Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR Superior Concrete Inc. Saturday Edition NEWS aims for fresh start with local p.

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October 09, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 38

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

partner after controversial start

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

- commits to bringing State-of-the-Art plant to Guyana

Online readership yesterday, 85,479

Permanent Secretary

caught red handed collecting bribe The protest continues for change to the Exxon contract.

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- sent on leave pending an investigation

Parties fail to reach consensus for payment judgment in Kaieteur News libel case - matter set for decision in November p.

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Woman who Bee attack kills accompanied two more persons son to court in Region Six collapses and dies Over 19000 Guyanese diagnosed with chronic diseases in 8 months - report p.

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Fraudster who received 18p. Motorcyclist presidential pardon back loses leg p.8 in court for similar offence in accident

Digicel & CEO to face criminal charges for unauthorized spectrum use

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$290 million CJIA scanner shuts down after five months p.17

Leaked Pandora document reveal - a handful of world leaders, govt. officials and a few big ones looting the wealth of this world. Robert Persaud and Kamal Dookie who ended up owning 100% shares in the Canjie Oil Block knocking glasses these days. @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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Saturday October 09, 2021

Parties fail to reach consensus for payment of judgment in Kaieteur News libel case - matter set for decision in November

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arties involved in the libel matter between Kaieteur News and Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington, have failed to reach a consensus for the payment of approximately $18 million judgement awards.

Attorneys who represented Kaieteur News and Brassington, met virtually before Justice Narweshwar Harnanan at the High Court yesterday to discuss the application to suspend a garnishment order against the newspaper, as well as the application to appoint a receivership for the News Company's assets.

The matters stem from an

ongoing legal battle between Brassington and Kaieteur News dating back to 2014, when the former CEO filed 19 separate lawsuits for libel against Kaieteur News over contents published in the satirical “Dem Boys Seh” column.

Brassington had contended, that statements published by Kaieteur News meant or understood to mean that he as head of NICIL, a government holding company responsible for contracts in a number of multi-million dollar projects, was “dishonest, had been guilty of criminal activity , fraud and corrupt practices.”

The Courts have since upheld his contention that the publications were defamatory.

Brassington has so far, secured over $36.4 million after he won five of 19 lawsuits against the newspaper. The former NICIL Head has started cashing in on the judgment via a garnishment order. But despite this, Brassington has also applied to the Court to put Kaieteur News assets in receivership.

The newspaper has in turn filed an application to stay the garnishment order, and grant the publication a reasonable installment payment plan given the economic issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both applications came up for hearing before Justice Harnanan yesterday.

H o w e v e r, t h e discussions yielded no

results. When Kaieteur News' Attorney, Christopher Ram proposed a monthly installment of $2 million to satisfy the remaining $18 million judgement award for Kaieteur News, it was refused by Brassington's lawyer, Timothy Jonas.

Ram explained that garnishing monies from the company's bank account has had a severe impact on the company's ability to stay afloat financially, given the economic issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Jonas noted that he believes Kaieteur News can afford to pay the judgements in a lump sum.

He noted that his client has already garnished $20 M from Kaieteur News account in six months. The lawyer

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall

Former CEO of NICIL, Winston Brassington held that the $2 M proposal would prolong payment for at least a year; something he does not wish to put his client through.

Jonas told the court that Brassington has already “gone through enough,” since he had to garnish

monies from Kaieteur News' bank account; it was not voluntarily paid to him.

He argued that the newspaper is selling thousands of copies every day and therefore, could afford to make the remaining payments.

The lawyer therefore, suggested that payment of a monthly installment of $3 million in addition to keeping the order to garnish monies from Kaieteur News' bank account is a more acceptable proposal.

He later suggested (continued on page 12)

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 09, 2021

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Permanent Secretary criminal charges for caught red handed unauthorized spectrum use collecting bribe

Digicel & CEO to face

- sent on leave pending an investigation

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Denis O'Brien, founder and owner of Digicel and Communicorp.

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ome October 22, several criminal charges will be read to Digicel Guyana and its Chief Executive Officer, Gregory Dean for the unauthorized use of spectrum and the failure to comply with notices to cease such acts. Filing the said charges was Prime Minister with responsibility for the Telecommunications Sector, Mark Phillips.

In court documents seen

by Kaieteur News, it was noted that Dean, between September 25, 2021 and October 1, 2021, knowingly authorized, permitted or acquiesced in the company's failure to comply with directions issued under the Telecommunications Act and Regulations to cease unauthorized usage within 24 hours of the said notice.

The court documents further state that between December 1, 2020 and October 4, 2021, Digicel Guyana made use of Spectrum in the 1800MHz band without having proper

Digicel Guyana CEO, Gregory Dean

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips

authorization. During the period November 11, 2020 and October 1, 2021 the telecommunications giant made use of Spectrum in the 700MHz band without the requisite permit.

The particulars of the case also note that U-Mobile [Cellular) Inc., a body corporate, also operating as Digicel Guyana between September 25, 2021 and October 1, 2021 in the Georgetown Magisterial District, being served with a Notice from the Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Agency, dated September 23, 2021, containing a direction to cease within twenty-four hours of the said Notice, the unauthorized usage of Spectrum in the 700MHz band, failed to comply with that direction within the specified twentyfour hour period.

The defendant between June 5, 2021 and October 1, being served with a Notice f r o m t h e Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Agency, dated May 28 2021,

containing a direction to cease within seven days of the said Notice, the unauthorized usage of Spectrum in the 700MHz band, also failed to comply with that direction within the specified seven day period.

The company also failed to comply with a similar notice to cease the unauthorized use of the Spectrum in the 1800MHz band.

Late last month, Kaieteur News was the first to report that U-Mobile Inc. which trades as Digicel, has recently come under scrutiny for occupying additional spectrum without the requisite authorizations, even before the Government could review the new frequency band.

Digicel has also approached the courts seeking to halt the Government's spectrum issue and if successful, could delay the deployment of services by competing carriers, which would consequently impact the (continued on page 18)

One partially vaccinated person among four recent COVID-19 deaths

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esterday, the Ministry of Health reported that four more persons who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease have died. As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 825.

The country's latest fatalities are that of three unvaccinated persons and a partially vaccinated person.

According to the Health

Ministry, one person died on September 30, two died on October 7, and one died on October 8, while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The fatalities are that of a 65-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and three women, an 80-year-old from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and a 70-year-old and a 38year-old from Region Four.

Meanwhile, in its daily

COVID-19 dashboard the Ministry within the last 24hour recorded 162 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 33,337.

Further, there are 30 patients admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 169 persons in institutional isolation, 3,430 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine.

To date, a total of 28,883 persons who tested positive for the virus have recovered.

ermanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was on Thursday, caught in a sting operation collecting a bribe from a contractor.

Sharon Hicks, 42, of 811 Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was arrested at her Quamina and Thomas Streets, South Cummingsburg Office, on Thursday during the police operation.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed with this media house that the PS was arrested on Thursday, and also stated that she was questioned and later released on substantial bail. The embattled PS was told to return to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, yesterday morning as the investigation into the matter continues.

Kaieteur News understands that the sting

operation was setup after a businessman who usually provides security services to the Ministry reported to the police that the PS was demanding monies from him before she signed off on his invoices.

Hicks and the businessman's father had a deal in which she would help him secure a contract with the Ministry and in return he pays her $200,000 a month. After the businessman's father died, he took over his father's business and that is when Hicks approached him to strike the same deal with him, to which he first agreed.

However, after reportedly paying Hicks for three months, he became tired and reported the matter to the police.

As such, the sting operation was setup and marked notes with serial numbers were handed over to the PS by the contractor while in her office. After Hicks

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, PS Sharon Hicks collected the money a plainclothes police walked into her office, identified himself and cautioned her. She was then told of the allegation and arrested.

Kaieteur News made contact with the Ministry for a comment but none was offered at the time. Late last night however, the Ministry released a statement to the effect that Hicks has been sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of a police investigation.

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Kaieteur News

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

Oil company’s piracy We will make this simple, so that every Guyanese fully understands what is involved, and how we are gutted by the Exxon oil contract. As reference, we use the article titled, “Unbelievable tax giveaways to oil companies reduces Guyana’s take from 12.5% to 9% -International Financial Expert Tom Sanzillio” (KN October 3). Guyanese owe a word of thanks to Mr. Sanzillo for his timely, eyeopening, and definitely incredible analysis in breaking down the numbers to where they are easily absorbed.

We at this publication, however, desire to take things to a still simpler level, so that all citizens have the fullest appreciation for the contract we have, and the partners we live with in Guyana, which operate under the name of oil companies, and of which ExxonMobil towers above head and shoulder.

Using Mr. Sanzillo’sUS$60 per barrel of local oil produced, Guyana ends up with a meager US$5.63 net profit per barrel. It should be noted that this minimal US$5.63 is not making room for what Mr. Sanzillio still considered to be other areas of “revenue leakages” in the oil agreement.

What that net take of US$5.63 for Guyana means at US$60 per barrel, is that we are getting robbed for every barrel of oil leaving these shores. However computed, be such on a dollar basis (less than US$6), or a percentage regime (less than 10%) per barrel the rest is gone to rapacious oil partners.

We will return to that shortly.

With over 9 billion barrel of known oil equivalents, this country could have approximately slightly under US$54B coming to it, if all of the known reserves were pumped, and using the market price of US$60 a barrel. That may look like, and convert to, a lot of money to Guyanese who are accustomed to thinking in Guyana dollars, and its exchange ratio of GY$200: US$1, give or take. But, when we look at our budgets, our big-ticket projects, and our borrowings, that revenue intake fades before our needs, which could possibly leave us not even at breakeven point. So, after all this struggling and waiting, all these arguments and hoping, the outlook is discouraging, given what we are looking at and where we could be heading when the outrageous nature of this sickening contract is considered in its renounceable features.

Now we take this to other places, since it is the nature of the oil beast we are dealing with, and which we must confront. History has taught the world that oil is one of the more volatile commodities around, which means that the figure used by Mr. Sanzillo for his calculations could go either way due to war, geopolitical tensions, political upheaval, natural disasters, and the likes. We block our minds from thinking of our country’s take at below US$50 per barrel. But we recognise that in an environment of rising oil prices and with US$100 per barrel looking quite reachable in the near future, we could be somewhere in the vicinity of between US$80B to US$90B as our total revenue stream, all current estimates applying inclusive of oil companies’ expenses.

While the oil companies could make additional discoveries, those are up in the air and unknown at this time. So, we work with what we have, which is the right point for us to revisit this contract and which can only be described as diabolical.

The coalition cannot be blamed enough for what we already know, and we shudder to think of other possible areas of “revenue leakages” that are still to surface. We can and do tar and feather the coalition for its unpardonable failures in approving this lopsided contract. Of this, let there be no mistake and it should be run out of town. In the next breath, however, we look at the present PPP Government, and wonder why its leaders are not working harder, being more open and bringing every sort of pressure on Exxon, so that it yields more to us. When citizens know more from leaders, we can join with them and fight with them, to get more of what is rightly due to us. It is not this insulting nine percent. It is not this contract that cheats us at every opportunity.

Saturday October 09, 2021

Sugar industry managerial workers should not be left on their own DEAR EDITOR, It is difficult not to empathise with GAWU’s welcome of the grant to be made to severed sugar workers, who presumably were paid the respective severance amounts due. There is clearly no comparable formula that obtains with this grant.

Next, there is the argument that workers retained should benefit similarly, arguably on the factual basis that, they received no increases since 2015, the year in which the pay structure was computed by the international consultancy experts Hays plc, and approved by this same administration to be applied across the industry. It is in these circumstances that all managerial staffers were also affected and have not benefitted from any increase since.

However, it needs to be clarified in the first instance whether the ‘senior staff’ in the same ‘severed’ condition will be eligible for the ‘worker’

grant. The latter presumably must be wondering. Next, one hopes that the Union has in mind to include the ‘worker’ categories at the Head Office (who hardly benefit from representation) amongst those to whom the grant should be extended. But it is not as if both ‘worker’ and ‘manager’ do not have a collaborative relationship within the same target oriented organisation.

How does one first address the financial drought experienced by those whose productivity is measured practically on a daily basis, when public servants who are not subject to any form of performance appraisal, are ‘granted’ increases almost annually?

The fact is that the records will reveal that GuySuCo’s managers have not benefitted from any basic salary improvement for the past six years. They must be the object of sympathy from counterparts in both public and private sectors (and who

are hardly affected by the weather). Surely it must be appreciated that like every worker in the industry, and elsewhere, they have to cope with increasing living costs; that they too must maintain anxious children who, while aspiring to careers, reflect on the degree of developmental constipation with which their parents (managerial workers) must contend.

