Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Wednesday October 24, 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

What Erdogan didn’t say may matter more than what he said (Republished from The Washington Post) Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised he would deliver the “naked truth” about Jamal Khashoggi in a speech to parliament Tuesday. For the most part, he failed to deliver, appearing less interested in revealing what really happened to the Saudi journalist than in leveraging the murder for political gain. That only sharpens the argument for an impartial international investigation. Mr. Erdogan flatly contradicted Saudi Arabia’s story that Mr. Khashoggi died accidentally during a rogue operation, saying he was the victim of a “savage murder” that was planned in advance. But he only elliptically offered Turkey’s version of events, which has been dribbled out in media leaks over the past two weeks, and he did not detail the evidence to back it up. He made no mention of the audio tape of the murder that Turkish investigators say they have, which they have reportedly played for the CIA. Mr. Erdogan said Turkey would not be satisfied with blaming the slaying on “a handful of security and intelligence members,” as the Saudis have tried to do, and called for identifying “those responsible — from the highest ranked to the lowest — and ... bring[ing] them to justice.” But he did not point a finger at Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto Saudi ruler and likely author of the operation — thereby leaving room for the Saudis and their allies in the Trump administration to achieve their main objective, which is shielding the crown prince. Despite some conflicting statements, President Trump still seems wedded to that goal. In an interview with USA Today on Monday, he again called the Khashoggi murder “a plot gone awry,” echoing Riyadh’s preposterous cover story. He said he didn’t think the Post contributing columnist had been lured into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to be killed, the theory now publicly embraced by Mr. Erdogan. The conflicting accounts and the political calculations behind them make clearer than ever the need for an independent inquiry. Mr. Erdogan himself called for such an investigation; he should ask U.N. Secretary General António Guterres to initiate it. That would allow the Turks to turn over the evidence they have, including any audio or videotape, in a way that could sidestep the political calculations that now appear to be deterring full disclosure. Plenty of questions remain unanswered, including some raised by Mr. Erdogan. How did Mr. Khashoggi die? The Saudis claim he was choked to death after an argument escalated into a “brawl,” while a grisly leaked Turkish version says his fingers were chopped off before he was injected with a drug and dismembered by an autopsy specialist who traveled to Istanbul with a bone saw. The audio tape could settle the question. Where is Mr. Khashoggi’s body? Mr. Erdogan pointed out that the Saudis are claiming that it was handed over to a “local collaborator”; if so, they should identify him. And what about the so-called body double — a Khashoggi lookalike who emerged from the consulate wearing his clothes and a fake beard. If the intention was only to question the journalist, why was he there? The most important question is who ordered the operation. As we have written before, much of the publicly available evidence points to Mohammed bin Salman. At this point, the burden should be on the Saudis to prove he is not responsible — and in the meantime, the crown prince should be treated as a pariah.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

There is a financial solution to the Berbice Bridge issue Dear Editor, Let me begin by thanking SN for publishing my letter in your Sunday, 21st October edition on the Berbice Bridge. I am however, surprised and disappointed, with SN editorial of Monday 22nd October, that quite frankly appeared one-sided, repeating many of the APNU-AFC and critics attacks on the bridge, including misconceptions and inaccuracies. At the onset of this note, let me recognize that in constructing this reply, I have consulted with various parties familiar with the technical and financial details, including Winston Brassington who held major responsibilities for this project in the early stages of development, construction and operation. First, let me challenge the current misconception, that

the Berbice Bridge fares set in 2008, were set high. I will repeat what we in the PPP-C have said. The fares set for the Berbice Bridge are not materially different to that paid for the ferry. Fares are comparable or below that p a i d f o r t h e f e r r y, notwithstanding the considerable convenience from the bridge. Secondly, let me correct your statement that the bridge “…didn’t attract the volume of traffic across the bridge that would have enabled it to make debt payments and provide the inscribed returns to its investors.” My letter provided a table that showed that revenue over the 2009 to 2017 period was in fact, greater than the projections by over $2B. Given the constancy of fares, this result is directly the result of greater traffic

than that projected. So, the fact is, the bridge not only generated the traffic projected; it exceeded it. On the issue of the projected rate increases in the model, let me state that the Berbice Bridge engagement in 2014 was not the result of an application for a rate increase. In fact, this application only came in March of 2015 per the BBCI full-page release on Sunday last. When my Government met the Berbice Bridge Board in 2014, the Board expressed the position that they wished to avoid an increase, and our discussions focused on the options to achieve this. While we recognized the need to find a medium-term solution on the bridge finances, you should note that the actual revenue in 2014 (and every year) was greater than the projected

revenue in the model and that the company in fact paid down in 2014, $667M in debt as evidenced in BBCI 2014 audited statements. There is little doubt that the APNU Parliamentary motion to reduce the toll by more than half, and the repeated APNU-AFC actions of attacking the bridge model, complicated the situation and made difficult any tariff increase. This was the reality as viewed in 2014 by both the owners of the bridge and the Government. When 2015 rate application was submitted by the Berbice Bridge Board, it was a mere two months from elections. In less than two months, it become an APNU responsibility as Government, which instead of engaging meaningfully with the BBCI, forced a (Continued on page 6)

When politicians threaten the courts Dear Editor, Our politicians have to be careful what they are saying lest they reinforce the belief that for them politics is about raw, naked power and selfaggrandisement. The only time they unite and are cordial is in attending to their remuneration packages. The Appeal Court, last week, handed down its decision that the President did not act outside of the scope of the Guyana Constitution in appointing the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, not from a List submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition. Article 161(2), which identifies how a Chairman is arrived at, is very clear-cut. The first paragraph in this Article allows for a name to be extracted from a List, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition to the President, of which he will find “not unacceptable” to him. The second paragraph allows for, where there is failure to satisfy paragraph one, the President to appoint a Judge. Whereas the first paragraph has in the past been utilised to extract the names for appointment as Chairman, the presence of the second paragraph is not without relevance. Every

single Article in the Constitution has relevance. We can argue whether the utilisation of paragraph two was the best approach employed by President David Granger. Nothing is wrong in exploring this, given the general mood in society to create a political space of inclusion, which paragraph one at this juncture in our history may seem better suited. The other argument that Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, may have failed to present a list of complete persons deemed “fit and proper” for the President to extract a name from also aids the discourse. The Court weighed in on this in its ruling on the case brought by Marcel Gaskin, and offered pertinent advice as to how the two leaders can engage with each other on matters of national importance. Arguments should not include attacks on the Justices or the Judiciary. The politicians complaining about the President’s use of paragraph two must take responsibility for ensuring its presence in the Constitution. This acknowledgement escaped Donald Ramotar and Anil Nandlall in their letters to the media. The opportunity was presented during Constitutional

Reform (1999-2001) to excise or make it more explicit. That it has a presence in the Constitution, it is law. And where both Courts have so accepted its presence, it stands until such time a higher Court rules otherwise, it is repealed or amended. When it comes to the Rule of Law, we don’t get to cherry pick it and this is the way it must be. At the same time, it is encouraging that where dissatisfaction exists on the Court’s ruling, the aggrieved will seek to pursue the grievance at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). However, it is noted that even in the attempt to pursue this channel the effort by Jagdeo to put the CCJ on notice that he expects a particular ruling lest its credibility will be brought into question. This is a troubling perception and could send the signals that CCJ, like the High and Appeal Courts, will not be allowed the opportunity to function, guided by established principles and existing laws. Overt attempts at bullying the Courts to rule in favour of any particular group are dangerous because underpinning of the Judiciary is the principle that justice is blind. The Judicature is supposed to be

independent and all efforts must be made to secure and strengthen this not undermine it. Instructively, when the Court ruled on the interpretation of the qualifying conditions for a person to be considered as a candidate for Chairmanparagraph one of Article 161(2)- such ruling was consistent with the extant Article and not Granger’s opinion that that person has to be a judge. The Court’s decision received kudos from the political opposition. As clear-cut as paragraph one is, so too is paragraph two. The politics being employed around this case is reinforcing the importance of the need for constitutional education not only at the University of Guyana, but also as part of a National Policy and ensconced in the Education curriculum. Where the politicians will seek to make mileage and further divide us, we need to start cultivating a society where present and future generations will not fall prey, having being empowered to hold politicians to account based on the law. Ignorance of the Constitution works to the politicians’ advantage and the masses detriment. Lincoln Lewis.

Wednesday October 24, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Government must act decisively Some damning discoveries by an analyst Dear Editor, Permit me a space in your newspapers to pen my utter disgust at this unnecessary controversy, that’s emerging based on the steep increases for the rates crossing the seventh longest floating bridge in the world. China opened the longest river bridge in the world to connect the mainland to Hong Kong and Macau. The naysayers are saying this is another step by president Xi Xingping to take full control of Hong Kong. Nevertheless, I am forced to make some comparable analysis and as such, Minister Patterson has assumed control of this situation that is designed to harm the APNU and AFC at the upcoming Local Government Elections. Our bridge is exactly 1,570m that is equivalent to 0.977 miles; China’s bridge is

34 miles. Brace yourself for some prices that will leave you speechless. To cross this bridge, a driver will have to pay $8 $10US and would be restricted to 300 persons per day unless special or permanent permits are assigned. If math serves me correct, $205 * $8US = $1640 * 300 = $492,000.00 daily at an average as compared to $12000 * 100 = 1,200,000.00. Could this be right to tell the populace this bridge is not profitable? That is rank absurdity. This forces me back to the 1980s. I was a schoolboy at Corriverton Primary and my dad, a GRDB employee was conversing with my mother. He stopped whilst listening to the lunchtime news. Then he said listen, listen, ‘ YESU PERSAUD IS NO LONGER THE CHAIRMAN OF SAPIL AND ALL OTHER BOARDS AS OF THIS MOMENT.

