Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Wednesday October 17, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A SOCIAL DILEMMA Signs are not simply to be read but to be believed and followed. If they are directional they will guide us to our desired destination. If they are warning or danger signs, they will protect us from destruction. Those who see, read and ignore the signs do so at their own peril. Signs of domestic violence are clear indications of our perilous social dilemma in Guyana and have been with us for a long time. Although we have not ignored domestic violence and the abuse of women, we have not made a serious or urgent effort to deal with these issues in society. Domestic violence should be treated as an epidemic. It is spreading and society must do all that is necessary to find answers. Domestic violence has resulted in the murder of a number of women and the suicide of other people. The most recent was Itashia Idana Frank, 38, who allegedly was murdered by her boyfriend, Durn Hunt at Corriverton on the Corentyne. It is one death too many. Neighbours have stated that Hunt was mentally ill and had been arrested several times for allegedly assaulting persons, but instead of being charged, the police would escort him to the National Psychiatric Hospital at Fort Canje, only for him to be released a few days later. The murder of Itashia Frank has made the Corentyne the domestic murder capital of Guyana. Data show that eight of the eighteen women murdered by their male partners this year were from the Corentyne. The data also revealed that the incidents of domestic violence rose from 74.8 percent in 2011 to 89.7 percent in 2017, with women accounting for more than 95 percent of the victims. Domestic violence accounts for one-third of the murders in the country and affects one in four women. It happens across the full socio-economic continuum, from poor families to very wealthy families and in every ethnicity, age group and religion. While many theories have been advanced to explain domestic violence, there is unanimity that gender inequality is at its root. This suggests that it is neither random nor isolated, nor can it be explained by abnormal characteristics of the abuser or the victim. Rather, domestic violence has been described as systemic and structural; a mechanism of patriarchal control of women that is built on male superiority and female inferiority, sex-stereotyped roles and economic, social, and political predominance of men and dependency of women. Although reliable statistics are not readily available in Guyana, the consensus is Guyanese women continue to be the subject of widespread violence and sexual abuse that have denied them their fundamental rights. Of more than 60 percent of women who are involved in a relationship or union, 29.7 percent were physically abused, 36.3 percent had experienced verbal abuse and 14.7 percent experienced sexual violence. Four of every five women perceived violence in the family to be very common in Guyana and the likely causes cited for it are control, suspicion of infidelity, jealously or hot temper. Over the years, significant effort has been made at the national and community levels to reduce domestic violence and make a difference in the lives of women. However, the reality is, as a nation, we are still struggling to address the fundamental question of how to effect the kind of societal change needed to eliminate domestic violence in Guyana. This type of change can only occur through the collaboration of the government, private sector, civic and religious organizations and the political will necessary to implement a long-term effective and coherent plan of action.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
There are absolutely no possible conflict of interest issues in this instance DEAR EDITOR, I bought a copy of the Stabroek News on Monday and read with astonishment an article on possible conflict of interest issues pertaining to Minister Cathy Hughes’ membership in Cabinet and the fact that her husband’s law firm is setting up shop in Texas. Initially, I did not think that there could have been an issue of conflict regarding the fact that her husband’s law firm would be seeking mostly legal and facilitation work out of the Houston, Texas area where Exxon is based. To me, that was simply a smart business move that any logically thinking management would undertake. I do expect other types of Guyanese business entities would seek to do the same to offer one-stop shop services
to companies headed to Guyana. After reading the fears expressed that Mrs. Hughes could possibly throw work her husband’s way regarding laws being written to govern oil and gas, I therefore hold firm to my belief that there is absolutely no possible conflict of interest issues here. For one thing, the AG’s chambers and its drafting unit deal mostly with laws which end up before Parliament and select committees, so I don’t see how she could have influence with anything to do with the law. The firm is simply putting itself in a position to garner business from individuals and firms interested in doing business in Guyana from the Texas end. Most of the business and
patronage are being targeted from outside of Guyana, rather than in Guyana where the firm is well established. Those crying wolf now and screaming that there is fire in the building, said precious little when the PPP Government lawlessly ensured the largest transfer of wealth from any Government to persons who favoured or were related to them. There are many instances of open conflict during the PPP era. Nothing occurring now can even come close to what had obtained back then. The two had been married long before we ever dreamed of oil and gas, and Hughes, Fields and Stoby has long replaced McKay and Moore and Luckhoo and Luckhoo as the leading law firm in Guyana. Should they simply step
aside and allow others to set up shop in Texas, just because there is a small group in Guyana which thinks that Mrs. Hughes would throw tips and work her husband’s way? This is absolute nonsense. Later, I read that the Minister had sought a legal opinion on how to handle the situation. This is not required by law. She also met all the requirements of the Integrity Commission. The firm was launched at a public ceremony for all to see. Nothing was hidden. I therefore ask the Stabroek News to produce similar types of editorials regarding alleged conflict of interest during the time of the PPP to debunk any perceptions that it has a hidden agenda. Earl Hamilton
GECOM sends away Seventh-day Adventists from elections training DEAR EDITOR, Has the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) gained the authority to overrule the Constitution of Guyana? How many Election Officials/Officers/Trainers have the power to discriminate against our citizens? Countless other questions traverse through my mind as I was told that I could not participate in the training provided for polling staff for the upcoming Local Government Elections. I was invited by GECOM to the training provided for Polling day staff and/or officials last Saturday and Sunday (October 13th & 14th 2018) at the Berbice Educational Institute; however, being a born Seventh-Day Adventist, I have the utmost respect for the bible and believe in all its teachings, including: ‘‘Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work…” Exodus 20:810. This is my religious belief. So I did not attend the first day of training. Upon arrival on the second, I was told by the registration clerk
that they did not know if they could accommodate me, because I missed the first day of training. I informed the clerk and the assistant that I could not have attended the training on the first day because it goes against my religion. I was then accompanied by one of my brothers. We were then told that there’s nothing that they could do about my situation, because they called their supervisor, who informed them that we are not entitled to join
because we missed the first day of training. ‘Am I not a citizen of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana?’ I asked. But I was greeted with words of remorse from the registration clerk, ‘there’s is nothing we can do!’ The constitution clearly states ‘For the purposes or this Act, a person discriminates against another person if the first mentioned person makes, on any or the grounds mentioned in subsection (2),
any distinction, exclusion or preference, the intent or effect of which is to nullify or impair equality of opportunity or treatment in any employment or occupation. 4. (2) The grounds referred to in subsection (1) are:- (a) race, s e x , r e l i g i o n , colour……..Any act or omission or any practice or policy that directly or indirectly results in discrimination against a person on the grounds (Continued on page 5)
A matter of integrity DEAR EDITOR, Kaieteur News reports on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, that “the Integrity Commission does not intend to pursue declaration of assets and liabilities from public officials which should have been made before 2018.” This report is very telling and forces you to question the integrity of the Integrity Commission. This is not the first time that the integrity of the Integrity Commission has come into question. In March this year when the Chairman was sworn in, he said he was never interested in the position until his friend, the
Prime Minister, called him, and then he decided to take up the offer. So what were Guyanese people supposed to think? Now we read that there will be no declaration of assets of public officials for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. Why is the Chairman not pushing for the declaration of assets to be made to the Integrity Commission for those three years? It seems as if he is making excuses for public officials, especially the Coalition Government Ministers, when he talks about there not being an Integrity Commission
Secretariat in place from 2015. But who disbanded the Secretariat? It was the Coalition Government who fired all the people working at the Secretariat. Even so, the Chairman has a responsibility to the Guyanese people. There is nothing preventing him from requesting that all public officials make their declarations to the Integrity Commission for 2015 straight through to 2018. He has the power to do so. If he fails to act, it would be an indictment on his own integrity. Regards Attiya Baksh
Wednesday October 17, 2018
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Kaieteur News
What have Mr Holland and the APNU leadership done for young people in Linden and Region 10 in general? DEAR EDITOR, Carwyn Holland’s missive which found its way into the Guyana’s Chronicle of October 15th under the caption: “Is Guyana your property Jagdeo?” reveals the panic and desperation that exists among the APNU/AFC and surrogates in the run-up to the November 12th 2018 Local Government Election. Mr Holland, who allowed his name and signature to be used as a part of the current propaganda apparatus, seems to be punching out of his league. As a former boxing promoter he ought to know that someone who could not
survive one year as Mayor of Linden, where he was rejected by his own APNU/AFC councilors, should seek to pick a fight with someone like President Jagdeo who served twelve years as Executive President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. President Jagdeo can be described as the architect of modern Guyana, who has spent his entire life in Public Service to Guyana and the Guyanese people. It is clear that the contents of the letter that Mr. Holland signed cannot be his personal views or thoughts. If so, it is a case of him suffering from
some sort of amnesia. It is Linden and Region #10 that bears the footprints and marks of President Jagdeo. It was under President Jagdeo that the physical infrastructure in Linden including “Burnham Drive” was rehabilitated, the new Linden Hospital Complex was built, the water treatment plants both in Amelia’s Ward and Wismar were erected, the LEAP program and its successor LEN were initiated, with its business incubator constructed. BOSAI and RUSAL as foreign investors were brought to Guyana to save
Bauxite and ensure Lindeners and people in the Berbice River’s livelihoods were maintained and even improved. Community forest concessions were given out to communities throughout Region #10. The most expansive housing development at Amelia’s Ward and Block 22 in Wismar were initiated which resulted in thousands of homes today. New schools and health centres were built in the Demerara River, Berbice River, Number 47 and Number 58 Mabura Road. Hundreds of Lindeners were trained and equipped
with skills though the BIT (Board of Industrial Training). The fact that Mr. Holland and his propaganda pool are able to write and publish this form of misinformation is sufficient evidence that Jagdeo as president entrenched democracy in Guyana after the dark days of Burnham. It must have been quite an upsetting scene for the PNC types like Carwyn Holland and the Congress Place cabal with their AFC handmaidens to listen to the profound presentation of a visionary leader, President Jagdeo - who is still making his contributions
for Guyana’s development - at a Saturday October 13, 2018 meeting in Kitty, and to realize this former president who is not running for public office is investing his time and energy to ensure the best team is put in place to govern Guyana and restore the path to prosperity for all Guyanese. I would like Mr Holland and the APNU leadership in region #10 to clearly identify what they have done to enhance and enrich the lives of young people in Linden and region #10 in general. David Adams
What will it take to make a Lawyer into a patriot? DEAR EDITOR, The recent invocation of the immunity clause by former president Bharrat Jagdeo with regard to being questioned by SOCU, in relation to Pradoville 2 lands, seems to have awakened a group of local bears from a long hibernation. While I am in support of a KN article,”Constitutional reform needed to curb presidential excesses - Lawyers”, I take umbrage to the specific class of citizens (Lawyers) from whom the above caption emanates. Surely, I would have liked to have some names.
