Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

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

Guyana leads

Wednesday Edition October 06, 2021 - Vol. 14 No.29

in number of cases filed at CCJ

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 89,042

More T&T companies continue to flood p.

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Guyana's oil sector Protest to change all foreign contracts continues.

- as country remains without Local content policy and legislation

Fire Chief instructed to go on leave Murder suspect's girlfriend arrested with illegal gun Manager, Sales Rep tied up and robbed by gunmen at warehouse

Opportunities in oil sector slipping away; industry needs to take action soon

- Former GCCI Head Guyana’s profit reduces from 12.5% to 9% after paying Oil Co. taxes. @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 06, 2021

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Pandora Papers The Pandora Papers, compliments of a BBC online report on Sunday, October 3, other than for one out of place name, was not altogether surprising. The names and places of some of those fingered only confirm longstanding speculations, given the dedication of those leaders to secrecy, airtight controls, and a habit of dismissing those who object to the way they govern their societies. The big surprise is that some of Guyana’s leaders are not among this latest heavy-duty leak of what is secreted away in offshore financial havens.

The Pandora Papers continue the trend set by the Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, and other sources of embarrassing multimillion plunders by national leaders.

Crooked leaders understand that the odds are in their favour, since offshore financial havens offer tight secrecy and tighter firewalls aimed at thwarting leaks or disclosure of information. But, once again, the well-named Pandora Papers, with all sorts of disastrous leadership plagues unleashed, is a treasure trove of criminal misconduct by leaders. To be sure, it is a costly service, but that is not of too much concern, since tens or hundreds of millions of dollars are involved. And in this latest instance of determined investigative pursuit, almost 12 million files had to be reviewed to get to the nuggets buried deeply.

The effort by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) engaging the attention of more than 650 reporters did hit a gold mine of public figures, some known globally. Among those caught in the net were “35 current and former world leaders” as well as “300 public officials.” We are still surprised that Guyana’s political leaders, present and prior, are not among those whose names come up. It is quite likely that they are too slick for any such arrangement, and are more at home entrusting looted wealth with overseas family members, who are neck deep in possibly criminal collaborations, such as money laundering; hence, too deep in the web of wrongdoing, to let the cat out of the bag. That is, if they were ever so inclined in the first place. It must be understood that they and the leaders have neither morals nor scruples nor conscience nor even God. Nonetheless, it is those that the Pandora Papers gave up that give us pause. There was the expected from one Middle Eastern location, another from Azerbaijan and sister state, the Ukraine.

No surprises from those locations, since those leaders call the shots and have total control over the machinery of docile governments.

The Pakistan of Imran Khan, former cricketing superstar, has its share of ministers and ranking officials identified in the self-enriching numbers stashed away overseas, which is, again, not a big surprise. Still, it is good to see that Imran Khan’s name was not mentioned, for we do not assess him in such dirty light.

The Czech Prime Minister Babis looks like par for the course, and the mention of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin does not shock. What was surprising was that only the Kenyan President and a tight circle of six family members came up for dishonourable mention with millions secreted away. We expected to read of big names from Nigeria and Angola, but those could be in the next chapter of sordid leaders and their people.

As we at this paper see it, the biggest fishes trapped in the Pandora Papers dragnet are former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and spouse. Though the stamp duty amount evaded pales in comparison to that of the others, the fact that his name appears in such discredited company is a sign of how even the believed impeccable could get carried away.

We admit that we can be charged with going a bit too gently on Mr. Blair and his wife, but we are still processing his presence in such a crowd. If a Tony Blair could end up there, what about those in Guyana who have chronic cheating, lying and vandalising in their blood? As sure as the tide ebbs and flows daily, they are somewhere in the massive crookedness that abounds in this land. It is just a matter of time before the rug is pulled from under them, and the light shines on their multimillion-dollar misdeeds.

Is Guyana’s history and heritage for sale? Means so little to us?

Dear Editor, Guyana is an interesting place. While Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who is the lone member of the ‘National Investment Committee’ is telling the Guyanese people that we must temper our expectations and should not expect benefits from the oil and gas industry until the next few years, people are selling island(s) in our country.

I saw on an internet posting, that one of the three islands in the Demerara River was sold for G$315,000,000 million dollars.

This sale has particularly aroused my interest, because I am currently assisting some of the residents of Coverden on the East Bank of Demerara to develop a community transformational plan, which will focus on three economic areas: Tourism, agriculture and semi-industrial.

While Coverden has its own history, culture and heritage, the tourism product which is being developed will capture the attractions in the upper and lower Demerara River areas. This we believe can create significant employment for villagers from Coverden, as well as neighbouring communities, and essentially create more value from the history and heritage in that part of the Demerara River.

The tourism potential in that part of the Demerara River area is largely unexplored and residents of Coverden would like to pioneer this economic venture.

I grew up in the Coverden/Soesdyke/West Demerara (riverain) areas and, therefore, I am very familiar with the potential for tourism.

For those who do not know these areas, I would like to quote extracts from Major General (ret’d) Joseph Singh’s article titled ‘The Wonderful Demerara River’. He stated, “The early Spanish explorers referred to this river as ‘Rio de Mirar’, the wonderful river, but it was the Dutch who christened the river, the Demerara, from the word ‘Demirar’, the wonderful. The wonderful Demerara River originates from the rugged, rain-fed, forested northern slopes of the Makari Mountains, l o c ated slightly right of centre of the narrow waist of Guyana”.

Singh further wrote “This article on the wonderful Demerara River is intended to provide the reader with relevant aspects of Dutch, French and British occupation of the Colony of Demerara, as they pertain to the pivotal role of the river in facilitating the development of early settlements, plantations and enterprises.

It illustrates how the river was integral to this development and helped shape the foundations of trade and commerce based on sugar, minerals and timber that have been the magnets for colonial exploitation and post-emancipation settlement”.

Our tourism product for Coverden, is being built around this history. Major

General (ret’d) Singh further wrote, “It is the river that provided the artery, conduit and lifeblood for the multiplicity of activities.

Commencing in the 1750s under Dutch colonial occupation, the early settlements existed alongside plantations on both banks of the Demerara River, where European Planters, utilising their slave labour, produced sugar, coffee and cotton for the Dutch West India Company”.

What some of the residents of Coverden are endeavouring to do, is to capture and create more value from our Dutch, Spanish and British history in that part of the Demerara River.

In 1753, when Demerara became a colony separate from Essequibo, the Dutch had established its administrative headquarters/ Capital on the ‘Borsselen Island’, one of the three islands in the Demerara River, in the County of Demerara.

I sincerely hope that the government did not sell this rich history. Parts of the Borsselen Island should possibly fall under the National Trust Act, as a part of our rich history.

The National Trust of Guyana was established following the passage of a National Trust Act, No. 7 of 1972.

The Act ‘makes provision for the preservation of monuments, sites, places and objects of historic interest or national importance’. What is interesting is that the advertisement for the sale

indicates ‘Island Life Demerara - Own your own island in the Demerara River’.

The island is 49 acres. There was not even any mention of the name of the island. Well, I wish to inform members of the public that the name of the island is Borsselen, and it has a rich history. I hope that the other two Islands, Inver and Biesen were not sold too.

Major General Singh’s article further stated ‘On 3 February 1782, the French captured the colony from the British and the new town was named Longchamps.

When the Dutch regained possession of the colony on 16 February 1784 under the terms of the Tr e a t y o f Ve r s a i l l e s , Longchamps was renamed Stabroek and when on 22 April 1796 the colony again came under British rule the administrative centre continued to expand and on 5 May 1812, Stabroek was renamed Georgetown’.

President Ifraan Ali indicated earlier this year that the Government is willing to consider proposals from citizens, as such we were hoping to partner with the government and possibly an investor, in developing this tourism idea/ venture.

(Here is the link for the website where the advertisement for the sale of the island was published https://mlsguyana.com/ index.php?action=listing view&listingID=741) Yours faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

Clarence Greene - convenient confessor or cover for greater criminality?

Dear Editor, As a representative of the homo sapiens genre and possessing menssana in corpore sano, I refuse to participate in the swirling miasma surrounding the recent demise of the Brickdam Police Station, the seeming hastily- reached conclusions, and the verbiage from those credited with knowing better, or capable of displaying a higher level of intelligence.

Comprehension and solace of sorts can be found in the words of former British Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone, “Men are apt to mistake strength of their feeling for the strength of their arguments.

The heated mind resents the chill touch and relentless scrutiny of logic”.

Consequently, I have connected the dots and am heading straight for the

cranium of the identified arsonist, Clarence Greene. His very action, dastardly to the max, has caused the system of policing and detention to be highlighted on the world stage in a piteously negative way.

Why was he in detention with a lighter, and a piece of wire to boot? The mastermind that he was, or should that be, the faster mind that he possessed was immediately put to the test.

Arrested three hours prior for armed robbery, booked and put in the cell with a lighter, in fact being the non-choir boy that he definitely was, nevertheless was in possession of materials to continue his litany of evil?

The incident has certainly brought to the fore a call for “retraining” or “rebraining’’ of those tasked “To Protect and Serve”. The mattress seemingly had a port of entry

that allowed Greene to remove a piece that served as a quasicarburant. His uttered confession that he did not act alone, only serves to further add fuel to the fire, as it certainly did not warrant corroboration from those of similar ilk.

What part did the accomplices or assistants play? Why did they not speak out voluntarily, even after they were moved to Sparendaam? The dark shadow that now looms over the Force becomes even more ominous as calmer heads and saner minds look at a law enforcement edifice reduced to a rubble because no one took the trouble.

Reports state that the fire started around 11.06 a. m.

Right, smack bang in the middle of the day. When did the ranks on duty start their shift? When were the

detainees last observed?

Were any of the detainees a likely suspect at any time prior to the obtained confession of the perpetrator? As the ashes smoulder, let us look forlornly at the magnitude of the damage caused by one individual, and as the mythical phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor, may the new building bring with it, ranks imbued with a demonstratively stronger sense of duty. No longer can the police be weighed in the balance and found wanting.

Let us not forget March 4, 2016, under similar circumstances that found 17 inmates dead, at least eight others injured and the Capital A Block of the Camp Street Prison relegated to a mere memory. Such situations should no longer exist. If not, then let the Brickdam fire serve as a call for new police hire.

Y. Sam

Wednesday October 06, 2021

The VP living Archimedes Dear Editor, It was Archimedes who boasted, “Give me a lever, and I will move the world.” I observe what is going on in Guyana, with a resurgent PPP, and an omnipotent commercial caste and I behold a man at work: The Vice President echoing Vladimir Lenin, who converted that saying of Archimedes to: “give us an organisation of real revolutionaries, and we will turn Russia upside down.”

He may not have “real revolutionaries” in the extreme senses of the word, but the Vice President is definitely turning Guyana on its head, and all on his own, through leverage of his will.

The VP inherited a disciplined organisation from his political forbearers, one that held together for decades, despite the assaults heaped on it, and all because it cemented around one

guiding principle, one faith, one way only. The PPP revolves around an unbreakable centralism.

Everything tiers up to the centre of gravity at the top.

This is where the Vice President reigns supreme, like some sacred ancient potentate.

It is the most savaging of ironies that the best thing that could have happened to him and his ambitions, was for the limitation against a third term.

He gets the best of worlds: total power on an unofficial and undocumented basis, without even the trappings of some official answerability.

His fingerprints, thumbprints, blueprints, and voiceprints are on all things both large and small, but he doesn’t have any official presidential existence. What could be better than that?

More self-empowering? The man is undefeatable.

I examine realities and

reach conclusions. What Guyana lives with now under this centralised PPP organisation (VP) without competing politics (impotent opposition), without competing estates (media mass), without competing elements (who and how) standing against it? Nothing.

It is an organisation that is wholeheartedly and unalterably committed to one purpose, through one course of action: make as much money by any means necessary, inclusive of the untried, the unprecedented, and the unacceptable. The most money for the party and powers.

And it is all driven by one singular binding feature: total obedience to the one man who rules both party and national roosts from the top.

That is the Vice President.

That is leverage, that is moving Guyana.

He commands that kind of willing

homage, ready kneeling, even outright prostration, because without him, the rest of the PPP’s apparatchik is nothing.

