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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 09, 2019
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Guns in the marketplace On occasion, the unimaginable unfolds and there is shuddering and wondering; shuddering in fear and wondering what more is in store for regular citizens going about the routines of day and life. There are few things more ordinary than visiting the marketplace on the first day of the weekend, more ordinary than sampling the array of produce on display. After moving from one stall to another, there is the increasing weight of loaded and heavier bags, which reminds that the pocketbook is getting lighter. There are crowds and voices and some of the jostling that are part of any Saturday at the market for hundreds of years. Last Saturday, introduced the unprecedented and the unnerving at La Penitence. Gunfire. An attempted execution gone wrong, and with trapped shoppers everywhere, but in the right place. Saturday at the marketplace is the best time for getting the best for the family from the best efforts of toil and soil. It has always been the right atmosphere and environment for safety and the comfort of chatting with strangers, as well as those familiar. Well, not this one.Last Saturday was not a one-dimensional botched execution, but a running gun battle with a flurry of bullets hurtling about with lethal intent, and sending exposed shoppers ducking for cover; any cover affording the sanctuary of some meagre safety. It didn’t matter how meagre, as all that mattered was somehow eluding those bullets fired recklessly at target(s), and with that being the one and only priority. The immediate urgency of finishing the job by finishing off the man. So, what if it took fusillades of steel-jacketed warheads between stalkers and targets, and then with the tables turned the bullets whistling past in the other direction? Who gives a damn? Last Saturday brought home a disturbing reality. From the extremely limited, single-tracked outlook of the criminally minded, the uncaring and untroubled priority is that of accomplishing a mission. This is so, whether such is representative of an invading, a wounding or, as was the primary objective over the weekend, the finality of a killing. From the perspective of a reeling frightened citizenry, a wall stares in the face, burdens the consciousness, and threatens to collapse on head: where else could this happen? What more is left to be seen or, worse still, experienced as determined by fate? For if a crowded, bustling weekend marketplace is neither out of bounds nor encompasses the unthinkable and the undoable, that victim, too, currently out of reach, then it follows that other places are similarly not off-limits nor best left alone until later. A crowded cricket ground wasn’t. Where else should provoke worrying? It could happen through reckless and callous disregard for the solemn sacredness of a house of worship in session, or a home of mourning in lamentation, or a funeral procession and burial rites in motion. That does not leave many places for decent law-abiding members of the populace to congregate to share in the freedoms once taken for granted. The authorities tell the public that statistically things are better. Matters look encouraging numerically. But when bullets are flying about, and one’s own number could be up, then there is zero comfort found in what any and all other numbers mean. When bullets are going back and forth, as if this is Sunday afternoon practice on some isolated range, then the little men and women have little option but to find the hiding place and security of the nearest floor and the farthest retreat.Rather regrettably, this is the forlorn story of today’s Guyana. The gunmen advance arrogantly, while the working men and women retreat fearfully. The gun is king and conqueror. It has an unchallengeable supremacy currently. Porous borders can be quickly pointed to as the main contributory factor. How we fool ourselves! Saturday was the marketplace; tomorrow could be anywhere.
NOT ONLY INSIDE THE GPHC DEAR EDITOR, Recent news reports highlighted security enhancements at the GPHC to combat the thievery that has become almost normal within that institutional complex. That much was suspected, but now made public. Now, I share what is not so public, but occurs right in the vicinity of the same GPHC and too frequently for comfort. Alarming, it is. Scarcely a week passes by and there are these incidents involving agitated and despairing members of the public; those citizens who come with their physical pain or that of a close one, for which they seek attention and relief inside the fence of the GPHC. Outside that barricade, there is a different kind of attention brought to bear and with more pain inflicted. Minibuses are relieved of their batteries; other vehicles of their mirrors; and prayers are offered for any distracted enough to leave an enticing package or bag in full view on the seat of a locked but unattended vehicle. Many are the reports of losses. It could occur in the narrow space of half an hour, and the longer that machine lingers, the greater the likelihood of skilled and resourceful thieves registering yet another success. Nearby residents are approached for
camera review and possible helpful footage; lots of times, victims simply throw up their hands and go through the motions of filing necessary police reports and move on. The odds of recovery of stolen items are slim to nonexistent. There is a lot of speculation as to how this could be. That is, how these brazen, daylight thefts could unfold with such efficiency and frequency, with not a single soul noticing anything on any occasion. That’s the first concern; there are several more, and each more troubling than the one before. First, the breaking into and accessing of vehicles do not take place on Lamaha Street, which is less traveled on foot, but more on wheels. The incidents happen on one specific side of the GPHC perimeter -East Street. Now, on any regular weekday, East Street is so clogged, that residents wonder how an ambulance with a life-threatening emergency would get anywhere. It could be entrapping and time consuming, when minutes make a difference. Vehicles are parked and doubledparked all along the street; patients and families and passersby are going back and forth; and the same could be said for professional personnel. The question is this: how could these criminal vehicu-
lar invasions continue without detection? As that is pondered, it is not all, for there is more in terms of human presences. For, second, there are security officers at different points along the street, they are stationary, they are watching and knowing (to some extent), and there are taxi operators parked and with eyes on the lookout for the next fare. Yet the burglaries continue, but no one sees or knows anything. Third, the removal of a battery or a mirror (or most other items) requires some time, no matter how brief. Some removals take longer than some. Also, a motor vehicle battery (especially a minibus one) is not something placed in the pocket of perpetrators followed by drifting off innocently, or in a rush, as circumstances allow. Still, silence and ignorance reign.My thinking is that all of this is too smooth, too practiced, too calculated to be either random or innocent of helping hands. Those on the lookout, whether those working in the area, or welldressed, unobtrusive scouts, monitor for those arriving and heading into the hospital, the deeper they go into the bowels of that facility, the greater the window of opportunity. Who could be these collaborating helpers? The field is
thick with those who are more than uninvolved bystanders or patients or drivers or paid personnel; those who function as partners, and the advance men and women, who would not merit a suspicious glance, or fit slickly into the ebb and flow of activities. E net is wide. The main point is that the thieves have help. They have so much help, that there is unconcern, even when throngs are around. The CPL match and what followed stands as evidence. Crowds do not matter anymore: indifferent or intimidated or ignorant. My next point is this: the thinly spread law enforcement apparatus cannot be everywhere. Private personnel oversee inside the GPHC. But somehow and sometime (even randomly), the police human resources must be found to address the traffic bottlenecks to the hospital; the mini-crime waves around the hospital; and the threats to life and property that ensue. This society has deteriorated to such a deplorable state that daylight does not matter, crowds do not count, parking rules do not exist, basic civilities do not register, and crimes do not have any restraining line. Quite candidly, the police itself may not matter. My closing thoughts are (Continued on page 6)
SHUMAN SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE DEAR EDITOR, After several months of wrangling including court battles about the next election date, President David Granger has set March 2 as polling date. Of course this timeline is far off for the opposition parties which were clamouring for election to be held in September, October November or December of this year. Since the date has been announced, there is no word from the Opposition leader, Bharat Jagdeo, if the date is acceptable or whether or not his party will boycott the elections. This of course will be a foolish move, but it is not unusual for the PPP to make silly mistakes. What is certain is that Jagdeo has announced that Irfaan Ali will be the Presidential Candidate and despite dissatisfaction from a large section of his party, Jagdeo will continue with Ali instead of two other better choices in Anil Nandlall, former attorney general and Dr. Frank Anthony former Culture Minister. Jagdeo ignored threats that some supporters will abstain. The PPP is yet to name its Prime Ministerial candidate. Most likely it will be an afro Guyanese, which has been
the trend from the inception. A point to note that the Constitution and the Caribbean Court of Justice have been ignored and the Granger administration continues in office — still have ministers and ministries functioning. No respect for Law and Order. Two new parties ANUG, and LJP (Liberal and Justice Party) have named t h e i r l e a d e r s i n R a l ph Ramkaran (ANUG) and Lennox Shuman (LJP) as their Presidential Candidates as well as their selection for the No.2 spot. There is dissatisfaction in the incumbent camp as to whether Moses Nagaamootoo should be replaced by his friend and colleague Khemraj Ramjattan, who was elected by AFC for
the position, but reports state that Granger is thinking otherwise. There is a mass exodus from the AFC and these electorates, who were former supporters of the PPP, are considering throwing their full support to Shuman’s LIP. This might be an excellent move because Shuman has impressed the diaspora in Richmond Hill, Queens, (PPP stronghold) and Brooklyn (PNC). Two well-known bloggers Mike Persaud and Dr. Vishnu Bisram wrote pieces stating that they were impressed with the LIP leader. Bisram supports the PPP and it is refreshing that he has openly expressed great satisfaction with the LIP leadership. It is disturbing to note
that race is the most important factor in Guyana’s politics and it is high time that this trend discontinues and Shuman who represents the 15% Amerindians, the indigenous people, the political climate will change. Shuman, who is said to be very knowledgeable and articulate, should be given all the support needed for his voice to be heard. This election might be the beginning to end racial politics. This might be a start. I recall that James Mitchell in St. Vincent won only one seat in the Grenadines and he was elected Prime Minister because the two major parties had seven seats each and there was a deadlock in electing the Head of Government. Oscar Ramjeet
Mocha Access Roads to be Fixed Soon DEAR EDITOR, The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has noted the concerns of residents in Mocha, East Bank Demerara, with regard to the holes in the access road as was published in a letter by another newspaper on September 19, 2019 under the title “Address these potholes on the Mocha Access Road”. We are pleased to in-
form that works are scheduled to rehabilitate the public road in the near future. Chief Roads and Bridges Officer, Ron Rahaman, reported to the Ministry today that works are slated to commence on the road in October, 2019. The Ministry takes this opportunity to thank the residents for remaining vigilant on the needs of their commu-
nity and would like to emphasise our continued concern for the wellbeing of our citizens. Together, we can and will continue to work towards the advancement of all communities and our country. Yours in development, Davina Ramdass Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Wednesday October 09, 2019
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Kaieteur News
THIRD PARTIES CANNOT BE TRUSTED DEAR EDITOR, The Alliance For Change has once again embarked on a journey of lies and deceit since Election is once again in the air. We must recall that during the Local Government Elections campaign, they spun their web of deceit and lies like they did in 2015 but only this time, the masses were ready since many have awoken from their self-inflicted slumber. The AFC was given a sound trashing at the LGE polls after Granger willfully threw them to face the gauntlet. Guyanese have now become wary of these political mercenaries! The lure for power and pecuniary gains will always rule paramount for third parties, which was evidenced in the 1964 and again in 2015 by both the UF and the AFC. The pretenders and the pretensions of these Third Parties are well documented. In fact, those in the AFC have squandered the opportunity to be patriots who can bring about the necessary changes to propel this country towards socio-economic growth. Where have the progressives gone? Without an iota of doubt, they have been utterly consumed by the PNC because of their greed and lust for power. Another third party just dissipated! However, it is now evidenced also that the leaders of the AFC main thrust and objective was to ‘get rid of the PPP’. The subversive tactics they used in Parliament bears testimony. It is alleged it was never about putting Guyana first but rather to get rid of their archenemy and loot the Treasury. At no point in time was the AFC honest about tackling the socio-economic problems facing this country. They made the country ungovernable, which led to a vote of no confidence
tabled by Nagamootoo, the dissolution of Parliament and the calling of an early Election in 2015. It must also be recalled that at its formation, the founding leaders had vowed never to coalesce with either the PPP or the PNC since they claimed that both had destroyed this country. They had vowed to remain independent but the grand entry of the genuine pretender, Moses Nagamootoo just before the 2011 Elections changed all of that with his guile and innate ability to manipulate and achieve his selfish objectives. Now after nearly a year of the successful ‘no confidence’ motion against the Coalition and the CCJ’s emphatic pronouncements we have seen that the political mercenaries are hovering to plunder what opportunities are available due to the Herculean efforts of Jagdeo and the PPP. Like the hyenas who cannot hunt their own preys, they are willing to dine on the leftovers, even if it means being subservient like the AFC! There are political parties all over and one has the make great efforts to remember their names or hilarious acronyms. One even echoed the mental state of Guyanese with regards to political partiesFED-UP. A new political party took a premature birth even though it may have been conceived a long time ago. Some said that it took birth three and a half years ago but due to its feebleness, it was nurtured in an incubator awaiting an opportunity to be piggybacked into the Guyanese political arena. It could not have ventured on its own it had to ride on the success of the ‘no confidence’ motion. This party, A New United Guyana, founded by Ralph
suddenly emerged in the arena spewing similar rhetoric like the now defunct AFC. But where were these ‘saviours’ over three and a half years ago when the APNU/AFC Coalition was wreaking havoc in our country? Mr. Ramkarran hid behind his ‘conversation tree’ with articles, which failed to directly confront the plethora of ills and wrongdoings meted out to the Guyanese people. What did these ‘saviours’ say or do about the massive corruption, the gross mismanagement of the economy, the callous closures of the sugar estates and the vindictive dismissal of over 7,000 sugar workers and thousands of others, the endless stream of wastage and extravagance, the cronyism, the debilitating burden of increased taxation and worsening standard of living, the catapulting of numerous communities into poverty, the completely visionless annual budgets, the destruction of all the productive sectors, the increasingly huge deficits of the public enterprises, the voracious appetite for borrowing, and the ignoring the old, the young and the vulnerable groups? Yet now these fledgling parties like ANUG, FEDUP and the Liberty and Justice Party are seeing these atrocities for the first time! The Rip Van Winkles of politics! Where were these ‘true progressives and patriots’, who will now stand for what is right, even in the face of death? Where was the FEDUP leader? Where was the LJP leadership? These pretenders and hypocrites have shamelessly come out not to save Guyana but to fulfill their own political ambitions. The pertinent question is: Where will we find a third party, which possesses ‘that higher purpose which reso-
nates with the Guyanese people’? That has now become a myth. Third parties have proven themselves to be the means by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to sub-
vert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of Government. Third parties have only made lives for Guyanese increasingly worse as is evidenced by the ‘dead meat’ AFC and
the long dead United Force. Third parties have become synonymous with dictatorship in this country. These third parties are willing to sacrifice their principles in order (Continued on page 6)
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Wednesday October 09, 2019
Granger, PNC woke up in Linden, with empty promises, begged for another chance DEAR EDITOR, Almost five years past, five budgets presented, more than one trillion dollars squandered, David Granger and his clueless Cabinet and other big officials jetted around the world many times, frequent all the “hot” spots in Guyana, while communities like Linden were been ignored and neglected. This past weekend, Granger and his PNC colleagues woke up and discovered that without Linden they have no chance of winning the March 2 elections. They came, as usual with empty promises, hoping they can still fool the people. Granger decided to take the PNC to Linden to celebrate the 62nd founding anniversary of Forbes Burnham’s party. They
brought supporters from all over the country; generously utilising government resources for what was essentially the PNC launching its elections campaign. To ensure the presence of enough people, they brought out schoolchildren in their uniforms. In the process, Granger appealed to Lindeners to give him a second chance, admitting he neglected them for five years, even if he did not admit it out loud. In his second chance appeal, he promised them, if they give him a second chance, he will ensure 150 new jobs will be created in 2020 by the establishment of a new call center at Kuru Kuru. He promised also 500 new house lots if he gets his second chance. He
promised them that a private sector investor will build an oil refinery in Linden. Clearly, Granger and the PNC recognised they abandoned people, including their own supporters. Linden has been loyal to the PNC, no matter what form they assumed. When they rebirthed themselves into the PNC/One R, the Linden people stuck with them. When they took on a new name – APNU, the people of Linden stayed with them. When they took on the name APNU+AFC, the people continue to support them. But it has now been almost five years since they have had the power of government. In those five years, they expended more than one trillion dollars. Yet Linden is
“Unmatched” response to Robin Irfaan Ali if they weren’t both- speaking Caribbean country? Singh What about the school ered about this impact cause DEAR EDITOR, I respond to Robin Singh’s letter about President David Granger (Kaieteur News 7/10/2019) “This level of ‘unbothered’ by a President is unmatched”). I would like to ask him too isn’t he bothered about the estates that were closed by the PPP? Shouldn’t he too be upset about the little Sita, Simone, Lall and Paul, children whose parents worked on the estates and either could no longer go to school or went to school hunger? Did he ever ask Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo why he closed the estates in Diamond and LBI and left thousands out of work? What of the bauxite industry where thousands of workers were sent home and thousands lost their pension. Did Mr. Singh ask the government of Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr.