So, here is asking GAWU to remember that there is no substantive distinction between levels of ‘sugar workers’; that there exists a ‘Succession Plan’ in which one can move from ‘Graduate Apprentice’ to ‘Engineer’; that there are communication arrangements to provide for consensual decision-making between ‘employer’ and ‘employee’; that they are events where all socialise as equals; and that, in the final analysis, there is the fundamental bond of commitment to the survival of the industry.

In, not necessarily, the final analysis, the economic competition so fast developing in the country, increasingly generates other employment opportunities – more so at a time when technological skills are so much more preferable to future employees.

Motivation is critical for all in the sugar industry. The differential on which the union compulsively insists has become irrelevant in times when ‘teamsmanship’ is so desperately needed.

Kindly note: managers are equally critical to the survival of the sugar industry. More importantly is the fact that all are human beings, which makes the point that the Minister of Agriculture should be a proactive contributor to any further discourse, as the decision-maker accountable for the performance of the sugar industry.

Sincerely, Human Resources Management Observer

Death of Joshua Henry should prompt concerns and questions from citizens, civil society and the media DEAR EDITOR, The death of 13-year-old Joshua Henry after taking the second dose of Pfizer vaccine should be of concern to every Guyanese, vaccinated or not. The account given by the family that he went to take the vaccine unaccompanied by an adult is one such concern, because little Joshua was not of consenting age. Another concern is, based on media reports, that the autopsy said Joshua died from “cerebral [brain] haemorrhage,” then the Ministry of Health said he had the pre-existing condition of “cerebral aneurysm.”

Shouldn’t there be concern what would have caused the aneurysm to rupture?

Readings of the COVID-19 vaccine say there are rare cases of blood clot after taking the shot, but it is proving

difficult to find information that a side effect is bleeding (apart from some who may experience a little blood at the needle site). Could the Ministry provide an answer to this? This isn’t a pleasant situation and questions should be flooding the Ministry.

Another abnormality, which should spike the interest of the media and other interest groups, is the high percentage of vaccinated persons (whole or partial) the Ministry is reporting that are dying from complications related to the virus. In no Western or progressive society would a 14 percent be accepted as normal, nor would the relevant interest groups and civil society not sound an alarm and request a probe.

Something is not right.

Guyanese are worried and deserve answers. The mortality statistics for the vaccinated are damning. Does Guyana have epidemiologist(s) looking at the situation? Instead of the government’s strategy of deflecting responsibility and attention, shouldn’t these cases be plotted and traced for commonality in the instances of deaths, vaccine batches, areas of the affected population, ethnicity, etc., and root causes?

We should be looking for scientific solutions to what is evidently a problem. It is not sufficient to settle for only knowing or reporting that people who have taken the vaccines are dying from complications related to the virus at a disturbing rate. The fact that the younger population

is amongst the dead gives rise to more concern. It raises issues about quality control, the administering of the vaccine, proper pre-screening, whether those being vaccinated were infected or not, etc.

From a commonsense and/or educated standpoint there are so many things seemingly out of control.

Here’s hoping citizens have not lost the spirit of camaraderie/fellowship to feel for each other and value the life of all. As the government continues to botch the management of the pandemic, it is of utmost concern there aren’t enough sober minds and responsible organisations, including the media, asking the appropriate questions and demanding answers.

Minette A. Bacchus

It was Burnham himself who was responsible for that statue of Gandhi in the Promenade Gardens DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the letter by Elijay Bijay, “By what authority could the suggestion be conceived that Promenade Gardens be renamed for foreigner who has no connection to this country?” SN 10/6/21. He, of course, was referring to Mahatma Gandhi in reference to a recent suggestion that Promenade Gardens and adjoining Middle St be renamed in his honour.It should be trite history to all Guyanese by now that Gandhi played a key role in the abolition of Indentureship of Indians in Guyana and elsewhere in the

British Empire. That is one critical connection to Guyana, especially to African Guyanese like Mr. Bijay (and Hamilton Green in another letter) who had complained bitterly since 1838 about Indentured Indians undercutting the wages of the freed African slaves.Mr. Gandhi was also the person within the Indian National Congress, who nixed the proposal of two delegations (1920 and 1924) from then British Guiana, for the resumption of Indentureship after its cessation in 1917.

Gandhi’s intervention has since been the source of much

debate in the Indian Guyanese community, since if it were not for him, continued immigration would have given them a supermajority here - as in Mauritius. This is another reason why Gandhi should be honoured - this time by African Guyanese, - in addition to being a role model to Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.

The statue of Gandhi in the Promenade Gardens was installed in 1969 by the PM Forbes Burnham, who had just rigged the 1968 elections, the same year that Indian PM India Gandhi visited Guyana.

Burnham was very much cognisant of the history of Promenade Gardens and Parade Ground and not only because he had held several massive rallies there during the 1960’s, when he invoked that history. Yet he had no problem locating the Gandhi statue there as he profusely praised the Mahatma for the technique of struggle that Nkrumah had called “positive force” in Ghana.

Or are the objections on Gandhi merely a trope for another political protest?

Sincerely, Ravi Dev

Saturday October 09, 2021

PNC elements playing the divisive and dangerous race card again DEAR EDITOR, For some time now, particularly since March 2, 2020, a group of persons sympathetic to the PNC/APNU, have been frequent contributors of letters to the press. This group, along with members of the PNC has been doing its damnedest to further contaminate the minds of ordinary African Guyanese with their racist propaganda. The intention is to incite this section of our population to attack the government, up to and including, instigating them to violence.

They have embarked on this road because they have fertile grounds to work with. Since its inception the PNC has been working, hand in hand, with the colonial masters, set out to divide the working people of our country by using race as the main instrument. At that time their objective was to stop Independence and to remove the PPP government of 1957 to 1964 from office. Over and over again, in our recent history, they have succeeded in fomenting racial strife in Guyana.

These attempts are now being intensified.

Only two weeks ago we saw on Facebook some PNC and WPA elements including David Hinds talking about undermining the government by any means. Those persons feel confident that they can succeed because, time and time again, they organised racial violence up to as recent as last year. Immediately after the election, former President Granger and his right hand, Harmon, instigated many African Guyanese to take to the street in West Berbice.

In the process, many innocent Indian Guyanese who were going about their business were attacked. The pretext for that attack was the brutal murders of two young African Guyanese, the Henry cousins. Without any evidence, they made African Guyanese feel that the boys’ murder was racially instigated.

Since then, the matter was dealt with by the police and persons charged, but the racists continue to try and use it to inflame racial

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sentiments. These persons, like those in the PNC leadership, really don’t care about the Henry boys, or any other ordinary Afro Guyanese. Their sole intention is to use or, better, to misuse them to increase the bargaining power of the PNC, at the least; and finally to put that elite into power, so that they could again use the state apparatus to enrich themselves, through massive pay increases and other perks for themselves coupled with unbridled corruption as happened between 1964 and 1992, and recently between 2015 and 2020.

If they had any genuine feeling for justice, they would have wanted to see justice for Haresh Singh, the 17-year-old, who was brutally murdered in what appears to have been a murder of reprisal. It took the police months to charge someone, and then the matter seems to have been lost, forgotten as if his life did not matter.

That racist clique probably welcomed that murder. Their silence has also been defending on the shooting by police of another teenager, Sewdat Hansraj, during a spontaneous protest to prevent the PNC/AFC rigging of the 2020 elections. This incident took place on March 6, 2020, at Cotton Tree. Residents of the village have deemed this a murder. The young man was shot by police across a canal.

He was unarmed and posed no danger to the officer or anyone for that matter. Our “knight in shining armour” has not been calling for justice for the Hansraj family nor have they uttered a word of sympathy.

Clearly the PNC leadership, together with the racist elements outside that party, are at their old game again, to create mayhem to promote their own selfish interest, which is mainly to pillage the country and to lord it over our working people and live like kings and queens.

It’s time that all these matters be dealt with openly, without fear or favour, and let justice prevail in our country.

Donald Ramotar, Former President

Our ballooning oil sector: many unanswered questions confirm prioritising wrong things, heading in wrong directions DEAR EDITOR, Protect human health and safety. Protect the environment. Those two principles alone grant us the licence to regulate oil operations with the fine-tooth comb that keeps our shores and mangroves safe, our bodies intact and some of our more interesting futures possible.

Oil operations are complex and difficult to integrate with as regulators. To regulate the drilling activity alone, for example, requires specialised knowledge par excellence and on par with drilling technology providers.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico awakened us to the need for regulating technology deployment in drilling activities. Geo-pressures in this part of the world make drilling activities tricky and dangerous.

Things can go wrong, and catastrophically so, if we make the wrong technology choices.

Editor, we have an operator in our young field already in production mode, and already plotting its Bayesian march across the field, more recently with success. Maybe they are just that good, or maybe miracles were involved in the successes that they have seen so far. Who knows? Were we working hand-in-hand with them

throughout these activities, ensuring that they were selecting the right technologies to meet the requirements of our regulatory principles?

Editor, more oil operators are on their way over. Are we getting ready to regulate future drilling activities in our field?

Do we plan to take over our own fields? Would there be time or scope for that at our current rate of regulation? Do we see specialised regulation as a means to creating an advantageous position for ourselves?

Do we have time to create ‘institutions’ and ‘build capacity’? If so, what capacities would we begin to build today?

It seems that we have committed to providing a favourable cost environment for our first oil partner so that they can become profitable.

We have been generous (an understatement?). Can we leverage that position, in spite of its underlying history, to strengthen our regulatory environment and create a direction of travel toward oil autonomy and strong negotiation in the sector? In the case of “no new legislation”, should we enhance our existing agencies and equip them to effect the regulatory principles more rigorously, thereby facing the reality of dangerous oil operations near

our shores? Should we have been doing that all along?

Were we working toward specialised regulation all those decades ago, as oil companies came sniffing about our shores, giving us time to get ready?

Countless times, we have spoken of legislation to protect our long-term strategies across political administrations, but is this form of legislative action really the only answer we can give? Do we not have agencies with sufficient mandate to effect these duties to our people and our planet? Could they not be equipped to furnish an evolved regulatory strategy?

Editor, my feeling is that knowing what moves to make is tough and perhaps we already made a few false steps at the beginning, but does this mean that we have lost our footing altogether?

Could technology planning be a steppingstone toward the giant leap of mastery over our oil field? When it comes to oil, are we having the right conversations these days? Should we be talking about local content so intensely or should we be working to evolve as regulators?

Given our current position, is our next move going to be the best move?

Sincerely, Emille Giddings

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GANDHI WAS ALWAYS A TROUBLEMAKER DEAR EDITOR, This great big fella Gandhi was always an agitator. It seems that every place he touched, he ended up being branded as some form of a troublemaker. And there was a disciple, perhaps a diplomatic provocateur, in the body of His Excellency, the Indian High Commissioner, doing the introductions in his own grand style.

The humble one would have been proud, his history as a conscientious storm trooper now touches down in dear old Guyana. I hope that my German does not make me a blasphemer.

Make a call that a street ought not to be named after the little big man - among the biggest ever - and history books are dusted off. It is of who did what where and when, be such a matter of good politics, or good oldfashioned curry favouring of a different aroma, palatable texture. We are so good at these things that we have lost touch with good timeless commonsense. Further, pre-

cedent is exhumed and laid flat on its face, for all to take a good long look at the corpse that is the senselessness of our spirited and determined efforts.

In the goodness of our blessed hearts, we have become very good at these things.

It should be noticed that, for someone who avoids using the same word twice if I can help it, I keep using one much aligned word. It is ‘good.’

I hear Mandela, and nothing about the savage history of that infamous street somewhat off the middle of town.

A self-destructive cosmopolitan city it is. But I say that Mandela is well said. Which is why I say also, let’s not do Gandhi and let’s undo Mandela.

And as I do so, I wonder what the point is with all these thought provoking parallels, these profound research citations. But as I say no to Gandhi and no to Mandela, then let us go the whole nine nautical leagues and get rid

of all of them. That would be all those names of villages and other places that remind of Dutch and French masters (not painters), and English ones, too. We got rid of a statue of the Empress of India, so I suggest looking in that other courtyard around Waterloo Street and considering the same. If this makes me Subhas Chandra Bose or Liaquat Ali Khan, then I must live with it. Please don’t extradite me to Baluchistan, for there is a real democracy, the Maoist kind.

I think of all this and I ponder how on this god’s green earth is called Guyana (apologies to atheists) are we ever going to build a country, stand for something that is our own. We can’t, if we continue to be Indian above all else, and out to prove that we are blacker than Stokely and Huey together.