Some old heads have been valiantly making the case that the PPP is no longer MarxistLeninist. Capitalist pursuits and American twinning aside, they should have no difficulty looking at what the VP represents today, and how Lenin and Stalin were in old Russia.

As for Guyana’s official Head of State, he is understood for what he is: a convenience that works well for pretenses. Last, America made Burnham, and he remade Guyana, with Washington and House of Israel among America’s gifts to Guyanese.

Today, America makes the VP in its own image, and he is its latest American poisoned chalice gifted to embittered accursed Guyana.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

The Brickdam Police Station fire Dear Editor, Your Editorial in yesterday’s KN was carefully crafted to exclude the cause of fire, whether or not it was arson and who is to be blamed.

I cannot understand why you have chosen to editorialise in such a drab and boring manner.

The reader wants to know if it was arson and if it was, why it was done. If it was arson, it would surely give us a picture into the thinking of the individual(s) who never gave a second thought to the destruction they were causing.

Or maybe they did intend to cause chaos and destruction. Are they going to get away with the damage they’ve done? We need to know.

It is important that your

Editorial gets to the heart of the matter and that involves the poor response of the Fire Department as we all witnessed on Saturday morning.

This editorial you’ve penned in today’s KN is weak and lacking.

The Brickdam Police Station fire points to a greater problem existing in our midst which must be

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Kaieteur News

addressed. It revealed a systemic illness existing throughout the public services and in society.

The President was disgusted with the professionalism and readiness of the Fire Department.

How do you feel about this? Can you shed some light into what was behind the poor response from the Fire

Department?

I have been reading your editorials for quite some time and I know you are unrelenting with your point of views and unafraid to meet the subject head on.

The editorial yesterday is a far cry from what we’ve come to expect from you.

Dennis Balgobin Editor’s Note: Your critique is well received.

I agree with the President’s criticism of the GFS’s response to the Brickdam Station fire Dear Editor, I want to say that Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas, Police Commissioner, Leslie James and other stakeholders handled the incompetence and bewildering approach shown by the Guyana Fire Service to the fire which occurred at the Brickdam Police Station over the weekend appropriately.

All of them were assessing the damage and conducting meetings with the aim of rebuilding the Brickdam Police Station and ensuring the public is not inconvenienced while they are doing so. They have shown leadership in this dark moment in time when the historic building went up in

flames.

I am sure they are working feverishly to ensure that this will not subsume the government and distract the police force’s attention from the arrest of crime in our society.

If anything, this fire, though deliberately set, will make the law enforcement stronger and the government will show what “leadership” means in times of uncertainty.

But I must comment on the response of the Fire Service. It was poor and unsatisfactory to say the least.

I agree with President Dr. Irfaan Ali when he said “This is less than three minutes walk to a main fire station. We cannot continue as a country (Continued on page 6)

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Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Afro-Guyanese very much present in the PPP Dear Editor, I was born in Supenaam, on the banks of the mighty Essequibo River, and was literally brought into this world by African hands. The midwife, Nurse Canterbury, struck me lightly; I cried and began breathing. I am no expert, but the DNA trail is clear; man came out of Africa.

For some, this may be a stretch, but - in a sense - we are all Africans.

It is simplistic (and a disservice) to think of AfroGuyanese as a monolith.

While they do not have the dizzying variety and complexity of Nigeria’s

numerous ethnic groups (who sometimes eye each other warily), they do display differences in political outlook and philosophy. From the inception, there was AfroGuyanese involvement in the PPP; significantly, Ashton Chase and Forbes Burnham himself. In fact, if memory serves me well, after the latter broke away, there were, for a short period, two PPP’s–the ‘mother party’ and the breakaway faction led by Burnham.

Freddie Kissoon, in one of his recent articles, pointed to the real power and influence wielded by Dr.

Roger Luncheon and Clement Rohee who was at one time, General Secretary of the PPP. Rohee also served in the positions of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister of Home Affairs. Incidentally, Freddie complained about the price of Mr. Rohee’s recently published 582-page memoir “My Story My Song”.

Indeed, the printed version is expensive, but the Kindle version is available (as an instant download) from Amazon.com for US $5.99, and from Amazon.ca for CAD $7.46. Apart from Luncheon and Rohee, there were other

The faces behind the arson attack on the Brickdam Police Station are yet to be revealed Dear Editor, I have read with fascinating interest the news both on social media and traditional media that cover the fire that occurred days ago at the Brickdam Police Station.

One thing that seems not to rest very well with me, is the confession statement given by the prisoner, Clarence Greene. It does not add up because there are too many holes in his statement.

First, who did Greene attempt to rob that got him in trouble with the law? How long was he being held for, and under what conditions?

Does he have any previous brushes with the law?

Second, how did he get the matches to set a piece of the mattress on fire? Where was he being held? Did he start the blaze that led to the fire alone or with the knowledge of others? How come he knew the documents were below so well? What made him confess so willingly to the arson attempt?

Thirdly, where are the family members of Clarence Greene? Why did he give the police an address that does not exist?

I was not able to find him on Facebook or any other social media platform based upon the information supplied in the public domain.

I am not buying his alleged confession or half confession. There are too many questions that remain unanswered surrounding this

dastardly incident.

I think the police have to do a thorough investigation because for all we might know Clarence Greene is only the fall man. He could be part of a wider and more sinister political plot to cause instability throughout Guyana with the use of arson.

This whole thing requires, as both the Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, and later the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said, a thorough probe.

We need to get to the bottom of this arson attack on these institutions of the State. They are becoming too frequent.

Do not buy his reported confession so easily.

Secondly, investigate the handling of the fire too. The firefighters must be held accountable for the decisions they made which led to the preventable d i s a s t e r. St a r t w i t h t h e firing of top officials if you have to. Heads must roll. This is the negligence of the highest form.

No one is fooled! There are those who show a type of half-baked condemnation whenever they speak about crime.

This arson attack at the Brickdam Station comes after an earlier arson attempt on Vigilance Police Station and similar acts at North Ruimveldt Multilateral School and Mabaruma Secondary School. It also follows repeated threats along the line by various officials of the APNU+AFC.

After all, Paul Slowe made a statement about the removal of debris from the Brickdam Police Station fire that had me screaming double standards from the top of my lungs.

Slowe’s double standard is evident because he had no such concerns when the APNU+AFC government commenced removing debris two days after and before a proper investigation into the Camp Street prison fire which destroyed the facility and left prison officer Odinga Wickham dead. This makes me think he is political more than just concerned.

Just recently, I read that an official of the opposition warned during a protest march held by the coalition in New York that the country will be set on fire.

Is this what they are hitting us with? And more recently, I read that a fire at the National Insurance Scheme was averted. Could this be linked to the opposition’s campaign of ‘Mo’fire, slow fire”?

Also, readers can recall that two men confessed a few months back to being paid by an APNU+AFC activist to set the GECOM Linden office on fire in 2020? Do you see the pattern with the recent spate of arson?

I think we as citizens should stay woke because the faces behind the arson attack on the Brickdam Police Station are yet to be revealed.

Yours truly, Michael Younge

...I agree with the President’s criticism From page 5 and as a people to not address these issues. We can’t continue to make investments and not have the return on the investments.

Whether it is in the public

service or in the hospitals, the inefficiency has to be weeded out. If you don’t want to perform public service then do the honourable thing, don’t take a job in the fire department and believe it is a

part-time job. Don’t take the government assets, your safety gear, and leave it home and you are an emergency worker”.

Yours Truly, Attiya Baksh

Afro-Guyanese in or associated with the PPP at various levels; Cyril Belgrave, Brindley Benn, Clinton Collymore, Sam Hinds, and a host of others.

Fast forward to today.

Afro-Guyanese government involvement at ministerial levels has been reported to be 33 percent, which is a good thing for Guyana. When an ethnic community is overrepresented at the top level of government, to deem that tokenism rings hollow.

Beyond that, the portfolios are very substantial. To cite just one example, Prime Minister and First VicePresident, Mark Phillips, has responsibility for the energy sector, civil defense, telecoms and information. He is humble, quiet and unassuming and is well qualified; holding a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Public Management.

Additionally, to have been the head of the Army is no small thing. He is solid.

Then there is former Magistrate, Oneidge Walrond, the powerful Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. No doubt proud of her African heritage, she has also displayed an admirable multicultural ‘fluency’ – a vital asset for any politician in Guyana’s plural society. She looked smashing in Indian attire and was even comfortable eating with her hands. Her brother

idolises her. I read his post on Facebook last year. The face of Guyana to the world is African; Hugh Todd holds the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Other prominent names in the current government are Robeson Benn, Bishop Juan Edghill, Joe Hamilton and Kwame McCoy. No political party is angelic. There are imperfections, but credit should be given where due.

So, in Guyana today, Afro-Guyanese are well represented in Government

by PPP Afro-Guyanese (PAG’s) and in the Opposition

by APNU Afro-Guyanese (AAG’s). There can be no pincer movement, as PAGs are ‘loyal to the bone’. The tension and interaction between the two groups is interesting and sometimes amusing. In response to AAGs’ taunts, I suppose PAGs can retort: ‘Guess what? We are in the seat (of power)–and you ain’t!’ Very substantial Afro-Guyanese representation in the Police, Army, Civil Service and Judiciary complete the picture. Guyana is a small country, with a still small economy, and there are only so many jobs that can be remunerated from the public purse.

There is a third (incognito) group. During the five-month post-election ordeal, two Rastafarian gentlemen were interviewed

in Kingston, Georgetown, in a Facebook livestream. They were refined and soft spoken.

One of the two gave his name (at least phonetically) as “Ras Fas”. This was during the ‘guard the containers’ phase of the fiasco. In the course of answering the interviewer, Ras Fas mentioned “Closet AfroGuyanese PPP supporters” (CAGPS). Afro-Guyanese are as shrewd as Kenya’s Kikuyu tribe. In the years ahead, with multiracial ministerial community outreaches and oil money facilitating sharing out of goodies, the numbers of CAGPS could swell.

The demographics of Guyana has changed, and continue changing. Apart from the two major groups (neither one being near to a national majority) and Amerindians, there has been an influx of Brazilians, Venezuelans, Cubans, Chinese and others. Some of these people can legitimately become citizens, with the right to vote. In view of this, for any major party to focus only on one group, or to even give the impression of doing so, or worse, to send exclusive and hostile signals to other groups would be a recipe for marginal status, even political suicide. To fail to grasp this is to be left behind.

Yours faithfully, Sieyf Shahabuddeen

Local content Dear Editor, The recent raging debate over local content is truly a lot of words for what is a very simple issue.

The oil sector and its subcontractors are focused on only three things: the cost, quality and reliability of the provision of goods and

services.

The energy industry is highly sophisticated, complex and fast moving. Many excellent Guyanese companies are a l r e a d y winning contracts but others are losing out simply because they are not up to standard, can’t meet

timelines and their prices are just too high.

Should the sector pay more and risk delays to billion dollar projects just to appease some members of the GCCI? They need to quit complaining and do better.

Yours sincerely, Francis Newton

Fire Service - workers are only as good as their tools Dear Editor, Everyone has pinpointed, how incapable the fire department was after the event that occurred on October 2nd. My question to you is, what if there were lives on the line?

Disappointed, yes, that the building could not be saved in time, but all the more concerned about our emergency response.

That the “fire in the backyard” could not be extinguished immediately, and to see that the public servants were underprepared, it leaves me wondering, how can we only now be noticing the flawed system? It’s sad to see that it took a known

building to go down in flames, to see little or no progress after so many years of investment.

I’ve heard and read comments about the firemen’s inability to contain the fire.

You cannot blame a worker for not having the right tools for his job. Who is to point fingers and make laugh off of the persons that are risking their lives for us at the end of the day? Put myself in that situation, and I would feel useless not given the right equipment. So, too, for the public servants that are facing embarrassment right now. I ask that we remain respectful towards these persons, understanding that the team

has acknowledged their mistakes, and hopefully are working to resolve it. I say we are grateful for your service, don’t be discouraged that you were not able to save the day. Thank God there were no lives on the line, and never underestimate such a dangerous thing like fire.

Our people are relying on these public servants. We are counting on this department.

We would like to be assured our safety, in case something like this reoccurs in the future.

