has warned against travelling here, “ according to Stabroek News.

All of this while, the administration’s status quo on COVID management remains. The Titanic, that is Guyana, is sinking and the PPP/C’s band plays on.

Sherod Avery Duncan, MP

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

Our leaders are gaining a reputation for dealing with the gutter and swimming with snakes.

Recently they got a Canadian, Alison Redford, who couldn't differentiate right from wrong in Canada.

The latest is the US Company that wants to set up a shore base here at Land of Canaan, Baker Hughes, which is surrounded by the stench of corruption worldwide.

Ms. Redford compromised herself over pennies in Alberta and she was hired to review our Payara costs – what could she do here for US$9B? Baker Hughes corrupted public officials wherever it went – why not here, also?

Our leaders insist upon dealing in trash, and they already smell like a landfill.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Thursday November 26, 2020

Silence from top PNCR executives as James Bond remain in police custody …over giveaway of Peter's Hall lands

T

here has been no formal statement emerging from the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) regarding the detention of senior member James Bond.

Bond is currently facing allegations of fraud, after he was fingered as the mastermind behind the sale of prime state lands located at Peter's Hall, East Bank Demerara.

Bond was arrested on Tuesday and is expected to

be released from police custody today.

At the time of his arrest, Bond had posted to his Facebook page, “I've been taken into police custody for questioning at CID Headquarters. I've been asked to take a lie detector test surrounding the allegations made against me

by Mr. Eddie Doolal and Mr. Avlon Jagnandan. I am currently cooperating with the police.”

Later on, Bond reiterated

his “lie detector test” claim but this was later debunked by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Notably, no formal statement has come from the PNCR directly or more importantly, from former President David Granger.

Kaieteur News had reached out to various executive members of the PNCR to comment to Bond's arrest. The party's Chair, Volda Lawrence referred the reporter to the General

Secretary, Amna Ally. When Kaieteur News made contact with Ally, she stated, “I will not comment.”

Later on, Opposition leader, Joseph Harmon, issued a recorded comment deeming Bond's arrest “a bad practice” by the force.

According to Harmon, if there is clear evidence that a crime was committed, the police must be allowed to conduct their investigations.

He posited too, “I believe what is happening before us is the clear directions given by this government to the police to harass professionals.”

Bond was fingered by two businessmen embroiled in the scandal – Life 1 Pharms Inc. Director, Avalon Jagnandan, and Director of A-Z Pharmaceuticals Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc., Eddie Doolal as being the mastermind behind identical land deals which saw 30 acres of state land being transferred to Chinese nation, Jianfen Yu. While in police custody, Doolal and Jagnandan reportedly told police that not only was PNCR senior member the brains behind the operations, he also received a hefty payoff from both deals, amounting to

James Bond more than $100 million.

Jagnandan and Doolal both leased from the stateowned National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) 15 acres of land situated at Plantation Peter's Hall, East Bank Demerara.

Kaieteur News discovered that both land deals carried glaring similarities.

Both companies were registered on March 1, 2017 and the lease agreement details for both companies were also identical – both agreed to pay US$11,700 plus tax in lease fees annually for a 20-year period; both received 15 acres in total and both agreements were signed on

the same day - May 17, 2018.

Not only that, this paper also discovered that both companies transferred its lands to Yu, on the same day – January 28, 2020 and for the same price of G$100.

Those details would align with what was reportedly told to investigators by the businessmen.

Both businessmen relayed to police that it was Bond who encouraged them to startup companies and apply to NICIL to acquire lands. Later on, Bond was said to have played a hand in the NICIL transaction and penned lease agreements for the businessmen. Bond was said to also have encouraged the men to transfer the state lands at a price. Bond reportedly also found the buyer, Jianfen Yu, whose address is listed as 43 We l l i n g t o n S t r e e t , Georgetown.

Instead of the businessmen receiving the funds from the sale, sources said that it was Bond who demanded to receive 50% of the payment for the land and both businessmen reportedly handed Bond close to $100 million.

But that was not the only land deal that Bond also allegedly benefited from.

Kaieteur News would have reported that Bond received a US$1 million payment from Trinidad (continued on page 23)

Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

The coronavirus has no brakes T

he coronavirus deaths continue to mount. Yet, the government is not doing anything to slow down its spread. Instead of implementing social restrictions, it is now set to further reopen the economy.

The people are also not taking sufficient precautions. Most schoolchildren are still at home and still a visit to the city would make you believe it is Christmas week. The streets are overflowing with traffic.

Social distancing is not only about keeping six feet apart. It is also about reducing the number of times you have contact with persons outside of your home circle. There are persons who are going to market to do shopping every day. There are persons who are window-shopping, looking around to see what is there to be purchased or to feast the eyes upon.

One would have thought that given the high number of coronavirus infections that Guyanese would have been more circumspect about going outdoors. The COVID-19 regulations encourage you to only go outside unless it is necessary.

But it seems as if people are only staying at home if it necessary.

Within both the public and private sectors, there are persons who are at their places of work when they

Dem

boys seh...

W

h e n government change, all dem Ambassadors who are not career diplomats are supposed to submit dem resignations. Dat is de longstanding convention.

But deh had one man who nah know about dat. De man refuse to resign even though he was a political appointee. Dis was when de Hap-New+Hay-Eff-See did win in 2015.

De government change again and dem boys nah know if dem political appointees in the Foreign Service resign. Dem boys bin looking fuh see if dem Ambassador wah did get appoint by the Coal-a-Shun

could be doing much of their work from home. In some cases, workers are not being allowed rotation even though, in the COVID-19 regulations, there is provision for work on rotation.

In a pandemic, you would expect persons to make their monthly grocery list and go on a single day and buy all that they would want for the month.

However, people are still going two to three times a week to the markets and supermarkets. This is contributing to the lack of social distancing – the limiting of leaving one's home.

Social gatherings are still taking place. One of the reasons why the coronavirus cases in the United States and Canada are so high is mainly because of social gatherings. Human indiscipline has led to a spike in cases in those countries.

The same is happening in Guyana. People are getting together and socializing both in homes and outside the homes. The COVID-19 Task Force has reported that it had to send 42 warning letters to businesses but there is likely to be much more. A few days ago, there were persons malingering outside of a beer garden; there may be hundreds of other cases like this.

People are not good at voluntary compliance. They either have to be given

incentive or sanctions to act in a certain way. It therefore makes no sense calling on persons to stay at home and to only be outside of the home unless it is absolutely necessary. This does not work. This is why there are curfew and lockdowns and other social restrictions with fines for non-compliance.

While active cases are falling, they are falling much too slow. At the present rate, it will not be until May 2021 that we will be expected to be at the number of active cases that there existed in July, that is, under 50 cases per day.

We are now more than 900 cases.

Old people are dying because younger persons are most likely taking the virus into their homes. The elderly are defenceless under such circumstances; however, younger persons are also dying. No one will say that a 53-year-old person or 29year-old is elderly. Yet, two of the recent deaths were persons of these ages.

The time has come for some serious action. There is need for a two-week lockdown to curb the rise in cases. Non-essential businesses should be closed for the next two weeks. The curfew should be revised; no one should be allowed on the streets after 6 pm.

If the government goes ahead and increases the opening of the economy, further problems will result.

Guyana only needs to look at

De government forget about de Ambassadors would resign when de PPP/C win.

Is nearly four months now since de new government in place and dem boys nah hearing nuttin about wah gan happen to dem ambassadors who are not career diplomats.

Dem boys bin remember dat just before the election, dem did have a shake-up in the Foreign Ministry and some ambassadors bin get move.

But dem boys nah hear de new government appoint any replacement as yet. Dem appointing people leff right and center but like dem forget dem embassy overseas.

Is suh when yuh gat wan

micromanager in de government.

All de decision does leff pun one man shoulder and de country gat fuh wait until he ready before anything is done. So far is only one position full.

Imagine one of the most important missions in de world and it nah gat an a m b a s s a d o r. I n t h e meantime, de government finding time fuh talk nuff about wah happening in de world. But dem nah gat time fuh appoint dem representatives wah gan let them know wah going on in de world.

Talk half and tell de government hurry up and mek dem appointments.

what is happening around the world to realize that it is on a collision course with catastrophe.

The coronavirus needs a host to spread. The only way to stop it from spreading is through isolation via social distancing. But if people have to go to work every day,

if persons are going about their business as normal, then the virus' spread will not be stemmed.

The coronavirus does not have brakes. It is the people who have to slowdown. And more importantly, the government has to impose the sanctions to make them

slowdown.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday November 26, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The problem is not technology but psychic destruction A

person by the name of Everton M o r r i s published a recent letter in the newspapers headlined; “GRA has one of the largest inefficient bureaucracies.”

Under his signature, he described himself as a “technology management executive.”

Mr. Morris also informs readers that he is a remigrant.

He has advanced a series of technological directions that in the modern age of the 21st century, Guyana ought to follow. Obviously, coming from a developed country, Mr. Morris has seen how paperwork has disappeared, replaced by technology.

It is pushing an open door or displaying lack of

commonsense to argue against the application of technology in bureaucracy.

The world is run by technology in almost every sphere of life. Technology plays a colossal part in crime-fighting in modern societies.

Mr. Morris' delusion (I hope not but I think so) is that he believes if we embrace m o d e r n t e c h n o l o g y, bureaucracy and service will achieve prodigious efficiency. He is being informed by what he saw in advanced industrial nations.

But Mr. Morris needs to understand that state of the art technology and science will not improve the services Guyanese receive. Perhaps being away too long and not

being a sociologist, Mr. Morris doesn't know Guyana.

To understand why the internet and its limitless scope will not make for greater efficiency, Mr. Morris has to analyze Guyana's demographics. In terms of state relation with the citizenry, this country has a v e r y, v e r y s m a l l population. Out of 780,000 persons, half of that number is below 18 years of age.

What does that tell you? That the pressure on the state and private sector to provide service is almost nonexistent?

Why? Because those 18year-old people, because of their age and lack of business involvement or

employment, have zero relation with the Deeds Registry, NIS, GRA, Central Housing and Planning A u t h o r i t y, L a n d s a n d Survey, the government ministries etc. So, in effect, those institutions named above have to deal with a modicum of citizens. Yet there is hardly a modern service for this tiny number.

The impeccable examples are NIS and UG. Based on Guyana's demographics, the over-65 section is not a large number.

