Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR NEWS

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Report reveals:

ExxonMobil

Tuesday Edition

encountering

October 29, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 45

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

sizeable gas resources

Price $80

Online readership yesterday 132,966

Norton Street murder trial...

Key witness and car missing on - says way to court mom

MISSING: Collin Rodney

T&T trapped High tide hits coastal Guyana in years of declining growth Get rid of colonial era - Harvard laws Paper This yard in Mahaicony was completely covered by water

Ease of doing business...

Processing of construction permits should Body found wrapped in be done by a single entity sheet, jersey around neck

US lawsuits against ExxonMobil raise serious questions for Guyana

PAGE 02

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Securities Council warns fraudsters fleecing unsuspecting Guyanese

T

he Guyana Securities Council (GSC) has issued a warning to citizens to be on the lookout for ponzi schemes.

These are, in essence, scams where citizens are asked to invest in businesses where the returns are good to be true.

In the Sunday's editions

of Kaieteur News, the financial systems regulator in a public notice advised that Accelerated Wealth Inc., Forex Trading, Yuri GarciaDominguez and Ateeka Ishmael are not licensed by the GSC to conduct securities business in Guyana.

The parties are also barred from soliciting

investments from the public, as they have no securities registered with the GSC that can be legally offered to the public. “In addition, the GSC does not have before it any applications from entities or persons to obtain securities dealers' licences or to register any of their securities.

The Securities Industry Act 1998 requires all persons conducting securities business or investment advice business in Guyana to be licensed by the Guyana Securities Council to do so,� the notice said.

The Act also requires that securities be registered by the GSC before they can be offered to the public.

The Council asked that any person who has conducted transactions with the parties to contact them at the Bank of Guyana building, From indications, the parties alleged involved locals and Cubans and have been approaching persons to invest in businesses, which could earn then up to 40 percent in returns.

At least three persons (continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

PAGE 03

Report ExxonMobil encountering sizeable reveals: gas resources

By Kiana Wilburg

S

ignificant oil offshore Guyana is n o t a l l ExxonMobil is discovering.

The American oil giant is also uncovering sizeable gas resources. This is according to Canaccord Genuity Group, the largest independent investment dealer in Canada.

In its 2019 report, the financial services firm said that gas resources being encountered by ExxonMobil are estimated at more than three trillion cubic feet in size.

The group said that while the super major and its partners are planning to develop the oil resources, there has been no clear plan a s y e t o n t h e commercialisation of gas in the near term.

For the time being, the gas found is being injected back into the reservoir rocks.

Additionally, Canaccord

said that the attractive economics of developing the oil resources offshore Guyana are much more superior to the current economics of producing the gas. It said, therefore, that companies encountering natural gas resources without the oil will be faced w i t h a l a c k o f commercialization options for the gas, thus having to declare their discoveries non-commercial.

Canaccord also noted Guyana's long history of oil and gas exploration dates back to the 1750s when Dutch explorers mapping the area observed traces of petroleum.

But it was not until 1916 that first attempts to recover oil and gas were made. In this regard, Canaccord said that three wells were drilled in the Waini area of the North West District by Nelson Cannon, recording gas and pitch in one of the wells.

In 1926, one well was

drilled on the West Coast of Berbice at the Bath Sugar Estate, recovering gas that was utilised for decades for domestic purposes.

Kaieteur News understands that the Rose Hall-1 well drilled in 1941, Drill-1 (by Shell) in 1967 and Karanambo1 (by Home Oil) in 1982 all had oil shows.

However, robust efforts to locate petroleum deposits offshore actually commenced in 1958, when California Oil Company conducted first seismic surveys, followed by several other companies, which resulted in licenses being awarded.

Canaccord Genuity said that companies active in the area at the time included Conoco, Comoro, Deminex, Oxoco, Shell and Tenneco. It noted that drilling activity peaked in the late 1960s and tapered off in the mid-1970s.

This newspaper understands that nine wells were drilled

during this time, but only one of them encountered hydrocarbons.

Canaccord further stated that Shell's Abary-1 well, drilled in 1975 on what is now Repsol's Kanuku Block, had oil and gas shows starting at a depth of 2,978

m. It noted that the well also demonstrated the presence of moveable hydrocarbons and a good seal.

Over the following two decades, ExxonMobil, Total, Guyana Exploration and BHP continued exploration efforts, with no notable

discoveries.

This trend changed however in 2015 when ExxonMobil struck oil in the Stabroek Block.

To date, it has made 14 discoveries, which hold over 6.6 billion barrels oil and gas resources.

Team Guyana Robotics wins Albert Einstein gold medal - ranked 39 out of 190 countries at First Global Challenges

Some of the participants who represented Guyana at the First Global Challenges in Dubai “The experience I had this year at the competition was an amazing one, from the beginning right up to the end,” a participant who represented Guyana at the First Global Robotics Challenges, in Dubai shared.

After three days of the tournament, team Guyana came out successful on Saturday with six wins and

three losses. Guyana is said to be amongst the best 25% teams in the world rankings.

Te a m G u y a n a w a s ranked at 39th out of 190 countries, which was a part of the First Global competition and also received a gold medal-- the Albert Einstein Award.

This award is for the robot, which performed the

best during the tournament.

It illustrates all the beliefs of the First Global Robotics Community.

Eight Guyanese travelled to Dubai for the tournament- Arriana Mahase, Michael Sampson, Shamar Stewart, Sahief Poese, Maryam Bacchus, Joshua Reese, Daniel Eastman and Kyle Dos Santos.

Poese shared that they faced some difficulties at first with the robot reaching to Dubai the night before the first day of competition but when it arrived, they put in the time and did some last minute adjustments on their robot.

“People didn't know our motors broke once and the server the other time during a game, since we played through it and acted as if nothing was wrong. We showed professionalism; either we win or lose,” Poese

added.

The team didn't face any other mechanical difficulties with the robot since it worked as it should after the two system failures.

Another participant Sampson said, “We had sleepless nights together building the robot as a team.

We faced a few other challenges but overcame them during the competition preparation.”

Sampson added that even though the competition was fun, the experience he had in

Dubai meeting other people and making friends from various countries and even competing with some recognised countries was superlative.

The team shared that the members are extremely happy and grateful for the experience to be able to represent Guyana at a Global level and to do such an amazing job.

They added that they would like to thank their sponsors, family and friends who encouraged them.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The borders are closing Mexico pulled the trigger. Why play games with the devil?

Thus, a planeload of 300 Indians was returned to New Delhi. It was in one supercharged swoop to avoid US sanctions. There would be no tempting of fate through attracting the ire of Washington, DC. In the European Union, there is that same kind of stirrings from the voters, with some corresponding tightening compelled.

Previously liberal regimes and policies are now subject to varying degrees of pressure and calls for change ringing insistently. Too many immigrants. There is too much crime. There is too much stress on social services.

And, of course, there is the ever-present threat of lurking terroristic dangers. Unuttered was the complexion and national origins of a rising number of those coming to live in the midst.

Leaders, who were earlier broad-minded, have learned to cut their losses, slow down the waves of foreigners stepping ashore from trains, boats and planes. It is in this increasingly heated climate that far right political groups have gained strength in several European nations by their calls for a limiting of immigration numbers. That is the ticket, the now proven unbeatable trump card, that resonates with resentful native-born, who feel increasingly overwhelmed.

In Great Britain, one of the swirling undercurrents of the Brexit developments was the tide of discomfort over the presence of so many people speaking so many strange tongues, and who clog up neighbourhoods, dilute culture, and upend storied history.

The clamours were heard from citizens looking to draw the line somewhere and the sooner the better.

In all of these places, there is sharp concern, hard sentiment and, at times, settled anger at swelling immigrant populations.

There are the usual bogeymen of jobs, congested neighbourhoods, crowded schools, and all the timeless local passions that emerge usually due to one of two developments.

The first is that nobody pays much attention, or harbour great animosities when the economic times are good. On the other hand, when things get tight, then ugliness rears its nasty, mean-spirited head. Get rid of them! Too many of them! Send them back to where they came from. This gains traction.

Second, when aspiring political players sense an opening in immigration thinking, they drive a truck through it. They are known to capitalise by playing to the worst fears. No trick is too dirty. No extreme is too extreme. Some succeed through resorting to such unsavory subterfuges to incite hatreds, fear of crime, and still other conveniences.

Right here in Guyana, the concerns are intensifying, though still managed and somewhat muted. There are three areas of keen interest. There is the still roiling milieu of Haitians and why they are really here, wherever they are, and however accounted for officially.

Haitians have been effortlessly drummed up to unleash Guyanese ethnic suspicions. The alarming and unnerving have fallen into place almost reflexively, since the worst of speculations have been tabled. Meaning that these Caricom travellers are being misused for elections purposes, underhanded purposes.

Next, in view of the tremendous, ongoing unrest in Venezuela, besieged citizens-many times hungry, fearful, and hopeless--search desperately for the sanctuary provided by escape lanes. One of the routes offering relief is Guyana. Though the precise number of Venezuelans in Guyana is still up in the air, several thousands have found refuge here, and with several more poised to come. In a country within touching distance of its own oil fables, but currently a place where a job is a gem, this poses a dilemma: how much is too much?

Then, there is the occasional jostling over the Trinidadian commercial presence in Guyana. It is neither invisible nor insignificant. Among the complaints are: it is a one-way street that benefits the incoming only. Such are the circumstances that foster flaring discontents and more strident resistances to even scanty foreign presences.

As all this is considered, one question is spotlighted: is this the beginning of the end of globalisation and the utopia about borderless, passport-less, faceless travel?

A feeling of guilt should never be the basis of an exercise of presidential power DEAR EDITOR, Recently, a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was ordered by the caretaker President Granger for the vehicular collision which occurred on the East Bank of Demerara two (2) weeks ago where five (5) persons were killed, three (3) of whom were members of the Disciplined Services.

Over the last four and a half (4.5) years, over five hundred (500) Guyanese were killed as a result of road accidents and that is a huge loss for us as a nation. The state of Guyana spends and invests many millions of dollars on every single Guyanese life whether directly or indirectly through government spending on education, health, roads, drainage, sea defences, infrastructure, security and a range of other social services.

Yet, for four and a half (4.5)

years, road accidents and fatalities have been an invisible issue for Granger until this collision when he ordered a CoI. While Granger may feel some degree of personal responsibility because it is reported that the speeding police car which was involved in the collision was heading to where Granger resides in the village of Pearl on the East Bank to escort him back to Georgetown, a feeling of responsibility or guilt should never be the basis of an exercise of presidential power.

If a CoI was ordered, it should have been ordered on all road fatalities with a specific objective of reducing significantly road accidents and fatalities and not just this collision.

In addition, it was also reported that Granger visited the families of the victims

following the East Bank Collision. This would have been the first time that it was reported that Granger would have visited the families of the victims of any vehicular accident in the last four and a half (4.5) years. When you hold the post of president, you are responsible for the welfare and well-being of all nationals. Again, while Granger may feel some degree of personal responsibility for the deaths of these five (5) persons, there were over five hundred (500) road fatalities in the last four and half (4.5) years and their grieving families would have never received a visit from Granger.

Those victims matter too so a feeling of responsibility or guilt should not be the basis for a presidential visit.

Finally, Granger’s request for a CoI into this vehicular collusion is entirely

inconsistent with his previous position when a far more harrowing incident occurred almost four (4) years ago when three (3) persons were killed in a high-speed car chase driven by two soldiers in pursuit of ordinary citizens, one of whom happened to be my wife. The position taken

by Granger immediately after the accident was that “it was a legitimate state operation” and “there is no need for a probe”. A high-speed car chase of innocent citizens by un-uniformed soldiers in unidentified vehicles, which saw the death of three (3) persons, one of whom was an innocent civilian, deserved at least an investigation let alone a CoI. Sincerely, Charles S. Ramson Attorney-at-law Former Member of Parliament

APNU+AFC’S TOTAL NEGLIGENCE SUFFERING REGION 5 FARMERS THREATENED WITH POVERTY DEAR EDITOR, Just as the residents and farmers of Region 5 in the Dantzig-Columbia feared, the high tides this past week brought another round of flooding and more destruction of crops and loss of livestock. This is the latest round of flooding, that has become a fact of life for over a year now. Every high tide now brings new flooding and more agony for farmers and the residents between the Mahaica River and the Mahaicony River, stretching between Dantzig and Fairfield. Even as the threats intensify and reach crisis proportion, the project that started in 2014/2015 to construct new sea defence in the area is still stalled, nothing done since 2015. The most that the APNU+AFC government can speak of is they had mobilised BK, A&S and M&B Construction, but no meaningful work has been done.

As the new set of high tides come, fearful Region 5 farmers, especially those in the Dantzig-Columbia areas, including villages like Cottage, Broom Hall, are bracing for more agony. Even as these new floods bring more sufferings, the farmers are still suffering from the devastation of the last set of high tides several weeks ago.

With 3,000 of acres (at least 300 acres of rice land) still inundated with salt water or cannot be used for another two years because of salt-

water destruction from the last flood a few weeks ago, these new floods add to the devastation.

Crops, including rice and cash crops, and cattle and other livestock have been lost and more will now be lost. In addition, the new floods add to the threat that some of the salt-water-laden land will not be available for another two years because of the prolong salt-water inundation. As more than 150 farmers and their families suffer more saltwater inundation this week, they are still waiting for government to demonstrate any meaningful concern. In the meanwhile, with the newest floods, there are more jeopardy for hundreds of other farmers and more than 15,000 acres inland.

The pleas of the farmers and their families have fallen on deaf ears. The advocacy of the Regional Chairman and the RDC have been ignored.

The PPP Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali and the PPP’s General Secretary and other leaders have visited and have urged government to help. But the government has been AWOL, MIA, missing in action. Except for some cursory interest, the problems these farmers faced have been mostly neglected by government officials. Noel Holder steers far away from these genuinely devastating problems farmers face. The illegal Minister of Infrastructure has been busy telling people about the many

failures and the dozens of empty promises they have made to people. David Granger, Moses Nagamootoo and the rest of APNU+AFC show no sign they are even aware.

For the last year, high tide after high tide have caused major flooding in the DantzigColumbia area. More than a year ago, the Regional Chairman, Region 5 advised sea defence in the Ministry of Infrastructure that the sea defence structures in the area are in disrepair and, unless immediate remedial action are initiated, it will crumble. Just before local government elections in November 2018, residents and farmers from the area publicly expressed concern. Before that the Region 5 RDC, through its Chairman, appealed for help, cautioning that farmers would lose their livelihood if immediate action was not taken. The appeals from the residents, farmers, from the RDC and from the General Secretary and other leaders of the PPP went unheeded. The negligence now necessitate major investment in the sea defence for this area, an investment that appears far in the future, when it would be too late to prevent major poverty in this area and by which time, valuable arable land would be lost.

After the last set of flooding a few weeks ago, flooding that still persist for most of the areas, north of the Highway, the Ministry of

Infrastructure, shamed into a late and feeble response, started to construct a temporary inland dam to bring some relief to residents from future inundation. The newest floods in the past few days have proven that this late, hasty and “unfit and improper” action can neither bring relief for the residents nor will it prevent further flooding for hundreds of acres of farmland north of the highway. In addition, farmlands inland, south of the highway, are also threatened because of salt-water encroachment into the inland canals.

