Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Monday October 22, 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

THE DIMINISHING AFC

T

he Local Government Elections (LGE) are less than a month away, but it is utterly confusing to many why the Alliance For Change (AFC) leadership as a group and as individuals continue to make statements that make them look silly in the eyes of the electorate who they are wooing to vote for them. They have persistently stated that leaving the Coalition and going into the LGE as an independent party is necessary to prove to its opponents and the country in general that the AFC is a strong party with a solid base of supporters. But the truth is the AFC was forced to go it alone because its negotiations with APNU to contest the elections as a Coalition had broken down. In others words, the AFC is responsible for the present situation it found itself in. The attempts by the AFC to assert some kind of relevance in the LGE has become an abysmal failure that has even baffled its small group of supporters. As reported in this and other newspapers, the recent launching of its LGE campaign in New Amsterdam attracted only 30 people, which suggests the people, including its small coterie of supporters have bought into the narrative, which says that the AFC leadership is weak and indecisive. Many AFC members have abandoned the party because they seem to believe that it is no longer viable as a third force. They came to this conclusion because of their leaders’ lackluster performance in the Coalition government. Many believe that the AFC is attempting to recreate its image that it had twelve years ago when it was founded. The perception of the AFC ministers in the Coalition government is that they have become a rubber stamp for APNU’s policies, whether good or bad. Yet, they are attempting to perpetuate the view that somehow the AFC has an independent voice in the government. The AFC is struggling to maintain its identity as a junior partner in the government. It has taken only 30 months for the AFC to be in the worst crisis of its 12-year history with deep divisions within the government. Not only did the AFC fail to put in place a mechanism to keep its larger partner in the coalition in line, address the insecurities of all the country’s people and ensure fairness in hiring and assigning of senior positions, but its top leaders have patently become enraptured by the trappings of power and have neglected their responsibilities to their constituency. This is why in the last three years since the Cummings-burg Accord was signed, there has been no real attempt by its leaders to ensure that what was agreed in the Accord was followed to the letter. The inability of the AFC to successfully push for constitutional reform, which it campaigned on and to act in the interests of its members and supporters by promoting the policies and fundamental principles, which its leaders have gloriously expounded in their Action Plan and throughout the 2011 and 2015 campaigns have seriously ruptured its credibility. The AFC could be gutted in the LGE, which makes it likely that it could suffer the same fate as the United Force, which joined the PNC in a coalition government in 1964 only to be tactfully dumped in 1967 by the PNC. It could vanish from the political landscape.

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.

Guyanese docility is a disadvantage Dear Editor, I was motivated to share some thoughts on the nature of our (Guyanese) people after reading of the unpleasant experience of one Guyanese on a flight to Toronto via Jamaica. In the letter, the writer mentioned a Jamaican complaining about how docile we Guyanese are and that is so true. I’ve spent a few years living in Jamaica and had noted that difference between Guyanese and Jamaicans. A friend (Guyanese) who also went to Jamaica (and still lives there) had told me of an incident that happened in Kingston. Someone stole something in Parade (similar to Stabroek Market square) and ran. The mistake he made was to do so when school had just dismissed. People chased after him and so did the tireless school children. The poor fellow got tired after a mile and resorted to sliding under a low building to hide. The relentless children pointed him out and adults hauled him out of his hiding place. They beat him bloody, chopped him up then

necklaced him (the then popular practice in apartheid South Africa where they placed a car tyre around your neck and lit it afire). They brought him back to Parade in a wheelbarrow. My friend said he looked like chopped up meat from a slaughterhouse. And this, just for stealing. Now contrast this with an incident I witnessed a few years prior while standing in front of Demico in Stabroek Square in the midst of rush hour. A fellow snatched a lady’s gold chain and dashed through the crowd, which gave way in selfpreservation. Except for a man who threw a bicycle at him, no one in the crowd, INCLUDING ME, did a thing but exclaim, “Eh-eh! How he could be so bold face to snatch the lady chain in broad daylight!” The fellow dashed up Brickdam and got away. We full of talk and slow to act. Then I reflected on those days during food shortages when people would form lines that wrapped around Guyana Stores and ended up on Main Street. I remember

a fellow joining the back of one of these anacondas then asking the fellow before him “Is wha selling?” The person didn’t know but was in the line anyway. I’m sure the store closed before they got up for whatever was selling. That kind of patience and longsuffering seemed to have stayed with Guyanese. I’ve seen people wait in lines for hours, only to be told “Milk finish” when they got to the door. Their reaction? Suck teeth and turn away, only to come join a longer line the following day. That’s the kind of patience even Job did not have. Do you think Jamaicans would have put up with that? That store would’ve been ashes by night fall. Mind you, I’m not proposing Guyanese to get rambunctious and violent. Contrast that kind of patience with another incident I personally experienced in Jamaica. Gas price was raised by the government one day and it was announced that afternoon. Keep in mind the raising of gas price meant

farmers would have to pay more to get their produce to the markets, which means increase in price in the produce also. Everything rises (except salaries) when gasoline price goes up. Guyanese would’ve fretted and fussed and go pay it anyway. Not so in JA. The very night people began cutting down trees to block roads. My sister was due to return to Jamaica from Guyana the following day so I had to travel down to Kingston to get her. I saw first-hand what the streets looked like. It would take a few pages for me to recount that experience to say. In short, nothing moved for three days. Of course, the people had to pay the raised price but they did not take it sitting down. I’ve seen Guyanese at Piarco Airport (most of them hucksters) sleeping at the airport as if they’re homeless or refugees while they had paid their good money and were in possession of genuine tickets to travel home. Some said they were there for four days. One (Continued on page 6)

The bridge toll is a political gimmick Dear Editor, I will wholeheartedly agree with the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, that the bizarre unilateral declaration of the nightmarish increase in the Berbice Bridge toll is a ‘political gimmick’ meant to give the Coalition a ‘campaign issue’. It is indeed an ‘act of desperation’ if one is to analyze all that has transpired during the past months prior to the Local Government Elections on November 12, from the unilateral appointment of the GECOM’s Chairman, the questionable appointment of the Deputy Chief Elections Officer, the gerrymandering of the LAAs constituencies, the fake and fraudulent backers’ lists and the false declaration by the Alliance For Change that they have withdrawn from contesting at least 10 LAAs. The Coalition can no longer beat the ‘corruption drum’ against the PPP since those drums are now reverberating in far higher decibels in their own camps, from top to bottom! In fact, it will take all their ingenuity

and more to now convince the masses that they are not by far the most corrupt government ever. Moreover, they will now have to also convince the populace that the steep decline in the economy, the increase in criminal activities, the poor services in the health sector (the Ophthalmology Hospital has now gone blind), the loss of thousands of jobs especially in Berbice, the declining rice production in Berbice, the wage freeze of the remaining sugar workers and the taking away of many of their benefits, the increasing poverty and hopelessness are not part of their ‘good life’ strategy. Mr. Jordan will fail miserably to persuade Guyanese that this is just ‘a figment’ of their imagination. It is now good to see that the Attorney General, Mr Basil Williams, having studied the Berbice Bridge Act is now in agreement with the Leader of the Opposition that the company must know that the power it has under Section 4.1, Subsection 2 of the Act must be read subject

to Section 4.1 (d) (III), which empowers the minister to determine the maximum amount of toll and that only the minister could approve and publish in the Gazette, the tolls. He further stated that the announcement that BBCI made is of no legal effect and that Minister Patterson will formally write the Company that the Government has rejected those increases. This then begs the question: Why is the PPP being blamed for the proposed increases in the Bridge tolls when the Bridge Act 2006 legally guard against such unilateral and arbitrary increases? This is most vexatious, utterly mischievous and a deceitful attempt to once again smear the PPP! Let me give a glaring example of this smear campaign, which is now being unleashed. There was an article written by Imran Khan, the Head of the DPI, and published in the Guyana Chronicle captioned, ‘Berbicians continue to pay for Jagdeo’s bad deal’, which claimed that the Berbice Bridge is ‘a symbol of the

reckless spending’ by the PPP Government and followed this with an outrageous claim that Jagdeo knew that the toll would eventually increase to $8,000 since it was in the contract. My question to Khan is simple: Why did his Government remain silent about this for more than three and a half years? Is it believable that after all the transactions between his Government and the Bridge Company that it is only now they are aware of this content? He closed his lies by stating that his Government will do all in its power to mitigate the pains of Berbicians. This is so absurd- create a problem, which does not exist and then solve it. Khan like his incompetent boss will need to do far better yarn spinning! The ‘political gimmick’ has not only failed but it has once again highlighted the innately devious and Machiavellian nature of this Government, which will not stop at anything to retain power. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Monday October 22, 2018

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GUYANESE VOTERS, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Dear Editor, Although this letter is for people who voted, the eligible voters who don’t vote, you too are as guilty for letting Guyana go under, by willful inaction. The governments present and past continue to promise Guyanese the ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel.’ It seems they have not found the tunnel yet to begin with. Guyanese should be proud now that the world knows Guyana, the reason being the high tech satellites that the developed countries have orbiting in space have done the equivalent of an xray scan of the planet and now knows what every resource every country has under their land. Now not only they are coming for Guyana’s resources, they are already there exploiting the resources. All over the world, there is uprising for nationalism and sovereignty, but our governments - present and past have and continue to give away your resources for pittance. The machines the exploiters are coming with are state of the art, computerized and laser guided, that will chew up, destroy forests and rivers in a few days just to access resources. The sell out money, which the government gets, can’t even buy a house in an upscale neighbourhood in the developed countries that they give away the resources to. Have you seen the lifestyle of the exploiters in Guyana compared to yours? Reminds of the days when they lived in the nice compounds while you lived in the logies. If you can see what these companies do to their own people in the countries they

are from, that have stricter law and better opposition to these companies, it should give you Guyanese a glimpse of what is in store for you. The value of the resources that they tell local government is usually less than the actual amount, since the local authority does not have the motivation, means or the technology to verify the value of the resources, hence they accept what they are being told. As they take the riches away, Guyanese are reduced to fighting among their own families or go to prison or die by police gunfire, since desperate people have to do anything to survive, mainly robbery and drugs. Robberies have been going on in Guyana for years, with no action from the foreigners. Now that anyone is getting robbed, the Chinese, lo and behold, have donated $300M to the police to fight crime. The US have contributed Tactical Combat Gear and Canada and UK are promising advisory support to the police, yet none of them has provided resources to develop the youth to steer them away from crime. After all, this support for the local police is primarily for their protection while they are here exploiting, not for the security of Guyanese. If crime decreases because of this support for police, then it is a good thing. What’s next, more jails? So Guyanese voters, having mentioned the above, come the next election, what are you going to do? You have the power to decide your future, yet you have failed to use it. Not only do you vote for governments, you also defend and support them although they give away your

resources and you get nothing. You voters seem to like the political elites living in the palace, while you and your family live in the stable. If you re-elect this government, will you hold them accountable to deliver a better future for your children from our resources? Forget grandchildren. At this sell out rate, there will be nothing for them. If you vote for the Opposition, will you hold them accountable? Can you vote for another party? Is there an influential independent person (like Trump in US) to get your vote or a sports celebrity (like Imran Khan in Pakistan)? Even if someone other than the PPP or PNC wins the election and fail, it would let the political class know Guyanese are not to be taken for granted for their vote and, to obtain and keep government positions, they will have to up their performance. Most important, exploiters will get the message, they can’t play the second party game against one another anymore. Come election time, the foot soldiers of the political parties will come to your house, giving the old speech for your vote. “You have to vote for our party; don’t worry about the resources give away, don’t worry about you and your family in poverty, and can’t get good health care or education, or jobs or that police will jail or shoot you, or life will get tougher.