in the bauxite community and to the lives of those workers children? Mr. Singh don’t let us spend time on a photo op by the president, tell us how you feel that then President Jagdeo flew to Florida to get treatments for ‘belly wuk’ (diarrhoea)? The average citizen couldn’t even afford to travel to a hospital, they would have boiled green guava and drink to treat their ‘belly wuk’. Then President Jagdeo spent US $250 million on the Skeldon Factory. This money was bigger than the National Budget. That factory never worked but Guyanese have to repay that loan. Mr. Singh, how do you feel that during the government of Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali, Transparency International deemed Guyana the most corrupt English
Third parties cannot be trusted From page 5 to make a short cut into government and plunder the nation. The only unwavering and unflinching constant in the political arena is the People’s Progressive Party and it is this Party which have fought ceaselessly to bring not only democracy but socio-economic development to this nation from bankruptcy and it is this Party which has once again rise up to tirelessly and successfully fight another PNC dictatorship under Granger in its bid to restore progress. Guyanese cannot be fooled again! NO ‘Third Farce’ again! Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
Not only inside the GPHC From page 4 that, the pent-up criminal energies that once found outlet in trafficking and securitising and fronting a certain variety of commerce have been rechanneled and redirected against the more visible and more imperiled populace; that, given where this country perches uneasily, already savaging elections will intensify matters and furnish cover for wide-ranging criminal perversities; and that citizens will only take so much for so long, before matters degrade to the final frontier: privateer solution. As is known, some of that have been experienced. Sincerely, GHK Lall
boy who was locked up for sticking his finger up in the air at the then President Jagdeo who was driving pass him in the motorcade? What of the little Thomas who genitals were mutilated when he was in the care of the police at Leonora Police station. Have you Mr. Singh asked Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Ali how they feel about these things? Don’t you think their level of wasteful spending, cruelties and insensitivities remain unmatched? Yours sincerely, B. Beniprashad Rayman
no better than they were in 2015, indeed, Linden is worse than they were in 2015. The people of Linden have begun to whisper, they were better off with the PPP. Just as people realised that they were deserted by the PNC before 1992, the people of Linden know they were taken for granted by the Granger-led PNC. As they descended mightily on Linden with supporters from around the country to prop them up, in case the people of Linden did not show up, they deliberately left their associates - WPA, AFC and the several others - in Georgetown. Really, it was Granger and the PNC being as devious as they have always been, whispering it was not the PNC that abandoned Linden, it was the WPA and the AFC and all the others. As most people in Linden went about their business, it was pathetic seeing Granger in his “not bothered” pose watching the children sat there into the midnight hours, watching supporters from Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and other parts of Region 10 fetched there with government resources, wondering where the people of Linden were. In his “not bothered” pose, he kept waiting to see Linden turn out to salute him. They did not because in 2018, he told them to “get up and get going” and not wait for government to make things happen for them. The people of Linden did not forget. They
And they are off! DEAR EDITOR, The much-anticipated announcement of the date for national and regional elections, occasioned by the passing of the December 21, 2018 No Confidence Vote, has been made. Now the long election campaign season, maybe one of the longest in our history has begun in earnest. As usual, we have come to expect lots of barbs to fly, lambasting each other, mudslinging, personal attacks, fierce rebuttals and huge spending on transportation, advertisements and rallies. What is equally much anticipated is the presentation of the manifestos of the political parties that will be contesting these elections. Of great interest, no doubt, will be to see the plans parties have therein for the management of and consequential matters arising from the petroleum resources. Already we have heard of investments in education and infrastructure. We should be reminded also that during the last four years, much was said about
the abandonment of the youth. Over 40 percent of the voting age population in Guyana are youths, a significant demographic by any measure. It would be interesting therefore to see what plans the parties have to address the issues concerning this cohort of voters. There is some consolation that the National Youth Policy was passed by the National Assembly in 2016. However, the document was returned to Cabinet and it is yet to be published. There is also the National Strategic Youth Development Action Plan 2019-2024. Obviously, nothing worthwhile could have been achieved in that. It is therefore now opportune for the youths to advance their cause to catch the eyes of the movers and shakers’ of the political parties as they craft their manifestos. Greta Thunberg got the attention of the world leaders. Remember? And so has Malala Yousafzai. Yours faithfully, Bernel L.H. Wickham
also know elections are coming up and Granger and his bunch, all of whom have been incorporated into the PNC, are back with wild promises. The PNC in the form of APNU+AFC gave up the housing programme of the PPP that brought thousands of house lots and thousands of new homes into Linden. Granger and APNU+AFC had told people before the 2015 elections they will create thousands of new house lots with thousands of new homeowners, make it easier for them to obtain low-interest mortgages. Now, as we approach 2020, they make the promise of 500 house lots, after delivering none in five years. But the most hurtful promise was the promise of 150 new jobs through a new call center. In 2015, they promised thousands of new jobs with new call centers. But the first thing they did was a downscaling of the call centre that was established under a PPP government. The call centre in Linden that was there in 2015 because of the PPP, first reduced its operation under APNU+AFC, and, by 2018 had closed its doors. The “not bothered” Granger did nothing about it. Suddenly, he shows up in Linden and in front of the fetched-in supporters told Lindeners, if they give him a
second chance, he will bring 150 new jobs in a new call centre. Sheer hypocrisy and more empty promises. In the meanwhile, other communities across the country that were neglected are making noises. The people of Buxton know they were neglected. The sugar workers across the country know they were neglected. The public servants know they were abandoned. Just yesterday, more than 4,000 sugar workers sent a petition to Granger to correct a wrong he personally led - they have not been given a wage increase since the end of 2014. Granger himself led the empty promise campaign in 2015 to fool workers that they would be given an annual increase of 20%. Instead, since Granger and APNU+AFC took over the government, the sugar workers have not been given a cent in increased wages. In addition, the same man, who he promised will build the oil refinery in Linden, was the same man he took around the country to promise rice farmers, they would be paid $9,000 per bag for paddy. Payback time has arrived and the people of Guyana will not be so forgiving, they will not give them another chance for empty promises. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Illegality of the broadcast authority DEAR EDITOR, Yesterday, 8th October, I read in the local newspapers that the PPP radio, and TV stations challenge the legality of the broadcast authority board. I again have to remind the public, the authorities and the persons pretending to function in a Broadcast Authority, which is under legal challenge. Exactly one year ago on 7th October 2019, I wrote the following which was published in the daily newspapers. It stated, “there is a case pending, in the legal maze we Guyanese call a judicial system, the case challenges the legality of the Broadcast Authority, and since the matter is sub judice, unless it is heard, there can be no functioning Broadcast Authority. Pretending that the appeal doesn’t exist, is unlawful which apparently has become the norm in Guyana today. The Rambarran Case CIVIL APPEAL NO. q I of 2014 which is brought by Jacob Rambarran and Rambarran Broadcasting systems Limited, a company registered under the Companies Act Chapter 89:01 and continued under the Companies
Act 1991 and by JACOB RAMBARRAN. Since 2014, the writ was filed challenging the legality of the Guyana Broadcasting Authority, since it is claimed that the authority was formed in violation of Articles 8, 146, 149 D (1) and 153 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. This case must be heard, it is an important case for this country. I am not doing this to be mischievous, or with any agenda whatsoever, this is an important case and I want it heard, as must all Guyanese. If the Broadcast Authority continues to act as if this challenge to its existence does not exist, we will seek legal redress to stop it from functioning unlawfully. In the meantime, it cannot legally sanction any broadcaster. Well according to the article I saw yesterday, the broadcast again is acting unlawfully since a new board has not been named but it continues to act. The Rambarran matter goes much further and challenges the way the authority was brought into effect since 2012. Tony Vieira
Wednesday October 09, 2019
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ExxonMobil, other oil companies will heavily influence Elections results - Gaskin ExxonMobil and the other major oil companies operating offshore Guyana will heavily influence the result of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. They may even definitively be the ones to decide who assumes the presidency. This was the view shared by Activist, Ramon Gaskin, when he appeared on a special segment of Kaieteur Radios Guyanas Oil & You, last Monday.Due to the incidents following the No Confidence Motion of December 21, 2018, Guyana faced months of political uncertainty about when elections will be held and about Governments respect for the Constitution. Though elections will be held in March, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has assessed that Guyana is likely to receive its 1,000,000 barrels of oil a month earlier. But the Activist also said
that Guyana is just not ready for Production. That has been echoed by several other commentators. Asked whether he believes that the political uncertainty has affected preparations for First Oil, Gaskin said that the real question that should be asked is whether preparations for First Oil have affected the political system; and he believes that it does. He explained that the political situation has not affected ExxonMobil at all. The company will push forward with production. And it cant be stopped. A provision of Governments agreement with the oil major would require Guyana to compensate it for any losses caused by a suspension of its operations by Government. Gaskin pointed to other oil producing nations that have done business with ExxonMobil and other oil ma-
jors. He believes that, because Petroleum operations tends to amount to a significant portion of a countrys yearly revenues, they tend to use their influence to ensure that the countrys politics play out in their favour. “And it wouldnt be any different in Guyana.” He said. He added that Guyana will become “Exxon country” in the same way that Angola and Equatorial Guinea are “Exxon country”.According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)s World Factbook, Angolas oil sector accounts for about 50% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), more than 70% of government revenue, and more than 90% of the country’s exports. The source also states that exploitation of oil and gas deposits, beginning in the 1990s, has driven economic growth in Equatorial Guinea; resulting in an upward revision of the size
PI continues into Sophia bike killing Almost one year after the killing of 26-year-old Seon Harry, who was fatally stabbed during an altercation with another man over a bicycle, the defendant Darius Barrington, 31, of Lot 634 A Field Sophia is currently on bail as the preliminary inquiry of the matter continues. During yesterdays court proceedings continuing with the preliminary inquiry which is being done by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, Barrington sat in the prisoners dock as one more witness testified into
the matter.On the first occasion, Barrington was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on October 18, 2018, at South Sophia, Georgetown, he unlawfully killed Seon Harry. According to reports on October 18, 2018, around 21:00 hrs, Henry picked up Barringtons bicycle without his permission and went to a shop to purchase food. When Harry returned from the shop with the defendants bicycle, Barrington confronted him and kicked the food out of his hand. Harry then became annoyed by the defendants ac-
tion and armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Barrington several chops to his left hand, head and abdomen. The reports stated that Barrington, trying to defend himself, pulled out a knife from his waist and stabbed Harry multiple times about his body. The victim then fell to the ground and both men were picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where Barrington was treated for his injuries and placed in police custody, while Harry was pronounced dead on arrival.
Activist, Ramon Gaskin
of the economy by approximately 30%. In Guyanas case, the IMF has determined that about 40 percent of Guyanas GDP will come from Petroleum operations, but noting that most of that wealth will not impact on the domestic economy. “It cannot be different here. Why would it be different here? They will dominate the economy. They will be close to the politicians, and they will influence the elections and the results… They will influence everything in this country. They may even have a strong say in deciding who wins what at what election.” Gaskin said. He posited that Guyana just doesnt have skilled, experienced and aggressive enough persons to “deal” with International Oil Companies (IOCs). The activist made specific reference to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing the Stabroek Block. The agreement has provisions that have drawn the ire of several international experts on Petroleum-related matters, civil society and the general public. Some of those provisions, Gaskin said, should be attrib-
uted to ignorance and incompetence. Other provisions, Gaskin said, are inconsistent with Guyanas Petroleum Law. He posited that there are 12 inconsistencies between the contract and the law, which will form the basis of a challenge he intends to file in Court, via a Judicial Review. That challenge, he said, will be filed before the end of this month. There is also another challenge in the Court, which involves Gaskin. He had argued that Government was wrong to give two out of three operators on the Stabroek Block the permission to operate, without getting environmental permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ExxonMobils subsidiary and the lead operator on the block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is the only operator that got a permit from the agency. “I could deal with them… Im not a weakling,” Gaskin
said.The litigant is now awaiting a ruling. He said that actions of Government officials from 2015 to now have already set the precedent for the IOCs influence to take hold, with specific reference to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. He was responding to an incident during which the Minister had been questioned about why he signed an agreement with Tullow Guyana B.V. for the Orinduik Block, allowing the company to recover the one percent royalty. Trotman had responded, saying that he was instructed to sign the contract; a response that met much disapproval as he is the subject Minister for Petroleum. “But they cant put things in front of me for signature. That could never happen.” Gaskin said. He said that Trotman has to answer for his actions, but he still believes that, at this point, Guyanas road to becoming “Exxon country” is extremely unlikely to be stopped.