Because of the porous, collapsing sea defence, salt water keeps encroaching into the canals, making its way into and affecting farmlands far inland. While about 3,000 acres of arable land north of the highway are directly affected by floodwaters every time high tides come, another 15,000 acres are threatened because this floodwater enters and bring salt water into the Bellamy Canal, which distributes it through the north-south drainage canals into farm areas far away from the sea defence. In addition, the saltwater spills from drainage structures into irrigation structures. The salt water does not only cause immediate losses of crops and livestock, affecting the earnings of families and threatening greater poverty in (Continued on page 6)

Tuesday October 29, 2019

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Road carnage – Annihilation by any other name DEAR EDITOR, The bloodshed on the roads amounts to murder.

Figures do not tell the whole story.

The Oxford lexicon defines accident thus: “an event that is without apparent cause” or as “an occurrence of things by chance”. With the number of road fatalities over the past few months, I strongly submit that a miniscule percentage to none would correctly fit the definition of “accident”.

Once again, in Guyana road accidents have taken pride of place as the leading cause of deaths. In fact, it is apparent that Guyanese have become so naturalised by road accidents, that they are no longer moved by newspaper pictures of the dead victims. Additionally, the ubiquity of the fatalities has numbed hearts into covering and sugar coating every event with, “May their souls REST IN PEACE”.

Yet lives are lost unnecessarily to terrible roads, unsafe driving and unsafe drivers displaying gross indiscipline. On a serious note, what does ‘Rest In Peace’ do for grieving families? RIP has never bought a casket, nor was it ever life insurance to cater for the loved ones left behind.

If we choose not to do something, and labour under the belief that “RIP” passed around for a day or two is adequate, sadly we shall

perish…one by one. While we cannot prevent all accidents from occurring); nevertheless, the majority of accidents is no accident but sheer murder with a capital M. Surely Mr. Isles you would not want to rest in peace, if all that you desired was to travel from point A to point B and somewhere along your journey, someone cuts your journey short due to bad driving attitude, dimly lit roads, unfit vehicles and an insouciant neglect of regulation by government. In the cases of minibuses, the compulsion to maximize on daily passengers (targets) is a crucial factor that needs to be addressed forthwith. The fact can neither be overlooked nor downplayed that the transport industry plays an important role in the wellbeing of society and the economy of Guyana.

Furthermore, safety features should be an integral feature of all newly built infrastructure.

We all have a moral responsibility to seriously address this issue as a matter of the utmost priority and Government must show leadership. Taking such into consideration how long will the nation continue to mourn before the President, Crime Chief, Chief Magistrate, Minister of Transport, Minister of Public Infrastructure, and Traffic Chief Superintendent

collaboratively take a minute to think and address the root cause of the problem? Has it now become the norm in Guyana to be regularly burying people who have died as a result of road accidents?

A noteworthy fact and one to be factored in is that the enforcement of traffic laws in Guyana has not been satisfactory because of bribery, and corruption, at the level of the long arm of the law. Traffic offenders at the scene of a traffic offence are given a choice of resolution either —the cop’s pocket or the court docket? With the worrying statistics of road deaths and injuries every day, how do we make sure that we change our attitudes towards safe behaviour on our roads and operating safe vehicles?

As a country, the avoidable carnage on the roads could be controlled by adopting best practices of enforcing traffic laws on passenger seating regulation, seatbelt, drunk-driving, speeding and motorcycle helmeting. In addition, unworthy vehicles should be eradicated from the roads and pressure placed on the judicial system for vehicular-related offences.

Greater emphasis must also be placed on road-safety communication, education and enforcement. Some of these anomalies are easy to fix. However, on that note I hereby beseech my fellow Guyanese to demand good

There is widespread poverty in the world and Guyana is no exception DEAR EDITOR, Recent developments in Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile have demonstrated that the working class is not prepared to sit idly by and allow government to impose policies and programmes that impact adversely on their living standards.

In the case of Chile, over one million people participated in a mass rally to protest against increases in transportation costs. This caused President Sebastian Pinera to act swiftly in his attempt to change a number of anti-working class policies and increase pensions. He also changed several government ministers in an attempt to appease the tense political situation that has developed over the past weeks.

Chile has had a chequered political past interspersed between military and civilian rule. The assassination of the democratically elected leftist leader Salvador Allende in 1973 by the military has left a bitter taste in the mouths of a significant number of Chileans. In a twist of political fortunes, several of the leading players in the coup that ousted the Allende government were jailed including the ringleader and military strongman General Agusto Pinochet who eventually died whilst still on trial for human rights

violations and other criminal activities.

People everywhere are standing up and letting their voices heard against economic injustice and social inequity. Despite significant advances in labour productivity, the gap in living standards between the haves (Continued on page 6)

roads, well-lit highways, enforceable traffic rules and regulations and a full redress of corruption. There needs to be basic traffic education commencing in primary schools, coupled with intensified road safety awareness and public education across the length and breadth of the country.

The establishment of an awareness of the inherent dangers of moving vehicles and educating youngsters in being able to judge distance and speed will go a long way towards reducing the huge numbers of pedestrians killed each year.

Guyanese should also appreciate the fact that the majority, if not all, of the reckless driving taking place is a replay or a vicarious replay of the greedy culture in which most Guyanese were brought up and currently dwell in. Everyone is always in a hurry to make a quick buck. From this point of view, the current recklessness of many road users and drivers can be explained. Your typical minibus/taxi driver is only interested in doubling or tripling a normal day’s earnings regardless of the cost to lives of his passengers.

All of this takes place in total oblivion of the fundamentals. Then again, the problem with the legal system is not the lack of laws, but instead it is the enforcement of such laws that is terribly lacking. Do the courts impose fitting prison sentences for reckless and negligent drivers? Has the efforts to improve road safety reached their levels of effectiveness.

As for the Trail of Death, the nomenclature for the 45mile uninterrupted stretch of bituminous road called the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, or should that be termed Dieway, in view of the number of deaths that have occurred.

I recommend that it be among the initial areas of road safety change. Completion of construction of the road took

place in 1969, with rehabilitation taking place during 1997-1999. No other major repairs have been done since then.

Currently both drivers and regional authorities have described the highway as deplorable and in dire need of repairs. Several structural faults, indentations and eroded sections can be seen on the highway, and passengers have claimed that only drivers who are familiar with the faults can drive smoothly and safely on the highway. Trucks have also been contributory to the spiraling road deaths on the highway, which has seen as many as six dead on the spot.

To date, the road safety measures in Guyana suggests that the country need to do some serious catching up on many fronts. Several weeks ago, I travelled on the said highway, and at times felt as if I was an onlooker on the South Dakota Circuit, except I was unable to name the driver. On my return from Linden in the evening, although only a passenger I was extremely apprehensive, as along the way the fog played havoc with visibility.

Lights, markings and road signage are certainly needed on this thoroughfare, as in some cases the bends and curves brought about swerves that made it impossible to maintain the correct lane. The tollbooths should be restored, with drivers facing a penalty if their toll ticket pick up receipt time reflects incongruence with payment time, thereby showing that speeding, or

non-conformity with the speed limit certainly took place between departure at Point A and arrival at Point B. The ‘E’ Division Mobile Police outpost situated on the Highway in the vicinity of Bamia should be strengthened. The post is in operation for 24 hours daily with the ranks engaging in traffic patrols during the day.

The primary stated purpose is to monitor criminal elements entering Linden, and also making it difficult or impossible for suspects to escape. Fair and fine, but the ranks can start giving the drivers a fright at night by carrying out radar ( Radio Detection and Ranging) or Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) patrols. Speeding drivers are also criminal suspects that should be nabbed before they commit vehicular homicide. This begs the following questions: Are traffic officers, police and other law enforcement agencies doing enough to end the road carnage?

The message is crystal clear. Speed kills skills. The time has come for all aforementioned authorities to come together, making visibly collective and cooperative renewed efforts to turn the tide in favour of stemming the flow of vehicular homicide.

The Government of Guyana may find itself being named as mise en cause (party of interest) or complicit to annihilation if they fail to effectively respond and put in place immediate measures aimed at halting road carnage Yvonne Sam

Blueprint being rolled out as launch pad DEAR EDITOR, The blueprint/master plan was not rolled out while at the helm of the beleaguered company.

Now it is being rolled out as a launch pad.

Are we to wonder and conclude that interest in the 2020 political fray was contemplated even back then?

Shamshun Mohamed

PAGE 6

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

No Judicial Service Commission since 2017: the crisis deepens DEAR EDITOR, Like in every other Constitution in the Englishspeaking Commonwealth, embedded in the Guyana Constitution, is a series of checks and balances, whose functions are to minimize abuse of power, ensconce the doctrine of Separation of Powers and to promote a democratic ethos so necessary for the promotion of good and accountable governance and the Rule of Law. Among this array, are the service commissions. They are created by the Constitution itself and their role and functions are the subject of express provisions, which are deeply entrenched.

In the case of Thomas v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, 32WIR 375, Lord Diplock, summarised the functional responsibilities of

these Commissions, as follows: “The purpose of these Commissions is to insulate their members from political influence exercised directly upon them by the Government of the day. The means adopted for doing this is vest in autonomous commissions, to the exclusion of any other person or authority, power to make appointments to the relevant service, promotions and transfers within service and power to remove and exercise disciplinary control over members of the service.

The members of the commissions are independent and faithfully exercise their duties with fairness and impartiality and without fear and favour. In the exercise of its functions a commission is not subject to the direction and control of

any person and authority.”

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is one of such Commissions. This Commission is created by Article 134 of the Constitution. Its composition is set out in Article 198. It compromises of the Chancellor, who is the Chairman, the Chief Justice and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The other members are – (a) one from among persons who hold or have held the office of a Judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters, in some part of the Commonwealth or a Court having jurisdiction in appeals from such Court, after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition; and (b) not less than one and more than two, from among

There is widespread poverty in the...

From page 5 and the have-nots continue to widen. It is indeed a shame that nearly one billion of the world’s population continue to exist on a daily income of less than US$2 per day.

There is widespread poverty in the world and Guyana is no exception.

Despite an abundance of

natural and mineral resources, we are still ranked among the poorest countries in the western hemisphere.

We now have an opportunity to correct this poverty syndrome, which have characterised our existence over the decades.

I am in support of direct cash transfers to the poor and

the vulnerable.

My view is that a significant part of the oil revenues should be used to lift the bottom of the income structure and to subsidize the cost of fuel and other items that impact directly on the poor such as electricity and water.

Hydar Ally

APNU+AFC’S TOTAL NEGLIGENCE...

From page 4 the area, but already close to 1,000 acres of land are not usable for the next two years and thousands more are threatened with being permanently lost for agriculture, unless, somebody does something. Sadly, APNU+AFC does not seem interested because they figure there is no vote to be earned.

This stretch of sea defence has been vulnerable for decades. Before 2015, the MMA, the NDIA and the Sea Defence Department in the Ministry of Infrastructure collaborated ensuring the integrity of the sea defence. The MMA, in collaboration with Sea Defence, for many years maintained the northern dam of the Bellamy Canal and, in 2013/2014, buttressed the dam between the Mahaicony River on the east and Springhall in the west. The Ministry of Agriculture’s Mangrove Extension Department expanded and strengthened mangrove defence between 2011 and 2015 and the Ministry of Works (Infrastructure) began building supplemental defence by armouring the sea defence dam with boulders. But since 2015, much of the efforts have stalled. The mangrove programme in this area was discontinued, the existing

mangrove, in fact, appears to have been destroyed. The boulder armouring of the dam

by Infrastructure stopped soon after the May 2015. The collaboration of the MMA, with NDIA and the Ministry of Infrastructure is now non-existent, leading to no maintenance of the Bellamy Canal dam.

This negligence and disinterest by APNU+AFC in the problems posed by the sea for farmers in the Dantzig-Columbia area is just the latest example of the disrespect APNU+AFC has shown for farmers and for agriculture since May 2015. More flooding are inevitable as the collapsing sea defence in the Dantzig-Columbia areas gets worse from APNU+AFC’s neglect and disinterest.

Farmers’ losses are now moving from existing crops and livestock to permanent losses of their farmlands, losses of livelihoods and more people becoming impoverished. In the midst of this injustice, David Granger is now promising that agriculture is the future for Guyana. These empty, shameful promises fooled many people in 2015. In 2020, these empty promises have a light shining on them and no one will fall for the lies.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

persons who are Attorneysat-Law, not in active practice, nominated by the National Assembly, after it has consulted such bodies as appear to it to represent Attorneys-at-law. Each member is appointed by the President. The tenure of each appointed member is for three years.

The functions of the JSC are set out in Article 199 of the Constitution. It has the power to make appointments to, to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in the following offices – Commissioner of Title, Magistrate, Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar of the High Court, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Registrar of Deeds and Deputy Registrar of Deeds and to such offices connected with the Courts or for appointment to which legal qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament.

The forgoing perambulation is intended to illustrate the fundamental importance of a functional JSC to the democratic architecture of, and the administration of justice in, Guyana.

The last JSC was

appointed by President Donald Ramotar on the 11th day of September 2014. The tenure of this Commission, therefore, expired on the 12th day of September 2017 – over two years ago. No person has been appointed to the JSC since. So, since September 2019, none of the fundamental functional responsibilities, which devolve upon the JSC as outlined above, have been perform.

Despite the rantings of the Government and its apologists, there is no doubt that the life of the Executive, itself, expired on the 18th September 2019, consequent upon the passage of a NoConfidence Motion in the National Assembly on the 21st December 2018. It is equally clear that the Eleventh Parliament of Guyana has suffered the same fate. With an unconstitutional Executive, occupying the seat of Government by imposition, along with a Parliament whose tenure has expired, a JSC cannot be appointed until after the elections, as the Constitution requires the appointments to be made by the President with an input from the National Assembly.

However, by virtue of the very Constitution, there is no President, neither is there a

National Assembly.

The Coalition Government has once again etched its name in the annals of notoriety, as being the only Government in the Englishspeaking Caribbean that served more than half of its legal term in Office, without appointing a JSC, when required to do so by the Constitution.

A clinical constitutional analysis of the governmental structure that currently exists in Guyana, leads to this ineluctable conclusion: there is no lawful Executive, nor Legislature; the only branch of Government which obtains is a Judiciary, which is presided over by an acting Chancellor and an acting Chief Justice, discharging the functions of those two Offices without the support, oversight or disciplinary powers of a JSC. Those who still yet refuse to recognise the constitutional crisis in which Guyana is engulfed, remind me of those subjects blinded by psychopathic loyalty, who refused to see the stark nakedness of the vain Emperor showing off his “new clothes” in that ancient Danish fable.

Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP, Attorney-at-Law

A dangerous perversion DEAR EDITOR, Kindly allow this poor man to express his thoughts, which has inundated his thinking for a season. Since the beginning of civilisation some men have always been perverse one way or another; some abnormal or unnatural behaviour pattern in human thinking follows them throughout their entire lifetime.

It is with a deep concern for this Nation – The Cooperative Republic of Guyana, which I attempt to alert this beautiful nation that God has enrich us in so many ways. Our human resource is the most valuable asset given to us since the time of the first Executive President, LFS Burnham.

Our full potential as a nation was never attained, because of our wrong thinking. Distorted and weird thinking has dealt us a serious blow throughout our history.

Now, in this dispensation of time and season I have observed that since the introduction of licensed gambling sometime in 2014 [especially Casino gambling, horserace, lotto, lucky three, match 5 plus bonus, lottery, football and cricket], there has been a serious downside to life’s value. Life is no more measured in moral and

spiritual equations. Rather the balance measured in life is gambling. Which is regarded as a dangerous perversion. A perversion so deeply rooted in our culture and DNA it has become chronic. Editor, I recalled not so long ago a compulsive gambler’s house and land was the stakes used, and when the winner showed up to possess the property, his wife was dumb-founded, only to know that this husband, father and friend of gamblers used the property as stakes in a gambling exercise. The trauma of this event was unbearable.