“You have to vote for us to make sure the other people don’t get in power.” So voters, are you going to ask these party representatives for your fair share of Guyana’s wealth for you and your family? Or will you vote “apan jaat” again? Remember when the resources go away, “apan” will follow; all you will be left with is the “jaat”. If you are voting for the legacies of Burnham, Jagan or Rodney, remember none of them would have sold you out like this. Normally, you vote for a government and the very next day, you complain government is not doing its job. That’s on you, not the government; you’re the one who voted for them. To future leaders of Guyana, will you see to it that Guyanese get their fair share of Guyana’s wealth or will you accept the 30 pieces of silver as in the bible and sell your people out? As the current and past governments have done? It is known, the exploiters have a playbook to control your country. (1) Bribe the leaders and put the country in debt and kill the local industries, making your country dependent, which this government is doing. (2) Diplomatic sanctions;

Jagdeo got to this stage and folded. After all his government ministers got their visa suspended, for his stand with Chavez. (3) Fabricated charges and kangaroo courts to destroy leaders who opposes them (4) Economic Sanctions, you can’t trade or bank as in Venezuela; (5) Internal conflict among the population as in 80% of Africa and the Middle East (6) Have your neighbouring countries have conflict with yours; (7) Assassination of politicians who oppose them; (8) Full-scale military invasion if none of the above work, as with Sadaam Hussein in Iraq. So leaders will you tell the

people who the enemy is or you want to take the blame for them? As this exploitation goes on, where is the opposition from the Army, Police and other Security Forces? Are you just going to brutalize the people when they protest as per orders from the leaders? Where is the protest from the scholars (not all of them)? Are they just about books and exams? Where are the religious leaders (not all of them)? Are they just about taking people’s money and tell them to do fasting? So Guyanese Voters having said the above ask yourself “What the ?**? is wrong with you?” David.

Cause for concern Dear Editor, Please permit me to express my sentiments regarding government medical institutions. It was very saddening to learn that public health institution was without basic supplies such as gloves, gauze and iodine solution. On October 17, 2018, I visited the Linden Hospital Complex with my son to get his injury/wound cleaned and dressed before I took him to school. When I arrived at the

hospital, it was a few minutes after 8:00AM. I was informed that they were out of supplies and I would have to wait. After waiting for more than 30 minutes, I was then told that there were no supplies. It was further stated that they aren’t sure when they would be receiving supplies. I then thought, there is a health centre nearby my son’s school; maybe I could get assistance there, and then (Continued on page 6)

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New 356% Berbice Bridge toll will bankrupt Berbicians Dear Editor On October 16, 2018, the Board and Management of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) announced an astronomical 365% increase in tolls to cross the bridge. The proposed increase ranges from US$40-US$2,006 for one crossing for different categories of vehicles. This is a killer toll. It will bankrupt Berbicians. It is an unconscionable and disgraceful punishment of Berbicians.The Board of Directors of the bridge was in-

Destruction of public property Dear Editor, Our public property such as cables, streets and road signs, also traffic lights, name plates, bridge railings and reflectors, etc. have either been vandalized, or stolen at the cost of tax payers and is a major setback to developments that are taking place in our country. I wish to remind all law abiding citizens of Guyana, including myself that is our duty to respect the principles, to take care and protect public property. Yours Co-operatively, Parmanand Ram

stalled by Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP government. They are members who are Jagdeo’s friends and PPP supporters. Mr. Jagdeo, with a wink and a nod to the bridge management, claimed that the PPP is against the toll hikes. But the PPP cannot deceptively hide behind the bridge company. Both the PPP and the bridge company own this crazy toll that will bankrupt Berbicians. They have no conscience. They want poor people, who work or live on either side of the bridge, to pay US$80.00 a day to cross the bridge to and from work. Here is the new killer toll the PPP management of the bridge wants Berbicians to pay. Cars: from $2,200.00 to $8,040.00 – US$ 39.00; 4X4s: from $4,000.00 to $14,600.00 – US$ 72.00; Minibuses: $2,200.00 to $8,040.00 – US$ 39.00; Small trucks: $4,000.00 to $14,600.00 – US$ 72.00; Medium Trucks: $ 7,600.00 to $27,720.00 – US$ 137.00; Large trucks: $13,600.00 to $49,600.00 – US$ 247.00; Articulated trucks: $32,000.00 to $116,680.00 – US$ 582; Boats: $55,000.00 to $410,040.00 – US$2,006.00 This is absolute unconscionable craziness! The PPP claims that it supports

an increase in teachers’ pay. However, the entire back-pay Berbice teachers would receive will go towards the new bridge toll. Berbicians must therefore reject the increase. They must tell the PPP and the bridge company - No way! Haven’t these people swindled enough from Berbicians and all Guyanese? Furthermore, where is all the toll money going now? Is this increase a con for Jagdeo’s friends at the bridge company to stockpile cash to fund the 2020 elections campaign? The Coalition government said it will not approve the toll increases, which will bankrupt Berbicians. The Minister of Public Infrastructure said he would block the new killer tolls. The government has also asked citizens not to pay the new tolls. But eager for a fight to the government, the bridge’s management insists that it will begin charging the killer tolls from November 12. Consequently, unless already enshrined in law, I call on the Coalition government to pass a new law in Parliament – Protection of the Citizens of Berbice Act, to prohibit toll increase in any and all river crossings in Guyana without the express, written consent of the Minister responsible for public transportation, and that any agent of an entity that collects or attempts to collect an unauthorized toll shall commit a criminal offence punishable by penalty of law. Rickford Burke President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

THAT COURT OF APPEAL DECISION – AN OMINOUS SIGN Dear Editor, The Guyana Court of Appeal has, on Thursday, October 18, 2018, upheld the decision of the Chief Justice (ag) as to the legality of the President’s action in appointing Mr. James Patterson to Chair the Guyana Elections Commission. As a person who presented the PPP’s position to the Constitutional Reform Commission, and who was involved in the numerous struggles for democracy, I am extremely disappointed by this ruling. It is, in my view, a giant step backwards. It is another incident pushing our country along the road to social and economic ruination and towards an authoritarian Government. I was very much part of the coinage of Article 161 (2) and, therefore, I have personal knowledge of the reasons behind it, the way it evolved to its current expression and the way that it was interpreted and applied in the past. It was never ambiguous and never evoked any controversy over the last 25 years. The Constitution was amended to remove the unilateral power of appointment from the President, to introduce the Leader of the Opposition into the equation, in order to achieve political consensus and to widen the pool of persons from which the Chairman is to be chosen. What is so difficult to understand? I am sure that every objective minded Guyanese know this. In 1999-2001 constitutional reform process, all the political parties unanimously agreed to constitutionalize this Carter/Price formula. In fact, it is the PNC that led the charge. Its major argument then was that it is important to cement the role of the Leader of the Opposition and to curtail the President’s power of appointment. Now that they are in Gov-

Cause for concern... From page 5 I could take him to school. So I left for the health centre. When I arrived there, I was met with the same state of affairs.Editor, these are government institutions, where the majority of citizens of this nation turn to for medical needs. There is need for concern here when a person can’t even get the most basic things at these institutions. The thing that caught my attention was the lack of concern that the medical staff displayed at both of these facili-

Monday October 22, 2018

ties. There was no sense of urgency or worry that they are not able to help patients. I keep asking myself, what would happen if there were a real emergency? Editor, how long are we the people going to have to face these kinds of situations? Why aren’t people being held accountable for breakdown/ lapses like these? These kinds of situation require serious attention for the higher level officials. Faithfully yours, R. Singh

ernment, they are seeking to exclude the Leader of the Opposition and increase the power of the President. Therein lies the ideological authoritarianism, which exists in the belly of the PNC. As they did from 1968 to 1992, they now seem to be getting the Judiciary’s assistance. It is the very Judiciary that allowed itself to be so cowered that Burnham was able to place a party flag in the Court of Appeal compound and against the front wall of the court building, shamelessly demonstrating to the world that the Judiciary is under the control of the PNC. This was allowed to take place by a complicit Judiciary. It is the Judiciary that refused to strike down laws that introduced overseas voting. It is overseas voting that was used to massively rig the first elections of independent Guyana in 1968. It is the very Judiciary that threw out legal challenges to every election held under the PNC from the 1968 to 1985, when the world knows that each of those elections were massively rigged. It is now the Judiciary that is refusing to hear the PPP’s challenge to the 2015 elections, when similar challenges to elections around the world filed after the PPP’s challenge have already been decided by the courts in those countries. Once again, in highly political matters, we see a judicial posture reminiscent of the past. I will never accept that the Court of Appeal does not know the intent of Article 161 (2). From the press reports, they give the impression that they know it well. They upheld Nandlall’s submission and rejected those of Williams, yet they ruled in favour of

Williams! The decision simply cannot be justified on rational grounds. I recall during the days of the PNC dictatorship when it was widely believed that judges were taking orders from the PNC, Mr. Ashton Chase, a distinguished lawyer and freedom fighter, had observed that there came a time when PNC did not have to tell the judges what to do. The judges anticipated what the ruling PNC wanted and delivered. Like so many other things that have been reversed since the PNC lead APNU+AFC regime took office, one wonders if we are back on that road. It is important to note that the undermining of the confidence of important institutions leads to disaster. When the Judiciary does not stand up courageously to protect our fundamental rights, the society descends into some level of anarchy and social and economic ruination. Cheddi Jagan was always clear on this point. He never failed to point out the link and interaction between the economic base and the superstructure in any society. They influence and interact with each other. The ruling may appear at first to be a victory for the regime but, in fact, it could very well turn out to be one of the biggest blows to all working people, to businesses, indeed, to our country. Fortunately, the Guyana Court of Appeal is no longer our final court. We now have the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). This is an important case for that Court. I am looking forward to the decision of that Court, as I know that the matter is going there. Donald Ramotar Former President

Guyanese docility is... From page 4 fellow was in transit from England and was there for two days. And they sat and took it. We Guyanese need to realize we have rights and we need to step up and claim them. Of course, being quick to action has its draw-backs. Another Guyanese friend who was with me in Jamaica (yes, we are scattered all over) told me of an experience he had. He was with four others in a hire car going to the north coast. The car sped through one village and down a valley. At the bottom of a valley was a smoldering garbage heap in which some children were playing. There was a loud explosion of something in the garbage and a child was tossed unconscious on his back. The villagers, being aware that the car had just blazed through the village, looked down in the valley, saw the

stopped car and prostrate child and drew their conclusions. Down the valley, they charged with machetes (cutlasses) and pitchforks. The driver drove off and stopped a few hundred yards away. When they reached down in the valley and to the child, the villagers realized the car had nothing to do with it. Only then did the driver come back to the scene. My friend said, had they been there when the villagers came down, it would have been “chop first, ask questions later.” Being docile has its advantages but it paves the way for being taken advantage of. Guyanese, we need to assert ourselves and clamber out of the “long-line” mentality. Protest sensibly when we are taken advantage of and speak up. We tend too much to be all mouth and no action. Malcolm Alves

