Kaieteur News
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Saturday October 06, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
SARA/SOCU AND PRADOVILLE 2 SAGA The people depend on State agencies and regulators to police that which they, as individuals, are not in position to do on their own, be it for the lack of legal powers, financial resources, skills or expertise. The rationale for creating agencies like the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) and the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) with investigative powers and resources at its disposal is that these entities have specialised skills to focus on t h e i r m a n d a t e s . They are independent agencies with national jurisdiction to investigate and charged public officials, past or present who have illegally obtained state properties or has profited from the illegal use of state resources. Rules and laws must be enforced on a large scale. Individual citizens cannot do that. SARA and SOCU are mandated to retrieve state resources and properties allegedly stolen or acquired through illegal means by public officials. Their vigilance and zero-tolerance approach are guided by the rule of law. Both agencies are considered the nation’s gate-keeper to safeguard state assets. The government could not depend on the eyes of the public alone. But the opposition has labelled SOCU, which it created and SARA as witch-hunting agencies that are harassing only members of the PPP who claimed that they have nothing to hide. Lest we forget, millions of taxpayers’ dollars were spent to conduct audits of government agencies and ministries. The audit reports disclosed massive acts of corruption and the barefaced use of state funds for personal gain by officials of the former administration. The audits also revealed that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) spent millions to develop house lots on the prime waterfront property at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, popularly known as Pradoville 2. The house lots, which were fully equipped with paved roads, drainage and a sewage system were sold to former high-ranking government officials in the last administration, including former president Jagdeo at substantially below market value, thereby depriving the state of its full benefits. Given the illicit nature of the land deal, both SOCU and SARA launched separate investigations into the prime waterfront land scheme development project at Sparendaam. After a thorough inquiry, both agencies claimed that they had obtained enough credible evidence to file criminal and civil charges against a number of ex-Ministers, friends of the PPP and former president Jagdeo for the use of state resources for personal gain.The reports were far reaching in that they have alleged that there was no advertising of the lots for sale, or no indication of how those who acquired the lots were selected. The reports suggest that former administration officials have violated the laws pertaining to the acquisition of house lots as enunciated by the Central Housing and Planning Authority, whereby anyone who already owned a house lot would be barred from acquiring another. As reported, persons who had acquired house lots at Pradoville 2 had already owned house lots through prior allocation. Former president Jagdeo and a couple of former ministers were deemed to be such persons. What is even more disturbing and perhaps ridiculous is the fact that the average price per house lot at Pradoville 2 was about G$1.5 million, which is far less than what the majority of Diamond residents paid for house lots not remotely as exquisite. This is wrong and it should concern all of us. The reports by SARU and SOCU have engaged the attention of the police legal advisor, former Justice Claudette Singh, the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecution who seem stumped on instituting criminal charges against the high-ranking officials in the last administration. The DPP should have recused herself from the case because she is the owner of property in the said area, which is a conflict of interest. Despite the fact that SOCU had questioned Jagdeo, Roger Luncheon and several others on more than one occasion, only the former head of NICIL, Winston Brassington and former Minister of Finance, Ashni Singh have been charged so far.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Some dissatisfaction with Sam Sittlington Dear Editor, My attention was drawn to an article published in the Stabroek News, October 3, 2018, headlined “Too much time being wasted on prepping criminal case files-SOCU adviser tells investigators, prosecutors.” This article followed an earlier article in Kaieteur News on August 15, 2018 entitled “UK getting “value for money” in SOCU’s operation – British envoy’. The recent report stated that the “Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) adviser, D r. S a m S i t t l i n g t o n , yesterday told investigators and prosecutors that too much time is being wasted on preparing criminal case files, which fail to hold up in court.” Rather an odd statement to make, one would think. What was the gravamen here? Dr. Sittlington expanded by saying that “…we see a lot of cases getting to court and failing at court. We’ve seen failings when the file would go to the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions]. We don’t want files to come back to us with amendments and corrections. We want one file, one time, going to the DPP and that file being
referred to charges. “It’s a lot of time wasting and we don’t need that.” Was Dr. Sittlington saying that too much time was being wasted on preparing criminal cases or was it that time was being wasted when cases failed to hold up in court? One would assume that thoroughly and well prepared cases backed with solid evidence, even if it took time to do so, was preferable instead of hastily putting politically directed charges against PPP/C leaders and former Cabinet members as those laid against former Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington, based on spurious information. SOCU staff has been given “a basket full of holes t o f e t c h w a t e r. ” B u t Sittlington is ploughing on with an agenda only few seem to know while ensuring that his resume looks good. He certainly feels obliged to provide some rationale to explain his failure to bring 30 “good cases” against former Cabinet members that he publicly announced would be brought over a year ago. One would have thought that Sittlington would have
instead of playing the blame game, he would ensure that law enforcement agencies/officers were upholding the rule of law and do proper investigations based on evidence in order to make winnable cases. He no doubt is aware that the present rushed and poorly prepared cases are being directed by a political agenda, and in any democratic nation, this would be considered reckless and a threat to human rights. Certainly the fall out would be to undermine public confidence in the Guyanese civilian law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, was Dr. Sittlington expressing some dissatisfaction with the Office of the DPP? Or worse yet was he sending a dog whistle to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions , a constitutional body, that it should not make amendments and corrections once S.O.C.U or other law enforcement agencies brought their criminal cases to it? Even more disturbing was Dr. Sittlington also signaling to the judiciary,
another constitutional body, some dissatisfaction with the number of cases which are failing in the courts? Just as worrying is that these comments by the SOCU adviser, appear to be in direct contradiction with what the British High Commissioner, H.E. Quinn, is reported to have said in the August 15th Kaieteur News article. The High Commissioner is quoted as saying, “That sort of investigative side, I think is working well…but then the next step, which is not one that we [UK] are involved in. The next step is out of our control in many ways. All SOCU can do is put forward good cases that can be looked at and considered for prosecution,” he noted. The cases now being put forward by SOCU are “good”, “so SOCU is doing its job,” said the High Commissioner.” So which one is it Dr. Sittlington – “good cases being put forward “or “too much time being wasted on prepping criminal cases which fail to hold up in the courts”? You cannot have it both ways. With regard to the (Continued on page 6)
The world over recognizes the value of retired soldiers Dear Editor, It is with humility that I choose to address the contempt that Guyanese seem to have for ex-soldiers. This makes reference to soldiers given government assignments. The GDF was birthed in 1965. Within one year of its formation, the GDF was called to defend the borders of Guyana against invasion by Venezuelan forces in 1966, into the territory of Guyana. The soldiers were deployed at three-month intervals, sleeping on the ground and at times in foxholes, two feet wide and four to five feet deep depending on the height of the soldiers. We also evicted the Dutch Army from the New River Triangle. Ex-Soldiers have always demonstrated loyalty to the nation as a whole. Our exsoldiers are continually committed to serving Guyana in whatever role
they are asked to serve. We are proud Guyanese who have demonstrated a willingness to give our life’s blood for service to this great nation. It is no surprise that twenty-six of the forty-five American Presidents served in the military. The American Congress reached a high point in 1972 when 73 percent of its members had military experience. Today, that ratio is quite a bit lower, but the twenty percent put the number of currently serving prior service members just below one hundred. All but two of the seven French Presidents since 1960 served in the military and prior that, their most significant leaders Napoleon Bonaparte, Charles De Gaulle and George Pompidou, all gained their leadership skills in the military. In Israel, all their politicians have Military service. When a person reaches
the rank of Captain in the British army, he is sought after for managerial positions in civil society. In the United Kingdom, fifty of the current Members of Parliament have served in their military. Military institutions place heavy importance on leadership development; combining carefully planned training, educational, and experiential events that are much more in depth than can be found in government or the private sector. Additionally, the levels of authority and responsibility produced by the chain of command concept and the doctrine of duty service and selfsacrifice are always backed by an oath. Military personnel are trained to perceive their obligation to followers as a m o r a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y, placing the needs of the troops above those of the leaders, and this code is prioritized and instilled in
junior ranks. Finally, one of the most important aspects of leadership is the ability to inspire others to go beyond their perceived abilities. It is in this area that military training by necessity and importance of war fighting and strategy becomes far superior to all other entities in producing “charismatic” leaders. It is easy to see why modern democracies can confidently rely on their respective military institutions for excellence in leadership. Guyana and its people alike should be able to do the same, especially considering the fact that though soldiers are initially separated from normal society, we are still Guyana’s Children, Mothers, fathers, Sisters and brothers of this sacred soil. It would be a tragedy to ostracize former soldiers in our national development. Dennis Bunny Stewart
Saturday October 06, 2018
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Kaieteur News
An insult to truth; a stranger to reality Dear Editor, Anil Nandlall has continued to advance the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic ‘s(PPP/C) crooked narrative that has become synonymous with its programme on September 27, 2018, “Matters of Public Interest’’ on CNS TV Channel 6, which is a complete misnomer, for what its contents really are – wholly dedicated to public mischief. In our fledgling democracy, I do not have any problems with an opposition party, vying to present itself as an alternate government, by competing in a constructive manner, and even taking adversarial positions, for such is what politics really is. But even the latter, does not have to mean stooping to the level of dredging for desperate lies, half-truths, while presenting misleading matter for the public’s attention, to get their support/sympathy. More so, it is unnecessary in a country such as ours, where the PPP/C continues unabated to use its major phalanx of whipping up ethnic fears and insecurity among its supporters. If this party had any historical comprehension of what such dangerous strategies can lead to, and its subsequent aftermath, it would cease its dangerous daily crusade of seeking to sow the seeds of subversion. Its deceptive show is really one of its media political windows dedicated to undermining the efforts of this government to make Guyana a better place, and the good life for all. In one of its most recent descent into its chasm of dark deception and lies, one of its most senior practitioners of media mischief, Anil Nandlall, presented a set of two lies that have become the trademark of the man whose ambition is to now become president. First lie, that the current government has not executed
a single Capital Project, except the remodeling of the East Bank and East Coast public roads. Unless Nandlall lives in another dimension, or is in the category of political dementia, or has “bounce e head”, he has to be truly physically blind for empirical observation; or further deaf, so that he cannot even follow media electronic broadcasts on daily events in his own country. Of course, Government has inherited the East Coast expansion projects, which they are bringing to a culmination. Let me remind Nandlall about the infamous, neveroccupied $728 million Kato Secondary School, in Region Eight, executed by the then PPP/C government, which had to be rehabilitated after an audit found a plethora of defects that made it unsafe for children. The Kato Secondary School remedial was eventually completed by the Coalition government for approximately $1 billion. There are schools, both primary and nursery, as well as a new police station being built at Aurora, Essequibo; sea defence projects in the Good Hope/ Pomona locale. Hats off to the numerous projects that the coalition government commenced, completed, and still has ongoing, since coming into office: better roads in the city and in many coastal communities for the first time in their existence as homesteads. This is in addition to the resurfacing of numerous roadways throughout those locales. It also extends to street lighting, as has been the experience at Highbury, now enjoying a proper reconstructed public roadway, which the PPP/C government had ignored for two decades, despite numerous protests from community residents. Then there is the $3B
programme undertaken by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), since 2016, which has resulted in over 100,000 residents in communities in all the ten regions being able to receive a regular supply of potable water, and communities receiving water facilities for the first time. Inclusive in this important dispensation, is a new water treatment plant for 16 pumping stations in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, which has resulted in 30,000 new customers. This programme extends to hinterland communities as well; for example, at Mabaruma and Lethem, with the installation of a new chlorination system at pumping stations at Lethem, and a new storage tank at Mabaruma. Transmission lines are being advanced at Port Kaituma. Now add the recent
announcement of eight wells to be dug in hinterland areas, and one will understand that capital works that will make possible a better communal existence for citizens of this important geographic space of Guyana are being carried out. Second lie, “…putting their friends and cronies in position for contracts, thus resulting in inferior quality execution of these works’’. How could this Member of Parliament, an Attorney-at-law by profession, not support his accusation/contention with hardcore evidence about the “inferior quality execution” of work? Where and what is he talking about? This man has the guts, if not, the deception and temerity to attempt the dirty trick of ascribing to this govern-
ment, a notoriously corrupt practice that had become synonymous with the PPP/C administration – contracts for friends and cronies, many of whom became fly-by-night contractors, and who did some of the most horrible infrastructure works ever recorded in this country’s history of civil engineering. The record is there for any who will care to recall the many criticisms of shoddy construction of the Supenaam Ferry Stelling and the float away Charity Wharf, which were publicly reported in the media, during the PPP/ C administration. As an aside, one should add that this culture that was patently discriminatory in its racist construct, for its deliberate exclusion of Afro-Guyanese contractors as awardees,
has significantly added to the racial divide. Call this, a bold and brazen disregard for the truth by Nandlall; an insult to the many citizens whose taxes were wasted on what was purely sub-standard work of the Hope Canal Bridge that is still tainted by awful structural defects. In spite of $350M being expended to build it. On several occasions, road users pointed to the potential harm the structural defects would cause to persons who are unfamiliar with depressions on the road surface. All this is not surprising, given the fact that he is part of a political party whose penchant for trampling over truth and reality, is their daily line of political existence. Regards Dillon Goring
President Granger ought to be better informed Dear Editor, President David Granger, according to the October 4 Stabroek News, reported that he told attendees at a meeting held at the Corriverton Primary School on October 3 “…that his government had no choice but to close sugar estates…” This is a sad and most unfortunate statement by the His Excellency and, it seems, maybe he was illadvised by those who surround him. Contrary to his belief and stance, there were other choices, as they generally are in life. All the estates have really good possibilities of overcoming their difficulties and becoming viable and sustainable. Such
feats, however, require a knowledgeable management, a committed workforce and a supportive government. It seems, from our point of view that the latter was especially lacking. Moreover, apart from the profitability/cost arguments which appear to be the sole and only focus of the Administration, there are several societal considerations that must be taken on board. These matters were all put to the Administration and the pressing need for a socio-economic survey was advanced. Dismayingly, Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan, who ridiculously said previously God wanted the
estates to be closed, closed his mind, ears and eyes to those suggestions and told the Unions and the Opposition – PPP/C – during a consultative meeting on February 03, 2017, that we (Unions and Opposition) should pursue such a study. The VP, from all appearances, seemed not to have understood his role as a Government leader. Today, all that we had previously warned have become the reality. Today, the jobless workers are facing pressingly difficult times and cannot make ends meet. Excellent work, by a few media houses, has brought the sad times of the workers to the nation’s atten-
tion. They have greatly touched the Guyanese people’s conscience and have demonstrated the callousness of the closure decisions. We strongly disagree with the President that there was only one choice. Experience has thought us that they are never unilateral choices but we see unilateral decisions taken particularly with respect to the sugar industry. Really, by now President Granger ought to be better informed of the situation in the sugar industry and of its real potentials. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
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Kaieteur News
A division in the ranks Dear Editor, I am appealing to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Romanex Mining Company to disregard the position claimed to be taken by the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) in relation to the Romanex company in a Stabroek News article. The article titled South Rupununi Council objects to Romanex’s proposed Marudi mountain mine (SN Sun 30th Sept, 2018) on the basis that the six deep South Amerindian villages that are included in the SRDC and are comprised in the “area of influence” did not endorse that press statement from the SRDC. The claimed that neither were they aware that a press statement was sent to the press by the SRDC. The South communities are calling for the withdrawal of that press statement by the SRDC Chairman, Nicholas Fredericks since it violated
the principles of free prior and informed consent (FPIC). The Deep South Rupununi villages claim that while Fredericks reaches about FPIC he is a false prophet in this regard as the saying goes, “Do as I say and not do as I do”. The deep south villages claim that Shulinab village of which Fredericks is the Toshao and Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) may have to withdraw from the SRDC if he cannot conduct himself professionally. More so, Shulinab village is located in South- Central Rupununi and not in deep South Rupununi hence no South- Central Toshao can make decisions for the deep south villages because they all have their respective Toshaos and village councils. The Deep South Rupununi Amerindian villages are calling on Nicholas Fredericks to apologize to them for not respecting their
position on the Romanex Company, since they do not engage in personal agendas. The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) having a membership in the Aishalton village of the South Rupununi will soon send a letter to the NTC Chairman to desist from unprofessional and undemocratic conduct in the execution of his duties, particularly in relation to decision-making where Amerindian villages are concerned. Further TAAMOG is appealing to all Amerindian villages in the Rupununi region not to allow Nicholas Fredericks to impose himself on them because he is the chairman of the NTC. The EPA should therefore throw the SRDC press statement issued by Nicholas Fredericks into the garbage bin. The Deep South communities would be happy. Yours Sincerely, Peter Persaud.