I dare say that some time ago the Government of the day gambled away the senior citizens’ pension in highly risky transaction [NIS] thus causing a chain reaction within those investments.

Editor, I can say much more on this issue of gambling, especially compulsive gambling among business oriented men and women within this nation.

The strong pull and influence of gambling is so stubborn that a multitude of fathers and mothers flock these gambling houses daily to do their thing, so to speak, thus leaving hungry children and others with no hope in life.

This practice has left

many generations without a destiny.

Editor, if the parents of recent graduates of the very eminent and prestigious Law School in Trinidad and Tobago – Chevy Devonish, Frances Carryl, Kristal Abrams Anansa Swain and Michael Monroe, all Guyanese were gamblers, these would have been offcourse; destiny would have been lost; stability would be improbable; opportunity would have been wasted.

The course of one’s life and destiny could be seriously affected if gambling becomes a chronic disorder in the mental makeup of many of our most previous asset – human resource.

We need them more than ever before to manage our wealth, as we enter the year 2020. Again, if I may make an analogy, the government of the day brought on an initiative to decree a 2:00am curfew on nightclubs and bars. Can the government do something to curb the culture of gambling in the country? I trust that they have a plan.

Finally, if nothing is done within a short period of time the church may very well help equip itself to deal with this most dangerous perversion.

Respectfully, Apostle Vanrick Beresford

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 07

US lawsuits against ExxonMobil raise serious questions for Guyana

By Kemol King

E

xxonMobil has been alleged to have facilitated a wide-ranging deception in a landmark lawsuit brought against it by the State of New York. The company stands accused of misrepresenting the effect climate change would have on the cost of its operations.

It was also sued by the State of Massachusetts for allegedly hiding its early knowledge of the climate crisis from the general public, and misleading its Massachusetts investors about the future financial impact of global warming, two days after the trial started on similar claims in New York. The suits raise major questions for a country like Guyana, as the country is about to become a major oil producing nation, with Exxon at the helm of the budding sector.

The most daunting of those questions is – If Exxon is willing to lie to its own investors, what would it lie about to a country like Guyana, which is severely underprepared to bring the oil giant to heel?

This concern was raised

by Canada-based engineer and member of the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN), Darshanand Khusial.

In a letter published in Sunday's Kaieteur News, Khusial wrote about the New York lawsuit. “Exxon is accused of cooking the books.

One set of accounting records for shareholders (investors) and another for its management,” he said, noting that the multinational's alleged lies

could cost its shareholders up to $1.6B. Simply put, ExxonMobil devised for its investors a tool to take into account the social, ecological and economic costs of its GHG emissions, but the lawsuit claims that the oil company did not follow the system through.

The New York Attorney General's summons states that the primary drafters of the allegedly falsified reports included a series of high level managers, including Exxon's then Chief Executive Officer.

Khusial reasoned “…When the CEO of one of the largest companies in the world is accused of knowing employees were keeping double books, then you have to question the integrity of the entire Exxon culture.”

This is especially worrying, according to Khusial, since the top priority of the managers of Exxon is to make good on its returnstoitsshareholders.

A c c o r d i n g t o Bloomberg, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who is seeking unspecified monetary damages, said ExxonMobil forecast troubling levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as early as 1982 and hid it from the public.

Bloomberg also reported that the complaint states, among other infractions, that Exxon even disregarded findings of one of its own scientists, who decades ago correctly predicted the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in 2019 and said that climate change w o u l d b e c o m e “catastrophic.”

The Massachusetts

Climate activists rallying outside of the ExxonMobil trial in New York. (Angela Weiss / Getty Images)

Attorney General said that ExxonMobil refused to cooperate with the investigation, so her office got its information from banks, advertising agencies, New York's investigation and other sources. Healey said that Exxon put up several obstacles, including an attempt to depose her, and a lawsuit alleging the probe was politicallymotivated.

Khusial suggested that Attorney-at-law Christopher Ram's analysis of Exxon's pre-contract costs for the Stabroek Block – which found the first invoice of US$960M to be overstated by US$92M – could have been bolstered to uncover even more misrepresentations if he were backed by a team of 700 lawyers, as the State of New York has as its disposal, to sort through millions of pages of documents.

That also, said Khusial, raises a question about whether the UK firm, IHS Markit Limited, which has been recruited by the Energy

Department to audit Exxon's stated investments, would have the similar access to document as New York to perform a reasonable analysis. Another question Khusial raised is whether a provision in the Stabroek Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) would allow the oil major even more free reign to hide something from Guyana.

That provision states “The Minister, through duly appointed representatives, u p on p r o v i d i n g t h e contractor with at least seven (7) days' notice, shall be entitled to observe the Petroleum Operations conducted by the Contractor …”

“Why would the Guyana government agree to those terms? Do auditors from the

Government of Guyana give seven-day notice before showing up to inspect sugar and rice factories?” Khusial asked.

He further said that there is irony in ExxonMobil, which waxes about the s a n c t i ty o f c o n t r a c t s , allegedly conducting serious securities fraud in the context of its fiduciary duty to its shareholders.

Khusial said that it is important to contemplate the gravity of the situation of a State as populous and as powerful as New York – or Massachusetts – takes one of the company's largest companies to court.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday October 29, 2019

President Granger not pleased with corruption court cases being thrown out I

By Trishan Craig

n a podcast hosted by journalist Gordon Moseley, President David Granger was asked for his view on corruption cases making it to the courts and being thrown out for simple reasons. The President said that he is not pleased.

The question was based on the failure of Special P r o s e c u t o r, L a w r e n c e Harris, to turn up at court in relation to the charges against the six former highranking officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

These officials were slapped with fraud-related charges for failing to make a proper entry into a register of a company with the intent to defraud $362M from the entity's Republic Bank account.

Moseley started by reminding the President of the Coalition Government's promise to weed out corruption on taking up office.

The President stated, “I am against corruption, p e r s o n a l l y, a n d I a m confident that my government is against corruption… I am not happy to see that but it could be a fault of the prosecutor of which I don't know the reason for being absent.”

“Some investigators might be delinquent in the taking of evidence and a bad case is taken to the court and that case is being thrown out.”

Moreover, President Granger said that despite the establishment of the States Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), they have been experiencing some difficulties in investigations and in finding evidence.

President David Granger He added that naturally, criminals do not leave evidence lying about.

Documents are destroyed and files are removed.

Persons who were complicit in crimes concealed evidence or refused to testify.

President Granger said that this has not happened only in government matters but also in matters involving persons of the military force.

“There is no point trying to suspend, dismiss or interdict officers without evidence. We have had some successes and some persons have resigned.

Once re-elected in the upcoming elections, the President stated that his government will continue to press for better investigative tools to ensure persons are placed before the courts and prosecuted.

“There is no point in rushing the court because then persons are able to escape because of poor collection of evidence or the file has disappeared. It is possible that some of the cases are not well prepared and we must do better in that regard.”

He said that if there is a very junior prosecutor

coming out from the police force that individual must be properly trained and the relevant agencies should employ the best persons to be police legal advisers and prosecutors.

In the case of military personnel going rogue, the President indicated that they will be punished in accordance with the Defence Act. The corruption case that was thrown out by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly after the special prosecutor failed to turn up to court, involved former GRDB General Manager, Jagnarine Singh; former Deputy General Manager, Madanlall Ramraj; General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association ( R PA ) , D h a r a m k u m a r Seeraj; former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall; former General Manager of the Guyana Oil Company, Badrie Persaud, and the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance), Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine.

The charges alleged that between January 1 and December 31, 2012, with intent to defraud, they omitted or concurred to be omitted $77.3M from the general ledger of the GRDB's Republic Bank account.

S i m i l a r l y, b e t w e e n January 1 and December 31 of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 with intent to defraud the entity, they omitted or concurred to be omitted from the said Republic Bank account, $9.7M, $130M and $145M for the three respective years. They all had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In August 2019, following the dismissal of the first charge against the officials, the defence counsel had asked for the other charges to also be dismissed.

The charge had alleged that in 2011 at 166 -177 Cowan Street, Kingston, Georgetown, they omitted to enter some $52M in the GRDB ledger.

Special Prosecutor Harris, who is working for

SOCU, was given time to be briefed by SOCU and report to the court whether they are proceeding with the charges or withdrawing them against the defendants.

The Special Prosecutor failed to return to the court and an order was made by the magistrate for a court notice to be sent to him.

On October 2, last, which was the adjournment date after the court notice, the prosecutor did show up, h o w e v e r, h i s r e p o r t remained the same – that he had to be briefed by SOCU. Another adjournment was given and again the prosecutor did not show up.

According to information, the prosecutor did not show up on three different occasions and the defence counsel kept fighting for a dismissal of the charges.

Magistrate Daly later upheld their fight and dismissed the charges against the officials.

GRDB is the authority charged with overseeing the rice industry throughout the country. Upon entering

Government in May 2015, the David Granger-led administration immediately ordered a number of forensic audits to determine the health of the state agencies.

With regards to the GRDB report, it was noted that over a three to four-year period, more than US$500M from the PetroCaribe proceeds (Venezuela ricefor-oil deal) would have passed through the accounts of the entity.

Among some of the “anomalies” found were loans without proper paperwork or promissory notes. There were other instances of persons in the agency using GRDB's money to trade in foreign currency.

The losses for the Government would have been significant, especially if the money was traded for less than it should have been.

The Auditor General and the forensic audit reports all pointed to severe deficiencies in the manner the monies of the state have been handled by the entities.

Guinness Bar destroyed by fire, neighbours save landlady

D

ianne Adolphus was in her house w i t h h e r daughter and other family members when a fire erupted in the bottom flat of her twostorey property at 19:00hrs.

The bottom flat of the property is home to the popular Guinness Bar located on Joseph Pollydore Street, Georgetown.

A c c o r d i n g t o neighbours, it appeared that Dianne was unaware that her home was on fire, so they rushed out of their houses to alert her to what was taking place. While alerting her, they called the Guyana Fire Service immediately.

Dianne then rushed out of the house in panic with her family members and stood outside. The North Ruimveldt Fire Station responded quickly and arrived at approximately 19:35hrs and were later joined by other fire units.

They were able to contain the blaze and managed to save the upper flat. However, the bottom flat, which was rented by Troy Mendonca, the owner of Guinness Bar, was gutted completely nothing was

Side view of the gutted building

saved. At first, Dianne Adolphus was very angry because of her suspicions that someone might set her property ablaze, with her inside. But she soon calmed down and was grateful that her life was spared even though she is quite frustrated. She claimed that her frustration is as result of a recent investment that she made to renovate her entire property.

Speaking with this publication, Troy Mendonca and his family members were unable to hold back

their tears. Troy said he has been working there for some 17 years now and had made huge investments. He added that he works every day, but decided to close the business and take a rest yesterday.

While at his home in Eccles, his landlady called and told him that the property was on fire.

He immediately rushed to scene only to be greeted with the sad sight of the devastation caused by the fire. Troy estimates his losses to be around $15 million. He was deeply

saddened at the fact that his business was not insured.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told reporters that he is grateful that there were no major injuries other than someone who suffered the effects of smoke inhalation.

He said the cause of fire is unclear but it is suspected to be electrical in origin since the fire emerged from bottom flat and close to where the electrical meter was located.

There will be an e l e c t r i c a l a s se s s m e n t tomorrow.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

PAGE 09

Dem boys hear suh!

A

few weeks ago, a s h o r t biographic sketch of a professional was published in the newspapers upon that person being inducted into her new profession. It mentioned the schools which she had attended, one of which was a junior secondary school.

Amazingly, the story went on to state that following the first year at that school, the child did so well that she gained admission to a senior secondary school. Now this is not hearsay; it is part of the biography of the person concerned and therefore can be treated as being accurate.

I had heard similar stories in the past but never took them seriously. I had heard of students writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and not obtaining their desired school but were later allowed to write some “examination� after Form 1 and based on those results to gain entry into one of the better schools. I had always presumed that these stories were tall tales until that

article recently appeared in the newspaper.

And so I am asking the Ministry of Education to confirm whether in fact there is a system which allows someone who after spending one year in a junior secondary school, to gain entry into a senior secondary school despite that person not obtaining the required marks at the NGSA for that particular school.

Such a system would make a mockery of the school placement system arising out of the NGSA. If indeed there is such a system, then it should be open to all students who did not obtain the schools of their choice. But then this would create chaos because it could result in thousands of students doing well in Form 1 and based on those performances requesting to be transferred to a better school. And these schools would not be able to accommodate them.

It is therefore for our investigative journalists to find out whether such a system exists. And why it is not widely known if it does

exist. If it does not exist then there is a need for someone to explain how someone assigned a junior secondary school, can after the first year attending that junior secondary school be transferred to a senior secondary school, as reported recently in the media.

The second story which I heard, recently, but which may or may not be true is that there is a system in which students can appeal their NGSA scores. Many years ago, under the People's Progressive Party Civic government this issue arose, and it was made clear by one former Minister of Education that there could be no appeals.

It is understandable why such a position had to be taken. There are thousands of students whose parents vouch each year that their children were cheated in the marking of their examination scripts. These parents are disappointed and want to find an excuse for the less than anticipated performance of their children. Therefore allowing

Dem boys seh...

Don't try to build a house in GT

D

on't try to build any building in GT. Dat gon be de most difficult thing anybody can do. Dem businessmen does be cussing till dem tun blue. Nuff of dem does get rob because dem does pay over money to get de system moving and people does tek de money and run away.

De first thing is to get a plan approve. Dat is de city council wuk. De plan does go to a meeting dat does be held once a month, suh if you miss one month, you got to wait fuh de odda one.

Money can talk in dis case because de people can easily keep sliding down your plan under de pile.

When de plan approve, you got to send dat plan fuh get approval fuh put in de toilet. Dat mean dat you got to go to GWI. Dat is anodda delay. Dem got to check to see if dem can accommodate anodda toilet in de city.

Dem boys seh when you get approval from GWI, you still got to go to de Ministry of Housing fuh some document. Then you got to go to de Ministry of Health and you got to go

to Lands and Survey. By de time dem boys done do all dat, de material rotten and is time to start over.

And going to these places don't tek into consideration dat dem people who got to sign de approval either absent or tek leave or just stay home dat day. Dem is de people does got dem clerk to seh dat de people got to come back in a month.

People know de system so good dat when dem got to build, dem does set aside a good piece fuh bribe all dem officials. Who don't pay bribe got to run de risk of building without permission and de spiteful people gon smile. Then dem gon hire couple people from de ghetto and give dem sledge hammer to break down wha you build.

Dis been happening fuh years. Is only now a couple business people mekking noise.

Dem want all de places dat got to give permission merge to become one location.

Dat location guh process all documents.

Talk half and mek sure dat yuh got yuh bribe money.

for a review of the marking would open the floodgates to thousands of appeals. This would throw the system in chaos.

Yet, there are stories around that as recent as this year, there were students who were able to appeal their marks. The Ministry of Education may wish to confirm whether this, in fact, was the case and just how many persons were allowed to do so.

Again, if there is such a system in place it should have been advertised and open to all persons. Some students may have lost

attending the school of their choice by one mark and they would have loved to appeal their marks to see if they could gain that additional mark. But if there is such a system of appeals or reviews and it is not publicly known then it is discriminatory to these and other children who were not aware of it.

The third set of stories about education admissions is an old grouse. It concerns some parents, who do not live in the catchment area of certain 'preferred schools', being able to have their children gain admission to those schools while students

who live in the catchment are denied entry.