We either have a country worth cherishing; or we have a de facto partition that bares itself at times like these, with these truths that titillate, torture. One last time: not so good.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Frustration is the latest culprit DEAR EDITOR, Frustration being blamed for two recent criminal acts.

In one case, it led to the alleged burning down of a police station, while the staging of the theft of a vehicle for insurance purposes is the other.

Devious minds at work with horrendous outcomes.

And frustration gets the blame.

Shamshun Mohamed

Saturday October 09, 2021

Many places in India are named after illustrious foreigners, the same should be here DEAR EDITOR, I have noticed the letters expressing disapproval of the proposal to rename Middle Street after Mahatma Gandhi.

While it is not a nice thing to speak about persons, with respect to one of the writers, the least said, as others have already remarked, the better.

However, in the most recent of these letters, GKH Lall’s, “Shake this blind obeisance to things and people foreign, “ SN 10/7/2021, noted for its stridency and xenophobic fervour, the writer wonders how Indians would react to his proposal of naming a street in India after Cheddi Jagan.

He feels they would think him presumptuous.

Maybe not, as there are many places in India especially streets in New Delhi named after non-Indian persons.

Among the streets in New Delhi’s diplomatic district, Chanakyapuri, one is named after Kwami Nkrumah and another after Nelson Mandela. In fact, there is an Africa Avenue.

In other parts of the metropolis, streets are named after Leo Tolstoy, Alexander Kadakin, former Russian Ambassador to India, former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, the French novelist and Minister of Cultural Affairs, Andre Malraux, Archbishop Makarios, and Benito Jaurez, a former Mexican President.

Our communist friends in Guyana would be happy to know that there is a Josip Tito Road and, even more interesting, a Ho Chi Minh Street in Kolkota which ironically houses the US and UK consulates.

As far as the proposal to

rename Middle Street goes, which may not now become a reality given Mr. Lall’s strident and adamant, “Not here! Not anywhere here...do it there,” Guyana would not be the first country to honour the Mahatma in this manner.

After all, we already have our Promenade Gardens Gandhi monument.

There are similar monuments to Gandhi in Lake Shrine, California, in Union Square, New York, Tavistock Square, London, Copenhagen, Denmark, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa which was unveiled by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Canberra Australia, Memorial Garden Jinga, Uganda, Garden of Peace Vienna, Austria, and Arina Park Geneva, Switzerland.

The most recent of these is the Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, London.

Apart from monuments, streets, avenues, roads, boulevards in more than fifty countries of the world are named after Gandhi.

These include Trinidad, Jamaica, Brazil, Mexico, United States and Canada.

Interestingly, of all the countries of the world, Mahatma Gandhi seems to have great appeal among the people of the Netherlands where streets and roads in more than twenty-five towns and cities are named after him, second only to India itself.

Coming back to Mr. Lall’s hypothetical proposal, “I wonder if I were to propose a street in India being named after Cheddi Jagan, how the Indians would react,” I have shown how in my view Indians may not be averse to the idea.

In fact, I believe it to be quite a brilliant idea.

Why shouldn’t India have places and streets named after her distinguished sons and daughters in the diaspora?

I am now making a formal

request to the Government of India, through its High Commissioner, to name a locality somewhere preferably in the north after Cheddi Jagan with streets and roads named after Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar, Irfaan Ali, and J.B. Singh, to name a few.

Thank you, Mr. Lall, for the idea.

Indeed, if Indians in Trinidad, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa and those in Guyana can come together on this, what to talk of streets, we may get towns and cities named after our heroes.

In history there are many persons who, because of their achievement, struggles and values, transcend borders, so the question of “blind obeisance to things and people foreign” simply cannot apply to them. I am in no way an expert in Gandhi.

This is best left to those who feel competent to remark on his “stain” and “failure.”

But, I truly believe that Mahatma Gandhi belongs to all

humanity and specifically to that small cherished group of human beings who cannot be described as “foreign” by any stretch of the imagination by any people, and of whom it may be said, with ref-

erence to Gandhi, “Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.”

In conclusion, I have seen Mr. Lall’s strong admonition to Guyanese on “obeisance to things and people foreign,” as an argument against the proposal of naming Middle Street after Mahatma Gandhi.

Based on this Nelson Mandela would also be seen as foreign.

I am not part of any advocacy, but it is my hope that Mr. Lall would not start a campaign to un-name the Nelson Mandela Avenue.

Sincerely, Swami Aksharananda

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Saturday October 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

The oil and gas industry is becoming a fossil. So said the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

Guyana's leaders think that the Guterres doesn't know what he is talking about or that he may even be an alarmist.

We say: listen leaders and learn. Know what is there to be known, and also what we in Guyana (especially our leaders) don't know.

The oil must be produced, but sensibly. Agriculture and other natural resources must be right there with oil, not lagging behind.Leaders must listen.

Guyanese must watch them and press them.

PAGE 07

Saturday October 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Bee attack kills two more Motorcyclist loses leg in accident persons in Region Six The minibus and the motorcycle that was involved in the accident yesterday.

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wo more persons are now dead following bee attacks at separate

locations.

The two persons have been identified as Sirpaul Rishi Hemraj, 62, of Black Bush Polder and Dorothy Adams, 58, of Rotterdam, East Bank Berbice.

Kaieteur News understands that Hemraj, a Ranger and former Chairman of the Water Users Association in Black Bush was in the backdam with two other Rangers, namely Chandradatt Nankoo and Rajendra Mohan together with an Excavator Operator and some other farmers, when the Africanized bees attacked.

Nankoo said that they were talking when Mohan shouted 'Bee!', Nankoo said there were other farmers at the location as well and all of them ran away but Hemraj was left behind.

When the bees were gone they went back to where Hemraj was and observed that he was coming out from a trench with mud on his skin. They all went to the Mibicuri Hospital where they were being treated.

Hemraj however succumbed shortly after at the said hospital while Nankoo and

Dead: Sirpaul Hemraj

Dead: Dorothy Adams Mohan were treated and sent away.

Meanwhile, at Rotterdam, East Bank Berbice, Dorothy Adams was walking back home from a nearby shop yesterday when the Africanized bees attacked her on the road. Her

reputed husband, Vishnu Persaud said he was called by a passerby who told him that his reputed wife got stung by bees and was laying under a house.

He said he went to rescue her but was also stung by the bees. She was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she succumbed.

On Thursday another man was attacked by bees in the Eversham Backdam but he too died following the attack.

A

22-year-old man, who was driving motorcycle CJ 8957, had his right leg amputated after he failed to stop at the intersection of 'C' Field Sophia Access Road and Health Centre Access Road, Sophia, and smashed into a minibus yesterday.

The accident occurred around 08:30hrs. The injured man was identified as Damion Benjamin of Section 'E' Field S o p h i a , G r e a t e r G e o rg e t o w n , Kaieteur News understands that Benjamin was travelling west along Health Centre Access Road and whilst approaching the intersection at Section 'C' Field Access Road, Benjamin failed

to stop and drove into the path of the minibus which was heading south along the eastern side of Section 'C' Field Access Road.

Both vehicles were damaged whilst Benjamin fell onto the roadway where he received injuries to his right leg. He was picked up by public-spirited citizens in a conscious condition and subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was seen, examined and treated for a crushed right leg which was subsequently amputated.

The police confirmed with this newspaper that an investigation into the matter is ongoing.

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH ON WORLD HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY

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o d a y, t h e Ministry of Health joins with the rest of the world in observing World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, under the theme: 'Leave no one behind – equity in access to palliative care.'

Like many countries world-wide, Guyana does not have a comprehensive hospice and palliative care as part of its healthcare services.

The sad truth is, only 12% of the global population in need of hospice and palliative care presently, are able to access such care, and even less than 12% access high quality hospice and palliative care.

In addition, each year 56.8 million people, including 25.7 million in the last year of life, are in need of palliative care, of whom 78% live in low- and middleincome countries. Most of the global need for palliative care has been driven by the continuing noncommunicable disease (NCD) crisis.

Cancer continues to be a major driver of the palliative care deficit. This glaring

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony public health deficit is an injustice and Guyana and countries around the world need and must ensure this gap in healthcare is eliminated sooner than later.

Moreover, the lack of or the inadequacy of palliative care was highlighted by COVID-19.

The need for palliative care in all places and settings to relieve suffering at the end of life, such as the physical suffering caused by breathlessness or the mental

pain resulting from separation from loved ones has been vividly highlighted by the pandemic.

The pandemic also reminds us of the need for all health professionals to be trained in a palliative care approach: the demand for palliative services exceeds what can be provided by specialist teams alone.

As the world observes World Palliative Care Day, Guyana commits to strengthening and expanding hospice and palliative care as part of the healthcare services provided for all Guyanese.

Equitable access to safe and quality palliative care for all citizens is a human right and, therefore, Guyana must take immediate steps to ensure hospice and palliative care gaps are eliminated. In this regard, the Ministry of Health and Government of Guyana have already taken steps to prioritize hospice and palliative care in the new health strategy for Guyana, which will be introduced in 2022.

The time to act is now.

No-one who needs care should be left behind!

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 09, 2021

PAGE 09

If you can't respect the dead you will have nothing but contempt for the living

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few days ago, I witnessed an amazing scene.

A funeral cortège was making its way along a public road, led by the hearse.

Scores of vehicles driven by impatient drivers were overtaking the cortège oblivious for the need to show respect to the dead.

One minibus moved alongside the procession of vehicles, loudly blasting irreverent music.

Such a scene would have been unthinkable 50 years ago. Back then, no one attempted to overtake a funeral procession. Cyclists and pedestrians upon seeing a funeral cortège would stop and stand aside. The men would tip their hands and the women would bow their heads.

People showed respect for the dead. And because of this they valued life.

Yesterday, there was a movie shown on cable television. It was called Taking Chance. It is a gem of movie, devoid of action or drama, it, however, sends a powerful message about respecting the dead, particularly the men and women who served in the Armed Forces and who give their lives for their country.

The movie is the story of a desk officer who volunteers to escort a Marine who was killed in Iraq and

Dem

boys seh...

M

uhammad Ali use to float like wan butterfly and sting like wan bee. But it look like he wasn't de only one wah does sting.

Dem boys read bout sting operation and how somebady get caught in one.

Dem boys know dat bees does sting. But now it looking like de police does also sting.

How yuh does get ketch in a sting-operation? Yuh suppose to get sting nah caught.

Deh gat some people when dem get sting, dem does get bazz-a-dee. One time it had a man who run

whose body was brought back to America. The movie shows the details of the great lengths and the rituals which the Armed Forces of the USA engage in preparing the body and transporting it to its final resting place in Wyoming.

As one review noted, the movie chronicles how Americans, civilians and servicemen, honour and respect those who are killed while in service to their country.

The movie is about loss, personal and national but it is extremely revealing about the great lengths which the Armed Forces go in showing reverence for the dead.

Yet, in our society, particularly in Guyana, we appear to be losing the traditions of showing respect for the dead.

And it is this loss of reverence for the dead and the sensitivity for their victims' families that is also translating into lack of regard for the living.

We are living in a terrible period in our country and in the world. People are dying in great numbers. On Thursday more than 7,000 persons died around the world from COVID-19; on Wednesday more than 8,000 died.

The deaths are mounting in Guyana. Last month, September, there were 169 COVID-related deaths. This

is twice the amount of death recorded in August and 70 percent higher than the previous highest total one year ago.

The number of infections has also spiralled out of control. Last month there were 6,279 confirmed cases of COVID 19, more than double the previous month.

Yet, nothing has changed.

No one is on the rooftop shouting for the tighter restrictions.

People seem to be unperturbed by the mountain of deaths which are taking place. No one is writing any letters in the newspapers calling for action but many letters are appearing over a suggestion to name a street after a Mahatma Gandhi.

What is the country coming to? And who does one explain this widespread indifference to the deaths which are taking place daily in Guyana.

Perhaps, it has to do with the decline in respect for the dead. That loss of respect translates to loss of respect for life itself.

When money and profits are more important than human life, this is the sort of indifference which will result. And if selfishness is more important than support for others, this indifference will result.

Our President went to Barbados recently and railed against what he called

Sting-Operation gat after-effects into a docta office. He shouting and hollering in pain, "Please doc, you gat to help me! I get stink by a bee.”

"Calm down and don't worry;" say de docta, "I'll put some cream on it."

"Yuh nah gan find dat bee doc. It must bee miles away by now." "No, you don't understand!" answer de doctor, "I'll put some cream on the place you were stung."

"Oh! It happen in de garden at de back of meh house."

“No, no, no!" de docta say getting frustrated, "I mean on which part of your body did that bee sting you."

"On my finger!" screamed de man in pain.