The AFC as seen through the eyes of a PPP supporter Dear Editor, I must compliment Annalise Humphrey for the brave attempt espoused in her letter captioned, ‘AFC’s lists are fit and proppa’. She claimed that, “the AFC has always enjoyed widespread support across Guyana and therefore has no need to resort to trickery or fraud. “If anything, Lakram should look closer to home, as it is public knowledge, which party’s history is tainted by trickery and electoral fraud in Guyana’. Let me ask this question: What ‘widespread support across Guyana’ does the AFC enjoy? This is a figment of an over-active imagination. There are 18 NDCs and three municipalities in Region Six and theAFC could only manage through fraudulent and deceitful means to be able to contest one NDC in totality and a couple of constitu-
encies in two other NDCs. One would assume that if the AFC indeed has massive support in Berbice then they should have been able to contest in all the NDCs not a mere 16% show through deceitful and fraudulent means. The AFC is ‘dead meat’ and no amount of embalming and cosmetology can transform and breathe into it a semblance of life at the upcoming LGE. The AFC is now mummified. The letter writer should have provided some statistics to back her baseless claim of nationwide support. Can she do that? I guess not, unless it is fabricated. Furthermore, I want to wager that even in the three NDCs where the AFC fraudulently misrepresented its support, they will receive an embarrassingly profound trashing at the hands of the Opposition. My party’s history was not considered when the leaders of the AFC piggybacked themselves into power by coalescing with theAPNU of which the PNC is the dominant force. Now the AFC is put to the test to really prove that it deserves 40% of the Government and all they can come up with is more evidence massive dwindling support. Has the letter writer suddenly become Rip Van Winkle about my Party’s past? My Party has arisen from its past like the
proverbial Phoenix but the AFC will never rise again and you can take that to the bank. What is a total disappointment is the fact that the AFC’s ‘Elder’ has failed to address the fraudulent activities of its candidates. In fact, it seems that the AFC Leaders support this. I must applaud the leader of the Opposition for what he did with regards to Wakenaam. He had said that if the PPP’s list was proven fraudulent, he will withdraw his Party from contesting the constituency. It was proven fraudulent and he stuck to his words. As a true statesman, he kept his promise but what has Mr. Nagamootoo done? He has remained silent and irrelevant as is customary. What is Mr. Ramjattan doing? Why is the Guyana Police Force not conducting an investigation especially about what transpired there with the CPG Liaison Officer who is allegedly at the center of the fraudulent signatures. This man is using state resources to engage in political activities. He is using a Government 4x4 and motorcycle to do dirty political works for the AFC. Why is the AFC using State resources? What are your leaders doing? Should they not emulate what the Leader of the Opposition has done? The AFC is far from being ‘fit and proppa’ and should gracefully bow out of the LGE and call it a day. Yours sincerely, Raj Lakram (Lakram Singh) NDC Councillor #52/74 NDC
CH&PA Board is a hindrance to development Dear Editor, I am following up with some additional concerns to the revelations made by a Mr. Campbell. In addition to the run around at city hall for the approval of plans, it is common for the engineers and inspectors to frustrate clients with endless requirements and rejection for even small domestic development. The word around is that if you don’t pass “something”, you get nothing. This leads to the inspectors simply wasting people’s time until they succumb to the frustration and then decide to resort to bribery to get their plans passed. In terms of the commercial aspect of plans, the major bottleneck in the system is the Planning Department in the Central Housing and Planning Authority. The staff at this department are quite welcoming people; however, the supervisor in charge literally behaves like a “pig” and refuses to speak and clarify any questions as it relates to queries even though the staff would seem hesitant to answer questions which are normally directed to her. The Planning department along with the CHPA Board is the largest hindrance to infrastructural development in Guyana as they tend to often overstep their jurisdiction with things such as the structural design and elements, which would have already been approved by the city engineer who’s the sole person qualified and designated to approve or disapprove such. In relation to the very long waiting list of applications at CHPA, the “Board of Dictators” sees it fit to only reach once per month to approve such.
How can this country move forward when there are businesses eager to expand and invest in this country only to be discouraged by the disappointment meted out to them by the CHPA board and the Planning department at CHPA? Approval timelines vary from three months up to infinity in some cases where you never hear from them until after numerous inquiries. The planning department tends to dictate what type of businesses can be developed and where without any guidelines or justifications. The usual rejection letter would state that, “no such business exists in the immediate surroundings and as such permission cannot be granted”. I have seen quite a few rejection letters and they are basically a photocopy of the same list of lame excuses. In my telephone call to this department recently, I requested where I can get information as to what developments are permitted in different areas of Georgetown but was met with an answer that there exist no such information and my further question was how this is decided and the person on the line further stated that the board decides which business can be operated where. How can such dictatorship exist in a democracy? This type of operation without a level playing field and any sort of future planning opens room for corruption where only those favoured and those who pay bribes will be able to carry out developments. This type of operation by the CHPA needs to be addressed and revised as all Guyanese are affected directly or indirectly by the sloth of development. Yours truly Prominent Architect
Some dissatisfaction with... From page 4 earlier statement by the High Commissioner, one has to wonder. How would a foreign diplomat know whether the cases being put forward as he says are “good” or not? How is he classifying “good cases”? Generally such a reference to a “good” case means that they are winnable in a court of law; how would the High Commissioner know that? Is he privy to matters that are considered outside of the remit of a foreign diplomat in Guyana’s internal affairs? Worse yet what is the role of a foreign diplomat in SOCU, an investigative arm, which falls under the Guyana Police Force? I am doubtful if the previous Commissioner of Police or maybe even the new one is as informed as the High Commissioner on the number of “good” cases being brought. I wonder whether the Minister of Foreign Affairs is comfortable with these statements by a foreign diplomat on internal matters of the state. Furthermore, having submitted all information, including the Public Procurement Commission report on its findings on the award of contract for the New Demerara Harbour Bridge as well as my
official statement to the S.O.C.U., it would be interesting to know if this will be classified as a “good” case. l am patiently waiting to see what happens next. At least one of the purposes of the High Commissioner ’s August press conference was to blow the UK’s proverbial government’s trumpet of “getting value for money as it relates to the operation of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), under the guidance of Financial Investigations Advisor, Dr. Sam Sittlington.” One wonders, however, what were the criteria used to come up with that conclusion. Is there some target set for the number of cases to be brought as part of the conditions for the UK’s funding? Neither the public nor the National Assembly know how much of the UK taxpayers money is being expended by either the UK government or the High Commission on the provision of Dr. Sittlington’s services to the S.O.C.U, nor do we know what are his terms of reference. What l have heard is that he is being paid an exorbitant salary, no exaggeration. Again the Guyanese
people are none the wiser with regard to the fate of the Security Sector Reform report which was prepared by another British Adviser on Security, Russell Combe, and submitted to the government since May 2018. Yet the High Commissioner stated on October 2, 2018 that that course “is part of the latest round of training for Guyanese law enforcement, which is part of the broader support from the United Kingdom for the security sector reform”. Isn’t it time that we learn from the Guyanese heads of law enforcement agencies as to what is taking place than these snippets from foreign advisers or diplomats? Isn’t it more important for the Guyanese public to have some sense of confidence in the SOCU, an investigative body, and in fact, all civilian law enforcement agencies, as being professional and free from political interference, whether internal or external to our borders? Regards, Gail Teixeira, M.P., Parliamentary Opposition Chief Whip Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations
Saturday October 06, 2018
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Duo found guilty of attempted murder of storeowner during brutal robbery The two persons who brutally beat a storeowner, knocking out her teeth during the attack, were yesterday found guilty of attempted murder and robbery with violence. Marisco George and John Caesar stood motionless in the prisoners’ dock as the jury foreman announced the verdicts before Trial Judge Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Georgetown. George and Caesar were arrested on charges of attempted murder and robbery with violence. The offences were allegedly committed on Dhanwantie Pulchand who had operated Reshma’s Collection, a store in the City Mall, which was attacked on July 04, 2009. George was just 16 when she committed the offences. The jury consisted of 12 males. In relation to the attempted murder charge, both George and Caesar were found guilty after the jury returned a verdict in the propor-
tion 11-1. As it relates to the robbery with violence charge, the jury returned a 10-2 guilty verdict for George and an 111 guilty verdict for Caesar. Attorneys-at-Law Damien DaSilva and Brandon DeSantos represented George and Caesar respectively. The case for the State was presented by Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs. Sentencing for George and Caesar has been deferred until October 26, following the presentation of a probation report. In the meantime, they are on remand. During her time in the witness box, Pulchand had recounted how she begged George and Caesar to spare her life. She said that at the time of the attack, she had a oneyear-old child and she told Caesar to take whatever he wanted. According to her, on the day in question, she left home for a city cambio from where she bought US$2,000.
GUILTY: John Caesar She added that she went to her store at the City Mall where she placed the bag on a dresser and began business. Pulchand told the court that between 12am and 1pm
GUILTY: Marisco George
she earned $100,000 in sales, monies she also placed into her bag. George visited the store around 04:30pm that day and indicated that she was interested in purchasing a pair of “Passa Passa” jeans,
Avoid hasty introduction of fuel subsidies when oil comes on stream-IDB warns By Kiana Wilburg The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is cautioning the Government of Guyana to be mindful of any introduction of fuel subsidies when oil production comes on stream. According to this financial institution, such subsidies become burdensome on the economy and eventually create imbalances that prove difficult to correct. To support its case, the IDB pointed to Trinidad and Tobago which paid dearly for introducing fuel subsidies. The IDB noted that in 1974, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago introduced the Petroleum Production Levy and Subsidy Act (PPLSA) to provide the country with fuel subsidies on diesel, and kerosene at price levels below those prevailing in the international marketplace. The subsidy was intended to help lower the impact of high oil prices on the consumers of these commodities in Trinidad and Tobago. The IDB said that initially, the PPLSA covered the entire subsidy. The subsidy was amended in 1992 to three percent of the producer’s gross income and in 2004 to four percent of the gross income of producers and remains the same to date. The IDB noted; however, that the 2004 amendment shifted a significant part of
the burden of the subsidy to the State as any shortfall from the petroleum production levy is met by the State. A study that was subsequently done by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on this subsidy found that in
mining the economy’s fiscal discipline. Furthermore, the IDB said that the fuel subsidy is regressive and favours the rich. With the aforementioned in mind, the IDB said, “The Government of Guyana would
the last seven years, this averaged 71 percent. In the period 2004–2015, the fuel subsidy amounted to TT$30.7bn. By 2013, the fuel subsidy was 10 times that amount. The fuel subsidy, in the context of low rates of interest, also led to a surge in the number of vehicles on the roads in Trinidad and Tobago. In fact, new vehicles sold, for example, increased from 7,281 in 2001 to 19,118 in 2014 and 18,765 in 2015. In addition to this, the IDB said that the fuel subsidy was in conflict Trinidad’s Natural Resource Fund in terms of fiscal discipline. The IDB said that Trinidad’s Natural Resource Fund intended to strengthen the economy’s fiscal posture but the subsidy was under-
want to avoid the hasty introduction of fuel subsidies and should consider instead, spending the same resources
they may direct at fuel subsidies, to the build-up of a functional and relevant public transportation network.” One of the most burdensome factors on the business sector in Guyana is the cost of electricity. Several organizations such as the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) have all lobbied the government to ensure that the looming oil industry is used in a manner that eases the fuel costs sustained by the business sector. The government has signaled its intention to consider this request but no clear position on this matter has been released.
