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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 04, 2019
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The dread of September September comes. It comes with the heaviness of a known dread, the resignation that it is a circumstance - in its many unfolding contours -that must be faced with a readiness that is part steeliness and the rest a dour stoicism. The music must be faced. On this one occasion in the life of Guyana, September has nothing to with the electoral; or of such pungent abstractions as possible merges, lists, and electors. It is neither the cinematic romance of “Come September” of Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobrigida fame nor the theme of the same name composed by Bobby Darin and played by Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra. The September that comes in Guyana, and the dread that comes with it, is of the roads. The roads with their jarring jostling and jamming for an inch of space in gruelling efforts to get to just about every place. It wasn’t helped on the first day of the school and work week that the unexpected made mincemeat of the day for the people from ‘over the river’ when the Demerara Harbour Bridge was slammed by the unpredictable. A mess was made of the roadways and passageways to and from over there. Local roads: the alleyways, byways, and carriageways that function as personal express highways for the impatiently hurrying, the dangerously speeding, and the abusively menacing. This is the dread of September felt by parents and caretakers of children trundling on their way to institutions of learning clustered around the big city and its peripheries. It is the same for those professionals, who care for them during the classroom day. The dread comes because, often, there is so little regard for other road users, so much unconcern for the physical fact of tens of thousands of younger ones clogging up already choked and limited roads. The relatively tranquil respite of a smoother commute, a less stressful round trip to work or marketplace or other places of business during most of July and August, vanishes with the sound of the first gong that signals schools in session. The endurance tests of skill and nerve, and of caution and discreet, subdued acceleration makes the driving age adults forget the memory of the long school holiday, as though it never existed. The dread comes with a furious rush; not the slow rushhour buildup and paralysis that characterize the Demerara Harbour Bridge; but a rush that can be mentally draining and physically sapping. All this is made still more agitating by the mad people in and out of machines. For this can be observed daily through the lane changers, light beaters, street walkers and foot draggers (pedestrian crossers), double parkers, and assorted vehicular gaffers perched in the middle of busy streets and roads. They do so without a care in the world; and without any fear as to being called out and made to pay for the error of their ways. For there is, also, the inaction and instances provided by the batteries of environmental officers scanning sky, trees, grass, and everywhere else. It is everywhere else, other than the human hazards to the crisp, smooth flow of traffic, as well as to the perils of life and limb. Environmental officer is a polite term for the traffic people, who go about duties and responsibilities with the nonchalance of the acutely hard of hearing and the cataract challenged: untroubled and unmoved. It should not surprise that the Guyanese road hogs all come out with a vengeance - duly energized by the misnamed ‘summer’ vacation hiatus -and ready to continue as before.They have few conscientious official human restraints to consider, either ahead of them or in the rearview mirror. There is bound to be tensions and eruptions with so many faces in so many tight spaces. Confrontations all too fluidly provide glimmers of the simmer that lurk just below the social and now electorally driven surface. It only adds to making the place smaller, less habitable, and the routine of the usual travels more of a watchful ordeal involving men, machines, and the mayhems that are a part of all three.
As first oil rapidly approaches, we dont have an acceptable SWF to manage our revenues DEAR EDITOR, As first oil rapidly approaches, Guyanese are without the comfort of an acceptable Sovereign Wealth Fund to manage our revenues from oil. I posed the question to President David Granger in 2016 asking that the President “address the nation to inform us all of exactly what type of SWF his administration would be setting up, where it would be based, who would administer it, who would have oversight, what laws will govern it and what type of investments it would be limited to making” (S.N July 5, 2016). Granger signed legislation establishing the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) in February of 2019. The NRF is structurally flawed, as it ultimately puts total control in the hands of whoever is Minister of Finance. Among the other problematic issues with the NRF are the controls governing how much money enters the fund, and how much the government can allocate to the annual budget. Under the government proposal, a por-
tion of the countrys oil revenue would be saved in the fund, though the government would still be allowed to borrow. In a review of the NRF by the National Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Andrew Bauer said “Guyana could end up in a situation where it is saving money and earning low interest while it borrows at a higher interest rate, and in this way, the country ends up losing money.” (Consider that the US$18 Million signing bonus was invested in a Canadian fund at 1% return at the same time NICIL was borrowing at 4.75%). NRGI says that the proposed rule is unlikely to smooth government spending and does not constrain overall expenses. The government could over-borrow based on the prospect of large oil revenues, which are a decade away. The NRGI pointed to weaknesses in the NRF rules around how money in the fund can be invested, and stressed the need for rules to prohibit purchases of particularly risky assets, such as
commodities and derivatives. The issue with control of the NRF in the hands of one man can be demonstrated clearly by an examination of how Granger removed safeguards within NICIL, (Guyanas first sovereign wealth fund). NICIL was incorporated as a Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, Chapter 89:01 in July 1990. Primary objectives of the company were that of subscribing for, taking or otherwise acquiring, holding and managing the Governments shares, stocks, debentures or other securities of any company, co-operative societies or other corporate body. Until recently, all decisions made by NICIL were subject to Cabinet review and approval, this control has been removed and the Special Projects Unit is now making decisions and entering agreements that are ratified and signed by the Minister of Finance (that man again). It was this lack of control that saw the assets of GUYSUCO vested into NICIL without the knowledge or ap-
proval of the GUYSUCO board or the Minister of Agriculture. These assets were then pledged along with a sovereign guarantee for a $30 Billion bond. This $30 billion was borrowed for unspecified long-term projects. Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo said “We dont know what the projects are as yet, but you would recall that this bond is only for five years. So, theyre borrowing on a short to medium term, for long-term projects… In five years, at a 4.75 per cent interest”. David Granger has failed to understand that multiple layers of control are needed to safeguard our resources and revenues; his belief in unilateral decision making has led to enormous costly mistakes at NICIL, with the same unilateral structure in place for the NRF, the same can be expected with even bigger errors anticipated. Grangers National Resource Fund is not a Sovereign Wealth Fund, it is a confidence trick. Respectfully Robin Singh
Ultimately, for the Indigenous people to prosper… DEAR EDITOR, Another year as we observe Indigenous Heritage Month. For some, it is the time of the year that they eagerly look forward to the events, while for others, it takes on more of a reflection as to where we are as a people. I do enjoy the display of craft and the traditional dances that have been able to survive over the years, along with the exotic culinary skills that have been on exhibition. This is the month that also shines the spotlight on some issues that we can work on resolving. One such issue is alcoholism, which has taken a
stranglehold in our communities, with its effects causing rippling destructive consequences. The family, the nucleus of our communities, has taken the most severe blow. Communities with dysfunctional families tend not to grapple with the daily challenges of life. The end result being poor choices being made that are manifested with more challenges. One such manifestation is the high rate of teenage pregnancy within our communities. This malady has become so common that persons have taken the position that it is a norm among Indigenous people, with some very ill-in-
This is what comes with school reopening and September. It starts and intensifies with September. Right in front of that torrid baseline stands the clogs and crinkles that come with the bustling Christmas Season. That is, if country and citizen can somehow navigate their way to that fateful watermark in a year much bedeviled with one political depth charge after another that takes it ever farther down. The good word, though distant is that alternate surfaces are being constructed to dilute some of the congestions that plague heavily traveled areas. The bad news is that they are still on the intermediate horizon, and not available for the urgent access and relief needed now. And last, from the magic weaved by prospective petrodollars and dancing in local heads, it might be opportune for the initiation of thoughtful visions focused on comprehensive urban planning, through readying to build entirely new infrastructure platforms. In a land with so much land, a bigger, higher, nicer town and many arterial roads sound nice, even with only the dreaming. Political sense needed; wisdom and visions also (of a real nation). Clearly, modern roads must be a vital component, if only to make the commute a year-round experience that is more healthgiving and spiritually satisfying. No one out there (or up there) should have a problem with any of this. Or do they?
formed, indifferent and crude comments spewed by persons who should be addressing these issues. Addressing this social issue calls for immediate action. Every child has the right to be catered to in an environment where there will grow to be the best they can; quality health care, housing etc. These basic amenities are lacking in all of our communities. The greatest challenge to our future development, I believe, is the quality of education being delivered to our children. It is one thing to boast of passes at our national exams and the sum of money budgeted for the sector, and another, to see the actual output. Scrutiny of the examination results will inform one of the sad realities that exist in our Hinterland regions among Indigenous children. Kudos to the teachers who work under the most atrocious conditions within our schools, survive school terms without basic teaching materials, text books and fur-
niture, live under inhumane conditions in the housing provided to them, but still manage to support our children to the best of their ability. The quality of education being delivered, coupled with the challenges of the topography have created an environment where economic activities for the most part are generated at a subsistence level. The task at hand for the persons who are elected and occupy seats at our Regional Democratic Councils is to generate programs and provide concessions that will enable the Village Councils to utilize their resources for economic benefits. Ultimately, for the Indigenous people to prosper, that goal must have its origin in them wanting it. It all begins and ends with us. There has to be unity of purpose. This will call for unity. It will also ask of us to demand more of the persons we elect from the Village Council through to the Regional system and the Executive level. Dexter Glasgow
Commended or condemned, Peeping Tom? DEAR EDITOR, The columnist, Peeping Tom, opened his piece (KN Sept 3) by stating “The Government can be commended for its handling of the closure of the Demerara Harbour Bridge yesterday”, but ended the piece by stating ‘The emergency response to yesterday left much to be desired’ So what is it commended or condemned? Shamshun Mohamed
Wednesday September 04, 2019
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The ‘’Right to Vote’’ carries with it the corresponding right NOT to vote DEAR EDITOR, I use this opportunity to deal with a matter of significant national importance. The issue concerns the legal concept of ‘’The Right to Vote’’ as contained in our country’s written Constitution. There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that in recent times, here in Guyana, this ‘’Right to Vote’’ in the country’s national elections, has taken on a monstrous and malevolent feature in the nation’s affairs, so much so, that a lot of people are simply saying that they do not want any part of it... That is to say, they are basically stating that they do not care to go to any polls, or to give their vote to any one or any political party. In a very real and legal sense any national of this country, has a legal right NOT to register to be an elector, and also has the same legal right NOT to vote for any Presidential candidate, or any political party. The ‘’Right to Vote’’ carries with it the corre-
sponding right NOT to vote. It therefore baffles my mind to hear persons who are practitioners of things political, making statements about passing future legislation to make it a criminal offence for persons to REFUSE to register themselves to vote in Guyana’s national and regional elections. This position is not only nonsensical, but evil, in that it makes for punishment for any person who may choose to exercise a basic legal right. Maybe the situation can be made a little clearer if it is understood that the legal right to be a Voter or elector in the country’s general and regional elections, is not unlike membership of any other organization, association, club, labour union, credit union, cooperative or any other entity of the same genesis or nature. The right to associate, and the freedom to associate, also has a GUARANTEED RIGHT not to be forced or compelled to associate. The ‘’Extraction’’ of
person’s names from the national register and placing of it on the voters list is an action that definitely infringes on the basic fundamental rights as guaranteed by our Country’s constitution, of a person’s freedom to associate and the corresponding freedom NOT to associate. In this regard, it may be an opportune time to discuss the passage of legislation to DELINK the National Registration Centre from the activities of the political entity, Gecom, as it was in years past. There is nothing wrong with fourteen (14) year old Guyanese being issued with a national identification card for use in their daily lives, and on the attainment of the voting age, that young person can exercise his or her own right to register, or not, as a voter to participate in that process, or not to participate if he or she may so decide. It is what operates in most civil societies. There has been NO useful purpose served in the link-
ing of an entity, such as the national registration centre, that should be as apolitical as possible, and should ONLY be used for the purpose of issuing national identification cards to the people of Guyana for the purpose of conducting their personal and civil business affairs and activities, with an entity that is contentious in the extreme and mainly displays acts of spite, malice and vitriol in their deliberations and activities, at least, so it seems most times. It certainly would bring a lot of peace and order if the political activities of Gecom, the Guyana Elections Commission, should be carried out on its own and where EACH AND EVERY MEMBER who make up its register are persons who had taken a DELIBERATE ACT to register himself or herself on its list of electors as a person who has a desire to be an elector, and who is interested in participating in electoral activities. Gecom would then issue a Voter Identification Card to
APNU+AFC’s new position on claims and objections proves they misdirected the nation DEAR EDITOR, The recent House-toHouse exercise, now thankfully ended, is another stain in our history of rigged elections. From the inception, it was evident the House-toHouse (HTH) registration by GECOM was politically directed and an effort to create a rigged electoral list for a rigged election. Ordinary citizens were threatened with being charged for not registering, police officers were forced to prove they registered and citizens were terrorized their existing ID cards would become illegal. APNU+AFC leaders were everywhere