President Hoyte had the testicular apparatus to make such bold moves when an individual betrayed the trust of the commander in chief. What are we doing with the Berbice River Bridge Chairman, or he is too big to be replaced. The mere thought of him having a press conference to announce these increases is blatant disrespect to this government. To compound the issue, he tried at every instance to justify his actions and by extension the board he heads, saying ‘this is a private entity. Come November 12, 2018 those increases will be implemented’. I call on the President, Minister of State and Minister of Public Infrastructure to act decisively to avoid an imminent catastrophe come November 12 with your Berbice supporters. Sincerely yours, Ronald Shepherd

THE AFC DEMISE—LEADERS FEATHERING THEIR NESTS AS THE MEMBERS SUFFER Dear Editor, The AFC was a force to be reckoned with in 2015. So much so as its members had high hopes and campaigned aggressively for a change of government in the May 2015 elections. APNU was not as visible in the campaign and acknowledged this openly. However, after the change in government, PNC members emerged. Many previously invisible ones such as Halim Majeed and Rupert Hopkinson were appointed while others were facetiously

placed on committees and boards to the exclusion of deserving AFC members. AFC ministers and senior members thereafter concentrated in feathering their nests, increasing their salaries and benefits and ignored the pleas of the rank and file members, many of whom could not find a job while PNC members dominated in all departments. AFC leaders were unconcerned for three years and suddenly appeared asking for AFC members to offer them-

selves as candidates for the November LGE. At this belated time, when all can see the domination of the PNC, it was too late. All along, the prediction was that the PNC would dump the AFC and govern alone. This started over two years and has incrementally continued. The AFC boat cannot at this time climb up back the falls…it is doomed. Disgruntled AFC Member and Regional Councillor.

Dear Editor, Two letters, one on June 19, 2018 and another on June 21, 2018 by a Banking and Economics Analyst were published in your newspaper. The June 19 letter analyzed the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry’s (GBTI) performance for 2017. Compared to 2016, after tax profits were shown to be down, loans and advances declined, non-performing loans stood at 24.5% of its total loan portfolio. And most disturbing was that $11.8 billion of bad loans were under-provided for by $4.4 billion. The analyst posited that the profits declared were therefore not real, a practice known as “creative accounting”, in essence, “management fraud.” The letter also mentioned that GBTI was mired in a massive fraud, close to $1 billion in 2017. It was also embroiled in controversial matters involving the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). In the June 21 letter, the said analyst contended that GBTI was in breach of good banking ethics and corporate governance principles. To s u p p o r t t h i s , h e charges that GBTI does not have an independent Board of Directors. The directors are either handpicked by the bank’s major shareholders, the Beharrys, or are from the related companies of the said family. Further, the board’s chairman, Robin Stoby S.C., is the

bank’s lawyer and legal representative, which is a conflict of interest. The Analyst also mentions that DIDCO, a client of GBTI, lost the KFC franchise. The Beharry Co. bought it and thus insider information may have been at play here. Then again, GBTI was controversially pushing for a discredited banker from Trinidad, Larry Nath, to head the bank here. Why? The analyst also asked if it were ethical to have branches of NALICO/ NAFICO owned by the Beharry Group, located at most of GBTI’s operations. Now Editor, these letters by the analyst raise very serious and alarming issues and allegations that need to be addressed by those responsible. I was waiting to hear a response from some very involved and related parties. However, there has been a deafening silence from GBTI’s auditors, its shareholders, the bank itself and most importantly, the Bank of Guyana (BOG). Why is there no public statement from the governor of BOG? I know he is not averse to public statements. He recently commented on the low interest offerings to depositors at the commercial banks as well as the unauthorized collection of foreign currency

payments for local transactions by business houses. Mr. Editor, the BOG is an autonomous entity with the legislative authority to regulate, supervise and ensure that financial institutions comply with banking regulations. Furthermore, the Financial Institutions Act 1995 makes provision for the “prevention of the abuse of financial institutions by insiders, enhance corporate governance and strengthen the powers of the bank to deal with problematic licensed financial institutions.” In light of the analyst’s revelations, what has BOG done? Perhaps the analyst should demand an enquiry by BOG into the matters he raised regarding the operations of GBTI. The credibility of our entire banking sector is at stake. Yours faithfully, Rustum Bulkan

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

PPP opposed to discussing rise in Berbice Bridge toll Dear Editor, It is with very great concerns that we are penning this letter to your media house in highlighting and educating our brothers and sisters in the Mahaica - Berbice Region (Region Five), as to what recently took place under the PPP leadership at the Regional Democratic Council Monthly Statutory Meeting. On Thursday 18th October, 2018, the council met for its monthly statutory meeting. As we all know by now, the council is at an impasse because of the PPP side failing to respect the standing orders that govern the RDC and want things to go their way. And as long they cannot have it their way, then they do all things possible in en-

suring that no meeting is kept in order to pass the minutes. We will deal with that later or at another time. At this statutory meeting, the vice chairman presided as chairman because the elected chairman was not present. The meeting started as to the agenda, before the third item on the agenda, which is announcements come to an end, the presiding chairman asks if there are any other announcements. At this point, Councillor Abel Seetaram stood up and indicated to the presiding chairman and the house that he would like for the standing others to be suspended so that the honourable members of the House (both sides) can address a very important issue that is hot in the air, which

will affect all Berbicians and Guyanese at large. That is the rise in the Berbice River Bridge Toll, which was announced by the chairman of the BCCI a few days ago. He then asked for the standing order to be suspended and it was seconded by fellow councillor Thakoor Singh. However, the chairman started a discussion on the matter without indicating if the suspension of the standing others is permitted as was seconded. The chairman indicated to the House that he preferred that the matter at hand, which by the way is very important be brought in the form of a motion to the House and should be sent to the clerk of council so that we can deal with it at the next sitting of

The Berbice Bridge is mired in controversy Dear Editor, The recent controversy about the Berbice River Bridge is a mind boggling phenomenon to all our Guyanese people. Many are afraid now that this Bridge will cut short their livelihood and it can create a big economic disaster from Berbice to Georgetown. Since the inception of this bridge, I smelled a RAT when I looked at the exorbitant price to cross when compared to the Demerara Harbour Bridge price. I was fully convinced that this Bridge will create a very big problem for us in the future. There is an old saying, ‘’You cannot forsake the old for the new’’. That is exactly what happened here. They removed the big boats and pontoons until the current administration implemented the water taxis or speedboats because of the high cost for poor citizens to cross this bridge. Former President Jagdeo who thinks he is the brain of this nation was the man who signed contracts for this bridge. He is well aware of the future of this bridge toll increase but remained silent. Now he throws the blame on

this administration. All the mess he has created he now throws it on this government that is only three years in power. And the sugar estates fiasco is no different and all because of his bad political manoeuvres. Are we to believe that Jagdeo has no knowledge of this Bridge Contract and was he not aware that the cost to cross this bridge was too high for the ordinary man? The facts remain that this bridge toll will rise on the day of local government elections tells me clearly that this bridge increase is political and these politicians are playing with the lives of poor people. These politicians can no longer play the blame game on people’s lives in this nation all because of votes and racial politics. The fundamental problem in this country is a racial problem that is dividing our people since the Jagan and Burnham era and political faction. We cannot allow old archaic politics and dead leaders to dictate a contemporary Guyana. I don’t even think that Burnham or Jagan would have implemented and supported this bridge toll or even built such a bridge with a spurious- obscure contract to kill

the poor working class of people. As of today, I read with interest that these unscrupulous bridge administrators will go ahead to implement their 365% toll increase on this bridge as of November 12, 2018, the same day Local Government Elections are Held. May I say that this is a next political gimmick to stifle and slow down progress in the economy. This Government can now do the Honourable thing; SCRAP THIS BERBICE BRIDGE and put back the big boats and pontoons in the river to ease the burden of the Guyanese People. Private boat owners can also put back their speedboats and pontoons and we can forget this Berbice Bridge once and for all. Jagdeo and his contemporaries will afford to cross the bridge themselves to remove the debt burden on our Guyanese People. We must stop play political blame game and put our people before our own interest to gain political power. I call on President Granger to scrap the Berbice River Bridge. Regards, Rev. Gideon Cecil

the RDC, which by the way will be until 15th November 2018. Councillor Seetaram stood once again and implored for the matter to be dealt with right away because the next sitting will be a few days after the BCCI said they will implement the new toll. Councillor Seetaram told the House that it won’t be wise for us to wait until the next meeting to share our views on the monumental raise in the bridge toll, which will heavily affect Berbicians, because the council, since March of this year, never passed line item number three under the agenda because of the impasse in the House.

So, how can we deal with motions, which fall under line item thirteen of the agenda when we never passed line item three? Councillor Seetaram went further and told the House, we don’t need a motion but all on this side of the House are trying to do is to ensure that we as elected representatives of the people share our views as to this very important matter\issue at hand. At this stage, the chairman went further and said that he thinks and will advise that the council\clerk organise a special sitting of the RDC to deal with this matter, which is of importance. Councillor Singh stood up

and spoke on the importance for us to share our views on the matter while Councillor Crawford also enquired whether the standing order was suspended but the discourse continued. The sitting Chairman then decided and said that he thinks we should go to a vote to see if the standing order should be suspended to deal with the monumental rise in the Berbice River Bridge Toll. At this point Councillor Seetaram told the chairman that he doesn’t think we need to go that way because this is a matter that will affect the residents of Regions Five and Six and we need to share (Continued on page 29)

There is a financial solution to... From page 4 subsidy in January 2016, that in no way benefitted the Berbice Bridge. APNU also put in place free crossings by boat, to compete with the bridge, all intended to undermine the bridge revenue and operations. In the BBCI release, they themselves stated that when they signed in good faith the Commuter Subsidy Agreement of January 2016, the promised engagement on the tolls did not materialize. Today, over 3.5 years since elections, APNU-AFC has ignored the BBCI and its financial woes. To add insult to injury, during the ensuing period post elections, apart from the 10% subsidy agreement, which is cash neutral to the BBCI, the APNU Government imposed a 14% hike in electricity and water rates, removed a host of exemptions for VAT, and imposed a range of taxes that has ballooned Government revenue on the backs of the consumers and the public at large. Such actions reflect gross hypocrisy, and a total lack of care for what the true cost of living is for Berbicians (or Guyanese). The closure of Rose Hall and Skeldon sugar estates in Berbice and the mismanagement of the rice sector only exacerbated the situation. And let us not forget the Government forging ahead with a new Demerara Bridge (using a PPP model) at an estimated cost of US$175M, which will be largely funded or guaranteed by Government; or the airport at a cost exceeding US$150M, when it is stifling the private sector investment of over US$40M in the Berbice Bridge, without even attempting to honour the Concession Agreement or find a compromise. And while we are it, let us also not forget that the Gov-

ernment gave a full Government guarantee for the borrowing of $30B in funds by the Guysuco-NICIL SPU, of which over $16B is sitting in the bank costing taxpayers 4.75% annual interest. SN editorial then refers to the elephant in the room by stating the NIS has seen no return from the Berbice Bridge. Quite to the contrary, it can be argued that despite dividends not being paid on the common shares or in recent years on the preferred shares, that the NIS average return on its total investment in the BBCI, is one of the highest returns on its entire investment portfolio. NIS owns 20% of the bonds and subordinate debt in the bridge, which has seen interest payment made each year. One should ask the NIS to show for each year of its investment in the bridge, how much return was garnered and what rate of return this represents on its total investment; you can then compare this to its 1-2% on Treasury bills or other investments. And any amount not paid to date to NIS, remains an IOU that is secured against the bridge with a value more than US$40M.I note your reference to critics of the bridge project such as Ram, Gaskin, and Goolsarran. The facts will show that the criticisms are based on some of the same fallacies that I have addressed —the tolls being higher than the ferry (it is not) or the traffic being below expectations (it is not). Post completion of the bridge, Mr. Ram has reversed some of his prior criticisms. For every major project in this country, there are critics; from the Berbice Bridge, the Marriott Hotel, the Amaila Falls, or the Cheddi Jagan airport expansion, to name a few. It is easy to be a critic. But who takes the credit for what is built?