You have to give credit to Freddie Kissoon for often saying that Guyana will never change. Lawyers are the legal minds, and in local parlance they are “top of the food chain” in matters of the law and constitution. Prior to the KN article, I cannot recall seeing a single article in any of the papers, advocating for the repealing of the presidential immunity clause or any other changes to the constitution, by a Lawyer. I was under the impression that these individuals were well satisfied with our
constitution. To hear or read that a few of them came out in one voice in favour of constitutional reform is akin to the joke of the century. In fact, one on the opposition benches, whom is considered by a few as a presidential hopeful, had been very vocal against constitutional reform a year ago when the UN and the British were trying to give it a kick start here. That individual, who had said that, “the need for compliance trumps the need for reform,” is the one who had the honour in invoking the immunity clause
GECOM sends away Seventh... From page 4 referred to in subsection (2), is an act of discrimination, regardless of whether the person responsible for the act or omission or the practice or policy intended to discriminate’ Cap 99:09, Prevention Of Discrimination, Laws Of Guyana. This is the Law. It is very embarrassing to know that even our Election officers/officials/Trainers are not aware
of the laws that govern our country.It is against the law for Election Officers/Staff to discriminate against voters, but it is no big deal if they do the same thing to prospective polling staffers that are voters who also are citizens. The Seventh-day Adventist Church accounts for almost 30,000 Guyanese, which is way more than the difference between the two major political parties that
contested at the last general elections. Inside of the manual given to potential polling staffers there is an extract of cap 28:03 Local Authorities Act (Elections) which states that no staff/official should solicit voters: whether or not to vote, yet these same people are inferring that we are not citizens and we don’t matter. How? Aggrieved
in defence of his client, Bharrat Jagdeo. It boggles the normal mind to imagine what it would take to make a Lawyer into a patriot! I would like to hear his justification for retaining the immunity clause in the constitution - considering his pontification, “the need for compliance trumps the need for reform.” While the coalition has been deceptive on all its major promises, constitutional reform included, there has been no impetus from the opposition (PPP), the party that claims representation of more than 49% of the voting population, to push for reform. In fact, the Party leaders had categorically stated that they don’t want any reform of the constitution without any consultation with their so-called constituencies. The Coalition has displayed daring examples of corruption and nepotism; they are doing a poor job at
handling what had existed as the economy, they deserve a zero for their charade in the coming oil and gas sector. In this scenario, the PPP leaders fancy their chances to achieve “nirvana” once again in 2020, without changing a single iota of the constitution in which they had enriched themselves in the past. Guyanese have entrapped themselves between a rock and a hard place - the PPP and the coalition. I am inclined to think that nothing more on constitu-
tional reform will be forthcoming from these laymen, they were caught in the heat of the moment, to give a response on the “immunity issue”, and then it was back to their normative silence. The British High Commissioner said that constitutional reform will only happen if the people want it. But who is there to “bell the cat”? With the diehard supporters of APNU and the PPP only believing what their leaders say, constitutional reform will remain in limbo. Rudolph Singh
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Zero Hunger: our actions today are our future tomorrow By José Graziano da Silva Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Just three years ago, in September 2015, all United Nations Member States approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The eradication of hunger and all forms of malnutrition (Sustainable Development Goal number 2) was defined by world leaders as a cardinal objective of the Agenda, a sine qua non condition for a safer, fairer and more peaceful world. Paradoxically, global hunger has only grown since then. According to the latest estimates, the number of undernourished people in the world increased in 2017, for the third consecutive year. Last year, 821 million people suffered from hunger (11 percent of the world population - one in nine people on the planet), most of them family and subsistence farmers living in poor rural areas of subSaharan Africa and Southeast Asia. However, the growing rate of undernourished people is not the only big challenge we are facing. Other forms of malnutrition have also increased. In 2017, at least 1.5 billion people suffered from micronutrient deficiencies that undermine their health and lives. At the same time, the proportion of adult obesity continues to rise, from 11.7 percent in 2012 to 13.3 percent in 2016 (or 672.3 million people). Hunger is mainly circumscribed to specific areas, namely those ravaged by conflicts, droughts and extreme poverty; yet obesity is everywhere, and it is increasing all around the world. As a matter of fact, we are witnessing the globalization of obesity. For example: obesity rates are climbing faster in Africa than any other region –eight of the 20 countries in the world with the fastest rising rates of adult obesity are in Africa. Furthermore, childhood overweight affected 38 million children under five years of age in 2017. About 46 percent of these children live in Asia, while 25 percent live in Africa. If we do not call for urgent actions to halt the increasing
José Graziano da Silva
obesity rates, we soon may have more obese than undernourished people in the world. The growing rate of obesity is happening at a huge socio-economic cost. Obesity is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer. Estimates indicate that the global economic impact of obesity is about USD 2 trillion per year (2.8 percent of the global GDP). This is equivalent to the impacts of smoking or armed conflicts. This year, World Food Day (celebrated every 16th of October) aims to remind the international community of its fundamental political commitment to humanity – the eradication of all forms of malnutrition – and raise awareness that achieving a Zero Hunger world by 2030 (so in 12 yearstime) is still possible. The experience of Brazil is a good example to have in mind. According to FAO estimates, hunger in Brazil was reduced from 10.6 percent of the total population (about 19 million people) at the beginning of the 2000s to less than 2.5 percent in the 2008-2010 triennium, which is the minimum value in which FAO can make meaningful statistical inference. This reduction in the number of undernourished people was mainly possible due to the firm commitment of former President Lula and the implementation of public policies and social protection programmes addressing extreme poverty and the impacts of prolonged droughts in the northeastern part of the coun-
try. In fact, governments have the most fundamental role in achieving Zero Hunger by ensuring that vulnerable people have sufficient income to buy the food they need, or the means to produce it for themselves – even in times of conflict. However, world leaders have to bear in mind that the concept of Zero Hunger is broader and not limited to the fight against undernourishment. It aims to provide people with the necessary nutrients for a healthy life. Zero Hunger encompasses the eradication of all forms of malnutrition. So it is not just about feeding people but nourishing people as well. Current global food systems have increased the availability and accessibility of processed food that is very caloric and energy-dense, high in fat, sugar and salt. Food systems must be transformed in a way so that all people can consume healthy and nutritious food. We need to address obesity as a public issue, not as an individual problem. This requires the adoption of a multi-sectoral approach involving not only governments, but also international organizations, national institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector and citizens in general. It must be a collective effort towards healthy diets that include, for instance, the creation of norms such as labelling and the banning of some harmful ingredients), the introduction of nutrition in the school curriculum, the adoption of methods to avoid food loss and waste, and the establishment of trade agreements that do not hamper access to locally grown, fresh and nutritious food from family farming. “Our actions are our future” is the message of World Food Day 2018. It is time to renew our commitment and, even more important, the political support towards a sustainable world free from hunger and all forms of malnutrition.
Wednesday October 17, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Regulations proposed to debar errant contractors
Participants at The Public Procurement Commission stakeholders’ consultations on the proposed Draft Debarment and Suspension Regulations at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.
T
he Public Procure ment Commission (PPC) has launched consultations to familiarise public authorities on proposed regulations which would make it easier to debar contractors who do substandard work. These sessions are aimed at introducing stakeholders to the Draft Debarment and Suspension Regulations. They are also intended to obtain feedback on areas important to the effective functioning of the public procurement system, in keeping with the Public Procurement Act of 2003, according to a government statement. Addressing the gathering at Monday’s launch at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, Chair-
person of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), Carol Corbin, explained that over the years, Government officials had been complaining about delinquent contractors and the many problems experienced in the poor execution of government contracts. The Public Procurement Act, which deals with functions of the national board, states, “Pending the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, the National Board shall be responsible for making regulations governing procurement to carry out the provisions of this Act,” and “adjudicating debarment proceedings,” Corbin added. However, she said, while there are references in the Procurement Act to the sus-
pension and debarment of errant contractors, the required regulations for the debarment process were not included. “No action could have been taken over these years to actually debar or suspend contractors and suppliers, because the relevant supporting regulations do not exist at this time in terms of being approved and included in the legislation.” Guyana’s procurement entities are responsible for the management of over $110B. PPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Seon Noel, said: “Public procurement must therefore be viewed as a business endeavour, requiring actions to protect the public purse. These actions can involve suspending or debarring individuals and companies who are not responsible
Public Procurement Commission (PPC), Chief Executive Officer, Seon Noel enough in their relationships with public procurement entities and therefore being unable, temporary or otherwise to do business with government.” Last year’s Auditor General’s report said that a consultancy firm was hired to draft regulations under the Procurement Act, outlining the procedures to be followed
Chairperson of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), Carol Corbin
by the Public Procurement Commission or NPTAB, in adjudicating debarment proceedings. The firm examined and made recommendations on revisions to the regulations, with a view to increasing government’s threshold limits, in light of current prices and the fact that the last increase in limits was in No-
vember 2004. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board provided a copy of the draft Debarment and Suspension Regulations to the commission for its review. Once the process of consultations is completed, the draft document will be presented in the National Assembly.