telling people without HTH there would be no elections. Senior members of APNU+AFC are now telling the miniscule few people who attended the “government” outreaches in the last week, not to worry about the termination of HTH. They tell people they can register, if they never registered previously, in GECOM’s Claims and Objections (C&O) period. This is good, sound, correct advice, in total accordance with the laws of Guyana. Finally APNU+AFC is being truthful, telling people that in any election period, C&O allow new registrants to become part of
the National Register of Registrants (NRR) and, if 18 years and over, will list them in the Official Voters List (OVL) for the upcoming elections. They now confess to their supporters, no one will be disenfranchised by C&O and that HTH was, in fact, just a ruse. Their new position is a confession they knew all along, but misdirected people in a desperate strategy to avoid elections this year. This position, that C&O permits new voters to register and the fastest route to elections, was the position of Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP, the majority of civil society
and the judiciary. It was also the position Keith Lowenfield, the Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, expressed publicly more than once, but refused to act in accordance with the law, choosing a pathway congruent with that of APNU+AFC. Justice Claudette Singh, the new Chairman of GECOM, kept her promise to act only in accordance with the constitution and the law by voting at GECOM in favour of ending HTH and proceeding to C&O. Without saying it directly, the leaders of APNU+AFC (Continued on page 23)
each of its members. Persons can then remain on the voters’ list until their death or on permanent migration. Gecom can conduct as many house to house registrations or verifications as necessary without disrupting the flow of ordinary national life. There should be NO placing of persons names on the list of electors ‘’behind’’ any one’s back. It is not democratic and it may just not be legal.In so far as persons have had to change their national identification cards in relatively short periods of time, I would say, that from a personal point of view, this ‘’makes a mess’’ of long term business activities and contracts, such as mortgages over eighteen (18) years and long leases of a private nature. The national identification card file becomes useless after each and every ‘’house to house’’ registration and new identification issued. With the new ‘’anti-money
laundering’’ legislation and even more regulations, demanding that you produce the ‘’identification’’ that you had used in a particular transaction, life is becoming even more stressful. Too many ‘’new’’ identification cards are in the system and in our lives. Finally, with the very troublesome situation of a noconfidence motion being passed against a sitting government, and there are very real legislation from all sources regulating the way that things should happen and should be done, it is very unsettling to witness that the way forward seems to be paths that are murky to walk, and that confidence in these areas are almost impossible to garner. However, the goodwill of all will keep Guyana safe and secure, I am sure. Hoping that Almighty God will continue to guide us all. Yours Faithfully, Juliet Holder-Allen Attorney At Law
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Wednesday September 04, 2019
Paying tribute to Dr Jacques Diouf, a visionary in the global fight against hunger DEAR EDITOR, The world recently lost a key advocate in the fight against poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Dr Jacques Diouf, former Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), died in Paris on Saturday 17 August 2019. Dr Diouf served as Director General of the FAO for three consecutive terms, from 1994 to 2011. Prior to his tenure at FAO he had an illustrious career, serving his home country of Senegal, as well as regionally in Africa and internationally as a diplomat representing his country at the United Nations in New York in matters related to agricultural development. He was considered an important contributor to reducing hunger in the world. “Dr Diouf understood and fiercely advocated for and acted on behalf of the disadvantaged and vulnerable,” remarked Winston Rudder, a former FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Caribbean. Rudder recalled that Dr Diouf’s tenure as FAO Director-General will be character-
ized by his commitment to democratize the Organization in three significant ways: i. Increased Gender representation at all levels, especially Professional staff and senior management; ii. More equitable geographic representation of Professional staff within the Organization; iii. Decentralization of functions, operations and authority by creating and empowering outreach arrangements through the SubRegional system. Rudder added that Dr Diouf demonstrated his commitment to the Caribbean by regularly attending Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meetings, where he advocated robustly and sought to influence Government leaders to act more purposefully on matters related for food and nutrition security and agricultural and rural development. “In practical terms, he ensured, tangible support to donor-funded initiatives in these areas,” explained Rudder. “His attendance of these meetings also strengthened
relations between FAO and the CARICOM Secretariat.” Dr Diouf also ensured that regional professionals had an opportunity to be considered for employment in the Organization. The most significant demonstration of his commitment to the Caribbean, is exemplified by the opening the FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean in Barbados in 1998. This Office tangibly showed FAOs response to the request from the Governments of the Subregion, for a differentiated strategy to address the challenges related to food and nutrition security and agricultural development of Small Island Developing States. The establishment of the Subregional Office was also accompanied by the creation of the Technical Multidisciplinary Team that served the Ministries responsible for agriculture, farmers, fisherfolk and foresters by significantly improving the level of delivery of FAO’s technical assistance in all 15 member countries. Among the global achievements during Dr
Dioufs tenure at FAO were the hosting of the World Food Summit in Rome, Italy, in 1996 and 2002, and the implementation of the Special Programme of Food Security. The 1996 Summit resulted in the adoption of the Rome Declaration on World Food Security, in which member states pledged their political will and common and national “commitment to achieving food security for all and to an ongoing effort to eradicate hunger in all countries, with an immediate view to reducing the number of undernourished people to half their present level no later than 2015”. This pledge was the precursor to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 Eradicating Hunger and Malnutrition. The World Food Summit of 2002 led, inter alia, to the Government of Italy pledging USD 10 million to support the Special Programme on Food Security (SPFS) in the Caribbean.The Programme, which would have not been possible without Dr Dioufs leadership at the Summit, resulted in the establishment of
over 200 demonstrations of improved technologies for increasing agricultural production and productivity in CARICOM and CARIFORUM member states. “The project was innovative because it did not use a one-size-fits-all approach to solving the problems of agricultural production in the countries. Each country identified the main constraints and agreed on the technologies that were best suited to their specific needs,” recalled Gregg Rawlins, Consultant Programme Manager of the Italian-funded project. Some examples of the technologies that were used in the demonstrations included irrigation and drainage systems in Belize, the use of mulching in intensive crop production systems in St Kitts and Nevis, and farmer field schools involving rice and fish production in Suriname. The first phase of the SPFS also had a regional component which addressed trade policy issues related to food and nutrition security and showed the nexus between trade and food and
nutrition security. The second phase of the SPFS laid the groundwork for FAOs current work on developing and implementing regional and national food and nutrition security policies for the Caribbean. Another important focal area of phase two was value chains for sustainable food production which has also paved the way for FAOs current flagship projects on the development of value chains for roots and tubers (such as cassava) in the region. Dr Diouf will be remembered for his commitment to improving food security, nutrition and agricultural development in the Caribbean and the world. Staff who worked with him will also remember his humility, integrity, honesty and caring manner and the respect that he showed for everyone. We would like to express our condolences to his wife and family. May he rest in peace. Dr Lystra Fletcher-Paul, Former FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Caribbean
CHRONICLE EDITORIAL RIDDLED WITH HALF-TRUTHS AND DISTORTIONS DEAR EDITOR, The GAWU has fully considered the editorial of the September 01 Guyana Chronicle titled ”PPP destruction of the sugar industry”. The editorial of the state-owned newspaper which is coincidentally funded by the nations taxpayers and has a responsibility to be reflective of the views of all Guyanese unfortunately, it appears, has taken on a partisan political tone, undoubtedly, to justify the incumbent Administrations bungled and confused sugar policy. While the editorials main target was the PPP/C, which is very much capable of responding, our Unions name was also drawn into the mudslinging that is now a hallmark of the state-owned newspaper. It is against this background, that we find it incumbent to bring clarity to the several misguided contentions which, undoubtedly, were being used to score cheap political points. The editorial states that the industry was “…destroyed… through a combination of reckless and ill-advised economic initiatives…”, however, it failed to really provide any empirical evidence of this. The paper goes on to say nothing was done to ”…improve productivity, to close the gap between production cost and market prices and ultimately to put the industry on an economically sustainable
footing”. Whether the newspaper is feigning ignorance or not, as it more and more dons a political mask, it is engaged in major distortions of the truth. The fact remains that there were concerted efforts to improve production and productivity. Those efforts saw between 2002 and 2004 sugar production averaging about 320,000 tonnes per annum and cane yields in excess of 75 tonnes per hectare. During the period, as well, there was the introduction of mechanical cane loaders and mechanical cane harvesters and efforts were being made to further the mechanization thrust to improve efficiency and hence lower costs. The Sugar CoI report, which the Chronicle alluded to in the editorial, had pointed to the cost benefits of mechanized operations. Moreover, thousands of hectares of cane fields were converted to facilitate mechanized field activities. At East Demerara and Skeldon Estates, for instance, a significant proportion of the cultivation was geared towards mechanized operations and, notwithstanding that fact, the Government closed those estates without a second thought. In fact, we believe, the Chronicle may wish to query why the current Administration refused a CDB loan that was approved to hasten mechanization works
in the sugar industry. Apart from that, there were also efforts to diversify and add income streams to the industry. The Enmore Packaging Plant was one such initiative. Again, if the newspaper fully considered the Sugar CoI report, it would have seen the industrys highest sugar return came from this plant, which nowadays lies closed, with cobwebs and dust taking over the equipment. The very Chronicle, almost nine years to the day, in its September 01, 2010 editorial said ”[a] major component of GuySuCos strategic plan to turn around the sugar industry is moving towards value added and packaged products, and in this regard the Enmore Packaging Plant… will play a major role”. The editorial points to declining sugar production saying ”[i]n 2013… production had fallen to 186,807 tons…” What the editorial fails to say, is that in subsequent years production was even poorer. Following a production improvement in 2015 when production reached 231,071 tonnes, as a result of hard-work in the preceding year, by 2016, sugar production fell to 183,614 tonnes; in 2017 it was 137,352 tonnes, and in 2018 it was 104,596 tonnes. At the same time, it ignores that sugar production between 1988 and 1990, averaged just over 156,000 tonnes per annum. The Chronicle also said
that the ”…subsidy to Guysuco under the PPP was grounded more in politics than economics…”.The support to the sugar industry, to the best of our knowledge, was premised on the industrys contribution to the national well-being. Support to industries is not by any means unique to Guyana. The world is replete with examples of the State supporting economic activities in recognition of their value to society. It is interesting to note that the September 01, 2010 Chronicle editorial aptly summed this up when it said the sugar industry ”…is our largest contributor to the national economy and is the largest employer with over 20,000 employees and creates indirect employment for thousands of others”. It was, undoubtedly, against that backdrop that support to the industry was provided. Moreover, support to the industry was never frowned upon and was supported wholly by all Members of the Parliament. Also, the CDB encouraged such a policy, pointing out in its assessment of the Sugar Industry Mechanisation Project, that it was ”…economically viable for GOGY [Government of Guyana] to continue subsidizing and protecting the cultivation and harvesting of sugar cane and processing of sugar for export and local consumption.” The editorial also was
critical of the investment in Skeldon Estate, arguing that the investment was not well thought-out. This criticism, however, goes against the grain of reality. Several reports have testified to the consideration, thought and examination that preceded the Skeldon investment. As is well-known, at the time of Skeldons planning, Guyana was considered one of the HIPC (heavily indebted poor countries) and the international financial institutions, obviously with a fine tooth comb, fully examined the project before they gave their blessing. To now come foolhardily and distort the reality is to be disingenuous in our view. Our Union was also criticized for advocating for improvement of pay levels and conditions-of-work for sugar workers. Is it that the Chronicle is saying we should not advocate improvements to the wellbeing and welfare of the sugar workers and their families? This is clearly an anti-worker position that is being pursued by the so-called “Nations newspaper”. Maybe it is that the paper is taking a cue from its handlers who have treated workers and workers issues with disdain and contempt. The newspaper should not forget that sugar workers, in the era of state-ownership, have always benefitted from improvements in pay, as workers in other areas of the State. There were only in two
instances in the 1980s when sugar workers, like their colleagues in all areas of the State, did not receive a pay rise. However, since 2015, there has been naked discrimination as sugar workers have not gotten any improvement in pay whereas their colleagues in the State sector have had imposed increases. Certainly, the sugar workers do not begrudge their colleagues who, like them, are being bombarded by the high cost-of-living arising to a great extent from increased taxation. Undoubtedly, the sugar workers, who incidentally, prior to May 2015, were promised increases of 20 per cent, have now seen the nature of the beast they must deal with. While sugar workers are told no increase, they see the top echelon of the Administration awarding themselves exorbitant pay improvements, reportedly in excess of 50 per cent, apart from other significant enhancements of perks and privileges.The paper contemptuously charged that monies were given to our Union regarding the training of sugar workers. The GAWU, sometime ago, had answered this fallacy when we pointed out that the sums quoted were paid to sugar workers who were released by GuySuCo to attend classes organized by the Union through its College.This practice (Continued on page 23)
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Wednesday September 04, 2019
Owners of tug and barge that rammed Harbor Bridge to pay for damage, repairs -as structure reopened to light traffic ahead of schedule An ambulance crossing to the west side.
Cars on the bridge yesterday. The vehicles lining up at 2pm to cross from the eastern end.
Almost 36 hours after a packed runaway barge slammed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge, breaking anchors and throwing the structure out-of-line, vehicles were allowed yesterday to start re-crossing. The emergency repairs, which involved almost 60 persons working in shifts, would cause millions of dollars in damage with the final bill to be handed to the owners of barge and tug to pay, bridge officials said. Up to yesterday morning, according to General Manager, Rawlston Adams, the timeline for opening to cars and minibuses (light vehicles) was set for 6pm. However, critical repairs were completed before midday yesterday with the bridge reopening to light traffic at 2pm.