Please, take this as a learning experience. It would have been a different cry, if lives were on the line.

Yours truly, Saaya Prasad

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Chartered Accountant and attorney at law, Chris Ram, noted that there is no independent oil regulator.

This means goodbye to transparency.

Now, we tell Guyanese why there is no independent regulator.

The PPP Government likes it so, wants it to be so.

When there is no independent oil regulator, President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo get to come up with all kinds of sleights of hand about transparency that lack credibility.

Quite frankly, what Guyana has been hearing about transparency is nothing but utter stupidity.

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Robbery victim recognises slain bikers as gunmen who robbed him A

robbery victim has come forward with allegations that he too was robbed by the two motorbike bandits who were shot dead on Saturday.

The two motorbike bandits, Quacy Jupiter, 20, and David Smith, 21, were killed after pulling a gun on ranks during a stake out operation along the UG Access Road located on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

They were at the time being hunted for the murder of 19-year-old-electrician,

The two suspects that were shot dead by police, David Smith and Quacy Jupiter.

Joshua Denny who was shot dead on September 30 for his gold chain on Mittelholzer Street, Festival City, Georgetown.

After the slain suspects' photos were published in the press, a 40-year-old man from Lodge, Georgetown, came forward alleging that they had robbed him two days prior to Denny's shooting.

He told police that the men had beaten him and stole his motorcycle, a Samsung smartphone and $25,000 cash.

Cops have since recovered the man's phone from the dead suspects.

Man caught raping sleeping woman A Region Ten man was on Tuesday morning was caught raping a sleeping woman. According to the police, the 36year-old suspect and the victim are known to each other and on Monday night they were consuming alcohol together. The incident reportedly occurred between 23:20 on October 4, 2021, and 00:40hrs on October 5, 2021.

Kaieteur News understands that after the suspect and the woman finished drinking she fell asleep.

It was reported that during that time the suspect was seen raping the woman. Upon being seen, the suspect made good his escape. The matter was reported and the suspect was subsequently arrested and placed in custody.

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

TOO LAZY TO MAKE THE EFFORT A great many of our children have met their deaths after being sent to purchase items for their parents or simply being allowed to roam free about their communities.

A great many of the children who are killed in road accidents are those who were sent out on some errand by their parents.

Often these children are sent out in the early evenings to the shops to make some purchase for the home. On their way either to the shop or when returning home, they find themselves the victims of an accident.

Yet the trend continues whereby some parents continue to entrust to small children the responsibility to run errands, oblivious obviously to the dangers that these children face.

There is also another side to this practice. Many of the parents are too lazy to go out and get the items themselves and behaving like exploiters simply call on their children, interrupting whatever play activity the children may be involved in, and order them to get whatever they want.

Sometimes it may be a pack of cigarettes or simply a box of matches. And sometimes, the children pay for those simple purchases with their lives, ending up dead after being struck down while on the way to the shop.

Why would any parent wish

Dem

boys seh...

“How yuh son doing dese days?” de man ask.

De reaction was immediate. “De boy doing fine. Yuh know I always know dat he would mek it big one day.

He going college yuh know. Computer studies and later perhaps law.

He bright boy. Did very well in high school. Always studying! Since he was small, he always wanted to be a lawyer. I have enough set aside fuh he law studies.”

Gesturing towards he neighbour house he seh, “Dat one over deh, gat a boy who also want become a lawyer. But de child too playful. Always skating up and down de street. Too much play. I tell he dat he

to take their child away from the fun of playing or whatever else the child may be doing just to go and purchase a packet of cigarettes? These children are turned into servants and are forced to go to make these purchases because the parents are too lazy to make the effort.

Sometimes, it is not cigarettes that the child goes to purchase, sometimes it is rum for the parents to imbibe.

There should be laws, if there aren't at the moment, against the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to children.

These laws should be vigorously enforced. But, importantly, those parents who make a habit of sending their children to do errands which can be easily done, should be counselled about the dangers to which they are exposing their children and about the denial of free time to their kids.

This is not to say that children should not do chores. But these chores need to be within reason.

Children should be encouraged to wash dishes, make their beds, sweep the home and keep the yard tidy.

And this should be a collective effort.

Many parents, however, simply allocate responsibilities to children without sharing in the burden of the work. This is

not good for the development of children.

Children learn what they see, and they should see the chores to which they are entrusted as part of their small contribution to the work of the family. They should be helpers rather than being assigned exclusive responsibility in any area.

Many parents would however prefer to sit and watch television or go out and drink with their friends while burdening their kids with work. It is something that the Rights of the Child Commission should issue an advisory on.

Another disturbing practice occurs when children are left to roam free after school or during the holidays. All over Guyana, this is a common practice, whereby parents simply allow their children to do as they please once they return home before nightfall.

If the child only slips up and returns home late, they are greeted with a flogging. The parent fails to understand that they are contributing to the very act for which they are reprimanding the child by not supervising the child's free or playtime.

Allowing your child to roam free is an invitation for your child to get involved in mischief and trouble. Yet you see this all the time where parents have little time for their children after

Look in de mirror before yuh look next door should come over and leh me boy help he out but he nah bother. Only interested in girls and partying! Giving he parents rudeness. Poor father and mother wukkin' suh hard.

But is dem fault also.

Dem gat no time fuh dem children.”

Five years later, deh decide fuh visit again. He ask bout de boy.

De father say, “Dem come up here pon visitor visa, yuh know…Oh, he join the Marines! He serving right now in de Middle East.”

“Whatever happened to de law studies?” de man ask.

De father answer, de boy write de entrance examination. He finish

before de time.

He was sure of passing.

But dem had to keep places fuh dem friends. But is a good thing. He always wanted to go into de Marines.

He ask de father, “What about de good-for-nothing?

De one dat always playing and partying and womanising; de one who he family had no time fuh him.”

“You would not believe it,” de father say, “De boy is one top lawyer today. He pull he socks up.

He get in to law school and he did well. But is suh with some children. De ones dat study hard don't gat deh luck.”

Talk half and nah bad mouth yuh neighbour!

school and during the holidays.

This neglect may be forced on parents. Some of them may have to work and cannot afford to hire a sitter.

As such, they either leave the child alone or send them to some relative or friend who may themselves be too busy or unconcerned about what the child does.

Therefore, instead of the child being supervised, he or she is left to do as he or she pleases, including associating with company that invite trouble and

mischief.Then there are those parents such as vendors who often are forced to have their children with them after school. The children are simply left to sit with their parents wasting valuable hours. This too is a form of neglect which should be stamped out.

It is hoped that the relevant agencies can come up with a plan, including an educational plan, to make parents more conscious of their responsibilities as parents. It is not just about placing food on the table.

There are many of us whose parents never had enough to put on the table but gave us more in the time and attention that they dedicated to our rounded development.

That role needs to be revisited especially at this time where the interests of our children are increasingly being sacrificed for other things.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Wednesday October 06, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Angela Merkel exposed the dark heart of Obama and Biden

W

hen you are elected and you behave like your predecessor, you will lose in the next round because the electorate is going to ask itself why it dumped your predecessor and chose you when you are no different.

Two huge cases of this thinking are Guyana and Greece.

Reeling from unbearable conditionalities imposed by the EU for debt relief, Greece elected the Syriza party whose opposition to the conditionalities stirred the imagination of the voters. It

is incredible to know that when Syriza got into power, it accepted even harsher terms from the European Central Bank.

It was kicked out of power in the next election.

In Guyana, the imagination went wild when voters put the APNU+AFC in power.

But it just wasn't a case of doing like the PPP did. Its performance was worst.

Puppies from the interior were being executed at the Ogle Airport for one consecutive month because their owners could not prove they were Guyana-born.

Hundreds of new taxes came into being. Corruption and greed were rampant. In the next round, APNU+AFC got voted out.

They cried at their loss, and shouted that they were cheated. The rest is history.

Biden was able to beat Trump and Americans were expecting a Biden presidency that was the opposite of the inhumane rule of Trump.

At the time of writing, his ratings in the poll keep sliding.

Perhaps the worst example yet of the Biden dream fading is his

deportation of thousands of Haitians.

Here is what the world needs to understand about the United States.

It is the most powerful country in the world but its power is not as generous as the peoples of the world were brought up to think.

The United States continues to enjoy global popularity because humans do not like the dictatorships in other powerful countries, especially China and Russia but the US is not the nice guy the post-colonial world was indoctrinated in.

In 2017, Germany under Chancellor Angela Merkel took in one million refugees.

Under Obama, 1.2 million persons were deported including babies and children. Trump expelled refuges.

These brutal facts have long wiped out the gloss of the Obama aura.

If Germany with a smaller population, land space and economy than the US can take in one million refugees why can't the US take in 14, 000 Haitians whose country is far worse o ff t h a n w h e r e t h o s e refugees who went to Germany came from?

There are strong historical ties between Haiti and the US. During the Cold War, Haiti was an asset to the US. The US has interfered

several times in the affairs of Haiti during the past 100 years. It has an obligation to those Frederick Kissoon persons under the bridge in Texas. g oing to be the first woman But far from fulfilling the obligation, look president of the US. In 2024, how the Haitians were there may be a woman hunted down by cowboys president but it will not be Kamala Harris. with whips in their hand.

My guess is that she is Enter the so-called star boy of the globe – Barack going to lose the nomination of the Democratic Party.

Obama.

If Harris gets the In an interview with ABC, he said the US cannot nomination in 2024 she will have open borders. But lose against Trump if he runs Germany did in 2017 and or if the GOP puts up a took in one million refugees. character similar to Trump. It In that interview, Obama will be a disaster for the said not a word about world but the Biden/Harris accepting the Haitians who combination will have to were forcefully removed and take the blame.

This is the scenario that deported.

N o w h e r e i s a n will play out if Harris runs.

As a woman of colour interesting factor in that A B C i n t e r v i e w. T h e she will get the Black ballot. n e t w o r k , p r o b a b l y But she will have to share the sympathetic to Obama (only vote of the non-white races God knows why) did not and the white vote with her carry the part where he said GOP adversary.

The key factor in the that the US cannot have open election will be women, borders.

Maybe the network knew youth and the white folks. that statement would have They will not be enthralled been embarrassing to the star with Harris as they were with boy.Like Syriza in Greece Obama.

They will see Harris as and APNU+AFC in Guyana, the Biden presidency is they now see Obama – all going to face a similar fate in gloss but no substance.

(The views expressed in 2024.

The biggest casualty of this article are those of the the Obama/Biden fading star a u t h o r a n d d o n o t will be Vice President necessarily reflect the Kamala Harris. She is not opinions of this newspaper.)

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

OP-ED:

Wednesday October 06, 2021

With small population and rapid oil development…

Guyana may be facing local content crisis of massive proportions

By Kiana Wilburg

F

or the past few months, I have been eager to s hare per s p ectiv es on G u y a n a ’s o i l s e c t o r , specifically on issues related to local content.

There are two key matters that have to be addressed: the need for greater transparency from all oil companies on their local content performance and ways in which the government can close loopholes that would allow corrupt actors to abuse locals and use them as mere window dressing for their local content reports.

But before we get to those matters, a more troubling one is before us.

With just a population of about 700,000 people, how are we going to service the needs of an oil sector that is poised to see 10 oil ships working offshore in this decade? Already, Guyana is incapable of meeting 100 percent of the needs for the Liza Phase One Project. And ExxonMobil’s in country head, Mr. Alistair Routledge has said all services needed would be had within these shores by 2022.

It sounds all well and good but the bigger question is whether we have the capabilities in country to handle the explosion of work t h a t i s u n d e r w a y.

Underscoring my concerns is a report that was published recently by the International Organisation on Migration

(IOM).

That report states, “If Guyana were to harness all of its unemployed, underemployed and discouraged workers, the potential supply of labour would be only 63,500 the medium-term.

It is estimated that Guyana will need approximately 160,000 workers. It can be concluded that there will be the need for, at minimum, 100,000 workers in Guyana to realise its full growth potential.”

With this in mind, the IOM said it is crucial that Guyana understands that it needs to tap into its Diaspora potential and urgently produce a structured migration policy, informed by evidence-based analysis.