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Wednesday October 09, 2019
Ex-wife of Medicaid fraud accused arrested at JFK -woman had fled to Guyana The ex-wife of a New York transportation company owner currently in the custody of US authorities, has been detained also. Kaieteur News was told that Shamiza Ally was detained at the JFK airport, New York, on Monday after leaving Guyana on a flight. She had reportedly fled to Guyana months ago after hearing about a major investigation into her ex-husbands company, Purple Heart Transportation, which is accused of defrauding Medicaid of a
huge sum of money. Her ex-husband, Sean Ally, and driver, Lissette Joza, are in custody. Last month, Attorney General Letitia James announced the indictment and arrest of Ally, 44, as well as the indictment and arrest of a driver of the company, Joza, 31, for stealing over $1 million from the New York Medicaid programme. They are accused of billing fake transportation services that were never provided. Ally and Joza were arrested last month upon their arrival at JFK airport from Guyana. Prosecutors from the Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU)
outlined in court a scheme whereby the defendants, together using a number of different techniques, billed Medicaid for transportation services that never occurred. Medicaid reimburses transportation providers for transporting Medicaid patients to and from covered medical services. Between late September 2017 and early May 2019, Purple Heart submitted claims to and collected from Medicaid over $29 million for allegedly providing transportation services to Medicaid patients in and around New York City. However, prosecutors found and allege that over $19 million of that amount was for unmatched services — services for which there no corresponding bill for medical treatment for the patients who purportedly received the transportation services. During their investigation, prosecutors uncovered a number of different techniques allegedly used by the defendants to submit claims to Medicaid for fake trips. For example, prosecutors assert that the defendants allegedly paid numerous Medicaid patients a weekly kick-
back to use their Medicaid identification numbers so that they could then bill for nonexistent transportation services in the name of these patients. New York State law strictly prohibits all medical providers, including transportation companies, from paying or offering to pay cash kickbacks to anyone in return for the referral of medical services ultimately paid for by Medicaid. As a result, according to claims data analysed by prosecutors and outlined today in court, Purple Heart billed Medicaid for fake transportation services supposedly provided to dozens of patients daily by numerous drivers, who Purple Heart claimed repeatedly drove upwards of a thousand miles a day in and around New York Citys crowded highways and city streets. Large sums of that money were then purportedly funneled through bank accounts to the individual defendants and to defendants Heart Holdings, Inc. and SA & SB Enterprises, LLC, both of which are shell companies controlled by several of the defendants. Additionally,
portions of the money were then allegedly used by several defendants to make multiple real estate purchases, while further sums were transferred out of the United States. Sean Ally and Shamiza Ally, along with Purple Heart, were charged in an indictment unsealed in Supreme Court, Queens County with the crime of Grand Larceny in the First Degree. Each was also charged along with Lissette Joza and the two suspected shell companies, Heart Holdings, Inc. and SA & SB Enterprises, LLC, with one count of Money Laundering in the First Degree. Sean Ally, Shamiza Ally, and Purple Heart were additionally charged with a second count of Money Laundering in the First Degree. Finally, Sean Ally was charged with two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. The charges filed in this case are accusations. Sean Ally and Lissette Joza were arraigned on September 17 before the Honorable Barry Kron, Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County.
Arrested at JFK: Shamiza Ally Defendants were remanded and their cases were adjourned until tomorrow in Part K-5 Queens Supreme Court. In conjunction with the criminal case, the Attorney General also obtained court orders to restrain the assets of the criminal defendants Sean Ally, Lissette Joza, Shamiza Ally, Purple Heart, SA & SB Enterprises, LLC, and Heart Holdings Corp., and filed a civil asset forfeiture and New York State False Claims Act action against the criminal defendants. The asset forfeiture action and civil recovery action seeks to recover over $57 million in damages from the defendants for defrauding the State Medicaid programme.
Wednesday October 09, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Prosecution, police witness clash over witnesss testimony in Maryann Daby trial
A
witness, who is a Superintendent of Police, Errol Watts, and the attorney for the defendant yesterday clashed during his testimony in relation to the trial of Maryann Daby, who is accused of being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Watts was blazed during cross-examination in relation to his testimony. The 26-year-old defendant of Lot 127 DAguiar Park, Houston, Georgetown, had pleaded not guilty to the two charges which stated that she had an unlicensed pistol and six live rounds on May 13, 2019, at Albert Street, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, while she was not the holder of a firearm licence enforced at the time. Her case is being conducted in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly. Attorney-at-law Mark Waldron is representing the defendant
while Police Prosecutor Richard Harris is representing the state in the matter. Yesterday Senior Superintendent of Police Errol Watts was called to testify as to the role he played in the investigation. However, during his testimony a heated exchange took place between the lawyer and him. This was during cross-examination when the lawyer pointed out several discrepancies in his testimony. The lawyer put to the witness that most of what he said in the witness box was not in his written statement to which the witness agreed. The witness seemed upset when forced to agree that on two occasions, he gave differing details to the court against what is in his statement as it related to the registration number for a vehicle and the serial number of the alleged firearm from Daby. The witness further stated, “I have a lot of work to do in protecting the citizens
even you [attorney]. I am not a robot.” The magistrate at the completion of Wattss testimony to the court adjourned the matter until October 24, next. Police Prosecutor Harris is expected to call three more witnesses to testify against Maryann Daby. Two months ago, Magistrate Daly discharged the case against Daby for attempted murder. She had been charged with the offence after it was alleged that she pulled a gun on a police officer in an attempt to shoot him on the same day and the same location as her other charges. The case was discharged against her following a number of concerns raised during the Preliminary Inquiry. Magistrate Daly ruled, firstly, on the main witness, John Holder, who gave conflicting statements to the court. The witness had confessed that he lied in his first
DEM BOYS SEH
Jagdeo vex wid Gayle who don’t care Chris Gayle come to Guyana and play cricket. Then he hold he birthday party. While he in de country, de PNC had a trip to Linden and since Gayle never been to Linden, he decide to mek de trip. De man seh he was coming to Guyana fuh more than 15 years and he never been to Linden. Well Jagdeo get vex. De man cuss up. He seh Gayle in he ‘effing bad books’. But Gayle don’t care. Dem boys know Gayle don’t have to carry he plate to nobody. He got more money than even Jagdeo. Dat is why dem seh Jagdeo petty like dem li’l children or some women. If you talk to somebody who is not dem friend then dem done play wid you.
Gayle done seh he not supporting any political party so he don’t know why Jagdeo giving himself blood pressure. He even got he people trying to gain notice. Soulja Bai go to de Toshao conference. When he walk in because he is de president, people does stand up. Jagdeo people do de opposite. De Toshao chairman had to lecture dem. De man seh he shame. He thought dem did know better. When Cheddi tun President after Dessy lose de elections, when Cheddi enter a room, Dessy use to stand up. Miss Janet did stop being president but when she go to Ohh Pee and enter a room like when she visit Luncheon, de man use to stand up as soon as she enter de room. Dat is
respecting de office and de individual. Dem boys seh after dis, Jagdeo deh in nuff people bad books just like how Patto deh in nuff people bad books when it come to dem overpass. De man spend nuff money to put elevator because dem have people who can’t climb dem stairs. One morning in de height of peak hours, de elevator stick. People stand up and sweat fuh more than an hour before deh could come out. Is now Patto admit dat a proppa lift is a hard thing to get at dis time. He send to Sweden to see if he can get help. He got to wait till November though. Talk half and watch Jagdeo waste he time.
statement when he said that he saw when Daby pointed the gun at Kissoon. However, he claimed that this was not true and that was mentioned in his statement because a senior official of the force had asked him to change his statement. As a result, the magistrate disregarded Holders evidence. The Police Constable has since been charged and released on $300,000 bail for willfully attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the matter following his
confession. Daby is currently out on $750,000 High Court bail pend-
Maryann Daby
ing the hearing and determination of her matters before the court.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 09, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
President Granger wants to see a victory then retire later
T
here isn’t a day, and I literally mean this, that doesn’t pass whereby the New York Times (NYT) does not get valuable information on the Trump presidency from insiders who have to remain anonymous. Don’t accept this statement here, just Google the issues of the NYT for the past month and you will see. No journalist or columnist is wholly satisfied with this situation because your publication is stronger in its journalistic integrity when you can provide names of people and places. But the anonymous source, whether out of
fear or need to shun the limelight will always and inevitably be an essential characteristic of journalism. Yesterday as a reaction to my column on the PNC’s reluctance to have Khemraj Ramjattan named as the PM candidate for the 2020 election campaign, I got a call from a well placed PNC stalwart. Obviously, I cannot name him. Interestingly, it was not to my cell but my landline. An item in the column attracted his intention and he wanted to discuss it with me because it explains the Ramjattan scenario. According to him, Mr.
Granger’s first priority is to see a victory for the PNC then he has in mind grooming someone for the presidency; then in 2023, Granger will retire. I asked who the person to be groomed is. He gave me a name but requested not to mention it in this article. This of course brings a weakness to the overall analysis here but I guess this is how it is. So what was his essential reason for contacting me? It is the Ramjattan candidacy. The motivating factor in talking to me was for me to write to let Guyana know that the
PNC leadership knows the direction Granger wants to go in and thus knows there will be no Ramjattan as prime minister. This article here concludes my assessment on the Ramjattan candidacy. I trust the knowledge of this person who confided in me. He is committed to the PNC, supports Granger ’s overall wishes and he is in full agreement that Ramjattan should not be given the PM slot. I am bound by journalistic principles to reveal my source to my editor. When he requested that I not name him, I told him I cannot refuse the demand from my editor to identify him. He was fine with that. That is standard journalistic ethics. I am comfortable in accepting that Ramjattan will not be the prime minister of Guyana so I will not pursue further analysis of that topic. I think I did about six pieces on the subject and I would have continued in assessing his chances if I did not get the kind of information I received yesterday. Obviously, the conversation did not end without some questions, which I found to be extremely relevant. I enquired how Ramjattan will re-
act to the publication of this column, knowing that the matter is closed. He said he doesn’t know or care to know. I looked at the possibility that a rift will emerge between the PNC and AFC. He was adamant there will not be a disruption. I asked him why and his reply amused me. He said, ‘Freddie, you of all people would know the answer.” I pressed him further and he insisted that I should know why. The last question was the possibility of Nagamootoo being returned. I quote him, “Freddie I gave you a name.” I will end this column with the contents of two phone calls I made to well placed AFC personnel about the information I was given. My question was ‘Will this closure of the selection of a PM candidate by the PNC cause an angry confrontation between the AFC and PNC?’ Both of them said no and both of them gave identical answers. I gleamed from their thoughts that the AFC is in acceptance mode. I was told that the AFC will not pull out of the Coalition because there is no con-
Frederick Kissoon sensus that this is the pathway to go but there is consensus, a rather tight one inside the AFC that the AFC should try as much as possible not to have its standing in a future government reduced in substantial ways. It would have been a serious journalistic lapse if I didn’t inquire how Ramjattan is going to react. Now here is a gold mine for the media. I hope the media pursue this with Ramjattan. I was told that the AFC knows the PM slot will not be given to Ramjattan but the AFC will insist vociferously that Ramjattan’s wish to be Attorney-General be accepted if the APNU+AFC wins. Over to you Khemraj! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Verdict looms for accused in 2012 Anna Catherina triple murder The trial of Abishai Caesar who is accused of the September 21, 2012 murders of businesswoman Jennifer Persaud and her two young sons is expected to conclude on Friday with trial Judge Brassington Reynolds giving a summation of the evidence before handing the case over to the jury for deliberation on a verdict. As the trial winds down, closing arguments were presented to the jury yesterday by State Prosecutor Lisa Cave and Maxwell McKay, Caesars lawyer. Caesar has since pleaded not guilty to murdering Persaud and her sons, Afridi Bacchus, 6, and Jadon Ernest, 17 months. During the trial, Prosecutor Cave called several witnesses to testify including Zoey Phillips, a former lover of Caesar, who has been described as the star witness. Several police ranks were also called to the stand as well as the businesswomans father. Police Sergeant Detective Khrisnadat Singh recounted taking a caution statement
from Caesar on April 23, 2016 while he was in custody at the Leonora Police Station, West Coast Demerara. That same caution statement was tendered and admitted into evidence and later read aloud by Sergeant Singh. In the statement, Caesar told Sergeant Singh that some of what Zoey (Phillips), said is truth and the rest were lies. According to Sergeant Singh, Caesar told him that Zoey saw him with a knife and some money and he told her that he killed Persaud and her two sons. But, according to the police witness, the murder accused later said that he did not kill the family. In fact, Sergeant Singh recounted that the murder accused told him that on the night of the killing, he was at home with Zoey when “Spanish Man” called and asked him if Persaud was at home. The police witness said that Caesar told him that he told “Spanish Man” that Persaud was at home and then he went outside and saw another man. Sergeant Singh
Afridi Bacchus said that the murder accused told him that about an hour later “Spanish Man” gave him $3,000. He also told the Sergeant of Police that “Spanish Man” also gave him a glove and a knife and told him to throw them away. The Sergeant of Police related that Caesar also told him that he discarded the items at the seawall even as he thought something bad had happened. This trial is continuing at the High Court in Demerara.