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Govt’s ‘lack of funds’ claim forced GTU to negotiate for three years - GTU President
A
revised decision to negotiate salary increases for public school teachers for three years instead of five years was solely the decision of the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU] and not an imposition by government. This was asserted of GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte, who in an invited comment said that this move was deliberate since the union was concerned about whether government would have been able to find the needed funds to pay teachers retroactive pay for five years. “We thought it was the best thing to do as we move on...We can look at a new agreement for 2019 later. We think the longer this thing goes on the more difficult it
will be for Government to deal with all those retroactive payments,” said Lyte. The union and the Education Ministry on Friday agreed to a 12 percent increase for teachers in 2016 and a further eight percent for 2018. It is expected, Lyte said, that the payment will be made in two tranches in December and January. He, however, noted that the union will have to pay keen attention to how things progress since “we have a timeline to treat with that and if that time passes nothing will happen…nobody will get anything for this year.” Lyte noted, too, that the union is very optimistic about moving forward. While the union and the Ministry have agreed to all
financial aspects for a salary package for teachers, Lyte informed that there are a few non-financial areas that are yet to be agreed upon. “We have accepted what they have put forward except for three non-salary areas that we need clarity on,” he shared. It is expected that the three areas will be brought to the attention of Cabinet after which a document will be completed detailing what the parties have agreed on. “Once all the ‘T’s have been crossed and the ‘I’s have been dotted then we will sign the agreement,” Lyte said. Although it is expected that the two sides will sign an agreement this week, Lyte hinted at the possibility of it taking a bit longer. “We await a call from the Ministry of
GTU President, Mark Lyte. Education,” the GTU President noted. He sought to dispel rumours that some of the union’s action has been politically motivated. “We have always maintained that this is not about politics; this is about the welfare of teachers and when we worked out what was offered we decided that our teachers will benefit significantly and
we communicated that. “We shared with our teachers what they are likely to get in December and January. That is the information we have passed on to them. The majority of our teachers, based on the feedback we got, are comfortable with the decision the union made for them because they have indicated that they trust us. “They have trusted us
from the inception,” insisted Lyte. The majority of teachers are receptive to the package that has been accepted by the union thus far. “In every situation you will not find everybody agreeing on everything but what we know is that the majority of our membership trusted us to agree to something that will be beneficial to them and we believe we agreed to a good deal even though we were hoping to get a little bit more for our teachers,” Lyte informed. Lyte said, too, that in addition to heeding the calls of the majority of its members, the union recognized that the longer the union holds out, the harder it is likely to become for government to make payable retroactive payments to teachers. “So it was with our teachers in mind that we went ahead and made a decision, collectively,” Lyte assured. Meanwhile, Lyte in (Continued on page 26)
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Local government elections will make little difference Are we fooling ourselves into believing that local government elections will change things in Guyana? What will it change? Local government in Guyana faces three main challenges. Having local government elections will not fundamentally address these challenges. The first challenge is that the local government architecture in Guyana is too expansive. We are a country with less than a million people, yet we have more than fifty NDCs, ten Regional administrations, and now nine municipalities. Lethem has less people than some wards in Georgetown and it is a town. That has to be a joke! Have we not learnt anything from the British? The village system which they established was superintended by village councils that did not work. These councils remained subservient and dependent on central government? We have had years of
negotiations on local government reform. These negotiations have not fundamentally altered the structure of local government. The system for example has not been revamped so as to grant greater devolution of powers. Even with the new formula for allocating revenues to local government organs, local government bodies will remain dependent and subservient to central government. Local government elections will not change this dependent relationship because the relationship between central government and local government bodies remains one of master and servant. One of the major challenges facing the local government system in Guyana is the overcoming historical legacies. The village system in Guyana was created around sugar plantations. The main historical bugbear faced by villages was the high cost of drainage and irriga-
tion. Under colonial Guyana, the village councils could never afford to carry the cost of drainage. There is no difference today. NDCs are too small and their resource base is too narrow.The municipalities also cannot be converted into public corporations as is the case in some Caribbean countries. Their population base and catchment is too small to allow any such corporation to be viable. Viability is dependent not just on financial resources but equally about the quality of human resources. Local government organs will always end up having to compete with the private sector and the government to attract the best human resources in the country. There is a dearth of human resources in communities. It is a myth that the villages and municipalities are awash with available administrative and management skills. They are not. In most
One month after... Senior officer charged with drunk driving, causing pedal cyclist’s death
O
ne month after 64-year-old pedal cyclist, Conrad Alleyne, was killed near Boerasirie, West Coast Demerara, allegedly by drunk Superintendent of Police, Patrick Todd, the officer was yesterday charged and released on bail. The senior officer was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. The first charge alleged that on September 12, last, at Boerasirie, Public Road, West Coast Demerara, Todd drove motor car PTT 992 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Conrad Alleyne. It was further stated that on the same day and at the same location, Todd drove motorcar PTT 992 when his breath (Continued on page 26)
CHARGED Superintendent of Police, Patrick Todd
DEM BOYS SEH
Jagdeo plan to kill Berbicians
Since you blink Jagdeo gun find a way to grab de spotlight. That man is a scamp and he know how to grab attention. Just de odda day he talk how de government had to support any toll increase fuh de Berbice Bridge because de investors put dem money. He then tell dem reporters that if de government don’t agree to any increase pun de Bridge it would mess up any future agreement fuh public-private partnership. De truth was that he was thinking bout he friend Babbie and de dividends pun he investment. Lo and behold, this same Jagdeo now promising people that if de government only agree to any hike in de toll fuh de Berbice Bridge he gun reverse it when he get back in power. This man now telling people that he ain’t agree to any increase Dem boys seh he ain’t because de Berbice people holler when dem hear de toll increase. Who use to pay $2,000 now got to pay $8,000; who pay $4,000 got to $14,000.
And dem start to cuss Jagdeo because dem know is he push fuh de increase. And he time it to coincide wid de local government elections—same day. De government done tell de people not to pay. Is de same thing wid de Clown Clerk. He lease a man land that don’t belong to de City Council. Dem boys seh this is not bad because is a case of mekking money fuh de council. But is when dem check fuh de lease money dem find out something else. De council claim that dem never know bout de lease till dem see it in de paper. And this lease been in operation since 2016. De officer check fuh de receipt right away. One missing. Dem boys know if you don’t have receipt you can’t trace de money. De man who lease de land got a receipt but de council who lease de land can’t find de copy. That is smartness.Dem boys seh is only time before dem call Royston King to testify. He got nuff questions to answer.
cases, these local government organs end up scraping the bottom of the barrel in order to find people to carry out the management of their various local government bodies. Most of the highly skilled and qualified persons are either out of the country, working for government or within the private sector. Not much is left for the municipalities to tap into. Local government elections will not throw up new talent. This is a myth. The system will continue to be afflicted by lack of human resources. Look at Georgetown. The markets ended up in a rundown state; the cemetery has been allowed to turn into a jungle and the drains are all cluttered up. Garbage is now all over the place and there is widespread illegal squatting
and vending. Had it not been for Government intervention, the capital would have been turned into shanty town. The third main challenge is that local government elections will reproduce at another level the political confrontation and stagnation between the government and the main opposition. Local government elections will be a two-party race between the PNCR and the PPPC. Forget about the AFC! The system is such that the AFC will not win a single municipality or NDC. The AFC will not also hold any balance of power in any NDC or municipality. The shortage of independent candidates suggests that even they realize that the system is stacked against them. Essentially, therefore,
what will happen is that local government elections will be a straight fight between the two main parties. Local government organs emerging out of any local government elections will therefore be a battleground between the two main parties. It will lead to the same old political paralysis and stagnation. It will perpetuate ethnic voting. In other words, it will perpetuate the same rotten political culture from which so many people wish to escape. What difference will it make to your lives and to your communities? Not much! That much is certain!
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Whimpering thoroughbreds are whimsically running in Whim Writing in his Chronicle column (the newspaper which some observers claim has destroyed the legacy of Moses Nagamootoo), the PM wrote; “In my home area, WhimBloomfield, detractors had peddled that the AFC was dead and that they were waiting after the polls to “pull Naga’s bones in the streets” but the people rallied and came up with a full slate….” Well since “Naga” wrote that, the villagers in Whim look set to pick his bones. Naga is the Prime Minister (second in constitutional power after the president) and
his party is in power the past three and a half years. But yet it looks like in his birth village, Naga has trouble fielding a full slate of candidates to contest the Whim NDC election in November. There are whimsically crazy things taking place in Whim in relation to Naga’s AFC list. Real people are claiming that the AFC deliberately misled them, promising them development in Whim only to find that they signed their names to be contestants for the upcoming NDC elections. These persons have re-
sorted to three types of action – submitting affidavits to GECOM to have their names removed, filing a writ in court for the same reason and asking the police to investigate fraud in the AFC list. Now surely, something is not right here. Let us for the sake of argument accuse the PPP of mischief. But actual persons are demanding that their names be taken off. So far 51 Whim residents had their names removed from the AFC’s list accusing Naga’s party of trickery. Now, a realist could argue that these are villagers that
could face intimidation from PPP activists after the elections and who predominate in the village. The AFC has made that identical adumbration. That argument is nonsense. Can you imagine some Buxtonians are coming off the APNU list because some PPP residents in the village will harass them after the elections? That is impossible because Buxton is an APNU stronghold and will not allow APNU candidate to be abused by PPP supporters in the village. In fact, which PPP personnel in Buxton could ha-
rass any Buxtonian? So Naga is the Prime Minister for the past three years; Naga’s party is in power for the same period; Naga’s colleague in the AFC is the Minister of Agriculture which has been doing things in Whim; Naga’s colleague is the Minister of Public Works (oops, sorry, Public Infrastructure) which has been building roads and dams and bridges in Whim; Naga’s colleague is the Minister of Home Affairs (oops, sorry, Public Security) which has provided security for the villagers to sleep soundly at nights, yet the PPP still has a strong base in Whim that is large enough to intimidate people from becoming candidates for Naga’s party. I honestly do not believe the AFC exclamation of PPP’s scare tactics because it does not make sense. Something is not right here. Let’s examine the AFC’s cry of intimidation. Who are the people doing the bullying, and who are the persons that are scared? Obviously, Whim then is divided. Obviously then, the PPP having spent the last three years out of power still is a formidable force in Naga’s hometown to the extent that they can drive fear in Naga’s sup-
Frederick Kissoon porters. Obviously then the AFC has failed to convert Whim. So where are the truths? Here are the truths and the facts. In the 2015 general elections, Naga’s party did not get a majority in Whim. The PPP did. In the 2016 LGE, Naga’s party did not win. The PPP did. Naga’s sister who was on the AFC list made a terribly poor showing. Here now is logical deduction. If Naga did now win in those two elections, why doesbNaga think that his party will win in 2018? It is against this backdrop one has to be careful about the AFC accusation of PPP bullying tactics in Whim. The other side of that coin is that if Naga’s party could not have mustered a full slate then that would have been an embarrassment for the world to see. It is for this reason I am wondering if the cry of deception by some villagers who want their name removed from the AFC is may not contain some factual dimensions. Here are Naga’s words after he claimed that the AFC had a full slate of names for the Whim election; “As the horses are out of the paddock and at the starting gate, I take comfort in the words of my late father: ‘Thoroughbreds don’t cry; they run and die.’” Indeed the AFC will run and will die.
Wednesday October 17, 2018
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Kato Hydropower Plant attracts billion-dollar bid Ministry of Public Infrastructure - Sea and River Defense Resilience Project – Lot 5, Site 4: Grove/Lookout, East Bank Essequibo, Region #3
Consultancy Services for the Feasibility Study and Design for the Rehabilitation of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway
HECI – Design, Supply and Installation of a 150k Hydropower Plant at Chiung River Kato Village, Region #8
Rehabilitation of Urban Roads Lot 1 – Rehabiliation of Middle Street, Henrietta, Region 2 Lot 2 – Rehabiliation of Nursery School Street, Lima, Region 2
Miscellaneous Roads 2018 Lot 1 – Rehabilitation of Access Road. Trafalgar, Region 5 Lot 2 – Rehabiliation of Main Access Road, Sea Damn and Side Dam Lot 3 – Rehabiliation of Last Street, Liverpool, Region 6
Construction of Cell 2 Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill
Consultancy for the Study for the Ruse and Recycling of Coconut Waste
Procurement of 26 Desktop computers
Procurement of Equipment for Bina Hill Institute, Annai District, Region 9, Lot 1 & 2
Procurement of Furnishings and Electrical Items for New Students’ Dormitory, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown Lot 1 & 2
37 murder cases for this Berbice session Of 42 persons in the New Amsterdam prison awaiting trial a whopping 37 persons are awaiting trial for murder. This information was related in a jail delivery presented by the New Amsterdam Prison Service. The delivery was presented to Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry presiding over the Berbice Criminal session. There are two for attempted murder, two for Sexual Penetration and one for rape. Of
the lot one person has been incarcerated since 2011 while two have been in jail since 2013 and another two since 2014. Four of those on murder want to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. All 42 are requesting an early trial. The delivery was signed by Superintendent of Prison and Officer in Charge of the New Amsterdam Prison Deoraj Gyandat. Attorney at Law Mandel Moore is appearing for the state during this session.