The document noted, “Guyana has a large diaspora around the world, particularly in the US, UK and Canada, this pool of Guyanese workers is said to number about 550,000 many of whom are considered highly skilled. It is therefore recommended that structured engagement with the diaspora ensues so this skill set can be utilised to contribute to its maximum potential.”

Simultaneously, the IOM stated that the government must ensure the Guyanese workforce benefits from significant training for those without skills, retraining for those whose skills may be mismatched with the demand in the economy, and upgrading of skills for those who may have skills but are unable to operate in an intensified competitive environment.

Equally crucial, the organisation said, is for there to be an understanding of the type of labour, which is needed as the country moves

deeper into the oil and gas era.

Towards this end, the IOM said there is need for the establishment of labour market information systems (LMIS) which can be handled by a labour market information centre (LMIC).

It was explained that an LMIC can be a bureau of Government which does research, analysis and forecasts.

This agency would have the principal responsibility of analysing the labour market, forecasting trends, understanding labour market gaps, collaborating with agencies such as the Bureau of Statistics, evolving the Central Recruitment & Manpower agency and advising government on policy.

Overall, the IOM said the government has taken several steps in the right direction; however, reforms, i n n o v a t i o n a n d modernisation will be needed to ensure that Guyana can handle an

explosion of growth in migrant workers coming into the country.

What is clear from the report is that Guyana not only needs to modernise the institutional and legislative framework associated with migration as a matter of priority but urgently conduct a labour gap analysis and have its local content policy and targets informed by same.

In the absence of the foregoing, Guyana faces a local content crisis of massive proportions. As was rightly pointed out, even if we gathered all our human resources together, we would still fall short of meeting the labour needs of the oil sector.

The foregoing also raises questions about the kind of local targets we would ask for, and overall, how we intend to define what constitutes a local company given our labour deficiencies. Guyana is no doubt, racing against the clock to fix this predicament.

More T&T companies continue to...

From page 2 Limited is a duly registered external company in Guyana with head office in Trinidad and Tobago.

Its core business is in the downstream liquid petroleum industry, and it has been providing complementary energy services and convenience services since 1997.

The EPA has since disclosed that this project is also exempt from the requirement of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as it has determined that it will not significantly affect the environment. The regulator was keen to note that this exemption does not mean that the project has been approved.

With respect to Vista Trading and Logistics (Guyana) Inc., this Trinidadian firm has applied to the EPA for approval to construct a warehouse to bag and distribute oil-well cement and other gas-related equipment at a proposed site at Le Ressouvenir on the East Coast Demerara.

In the case of Non Destructive Testers Limited (NDTL), this Trinidadian company which was

established in 1990 to provide a range of inspection, testing and heat treatment services to T&T's oil industry, is making moves to establish a strong presence here.

The company which registered its operations in Guyana in June 2018, has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval to construct a massive storage facility which spans 112,774 sq. ft. at Lots 1-2 Coverden, East Bank Demerara.

According to the project documents seen by Kaieteur News, the property which will house its offices and be its base of operation here is located at least 100ft away from the roadway and has no immediate neighbours or residencies.

NDTL also intends to apply for approval for this property to operate and store Industrial x-ray and Gamma Ray equipment, chemicals, consumables, additional radiographic equipment, magnetic particle and liquid dye penetrant equipment.

Kaieteur News understands that NDTL intends to raise 100 percent of its own capital for the project. In the first year, it

anticipates sales to be about US$200M with an approximately five to 10 percent growth rate in the second and third year of business.

As Trinidadian companies continue to position themselves for procurement opportunities in Guyana's oil sector as well as for the benefits of the spill off effects, local companies have lamented the need for a local content policy and accompanying legislation.

J u s t r e c e n t l y, t h e Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) urged the government to have this state of affairs addressed as significant opportunities continue to escape the grasp of local companies. The Chamber is of the view that the policy and law are crucial towards ensuring locals are given first preference in the provision of goods and services.

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat has since informed the media that local content remains a matter of priority for the government while adding that he is hopeful the draft legislation would be tabled by year-end.

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

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Wednesday October 06, 2021

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Wednesday October 06, 2021

Woman allegedly assaulted by Porter dies after Republic Bank security guard falling off canter

A 36-year-old woman, Chrisandrea Limburg, was allegedly assaulted by a female Security Guard at the Republic Bank during a visit on Monday. During the incident, her 16-month-old son fell to the ground and as a result had to be taken to the hospital.

Enquiries disclosed that, L i m b u rg , v i s i t e d t h e Republic Bank's Water Street location to enquire about a Student Loan, which she had previously secured from the firm. During her visit, she was told that she

needs to present a COVID19 vaccination card and proof of identification to be allowed entry; she then explained to the guard that she is currently breastfeeding her 16month-old child and is exempted from taking the vaccine.

Kaieteur News learnt that after continuously being denied access for over 4 5 m i n u t e s , L i m b u rg requested to speak to a Manager or Supervisor but got no response from the Security Guards on any of

her attempts.

After the door was opened to allow an employee of the bank to enter, Limburg took the opportunity and put her foot in the way to try to gain access.

In a video seen by Kaieteur News, it was observed that the female Security Guard chucked Limburg after she resisted causing her baby to fall from her hands to the floor.

Limburg was proceeding to retaliate when a male Security Guard parted the

two causing the glass door of the bank to shatter.

After requesting emergency care, the little boy was taken to the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital where he was examined by a doctor on duty. A head scan was conducted which showed no injuries However, the child is said to be on a close 24-hour observation and an extended period of one month.

A police report was made and investigations into the matter have been launched.

on public road A 30-year-old porter of, Lot 5, 65 Village, Corentyne Berbice was found lying dead on the Corentyne Public R o a d l a s t M o n d a y.

According to police, the incident took place around 12:35hrs.

Kaieteur News learnt that the deceased, Dayonand Chandraban aka Rasheed, was standing among construction materials in the tray of motor lorry GWW 7258, driven by Ron Singh, which was proceeding south along the eastern drive lane.

It is alleged that the driver suddenly heard a loud noise coming from the tray of his vehicle.

After taking a glance to his right rearview mirror, he

observed that the porter was lying unconscious in the centre of the road.

After the discovery, Singh, immediately stopped his vehicle and picked up the porter and transported him to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty and further transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital (NAPH) where he died while receiving treatment.

The body of the deceased was transported to NAPH mortuary awaiting post mortem examinations. A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver, which showed a result of zero recordings.

Manager, Sales Rep tied up and robbed by gunmen at warehouse A manager and a sales representative were both tied up and robbed by four armed bandits on Monday at a warehouse.

According to the police report on the incident, the manager, a 53-year-old man, and the sales representative, a 36-year-old man, were at the time in a warehouse owned by China Trading at D'Urban Backlands, Georgetown, along with two other workers at around 15:40hrs, when four unidentifiable men, two who were armed with handguns, entered.

During the robbery, the gunmen brandished their firearms at the victims and tied the two victims' and other workers' hands with shoelaces, and relieved the two men of two cellular phones, one valued at $160,000 another one valued at $240,000.

The bandits made good their escape in a silver car in the same western direction, which they had come from.

An alarm was raised and other workers went to the victims' assistance.

Investigations are currently ongoing.

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

Four more unvaccinated persons died of COVID-19 The Ministry of Health, yesterday announced that four more persons, who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) disease, have died. As a result of this, Guyana's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 807.The country's latest fatalities are that of four unvaccinated persons who all died on Monday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The fatalities are that of a 74-year-old woman from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), and that of three men, a 69-yearold from Region Five (Mahaica-Demerara), a 66-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo

Islands-West Demerara) and a 70-year-old from Region Four.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry via its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 115 new infections within the last 24-hour period, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 32,701.

Presently, there are 34 patients admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 129 persons in institutional isolation, 3,485 in home isolation and two in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 28,246 persons who tested positive for the virus have recovered.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Fire Chief instructed to go on leave

VEHICLES FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Spacio, Blue Bird, Field Wagon, 212, Carina, RZ, Pit Bull and Canter.

Tel#650-7501.

FOR RENT Vreed-En-Hoop junction, place to rent for Office, Bond,Hair Salon other.

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LAND FOR SALE House & Land for sale.

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House plan drawing and estimate. Call K.Lakeram, Building Contractor 2160671,692-8464/Whatsapp 622-0267.

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WANTED Security officers Male & Female 18+ Lamaha St,between Waterloo & Parade. Call:2234172.

Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast.

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One male clerk. Call:2312029,616-5957. Genuine.

FOR SALE 2017 Toyota CH-R,low mileage. Excellent condition.

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Sale!Sale! One mini Yacht 20"feet, 140 single engine works with gasoline $3,000,000 negotiable 6766238.

Dobermann and German Shepherd mix puppies,if interested contact Devi on 6392828 or 225-3721.

Foreign use outboard Motor Yamaha 200HP for 550K, 40HP for 380K, powerhead & lower unit. Call:668-2541/ 671-6695.

Live in general domestic must know to cook $25-35000 wkly & live in waitress $20,000 wkly. Call:610-3974.

Males for interior to work,female for bar & 1 live in domestic for Georgetown over 18. Call:687-7638/6913942.

Fitter/Machinist,Welder Fabricator, Mechanic, Apprentice. Apply in person at:Technical Services, Industrial Site Eccles.

Experience Taxi driver at Princess Hotel Providence.

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Domestic- live-in or liveout,cashiers. Contact: 6236383.

Need kitchen assistant. Monday-Friday.Must live in GT. Call Kathy between 3-6, 6778906. Serious enquiries only.

TO LET Enmore mall commercial space for medical facility. Call centre and any other type of business 609-7675/674-1705.

From page 19 with low pressure hose and limited water resource.

The President himself was among those who criticised GFS for being unable to respond properly to the fire. During a visit he made to the scene on Sunday, he told the press that he was disappointed in the GFS response to the fire and said, “I am publicly putting the Fire Service on warning… this cannot and will not be tolerated.”

He had further added that hundreds of millions of dollars were spent in the last year to boost the Fire Service’s response capabilities and “to put it crudely, you cannot respond to a fire in your backyard.”

Ali continued that the government cannot continue to make investments in the Public Service and not get returns.

He had opined that the Fire Service response to the Brickdam fire on Saturday had nothing to do with assets and resources but the unpreparedness by the service.

Domestic help,must have some knowledge of cooking preferably from Kitty/ Campbellville area.Call:6176135/226-6137.

Counter Clerk to work in charity. Contact 223-5273 / 2235274.

VACANCY Cook/Baker,Kitchen assistant and Pitmen for interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call:231-2250.

“Based on the type of calls I received…they were unable to take action because of their state of readiness. I want to assure the public that I have heard them and we are going to examine the response from the Fire Service in its totality,” the President had said.

Ali had also made a strong statement that if persons don’t want to work for the Public Sector, then they should do the honourable thing and resign.

Kaieteur News yesterday had further asked Edoo for a comment in response to the criticisms his department is

currently facing but up to press time, he was yet to reply. Former Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle had told reporters in January this year that one of the problems that GFS faces when responding to fires close to the Stabroek Market Area is the lengthy time it takes to clear the congested streets especially around the Central Fire Station.

Gentle had made this statement while he was still the Fire Chief, at the scene of a fire in January that had gutted a section of the Fogarty’s building located on Water Street, less than half a mile away from the Central Fire

Station. The Fire Service had taken some eight minutes to respond to that fire and according to Gentle most of that time was used to clear the congested streets leading to the area. To remedy this problem, part of the $1.9B that was allocated to GFS in this year’s budget will be used to decentralize the fire station and relocate it to Home Stretch Avenue.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, had announced in June that the proposed location for the relocation is the Durban Park Area but to date, it is still to become a reality.

Severed sugar workers to receive $250,000...

From page 18 up the training programmes and I hope that people here are willing to do that, it wouldn’t take long, in 3-4 months, you can become a certified welder and there are lots of other areas, so that is the first thing we want to do”, the VP said. He also stated that there will be temporary facilities put in place next year for hiring persons “so that they could get a few days work a week, at least 1000 persons in this region alone.”

The Vice President pointed out that his government is looking keenly at developing aqua culture, with a keen eye on expanding the

growth of swamp shrimp.

This he added will also employ hundreds, if not thousands of persons.

He further stated, “150,000 kilograms, that’s over 300,000 lbs they are producing now.