Heavier vehicles, including Canters, without loads, would be allowed after 6pm. The news would bring a huge sigh of relief and underscore the critical importance of the bridge. While Government is moving to build another bridge that would link the West Bank to East Bank at Houston, that project is a few years away. At the moment, the bid documents that will be used to invite contractors are being prepared. In the meantime, the Demerara Harbour Bridge remains the main link between the city, Timehri airport and West Demerara, which links up with Essequibo too.In all, almost 100,000 persons would have been affected with Sunday nights collision.On
Monday, the situation was compounded by the fact that the new school year had begun. Parents, drivers and others who had not paid attention to the notices, were caught in the early morning traffic to Vreed-en-Hoop where a dilapidated stelling, which serviced the ferries faithfully its heydays, was tested to the limits under the watchful eyes of police who were called to maintain order. Water taxis were allowed to work until 22.00 hrs on Monday, with emergency boats on the standby. Yesterday, Adams was clear that the bridge will not be footing the costs for the repairs. Marina (Continued on page 19)
One of the vessels bracing the bridge shortly after the collision Sunday night.
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Civil Aviation awaits final report on American Airlines runway incident Authorities are awaiting the final report of an investigation into an incident last month at the Timehri airport where an American Airlines plane damaged its wheels while preparing for takeoff. According to DirectorGeneral of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt Colonel, Egbert Field, investigations into the incident at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) have been completed. “…and the report is now being submitted to the Minister (of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson). As soon as he reviews out the report, I would be able to outline some of the finding and the recommendations. But he will be in receipt of the report sometime this afternoon,” the official
told the media yesterday. He pointed out that it must be recognized that the CJIA was under constructionand that the runway was under construction so there were some variations when it came to the lighting. He said that all of the locations for the temporary lighting were published, and pilots were aware of them. “But I prefer to go more into detail after the minister has reviewed the report. Then I would be able to give you some more detail on the findings. We have not gotten any reports from passengers, reference what has been taking place. We must understand that airlines all over the world suffer…things like these happen, and its how you deal with them to make sure that when
they happen that you have a contingency plan, or an emergency plan to deal withif its loss of pressure in the cabin or any other matter. There are checklists utilized by the pilot of the airline to cope with the emergencies.” The official noted that it is the authorities that inspect the aircraft being used. “Our duty and prerogative is to inspect any aircraft that lands in the territory of Guyana. We inspect our local aircraft, and we inspect out foreign aircraft. We do what we call ramp inspections because these aircraft are not here overnight- inspectors would normally board an aircraft when it touches down. And for the period of time while it is on the ground, main-
tenance, operational and cabin safety inspectors would board the aircraft and check on various items. [They would check] manuals, documentation, pilot licences, to ensure that the aircraft is not only kept in a good condition, but that the crew operating the aircraft are properly qualified and are current.” According to the Director-General, before 2016, ramp inspections were hardly done, “or I would say that they were never done. In 2016 to now, my records would show that they have conducted 200-and something ramp inspection landings at Timerhi. And this is just to ensure the safety of the passengers and the aircraft. You
could be from a small airline, or a large one, it doesnt matter. Our regulation is that when you land on territory of Guyana we have the preoperative and the right to board your aircraft, and to inspect and to check it.” “So far, my inspectors have not come across any findings which we need to report to American Airlines. If they would have found anything, it would have been minor problems, which we would have just advised the crew on. But we found nothing which would say that the aircraft is unworthy. As a matter of fact, my report from the inspection is that they have been maintaining in an excellent fashion. I would expect
GCAAs head, Lt. Colonel Egbert Field this from the American Airlines. But as you know, and what you have probably heard over the (Continued on page 21)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 04, 2019
What is your opinion? Two opinion polls conducted a few months apart in Trinidad and Tobago, suggest that the ruling People National Movement (PNM) is likely to comfortably retain power should elections be held right away. Opinion polls however gauge public opinion for a particular moment in time and those opinions and choices they imply can change over time. The PNM, in responding to the poll, said the results was expected. The opposition UNC responded by saying that pervious polls were proven wrong. The PNM holds a five seat majority in the National Assembly and judging from the polls, seems set for reelection. One explanation (not provided by the polls) is that the opposition is not offering any attractive alternatives. It was predicted that the opposition United
national Congress (UNC) will be difficult for the opposition to maintain the seats it had won before and to gain the additional seats needed to win power. However, the elections is one year way. A great deal can change by then. Whether or not the political parties admit it, they do pay attention to opinion polls even though they contest unfavorable poll findings. An opinion poll conducted recently in Guyana has attracted condemnation by the PPPC. The poll indicated that the majority of the PPPC supporters are not necessarily enamored by the party’s presidential candidate. The PPPC has questioned the authenticity of the poll and described it in unflattering terms. The person reporting on the findings of the poll did not do a good job at explaining
some the findings. Some concerns were expressed about whether the findings could have been affected by interviewer bias, that is, whether those doing the interviews could have misrepresented the real answers given. Given Guyana’s newness to opinion polls, this is always a possibility. And it is from the persons designing the polls to institute safeguards to guard against this form of bias. One way would have been to have two persons record the responses. In this way, one person would act as check against the other distorting the answers, unless of course there is connivance between the two interviewers. Guyana needs to develop a polling culture. And the organization which conducted the recent polls should be encouraged to undertake other polls.
DEM BOYS SEH
Tell Uncle Freddie Guyana is a blessed place
People don’t know how good dem deh in Guyana. Up to today nuff of dem still trying to run out of de country. Of course de days when dem use to sell dem house to buy visas or to get to de States by backtrack done. But nuff of dem still trying to get out. Dem who stay back seeing almost every day how people who ain’t do nobody nutten getting killed. People getting guns and going into even shopping malls and killing people. And this ain’t happening in any one state. Dem boys know that Guyanese like a crowd but up to now dem ain’t hear bout any Guyanese who get killed in that shooting. Dem hear bout a shooting in Richmond Hill, Queens but dem don’t believe a Guyanese was involved. Uncle Freddie does always talk bout Guyana being a Godforsaken country. He know people who use to lef this country to wuk in odda countries. Heself lef to go and wuk in Grenada. He manage to get out after a
coup in that country. Now dem boys want him to look at de Bahamas which get a big lash from Hurricane Dorian. Nuff Guyanese deh in de Bahamas and dem boys know when dem lef dem jobs in Guyana to wuk over there because dem was getting more money. Well de hurricane sit over one part of de Bahamas fun forty hours. When it move on all dem wooden house was nutten but sticks. Well if Guyana is Godforsaken dem boys want to know wha Uncle Freddie gun seh bout de Bahamas.There was a time when people use to seh how Guyana don’t get earthquake or hurricane because de Man above realize that Guyana got its own problems. De truth is that Guyana is a blessed place. From de days when people use to suck dem teeth when dem hear bout Guyana, now dem running to de country. It got oil.That is why dem boys seh never cuss you home. It better than any odda. Talk half and give thanks.
One of the difficulties of polling in Guyana is the representativeness of the sample taken. Census data which is often used to decide on the nature of sample is dated. The last census was conducted in 2012, seven years ago. The make-up of the population would have changed since then and therefore there will be problems in generalizing the findings to the entire population. Despite this problem, Guyanese should welcome the launch of opinion polls. They should cooperate with these polls because public opinion should inform public policy. One of the big problems in Guyana is that our politicians feel they can do as they please because they believe that they can impose their opinions on the public. If it can be established that the public has a different view to the politicians, the nature of representative politics may begin to change for the better. It would be interesting for example to know how Guyanese feel about the death penalty and whether,
given the present levels of crime, hanging should be introduced. It would be interesting to know what percentage of the population support the 2 am curfew instituted by the Ministry of Public Security. How do young people feel about this as against how the older generation? It would make for interesting to know whether the public supports the offering of pardons to persons accused of non-violent crimes? The victims are not likely to be pleased but how do other members of the public feel. And what about the oil deals signed. How many supporters of the APNU and AFC
would like to see these deals renegotiated? How many of them feel that Guyana has gotten a good deal and how many of them agree with cost recovery for the royalty? And when it comes to the performance of the government, it would be useful to know just who the public considers as the top performing ministers, the most disliked ministers and the names of those whom the public feel should be fired.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 04, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
I saw a sad thing on Sunday night
O
n Sunday night, I was travelling north on UG Road heading to the Atlantic highway (my name for the old highway). My line had the red. On green, the vehicle in front of me turned east, while I turned west. The driver in front of me, that turned east, went straight into the median at the traffic lights that separate the highway into two lanes. He ripped the frontal right side of his machine terribly. Right at that spot, an important spot on the highway where the traffic lights pre-
vent chaos, given the volume of vehicles that use the highway, there are no street lamps. The place is dark. Despite your car lights, you cannot see the roadways clearly if there are no functioning lampposts. I honestly believe on that dark spot, when the guy made his turn, he didn’t get a clear, lighted view of the median. There are only two roads that lead to Berbice in the territory of Guyana – the old Atlantic highway and the new railway embankment road that stops at Enmore. Why are these roadways without
lamps? It is a downright disgrace after fifty three years of Independence. I am convinced the two worst ministers since Independence are Robeson Benn and David Patterson. Both of them personify the wasteland that Guyana is. How can a minister occupy a ministry whose function is to see public streets have functioning lights, yet Benn, after ten years as the subject minister, didn’t lift a finger? He was unconcerned. Traffic signals were constructed for Cricket World Cup in 2007. The Indian company that
did the job didn’t have a clue what Guyana’s public infrastructure was like. What they did then was to calibrate the lights wrongly, and that disgrace Benn was ignorant of and his successor is still ignorant of. I get emails from people asking me not to refer to Guyana as a shit-hole country. I cannot oblige, because I believe it is. It is my country. I love it, I am not leaving it, but I am not going to live in denial about the repugnancies and imbecilities that are ubiquitous in Guyana. Now here is my bet. If you win, I stop writing. So there will be no more reference to Guyana being a shit-hole country. If I lose, please intervene with Mr. Glenn Lall and have him force me to fulfill my obligation as a loser. Here is evidence where Benn and Patterson are unfit politicians and proof that Guyana is a shit-hole country. The bet is on. Here goes. Since 2007, some traffic signals, wrongly calibrated are functioning in asinine modes that make Guyana an asinine country. Here is my proof. If you are going to win the bet, you have to prove my description is non-existent. You are on Sheriff Street driv-
ing north and you come to the traffic signals at Sherriff Street and Campbell Avenue just where Banks DIH has an outlet. The green signal comes on, and it is for those traveling north, and the green arrow for those who are turning east into Campbell Avenue comes on simultaneously. Now brace yourself for the most asinine country in the world. Remember at present there are two lanes. You are in the lane going north. The driver turning into Campbell Avenue must also be in the northern lane. But the turning arrow goes off after ten seconds, meaning that those turning east into Campbell Avenue have to stop. But the signal to go straight continues. But how can you continue when the driver in your lane has to stop because he no longer has the turning arrow? Simply put – the green says go, but you cannot go because the guy who is turning has to stay there when the arrow comes again for him to turn. Only in a shit-hole country where commonsense does not exist you will find this comical insanity. What is the commonsensical solution? Synchronize the green
Frederick Kissoon light and the turning arrow to last the same amount of time. It means when the green arrow stops, the green light to go north stops too. This same comical insanity takes place on UG Road when you are traveling south on it coming from the Atlantic highway. It is a narrow two-lane street. When you stop at red, the green arrow to turn east keeps flashing. But there is no way to turn, since the cars going straight to UG and elsewhere have to stop. The minibus drivers are creating a nightmare. What is the solution? Do not have the arrow flashing to turn east when the red is on. Now check it out for yourself. I won the bet. Guyana is a shit-hole country. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Harbour Bridge breakdown hindering garbage collection in city - as Puran Bros. Garbage Disposal trucks stranded at West Dem
T
he accident which rendered the Demerara Harbour Bridge, (DHB) inoperable for more than 24 hours has resulted in an increased pile up of garbage in the commercial wards of the City. Officials from the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) told media operatives at City Hall yesterday that the accidental damage to the DHB has hindered the work of Puran Brothers, who are one of their main garbage contractors. According to the officials, Puran Brothers Garbage Disposal, which is resident in West Demerara has been unable to send garbage trucks over to Georgetown for the usual waste collection due to the collapse. Town Clerk (Ag) of the Georgetown Council, Sharon Jerrick explained that trucks attached to the company have been stuck on the west– side. “The garbage disposal
One of the affected sections after it was cleared of garbage.
Garbage pile in a commercial area of the city company is resident outside the jurisdiction of Georgetown and as a result their trucks traverse the bridge to get to and from the city.” Jerrick said that the accident on the DHB has negatively impacted the city, due
to the pile up of garbage in the main commercial areas. “We are currently looking at alternative methods to address the situation and seeking the cooperation of our citizens to not participate in dumping of waste and assist where necessary to ensure
that our city remains free of litter.” Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine emphasized the impact that the situation has on the city’s commercial district. “The garbage is piling up but the council and administration has been working tremendously to get the garbage off the streets.” Narine explained that he has been in contact with Puran Brothers since the bridge went down.
