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AIETEUR NEWS

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No gunshots Saturday Edition heard where October 19, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 41

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

soldier’s body found- residents

Price $80

Online readership yesterday 179,323

'Prime suspect' in deadly miner's attack surrenders - doctor allegedly treats wounded bandit at Prospect home

Guyana tops Region at CAPE and CSEC See pgs.

16 &18

CXC's Regional top performer,

RIANA TONEY

CAPE Regional top performer,

MICHAEL BHOPAUL

More smiles for Petroleum business Eco Atlantic after summit is a waste of identifying another shallow water target taxpayers' money - Jagdeo

Missing trial records hinder Coast Guards death sentence appeal

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Saturday October 19, 2019

'Prime suspect' in deadly miner's - doctor allegedly treats wounded attack surrenders bandit at Prospect home A

prime suspect in Monday's robbery attack at Da Silva Street, Newtown, which left a prominent gold miner dead, has turned himself in. He reportedly did so Thursday evening with his lawyer.

He has been identified as a Kitty man, Wayne St. Hill.

He is reportedly linked to a Dowding Street, Kitty, tintshop. Police were interested in him as well as a close relative.

Also in custody is a doctor, Alonzo De Santos, assigned to a state-run hospital on the East Bank Demerara. Dr. Alonzo De Santos, was picked up earlier this week.

He is suspected of treating a bandit with gunshot wounds at his Prospect, East Bank Demerara home and failing to inform the police.

Investigators are reportedly looking at whether there were other instances of the doctor

In custody also: Dr. Alonzo De Santos illegally rendering medical services to criminals without reporting to the police.

Investigators were said to be interested in the fact that the bandits seemed comfortable with the doctor and apparently made a beeline straight to his Prospect.

For investigators, it clearly indicates familiarity and an acknowledgment of something illegal. At his home yesterday, an elderly

man said that the doctor was not in. He was not certain when the doctor will be back.

Dr. De Santos is said to be an army reservist.

The police have also taken into custody the g e t a w a y d r i v e r. H e reportedly dumped the car on Wednesday evening at Peter's Hall, East Bank Demerara and fled to a nearby entertainment spot where he was tracked and arrested.

There was a bullet hole in the back windscreen of the Toyota 212. The case has deeply stirred Guyana, not only because of the brazen daylight attack, but also for that fact that one of the country's prominent businessmen, was killed.

On Monday, shortly after 10am, gold miner, Deon 'Mow' Stoll, who owns hotels and other operations across the country and hires scores of employees, made his way to a Da Silva Street, Newtown branch of El Dorado Trading, which is one of the country's biggest gold dealers.

With him was bodyguard/driver, Clayton Powley. Security footage showed a car, almost

The seized car with a suspected bullet hole that was abandoned

bumper-to-bumper, behind Stoll's vehicle. As soon as the businessman's car turned into the parking area of the gold dealer, the car behind stopped and two men jumped out. They were masked.

One man ran to the driver side and wrenched open the door of Stoll's car while the other raced to the passenger side and attempted to enter.

However, it appeared that Stoll on seeing the

masked man, drew his handgun and there began a shootout.

Hit by a bullet to the abdomen, Stoll emerged from the car and fired off several shots at the bandit who confronted him.

From the videos, the gunman was hit twice and he stumbled and back-peddled, before abandoning what seemed to be a robbery attempt gone bad.

On the driver's side, Powley, wrestled with the masked man who confronted him. That attacker, too, abandoned the effort.

Powley was shot too.

Also shot by mistake, by the wounded businessman was Rory Deegs, a security guard at El Dorado, who opened the gate.

It is believed that Stoll, hazy with the pain from his gunshot, shot at the guard through the windscreen of his car. Three young men in the neighbourhood who raced to the scene to investigate, were seen fleeing after Stoll, apparently in pain, shot at them.

It is believed that the bandits were after the raw gold that Stoll had in his possession and it appears that they were tracking him for some time.

The three injured men were taken to the hospital where Stoll passed away.

Hours after the shooting, residents discovered the body of Olijah Chesney, 18, in Tucville, located a few miles from Newtown.

He was shot to his chest.

While initially suspected to be the shot bandit, the police said they have ruled out his

Surrendered: Wayne St. Hill involvement with that attempted robbery. A post mortem conducted by Dr. Nehaul Singh on Thursday, concluded that Chesney was shot once in the back. The bullet exited above the left breast.

Stoll is a prominent business in the city who has business interests at Charity, in Region Two and one of the biggest hotels in Region One. He employs dozens of workers in his gold mining and other operations.

Stoll was described as a prominent businessman whose death has created ripple effects in the gold sector. The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association has called on members to step up security in a week and a half where more than a dozen persons lost their lives from piracy, a c c i d e n t s a n d robbery/murder.

According to well-place sources, the plan to rob Deon 'Mow' Stoll, 44, was in the making for some time now.

Police sources said that they are confident that the puzzle of putting the pieces together has almost been complete.

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

More smiles for Eco Atlantic after identifying another shallow water target

W

hen the Joe-1 discovery was made in the Orinduik Block in August, Eco Atlantic which holds a 15 percent working interest. There was elated since it de-risked the Upper Tertiary play.

The shallow water discovery was significant since it was the first to be made in a play with rocks that are of a relatively young geological age.

More importantly, the discovery signals cheap production costs for Eco and its partners Total and Tullow Oil. Today, Eco Atlantic has

more reasons to smile since it has been able to identify another Upper Tertiary target called Jimmy. Eco Atlantic's CEO, Gil Holzman, recently noted that Jimmy is not too far from the Joe-1 exploration well.

In fact, Holzman recently described Jimmy to be Joe's “best friend” given their similar characteristics.

Now that the Joe-1 discovery has de-risked shallow water exploration, Holzman said that other majors such as CGX Resources Inc. and ExxonMobil are now exploring their blocks for Upper Tertiary targets.

Further to this, the Eco Atlantic Head said that next year, the partners are looking at four drill targets. He said one of those will be close to the Jethro-1 discovery.

JOE DISCOVERY Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas Ltd. had announced that the Joe-1 exploration well was drilled by the Stena Forth drillship to a final depth of 7,176 feet (2,175 meters) in approximately 2,546 feet (780 meters) of water.

It was noted by the company that Joe comprises high quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir with a high porosity of Upper

Drug Treatment Court launch set for Monday

T

o combat the growing issue of drug users and criminal offences related to the abuse of drugs, Guyana is expected to have its first ever Drug Treatment Court established in two days.

According to the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana, a Drug Treatment Court is a specialised court for persons with substance use disorders such as drug addiction.

It is a problem solving court that seeks to address the needs of each participant in the court programme, including their drug use and the criminal behaviour associated with it.

Rather than imprisoning persons with drug offences, this court gives them the opportunity to enter longterm treatment and agree to court supervision.

Sharing knowledge about the court, the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana highlighted that to be eligible for Drug Treatment Court, a person must be an adult who has been charged with a minor criminal, drug, or related offence, must be likely to reoffend, and must be experiencing serious substance use disorder.

It goes on to say that persons who meet the eligibility requirements must have pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of their charge(s). Their sentences would be deferred [postponed] while they participate in the Drug Treatment Court programme.

Tertiary age.

Eco had said, too, that Joe-1 encountered 52 feet (16 meters) of continuous thick sandstone which further proves the presence of recoverable oil resources.

Furthermore, Eco, along with its partners Tullow which is the Operator of the block and French oil major, Total, has proceeded to conduct a detailed evaluation of the Jethro, Joe and the Hammerhead extension oil reservoirs on the Orinduik Block.

The Company had previously released a Competent Persons Report on the block, prior to the discoveries on the Jethro and Joe wells, defining Best Estimate of Gross 3.98B barrels of oil equivalent on the Orinduik Block (approximately 600 million barrels net to Eco).

ORINDUIK JV PARTNERS It was in January 2016 that Eco signed a Petroleum Agreement and became party to a Petroleum Licence

In addition, participants who successfully complete the Drug Treatment Court programme may receive a light sentence such as a fine or community service, or have their underlying criminal charge dismissed or have no conviction recorded.

Persons are given an opportunity to voluntarily enter the court programme and undergo a four-phase treatment plan, supervised by treatment providers and a magistrate.

Participants are rewarded for maintaining their treatment plans and sanctioned for failure to meet their obligations.

Upon successful completion of the programme, there is a graduation ceremony by which time the participant will be rehabilitated and prepared for reintegration into their community where they can meaningfully contribute to society.

Moreover, if a participant fails to complete the programme, his or her case will be processed in the traditional criminal justice system.

The Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana

stressed that the Drug Treatment Court programme requires a lot of commitment from participants and dedicated case supervision from the drug treatment court team.

This may require participation for many months to help the person maintain long-term recovery strategies.

Furthermore, there will be frequent and random drug tests so as to ensure that persons stay clean.

Participants must attend court frequently so they can be monitored and encouraged to make and maintain their recovery.

The programme is designed to give structure to participants' lives and to support their recovery. It must be lamented that participants are not alone in their steps to recovery from their drug addiction.

Members of the court help participants in their progress towards recovery and hold them accountable for lapses in improvement.

Unlike traditional court, a Drug Treatment Courts take a collaborative approach to justice. The Magistrate, Prosecutor, (continued on page 24)

Eco Atlantic CEO, Gil Holzman with the Government of Guyana and Tullow Oil for the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana.

Tu l l o w O i l a s t h e Operator of the Block paid past costs and carried Eco for the first 1000km2 of the 2 5 5 0 k m 2 3 D S u r v e y.

Further, Tullow contributed an extensive 2D seismic data set and interpretation.

The Company's 2550 km2 3D seismic survey was completed in September

2017, well within the initial four-year work commitment the Company made for the initial 1000km2.

In September 2017, Eco announced that its subsidiary, Eco Atlantic (Guyana) Inc. entered into an option agreement on its Orinduik Block with Total, a wholly owned subsidiary of Total S.A. Pursuant to the option.

Total paid an option fee of US$1 million to farm-in to the Orinduik Block. An additional payment of US$12,500,000 was made when Total exercised its option to earn 25 percent of Eco's working interest in September 2018.

Following the exercise of the option by Total, the Block's working interests became: Tullow – 60% (Operator), Total – 25% and Eco – 15%.

This month the Government approved the To t a l f a r m - i n o n t h e Orinduik Block, which has the potential for almost three billion barrels of oil equivalent.

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 19, 2019

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

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

EDITORIAL

Looking at the Guyana Police Force The outcries take different forms and come from different voices. In one day, there was a letter, a column, and an article in a newspaper about the Guyana Police Force. From the declines around the ‘big market’ now, a bigger crime scene to the return to its failed old ways to complaints of avoidance by dodging seniors before inquiries of junior press sleuths.

To pronounce, not good, not promising, not comforting.

Not for the institution. Not for society. Not for small men and women hustling about their law-abiding way in public.

Each day brings more urgent rushing, if only to minimise the time out of the house.

It can be dangerous to health, lethal sometimes.

Making oneself small is not enough; making oneself scarce is better.

As the watchfulness (intensified), criticisms (justified), and fears (multiplied) grow to unrelenting pitches, the GPF finds itself up the proverbial creek without a paddle. The candid thinking of this publication is that it might be more than a paddle. For the GPF looks like it has no boat to take advantage of any rising tide. That is, other than the lashing, scorching tides that rain over it from all corners, and with different degrees of heat.

This is being kind.This is because the Guyana Police Force is just about the most scrutinised, most suspected, and most damned public entity in this country. A quick, random look reveals the following. The GRA is neither liked nor held in any esteem. This happens when money must be handed over to the state, no matter how rightly due. It is tolerated, at best, and only under duress. This applies to most opposed taxpayers. People get by with a grimace and curse.

Then, there is the infuriating, inflammatory, incandescent GECOM, that stepmother of all Guyanese wickedness. Even in good times, it gets a bad name. It can do no right, pleases no one, has no friends. The enemies are many. It cannot be trusted. It cannot count. It cannot be relied upon to deliver in the crunch, of course, unless it is for the other side.

It is more than between the devil and the deep blue sea. GECOM exists in the midst of the worst of two realities: it is trapped between a flushing, overflowing septic tank and a haemorrhaging draining funeral home. It is forced to grin and bear, as it takes one body blow after another from a multiplicity of adversaries.

But GECOM has one saving grace that provides some much-needed respite.

It is seasonal. Like an airline pilot, there is the boredom and drag of everyday routines during midflight 99% of the time. And then sometimes, there is the harrowing through converging cataclysmic ordeals. This can mean life or death. GECOM knows of this because most of the time, most citizens and warring party people do not have the time of day for its presence. They could care less as to what it does or doesn’t do during the long intervals of its meaningless (to voting supporters) operational life.

National elections in Guyana, however, are about the immediate, the catastrophic of the existential. In political terms, issues distill to a matter of life and death. Just like the flyboys holding the fate of many in their suddenly sweaty hands.Unlike the unloved GRA and the unsatisfying GECOM, the GPF has no such luxury. Its operations and every action are individually and collectively under the radars of the sharpest, most unforgiving scrutiny.

The police can neither flinch nor falter. The Force must not do so any time, and never more so than at this time. Rather frankly, and most unimpressively, the police have done the opposite. For other than some sparse successes, they continue to fail miserably.Because the GPF means too much to too many Guyanese, it must succeed.

It must find the way and will to rise above its circumstances and its crises. We wish it the best.

Silence on this matter is not an option for the Guyana Bar Association DEAR EDITOR, Judges are concerned only with the validity of legislation; they are not concerned when adjudicating on the constitutionality of legislation, with the wisdom, political desirability or fairness of that legislation. As a corollary, a litigant’s only concern, when challenging legislation, ought to be whether it is constitutionally valid. Government responds to societal ills, with legislation to cure the mischief. Popular examples of legislative response are Domestic Violence Act (DVA); Trafficking in Persons Act (TIP), Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act (AMLCFT).

Legislative responses is part of the constitutional democratic process in the pursuit of peace, order, good government.

The APNU+AFC Government’s response to the mischief of serious corruption in respect of divestment of state lands and other assets was the enactment of the State Assets Recovery ACT, 2017 (SARA).

And just as how DVA, TIP, AMLCFT, inter alia, are operational to cure the mischief, so should SARA, two years after its enactment. But an, as yet, undecided court challenge by Ramon Gaskin to SARA’s constitutionality is impeding the recovery efforts of the Director of the Agency established by SARA. The Director/Agency has not contributed whatsoever to this delay. So, it is this long delay by the court in not yet deciding the Gaskin challenge that impels comment.

I argue, that while it was Ramon Gaskin’s right to challenge the constitutionality of SARA by his Court action in July 2017 (two months after SARA became law and in force on May 4, 2017) in the High Court, it is equally, the people’s right as part of the democratic process, to have had a determination by the

High Court, of that constitutionality question, by now (2019). That delay in its determination, is with the greatest respect, inordinate, and long. That great English Judge, Lord Denning, MR. hated long delays. Even laymen like the great writers Shakespeare and Dickens hated long delays. I quote Lord Denning in his book “The Due Process of Law” at page 92: “All through the years, men have protested at the law’s delays and counted it as a grievous wrong hard to beat. Shakespeare ranks it among the whips and scorns of time. Dickens tells how it exhausts finances, patience, courage and hope.”

I pause here to draw special attention to the poignant long title of SARA which relevantly reads thus: a An Act to establish a State Assets Recovery Agency in consonance with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption…to RECOVER through Civil proceedings State property unlawfully acquired...to engage in international cooperation in the recovery of stolen assets of States…”

Regionally, the Belizean authorities pursue recovery unimpeded. We should too.

Our patrimony is involved. In the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in the case of Martin v. AG, 78 WIR 51 Bernard, J (our former chancellor) made this very poignant and instructive observation viz a At the end of the day it is the duty of the Attorney General to preserve the patrimony of Belize by RECOVERING financial loss from those allegedly responsible for undervaluing national lands in their quest for personal financial gains”.

Under SARA, Parliament, in its wisdom and fairness, has entrusted that duty, not to our AG (a hybrid political functionary), but to the autonomous Agency and its Director (the Director for the time

FED UP WITH NIS DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me a small space to voice the dilemma I find myself in with the National Insurance Scheme. I have submitted a Sickness Benefit Claim to the Scheme in July of this year.

I have started calling about three times per week to query on my claim a little over three weeks now and keep getting the same response from the Benefits Section that they sent it through. Mind you, it takes hours to get on to the NIS via telephone and when you finally get through, they have you on hold for ten minutes plus (all my calls to them have been over 10 minutes) before getting an answer that doesn’t make sense at all. My questions to the NIS are: (1) Why don’t they follow people’s claims when they are moved from one Department to another? (2) Why have somebody on hold for so long? Are you hoping they are calling with a cell phone and their credit would finish? And (3) Don’t you people working at the NIS have any pride in the work you’re paid to do? Or is it just about collecting a salary at the end of the month?

Ricardo Persaud

being is professor Clive. Y. Thomas).

I return to the crux of this letter: the impeding by the law’s delay, of the Director’s efforts to recover (such assets as may be found by the Courts to be recoverable) as required by SARA. As I alluded above, Gaskin’s court action (by FDA) challenge was filed in July 2017. Fixed date applications (FDA) by their very nature are to be determined with expedition.

That is the overriding objective of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPRs) which, newly introduced that FDA procedure into our legal system in 2016.

With the deepest of respect, a judicial delay of two years plus, and yet no decision as to the (un) constitutionality of SARA, cannot be expedition. It is the negation of expedition. Nor, is it as if such inexpedition does not have grave and serious consequences for the Agency and its Director’s recovery efforts. It has. It seems to me, a classic case of: Justice delayed, is justice denied. The evidence is empirical. Court recovery proceeding against, GBTI, and QAII (both have received wide newspaper reportage) cannot proceed because the Gaskin challenge is still undecided.

This holding up, or staying, of GBTI and QAII matters is even more reason for expedition.

The last fixture before the learned Judge in the Gaskin FDA was on 21st June, 2018 (over one (1) year ago). Such delay must have a corrosive effect on public confidence in the democratic process, as parliament’s will seems to be a casualty of the law’s delay, even if, unwittingly. In the clarion words of Lord Wilberforce in 1980 in the English House of Lords as regards the courts; “it is no part of their duty, or power to restrict, or impede the working of legislation, even of unpopular legislation-to do so would be to weaken rather

than advance the democratic process,” (see the Rossminister case).

Our Parliament has taken action against long delays.

Had space permitted, I would have told about the Time Limit for Judicial Decisions Act, Cap. 3.13 which requires decisions within four (4) months. -And how dealing with Gaskin’s case justly, the CPRs (mentioned above) requires the Judge to consider, inter alia, the “IMPORTANCE” of the case; the amount of money involved.

The importance of the SARA (un) constitutionality question cannot be doubted. In an indirect way Gaskin’s challenge touches and concerns billions of dollars’ worth of, arguably, recoverable State assets within SARA’s contemplation. There is a paradox about a case of Medical Council of Guyana v. Jose Deocampo Trueba court litigation. It was an FDA case. It was filed on 14th September, 2017. Decision was delivered on 19th October 2017 (a mere 36 days) by the learned Judge with exemplary and commendable expedition. From High Court to CCJ the case was completed in six (6) months.