Our aim is to support them that will generate hundreds of jobs in Berbice…”

He mentioned that in his recent visit to Suriname with President Ali, they engaged in discussions about creating employment opportunities in the Corentyne River that will service the offshore industry, as is done in the Berbice River and the Demerara River.

“There are a lot of other areas, which we are looking

to generate employment. We are talking to Suriname because they have discovered some gas on their side and oil too. So when I was in Suriname, I spoke to President Santokhi, I have met with them too to see if we can develop the Corentyne River to service the industry offshore, like we do here in Berbice River and Demerara River”, he stated.

The Vice President held meetings in Skeldon, No.66 Fisheries with Fisherfolk, Rose Hall and Canje on Monday and was accompanied by the Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and the regional team of Region 6.

Surgeon hopes Guyana is one step closer to having ...

From page 17 donors for the procedures has been an issue. Then, more patients will be able to Persons to assemble bicycle. benefit from transplant surApply at Alabama Trading,65 geries.”

Robb St Bourda.

The surgeon stressed that Trained grade 1 & 2 teachers lives are literally dependent needed. Payment will com- on the legislation. “We are mence with experience and doing the best we can as is, will be in 6 digit, 623-1615. but we need this legislation Vacancy exist for mainte- in place like yesterday,” he nance workers and labourers. said expressing hope that the Contact:621-6969/ 615-7784. administration will deliver on the promise to bring the law For a porter,truck drivers/ into fruition. salesman.Experiences will be In January, Attorney Genan asset.Contact:661-1000. eral (AG) Anil Nandlall S.C, Carpenters & Painters. Ap- met with Dr. Persaud, his ply at Alabama Trading,65 team, and members of the Robb St Bourda.

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Guyana Medical Council as part of efforts to introduce the legislation to Guyana.

Back then the AG Chambers said, in a release, that Guyana is currently bereft of legislation governing, authorising and regulating the donation of tissue and organs to persons who meet the criteria of either being a donor or recipient of such donation.

The statement noted that in order to protect the citizens of Guyana from being victims of trafficking in human organs and tissue, the legislation will also propose to address the prohibition of trade in human

CHISINAU - (Reuters) Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s government suspended the oppositionbacked Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo who was detained by security forces yesterday in a corruption case.

Sandu won the presidency on an anti-corruption ticket last year and her government has prioritised cleaning up the justice system and the prosecutor general’s office.

Stoianoglo was appointed during the presidency of Sandu’s pro-Russian predecessor, Igor

Dodon, in 2019.

He had been due to give a press conference at 6 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) but failed to appear. Local media instead showed masked security forces entering the prosecutor general’s office building to arrest him.

Separately, footage on Moldova’s TV8 channel later showed Stoianoglo being brought to his home while his house was searched. He was charged with abuse of office “in favour of ... criminal groups” Victor Furtuna, a state prosecutor who initiated the investigation told reporters.

tissue, organs and blood and as a result will create offences and penalties to monitor such dire incidents.

According to the statement, a consultative approach has been agreed upon which will include consultative engagements involving all stakeholders and associations and their collective input will be channelled into the legislation and ensuing regulations.

The release had outlined plans to execute the agenda of the Bill with the AG indicating that the Bill shall be ready for Parliament on or before May 2021.

Moldova’s top prosecutor suspended and detained in corruption case

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“This is the settling of scores by President Maia Sandu,” Stoianoglo said in comments carried by local media. He remains in detention. His office could not be reached for further comment.

He has previously denied wrongdoing and said his office had worked in accordance with the law. He accuses Sandu’s government of trying to pressure him to resign.

Justice Minister Serdgiu Litvinenco on Tuesday accused Stoianoglo of being a “puppet in the hands of large corrupt officials and thieves who have been robbing Moldova for decades”.

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Bids Out for the New Demerara Harbour Bridge During the opening of tenders yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration (NPTAB), five international construction companies vied to design and build the new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The construction of the new bridge is expected to begin by the end of the year and conclude within two years.

This four-lane, high-span fixed bridge is set to be built Ministry of Public Works Pre-qualification and qualified contractors to design and build the new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

with the lifespan of 50 years and will not require opening or retraction to allow for maritime traffic. Notably, no costs for the construction have been set.

The companies that vying are Boskalis Guyana Inc. of the Netherlands , China Gezhouba Group Company Limited , China Road & Bridge Corporation, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited and joint ventures between Painting of school building (outside), Queen's College.

Consultancy services for preparing detailed designs for Upgrading the Morawhanna, Kumaka, Port Kaituma Goods Wharf.

Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development Region Five - Mahaica Berbice

Consultancy services for preparing detailed designs for Upgrading the Kingston Goods Wharf.

Procurement of Construction of Waratuk Ranger Station in Kaieteur National Park.

Ministry of Natural Resources Consultancy services for Independent Administrator services for preparation on Guyana's Third EITI Report.

Consulting services - Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA)- Commencement of Procurement activities submission of REOI's.

Ministry of Education Repairs to building (inside), Queen's College.

Protected Area Commission Construction of Amakwa Ranger Station in Kaieteur National Park.

GUYSUCO Construction of 2000m light heavy duty Revetment at Blairmont Estate, Lot 1: 0 to 1000m (New Middle Walk Canal), Lot 2: 1000m to 2000m (New Middle Walk Canal).

National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Operations and Security of NDIA mobile and fix pumps within Regions Two, Three and Four and Georgetown, Lot 1 to 4.

Maintenance and Service of NDIA mobile and fix Pumps within Regions Two, Three and Four and Georgetown, Lot 1 to 4.

China Railway Construction Corporation International, China Railway Caribbean Company Limited and China Railway Engineering Bureau Group Company Limited.

These international companies were among nine firms that were shortlisted by the Ministry of Public Works earlier in the year.

Below are the companies and their bids: Rehabilitation of 18 Km of the Main Access Road at Ituni/ Tacama, Region 10.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Man found his stolen car on Facebook for sale

A

man while browsing through the offers on Gbay Deals stumbled upon his stolen motorcar.

The man, whose car went missing a few months back, yesterday discovered his car while browsing the page.

The owner of the car, Kevin Quaicoe commented under advertisement on the page saying, “This vehicle belongs to me and it is not for sale.

I’ve reported this to the police and anyone found with it will be arrested.”

Qauicoe yesterday posted on his Facebook page, screenshots of his car with the caption, “If anyone knows the whereabouts of PWW 6790 please contact me ASAP.” His car, a blue Subaru bearing registration number PWW 6790 was posted up for sale since March 14, 2021.

When this publication browsed the page where the car was advertising for sale, the post was already deleted.

The screenshot of the man’s missing Subaru motorcar.

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Aunt confesses to hiding electrician’s bike killers from police

The two suspects that were shot dead by police, David Smith and Quacy Jupiter.

A woman has reportedly been taken into custody for allegedly harbouring the two murder suspects who were shot dead on Saturday along the UG Access Road on the East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The suspects identified as Quacy Jupiter, 20, called “Ding Docker” and David Smith, 21, called “Burlyn” were killed around 17:30hrs by ranks during a stakeout operation in the area.

According to police, ranks were forced to open fire on the duo after they reportedly pulled a gun on them.

Smith and Jupiter were at the time being hunted by detectives Murdered for his gold chain, Joshua Denny for the murder of Joshua Denny, a 19-year electrician who was shot decided to stake out the location. dead last Thursday at Mittleholzer They had successfully picked up the Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, for his suspects’ trail but when they attempted to gold chain.

Kaieteur News learnt that the men could arrest them, Jupiter and Smith reportedly fled have been arrested on Friday last at a location until they were cornered along the UG Access in Albouystown but a woman identified as an Road.

Instead of surrendering to the cops, aunt of one of the suspects had reportedly Kaieteur News was told that the duo pulled a hidden them when ranks arrived.

That relative has given a statement to gun on them. The cops reacted by opening police admitting that she had harboured the fire on the men. They fell and according to suspected criminals and helped them in information received by this newspaper, they eluding the lawmen that day. The ranks had were rushed in the police’s patrol pickup to only found a motorcycle along with other the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation items linking them to Denny’s murder but had (GPHC) where they were pronounced dead on arrival. left the area without the suspects.

The ranks were also able to recover two The following day, ranks received intelligence that the duo were hiding out in loaded guns from the suspects after the the Sophia/Cummings Lodge area and shooting.

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Guyana records 14.5% growth

rate at mid-year The Ministry of Finance's Mid-Year Report for 2021 has indicated that Guyana recorded real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 14.5 percent while non-oil GDP grew by 4.8 percent. This occurred despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and even the devastating floods experienced in May-June.

D u e t o t h e unprecedented floods which impacted particularly the agriculture, forestry and mining sectors, along with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of which will spill over into the last half of the year and even beyond, the Ministry said the revised full-year forecast for real GDP growth in 2021 is now 19.5 percent overall and 3.7 percent for the non-oil economy.

The Mid-Year Report is expected to be tabled by Senior Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh at the first sitting of the National Assembly once the Assembly resumes after its current recess.

With regard to sector performance, the Ministry noted that the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries for the first half of 2021 are estimated to have contracted by 2.4 percent compared with a decline of 4.1 percent for the corresponding period last year. It was noted that this was as a result of lower output from the other crops, sugar, forestry and fishing industries.

“At the end of the first half of the year, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) produced 29,650 tonnes of sugar. This performance reflects the record high levels of rainfall, which resulted in waterlogged soils, particularly at the Albion Estate, and strike action that resulted in over 5,600 mandays being lost,” the MidYear Report indicated. As such, it was emphasized that the sugar industry declined by 22.4 percent when compared to the same period in 2020. Some of the reasons indicated were a 30 percent mortality of mature cane at Albion estate, 10 percent at

Uitvlugt and 5 percent at Blairmont due to the floods.

Another 15,000 tonnes of sugar in the second crop were also expected to be lost, based on the Report.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News understands that the report noted that the rice industry grew by an estimated 7.8 percent in the first half of the year, marginally lower than the target set for the period, 'other crops' declined by 7.3 percent due to the floods and the livestock industry was estimated to have grown by 10.6 percent when compared to the same period in 2020.

However, for that same period, the fishing industry contracted by an estimated 6.6 percent and the forestry industry by 7.1 percent.

Referencing the extractive industries, the report indicated that in the first half of 2021 the mining and quarrying industries were estimated to have grown by 23.1 percent, with higher output from the petroleum and other mining industries despite contractions in gold and bauxite.

It was noted that total output from the petroleum sector increased by 65.4 percent when compared to the same period last year.

With respect to diamond, sand and stone, these were estimated to have seen a total growth of 63.3 percent with quarry stone having a growth output of 141 percent, sand declarations growing by 119.3 percent as a result of increased activity in the construction sector while diamond declarations improved with a growth of 166.3 percent. The outlook for the remainder of this year for other mining industries was estimated to be promising as well with an estimated growth rate of 74.5 percent for the entire year.

With regard to manufacturing, this sector notably saw an estimated growth of 13.1 percent when compared to the same period last year with expansion of the sector being attributed to a growth of 23.1 percent in other manufacturing. In the category of other manufacturing, growth was experienced in the

manufacturing of nonmetallic products, chemical products and beverages.

Meanwhile, the services industries were estimated to have expanded in the first half of 2021 by 9.4 percent when compared to the same period in 2020 as it was noted that the measures to curtail the impact of COVID-19 would have severely impacted such activities last year. Notably, the Report indicates that the gradual relaxation of these measures would have contributed to some growth in the sector.

The report also noted the strong performance of the construction sector which grew by 25.5 percent in the first half of 2021, reflecting increased emphasis on implementing the public sector investment programme as well as increased private sector construction reflecting improved private sector confidence and optimism regarding the economic outlook.

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS The Mid-Year Report noted that at the end of the first half of this year, the overall balance of payments recorded a deficit of US$67.4 million compared with a deficit of US$2.8 billion at the end of June 2020' with the current account registering a deficit of US$39.1 million in comparison to a deficit of US$396.5 million for the corresponding period in 2020. This was attributed to a significant increase in the merchandise trade surplus which moved from US$72.7 million, to US$813.3 million. The merchandise trade account, according to the Report, improved as a result of export receipts expanding by US$786.9 million, outweighing the US$46.2 million increase in imports.