Of the numbers of persons in that over-65 category, quite a decent percent do not seek old age pension because of either status or wealth. This leaves you with a tiny group of people to serve. But NIS hardly serves them. The paperwork in relation to this group is nightmarish. How do you explain this aberration?

Before we answer that, let's go to UG. In 2011 when my contract was terminated at UG, there were about 520 staff members – academic and non-academic. Yet not one person who joined the staff received their first pay cheque before four months.

That is still the pattern in 2020. We come to the answer.

Even if you put the fantastic technology Mr. Morris is talking about at

NIS and UG, the over-65 group will not be served and new UG employees will still have to wait four months for their first salary. The answer is psychic breakdown. There is Frederick Kissoon collective psychic breakdown in this is the case at UG. How will land that has smothered those who lived here since technology improve the the dictatorship of the delivery of service? It Burnham government and cannot, because the problem is not technological but those born since.

Since the death of psychological.

To discuss the sadness, Burnham there have been episodic moments of modern tragedy and dangers of the t h i n k i n g a n d m o d e r n theory of psychic breakdown service. I have been a in Guyana will certainly take beneficiary of that – I pay all scores of columns. I hope my bills at a SurePay outlet. Mr. Morris does not get me But using the holistic wrong. If he reads this, then p e r s p e c t i v e , G u y a n a ' s he shouldn't. I am certainly c o l l e c t i v e p s y c h i c not against the application of breakdown has become modern technology in this deeper and more extensive land. It is indeed an exigent since 1988 when President requirement.

My simple theory is Hoyte began to detaken from medicine. You Burnhamize Guyana.

If this country put 20 cannot continue to treat the police ranks to deal with the symptom and ignore the return of bail money from cause of the disease. The applicants whose numbers disease will continue to are 60, meaning each rank ravish the body. I hope for serves three persons, the the best. But let's us all face applicant will still have to the reality of what Guyana is.

(The views expressed in wait for months. If this country puts 20 teachers to this article are those of the teach 60 students, the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t students will still wait necessarily reflect the months to get exam results as opinions of this newspaper.)

Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 26, 2020

Virtual women's expo billed for Friday T

he fifth edition of the Women in Business Expo will be held virtually on Friday at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel.

Launched in 2016, this initiative originally started as a way of providing entrepreneurial opportunities for women in small businesses.

This event, which is hosted annually by the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA) in collaboration with the Women's Association for Sustainable Development, was slated for March earlier this year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was postponed.

Commenting on this event, Ms. Sonia Noel noted that this virtual expo is going to build the confidence that people have lost, not only in themselves but their businesses during this challenging time. Ms. Noel added that she is looking forward to a powerful and meaningful celebration for women in small businesses.

Sonia Noel (second left) along with some of the women that will be at the Expo

Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Investment firm plugs US$30M into Kaieteur block owner - Reuters exclusive

By Luc Cohen, Ron Bousso, Jessica Resnick-Ault

N

EW YORK/ L O N D O N (Reuters) Activist hedge fund Elliott Management Corp has invested at least $30 million in Cataleya Energy, a small firm focused on oil exploration in Guyana, the world's newest oil and gas hot spot, two people familiar with the matter said.

The deal reflects rising interest in Guyana, a small South American country of 750,000 whose oil discoveries are set to transform an economy dependent on agriculture and mining.

F ive years ago, a consortium led by Exxon

Mobil Corp struck oil off the Guyanese coast in the 6.6 million-acre (26,800 square kilometer) Stabroek block that has been shown to hold more than 8 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas.

C ataleya, founded by Canadian and Guyanese businessmen with backgrounds in gold mining, holds a 25% stake in the Kaieteur block, a 3.3 million-acre area adjacent to Stabroek.

Exxon holds a 35% stake in Kaieteur, and is the block's operator.

E lliott declined to comment.

M ike Cawood, chief executive and co-founder of Canada-registered Cataleya, declined to comment on the Elliott investment but said his shareholders come from

Guyana, the Caribbean, the United States, Canada and Israel. “ We've got a large investor range,” he said.

T he company will disclose details of its beneficial ownership later this year for Guyana's next report to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a multinational standard-setting body, he said.

G uyana's government has not held licensing rounds for new acreage recently.

Elliott's deal shows how companies with ownership stakes in existing blocks can provide investors with a means to gain exposure to future developments.

T he investment puts Elliott, run by billionaire Paul Singer, in a consortium

with U.S. producer Hess Corp, which owns a 15% stake in Kaieteur.

Elliott, a shareholder in Hess, pushed for changes at Hess in 2013 and remained critical here of the company's management for years.

Elliott is well-known in Latin America for its use of litigation to enforce claims on defaulted Peruvian and

Argentine bonds.

Elliott also has taken stakes in energy companies QEP Resources Inc., Marathon Petroleum Corp, and Noble Energy. Private equity also is among its investment strategies, the company said on its website.

Cataleya was advised on the deal by boutique investment bank Hannam & Partners, according to one of

the people.

The investment faced a setback this month when Exxon disclosed its first exploration well in Kaieteur, known as Tanager-1, had struck less lucrative heavy oil, and that the well was not financially viable on its own.

E xxon s a i d i t w a s s t i l l “evaluating the exploration potential” in the block.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Thursday November 26, 2020

17 women lost to gender-based violence…

Awareness campaign takes to social media A

s Guyana records 17 g e n d e r- b a s e d violence deaths this year so far, Guyanese are taking to social media to show that they stand in solidarity against violence against women.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security yesterday launched its “#enoughwiththeviolence” campaign on International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls.

To coincide with the United Nations (UN) initiative's for 16 days of activism against genderbased violence, the 16 days will be observed under the theme: “Orange the world: Fund, Prevent, Respond, Collect”. According to a release from the Ministry, theme advocates, no more beating, no more hurting, no more killing of our women.

Since the launch, a large number of persons across Facebook have used the campaign logo as their

profile picture to bring awareness. The campaign yesterday commenced and will conclude on December 10, 2020.

According to the statement, violence against women is a heinous crime that it is a breach of human rights, and is one of the hardest challenges to the world. Domestic violence involves psyches, attitudes, poverty, cultures, emotional manipulation, substance abuse and lack of education.

In observance of the Day, Minister Vindhya Persaud stated, “Every day we fight a silent and insidious battle against violence meted out to women and girls.”

The Minister added that 17 females have lost their lives this year so far and as a result, 43 children are motherless. She highlighted that despite the number of women that are being killed, still some women are afraid to admit that they are victims of violence.

“Domestic violence

remains a taboo, shuttered behind closed doors and only emerging as bloody faces, bruised limbs, broken spirits and dead bodies,” the Minister stated.

She believes that some factors that cause women not to speak up when they are being abused are fear of societal judgment, insecurities about children and finances, family pressure and manipulation.

Another issue the Minister highlighted in her statement is that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many women have been kept in close proximity to their abusers, and reporting has become challenging.

The Minister said, “While we struggle to find the solution, women continue to cower in fear, tell doctors that they fell down the stairs to explain injuries from merciless beatings and lawyers and case workers should continue to plead with them to stay away from their perpetrators.”

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindhya Persaud

She posited that this is the year 2020, and citizens can do better to bring awareness to the situation.

She added, “You and I must work in every home, school, office, community, in every part of our country to expose violence against women where it exists, support the women, work with the perpetrators, create safe spaces, educate persons and share solutions...enough with the violence.”

The Minster stated that

her Ministry in their zero tolerance campaign against violence against women can bring an end to the seemingly unending wave of violence.

She encouraged persons across the country to join the movement on social media.

Persons can visit the Ministry's Facebook page a n d u s e t h e i r “#enoughwiththeviolence” logo to bring awareness to gender-based violence.

Next month, the Ministry is expected to launch its 914

emergency hotline, which will link survivors to agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, public-private skills employment database matching and offer immediate help to extricate them from violent situations.

The Minister stressed on the importance to report every incident of violence, since by doing that you can save a life.

According to the statement, “The 24 Hour Hotline Operators will offer support, referral to victims and survivors, family, friends and professionals via an integration of the services available at both the Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency.”

Through the Survivors Advocacy Programme, nine social workers were trained to offer emotional support and crisis counselling to victims of domestic and sexual violence and act on the victim's behalf when necessary.

Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

Stabroek block over 1000 times bigger than a single Gulf of Mexico oil block

PAGE 15

Map showing blocks operated

by ExxonMobil, offshore Guyana. (Credit: ExxonMobil)

Kaieteur

- Exxon Partner says - Coalition, PPP/C Ministers used discretionary power to go beyond legal limit

T

he Stabroek Block, one of three large oil blocks operated offshore by ExxonMobil, is so large that it is 1,150 times the size of a Gulf of Mexico oil block.

This is what was said by President and Chief Operating Officer at Hess Corporation, Gregory Hill during the company's 2020 third quarter earnings call.

Hess and Exxon are coventurers in the block, along with CNOOC Nexxen.

Hess recently took the

decision to sell out its interest in a producing Gulf of Mexico oilfield to raise money to plug into the upcoming Liza Phase Two project in the Guyana Stabroek Block.

Hill sought during the earnings call to explain the uniqueness of the Stabroek block, by pointing to its size and scale. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres. It stretches from the border with Venezuela all the way to the Suriname border.

According to the US

Bureau of Safety and E n v i r o n m e n t a l Enforcement, a regulator in the Gulf of Mexico, typical blocks there are 5,000 to 5,760 acres.

Guyana's Petroleum Act and Regulations allow the subject Minister to grant a licence “in respect of not more than sixty blocks” about 5,073 sq. km or 1.25 million acres.

However, Section 13 of the Regulations states “The Minister may consider any (continued on page 23)

Stabroek Canje

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Thursday November 26, 2020

Govt. receives recommendations from local content panel M

inister of N a t u r a l Resources, Vickram Bharrat, yesterday received the final report of recommendations from the local content advisory panel, which was appointed late August.

A Ministry release stated that the panel's Chair and President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Shyam Nokta handed over the report at the Ministry's Duke Street office. Minister Bharrat commended the panel for its efforts.

Government said that the presentation was done in the presence of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Joslyn McKenzie, and members of the Local Content Panel -

Carl Greenidge, Carville Duncan, Anthony Paul, Kevin Ramnarine, Floyd Haynes and the Ministry's L e g a l O f f i c e r, S a s h a Rajkumar-Budhan. Some of these could only have provided a virtual presence at the time.