There have also been unconfirmed reports, in the past, that some primary schools heads would admit students without the knowledge of the Ministry of Education. And since there is no audit by the Ministry of the students actually attending primary schools, these "backdoor" entrants escape scrutiny.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Tuesday October 29, 2019

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

I feel deeply worried about the fate of small parties I

f the new parties amalgamate, they will be stronger than their separate, individual existence. I am voting for one of the smaller entities but would definitely campaign for the unity slate if they combine.

But you have to feel sorry for these newcomers.

Most Guyanese you talk with are cynical, suspicious or dismissive of recent

political formations because of what the AFC turned out to be. I get these sentiments not almost every day, but every day. I don't want to publicise negative vibes I am getting about these recent entities because the hateful remarks are not directed at any particular newcomer but to the way people see how the third force – the AFC-behaved since coming to power in 2015.

The sentiment is why should we trust these third parties that are promising to curtail the ambitions of the two traditional leviathans when the AFC did just that and turned out to be a sycophant for one of them.

Experienced politicians like Ralph Ramkarran and Henry Jeffrey have to be aware of this and Ramkarran so far is the only one to

directly comment on this difficulty.

Ruel Johnson was in the AFC and has now formed his own party so he should know that just as he is disillusioned with what the AFC turned out to be, there are thousands like him. Johnson chose to form his own organisation for the 2020 encounter but there are countless numbers out there that will say that they tried the AFC and they are either voting for PPP or PNC or staying home.

With the tragedy of the AFC hanging over the newcomers' heads, it is an insurmountable road. The pathway is formidable to manoeuvre but it is not impossible.

Let us pick out some factors that will make life nervous for the recent arrivals. First, the no

confidence vote (NCV) has deepened ethnic suspicion.

African Guyanese felt that the Indian-led PPP connived to derail the fiveyear tenure of their party, the PNC. Secondly, the tensions and quarrels the NCV generated have led many independent voices that supported the AFC from 2006 to return to the PPP and PNC. Some top names in Guyana who were always independent in their praxis are openly in support of a PNC continuation after 2020 and a PPP victory in 2020.

Thirdly, that enormous number, the young people that is, have become disenchanted with politics because of what the AFC and David Granger turned out to be. They feel the AFC threw away its potential to change Guyana and David Granger is not a placating, transformative man that can be trusted to democratise governance.

These difficulties I am sure all the newcomers are

aware of. The only small organism that may escape these headaches is Lennox Shuman's Justice and Liberal Party, which appeals directly to the Amerindians.

Amerindians see that entity as an Amerindian force.

They have never been an Amerindian led formation and it may attract the attention of the Indigenous people.

Shuman will die a natural death if he merges with either the PPP or PNC. The Amerindians will not vote for him.

There are three directions the small parties have to travel in. First as a matter of survival, they have to merge.

Egos will have to be tempered and there have to be concessions and compromises.

I am suggesting a name like ROG – Renewal of Guyana, or ROG – Rebirth of Guyana.

Whatever name they choose, they have to come together. It is a matter of life and death.

Secondly, they have to start campaigning right now and by right now, I mean as soon as yesterday. Guyana has an onerously complex electoral system. You have to contest in six of the ten

Frederick Kissoon Regions. You must get a large number of electors to endorse each candidate.

You must have a certain percentage of women on the party list. It is only through early campaigning that you w i l l o v e r c o m e th e s e nightmarish requirements.

People will get to know the party leaders. Party leaders will ground with the people.

Out of this should come some level of needed support.

Thirdly, money will have to be acquired. This is a large country where for the third party every vote will count.

Campaigning in Guyana is an expensive affair. One easy way out of this financial horror show is to avoid Regions where the third party will not get many votes and where the voters are not plentiful so it is no point wasting money in those areas.

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday October 29, 2019

Norton Street murder trial...

Key witness and car missing on way to court - says mom A

key witness, in relation to the murder of Marlon Seon Rodney, called 'George', is now missing before he could appear in the Georgetown Magistrates' Court to complete his evidence into the murder.

The witness, 36-year-old Collin Rodney, of 70 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, who is also the cousin of the deceased, disappeared on Friday after he left for court.

The distressed mother of the missing man, Jacqueline Hunter, told Kaieteur News that her son left home around 08:45 hrs on the day in question. “He had to return to court to be cross-examined by the defendants in the matter.

When he left home, I didn't see what he was wearing because by the time I look outside, he was already in his car leaving.�

Ms. Hunter indicated that since Friday her son did not return home and his silver grey Allion motorcar bearing registration number PRR 1076 has since vanished also.

She added that calls to her son's cell phone have gone unanswered, something that her son is not known to do.

Police Prosecutor of the case, Dominic Bess, when contacted by this publication said that the witness did not show up to court for the hearing.

However, Ms. Hunter is of the opinion that the defendants in the matter may have gotten to her son.

According to the woman, one of the defendants is deep in drug operations and several witnesses in relation to this matter have received threats.

To the best of her

knowledge, neither she nor her son has received any threats.

Her son as a key witness is very important as he can place one of the defendants, on the scene of the crime and also testify in relation to his cousin identifying his killer before his death.

A police missing person report has since been made.

Thirty-nine-year-old Osafa Grundell, called 'Safo' from Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown and James Fraser, 21, called 'Dab' from Garnett Street, Georgetown are on remand before Senior Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

It is alleged that between April 25, and April 30, last, at Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, they murdered Marlon Seon Rodney, called 'George'.

The defendants were not required to plead to the offence as the charge was made indictable.

According to reports, Rodney, a 35-year-old taxi driver of Lot 71 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was involved in a heated argument with Grundell, Fraser and another man called 'Curl Up'.

The defendants reportedly pulled out guns and discharged several rounds at Rodney, who was hit in the left leg. A passerby, identified as 24-year-old Shaquille Dion, of Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, was also shot in the process.

The injured men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where Dion was treated and sent away, while Rodney was admitted in a critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Missing: Collin Rodney

T&T trapped in years of declining growth

By Kiana Wilburg

D

espite its best efforts, the economy of Trinidad and Tobago is still struggling to find its way back to sustainable positive growth.

In fact, the country has been trapped in declining growth for the last three years. For 2016, TT's economy grew by -6.3. The following year, it achieved 2.3 percent growth.

Its government had projected that it would grow by 1.9 percent for 2018, but the economy failed to make this mark as TT's Central Statistical Office recently revised the figure to -0.2. (http://www.looptt.com/con tent/tts-real-gdp-revised-1902-20180 For 2019, the International Monetary Fund is projecting zero percent growth for the nation, which has been in the petroleum industry for over 100 years. (http://www.looptt.com/con tent/imf-projects-0-gdpgrowth-tt-2019).

A2 Global Risk, an international security risk management consultancy also spoke of the declining health of the Trinidadian economy in one of its latest assessments.

The firm noted that T&T's oil production has dropped by 14.5 percent since 2012. As a result, the CARICOM member is left with little alternative but to restructure its economy away from oil and gas.

Global Risk alluded to the difficulties that may come with this restructuring since T&T has neglected its other sectors for decades while noting that a potentially disastrous impact for the national economy looms. As a result of its negligence, Global Risk said that T&T's growth outside of oil has been low, and sometimes negative.

In fact, the security risk management firm noted that the contribution of nonpetroleum sectors to the Gross Domestic Product has been shrinking.

In 2016, for example,

Global Risk stated that the non-petroleum sectors constituted 66 percent of GDP, down from a 71 per cent share in 2001.

Also, while most services, construction and agriculture are slowly growing, Global Risk pointed out that the food, beverages and tobacco industry which constitute the country's largest manufacturing sub-sector, is dwindling rapidly. It said that the agricultural sector is also contracting.

In addition to this, Global Risk highlighted that domestic livestock and crops such as rice, vegetables and fruit, are losing out against more competitive imports, weighing on the country's food security. In fact, domestic agriculture produce just eight percent of the required staple foods.

Further, Global Risk said that the country's sugar sector, previously a major source of income, has all but disappeared as a result of high production costs. As for the production of cocoa, the

firm noted that this is steadily declining due to high labour costs and poor road infrastructure development, and in 2016 reached the lowest level ever recorded, just 500 tonnes.

(https://www.a2globalrisk.c om/analysis/americas/adangerous-dependence-trinidad---tobago-s-overreliance-on-oil-and-gas) Since news broke of Guyana's oil bonanza in

2015, Trinidadian companies have been flocking to these shores.

They compete shoulder to shoulder with locals for the provision of skills and services in the oil industry.

Tuesday October 29, 2019

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Tuesday October 29, 2019

'Women on the Move' hosts successful Cancer Awareness Walk

I

n what could best be described, as a phenomenal success, the "Women on the Move", on Sunday, hosted its nineteenth Cancer Awareness Walk, run and jog. The event attracted a mammoth turnout, with participants ranging in age from two to ninety-three.

The youngest participant 'walked' on his father's shoulders.

Judy Gravesande-Noel, who initiated the walk in 2000, said that she continues to be overwhelmed by the response to the event, as the years go by.

"From the time we started the Awareness Walk in 2000, the activity has certainly grown phenomenally. To God be the glory!"

Ms. Gravesande-Noel expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to make the event a success, including GTT, who donated the jerseys.

Reflecting on the Genesis of the walk, she quipped, "It was back in 2000 that I came up with the idea of doing this event here, after witnessing a similar event in Georgetown. “I spoke with Gleneth

Arthur, a founder member of "Women on the Move�, and she became very enthused with the idea, so we ran with it."

She related that other women like Camille C u m m i n g s , Wa n d a Richmond and Mayfield Taylor-Trim later joined the team.

As the years went by, other women joined the group, Gravesande-Noel added.

R e c e n t l y, a n o t h e r activity, the candle light vigil, was added. It has now become the precursor to the walk, and allows persons to

reflect and share memories of their loved ones who succumbed to the disease.

This year's vigil was held on Thursday at the Linden/ Georgetown bus park.

Some groups that took to the streets on Sunday, to walk run or jog, were the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), Linden Utility Cooperative Society Ltd (LUSCSL), Linden Hospital Complex, Police from E Division, 104.3 Power fm, schools and health centres.

As has become customary, the main starting point, was at LUSCSL on Burnham Drive, Wismar.

This saw scores of people, crossing over from Mackenzie, to join the mammoth crowd that had congregated at Wismar from the break of dawn.

From there, a sea of pink, trekked along Burnham Drive, over the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge, then down the Washer Pond Road and Republic Avenue.

The event culminated at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground for sensitisation talks about the disease and judging.

The One Mile Primary School copped the 'Best Dress' prize, while 'E'

Division copped the 'Best Chant' prize. Other prizes presented were for largest contingent and best banner.

For the first time this year, survivors, apart from receiving the usual hampers, were also presented with plants, by Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Valerie Adams- Yearwood.

The Minister said that it was her way of encouraging them to indulge in gardening, which is a good form of exercise.

P l a n t s , s h e acknowledged, also play a useful role, in alternative medicine.

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

'River Conqueror' Ali, establishes Youth Centre, undertakes garbage disposal in Canefield, East Canje

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verseas-based Guyanese Ashraf Ali, AKA 'the River Conqueror, for his exploits of swimming all of the major Rivers in Guyana and also swimming over seven miles into the Atlantic Ocean is undertaking other feats to assist unfortunate resident in his homeland.

Ali, 73, a former Science and Mathematics teacher, now a pastor, lived most of his life in Canefield, East Canje, Berbice Guyana.

Now living in the USA, Ali would return home on a

regular basis to undertake feats that would benefit his home country. Earlier in the year, he established a youth centre in Canefield, East Canje, to teach youths various subjects including computering, free of cost. During his recent visit back home a week ago, he organised the youths at the centre to start a clean-up project in his native Canefield Village. He stated, “There is a clean-up system in place but it needs lots of improvement.”

The club formed by the children is called the CISTA GIRL CLUB. This club has a

parent club in New York consisting of girls between the ages of 8-18years. The Global Mission of the club i s : C I S TA G I R L S LEADING THE WAY TO SAVE THE PLANET. According to Ali, 'God Willing', the CISTA GIRLS from New York will travel to Guyana to work together with the Guyanese children. One of the objectives is to formulate a strategy to improve the System of garbage disposal that is presently in place.

He said that the overseas contingent intend to work

along and show the greatest of respect to the leaders and officials who are in charge of promoting a clean environment in the country.

He said that the group is willing to share tips on educating the community on how to build a stronger relationship between man and the environment.

“Among some of the activities undertaken by the group are beach clean-ups.

Science fairs, host TV shows, spelling bee competitions, recycling projects, library presentations.”

Members of the club are provided free training for projects and programmes that enhance their personal and professional lives, such as leaders, writers, public

speakers, organisers among others. Ali's aim is that the CISTA GIRLS projects and programmes will inspire girls and women of all ages to become better persons the world over.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

PAGE 19

Lack of sufficient evidence forces extension of CoI T 2018 Deadly Piracy Attacks…

he Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the 2018 deadly piracy attacks on Guyanese nationals off the Atlantic Coast of the Republic of Suriname has been extended by President David Granger. The COI is being conducted by Dr. Rishee Shri Thakur.

The public hearing was scheduled to be completed

by September 2, 2019 and the Commissioner was supposed to gather the evidence to ascertain the persons(s) to be charged in relation to the attacks.

However, according to the head of state, there has been insufficient evidence presented to the commission and as such, he has ordered an extension to the inquiry.

President Granger's comment came during an interview with Gordon Moseley on Sunday last. The inquiry has now been extended to December 31, 2019.

L a s t y e a r, p i r a t e s attacked 20 Guyanese fishermen who were in four fishing vessels in Suriname

Vickey Persaud waters. Some were chopped and some ordered to transfer their catch.

One man reportedly witnessed his captain being trussed up and weighted with a battery and dumped overboard. Another said he saw his colleague's arm being chopped off. Five men survived by jumping

Sherwyn Lovell overboard and swimming away.

Days later, another fishing boat was attacked with the captain, a Guyanese, killed and crewmen dumped overboard.

Some 12 fishermen, all Guyanese, are still missing after the deadly attack that

Ralph Couchman

took place between the Suriname and French Guiana borders.

A suspect in the deadly attack was remanded to prison on May 12, 2018 for allegedly robbing two fishing vessels – one in 2015 and the other in 2016.

Nakool Manohar, called 'Fyah', 39, of Number 43

Daughter testifies in trial of accused wife killer

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s the trial of 62-year-old Randolph Tahal continues in the Berbice High Court, the daughter of the accused and deceased has testified.

Tahal is on trial for murdering his wife, Janet Tahal, before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed jury.

He reportedly committed the act between September 17 and September 19, 2017, at their Lot 95 Smythfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice home.

Attorney-at-law Seeta Bishundial is presenting the state's case.

The accused, a former driver, is being represented by state-appointed attorney Siand Dhurjon. Daughter of the accused and the deceased, Jennifer Khan, testified that she visited her parents' home on September 16 and her mother was in good health.

She said that she got a call on the afternoon of September 17 and she hurried to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

There, she saw her mother was being placed in an ambulance to be taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

She subsequently identified her mother's body during a post mortem examination at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Her mother and father would usually consume alcohol on a regular basis, she said.

Also testifying was Police Constable Lorna Grant who is stationed at the Alberttown Police Station and

attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Outpost.

During the afternoon of September 18, last, she was at her post at the GPHC when she received a call and got certain instructions. As such, she went to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Hospital where she made contact with Tahal.

She said that she put an allegation to him about his wife's injuries and he responded that he went home and found her unconscious and in blood. He doesn't know what happened the witness told the court.

The witness said she arrested the accused and placed him in custody. A patrol came and took him to the Prashad Nagar Outpost. She did not take a statement from him, she said.

State Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial told the court that the accused had reported that on September 17, 2017, he returned home and upon opening the front door to his house, he found his wife lying naked in their home in a pool of blood with a wound to her head.

She was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, before she was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she subsequently died.

The matter was reported and following investigations, Tahal was arrested at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he had accompanied his wife.

Testifying earlier were Police

Randolph Tahal

Village, Corentyne, Berbice, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates' Court. He faced the indictable charges of robbery under-arms that were filed under Section Three of the Hijacking and Piracy Act Chapter 10:08.

Particulars of the first charge against him alleged that between April 1 and April 30, 2015, in the territorial waters of Guyana in the Corentyne Magisterial District, while in the company of others and armed w ith guns and cutlasses, he robbed fishing vessel 'Sir Navin' of a 248 horsepower engine valued at $2.8M property of Daneshwar Reddy called 'Smallie'.

It was further alleged that between August 1 and August 30, 2016, in the territorial waters of Guyana in the Corentyne Magisterial District, while in the company of others and armed w ith guns and cutlasses, he robbed fishing vessel 'Captain Vickesh' o w n e d b y Vi c k e s h Balkissoon.

Survivor The fishing vessel is valued at $2.3M. Nakool Manohar was arrested on May 2, 2018 and was kept in custody up until his arraignment before the Chief Magistrate after police filed a Habeas corpus in the High Court and were granted extension in time to detain the suspect.

Law enforcement here and in Suriname treated the pirate attack as a reprisal crime for the murder of Nakool Manohar's brother, Somnauth, who was killed during a drive-by shooting in Suriname. Like his brother who had residence in Suriname, Nakool Manohar is the owner of several fishing boats.

Police Inspector Gordon Mansfield, who stood for the prosecution in Manohar's case, had informed the court that persons gave statements to the police implicating Manohar in the armed robberies.

Some of Manohar's workers were also arrested but were released shortly after. Some of the alleged pirates were also arrested in Suriname.

Securities Council warns...

Detective Corporals Roland Beharry and Lance Corporal Emanuel Davidson.

They recalled receiving certain information and after visiting the scene and conducting an investigation, Tahal was arrested as a suspect.

Also testifying was a neighbour, Colin Wilson, who was with the couple during the day. They were said to be drinking. Attorney Dhurjon crossed examined all the suspects.

The matter is continuing.

From page 2 have lost over $2.4M. One of the individuals has now applied to the Department of Citizenship for documents to live legally.

“People should be careful… If something sounds too good to be true then it is too good to be true. Ask your accountants,” one of the persons familiar with situation urged. The ponzi fraud scheme is simple.

The person would take money from a second person and use to give it back to the first.

The scheme would mushroom out with the next “investor” paying the returns for the previous one.

GSC reportedly now investigating the matter does not want the situation to escalate further and hence took the decision to publish the notice. GSC has warned in the past that only licensed institutions can issue and deal with loans.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Foundation hands over scholarship cheque to 2018 top student - pledges to revamp science lab at alma mater's graduation

By Malisa Playter-Harry

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aunched in 2018 for the sole purpose of assisting the less fortunate youths who have done well at the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, the Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi Foundation pledged to assist 2018 top CSEC student for the school to study for two more years at the University of Guyana (degree).

The announcement was made by the doctor and founder.

Dr. Dukhi is Guyana's only Neurosurgeon and a former student of the secondary school.

During his motivational speech at the institutions 2019 CSEC graduation, Dr. Dukhi, standing before a packed auditorium of graduates, their parents (guardians), teachers and special guests, handed over the cheque for a full scholarship tuition for a degree in bio-chemistry to Yogeeta Kumar.

Kumar who has already started studies and is in her first year at UG Tain Campus was publicly challenged by the Neurosurgeon to achieve straight A's in the first two years and he will ensure that she continues studies for the remaining two years at

Dr. Dukhi hands over scholarship cheque to Yogeeta Kumar (2018 top student) Turkeyn Campus, since he believes “there will be more exposure in her development as a young biochemist”.

Dr. Dukhi, shedding light on his decision to form the foundation, stated that it was an article that he read in one of the daily newspapers of a “brilliant young lady” who happened to be Yogeeta Kumar.

“I thought about how can I help and I realised that my help is not just to inspire. I founded the Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi foundation last year.

“This is a foundation to help underprivileged kids of this school to go to the University and achieve a tertiary education. In one year the foundation is now an incorporated legal foundation in the government Society Act of Guyana,” the doctor said.

The Neurosurgeon also announced that he will be “adopting” the science laboratory of his alma mater and that his foundation will work towards making that department of the school

“the best science lab in Region Six and in Guyana”.

As the time came closer for the graduates to receive their certificates and prizes, the doctor took the opportunity to implore the students to “first learn to live and celebrate life and to remain humble and grounded, your dedication will allow you to persevere through life's difficulties.

“Remember, tables turn.

We live and we all learn.

Most times it's the journey that teaches you a lot about

your destination”.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, who graced the occasion, praised Dr. Dukhi for his stellar contributions made to the medical field and in the said light charged the graduates to never be afraid of failure.

“Every single successful human being in this world has failed at some point.”

He added, “You can be what you want to become but you have to believe. Don't try to believe what your parents want you to believe.

There is an old saying, parents want you to do what they could not but you have to choose your own path in life.”

He also expressed his satisfaction in the improvement by the school at this year's CSEC examination after making a four-year comparison.

Armogan added that with Guyana poised to take off economically, it is important to take advantage of the opportunities that await in the Oil and Gas industry.

“Gear yourself for the opportunities that will be available in that sector.

Science and Technology is advancing at a pace and if we don't advance with that we will be left behind. So today I want to implore on you to not be left behind,” he told the

graduates.

Students graduated with a 80.5 % academic achievement with the institution churning out three students who were in the top ten for Region Six for this year's Caribbean Secondary Education Council (CSEC) exam.

Headmistress, Ms. Evett Johnson, in her report, noted that there were improvements in Mathematics and English among other subjects. All students contributed to the credible academics at the school, she said.

Ms. Johnson said she challenged the students to surpass the previous year and “they delivered emphatically”. She also thanked former student Dr. Dukhi for starting his foundation to assist the students without access to the necessary finances to pursue a tertiary education.

Yogeshwari Balram copped the best graduating student award at the institution with 14 Grade One passes, followed by Ramona Raghubeer, Ashiana Ramlakhan, Shakira Persaud, Kamela Singh, Nareza Lalmahamed, Alexa Partab, Mohamed Khan, Geetangali Ramkumar and Christiana Nelson.

Signboards on GPL poles against the law

T

he Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has issued a public notice on the illegal placement of signs on the utility poles. This notice was made two weeks ago.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure recently reiterated this announcement.

Despite effort by the power company, businesses and individuals continue to place signs on GPL poles not just in the city but across the country. GPL on Friday, repeated this announcement publicly stating that the placement of signs on the company's utility poles is 'illegal and dangerous'.

It added, “The general public is asked to desist from affixing signage(s) to the company's poles. This illegal and dangerous practice is a safety and health hazard for both the company's technicians (Field Staff) and private citizens.”

According to the Section 5.4 of GPL's Standard Terms and Conditions (STC) for Electric Services, “Customers shall not place any structure that would interfere with the proper and safe operation of access to the

Company's facilities...”

The company highlighted that private contractors and or Government Agencies executing infrastructural works within close proximity (approximately 20 feet) to GPL's network are required to notify the company within 72 hours prior to commencement of work. The company explained that this is necessary in order to facilitate the safe execution or that work can be determined and analysed before undertaken.

GPL noted that the company will not be liable for any injury and or loss that may result from the improper use of its poles. It added that the company is not liable for the loss or injury resulted from unauthorized work within close proximity of its network.

The Standard Terms and Conditions (STC) for Electric Services is a legal document of GPL that was originally approved on 1 st October, 1999. The amendments inserted being approved by the Prime Minister of Guyana as per second letter dated 24th March, 2000.

Signs that are placed on GPL's utility poles and pose a risk to the company's field staff as well as citizens

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

Get rid of colonial era laws Guyanese engineers - Harvard paper wanted in oil industry G

uyana's legal books are replete with laws placed there by its former colonial masters. While those countries are now developed and have had much more access to resources needed to identify and remove those obstacles to justice from their books, former colonial servants like Guyana have lagged.

Some of these laws are seen as oppressive and/or downright absurd. One of those, in the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act forbids someone to place a fish in any body of water that may flow into private land.

Other colonial era laws, including those on wandering and cross-dressing, have been heavily criticised for facilitating harassment and persecution of youth, women and other minorities.

The Republic of Rwanda has been progressive enough to remove a series of its own colonial laws. It has been widely reported that the African nation last month struck down more than a thousand colonial laws from its legal books.

These laws were placed there by its former German and Belgian masters. The laws had been enacted between 1885 and 1962, and the Rwandan Parliament resolved to scrap the laws because, according to the State's Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, they were enacted to serve colonizers.

One of the scrapped laws held by the African nation provided for separate living areas and neighbourhoods for white people and Rwandans, and another allowed the donation of land to the church.

The Minister is quoted as saying that the move to scrap the laws “finally means that we are and will be governed by laws made by us for us.”

A paper was published in the Harvard International Law Journal, titled “The Persistence of Colonial Laws: Why Rwanda is Ready to Remove Outdated Legal Barriers to Health, Human Rights, and Development.”

The writers – Agnes Binagwaho, Richard Freeman, and Gabriela Sarriera – said it was important that, in matters of social justice, human rights and due process, no national of that country should ever be subjected to a decree by a colonial governor.

It was noted that some persons may even attempt to use these colonial era statutes to oppress others, and that no one should be subjected to the indignity of that.

The writers stated that the persistence of colonial statutes can have certain effects that erode good governance, which also justifies taking action to definitively remove such statutes and minimize those effects.

It posited that whether

they are enforced or not, laws influence behaviour. This is evident in witchcraft laws that are on Guyana's books.

Those laws specifically single out 'Obeah', which is constituted by a series of spiritual practices developed by enslaved Africans of the West Indies, descended from African traditional religions.

'Obeah' is today seen as a malevolent form of witchcraft, instead of a legitimate religion.

The paper's authors go on to argue that the persistence of colonial era laws may even inhibit Government officials from making much-needed reforms out of fear of obstructing certain aspects of those laws.

It states that the persistence of such statutes weakens the rule of law, “inviting authorities to pick and choose which laws to implement, and ultimately allowing them to determine when to substitute their own rules in place of rules they consider outdated.”

Finally, the authors posited that a post-colonial nation can only restore its full sovereignty once it frees its legal system from undemocratic colonial remnants that hinder progress, and it is hoped that, this country would inspire other formerly colonised countries to “dig deep into their legal traditions” and consider doing the same.

S

BM Offshore is looking for recently graduated engineers to join its Engineering Development Programme. This programme will rotate between various departments, projects and locations to become fully indoctrinated in SBM's business.

The company stated, “We share values of care and integrity, and are seeking to educate and equip recently graduated engineers with the training and skills they need to steer their career in the Oil and Gas Industry.”

However, the company did not specify what type of engineers it is interested in recruiting. As such, any engineer whether electrical, mechanical or civil among others can apply.

Engineers who are residents of Guyana and have a four-year Engineering degree from a recognised university will be eligible. Applicants must also have the ability and desire to work and travel internationally as well as work with different cultures.

According to the world leader in floating production services, the compensation package includes a permanent, full-time position with competitive salary, and medical and dental benefits. The company will provide extensive safety and technical training for selected applicants.

The Dutch-based company explained that the Engineering Development Programme is meant to provide recently graduated engineers with the foundational knowledge they need to begin in the oil and gas industry.

It added that to achieve this, the engineers will be rotated amongst various departments to learn the key processes and procedures that will enable the efficient support in the company's projects and operations.

It stated, “You will work at one or more

of our International locations to gain exposure to SBM's different lines of businesses and to help you gain a broad view of how our Execution Centres work collaboratively on a global level to support our Clients.”

The Key Duties of successful candidates entail after the completion of this 12-18 month indoctrination, the engineer and his/her manager will determine which area best suits the graduate's skills, aptitude and passion.

Applications can be sent to El Dorado Offshore, Lot 23 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown or emailed at recruitment.gy@eldoradooffshore.com.

The closing date for applications is November 17, 2019.

In addition, the company is searching for production technician trainee, mechanical technician trainee and assistant safety officer.

SBM offshore provides floating production solutions to the offshore energy industry, over the full product life cycle.

The company is the market leading leased floating production systems with multiple units currently in operation and has unrivalled operational experience in this field.

The company's main activities are the design, supply, installation, operation and the life extension of Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

They are either owned and operated by SMB Offshore and leased to its client or supplied on a turnkey sale basis.

PAGE 22

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Processing of construction permits should be managed by a single entity - Former GCCI President Processing a permit to construct a building for businesses is a long and onerous process. So says Deodat Indar, former Private Sector Commission (PSC) Vice Chair and former Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President.

He opines that if a single central unit is created for processing applications for those permits, it would make the matter less tedious for businesses that want to operate across Guyana.

In an interview with Kaieteur News, yesterday, the businessman explained that processing the permit could take awfully long periods before approval is granted. In certain cases, it may take six to nine months, or even more than a year.

This is due to the fact that approval is needed from several agencies before the final permit is granted, and that depends on the nature of the project intended for construction.

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is the body that receives applications. Under the Town and Country Planning Act Chapter 20:02, the body is tasked with the responsibility of promoting and facilitating orderly and sustainable development within the country.

But it alone does not have the capacity to properly examine the implications of certain constructions. Different projects require assessments by different organisations. For instance, when Nalco Champions intended to build a chemical warehouse in Houston, it could not do that without the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

That Agency is, for a variety of matters, required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Due to certain statutory timelines involved within that process, getting approval from the EPA could typically take about nine months.

While Indar understands the importance of such timelines, he said that it would be better if efforts are made to tighten them, by revisiting certain services. That's just one agency. There are others.

Former PSC Vice Chair and Former GCCI President, Deodat Indar For example, every building would have to go through the assessment of the Guyana Fire Service to ensure measures are in place to protect the safety of persons who will traverse it.

Once the building is intended to be permitted in the jurisdiction of one of the towns, it would have to go through the Town Council. In the City's case, that body would be the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

The list goes on.

In Indar's assessment, this difficulty in expediently processing a construction permit is one of the major issues plaguing the business environment. Guyana has been ranked consistently low for several years in that regard, by the World Bank's Doing Business report.

In the recently released report of the World Bank, Guyana is ranked at 134 of 190. For ease of getting construction permits, Guyana scores 52.5/100, placing it at rank 167/190.

Time and the procedures of the process are listed as two factors of this indicator that need refining. Furthermore, World Bank's building quality control index, which assesses the quality of building regulations, quality control before, during, and after construction, liability and insurance regimes, and professional certifications indices, finds Guyana ranking poorly.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

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Body found wrapped in Guyanese man sheet, jersey around neck gunned down in The tract where the body was found (photo credits Julia Henry)

French Guiana

Dead Robert Anthony St. Hill.

T

he body of an unidentified man was found yesterday morning at Baramita, North West District, Region 1. According to reports, the discovery was made by residents who were walking through a bushy track.

It is said that the body was wrapped in a sheet. He also had a jersey wrapped around his neck. Police ranks from the Baramita

Police Station were alerted and the body was removed and transported to the Port Kaituma Mortuary to await a post mortem examination.

Police observed that his body bore no marks of violence but the tongue was protruding from his mouth.

No suspects have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.

A

Guyanese man was shot to head by another on Sunday morning with whom he was having a dispute at the time.