On a happy note, this is what Barrow, J (in the CCJ) wrote viz “As mentioned the case proceeded with admirable dispatch and expedition…decided by the CJ on 19 October 2017 and heard by the Court of Appeal on 21 December 2017….hearing before the CCJ on 17 March 2018. It is a deep pleasure to pay tribute to the Judiciary, the Court Administration, and Counsel for the remarkable achievements. This Case took six months from start to finish”. And yet the Trueba litigation had no overriding public importance, as does the Gaskin litigation, which deserves priority. It was filed two months before the Trueba action.

I end with this: I am acutely aware, having myself held judicial office (albeit in the lower judiciary) that (Continued on page 6)

Rail transport is greatly gentler on the environment DEAR EDITOR, I enjoyed reading your column about the road from Linden-Lethem -”foolishness or an investment”. Missing from your readers consideration is the concept of a rail link.

In the 1830s, one of the early rail links between Paris and Normandy was criticised as its speed of 30 km per hour would likely cause cows in fields to die from heart attacks.

Let me assure you cows in Normandy have survived even greater train speed, and continue to produce rather good cheese.

I don’t know the speed at which a cargo link between Brazil through to Georgetown would cruise at, but I take it wildlife in the Green Nation is resilient. Rail transport is greatly gentler on the environment, especially peoples way of life.

Yours faithfully, Roland de Rosière , MA (Cantab), KM Ambassador to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

Saturday October 19, 2019

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Is the government really serious about agriculture?

DEAR EDITOR, President David Granger, according to an October 12 report, told an audience on the occasion of National Tree Planting day on October 11 that his Government would be “…using petroleum revenues to modernise the agriculture sector”. This is now the latest promise regarding the use of our finite oil proceeds towards national development.

Apart from that undertaking, the President has promised free education from nursery to university. Also his Finance Minister, according to an October 13, report, said that “…the governing coalition’s general election campaign will not be pegged on the immediate benefits of oil money next year, but will list a number of tax concessions leading up to 2025 as more oil revenues pour in”.

Of course, some monies, the Government has said too will have to be deposited into the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) for future generations.

And then soon, too, we may hear about other plans for oil monies such as infrastructure development. Bearing all that in mind, we wonder whether we are not being led into wonderland. It also brings into question the credibility and sincerity of the Government’s statements and how much weight could be put into believing what is being said.

But on the issue of agri-

culture specifically, during the President’s time at the wicket, this important, mainstay, sector of the economy has been badly mishandled and mismanaged. The functioning of the Ministry of Agriculture has been, in our view, far from stellar. Though now staffed by two (2) ministers, one responsible for rural affairs and the other axiomatically having responsibility, probably, for urban agriculture, if this really exists, the sector has been facing the most trying of times. As we now observe Agriculture Month, the celebrations of this important month has, from our perspective, taken on more pageantry than substance though many issues require attention.

In the more recent of times, we have seen the implementation of clearly unsuitable and ill-advised policies, which have not been helpful to the sector and those who depend on it for a livelihood. Of course, it is not to say they have been repercussions, as we can see from the under mentioned table:-

Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Agriculture as % of GDP 19.55% 19.40% 16.86% 16.57% 15.71% 16.04% Source: Budget 2019 We must point out that the 2019 figure was an estimate catalyse the agro-industrial at the time of preparation of sector”. What are these adthe Budget. Here we must vances he is speaking of? In note that the 2019 Mid-Year his tenure as President, the above-mentioned data speaks for itself. Contrary to the President’s point-of-view, there has been retrogression not progression in the sector, of a great leader is to hire good like in other areas of national people, trust them to do their life.

We need not remind about jobs, and bring out the best in them, not the stress in them.

Good people need little to no management. They need support, clarity and encouragement.

But most of all, they need leaders who care.

If we don’t care about people, we don’t deserve to be leaders.

Sincerely Gloria Holder

Leadership is about taking care of the people DEAR EDITOR, Please allow the following to appear in your newspaper.

To all our political leaders, present and future aspirants of leadership in and for Guyana…

Leadership is not being in charge, it’s about taking care of people in your charge. ”Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader. They set out to make the difference. It is never about the role - always about the goal (Lisa Haisha)”.Weak leaders measure success by money, position and power.

Strong leaders measure success by the difference they made in other people’s lives.

The secret to the success

report indicated, not unexpectedly, that “[i]n the first half of 2019, the Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry sector is estimated to have contracted by 0.3 percent, compared to growth of 4.9 percent for the 2018 half year”.

It seems to us that the estimate will not be realised but time will ultimately tell.

So now, we have the President coming to tell us his Government will use oil revenues, among other things, to bolster the sector.

This, given the importance of the sector, would be a welcome plus. But the reality is that the policies implemented by the Granger Administration during its stint in office, thus far, has served to weaken the sector and place it in the state it finds itself in now-a-days. Can we really take at face value what the President is saying?

From the report, we saw that the President told his arranged audience “…notwithstanding the advances made over the past four years, [he] recognizes the need to

the destruction of the sugar industry which has seen some 7,000 workers put on the breadline as the Government adamantly pressed on, in a foolhardy manner, to shutter sugar estates.

The repercussions have begun to show themselves.

Already, the NIS is complaining about the loss of contributions and the exchange rate has slid markedly. Then there is the heart-rending situation in the communities where many are experiencing the most difficult time of their lives. We have heard the stories of children not being able to go to school, or families not having sufficient food.

Today, thousands are struggling while the fat cats sit in their ivory towers enjoying the fancifulness of life.

We have also seen the incomprehensible hiking of land rental and drainage and irrigation charges.

Those increases, according to reports, are several times more than what was previously charged.

They are a major disincentive to production and whittle away the already small margins of our farmers.

We have seen too the attack on farmers through the arbitrary withdrawal of land leases. While, we are aware too, that the Courts have brought justice to some of those affected, it is a costly and colossal waste of time. It,

at the same time, takes away from those farmers their attention in the tasks of tilling and cultivating the land.

The President, according to the Ministry of the Presidency statement, is quoted to say “[a]gro-processing could add value to primary products and help to make the country more prosperous”. Indeed, it is hard to disagree with the President. But it is the same President, under whose leadership, that agricultural implements became taxable which has served to hike the cost of production.

It is not a surprise, but saddening to know, that between December 2014 and June, 2019, the cost of food has risen by nearly 19 percent.So while the President rightly emphasises that agriculture can take us along the road to prosperity, his and his Government actions, in all fairness, have not demonstrated that commitment. We saw, in a report titled “Budget 2019: A disturbing trend and vision for Guyana’s future” produced by the Guyana Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), that in the 2019 Budget “[f]unding for the agriculture sector was cut by more than 29%...”

That report went on to point out that, “[s]tarving agriculture of much needed investment is an indication that the sector and the wellbeing of

farmers are not a priority of the government. This is in direct contrast to its multiple campaign promises of a better life for farmers and agriculture workers”.

Today, according to the most recently available Bureau of Statistics Labour Survey report, employment in the sector has fallen from 18.9 per cent of the employed population at the last quarter of 2017 to 17.5 percent during the last quarter of 2018. Notwithstanding the decline, the sector remains the country’s largest employer.

Undoubtedly, focused attention is required to nurture and develop the industry. As the President correctly told his audience, “[w]hen value is added to primary production, its export value is increased, exports are stimulated and foreign exchange and employment are generated”.

But while the President is apparently not short on words, he is very much lacking in actions as we have seen with sad consequences.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

PAGE 6

REAL LEADERS LEAD BY TRUTH, NOT BY CROOKERY/FALSEHOODS DEAR EDITOR, This is in relation to wellknown PPP/C Region Six mouthpiece, and one of its purveyors of misinformation, Zamal Hussain.

In his utter cacophony of lies, encapsulated in another of his journeys through a land of no existence, “Guyana Police Force used to muzzle protestors in Berbice”, published in another newspaper on September 16, 2019, he attempts to attack the government regarding the Guyana Police Force.Zamal Hussain is who he is. In every one of his socalled offing – he has portrayed a most frightening ease to attack the coalition, offering that well-known brand of Jagdeoite unsubstantiated rambling, designed to capture the electoral sympathy of PPP/C support.

Honestly, it is not worth the good time to refute Zamal Hussain’s concoctions. But there is a particular issue about “…we are moving into a full-fledged dictatorship where the police force is used to stifle democracy…”

Hussain must be reminded that this is the President David Granger coalition government in office since 2015, with an entirely different understanding as to the functions of all of the nation’s security forces, and their role in a democratic society, entirely different from

what formerly obtained during those dark days of PPP/C regime rule.

Gone are the days when the Guyana Police Force (GPF) used to be ordered to shoot down peaceful protesters such as when they pelletshot the nurses in the vicinity of the Supreme Court precinct at a protest march during the 1999 general strike; when they killed three Lindeners in 2012, whose only offence was to have been protesting against proposed electricity hike regularization, which their town could not have afforded because of its economically depressed state; when they fired indiscriminately on APNU+AFC protestors within the St. Sidwell’s School vicinity, resulting in injuries to an Attorney at Law; a former Chief of Staff, and a prominent PNC/R Member of Parliament. No such incident, involving the GPF, has taken place under the stewardship of this government. Not even in the face of what were deliberated hooligan attacks on a government minister, bringing her safety into sharp contention in the precincts of the Pegasus Hotel. Less than that, a PPP/C administration would have ordered physical action by the GPF against those responsible. Even now, in this dispensation, the PPP/C has been having their protests;

but no one has been tear gassed, or shot at despite their protests being misguided.

Guyana is now a democracy; a country where freedoms exist, with the Rule of Law sacrosanct, and the GPF, a very much improved law enforcement body carrying out its designated duties – maintaining law and order, and protecting the citizens of Guyana, and not used for political dictatorial ends such as suppression of human rights and freedoms. In fact, it is carrying out its functions, without any political interference – a departure from the PPP/C rule, when that action had been prevalent.

This, another example of Hussain’s attempts at deliberate slander, is easily exposed for what it is – another lie that continues to denigrate his morality. If he wants to be a genuine leader/representative of his party then he owes it to himself, first, to be truthful on national issues; and secondly, lead his community in an honest manner. REAL LEADERS LEAD BY TRUTH, AND NOT BY DAILY POLITICAL CROOKERY. One hopes Hussain adds this to his daily list of to do’s, as he stands now, if the truth jumped up and bit his nose he would not recognise it.

Regards Ceion Rollox

Sometimes we need to curb our livelihood of the citizens.

Many times there is standstill supposed entitlement on the bridge because of ac-

DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to bring to the public attention, the lawless behaviour of our supposed disciplined forces driving on the Demerara Harbour Bridge. On a daily basis, some motorists believed to be policemen, soldiers and other government personnel can be seen breaking all the rules on this important river crossing while driving to work in the morning and returning in the afternoon.

When there is single lane in the morning, they continue overtaking all the other vehicles that are supposed to follow the rules.

They would speed up in the other lane endangering the lives of the bridge security personnel who stand at various points on the bridge.

These bridge officials on many occasions have to take evasive actions, otherwise they will be plowed down.

Most times, they would overtake and just jump in front of vehicles who were patiently in the line thus forcing the law abiding drivers to avoid a collision. There have even been cases of scratches and

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

scrapes to other vehicles that are not reported because the perpetrators are believed to be policemen and soldiers who would intimidate decent citizens.

One wonders if there is a war going on with Guyana and other countries that cause the police and soldiers to move with this urgency while in the process endangering the lives of the bridge security, the lives of decent drivers, damage to property and their own lives. No wonder, some of the members of the disciplined forces have been in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Bribery, extortion, kidnapping, hitmen, banditry and rape have become side jobs for some. All Guyanese have a right to equally cross the harbour bridge in a turn system because all are contributing tax that pay these same people.

The Harbour Bridge is an important connection and any disruption to the flow of traffic caused by accidents and other infringements will heavily affect the economics of the country overall and

cidents.

It seems that the bridge officials are totally helpless to curb the situation.

But one day, God forbid, some decent driver will lose patience and tolerance and take matters in his or her own hands and one may wonder what one man can do. But just remember not so long ago how much expense and pressure the Government faced when the tug and barge hit the bridge.

Sometimes, one needs to curb his or her supposed entitlement, large ego, bullyism and selfishness as displayed by some and witnessed by thousands of drivers on a daily basis.

Sherry Marks

GUYANESE MUST STAND UP DEAR EDITOR, Suddenly, the dark era of the past has descended on Guyanese like a relentless plague, a phenomenon which many had thought would never return after savouring the fruits of democracy for 23 years. The ghosts of the dark past have now returned to life once again haunt this nation.

In the meantime, our hard won democracy has been so much trampled upon that it has fled with great alacrity.

The PNC has once again displayed its penchant for violating the Constitution and this time, the violation is not about delaying the elections but it is the violation of one’s right to freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and by extension the right to peacefully protest. All the fundamental rights and freedom of individuals are being violated daily. The PNC has become the Constitution!

Article 148(1) of the Constitution states that, ‘No person shall be deprived of his freedom of movement, that is to say, the right to move freely throughout Guyana…’ The exception would be to prevent the commission of a crime, or in the interest of public safety, or to protect public morality or to PREVENT THE SUBVERSION OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. In the case of the Guyana Police Force’s action against the protestors at Cornelia Ida, there is a clear indication that it is in complete defiance of Article 148. Moreover, they did the opposite of the constitutional stipulation: they subverted the democratic institutions. The GPF was committing a crime NOT the protestors!

The Caretaker President,

David Granger, was attending a graduation ceremony and dinner at the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School in the area and an NGO, the Association of Democracy and Human Rights Guyana launched a protest to show their concern about the many violations of the Constitution and the CCJ’s rulings resulting on an assault on the democratic institutions in Guyana. David Granger has so far shown scant regard for these institutions. It is apparent that Granger knew about the protest beforehand and the Police erected a barricade in the streets to prevent the protesters from getting in close proximity to the school where the graduation was held and so neutralise the effect. It must be noted that it is normal for protesters to line the shoulders of the public roads but in this case, they were prevented from doing so. It seems that Granger cannot bear to behold the sight of people protecting their inalienable rights however, he is not averse to schoolchildren lining the streets and waving flags for his own pleasure.

In addition, to add insult to injury, the peaceful protesters were pushed further down the streets in a bid to stifle their democratic voices.

In this maddening haste to chase the protesters further down, the barricades were used as battering rams which resulted in injuries to some.

But the police were not satisfied with this, they arrested two of the protesters and held them in detention at the station for a couple of hours.

Until now, they were not given any reason for their unlawful detention. This act is simply to stir fear and prevent others from standing up for their

The results of the coming elections should truly be reflective of the will of the people DEAR EDITOR, Elections must not only be free and fair but it must also be seen to be free and fair.

It is in the above context that I applaud the Canadian government for rendering technical support to the Chairman and Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as it relates

to the forthcoming General and Regional elections.

The fact that the individual identified is someone who is experienced in the conduct of elections in one of the more established democracy is most reassuring and will certainly help in terms of confidence building and credibility in the electoral processes.

Silence on this matter is not an...

From page 4 members of the Judiciary are of varying temperaments and idiosyncrasies. I suspect this Judge is of the ilk of Lord Denning not despising fair public comment on matters of justice which is never some cloistered virtue. So, now that

rights. It is clear that just as it was in Burnham days, the Police Force has become the shameless tool of fear and intimidation of the PNC dictatorship.

What is also alarming is the discriminatory action of the police. This was so blatant since the PNC counterprotesters were allowed free access to the main road by the Police. Will these counter-protesters morph later into the House of Israel?

We have seen in the not so distant past that protests led by the PNC had subjected law-abiding citizens who they deemed to be supporters of the PPP to demeaning acts. I could not recall any arrests made by the Guyana Police Force, for instance the Agricola protest when these acts were done in broad daylight and in the presence of the Police. In addition, businesses were razed to the ground in some cases resulting in multi-million dollars losses. Where was the Police Force then? How many were arrested?

As expected, the growing dictatorship has now made it the norm for Granger to travel around with heavy police escorts and other security presence which only serve to instil fear and insecurity in the minds of Guyanese.

The people now have to dive for cover anytime they hear a siren in the distant.

This is a lot more than Burnham was used to, so it may be prudent to assume a bigger dictator in the making.

Guyanese must now stand up and register our non-cooperation through peaceful protests to eradicate this growing scourge.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

the law’s delay is a matter of fair public comment, I would suggest that silence on this matter is not an option for the Guyana Bar Association. In enacting the Time Limit for Judicial Decisions, Act, our Parliamentarians must have had these words

in the English Magna Carta in mind: “To no one will we deny or DELAY right or justice”.

The Director might feel that justice is being both denied and delayed.

Regards, Maxwell. E. Edwards

This is a positive step but not enough. There is need in my view for full-time technical and logistical support to the GECOM Secretariat by the international community, in particular by the UNDP, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the European Union.

This will serve to dispel perceptions of political bias in favour of one or the other of the competing parties by the GECOM staff.

This coming elections is probably one of the most high-stakes in our recent history and it is therefore imperative on all, in and out of Guyana, to contribute in ensuring that it is truly reflective of the will of the Guyanese people.

Hydar Ally

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 7

No gunshots heard where dead soldier found - say some residents Police sources have ruled out connecting the dead soldier found in Tucville, Georgetown to a recent attempted robbery in which a prominent miner was killed.

They say that the soldier was shot and killed in Tucville.

However, residents close to the area where the body was found seem to cast doubt on this possibility.

Miner Deon Stoll, 44, is now dead and two others injured after a botched robbery attempt at El Dorado Trading, which is located in Da Silva Street, Newtown, Georgetown on Monday last.

Not long after the botched robbery, the body of a serving soldier, 18-year-old Olijah Chesney, of 562, D Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was discovered at a location in the Tucville community.

Many sections of the media had linked the dead soldier to the robbery incident, but police in a release some time later, ruled out his involvement. The police said that his death was linked to another incident that involved an argument over ownership of a motorcycle.

Yesterday, a reporter visited the Tucville Community yesterday and chatted with residents who are located close to the area where the dead soldier was discovered.

Persons in various parts of Tucville were also consulted and not one person recalled overhearing any gunshots around that time to suggest the soldier was killed at that location.

One group of young men by the roadside was adamant that they would have heard gunshots if the man was shot in the area because it is always very busy.

One man, who directed the reporter in the direction where the body was discovered, noted that it appeared as if the body was shot elsewhere and taken to the location. He noted that incidents like shootings will not be missed in the busy location.

Sources at the El Dorado Trading, 63 Da Silva Street, Newtown, had informed that the bandits had apparently trailed the miner, Deon Stoll, 44 of Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. He was in the company of Clayton Powley, 43, of 326 Section ‘C’ Turkeyen.

They had conducted business on Sheriff Street,

Georgetown for which they had collected a large quantity of cash. They were travelling in motorcar PPP 7227 and soon after drove to the Kitty, Georgetown establishment.

Video footage provided, revealed the miner and his associate parking in front of the business and a white Premio car that was travelling directly behind them pulling up on the other side of the road.