It is expected that the report will be handed to the President, who will provide guidance on the way forward.

“The report outlines several recommendations towards improvement of the country's policies and legislation,” the Ministry's Public Affairs officer, Stephon Gabriel said in a statement.

The panel was able to consult with 140 stakeholders, Government said. There were concerns

From Left: Sasha Rajkumar-Budhan, Carl Greenidge, Shyam Nokta, Minister Vickram Bharrat, Carville Duncan, Joslyn McKenzie - other panelists attended virtually.

among some in the private sector that previous drafts of the local content policy largely ignored their inputs.

Kaieteur News spoke

briefly with Chair of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Nicholas DeygooBoyer, on Tuesday. He said that he was satisfied – as a

key point of contact with the private sector – that the panel has represented the concerns put forward to the advisory panel in a proper manner.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 26, 2020

PAGE 17

37 years after first applying‌

Cuyuni farmer continues to wait for lease An aged Cordis 10 years later with his court documents in hand at Kaieteur News yesterday.

A

Cuyuni farmer, Michael Cordis recalls receiving an approval for his application to lease some farmlands in the prime of his youth, now a pensioner at age 60, and some 37 years later, he still awaits his lease instrument.

As previously reported in an article published in May 2010 by this paper, Cordis had applied to the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) in the

year 1982 for 10 acres of land at Three Quarter Miles, Cuyuni River, Region 7.

Sitting down in the interview room at Kaieteur News yesterday, Cordis recalled that he was only 22 at the time and brimming with youth. He eventually got his approval of application and permission to use the land in 1983. He invested some money in cultivating the plot for his livelihood and began paying rates and taxes at the GLSC

A photo depicting Cordis' farm at Three Quarter Mile, Cuyuni River, Region Seven

office located at Bartica.

He did this for four years but did not receive a lease instrument. Cordis reapplied in 1987 for a 25-year-lease.

He got a second approval and continued investing in fruit trees and other crops to sustain himself.

In 1989, he left the area and returned in 1995 but still did not receive his lease.

Cordis continued to invest more and more money in the farm as he waited patiently for the legal document. He

spent five years developing and working tirelessly on the land before leaving the area again for a second time in 2000.

When he returned in 2003, Cordis discovered that Barama, a foreign logging company and Guyana

Sawmills had invaded his farm. The companies had bulldozed his fruit trees.

The farmer did not waste no time in taking the companies to court in 2006 and called for $74M in damages. The man had told Kaieteur News in his earlier

interview, that Barama had offered to compensate him $5M, an offer he rejected. In 2007, GLSC agreed to make a settlement with Cordis to give him back part of the land.

Cordis said that they also (continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Thursday November 26, 2020

Linden couple robbed of millions in raw gold, jewellery and cash

A

Linden couple was on Tuesday robbed of a

The items that were discovered on the suspect

quantity of raw gold, a gold band and cash by two males, one armed with a gun. The

The black XR motorcycle victims were identified as a 47-year-old businesswoman and her husband, 40, a driver, both of Mabura, Linden.

According to the police, the incident took place about 23:00hrs, when the couple arrived home.

The report revealed that, the bandits attacked the couple. One of them pointed his firearm at the businesswoman and demanded that she handed over her belongings. During the process, he fired several shots in air.

They relieved the woman of a shoulder bag containing $3,400,000, raw gold valued $800,000 and a wedding band valued $80,000.

The bandits also ransacked the victim's home

before they escaped on a black motorcycle.

The victims later discovered that two smart phones and a GPS were missing from their home.

Later that day, ranks acting on information went to a location in Mabura, where they found a black XR motorcycle without number plates parked in a corner.

According to the police report, a male was seen in the

area and in an effort to apprehend him, he discharged several rounds while running.

T h e m a n w a s subsequently arrested and was identified as a 30-yearold pork knocker of Wismar, Linden. The ranks then conducted a search on him and discovered $2,330,000, a digital scale, two cell phones and one .38 special revolver with 5 live rounds,

in a black haversack, which he was carrying.

An investigation was launched and it was discovered that the motorcycle was stolen from 30-year-old plant operator of Buck Hill, Wismar Squatting Area who was robbed of the bike around 19:00hrs on Monday.

All efforts are being made to locate the second suspect.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 26, 2020

Cuyuni farmer continues to...

From page 17 guaranteed that he would be handed a legal document giving him the rights to the land. He accepted and began clearing the bushes to plant a new set of crops but was halted by one of the same logging companies operating there.

They told him that he could not do anything with the land until he produced his lease instrument. The matter between him and the companies dragged on for years as he continued to wait for the lease GLSC promised him. In 2010 at the age of 50, he became frustrated and staged a one-man picket in front GLSC office located on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, begging for his lease.

His cries unanswered, he continued the next seven years spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund his court battle, in a bid to prevent the Barama takeover.

In 2017, Cordis saw a glimmer of hope after Barama came to an agreement with the court.

The company stated via its lawyers that it is no longer interested in the lands and was willing to give it back to the government.

Despite this move, GLSC still did not grant the lease instrument to Cordis.

With the court case officially over, he reapplied in 2018 for

Old Road Harbour Bridge entrance restricted to entitled persons only - Commander Watts

R

egion Three Commander for the Guyana Police Force, Errol Watts, has said that the special entrance to the Demerara Harbour Bridge is exclusively for the use of specially entitled persons in possession of priority access passes. He made this announcement at the launch of the Region Three National Road Safety week of activities that was held on Monday. “We have said in the Police Force that the VVIP Entrance would not see the constables or sergeants going through there,� said Region Three's Commander Errol

Michael Cordis at age 50 picketing for his lease in 2010

the same land and was granted approval for a third time.

Earlier this year, Cordis visited GLSC to inquire about the lease and was told that he cannot receive a lease because the land was sold to

someone else. As Cordis sat yesterday with reporters, yesterday, his eyes watered as he showed them photos and videos, which he recorded of his farm located on the left bank of the Cuyuni River.

PAGE 19

Watts. The VVIP Entrance he was referring to is the La Grange 'Old Road,' the road that leads up to Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on the West Bank Demerara.

Commander Watts stated that a proposal was submitted and now the Division is using the road as the official VVIP access. He added that they have created a transparent pass system, approved by the Commissioner of Police and the passes are issued.

He advised persons who are not entitled to use the 'Old Road' to use the official road to go across the DHB or use the River crossing – persons not compliant will be

charged.

Kaieteur News had previously reported that vehicles with priority access and those who reside within La Grange Old and the Main road going east and then north to the police outpost at the Harbour Bridge could use the access road.

To obtain one of these priorities access passes, strict requirements must be met w h i c h i n c l u d e s recommendations from the relevant authorities.

Unauthorized use of the La Grange 'Old Road' has been a source of problems for commuters and police ranks, controlling traffic to the bridge.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday November 26, 2020

City Hall Councillor suspended from statutory meeting A People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor of the Georgetown City Council, Dimitri Ali, was suspended from their statutory meeting on Monday, after an alleged attempt to record the proceedings.

The councillors, as well as the Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, were in a deep

discussion when Narine noticed a flash coming from Councillor Ali's cellphone. The Mayor then inquired if he was recording the meeting and Ali responded by stating he was just “taking some photos.”

The Mayor then highlighted that he would have needed permission to record a session from the Council, adding that even

media houses present at the meeting would need to do the same. This he said was clearly outlined in the Council's regulations and that Ali should be aware of such as a councillor.

Narine later asked Ali to hand over his phone to the Chief Constable, Peter Livingstone and have the “picture” or whatever

recording he was taking removed by City Hall's Information Technology (IT) technician. The IT technician was not present, but Ali was still mandated to have his phone checked. He refused to have the phone checked and the image/video removed despite constant calls by the Mayor and Councillors. He was also asked to apologize to the Council, but Ali remained adamant.

Their constant calls went on for minutes delaying the proceedings leading to A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Councillor

Councillor Dimitri Ali

Heston Bostwick presenting a motion to have him suspended from the rest statutory meeting. His motion was seconded by Councillor Clayton Hinds, followed by a vote from the entire council to which everyone agreed for his removal.

Despite their vote Councillor Ali sat refusing to leave or apologize, but eventually complied and was escorted out of the building.

The Council maintained that discipline must always be executed within the council, to which no member is exempt.

Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

GLSC yet to identify Ogle lands already given out under Coalition W

hile the probe continues into the large scale give away of prime state lands by the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the governing administration has turned its attention to the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC).

There, the situation was described as “equally worse” than giveaways at NICIL. Under the control of the previous APNU+AFC administration, the GLSC headed by recently terminated Trevor Benn, reportedly gifted large plots of prime lands to persons.

However, a definite location for these very lands is yet to be determined.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, relayed to the media that as the probe gets deeper, “very strange and abnormal procedures” are being unearthed.

“These lands, some of them are not yet identified, but a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into and a huge sum of money is paid and the MOU said that the person will get a lease for an unidentified plot of land, somewhere in Ogle, for example. I have never seen a transaction like that,” the AG stated.

“One person received 200 acres of land at Ogle.

And the intention is, the land will abut the highway that is being built from Ogle to Diamond. When you look at the distance, and you look at 200 acres of land, it means that almost two sides of the road are gone. And the road is running between the land,” he added.

By standard procedure, Nandlall stated, state lands are either given by permission, by lease, or by title, so interested parties would either pay a purchase

“sort out the mess” at both NICIL and the GLSC. “We are compiling these cases now. Each file, a legal opinion is being written to.

And then we will release some to the public and all will be passed to the police, for the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) to investigate. And a forensic audit may have to be commissioned, to understand what really went

Fired: Trevor Benn

Former President, David Granger price, a licensing fee or a lease fee to acquire the asset.

“But here, you have an MOU and a huge sum of money is paid and the MOU seems to entitle the person who signed it with the GLSC to get a lease at a future date in relation to a plot of land that has not yet been identified,” the AG disclosed.

So far, Nandlall added, the documents found at the Commission give no indication of whether the already gifted lands are owned by the state or the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO).

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall “I am speaking about hundreds of acres. It is the weirdest transaction I have ever seen,” he said.

According to the AG, it is a normal procedure under Guyana's State Lands Act that state lands are administered by the President, which at the time was David Granger. Those lands, he explained are then delegated to the Commissioner at the GLSC “by an instrument.”