Pulchand said. The victim recounted that George left the store after pointing out that she was going to bring her friend to help her pick out the clothing. The woman added that George returned with Caesar and choose a pair of jeans before going into the dressing room. While George was trying on the pair of jeans, Caesar, Pulchand said, sat on a chair and engaged her in a conversation. She said that during the chat, Caesar told her that
he was a chef and even left his cell phone number with her. Sometime after, the witness added that George emerged from the dressing room and stated that she need a new pair of jeans since the previous one did not fit her. She said, “I went to get her another pair of jeans which was on a lower rack. When I bend, a heavy object hit me on the head. I urinate up. He (Caesar) continued hitting me with a heavy object and I fell onto the ground.” I begged him to save me. I told him to take whatever he wants. He tell me shut your f%&$king mouth and stay on the ground. He continued hitting me while George was standing on my neck.” She recalled that her attacker knocked out several of her front teeth. She also disclosed that she lost several fingernails during the near death attack. At one point during her testimony, Pulchand became very emotional and removed her dentures from her mouth to show the jurors. The terrified witness added that Caesar twisted her neck to the side, which resulted in her losing consciousness. Pulchand stated that when she awoke, her monies and cell phone that were in her pocket were missing.
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Kaieteur News
$2.4B sugar workers severance package for Parliament this month
M
inister of Fi nance, Winston Jordan has assured that Government will be ready to move ahead with the outstanding severance payment for sugar workers when Parliament returns from recess. There have been protests in recent weeks by sugar workers who were laid off by
the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), but Jordan appealed to the workers not to be ‘fooled’ as Government committed to provide the outstanding severance in the second half of the year. “We are now in the second half of the year and we keep saying that when Parliament reconvenes we will be taking a supplemental paper
to the Parliament to get the balance of the money. We haven’t reneged on any agreement done so far, but the Opposition wants to whip up some hysteria in the country and destabilise the country,” Jordan stated. Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, the Minister pointed out that the money for the severance is part of a
Supplementary Appropriation Bill, which will be tabled in the National Assembly on October 18. He also disclosed that on October 31, Parliament is expected to debate the Bill and thereafter pave the way for its passage and ascent by President David Granger. “I am saying clearly, unambiguously today, come the 18th of October when Parliament reconvenes, a Supplementary Paper with the severance balance payment which I believe is $2.41B will be on that paper,” Jordan said. He added, “I hope you can rest peacefully that your money is on its way and not be goaded into these unnecessary picketing that gives the impression as if the Government doesn’t want to pay the money.” Jordan stated that GuySuCo has already started to prepare to make the pay-
Saturday October 06, 2018
ments and is awaiting the conclusion of the Parliamentary process to receive the monies from Government. The Minister anticipates that the former workers should receive their remaining severance in November. Government has been focused on consolidating the sugar industry so that it can eventually become financially viable. The administration is pursuing the privatization of the four closed estatesSkeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales. Over 4,000 workers were directly affected when the estates closed last December. Through the National Assembly, Jordan had secured $1.93B to clear off severance payments. Government had agreed to pay in January those workers whose severance pay was $500,000. However, those exceeding that amount had to wait until the
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan second half of the year. Jordan was asked how the Government went about to secure the payment. He replied, “We gave the commitment that we will pay so we have to find it. How I find it is totally irrelevant to the man that has to get his money. He wanted reassurance that he will get his money. We made that commitment. We made that promise so the man’s money is coming.”
E’bo paddy price plunges more than 50% due to poor yields
Q
uite a number of rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast are becoming more concerned about the fate of the local rice industry, especially since the price per bag of paddy has been slashed by more than 50%. Kaieteur News understands that a number of farmers are presently being paid $300 to $360 per bag of paddy, as compared to $2,700 to $3,000 during the last crop. Region Two is believed to be of particular interest since it reportedly holds the largest percentage of smaller rice farmers . Since the sector requires a significant sum of investment, most farmers who pulled out mortgages from the local banks, are reportedly now heavily indebted. Farmers indicated that they are still indecisive on whether they will be able to
- farmers appeal for assistance to jump start next crop reinvest in the coming crop. One farmer said, “Me carry in paddy just the other day and me only get $300 fuh one bag paddy; fuh the whole trailer me get $18,705 dollar and that can’t pay.” Another farmer added, “Me plan fo bun the field cause I ain’t know where I gon get the money to plant back and I already owe the bank. Right now, it gon cost more to cut the paddy and take it to the mill cause the price I gon get there gon can’t even cover that expense.” This publication understands that farmers were poorly paid, since millers are saying that the yield this crop is poor. The exceedingly high percentage of damaged grains tremendously reduces the price for a farmer’s product.
As was explained to Kaieteur News, the untimely rains would have contributed significantly to the poor yield during this crop. The Essequibo’s Farmer Paddy claims that the rainy season paved the way for an infestation of paddy bugs. A member of the association explained that, “the bug usually sucks the ‘milk’ out the grain, and it eventually becomes danged.” The association further explained that some farmers suffered 49% of damaged grain, while others suffered as much as 70 percent damaged grains. The Farmer’s Association also pointed out that a number of farmers are still owed by millers, and were in no financial position to effectively fight the infestation. The Association believes that the sudden decline in the paddy price will negatively affect the industry. In an effort to jumpstart the coming crop, the Association believes that the government should provide some form of subsidy to assist farmers in the new crop. The Association added, “we are appealing that the government make available to the farmers in Region Two either seed paddy or fertilizer, otherwise a lot of farmers will be unable to reinvest for the next crop.” [Romario Blair]
Saturday October 06, 2018
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
The Full Circle of Opportunism
F
orbes Burnham was the ultimate political gardener. He came back to Guyana from law studies in England and presented himself as a socialist ally of Cheddi Jagan, bent on removing colonial rule and implanting socialism. However, when political ambition got the better of him, he re-branded himself as a moderate socialist. This was so that he could project himself to the very imperialists that he once loathed as the lesser evil than Jagan. In a visit to London, he described himself as social democrat. When in opposition to Jagan’s PPP in Guyana, Burnham was careful to demonstrate that while he had socialist sympathies –something that Jagan always believed – he was different from Cheddi. He made it clear that he was neither slave nor servant to either western capitalism or communist-styled communism. He was careful in arguing
that the then British Guiana need not be with pro-East or pro-West. In courting western favour, he admitted that he found a great deal of attraction in Marxism, but said that he would not accept it as a whole, nor would he be a Stalinist. This was in 1960. Speaking in the National Assembly in that same year, Burnham however made clear one thing about his views. He equated Marxism with hatred for private property. He said any Marxist who admitted that he did not say that he hated private property was saying that he was not a Marxist. Of course, Burnham had in the same presentation admitted to finding a great deal attractive about Marxism. But this was his ploy in presenting himself as the lesser evil to Jagan, while at the same time driving home domestic fears that Jagan was viciously opposed to the idea of private property because Jagan was
a communist sympathizer. Burnham was to come full circle in the 1970’s. Forced by the Black Power riots in Trinidad to move Guyana towards a socialist economy, he changed his tune and his views on private property. Speaking at a public gathering organized by the Jaycees in Linden on May 22, 1975, he attacked the movement’s promotion of economic justice through free enterprise. He called on the local body to either rewrite their mission statement or dissociate themselves from their parent body. He made it clear that he accepted Lenin’s theory of imperialism. He also made it clear that cooperative socialism was only the vehicle to achieve socialism, but that his objective was no different from any other socialist. In other words, he was like any other socialist, only that he was using cooperatives to achieve socialism. The die had been cast.
DEM BOYS SEH
De Clown Clerk move from beggar to billionaire in two years When de Mafia use to rule America and Italy everybody understand what was family. All de business was in de family. De Georgetown City Council decide to run business like de Mafia suh all de business use to go to family. Is now de story coming out. De Clown Clerk is de one who responsible fuh buying stationery and things like dat. Dem boys find out dat all he had to do was pass de money to he son and de stationery and dem things get bought. He daughter was de odda one who use to provide de council wid things. She business start without a cent. De Clown Clerk just write out a cheque and pass it to she and she buy what
she had to buy. Dem boys notice dat nobody use to question anything. Whatever price de Clown Clerk children charge dat is what de council had to pay. When de councilors ask bout tender, de Clown Clerk tell dem dat de city council was a family business. Dis is a man who come a long way. Dem boys remember when he use to ketch short drop car to come to de Waterfalls paper to drop a letter. When he done, de Waterfalls boss man use to give him passage to go back to de council. Couple morning after de man tun Clown Clerk, he coulda find $30 million to buy property in Happy Acres. He also had enough money to buy a high-end vehicle.
He had support from de Town Clown. She and all use de council like a family business. She family use to get all dem building contract. Dem nearly get de garbage contract too. Is because dem couldn’t get de council to buy all dem garbage trucks. Dem boys seh dat dem can understand de corruption. Was de same thing dat happen wid Jagdeo and he people. De Town Clown and de Clown Clerk see. Dat is why dem was in a hurry to get rid of Sooba. She was cutting up dem runnings. De Clown Clerk even get in de business of thiefing people property but dem boys gon talk bout dat later. Talk half and wonder why de Clown Clerk ain’t in jail yet.
Burnham had come full circle. Socialism was socialism, whether it was cooperative socialism or some other brand. The distinctions that he had been making in the 1950s and 1960s had disappeared. One thing however remained though, his opposition to private property and private enterprise. The following year, he consolidated the nationalization of the commanding heights of economy. He had gotten a little help from Cheddi’s PPP in this regard. They were the ones who supported the amendments to the Constitution of Guyana that allowed for the nationalization. The PPP was always in favour of achieving workers’ control over the commanding heights. And so reading from the same page as Burnham, in so far as nationalization was concerned, they gifted him the constitutional power to nationalize. What they did not cater for was that this power would
have been used to viciously expropriate the private properties of the Guyanese. There needs to be cataloging of all the private properties Burnham seized and took away from private individuals, including those for which he offered 1939 compensation and those for which nothing may have been offered. Nationalization of foreign assets had widespread public support. But the seizure of the private property of locals was something that stirred strong local resentment and forced the propertied class in Guyana to move much of their moveable assets out of the country. What was done to private landowners under Burnham was a grave injustice. The PPPC administration that took power in 1992 did nothing to redress this wrong. But the effects on those land seizures hurt this country in a major way. Persons were nervous
about Burnham’s plan to revamp property relations and the relations of production in Guyana. And the propertied class began to demobilize their assets in Guyana and move them outside of these shores. Many were however unable to do so and their properties were expropriated in the name of the State. For those unfortunate persons, justice has remained elusive onto this day. It is about time that this issue be addressed through the work of the COI, which was established by President Granger to look into land disputes. Those persons whose land were expropriated by Burnham at 1939 values should file claims to the COI.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Has the USA become a frightening, undemocratic country?
O
f the plethora of in tellectual adumbra tions in books, journals, magazines, newspapers and blogs around the world on the deadly turn towards authoritarian government in the US, I would rate American historian, Christopher R. Browning’s article, “The Suffocation of Democracy,” the best. It is the lead article in the current issue of the New York Review of Books (NYRB). This is superb scholarship. Browning is a historian who specializes in the era of Nazi Germany. What Browning did in his NYRB piece is to juxtapose Germany from the end of the First World War to the rise of Hitler and show the uncanny resemblance to the United
States in that same period. Then he looks at the conditions that gave rise to European fascist governments, notably Nazi Germany and see a strong resemblance with Trump and the Republican Party. He examines the nature of illiberal democracy in the US today and draws strong parallels with fascist Europe. Of course it began before Trump came to power. I will quote Browning at length because his juxtaposition should interest all of us in the world as to the dangerous place that the US has become.It started with the relentless assault on American democracy by the Republican lawmakers. Here is Browning; “If the US has someone whom historians will look back on
as the gravedigger of American democracy, it is Republican Senate majority leader) Mitch McConnell. He stoked the hyperpolarization of American politics to make the Obama presidency as dysfunctional and paralyzed as he possibly could. “As with parliamentary gridlock in Weimar, congressional gridlock in the US has diminished respect for democratic norms, allowing McConnell to trample them even more . Nowhere is this vicious circle clearer than in the obliteration of traditional precedents concerning judicial appointments.” I have long believed that the US could not be a place of admirable democracy if the president selected life term
Supreme Court Justices based on their ideological orientations. From time to time, citizens of the world read that the US Supreme court will lean more towards liberalism because the president has made a nomination of a liberal judge. Then we would read that the court will now have a more conservative bent because the president’s nominee is a conservative. For a long time, as a young student of comparative politics, I asked myself, how the US can be a democratic country when the separation of power is undermined by political appointments. Here is a formidable description by Browning of how the rule of law is losing its way or has lost its way in the US; “Systematic obstruction of nominations in Obama’s first term provoked Democrats to scrap the filibuster for all but Supreme Court nominations. Then McConnell’s unprecedented blocking of the Merrick Garland nomination required him in turn to scrap the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations in order to complete the “steal” of Antonin Scalia’s seat and confirm Neil Gorsuch. The extreme politicization of the judicial nomination process is
once again on display in the current Kavanaugh hearings.” Perhaps the most frightening section of Browning’ article is this, “The fifty senators from the twenty-five least populous states—twentynine of them Republicans— represent just over 16 percent of the American population, and thirty-four Republican senators—enough to block conviction on impeachment charges—represent states with a total of 21 percent of the American population.” Given these facts, and the nature of the Republican Party, then American democracy was always in a perilous state and now it looks like the Republicans will drive the final nail in the coffin. And don’t forget the existence of three other institutions call into question the survival of American democracy – the power of money in politics, the Electoral College, the life tenure of Supreme Court judges. It is unthinkable that a country can be seen as a democracy yet its lawmakers are hurrying to install a Supreme Court nominee who is facing criminal accusation of sexual violence. Aren’t these the kinds of
Frederick Kissoon things you read about in ‘banana republics’? Browning also hints at the consolidation of fascism in the US through voter suppression. Read Browning and you will be gripped with fear on what the US is becoming. Systematic obstruction of nominations in Obama’s first term provoked Democrats to scrap the filibuster for all but Supreme Court nominations. Then McConnell’s unprecedented blocking of the Merrick Garland nomination required him in turn to scrap the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations in order to complete the “steal” of Antonin Scalia’s seat and confirm Neil Gorsuch. The extreme politicization of the judicial nomination process is once again on display in the current Kavanaugh hearings.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
Alleged battery thieves GCCI seeks to foster better working on $100,000 bail each relationship with Guyana Police Force
Members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry pictured meeting with Top Cop, Leslie James Clayon Nedd
Collin Carr
Three men were yesterday placed before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer for the theft of 12.5 tonnes of batteries belonging to Emily Nedd; the owner of Den’s Trading.Clayon Nedd, 34, Herry Green, 24 and Collin Carr, 44, were subsequently released on $100,000 bail each. It is alleged that the trio between January 1 and June 6 at Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown stole 12.5 tonnes of batteries from Den’s Trading, Emily Nedd. The batteries were said to be valued at $1,929,250.Police prosecutor Jones Deniro told the court that the trio was employed by Den’s
Herry Green
Trading, a company that purchases scrap metal and used batteries. It is alleged that the virtual complainant purchased the batteries to send to Korea, and upon loading on June 6, she noticed that 12 tonnes of batteries was missing. She then reported the matter to the police and an investigation was launched resulting in the three suspects being arrested and charged. The prosecutor had no objection to bail and the men were released on $100,000 bail each but were asked to return to court on November 2.