In what unfolded and can be described as ‘movie style’, two masked men exited the car. One of them entered the car from the driver side, reportedly holding Powley at knifepoint. The other man with handgun entered the car from the passenger’s side firing gunshots as he did so.

The miner, Stoll, whipped out his firearm and returned fire. The video footage revealed the bandit being hit and falling to the ground. As he got up, he was hit a second time by the unrelenting miner. He barely made it to the getaway car that had started to drive away, and managed somehow to haul himself inside before it disappeared off screen. As revealed by the footage, the miner then clutched his abdomen from which blood was spewing and thereafter slumped to the ground. It is said he was shot in the right side pelvic area.

Caught also in the crossfire was an employee of

A still video of the actual shootout between bandits and the now deceased miner.

El Dorado Trading, Rory Deegs, who is said to be a security guard at the establishment. He had reportedly opened the gate at the establishment to investigate when the miner in apparent panic mode fired two shots, hitting him on the upper left hand and the neck.

The miner succumbed to a gunshot wound at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The bandits did not get to steal anything from the miner, according to sources. It is reported that cash, raw gold and a firearm belong to the miner were turned over to the miner’s relatives when they arrived at the GPHC.

The dead soldier Olijah Chesney’s body was discovered in Tucville, Georgetown.

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Govt welcomes TT decision to remove restrictions from peppers and pineapples The Government of Guyana along with farmers have welcomed the step made

by Trinidad and Tobago to remove restrictions from peppers and pineapples.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the public about the steps taken by Trinidad to make the necessary amendments.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the

National Plant Protection Office (NPPO) of Trinidad and Tobago has officially informed the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) of the amendments.

This comes one month after a meeting was held with technical officials at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Foreign Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, Carl Greenidge, also told reporters at a recent press conference the he met with Trinidadian officials on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly to further discuss barriers to trade between the two states.

However, there are still no updates in relation to the trade of honey and the ban on raw and cooked poultry products from Guyana.

Saturday October 19, 2019

Cops warned about mishandling vehicles While commissioning a new marine fire vessel on Thursday, Minister of Public security, Khemraj Ramjattan called on policemen to make proper use of state-owned vehicles.

He said that he didn t want to be too critical of the Guyana police Force (GPF), but it is quite noticeable that a number of ranks do not care for the state-owned police vehicles.

Ramjattan added that ranks can be seen “manhandling” and “misoperating” the automobiles given to them to serve Guyana.

This has been Ramjattans desperate cry for some time now.

A concerned and disgusted citizen told Kaieteur News yesterday, that one day he noticed a police vehicle being driven in a reckless manner through a street filled with potholes.

He recounted that he became so annoyed that he stopped the police vehicle and asked the ranks if they were the owner of the vehicle.

According to him, the

ranks could not give him an answer to his question.

He then reminded the policemen in a “not decent manner”, that the rightful owners of the vehicle are Guyanese.

He told reporters that to his understanding, stateowned properties are funded by taxpayers dollars and Guyanese deserve the right to have a say in how these properties are being used.

Recently, at a rolling out ceremony of vehicles given to the GPF, hosted at the Tactical Service Unit (TSU) back in December 2017, Ramjattan said that “these vehicles are going to give us use for many years ahead, but please take care of them!”

He went on to state, “Too many times, I notice even senior ranks crashing and some even dying as result of bad driving.”

He also warned that Standard operating procedures will be put in place, and if any rank or police is found “driving badly” causing damage to the vehicles that rank will be

charged.

Ramjattan then pleaded with the Police ranks to adhere to these procedures, which will improve their service to Guyana.

The Minister said, “Whenever you notice bad driving on the part of your colleagues, talk to him; tell him to stop it! This is the property of the people, you are the agents of the people; properly make use of their property for the purpose of service and protection.”

Not long after, it was reported that one of the newly commissioned vehicles crashed into a motorcar on the Canje Public Road, East Berbice Corentyne (EBC).

According to the report, the police jeep was moving at a fast rate, overtook another vehicle and crashed into the motorcar.

In a recent interview with Kaieteur Radio, the Minister stated that he had to put a halt to the rule which was implemented, to have officers charged or pay for the damages to vehicles caused by mishandling.

He explained that the reason is that police officers depend on a low-income salary.

According to concerned citizens, police ranks can still be seen mishandling state property by driving in a reckless manner.

On Monday, Guyana was left dumbfounded by a fatal accident which occurred at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) which involved a police car and a private motorcar. The accident claimed the lives of five persons.

Saturday October 19, 2019

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Kaieteur News

THIRD FORCES HAVE FAILED Small political parties are ineffectual within our political system. The record of small political parties, prior to the emergence of the AFC, was far from impressive.

The United Force faded into oblivion after 1968 when it dropped out of the Coalition Government with the PNCR. Other small parties went as fast as they came. The WPA which emerged as a threat to PNCR rule between 1978 and 1979 – a period it refers to as the Civil Rebellion – was emasculated in the 1992 elections.

It later tried to piggyback on the support of the fledging Guyana Action Party (GAP) and managed to get a seat into parliament exclusive strength of that party. That was a good as it ever got.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) emerged at a time of political gridlock. The AFC took advantage of the political frustration and political exhaustion with the two political parties. The AFC performed credibly in the 2006 elections.

The AFC did even better in the 2011 elections after the PPPC regime was besieged by concerns about corruption. As a result, the AFC was able to hold the balance of power in the 2011 elections, something that it boasted publicly about.

But we know how that panned out. The AFC instead of using its balance of power to forge political consensus became swell-headed. It pursued a political vendetta against the PPPC, going so far as to table a vote of no-confidence against the PPPC which led to the prorogation of parliament in order for a political solution to be worked out. The AFC however was not interested in a political solution.

It was keen to settle political scores. In the run-up to 2015 elections, it went against its stated political principle of never joining with any of the two main political parties. It entered into a coalition with theAPNU. It is now suffering the consequences.

The AFC in government has abandoned its role as a political arbiter. It has betrayed the confi-

dence of its supporters by going along, “hook line and sinker”, with the APNU. Like the WPA, it is now the political doormat of the PNCR. The AFC has done irremediable damage to the idea of a “third force”. After what the AFC did, it will be difficult for parties to go to the electorate by offering themselves up as third forces, which will not align to the two major parties.

By entering into a coalition and by being violated in the way it has been, the AFC has signaled the death-knell of third force politics.

One new party which recently emerged has suddenly awakened to the reality that it takes money to a run an election campaign. And without that money, there is no chance of that party making any impact on the electorate. That party has now decided to seek an accommodation with one of the larger political parties. This is yet another blow for third party politics.

Dem boys seh ...

Parties coming faster than hire car Guyana is known for sporting. Since anybody miss is a sport. A man just got to sit down and hum a tune. De next thing somebody gone and bring music and ice.

De friends gon get drinks. Dem don’t have to worry about food because a cart gon pull up wid couple case of beer.

Somebody gon rustle up a pot of cook up and is a party dat people gon talk about fuh days.

Dem boys notice a lot of party springing up.

Of course, as de Christmas season approach, people accustom to parties. Is either a house party or a social, wheh people just sit down and eat and drink to soft music. Parties like dat don’t go too late. In short, dem don’t last

long.

Just dis past couple weeks, dem boys notice nuff parties springing up. Just like how Paul Keens-Douglas seh “every party is a fete”, is dat wha happening.

Soulja Bai announce de date fuh elections and de next thing you know every Tom, Harry and he dog got a party. Dis is normal. People does wonder wheh all dem new politicians does deh whole year and why dem does only surface when is election time.

And is not like dem can carry dem resumé to get a job. Of course, Presidential Candidate would look nice pon any resumé. Dem boys think dat is wha happening.

Wid oil coming nuff foreign companies gon be

coming to Guyana.

People gon apply to wuk wid dem companies and dem gon indicate dat dem was Presidential Candidate.

Before dis time, people use to form political party to collect money. Dem use to go about begging and telling people how dem want de money to pay fuh political advertisement and fuh rent equipment. When dem get de money is anodda thing.

People can do dat because nobody ain’t got to register a political p a r t y. M o r e p o l i t i c a l parties gon surface just now. Dem got a dozen already trying to contest dis election.

Talk half and put on you dancing shoes fuh nuff parties.

On Thursday, another political party was born.

Whether it will have a stillbirth is left to be seen. But one thing that is sure is that the political environment at the moment does not favour small parties.

With an ethnically polarized electorate, small parties are seen as splitting the votes of the two major ethnic camps. These camps therefore covertly undermine these parties. Or they co-opt them.

The new party, launched on Thursday, and which calls itself The Citizens Initiative (TCI) says that it will not join with any of the two many political parties, the PNCR or the PPPC. But the AFC said that at one time also.

What Guyana needs is not a third force. Third forces have failed. Having a third force in parliament does not mean that

there will be an inclusive political system. One party holding a balance of power of one of two seats can be easily coopted.

Third force parties have failed to break the stranglehold of ethnic politics. What Guyana needs is more than one small party in the National Assembly so that any attempt by one to be co-opted by any of the larger parties can be counteracted by the other smaller parties. What is needed is third, fourth, fifth sixth and seventh political forces. Not just a third force.

The problem is that the difference in electoral support between the two major parties is so small; the electorate is hardly likely to vote for smaller parties. These parties therefore end up in a chicken and egg situation.

They need to get into parliament to deprive either of the larger parties of a majority. But in the process of trying to do so, they are viewed as vote-splitters.

That is the tragedy of Guyanese politics. And it will continue to be so until the electorate is willing to elect more than one smaller party to the National Assembly in order to break the stranglehold of the two political juggernauts – the PNCR and the PPPC.

PAGE 10

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Boris’s masterstroke: Implication for the AFC and PNC This afternoon, the world will know if Boris Johnson is a successful tactician, one that is brilliant. This afternoon, the UK Parliament will vote for his Brexit deal with the EU in which the UK will exit the EU on an agreed blueprint which both sides will adhere to.

I don’t like Boris J o h n s o n ’s p o l i t i c s . H e should not be the Prime Minister of an enduring democracy like Great Britain. But like him or hate him, when a person is a master

strategist in politics, you have to give him/her recognition. What Johnson has done is basic to politics. All politicians should study his approach to bargaining.

Three times the UK parliament voted down Prime Minister May’s Brexit plan with the EU. All three times Johnson was the leader of the opposition to May in their own party.

Johnson has now put forward a proposal to the EU which the EU has accepted. None of the EU

leaders previously showed any appreciation for Johnson and disliked his style. They would have preferred if he was toppled by his own party as PM. Since he became Prime M i n i s t e r, J o h n s o n h a s been saying lots of things that irritated the EU leaders. It was clear they didn’t admire him. But Johnson had a plan for his own ruling party and the EU. It was a master stroke par excellence.

He played the realpolitik game beautifully and won. People everywhere in politics should learn from the Boris Johnson saga.

Here is what Johnson did. Three times the ruling party voted down Prime Minister May’s Brexit arrangement with the EU. She got embarrassed. She resigned, Boris succeeded her. But Boris was smarter than Theresa May by billions of miles. Boris said I want a deal from the EU on

my terms or I am crashing out.

He backed it up with some heavy demagoguery and rhetoric. First, he prorogued parliament which will be of benefit to him because when he is intended to leave the EU on October 31, there would hardly be time in the House to filibuster.

Second, he said he is leaving the EU and nothing can stop him. Third, he intoned that he would rather be dead in a ditch than ask for an extension of time to stay in the EU beyond October 31.

Fourth, even though Parliament passed a Bill that prevented him from leaving the EU unless he asked for more time from the EU, nothing in his speeches indicated he would observe the law.

Why did he go in these directions? Because the man knows realpolitik. The ruling party and the EU did not want Britain crashing out of the EU. It would have been catastrophic.

Boris played on those fears. Boris kept feeding the flames of fear with his constant sermon that he is leaving if there is no deal.

So what he did. He gave the EU and his own ruling party, a Brexit plan that was the same one like Theresa May’s. The EU and the UK ruling party accepted it because they feared he was crashing out by any means.

This is the difference between Johnson and May. If May had threatened she had enough and she was leaving, if her plan wasn’t accepted, she would have won. It took a strategist like Boris to call the bluff of the EU. You see Johnson knew that the EU was really scared of the UK crashing out. He knew they were paranoid and he kept upping the ante. Therefore, he said I am coming with a compromise; accept it or leave it. Moreover, the EU and the ruling party accepted it. The point is Johnson knew the weakness of his adversary - the EU. This is a cardinal rule in politics, which the AFC in Guyana was ignorant of and now it has become an evanescent footnote in Guyanese history. In 2017, the AFC held an emergency retreat at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and de-

Frederick Kissoon clared that the Ministry of the Presidency had too many jurisdictions and they want some of it to be transferred to the AFC ministries. The PNC refused to accept the edict.

What the AFC failed to read was the weakness of the PNC. The PNC just got back into power after 23 years in opposition and wanted to remain in office. It would not have rocked the boat if the AFC had flexed its muscles and said it was leaving the marriage. It would have g o t a c u r t a i l m ent of Harmon’s territory.

The tables have turned now. The AFC has lost its raison d’etre. It has no electoral power. The PNC knows the AFC’s weakness and will play hardball.

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Saturday October 19, 2019

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Saturday October 19, 2019

Four arrested for unlicensed gun found in car

Gun and ammunition that was discovered in the motor vehicle

T

he police have detained four individuals who were found with an unlicensed firearm in a motor vehicle yesterday on Princes Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown.

Ranks who were on mobile patrol received information and under the command of a corporal, they apprehended the motorcar which was occupied by four

persons.

Kaieteur News understands that when the vehicle was intercepted, a search was conducted by one of the police officers and an unlicensed .380 pistol with six live matching rounds was found concealed.

The four individuals were then arrested and taken into custody. They are currently assisting with the investigation.

Still no leads in murder of Bourda woman Marva OudKerk

O

ne week after she was brutally killed in her home during the course of a robbery, police are still unable to arrest anyone in relation to the murder of 67year old Marva Oudkerk.

The woman's body was found by her daughter last week Thursday around 19:45hrs lying in her bed with a mosquito net tightly wrapped around her neck.

According to sources, the matter is still being investigated. Kaieteur News

understands that initial investigation into the matter revealed that there might have been more than one intruder in Oudkerk's home on that fatal night.

It is believed that the woman met her demise between 16:30hrs on Wednesday, October 9, and 18:30hrs Thursday October 10, last. The robbers gained entry into the woman's home by removing three flooring boards. An undisclosed sum of cash was removed from the building.

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Saturday October 19, 2019

"The govt. is constitutional and I am a constitutional President" Supporters gathered in their numbers

- Granger at the opening of N-A Town Week

O

pening the ceremony for the New Amsterdam Town Week 2019 were members of the Joint Services executing a march pass along the main road of New Amsterdam while President David Granger took the salute.

As the President made his way to the stage dancing to "Here comes trouble, here comes the danger" as it blasted on the speakers and repeated by the DJ, loud screams from his crowd of supporters who travelled from Region Three, and Region Five reverberated

through the township.

As he addressed the gathering cocooned by security barriers and policemen, women, and soldiers from Georgetown and Berbice, he highlighted that New Amsterdam has seen a huge developmental process since 2015.

He added that the transformation over the past four years could expand "in the next five years".

To that extent, Granger

reminded the gathering that "before 2015 New Amsterdam was a victim of inertia and financial anaemia.”

“That is what the previous administration had it under but we refuse to be anaemic.

We r e s t o r e d l o c a l democracy by holding of local government elections".

He added, "It will happen again when the constitution says we must have it. The

government is a constitutional government and I am a constitutional president."

New Amsterdam has the potential to become a dynamo of economic dev in this region, President Granger said.

“You have thriving businesses but New Amsterdam has a bustling business sector. People must move to take control of the (continued on page 23)

Parika-Supenaam speedboat operators request implementation of turn-system

T

hree speedboat operators met with Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma, to seek approval for a place in the turn system for the Parika – Supenaam route.

The three operators, Mr. Roger Anderson, a captain and speedboat operator for the past 12 years; Mr. Curtley Charles, a captain and speedboat operator for the past 13 years; and Mr. Mark Smith who is also a boat captain for over three years now.

The men complained of suffering a loss of income because of non-application of the turn system. It was stated by the operators that they all have loans and even mortgages taken to facilitate the construction of their own boats.

It is therefore imperative that they be included in the system, they said.

According to the men, if they do not get a “special” to work, they are still required

to pay mooring fee which is $5,000 a week, a watchman fee which amounts to $7,000 and a $5,000 cleaning fee for the boat.

They contended that they are losing financing on a daily basis.

According to MARAD's General Manager, Ms. Claudette Rogers, “It is important that the operators receive a 'no objections' letter from the Association, before MARAD can give the operators the approval to be included in the system.”

During the discussions, Minister Sharma sought to iron out the issues raised by the Operators. Among the issues raised were to have a response from the respective Boat Associations on the petitioners' application to be included in the Turn System.

The Operators said that they had written the Association almost four years ago and had not received a response to date.

Provisions were also discussed to have the Maritime Administration

Department (MARAD) take up the responsibility of approving boat owners to be a part of the Turn System.

M A R A D representatives were asked to present on the stellings on a daily basis to observe the operations of the Boat Associations procedures.

Furthermore, members of the Association with multiple boats are given priority in the turn system basically taking advantage of the system; therefore, it leaves little or no opportunity for nonmembers to get a turn to be given a space on the stelling.

According to the gentlemen, this is unfair and it interferes with their livelihood on a dayto-day basis.

Minister Sharma said, “MARAD will be asked to conduct an assessment on the availability of space in the boat system to determine whether or not more boats can be added to the system.

Recommendations were also examined to have the badge system be reintroduced.

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Saturday October 19, 2019

Anna Region Girl to receive CXC regional awards for outstanding CSEC performance

G

uyana's Riana Toney of the Anna Regina Secondary School has been named the winner of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC')s Regional To p Aw a r d f o r 2 0 1 9 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

The announcement was made at a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the School Examinations Committee (SUBSEC) held

- two Queen's College students to also receive awards on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the CXC Headquarters in Barbados.

Toney won the Overall Outstanding Achievement award with 19 subjects which translated to Grade one passes in Agricultural S c i e n c e S A , B i o l o g y, C a r i b b e a n H i s t o r y, Chemistry, English A, English B, Geography,

Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Business, Religious Education, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, and Human and Social Biology.

Toney also scooped the

top award for Humanities and has therefore paved the way for her school to receive the award for CSEC School of the Year 2019.

Queen's College (QC) Samuel Haynes won the award for Most Outstanding Candidate in the Sciences with 18 subjects. He secured Grade one passes in Agricultural Science DA,

CXC's regional top performer, Riana Toney

Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, Economics, English A, English B, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, Human a n d S o c i a l B i o l o g y, Additional Mathematics.

Another QC student, Brianna Gopie, has won the award for Most Outstanding Candidate for Business Education with 16 subjects.

Gopie achieved Grade one passes in Economics, English A, English B, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, Additional Mathematics, and Food, Nutrition and Health.