When we attack every public-private project, why would we expect financial institutions to fund these and other projects in the future? Ultimately, it is Guyanese who will be the losers. Our banking system has US$1.5B that is not lent out to the private sector; instead of finding options to utilize these vast financial resources, the political risks of doing business with Government ends up resulting in our national savings deposited in local banks, being instead invested overseas or in Treasury bills. And for those who borrow from the banks, the prime lending rate is over 10 %, almost 10 times that of the average deposit rate or the 1year Treasury bill rate. The Berbice Bridge model had tolls projected to fall significantly as debt is repaid. But while over $2B has been used to reduce debt as of the end of 2017, there is a shortfall in debt to be repaid. We believe that there is a solution to allow the BBCI debt to be repaid before 2027 when the concession is scheduled to end, without increasing the tolls from its 2008 level, or requiring Government subsidies. The solution using 2017 figures—total toll revenue was G$1,372M; operating expenses (maintenance, employment and overhead) were $269M; the remainder sum of G$1.1 B per annum, represents net cash flow for interest/dividends and debt payments. With this level of cash flow, we have the basis for a solution of the problem. The only obstacle is the arrogance of this regime. Arrogance seems to be the cover for incompetence that has characterized this APNU+AFC regime. Donald Ramotar Former President— Republic of Guyana

Wednesday October 24, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Two Sugar Industry Funds not audited in 38 years, another in nine years ‌Auditor General unable to verify $1.1B in deposits By Kiana Wilburg

I

t has been over six years since the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund (SILWF) was audited and 38 years since the financial statements of the Sugar Industry Rehabilitation Fund and the Sugar Industry Price Stabilization Fund were subject to any form of assessment. This was recently revealed by Auditor General, Deodat Sharma in his latest report. Sharma said that in t h e a b s e n c e o f t he records, he is unable to ve r i f y t h e a c c u r a c y o f $1.1B as deposits held for investments on behalf of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund, the Sugar Industry Rehabilitation Fund and the Sugar Industry Price Stabilization Fund. In response to this state of affairs, the Ministry of Finance said that it is responsibility of the SILWF to furnish such information to the Auditor General, since they have the relevant records in their possession. The Finance Ministry noted, nonetheless, that it will follow recommendations to verify the deposits held for investment. FORENSICAUDIT When the coalition administration took office in 2015, a forensic audit was launched into the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund. Forensic auditors confirmed that indeed, the last time the Fund was audited was in 2012. They stressed, however, that the report was incomplete, since it did not contain any financial statements. It was therefore considered an incomplete annual report.

Further to this, forensic auditors said that failure by the management to prepare the Fund’s Annual Financial Statements for the years 2012 and beyond, as required by the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act and in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards, is a critical financial breach. Auditors said that it is imperative that urgent attention be given to finalizing the respective accounts, and the Annual Financial Statements for the relevant years be prepared, signed by the authorized personnel, and submitted urgently to the Auditor General for audit. They said that the failure to produce Annual Financial Statements on a

timely basis will ultimately affects management, among other stakeholders, in making meaningful decisions. Significantly, forensic auditors said that the latest audited Financial Statements are at December 31, 2009. They said that management has since completed the 2010 Financial Statements, and is awaiting the Committee’s approval. Also, 2011 draft Financial Statements have been prepared. The SILWF is funded by levies payable by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). It is operated and controlled by the Finance Secretary of the Ministry of Finance as the Trustee. The levy presently is $500 per tonne of sugar manufactured and exported.

GuySuCo owes the Fund over $2.7B. The issue of unaudited financial statements is further compounded by the fact that the authorities will have to write off $35M that was misappropriated in 2004. The latest information from the police is that the investigation can no longer be pursued, since the original documents apparently cannot be traced. Also, the officer(s) who dealt with the case, has/have since retired. Forensic auditors have

subsequently recommended that management should obtain authorization from the Finance Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to write off the misappropriated amount, so that the overstated bank balance would be corrected. It is also the view of forensic auditors that effective financial statements can be put together if the accounting system for the Fund is put in order. In this regard, it was pointed out that management had purchased the ACCPAC accounting soft-

ware, comprising four modules, from New Technologies Enterprise at a cost of $5.164 million. But more than three years later, it is yet to be operational, with a high volume of accounting work still to be completed for years 2012 to 2014. At present, the manual accounting system is still in use. It was recommended that a server be purchased to have the software operational and staff trained. But even this was not done, more than 15 months later.

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Wednesday October 24, 2018

East Bank/East Coast link carries US$104M price tag - Three-phase project to comprise 25Km in roads Construction of a key bypass road to link the East Bank and East Coast Demerara roadways is set to begin by July next year. The project, which see about 15 kilometres of roads built behind the East Bank villages starting at Diamond and ending at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, has a estimated price tag of almost US$104M. According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the Government of Guyana, through a loan provided by the Government of India, has entered into an agreement for the East Bank–East Coast Road Linkage Project (Diamond to Ogle). The new link will serve to reduce the congestion by providing commuters with an al-

ternative route, thereby improving the safety and comfort of commuters. “Additionally, the new local distributor road will also allow commuters to navigate around the outer limits. The option around the city would reduce traffic congestion in the capital city. In summary, the travel time between East Bank and Georgetown will be reduced, thereby creating significant savings for commuters. By taking off some traffic from the East Bank Highway and Georgetown, it would also reduce the deterioration and erosion of these roadways,” the ministry explained. The new road will also integrate other local distributor roads on the East Bank Demerara with the road net-

work of Georgetown and East Coast Demerara (ECD) corridor while simultaneously improving the connectivity with the Ogle Airport. This, the ministry said, is consistent with the Transportation Policy Proposal of the Greater Georgetown Development Plan (2001-2013) aiming to link the road networks on the East Coast Demerara (ECD), East Bank Demerara (EBD) and the capital city. Currently, the East Bank highway is the only exit route available to residents who occupy Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and East Bank Demerara. “Since these areas are below sea level and prone to flooding, it is important that an alternative route be created in the case of any major natu-

A section of this area, behind Perseverance, East Bank Demerara, will be used for the bypass road. ral disaster.” The ministry disclosed that the project has three distinctive stages. In Stage 1, it will involve a Detailed Project Report Preparation. Stage 2 will involve construction and supervision, while Stage 3 will entail Post Construction and Defects Liability Period. Stage 1 has been awarded to RITES Limited (the Consultant), an Indian company for US$1,321,000. The “Final Detailed Project Report” is expected to be submitted in April 2019 with Stage 2 beginning approximately in July 2019. According to the ministry, the design will allow for a new alignment, approximately 15 km long, which will connect the East Coast of Demerara to the East Bank of Demerara. It will also allow for the

integration with the existing road network via a number of connector roads, a total length of 9.62 km, at Aubrey Barker Road, Haags Bosch Road, Mocha Arcadia Road and Diamond Access Road. “Based on the agreement, the terms of reference stipulate that the consultants have to submit an Inception Report, Feasibility Report, Draft Detailed Project Report, Final Detailed Project Report and Bid Documents.” According to the ministry, commencement of Stage 1 began on April 13, 2018 and to date the consultant has submitted the Inception Report on May 15, 2018 and the Feasibility Report on September 21, 2018. Based on submissions thus far, the approximate budget is US$104,000,000. The proposed design for the main alignment comprises

three sections. Between Rupert Craig and Railway Embankment will have four lanes with a cycle lane on each side and covered concrete drain which will be used as a sidewalk; between Railway Embankment and GuySuCo Compound, Ogle, a similar design, but expanded, and the cane field area which will have four lanes with a 40m reserve to separate direction of traffic. “For 2019, the consultant will submit the Draft Detailed Project Report in February 2019, Final Detailed Project Report in April 2019 and the Bid Documents in May 2019.” According to the ministry, the Government of Guyana has also approved the consultancy services for the continuation of this project that is from Diamond to Soesdyke which will also commence in 2019.

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

The courts are the backbone of the rule of law We often hear about the rule of law, and especially about the need for government to ensure that it carries out its functions with due regard and compliance with the law. But what is this thing that we call the rule of law? And is the rule of law the sole responsibility of the government? Many persons, whenever they hear about the rule of law, feel that it refers simply to an obligation of the government to act in a lawful manner. The most simplified definition I have come across about the rule of law was given at the 13th Commonwealth Law Conference in April of 2003. Ron Heinrich, the then President of the Law Council of Australia quoted A.V. Dicey in paraphrasing three senses of the rule of law. First, the rule of law implies that government should not use its coercive power in an arbitrary manner. Second, everyone is subject to the or-

dinary law, determined in ordinary courts. Thirdly, rights are not just consequences of constitutional statements, but of judicial determination by ordinary courts. The last two senses reveal the pivotal role that courts play in guaranteeing the rule of law. One sense of the rule of law implies that it is the courts that ‘determine the law’. This refers to the jurisdiction of the court to interpret the law and to adjudicate on disputes relating to the law. Then there is the sense that we can speak of rights. But these rights do not just flow from constitutions, but from judicial determination by the courts. It is important that we recognize the role of the judiciary in not only circumscribing rights, but also of determining whether these rights have been violated. Thus, while someone may speak about having freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitu-

tion, the courts have determined that this right is not absolute and does not allow someone to shout “fire” in a crowded cinema. The rule of law is not confined to government. According to Heinrich, “The rule of law is a joint venture of the entire society. Its strength comes from a commitment from all quarters, but that commitment cannot simply be assumed and then ignored. It is in maintaining and building a commitment to the rule of law that lawyers hold a special duty beyond that owed by every participant in civil society.” Respect for the rule of law extends to members of the Bar. It is for them to test the legality and propriety of executive action in a court of law, and not to simply pronounce on the constitutionality of actions even before they are decided in a court of law. To do so would be to co-opt the powers of the Court. To do so brings the Court into dis-