“That Commissioner only has the powers that would have been delegated to him by the President.

Now, when one examines Mr. Benn's instrument, he was never given the power to issue titles for lands. And he has issued titles for various pieces of lands throughout Georgetown and right across the country. So all those transactions are illegal and unlawful,” Nandlall disclosed.

In addition to that, like the lands given away by NICIL, there was no public procurement exercise held to alert the general populace that the lands were available for disposal.

With a slew of similar cases being discovered, the AG posited that a forensic audit may be required to

Two more persons die from COVID-19

T

he Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday announced that two more persons have succumbed due to the novel Coronavirus.

Their deaths increased Guyana's COVID-19 death toll to 149 deaths.

Dead are a 69-year-old man from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and a

53-year-old woman from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica). Both persons died while receiving treatment at a medical facility. Their deaths were not reflected in yesterday's dashboard.

Meanwhile, the MOH also recorded 47 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 5,236.

The dashboard further

states that eight persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 108 persons are in institutional isolation, 731 persons are in approved home isolation and 40 persons are in institutional quarantine.

To date 4,242 recoveries have been recorded and 28,542 persons have been tested for the virus nationally.

on,” Nandlall said.

Only days ago, the governing administration terminated Trevor Benn's contract as the Commissioner of the GLSC. His termination will be effective from February 4, 2021.

President Irfaan Ali, shortly after taking office had stripped the Commissioner of critical powers vested to him.

This move was intended to prevent the Commission from further sanctioning the renting and granting of leases, licenses and permission of occupancy of all government lands.

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 26, 2020

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Dear Editor, I write to ask what crime has been committed by the Haitians who are being detained against their will by the Government of Guyana and threatened with deportation.

The travel documents of these persons are all in order and they have not committed any crime.

As citizens of a Caribbean nation, which is part of CARICOM, they are legally entitled to travel to Guyana and have the right to be here for up to six months.

Holding these Haitians in a government shelter and removing Haitian children from the presence of familiar and caring

From page 6 we run the risk of gaining the whole world, while losing our own soul. If we cannot fix our own wounds, then we are building on what will not hold.

In the current euphoria, I would not be surprised if this is frowned upon and roundly denounced. But I have no intention of retreating from the way I think and see that this Guyana of ours should be. For those who think

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any danger. Either the Guyanese authorities don’t understand what trafficking in persons really means (or they have some quota that they have to meet to satisfy some foreign master), or they are simply using the notion and language of trafficking to target and discriminate against Haitian travelers to Guyana.

The fact is that there are people from many other countries in Guyana - some legally but many illegally (who are sometimes really being exploited)- who never get the level of official attention that Haitian travelers seem to regularly attract.

So why the

disproportionate and discriminatory treatment of Haitians? I call on the authorities to immediately release these Haitians including the children - from the government facility where they are being detained against their will, and to allow them to go about their business without further persecution.

This will also free up officials to investigate all the other “real cases of migrant abuse” that are regularly occurring in Guyana - in the mining backdams, in the shops along Regent Street, in the bars and clubs that are still operating, etc, etc.

Sherlina Nageer

...President Ali in Parimaribo

SERVICES

FOR RENT

adults and placing them in the custody of people who cannot speak to them in their language or meet their emotional or cultural needs is in fact abusive and a violation of their rights.

The pseudo-concern by the authorities about smuggling and human trafficking clearly holds no weight; if it did, the persons who were initially arrested would not have been released without being charged.

These Haitians were funding their own travel and hotel accommodations; they did not approach the Guyanese officials for any assistance, nor were they found to be in

differently, I encourage them to look at the historical precedents of the Balkans and parts of Africa, where the festering smoldered beneath the surface, until it manifested itself abruptly and devastatingly. We must spend time, effort and capital to fix ourselves.

Along the same lines, and with reference to more familiar terrain for Guyanese, I mention the situation in America.

There is a society that has everything, including

tremendous presence and influence everywhere, but its own house is in tatters. Rich, to be sure; but with limb warring against limb; and, thus, weakening its potential for greater fulfillment.

In closing, I return to Guyana and Suriname, and was hoping to see something more centre stage about reciprocal crime assistance.

Specifically, I think there is need for more focus and cooperation in the areas of piracy and return of Guyanese hiding out over there for

crimes committed here.

Suriname has long been known, and has functioned, as an escape route for fugitives.

Because as is obvious, bridges and liberal borders are inviting to those who collaborate and dialogue for criminal objectives. Indeed, a twin of progress and prosperity is the underworld, of which we have an overwhelming share. All in all, a significant visit, Mr. President.

GHK Lall

Thursday November 26, 2020

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

“You punished one month, you can bear a little more” - Ponzi scheme operator allegedly tells woman A widow (name provided), 56, of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, who is still to be repaid by Ponzi scheme operators was allegedly told by one of them “You punished one month already, you can bear with us little more”.

“They have honey in their tongue to trap you” said the woman as she recalled borrowing and scraping all her savings just to invest $300,000 with Accelerated Capital Firm (ACF) Inc. With this investment, she hoped that she would receive great profits as was promised by the company. The widow dreamed of paying all her medical bills and relished the opportunity to live a better life.

All her hopes were shattered, however, when it was discovered that ACF Inc. was a Ponzi scheme that bilked 17,000 Guyanese of billions of dollars – over $4B (US$20M).

The principals of the company, Yuri GarciaDominguez and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael, were arrested August and slapped with 80 fraud charges and remanded

to prison. On September 24, they were both released on $30M bail and promised to repay all their investors. It was reported on October 12, that the operators had begun to repay its client and promised 50% percent returns. The operators also stated that the company would use cryptocurrency to repay its clients – cryptocurrency is a digital method designed to work as a medium of exchange wherein an individual can do online transactions.

Some clients have refused to be repaid with this form of currency and the Attorney General Anil Nandlall labelled its use illegal in Guyana.

Moreover, many of the investors have come forward to say that Christmas is approaching and they still are yet to receive any payments from the Ponzi scheme operators.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, yesterday, the widow shared her experience of how in May of this year, she was lured into the trap by one of the company’s marketers and spoke of currently being “pushed around” by the

...Stabroek Block over From page 15 application in respect of more than sixty (60) blocks where the Minister is satisfied that special circumstances exist for doing so.”

The award was first made by former President and Minister of Petroleum, Janet Jagan in 1999, then former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman in 2016.

Kaieteur News understands that a portion of Stabroek Block was relinquished under the 1999 agreement, including parts of what is now the Canje Block.

When pressed about the legality of his decision to allot more blocks than the legal limit, Trotman had said that the large acreage grant was above board, and that it was vital to protecting Guyana's border security, seeing that Venezuela especially has been clamoring for ownership

of the Essequibo region.

Exxon also operates two other blocks which, when initially granted, were both above the legal limit – Canje and Kaieteur block.

The Canje Block was awarded to Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas on March 4, 2015 at 6,100 sq. km or about 1.5 million acres. Exxon later farmed in and is now the operator with a 35 percent stake. In the latter half of 2019, Exxon relinquished 20 percent of the Canje block, as per the relinquishment clause in the licence.

The Kaieteur Block was awarded to Ratio Guyana and Ratio Energy on April 28, 2015 at 13,500 sq. km or 3.3 million acres. ExxonMobil farmed in to 50 percent of the block, later selling 15 percent to Hess. Exxon is now the operator of that block as well, with a 35 percent stake.

...Silence from top PNCR From page 8 logistics company, Lennox Petroleum, for the sale of 10 acres of land leased to ARKEN Group Inc. In that deal, ARKEN and its principal, Jermaine Richmond, leased from NICIL 20.8 acres of land at Peter's Hall on May 9, 2018 for a 20-year period at US$16,224 per year.

ARKEN later sold the 10 acres to local logistics company GLASS Holdings Inc. on October 10, 2019 for $200M.

Kaieteur News was informed that Richmond is or was at some point employed

by James Bond. A wanted bulletin has so far been issued for his arrest.

Like the other deals, instead of the principals of the companies receiving the payment, it was Bond who pocketed the funds. Documents received by Kaieteur News showed that the monies were sent directly to a local bank account with Bond's name as the receiver.

woman when she asked for her investment to be repaid.

“I am a widow and I lost my husband some years ago.

My health is deteriorating but then came along a sweet mouth marketer sharing out flyers”, said the woman.

The Mon Repos woman said that she passed the information to her son-in-law and together they were beguiled into investing almost all their savings.

“I invested $300,000 and my son-in-law invested $500,000 because he dreamt of owning his own home,” recounted the woman.

To make the payments, the widow claimed that she met with a man, who a marketer said was her husband, instead who insisted that she meet him at a roadside not far from her home, and not at the company’s office.

She said that they were promised returns every month but this never happened.

“We began inquiring and was told that payments would no longer be made monthly but rather every three months, six months and yearly”.

Ponzi Scheme operators Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael.

The widow said she waited until three months was up to check her account but there were no payments. She inquired again and was told that she would have to wait.

The woman asked if she could visit their office. They

responded by saying no, said woman. “I was told to be patient”, she recalled.

She continued that she began investigating and soon discovered that it was a scam. “The address of the office written on the flyer did not exist,” said the widow.

Realizing that she was being defrauded, she made contact with the marketer and told her that she wants back her investment.

“I told her, ‘I am a poor woman, I have bills to pay, I give you all my money, now I don’t have any more left, I have been punishing one month now waiting to be paid, I don’t work anywhere”, said the widow. “Her response to me was, ‘You punished one month already, you can bear with us little more”.

The very next month, she continued, the principals of the company were arrested.

She is now awaiting to be reimbursed her investment, as was promised by the operators but continues to be pushed around by the same marketers who she did business with.

“They proposed the cryptocurrency but I rejected the offer because I am too old to understand what it is,” she said.

The widow said that she was given a number to call but didn’t get through until yesterday. The person who answered, she said, told her to call back today.

Works begin to establish COVID-19 isolation unit at Suddie Hospital The Suddie Hospital.

Works to establish a COVID-19 isolation unit at the Suddie Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has been initiated by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Kaieteur News learnt that the cost for the works is estimated to be $12 million.

In order to construct the isolation unit, an existing structure at the hospital will be rehabilitated and upon its completion, the hospital will have the capacity to house more COVID-19 patients.

Works at the facility are expected to be complete by the first week of the new month.