“Puran’s Brothers had promised to utilise a barge to cross the river, but they had some difficulty with that,” the Mayor said. He explained too that the Council could not engage the smaller contractors, since it will cost much more money than the municipality can afford. “So, we are trying our best to get this matter solved. From the time the accident took place and the bridge went down, the Town Clerk, Solid
Waste Director and I have been in touch to ensure that the garbage is kept under control,” Narine added. The Mayor explained further that the Solid Waste Director and City Engineer have been working with tractor/ trailers on the streets to clear as much garbage as possible. The Mayor said that due to the cooperation within the departments, the significant amount of the garbage was cleared within two hours (Continued on page 21 )
Wednesday September 04, 2019
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Kaieteur News
An inspiration to Indigenous girls - Guyanas first Indigenous Minister of State leading by example Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams has expressed the hope that she can inspire more Indigenous girls to dream big and achieve their goals. Guyanas first Indigenous Minister of State sees herself as an inspiration to young Indigenous girls. “Someone they can look up to…they can say if Miss Dawn could have made it, so can I! Some girls hope to be parliamentarians. They want to be a minster. They want to be the president… They are now recognising what they can do for their communities.” Appearing as a guest on the National Communications Network (NCN) Vbyz 100.1 FM, the minister noted that as a child growing up in Kako, Region 7, girls most often aspired to become teachers or nurses.
A member of the Akawaio nation, Minister HastingsWilliams initially dreamt of becoming a pediatrician, as she recognised the need for a full-time doctor in her villagesomething that has been realised under this Coalition Government. Her next choice was that of a lawyer. However, following the death of her mother, the minister was forced to leave school at the Fourth Form level. She opted to take up teaching at age 17. This saw her studying at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE,) where she obtained a Certificate in Education (Primary), before attending the University of Guyana where she graduated with a Bachelor in Education Administration. After a spell as a head
teacher, Minister HastingsWilliams entered into the political arena. Her foray into politics began by attending village meetings. It was there that, Minister Hastings-Williams said she recognised the need for education, health and land issues to be addressed. These, she noted, are high on the Coalitions hinterland agenda. The minister noted that while the nation has started to move in the right direction, theres much more to be done, as the push for equal opportunities continue. She cited the fact that Hinterland and Public Sector Ministry scholarships expanded under the Coalition Government. Also, the fact that one of the recent top CSEC performers was a hinterland student, she explained, was an example of
After 21 years, Indigenous land case finally ends -decision pending
Upper Mazaruni 1959 District Boundary and territorial claim in court [Source: ‘Our Land, Our Life’ land tenure report]
T
he land dispute case filed against the Government by two Indigenous groups has ended after 21 years. Attorney–at–law, Nigel Hughes who represented the Indigenous groups, made the disclosure during an interview with Kaieteur News. He explained that the trial ended last year. “It is quite a voluminous amount of evidence to consider but it is now left to the Chief Justice to make her de-
termination,” Hughes added. He explained that a shortage of translators and technical witnesses among the reasons for the matter dragging on for so many years. It was filed in 1998 by the people of the Akawaio and Arakuna tribes over the rights to a collective title for lands in the upper Mazaruni, Region One. The lawyer noted that the trial commenced years after the case was filed. “It started sometime in
the early 2000s, then it dragged on because of quite a few challenges…” Some of the other factors which hindered the smooth trial, the Attorney said, included the fact that “Most of the people had to be flown out from the native areas located in the upper Mazaruni; some of them had never been to Georgetown and spoke in the Indigenous tongues.” There was also a need for translators who were deemed (Continued on page 22)
what hinterland youths could achieve when given the opportunity. “They have demonstrated that if given that equal opportunity, that push, that encouragement, they can perform like anybody else.” The push to ensure equal opportunities continues with the opening of two Upper Mazaruni primary schools later this week, in Parima and Kamarang. Later this year, other schools will be opened at Imbaimadai and Kako. (DPI)
Minister of State, Dawn HastingsWilliams in the studio of NCNs Vybz 100.1
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Mazaruni Prisons gets $11M emergency response vessel
P.S of the Public security Minister, Danielle Mc Calmon, with Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, and CEO of GNIC, Clinton Williams, along with other prison officers
T
he capacity of the Mazaruni Prison to transport prisoners in the event of an emergency has been boosted with the addition of a speed boat. The boat was constructed by Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC) and can transport a maximum of 14 persons. The vessel was handed over yesterday to Permanent Secretary to the Public Security, Danielle McCalmon on behalf of subject Minister,
Khemraj Ramjattan. Speaking to the members of the media, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels said the vessel cost approximately $11M. Samuels pointed out that with the expansion of the prison, the need for an emergency response vessel will increase. He explained that “the first phase of the Mazaruni Prison expansion is going to be completed before the end of the year and this will see an additional two hundred prisoners going to that facility, it is only necessary, that we ensure that we plan ahead and have all the necessary resources in place.” Additionally, the boat will also help in the transport of
high-profile prisoners in a timely manner. “There are times when we have high profile prisoners to escort to the hospital and we would like to do so as quickly as possible. Many times, we are supported by the Guyana Police Force and if necessary, the military so there is the need for us to be on par with them in terms of the river assets,” Samuels added. The Director of Prisons believes that the new boat will stand the test of time as it was constructed with high-quality materials. It will also complement the “M.L Troy W” which was commissioned and handed over to the Guyana Prison Service back in 2017.. (A DPI release )
The new prison vessel
P.S of the Public security Minister, Danielle Mc Calmon
Wednesday September 04, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Legal battle forces temporary closure of school for pregnant teens ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – The Grenada government yesterday confirmed that an educational facility set up to assist young women who have dropped out of school as a result of becoming pregnant, has been forced to shut down temporarily as a result of a legal battle. Education Minister Emmalin Pierre said the school would remain closed until there’s a settlement in the legal matter between the present board of directors, who were elected in March this year and some of those who were voted out of the same month.Members of both
parties are refrained from speaking to the media on the court issue.“The government took a decision that it will make accommodation available for every student currently enrolled at PAM (Programme for Adolescent Mothers) to attend other institutions or other programmes according to their choice,” Pierre told reporters at the weekly post Cabinet news conference yesterday.“As it relates to a subvention for PAM, government’s decision is to discontinue the subvention to PAM at this time so that all matters can be resolved and that a decision on the way
forward can be taken,” she also confirmed. Last Friday, the Ministry of Social Development which provides an annual subvention of EC$240,000 (one EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) released a statement indicating that due to the ongoing impasse, the government had made two important decisions as part of steps to safeguard the future of enrolled students.“Government has been monitoring the situation and has made several attempts to help resolve the issue. However, it has become clear that the present challenges have unduly disrupted
Owners of tug and barge that rammed... From page 7 Oceanic and the barge, manned by Cubans, and registered in Panama, will have to pick up the tab. Under the laws, damage to the bridge has to be paid by offending parties, Kaieteur News was told. The police reportedly released the crew after questioning them Monday. While they are likely not to be charged, the owners will have to pay.From sources, it was indicated that crewmen claimed that the barge and tug anchored south of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, in the Grove/Diamond area or the river, experienced technical problems and started drifting. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, had said Monday that from indications the MayDay calls came too latea disclosure which raised questions about why no calls before then.The job of the repairs occurred under difficult circumstances with a diver used to connect anchors even during the night and amid strong current.The vessels had hit the bridge so hard that it separated sections of the 40year-old structure. Bridge workers had to use wire ropes to secured sections. A number of connecting posts were badly damaged and the bridge was shifted out-of-line. Yesterday, both Patterson and Adams praised the workers, some who suspended their leave, to assist.The situation in addition to the millions in economic loss had also threatened to disrupt the fuel supply of the Guyana Oil Company, Sol and Rubis. Likely, the marine traffic will start as early as tomorrow, it was disclosed. While the bridge is still out-of-line, with a number of anchors dislodged and buoys damaged, the repairs will continue in the next few hours.For the bridge management, it would be a sigh of relief; for the
thousands of commuters, despite the congestion every day at the bridge, the restart of operations would be more than welcome- far better than the situation at creaky Vreed-
en-Hoop and Stabroek stellings.It was clear that there was an impact on the city yesterday. The roads were largely clear with easy parking to be found.
the smooth operations of the programme and the quality of education provided for the young mothers,” said the statement.“Government has therefore decided to make arrangements to provide for the continued educa-
tion, psychosocial and other needs of the students in PAM, by re-assigning them to other schools and educational institutions,” the statement noted. Pierre told the media that the Cabinet has also taken a
decision to waiver day care fees for the children of students who will have to be placed at another day care facility while the mother is at her new educational facility. PAM also housed a day care for the babies of the students.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Aviation Authority licenses Liza Destiny Heli-deck The heli-deck of the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) has been licensed by Guyanas Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). GCAA Director General, Egbert Field, handed over the
licence yesterday to Country Manager of TLC Guyana Inc., Matthew Guiraud, at the Authoritys High Street, Kingston office. The licence is valid for one year and costs GYD$250,000. At the end of
the year, the GCAA is expected to completely re-inspect the heli-deck before it renews the licence. The heli-deck will be used as a landing point for personnel and goods that are transported to and from the
vessel.Guiraud yesterday explained that TLC had been awarded the contract as agent to import the vessel to Guyana. By SBM Offshore, the company that owns it. The helideck was inspected in Singapore on August Ghanas Director General had, last year, indicated that
it would assist Guyana by providing technical cooperation with certain areas of development in which the African country is well versed. Liza Destiny arrived in the Stabroek Block on August 29 last.Field said that the Aerodrome department is currently developing its capacity to
conduct complete inspections of such heli-decks and heli-ports on its own. It cost SBM offshore US$720M. The contract was awarded to the firm in 2017 by ExxonMobil. According to SBM, project financing was secured by a consortium of 12 international banks.
GCAA Director General, Egbert Field, hands over the heli-deck licence to TLC Guyanas Country Manager, Matthew Guiraud
Liza Destinys Heli-deck
We have to do what is best for Guyana, US ... (From page 3) as a public servant of the United States. “[Lynch] is a public servant in her country and she has to do what is best for her country and her country’s businesses.” Tucker explained He said “I understand she has to protect her investors and the compa-
nies [coming] from that country…”“After all, we all see that her President [Donald Trump] is very pro Local Content for his country.”“We are the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and we have to do what is best for Guyanese businesses. And that’s why the Chamber has always been
supportive of local content because it is what is best for Guyanese businesses.” Tucker added. Lynch had also said that the emphasis should be placed, instead on whether firms follow international best practices on matters of environmental protection and financial transparency. The Ambassador’s words contrast with a statement by AmCham President, Zulfikar Ally, who, at the GCCI Local Content Roundtable, urged Government to focus more on Guyanese rather than international companies, “because they will come here regardless.”He had noted Guyana’s history of granting exorbitant concessions to foreigners to lure them to Guyana’s shores. “The country,” the AmCham President said, “no longer has to be overly generous with this policy, but to now ensure that the local private sector, Guyanese, especially small-sized enterprises, all benefit from these concessions and duty-free [concessions], in order to build their capacity to enter this new sector.”For that, he said that Government must allow its outlook on business and the attraction of investment, to undergo a major shift.
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Kaieteur News
Mom, daughter bound and robbed in daylight home invasion The police are now on the hunt for three men who robbed a woman and her daughter at their home in broad daylight, leaving them bound then making good their escape. According to information, Indrani Sugrim, 58 and her daughter Sabrina Sugrim, 30, was at home in their concrete house located at Lot 3 Soesdyke Public Road East Bank Demerara, when the men struck. About 14:20 hrs the daughter was sleeping and her mother was in the living room when one of the perpe-
trators came under the pretext of purchasing coals. He paid with a $5000 bill and it was while Mrs. Sugrim was heading inside to provide change for the alleged customer, the man and accomplices followed her. The bandits, reportedly all armed with handguns, demanded cash and jewellery. One of the intruders then went into the daughters bedroom and woke her up, while also demanding cash and jewellry. Fearful for their lives, the victims complied. The men carted off a gold chain valued
$100,000, two diamond rings valued $400,000, a DVR valued at $45,000 and an undisclosed sum of cash belonging to Mrs. Sugrim. The daughter was relieved of a Samsung cell phone valued at $70,000, gold chain valued $200,000, two gold rings valued at $175,000 and $180,000 in cash. The men then bound their victims hand and foot before escaping. As a result of the stolen DVR, police have been unable to obtain Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage.
Harbour Bridge breakdown hindering... From page 12 “People need to be more responsible with their disposal, as citizens of Georgetown we must work to create a Guyana we all can be proud of.” Mayor Narine implored particularly the business entities to desist from dumping waste in the city. “That will cause more chaos in the city at this point and time. Puran Brothers is responsible for collecting waste in group two and ten of Georgetown. These are the main commercial areas.” Solid Waste Director,
Walter Narine told the media that the Council is using “whatever resources available to clear the streets blockby –block. He noted however that the alternative method has proven to be not as effective as the Puran’s garbage compactors. “We are hopeful that the bridge will be operational within the next 24 hour to facilitate the traffic and Puran’s will come over to the city,” Narine said. The DHB went down on Monday after a drifting barge, towed by a tug, crashed into
a section of the bridge, causing it to become misaligned. The incident has hindered the flow of traffic crossing to and from West and East Demerara and since then, DHB officials have been working nonstop to ensure that the bridge’s operations are back to normal. After hours of working to rectify the problem, DHB announced yesterday that the crossing will be open to light traffic. DHB has said that it will notify the public when the crossing can facilitate a heavier flow of traffic.