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Wednesday October 17, 2018
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Work to begin on new Demerara Bridge next year
T
he Ministry of Pub lic Infrastructure (MOPI) will be moving ahead with the New Demerara Harbour Bridge this year with the intention to begin actual work on the much need crossing in 2019. In a recent interview with the Department of Public Information, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, assured that work on the crossing between Houston and Versailles which is pivotal for linking Regions Three and Four and further afield will begin next year. As for the controversy over the procedure to secure the consultancy design, he explained that the procurement process sought was the most expeditious one. This led to the matter being brought before the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
SOCU had got involved after the Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party, complained that the $100Mplus consultancy for a feasibility study did not properly follow procurement procedures. Minister Patterson said, “The recommendations from the Public Procurement will be taken on board. They never questioned the validity of the information we presented, there was never a question of the technical soundness or the competency of the consultancies, so we have good information.” According to the Public Infrastructure Minister, the Ministry received 12 submissions which enable the Ministry to see the real costs in the open market. Prior to the procurement process, it was envisaged that the new four-lane bridge
An artist rendition of what the best model would have looked like- the cost is about US$170M.
would cost about $250M, however, through the first process the cost estimate was approximately $200M. Minister Patterson said this encouraged the ministry to extend the procurement process. “We realised that we could afford more with the money we have. That’s why we decided to ask all 12 firms
or anyone else to bid. We know that the cost of the bridge is under US$200M. It is just the best financing package available we are going for. Therefore, we are going through a public/private partnership some time this month for updates on those quotes through the public/ private partnership department under the Finance Ministry. Then we will be moving ahead with the bridge.” According to Minister Patterson, the government
has sufficient funding for the new crossing but is pursuing the public/private arrangement to allow private stakeholders to contribute in the very ‘economical’ project. The restrictions, however, will be the capping of tolls so there is no hike in charges to cross the bridge. Minister Patterson emphasised that the government has a responsibility to address the need for infrastructure. “While we are still confident our process was right
because we went to Cabinet and got its approval; we await the outcomes of all the reports but we will be proceeding this year with the project. The bridge will take 18 months so if we start mid next year we can put in our part of the financing as well.” The best site, according to the feasibility study for a new bridge to replace the one at Peter’s Hall, will be at Houston, East Bank, with the western end at Versailles, West Bank Demerara.
$75,000 bail for possession of ‘Ecstasy’ Thirty-two-year-old Steve Fiedtkou of Mandela Avenue was once again put before the court, this time, in relation to possession of Ecstasy. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on October 12, last, he had in his possession 256 grams of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as Ecstasy, equivalent to 142 grams of Net pills. Fiedtkou was represented by attorney-atlaw Siand Dhurjon who told the court that his client is a Christian who is well respected in his community and a single father to three boys all under the age of ten years old. Fiedtkou was previously charged in 2016 for causing the death of his spouse by reckless driving, while they were supposedly out looking for their missing seven-year-old son. The attorney also told the court that despite losing his wife only two years ago and being charged in relation to her death, the defendant is coping with the situation well. He was never involved in any form of violent
Steve Fiedtkou crimes and neither did he have any pending matters in any other courts.The prosecution had no objections bail and Magistrate Ann McLennan ordered that the defendant be released on $75,000 bail and return to court on November 7.
Wednesday October 17, 2018
Renting of disputed Sussex Street wharf
$625,000 lease receipt missing from M&CC files
The disputed Wharf located on Lombard and Sussex Streets Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) Tax Collection Officer, Kim Forbes, has testified that a receipt for Lombard Street Wharf Facility which Town Clerk Royston King, leased to a local shipping company is missing. Forbes’s testimony before the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of City Hall comes approximately several days after proprietor of Quick Shipping Inc, Paul Sandy, produced receipts showing that he paid the MCC $625,000 per year for 2016, 2017 and 2018, for lease of the Sussex Street wharf. Sandy signed a lease with the MCC for the location at Lot 1 Mudflat, Lombard Street in April of 2016. However, Forbes told the
Commission that her records only reflect payments received at the MCC for 2017 and 2018.The officer could not say why the receipt for 2016 is not in her records. Forbes explained that although the Sussex Street wharf lease was signed since 2016, it was only when the news broke in the media over the controversy of the property that she was even made aware of the issue “Sir, when it appeared in the media, that is the first I gained knowledge of it. I went into my records to see if there was a document pertaining to that and I found the document pertaining to the Sussex Street wharf. “On checking the records, yes, we had received payments, two, in the year 2017 and the year 2018. No
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Kaieteur News
Kim Forbes, Tax Collection Officer payment was made in 2016 to the best of my knowledge,” she affirmed.Forbes is employed in the Tax Collecting section under the City Treasury Department, which is (Continued on page 29)
Expansion in mining and timber harvesting threatens Guyana’s low deforestation rate - IDB In the eyes of the InterAmerican Development bank (IDB), Guyana faces both challenge and opportunity to manage its vast natural resources. It pointed out that since 2012, the rate of deforestation has ranged between 0.065% and 0.079%—a much lower rate than the collective deforestation rates of tropical forest countries, estimated at 0.6% and the annual deforestation rate for South America of around 0.45%. The Bank noted, however, that the expansion of mining, conversion for agriculture, timber harvesting, and infrastructure development (especially roads) are substantial risks to the country’s forest cover. The organization explained that in 2014, mining was responsible for 85% of total forest loss (a significant increase from 51% in the 1990s), and, as for agriculture, this was responsible for about 54% of the rest. While preventing deforestation in Guyana is a challenge, the IDB said it also presents an opportunity to leverage financing from the provision of environmental services under international frameworks such as Reducing
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). CURRENT STATUS Up to last year, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) noted that the deforestation percent was 0.048; the lowest since 2010. In 2010, it was 0.056%; in 2011 – 0.054%; 2012- 0.079%; 2013- 0.068 %; 2014 – 0.065 % and 2015-2016 – 0.050 %. According to GFC, the drivers for deforestation saw 8,851 hectares of forest lost last year. Mining was the biggest culprit- 6,495 hectares; mining infrastructure – 947 hectares; forestry infrastructure—227 hectares; infrastructure- 195 hectares; agriculture- 477 hectares; settlements- 7 hectares and fire accounting for 502 hectares. Since taking office, the Coalition Government has seized a number of large forestry concessions, including hundreds of thousands of hectares allocated to Chinese investors. The seizures had reportedly impacted logging activities but the industry is said to be on an upswing now. Since signing a historic
US$250M climate deal with Norway, the monitoring of the country’s forests has been taken to another level. GFC’s figures said, results have concluded that forests at a national scale remain largely intact, with over 99% of forest still standing. GFC disclosed that it has completed mapping of year 2017. The assessment is part of the national programme of Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) that Guyana started in 2010 with support from the Norwegian Government and which forms part of the Guyana Norway Partnership on climate and forests. For year seven, the GFC continued using ESA’s Sentine-l2 satellite imagery for the deforestation mapping. “Sentinel-2 data is free of charge; this is in line with the commitments made by Norway and Guyana in MRVS Phase 2 (Year 2015–Year 2019) that Guyana should look into non-payment options.” The MRVS is coordinated by a team of local experts housed within the GFC and all mapping aspects and analyses are completed using local staff.
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Senior officer Foot and mouth disease… charged ...
SERVICES
FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
9-Wheel pneumatic roller. Mack concrete mixer truck - 8 cu. yds. 450 - Honda ATV Bike. 650 - Gals. Spray Kettle. 275-0367, 683-7225 Cat 215 Excavator. Cat 215Excavator spares. Cat 428 Back-Hoe. Double steel wheeled 8-tons roller. Tel# 275-0367, 683-7225
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1 Mitsubishi canter old model GGG series, hydraulic backdoor, working condition $1.2M Negotiable. Contact #661-3525 /610-6886
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Repairs at low cost: fridges, air conditioners, washing machines, freezers,sale of ac’s tel:6294946,225-4822
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Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
SALON September Cosmetology SALON Courses $40,000 Nail Technology $25,000 Advance Make-up $15,000, All products provided. Abby #614-6749
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Optima Batteries. Tel# 6756723 25 Yamaha HP, stone separator ( Wash plant for gold), Diamond Lavrador. Metal Detector 30x50, Rubberized Tarpaulin. Call: 613-5062 1-250 KVA Onan Gen set powered by Cummins Engine. Contact numbers 662-2508, 677-9625 2007 Toyota Hilux Double Cab PKK5129, 2012 Toyota Avenis PPP3653. Call: 691-0241/6006566 to inspect & make an offer Gift bags: small, medium & large, party items & Halloween costumes children & adults, priced at $5000, $6500. Call: 675-6723 1 Transported property @ Covent Garden EBD 1 Farm land, Music Equipment, 1 Hilux Pickup #265-3586
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1 Three bedroom bottom flat apartment. Fully refurbished @ Back St Better Hope. Prime location. Tel# 220-1583. 7:00am-5:00pm 1 Three (3) Bedroom upstairs flat in Atlantic Gardens E.C.D Tel# 227-4377, 227-0613, 6246013,645-7248
1 BMW 320I car for sale. PTT series. Owner leaving country. Price Neg. Contact 697-4726, 259-0288, 259-0227
1 Experienced Diesel Mechanic. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274
Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665
Antonio’s Grille night supervisor with chef experience. Tel#225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street
Welder/Fabricator for interior location. Applicants must be experienced with verifiable references. Call: 618-2020
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One maid. Tel #225-3234/2259223
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From page 9 alcohol level exceeded the normal limit of 35 micrograms. Todd’s breath alcohol level at the time of the accident was 70 micrograms. He pleaded not guilty to both charges after they were read to him by Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court. He was represented by attorneys-at-Law Dexter Todd and Gordon Gilhuys. The lawyers in an application to secure bail for their client told the court that the incident was unfortunate. The lawyer went on to tell the court that the officer is a father of four and is expecting his fifth child soon. According to information, on September 12, last, around 19:30 hrs, Todd was proceeding east along the northern side of the Boerasirie Bridge, when he “felt an impact.” It was reported that the officer exited his vehicle and upon investigation he saw the now deceased Alleyne, of Hague, West Coast Demerara, lying on the bridge with injuries about his body. Alleyne was then picked up and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital in a semiconscious condition. He was then treated and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A breathalyzer test was later conducted on the officer and he was found to be over the legal limit of alcohol. The matter was reported and an investigation was carried out; hence charges were instituted by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Magistrate Liverpool released Todd on bail in sum of $250,000. The father of four was instructed to make his next court appearance on November 12.