This year saw the

introduction of the Professor Wilma Bailey Award for Outstanding Performance in CSEC Geography, in honour of the late Wilma Bailey.

Professor Bailey was a former CXC Chief Examiner for over two decades, with a special passion for G e o g r a p h y. A m a n d a Williams from Trinidad and Tobago is the inaugural winner.

The Best Short Story award was won by Zachary Brown of ASJA Boys' College, Trinidad and Tobago.

Students from Trinidad and Tobago also scooped the top Visual Arts Awards.

RenĂŠe Blanc of St. Joseph's Convent, won the Best 2Dimensional Visual Arts Award and Faith Barnett of Bishop Anstey High School, received the Best 3Dimensional Visual Arts Award.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) award for the top performer in Principles of Accounts was won by Rhea-Simone Lawrence of St. Andrew High School for Girls, Jamaica.

Angie Matute of the Edward P. Yorke High School in Belize won the award for Outstanding Performance in Technical and Vocational studies, achieving Grade one passes in Agricultural Science SA, Information Technology, Textiles, Clothing and Fashion, Food, Nutrition and (continued on page 20)

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

Overseas-based GuyanaJamaica organisation honours Clifford Reis

B

anks DIH Chairman, C l i ff o r d R e i s C.C.H, was recently honoured in New York by the Guyana-Jamaica Friendship Association (GJFA).

Mr. Reis, who has been Chairman of the Company for 30 years, was given the honour at the third Biennial Ball of the GJFA at Antun's Ballroom in Queens, New York on Saturday October 12, 2019.

During his tenure as Chairman, Banks DIH has had unprecedented success with more than 25 years of Dividends paid out to their shareholders and impressive expansions of its operations.

There are now seven companies in the multibillion-dollar enterprise, which is indeed a flagship company of the English-speaking Caribbean.

President of GJFA, Dr. Frank Denbow, in presenting Mr. Reis with a plaque, remarked on the inspirational

and innovative leadership of Mr. Reis and the great sense of corporate responsibility shown by Banks DIH over the years with their involvement with Guyana's youth and their social development.

Dr. Denbow praised the Company for their worker friendly environment and the consistent development of the employees to an extent where they are able to fulfill their potential and in many cases exceed their expectations.

In his response, Mr. Reis talked about the four pillars on which Banks DIH is founded and the company's policy to ensure that its customers, employees, shareholders and suppliers are well taken care of.

He praised the GuyanaJamaica Friendship Association for the stellar work in the fields of Education and Health Care especially in underserved areas of Guyana and Jamaica.

He challenged the organisation to go even further by developing programmes to improve job security and to foster good family and community relationships in the communities where they are serving.

The third Biennial Ball of G J FA a l s o h o n o u r e d outstanding Jamaican Gynaecologist, Dr. Millicent Comrie, Director, Brooklyn Heights Women's Center at Maimonides in New York, for her pioneering work in the management of uterine fibroids with the goal of avoiding hysterectomies, a common outcome in women of color.

GJFA is a 501c3 nonprofit organisation in New York which has held several symposia in Guyana in both Health Care and Early Childhood Education as well as Medical outreach in Essequibo and the adoption of Mashabo Primary School and indigenous community on the Essequibo Coast.

Clifford Reis (left) and Frank Denbow

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Kaieteur News

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Saturday October 19, 2019

Missing trial records hinder Coast Guards death sentence appeal

T

he constitutional right to a fair trial includes the right to appeal. In order to have this done, there needs to be a record of the trial proceedings. However, in the case of three former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guards who were convicted of murder and sentenced to death by hanging, some of these records cannot be located.

This is in spite of persistent efforts being made to obtain them by Assistant Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dionne McCammon, as well as the men's counsel.

In August, 2009, three former GDF Coast Guards, Sherwin Hart, Devon Gordon and Deon Greenidge were charged and remanded to prison for the August 20, 2009 murder of Bartica gold m i n e r, D w i e v e K a n t Ramdass.

Following a preliminary inquiry, a Magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence against the men for them to stand trial for the killing before a judge and jury.

So in May 2013, the men went on trial before Justice Franklyn Holder and a 12person jury. The prosecution's case was that

on the day in question at Caiman Hole in the Essequibo River, they forced Ramdass into their boat and took him to the aforementioned location where they relieved him of $17M in cash, which he was carrying in a box to Bartica for his employer, before dumping him overboard.

After much deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict in relation to each of them.

The three murder accused were then handed the death sentence.

On Wednesday, the three former GDF coast guards were arraigned at the Court of Appeal where they are challenging their conviction and sentence. Lawyer Nigel Hughes is representing Greenidge and Hart, while lawyer Latchmie Rahamat has been retained by Gordon.

At that hearing, Hughes and Rahamat raised a preliminary issue as it relates to the records of appeal. Hughes brought to the court's attention that the records of the trial do not reflect a ruling made by the trial judge in relation to two of the appellants. The lawyer said that in an effort to get a hold of those records he has reached out the

judge's registrar for the minute book.

Rahamat, on the other hand, said that she represented Gordon at the trial stage and could recall the judge making a ruling after concluding the Voir Dire.

But according to her, this ruling cannot be crossreferenced with the court's type written records. Apart from this, Rahamat pointed (continued on page 20)

Devon Gordon

Sherwin Hart

Deon Greenidge

QC's Michael Bhopaul is top regional CAPE performer for 2019

T

he dedicated efforts of students across the region have produced a diverse list of Regional Top Awardees who have been recognised for their outstanding performances at the 2019 in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)'s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

This was announced at the meeting of the Sub-Committee of the School Examinations Committee (SUBSEC) held on October 16, 2019 at the CXC Headquarters in Barbados.

Topping the list this year is Michael Bhopaul of Queen's College (QC) who has secured the annual Dennis Irvine Award, for the top overall student at the CAPE level.

Bhopual achieved Grade one passes in all 16 units he wrote this year. These subjects included Applied Mathematics Unit 1 and 2, Biology Unit 1 and 2, Caribbean Studies, Chemistry Unit 1 and 2, Communication Studies, French Unit 1 and 2, Integrated Mathematics, Physics Unit 1 and 2, Pure Mathematics Unit 1 and 2 and Spanish Unit 1. This is the third time a QC student has taken the award.

Just last year, Aadilah Ali achieved Grade one passes in 14 CAPE units and Grade two in one other.

QC's Michael Bhopaul By v i r t u r e o f B h o p a u l ' s performance, QC will receive the award for CAPE School of the Year 2019.

In addition to copping the top overall award, Bhopaul will also receive the RM Results-sponsored award for Most Outstanding Candidate in Mathematics and the top award for Natural Sciences.

Meanwhile, Kameika Robinson of The Queen's High School in Jamaica, excelled in the field of Humanities and will receive the Most Outstanding Candidate Award, sponsored by Hodder

Education.

Kameika achieved Grade 1 passes in Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies, History Unit 1 and 2, Law Unit 1 and 2, and Sociology Unit 1 and 2.

Students from Trinidad rounded out the top awards with achievements for Business Studies and Language Studies.

Teddy-ann Quamina of Arima Central Secondary School will receive the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Business Studies award for achieving Grade 1 in a variety of business subjects, inclusive of Accounting Unit 1 and 2, Economics Unit 1 and 2, Entrepreneurship Unit 1 and 2 and Management of Business Unit 1 and 2. She also achieved Grade I in Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies.

Rayne Affonso of the St. Augustine Girls' High School earned herself the Most Outstanding Candidate award for Language Studies with a mastery of modern languages. She achieved Grade I in Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies, French Unit 1 and 2, Literatures in English Unit 1 and 2 and Spanish Unit 1 and 2.

Outstanding students will be invited to Grenada, where they will receive their awards during the Regional Top Awards Ceremony on December 5, 2019.

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 19, 2019

Depression is more than just being sad - Psychiatrist M

a n y psychiatrists can testify that mental illnesses do not have a face. Many people suffer from mental illnesses without actually knowing.

One common mental illness that the majority of the population suffer from is depression.

Dr. Stephon Henry, Psychiatrist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), defined depression as a common mood disorder where an individual suffers from symptoms, including persistent sadness or low mood, and loss of pleasure in doing things that they would normally have fun doing.

He highlighted that such episode of intensive dejection lasts for at least two weeks. He noted that depression may also be referred as a major depressive disorder or clinical depression.

“Additional important things can occur such as poor or excessive sleeping, loss of appetite or excessive appetite, feeling guilty or worthless, feeling tired all the time, poor concentration, feeling restless, hopelessness, and suicidal

thoughts or acts.”

Dr. Henry noted that there are often physical symptoms associated with depression including chronic pain and digestive issues. He stressed that depression can also cause difficulty in breathing and palpitation of the heart.

He added, “You will have a hard time in your daily functioning. Your family relationships, your social life, school; all these will or can be affected.”

Dr. Henry explained that depression can affect any individual of all ages, race and socioeconomic class at any given time. He stated that most people with depression can have a completely normal appearance.

“Big changes in life such as death of a loved one, a change of home, starting a new job [among others] can be important factors that can lead to the manifestation of symptoms of depression.

“Studies show it is more frequent in women than men,” the psychiatrist explained.

TREATMENT In an interview with

Kaieteur News, the psychiatrist cautioned that if major depression is not treated early and effectively, then it can set off a chain of social, emotional and health consequences that add to patients' overall stress.

As a consequence, he explained that untreated depression can lead to other situations such as alcohol or drug abuse, anxiety, social isolation and relationship conflicts, work or school difficulties, or suicide.

Dr. Henry said that several goals must be considered when treating mood disorders which include major depressive disorders.

He stated, “The patients' safety must be guaranteed. A complete diagnostic evaluation of the patient must be realised. Creating a treatment plan to cover the immediate or acute stage as well as the patients' wellbeing for the future is also necessary.”

Psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy or a combination of both can be used to treat mood disorders associated with depression.

He explained that psychotherapy, which is

done by the psychologist includes different techniques such as cognitive therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and behaviour therapy as well as psychoanalytically oriented therapy.

These are utilised in the treatment of depression.

He additionally e x p l a i n e d , “Pharmacotherapy or treatment with various types of antidepressants is also used.

Examples of this would be the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, which are used very frequently in Guyana.

Other drugs frequently used include amitriptyline, imipramine. Recently, drugs such as sertraline became available in the Georgetown Public Hospital and are now being used.”

He said that a mixture of both strategies are used to better effect in the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. The mixture addresses both the reduction of symptoms and the psychosocial needs of the patient.

Dr. Henry added that other forms of treatment include electroconvulsive

Defence to make closing remarks in trial of acting Deeds and Commercial Registrar

A

s the trial continues for acting Deeds and Commercial Registrar, Azeena Baksh, her lawyer Nigel Hughes is preparing to make closing remarks in her defence.

Baksh was charged in May 2017 for allegedly obtaining monies by false pretence. She is before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

The charge against her states that while being a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) between May 1, 2014 and January 31, 2017, with intent to defraud, she caused or procured valuable securities to the sum of $4,534,480 to be delivered to her bank of Nova Scotia account #281469; or to her own use and benefit by falsely pretending she was a contracted employee of the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority.

Baksh, 30, of 343 Eccles, East Bank Demerara, has been released on $250,000 bail. She was ordered to lodge her passport and report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters every Friday until the determination of the matter.

After the defendant was called upon to lead a defence, she called witnesses to testify on her behalf to prove her innocence.

Azeena Baksh On Thursday, the final witness testified and the matter was adjourned until November 14, 2019 where attorney Nigel Hughes is expected to make his closing remarks.

It was staffers at the Deeds Registry that called upon the Ministry of Legal Affairs to investigate their complaints of alleged financial improprieties committed by Baksh. The complaints were referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters through the then Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum.

According to the Ministry, the

Human Resource and Accounting Departments complained that as Head of the Budget Agency and sole person in authority to approve and sign off the payroll of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority and one of the main signatories on the Authority's Bank Account, the Registrar unlawfully paid herself gratuity.

It is alleged that she did this knowing that she was a pensionable employee, having been appointed by the JSC. “Registrar Baksh further unlawfully paid herself a higher salary than was approved by the JSC.” The Ministry of Legal Affairs stated that the Deeds Registry officers disclosed that these payments started since 2014 and continued up to early 2017.

The Deeds Registry has also laid over with the Ministry of Legal Affairs, documents revealing that Baksh, out of revenue due, owing and payable to the Authority in or around the sum of $8.5M, unlawfully waived the sum of $7M upon the request of an Attorney-atLaw, who paid only the sum of $1.5M. Baksh is the daughter of Ali Baksh, former Junior Agricultural Minister under the previous administration of the People's Progressive Party/Civic. She has also been a public servant for a number of years.

therapy, phototherapy, vagal nerve stimulation and sleep deprivation but currently these are not practised in Guyana.

“Treatment is very effective and patients generally have a good response to treatment but it must be important to note that this would depend on patients' compliance to whatever strategy they are being treated with as well as their support structure.”

Dr. Henry said that it is a normal part of life to experience sadness and feel depressed or stressed at times.

“But when it comes to overwhelming and persistent sadness and other symptoms begin appearing; then seek help.

Especially if there are suicidal thoughts present, go to your nearest health practitioner and seek advice or even treatment.”

He added that general medical officers at health centres and outlying hospitals are being trained by the Mental Health Unit to recognise any mental illness, including depression.

The psychiatrist who is

PAGE 19

Dr. Stephon Henry also a resident to the Ministry of Health said that he thinks more awareness is encouraged as it will better combat depressive disorders.

He stated, “There are a few NGOs now that are focusing on mental health and also suicide. However, if more emphasis is given to mood disorders such as depression then this can also lead to a reduction in the rate of suicide as well.”

Dr. Henry added that as a result of people not being aware that it can be treated, many people are not being treated or are not seeking treatment.

He highlighted that just as people seek medical attention of the common flu, they can also seek medical help for depression, in other words, depression is just as real as the common flu.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Saturday October 19, 2019

GTT distributes care packages to children with Cancer at the GPHC Paediatric Unit

O

ver 30 patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) benefitted from care packages donated by the Social Activities Committee (SAC) of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT). The gesture was part of the committee's planned activities in observance of cancer awareness during the month of October.

Communication Officer of SAC, Tiffany Greene, said the initiative is one of the many ways the committee contributes to raising Cancer awareness.

"Most of the representatives of the committee are parents, and while it may not be our own child lying in the hospital battling Cancer, it still gets very emotional each year we visit," Greene said.

"To know that we could put a smile not only on the face of a parent -but the faces of the little angels who are fighting this battle, is very rewarding,” Greene added.

“GTT aims to be the number one employer in Guyana. That means giving back to our community and using that position for good. Children are near and dear to us – and are included and recognised as we lead the way in commemorating 'Pinktober' annually,” Greene noted.

Manager of the Paediatric Ward, Marissa Singh, along with parents and patients in the Unit, expressed gratitude to GTT's SAC for reaching out to the Unit.

"We are truly grateful for this donation to our patients. Many of them are away from the comfort of their home and we do appreciate any kind of support for both the parents and the patients," Singh said. At the end of the event, the Social Activities Committee pledged its unwavering support to the Unit over the next few years.

Charges against Sam Hinds Jr. discharged

S

amuel Hinds Junior, the son of Former President and Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, had the five charges that were against him discharged after a city magistrate upheld the nocase submission of his lawyer. The charges stemmed from an encounter Hinds had with police ranks early on the morning of May 9, last.

He was on trial before Magistrate Clive Nurse in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

The first two charges alleged that on May 9, 2019, at Main Street, Georgetown, Hinds resisted arrest from and assaulted Police Constable Canterbury, a peace officer who was acting in the execution of his duties.

The next charge alleged that on the same day and at the same location, the defendant behaved in a disorderly manner.

Also, it was alleged that on the same day and at the same location, Hinds drove motor vehicle PMM 4446 when the identification mark on the vehicle was not visible.

Finally, it was alleged that on May 9, 2019, at Main Street, Georgetown, Hinds refused to take a breathalyzer test from Police Constable Thom.

On his first appearance before the court, the defendant denied all the charges made out against him and he was released on bail in the sum of $50,000.

Attorney-at-law Latchmi Rahamat represented Hinds.

In her bail application, she told the court that Hinds is 38 years old and resides at Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD). She further stated that he is a miner in the interior.

After all prosecution witnesses had testified, the lawyer made a no-case submission for the case to be thrown out as the prosecution failed to present

sufficient evidence against her client for a conviction.

This submission was upheld by the magistrate who then discharged all five of the charges against Hinds.

According to reports, on the day in question, Hinds was stopped at the location by the police ranks who asked to conduct a breathalyzer test on him, he allegedly refused and started to behave in a disorderly manner.

He was asked to step out of his vehicle and he again reportedly refused. While efforts were being made to have him arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station, Hinds allegedly whipped out a firearm and pointed it at the ranks.

The ranks then called for backup, which resulted in his arrest. His firearm was confiscated and lodged and the five charges were instituted against him.

Further i n f o r m a t i o n revealed that Hinds was allegedly found to be under the influence of alcohol.

Anna Region Girl to receive CXC regional...

From page 16 Health, Family and Resource Management, and Technical Drawing.

She also achieved Grade I in English A, Mathematics, Physical Education and Sport, and Spanish, Grade II in Chemistry, Human and Social Biology, Office Administration and Social Studies and Grade III in Physics and Visual Arts.

Erian Scott of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School in Anguilla won the award for Most Outstanding Female Performer in the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence. Scott

achieved grades of Master in English, Mathematics and Social Studies, a grade of Competent in Integrated Science and Grade I in Technical Drawing. Her counterpart Most Outstanding Male Performer, Arje Rey, of the Washington Archibald High School in St. Kitts and Nevis, achieved grades of Master in English and Mathematics, a Grade one in Information Technology and Grade three in Economics and Office Administration.

Outstanding students will be invited to Grenada, where they will receive their awards during the Regional Top Awards Ceremony on December 5, 2019.

The recipients and the care packages

Missing trial records hinder Coast...

From page 18 out that some of the evidence in the judge's summing up was inaccurately reflected.

For example, Rahamat said that what was said by one of the witnesses is recorded as being said by another witness. Meanwhile, Assistant DPP, Dionne McCammon, noted that the records of the judge's summing up seems disjointed and “some of the pages do not flow.” She said that efforts she made to acquire the recordings from the trial proceedings have thus far proven futile.

Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, who is set to hear the appeal along with two other appellate judges, said that if “major portions” of the records are missing, the court may have to consider ordering a retrial for the three former GDF Coast Guards.

She, however, informed the lawyers that the absence of records of the judge's summing up have not proven fatal in retrials. To support this position, the Chancellor cited a few case laws.

Chancellor CummingsEdwards, nevertheless, said that the court will peruse the available record to consider whether or not it will be prejudicial to the appellants.

In doing so, she said that the court will also make efforts to contact the women who took shorthand recordings of the trial proceedings. She said that the case will definitely be given priority

by the court.

This case comes up again on Friday, November 8, at 10:00 hrs for reports.

It was reported that during the men's threemonth long trial at the High Court in Essequibo, the prosecution called 16 witnesses.