Jadon Ernest Zoey Phillips had earlier testified that Caesar had confided in her after killing the family. The woman had testified that she and Caesar lived together and were the businesswomans neighbours.According to her, Persauds call name was “Jenny”. She said that on the night of September 21, 2012, she and Caesar were in their bedroom when he left and told her that he was going over to Persauds home to get some money because he was “broke”. According to her, she saw when Caesar, who was clad in a three-quarter pants, collect a small woodenhandle knife and a pair of gloves from the kitchen area before leaving for the womans home. She said that this was after midnight. Phillips recounted that her ex-lover gained entry into the womans yard through an
Jennifer Persaud opening in a zinc fence. She recalled that she went back into their bedroom and about a minute after she looked through the bedroom window and saw Caesar climbing up the stairs and into Persauds home. She explained that she was able to see him because the womans home had clear windows. She told the court how she fell asleep and was awoken by Caesar, calling on her to open the backdoor. The witness recounted that upon opening the door, she met Caesar who showed her a cardboard box containing several $20 and $100 notes, which amounted to about $3,000. She said that it was then her reputed husband told her that he “had to kill Jennifer” because she woke up and saw him in her home and knew him very well. According to the witness, Caesar told her that while he was stabbing Jennifer
MURDER ACCUSED: Abishai Caesar Persaud, her older son woke up and saw him, and he also killed him and his younger brother. She added that when her reputed husband came back with the knife, it was covered in blood and his pants also had spots of blood. She recounted that Caesar took her to the seawall where he threw the knife into the river. She added that he discarded the gloves and pants in some nearby bushes and they went back home and slept. But almost four years after the businesswoman and her sons were killed, Phillips said that she finally informed the police that it was her spouse who had committed the crime. She stated that on April 23, 2016, she visited the Tuschen Police Outpost where she made a report against Caesar and requested a restraining order. She said the man was arrested the following day and taken to the Leonora Police Station where police held a confrontation between them. Phillips said that during that time, she reminded Caesar that he killed Jennifer Persaud and the two children, but he denied and told police that she was lying on him. She, however, explained that she kept it a secret for so long because she was afraid of him, as he was very abusive. Police Sergeant Detective Kurt Williams testified that the fingerprints obtained from the scene of the murders were not useful, as they were smudged and blurred. Sergeant Williams told the court that he was in a party of policemen from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown who journeyed to Persaud s home on September 22, 2012 at Lot 67 Sea View, Anna Catherina where she and her sons were found with their throats slit. According to Sergeant Williams, when he arrived on the scene, he met with Sergeant Singh who told him something which caused him to examine several items in the womans home for fingerprints. The police witness recounted that he dusted the wardrobe drawers (Continued on page 26)
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Region Two REO bars Press from RDC statutory meeting
“The RDC building.” The monthly statutory meetings of the Regional Democratic Council in any administrative region, has always been open to the public; even more importantly the press. Yesterday, however, the local press on the Essequibo Coast was denied access to the statutory meeting, reportedly on the orders of the Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikaran. As Kaieteur News entered the RDC compound yesterday, the media personnel who was wearing his press pass at the time, was told by a security guard to wait at the Guard hut. The security guard went up the stairs, then returned saying that the press is not permitted in the RDC, as instructed by the Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikaran. Multiple phone calls were then made to Jaikaran’s phone in an effort to garner an explanation, all of which went unanswered. Jaikaran, who represents the Coalition Government, began serving as REO of Region Two in January. Since his
appointment, Jaikaran has landed in multiple conflicts with members of the RDC. He was recently accused of assaulting the Regional Vice Chairman, during a confrontation in the RDC boardroom. His recent attack on the press is being questioned, especially since the press should be granted unrestricted access to various forums, including the RDC statutory meetings. Jaikaran’s actions have since been condemned by members of the Regional Democratic Council, including members of the Coalition, especially since no justification was given for his action. Councillor Hardat Narine, who represents the Alliance For Change, said that he is disappointed at the REO’s actions. Narine added that the REO is using the RDC boardroom for his personal use. “He continues to operate as a dictator in the region, giving the President and the Coalition a bad name. When he restricts the press, he makes it look as though he has plenty things to hide, and as if he’s
afraid that they would question him,” said the councillor. Narine said that Jaikaran dismantled the standing committees of the RDC. Quite a number of Councillors have blamed the REO’s conduct for the recent friction in the RDC. Councillor Naitram who also represents the Coalition said that Jaikaran’s actions have driven the opposition out of the RDC. The Regional Chairman, Devenand Ramdatt, said that no decision was taken by the RDC to have the press debarred, and if such an action was taken, it was taken by the clerk of the RDC. “At no stage can the REO make such a decision, so we believe that the media has an important role to play in disseminating key developmental matters. If such as decision was taken, it was taken by the clerk the RDC and it is unjustifiable,” said Ramdatt. Other media personnel on the Essequibo Coast have also expressed their disappointment at the REO’s course of action.
Caricom joins fight to keep youths out of jail
S
everal At Risk Youth in Suriname, the first of three Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) of ACP States, will benefit from capacity building in animation and digital media at a training workshop which runs over four days from yesterday, in Paramaribo. Training will also be done in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. The training is an activity of the Crime and Violence Project (CVP) Component of the CARIFORUM-EU Crime and Security Programme under its Tenth European Development Fund.
This programme’s approach to tackling crime and security focuses on drug demand and supply reduction, crime prevention and social development, and capacity building of law enforcement and security agencies. According to the Project Manager of the CVP, “The overall objective of the training is to create opportunities for at-risk youth, including incarcerated youth in CARIFORUM. “Training in animation and other digital media tools, even at the introductory level, will enhance their chances of becoming creative and productive 21st century citizen”. He said Depu t y P r o g r a m m e Manager for Culture, Riane Dehass Bledoeg, said, “The training across the three countries was so designed to engage and inspire at-risk youth, including incarcerated youth between 15 and 29 to pursue a career in the animation industry by providing them with a
hands-on training.” Explaining the training was two-fold in design, with a train the trainer component, Ms. Dehass-Bledoeg said the expected result was a cadre of at-risk youth trained in animation and digital media skills with interest in further developing their skills and pursuing a career in the animation industry. Noting the Caribbean’s unique position to benefit from international export of its culture and creativity through digital media and animation, the Deputy Programme Manager shared that the Secretariat has been collaborating in raising awareness on animation and digital media in the Region and has promoted the use of animation in learning environments, public education and safeguarding cultural heritage. The training is being provided with funding from the Tenth EDF Crime and Security Programme and will be conducted by Animae Caribe.
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Kaieteur News
Guyana joins Caribbean-wide initiative to improve health and safety of travellers – Agencies meet to chart the way forward
Participants at yesterday’s meeting Aimed at improving health and safety for foreigners is high on Guyana’s agenda. As a result, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), under the Ministry of Business, along with
the Ministry of Public Health and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) met to chart the way forward for an on-going (Continued on page 27)
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Wednesday October 09, 2019
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Kaieteur News
Linden gang killings spill over to Georgetown - Police issue wanted bulletins for several
Martin Fraser From all accounts it appears as if the Linden gang wars and killings are spilling over into the city of Georgetown. Commander of ‘A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner, Marlon Chapman, yesterday disclosed that the recent attempted execution of a man at East La Penitence Public Road, is suspected to be an extension of the gang feud happening presently in Linden. Sources have indicated that the man had moved to Georgetown to seek refuge, but apparently has been followed by his assailants. It is said that the guntoting man in last Saturday’s (Continued on page 28)
Renard Caesar
Richard Caesar
Randy Billy
Sherwin Benjamin
Denzil Grant
Alfie Garraway
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Kaieteur News
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Vacancy exists for one qualified Supervisor for food estabVACANCY lishment in General domestic. 3 Days Georgetown.Call#231-8737. work. Must know to cook. Apply with 2 references. Waitress for Bar.Call#6122522. KeyFood McDoom village Licensed boat captain. Metro Construction Ltd in the British Virgin Islands. Call for more info #674-6585. Email: i n f o @ metroconstructionbvi.com Empress Boutique- Manager, Sales Rep. Bring application in store between 1 & 3 pm. 218 Lamaha St, G/town #647-8349 Driver.Must have a Sound Secondary Education.For More Information.Please Call:223-0090. Female Cleaner Office/home 642-9823. Vacancies- Nirva Superstore for Cashiers/Supermarket helpers, Apply in person with written application at 49 Sheriff & Craig St. Tel#2275771 DOMESTIC COOK VACANCY NEAR TURKEYEN SHIFT 6:301 4 : 3 0 h r s . AT T R A C T I V E SALARY. TWO REFERENCES & POLICECLEARANCE REQUIRED. CALL 219-0158. Security Officer & yard maintenance personnel. Apply @ ACDA 9 Thomas Lands. Tel#231-6224, 2 year’s experience, 2 reference & police clearance. Medical Laboratory/ Technician, needed to work in Trinidad, must be experienced and qualified. Tel# 18686836492 Nexus Machining & Fabrication Inc- 4 Fitter Machinist, 2 Mill Wright. Call: 266-0309, Working experience will be an asset Salesman.Must know to write bills, Calculate & Stocktaking.Apply Keyfood Trading McDoom with A p p l i c a t i o n / Recommendation. Office Assistant.Proficient in Excel.2 Yrs Experience minimum.Knowledge of NIS/ PAY E / PAY R O L L .mimadecor12@gmail.com 226-0176. One (1) Clerk for TSI Eccles Industrial site office English1 Mathematics -2 Quickbooks. Call: 615-9132 1 music teacher (piano & guitar) to do at home teaching for two boys. Perferably from East Bank. #698-4432 1 Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area Call:615-9132.
Verdict looms ... From page 12 , bed head, the eastern part of the backdoor and several items in the shop area.Asked to explain his reasons for examining the items, Sergeant Williams said that, “They appeared disturbed. ”He said he obtained about four latent fingerprints from the eastern part of the backdoor after which he returned to the Crime Laboratory at CID Headquarters. He told the jury that he examined the fingerprint expressions that he obtained but they were smudged, blurred and devoid of specific characteristics, hence they were unfit for comparison.
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Kaieteur News
Mental illnesses can be treated successfully - Service available free of cost “Mental illness can be effectively and successfully treated,” said Dr Elizabeth Nickram, who is a Psychiatrist attached to the Psychiatric clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). She, during an interview with this newspaper, said that there has been success in the treatment of mental illnesses, since patients show an adherence to the treatment offered. She further noted that there is a low percentage of relapse. Dr. Nickram said that the National Psychiatric Hospital is designed for long term inpatient care of patients with mental illnesses. “The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is just as competent as the National
Psychiatric Hospital, however, at the moment GPHC offers only short term inpatient care of patients. Outpatient management is the same in both institutions,” she explained. The doctor disclosed that the mental illnesses commonly diagnosed are p s y c h o t i c , d e p r e s s i v e , a n x i e t y, somatoform, substance use disorders among many others. She explained that the aforementioned mental illnesses are just broad categories of which a wide range of mental illnesses fall under. Questioned about the treatment methods used, she responded that these methods include psychotherapies, biological therapies, and social intervention. She added that
they also use the biopsycho-social model in their treatment approach. She explained that mental illness does not have a face. She highlighted, “Frequently, people can have mental illness and it would not be evident to the public eye.” The psychiatrist stated that although it has not been researched, she can estimate that about 20% of patients are diagnosed annually as a result of drug abuse. Dr Nickram listed the locations of other psychiatric clinics aside from the GPHC and the National Psychiatric Hospital. These are at Bartica, Linden, Mahaicony, Enmore, Leonora, Parika, Mabaruma and Lethem. She also noted that consultation and treatment are free of cost.
Guyana joins Caribbean-wide... From page 15 project. The project is aimed at improving health and safety of locals and visitors, tourism resilience and reputation. The meeting was hosted at the Roraima Duke Lodge, in Kingston. This programme, which was launched in 2017, is about improving a country’s capacity to provide costeffective, quality health, food safety, and environmental sanitation (HSE) solutions to the HSE threats impacting on sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. This would be executed through real time early alert and response monitoring system for tourism based health issues, training and certification, HSE standards, and multi-sectoral regional and international partnerships. Participating countries will now have an enhanced capacity to fight HSE threats. This integrated multisectoral programme is the first Caribbean-wide and global effort of its kind, setting an international precedent for improving sustainable tourism. Stakeholders emphasized that there is no better time than now, as new threats to health and travel in the region emerge and in this era of real time, instant information flow, for creating mechanisms for monitoring and responding to tourism health and safety threats. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, stated that, “The programme today provides training for some hospitality workers, such as tour operators and facilities operators. They are going through some of the standards they need, in terms of health and safety- food
safety standards, but we are also piloting a new initiative where we would be partnering with the association to allow for easy notification if any health issues arise among tourists.” The CMO went on to say that in the past, foreigners who visited the country had only reported cases of illnesses to their health agencies, only after they would have exited the country. “Maybe weeks or months after, then we hear about it through the media. You know, that can have a devastating impact, especially if the country decides to impose travel restrictions or advisories,” he added. Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at CARPHA, Dr. Lisa Indar, related that, “We have something called a Caribbean Corporation in Health; it is a document that sets the health agenda. So for instance, what are the health burdens for the region and then we implement by having specific programmes. So we have a health information unit, we would h a v e a d i s e a s e surveillance unit. For that we would work with each member state to know what their issues are and then we set a plan in action—these are two years’ plans of action where we work
towards implementing.” Indar emphasized that these health plans have to be aligned with global, national and regional practices. “We don’t have a specific number that says that 10 tourists came from the UK got sick. This is why we have our tourism and health programme where we are trying to implement a system that captures illnesses very quickly. It is a real time system, it is electronic and wide based, if someone is sick, we are asking the facilities to report so that you would be able to pick up something quickly. Hopefully as soon as that is implemented you would have better data,” Dr. Indar explained. Furthermore, a workshop was hosted to teach regional guidelines, response and capacity building component, together with certification with food safety, training and sanitation. The Director states that this would lead to Guyana becoming branded and recognized as a health care safer destination. “So it is really your marketing tool as a better tourism product,” she concluded. The programme has been executed thus far in only 10 Caribbean countries, it is expanding this year to the rest of the Caribbean.