DEM BOYS SEH Cops switch raw evidence wid Peppa Pig cartoon De police wasting dem time, de courts’ time and de people’s tax dollars. Imagine dem charge a homeless man fuh going in a school and pick couple mango; dem hold a man wid a spliff and dem charge him. Now fuh mek de charge, dem wasting man power, pen plus de ink. Dem wasting de magistrate’s time, dem pen plus dem ink. When de magistrate send dem to prison because de law seh suh, everybody including de magistrate and de police, got to tun round and mind dem and feed dem in prison. When dem get ready, dem stop you because one of you backlight not wukking. Dem tell you to drive to de station and is only a bribe can save you or you pay $10,000 bail and go before anodda magistrate. But dem boys she, wid de big things police don’t even show up and when dem show up, dem does eff up. After all big money does pass pon big things. Tek de odda day. De police went to a

crime scene, collect a neighbour DVR wid raw evidence. When dem return it, de neighbour seh de evidence was gone and it had on a set of cartoon, including Peppa Pig. Then you got de big thiefing all across Guyana on to now. Fuh 38 years PNC and Jagdeo plus de AFC been thiefing money from de sugar fund. Is an audit expose dat de odda day.De audit uncover during 38 years, dem thief over $1 billion and dat was when money had value. In anodda GuySuCo fund, de audit expose in nine years, $32 million was missing and there is no record. Ashni, Jordan and de shaat baccoo got to know bout all of dat. Dem was de Finance Minister. Brassy know bout dis too because he was de Board Chairman. Dem boys she, dem now understand why Ashni and Brassy gone into hiding. De shaat one and Jordan might soon run. Talk half and hope de police note de kind of people dem got to go after.

repute. If lawyers can decide on matters even before the Courts have pronounced on them, then why bother going to the courts at all? When a lawyer speaks to his client about rights, he is proffering an opinion. When the courts speak on this issue, it does so authoritatively. The job of lawyers is to advise their clients on the law. It is not for lawyers to hold themselves out as adjudicators of the law, in as much as they may hold an opinion as to the legality or constitutionality of the actions of the executive and the coercive arm of the State.

The rule of law is applied to everyone, and while sometimes decisions of the Courts can be protracted, there can be no substitute for due process, because without it, the very foundation of society ruled by law would collapse. Within law-based societies, there must be mechanisms within which disputes could be settled. It is hoped that in the years ahead, everyone with an interest in upholding the rule of law, whatever our preferences for specific outcomes in cases, would allow the Courts to adjudicate on the constitutionality and legality of executive actions.

If public pressure or legal opinion takes precedence over due process and the settling of disputes in a court of a law, then the rule of law will be irreparably damaged. There is much wisdom in urging not just only compliance with a particular law, but moreover in encouraging a culture of lawfulness. Unless this applies to both government and corporate clients, the rule of law would be diminished.

PAGE 10

Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Blackout on Yesu Persaud’s 90th birthday

One of the finest, most admirable humans I have met in this world turned 90 last Sunday. Yesu Persaud celebrated his birthday through a Hindu ceremony named “satsang” last Sunday at the Peters Hall mandir. Guyanese know their country. The temple officials had their standby generator available. Blackout came when the ceremony was in progress.

One of the organizers of the programme came up to me with a huge smile on her face; “Freddie you gat to write about it.” No one was annoyed, because we all know this is the permanent plague Guyana has to live with. What occasion was ever completed in this land without being interrupted by blackouts? The Peters Hall mandir officials had their generator,

but what about the thousands of little churches, temples and mosques that have a special occasion, which don’t have a generator, and the electricity goes? The President addressed Parliament last Thursday and there was no reference to the end of this misery. Once I live in Guyana (and I don’t plan to ever migrate), I will remain permanently nonplussed

when the name Bharrat Jagdeo is mentioned. I can’t imagine why this country would continue to tolerate Jagdeo in politics. The frightening thing about Jagdeo and a number of PPP leaders is that they want to administer Guyana again.How do you explain that when as president, Jagdeo invested 60 million American dollars to build a Marriott Hotel, when since

1980, electricity supply in this country has bordered on non-existence. To date, no journalist has asked this man to offer his thoughts on this morbid anomaly. If blackouts began in 1980 (when I came back in 1984, they were in full swing), then in 2011, when Jagdeo demitted office as president, a majority in the population grew up with constant blackouts.In 2011, all Guyanese who were 30 years of age never saw a continuous delivery of electricity by their government over a sustained period, and by that I mean continuously for one full month without interruptions. It would mean then, that all of those persons with primary education right up to the tertiary level would have endured irritating blackouts during studies. That is a fact, because I have a daughter that went from nursery to tertiary and suffered terrible moments of blackouts throughout her education life in her country. Would it not be literally fascinating to hear Jagdeo’s explanation? Why US$60M was seen as more important to be assigned to building a hotel rather than putting the money into electricity stabilization? What is disturbing is that the gentleman has never attempted an answer. But there has to be an answer. What was the Marriott supposed to do for Guyana that made it a priority over investment in electricity generation? The analysis is simple. There cannot be a justification. The Marriott was built for very narrow, conspiratorial purposes that have nothing to do with the economy. For me, once Guyana continues to have blackouts, then I think the politics of the PPP should be rejected by this nation. How can any rational, sane human stand up and listen to Sam Hinds, Donald Ramotar, Roger Luncheon, Gail Teixeira, Clement Rohee

Frederick Kissoon pleading to be voted back into power, when they were in power (except Jagdeo) since 1992 and after 2015 when the PPP lost power, and Guyana still suffers from deplorable and constant electricity withdrawal?Ramotar did not have power after 1992, but in that year, he became head of the ruling party, then held the presidency for three years. Jagdeo had presidential power for twelve years. Why did these politicians not stop the electricity horror show? Do you know since 2015 there have been literally hundreds of letters by these names referred to above (Ramotar has a letter published two days ago) and in none of those missives has there been even a brief attempt to explain why the electricity crisis was not solved.And these very people are contesting power in 2020. They are asking to lead Guyana again. Can one imagine Gail Teixeira, who became a Cabinet member in 1992 and ended her reign in power in 2015 as governance advisor to the president, is contesting the PPP’s presidential slot for the 2020 elections? When Teixeira became a cabinet minister in 1992, Guyana was plagued with horrible blackouts. When Teixeira left office in May 2015, the horror train of darkness was still riding all over Guyana. None of the other contestants has had power longer than Ms. Teixeira. Is it not the decent thing for Ms. Teixeira to finally do - offer us some reasoning as to why her government after 23 years in power failed to supply the country with electricity?

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Rehabilitation of access roads attract over 40 multimillion-dollar bids The National Tender and Procurement Administration Board (NTPAB) yesterday unveiled a total of just over 40 bids for the rehabilitation of two roads. The roads on the schedule for rehabilitation are Second Street, Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, and Tenth Field and Crown Dam access road, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. The project was put to tender by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the bids opened were as follows: Ministry of Public Telecommunications NDMA – Supply, installation and commissioning of Rehabilitation of Second Street, Garden of Eden, E.B.D, Region 4 Solar Photovoltaic System for ICT

Ministry of Public Telecommunications – Provision of security service

National Communications Network Inc – Electrical re-wiring of NCN’s office building at Head Office

Ministry of Public Infrastructure –Tenth Field and Crown Dam access road, Cummings Lodge, E.C.D, Region 4

Protected Areas Commission – Consultancy service for the development of clear guidelines and procedures for the incorporation of the National Parks Commissions into the Protected Areas Commission

Guyana Revenue Authority - Rebuilding and rebranding of GRA’s website

Guyana Revenue Authority - Procurement of consultative services for the delivery and implementation of modern tax administration software

Apart from the reconstruction of the two roadways, the country is also set to benefit from a new nursery school at Amelia Ward. The board opened six bids, all above $19M, for the supervision of this project which was offered up for tender by the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10. The bids opened were:

In keeping with the education sector, the Burrowes School of Art Building, Carifesta Avenue, is in line for maintenance work. The bids received for this project were: Ministry of Presidency SCCYS - Maintenance work to Burrowes School of Art Building, Carifesta Avenue

Other bids opened by the Board were: Ministry of Presidency SCCYS – Procurement of 20 Desktop Computers - Sophia Training Centre

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

E’bo farmers to burn 1,000 acres of rice after bug bites deep The rice industry in Region Two [Pomeroon/ Supenaam] is presently experiencing what is believed to be its worst phase in history. According to reports reaching this publication, a severe paddy bug infestation plagued the entire Essequibo Coast this crop, significantly decreasing production by more than 50%. The frustrating situation has left a number of farmers no choice, but to set fire to their fields. This publication was on the scene yesterday, and had an opportunity to speak with a number of farmers. One

farmer told Kaieteur News that the price for paddy was slashed by more than half this crop, due to the poor quality of the grain. The farmer also explained that setting the field afire will be more economical, instead of harvesting and transporting to the mill, which they claim will result in a greater loss. “The price slash by half and the expense gone up by four times…When you cut a 300 and 400 bags per block, you only find that about 100 bag good. The half that you get is not no quality of paddy because of the bug and the blast inside.” The farmer said that there

was a bug infestation back in 2013, but this is the worst he has seen in his entire farming career. He also pointed out that after spraying, the bugs will temporarily migrate to neighbouring fields and later return. Farmers claim that their grains were severely affected by blast - a blight which affects the full growth and maturity of the grain. According to a rice farmer, before developing into a solid grain the rice must first undergo a milky stage, in which the pods are very soft. These soft pods, the farmers stressed, are often punctured by paddy

Some of the affected farmers bugs in infested fields. On the Essequibo Coast, most of the rice lands are located on the western end of the coast, between the main coastland and the hinterland. Kaieteur News understands that after a number of crops, no measures were taken to smoke the hinterland area. It is believed that the bugs were conveniently bred in the densely forested area, where they eventually multiplied. Despite all efforts by farmers to eradicate the pests, the infestation continues to plague the once prospering sector - primarily those farmers in the deep west. Some six miles west of Dartmouth on

the Essequibo Coast is located some 1000 acres of rice lands, all of which were affected by the pests. These lands are cultivated by a few farmers, including Robin Persaud, planting 63 acres of rice, Ken Cornette planting 70 acres, Ganga Persaud, 47 acres, Shafeek Majeed 98 acres, Kowal Persaud 130 acres and Mohamed K.Ally with 284 acres. These men, who gathered to burn their fields yesterday, told Kaieteur News that they were left with no other option, since the grains sitting in the field cannot compensate the investment. The farmers, most of whom are committed to the local lending institutions, are

urgently pleading with the government to take urgent measures in rendering assistance to the dying industry. “If we nah get assistance we can’t wuk back dem dis land, because we nah got no money. We need de government help in any way how them can help we, even if is in assisting with the seed paddy or even fuel. We need some assistance in the banking system… maybe if the government can wave off the installment for like a six months. Because the government under Bharrat Jagdeo had a restructuring of the loan… as a matter of fact they deh do it twice and they provided fuel.”