Govt’s ‘lack of funds’... From page 8 responding to calls for him to appear before the union’s General Council to answer why a lesser percentage was accepted said that he was prepared to do so since the only influence in accepting Government’s offer was the union’s membership. Lyte shared that while the union’s constitution allows for even a single member to question decisions taken by the executive of the union that single member, also based on the constitution, must sponsor that General Council meeting. “You are talking about bringing people from far and wide from across the country for that meeting…so people really need to read the constitution carefully,” Lyte noted.
Wednesday October 17, 2018
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Nandlall threatens Finance Minister with contempt proceedings over outstanding court judgments
A
ttorney-at- law, Anil Nandlall has moved steps to file contempt proceeding against Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan over the non-payment of monies awarded as a result of litigation brought against the State. Nandlall ‘s move to imprison the Minister of Finance for non-payment of the judgments comes hours after the Court awarded former Diplomat Harry Narine Nawbatt , a $25M judgment against the State. Nandlall a former Attorney General, noted that similar cases were filed and after full blown trials, the court awarded judgment in favour of his clients to the tune of millions of dollars but the monies are yet to be paid. The lawyer listed the case of the former Advisor to the Minister of Local Government, Clinton Collymore, Zulfikar Mustapha, former Liaison Officer to the Office of the President for Region Number Six and Anna Correia, who was employed by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs among the matters in which judgment was awarded against the State. The matters were filed in 2015/2016. Nandlall noted that in all these cases, the plaintiffs sued for damages for wrongful dismissal/unlawful termination of their contracts of employment. “Again, after a trial of each of these cases, my clients were vindicated that dismissals were unlawful and a violation of the person’s contract. Judgments were awarded to each of them in various sums as compensation along with interest and costs. “Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams was the Defendant in all of these cases. No appeal was filed against any
The money is owed since 2014 when the previous PPP government was in office. Yadram Rooney of No 2 Village East Canje was shot by
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan of these decisions. Yet, the Attorney General has consistently refused to honour these judgments although we have made repeated written requests for him to do so.” Nandlall stressed that litigants invested time, money, emotions and other resources in the matter and they therefore should be paid. In addition the awarded sums, Nandlall claimed that the State owes his Chambers legal cost estimated at $5M alone. “There is a rule in law against levying on assets belonging to the State, so that option is not available for us to ensure the sums are paid. However, the judicial system must be able to enforce its own order. Needless to say, the relevant proceedings will be commenced shortly to commit the Minister of Finance to prison for non-payment of these judgments. This is not the first time that the Finance Minister is facing contempt of court proceeding. Last year, two upset families threatened to jail Jordan for outstanding monies owed to each family by the Guyana Government as a judicial settlement.
police inspector Cumberbatch on March 15, 2011 at his home. Rooney was at home when a car driven by a gas
station owner with Cumberbatch inside pulled up in front of his house. The men accosted him and demanded that he enter the car. The man
refused and was shot by Cumberbatch. Police from New Amsterdam subsequently arrived and took (Continued on page 28)
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Nandlall threatens Finance Minister ... From page 27 Cumberbatch and others into custody. Cumberbatch was released without being charged. Rooney who was seriously injured was hospitalized.At the time Cumberbatch was working as an enforcer for a gas station owner on the East Coast Demerara. The family, through their attorney Mursalene Bacchus, filed a $50M lawsuit in 2011 on the Attorney General of Guyana, at the time, Anil Nandlall, for damages and com-
pensation for trespass (Assault and battery) to the person, resulting in injuries, losses and injury to his person. The other matter involved Rawle Carter who was a teen at the time. He was picked up by a joint services patrol on the evening of Sunday June 19, 2011 whilst on his way home on his bicycle. He was dumped into a police pickup and thrown into the lock up with others at the Central Police Station. He was never told why he was arrested.
Armed perpetrators pounce on Bush Lot Chinese Restaurant -escape with undisclosed amount of cash
T
he Su Mamoo Chinese Restaurant located at Bush Lot Village, Corentyne, Berbice is the latest armed robbery victim. According to the officer in charge of crime, Chabinauth Singh , t h r e e m e n gained entry into the premises and business of two Chinese men who operate the restaurant. One was reportedly armed with a shot-
gun. The incident is said to have occurred around 1:45 am yesterday when the men were sleeping. The men escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash after the ordeal and the matter is under investigation, Singh said. The proprietor of the restaurant declined to give a comment on the incident.
Berbice Bridge shareholders hike toll... (From page 3) past, present and future. These investments by the private companies have now been flagged by their respective auditors and regulators as impaired.” He denied the belief that the required adjustment in tolls will benefit the shareholders. “Since no adjustment was ever made, no surpluses have been earned, resulting in the required adjustments to the toll being compounded. Ladies and Gentlemen, There is a contract, there is an established formula within that contract and there are obligations to be met,” Persaud said.With regards to statements by Government that the bridge has not maintained its almost 40 pontoons since the 2008 commissioning, the chairman stressed that the company has not neglected its obligations to maintain. In fact, it commissioned a $167M facility for this express purpose. “Today continuing on this path and following the legal advice in relation to the rights and responsibilities of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in relation to an adjustment in tolls we are now taking the next step in this process,” the official said. Legal Grounds The BBCI is convinced it is standing on legal grounds. “On the basis of this legal advice that the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. has received, it now wishes to inform you and the public, that, consistent with those rights and responsibilities effective November
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
12, 2018 at 12:01am, the revised tolls will be implemented. Ladies and Gentlemen, as a company we are limited to the authorities granted to the company as stipulated in the Agreement that exists between the BBCI and the Government of Guyana.” Persaud said that the Government has the option, similar to other services, to subsidize the cost of the toll thereby reducing the impact on the consumer. Minister Patterson, in his Kingston office, hours after, was firm that Government’s position on the tolls increase remains the same—the government is not budging. In fact, the matter will be handed over to the Attorney General Chambers for advice on the authority of the ministry and whether there is legroom.He assured that Government will not sanction any increases for Berbicians and will not tolerate any bullying of the users of the bridge.In fact, for next year’s budget, some $238M has been allocated for the maintenance of the structure.Patterson said that it is not lost that the date of the increase is the same day of Local Government Elections. It appears that there are political machinations at work, he added. He called on Berbicians to raise their voices. He called on the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, under whose government the bridge came about, to engage. Patterson also noted that Berbice private sector had appealed for the tolls not to be increased.
The ministry noted that the Coalition Government had delivered on lowering the tolls, among the highest in the world. While the negotiations on the bridge had been ongoing, river taxis for the Berbice River were introduced to take nurses, senior citizens and school children, free of cost across the river.He said that as part of the talks with the BBCI, the ministry proposed the taking over of the bridge maintenance for the next nine years-- the remaining life of the concession. What would be instructive to note, Patterson said, is that the bridge never applied to the previous government for an increase in tolls.Government had commissioned a team from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to make an assessment of the Berbice Bridge and found that no maintenance was done to the pontoons since 2008, despite that these be conducted every three to five years.According to Patterson, during the meeting with the board earlier this month, he asked that the bridge consider the investors reducing the rate of returns on their investments, among other information. However, the bridge has failed to provide the information. Questioned about the stance of Dr. Persaud, Patterson said that the official is his close ally. The minister said he understands the position that Dr. Persaud faces in attempting for NIS to recover returns on its investments in the bridge.
Natural Resources Ministry still has active role in Energy Sector The Ministry of Natural Resources is unable to completely divorce itself from oil and gas related matters at this time. This is simply because the Ministry is still in control of finances for the sector. Yesterday, the Ministry said that that status quo will remain until Budget 2019. The Ministry of Natural Resources clarification came on the heels of a recent article which quoted Chartered Accountant and Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram, questioning the role that the Ministry plays in the oil and gas sector. Ram noted that the government had made it clear that all matters relating to oil will be handled by the Department of Energy under the Ministry of the Presidency. However, the Natural
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman Resource’s Ministry released an advertisement in its name inviting firms and persons to bid for the work to audit the pre-contract bill that ExxonMobil handed to Government.Ram questioned,
“Oh, and how come the Ministry of Natural Resources is still engaged in petroleum matters? Perhaps that Ministry has not received their copy of the Official Gazette which has removed any responsibility of that Ministry for petroleum operations, transferring them to the Minister of State Mr. Joseph Harmon.”Yesterday, the Natural Resource Ministry reiterated that all petroleum matters are now under the Department of Energy (DoE), Ministry of the Presidency. The Ministry then noted that after negotiations by the Ministry of Finance, a WorldBank loan for Guyana’s Oil and Gas Capacity Building Project was finalized. “This loan came into being earlier this year, (Continued on page 30)
$625,000 lease receipt missing from... From page 15 responsible for the collection of rates and taxes and other revenues, including compliance fees, day care fees, container fees, payments for leases, fees for the name change on property, vending fee, and car park fee. Forbes clarified that it is the Town Clerk’s office that prepares both leases and tax waivers, once directed to do so by the full council, or a sub-committee of the finance committee, respectively.Earlier at the Commission, the Quick Shipping proprietor had admitted that the riverfront land he leased from City Council is being claimed by at least two other entities. Sandy told the COI that he is using the unfinished wharf to dock his vessels despite the controversy over who owns the land. The businessman noted that he spent “millions of dollars” improving the wharf, which
he claimed was once occupied by pigs. The repairs included clearing and back filling the wharf. Sandy noted, too, that he has already been paying a rent of $645,000 annually since 2017 , when the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Government’s holding company for state assets, and the Guyana National Industrial Corporation,(GNIC) came forward claiming ownership of the properties.According to information, Sandy revealed that both GNIC and NICIL, claimed to have separate leases and transports for the same property.The plot of riverfront land, reportedly not the property of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC), was leased to a shipping company by the Town Clerk. King has reportedly been collecting a yearly rent from the tenants, despite the dispute surrounding the piece of real estate.
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Berbice October 2018 Criminal session opens
Parade commander Assistant Superintendent Antonio Federicks, Inspector Michael Newland and Sergeants Philbert Wilburg and Dexter Brandt lead the police contingent.
T
he 2018 October Criminal session of The Berbice High Court opened yesterday outside the Berbice High Court building on Esplanade Road New Amsterdam. The Parade and March past was commanded by Assistant Superintendent Antonio Federicks with Inspector Michael Newland, the parade Inspector. There were two parade Sergeants in Dexter Brandt and Philbert Wilburg. There were 22 other ranks in the contingent which per-
formed with the usual Pomp and Ceremony and giving an impressive display accompanied by the police drum corps. The salute and inspection was taken by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry who is presiding in the October Criminal sessions of the Berbice High Court. Justice Beharry was accompanied by Justice Navendra Singh who is presiding over the civil court in Berbice. They were escorted by Divisional Commander of Police B Division Senior Superintendent Paul Langevine,
assisted by Assistant Superintendent of Police Shri Laljit. They were accompanied by the Officer in charge of the Guyana Prison Service in Berbice and Mayor of New Amsterdam Winifred Haywood in the official party. The police contingent marched off from B Division Headquarters at Coburg Street and Strand before proceeding along Strand New Amsterdam in front of the High Court where the parade was held. Accompanying the parade were Traffic Officer As-
Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry inspects the Guard of honour accompanied by B Division Commander Senior Superintendent Paul Langevine and others. sistant Superintendent Timothy Williams, OC NO1 Woman Assistant Superintendent Yonette Stephens, Woman Inspector Grace Bristol among others. When the session was called to order Justice Beharry spoke to the jurors present. She thanked those in attendance for coming out and outlined to them some of their roles and responsibilities as jurors. She also outlined to them some implications and consequences of not turning up for jury service.