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Wednesday October 09, 2019
Linden gang killings spill over... From page 25 incident hails from Linden, while his two accomplices and car driver, are from Georgetown.The target was said to be shopping at the East La Penitence roadside when a group of men turned up in a black Toyota Premio car and attempted to kill him. They had pursued the man, firing wild shots in the air as he sprinted away to evade the bullets. The intended victim reportedly returned fire and shot a John Lewis, 22, of East Ruimveldt on the left hand and abdomen, resulting in him being hospitalised under police guard at the Georgetown Hospital. The injured man was abandoned at the scene by his colleagues who escaped into the Albouystown area. Yesterday, the police issued a wanted bulletin for several men said to be connected to the murder and attempted murder committed on Ian Williams and Melita Antigua respectively on September 28, 2019 at Lover’s Lane, South Amelia’s Ward,
Mackenzie, Linden. Wanted by the police are Martin Fraser, Renard Caesar, Richard Caesar, Randy Billy, Sherwin Benjamin and Denzil Grant who are all wanted by the police for questioning in relation to the incident. Police said that anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the men, are
asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 444-3406, 444-3297, 444-3429, 444-3512, 225-3650, 226-1928, 911 or the nearest police station. Wanted by police also is Alfie Norman Garraway for questioning in relation to possession of firearm and ammunition at Norton Street Lodge on October 5, 2019.
Three Guyanese jurists... From page 22 disputes, with far more populous and powerful neighbouring states “in ways that are peaceable, respectful and based on predictable rules.”“It is to international law that we must turn if our small and vulnerable island states are to meet the existential threat posed by climate change. It is an international legal order that allows my own country, of only 110,000 souls, proudly to take its place, in January next year, as a member of the UN Security Council alongside and with the same single vote as the mightiest nations on earth,” the St Vincent and the Grenadines-born jurist noted. But he said, come to think of it, the Caribbean has always played an outsized role in the field of international law, noting how he had been struck “by the leadership young Jamaica gave to the world in re-igniting the global debate on international human rights throughout the 1960s”. He recalled, also, it was Jamaica’s then UN Ambassador, the late Sir Egerton Richardson, whose “unstinting efforts and dynamism guided the world community” as Jamaica became the main broker of progress in UN human rights diplomacy from 1962 to 1968.
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Kaieteur News
Engineer estimates construction of Abram Zuil Secondary School to cost $594.9M -Contractors Bid Tops by $100M
A
n engineer has estimated the construction of Abram The project saw ten bids and they were in the $300M to Other notable projects were the Cheddi Jagan International Zuil Secondary School to cost a whopping $500M range. Courtney Benn Contracting Services put in a Airport Corporation, Collection, Removal, & Disposal of Do$594,992,330. bid for 634,052,191 but the bid that topped all was submitted mestic and International Rubbish, Guyana Water Incorporated, This was unveiled yesterday at the weekly opening of by R. Bassoo & Sons Construction Company with an aston- Procurement of Goods -SDR11 HDPE Pipes and Guyana Debids at the National Procurement and tender Administration ishing $698,856,459, which was $100M higher than the Engi- fence Force, Construction of Water Harvesting Reservoir and Board (NPTAB). neers Estimate. Pump House, Base Camp Seweyo. Ministry of Communities Rehabilitation to Guest House No.2 New Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming, Region #2 The Construction of Abram Zuil Secondary School, Abram Zuil Essequibo Coast, Region #2
Rehabilitation to Male Dorm New Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming, Region #2
Rehabilitation and Modification to Block C Ward 8 at the Palms Geriatric Institution
Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation Collection, Removal, & Disposal of Domestic and International Rubbish
Guyana Water Incorporated Procurement of Goods -SDR11 HDPE Pipes Rehabilitation and Modification to Block B Ward 5 at the Palms Geriatric Institution
Guyana Defence Force Construction of Water Harvesting Reservoir and Pump House, Base Camp Seweyo
Rehabilitation and Modification to Block B Ward 4 at the Palms Geriatric Institution
Ministry of Social Protection Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Drains, Hadfield Street Palms Georgetown.
Rehabilitation of Kitchen New Opportunity Corps
Supply and Install One (1) 170 KVA Generator Set
(Continued on page 31)
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Sagga murder PI…‘Defendant claims prosecution yet to say how many witnesses will be called As the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) continues into the murder of Godfrey Scipio, known as “Sagga”, who was shot dead on October 12, 2017, one of the accused claimed that the prosecution is yet to identify how many witnesses he will be calling after 22 months. The accused are Aubrey Bobb, Derwin Eastman and Jemison Williams. The (PI) is currently being conducted by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates Court. Police Prosecutor Dominic Bess is representing the state in the matter.Detective Superintendent of Police, Gary
McAllister, was the recent witness to be called to testify in relation to the matter. His evidence to the court was based on placing Eastman under close arrest after receiving instructions and relieving the accused of his service weapon. At the time of the testimony, the witness did not have the weapon to identify it before the court and therefore an adjournment was asked for by the prosecutor to have the weapon brought to the court. However, Eastman pleaded with the magistrate to have the prosecution speed
up its witnesses since they seem to be stalling in their case.He added that it has been 22 months since he was placed on remand for the offence and the prosecution is yet to give a number of witnesses to be called. He continued by saying his family is being threatened by certain individuals and he is also at risk as he continues to give evidence against persons who are in prison. The matter was adjourned until Friday where the prosecutor was asked to make special efforts to be ready on that day.Bobb was the first person to be charged with Scipios murder. He subsequently implicated former Police Corpo-
ral Derwin Eastman and his colleague, Constable Jemison Williams. They are currently on remand for the capital offence.Bobb was committed to stand a High Court trial February last, for the murder by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly after she found sufficient evidence against him for a conviction in relation to the matter. The three men were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on October 12, 2017, at David Street, Kitty, Georgetown, they murdered Scipio. According to reports,
Bobb alleged that Eastman is the mastermind behind Saggas murder, since he allegedly provided the weapon. It was reported that Scipio, of DUrban Street, Wortmanville, was shot in the chest as he was leaving a city hotel. He succumbed at the Woodlands Hospital. Police had reported that Bobb was nabbed at his William Street, Kitty, Georgetown home, which is located a few buildings from where the killing occurred. Kaieteur News understands that CCTV footage of the attack helped investigators to identify and
track him down. Reports are that the murder accused told detectives that he was in the area, and saw Scipio, who was wearing a gold chain, enter the hotel. At the time, Bobb claimed he was armed with an ice-pick, but later decided that a gun would be more effective. It was also reported that when Scipio exited the hotel, the murder accused relieved the businessman of a gold chain and shot him. Scipio had been selling at the Berbice car park for several years, and was known for wearing lots of gold jewellery.
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Toshao Chairman Upbraids Opposition for Disrespecting President Granger
Human Resource Capacity available and capable to scrutinise lifting of Crude from FPSOs- GGMC commissioner ommissioner of the Guyana Geol
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Nicholas Fredericks.
Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC), Nicholas Fredericks, on Monday afternoon, scolded the political opposition, who he said were blatant in their disrespect for President David Granger. The Head of State had delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony of the 13th National Toshaos’ Conference (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Conference
Centre (ACCC), Lillendaal. However, while heading to the podium, a small number of opposition leaders refused to stand. The NTC Chairman said the oppositions action was disrespectful. “We are here for a conference. It is protocol that when His Excellency, for any country, gets up to make a presentation that we all stand. He is still our President. No
one else was sworn in. He is our Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” Fredericks emphasised. He said for the Opposition to be sitting while “the Indigenous Peoples” were standing, leaves much to be desired. “What message is that sending to us? To me, it is a sign of disrespect to the executive leader of our country.” The NTC chair also chided the opposition politicians for circulating invitations to an Opposition Leader reception, when the Head of State had extended an invitation for an event on Monday evening at State House.He got a yes when he called on the Toshaos to attend the presidents reception.Both the Government and the Opposition posted photos afterwards of Amerindians at separate functions hosted by President Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo respectively. “Dont let us be divided. I know we all have our political affiliation, but when we come to the conference here, we come as one people and we are going one way,” Fredericks stated.
Guyana attends World Federation of ... From page 17 The meeting also heard from a delegation from Venezuela which provided an update of the circumstances of the Government facing attacks from several quarters. It brought together 50 trade unionists from Argentina, Guyana, Uraguay, Paraguay, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Cuba, Nicaragua, among other countries in the region.On the last day of the meeting (October 3), participants observed the International Day of Action. The theme of this year’s Action Day was “Struggle against Xenophobia, Racism and Fas-
cism.” The statement claimed that the organisation has pointed out that xenophobia and racism are intentionally raised so as to divide them. The WFTU highlighted that in many places wars and conflicts have created millions of refugees who fall victims of hatred and racist discriminations. In numerous countries, it noted, fascist and fascist-like parties are entering into Government and imposing many hardships and difficulties on workers. WFTU has placed at the forefront of its demands the struggle for peace and equality, fighting against Apartheid in South Africa, against racial
and all types of discrimination, including the rights of all workers, women, migrants and refugees. The WFTU has an affiliated membership of some 96 million workers in 138 countries worldwide. It has set itself by the end of 2020 to have 100 million workers in its fold. The GAWU has been an affiliate of the WFTU for many years and has received solidarity and support during its previous struggles. In the more recent times, the organisation was critical of the Government’s decision to close the sugar estates and put thousands of workers on the breadline.
Engineer estimates construction of ... Rehabilitation of Stores New Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming, Region No.2
Rehabilitation and Modification to Block C Ward 7 at the Palms Geriatric Institution
C
ogy and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison, said yesterday, that his Commission has officials who are available and capable to scrutinise the lifting of crude from Floating Production and Storage vessels (FPSOs).According to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Guyana can expect to lift its first share of one million barrels of crude oil as early as February 2020. This also indicated that oil production is likely to start before the end of this year. With this being revealed, questions were raised as it relates to Guyana’s readiness and preparedness when it comes to receiving first oil. One of the issues of concern was and is the monitoring and measuring process of Guyana’s oil.Head of the Guyana Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe, had said that preparations are being fast tracked to ensure that Guyana has all the necessary systems and mechanisms in place especially as it relates to the metering of the nation’s oil. He had gone on to mention that in terms of the measurement and calibration, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) will be responsible. However, Dr. Bynoe had added that GGMC will also play an integral role in the process which is to be responsible for the whole “integrity” (making sure the entire process is done without dishonesty) of the process. This entails the oversight of the crude lifting process also the process as it regards to the measurement and calibration. When Kaieteur News spoke to the Commissioner of GGMC yesterday, he said that as it relates to the oversight or scrutiny of the processes, that the officials available have been exposed to such processes and have a fair knowledge of what needs to be done. In terms of training, the Commissioner said that the officials will continue to train in order become fully educated about the technicali-
Newell Dennison ties of their respective duties. Dennison also implied that even though these officials are available, they are not many in number and also hold other responsibilities within the Commission. This, he said, will cause them to work overtime due to the added workload.“We would like to have more people; we do have a human resource challenge.” These were the words of the Commissioner as he indicated his Commission’s intentions to have more officials onboard as it regards to the Petroleum Department of GGMC. He also said that Dr. Mark Bynoe had mentioned that the Energy Department is currently hiring experts in order to assist the various agencies responsible for the monitoring of Guyana’s oil. Those hired are largely being funded by a US$20M World Bank Loan for the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP). The training, he explained, is something the Commission will welcome not only to increase the number of qualified officials but experts’ knowledge will be passed on to local officials who are and will become part of the Commission’s Petroleum Department.
Mining operations at Troy closed after... From page 19 children, ages five, nine and 12.” The union said that the industrial death has robbed Taylor’s children the opportunity of growing into adulthood with him being there to father them. “His home circle has lost a breadwinner. Accidents do not happen, they are caused; therefore, they are preventable. The worst impact is loss of life.” PU&GWU said it will also be calling for an inquest con-
sistent with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. “Letters will be dispatched to the subject Minister Amna Ally, Troy Resources, and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.” In an interview, the aunt of the victim, Susan Taylor, told Kaieteur News that Tuesday morning around 04:00hrs, she received a phone call from someone telling her that Taylor was involved in an accident. However, later in the day, she received another call from someone who said that
her nephew is dead. “Is long he going in the interior and work and nothing like this never happened so when they told me that he was involved in an accident, I did not take it serious until I received another phone call that he dead.” When contacted, the victim’s children’s mother, Alecia Griffith, stated: “I don’t know how Ryan fall. He working in the interior years now. I does make sure I pray for Ryan… now look what happened.”
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Fatma Samoura honoured at Best Springboks seal Rugby... of Africa Awards in London FIFA Secretary General and General Delegate for Africa Fatma Samoura was honoured as a History Maker by the Best of Africa Awards yesterday (Sunday 6 October) in London. She was presented with the award by Rio Ferdinand, in recognition of her work at FIFA where she has held the position of Secretary General since May 2016, when she became the first-ever African, Muslim woman to take up this role. The Best of Africa Awards are held annually in London and bring together some of the most influential members of the African diaspora living and working in the United Kingdom, to highlight the positive achievements they have made to communities at home and abroad.
From page 33 sent off for flying into a ruck leading with his shoulder, hitting Thomas du Toit neck high and leaving referee Luke Pearce with no option but to produce the red card. Phil Mack’s sloppy pass was then intercepted by Steyn, who touched down for the seventh first-half try. Elton Jantjies kicked his sixth conversion to make it 47 unanswered points in a thoroughly miserable 40 minutes for Canada.
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura and Rio Ferdinand
Tuesday October 09, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Let your heart shine. Love surrounds you like a beautiful pink cloud, and you can't help but attract people to you. Take romance to a higher level with someone really special tonight.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Know what you're getting yourself into, especially if it has to do with love and romance. You may be like a fly on a tree branch, carefully inspecting the beautiful spider web at your feet.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) There's a great deal of transforming energy in the air that you should harness and capitalize on. You may be a fan of the diet that you'll start "tomorrow."