Meanwhile, the capital account showed a deficit of US$19.6 million when compared with a surplus of US$419.7 million at the end of June 2020, attributed to 'outflows of US$1,713 million from private enterprises in the oil and gas sector along with outflows of

-Finance Ministry

US$123.6 million in revenue from the petroleum sector to the Natural Resource Fund'.

The Report also highlighted the fact that foreign direct investment in the first half of 2021 was 41.6 percent higher than the US$940.6 million recorded last year for the same period.

INFLATION At the end of the first half of 2021, consumer prices grew by 5.6 percent. This was largely driven by increased food prices, as a result of the inclement weather and shortages experienced following the flood. Further, the report indicated that the bottlenecks in the global supply chain add some measure of imported inflationary pressures.

H o w e v e r, t h e r e p o r t underscores, that the price increases are 'transitory' and are unlikely to have lasting long-term impact on inflation'. Inflation is now projected to be in the order of 3.8 percent for the full year.

FASTEST GROWING

ECONOMIES Earlier this year, Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh had indicated that Guyana would be one of the fastest growing economies in terms of real GDP and would see rapid transformation in a number of sectors especially since Government would make efforts to boost the non-oil economy as well.

“We're anticipating a rapid expansion in the services sector, including transport and logistics, construction of infrastructure including r o a d s , b r i d g e s , o ff i c e buildings in the private sector, etc, along with expansion in other services such as financial services, all of which will contribute to rapid expansion in real output. So, you're going to see Guyana being one of the fastest growing economies in real GDP terms…. globally in the hemisphere and certainly in the Caribbean… a lot of the real GDP growth in the region

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh

will be driven by Guyana,” he had emphasized.

The favorable economic performance at the end of the first half of 2021 in the nonoil economy bodes well for the upcoming second half of 2021 and beyond. It is expected that advances in key investments, both in the public and the private sector, will buttress the second half performance of the economy.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Guyana leads in number of appeal cases filed at the CCJ

Guyana is leading in the number of appeal cases filed in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Reviews of the data compiled in the Annual Reports of the CCJ points to a significantly higher number of matters from Guyana being taken to the CCJ on appeal than any other CARICOM nation.

Guyana is among four Caribbean territories which subscribe to the Trinidadbased institution as their final

appeal court. Since its establishment in 2001, the CCJ has recorded more appeal cases from Guyana when compared to the other three territories; Barbados, Belize, and Dominica.

A review of the Annual Reports presented by the CCJ shows that Guyanese cases continue to dominate appeals to the CCJ for more than five years.

An examination of data collected by the CCJ dating

back to 2014 revealed that while the number of Guyanese appeal cases filed at the CCJ on an annual basis, may be less than other territories, when the information is looked at as a whole, Guyana's CCJ filings are far higher than the other countries.

For instance, for the period of 2014 to 2015, a total of eighteen cases were filed under the Appellate Jurisdiction of the Court. Of

these, the Report outlined that thirteen were notices of Applications for Special Leave to Appeal and five were Notices of Appeals.

Of the thirteen Applications for Leave to Appeal brought to this Court, seven were filed from the Court of Appeal in Barbados, two from the Belize Court of Appeal and four from the Court of Appeal of Guyana.

According to the 2015 to 2016 annual report, the CCJ also saw a number of appeal matters from the four countries. Of 15 appeal applications for special leave brought to the Court, seven were filed from the Court of Appeal of Barbados, two from the Court of Appeal Belize and six from the Court of Appeal Guyana.

For the 2017 to 2018 judicial year, the CCJ saw a 32% increase in the number of matters filed above the previous year, with two cases filed from Dominica, six cases from Belize, seven cases from Barbados and seventeen cases from Guyana.

The Court reported that, that year civil applications and appeals represented the clear majority (88%) of the new matters while the number of appeals filed in

President of the CCJ Justice Adrian Saunders.

this year more than doubled the number filed in the previous judicial year.

Then the 2018-2019 Annual Report saw the CCJ recording a 15% increase in the number of matters filed above the previous year, with two cases filed from Dominica, four cases from Belize, eleven cases from Barbados and twenty cases from Guyana.

The report outlined that the Applications for Special Leave represented a 92% increase over 2017-18, while the number of Notices of Appeal filed in that year fell by approximately 37%.

And just recently, as the CCJ's 2021/2022 -court term opened, President of the CCJ Justice Adrian Saunders in

giving a summary of the work of the Court for the 2020/2021 year revealed that fifty-five cases were dealt with virtually.

In his remarks, President Saunders noted that despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCJ continued to provide uninterrupted service to the region. While the President did not reveal the number of appeal cases filed, Kaieteur News has learnt that cases from Guyana still dominated the appeals dealt with by the Regional Court.

This newspaper understands that of the fifty-five hearings conducted in fully virtual courtrooms, at least 18 appeal cases were from Guyana.

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Park Ji-sung urges Man Utd fans to ditch ‘racist’ dog chant AFP - Former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung has urged the Premier League club’s supporters to ditch an offensive chant about South Koreans.

Park was a firm favourite of United fans, who created a song in the South Korean’s honour during his seven years at Old Trafford.

The chant, still heard among United fans to this day, includes a disparaging line about Koreans eating dog meat.

Park, now retired, wants to educate supporters about why the words are unacceptable.

The 40-year-old felt compelled to raise the issue after United fans sang it at Molineux when Wolves unveiled their new Korean

striker Hwang Hee-chan in August.

“I’m really sorry for him to hear that,” Park told the UTD podcast.

“I know that United fans don’t mean any offence to him for that song but still I have to educate the fans to stop that word (dog meat), which is usually these days a racial insult to the Korean people.”

Park made more than 200 United appearances after joining from PSV Eindhoven in 2005. He won four Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.

He earned 100 caps for South Korea and played at three World Cups.

“That particular word is very discomforting for

Former Manchester United star Park Ji-sung. (AFP/Paul ELLIS) Korean people, and I really feel very sorry for the younger players who heard that kind of song,” Park said.

“In Korea, things have changed a lot. It is true that historically we have eaten dog meat but these days, particularly the younger generation, they really hate it.

The culture has changed.

“I really request the fans to stop singing that word. It causes discomfort to Korean people when they hear that song. It’s time to stop.”

United backed Park in a statement that read: “Manchester United fully supports Ji-sung’s comments and urges fans to respect his wishes”.

...Gasol retires Wednesday October 06, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Something may get your dander up today. There are hot tempers and strong opinions right and left. Try to see the big picture.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Cooperate today even if it seems easier said than done.

People will have hot tempers and be very focused on themselves.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) People will be focused on themselves, leaving you wondering what all the fuss is about. You have a strong desire to express your emotions. It may feel like you're on stage in some way.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) The energy flows smoothly today. Obstacles seem to have dissolved. There's a great deal of energy at your disposal. You have strong thoughts and powerful emotions backing you up.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) There's a spark about to ignite inside you. Pay close attention to your emotions and take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Infuse your plans with passion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your emotions are piqued today. You're spurred to take action. People might have a me-first attitude that may get on your nerves. You're more interested in the collective and improving the situation for all.

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Get off the couch and get into action. Come out of hiding and let others hear what you have to say. Let your emotions shine and don't be concerned about what others think.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a fantastic day. Assert yourself with confidence and move toward your goals. Your emotions are working harmoniously with your outer-directed nature.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) People may seem a bit more stubborn and emotional than usual. Try not to contribute to it by being vain and stubborn. This isn't the time to contemplate. It's time to act.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) This is a very opportune day for you. Say hello to the stranger in line or follow through on a tip or comment.

Opportunities are there. All you have to do is grab them.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) People might step on your toes today, but try not to react. Go with the flow. This may be the only way they know how to act.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This is a fantastic day for you, so celebrate. You're the star of the show, and you'll be up on stage more than usual. People will look up to you and respect you for your incredible leadership skills.

From page 27 brief stint with Milwaukee Bucks plus four months at Portland Trail Blazers, where injury prevented him playing.

He returned to Barcelona earlier this year, helping his boyhood club end a sevenyear wait to win the Spanish championship in June.

Gasol was a talisman for Spain, helping them win the Olympic silver medal at the 2008 and 2012 Games plus bronze in 2016.

He recovered from almost two years out injured to compete at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where Spain lost in the quarter-finals to eventual winners the USA in his final international.

Gasol began the news conference by detailing his battle to overcome a stress fracture he suffered in his left foot in 2019.

“Not many doctors thought I’d be able to recover but I’m a person who likes challenges and I wanted to fight to do the improbable,” he said.

“I got to the point where I was relaxed about my career ending, I was at peace. But when things went well I took the decision to sign for Barcelona which wasn’t in my plans. But I managed to win the league with the club where it all began and where I made my debut. It’s been very special.”

Gasol also paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, his old Lakers team mate who died in a helicopter accident in January 2020.

“I’d have liked him to have been here today but sometimes life is unfair,” Gasol added.

“He taught me to a better competitor, a real winner, I considered him like an older brother.”

England’s Sam Curran ruled out of T20 World Cup AFP - All-rounder Sam Curran will miss the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup with a back injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board said yesterday.

Curran noticed the problem after playing for Chennai Super Kings in their Indian Premier League match against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. Scans revealed the Surrey left-hander’s injury and he will fly home for further tests and a full review with England’s medical team.

With the injury expected to sideline him for several weeks, Curran’s brother,

Tom, has been called into England’s squad to replace the 23-year-old.

Surrey’s Reece Topley has been added as a travelling reserve and will join the England party in due course.

England players and management not at the IPL arrived at their Muscat base on Tuesday ahead of the T20 World Cup campaign.

They face warm-up matches against India and New Zealand before kicking off their tournament against the West Indies on October 23.

...Mercenary whip OSCL’s From page 31 team summoning it up that cricket was indeed the real winner. He expressed gratitude to the OSCL for the invitation and was delighted to attend.

He also told the gathering that the vaccination process is genuine as the fight against the Coronavirus

Pandemic continues.

The sponsors for the day were: JDG Tooling and Automation, Tropical Nights Restaurant and Lounge, Norman Sue Bakery, Platinum Lounge and Sports Bar, Great Canadian Oil Change, RDS Flooring and Renovation Inc. and As seen on TV.

...BCB to benefit from $1.08M From page 29 Deonarine, who is the uncle of West Indies test player Narsingh Deonarine, expressed confidence in the current administration and stated that he was delighted to be on board again. The Tenelec tournaments have a rich tradition in the history of Berbice Cricket and

played a great part in the development of players like Narsingh Deonarine, Devendra Bishoo, Veersammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon Romario Shepherd, Nial Smith, Kelvon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair and Sewnarine Chattergoon among others.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Mumbai records big win against Rajasthan in IPL SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Mumbai Indians dismantled Rajasthan Royals with its pace attack for an eight-wicket win in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday which kept the defending champions’ playoff hopes alive.

Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Neesham and Jasprit Bumrah shared nine wickets in between them as Rajasthan was pinned down to 90-9 after Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field.

Ishan Kishan (50 off 25 balls) then smacked his first half century of the season as Mumbai raced to 94-2 in only 8.2 overs to improve their net run-rate which could prove vital in deciding the fourth team for the playoffs.

“We had to come here and do what we had to do, which was to get the two points,” Rohit said.

“Kishan is playing after a couple of games, so we wanted him to take his time … all we wanted for him was to play his shots, which is what he did.”

The battle for the fourth playoff spot is getting tighter with Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai both having 12 points and a game in

Nathan Coulter-Nile claimed figures of 4-0-14-4, Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2021, Sharjah, October 5, 2021© BCCI hand.

Despite big win Mumbai is still behind Kolkata on net run-rate and

will be needing another big win against Sunrisers Hyderabad next Thursday if Kolkata also beats

Rajasthan in its last league game.

Kishan smashed five boundaries along with three sixes

and also became the youngest Mumbai batter to reach 1,000 IPL runs.

Earlier, Rajashtan couldn’t cope with the pace trio as CoulterNile led the way with 4-14, and was followed well by Neesham’s 3-12 and Bumrah picking up 2-12.

After Evin Lewis showed a brief spark by making 24 off 19 balls, Rajasthan kept losing wickets with regular intervals.