According to reports, Robert Anthony St. Hill, called “Gully Bobb” was at a party when an argument erupted between him and his assailant. In the heat of the

Erratic driver turns Diwali joy to horror at Alexander Village

D

rivers and passengers left Sunday night's Diwali celebrations at the Vishnu Mandir, Alexander Village, with laughter and chatter. Not long after one group was left in a state of shock and disbelief.

Some were about to enter their cars, while others had just entered theirs. A Toyota Premio motorcar PPP 2849 began a smashing spree along the Alexander Village Public Road.

One of the cars that was damaged

According to one woman, she had just placed her eight-year-old-nephew into the backseat of a pickup and entered the front.

While still parked at the side of the road preparing to drive off felt the impact of something slamming into the back of the pickup.

The pickup then proceeded to hit the car parked in front, sending it into the middle of the road.

The woman then recalled that the driver then reversed crashing in other cars before coming to a halt in the middle of the road some distance away.

A police officer who was on the scene told this publication that after the car stopped its smashing spree, the driver exited and decided to run.

However, he was caught by other police officers who were close by.

When asked what caused him to damage so many cars, he responded that he had a brake failure.

Eye witnesses said that the driver sped across the traffic light, lost control

The car driven by the driver apprehended

and began his destructive path by hitting a parked minibus with passengers. He followed this up by hitting a few more cars and finally crashing directly into the parked pickup.

While Kaieteur News was on the scene, it was noted that a few drivers and passengers were now arriving from the Mandir.

They saw the wrecked car in the middle of the road and began to enquire. When they realised that their cars were also smashed, they began to scream.

One woman began to use “colourful” language as she came to grips with seeing the condition in which her car was left.

Another man began to hold this head and shouted “Hey! Hey! Hey!” as he noticed his car in the middle of the road with a huge dent at the rear.

The driver who allegedly had a brake failure was escorted in a police car to the Ruimveldt Police Station.

Car slamming into the pickup

dispute, the man whipped out his firearm and shot St. Hill to his head.

St. Hill then fell to the floor where he died while awaiting the ambulance.

It was observed in a video sent to this publication that while lying on the ground, St. Hill appeared to be panting for breath and another person

St. Hill while alive with his son trying his best to keep him alive.

Kaieteur News learnt that the argument sparked after St. Hill confronted a promoter who organised a fete, at which his son died three months ago.

The deceased was a former resident of Charlotte Street, Georgetown.

Pesticide Awareness Week…

Agri-Minister calls for a reduction in chemical usage

T

he Pesticides and To x i c C o n t r o l Board (PTCB), under the Ministry of Agriculture is aiming at discontinuing the use of all pesticides and toxic chemicals in Guyana. This information came from a statement put out by Noel Holder, Minister of Agriculture.

From October 27, 2019, to November 2, 2019, Guyana’s Agricultural sector along with the rest of the Caribbean will observe Pesticide Awareness Week 2019, under the theme “Building Awareness and Capacity for a Healthy Nation, Through Sustainable Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Promotion of Alternatives.”

The theme highlights that there is a need for a decline in the dependency and use of pesticides. It also brings out that famers have a difficult task protecting their crop and land from insects, weeds and other pests.

Some farmers might be of the opinion that they are obligated to use pesticides to keep way pests and other insects. Research shows that natural alternatives can be used and are effective and safe rather than the dangerous chemicals they use regularly.

“Many farmers use

Hon. Noel Holder, Minister of Agriculture pesticides to increase crop yields by eliminating certain pests, but these chemicals can also harm other plants, fish, birds, beneficial insects, animals and even humans,” the statement read.

Research has shown that there is a connection between the chemical pesticides and cancer, endocrine disorder, developmental delays and birth defects.

With all the risk factors, the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers share a responsibility and commitment to promote reduced usage of pesticides on crops. “As we commemorate the week ahead, let us continue to strive for food safety.”

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Tuesday October 29, 2019

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Guyana continues to dominate...

From page 28 Directors on the CWI. We have the raw talent and must find ways of developing it into a product worthy of putting on the International stage. The players must also work hard towards their selfdevelopment since too many of them enter the First-Class arena with flaws that should have been corrected at club level.

Although Cricket Guyana Inc. is the only Regional body that has set up a Franchise Academy for its fringe players who are paid a monthly salary to train, their set up must also incorporate Mental Training.

CGI has gotten sponsorship from a company that is close to the Cricket Board which is good but there must be incentives

to encourage corporate entities to buy the eight Franchises so that the players could be payed a match fee which has been stopped.

The development of the LBI facility on the East Coast which will have a Gym and hopefully a swimming Pool is an excellent idea.

J a n u a r y ’s G C B ’s elections should be free and fair and hopefully help to diminish the ‘Politics’ and pave a way for all three County Boards and their Sub Associations to work together for the development of the players.

National Elections are set for next year and it is hoped that whichever Party win, the Government must show more interest in sports and upgrade cricket grounds which were

flourishing in the1970s and 80’s especially those controlled by Bookers and later Guysuco.

National players and who are desirous of playing for Guyana should try to get contracts to play in England even if it’s not at the County level and the GCB contracts should include a clause with allows players to play overseas but must be available to play for Guyana if selected.

This is important, since apart for Berbice there is not much Frist Division cricket played in Guyana due to the unavailability of grounds and the cricket politics among several other reasons including the changing cricket culture from the players and Administrators.

Tuesday October 29, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may feel like there's absolutely nowhere to turn.

Reality is a scary thing to face.

The last thing you want to do is be serious. But you're finding it difficult to get satisfaction from your fantasy world.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You have a strong sense of self. You take charge of situations instead of letting them take charge of you. But this sense of independence and self-confidence may threaten other people.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may feel like a mediator between two camps, or you may be the one in a struggle that needs mediation.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Be careful about taking everything as a personal offense. Others' inconsiderate actions may hurt you emotionally, but they don't have to.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Difficult tension may be frustrating for you to handle.

You may wonder why everyone can't just get along. The answer may seem simple to you, with your easygoing attitude.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Tension may arise among friends when someone suddenly feels like an ignored third wheel. People tend to pair up. Do what you can to stay on topics to which everyone can contribute equally. Staying united is key.

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Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your lively, imaginative spirit is in tune with the collective.

The need for a worldly consciousness and evolving humanity has become more obvious to you as time goes by.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Just when you slow down, simplify, and plan, things start to pick up again. Your imagination starts to fly. Stabilization hinders your creative spirit. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Difficult tension may be frustrating for you to handle.

You may wonder why everyone can't just get along. The answer may seem simple to you, with your easygoing attitude.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Gadgets and new devices that are supposed to make it easier to accomplish certain tasks may actually cause more confusion. You're often a big fan of doing things the old-fashioned way.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Be careful about going overboard with your sarcasm.

Some people take your comments seriously. Not everyone understands your humor. This could make communication unclear at times.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Self-image could be a difficult issue for you. Perhaps you've painted a false picture of yourself lately. In an effort to cover your insecurity, you may not have expressed how you feel to some people.

Powell, Cornwall in for Hurricanes campaign Basseterre, St Kitts, CMC – Discarded West Indies opener Kieran Powell and the region’s latest Test recruit, Rahkeem Cornwall, headline Leeward Islands Hurricanes 14-man squad for the Regional Super50 starting next week.

The left-handed Powell has played 40 Tests and 46 One-Day Internationals but was dropped following West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh last December.

He will be joined by offspinner all-rounder Cornwall who has been named in the side despite his call up to the Windies squad for the oneoff Test against Afghanistan in India starting November 27.

Cornwall, who topped the batting averages and the bowling aggregates in the last Super50, will be available for several matches before heading off on senior team duty. Selectors have, meanwhile, called up uncapped 23-year-old leftarm seamer Kezron Archibald for his maiden Super50 campaign.

Archibald recently impressed for Nevis with a five-wicket haul against Anguilla in the Leeward Islands 50-overs Championship. Hurricanes will also have in their ranks Trinidadian left-hander Amir Jangoo who has left Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners after scoring two half-centuries to help them to the Super50 title last season. The side will be led by Jahmar Hamilton.

Kieran Powell Hurricanes will contest Group A at home at Warner Park and Conaree Sports Complex, alongside the likes of Marooners, Jamaica Scorpions, Barbados Pride, and Canada.

The tournaments runs from November 6 to December 1, with Group B being staged in Trinidad at Queen’s Park Oval and the Brian Lara Stadium.

Hurricanes raise the

curtain on the tournament when they take on Marooners at Warner Park.

Squad – Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Rahkeem Cornwall, Kieran Powell, Devon Thomas, Montcin Hodge, Keacy Carty, Yannick Leonard, Kezron Archibald, Sheeno Berridge, Jeremiah Louis, Akeem Saunders, Terrance Warde, Amir Jangoo, Jason Campbelle.

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Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

NBA roundup: Grizz sink Nets on Crowder’s buzzer-beater Jae Crowder drained a 3pointer as time expired in overtime to lift the host Memphis Grizzlies to a 134-133 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Brooklyn appeared poised to record its second win in three outings after Memphis rookie Ja Morant failed to connect with Kyle Anderson on an inbounds pass with 8.1 seconds left.

Spencer Dinwiddie made one of two free throws to push the Nets’ lead to 133-131, but Morant set up Crowder for the game-winning shot at the top of the arc.

Morant scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and pushed the game into overtime with a well-timed block of Kyrie Irving as time expired.

Dillon Brooks made 9 of 15 shots from the field for 21 points as the Grizzlies overcame an eight-point deficit with 3:20 remaining in the fourth quarter to record their first win of the season.

Trail Blazers 121, Mavericks 119 - Carried by 35 points from CJ McCollum, 28 from Damian Lillard and 20 from Rodney Hood, Portland

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jae Crowder (99), guard Ja Morant (12) and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13). Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports. overcame a sluggish first half to pull out a clutch victory at Dallas. Lillard’s lefty layup with 26.8 seconds to go — after a Mavericks shot-clock violation — put the Blazers ahead for good.

Kristaps Porzingis led Dallas with 32 points, adding nine rebounds and five

assists, while Luka Doncic had 29 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

Lakers 120, Hornets 101 - Anthony Davis scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half as host Los Angeles defeated Charlotte. Davis also had 14 rebounds and three blocks.

LeBron James scored 20

Cilic, Raonic make winning starts at Paris Masters, Federer withdraws Reuters - Marin Cilic and Milos Raonic booked their spots in the Paris Masters second round yesterday, while Roger Federer pulled out of the tournament with next month’s ATP Finals on the horizon.

Cilic eased past Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 7-6(5) 6-4 to set up a second round meeting with three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka. The 2014 U.S. Open champion dictated the contest with power and precision as he won 86% of his first-serve points to seal his third consecutive victory over Hurkacz in less than two years.

Big-serving Canadian Raonic capitalised on fast court conditions to outclass Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-2 in just over an hour at the AccorHotels Arena. A back injury has limited Raonic to three matches since the Rogers Cup in August, but the 2014 Paris runner-up was back to full strength as he struck 14 aces in a masterful

points, dished out 12 assists and grabbed six rebounds.

Dwight Howard delivered a solid effort off the bench, scoring 16 points on 8-of-8 shooting, grabbing 10

rebounds and blocking four shots for the Lakers.

Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 23 points. Cody Zeller finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds (seven on the offensive end), three blocks and three steals. Terry Rozier also scored 19 points, while Dwayne Bacon added 15 points for the Hornets.

Timberwolves 116, Heat 109 - Andrew Wiggins scored 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter — including three straight 3-pointers at one point — to lead Minnesota past Miami in Minneapolis.

In a span of just over four minutes, Wiggins scored 16 of Minnesota’s 17 points, as the Wolves went from a 96-93 deficit to a 110-101 lead. Prior to that stretch, he had been 0-for-5 on 3-pointers in the game. Then, he made five straight shots, including four threes, during the 17-5 run.

T-Wolves big man KarlAnthony Towns had 23 points and 11 rebounds. But he was fairly quiet after a 15-

point first quarter. Miami was led by rookie guard Kendrick Nunn, who scored 25 points.

He is off to the best threegame rookie scoring start in Heat history.

Thunder 120, Warriors 92 - Dennis Schroder scored 22 points as host Oklahoma City blew out Golden State, which has averaged 130.5 points allowed in back-toback losses to start the season.

The Thunder dominated from the start, scoring the game’s first eight points. The margin was less than double digits for only about six minutes of game action.

Oklahoma City led 70-37 at halftime.

Danilo Gallinari added 21 points, and Shai GilgeousAlexander 19 in the win. The Thunder made 15 3-pointers, four by Gallinari. Stephen Curry led Golden State with 23 points but was just 2 of 9 from behind the 3-point line.

The Warriors shot just 15.2 percent from behind the arc (5 of 33). (Field Level Media)

Franck Ribery gets threematch ban for pushing official after Fiorentina defeat

Marin Cilic display. Raonic will next face newly-crowned Vienna Open champion Dominic Thiem.

World number three Federer pulled out of the tournament as he fine tunes his schedule heading into the season-ending ATP Finals.

The 38-year-old Swiss lifted a record-extending 10th Swiss Indoors championship title in his hometown of Basel on Sunday and has decided not to play back-to-back weeks at this stage of the season.

“I am extremely disappointed to have to pull out of the Paris Masters,” Federer said in a statement here. “I have to pace myself since I want to play as long as possible on the ATP Tour.

I am sorry for my French fans who I will see next year at Roland Garros.”

Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas have booked their places for next month’s ATP Finals, with the Paris Masters set to determine who clinches the final two spots for the London tournament.

Italian Andreas Seppi has replaced Federer as a lucky loser in the Paris main draw and will meet Moldova’s Radu Albot in the second round.

Franck Ribery (left) has scored twice in nine appearances since joining Fiorentina.

BBCsport - Fiorentina’s Franck Ribery has been banned for three matches and fined 20,000 euros (£17,257) after pushing an assistant referee following his side’s 21 defeat by Lazio. The 36year-old, who had been substituted in the 74th minute, remonstrated with officials at the final whistle.

He was restrained by teammates before being shown a red card.

Ribery, who joined the Serie A club in the summer, apologised for his actions. A Serie A disciplinary tribunal described Ribery’s conduct as “seriously disrespectful”,

saying the midfielder approached the official with “threatening behaviour” and pushed him twice.

After the incident, exBayern Munich winger Ribery tweeted: “I apologise to my team-mates, to the coach, to the fans. “I apologise also to (the assistant referee) Mr Passeri because at the end of the game I was very upset and I hope he can understand what was my mood.”

Fiorentina claimed the move which led to Lazio’s winner, scored by Ciro Immobile, began with a foul

by Jordan Lukaku on their

winger Riccardo Sotil. The club wanted to know why referee Marco Guida did not review the incident on the pitchside monitor and chose only to consult VAR officials.

“Why didn’t he go and have a look?” asked Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella.

“It’s very serious if the referee does not have a look in a key episode. “We all stood around for four minutes waiting for the VAR to say if he should see it or not. If he’d only gone and looked at it, it would’ve been a minute or two longer, but at least we’d all be sure.”

Tuesday October 29, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Guyana continues to dominate Regional First-Class cricket; But few Guyanese are going on to International success

By Sean Devers Guyana continues to dominate Regional First-Class cricket and have won every First Class titles since 2015 to reconfirm they are the best ‘Red Ball’ team in the Caribbean but only two Guyanese played Test cricket during this year.

The 21-year-old fast bowling all-rounder Kemo Paul and 22-year-old Shimron Hetmyer are the only two Guyanese to play Test cricket for this year while 33-year-old leg-spinner Davindra Bishoo played the last of his 36 Tests in December 2018 against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Paul, who has a highest score of 47 from his six Test innings and six wickets from three Tests, and Hetmyer, who played 15 Tests between April 2017 and September 2019 scoring five fifties and 825 runs at an Average of 28.44 from 29 innings have been selected in the squad for the Afghanistan Test from November 27 in India.