Witness tells CoI…
City Hall owes insurance companies over $24M The Mayor and City Council owes over $24M in arrears to various insurance companies for payments dating from February 2017 to the present. This was stated by Ewart Adams, Deputy Managing Director of Insurance Brokers Guyana Limited (IBGL) Limited, who testified, yesterday, at the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the Mayor and City Council. Insurance Brokers Guyana Limited is the official insurance broker for the Mayor and City Council. Through these brokers, the Council pays premiums for Motor, Fire and Pension Policies to four insurance schemes. Adams informed Justice Kennard that City Hall has an administrative pension plan with Guyana and Trinidad Group of Insurance companies (GTM), Motor Insurance with Guyana Cooperative Insurance Service (GCIS), and Fire Insurance with Hand-inHand Trust and GTM. IBGL usually collects the premiums from City Hall, which in turn forwards them to their respective companies. However, City Hall has not made payments for their Motor and Fire Insurance policies since February 2017. These premiums, he explained, are paid bi-annually. The outstanding total for these policies, for February 21, 2017 to date, is $9,566,304.
As for the administrative pension policy, City Hall has not honoured their payments since February 2017. These payments are to be made monthly. Mr. Adams stated that there is no fixed total on the pension plan, as it would vary with an increase or decrease in employees. However, he has estimated that the outstanding monies are about $14.5M. Speaking on the outstanding arrears, he said, “It is worrying to me, as well as employees of the City Council.” He said that employees who leave the job between the outstanding period will be robbed because the premiums taken out of their salaries are not being paid to the insurance companies. As a result, they would receive reduced pensions when they retire. Adams told the CoI that he has made multiple attempts to procure those payments from City Hall, but has gotten the “royal runaround”. According to Adams, Deputy Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe told him that she would arrange for $1M to be paid every week until the outstanding arrears are completely paid. At the time, she was the acting City Treasurer. However, she has since returned to her position as Deputy Town Clerk, and has not fulfilled her promise to have these payments paid. The current Acting Treasurer, John Douglas, is usually “un-
well” or “unavailable”, Adams said. He related that he is unimpressed with the Council, and that they “have their priorities in the wrong order.” He questioned whether they have been using the monies deducted from employees’ salaries for other purposes. Adams also said that the Administrative pension plan is required by law to be registered with the state. The Council has been summoned to appear at a meeting by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance concerning this registration, but Adams said that they have not done so. Further, despite agreeing to register with the state, at the time of application of the policy, the Mayor and City Council has not made efforts to fulfill this promise. The Deputy Managing Director of IBGL recommends that there will be a complete overhaul of the management of City Hall. The Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the Mayor and City Council is headed by the Local Government Commission. Its purpose is to examine, advise and report on irregularities of the administration, its operations, and the managements of its financial affairs. The Chairman appointed to lead these proceedings is Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard.
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) recently met with Commissioner of Police, Leslie James in a first step towards fostering a better relationship with the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The meeting occurred on Wednesday last. The GCCI team was led by the Chamber’s President, Deodat Indar and included Junior Vice-President, Timothy Tucker, Chairman of the Security & Governance Committee, Gerry Gouviea Jnr., Executive Director, Richard Rambarran and other members of the Georgetown Chamber.The team formally congratulated James on his appointment as the Commissioner of Police and discussed a
broad range of topical issues. Based on the missive, issues facing the Chamber took center stage at the meeting. Issues discussed include institutional relationship strengthening between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the GCCI; areas for collaboration between the GCCI and the GPF; matters of public security, which are currently affecting private sector operations and development. GCCI’s missive stated that its team was well received by the Commissioner of Police and “both parties expressed optimism at this being a step in the right direction for an improved working relationship between the GCCI and the GPF.”
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Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
Rice body blames Agri Minister, GRDB for rejected Panama rice
T
he Guyana Rice Producers Asso ciation (RPA) has laid the blame for the rejected rice blunder at the feet of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). The association, which has been silent on the issue until now, said that it is holding the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder; the Board of Directors and management of the GRDB accountable for the “mess” that Guyana finds itself in. “We are also calling on the responsible parties to take action and rectify this matter, immediately.” RPA members are mainly rice farmers across the country.The issue at hand has to do with a consignment of
A sample of the rice in Panama examined by authorities there.
Agri Minister, Noel Holder
GRDB’s head, Nizam Hassan
rice for Panama for poor citizens there.The arrangements to that lucrative, new market,
started in 2014 under the previous Government with the quotas increasing overtime.
RPA’s General Secretary, Dharamkumar Seeraj However, about two months ago, Panamanian authorities rejected a number of containers from Cayume Hakh and Sons mills after samples reportedly showed that the rice did not confirm to specifications of the agreement. Checks also found that the bags reportedly also had Techno Mills labels attached. Techno Millis is based in Eccles, East Bank Demerara and they have reportedly denied issuing those labels to anyone. That mill is contemplating legal action against GRDB and others. The GRDB has halted any further shipments from Hakh to the market and has ordered the rice be shipped back to Guyana where an in-depth audit will be carried out on the contents of the containers which reportedly number more than 30. GRDB’s head, Nizal Hassan, had told Kaieteur
News that it is too early to say if all the rice was affected as samples were taken by port officials. However, RPA had a different view of the matter yesterday regarding GRDB’s role in how the rice left Guyana. The statement of the association said that it is aware that several containers of rice, exported to Panama, have been rejected by the authorities in that country. “One of the reasons for the rejection we were told, is that parboiled rice is in the containers that have been rejected. There were more than 700 tons of parboiled rice, packed in 20 lbs bags in the containers.” RPA echoed what has been puzzling the minds of some millers. “It boggles the mind to even contemplate that over 700 tons of parboiled rice could have passed through the various quality and quantity checks and customs inspections and arrived in Panama, a white rice market.” The association noted that the contracted party (the seller) is the GRDB for this
particular market. “The GRDB, in order to fulfill its contractual obligations, purchased rice from millers in order to supply to this market. Notably, the GRDB charges millers US $8.00 per unit, for inspection and to certify the quality and quantity supplied. The rice is even checked during the processing at the mills by the GRDB. The bags are then packed into the containers under the watchful eyes of the GRDB Officers, samples are then taken and sent to the GRDB Head Office labs, that is ISO certified, along with the number of the containers and the containers’ seal numbers,” RPA noted. The farmers’ body also pointed out that the final sample is used for the preparation of the export grade certificate. “The GRDB is the buyer of the rice from the millers, the agency is also responsible for certifying the quality and quantity and they are the contracted party to export to Panama. Panama is currently our best market with the best (Continued on page 24)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 16
Saturday October 06, 2018
Cash-jet pilot found guilty in coke, money laundering charges - faces possible life sentence G
uyanese-born Khamraj Lall, was convicted this week on several charges ranging from cocaine distribution to money laundering. Lall was found guilty last Thursday of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, money laundering, structuring monetary instruments, and conspiracy to commit money laundering and structuring, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced yesterday. Lall, 51, of Ringwood, New Jersey, was convicted on all eight counts of a superseding indictment following an eight-day trial
Convicted: Khamraj Lall
before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton Federal Court. According to documents filed in the case and the
evidence at trial, from April 2011 through November 2014, Lall, a private pilot, smuggled hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from
One of Lall's seized planes Guyana to New Jersey and New York on his privately
owned jet aircraft and then laundered the proceeds. The accused, who owed a private jet charter business called Exec Jet Club in Gainesville, Florida, used the proceeds of his cocaine empire to purchase jet planes, houses, and cars. He also paid more than $2 million in cash stuffed in suitcases to a Florida contractor to build an airplane hangar in Guyana. The Government of Guyana has since taken possession of the hangar at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri. According to the justice.gov, over a three and a half year period, Lall also made (or had others make) 1,287 cash deposits totaling approximately $7.5 million into more than 20 different bank accounts in New Jersey and New York, much of it in $20 bills. In order to avoid detection and circumvent bank reporting laws, all 1,287 deposits were for amounts less than $10,000. In November 2014, Lall was flying one of his jets from the United States to Guyana and stopped in Puerto Rico to refuel. An outbound search of the plane revealed $470,000 in cash stuffed into a suitcase hidden in the tail of the plane, and another $150,000 in cash hidden under a seat. The conspiracy to distribute cocaine carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The counts for money laundering and conspiracy to launder money each carry a potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The counts of structuring and conspiracy to structure cash carry a potential penalty of 10 years
i n p r i s o n . US authorities had moved to seize the cash, two planes and other properties related to Lall. The investigations involved several agencies. U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents and task force officers of IRSCriminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge J o h n R . Ta f u r ; t h e Morristown, New Jersey, police department, under the direction of Chief Peter Demnitz; special agents and staff of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael; the Drug E n f o r c e m e n t Administration-Rochester, N e w Yo r k , u n d e r t h e direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt; the F e d e r a l Av i a t i o n Administration, Law Enforcement Assistance Program; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Center under the direction of Richard T. Booth, with the investigation leading to the conviction. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan M. Peck and Thomas S. Kearney of the Criminal Division in Newark. In Guyana, Lall was well known with his 2014 arrest in Puerto Rico a shock. He is said to be the owner of the Kaylees gas station, East Bank Demerara. He ran a limousine service and said to have flown former President Donald Ramotar. The cases involving Lall had spanned from Puerto Rico to New York to New Jersey.
Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
PAGE 17
Prison guard becomes Region 9 well drilling commences; inmate for allegedly water discovered at first site Drilling of the smuggling ganja, artesian well cigarettes
T
A
prison officer h a s n o w become a temporary inmate for allegedly attempting to smuggle marijuana and cigarettes into the New Amsterdam jail. Gladwyn King, 39, a father of six, and of Lot 331 Fort Ordinance, East Canje, stood shackled yesterday in the Albion Magistrate Court before Magistrate Renita Singh had him remanded. It is alleged that on October 3, 2018 at the New Amsterdam Prison, King had in his possession 1,032 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. It was also alleged that on the same date at the New Amsterdam Prison, King also had 19 packets of cigarettes. He pled not guilty to both charges. Prosecutor Shinel Mathieson objected to bail on the grounds that King was caught on CCTV cameras and was fully attired in uniform. He was remanded to prison until 26th October, 2018. It is alleged that King conspired with inmates to secure the illegal items that were thrown over the prison walls. Arrangements were allegedly then made by him with the prisoners to secure the packages in the prison kitchen. A middle manager acting on information prompted a search to be conducted, which subsequently led to the discovery. Prison Director,
he well drilling exercise in the South Rupununi, Upper Takutu - Upper Essequibo (Region Nine), where eight artesian wells are being drilled in eight communities has officially commenced. Authorities are reporting the discovery of water at the first site in Karaudanawa. Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, who was in the Region earlier this week, said personnel from the Brazilian Army's 6th Battalion Engineering Corps conducted a test at Karaudanawa on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. The test he said, showed a presence of water and drilling has since commenced at that location. Artesian wells will be drilled in the villages of Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Shea, Maruranawa, Awaruwaunau, Karaudanawa, Achiwib and Bashraidrun and will have a depth of approximately 80 metres or 250 feet deep. It is the intention of the Brazilian team to have the wells handed over to the Guyanese authorities on November
28, 2018. The project follows President David Granger's State visit to Brazil in December 2017, where the Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on Technical
Cooperation between the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil for the Implementation of the Project Technologies to Reduce the Effects of the Drought in Region Nine was inked.
Werk-en-Rust dad charged for beating son with pipe
F
orty year old Rudolph Lyken, a beverage vendor of D'urban Street, Werk-enRust, was yesterday charged for allegedly hitting his son Remanded: on his head with a length of Gladwyn King pipe. The charge against the Gladwyn Samuels in a defendant read that on release had stated that the October 2, at Durban Street, officer admitted and W e r k - e n - R u s t , h e accepted his involvement in the crime. The rank allegedly told Samuels that the items were to be delivered to a specific prisoner. The marijuana found was eventually checked and weighed by authorities and amounted to 1032 grams while the other items included 39 packets of cigarette.
unlawfully wounded his tenyear-old son. The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. It is alleged that on the day in question, at 8:00 hrs the defendant dealt the child a lash to his head, causing him to be injured. The son was then taken to the hospital and the matter
was reported to the police. Reports to the police triggered an investigation and the defendant was arrested. The prosecutor had no objection to bail and Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman ordered that the accused be released on $80,000 bail and return to court on November 2.