Lewis went for a leg-side slog against Burmah and was adjudged leg before wicket and Neesham had captain Sanju Samson caught at point off his first ball.

Coulter-Nile had Yashasvi Jaiswal (12) in the batting powerplay and then had Glenn Phillips clean bowled off a fullish delivery that hit the stumps through the batter’s legs.

Coulter-Nile then returned in the latter half of the innings and had David Miller lbw before clean bowling Chetan Sakariya with the scrambled seam to sum up forgetful day for Rajasthan.

Scores: Mumbai Indians 94 for 2 (Kishan 50*, Rohit 22) beat Rajasthan Royals 90 for 9 (Coulter-Nile 4-14, Neesham 3-12, Bumrah 2-14) by eight wickets.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 06, 2021

PAGE 29

U.S. Justice Persaud wins Gandhi Department Memorial golf tourney renews inquiry into FBI’s failures in Larry Nassar probe Pandit Rabindranauth Persaud turned in a splendid performance to win the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial golf tournament which was contested on Saturday last at Lusignan Golf Club.

Persaud was five shots clear of his nearest competitor, shooting an astounding net score of 63, besting his 16 handicap by seven strokes.

Persaud also won prizes for best net score on both front-9 and back-9. Hardeo Ganpat placed second, while Eureka Giddings occupied the third position. Avinash Persaud won the nearest to the Pin prize.

It was another week of great competition and members of the Lusignan Golf Club have expressed gratitude to Sankar’s Auto works and Auto Colors for their generous sponsorship.

Full results -1st. Rabindranauth Persaud Net 63 / Gross 79, 2nd Hardeo Ganpat Net 68 / Gross 96, 3rd. Eureka Giddings Net 68 / Gross 99. Nearest to the Pin: Avinash

Larry Nassar, a former team USA Gymnastics doctor who pleaded guilty in November 2017 to sexual assault charges, stands in court during his sentencing hearing in the Eaton County Court in Charlotte, Michigan, U.S., February 5, 2018. (REUTERS/Rebecca Cook)

W

ASHINGTO N, (Reuters) The U.S. Justice Department has launched a fresh inquiry into the FBI’s botched handling of its sex abuse investigation into disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, after previously declining to prosecute the agents involved, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said yesterday.

“The recently confirmed assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division is currently reviewing this matter, including new information that has come to light,” Monaco told the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, adding that she is “constrained” on what more she can say.

“I do want the committee and frankly, I want the survivors to understand how exceptionally seriously we take this issue,” she added.

In an emotional hearing last month, famous gymnasts including Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney appeared before the same Senate panel, where they blasted the FBI for failing to properly investigate abuse they suffered under Nassar’s care.

The hearing was prompted by a scathing investigation by the Justice Department’s inspector general Michael Horowitz, which uncovered widespread and dire errors which allowed Nassar to continue to abuse at least 70 more victims before he was

finally arrested.

Two former FBI agents were singled out in the report - the former Indianapolis field office Special Agent in Charge W. Jay Abbott and a former supervisory special agent who has since been identified as Michael Langeman.

Horowitz said the agents waited five weeks before conducting a phone interview with just one victim - Maroney - while failing to contact other victims.

Langeman did not properly document Maroney’s interview until more than a year later, and when he did, it contained misstatements and omissions. He was only recently fired from the bureau.

Horowitz also said that Abbott violated ethics rules by trying to get a job with the U.S. Olympic Committee in the midst of the investigation, and later lied during his interview with the inspector general’s office.

Abbott retired in 2018.

The inspector general referred both former agents for prosecution, but the Justice Department declined to bring charges against them in September 2020.

After the declination, the inspector general managed to compel interviews with more witnesses, but in May 2021, the department declined to revisit the issue.

Republican Senator John Cornyn yesterday expressed skepticism the Justice

Department would take any action six years after the misconduct occurred, and asked Monaco what the statute of limitations is for lying to criminal investigators. Monaco said she believed the limit is five years.

“So here we are six years later. Isn’t it likely that any criminal charges for lying to the FBI would be barred by the statute of limitations?”

Cornyn asked. The FBI first learned of the allegations of sexual abuse against Nassar in July 2015.

Monaco said she did not wish to get into specifics about what evidence or legal theories could apply in the case.

Her testimony comes after she faced harsh criticism from some of the lawmakers on the panel and the gymnasts themselves, who chastised her for declining a request to testify and answer questions about the department’s decision to decline charging the agents.

T h e J u s t i c e D e p a r t m e n t ’s p o l i c y prohibits publicly discussing decisions not to prosecute.

Monaco told lawmakers she was “outraged” to learn about the inspector general’s findings.

“I am deeply sorry that in this case, the victims did not receive the response or the protection that they deserved,” she said.

An attorney for Abbott could not be immediately reached. Langeman could not be reached.

Persaud.

Speaking at the presentation Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasa commended the executive members of the Lusignan Golf Club for staging such as wonderful tournament. He added that he was happy to learn that the tournament was held in honour Mahatma Gandhi. “Today (Saturday) happens to be the 152nd birth anniversary of the great Mahatma Gandhi, the person who fought against British colonialism, the person who fought against racial discrimination and the man who got us the Independence which ultimately led to the decolonisation of many part of the world including Guyana,” he added.

He calls for more such tournaments and commended current Guyana open champion Avinash Persaud on his achievement in the sport.

President of the Club, Patanjilee Persaud commended the prize winners and encouraged others to involve in golf.

Gasol retires after 23-year career, two NBA titles, three Olympic medals BARCELONA, (Reuters) - Spanish basketball great Pau Gasol announced yesterday that he is retiring from the sport after a 23-year career.

“I’m here to tell you that I’m going to retire from professional basketball. It’s a difficult decision after so

many years but it’s a decision I’ve taken carefully,” Gasol, 41, told a news conference at Barcelona’s Liceu theatre.

Gasol, who stands 7 feet 1 inch, made his professional debut in 1998 with Barca as a centre before being signed by NBA side

Memphis Grizzlies in 2001.

He won NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 while being chosen in the All-Star team on six occasions.

Gasol later played for Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs and had a (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Wednesday October 06, 2021

WNBA players were caught throwing punches outside of a club in yet another controversy surrounding the Atlanta Dream

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he Insider - The Atlanta Dream are embroiled in controversy -

again.

The wayward WNBA franchise has endured just as much turmoil outside of the gym as it has on the court this year, which is saying something considering the team finished the season in 11th place with an 8-24 record. And even though their 2021 campaign has come to a close, Atlanta has still managed to take over WNBA Twitter with their off-court antics.

A video surfaced on Sunday of three current and former Dream players Courtney Williams, Crystal Bradford, and Kalani Brown - fist-fighting with a group of women while standing outside of a “Tenders & Bites” food truck. Williams Atlanta’s lone All-Star this season - was clearly central to the brawl and threw many punches in the nearly two-

minute clip.

Bradford, who played 24 games with the Dream in 2021, also became entangled in the physical clash. But Brown, the 6-foot-7 center Atlanta waived just days before the fight, attempted to break up the skirmish throughout the video.

“The behavior in the video is unacceptable and does not align with our values as an organization,” the Dream said in a statement to Insider. “We are taking this matter very seriously and working with the league to gather more information and determine next steps.” A source close to the franchise tells Insider that the altercation began when someone commented on Williams’ girlfriend. The outspoken 5-foot-8 guard then took matters into her own hands - though it remains unclear which party took the first swing - and her teammates came in as backup.

The fight allegedly took place outside of a dayclub during the early days of the season, and team leadership was already aware of the situation before the video surfaced. Not only was the melee a threat to the players’ physical well-being and thus to the potential success of the franchise, but their presence at a dayclub breached the l e a g u e ’s C O V I D - 1 9 protocols.

The source told Insider that the team handled the situation internally, though the nature of that resolution has not yet been made public. Williams started in each of the Dream’s 32 games on the season, so it does not appear that the players faced repercussions that bled into gameday.

The brawl reflects larger issues within the franchise, which went through the entire 2021 season without a permanent head coach or general manager. Interim leadership indefinitely

suspended promising young star Chennedy Carter in early July for “conduct detrimental to the team” following a locker room altercation between the second-year point guard and Williams. Carter did not play another game in 2021.

Fans voiced outrage that Carter was sidelined following the July 4th conflict while Williams and Bradford continued to suit up for the team without issue. Even Carter herself appeared to weigh in on Twitter after the fight video surfaced, writing that she’s hopeful she’ll wind up “somewhere with folks with class, somewhere with people who embrace your talent, somewhere that your loved, somewhere you can actually win ….”

Atlanta Dream All-Star Courtney Williams. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins: ‘I was forced’ to get vaccine

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during Media Day at the Chase Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports) Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins said he felt “forced” to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The only options were to get vaccinated or not play in the NBA,” the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 said Monday. “It was a tough decision. Hopefully, it works out in the long run and in 10 years I’m still healthy.”

The city of San Francisco has a health order that prevents unvaccinated people from entering certain large indoor spaces, including Chase Center, the Warriors’ home arena.

“It feels good to play, but getting vaccinated, that’s going to be something that stays in my mind for a long

time,” Wiggins said. “It’s not something I wanted to do, but I was forced to.”

The 26-year-old applied for a religious exemption with the NBA but was denied, and thus risked forfeiture of at least half his $31.5 million salary for the 2021-22 season if he didn’t receive the vaccine.

Wiggins said he got the Johnson & Johnson singledose shot, adding he is the only one in his family who is vaccinated.

“I guess to do certain stuff to work, I guess you don’t own your body,” he said. “That’s what it comes down to.

If you want to work in society today, then I guess they made the rules of what

goes in your body and what you do. Hopefully, there’s a lot of people out there that are stronger than me and keep fighting, stand for what they believe, and hopefully, it works out for them.”

Wiggins averaged 18.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 71 games last season for the Warriors.

The 2014-15 Rookie of the Year is entering his eighth NBA season. He has played for Golden State since a February 2020 trade with Minnesota, where he played his first five-plus NBA seasons.

He’s averaged 19.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 525 career games (all starts).

(Field Level Media)

Wednesday October 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Lewis Hamilton launches scheme to recruit black teachers in STEM subjects

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BC Sport - Lewis Hamilton is launching a scheme that aims to boost the recruitment of black teachers in science, technology and maths (STEM) subjects.

The project arises from the Hamilton Commission report addressing the lack of diversity in UK motorsport.

Hamilton said the scheme “focuses on identifying the best way to attract black talent to STEM teaching roles”.

The Formula 1 world champion hopes it will “create a framework the wider education industry can implement”.

The initial two-year programme, in partnership with education charity Teach First, is to pilot a range of new approaches to identify best practices when recruiting black STEM teachers.

It aims to support the recruitment and training of

150 black STEM teachers to work in schools serving disadvantaged communities in England.

British seven-time world champion Hamilton said the move “is another step towards addressing barriers preventing young black students’ engagement with STEM, as identified in the Hamilton Commission report”.

He added: “We know representation and role models are important across all aspects of society, but especially when it comes to supporting young people’s development.”

The programme is the first partnership announced

by Hamilton’s Mission 44 scheme, which was set up earlier this year to “support, empower and champion young people from underserved communities”.

The Hamilton Commission, whose findings were published

earlier this year, found that only 2% of teachers are from black backgrounds and that 46% of schools in England have no racially diverse teachers at all.

The data revealed that 1.1% of teachers are black African, compared with a 2.1% representation in the working-age population.

The commission found that 78.5% of the working-age population are white British with 85.7% of teachers falling within that category.

It found that black STEM teachers were important to the engagement of young black students with these subjects.

Hamilton said he had no black teachers at all throughout his time in education and he believes that if he had had a teacher who had understood his background better, he would have achieved greater success in his studies.

England showed ‘Western arrogance’ in withdrawing from Pakistan tour, says Michael Holding

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BC Sport England showed “ We s t e r n arrogance” by pulling out of their tour of Pakistan, says former West Indies bowler Michael Holding.

England’s men’s and women’s teams were due to play white-ball games in Pakistan but withdrew last month. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) blamed “increasing concerns” about travelling in the region and “pressures” of bubble environments.

“The ECB statement doesn’t wash with me,” Holding said. “No substance.”