Monday October 22, 2018

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Constitutional Reform absent from Granger’s 2019 legislative agenda President David Granger addressed Parliament on Thursday last about his government’s agenda for 2019. But clearly absent from the agenda he provided was the burning issue of Constitutional Reform. In fact, the President completely omitted any reference to this subject matter during his address. This salient fact was pointed out by former Speaker and Attorney-at-law, Ralph Ramkarran during his recent writings. Since a budgetary provision was made, Ramkarran said that the Guyanese people were entitled to be told what legislative initiatives to expect from the Government on the issue of Constitutional Reform. He stressed that Constitution Reform was promised by the APNU+AFC manifesto and Government. The joint manifesto of APNU+AFC provides for “Priority areas to be addressed.” The first item in this section is “The introduction of a Meaningful Constitution Reform Programme geared towards improved governance and fair representation.” The very next section is entitled, “Programme of Ac-

tion.” The first item is the “Establishment of a Constitutional Reform Committee with a mandate to complete consultations, draft amendments and present same to the National Assembly for approval within nine months.” Under the topic of “Constitutional Reform,” the manifesto states: “Areas, which we will recommend for consideration of the Committee include: The President should be elected by a majority of electors; there should be separate elections to the presidency and national assembly; executive power should be shared between the President, Prime Minister and the Cabinet; and the Cabinet should comprise members of the parties which have achieved at least 15% of the vote at the national elections…” Ramkarran said that the detailed analysis of the manifesto is designed to show the high importance that the APNU+AFC attached to Constitutional reform. He said however that the public is constantly being teased by the Government. Ramkarran noted that a committee was appointed to advise the Government on the

…makes no mention of this during recent address to Parliament process it should follow. He stressed however that the report was never published. The former House Speaker said, “It was later suggested that a Bill was drafted to establish a Constitution Reform Committee, but the Bill has never seen the light of day. Last year’s budget provided several million dollars for constitutional reform but nothing has happened. What the President did not say in his address to the National Assembly, or in previous addresses, is whether his Government will fulfill its promise on constitutional reform to the Guyanese people. It still has time to complete the process.” “The AFC has it within its power to ensure the fulfillment of the manifesto promise on constitutional reform, if it decides to do so. It has indeed suffered serious setbacks in its relations with APNU, the main one being the sidelining of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.” In this regard, Ramkarran pointed out that the

Cummingsburg Accord provides that “The Prime Minister shall have responsibility for: Domestic Affairs and Chairing the Cabinet; Recommending Ministerial appointments and providing the organisational structures of ministries for the approval of the President; Appointing Heads of Agencies and nonconstitutional commissions, subject to the required and agreed democratic mechanisms and appointment; Domestic security.” He said that none of these are demonstrably being observed. Notwithstanding the reduced influence of the AFC, manifested by APNU’s decision not to accede to its demands, whatever they may have been, in relation to the sharing of seats in the local government elections, Ramkarran said that the AFC still has clout. “I made this suggestion once for the AFC to exercise that clout. I make it again. The AFC’s ministers should leave the Government, sit in the

Former House Speaker and Attorney-at-Law, Ralph Ramkarran back benches, support the government if they wish, but insist on constitutional reform in return for their continuing support. The AFC has nothing to lose. It is destined to remain an appendage to APNU exercising little or no independent influence. The votes it gained from the PNCR in 2006, the AFC returned to APNU in 2011. And the votes it obtained from the PPP in 2011 trickled back in 2015 and has now all returned.” The former House Speaker said that the APNU began to undermine the AFC from the

day the Government took office in 2015 by reneging on promises to increase the Prime Minister’s powers. He said that it now knows that the AFC is so weakened that it feels it can safely discard it for the local government elections. “The only course likely to sustain the AFC as a respected, if not viable political force, is to secure constitutional reform for the Guyanese people. In addition, history will recognise this service to the Guyanese people. Its failure to do so will be held to be its failure to the Guyanese people. The Cummingsburg Accord will be recognised as a failure comparable to the failure of the PNC-UF coalition in 1968, which the PNC orchestrated.” Ramkarran said that this would be just as APNU has orchestrated the failure of the APNU+AFC coalition by the miniaturization, then absorption, of the AFC. He opined, “Its failure to do so will open the way for a new political force to lead the way for constitutional reform, the most important issue facing the Guyanese people today, if political stability is to be salvaged in the era of oil.”

Finance Minister has no evidence that PPP has illegal proceeds - Opposition Leader By Kiana Wilburg For all the talk, the Government has about illegal proceeds belonging to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), it is yet to present a single shred of evidence to support such a claim. This contention was recently made by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo during a briefing with the media. During that engagement, the former Head of State articulated that Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, in particular has been in a habit of saying that drugs and money laundering propped up the economy for some time under the administration of the PPP. Jagdeo said he was pleased however to hear that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has challenged Jordan to provide evidence in this regard. Jagdeo said that such statements by Jordan cannot be left to become slogans. The Opposition Leader said, “You want to bet that Jordan will never do that? That he has no such evidence? He has absolutely no such evidence. The buoyancy of the country had to do with several things. (It had to do

…Says Jordan must refrain from such statements

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan with a) growing set of economic activities, growing tax base, larger deposits…more people borrowing and investing…All of that led to the buoyancy that we saw.” Jagdeo said that the converse ills that are taking place now include bad loans in the banking system and now new investments in the country. He said, “If there was so much money laundering or drug trafficking, have you ever seen them charge a single money launderer or drug trafficker (of significance) in the last three and a half years, or even (for) illegal proceeds? So

what is happening? The State Asset Recovery Agency keeps saying it will look into the matter and the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) is still running behind a few of us…So where is this big money that kept the economy going?” MASSIVE CORRUPTION Under the former regime, Guyana lost $28 to $35B every year through procurement fraud, $90B through illicit capital flight, and $188B through the underground economy. This adds up to a grand total of $306-$313 billion per year. This is actually a “conservative” numerical image of the state of corruption under the former administration. The aforementioned, among other statements, was noted by SARA earlier this year. SARU officials said that, “Before the change of Government, the nation was losing $28-$35 billion each year through procurement fraud. With regard to illicit capital flight, the nation was losing

$90 billion every year. Furthermore, the underground economy caused the nation to lose $188 billion per year. This adds up to a grand total of $306-$313 billion per year, which is a conservative figure as according to several international agencies, this amount is grossly understated.” Given the purposes of the Bill and the damaging losses to the economy as stated above, SARU said that it is imperative that the Bill passed immediately. The anti-corruption body said that the scale of corruption discovered by SARU, to date, is astounding. It said that the Guyanese population is eager to see the country’s assets recovered and appropriate action taken against the perpetrators of corruption. SARA officials have said that the establishment of the entity is geared toward these purposes. BUT NO SUCCESS It wasn’t until 2017 that the National Assembly passed legislation for SARU,

which then became the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) to be established. With that accomplishment, many critics of SARA expected that with the accusations and reports of corruption it often spoke of, SARA Directors would have at least two cases ready for the courts in 2018. But it appears that retrieving stolen assets is easier said than done. SARA’s Deputy Director, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer explained that the entity is facing several challenges. One debilitating factor he pointed to was the budget cuts in 2018. He noted that the entity’s budget proposal for 2018 was slashed by more than 30 percent. It only got about $200M. The SARA Director noted that the budget cuts affected the extent to which investigations could have been carried out. He said that plans to use international companies, which are versed in asset recovery had to be placed on the back burner since the funds were not available.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo “The government needs to be prepared to invest significant quantities of cash upfront because of the extent of the searching and investigation that would be required to locate state assets. When people steal these assets, they don’t have them lying round. They change form and even jurisdictions and in that sense, government should make a conscious effort to try and understand the budgeting needed to track these assets funds.” The Deputy Director also addressed criticisms that (Continued on page 22)

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Monday October 22, 2018

Kaieteur News

Guyana gave away US$321M in tax exemptions but its foreign debt increased by US$82M in 2017 \The Office of the Auditor General made note that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) oversaw tax-exemptions to the tune of $64B in 2017, which is even more than the revenue foregone by the same mean in 2016. This note was made in the Auditor General’s latest report covering the fiscal year ended 2017. The report was handed to the National Assembly last Thursday. The report stated, “Exemptions from duties and taxes totalled $64.312 billion (US$321M) for the period under review, as compared to $56.073 billion in 2016. This represents an increase of $8.239B over the corresponding period.” Auditors were keen to note that the value of revenue foregone for the year 2017 represents 37.52 percent of the actual revenue collections by the Authority. For the same period, Guyana’s debt grew by US$82M up from US$1.766B to US$1.848B. The debt could have been reduced had Guyana cut back on its tax exemptions. The Audit Office presented a table that provided

- still can’t present records of exemptions facilitated through GGMC, GO-Invest despite previous warning

- Auditor General Report

GRA Commissioner, Godfrey Statia overall details about the value of exemptions granted to eligible categories. The table below gives details of tax exemptions granted according to concession categories. The table indicated that tax exemptions granted to companies and businesses represented 57 percent equivalent to $36.4B of the total exemptions granted. Most of the exemptions were from businesses, mining investments through GGMC, and Investments through GoInvest. However, the Audit Office noted that the total value of

tax exemptions granted in respect of Investment Agreements facilitated through GoInvest and GGMC could not have been determined. Audit Office said that a review of GRA records revealed that that there were 58 investment agreements; 55 were approved and three were denied during the year 2017. The report stated, “In the 2016 Auditor General’s Annual Report, Management assured that the IT Division is in the process of implementing a system that will facilitate a breakdown of the ‘Companies/Businesses’ category so that more informative reports can be generated. However, at the time of reporting in 2018, the Authority failed to provide these breakdowns. This newspaper revisited that Audit Office’s 2016 report and indeed it was stated, “…the total value of tax exemptions granted in respect of Investment Agreements facilitated through the Guyana Of-

fice for Investment and the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission could not have been determined. A review of the records of the Authority revealed that a total of fiftynine agreements in respect of forty-one investors were approved during the year 2016.” Further, in the 2016 report, the Audit Office stated, “It should be noted that in accordance with the Investment Act ?. 1 of 2004, a procedural audit of the incentives granted to an investor or an investment enterprise is required to be carried out annually by the Auditor General. However, no records/documentations were submitted to facilitate these audits.” This continues to be the state of affairs. In the 2017 report, the Office noted that the audit could not have been done as “at the time of reporting, schedules were presented for various companies that

benefited from exemptions through GO-INVEST and GGMC. It was agreed that other related documentations would be sorted and presented for audit review.” GRA acknowledgement of the comments of the Auditors was reflected in the report. GRA said, “The categories (Companies/Businesses) of tax exemptions in the report are those that were built into the system several years ago and are subject to limitations. However, the breakout feature was implemented on 17th April 2018 to facilitate the value of tax exemption granted in respect of Investment Agreements through Guyana Geology & Mines (GGMC) and Guyana Office Investment (GO-Invest).” GRA continued, “Nonetheless, it must be noted that although the breakout feature was implemented in 2018, it cannot provide previous data

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma thus, the value of tax exemption for the year 2017 would not be available. The reports on the tax exemption granted in respect of Investment Agreements through GO-Invest and GGMC for the year 2017 was submitted to the Auditors (on 10 September 2018) thus facilitating the audit procedures.” The Audit Office recommended that the Authority “continue in its efforts to have the other documentation presented to facilitate audit procedures.”