Civil Aviation awaits final report... From page 8 years is that no matter how big or small you are as an airline, when a mechanical part wants to fail, it fails.” Field also stressed that the licenses are usually valid for a period of one year. “Even though periodically in that year we continue our surveillance by making impromptu visits, by the end of the year we do a complete inspection of all the items before that licence is reviewed. There is a fee attached because we have to pay our inspectors and the authority needs to move forward. It costs $250,000, and I am sure that this amount will go up. As the oil flows I am sure that we will be increasing that fee.” On Wednesday August 21, 2019 at approximately 00:30 hrs, American Airlines Flight No. AA1512 destined to Miami, United States was executing a left turn on the runway (RWY 06) threshold for takeoff. According to the GCAA, at this time, the pilot of the Airbus 319 aircraft, registration N9025B, taxied by back tracking the Runway 06 in order to position the aircraft for takeoff on RWY 06. On the pilots attempt to make the 180 degree turnaround at the existing threshold of RWY 06, the nose gear and right undercarriage
wheels came into contact with the cables and temporary threshold lights which were positioned before the transverse strip. The authority said that the transverse strip identifies the threshold of the runway. “Contact with the temporary threshold lights punctured three wheels of the aircraft (the two nose wheels and the outer right side main gear wheel). Investigation into the incident is ongoing by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, however, preliminary findings suggest that the temporary threshold lights were before the transverse strip and not behind. In addition, the housing (case) of
temporary threshold lights were not frangible. These factors are seen as probable contributory causes for the incident,” a recent GCAA report had disclosed of the incident. This latest incident would have followed another, shortly before that, in which an arriving AA plane was forced to divert to Trinidad after the runway lights went down. The airport had installed temporary lights while fixing the problem. The entire airport, including the runway, is being renovated to the tune of US$150M, with the project dragging on for nine years now.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Taxi driver allegedly stabs man who owed him $2,000
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Available for sale- Used zinc sheets, black tanks: 450 gal $14,000, 610 gal $20,000, Different types of wood. Contact#697-0471
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DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM
Pearl white Toyota Runx. Lady Driven, very good condition, $1.450M Tel#676-9562
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 643-5122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N TA L @YAHOO.COM
LAND FOR SALE
Mercedes C200, 2013,$4.2M.Tel#695-5701
Soesdyke/Linden Highway Front 33.25 acres.Contact 6479498 TO LET
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
2 room bottom flat apartment to let, 575 Block X Diamond 3 bedroom single house, Craig EBD. #623-1562
EDUCATION
(1) 3 bedroom house located at Middle St, Stewartville. Tel#625-3299/268-3129
Common Entrance Lessons, Grades 1-6. Phonics, Reading & Composition Classes. Nursery Aftercare-Phonics, Reading, Writing & Games. Call: 677-0296
VACANCY
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Vacancy exist for a Spanish Teacher- must be able to teach (2 & 7) years old. Call: 600-6887 for more information
Up Scale 2 bedroom apartment semi furnished. Located in Charlestown.Students or Overseas visitor.Contact 2251418/601-1585
Short Base Supercustom Bus without Engine and Gearbox as Parts.664-0802
Installation, Repairs and parts 1 Tug Boat 2000 HP.Tel#609for AC, Fridge, Washing 8986/661-6161. Machine, Stove etc. Call Nick 630-1600, 627-3206
CAR RENTAL
FOR RENT
PROPERTY FOR SALE
3 bedroom (2) storey concrete house, located at Uitvlugt Ocean View WCD Contact# 277-3837
WANTED 1 Diesel Mechanic to work in the interior, Interested Persons can make Contact on Tel# 625-5136 between the hours of 8am-4pm
Mining engineering/ operations manager for Cuyuni area. Requirements: Academic qualifications & 5 years relevant experience in Mining. Call: 223-5180 2 Experienced Pastry Maker, 1 Experienced Driver/Salesman, 1 Vehicle Porter @ Humphrey38 Ketley Street Charlestown. #225-7864/227-8607 Salesgirl & Porters. Apply to Best Buy Food Supplies, Lot 1E Middleton & Dennis St, Campbellville with written application Female Sales Clerk-Hand written application to Perfume Dazzle, 137 Regent St.Georgetown.
1- Male ablebodied clerk. Tel#231-2029/616-5954
Teachers wanted: Common Entrance Lessons. Grades 1-6 Teachers, Nursery Teachers. Call: 690-9378
Wanted Driver.Age 2550.Tel#616-6988
Tutor. Contact# 223-5273/2235274
Clerical assistance domestic worker, live-in accomodation for Berbicians and Essequibians. Call between 8:15-4:15 pm. #219-5354
Vacancy exist for a Full time/ Part time teacher, must be able to teach (2 & 7) years old. Call: 600-6887 for more information
One experience Driver, apply Hack’s Halaal with handwritten application 5 Commerce Str.
Cook to work in Charity. Contact# 654-7162
Minibus Driver living in G/ Town to work with company.Tel#646-8748 One (1) Kitchen Assistant to work at Itaballi. #672-7275
Handyman (must have experience in landscaping) contact# 223-5273/223-5274 Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Job entails cleaning and assisting cooks. Call 6182020.
One cook to work in a bar #679-2612 Preferable from West Bank Demerara.
Vacancy exist for Servers. Apply at German’s Restaurant, Lot 8 New Market Street, North Cummingsburg, G/town. Starting Salary $14,000 GYD weekly
Black Kakaralli Piles 65 ft long #223-5273/4
Waitress for bar. Age 18-28 #612-2522
One full time maid, must know to cook & clean. Contact# 226-3109
Front end loader operator for interior location. #223-5273/4 1 Private female tutor to teach grade 5 girl, preferably from East Bank.Call:616-3952. Experienced Workers for Land Dredge and 1 cook for Interior.Tel#629-8280 Seamstress. Contact: 6911918. Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm VACANCY Female Cleaner Office & Home. Call: 642-9823
Vacancy exist for 2 Assistant cooks @ People’s Choice Kitchen, 88 James St, Albouystown. Tel#679-9449/ 231-3059 Lorry Driver with sales experience, submit application to Fernandes Guyana Ent,VVB Durban Backlands.#624-0092/2231773. Experienced Cashier & Handyman apply with written application:American Variety Store 140 Regent & Light Street.
An argument over $2,000 ended with one man nursing stabs wounds and the other remanded to prison. Morris Carter was yesterday arraigned before the courts where a charge of attempted murder was read to him. It was alleged that on August 27, 2019 at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty Georgetown, the defendant wounded Matthew Gilbert with intent to commit murder. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which was read to him by Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. The defendant was represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson who asked for reasonable bail be granted to his client. The attorney informed the court that Carter is 43 years old, and from Lot 20 DUrban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown. According to defence council, on the day in question, his client was at a washbay having his car cleaned when he was approached by the alleged victim. An argu-
ment and a fight ensued, in which Carter received injuries. However, Gilbert was not charged. On the other hand Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris told the court that it was Carter who approached Gilbert. He stated that Carter asked Gilbert for the $2,000 he owed him as the remaining payment for a $7,000 finger ring. However, after Gilbert said he did not have money the defendant became annoyed and allegedly stabbed Gilbert with a knife. Gilbert was taken to the Kitty Health Centre, and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He was treated and sent away, but was readmitted yesterday. Based on the facts presented the prosecutor objected to bail being granted citing the nature of the offence and given that the victim is hospitalised. The submission by the prosecutor was upheld and the defendant was remanded until September 26, 2019.
After 21 years, Indigenous... From page 13 as experts by the Court. Added to that, the Attorney noted that there was need for technical witnesses in the field of anthropology. Three anthropologists, all of whom had to be flown from outside of Guyana, have testified. Hughes explained that the first external expert in anthropology was deemed unfit to testify. This was because she had written a book that specifically related to the two tribes that brought the case against the Government. Several Indigenous communities of the Upper Mazaruni area of Region Seven had filed a case with the Judiciary, seeking collective title over their customary lands. This issue was given a spotlight at last Thursday’s meeting of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, in Georgetown. During the meeting, the APA launched a report titled Ina Nono, Ina Uko’manto’ Eina Pata, Eina Komantok, or Our Land, Our Life on the land tenure situation of Region Seven’s Indigenous communities. VACANCY 1 experienced driver, must have license for car/van/ minibus & motorbus, residing in G/town between ages 2450 yrs old. #225-1429/641-5075
The report stated that “Joint requests for collective land title have been ignored. Specifically, the Upper Mazaruni communities’ request for collective title during the 1960s ALC [Amerindian Lands Commission] process was ignored, and the communities’ lawsuit seeking collective title has been pending a decision in the High Court for more than 20 years since it was filed in 1998.” October 2019 will mark 21 years since the matter has been filed. According to the information presented in 1967, Government instituted an Amerindian Lands Commission, tasked with mapping and suggesting titles to be issued to Indigenous communities. But in 1991, titles were granted individually to each community; though the request was for holding collective title to their traditional territory— the collective title would give the Akawaio and Arakuna tribes’ control of the entire upper Demerara Region. The villages of Paruima, Waramadong, Kamarang (Warawatta), Kako, Jawalla and Phillipai in the Upper Mazaruni have long sought legal title over the area defined by the 1959 Amerindian District as one Akawaio/ Arecuna district. Being dissatisfied that their wishes weren’t granted, the Arecuna and Akawaio people brought a landmark case to court for those lands.
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Opponents of ‘no-deal’ Brexit defeat PM Johnson, who promises an election LONDON (Reuters) - British lawmakers defeated Boris Johnson in parliament yesterday in a bid to prevent him taking Britain out of the EU without a divorce agreement, prompting the prime minister to announce that he would immediately push for a snap election. The government was defeated by 328 to 301 on a motion put forward by opposition parties and rebel lawmakers in Johnson’s party - who had been warned they would be kicked out of the Conservative Party if they defied the government. More than three years after the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to leave the European Union, the defeat leaves the course of Brexit unresolved, with possible outcomes still ranging from a turbulent ‘no-deal’ exit to abandoning the whole endeavor. Yesterday’s victory is only the first hurdle for lawmakers, enabling them to take control of parliamentary business. Today they will seek to pass a law forcing Johnson to ask the EU to delay Brexit for a third time - until Jan. 31, unless he has a deal approved by parliament beforehand on the terms and manner of the exit.It puts Johnson in a similar bind to that faced by his predecessor Theresa May, who failed three times to get the backing of lawmakers for the Withdrawal Agreement that she had negotiated with the EU. Johnson took over from her six weeks ago with a promise that his more robust approach would force a better deal out of the EU that would satisfy parliament. The 21 Conservative rebels who now face expulsion from the party include Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Britain’s World War Two leader Winston Churchill, and two former finance ministers - Philip Hammond and Kenneth Clarke. “I don’t want an election,
but if MPs vote tomorrow to stop negotiations and compel another pointless delay to Brexit, potentially for years, then that would be the only way to resolve this,” Johnson told parliament after the vote. “I can confirm that we are tonight tabling a motion under the Fixed Term Parliament Act.” ECONOMIC DISRUPTION In an historic showdown between prime minister and parliament, Johnson’s opponents said they wanted to prevent him playing Russian roulette with a country once touted as a confident pillar of Western economic and political stability. They argue that nothing can justify the risk of a ‘nodeal’ Brexit that would cut economic ties overnight with Britain’s biggest export market and inevitably bring huge economic dislocation. Johnson cast the challenge as an attempt to force Britain to surrender to the EU just as he hopes to secure concessions on the terms of the divorce, helped by the threat to walk out without one. Ahead of the vote, he said would never accept another delay to Brexit beyond Oct. 31.“Parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels,” Johnson said. “Because tomorrow’s bill would hand control of the negotiations to the EU.” Johnson’s government will now seek to hold a vote today to approve an early election, most likely on Oct. 14. This would pit the avowed Brexiteer against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist. In the Brexit maelstrom, though, it was unclear whether opposition parties would support such a move which requires the support of two-thirds of the 650-seat House of Commons. Corbyn has long demanded an election as the best way out of the crisis, but many of those seeking to pre-
vent a ‘no-deal’ Brexit say Johnson could time the poll to ensure that parliament cannot prevent an Oct. 31 departure - with or without a deal. After the vote, Corbyn told Johnson that he must get the Brexit delay bill that will be discussed today passed before trying to call an election. DIVIDED KINGDOM The 2016 Brexit referendum showed a United Kingdom divided about much more than the European Union, and has fueled soulsearching about everything from secession and immigration to capitalism, empire and modern Britishness. It has also triggered civil war inside both of Britain’s main political parties as dozens of lawmakers put what they see as the United Kingdom’s fate above that of party loyalty. Just as Johnson began speaking, he lost his working majority in parliament when one of his own Conservative lawmakers, Phillip Lee, crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the proEU Liberal Democrats. The pound, which has gyrated to the twists and turns of Brexit since the 2016 referendum and is highly sensitive to the prospect of a ‘nodeal’ exit, had briefly dipped as low as $1.1959 GBP=D3 before the vote in parliament. Barring a minutes-long “flash crash” in October 2016, sterling has not regularly traded at such low levels since 1985. Fears of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit were rising elsewhere. The European Commission said such a scenario was a “very distinct possibility” and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was the most likely scenario. In a document seen by Reuters, the European Commission set out proposals to be published on Wednesday to provide financial help for EU businesses, workers and farmers if Britain crashes out of the bloc without any agreement.It restated its view
Opposition candidate charged with incitement to burn down Parliament ROSEAU, Dominica - CMC – An opposition candidate is due to return to court on December 2 on a charge of incitement relating to remarks he is alleged to have made at a public meeting nearly four years ago.Dr. Sam Christian, who is expected to contest the next general election on behalf of the United Workers Party (UWP), had his matter adjourned after the presiding magistrate was absent during Monday’s court session.Police allege that Christian, a medical practitioner, had sought
to incite a crowd to burn down the Parliament building when he addressed a public meeting on November 26 2015.Christian is alleged to have told the crowd “you must stand strong and stand with dignity. Don’t take any crap from the Speaker of the House of Assembly. We know that the Parliament was burned down before and this Parliament continues to operate this way”.Christian is also alleged to have said “ladies and gentlemen it will be burned down again by the people of Dominica.