Natural Resources... From page 29 before the establishment of the Department of Energy. Additionally, since the Ministry of Natural Resources held the oil and gas portfolio at the time, it was designated as the focal point for the loan and for the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). It was after the formation of the DoE and discussions with the quintet Ministers and Dr. Mark Bynoe, that it was decided that until budget 2019, MNR would remain as the accounting agency only for the procurement aspects and disbursement of funds.”The Ministry continued, “Finally, for further clarification, it is pertinent to note that all decisions are made by the DoE and the MNR implements them as instructed. This system functions as a bridging mechanism until the DoE becomes formally established as a budget agency in the 2019 budget which will come in a few months’ time.”
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Caster Semenya could miss most of 2019 as testosterone rules delayed BBC Sport - World and Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya’s battle to stop a rule change affecting female athletes with high testosterone levels could see her miss “the bulk” of the 2019 outdoor season. Governing body the IAAF intended to bring in the new rules on 1 November but has put that back to 26 March 2019. It wants to wait for the outcome of a legal challenge from Semenya first. The new rules aim to restrict the levels of testosterone in female runners. They will apply to women in track events from 400m up to the mile and require that athletes have to keep their testosterone levels below a prescribed
amount “for at least six months prior to competing”. So the delay means female athletes with high testosterone - of whom South African Semenya is the most notable - will not be allowed to run for six months from the date the rule changes come in. That would take them to 26 September - just one day before the 2019 World Athletics Championships begin in Doha. Semenya, and Athletics South Africa (ASA), are challenging the rules at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). IAAF Health and Science department director Stephane Bermon said the governing body
recognised the five-month shift “could result in affected athletes having to sit out the bulk of the outdoor season leading up to the World Championships, including international competitions such as the Diamond League, which begin in May 2019”. The IAAF’s proposed rule would mean some female runners with naturally high testosterone levels would have to race against men or change events, unless they took medication to control their levels. IAAF president Sebastian Coe said Semenya and ASA had agreed on the delay as part of a deal to get the legal case settled as quickly as possible.
Wednesday October 17, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is a good time to take control of the situation, Aries. You've done your preparation and now it's time to put it to good use. You're about to face your enemy eye to eye. . TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Don't be surprised if the oldfashioned, practical solution doesn't make the grade today. Probably the new devices and special electronic shortcuts will be the most impressive thing going. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may be able to zip through chores like lightning today, Gemini. There's an added swiftness to your step that helps in every one of your endeavors. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're likely to go to extremes today on many levels The problem is that you may encounter opposition everywhere you turn. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Grab hold of the day's boisterous energy and run with it, Leo. This is a good time to kick up your heels and have fun. You might find that people are a bit more highstrung than usual VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You might be frustrated by the fact that people are doing things hastily today. You might have to accept the fast-paced energy of the day just so you can keep up.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) People may come into conflict with you today. More than likely, the issue at hand will have to do with others being a bit too focused on themselves, while you're more concerned with the collective. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Jump-start the day with a smile, Scorpio. Your generosity and sincerity won't go unnoticed on a day like this. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There could be an unexpected tension coming out of nowhere today. More than likely your emotions will be running at a high level. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your slow and steady approach might be met with a bit of opposition today. People could be demanding of your time and energy. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This is a terrific day for you and you will find that the fast pace of the day suits you well for what you need to get done. There's a general feeling of grandeur in the air that reminds you to take your time when getting dressed. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Do your best to keep up today, Pisces. Things might move quickly. You may be raising your hand and waiting politely for someone to call on you. This is one of those days in which things do not concern you.
“We have agreed not to enforce the regulations against any athlete until the contested regulations are upheld,” he added. “In exchange, they have agreed not to prolong the process. All athletes need this situation resolved as soon as possible.” In a statement, the IAAF added it “remains very confident of the legal, scientific and ethical bases for the regulations, and therefore fully expects the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reject these challenges”. ASA said it was “very pleased” with a decision that meant the changes were “effectively suspended pending the outcome of the appeal”. It says the rules will have a “discriminatory effect on female athletes like Semenya” and believes “the medical data relied upon by the IAAF is flawed”. Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion, has previously been asked to undertake gender testing by athletics chiefs, but no results have officially been made public. “It is not fair. I just want to run naturally, the way I was born,” said the 27-year-old South African recently.
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
Duminy to miss Australia series to undergo surgery ESPNcricinfo - JP Duminy will miss both South Africa’s upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia and the Mzansi Super League to undergo surgery for an injury to his right shoulder. Duminy had been announced as the marquee South African player for the Cape Town Blitz in the MSL, but he will now be replaced by Quinton de Kock. Duminy’s time out for surgery means that South Africa will be without two of their most experienced players on their trip to Australia.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Hashim Amla would also not be touring as he is given time to fully recover from a finger tendon injury picked up during the Caribbean Premier League. “JP aggravated a pre-existing shoulder injury during the recently-concluded series against Zimbabwe,” South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said. “The injury will require surgical management, thus ruling him out of the immediate tour of Austra-
lia and the upcoming MSL. At the moment, we can’t say how long he will be out for, that is dependent on the results from the surgery.”South Africa’s squad for the Australia tour, consisting of three one-day internationals and a solitary T20 international, will be announced later this week. The tour begins with a warm-up game against a Prime Minister’s XI on October 31, while the MSL kicks off on 16 November and runs until 16 December.
JP Duminy steers the ball away. (AFP)
Wednesday October 17, 2018
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Gobinraj Hemraj Century highlights ECCCC/Banks Beer 100 Ball tournament The Enmore CCCC 100 ball cricket tournament got off to a rousing start on Sunday with ten games across five venues on the East Coast of Demerara. This competition is organized by the ECCCC in association with the East Coast Cricket Committee and is sponsored by “Banks Beer”. The preliminary games are being played in a round robin format across four groups with the highlight of day one action being Gobinraj Hemraj magnificent 111 (11x4 and 5x6) against Beehive SC at Strathavon ground. The summarized scores are as follows: At Strathavon: Strathavon SC defeated Mahaica SC 10 wickets. Mahaica SC scored 31 all out in 11.3 overs. Kevin Latif had 4-4 runs from 3 overs. Strathavon SC made 37 without loss in four overs. Strathavon SC posted 179 for 2 wicket (100 ball) defeated Beehive SC by 93 runs. Gobinraj Hemraj, who is the brother of West Indies player Chanderpaul Hemraj, plundered 111 and Mohan Ronald 30 not out. Beehive SC were
Gobinraj Hemraj restricted to 89 for 9 in reply. Dinesh Vivikanand got 31 not out. G.Hemraj and M.Ronald returned with the ball to grab three wickets apiece for 10 and 13 respectively. At Fairfield; Fairfield SC defeated Beehive SC by 7 wickets. Beehive SC made 92 for 7 (100 ball); H. Samlall made 36. Richard Chatura and Walter Byrne took two wickets each. Fairfield responded with 97 for 3 in 12 overs) with Richard Chatura scoring 43. Fairfield SC defeated Mahaica SC by 7 wickets.
Mahaica SC posted 124 for 6 wkts (100 balls). Yeudister Persaud struck 43 and Darshan Persaud 40 not out. Richard Chatura took 3 for 17. Fairfield SC made 126 for 3 in 11.3 overs in reply. Wazim Mustapha slammed 51; Yudister Persaud had 2-13. At Enterprise; Enterprise B defeated Enmore CCCC (B) by six wickets. Enmore CCCC (B) made 92 for 5 wkts (100 balls); Suresh Jainarine made 36 retired. N. Ulla had 3-21 runs. Enterprise B replied with 93 for 4 in 14.4 overs. Mankat Balkissoon made 39. Sixteen year old Chaitram Balgobin took 3 for 12 runs. Enterprise A defeated Paradise SC by 10 wickets. Paradise SC got 41 all out in 10.2 overs. Vivian Albert took 3 for 11 runs from two overs. Enterprise A scored 42 without loss in reply. Baskar Yadram scored 29 not out. At Lusignan; Lusignan B defeated LBI CC by 58runs. Lusignan B managed 126 for 5 (100 ball) with S.Alli scoring 42. Gavin Fraser took 2 for 21 runs for LBI CC who were dismissed for 68 in reply. Ferron Kadir took 2 for 10 runs.
Lusignan A defeated Enterprise B by 77 runs. Lusignan A managed 190 for 6 wkts (100 balls); Robin Williams made 65 and Vishnu Ramjeet 59. K. Mohammed took 3 for 26 runs. Enterprise B replied with 113 for 6 (100 ball); N.Ulla scored 46 and H. Sahadeo 34. At Enmore; Enmore CCCC (A) defeated Mahaica Cavaliers by nine runs. ECCCC (A) made 131 for 8 (100 ball). Vishwanauth Ramlakhan got 32. Q. Holder and P.Choutie took two wickets
apiece for Mahaica Cavaliers who were restricted to 122 for 9 with K. Fraser scoring 34. Yuvraj Dyal had 3 for 15) andAmir Khan took 2 for 26.Enmore CCCC defeated Lusignan East by 75 runs. ECCCC mustered 123 for 7 (100 ball). Y. Dyal got 39 and Amir Khan 38. S. Sahadeo took 3 for 6 runs. Lusignan East were restricted to 48 from 10.2 overs in reply. Yuvraj Dyal had 3 for 11 and Ranjeet Hiralall 3 for 19. Action continues on Sunday with the following fixtures: At Enterprise Match #1
(09:30AM) – Paradise SC vs Buxton SC, Match #2 (1:30 PM) Enterprise A vs LBI CC, At Lusignan: Match #1 (09:30 AM) Lusignan East vs Golden Achievers SC, Match #2 (1:30 PM) –Lusignan A vs Better Hope SC, At Enmore Match #1 (9:30am) ECCCC (B) vs Better Hope SC, Match #2 (1:30PM) - ECCCC(A) vs Unstoppable SC, At Fairfield: Match #1 (9:30am) Helena #1&2 vs Mahaica SC, Match# 2 (1:30pm) Fairfield SC vs Strathavon SC.