The Regional ViceChairman, Mr. Humace Oudit, said that the establishment of the isolation unit would bolster the services currently being offered at a number of isolation facilities located at Lima Sands and Mainstay.

The entire hospital will also be upgraded through a US$17.5 million line of credit from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India, which was given to upgrade three regional hospitals.

According to previous reports by this publication, the upgrade of the entire hospital will cost

approximately US$6 million/ $1.2 billion and will see infrastructural projects taking place in different sections.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, had stated that the hospital would be fairly new when the upgrade is complete and more medical staff will be deployed.

He has also recently donated two ventilators to the facility along with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing kits to promote more testing within the region.

It was reported that the facility had a nonfunctioning operating theatre, which was

a result of sloppy work done by the contractor, leaks were in the roof in several parts of the hospital and electrical works on the building were done in a poor manner.

Oudit has since highlighted that Pomeroon and Kabakaburi have been identified as the COVID-19 hotspots within the region and they are being actively monitored. He stated that a family of 17, in Hampton Court, tested positive for the disease and they have to quarantine.

To date, the region has recorded 122 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 26, 2020

Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 26, 2020

Thursday November 26, 2020

IOC sanctions Romanian 2012 Games medallists over steroid use BERLIN (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee yesterday stripped two Romanian weightlifting athletes of their medals from the 2012 Olympic Games and disqualified a third over the use of anabolic steroids.

Roxana Cocos, who won silver in the women’s 69kg category and team mate Razvan Martin, a bronze medallist in the men’s category of the same weight tested positive for stanozolol among other substances in re-tests of samples ordered by the IOC. A third Romanian weightlifter, Gabriel Sincraian, who did not finish in the

men’s 85kg weightlifting event at London 2012, was also disqualified after his test came back positive for the same substances.

All athletes now face sanctions by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

The IOC stores and regularly orders re-tests of hundreds of samples from past Olympics in an effort to root out cheats, by using new testing methods not available at the time, or looking for substances that were not known then.

The positive tests are further bad news for the troubled IWF which the IOC has said is at risk of losing its

Romania’s Roxana Daniela Cocos competes on the women’s 69Kg Group A weightlifting competition at the ExCel venue at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 1, 2012.

REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (BRITAIN - Tags: Sport Olympics Sport Weightlifting) Olympic spot at the 2024 Games in Paris unless it overhauls the federation’s doping programme and its

Thursday November 26, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You aren't the only one who can solve your problems, Aries. Trust that there are others who are capable of understanding. Those who want to help you are motivated only by love.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your thin skin feels even thinner than usual today, Libra. If you happen to witness a violent outburst in the street, at work, or on television, you suddenly become aware of your vulnerability.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Have you noticed how delays seem to occur more often, Taurus? Today will be no exception. Something you've been waiting for has been delayed yet again.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) People sometimes say that you're a little aggressive in your approach. But today you feel a little tired of leading the charge on the battlefield.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Get outside and get moving! If you can manage to take the day off, this would be a good time to release some energy. You used to enjoy competition when you were little.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Devote the day to your children or partner. You may protest that it's too hard to find the time to give them the attention they deserve. You don't have time for yourself, much less anyone else.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A friend or family member is slowly poisoning your relationship, Leo. A misunderstanding between the two of you will ultimately prove beneficial in the long run.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You've been a social butterfly lately! The sociable phase you're currently in demands a great deal of energy. You're attracted to some of your new acquaintances but irritated by others. .

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may be a bit oversensitive today. It's possible that you will be irritable and conflicted as you begin to suspect that long-term projects may not be finished.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may be a bit oversensitive today. It's possible that you will be irritable and conflicted as you begin to suspect that long-term projects may not be finished.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This is a confusing period for all of us. But no doubt you've noticed this. In such circumstances, some people become more rigid than ever because they resist dramatic change. They try to hold on to tradition.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) What do you have to lose, Pisces? The planets are shaking you in the hopes of ridding you of your old objectives to make way for new growth. You feel doubt where once there was only certainty.

governance.

An independent investigation into the IWF conducted earlier this year by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren found widespread corruption within the organisation, including doping cover-ups with fines paid directly to former president Tamas Ajan.

...ICC considering deferring 2021 From page 26 Cup, got underway on Tuesday within a BCBsupported bio-bubble. As for the resumption of international cricket, West Indies has given Bangladesh hope that they will be touring the country in January 2021.

The decision to introduce a Women’s U-19 World Cup was made during the four-day ICC board meetings in October last year, under the chairmanship of Shashank Manohar. A release issued by the governing body had stated, “The board approved the establishment of an U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup with the first edition to be played in Bangladesh in 2021 and every two years after that.”

...Andre Russell’s LPL involvement ‘news to From page 31 things will be taken into consideration as we move forward.”

After being signed in the LPL draft, Russell initially withdrew from the tournament citing fitness issues, before declaring himself available again. Russell signalled towards the end of the IPL that he was some way short of full fitness following an injury, despite returning to the Kolkata Knight Riders side in time for their final group match against Rajasthan Royals.

He told Star Sports, the tournament’s broadcaster, after that fixture that he had “”a grade two, grade three hamstring tear,” but that he had rushed back after it had healed faster than expected.

“When I looked at the scan, it was very ugly: that type of result, normally, would be six to eight weeks out,” he said.

Russell then stayed in

the UAE after the end of the tournament, posting photos on his Instagram account of himself and Chris Gayle at a Dubai nightclub, at a shisha bar, and with a local barber.

He flew to Sri Lanka last week ahead of the LPL, with videos of him wearing the Colombo Kings jersey as part of a promotional photoshoot appearing on Tuesday.

Russell has been only a sporadic member of West Indies’ T20I side in the last three years, regularly missing games in order to manage his injuries. Since August 2018, he has played only twice in the format, with both of his appearances coming in the series win against Sri Lanka earlier this year, and he does not have a CWI central contract.

West Indies’ series in New Zealand starts at Eden Park on Friday night, while the Colombo Kings get their LPL season underway today.

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Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

Formula 1 Driver Lewis Hamilton says he owes his success to his dad: ‘He’s the Real Hero’ People - Lewis Hamilton’s racing dream has become a reality — but the success is not his alone.

The 35-year-old British Formula 1 driver made history earlier this month when he clinched the 2020 F1 Championship with his victory at the Turkish Grand Prix, tying racing legend Michael Schumacher for the most championships ever, with seven total.

Lewis has now won 94 races in his career. He previously beat Schumacher’s record of 91 career wins last month at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

In that moment of victory in Istanbul, Lewis tells PEOPLE his mind drifted back to his humble beginnings, and the support and unwavering dedication of his father Anthony Hamilton.

“I came across the line, and all the things about me and my dad — when we went away from our first championship singing ‘We Are the Champions,’ the struggles that we had — it just flashed through my mind, and all this emotion came up,” Lewis reflects.

“There were times where we didn’t think we were going to be there. We were not going to make it. ... They were worrying times, but he never doubted me once.”

He adds, “I felt proud that hopefully he’s watching and is like, ‘It was worth it.’ “ Lewis grew up outside of London, splitting time between his parents — Anthony and mom Carmen Larbalestier — who broke up when he was only two. Most weekends were spent with Anthony, who “didn’t know what to do with this little energized kid running around.”

Soon, a love of cars become obvious as the fatherson duo watched Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton and his father. (Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton after winning the Turkish Grand Prix. (Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) races. Lewis first drove a gokart at age five while on a family vacation. By age eight, he had his own go-kart.

“You could say from five I already knew that I wanted to be a Formula 1 driver, basically,” he says.

His first British karting championship came in 1995 when Lewis was only 10. It had become more obvious, then, that he was competing against other young racers from families with more means for supplies and training.

“We have a racing award called the Autosport Awards at the end of the year,” explains Lewis. “We couldn’t afford a suit for me, so I borrowed the suit from the kid that won the previous year.”

Racing is, of no surprise, an expensive sport, and Lewis grew up living in British public housing. To afford

much of what was needed for Lewis to be competitive, Anthony — who eventually started his own IT company — at first worked three jobs and even re-mortgaged their home.

It was also hard for Lewis and his father to ignore the lack of diversity in the sport.

“When we arrived on the go-kart track, we were the only Black family there. We’ve always been the only Black family there,” he tells PEOPLE “There was a lot thrown at us in those early years. I always relate it to Cool Runnings, my favorite movie, because when they get to the top of the hill for the first time, they have this rusty sled. That was my go-kart.”

He continues, “It was owned by five different families. It was bent and buckled, and it didn’t look like

much, but I loved it.

[Anthony] went to a DIY store, and he made it look as brand new as he could.”

Others also noticed that the Hamiltons were the only Black family at races, with Lewis saying that he frequently was at the receiving end of racist comments and behaviors.

“We had things thrown at us, particularly a lot of words, but my dad said, ‘Do your talking on the track,’ because I’m a fighter,” Lewis reflects.

“I got bullied at school, so I always wanted to be able to defend myself, or fight back, but my dad’s like, ‘Do your talking on the track.’ “ And he did.

In addition to his mounting accomplishments in racing, media reports say Lewis will likely soon be knighted by the queen.

“People see me winning these championships but I think the important story really is that father-son, or son of a parent, story which so many people across the world, in America and the U.K., can relate to, because

ICC considering deferring 2021 U-19 Women’s World Cup to later in the year ESPNcricinfo - The ICC is gauging the possibility of deferring the inaugural Under-19 Women’s World Cup in Bangladesh from its originally earmarked window of January 2021 to later in the year.

Though the governing body or the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not yet made any official announcements about the postponement of the tournament, ESPNcricinfo understands the ICC has

been liaising with the BCB and closely monitoring the Covid19 pandemic situation in Bangladesh to assess if revised dates could be accommodated in 2021 itself.

The ICC board, which confirmed last week the postponement of the 2022 Women’s T20 World Cup to February 2023 among other developments, is understood to have not arrived at a decision on the fate of the U19 Women’s World Cup yet.

Further clarity on the matter

could emerge only early next year.

With the 2021 Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand having already been deferred by a year, no major women’s global event, save for potentially the qualifiers of the 50-over World Cup, is scheduled for next year.

Should the U-19 Women’s World Cup be held in 2021, it will be one of the only two global events that year, with India scheduled to host the Men’s T20 World Cup in

October-November.