The court would later admit caution statements said to be given by the men to police ranks.

Based on a previous report, Gordon in his statement said that he had only been a solider for about a year and a half. He said that he was stationed at the Coast Guard section and was doing patrol work, which was mainly the “stop and search of vessels”. It was between 13:00hrs and 14:00hrs on August 20, 2009, that Gordon, Hart and Greenidge were on patrol. Gordon said that they were doing searches with the Coast Guard boat.

He had stated that Hart drove the boat to Parika. He said he observed Hart speaking to an East Indian man while at Parika. The man later joined them on the coast guard boat and they moved off from Parika. It was noted in Gordon's statement that the man was carrying a “brown box”.

Gordon said when they were in the middle of the river; Hart stopped the boat and told them the man had “nuff money” in the box. Gordon in his statement said that all three of them decided to “kill the man” and “tek de

money”. Gordon also said that he did not see who threw Ramdass's body overboard, but just heard a splash. He said that they divided the money and he called his sister to come and collect his share.

Gordon said that he gave a “canter man” the money to give his sister. However, soon after they all got arrested, including his sister.

Greenidge, in his statement said that it was Hart who pushed Ramdass overboard.

He said that after Hart pushed Ramdass overboard, he (Hart) gave him along with Gordon several million dollars to “shut up”. During the trial, the prosecution had put forward both police and civilian witnesses. The defence counsel brought up challenges that the men were beaten while in police custody. All of the police witnesses denied this claim.

The men in their defence all said that they did not write the caution statements and that the documents were written by the police ranks.

While handing down the sentence to Hart, Justice Holder asked whether he had anything to say. Hart maintained his innocence to the court.

“I'm innocent of this charge, your Honour,” Hart said. Gordon, on the other hand, declined to say anything, while Greenidge also maintained that he was innocent. “My honour, I'm not guilty…and it's unfair for me to go to jail for something I know nothing about.”

Saturday October 19, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Petroleum Business Summit is a waste of taxpayers money- Jagdeo - considers protesting event Leader of the Peoples Progressives Party/Civic, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has yet again denounced the Government of Guyana. This time, he strongly believes that the second annual Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit & Exhibition (GIPEX) is a waste of taxpayers money.

He explained that the exhibition is an “abuse of state resources… [The government] shouldnt be using any money.” Jagdeo added that his party is bringing the event to the attention of the international community.

GIPEX, which is organised by the government, the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and the Department of Energy, and facilitated by VALIANT Business Media, is said to provide immense opportunities for companies, in the sector of oil and gas, across North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

The Opposition Leader

emphasised that to participate in the event, interested businesses would have to pay a fee of US$2,000. It is in this regard that Jagdeo points out that the average Guyanese business person would not be able to afford the participation costsleaving the for-

eign companies to take the lead at the expo.

“You have to pay a lot of money to be a participant of this…which puts it out of the reach of Guyanese.”

This group from abroad will come and try to define the oil and gas sector for us, too.

That is what is happening now. The government has farmed this out to foreigners,” he stated.

When this publication viewed the agenda of the petroleum summit, it was stated that the businesses would receive greeting remarks from the US Secretary of Energy.

Jagdeo, on the other hand, shares a different view.

“The US Secretary of Energy is not coming here. We have confirmed that. This is part of their marketing tool to get people to pay the fees for the conference… No one is going to come to the opening address of His Excellency, Mr. Granger,” he related.

Jagdeo stated that his party might consider protesting the event on the day.

He continued, “Let me

UGSS gets new president

Jafar Gibbons being Sworn in to office by Professor Paloma Mohamed, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana.

Jafar Gibbons is the new President of the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS).

Gibbons took his oath at the installation ceremony for the Executive Council of the UGSS for the academic year 2019/2020 on October 15, 2019.

The ceremony was held at the University of Guyanas (UG) Education Lecture Theatre.

Gibbons was the chairman and later the president of the Student Action Movement (SAM) of UG.

Speaking with this newspaper yesterday afternoon, Gibbons said that due to his new position he will relinquish his presidency of SAM. However, he will continue to support and be a member of the SAM. He also told reporters that with him being president, students can now guarantee that their welfare will be taken care of.

Gibbons explained that the new UGSS body plans to increase more sporting activities on campus. He added that the body will also include the

alumni and master students to support the university by making policies or even monetary donations for the improvement of the students wellbeing.

He highlighted that currently at the university a number of the lecture rooms are “hot”. This, he said, has been a major concern.

To address the issue of “hot classrooms” he continued, “The UGSS has already begun their work by ensuring that fans will be installed in the various rooms so that (Continued on page 23)

make this clear, maybe we will protest this event. Maybe we will protest the waste of money that is taking place now. I am putting the sponsors on notice. So you could very well see a protest about this.” Being an inaugural event, the first annual GIPEX

event exceeded expectations in terms of participations from 600 global delegates and 200 international and national oil and gas companies.

Many well-established companies from the oil and gas sector have already shown their interest and made

their commitment to be a part of this years event to be held in Guyanaa country they deem the “most prominent Oil and Gas destination in South America and the Caribbean”.

GIPEX will be held from November 20 at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston.

PAGE 22

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PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Installation, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing Machine, Stove etc. Call Nick 630-1600, 627-3206 Austin Powers Repairs & Services- We repair AC, Washers, Fridge, Freezers, Dryers, Gas stoves. Located at Vigilance ECD. Tel# 6852588/613-1711

VEHICLE FOR SALE Massey Ferguson Tractor 283 $2.5M (Foreign Used) MF 165 $1.5M, MF 135 $1M,MF 165 Loader Tractor $2.1M.682-5230/615-4414.

Pick-up from Truck Canada Extra-Cab, 2005 Tacoma $1.750M, Ford-F 150 Sport $1.1 M, Ford Ranger Sport $1M.682-5230/615-4414.

30 Seater, 4 wheel drive bus E250. Mercedes Benz 2014 Turcks, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota Hino. Tel#693-5610

CAR RENTAL DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 LEARN TO DRIVE

WANTED Wanted Driver.25-55 Years.East Bank Area Preferable.Call#616-6988.

Wanted Land in Parfaite Harmony or anywhere else.

T el #681-8746.

Female Domestic wanted for light housekeeping $3000 Daily, Male skill labourer $4000 daily Vreed-En-Hoop 6825230/615-4414.

Wanted-Babysitter between ages 35-50.Around Georgetown/East Coast.(Bilingual).Contact#600Freezer Trucks 1-1/2 ton- 2 ton- 4250 or 600-3976.

4ton Mitsubishi, Isuzu & Toyota open tray, 4 door One cook.Contact Tel No#696-7344 trucks. Tel#693-5610

1 Black 2005 Jeep Cherokee (3.7 L engine) Right hand drive, in excellent condition, Lady Driven. $5.3M Neg. Call: 622-4746 1 sleek fully loaded 2015 Audi Q5 Tfsi Quattro (Lady Driven) $8.9M Call: 6224746 LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public road #2 Village W.C. B/ce 5 mins from B/ce Bridge. Contact# 686-4818/ 648-7109 3 Story building house.357 Lahama & Cummings Str. Whatsapp:+592-644-8221/+1 (615)772-5731

N. Outar Driving School, Learn 2 acre V/Hoop WCD Housing to Drive the right way @ Cuffy #621-6918/697-7731 Square. Affordable package.

WANTED Call: 644-5166/691-2561/6812808 Wanted one cook. Please call #617-8293 TO LET 2 bedroom house, Crane H/S WCD. Tel#671-6855

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

Wanted one Retired Nurse.

Please call: 617-8293

LEGALNOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OF GUYANA PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION 2019-HC-DEM-CIV-FDA-812 BETWEEN: In the matter of the Deceased Persons Estates Administration Act Chapter 12:01 And The Immovable Property (Sale of Interest) Act Chapter 60:01 and In the matter of the Estate of Dhanpattie aka Dhanpati aka Dhanpatty and NANDAI DASRAT in her capacity as the Administratix of the Estate of Dhanpattie aka Dhanpati aka Dhanpatty, deceased.

Applicant and 1.

KALAWATTY DAI DASRAT 2.TOOLSIDAI MAHDOO 3.HEMNAUTH DASRAT 4.DOODNAUTH DASRAT 5.MAHADEO DASRAT Respondents NOTICE TO: HEMNAUTH DASRAT Lot 1 Tuschen East Bank Essequibo

LEGAL NOTICE 1 CONTD

LEGAL NOTICE 1 CONTD

LEGAL NOTICE 2 CONTD

TAKE NOTICE that a Fixed Date Application was filed on the 22nd day of May, 2019, In the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana at Georgetown, Demerara by NANDAI DASRAT in which the Applicant claims:

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that this matter stand adjourned for the Honorable Madam Justice Damone Younge on 2nd December, 2019 at 9:00 am.

AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this matter is returnable for Directions Hearing on the 30th day of December, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if you fail to file such Affidavit in Defence and/ or if you fail to appear at the hearing final judgment may be given against you notwithstanding your absence.

Dated this day of October,2019

1.An order for the Applicant to sell lot numbered 41 (forty one) being part of area “E” Plantation Meten-Meer Zorg, situate on the West Sea Coast of the County of Demerara, in the Republic of Guyana, with the building and erections thereon, and more fully describe on Transport No.113 of 1989 and Lot numbered 1 (one) part of area “B” being a portion of Plantation Tuschen, situate on the East Bank of the Essequibo river, in the County of Essequibo and Republic of Guyana, with the building and erection thereon and more fully described on transport No.149 of 1997 and distribution the proceeds after all expenses are deducted equally to the seven beneficiaries of the Estate of the deceased Dhanpattie also known as Dhanpati also known as Dhanpatty, deceased.

2.Any other order as this Honourable Court may deem just.

3.Such further or other order as the Honourable Court deems just.

UPON APPLICATION in person or by letter to Mr.Yoganand Persaud Attorney-at-law for the Applicant, whose address for service and place of business is at lot 185 Charlotte & King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, copies of the Fixed Date Application, filed herein, will be delivered or sent to you.

AND TAKE NOTICE if you desire to defend this action you must forthwith within 28 days after final publication of this notice, prepare an Affidavit in Defence in Form 10C prescribed in the Civil Procedure Rules 2016, serve it on the applicant’s attorneyat-law, Mr. Yoganand Persaud whose address for service and the place of business is at Lot 185 Charlotte & King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, and file it with proof of service at the Registry at Georgetown, Demerara, not later than 4 days before the date fixed for hearing of the application, and you or your attorney-at-law must appear at the hearing.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you fail to the file such affidavit and or if you fail to appear at the hearing, final judgment may be given against you notwithstanding your absence.

Dated this 2nd day of October, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE 2 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OF GUYANA ( C O M M E R I C A L JURISDICTION) 2019-HCDEM-CIV-FDA-1227 BETWEEN: GUYANA WATER INCORPORATED, a company incorporated in Guyana under the Companies Act 1991 of the Laws of Guyana and having its principal place of business at Vlissengen Road & Church Street, Bel Air, Georgetown Demerara. Applicant and1. FREDERICK WILTSHIRE 2. OCCUPIER of Lot 243 Forshaw Queenstown, Georgetown Respondent NOTICE TO: FREDERICK WILTSHIRE Lot 243 Forshaw Queenstown, Georgetown TAKE NOTICE that a Fixed Date Application was filed on the 2nd day of August, 2019 in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Demerara by Guyana Water Incorporated for the following order: a) The sum of $207,522.00 (two hundred and seven thousand, five hundred and twenty-two dollars) being the sum due, owing and payable by the Respondent to the Applicant in water rates. b) Interest in the said sum at a rate of 6% per annum and 4% thereafter until the full sum is paid; c) Costs d) Such further or other order as the Court may deem just.

UPON APPLICATION in person or by letter to Mr. Nigel Niles and/or Ms. Tiffany David, Attorneys-atLaw for the Applicant, whose address for service and place of business is at Guyana Water Incorporated, Vlissengen Road and Church Street, Bel-Air, Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana certified copies of the Fixed Date Application, Notice of Appointment of Attorneysat-Law and all related documents filed herein will be delivered or sent to you.

AND TAKE NOTICE that you the said FREDERICK WILTSHIRE do have within 28 (twenty-eight) days after the second and final publication within which to file you Affidavit in Defence

FOR REGISTRAR

VACANCY Vacancy exist for 3 assistant cooks @ People’s Choice Kitchen. 88 James St Albouystown, strictly night shift. Tel# 679-9449/614-3895/ 231-3059 Clerk & Domestic live-in Facilities for Berbicians and Essequibians 219-5354.

Driver.Must have a Sound Secondary Education.For More Information.Please Call:223-0090.

Salesman.Must know to write bills, Calculate & Stocktaking.Apply Keyfood Trading McDoom with A p p l i c a t i o n / Recommendation.

1 Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area Call:615-9132.

Security Officers to work, preferably ex army,police or disciplined services. Age 2440. Contact #223-4172/6396648 One experienced office/ counter clerk. Must have Math & English, Computer Literate. Telles Steel #2313265/226-6771 One Experienced Security Guard between ages of 40-55 for residence @ Montrose E.C.D.Call#667-2242/608-2440 Mon-Sat 8AM-4PM. Vacancy for Cleaner, Hadfield Street School. Call #223-7837 Between 8am-3pm 1 A c c o u n t s Clerk.Requirements: 5 Yrs experience & computer literate.

Apply @ J’s Machining & Hardware,161 Charlotte St.Tel#501-3777.

Continued on the next page

Saturday October 19, 2019

Labourer guilty of beheading uncle, awaits sentencing He essentially said that he was innocent of the charge and could not see how the jury found him guilty. This was what 29-year-old Dwayne Tappin, whom a jury found guilty by a jury yesterday for the August 06, 2017 murder of his uncle, Randolph Seenauth, 51, said.

He hacked off Seenauths head with a cutlass before fleeing.

Tappin, a labourer, of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara was on trial for the murder before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-person jury at the High Court in Demerara.

The now convicted killer, who was represented by lawyer Gwendolyn Bristol, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the jurys verdict, Bristol requested that a probation report be prepared on her client to aid with sentence. Her request was granted by Justice Kissoon who ordered that Tappin be remanded to prison until November 14, when he returns to court for sentencing.

Shortly after the murder had occurred, Commander of Police C Division Calvin Brutus, who was at the scene, had told reporters that Seenauth and his nephew lived in separate apartments on the plot of land. He said that around 04:30hrs

GUILTY: Dwayne Tappin neighbours heard a loud commotion coming from one of the apartments at 125 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara.

The place was silent for a few minutes, which led them to suspect that something was amiss. Neighbours then called out for Seenauth but got no response. They later contacted the Sparendaam Police Station. Police ranks arrived shortly after and upon pushing the front door to Seenauths apartment, found his head lying in a

UGSS gets new...

From page 21 students can be more comfortable while studying.”

Gibbons said that they have already found a solution to one matter and are currently in the process of addressing another.

The matter that was addressed is the inconvenience students faced, of having to leave the campus and go all the way down to the Stabroek bus park, in order to find transportation.

“These students all reside on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD)” he said.

The new President said in order to address the students concern, the UGSS have arranged for a bus service to arrive at the UG campus located at Turkeyen Sophia.

These buses will uplift the

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

students and take them to their various locations on the East Coast of Demerara at an affordable cost.

The other issue being addressed is the security of the students.

Gibbons said throughout recent times, a number of students have been robbed on the out skirts of the UG Campus.

“Currently, the UGSS is in process of discussing with the Commissioner of Police to implement daily patrols from 8:00hrs to 10:00hrs within the campus as well as on the out skirts of the campus,” stated Gibbons.

T h e f u n c t i o n of the UGSS is to articulate and represent the Student Body at the administration level.

passageway between the living room and kitchen.

Further checks were made in the apartment and the rest of the mans body was discovered on a mattress in the bedroom. During Tappins trial, Police Sergeant Detective Keivin Martin was stationed at the Sparendaam Police Station where Tappin was in custody. The police witness told the jury that around 09:55hrs, he told Tappin of an allegation that he murdered his uncle and cautioned him in accordance with the judges rule.

He said that after administering the caution, Tappin replied, “Officer, me guh tell yuh the truth of this story, what happen.”

Sergeant Martin said that he thereafter inquired from the murder accused if he wanted to give a statement and he replied, “Yes” and elected him to write the statement.

According to the police rank, one of his colleagues and Tappins sister witnessed the taking of the statement.

Sergeant Martin said that in relating a story, Tappin told him, “Sir this is what happen.

Me guh at me uncle at Lot 125 South Better Hope, where meh mother use to live, but me mother move out and I get a key for the house…Every time I go there, he [Seenauth] always attacking me when I go there. When I go there this morning, he attack me with a cutlass after I open the door with me key…

“I suspect he was drunk so I tek way the cutlass from he and fire three chops…I then throw way the cutlass in the cane field at the back of Better Hope.”

Also testifying was Government pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, who said that Seenauths body bore several cuts on the hand, which he deemed as defensive wounds. The doctor said, too, that the mans body had a laceration under the ear. The pathologist added that the mans head was severed from his body using a sharp object he opined to be a cutlass.

Grandfather who battered wife during drinking spree pleads guilty to manslaughter Probation report ordered Leonard Allan, 64, a pensioner of Burnham Avenue, Rosignol, West Coast Berbice, who is accused of battering his reputed wife to death during a drinking spree at his Rosignol, West Coast Berbice home, has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Allan is charged with killing Shabana Ishack, called “Babita” 40 of No.2 Village, East Canje, Berbice, between July 3 and July 4, 2018. He appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Berbice High Court.

The state’s case is being presented by Attorney-at-law Seeta Bishundial. When the matter was called the man who was represented by state appointed at-

torney, Siand Dhurjon, opted to plead not guilty to murder, but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

It was reported that Ishack and Allan were imbibing alcohol at Allan’s home. They had consumed almost two bottles of liquor. The two got into an argument over the cooking of food.

In a fit of rage Allan began to physically assault her until she bled to death. Neighbours had contacted the police to inform them that the woman was lying lifeless on a blood-soaked bed in the small cottage. The pensioner was sitting near the body when the police arrived.

It was reported that it was a norm for the woman to visit Allan and they would drink and argue. The dispute would

sometimes lead to the woman being physical abused.

A post mortem examination conducted on the body by government Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Bridgmohan revealed that she died from shock and haemorrhage, broncho-aspiration along with multiple injuries about the body.

His lawyer, Dhurjon in a plea of mitigation asked for leniency stating that the incident was caused due to both the accused and decease’s drunken state.

After listening to the attorney plea, Justice Reynolds in consultation with the two attorneys ordered probation report before handing down sentence.

"The government is constitutional...

From page 14 regional administration. New Amsterdam is not only about the past, but it is also experiencing a rebirth.”

Granger detailed that New Amsterdam has seen measurable progress, from the establishment of a new passport office, improved public education and upgraded facilities.

He added, "The largest squatter settlement is being regularised. Over 200 land titles have been issued (Angoys Avenue). Public Services have been expanded. Those of you on the East Bank Berbice will know what a change has taken place there.