"The bee sting meh pun meh finger and it really hurts."

"Which one?" de doctor ask.

"How ah supposed to know? All bees look the same to me!"

But if yuh think dat was bad wait till yuh read bout de boy who walk in de hospital with a swollen jaw.

A docta ask he "Yuh OK? What happened?"

"Well... There was this bee... and... it landed on meh cheek and... and..."

"Did it sting you?" de docta ask.

"No, daddy killed it with a shovel" Talk half and careful with dem sting-operation!

vaccine polarisation. He complained bitterly about the fact that how the developed world treated the rest of the world in respect to vaccines.

But what about here right home? How different is what the developed world did with the vaccines from what we

are doing in respect to not taking additional measures to stem the spiralling deaths and infections.

The failure to show reverence for life can be traced right back to the decline in respect for the dead. And this is one of the main reasons why few seem

bothered by the fact that so many of us are dying each day.

(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

Saturday October 09, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

These two men's narrative is more comical than dangerous

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n m y Tu e s d a y ' s column, I looked at an emanation by Henry Jeffrey on a Facebook programme hosted by David Hinds, Jeffrey being one of three guests. The others were Vincent Alexander and Hamilton Green. In that piece, I wrote the words: “What Alexander had to say was essentially comical.”

I will now expand on the utterances on the comical

content of Alexander's presentation and the miasmic propagandistic content of Jeffrey's delivery.

It is important that these fictions and distortions are exposed immediately so they do not creep into the historical record.

It is important too that educated minds reject these false narratives which have been tsunamic from PNC, AFC, WPA and racist quarters

since the No Confidence Motion of December 2018 and have intensified since the March 2020 general election.

Jeffrey outlined a case for Burnham's greatness then in the same breath exclaimed that in today's Guyana, the PPP government could do whatever it wants. This is unmitigated propaganda. If any government did what it wanted at anytime in any place in any fashion without thinking or caring, it was the regime of Forbes Burnham and Hamilton Green.

The party of Burnham and Green never won an election, therefore where did its authority derive from? Which part of the society empowered Burnham to act as he did? It had to be the security forces that maintained Burnham's grip on power because no section of the society gave him an electoral mandate.

An electoral mandate does not and should not allow the winner to behave the way it wants to without accountability. The PPP lost two elections – 2011 and 2015. There was a price to pay for not being accountable.

Burnham had no price to pay because there was no election to lose. Burnham had permanent power.

It suits the political and ethnic agenda of Jeffrey to omit those crucial dimensions of Guyana's existence when Burnham dominated the physiology of Guyana.

The deadliest manifestations of Burnham's dictatorship, using Guyana as his private playground are literally countless.

Here are just a few samples of insane use of power. Walter Rodney's denial of employment at UG; the creation of paramountcy of the party; the imposition of mass games in the education system; compulsory national service; Burnham's sadism at Hope where, while on horseback, he would ride on public servants compelled to do chores on the estate and they would scamper to avoid being hurt. Now to Alexander.

Once at a Board meeting of the Faculty of Social Sciences, the late Professor Perry Mars made a reference to the poor academic talent of Vincent Alexander, for which Mars immediately apologised. I was at that meeting and felt that Perry, a very good friend, was out of order. But, looking back at that remark of Perry 30 years ago, did he see in Vincent what we couldn't see then.

Here is what Vincent said

was the reason he admired Burnham. He told the panel that one day Burnham said to him that Guyana was a plural Frederick Kissoon society and he was struck by Burnham's perspicacity. Vincent said Jagan Jagan. Vincent gave his when Burnham uttered those reason which is nonsensical.

He said Mrs. Jagan wanted words, there and then, he Indian women excluded from admired the man.

According to Vincent, this compulsory National Service conversation took place in the (NS). Burnham refused but 1970s. What Vincent did not then came up with a know then (he should have compromise – no woman been reading books on would do NS. Mrs. Jagan Guyana), was that Burnham then walked out of the conned him. Burnham was meeting and that was the end simply regurgitating one of of talks on joint government.

Why would Mrs. Jagan walk the important theories in G u y a n e s e s o c i o l o g y out when Burnham agreed, even popularised in the 1950s by though his suggestion was broader than Mrs. Jagan's? It several formidable scholars.

Sir Arthur Lewis wrote meant that Indian women about the plural society would not do NS. What Alexander did not when Vincent was in diapers say and he should have and the 1959 book, M. G. turned and asked Jeffrey was Smith, “The Plural Society in the West Indies” was the question – who gave compulsory reading in Burnham the right to introduce compulsory NS many courses at UG. when the PPP in fact was the Space has run out but here is what Vincent said about an majority party? Burnham event in 1984 which was not died shortly after and true; which was an abominable Guyana was saved.

(The views expressed in fiction. He explained that in 1984 there were talks about a this article are those of the coalition government a u t h o r a n d d o n o t between the PNC and PPP but necessarily reflect the that was scuttled by Mrs. opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday October 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday October 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Protection of Amazon's rainforest vital to future of the planet - President Ali - Reaffirms Guyana's commitment P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali is of the firm conviction that protecting the Amazon's rainforest is vital to the future of the planet and therefore reaffirmed Guyana's commitment to the Leticia Pact and its goals and objectives.

The President made the foregoing statements virtually at the third Annual Summit of the Pact, held yesterday from his Office on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

“The protection of our rainforest is vital to our future and that of the planet.

We have an obligation to support regional environmental cooperation aimed at protecting our precious natural capital and

to Leticia Pact at third Summit

in responding collectively to natural disasters which have regional impact.”

Yesterday's event which attracted several Heads of government, including the President of the Republic of Colombia, Ivan Duque Marquez, was held to reaffirm the principles and values of the treaty, which was signed by seven Amazon nations, including Guyana, in 2019 in the Amazonia city of Leticia, Colombia.

The Guyanese Head of State urged the Summit to

continue acting collectively in the face of threats that can harm their countries and the development of their citizens.

He said that each country has an obligation to protect its respective rainforests for its citizens and for the global population due to Amazon Countries' oxygen-generating capabilities.

The Amazon is the largest rainforest block and carbon sink. It is home to 20% of the world's freshwater supply and 10%

Woman who accompanied son to court, collapses and dies

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58-year-old woman who yesterday accompanied her son to court for a matter, collapsed and d i e d a t t h e Vi g i l a n c e Magistrate's Court, moments after complaining of feeling unwell.

The dead woman has

been identified as Gloria Thomas, a housewife, of 78 Vigilance South, East Coast Demerara.

Kaieteur News was told that while the woman was waiting for her son's matter to be called she entered the courtroom where she collapsed.

The Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) were called to the court to administer oxygen but Gloria remained unconscious. She was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was pronounced dead.

of its biodiversity.

President Ali, who said that he was honoured to participate in the Summit, pledged Guyana's commitment to the objectives of the Pact and the country's cooperation in implementing its action plan.

He said that the Summit is being held at a critical time since the region is still facing the dire consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, while attempting to recover from its effects.

“Our region has been making efforts to intensify regional cooperation so that never again will we find ourselves in a situation in which overdependence on the developed world for solutions to major global crises leave us vulnerable and exposed.”

The President noted that he is heartened by the level of regional cooperation that has been triggered by the global health crisis. He believes that equally, the participating countries can ensure greater regional environmental cooperation to help protect against the adverse effects of the global climate crisis.

“We, the countries of the Amazon, must play our part

President, Irfaan Ali in averting environmental disasters and arresting the climate crisis.”

ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT President Ali lauded the Pact and its Plan of Action and said that they are instruments of regional environmental cooperation for combating deforestation, land degradation and for accelerating restoration, rehabilitation and reforestation initiatives.

He also praised the Pact's commitment to the empowerment of women and indigenous peoples and their communities, which he said is vital to the conservation and protection of the rainforests and biodiversity.

However, he noted that the Pact is still in its infancy since it was signed only two years ago and must be given time to achieve its ambitions and become an effective m e c h a n i s m o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l collaboration.

“ R e g i o n a l environmental cooperation is no quick-fix solution.

Regional cooperation takes time and requires sustained and painstaking efforts, especially in respect to ensuring consensus, coordination and common action.”

The President said that while the region's current priority is to combat the effects of Covid-19, it should not deflect attention from the Pact's objectives and the implementation of its action plan.

“The process of recovery from the pandemic should be used as an opportunity to align our economies along a sustainable development path and to ensure that preservation and protection (continued on page 16 )

Parties fail to reach...

From page 2 having the company make $6 million payout in three monthly installments; will allow for the removal of the garnishee order as well as the application for receivership of Kaieteur News assets.

But Attorney, Ram, after consulting with the newspaper publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, related that proposed sums are simply not viable. Ram explained that his client and the company are in no financial position to make such “a heavy commitment.” The lawyer stressed that economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the heavy cost attached to managing a company at this time, will definitely put a strain on the newspaper.

Given that the parties were unable to reach an agreement to pay, the Court was left to allow the lawyers to file written submission for each application. The submissions are expected to be filed by October 28, and on November 11, Court will rule whether on the respective applications.

Saturday October 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Minister Mustapha engages Cove and John farmers - says Govt. remains committed to developing agriculture in the community

A

griculture Minister, Z u l f i k a r Mustapha has reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring Guyana's agriculture sector continues to grow despite setbacks caused by the recent flooding during this year's extended May-June rainy period.

On Thursday last, during a recent meeting with farmers from Cove and John, a village located on the East Bank of Demerara, Minister Mustapha said Guyana's agriculture was well on its way to recovery, given the many incentives the government has extended to farmers who were affected by the recent flood.

He also told farmers that they too stand to benefit from the transformative initiatives that will be implemented over the next four years.

“During the flood, our farmers were prevented from planting all the areas this year.

Floodwaters have receded in most of the farming areas and the government has already started working to rebuild the sector.

Next year, more lands have to be opened up for farmers to extend their cultivation. When we took office the infrastructure in all of the agriculture areas was dilapidated.

“Since taking office, the ministry has worked to improve the infrastructure in all of the farming communities so that our production can expand and improve. Agriculture in Guyana is now a big business because of the interest this government is placing on developing the sector, ”Minister Mustapha said.

Rice farmers in the area told the Minister that while there has been a noticeable improvement in the sector over the last year, there was the need for a drying floor, since the one they once used has since closed.

“Minister we need a drying floor because we are really punishing to dry our paddy. We had a private place where we usually dry our paddy but the place was sold, and when we dry on tarpaulin the paddy is not germinating,” one farmer said.

Farmers present also told the Minister that the operator who is employed to operate

the machine in the area, has been stealing fuel that should be used to carryout work in the community.

After listening to the farmers' issues, Minister Mustapha instructed officials from the NDIA to investigate the matter immediately and provide him with a report.

While responding to requests made by farmers for the construction of a drying floor for their paddy, Minister Mustapha told the farmers that if they can identify an available area, the ministry will work with them to facilitate the construction of a drying floor to assist them with drying their paddy.

The subject Minister also advised farmers to form themselves into a group, so that there can be a systematic approach to collaborations between the ministry and the farmers to carry out works needed in the community.

“There is already a Community Development Council (CDC) in the village that is looking after the interest of the residential area. I want farmers to form themselves into a farmers' group inclusive of cash crop, rice, and livestock farmers.

A team from the Ministry will come back to the community next week to help you form the group. That group will also be tasked with helping our officers to monitor the situation in this area,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha also told farmers that, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the machines in the area continue working to ensure farmers benefit from proper drainage and irrigation.

Further, he told farmers that come 2022, villagers will benefit from maintenance contracts from the ministry to carry out works on the drains in the community.

“Our budget is almost exhausted now in terms of maintenance works, but in next year's budget, we'll make funds available so that maintenance works can be done on the trenches in this area. We'll give those works to persons in the community.

While you're cleaning the trench for the satisfaction of the farmers, persons who are carrying out these works will be able to earn. We need the farmers to cooperate. You (continued on page 14)

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during his engagement with farmers

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

CDB signs framework to advance renewable energy in the region

Saturday October 09, 2021

Superior Concrete Inc. aims for fresh start with local partner after controversial start - Commits to bringing state-of-the-art plant to Guyana

D

Vice-President (Operations) of The Caribbean Development Bank, Isaac Solomon (at left) and Executive Director of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Dr. Gary Jackson (at right), sign the framework agreement as Deputy General Counsel of CDB, Nicole Liverpool-Jordan observes.

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he Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) yesterday signed a framework agreement to advance renewable energy (RE) development and energy efficiency (EE) promotion in the Caribbean.

In a missive to the press, CDB Vice President of Operations, Isaac Solomon, said such partnerships are needed now more than ever as there is greater global urgency and ambition around climate goals.