Rudolph Lyken
Kaieteur News
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Saturday October 06, 2018
Guyana partnering with Surinamese agencies to strengthen protected areas
T
he Protected A r e a s Commission of Guyana (PAC) is partnering with French Guiana Amazonian Park, the Ministry of Planning, Land and Forest Management and Ministry of Regional Development, Suriname on a project entitled, R E N F O R E S A P "Strengthening the network of Protected Areas in the Guiana Shield and their contributions to sustainable development in respect of local cultures, values and lifestyles". This is according to a press release from the Department of Environment, Ministry of the Presidency. The three Guianas face common and sometimes interconnected threats to their biodiversity, and continue to grapple with issues around land allocation, mining, watershed management and indigenous rights issues. In facing these issues, each country has developed a suite of different, but potentially complementary,
Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Sydney Allicock and representatives from agencies in the Guiana Shield tools and approaches. To this end, a project launch has been planned for October 13, 2018 in Paramaribo, Suriname. This three-day event will bring together stakeholders from the three countries as well as other global partners. The official programme will be launched on October 1, with presentations and speeches by Vice President and Minister of Indigenous
Peoples' Affairs, Sydney Allicock, French Ambassador to Suriname, Guyana and CARICOM, Antoine Joly, and Minister of Regional Development of Suriname, Edgar Dikan. On October 2, an inception workshop will be held to discuss and deliberate on the proposed actions for implementation during the project cycle. The event will conclude
on October 3 with a field trip to the Mangrove Project a t We g n a a r Z e e i n Suriname. The RENFORESAP Project will provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders to explore shared and coordinated action between protected areas and forested lands across the Guiana Shield that can contribute to the maintenance of this ecosystem of global importance. The project runs for three
years, bringing together the different managers of protected areas in the region, as well as international organizations of nature conservation working in the region such as, but not limited to, Conservation International, WWF Guianas and the Frankfurt Zoological Society and an international organisation working on Indigenous Peoples' livelihoods improvement. The implementation will
be coordinated alternatively among Cayenne, Paramaribo and Georgetown with the employment of a Project Manager, who will be posted in the three different countries alternatively. Seventy-five percent of the funding for the project is provided by European Funds through the European Regional Development Fund in the frame of the INTERREG - Amazonia Cooperation Programme.
Juror leaves court to find food, judge orders arrest
J
ustice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for a female juror who was supposed to sit in a murder trial, but had left the court before the proceedings began. Her absence stalled proceedings for almost two hours until it was decided to
discharge her and select another juror. The drama began after the jurors' names were called to ensure that they were present. However, before the selection of the 12 jurors began, court was adjourned for a few minutes as the judge returned to chambers
to deal with some matters. Upon the resumption of court, the 12-member panel was being selected when the woman's name was called to sit in the case. However, one of the woman's colleagues announced that she had left to get something to eat. This caused the proceeding to stop. Court was subsequently adjourned as the return of the juror was being awaited. After it became clear that she was not returning, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry issued an arrest warrant for her. This was related to the police, and patrols were sent out to find her. But after waiting for over two hours, her name was withdrawn and another juror was selected. The matter then continued. The woman was consequently arrested and brought to court. She was subsequently held in the Police area at the High Court. She was eventually taken into Chambers and given a stern warning by Justice Beharry before being discharged.
Saturday October 06, 2018
Kaieteur News
Guyana’s deforestation rate falls to seven-year low
According to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), up to last year, the deforestation percent was 0.048; the lowest since 2010. In 2010, it was 0.056%; in 2011 - 0.054%; 2012- 0.079%; 2013- 0.068 %; 2014 - 0.065 % and 2015-2016 – 0.050 %. According to GFC, the drivers for deforestation saw 8,851 hectares of forest lost last year.Mining was the biggest culprit- 6,495; mining infrastructure – 947 hectares; forestry infrastructure= 227 hectares; infrastructure195; agriculture- 477 hectare; settlements- 7 hectares with fire accounting for 502 hectares. Since taking office, the Coalition Government has seized a number of large forestry concessions, including hundreds of thousands of hectares allocated to Chinese investors.The seizures had reportedly impacted logging activities but the industry is said to be on an upswing now. Since signing a historic US$250M climate deal with Norway, the monitoring of the
country’s forests has been taken to another level.In fact, GFC’s figures said, results have concluded that forests at a national scale remain largely intact, with over 99% of forest still standing. GFC disclosed that it has completed mapping of year 2017. The assessment is part of the national programme of Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) that Guyana started in 2010 with support from the Norwegian Government and which forms part of the Guyana Norway Partnership on climate and forests. For Year 7, the GFC continued using ESA’s Sentine-l2 satellite imagery for the deforestation mapping. “Sentinel-2 data is free of charge; this is in line with the commitments made by Norway and Guyana in MRVS Phase 2 (Year 2015–Year 2019) that Guyana should look into non-payment options.” The MRVS is coordinated by a team of local experts housed within the GFC and all mapping aspects and analyses are completed using local staff.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018 LEGAL NOTICE 1
SERVICES
FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Have your yard, fence, mat to pressure wash? Yard to weed? Call: 666-2326
1 Gold Metal Detector MWM Turbo 6 cylinder engine with 8-6 Berkley pump. Yamaha 25 hp outboard. 2 Stihl weeding machine Call 613-5062 10" Diamond Lavrador. Steel wash plant (stone separator) for gold mining, Shulz Air Compressor. Fogging MachineCall 613-5062 Three apartment building in Diamond. Call: 680-5944/6564211 Roof clay tiles 1,700 sq feet for sale. Call 624-8894 9-Wheel pneumatic roller. Mack concrete mixer truck - 8 cu. yds. 450 - Honda ATV Bike. 650 - Gals. Spray Kettle. 275-0367, 683-7225 Cat 215 Excavator. Cat 215Excavator spares. Cat 428 Back-Hoe. Double steel wheeled 8-tons roller. Tel# 275-0367, 683-7225 2 female Rottweiler pups for sale from Brazil $95,000, also looking for German Shepherd to buy. #682-8600
FOR RENT
VACANCY
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
One experienced male sale attendant with stocktaking knowledge. One porter. Apply with hand written application Keyfood McDoom Village
1 Three bedroom bottom flat apartment. Fully refurbished @ Back St Better Hope. Prime location. Tel# 220-1583. 7:00am-5:00pm 1 Three (3) Bedroom upstairs flat in Atlantic Gardens E.C.D Tel# 227-4377, 227-0613, 6246013,645-7248 1 Downstairs for business at Vreed-en-Hoop W.C.D Tel# 227-4377, 227-0613, 6246013,645-7248 Complete house top & bottom for $70,000 located at Lot 721 Section ‘C’ Block ‘Y’ Golden Grove EBD Tel#6190673 Furnished 2 bedroom apartment for rent with AC Tel#651-4745 3 Bedroom bottom flat apartment at lot 141 Bombay Terrace Prashad Nagar. Lots of parking available. 653-8924/ 225-7868 Self contained rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#2272993 Business place to rent (bottom flat) 14 Lombard St G/town. Tel# 227-1385, 653-0506
LAND FOR SALE
SALON September Cosmetology Courses $40,000 Nail Technology $25,000 Advance Make-up $15,000, All products provided. Abby #614-6749
VEHICLE FOR SALE 4x4 Vigo Hilux Extra cab Diesel 70,000 kn all-terrain tyre & lift kit $2.9M #6615099 212 Carina, old model $820,000. Tel#617-6614 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, RZ,Pit-bull, Allex, 192 & Canter – Call: 650-7501
Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 WANTED Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109
1 Air compressor 5HP 3 Phase 230/220 volts. Call: 628-1486/ 698-1134
Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M Ten year up $2.7M Farm $3M $4.5M Tuschen $1.3M Uivlugt $2.7M. Call: 666-2326
One Mature general domestic- cooking and cleaning. Call: 628-6724, Monday to Friday 5:30pm7:30pm
Vacancy for professional hairdresser at Natural Beauty Salon & Spa #6525800 Tool room clerk, Machinist, Male cleaner, Apprentice, Apply at Technical Services 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles EBD Maid for East Bank area, to cook and clean, age 25 to 50. Call: 614-4358 Female cleaner office & home, age 25 to 50. Call: 2332745 Female accounts clerk. Apply Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street, Bourda Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 600-8457 Vacancies for persons to pluck chicken at chicken farm on the East Bank #696-5424/6997415/610-6196 Vacancy for Driver, Civil Engineer, Security. Contact #223-5273, 223-5274/2275003 Responsible male to graze and milk cow. Age 30-45. #233-2049 Call anytime after 12 $22,000 start salary. Kitchen assistant/helper and cleaner, must be able to work at fast pace. Call: 225-6927 for more info.
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
55 acres of rice land at Plantation Visselwaghied, Leguan. Contact: Tariq #6986570 Asif #663-7157
1 Cosmetologist (hair & nails) Must be qualified with atleast 1 year working experience. Contact# 626-6450
LEARN TO DRIVE
Needed contract cars. Classic Ride Taxi Service. 18 Hendbury Ave. Nandy Park E.B.D. #233-5227/682-1616
1 experienced mechanic to work in the interior, must know about Cummings engine #6994718
Wanted barber at 26 Norton & Creen St. $1,400 daily and $8,500 weekly. Tel 671-5307
Wanted one bus driver RZ. Contact number #603-2640/ 218-4636
Live in waitress to work in a bar, age 18 yrs to 22 yrs, must have ID. Contact #221-2785/ 692-3877
Experienced Cashiers, Curry cook, Roti/Puri cooks, cleaners. Apply Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce St
Manager to work @ 704. Contact : 223-5273/74, 2275003
An experienced Canter Driver. Tel#223-7165/682-5352
N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/691-2561 TOLET
PEN PAL
Three Bedroom house To Let, top flat at Better Hope. #2204670
Seeking Penpal, must be loving, willing, hardworking. Contact #621-3082/638-9938
2 bedroom downstairs apartment for rent at ‘C’ Field Nurses Quarter, Sophia. Call: 658-4478 Couples only.
WANTED
IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OFGUYANA ( C O M M E R C I A L JURISDICTION) 2018-HCB E R - C I V- F D A - 1 6 6 BETWEEN: GUYANA WATER INCORPORATED, a company incorporated in Guyana under the Companies Act 1991 of the Laws of Guyana and having its principal place of business at Vlissengen Road & Church Street, Bel Air, Georgetown, Demerara. Applicant -and FREDDIE HALALL Respondent NOTICE TO: FREDDIE HALALL Lot 144 Albert Street, No.79 Village, Corentyne Berbice TAKE NOTICE that a Fixed Date Application was filead on the 8th day of May, 2018 in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Berbice by Guyana Water Incorporated for the following order: a) The sum of $186, 112.00 (one hundred and eighty-six thousand, one hundred and twelve dollars) being the sum due, owing and payable by the Respondent to the Applicant in water rates b) Interest in the said sum at a rate of 6% per annum and 4% thereafter until the full sum is paid; c) Costs d) Such further or other order as the Court may deem just. UPON APPLICATION in person or by letter to Mr. Nigel Niles and/or Ms. Tiffany David, Attorneys-atLaw for the Applicant, whose address for service and place of business is at Guyana Water Incorporated, Vlissengen Road and Church Street, Bel-Air, Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana certified copies of the Fixed Date Application, Notice of Appointment of Attorneysat-Law and all related documents filed herein will be delivered or sent to you. AND TAKE NOTICE that you the said FREDDIE HALALL do have within 28 (twenty-eight) days after the second and final publication within which to file your Defence. AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this matter is returnable for Directions Hearing on the 21st day of September, 2018 at 8:30a.m. AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if you fail to file such Defence and/or if you fail to appear at the hearing final judgment may be given against you notwithstanding your absence. Dated this 12th day of July, 2018
LEGAL NOTICE 2 2018-HC-DEM-CIV-P-204 2018 NO.DEMERARA IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF J U D I C A T U R E DECLARATION OF TITLE DARAMDEO SINGH also known as DHARMDEO SINGH of 3391-115th Lane North West, Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433, United States of America, has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription of the property described herein attached. Any person intending to oppose the said Petition must within one month after the date of the first publication of this notice file in the Registry of the High Court, in the City of Georgetown, Notice of his/ her Opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits in Support upon the said Petitioner. The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property, which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours.