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your heart may be hurt by misfortunes that have befallen you. Thinking about times past is just pulling up buckets of tears from a well. Don't keep doing this to yourself. It's time to move forward.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may experience writer's block in every sense of the phrase. Even if you don't consider yourself a writer, for some reason it may be difficult to get even the simplest words down on paper.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're filled with joy! There's a tremendous wave of love coming your way. Everything involving romance could be taken to extremes.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Action should be your main priority, especially when it comes to love and romance. You may not be too concerned about what sort of action you take. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A surprise in love and romance is on its way to you. Things are coming full circle, and the investment you made in this realm is finally paying off. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Be more aware of your personal appearance and how you're perceived. Make sure that your attire is appropriate for the people you're with and the situation. Fashion is a consideration, so don't look like a slob.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Instead of dragging on with something old, tired, and worn out, why not start something new? If you refuse to give up on a project that's doomed to fail, you'll be in for a long, frustrating road ahead. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Social engagements will be your saving grace. Without them, you may be confused and sad about issues that are reaching a climax. In some form or another, you're being asked to make some major transformations. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The intensity should increase around an issue regarding love and romance. Friction is building. Unfortunately, this tension may be unavoidable.
Tropical Springs... From page 35 27 overs. Captain Mohabir captured 3 for 28 off six overs to take the player-of-thematch award. Dave Mohabir supported with 3 for 26 off six and Sankar 2 for 8. The first encounter, another closely fought game was won by DCC in the final over. The third and final game is tentatively set for Saturday night at the same venue.
Hero Caribbean MotoCorp... From page 39 Harry, in expressing gratitude to Hero, highlighted that an Awareness Walk in partnership with Digicel and Oasis Water is set for October 20 in Georgetown, a vigil on October 25 in collaboration with Giving Hope Foundation at Square of the Revolution and a screening exercise at Hard Rock Café at MovieTowne on October 26 are among the major events planned for the month. At the raffle drawing, which took place live during the first Playoff game of CPL 2019 on Sunday last, Mohamed Shahab Rasool of Malgre Tout, West Demerara emerged winner of a spanking new Hero Hunk motorcycle. Although he’s elated to win, Rasool said his primary intention when he bought the ticket in early September was to support Hero and the Cancer Institute’s fight against the disease. “It feels great to win, but I didn’t expect to win. First time I ever win something,” Rasool said. “I wasn’t too sure (when I got the call) because there’s lots of prank calls, and it take a while before I believe, and then my wife overheard it on the television also.” The raffle was held in partnership with Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales, the local dealer for Hero MotoCorp.
Sandhills Friendship defeat Ebini to win BCB/ Berbice River Cricket... From page 38 benefitted from the BCB while expressing disappointment that a club in the area, did not play in the tournament, allegedly on the advice of a cricket official who has a history of not supporting his administration. Foster told the visitors that he has no interest in cricket politics but rather in the overall development of the game and making sure that every talented player is given the opportunity to develop. Representatives of the clubs stated their displeasure of persons who have no linkage to their area, representing them at the BCB levels and vowed to stop this practice.The winning team and runner-up both received a cash prizes and trophies. The BCB also donated 5 and 3 gallon water coolers and a box of balls each to the two teams. Foster also
handed over anti-suicide posters, youth information booklets, exercise books and a large quantity of educational materials including pens, pencils and sharpeners to the clubs on behalf of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS. The BCB would host both teams on November 23 next in a special match at the Albion Ground as part of its effort to assist in the development of the game in the riverain area. The tournament was sponsored by a West Berbice businessman who has several businesses in the Berbice River area. The completion of the tournament fulfills the commitment of the active Berbice Cricket Board to host the game in all five SubAssociations in BerbiceBerbice River, Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, West Berbice and New Amsterdam/Canje.
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Murray fumes at Fognini Barcelona still owe £84million to the banks over Philippe Coutinho deal in Shanghai defeat Reuters - Former world number one Andy Murray told Fabio Fognini to “shut up” before losing to the fiery Italian 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(2) in an ill-tempered second-round clash at the Shanghai Masters yesterday. Murray, 32, lost a tetchy battle with the world number 12 in which the Briton twice failed to serve out the match. He confronted Fognini at the net in a lengthy exchange in which he accused the Italian of making a noise to put him off when he was playing a shot. Three times Grand Slam champion Murray, who underwent a career-saving hip resurfacing procedure in January, showed some encouraging signs as he continued his injury comeback before losing in just over three hours. “There is a lot of things that I need to get better at, and I can do much better,” said Murray. “I will go away and I’ll work on those things and be in a better position next time I play against him.” Roger Federer eased past Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2 76(5) to reach the last-16, avenging a defeat to the Spaniard in their last meeting at the same stage of the
MailOnline - It may have been nearly two years since Philippe Coutinho made his big money mov e f r o m Liverpool to Barcelona but the Spanish club still owe a lot that money to the banks. Coutinho ended months of speculation when he joined the Catalan outfit in a deal believed to be worth up to £142m in January, 2018. Things didn’t quite work out for the Brazilian at the Nou Camp and he now finds himself on loan at Bayern
Munich. However, Spanish outlet AS have reported Barcelona’s annual accounts which show how much the club owes others within football, and it’s Liverpool which stands out. From the original Coutinho fee, its stated £84m is still to be paid. There is also no suggestion that this outstanding debt is related to bonuses. £24m of that amount is considered to be due in the ‘short term’, although the accounts provide no precise time-frame.
The new information will be of concern to Barca fans, the club owing £232m to clubs in total. In turn they are owed £67m, £22m of which Everton are responsible for. Coutinho contributed 21 goals and 11 assists in 76 appearances for Barcelona but never quite managed to win over the club’s supporters. He has returned to form since joining Bayern on loan at the end of the summer with two goals and three assists in eight appearances.
Fabio Fognini Pechino. Twitter @atptour tournament in 2015. Second seed Federer, who received a first-round bye, broke Ramos-Vinolas twice in the opening set and sailed through his service games without facing a break point in the match. Ramos-Vinolas, who upset Federer four years ago to snap a 15-match losing streak against top-10 players, recovered well to force a second-set tiebreak but his Swiss opponent came back from 4-1 down to seal victory. “I focused, because when you travel around the globe,
you’re missing a bit of energy. Those first few games or matches can be sometimes a bit tricky,” Federer said. “Serve was solid. I was hitting my spots and really was never in trouble there. But of course all of a sudden, being in a breaker, calls out for different play sometimes and different momentum. “He had his chances, but it was a nice comeback for me, and overall.” Federer, a twice Shanghai champion, next meets Belgian David Goffin or Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin for a quarter-final spot.
Barcelona still owe Liverpool £84m for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho in January, 2018. (GettyImages)
Teenager Reifer signs one-year Final 16 for inaugural Dragon rookie deal with Surrey Stout ‘Community Cup’ StreetLondon, CMC – Promising teenaged Barbadian all-rounder Nico ball tournament confirmed Reifer has penned a one-year rookie deal with English county Surrey for the upcoming 2020 campaign. The 18-year-old, who has attended Whitgift School in South Croydon for the past four years, has already made 10 Second XI appearances for Surrey across all formats since his debut two years ago and the county’s director of cricket, Alec Stewart, said he expected the player to continue to develop. “Nico has been in our academy and involved with the 2nd XI and has shown good potential,” said the former England Test captain. “Through signing his first rookie contract he has the opportunity to really develop his all-round talent and be a part of the professional set up. This is a great opportunity which we’re confident he will grab.” Reifer was part of the West Indies Under-15 squad which toured England in
Nico Reifer 2015, emerging as his side’s Most Valuable Player and subsequently led the side on the 2016 tour of England. A right-handed batsman who bowls medium pace, Reifer also turned out for Barbados in the 2017 and 2018 CWI Regional Under-19 tournaments before missing out earlier this year through injury. A product of Queens College school in Barbados, Reifer said he was thrilled with the chance to further develop
his skills. “I’m proud to have signed this contract with Surrey and I’m excited to have the opportunity to show what I can do,” he said. “I’ll be working hard over the winter to make sure I’m ready for pre-season and the start of the 2020 season in England.” Also in preparation for the season, Reifer will travel Down Under where he will represent MidlandGuildford in grade cricket.
The final 16 teams that will participate in the inaugural Dragon Stout ‘Community Cup’ Street-ball tournament have been finalised. This information was disclosed following an official press release from Dragon Stout Brand Coordinator Jamal Baird. The participants, who will be compdting for over $500,000 in prizes, are North East La Penitence, Albouystown, Leopold St, Broad St, Sophia, LA Ballers, Bent St, Gold is Money, Back Circle, Sparta Boss, Alexander Village, Future Stars, Tiger Bay, Melanie-B, Ansa McAl All-Stars and Showstoppers.
According to Baird, “The teams have been selected from various environs and several regions which provides a national flavour and true representation of the growing streetball culture.” He further added, “The event is the start of an exciting project which has the capacity to become a staple of the local street-ball and community landscape and attract a mass following.” November 15th is the scheduled date of the elimination tournament’s commencement. The other playing nights are November 22nd and 29th, with December 6th pencilled as the grand finale. All match will be hosted
at the National Gymnasium. Baird affirmed, “It’s an exciting opportunity for the brand to establish and foster a relationship with the respective communities through the common denominator of sport.” He related, “Presently systems and structures are being created and fine tuned to ensure a memorable event that will leave a lasting impression in the minds of the spectators and more importantly the players.” “There is a buzz within the respective communities about the tournament which bodes well for its success as players are excited to compete”, Baird declared.
Dumonay goal sends Haiti to 2020... From page 33 with the 1-1 equalizer just four minutes later in the 17’ through Angela Diaz. Just when it looked like the match would end in a draw, Haiti struck for the winning goal in the 84’ courtesy of Melchie Dumonay.
It marks the third Concacaf tournament in which Dumonay has scored after scoring a goal in the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship and her Golden Ball Award performance in the 2018 Concacaf Wo m e n ’s U n d e r- 1 7 Championship (5 goals).
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U.S. women romp to fifth straight world title, Biles rewrites history Reuters - The United States women cruised to their fifth consecutive team title at the gymnastics world championships in Stuttgart on Tuesday, with Simone Biles becoming the event’s most decorated woman. The Americans hardly made a mistake in the finals, with Biles helping them to a score of 172.330 — 5.801 points more than secondplaced Russia. Italy (164.796) took third spot for its first world team medal since 1950, while China slipped off the podium for the first time since 2003. Biles secured her 21st world medal, overtaking Russia’s Svetlana Khorkina for the women’s record. Only Vitaly Scherbo of Belarus has won more world medals with 23, which Biles could surpass by the end of the individual events this week. “I guess it’s kind of crazy,” said Biles, who collected a record-extending 15th gold medal at the worlds. “I feel like I haven’t gotten the chance to process it yet. “But I think we’ll do some celebrating tonight, for all of it. For the team, for the medal count, for the fifth year in a row.”
Biles is likely to break records almost every time she is in action this week but the 22-year-old conceded she still feels the pressure of delivering results on the world stage. “Sometimes, I wish I would quit because the other day we walked out there, and I was like, ‘I literally hate this feeling. I don’t know why I keep forcing myself to do it,’” she told the Olympic Channel. “But you know, we love the thrill of it. It reminds me to never give up because, one day, I won’t have the opportunity to get that feeling.” ‘BILES II’ - The Americans wasted no time on their path to glory, with Grace McCallum, Jade Carey and Biles landing three solid vaults in a row to give them an early lead. Sunisa Lee faltered on the beam, just as she did in Saturday’s qualifying round, but Biles continued to showcase clinical execution to post the highest scores on three out of four apparatus. By the time Biles approached the floor exercises, she needed only a 9.533 to clinch gold. She wrapped up the contest in
Team U.S. celebrate with their gold medals on the podium Reuters/Wolfgang Rattay style with a triple-twisting double back flip — now known as the Biles II — to finish with 15.333. It was a much cleaner effort from Biles, who stepped
out of bounds to earn a 0.2 penalty in qualifying. “It was a little bit nerve wracking, but it was kinda fun,” Biles added. “I stayed in bounds. So I think that was the highlight
of the night.” Italy huffed and puffed into the finals by grabbing the eighth and final qualifying spot but going into the final rotation they were in second place, trailing the U.S. by 2.434. Reigning Youth
Olympic Games champion Giorgio Villa led the team and posted consistent scores across all apparatus to ensure they took third spot, finishing 0.566 clear of fourth-placed China.
Bayamon, Puerto Rico – Haiti has advanced to the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship following a 2-1 victory over Puerto Rico in the final match of Group C of the Caribbean Qualifying Stage of 2020 Concacaf WOQC qualification at the Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The group kicked off last Thursday with Haiti earning a 10-0 victory over
Suriname in which Nerilia Mondesir scored four goals for Haitians. Two days later Puerto Rico made its debut and collected a 6-1 win over Suriname to set the stage for a deciding match on Monday night between the Haitians and the Puerto Ricans. Mickerline Saint-Felix put the Haiti side ahead 10 with a score in the 13’, but the Boricuas answered (Continued on page 32)
Springboks seal Rugby World Cup quarter-final place Dumonay goal sends Haiti BBCsport - South to 2020 Concacaf WOQC Africa produced a dazzling first-half display as they confirmed their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a big win over 14-man Canada. The Springboks ran in seven tries in the first half, with scrum-half Cobus Reinach notching the earliest hat-trick in a World Cup game after 20 minutes. Canada had Josh Larsen sent off for a charging into a ruck before half-time. The minnows scored first in the second half through Matt Heaton but South Africa ran in three more tries. Schalk Brits, Damian Wi l l e m s e a n d F r a n s Malherbe all went over following tries from Reinach, Damian de Allende, S’busiso Nkosi, Warrick Gelant and Frans Steyn in the opening 40 minutes. Rassie Erasmus’s side go top of Pool B but defending champions New Zealand - who beat the Springboks earlier in the tournament - are expected to defeat Italy on Saturday to win the group. Canada, ranked 22nd in the world, will seek to end their World Cup with victory over Namibia on Sunday. South Africa, fielding 13
Northampton scrum-half Cobus Reinach grabbed three tries for South Africa against Canada. changes from the side that beat Italy on Friday, got off to the perfect start with tries in the first six minutes from centre De Allende and wing Nkosi. But it was Reinach who made the biggest impression with his 11-minute hat-trick completed by the 20th minute of the game. The previous record for the earliest World Cup hattrick was held by Australia’s Chris Latham, who managed the feat after 25 minutes against Namibia in 2003.