Saudi Foreign Minister apologises for journalist’s murder ...but wouldn’t give location of body Buckling under pressure from major world powers, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Adel al-Jubeir has apologized for the death of journalist, Jamal Khashoggi."This is a terrible mistake. This is a terrible tragedy. Our condolences go out to them. We feel their pain and we wish this didn’t happen and I wish that this could have been avoided," Jubeir said in an interview with Fox News. "Unfortunately, a huge and grave mistake was made and I assure them that those responsible will be held accountable for this. The foreign minister is peddling the narrative that Khashoggi’s killing was a “rogue operation” and that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, was neither involved nor aware of it. However, he

gave no information pertaining to the location of the journalist’s body, abruptly stating, “We don’t know where the body is.” Meanwhile, Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has promised to release the “naked truth” of evidence his administration has compiled in support of their claim that the Saudi government orchestrated the interrogation, torture, murder and dismembering of Jamal Khashoggi. Turkey had said that Jamal Khashoggi was strapped to a table and dismembered alive by Saudi Arabian henchmen on October 2. The audio evidence, they claimed, indicated that his blood curdling screams were recorded on his Apple Watch for the 7 minutes it took to kill him, and were transferred to his iCloud and

smartphone. However, Reuters reported that a Saudi official who prefers to remain anonymous said that the body was rolled up in a rug and given to a “local cooperator” for disposal. Reuters further reported that the official said preliminary results of the investigation did not suggest that Khashoggi had been tortured and beheaded. Saudi state media said King Salman had responded to the controversy by ordering the dismissal of five officials, including Saud alQahtani, a royal court advisor seen as the right-hand man to Prince Mohammed, and deputy intelligence chief Ahmed Asiri. It also had reported that the government set out to restructure their intelligence services, an operation, which resulted in the detention of 18 state officials. The three governments of Britain, France and Germany have released a joint statement stressing that there is an “urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened”. However, it is unclear whether the Saudi government will state decisively on what happened, since their public officials have consistently given multiple conflicting details of what occurred.

Monday October 22, 2018

Life is strange. But not politics. It is sometimes difficult to understand how someone can be praiseworthy of a person in one instance and then, in another, be scathing in their criticism of that very person. But if you have followed Guyanese politics for a reasonable period of time, nothing would surprise you. Eight years ago, a boxing card was scheduled to be hosted at the Princess Hotel.

The card was titled Caribbean Fury 2 and was promoted by Carwyn Holland who, up to recent, was the Mayor of Linden. The card almost did not materialize after the Guyana Revenue Authority demanded a deposit on the purse of the boxers. An American–based boxer, who was scheduled to appear on the card, threatened to pull out of the card when he realized that after taxes not

much would have been left from his US$1000 purse. The matter was reported in the newspapers and that report was read by then President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo intervened to save Holland’s boxing card. According to a Stabroek News report of 8th November 2010, the President, after reading the report in the newspaper, took action which allowed the card to continue. He was even

Dem boys seh ...

One simple suggestion fuh Soulja Bai All over de world people does name roads, facilities and structures after leaders. De US got JFK airport; Guyana got CJIA. Dem got schemes, name after Burnham pickney dem. And dem boys ain’t talking about kakishness. Dem talking about housing schemes—Melanie is one and de odda one is Roxanne Burnham. Guyana name a whole town after Burnham and a conference centre after Arthur Chung. Dem got plenty roads and villages name after people. Those were de days when you had proppa structures, proppa roads and things like dat. Today wid de kak dat passing fuh roads, facilities, and structures; dem boys suggest dat Soulja Bai name every project after de contractor who build it along

wid dem address, dem phone number, dem wife name and even dem pickney name. Dem boys believe if Soulja Bai heed dis advice, de quality of roads, facilities and projects will improve immediately. Dem boys want to remind Soulja Bai dat because of de kak wuk wha Guyana been getting from every Tom, Dick and Harry mek dem had to borrow another US$82M and pay interest, too. De kakishness nah only deh wid de contractors; it deh wid de people who giving out tax exemptions. Imagine last year GGMC and Go-Invest give away more than wha Guyana borrow in 2017. Soulja Bai should tek a check on dat and he gon see, he coulda save US$200M in de coffers. When dem boys hear there is no proper records to

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Kaieteur News

show what exactly what dem giveaway and who dem give to, dem remember Jagdeo right away. Jagdeo never install the module dat records money going out. He only got record of de money coming in. Jordan, who tek over, tell everybody in 2016 how he gon mek sure the computer people put in all the system to record money going in, money coming out; who getting what and how much dem getting. He gon know wheh dis deh and wheh dat deh. To date, the AG says Jordan ain’t do nutten. He just like Jagdeo. He wuk wid Jagdeo too long. If he did do wha he seh he woulda do, de AG woulda able to tell Guyana who get what and when. Talk half and ask when Jordan gon install de recording modules.

present at the event, which meant he would had to have been invited by the promoter, Mr. Holland. The promoter of the card, Mr. Carwyn Holland was grateful to the then President. He was effusive in his praise for President Jagdeo. He said that he was happy and relieved by President Jagdeo’s intervention and even said that he knew that the President would have intervened to help the promotion. Holland was quoted as saying that with such a move by President Jagdeo, sports tourism will thrive. He noted that President Jagdeo was always supportive of his promotions, citing a card in 2004 when he, Holland, had brought a world title fight to Guyana. A lot of water has since passed under that bridge. Jagdeo at the time had hair on his head; he is now bald. Holland is not active locally in boxing promotion but has entered the political ring, having been elected the municipality of Linden and then being elected as Mayor of that town. In a recent letter to this newspaper, Holland was acidic in his criticisms of Jagdeo. Holland put on his boxing gloves and stormed out of his corner like Aaron Pryor. He accused Jagdeo of being ludicrous, hypocritical and spoilt. He described him in unflattering terms as an individual who tyrannized and micro-managed every tier of the governance system. He questioned whether Guyana was Jagdeo’s personal property for him to take back. It is pity he did not know

all of those things eight years ago when Jagdeo literally rescued him and his boxing card. But such is the nature of politics. Politics and gratitude are like water and oil. They do not mix, as so many people are now discovering, and others will find out eventually. We are in the political season. Local government elections are due to be held on November 12, 2018. This is usually a low-level affair but the political temperature is already becoming heated. The exchanges will get more caustic in the days ahead. Parties and candidates will make heavy weather of their opponents. That is to be expected. Things must not be allowed to get out of hand. We have also seen how easy it is for the political environment to become explosive and degenerate into

violence. Things got a little nasty last Thursday when a group of male APNU supporters were videoed harassing a female who was in picket line protesting for the payment of severance for former sugar workers attached to the Wales Estate who have not received their severance after more than one and a half years. Sadly, like gratitude and politics, civility and Guyanese politics is like oil floating on water.

Monday October 22, 2018

Guyana’s oil blocks are too large for our own good - Ramson Guyana’s oil blocks, now that the basin has become derisked, are way too large for Guyana to get the best out of them. That is the view of Attorney-at-law, Charles Ramson, who has a Master’s Degree in Oil and Gas Management. He said that having such large oil blocks does not demonstrate prudent management of the resource itself. Ramson said, “What happens as a result is that we are unable to monetize successfully and aggressively pursue an exploration and discovery programme.” He explained, “In every contract, there is a work programme that the licensee is required to undertake,

Attorney-at-Law, Charles Ramson but because the block is so large effectiveness is at risk.

The obligation is to do seismic and to drill a hole after that seismic is done. “But if the block is too large, companies are often unable to penetrate all of the area of that block because the more you do, the more expensive it is and as a result, you are not getting the real value.” Ramson said that when blocks are too large, companies end up not doing seismic for some sections. But, “if you dice the blocks and have more companies, you are able to have more exploration, more seismic and in turn you get better geological information because the geology of an area can vary two miles down.”

Govt. to table intellectual copyright legislation soon It is going to be a culture shock once passed – Graphic artist Barrington Braithwaite

After years of debate, consultations and criticisms, it appears that the Government is ready to take the next set of crucial steps to overhauling the outdated copyright legislation. President David Granger, while addressing Parliament on Thursday following its recess, stated that an Intellectual Property Rights Bill will be brought before the House during this session to upgrade existing legislation. Miniscule fines for copyright infringement under the existing law have opened the door to the proliferation of unlicensed music, ideas, films, books and other items being resold on the open market. Illustrator and graphic artist, Barrington Braithwaite believes that Guyana is 50 years late with its Intellectual Property Rights legislation. He said Guyana has lost the development of new industries, especially in the area of digital technologies. “If you go to some record bars, you get a slip that includes taxes. It means that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has legalised piracy and they have to. One man can’t do legal and everyone else illegal,” Braithwaite told Kaieteur News following the President’s announcement. While the legislation could take several months before it becomes law, Braithwaite believes that there should be a period of amnesty for businesses, which undertake piracy and pay. “It is something that few of us have paid attention to. It will be a major culture shock. There will have to be a change of attitude towards the engagement for artwork, designs, music; people who are

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Kaieteur News

Illustrator and graphic artist, Barrington Braithwaite designing programmes to computer. It’s not art alone; it’s jewellery, furniture and other industries,” Braithwaite stated. He stated that Guyana also stands to benefit because it will become increasingly important for Guyana to own the rights to what it produces. Braithwaite raised the issue of who will own the copyrights to the recently announced research being undertaken by the Chinese into Guyana’s forest. “Guyana should own those rights. These are the things we will have to develop as a country under new legislation,” Braithwaite pointed out. While not in receipt of the draft legislation, Braithwaite is of the view that copyright laws are very similar with a fixed international template. He said a court in Barbados could award as much as US$250,000 for copyright infringement. He said that many of the Caribbean countries, particularly Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have been eager to see Guyana upgrade the existing copyright legislation because their mu-

sicians and other creative minds have been affected for years. “These Caribbean countries will now be looking at us because we have been pirating their music for years. The music we will play, download and distribute will have to be licensed for use,” Braithwaite pointed out. He also stated that with Guyana becoming a major oil producer, the spotlight will be in Guyana and investors who will be coming to participate in other oil industry as well as other sectors will require effective copyright legislation. Minister of Public telecommunications Cathy Hughes earlier this year indicated that copyright laws will have to form part of the new liberalised telecommunication sector. She had promised that the legislation would have been tabled in 2018. There have been similar promises of copyright legislation. Former Education Minister, Rupert Roopnarine in April 2016 promised the law within two months. There have been many previous promises.

Bandit shot, accomplices arrested in foiled Bourda Market robbery Just over two months after three bandits robbed and killed a Bourda Market cheese vendor, a second robbery attempt was made in the wee hours of Sunday morning. But this time, the bandits were the unlucky ones. One robber was shot by a security guard that vendors hired after the cheese vendor was slain. Police said that the suspect, Shane Allison, was shot by a security guard at around 02:00 hrs when he attempted to rob a Bourda Market vendor on Robb Street, between Bourda and Alexander Streets, not too far from where the last vendor was killed. Allison was shot in the foot and hip while two of his accomplices were arrested. Kaieteur News learnt from a witness that Allison and two others came to the location in a minibus. Allison, who had a handgun, approached the vendor and attempted to rob him. A security guard, who a short distance away confronted him. Allison reportedly turned his firearm on the guard, who shot him in the foot. Allison ran into a yard then fled into an alleyway. The witness claimed that she heard a few more gunshots and heard Allison wailing loudly. Quick response by City Police from the Bourda Outpost saw Allison being apprehended and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted under guard. Based on information received, constables who acted quickly were able to apprehend his two accomplices who were still in the minibus. They were later handed over to ranks of the Guyana Police Force from the Albertown Police Station. Police in a statement said 21-year-old Shane Allison, a miner of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara allegedly whipped out a handgun and pointed it at the guard who discharged his weapon sev-

The minibus that the suspected bandits were moving in.

Suspected bandit Shane Allison being taken to the hospital. eral times at the gunman, who collapsed a short distance away. An unlicensed .32 pistol with six live matching rounds were retrieved next to the injured suspect. The statement also listed

two other suspects as being a 34 year-old of Nelson Street, Mocha, East Bank Demerara and a 23 year-old of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown. The security guard is assisting with investigation.