Dated this 14th day of September 2018 SCHEDULE Firstly: Tract A being a portion of Grant No 5915 situate at about 90 roods below Wash Clothes Creek, right bank Mahaicony River, County of Demerara, Guyana, the said tract containing an area of 5.03 of an acre laid down and defined on a plan by D.W. Ramkarran, Sworn Land Surveyor dated 22nd day of October 2012 and deposited in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 15th day of November 2012 and numbered 54384 with the building and erections thereon save and except a piece of land owned by Radasham Balgobin measuring 74’38 in facade at the entire boundary and 61’78 at the western boundary by a depth of 219' on the southern boundary and 210’5 at the northern boundary as shown on the said Plan of D.W. Ramkarran, stated herein before and No. 54384. Secondly: Tracts ‘B’ being a portion of Grant No 5915 situate about 90 rods below Wash Clothes Creek, right bank Mahaicony River, County of Demerara, Guyana the said tract containing an area 0.8629 (nought decimal eight six two nine) of an acre laid down and defined on a plan D.W. Ramkarran, Sworn Land Surveyor dated 22nd day of October 2012 and deposited in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 15th day of November 2012 and numbered 54384 with the building and erections thereon. Continued on the next page
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Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
Health workers benefit from key training to reduce maternal mortality
R
educing the inci dence of maternal mortality has been a key focus of the Ministry of Public Health. Moreover, the Ministry has been embracing support to ensure that it achieves its reduction goal. In this regard, the Ministry recently collaborated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Pan American Health Organization [PAHO/WHO] to host a training programme for local doc tors, nurses, and midwives. The four-day training was intended to reduce the mortality rates of mothers while giving birth. Topics covered included, helping mothers survive bleeding after birth and preeclampsia /eclampsia. The training, which was held at the Demerara Mutual Life Building, which accommodates The Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church, commenced on September 17. Dr. Oneka Scott, Maternal and Child Health Officer [ag] within the Public Health Ministry set the training programme in motion, which was facilitated by a team from the Church. Among the facili-
Officials of the Church meeting with Minister Volda Lawrence [centre] and Dr. Oneka Scott [second from right]. tators were Dr. Lori Lindsay, Obstetrician/Gynaecologist from Alaska; Dr. Steve Kammeyer, retired Obstetrician/Gynaecologist from Utah; Ms. Adele Kammeyer, retired Labour and Delivery Nurse from Utah; Dr. Lloyd Jensen, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and the Team’s Leader, Chantel Jensen Project Administrator. The training marked the fifth time the Church has come to Guyana since 2005 to
present mother and infant lifesaving instruction in the quest to support the Ministry of Public Health’s Maternal and Child Health Unit Project. The Project is one that embraces the notion, “To ensure that women, children and family members obtain maximum health care that is necessary for their growth and development.” The training programme also saw presentations by Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer; Dr. William
Adu Krow, PAHO/WHO representative of Guyana, and President of the Church, Wayne Barrow. Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence also met with representatives of the Church and expressed gratitude for the continued support. Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, in a recent Maternal and Child Health presentation made it clear that this subject should always be at the top of the list of priori-
ties of any health sector. She noted that, “In our public health system in Guyana, it is no different. In an effort to improve the health of women and children of our nation, the Ministry of Public Health must ensure that motherhood is safe.” Safe Motherhood, according to the Minister, basically means “safe pregnancy”. This process of preparation starts from childhood includes health care from preconception, following through to conception; then care throughout the pregnancy until the safe delivery of the baby, Minister Cummings said. She continued by noting that to ensure that every woman gets this privilege, each health facility should provide adequate “safe motherhood” services. She however noted that maximum results can be achieved if several key factors are considered. Minister Cummings said that firstly, patient safety includes a safe living environment for the patient as well as confidential medical service and secondly, cultural competency and community policies are also essential and facili-
tate the engagement of traditional medicine as well as modern evidence-based practices. “These factors would help patients feel more comfortable and cause them to be willing to participate, resulting in better women’s health care services,” said Minister Cummings. The five pillars – preconception care, access to quality antenatal care, identification and management of high risk pregnancies, clean and safe delivery and access to postnatal care – to improve safety are contained in a Safe Motherhood Strategy being used. LEGAL NOTICE 2 CONTD The address for service of the Petitioner’s is at the Chamber of Mohamed S. G.F. Khan, Kashir A. Khan and Joshua Abdool, Attorneys-at-Law of and whose address for service and place of business is at his Chambers Lot 215 King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara.
45 years in Health Sciences and Education:
Dr. Sarah Gordon to be awarded - 93 persons identified to receive National Awards today Dr. Sarah Gordon is among the list of 41 awardees to be conferred with the Golden Arrow of Achievement on October 6, 2018. They are all a part of a list of 93 persons identified to receive National Awards this year. The reason for Dr. Gordon’s nomination is obvious since she has dedicated 45 years of her career and her life to training and educating Community Health Workers and other Public Health workers. Her work is primarily based in the hinterland, Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. Even after retirement, she is still a consultant and a major support to the Ministry of Public Health Ministry’s Health Sciences and Health Education arm. According to Dr. Gordon, her life foundation started with “an exciting childhood.” Her work with the ministry started in 1973. “I have been involved in the training of
health workers and working in communities because my background is in health education and health sciences education… I have been involved in training various categories of health workers and so I think as a result of those experiences and those kinds of activities [I am being awarded].” She explained that the career of health education was not necessarily part of her plan but she had a background in education and went in that direction anyway. “I came back to Guyana and I was sent to the Ministry of Health’s - Health Education Unit and, well I was there as a cadet and after spending a year or two, I was appointed a health education officer and I love it, so I just stayed in that area. Going into this was quite by accident.” She said since she obtained a first degree in Psychology after studying abroad. As she prepares to be
Health Education Consultant at the Ministry of Public Health, and National Awardee, Dr. Sarah Gordon. recognised, nationally, for her stellar contributions to the public health sector for the
past 45 years, Dr. Gordon reflected on her pioneering the Community Health Workers
CAR RENTAL
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2266 9 3 (CHW) training programme in 3 Guyana, a major milestone for DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D her. “My most memorable OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM milestone is the training of the Community Health Work- PROGRESSIVE CAR ers, which I initiated. We RENTAL: CARS FROM trained the first batch in 1979 $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER and that was in the South DAY- CALL:643-5122/ Rupununi.” She pointed out 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , that as a result of the initial ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO training of CHWs, all CHWs RENTAL@YAHOO.COM working would now have benPROPERTY FOR SALE efitted from her expertise training. Property for sale located Canal As she continues to work #2, 6 large pens, fruit trees and in this specific sector, Dr. Gor- farm house. #688-7291/650don says she will branch out 2172 to resuscitate and support the Girls’ Guides Associa- Located at Lot 646 ‘8’ Field tion here in Guyana. “We Cummings Lodge ECD $16M are trying to get the young Tel# 619-0673 women to understand the capacity and the abilities Better Hope Back St. 2 Story that they have and they building. Extra land. Well need to see them. We are not built. Prime location. Call all going to be physicists and between 7:00am - 5:00pm. so forth but whatever is their 220-1583 little talent, you use it and you 2 storey concrete home at 17 develop it.” St Diamond Scheme. Call: (DPI) 216-2726/ 626-3423 MASSAGE & HEALTH Relaxing Massage Service #674-8147 Herbal remedies: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924
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Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
Rice body blames Agri ... From page 12 price and this fiasco has the potential to threaten the continuation of selling to that market, which would be at great financial losses to our farmers. The GRDB can also lose its ISO certification, which will be a further blow to the rice industry,� the RPA said.The situation is raising questions about the credibility of GRDB which since the initial statement of the General Manager has remained largely silent.It has made millers especially nervous about the situation. On Thursday, rice farmer and activist, Jinnah Rahman and Dr. Turhane Doerga filed a criminal complaint with the police, arguing that the false labeling was deliberate and constitute a crime.Police Commissioner, Leslie James, in confirming the receipt of the complaint, said that it has been send to the Crime Chief, Lyndon Alves, to determine whether there are merits.The Commissioner did not rule out the legal authorities being engaged on the matter.Rice is the second biggest foreign exchange earner after gold.
Saturday October 06, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Pooran 2nd consecutive fifty and Narine’s... From page 29 Shepherd for a boundary in the third over which included five dot balls as the Jaguars kept the openers on a tight leash before Simmons broke the shackles with an imperious cover driven boundary off Bajan Raymon Reifer. Lewis stroked Shepherd through cover for four before hitting him over mid-off for the second boundary in the over as the stand began to blossom for the Red force, who again rested the injured Daren Bravo, Jason Mohamed and left out Ravi Rampaul. A spanking boundary off Reifer from Simmons sped across the lush green and fast outfield and when Pestano was introduced in the eight over and
Lewis pivoted and pulled for four to post the 50 in 8.3 overs. Barnwell, one of five seamers in the side, got the breakthrough in his first over at 51-1 in the ninth over when Lewis hit a ball that seemed to stop on him for Rutherford to take an easy catch at short mid-wicket. Bajan Kyle Hope joined Simmons on a straw coloured and slightly sluggish track but did not last long as Hope (2) chopped one from Barnwell onto his stumps to leave the score on 57-2. It was soon 67-3 when the well set Simmons (26) was run out by a good piece of fielding from Griffith and it could have been 67-4 when Ramdin was dropped by ‘Keeper Bramble on six off Barnwell.
Pooran, who scored 89 against the Volcanoes, caressed Shepherd gloriously off the front foot past mid-off four and disdainfully pulled the Berbician for four when he over compensated and bowled short. Permaul was deposited for six by the in-form Pooran to post the 100 in the 23rd over, while the other specialist spinner, Ramaal Lewis was brought on in the 24th over and broke the fourth wicket stand when he removed Ramdin at 130-4. Pooran continued to bat positively and soon reached his second fifty from 52 balls with five fours and a six, while Kieron Pollard dumped Lewis over wide long-off for six and the 150 came up in 33 overs. Pollard skied a short ball from
Pestano to the Wicketkeeper at 173-5 in a partnership of 43 with Pooran who turned 23 on October 2. Pooran, in only his 13th Regional 50-over game, dumped Lewis for a massive six before he was removed by Shepherd at 194-6.Narine brought up the 200 by hooking Shepherd for six in the 42nd over but was soon bowled by Pestano. Bravo hit Pestano for a couple of sixes before he was bowled at 227-9 before Shepherd wrapped up the innings. The Jaguars play West Indies ‘B’ tomorrow at the Brian Lara Academy which is close to an hour’s drive from Port-of-Spain where they are staying.
Emotional Osaka... Saturday October 06, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A minor accident might take place at home today, Aries, but don't worry. It will ultimately provoke more laughter than harm. You will want the place to look great, Aries, because a close friend or lover could come to visit. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) An unexpected package could arrive, possibly shipped from far away. The circumstances could be rather strange. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) To d a y you might strategize ways to make a little extra money to prepare to move ahead with your life and ambitions. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your naturally passionate nature should be more aroused than usual today. The festive atmosphere around you gives rise to warmly. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) An intense card, email, or phone call could come from a sibling or other relative today. Perhaps this is a good chance to patch up an old quarrel with this p e r s o n, but don't be tempted to start another! VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A proposed visit to a friend's may have to be delayed, and this might worry you. It will be necessary to make a special effort to get almost anything done today, Virgo. You could have some urgent chores to complete, but the streets and stores may be full
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A love relationship could take on a higher and more spiritual aspect during this period, creating a desire for your souls to bond. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The planetary energy might find you responding to a sudden sense of inspiration that arouses your creativity. You may feel an unexpected urge to write, paint, draw, or compose some music. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You've been very busy, professionally and socially, and now you're probably longing for a romantic encounter. If you're currently involved, you should schedule some time alone with the special person in your life. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You're likely to want to spend some time alone with your partner today, but with the current planetary influences at play, either you or your honey's career concerns could get in the way. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A co-worker might be away, and this could increase the amount of work that you have to do, causing strain and upset, especially if you aren't familiar with the work. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Warm and sensitive by nature, today you could feel especially sensual. Sex and romance are likely to be on your mind. Romantic novels and movies may seem especially appealing now.
From page 26 gears to close out the victory. “I was sort of apologizing for my behavior because I was kind of stressed,” Osaka said when asked what the pair spoke about at the net following the match. The 20-year-old will next face Anastasija Sevastova. The Latvian beat Dominika Cibulkova 6-3 7-6(5). Caroline Wozniacki later thumped Katerina Siniakova 6-2 6-2. “I think I played really well, probably the best match for me in the tournament. It’s exciting to feel like I’m playing well at the end of the year,” world number two Wozniacki said.The Dane next faces Wang Qiang who overcame the in-form Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-5 7-5.
GFG/Health and Fitness... the action will get underway with the Cancer Awareness Glow Walk moving off from the Genesis Fitness Gym on Durban Street at 17:30hrs and will conclude at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. This would be followed by the Wacky Zumba Party at 19:00hrs. Tickets which are already on sale can be had at Genesis Fitness Gym (Durban Street) and Fitness Express (Sheriff & John Streets Campbellville). Sponsors are Mackeson, Lucozade, iCool Water, Republic Bank, Macorp, Pollo Tropical, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Trophy Stall, Star Party Rentals, Fitness Express and Genesis Fitness Gym. More details would be made available at Tuesday’s launch which would take place at Genesis Fitness Gym from 18:30hrs.
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Kaieteur News
Nand Persaud sponsors BCB Female Cricket Tourney and Under-15 trial matches
BCB President Hilbert Foster receives sponsorship Cheque from Amanda Budhoo in the presence of another staffer. “When we announced in March 2018, that the Berbice Cricket Board intends to host twenty two Cricket Tournaments at the different levels, critics thought we were crazy. Today, we are on the verge of not only fulfilling that promise but even surpassing it. Female Cricket is special to us in Berbice Cricket and as such, we are pleased to partner with Berbice’s largest Company to host a Tournament for our Females.” Those were the words of President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster during the launching of the Nand Persaud Company Ltd Female Cricket Tournament at the Company’s No. 36 Village Head Office, Corentyne, Berbice. The Tournament would be contested between the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Team and a combined New Amsterdam/Canje Team, it would be played on a best of three matches basis, with the team winning twice being declared Champion. Both Winner and the Runner-up would receive financial prizes and
trophy. The Tournament’s MVP would also be rewarded financially. Players like Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Tremayne Smartt, Shaneeta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Plaffiana Millington, Sherica Campbelle, Ameera Abrams, Ashley Ramnauth, Dian Prahalad, Uma Matadin and Mariam Samaroo are expected to take part in the historic Tournament, the first of its kind to be organised by the Berbice Cricket Board. Foster, hailed the investment being made by Nand Persaud Co. Ltd and stated that he enjoys a close working relationship with the entity’s Managing Director Mohindra Persaud. Persaud was one of several well known Berbicians who endorsed Foster for the Presidency when the election of the Berbice Cricket Board was in full heat. The Company would also be sponsoring two Under-15 trial matches for the Berbice Cricket Board in 2018 as part of the Board’s early preparation for the Guyana Cricket
Board Inter-County Tournament for 2019. The sponsorship would cover the cost of meals, refreshments and Umpiring for the 50-Overs trial matches. The Berbice Cricket Board would shortly be hosting the 2019 Mike’s PharmacyUnder-15 Tournament and a squad of 26 would be shortlisted after the completion of three rounds of matches. The Selectors would then select the Berbice Team early, so that the coaches would have at least two months to work with them. Similar arrangements would also be made for the Berbice Under-17, Under-19, Female Under-19 and Berbice Female Senior Teams. Managing Director Mohindra Persaud hailed the outstanding work of the Berbice Cricket Board and stated that his Company was delighted to be on board with such a dynamic, organised Board. Nand Persaud Company, he stated would continue to support the game in Berbice once the proper Management is in place.