West Indies also plays three T20s and three ODIs before opposing India in three T20s in December. Romario Shepherd, the 24-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder has been selected to oppose Afghanistan in three ODIs in India from November 6 to become only the third player from New Amsterdam to be picked for International cricket, following his Bermine

Club mate (Tucber Park) Clayton Lambert and WicketKeeper Milton Pydana who played for Berbice Police.

Twenty-one-year-old Sherfane Rutherford has been selected on the T20 side to tour India after playing his lone T20I game in Dhaka last year December. Hetmyer is the only Guyanese selected for all three formats.

The 26-year-old Chanderpaul Hemraj, who played six ODIs last year, could be deemed a bit unlucky not to gain selection to the ODI Squad to India; and to a lesser extent Wicket-Keeper Anthony Bramble.

Although Hemraj made 88 runs at an Average of 13.2 in ODIs he played, the left handed opener showed form during the recently concluded CPL T20 Championships to help the Warriors to a record fifth final.

Is the reason why more Guyanese are not being picked for the West Indies by a Men’s selection panel which included Guyanese Travis Dowlin and now Roger Harper, a case of other nationalities being given preferential treatment or is it that although Guyanese players dominate Regional Cricket it is felt that they would not replicate such performances at International level… or maybe a bit of both?

Why does Test discards like Devon Smith, Denish Ramdin and Chanderpaul

Shimron Hetmyer

Roger Harper

Ricky Skerritt

Anand Sanasie

more successful than many among the young generation in Regional First-Class cricket where the standard is arguably lower than First Division cricket in Guyana and Barbados in the 1980s?

Most of the pitches with the exception of the one in St Lucia are low and slow, spinners rarely flight the ball and batsmen lack mental toughness, powers of concentration and proper shot selection in an era when many West Indian players prefer T20 format.Vishaul Singh made his Test debut against Pakistan last April in Jamaica and scored 63 runs in three Tests at a disappointing average of 10.50 while Shimron Hetmyer who turns 23 on Boxing Day, also made his debut in that same series.

Also making his Test debut in 2017 was Bajan lefthanded all-rounder Raymon Reifer after consistent

performances for the Guyana Jaguars Franchise. His debut came on December 1 against New Zealand and he scored 52 runs from two innings and took a wicket in each innings of his only Test.

Pacer Ronsford Beaton was the other Guyanese to play International cricket in the last three years when he made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 2017 but the first Essequibo player to play Internationally for West Indies was reported for a suspect action after just two ODIs. Bishoo was the only Guyanese to make an impact with nine wickets against Zimbabwe while Hetmyer, despite his recent poor run with the bat, is highly talented and seems to have a bright future once he learns to improve his shot selection and temper his natural aggression.

Jaguars Skipper Leon Johnson, has won five consecutive First-Class titles and is only the second Captain in Regional cricket to capture a hat-trick of titles and is widely regarded the best leader presently in the West Indies.

Johnson made his ODI debut as a 20-year-old but had to wait another six years to play the first of his nine Tests.

He has 403 Test runs including two fifties, one on debut against Bangladesh in St. Lucia in 2014. He has a Test Average of 25.18.

His low conversion rate of only five centuries in 41 scores of over 50 from 190 innings at First-Class level is a worry and now 32, time is running out on him. Johnson has reached 50 just twice (in the same game against Jamaica last February) his last 20 innings in First-Class cricket.

The 30-year-old left arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, has 18 wickets from six Tests at an average of 43.77 and is among four bowlers (Nickita Miller, Ryan Austin, Shane Shillingford) with 400 Regional First-Class wickets.

Permaul also eight wickets from seven ODIs, but has not played a Test since 2015 while his last ODI was in April 2017 against Pakistan at Providence when he had none for 34 from four overs.

Permaul has 483 FirstClass wickets from 113 matches and continues to dominate Caribbean batsmen who most times seems clueless against spin on spin friendly tracks. Permaul was picked last year for a T20I but after bowling just three balls left the field with leg injury and has not been recalled.

Permaul did not play a single game in this year’s CPL although he was a member of the Warriors’ outfit. Like Johnson, Permaul seems hard press for an International recall. The other Guyanese to play Test Cricket in the last five years of Guyana’s dominance is opener Rajendra Chandrika,who played the last of his five Tests in August 2016 and has a Test average of 14.00. He has lost form, confidence and his place in Guyana team.

Anthony Bramble, who turned 29 on December 11, has the most dismissals by a Wicket-Keeper in the Region in the last four seasons after making his Regional debut in 2010 as a 20-year-old.

Bramble, led Windies ‘B’ to the final of the Global T20 in Canada and has 225 dismissals from 58 First-Class games. He was selected in the squad for the T20I against India in July but Nicolas Pooran did the duties behind the stumps. With 10 fifties and three centuries at FirstClass level he is also capable with the bat.

But Shane Dowrich, Pooran, Shai Hope and Denish Ramdin (still the best gloveman in the West Indies) have been picked for the three formats for next month’s tour to India. We all are aware of the problems in West Indies cricket, compounded by the less than amicable relationship between the players and board which seems to be on the mend with

recall of Trinidadians Kiron Pollard who replaces Jason Holder and Carlos Braithwaite as white ball Captain.

Daren Bravo and Sunil Narine are among those to be recalled. However, this new admiinistration threw away the baby with the bath water when it removed Esuan Crandon; the Assistant Coach when West Indies had a rare Test series win over England on their last tour to the Caribbean, from the Senior Team’s Coaching staff.

CWI President Kittitian Ricky Skerritt and his Vice President Vincentian Dr. Kishore must be careful of not trying to reward the Trinidadians (their biggest supporters at the recent CWI Elections) and more worrying is the CWI putting Dr, Shallow’s countryman Miles Bascome who played just a single T20I (making three from seven balls) on the selection panel while removing Guyanese Travis Dowlin from the men’s and putting him on the Female panel.

It must be noted that Anand Sanasie and Anand Kalladeen are the Guyanese (Continued on page 25)

WTA Finals: Simona Halep sees off Bianca Andreescu, Elina Svitolina beats Karolina Pliskova BBCsport - Wimbledon champion Simona Halep survived match point before beating Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu in a pulsating WTA Finals clash in Shenzhen. The 28-year-old Romanian was on the brink at 6-5 in the second set before taking her third set point in the tie-break to force a decider.

US Open champion Andreescu required lengthy treatment on her back before Halep clinched a 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 win. Earlier yesterday, defending champion Elina Svitolina beat Karolina Pliskova.

Andreescu plays Czech second seed Pliskova on Wednesday in their second roundrobin match, with the 19-year-old saying she will spend the next 48 hours trying to overcome the back problem which hampered her against Halep.

“In the third set, I really don’t want to blame my back, but I felt like I didn’t have the same power as I did in the first and second set,” Andreescu said.

Ukrainian world number eight Svitolina edged an 18-minute first set tie-break before sealing a 7-6 (14-12) 6-4 win.

Both players broke each other early in the opening set before the marathon tie-break

Simona Halep is bidding for her first WTA Tour Finals triumph, having finished runner-up in 2014. (REUTERS) which Svitolina clinched when the Czech’s backhand landed wide. Svitolina’s break in the seventh game of the second set proved decisive as she claimed a seventh successive victory at the WTA Finals.

Kemo Paul

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Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

WIFBSC Short Range Match 2019

Guyana is second as T&T shoots its way to top spot Host Trinidad and Tobago surged to the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Short Range title and in the process dethroned Barbados which had won on home soil in 2018. All the action unfolded at the Tucker Valley Range,Chaguaramas and was hosted by the Northern Rifle Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NRATT) under the auspices of the West Indies Full Bore Shooting Council (WIFBSC).

Former WIFBSC Individual Champion Lenox Braithwaite shot the highest score of any team on Saturday last (148.14) but his effort could not land Guyana the Short Range title as the host team, led by 2019 Individual champion, Varma Rambarran who shot a total of 147.18, led T&T to

1130.80 points just two more than the Guyanese (1128.65) to win the most coveted tem trophy amongst the Caribbean marksmen and women.

Whilst not winning the title, Captain Mahendar Persaud in an invited comment said that his charges still made themselves and country proud given some challenging circumstances.

He noted that all the shooters did their best and summed up that the Trinidad and Tobago side, capitalised on their home advantage to the fullest.

Former champs Barbados ended third with a total score of 1075.60 with Antigua and Barbuda next with 1063.58.

Team Canada won the match with a score of 1142.71 while Team England was fourth with 1115.74.

Team Guyana at WIFBSC 2019 Championships from right, Ryan Sampson, Leo Romalho, Roberto Tiwari, Mahendra Persaud, Lennox Braithwaite, Dane Blair, John Fraser, Peter Persaud and Ransford Goodluck. Missing are Dylan Fields and Sherwin Felicien.

The Guyanese remain the kings of the Long-Range Team Title and will hold on to the Milex/Crown Mining trophy until next year.

Following are the scores for the WIFBSC Short Range Match 2019 2nd Place Caribbean / 3rd Place Overall Name Country Class V Stage Pts Stage % Braithwaite, Lennox Guyana X 14 148 99.33 % Tewari, Roberto Guyana X 9 144 96.64 % Romalho, Leo Guyana X 9 142 95.30 % Sampson, Ryan Guyana O 8 141 94.63 % Felicien, Sherwin Guyana X 8 141 94.63 % Persaud, Peter Guyana X 8 141 94.63 % Goodluck, Ransford Guyana X 5 132 88.59 % Fields, Dylan Guyana X 4 139 93.29 % TOTAL 65 1128 1st Place Caribbean / 2nd Place Overall Rambaran, Varma Trinidad & Tobago X 18 147 98.66 % McKay, Dexter Trinidad & Tobago X 12 145 97.32 % Holder, Jeffrey Trinidad & Tobago O 10 143 95.97 % Gomez, Norris Trinidad & Tobago X 9 140 93.96 % Lall, Justin Trinidad & Tobago X 8 144 96.64 % Chung, Leslie Trinidad & Tobago X 8 135 90.60 % Joseph, Ezekiel Trinidad & Tobago X 8 138 92.62 % Ackrill, Mark Trinidad & Tobago X 7 138 92.62 % TOTAL 80 1130

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – West Demerara FA

WIFBSC Individual Championships 2019 The Individual championships was won in record style by T&T’s Dr. Varma Rambarran who dropped just a single shot in totaling 404.39; in the process he dethroned Guyanese Ransford Goodluck who tallied 392 points to end third.

Goodluck and countryman Lennox

Braithwaite ended with the same points but were separated by Vs, Braithwaite accumulating 34 to Goodluck’s, 30.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Anderson Perry was fourth (392.24), Roberto Tiwari fifth (386.27), T&T’s Justin Lall sixth (386.26), Barbados’ Jason Wood seventh (385.23), Antigua & Barbuda’s Laurne Benjamin eight (380.20),

Overall Placing for Individuals - Caribbean Place Name Country Class 2nd Braithwaite, Lennox Guyana X 3rd Goodluck, Ransford Guyana X 11th Tewari, Roberto Guyana X 25th Sampson, Ryan Guyana O 28th Romalho, Leo Guyana X 38th Fraser, John Guyana X 42nd Persaud, Peter Guyana X

Match Pts 392.34 392.30 386.27 369.22 361.21 348.14 328.19

T&T’s Norris Gomez ninth (377.24), Antigua & Barbuda’s Rev. Olson Daniel 10th (377.15). GuyanaNRA Secretary, Ryan Sampson won the bronze medal in the O-Class category. A total of 69 shooters took part in the Individual championships.

GuyanaNRA Vice Captain Dylan Fields and teammate Sherwin Felicien only competed in the Team Match.

Match % 97.03 % 97.03 % 95.54 % 91.34 % (3rd O-Class) 89.36 % 86.14 % 81.19 %

Duke of Sussex to attend World Cup final in Yokohama

Eagles continue to soar; Uitvlugt Warriors and Hurry ATE draw Eagles Football Club of Stewartville has maintained their dominance of the Under-17 landscape on the West Demerara when they hammered Den Amstel 7-0 on Saturday at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground when play in the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power League continued.

The other match played in the secondround of the competition produced a 2-2 stalemate between home team Uitvlugt Warriors and Hurry ATE Football Club.

Eagles, in dismissing Den Amstel 7-0 improved on their first round 4-3 win, admirably. Troy Skeete led with a helmet-trick (21st, 35th, 45th, 58th) with a goal apiece from Jevaughn Vancouten (6th), Telbert Baptiste

(44th) and Francis Persau in the 48th minute.

Uitvlugt Warriors had taken the lead against Hurry ATE when Travis Fraser netted in the 10th minute and while it took some time for Hurry ATE to equalise, they did so in the 40th minute when L. Livan scored the first of his brace.

Livan would put Hurry ATE ahead in the 50th minute to take the lead for the first time in the match. Their ambitions to walk away with full points came crashing down when Shaquan Gilkes tucked in the equaliser for Uitvlugt in the 70th minute to ensure that his team enjoyed an equal share of the points. On Sunday, Pouderoyen gained a walk over from Wales FC.

Prince Harry presented the Webb Ellis Cup at the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

The Duke of Sussex will attend Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa in Yokohama, Buckingham Palace has said.

Prince Harry, who recently returned from a visit to southern Africa, is patron of the Rugby Football Union.

He watched England win the 2003 World Cup in Sydney and presented the trophy to New Zealand captain Richie McCaw at the last final at Twickenham in 2015.

His brother the Duke of Cambridge is a patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Wales missed out on a first World Cup final appearance with an agonising 19-16 semi-final defeat by South Africa.

England qualified for their first final since 2007 with an emphatic 19-7 win over defending champions New Zealand. (BBCsport)

Tuesday October 29, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Kishore takes Longest Drive title; Pascal wins NTP at Bridgestone Guyana Open Guyanese Avinda Kishore won the Longest Drive while Neville Pascal of Barbados took the Nearest to the Pin title on the second and final day of the Bridgestone Guyana Open Golf tournament which concluded on Sunday last at the Lusignan Golf Course.

The tournament saw Avinash Persaud winning his 10th title, withstanding stiff challenges from Avinda Kishore, Alfred Mentore, Kassim Khan and Aleem Hussain in the Championship Flight.

Guyanese Julia Stephenson who now lives in Barbados emerged winner of the Ladies Flight, winning by one stroke over her nearest c o m p e t i t o r, Shanella London.

Despite his performance being over shadowed by Persaud, Kishore was the overall Best Net winner in the 0-9 Flight with 141. Avinash Persaud (142) placed second and Alfred Mentore (142) finished third.

Mike Mangal (145) and Aleem Hussain (146) also turned in outstanding

Imtiaz Subhan collects his prize from Sonia Noel. p e r f o r m a n c e s . Av i n a s h Persaud won the Best Gross with 146 ahead of Avinda Kishore (149) and Franklin Stephenson (157) of Barbados in that order.

In the 10 – 18 Flight, overall Best Net winners were 1st – Rakesh Harry (130), 2nd – Satrohan Tiwari (134), and 3rd – George Bulkan (142).

Overall Best Gross winners in this category were Satrohan Tiwari (166),

Rakesh Harry (166), and Aasrodeen Shaw (168).

In the 19 – 28 Flight, overall Best Net and Best Gross winners were Imtiaz Subhan (134/178), Dr. Philbert London (138/180) and Miguel Oviedo (145/201). In the Seniors Flight, Best Net and Best Gross winners were; 1st – Tulsieram Persaud (151/ 199), 2nd – Maurice Solomon (151/201) and 3rd – AbdoolAzeez (155)/211).