Reinach, whose father Jaco represented South Africa at both rugby and athletics, is generally regarded as the Springboks’ third-choice scrum-half. Reinach’s first try was arguably the best of the match. The Northampton Saints scrum-half sliced through the defence, chipped the full-back and caught the ball on the bounce before accelerating away to score. He secured his team’s bonus point after just 17
minutes, diving over the line after his forwards had smashed their way through. The 29-year-old’s third arrived three minutes later, the scrum-half running through after the Springboks once again cut the Canadian defence wide open. Warrick Gelant scored in the corner as the one-way traffic continued and things got worse for Canada when replacement forward Larsen was (Continued on page 31)
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This is the best chance for Warriors to break the ‘Finals’ jinx Says Sean Devers They know the feeling of being the bridesmaid but never the bride…they have experienced that feeling four times in the seven-year history of the Hero CPL T20 cricket tournament. In the inaugural tournament in 2013 the Guyana Amazon Warriors were beaten in the final by Jamaica Tallawahs, the next year it was the Barbados Tridents’ turn to spoil the Warriors’ party while in 2016 Tallawahs again piped them to the title before TKR dashed their title last year. The Warriors fans have endured heartbreak after heartbreak in four finals and two semi-finals but never experienced the joy of seeing their team being crowned CPL Champions. In the past six years there have been several reasons put forward for the Warriors being unable the jump the final hurdle including the premature departure of their skipper last year, the lack of ‘big game’ mentality and intestinal fortitude in pressure situations of playing in front of massive partisan crowds in
Captain Shoib Malik will once again lead from the front @ CPL T20 Ltd.2019 Trinidad. It is said if you don’t know your past it will be difficult to find your future. But it is also said don’t live in the past and the young and hungry team with all but three members of the squad in their 20s, the Warriors, who have dominated this tournament with brilliant ‘team’ cricket, like
Sherfane Rutherford @ CPL T20 Ltd.2019
no other team in the history of CPL, have their best chance of extending their record unbeaten streak to 12 come Saturday. The Warriors beat the Tridents to qualify for the final while pre-tournament favourites, Trinbago Knight Riders, on the back of four consecutive defeats got past St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the Play-off on Sunday at Providence. The home team will play Tridents tomorrow in Carnival Country with the winner of this game battling the Warriors in the grand finale of the biggest party in sports; the betting boys have predicted a Warriors’ versus TKR final - time will tell. It was refreshing to see every local player playing outstanding cricket at one time or the other, unlike in the past when the overseas Internationals did the bulk of work. But 37-year-old Skipper Shoib Malik, who has played the most T20 games ever, averages a stunning 78.25 from 11 innings with 313 runs including two fifties and seven unbeaten innings. Forty-year-old legspinner Imran Tahir, the Pakistani-born South African International has 15 wickets from eight games, only behind leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Junior’s 19. The pair have provided excellent mentorship to the young players while leading by example while this is the first year that eight Guyanese have been selected in the Warriors squad. The 24-year-old Jamaican Brandon King has been a revelation this year and season and is the leading run scorer of the tournament with 453 including the 132which is the highest score ever made in CPL cricket. His opening partner, Guyanese Chanderpaul
Chanderpaul Hemraj (left) and Brandon King will be aiming to set the platform for victory on Saturday @ CPL T20 Ltd.2019 Hemraj has two fifties and 298 runs and in partnership with King has five 50-run opening stands, the most in the tournament. Trinidadian Nicolas Pooran has two fifties and has done well with the gloves while Sherfane Rutherford has batted really well; the all-rounders, Kemo Paul, Chris Green and Romario Shepherd are good with the bat while Shepherd’s 12 wickets which is the most by a pacer and jointly with Tridents Skipper Jason Holder, who has bowled more times. Warriors have the added advantage of four top quality spinners in Tahir, Green,
Malik, Qais Ahmad along with part timer Hemraj whom they have used a few times during the power play. Shimron Hetmyer, who along with Paul and Rutherford played in the last IPL, is arguably the most exciting young batsman in the Region but he has taken his fans on the frustrating ride. His addiction to play airily early in his innings has been his downfall repeatedly as the left-hander from Young Warriors Club in Berbice continues to give his wicket away. The 22-year-old has a top scorer of 70 but that has been his only fifty; with an average of 21.02 he will
desperately be aiming for a big score in the final. Warriors will have to wait until tomorrow night before they know who will be their opponent on Saturday night at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in the 2019 CPL Final. Could the Warriors, in their fifth Final, extend their winning streak to 12 even if TKR with Simmons, Colin Monroe, Sunil Narine, Pollard, Ali Khan, Chris Jordon and Daren Bravo, beat Barbados Tridents tonight? I think this could be the year to break the jinx of being the Bridesmaids, for the first time in a fifth try.
BCB/Shimron Hetmyer 2019 Intermediate Tourney
Arch rivals Rose Hall Town Pepsi and Albion to clash for title The two decades of rivarly between Berbice’ two strongest cricket clubs would continue on Saturday when archrivals Albion and Rose Hall Town Pepsi battles it out for championship honours in the final of the Berbice Cricket Board organised Shimron Hetmyer 2019 Intermediate Tournament. The 40-overs match would be played at the Port Mourant Ground commencing at 11:00hrs. The Intermediate level is the second highest for the sport in the Ancient County and serves as a bridge between First and Second Division. West Indies middle order batsman Shimron Hetmyer readily agreed to sponsor the tournament after being approached by BCB President, Hilbert Foster earlier this year. Rose Hall Town Pepsi, the defending champions would be led by former Guyana Under 19
Captain Shawn Pereira who over the years has led his club to over 25 major championship honours. He would be supported by former national junior player Kevin Sinclair who has been enjoying a productive 2019 season, national junior players Sylus Tyndall, Junior Sinclair, West Indies U-19 selectee Kevlon Anderson, Jonathan Rampersaud and Mahendra Gopilall. Talented players the likes of Kevin Sewraj, Doorasammy Mahadeo, Keith Simpson, Chanderpaul Govindhan and Surendra Kissoonlall would also offer good support. With the likes of Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Anderson Kissoonlall and Rampersaud Govindhan the defending champions have a strong batting line up while Anderson and Tyndall would share the new ball. Offspinners Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair,
Rampersaud, left arm spinner Jeremy Sandia and leg spinner Dorasammy Mahadeo and skipper Shawn Pereira offers lots of variety. Albion most likely would be led by the experienced Kandasammy Surujnarine and he would be supported in a strong batting line up by Jetendra Outar, Anthonio February, Reyad Karim, Ritesh Umroa, Sarwan Chaitnarine. Albion’s all spin attack should enjoy the Port Mourant pitch which usually favours spin. West Indies U19 selectee Kevin Umroa would lead the attack with support from Gourav Ramesh, Beesham Surujnarine, Sarwan Chaitnarine and Devindra Latchman. BCB President and executive along with members of the Hetmyer family are expected to be present at the closing ceremony.
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Tropical Springs Transport SC Guatemala summons their entire arsenal to face Anguilla overcome DCC in thriller
Former West Indies opener Travis Dowlin left, presents the winning trophy to captain Alvin Mohabir in the presence of his teammates and officials. In an effort to keep the Under-15 players of Tropical Springs Transport Sports Club and power house Demerara Cricket Club active, the management of both clubs have agreed to compete in a two best in three 30 overs cricket competition. In game two played last Saturday evening at the DCC ground, the home team lost to TSTSC by three runs. They won the toss and invited the visitors to take first strike. TSTSC had a slow but steady start with openers Ryan Latiff and Dave Mohabir putting on 21 for the first wicket in eight overs before losing the latter
for three bowled by off spinner Jayden Dowlin, son of former West Indies opener, Travis Dowlin. Mohabir followed for 9, caught and bowled by pacer Nyeem Khan. Thereafter, there was a steady procession to and from the pavilion with only Daniel Goolab (20) and Stephon Sankar (11) reaching double figures in a total of 110 all out off 30 overs. Extras contributed a healthy 37. Bowling for DCC, Dowlin took 3 for 13 off four overs including a maiden. He was supported by Khan 2 for 12 off three overs and Romeo
Deonarain 1 for 20. In reply, DCC openers Jayden Campbell and Deonarain put on 16 in two overs before the former was lbw to national U15 all rounder Alvin Mohabir for two. Deonarain soon departed in similar fashion also off Mohabir for three; Jonathan Van Lange and Nick Ramnauth put their team in a comfortable position before Ramnauth went for 28 while Van Lange was dismissed for 16. TSC bowlers then strangled the home team bowling them out for 108 off (Continued on page 31)
GOA outfit GuyanaNRA Team for WIBFSC C/ships in T&T this month - Corporate assistance still needed The Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) on Monday received a timely donation from the Guyana Olympic Association. President of the GOA, Mr. K.A. Juman-Yassin, responded to the request from the GuyanaNRA for assistance and outfitted the National Rifle Team members with jerseys and track suits; ahead of the 2019 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships to be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago. Vice Captain of the National Team, Dylan Fields, accepted the donation in the presence of two other team members. Fields expressed the association’s gratitude to the GOA for the donation and stated that they are looking forward to future collaborations with the GOA. Mr. Fields stated that this donation will further add to the professional outfit of the team, “as we will be well
uniformed as ambassadors of our country.” On Team preparation for the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council’s, Individual, Long and Short Range Championships, Fields said that the shooters are have been training hard each Sunday for the past few months and are beginning to peak. This Sunday will be the last Team training before departure on October 19 for Trinidad and Tobago where Guyana will be facing the host nation, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda in what is anticipated to be another fierce battle across the various ranges. In offering brief comments, Mr. Juman-Yassin said he was happy that the GOA is able to outfit the rifle team which has been doing Guyana proud over the years and he was equally happy to hear that Captain Mahendra Persaud will be joining the team this year as Coach in the
Twin Island Republic. Mr. Persaud who has been at the helm of Guyana’s dominance of the sport for over a decade is still recovering from his illness. Meanwhile, GuyanaNRA Hon. Secretary, Ryan Sampson, added that while the team was able to secure their airfare through their BBQ fundraiser that was held, they are still seeking corporate assistance to offset the accommodation and entrance fees. He stated that letters were sent out but responses have been slow, the GuyanaNRA receiving a mixture of positive and negative responses. “The National Team is therefore appealing to corporate Guyana to assist us to once again fly the Golden Arrowhead with pride at the Caribbean level.” Guyana has been the most dominant nation in Short and Long Range shooting among its Caribbean rivals with its marksmen making up more than half of the West Indies Team at International events.
Guatemala City, Guatemala – The Guatemalan national soccer team, leader of Group C of the Concacaf Nations League C, wants to stay on top when facing Anguilla – who are last of their group – on October 12. The Guatemalan team currently hold the most goals scored (15), has not conceded in two games and has the top scorers of the tournament: Edi Danilo Guerra with five (5) goals and Marvin José Ceballos with three (3). Head Coach Amarini Villatoro does not think it will be an easy match-up and for this, summoned his best men Ricardo Jerez (Petroleum Alliance, COL.) – veteran goalkeeper – Allen Yanes (New York Reds Bulls, U.S.) and Marvin Ceballos (Leones Negros de Guadalajara, Mex). The roster also includes five FC Communications players who have just qualified for the 2020 Concacaf Scotiabank Champions League. Guatemala will only have one game on the second match day of the Concacaf Nations League this month.
Edi Danilo Guerra In addition to the upcoming match against Anguilla, Guatemala will also face Bermuda in a friendly match on October 15 in Minnesota, USA. Concacaf Nations League - Matchday 2 Guatemala squad: Goalkeepers: Nicholas Hagen (Municipal) and Ricardo Jerez (Alianza Petrolera-COL). Defenders: Luis Morán (Atigua), José Pinto (Antigua), Allen Yanes (New York Red Bulls II-U.S.), Carlos Gallardo (Municipal), Wilson Pineda (Guastatoya), Gerardo
Gordillo (Comunicaciones). Midfielders: Luis de León (Municipal), Rodrigo Saravia (Comunicaciones), Steven Robles (Comunicaciones), José Márquez (Guastatoya), Jorge Aparicio (Guastatoya), Victor Matta (Xelajú), Marvin Ceballos (Club Leones Negros -GUA), Alejandro Galindo (Comunicaciones), Jorge Vargas (Comunicaciones) and Edwar Santeliz (Comunicaciones). Forwards: Danilo Guerra (Municipal), Luis Martínez (Guastatoya), Victor Guay (Cobán Imperial) and Wilber Pérez (Malacateco).
Government praises Peters gold medal capture St George’s, Grenada, CMC – Grenada’s government has lauded the achievement of Amderson Peters following his historic capture of the men’s javelin title at the World Championships in Qatar last Sunday. The gold medal was the first ever for Grenada’s in a field event at a World Championship and only the second gold overall, following on from Kirani James’ success in Daegu in 2011. “On behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, the Ministry of Youth Development, Sports, Culture, and the Arts congratulates Anderson Peters on capturing the gold medal in the men’s javelin at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha,” a statement said. “We also wish to extend congratulations to Anderson’s family on this great achievement. “Anderson Peters’ historic win has made him the first Grenadian to win a World Championship medal in the field events. He is also the second athlete in Grenada’s history to become a World
champion, with Kirani James being the first. “He concluded his 2019 athletics season undefeated as the two-time SEC Champion, two-time NCAA Champion, NACAC Under-23 Champion, and PanAmerican Champion.” The statement added: “The Ministry extends congratulations to coach Paul Phillip and the team officials who assisted Anderson Peters on the remarkable achievement. “Their commitment and expertise continue to guide and ensure that our athletes have an opportunity to compete and succeed on the world’s stage.” Peters measured 86.89 on his fourth attempt which proved to be the winning mark, upsetting a field which saw defending World champion Johannes Vetter of Germany forced to settle for bronze with a throw of 85.37.