Saturday October 06, 2018
Lure of IPL contract hurting Windies Test team, says Hooper RAJKOT, India, CMC – Former West Indies allrounder Carl Hooper believes that the attraction of playing in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) is deterring young cricketers in the region from wanting to play Test cricket. However, the 51-year-old Hooper who played 102 Tests for the regional side, admitted that he could not blame those cricketers who chose to play in the shorter formats of the game. “We should have seen this coming (IPL impact on Windies cricket). T20 cricket is here to stay. You got more leagues in play than what it was five years ago. It is crazy. It is going to affect us because for most young players, the ultimate aim is to sign a contract with an IPL side, so it would have a bearing on his availability for Windies cricket including Tests,” Hooper said. “I am not going to judge players who choose IPL for Windies. You cannot be upset with a guy who doesn’t want to sign a central contract as he wants to play in other leagues. It is a tough situation. Virat Kohli can stop playing today if he wants to but none of our guys can afford to do that.” Hooper said several of the Caribbean’s best players had played very little Test cricket for the West Indies, as they had chosen instead to partici-
Carl Hooper pate in the numerous T20 leagues around the world. “The IPL is just a six-week window but we have had situations where we have had someone like Sunil Narine, who picked up six wickets in his last Test (in 2013), has not played for us again. Same goes for Gayle and Kieron Pollard. “I am not saying they were finished products in the longest format but at 26-27, let’s say if Pollard played Test cricket, who knows, he could have developed as a good Test cricketer,” Hooper said. “But he stuck to the shorter formats. So we are missing players. Evin Lewis just decided to
push back on a central contract. He is good enough to play Test cricket. So the shorter versions of the game curtail our progress. Having said that, it would be unfair to blame the players for making the choice (of playing IPL). We all want to be financially secure at the end of the day.” Hooper said he hoped Shimron Hetmyer who starred in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League, would go on to play Test cricket. “Someone like a Shimron Hetmyer, who has had very good CPL, is highly rated. Now he can be picked up in the IPL next season and I would hate to lose him to the IPL,” he said.
Emotional Osaka battles past Zhang into Beijing semis (Reuters) - U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka fought back tears and rallied from a set down to outlast Zhang Shuai 3-6 6-4 7-5 in the China Open quarter-finals yesterday. Japan’s Osaka struggled to find her rhythm throughout the contest, making 66 unforced errors, and had tears in her eyes midway through the second set with the match slipping away. She fought back, however, and eventually proved too strong for her Chinese opponent, prevailing in two hours and 33 minutes. “She is such an incredible player and it was really hard to play against her here. I’m just thinking one match at a time, and it can only get harder from here,” said Osaka, who cried following her U.S. Open win that was overshadowed by Serena Williams’ altercation with umpire Carlos Ramos.
Naomi Osaka of Japan autographs for fans after her match against Zhang Shuai of China. (REUTERS/Thomas Peter) Zhang raced into an early lead and held firm to clinch the opening set comfortably. The 29-year-old went 2-0 up in the next to raise hopes of an upset victory. Osaka battled with her
emotions but held her nerve to save two break points before dragging the contest into a decider.Zhang, however, refused to back down and went up 4-1 before Osaka switched (Continued on page 25)
Saturday October 06, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Brady, Pats stroll past banged-up Colts Tom Brady racked up 341 passing yards and four total touchdowns, and the New England Patriots put away the battered Indianapolis Colts 38-24 on Thursday night in Foxborough, Mass. Trailing 24-3 at half, the Colts (1-4) climbed within 24-17 behind a pair of Andrew Luck touchdowns and two Brady interceptions, each of which went off a teammate’s hands. But Brady, who finished 34 of 44, restored the lead to 14 with a 34-yard floater to a double-covered Josh Gordon with 9:19 remaining. It was Gordon’s first score for New England and Brady’s 500th career touchdown pass, eight back of Brett Favre for second on the all-time list. Peyton Manning is first at 539. The Patriots (3-2) put it away just over two minutes l a t e r. O n e p l a y a f t e r Jonathan Jones intercepted a pass that went off Colts wideout Zach Pascal’s hands, Patriots rookie Sony Michel romped 34 yards to make it 38-17. James White totaled 11 catches for 77 yards and a
score. Julian Edelman had seven grabs for 57 yards in his first regular-season game since 2016. He missed 2017 with a torn ACL and the first four games this year due to a PED suspension. Luck finished 38 of 59 for 365 yards, three TDs and two picks while playing without five offensive starters, including wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Equally banged-up on defense, the Colts ruled out nine players before kickoff and then lost three others to injury during the game. Brady dissected Indy from the opening kickoff, starting 14 of 15 for 123 yards and two scores (one rushing), with the only incompletion an Edelman drop. He sandwiched TDs to Cordarrelle Patterson and White around a 1-yard QB sneak before the break. The Colts managed just a 54-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal before halftime. Vinatieri missed an earlier attempt off the left upright from 38 yards. Indianapolis tight ends Eric Ebron and Erik Swoope scored from 14 and 13
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts USA; at Gillette Stadium. (Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports) yards, respectively, in the second half. The latter was set up by an interception
that went off Gronkowski’s hands, 2 1/2 minutes after Patriots wideout Chris
Hogan dropped a throw that was picked. Ebron tacked on a 1-
yard TD catch with 1:11 left for the final margin. (Field Level Media)
Louis blows away Pride, but rain has final say GABF name teams for BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Leewards Islands Hurricanes’ fast-bowler Jeremiah Louis ripped through the B a r b a d o s Pride’s batting order with a five-wicket haul, but his efforts were in vain as persistent rains resulted in their Group B encounter in the Regional Super50 at Kensington Oval ending in a no-result on Thursday. Louis captured five wickets for just 33 runs from his eight overs to help restrict the Pride to 181 for nine from their 50 overs. However, the Hurricanes’ run chase was first delayed due to a mechanical failure of one of the lights, and then after just 8.5 overs were bowled, heavy rains came down to end the contest with the score on 37 for one, chasing a revised target of 140 from 29 overs. It was a disappointing result for the visitors, who would have fancied their chances of victory after bundling out the home side cheaply. It didn’t take long for Louis to make inroads into the Pride’s batting as he accounted for the early wickets of openers Shayne Moseley for one and Leniko Boucher for 12, to leave the score 20-
IBF Antilles 3x3 U18 Men and Women Finals
2. And following the dismissal of Jonathan Carter shortly after, Louis struck again by removing Justin Greaves as the Pride stumbled to 28 for four. Captain Shamarh Brooks then joined forces with Kevin Stoute and together they pulled their side out of trouble during a fifth-wicket partnership of 83. But shortly after reachi n g h i s h a l f - c e n t u r y, Brooks became Rahkeem Cornwall’s second victim to be out for 53. He faced 86 balls and struck three boundaries during his 110minute stay at the crease. Stoute then found another partner in Shamar Springer, with the two adding a further 58 runs, before Springer, who made 25, became Louis’ fourth victim. Fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell was reintroduced into the attack and he responded by clean bowling Stoute for the top score of 66 to leave the hosts 173 for seven. Stoute’s patient innings lasted balls and contained two fours and one six. Louis then claimed his final wicket by bowling Sulieman Benn, as the Pride held on to bat through their allotted overs.
Jeremiah Louis was the main destroyer claiming five wickets.
Chasing their revised total the Hurricanes were frustrated firstly by the lengthy delay due to the malfunctioning lights and then the weather. When their innings finally got underway, they lost Montcin Hodge for 15 off the bowling of Marquino Mindley, before the rains
- Guyana to host 8 nations from Oct. 19-21 The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has released the names of the players that would represent this nation from October 1921 when the local body host the IBF Antilles 3x3 Finals for U18 Men and Women at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Comprising the Male team would be Akeem Crandon, Andrew Johnson, Nigel Bowen, Shamar France with Mark Agard serving as Coordinator. The Female Team will be represented by Annalisa Barclay, Saffiya Greene, Lydia Roberts and Roschelle Campbell, Troy Greene has been named, Coordinator. According to the GABF,
came down to bring a halt to the proceedings. Scores: PRIDE 181 for nine off 50 overs (Kevin Stoute 66, Shamarh Brooks 53, Shamar Springer 25; Jeremiah Louis 5-33, Rahkeem Cornwall 2-35, Sheldon Cottrell 2-36). HURRICANES 37 for one.
eight nations have confirmed their participation in the tournament which will see over 70 athletes and officials attending the event, primarily funded by the International Basketball Federation and managed by the GABF. Countries listed to participate in the Men’s segment are Aruba, Barbados, Dominica, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Lucia, while in the Female category, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Lucia will compete. Teams will arrive in Guyana on October 18 and depart on October 22.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
Windies totter after Kohli, Jadeja hundreds RAJKOT, India, CMC – West Indies suffered a now familiar batting collapse after India captain Virat Kohli struck his 24th Test hundred and Ravindra Jadeja his first, as the Caribbean side left themselves with an enormous task of saving the opening Test after only the second day here yesterday. The right-handed Kohli stroked a high-quality 139 to add to 18-year-old opener Privthi Shaw’s 134 from Thursday’s opening day, an innings which helped power the hosts to 649 for nine declared – their highest ever total against West Indies. Jadeja hit exactly 100 not out while wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant missed out on three figures with 92, as West Indies bowlers toiled without much success on a chastening day at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo picked up a fourwicket haul but leaked 217 runs from a marathon 54-over spell while debutant fast bowler Sherman Lewis ended with two for 93. Left with the final session to navigate, West Indies made a mess of their reply, crashing to 94 for six at the close, as seamer Mohammed Shami (211) made key strikes to put in train the visitors’ demise. Only right-hander Roston Chase, unbeaten on 27, showed any enterprise as wickets tumbled around him, leaving the Windies still trailing by a mammoth 555 runs heading into Saturday’s third day. Needing a solid performance after being kept in the field for the first two sessions, West Indies experi-
enced a nightmare start when captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s (2) off-stump was sent cartwheeling by Mohammed Shami in the third over, after the right-hander was late on a defensive jab. Kieran Powell followed for one in Mohammed Shami’s next over, lbw playing across a full length delivery, as the Windies slipped further at seven for one in the fifth over. Shai Hope struck a couple of lovely punches down the ground for boundaries but he played down the wrong line to one from off-spinner Ravi Ashwin and was bowled for 10 at 21 for three, and exciting left-hander Shimron Hetmyer was tragically run out for 10 in the 12th over after he and Sunil Ambris (12) found themselves stranded in the same crease. Ambris, back in the squad for the first time in 10 months, lasted just 20 balls before edging an extravagant drive at left-arm spinner Jadeja to Ajinkya Rahane at slip. Chase, batting at number six, then attempted to halt the slide in a 25-run, sixth wicket stand with wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich (10) – the best stand of the innings so far. Showing a penchant for counter-attack, Chase struck four fours – mostly lofted hits down the ground – in a breezy 38-ball knock while Dowrich was more watchful in his 35ball innings. But with the day drifting towards a close, Dowrich was lured into an injudicious drive at left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav and was bowled, with the ball clipping the top of offstump. Tail-ender Keemo Paul, in only his second Test, blud-
Ravindra Jadeja celebrated his maiden Test century with the typical sword celebration before India declared on 649 for 9 ©Associated Press geoned a four and a six in an unbeaten 13 to see West Indies to the close. India had earlier turned the screws on the Windies after resuming the day on 364 for four, with Kohli becoming the second fastest batsman in history to reach 24 Test hundreds, after the iconic Sir Don Bradman.All told, the righthander faced 230 balls and counted 10 fours, posting his fourth triple figure score this year and moving into fourth place on the all-time list of India century-makers. Significantly, he extended his fifth wicket stand with Pant to 133, helping to put India in total command at lunch on 506 for five. Pant, a 21-year-old lefthander in only his fourth Test, played with gay abandon, striking eight fours and four sixes off a mere 84 balls, be-
fore perishing about 45 minutes before the interval. Kohli, unbeaten overnight on 72, reached his landmark inside the second hour with a boundary to fine leg off Bishoo, and reached the break on 120. He had extended his sixth wicket stand with Jadeja to 64 when he departed in the sixth over after the resumption, clipping Lewis to Bishoo at midon. West Indies then enjoyed their best period, claiming three wickets for 37 runs as India stumbled at 571 for eight. However, any hopes of quickly wrapping up the innings were dashed by Jadeja who belted five fours and sixes in a 132-ball innings, to frustrate the Windies. He put on 55 for the ninth wicket with Umesh Yadav (22) before the declaration came at tea.
The Islamic School Karate team outstanding at Open Martial Arts Tourney Lead by Instructor, Master Cheteram Mortley, eight students from the Islamic school in Georgetown turned in a very good performance as new comer at a recently held Martial Arts tournament. The students competing in the kata division for the first time won 7 golds and 1 silver. They are as follows; Jaheem Hamilton, Zeyaad Hussian, Hudhaifa Hussian, Saajidah Hassian, Zakirah Mohamed, Ahmad Kanaker and Muhammad Kanakir all winning gold, while Khadija Lewis won silver. Master Mortley is very happy with his student’s performance saying that he will continue to work with them so that they can do even better in the future.
Students of The Islamic school karate team.
Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
PAGE 29
Banks DIH/GABA leagues
Double success for Pacesetters basketball club on Thursday Pacesetters’ Tofawa Daly is fouled while attempting a layup on Thursday in the team’s win over Sonics in the first division.
Zion Gray- Pacesetters. The Burnham basketball court on Middle and Carmichael Streets was a hive of activity on Thursday night when the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Under23 and First Division leagues continued with one match each which saw Pacesetters Basketball Club winning both encounters. The feature Rainforest Wa t e r / M a l t a S u p r e m e sponsored game was bounced in the OpenDivision and Pacesetters ensured that Pepsi Sonics’ losing streak continued with a 66-51 defeat. Pacesetters’ Michael Turner (18) was the go to man in the win, while
Amoniki John- Kobras.
Troy David –Pacesetters.