that a ‘no-deal’ divorce would hit the British economy much harder than that of the EU. The U.N. trade agency UNCTAD said it would cost Britain at least $16 billion in lost exports to the EU, plus a further substantial sum in indirect costs. The U.S. investment bank JPMorgan said an election would make a no-deal Brexit more likely.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks after the announcement of the result of the vote in the Parliament in London, yesterday, in this still image taken from Parliament TV footage. Parliament TV via REUTERS
Chronicle editorial riddled with half-truths... From page 6 continues onto now and is clearly spelt out in the Collective Labour Agreement between the GAWU and the GuySuCo. Regarding the subjects, it is well within the GAWUs prerogative to identify the subject matters it wishes to address during its educational classes. It also should not be forgotten that Article 1 of the Guyana Constitution says ”Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism and shall be known as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana”. Certainly, the subjects alluded to are important tenets of the transformation envisaged by the Constitution. It should not be forgotten, too, that during the era of former Prime Minister and President Forbes Burnham workers were granted paid time-off to pursue studies in the USSR, among other places. Those stints abroad exposed workers to the subjects the Chronicle have now expressed a critical viewpoint about. We hasten to add, too, that interestingly, and maybe conveniently, the newspaper failed to allude to the GuySuCo participation in delivering certain presentations during our educational classes. Moreover, the paid-release of workers to attend unionsponsored educational courses is by no means a new feature or unique to GAWU and GuySuCo. It is a benefit extended to all other unions and is one of the many battles won by the working-class. The paper contends that ”this government… halted the rapid decline of the industry” and goes on to say that ”…the industry was saved”.
We wonder how that could be true. The reality is that 7,000 workers lost their jobs; tens of thousands of Guyanese have been plunged into misery, if not poverty; communities have had their breath sucked out; schoolaged children have had to leave their educational pursuits; we have seen families broken-up, and how can we forget that it pushed some workers sadly to taking their lives. Today, while the Chronicle wants to engage in distortions and untruths, the naked reality is there to see. Many media reports have confirmed the hardship and suffering that face the now displaced sugar workers. We see too the Chronicle charging that ”…thousands of sugar workers still have their jobs is testimony to the foresight of the government”. But it was this Government which stood, apparently at the sidelines, as the workers and the Guyanese public, looked on horrified, at the very public battle between NICIL and GuySuCo. It is the Guyanese people
who today stand to be exposed to a $30B indebtedness should the various actors not get the industry right. It is future generations of Guyanese which stand to suffer from the shortsighted and, seeming, blinded decisions of the present-day Administration. We remind the Chronicle that nine (9) years ago it said ”[w]e have the capacity and resources to restore the sugar industry to its former glory. What is needed now is efficient and effective management of the industry at levels and the will and determination to succeed”. We believe this is very much relevant in our times as well. So today, while the Chronicle is used to do the bidding of its masters and has adopted, from all appearances, an anti-sugar and an anti-worker outlook, we need to be wary of the thousands who are hardpressed, while cheap propaganda is pursued with taxpayers monies. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
APNU+AFC’s new ... From page 5 now shamelessly admit they misdirected people, deliberately, over many months simply to avoid elections, intentionally violating the constitution, the Parliament and the judiciary. There was no eureka moment - the truth did not dawn on them suddenly, they knew it all along. The difference now is that, thus far, the constitutionally appointed GECOM Chair has acted in accordance with the law and has shown independence. Hopefully, she has the stamina not to buckle under the inevitable pressure. Clearly, APNU+AFC misdirected people,
deliberately lying to them they would be disenfranchised if the existing NRR is not discarded and a new one created with a new HTH. It was always part of a sordid, reckless and illegal strategy to invalidate the NoConfidence Motion, acting in contempt of the Parliament, the Judiciary and the Constitution. It was all designed for one purpose - avoid the elections for as long as possible and then rig the elections whenever it is held with the help of a rigged voters list. It begs the question - why are they so dreadfully afraid of free and fair elections? Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
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China, India and Brazil firms seek joint ventures to rehabilitate GPL network
The Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) will be rehabilitating its Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Network as part of its Development and Expansion Programme for the period 2015 to 2019. This project aims to not only upgrade current facilities but to also improve electricity accessibility. Bids were opened for the project at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday morning and it attracted bids from countries such as China, India and Brazil. Other notable projects were the Ministry of Public infrastructure, Feasibility Study Design and Construction Supervision for the Rehabilitation of the Charity Market Wharf, Charity Region 2, Regional Democratic Council region #3 Construction of Heavy Duty RC Bridge at Best Village West Coast Demerara and the Ministry of Public Security, Supply, Delivery and Installation of Whole-body Scanner, Guyana Prison Service. Guyana Power & Light Rehabilitation of MV and LV Distribution Network-Lot C
Ministry of Public infrastructure - Feasibility Study Design and Construction Supervision for the Rehabilitation of the Charity Market Wharf, Charity, Region 2
Ministry of Public Security - Procurement of Field Materials- Guyana Police Force
Guyana Power and Light Procurement of Hardware for Installation of a Business Intelligence System for GPL
GECOM Extension of Registration office at Hydronie, Parika, East Bank Essequibo Region 3 Regional Democratic Council region #3 Construction of Heavy Duty RC Bridge at Best Village West Coast Demerara.
Construction of a Registration office at Kamarang- Region 7
Ministry of Business - Construction of Culvert to access the Enmore Call Centre Ministry of Public Security Supply, Delivery and Installation of Whole-body Scanner, Guyana Prison Service.
Ministry of the Presidency- Department of Energy Consultancy Services for Development of a Website
Ministry of Agriculture Procurement of New equipment for the Ministry of Agriculture Lot 1: procurement of One New 4x4 Double Cab Pickup, Lot 2: Procurement of One New All-Terrain Vehicle
Maritime Administration Department - Construction of Sub Structure for the Maritime Administration Dept. New Main Office, Kingston
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Coleman set for worlds after USADA charge withdrawn
Christian Coleman wins 100m semifinal in 9.96 during the USATF Championships at Drake Stadium. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo)
Tuesday September 04, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Taking time alone is essential for everyone, Aries, but recognize when you're isolating yourself to the point where it's unhealthy.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't be surprised if you're a little weepy today, Libra. The day's planetary influences could enhance your sensitivity to everything, including your feelings.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Watch out for the greeneyed monster today. It can rear up before you even say the word "jealousy" if you're not on your guard. Many situations that cause this feeling are born of insecurity.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Obsessive thinking may be something you need to look at today. Common areas for such behaviors are in the pursuit of money, power, success, and romance.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may feel insecure about your appearance today. This can be a vicious cycle, and the end result is almost always negative. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Jealousy might rear its head today. The key to coping with it is to understand why you feel insecure. If you're jealous of a partner, why is this? Is trust an issue? LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Arts and crafts may hold your interest today. Even if you lean more toward sports, an artistic streak likely runs pretty strong in you. Creating can be richly satisfying, both in the process and in the finished product. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Getting along with others may prove challenging today, Virgo. The planetary aspects can have you isolating yourself. You might feel impatient and easily annoyed. If this is so, stay solo if you can.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Don't act impulsively today. It can be easy to confuse this with spontaneity, but one has more thought in it than the other. Look before you leap! Think everything through from decisions to projects to contracts. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Is it time to take a more drastic approach to solving a problem? If you've made several attempts to resolve your trouble to no avail, it might be something to consider. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Tap into your creativity to unblock your emotions today. This can be a more powerful tool than you realize. Creativity is a big part of you - almost as big as communication. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may need to deal with disapproval today, Pisces. This will likely come from someone you see as a superior or authority figure, perhaps a parent or teacher.
(Reuters) - World 100 meters favorite Christian Coleman is eligible to compete in this month’s world championships and the 2020 Olympics after a whereabouts charge against the American sprinter was withdrawn by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Monday. USADA had charged Coleman with three failures to properly file whereabouts information in a 12-month period, a potential antidoping violation, and the case had been scheduled to go to arbitration today. But USADA, after receiving guidance from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on how to calculate the 12-month window, withdrew the charge. “Every athlete is entitled to a presumption of innocence until their case is concluded through the established legal process,” USADA CEO Travis Tygart said in a statement. “This is certainly the case for Mr. Coleman, who has been found by USADA not to have committed a whereabouts violation and is fully eligible to compete under the rules.” USADA added that in 2018 and 2019 Coleman has provided his whereabouts information by the start of each quarter and has been tested on 20 separate occasions by the U.S. agency. Coleman said he now looked forward to
representing the United States in the 100 and 200 meters at the Sept. 27-Oct 6 world championships in Doha. “While this ordeal has been frustrating and I have missed some competitions that I should not have had to miss, I know that I have never taken any banned substances, and that I have never violated any antidoping rule,” the year ’s fastest man and 2017 world 100 meters silver medalist said in a statement. Coleman had been charged because athletes are required to notify anti-doping officials where they can be reached for a certain period daily. If testers are unable to contact the athlete at the designated location three times within a 12-month period, he is considered to have committed an antidoping violation and subject to a ban of up to two years. Coleman had whereabouts failures on June 6, 2018 and January 16 and April 26, 2019, USADA said. However, under International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI) guidelines, the first failure is backdated to the first day of the quarter, which in Coleman’s case would have been April 1, 2018. Thus his April 2019 failure fell outside the 12-month window and was not considered an anti-doping violation. “USADA has determined
that under the applicable rules, and in order to ensure that Coleman is treated consistently with other athletes under the World AntiDoping Program, Coleman should not be considered to have three whereabouts failures in a 12-month period,” the agency said. “Accordingly, USADA has withdrawn its charge that Coleman committed an antidoping rule violation.” The case is still subject to appeal by WADA or the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) Athletics Integrity Unit but that is unlikely.-
King stakes claim for... From page 30 number three hit Joseph to mid-on after hitting a six in 16 to leave the Warriors on 1333 before Pooran, later used as the Keeper, hit Motie to longon at 167-4. Malik slashed Pestano behind point for a boundary before he was caught in the deep off Joseph at 195-5 before Sherfane Rutherford, who had been bought by MI for next year’s IPL in India, was run out for eight. Robin Bacchus began the reply with a pair of magnificent cuts for boundaries off the expensive Odean Smith. Griffith pulled him into the stands before hitting over cover for another six and flicking him for four as his three overs leaked 49 runs. But after Bacchus (12) was caught and bowled by Green at 50-1 and the aggressive Griffith played around an arm ball and was LBW to the Australian offspinner who operated with impeccable control, Ali Mohamed (4) looked out of place at this level. The West Indies youth player, played across his first ball and seemed lucky to survive a LBW shout before being comprehensively beaten by a flipper, while a wild swipe off his third ball from Green was skied to midoff where Romario Shepheard floored the catch. Ali Mohamed then played an ugly slug at pacer Ben Laughlin and was taken at long-on while West Indies youth player Raymond Perez (1) walked past Permaul for Pooran to effect the stumping. Johnson, trying to cut at balls too close to him, hit a couple of boundaries but was soon taken at long-on trying to go after Permaul before Imlach and Anthony Adams (15) played positively in the unbroken half century stand in the losing cause.