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Wednesday October 17, 2018
BCB/Pepsi 50-Overs First Division Tournament 2nd round
RHT Gizmos, Port Mourant, West Berbice, Young Warriors, Blairmont record victories The hectic cricket season of the Berbice Cricket Board for 2018 continued on Saturday last with five 2nd Round Matches at venues across the Ancient County. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, Port Mourant Cricket Team, West Berbice, Young Warriors Cricket Team and Blairmont Community Centre recorded victories. The Tournament is being contested by eleven teams, divided into two sub-zones. West Berbice, Tucber Park, Blairmont, Police, Young Warriors and Rose Hall Canje make up Zone A, while Albion, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town, Skeldon and Upper Corentyne are in Zone B. Power house Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Cricket Team defeated a determined Upper Corentyne Cricket Team by 110 runs at the No. 70 Ground. Upper Corentyne forfeited their right to the toss after arriving late at the venue. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets amassed a massive 312 for 6 from their allotted 44 Overs. The principal scorers were Junior Sinclair 81, Kevin Sinclair 50, Eon Hooper 49, Vidal Crandon 31 and Keon Sinclair 28. Devindra Budhoo took 3 for 59 for Upper Corentyne. Upper Corentyne Cricket Team in reply was bowled out for 202 in 40 Overs. Rishi Persaud topscored with a blistering 50, while T. Ramoutar 33, Terrence Budhu 25 and D. Chanderpaul 26 offered support. National offspinner Eon Hooper bowled well to take 4 for 32 from nine overs while fourteen years old offspinner Jonathan Rampersaud took 3 for 12. At the Port Mourant Ground, the home team defeated favourite Albion Community Centre by 76 runs. Andy Mohan 65, Joshua Ramsammy 29, Madan Budram 26 and Loyydel Lewis 25 batted well as Port Mourant Cricket Team amassed 245 all out from 50 Overs. Albion Community Centre most successful bowler was Mahendra Chaitnarine with 4
for 36. In response, Albion Community Centre were bowled out for 169 in 36.4 Overs as only Adrian Sukhwa 34 and Antonio February 28 offered resistance to T. Carmichael 5 for 52 and Loyydel Lewis 4 for 28. West Berbice arrested Police Sports club by six wickets at the Bush Lot Ground. Police rattled up 181 all out in 43 of their allotted 50 Overs. Delbert Hicks topscored with 49, while Khemraj Mahadeo scored 28, Wendell Babb 4 for 17 and Sherwin McPherson 3 for 23 were West Berbice best bowlers. Needing to score 182 from 50 Overs, West Berbice raced to 185 for 4 from just 23.2 overs as Steffan Adams 77, Sherwin McPherson 68 and Raffiel Estriado 33 batted well. Young Warriors crushed their neighbour Rose Hall Canje Cricket Team by 100 runs at the Canje Welfare Ground. Alex Algoo 52 and Suresh Dhanai 45 spearheaded Young Warriors Cricket Club to 220 for 7 from 50-Overs. Bowling for the home team Compton Hope took 4 wickets for 45 runs from 10 impressive overs. Rose Hall Canje Cricket Team were bowled out for 122 in 37 Overs as only Mark Sampson 35 and Sasenarine Sukhu 18 offered resistance. Blairmont Community Centre defeated Tucber Park Cricket Team by seven wickets at the Cumberland Ground. Tucber Park Cricket Team were bowled out for a paltry 98 from 33 Overs as only Clifton Lindie offered resistance with 39. Left arm medium pacer Javed Karim and left arm spinner Nigel Deodat took 4 for 23 and 3 for 23 respectively for Blairmont Community Centre. An aggressive 42 from Zameer Nazeer and an unbeaten 27 from Javed Karim led Blairmont Community Centre to victory as they reached 101 for 3. Nial Smith, Gevon Schultz and West Indies Female pacer Tremayne Smartt each took a wicket for Tucber Park.
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West Indies coach Stuart Law suspended for first two ODIs against India ESPNcricinfo - Coach Stuart Law has been suspended from West Indies’ first two ODIs against India, and will not be allowed to share the dressing room with the team. Law was fined 100% of his match fees and earned three demerit points for a breach of the ICC’s code of conduct during the second Testagainst India in Hyderabad. Law was already carrying a demerit point from a previous sanction in May 2017, from a Test against Pakistan in Dominica. Having reached the threshold of four demerit points, Law earned two suspension points in accordance with Article 7.6 of the ICC’s code of conduct, which means he misses either one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first.
The incident occurred after West Indies opener Kieran Powell had been given out on the third and final day of the second Test. Powell fell to a low catch in the slips by Ajinkya Rahane, and the third umpire ruled that Rahane had caught the ball cleanly after watching numerous replays. According to an ICC release, Law went to the third umpire’s room and made “inappropriate comments”. He then “walked to the fourth umpire’s area and, in the presence of the players, again directed inappropriate comments at the fourth official.” Law was found guilty of breaching Level 2 Article 2.7 of the ICC code of conduct, which relates to “Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident
Mike’s Wellman, SVC All stars, Farm triumph Mike’s Wellman, SVC All stars and Farm recorded victories when the Trophy Stall, Back to Eden, Permaul’s Trading and Khan’s Trading softball tournament continued on Sunday last at Malteenoes SC. Fishermen Masters batted first scored 208 all out in 20 overs with Unnis Yusuf scoring 93 and N. Pooran 61. Latchman Kallicharran claimed 3-24 and I. Mohamed 2-40. Mike’s Wellman responded with 211-4 in 19 overs. Kallicharran made 49, Jagdesh Persaud 45, Wayne Jones 38 not out and Nandram Samlall 27. Success were skittled for
60 in nine overs, bating first. Richard Latif claimed 4-1 and L. Alphonso 4-4. SVC All stars responded with 61-7 in eight overs. Navin Singh scored 20. Ariel XI took first strike and scored 75 all out in 15.5 overs. Keisho Ramsarran captured 3-29, Sheldon Perch 2-17 and Ameer Khan 2-20. Farm XI responded with 76-2 in 7.2 overs. Rawle Reid made 28 and Rajesh Reddy 20. Farm XI batted first and rattled up 308-2 in 20 overs. Akeem Vieira struck 198 and Ameer Khan 71. Beach Knight were sent packing for 94 in 16.3 overs. Keisho Ramsarran picked up 4-9 and Khan 2-15.
Khabib challenges Mayweather, who... From page 40 get the checkbook out!” On Aug. 26, 2017, Mayweather (50–0) beat Conor McGregor by TKO in the 10th round of a highly-anticipated fight in Las Vegas. While McGregor started that fight strong, Mayweather dominated late as experience kicked in. Mayweather was guaranteed $100 million, while McGregor was guaranteed $30 million. Nurmagomedov (27–0) is coming off his own victory over McGregor (21–4) after beating him in a fourth-round submission on Oct. 6. Following the win, he jumped out of the octagon and sparked a
melee. McGregor’s team had reportedly been trash talking Nurmagomedov and then Nurmagomedov’s teammates jumped into the octagon to attack McGregor. The UFC and Nevada Athletic Commission have yet to hand out punishments from the brawl that followed the McGregorNurmagomedov brawl. Both Nurmagomedov and McGregor have been on postfight victory tours of sorts, with Nurmagomedov meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin last week and McGregor hanging out at the CowboysJaguars game this weekend.
occurring in an International Match or any Player, Player Support Personnel, Match Official or team participating in any International Match, irrespective of when such criti-
cism or inappropriate comment is made”. Law accepted the offence and the sanction, so there was no need of a formal hearing by the ICC. The suspension will cut short Law’s remaining time with West Indies. The tour of
India is his penultimate assignment as West Indies coach. The Australian, who will turn 50 on Thursday, had announced he would quit his position once West Indies completed their tours of India and Bangladesh, and move to England to take
charge of Middlesex. This is the second time in the last three months that an international coach has been suspended, with Sri Lanka’s Chandika Hathurusingha also forced to miss matches due to ICC sanctions over a balltampering offence.
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Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship CANU’s Deputy Head Mr. Leslie Ramlall introduces CANU’s Legal Officer Konya Sandiford.
CANU conducts drug awareness session with National U20 team Georgetown: The Guyana Football Federation facilitated a drug awareness session with the National U20 squad as the team prepares to travel to Florida, USA for the Concacaf U20 Men’s Championship from November 1 – 22. The session, titled “Benefits Of Dissing Illicit Narcotics,” was facilitated by the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) on October 13 at the National Library’s conference room. Leading the discussion were CANU’s Legal Officer Konya Sandiford and Senior Manager Rayon Samuels who explained key aspects of the law highlighting the concepts of “possession” and “trafficking,” and the corresponding penalties. The interactive session also
saw the CANU officials sharing tactics used by traffickers to lure potential mules, methods of concealment and the benefits of “dissing” the narcotic trade. Press stories and practical examples were shared with the eager participants. Prior the CANU presentation, President Wayne Forde and First Vice President Brigadier (Ret.) Bruce Lovell offered words of encouragement to the group. Forde urged the youth to embrace a positive lifestyle and be good ambassadors of the sport while Lovell’s presentation titled, “Understanding Your D.A.D (Discipline, Attitude and Dedication)” went into detail about the three areas of focus and their impact on the positive development of the person.
Among the thoughts he encouraged them to remember was: “If It Is To Be, It Starts With Me.” In wrapping up, Team Manager Daniel Thomas, expressed appreciation to the speakers for their presentations and urged the national team members to activate the positive messages conveyed during the meeting in every aspect of their life. Present at the event was CANU’s Deputy Head Mr. Leslie Ramlall and members of the technical staff. The National U20 team’s match schedule in the first round is as follows: November 2 vs Guatemala, 10:30hrs; November 6 vs Cayman Islands, 10:30hrs; November 8 vs Curacao, 12:45hrs and November 10 vs El Salvador, 19:45hrs.
GFF investigates indiscipline involving players during Revival Cup The Guyana Football Federation has commenced an investigation into a physical altercation, which occurred at the GFA-IMC Revival Cup, on Sunday, October 16 at Fruta Conquerors FC Ground, Tucville. The scuffle, involving
players from Beacons FC and Black Pearl FC respectively, occurred in the 30th minute of the first match of the day resulting in the match being abandoned. This is a regrettable incident, which has resulted in a thorough investigation being
activated following which the matter will be referred to the GFF’s Disciplinary Committee and necessary steps taken to avoid a recurrence. The tournament will continue this weekend and the public will be updated on the outcome of the investigation.