Wednesday October 24, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Immigration checkpoint placed at Parika ‌almost 2,800 Venezuela migrants now in Guyana The Ministry of Citizenship said it is concerned about the number of Venezuelan migrants arriving at port Parika, Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara Region (Region Three) without documentation, as well as those not presenting themselves to immigration authorities. At a meeting of the National Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Committee on Monday, Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix mandated the Immigration Department to strengthen its operations at Parika, Region Three while working closer with the Ministry of Public Health to document, screen and vaccinate persons arriving through that route. To date, the Immigration Department has recorded a total of 2,779 migrants here, the Ministry of the Presidency said. Over the past weeks, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), one of the international partners that the Government has been working with, has been using the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) system, to identify needs and vulnerabilities

of those displaced. Through that system, the IOM has been able to verify that for the Barima-Waini Region (Region One) and the Demerara-Mahaica Region (Region Four), migrants coming to Guyana are young, with the overwhelming majority being female. The DTM has also revealed that the most important needs at this time are assistance with documentation, food and employment or income-generating activities. Further, based on the interviews conducted in Regions One and Four, the vast majority of migrants indicated that Guyana is their final destination, at least for the duration of their displacement. Going forward, the IOM will be working closely with the Immigration Department, to develop Standard Operating Procedures to deal with occurrences like the influx of Venezuelan migrants. Meanwhile, the Committee was informed that while the arrival numbers are not very high, the situation can change significantly, as other countries tighten their immigration policies or even close their borders as Brazil briefly

did in August. Regional Coordinator of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Mr. Joel Anderson, who was present at the meeting, informed that his organisation is currently working on a Humanitarian Response Plan, through which Guyana will be entitled to assistance under the Caribbean Chapter. Meanwhile, with respect to reports of an outbreak of gastroenteritis i n B l a c k w a t e r Vi l l a g e , Region One, the Ministry of Public Health representative informed the Committee that 141 Venezuelans were treated, a n d t h e s i t u a t i on has been stabilised. Additionally, Community Health Workers are working in Ya r a k i t a , W h i t e w a t e r, Morawhanna and Kariako communities. In terms of direct relief, last week, the IOM distributed 140 non-food item kits to Yarakita, Whitewater, Imbotero and Kumaka located in Region One while the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has also dispatched an addi-

tional 84 food and non-food item hampers to that Region. Meanwhile, the United

Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), another international partner on the Commit-

A view of the Parika Stelling

tee, recently received an additional US$500,000 at aid relief efforts.

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Attorney General’s chambers a no-show in Dr. Singh, Brassington case challenge The absence of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams and State lawyers has led to an adjournment in a court action brought against the State, which seeks to challenge the legality of charges against former Minister of Finance Ashni Singh, and former head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington. The matter which is being heard by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George was scheduled for another hearing yesterday at the High Court in

Georgetown. While Attorneyat-Law Anil Nandlall, who is representing the two former high-ranking government officials, was present, there was no presence by the Attorney General’s chambers. Kaieteur News understands that the chambers requested a later date for hearing since the Attorney General had other engagements set for yesterday. As such, an adjournment to November 1 was granted by the Chief Justice. In May, the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyana Police

Force, filed charges for ‘Misconduct in Public Office’, against the two men, over the sale of three tracts of lands on the East Coast of Demerara and the sale of the Sanata Texiles Complex, East Bank Demerara, without regard for valuation. According to the first charge, Dr. Singh in his then capacity of Minister of Finance and Chairman of NICIL—is accused of selling on May 14, 2011 at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown—a tract of land being 10.002 acres of Plantation Turkeyen, East Coast of

Dr. Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington Demerara, property of the State of Guyana for the sum

of $185,037,000, without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer. It is further alleged that Dr. Singh and Brassington on December 30, 2008 at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase without due diligence, sold to Scady Business Corporation, a 4.7 acres tract portion of Plantation Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, for $150M, knowing that the said property was valued at $340M by Rodrigues Architects Associate, a competent valuation officer. A similar charge alleged that the two on December 28, 2009 at 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase, acted recklessly when they sold to National Hardware Guyana Limited, a tract of land at Plantation Liliendaal, Pattensen and Turkeyen, situated on the East Coast of Demerara, being 103 acres, being property of the State of Guyana for the sum of $598,659,398 (VAT exclusive) without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer. The last charge against

the duo states that, “Dr. Ashni Singh, being and performing duties of Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, a company owned by the Government of Guyana; and Brassington, being and performing duties as the Chief Executive of NICIL, a company owned by the Government of Guyana, between October 26, 2010 and December 20, 2010 at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase, acted recklessly when they sold to Queens Atlantic Investment Inc, Sanata Texiles Complex, with building and erections thereon, that is to say, Parcel 4702, Part of Plantation Ruimveldt, situated on the East Bank Demerara, being 18.871 acres, being $697,864,800.00 plus VAT, knowing that the said property was valued at the sum of $1,042,403,500.00, and was therefore being sold at a price that was grossly undervalued, thereby creating a breach of their duties”. In relation to the first three charges, the men have been each released on $6M bond by the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They are yet to answer to the last charge. These proceedings are now at a standstill after lawyers filed an action in the High Court contending that the charges are unconstitutional. The Chief Justice and Justice Franklin Holder have granted interim stays on the magistrates’ courts proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the application to have the charges discontinued. During a court hearing in July, the Chief Justice consolidated the four charges into one substantive challenge, since they are all of a similar nature.

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Defaulting ...

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(From page 16) equipment, less one piece of equipment, the transformer, has not been delivered.” In hopes of ensuring that the outstanding item is delivered shortly to the hospital, Lewis said, “We are working with the supplier, but at the same time, we are examining our options with him [the supplier] because he has failed to meet his contractual obligations.” It is for this very reason, Lewis said, that the GPHC will be looking to support the efforts of the Public Procurement Commission in terms of drafting regulations for the debarment of contractors who continually fail to meet their contractual obligations.

Permanent ... (From page 3) experiencing abnormal symptoms and were advised to visit a doctor to get a clear diagnosis of what exactly is causing the symptoms. EPA Head, Dr. Adams said while there is no way to ascertain the volume of gas below the surface at the moment, the agency will continue to monitor the situation and provide feedback to the residents. There was an eruption earlier this year after a homeowner hired a contractor to drill a small water well in his yard. The eruption saw nearby properties badly damaged and the home inhabitable. Several agencies were involved in capping the well. Authorities were examining the options of using the gas for a number of applications, including for cooking.

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Wednesday October 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

Nine new housing schemes planned for 2019

T

he government, through the Minis try of Communities, will be developing nine new housing schemes in 2019 based on the delivery of a “community experience”. Three recreational areas, the consolidation of 18 existing areas, installation of electricity in eight areas, completion of 450 housing units and full house subsidies in the Upper Ta k u t u - U p p e r Essequibo region, and preparation of spatial plans for several municipalities, also form part of the ministry’s work programme for next year. Additionally, in keeping with the local government agenda which emphasises the primacy of local government, a number of housing schemes will be transferred to their respective local organs for their effective management and development. This was according to a ministry release yesterday. Given the importance of housing to holistic development, the ministry offered some clarity on the housing policy of the administration. The release stated that

the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo who was “dismissive of this administration’s efforts at salvaging the approach to housing, boasted of the distribution of over 100,000 house lots under the PPP as compared to the number of housing solutions built by this administration, in addition to the distribution of serviced lots, over the past three (3) years. The truth is that the old housing model inherited which primarily focused on the divestment of land and the development of site and services schemes resulted in an alarmingly low occupancy rate. This model has proven over the years to be a flawed and failed approach to satisfying the housing needs.” During the period 20112015, thirty-eight (38) schemes were developed at the cost of approximately $13 Billion and yielded approximately 20,000 houselots. With an additional $16 Billion required to complete the infrastructural work, less than 4000 units were built with an occupancy rate of 20%. This meant that 80 percent of the

house lots were undeveloped which poses significant challenges, security and otherwise to the homeowners. Over the past three years, the APNU+AFC administration said has spent over a $1 Billion on consolidating the schemes ‘developed’ by the former administration at Zeelugt Phase Two and Three, West Minster, Perseverance, Hope/Experiment, Kilcoy/Chesney, Amelia’s Ward and Linden to name a few. “Cognizant of the failure of this approach, the administration has tailored its housing policy to the provision of affordable housing solutions, in addition to the option of serviced lots, for low-income earners, state employees, and youths, a model that is expected to see an occupancy rate of 100 percent,” the statement said. While the former administration had embarked on a ‘turn-key’ initiative under its “1000 Homes Programme,” it was overshadowed by the construction of a number of defective houses that had to be rectified by this administration.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Killing of journalist...