Tariq Cave (11) and Nathan Saul (10) provided the much need support for him in the 15-point win over Sonics. Up to the end of the second half the game was relatively close with Pacesetters leading 24-21. However, that lead should’ve easily been at least 10 points higher after the eventual winners had failed to complete some simple layups but Sonics didn’t capitalise on their opportunity to take the game away from Pacesetters, which has been described as the biggest club in Guyana repeatedly by their coach, Clement Brusche. Orlando Niles (18) and
Jason Squires (11) were the top scorers for Sonics in the loss. Meanwhile, in the opening game, Pacesetters Juniors who have a whopping 22 players registered, defeated Kobras 77-69. Troy David led the team with 23 points including three threepointers, while his teammate Zion Gray returned to form with 19 points (one threepointer). Skipper Quincy DosSantos had a vital 10 point contribution that included a three-pointer during a late, decisive moment of the match when Kobras were looking to catch up.
Amoniki John impressed for Kobras with a gameleading 27 points but didn’t have as much support and when the decisive moments came, he was shut down by the Pacesetters defence. Akeeam Morrison swooshed 13 points to emerge as John’s best performing teammate in the loss. Thursday’s match night was more entertaining than
competitive at the outdoor facility with Brusche being almost as voluble as a packed Burnham hard-court bleacher, cheering on his troops every step of the way. Basketball continues tonight and tomorrow at the Burnham court with a double header each night. Tonight, Sonics will continue their search for a win when the play Eagles in the under-23
division at 18:30hrs and Colts at 20:30hrs in the first division. Tomorrow, Pacesetters basketball club will be involved in both matches, first playing Plaisance Guardians in the Second Division at 18:30hrs before clashing with the struggling Republic Bank Nets at 20:30hrs. (Calvin Chapman story and photos)
Pooran 2nd consecutive fifty and Narine’s 3-28 condemn Jaguars to 35-run loss Regional Super50...
By Sean Devers in Trinidad In association with Vnet, Regal, Noble House Seafoods & Cascadia Hotel T&T Red force, with eight West Indies players in their side, showed they are a force to be reckoned with when they romped to their second win last night at the Queen’s Park Oval with a 35-run victory against Guyana Jaguars playing their first match in Regional Super50 for this year. The 23-year old Nicholas Pooran again showed his class and followed-up his 89 on Wednesday with a fluent 75 from 80 balls with six fours and two sixes and along with Skipper Denish Ramdin, who reached the boundary twice in his 28 from 59 balls, added 60 for the fourth wicket after Evin Lewis (22) had shared in a 51-run opening stand with Lendl Simmons whose 41-ball 26 included three fours. Kieron Pollard (21) and Dwayne Bravo (23) chipped in as the Red Force reached 242 all out. Romario
Shepherd (3-56), Clinton Pestano (3-45) and Chris Barnwell (2-19) did the damage for the Jaguars who replied with 207 in 49 overs. Trevon Griffith (38) and Leon Johnson (32) added 70 for the second wicket but nobody else reached 20 as Sunil Narine (3-28), Khary Perrier (2-30) and Imran Khan (2-30) did the damage with the ball. Chanderpaul Hemraj faced 19 dot balls in his six before he skied a short ball from Bravo to Ramdin, who is still the best Keeper in the Region, to leave Guyana on 14-1. Leon Johnson hit four boundaries, most of them from pulls when Bravo bowled short, while Griffith also played his shots including a scintillating drive back past Bravo’s ankle for four and together added 70 for the second wicket before Johnson was brilliant dismissed by a legside catch by Ramdin off left-arm spinner Khary Perrier at 74-2. Trevon Griffith was neatly stumped off Imran Khan at 92-3 before
Barnwell and Reifer joined forces but Reifer did not last long before providing Ramdin his third catch and his fourth dismissal in the game to leave the score 1104. Barnwell (19) was next to go when he was taken in the deep as Khan struck again at 128-5 and when Sherfane Rutherford (11) was taken at long-off at off Narine who also removed Romario Shepherd (3) and Anthony Bramble (16) and the Jaguars were badly wounded on 165-8 and they never recovered despite a fighting 14 from Veerasammy Permaul and a cameo from Clinton Pestano toward the end. E a r l i e r, i n b r i g h t sunshine there was a delay of 10-minutes due to the unavoidable absence of both official scorers and Jaguars, who left out Motie, Chanderpaul and Adams, won the toss and Evin Lewis got Red Force going with punch past cover off Shepherd. A small crowd watched as Simmons cover drove (Continued on page 25)
Nicholas Pooran drive majestically for four yesterday.
Sunil Narine had the best figures last night as T&T beat Guyana.
Kaieteur News
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Saturday October 06, 2018
GFF presents equipment to Educational Organisations
President Wayne Forde presents gears to students of the Business School.
Deputy Mayor of Lethem receives the gears from President Forde. Five groups between September 17 and October 04 have benefitted from the donation of football equipment to foster the growth and development of the sport among the youth population. Three educational institutions St. Pius Primary School, East Ruimveldt Secondary School and The Business School, along with the Upper Mazaruni Sports Council and the Lethem Mayor and Town Council were presented the equipment, courtesy of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)
through Mr. Nigel White and The Crossfire Foundation, a partner based in the United States of America. Among the items presented were: cleats, balls, bibs, cones and jerseys in a variety of quantities and types to the groups named. Additionally, two barrels of equipment were presented to St. Pius Primary and East Ruimveldt Secondary School respectively. In expressing gratitude for the presentation, Head Teacher of East Ruimveldt Secondary School,
Katheryn Fraser, said it will greatly assist the school to participate in future competitions: “I feel good about the gesture because the children are into football and these gears will go a far way. We have a female and male football team and they actively participate in competitions. Usually respective parents buy the gears used, but this presentation will greatly reduce the cost faced by the parents to acquire same.” President Wayne Forde, who was on hand to present the gears to
The Business School last Tuesday, said he was impressed with the work of the school, especially as it afforded scholarship opportunities to young footballers: “Mr. Bovell, the Head Teacher, visited me over the past week and shared with me a very thoughtful report of the exceptional work that this institution has been doing to promote sports in general, and in particular, football. What I learned is that the school
has given second chances to students through the academic and sports scholarships.” He urged the students to maximize the second chance afforded them and to make informed decisions. According to the website, The Crossfire Foundation is a club in United States of America, which “provides professional training and player development to qualified players to assist them in advancing to play at the highest levels of play available.”
Wolvaardt and Lee half-centuries GFG/Health and Fitness Expo power Proteas to victory 2018 to be launched on Tuesday
T
AROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt both stroked commanding halfcenturies to help South Africa defeat the West Indies in the fourth T20 at the Brian Lara Stadium here Thursday night and keep their hopes of levelling their T20 international series alive. With the hosts holding a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of five series, and the third T20 having been rained out, South Africa needed a victory to have any chance of drawing level. And they did just that, as openers Lee and Wolvaardt shared an opening run stand of 89 in 12 overs to help the Proteas overtake the Windies’ score of 135 for three in their 20 overs, as the
visitors eased to 136 for two with eight balls to spare. Lee was in a no-nonsense mood, smashing 54 from just 38 balls, inclusive of five boundaries and three sixes, as she took the Windies’ opening bowling pair of Shamilia Connell and Hayley Matthews to task. Their opening partnership set South Africa on track for victory, so that even when Lee was eventually dismissed by Afy Fletcher, Sune Luus’ cameo 19 ensured that the visitors got to the target comfortably. Wo l v a a r d t f i n i s h e d unbeaten on 54 from 57 balls. She struck six boundaries during her innings. Earlier, West Indies’ opener Natasha McClean
also scored a half-century batting through the innings, but at less than a run-a-ball. Her unbeaten knock of 57 took 61 balls, as the Windies struggled to up the tempo in the latter stages. Captain Stafanie Taylor scored 26 but took 31 balls to do s o, and the hos ts depended heavily on Deandra Dottin’s late cameo of 28 from 15 balls to get up to their eventual total, which in the end proved insufficient. Scores: WEST INDIES 135 for three off 20 overs (Natasha McLean 57 not out, Deandra Dottin 28, Stafanie Taylor 26; Tami Sekhukhune 2-27). SOUTH AFRICA 136 for two off 18.4 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 54 not out, Lizelle Lee 54).
Carlos Petterson in action last year.
The battles would have been many and across various sport disciplines over the years between Guyana and Suriname, that is not about to change but intensify come the weekend of October 13-14 when the annual Guyana Fitness Games organised Health and Fitness Expo comes off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The highlight of the weekend is anticipated to be the Strongman battle on Sunday October 14 between Guyana and Suriname when defending champion, Surinamese Donovan Dongo will come up
against the likes of the multi talented Carlos ‘The Accomplisher’ Petterson in an anticipated fierce shindig as five others inclusive of another Surinamese will also be in contention. Eight (8) females and six (6) males have signed up for the Scaled segment of the competition, while in the RX (teams of 2 males 1 female) division, a total of five including one from the Dutch speaking nation will be battling for the top prize and bragging rights. On Saturday October 13, (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Saturday October 06, 2018
PAGE 31
2018 Ansa Mc Al Lucozade Handicap Squash Tournament
Joseph, Lewis, Verwey and Pollard win on Thursday night
Nyron Joseph (-22) had a tough 2-1 win against Robert Natiello +8 (left) on Thursday.
Gianni Carpenter (on the ball) defeated Zachary Persaud (right) in two straight sets.
T
he penultimate s q u a s h tournament for 2018, the Lucozade Handicap squash tournament, continued at the Georgetown Club courts on Thursday evening with play in both the A and the Open categories. In the Open category, Nyron Joseph (-22) the player with the lowest handicap had to call on all his experience to eventually defeat Robert Natiello (8) by two sets to one. The difference of thirty points to overcome proved to be too
Abosaide Cadogan. much for Nyron in the first game as Robert won this game 15 – 4. Robert would
only win one point in game two as Nyron won the second game 15 – 9 and Nyron would eventually close out the contest with a 15 – 10 win in the third. Regan Pollard (-12) proved to be too strong for Ashley Khalil (-4) as he won the match in straight games 15 – 11, 15 – 7. The closest match of the evening saw Jonathan Antczak (6) come from one game down to defeat Javid Rahaman (-2) 13 – 15, 15 – 10, 15 – 10, while Adam Alves (4) also had to overcome a first game deficit when he defeated
Dane Pereira (10) 12 – 15, 15 – 9, 15 – 8. In category A, Gianni Carpenter (-4) easily disposed of Zachary Persaud (7) 15 – 10, 15 – 13, while Abosaide Cadogan (-4) surrendered just two points in her match against Teija Edwards (11) with a 15 – 12, 15 – 12 victory. Nicholas Verwey (-1) continues to show tremendous all round improvement as he defeated Madison Fernandes (0) 15 – 6, 15 – 10. Results of all matches played during the evening were as follows:
Nicholas Verwey (left) defeated Madison Fernandes 2-0 in category A. Category A Nicholas Verwey (-1) defeated Madison Fernandes (0) 15 – 6, 15 – 10 Abosaide Cadogan (-4) beat Teija Edwards (11) 15 – 12, 15 – 12 Gianni Carpenter (-4) beat Zachary Persaud (7) 15 – 10, 15 – 13 Kirsten Gomes (-2) beat Dhiren Persaud (11) 15 – 11, 15 – 12 Sarah Lewis (0) beat Kamir Khan (8) 15 – 13, 15 14 Open category Nyron Joseph (-22) beat Robert Natiello (8) 4 – 15, 15
– 9, 15 – 10 Regan Pollard (12) defeated Ashley Khalil (-4) 15 – 11, 15 – 7 Deje Dias (-8) beat Ian Mekdeci (5) 15 – 13, 15 – 7 Steven Xavier (-6) beat Brian Yong (7) 15 – 14, 15 – 11 Jonathan Antczak (6) defeated Javid Rahaman (-2) 13 – 15, 15 – 10, 15 – 10 Adam Alves (4) beat Dane Pereira (10) 12 – 15, 15 – 9, 15 - 8 Matches continue this evening from 18:00 hrs with the finals set to be played on tomorrow at 11.00 am.
COURTS Peewee tourney continues today at Education ground Grassroots football continues this afternoon at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue with 16 matches from 12:30hrs in the COURTS under-11 Peewee tournament 2018. The event, which also saw sponsorship from Banks DIH through its Malta Supreme and Rainforest Waters brands as well as the Ministry of Education, has a slight change to the initial fixtures to facilitate crucial common entrance mathematics sessions that were being done by various primary schools. Please see today’s fixtures below. 10/6/2018 Round 2 MOE Ground Match # 12:30hrs Sophia V/S Maes 17 12:30hrs St Stephen V/S Winfer Garden 18 13:10hrs South V/S F. E. Pollard 19 13:10hrs St Pius V/S Redeemer 20 13:50hrs Marian Academy V/S Clonbrook 21 13:50hrs West Ruimveldt V/S BV 22 14:30hrs Victoria V/S Enterprise 23 14:30hrs Tucville V/S Den Amstel 24 15:10 Hrs Mocha Arcadia V/S J. E. Burnham 25 15:10 Hrs Timehri V/S Ann’s Grove 26 15:50hrs Grove V/S COLAACO 27 15:50hrs St Ambrose V/S Parfait Harmony 28 16:30hrs Soesdyke V/S Goed Fortune 29 16:30hrs Smiths Memorial V/S Plaisance Orph. 30 17:10hrs St Agnes V/S Craig 31 17:10hrs North Georgetown V/S St Margret’s 3
A St. Pius Primary player controls the ball during last week’s opening day.
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Windies totter after Kohli, Jadeja hundreds
Virat Kohli traded flamboyance for solidity ©AFP
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Banks DIH/GABA leagues
Double success for Pacesetters basketball club on Thursday
Pacesetters’ Troy David attempts a jump shot during his 23-point performance in the club’s win against Kobras in the under-23 division on Thursday.
Pooran 2nd consecutive fifty and . 29 Narine’s 3-28 condemn Jaguars to 35-run loss Regional Super50...
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