“Indeed, the urgency of the transition in the energy sector towards greater use of RE options has significantly increased with the global accelerated drive towards net-zero or carbon neutrality by mid-century,” Solomon said.

Solomon said the CDB recognises that “significant capacity constraints remain in the countries of the region including the areas of developing bankable RE/EE investment projects, sectoral planning, and for establishing enabling policy and investment frameworks”.

According to the news release, he said adequately addressing these challenges in a timely manner is beyond the reach of any one institution and therefore strategic partnerships among institutions at the international, regional, and national levels are critical.

CCREEE E x e c u t i v e Director Dr. Gary Jackson echoed similar sentiments, saying the impact sustainable energy can have on Caribbean economies cannot be understated.

“Partnerships is one of (continued on page 16)

Fish vendor on bail for allegedly stealing jewellery during brawl

A

37-year-old fish vendor was yesterday placed before the court for allegedly stealing two rings from a woman who was reportedly in a fight with his girlfriend.

The defendant, Tafivan Vieira, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Magistrate Dylon Bess.

He denied the charges which alleged that on September 26, 2021, at Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown, Vieira stole from Roma Monasar, one gold wedding ring valued at $152,200 and one silver ring valued at $14,500.

According to the police prosecutor, the defendant's girlfriend and the virtual complainant had a dispute and a fight broke out between the two. It was during that time that Vieira took the jewellery off of the woman.

The court heard that the defendant and the virtual complainant are known to each other, since they work at the same wharf in Georgetown.

Magistrate Bess then granted the defendant bail in the sum of $80,000 and the matter was adjourned. Vieira was also ordered to report to the Ruimveldt Police Station and to lodge his passport.

espite getting off to a most controversial start earlier this year, Superior Concrete, Inc. is hoping to turn over a new leaf and lead the charge in developing a safe and responsible concrete company in Guyana.

Kaieteur News had reported in May that the company during its initial development efforts had clashed with local authorities over its move to set up the said operations at Houston Estates. There were complaints that proper procedures were not followed, that it was not in compliance with the nation's laws, and that there were blatant instances of disrespect.

Since that fallout, the company has restructured its management and is determined to demonstrate that it intends to be compliant and work with Guyanese.

In a missive to the press, the company was keen to note that it was attracted to Guyana as “...it is a developing country on the precipice of change.”

Though cognizant of this, Superior Concrete said it is not only here to serve the budding oil and gas industry, but it will also aid in the country's ongoing infrastructural development.

Superior Concrete's Managing Director, Maxwell Snow noted, “…There is such tremendous potential for change and who doesn't want to be a part of that?”

Kaieteur News understands that the company's plant is a fully

Superior Concrete's Managing Director, Maxwell Snow and Logistics GY Express' Managing Director, Randy Wade enclosed design utilizing advanced lasering technology, which monitors the quality of the air in order to ensure air pollutants, primarily cement dust, are captured within the 'silo' filter system.

Superior Concrete has said that in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) standards, it is desirous of putting Guyana on the map as having the most state-ofthe-art concrete batching plant in the Caribbean.

Beyond mitigating the hazards posed by cement dust, Superior Concrete, Inc. said it will also utilise a recycling system for excess concrete and wastewater, which will be repurposed and reused.

Further to this, Superior Concrete said it is also focused on local capacity building, as such, it has

partnered with Logistics GY Express, a 100 percent owned Guyanese company, to be their local partner.

Logistics GY Express' Managing Director, Randy Wade, is a remigrant from Canada. Superior Concrete has also started building local capacity through their apprenticeship programme for batch plant operators – a profession uncommon in Guyana. Furthermore, the company has partnered with other local suppliers to provide trucks for their operations.

Superior Concrete previously located in Houston Estates, removed one of its directors, Austin Shamlin. Under its new leadership, Superior Concrete has been working with the appropriate agencies to achieve compliance.

As it stands, the company (continued on page 16)

Minister Mustapha engages Cove and...

Tafivan Vieira, at court yesterday

From page 13 cannot continue to work in isolation because things will not be done properly. The ministry will work with everyone but we need everyone to be honest. If farmers want development in their community, I can assure you that the government will work to bring development to the community,” Minister Mustapha explained.

Minister Mustapha also committed to having the ministry construct a gate to secure farmers' rice fields, after farmers voiced their

concerns about cattle from neighbouring communities destroying their crops.

While explaining Guyana's role in agriculture in CARICOM, Minister Mustapha told farmers that there will be many opportunities for them since Guyana is once again, playing that leading role in the region.

“From last year when we took office to now, more farmers have been coming back into the agriculture sector because they see a future in agriculture. Guyana

is now leading the agriculture agenda in CARICOM so there will be a lot of opportunities for you.

The government will continue to make the necessary investments so that you can benefit.

Our President is very passionate about agriculture in Guyana. He speaks on agriculture in CARICOM and we are leading the Ministerial Taskforce and pushing the agricultural development agenda in the region,” Minister Mustapha said.

Saturday October 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Saturday October 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

Protection of Amazon's rainforest vital to future of the ...

From page 12 is a foremost development priority.”

NATIONAL OBJECTIVES The Head of State explained that environmental cooperation envisioned by the Pact might be short-lived

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. Call:6036400.

Unfurnish & furnish house and apartment for rent, Vreed-en-hoop, Providence, Diamond. Call:604-6664/2162299.

CAR RENTAL

LAND FOR SALE House & Land for sale.

Tel:627-6999/658-0436.

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 House plan drawing and estimate. Call K.Lakeram, Building Contractor 2160671,692-8464/Whatsapp 622-0267.

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

Tel:673-7087.

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

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

Call:657-9237.

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.

Inboard Fishing for sale (Complete in good working condition. Contact:615-3237/ 227-0399.

Experience Taxi driver at Princess Hotel Providence.

Call:265-7075/616-5419.

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

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

3 men to work 4"dredge.

Call:604-6734.

1 marack man,1 jet man,1 pitman.Call:604-6734.

Electrical wiring,Auto electrical wiring training courses.

Tel:225-9587. Technical Studies Institute.

Private teaching for Primary & Secondary classes.Call Sir Stanley-675-8268(Cpce trained &covid vaccinated).

For a porter,truck drivers/ salesman.Experiences will be an asset.Contact:661-1000.

Porters,TM log Truck drivers,Chainsaw & Mill operator.Call:609-7675/6741705.

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

Poultry/Livestock Farmers.

Livein accomodations.

Send application to Survival Shopping Complex. Call:6092995.

For drivers. Requirements: valid drivers license (with motor lorry). Call Survival Shopping Complex609-2995.

Factory workers and Sale Representatives.Must have a sound Secondary Education. For more info, call:2230090.

We're hiring.Position exist f o r : M a s o n , C a r p e n t e r, Labourer. Contact:618-5255.

Domestic worker, Baker, Counter staff,Kitchen assistance. Apply:Bettencourt's Diner.Call:231-1368/223-1938.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area.Call: 615Minibus & Taxi drivers. To work and keep. Call:225-

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

Experienced counter clerk in Hardware business. Attractive salary.Contact Charles 623-4242/227-7163 between 9-4.

Cook for Mazaruni river.

Poppy show landing. Contact 662-7718 & 677-0869.

EDUCATION

VACANCY

Vacancy exist for Riders.

Requirements valid bike license,secondary level education. Whatsapp 681-2877 Call:600-4497.

SERVICES

the objectives of the Leticia Pact for the Amazon by mainstreaming its objectives in their national development strategies, especially in relation to maintaining sustainable levels of deforestation, protecting biodiversity, enhancing value-added production of forest products, increasing the de-carbonisation of each economy and empow-

ering women and indigenous peoples and communities.”

President Ali also reminded the Summit of Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy that will be broadened to incorporate wider environmental services, water resources management, climate resilience, biodiversity and the marine economy.

CDB signs framework to advance renewable...

Vacancy for: 1.Skilled Mason 2.Skilled Carpenter. Contact:602-9469,657-5800,6662887.

Aidan's Car Rental.Call:2253234/628-1183.

or placed on a backburner unless the region's development trajectories are aligned with the Pact's objectives.

“Regional cooperation will enjoy greater success if its ambitions find increased traction in national development policies.” As such, the President said, Guyana believes that it is necessary for all the countries to support

TO LET 3 bedroom,recently renovated. Excellent condition.

Enmore access road. Call: 667-3799.

One male able bodied clerk.

Call:225-2313,226-1497.

One experienced male cook to work 2 weeks in interior.

Call:683-3360.

Enmore mall commercial space for medical facility.

Call centre and any other type of business 609-7675/ 674-1705.

Jet and Marack men to work on land dredge in interior.

Tel:699-3857.

Apartment in Eccles.Two bedroomsroomsin Albertown. Call:225-3234.

From page 14 our guiding principles at the CCREEE and we are therefore pleased to join forces with the CDB toward the realisation of many local, regional and international goals and ambitions. This partnership is a coalition of the willing, oper-

ating within the regional energy landscape and building on each institution's existing programmes,” Dr. Jackson said. The release noted that the agreement provides a structure for the two organisations to collaborate and cooperate on areas

where their joint expertise can be most useful to the sector, including capacity strengthening, knowledge management, information sharing and the preparation and implementation of RE/EE projects in countries across the region.

Superior Concrete Inc. aims for fresh start with local partner ...

From page 14 has obtained permits issued by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and have had their EPA notice published. The company stressed that it will only commence operations once they receive final approval from the Central Housing and Planning Committee through the Mayor and City Council.

This comes after the company received confirmation that their application for outline

planning permission to establish their Concrete Batching Plant at a plot of land at the South-Eastern portion of Plate Area GIL2, Plantation Rome, Greater Georgetown, was deemed suitable for the proposed development by the CH&PA Planning Authority on the September 23, 2021.

Superior Concrete said it looks forward to working and partnering with all relevant stakeholders in Guyana to ensure the long-term viability of the venture.

Saturday October 09, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

$290 million CJIA scanner shuts down after five months One of the new scanners carrying a price tag of GYD$290M that was installed and commissioned some five months ago at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has reportedly shut down.

A c c o r d i n g t o information reaching this media house yesterday, the scanner that is currently out of working order is a CTX 5800 Checked Luggage Scanner. Also confirming this development was the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Juan Edghill.

The Minister said, “We are having some issues with one of the scanners and the persons at the airport are currently in contact with suppliers of the machine to fix those issues as soon as possible”.

Kaieteur News understands that the issue that led to the scanner shutting down is a technical

one. The CTX 5800 Checked Luggage Scanner was commissioned in May this year along with other screening equipment. The government had spent a total of $400M for the equipment they labelled as “high tech”.

Edghill had stated during the commissioning ceremony that the equipment purchased are “new and state-of-the-art ones that will replace the old scanners and boost Guyana's aviation security”.The scanner that is currently non-functional was installed as it can quickly identify threats in checked baggage. Over 2000 of the explosive trace detection scanners, which are Transportation Security Administration (TSA) certified and European Civil Av i a t i o n C o n f e r e n c e (ECAC) Standard 3 approved, are currently installed and in operation throughout the Caribbean,

North and Latin America.

Last night the airport's public relations officer, Shunza Samuels, issued a statement on the inoperable scanner noting that “currently corrective works are underway and are expected to be completed shortly.”

Explaining the genesis of the problem, Samuels related that on September 11, last the Smiths-Detection CTX 5800 displayed a system error and became inoperable. The supplier and manufacturer, she added, were immediately contacted for technical support. After consultation, a decision was taken to have a Smith's-Detection Engineer fly into Guyana to conduct diagnostic tests.

In the meantime, Samuels noted, passengers' bags are screened via the redundant security scanners at the airport.Guyana was promised a US$150M state-

The CTX 5800 Checked Luggage Scanner that is currently out of working order. of-the-art and modernised international airport since 2 0 11 b y t h e c u r r e n t administration.

A contract was signed with the Chinese Company, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to construct this facility but to date, Guyana is yet to receive such an airport.

Oil sector was huge contributor to positive economic growth at mid-year - Minister Bharrat Following the Ministry of Finance’s disclosure that Guyana recorded a 14.5 per cent growth rate in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first six months of 2021, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, shared that this advancement is due to the country’s oil and gas sector.

The Minister was at the time being interviewed on t h e N a t i o n a l Communications Network, where he discussed the findings of the country’s financial mid-year Report.

The widely-talked about Report highlights the performance of Guyana’s economy, which grew in real terms by 14.5 per cent, while the non-oil GDP grew by 4.8 per cent during the first six months of 2021.

“There is much more to come in the oil and gas sector. We have just started.

To date, we would have gained half a billion in direct proceeds and coupled with that is the massive investment that we are seeing in the oil and gas sector that has played a significant role in the development that we have seen over the last year or so.”