Estonia’s Magnus Kirt clinched silver with a mark of 86.21. The 21-year-old Peters, a student at Mississippi State University in the United States, said he hoped his success served as an inspiration for the tiny Caribbean nation. “I want to tell my fellow Grenadians that everybody can do it, if I can do it,” he said. “It’s possible for everybody to become a World champion. You just have to want it as badly as I do.” There was disappointment, however, for James who could only muster a fifth place finish in a time of 44.54 seconds as Bahamian Steven Gardiner took gold in a national record 43.48. His effort also came in for praise from government. “Although James did not bring home a medal for Grenada, his return and performance showcased his resilience, especially with the recent passing of his mother, Ms. Annie James.”
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Wednesday October 09, 2019
Falcon and Toucan Houses excel at Morgan’s Learning Institute Swimming C/Ships Falcon and Toucan House were declared joint champions when Morgan’s Learning Institute held its Inter-House Swimming Championship on Friday last at Colgrain Pool. Both teams finished on 154 points each while Macaw House placed second on 102 points and Raven House ended in third position on 65 points. Chike Nurse of Falcon House won the 50m Boys U12 Freestyle ahead of his brother Choike Nurse of Macaw and Govinda Prasad of Raven in that order. Andel Sampson of Falcon House claimed the 50m Boys U14 Freestyle while Nicholas Persaud of Macaw House took the runner up spot and Ezekiel Anderson of Raven House finished third. The 50m Boys U16 Freestyle went to Devon Boston of Falcon; Ezekiel Vypu of Raven took the runner up spot and Michael Morgan of Toucan placed third. Ronaldo De Abreu of Toucan won the 50m Boys U18 Freestyle ahead of Jaden Jones of Falcon and Warren Daly of Raven respectively.
Kayle Barrow of Toucan captured the Girls U12 50m Free, Kayla Barrow of Toucan won the U14 category, Leslie Daly of Macaw carted off the U16 division ahead of Princess Giddings of Macaw. Thea Henry won the U18 segment. Kayle Henry of Toucan won the 50m Girls U12 Breaststroke, Kayla Barrow of Toucan captured the same event for U14 Girls, Thea Henry of Macaw claimed the U16 trophy while the U18 top spot went to Tatiara Peniston of Toucan. Thea Henry placed second and Tamia Talbot of Toucan finished in third position. Chike Nurse won the 50 Boys U12 Breaststroke while Chioke Nurse placed second. Andel Sampson of Falcon took the U14 division ahead of Ezekiel Anderson, while the U16 title went to Ezekiel Vypus; Jamal Jones of Falcons placed second and Michael Morgan of Toucan was third. The U18 segment was taken by Ronaldo De Abreu while Levar Pieters of Macaw
Ronaldo De Abreu (left) and Devon Boston had a fine day in the pool. finished second and Warren Daly of Raven claimed third spot. Kayla Barrow won the 50m Girls U14 Backstroke event while Leslie Daly of Macaw took the top podium spot in the U16 category ahead of Titian Peneiston of Toucan and Karese Lloyd of Falcon.
The U18 division was won by Davie Destiny of Macaw while Mariza Joseph of Toucan took the runner up spot. In the 50m Boys Backstroke events, Andel Sampson won the U14 category while Devon Boston of Toucan captured the U16 segment ahead of Ezekiel
Chieko Nurse (left) and Chike Nurse. Vypus; Ronaldo De Abreu took the U18 title with Levar Pieters second. Kyla Barrow captured the 50m Girls U16 butterfly while Karse Lloyd of Falcons won the U18 division. Chike Nurse and Jaden Jones of Falcons placed first and second respectively in
the 50m Boys U12 Butterfly, Andel Sampson won the U14 category and Ronaldo De Abreu took the U18 division. Falcon House won the 4x50m relay event while Raven House took the runner up spot and Macaw House finished third.
Handicap Squash tourney begins Harper returns as Windies selector this evening at Georgetown Club The Ansa McAL Trading Ltd. sponsored Handicap Squash tournament serves off today at the usual venue, The Georgetown Club Inc. Courts on Camp Street with matches every day until the final on Sunday. Around 35 players of varying ages and abilities will battle in two categories; Open and Category A. With many of the junior players on a uphill move, players such as Samuel InceCarvalhal, Gianni Carpenter, Michael Alphonso and Nicholas Verwey will be vying in the Open Category against seasoned players Deje Dias, Nicholas Naraine and Javed Rahaman. Category A will hail a new champion as one of the younger players will have the
chance to take home the trophy this year since the previous stars have now moved up to the Open category. The top seed in category A is Zachary Persaud and all eyes will be on him to do well. The handicap points will even out the playing field and will see top seeded players trying to endure long rallies to climb the point deficient they will be awarded. Both categories will no doubt boast some outstanding squash. Matches will be the best of 3 games and will play to 15 points. Matches begin at 18:00hrs on the weekdays, while there will be an afternoon and evening session on Saturday with the respective finals on Sunday from 11:00hrs.
Ansa McAl Handicap tournament begins today at the Georgetown Club Courts.
Former West Indies offspinner and coach Roger Harper is among four men chosen by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to be on the senior selection panel for the regional team. Harper, a Guyanese, will be joined by the former Windward Islands batsman and selector Lockhart Sebastien, who was removed earlier this year before the new selection guidelines were being put in place. Sebastien reapplied and was chosen as on the new panel. He was part of the Courtney Browne led panel that included Eldine Baptiste and Travis Dowlin. Also making the grade as a senior selector are former Windwards batsman Miles Bascombe and Hendy Wallace, who served as chairman of the Barbados senior selection panel. The new panel will get to work very soon in choosing the West Indies team to tour India for the twin series against Afghanistan and India which gets going in November. Harper’s international career lasted 13 years, from 1983 to 1996, and he distinguished himself as a brilliant fielder. His Test bowling average of 28.06 is superior to that of Lance Gibbs, giving him the leading average among all West Indian spinners with at least 25 Test wickets. After his playing career he became a coach, taking over the West Indies team between 2000 and 2003 and also managing
New West Indies cricket selectors - Hendy Wallace, top left, Lockhart Sebastian, top right, Miles Bascombe, bottom left, and Roger Harper. of the West Indies Youth team in 2005. However, he was approached by Cricket Kenya in late December 2005 with an offer to take over stewardship of the Kenya team. After this, he went on to coach the West Indies team. Bascombe is a Vincentian cricketer who played a single Twenty20 international for the West Indies in 2011. In West Indian domestic cricket, he has played for the Windward Islands and the Combined Campuses
and Colleges. Sebastien, who is Dominican, was a West Indies cricketer who played for the Combined Islands and the Windward Islands in the 1970s and 1980s. He is the father of current Windward Islands cricketer Liam Sebastien. Wallace has been a longstanding member of the selection setup in Barbados and has worked a lot with young cricketers on the island in addition to being a regional commentator. (T&T Guardian)
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Kaieteur News
Breeders Cup fundraising event runs off this Sunday The eagerly anticipated Breeders’ Cup fundraising horse race event will speed off this Sunday at the Bush Lot United Turf Club, West Coast Berbice. What is anticipated to be an action packed day will feature three aspects, namely a horserace meet, motocross competition and a car and bike show, with all proceeds going towards the development of the Bush Lot United Turf Club. On the card for the horserace meet are five races with some of the top jockeys and animals expected to make appearances. The motocross competition will see some of the best daredevils in Guyana going head to head between intermissions during the horserace meet. The feature event of the horse racing card will be for the Guyana-bred horses for a purse of $400,000. In the Eclass race for non-winners, $300,000 will be up for grabs.
In the race for animals classified J1 and Lower the winner’s purse is $200,000. The two-year-old Guyana-bred maiden horse’s race will see the winner running away with $150,000 and the L-class and lower category will attract steeds sprinting for a top prize of $100,000. The day will conclude with the Car and Bike show that will see owners of the best machines being awarded with trophies and cash. According to Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr., the organiser of the fundraiser, the added attractions have been included to attract persons who don’t usually come to horse racing to be part of the event. All proceeds will go towards development works at the Bush Lot United Turf Club which includes the construction of a grand stand, stables for race days and fencing.
Breeder’s Cup Fundraising event runs off this Sunday at the Bush Lot United Turf Club.
NSC assists Flying Stars Unity Force The National Sports Commission (NSC) continues to assist Circle Tennis Clubs in an effort to revive the sport across the country. The entity presented a quantity of racquets and balls to Flying Stars Unity Force Circle Tennis Club of Region six yesterday. The Flying Stars club will take on Saint Pius Sports Complex in the semi finals of the NSC competition on a date to be announced.
Former President of the Guyana Circle Tennis Association, Trevor Fraser making a presentation to Flying Stars Unity Force Club (FSUF) in the NSC Head Office compound.
Nand Persaud Group of Companies goes racing again on Nov. 3 The Nand Persaud Group of Companies has organised yet another Horse Race Meet which is set for Sunday November 3rd and would be promoted by its Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group. The seven-race card, dubbed, ‘Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic’ will be held at the Company’s racing facility, No. 36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice. The company boasts the only horseracing facility where the horses run in a straight line from start to finish and has the complete package with racing track, promotional group, race horses, and stables. Over $4M in cash, trophies and other incentives are up for grabs with races again being
contested over 880 and 660 yards. The feature event will be for horses classified G3 and Lower over 880 yards or 4 furlongs for a winning purse of $225,000 and trophy. There is an event for H3 Maiden and Guyana Bred Open animals for a winning take of $200,000 and trophy over 3 furlongs. The Guyana Bred 2 year-old Maiden horses are set to compete for a winning take of $150,000 and trophy over 660 yards. The event for animals classified J and Lower also has a take home prize of $150,000 and trophy over 4 furlongs. There is an event for L Class Open horses over 880 M for a top prize of $100,000 and trophy. A race has been organised for L Class none winners which will see the winner
collecting $100,000 and trophy over 880M. There will also be a special race for those horses that did not place in the two L Class races for a top prize of $100,000 and trophy over 660 yards. Champion jockey, trainer and stable will all be rewarded with trophies and other incentives compliments of the Mr. Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall. Interested persons can make contact with Mohini on 600 4728 or Amanda on 618 5966. The Coordinator is Mohendra ‘Mohin’ Persaud. (Samuel Whyte)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 09, 2019
Sandhills Friendship defeat Ebini to win BCB/Berbice River Cricket T20 tournament The Area ‘H’ Ground in Guyana’s smallest Township came alive on Sunday last when dozens of residents from communities based in the Berbice River turned up to witness the finals of the 2nd annual Berbice Cricket Board/ Berbice River Area T20 tournament. Last year ’s runner-up Sand Hills Friendship easily defeated Ebini by 75 runs to lift the 2019 championship. Sandhills won the toss and elected to bat, they reached 148 for 8 from their 20 overs, recovering from a shaky position of 3 for 33 in the fifth over. They lost Byron Lindee 06, Michael Caple 19 and Daniel Leacock 01, medium pacer V. Totoram producing a penetrating opening spell of 4-1-23-3. The eventual champions middle order batted well with Glendon Fedricks 28, W. Caplie 23, Joshua Leacock 22 and Brian King 21 not out combining well to post a defendable total for their team. Leacock and King added a crucial 43 for the 5th wicket.
The best bowlers for Sandhills were Peter Grant 3 for 20, Vijai Totoram 3 for 23 and M.Leacock 2 for 26. Needing to score 149 off 120 balls to lift the BCB title, Ebini were never allowed to score freely as Sandhills Friendship bowled a tight line and fielded superbly. Opening fast bowler Jason Leacock and B. King restricted the score to 33 for 2 in the 11th over. Sandhills was eventually dismissed for 73 in 17.3 overs. Skipper Ian Lyte 20, D. Leacock 17 and Vijai Totaram 13 were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Daniel Leacock 2 for 10, Ryan DeNobrega 2 for 12, B. King 2 for 14, J.Leacock 2 for 17 were the champions best bowlers. Joshua Leacock was named Man-of-the-Finals and received a trophy and small water pitcher. BCB President Hilbert Foster praised the positive atmosphere that the finals was played in and stated that he was very impressed with the high level of talent on display. The BCB boss brought the
Sand Hills Friendship, 2019 Berbice Cricket Board/Berbice River Area T20 champions. entire delegation of players, clubs official and supporters from the riverain communities up to date on the current state of Berbice cricket. He also shared plans for the future and areas of assistance that clubs have (Continued on page 31)
BCB President Hilbert Foster hands over donation to representatives of the club.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 09, 2019
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Hero Caribbean MotoCorp supports Cancer Institute via CPL 2019 promotion
Dr. Sayan Chakraborty (left) receives the donation from Deon Williams (right) in the presence of Monette Harry (second left) and Kamla Mohan. As part of its second anniversary in Guyana, Hero Caribbean MotoCorp on Monday made a monetary contribution to the Cancer Institute of Guyana. At a simple but significant ceremony at the Cancer Institute of Guyana on Lamaha Street, Hero Country Manager, Deon Williams, presented a cheque valued US$1,500 to
Medical Director of the I n s t i t u t e D r. S a y a n Chakraborty in the presence of Coordinator Monette Harry and Accountant Kamla Mohan. The funds were garnered from a raffle held during the Guyana leg of the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2019. Williams said the overwhelming support and generosity of Guyanese
allowed Hero to contribute to a worthy cause. “We know and we’re confident this (donation) will be put to good use,” Williams said. Chakraborty added, “We will definitely make good use of this because we find there is a huge number of people who need screening and investigation and are unable to do those because of
financial constraints. This donation and generosity to the Cancer Institute will help to save a lot more lives.” Meanwhile, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed globally in October, the Cancer Institute has planned a number of activities to raise awareness and edify the public on the epidemic. Coordinator (Continued on page 31)
Raffle winner Mohamed Shahab Rasool (left) collects the keys to his Hero Hunk from Deon Williams.