US revokes visas of 21 Saudi suspects President of the US, Donald Trump, has condemned the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling it one of the worst cover-ups “in the history of cover-ups”, as the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressed his parliament over the “savage” murder of the journalist. Asked by a reporter how the Khashoggi killing could have happened, Donald Trump said “They had a very

bad original concept. It was carried out poorly, and the coverup was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups.” The US President reportedly said the journalist’s killing was a “Bad deal, should have never been thought of. And they had the worst cover-up ever.” His comments however have ranged from condemnation and threats of economic sanctions, to more conciliatory remarks about Saudi

Arabia’s relationship with the US, against militants in the Middle East, as well as a major purchaser of US arms. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, yesterday, that 21 Saudi officials will have their visas revoked or be made ineligible for visas in the future. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said “These penalties will not be the last word on the matter from the United States. We’re making very

Donald Trump and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of ruthless action to silence Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence.” Turkish President, Recep

Tayyip Erdogan, addressed his country’s parliament over Jamal Khashoggi’s “savage” murder. He has demanded Saudi Arabia to provide answers and called for the 18 persons who have been arrested in Saudi Arabia to be tried in Turkey for the journalist’s murder. He called for an independent commission to be set up, but explained that he is confident in King Salman’s full cooperation. There was no discussion of the audio tapes which Turkish authorities claimed were recorded on Khashoggi’s smartwatch. However, Erdogan spoke extensively about how the Saudi death squad removed the hard drives from the consulate’s surveillance system before Khashoggi arrived at the consulate on October 2. He told the parliament that the killing of Jamal Khashoggi was planned days in advance. The Turkish President said “This murder might have been committed at a consulate building which may be considered Saudi Arabian land, but it rests within the borders of Turkey. He added that international agreements on the status of consular property “cannot allow the investigation of this murder to be concealed behind the armour of immunity.” The G-7 nations, including the US, have condemned the journalist’s murder “in the strongest possible terms”. They said, in a statement, that “Saudi Arabia must put in place measures to ensure something like this can never happen again.” The slain journalist’s

fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, had tweeted “They took your bodily presence from my world. But your beautiful laugh will remain in my soul forever. My darling #jkKhashoggi”. The tweet included a clip of the journalist being interrupted during an interview, by a cat that jumped onto his lap. In the clip, Khashoggi laughed, joking “You should leave this in the film.” Cengiz has been given 24hour protection by Turkish authorities, amidst growing concerns for her safety, as investigations continue into the journalist’s killing. The events surrounding the journalist’s death had started when he travelled to Turkey with his fiancée to obtain divorce papers from his previous marriage. He had left his wife outside of the Saudi Consulate in Turkey. When he did not emerge after the consulate closed, his fiancée called the police and reported him as missing. Reuters had reported that “The initial assessment of the Turkish police is that Mr. Khashoggi has been killed at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. We believe that the murder was premeditated and the body was subsequently moved out of the consulate.” The Turkish Prime Minister had called an immediate investigation into the matter, following this statement. The Saudi government had reportedly swiftly responded to the allegations made by the Turkish Police, stating that Jamal Khashoggi left the consulate on the day of the incident.

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Ottley, Kirton half-centuries see Marooners past Hurricanes BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners trounced Leeward Islands Hurricanes by eight wickets under DuckworthLewis-Stern, to end their preliminary campaign on a high and top Group B of the Regional Super50. Chasing a revised target of 169 off 41 overs in a rainaffected encounter at Kensington Oval, Marooners safely navigated the interruptions to get over the line with 13 balls remaining. Their chase was a measured one with opener Kjorn Ottley top-scoring with 67, Nicholas Kirton stroking an unbeaten 65 and Jonathan Drakes, 21 not out. Hurricanes had earlier found themselves limited to an inadequate 209 for

nine off their 50 overs after fast bowler Jermaine Levy snatched four for 48 and off-spinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar, three for 38, to ruin the innings. Only captain Devon Thomas showed any real enterprise with 46 while Keacy Carty chipped in with 26 and Akeem Saunders, 24. The victory ensured Marooners topped Group B with 26 points, with Scorpions finishing second on 21 points, to take the other semi-final spot. Hurricanes started badly when Montcin Hodge perished without scoring in the second over with the score on one, leaving Thomas to attempt to rebuild the innings. The right-hander then put on 39 for the second

wicket with Carty before adding a further 47 with wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton (22), as Hurricanes got up to 87 for two in the 22nd over. Thomas, who opened the innings, struck four fours and a six in a 67-ball knock but departed in the 22nd over when he was bowled by Jaggesar. Two more wickets fell to Jaggesar as three wickets tumbled for 30 runs to leave Hurricanes stuttering on 117 for five in the 30th over. Saunders and Orlando Peters (23) attempted another repair job by putting on 40 for the sixth wicket but Levy and left-arm spinner Yannick Ottley (2-29) combined to snatch four wickets cheaply and restrict Hurricanes.

Wednesday October 24, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Did y o u w a k e u p t h i s morning with a vague recollection of a half-remembered dream bugging you? If so, it won't do any good to try to pull it up. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Legal matters may be on your mind today. Maybe your insecurities are blowing a certain difficulty all out of proportion. You need to view the entire situation a little more objectively. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may need someone's help or advice today. Don't be afraid to ask for it. You tend to be proud of your ingenuity and independence. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Is your significant other uncertain about spending much time with you today? You may be hurt at first, as your honey could feel obligated to spend some private time with family members. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Are you entertaining tonight? If so, you might be a little worried about what your guests think of your home and your skills as a host. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A special gathering may take place in your neighborhood today, Virgo. If you're currently involved, you will probably attend it with your significant other. Relax, let loose, and have a little fun.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Social occasions of all kinds could take place today, Libra. Some older visitors, perhaps your parents, could visit your home. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Someone you've been expecting to call might not do so today, Scorpio, and this could worry you a little. Don't be too shy to pick up the phone and call. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Worries about money could be on your mind today. A check you've been expecting may not have arrived. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The desire to get together with friends is strong today, but you might be unable to do it as early as you'd hoped. You could be delayed by leftover work or chores. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A career goal you've been hoping to reach may seem uncertain now, Aquarius. You could be wondering if your work has gone for naught. Don't think this way. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Are you spending a lot of time working on something you've been trying to learn well? It could be more confusing than usual today, Pisces. You might come across a new concept that doesn't quite make sense to you at first glance.

In reply, Kjorn Ottley posted 36 off 43 balls with fellow left-hander Amir Jangoo who struggled 19 balls over nine runs before becoming frustrated and skying a loft at miserly offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall to cover point in the eighth over. There was no collapse, however, as Kirton arrived to anchor two half-century stands and see Marooners to victory, after the target was twice revised. First, he put on 79 for the second wicket with Kjorn Ottley before adding another 55 in an unbroken third wicket stand with Drakes. Kirton counted five fours in a 97-ball knock while Kjorn Ottley faced 94 deliveries and struck four fours and a six. Scores: HURRICANES 209 for nine off 50 overs (Devon Thomas 46, Keacy Carty 26, Akeem Saunders 24; Jermaine Levy 4-48, JonRuss Jaggesar 3-38). MAROONERS 170 for two off 38.5 overs (Kjorn Ottley 67, Nicholas Kirton 65 not out, Jonathan Drakes 21 not out).

‘Execution the main... From page 40 Trinidad zone.Johnson, arguably the best Captain in the tournament disclosed that he is pleased with the all-round effort so far. “The bowlers have been very economical rather than looking for wickets and give away runs. They contained well and the wickets came due to the pressure they built-up and that made it easier for the batsmen when they had to chase 190-200 totals,” explained Johnson, one of 30 Guyanese to play ODI cricket. “The Guys are pretty confidence going forward. We have a couple of days training in Barbados which we need to use well,” said Johnson who will hope to join Lloyd and Harper by winning this tournament in Barbados. Johnson will also hope to remind the selectors of his prowess with the bat in the ‘final four’ after being dismissed three times in the 30s despite looking well set for big scores. His 99 run out in the last tournament in Antigua is the highest of his 13 fifties from 63 innings in List A cricket. The GCC player said the conditions in Barbados are different from Trinidad but the basics of the games remain. “Execution is our main focus,” said Johnson who has scored two half centuries from his nine ODIs.

Left-hander Kjorn Ottley plays through the onside during his half-century against Leeward Islands Hurricanes on Monday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

GFA/Stag Revival Cup

Tucville host Sunday’s double-header; GFC is first to qualify for quarter-finals The battle for supremacy in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Stag Revival Cup is set to continue on Sunday at the Tucville ground with two more matches. From 14:15hrs, Santos will take on Order & Discipline to be followed by a clash between Western Tigers and Beacon from 16:00hrs.

M e a n w h i l e , Georgetown Football Club (GFC) became the first club to qualify for the quarter finals following their 5-0 thumping of Northern Rangers on Sunday afternoon last. Leading GFC were Rondel Peters (26th, 65th) and Rickford Edmonds (70th, 78th) with a double each, the other

coming from La Vaughn Ennis in the 22nd minute. Sunday’s other match saw Riddim Squad and Black Pearl battling to a 11 stalemate. The Mocha based Riddim Squad took the lead in the 35th minute on account of a Julian Forris strike but that was cancelled out in the 52nd minute when Black Pearl scored, thanks to Tsakadie Sealey.

GFC scorers, from right, Rockford Edmonds, Rondel Peters and La Vaughn Ennis.

Wednesday October 24, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Essequibo/Pomeroon FA Senior League

Essequibo TI edge Suddie to remain unbeaten; Charity Xtreme notch first win Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) has qualified for the knock-out stage (semi finals) of the Essequibo/ Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA) 2018 Senior League following their third win in as many matches on Saturday last at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.The school boys needled Henrietta Football Club on account of Renaldo Birchman’s 58th minute goal in a closely contested shindig. It was a close tussle but the young lads prevailed in the end to end unbeaten and top Group A with 9 points from their three matches; they also defeated Queenstown and Good Hope. In the other match on Saturday, Charity Xtreme, on account of a brace of goals off the boot of Sheldon Pitt recorded their first win after losing their opening match against Mainstay Gold Star. Out to erase the memory of the opening loss, Charity went about the job in real businesslike fashion and opened the scoring five minutes into the clash through an Alanzo

Renaldo Birchman – ETI Abraham strike. From thereon in, it was all Charity, Daniel Henry got into the scoring act on 18 minutes before Pitt got into the fray

with his double in the 52nd and 73rd minute, the final goal was converted by Sevron David, five minutes to full time.

Latest Points standings GroupA Teams P Essequibo T.I 3 Queenstown United 2 Henrietta United 2 Good Hope 1

W 3 1 0 0

D 0 0 0 0

L 0 1 2 1

F 6 3 0 0

A 1 2 2 3

GD +5 +1 -2 -3

Group B Mainstay Gold Star Suddie Charity Xtreme Dartmouth Super X1

2 1 1 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 1 1 2 0

6 2 5 1 0

0 6 2 6 0

+6 -4 -3 -5 0

2 2 2 2 0

Pts 9 3 0 0 6 3 3 0 0

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Allie, Lall to lead CAMS team for CMRC final round

Afraz Allie’s Starlet during a victory lap. A strong contingent of cars from Caribbean American Motorsports (CAMS) is expected to hit these shores in the coming weeks. The team will be led by Afraz Allie who is expected to compete in the local CHOKE Starlet Cup and Group three as well as the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships’ (CMRC) group three class. It also includes overseas based Quinlan Lall who will be competing in the group four local and CMRC classes aboard his Mazda Miata. Te r r y R o d rg u e z a n d former Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club President (GMR&SC) Aaron Bethune will enter the series with Honda Civic motor cars. Kemal Rahaman and his Honda CRX also return to action in the group two class. The final member of the team is Neil Persaud who drives a Honda Civic and he will be competing in the Group Four class. Meanwhile, the club is expecting one of the largest turnouts of local drivers and riders for the year. Teams have been confirmed from Trinidad, Bar-

bados, Jamaica and CAMS as well as competitors from Europe for the two-day racing extravaganza. Launched last Friday evening, it was noted that the event will feature several classes of racing including groups one through five, as well as the culmination of the inaugural Radical Caribbean SR3 Cup and the super-stock class. That is in addition, the local street and sport tuner classes along with the Choke Starlet cup, a street bike class and a 125cc motorcycle class has been added. 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.