N o t a b l y, M i n i s t e r Bharrat was quick to point out that despite the current health crisis imposed by the

Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of the recent unprecedented nationwide flooding, the recorded growth in the economy is “commendable”.

As it relates to the gold mining sector, the natural resources minister said the industry remains a significant contributor to G u y a n a ’s e c o n o m y.

Notwithstanding the effects of the nationwide flooding, he said the mining sector continues to see increased operational activities – especially with the incentives the Government implemented to put money back into the pockets of Guyanese.

The wide-ranging inducements which were part of the September 2020 budget, saw the removal of value-added tax (VAT) in mining and logging equipment and machinery, and tax concessions on allterrain vehicles (ATV).

Further, the minister reported increased activity in the forestry sector, which has also contributed to the growth of the economy.

“When we took over forestry, the sector was almost bankrupt. We started to rebuild and prudently manage the sector in terms of providing incentives to the stakeholders, make changes

in the logging export policy to enable more exportation of lesser used timber. We have seen an increase in exportation and revenue.”

To e n s u r e f u r t h e r economic growth in the forestry sector, Minister Bharrat called on concessionaires to invest and expand in value-added products.

This, he said, creates more employment for Guyanese and increases revenue flow for Guyana.

“It is a win-win situation where the investor or concessionaire benefits, the Guyana Forestry Commission benefits and the country benefits from revenue through taxation and the generation of employment.”

Turning his attention to the non-oil economy which grew by 4.8 per cent, Minister Bharrat said this growth is especially important in the context of the pandemic and the floods.

He linked it to the slew of initiatives the government has put in place to support and keep citizens afloat in these unparalleled times. The measures have put billions of dollars into the pockets of Guyanese.

Going forward, Minister Bharrat said he anticipates further “significant growth”

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat MP for Guyana.

“I see 14.5 per cent easily moving up.

I see revenue from the oil and gas sector maybe doubling or tripling in 2022 from the direct sale of crude from Liza Destiny and when you add in the larger FPSO which will be producing 220,000 barrels of oil per day, that will probably give us ten to eleven oil lifts per year.”

The natural resources Minister noted that these massive amounts of funds will be used to build the nonoil economy in traditional sectors like agriculture, mining, tourism, forestry, bauxite and others. (DPI)

This administration had lost power in 2015 and the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition had taken over. Under the APNU+AFC's Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, the designs were altered, reportedly to cut cost.

The Coalition government lost power in 2020 and the modernised airport is still incomplete.

T h i s c u r r e n t administration is now promising that it will be completed early 2022, but Edghill has stated that the cost will not surpass US$200M.

Over 19000 Guyanese diagnosed with chronic diseases in 8 months - Report

G

iven that persons with underlining conditions are more at risk of contracting COVID-19, it was revealed recently, that during the last eight months, over 19,000 persons have been newly diagnosed with chronic diseases.

This is according to the 2021Mid-Year Report that was released by the Ministry of Finance.

According to the report, as of June, nearly 60 percent of all COVID-19 deaths recorded in the country were persons who had complications arising from arterial hypertension and type II diabetes. The country so far, has recorded 825 COVID-19 related deaths since the first death was detected in March last year.

The report states that during the first half of 2021 and with a limited health force dispersed to respond to COVID-19, nearly 19,000 persons screened were diagnosed with noncommunicable/chronic diseases.

“Government anticipates being able to redeploy human resources to screen a further 21,000 persons during the second half.

Of note, the screenings to date have resulted in 19,346 persons newly diagnosed for chronic diseases,” the report noted.

This publication had

previously reported that heart disease, which is a form of chronic disease, is the country’s leading cause of death.

Head of Medical Services and Cardiology at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr. Mahendra Carpen had mentioned that persons who suffer from this illness are at a higher risk of experiencing a more serve form of the virus, and as such persons were advised to be more vigilant and control their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

With more screening anticipated, the report outlined that this would allow for early treatment in persons where necessary and for active case management.

As it relates to diabetic p r e v e n t i o n a n d rehabilitation clinic, the report pointed out that the government is expected to commence construction in the third quarter with the conclusion time set for the first quarter of 2022.

In the area of communicable diseases, the government has spent $593.3 million of the $900 million that was budgeted to procure HIV related testing and treatment.

“This should ensure that the country has a stock of 14 months of treatment for the 8,952 patients,” the midyear highlighted.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 09, 2021

Fraudster who received Electrician arrested for assaulting mother presidential pardon back of his children during in court for similar charges Bourda Market brawl A 36- year-old male Electrician of Melanie, East Coast Demerara was arrested yesterday morning, after he assaulted two females including his children’s mother, during a brawl at Bourda Market in Georgetown.

A video of the brawl which, occurred on Robb and Alexander Streets at about 8 a.m., has gone viral on social media.

Police said in a statement that the incident involved the accused, Kellon Albert, as well as Lashawn Joseph, a 22year-old female vendor of Stevedore Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt; Kim Rampersaud, a 49-year-old female stall holder of Stevedore Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt; and Lacquan Joseph, 21-year-old male vendor of Stevedore Housing Scheme.

According to the police statement, Albert went to the stall of his children’s mother

to drop off his two children who were staying with him for the past month.

Police said investigations revealed that Albert told his children’s mother (Lashawn) to collect the children, which caused her to become annoyed.

She then allegedly got up, ran towards her mother’s stall and armed herself with a knife.

Rampersaud who was standing by, immediately grabbed Lashawn and took away the knife.

At that point, police further stated, Albert who was sitting in his motorcar exited and approached them where he grabbed Rampersaud’s hand to retrieve the knife. In the process, a scuffle ensued during which Lashawn armed herself with a wood and dealt Albert several lashes about the body.

Albert, according to police, managed to wrestle the knife from Rampersaud’s hand after which he dealt her

two slaps to her face, and then he approached Lashawn and dealt her two slaps also, about her face.

Police further reported that Lashawn armed herself with a spade and dealt several lashes to Albert’s motorcar which damaged the front and back windscreens and bonnet.

Albert became annoyed and armed himself with bricks and threw them at the motorcars belonging to Lashawn and Lacquan which damaged the windscreens of both vehicles.

Subsequently, the police arrived and launched an investigation where Kellon was arrested.

The police did not provide any further details.

In the video, which is one minute and 15 seconds long, at least four adult males tried in vain to break up the fight in which a male toddler was observed crying near the scene of the assault.

Forty-seven-year-old Khemwattie Ramnauth who was pardoned by former President, David Granger, in 2017 for serving a sentence on fraud-related charges was back in court again facing charges for similar offences.

Ramnauth, of Lot 51 Public Road, Grove, East Bank Demerara, appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Dylon Bess to answer to the charges of forgery and obtaining money under false pretense.

The first charge states that between February 20, 2020 and August 24, 2020, with the intent to defraud, Ramnauth obtained from Brain Perriera the sum of $6,500,000 by falsely pretending that her name was Latchmin Shiwmangal, the registered owner of a property situated at Block XXX Zone, East Bank Demerara parcel 1107, part of South Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown and that she was in the position to sell it to him knowing same to be false.

The second charge alleges that between February 20, 2020, and October 5, 2021, with the intent to defraud, she forged one United States of America Passport #454099867 in the name of Shirley Shiwmangal with a picture bearing her likeness and purporting to show that

Charged, Khemwattie Ramnauth.

same was issued by the United States Department of State, knowing same to be forged.

After the charges were read to her, the court heard that the businesswoman is known to the police and that she was convicted in 2015 for a similar offence and was granted pardoned by the former President in 2017.

According to previous reports, the woman was among nine female prisoners of the New Amsterdam Prison who

were pardoned by Granger. A statement from the Ministry of Public Security said that the women were all prisoners that the Head of State considered to be fit and proper to receive such pardons.

They were granted pardon in accordance with article 188 (2) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Ramnauth who pleaded not guilty to both charges yesterday, was granted bail to the tune of $3 million.

Digicel & CEO to face criminal charges...

From page 3 access of the public to these services. In its defense, Digicel claims to have a legitimate expectation to the unauthorized use of spectrum.

Kaieteur News had reported however that this approach appears to be thwarting the process and the benefits of liberalisation to consumers.

GTT has indicated that it will be deploying a 4.5 G Network and has already been legally granted spectrum to begin this process. However, GTT has already written to the Telecommunications Agency, stating that it will expeditiously transition to the assigned spectrum, but may be prevented from doing so because of unauthorized use in one of its spectrum bands.

It therefore asked the Telecommunications Agency and the Ministry, to take the necessary steps at enforcing the law to prevent any such unlawful use. E-Networks has

also written to the Agency about interference in its licenced band, which is causing delays in its countrywide expansion.

This unauthorised use of spectrum is not the first time Digicel has been accused of bypassing the legal process.

In March 2017, GTT alleged that Digicel was facilitating an “illegal, unlicenced trans-border link between Guyana and Suriname,” an operation which Digicel has acknowledged on several occasions, and which amounted to “remarkable arrogance and disregard for the rule of law in Guyana” according to GTT. In 2017, GTT claimed that Digicel has never provided any specific information in relation to this illegal bypass activity, which it believed deprived the national coffers of billions of dollars in tax payments. To date, Digicel has not made public whether it made any payment of the tax assessments alleged by GTT.

Similar to the present case, GTT expressed its frustration that Digicel avoided any responsibility for its illegal activities but instead, “[made] excuses or [launched] new and unfounded claims that are meant to distract the public and the media.”

Moreover, the operation of the bypass also entailed the use of valuable spectrum

by Digicel, which GTT had claimed was “simply taken as its own, without payment.”

The company believed that Guyanese had “a right to know whether this spectrum has, in fact, been stolen by Digicel.”

Further revelations have also indicated that Digicel has not paid its licence fees for at least five years, an amount estimated to surpass GY$1 billion dollars. The Telecommunications Agency has recently billed Digicel for these outstanding fees, requesting that they be paid within thirty (30) days.

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Dwayne Bravo recalls special World Cup moment on his birthday SportsMax - Champions Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle and will be looking to make it “seventh heaven” when they turn out in the #MenInMaroon for the marquee ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The legendary duo has played all six tournaments since its inception in 2007 in South Africa and will want to have maximum impact as we enter the seventh edition in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

They later played in 2009 in England, 2010 at home in the Caribbean, 2012 in Sri Lanka, 2014 in Bangladesh and the last edition in 2016 in India. Gayle is the undisputed king of T20 cricket and the Universe Boss has dominated this format everywhere he has

set foot on the planet. Bravo is not far behind with his expert bowling and is a sharp thinker and tactician.

Back in 2012, Gayle adopted The Gangnam style as the unofficial theme song for the team and fans joined the global street party. For Bravo, it was an extra-special moment in time as the epic performance came on the night of his birthday.

He had the pleasure of taking the catch to seal the sensational result. To savour the memory, he kept the ball and still has it at home.

“It was my 29th birthday and was a very special moment. It was the first time we won the T20 World Cup and as players, we wanted to prove to the world, we were the best, as individuals and

as a team,” Bravo said.

“To do it on my birthday was special and something I could never forget.

I still have that ball at home … was a dream come true. A lot of people didn’t give us and chance and picked four teams and didn’t have West Indies among their top four.

To win on that night against Sri Lanka on their home turf was a great end to the tournament and we proved ourselves as a team.”

Bravo and Gayle have also had some other great moments in T20 World Cups.

None better than at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2016 when West Indies celebrated that famous victory over England with Bravo leading the merriment with his song “Cham-

Saturday October 09, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) All should be going well for you - love, money, and career.

Still, you seek other goals, and today you might be thinking of educational, intellectual, and spiritual matters that you've always wanted to pursue.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A lot of interesting letters and calls could come your way today. Or you might have business to transact, perhaps involving paperwork, and spend a lot of time out in the community running errands.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you might decide to do some intense research regarding economics, stocks, or land investments and see how it applies to your current financial situation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're likely to be doing so well financially that you might be a little complacent.

With all the hard work you've been doing, you might feel that you deserve some rewards and decide to go shopping.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A social event involving business associates and friends could bring fresh ideas your way, pointing you in a new direction.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your energy and enthusiasm are elevated as you approach yet a higher level of accomplishment.

CANCER(June21–July22) You're likely feeling alert, strong, and full of energy and stamina. Your sense of adventure is high. You may be exploring the possibility of an interesting vacation - rafting, backpacking, or some other adventure.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today you might experience a bit of restlessness, perhaps because you feel there's something you ought to be doing but you aren't sure what.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Intimate relationships gather steam as increased involvement in each other's life brings you closer.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You might consider entering a business partnership of some kind with friends. This is a good time because your communication is especially good.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Happiness reigns in the home as your household continues to experience success. Someone new may come to visit.