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Monday October 22, 2018

Kaieteur News

Gas bottle explosion…

Wife discharged, husband still hospitalised One month after a gas cylinder exploded and badly damaged a Kitty home; one of the injured persons is still a patient at the Burns Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Meera Hemraj, 36 and her husband Rabi Hemraj, 39 were at home in their bottom flat apartment at Lot 45 Railway Line Kitty, last month when the incident occurred. Yesterday at the hospital, Rabi Hemraj was still nursing burns about his lower body. His wife was discharged from the institution last week. According to information, panic stricken tenants of the said Kitty residence climbed through windows and kicked open jammed doors at around 05:00 hrs on September 26 after the cooking gas cylinder exploded and ripped holes in the building and caused sections to collapse. It was reported that the couple who was renting the bottom flat of the building had just awoken and was in the kitchen when a gas bottle exploded as the wife was about to light the stove. The victims, who are food vendors at the time, were preparing to cook when the inci-

dent occurred. The impact of the explosion caused the ceiling to loosen, grills to blow out, and an entire step to be detached. One tenant spoke of waking up to a strange heat in his apartment and finding that part of the ceiling had fallen, a wall had collapsed, and the door that was his sole means of escape was jammed. “We had to kick the door down… I had to kick the door down to save myself, and my wife and son,” the tenant identified as ‘Samaroo’ said. Samaroo has been an occupant of the Kitty residence for nine years. Residents of the upper flat were forced to exit the building through windows. Sitaram, a neighbour, provided a ladder to assist the tenants of the upper flat to climb to safety. He also assisted in dousing the male vendor whose clothes caught fire. The damaged building was divided into four apartments. The explosion destroyed the surrounding walls of the lower flat of the building, as well as furniture and other items within the home. Police are currently investigating the

Detached step and destroyed lower flat.

“I thrive in isolation” - Musician Juke Ross Juke Ross, as many Guyanese people know him, is a regular, fun-loving, socially awkward, sarcastic person, in his own words. The musician describes himself as a Thinking Introvert, according to research

he’s done on his personality type. He has said, “I thrive in isolation.” It may seem paradoxical that an introvert who gets anxious when in large groups would be a musician, touring and interfacing with some of the world’s biggest names in music, but Ross manages it. In fact, he says that it’s the solitude that gives him the space and clarity he needs to explore his creative vices of music, reading and writing. The 24 year old has settled in New York and is part of a community of artists that he says that he’s honoured to be a part of. Just last year, the artist signed with Republic Records, the American record company, which is known for working with music industry leaders like Drake, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. The signing has given him the opportunity to make a living out of his passion for music, while he grows his fan base and develops his craft. He has performed in multiple states in the US, including Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia and South Carolina. Throughout his journey, he has gotten the opportunity to interface with big names like Jessie J, JP Cooper, Kygo, Matt Maeson, SZA, Cheat Codes, Kendrick Lamar and Vance Joy. He even met one of his “guitar heroes”, Marty Schwartz earlier this year, and

Juke Ross has gotten the honour of performing with him on stage. Schwartz, Ross explained, is the reason he knows how to play the guitar. Ross spoke of how he used to watch Marty’s guitar tutorials on YouTube, and taught himself how to play the guitar from the videos. Juke Ross’ style of music is soft and enthralling. His art tends to carry messages of love, loss, anxiety, fears, triumphs and dreams. It is a conduit through, which he expresses his deepest convictions and experiences. Music gives Ross much fulfillment, but he hadn’t always known that this is what he’d be doing. Before settling in New York and jumping head-on into his craft, he had

doubts about how he’d build his life. He explained, “I wasn’t one of those persons who knew exactly what I wanted to do. In fact, I still have trouble with that.” Before focusing on music, Ross was set on being a doctor. Most of his friends, he said, are doctors, and that he still sometimes feels as though he’s missing out. He even played cricket a lot, and had quite an interest in the sport. However, he had to put the bat down when he joined medical school, and this resulted in him having a lot of free time at home. “That didn’t work because, in my household, you always ought to be doing something constructive.” This led him to pick up the guitar and just like that, he was swept off his feet by his love for music. And so, the musician left medical school to pursue his passion for music. He explained, “After having a taste, I was sweetened for more. Now, I’m exploring it.” “To be frank,” he said, “I don’t know if I want to do this forever because there’s much to the industry besides the craft. But, for now, it’s totally enriching.” His favourite artists to listen to are Bob Marley, Slingshot, Mighty Rebel, Maxi Priest, Byron Lee, Van Morrison, Beres Hammond, Dave Martins and Bob Dylan. The “Colour Me” singer said that he’s currently writing, recording and producing music, which he promises will be released in 2019. This shy artist wants the Guyanese people to know how confident he is, from his experiences, that “Anything is possible” for anyone who is willing to follow his or her dreams.

Monday October 22, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Monday October 22, 2018

Kaieteur News

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(From page 7) SARA is moving at a snail’s pace, especially as it relates to bringing cases before the court. “Our job is not to just take cases to court. Since we have been established, we have done many things. We have worked through a number of other agencies to get things done. We worked with the various regions and that work allowed us to slow down theft and leakages. If we don’t do that kind of work, then there will continue to be corruption…” Heath-Retemyer also called for there to be an appreciation of the time it takes to carry out investigations. He stressed that it often involves going after 20 to 30 pieces of evidence to build a case. Heath-Retemyer noted, too, that Guyana being a paper society also makes the job of compiling evidence even more tedious. “Guyana is a paper society and we have a lot of minutes and so forth that we might want. But when you go for these things, you are thrown in a room with lots of boxes. Then you have to get about 10 people to filter through that. These things are time consuming and when you get all these things and prepare a report on the case, you have to get another set of eyes to look at it.” Further to this, the Deputy Director said that SARA is working with a few international partners. He said that this is necessary since some of the cases involve certain pieces of information, which are beyond these shores. He said that there are no signed contracts with these partners. Heath-Retemyer noted however that there is an agreement between SARA and the Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting. “The Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting is helping us with a number of things that we may not have the technical competence of doing. There are others that we are courting and discussing agreements with because some cases would be brought in Guyana and others outside, depending on where the evidence is found.” The Deputy Director said that SARA hopes to rest several cases at the same time. “We are pretty close to doing that albeit we have said that many times. We are the first agency doing this kind of work and we want to do it properly. We want to ensure that when we take them before the court, they are properly done and ready.”

Monday October 22, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Govt. bats for foreign companies in oil and gas at expense of Guyanese – Chris Ram The approach taken by senior Government Ministers and the Department of Energy does not augur well for the participation of Guyanese in the emerging sector, according to chartered Accountant Christopher Ram. He noted that this is a trend, given recent statements made by Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge and the head of the Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe.“Something is really wrong with our country when seasoned professionals are considered pretenders by ruling politicians with no training, knowledge or experience. What people like Gaskin are doing is a dog whistle to the likes of ExxonMobil that don’t worry, we will take care of the local mudheads,” Ram stated. He pointed to Greenidge’s pronouncements on Merrill Lynch’s capacity and extensive experience in the management of the equivalent of sovereign wealth funds. According to Ram, such gratuitous high level endorsement in an emerging oil economy must be anyone’s dream.He stated yet at home,

Head of the Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe

Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin

the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and his team have “crudely and blatantly” refused to engage and listen to Guyanese concerns and recommendations on the petroleum contract as well as the Natural Resources Fund proposal.“But yes, of course, Merrill Lynch is big, it is powerful and it has that colour for which we all seem to have a pronounced complex,” Ram stated. Gaskin, according to Ram, took a similar approach while speaking to a large delegation from Newfoundland, Canada at the Canadian High Commissioner’s residence. He said Gaskin gave his usual spiel and disdain for Guyanese who pretend to know about oil and gas, even as he expressed admiration for

and expectation from Canadians visiting from Newfoundland, Canada. The Minister during his presentation told the gathering that some Guyanese may wish to pretend that they have all the answers and solutions and they are the local experts in the oil and gas industry. Ram expressed that Minister Gaskin seems to have something about Guyanese and his attack on locals is a reprise of what he did at a Private Sector Commission (PSC) Petroleum Conference earlier this year. The Chartered Accountant noted that Dr. Bynoe, speaking at the Canadian function, stated that he would not encourage the Government or the private sector to pursue advice

received from the “many experts”, even if wellintentioned. “The attitude displayed by these two senior Ministers and the senior oil and gas man in the Executive, does not augur well for meaningful participation of large swathes of the Guyana population,” Ram stated. He added, “Bynoe will simply not encourage the Government to take advice that is not evidence-based. Our Foreign Minister will promote and ‘big up’ those with a certain profile, while Gaskin will continue to demonstrate contempt for his fellow Guyanese, all of whom he considers as pretenders, and who, on the next occasion when Gaskin speaks, will probably be called charlatans and ignoramuses.”

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 22, 2018

Cricket - ECB dismisses Andrade claims WBO Middleweight title with spot-fixing allegations unanimous decision over Kautondokwa

LONDON (Reuters) - Allegations of spot-fixing by English cricketers have been dismissed by the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Integrity Team. The Al Jazeera television network said it had uncovered evidence of corruption in international cricket, including “a small group” of England players in seven matches between 2010 and 2012. Unnamed Australia and Pakistan players were also accused by the broadcaster in a documentary broadcast yesterday. “Whilst the limited information we have been given by Al Jazeera is poorly prepared and

lacks clarity and corroboration, it has been properly assessed,” the ECB said in a statement. “Analysis of this by the ECB Integrity Team has cast no doubt on the integrity or behaviour of any England player, current or former. “The ECB takes its responsibilities on anti-corruption and preserving the integrity of cricket very seriously. “The materials we have been given have been referred to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption unit and we will continue to work with them, as is the correct procedure for protecting the game.”

BOSTON (AP) — Demetrius Andrade won the vacant World Boxing Organization middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Walter Kautondokwa of Namibia on Saturday. Kautondokwa was a replacement for Billy Joe Saunders. Saunders tested positive for a stimulant in a drug test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency. The WBO stripped Saunders of his title after the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission declined to give him a license in a hearing on

Monday October 22, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Put on some lively music you can dance to and really kick up your heels, Virgo. It's time to put away the sour mood and have fun with a large group of people. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Difficult challenges that have been lingering on the sidelines will probably become more prominent today, Taurus. There is a strong possibility that things will come to a head. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Difficult challenges that have been lingering on the sidelines will probably become more prominent today, Taurus. There is a strong possibility that things will come to a head. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may get frustrated when you find that people aren't as sensitive to a situation as you want them to be. While you're looking to make a strong connection with someone, almost wanting to take possession of his or her feelings

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is a tremendously expansive time for you, Libra, and there is very little that will stop your momentum once you get going. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a good time to put things in writing, Scorpio. Your gift with words is apt to shine today as you write a proposal, email, or love poem. You're able to communicate very well when you put your sensitive emotions SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) The day's energy is apt to be lively, making it much easier to get the things done that you need to do, Sagittarius. You will find people are more than eager to help you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Obstacles that you have ignored are suddenly starting to expand beyond reasonable proportions. Be careful of what you say as a result, because your words could spread like wildfire. This is no laughing matter.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A small spark in a dry field is apt to whip the hill into flames, Leo. A raging wildfire may be underway by the end of the day. Know that you're one of the biggest perpetrators, but don't feel badly about it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) This is a terrific day for you, Aquarius, and you will glow brightly from head to toe as you radiate your true inner self to the world. You will find profound joy in the simplest, most ordinary circumstances.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Put on some lively music you can dance to and really kick up your heels, Virgo. It's time to put away the sour mood and have fun with a large group of people. You will find that the more you engage in intellectual discussions, the more you will enjoy life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Tap into the boisterous, lighthearted mood of the day instead of getting bogged down with heavy emotions, Pisces. This is a good time to engage your mind rather than let your heart take control. Be aware of the expansive nature of the day.