Bolt ‘offered cut-price deal’ in... From page 35 front line today and you wonder whether he could get into any of those positions, wouldn’t you?” Mulvey said after the team drew their opening ALeague game of the season 1-1 away to Brisbane Roar on Sunday. “I do appreciate how important this story is for the rest of the world. You’re just talking about speculation. I don’t know

anything about what you’re talking about, and that’s God’s honest truth.” The Mariners boast Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack on their payroll, after the Scottish international agreed to a season-long loan deal. They also have Tommy Oar, who has played 28 times for the Socceroos, along with Connor Pain, who cleverly scored their goal on Sunday.

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

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GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships hits off this Sunday The annual GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships bullys-off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) this Sunday as the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) and the telephone company continue their 18-year partnership for the premier local indoor competition which determines the annual national champions. The competition has expanded this year to include a women’s Second Division competition for the first time in its history which reflects the growth of the female playing population which now matches that of the males. Apart from the clubs contesting the competition, a national male junior squad will compete in the men’s First Division competition as ‘Supernova’ but that team will not be eligible for the trophies. The competition features five divisions; the Men’s and Women’s First and Second Divisions, and the Veteran’s Over-35-years. Bounty GCC will face their toughest competition in recent years as a strengthening Old Fort Lamborghinis, boosted by two of the top junior players in the skilful Omar Hopkinson and prolific goalscorer Warren Williams. In addition, three-time champions, PEPSI Hikers, will be at

full strength with the likes of their fantastic four, Robert France, Andrew Stewart, Jamarj Assanah and Aroydy Branford. Old Fort Top Form are holders of the men’s Second Division trophy and will be up against a powerful GCC Pitbulls side with several junior national players including Captain Kareem McKenzie and Meshach Sargeant. The Hikers Cadets and Hikers Young Guns, Saints Hockey Club (SHC) Silencers and SHC Sensations along with Old Fort Rogue and Phoenix will make up a very busy division. The GCC Tigers have dominated this competition for the past eleven years and enters as the favourites to take the gold in the women’s first division. Leading all-time ladies goal scorer Sonia Jardine will be on show along with nationals Gabriella Xavier, Aliyah Gordon, Trisha Woodroffe and Marzana Fiedtkou in a star-studded line-up. Tigers’ arch-rivals, Woodpecker Hikers, will be gunning for the top spot with the likes of nationals Marisha Fernandes, Nicole Eastman and Latacia Chung. Old Fort Team 2.1.2. has been improving steadily and many of their players would be fresh off the recent victory

Bolt ‘offered cut-price deal’ in Australia — reports Sydney, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s Central Coast Mariners have offered sprint superstar Usain Bolt a contract, reports said Monday, but the club’s coach said he knows nothing about it. The eight-time Olympic champion has been on trial with the A-League side since arriving in August to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer. He scored two goals in a preseason friendly last week and on Thursday turned down a two-year, trial-free deal from cashed-up Maltese champions, Valletta. “I can confirm Usain has been offered a contract by Central Coast Mariners,” the Jamaican’s agent Ricky Simms told the BBC. The club had no immediate comment Monday, but Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said he had been offered only a fraction of the Aus$3 million (US$2.1 million) that his management had discussed months ago when the prospect of a trial was first mooted. The newspaper said the

potential deal put together in May — on the premise of Bolt passing a trial first — was based on Football Federation Australia contributing Aus$750,000 and other sponsors also topping it up. Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth had initially pledged Aus$1.5 million, but the deal now offered to the sprinter was much less than this, it added. The 100m world recordholder, who retired from athletics last year, has previously tried out with clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway. The 32-year-old’s form so far has been criticised by several pundits, but his two goals captured the imagination of the sporting public. Club coach Mike Mulvey said he had heard nothing of an offer, and cast doubt on whether Bolt, who likes to play up front, would make the grade given the quality of players he already has at his disposal. “You have a look at our (Continued on page 34)

in the Noble House junior indoor championships. Minsodia Culpepper and Bushani Kaladeen will lead their effort. Saints and the Bingo Spartans feature the youngest sides in the division and will surely use their superior conditioning and quickness to create havoc among their senior rivals. The newly introduced Women’s Second Division competition will find GCC Spice as a favourite among

their junior opponents of Old Fort Goal Chasers, Bingo Spartans and Woodpecker Hikers. This division will feature many of the outstanding junior players recently on show in the Noble House junior championships. GCC Vintage are the double defending champions in the Over-35 Division which once again see challenges from the Old Fort Mustangs and Antonio’s Hikers. The competition will last one week.

Old Fort’s Omar Hopkinson at full stretch to stop Peter DeGroot of Bounty GCC.

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Kaieteur News

Dindyal century guides GCC to victory A fine century by Mavindra Dindyal guided Georgetown Cricket Club to a fivewicket victory over Demerara Cricket Club when the teams collided in an U17 fixture recently at DCC. Batting first, DCC managed 234-4 in 55 overs with Brandon Jaikarran scoring 51 with eight fours, while Ezekiel Wilson made 33 and Daniel Mootoo 34 not out including two fours and two sixes. Dindyal then slammed 15 fours and five sixes in scoring 120, while Rivaldo Phillips got 35 with three fours and one six. Daniel Mootoo claimed 3-23.

Mavindra Dindyal

Wednesday October 24, 2018

BCB benefits from over $200,000 worth of cricket gear from Brian Ramphal and friends

Brian Ramphal hands over gears to BCB Senior Coach Winston Smith in the presence of the other donors and BCB President Hilbert Foster. The outstanding work of Guyana’s most dynamic and visionary Cricket Board continues to attract the support of overseas based Guyanese. The Berbice Cricket Board on Friday last received over $200,000 worth of cricket gears from four overseas donors led by Brian Ramphal towards its countywide Coaching Programme and preparation of its Inter-county Cricket teams. Ramphal, who earlier this year donated $1M to the Berbice Cricket for several programmes was this time, supported by his cousins, Raj Mathura, Sham Mathura and Michael Rampersaud who all live overseas. BCB President Hilbert Foster, during the presentation ceremony at the St. Francis Training Centre, hailed the support of Ramphal and his friends for Berbice Cricket. The President noted that Ramphal came on board with the Berbice Cricket Board, on the advice of former Board Secretary Oscar Ramjeet and donated $1M of his personal funds. Ramphal’s funding was

used to host a two-days Training Programme for 40 Pre-Level One Coaches, Double Wicket Tournament, Annual Award Ceremony and the Publication of Educational Posters. A 30-page Magazine would also be published in early December as part of Ramphal’s sponsorship. Foster noted that Ramphal along with Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh are the largest donors to the Berbice Cricket Board in 2018 with million dollars personal donations. Both overseas based donors were introduced to the Berbice Cricket Board by former Secretary Oscar Ramjeet, who served as the Board Liaison Officer in the United States. The Berbice Cricket Board success on and off the cricket field over the eight months has been achieved because of great support of sponsors, local and overseas. The Foster led administration on the 18th February, 2018 inherited a meagre $42,865 in the Berbice Cricket Board Bank Account and through an aggressive and well planned Marketing drive, has been able to raise over $8M worth of cash and kind

for Berbice Cricket. Administrator Angela Haniff stated that the donated gears would be used by the BCB Coaches in Coaching outreaches, while young cricketers who do not have their own gears, would have access to them at trial matches. Haniff noted that the Berbice Cricket Board is grateful to Ramphal and his cousins for the contribution and pledged to make sure that the gears are used for the intended purposes. Ramphal stated that he is honoured to assist Berbice Cricket as he is very impressed by the vision, achievements, accountability and hard work of the current BCB Administration. He noted that he was a strong follower of the legacy of Berbice Cricket despite not being a Berbician. Ramphal stated that he was satisfied that his funds was well used and pledged to work along with Berbice Cricket in the future. He expressed confidence in the future of Berbice Cricket under its current leadership.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 24, 2018

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Grove Hi Tech swamp Samatta Point/Kaneville; KK Warriors edge Diamond Upsetters EBFA Senior KO

The East Bank Football Association (EBFA) top club, Grove Hi Tech was in rampant form when senior football made a welcome return to the association on Saturday afternoon last at the Diamond Community Centre ground. Contesting the association’s knock-out tournament that would see the top two teams advancing to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) year-end Super 16 championship which will have over Six Million at stake, Grove hammered Samatta Point/Kaneville 14-0 in the latter’s first senior match as an affiliate of the EBFA. Eight players inked their names on the score sheet led by junior National player, Kevin Padmore Jnr., who netted a hat-trick in the 7th, 30th and 60th minutes. Three players scored a brace each, Joel Dick, Denzil Crawford and Marvin Squires, while there was one each for Tyrell Khan, Nicholai Matthews, Akeem James and Tyrone Primo. There were two walkovers awarded, Hauraruni Eagles have advanced at the expense of Swan FC who did not show up for the playoff contest; Hauraruni will now meet Timehri Panthers on Sunday in a main draw encounter. Friendship All Stars failure to show up on Sunday gifted Herstelling Raiders a place in the next round.

Kuru Kururu Warriors players celebrating the winning goal.

Kevin Padmore (#4) about to head in one of his three goals on Saturday against Samatta Point/Kaneville.

The other match on Sunday saw Kuru Kururu Warriors edging another team that made its debut at this level, Diamond Upsetters, 21. Sherwin Henry handed the Warriors the lead on 11 minutes in a match which both sides looked scratchy in the opening exchanges. The Warriors, a more experienced unit, sought to control play and succeeded to some extent but as the match matured, Upsetters, on their home turf grew in confidence. In the 41st minute, a well placed free kick from Captain Jamal Thomas was drilled past National Beach Soccer Custodian, Ethan Sparman to the delight of the home team supporters. But the Warriors did not crack under the ensuing pressure that was exerted by Upsetters for a few minutes, rather, they kept composure and their experience eventually carried them over the line as they retook the lead for good in the 46th minute through a Wezlon Harry goal. Matches will continue this weekend at the same venue. Mocha Champs are down to match skills with Soesdyke Falcons from 14:00hrs with the feature match between Agricola Red Triangle and Diamond United on Saturday. On Sunday, Timehri Panthers will come up against Hauraruni Eagles from 15:00hrs, the lone match of the day.