“Young people are being encouraged to start their own businesses. The government will provide capital to small businesses, even big entrepreneurs".

According to the President, Region Six could lead the way in agro-industries and manufacturing but while he told hundreds at Union Village last week that they can make breadfruit chips and sell it at the Berbice Bridge", at

the Town Week opening yesterday he said "don't worry with selling plantain chips by the bridge, factories can be established to produce agricultural produce for the entire Caribbean.

“You have the potential, the land, the expertise and the resources". During his speech, he also spoke about education and its importance. He said that Berbicians can now access "firstclass" education in the region rather than having to only access it in Georgetown. Science is the main focus.

Also speaking at the event was Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, and the organiser for the Town Week, Jevaughn Stephens. The week of activities was organised by the Caribbean Nations Group in collaboration with the New Amsterdam Town Council under the theme "Diversification is the focus, Inclusion is the goal, Celebration through Transformation in 2019".

The week of activities continues with a Mayor's Ball followed by Birding Competition,

Inter-School Debating Competition, Senior Citizens' Breakfast, High School Basketball Competition, All White Cocktail Party, Male Empowerment Pageant, Domino Competitions, Soft Ball Cricket Competitions, Poetry Competition, Big People Party One Man Band, Medical Outreaches, Renaming of Streets in Stanleytown, a Street Fair and Exhibition and concludes on Sunday 3, November with Duck Curry Competition and Cooler Fete.

VACANCY Lorry Driver with sales experience, porters & part time gardener. Submit application to 257 Block X Section A Diamond EBD. Tel# 216-3152/ 617-5632 Domestic.Contact#223-5273/ 223-5274 Doosan Mechanic.Contact #223-5273/223-5274.

Security Guard.Male or Female.Tel#266-4427.

Vacancy exists for one qualified Supervisor for food establishment in Georgetown.Call#231-8737.

Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 6843757/600-8457 Sales Representative.

Knowlege of Caterpillar Parts & SYS Programme. Send Application to:Agri Parts Machinery, 202 Mandela Ave.

PAGE 24

GRDB encourages use of rice-based products to decrease imports The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) recently embarked on a recent venture to promote local rice based products in a bid to decreased expenses incurred in imports.

At a recent forum, the GRDB in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, met with stakeholders from the baker’s fraternity to educate them on the various opportunities that the glutenfree rice flour has to offer.

With a power point presentation, Research Assistant of GRDB, Gangadai Dindayal, explained that their board is presently urging the use of value added rice-based products to increase local product diversification, which she said makes room for nutritional fortification.

This, she added, will also add value for farmers and millers and enhancing, thus promoting marketability.

General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan, in his presentation noted that said the Board has spent several years on production oriented research, which he indicated have been seeing much success.

He said that over the

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

October 2019 Criminal session opens in Berbice … 69 in jail awaiting trial for murder

General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan examines some of the products with Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Hon. Valerie Adams-Yearwood years there have been doing research on downstream processing and value addition for rice, citing that this is an area deemed very important and necessary for further development of the rice industry, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Va l e r i e AdamsYe a r w o o d , a p p l a u d e d t h e i n i t i a t i v e . S h e said that it will foster the pro-

motion of value-added rice-based products. She added that the venture will not only increase Guyana’s local product diversification but also allows for nutritional fortification.

She said that the re-introduction of rice flour on the local market will see a decrease in the import of wheat flour, thus reducing expenses incurred in importing wheat flour and by products.

At the initiative, stakeholders sampled items prepared with blended rice floor as they examined other products on display that promoted healthier and affordable life styles.

The 2019 October Criminal session of The Berbice High Court opened on Tuesday with much pomp and ceremony outside the Berbice High Court building on Esplanade Road, New Amsterdam. Justice Brassington Reynolds, who is currently sitting in the Criminal Court in the Berbice High Court, presided over the opening session on Tuesday.

Justice Reynolds was accompanied by Justice Damone Young who is presiding over the civil court in Berbice and New Amsterdam Mayor, Winifred Haywood. The judges and the mayor were accompanied by Divisional Commander of Police ‘B’ Division, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, assisted by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mahendra Singh.

A police contingent of 25 of-

ficiated in the march pass and parade, which was commanded

by Assistant Superintendent Elton Davidson, with Chief Inspector Michael Newland, as the parade Inspector. The parade Sergeant was Sergeant Philbert Wilburg . There were 22 other ranks. The ranks who were accompanied by a police military band, performed with the usual pomp and ceremony as they gave an impressive display.

The police contingent had earlier marched off from B Division Headquarters at Coburg Street and Strand before proceeding along Strand New Amsterdam in front of the High Court where the parade was held.

Accompanying the parade were Traffic Officer Deputy Superintendent Timothy Williams, Chief Inspector Bernard Brown

and Woman Inspector Grace Bristol.

When the session was called to order Justice Reynolds spoke to the jurors present.

He told them that Jury service is very important. He thanked those in attendance for coming out and outlined to them some of their roles and responsibilities as jurors. He also outlined to them some implications and consequences of not turning up for jury service.

A total of 69 persons are in jail awaiting trial including an astonishing 65 for murder, 1 for attempted murder, 2 for sexual penetration and I for touching in a sexual way.

All want early trials. Fourteen are preparing to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Missing trial records hinder Coast...

From page 18 out that some of the evidence in the judge's summing up was inaccurately reflected.

For example, Rahamat said that what was said by one of the witnesses is recorded as being said by another witness. Meanwhile, Assistant DPP, Dionne McCammon, noted that the records of the judge's summing up seems disjointed and “some of the pages do not flow.” She said that efforts she made to acquire the recordings from the trial proceedings have thus far proven futile.

Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, who is set to hear the appeal along with two other appellate judges, said that if “major portions” of the records are missing, the court may have to consider ordering a retrial for the three former GDF Coast Guards.

She, however, informed the lawyers that the absence of records of the judge's summing up have not proven fatal in retrials. To support this position, the Chancellor cited a few case laws.

Chancellor CummingsEdwards, nevertheless, said that the court will peruse the available record to consider whether or not it will be prejudicial to the appellants. In doing so, she said that the court will also make efforts to contact the women who took shorthand recordings of the trial proceedings. She said that the

case will definitely be given priority by the court.

This case comes up again on Friday, November 8, at 10:00 hrs for reports. It was reported that during the men's three-month long trial at the High Court in Essequibo, the prosecution called 16 witnesses. The court would later admit caution statements said to be given by the men to police ranks. Based on a previous report, Gordon in his statement said that he had only been a solider for about a year and a half.

He said that he was stationed at the Coast Guard section and was doing patrol work, which was mainly the “stop and search of vessels”. It was between 13:00hrs and 14:00hrs onAugust 20, 2009, that Gordon, Hart and Greenidge were on patrol. Gordon said that they were doing searches with the Coast Guard boat. He had stated that Hart drove the boat to Parika.

He said he observed Hart speaking to an East Indian man while at Parika. The man later joined them on the coast guard boat and they moved off from Parika. It was noted in Gordon's statement that the man was carrying a “brown box”. Gordon said when they were in the middle of the river; Hart stopped the boat and told them the man had “nuff money” in the box. Gordon in his statement said that all three of them decided to “kill the man” and “tek de money”.

Gordon also said that he did

not see who threw Ramdass's body overboard, but just heard a splash. He said that they divided the money and he called his sister to come and collect his share. Gordon said that he gave a “canter man” the money to give his sister. However, soon after they all got arrested, including his sister. Greenidge, in his statement said that it was Hart who pushed Ramdass overboard.

He said that after Hart pushed Ramdass overboard, he (Hart) gave him along with Gordon several million dollars to “shut up”. During the trial, the prosecution had put forward both police and civilian witnesses. The defence counsel brought up challenges that the men were beaten while in police custody. All of the police witnesses denied this claim.

The men in their defence all said that they did not write the caution statements and that the documents were written by the police ranks. While handing down the sentence to Hart, Justice Holder asked whether he had anything to say. Hart maintained his innocence to the court.

“I'm innocent of this charge, your Honour,” Hart said.

Gordon, on the other hand, declined to say anything, while Greenidge also maintained that he was innocent. “My honour, I'm not guilty…and it's unfair for me to go to jail for something I know nothing about.”

Drug Treatment Court launch set...

From page 3 DefenseAttorney, Social Worker, Police Officer, Treatment Provider and Mental Health specialists work together with each participant to seek solutions for his or her benefit. Guyana will now join other Caribbean countries like Jamaica, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados with establishing a Drug

Treatment Court.

The sister countries have been effective in getting people into treatment and assisting them in remaining clean.

Further mention was made of the fact that participants who complete Drug Treatment Court programs are significantly less likely to be arrested again, compared to those who are sen-

tenced with traditional punishments.

Drug Treatment Courts reduce the number of persons being imprisoned thereby being more cost effective. It enhances public safety by reducing crime, and most importantly, restores dignity to individuals and their families. It also benefits communities and society as a whole.

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

BHP drills dry hole in T&T Deep Water (T&T Guardian) - BHP, the Aus-tralian out-fit drilling in T&Ts deep wa-ter has announced that its lat-est well, Car-ni-val-1 failed and was a dry hole.

This means that nei-ther oil nor gas was found in the well and it was plugged and aban-doned.

In its op-er-a-tional review the com-pa-ny said it drilled two well in what it called its north-ern li-cences, one en-coun-tered hy-drocar-bons while the oth-er was a dry hole.

It read: “In Trinidad and To-ba-go, we drilled two addi-tion-al ex-plo-ration wells in our North-ern li-cences as a part of Phase 4 of our deepwa-ter drilling cam-paign. The

Boom-1 well was spud on 28 Au-gust 2019 and en-countered hy-dro-car-bons.

“Eval-u-a-tion and analysis is on-go-ing. The Car-nival-1 well was spud on 30 Septem-ber 2019 and reached total depth af-ter the end of the Sep-tem-ber 2019 quar-ter.

The well was a dry hole.”

This is the first dry well the com-pa-ny has drilled in its North-ern li-cences and Boom-1 makes it 5 out of six suc-cess-ful wells.

BHP is the op-er-a-tor of the Blocks with BP as its partner.

BHP said this com-plet-ed the ex-plo-ration pro-gram on its Trinidad and To-ba-go North-ern li-cences.

“Eval-u-a-tion and de-vel-

op-ment plan-ning stud-ies of the dis-cov-er-ies in the North are on-go-ing.

En-er-gy Min-is-ter Franklin Khan has in the past said BHP is seek-ing to get a suf-fi-cient size of re-serves in its North-ern Li-cense to de-ter-mine if the deep wa-ter blocks will be eco-nom-ic to pro-duce.

What the com-pa-ny has al-ready de-ter-mine it is econom-ic to pro-duce is its Ru-by oil field which it sanc-tioned in Au-gust.

In its op-er-a-tional review the com-pa-ny said: Dur-ing the Sep-tem-ber 2019 quar-ter, the BHP Board ap-proved an invest-ment of US$283 million (BHP share) for the devel-op-ment of the Ru-by oil and gas project in Trinidad and To-ba-go.”

It is ex-pect-ed to drill five pro-duc-tion wells, tied back in-to its ex-ist-ing oper-at-ed pro-cess-ing fa-cili-ties, with ca-pac-i-ty to pro-duce up to 16,000 gross bar-rels of oil per day and 80 mil-lion gross stan-dard cubic feet of nat-ur-al gas per day.

Saturday October 19, 2019

Police rescue 96 human trafficking victims since 2005 (KINGSTON, Jamaica) — Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of crime, Fitz Bailey, says that the AntiTrafficking in Persons Unit has rescued 96 human trafficking victims since its establishment in 2005.

In addition, some 36 people have been arrested and charged with human trafficking and related offences.

“We have secured several convictions through the courts and we continue to conduct training and workshops locally and internation-

ally,” Bailey said.

Between 2010 and 2018, more than 750 anti-trafficking operations were conducted, resulting in 82 victims being rescued, 30 suspected traffickers arrested, and the dismantling of three prostitution rings.

Head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Vice Squad, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Carl Berry said that people have been charged and convicted of offences directly related to human trafficking such as

rape, forced labour, forced begging, child trafficking and sex trafficking.

He said there have been other co n v i c t i o n s “ f o r offences akin to human trafficking, meaning things that are not totally human trafficking, but were done within the course of the activity.”

DSP Berry said that the 96 people, who have been rescued, include childr en from Honduras, males from Italy, a female from China as well as locals.

CARICOM looking to benefit from EU-ACP culture funding (NIAMEY, Niger CMC) A senior official of the Guyanabased Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat says the region is positioning itself to ensure that it gets its fair share of 40 million euros from the European Union for the cultural sector in the African, Caribbean

and Pacific (ACP) Group of States.

Programme manager for Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Hilary Brown, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that several CARICOM programmes could benefit from

the resource being disbursed under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) culture programme Programme manager for Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Hilary Brown, (CMC Photo)

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Saturday October 19, 2019

Saturday October 19, 2019

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Nominees announced for female World Athlete of the Year 2019 This week marks the opening of the voting process for the 2019 World Athletes of the Year ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2019 in Monaco on Saturday 23 November. The IAAF is pleased to confirm a list of 11 nominees for Female World Athlete of the Year who were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of the IAAF. The nominations of 11 athletes reflects the remark-

able range of exceptional performances that the sport has witnessed this year, at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, and in the Diamond League and in road and cross country events.

The IAAFs Competition Performance Ranking show that the World Championships in Doha was the highest quality competition in the history of the event.

The nominees for 2019 Female World Athlete of the Year are (in alphabetical order):

Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN): won world 3000m steeplechase title in a championship record of 8:57.84 - won Diamond League title won seven of her eight steeplechase races.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM): - won world 100m and 4x100m titles in world-leading times of 10.71 and 41.44 - won Pan-American 200m title won seven of her 10 races at 100m.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR): - won world heptathlon title in a world-

Saturday October 19, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Have you been thinking about adopting a pet? If so, today is a great day to go to the shelter and rescue one.

You'll know which one to choose, as the animal will probably choose you!

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today your imagination should be flowing freely.

You could channel this into creative work, or you could come up with some ingenious ways to advance your business interests.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Someone you love dearly could provide inspiration for creative activity of some kind.

You might write a song or poem about your friend, draw or paint a portrait, or cook a special meal.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you could meet with a female acquaintance that you know through a group.

By the end of the day, this person could turn from casual acquaintance to firm friend.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A forthcoming social event that you're planning to host in your home could inspire some minor redecorating today. You might decide to repaint or add some new plants or pictures.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Don't be surprised if you feel a powerful affection for someone you've met at work. This could be a friendly affection or it could be stronger than that.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A very loving message could come to you from a woman, possibly your mother.

If this is a letter, it may go on for several pages. If it's a phone call, the conversation could last for a long time.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A small sum of money could come today, possibly through the efforts of a woman. You may have been waiting for this for a long time, so expect to feel relieved.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today's energies will bring good fortune and success.

New opportunities to increase status and income could come your way.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A powerful feeling of love for someone from far away could strike you today. This might be someone you're involved with professionally.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Love and passion may be on your mind. If you aren't currently involved, you might be attracted to someone you know through business, so a little caution is advised.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you're single, you might long for a romantic partner today. If you're attached, you might think of making your commitment more permanent.

leading 6981 - undefeated in all combined events competitions, indoors and outdoors won European indoor pentathlon title with a world-leading 4983.

Sifan Hassan (NED): won world 1500m and 10,000m titles in world-leading times of 3:51.95 and 30:17.62 - won Diamond League 1500m and 5000m titles - broke world mile record with 4:12.33 in Monaco.

Brigid Kosgei (KEN): set a world record of 2:14:04 to win the Chicago Marathon - won the London Marathon - ran a world-leading 1:05:28 for the half marathon and 1:04:28 on a downhill course.

Mariya Lasitskene (ANA): won world high jump title with 2.04m - jumped a worldleading 2.06m in Ostrava won 21 of her 23 competitions, indoors and outdoors.

Malaika Mihambo (GER): won world long jump title

with a world-leading 7.30m won Diamond League title undefeated outdoors.

Dalilah Muhammad (USA): broke world record with 52.20 at the US Championships improved her own world record to win the world 400m hurdles title in 52.16 - won world 4x400m title.

Salwa Eid Naser (BRN): won world 400m title in 48.14, the third-fastest time in history - won Diamond League title and three gold medals at the Asian Championships undefeated at 400m outdoors.

Hellen Obiri (KEN): - won world cross-country title in Aarhus - won world 5000m title in a championship record of 14:26.72 - ran a world-leading 14:20.36 for 5000m in London.

Yulimar Rojas (VEN): won world triple jump title with 15.37m - jumped worldleading 15.41m to move to second on the world all-time

list - won nine of her 12 competitions, including the PanAmerican Games.

A three-way voting process will determine the finalists. The IAAF Council and the IAAF Family will cast their votes by email, while fans can vote online via the IAAF’s social media platforms. Individual graphics for each nominee will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram this week; a ‘like’ on Facebook and Instagram or a retweet on Twitter will count as one vote.

The IAAF Councils vote will count for 50% of the result, while the IAAF Familys votes and the public votes will each count for 25% of the final result. Voting for the Female World Athlete of the Year closes on 5 November. At the conclusion of the voting process, five men and five women finalists will be announced by the IAAF. The male and female World Athletes of the Year will be announced live on stage at the World Athletics Awards 2019. The male nominees were announced yesterday, Monday 14 October. (IAAF)

Netherlands brush aside ...

From page 27 to van der Merwe to make it 39 for 3 before a methodical 70-run stand between Rakep Patel and Obuya brought respectability back to Kenya’s innings.However, they were never seriously in striking distance, needing more than 10 an over for the last 12 overs. Rakep holed out to long-on for van Meekeren’s second wicket before Fred Klaassen produced a doublestrike in the 18th with some intelligent death bowling.

He ran back 25 yards changing direction in his followthrough to claim a skier off Obuya before a cutter produced another thick edge to short third man two balls later to dismiss Shem Ngoche. Van Meekeren clean bowled Lucas Oluoch in the final over to finish off his haul for the day while Brandon Glover also contributed an economical spell of 1 for 19.

Netherlands 166 for 4 (O’Dowd 53, Cooper 36, Obuya 2-16) beat Kenya 136 for 8 (Obuya 63, van Meekeren 3-27, Klaassen 223) by 30 runs.

Meanwhile, Oman defeated the United Arab Emirates by seven wickets with ten balls to spare in their match.

United Arab Emirates 108-9.

Oman 109-3.

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Saturday October 19, 2019

NBA’s Silver says Hong Kong tweet Gulam Bodi sentenced to five years furor already hit league’s bottom line in prison Gulam Bodi Reuters - NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Thursday that the fallout following a tweet from a Houston Rockets official who backed the Hong Kong democracy protests has already cost the league substantial financial losses in China.

The National Basketball Association spent years building a huge following and burgeoning business in China, a market worth an estimated $4 billion for the league, but its future in the country is suddenly on shaky ground. ”I felt we had made enormous progress in terms of building cultural exchanges with the Chinese people. And, again, I have regret that much of that was lost,” Silver said at the Time 100 Health Summit in New York. ”And Im not even sure where well go from here, but the direct answer to your question is the financial consequences have been and may continue to be fairly dramatic.”