Demetrius Andrade (right) won the vacant WBO middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Walter Kautondokwa of Namibia. Oct. 9. Andrade (26-0, 16 knockouts) dropped Kautondokwa four times in the first four

Raikkonen victory... From page 25 corner at a sunny Circuit of the Americas. The Briton made two pitstops to his rivals’ one, losing crucial seconds on fading tires before being called in and staging a late charge over the final 19 laps from fourth with 12 seconds to make up. Team mate Valtteri Bottas helped by letting him through for third place, but the Finn then lost out to Vettel and finished fifth. Hamilton, a second behind Verstappen at the end, went wheel-to-wheel with the 21-year-old with two laps left but failed to make the move stick and ran wide in his last chance to grab second. “Did you win the championship?” enquired 2007 world champion Raikkonen, whose last previous win with Ferrari was in 2009. “No,” replied Hamilton.

Rising Sun Turf Club... From page 31 event of this nature is possible without the key support of the sponsors. Among those assisting the Rising Sun Turf Club Rodeo Committee are: Banks DIH, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Cattle Ranch, Rommel Jagroop Cattle Ranch, Abary Cattle Ranch, Sunil Suruj Cattle Ranch, BM Soat Auto Sales, Jai Seegobin Cattle Ranch, Reginald Hookumchand and Jerry Hookumchand. Fans are encouraged to make Sunday a family outing to the West Berbice location of the Rising Sun Turf Club for top class Rodeo entertainment.

rounds, once in the first and third and twice in the fourth. Two judges scored the fight 120-104, and the other had it 119-105. Andrade, of Providence, Rhode Island, previously held junior middleweight titles in

the WBO and World Boxing Association. He was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. Kautondokwa, a 32-yearold WBO African middleweight champion, dropped to 17-1 with 16 knockouts.

Monday October 22, 2018

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Holder hails Windies batting despite defeat GUWAHATI, India, CMC – Captain Jason Holder has praised his side’s improved batting effort, despite them suffering an eight-wicket drubbing in the opening OneDay International of the fivematch series here yesterday. Sent in at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, West Indies marched to an impressive 322 for eight off their 50 overs – only the fourth time they have surpassed the 300-run mark since the 2015 World Cup. They were led by 21-yearold left-hander Shimron Hetmyer who shone brightest with 106 while opener Kieran Powell chipped in with a fluent 51 and Holder, 38. “I’m extremely pleased with how the guys went out and batted – credit to Shimron Hetmyer on getting a hundred,” Holder said following the match. “It’s always good to see a young player coming in and doing well. Obviously Kieran Powell got us off to a pretty

Jason Holder (right) has praised the Windies batting effort led by Shimron Hetmyer (left). good start as well and pretty much everyone chipped in from the lower half down.” Hetmyer, who faced 78 deliveries and struck six fours

and sixes, put on 74 for the fifth wicket with Rovman Powell (22) before adding a further 60 for the sixth wicket with Holder.

Shai Hope chipped in with 32 at number three while tailender Kemar Roach frustrated India with an unbeaten 26 at the death.

When they bowled, West Indies got an early breakthrough when debutant fast bowler Ohane Thomas bowled Shikhar Dhawan off the edge for four in the second over.But Rohit slammed an unbeaten 152 and captain Virat Kohli, 140, in a record 246-run second wicket stand, which deflated the Windies. Holder said it was crucial the Windes took a new look at their bowling plans before the next ODI in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.“I felt it was a decent effort up front with the new ball. Obviously on a track like this that’s skidding on when the lights take effect, it becomes a little more difficult,” Holder explained. “Our spinners weren’t as effective as you would’ve liked them to be so it’s just a matter of us going back and just reassess our plans and try to limit some of their scoring.” He added: “At the halfway

stage, I said to the guys [that the score was] probably par and it was a matter for us of using the new ball as best as we possibly could. “We got an early breakthrough but credit to Kohli and obviously Rohit, they played outstanding innings and really took the game away from us and they batted right through to the end.” Holder was probably the most economical bowler, going at just over 5-½ an over as the remainder took a battering from Kohli and Rohit. Thomas bowled with pace but leaked 83 runs from his nine overs – the most runs ever conceded by a West Indies player on debut. Holder said the attack had lacked the sharpness to make the necessary inroads. “Looking back in hindsight, we needed one or two more partnership-breakers and you never know, we could have been back in the game.”

Raikkonen victory keeps Hamilton waiting for fifth F1 title

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, drives his car during the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Britain’s Lewis Hamilton was kept waiting for his fifth Formula One world championship yesterday after the Mercedes driver finished third in a U.S. Grand Prix won by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. The victory was the 39year-old Finn’s first since the Australian Grand Prix of March 2013, a gap of 113 races dating back to when he was racing for Lotus, and 21st of his career. Red Bull’s Dutch youngster Max Verstappen finished a surprise second after starting 18th in a thrilling finale with the top three cars separated by just 2.1 seconds at the chequered flag.

Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen (center) of Finland celebrates winning the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas with Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (left) of Netherlands and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (right) of Great Britain. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton’s only title rival, spun down to 15th on the opening lap but fought back to finish fourth — a result that means the championship remains open until Mexico next weekend. Hamilton now has a 70-

point lead over his four-times champion rival with 75 points remaining to be won from the last three races. “I actually thought we would have been able to do better but this is the best we were able to do in the end,” said Hamilton. “We just have

to keep working and keep pushing for the next race. “I’m not really quite sure how the strategy ended up like that,” added the Briton, who had started on pole position but lost the lead to Raikkonen into the first (Continued on page 24)

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Monday October 22, 2018

Kaieteur News

NBA roundup: Tempers flare as Rockets down Lakers James Harden scored 36 points, and Chris Paul added 28 points with 10 assists as the Houston Rockets spoiled LeBron James’ home opener with the Los Angeles Lakers by earning a high-intensity 124-115 victory Saturday night. Three players were ejected with 4:13 remaining after an on-court altercation that started after the Lakers’ Brandon Ingram committed a hard foul on Harden. After the whistle, Paul and the Lakers’ Rajon Rondo threw punches at each other, with Ingram also joining the fray. Paul, Rondo and Ingram all were ejected. James scored 24 points on his new home floor, adding five rebounds and five assists. James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, signed a four-year, $154 million deal with the Lakers in the offseason. The Rockets led 109-108 at the time of the on-court confrontation and put the game away afterward, getting a key 3-pointer from PJ Tucker with 2:31 remaining for a 117112 lead. Harden added a 3-pointer of his own with 1:12 remaining to give Houston a 120-113 lead. Nuggets 119, Suns 91 Nikola Jokic scored 11 of his game-high 35 points in an early runaway, helping host Denver blow out Phoenix in a battle of teams that had won their NBA openers. Jokic hit all 11 of his shots and completed his 17th career tripledouble with game highs of 12 rebounds and 11 assists for the Nuggets, who were making their home debut after winning 107-98 in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday. Devin Booker had 25 points for the Suns, who had opened at home with an impressive 121-100 thumping of the Dallas on Wednesday. Trail Blazers 121, Spurs 108 Damian Lillard put on a spectacular offensive display, and host Portland collected 75 points in the middle two quarters in beating San

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket and is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) Antonio. Lillard scored 29 points and dished out nine assists with no turnovers, sinking 9 of 15 shots from the field, 3 of 6 from 3-point range and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line in just 30 minutes. CJ McCollum added 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting for the Blazers. DeMar DeRozan totaled 28 points and nine assists for the Spurs. Hornets 113, Heat 112 Kemba Walker scored 39 points and hit a free throw with 0.5 seconds remaining to give Charlotte a bizarre win at Miami. Walker, who surpassed the career 10,000-point plateau early in the third quarter, was fouled as the Hornets played for the final shot with the score tied 112-112. He made the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second to allow the clock to expire. Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 21 points. Goran Dragic scored 20, Rodney McGruder 19 and Derrick

Marquez clinches fifth MotoGP title with victory in... From page 27 stop with the doctor and for next year it will be perfect.” Redding apologized for his role in the incident, adding: “Congratulations to @marcmarquez93 with 7 titles on there my babbbie. Once we were rivals “big rivals” now we have nothing but respect and fun!!! Sorry for the dislocated shoulder.....” Marquez pipped Dovizioso on the final lap of the Thailand Grand Prix last time out and while he did leave it quite as late at Motegi the result was the same. “I was able to follow Andrea, then I say okay, I will try to use the same strategy as Thailand, attack before the last lap because I felt like they had something,” he said. “I was pushing really hard and he did a mistake.” “I disappointed because he de-

serves to be here on the podium with us, but okay, the big boss will enjoy it.” Dovizioso, who was the championship runner-up to Marquez in 2017, will have to wait another year for a shot at his first MotoGP premier class title. “The battle (with Dovizioso) has been great all year,” said an exuberant Marquez. “Dovi had been a great opponent throughout the year and coming into this he was very, very fast.” LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow was second after a brilliant performance that saw the Briton hang with Marquez and Dovizioso until the final stages. Another Spaniard, Alex Rins, was third for Suzuki. The next stop is the Australian Grand Prix next weekend.

Jones Jr. and Bam Adebayo had 12 each. The Heat played without four regulars — Dion Waiters (knee), James Johnson (hernia), Justise Winslow (hamstring) and Wayne Ellington (ankle). Mavericks 140, Timberwolves 136 Dennis Smith Jr. drained a stepback jumper and drew a foul for a three-point play with 6.1 seconds left to break a tie and lead Dallas to a wild win in its home opener against Minnesota, which was playing without the disenchanted Jimmy Butler on the second night of a back-toback. The Mavs, after losing by 21 points at Phoenix in their season opener Wednesday, got 26 points from rookie Luka Doncic, who showed poise down the stretch that included two big baskets late in the fourth. Free agent acquisition DeAndre Jordan provided 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. The Wolves were led by Karl-