GSCL Inc expresses gratitude to stakeholders on Eric Thomas collects his MVP prize from a Fly Jamaica representative.

successful PM T20 Cup 2

F

ollowing the successful staging of the Prime Minister’s T20 Cup 2, the organisers Georgetown Softball Cricket league (GSCL) Inc has extended gratitude to its sponsors and teams. A release from the organisers stated that the executive members of the GSCL Inc are happy that they were able to successfully host another such tournament and are looking forward to continued support from corporate Guyana. The tournament commenced on Friday last with 12 Open and 12 Masters Teams and concluded on

Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club where Speedboat and Regal Masters retained their titles. Wazeer Hussain of Speedboat was voted the M o s t Va l u a b l e P l a y e r (MVP) in the tournament, man-of-the-match in the final where he made 78 not out and took 3-17 and also copped the prize for scoring the highest individual score. In the Masters category, Ramesh Narine of Mike’s Wellman notched up the highest individual score of 137, while Eric Thomas of Regal Masters was the MVP and Mohendra Arjune of Regal Masters took the manof-the-match in the final award after scoring 44 and

Wazeer Hussain accepts one of his prizes from GSCL Inc President Ian John. taking 4-27. Speedboat pocketed a trophy and $700,000 and runner’s up Boots All stars took home a trophy and $100,000, while Regal Masters collected a trophy and $600,000 and second

place Mike’s Wellman a trophy $100,000. The sponsors were Hero, Banks DIH, Express International Inc, Genesis Marine Inc, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Regal Sports, Ink Plus, Krsna and

Balram Printery, Digital Te c h n o l o g y, E l e g a n c e Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Atlantic Southern Trade (Rica Juice), Fly Jamaica, Ansa Mc Al, Industrial Supplies and Services, Bedesse Sports Inc, Dina’s

Embroidery, Crown Mining, USA Cricket Zone, Dass Enterprise of Bartica, Encore Consulting Corp and Green Power Solution, Guysons Engineering, P and P Insurance Brokers and Chung’s Global Enterprise.

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Wednesday October 24, 2018

RHT Bakewell crush Whim National to lift Rhonda Lewis tourney as BCB Completes 12

The Winning RHT Bakewell Team pose with the Lewis Family.

Kevin Sinclair collecting the championship trophy from the parents of Rhonda Lewis.

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magnificent innings of 91 from Guyana Under-19 player Kevlon Anderson and a destructive spell of 3 for 18 by West Indies female pacer Erva Giddings led the Rose Hall Town Bakewell to an easy 130 runs to victory over Whim National in the Final of the Berbice Cricket Board organised Rhonda Lewis Memorial 20/20 Tournament, for teams in the Lower Corentyne area. Earlier in the day, they brushed aside Fyrish to reach the final. Playing infront of a large and passionate crowd, Rose Hall Town Bakewell won the toss and batted first. They lost National Under-19 player Jason Sinclair in the 3rd Over, caught off medium pacer Yogindra Harrinarine for 7 at 18 for 1. National junior players Kevin Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson

added 80 for the second wicket with Sinclair being brutal on any ball short as he raced to 68 (6x6, 5x4) before he was caught on the deep mid wicket boundary off the bowling of V. Sookshine. The Berbice Under-17 all rounder was run out first ball for nought as Rose Hall fell to 98 for 3 in the 10th Over. National Under15 all rounder Jonathan Rampersaud and Anderson then added 100 for the 4th wicket in ten overs before the latter was bowled off the last ball of the innings for a classy 91, which included twelve boundaries and one six. Fourteen years old Rampersaud was left unbeaten on 22, with one six. Harrinarine took 2 for 44 from his four overs while V. Sookshine bowled well to take 1 for 28 from his allotted four overs. Needing to score at just under

ten runs per over, Whim National were never in the hunt as the youthful Rose Hall Town Bakewell fielded brilliantly and their pacers being very hostile in cool overcast conditions. Anderson returned with the ball to effect the first breakthrough when he had opener N. Deonarine caught behind by Chanderpaul Govindan for nought at 3 for 1 in the second over. Former National Under-19 pacer Sylus Tyndall and West Indies Female pacer Erva Giddings then ripped the heart of Whim National team to bowl them out for 69 off 16.2 overs. Giddings took 3 for 19 (4 Overs) Tyndall 2 for 14 and Kevin Sinclair 2 for 15 as only V. Sookshine and K. Deonarine offered any resistance with 19 and ten respectively. Earlier in the day, Rose Hall Town Bakewell defeated Fyrish by 65 runs in the semifinals to reach

the final. Rose Hall Town Bakewell amassed 160 for 3 from 15-Overs with Junior Sinclair 64, Kevin Sinclair 31 and Kevlon Anderson 39 being the principal scorers. Fyrish in return were restricted to 95 for 8 with Krishna Rengasammy 15 and R. Ramcharran 26 being the principal scorers. Junior Sinclair 4 for 7 and his captain Kevin Sinclair were the destroyers with the ball. BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the tournament as a tremendous success and expressed gratitude to the Lewis’ Family for sponsoring the Tournament, which attracted large crowds to the different venues. Lindon Lewis, father of Rhonda, hailed the outstanding organising skills of the Berbice Cricket Board in organising a tournament of high standard as a tribute to his daughter who died of

cancer in 2006 at the tender age of seventeen. Lewis committed his family to sponsoring the tournament in the future once he was satisfied with the leadership of Berbice Cricket. Kevlon Anderson was named Man of the Match, Mahendra Charran “Best Fielder”, Jonathan Rampersaud “Most Discipline, Kevlon Anderson “Most Runs in the tournament, Junior Sinclair “Most Wickets in Tournament, Chanderpaul Govindan “ Wi c k e t k e e p e r ” w i t h m o s t dismissals, Kevin Sinclair “MVP of the Tournament”. Erva Giddings won the Award for being the best bowler in the finals, while the talented Anderson took home the best batsman award. The winning team and runner-up collected a trophy each along with cash prizes.

‘Execution the main focus in B’dos conditions’ says Skipper Johnson By Sean Devers in Trinidad In association with Regal, Vnet, Noble House Seafoods & Cascadia Hotel

Guyana Jaguars will play Jamaica Scorpions tomorrow in Barbados in the first semi-final of the Regional Super50 and Skipper Leon Johnson hopes to be the first Captain since Shiv Chanderpaul 13 years ago to win a 50-over title. Johnson has led Guyana to every First-Class championship since 2015 but the 31-year-old has never won a 50-over title. In 1980 in Antigua

Guyana won the first of its nine 50-over titles when Skipper Roy Fredericks’ 119 powered them to 101-run win against the Leewards. But since 2005 when Guyana, led by Shiv Chanderpaul, beat Barbados in near darkness at Bourda, Guyana have not managed to cross that final hurdle. This is Guyana’s10th semi-final since then. They have also reached the final twice (2009 & 2015) with T&T winning on both occasions. In 2015 Sunil Narine’s 69 destroyed Guyana who were bowled out for 65, their only double digit total in the

history of Regional 50-over Championships which began in 1976 as the Gillette Cup. The Jaguars failed to reach the semi-Final in the 2016 & 2017 seasons and this February, in the last tournament, were knocked out by the Windwards Volcanoes in the semi-finals. Clive Lloyd in 1983 and Roger Harper in 1993, (title was shared with the Leewards after the final was washed out at Albion) are the only Guyanese Captains to win both the First-Class and the 50-overs titles in the same year. This year Johnson will want to join Fredericks

(1980), Lloyd (1983), Milton Pydanna (1985), Harper (1993), Hooper (1998 & 2001) and Chanderpaul (2003 & 2015) as Guyana’s winning 50over Captains. “We did pretty well in the group stage to top the group that included Red Force and defending Champions Volcanoes. In the first game that we lost we were in a good position at 75-1 chasing 240. The team received a good dressing down and have been good since then,” said Johnson when asked to sum up Guyana’s showing in the (Continued on page 33)

Johnson will hope to join Lloyd & Harper and win the double this year.

Wednesday October 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Sols fuels GMRSC’s Ignite meet Sol Petroleum Group has announced its partnership with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club for the upcoming Ignite meet which is scheduled for November 10 & 11 at the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri. S O L repres entative Thandi Bryan confirmed the partnership by handing over the company’s contribution yesterday. The GMRSC, in a statement confirmed too that their partnership with the Petrol distributors represents the company’s faith in the organisation and by extension the event Ignite event which has been gaining a lot of traction. The anticipated event is expected to see the culmination of the 2018 season of the Caribbean M o t o r R a c i n g Championship for the Groups 1-5 as well as the Superstocks (bikes) and SR3 radicals along with the local classes. T h e o v e r s e a s competition will see drivers

from Barbados, Trinidad a n d To b a g o ( T & T ) , Jamaica and Canada. Among the local competitors are Mark Vieira, defending Group four champion Andrew King, Danny Persaud, Rupee Shewjattan, Rameez Mohamed, Chet Singh, Shiraz Roshandin, Matthew Vieira, Raviero Tucker, Team Mohamed’s (Superbike champions), Kevin Deodass, Anand Ramchand and Adrian Fernandes. Among the sponsors for that event are ExxonMobil, B.M. Soat, Noble House Seafoods, STAG Beer, Air Services Limited, GUYOIL, Palm Court, Hand-in-Hand, Ramada Hotel, Survival Supermarket, Club 704, S h e r i f f S e c u r i t y, E C I n v e s t m e n t s , P r e m ’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. Tickets for the packed 27-race two day meet are on sale at the cost of $2500; children $1000 at the GMR&SC’s Thomas Lands office. On Saturday there will be the time trials beginning at 10:00hrs in all the classes followed by official races in the Street Cross Motorcyle, 125cc Motorcycle, Street Tuner, Choke Starlet Cup and Sports Tuner which will be 10 laps each from 13:20hrs. The feature race on Saturday will see 20 grueling laps in the first anticipated clash in the SR3 Radicals Cup. Meanwhile on Sunday, racing fans’ hunger for scorching action will be well satisfied with a packed 19-race programme set for the November 11th.

SOL’s Thandi Bryan (left) hand over her company’s sponsorship to GMRSC’s Surica Singh during a simple presentation yesterday.

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Allie, Lall to lead CAMS team for CMRC final round

Afraz Allie’s Starlet during a victory lap.

Quinlan Lall in his Mazda Miata.

GTT National Indoor Hockey C/Ships hits off this Sunday GCC Tigers top scorer, Sonia Jardine being challenged by national and Hikers striker Nicole Eastman.

Antonio’s Hickers striker Timothy Jonas faces the GCC defence of Philip Fernandes and Devin Hooper in the Over-35 Division. 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.