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Wednesday September 04, 2019
Andreescu ends Townsend’s run to reach U.S. Open quarters NEW YORK (Reuters) Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu battled past a tenacious Taylor Townsend 6-1 4-6 6-2 in a late night thriller at the U.S. Open on Monday to reach her first grand slam quarter-final and end the American’s fairytale run at Flushing Meadows. Ranked 116th in the world and having clawed her way into the U.S. Open main draw via qualifying, Townsend was the clear underdog against the 15th seeded Andreescu, who arrived at the year’s final grand slam hyped as the next big thing in women’s tennis. “I have been working and dreaming of this for a long time,” said Andreescu. “So it feels pretty dam good to be in the quarters. “Every tournament I am in I expect to win but I know I have a lot of tough opponents before reaching the finals.” But Townsend, who had already knocked off Wimbledon champion Simona Halep in the second round, would not be intimidated even after being
blown out in the opening set. The match was billed as a clash of styles with Townsend employing the serve-and-volley game that baffled the fourth seeded Halep going against the hardhitting Canadian. “She has a different game from many other people,” said Andreescu. “It wasn’t easy that’s for sure. “I don’t normally play people like this but I made sure to work on my passing shots yesterday and I think it worked in the first and third sets. “I’m glad I kept my cool in the end.” But Andreescu has shown in winning hardcourt titles in Indian Wells and Toronto that she is much more than a big serve and ferocious forehand. The teenager comes armed with an improving all court game and has shown a willingness and ability to come to net. There were, however, a few glaring cracks in Andreescu’s game,
Taylor Townsend of the United States reacts to winning the second set against Bianca Andreescu of Canada in the fourth round on day eight of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) particularly her serve as she committed eight double faults, many at critical moments. As expected Townsend came out on the attack but Andreescu was ready countering the serve-andvolley with razor sharp passing shots and clever lobs to race to a 4-0 lead. In command, Andreescu’s serving troubles suddenly
surfaced double faulting to gift Townsend a break at 4-1. Andreescu’s serving woes followed her into the second set helping Townsend to an early break and a 3-0 lead with another double fault on set point handing the American a break to extend the match. With a shaken Andreescu taking a washroom break Townsend skipped rope on
Bianca Andreescu of Canada celebrates after match point against Taylor Townsend of the United States (not pictured). (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) court to keep loose to the amusement of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd squarely in her corner. The support could not save Townsend as Andreescu opened the third set with a break and charged in front 5-1. Townsend refused to go away quietly fighting off four match points to extend the contest before Andreescu
served out the match. Never before past the second round of any grand slam Andreescu has confidently navigated her way into the last eight where she will face Belgian 25th seed Elise Mertens, who blasted her way into the quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-1 demolition of another American surprise package wildcard Kristie Ahn.
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Softball Cricket Canada win Toronto Cup Open title TORONTO, Canada – The third edition of the Toronto Cup, organised by the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) climaxed at the picturesque University of Toronto ground here on Sunday with Softball Cricket Canada (SCC) emerging as winners in the Open category. On a day when intermittent showers persisted throughout, and with hundreds of spectators in attendance, SCC got the better of Canadian counterparts Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Rebels in the reduced 15-over affair much to the delight of their players and supporters. Set a challenging 114 for victory after OSCL Rebels fought their way to 113 for five in their allotted overs, SCC reached the target in 13.5 overs, thereby registering their first triumph in an international tournament following their formation last year. The eventual winners were given a rapid start by Avinash Sookdeo (26) and Shawn Deonandan (11), racing to 24 in the second over before the latter
Asahia Sunich, daughter of Roger Sunich (brother of Ramesh Sunich) handing over the winning trophy to SCC skipper Loaknauth Ramsuchit. departed. That momentum was maintained by the hardhitting Zaheer Allard as along with Sookdeo they plundered a further 43 for the second wicket in just over four overs. By the time Allard departed in the sixth over after slamming a four and two sixes in his 26 off just 14 deliveries,
SCC were well on their way to achieving their second consecutive win over their opponents after defeating them in Saturday’s preliminary round. Sookdeo, whose 26 included three towering sixes fell in the eighth over but Azam Haniff with 20 (two
fours and a six) from 18 balls kept the middle-order intact despite a few inroads in the latter part of the innings which proved too late. Bowling for OSCL Rebels, Trevon Garraway grabbed two for 26, Richard Latiff two for 26 from three overs after going for 17 in his first, Riaz
Kadir one for 18 and Yoodhanlall Sukhlall one for 26. Earlier, a magical opening spell by Sunil “Skadachie” Ramkissoon, which saw him sending back Latiff (0), skipper Troy Gonsalves (seven) and Surujpaul Deosaran (one) had OSCL Rebels reeling at 14 for three in the third over after they were asked to take first strike. However, the consistent Garraway (42) once again came to his team’s rescue, sharing a fourth-wicket partnership of 66 with Krishna Deosaran (12) with extras, including an incredible 36 wides, also making a healthy contribution. It took the return of Ramkissoon to break the stand as Deosaran departed. Garraway, who was undefeated at the end, struck three fours and two sixes. Ramkissoon, who was later named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the final, finished with four for 13 from his three overs, while Bolanauth “Bunty” Sukhu took one for 19. His winnings included a chain and pendant, compliments Go Logistics which was engraved by
Trophy Stall. Garraway, the former Guyana Under-19 player, who had scores of 60, 20, 45 and 42 not out, tallying 167, was rewarded for the player registering the most runs in the Open category. SCC skipper Loaknauth Ramsuchit, who’s 78 against OSCL Rebels was the highest individual score, while Dan Patram, who claimed the only hat-trick in the tournament and SCC’s Richard Dias (best catch) were the other recipients of prizes. Apart from the winners’ trophy, which was sponsored by Trophy Stall, the winners also took home $1500(US) while the runners-up received a trophy and $200(US). The players from both teams were also garlanded with medals, also from Trophy Stall. The other participating teams in the Open category were Steel City Warriors and Gladiators, both Canadianbased sides. Among those in attendance were Toronto’s deputy mayor Michael Thompson and Councillor Jennifer McKelvie of Ward 25 – Scarborough Rouge Park.
Trim, Grant and Roberts to vie YWCC receives financial boost for Keith Moseley Memorial to purchase cricket covers Billiards title on Sunday The Keith Moseley Memorial Billiards tournament will conclude on Sunday after three players qualified to seek honours after the opening round last Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club. It was a day when two former top Linden players failed to advance and another who won a previous tournament was unable to get past their opponents. In the second tournament this year, Rupert DaCosta, who was victorious in the Marlon Pearson tournament earlier this year, fell to Stephen Grant 100-67 as there were other wins by Avery Trim who eliminated Haroon Bacchus 100-79, Troy Roberts proved better
that firmer top player Robert Langevine and Godwin Primo stopped another past champion Hardcourt Warde 100-75. In the quarterfinals, Roberts halted Primo 100-48 and Trim, who has a top break of 26, ended the hopes of Ellis Noel 100-53. Come Sunday it will be a three-horse race involving Trim, Roberts and Grant. Before the competition Hardcourt Warde who played many battles with the late Keith Moseley, presented Roberts, who is a member of the MSC management Committee, with a set if billiard chalks. On Sunday the three-way playoff is set for 17.00hrs at the MSC.
Hardcourt Warde, second from left, hands over the chalk to MSC Committee Member Troy Roberts at right.
Linden Austin (right) accepts the cheque from Chin Singh in the presence of Vishal Mohabir (L) and Ramo Singh. The Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice which is in the process of rebuilding after a few years, received a financial boost of $210,000 to assist in purchasing covers for the cricket pitch. A request was made to former Rose Hall Estate Community Center first division player Chin Singh who responded by raising the funds along with assistance from Pakistani USA based Irfan Malik. The club recently elected an executive and plans to bring back the club to its former glory. In handing over the cash, Singh said that he always
have the East Canje area close to his heart and will always try his best to assist. Over the years, he assisted the club and promised his continued support; he also used the opportunity to congratulate young Shimron Hetmyer. Donations were made by: Chin Singh, Ramo Singh, Pampo Karran, Chris Ganesh, Paul, Brodo Kunjal, Outram Ranglall, Sasenarine Singh, Latchman Harripersaud, Goordial Matai, Baij and Ish Ramsoondar. In response, newly elected Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Linden Austin thanked Singh and the rest of donors and promised to make them and others proud. The club was recently re-admitted
by the Berbice Cricket Board after it was inadvertently left out of the Cricket Administration Bill. In an invited comment from newly elected President Imran Saccoor, he stated that after acquiring the covers, they will raise funds to buy a self driven tractor, construct an all weather practice facility and a billboard at the head of the street entering the club. The billboard will honour West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer. The club is in the process of planning a series of fundraisers but also welcomes any assistance from former players, friends of the club, private individuals and corporate Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Nadal reigns in clash of former US Open champs as Zverev exits AFP - Rafael Nadal ramped up his quest for a fourth US Open title Monday with an impressive win over 2014 champion Marin Cilic to advance to the quarter-finals while Alexander Zverev slumped to a four-set defeat. Second seed Nadal — the winner at Flushing Meadows in 2010, 2013 and 2017 — produced some electrifying moments of brilliance to end the challenge of Croatian 22nd seed Cilic 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. After barely breaking a sweat in reaching the last 16, a run that included a secondround walkover, Nadal stared down his stiffest test so far to surge into a quarter-final meeting with Argentine 20th seed Diego Schwartzman. The Spaniard exchanged the first two sets with Cilic but grasped control by breaking for 3-1 in the third, a series of dazzling winners drawing an animated fist-
pump from golf legend Tiger Woods at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Nadal reeled off nine games in succession across the third and fourth sets and 12 of the final 15 to nail down a 40th Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, nine of which have come at the US Open. “The emotions I have when I play here are impossible to describe. I love the sport and feel very lucky to still be playing tennis here. Eight years ago I didn’t think that would happen as my body was suffering badly,” Nadal said. “It’s a huge honor playing in front of all of you and playing in front of Tiger is a very special thing. I always say I don’t have big idols but one idol is him and I always try to follow him.” Nadal’s path to the final sees him take on Schwartzman next after the 5ft
7in (1.70m) Argentine chopped down sixth seed Zverev. “He is playing amazing, nothing new, he’s one of the players with best talent on tour,” the 18-time Grand Slam champion said of his upcoming opponent. “It will be a big challenge. I have to play my best. I’m happy for him. He’s a close friend and I hope to play a great match.” - Berrettini, Monfils win Zverev rolled through the opening set against Schwartzman under the roof on Ashe during a rainy afternoon session, but he lost his way to go down 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3. The German was enjoying his deepest run in New York but committed 17 double faults and 65 unforced errors and received a point penalty for swearing as Schwartzman advanced to a second US Open quarter-final in three
years. “Generally my season so far has not been the best,” said Zverev, who has reached just two quarter-finals in 18 Grand Slam appearances. Zverev said he was hindered a “very swollen” back and right hip following a fall in his previous match. “I had a lot of chances which I didn’t use early in the match. He kind of ran away with it.” Zverev lost his serve three times during the second set but appeared to have steadied himself when he moved a break ahead at 3-2 in the third, only for Schwartzman to wrest the momentum back in his favor
after a lengthy sixth game. “It was tough because I was feeling I had the chance to win this and I had a few break points I could not take,” Schwartzman said. “He was up a break and then I recovered really quickly and I felt great after that.” Matteo Berrettini became just the second Italian man to progress to the US Open quarter-finals, 42 years after Corrado Barazzutti’s run to the last four in New York. Berrettini, the 24th seed, eased to a 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) win over Russia’s 43rdranked Andrey Rublev to reach the last eight at a Grand Slam for the first time. “It’s something really
crazy. I cannot believe it right now. I need a few hours to understand what happened,” said Berrettini, 23, who goes on to play French 13th seed Gael Monfils. “I’m just happy. Seeing my team and family here and crying, for me it’s unbelievable.” Berrettini went one step further than his run to the last 16 at Wimbledon in July, where he was beaten by Roger Federer. Monfils, a 2016 US Open semi-finalist, crushed the 33year-old Andujar’s bid to become the oldest player in the Open era to reach his first Grand Slam singles quarterfinal with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 rout.
No “quick fix” to fragile batting, says Holder KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Captain Jason Holder said there was no “quick fix” to his side’s batting problems, after they collapsed in the second session on the fourth day to lose the decisive second Test by 257 runs here Monday. Set an improbable 468 for victory at Sabina Park, the home side were 145 for four at lunch before losing their last six wickets for 65 runs to be all out for 210 in their second innings, half-hour before tea. West Indies were dismissed in their first innings for 117 and it followed their dismal showing in the second innings of the Antigua first Test when they were bundled out for 100 – their sixth lowest-ever total against India. “I don’t think it’s a quick fix. I think it’s a situation in the Caribbean where we are not really spoilt for choice in terms of batsmen coming through the region,” Holder said. “We have got to put things in place to make sure we keep developing players, make sure players are doing the right thing to be successful at this level. “There is still a lot more emphasis to be put on franchise level and firstclass cricket, and that’s where we are going to build players. They’ve got experience and scenario-based experience, and when they come on to [play] Test cricket, it becomes a little bit easier.” There was a complete failure of the batting group throughout the series with none of the specialist batsman averaging over 18.