Anthony Towns’ 31 points and 28 from a rejuvenated Derrick Rose. They were the most points Rose has scored in a game since March 27, 2017. Pistons 118, Bulls 116 Ish Smith made a finger roll with 5.4 seconds remaining, giving Detroit a victory over host Chicago. The game-winner came after Chicago scored five unanswered points to tie it. Following a timeout, Smith weaved past defenders and dropped in his layup. Zach LaVine, who led the Bulls with 33 points, then had a 3-point attempt swatted away by Blake Griffin, securing the Pistons’ victory. Griffin finished with 33 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and one block. Reggie Jackson supplied 18 points and six assists while Smith had 15 points and five assists off the bench. Raptors 117, Wizards 113 Kyle Lowry had 28 points and 12 assists, and visiting Toronto held off a late Washington rally. Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka scored 16 points apiece for Toronto, which improved to 3-0. The Raptors, playing the second of backto-back games, gave forward Kawhi Leonard the night off. Washington was without center Dwight Howard (lower back), who missed his second game. Bradley Beal led the winless Wizards with 32 points, and John Wall added 25. Beal was 6 of 11 from 3-point range and passed Gilbert Arenas (868) for the franchise lead in 3-pointers. Celtics 103, Knicks 101 Jayson Tatum scored all six points for Boston in the final minute and finished with a team-high 24 points in beating host New York. Tatum also had 14 rebounds for the Celtics, who have won two of three to open the season. Marcus Morris and Kyrie Irving had 16 points apiece for Boston while Aron Baynes and Terry Rozier had 10 points each. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 24 points, and Enes Kanter had a

double-double (17 points, 15 rebounds) for the Knicks, who have dropped two of three. Trey Burke added 11 points. 76ers 116, Magic 115 JJ Redick’s eighth 3-pointer was the decisive basket with 17 seconds remaining as host Philadelphia edged Orlando on a night that saw 76ers point guard and reigning Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons leave in the first quarter with tightness in his back. Joel Embiid scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Redick added 31 points as the 76ers won their second straight game following a season-opening loss. Dario Saric added 13 points and nine rebounds, and Robert Covington scored 12 points for Philadelphia, which tied a franchise record with 17 3-pointers. Orlando’s Evan Fournier made six 3-pointers and scored 31 points, and Nikola Vucevic registered 27 points, 13 rebounds and a careerbest 12 assists for his second career triple-double. Aaron Gordon added 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Terrence Ross had 15 points off the bench for the Magic, who made 16 3-point baskets. Pacers 132, Nets 112 Victor Oladipo scored a gamehigh 25 points — one of nine Pacers in double figures — and added four steals as host Indiana crushed Brooklyn. Oladipo, who was 10 of 20 from the floor, also had seven rebounds. Kyle O’Quinn finished with 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench, Bojan Bogdanovic and Tyreke Evans each scored 15 points and Myles Turner added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers, who won their eighth straight over the Nets. Joe Harris scored 19 points, hitting 5 of 6 of his 3-point shots, and Caris LeVert also finished with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting for Brooklyn. D’Angelo Russell added 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds. (Field Level Media)

WTA Finals: Karolina Pliskova beats Caroline Wozniacki in White Group BBC Sport - Karolina Pliskova beat defending champion Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 6-4 on the opening day of the WTA Finals in Singapore. Czech world number eight Pliskova, 26, broke early in both sets to win in one hour 32 minutes in the White Group. Australian Open champion Wozniacki, from Denmark, failed to win any of the 10 break points she created. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina beat Czech Petra Kvitova 6-3 6-3 in the same group earlier on Sunday. The event features the leading eight players this year, split into two groups of four. The top two players from each round-robin group will progress to the semi-finals, with the final on 28 October.

Karolina Pliskova lost to Caroline Wozniacki in the WTA Tour semi-finals last year. (Getty Images)

In the Red Group today, Japan’s US Open champion Naomi Osaka plays American Sloane Stephens, while top seed Angelique Kerber, from Germany, meets the Nether-

lands’ Kiki Bertens. The Finals are being held in Singapore for the fifth and final time before moving to Shenzhen in China.

Monday October 22, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Hetmyer soared to his third ODI hundred off 74 balls ©Associated Press

Rohit and Kohli put on another 100-run stand for India to keep them on track©Associated Press GUWAHATI, India, CMC – Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer struck a dashing hundred but Rohit Sharma and captain Virat Kohli answered with high-quality centuries of their own, as India hardly broke a sweat in chasing down a competitive 300plus total to easily win the opening One-Day International here yesterday. Facing a tricky target of 323 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, India produced an imperious run chase to get over the line with nearly eight overs remaining and draw first blood in the five-match series, condemning West Indies to an 11th defeat in their last 13 ODIs.They had appeared to put India on the backfoot when Hetmyer’s 106 propelled them up to 322 for eight off their 50 overs – only their fourth 300-plus total since the 2015 World Cup – but Rohit slammed a robust, unbeaten 152 while Kohli stroked a breathtaking 140, to brutally snatch the game away from the Windies. The assault came in the form of a magnificent record

246-run second wicket stand between Rohit and Kohli, which pulled the innings around after debutant fast bowler Oshane Thomas forced Shikhar Dhawan to play on in the second over for four with the score on 10. The partnership was the highest for any wicket against West Indies and the seventh highest for India in ODIs overall. Sent in, West Indies were also helped by opener Kieran Powell’s attacking 51, captain Jason Holder’s 38, while Shai Hope chipped in with 32 and tail-ender Kemar Roach, an unbeaten 26. The tourists stumbled early on when debutant lefthander Chandrapaul Hemraj under-edged a pull at pacer Mohammed Shami (2-81) onto his stumps in the fifth over, to depart for nine with the score on 19. However, Kieran Powell and Hope then carried the innings in an enterprising 65run, second wicket stand, which enabled the Windies recovery. Powell stroked six fours

and two sixes off 39 deliveries while Hope notched two boundaries in a cautious 51ball stay at the crease. The Windies were clawing their way back when they suddenly lost three quick wickets to collapse to 114 for four in the 22nd over. Left-hander Powell holed out down the ground off seamer Khaleel Ahmed in the 15th over and veteran righthander Marlon Samuels perished in the very next over without scoring, missing a forward defensive stretch at leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (3-41) and falling lbw to the second ball he faced on his 200th ODI appearance. When Hope top-edged a pull at Shami for wicketkeeper MS Dhoni to take the catch running around to short-ish fine leg in the 22nd over, the Windies were tottering. Hetmyer took charge of the innings, however, blasting half-dozen fours and sixes in a scintillating knock, which required only 78 deliveries. His first nine runs required 17 balls but he upped the tempo to reach his half-century off

41 deliveries. The 21-year-old, in only his 13th ODI, then needed only another 33 deliveries to reach his second landmark in the 38th over – blasting Shami majestically over cover for his final six to post triple figures for the third time in his career and third time this year. Along the way, he added 74 for the fifth wicket with Rovman Powell (22) before posting another 60 runs for the sixth wicket with Holder who was good for five fours in a 42-ball knock. Hetmyer eventually fell in the 39th over, caught on the ropes at long on off left-arm spinner Ravi Jadeja but India – after snaring three wickets for 30 runs – were frustrated by tail-enders Roach (26 not out) and Devendra Bishoo (22 not out) who put on 44 in an unbroken ninth wicket stand at the end. West Indies struck early when the pacy Thomas hurried Dhawan into false stroke but that proved their last glimpse of victory as Rohit and Kohli ruthlessly annihilated an impotent attack.

Rohit faced 117 deliveries and blazed 15 fours and eight fours en route to his 20th oneday hundred while Kohli hardly put a foot wrong in an innings laced with 21 fours and two sixes, as he notched his 36th ODI century. Kohli was first to his fifty off 33 balls when he slashed off-spinner Ashley Nurse to the backward point boundary in the 11th over, and he raised his hundred off 88 deliveries in the 27th over with a coverdriven four off Roach. Rohit, meanwhile,

notched his first fifty off 51 balls, required only a further 33 deliveries for his hundred before marching to his 150 off 117 balls.Kohli was in sight of his 150 when ineffective leg-spinner Bishoo – who leaked 72 runs from his 10 overs – drew him from his crease and had him stumped. By then, however, the Windies were demoralised and the unbroken 70-run, third wicket stand between Rohit and Ambati Rayudu (22 not out) completed their misery.

Marquez clinches fifth MotoGP title with victory in Japan TOKYO (Reuters) - Spain’s Marc Marquez wrapped up his third straight MotoGP championship with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix yesterday after title rival Andrea Dovizioso fell on the penultimate lap while trying to find a way past the Honda rider. The 25-year-old is now tied with Australian Mick Doohan on five premier class world titles, with only Italian’s Valentino Rossi (seven) and Giacomo Agostini (eight), having won more. Marquez, who had sealed two of his previous titles at Motegi, moved 102 points clear of Ducati’s Dovizioso with three races remaining. Dovizioso started on pole and led for most of the race before

Marquez, who had started sixth on the grid, made his move with four laps left. Marquez had been on the Italian’s tail for much of the race and the pressure eventually told on the Ducati rider as he relinquished the lead. Dovizioso attempted to move back past Marquez on the penultimate lap but pushed it too far and came off his bike. He recovered but eventually finished 18th. That left Marquez knowing he was going to secure his fifth title as he completed his final lap, shaking his head in disbelief at the achievement. “I feel really, really good,” said Marquez after celebrating with the Honda team, who were joined by the

company’s CEO Takahiro Hachigo at the manufacturer’s home race. “After Aragon I already felt, I already imagined that it will be here, but the good thing is when you have the first chance (to win the title), then you do it.” In a bizarre turn of events, Marquez dislocated his shoulder while celebrating on the track with British rider Scott Redding. “I just lay there on the asphalt and my brother and Jose put it in again,” motorsports website Crash reported the champion as saying. “It was not the first time; maybe it was my weak point of the season because I dislocated it many times during training at home. “In December I need to make a (Continued on page 26)

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez wins theJapanese MotoGP race and the MotoGP world title at the Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi, Japan. (REUTERS/Toru Hanai)

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 22, 2018

Prime Minister’s T20 Cup

Ariel Speedboat, Regal Masters retain titles

By Zaheer Mohamed Ariel Speedboat and Regal Masters successfully defended their Open and Masters’ titles respectively when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc Prime Minister’s T20 Cup 2 ended yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club. Led by a fine unbeaten half century from Wazeer Hussain, Ariel Speedboat defeated Boots Allstars by nine wickets in the Open final. Batting first, Boots All stars lost opener Vishal Phillips who was bowled by Greg Singh for four before Keith Fraser and Balram Samaroo added 35 for the second wicket. Fraser hit three fours and o n e s i x b e f o r e Wa z e e r Hussain ended their resistance; he uprooted the stumps of Fraser for 22 before accounting for David Williams (00) to leave the score at 40-3. Kishore Smith then picked up a few quick wickets to further pegged back Boots All stars; however Samaroo continued to play his shots and slammed one four and four sixes before he was dismissed by Shazim Hussain for 55. Jeetendra Baljooda and Ejaz Mohamed made 14 and 11 respectively as Boots All stars managed 125-9. Wazeer Hussain claimed 317 and Smith 3-24. Opener Anand Bharat was taken off Phillips for 11 as Ariel Speedboat lost their first wicket with the score on 30. That proved to be Boots All stars only success as Wazeer Husain and Shazim Hussain united in an unbroken second wicket stand of 96 to see their team home. Wazeer, who received the a Hero Motorcycle for being named the MVP in the Open category, struck five fours and eight sixes in a top score of 78, while Shazim made 32 with one four and two sixes. Ariel Speedboat ended on 126-1 in 10 overs. Earlier in the Masters final, Regal Masters batted f i r s t a g a i n s t M i k e ’s Wellman and posted 144-5. Imtiaz Mohamed sent back Eon Abel (00), Mahendra Hardyal (11) and Eric Tho-

mas (07) to reduce Regal Masters to 25-3, but skipper Mohendra Arjune and David Harper resurrected the inning with levelheaded batting in front a fair-sized crowd. Arjune struck six fours and one six before he was dismissed for 44, while Harper slammed three fours and a similar number of sixes in a top score of 53. Rudolph Baker propped up the total with 24 not out as Mohamed finished with three wickets. Mike’s Wellman lost Sahadeo Hardaiow caught off Laurie Singh for 16, but Lloyd Ruplall and Ramesh Narine put their team on course with a second wicket stand of 45 before Arjune removed them both in quick succession; he had Narine caught for 21 (2x6) and uprooted the stumps of Ruplall for 22(1x4, 1x6). Jagdesh Persaud and Wayne Jones then put on 43 for the fourth wicket to steady the chase somewhat, but Parsram Persaud removed the dangerous Jagdesh Persaud who hit four fours and one six in scoring 29 and Jones for 11. Sydney Jackman was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 13 not out as Regal Masters’ bowlers maintained a steady line to limit Mike’s Wellman to 140-9, winning the encounter by four runs. Arjune grabbed 4-28 and Persaud 2-28. Ariel Speedboat earned their final berth with a sixwicket victory over Regal All stars while Boots All stars beat DS18 All stars by five wickets in their semi f i n a l e n c o u n t e r. R e g a l Masters beat Parika Defenders by 10 wickets while Mike’s Wellman overcame Fishermen Masters by 28 runs in the semi finals played on Saturday. Prime Minister Hon. Moses Nagamootoo congratulated the winning teams and GSCL Inc for hosting yet another successful tournament, pledging his continued support. President of the GSCL Inc Ian John expressed gratitude to the sponsors and thanked the participating teams.