The controversy began this month after Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted his support for the pro-democracy demonstrators in a since-deleted post that included an image captioned: “Fight For Freedom.

Stand With Hong Kong.”

In the aftermath of Moreys

Adam Silver, Commissioner of the NBA

tweet, China did not broadcast or stream the two preseason games that were held in the country between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets while the NBA canceled many player appearances.Corporate partners in the country have also scrapped or suspended relations with the league. ”Our games are not back on the air in China as we speak,” Silver said in his first public appearance since returning from his recent trip to Asia.

Silver also said the Chinese government has asked that Morey, who was named the NBAs executive of the year in 2018, be fired for the tweet.

“We said theres no chance thats happening,” said Silver, who has previously stated the league would not apologize for Morey expressing his freedom of expression.

“Theres no chance well even discipline him.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang denied that Beijing made such a demand against Morey, however. “We especially went to the relevant departments to check on this claim,” Geng told reporters during the ministrys daily briefing in the Chinese capital on Friday.

“The Chinese government has never made this kind of request.”

ESPNcricinfo - Gulam Bodi, the former South Africa and Lions batsman, has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to eight charges of corruption in a landmark case in South Africa. Bodi, who has two ODI and one T20 international cap, is the first person to be imprisoned under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004, came into effect in the aftermath of the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal in 2000.

The Act contains a clause that relates directly to corruption in sporting events which makes match-fixing and spotfixing in South Africa a crime.

It carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. The State asked for Bodi to receive five, which has been granted.

Bodi was charged under the Act after being banned by Cricket South Arica for 20 years for his role in contriving to fix or otherwise influence aspects of the 2015 RamSlam T20 domestic tournament. At the time, CSA said none of the fixtures were affected by fixing after the conspirators’ plans were foiled and held their own disciplinary process before handing evidence over to the police.

Bodi handed himself over to

El Clasico: Barcelona v Real Madrid postponed because of fears over civil unrest BBCsport - This month’s El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid has been postponed because of fears of civil unrest.

The match was scheduled for 26 October but there have been days of protest in Barcelona after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed on Monday.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid disagreed with calls to switch the game to Madrid.

The clubs have proposed Wednesday, 18 December as a new date. Manager Ernesto Valverde had said Barcelona were against switching the game to Madrid as they visit Slavia Prague in the Champions League on 23 October, three days before El Clasico had been scheduled.

And yesterday the club issued a statement saying their “desire” was to play the match as originally scheduled because they had the “utmost confidence” in the fans who they say “always express themselves in exemplary fashion” at the ground.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was asked about the postponement in a news con-

Barcelona and Real Madrid have a passionate rivalry that stretches back nearly a century. ference yesterday and said “we will be ready to play on the date told by the right person”. “We will adapt to what we are asked,” he added.

La Liga made the postponement request because of “exceptional circumstances beyond our control” as more protests are expected in Barcelona on the day of the match.

Protests have continued

into a fifth day in Spain’s Catalonia region with protesters clashing with riot police.

Hundreds of thousands of people waving pro-independence flags and chanting “freedom for political prisoners” took part in marches across Catalonia yesterday.

At least 96 people have been hurt across the region.

Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region in north-east

Spain and in a referendum on 1 October 2017, declared illegal by Spain’s Constitutional Court; about 90% of Catalan votes cast backed independence. Turnout was 43%.

The nine separatist leaders were convicted of sedition over their role in the referendum and handed jail sentences of between nine and 13 years by Spain’s Supreme Court.

pleaded guilty to corruption in cricket Getty Images copy

police in July last year and pleaded guilty on November 4, 2018. He was due to be sentenced in January.

Multiple postponements led to the sentencing being delayed to October 18. Bodi will apply for leave to appeal and an extension of his bail. He was released on R3000 bail last (US$202) last year.

Six other players, Ethy Mbhalati, Alviro Petersen,

Thami Tsolekile, Jean Symes, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Pumi Matshikwe received bans of between two and 12 years.

None of the other players were pursued by police. One of them, Petersen, has since served his ban and returned to working in cricket, as a commentator. Petersen was at the Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria for Bodi’s sentencing.

Racists must be ‘kicked out’ of stadiums: FIFA boss Racists must be “kicked out” of stadiums, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Thursday as he pressed for a worldwide ban on spectators who abuse black footballers.

Speaking days after England’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria was twice stopped because of chants targeting English players, Infantino insisted the world body would punish racism. ”If there are racists that abuse footballers, we have to stop the game,” he told a press conference on a visit to Dhaka. “We cannot let the racists win. The football has to continue and we have to punish the people,” Infantino said. He added it was now easy to identify the culprits in modern stadiums with closed circuit TV and that a “strong message” must be sent. ”They have to be taken, kicked out of the stadium, they must not be allowed to enter into football stadiums any more, and criminal proceedings should be brought against them. ”It’s a crime and it should be a crime in all countries of the world to commit a racist abuse,” he said. Infantino reaffirmed that if a country bans a spectator because of racism, “FIFA will extend it worldwide because racists have no place in football in any country and no place in any football stadium or arena in any part of the world.”

Six Bulgarians have been detained for abuse at Monday’s Bulgaria-England game when monkey chants and apparent Nazi salutes overshadowed England’s 6-0 win. Three more are being sought. One 18year-old was indicted on Wednesday for using Nazi

Gianni Infantino salutes and four others have been fined and banned from sports events for two years.

Infantino had already condemned the incident in a statement on Tuesday, calling racism an “obnoxious disease that seems to be getting even worse in some parts of the world”.

He said Thursday that on top of stadium action better education was needed. ”We have to educate our youth, our children and those who are a bit older as well,” he said. Infantino also said that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar “will be the very best World Cup ever” despite new controversy over the heat and empty stadiums after the world athletics championships in September saw some long distance races badly affected.

The FIFA boss insisted that it would be cooler as the football tournament would be in November and December.

“I am sure in Qatar we will witness from a technical point of view, the very best World Cup ever.” He also expressed confidence that the stadiums would be “full”. ”Football is the number one sport in the world. We will fill the stadiums in Qatar and anywhere else in the World easily with the World Cup.”

Saturday October 19, 2019

1320 Heat Rematch Surinamese looking to hush Guyanese competitors

Three of the Surinamese cars about to cross over to Guyana yesterday, ahead of tomorrows 1320 heat rematch.

Yesterday, three Surinamese drivers arrived for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) 1320 Heat Rematch Drag Race event which is set for tomorrow at South Dakota Circuits Drag Strip that had rehabilitative works completed earlier in the week.

The Surinamese return was highly anticipated after missing out on the last two rounds inclusive of the International Meet in August, which saw the strip record being reset, mainly due to the out-of-service Guyana/Suriname ferry service.Jalimsing Ajay and his Honda s2000 are in Guyana, along with usual suspects Raymond John and Michael Namchand with his Toyota RX7. GMR&SC President

Rameez Mohamed, in a correspondence to the media noted that, “The word from the drivers is that they are here to hush the Guyanese.

Suriname has always supported our events, it was quite unfortunate the ferry was down for such a long time which hindered them travelling to Guyana, but they are here now and are ready to thrill the Guyanese. I really think this will be a great way to close out the drag racing events for the year, and build good interest ahead of the massive November meet,” Mohamed expressed.

Meanwhile, the promised works on the drag strip ahead of this event have been completed. Following the 1320 Heat in August, there was

some talk of fixing the bump on the track and that has been completed on Thursday.

According to reports, the cost of leveling the bump cost approximately $4,000,000 but the club secured donors who were able to meet the cost.

Additionally, GMR&SC and the Rotary Club of Demerara have teamed up to make a positive impact in October, the month that is designated globally towards cancer awareness.The two organisations plan to donate 10% of the gate receipts to the Beacon Foundation to assist with care and treatment of cancer patients. General admission tickets cost $1,000 each, VIP $4,000 each; children Under 10 would be admitted free.

Mackeson/Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic launched

I

n a simple ceremony held at the FireSide Grill located on Garnett Street, Sports Journalist Rawle Toney launched the Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic which is scheduled to be hosted on November 9-10.

The launching panel consisted of Brand Coordinator of Mackeson, Keon Persaud, Organiser Rawle Toney, Brand Coordinator for Rush Energy Drink, Fareez Mohamed and Representative of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF,) Junior Hercules.

Sharing his thoughts was Organiser Rawle Toney who said, “This is a real honour for me, it is something that Ive wanted to do for some time now.

With all the sports we have ongoing in Guyana I feel that basketball has been left out. If you look at the shorter versions of every some sports in Guyana that their federa-

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tions are pushing, such as T20 cricket, 3x3 basketball is no different, so I capitalised on that and reached out to the s p o n s o r s . ” Mackesons Persaud noted that they are proud to be a part of the tournament, adding that in 2011, the company had given away one million dollars to a basketball tournament of similar nature.

He stated that the company will continue to support this venture throughout the year and even into the future.

GABF representative, Hercules, urged everyone to come on board and support the 3x3 basketball tournament since it is the fastest growing outdoor sport in the world, “By extension the federation would like to commit to a 3point shootout, the winner set to earn $25,000 dollars.”

In closing, Toney added that the tournament will be registered on 3x3planet which can be located on the official FIBA

site (https:// w w w. f i b a . b a s k e t b a l l / 3 x 3 p l a n e t ) .

This in turn will place the tournament on an international spectrum if ever there is a need to select players for an international matchup, the Rawle Toney 3x3 tournament can be looked upon.

A purse of $300,000 is also up for grabs for the winner of the round-robin/knockout tournament while the runner-up will have to settle for $100,000 and third place winner, $50,000. The person deemed the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the finals will receive one pair of basketball sneakers of his choice.

Anas McAL, under their Mackeson brand, is the tournaments main sponsor and will be joined by the Guyana Lottery Companys Lets Bet Sport, STUFF, Slingerz Family Entertainment, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Trophy Stall.

Double header set to LGC this weekend Golfers will be given an opportunity to sharpen their skills ahead of the much anticipated Guyana Open when the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) host a double header this weekend. The Citizens Bank Cancer Awareness competition is set for today while the Banks DIH Open will be contested tomorrow; both events were launched yesterday at Thirst Park.

The tournaments will be contested in the 0-9, 10-18 and 1928 Flights with prizes being given the top three finishers in each category, as well as the Nearest to the Pin and Longest Drive.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, President of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Aleem Husain said its a special weekend for the club and the Banks family, adding that the course is in fine shape.

He said that these tournaments lead to the Guyana

Open and will pave the way for more people to get involved in the sport. Husain noted the importance of corporate responsibility and said they will be trying their best to promote Cancer Awareness which is very critical to the lives of many.

LGC Public Relations Officer, Bishop Guy Griffith added that both tournaments are important to the LGC. “We really appreciate the commitment from both companies and we do look forward to their continued backing. This weekend provides an ideal opportunity for the golfers to prepare for the Guyana Open so we can expect keen rivalry.” Banks DIH Communications Manager, Troy Peters stated that the company has been a major sponsor of the LGC for many years. “We have been sponsoring the Guyana Open for many years and Citizens Bank at one time

sponsored the Players Cup, so a few years ago we decided to team up. We are very pleased to be associated with the sport and are looking forward to two exciting days of golf.”He extended a warm welcome to the overseas players who are here to compete in the Guyana Open and indicated that over 60 players are expected to compete this weekend. Liquor Warehouse Executive, Mark Lashley said that both tournaments are expected to produce much excitement and wished the players well, while Engineering Executive, Gavin Todd urged the public to support the tournaments. He informed that they will be showcasing their products and services, and is looking forward to support from the public. Todays tournament will tee off at 12:20hrs while action tomorrow will start at 08:30hrs. (Zaheer Mohamed)

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier

Nether lands br ush Netherlands brush aside slopp y K aen ya sloppy Kaen aeny ESPNcricinfo - Unlike the other reigning co-champs Scotland, the other joint-title holders from the 2015 T20 World Cup Qualifier managed to avoid the upset bug as Max O’Dowd’s first innings halfcentury was more than enough behind a quality team bowling effort as Netherlands coasted past Kenya in a 30run win.

Kenya paid for sloppy fielding in the Powerplay as O’Dowd was dropped on 2 at mid-on before later going on to make his fifty while his opening partner Tobias Visee survived two chances on 1

and 12. It allowed the pair to add a brisk 36 off 21 balls for the first wicket before Visee fell to a yorker from Nelson Odhiambo in the fourth.

O’Dowd and Ben Cooper then teamed for a 77-run secondwicket stand as Kenya’s bowling unit struggled to apply any sort of pressure.

Though boundaries were few, singles were plenty during the partnership.

O’Dowd (bowled), Cooper (caught extra cover) and Ryan ten Doeschate (slog to deep midwicket) all fell in the space of 13 runs as Kenya fought back late through

Collins Obuya’s spin. But Pieter Seelaar’s late cameo along with Roelof van der Merwe added 40 off the last 25 balls to take the Dutch out of any danger.Paul van Meekeren sparked the Dutch in the field, first with a sharp catch on a skier to claim Dhiren Gondaria in the fifth for Timm van der Gugten’s only wicket of the day. Van Meekeren then bowled Alex Obanda to start the sixth with a full and straight delivery, the first of his three wickets in the match. Jasraj Kundi was bowled flicking across the line (Continued on page 25)

Paul van Meekeren celebrates after Fred Klaassen’s catch gave him another wicket Peter Della Penna.

PAGE 32

USA Cricket thrilled for “outstanding” Walsh Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC USA Cricket has hailed Hayden Walsh Jr. selection to the West Indies limited overs side, branding the leg-spinner an “allround talent” and a “worldclass” fielder who they expected to excel at the highest level.

The 27-year-old Walsh was this week named in the Windies One-Day International and Twenty20 International squads for the upcoming series against Afghanistan in India from November 4-17.

Walsh, who was born in the US Virgin Islands and grew up in Antigua, has already represented ICC associates United States in one ODI and eight T20 Internationals all coming earlier this year. ”Hayden has been nothing short of outstanding on and off the field for USA since his first selection in 2018,” said Iain Higgins, chief executive of USA Cricket. “His all-round talent with bat and ball, allied with his worldclass fielding, were crucial factors in the USA team gaining ODI status for the first time earlier this year. ”Of course, we are very disappointed to lose him, but we are glad that USA Cricket was able to provide an international platform for him at an important point in his career, and everyone involved with USA Cricket

Singapore stun Scotland to give T20 World Cup qualifiers electrifying start

Singapore Captain Amjad Mahboob erupts after the final ball Peter Della Penna.

Hayden Walsh Jr. @ CPL T20 Ltd.2019 understands and fully supports his decision, and we wish him all the best for his future career with CWI.” Wa l s h , w h o h a s p l a y e d first class cricket for Leeward Islands and Barbados, failed to really make an impression for the USA in his international outings, making 27 in the ODI against Papua New Guinea and picking up six wickets at an average of 20 in the T20s.However, he soared to prominence recently during the Caribbean Premier

League when he snapped up a Man-of-the-Series 22 wickets for eventual champions Barbados Tridents. Walsh credited USA Cricket for laying the platform for his international career. ”I want to say a special thanks to everyone at USA Cricket and the team-mates in the USA team who made me feel welcomed while I played there,” said Walsh.

“It was a good eye-opener to what its like on the international stage and its an experience I will cherish.”

Sarfaraz Ahmed sacked as Pakistan captain in Test and T20 cricket Pakistan have sacked Sarfaraz Ahmed as their Test and Twenty20 captain because of a “visible loss of form and confidence”. Sarafarz is replaced as Test captain by batsman Azhar Ali while batsman Babar Azam will take over in T20s. A decision on the one-day captaincy will be

Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

“finalised in due course”.

Since being appointed in 2017, wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz, 32, took charge of 13 Tests, losing eight, winning four and drawing one. He also led Pakistan during the 2019 World Cup where they failed to reach the semi-finals. ”It has been a difficult deci-

Minister of Infrastructure Domino & PMs Tapeball set for next weekend The Georgetown Office Assistant Sports Promotion team will be hosting two big events for Public Servants at the Ministry of Agriculture Canteen on Regent Street from 16:30hrs and at Durban Park on Diwali Day. The Inter Ministry / Government-Agencies knock-out Domino competition, for the Minister of Public Infrastructure Trophy and cash incentives ($100,000 for the winner, $50,000 for runner-up and $20, 000 for third place) will be first Event on Friday October 25.

On Monday October 28 (National Holiday) a six-over Tapeball Cricket knock-out competition is set for Durban Park Tarmac from 09:00hrs. At stake for the winners and runners-up, are the Prime Ministers Trophy and cash incentives.Both competitions are being coordinated by James Uprising Lewis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The closing date for entries is Wednesday October 23, 2019 and interested teams can contact Lewis on telephone numbers 628 1656 or 666 5857 for more information.

Sarfaraz has scored one half-century across all formats since May. sion to drop Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has performed well as a player and a leader,” Pakistan cricket board chairman Ehsan Mani said. “But his loss in form and confidence is visible and, in the best interest of the team, it has been decided to leave him out and provide him the opportunity to reflect and regroup himself and try to reclaim his form away from international cricket.”

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq took over as Pakistan’s new head coach and chief selector last month, replacing Mickey Arthur.

(BBCsport)

If anyone thought Singapore’s victory over Zimbabwe last month was a oneoff shocker, it wasn’t, as Scotland found out the hard way in the opening match of the men’s T20 World Cup qualifiers.

The defending co-champions tripped at the final hurdle on the day in Dubai, unable to score eight off the last over as Singapore captain Amjad Mahboob bowled a sterling 20th to see his side across by two runs defending 168.

Calum MacLeod looked like he was going to take Scotland across the line after sparking a stirring fightback with Tom Sole. Singapore were well ahead of the game with Scotland needing 38 off 19 balls before MacLeod ended the 17th with a six over midwicket and Sole started the 18th sweeping Tim David’s offspin twice through the gap at square leg and deep midwicket for fours.

With 24 needed off 16, Scotland continued to pick off twos at will across the next two overs, only suffering a brief hiccup when Tim David ran out Sole with an athletic stop off his own bowling to

end the 18th.

Safyaan Sharif was on strike to start the 20th but Mahboob bowled a dot and a single to start off the frame. MacLeod then just couldn’t get enough power to clear David at deep midwicket, falling for 44. After a two by Sharif took it down to five off two balls, he chipped in the air towards David once again, and the fielder covered 20 yards running left before pulling off a sensational diving catch.

It meant Josh Davey was on strike needing four to tie and force a super over or six to win. But he scuffed a slog along the ground to David at deep midwicket for two to end the match. The pressure had been building earlier in the chase, though, thanks to Selladore Vijayakumar’s miserly offspin.

His spell of 3 for 16 in four overs neutralised the roaring start by George Munsey, who reverse-swept left-arm spinner Vinoth Baskaran at will in the Powerplay for a series of fours and sixes over backward point. But the innings lost momentum after Munsey drove to long-on for 46 and the other batsmen struggled to get going the rest of the

way.

Earlier, Singapore’s fighting total came as a result of two contrasting knocks.