Shamarh Brooks, in only his second Test after making his debut in the Antigua match, was the only West Indies batsman to get a halfcentury in the series when he made exactly 50 on Monday’s fourth day. Experienced opener Kraigg Brathwaite had an especially wretched series, scraping 28 runs from four innings. He averages 12 over his last nine Tests. Holder said it was important now that players took the time to examine their games during the next few months. “It’s a tough question and we don’t have any answers as yet [to the batting woes],” Holder noted. “I think it’s an individual thing and we need to pay special attention during this off period. We have a bit of time off and it’s up to the guys to take ownership of their individual games.” However, Holder was full of praise for the bowling group, especially the fast bowlers who shouldered the bulk of responsibility during the series. Seamer Kemar Roach was outstanding but bowled without much luck to grab nine wickets at 22 runs apiece while Holder finished with eight wickets, also at an average of 22. “Kemar has been outstanding. I said to him in the dressing room and generally that he is one of my motivating factors. To see the effort that he comes and gives it just really pushes me,” Holder pointed out. “Shannon (Gabriel) went off in this game and we had Miguel (Cummins) going off in the last game so it wasn’t
an ideal situation for us as fast bowlers. We’ve been in the field every single day except for this day so it’s been a situation where it’s been a heavy workload on the fast bowlers. “But every single time I called on Kemar, every single time I called on Shannon they’ve never said no and for me that’s been motivating enough. Ideally I wouldn’t have liked to bowl so many overs but that’s just how the game has gone. “Somebody has to bowl the overs. It’s a situation where we’ve got to put our heads together as a bowling unit and get the job done.” West Indies were completely outplayed in the series and have now gone 17 years without a single Test win over the powerful Indians. Holder said, though, the home side had reaped success in the recent past so though the series result was disappointing, there should not be cause for despair. “I think in Test cricket we’ve done reasonably well over the last two or three years,” Holder contended. “This is a bad series for us obviously but we’ve had lots of success in Test cricket, not primarily winning series but we’ve won quite a few Test matches in the last two or three years, so I’m not too disheartened by the Test performance. “I think we’ve got enough in this Test group to encourage us to keep going. We’ve just got to put it together more often than not. We’ve got matchwinners with the ball and we’ve been finding one or two bright spots with the bat but just not consistency.”
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Kaieteur News
Hero CPL welcomes Simon Taufel to match official’s team Former ICC Elite Panel umpire, Simon Taufel, who won five consecutive ICC Umpire of the Year Awards from 2004 to 2008, and who was generally considered as the best umpire in the world during his time, has joined the Hero CPL match official’s team. Taufel, who retired from umpiring in September 2012 following the ICC World Twenty20 final, then, held the post of ICC Umpire Performance and Training Manager until August 2016 joins the CPL in a dual role – as one of the traveling Match Referees and also as Umpire Trainer and Assessor. CPL Tournament Operations Director, Michael Hall is looking forward to Taufel’s involvement: “Simon’s resume speaks for itself, and we are happy that he will be sharing his vast
experience and knowledge in support of our tournament umpires. Since June, in collaboration with Peter Nero, Cricket West Indies (CWI) Umpire Trainer and Assessor, he has been conducting remote training sessions with all CPL match officials, and this will culminate in a oneday seminar and workshop in Trinidad on September 3rd.” Taufel is also keen about his appointment: “When I was approached by the CPL and offered this assignment I had no hesitation in accepting it. Quite apart from having always enjoyed being in the Caribbean, the opportunity to support the tournament by developing reporting processes and systems which will provide more robust feedback on the performance of all the umpires in the tournament was something which definitely
appealed to me.” At the end of the tournament, Taufel will provide the CPL, CWI and the umpires themselves with holistic feedback reports which will help to guide future umpiring appointments as well as provide the umpires with a clear indication of their strengths and weaknesses. Taufel’s team includes ICC International Panel umpires Leslie Reifer Jnr. (Barbados) and Shaun George (South Africa) along with CWI Tier 1 umpire Zahid Bassarath (Trinidad). The other team will be led by West Indian Match Referees Michael Ragoonath (Trinidad) and Reon King (Guyana) and will include ICC International Panel Umpires Nigel Duguid (Guyana), Gregory Brathwaite (Barbados) and Langton Rusere (Zimbabwe).
Ten Students receive new bicycles in time for the new school term
The recipients and their bicycles. Getting to school on time will not be a problem for ten students in the Grove/Caneville Squatting area, as they will be doing so on wheels. Last Friday, the Sonic Hunters Motorcycle Club in collaboration with Industrial Supply Guyana (ISG) Inc., presented the ten students with their new bicycles in time for the new school term. The presentation was done in the Grove community in the presence of their parents and guardians.
Terry Liben, President of Sonic Hunters Motorcycle Club, said this is the third year that the club is donating to deserving students before the opening of the new school term. Public Relation Officer of the club, Kwame Ridley, said a team from the club visited the community last week and identified the children from homes that need assistance. A sales representative of ISG, Sylvester Persaud, posited that the company jumped at the opportunity
to collaborate with the club as it is in keeping with their corporate social responsibility. Parents and guardians of the ten recipients expressed their gratitude to the donors for the gifts to their children. The bicycles, the parents said, will see them having more finances to contribute to the wellbeing of their children. The Sonic Hunters Motorcycle Club was formed in 2000 and a membership of more than forty motorcyclists.
Star 10k road race and relay on for November The annual Star 10k road race and relay runs off on Saturday November 2nd at the Diamond New Scheme located on the East Bank of Demerara. The event is being sponsored by Aquatic Starz Sports Management Company. Over $250,000 in cash and prizes are to be
won along with medals that will be handed over to all participants upon completion. The entry fee is $1500 per person and the race can be shared with a partner with one person running the first 5k and the other the second half. For more details and registration persons can call telephone numbers 672-0563, 6728916, 669-6385.
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Kaieteur News
King stakes claim for opening spot with 66 By Sean Devers Under a clear night sky and flood lights that malfunctioned, a gathering of just over 100 fans watched the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) beat a Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) X1, led by out of favour Test batsman Leon
Johnson, by 59 runs in their first of two practice matches, at Providence on Monday night. A majestic 66 from 40 balls decorated with 10 fours and two sixes from 24-year-old Brandon King was the highlight of the practice game
ahead of tomorrow evening’s clash with St Lucia Zouks as CPL T2O crickets starts at Providence from 18:00hrs. The Jamaican shared in rapid 88-run opening stand with Guyanese left-hander Chanderpaul Hemraj, who reached the boundary five
times and cleared it once in his 44 from 20 balls in just 7.2 overs as Warriors galloped to 210 on a slow track which made hard work for the pacers. Skipper, Pakistani Shoib Malik, with the experience of 328 T20 matches, stroked a well-compiled 47 from 25 balls with eight boundaries, while a cameo 13-ball 20 with a couple of fours and a six from Trinidadian Nicolas Pooran also contributed to the challenging total. Pacer Keon Joseph had 239 from his four overs for the CGI X1, who struggled to 1516 when their 20 overs expired. Trevon Griffith hammered an entertaining 35 from just 15 balls but in a display of poor shot selection which has become a familiar phenomenon among West Indian batsmen, only Tevin Imlach of the other batsmen passed 21 with an unbeaten 38 from 31 balls. Johnson made 21 but never suggested permanence as spinners Chris Green (2-14 from 4 overs) and Veerasammy Permaul (2-32) were the main wicket-takers as they made good use of a spin friendly track. With Warriors Fast bowler Clinton Pestano conceding 54 runs playing for the CGI X1, the Warriors commenced their innings in explosive fashion as King, who made 77 in his last First-Innings for West Indies ‘A’ against India ‘A’ last month, drove Joseph gloriously through extra cover for consecutive boundaries before a disdainful flick to the
GAW beat CGI X1 by 59 runs at Providence
Renaldo Ali Mohamed (4) was all sea to Aussie offspinner Chris Green who had 2-14 from 4 overs. square-leg boundary and a murderous pull over mid-off ended an expensive over from the West Berbice quickie. Hemraj smashed Pestano over cover for four, pulled him for six and neatly tucked him off his hips for another boundary as the runs came fast and furious. Hemraj, who celebrated his 26th birthday yesterday, watched as King, making his debut for the Warriors after playing for the Patriots the last two years, danced into left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and effortlessly dumped him over long-off for six.
Hemraj, who played for the St Lucia Stars last year, missed a cross batted shot at left-arm spinner Anthony Adams and was bowled. Two overs later the Western Lights went down and after 32 minutes, play resumed and King, who reached his 50 from 29 with eight fours and a six, played a loose slash at a wide ball and nicked a catch to wicketkeeper Kemol Savory as Renaldo Ali Mohamed made the break through at 126-2. Anthony Bramble, used as a specialist batsman at (Continued on page 25)
Window for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League Confirmed The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have agreed a tournament window for the 2020 tournament. Next year’s tournament will take place between 19 August and 26 September 2020. This window means that for the third successive year all West Indies contracted players will be available for the duration of the event. With high calibre international stars also set to take part, fans across the Caribbean will be able to see the best talent the cricket world has to offer. This window also means that there will be no overlap with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s new event, The Hundred, meaning both tournaments will benefit from having the best possible players available. Speaking about the window for the tournament, Pete Russell, COO of Hero CPL, said: “We are very pleased to be playing our tournament in August and September, a time or year that is perfect for us and our fans. Having the best Caribbean cricketers and the world’s best overseas players is the foundation of our tournament and this period gives us that. We may be just days away from the 2019 tournament, but we are already making plans for next year to ensure that we continue to see the phenomenal growth and
economic impact that CPL has seen over the years.’ Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI, said: “The Hero CPL has developed into one of the best and most exciting T20 competitions in the world and we look forward to hosting another successful tournament next month. We are pleased that we have once again found a window in our international calendar for the 2020 season to ensure that all the best West Indian cricketers can take part, as the tournament plays a crucial role in our preparations and planning for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2020.”
Wednesday September 04, 2019
Kaieteur News
Achievers YSC overcome Young Guns by nine wickets
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Blairmont Community Center U-15 whip Everest U-15 by seven wickets
Zaid Baksh with the match ball and teammates.
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The victorious Achiever’s Youth and Sports Club. By Zaheer Mohamed Achievers Youth and Sports Club of West Berbice defeated host Young Guns of South Essequibo by nine wickets in the final game of their three-match U19 T20 series dubbed the President’s challenge Cup on Sunday last. Both teams notched up one win each in the two previous games; Young Guns batted first in the final at the New Opportunity Corps ground at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast and were bowled out for 66 in 15 overs. Shamal Angel put them on the back foot early on by uprooting the stumps of openers Orin Gibson (01) and Chetram Seuraton (00) before Kevin Sinclair removed Saeed Hack (06) and Jaden Samuels trapped Joel Fortune (08) lbw to further peg back the home side batting. The visitors continued to maintain a steady line and Yo u n g G u n s n e v e r recovered; Shane Wong and Sudan Sharma were the top scorers with nine each as Sinclair finished with 3-7, Samuels 3-14, Budram Lakeram 2-4 and Angel 2-
Lisa Charles 12. Former Guyana U19 allrounder Sinclair got Achievers Youth and Sports Club reply off to a blistering start, smashing four fours and two sixes before he was removed by Wong for 35 with the score on 47. Angel made 12 not out and Collis Noble nine not out as Achievers Youth and Sports Club finished on 67-1 in 5.3 overs. Sinclair was named man-of-the-match. Meanwhile, Zorg SC U15 male team and Zorg SC female team played each other in two matches with both teams registering one win each. In the first game, Zorg SC U15 batted first and managed 63-5 from their
Members of the Young Guns SC.
reduced quota of seven overs. Lisa Charles had 3-12 and Kumarie Persaud 2-10. Zorg SC female responded with 64-6 in five overs. Charles struck 20. Zorg SC female took first strike in the second encounter and posted 63 all out in 15 overs. Charles and Eylinda Abrams made 12 each. Zorg SC U15 replied with 64-3 in 13.4 overs. Persaud, Abrams and Tia Isaacs took one wicket apiece. The games were organsied by Coach Forbes Daniels of Young Guns SC and Achievers Youth and Sports Club President David Black. Daniels expressed gratitude to the visiting team, Golden Fleece Rice Mill Investment, Speed Boat Association of Supenaam, Methodist Church, Banks DIH, NOC, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, V Net Communications, 4R, Trophy Stall Bourda Market and Zaheer Mohamed of Kaieteur News Sports Department. Black congratulated the teams and informed that they will be hosting the Essequibians in a return fixture shortly.
lairmont Community Center Cricket Club, fresh from a highly successful summer cricket camp, made sure that their teachings did not go in vain when they easily defeated Everest by seven wickets. The two teams clashed in a 50 overs cricket match recently at the Everest Cricket Ground, Georgetown. Everest won the toss, elected to take first strike and were dismissed for 130 in 39.3 overs with Anthony Khan 40, Ruel Prashad
32 and Varun Mangra 14 being the top scorers. Bowling for Blairmont, Right arm off spinner Zaid Baksh was unplayable with figures of 4-7, while Rashad Gafoor took 215. In Reply, BCCCC reached 131 for seven in 38.3 overs with Satya France undefeated on 36, Altav Blaram made 30 and Romeo Deonarine 19 being the principal scorers. V. Persaud took 2 wickets bowling for Everest. (Samuel Whyte)
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King stakes claim for opening spot with 66
Jamaica Brandon King strokes Keon Joseph for one of his four boundaries during majestic 66 on Monday at Providence. (Sean Devers photo)
Chanderpaul Hemraj is bowled for 44 to end an 88-run opening stand with Brandon King in 7.2 overs on Monday Night at Providence.
GAW beat CGI X1 by 59 runs at Providence
Nadal reigns in clash No “quick fix” to fragile of former US Open batting, says Holder champs as Zverev exits Experienced West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite (centre) … managed just 28 runs from four innings in the series.
Rafael Nadal came through his stiffest test so far at the US Open against Marin Cilic. (Getty Images North America/AFP / Clive Brunskill) Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.