While all cricket in India continues to remains suspended, the BCB resumed domestic cricket last month, with the President’s Cup, in which the board managed to keep the three participating teams in a bio-bubble, allowing them only to commute between the hotel and the Shere Bangla National Stadium. A second domestic tournament, the five-team Bangabandhu T20 (Continued on page 25)

we did it as a family,” Lewis tells PEOPLE. “I think probably every parent wants the best for their kids. My dad, he never went out. He never had new clothes. He wasn’t saving up to buy anything new. Everything — remortgaging the house multiple times — went into go-karting, which sounds crazy.

It is crazy, but he believed so much in me.”

He says, “He’s the real hero, but obviously I’m the one that gets to stand on top of the podium at the end.”

Years later, Lewis is still the only Black driver in Formula 1 and has continually used his position to raise awareness for social issues, such as when he took a knee with other drivers before the Austrian Grand Prix in July and when he wore a shirt that read, “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” before another race.

Despite his own experiences, Lewis admits that he feels he often “suppressed” his emotions about racial injustices until earlier this year when George Floyd was killed while in police custody.

“I was like, ‘I’ve got to speak out for the kids,’ because my niece and nephew are biracial,” he says.

“I’ve got cousins, friends who I know — pretty much every Black kid around the world will at some stage in their life experience racism.

That’s just how it is kind of thing. I was like, ‘I’ve got to use this platform.’ “ There’s more to come from Lewis, who assures he’ll continue to use his platform to hopefully encourage, among other things, more diversity in his own sport — which plans to be in for a while to come.

“I still feel young and energized,” the driver tells PEOPLE, squashing any imminent retirement speculation. “I don’t feel I’m finished.

I feel like I’m getting better, so I’m going to keep racing for a bit, I think. I know the goal has always been this.

In doing what I’m doing, if one young kid sees me doing it and doing it well — and realizing that I started in the same humble beginnings as them — maybe by seeing me, hopefully, that encourages them.”

All-Star Game postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic (Reuters) - The NBA AllStar game scheduled for Feb. 12-14 in Indianapolis has been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and rescheduled for 2024, the league said yesterday.

“While we are disappointed that the NBA All-Star Game will not take place in Indianapolis in 2021, we are looking forward to the Pacers and the city hosting

the game and surrounding events in 2024,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

The NBA said plans for a revised NBA All-Star 2021 will be announced later.

Cleveland is set to host the 2022 All-Star Game followed by Salt Lake City in 2023. The 2020-21 NBA regular season is scheduled to begin on Dec. 22.

Thursday November 26, 2020

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Kaieteur News

ICC chair Greg Barclay flags major review of ‘unsustainable’ cricket schedule ESPNcricinfo - Greg Barclay, the new ICC chairman, has declared the “unsustainable” global cricket calendar needs to be fundamentally examined and effectively rejected the suite of global events put to market by the governing body’s chief executive Manu Sawhney earlier this year.

In a strong initial statement of intent, Barclay told ESPNcricinfo that the proposed return of a Champions Trophy style event in addition to men’s and women’s ODI and T20I World Cups was not on his agenda, and also indicated that cricket had to consider awarding major events to nations such as the USA in order to grow

the game beyond its established base.

After winning a run-off with the incumbent Imran Khwaja over two rounds of voting, Barclay also said he would quit as chairman of the International Rugby League in order to concentrate on the many governance, strategy and cricket development issues piling up for the ICC in the time of coronavirus.

“We haven’t really built the calendar of events.

There’s a lot of conjecture around whether it should be eight events, seven events, six events or whatever. I honestly don’t have a preference,” Barclay said.

“What I want to ensure is that whatever we do end up with

gives us optimum cricketing outcomes. I know a lot of the emphasis has appeared to be on commercial outcomes and this view that eight events will give the ICC more money.

“I don’t think we’ve put enough thought into cricket and cricketing outcomes, particularly from the players’ point of view. The players can’t play all this cricket, just from a health, safety and welfare point of view, it’s just not sustainable. So we’ve got to work around that so we’ve got our best athletes in positions where they’re able to give their best for their countries in world events, and also make a living out of the game.

“So there is a heck of a lot

Colin de Grandhomme ruled out of West Indies Tests, Ajaz Patel misses opening game Colin de Grandhomme runs one down to third man © Getty Images

ESPNcricinfo - Colin de Grandhomme has been ruled out of the Test series against West Indies due to bone bruising to his right foot and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel will miss the opening match as he continues to recover from a calf injury.

Allrounder Daryl Mitchell, who made his Test debut against England last year, has been called up as de Grandhomme’s replacement while Mitchell Santner will cover for Patel.

Santner has also been named captain for the third T20I against West Indies when Tim Southee, who was standing in for Kane Williamson, will depart the squad to link up with the Test team in Hamilton. Santner and Mitchell will join the Test squad on December 1, two days ahead of the start of the

opening match.

“The unavailability of Colin and Ajaz has obviously had a flow on effect to our T20 squad who are providing the replacement players for the Test squad,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “I highlighted last week how tight and complex the schedule was - so when you throw in some injuries, it really begins to challenge how you juggle your resources.

“Mitch and Daryl will be available for the final T20 game, before linking up with the Test squad on Tuesday where we will monitor them closely to ensure they’re fit and fresh ahead of the first Test on Thursday.

“I’d like to acknowledge Mitch Santner for taking on the responsibility to captain the T20 side. It’s a great

honour to lead your country and I know his calm demeanour along with the sheer amount of international experience he’s amassed in the past five years will hold him in good stead.

“It’s disappointing for Colin to be ruled out of the Tests completely and he’ll now target being fit and available for the Boxing Day Test at Bay Oval. Ajaz will join the team in Hamilton to have treatment and train. We will make a call on the second Test in Wellington closer to the time.”

Meanwhile, all the New Zealand and West Indies players who arrived from the IPL have cleared their third and final Covid-19 tests meaning they are on track to leave managed isolation on Thursday, the day before the opening T20I at Eden Park.

Greg Barclay at an ICC meeting. (Getty Images) to balance, and we’ve got to be really careful as to how we construct our annual calendar, so all these issues are taken into account. So it’s not just a case of building a world events program and saying ‘hey there it is, everything needs to fit’, we need to get it all together into a dynamic model so that we get optimum cricketing outcomes.”

Coming from New Zealand, Barclay suggested he would offer empathetic leadership while also striving for strategic cohesion after some years of dysfunction at the ICC. “The first thing we need to do is get the ICC strategy very clear, so we understand what it is we’re trying to achieve, how that helps global cricket, how it supports members’ interests,” he said. “We’re through a strategic planning exercise, but it’s been two or three years and we need to get that closed out so it is quite clear what we’re doing. Then we can make some decisions based on our strategy.

“That can be as simple as if we have more money, do we want to invest more to grow the game, and if we do that what does it look like. Are we looking to grow cricket in the USA, what does that look like.

That might mean we need to accept some of our world events need to be hosted in places like that, where it can be showcased and used as a platform to grow the game.

But that will mean the revenue generated off that might be less than what the members ideally would want. So a lot of decisions, but it needs to be driven by a strategic approach.”

The possibility of wresting global events away from India, England and Australia, the most concrete remaining legacy of the “big three” governance resolutions in 2014, would be a major change in direction.

“A major reason for doing that is if we want to grow the game, whether it’s in Asia or the Americas, but the USA being the logical place to

start,” Barclay said. “Maybe we need to look at hosting a world event, maybe a co-host between the West Indies and the USA. but we do need to have a good look at the outcomes we’re trying to drive here. Those world events are an integral part of decision making.

“The second thing is while from a revenue point of view we need to accept those countries have to be there or thereabouts in hosting a certain event, maybe the way that events are funded and the way revenue is dealt with can be done differently as well. So it doesn’t necessarily stand to reason that a country hosting an event keeps the amount of revenue they do.

Maybe there’s different ways of approaching the commercial properties that emanate from an event. I just think we need to be openminded, look strategically at what we want to do, and move forward to see what’s workable.”

Noting the lengthy and often chaotic process by which he ultimately took the chair, Barclay said it was fair to suggest the major differences in worldview around ICC events and bilateral series had played a part. But he also stated firmly that he was not in the job to work merely at the behest of cricket’s richest nations.

“I think it would be fair to say that there was a clash of agendas, which meant that it suited some directors not to get a decision,” Barclay said.

“To give it some context and be fair to them, we are trying to undertake a governance review at the moment, so a lot of them felt we should just

leave things until such time as we had an outcome of that review process. The difficulty with that is we didn’t know how long that would take, and of course whatever recommendations came to the board from that process may not have been adopted. So it was fraught to leave it totally reliant on the outcome of the review.

“A lot of the media has touted the “big three” concept, but I don’t subscribe to it at all. There is no big three to me, they’re just members of the ICC. Sure they’re really important members, they help drive a lot of cricketing outcomes, and to have them as hosts of events or as cricketing opponents is hugely beneficial. But they are individual members of the ICC, so they’re just as important but no more so than anyone else. I wasn’t at the ICC when the big three resolutions were put in place, but while that changed the funding model, there were also some good things that came out of that like the FTP, so members got certainty around their playing arrangements and certainty around their funding.

“While it was an inequitable split, New Zealand and other members were still better off than what we had been previously. But I think what was done under Shashank [Manohar] once he got there and they rolled back the resolutions and lessened the influence of those three countries was absolutely the right thing. Now there has been no concept of “big three” for the last four years or so, and I know for a fact that England and Australia are very much of that view.

“They get the same amount of [ICC events] money as everyone else and that’s never really been an issue. India are a slightly different case, they’re a huge cricketing force, we need to have them in the tent and with 1.3 billion people and the stuff they do around cricket, I think we just need to address some of their issues differently.

There are a lot of positives to come out of what they do as well as any perceived negatives.”

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Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

Football legend Diego Maradona dies aged 60 Daily Mail - Diego Maradona has died from a heart attack less than a month after turning 60.

The Argentinian football legend died at home, his lawyer said, just three weeks after having surgery on a blood clot in his brain.

Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, having knocked England out of the tournament in a match which saw him score the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and another - widely considered to be one of the greatest goals of all time.

Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time on the pitch, his life off the pitch was equally notorious - amid battles with drug and alcohol addiction.

Argentina’s president Alberto Fernandez decreed three days of mourning following Maradona’s death.

‘You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of all,’ the Argentine leader tweeted.