Members of the victorious Regal Masters team with their hardware alongside Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Mike’s Wellman Captain Wayne Jones accepts the runner up trophy from a representative from Fly Jamaica.

Boots All stars skipper Ejaz Mohamed collects his team’s prize from GSCL Inc Secretary Telesha Ousman.

2018 IBF Antilles U-18 3x3 tournament

Barbados’ boys and girls dethrone Martinique The 2018 IBF Antilles 3x3 Under-18 basketball tournament concluded at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) last night where double defending champions, Martinique, were usurped by the lads from the land of the flying fish; Barbados. The women got past their French speaking opponents 8-7, while the men had a more comfortable 12-8 victory. Earlier in the afternoon, the Guyanese ladies were booted from the tournament at the quarterfinal stage after going down 4-2 to Guadeloupe. The men fared better in their first knockout with Shamar France guiding them to a close 7-6 win against St. Lucia. However, in the Guyanese lads semifinal match saw Shamar France being injured in the first minute of the 10th minute game and the home side couldn’t hold off eventual winners’ Barbados with just three players and they lost 13-11. Coach of the Guyanese men, Mark Agard, grimaced at the bad injury plagued team that lost to Martinique in the 2017 final after suffering an injury during the final but he expressed delight in the overall performance of his troops and pledged to come back with a bang next year.

Barbados’ Rasheed Maynard leaps high to get in a block on a Martinique player during the boys’ final last night.

Kaieteur News

Monday October 22, 2018

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GMRSC Ignite Test and Tune event a success Several racers turned out with their machines yesterday for the Test and Tune event of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC). osted at the South Dakota circuit, Timehri, racers of both cars and bikes took advantage of the test to shake down their cars. Group three driver Stefan Jeffrey contended that the shakedown was a success for him, adding, “Yea, It’s been a year since I’ve been in the car and I think that we’ve been successful.” Group two driver Shan Seejattan also commented on the successful test and tune, adding that “We had some problems with the CV which we discovered and I’m glad that we did.” Super-stock rider Matthew Vieira who also used the test to ensure that a proper shakedown of his R6, adding that “We’ve got some problems with the bike that we have to get fixed in the coming days.” Yesterday’s test also saw the return of the 125cc class and competitor

H

Nicholas Boodhram was keen on getting back into the action. “It’s great to be back on the track, the bike has some problems due to being down for three years and we are glad for today,” Boodhram added. The event formed the lead-up to the GMR&SC Ignite race meet on November 10 and 11. Ignite, will form the basis for the final leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) 2018. Among the sponsors for that event are ExxonMobil, GBTI, B.M. Soat, Noble House Seafoods, STAG Beer, Air Services Limited, GUYOIL, Palm Court, Hand-in-Hand, Ramada Hotel, Survival Supermarket, Club 704, Sheriff Security, EC Investments, Prem’s Electrical, Nexus Machinery, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Choke Gas Station, Japarts, R. Kissoon Contracting, E Networks, Miracle Opticle, Bikers’ Bar, Samaroo Investments, Innovations America and SuperBet, Agriparts, Mobil1 and KGM Security Service.

Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers school league The Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Under-18 School Football League continued yesterday at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue with four round-robin clashes. The most devastating performance of the a f t e r n o o n ’s p l a y s a w household school football name, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) spearheaded by four goals each from Randy Pickering and Tyrese Lewis, banged in a dozen unanswered goals again Marian Academy.

Group two competitor Shan Seejattan in his Toyota Starlet at the Test and Tune event yesterday at South Dakota Circuit.

CWSS hit 12 past Marian Academy

Andre Mayers completed a hat-trick, while George Lewis scored one goal to complete the rout. In other results, of the day, Uitvlugt’s Rueben Dainty scored twice and Anthony Benn once as the West Demerara School outplayed Bishops’ High 3-1. Derwin George was in fine form and he capitalised by scoring hat-trick for Lodge Secondary in their 5-1 win over Charlestown. In the other match, Vergenoegen beat Queen’s College 5-3.

Play between Lodge Secondary (on the ball) and Charlestown Secondary yesterday afternoon at the MOE ground

A Lodge Secondary player controls the ball during his team’s 5-1 win over Charlestown Secondary.

CWSS goal scorers from left, Tyrese Lewis, Randy Pickering, George Stephen and Andre Mayers pose for a photo after their thumping victory over Marian Academy.

Kaieteur News

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Monday October 22, 2018

Regional Super50 cricket

Jaguars top zone as final round abandoned By Sean Devers in Trinidad In association with Regal, Vnet, Noble House Seafoods & Cascadia Hotel Although the sun was out yesterday, severe adverse weather here over the past few days has resulted in the final round of the Trinidad zone of the Regional Super50 tournament being called off early yesterday morning after both games in the penultimate round on Friday were abandoned. Guyana Jaguars were scheduled to oppose West Indies ‘B’ at the Brain Lara Stadium in South Trinidad, one of the areas affected by what is claimed to be the worst flood here in 50 years. However, parts of the South Bound Uriah Butler Highway remained impassable yesterday and the public was advised not to use the Highway unless absolutely necessary which would have prevented the team’s Buses from traveling to match venue. Red Force were set to face Canada in the other game at the

Queen’s Park Oval in Port-ofSpain. The Jaguars ended top of the zone with 29 points from eight games with a first round loss to Red Force, five consecutive wins and two abandoned games, while Red Force finished as the number two team with 27points with one loss, five wins and two washed out games. Jaguars finished first due to securing two more bonus points to Red Force’s three. The last round of the Barbados zone is scheduled for today but both Jamaica (21) and CCC Marooners (22) have already qualified for the Semis. Jaguars oppose the second placed team for the Barbados zone on Thursday in the first semi-final and Red Force battle the second team on Friday before the final set for Sunday. All three matches will be played at the Kensington Oval. The adverse weather alert is in effect up to tomorrow but the Trinidad & Tobago Met Office yesterday forecasted more rain.

- Red Force also qualify for semi-final in B’dos

The Jaguars had go through this yesterday to get to the Brian Lara Academy.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

GFF conducts a series of activities to spread awareness To enable a healthy and cancer-free society, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has conducted a series of activities to foster the awareness, early detection and eradication of breast cancer. These activities were in the form of a “Wear It Pink Friday” and an information session on Friday last, the latter catered to the Secretariat’s staff and participation in the annual Pinktober Awareness Walk on S a t u r d a y r e s p e c t i v e l y. A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e secretariat’s staff were among 200 males in Guyana who benefited from the Prostate cancer screening done in partnership with the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF).Among the areas covered in the information

GFF at the Pinktober Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. (DPI) session conducted by Dr. Ravi, a gynecologist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital, were definition of breast cancer, causes, screening options, and prevention among others. He encouraged early screening and detection to ensure elimination of breast cancer.On Saturday, the GFF joined with other organizations and individuals in the Pinktober

awareness walk, which saw President Forde and Third Vice President Thandi McAllister among other staff engaged to spread awareness of breast cancer. According to President Wayne Forde, it is morally correct for the GFF to execute and participate in these initiatives: “Cancer r a v a g e s l i v e s indiscriminately, it cuts across class, creed, gender,

both young and old – promoting awareness that leads to early detection seems to be the best line of defence in this age of medicine. The GFF has a moral duty to join forces with our partners and other agencies to not only raise awareness but promote healthy alternative life styles that will mitigate the onset of this dreaded disease. Football is among the

w o r l d ’s m o s t p o p u l a r recreational sport. Pick up a ball, call a friend, find a space ... just play ball.” This is the second year that the GFF has partnered with the GCF to spread awareness about breast cancer. Earlier in the month, some members of the National U20 squad participated in the treewrapping exercise held on Camp Street, Georgetown.

Monday October 22, 2018

Kaieteur News

Respective winners share the moment with Digicel officials as they make a cancer awareness presentation.

DeNobrega cops main event at Digicel Cancer awareness cycle meet

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aul De Nobrega rode smartly to win the feature event at the Digicel Cancer Awareness cycle meet which was held yesterday in Georgetown. The event which was held in collaboration with Evolution Cycle Club started at Irving Street and proceeded to the Kitty round-a-bout before heading onto Vlissingen Road and turned back at Thomas Lands for 40 laps. Competing in the senior category, De Nobrega, Stephano Husbands, Briton John, Jamaul John, Akeal Campbell and Hamza Eastman led the race at various stages before DeNobrega managed to separate himself from the pack with seven laps remaining. He widened the gap for about 100 meters and maintained that for the remainder of the race to cross the finish line in a time one hour, 41 minutes and 23 seconds. Briton John took the

runner up spot, while Jamaul John finished third followed by Akeal Campbell and Hamza Eastman in that order. Stephano Husbands, Michael Anthony and De Nobrega won primes. Briton John won the junior segment ahead of Emanuel Gayral and Donovan Fraser respectively. Paul Choo Wee Nam grabbed the veterans U-45 division title, while Warren McKay finished second and Junior Niles third. Choo Wee Nam also carted off the O-45 segment, Ian Jackson took the runner up spot and Amait Sankar third. The Mountain Bike category was taken by Quincy Punch, while Ozia McAully took second and Mario King third. Paul Thomas captured the Novice segment ahead of Kurt Bumbury and Tyrone Conway. The BMX 9-12 was taken by Jahane Henry, Shaquel Dow placed second and Nehum Rigby third. (Zaheer Mohamed)

Rising Sun Turf Club Rodeo set for Sunday The Rising Sun Turf Club Rodeo Committee has organised a Grand Rodeo for Sunday at their West Coast Berbice facility starting form 11:00am. Several events are carded for the day to bring the usual top notch excitement associated with rodeo events staged by the organisers at this venue. Among them are the Best dressed Vaquero or cowboy contest, Wild cow milking, Calf roping, Steer roping, Bare back bronco or wild horse riding, Bull riding and

Saddle bronco. Adding entertainment and excitement to the programme would be the popular Clown and the Bull fighter as they display their evasive skills against the wild animals on show. The danger and tremendous skill of the performers (Vaqueros, Clown and Bull fighter etc) will be on full display and will be supported by side attractions including musical accompaniment by Thunderbolt Sounds. No (Continued on page 24)

Paul DeNobrega is all alone as he crosses the finish line.

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rt o p S 2018 IBF Antilles U-18 3x3 tournament

Barbados’ boys and girls dethrone Martinique

Barbados’ championship winning male and female teams pose with GABF General Secretary Patrick Haynes.

Ariel Speedboat skipper Wazeer Hussain accepts the winning trophy from Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and GSCL Inc President Ian John in the presence of his team mates.

Prime Minister’s T20 Cup

Ariel Speedboat, Regal Masters retain titles Hetmyer hundred in vain as Rohit, Kohli stun Windies 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.