Wednesday October 17, 2018
RHTY&SC, MS congratulates Clinton Pestano on historic hat-trick for Guyana The Patron, President, Executives and Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS would like to congratulate our fellow club member Clinton Pestano on his remarkable achievement of taking a hattrick for Guyana versus Trinidad. Clinton’s hat-trick changed the course of the match for Guyana and was made even special and memorable as it included a trio of West Indies batsmen. Lendl Simmons, Keiron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo are three of the biggest
long and successful career for Guyana. The entire membership of Guyana’s leading youth and sports club would like to reassure Clinton that he has our full support, unconditional love and he is always in our prayers. Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports club formula for success is sheer hard work, honesty, belief in the work we do, faith in the God we serve and to always remain humble at all times and we would like to remind Clinton to continue following the formula that has brought huge success to him
Clinton Pestano
names in West Indies Cricket, a release from the club stated.Clinton’s success for Guyana at the Senior level has been a long while in the making. Clinton has been a very regular performer for the Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets First Division Team over the years with both bat and ball. There has been moments of frustration and thoughts of quitting the game when he was not considered for selection but he was always urged to keep his faith in God by our Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, who serves as a Mentor to him. Clinton’s hat-trick is the first by a Berbician fast bowler and is the start of a
and the Club. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Farfan & Mendes Ltd, Bakewell, Pepsi, Gizmos & Gadgets in the career of Clinton and it is only a matter of time before our promising starts Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair join him in the Guyana Team. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would also like to extend best wishes to captain Leon Johnson and the rest of the G u y a n a Te a m f o r a successful conclusion to the CWI Super 50 Tournament. We would honour Clinton on his return to Guyana on his historic achievement.
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Lewis pulls out of India tour, Joseph sidelined again with fitness concerns ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Evin Lewis’s career took another twist on Monday when he pulled out of both the one-day and Twenty20 squads for the imminent series against India. In a statement, Cricket West Indies said the lefthanded opener had withdrawn from the squads “due to personal reasons”, but did not elaborate.Lewis has been replaced in the ODI squad by Test opener Kieran Powell who is already in India, while left-hander Nicholas Pooran will fill the vacancy in the T20 squad. The 26-year-old Lewis
also pulled out of the T20 series against New Zealand last December for what CWI also described as “personal reasons.”And the speculation over the player’s future intensified earlier this month when he also declined a white-ball retainer contract from the board.Lewis, currently representing Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the Super50, has made 1010 runs from 35 ODIs at an average of 32. He averages 33 from 17 T20 Internationals, with two hundreds already. He will be joined on the sidelines by fast bowler Alzarri
Joseph has also been ruled out of the ODI squad with fitness concerns, despite playing the last three matches of the ongoing Regional Super50 for Windies B.The 21-yearold had been included in the Test squad for the just concluded two-match series only to be ruled out due to question marks over his fitness, and replaced by rookie Sherman Lewis. Subsequently, Joseph was also named in the ODI squad subject to a fitness test but CWI said Monday he would miss the India tour and “remains under observation for his return to full
fitness.”He has been replaced by left-arm seamer Obed McCoy who was already in the T20 squad. Since the squad was announced just over a week ago, Joseph has turned out for Windies B, sending 10 full overs in the fixture against Red Force last Thursday and blasting a quick-fire unbeaten half-century. The Antiguan returned to competitive cricket in June after several months out recovering from a stress fracture of the back.West Indies open the five-match ODI series in Guhawati next Sunday.
Wednesday October 17, 2018
Umesh Yadav to replace Shardul Thakur for first two West Indies ODIs
Umesh Yadav dismissed Aaron Finch with a slower delivery. (Associated Press)
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SPNcricinfo Medium-pacer Shardul Thakur, whose Test debut was hampered by injury, has been ruled out of the ODI series against West Indies and will be replaced by Umesh Yadav. Thakur suffered a right abductor tendon injury and had bowled only 10 deliveries on the opening morning of the second Test against West Indies in Hyderabad. · As soon as he delivered that 10th ball, it had seemed like his front foot had buckled upon landing and the pain was evident. At that point, it was said to be a pain in the groin area. Thakur was subsequently taken away for scans, putting his participation in the rest of the Test in doubt. He did not return to bowl in the rest of the match but came out to bat at No. 11 and faced 12 deliveries. · Though only five ODIs and seven T20Is old, apart from his only Test, Thakur has had an injuryriddled start to his
international career. He had been ruled out of the Asia Cup too with right hip and groin soreness after playing only one match, against Hong Kong. Before that, he had played only the final ODI on the tour of England, spending the entire Test series that followed on the bench. · Umesh hasn’t been a consistent part of the ODI side recently. He played two ODIs in England but was left out of the Asia Cup squad. He played three one-day games for Vidarbha in the meantime but could not manage more than a wicket in each of the games, finishing with figures of 1 for 72, 1 for 70 and 0 for 39. · Left to shoulder the burden as India’s only fast bowler in the absence of Thakur in Hyderabad, Umesh impressed with a match haul of 10 for 133, his c a r e e r- b e s t . I t w a s a performance that earned him the Man-of-the-Match award, and a vote of confidence from the captain Virat Kohli for the Australia tour at the end of the year.
Khabib challenges Mayweather, who responds with ‘Get the Checkbook out’ Sports Illustrated - UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov challenged boxing legend Floyd Mayweather to a fight this weekend and it seems Mayweather is not opposed to the idea. In a video first posted by DeJaun Blake and then reposted by Leonard Ellerbe who is CEO of Mayweather P r o m o t i o n s , Nurmagomedov offers the challenge while standing next to Ellerbe.
“Let’s go Floyd, we have t o f i g h t n o w, ” Nurmagomedov said. “50–0 vs. 27–0, two guys who never lose. Let’s go, why not? Because in the jungle, there’s only one king. Of course I’m the king because he cannot drop McGregor, but I drop him easily. Let’s go.” Then Monday, Mayweather responded by writing on Instagram, “CBS, Showtime and MGM Grand (Continued on page 37)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 17, 2018
PAGE 41
BCB Skyy Vodka 20/20 Tournament
Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets crowned champion as BCB completes 11th Tournament
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ose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets on Sunday last added another championship title to their trophy cupboard when they easily defeated Upper Corentyne by 64 runs at the No. 69 Ground to be crowned champion of the Ansa Mcal sponsored Skyy Vodka 20/20 tournament. The final was played infront of a massive and colourful crowd as residents in the Upper Corentyne area came out to support their team’s first appearance in a Berbice Cricket Board final in two decades. Albion Community Centre earlier in the day had defeated Skeldon Cricket Team by twelve runs to clinch the 3rd place prize as the Berbice Cricket Board successfully completed its 11th cricket tournament in less than three months. Albion Community Centre won the toss and elected to bat. They reached 108 for 8 off their allotted overs with Kevin Umroa 32, Kandasammy Surujnarine 13 and Mahendra Chaitnarine 13 being the
principal scorers as Errol Byass 2 for 17, Victor Pedro 2 for 17 and Junior Reid 2 for 19 bowled well for Skeldon Cricket Team. Skeldon was restricted to 96 for 7 as Umroa returned with the ball to take 2 for 15 and Mahendra Chaitnarine 2 for 9 bowled well for Albion. In the final, the Upper Corentyne Team won the toss and fielded. Upper Corentyne reaped success in the first over when National Under-19 Player Junior Sinclair was bowled off the inside edge by Looknauth Roopchand for naught at 5 for 1. National Under-19 Player Kevin Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson added 40 for the 2nd wicket before Sinclair was caught at short midwicket off offspinner Devendra Budhoo first ball for 22. Anderson topscored with 35 (3x4) and received support from National player Eon Hooper 31, Vidal Crandon 25, Keon Sinclair 13 and Sylus Tyndall 8 not out as Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets reached 165 for 8 from their allotted
20 Overs. O. Khemraj and Devendra Budhoo took 2 wickets for 44 and 17 respectively. Needing to score 165 to register a historic win infront of their adoring fans, Upper Corentyne lost Devin Baldeo run out for 01 in the 3rd over at 9 for 1 and then the wily Eon Hooper trapped Terrence Budhoo LBW for 00 at 13 for 2. Fiery pacer Keon Sinclair then bowled Upper Corentyne best batsman Rishi Persaud for 16 to leave the home team struggling at 25 for 3 in five overs. They never recovered as the strong Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets bowling attack bowled well and was backed up by brilliant fielding. Only L. Roopchand and Devindra Chatterpaul reached double figures with 12 and 15 not out as Upper Corentyne were bowled out for 101 runs from 19.2 Overs. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets skipper and former Under-19 legspinner Shawn Pereira bowled well to take 4 for 20, while Eon Hooper took 2 for 22.
Man of the Final - Eon Hooper.
Hooper was named Man of the Final by former national player Sydney Jackman. Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster praised the family atmosphere that the final was played in and expressed delight at the massive turnout of residents. Foster told the attentive
presentation audience that Berbice Cricket was alive again with the game being played again in every village and township. The Skyy Vodka 20/20 Final was the eleventh one to be hosted by the Berbice Cricket Board in three weeks as the Board strives to complete twenty two
tournaments by the end of the year. The Berbice Cricket Board President expressed gratitude to Ansa Mcal for its sponsorship, the No. 69 Vikings Ground for hosting the Final and the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association for its hard work.
Fly Jamaica on board for GSCL Inc Prime Minister’s Cup 2 Patricia Lewis, Ticket Office Marketing Coordinator of Fly Jamaica presents the cheque to Mario Allicock.
Fly Jamaica has thrown their support behind the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc for the staging of the Prime Minister’s Cup 2 which is set to commence on October 19 in Georgetown. At a simple ceremony which was held yesterday at entity’s office in Ogle, Patricia Lewis, Ticket Office Marketing Coordinator of Fly Jamaica, who presented the cheque to Mario Allicock of GSCL Inc, said they are always serious about their corporate responsibility and are happy to give back to the society with this being their second year on board. She congratulated the GSCL Inc for their efforts and wished the teams well, while Allicock expressed gratitude to the company, adding that the tournament promises to be exciting. The tournament will be played on the Open and Masters categories; In the Open segment the winning team will take home $700,000 and runner up $100,000 while in the Masters’ category the champion team will be given $600,000 and the runner up $100,000. Among the venues indentified for preliminary matches are GNIC SC,
Muslim Youth Organisation, Gandhi Youth Organisation, Demerara Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club, Eve Leary and Everest. Among the teams that will battle for supremacy in the Open segment are Wales Challengers, Enterprise Rebel, Hill Foot Vipers, Farm All stars, Speedboat, Success, Regal All stars, Corriverton, Bartica All stars, SVC and Booths XI. The Masters category includes Albion Masters, Regal Masters, Mike’s Wellman, Enterprise Masters, Ontario Masters, Narine Masters, Florida Guyana, Tropical Spring Masters, Parika Defenders and Fishermen Masters. Regal Masters and Speedboat (Open) are the defending champions. The tournament will culminate on October 21 at the Everest Cricket Club.
rt o p S Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship
CANU conducts drug awareness session with National U20 team CANU’s Legal Officer Konya Sandiford interacts with the players
West Indies coach Stuart Law suspended for first two ODIs against India
Stuart Law has backed his team. (Getty Images)
Khabib challenges Mayweather, who responds with ‘Get the Checkbook out’ BCB Skyy Vodka 20/20 Tournament
The Champion - Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets.
Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets crowned champion as BCB completes 11th Tournament Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.