‘Thanks for having existed, Diego. We will miss you for a lifetime.’

The footballer’s family have yet to make any formal comment.

Nine ambulances were sent to his house at around midday yesterday in the exclusive gated residential neighbourhood of San Andres north of Buenos Aires where Maradona went

to live after leaving hospital.

Local reports said one of the nurses caring for him had raised the alarm after discovering he had suffered a suspected heart attack.

None of the paramedics who rushed to the house were able to do anything to save him.

Argentina’s former manager Cesar Luis Menotti said: ‘I’m devastated. I can’t believe it. I’m absolutely gutted. There’s no more I can say at this moment.

‘I thought at first the news of his death was fake news but obviously it’s what happened. It’s terrible and a tragic surprise because measures had been taken to make sure he was being looked after.’

There is no suggestion there is anything suspicious about Maradona’s death, but state prosecutors are on their way to the house where the soccer legend died as part of a routine investigation.

A team of psychologists are also understood to be on their way to the property.

During Maradona’s time with Italian side Napoli he won the Serie A title in 1987 and 1990, along with an Italian Cup in 1987 and a Uefa Cup in 1991.

But it was also during these years that his addiction to cocaine took hold. In 1991, the year he left the club, he was given a 15-month suspension for drug violations.

In 1994 he was thrown out of the World Cup in America after failing a drugs test, before retiring from football in 1997.

In 1999 and 2000 he was taken to hospital suffering heart problems, the second time requiring a respirator to breathe.

In 2004, he was again treated in hospital for severe heart and respiratory problems linked to his drug abuse.

He has undergone two gastric bypass operations to control his weight and received treatment for alcohol abuse.

In January, he had surgery to stem bleeding in his stomach and in July he underwent a knee operation.

Three weeks ago he was admitted to hospital for surgery on a blood clot in his brain, before being discharged to recover at home.

It was there that he died yesterday.

His footballing career also included turns on the pitch for Barcelona, Sevilla, Boca Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys and he was most recently manager of Gimnasia y Esgrima in La Plata, Argentina.

He also managed the Argentinian national team at the South Africa World Cup in 2010.

The Argentine news outlet Clarin broke the news on Wednesday afternoon UK

Diego Maradona alongside Brazil icon Pele are pictured together in Paris in 2016 ahead of the European Championship that year. (NIVIERE/SIPA/REX) time, describing the news of Maradona’s passing as having a ‘worldwide impact’.

The sad news was confirmed by Maradona’s lawyer. Soon, tributes were pouring in from all over the world of football.

Maradona left hospital on November 11 just eight days after being admitted for emergency brain surgery.

The iconic former Argentinian footballer was driven away from the private Olivos Clinic just before 6pm on November 11 as hundreds of fans of photographers tried to get a glimpse of him.

Maradona was hospitalised the previous week and had to have an emergency operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.

Argentinian TV reporters travelling on motorbikes filmed the ambulance carrying him leaving before following the vehicle to transmit every inch of his journey.

His lawyer, Matias Morlahas said that the 60year-old would continue to receive treatment for alcohol dependency.

Maradona, who was the coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima

Maradona’s Hand of God was responsible for England’s elimination from the 1986 World Cup. (Offside/L’Equipe)

in his home country, had been admitted to hospital on several occasions since his retirement. He almost died of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000 and underwent years of rehabilitation.

Maradona, who was well known for having a wild lifestyle during and after his playing days, had a gastric bypass operation to lose weight in 2005 and was once more hospitalised two years later for alcohol-induced hepatitis.

He also fell ill at the last World Cup in Russia, where he was filmed passing out in an executive box when Argentina took on and beat Nigeria in Group D. Hand of God was ‘revenge for the Falklands’ Despite being known as one of the greatest ever to grace the pitch, Maradona’s legacy also includes a moment of infamy - when he handled the ball past England keeper Peter Shilton during the 1986 World Cup quarter final.

Speaking in a documentary released last year, Maradona remained unrepentant - calling the goal ‘symbolic revenge against the English’ for the Falklands War. Speaking about the match, played four years after the war - which ended with British victory - Maradona said: ‘The hype made it seem liked we were going to play out another war.

‘I knew it was my hand. It wasn’t my plan but the action happened so fast that the linesman didn’t see me putting my hand in. The referee looked at me and he said: ‘Goal.’

‘It was a nice feeling like some sort of symbolic revenge against the English.’

Thursday November 26, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.: History hasn’t been kind to fighters on the comeback trail Yahoo Sports - It is a fairly common practice in boxing now to dub a significant bout “The Fight of the Century.”

It’s been used so much over the years that it’s lost its meaning.

But the first Fight of the Century came on July 4, 1910, in Reno, Nevada, when Jack Johnson defended the heavyweight title against former champ James J. Jeffries.

Johnson dominated the fight and stopped Jeffries in the 15th round.

It was only a big fight because of race. Johnson was Black, and white Americans were outraged that a Black man not only held the belt, but was as cocky as Johnson acted.

Jeffries had won the lineal heavyweight championship on June 9, 1899, and successfully defended it seven times before retiring after a second-round TKO of Jack Munroe on Aug. 26, 1904, in San Francisco.

White American sports writers of the day urged Jeffries to return to the sport to regain the belt from Johnson. He was offered a purse of $40,000 and was signed to a personal services contract worth $75,000 to return, a sum that in 2020 dollars would be nearly $4 million.

Jeffries never fought

Mike Tyson talks during a recent workout. (Instagram) again after being pummeled, but he set a precedent that scores of boxers followed over the years. It’s almost a joke when a fighter announces his retirement because most fans and media are skeptical about the decision.

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr., two of the greatest fighters of the 20th century, aren’t exactly coming out of retirement since their bout on Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles will be an exhibition. But Tyson is 54 and hasn’t fought competitively since 2005, and Jones is 51 and hasn’t had a fight since 2018.

History largely hasn’t been kind to fighters coming back after lengthy layoffs.

Heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey defeated Luis Angel Firpo in front of 85,000

fans at the Polo Grounds in New York on Sept. 14, 1923, in a wild bout. He did not fight again until Sept. 23, 1926 when he defended the belt against Gene Tunney.

He lost the fight by decision. They rematched a year later at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 22, 1927, and it was the famous “Long Count Fight.”

A rule instituted before that fight noted that a fighter scoring a knockdown must immediately retreat to the furthest neutral corner. But Dempsey did not and had to be ordered to the corner by the referee.

Tunney managed to survive and won another decision in what turned out to be the final fight of Dempsey’s legendary career.

The great Joe Louis’ boxing skills were quickly

deteriorating after his service in World War II. He had back-to-back wins over Jersey Joe Walcott, the second being an 11th-round KO at Yankee Stadium on June 25, 1948, that happened because Louis won their first bout by controversial split decision.

Louis retired after the second Walcott fight, but came back two years later to fight Ezzard Charles for the title because Louis was in significant debt and needed the money.

He was beaten by Charles. A year later, on Oct. 26, 1951, he was outclassed and stopped by new champion Rocky Marciano when Louis was only a shell of his former self.

Tyson was only a shell of his former self when he lost to Kevin McBride in his finale

in 2005. But the legendary Muhammad Ali was able to return not after a retirement but after a three-year exile caused by his refusal to accept induction into the military service.

After defeating Sonny Liston in what at the time was regarded as a massive upset on Feb. 25, 1964, to win the heavyweight title, Ali defended it nine more times.

He raised his record to 29-0 on March 22, 1967, when he stopped Zora Folley in the seventh round of a scheduled 15-rounder.

At that point, Ali may have been the greatest fighter who ever lived, an almost untouchable boxer who had size, speed, movement and power.

His title was stripped from him and he was prevented from boxing for refusing to be inducted into the service. He objected on religious grounds, and later won a Supreme Court decision.

He was out of boxing until 1970, when he returned and defeated Jerry Quarry. But Ali was never as good as he was prior to his exile, even though he won the title on two additional occasions following his return.

Perhaps Ali’s biggest win after his return was his 1974 upset of “Big” George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire, Africa, when he won by eighth-round knockout to become only the second man at the time to lose and then

regain the heavyweight title.

Foreman was 40-0 and heavily favored, and he went into a tailspin of sorts after the fight. He won his next five fights, but on March 17, 1977, was upset by Jimmy Young in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Foreman retired after that bout and went into the ministry. He stayed retired for 10 years until he returned.

Seven years into his comeback, he knocked out Michael Moorer in Las Vegas to recapture the belt in one of the sport’s most iconic moments.

It’s unlikely that Tyson will ever return to actual competition, let alone win the title, but history should show him that if he ever thinks of trying, it’s going to be a long, hard and difficult road.

Tyson has been down this path once before. After a June 28, 1991, victory over Donovan “Razor” Ruddock in their rematch, he was arrested and convicted of raping Desiree Washington, a beauty pageant contestant.

He did not fight again until he met lightly regarded Peter McNeeley in Las Vegas on Aug. 19, 1995.

But this layoff is nearly four times as long and at his advanced age, he’s likely to face problems he never did previously.

Jones will find issues as well, but Tyson was 13 years into his retirement when Jones last fought, so Jones is well ahead in that case.

Resaul, Murray capture ITF/GTA Safe C/ship On Monday evening at the Le Ressouvenir tennis court, Heimraj Resaul dominated Benjaton Osbourne 6/0, 6-1 to emerge champion of the International Tennis Federation (ITF)/ Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) sponsored Safe tournament.

The final night of action saw the newly appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport; Charles Ramson Jr., in attendance as the curtain fell on the threeweek extravaganza.

In the consolation final, Ronald Murray held his nerve to outlast Javed Khan in straight sets 6-4 & 6-2.

During brief remarks, Minister Ramson reiterated the call for tennis in Guyana to be competed at a high level and revealed that the game is now being categorised as a core sport. He also emphasised the government’s support to development of all sport in Guyana with better infrastructure and world standard training.

Cristy Campbell; VicePresident of the GTTA,

Minister Ramson (third left) poses with the trophies winners on Monday Night. expressed gratitude to Minister Ramson for his support and mentioned that he has become a household name to tennis already during his mere months in office.

“Three weeks ago at the opening of the tournament, Minister mentioned that he has moved tennis into a core sport and I have received calls from sponsors expressing interest in tennis since that announcement. I

also thank the ITF for sponsoring this tournament and I congratulate the gentlemen who have displayed a high level of competitive, albeit being displaced from training for many months due to the pandemic.