Speaking after receiving the Cricket Writers’ Club Peter Smith Award, Holding added: “Nobody wants to come forward and face up to anything because they know what they did was wrong.

“So they put out a statement and hid behind a statement. It just reminds me of the rubbish they did with Black Lives Matter.

“I won’t go back into that because I’ve said enough about that. But what that

signal sends to me, is the same Western arrogance.

“I will treat you how I feel like treating you, it doesn’t matter what you think, I’ll just do what I want.”

Three days before the ECB announced its decision New Zealand pulled out of a tour of Pakistan amid security concerns, citing a “specific and credible threat”.

The ECB statement did not reference security issues and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja said the ECB’s reasoning was “not good enough”.

Pakistan’s men travelled to England for three Tests and three T20s in the summer 2020 - all in a biosecure environment without fans - within the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Pakistan went to England before vaccines were available for six or seven weeks,” said Holding, who played 60 Tests for West Indies before becoming a celebrated commentator.

“They stayed, they

played their cricket, they honoured what England wanted them to honour, to save England’s butt, to put it mildly.

“Four days in Pakistan?

I’m absolutely sure they would not have done that to India, because India is rich and powerful.”

Holding, who will retire from commentary this year, was rewarded by the Cricket Writers’ Club for “outstanding contribution to the presentation of cricket to the public”. He has passionately spoken about racism in the past 18 months.

Yorkshire batter Harry Brook won the Young Cricketer of the Year Award and England batter Sophia Dunkley the women’s cricketer award.

All-rounder Alice Capsey won the emerging player award after her role in The Hundred for Oval Invincibles while Nottinghamshire bowler Luke Fletcher was named County Championship Player of the Year and Alex Jervis the Disability Cricketer of the Year.

PAGE 31

BCB to benefit from $1.08M sponsorship from Tenelec Inc for Under-15 and First Division tournaments Cricket in the Ancient County of Berbice continues to attract investments and sponsorship as the pro active Berbice Cricket Broad continues to work hard to prepare for a possible restart of tournaments later in the year or early next year. The BCB yesterday last successfully completed discussions with the management of overseas based company Tenelec INC of the United States of America for a million dollars sponsorship of two major cricket tournaments for the 2022 season.

BCB President Hilbert Foster, who has over the last three and half years s p e a r h e a d e d a comprehensive marketing drive for the board, successfully completed the discussions with co-owners of the company, Bobby D e o n a r i n e a n d To m Gruentzel for the sponsorship. The sponsorship would cover the cost of an under15 and senior

firs t divis ion 50overs tournament. Foster stated that the under15 tournament would be for players born on or after the 1st of September, 2007. A total of twenty three teams are expected to play in the tournament which would be used to select the Berbice inter county team and identify promising players for the future. These players would then be part of the BCB coaching programme, which would be expanded in the New Year.

Among the teams expected to play are Paradise, Bush Lot United, Achievers, Cotton Tree, Bath, Blairmont, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Kendall Union, Edinburgh, Mt Sinai, Albion, RHT Farfan and Mendes, Port Mourant, No 73, Cut and Load and Rana Krishna.

The first division tournament would be one of at least four to be organised by the BCB in 2022. Foster disclosed that the Tenelec Inc 50overs tournament would

BCB President Hilbert Foster be played using the 50overs knockout format among the eleven first division teams.

The teams that would participate in the tournament are West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warrior, Albion, RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour, Port Mourant, Skeldon and Upper Corentyne.

Foster explained that the overseas based company had sponsored the tournaments for over a decade up to 2016 but left in frustration in 2017 when their tournament was n o t o rg a n i s e d d e s p i t e handing over sponsorship.

Confidence was restored into the operation of the BCB when Foster and his executives were elected into office in February 2018.

(Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday October 06, 2021

Players win GDA Fundraising Domino Tourney

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he curtains came down on the first Georgetown D o m i n o e s Association (GDA) Fund Raising drive recently at the Dynasty Sports Club which saw Players, Turning Point and Cody Girls facing off after some grueling rounds of dominoes that started on Saturday last.

The ‘big gunners’ in the arena were eliminated one by one as the little heard of ‘tadpoles’ rallied their way to a climatic finish.

Mix Up/TNT who played the semi-finals, were the last of the notable ‘big gunners’ were eliminated playing Turning Point and Players when the captain threw in his towel without properly checking the scores.

The finals stared with Turning Point marking the maximum 18 games in comparison to Players 11 games and Cody Girls nine games.

At the end of the third sitting, Players took a slim lead as the scores read Players 42 games, Turning Point 40 games and Cody

Girls gaining momentum with 35 games.

Players continued their dominance and never looked back as Turning Point failed in the fourth and fifth sitting miserably as Cody Girls took advantage and edged the initial leaders as the final scores read Players 86 games, Cody Girls 73 games and Turning Point who were the favourites, in the cellar with 71 games.

Top scorers of the match came from Winston Stephens with 17 games and ably supported with Winston Joseph, Frank Harris with 15 games apiece; Phillip Sargeant and Romel Jones with 14 games each were also the contributors to Players success.

Barbara Lee made the maximum 18 games for Cody Girls as she was supported by Carol Burrowes with 15 games, while Samantha Vickerie’s 15 games for Turning Point was well played.

Prizes were awarded to the four finalists as Players pocketed $125,000 and a trophy sponsored by Team

Winners Frank Harris of Players Domino Team receive Trophy and monetary prize from Miss Lovern Spencer while GDA Executives, Senior Organising Secretary Mr. Mark Wiltshire, Assistant Organising Secretary Miss Barbara Marshall and Secretary Miss Ann Thompson among the ecstatic members and supporters.

Spartans, Cody Girls received $70,000 and a Tr o p h y s p o n s o r e d b y Dynasty Sports Club, Turning Point were the recipients of $30,000 and a Trophy sponsored by Big Boss Transportation Services, while Mix/TNT

settled for their $19,000 consolation prize.

The President of the GDA, Mr. Lyndon Boston thanked all the participated and donated to make the first fundraiser a resounding success.

Noteworthy in his

praises were the Fundraising Committee headed by Mr. Earl Mars for the successful take away lunch that was held on Friday and the domino tourney which were both well supported.

He promised bigger things in store for the sport

and commended the teams that participated for adhering to the covid-19 guidelines.

He also committed to have more sponsors on board for the next big event while admonishing all to stay safe, observe and support the covid-19 protocols.

From Taliban to Ronaldo’s land, Afghan women footballers train again

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Players of Afghanistan national women’s youth football team attend a training session on the outskirts of Lisbon where they have found safe haven after escaping from the Taliban.

(AFP/PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA)

FP - Forced to flee Afghanistan by the Taliban takeover, members of the Afghan women’s youth football team and their families have sought refuge in Portugal and are back training in the Lisbon suburbs.

The relief at having found a safe haven after arriving on September 19 shows in their faces as well as joy at being in a country whose most famous son these days is a footballer.

“I can’t believe it. I’m so happy I can play football again,” Omul Banin Ramzi tells AFP after their first training session in six months.

“In Afghanistan it was so bad.

“I’m happy in Portugal because Cristiano Ronaldo is from here,” she adds with a broad smile as her father looks on proudly.

Ramzi, sporting a red shirt topped off with a black

bandana round her head, added that she would love to meet the five-time Ballon D’Or winning, Manchester United superstar.

She and her team-mates are being housed temporarily in hotels in the Lisbon suburbs after finally fleeing Afghanistan following several failed attempts since mid-August.

Their salvation came thanks to “a joint operation between the American and Portuguese authorities,” the Portuguese government said.

Ramzi and her teammates were determined to leave because the Taliban oppose women playing a prominent role in public life.

Since their return to power on August 15, they have said that women can play football but only under strict conditions — namely barred from playing in public.

- ‘Lot of work to do’ -

Nevertheless, members of the senior squad — many of whom flew to Australia in late August — were threatened by hardline Islamists and others beaten by the Taliban.

The Islamists banned women from sporting activity or even going to a match when they last ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to the 2001 US-led invasion that followed the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States.

Since the first women’s Afghan teams started emerging about 15 years ago, football has grown rapidly in the country.

Khalida Popal, Denmark-based former national captain and now manager of the national squad, told AFP in August that there were “around 3,000 to 4,000 women and girls who were registered in the football federation at different levels.”

But it all disappeared

overnight when Kabul fell to the Taliban.

Ramzi and her teammates and families left Afghanistan with little in the way of personal items but their lack of kit has been resolved due to captain Farkhunda Muhtaj.

The 23-year-old travelled from Canada with the essential items and delivered them on the eve of their training session on Thursday.

She will stay on to put them through their paces and prepare them for their friendly match with Benfica’s women’s team on Saturday.

“There is still a lot of work to do,” Muhtaj told AFP. She is due to leave Portugal and return to Canada but hopes that the team will be able to continue to train on a regular basis — and of course Ramzi hopes her dream of meeting Ronaldo will be fulfilled.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday October 06, 2021

PAGE 33

Mercenary whip OSCL’s IKO Guyana suspends All-Stars by 70 runs indoor training

Mercenary continued their dominance from the competition to the invitational match trouncing an Ontario Softball Cricket League’s (OSCL) All-Stars X1 by 70 runs on Saturday at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough, Toronto.

The match was organised by the OSCL as part of their fun-day which included a kiddy’s match at the same f a c i l i t y. T h e i r a n n u a l presentation also took place just after the conclusion of the 20-overs game.

Mercenary won the toss and opted to take first knock in glorious sunshine. They uncharacteristically struggled to 133 all out off the 20-overs. But the bowling effort was phenomenal as they rocked back the All-Stars team to a modest 63 all out in the 15th over.

Anand Gurdial grabbed three wickets for 19 runs from his maximum fours, while Amit Rukhram proved his versatility by taking two wickets for one run off 2.3 overs after hitting a topscore of 39 for Mercenary.

Veteran and stalwart player Bobby Parasnauth also bowled excellently by accounting for two early wickets that initiated the collapse. Parasnauth eventually conceded 12 runs off three terrific overs.

Only skipper and number

Shihan Wong (center) and other senseis of IKO-Guyana displaying their vaccinated cards.

Winners Mercenary celebrate with trophy following their triumph. three batsman Troy Gobin offered resistance by making 22 as no other batsman reached double-figures.

After skipper Looknauth Ramsuchit won the toss, the innings never suggested permanence after they were at one stage placing disastrously at 56-5.

Rukhram and Ramsuchit (11) helped rebuild the innings by engaging in a fighting 32-run six-wicket stand.

Experienced batsman Riaz Kadir made 15 under the circumstances. Anil Samuel produced a fantastic bowling displaying snatching five wickets for 34 runs from four overs, while Gobin claimed three for 20 off his four overs, too, to complement a fine-all-round display.

Mercenary were unstoppable in this year’s competition winning ten of their 11 matches. The other game was a no-result with the points shared. They were

the champion accumulating the most points (72) just ahead of Carr Tec who finished with 70 points only losing one of their 11 outings. Mercenary stamped their authority though in the grand finale defeating Canadian Legends by a comprehensive 118-run margin.

At the presentation, president of the OSCL Ravin Babulall congratulated the winner and thanked all the teams for their participation in the 2021 edition and took the opportunity to say they will have a bigger tournament in 2022. VicePresident Kim Sue echoed similar sentiments and thanked all who would have come out and played a part at Saturday’s event.

Deputy Mayor in the Area East of Toronto Michael Thompson graced the occasion and congratulated the victorious combination and the other (Continued on page 25)

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he International Karate Organisation (IKO) Guyana has taken a decision to suspend indoor training at its Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) headquarters until further notice in response to the Government of Guyana’s efforts to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In a correspondence to the media, the IKO Guyana outlined that, “While all our instructors are fully vaccinated and many of our students are also vaccinated, we have opted to conduct outdoor training at this time.

We believe this decision is in the best interest of our students, parents and instructors.”

The letter further read that, “The IKOGuyana will continue to be a responsible sporting organisation and we are committed to doing our part in helping Guyana out of this pandemic.”

The IKO Guyana has also urged all Guyanese who are eligible to be vaccinated, to do so urgently citing that they are convinced that the vaccines are safe and are the only option at this time to help us out of the pandemic.

Shihan Jeffrey Wong leading an outdoor training session for IKO-Guyana.