They had lost two wickets in the first seven balls after being sent in, including the dangerous David for just 1, bowled by Sharif. But Aritra Dutta entered at No. 4 and counter-attacked with a streaky knock, including two top-edged sixes over fine leg, before pulling a third over deep square-leg off a free hit after an Alasdair Evans noball.Dutta’s 32 off 15 balls allowed Surendran Chandramohan to recover from a slow start. Having been 6 off 21 balls, Chandramohan eventually reached his halfcentury off 53 deliveries to give Singapore a fighting chance. Janak Prakash’s late cameo of 20 off 11 and a key six in the last over by Navin Param during his 13 not out off seven balls ensured Singapore had just enough to defend in the end.Singapore 168 for 6 (Chandramohan 51, Dutta 32, Davey 2-26, Sharif 2-28) beat Scotland 166 for 9 (Munsey 46, MacLeod 44, Coetzer 38, Vijayakumar 3-16, Sidhant 2-27, Mahboob 2-36) by two runs.

Stirling, Balbirnie fifties help Ireland blow Hong Kong away ESPNcricinfo - Half-centuries from opener Paul Stirling and No. 3 Andy Balbirnie headlined Ireand’s comfortable eight-wicket win over Hong Kong in their opening match of the T20 World Cup qualifier at Abu Dhabi.

Under bright and warm conditions, Hong Kong opted to bat, scoring 153 for 5 in their first innings, but Ireland’s experienced batsmen chased that down with 16 balls to spare.

Hong Kong’s Kinchit Shah was the only bright spot in their batting performance, smacking 79 in 54 balls. His innings had six fours and two sixes, but no other Hong Kong batsman made more than 20. Barring Kinchit’s 60-run third-wicket stand with Waqas Barkat, where the latter contributed only nine runs, Hong Kong failed to stitch together partnerships that were big enough to push them to an imposing total.

Mark Adair was the pick of the Ireland bowlers,

going at only 5.50 per over in his four-over spell and picking up two wickets. Ireland’s chase of 154 began in entertaining fashion after Stirling drilled ten runs in the first five balls of the innings. Then, off the first over’s final ball, non-striker Kevin O’Brien was runout for a duck without facing a delivery. But from 10 for 1, Stirling and Balbirnie proceeded to amass 86 runs in the next 60 balls to take the game away from Hong Kong. Stirling’s 36-ball 62 included eight fours and two sixes, and when he fell in the 11th over, Balbirnie combined with No. 4 Harry Tector (21*) to seal the win in the 17th over, finishing unbeaten on 70 in 53 deliveries. Stirling was declared Man of the Match, for the innings that broke open the chase and came at a strikerate of 172.22.Ireland 155 for 2 (Balbirnie 70*, Stirling 62) beat Hong Kong 153 for 5 (Kinchit 79, Adair 2-22) by eight wickets.

Saturday October 19, 2019

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour FIFA Womens World Cup 2019™ Power U-17 League WDFA Rd. 2 watched by more than 1 billion Eagles FC edge Uitvlugt Warriors as the game makes a welcome return to Uitvlugt Gr.

FIFA Womens World Cup 2019, USA © Getty Images

Charles Benn, Romel Medas and Telbert Baptiste - Eagles FC Round two of the GFF/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 Intra Association League in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) kicked off on Saturday last at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground where the sport would not have been played for a number of years.

WDFA President, Orin Ferrier disclosed that the association would have been able to gain access to the ground following a series of meetings with the management of the Uitvlugt Estate, part of the Guysuco family.

Eagles celebrated the return

of the game to this once popular venue, which would have also hosted international matches, with an exciting victory over neighbours Uitvlugt Warriors, 3-2.

Eagles FC of Stewartville have continued their winning ways and is the only unbeaten team following the first round of this league; their first round encounter against Uitvlugt also ended 3-2 in their favour.

Charles Benn in the 41st minute, Telbert Baptiste in the 46th and Romel Medas in the 60th minute were the players rocking the back of the nets for Eagles as they stormed back in style to erase a two-

goal deficit in the first half to snatch full points.

Home team Uitvlugt, backed by their fans, had felt that they were somewhat comfortable after running away 2-0 leaders through goals from Malcolm Dainty in the 2nd minute and Travis Fraser in the 14th minute.

The first half comfort for the Warriors was however cut short in 41 minutes when Eagles fired in the first of three unanswered goals. HurryATE had previously won the first match of this second phase via the walk over route from Pouderoyen FC, which failed to show up.

FIFA has published the key findings of a comprehensive audit of the final audience data for the FIFA Womens World Cup France 2019™. A combined 1.12 billion viewers tuned into official broadcast coverage of the FIFA Womens World Cup 2019 across all platforms a record audience for the competition.

Linear TV accounted for the majority of the global audience, with 993.5 million viewers watching at least one minute of coverage on a TV set at home, an increase of 30% on the audience for the 2015 edition held in Canada, which reached 764.0 million.

An estimated 481.5 million people accessed coverage of France 2019 on digital platforms, equivalent to 43 per cent of the total audience reach. The digital audience, which overlaps with the linear TV audience, was up considerably on the estimated 86.0 million in 2015.

The final between USA and

the Netherlands was the most watched FIFA Womens World Cup match ever, with an average live audience of 82.18 million (up by 56 per cent on the 2015 final audience: 52.56 million) and reaching a total of 263.62 million unique viewers (one-minute reach), which accounted for 22.9% of the overall tournament reach.

Over the 52 matches played in nine host cities across France and broadcast in 205 territories around the world, the average live match audience was 17.27 million viewers more than double the 8.39 million average of Canada 2015.

This can be attributed to the greater distribution of matches on higher profile broadcasters in many countries, where many participating teams matches drew record audiences in their home territories, such as Brazil, France, Italy and the UK. ”More than a sporting event,

the FIFA Womens World Cup 2019 was a cultural phenomenon attracting more media attention than ever before and providing a platform for womens football to flourish in the spotlight. The fact that we broke the 1 billion target just shows the pulling power of the womens game and the fact that, if we promote and broadcast world-class football widely, whether its played by men or women, the fans will always want to watch,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Publicis Sport & Entertainment (PSE) compiled the consolidated audience figures for the FIFA Womens World Cup 2019 based on audience data and scheduling gathered from official television auditing agencies in markets around the world, from FIFAs Media Rights Licensees (MRLs), and from noncaptured (out-of-home and digital) audience data provided by Nielsen.

GTT National Indoor Hockey C/Ship

Quarterfinal matches bully off today

GCC Spartans get behind the ball to defend a penalty corner which is being lined up by Old Fort’s, Minsodia Culpepper.

The curtains will fall on the 2019 edition of the GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue tomorrow evening while quarterfinal action in the Mens Second Division is scheduled to hit off today at the same venue.

Last night, Abosaide Cadogan continued her superb goal scoring form with a brace as GBTI GCC Spartans disposed of YMCA Old Fort Young Bloodz 3-0. Haley Carpenter added the third goal for the youthful Spartans team that has a good

Hikers Cadets’ Devin Munroe (attack) had a Penalty Stroke well saved by Michael Hing of Bounty GCC during their clash last night, Hikers won 4-2.

chance of lifting the Womens First Division trophy when the tournament concludes tomorrow.In the first match of the night, Bounty GCC The Sequel thumped Saints Silencers 5-1. Dwayne Scott banged in a hat-trick while Shaquille Leung netted twice in another convincing victory for the GCC. Robert Fernandes found the back of the nets to register the consolation for the Silencers in that Mens Second Division clash.

Hikers Cadets also posted a win in the Mens Second Division at the expense of Bounty GCC Pitbulls. Brian Asregado

scored two goals while Jason Clarke and Devin Munroe scored one goal each. Samuel Woodroffe and John Phang scored one each for the GCC Pitbulls.GCC The Vintage looked in prime form as they seek to defend their Veterans Over-35 title; steamrolling Antonios Hickers 10-3. The GTT National Indoor Hockey Championship will serve as a good warm up for the local clubs heading into the Diamond Mineral Water International Festival slated to get underway next month at the same venue.

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Saturday October 19, 2019

Kaieteur News

Marcello, Dyal, Baharally among standouts at Guyana MMAKA tourney Malia Marcello, Dhanraj Dyal and Saheed Baharally were among the outstanding students that represented the Academy of Contemporary Martial Arts at the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association (GMMAKA) tournament which was held recently at the New Diamond/Grove Primary School Tarmac.

Marcello got first in free style Kata and third in sparring while Dhanraj Dyal won the freestyle Kata, Traditional Kata and sparring in his division. Saheed Baharally took the runner-up spot in free style Kata, Amit Algu got third in sparring while Naipaul Persaud took the third podium spot in traditional Kata and Freestyle Kata respectively.

Gevasha Harpaul won gold in traditional Kata and took second place in Sparring; Neil Machado got second in Freestyle Kata. The female trio of Hana Swallay, Nisa Swallay and Gevasha Harpaul took gold in the Team Kata while the male team of Naipaul Persaud, Dhanraj Dyal and Neil Machado also took the top podium spot in Kata. The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association will continue with their regular training sessions at its various branches; Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, Anna Regina Multilaterial Secondary School, Mahaica Guinness Bar and Perth Hall in Mahaicony as the members prepare for grading exams to be held on the November 30 and December 1. Persons interested to be part the classes can contact the instructors on 666 3416 and 687 7427.

Members of the Academy of Contemporary Martial Arts with their prizes.

GSCL/Prime Ministers T20 Softball Unavailability of grounds a worry - President Singh Cup III Warm up matches on tomorrow ECCBs / Elizabeth Style 40-over continues tomorrow The much anticipated Elizabeth Style 40-over cricket tournament organised by the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) began last Sunday but only one match was played due to the unavailability of venues and will continue tomorrow.

The ECCB President Bissoon Singh lamented that the lack of grounds is a major problem even when there is bright sunshine. Singh said cricket on the East Coast is also suffering from the division of clubs since there are two fac-

tions running the; the ECCB and a group calling themselves the East Coast Cricket C o m m i t t e e .

Enmore and Lusignan are being used for the CGI 50-over tournament which resulted in ECCB matches scheduled for those venues being postponed. Singh says that in addition to the unavailability of venues, the unseasonal rain has also affected cricket on the East Coast of Demerara. �It is hoped that all four matches set for Sunday can be played� the ECCB Head

added.

Tomorrows fixtures: At Better Hope - Better Hope B face Mon Repos A with Imran Khan being the Umpire.

At Buxton - Buxton A plays Lowland with Omadat Samaroo being the man in charge on the field.

At Golden Grove - Golden Grove B oppose Mon Repos B with Gavin DeGuiar calling p l a y .

At Enterprise - Enterprise A takes on Clonbrook with the Umpire being Charles Gibbons.

Georgetown Masters to host trial game at GFC ground for Suriname trip The Georgetown Over-40 Masters will be hosting a trial game tomorrow at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground to select a 20man squad that will be travelling to Suriname next month to participate in a football tournament which would be part of that countrys Independence celebrations.

The GT Masters have been invited to participate by Radio Masters in the Over-40 tournament which will run from November 21-25. The trial match will be contested from 09:00hrs between North Georgetown and South Georgetown.

North Georgetown Masters - Dion

Barnwell, Chris Barnwell, Patrice Ram, Terrence Lewis, Gerald Gittens, Andrea Trots, Quancy Price, Dirk Hexator, Dexter Layne, Gary Nelson, Errol Solomon, Andrew Brite, Lindon Bacchus, Ronald Barker, Julian James, James Turpin and Norris Carter.

South Georgetown Masters - Frank English Parris, Anthony Stanton, Shawn ONeil, Wayne Polis, Malcolm Dalson, Omaly Nassey, Terrence Wills, Sherwayne Scotte, Lionel Grimes, Jermain Grimes, Hanson Lynch, James Rodney, Jolyan Lewis, Troy Hermonstine, Justin Bentick, Sherman Jacobs and Elroy Parks.

Sewchand Budhu has been a prolific batsman this season.

Eon Abel will be looking for more success with the bat.

The annual Prime Ministers T20 Softball Cup (PMT20 Cup) is under two weeks away and teams are fine tuning their preparations ahead of the marquee tournament with a series of warm up matches.

Tomorrow, teams will take to the field to access their form ahead of the November 1-3 showpiece. At the Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO) Ground, Success Masters will take on arch rivals HS Masters from 10:00h while at the same time Regal Masters will battle Fisherman Masters at the GNIC Sports Club ground. At 13:00hrs, Wellman Masters will suit up for their showdown with Regal Masters also at the GNIC ground. Regal Masters are the two-time defending champions in the Over-45 category.

The match of the day will take place at the Queens College (QC) ground from 10:00hrs

between reigning two-time All-Star champions, Speed Boat and Regal All-Stars. In addition to intensity on the field, the organisers of the PMT20 Cup 3, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL) will be conducting the tournaments draw at 14:00hrs which will determine the zones for the respective categories on match days.In all, there are three categories of competition; All-Stars comprising players of any age, Masters-featuring players that are Over-45 years old and Legends which will see players 50-Years and older competing.Teams from Canada, New York, Orlando, South Florida and Guyana will be competing this year for more than G$2M in cash and other incentives at venues across Georgetown. The finals of the three categories will take place on Sunday November 3 at Everest Cricket Club.

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 19, 2019

Courts Peewee Football Tourney - Quarterfinal matches on today The 9th-16th plate matches and the quarterfinal of the Courts Peewee football tournament kicks off today.

PAGE 35

Fourth EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League - Day 6

Semifinal line up to be confirmed today

Action between Fruta Conquerors and Samatta Point/Kaneville last week Saturday.

13:00hrs.

Before the quarterfinal matches, eight teams will match skills in the 9th to 16th Plate seeding games. Today’s fixtures for the tournament that is also supported by Banks DIH are listed below:

Eight teams now remain with a chance to be crowned the 2019 Courts Pee Wee Under12 Football champions; the semifinalists will be decided following today’s play at the Ministry of Education (MOE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue. Matches begins at Time 13:00 hrs 13:00 hrs 13:50 hrs 13:50 hrs 14:40 hrs 14:40 hrs 15:30hrs 15:30hrs

School St. Stephen's St. Ambrose Uitvlugt Enterprise Timehri North Georgetown St. Pius West Ruimveldt

School Mae's Craig Marian Academy Redeemer Genesis Soesdyke Tucville St. Agnes

Match # 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52

Lions Club of Bel Air Dominoes starts today

The semifinal lineup for next Saturdays semis. but can be overtaken for the the 4th edition of the East D e f e n d i n g c h a m p i o n s second place in Group B. Bank Football Association Timehri Panthers and new In with a chance to sneak in (EBFA) Under-11 League c o m e r s Vu r l o n M i l l s is Kuru Kururu Warriors sponsored by USA based Academy are through from which has seven points and a Guyanese Ralph Green will G r o u p A w i t h M i l l s final match today against b e c o n f i r m e d t o d a y Academy still to play their Swan Football Club, their following the finale set of final match today; they are immediate neighbours on the group matches at the Guyana leading the group with a Linden Soesdyke Highway.

F o o t b a l l F e d e r a t i o n , perfect four out of four and Swan secured their first win National Training Centre, can make it five today. of the league last week Providence, East Bank Riddim Squad is at the helm Saturday and would be keen D e m e r a r a . of Group B and are assured to end the competition on a Twelve teams are contesting of a place in the final four high but will find that the the competition but only having completed their five Warriors with two wins a four, the top two from matches, winning three and loss and a draw will be going Groups A and B will drawing two and are still all out for their third win continue the quest to be undefeated. Agricola Red w h i c h w i l l s e e t h e m crowned 2019 champions Triangle at the moment is in clinching a final four spot but must first be victorious at second place on nine points ahead Agricola.

Following are today's fixtures: Day 6 – Saturday October 19, 2019 Mt. Team Team Time Venue Gr. 27 Eagles FC Vurlon Mills Academy 09:00hrs GFF NTC A 28.

Diamond United Fruta Conquerors 09:00hrs “ A 29.

Swan Kuru Kururu Warriors 09:30hrs “ B 30.

Grove Hi Tech Friendship All Stars 09:30hrs “ B

Keep-Your-5-Alive Def. champs Sparta Boss starts on a positive note

The organisers of the competition at launching.

The Lions Club of Bel Air Dominoes competition will commence at 13:00hrs today at Bel Air Lions Den. The competition will conclude tomorrow and it is open to all teams with the winner set to take home $150,000 and a trophy along with six medals, the runner-up $100,000, a trophy and six medals while the third place team will pocket

$50,000, a trophy and six medals.

The MVP will be given $10,000 and a trophy.

Organiser Colin Boyce informed that the proceeds from the competition will go towards a community project and said the tournament is expected to be keenly contested since a number of top teams in the city are expected to take part.

The 7th Annual GT Beer Keep-Your-5-Alive Futsal Football tournament kicked off at the National Gymnasium on Thursday night with nine matches with nine more scheduled for tonight at the same venue.

Defending champions Sparta Boss came up with the biggest win of the night in the feature showdown, trouncing Charlotte Street, 5-1.

Following are the complete results of the night: Game-1: Upsetters-1 vs Bad-a-Yard-2 - Bad-a-Yard

scorers, Michael Campbell3rd. Jermaine Tinch-9th.

Upsetters scorer, Orlando R i c k e t t s - 1 0 t h .

Game-2: Leopold St-0 vs Avocado Ballers-1 - Jamal Adams-11th.

Game-3: Back Circle-0 vs North East La Penitence-0 - Game-4: LA Ballers-0 vs Showstoppers-2 - Dexroy Adams-9th, Marvin Josiah13th.

G a m e - 5 : B V- 1 v s Stabroek Ballers-0 - Delroy Dean-11th.

Game-6: Tiger Bay-3 vs Melanie-B-0 - Orin Moore-

5 t h a n d 11 t h , K e o m a Gravesande-14th.

Game-7: Broad St-1 vs Bent St-2 - Bent scorers Adrian Aaron-14 seconds, William Europe-11th. Broad scorer, Carl Griffith-15th.

Game-8: Alexander Village3 vs Ol Skool Ballers-0 David George-3rd, 6th and 13th.

Game-9: Sparta Boss-5 vs Charlotte St-1 - Sparta scorers, Deon Alfred-(2), Ryan Hackett-(1), Kelsey Benjamin-(1), Dennis Edwards(1). Charlotte scorer, Mikel Brandt-(1).

rt o p S

1320 Heat Rematch

Surinamese looking to hush Guyanese competitors

Michael Namchand’s RX-7 on its way to Georgetown.

Double header set to LGC this weekend

LGC President Aleem Hussain (3rd left) and Banks DIH Communications Manager Troy Peters shake hands following the launching of the competitions. Others in photo from left are Bishop Guy Griffith, Mark Lashley and Gavin Todd.

Mackeson/Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic launched

Fourth EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League - Day 6

Mackesons Keon Persaud, Rawle Toney, Fareez Mohamed, Junior Hercules and Treiston Joseph pose for a photo during yesterdays launch of the Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic.

Semifinal line up to Courts Peewee Football Tourney be confirmed today - Quarterfinal matches on today Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.