In the Ladies Flight,

Rakesh Harry (left) accepts one of his prizes from LGC Treasurer, Aasrodeen Shaw. overall Best Winners were; 1st – Shanella London (149), 2nd – Dr. Joaan Deo (153) and 3rd – Julia Stephenson (155).

Best Gross winners were; 1st - Julia Stephenson (177), 2nd – Shanella London (177) and 3rd – Christine Sukhram (180).With more than 40 major companies in support of the golfing event, it was sure to be a weekend to remember and the level of play did not

disappoint with the upsets coming where least expected.

LGC President Aleem Hussain thanked the p l a y e r s a nd supporters including Anwar, Troy Cadogan, Guillermo Escarraga, Rudy Ramalingum, Aditka Persaud, George Bulkan, Panko Ramsundar along with the members of the Executive for making the event and his term in office a

success.

He was especially grateful to the sponsors who have supported the vision of bringing golf to new heights in Guyana and praised the media who he said has done a magnificent job of promoting the sport.

The tournament Champions were decided by the Best Gross overall in the Male and Female categories.

Late Haiti charge comes up short versus South Korea at U-17 World Cup

Degnand Gnoto © FIFA via Getty Images

Goiania, Brazil – A ferocious late charge from Haiti came up just short in a 2-1 defeat to South Korea in their opening match of Group B at the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Brazil on Sunday night at the Estadio da Serrinha in Goiania.

Ji-Sung Eom earned a 10 lead for South Korea in the 26’ with a well-struck free kick from the right edge that curled over the head of Haiti GK Stephner Paul and into goal. Min-Seo Choi doubled the lead to 20 in the 41’ by collecting a cutback pass from the left flank and sweeping in a left-footed shot to give the South Koreans a two-goal lead at the break.

Haiti continued to battle and a red card to South Korea’s Tae-Seok Lee in the 79’ opened the door for a Haiti comeback bid. The Caribbean nation cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 88’ thanks to Carl-Fred Sainte’s long-range rightfooted rocket.

Haiti then pushed for an equalizer, but were unable to find a second score.

Haiti returns to action on Wednesday against Chile.

Italy run rampant in Group F opener A trifecta of goals in the

first half helped Italy ease p a s t F I FA U - 1 7 Wo r l d Cup™ debutants Solomon Islands 5-0 yesterday at Brasilia’s Estadio Bezerrao.

Gli Azzurrini’s attacking duo of Degnand Gnoto and Nicolo Cudrig proved too much to handle, combining for scores in the 24th, 29th and 34th minutes to break the game open.

Gnoto, who is only 15 years old, was lethal running at Solomon Islands attackers down the left side. In addition to netting a brace, he also assisted on C u d r i g ’s goal.

The European runners-up were content with their advantage in the second half, though Franco

To n g y a a n d s u b s t i t u t e Andrea Capone tacked on two late goals to make the final scoreline read thoroughly decisive.

Their first U-17 World Cup match ended in a comprehensive defeat, with Solomon Islands unable to equal the successes of fellow newcomers Angola and Senegal.

No10 Raphael Leai shouldered the load of offensive creativity and showed quality in one-onone situations. Goalkeeper Davidson Malam had plenty of work to do, but managed to flash his skills as a shot-stopper on a few occasions.

PAGE 32

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Kaieteur News

WDFA Senior League

Uitvlugt Warriors and Crane Rovers trounce opponents A brace from Senior ‘Golden Jaguar’ Trayon Bobb helped to cement a 3-0 win for Uitvlugt Wa r r i o r s o v e r We s t e r n Pumas when play in the West Demerara Football Association Senior League continued on Sunday at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground.

Bobb found the back of the nets in the 13th and 16th minute with the other goal coming off the boot of Clem Brotherson in the 21st minute.

In the other match, Crane Rovers drove past Hurry ATE 4-1. Ronsford Williams was on target in the 7th and 46th minute with one each from Akeem Pinder (30) and Kwesi Henry in the 55th minute.

Nashua Livan scored Hurry ATE’s consolation goal.

Trayon Bobb (right) and Clem Brotherson – Uitvlugt Warriors FC

Sir Viv says long-term planning

by CWI now key to revival Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Sir Vivian Richards says West Indies cricket has reached a “crossroads” and believes strategic long-term planning by the Ricky Skerritt-led administration will be paramount if the sport is to rebound in the region.

Pointing to the Caribbean side’s disastrous performance at the ICC World Cup in England earlier this year and their steady slide down the rankings, the legendary former Test captain and master batsman conceded the team’s struggles had reached a new low but said he would back any initiatives

by Cricket West Indies aimed at turning the situation around.

“It would have been a setback, the last meaningful tournament we would have participated in, that was the World Cup in England,” Sir Viv told the Line and Length cricket podcast.

“We started pretty well but faded towards the end.

The potential basically and the excitement I think we all had at the time, especially with the start, that we were going to see that turnaround especially in the 50-over tournament … but we faded towards the end.”

He continued: “We are basically at a crossroads where our cricket is concerned. I think we need to get up the [rankings] and we need to find ways and means of doing that. The planning

Sir Vivian Richards. factor [is important], not just for the series we have ahead but also for the future and these are things we need to take in mind.”

West Indies produced their worst-ever showing at a 50-overs World Cup last July when they won just two of their 10 matches to finish ninth of 10 teams – only above minnows and debutants Afghanistan.

They thrashed Pakistan in their opener but then never won again until their final match against the Afghans, as a campaign which promised much fell apart spectacularly.

Sir Viv, whose phenomenal hundred won West Indies the 1979 World Cup and their last to date, said it was critical the administration put the disappointment behind them and involved all stakeholders going forward. “There should be planning now,” Sir Viv stressed.

“The disappointment in

the World Cup and all that sort of stuff, we’ve got to look ahead and that’s going to take [planning]. “We must get behind one another and look to move forward and as I said, hopefully the planning in the future will get better and the ending after the start will be more progressive.”

Following the World Cup, CWI moved to overhaul the leadership infrastructure of the team, appointing Kieron Pollard as captain of the white-ball units while hiring Phil Simmons as head coach on a four-year contract.

The board also revamped the selection policy and appointed new panels for the men, women and youth sides, in a move aimed at creating enhanced transparency and building stronger representative West Indies sides.

And Sir Viv said he was hopeful Simmons received the necessary support in his bid to turn around the senior team’s fortunes.

“I’m just hoping that Phil gets the opportunity to fulfill his duties and all that are around him,” said Sir Viv, who never lost a Test series as captain.

“And knowing the necessity of what is needed to turn West Indies cricket around and to get it back on a solid foundation, it’s going to take a team effort by everyone involved and buying into exactly how we’re going to move forward.”

More sponsors on board for Nand Persaud Sprint Classic One Day Horse Race Meet

Preparations are ongoing for the Nand Persaud Horse Race Meet.

Ahead of this Sunday’s race day, more sponsors have joined hands with the organisers for the Nand Persaud and Company, Mega One Day Sprint Classic Horse Race Meet. Apart from main sponsors, Beverage giants Banks DIH Limited and Trophy Stall, other sponsors that have come forward are Poonai Pharmacy, NTN Television Station, M. Rahim (Rice Farmer), Businessman Cyril Singh, Rice Farmer N. Roopnarine the NPG Packaging and Plastics Inc. as well as a number of subsidiaries of the Nand Persaud Group of Company Limited.

The event which is promoted by the Sky Plus Inc. Promotion Group will be held at the Company’s Racing

Facility, No. 36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice. Over 30 horses have been entered so far for the event.

Seven races are listed with prize monies totaling over $4M cash, trophies and other incentives. Races will be contested over 880 and 660 yards. The feature event for horses classified G3 and Lower has some of the top animals lined up to go such as the inform TNT, Golden Dancer and Not This Time battling over 880 yards for a winning purse of $225,000 and trophy.

There is a race for H3 Maiden and Guyana Bred Open animals. The Guyana Bred 2 year-old Maiden event will see Flash the Cash, Dazzling Girl and Awesome Bandit among others running.

The race for animals classified J and Lower has the likes of Uprising King, Awesome Banner and Plane Land in contention. There is an event for L Class Open horses where Pikachu and The Rock have been entered to date. There will be an event for L Class none winners.

There will also be a special race for those horses that did not place in the two L Class races. Champion Jockey, Trainer and Stable will all be rewarded with trophies and other incentives compliments of the Mr. Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall.

Interested persons can contact Mohini on 600 4728 or Amanda on 618 5966. The Coordinator is Mohendra ‘Mohin’ Persaud. (Samuel Whyte)

Guyana Jaguars to play first of two warm-up matches tomorrow The Guyana Jaguars will play their first of two practice matches tomorrow at GCC ground, Bourda. The Jaguars will depart Guyana next Monday to begin their quest to secure the 2019 Regional Super 50 Tournament championship title.

On Friday, the Jaguars will play their second practice match at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

Both matches will commence

at 09:30hrs. National select players Gudakesh Motie and Nial Smith will appear for the rest in the first practice match, while in the said match Kelvin Umroa will do duties with the Jaguars. The teams for the first match tomorrow, follows: The Guyana Jaguars – Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson (Captain), Christopher Barnwell, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Jonathan Foo,

Kemol Savory, Ramaal Lewis, Veerasammy Permaul, Clinton Pestano, Ronsford Beaton, Kelvin Umroa.

Rest Side - Trevon Griffith, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach, Vishaul Singh, Ricardo Adams, Anthony Adams, Ronaldo AliMohamed, Richie Looknauth, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Nial Smith, Raymond Perez, Ashmead Nedd.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 29, 2019

Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Schools Football

Defending champs Annandale edge Bishops’ High

Derwin George (center) of Lodge Sec. scored a second half brace in his side’s 3-0 win over Marian Academy.

Match day two of the s e c o n d a n n u a l Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Schools Football League saw three matches being played at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The defending champions, Annandale Secondary showed that they will be a force to reckon with a g a i n i n t h i s y e a r ’s competition after beating The Bishops’ High School (BHS) 4-3 in the feature match.

At the end of the first half, Annandale were up 4-1 and on the resumption of play they were just going through the motions with a sizeable lead. However, BHS took advantage of the c h a m p i o n ’s l a p s e o f concentration and netted two

late goals.

On the score sheet with a double each for Annandale were Omari Glasgow (5th & 31st) and Colin Henriques (7th and 24th). Aquino Luke (21st), Romeo Bradford (54th) and Malachi Richards (63rd) scored for BHS. In the first match of the a f t e r n o o n , P r e s i d e n t ’s College (PC) drew 2-2 with Cummings Lodge Secondary. It was an eventually disappointing result for Cummings Lodge after they were up 2-0 by the 28th minute through one goal each from Jitzak Martinez and Ronnel George.

However, PC was never going to give up and Alistair Henry found the back of the net in the 43rd minute before Shalom Chisholm equalised

in stoppage time. The second match produced a comfortable 3-0 win for Lodge Secondary over Marian Academy courtesy of a second half brace from Dorwin George who squandered a few easy chances. Nicholas Trotman had opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the match.

The winners of this tournament along with runners up will qualify for the end of year Goodwill tournament that will include a school team Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), a Hinterland team and an All-Star team.

The first place team will pocket $200,000 towards a project of their school’s choice with second place getting $100,000, third $50,000 and fourth place $25,000.

Annandale Secondary’s Omari Glasgow (on the ball) had a fantastic game for the defending champions that defeated The Bishops High.

PAGE 33

Ricardo and Anthony Adams - surprise omissions from Guyana Jaguars Super 50 side

By Zaheer Mohamed he recently concluded C G I / S B F Petroleum Franchise League was used as a bench mark to select the Guyana Jaguars squad for the CWI Colonial Medical Insurance Regional Super 50 which is set to commence on November 6 in St. Kitts and Trinidad and Tobago.

To be successful in any Regional tournament, consistent cricket is required and as such the best players on show should form the basis of the team. When one looks at the Guyana Jaguars side selected for the Regional Super 50, the team does contain some talented players who have performed consistently in the recently concluded Franchise League.

The return of Ronsford Beaton and Jonathan Foo, the inclusion of pacer Niall Smith and wicket-keeper batsman Kemol Savory are some of the positives; however the omission of

T

Anthony Adams

Ricardo Adams

Ricardo and Anthony Adams is most surprising and very difficult to digest by many.

These players have done well enough to earn a call up to the national side but for some reason they were not considered. Ricardo finished the tournament as the joint leading wicket taker with 20 scalps and had some valuable knocks with the bat while Anthony Adams struck two half centuries and picked up 13 wickets; both creditable all-round performances.

Ricardo collected the

man-of-the-match award twice and grabbed eight wickets versus East Coast Demerara while he and Anthony, who also had a man-of-the-match award, shared all 10 wickets between them against West Berbice, with Anthony taking six and Ricardo four.

These players have done what is takes to be included in the side and when competing in modern day sport, the selectors should ensure that best and in-form players are included in the team.

Savory hoping to capitalise on chances at Regional Super 50

By Zaheer Mohamed ssequibo wicketkeeper batsman Kemol Savory will be looking to put his best foot forward in the upcoming Cricket West Indies Colonial Medical Insurance Super 50 which starts on November 6 in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts.

Savory’s outstanding performances in the recently concluded SBF Petroleum 50-over Franchise League earned him a call up to the Guyana Jaguars side. He scored 336 runs and effected 18 dismissals to earn the Most Valuable Player award.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport following a training session yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, Savory said he is happy to be included in the national team and will be hoping to capitalise on every opportunity he gets. “After putting in the hard work over three years, it finally paid off and it’s a great feeling,” he added.

Savory said he was pleased with his form in the Franchise League, but added there is always room for improvement. “I must give thanks to the Almighty for the way I played in the league.

While I got among the runs and contributed

E

Kemol Savory positively towards the team, I am always looking to improve my strengths and challenges.”

He stated that while he is delighted to be included in the team, he is looking forward to the challenges and want to reward the fans for their support, “I just want to go out there and help the team be successful. “It’s important to get the basics right and support my team mates.

Speaking on the final round game, where Essequibo lost to East Bank Demerara at Everest, Savory credited East Bank Demerara for the way they played. “We were chasing a decent total, but we needed to bat in partnerships a bit more and had we done that

we could have put ourselves in a better position to cross the final hurdle.”

The left-handed, East Bank Essequibo resident said he is pleased with his personal form heading into the Super 50 tournament.

“I am pleased with my form at the moment, there is some improvement from last year and I am in better shape this time around.

I am looking forward to grab the opportunity with both hands and help the team in every way I can.”

Guyana Jaguars, last year’s beaten finalists, are in group B alongside West Indies Emerging Players, hosts Trinidad and Tobago R e d F o r c e , Wi n d w a r d Islands Volcanoes and The United States of America.

Group ‘A’ consists of defending champions Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Jamaica Scorpions, Barbados Pride and Canada.

Ryan Sampson - 3rd O-Class Individual C/ship

rt o p S WIFBSC Short Range Match 2019

Lennox Braithwaite – Top Individual score in Team Match / 2nd X-Class Individual Ransford Goodluck – 3rd X-Class Individual C/ship

Guyana is second as T&T shoots its way to top spot GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – West Demerara FA

Shanella London in action.

Kishore takes Longest Drive title; Pascal wins NTP at Bridgestone Guyana Open

Eagles continue to soar; Uitvlugt Warriors and Hurry ATE draw

Jevaughn Vancouten, Telbert Baptiste, Troy Skeete and Francis Persaud – Eagles FC

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