Expect a lot of comings and goings, plus an impromptu party or two. many you've already realized.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Have you been working toward public acknowledgement of some sort? If so, you may receive it today. You've been working hard and produced

results that aren't likely to go unnoticed.

pion”.

Gayle is the only man to hit two centuries in the T20 World Cup. In his very first outing against South Africa back in September 2007, he set ablaze the Wanderers in Johannesburg with a sizzling 117 off just 57 balls. It was just the start kind of start that world cricket needed and set the trend for more of his power-packing pyrotechnic displays.

With a sense of occasion, and with an estimated global viewing audience of over 500 million fixed eyes fixed to the Wankhede Stadium, Gayle set the tone for the tournament.

It was magical and memorable as he muscled 11 mammoth sixes and lit up the Mumbai night sky to score 100 not out

off just 48 balls.

Bravo recalled the moments.

“I remember I had a launch event in Mumbai and had my teammates and friends.

We had a good start to the tournament, and we formed a great unit.

Chris made a hundred and started the dance and everyone was inspired and motivated … it became the anthem, and we did the dance and kept on winning,” the allrounder said.

“We won the final the song was the most played. It was a special moment for West Indian people around the world.

Everywhere we went there were celebrations. We want to do it again this time around.”

Kishan, Suryakumar blitz not enough to push Mumbai...

From page 25 and Kieron Pollard came in at three and four, while Suryakumar arrived when Kishan fell, at No.5.

Where Kishan had hit his first ball for six, Suryakumar collected four, though he was helped by Holder not getting behind the ball at fine leg as Sunrisers’ fielding wore a ragged look in the face of the furious assault.

Suryakumar didn’t have other batters sticking with him long enough to form substantial partnerships, but he kept peppering the legside boundary with sweeps and scoops that showcased both innovation and finesse.

If Suryakumar ’s pace seemed anything but extra hot, it was only because of what had come before. He batted magnificently, matching Kishan shot for shot given he didn’t get the powerplay advantage. His fifty was raised in 24 balls, and he looked within striking distance of a century too, before holing out in the final over.

Roy, Abhishek puts paid to Mumbai hopes Just like they had done while batting, Mumbai started the bowling by going all out, having attacking fields and giving the first couple of overs to Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, the bowlers most likely to get wickets.

However, the newly-minted opening pair of Jason Roy and Abhishek Sharma took a leaf out of their opposition’s playbook, going on the attack from the outset. Both men found their timing and range, having seen what hyper aggression could do in the first innings.

Rohit Sharma also rang in the bowling changes quickly, but Roy and Abhishek didn’t let up.

Although Bumrah got Roy with a well-targetted bouncer, the openers had put on 64 in 5.1 overs. Two singles in that very over meant Mumbai’s play-off hopes ended within Sunrisers’ powerplay.

Pandey, who came in at No. 3, put on a display of his shot-making ability too, another man who had endured a tough IPL 2021 coming good at the end. But for Sunrisers, the weight of the Mumbai total was always going to be a bridge too far, even though they showed plenty of intent in their chase.

In the end, Mumbai got the victory, but not the result they wanted.

Scores: Mumbai Indians 235 for 9 (Kishan 84, Suryakumar 82, Holder 4-52, Abhishek 2-4) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 193 for 8 (Pandey 69*, Roy 34, Abhishek 33, Bumrah 2-39) by 42 runs.

Kaieteur News

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Saturday October 09, 2021

Brazil win and Argentina draw away in World Cup qualifiers SAO PAULO (AP) — Leaders Brazil and second-place Argentina had uninspiring performances in their World Cup qualifying matches on Thursday, but gained key competition points as they try to secure their direct spots for Qatar next year.

Playing without suspended Neymar and injured Casemiro, Brazil won 3-1 at Venezuela, and Argentina had a goalless draw at Paraguay.

Brazil trailed bottom-of-thetable Venezuela until the 71st minute, when Marquinhos leveled the match in Caracas. Gabriel Barbosa scored the second goal from the spot in the 85th minute and substitute Antony scored the third from close range in added time.

Lionel Messi was not enough for Argentina to break Paraguay’s powerful defensive line.

The two goalkeepers, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Paraguay’s Antony Silva, were the best on the pitch.

Brazil leads with 27 points and Argentina has 19 in nine matches — their clash in September was suspended after seven minutes due to COVID-19 protocols.

Ecuador and Uruguay have 16 points after 10 matches, but the Ecuadorians have more wins and

hold third place after a 3-0 win against Bolivia. All goals in the match came between the 14th and the 19th minutes; the first with Michael Estrada and then two by Enner Valencia.

Hours earlier the Uruguayans had been held to a 0-0 draw at home with Colombia, which is in fifth place in the 10-team round robin competition with 14 points.

The top four teams secure a spot at next year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The fifth-place team will enter a playoff against a team from another confederation.

VENEZUELA 1, BRAZIL 3 Brazil coach Tite picked a starting lineup with many new players he wanted to test. But leftback Guilherme Arana and midfielders Fabinho and Gerson were below par for most of the match.

Venezuela’s goal came in the 11th minute, when Yeferson Soteldo crossed from the right towards Eric Ramirez. Two Brazilian defenders, Fabinho and Marquinhos, slipped at the same time and gave the Venezuelan a clear chance to head the ball to the right of goalkeeper Alisson.

Brazil struggled in creation until the break, but things improved after Everton Ribeiro left for

Brazil’s Marquinhos, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s second goal against Venezuela during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at UCV Olympic Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Oct.7, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Raphinha. The winger was key for the Seleção to become more dynamic in the second half.

Raphinha took the corner kick that landed on Marquinhos’ head to level the scoring in the 71st minute.

He then started the play that ended in Barborsa being fouled in the penalty box. And then he gave the low cross that allowed Antony to score near the final whistle.

“We started in much worse

shape than we could,” Marquinhos said. “But as we can see set pieces can make all the difference in a match, and it did today.”

Brazil’s next match will be at Colombia. Venezuela will face Ecuador.

PARAGUAY 0, ARGENTINA 0 Argentina had three opportunities in the first 12 minutes of the encounter in Asuncion, which indicated a win was on the

way for the Copa America champions. But Paraguay’s Silva made key saves to keep his team in contention.

The second half was very different, with both teams creating chances. Argentina had the best one from a long-distance shot by Papu Gomez, but it was stopped by Silva.

It was the 11th draw between the teams in South American World Cup qualifying history.

“We failed to score, especially in opportunities that were very clear,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said at a news conference.

“What matters is that the team never relaxed and kept trying.”

Argentina will face rival Uruguay tomorrow. Paraguay, with 12 points and so far out of qualifying spots for the World Cup in sixth place, will face Chile tomorrow.

Also on Thursday, Peru beat Chile 2-0 to keep alive its hopes of returning to the World Cup. Christian Cueva in the 35th minute and Sergio Peña in the 64th scored for the winners. Peru is in seventh place with 11 points, four behind fifth-place Colombia.

Chile lags in eighth position with seven points.

Peru will face Bolivia tomorrow.

Hamilton zips through Turkish GP practice after grid penalty

Hamilton zips through TurkishGP practice after grid penalty AFP - Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton was fastest in both of yesterday’s practice sessions for the Turkish Grand Prix but has to take a 10-place grid penalty for using too many engine parts.

Championship leader Hamilton was quickest in the second practice with a slick 1min 23.804sec ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, the only other driver to rival him in the session.

Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes was third,

followed by Red Bull pair Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.

The session was also notable for Kimi Raikkonen suffering a wardrobe malfunction with a water pump on his one-piece suit flooding his boots.

But earlier yesterday British driver Hamilton was given a grid penalty after Mercedes used a fourth new engine part. Just three parts are permitted under the rules.

They are doing this to reduce the risks of Hamilton

suffering a failure during a championship run-in that is closer than for years with just two points between the champion and challenger Verstappen.

The team argue they have taken the decision to boost performance.

Verstappen received a similar penalty two weeks ago.Because seven-time world champion Hamilton has only taken one power unit component, he will not be punished with a full grid relegation.

KMPA helps track duo attend training...

From pag 23 session on Monday.The KMPA Foundation noted that they were able to raise enough funds to ensure that the track prodigies could be comfortable for a period but sounded a call for support from the local corporate sector so that the athletes would be able to have a lengthy training stint.

Medas-King further mentioned that, “The

KMPA Foundation has been working very hard to give local athletes who are talented enough opportunities so they can excel. The KMPA foundation is of the view that just being an Olympian is not enough, we need to medal and in order to do that we need to invest in our athletes. We would like to make it clear that we have taken that giant leap of faith to give our athletes that opportunity.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 09, 2021

PAGE 23

KS Bharat’s last-ball six powers KMPA helps track duo attend RCB home; Glenn Maxwell fires again training stint in Jamaica

ESPNcricinfo - What was essentially a dead rubber looked like slipping away from Royal Challengers Bangalore at 55 for 3 halfway into a chase of 165 against Delhi Capitals. But then two catches slipped through the hands of Shreyas Iyer and R Ashwin, and Glenn Maxwell made the most of the lives to set the scene for a blockbuster finish from KS Bharat.

It was still anybody’s game when Royal Challengers needed 19 off 12 balls.

Anrich Nortje, who had taken out both Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal in his first two overs, stepped up once again, bowling a fourrun penultimate over to leave Royal Challengers needing 15 off the final over, bowled

by Avesh Khan.

Maxwell found the boundary off the first ball

and followed it with a double to notch up his fourth halfcentury in his last five innings.

The third ball was a terrific inswinging yorker which smashed Maxwell’s boot, but he survived again because this had pitched outside leg stump. A leg-bye put Bharat on strike and the next ball was a swing and a miss. Two of the penultimate ball, thanks to a misfield from Axar Patel in the outfield, eventually left Royal Challengers needing six off the last ball. Avesh went searching for another leg-stump yorker, but ended up bowling a full-toss down the leg side for a wide.

Avesh whisked short fine leg back for the last ball and went for another yorker, but it came out as a full-toss again, this time on the stumps. Bharat lined it up and shanked it over long-on

to provide a throwback to Arun Karthik’s last-ball six for Royal Challengers in the Champions League T20 almost a decade ago.

Perhaps if Royal Challengers had batted first and adopted a no-holds barred batting approach like Mumbai Indians had done in Abu Dhabi, their slimmest of chances of making the top two might have stayed alive a tad longer. Match practice and fine-tuning aside, the game was dead from the moment they decided to bowl. Next, they will next run into Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator, while Capitals will face Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier.Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 166 for 3 (Bharat 78*, Maxwell 51, Nortje 2-24) beat Delhi Capitals 164 for 5 (Shaw 48, Dhawan 43, Siraj 2-25) by seven wickets.

Ashes: England tour of Australia to go ahead ‘subject to conditions’ BBC Sport - England men’s Ashes series in Australia this winter will go ahead “subject to several critical conditions”, says the England and Wales Cricket Board.England had concerns over their families being allowed to travel, quarantine and ‘bubble’ arrangements amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The five-Test series is due to begin on 8 December and end on 18 January.

The ECB said that “over recent weeks we have made excellent progress in moving forward” on the men’s Ashes tour.A statement read: “To facilitate further progress and allow a squad to be selected, the ECB board has met today and given its approval for the tour to go ahead. This decision is subject to several critical conditions being met before we travel.

“We look forward to the ongoing assistance from

Cricket Australia in resolving these matters in the coming days.”

England will name an Ashes squad in the coming days.Australia has some of the strictest Covid-19 protocols in the world, a situation complicated by the fact the five Tests are due to be played in five states, each of which have their own regulations.

Cricket Australia sent plans for the Ashes tour to the ECB in late September, with England’s players presented with the arrangements on Sunday and the ECB holding a board meeting on Friday.

Australia hold the Ashes after retaining them thanks to a 2-2 draw in England in 2019.

How it all unfolded § July: England players hold talks over plans for families to travel to Australia. § 22 Aug: England

wicketkeeper Jos Buttler says he is “open to saying no” to taking part in the Ashes tour. § 28 Aug: The Times reports that up to 10 England players could pull out of the tour because of quarantine conditions. § 19 Sept: England pace bowler Stuart Broad says he is “happy to get on a plane to Australia”. § 23 Sept: Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison says there will be “no special deals” for England players’ families. § 28 Sept: England captain Joe Root says he is “desperate” to play in Ashes but does not confirm he will travel. § 3 Oct: England players presented with proposed travel arrangements and conditions. § 8 Oct: Australia captain Tim Paine says he expects a “really strong” England to tour.