Our two coordinators Shelly Daly and Andre Lopes, who both worked tirelessly to run a smooth tournament, thank you. Congratulations to

Heimraj for winning his first men’s title. I know you’ve toiled in the men’s category since you were about 12years-old and I am happy to see your perseverance and hard-work pay off while balancing sport and academics.”

Campbell, during an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, shared that the next GTA tournament will hit off in early next month.

Minister Ramson (left) with Heimraj Rasul.

PAGE 32

Thursday November 26, 2020

Kaieteur News

Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Barcelona lead tributes to ‘legendary’ Diego Maradona Daily Mail - Tributes from the world of football have flooded in for Diego Maradona after he died at the age of 60.

The football legend had a heart attack at his home just two weeks after leaving hospital, having undergone surgery on a blot clot in his brain.

Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1986, the pinnacle of an illustrious career that saw him widely adored for spells at Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli at club level.

His former clubs and the Argentina national team’s Twitter account were among the first to pay tribute to him.

Barcelona, where he enjoyed two seasons between 1982 and 1984, tweeted: ‘Thank you for everything, Diego’.

The AFA, tweeted: ‘The Argentine Football Association, through its president Claudio Tapia, expresses its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona.

You will always be in our hearts.’

Boca Juniors, where Maradona began and ended his career in Argentina, tweeted: ‘Eternal thank you.

Eternal Diego.’

Napoli, where Maradona spent seven years between 1984 and 1991 and won the club’s only two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, wrote: ‘Always in our hearts. Ciao Diego’.

They then tweeted again, saying: ‘The world awaits our words but there are no words to describe the pain we’re going through. Now is the time to grieve’.

Another football legend, the great Brazilian Pele, wrote: ‘What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to family members. One day, I hope we can play ball together in the sky.’

With the sport in mourning, Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford led the tributes as news of the passing first broke with just one word, ‘Legendary’, alongside a picture of the former Napoli and Barcelona icon in his heyday.

Cristiano Ronaldo posted an old picture of himself with Maradona on his Instagram account and wrote: ‘Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius.

‘One of the best ever. An

unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon, but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled.

Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten.’

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand posted a series of pictures of him with Maradona over the years, and wrote a heartfelt message saying: ‘My 1st football hero.

Few people have impact over generations like this man did.

The greatest, the best, the artist, the man...charismatic, a leader...A WINNER! ‘One of the main reasons why I went out on my estate to kick a ball, pretending to be Diego. RIP Diego Armando Maradona.’

Gary Lineker, who was on the receiving end of Maradona’s famous Hand of God and his incredible solo goal in Argentina’s quarterfinal victory over England in Mexico in 1986, tweeted: ‘Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died.

‘By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time. After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego’.

The England national

Maradona had recently been in hospital for surgery after suffering a bleed on the brain. (Reuters) team’s Twitter account, on the wrong end of Maradona’s magic and infamous handball 34 years ago, wrote: ’Unforgettable.

Farewell, Diego. A legend of our game.’

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher tweeted: ‘I’ll never forget watching Diego Maradona as an 8 yr old at the World Cup in Mexico.

Never seen anything like it on that stage since. Sad news #Maradona’.

Former England and

Liverpool striker Michael Owen added: ‘Quite simply a player like no other. Rest In Peace Diego Maradona.’

England captain Harry Kane tweeted a picture of when he met Maradona in the Tottenham dressing room in 2017, and wrote: ‘Privileged to have met him. Very sad news. RIP Diego Maradona.’

His manager, Jose Mourinho, took to his Instagram account to share a picture of him on the bench with Maradona, and wrote:

‘Don Diego. F**k friend I miss you’.

Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo wrote: ‘The god of football goes away... thanks for everything Diego.’

Stan Collymore tweeted: ‘The football Gods shone brightly on this one. What an incredible, incredible footballer.’

Everton striker Richarlison tweeted a picture of Maradona in a Brazil shirt, with just a sad face emoji to accompany it.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce donates 50 tablets, printer to national online education initiative SportsMax - In a time of national crises stemming from the eight-month old global pandemic, two-time Olympic champion ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce continues to come to the rescue of many of those in need.

The four-time World 100metre champion, in partnership with sponsors Digicel and GraceKennedy, on Tuesday presented tablets as well as data SIM cards to the National online learning programme.

Fifty 50 tablets were distributed courtesy of the champion sprinter - 25 to The Wolmer’s High School For Girls and 25 to The ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce Resource Centre. Digicel for whom Fraser-Pryce is an ambassador, donated 10 of the tablets along with 30 SIM cards already loaded with 10 GB anywhere data per month for one year. The SIM cards provide zero-rated access to over 100 educational websites. The remaining 40 tablets were purchased personally Mrs.

Fraser-Pryce At the community level, Fraser-Pryce also donated two desktop computers with GraceKennedy donating an additional four to outfit the Centre’s Computer Room which now features 25 tablets and six work stations equipped with comfortable swivel chairs.

The 33-year-old iconic athlete said this latest gesture serves in some way to offset another of her initiatives that she was forced to cancel this year because of the ongoing pandemic.

“Not being able to host what would have been the eighth consecutive SFP SixA-Side “Peace Through Sports” Football competition has been extremely disappointing but I’m grateful that the opportunity presented itself to re-focus my outreach efforts on the completion of the Resource Centre,” she told Sportsmax.TV. “Since the $5-million renovation by the Digicel Foundation, the space still

Two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in partnership with sponsors Digicel and GraceKennedy, on Tuesday presented tablets as well as data SIM cards to the National online learning program in Jamaica. lacked the necessary infrastructure to make it functional. I’m very happy to have the computer room up and running.”

She reserved special

praise for D.O.S.2009 Ltd, distributors of Ricoh Multifunction Copiers and Software Solutions for the installation of the access point for wireless connection

and facilitating the acquisition of a multifunction high volume printer which allows the students to print, copy and email from each station.

Present at the handing over ceremony were GraceKennedy’s Ricardo Smith and Digicel Brand Marketing Manager Reshima Kelly.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 26, 2020

PAGE 33

Everest CC awards Singh to lead Fisherman Masters in High Commissioner GSCL Inc/Prime Minister’s T20 Cup 4 Quinn with Life Membership

P

ooran Singh will lead Fisherman Masters in the fourth edition of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc. / Prime Minister’s T20 cup which is set to commence tomorrow at several venues in Georgetown.

Fisherman Masters will open their campaign against Wellman Masters before

taking on defending champions Regal Masters in the second round.

In an invited comment, Vice Captain Zameer Hassan said they are confident of making the top four, but will not take any team for granted.

He stated they have a well balanced unit and his players are eager to showcase their skills. He has

expressed gratitude to Payless Variety Store and Star Party Rentals for their support.

Fisherman Masters; Pooran Singh (C), Zameer Hassan (VC), Pooran Singh, Robert Mohan, Baldeo Persaud, Ramo Malone, Stanley Mohabir, Troy Ramsaywack, Jagdesh Persaud, Gopaul Deen and Keith Fraser. =

Zameer Hassan

Andre Russell’s LPL involvement ‘news to me’, says Phil Simmons

Krista Norton (right) presents HE Greg Quinn with the Honorary Life Membership at his official residence in Bel-Air Georgetown.

Outgoing British High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Greg Quinn was named an Honorary Life Member of the Everest Cricket Club as a token of appreciation for his work for the club and country.

At a simple ceremony held on Tuesday in Georgetown, Club Manager of Everest CC, Krista Norton presented His Excellency Quinn with the Honorary Life Membership card.

HE Quinn will soon depart Guyana after close to six years of diplomatic service. Over the years, the sport enthusiast also

developed a close connection with the historic sporting venue where he once featured in a celebrity cricket match to raise funds for charities.

In a farewell message, President of Everest CC, Manzoor Nadir thanked HE Quinn for his dedicated and outstanding service to Guyana and wished him well in his future endeavors.

“Thanks for being a positive influence on our club and also a generous donor during the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic. Safe travels, hope to see you soon.”

ESPNcricinfo - When West Indies play their first T20I against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday, they will do so without one of the format’s best players in Andre Russell. Instead, Russell will be in Sri Lanka, where he will be competing for the Colombo Kings in the inaugural Lanka Premier League.

Russell declined selection for the tour back in October, but the circumstances surrounding his absence are increasingly unclear, not least after Phil Simmons, West Indies’ head coach, said in a media briefing yesterday morning that he was unaware of Russell’s whereabouts.

Asked for his take on Russell’s participation in the league and the fact he is in Sri Lanka rather than taking part in the tour, Simmons responded: “Is he? That’s

news to me.”

“I haven’t spoken to him since we came down here [to New Zealand],” Simmons said. “He was at the IPL and I haven’t spoken to him since then. I didn’t know he was in Sri Lanka. I can’t answer your question about that until I know what the whole situation is.”

W h e n We s t I n d i e s announced their squads for the tour, CWI said that Russell, along with Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis, had opted out of selection.

“CWI fully respects their decision to choose to do so and states that this will not impact consideration for future selection,” a media release said.

Roger Harper, the lead selector, said in a virtual press conference that Russell “said that he wasn’t really handling the whole thing very well and that he needed

Andre Russell is not part of Kieron Pollard’s West Indies T20I squad in New Zealand. (BCCI) some time to clear his head and get himself together because he’s been going from one lockdown, so to speak, to another.”

In a subsequent press conference, Harper suggested that Russell might struggle to regain his place in the T20I side if those on the tour impressed in his absence. “I think as we move forward we will look at all situations, all players and

determine whether we need to continue to look at those players, continue to consider those players, or we need to move on,” he said.

“A lot of things are determined by how well the team performs. I think if players in the team perform exceedingly well, then it will make it difficult for those that are not on the tour to get back into the team. So a lot of (Continued on page 25)

rt Spo

Diego Maradona’s death comes just three weeks after he underwent surgery on a blood clot in his brain (pictured), and less than a month after he turned 60. (Diego Maradona press office/AFP)

Football legend Diego Maradona dies aged 60 Diego Maradona, Argentinian footballing legend and one of the greatest ever to play the game, has died at the age of 60 (pictured lifting the World Cup in 1986). (Bob Thomas Sports Photography vi)

Resaul, Murray capture ITF/GTA Safe C/ship 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.