England, led by Joe Root (left), lost 4-0 on their most recent tour of Australia in 2017-18. (Getty Images)

The King Medas Pansy Adonis (KMPA) Foundation has once again come to the aid of upcoming Guyanese student-athletes to see them reach their full potential.

This time two athletes in D e q u a n Wi l l i a m s a n d Shamar Horatio are training in Jamaica with the Racers Track Club under the leadership of the legendary Coach Glen Mills that has

coached Jamaica’s National Track Teams from 19872009. The KMPA foundation founder, Andy Medas-King, in an invited comment with this publication thanked all the stakeholders that have supported the organisation throughout the years.

Medas-King outlined that if it wasn’t for those that supported, the KMPA would not have been able to carry

out its mandate that includes supporting upcoming student-athletes.

The duo of Horatio and Williams departed the ‘Land o f M a n y Wa t e r s ’ o n September 26th last for Jamaica to join their new Club.Following the mandatory eight-day quarantine, the young men had their first training (Continued on page 22)

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Saturday October 09, 2021

Isaiah Thorne is the quickest teenager in the Region Ambrose’s words inspire Guyanese quickie to work harder

By Sean Devers

B

erbician Isaiah Throne, who turned 17 on September 23, was one of two Guyanese on the West

Indies U-19 tour of England last month for a six-match Youth ODI series.

The genuinely quick fast bowler captured eight wickets from the four matches including two

consecutive three-wicket hauls; hitting 85 mph consistently with raw pace.

West Indies fast bowling icon Sir Curtly Ambrose, who took 405 Test wickets from 98 matches,

accompanied the Young West Indies team to England as bowling Coach, was high in praise for the pace and control of Isaiah.

Ambrose along with Malcolm Marshall and Jofra Archer are Isaiah’s favourite fast bowlers.

The impressive Isaiah said he felt inspired by Ambrose’s words which will make him strive to keep improving on his pace as he continues to learn the skills of fast bowling and work harder to hone his craft.

“The Covid-19 Pandemic didn’t affect us because England was open but we couldn’t interact with people outside our bubble.

“I had a successful tour as an individual and from the tour I learnt a lot… we had a lot of positives to move forward.

I learnt a lot from the coaching staff and sir Curtly Ambrose,” disclosed Isaiah on his second tour to the UK. In January 2019, Isaiah was picked in a West Indies, 14-member West Indies U16 squad for a Tour of England to take part in a series of matches sponsored by the Barmy Army which provided him with vital experience bowling in English conditions.

Fellow Guyanese Mavendra Dindyal and Rampertab Ramnauth were also in the squad.

“My most memorable moment was my first match against England because it was one of my dreams representing West Indies U19,” informed Isaiah.

Isaiah explained that for him to continue to improve he must remain disciplined, while adding that his fitness level is most important.

“I have to keep working hard…keep my fitness up there and most importantly be disciplined,” added Isaiah who is looking forward to making the U-19 team for next year’s U-19 World Cup, the Guyana Jaguars and West Indies senior team.

“We have a lot of talent, I think we should be playing more club cricket and more competitions and we should start playing three-day cricket,” said the youngster who is still attending school at the moment.

The quickest teenaged bowler in the Caribbean, was not always a cricketer and even when he got into cricket he was not a pacer but bowled leg-spin.

In fact, Isaiah, who went to live with his mom for four years in Barbados, informed that his first love was Track & Field and he was good enough to win gold medals in National School Championships in the U-12 400m and the U-14 High Jump.

An eight-year-old Isaiah would go to the Young Warriors Cricket Club which was not too far from where he lived in Cumberland, East Canje.

S o it w as not too surprising that he would gravitate to cricket in his teenage years.

The former West Indies U-15 pacer, who was born on September 23, 2004 at the New Amsterdam public hospital and lives in Cumberland East Canje, has five siblings including two sisters.

Isaiah attend the Cumberland Canje secondary school where he ‘mostly’ took part in track and field.

“I used to watch a lot of games on TV and from going to the cricket ground and I developed a love for the game and Mr Anil Beharry, Amir Rahaman and my mom kept encouraging me to keep playing,” remembered Isaiah, whose hobbies are listening music, watching Football, participating in Basketball and track and field, said Isaiah “I started at Young Warriors Cricket Club and then moved to Tucber Park while I am currently at Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club. As I got older I saw that I could get a career in cricket,” continued Isaiah, who is hoping to join John Trim and Brandon Bess as the Berbician fast bowlers to play Test cricket.

In August 15, 2018, the University of the West Indies (UWI), under the Faculty of Sport, with the initiative from the Sagicor UWI cricket High Performance Centre, held a fast-bowling speed test for future pacers, ages 16 to 22 at the Albion

Isaiah Throne Sports Complex.

Isaiah, then 13-yearsold, had just played for Guyana at the U-15 level and was also invited to the session. He showed his potential to bowl fast by clocking 72-73 mph.

“In 2018 I played for the first time for Berbice against President X1. The next year I played for Berbice U15 and U-17 teams. But because of the Covid, there was no inter-county cricket played last year and this year so I never got the chance to play U-19 for Berbice,” said the talented Isaiah who still have another year at U-19 level.

The promising quickie revealed that many have helped him so far in fledging career.

“A lot of people have helped me with my cricket but I don’t want to forget anyone.

But those that help me the most are God, mom, Anil B e h a r r y, M r R i c k y Deonarain, my teacher at Cumberland Secondary School, Amir Rahaman, Sheldon Phillips, Romario Shepherd, Nail Smith, Julian Moore, Berbice cricket board, Hilbert Foster and Orin Bailey,” concluded Isaiah, who if handled correctly and is given the necessary support, could eventually become a West Indian fast bowling great.

However, that is all conjecture what is reality is what is needed is that the promising Isaiah gets all the help he can get tactically, physically, physiologically.

Saturday October 09, 2021

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PAGE 25

Kishan, Suryakumar blitz not enough push Mumbai into the playoffs toto push Mumbai into the playoffs ESPNcricinfo - They gave the ball, and their chances at qualification for the play-offs, an almighty whack, but eventually, Mumbai Indians’ defence of their title ended in their final league game of IPL 2021.

They had come into it needing to win by an unprecedented 171 runs, and although they eventually did win, that margin was always going to prove too much despite the power-hitting and skill of Ishan Kishan (84 off 32) and Suryakumar Yadav (82 off 40).

Two batters who had not had the greatest time in this tournament rocketed Mumbai to a mammoth 235 for 9, but that still meant they

needed to keep Sunrisers Hyderabad to 65 or less.

Sunrisers eventually made a decent fist of an impossible chase, ending at 193 for 8, to lose by 42 runs.

The result meant Kolkata Knight Riders qualified ahead of Mumbai, both sides on 14 points but Knight Riders ending with a superior net run-rate. They will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the eliminator, while Chennai Super Kings take on Delhi Capitals in the first qualifier.

The unstoppable Ishan Kishan Mohammad Nabi opened the bowling and the first ball that Kishan faced, the second of the match, was

Target Hardware supports Sevens Collymore birth anniversary dominoes

slog-swept with extreme prejudice over deep midwicket, and he was away.

Back at the top of the order, fresh off a 25-ball 50* in the last game, and with a clear mindset that Mumbai had to go from ball one to make their unlikely bid for qualification, Kishan seemed a different beast than the young man who had struggled so much that he was dropped from the XI. Manish Pandey - back in the XI and leading Sunrisers with both Kane Williamson and Bhuvneshwar Kumar nursing niggles - tried five bowlers in the powerplay including Rashid Khan, but there was no stopping Kishan. Siddarth Kaul was

crunched for four consecutive boundaries, Jason Holder’s first over disappeared for 22 runs, Umran Malik’s pace was casually thwacked. Kishan was on 63 off 22 at the end of a powerplay that yielded 83 for 1 for Mumbai. He had reached fifty off just 16 balls, the quickest of IPL 2021 and the fourth-fastest of all time in the tournament.

The end of the powerplay didn’t bring an end to the carnage, with even Rashid being smashed around.

Kishan looked on track for a century when the extra pace of Umran finally did him in, with a top edge to a short ball outside off nestling in the keeper’s gloves. By the time

he fell, Mumbai had racked up 124 for 3 in 9.1 overs.

Suryakumar strikes Given the qualification scenario they faced, Mumbai seemed to have binned their

Suryakumar Yadav was prolific with his sweeps and scoops © BCCI

careful match-up strategies and decided that the biggest six-hitter in the dugout walks out at the fall of each wicket.

That meant Hardik Pandya (Continued on page 21)

Andre Russell is pumped after sending back AB de Villiers © BCCI

Andre Russell ‘pushing hard’ to be fit for playoffs

Mark Wiltshire accepts the trophy form Troy Baksh of Target Hardware.

T

arget Hardware of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara has supported the Sevens Collymore birth anniversary dominoes competition which is set for tomorrow at Turning Point.

The entity recently presented one of the trophies to organiser and senior organising secretary of the

Guyana Dominoes League, Mark Wiltshire. Wiltshire expressed gratitude for the support and said an exciting competition is expected.

Entrance fee is $15,000 and $100,000 will be added to the prizes. Double six time is 14:30hrs and teams are asked to be present at the venue at least 30 minutes prior to the starting time.

ESPNcricinfo - When the IPL stopped midway earlier this year, Kolkata Knight Riders were struggling with two wins out of seven, but in the UAE they have won five games out of seven to seal a place in the playoffs barring a miracle from Mumbai Indians on the last day of the league stage (which did not happen). They have done so despite losing Lockie Ferguson and Andre Russell to injuries along the way.

Come the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore, though, and they could have selection headaches as Russell is close to being match-ready.

“He had a fitness test yesterday,” David Hussey, Knight Riders’ chief mentor said. “I think he is maybe a game away so I think he will be pushing hard to get back in for the final [playoffs].

Which will be a huge boost not only for us but the competition.

He is world class and he provides lots of entertainment.”

Captain Eoin Morgan p o i n t e d t o R u s s e l l ’s tendency to heal quickly.

“We are taking it day by day,” Morgan said. “We know that he heals quickly.

He has proved that last year.

He had a two-and-a-half inch hamstring tear last year and came back in two weeks. He is working incredibly hard and hoping we get through as is everybody else.”

The Eliminator will be played on October 11, which gives Russell at least three days to recover.

When Ferguson was fit and ready, he took his place back immediately even though his replacement Tim Southee did a good job in his

a b s e n c e . I n R u s s e l l ’s absence, Shakib Al Hasan has filled in nicely too. In the two games that Shakib has played, he hasn’t been required to bat but has returned bowling figures of 4-0-20-1 and 1-0-1-1.

“Shakib Al Hasan coming in and performing the way he has made the job of replacing Russell a little bit easier,” Morgan said.

“Very difficult to replace him because you miss out on a genuine batter and a genuine bowler. Shakib has been terrific and has contributed massively in the last two games.”

For Knight Riders to miss out on a playoff spot, Mumbai will have to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 171 runs or so, which is in the realm of impossibility. Even when they were consequential, Morgan

didn’t watch other games that could affect his side’s chances, so it is unlikely he will be watching the last day of the league stages to make sure the formalities are done.

Hussey, though, said that the rest of the side will be watching, but from the sound of it, it looks like they won’t be watching Mumbai but Royal Challengers Bangalore, whom they will be facing in their first playoff match unless Royal Challengers beat Delhi Capitals by 163 runs and qualify in the top two slots.

“We will watch it [the final day of the league stages] as a group,” Hussey said.

“Start formulating our plans, hopefully the result goes our way, but yeah pretty much one eye looking forward to the final [playoff] against Bangalore.”

Ishan Kishan climbs into a pull shot with ferocity, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2021, Abu Dhabi, October 8, 2021© BCCI

Kishan, Suryakumar blitz not enough to push Mumbai into the playoffs

KMPA helps track duo attend training stint in Jamaica

Shamar Horatio (right) and Dequan William’s warming up for their first session on Monday last at Racers Track Club.

Andre Russell t r ‘pushing hard’ to o p S be fit for playoffs

Isaiah Thorne is the quickest teenager in the Region

Srikar Bharat and Glenn Maxwell led RCB to a very fine victory, Christine Mboma (centre)Delhi won Capitals the 200mvs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2021, at the Diamond League meeting Dubai, October beating Shericka Jackson (3rd left)8, 2021© BCCI and Dina Asher-Smith (right).

Ambrose’s words inspire Guyanese quickie to work harder

Thorne, the 16-year-old fast bowler was again the standout bowler for West Indies U19s taking three wickets, bowling with good pace. He ended with 3-54 off his 10 overs to follow up his 3-51 in another match.

KS Bharat’s last-ball six powers RCB home; Glenn Maxwell fires again

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